Promoted to Glory this week, Commissioner Lawrence Moretz was a warrior and a hero. We attended his Celebration of Life Service today at Territorial Headquarters in New York. The hall was filled in attendance, appreciation and celebration.

He was a good leader with extraordinary imagination. He loved the Word of God, was a man of prayer and led many to faith. Carolyn and I were fortunate to know him and to work with him for many years.

In many ways, his departure is an end of an era. There are many people and practices that have been under Larry’s influence that will continue to glorify God, but his history, experience and leadership are now past.

Lord, grant us the new direction we must go. Enable us to see it and act upon it.

Thank you, Lord.

All through the weekend, Lt. Colonels Zoilo and Magali Pardo are leading our first Latino Bible Conference at beautiful Pine Summit Camp. Over 700 persons are enjoying the inspiration, fellowship and fun. Commissioners Deise and Torben Eliasen are the guests for this great experience. You can watch the meetings being streamed at OnlineCorps.com.

We need every culture on the planet to be engaged to win the world for Jesus and have great hope for the Latino culture to embrace grace and advance the Kingdom of God. In The Salvation Army, we can all join together to honor God in this constructive way.

God bless our delegates and may the Holy Spirit have His way with His people. Hallelujah!

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10 NIV

Today we’ve been on an Oregon trail. We started in The Dalles where we celebrated the life of Josh Davitt, youth worker murdered. Majors Kevin and Tammy Ray are the Corps Leaders who led a beautiful service with many of Josh’s family and friends present. They heard the gospel and learned of Josh’s deep faith.

Our second stop was in Portland where we dedicated the SAFES at Fairbridge. That is The Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter. Room for fifty homeless women, the newly renovated facilities are a credit and a great place for those who will benefit by their services.

We concluded our road trip at the Salem Kroc Center, where Major Kelly Ponstler leads the ministry. It was the 6th Annual “Belief in Action” Dinner. Many community leaders and supporters were present to make it too, a great event.

God is at work in The Salvation Army in Oregon. Thank you, Lt. Colonel Judy Smith for your excellent leadership.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” Romans 11:33 NIV

Ever wonder how God came up with The Salvation Army? Here’s a quote from Jesus for you from The Message:

Luke 11:23 “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.”

So we attempt to help in the context of war. The enemy is cunning and relentless. We have a serious role to fulfill and an adversary to defeat.

Where are you? Are you with Him or against Him. “There is no neutral ground.”

Stand and march with The Salvation Army. This means war.

These words are contained in the Pledge of Allegiance of the United Sates of America and have significant meaning. Added to the pledge in 1954, they were meant to recognize and reaffirm the importance and respect for God in this country. There are many who believe it inappropriate and an unnecessary insertion, contrary to our separation of church and state.

As I think about it today, I’m glad it’s there. The ultimate truth of it is not lost in the strained realities of our present day society. Yes, we are under God, whether a person believes it or not. We are not, however ruled by God. This is most unfortunate and disappointing for those of us who know Him and trust Him with our lives.

We would like to be one nation, but that’s a sincerely questionable concept. The politics of the day are testing our unity, as are the post modern notions of duplicity and lack of absolutes. The newspapers and media outlets are consumed with the differences of American culture and the resultant tensions.

Altogether, ‘one nation under God’ is a very good plan and it is still the aim of many Americans. While some in the country plan to destroy what we have with bombs, needless murders, and moral degeneration, there are many more who want to live strong in a great country forged from faith in God and determination to stand together. God bless America.

Romans 8:14
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”

Every company has employees. They very much form the backbone of the corporation, meeting daily requirements and filling creative and functional capacities towards the mission of the company. Each industry has their own definable roles and pay scales commensurate with the responsibilities. Most companies would consider their employees as team members.

Disney calls their employees at the parks, ‘cast members.’ Walmart calls their employees ‘Associates.’ At Google, employees are ‘Googlers’; at Microsoft they are ‘Microsofters’ and at Yahoo they are ‘Yahoos.’

At The Salvation Army, we see them as partners in mission. Is there a badge or a name tag with that monicker? No, but it is an accurate description of their role. From every corner of our territory and into every area of responsibility, we labor together, serving God with holy ambition (not fully understood or embraced by all employees), yet purposefully united to do the most good.

We are fortunate to be partners in mission and have some of the best people in the world working together.

Philemon 1:6
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 1:5-7 (in Context) Philemon 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations