Echoes and Memories

This blog is not about Bramwell Booth (he wrote a book called Echoes and Memories which is used sometimes in college), it is about Rhonda Hayes! Tonight I have been a bit bored and found myself googling "Fraggle Rock". This was a kids TV programme when I was small. I used to avidly watch every episode of this programme. I went a school called 'Castle Rock', and we got called Fraggles because of this. Whilst Googling this, I came across another favourite programme from my programme. This was "Button Moon". I surprised myself when talking about Button Moon, because 20 years later I can remember the theme tune, and could remember Characters names, and what happened in the story!

This has now got me thinking about what a good tool memory is. We are able to remember necessary things, and also useless things. We remember all the time. Our Creator God is totally amazing. He has made us all perfect, and also unique. I also know that people have bad memories of things, but we are also given the tools to deal with this in whatever way is best for us.

The Mocked Prophet.

The Bible makes me laugh sometimes. I’m not sure if I should really be laughing at God’s holy word, but this story really made me laugh. It’s in 2 Kings 2:23-25. “Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!” Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them. From there Elisha went to Mount Carmel and finally returned to Samaria.” It’s really good having such an extensive range of books at the library at the Training College. We have a lot of bible commentaries, and after reading a few of these say that this story illustrates that you shouldn’t mock God’s prophets. This reminds me of when I worked in a supermarket before I got married. Sometimes people would ridicule me. Not for my beliefs or anything, but as a joke. I used to laugh along with them but never cursed them as Elisha did, but something bad would always happen to them after they had ridiculed me! Am I a prophet???

Bible Revelation

I have grown up with parents who were (and still are) members of The Salvation army. I start with this comment because I am going to inflict you with my latest revelation. And also because it is less boring than starting with my next sentence.

I went to the British Museum on Saturday. I don't know much about this museum except that it is in London and is free entry. But beware of the coffee shop which is VERY expensive! Anyway, back to the revelation of mine. In the British museum there is an exhibition on Egypt and artifacts gathered from the palaces there. Within this collection there is actual stone decoration taken from the palace of Sennacherib. This man has a mention in the Bible in 2 Kings 17 (I looked this up this afternoon when I should have been listening to a sermon in college). The revelation is this, that the Bible is not just a manual for living, it is also a history book! It talks about people and events that can actually be proven to have happened.

This revelation might not be that exciting to most other people, but I am blown away by this. I was brought up to believe that the Bible was a guide book for living. I had never been told that stories and events could be proven. I was happy in my blind faith. I was happy to believe in the truths behind the stories. I am still finding it difficult to actually picture Jesus as a real man, even though I believe that he was, but I am working on this.

Life Goes On

Christmas this year has been interesting. I did some carroling on Oxford Street in London for the Training College, and also helped out Poplar Corps with carols at Canary Wharf and our local market. Christmas isn't Christmas with playing carols in a small band!

My thoughts have been centred around the less peaceful images of Christmas. Because Jesus was born (and Herod didn't want Him), a whole generation of babies were murdered in the hope that Herod had got the right baby. Another of these images in my mind is of Mary, the unmarried mother of the Christ child. Because of her obedience to God she became an outcast in society. Some sources even state that she ran the risk of being stoned to death because of being an unmarried mother. Why did God choose her if He knew that she would be put in such a position? It may be her willingness to obey God. Also, Prophecies state that the Messiah would be born of a Virgin.

And now onto the nice things about Christmas! Christmas day was spent at the Army doing all kinds of things. I totally loved the day. We had around 100 (or so Bram said) people. We ran out of tables in the main hall and so had to set one up in the lounge. I had loads of good, positive conversations with only one moan. Although my moan is that I was called "Major"! I'm not even out of College yet!

Then Boxing Day I went to my brothers house and spent some time with him, his wife, and my niece. I loved singing to her and making her smile.

The day after Bram and I went shopping with my Dad in Coalville town centre. It just seemed so surreal. It was like people had forgotten that Christmas had only been 2 days ago. Life went on as normal for them. Has Christmas changed me? In some ways it has, but I am being changed every day into what God wants me to be.

Childhood Memories

As I was driving home yesterday, out of nowhere I started to sing a song that we sang in the Singing Company (a childrens choir in The Salvation Army). This happens quite often that a song just pops into my head for no apparent reason. But yesterday this made quite an impact on me because I started thinking about whether the others who sang with me have this happen to them. Am I just thinking of them because of what I am doing with my life, or if I had left The Salvation Army, and God if I would still be singing these songs?

Stranger Than Fiction

I have been to the pictures again! It is getting to be a regular event. I go to the cinema once a year, and it is always around Christmas time. Last years film was Chronicles of Narnia, and this years film is Stranger Than Fiction.

The film was good, but I laughed at the wrong moment! Towards the end the main character gets hit by a bus, and I admit that I found this quite funny. This is what the Cinema says about the film "Harold Crick is IRS Agent whose world is turned upside-down when he begins to hear his life being chronicled by a narrator only he can hear. The Narrator, Kay Eiffel, an author of tragic novels, is struggling to complete her latest and best book, unaware that her protagonist is alive and uncontrollably guided by her words. Fiction and reality collide when the bewildered and hilariously resistant Harold hears the Narrator say that events have been set in motion that will lead to his imminent death."

