Новости с поля битвы

Новости с поля битвы

Капитан Свен-Эрик Люнгхольм, который несет свое служение в России, познакомился с необыкновенным спасенцем, сохранявшим служение Армии Спасения, несмотря на преследования и  свое пребывание в тюрьме.

«Вам звонит генерал», - сообщил мне секретарь. Я снял трубку и с некоторой тревогой в голосе ответил: « Да, Генерал Барроуз, капитан Люнгхольм слушает вас, и доброго Вам утро от каждого из нас, кто сейчас находится в Ленинграде»  (Генерал Барроуз улетела из Ленинграда несколько дней назад после участия в событиях, посвященных возвращению  Армии Спасения в Россию). Однако, вместо голоса генерала Барроуз, я услышал мужской голос, говорящий на русском: «Капитан, это генерал Владимир Михайлович, Армия Спасения, Ялта, Украина»". Сначала я все воспринял как розыгрыш, но после нескольких минут разговора я понял, что он был безусловно «генералом»  во всех смыслах этого слова, несмотря на то, что он выдумал должность и назначил себя сам командовать городом, получившим широкую известность не благодаря собраниям Армии Спасения, а встрече глав государств!

«Генерал» поделился со мной не только историей о том, как он был солдатом Армии Спасения в 1918 году в Санкт-Петербурге (корпус № 7), но и о неизвестном мне факте истории. Он был арестован и сослан в ссылку на 20 лет в Сибирь за его деятельность в Армии Спасения во время Второй Мировой Войны.  Мой интерес и почтение к этому человеку только росли, и вместе со своей женой мы приняли решение встретиться с этим неизвестным героем. Так как мое расписание было плотным, я выбрал рейс на следующей неделе, как раз когда я буду на юге России в Волгограде, исследуя вопрос заражения СПИДом в одной из больниц 238 детей.  По прибытию в аэропорт Волгограда я не был удивлен, что мой рейс задерживается на несколько часов, и чуть позже я узнал, что рейс откладывается до неопределенного времени «завтра, однако, если вы подождете, мы посадим вас на рейс, который должен был улететь вчера". В конце концов, я приземлился в аэропорте города Ялта, находившемся в Симферополе, и, направившись к месту получения багажа, где уже было людно, я сразу вычислил фигуру человека, напоминавшего того самого «генерала».

Для меня это был очень трогательный момент не только потому, что он напомнил мне жизненность слов «старый солдат никогда не умирает», но и потому что мне предстояло пожать руку человеку, который служил в Санкт-Петербурге вместе с моими дедушкой и бабушкой – Адьютантом и Миссис Люнгхольм.

Генерал, его Адъютант и переводчик (обрблему на кармане пиджака Генерала).

Сопровождал «генерала» его водитель и «адъютант», который исполнял свои обязанности последние сорок лет. Дорога до штаб-квартиры «генерала» заняла час-полтора в связи с тем, что приходилось делать остановки на горных вершинах  для того, чтобы остудить буквально кипящий радиатор. Приехав в Ялту, мы направились прямиком в штаб-квартиру генерала, ветхий домишко, располагавшийся на одном из холмов, откуда открывался вид на Черное море и Ялту. Мы пришли на веранду, и он лег в гамак, который был закреплен между двух деревьев, а перед этим сорвал нам с женой несколько спелых смокв. «Это библейский фрукт, и вам полезен», - настаивал генерал и кинул нам каждому по спелой смокве.

Затем последовал официальный прием. Он представил нас своей жене и показал визитку Армии Спасения, сделанную своими руками. Следующие несколько минут мы обсуждали тот телефонный разговор, и ни я, ни моя жена, не удивились, когда услышали, как «генерал» ответил на очередной звонок: «Армия Спасения, Генерал на проводе»!

Когда мы вернулись к столу, он рассказал нам часть истории, которую разрешила рассказать его жена, ту часть, о которой не «слишком болезненно говорить и слушать».

