Ritual over Relationship?

I'm going to let out a big secret. There are Corps in Canada who practice the ritual of communion in their worhsip service. Perhaps practice isn't right to say. Some have done it so often I'm sure they're quite good at it. Some will say, "it's a love feast". I say, "if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck?" Moving on...Why is it people would settle for the ritual rather than the relationship of a sacramental lifestyle. We know grace is not transferred during the ritual, but it is exchanged in the giving of oneself in sacramental living for others. For some, I think ritual is easier. For others, I feel we start looking for other touchpoints of faith when we are struggling to find our own identity. To this end let me help you out with a couple of words from our Generals. The first is General Booth's mandate for The Salvation Army found in Isaiah 58. It's a great read on relationship versus ritual. Then check out General Orsborn:

My life must be Christ's broken bread,
My love his outpoured wine,
A cup o'erfilled, a table spread
Beneath his name and sign.
That other souls, refreshed and fed,
May share his life through mine.

My all is in the Master's hands
For him to bless and break;
Beyond the brook his winepress stands
And thence my way I take,
Resolved the whole of love's demands
To give, for his dear sake.

Lord, let me share that grace of thine
Wherewith thou didst sustain
The burden of the fruitful vine,
The gift of buried grain.
Who dies with thee, O Word divine,
Shall rise and live again.
Albert Orsborn (1886-1967)

Grace,
rZ

Focus off the Family

From the radio and Focus on the Family broadcast the other morning...paraphrased, but absolutely true...Wives, you should go out and engage in other relationships. After your husbands come home from a long day at work they should not be burdened by your needs or have to worry about fulfilling all of your relational needs.

Okay, Dr. D...Are you suggesting my wife finds a boyfriend? Because the way I see it...If I were to suggest something like that it will be a cold day in...well, you get the idea. Maybe we missed the other broadcast where he told men to get some friends because their breadwinning wives can't be there to take care of all their needs.

Whatever happened to community? How about encouraging people to engage in community to broaden their relationships. That is far less of a male chauvenist pig attitude.

Let me run this by you..."honey, get a puppy and leave me alone." Forget the puppy...there won't be any room in the doghouse for a while....

rZ

You know you're important when...

This is a picture of the corner just above where CFOT is in Winnipeg, Portage and Vaughan. Now I know the training college is an incredible place, but we've only been here a year. CFOT sits to the left of that overpass connected to the Bay. It's a smaller building in comparison to some of those around. Look at what one Building owner decided to do to honour our Training Principal, Major Sandra Rice. I'm not jealous though. I realize Zelinsky would not have fit in that space, but I'm keeping my eyes open.

Kudos to Colonels

Terrific word from the Lord through Colonel Robert Redhead last evening. We were at a welcome meeting for new officers to the Manitoba at Camp Woodlands and he spoke from Peter 4:7-11. The thrust of his message was "living in the now and in the future", one foot in eternity so to speak, but not based on age or health, rather a realization that Jesus is present in us both in the present and in the eternal. I was moved by his passion and compassion as he spoke and the vulnerability he displayed as he allowed God the Spirit to speak through him. As an aside, I remember his servant leadership when he was at THQ. He and Col. Gwenyth Redhead chose to soldier and serve at the Harbourlight Corps, and could be seen serving behind the scenes, even flipping burgers in the kitchen.

Anyway, he told the story of a man who lived in the now with a realization of the future in Christ, witnessing to a coworker who was Jewish and had no religious ties. While he became a friend and adopted a golf partner he was also deeply concerned for the man's not yet relationship with God. For 10 years he kept asking this man to come to see concerts his Corps band was performing, and one day, he attended. He got saved. Col. Redhead went on to tell us of his reunion in recent years with this man who now serves the Lord with his family in The Salvation Army.

