Details from my Battle Front

Time Can Fly By!!

2007-04-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

Wow, yould swear I almost forgot about this old blog!! So today I came to a realization of what has happened in my life since November 10th, 2006.

1. Severe Car Accident resulting in,

Grade 3 Concussion
Rotated Pelvic and Hip
Written off 1989 VW Jetta
Loss of job due to previously mentioned injuries

2. A meeting of Jonathan Berkshire and Sandra Grad resulting in,

Smiles by both parties
Melting hearts
Close on 5 months (and counting) of mushy affectionate behaviour
My Parents traveling cross-continent to meet the previously mentioned Sandra Grad
A breaking down of my harmful pride and actually allowing somebody to help me and give to me!

3. Capt. Steve Court and Capt. Danielle Strickland posted and relocated to Australia, resulting in...

A sadden heart - I must say, as they were preparing to leave, exact dates weren't known regarding their departure, and as time drew close, I spent less and less time with them. I shall never forget the impact that this warrior couple has made on my life and will continue to pray for them and their zealous warrior hearts. If I had my time back I would have told them this in person, but in a sad typical Berk-o way I missed another opportunity. God bless you guys!!

There are many more things that have happened in my life, and I'm sure I will end up sharing them over the next while. I am going to continue to blog and keep all upto date!!

Ciao,

Jonathan

My Life

2006-11-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

So, where should I start,...

For the last three months I have been in the process of getting a full time youth ministries position with the Army in the San Francisco Bay Area. This was done at the leading of the Holy Spirit, from the get go I had fears, doubts and I was confused, but I was sure that things would be alright. After 2 trips to San Fran, interviews, many emails and phone calls, I was offered the job!! I recieved a Fedex Package, with the "Letter" with the "Signature" and the "$$$". Cool!! I had it!! A week ago yesterday, with no explanation or reasons given, the job offer was recinded. I havent been able to get straight answers per the reason, but I can tell you I'm just trusting in God. I am happy to be staying in Vancouver, my life as it is, is here. My friends, my church family, my accountability, my ministry it's all here. I am disappointed, obviously, my life has been somewhat on hold, geared only toward that position, but I cannot complain anymore, God's faithfulness to me, appears more evident daily. I am loved, I am wanted, I am beautiful in my Fathers eyes!! So... I am gonna stay in vancouver, reasons keep popping up why I need to stay, and want to stay. Finances will be tough, I have to look for housing arrangements, get my life back in consistant order!! BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL!! HALLELUJAH!! I look forward to going where he sends me, and commit myself to where he has placed me!!

Good Times With God,

Other than the San Francisco incident, the past 2 weeks has been a very good uplifting, encouraging time for me!! I was able to take place in the Cariboo Hill Fall Festival, and I have to admit, I was kinda synical going in, thinking it was gonna be a "Battle of the Bands"/Concert, yeah... I got Churched, I didnt even get through the opening song "Hyfrodol" without crying, the Holy Spirit was definately in attendance. Hands, mouths and hearts were all united in a song of praise, that took various forms, crossed through denominations and districts, nations, cultures, came all together and praised YHWH and brought glory to his name.

So the fall festival, I would be totally remiss if I failed to mention that I met a special girl while at this event. Yep. God is Good!! More to come!!

Cariboo Hill Temple,

Ah, my Church!! I love it!! Without fail I feast on the word of God while there, Street Ministry, youth group, worship and sermons and prayer that have been rockin' my world and guiding my walk. God bless the Salvation Army!! Heard great preaches recently from Michael Collins, Major Jamie and Anne Braund and General Paul Rader. Check it out if your in the GVRD!! 9:00am/11:00am/6:30pm, there is a great word going around the place, "Come Once, if you don't like it YOU NEVER HAVE TO COME BACK"

Music,

God is giving me more and more lyrics!! I need to learn even more chords, songs are musically starting to sound more and more alike, capo's are great, Praise the Lord for Capos!!

Yeah, stay in touch!! Leave comments, I wanna hear from you guys (My readers)

Peace, Love and Happiness,

Jonathan (Berk-O)

3rd Blog in 3 weeks...

2006-10-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have realized in the past 2 plus years living in Vancouver that one of the devils largest points of attack is on inconsistency within the church, it members and in general on anyone.

The homeless go day to day, they know no schedule, eat and sleep where they can and when they can, and their lives often reflect an image of pain, hurting and unsteadiness.

The church and its believers will see a trend of slowing spiritual growth, weakened commitment and growing doubt in the love and power of Christ when they become inconsistent in there devotions, worship and prayer life. I look back and see at the low points of my life, I was praying less, reading less of the word and lived a lifestyle where God was not being glorified by my actions.

Often I hear stories from many of my friends from all over the place telling me whats happening in there home corps/church. I often recieve disappointing reports of shrinking numbers, stale sermons and a general lack of motivation for outreach and growth. I am finding myself that I am learning to hold my tongue (PTL!!) cause I just wanna ask those offensive questions like; Are you Praying? Are you looking for guidance found in the Word? Are you living a Christian life or are you just living a Christian 10 to 12 on sundays? Knowing that I am the furthest thing from perfect, I blog this as encouragement. IT'S FUN!! ROUTINE WITH CHRIST IS GREAT!!

We need to be constantly immersing in fellowship! We need to be constantly seeking the face of God, 'cause only when we seek his face will he bless us with his hand. I'm not bashing chaos in the church, the Holy Spirit moves in an unscheduled manner all the time, but we need to be on guard and ready to recieve him. This is a heart quality that is a must have and must to be maintained.

1 Kings 3:14
"And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

1 Kings 11:38
"If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you."

Throughout the O.T. we are given many examples of how God blesses those who live according to his statutes, laws, precepts and commands. I love how it is said, if you "WALK IN MY WAYS", it isnt said, if you listen to me, or take one step, but the word is WALK!! A great friend of mine always says, "Talk is cheap, love has feet, we need to walk it out" We can't preach and teach fullness with out following, we need to live our lives in a manner that is glorifying the image of God in every aspect.

Im done!!

PAX,

Jonathan

Musings at this moment...

2006-10-19T22:49:00.000-07:00

So, I'm lying in bed, wide awake, i've done my blog surfing, and I figure I'd drop my own fresh blog. Not much, just some things that have happened or stood out in the past couple of weeks.

