Our CEO
Whose the boss… not only an 80s TV show, but an important question we ought to ask ourselves based on how Daniel lives his life.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Who is your Jesus?
Peter and Alison bring us a special Christmas Eve treat that focuses on 12 different perspectives of Christmas. The last of which is ours. Have a listen if you miss our Christmas Eve service.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Was Jesus poor and homeless?
Peter hits the question “was Jesus really poor and homeless.” It’s a solid preach and a lot of fun to think about it, don’t miss it.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Welcome!
Hey, it’s nice to see you. Well more like you seeing us, but you get the idea. Anyways, we are a bunch of folks who are sold out for Jesus, who love serving others, and don’t mind just hanging around listening to good music either. So why not after having surfed around our website, drop by some time. Here are a couple ways you can connect.
[Thursday] Cell Groups @ 9:45 am and 7:00 pm
[Friday] Teen Lounge and Crossfire Kids @ 7:00 pm
[Saturday] Prayer Night @ 7:00 pm
[Sunday] Worship and Celebration Gathering @ 11:00 am
www.pointful.ca | 250-383-6290 | info(at)pointful.ca | 949 Fullerton Ave
Jessica: The Past
C.S. Lewis, in the preface to his book The Great Divorce, wrote: “A sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot ‘develop’ into good. Time does not heal it. The spell must be unwound, bit-by-bit, ‘with backward mutters of dissevering power’ – or else not. It is still ‘either-or’. If we insist on keeping Hell (or even Earth) we shall not see heaven: if we accept Heaven we shall not be able to retain even the smallest and most intimate souvenirs of Hell.”
I am an avoider; I disassociate from events that I don’t want to think or talk about and I ignore pain and frustration until it gets to a dangerous bubbling point. I feel as though the truth of C.S. Lewis’ statement has revealed itself drastically in my life. When I ignore my sin or pain I am hurting myself. By allowing sin or it’s effects to exist in my life without healing and acceptance of God’s sovereignty then I am effectively cutting off a part of myself. Without looking at a particular situation and working through it, we can’t be whole. Jesus knows everything that we have done or ever could do; every sin that we have or will commit came upon him on the cross when he became sin in order to save us. He has no judgment or condemnation for us, on the contrary he desires to strengthen us so that we can revisit these occurrences in our lives and see where God is.
My father died when I was 17, and I carried the pain and confusion within me for two years. I could see the negative consequences of not working through it come out in outbursts of anger and frustration and intense doubt and disbelief in my spiritual walk. However, when I came to the War College I was finally able to ask Jesus to heal me of that tragedy in my life. He brought me comfort and closure and I am delivered from the anger towards both my earthly and heavenly fathers.
In your prayers one day, take 15 minutes and ask the lord to bring to mind a specific situation from your past. Imagine this situation in your mind and then ask Jesus where he is, what is happening and what he wishes to do with the situation. Trust Jesus to give you a true interpretation and to convict your heart of his reality. Pray about whatever he reveals to you and know that he came to give you life in the full.
—————————
Jessica is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Jessica will also be blogging with us for the next while. Jessica loves to read, study and learn theology. She is also an avid board game guru and loves to connect with friends over a good game.
Read Jessica’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Alberta: Finding shortcuts
Kierkegaard said that Christians reminded him of schoolboys who want to look up the answers to their math problems in the back of the book rather than work them through. I confess to such schoolboy sentiments, and I doubt that I am alone. We yearn for shortcuts. But shortcuts usually lead away from growth, not toward it. Apply the principle directly to Job: what was the final result of the testing he went through? As Rabbi Abraham Heschel observed, “Faith like Job’s cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.” Disappointment with God, Phillip Yancey, p.232
So for the past week I have been reading this book. It has been an intense read. A friend of mine has been recommending it to me all year, and it was on the book shelf in this house, so I figured what better time to read it but now. So much has stood out, many questions in my head, and has challenged me to new thoughts. Like this one that I have quoted. I can definitely say that I do want the easy way out, get me the shortcut! I was the schoolgirl who looked in the back for the answers. I thought I was beating the system, thinking I knew a special secret. Funny to find out that the teachers knew about this “secret shortcut.” Today I always want a shortcut, not wanting to endure the hard stuff; I say “It’s just too hard,” “I can’t do it!” and so on and so on. I really like the statement about shortcuts leading away from growth, not toward it, I fully agree. I desire growth, to change, be strong, holy, a good leader, and all good things. But they are not things that happen over night, and nothing like finding shortcut answers, but through the tough trials, being tested and having faith! Unshakeable faith!
Here is some scripture to chew on, it’s the scripture I am choosing to cling to for real truth and hope! I encourage you to examine yourself, are you taking shortcuts?
Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—————————
Alberta is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Alberta will also be blogging with us for the next while. Alberta wants to serve God with her whole life and loves penguins. She is passionate about people and loves connecting with new folks, drawing them closer to God.
Read Alberta’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Tasha: God of Justice
Watch this and read the lyrics and then talk to God about it.
What visions did you get from this? Does your life reflect this song?
God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord
–
Let Go & Let God
—————————
Tasha is High Point’s Music Director and leads our corporate worship during the Sunday Morning Gatherings. She is talented, passionate and has had her life transformed by God so that she now wants nothing more then to see the world won for God.