It was not because of the caliber of the music, admittedly excellent, but rather the character of the man which bore a conviction and realization that he lives both in the present and for the future. I think too often we focus all of our attention in one place or the other. If we're only focussed on the now we miss the glorious expectation of Christ's consumation of the kingdom. If we focus on the future we can become, as some have said...ok, me...we're so heavenly minded we're no earthly good. We can't flit between the two either. Okay, I'm playing golf with a friend. That is earthly and worldly, not at all worthy of praise as a spiritual endeavour. We somehow think when we do everyday stuff the Holy Spirit of Christ, who calls our body the dwelling place of God's image and glory, goes on holidays. He will fly back in if during the golf game we offer prayer, reading of scripture or a hymn. We have to live in both realms and if it sometimes seems indistinguishable? Good, I think we weren't meant to compartmentalize our lives and order them between the now and the future.

It was a really timely word from the Lord delivered through His servant. God Bless our leaders and thank Him for them. Thank Him too for those who don't retire, but only change their postings in retirement years. God bless the Col's Redhead and yes, God bless The Salvation Army

rZ

Idiot, Imbecile, Moron

From Deana:
On talk radio the other day...
"idiot" - IQ lower than 25
"imbecile" - IQ between 25-50
"moron" - IQ between 50-75
Do you fear you may have to drop some of these words from your vocabulary? Do you fear you may have a lot less to say if you can't use these words? Do you need a little more grace?

From Rick:
I'm thankful I still have "twit" and "bonehead"

"Never argue with an idiot. He will lower you to his level and beat you with experience." (Quote found on Wikpedia)

2 favourite quotes...

Here are two of my favourite quotes.
The first is in relation to subjective opinions about behaviour which is so-called "foolish for the Lord". Barking like a dog because the Holy Spirit led you too? Nope, didn't happen. He didn't do that, and don't use Balaam's ass to justify it. Here's the filter for me, and hence the quote..."JESUS NEVER ACTED LIKE AN IDIOT".

The second quote is in relation to new revelation or fresh revelation. I always get nervous when people start about a NEW thing God is doing through His Holy Spirit in relation to NEW ways of communicating or NEW Words from the Lord...Here's the quote, and it's a great filter, "IF IT'S NEW IT'S NOT TRUE, AND IF IT'S TRUE, IT'S NOT NEW". And don't try the "fool for Christ" quote. That isn't what Paul had in mind.

Just a couple of things to help you discern all the New and Crazy things God may be doing...coming to a town or city near you...

Listen to the Holy Spirit, filter through God's Word, then speak...

Peace,
rZ

AIDS 2006 - Dr. Paul Thistle

Check out this interview with Dr. Paul Thistle, Cadet at CFOT in Winnipeg. He and his wife,Pedrinah are cadets at CFOT Winnipeg and serve at Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe with their two children, James and Alexander. The were in Toronto recently for the Aids 2006 conference where Paul was intervied by canadianchristianity.com. Click here for the article. We look forward to them coming to Winnipeg in September to join the Heralds of the Good News for the beginning of their second year of training.

Heroic Leadership

From Chris Lowney - author of Heroic Leadership: leadership principles based on the 450 year old Jesuit Order



Some necessary attributes for today's leaders - to be missionally effective...
"be change ready and strategically situated (adaptable)
"Live with one foot off the ground".
"think globally, be loyal and take risks"
"give responsibility and authority"
"not looking for brilliance - looking for self knowledge" - in other words have a high relational IQ

dz

Everything is Connected

Next in line...Welcome Mark Braye, cadet at CFOT in Winnipeg...Mark and Nancy are just finishing up summer assignment in Windsor. They're ministering alongside my old C.O...sorry, former C.O. Brenda Holnbeck, Mj. She married Dee and I...Yes, I remember 18 years ago, Friday the 13th of May, 1988. It was a goalie mask and machete theme...anyway, here's Mark...

everything is connected
...that's the tagline for Syriana, the 2005 film with a stellar cast about oil, politics, big buisness mergers, a CIA agent, an energy analyst, corruption and a whole lot more. I have claimed this tagline for us as pastors/soon to be pastors. Everything we do is in the context of people's lives. Every decision and action taken should be with people in mind and the furthering of the Kingdom. when Jesus reinstates Peter in John 21 He says to take care of His sheep. back in John 10 Christ said He was the "Good Shepherd." He was placing Peter and the disciples, and has placed us in charge of taking care of His flock for now. Everything we do for God should be with the sheep in mind, everything is connected.

Grammatical Dilemna

So...it was an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini...grammatically speaking we are left with a dilemna...was the bikini Yellow or were the polka-dots yellow? If the dots are yellow then the dilemna becomes...what colour is the bikini? It couldn't have been yellow because you wouldn't see the polka-dots. Aaaaaah, but the women in the crowd are saying, "yes, but it could have been an off yellow, banana yellow, a chartreuse, or perhaps a seawind breeze yellow", to which I counter, "the song was written by a man...It just means yellow". Truthfully, I don't know if it was written by a man, but the overwhelming evidence points to male authourship with a dating before 1980 (era of political correctness). Even though she wears a lot less today than a bikini on the beach we can't write songs about it. Unless of course we're writing a hip hop song, which would assume a thong or some other state of undress and sexual overtones.

Tommorrow - One Eyed one horned flying purple people eater...Were the people one eyed, horned and purple or was it the eater?

By the way...what colour were the polka dots if the bikini is yellow? So many questions...so little time...

rZ

Balancing Act

Please put your hands together for Sheldon Bungay, Cadet at CFOT...Also, please offer comments because I know you all have input on this one...Sheldon Writes:

Ashley & I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the Willow Creek leadership summit. While it was such a great experience, and I learned many tips and techniques that will help me in my ministry, there were some concepts that were a little harder to swallow than others (as expected). One such technique came from Andy Stanley (The Next Generation Leader) in his session entitled Focused Leadership. His main point, or opening phrase was "cheat the church, and not your family!" He was trying to get the point across that it can become very easy to burn yourself out by working too many hours at the church, and that it is crucial that you don't neglect your family. Two concepts that I am in total agreement with. But here is my beef: Andy said that he has put a time limit on the hours he is available to the church: "I work 45 hours a week at the church and anything after that is set aside for me and my family." Great concept, but is it realistic?
Speaking only from Salvation Army settings, (that's all I ever knew) and being the child of Officer parents, setting a time limit on the hours I am available is next to impossible. Right now my household consists of only 2 people, and I know the importance of taking time for just us, and if and when we have children, I will be devoted to them and do all that I can to be there for them when they need me. I am all for scheduling my breaks and vacation time before my work schedule as opposed to the opposite. But how can a Salvation Army look at his Corps Council or Ministry team and say: "Okay, I have 45 hours to give this week, don't call me after six I am simply unavailable!" That's not going to happen. I don't believe for a moment that Andy Stanley would turn his back on people if they needed him, and I am certainly not coming down on him, but here is my underlying question: "How do I know when I have found that balance between the church and home?" I know I need to find it, I know it is crucial, but how do you know for sure that you have achieved it?
Thanks for listening,
Sheldon

Slightly Irregular

Hat tip to this blog by Joe Noland, Comm. He's writing on leadership and has some good insight. Joe has an incredible testimony, and really lived out the Army mission in leadership. Check out his blog and enjoy the read...
rZ

Link

What is Good News anyway?

Everyone is a sinner and is going to hell, but Jesus died for you and if you accept Him you will not go to hell. Good luck to your family and friends. This is okay news, but GOOD? Mediocre at best. How does this sound? God gives us salvation by His grace. It is a gift, and it is for everyone. God gave you this gift through Jesus. You don't even have to have faith because He gives you the faith to trust also.

