The War College

Best Night Of My Life...

2009-03-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

The other night was the one of the best nights of my life. I had a chance to meet my most FAVORITE band. Me and a couple of my friends went to go see Underoath, Norma Jean, and Innerpartysystem. We ended up sitting next to one of the members of Underoath who happened to remember us from the last time they played in Vancouver (awesome!). Caitlyn wanted him to record her voicemail again because It got lost. Their set was completely amazing. Its an interesting feeling worshipping surrounded by non-believers. The Lord was definitely there. They played a lot of old songs, so there were a lot of people screaming the lyrics, and moshing (definitely fun). After their set was over we made it to the alley in the back of the theatre and waited for them to come out... they were all freezing cold because they just finished a tour in Australia... but now theyre in the blistering Canadian weather. ANYWAYS.. We ended up talking to all of them and telling them that the Lord was definitely there. We got a chance to pray for Chris, and to pray for Underoath and their tour that there would be fruit and that they would be humble...After we talked to Chris and the other members of the band, we got pictures and all that fun stuff...He invited us out for pizza...so we met up at the pizza place and Josh ended up talking to Aaron about their tour, and Caitlyn mentioned that their music helped her through a lot of things in her life, and they were very authentic.

It's cool because usually when you meet "famous" people, they want nothing to do with you. It's cool to see a humble group of guys that are into following Christ and making him known to the world! Keep on truckin'!

UNDERØATH Experience

2009-03-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" Romans 12

So there is a really great story behind meeting underøath and praying for them and going for pizza. SO good in fact that it caused a rel. div. about who gets to blog it. And as excited as I would to tell the tale. I will humble myself and let Carlye blog about it tomorrow. Stay tuned.

The spirit is working!

2009-02-27T21:43:00.001-08:00

Tonight at recre8 2 very significant things happened. 2 things that bring great hope into my life!

1. My friend came in and told me she was moving out because her common law partner is in Jail for the 2nd time that I know of for abuse against her. So, she's looking to move out before he gets out of Jail. So i took her up to grace mansions to do the whole application thing, and we're going to try to find a temporary place until she hears from them.

2. Then, Our friend leighanne came in and she was like and told me she needed to talk to me. She had tears in her eyes. So we went into the classroom and talked and she just started crying so much! And she told us that she felt alone because she didn't have God in her life and she didn't want that to be the case. She doesn't want the devil to have victory in her. She wants to be clean again! Praise the Lord! She's so beautiful, I love her with my whole heart! I want her to be clean so badly! She's coming to camp with us in May...and she got really excited.

The Lord is working in the DTES! Its amazing!!!

War College Photography

2009-02-23T23:41:00.000-08:00

I've been taking some photos around the Downtown Eastside lately, and I thought I would share a couple with you....

Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me

2009-02-18T22:06:00.000-08:00

I'm reading the book "Kissing the leper" by Brad Jersak right now for reading week. It's been a totally amazing read. It's been really encouraging! It's pretty much about Matthew 25:31-46. Which is "whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me". If you walk past someone on the street acting as if they don't exist, your essentially acting as if the Lord doesn't exist. If you take the time to talk and see how their day is doing, you're doing that for the Lord. I love it! I always feel excited after I finish reading a portion of it! It's extremely encouraging!

Shepherd

2009-02-11T00:43:00.001-08:00

You hem me in!

Called me to yourself!

Held me fast as I strayed

and shepherded me all my days.

What is it I truly desire?

What is it that I choose to stray again and again?

Shall.

Not.

Be.

In.

Want!

On love.

2009-02-10T23:26:00.000-08:00

I scrawled this sentance in my journal in November, and I thought it fitting for a reflection of Christ's work in my life during my War College year (both phase one and two).

When I was young(er), I believed in the impact of words like grace and love, now I am impacted BY such words; wrestled to the floor where I must face the small honesty that in order to define love, one must be destroyed by it.

The War College on Global News

2009-02-07T11:54:00.000-08:00

A lot of our footage didn't make this newscast but we're quite happy with how we were reflected. One point I would say is that 'our religion is to be good neighbours.' Watch and you'll see what I mean.

Global News: War College Style

2009-02-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

About 2 weeks ago, a news reporter from Global BC news followed me and Sally around for a night while we were doing street combat. So I figured I would post the link on the blog so other people could enjoy it too!

http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/bc/microsites/phoenix/index.html

It's the clip called "Project Lockstep"

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted

2009-01-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. We've been talking about the beattitudes for the last 3 weeks in consistent life ethics with Lane Walker. It's been really good! I've been thinking about the recent loss of my grandfather and how I'm still mourning and grieving that loss. But I've also been thinking about the other things you can mourn the loss of. The loss of hope, or trust, or knowledge or anything. I think of mourning and I think of a funeral, but God has really been speaking to me about the different times and reasons to mourn and its crazy.

Well, thats whats been on my mind lately.
Courtney

Praise The Lord

2009-01-23T16:36:00.001-08:00

So, We were in class on wednesday night at recre8, and Aaron was talking about worship and stuff. And this guy, who has never been into recre8 before, just randomly said 'so, I can just ask for Forgiveness and I'll be a Christian?' And Aaron was like...yeah...and he was like 'I want that!!'. It was awesome. It was really beautiful to see him get saved!! Well, thats about it for now.

On being the church

2009-01-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

The church, Jesus's betrothed, isn't always pretty. Some relish in this fact and like to point out her flaws like a group of teenage girls gossiping about the promiscuous girl in class. Overheard, we hang our heads with nothing to say but full of defensive statements. This drives me nuts, and sometimes I'm guilty of the slander, thinking my way or brand of spiritual expression is superior lacking blemishes. What a different feeling we get when we look to the admirable, noble things in others. I was reminded of this as I read from Simply Christian [N.T. Wright]:

"But there is another side to it, a side which shows all the signs of the wind and fire, of the bird brooding over the waters and bringing new life. For man, "church" means just the opposite of that negative image. It's a place of welcome and laughter, of healing and hope, of friends and family and justice and new life. It's where the homeless drop in for a bowl of soup and the elderly stop by for a chat. It's where one group is working to help drug addicts and another is campaigning for global justice. It's where you'll find people learning to pray, coming to faith, struggling with temptation, finding new purpose and getting in touch with a new power to carry that purpose out. It's where people bring their own small faith and discover, in getting together with others to worship the one true God, that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. No church is like this all the time. But a remarkable number of churches are partly like that for quite a lot of the time."

I'm glad to say that in our neighbourhood with its surrounding church expressions that statement is true. Thanks to Servants, Jacob's Well, The River Community Foursquare, St. Ciara's, UGM, Harbour Light, Potter's Place, Mission Possible and 614 for making me feel really swell about being engaged to Jesus.

RAW!

2009-01-19T20:04:00.000-08:00

I've been cooped up in my room all day with a lame stomach illness and I remembered it's my day to blog! how about that?!

I've been thinking a lot about R.A.W coming up in March, and I can't explain how positively ecstatic I am about it! Just hearing the talk of R.A.W and hearing students talk about how they're excited to come this year, and they're excited about what is going to happen. This is going to be a seriously great year for Ready and Willing, and I pray that we will all be "RAW" in this year of revival and new beginnings! I pray that we would WAKE UP in this new year, and continue to fix our eyes on what is eternal.

Blessings.

Wake up Oh sleeper!
Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!
Ephesians 5:14

Learning to Trust

2009-01-17T22:01:00.000-08:00

God has been speaking to me with clarity lately, it's kinda been a wee bit of a struggle!!

Sometimes, hearing God's voice clearly is harder then hearing no voice at all. Having the obedience to trust sometimes is fustrating. It involves obedience. It involves a response. It involves conviction. Basically, it's meant that I've had to speak out on what I'm hearing and what he's entrusted me with [knowledge wise]

...

In a lot of ways, I have most certainly doubted and fallen short.

So Im thankful for grace and for mercy...and the reality is, we have all fallen short of the glory. It is this dependancy on grace that does, most certainly, keep us sustained!!

So, in realising that, the goal is to press on!

Life

2009-01-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Patience is something thats really been on my mind lately. It's something that I've had to strive for because, really, I'm not the most patient person in the world. Since being here especially patience is a big thing, but even in the last week or so its been a really big thing.

But things are good. Our friend Leigh-Anne has been so beautiful lately. Last night after knee drill, she asked me to walk her home, so I did, but then, I had to go back to the command centre to meet everyone else...so Leighanne stood in the street and watched me run back to make sure I'd be safe. I was out of breath by the time I got back, but it was really awesome. And Leigh-Anne worshiped so beautifully at knee drill. It was such a beautiful sight.

God has been working in the downtown eastside, in 614, in the War College and also just in the Conqueror Session. Its been really good to be able to observe what is happening.

Well...I'll finish with some pictures of the last little while.

Conq's CARTOON STYLE

2009-01-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

2008-12-12T07:07:00.000-08:00

I taught at The War College today. It was kinda fun. Okay really fun (I just hope the students thought that too). We first had a discussion on prayer, not so much teaching, but more to get us thinking. Why do we pray? What is prayer? Is there a point in saying Grace before meals? If we are praying in the spirit at all time as Paul encourages us to do in Eph. 6, then should we open and close 'events' and other times with prayer? Again, none of these are a teaching thing, it was more of a discussion thing and to get our minds thinking for ourselves. To explore these places with the Holy Spirit and not to just be taught by people and blindly or loosely take it in.

The Lord layed that on my heart last night to talk about with the students, but what I wanted to teach on was LIFE. I've blogged about this many times, I might post some more in the nearish future..but the main points from this mornings class are as follows. The meaning of life is to live. Choose life. Zoe, in it's original Greek means, life, alive, come to life, belong, receive living, and bring life to others. Always choose life. And remember Christ's Resurrection.

There are some fantastic teachings coming up as we wrap up December. Check out our online calender for details - google calender search 'The War College'...theres also a link you could go to, but I don't know it.

God Bless The War College

and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.

