The low-neck.

A serious warning against attempting a fashion-shift back to the good-ol’ days of the high-neck uniform…

“I should like to talk about the care of your health and physical powers. There is no time for that; but remember that I want you to take care of your throats. Do not sacrifice your throats for too prim a military appearance. Remember the alternative of the low collar. When I see you singing solos, with high collars hooked tightly, i cannot tell you how badly I feel. The only really bad throat I have had during forty years of Officership was about six months after the high collar came in, when the doctor said I had a clergy man’s sore throat. I went back to the low collar, and have not known throat trouble since.”

– p. 38 Florence Booth The Powers of Salvation Army Officers (1914)

Brigadier Power

She was speaking of an anonymous “Brigadier Power”, but I believe the same is true (to a large extent..?) of Capt. Stephen Court, our highly esteemed Training Principle, 108 years later;

“This man is a flame. His theology is of the apostolic brand, comprising a merciful and just God, an atoning Saviour, a full and free salvation through the Blood of Jesus Christ; a real, live active devil; an eternal hell for the wicked, and an eternal heaven for those who persevere to the end in righteousness and Christ. His lectures are admirable, full of point, thought, and fire. He can be read as he is reported; that is to say, his spoken sentences read as well as they sound, and may generally be printed without revision. They are brilliant with virile salvationism, and tingle with common sense. He uses no stale sentences. What he has to say is fresh and new from the mint of his own mind, original logical and manly.” – p. 40-41 A School of The Prophets 1901.

I especially would encourage you to read the post below, notes from a lecture presented by Capt. Court. A lot of the comments are direct quotes from his “spoken sentences” and further to the Brigadier, have been printed without revision. I would suggest that his comments, as well as being full of salvationism, also “tingle with common sense”.

“To be able to hold the attention of Cadets, and make them request a little more lecture, is an enormous compliment to any speaker’s power, we budding Officers soon becoming experts in good and bad addresses. The farewell volley when the lecturer concludes may be enthusiastic – it generally is; but, occasionally, it is the enthusiasm of relief. [Captain Court’s] ovations were evoked by pleasure and regret.” p. 42-43 A School of The Prophets 1901.

I’m not just saying these things to puff Steve up, I (and my fellow Cadets) are seriously enjoying his lectures, and the lectures from other teachers on college staff and at Whitley. And this, because more than anything else, our discussions and our musings spur us on to big and better things for the Kingdom. It has been an amazing blessing to be privy to such a wealth of knowledge and experience.

This training experience has been seriously underrated.

I urge you – if you’re called to Officership, hurry up and respond so that you can get in on the training. If you’re not called, and you’re sure of it, sign up for some classes – this stuff is not exclusive. If you’re already on the journey, or have been for a while, poke some people near to you and ask them whether they’re following Jesus.

Here I Am.

Too much of what I do is motivated by guilt. I need to concentrate on living a pro-active, rather than a reactive life. A life where I say “I intend to..” rather than “I should do..”. A life where I look forward to the challenges, rather than trying to make excuses as to why I don’t want to be involved.

I want to cultivate in me, and around me, a “Yes!” culture.

Not a yes culture that will make me overwhelmed, or burned out, just one that is real, optimistic, honest, forward looking, and not lazy.

A comrade of mine has inherited a signature-book-of-sorts that page-by-page, one-by-one has been signed in succession by all of the General’s of The Salvation Army, starting with General William Booth himself. This is what General Carpenter had to say…

“The Secret of the Victorious life will be found in saying “Yes” to God, and to keep on saying it.” – Melbourne, 20/6/1945

And, because Officership is at the beginning and end of most of my daily thoughts; an exhortation, before I leave…

“This little book/[blog] contains the experience of one who heard God’s call to become an Officer, and who answered it.

More than 13,000 men and women all over the world have chosen to obey His voice and give themselves up to lives of self-denying toil for the salvation of the world. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself whether God does not require you to give Him your life? Will you ask yourself that question today?

When you have thought and prayed about it, speak to the Officer of your Corps or write to your Candidates Secretary.” – A School of Prophets, by ‘One of the Scholars’ The Salvation Army Book Department, 1901

Quote/s of the Day (today, originating from one family unit);

“Incarnation without transformation is not the kingdom of God, it’s simply assimilation.” – Capt. Danielle Strickland.

“Enjoy the Lord today. Take a step back and appreciate the fact that the Creator of the universe died for you, loves your socks off, and dreams about you. Then crawl into His presence and soak it all up – fear/reverence, safety, acceptance, love, mercy, grace…” – Capt. Stephen Court

And Introducing; The Ambassadors of Holiness 2009-2010, The Australia Southern Territory Training College