SA band wins first place in Annual Contest of English bands

Excerpt from chapter 3; “Make the World with Music Ring”, the effect of SA music in advancing the Army’s evangelistic reach across borders… RETURN TO BATTLE IN RUSSIA AND BEYOND Volume Two, Kathie Ljungholm Bearcroft and Sven Ljungholm

SA band wins first place in Annual Contest of English band

    Herbert Booth
No organization in Great Britain, musical, military or religious, could muster from its own constituency a better band, comprising better musicians, than that which the Salvation Army could call together when occasion required. That is saying much, but in proof no further evidence is needed than the well known fact that for several consecutive yearsthe picked band of the Salvation Army won first prize at the Annual Contest of English bands.       That contest was the Derby of British musicians. From all over the United Kingdom they came to compete. The Lancashire and the Yorkshire Workingmen's Band, the Stalybridge Old Band, led by Alexander Owen; the great military bands of the Black Watch and the Coldstream Guards, Dan Godfrey's, most famous band in England.

   The winning of the prize by the Salvationists occurred too frequently, and too much was at stake to justify the supposition that either sentiment or chivalry influenced the award. It followed that any original and distinctive contribution to religious music the Salvation Army might make must be essentially good. The standards of musical leadership and practice in the Army could not tolerate anything inferior. At the same time it was necessary that the field-music of the Army should be of comparatively simple melodic structure, popularly appealing, adaptable to the capacity of the inerudite (learned). It was required to be tuneful, yet worthy; singable, yet dignified. Above all it must give true expression to those "unfolded capacities of emotion" given release in Christian experience.[1]

Two Herbert Booth songs

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[1]Ottman, Ford C. Herbert Booth Songs Of Peace And War p.55

At the Cross sung and played by Kjell Edlund former SA officer, Sweden

Lord, through the blood of the Lamb that was slain,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
From all the guilt of my sins now I claim
Cleansing from Thee, cleansing from Thee.
Sinful and black though the past may have been,
Many the crushing defeats I have seen,
Yet on Thy promise, O Lord, I now lean,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me.

From all the sins over which I have wept,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
Far, far away by the blood-current swept,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
Jesus, Thy promise I dare to believe,
And as I come Thou wilt surely receive,
That over sin I may never more grieve,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me.

From all the doubts that have filled me with gloom,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
From all the fears that would point me to doom,
Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;
Jesus, although I may not understand,
In childlike faith now I stretch forth my hand,
And through Thy Word and Thy grace I shall stand,
Cleansèd by Thee, cleansèd by Thee.

From all the care of what men think or say,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;

From ever fearing to speak, sing or pray,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me;

Lord, in Thy love and Thy power make me strong

That all may know that to Thee I belong;

When I am tempted, let this be my song,

Cleansing for me, cleansing for me.

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Conclusion...Or Is It?

Is there a conclusion to the 2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story? As I pondered this question I remembered being a part of an International “Share Your Faith” evangelistic team at the summer Olympic games in Montreal, which was initiated by The Salvation Army for the purpose of reaching out to the athletes (approximately 6,000 representing 88 countries); visitors (there were over 73,000 at the opening ceremonies); and citizens (the population of Montreal was approximately 1,664,527; and more came from the surrounding areas). The fields were definitely ripe for harvesting souls for the Kingdom (See Matthew 9: 36-38; Luke 10:2; and, John 4: 35). The team was led by 6 second-year Cadets (individuals-in-training to be Commissioned as Salvation Army Officers) from Toronto.  Those of us whom were privileged to participate in this ministry discovered that our lives and faith were transformed. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the experience of those three brief weeks didn’t end when the summer Olympic games concluded.  The effects were far-reaching, and the ripple effect still continues (e.g., (some team members become Salvation Army Officers, while others assumed leadership roles in their local Salvation Army Corps (community churches) and their communities.)

Thus, if an event that happened 42 years ago still continues to have an impact on the lives of those whom participated on The Salvation Army’s ‘Share Your Faith’ team and in the lives of those touched by God’s love, then it makes sense that God’s working doesn’t ‘conclude’ just because an event is terminated. I discussed with my husband my idea that the 2018 Summer Series, I Love to Tell the Story, doesn’t have a conventional conclusion. He responded that, “Our story is His story, and His story never ends!” Amen! So, let’s consider this article not as a ‘conclusion’, but as a review and a springboard into what God has planned next for us.