Kettles

2008-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Well....the bells are ringing...kettles have started! I had 2 opportunities to pray with people on kettles this week. On 2 different days, 2 guys came up to me and started telling me about how they dont like the way their life is going...and how they want to change and asked me to pray for them. It was really cool! As I was praying for them both of them just started bawling! It was really cool!!!

He Is The Redeemer!

2008-12-03T12:51:00.001-08:00

Hallelujah!

Today I was waiting in the harbourlight line for my lunch and a guy wearing a Santa hat walked (key word, I'll explain later) past me. I knew I recognized him, but I couldn't place where I knew him from. I suddenly remembered who he was and I couldn't breathe. I had met him previously while we were doing an open air in pigeon park and he was drunk out of his mind in a wheelchair. He sang with us the whole time, and I remember him asking us to sing amazing grace over and over again, and here he was in front of me, completely sober and WALKING around... I was completely flabbergasted and I couldn't believe my eyes. PRAISE THE LORD! Answered prayer is so sweet. After I saw him I went back to my house and opened up my prayer journal and found about 2 or 3 pages of prayers for this guy. Right now I'm just overcome with happiness that he's found sobriety. He didn't remember who I was when I talked to him today, but he thanked me for whatever it was that I did. Give glory to God!

Praise The Lord!

2008-12-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

So I was on kettles, probably just around my fifth hour, when a guy came up to me and asked me for a light. When I replied that I don't smoke and that my friend who does had just left, he pulled out a lighter and lit his cigar himself. Obviously, he didn't just want a light; he wanted a conversation. He asked if it was okay if he stood beside me and smoked, and then proceeded to tell me about how he was in Harbour Light treatment 4 years ago. He said that he was doing really well now and he lived in The Vogue. When he was there, he had no money and it was around christmas time, the chaplain blessed him by buying two beautiful silver chain and cross necklaces for him to give to his two sons. His kids still have those necklaces.

Praise the Lord! We are making a difference!

I Am A Soldier In The Army Of My God.

2008-11-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.

Faith, love, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit.
Trained by experience,
tried by adversity,
and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army,
and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire in this Army in the end or die in this Army;
but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out,
I am faithful, capable and dependable.

If my God needs me,
I am there.
If he needs me in Sunday school to teach children,
work with the youth, help adults
or 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, primped up, pumped up,
picked up, or pepped up.

I am a soldier. No one has to call me,
remind me,
write me, visit me,
entice me, lure me.

I am a soldier
I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King,
obeying his orders, praising his name,
and building his kingdom!

I am a soldier.
No one has to send me flowers,
gifts, food,
cards, candy,
or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled
cared for, or catered to.
I am committed!

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 this Army,
I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing,
I will still come out even.

I will win.
My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror.
I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.

I am a Soldier.
Devils cannot defeat me.
People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me.
Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence 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 a captain
and then bring me back to rule this world with him.

I am a soldier,
marching Heaven bound.
Here I stand.

Will you stand with me?

This was our reveile before pray the bible on thursday, and it really stuck out to me. We say we're soldiers in Gods army, especially when your raised in the SALVATION army, but...are we always ready to "pray, preach, or die"? Are we willing to say, I love the Lord more than i love my life? If we're prepared to make a full sacrifice to God, he will do great things and the Devils Schemes will not shake us.

Are you prepared for the Lord?

The Wilderness

2008-11-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

This morning I got up early to go and enjoy the fellowship and sermon of the 11 am service at Cariboo Hill Temple. The sermon was on Exodus 17:1-7.

In our own lives we truly are in a form of the wilderness, we are in dry weary land filled with addiction, sorrow and loneliness and we desire to be refreshed and replenished. And like the Israelites we reach a point where we question if God is even there. Are you listening? Do you exist? And it's in times like these we need to realize that in the wilderness that God is showing himself very plainly. He IS listening, and in the dry land (like Rephidim) that God is faithful and will deliver you.

TWC's Next Top Warrior

2008-11-22T12:51:00.000-08:00

So before coming to Vancouverest, I LOVED Americas next top model, could quote it, made it a point to get to watch the new episodes on Wednesday nights, played ANTM, and also related real life to the Show.

I guess thats what reality shows do, they kinda mock or whatever real life. I remember my first summer going on a mission team I told our leader becki, she was like Tyra, and orientation is like ANTM! She didn't really understand. (she didn't understand a lot of my thoughts actually...)

But tonight when thinking about where I am at in my head, spiritually, and just observing the structure and the occurrences here at The War College it reminded me of my fav show ANTM.

I think the role of Tyra switches, sometimes...mostly jonathan...but sometimes its our other leaders...maybe disciplers...Or they could also fit the role of the judges.

I cried a lot today...maybe some legit maybe some not legit...but in the show sometimes i would giggle when the girls cried...sometimes they had a lot of makeup on. Sometimes they cried because of reldivs (relational difficulties), sometimes rebuke from Tyra or photographers, Sometimes they ended up feeling like they sucked at something, or they just missed their family.

So totally relatable to TWC, my day consisted of a lot of those things. and its just hard. reldivs,rebukes,suckyness, are not fun or easy.

Sometimes it gets so hard for the girls they quit and go home. Or they are not actually fit to be ANTM. They have to make a choice to be there, give it their all, learn and apply things to be a better model. I am not here to become a Fierce Model...but a Fierce Warrior, TWC is all about training Warriors to Win the World for Jesus.

so i have to choose to be here, choose not to go home or give up and be defeated, but choose to be a conqueror! I am here to train, and im realizing more n more that im not going to be naturally amazing at the tasks set before me. That i will fall, and get bruised, but get back up again and learn from mistakes and grow more and more. But if i give up i won't grow, i wont fulfill the purpose of training. So i am not giving up. Do you want to be on top? So who will be on top? I hope I can be one who is on top!

Awake, O my Soul!

2008-11-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

Last night I saw such a clear image of beauty.
A few of us were gathered around a hospital bed of someone going through a rough time. As the person was sleeping, Cherie was sitting right down near her face and started gently singing 'beautiful one i love, beautiful one i adore...'. The beautiful part was that the person started twitching, like their soul was starting to awaken slowly. Then after a few minutes they opened their eyes and started engaging with Cherie.
It was just beautiful. It was like their soul was engaging with the song and was starting to stir faster then the physical reaction of the body. It was so pure and gentle and honest.

2008-11-19T09:53:00.000-08:00

I'm not feeling the greatest today, and here's why: I loath welfare day with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns, and I just got two shots in the arm.

Firstly, it's not that I dislike welfare, I think that it is a good way for the government to help those who can't work(even if it's not much). But when the money is being so greatly abused like it is down here, I get really frustrated. There is also a lot more blatant drug use and a lot of anger on the streets, because now that welfare is here people can pay back their dealers for whatever they owe.

Secondly, I got a pneumonia shot and a flu shot today; they were scary but still WAY better than high school. I'm dreading not feeling so great in a couple of hours, but I'll just have to deal.

And KETTLES START THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have You Heard The Bells Yet?

2008-11-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

This Saturday was the official "kick off" for kettles in downtown Vancouver. A bunch of us got all "hockey-ed" up and set up our kettles at the gates outside of GM place, because a Canucks game was happening that night (WE WON). I remember just when we started, there was a homeless man standing there waiting to panhandle when the game was out. It was really funny because Hannah and I knew that he was trying to tell us to leave in the nicest way possible. There were a lot of people who didn't seem into the Christmas spirit at all, or people who were yelling at us because the band was playing Christmas carols. But I kept ringing those bells. There were 2 amazing parts of the night that are still sticking with me today. The first was a little boy, and in his hand he had his first allowance he had ever recieved. His father told him what happens to the money that goes into the kettles, and the little 7 year old boy decided to throw his 5 dollar bill into the kettle. Also, the homeless man who was trying to get us to leave in the first place came up to the kettle and said "Here's everything I collected tonight, and I realized it belongs to you guys..." it was SO BEAUTIFUL!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Victoria Brigade

2008-11-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

614 Vancouver's Corps Officer, Aaron White preached at Highpoint last week. Check it out here:

http://www.pointful.ca/?p=387

2008-11-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

Lately, God has really been talking to me about trusting him. Not only as an individual person, but as a whole body. I feel like he wants his entire church to really come together and be united in him.

Thats really all I have to say, but It is kind of powerful.

A story for the spirit!!

2008-11-13T20:57:00.000-08:00

As I have already established, for those regular readers, God has been stretching and humbling and growing me in intercession.

So here is for a neat experience to share-

Wednesday night I was getting the coffee machine ready in the community coffee shop, and I suddenly felt a deep urgency to pray. I just felt a heavy burden, it had no name or face to it but I knew the burden was not mine. So, I spoke out in the spirit for about 30 minutes before the urgency passed. [Mind you, Im mighty glad that nobody else was around because I was called to my knees and utterences just seemed to deeply pour out of my soul...it was quite bizarre!!]
So, I thought not much more of it for a while as I had my mind occupied with Recr8.

Then, I had to take a few people out for a bit of street ministry who had come down to Vancouver for the week from Alberta. While we were walking and talking we got on to the subject of giftings and we had a wuality conversation on what intercession is. In the process, I was able to share my experience from earlier on in the evening...and discovered at the exact time that God had called me to engage in the spirit and pray, there was an intense debriefing happening with this group who were down here doing ministry. Someone was pouring out their soul on an issue they had been carrying with them.

So being a woman of faith, I don't believe in coinsidence. I believe that this was a working of the spirit- that the event was covered in prayer. Not because of anything that I am or any special thing that I can be, but simply because it was a moment of pure direction by the spirits leading. So, I believe God is at work! At it is always exciting to see little pieces of the kingdom and to receive encouragement.

My reason for sharing is so that all glory and honor and praise would go to The Lord! Because He is living. And active.

Hallelujah!!

2008-11-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

Hey, so I haven't bogged in quite a while, but I figured that I should really get on it so that my squad doesn't yell at me for getting us a bonus blessing...

Anyway. Lately I have come to the realization that I am not at the War College to help people, or save the world, or whatever. God has brought me here to work on me. Call it selfishness or narcissism, but I love myself, and I want to be whole: I want to stop being a broken, lonely person. I want to be a woman who basks in the glory of God. I want to be holy and righteous. I want to know what my purpose is both in life and within the body of Christ. And I want to cry, unreservedly, because I know that God looks on me with adoration and grace. Man, I just want to cry; without thinking that I am being weak or wanting to hold it back because it hurts, but to glorify God in my vulnerability, to break down not only my own walls and reservations but everyone else's too.

I was reading a poem by Bradley Hathaway today, and I thought that it would be appropriate to post a link to it, It's called The Hug Poem.

http://www.lyricstime.com/bradley-hathaway-the-hug-poem-lyrics.html

Grace,

Jessica Walker

On erosion.

2008-11-11T20:21:00.000-08:00

One of the main parts of my War College year was learning how to break into smallness, for it is in our smallness that the vastness of YHWH is most easily recognised by those around us. I once thought of it like a child standing near the ocean; the ocean was always huge but the smallness of the child gives us the perspective of just how overwhelming it is. As Christ reveals Himself to us, we are made more and more like Him and less and less like us, we need to learn how to let Him change us - this hurting world needs more than just kids with big dreams, it needs a big God who acts in small things, through small people.
When the people of this world see huge things coming from an army of people just as small as they are who REFUSE to live in a state of bigness and remain humbly on their knees, they will realise that God is working through His people, and hopefully they will want to be one of His people, too.
May The Lamb Who Was Slain bless your journey to be more like Him.

I am small.
You, crashing around me
rolling over me in the morning tides
I hear nothing but the
submission of the sands
feel nothing but the
heartbeat of the waves breaking against my
small, weak, delicate and
ultimately insignificant
body.
You, enveloping my self and
urging me to break into
the bigness that -itself- overwhelms
me.

I, like the rocks upon which I stand,
will give way to the relentless waves.
and You, great Rescuer, will search
for me among the sands
Sweep me up and let the
current rush me away from this
simple, safe and ultimately destructive
shoreline.
-Caitlyn Spence

Feedback

2008-11-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

We often host other students from Trinity Western, Columbia Bible College and currently Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute [They are inhabiting The War Room and doing prayer shifts while ministering alongside us].

Here is some feedback from Trinity Western University I'd like to share:

Every year the evening with your leaders make such a profound impression on students' lives- even though its just one evening I know of at least 3 students, who walked with The War College in the DTES. The students, graduated since, are now working in Missions in slums in El Salvador, Vietnam and Chicago. All said the evening with your leaders were so powerful and planted a seed to serve the Lord in this field. The student who is in Vietnam took the idea of the prayer room and planted it in her ministry. Thank you for being such a blessing!

All Glory to God!

Victoria Brigade!

2008-11-08T23:32:00.000-08:00

We have ventured to Victoria to brigade at The high Point corps. The cool thing about being in a new place is all of the cool new experiences! When we were on the bus i was thinking about all of the small things im easily amazed at, and how much i love seeing all the new things I can see. So i loved seeing different houses, stores, more leaves, street names, and bridges! So it was a super adventure getting here, 3 buses and a ferry, and a car ride! that is epic!

So we got here and met the corps officers and got briefed about out time here. So we found out that we are helping to lay vinyle floor, and eating at the ARC, and potential street combat-esque type stuff. so at first it seemed like such a impossible task,and figured that we would not finish. not negative, just not as hopeful as the c/o. So after dinner is when we got the real work done, we had a rythum, it was great! But the floor was for a room that was going to be a shelter at night. We got to write our names on the floor before we put vinyle floor down and a prayer. I was really excited about that. It was cool that our hands had role in making this place pretty and nice. It was a great picture of the impossible getting done, or team work or something.

so victoria is cool, helping is cool, and so is meeting new people.

Release

2008-11-06T21:05:00.000-08:00

I feel like God is teaching me a lot about giftings. How they're unique. How they're beautiful, oh so beautiful! How they are meant to bless. Meant to grow. To encourage the kingdom.

God is growing me in intercession; and I've always been a burden bearer.
I believe he is gently encouraging me, showing me things! Speaking. Revealing.

And this week my intention has been to pray through that THE one desire of my heart, THE one desire of my LIFE would be to simply dwell in the house of the Lord. Even to simply be a doorman...oh, to be close to the author of life! To hear. To see. To listen.

More, dear Lord, more!!

Stranger

2008-11-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

I'm but a stranger here,

Heaven is my home;

Earth is a desert drear,

Heaven is my home.

Danger and sorrow stand

Round me on every hand;

Heaven is my fatherland

Heaven is my home.

As I was talking to my friend Rob tonight he made the comment that we're all immigrants and that none of us own this earth so we should all get out, we had a good laugh. But it is true that we are all as believers aliens and strangers to this world.

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."

- 1 Peter 2:11

Conversation continued

2008-11-04T09:06:00.001-08:00

Do you want to be my friend?

2008-11-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

That is a question I need to get use to asking. I am on the search for 2 more friends that live down here. i like talking to people, and I like loving them. but getting to the step of finding where they live and consistantly seeing them. the other day in army n navy i met this girl she was beautiful and told me about she is a hard worker and likes working. It was a cool conversation. I like the random conversations I have with people, they are authentic and without pretence. So i am praying for some more consistant relationships with peeps who live in my community.

changes

2008-10-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

Today I ran into 2 people that I've had not so good experiences with in the past. I ran into one girl who was at re:cre8 the first time I was there, and she was not in a good state. She was throwing up and falling sleep all over. I haven't seen her much but I saw her today, and she looked really good! She was sober and clean! It was really exciting for me to see. And another lady, I ran into in my first week or 2 here, and she was really not in a good mental state...and I went to buy her a burger and she ended up spending like...11 dollars on my debit card. And then I saw her again a few days later and she was swearing and stuff. Then today I saw her, and again, she was clean, she got a house, she was in clean clothes and washed hair. It was really awesome!

God works in amazing ways. Its really awesome! I love it, and him.

Fustration!!

2008-10-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Im feeling a bit of fustration this week in my own life!

-Im fustrated with the physical resistance towards war room shifts...thats where I should be spending the best hours of my days, why does my body seem to offer up so much resistance!!

-Im fustrated with my lack of commitment to reading the Bible. I am sensing a huge resistance in myself, but yet a huge eagerness to just sit and really soak Gods word!!!

-Im fustrated with incarnational living...my heart is screaming inside to make more connections with people- it is simply not enough to exist in this community, there's so much death outside but yet theres so much life in my heart that I need to start screaming it out!!

So basically, I feel like my heart is really deeply breaking-but it a good way! I just long to spend my day sitting in the presence of God and have Him speak to the very corners of my heart and to just stay there- I feel so sick inside of the ways in which I make myself so busy to avoid doing this. I think that's where the real fustration is stemming from!

A conversation on Social Gospel and Proclamation

2008-10-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

Street Photography

2008-10-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

"...They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins

and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities

that have been devastated for generations..."

-Isaiah 61

"...And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever..." -Revelations 22

Chill Saturdays.

2008-10-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is the first Saturday here and forever it seems. Its been a while that I have been able to be like "hmm what will I do" It was a great day though. Spent it really great quality people. Started the day off with Olivia Munn, she made Phat Pancakes not in the shape of penguins. Followed by great conversation, of the present past and Future! While roommates Nicole and Kirsten woke up. Something is fun is helping my friends out with their outfits. I just really like affirming them of how great they look and how beautiful they are! Then we went on a adventure to thrift store shop, and brought along Deniseeee! So i was a fan of not choosing anything or being stressed or pressed for answers. Oh yeah and!!! something I have realised on the same lines of my last post about being thankful, I find myself savoring flavors and tastes so much! not having junk food is pretty cool, and also makes the rare occasions of having it really special, and I'm like "whoa this tastes really good!!" So i am a fan! I have been sick with a cold all week, so this weekend i can tell is a great time to get rested and get energised for the week! New weeks, new days are great gifts to start new and start fresh. I hope to be more disciplined this week, that's my goal! I hope everyone is having a great day!

the wonder of it all

2008-10-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

So...this week has been weird. But mostly good. A couple highlights for me would be

1. Monday night at recre8, our friend Leigh ann prayed and it was so beautiful. Its hard to understand it unless you know her, but she prays so beautifully.

2. And we had a fight in recre8 (thats not a highlight)and people jumped up right away not to see what was happening, but more to protect us. It was just kinda cool to see that the things we're doing for the people who come into recre8 and the people we hang out with, make them want to protect us.

3. last night at recre8 Rob prayed for us. And it was really...a blessing. Which, again, hard to understand unless you know Rob, but Im trying! Rob is a guy who has a very tough exterior, but when you really get to know him, he's the sweetest guy. And just to hear him pray was amazing.

Thats about all I have to say at the moment,

courtney

2008-10-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week has been quite a rough one!

With the passing away of the mother to one of my closest buds at home, things have been a bit trudgey. I've really felt quite a pang of home-sickness and I've found it so hard to come in as a 'long distant' support...sometimes things really get you by surprise, eh!

Being engaged to someone on the opposite side of the world gets sucky! Not being present for significant events in the lives of the people you love hurts sometimes!

But I firmly believe that theres a bigger picture then what we can see! I firmly believe that we just have to keep pressing on sometimes with the bigger picture in mind...the final prize. The kingdom!

Phillipians 3:14 says:

press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus.

Past Guest Lecturer Phil Laeger takes part in Micah Challenge

2008-10-23T10:58:00.001-07:00

The Truth Isn't Sexy

2008-10-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

At Youth Councils this weekend War College students were involved in doing a deliverance response. Essentially we want our lives to cut off the input into the false gods of this world. One major problem with our generation is lust. And this is not sexy! Check out The Salvation Army's latest initiative against this stronghold:

Meghan Lebrecque - War College Alumnus and actor!

