Matters of Health-Ok, then...What Should we Pray For?

How often do we pray for the healing of another? Pretty often, I would guess. I pray that God would restore to health many people as I become aware of their physical and emotional needs.

However, I cannot help but wonder if such prayers are appropriate. I think, at times, I should just be asking that God's will be done as it regards the sick and infirm.

Have you had similar thoughts? Not to worry. I believe that it is just fine to do both. Jesus prayed that the cup He had been given be taken from him. He then prayed, "nevertheless Thy will be done". Following this example, we should do both it would seem.

Judgement Day

Evangelical Christians believe that there is coming a day of accountability.  They believe that , one day, everyone will stand before a holy and righteous God who will pass judgement upon them and the life they have lived.

Unfortunately, some hasten that day of judgement by the opinions and observations they make about others, even other Christians. While I believe it is proper to judge certain behaviors, passing judgement on people, as individuals, is a risky business! Most often we lack any real knowledge of where people have come from in life and where they really stand before God.

At times we pass judgement on people because we do know something of their history. We see them for all the mistakes they have made in life while failing to recognize who they really are...today!

A wise man once said, "Don't judge a person for who they were. Appreciate them for who they have become!" Good advice for us all!

Discovering Your Real Self in Ministry

It is said that, "All of life is a stage!". There is a great deal of truth to this, I believe. It would seem that we are all 'performers' of one sort or another.

This is true, not only in life, but also in ministry, I suspect. Many ministers are trained to put on great performances. Please the 'audience' and be all things to all people. We spend so much time creating an image of ourselves that, often, we fail to discover and develop our true person. Not only do others fail to see the 'real' person behind the persona but, in truth, there may not be a real person there at all!

O, if only we could 'get off the stage' and discover who the person God created us to be really is. Then, perhaps, others would make the same discovery. It would be a real person they would meet, not some fabricated notion of who we think we should be! Do this and you may learn, for yourself, who you really are!

Music Conservatory at Melbourne Corps

 Sunday July 9th saw the Camp Keystone Music Conservatory Students visit The Salvation Army in Melbourne, Florida.

Under the watchful eye of the Divisional Music Director, these students performed a variety of
                                                        Salvation Army music & drama.

Lieutenant Carlos Roja, Corps officer, welcomed over 50 young people to the morning worship service and it was standing room only for the service.

Lieutenant Roja brought the morning message, assisted by his wife and the Sergeant Major.

The service opened with the fabled 'Star Lake March' by the conservatory brass band. This was followed by the Conservatory Songsters and the drama section. All three sections made outstanding contributions to morning worship. 

 The Salvation Army is noted for it's work with young people throughout the world and the same is true in the state of Florida. The Salvation Army's Camp Keystone is home to the Conservatory.
 I was particularly impressed with the brass band which performed at a very high level. Whether performing a rousing march or a meaningful devotional, the band showed an incredible discipline as they played.

After morning worship there was a time of fellowship over lunch and then an afternoon concert.

Everyone in attendance was filled with excitement as the Salvation Army youth ministered to all present. (Gary Laws) 

The Salvation Army Melbourne, Florida

The Salvation Army of Melbourne, Florida is a Salvation Army church and Social Service Center. It is located on the Florida Space Coast.

I have been attending church at Melbourne for almost a year now although illness has kept me from fully participating.

The following are some pictures of a recent worship service.

The members of the Melbourne Corps meet every Sunday. They worship in a lovely sanctuary just blocks from the Melbourne airport.

Visitors are always welcome and they come frequently. Located on Florida's Space Coast, The Salvation Army of Melbourne welcomes guests from all over the world.

 

 Music is a big part of the worship service. The Corps has a Band, Songster Brigade (Choir) , Worship Team and several pianists who add much to                                                                     the uplifting character of worship. 

 The Band adds a lot to the worship setting. Bandmaster Alan Moss, who is also a professional musician, composes and arranges music for local Melbourne music groups. However, his primary commitment has been to Salvation Army music. Originally from St. Louis, Alan has been in Melbourne for almost twenty years.

 

As is the case in most Florida churches, members come from all over the United States including the Caribbean Islands.

 

 Major Juan Guadalupe and Major Bivi Guadalupe
are the Pastors and both serve with energy and commitment  to the people they lead.