Define if you will...
So, this is not a lengthy post. I want to get an idea of what you think on a subject, my response and reflection will come at a later date. What does the word Salvationist mean to you? What does a Salvationist do? What shape does his/her ministry look like? Please share your thoughts.

Not For Sale
Romans 6 (entire chapter)
www.bible.com

Every day there are close to a million human beings sold unwillingly into a new form of slavery (prostitution, manual labor, bondservants, child militias). Sadly, there are many Christians who fall into a separate kind of slavery…one they can choose not to engage: the slavery of self and sin. Paul addresses this in Romans 6. He continues his instructions on Christ’s sacrifice for mankind and tells them how they can have a choice in they way they live.

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

In verses 6-7, Paul gives the definition of holiness. The old self is crucified so that the body of sin is powerless! We are no longer to be slaves to sin—anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Wow. The debt was paid, but oftentimes we still live with chains around our ankles, wrists, and waist. We have a deadweight hanging on our hearts…addictions, personalities, unforgiveness, bitterness, and a variety of other obstacles to our God provided victory through Christ.
Do you think that those who are trafficked when given the opportunity would say, no I’m fine…I like being forced to do manual labor…I like to live in subhuman conditions and be beaten. Seems ridiculous, but so often we miss the freedom given to us because we are so caught up in being a slave to our sinful natures!
Verses 13-14 Paul gives the Romans careful instruction. We have been freed to use our bodies as instruments of righteousness, but instead we allow ourselves to be slaves to sin and use them for wickedness. You may not sell your body on the corner…but many times we compromise our righteousness for a quick buck or a pat on the back. Choosing between taking care of personal finances and playing the lottery or bingo, living outside our means because we want the best…compromise. Choosing to gossip and devalue someone else to make ourselves look good…compromise. Choosing to tell half-truths or use pride as our source of motivation…compromise! With each choice for SELF, we add one more link to our heavy chains.

Slaves to Righteousness
Paul starts each “section” with a question. Both address an issue, if grace abounds then is it not a big deal to keep sinning? If God forgives regardless, I can always come and ask for forgiveness right??? BY NO MEANS! We must follow the directions of our master…whether it is to righteousness that leads to life or the path of sin which leads to death. Verse 19 continues the idea of slaves and masters.

We have 2 options on our spiritual journey…we can choose option 1- appears to have more of what we like to do, No spiritual growth and development (verse 21), become slaves to the selfish and cruel world. Option 2- may appear less exciting and more limiting, but has neverending benefits…even if not understandable at first (verse 22), become slaves to the One who created and loves us.

VERSE 23!!!!! The results of being a slave to sin is death…but it doesn’t have to end there. Unlike those enslaved throughout the world against their will, God has given us the free will and ability to choose Him. Which will you choose? What things are keeping you from being free?

Hovering over the "details"
This weekend we had a special Army event. There was a lot of planning and preparation involved...something that is essential for a project to be a success. BUT...(there is always a but)...when do we prepare and plan and when do we hover? You know what I mean...worrying over something nonessential or that are too late to do anything about. Do we do this in our ministry? Have you ever found that at the end of the day, week, month, or year you have been toiling away at something that was in the end a "waste"? Worrying over things totally unimportant, fighting battles for temporary "rightness", or wanting to change something that is really out of your hands? Something at the time seemed like a good idea...in the end was ridiculous? What do you do when faced with this reality? What do you do to avoid this situation? When does careful planning and attention to detail turn into nitpicking and hovering over the insignificant?

Communication
I taught a session this weekend at Youth Councils about being Visible in Our Communication. The focus was primarily about internet sites, email, text messaging, youtube, and cell phones. We talked a great deal about being REAL. Who we are in one situation should not change in the next. For instance, who I am at the corps shouldn't be different from who I am online...to who I am at home...in my community...in my circle of friends...(I think you get the point). But, my question to you is...what if the "real you" isn't what people expect? How do we combat the need to fit in...the desire to look the part without offending? Do we at times become chameleons in order to get our "message" across? Hmm....discuss.

Blind or Hidden?
I am reading the book by Sheila Walsh, "Extraordinary Faith". In it she grapples with the understanding of faith and how we can have this gift when we understand it's not about us...but about who God is. Anyway, there is one thing that continues to pop up in my mind as I read through this book...doubts. Do we sugarcoat our ministries to sound better than they really are in order to look like good leaders? Do we downplay our personal faith questions and frustrations because we don't want to look "less spiritual" than others around us?
Sheila speaks of a woman who was so angry at the church because she faced a rough time and found no help whatsoever. This woman was "forced" to stuff her frustrations and disappointments because verbalizing them would be seen as ungodly in her church family. This woman said, "church is a building full of people pretending to be ok when they are bleeding to death" (Walsh, 83). Wow, what a verdict! But have we become so good at being "ok" and "blessed" that we are blind to our real struggles within? Do we downplay our spiritual struggles with empty responses and "right" words? Are we becoming a place that people cannot struggle with real spiritual issues but must stuff for appearance sake?
Please share your thoughts.

I AM SUCH A MESS
Confession! I couldn't remember by blogger password because I had been spending my time on my xanga site. I didn't see traffic on this site so I abandoned it. I wanted to put a link here to my xanga blog and once I got in I saw there were 42 messages I needed to approve/reject! Whoa!!! Sorry for those I orphaned in bloggerland. I will keep you updated on posts from my xanga site. The link is www.xanga.com/NicoleHostetler. Please check it out for the last year's posts. Again, sorry for the abandonment, I can't pay for counseling but I can pray for forgiveness!