Still Wild at Heart?

It seems to me that some of God’s creations were never really meant to be tamed.

Sure there are folks who have managed to fairly well subdue some of the natural instincts and behaviors of certain lions, and tigers, and bears (“…oh, my!”), but these animals should never be considered completely tame. We watch them with their handlers, and are tempted to believe that they’re cuddly, cute, huggable, and…well…managable. But deep inside, they are still true to their nature. They’re still wild at heart. Provoke them – get them stirred up, or angry – and just watch what happens. The “wild” that is hidden but still inside them will come roaring to the surface with terrible consequences.

Let me point out another of God’s unique creations that in my opinion was never intended for domestication: Christians (especially Salvationists!).

That’s the overall theme of The Barbarian Way (subtitled Unleash the Untamed Faith Within), a short, but very interesting book by Erwin McManus. Throughout the book, McManus uses the image of a “barbarian” – someone generally unwelcomed and out of step with polite, civilized society due to their wild, aggressive, non-conforming nature – as a metaphor for the untamed Christian. Here’s something of the flavor of his writing:

Somewhere along the way, the movement of Jesus Christ became civilized as Christianity. We created a religion using the name of Jesus Christ and convinced ourselves that God’s optimal desire for our lives was to insulate us in a spiritual bubble where we risk nothing, sacrifice nothing, lose nothing, worry about nothing…

It may seem counterintuitive, but the more civilized we become, the more detached from the pain of others we end up finding ourselves. The most civilized churches have really no practical concern for people outside their congregations. The brokenness of a lost and unbelieving world is not enough to inspire the painful changes necessary to make the church relevant to the world in which we live.

Would somebody please get this guy a uniform and a flag…?! He’s got the heart, spirit and attitude of a Salvationist! He’d fit right in with us!

Or would he…?

I don’t know how things are where you live, but more and more here in the West, a growing number of Salvationists are lining up and signing up for “civilization.” Much like the wild animals mentioned earlier, their Salvationist impulses and behaviors having been fairly well subdued by our culture, far too many Soldiers are embracing a sort of domestication. In short, they’ve become tame. Sadder still, they like it

Years ago, Colonel Lyell Rader,(O.F.), was concerned about this very thing. Addressing the issue head-on, he figuratively grabbed his readers by the lapels of their uniforms as he shook them and pointed out: Salvationists once startled the world as an assault force for Christ. Dare the Army now be content to be merely an army of occupation?

I wonder… Is the Salvationist instinct still in us? Does something still stir in us when we see the man under the bridge or the girl on the street, or have we become subdued by the applause of the more affluent in our community? Is there a passionate, holy “untamed-ness” still in our hearts just waiting to rise up and roar back against the enemy? Is there a “hallelujah!” left to be shouted, or is it possible that we no longer do such things because we’ve bought into a more carefully cultivated image recommended to us by those who would gladly be our handlers?

Salvationists who are still wild at heart, let me try to intentionally provoke you – to stir you up. Shake off the constricting frills and trimmings of religious civilization and reconnect with our mission, our passion, and our calling. Raise your banner! Draw your sword! Make all of Hell shudder as once again you throw back your heads and shout your war cry for all to hear! Hallelujah!

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!

Willis

Sleepless in Atlanta?

How well do you sleep?

Are you one of those who have problems falling asleep? And once you are asleep, is it hard for you to stay asleep?

If you’re like most Americans, you wrestle with some aspect of sleeping. Studies and statistics say:
• Almost 74% of all Americans do not get enough sleep each night.
• Most will feel sleepy or groggy during the week.
• 51% of adults say they have problems sleeping at least a few nights each week.
• Almost one third of Americans have trouble sleeping every night.
• Half of all Americans can not get up without an alarm clock.
• Alarm clocks interrupt sleep cycle causing, lack of energy, feeling unrefreshed in the morning.
• Those with sleep problems are twice as likely to feel stressed and tired.
(Information from National Sleep Foundation, 2002 Annual Sleep Survey)

As a result, sleeping problems are estimated to be the #1 health-related problem facing Americans (CNN, May 1997). Furthermore, experts tell us that sleep deprivation costs $150 billion each year in higher stress and reduced worker productivity (National Commission on Sleep Disorders, 2003).

