Tag: Salvation Army

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I’ll Fight, Too.

Church on Sunday morning, men’s small group Monday evening, a larger men’s Bible study Wednesday morning, another Bible discussion Friday evening, and on top of this, daily personal time in the Word — do I really need another Bible study? Drawing near to other believers in community is indispensable to our spiritual growth and wellbeing, as modeled by the early church, who “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”1 Moreover, it is essential that we continue to absorb God’s purifying Word, as Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf, “Make them holy for Yourself by the truth. Your Word is truth.”2 Yes, time in the Word with other believers is vital for a healthy church and a maturing people.

There comes a point, however, when we must stop and ask ourselves, “Is fortifying myself the endgame, or is there a greater purpose to which the Word calls me and for which it equips me?” On the night of His betrayal, Jesus humbly washed His disciples’ feet, then said to them, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. . . Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”3 Paul likewise links learning and action — the indicative to the imperative: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”4 (Amazing, isn’t it, that God promises peace amid our obedience?)

What, then, does “put it into practice” look like? In his last public address, William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army memorably articulated it this way: “While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight, I’ll fight to the very end!”5 Can there be a greater call, a greater meaning, a greater existence than to beat back darkness with the light of truth? Opportunities emerge before us every day. And if a particular form of darkness seems overwhelming to you, enlist with those already engaged in the fight — food pantries, prison ministries, hygiene help centers, student ministries . . . the list goes on. Just fight. And the God of peace will be with you.

Father, how great our call to love Your people in spirit and in action, for this also glorifies You. Equip us and lead us into the battle field. Win, just win. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Acts 2:42 NIV
2 John 17:17 NLV
3 John 13:14-17 NIV, emphasis added
4 Philippians 4:9 NIV, emphasis added
5 Public domain

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The World Needs You

[As a Salvation Army in Central Ohio board member, I once again have had the honor of writing a letter to be distributed at this year’s Christmas Cheer program. Through this annual event, over 6,000 Central Ohio families will receive groceries and toys to celebrate the Season. Merry Christmas! ]

What a year this has been! For many of us, 2022 has marked at least the beginning of a return to normal from a global pandemic. We are socializing more and distancing less, commuting more and telecommuting less, and smiles radiate again, reemerging from behind the confines of our masks. Freedom feels good together, for among the many things we will ultimately learn from the recent worldwide health crisis, one in particular stands out: people need people—we are made to engage with each other in meaningful and supportive ways.

For well over 100 years, the mission of The Salvation Army (TSA) has been “to preach the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” Under TSA’s banner, people serve people every day through food pantries, housing assistance, learning centers, anti-human-trafficking measures, Bible studies and church services. God cares about every facet of our being—body, mind, and spirit—and He ministers through His people to others every day.

Yet The Salvation Army is just one organizational means through which God blesses His people whom He loves. The fact of the matter is, no one person or organization can even come close to meeting every human need in the world. Then again, no single individual or group has to, for that is not how God works. Rather, God works through His people everywhere, for each of us has our own relationships and our own gifts, and we are uniquely suited to serve God by blessing others wherever and however He calls us to serve them. Every believer can thrive in the knowledge that God “created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”1

Sometimes we receive, and sometimes we give. Sometimes we are served, and sometimes we serve. So, be the gift you are designed to be. The world needs you.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Rejoice! Christ has come.

Written by Paul Nordman
Advisory board member of The Salvation Army, Columbus Area Services and author of two books—Christ in Me and Working in Us What Is Pleasing to Him

1 Ephesians 2:10 NLT

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Christmas Still Shines

[As a Salvation Army advisory board member, I was asked to write the message to be included with the food and toys distributed to central Ohio families through this year’s Christmas Cheer program. I post it here for you. Merry Christmas, everyone!]

Do you remember those “2020 glasses” people wore as we rang in the new year almost twelve months ago? They were great party props, of course, but even if they had come with lenses, we still could not have envisioned the year that awaited us. A global pandemic with its spreading emotions, appalling injustices and a united outcry against them, and partisan politics to disturbing extremes even as our hearts yearn for goodness and peace—we have never experienced anything quite like 2020, have we? The year is mostly in hindsight now, and it will linger long in our memories. Yet it is not over—Christmas has come.

Christmas is certainty in uncertain times. At Christmas we remember God’s faithfulness: in sending Jesus, His Son, God kept His promise to be with us for a time and for a purpose. At Christmas we consider God’s compassion: in Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for our sins, He became hope for a hurting humanity who had no hope. At Christmas we rejoice in God’s love: all of us who place our faith and hope in Christ Jesus are welcomed as children of God. At Christmas we celebrate new life—the Spirit of God is born in us as we believe in the Son of God born to us so many Christmases ago. Christmas has come, and Christmas still shines.

Then let us welcome Christmas into our hearts, and let it be for us what Christmas can be for us. Let this be a time to pause and reflect on our promise-keeping God and His life-giving Son. May this be a time of drawing near to God through our honest prayers and His powerful Word, that we would find deep, refreshing rest for our soul. Let this Christmas be a time of forgiving others with the same restoring forgiveness we have received from God. May this be a time of teaching our children about the grace, truth and eternal life we find in Jesus. And may we set our sights not so much on what the world brings to us along the way, but on bringing to a longing world the hope that is found in Christ—certainty in uncertain times. For Christmas has come. Christmas still shines. Christmas always will.

Merry Christmas to you today and every day of the year.

Written by Paul Nordman
Advisory board member of The Salvation Army Columbus Area Services and author of two books—Christ in Me and Working in Us What Is Pleasing to Him