Kettle time is also useful for reflecting on what is working and not working in our lives and perhaps drawing on some conclusions for change. Practically, we can spend the time thinking about our week and mentally mapping it out. In the very least, we can try to view a Kettle shift as a way to pause in all the craziness of the Christmas season. However we have approached this ministry in the past, it is my prayer that we can learn to make it as useful for the Kingdom as possible.

Posted by Michelle Elsasser

As a 2nd year cadet I was fortunate to spend my winter assignment at Weetamah in Winnipeg. From Kettle shifts to setting up toys, and then the process of helping people coming in to pick-up their toys, it was a very busy few days. Through it all I was able to experience the true meaning of Christmas over and over again. Of all the experiences that took place however, one stood out the most.

It was early afternoon on December 24th and the laughter that comes after days of hard work could be heard all around. I then heard a voice behind me as a man and little boy approached to make a request. My first thought was about what I could do to help them. What toys that were left had all been boxed and put away days ago and yet there was no way I could look into that little face on Christmas Eve and say there was no toy for him.

As my mind quickly ran over ideas of what I could do, the man spoke again, telling me his son wanted to donate a toy he had just bought with his allowance so another little boy could have a toy for Christmas. Moved more than I can say, I promised that I would make sure the toy found a home. Needless to say that everyone there who had witnessed/heard of the story couldn’t hide the tears or the smiles from that unselfish gift. For myself, I only wish I could thank that little boy again, as well as all the people who gave toys that helped the Salvation Army bring Christmas to so many for another year.

Lorri-Anne Butler (Cadet)
In Christ Alone

Well today, I’m happy to report that the journey of training college has been nothing but a positive and rewarding experience for both Josh and I. God has continually amazed me by the ways in which He has provided for our every need since arriving in Winnipeg by putting people and resources in our path. As a result my faith has been strengthened by the knowledge that, in the words of one of my favourite choruses, He is able to do so much more than I could ever dream.

In particular, community living has turned out to be an excellent opportunity for Josh’s social skills to be developed as he has made real friends for the first time in his life with many of the cadet children with whom he spends significant time with. Josh has also gone from barely grunting at my fellow cadets when they greeted him in September 2008 to actually initiating conversations with many of them on a daily basis. I firmly believe that this unique environment has allowed development that may never have happened for Josh otherwise and I am so blessed that God’s hand has been at work even in his life as I followed God’s plan for our life.

Eighteen months ago I wrote that I was pleased to have arrived at the part of my life’s journey where I would get to spend a two year layover at CFOT filling my mind and heart with knowledge of God’s word. And here I am now, nearing the end of this part of the journey, Josh is now 11 years old and I am again looking forward to what God has in store for both of us in 2010.

So today, I quote again the same verse that I carried with me to CFOT - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) God has indeed, once again, proved Himself worthy of my trust since my son and I began what I thought would be a difficult transition. As it turns out, every change has brought blessing rather than challenge and I have no doubt that God will continue to go ahead of us as we look forward to finding out where the next phase of the journey will take us when I begin full-time ministry in six short months.

May God richly bless each of you in 2010.
Cadet Kristen Gray

In the days leading up to the last show Conan had a lot of funny jabs towards NBC over his early departure.  My favourite was when he said that as a young boy he remembers watching Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show and thinking, “Someday I’ll host that show for 7 months.”  His humour was interrupted about 2 weeks 10 days ago when he told the audience that his differences with NBC were ridiculous, and that people should focus on what is really important in life.  He proceeded to direct people to donate funds to help Haiti, something that would be a consistent interruption in the remainder of his shows.

Fastforward to Friday January 22 and if you were watching you would have heard the most gracious goodbye delivered on television as Conan would thank NBC for the opportunities they gave him and as he implored fans to abandon cynicism in the face of his departure from the Tonight Show.  It was a great lesson in meekness in its biblical understanding.  You can see it by clicking below.

ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Well, there is certainly no lack of material when it comes to Tiger Woods and his apparent indiscretions.  Entertainment shows provide fodder for water cooler discussions, and often target Woods as the brunt of their monologue jokes.  What about you?  How long will it be before you forgive Tiger or is he done in your books?  Take our poll to the right.

One of the biggest highlights of my training has been my appointment to Regina, Saskatchewan for my winter assignment.  Although it was only a few short weeks ago that we celebrated Christmas, it seems to have long past and been forgotten.  The same is not true of my winter assignment; I really enjoyed my time there and learned a lot under the direction of Captains Steven and Corinne Cameron and the team at Haven of Hope Ministries.