So what is it that causes our sleeplessness…?

The answer covers a long list of reasons which would include everything from a son or daughter returning home late from a date, to issues involving physical, emotional or psychological disorders.

Short of one of these more severe cases, however, a significant number of our sleep-deprived friends would tell us that they simply have a hard time “shutting down their mind.” They go to bed still thinking about that project they’re working on, that paper that’s due, or the problem that has them puzzled.

Me…? I have no problems dropping right off to sleep. My head hits the pillow and I’m gone. My wife, Barbara, on the other hand, is a card-carrying member of the “I-can’t-turn-off-my-mind” club. Many nights she’ll lay there trying to will herself to sleep. Doesn’t work… Wanting to be a helpful husband, there’ve been times when – led by the Spirit of God, of course – I’ve suggested to her that maybe her sleeplessness has less to do with an inability to log-off and shut down her brain, and more to do with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I’ve tried to get her to consider the possibility that perhaps she has some hidden, unconfessed sin in her heart, or a guilty conscience that needs dealing with. I mean, since I fall asleep so quickly – secure in the knowlege that my heart is pure and my conscience is clear(!) – all I can conclude is that God is keeping her from sleep in order that she might repent of whatever dreadful personal transgression she might have willfully committed.

Surprisingly, Barbara doesn’t always appreciate my “Spirit-directed” insight! In fact, sharing these “revelations” with her usually gets me smacked, whacked, or kicked out of bed (further evidence of her guilt, if you ask me!).

In Cyril Barnes’ little book, Words of William Booth, he tells the story of a particular time the Founder had problems sleeping.

Late one night, Bramwell evidently heard his father stirring, and went to the old man’s room to see what might be the matter. He opened the door and saw the General pacing the floor, unable to sleep.

Bramwell says to his father, “General, what are you doing up at this hour? You should have been in bed long ago!”

Startled by the interruption, the old warrior stopped his pacing, looked at his son, and answered, “I am thinking about the people’s sins. What will the people do with their sins?”

Let me tell you, that story convicts me more than you’ll know. Why? Because I sleep very well.

I wonder how many of us there might be who, while deeply concerned for others’ souls, aren’t troubled to the point that it has ever disturbed our sleep or kept us awake (kinda makes me wonder just how deep our concern really is!). The thought of someone without Jesus bothers me terribly. But it has never caused me to pace the floor at night. Am I burdened about people and their sins? Most definitely, yes! Am I that burdened? Well…obviously not (wow, that hurts to write!).

While I don’t recall where I found this prayer, it seems appropriate to close this posting with these words:

May God bless you with Discomfort…
at easy answers, half –truths, and superficial relationships,
so that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with Anger…
at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people
so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with Tears…
to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war,
so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough Foolishness…
to believe that you can make a difference in this world,
so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.

Here’s to God also blessing more of us with sleepless nights and a floor-pacing passion for souls!

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!

Willis

Hell? Yes!

I’ve recently gotten this small, pocket-sized, soft covered old-Army book, published back in 1909, simply called The Doctrines of The Salvation Army. I thought it was going to be laid out like my other antique Handbook[s] of Doctrine. You know, major sections, followed by numbered sub-sections, sometimes followed by points a, b, c, etc. This book is nothing like that. In fact, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The whole thing is laid out in “question-and-answer” format, as if a reporter were interviewing some Army doctrine expert. Here’s a sample:

You say you have a soul. What do you mean by that?
That there is within a man a spirit altogether separate from and independent of his body. A spirit which thinks, wills, knows and feels, and by which he can
distinguish good from evil.

Will this soul die with the body?
No; the soul is immortal; that is, it can never perish.
(from here the “doctrine expert” goes on to quote Ecc. 12:7, and Matt 16:26 -- W)

Very interesting!

Anyway, just the other day, I randomly flipped it open just to show a friend the book’s unique layout. I happened to open to the chapter on Hell. I didn’t get beyond the first question in the chapter.