2008-10-16T12:21:00.001-07:00

I'll Fight Day Promo from dynovinyl on Vimeo.

City Hall Vigil

2008-10-14T11:32:00.001-07:00

To see our action and intercession for Homeless Awareness week jump over to the streams of justice blog: http://www.streamsofjustice.org/ You should be able to get updates and maybe see some pictures of us there!

I want that!!!

2008-10-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

Okay so the other night I was walking back from the Evanses and it was bout 10.30ish at night. Randomly this guy came sprinting out from the alley behind Carnegie and was running on the road and then this guy started chasing him. It seemed to be quite a tense moment and it was pretty obvious that the guys weren't up to any good...they ran all over the road and then sprinted off down Main street towards Waves cafe, still on the road.
The thing that caught my interest was the huge crowd of people standing on the corner of Main and Hastings and how they alll stared down the road at these two guys...slowly following them around ther corner.

All I could think of was that I hope that one day, people would be that interested and desperate to know Jesus as they were to know the outcome of those crazy guys. My prayer would be that people would be so interested to see change in peoples lives that crowds in the masses would be staring down the street as they see us walk by in our daily living!

Praise God?!
Amen

Praise The Lord!

2008-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

I think a big change in my life I know of is how thankful I am. So Many things, I am so blessed by the little things, they make me smile and bring me joy! For example being given the rest of the steamed milk in the "steaming container." But God is so good and is taking care of me before I think I have a need or want. This weekend was Cad Thanksgiving,MY FIRST! I spent it at Hope Renfrew with Denise, Jacynta, sally, and some other guest stars throughout the weekend! We ate really good food! If there is one thing you need to know about Alberta is how much she loves food! hahah! Lots of flavors and tastes! I experienced my first homemade "dressing!" MMMM BACON! One of my favorite things to do is cook and bake. I made a heart cake! its great! So I'm thankful for MANY great people in my life, being able to cook, a place to spend a break, Denise mastering the art of turkey making, and a whole bunch more! Hip- Hip-Horray for all of it!!

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

I dream of saving

2008-10-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

So...last night, I had a dream that we were walking to knee drill, and ran into Mary-kate and Ashley Olsen.Weird, I know! So we stopped and talked to them and took pictures with them haha...then we invited them to come. They did and we got them saved. It was so random, but awesome!!

Beauty in the broken

2008-10-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

There is so much beauty in the broken heart of Vancouver. You just have to find it!! Its something I've been looking for lately and there is so much! Theres physical beauty and other forms too. Like today, I was walking with my Laundry and a guy offered to carry it for me. I had never met him before, but he wanted sooo badly to help me. There are so many people here who are like that and so many people drive through the DTES and dont even see the beauty. I see that everyday. There is beauty and light, its just dim sometimes.

What Humour!

2008-10-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

okay so...the other day I went to have a shower. Which would seem like a normal thing right, no big deal? Unless you live in the Balmoral!! There is a communal shower on each floor, cept the showers don't have knobs so you need a wrench. Though I decided to go check them out once again- they've fuxed the showers! Praise God

Soo the story hasn't finished...I went down and got ready etc...but there was only cold water :( And it was freezing! But i was determined so I struggled through a cold shower including having to wash my hair- eek it was soo so cold!

And the funny thing...after rushing through a shower and freezing myself, when I went to turn of the water I turned the 'hot tap' off first- and wah! The water turned hot! So the only real issue was that the taps were round the wrong way!

So this made me laugh. Sometimes, you've just got to see joy in the situation! And sometimes[forgive the cornyness of this statement!!] I wonder how often we go through life struggling in the freezing cold when all we have to do is make sure we've got the right tap on! Read in to that what you will, ey!

Blessings

Holiness and the cross

2008-10-09T14:00:00.001-07:00

My friend James sent this about my post on death and life:

Since you mentioned death and resurrection, here is an excellent quote from the Pope (written before he was Pope) on the meaning of holiness. I obviously don't agree with him on everything, but he is worth reading. I find it incredibly moving, and I've shared it with a number of people. It also reminds me of what you guys are trying to live out at 614 Vancouver.

"On the contrary, this holiness [the holiness of Jesus] expressed itself precisely as mingling with the sinners whom Jesus drew into his vicinity; as mingling to the point where he himself was made "to be sin" and bore the curse of the law in execution as a criminal – complete community of fate with the lost (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13). He has drawn sin to himself, made it his lot and so revealed what true "holiness" is: not separation but union, not judgment but redeeming love. Is the Church not simply the continuation of God's deliberate plunge into human wretchedness; is it not simply the continuation of Jesus' habit of sitting at table with sinner, of his mingling with the misery of sin to the point where he actually seems to sink under its weight? Is there not revealed in the unholy holiness of the Church, as opposed to man's expectation of purity, God's true holiness, which is love, love which does not keep its distance in a sort of aristocratic, untouchable purity but mixes with the dirt of the world, in order thus to overcome it? Can therefore the holiness of the Church be anything else but the mutual support which comes, of course, from the fact that all of us are supported by Christ?
I must admit that to me this unholy holiness of the Church has in itself something infinitely comforting about it."
-Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Introduction to Christianity, p. 264-5.

Guided and Empowered by Prayer

2008-10-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

So I've got two stories from the other day that both have some pretty important lessons attached:

#1 -- I was heading up to the Evanses' apartment for Street Combat when I forgot what floor they were on. Hoping for the best, I headed to the six floor. I saw what looked like the right apartment and opened the door calling for Carla -- now the awkward part -- it wasn't the right apartment and I look over and all I see is legs on a bed saying "ummm, I think you have the wrong room" then I had to go back downstairs and push the call button again.

#2 -- We were discussing the awesome conference and then praying and Caitlyn finished of by saying "lets go make people cry!" Off Alberta and I went, we were walking when we ran into a guy named Martin who asked us if we were angels, we proceeded to tell him, but that we have Jesus in us. He nodded and then we asked if we could pray for him, when we did he started to cry, and I could just feel the holy spirit.

Morals of the stories:
a) always know where you are going, and
b) God takes prayer seriously and he can use jokes to change lives.

The walking dead - embracing death and living life

2008-10-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today I've really been in the first state of grief and sorrow amidst much joy. I've really felt that I'm embracing the life and death of Christ. On Monday singing with David Crowder of the beauty of God I reflected how it was absurd to have the picture in my head that I did. Jesus slain, whipped beaten, ridiculed and hanging on a cross. But this is truly a subvertion of human beauty. In fact this event may be the most beautiful in history.

Consider Charles Wesley's verse from the hymn, "On the Sight of a Corpse."

Ah, lovely appearance of death!
What sight upon earth is so fair?
Not all the gay pageants that breathe
Can with a dead body compare.
With solemn delight I survey
The corpse when the spirit is fled,
In love with the beautiful clay,
And longing to lie in its stead.

In the midst of my sorrow and grief I reflect on the beauty and wonder of the cross and all the hurt is embraced, the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. I embrace the hurt and death I'm experiencing as sharing in His death. And by his death, I am healed. It is true, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

World Passion

2008-10-08T00:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a bit of what we saw: the opening.

2008-10-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

October is one jam-packed, blessing filled month here at The War College. If you were to be a student in any year - this would be it! Commissioners, Authors, Youth Councils, War College Founders, Surprises....

It has only been a week, and already there have been some great great things.

The month began with a conference in Kelowna called Building a House of Prayer. What a great way to start off the month! I wasn't there but I heard some great stories of deliverance and freedom. PTL

Yesterday the students were taught by Commissioner Marilyn Francis. I can honestly say this was a highlight for myself. She delivered a powerful word on Holiness in Heart - and we were spurred on to be Wholly Holy Sanctified. We were reminded that the Holy Spirit gives, Confidence, Conviction, Connection and Compassion. I heard rumor that someone may be putting an mp3 file of this teaching right here on this blog - stay tuned.

Last night I heard reports of a great concert The War College went to. Chris Tomlin and David Crowder led them in worship and Gigliani-something preached a powerful sermon on_____ (those who went should fill in some highlights)

I just came back from another great class taught by Danielle Strickland, co-founder of The War College. She delivered a word to us from Deuteronomy chapter 30. Let's choose life in ALL we do!

Tonight I hear there is something about limos, celebrities, movies and free popcorn? Stay tuned for details from that.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!!

After Thanksgiving we have a brigade to BC Youth Councils, a class taught by author Brad Jersak and on the 31st there is a surprise guest teacher (basically it's yet to be announced) but trust me it's up there with the Francis and Strickland teachings.

Grace,
Nicole

Daniell Strickland [Cpt.] teaches today

2008-10-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

Today the students continued in the richness of The War College experience by worshipping and dancing and sitting at the feet of The War College founder Danielle Strickland. The rich worship and teaching induced deliverance and filling surmounting on our previous weekend experiences and extravagant preach by Comm. Marylin Francis.

Holiness of Heart - Comm. Marilyn Francis

2008-10-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Commissioner Marilyn Francis shared with the student's yesterday about the gift of Holiness that comes from the Holy Ghost. Here's a glimpse:

Kelowna Building a House of Prayer

2008-10-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Ever find when you go to a conference you are really encouraged to read your Bible and pray more? We certainly were this weekend. We received a warm welcome and even had personal prayer with Stacey Campbell. Her words were powerful moving us to tears while building us up in faith. We're not going to let this die out either. One student in particular is going to fast this week and has committed to 5AM - 8AM war room shifts. Pray for our perseverance in prayer. May we be faithful to what we have received and bless God.