1. Wrecked my car (Not so Good)
2. ICBC were actually easy to deal with (I'm serious)
3. Quote of the Month - General Paul Rader
"The Salvation Army - We combat natural disasters with Acts of God"
4. I love reading the blogs of the Re:Fuge members (see Karyn Bakers Blog on Left)
5. Leading Worship at the Hill with Michael Collins, and previously mentioned Karyn Baker
6. Seeing God's faithfulness to my family in Newfoundland (Pray for my folks, they are leading some mighty good bible studies at my home corps, the devil is prowling around and making himself known, but PTL, his bark is worse than his bite!! GOD IS GETTIN' GLORIFIED!!
7. 1-800-GOT-JUNK,... its a fun place to work!!

So, yeah, just a great piece of truth pie for you to munch on as I end this blog,

"Take Heart, I Have over come the world." - God

Smile!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

I'm still alive!!

2006-10-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

It has not escaped my attention that it has been well over 2 months since i last blogged. I have many reasons and/or excuses, but this is not the medium, or time to share them. However i have good news!! CHRIST IS RISEN!! Isn't this amazing news!! Praise the Lord!!!

So as I sat in an office, waiting for an interview this morning, I reached in to my bag and picked out "Revolution" by Aaron White & Steve Court, and as I began reading this book, for the 4th time, for some reason I found that the book was striking home more. I found myself surrounded by the presence of the Holy Spirit, as I read the 24/7 Prayer Room VISION, please allow me to share it with you, allow it to motivate you and drive you!!

The vision is JESUS – obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.

The vision is an army of young people.

You see bones? I see an army. And they are FREE from materialism.

They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn't even notice.
They know the meaning of the Matrix, the way the west was won.
They are mobile like the wind, they belong to the nations.
They need no passport.
People write their addresses in pencil and wonder at their strange existence.
They are free yet they are slaves of the hurting and dirty and dying.
What is the vision ?
The vision is holiness that hurts the eyes.
It makes children laugh and adults angry.
It gave up the game of minimum integrity long ago to reach for the stars.
It scorns the good and strains for the best. It is dangerously pure.

Light flickers from every secret motive, every private conversation.
It loves people away from their suicide leaps, their Satan games.
This is an army that will lay down its life for the cause.
A million times a day its soldiers

choose to loose
that they might one day win
the great 'Well done' of faithful sons and daughters.

Such heroes are as radical on Monday morning as Sunday night. They don't need fame from names. Instead they grin quietly upwards and hear the crowds chanting again and again: "COME ON!"

And this is the sound of the underground
The whisper of history in the making
Foundations shaking
Revolutionaries dreaming once again
Mystery is scheming in whispers
Conspiracy is breathing…
This is the sound of the underground

And the army is discipl(in)ed.

Young people who beat their bodies into submission.

Every soldier would take a bullet for his comrade at arms.
The tattoo on their back boasts "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".

Sacrifice fuels the fire of victory in their upward eyes. Winners. Martyrs. Who can stop them ?
Can hormones hold them back?
Can failure succeed?
Can fear scare them or death kill them ?

And the generation prays

like a dying man
with groans beyond talking,
with warrior cries, sulphuric tears and
with great barrow loads of laughter!
Waiting. Watching: 24 – 7 – 365.

Whatever it takes they will give:
Breaking the rules.
Shaking mediocrity from its cosy little hide.
Laying down their rights and their precious little wrongs, laughing at labels, fasting essentials.
The advertisers cannot mould them.
Hollywood cannot hold them.
Peer-pressure is powerless to shake their resolve at late night parties before the cockerel cries.

They are incredibly cool, dangerously attractive

inside.

On the outside? They hardly care.
They wear clothes like costumes to communicate and celebrate but never to hide.
Would they surrender their image or their popularity?
They would lay down their very lives - swap seats with the man on death row - guilty as hell. A throne for an electric chair.

With blood and sweat and many tears, with sleepless nights and fruitless days,

they pray as if it all depends on God and live as if it all depends on them.

Their DNA chooses JESUS. (He breathes out, they breathe in.)
Their subconscious sings.
They had a blood transfusion with Jesus.
Their words make demons scream in shopping centres.
Don't you hear them coming?

Herald the weirdo's!
Summon the losers and the freaks.
Here come the frightened and forgotten with fire in their eyes. They walk tall and trees applaud, skyscrapers bow, mountains are dwarfed by these children of another dimension. Their prayers summon the hounds of heaven and invoke the ancient dream of Eden.

And this vision will be. It will come to pass; it will come easily; it will come soon.

How do I know? Because this is the longing of creation itself, the groaning of the Spirit, the very dream of God. My tomorrow is his today. My distant hope is his 3D. And my feeble, whispered, faithless prayer invokes a thunderous, resounding, bone-shaking great 'Amen!' from countless angels, from hero's of the faith, from Christ himself. And he is the original dreamer, the ultimate winner.

Guaranteed.

BLESSINGS,

Jonathan

Madlibs or "A personal view on Holiness"

2006-08-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

So, I try to get together at least once a week with my Corps Officer, Capt. Steve Court (See ArmyBarmy Blog on the left). We cover many things in our weekly talks which we usually have over a table at Burger King, McDonalds or Flowers Cafe, although this past week it was at his house over homemade minestrone soup... ... no comment... ... One thing that has been re-occuring over the past year is the phrase "thats bloggable"

So we were having our soup and toast, and I had mentioned the fact that the Salvationist.ca (The War Cry) has been running articles on Holiness in different areas of life. This past issue was "Holiness in the Workplace". Now first of all I feel that holiness isn't a quantitative thing, one cant rightfully say "I live a holy life style in 6 of 9 situations."

Holiness is a qualitative aspect of a Christian life. We dont strive for it in the workplace and avoid in the gym. If we do that I feel that we arent attaining to the quality that holiness brings, it is a life striving to be holy, not a circumstancial striving.

So first of the bat let me say this article, written by Dr. Jonathan Raymond, former principal of Booth College and current Dean of Trinity Western Bible College, is a great article, his foundation and wording is phenomenal. I agree with everything he said, and urge all my readers (faithful or not, commenting or not) to read this article.

But furthermore, take this article, and use it as a madlib. When it says "workplace", use (home, church, playground or gym); When it says "boss", use (Wife) ha ha ha or (Father, friend, pastor or coach). Make holiness an issue in the entirity of your life, not just where it is easy or seems relevant. The truth, the often hard truth, is that HOLINESS is relevant everywhere, all the time, with whoever, in any situation.

Strive for it, remember, we do sin, but praise GOD,

There is _____________!! (GRACE, GRACE, GRACE, GRACE)

There is _____________!! (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE)

Blessings!!

_____________ (Berko, Jono, Jonathan)

Sorry its been a while!!

2006-07-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

I do know that It has been over 2 weeks since my last post. I have been very busy with work. I am also doing some "Garage Recording" for my MySpace!! Look for my songs soon at http://www.myspace.com/berkyfly

I'll post a regular blog soon!!

