I'm not sure of the schedules of other sessions, but right now in New Zealand we have just begun the school holidays. For us cadets this means a holida... ahem... "study break" - a time to get work finished, plan for the last term of this year and for the Prayer Warriors to prepare for commissioning. Hasn't the year gone by so fast!
We've also been hosting assessment weekends here at the college and have watched a few very nervous candidates come and go. Faces are appearing in the War Cry announcing the incoming session accepted candidates. Surely they will now be arranging and trying to get everything sorted in order to be prepared to move here in only three months. Time flies so quickly... So here are a few things I wish I had prepared earlier.... (and I don't have kids so if you want tips for those types of things just leave a comment and I'll ask around...)
1. You can never save too much money before you come. Trust us - Student Allowance only goes so far... Its enough to survive and have a little fun with but...
2. If you have spare cash and packing boxes, stock up on the stuff you really like but don't think you'll be able to afford, like your shampoo and conditioner etc
3. Don't leave any blankets or warm clothes behind thinking you wont need them... this place is freezing and power bills really cut into the budget...
4. Go to the dentist. Trust us. Tooth pain can mean big dentist bills when the money is tight. Your choice... suffer a short pain the mouth now or a huge dent in the savings later... The health benefits only kick in when you are commissioned.
5. Read your bible, and maybe brush up on The Salvation Army doctrines... I know this seems silly, but the more we learn here the less we realise we knew. Make sense?
6. Go on holiday. Enjoy your last days of freedom. Have a fantastically extravagant Christmas - as it may be the last you can spend with your extended family, as once enrolled you must stay at your appointment.
7. Keep and maintain freindships with people in your corps/centre. Random donations and food parcels are a blessing.
8. Get some practice - if public speaking really isn't your thing, then to prepare yourself try things around people you already know. Read a poem or carol in a Christmas service, deliver a prayer in a meeting - just to get a liitle more comfortable in front of people.
9. Pay close attention to how your corps does things. Watch and really listen to your pastor. What do you like about what they do, how they preach, what don't you like etc. In a few years this will be you. How do you want to come across, be heard, seen etc. Listen and seek out messages or pastors you are really moved by and study them.
10. Last but certainly the leastest... continue to pray and rely on your call. God has prompted this change in your life and has got everything covered. Trust that he knows what he is doing!
Things will work out, they will be fine. You'll see.
We can't wait to meet you all in 2010.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Habakkuk
Anyone read this lately? It is a fascinating transcript of a prophet's prayer. It begins with a very human moan, a complaint, and then God answers and defends himself. Again, the man questions God 'Why?' Why does bad things happen to good people? How can God allow things like that? Why doesn't he step in a fix it? Why doesn't God answers prayers like we want him to!
The great thing about this prayer is that, not only does God audibly answer the questions, but the pray-er, Habakkuk, is transformed through it. He encounters God in his prayer, and is physically trembled at the thought of what God has done in past and what he still can do. At the very end of the prayer is a wonderful statement of belief that come rain or shine, miraculous justice intervention or horrible destructive invasion, Habakkuk will rejoice and praise God.
I'm preaching on this in a week or so, and am still coming to grips with how scary that statement really is. Its easy to praise God when things are going well, but a whole lot harder when things aren't.
My prayer for us all, as Ambassadors of Holiness, that even when the tough times come - and they assuredly will - we can say as the Message translation puts "I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God for He is my strength."
The great thing about this prayer is that, not only does God audibly answer the questions, but the pray-er, Habakkuk, is transformed through it. He encounters God in his prayer, and is physically trembled at the thought of what God has done in past and what he still can do. At the very end of the prayer is a wonderful statement of belief that come rain or shine, miraculous justice intervention or horrible destructive invasion, Habakkuk will rejoice and praise God.
I'm preaching on this in a week or so, and am still coming to grips with how scary that statement really is. Its easy to praise God when things are going well, but a whole lot harder when things aren't.
My prayer for us all, as Ambassadors of Holiness, that even when the tough times come - and they assuredly will - we can say as the Message translation puts "I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God for He is my strength."
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The end is nigh...
Now is about the time of year when rumours arise of appointments for the second year cadets. If they have been told, they are sworn to secrecy. Imagine keeping that sort of secret for over another month before anyone else is allowed to find out! I suppose it does benefit those who have to start looking for schools for their children and making Christmas plans...
But for us first year cadets, it seriously makes us think that about this time next year, it will be our turn. Our fleeting time at college will be up and we will be sooned unleashed onto some poor unsuspecting corps. In the most literal meaning and non-profane way possible - God help us all. And thankfully, we are assured that he will.
Every new Officer that I have spoken to in the last few months gives the same piece of advice - make the most of college while you are there. Soak it in; ask questions, take lots of notes. We will never have this sort of learning environment again with such a range of experience and variety of teaching. We have some wonderful godly people here at college, who are encouraging and motivating. We should listen to their guidance and wisdom, in order to learn from their mistakes.
And so, with the future in mind, I urge all of the Ambassadors of Holiness to really enjoy the remaining time we do have here at college, making the most of it. I confess that I have in the past months maintained a pretty slack attitude about classes that I find 'less interesting' than others. Having a big session means we can sit in the back row, pass notes, and do other class readings and work on projects without anyone noticing. But, as I am learning from expereince of delivering sermons to noisy, fidgety groups that this is actually really disrespectful and distracting to others who are genuinely interested in listening...
This doesn't mean we all have to strive for an A++ grade average and not be satisfied with any less... All we can give God is our best and that requires our full attention, focus and time. As we were told in one of our first lessons 'this college does not want to produce 'good students'; they want to empower good officers.'
So enjoy college; as before we realise it, the end will be nigh... And most importantly - remember to HAVE FUN! Play a few pranks, joke around, enjoy yourself... this isn't a prison but a stepping stone.
But for us first year cadets, it seriously makes us think that about this time next year, it will be our turn. Our fleeting time at college will be up and we will be sooned unleashed onto some poor unsuspecting corps. In the most literal meaning and non-profane way possible - God help us all. And thankfully, we are assured that he will.
Every new Officer that I have spoken to in the last few months gives the same piece of advice - make the most of college while you are there. Soak it in; ask questions, take lots of notes. We will never have this sort of learning environment again with such a range of experience and variety of teaching. We have some wonderful godly people here at college, who are encouraging and motivating. We should listen to their guidance and wisdom, in order to learn from their mistakes.
And so, with the future in mind, I urge all of the Ambassadors of Holiness to really enjoy the remaining time we do have here at college, making the most of it. I confess that I have in the past months maintained a pretty slack attitude about classes that I find 'less interesting' than others. Having a big session means we can sit in the back row, pass notes, and do other class readings and work on projects without anyone noticing. But, as I am learning from expereince of delivering sermons to noisy, fidgety groups that this is actually really disrespectful and distracting to others who are genuinely interested in listening...
This doesn't mean we all have to strive for an A++ grade average and not be satisfied with any less... All we can give God is our best and that requires our full attention, focus and time. As we were told in one of our first lessons 'this college does not want to produce 'good students'; they want to empower good officers.'
So enjoy college; as before we realise it, the end will be nigh... And most importantly - remember to HAVE FUN! Play a few pranks, joke around, enjoy yourself... this isn't a prison but a stepping stone.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturdays
I, Sarah, am preaching my first proper sermon tomorrow at my Mission Placement Corps. This is being assessed by a retired Commissioner who is to observe, take notes, and meet with me later in the week to tell me how he thought it all went.
As with other things we have led and been assessed for, it is a strange situation to be leading others into worship/teaching while being concious that someone is observing you critically and taking notes. Now I'm not worried about preaching herecy or offending too many people, as the drafts of this message have been read and monitored by college staff, but still, the mere fact that someone is watching with a cliboard and pen handy just adds to the pressure!!!
What I do love though, is that the people in the corps seem to genuinely care, support and engourage us. The same can be said for the college staff. But ultimately, they are not the one whose approval we want, for that we must look heavenward. All I want to do is be used - be used as a messanger/example of God's love and word to people. And if I am not nervous about doing that, then I shouldn't be doing it at all.