Traditionally we always start with death. To quote a friend and brother..."we always begin the discussion of salvation at Genesis 3 and skip Genesis 1 and 2. God is creator, and He looks at His creation and begins with 'It is good'". God begins with life...Jesus told us this too, but we still start with hell and fear while His love drives out fear and His coming was to give us life to the fullest (Rom 8:15, 1Jn.4:18, Jn 10:10).

We can't get away from Salvation by Works either...Live a holy life and you'll receive lots of crowns when you get to heaven, or one crown...lots of jewels. Great, so what about the story of the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20). Some worked all day and some only an hour. They both received the exact same reward. I've served God all my life and this guy only started trusting and serving for the last week. Jesus comes again, and we say, "SHOW ME THE CROWN. BRING IT ON JESUS". It's not fair we both get the exact same salvation and eternal life, but it is because we didn't do anything to receive this. It is God's gift to do as He pleases.

And finally, here's a picture...A single mom, with 3 kids...one is pregnant by some guy she met at a party, but was too drunk to remember him...the son says he's gay, and he probably is, and the 3rd child is a hellion, but hanging in there. In her pain and tears we offer, "God is in control. Turn your family over to Him, pray for them, everything will work out for good". Nice platitude, but it's crap. We forget her testimony, "I wake everyday with tears for my kids, but Christ is present". You see, at the end of the day the kingdom is present in the kindness and love shown her by a church body, and while she struggles, which she may well do until death, she lives in the reality and truth "Christ is present" and the kingdom is here. This is Good News, and there's more..."Jesus is coming back and the fullness of His kingdom will be realized. Then all will be well". She is a blessed woman.

Oh, and about that huge crown you've gained by all of your works? Get ready to lose it because you have to give it back as soon as you receive it. It was only given to you to worship Jesus with (Rev 4).

Peace
rZ

Zelinsky makes it on Cannabis.com

I made it onto the CANNABIS website. Although it's not completely true the majority of it is right. The story originates when the local illicit drug paraphenalia store owner put posters on the light pole in front of the corps. I took it down walked into his store and said, "We're gonna be like dogs. I'll pee on my corner of the building and you pee on yours. Then we'll just stay away from each others buildings because my people don't need your crap peddled in their face." It seems he didn't appreciate this...Here is the link to the rest of the story...

Link

Friday Funnies - A flabber for jab libber

You've got to try this out...Go to anagramgenius.com, download the trial program and punch in your name to see what the possibilities are for your anagram (letters rearranged to spell something different). Here's a few good ones...
Geoff Ryan - An off grey
Major Sandra Ryan - Darn army 'as no jar
Richard Zelinsky - He drinks crazily or crazy idle shrink
Deana Lynn Zelinsky - Lazy and sleek ninny
M. Christine MacMillan - Clean, slim, manic mirth (hey I don't make these up)
Major Sandra Rice - Sardonic rare jam
Brian Slous - Sin labours
Lieutenant Colonel Don Copple - polluted poet on all innocence

punch in General Shaw Clifton and you'll see a ton of choices...you put them on your blog.
Here's one of my favourites:
George W. Bush - He grew bogus

I better get well rested for my personnel interview...have fun with your name...have a good weekend and for pete's sake...don't take yourself so seriously

rZ

Who Controls the blessing?

I’m in Galatians class. My brain hurts. I am incapable of long sentences. Here’s some things to think about.

We believe – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. “Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?” Galatians 3:5.

So then – why do some in the body of Christ feel the need to perpetuate teaching such as:
-If you have enough faith you will be healed
-If you tithe God will bless you financially
-If you pray more and longer you will be more blessed
-If you do more for Christ you will be more blessed
-If you have more spiritual gifts you are more blessed

We know that God blesses those who do not even expect His blessing. He gives faith to the faithless and salvation to the ungodly, and they did not have to do anything to garner his good favour.

If you prefer…go ahead and push the above arguments, but I suggest you’ll have to take the control on blessing, salvation and the work of the Spirit out of God’s hands and into yours. Good Luck.

rZ