The “interview” for the topic started off with this basic question:

Do you believe in Hell?

I expected there’d be a simple, one-word sentence as the answer – “Yes”. But I found something else. Oh, the “yes” is there alright, but the punctuation after it is a comma, not a period. “Yes,” is followed by three other words that completed the sentence and rocked my thinking at the same time. Here’s how the answer read:

Yes, all the time.

Man, that answer stopped me short! Those last three little words – “…all the time.” – hit me like an Evander Holyfield right.

Do I believe in Hell? Sure. No brainer. I know in my head, and hold to a personal belief that there is a literal Hell. But do I believe in it “…all the time”…? I’m not sure I measure up to that. I mean, if someone were to observe my life for a week or so, would they come to the conclusion that I do? Do my convictions, or more importantly my actions, give evidence that I believe in it “all the time”?

Wouldn’t you think that an “all the time” belief in Hell would show itself in a person having…I don’t know…a strong, passionate sense of urgency about it all?

In a past issue of armybarmy’s Journal of Aggressive Christianity, I read an article by Commissioner Wesley Harris entitled “Wake Up.” It spoke of this “all the time” characteristic as being one of the things that sets the early Army apart from our present Army. See for yourself (I’ve added the emphasizing):

Generally speaking, one of the differences between early day Salvationists and ourselves is that we often lack their sense of urgency. They would be amazed at the way in which we often close a meeting with a perfunctory nod towards the Mercy Seat, and a passing reference to the possibility of someone kneeling at it. Perhaps we too easily assume that there are no unconverted people in the hall. Our forebears in the faith used language that had the ring of urgency. They spoke of prayer battles and taking prisoners and saving the lost. The unsaved were in dire danger unless they became awake and aware of their spiritual condition. Early day Salvationists took the eleventh of our Articles of Faith seriously. Do we?

When I was a young officer one of my mentors was Commissioner George Jolliffe who was at one time private secretary to William Booth and even lived in his house at one stage. I asked him what was the secret of the Founder’s drive and he replied, surprisingly, ‘It was his belief in hell!’ That was what led him to challenge the cabby or the engine driver or the donor about their soul’s salvation.

He saw people starkly in danger of a lost eternity unless someone could awaken them to their need of a Saviour. There was no time to lose.

That's it...! The “all the time” spirit that the Doctrine Book spoke about!

Tell me...where and how have we lost it? More importantly, how do we get it back?

The clock’s ticking………..

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!

Willis

Knock, knock....

We’ve all seen this classic Warner Sallman picture, Christ at Heart’s Door, right? It’s Sallman’s artistic rendering of Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”

Fine.

I’d guess that it’s highly likely that at some point you’ve also heard some preacher, teacher, or corps officer point out some of the features of the painting. Like how the two arches over Jesus’ head combined with the light around Him form the shape of a heart, and how by looking into the small window on the door, you can see that this “heart” is dark on the inside. From there, it’s usually pointed out how this “heart’s door” Jesus is knocking on has no handle, doorknob, or latch on the outside – it can only be opened from the inside. And it’s usually right about here that the preacher, teacher, or corps officer pushes the point of application: “Have you opened your heart and invited Jesus to come in?”

Ken Callahan is an author, consultant, and friend of the Army that I’ve gotten to work with from time to time. Say what you want about Ken, but you can’t deny the man’s passion for the Church to be in mission, on mission, and about mission.

Ken looks at this painting and proposes that there just might be another, somewhat different interpretation of the picture. He suggests that we look at it from the perspective of, well, the church and mission.

In doing this, he starts off by pointing out a couple of the usual observations – the lack of a handle to anyone on the outside, and the dark interior. But when he gets to the “Jesus-at-the-door” part, he takes us off the well-worn path of the usual understanding of the picture. He asks us to imagine Christ knocking on the handle-less door not of some weed-crowded cottage, or symbolic heart, but of the Church.

Hmmm… Now there's something to think about.