Blessings

Berko

Why Do I? by Jonathan Berkshire

2006-07-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

The following song was a cry for the recognition of the Saviors heart. This is what came upon my heart...

Why do I wish for the temporary,
When the eternal is right in front of me?
Why do I strive in my own strength,
When strength will come to those who wait?
Why do I cling to the sins that destroy me,
When grace has already purchased my entry?
Why do I stand in the midst of compromise,
When a black and white truth stares me in the eyes?

It can’t be about me! It has to be about you Jesus!!
It’s not about all I am, it’s about what you have for me
I lay my all down, and plead for the fire TO CONSUME ME!

Why do I think I have done something,
When your name is written over it?
Why do I believe my own work makes me talented,
When they are gifts you have given me?
Why do I call it ministry to your children,
When I fail to see that is what they are?
Why do I seem surprised when you seem evident,
When I myself preach to your completeness

It cant be about me! It has to be about you Jesus!!
It’s not about all I am, Its about what you have for me
I lay my all down, and plead for your GLORY TO FALL!

Blessings,

Jonathan

Wedding Photo #1

2006-07-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Thats Me, My Sister and her Husband!!

More to follow soon!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

Her name is Flo, and she isn't a waitress...

2006-07-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

So, obviously all my faithful readers know about my sisters wedding. I was in London, ON. I got to meet one of my sisters friends, Elyse Bogner, shes a cool girl, and her husband carries a mean knife. I had to throw that in there, I think that that is quite cool. So anyways, Elyse and her Husband Gil live in Pennsylvania, and they have a friend of theirs that lives with them. Her name is ... you guessed it, FLO!! Now, Flo (Florence) never came up for the wedding, I wish she would, cause i would have loved to have met her in person. Flo had convienently placed an email in my inbox, and even more wonderful to me (hint hint) she commented on my Blog. This was a very nice surprise, since then I have had the absolute blessing of having multiple MSN, Email and phone conversations with Flo. I feel that a relationship has blossomed to a level I havent felt in a long time. It is truly amazing how beautiful God's blessings are. From the distance between us, I have been able to grow close to Flo, in my understanding of her. I see her beauty, intelligence, spiritual maturity, sincerity and honesty, I see all this, and as much as i wish could be physically closer to her, i know that my distance is God's protection and wisdom so that I wont act out the thoughts and motives of my flesh. I know that if and when God brings us together in whatever capacity he has planned, according to his time and will it will be beautiful, just like her.

It's a great promise that God finishes all the works that he has started!!

Thank you God for hearing and answering my prayers!!

Thank you Flo for just listening to me, i long to hear from you more and more!

Blessings,

Jonathan

Imagine if...

2006-06-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

What a crazy world it would be if...

1. Nobody wore white socks with sandles?

2. Ukraine defeats Italy in World Cup Soccer? (GO UNDERDOGS)

3. Travis Roberts lost his good looks? (Not a big loss trust me)

4. Phil Marriott Blogged more than once Bi-Monthly?

5. I just showed up in Pennsylvania one day?

6. My car never broke down? (Thats CRAZY)

7. I moved south of the border again?

8. Daejeon, South Korea had a sexy ESL instructor?

9. People weren't afraid of a little cold salt water?

10. McDonald's was a part of a balanced diet?

11. I had a balanced diet?

Whats your imagine if??

Share with me!! (THIS IS AN INVITATION TO LEAVE MANY COMMENTS!!!)

Ciao,

Jonathan

"A wedding,... I Love Weddings,... Drinks all around!!"

2006-06-26T08:38:00.001-07:00

Ahh, the words of Capt. Jack Sparrow!!

We'll I have a Brother-in-Law!!

I witnessed the most beautiful ceremony ever, as my Sister, the Elegant, Beautiful Allison Ruth Berkshire was married to the Dashing, Smooth, Intelligent Jason Stewart Eagles.

Praise be to God for his blessings!!

More to follow!!

Ciao,

Jonathan

Random Musings!

2006-06-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

So last night at knee drill, I sorta led worship. Last night marked the first time since eigth grade that I have played the Piano at a public function. I led from the piano, in my flesh I was unprepared. But grace was abounding and as I struggled to bang out chords in a motley rythym, the Holy Spirit took charge. Praise the Lord!!

Had a great discussion with Xander, Fiona, and Heather afterwards. God was glorified!! Red Robin was delicious!!

Hmm...

Karen Baker, im not gonna blame you anymore...

Micheal Collins & Luke Colbourne, thanks for the workout...

Allison, MY SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED IN 7 DAYS...

Rebekah Barnum, I hope Europe is treating ya well...

Jeni & Regan, Take care of the Jetta,.. It's a finely tuned intrument...

Beth, Trystan & Gloria,... you are continually in my prayers

Adam John Murray,... Words cannot describe how proud I am of you and your submission to God!!!

Steve Court... Grace

614 Vancouver... Many thanks and blessings!!

Mia Abra-cadabra... PICK UP YOUR GUITAR!!

Melinda... Oh I wish I were an oscar-mieyer wiener!!

Travis Roberts... Seriously... Your a stud!!

Ciao,

This is Berk-O and I'm off to London, ONT

Blah...

2006-06-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

I am bored!! I'm rubbing shoulders on my couch with my buddy Xander,... He's good people!! He Just got a job at Urban Behavior Clothing... He's good looking!! He wants me to say that!! I think he just got the job on his accent,... to this he would say, "Noi!! Noi!!!"

Anyways, im out for the evening, I have decided to make an early rendezvous with my bed!!

Ciao,

Jonathan

Assigned Reading...

2006-06-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

So my boss at work has recently given all the employees a copy of "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Now the content of this book is pretty much explained by the title, but I must say, the parallels that I draw between this book and the tactics of evangelism that I have learned in the past years are quite astonishing.

- Reaching out, instead of seclusion
- Showing grace, mercy and understanding instead of blasting with negativity
- Stressing the importance of following up and staying the course

Now I don't know about you, but these are all things that are correlated with success whether in business or faith.

- Build/offer community, don't fight the fight alone
- "There is no Condemnation found in Christ!"
- Don't leave a new convert with out a discipleship plan in place

So there ya go!! The tag line for this book is "The First - And Still the Best - Book of its Kind - To lead You to Success" I don't know if I agree with that, but a quote from the book is this,

"Don't complain about the snow on you neighbor's roof, said Confucius, when your own doorstep is unclean."

hmm, sounds like purgery to me, cause I think the bible says a pretty similar thing!!

Oh well, back to the books!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

A week in Review!!!

2006-05-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

We'll If you didn't know what my last post was about, I decided to fly home to Newfoundland to make a surprise visit tosee my folks. I achieved the element of surprise HOORAY!! Here are a few things that 2 years in the DTES of Vancouver will do to you.

1. My friend Melanie upon getting into my parents SUV said, "Is this your Rig" Immediately I thought, has she found a needle in my parents mazda?? (in NF a Rig is any method of vehicular travel)

2. Newfoundland is a small bubble of a place! Upon spending $3.73 on a Butter Caramel Iced Cappuccino at Tim Hortons, the lady that served me exclaimed, "I wouldn't spend tree dollars on no drink 'less it had nuff booze in it to knock meout" Upon this comment my mind flashed to the $4.50 i spend per daily visit to Starbucks or JJ Bean to get a latte. I tried to defend myself by saying, "We'll ma'am I'm a starbucks snob from BC..." Her response to this floored me, and once again reminded me what a small place i was raised in, "I dunno what this starbucks thingy is, but you'se outta yer mind"

3. Spiritual Maturity!! Still working on that one, but I can proudly say that the Lord is working on me in a good way!!

4. My linguistics are so indescribable (I soundlike a Newfie-southern transplant-who strives to be a mainlander)

5. I realized how much I missed me mudders home cookin'!! Uhhhhh.... salt beef!!

Yeah,

More to follow!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

A Curious Post...

2006-05-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

I am currently somewhere between here and there...
Here is well known, there is a little shady
Some will be surprised upon my arrival
If you spoil my secret, i shall rebuke you with a hard cover bible!!

Ciao,

Jonathan

Me,... Again

2006-05-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Just a note...

2006-05-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Discipline is the active persona of Gods Love!!

Punishment is the active persona of Gods Wrath!!

Smile, God LOVES you!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

MIchael W Smith said my prayer... (Warning Long Blog)

2006-05-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday was a day of perserverance for me, at one point i stormed out on accountability, because I don't want the refining to go on. I began to look at it as torment not as discipline. I gave up. In that moment Irony set in and the Lord spoke to me. "STOP DOING IT ON YOUR OWN"!! As the Lord began to reveal all the areas of my life I havent surrendered to his glory, my uniform, my ministry, my worship, my relationships, the list goes on. All the things that have happened were his design, not my own, not the Salvation Armys, not my friends or my family, but Gods and God's alone.

I am laying it all down. I'm not expecting it to be pleasent, but God's promise is "JOY COMES IN THE MORNING" I stand firm in that promise. I surrender my life to my saviour, every aspect, no compromise. There will be no earthly reasoning, no emotional hiding. Physically and spiritually I am going to beat my body, my spirit and my soul into submission. The devil will not have me!! I WILL STAND AND FIGHT TILL MY DYING BREATH! I realize I am weak, i can't fight, But I have a Saviour that will come between me and my enemy. I have a God that has unlimited reserves of strength and power to fill me with. I am dangerous only to myself, my community and my mission if I try to do it on my own in any measure. I am violently dangerous towards the enemy when I let my own strength fall and rise up in the power and glory of Jesus Christ.

In the Message, Romans 8:15-17 is read like this,

12 So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it--yourself life one red cent.
13 There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.
14 God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
15 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"
16 God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.
17 And we know we are going to get what's coming to us--an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! 18 That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.
19 The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next.
20 Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in
21 until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

I love it, this is what it is all about, and this is what it is all for. A promise, a way, a truth and an inescapable bright shining, chaff burning light. I am now joyfully anticipating the freedom that is on its way to me. I am not looking at the methods, I have my eyes set on the prize.

So, Michael W. Smith, (I've never been a big fan of his) but I was listening last night to my iTunes and Here I am came on, these are the words that played;

There's a place where I can go
Where the angels hear me pray
'I want to change
Yes I need Your touch'
I'm waiting here for You

And I fall, at Your feet
I'll give it all, until the day we meet
Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son
Here I am

Here I come to Your threshing floor
Where the angels fear to tread
I'm waiting here for the King of love
And to hold the hands that bled

And I fall, at Your feet
I'll give it all, until the day we meet

Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son

I AM READY!!
I WANT THE THRESHING FLOOR!! I WANT TO SAY I HAVE POURED OUT MY HEART IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!!
I AM READY!!
I'LL GIVE IT ALL - NO MORE HOLDING BACK FROM GOD, IT'S ALL HIS IN THE FIRST PLACE
I AM READY!!
I LAY,... I THROW DOWN MY PAST LIFE OF COMPROMISE AND HIDING/RUNNING FROM ACCOUNTABILITY
I AM READY!!
TO RECIEVE ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR ME, AND NOT SEEK AFTER ANYTHING ELSE

I AM READY!!

HERE I AM!!

BLESSINGS,

Jonathan Berkshire

Frustrated with Idolatry

2006-05-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

So I am reaching a point of frustration in my life that is causing me to turn into a basket case. I am frustrated with my financial siuation, my relationship situation, my living situation and I am getting sick and tired of being in a spiritual furnace. Through much prayer, and seeking advice from my leaders I have come to the conclusion that I am frustrated because those things are being sought after as Idols. I cannot recieve satisfaction from idols like the satisfaction that is available to me through God. But upon seeking more advice, and as I delved deeper into the root of this problem, my friend Elaine asked me "Jonathan, have you experienced God's love?" My immediate response should have been "yes" but instead I replied, "In what context?" Now, that answer immediately puts alarms off in my head, there is no context or earthy frame/reason to God's love. It cannot be held in a box. God's love needs no reason, and it is always present. If I have to contextualize God's love then I have not allowed myself to encounter it in a total state of surrender and accpetance of it.

I have had acceptance and seen limited rewards from the idols that I hold in my life, and I have held God in the back pocket so to speak. Now these idols are being chased after and now God is in my face saying come on, come over here, come with me. But not having understood, accepted, felt, how wide, deep, high, long the fathers love is I seem to be held to chasing after a little false joy while passing on a far greater, longer lasting joy.

John 21:15-19

: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

: The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."

I've heard a number of sermons on this scripture since easter and I feel somewhat like Peter, saying I love you before he hears what the Fathers love will bring, what it will cost.

I can earnestly say, I want the fathers love, but something beyond my understanding is clinging on my spirit, which makes it very hard to stop the idol chase and run to the Lord. Especially in the last couple of months.

I ask all of you to pray for me. I am weak and empty, I want to recieve what God has for me in its fullness.

Thanks,

Blessings,

Jonathan

2006-04-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry about my Absence!

2006-04-24T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hello all you faithful readers, I have to apologize for being away from my blog for the last two weeks. My reasons are many (Car Problems, Work, Church, Cell, Pankration, More Car Problems, and to round it all off my car had problems) but I am here, so all you readers can sigh a large breath of relief and continue to feast you eyes upon this forth coming blog.

So I'm driving in from Surrey this morning on my way to pick up a piece of custom stainless for a customer and I'm listening to some preacher on the radio. He is preaching on being unequally yoked.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

He dropped a nice line about any type of interaction with unequally yoked should be done purely out of conflicting with the unrighteousness, it never should be done out of communion with the unrighteousness.

I wonder how this is viewed in my downtown ministry, and how I can show love with out being fuzzy and warm about it. I dont want to piss everybody off, but I dont want to stand idly by while sin becomes more and more habitual in thier lives.

I want to be recieved with my friends by my saviour.

Anyways, just a thought to have a chew on!!

Later,

Blessings,

Jonathan

A wolf in lambs clothing

2006-04-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

I was hit yesterday with some news that convicted me of my lifestyle. Must of you who know me know that I have a heavily flirtacious attitude. I love quickly and immaturaly, and in my voicing my feelings, I hurt people, there never has been commitment or God behind these words. These are my faults, and praise the Lord I am full of Godly Shame, and I am for once convicted.

I ask for forgiveness from every girl that I have hurt, offended or said words to that should not have been said. I have failed in my duty to look at you as sisters in Christ. I have to surrender the want for relationship to God, cause only in my emptiness will he fill me with what he wants, which is what is right.

I ask for prayer and support in overcoming a spirit of lust and apathy that has stuck itself to me in this matter over the past year and a half. I have repented and I am gonna fast for a while as I just try to get back on track and seek the Lord hardcore like.

Once again, I apologize.

Blessings,

Jonathan

Spiritual Paralysis

2006-03-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

I was blessed yesterday morning to hear Bruce Robertson preach on the healing of the Paralytic man. Bruce is a former Salvation Army officer, current chaplain at Harbour Light and just a great man. He used a striking term about the time he spends in the DTES of Vancouver.

"I see paralyzed people everyday. I see them walking and running down the streets, they are spiritually, emotionally and mentally paralyzed."

I kept on thinking as I heard this, how often do my actions or words make me appear as a Spiritual Paraplegic in front of my peers? How many times have I compromised or sinned and gave the spiritual power that the Father has given me an unrecoverable blow? How many times have I cut my spiritual spinal cord? I know there are times where in the spiritual my arms, legs and all my extremities are momentumless and numb because my heart is apathetic, lazy and unclean.

But isn't it great that the same miracle that happened to the physical in the paralytics life in the Gospel of Matthew is at our command in the spiritual. All we need to do is to recommit, surrender, accept him (again) and we are mobile. What was once a forced breath from a traicheotomy is now a full breath unhindered by the paralysis of whatever is ungodly.

Isn't it good to be mobile in the strength of the Lord.

Blessings,

Jonathan

Hockey

2006-03-22T08:53:00.000-08:00

So i'm checking in on the Vancouver Canucks reading about the headlines and I start to read the message board. A stream of mesasges comparing Dany Heatley & Todd Bertuzzi. Now if you follow hockey in anyway you know what these players have gone through respectively. Heatley drove under the influence and killed his friend and teammate in the off-season a few years ago. While on the other hand Todd Bertuzzi (a 1 rate player) took a sucker punch at Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore during a game and broke his neck. So 2 years later this is what has seemed to pan out.

1. Bertuzzi was suspended an entire season, charged with assault, but pleaded for forgiveness, which from Moore has not been granted, and the man now playing agian with the Canucks is hated and has no respect from other teams or fans. Keep in mind now that Steve Moore is still alive and both him and his family are sueing Bertuzzi. His game has been lack-luster if any

2. Heatley was forgiven by Snyder's family, no charges were laid at the request of his victims family. Forgiveness was offered before it was even asked for. Heatley is a fan favorite and a top scorer in the league.

So back to the canuck website, and this message board stream, the following is an exert from it,

I would think the NHL suspension is a major difference. Bertuzzi got one, nothing for Heatley. Bertuzzi's game is only effective if he plays the body... since he's been neutered that way, his game has suffered. Can't say the same for Dany.You can't really say nothing for Heatley. The man was facing 15 years in prison for vehicular homocide. He didn't serve any of it because the parents of the victim forgave him, but the idea you could have potentially been locked up for upto 15 years is still pretty shocking. Either way i'm trying to approach this more on a psychological level, I would still argue that living with killing someone is worse than thinking about how you were suspended for a year (which was deserved anyway).

I liked your point of how Bertuzzi relies on his body anymore though.

Was that really why Dany didn't go to prison? It seems a little odd for forgiveness to take away a punishment i don't see why forgiveness would abolish the punishment/legallities

Ok, so back to me, as you can tell I have highlited the part that I want to leave open for discussion. Should personal forgiveness over-rule the law of society/judicial law? We are told that as Christians that we live under grace, not law? But what grace was extended to Dan Snyder (A known Christian) when he lost his life? Also, why can't Bertuzzi get back in his game? That maybe more of a hockey related question then spiritual, but i'll leave it open ended to all.

My final thought on this is... the canucks just need to call up Jason King!! Seriously!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

Just a random blog... (PISSING ON PORN)

2006-03-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

Caffiene Intake: 3 Vanilla Lattes, 2 Dark Roast & 1 Carmel Frappacinno
Good Times Had: Cariboo Hill Temple Band Practice
(under the leadership of Bill Gordon - my nerves got to me)
I'm Thankful For: A Spirit of Freedom in Worship

So,... I have more great news from my cell. This week a long time saved attendee of my cell, threw down an area of compromise in his life. In an act of eliminating areas of Lust in his life, we had a fire. In Blood Alley (the back of this guys Slum Hotel) we burned his collection of Porn. As the 6 guys present at our cell stood around the flames, we were overjoyed to hear our brother freed as he proudly told everybody what he was burning in the shopping cart. And as an act of support and agreement to his action, I urinated on the smoldering ashes, just so that the dumpster would fan into flames.

My relevant scripture or song - "Consuming Fire" by Tim Hughes

Also, RAW (Ready & Willing) went off pretty much hitch free. PTL!! Thank you Jesus for allowing me to hook up with some people that I really missed. Remember,... Credibility, Invisibilty, Durability & Accountability!! Live a life full of the 'bilities'!!

Blessings,

Jonathan

Overthrowing Hell in My Cell!! (Warning: LONG BLOG)

2006-03-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

So for the last year and a half I have been involved in a tuesday night cell that is hosted right in the middle of "Skid Row" in the DTES of Vancouver. This September I took leadership of it and I have seen it suffer, flourish, and unfortunately seem to be inconsistent. My attendance varies from clean and sober to completely inebrieated; from saved & sanctified to athiests that just want to take cheap shots at the Gospel. We'll over the past 4 weeks, myself and a few of my assistant leaders in the cell have been really praying for the cell. Since we have started praying, attendance and regularity have improved, reaction and understanding of the gospel as it is presented has been increasingly evident and praise the Lord, the Holy Spirit and his moving is being felt.

So this past tuesday, the Lord was telling me that I needed to speak on his will, and how He is and will continue to be faithful to HIS will for each of our lives. So I cracked out Jeremiah 29:10-14, and explained it in a way that forced people to compare themselves to Israel. As the night progressed, the crowd grew, and responses became more evident. After explaining it all, I asked the cell to pray, and seek what was holding them back from surrendering to God's Will for our life. Five minutes later our heads arose from prayer and listening, and I opened up the floor praying that I wouldnt be the only one sharing. Well, then a first timer, who came in thinking there would be coffee, stood up, and Billy (that was his name) began to share his struggle with addiction and how he feels powerless to fight temptation. I had a feeling that this guy wasn't saved, so I went all in and said, "Do you want Jesus to help you and strengthen, do you want him to come into your heart?" (Awkward Silence)Not only did he say yes, but he admitted to he work of God's will on him saying, that God had brough him in for more than a coffee. Salvation #1 BOO YEAH!!

So after prayer and acceptance from Billy we continue, and the next person to share was another first timer to cell, has been hanging with 614 for a few weeks, his first words were, "Do we have any scissors?" As I scratched my head I asked why, he said "The lord is telling me to cut of my pony tail" Now Scotty has a 3 foot long run of hair down from the back of his head, he is a 35yr old trying to hold on to his teenage years from the 80's. He confessed immaturity, laziness, vanity and lack of motivation to work. He said thta for him to cut that hair, was a symbol of him dying to all that crap that was interferring with his plan to follow Gods plan. So with a pair of utility shears we cut that 5lbs of hair off, elastic and all. Praise the Lord. The Lord spoke to Scotty, made himself real to Scotty, this was new to Scotty, and it was the Lords Voice that was the agent of Salvation, then and there Scotty made his declaration of Salvation and confessed his love for the Lord!! Salvation #2 MORE LORD!!

So we go around the circle, and as we just start clueing up, an older looking, disshelveled man walks in, cursing, shouting, upset. I offer him a seat, he sat down, I asked him what was going on. Garth (Thats the mans name) then said some stuff about being kicked off the bus and that he was to old to walk, I cut him off as he was starting to open up about some problems with sexual abuse in a giving and recieving manner. I just knew that the Lord was saying "Extend My Love NOW" So I just followed the masters instruction. I just asked him Do Want Jesus as your Saviour, to which he cynically replied, "That's not gonna get me back on da bus" "No I replied, but it will clean your heart, it will take all the hurt you have and replace it with Joy, your sins will be forgiven, never to be held against you. You will be an infant at the age of 71. You will understand the jealous of a father." Garth began to weep, once again, I offered, "do you want Jesus to be the Lord of your Heart"

"Yes I do, Yes I do" was his answer. Once again the cell came together, we prayed and Holy Spirit began to fill the Crosswalk and Garth was born again. But God wasn't finished yet, as we were praying for Garth I had a very strong word from the Lord that Garth was about to have his right lung healed from a growth that was on it. I told him this, his head raised suddenly, and told about his battle with a deficient right lung that constantly gets infected. He accepted the healing, cause he knew and had faith that God doesn't say things that he doesn't mean. For the first time in a while I would think, Garth smiled, through tears he grinned the most beautiful childlike expression I have ever witnessed. PRAISE THE LORD IN HIS SANCTUARY, IN HIS CELL. Salvation #3 WHY AM I SURPRISED?? Healing #1 I STAND IN AWE OF YOU!!

So almost everybody is gone home from cell, i am coming from the back room after taking my laundry out of the Dryer. Im praising God for a great cell, and how big he came through,... but unbeknown to me there is more instore. As I enter the main room again, Scotty is waiting for, and he asks me to have a word with him. He then tells me he hasn't talked to his parents in 3 years and needs to. He asks me to call, and I gladly say i will. He gives me the phone number and the names of his mother and father. Now I recognize the Area Code as an Ontario Number and I realize its 11:15pm in Hamilton. But still I see in his tears that for Scotty this cannot be delayed any more and there is a sense of urgency. I call three times, the answering was all that there was to be had. I call a fourth time, and a man picks up, I introduce myself, say that I am with the Salvation Army in Vancouver, and that I am with his son Scott. "Scotty is in Vancouver, my son is in Vancouver." I explain to his father that He has had an amazing encounter with God and feels shameful for his past ways. I hand my phone over to Scotty, and Scotty is overcome. I breaks down, drops the phone and weeps. I pick up the phone to now hear a female voice on the line. "My Scotty is there, my baby, my baby, my son" I try to once again talk to the parents, while at the same time trying to compose Scotty. The enemy is fleeing, there will be reconcilliation. Scotty composes himself, and for the next 20 minutes my heart was thrilled to hear confession, love and so much extended grace. To hear a family reunited. Stronger ties than ever before, just as what was promised to Israel by Jeremiah.

Today, two days later, Scotty is packing his stuff he is headed home, time for a divine appointment. At my cell on tuesday was Darrell a visitor to the War College, where is he from,.. Toronto,... when is he going back,... friday,... his prayer request before he met Scotty,... I wish I had somenone to drive with me back to Ontario. WOW!!! So needless to say, Darrell's prayer was answered as well.

Lord, I thank you for your faithfullness
Lord, I thank you that your will was lived out in my cell
Lord, I thank you for leading my.... leading your Cell

To God Be The Glory,

IHS,

Jonathan

Total in one night - 3 Salvations, 1 Healing, 1 Family Reconcilled, 1 Free Ride Home,
12 People Present and Blessed (New Cell Record Attendance this Year) and 1 Haircut

My Age...

2006-02-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

You Are 26 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

"Let's get it started in here"

2006-02-27T14:52:00.000-08:00

Hmm,

Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas told Blender mag that the Lord told her to perform. “I, uh, I had a conversation with God, basically. I don't know how to interpret this, but he said, ‘I've given you this beautiful gift and you're throwing it away.’”

What does God think of her "lumps"??

Blessings,

Jonathan

How would William Booth Respond??

2006-02-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a little break from my salvationism series to share this gem with you!!

I found a great website that is full of Booth Pictures and Quotables. I have found one that I believe would be Booth's response to a statement from an earlier blog.

