Final Post

Dear Friends:

This is my final posting on Chiefspeak. What began as an experiment a year ago in the spring, turned out to be an interesting platform from which to connect with friends and strangers in the specific role of Chief Secretary, USA East. It has become a way to communicate the truths of the gospel, the workings of The Salvation Army, and the innuendos of my own heart.

I thank God for everyone of you who have taken a moment or two in your life to view the site. For the record, as I close today, it has amounted to 51,899 hits.

Forgive me for my recent flirtation with continuance under a different name. I liked each of the suggestions, but realized that the whole thing may have become too much of me. That would be a grave mistake, in that it isn't about me. It's about Christ and Him crucified, risen, and on the right hand of the Father, in love with Him and us.

It may be that I will re-enter the scene with something when Carolyn and I come to our new home and work in Australia...something fresh. We leave here on 26 July and will officially begin there on 1 August.

There's much to consider in this medium which I will not ignore, nor will I be a stranger to many of your blogs which are influencing my life affirmatively.

Carolyn sends her love.

Hallelujah!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

Independence Day

More than just the name of a movie, Independence Day is extraordinarily important to consider and celebrate. The value of our freedom cannot be overestimated nor underestimated.

In the USA, it informs much of our consciousness and personal formation. We find it difficult to relate to any culture of limitation. This really explains a lot. The outcomes of such thinking are not always affirmative.

Our highest and best freedom is found only in Christ. For Him we can celebrate Independence Eternity. This is a bit longer than a day.

"You shall be free indeed."

Summer Camp

Some of the best SA ministry takes place at summer camp. Each year our camp staffs shepherd thousands of children of which most enter a relationship with Christ. Hallelujah!

The kids learn all sorts of things and benefit greatly from the constructive environment. Campfires, swimming, hiking, boating and all. Then there are specialty camps like music camp being out the best in our kids.

The staff too experience life changing possibilities. I pray they make the best of their summer and look for the mark of God on their lives.

"Seek the Lord while He may be found."

From Spring Valley Corps

Dear Corps Family:

Please be in prayer for the family of Karesse Ebron. As you may be aware, Karesse's body was found last night in an area along Route 45 in Ramapo. An acquaintance and neighbor of the Ebron family has been charged with her murder.

Karesse was an employee at our GAINS After School Program and summer Day Camp. She was just 16 years old.

Although anything we may say or do cannot comfort her family we know One who can comfort them. Please bring Karesse's family and the family of the young man arrested to the Lord in prayer today. Karesse is survived by her mother, father, and two younger brothers.

"trust the Lord with all your heart." Proverbs 3

New Name

So I'm looking for some help to choose a new name for this blog. I have determined to continue for now. This was an experiment that proved itself valuable in many ways. Here are some names recommended so far:

TCspeak

TC4U

TC2U

TCconnect

Which one do you think works best? Is there another name that's better? Let me know...and don't be shy.

Thanks.

Revelation 2:17 (TEV)
17 "If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it."

Sunset

So today is our last official day in our current appointments. Carolyn and I praise God for every minute of every opportunity in these last three years. It also points to what will likely be our last appointment in the Eastern Territory, USA. We have been able to serve 30 years in our home territory. Hallelujah!

Our hearts have begun to turn "down under" now that we anticipate our move to the Australia Southern Territory. We are hearing extraordinary reports about what we can expect and the warmth of the Australian people. That has been our personal experience as well.

Tonight we salute the Salvationists of the USA Eastern Territory in gratitude to God for you. We commend to you our successors and good friends, Lt. Colonels Larry and Gillian Bosh. They will continue to serve the Lord well. You can trust them and follow their leadership to glorify God. Hallelujah!

(The blog will continue for now, but with an adjusted qualifier in the title - same blog address.)

Acts 21:5 (MSG)
5 "When our time was up, they escorted us out of the city to the docks. Everyone came along - —men, women, children. They made a farewell party of the occasion! We all kneeled together on the beach and prayed."

Da Vinci Code

We finally caught a matinee today. Having read the book (my annual novel a year or so ago), I wanted to see the movie. It's a novel...a story...not true...certainly not consistent with Scripture, but I did enjoy the mystery again. There are some concepts that would cause you to think a little...although, not a lot.

The truth about Jesus is found in the Scriptures, which "were given by the inspiration of God and ... they only, constitute the divine rule of Christian faith and practice." Let us look to His written Word to know the Way, the Truth and the Life. It's more exciting than a Dan Brown novel and it has a happy ending for those who believe.

Romans 15:4 (RSV)
4 "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope."

Montclair, NJ

We enjoyed an inspirational day at the corps in Montclair, NJ. Praise the Lord for this model corps. Majors Carole and Alastair Bate simply make you feel at home along with the local officers, soldiers and friends. Most of the music today was a tribute to the incredible music contribution by Australian composers and arrangers. Carolyn was reminded that the music in Australia will make us feel quite at home.