Read Tasha’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Jessica: In Christ
For Paul, “in Christ” was far more than a conventional way of signing a letter. It was the meaning of time, the focal point of history: it contained the explanation of the universe. God made the world, Paul said, and all that is in it, for Christ. The Father loves the world only in Christ, and the world returns the Father’s love only through Christ. He is the center of reality and the reason for it’s existence. Paul writes in Colossians 1: 16, ” by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth… all things were created by him and for him.”
If you ask yourself, “Why am I walking around this planet, why do I exist?” Paul says that you must answer, “we exist for the sake of Christ.”
If the whole cosmos were suddenly to become articulate, then from north to south, and east to west, the name of Christ would issue forth from the seas and the deserts. The pattering rain would tap out the name of Jesus. Jesus would be written in the skies by lightning. The storms would roar the name “Jesus Christ,” and the mountains would echo it back. The sun’s fierce nuclear furnace would blaze out: “The whole universe is full of Christ. He is the way, the truth, the life, the parable of the Father unraveling the riddle of existence.”
~~
These were the sermon notes in my bulletin from church a couple of Sundays ago. It was on being “In Christ,” taken from Colossians 1:9-22. Although I’m told that he had planned on preaching on the divinity of Christ, the Holy Spirit had other plans, and it turned into the most passionate charismatic service I have ever attended. It reminded me of the 3 hour sermons from the olden days when thousands of people would hear it and cry out in repentance.
“He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” When you feel like you can’t take any more, like your entire world is falling down around your ears and you can’t see any way out of the chaotic chore that is everyday life, look ahead to Christ. All things bow in submission to him and we are called to live a life worthy of him. You are created to glorify and be in communion with the one who has made peace through blood and has brought you from alienation and confusion, to stability and understanding. Rejoice! For the Father has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of the Son he loves!
—————————
Jessica is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Jessica will also be blogging with us for the next while. Jessica loves to read, study and learn theology. She is also an avid board game guru and loves to connect with friends over a good game.
Read Jessica’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Greg: Lost vs. Found
From a life time of experience as well as a lot of years working with people on the streets. I know, and have experienced first hand that if we do not bring into captivity every thought; we can go from innocence like my daughter to being addicted on the streets with the hope of Christ seeming so far away.
If you think like the world thinks, eventually you will act like the world acts. Unrestrained thoughts produce unrestrained actions. So control your thoughts by bringing them into obedience to the Scriptures.
Program your mind with the Word of God. The Word is spirit and it is life. When your mind is totally saturated with the Word of God, your will becomes strong to exercise authority to overcome every ungodly thought and evil habit.
I must admit that I have been struggling lately, and it is hard when you are attracted to someone, and things seem to be going south even at your best intentions. Last week I had a very close friend pass away from Hong Kong. Her name was Bheng L., and she was such a woman of God. At one time we were even contemplating devoting our lives to each other and serving God. That was several years ago when I was asked to go to the Philippines and Hong Kong to do ministry work. The amazing thing is that they still want me over there to help and are expecting such great works and faith from me, that I am not sure I am worthy of.
Through out the years we kept in touch on line and by phone. Last week I was on line chatting to Bheng when the server kept messing up so I signed off with out a good bye to Bheng. Two days later I received a phone call from Veihda saying that momsy (Bheng) had collapsed right after we were chatting and went into a deep coma. I tried to comfort Veihda by saying that momsy will be where the Lord wants her to and “Just think Veihda that if the Lord takes her, she will be in no more pain, have no worries, no more tears. She will be happy and with Jesus but we will have to deal with her death here after she is gone.” The sorrow, and pain of loss will be with us here still on this earth, to deal with, Jesus is walking right beside us, perhaps even carrying us.
A day or so later I got another call from Veihda saying that Bheng had passed away. She was crying so hard it was heart breaking. I still have the message on my phone and listen to it, but along with it comes guilt as to whether I could have done anything to help Bheng that last night we chatted. The guilt has been tremendous but I know the enemy is trying to influence my thoughts to make me crash and burn.
I would love to play this phone message to our congregation so that they can get the intenseness and sorrow of the call from my adopted daughter Veihda. It is hard to listen to and heartbreaking for me to hear the hurt in her voice.
Two other events that really touched my heart happened last week and not in a good way that left me feeling alone and empty, so I have been reaching out to brothers and sisters that I can count on and will not judge me or gossip.
With their prayers and help I have been taking captive those negative, depressing thoughts that made me cry out in pain as well as shed tears of sorrow. I keep going forward with the Armour Of God on with the protection of the prayers said on my behalf. I still feel l like crying at times, and am very sad still but I know that my christian family is there. This incident as well as another one that crushed my heart this week was a real struggle that I tried to block out with busy-ness and work but this time it did not work, and the thoughts never leave my head without prayer, and being around positive Christian friends that actually care and not just pretend to care. And I thank the Lord for them.
Don’t let Satan deceive you into sacrificing the glory of God in your life for a few moments of self-indulgence and sin. Restrain your thought life. Meditate the Word instead of selfish, carnal thoughts. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.
We can love someone and keep the innocence like my daughter. If we think like the world we will end up messed up, alone and desperate. Addicted, and dying because it is “Jesus or Hell”.
The quote “Jesus or Hell” I took from the wife of William Booth, our founder of the Salvation Army.
Gregory is a warrior for God who finds no greater pleasure than kicking satan back to hell and seeing the lives of those around him transformed because of it. He currently leads a cell group that meets in a coffee shop downtown before hitting the streets to pray with those who have found no other place to live.
