COME UP HIGHER

REFLECTING TOGETHER WITH SUE HORNE
I was looking out of my kitchen window today, looking at the trees. I live in a first floor flat, so I consider this my bit of garden. The Catholic Church is only a few yards behind in the background and I can see very clearly the cross on the roof which is even higher. I’ve seen all the seasons go by from this little window. I have a robin who comes nearly everyday and has his special little routine. He always jumps on the lower branches of the bushes by the trees, then he gets braver and flies up to the wall and fence and stays a while, has a little sing and rests in the sunshine. Then again, he goes to the same tree but goes halfway up and stays a while. Then last of all he flies to near the very top and sings his song and turns as if surveying all of nature around him. He does this most of all in the season of winter to springtime, as the sun comes round more every few weeks and rises higher in the sky so does the robin.

Now, you may think isn’t that a nice story, or you may have no interest at all, but what is the Lord saying through this or to you?

I believe ‘He’ wants us to ‘come up higher’ to go deeper with ‘Him’. To know ‘Him’ in an even more deeper way, not just to ‘know Him’, but to really know Him and the depth of His love, His Power, His enabling, His authority and much more.

To have relationship with someone you need to get to know them, you need to get close to them. It takes time to know their personal ways and all about them.

Sometimes we need time to draw aside from the world, even a few minutes in a day, just to sit in God’s Presence, not asking for anything, not complaining, not telling Him our needs. Rest in Him, sit with Him, think about His goodness, think about His Grace, think of the depth of His Love and His desire to want to be with you. He will speak to you, answers to your prayers will come more easily, not necessarily in that moment, but as you are focusing on Him. He is already sorting things out, trust that He’s doing this.

He will take you to new levels in your life, and the ‘Peace of God’ that passes all understanding, will be very real in your life.

In the times we are living in, we need to know that there is security and an anchor stronger and more powerful than the worlds ways of systems. We’re living in a shaky time in every area of life, listen to Him, Jesus calling you, know Your Master, Your Friend, Your Hope.

You will be blessed and you can be a Blessing and a witness to others when the boat rocks, or your anchor becomes loose, but not only that you will be in a cocoon of His love and protection and care.

Love Him, as He loves you. Amen

THANKING GOD FOR THE PAST

The articles recently featured in Salvationist has drawn a lot of interest and people really encouraged by what has been shared. The following is an email received from a former ‘member’ of the church many years ago, now a retired Salvation Army Officer


Dear Captains,

I was thrilled to read of the work being done at the corps in the latest Salvationist.

I was a very new soldier when I came to the corps in 1956. That was when the hall was in the main town of Ashford. I was a student at Wye agricultural college, a few miles north. I used to either cycle in or travel in on my motorcycle. I remember being invited to a band practice one evening by bandmaster Stanley. I was put on the drum but couldn't seem to beat it at the right moment. At the end of the practice I remember he came to me and said "I think your talents lie elsewhere". We used to have an open air meeting every Sunday morning and I shall never forget the songster leader singing "Would you know why I love Jesus ?". He put his heart into the singing and it was very moving to hear him. I'm sure God used his singing to bless many folk even though we couldn't see them. Corps folk were very good to me and one family or another always used to invite me to their home for lunch and tea. After the holiness meeting we would have a Sunday school with crowds of children and then before the Salvation meeting an open air meeting on the High St. I used to sell the War Cry in the pubs and I remember having some of the people who eventually became the Joy Strings come to the corps and taking them round the pubs to sing. They were very happy days and, as I was new to the Army, the corps helped me learn what the Army was about in a very practical way. My wife and I are now retired, having served most of our lives in Africa in agricultural development work but I thank God for the witness of Ashford Salvationists those years ago.

Please remember me to the corps folk, though I rather doubt whether there will be any there who will remember me.