Владимир находился в ссылке в течение двадцати дет до того момента, как был освобожден в 1964 году. Все имущество  Армии Спасения, включая семь труб, было конфисковано в 1945 году. Когда я спросил о его пребывании в Сибири, его жена сказала: «Мы никогда не говорим о том времени, потому что воспоминания слишком болезненны».  Но «генерал»  упомянул имена тех, кто не отказался от своей принадлежности Армии Спасения в 1943 и 1944 годах. И он гордо показывал фотографии выживших спасенцев, хотя многие так и не вернулись с войны.

Освободившись из тюрьмы, Владимир вернулся в Крым и встретился с «адъютантом», чтобы начать попытки по возобновлению работы Армии Спасения. Правительство запрещало организовывать новые «секты» и религиозные группы, но Владимир никогда не оставлял своего Богом вдохновлённого видения. И вот два года назад, как только настал подходящий момент, когда был выпущен закон о свободе религиозного вероисповедания, «генерал» стал выступать в своем ранге «генерала», создавать правила и начал социальную деятельность.

Во второй по величине советской газете, «Известия», была напечатана статья о намерениях Армии Спасения возобновить свою работу в Ленинграде. Владимир, не отступая от своей идеи, был расположен открыть работу Армии в течение недели, и для того, чтобы с чего-то начать, он поместил в одну из газет Ялты объявление о начале работы Армии Спасения. "Если вам нужна еда, одежда, или место, где остановиться, мой дом открыт для вас», - было написано в объявлении. Люди пришли и продолжали приходить. Другие либо звонили, либо писали, пытаясь получить помощь от современного Вильяма Бута.

В день, когда во время Перестройки был принят закон о свободе вероисповедания, «генерал» начал работу по подготовке солдат Армии Спасения. Он очень хорошо понимал, что его новоиспеченная Армия нуждается в делателях, чтобы исполнять его поручения, и поэтому этот 85-летний лидер сразу же поставил себе цель подготовить таких солдат.

Когда мы сели за стол «генерала», чтобы изучить все документы, связанные с его деятельностью, в дверь постучали, и мы увидели, как зашел Алексей, который поприветствовал «генерала», обратившись к нему по званию, и только потом его представили как солдата спасения корпуса «Ялта». Несмотря на то, что было уже поздно, через какое- то время пришли еще пара человек: семейная пара – муж и жена - оба солдаты.

Адъютант, чувствуя, что нам необходимо подышать свежим воздухом, предложил нам прогуляться вдоль моря. Прохаживаясь по узеньким улицам, мы не переставали слышать приветствия, обращенные к «генералу»: «Добрый вечер, Генерал».  На тот день, Армия «генерала» росла, и среди ее членов были люди разных профессий, включая секретаря Библейского Общества Ялты.

Вопросы, которые возникали в связи с возобновлением работы Армии в Ленинграде, побуждали нас вернуться в Ленинград, и продолжить позже узнавать о жизни такого яркого солдата Иисуса Христа.  Несмотря на ограниченность во времени, я смог обратить внимание на просьбу «генерала»: «Капитан, нам как можно быстрее необходимо двадцать пять солдатских  форм и фуражек, а для предстоящей зимы нам нужна тысяча одеял для пожилых, а также еда, игрушки на Рождество и Библии. Да, пошли мне как можно скорее тысячу Библий, чтобы мы могли их раздавать людям. Прямо сейчас, капитан, сколько на это уйдет времени?»  Я промямлил: « С формой будут проблемы, мне нужно будет поговорить с другим Генералом, но до наступления зимы мы сможем помочь вам в остальных нуждах".

Покидая штаб-квартиру «генерала», сквозь туман мы могли видеть  несколько человек, проникнутых спасенским духом, который когда-то открыл сердце Владимира для Христа много лет назад, а сейчас за последние два года открыл дом Владимира для сорока бездомных мужчин.