Read Gregory’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Alberta: Fakers…
Last week I was reading Amos, and came upon this scripture, and was reminded of a song sung by the lead singer from Switchfoot. It is kind of intense, but we all need intense sometimes, brings truth and light to where it needs to be. Below are is some scripture, a video of the song and the lyrics to the song, be blessed! 
Amos 5:21-24
I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, [b]
I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
I hate all your show and pretense
The hypocrisy of your praise
The hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stomp on my ears when you’re singing ‘em
I hate all your show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
Your eyes are closed when you’re praying
You sing right along with the band
You shine up your shoes for services
There’s blood on your hands
You turned your back on the homeless
And the ones that don’t fit in your plan
Quit playing religion games
There’s blood on your hands
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
Let’s argue this out
If your sins are blood red
Let’s argue this out
You’ll be one of the clouds
Let’s argue this out
Quit fooling around
Give love to the ones who can’t love at all
Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
Stand up for the ones who can’t stand at all, all
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
I hate all your show
Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show
I hate all your show
—————————
Alberta is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Alberta will also be blogging with us for the next while. Alberta wants to serve God with her whole life and loves penguins. She is passionate about people and loves connecting with new folks, drawing them closer to God.
Read Alberta’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Peter: My First Recording
Digital technology has done a great deal for those with limited musical talent. Folks like myself for example. I can strum a few chords on the guitar, bust out a few notes on the piano, and bang out a rhythm or two on the drums, but by no means am I a grand musician.
I did however discover Garage Band on my Apple computer. I had been using it to record our sermons, but last week I decided to really put it to the test.
The following is my first hack attempt at recording a song (not my own). I sang a couple of parts, played a couple notes, busted out a couple of beats, and then put it all into the computer to see what it would sound like all at once. The one man band is certainly an easier gig to pull off as of late. Enjoy!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Cudos to Rich Mullins for writing this little 80′s masterpiece.
—————————
Lt. Peter Lublink is one two officers who oversee the Salvation Army’s work in Vic West and Esquimalt. He absolutely loves what he does, and can think of nothing more exciting then spending each and everyday serving God and serving others. In addition to loving the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, Peter loves to go for walks, watch great movies and has recently started gardening.
Read Peter’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
Jessica: Intimacy
I desire to be close to God, to know his heart and abide with him constantly. Intimacy is a close relationship with the King that is cultivated when we focus our attention on him and begin to listen to and obey his voice.
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:4-10)
I see this passage as a sort of “formula” for cultivating intimacy with the sovereign Lord. The only way that we as sinners can sincerely come into the presence of the Lord is in submission and by the overwhelming grace he gives to the humble. In this passage, becoming humble begins with a willful rejection of and opposition to the devil combined with and complemented by a deliberate choosing of God instead of sin. What is the devil in your life? In mine it’s a frequent spirit of defeat, pride and temptation. Scripture says that if we “resist the devil he will flee from you,” It’s a promise. He also recognizes that resisting the temptations of this world are not easy and that we do fail, which is why he gives us more grace.
Grace is the unmerited favor and love of God towards man. We don’t deserve it. Be encouraged that God is abounding in steadfast love for us; he wants us to draw near to him and become the people he has made us to be. He also promises that he isn’t going to stand apart from us as some distant God that waits for us to come to him, but he assures us that as we draw near to him, as we strive to be in his presence, to hear his voice, he does the same for us. Song of Songs 4:9 says “You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace”. We, with one simple act of worship and submission, captivate him.
When we do stumble and fall, he asks us to come near to him, to wash our hands, and purify our hearts: to repent. Repentance is an act of humble submission to God that includes a choice to resist the devil and to draw near to God, as well as a commitment to moral purity both externally and internally and a genuine remorse for one’s sin. Sin is birthed in our hearts, we choose to sin internally before any outward deviance can occur and this is why we must purify our hearts through repentance, and transform our hearts into the likeness of Christ by never turning away from God’s presence, will, and love for us.
This passage gives three promises from God: the devil will flee from you, God gives us grace, and he will come near to us. It is only through recognition of our own state as sinners, rejection of all things that are not from God, and reliance on God’s grace that we are able to submit to God and draw near to him in order that we might live full and abundant lives.
—————————
Jessica is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Jessica will also be blogging with us for the next while. Jessica loves to read, study and learn theology. She is also an avid board game guru and loves to connect with friends over a good game.
Read Jessica’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Alberta: In Love
Love is on my mind; now now hold your horses…no significant other thinking! I mean the more eternal love that’s important to my life now. I have really been focusing and meditating on Gods love for me. I am seeing how essential it is to recognize and receive the love the Lord has for me. So I spend a lot of my prayer time decreeing his love for me, and crying out for true revelation of it.
I also want to love God with all there is of me to love. Letting my love for God be my motivator, how I operate and function. I feel like this is a time of loving God with all of me, putting much focus on it.
Heres a song I know and it’s my prayer these days…..
I don’t want to talk about You like You’re not in the room
I want to look right at You I want to sing right to You
I believe that You are listening
I believe that You move at the sound of my voice
Give me dove’s eyes
Give me undistracted devotion for only You
So my word for all who reads this, God loves you sooo much! Receive it, believe it, and know it! And Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-38
—————————
Alberta is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Alberta will also be blogging with us for the next while. Alberta wants to serve God with her whole life and loves penguins. She is passionate about people and loves connecting with new folks, drawing them closer to God.
Read Alberta’s blog every week on Pointful.ca.
Peter: H20 and Gone Wild
This week we start another round of H20 discussion classes which we are pretty excited about. Couple big changes in that area though.
First it’s the War College Students running it – not us.
Second, it’s no longer at the church, but held at a local cafe with coffee and desserts. Going to be sweet. It starts tomorrow, so if you are not connected in yet, check out the Gatherings Tab in the menu to your right, and be sure to be there. Olde World Cafe at 7:30.
Also coming this weekend is our new series on 1 Corinthians: Christians Gone Wild. It’s also in the menu to your right, so be sure to check that tab as well. Lot’s happening this week, all in all, lots to look forward to.
—————————
Lt. Peter Lublink is one two officers who oversee the Salvation Army’s work in Vic West and Esquimalt. He absolutely loves what he does, and can think of nothing more exciting then spending each and everyday serving God and serving others. In addition to loving the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, Peter loves to go for walks, watch great movies and has recently started gardening.
Read Peter’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
Tasha: Break the Chains
There are so many things I want to blog about…. like the fact that I live in the best house ever! There is ALWAYS something brilliant goin down. Sometimes we have a house full of people for no reason, other times me and my roomies (Peter & Alison) have a random sing song time, and the rest of the time its full of lots of great meaningful discussions with loads of humor. God has truly blessed me with this home… and God has blessed them with me! 
just kidding
So as some of you may know, Im a smoker… or was a smoker. Im going on 2.5 days now with NO nicotine in my system! (This is being written on a tuesday keep in mind) Iv tried many times before to quit, longest I went was 5 days…Im trying to beat that with the rest of my life… pray for me?
Im also very blessed for all the support I have around me. My friends haven’t just helped me with quitting smoking, but they have helped me with my walk with God and they have helped me with how I spend my time.
God has been making big changes in my life, but thats only because I am letting him and following his direction. Its weird because I always tell myself that its so hard to hear God, but its really not. What is hard is being able to put down the walls I put up to block out the answers I fear to hear from him. For example…
Last Tuesday I went for a really long walk, one that lasted all day. I only had one smoke that day when I usually smoke a pack. I was so proud of myself and I felt really good physically. The next day was back to work. In the 6 hours I was there I had smoked 20 cigs! I was so upset with myself all day. After work I went to church for a meeting and after, the girls asked if I wanted to walk home with them and I said no because I wanted to stay inside the church walls where I felt really loved by God. I wondered upstairs where a worship band was practicing and Alison followed. She sat beside me and asked if everything was ok and I said not at all. So we went into another room where I just broke down. I ended up going to the prayer room where I fell to my knees and begged God to fill me up to the point where there was absolutly no room for anything else. I prayed for a while and have you ever asked God a question and in the middle of asking God gives you a very clear answer? Well I have and my question was “God am I even worthy to work for you right now?” (I have a full time position working for God starting July 2nd if you are wondering what all this means) God replied with yes, if I get myself out of the surroundings that are causing me to fall and to spend from now until then in deep prayer getting spiritually ready. So then I was like “are you sure? What am I going to do for money in the following 2 weeks?” Then I realized I get payed this week and I will have enough to survive off of for the time being. So the next day I went into work and quit my job. My last day was the following day after that. Since then I have noticed a huge difference in everything there is to me. I have had a total of 5 smokes in 4.5 days…4 of which were in one day.
Obviously I have noticed the physical differences of not smoking which is great, I have had loads of energy (pray for the Lublinks hahah) But not just the smoking, I have been spending a lot of time with God, way more than I usually do and I emotionally and spiritually feel 100Xs better and I have only been around amazing people who truly care and love me and who keep me away from trouble.
God is real good to you if you let him in. Balls in your court. Just think of the pros and cons of everything in your life, then eliminate what you know God wants you to take out, thats the hard part… but the results are truly rewarding and honestly pretty fast.
I challenge you to eliminate one thing in your life right now that is or could be holding you back from doing what God wants you to do.
—————————
Tasha is High Point’s Music Director and leads our corporate worship during the Sunday Morning Gatherings. She is talented, passionate and has had her life transformed by God so that she now wants nothing more then to see the world won for God.
Read Tasha’s blog every Friday morning on Pointful.ca.
Jessica: Little Christs
Any worthy member of a group named after a particular leader must adhere to that leader’s teachings. For example, a Marxist is someone who accepts the teachings of Karl Marx. We are Christians, literally “little Christ”; claiming this title means making Jesus the authority by which we conduct our lives. It means obedience to that which Jesus commanded: to love your neighbor as yourself.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Christian as “one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ or lives the lifestyle based on the life and teachings of Jesus; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.” Christianity is a way of life, a kind of behavior, a style of living. It is not a static statement anyone can simply declare and not live out, to do so insults not only the Christian faith but also the leader to whom they are declaring allegiance. Christianity is not meant to be an isolated individual experience, it is meant to be a communal lifestyle of love and unity.
The trinity is such a central belief in Christianity because it demonstrates God’s will for communal interaction. God recognized Adam’s loneliness and gave him wholeness and happiness in another person. Loving the Lord “your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength,” may start as an action expressed vertically between yourself and God, but continues in a vertical spill onto everyone around you.
One thing that I have learned in The War College is that being around people all the time, being vulnerable and open, is not an easy thing. But once I stopped feeling this need to be something, to please people, to have it all together, I realized that I am loved no matter what. A friend once told me “to be fully loved, you must be fully known.” That’s why God loves us more than anyone else in the world, because he knows every secret, every hope, every fear, every moment of humiliation and depravity. The weird thing is that we all seem to have this messed-up idea in our heads that people only want to know us and be our friends if we have it all together; so we strive to conceal our disappointments and failures, our deepest desires, just so that we can cling to these just-as-shallow friends. This is not what Jesus taught. Jesus taught us to love with clear abandon for oneself. He cried in front of disciples, he brought them to parties, he washed their feet, he showed them the true extent of his love by dying on the cross. He wants us to be open and forgiving towards one another in love and worship to our heavenly Father.
As Christians, if we are not following Jesus’ example and carrying out the Father’s will, then we should not carry the title.
—————————
Jessica is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Jessica will also be blogging with us for the next while. Jessica loves to read, study and learn theology. She is also an avid board game guru and loves to connect with friends over a good game.
Read Jessica’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
Greg: Unbelievable
Last Monday on our Street Stomping night it started off a bit different as we had a 72 year old Japanese man that actually took a bus down from Duncan because he had heard of what we were doing on the streets, and wanted to experience it as the Lord was chasing him in a unique kind of way.
We all met at my office (Star bucks) on Government and Yates street in Victoria. A total of 6 street stoppers started out and b 4 the night was over we had gained a few fans and run the spiritual gantlet on the mean streets on Victoria.
As we left the office and started down towards the wailing wall I was getting a big check in my spirit about going right down there and so I decided to move out group on down towards street link. I had an uneasy feeling tonight like I have never had before so I was on an extra alertness for my brothers and sisters.
I received a phone call to look out for a brother in the Lord that was having a hard time with his addiction, and was supposed to be in the area. As we hit Street Link there was not a lot of people, but suddenly we were surrounded by the enemy using these addicts to confront us in an aggressive way. At the same time the person we were looking for from the phone previous phone call showed up with his girl friend right being him trying to get him in the car.
Now it gets a little complicated and fast as the brother that was using confronted one of our street fighters wanting the $100 dollars that was owed him and needing drugs a “No, you get no money right now because you are using” was out of the question. As I stood between them saying there will be no violence here, “At all” the name calling and demands for $100 went on, and on, until the one brother that was street stomping with me gave in and coughed up the $100, but. mot until he said ” In Jesus name get in the F——- car” just then all hell broke loose, every addict on the street started cursing us christians out and I could see fear in the eyes of my brothers and sisters.
I called everyone together and crossed the street out of immediate danger so I could get control of the situation. I gathered everyone in a circle and prayed, then I said “Ok lets gat right back across the street and retake this corner for the Lord”, and we did, Sarah started singing, so we all joined in and prayed some more with the praise and worship. Soon several of the addicts came to us, some crying, saying “Thank You guys so much, what you are doing here is so awesome, you guys are unbelievable” We knew it was all the Lord giving us the courage to dive right back into the middle of danger for His victory.
As we left there we prayed for John as were were walking down Fisgard towards Government street and John gave his life to Jesus. Nice ending to an eventful evening . We ended the night up at QV’s for coffee and desert.
Next week who knows what the Lord has in store for us. All I want is His will for us to be done and that He use me as He sees fit.
Gregory is a warrior for God who finds no greater pleasure than kicking satan back to hell and seeing the lives of those around him transformed because of it. He currently leads a cell group that meets in a coffee shop downtown before hitting the streets to pray with those who have found no other place to live.
Read Gregory’s blog every Wednesday Morning on Pointful.ca.
Alberta: Steadfast
It’s been one week. Time seems to go so fast. A new word in my vocabulary is steadfast. I was encouraged to be steadfast in the last month of war college, and it was confirmed through scripture and my times the Lord. So it was a word I have taken to heart.
I looked up steadfast it means: –adjective
1. fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2. firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3. unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.
4. firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.
5. firmly fixed in place or position.
Some cool scriptures relating to the idea about bring steadfast and to desire it are these, Psalm 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 2 Chronicles 27:6 (NIV) Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.
So what’s the point? Well I figure my steadfast lifestyle should not stop in Vancouver. So I have resolved to continue to be steadfast. The first week I put my all in, I am confident if I were to put my week in a box and seek the King on the throne He would be pleased as well. (I once was told to judge a homework assignment in War College like that) My week consisted of a lot of walking and trying real hard to make relationships and meet people. It is not easy, I guess that’s okay, but I hope I start seeing some success soon. One thing that I accomplished this week was consistently doing my rations (personal devotions) and spending time in the prayer room here. I am really excited about the word, and relying solely on Gods love. So this is my goal, my focus, my desire, so I will continue to run this race!
Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
—————————
Alberta is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Alberta will also be blogging with us for the next while. Alberta wants to serve God with her whole life and loves penguins. She is passionate about people and loves connecting with new folks, drawing them closer to God.
Read Alberta’s blog every Tuesday morning on Pointful.ca.
Jessica: Who I am
Well, I guess that everyone who is reading this blog right now is thinking, “Whom is this strange new girl posting amazing/thought-provoking/ hopefully-not-dreadfully-dull entries?” Hello There! My name is Jessica Walker and I attend The War College, which means that I spent the past 9 months living in a slum hotel making friends and neighbors with the homeless, poor, drug-addicted, and prostituted. I am now in the phase of the War College know as Summer Placement, basically a practicum where we are shipped to a random, secret location for 2 months in order to put into practice everything that we have learnt these past months. As you probably gathered, I have been stationed in Victoria BC, at High Point Corps (YAY!!!).
