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The Salvation Army / USA Central Territory News and Views from the Midwest “We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.” Eph. 4:3,4 (NLT) Volume 44, Number 12 December 2014 Have we seen the light? by General André Cox n the world these two com - How easy it can be to pursue our today we often mandments,” own selfish pleasures while ignoring Isee people (Matthew 22:37- the plight of more than a quarter of choosing to 40 NIV ). the world’s population. We hear there are about 2.4 billion people ignore the true At a time of living on less than $2 U.S. per day meaning of the year character - with another 1.1 million or so Christmas message. ized too often by ful message of Christmas through a forced to live on less than $1 a day. For many it is a excess and over- kind and selfless gesture. If you have ever tried to live on that very busy time of indulgence by I do sometimes wonder how histo - amount of money, you will know the year, with so those in the ry will judge our generation. Most of what a monumental struggle it is. many activities to world fortunate us receive a better education than The reality is, of course, that a very rush between. to have so much, our forebears and have far more significant proportion of the world’s Countless demands we have an wealth and resources than at any population have to because, through and pressures seem opportunity to time in human history. Yet the pain, no fault of their own, they have lim - to be placed upon reflect on greater suffering and deprivation of so many ited choices and opportunities. us, with a myriad values and to people continue to grow unchecked. of preparations to think of those We cannot remain unmoved or If parochial and selfish ambitions make. Within self- who cannot even indifferent, and rightly are remind - continue to be relentlessly pursued, gratifying material - dream of the ed: “We may be the only means our generation will be remembered istic and consumer-driven societies many material things many of us that God has of touching people not for any significant achievements many, sadly, will be caught on the take for granted. around us with his love, of relating but instead for greed. Let us never arduous treadmill of Christmas par - to them his Word, of enabling them The 17th-century English poet forget, therefore, that Christmas is ties, shopping and concerts. to discover his saving grace” (taken and cleric, John Donne, famously far more than bright lights, parties, from Jesus Now by Leslie Brandt). Why, though, should that concern and correctly noted: “No man is an shopping and concerts! That is what Christ wants to do in us? When asked which the greatest island, entire of itself; every man is More than 2,000 years ago, angels and through you and me. In grasp - commandment was, Jesus replied, a piece of the continent, a part of proclaimed the birth of a Saviour ing that, we will approach the heart “‘Love the Lord your God with all the main. Any man’s death dimin - who would bring great joy for all of what this Christmas celebration your heart and with all your soul ishes me, because I am involved in the world. The reality was, of is really all about. In realizing this and with all your mind.’ This is the mankind, and therefore never send course, that when Jesus came, there deeper meaning, we are freed from first and greatest commandment. to know for whom the bell tolls; it was no room in the inn. As a result, focusing on our own wants and lib - And the second is like it: ‘Love tolls for thee” (Meditation #17 from the Saviour of the world was born erated to open our hearts to others your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Devotions Upon Emergent in most humble surroundings. Law and the Prophets hang on who need to experience the beauti - Occasions ). Continued on page 6 Join Salvationists worldwide in reading the Bible by Major Curtiss Hartley Just as countless Salvationists join me, said Commissioner Paul R. scripture each week. Receiving an challenge from General around the globe joined in Seiler, Central territorial commander. age-appropriate Bible, children who André Cox gives every Boundless…The Whole World According to Lt. Colonel Paul participate will have one weekly ASalvationist in the Central Praying earlier this year, it is hoped Smith, territorial secretary for pro - reading and a simple activity based Territory the opportunity to they will participate in gram, the Bible reading challenge is on the same chapters being read by join with the whole Army world in Boundless…The Whole World intended to be easy and flexible to fit adults. A printed study booklet out - reading through the New Testament Reading, which begins January 5, all needs. Boundless….The Whole lining the reading plan will be avail - in 2015. Salvationists who sign up 2015. World Reading may be used as an able in English, Spanish, Korean, and commit to the weekly readings “We pray this initiative generates individual Bible reading program or French and Portuguese. Additional not only will receive a reading sched - excitement and enthusiasm across in small groups in corps or centers. commentaries and expanded ule and study questions but also a the territory for reading God’s Word. resources will be available online free English or Spanish Bible. In order for the New Testament to through a dedicated website. Since I’m going to participate in the Bible be read from beginning to end, the reading challenge and hope you’ll congregations have different needs, program will cover five chapters of they may also utilize additional local resources that would work best for their situations. The Bible for participants in the Central Territory will be a gift from Territorial Headquarters. “We hope Salvationists will take their Bible to Sunday morning meetings and Bible Continued on page 2 6 1 0 0 6 s i o n i l l I , s e n i a l P s e D , d a o R n i u q n o g l A . W 0 1 , r e g a n a M n o i t a l u c r i C : o t n o i t c e r r o c r u o y h t i w l e b a l d e h c a t t a e h t d n e S ? g n i v o M 6 1 0 0 6 s i o n i l l I , s e n i a l P s e D d a o R n i u q n o g l A . W 0 1 Y M R A N O I T A V L A S E H T 2 Christmas wrappings by Lt. Colonel Richard Amick Secretary for Business Administration cartoon in the newspaper Christmas. We can become so at Christmas a few years involved in activities, purchasing pre - Aago depicted a lady wrap - sents, kettles, sending cards, kettles, he gave His one and only Son, that ping a gift. In the first cell planning festivities, kettles, toy shop, stable, straw and animals. Perhaps it whoever believes in Him shall not she placed the box carefully on the kettles, clothing and food distribu - perish but have eternal life.” John paper. In the second, she folded tion—did I mention kettles?—that the was so the less fortunate and neglect - ed could feel a kinship with Him. 3:16 (NIV). So many people are attractive paper around the box, and greatest Christmas gift, JESUS, is left caught up in the wrappings of in the third, she tied an elaborate out of our thoughts. This is the first year my wife and I Christmas. Tragically, they do not bow. In the fourth, she held the Have you considered the wrap - celebrate Christmas as grandparents. know or they neglect the holiday’s wrapped box aloft with pride, while pings in which God presented His Watching our granddaughter, Avery, significance. They celebrate and the gift sat on the table! No caption gift, His Son, to the world? They smile and laugh lights up the room live by a calendar that marks time was needed. Even a child could see were simple, indeed. While the best and brings us joy. We don’t care by Jesus’ birth, yet do not know what had gone wrong. She was so room in the inn had been secured by about the gifts around the tree, and Him. What about your Christmas engrossed in the wrappings, she’d those possessing the wrappings of the wrappings of life fade. We rejoice wrappings? Have you discovered overlooked the gift! power, prestige and wealth, God in the gift of life. God’s gift or are you simply caught It seems all too common at chose the common wrappings of a “For God so loved the world that up in the wrappings? Boundless reading Continued from page 1 Strissels saluted for service studies at their corps and make it It’s hoped as this wave of Bible personal by writing in it insights they reading sweeps across the Army hear during worship service, Bible world throughout our 150th study or personal reflection,” said the anniversary year that God will territorial commander.