Our eyes

Why do people apologize for showing their emotions?
Yesterday was an emotional day for 28 new Captains - and tears were a great part of that - tears of sadness [for loved ones who have gone to be with the Lord] - tears of gladness [finally, made it] - tears of tiredness [it has been a very long week]
There is an old adage that says 'the eyes are the windows to the soul'.
If that is true - then shouldn't they be washed ocassionally to keep them clean and bright?

Not quite true

I was at a Salvo function a few days ago - and this officer was telling these stories of what happened when they moved the 'old college' to the 'new college' - some of them were quite funny - and people were laughing and enjoying the anecdotes [?] - only I didn't find them funny at all - I guess basically it was because I knew that they were untruths.
You see, I'm a Joyful Evangelist went to college in 1978 spent that year in the 'old college' then in 1979 our session helped empty the 'old' and take it to the 'new' - it was quite an experience. In 1979 we lived through the conversion from hotel to college.
When you live through an experience like this - you know all involved - you share a common history - and well - the anecdote teller - was NOT part of that!
I really wanted to say something - but didn't want to embarrass the person - so moved away - and let them continue with their entertaining.
But it has made me really think - where did this untruth begin? why did it begin? have I ever been guilty of doing the same?

John 8:31-32
Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."

Forgiveness

I've been thinking about forgiveness - you know - someone does something that really messes up your life - and you struggle through the consequences of that - and God brings you to that place where you forgive them - and this real peace comes into you life - the struggle ceases - acceptance comes - and you feel alive again - the sparkle is back - and it's just so good to be alive.
And then - out of the blue - the 'someone' steps back into your life - and there is a reaction - a stirring - a slight uneasiness - and you try to get your head around it all - you question your forgiveness - is it real?
You remind yourself - this 'someone' is a child of God - forgiven - redeemed by the blood of Christ - unblemished in the eyes of God - totally loved by God.
You read again in Luke 23:34 how Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing" - you feel again that great passion He has for people - He not only forgives - He loves - His love is complete.
You pray - fill me with Your love - for this 'someone'.
The tears flow - and yes you realize your forgiveness is real - and yes you do love this 'someone' - and yes you can do life with them.
You read again John 10:10 "A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of" - and you want that not only for yourself - but you want it for that 'someone'.
Thank you Jesus!

A great challenge to us Salvos!

I am a soldier in the Army of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, prayer, and the Word are my weapons of warfare.
I am in this Army by choice, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army at the Rapture or die in this Army;
But I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.
I have been taught by the Holy spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.
I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.
If my Lord needs me in the Sunday School, or to work with the youth, or to help adults, or to just sit and learn:
He can use me because I am there!
I am a soldier.
I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier.
No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier.
No one has to send me gifts, food, cards, candy or give me handouts.
I am a soldier.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed!
And I am a soldier.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His Kingdom.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into His Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing I will still come out ahead.
For I am more than a conqueror.
The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.
And Hell cannot handle me.
I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield He will promote me to glory and there I will rejoice in His presence.
I am a soldier in God's Army and I'm marching claiming victory.
I will not give up, nor turn around.
Here I stand ..... a soldier!
Will you stand with me?