The blog was,

I just read this on a blog: "I am very concerned about this whole "Primitive Salvationist" thing. Mostly because it appears to be sweeping through the young people of The Salvation Army like wildfire, and I'm afraid there are a lot of kids jumping on the "band wagon" because it's the cool thing to do."

I believe the founder would have responded with this,

"They say we go too fast! This accusation comes from all directions. Our enemies do not like our speed and our friends are afraid of it. What do they mean? If they had complained that we did not go fast enough, I could understand them. If our enemies had argued that after all we say about the evils of sin, the terrors of the Judgment Day, and the damnation of hell, we do not believe in these things ourselves, I could understand that, and feel humbled under their indictment."

IHS,

Jonathan

The Levels of Salvationism...Part 3: Traditional Salvationism

2006-02-17T14:19:00.000-08:00

One of the largest injustices to the Salvation Army in recent years is the term "Traditional Salvationism". To explain myself better in this blog I will give the Random House Dictionary definition of the word "Traditional"

pertaining to time-honored orthodox doctrines;

Time-honored. In laymens terms that means doing something based on what has been done in the past.

I grew up in a loving corps, a large corps, it had a band and for most of my time there it had songsters. It was "Traditional". Those things had been around since the Army's inception. Only in the last years have I began to unravel and understand the history of The Salvation Army. I began to learn that it's past was full of charisma, miracles, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and full of rapid growth. So I am forced to look back at my former corps and based on the definition of traditional, I can say that I never came from a traditional corps. I came from a corps where growth was minimal, the Holy Spirit never seemed to manifest itself in anyway particular way, and on one occasion when it did jaws dropped and fear was evident. Miracles, Signs and Wonders were never really asked for, and when they were and God delivered as he faithfully does, we all seemed surprised. This corps could be associated with the important aspects of traditional army corps.

We do a huge dis-service to The Salvation Army and it's early legacy when we compare the army of today, and label today's army as a traditional one. I think its like taking a crap on the beauty, power and authority that the Army had through the Holy Spirit in its early days. Like taking a crap on something that we are so lacking right now. The sad fact is the better description of corps like that, especially in Canada, is typical. I hear that we are the only shrinking territory in the Army World. We are the Largest geographical, we we are shrinking. Complacency, politics, I think a little fear, dependence on to much other stuff which has led to compromise, rather then dependence on God, has corroded us from our connections to tradition.

We are a Holiness movement, called to be set apart, called to be "A-TYPICAL". Lets reach out to the past, it worked. I don't want to be typical, I choose to be set apart as a Salvation Army Soldier.

Please pray for the day when we can be proud to say that we have been raised in "Traditional Corps". When our corps are seen as traditional not because of the size of their band, but by the size of their mission and the completion of it. When a traditional salvationist, isn't a sunday morning occupation, but a life long covenant with an ever present urgent need to save souls from entering Hell.

Pray for an army that will move forward by reaching back to it's past!

Blessings,

IHS,

Jonathan

The Levels of Salvationism...Part 2: Primitive Salvationism

2006-02-16T14:21:00.000-08:00

As defined by Captain (Dr.) Stephen Court: -------------------->

Primitive Salvationism is charismatic-flavoured,

mission-focused heroism

As a student of this guy, I have to say the primitive salvationism has an attitude of the early army, a fearless breed of soldiers who are falling into line as a cohesive, well oiled unit of spiritual warriors.

Positives:

Primitive Salvationists have no time for politics and will never compromise on an opportunity to be a full and effective of witness of Christ and his glory.
Seek to build community and place themselves with in thier ministry
Always seeking the guidance and provision of the Holy Spirit.
THEY'RE GROWING, ATTRACTING ATTENTION & most importantly, THEY ARE DOING THE STUFF!!
Biblically very sound and straight forward.

Negatives:

Often their zealous ways get them into trouble with pride (TRUST ME I KNOW)
Seem to lose relationships with the corps that they have come from.
Primitive Salvos in thier reliance on the Holy Spirit can often lose a grasp of common sense
The charismatic flavour can become so intimidating that a pressure to perform can be felt, causing one to reach for Gods hand instead of seeking his face!!

Primitive Salvo Hot Spots are,

Australia, Vancouver - BC, London - ONT, Charlotte - NC, Any MMCCXX locations

Primitive Salvo Symptoms,

Cell Multiplication, Military Terminology, High Collars and everything old school

My Thoughts,

Look at the Salvation Army's rich history, this method of warfare is a proven strategy. Primitive Salvationism is not about the best of us, it's about reaching out to the worst of worst and bringing them in to the light of the love of Christ. Saving Souls or Die trying! Now what's wrong with that. Pray for a little less pride, bigger helpings of organization and an even more powerful legion of salvationist warriors will be had!!

Lord make it so!!

IHS,

Jonathan

The Levels of Salvationism...Part 1

2006-02-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

I realized there are many terms being used as an addendum with Salvationism/Salvationists these days. We look at the titles that are starting to spread through the Salvation Army in regards to its members and sometimes we are just left scratching our heads wondering whatever just happened to "soldier".

I was born into an Army family, cut me I bleed red...yellow and blue. But it wasn't until moving to Vancouver and began interacting w/ Salvationists from all over the world that I began to realize we are not one big army. Us Salvos (The Aussie term for Salvationists) have a tendency to judge each other often with contempt on the type of Salvation Army background we come from and/or what kind of army we associate ourselves with. Over the next few upcoming blogs I intend to clarify in my words what I see are the main groups of existing salvationists. Just to wet your palette I will name them now,...

1. Primitive Salvationists
2. Neo-Salvationists
3. Traditional Salvationists
4. The Missing in Action
5. Adherents

I don't wish to tick people off, but I expect to ruffle some feathers!

I am not advocating any of these, I just want to fight as the Lord wants me to!

IHS,

Jonathan

A blog of a blog of a blog

2006-02-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

This was stolen of ArmyBarmy.com (See left hand side for link),

This makes me smile!! According to this I am a part of the cool thing to do!! OF COURSE I AM!!!

WHO KNEW?

I just read this on a blog: "I am very concerned about this whole "Primitive Salvationist" thing. Mostly because it appears to be sweeping through the young people of The Salvation Army like wildfire, and I'm afraid there are a lot of kids jumping on the "band wagon" because it's the cool thing to do."

PRAISE THE LORD FOR CONFORMITY!!

Seriously!!

IHS,

Jonathan

The News and The Church

2006-02-14T16:10:00.000-08:00

I spend any free time I have at work surfing between www.msnbc.com, www.cnn.com, www.cbc.ca and www.tsn.ca. I like to keep well informed and in my lack of having cable TV. Most stories about the Christian church that make there way to these sites usually paint a pretty demoralizing image of the Christian church. I just finished reading a story that I am speechless towards. I don't know if it is meant as a story of a church offering grace, a church wrapped up in compromise or a church not living by the word of God.

