Tuesday in the 'hood -- Part 3

Folks around here come to our door for different reasons. Sometimes, when we answer we're The Salvation Army. Sometimes we're the food bank. Sometimes we're the telephone people or the chaffeur service. Most often I am the snack lady and Rob is the activity director and usually we're just the people that help you get the stuff you need.

I expected all of that. What I didn't expect was that we would be the people who call 911 and harbour you if your dad got out of control and beat you with his belt, the people who would take you to church if your mom says you could go, who will be the referee if someone is cheating at ball, the people who will come to the door, even at 2am if your water just broke, or your friend is having convulsions, or another neighbour is outside threatening her boyfriend with a knife, or if you just want some juice and a bathroom with toilet paper.

I don't know what's to come of us, but I believe that it will be more of the above. More violence, more drama, more abuse, more tears, more police officers and more juice boxes. But I'm ok with that, because one day, when Jesus comes to knock on the door of my neighbour's hearts, perhaps they will let Him in because someone bearing His Name, in Charlotte, NC opened the door to them.

Luke 11:9-11 (New Living Translation)
"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.Keep on looking, and you will find.Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.For everyone who asks,receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks."

Revelation 3:20
"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends."

posted by:
Heather Dolby

another Tuesday in the 'hood -- Part 2

Caught up in this tornado, there are always the children. They are multiplying...when we first moved here, we had 1 sweet kid who lived two doors over who made us feel loved and welcome. Then he brought his friend over. Then his friend brought his brothers and sisters. Then their cousins came. Then the kids from down the street showed up. It's perfect.
Tonight on my front porch, I had 10 kids all roundabout me and three more in the house. They all know my name, and I am struggling to keep up with remembering theirs.

This past Sunday after church, we took a vanload of our kids to an all you can eat pizza buffet. As I was paying, the guy behind the counter watched me herd 5 boys towards the steaming food. I called each one by name, and recited to him all their ages (Cuz you better believe that I was going to get my 'under 10 yrs old' discount!). The man looked at me with a strange expression and said - more as a statement then a question - "These are all your kids." I blanked on that one, torn between denying it (yikes, me? 5 kids?) and blowing it off. I toyed with saying "No, no, I'm just their youth pastor", but the truth is, neither seemed to fit. So I did what felt right in my heart. I looked that pizza man square in his eye and resolutely declared "Yes. These are my kids. Jesus gave them to me."
Sounds funny, I know. I bet it looked even funnier. I mean really,where else would a white lady get a handful of African-American and Puerto Rican kids but from the Lord?

posted by:
Heather Dolby

just another Tuesday in the 'hood

So...it's been a while since Rob and I (ok, to be fair, Rob has been the faithful blogger thus far) have recounted the adventures of our neighbourhood. I can't even begin to bring you up to speed - so much has been happening.
My eyes are being opened to the horror of abuse. The cycle of it. Generations caught up in it.
These past weeks, my heart has been heavy, but today I have reached my limit. Episode after episode of family violence, children being harmed, mothers being violated and then receiving their attackers back in their homes before the day is done. In one instance, the boyfriend was back within 45 minutes of the police leaving.
The truth?
This is certainly not in my scope of experience. I cannot grasp this lifestyle or culture. This is hard stuff.
The bottom line?
I'm not quitting, I just need a bigger heart.

posted by:
Heather Dolby

BLOOD & FIRE

We are not a Corps or even an outpost, we do not meet the required standards, but we have a flag and aren't afraid to fly it. We called together our YP section today and installed the Blood and Fire on our Corps; Now THQ did tell us we can't really be a Corps but we decided to be one anyway.
One requirement to be a Corps is that you must have a chapel that can seat at least 50,
I hope our front yard counts!


Here's how it all goes, as per " Salvation Army Ceremonies Chap VI Sect 4:"
The presentation of a new Army flag should always be made an impressive and meaningfully as possible. ... The officer should take hold of the opportunity to emphasize the symbolism of the flag with regard to doctrine and personal commitment.


Imagine if every soldier put a flag on their house,
lets do it !

Here are some pics from Jenn's wedding.

Recently our War Room in Vancouver has celebrated it's second anniversary; This meant that someone has been praying there non-stop for over 730 days. Currently in Canada this is the only 24/7 prayer room and operates as the hub of a Salvation Army Christian community in Vancouver. My favorite part is that it was stumbled upon as an accident, as we embarked on a one week prayer room experience we just couldn't stop, it became contagious.

God let it infect the whole wide world with your presence. Amen.

Looking at Jesus

Recently there have been some strong opinions and thoughts, specific to TSA, our mission and our destiny. Sitting at a computer can cause us to loose our heart connection with each other. Above all else Christ desires to return to a body that loves and cares for each other. A body that ministers to each other and a body that pours out grace and gentleness to each other. Iron does sharpen iron, and even Jesus reasoned the scriptures and Gods character. He was Theos (GOD) and a theologian ...

One who studies the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.


It is good to reason, encourage, rebuke and inquire together the nature and character of God, I just would like to remind us all in this body that our first function is to build each other up.

So lets continue to reason out Gods will and word together, remembering that we all have unique gifts and vision wich gives us all different applications of our mandate. Is this a paradox? See the scriptures tell us that we all have ONE spirit, to be of ONE mind.
Let us embrace each other even in our differences.


Unity is not uniformity; Love is not an option.