Возвратившись в Санкт-Петербург, я не должен бы удивиться, что во время моего отсутствия кто-то подготовил для отправки кораблем  тысячу одеял в Санкт-Петербург, пожертвованных одной Европейской авиакомпанией, новые игрушки, которые были собраны одной из шведских церквей, и Библии – да, несколько тысяч Библий – ждали раздачи в Москве. Нет, я не должен был удивляться, как Бог вознаграждает веру нашего «генерала».

Даже сейчас, когда звонит телефон, я иногда думаю, что, может быть, это звонит «генерал» Владимир, требуя: «Капитан, уже прошло три дня с момента вашего отъезда, почему до сих пор не пришли те вещи, которые мы просили вас прислать?» И я представляю, как я успокаиваю его тем, что ему пришлось ждать семьдесят лет для того, чтобы возобновить работу Армии, и что его просьбы и сейчас за номером один в моем списке того, что мне необходимо сделать по согласованию с другим Генералом!

Свен Люнгхольм (1992)

Vid ditt kors Text och musik: Herbert Booth

Kjell-Erik Edlund March 27, 2016
Former officer, Sweden

Herbert Booth's, At the Cross where I first saw the light

The Salvation Army International Leader's Easter Message 2016

Draw Me Nearer - The International Staff Songsters

''Kingdom Triuphant'' by Eric Ball

"Vitae Aeternum" by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.

Leger des Heils Salvation Army Samenzang How much More.

"The Bridge"

By Tom Quiner

This sentence from the Gospel of John is so lacking in heft:

“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.”

To John’s audience of his day, they got it. To modern man, we don’t.

I think that’s why Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” was so significant. It depicted the utter depravity of scourging with bloody reality.

The scourging scene went on … and on … and on. I posted an excerpt above.

Here are the elements of a scourging:

The victim was stripped naked.

He was tied to an upright post.

The scourging (or flogging, as the term is also known) utilized a short whip featuring single or braided leather thongs of variable lengths. Tied to these thongs at various intervals were sharp pieces of iron balls or sheep bones.

The victim was typically flogged 39 times by two soldiers who targeted the back, buttocks, and legs. Why thirty-nine? Because forty was considered death. The Roman soldiers were not permitted to kill the victim before the crucifixion.

This relentless assault on the flesh of a man would tear the underlying skeletal muscles, producing quivering ribbons of bleeding flesh.

Think about Jesus’ situation: He hadn’t eaten; He was most likely dehydrated; He was sleep deprived; He had experienced profound blood loss; He was probably half dead before they nailed Him to the cross after being scourged.

To compound the trauma, his oppressors mocked Him as they scourged Him.

Fr. John Riccardo, a particularly eloquent commentator on the faith, sized up the situation this way:


“If this is the cure, imagine the disease.”

You and I are contaminated by the same disease, which the Church describes as “original sin.”

As we contemplate Good Friday, this darkest of days, join me in thanking Jesus for His sacrifice.

Join me in thanking Him for providing the cure to our disease.

Above every name (Soloist : Jackie Brown) : Sydenham Salvation Army Band...

Easter greeting from the NL 
Frida Van Hollander
former officer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiQ2ZZvsWo

WHEN JESUS LOOKED O'ER GALILEE

"2 Тимофея 2:1-7" проповедь подполковника Александра Харькова

My Simple Prayer

Sydney Staff Songsters - bow the knee

Maria Almroth & Daniel Viklund - O, Jesus du som fyller allt i alla

Jag gick idag där Jesus gått

Grimethorpe Colliery Band 'Nimrod' from 'Enigma Variations'

Jesus Thou Art Everything

I Bring Thee All

Hans Gansch and the European Brass Ensemble "Share My Yoke"

Reni & Elisa - Als het leven soms pijn doet

Nothing But Thy Blood- Dance Performance by Janet Munn

Open Our Eyes Medley

HEALING WATERS

Promoted to Glory

Promoted to Glory March 24, 2016
Leonard Johnson

A FAITHFUL SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST-

It's Thursday March 24

Number 60 - part two

Verses 13 – 26

Having settled his family in Goshen, Joseph got back to the task of managing the famine that the whole region was enduring, for things were getting worse and Egypt and Canaan were wasting away,(v13). Joseph was busy selling grain to both Egyptians and Canaanites and presenting the money to Pharaoh. Eventually, the peoples' money was gone and with the fear of imminent starvation, Joseph had the people bring their livestock in exchange for food. A year later, they had no livestock left, so the people offered their land to Joseph and he bought that for Pharaoh, in exchange for food. Pharaoh now owned all the livestock and land. 