This had resonances of the Easter story for me. Jesus knew that He ha dto die in order for the story of Salvation to be fulfilled, and didn't want to. And Harold Crick knew that he had to die in order for the story to be good.

The Final Countdown.

We were reminded yesterday in church that Christmas is coming very quickly and we need to be prepared for everything that Christmas brings. When it comes to Christmas I sometimes wish that I was still a small child, because all I had to worry bout was what Santa would bring me. As an adult I have lots more preparations that need to be done. But Christmas here in Poplar is so rewarding. We have a meal for around 80 people at the Corps. They mainly seem to be enjoying themselves, and we have lots of happy memories to keep us going for another year. I say that they seem to be enjoying themselves because they do moan quite a bit. But that's all part of a 'family' Christmas.

Happy Christmas everyone :-)

Funny sayings

This week I had a conversation with someone from my year at college and he said quite innocently "isn't it funny how you look everywhere for something and it's always in the last box you look in". This comment really made me laugh because it's obviously going to be in the last place you look. You wouldn't need to look anywhere else when you have found it!

Congress Report

I have come back from The Salvation Army territorial congress held in Harrogate, Yorkshire. It was really good to be among old friends and fellow Salvationists. I was touched (or affected) by two things. They were 1. The testimony of the man who is reaching out to the people of Harrogate. He goes out every Friday evening reaching out to the clubbers, speaking to them and being Jesus to them. I am always saddened by reports of another Corps closing, and this man is restarting the work here, so my prayers are with him as he does this difficult work. The second thing was the buzz of fellowship before the meetings started.

The Territorial Commanders were their usual passionate selfs. It is really good that we have such passionate people in charge of our territory, and every time I hear them they inspire me. It is just what this territory needs, a bit of fire in their belly! As the song says "give us faith O Lord we pray, faith for greater things" Bring it on Lord!

I Thought I did But I Don't.

I have discovered recently that it isn't until you actually start seriously studying a subject that you find out how much you don't know!

There's a Time and a Place.

Last Saturday we had the welcome meeting for the best session ever. They are called God's Fellow Workers. I sat on front row on the platform, and was very aware that I was highly visible. This was ok, until it came to the appeal time, where they have a quiet time to give people opportunity to commit themselves to God in prayer. It was all very solemn, but I had a fit of giggles at this time. This was because we were singing a song called They Need Christ. I had been singing this song at home a few weeks earlier, and Bramwell revealed to me that a line in the third verse that says "there's a Skid row fella who won't look at you", he thought it was "there's a Skid Row fella who has lost their shoe". I had found this extremely funny when Bram had told me. And so, here I was remembering this. I was also trying not to look at Bram because he was giggling as well.

What's New.

I have been at the Training College for 2 weeks now, and just wanted to let you know 3 new things about me.

1. I have joined the Gym. I have realised that College is all about sitting around a lot, so have decided to get myself fit again! I hope to go there twice a week, and so will let you know my progress there.

2. I now know where the College library is. I have decided to try to read 1 book a week, and to save money, I will try to get them all out of the library.

3. I am not very good at following maps. I drive into College every day. One day, full of confidence I decided to try out a new route that had a few shortcuts in. Well, it took me twice as long as it would have done if I had gone the usual way.

4. The early bird always misses the traffic. I leave home at the same time every morning, and arrive at College within half an hour. If I leave home 10 minutes later it takes me 1 hour to get there.

5. I can't count. I said that I would only write about 3 things!

My Part In History

I have been really into Salvation Army history this past few days. I think that this started because I am the historical site of the Training College. As I mentioned in my last post I touched the wall of my room at the college and thought about the Cadets who had been in there before me. Today, as I walked up the stairs to my room I allowed my hand to touch the railings of the stairs as I walked up them, and thought again of my predecessors. For some reason I have just started using my touch to help me to think about such things.

Yesterday I went to William Booth's grave in Abney Park cemetery. The picture here is of the grave. I got it from www.salvationarmy.org.uk. As I stood looking at this grave, I kind of had a strange feeling inside of me. Here was the grave of an ordinary man, but it was because of him and his obedience to God's leading that I have found myself in the Training College. I know that William Booth was not perfect, but then neither am I. We are just ordinary people. I wonder where my obedience will lead me.

Quick update.

I wanted to give everyone an update of what has been happening for me this week so here goes. I started college yesterday and two days into the course I am still a Cadet, so that's a good sign! (I think) Today I had to ask Bram what day it was because I was just so confused, and thought it was Wednesday. I guess I'll be able to work out what day it is when the timetable settles into a routine.

I stayed over at the college yesterday and woke up this morning, touched the wall of my room and thought about the other 100 or so Cadets that had used my room before me, and wondered what had become of them. I also thanked God that I have been given the great privilege of following in their footsteps into Officership. It is a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. I pray that I will be faithful in bringing God's word to the hurting, oppressed, and indeed all of mankind.