I wonder…how hard is it for certain people – or better yet, certain types of people (like those we label as “outsiders” for any one of a long list of reasons) – to find a “handle” that will open the Church to them? Oh, they can easily enter our buildings, if they ever have a reason to, but that’s not the same thing as getting into the church or the corps, is it? Think about your corps or church… Is the “handle” of unconditional welcome, acceptance, and inclusion easily found and used by those “outside” your fellowship, or is it somehow hidden behind unwritten policies and unspoken requirements? To ask it more bluntly, when it comes to those who aren’t “like us,” does your corps or church have to be opened from the inside?

In coming back to Sallman’s painting, Callahan moves into even more provocative territory...

As if it’s not already controversial enough to think of Christ somehow locked outside the Church, having to knock on a no-handled door like some encyclopedia salesman, Ken puts forward the idea that maybe Jesus isn’t knocking on the door of the Church trying to get in. No, he wonders if it’s not more a matter of Jesus knocking on the Church door inviting us to come out! Out of our sanctuaries, out of our citadels, out of our offices, out of our comfort zones, out of our debates over music styles and form, and into the world where the people are because that’s where Jesus is! He moves and walks throughout the world, still concerned over those who are lost, ready to engage them where they live, work, date, search, divorce, hurt, fight, and suffer.

Interesting view, isn’t it?

In John 17:5, Jesus prayed to His Father about His disciples, and said,

I'm not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One… In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. John 17:15,18 (MSG)

If I’m reading this right, Jesus has always intended that our mission would be like His – to the world! To those who don’t necessarily come to us on our terms. To those who may not see things the same way we do. To those who need to be sought out and gone after.

That's hard to accomplish while sitting in a pew that’s bolted to the floor in a temperature controlled room, behind walls and doors – both the literal, physical kind of walls and doors, as well as the figurative kind.

So maybe Callahan’s analysis of Sallman’s picture has a bit of relevance for us to consider. What do you say about it? What’s your opinion?

As for me, I believe I’m going to sit down, turn on some of Chris Tomlin's worship music in the background, and just pray for all those folks on the outside of my corps.

Hang on…there’s Someone at the door…

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot…!

Willis

Comparing Prices

I’m sure it doesn’t provide an “aha!” revelation in your life for me to point out the fact that having a regular, intentional, relationship-deepening, power-producing prayer life comes with a time cost. Because this is a generally understood truth, many of God’s soldiers figuratively compare price tags and projected outcomes when it comes to how they choose to spend their time. Whether consciously or unconsciously, they compare what they determine to be the return on investment of a focused prayer time with the lengthy to-do list of all they need to do, want to do, and are expected to do in a day’s time.

Too often after checking these costs, personal prayer time – which let’s face it, isn’t exactly a “squeaky wheel” kind of activity that demands most folks’ attention – is put back on the rack in favor of what we consider the more urgent demands of life and time.

I wonder… Have we ever thought that not praying might actually be even more expensive, even more costly to us in ways we may not have bargained for?

Bramwell Booth’s wife, Florence Booth, while serving as the British Commissioner, warned officers about this very danger. In an address during an Officers’ Councils, she pointed out,

“What you are, to a great extent, your people will become, and you must be men and women of prayer in order to raise up a praying people. Officers who neglect private prayer must sooner or later fail. (emphasis mine – W)

“In some notes, ‘Half Hours with my Guide,’ Mrs. Brengle tells that as a young Officer, she was losing power and joy, and was asked by a comrade whether she was giving the necessary time for her own spiritual life and growth. She replied: ‘I can’t spare the time: there is so much work to do!’ (Can I get a witness?! Is there an “amen” from a reader or two? – W) The answer was: ‘Who will do your work when you have backslidden?’ From that day forward, Mrs. Brengle made time for the necessary secret communion with God.

“ ‘Who will do your work when you have backslidden?’ A wise question, wasn’t it? …Because you are so very busy, are you making the mistake of thinking that prayerless activity will suffice?” (GREAT question! How do you answer it? – W)
– Commissioner Florence Booth
Powers of Salvation Army Officers

You know, no one sets out to intentionally backslide. I’ve never met anyone who has said, “I think I’ll deliberately let my prayer life slip to the point that I’m completely powerless, and backslidden.” That’s just not a temptation the enemy puts in our path. What he does whisper in our ear, however, comes from a different angle but produces the same results. You see, he would have us buy the idea that skipping over prayer time is less costly than it really is. A missed day here, a neglected devotional time there… C’mon, it's no big deal, right? But the hidden cost of these lost meetings with God adds up like interest on an overdue credit card bill. Before we know it, we’re in a hole far deeper than we ever intended, wondering how we got there. Here’s a principle: Sin always costs more than the price tag advertises.

So next time you think that you can’t afford the time to meet with God, compare the prices.

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot…!

Willis

Nails and Prayer

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a nail.

This little rhyme which some have dated back as early as the 14th century, was often used to teach children that actions have consequences, and that carelessness has the power to produce unwanted results. To put it another way, little things matter – often in big ways.

In the Army much of our terminology refers to “the war.” We sing about it in our battle songs, talk about it in our testimonies, and include references to it in many of our covenants and ceremonies. But I wonder…do we really take this war seriously, or do we tend to see it as “Army-speak,” or symbolic saber-rattling and fist-shaking in the enemy’s direction (nothing for him to really get worked up over)?

If we do take it seriously (and I think scriptures like 2 Cor 10:3-5 / Eph 6:10-17 / 1 Thess 5:8, and others, make a pretty strong case that we should), then I’m having a problem coming to grips with the lack of attention of so many to the importance of spiritual battle at the “nail” level.

What am I talking about? What is the “nail” in this spiritual battle? I think it has to be the issue of personal prayer and soul care.

In every case that I can think of, when one of our fellow warriors falls to immorality, playing with finances, lying, no power in the pulpit, loss of passion, loss of mission focus, not being moved by human suffering, lack of soul fire, and a long list of other battles, you can backtrack the events and steps that have led to the defeat to this most basic of “nail” issues:

● In speaking with an officer couple about to divorce: Tell me about your prayer life… They had stopped long ago.

● Talking with the soldier caught up with internet porn: How have you been caring for your soul? His head hung down in shame.

● The officer who had lost the “wow and wonder” of his calling: Describe your devotional life to me… No answer, just a look that said it all.

● Speaking with a cadet who wonders why they’re not as passionate as others around them: Are you having your quiet time? A long, drawn out explanation came back about how their schedule is too busy to be regular in prayer, so it’s pretty much hit-or-miss.

If looked at from the spiritual perspective, we might modify the opening lines to something like this:

For the want of fervent prayer, the contact with Christ was lost.
For the want of contact with Christ, the passion was lost.
For the want of passion, the power was lost.
For the want of power, the victory was lost.
For the want of victory, the soul was lost.
All for the want of prayer.

This little, seemingly insignificant neglect is nothing less than HUGE! Why? Because it unlocks the door that can lead to the larger defeat.

To the soldier who would be a real spiritual warrior, the person who would win victory after victory for the Lord, the person who would be feared by all of hell, this is the first and most important battle to fight and win! Let’s hit our knees and fight like we mean it! The result of so many other fights that we become involved in is often determined long before by what does or doesn’t happen in the prayer closet.

So tell me…how’re things with your soul?

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!

Willis

Running Up the Down Escalator

It’s one of the many silly things my friends and I did as kids. We’d go into a department store and take turns running up the down escalator.

I suspect that most of you probably did the same thing at some point in your life, right? That being the case, you understand that it takes twice as much effort and “oomph” to make any progress because you have to contend with the never-ending, mechanized, downward momentum of the stairs. You have to keep going. You have to run and run hard if you ever expect to gain ground. And you don’t dare stop or pause, because the stairs never stop. Stopping – even just to catch your breath – means you’re going to lose ground. If you’re going to successfully run to the top of the down escalator, you have to keep moving forward at a pace that surpasses the flow of the stairs always coming at you from the opposite direction.