I grew up in a Christian home with 2 older sisters, my Mom and Dad, and a whole whack of pets (hamsters, cats, dogs, guinea pig, turtle, ducks, ferret, birds…). When I was 10 my pastor was fired and the majority of families left in protest. We came to the Salvation Army in Abbotsford, but I was in no way accepting of it as my new church family. Until I was 16, I lived my life separate from Christ: dabbling in the occult, lust, drinking, and gossip for the most part. Then I had this intense moment of intimacy with the Almighty at Camp Sunrise, and I was changed. I began professing that I was a Christian in my school, stopped encouraging and enabling the sin in my life, and got connected with a listening prayer group at my corps. Probably my greatest achievement in High School was being asked by my principle to pray before the meal at my Prom (in front of my entire graduating class and the faculty of a secular school).
Coming to the War College has seriously brought out the “Keener” in me, I can’t get enough theology teaching, I relish inductive bible studies, and I actually enjoy homework… You may call me a nerd; I call it loving the Lord with my entire mind. I love card games and am highly competitive in a game called Dutch Blitz.
My purpose in life is to love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength. My deepest desire is to glorify God with every fiber of my being. I want to immerse myself in the Word and abide in Christ for the rest of my life, while I share with other believers the fragments of God’s vastness that he so chooses to reveal to me.
—————————
Jessica is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Jessica will also be blogging with us for the next while. Jessica loves to read, study and learn theology. She is also an avid board game guru and loves to connect with friends over a good game.
Read Jessica’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
Alberta: Who I am
I am not sure what an opening line in a first blog should be, but I guess this is mine. I am Alberta Rockstar, currently from the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver. I am in The War College. In The War College there is a summer placement included. So I am here for the summer at High Point rocking it out with the Lublinks and the rest of their corps and community. I am eager and excited to get involved here.
I am 22; I am freshly 22 because I just had my birthday. That is important because my birthday is my favorite day of the year, and I like to think and celebrate it for a while! I am actually from Maine in the states. I have lived there most of my life. I am a first generation Salvationist, but have been going to my home corps since I was like 6, so most of my life. I grew up loving the Lord, it was my choice to go to church, and I always remember simply believing in God and the things that I learned. So there’s no big conversion story, just simple faith in Jesus, and me growing more as years have gone on.
I love hanging out with people. Simply laughing uncontrollably is my favorite thing to do. I am discovering more and more my love for art, looking at it and making it. I enjoy cooking, I really like the artistic side of it making it pretty and presentable like on the food network. The ocean is my favorite thing of creation; I am very glad being in Victoria doesn’t separate me from it but brings my closer!
My favorite verse is Romans 12:2. It says: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. I have clung to this verse since high school, through all kinds of situations and times of life. It has been a really good focus to have and continue to have.
Well stay tuned for the Alberta Adventures, because important fact I am an adventurous girl!
—————————
Alberta is one of two War College Students stationed to The Salvation Army High Point for the summer. Aside from her work in the community, Alberta will also be blogging with us for the next while. Alberta wants to serve God with her whole life and loves penguins. She is passionate about people and loves connecting with new folks, drawing them closer to God.
Read Alberta’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
Peter: On Life
It’s almost exactly a year ago this past weekend that Alison and I were commissioned as officers in The Salvation Army. And what a ride it has been. As one would expect there have been lots of beautiful moments. Moments like dedications (babies and adults) that are memorable and wonderful, kettles which were an absolute blast, renovations that despite being tons of work brought our community together. Yes it’s been a good 11 months. Of course there are always the tough moments, where you come across people who simply can’t be pleased. But every day I seem to find more good then bad, and every day seems better than the one before it.
Take this weekend for example.
Friday we had our youth cafe and got to celebrate the birthday of one of the neighborhood kids. It was awesome to be apart of.
Then Saturday I had some amazing helpers help me do work in the garden, then I attended Buccaneer Days in downtown Esquimalt and talked to a ton of people about Jesus, then headed for the ferry to pick up our War College students. (We’ll post their bios later this week, so check back tomorrow.)
And then yesterday marked the kick off to our month long Big Give Challenge at High Point. That in addition to the beautiful worship as a community. From kids praying and waving flags, to the honesty of the adults and the power of God, to the simple fact that I got to sub in as the electric guitarist for the day. It was a great morning. Then after church I shared in a class with some new eager soldiers, enjoyed watermelon at our friends’ new house, helped a homeless guy get some new gear and then watched a movie with 7 other people in our basement. I love life. God is good.
It is truly amazing to be apart of this community, and one of the coolest things is that I get to see God at work in the lives of many, each and every day. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.
—————————
Lt. Peter Lublink is one two officers who oversee the Salvation Army’s work in Vic West and Esquimalt. He absolutely loves what he does, and can think of nothing more exciting then spending each and everyday serving God and serving others. In addition to loving the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, Peter loves to go for walks, watch great movies and has recently started gardening.
Read Peter’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
Tasha: Hope vs. Hopeless
It’s hard to accept, but you can’t change the past. You can’t go back and manipulate things to the way you wanted them to happen. Because life’d be meaningless and boring and just not worth living. But you can change the future and that’s a beautiful thing about life. Yes, you will make mistakes. And yes, you will have bad days – but as long as you let the past go, you’ll have such a gorgeous and bright future ahead of you. Knowing that things were meant to happen. Knowing that each day you will learn something so that you keep growing to be a better person. Life is like a rope, twined in all its complexities and yet weaved into one marvelous stream that you have the chance you use something amazing from. So grab hold of it. (QUOTE)
We talk like we know what’s going on. But we don’t. We don’t know anything. We’re young and we’re gonna screw-up a lot. We’re gona keep changing our minds and even sometimes our hearts. And through all that, the only thing we can truly offer eachother is… forgiveness. (QUOTE)
For example take my life, one of my best friends Nicole Brindle wrote a blog about me and my past yet who I have become today. Check it out…
———
When I get hopeless, I remind myself of people like Tasha, and I find hope.
I met Tasha when she was like 12, but we began our friendship about three years after that. After a messy breakup and moving out on her own, Tash was left hurting and broken. I won’t put out details, but I’m sure if you asked she would love to tell you her testimony. When I moved to Victoria I met a very sweet and fun girl, but I also met someone who had been damaged. We became friends right away and I cannot explain in words the love I have for her. I was in Victoria for my summer assignment with The War College (see http://www.thewarcollege.com/) and moved back to Vancouver. The plan wasn’t to come back to Victoria, but 9 months later there I was. I came back to a Tasha who had given up. Who was hurting so bad you could see it all over her. She tried to put a smile on, and looked beautiful doing it, but if you knew Tash, you knew she was hurting. Over the next few months I saw Tasha fall hard. She kept falling and falling and I kept loving her and loving her. At times I thought she was going to die, and I would cry out to the Lord to rescue her, but it seemed the more I did that the further she went. Addictions began to rule her life, and I joined in with the Father weeping bitterly for her return. Six months later, after an attempt to reunite with her dad failed, she found herself homeless and more broken then ever. This is when she moved in with me. Those were some of the best days of my life, and some of the hardest and most trying too. Our friendship was on the rocks. Addiction, lying and rebellion were Tasha’s masters. It hurt so bad watching the enemy grab her, and hold her and lure her away. Things got pretty bad and we had to ask her to leave. I still don’t know if this was for the best. I thought our friendship was over for sure and it grieved me so much. That lasted a week.
No matter how much I prayed, how much people tried to help her, she was so entangled in the enemy’s lies and schemes, I honestly lost all hope she would ever return to Christ. I wrote a song for Tasha. It is based on the parable of the Prodigal Son. Maybe I’ll even record it and post it as a gift for Tash, for now check out the lyrics.
She was with him, and asked may I go.
He said yes, but take my blessing with you.
So off she went on her own and treated his gift like dirt.
Now she is out there lost and is so hurt.
The Father says, I’ll welcome you, so come to me.
She is so far away so far away is she.
She is so far away so far away.
The Father says, I welcome you, come to me.
He sees her in the distance and begins to prepare.
He gets out his finest wine and sets her place.
He puts on his finest robe and he waits.
The Father says, I welcome you, so come to me.
As she approaches he runs to her.
He wraps his arms around her neck and his tears wet her hair.
The Father says, I’ve welcomed you, please stay with me.
When I wrote this song, Tasha was in the second verse. Hurt, lost, alone, scared and so far away. The final verses were sung prophetically for her. (I don’t want to give away the punch line of this post, but I think it’s safe to assume it has a happy ending. I now rejoice that Tasha’s life more reflects the last verse of the above song.)
Around this time I hit a pretty hard rock bottom in my life. Long story short (and I don’t want to take Tasha’s thunder away either) things got pretty bad for me that I had to quit my job and move back to surround myself with community.
July 1st 2007 marks the day I moved. Praise God it doesn’t mark the day Tasha and I stopped being friends. I still consider Tasha one of my closest friends and I am blessed beyond measure in that. The next year and a half Tasha went through many more trials. More messy relationships, more moving, more rejection. I longed to be with Tasha holding her close, but distance separated us this time.
Like I said, I had lost a lot of hope in Tasha returning to Christ. I don’t mean that to sound terrible. The entire time I still loved Tasha, I still prayed for her, I still trusted the Lord to save her but I couldn’t see it.
Yet now, Tasha continues to surprise me with her ever increasing wisdom and ever increasing faith. She has abandoned many idols in her life. She is running forward into the arms of Christ. Now when I talk to her she always talks about how good God has been to her, how she is getting freer daily. She is being discipled by fabulous people. She is Highpoint Corps music directer. Tasha brings me great joy and great hope. When days look bad, and when I see people I love fall down over and over, I remind myself of people like Tasha and my hope is restored.
If you identify yourself with Tasha’s story or the girl in the video keep running to Christ. Keep pressing you in. He is longing for you to come home.
Mood: Disapointed
Listening to: Peter playing electric
—————————
Tasha is High Point’s Music Director and leads our corporate worship during the Sunday Morning Gatherings. She is talented, passionate and has had her life transformed by God so that she now wants nothing more then to see the world won for God.
Read Tasha’s blog every Friday morning on Pointful.ca.
Greg: Demons
One night this week at my work with the ARC (Salvation Army Addictions Recovery Centre) I came back down the the front lobby after doing my bed checks at 00:15 am. As I was leaning on the front counter talking to my co-worker through the glass I seen what I thought was still a demon possesd man, with no shirt coming through the front doors. This guy had one eye, was foaming at the corners of his mouth like a rabid animal looking straight at me, coming right for me.
This was my second encounter with this demon, the first being when my good friend in the Lord, Michelle T, and I were on the streets talking about Jesus with Sarah, and Russ.