   Next, the people even sold themselves to him, (v23) and were reduced to servitude or relocated to cities. That would probably have been of no great loss as nothing would grow, so farmers could not farm(v 21). Also, they were probably nearer to the food distribution centres/barns. As hard as this seems, there was no complaint from the people, only praise that Pharaoh/Joseph had saved their lives(v 25) What is our judgement on Joseph's methods???

    Whilst Pharaoh no doubt possessed most of the land when the 14 years began, the ordinary people owned sufficient land to provide food for their families. Had they done the same as Joseph did for Pharaoh in those seven years of plenty, surely they would not have been in the dire straits they now found themselves? 

Finally, Joseph put in place a law whereby Pharaoh would give seed for the people to sow in exchange for receiving one fifth of the crop produced, once the famine was over. The four fifths left could be kept as seed for their fields and food for their families.

27 – 31

It seems that whilst the Egyptians grew poorer, the Israelites grew richer, acquiring property. Jacob realised that his death was drawing closer. His one desire on death was to be taken back to the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, and he had Joseph vow that he would ensure that his wishes were carried out. He needn't have worried, for God is as good as his word and he had promised twice (28:15, 46:4), that he would bring him back to the land.

Genesis 48:1-22

Here is a poignant picture of an old man who knows his end is near. When told that his father is ill, Joseph immediately leaves what he is doing to take his two sons to see his father. Hearing that his son is coming, dear old Jacob 'rallied his strength and sat up on the bed.' No doubt he didn't want to upset his son or grandsons at sight of his deterioration.

Jacob then tells Joseph of the vivid memory he still had of meeting with God at Luz (Bethel), where he dreamt of that staircase linking earth and heaven with angels ascending and descending it. There, God had promised him that he would be the father of a people and that his descendants would have the land of Canaan as a permanent possession.

He then told Joseph that his two sons would be recognised as his sons. What he was saying was that whilst they had only known Egypt and its customs and culture, and that their mother was Egyptian, they were to see themselves as Hebrews, belonging to Jacob not Egyptians. When you look later at the tribes of Israel, all are named after Jacob's sons, but you will not find a Joseph tribe. The tribes ofEphraim and Manasseh are named. Jacob then spoke of his dearly beloved Rachel, Joseph's mother, and her death(see also 35:19).

v 8 Poor Jacob is failing. Although he had been talking about Joseph's sons, he did not seem to recognise them standing there. When told, Jacob asked that they be brought to him, and they sit on his knees. He is deeply moved, (Read verse 11 again). Joseph then removed his boys from his father's knees and bows low before his father. What reverence, what respect. Later, God would give a law to Moses in which it would state, 'Honour you father and mother.' Those who love do not need the law. Joseph shows his father such honour here.  As great a man as Joseph is in the eyes of the world, in his own eyes he is less than this old wandering shepherd, his dad; and he shows it. He could not bow lower than he does. 

Joseph then places Manasseh, the oldest, to the right hand of his father and Ephraim to the left. Dear Jacob crosses his arms and puts his right hand on Ephraim and the left on Manasseh, whilst he blesses Joseph. He then testifies to Joseph and his children of how good God had been to him, that he had been his shepherd throughout his life, praying that the Angel who delivered him from harm would 'bless these boys.' His longing, (as we said earlier) was that they would follow the pattern of his grandfather and father, Abraham and Isaac.