There are times when I think there are some parallels to this situation when it comes to understanding and fully embracing our heritage of teaching biblical holiness. At times I think we’re gaining ground only to discover that it’s been more like climbing a sand dune where you take three steps just to slide back two.

Recently, I was visiting one of the corps in our Territory just to observe a group of cadets as they carried out their Sunday assignments. Their responsibilities included teaching the various Sunday School classes the corps conducted. Fine. So wanting to be the proverbial “fly on the wall,” I went from class to class, spending a few moments in each of them in order to get an overall sense of how each cadet was doing.

The last class I poked my head into was the Adult class, which wasn’t being taught by a cadet, but by the corps officer himself. The folks in the class were having a lively discussion with their captain about the topic of “sin.” From the level of involvement from those in the class, it was overwhelmingly evident that there was significant interest in the subject and how it applied to them. As he was addressing their statements and questions, the C.O. said, “…of course we know that we all sin, every day…” Now understand that this “insight” was tossed out in a manner that seemed to imply “no one would ever argue the point I’m about to share…”

(*Insert a deep sighing sound here…*) Would someone please tell me why there is this dogged insistence in the belief that even as Christians sin will always be something “out of our control,” or that we have no say in the matter? Just where is it written that we’ll always be “…slaves to sin?” Are you really asking me to go along with the idea that we have to sin? If so, then explain to me just where Christ’s sacrifice fell short or was somehow inadequate to address our condition.
[NOTE: Remember the story of the Methodist missionary asking the crowd at a Camp Meeting, “What sin do you have to commit today?" (see the posting entitled “got holiness?”) Man, I love that question!]

Maybe it’s time we blow the dust off our Wesleyan understanding of what sin is and isn’t.

It isn’t…
...an unintentional mistake.
...temptation.
...a temporary lapse of judgment.

It is... (in the words of John Wesley)
..."voluntary transgression of a known law of God"

So let’s be clear… Sin isn’t an “oops.” It’s not some kind of covered over hole you unknowingly fall into and wonder “man, how’d I get here?!”

Let me say this as plainly as I know how… As Salvationists – and thereby, Wesleyans – we believe the Bible teaches that sin is always a specific, deliberate, fully aware, conscious, intentional act of rebellion to what we know God asks or expects of us. It involves both our head and heart. In our minds, we purposefully choose to disregard what we know we should/shouldn’t do, while in our hearts, we muffle the prompting and/or warning of the Holy Spirit (you know the feeling I’m talking about, right? That unmistakable, gentle prodding or pricking of our hearts…) That being the case, there is no time when the sanctified believer has his arm twisted behind his back, figuratively speaking, and is forced to sin against his will. The truth of the matter is that we intentionally blow past every exit, and pay no attention to every possible escape in order to willingly embrace whatever the sin might be.

But, hallelujah! it doesn’t have to be that way!!

Now does the possibility to sin stay with us after sanctification? Yes. But there’s no requirement that we sin! You can check out your Bible from the index to the maps… It isn’t in there!

If you do want to talk “requirements,” however, let’s talk about the repeated requirement laid out in Scripture to not sin!

John 5:14 (NIV)
…Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

John 8:11 (MSG)
[Jesus said] "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."

Romans 6:1-2 (TLB)
Well then, shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Should we keep on sinning when we don't have to? For sin's power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered.

1 Corinthians 15:34 (NLT)
Come to your senses and stop sinning.

1 John 2:1 (NIV)
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.


Can it possibly be any plainer…?

Listen… Our God’s not a god who frustrates or teases us by putting the cookie jar out of our reach. He doesn’t expect what can’t be accomplished, nor does He command what can’t be completed. He hasn’t merely directed us to “stop sinning,” He’s made it completely possible for us to do exactly that – stop sinning.

So let’s settle this business once and for all, and let go of the devil’s lie that we are – and will always be – bound to sin. The Bible teaches otherwise, God requires otherwise, and through His Son’s sacrifice and the gift of His Spirit, our Father has made it possible for us to have all the power we need to say “no” to sin.

Keep your altar ready and your fire hot...!

Willis