I arrived on Monday the 14^th of December, and stayed until December 24^th, and the time flew way to fast.  The people of Regina welcomed me with open arms and put me right to work.  I got to see and experience many different things through the ministries provided by Haven of Hope, whether it is standing on the kettle, preaching at a long term care facility, interviewing for hampers or handing them out.  I even got to attend a rotary lunch, which encouraged me to know of the partnership of The Salvation Army with other organizations that want to make a difference in the community.

It was also encouraging to see that the Army still has a positive presence in the community.  Standing on the kettles afforded me the opportunity to meet many of the people of Regina, and often I would be met with an emotional donor who would tell me how grateful they were for the Army’s presence in the community.  Through the kettle ministry, I was presented with the truth that, The Salvation Army is still marching along, and God still has a work for us to do.

The Words of General Albert Orsborn sum it up what ministry means to me, and what I experienced through the hard work and evident love of the people of Regina.  As I continue to offer my life to God’s will, it is my desire that my life reflect him, just as I saw his reflection in the lives of so many at my winter assignment.

The Saviour of men came to seek and to save
The souls who were lost to the good;
His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved
With the boundless compassion of God.
And still there are fields where the labourers are few,
And still there are souls without bread,
And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep,
And still straying sheep to be led.

Except I am moved with compassion,
How dwelleth thy Spirit in me?
In word and in deed
Burning love is my need;
I know I can find this in thee.

O is not the Christ ‘midst the crowd of today
Whose questioning cries do not cease?
And will he not show to the hearts that would know
The things that belong to their peace?
But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear
Or lack in compassionate zeal?
Or how shall hearts move with the Master’s own love,
Without his anointing and seal?

It is not with might to establish the right,
Nor yet with the wise to give rest;
The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know
Nor comfort a people distressed.
O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again,
And grant that thy servant may be
Intense every day, as I labor and pray,
Both instant and constant for thee.

Posted by Jaclyn Joy Wynne

Cadet Tonia Street shares a reflection about her time in training that speaks to the presence of God in the midst of community.  Walk with Tonia through her story as she shares the blessings and struggles of her training at CFOT.

It was challenging to attend these events, sometimes because I was tired and needed to rest or do another assignment and sometimes I felt that I wouldn’t learn anything from it.  I was so wrong!  I learned something from each event we attended, and even more importantly I found myself spending time with God in those moments.

We are all called to serve God full-time, but have you considered serving Him through Officership in The Salvation Army?  Allow God the Holy Spirit to speak to you through Tonia’s story, and consider your own call to serve God.  Pray for the courage to follow, and be assured of our prayers for you.

To Read Tonia’s reflection click below:

tonia_street_reflection - pdf format

tonia_street_reflection - MS Word format

Thanks for taking the time to weigh in on our site.

I think that we all agree that it is dangerous to drink and drive because it compromises our judgement. If drinking comprises our driving isn’t drinking going to comprise our efforts to live a Christian life ? If drinking is going to compromise our effort to resemble Christ then that would appear to be a good reason for avoiding it. It would be interesting to know how many Christian’s lives have been ruined by taking that first glass of alcohol. As a Salvationist I recognize how alcohol has destroyed many people’s lives and that of their spouse and family. I witness to the sadness that God has experienced over such events by practising abstinence.
In the early days of the SA many of the early converts were former alcoholics. Salvationists learned to be on their guard against the world and the devil. This is indicated in some of the older songs such as “take the world but give me Jesus”. Holiness means to be in the world but not of the world. We are set apart. (John 17:13-18) We are holy. That is a sacred privilege not a slur on our character. Holiness is a gradual process as we allow God’s will to influence our thinking and actions in such matters. There will always be peer pressure to conform and a fear of being different. St Peter fell to that temptation when he denied knowing Jesus. Having worked with addicts for the last 8 years I have discovered that the roots of addiction are often found in a desire to compromise to experience acceptance of other people. As Savationists we have compromised in so many different ways as technology has improved and we have become wealthier, but I believe along with General John Gowans that “in a world of shifting values there are standards that remain, I believe that holy living by God’s grace we may attain. All would hear the Holy Spirit if they listened to his voice (that is the key to any question relating to Christian living) if they listened to his voice” (song 324 SAB) Scripture is vitally important but we have to read the scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit to relate it to today’s issues. For example scripture is silent about gene therapy and cloning. These are issues for which we need to pray for God’s guidance. Our response to the consumption of alcohol should also be the outcome of our prayer to God regarding his will in this matter.
When I am with non Christian friends and choose a non alcoholic drink instead of alcohol it gives me an opportunity to show, and explain if asked, that much of my fulfillment and joy in life is the result of living to please God and not myself. Interestingly enough the step 11 of Alcoholics Anonymous route to recovery from alcohol addiction says :
“sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God (as we understood him) praying only for knowledge of his will and the power to carry it out.