The 2018 Summer Series has included an Introduction, 9 Parts, and a Conclusion—maybe. The Introduction launched the series, which encompasses 5 purposes: 1) to introduce readers to the program; 2) to share my recent testimony to encourage others who may be struggling with difficult health or other issues;  3) to explore the miraculous ways that God is still working in our lives today;

4) to introduce readers to the 4-part prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) as a means for us to

stir up our faith together (2 Timothy 1:6), and 5) to encourage others to share their story, too.

Challenges:

1) As we evaluate our journey together, I encourage each of us to ask: what new thing is God doing in our lives (Isaiah 43: 19)? Has our faith been strengthened? Has our trust in Christ grown? Have we taken a step outside of our comfort zone in order to share the story of Jesus’ love? Keep in mind that we don’t always know what effect our witness has on others’ lives. When Andrew told his brother, Peter, that he had found Messiah and needed to meet him, I’m sure he had no idea that Peter would be one of the three most intimate friends of Jesus and would be involved as a leader in establishing the Church.

2) Share your story—on your Face Book page, and I would be delighted to share it via the connections that God has given me. I would even be glad to act as your editor to help you ‘enlarge your borders’/your ministry. Remember: the fields are ready to be harvested. Plus, as we share our struggles and our victories we will also continue to stir up our faith, enlarge our ministry for God’s glory, and be channels of His love, grace, and healing to hurting folks.

Will you join me in telling others your story? Send me a PM (private message) if you’d like to share your story, and I’ll send you my email address.

May God bless each of you, indeed (a lot), expand your borders (ministry), may His hand be on you (His power and presence), and may He keep you from harm.

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Part 9  Tell Your Story!!

In The Salvation Army Corps (community churches) during Sunday services, as well as at open-air (outdoor) meetings, there has traditionally been an opportunity for individuals to share their testimony, to tell others what God has done or is doing in their lives. This is an integral part of our worship and witness, which we are admonished to do in Scripture, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,” (Romans 10:9, NIV). So, of course, it’s good to testify in our churches to the reality of Christ's power and presence in our lives. This also provides the opportunity to encourage and comfort each other with the comfort that we have received (1 Corinthians 1: 3-4). And when we share our story in open-air meetings, Holy Spirit uses us to minister to those who gather.                                                              However, what are we doing to reach out to those outside of our church services and activities?  Sidney E. Cox, who was a writer and a composer, became a Salvation Army Officer in Canada. By the time that he died in 1975, he had written beloved hymns, including a song that captures the importance of our mission in his song:

You Can Tell Out the Sweet Story

Tell out the wonderful story,

Tell it where’er you go;

Tell of the King and His glory,

Tell how He loved us so.

This is the story most precious

Jesus has died to redeem us;

You can tell out the sweet story,

You, yes, you (2x)

Somebody’s life will be brighter,

Somebody’s care will be lighter.

You can tell out the sweet story,

You, yes, you.

Ah, so the mandate of every Christian is to follow Jesus’ example of sharing the Good News everywhere we go. Furthermore, the Scriptures are replete with narratives of those whom were touched by Him and their reactions of joy and gratitude. As we follow His lead, we will see similar responses as we reach out to others in His name and for His glory. Hallelujah!

How does this translate into practical ways for us to share our story of God’s transforming love and grace in our lives? This is one approach that I was able to use after my tongue surgery in April this year.  I wasn’t able to speak clearly, but I still had responsibilities and errands to do. At home I used a white board and an erasable marker to communicate, but that was a little daunting to carry around in the community. So I wrote a note that I could use at several places, beginning with the post office, then the library, and finally, the grocery store. The note was friendly, but straight forward and included why I couldn’t speak (b/c of the surgery for tongue cancer, which it was believed all the cancer was caught at that time) and noting that God is good. Then, a couple of lines to explain what I needed, depending on the errands I was completing. In fact, on the way out of the grocery store, I overheard the cashier in the next lane asking my cashier, “What was on the paper that she showed you?” Thus, even though I couldn’t speak to anyone;  and I didn’t have tracts with me, God opened the doors for me to reach others via the written note. Amazing: God can even use my ‘silent’ witness to honour Him. Hallelujah!

How will you tell your story? Ask Jesus to show you how to do so when you find yourself in a variety of situations. Like Paul, we can state that our intention is to, “...become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings, “(See 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23).

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada

 Part 9  Tell Your Story!!

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Part 8 Prayer of Jabez, part 4

Oh, that You would keep me from evil!