Joseph, seeing that his father had placed his right hand on his younger son Ephraim, wasn't happy and sought to correct what he thought was an error. But Jacob knew what he was doing. He had the foresight or inspiration from God to know which of the sons were to be the greater. Manasseh's tribe would be the weaker, divided, with half the tribe on one side of the River Jordan and the other half on the other, when the Children of Israel settled in Canaan. But it would be from Ephraim that the great leader, Joshua, would com. 

So often in the bible it is the  younger son who takes precedence over the elder son or older sons. (Examples - Abel above Cain, Shem above Japheth, Abraham above Nahor and Haran, Isaac above Ishmael, Jacob above Esau, Joseph above Reuben, Moses before Aaron, David before his brothers.....

Finally, Jacob gives a reassurance to Jacob that though he is about to die, God will one day take Joseph to where his forefathers are. Physically, that land was the land of Canaan, where Abraham and Isaac were buried and where Joseph had promised to bury his father Jacob. Spiritually, it is a promise to all who belong to the Lord, to take us to the land of our spiritual fathers, those who have gone before us, the heavenly Canaan. We are told not to mourn like those who have no hope, (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Howard Webber
Bournemouth

The Baton - Part 3

The task in question requires that we build and work from a personal relationship. As we take time to know others and become known by them, a sense of genuineness and transparency emerges. We take an interest in them and become well acquainted with their personal situation. This may sound elementary but in fact it is often overlooked in the busyness of the every day. Trust is established over time which affords us the opening to discuss issues pertaining to life, work and ministry. Our lives to some degree are mutually opened to one another and our relationship expands to a different level. The way is prepared for more significant interaction.

Because we are all charged with certain duties and given responsibility for the accomplishment of our mission it is expected we will establish and maintain a professional relationship. This relates to the vocational nature of our work as Salvation Army officers and leaders.

While friendship cannot be our primary goal, it should often be a pleasant by-product of the relationship. It is on this level we have the responsibility of providing new opportunities for skill enhancement and personal growth. The coaching and mentoring role can become quite natural. Every appointment now should provide learning experiences which in turn should increase confidence and capacity. Depending on circumstances, key skill growth areas typically include pastoral care, administration, finance, programme development, written and verbal communication, personnel management and leadership.

Most importantly we must not overlook the privilege of developing a spiritual relationship for our mutual benefit and edification. This is what separates us from a secular organisation. We can talk about spiritual matters openly and must take the opportunity to do so. Constant prayer should be a center­piece of how we do business and approach our challenges. Christian character, behaviour and values should be normative in any Salvation Army workplace and we build on these assets as we work to develop others. Mutual respect and a commitment to Christ will influence our relationship. This will mark how we handle conflicts as they arise and how we respond to personal criticism. The godly and gracious exercise of authority is also a very significant factor. Personal example in this area has enormous impact on our effectiveness in preparing and influencing others_ The potential abuse of power is always a threat to the effective development of others.

Barry Swanson

The Baton - Part 2

A Scripture lesson which has benefited me greatly is Moses' moment of succession to his waiting protégé Joshua. The baton is about to be transferred. Deuteronomy 31:7, 8 says: 'Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous; for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance_ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."'

I point out this was an action Moses took personally. While God certainly was directing him, as the leader he had to take action for the sake of the people and the mission God had given. Also he acted in a public manner. This was not a private transaction. All Israel knew and heard, making this an affirming occasion for Joshua. Moses was encouraging in what he had to say. Certainly there was no shortage of bad news he could have shared, but he chose to speak in a way that was strengthening to the new leader. I finally note he was hopeful in his choice of words, reminding Joshua that no matter how difficult the task, he would never be alone as long as he kept his eyes on God.

The continuity of our mission hinges on this fundamental duty. We must not carelessly or selfishly delay until it is too late. That is a risk we cannot afford to take.

Author Max DePree shares this lovely epilogue to his book Leadership Jazz:

In the late 14th century, the members of New College, at Oxford, moved into their quadrangle, the first structure of its kind, intended to provide for the residents all that they needed_ On the north side of the quadrangle sit the chapel and the great hall, beautiful buildings and, as you might imagine, the focus of the life of the college.

In the middle of the 19th century, almost 500 years later, the college hired architect Sir Gilbert Scott to restore the roof of the hall. The roof and the great oak beams that supported it had badly rotted. And so representatives from the college, with Sir Gilbert, visited Great Hall Woods, in Berkshire, where they expected to find trees for replacement beams. Sure enough, the replacements were standing there, waiting to be hewn out of the living oak trees planted a century before for just that purpose.

An anonymous leader's promise had been fulfilled. The voice and touch of a distant leader had been joined.

I believe that is a good description of the privilege given to each one of us.

Barry Swanson

Passing the Baton 1 - The Responsibility Baton

IN 2008 it was Beijing. In 2012 it will be London. In 2016 it could be Madrid,  Tokyo, Rio De Janeiro or even my hometown of Chicago. Many of us are captivated by the Summer Olympic Games held every four years. One of my favorite events is the relay which occurs in track and field. I like it because it is a team event, and not the achievement of an individual athlete, and also because of the drama that surrounds the critical hand off, the passing of the baton from one runner to the next. It is invariably where races are won or lost.

It is a privilege to be asked to speak to you on this assigned topic. Among the many key responsibilities that come along with senior leadership is that of developing others to their full potential as leaders. It determines the future health and strength of any organisation. It has been a challenge to consider this topic in regards to my own ministry as I prepared this paper.

I was not asked to do a research paper or write a sermon on the topic, but rather to speak from my own experience. That was helpful. It frees me to look back and draw upon personal history. The faces of men and women with whom I have served quickly come to mind. Some are present in this room today and I am grateful to them. Also stirred up are mixed memories of frustration, conflict, joy, success, failure, laughter, pain, heartbreak, victory, and disappointment. In the end this is the stuff leadership and leadership development is made of.

It is not a science, although technical books abound on the subject. What we are talking about cannot be reduced to a set of skills or some sort of automated process. Neither is it exclusively an art form where one can take an inert lump of clay and mould it into a finished work through purely creative, artistic means. Rather it is more like the relationship between the athlete and her or his coach. It takes elements of natural talent and physical attribute, adding to them skill enhancement, emotional resilience, mental toughness and, for the purpose of this discussion, spiritual maturity.

It does require both a commitment and a plan if this process is to exist in any organisational environment. An internal culture must be created which encourages people, both those in leadership and those in subordinate roles, to think in these terms. It should become normal and expected that these types of relationships will exist and will be valued and nurtured.

The key word that surfaces is 'relationship' and that really serves to define what we are talking about. At the risk of over-simplifying, the ultimate success in preparing anyone for anything in any leadership field flows from the creation of a healthy relationship. I maintain this is especially true in the context of Christian ministry and is where we must focus our attention.

Barry C. Swanson

USA Central Territory

Депрессия: что со мной не так?"" проповедь капитана Виталия Сидорова

Be cool!

Kaari Ljungholm Owens
(Kaari's my youngest daughter - kinda neat she kept the patronymic name Ljungholm!)

One of Kali's therapists did a review with me today and it's always kind of heartbreaking and hard to hear.


We don't want to focus on Down Syndrome, but with 4-5-6 sessions of therapy a week, it's difficult not to remember.

It's hard when they say she's almost 2 but more like 8-12 months in this or that area. If you're not in the situation you can't ever really know how those words kind of sting. The reminders and comparisons are disheartening.

But then there is reality; there is our Kali. The daughter. The sister. The beautiful sunshiney soul that brightens up the lives of those who come in contact with her.

Today at the end of the session her therapist told me that socially she's right on par with other 2 year olds and that she's by far the fastest learner of any patient she's ever had. (She gets that from me) 

Anyway. I just wanted to share the joy and the pain and ask everyone to remember to be tender, mindful and accepting of those who aren't busting off the charts. Inclusion is definitely the new cool.

Be cool!