a Jesus thought...
If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. (John 21:22)
a Godly thought...
We are not saved by our actions, but we are known by them. (p140 Frost & Hirsch)
a leading thought...
Leadership is a journey, not a destination, and there are always new discoveries to be made. (p103 Harris)
a Dave thought...
I am not a big TV watcher but one show I will do my best to view every week is ''Chasers War on Everything'' (for any yet to experience TV at its greatest do yourself a favour and do a search on youtube.com).
Well yesterday my Chaser friends happened to get through the $150m APEC security operation...The much-vaunted protection for the APEC summit was peeled away with embarrassing ease yesterday by satirists armed with hire cars flying Canadian flags.
Nine men and two women were charged last night with breaching APEC security zones after the fake motorcade sailed past police checkpoints to drive within metres of President George Bush's hotel, the InterContinental. The charges carry a maximum sentence of six months' jail.
The reason I love this show so much is that these guys are happy to expose or mock anything in society that is over the top or unjust and make people actually accountable for their actions.
If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. (John 21:22)
a Godly thought...
We are not saved by our actions, but we are known by them. (p140 Frost & Hirsch)
a leading thought...
Leadership is a journey, not a destination, and there are always new discoveries to be made. (p103 Harris)
a Dave thought...
I am not a big TV watcher but one show I will do my best to view every week is ''Chasers War on Everything'' (for any yet to experience TV at its greatest do yourself a favour and do a search on youtube.com).
Well yesterday my Chaser friends happened to get through the $150m APEC security operation...The much-vaunted protection for the APEC summit was peeled away with embarrassing ease yesterday by satirists armed with hire cars flying Canadian flags.Nine men and two women were charged last night with breaching APEC security zones after the fake motorcade sailed past police checkpoints to drive within metres of President George Bush's hotel, the InterContinental. The charges carry a maximum sentence of six months' jail.
The reason I love this show so much is that these guys are happy to expose or mock anything in society that is over the top or unjust and make people actually accountable for their actions.
It was the Salvos back in the mid 1880's who were
also incredibly daring and engaged in civil disobedience to make a point in society. The maiden tribute campaign resulted in Salvationists ending up in jail because they bought an under-age girl. But through this clever campaign and the provocative journalist W.T. Stead they were able to get the age of consent lifted from 13 to 16.
I propose we start The Salvos War on Everything and lets start getting in the press for reasons beyond raising funds, as the song suggests we're all in this together, aren't we?
Just a thought.
11 comments:
Amen to this
I agree that we should be known for more than our raising of funds to meet our needs but doesn't Scripture also advise us to keep to the law? We can make ourselves into people who are out there without breaking the law! The law is there to protect us from harm on a day to day basis and I don't believe Jesus wanted us to deliberately misuse anything for our own purposes. We need to ask ourselves the question "is it right for Christians to blatantly disobey the law?" I think not.
How come Jesus did then?!?! Jesus blatantly disobeyed laws.
What laws did Jesus break? Yes he challenged and even disregarded the "tradition of the elder" - but broke the law???
From a branding point of view - in today culture - I've felt for some time that Christian organizations need to move away from the imagery of war, battle and soldiers in their promotion of the Gospel. The last thing we need to do is create a warlike image around what we do in the world. In a media driven culture, perception matters. And when we use the language of war we are making volatile statements that can get the Gospel lumped into the same mould as the radical fundamentalisms of today's world. This is hardly helpful for those who are endevouring the culture that Christianity is founded on the concepts of grace, reconciliation and peace. I know those who like to use such terminology have all the right intentions, and are passionate to reach today's lost world. Yes they are trying to make a positive difference, but it's not just a question of right intentions, commitment, or calling. Again, in a media driven world, its a matter of perception. Now I know someone will say we should not react to the culture or the media and that responding to the realities of our society means compromising our faith. Note Paul in his response to the culture in Athens. He respected their philosophers, took time to understand them, as a result he earned the right to be listened to. In an age of increasing violence and war the average person is growing more fearful of militant language and images. Jesus lived during a time of similar brutality and fear, that's why he chose a far different approach.
WJE
I like the idea! However, not too sure about the war on everything - surly there are some things that we aren't in a war against? Why don't we do some sort of campaign that actually says what we are for - rather than what we against. Do we want to be know by our (2)love?
How about the Scriptural putting on the whole armour of God. This surely means that we are going into battle but armed with all the right things. We are in a war whether we like it or not - the war against sin and this is fought with the armour stated and with love, compassion and understanding.
How about we systematically disable every pokie machine in the territory at the same time. Maybe we could plug up the slots with little red shields. Was it W.Booth who said, "...from time to time Salvationist will need to carry out acts of civil disobedience..."
and where do the rock stars fit in?
and where do the rock stars fit in?
I think Gazer's question is important and adds to what i mentioned about our penchant for casting what we do in war and langauge and imagry. John 20:21 reminds us that Jesus sends his disciples into the world in the context of peace with the offer of peace. The peace that Jesus gives is an important foundation for the mission of the Army, a mission that needs to demonstrate and confirm the reliability of life with Jesus in the midst of fear, uncertainty and a world at war. Our message is to be about peace, the restoration of peace with God through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, it is about reconcilation not aggression and war.
WJE
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