Kelowna

2008-10-05T00:19:00.000-07:00

We spent some time in Kelowna this weekend. It was awesome...got some amazing God time, and also got some time in a bear cave. It was sweet.
Courtney

I'm A Slave

2008-10-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

-Romans 6:19

A United Warrior

2008-09-30T12:54:00.001-07:00

So Tuesday mornings in Pray The Bible [PTB for those who are cool enough] the theme is Lectio Divina [spelling please?!?!]. Todays verse was from Psalm 91, and this is what I saw:

I saw a mighty warrior dressed in full uniform. With a presence of more then one soul, like the united body of Salvationists. He was walking really, really slow through a valley in darkness. The ground was totally covered with bodies. Broken bodies, people crying out, people trying to reach up and grab at the Warrior. And as He was walking through He was sprinkling dust on the bodies and one by one the bodies began to rise. And when He turned back there was a garden growing behind Him where He had sprinkled that 'dust'. Slowly, the further through the valley the Warrior got the easier it became for Him to work and it felt like a huge burden was starting to be lifted from Him. Then in the distance it was like the sun was beginning to rise, and people were starting to rise up before the Warrior got to them. They started to get up on their own and then they started to get other people up...and it didn't take long before the sun was becoming visible and when the Warrior looked behind and infront there was garden all around. And the burden seemed to be lifted and the work became lighter. Almost like a fragrance of dancing was in the air.

It was actually incredibly intense...when the Warrior was in the darkness the work seemed so so heavy and burdening and almost overwhelming. Like He was walking through mud. But the feeling when the garden had grown on all sides was so liberating. almost breath taking!

So...this is what I saw! Hope that the things that are from God stick, and the things that aren't fall off like dust.

Amen!

My experiences

2008-09-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

So...I've been here for 2 and a half weeks, this is my second week of classes. Its been really good. I went through a time of homesickness which was...horrible haha but its getting better. Sometimes, it gets depressing down here, seeing all the pain and addiction, but at other times its so amazing cause you get into conversations with the people who are in pain and addicted, and hear their stories...some people have amazing stories! I have so many stories, but a lot are stories that aren't really bloggable cause you cant get the full aspect of what they're like without seeing expression. I'd like to say though, people down here know that we're with 614, and its well respected, so if anyone sees us in a potentially dangerous situation, they'll step in and help. And they're very protective also because they see that we're clean, and dont want to see us getting into anything that they're into. I think they look at us and it gives them hope that they can come clean as well. Its really cool. Keep the prayers coming for sure!!

Courtney M

Wake, O sleeper; rise from the dead.

2008-09-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

The students of the Conqueror Session have been officially intitated!
They have received their prophetic names, to symbolise gaining a new identity in their resurretion and how Christ will be teaching them to be more like Him this year.

Alberta Rakestraw is Redeemed
Carlye Morris is Impact
Courtney McLeod is Adorned
Jessica Walker is Captivated
Joshua Mills is The Lord's Arrow
Sally Beauglehole is Steadfast

Pray that these names would come to fruition this year, and that the students may continue living a life of dying to self and new life in Christ.
Hallelujah! Christ has conquered death!

What humour

2008-09-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

Introducing Full Time Conquerors

2008-09-23T12:59:00.001-07:00

and there is Stepfie too but we're getting her picture still!

World Passion Tour

2008-09-23T12:47:00.001-07:00

On October 6th after an eventful morning with Commissioner Marilyn Francis teaching on "Holiness of Heart" the War College will join with a sold out GM place for The World Passion Tour. Pray that our students receive a full impartation of passion and we give God the praise He is due.

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks I've spent in the downtown eastside have been interesting, challenging, fun, joyful, sorrowful...any emotion you could think of, i've probably expirienced all of them. In the last couple weeks I have learned more about myself than i ever have before. I love it and hate it at the same time. But I'm taking it all in better than I thought i would, which is completely awesome. I'm loving how close I've grown to God in these past and how fond I've become of the DTES. It almost feels weird if i don't constantly smell urine or cigarette smoke...and i love how the hallway of my building makes Jessica almost vomit, but I can't smell anything. New things are being revealed to me every day, and it's awesome how much im learning.

keep it coming!

Welcome Home

2008-09-18T15:32:00.000-07:00

After an intense week of ''orientation' or perhaps; ''boot camp'' to be more realistic, a few of us Conquereros decided to head off to MetroTown last Sunday to chill out.

How bizarre to walk past people and not have them react, either with some love, a smile or a stare!
How bizarre to smell clean air, free of smoke!!
How bizarre to feel one of the crowd, to not be the one everybody notices!!
How bizarre to not no anyone, to not have any friends sitting on the corner!!

It was good to be out of the DTES and to chill out, but I also felt sad! I felt a bit lost haha! Im learning very quickly to love this place and to love the openess that the people share.

Some people may call that openess being desperate; I call it being honest and being realistic. I call it being community. I call it showing love.

My first Week at The War College

2008-09-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, so I'm almost done my very first week at the War College; all that I can say for sure is that it is one of the most surprising experiences of my life. I should probably introduce myself though. My name is Jessica Walker, I am from Mission, and if I were to be any animal I would be a mama bear(obscure, I know).
As of yet, the best thing about the War College experience on the DTES is the sense of community that everyone cultivates, and not just the 614 crew, but also the homeless and addicted: everyone knows everyone else by name. I am also seriously enjoying my Introduction To Biblical Interpretation class with the one and only Stephen Bell. Probably the thing that I have not enjoyed about the DTES is the drugs: I have seen varying ways of shooting up in the past week then I have ever wanted to in my life, and the only thing that I can do is pray and show unconditional Love. God help me.

Youth Together

2008-09-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

The War College is pleased to announce our invitation and confirmed attendance to this year's Youth Together at Camp Sunrise [Oct 17 - 19].

Michael Collins - War College Faculty and Cariboo's Evangelist/Prophet will be delivering the mighty word of God.

Jonny and Chris Michel will lead us in anointed worship.

We'll be putting together the War Room for 24/7 and leading a night of active prayer and response.

This will be intense and sure to involve God's glory.

Pray for souls to be saved

Pray for saints to be holy

Pray for the fellowship of God

Pray that we come prepared to conquer the foe

Read The Bible & Air Force

2008-09-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Today saw the inception of our corporate reading through The Bible. We made it through 2 chapters after a fifteen minute explanation of the practice. The troops were stirred and enriched with revelation and mystery. There are some keeners who know how to ask appropriate questions from the text. Who knows what will unfold as we continue throughout the year?

We started walking with the cover of heaven's artillery. God is taking the land while we walk the streets with prayer asking God to pour out His blessing and showing us where to partner in His Kingdom come. This practice of 'Air Force' [prayer walking] takes from Rev 5 and 8's account of the prayers of the saints and what heaven does with the sweet smelling stuff. Glory be to God! May we see more porn theatres torn to the ground, empty lots become full of goodness and pawn shops closed.

2008-09-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

I was walking down Main Street, heading towards the first official 2008/2009 War College function excited to meet and greet the new students. I walked out of my door, turned the corner and in the distance saw a crowd of people. "What a cool looking group" I thought to myself, and upon closer examination realised it was The War College!

That was 48 hours ago. Now, I am sitting here, reflecting on the past two days and it has been a blur, a good blur, but a blur nonetheless.

Today we began the day with 60 seconds of Spiritual Pump, followed by Pray the Bible Lectio Divina style. Then we were blessed to be taught the Enneagram by Servants International leader, Craig Greenfield, and as a result we have a better understanding of how God has created ourselves and others and what we can do to work together in our giftings and personalities. I didn't get a chance to hit up this afternoons class, Life in the Margins, but I hear it was excellent!

Now, the students are out on League of Mercy. Visiting their new neighbours in homes, slum hotels, hostels, residences and on the streets.

What a great way to start this year!
These guys are definitely CONQUERORS!!!

Grace,
NSB

Students arrive!

2008-09-08T10:52:00.001-07:00

The conquerors session has begun this morning with Rations and Praying the Bible. Students are currently involved in an 'initial ambush' where they will be introduced to the Downtown Eastside and God's Kingdom here. The activity involves walking around with identifiable Salvation Army shield tattoos, eating in food lines, meeting our friends on the street, drinking coffee at the local coffee shop, sharing good news about Jesus, etc.

Stay posted for pictures and more!

grace
je

Peter Footer's Testimony [Adelaide, Australia]

2008-09-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

Coming to Canada came with a big culture shock, different foods, likes and language. Yes Canadians claim to speak English but that is far from the truth. Living in community with a wide range of different people has changed my life for ever. The War College teaches you that life is not all about you. Here we learned to serve what the world considers the least, we are challenged in what to consider a Christian life and what a Christian ethic really is. Every day brought a new challenge and a fresh revelation. The War College has not brought me to completion I am in no way ready to face all the trials of this spiritual battle but God has put me into a new direction and started me on a fresh path towards offering my life as a living sacrifice and being of service in His Army.

Meghan Labrecque's Testimony [Maine, USA]

2008-08-21T13:44:00.001-07:00

When I went to the War College I thought I knew exactly what I was getting myself into, sure enough I soon realized that I had no idea. Throughout the year I was challenged more than I could have ever anticipated a year ago I would have never imagined being the way I am now. I learned so much about myself and God by living here. A key thing about this year was living in community, by living in this community I had to sacrifice the ability to hide anything. My sessionmates always knew when I was going through a hard time and they were there to help through it and lift me up, I had never experienced that previous to that year, and it helped to teach me about the way God is. Before the War College I struggled with depression and anxiety and through stepping out of my comfort zone and throwing away the boundaries I had put on myself I was healed! The War College was a tough year and I was stretched beyond what I could have ever expected, but I would never trade this experience for anything else. God used this year to heal me and to show me what it means to live for Him and not myself.

Ashley Aspeitia's Testimony [New Zealand]

2008-08-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

WARNING! The War College is not a euphemism! There is a war going on down here and some of the bravest souls I have ever met. There are times of intense testing and trying spiritually, mentally, and physically. Yet, this is a haven for those of us aliens to this earth. This is a place of living water where trees can be planted and rooted. Incubate your greatst weapon: love. If I knew what I was getting into before coming here, I wouldn't have come because I would have marked it as something my heart was too faint to bear. God has spoken otherwise. Praise Him; His grace is enough!

Jessica Bryant's Testimony [New Westminster, BC]

2008-08-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

My year at the War College was pretty much one huge contradiction.
It was safe and secure, yet new and terrifying.
It was a challenge, yet it was the easiest thing to do.
It filled me with hope, and it filled me with despair.
The War College is a roller coaster of emotions that will take you out of your comfort zones, but bring under the safety of the Almighty's wings. It will make you question what you believe, and end up with the most amazing answers. It will show you what it means to love God, and to be loved by God.
You will learn to see God anywhere and everywhere.
This is the saddest neighbourhood I've ever seen, but it is also the one with the most hope, the most joy, and the most love.

Robbie Alberts' Testimony [Dauphin, MB]

2008-08-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

Going through the War College was the greatest challenge that I've been through in my entire life. God has challenged me in every aspect of my life, from purity to emotional stability, along with lies that were built up over the years. I've learned to denounce these lies and giving everything up to the Lord. God turned my heart from a heart of rock to a heart of flesh.

Being in the War College meant giving up on all pride, insecurities, passions (that were not mine), hatred, guilt, condemnation, and past related issues. It also meant having a desire for the Lord that I never thought I could. Knowing that the Lord lives inside of us is a great comfort to have. To know that God has imparted His Spirit into me and from the very beginning He created me to be his child and servant. He does care and he is a jealous God.

I learned that being bold and vulnerable were good things. Boldness helps me confront people better. Through vulnerability and confession I was able to receive healing from issues, and having a false sense of love for people. I received freedom from sins that were so easily entangled to me.

Community has a big role this year because through community I’m able to be open with things that are happening in my life, build relationships with God and making new friendships. This also meant spending time with my session on a number of occasions. I believe that these times united us together as brothers and sisters. These relationships will never be let go of because the Lord has united us together. So I would encourage the next session to spend as much time with your session mates and really get to know them. Show an unconditional love that the Father shows us. Let us not bicker but live in harmony with one another.

Remember the greatest commandment. 37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment. 39And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Caitlyn Spence's Testimony [Nanaimo, BC]

2008-08-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

The War College was the hardest and most trying year of my life. A time of intense love and overwhelming heartbreak, breathless joy and signifigant sorrow. God broke me and began rebuilding my foundation on Him, that I might live for the unseen eternal instead of what is seen and temporal. Things like grace, mercy, trust, love and compassion were only abstract truths that I had studied before I moved to the Downtown Eastside and experianced them firsthand. God taught me more about His character through every person I met on the streets and challenged me to be made more like Him. I put to death the person I was when I originally came to the War College and embraced Christ's resurrection as the chance to live as a new creation as His bride, not his enemy. YHWH taught me to start living as Christ lived, not just reading and arguing about it but allowing myself to be changed by Him. God became more real to me than He had ever been, and no longer just fit in my head: His truth started to overflow into my actions and character. I learned what it meant to choose life and be light in the darkness; not of this world, nor reflecting it's surroundings, but acting as Christ's ambassador in every circumstance. God used the Downtown Eastside to teach me to bring life into places of death, joy into places of depression and love into places of hate.

Megan Smith's Testimony [Toronto, Canada]

2008-08-12T19:47:00.001-07:00

By the grace of God, I have been transformed...praise the Lord!! I came to The War College not knowing much about it but knowing that LORD God called me to be here, and I'm really glad that He did. It was a struggle at times coming here, but I am glad I surrendered and gave up my will for His. At the War College I have learned better how to study His Word, I have discovered the joy and neccessity of Christian community, I have become PASSIONATE about discipleship and holiness, I have been confirmed and encouraged in my life's calling, I have found freedom from past hurt and sin, but most importantly I have been fallen in love! Yes, it's true, I fell in love at The War College - with the residents of the downtown eastside, with the Bride of Christ, with my lost brothers and sisters who God wants to be His bride, and with the Lord Himself! The most lifechanging aspect of this year has been the incredible love I've experienced, from God and His people. It is a love that fills, overflows, and changes hearts! The most heartbreaking thing I've discovered this year is that some people do not know how to recieve or give love because they have never experienced any! How tragic! It was a very painful year, surrounded by hopelessness, pain and spiritual warfare, but I've learned that it is in those places that God draws nearer to us. There are no words to express how thankful I am that The War College was raised up and that God called ME of all people to be here. "Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, shoulds't die for me?" Praise the Lord.

Nipawin Camp Meetings

2008-07-26T17:37:00.000-07:00

So the Nipawin Camp or "Revival" Meetings, organized by the Holiness Church here in town, began last night. They go until August 3rd. I think these are going to be good, and I think they came at just the right time for my spiritual life right now. The evening services are at the Salvation Army church here. Please pray for the meetings, for the town, and for Jessica and I as we try to take in as much as we can.

Peace out,

Megan S

2008-06-26T16:02:00.000-07:00

As a Catholic Air Force chaplain, Father George Zabelka was given the duty of blessing the men who dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He gave this speech on the 40th anniversary of the bombings.

"As a Catholic chaplain I watched as the Boxcar, piloted by a good Irish Catholic pilot, dropped the bomb on Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki, the center of Catholicism in Japan.
I never preached a single sermon against killing civilians to the men who were doing it...It never entered my mind to protest publicly the consequences of these massive air raids. I was told it was neccessary - told openly by the military and told implicity by my Church's leadership.
I struggled, I argued. But yes, there it was in the Sermon on the Mount, very clear: 'Love your enemies. Return good for evil.' I went through a crisis of faith. Either accept what Christ said, as unpassable and silly as it may seem, or deny him completely.
For the last 1700 years the Church has not only been making war respectable; it has been inducing people to believe it is an honourable profession, an honourable Christian profession. This is a lie.
For the 300 years immediately following Jesus' resurrection, the Church universally saw Christ and his teaching as nonviolent*. Remember that the Church taught this ethic in the face of at least three serious attempts by the state to liquidate her. It was subject to horrendous and ongoing torture and death. If ever there was an occasion for justified retaliation and defensive slaughter, this was it. The economic and political elite of the Roman state and their military had turned the citizens of the state against Christians and were embarked on a muderous public policy of exterminating the Christian community.
Yet the Church, in the face of the heinous crimes committed against her members, insisted without reservation that when Christ disarmed Peter he disarmed all Christians.
Christians continued to believe that Christ was, to use the words of an ancient liturgy, their fortress, their refuge, and their strength, and that if Christ was all they needed for security and defense, then Christ was all they should have. Indeed, this was a new security ethic. Christians understood that if they would only follow Christ and his teaching, they couldn't fail. When opportunities were given for Christians to appease the state by joining the fighting Roman army, these opportunities were rejected, because the early Church saw a complete and obvious incompatibility between loving as Christ loved and killing. It was Christ, not Mars, who gave security and peace.
Today the world is on the brink of ruin because the Church refuses to be the Church, because we Christians have been decieving ourselves and the non-Christian world about the truth of Christ. There is no way to follow Christ, to love as Christ loved, and simultaneously to kill other people. It is a lie to say that the spirit that moves the trigger of a flamethrower is the Holy Spirit. It is a lies to say that learning to kill is learning to be Christ-like. It is a lie to say that learning to drive a bayonet into the heart of another is motivated from having put on the mind of Christ. Militarized Christianity is a lie. It is radically out of conformity with the teaching, life, and spirit of Jesus.
Now, brothers and sisters, on the anniversary of this terrible atrocity carried out by Christians, I must be the first to say that I made a terrible mistake. I was had by the father of lies. I participated in the big ecumenical lie of the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches. I wore the uniform. I was part of the system. When I said Mass over there I put on those beautiful vestments over my uniform. (When Father Dave Becker left the Trident submarine base in 1982 and resigned as Catholic chaplain there, he said, 'Every time I went to Mass in my uniform and put the vestments on over my uniform, I couldn't help but think of the words of Christ applying to me: Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.")
As an Air Force chaplain I painted a machine gun in the loving hands of the nonviolent Jesus, and then handed this perverse picture to the world as truth. I sang "Praise the Lord" and passed the ammunition. As Catholic chaplain for the 509th Composite Group, I was the final channel that communicated this fraudulent image of Christ to the crews of the Enola Gray and the Boxcar.
All I can say today is that I was wrong. Christ would not be the instrument to unleash such horror on his people. Therefore no follower of Christ can legitimately unleash the horror of war on God's people. Excuses and self-justifying explanations are without merit. All I can say is: I was wrong! But, if this is all I can say, this I must do, feeble as it is. For to do otherwise would be to bypass the first and absolutely essential step in the process of repentance and reconciliation: admission of error, admission of guilt.
Thank God that I'm able to stand here today and speak out against war, all war. The prophets of the Old Testament spoke out against all false gods of gold, silver, and metal. Today we are worshipping the gods of metal, the bomb. We are putting our trust in physical power, militarism, and nationalism. The bomb, not God, is our security and strength. The prophets of the Old Testament said simply: Do not put your trust in chariots and weapons, but put your trust in God. Their message was simple, and so is mine.
We must all become prophets. I really mean that. We must all do something for peace. WE must stop this insanity of worshipping the gods of metal. We msut take a stand against evil and idolatry. This is our destiny at the most critical time of human history. But it's also the greatest opportunity ever offered to any group of people in the history of our world - to save our world from complete annihilation."

- Father Zabelka, August 1985

*Here are some early Christians talking to back up what he said

"The professions and trades of those who are going to be accepted into the community must be examined. The nature and type of each must be established...brothel, sculptors of idols, charioteer, athlete, gladiator...give it up or be rejected. A military constable must be forbidden to kill, neither may he swear; if he is not willing to follow these instructions, he must be rejected. A proconsul or magistrate who wears the purple and governs by the sword shall give it up or be reejcted. Anyone taking or already baptized who wants to become a soldier shall be sent away, for he has despised God." - Hippolytus, 218 AD

"We ourselves were well conversant with war, murder, and everything evil, but all of us throughout the whole wide earth have traded in our weapons of war. We have exchanged our swords for plowshares, our spears for farm tools...now we cultivate the fear of God, justive, kindness, faith, and the expectation of the future given us through the crucified one...the more we are persecuted and martyred, the more do others in ever increasing numbers become believers." - Justin, martyred in 165 AD

Thoughts on Home

2008-06-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I've survived being in a small, northern town in Saskatchewan for three weeks now, and almost nothing could be further from my home in the city of Toronto. For example, I don't think I've heard a siren since I left BC, and I've gone to bed for the last ten years hearing them probably every night!

Last weekend, we got the chance to go to Winnipeg for Commissioning - what a relief to be back in a city! The lights, the sounds, the sights, the cars, the protesters! Yes, we saw two rallies going on in Winnipeg, on the same street around the same time actually. We even got to see the Communist Party of Canada in action marching with several other groups against war. While we were in Winnipeg, Jessica and I made sure to stop by a Tim Hortons to get our first, and probably last, iced cap of the summer. I noticed then that all the Tim Hortons across Canada that I've been to are the same - the bathroom's always in the same place, the layout is the generally the same, the colours, the chairs, the uniforms, the food. I could sit in a Tim Hortons in Winnipeg and feel like I was in Toronto or Vancouver. It felt like 'home'. Now I know what they are talking about on their commercials. I hope Tim Hortons never changes.
In a way, going to Commissioning felt like going home, too. You see, I practically grew up at big Salvation Army events. I caught up with old friends, made new, socialized with officers, and met the people that babysat me when I was one year old. And this time, I even was able to see my Dad, who was in town for the event with the staff band. So I couldn't help but get excited when I saw the uniforms, the timbrels, and the brass band (which I have sorely missed this year I might add!) The whole Commissioning experience felt something like coming home for me.

I was talking to Jessica about our perspectives on this issue last night. I guess because I've moved so much that I don't really consider home a building anymore, it is an important place or a family, and I'm happy that I consider myself to have many homes: Jacksons Point, Toronto, Philadelphia, the downtown eastside of Vancouver, and even New Zealand if I stretch back far enough. I love the verse in Mark 3 where Jesus clearly says "Whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven is my brother, my sister and my mother."

Who knows, if I can survive this, maybe I'll have a home in Nipawin, Saskatchewan, too.

Peace,
Megan Smith

61:4 Alabaster

2008-06-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would spend any more than a few hours of my life driving through in Alabama.
I'm Texan - that's my southern state!

This week I am visiting 61:4 Alabaster. It's exciting for me as being a part of 61:4 Vancouver to come here and see how we are alike, and different but sill working to restore, rebuid, renew, and win the world for Jesus starting in... the city where we live.

Although things are run very different from my initial introduction to 61:4 - I beieve that the Lord is doing a good work here. The church building is quite small used daily by the Battle School. Battle School here is a program that goes for 1 year and is available to up to 11 men and women in the area. There is a daily rutine and a bed and food are provided to them. There are currently 7, all men and new Christians.

With frequesnt visitations, bold direct words from the Lord and humility the Battle School does a great job at evangelising and investing.

Pray for that the wisdom of the Lord would be in this place. That He would be most imortant and that each person her would keep Him as their center.

I have and am enjoying my stay in Alabama and my visit to the lovely Miss Holly Warren. I must say however, I am quite excited for my next stop in Texas to organize many wedding preperations!

2008-05-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

No one has blogged on here for a while, and I don't know if I ever have - but I reckon everyone wants to know what the summer assignments are.

Ashley A. - St. Petersburg, Florida
Caitlyn Spence - X-Cultural Ministries - all over BC
Peter Footer - Charlotte, North Carolina
Meghan Labreque - Chicago Il and Connecticut
Robbie A. - Toronto, Ontario
Jessica Bryant and Megan Smith - Saskatchewan

Why not pray for our students everyday while on assignment?

Incendiaries - FIRE.
Praying FIRE falls from Heaven this summer. That the Lord will surprise you over and over again. I pray that this summer you would experience the Lord in new ways and that He would move through you and in you and around you. I pray that the Lord will bless you as you bless those you are serving.
Grace and Peace be with you all.

Cool assignments eh?!
If you want a hardcore summer of service and experience then you should apply at The War College Vancouver or Chicago Campus` ...
http://www.thewarcollege.com/ Conquerors Session and you could go somewhere really cool for the summer of 2009.

Grace and Peace!

2008-05-12T19:48:00.001-07:00

I know a three year old who has the first three doctrines of the Salvation Army memorized.

I must say, that's probably better than me and most soldiers out there. How about you?

Facebook pics of War College students - good times!

2008-05-08T07:53:00.001-07:00

Partner Ministry

2008-05-06T17:39:00.001-07:00

It is great to have good neighbours. Below our prayer room and humble classroom [don't ask about the bathroom!], we have some lovely friends who make friends with women. After cultivating friendships they go on a retreat together. Some of our students have participated in this ministry: Linwood House. Check out this article to see more: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=05849764-cbe5-4a41-9363-6e7cd119430e

To Those Desiring Change in this Army of the Lord

2008-04-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Let us share in zeal. Let us share in passion. Let us be unified in our desire for truth. But let us not be right in our own eyes. Let us seek wisdom and be open to reason. Please, let not the change we wish to see be of our own agenda's. Let us not form the Army to look like ourselves, to make it like ourselves but we must be one in this desire "YOUR KINGDOM COME, OH GOD, YOUR WILL BE DONE" and this alone. Don't be conceited. Don't be arrogant. Don't think that you've got it all together or that you have all the answers to the Army's problems. THERE IS ONE, dear children; ONE INDEED. And He knows how we are to look. Like His Son. Driven by His Spirit.

For it is true "Where there is selfish ambition there is disorder and every vile practice" James 3:16

therefore, don't let your selfish ambition get in the way. If we are going to be one, if this change is going to take place it must be one big unified thrust by the true people of God, not a bunch of ideas and ideals made by our own human reason which can only lead to more disunity and chaos. Let this be your motif: Desire for God's Truth, and Zeal for His house. May it consume US just as it did the Christ who after expressing that zeal proclaimed "My Father's house shall be a house of Prayer" In other words, stop building towers, and proclaiming idle opinions and get on your knees and weep for God's Army, weep that His righteousness be manifested deep within. Cry out to Him for His mercy and grace. Become LOW. Understand your desperate need; understand your poverty (for the Kingdom belongs to such as these!). Understand that ALL good things and ideas and wisdom come from the Living God ALONE, understand His holiness in relation to your need for holiness and cry out for HIS good and perfect will and not your own! And in all of this let our ultimate end be in line with HIS ultimate end. That being the glory and the upholding of His name; as the apostle says "Do all things to the glory of God``.

LISTEN!

Those of us that desire change in the Salvation Army aren't all in agreement when it comes to doctrine or theology or evangelism. We don't all agree with each other's way of doing things, this can potentially ruin things for us. Though this grieves me greatly, that is not what I want to focus on this moment. I want us to focus on that one thing we have in common, that desire we have. That desire for change is a manifestation of the groaning that Paul talks about in Romans 8. This desire isn't of us; it comes from our union with Christ. Though our means of grabbing that which we desire may differ, the end is the same. It's a cry that we have within our spirits for God's will to be done; for Glory! It's something that ALL the people of God share in, not just those in the Army. And it's a cry that we must unleash together; let us not to strive to accomplish it in our own strength. But like babies cry out to Him FOR Him, that He may accomplish what our deepest yearnings call out for, things that have not been seen. I'm talking about hope. The desire for change that we share in is a manifestation of the hope of the people of God. What we need to do is stop tacking our own vision to the hope that we have, I think that's where unhealthy ambition comes from. But we hope for what we do not see and in doing so we wait for it in patience. PATIENCE for what is coming. Faith that it will come. You do well to abide in these things.

So I encourage you to go on in zeal, just as long as you hold fast to the heavenly wisdom expressed in James' epistle. And run in your passion, as long as you delight also in the knowledge that God has provided in His word. Don't put your revelations above scripture, but test everything in the light of scripture. And always always always pray. Don't EVER stop. He will come; He will accomplish what He has promised to His children! So live and breathe and walk in your faith which alone justifies us before Him, and hold fast to the hope to which you were called(a hope that is not seen). Don't grow weary but be fervent in zeal. He was stricken and made low that you may not grow weary. And put on love. Love those that you are unified with in Christ, care and supply for their needs and encourage one another every day. Just as He has loved us, so love one another! Tell of His salvation to the nations that He may be glorified in that Great and Terrible Day!

grace and peace

Jeremy Strain.

Freely receive. Freely give.

2008-04-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

How difficult do you find it to have mercy on people?

I think it's easy to say we freely offer mercy when it comes to big obvious things, but what about just people. People who make you angry, people that you know have sinned against you, people who are just difficult to love.

Often I find that I want to be the potter.

I see people, I see their defects by sin and I want to fix them, or make them pay.

I don't think I have ever asked anyone to sacrifice and animal, but there are other ways.

ex; avoiding them, not praying for them, using other means to make them "make-up" for their behavior that somehow offended me.

When I was younger I heard in a preach once that when you become a christian, you loose the right to be offended. I'm not sure if I completely agree, but isn't that mercy. Forgiving people and letting go of their offenses when you don't feel like it and they just don't deserve it?

I've been struggling to offer mercy and grace to people recently. I've been struggling to just love that difficult person to love. I know what I need to do to reconcile myself to them, to offer them mercy and really ask forgiveness for my lack of mercy. Then there is still the issue of why I am having a hard time with this. Then is dawned on me...

Sometimes it's so hard for me to freely receive from the Lord. To accept his mercy in times when I feel like I need to pay from my wrongs. Often times when I mess up, I make myself miserable with disappointment in myself and I leave no room for the mercy of the Lord. How can I give, what I do not have? I must receive in order to give.

This verse gives me comfort;

(Hebrews)14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,^[e] Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The Lord desires mercy, not sacrifice. (matthew 12)

When you feel like you don't deserve mercy, and others don't deserve it from you. Know that you can choose to do what the Lords asks of you by will, not matter what you feel like.

We need to bow to the son of God, not to our feelings. The only way to overcome evil is with good.

Freely give as you have freely received. Kind of like walking in the opposite spirit.

If we waited to give mercy when it was deserved, it wouldn't be mercy at all.

Freely receive. Freely give.

Michael Collins - War College Faculty

2008-04-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

Life

2008-04-15T23:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've blogged, but an experience today with the kids was so profound that I want to share it. In discipleship with the kids today we shared the story of Ezekiel 33 and the army of dry bones. After having traced the kids outlines on the sidewalk, we had them act out the story of the dry bones while Caitlyn narrated it (Jael was ezekiel, with Caitlyn's help, while the rest lay in their outlines as dead bodies). They understood it all - that a dead army couldn't do anything and that God told Ezekiel to pray for the dead army. God breathed once and they stood up; God breathed a second time and they came alive (and had a dance party, so our version went). When we told the kids that the point of the story is that God brings life, they started jumping and dancing and proclaiming life loudly! When I saw this, I asked them if they could stand on their outlines (of dead bodies) and do the same thing to pray for the Church - so they did! What an incredible prophetic act declaring that their is life for The Salvation Army, for the Church, for the Downtown Eastside, for all! And it was all basically the kids idea. What a moment. It was the highlight of my day by far to see little children, the oldest being four, engaging in warfare and fighting on the side of the life that only God can bring to an army of dry bones.

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Term Three has begun. As I've done for the previous two terms, here's what our daily class schedule looks like so you know what's going on:

Monday - Friday 9:00 am Praying the Bible
Monday 9:30 am - Holiness, J. Evans
Monday 1:00 pm - Squad (accountability groups), C. White, K. Ivany, B. Wulfing, J. Gomez
Tuesday 9:30 am - Advanced Warfare Research Project, C. Evans
Tueday 1:00 pm - Discipleship time
Wednesday 9:30 am - Gardening, A. White
Wednesday 1:00 pm - School of Justice, K. Ivany
Thursday 9:30 am - Comparative Writings, S. Bell
Thursday 1:00 pm - Drill, D. Melanson
Friday 9:30 am - Martyrdom, M. Collins
Friday 12:00 pm - Consistent Life Ethics, K. Walker and A. White
Friday 2:00 pm - Holy Space, J. Evans/Sessiontime

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I've been meaning to blog what books I've been reading because I'm attempting to read one a month this year. So far I've read

January - Be a Hero, S. Court and W. Campbell
February - The Divine Romance, (I forget who wrote it but it was really good, about the relationship between God and his Bride)
March - The Uprising: A Holy Revolution?, O. Munn and S. Court
April - Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation

So far, I'd reccommend all of them. I'm working on Peace is the Way right now. It's a big book but I'm really enjoying it. There are writings by Martin Luther King Jr., Mohatma Ghandi, Daniel Berrigan, Thomas Merton, and more. I am really coming to love the Fellowship of Reconciliation's work (one more reason for me to move to NY sometime in my lifetime). They are the largest, oldest interfaith peace organization in America. Reconciliation has really been put on my heart by the Lord lately.

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Hope you find these updates useful. Is it really 15 more days until I'm on a plane for a weekend in Chicago? :-D

Peace out,

Megan S

Home

2008-03-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

614 has become my home. At this point, if someone asked me where I was from, I would prefer not to say "California" or "New Zealand," I'd like to just say "Vancouver." God has been teching me a lot lately that He alone is home. When I read through Hebrews 11, I'm greatly comforted because all the people of faith were "aliens" here. I am too. I feel like I've been a nomad. God is my Home, and I just want to be wherever He wants me to be. So, I'm praying about next year. I want to go and stay all at the same time. I wonder if God even cares? I mean, as long as I'm faithful to Him He's stoked right? And after spinning again and again through this cycle of thoughts, I come back to "God is home." I'm alright with that.

Praying the Bible

2008-03-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

The heart of 614 Vancouver is prayer. It is our hub. It is our energizing ability to move forward in God's strength and Calling. Everyday we begin by praying the Bible. We need to meditate on God's word so that we are strong and courageous, that we don't let his word depart from our lips [hearts and minds]. We PTB so that we are careful to obey everything that is commanded us.

Today we cleaned house. We took an examination of our hearts Ps 139, because God looks at our hearts [1Sam16:7]. We recognized that our carnal heart is deceitful [Jer 17:9, Matthew 12:34] and that we need God to renew our hearts/minds [Rom 12] as we take captive our thoughts and subject them to Lord Jesus [1 Cor 10]. We asked that we would have the attitude of Christ and unity in the Spirit [Php 2] and that our words would reflect our hearts of pure love [James 3, Proverbs?]

We then looked at Psalm one [NLT] and the trajectory of the heart leading to action.

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

The downward spiral that leads to destruction begins with not praying the Bible. The wicked begin listening to counsel other than God and God's people [sheperds, prophets, apostles evangelists]. They don't submit to God's authority or the authority of whom He apoints as overseers. They listen to people from other faiths, other communities, Oprah, false teachers, those who tickle their ears: people who enter from the back door, sneak in over the fence and are not approved as God's workers [John 10].
Watch out for the next step! - from walking with the Lord to standing with sinners - Identification with others than the body, stagnancy of faith, losing joy. The sin here is APATHY!!!

Apathy shows up as the fruit in our hearts with lack of participation, lack of sacrifice, lack of fellowship, lack of Bible reading, lack of prayer, and lacking in the fruit of the Holy Spirit... one being self-control. Essentially full blown sins. These are sins of commission and omission. Sounds like Romans 7 to me. "I do what I don't want to do... I don't do what I want to do."

The third step is the scariest: Sitting in the seat of mockers. This is a complete dissassociation with the Body of Christ, or the congregation to which one belongs. [You can couch the heart of sin through judgement and church hopping]. Some lose their faith entirely while others slip out of the fight, become critics disguised as Holy people with lots of concern but not the fruit of creating disciples, serving the poor and internal holiness. God's hand of blessing has departed your life. The sturdiness of Christians in the Word is lacking and your emotions, reactions and impulsive thoughts have control over your life. You may be doubting and tossed around the sea with every wave of trouble, persecution or sacrifice that comes your way. What you do is not fruitful and is chaff, blown away and burned in the eternal fires of judgement.

What must we do?

God purge our hearts! [Ps 51]

7 Purify me from my sins,^[c] and I will be clean;
      wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
      you have broken me—
      now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
      Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
      Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
      and don’t take your Holy Spirit^[d] from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.

Amen!

Blast from Holy ______ Session

2008-03-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

Are you The War College?

Ready and Willing conference and other stuff

2008-03-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

So we're into the last night of RAW for this year; there's only one morning left before everyone goes home. Although I must admit I was not looking forward to it (I wasn't in a BAD mood about it, I was just apathetic towards it), it has been really great. I've really gotten in touch with the Lord this week, I've got some more great stories about the downtown eastside, I've met some really great people, and I've eaten some really great food :-)

I just want to share some stories from street combat tonight.

On my first round, my partner Jess and I were really blessed by people. They prayed with us and for us, and even asked the Lord to bless us. It was a great example of community and I indeed felt really blessed by them. It was great to meet more brothers and sisters in Christ living in the downtown eastside under some of the worst conditions. They are beautiful people.

My second round out tonight was much quieter until the very end. One dude we met asked for quick prayer but when we asked him his name and what specifically he wanted prayer for (healing for the cuts and bruises on his face), he told us just feeling the good "energy" coming from us was enough and walked away. So we prayed for him anyways on our own, but what he said stayed with me. Then, not even a block away, I noticed a woman standing in a doorway needing prayer. She wanted to know how I knew she was having a bad day, but I didn't really know what to say except that the Lord told me so. So she told us what she wanted prayer for but didn't want us to stick around to pray with her, she said we should pray while we walk away. She was very nice about it, and she too, asked us to send some of our "energy" her way.

Hmm...throughout the Bible, the Lord talks about always being with us and that we will be separate from the world but in the world, marked by His Spirit. In fact, today's cell talks were about being set apart and sealed by Christ (Revelation 7 & 8), and what that looks like. This is getting very exciting! We are marked by the Lord as his very own! (My rations today was also revisiting Isaiah 43:1-3 - I am the Lord's). I don't know about you, but I think the very fact that two people on two occasions said they could feel or see the positive "energy" coming from us is evidence of the seal of God on our lives - hallelujah. I am so glad that the Lord is always with us and sends his Spirit to seal us for salvation. Tonight was evidence of that and it was really good to be reassured that the Lord is with me, in me, and reveals himself to others through me.

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Three things I'm looking forward to in the next three months: Doug Burr visiting next week, "Fullness" prayer conference April 25th - 27th and meeting Janet Munn, and Chicago brigade May 1st - 5th!

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Please pray for the White family. Dominic, their youngest son turning two in april, has been really sick for a couple weeks. He was taken to the children's hospital on Sunday where he was diagnosed with infant, type 1 diabetes. Please keep Aaron, Cherie, and Joshua, Ciara, Noah, and most certainly Dominic, in your prayers. Our community needs prayer, all the time, but particularly in a difficult time like this. Dominic's life and well-being affects us all. I love that boy a lot.

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Thanks for your prayers surrounding RAW. Even with my somewhat busy job as a producer of the RAW morning and evening sessions, I have been really at peace, a peace that is not my own. If I was doing this on my own, I would not be this calm, in fact I probably would have pulled out my hair by now. So the prayers of the saints have been affective, yet again, on this one. Thanks guys. RAW has been going really smoothly. If you read this before tomorrow morning, keep the last RAW session tomorrow in prayer. Pray that it goes as well as all the others, and better!

God is good

Peace out,

Megan S

RAW

2008-03-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

This week we are hosting a youth conference called RAW, here in Vancouver. Were our second day in, out of four and things are smooth. Please pray for us here, for the delegates and everyone working together to make it happen. May the Lord be glorified!

Please pray for good health. The enemy is at work, but we will worship the Lord.