I must admit that this post has been the most challenging thus far.  Why? Because it’s not easy for me to reconcile the harmful experiences in my life with the concept of God as protector. Even clarifying the meaning of “protector”; which means one who shields from danger, injury, destruction, or damage, didn’t help. In fact, more questions were raised as I wondered, such as “How does the final part of Jabez’s prayer mesh with the harmful circumstances we face? When bad things happen, has He been a negligent Protector? Has He overlooked us? With my recent diagnosis of cancer that had metastasized from the small growth on my tongue into the lymph nodes in my neck, I have struggled with some of these questions. It seemed ironic that I got the diagnosis as I was preparing to write the devotional for, “This is the Year of the Favour of Our Lord” (2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story, part 4).

Ah, God’s favour—does it still exist when we are faced with threatening conditions? Yes! Are the threatening circumstances we experience indicators that God’s favour is no longer with us? No! And sometimes we need others to point out His faithfulness when we are pulled down by the gravity of certain situations.  The Scriptures tell us that God sends His angels to minister to His people (Hebrews 1:14).  To encourage you, let me share an experience that I had in the fall of ‘97 or ‘98:

I would spend evenings at a local library and then walk to the nearby shopping area. Between these 2 locations there was a dark, heavily wooded area. One evening, as I was walking toward the shops,  a very old car sped into the parking lot of an abandoned auto shop, cutting me off so that I was compelled to stop. A middle-aged lady jumped out of the driver’s side of the car and asked me if I would like a ride somewhere. I thanked her, but explained that I didn’t have much farther to walk, it was a nice evening, and I needed the exercise. She repeated her question. Apparently, she was in no hurry, because she spent several minutes chatting with me. Finally, she looked around—as if she was checking for something—seemed satisfied, wished me a good evening, and said, “God bless you.”

As I watched her drive away, I noticed a bumper sticker from the 1970s:”My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter”! I turned to yell out, “Mine, too!” But the car had vanished! I was standing in the only entrance and exit to the lot! I knew I had had an encounter with an angel, but I didn’t know why. When I recounted this experience to a mentor, her conclusion was that God sent me an angel to protect me.

 Surely we have all been in unsafe situations and not known how God was protecting us from harm, from evil.

In “The Prayer of Jabez” Wilkinson points out some essential truths about being kept from evil: 1) The more we engage in a life of supernatural service for Christ, the more attacks we should expect from our nemesis, Satan, such as “distractions, oppositions, and oppression (p. 64); 2) there would be no sin if there was no temptation;3) even in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus models the need to ask for deliverance from temptation and evil. (pp. 67-68).

When did we last pray, “deliver me from temptation?   Or “keep me from harm?”

And now we have briefly looked at the 4 components of Jabez’s prayer: Bless me indeed ( a lot); enlarge my borders (ministry); may Your hand be on me (for protection and power); and keep me from evil.  Praying Jabez’s prayer daily is a powerful way to stir up our faith!  I hope you will join me in this day-to-day prayer, too!

In the next post, the challenge will be to “Tell Your Story!”

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk

Former Salvation Army Officer/pastor

Canada

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Part 7: Prayer of Jabez, Part 3: May Your Hand Be On Me

When we think of someone placing their hands on another individual, many different images or scenarios come to mind. Some of those mental pictures may be negative, such as the violent ones we see in the media. However, there are many positive options for using our hands. For example, a couple expresses their love by holding hands. An adult may hold the hand of a small child to ensure their safety. A massage is a means for giving or receiving the gift of relaxation. And can anything beat the wonderful joy of holding a newborn baby or cradling and stroking a kitten? In addition we can use our hands (& arms) to hug and comfort those who are hurting.

So then we can understand that our hands can be used in good, positive ways to offer comfort, healing, and hope. But what does the concept of God’s hand on us mean? In Biblical times the expression of, “The hand of the Lord is upon...”, was frequently used to denote God’s power and presence. Because Jesus said that when we have seen Him we have seen His Father who sent Him (John 14: 7-11), we look to Christ’s mission (Isaiah 61: 1; Luke 4: 18), as well as to the examples of how Jesus used His hands to heal (Matthew 9:35), to encourage (John 16:33), to comfort others (Luke 18: 15-17), and to demonstrate God’s power and presence to meet His people’s needs (Mark 4: 35-40; Matthew 14: 13-21). The ultimate use of His hands, though, was when Jesus spread His hands and arms wide on the Cross of Calvary to encompass us with His love as He lay down His life for our salvation: the supreme gift (Isaiah 53: 4-5; John 19: 17-24). 