After we had met in my office which is StarBucks on Yates and Government streets we walked down Yates street towards the wailing wall, when on the corner we ran into this man who was under the influence. We stopped and I asked him what was up and if he needed some help when he started cursing and swearing violently because we wanted to pray for him. I asked him to watch his mouth no matter what he thought because of the girls. He settled for a bit but was very attracted to the light of Jesus in Michelle T, as everyone was. There was something about this girl that people were attracted to. Jesus walked with her in that way. As I tood behind this raving demon posseds man that hated Jesus I caught Michelle’s attention and mouthed to her “Ask him if we can pray for him” He agreed when asked by Michelle so we all prayed for him and he eventually told us of the hurt within him because he had not seen his daughter for so long. He turned to drugs and alcohol opening up the door to all kinds on unGodly spirits, and on this night they were manifesting themselves in the form of anger and cursing towards all of us except Michelle T.
So we prayed for him and went our on our ways to the means streets of Victoria, and to who we could pray for next.
I had not seen this guy until tonight and now I was face to face with him again expecting the worst. He took one look at me and said “Gregory is that you,” I think I said in great surprise “Why yes it is” I said not knowing how he knew my name. He smiled at me through all the foam in the corner on his mouth, came running over, gave me a filthy hand to shake and started hugging me expressing how happy he was to see me.
I was so surprised I did not know what to say. Instead of this demon possessed raving lunatic, here now was a man grateful and full of the love of the Lord hugging me. I said “wow, you look so happy, how are you doing and where is your shirt. dude” He did not exactly say where his shirt was but I found him a nice shirt that fit him. He was so happy with his new shirt that he shook my hand over and over. I was smiling and so surprised I did no know exactly what to do.
It was then that the two officers came in, called him by name and asked him where he just came from because apparently he was in an altercation around the corner and had his shirt torn off. Reluctantly he fessed up to the police looking at me for back up. I nudged him in the direction of co-operation, and after he told the cops what happened he left with them, not angry but still smiling thanking me for his shirt.
WITH THE LORD, ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED, BECAUSE ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE AND NOBODY, BUT NOBODY IS OUT OF THE REACH OF HIS LOVE AND MERCY.
Gregory is a warrior for God who finds no greater pleasure than kicking satan back to hell and seeing the lives of those around him transformed because of it. He currently leads a cell group that meets in a coffee shop downtown before hitting the streets to pray with those who have found no other place to live.
Read Gregory’s blog every Wednesday Morning on Pointful.ca.
Peter: The New Uniform
I love uniforms. Growing up I can remember my mother making me a Peter-sized flight suit complete with name tag and hat. I was so excited. As the years went on my love for uniforms continued as I would make regular trips to the Military surplus store, even to the point of decorating my room as though it were a military bunker. (I know, a bit overboard.)
I think a lot of that came with me when I joined The Salvation Army. I saw it as a radical and revolutionist movement and so was always excited at the possibilities the uniform had. As I read more and more about our early roots I saw that many soldiers made their own uniforms. I always remember seeing one guy in the old pictures who had the words, “Happy Bill saved and free” written on his tunic. Classic!
We were (and are) indeed a rag tag bunch. Reminds me of the Vietnam War protesters in the 70s who converted old military uniforms and used them to speak peace against the war-mongers of their day. Some how they converted a symbol that was understood to represent violence into a symbol of peace and love, maybe it was the patches, but I suspect the long hair and jeans that were paired with the army jackets helped a great deal.
Then there were the uniform variations around the world. I can remember seeing pictures of my great-grandfather wearing a uniform that looked nothing like the ones I saw on Sunday but included a turban and traditional Indian Garb. What an amazing ability to adapt to surrounding cultures.
As an officer I have attended events presided over by royalty, politicians and other high brow functions and what better places to wear the older formal uniform. But the majority of my days are not spent rubbing shoulders with others in suits and formal uniforms, so as a Salvationist I have had to step into our heritage of adaptation.
I also have realized that very few of the current generation recognize the older uniform as Salvation Army. More often then not I am confused for a pilot. Perhaps because no where on the men’s uniform (outside of the rarely worn forge caps) are the words, “The Salvation Army” to be found. Probably the only uniform in the world with no logo or emblem, unless you are my Sergeant-Major and you have over-sized crests on your tunic.
The only other option I saw available was the golf shirt and khakis look. And while certainly appealing to a middle-class, middle-aged demographic, it did not connect with what I saw as the underlying vision of The Salvation Army.
And so with very little options to choose from I have over the years found myself engaging in our Salvationist tradition of creating my own uniforms – from reused military jackets, to epaulette shirts to big graphic tees sporting the red shield. I also had the privilege of working with The Salvation Army’s foremost fashion designer, Sharon Hann, on a recent project taking some of my own projects and injecting her creative juices. (Coopercoinarts.com)
The Army stumbled across one of the most powerful tools for mission. Before Gap and Old Navy stumbled across the power of branding, we were wearing our story on our sleeve. So if you are soldier – soldier up. Make your own gear, sew on a patch, make it your testimony and then get out there.
—————————
Lt. Peter Lublink is one two officers who oversee the Salvation Army’s work in Vic West and Esquimalt. He absolutely loves what he does, and can think of nothing more exciting then spending each and everyday serving God and serving others. In addition to loving the opportunity to introduce people to Jesus, Peter loves to go for walks, watch great movies and has recently started gardening.
Read Peter’s blog every Monday morning on Pointful.ca.