As with other things we have led and been assessed for, it is a strange situation to be leading others into worship/teaching while being concious that someone is observing you critically and taking notes. Now I'm not worried about preaching herecy or offending too many people, as the drafts of this message have been read and monitored by college staff, but still, the mere fact that someone is watching with a cliboard and pen handy just adds to the pressure!!!
What I do love though, is that the people in the corps seem to genuinely care, support and engourage us. The same can be said for the college staff. But ultimately, they are not the one whose approval we want, for that we must look heavenward. All I want to do is be used - be used as a messanger/example of God's love and word to people. And if I am not nervous about doing that, then I shouldn't be doing it at all.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sun!
There are very clear hints around that winter is coming to an end; the sun is out, the birds are joyfully noisy, cadets are out planting and tending gardens and washing can be almost confidently hung outside to dry. Joggers are also getting alot of fresh air in preparation for the end of year fun run. The only problem with bad weather is having to stay inside in classes! I suppose you can't please everyone.
Work is also starting to pile up again - due dates looming on the horizon and Christmas is in sight.
But for now - go outside and enjoy the weather while it lasts - spring has a habit of being fickle...
Work is also starting to pile up again - due dates looming on the horizon and Christmas is in sight.
But for now - go outside and enjoy the weather while it lasts - spring has a habit of being fickle...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Can the fish see the water?
Yesterday in Foundations for Pastoral Care we were discussing various aspects of NZ European culture and how it affects us. But really, can we, who are seeped in the culture and usually totally oblivious to it, can we really see it? Do we know why we do what we do, why we say what we say, why in Invercargill people speak funny and call a vacuum cleaner a lux and a holiday home a bach or crib? Can we really see the culture we are absorbed in? Can the fish see the water?
The answer usually is not really - unless that fish is removed from it and put into something else, or steps back and tries really really hard. But if you are from a minority culture or have traveled and experienced other cultures, you may have noticed just how unique and strange NZer's really are. We do some odd things... We say some odd things... Things here that are acceptable are completely taboo in other nations. Things we are strict on are loosely regarded elsewhere.
The concusion to this discussion was that Christianity is counter-cultural. We have been born again into a new culture - a kingdom culture - of which we can look and see the positive and negative aspects of the culture we have come from, and hopefully do something about it.
The answer usually is not really - unless that fish is removed from it and put into something else, or steps back and tries really really hard. But if you are from a minority culture or have traveled and experienced other cultures, you may have noticed just how unique and strange NZer's really are. We do some odd things... We say some odd things... Things here that are acceptable are completely taboo in other nations. Things we are strict on are loosely regarded elsewhere.
The concusion to this discussion was that Christianity is counter-cultural. We have been born again into a new culture - a kingdom culture - of which we can look and see the positive and negative aspects of the culture we have come from, and hopefully do something about it.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Divinity of Jesus
Todays 'Thinking Biblically' class is touching on the divinity of Jesus. What are your thoughts? Some topics such as these always raise issues that go back to what we were long ago taught and have often believed since we were children.
The Salvation Army believes that God is 'truly and properly man AND truly and properly God.' But what does this mean and how does this work? On one extreme end of belief are those who emphasize more the humanness of Jesus, he ate, slept, went to the loo and was just divinely chosen by God to do all these wonderful miracles. On the other extreme is those who believe Jesus was fully divine and would have known at birth his divine destiny. Our doctrine says he is both.
An interesting statement made in the class was 'we as Christians tend to lean more towards believing in the truly divine Jesus' - it just makes sense of all the things that he did, all the miracles and amazing wonders - because he was/is God. Its a tidy argument. But to really grasp that he did all this just as a regular Joe Bloggs?
The Salvation Army believes that God is 'truly and properly man AND truly and properly God.' But what does this mean and how does this work? On one extreme end of belief are those who emphasize more the humanness of Jesus, he ate, slept, went to the loo and was just divinely chosen by God to do all these wonderful miracles. On the other extreme is those who believe Jesus was fully divine and would have known at birth his divine destiny. Our doctrine says he is both.
An interesting statement made in the class was 'we as Christians tend to lean more towards believing in the truly divine Jesus' - it just makes sense of all the things that he did, all the miracles and amazing wonders - because he was/is God. Its a tidy argument. But to really grasp that he did all this just as a regular Joe Bloggs?
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