In Bruce Wilkinson’s book, “The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life,” he emphasizes that after we pray for God to bless us a lot, and then ask Him to expand our ministry for His glory, then we need to ask for His hand to be on us. Why? Because, “By His touch you can experience supernatural enthusiasm, boldness, and power that lifts you up….Ask every day for the Father’s touch,” (p.61).

And so, as I continue to share my current battle with cancer, I’m praying, “Lord, bless me, indeed! Enlarge my ministry, and may Your hand be on me—always for Your glory!” Just after Easter ‘18, I had tongue cancer surgery. At that time there was no indication of cancer in my neck. However, at my 3-month post-surgery appointment the CT scans (neck and chest) showed that there is cancer in at least 2 lymph nodes in my neck and a node on my vocal cords. A PET scan (body scan) has confirmed that there is no additional metastasis. Hallelujah! This means that a 2nd surgery is scheduled for August 13th. Following some healing time, a major oral surgery will also be required prior to having seven weeks of daily radiation treatments every Monday to Friday. 

Have you been asking for God’s hand to be on you—for His presence and empowerment for you and your ministry? The Scriptures tell us that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So His healing and power are available to us, but we need to ask (James 4:2-3; 1 John 5:14-15)--and I’m asking, too: “Bless me indeed, enlarge my ministry, and may Your hand be on me.” You may not have been praying these exact words, but I’ve seen the proof that you are asking in the many encouraging words that you have posted in response to my pleas for prayers on my unexpected journey. Thank you for your ongoing support & encouragement. 

There are lots of challenges ahead. However, my faith is strong, and my God is stronger! 

Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk
Former Salvation Army Officer (pastor), Canada

2018 Summer Series: I Love to Tell the Story

Part 6: Prayer of Jabez, Part 2: Enlarge My Borders
In chapter 3 of “The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life,”
(Bruce H. Wilkinson, 2000), the author addresses the second part of Jabez’s prayer “Oh, that You would enlarge my territory!”(1 Chronicles 4:10). In addition to his share of property in the Promised Land, Jabez wanted, “...more influence, more responsibility, and more opportunity to make a mark for the God of Israel,” (p.30). Jabez didn’t have a promising start, but he wanted more—more than seemed to be predetermined for his life. Have you ever felt like this? Perhaps you’ve echoed, “There must be more to life!” Maybe you’ve expressed the sentiment or experienced the yearning, but haven’t known what to do about it? I know I have. It creates restlessness and creates a quest to seek, “What’s next?”

Dear God, enlarge my borders, expand my territory, increase my influence for You! One of Wilkinson’s observations is that most Christians believe that they are already too busy and less likely to ask God for more ministry opportunities. But when we ask God to expand the realm of our influence for Him, amazing things happen! You will begin having all sorts of unexpected encounters with people and groups.

Since I began praying, “enlarge my territory” some surprising things have happened. Prior to my tongue cancer surgery in April, many individuals were—still are—praying for me. I was praying, “Lord, bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory!” My elderly neighbour advised me to ask my surgeon if we could before going into the operating room. I replied that I don’t think that he’s a Christian. She nodded and gave me a few suggestions. So on the morning of the surgery, I was so calm that everyone around me was surprised. When the surgeon came to see me before the operation, we discussed a few questions. My final question to him was, “Could we pray before we all go in there?” He stammered, and I offered that I could do the praying. He seemed very relieved and agreed. I thanked God for giving me an excellent, experienced, and skilled surgeon. I also thanked God for being the Great Physician and asked him to direct the surgical team. Just a few lines, but when I concluded with ‘amen’ the surgeon also said ‘amen.’ I also thanked God for answering my prayer, “Enlarge my borders.”

However, while I was recovering at home I felt a little discouraged that I hadn’t had any additional ministry opportunities. On my first venture back into the real world, I wasn’t able to speak clearly, and so I wrote a note, which said, “Good morning. :) I am unable to speak, because I’ve just had surgery for a cancerous growth on my tongue. But God is good, and there’s no cancer in my body!” I showed the note to individuals at the post office, the library, and the grocery store. In addition, although I questioned God about sharing my testimony with more individuals, He reminded me that I was praying to have a greater realm of influence for Him. And as I am writing this 2018 Summer Series, “I Love to Tell the Story”, He has opened doors for me to share it with even more people!

How about you? Are you adventurous enough to pray the Jabez Prayer with me? “Bless me indeed! Expand my territory, my ministry.” Remember Paul’s words: “Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” (Ephesians 3:20, Living Bible). Hallelujah!



Blessings & Peace

Elizabeth Hogan Hayduk
Former Salvation Army Officer (pastor), Canada