Stand Firm!

We sometimes make good resolutions at the beginning of the New Year. These two snowmen were built at the same time. The one on the left started off well but got a bit lopsided once he began to thaw out. The Salvationist snowman, on the other hand, seems to have weathered the conditions rather better. The person who lowers their standards, in response to a change in the climate around, that is to fit in with the standards of the crowd, is weakened and sooner or later their lives fall apart.

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind”. Romans 12:1,2 (Good News Bible)

Major Paul Latham

Welcome 2010!

This is a guest editorial by Major Clayton Gardner who is the Corps Officer of the Concord, California Corps.






Wow! It's a new year! Have you made your new year's resolution yet? Some of you will know that I encourage it! I love to hear that people are making or have made a resolution. You know why? Because I've never heard a person make a resolution to be worse than they are right now. We make resolutions because we want to better ourselves.

The other thing about resolutions is that there is no time like the beginning of of a new year to change. It's just something about the way we're wired, but there is something about having a brand new year laying out ahead of us to help us achieve change in our lives.

Last year, as you may recall, I made a resolution to spend less time watching TV and more time in my study - and you know what, I did it! Not as much as I had hoped, but definitely better than the year before. So, while I've heard a lot of people say that they never keep their resolutions, I can testify that it does work. (Now I'm hoping to lose some weight.)

So think about it - you have a brand new year ahead of you - what are you going to do with it? There are lots of good things you can do, but can I suggest that you think about God as you do your resolving? Perhaps you could read through the Bible? Or at least read it? Perhaps you could attend Bible Study? And, how about helping someone become a new person in 2010! Could I suggest that you consider sharing your faith? I mean actually resolving to share your faith. Perhaps with a co-worker, a friend or neighbour, family member - even a complete stranger. Could you at least pray about it?

May God richly bless your year!
Major Clay