Former First Lady – Laura Bush

Gospel Song Writers – Bill & Gloria Gaither

President and Co-Founder of Walden Media – Michael Flaherty

Disney Master Animator – Glen Keane

Each have contributed significantly to our culture and society. Each has a vibrant Christian witness. Hallelujah!

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” - Ephesians

On January 19, 2011, Commissioner Andrew S. Miller entered heaven. I can only imagine the excitement within the pearly gates and celebrate his life with the multitudes who knew they were one of his close friends.

At the Atlanta Temple Corps yesterday, we were able to come together to rejoice in his great life and love for all of us. The music was right as were the numerous tributes. Jude Gotrich sang a solo that I will always remember and General Paul Rader, (R) gave a perfectly crafted message. Hallelujah!

He will always be my Sunday School teacher and I will always remember the integrity of his lessons and life. Thank you, Lord. He’s all yours now. He always has been.

^{1 John 4:7} Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Lt. Colonel Geanette Seymour has been meeting with our THQ officers today covering the role of the ISJC in The Salvation Army, understanding social justice, and helping us to see our own role in this area. Its been well worth our while. Joined by intern Chris Brekke, they have held our attention and widened our perspectives. Hallelujah!

Finishing up tomorrow with their presentations, we will be in a much better position to consider where this now goes. We’ll be trusting God for His direction.

Psalm 9:8
He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

It’s a historic footnote in the baseball season of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. On Friday night at the stadium against the Chicago White Sox, Commissioner James Knaggs of TSA threw out the first pitch. It was a sinkerball over the plate. We have the footage to prove it. Australian Rich Thompson caught the ball with great style. We spoke for a minute before he autographed my baseball about the grand finals of Aussie Rules Football taking place. I’ll get to that in a minute. He remarked how important the Salvos are in Australia and I agreed.

By the way, in Aussie Rules Footbal, Collingwood and St. Kilda played in what will now be known as the penultimate Grand Final of 2010, because the game ended in a draw. Unbelievable. As it turns out, this will require them to play again next week for the final Grand Final, unless there’s a draw again, I guess. Someone may have to help me here, or at least help one of the teams to actually win the game. So why do they have a problem with an overtime period?

On the sports scene as well, we are most proud of Salvationist, Freddie Freeman, International League Rookie of the Year, who is playing with the Atlanta Braves. He gave his testimony in an interview the other day and hit a home run as well. For the first time in my life, I will cheer for the Braves. Can they knock off the hatchet thing in the game?

What side do you suppose God is on? Some would say He’s a Yankee fan, and others would strongly disagree. He’s a fan of all of us, desiring that all would share His love and enjoy the fulness of live He gives us. That’s the right team.

^{John 3:16}“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Living in Australia for four years has been our delight. Carolyn and I will always cherish the days of our lives among wonderful people and dedicated Salvos. In many ways, this is The Salvation Army I always wanted to belong to. Hallelujah!

On this last day of service as Territorial Leaders of the Australia Southern Territory, we salute Australia and its Salvos to the honour and glory of God.

We will always think of you in prayer and in the hope that together we will advance the cause of Jesus for the salvation of the world.

God Bless Australia!

God Bless The Salvation Army!

Glory to God!

“The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.”-Zechariah 14:9

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
“Advance Australia fair!”

When gallant Cook from Albion sail’d,
To trace wide oceans o’er,
True British courage bore him on,
Till he landed on our shore.
Then here he raised Old England’s flag,
The standard of the brave;
With all her faults we love her still,
“Brittannia rules the wave!”
In joyful strains then let us sing
“Advance Australia fair!”

Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
“Advance Australia fair!”

While other nations of the globe
Behold us from afar,
We’ll rise to high renown and shine
Like our glorious southern star;
From England, Scotia, Erin’s Isle,
Who come our lot to share,
Let all combine with heart and hand
To advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing
“Advance Australia fair!”

Shou’d foreign foe e’er sight our coast,
Or dare a foot to land,
We’ll rouse to arms like sires of yore
To guard our native strand;
Brittannia then shall surely know,
Beyond wide ocean’s roll,
Her sons in fair Australia’s land
Still keep a British soul.
In joyful strains the let us sing
“Advance Australia fair!”

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.