Paul Latham (Major)

SUNDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2008

Today was a very special day, and we thank God for it with all our hearts. This Morning we had a really full hall, and that was not just because we had International Visits. Some of the current session of the International College for Officers travelled from London to share worship with us, and one of the officers shared her testimony with us. The meeting included time for praise, worship, an all age presentation from Pam, and also opportunity for listening to God's Word and ministry to follow. Our senior leader, Ian, opened The Word among us. Following this the officers travelled to our church centre and shared a meal with our church leaders, and also some of our friends who attend Disciple College, but would need a lift, so we invited them too to make the day easier. Following this the senior leadership and church pastors and leaders met together for a Pastoral Care Council Meeting, and this was a really encouraging time as we shared what God was doing in our midst. The day concluded with DISCIPLE COLLEGE, which looked at healing and wholeness. About twenty five shared in this time, and God's Spirit touched the lives of many. We do thank God so much for today and the opportunity of being together in His Presence. That is never wasted!!!

FURTHER SHARING....

During a recent Home and Family Meeting, Jennifer Lowe was asked to testify about God’s Love in her life. The following is roughly what Jenny shared:-

Four years ago a friend of mine told me about the local Salvation Army and that they had a lunch club. So I went to see for myself. I found it was really friendly and had a good lunch, and an enjoyable time. In the afternoon we enjoyed the Home League meeting. Then I attended a Sunday service, and it was wonderful. Later I became a member of the church. In the past I really had not had a lot to do with religion. I never attended Sunday School, but had been to church a few times over the years. But I was not a Christian. I did believe in God, and always thought about there being a God.

Over the past four years, I began to read my Bible more and listen to everyone else, who spoke about God’s presence in their lives. I attended an Alpha course, and during this time had a vision and there was a Light, and I knew then that I wanted to follow Jesus for the rest of my life.

Before being a Christian, I was not a very nice person. I broken everyone of God’s commandments. I was always falling out with people. I was a nasty person. Now I have found faith, companionship, love, and a big loving God’s Family. I have learnt that you have got to get the relationship with God right, then everything will fall into place; that you should treat people as you should be treated or would like to be treated. There is so much love in our church, you can feel it all the time. Although, I say, I feel sorry for people who do not yet know God, but if they keep going it will happen to them.

Just keep having Faith, and also it helps you if you get together with other Christians, they will always help you to keep your faith.

TESTIMONIES CONTINUE

The following testimony has been shared with us by Gary Chittenden

In a few days it will be jans birthday.
It will be a special day for us both.
Two years have passed with no alcohol
It hasn’t been easy, there have been times I felt like a drink.
Having jesus and my family at the ashford salvation army corp has kept me going.
With the love and care from jesus and you ,it well exceeds anything else.
Thank you jesus and thank you to the family, I have been blessed with.
Jesus has stuck by my side ,and the family have been the light of christ.
In times of darkness, jesus and yourselfs have helped me to see.
Jesus I love you ,and I love you all.
Godbless. gary

SUNDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2008

Majors Beverley and Drew McCombe, officers on the staff at Divisional Headquarters in Maidstone, and also on the officer team at Chatham Salvation Army, were our guest speakers today. It was an exciting and encouraging day, as in the morning we shared in worship at the school, and were packed out, that knowing that so many were away on family commitments and work. It was great again to see new faces becoming regular faces, and some who have 'tried' a Sunday, trying another one. Radiate Worship Team led worship, and this included time for the use of Spiritual Gifts and Witness. This was a powerful time as some shared what God had laid on their hearts, others used gifts from The Spirit, and we knew God was there. Songs included Everlasting God, The Rising Sun, Jehovah is our Strength, Give thanks to the Lord our God and King, Faithful One, We have sung our songs of Victory. Major Drew brought The Ministry of The Word and spoke from Luke 4, and shared about finding FREEDOM in our lives from our prisons.