Sunday School featured C.A.S.T. – Creative Arts Service Team – A product of the Territorial Arts Ministries with Carol Jaudes. They gave a powerful message in this first class presentation. If you have an opportunity to see them this summer, they’re a must!

We were at home at this corps. I think you would be too. Sometime, make a visit or give a call to the soldiers of the corps. They’ll tell you about the strong family focus and the deep love that runs through the people. Hallelujah!

This was a delight we will long remember.

Philippians 4:4 (Phillips NT)
4 "Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times. Have a reputation for gentleness, and never forget the nearness of your Lord."

Majors George and Linda Childs

Majors George and Linda Childs celebrated their retirement service today in the presence of family and friends at Ladore Lodge. The meeting was civilized and brought honor to God. Majors Shirley and Gary Long helped with many of the details while Lt. Colonels Tim and Linda Raines presided with appropriate respect and class.

George and Linda have served their entire officership in the ever challenging, Adult Rehabilitation Center Command. They'’ve worked hard and invested themselves in the lives of beneficiaries and ARC staff to God'’s delight. Their associate officers and family gave poignant tributes to them in the meeting. We were reminded of God'’s grace during difficult and regular days.

Thank you, Linda and George for your faithfulness. We commit you to God'’s continued care in these fresh days of retirement.

Revelation 2:10b (NRSV)
10 "“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Office Staff

The office staff available to many people can define their experience and effectiveness. A good office staff can make the most difficult of jobs manageable. An average administrator can be upgraded to a good administrator with the right office team. I ha’ve seen it go both ways depending upon the office.

Carolyn and I salute Eileen, Sandy and Mara who have made up our office teams in the appointments we are finishing this week. We were able to do it because God gifted us with these dedicated, hard working people. They are professional, efficient and friendly. We thank God for them.

Psalms 23:4 (NLT)
4"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."

Teeth

Have you thought lately about the importance of your teeth? I understand that in addition to giving you a good smile, the care of your teeth can significantly impact your health. A lot of germs enter the body through our mouths. Good dental care can cut back on the bacteria that will build up in the mouth if left unattended.

Most communities have fluoride in the drinking water. Where they don'’t, there is an appreciable increase in dental decay among the residents. I'’ve heard lately that families who, increasingly drink bottled water, might want to compensate in some way for the loss of fluoride found in tap water.

Romans 3:4 (MSG)
4 "Depend on it: God keeps his word even when the whole world is lying through its teeth. Scripture says the same: Your words stand fast and true; Rejection doesn't faze you."

Flash Floods Plague Houston, TX

The Texas’ governor sent National Guard troops to Houston Monday as torrential rainfall flooded homes and highways in southeastern Texas. Harris County Emergency Management reported that as much as 10.5 inches of rain was reported in the Houston area by the height of the morning rush hour. Almost six inches of rain fell in just 75 minutes near Hobby Airport, the National Weather Service reported.

The Salvation Army dispatched a "canteen", a mobile feeding unit, from Conroe, TX, to support personnel staffing the local emergency operations center. Emergency officials, including local Salvation Army personnel, will continue to monitor the flooding as more rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

Doin' a lot of good...

Matthew 24:37 (NET)
37 "For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be."

Fathers' Day

This is a welcomed day by many fathers. It certainly was for me. My kids (The term children doesn't seem to work for adults and offspring sounds like a clinical category.) always treat me with deep love, respect and presents...nice presents. Ties and socks are good, but I'm usually looking for something that has electrical current. My kids, all of them make me very proud. Each are on a journey of discovery that includes God. This, of course is the only reasonable path in life. All others lead to destruction.

Some of my friends, like me, have lost their fathers on the journey and others have not known their fathers or have known them to bring trouble to their lives. So Fathers' Day becomes complicated. Do I need to remind you that our Father has never let us down and will never be absent? No one loves you more. You can count on Him on Fathers' Day and every day.

Isaiah 63:16 (NASB77)
16 "For Thou art our Father, though Abraham does not know us, And Israel does not recognize us. Thou, O LORD, art our Father, Our Redeemer from of old is Thy name."

Rehearsal

It's an interesting word. It generally means to practice or to go over a subject to ready for a public demonstration. It's a very good idea to rehearse before you go on stage. It's a very good idea to rehearse before a wedding like we did tonight.

I am wondering if there is ever a time to rehearse one's faith. I'm sure we can agree that rehearsing an opportunity to present Christ to another individual is a good plan. Many of us have done so at evangelism training classes. What I'm asking though is if there is ever a time that we are not giving a first hand testimony and are only rehearsing.

I conclude that we no more rehearse our daily faith than we rehearse breathing. We are always on. Lord, help us.

1 John 3:10 (NASB)
10 "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother."