I recently heard Tony Campollo speak. Even though I'm a fan of Mr. Compollo, my mind generally wanders no matter who is speaking. This time was no different. His preaching was called "Red Letter Prayers" and I couldn't tell you a thing about those. But what I can tell you is a story he told about Mother Teresa...anyone could talk about Momma T and they'd have my attention.


So there was this big town meeting in this little town somewhere is some state. There was a mental institution down the road who had some patients who were well enough to enter society. The idea of making eight halfway houses for the patients was proposed and every town member said 'noway'. There was a unanimous vote against the development of such a place. Just so happens Mother Teresa was in this same little town and she got wind of the vote. She marched right into the meeting got on her knees and said "For the love of Christ, give these people a place to live". After moments of silence the head-town guy suggested a re-vote, and there was another unanimous vote, however this time for the approval of the halfway houses.


After the story Tony Compollo goes on to suggest that the reason Mother Teresa had such authority in such a place was because of her consistent sacrifice, and that sacrifice of any kind is the foundation of power and authority.


William Booth said it too:
"The greatness of a mans power is the measure of his surrender".

Sometimes I get pen shy talking about The Salvation Army as it's not like I grew up in the Army- or that my aunts-cousins-friend or something was General so-and-so. I figure my 'officer-kid' friends or my fifth generation pals would have a much more requested voice to write about such things- yet here I sit with my finger tapping the side of my head pondering the future of The Salvation Army whilst my fingers graze the keyboard.

Thinking about the future of The Salvation Army though gets me really excited, and I think perhaps it is because I catch myself thinking of our past. I may not have ever been related to a Colonel or stepped foot in THQ- but when I read things such as;

"'Some men's ambition is art. Some men's ambition is fame. Some men's ambition is gold. My ambition is the souls of men."
- General William Booth

or
" 'I don't care if my officers can read or write, as long as they can cast out devils"
-General Cathrine Booth

or
"All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet."
-Samuel Logan Brengle

and
I shant forget to mentions Booth's famous "I'll Fight" exhortation.

I can't help but feel what I imagine any Salvationist would, and for that matter should feel- a zeal for Holiness and a passion for the lost. It makes me forget the fact that I've only been in the Army for less then 15 years, and at that I've really only gotten any Salvo teaching for the past five. Rather I remember the teaching of our forefathers and I get pumped up about the idea of returning to our roots and seeing masses get saved and cities transforming and the Holy Ghost falling upon saints and sinners alike.

'There is no improving the future without disturbing the present" - Cathrine Booth.
Let us remember these words of our founder lest we get stuck in some sort of apathetic slump.

I used to be so much more hardcore then I am these days.  I used to live in a slum hotel with bed bugs and cockroaches and no heat.  Now I live in a decent apartment bug free.  I used to be up all hours of the night praying, keeping watch, studying, now I complain if I don't get my 8 hours, and now I'm 'always tired' and the usual reason I don't get those 8 hours can often be because I am watching a movie or working.  I used to go out searching for that prostituted woman to rescue or inviting the homeless poor to crash on my couch.  I used to live simply, I now have a computer, TV, car and cell phone - and will jump at every opportunity to go shopping for more.

To clarify- I don't think it is a bad thing to live in a nice apartment with heat, nor do I think it is bad to get proper sleep.  I think having a car, computer or phone is far from evil.  It's just I've gotten comfortable in it, I've gotten selfish in it.  I've gotten the idea that I'm doing enough, and now it's someone elses turn.  I kinda thought I was immune to being comfortable.

I have often considered signed up for The War College again.  Jonathan Evans wont let me.

Now, I don't know what value there is sitting in this slump- this I used to do this, or I used to do that place.  But I will live up to what I have already attained.  I can still live where I live, and do it hardcore.  It just means I have to be more intentional about inviting my neighbours over.  I can still sleep a good nights sleep and be hardcore- it just means I have to be available to be woken up to pray at odd hours and to be a good steward of the sleep I do get so I can go out the next day and with the energy to do what God requires.

We are closer now to the return of Christ then we ever have been before.  

It would be a dangerous thing if I continued to not give my all to the Kingdom of God.  I know what the LORD requires of me.  I know what my "role" is and what I am supposed to do.  I know what kind of life the LORD wants me to live - it's time I started to live it.

I also think that integrity plays a key role in being hardcore.