Disciple College held in the evening, saw about 20 attend, again good numbers considering a number were away, and we considered the journey that Peter took in his discipleship. Major Beverley shared the teaching, and helped us to understand that this journey brings us to different places at different times, but should lead us to the point of maturity and Holiness, as seen in Peter as he wrote his two letters. In response people were invited to walk that journey in prayer and find their place along that road. Worship, led by our senior leader Ian, included songs You servants of God, You are beautiful beyond description, We are standing on Holy Ground, The Rising Sun, and Above all Powers.

We Thank God for today as we do the amazing testimonies that people have shared about what God has doing, including today Gary sharing about two years of freedom from drink and deliverance! We also thank God for the encouragement we are knowing within the church community. Part of today too, was taken praying for our new family members, Mark and Emma Scott. More news on them as soon as possible

MARKET OUTREACH STALL

SATURDAY MORNING saw a number of the church family pitching at the local market and selling goods, as well as, of course, meeting the public. Over £100 was raised from this, and we are so thankful to all those who gave their time towards this, and in that too, Elsie who arranged the venture.

YOUTH RALLY

THE FLAME YOUTH CELL travelled on Saturday to the Territorial Youth Rally, held in Watford. The day included two 'meetings' plus of course opportunity to share in enjoyign music, challenges, ice breakers and so much more.

APPONTMENTS

The Following Announcements have been made in regards to changes that will take place in leadership from this summer:-

Ian and Susan Woodgate, currently senior leaders of the Ashford Salvation Army Christian Centre, have been appointed leaders of the Forestdale Salvation Army Church. Ian also holds an additional appointment of Divisional Mission Partner for New Expressions

Emma and Mark Scott, currently training for Salvation Army Officership at the William Booth college, have been appointed leaders of the Ashford Salvation Army
Please pray for all this concerns

WHATS LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

CAROL MONK shared the following thoughts during THE EVENT yesterday morning:- I have been asked to tell you about the difference God's love in me has made in my life, and is still making in my life. I thought I would start by finding out what love is. First I looked in a dictionary, and found this definition:- love is: affection, a strong liking, goodwill, benevolence, charity and devoted attachment to one of the opposite sex and passion. This is of course a worldly definition, so I looked in the Bible, in Corinthians chapter 13, and there Paul lists the things that love does and does not do, it says:- love is patient, love is kind, love is never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, love is not arrogant or rude, love does not demand its own way, love is not irratable or resentful, love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and love never fails. So, as GOD IS LOVE then He does or doesn't do these things.

I always thought that I was a Christian and that Jesus was in my life, and I thought that I was doing what God wanted me to do. In 2003 we had a change of officers and Ian and Sue came to lead us. Soon after they came I realised what being a Christian was all about, and that I had never really let Jesus in my life, and I started to go deeper and learnt about the Holy Spirit. In 2005 we had a retreat at the William Booth College in London. It was there that I really felt God speaking and telling me that I needed to change the way I was serving Him, so I gave my life to Him and told Him that I would change the way I was serving Him. This meant that I had to stop helping at the Kent Association for the Disabled Lunch club, and start help at our own community drop in, called GLOW. I found it very difficult, but after a lot of prayer I wrote and told them that I would not be going to the lunch club anymore, because I felt that God wanted me to do something else. Since I started doing what God wanted me to do, I really feel fulfilled in what I am doing. When I am making the tea and coffee, I can also talk to the people about their families and things that are going on in their lives, this is something I used to find very difficult before I gave my life to God and knew this love in me. I also found it difficult to testify in meetings. I knew what I wanted to say, but something seemed to stop me. Now I find it easier because God gives me the strength to do it.

Something that really needs changing in me is my temper. I am really trying with God's help to stop snapping at people when they upset me. God is changing me all the time, but many times I fail Him, by not doing what He wants me to do, or doing something which I know is wrong. But He is always there and forgives me, and gives me another chance. I would say, love has everything to do with it especially God's love, because we sometimes sing a chorus which says; God's Love is wonderful, So high you can't get over it, so low, you can't get round it, O wonderful love. So you can't get away from it!