Ok, the picture is of the old Training Garrison, not the present William Booth College, but I haven't seen any I like of William Booth College.

Last Day Of Freedom.

Today has been my last day of freedom. Tomorrow I move some of my things into the William Booth College. My life will never be the same again. I'm excited and just want to get things moving! I think the worst thing at the minute is not knowing what is going to be happening for the rest of the week. I like to know in advance where I am and what I'm supposed to be doing. The studying will be pretty difficult as well.

So my last day of freedom has been spent washing and ironing and collecting money for The Salvation Army Annual Appeal. I can't think of a more boring day!

I'm back!

I haven't posted for a while because I have been on holiday with my parents. We went to Butlins in Bognor Regis. The Salvation Army provided entertainment every day for a week. I had an excellent time and had lots of confirmations that I am in the right place at the right time doing the right thing.

One of the things I loved about my holiday was playing in the New Horizons band. This band consisted of people from all over the UK who belong to the Salvation Army and can play brass instruments. I just love being a part of the worldwide Salvation army and doing crazy, weird Salvation Army things! Fire a volley!!!!!!

2 days left.

As I write this I am really excited! I have 2 days left of employment. I really can't believe that the time has finally arrived for me to finish work. I start College 2 weeks today! The time has really gone quick, and although I do love my job, I can't wait to go to College and be a part of the best session ever!

I feel that my recent posts have had a touch of negativity about them, because I have been going on about being nervous a lot, but this last few weeks have been good really.

Yesterday

Well, that’s it, I’m officially………. Well actually I don’t know what I am. I’m either a Candidate or a Cadet. I tried to work it out during the meeting yesterday but couldn’t because I was referred to as both Candidate and Cadet! So if anyone knows what I am, please let me know.

So back to the meeting. I started off by marching in behind the Poplar Corps flag which I have never done before. When I entered the hall, I heard lot’s of cheers going up which kind of put me at ease. It made me realise that lot’s of people were there to support me, and also made me smile because I was slightly embarrassed. So I marched up onto the platform at Regent Hall Salvation Army and sat down. At this point I looked around and saw what must have been about 200 people. Now I really got nervous. I was just getting used to preaching to 50 people and I was going to have to give my testimony to all of these people. I was so nervous I kept forgetting the words to well known songs.

Just before it was time for my testimony the kids sang and basically stole the show! Now the pressure was on for me to live up to what the kids had done. Anyway, the Territorial Commander stood up afterwards and said that it was now my turn to speak. I was really nervous, but once I started talking it was like I was talking to myself. It might have been because of the size of Regent Hall, but I really wasn’t aware of anyone reactions to my testimony. I sat down when I had finished and was relieved because my bit was over and I could now relax.

The whole meeting just felt so surreal, like I wasn’t really there, or I was living someone else’s life. I have waited 6 years for this moment. I think I’m still in a state of shock that The Salvation Army have put their trust in me as an Officer. I really want to thank Kate and Gordon for all the help and support they have given me over the past 2 and a half years and the advise and encouragement they have given me over this time for my preperation towards officership. I also want to thank my previous Officer Major Cynthia Clay for her support and encouragement for the 4 years that she was my support Officer at Coalville Corps. Most of all, I want to thank God for His help, strength and promises to me. I hope that I can be a worthy officer and do my part well in the salvation of the world.

Keep on Believng.

I have been thinking about my not liking leading meetings this week, and this song from the Salvation Army song book came to my mind. it's song number 773.

1.
When you feel weakest, dangers surround,
Subtle temptations, troubles abound,
Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,
All is despairing, everything sad:

Chorus

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;
Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way;
Faith in the night as well as the day.

2.
If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be, and where the fight?
But in the hardness, God gives to you
Chances of proving that you are true.

3.
God is your wisdom, God is your might,
God's ever near you, guiding aright;
He understands you, knows all you need;
Trusting in him you'll surely succeed.

4.
Let us press on then, never despair,
Live above feeling, victory's there;
Jesus can keep us so near to him
That nevermore our faith shall grow dim.

Lucy Milward Booth-Hellberg (1868-1953)

I have claimed those words for myself recently. If everything was easy, I might not rely on God so much. I think that these words will be especially relevant to me for the next couple of years whilst I am in college. I know that I will struggle academically, but I always have done. I am more a practical hands on kind of person. My brother gor all the brains in my family. He's an accountant, but he is him, and I am me.

An invitation for a coffee

I was just about to close the gate at the hall last week when I met one of our 'regulars' recipents of food parcels. I was saying earlier that day that I hadn't seen this man for ages. In fact, this man hadn't been in for quite a few months and I wondered whether he had been put off from coming in because he had been refused a food parcel after complaining to us that he had only recieved a few tins of food from one of the local churches.

I discovered the real reason why we hadn't seen him for so long and that was because he had been seriously ill with a brain tumour. He was very eager to introduce me to his nephew, and introduced me as "Rhonda, my friend"! He then quickly invited me round to his flat for a coffee. I wonder whether this man is desperate for friendship, and so anyone who is nice to him at anytime becomes his friend. I wonder if Bram would go round to his flat to see him, he's used to alcoholics.