Read it,

Booze Lands Gay Priest in Rehab

How does this make you feel?

Please comment.

IHS,

Jonathan

Opaquely Christlike

2006-02-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

I sometimes wonder how I would have acted around Christ during the time that he walked on the earth. How would I react to his advice, would he give me his advice. I find myself so many times being asked "Pray about it" or "Seek out the will God". Would Christ have told me to seek him out? Would he just have told me yes or no? Would he say "I know something you don't know,... na na na boo boo!!"

I struggle sometimes with accepting that advice, especially from those I consider the most Christlike. There are aspects of my life that sometimes when I put out and need to change, I dont want to trust my own discerning ear. So I seek advice, from those who I know hear from the Lord and I must say, many times I leave disappointed. I feel alot of times there is a fear of tranparency, a fear to share especially with those who need it most. Now, before I go further, I to often cower behind that lovely line "Just pray about it" and so I am blogging this so that I can hear tactics on how to become more transparent.

I live in an amazing community of Christians! We live what I would call great Christian lives. We are a community whose hearts are filled with the Holy Spirit! We openly witness, evangelize, and love anybody and everybody! But the moment that it comes to giving advice, it comes down to "Ask Jesus." Even on matters of common sense or black and white we tell people "Pray". What's wrong with us? Seek God in all things, but God has given us wisdom and he desires us to grow with, through and in each other. Are we being lazy? Are we fearful of giving advice? We are not allowing ourselves to be transparent. Let me share with you my 3 tier guide to spiritual transparency.

1. Opaque - "Ask God?"
2. Translucent - State some sort of understanding and/or sympathy, possibly leave a scripture reference
3. Transparent - Offer up advice from Your own life, this is an amazing opportunity to testify to how God worked in you during this time. Then follow up with a scripture. This will leave the person wanting to seek more from God!!

Here are a couple of scriptures important behind my reasoning,

Proverbs 10:21
The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
(Obviously telling one to seek God is great advice, but there needs to be mentoring and discipleship over a period of time for someone to understand whats involved with that. Let's give Good advice, it's the godly thing to do!)

1 Corinthians 13:1
If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.
(Simply telling someone to seek God and not sharing all that you can to help them is not an example of love. Telling them to talk to God is like speaking to them in a language they don't understand, especially if they don't know Christ in the first place.)

Lord, make me like Saran Wrap in your eyes and in the eyes of all that see me. You were at the center of all the great blessings that have been bestowed upon me. For that let me been seen. You are the Giver of Grace that has washed of all the filthy stains that have been with me. For that let me be seen. You give me words that I may speak them boldy to the whosoever, use me as your trumpet (with a "See-Thru" fiberglass mouth piece) IN JESUS NAME!!!

Amen!

IHS,

Jonathan

Stats that will get you motivated

2006-02-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

I was blessed to be able to go to a Starfield Concert last night, these guys keep getting better and better. This was like my 6th time seeing them live, it was awesome. At one point he did a plea for people to sign up as a foster parent., and this was the stat that he dropped.

"28,000 children die of starvation every day, thats equivalent to more than five 9/11's per day"

Ok so the guy now has my attention...

"The tsunami that hit indonesia last year wiped out 150,000 people, and millions of dollars rushed in, the money should still come in, because that disaster repeats itself every week. That tsunami is equivalent to ONE week of children that have been neglected, why doesn't the money pour in for the children?"

The guys reasoning why this is so...

"It's simple, It's Racism disguised as Geography, worse than the 60's in the south or anything else we dare compare it to."

Ouch! Come on we need to do more!!

IHS,
Jonathan

Talkin' about Dad!!

2006-02-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

I had a dream last night, the dream was a re-enactment of an incident that happened to me when I was 17.

So I was at my friends house in a part of Corner Brook called "Curling". I had only had my license a couple of months at most and I was leaving my friends place and when I went to put our rather new Pontiac Transport Minivan into gear it rolled back on the hill and before I could react, I heard the sound of a thud and a scrape I was right into my friends aunts Geo.

(Pause from the dream) First of all this was a summers day in Newfoundland, and although I was only visiting my friend for 15 minutes, it was custom that he and his entire family see me off from their patio. (Back to dream)

As I realized what just happened I rolled up my windows, locked the doors and phoned home. Expecting the worst I nervously sobbed as began to tell my dad what had just happened. Meanwhile my friends father has already inspected the damage to his vehicle and is now knocking on my window trying to get my attention. I wave him off while being consoled and instructed by my dad. Eventually I shamefully roll down my window, hand my cell phone to my friends dad, and quietly mutter, "I'm sorry, my father would like to speak to you". After a calm exchange of insurance policy numbers, my friends father hands me back the phone and says "It i'll be alright." Just go home and relax.

(Pause from dream) RELAX, you're nuts!! I'm gonna go home and face the music. I'll never be allowed to drive, and I'm gonna have to pay for the thousand dollars of damages from my bank account that has about $75 in it. (Back to dream)

So as I approach my own front door, I am already in tears, expecting harsh punishment...

(Pause from dream) This is me speaking, my father is not a horrible man, my insecurities made me fearful. Truth be known, I aim to be just like my father, he is the best friend and teacher and pastor figure I have ever had. (Back to dream)

I enter our living room, head down, tears flowing like a raging river. My dad sits up and turns off the TV, looks at me and says, "It's all right." I began to cry even more. I through my sobbing explain to my dad what happened again and again, thinking, actually hoping that he will get mad at me...

(Pause from dream) I can say that this was my first real understandable experience with grace, I felt so worthy of damnation, such a loss of trust was at hand, but yet my father said it's OK. It was scarily uncomfortable. (Back to dream)

I insisted that my dad drive down to curling with me so he can inspect the damage. He actually said no the first time but I nagged until he complied. So we went back down to curling he and my friends dad inspected the battered geo. But still there was no change. He told me insurance will cover it, don't worry. It started to sink in, Grace!! Umm, it was so painfully delicious.

(End of Dream)

After that day, it was never talked about, at least to my memory it wasn't. Although there were times that my driving behaviour got me disciplined, that incident was never brought up again.

There are couple of things that spoke to me through this dream/real life incident that I want to share.

Grace - It is an absolutely scandalous idea, because it goes against so much that the world has to offer. My insurance has not forgotten that warm summer day, but my father has!!
Confidence & Peace - "It's gonna be alright"... Need I say more?
Forgiveness - It's a permanent thing. Gotta love that sea of forgetfullness!!
Understanding - My grasp on the dynamics of that situation has grown with my growing understanding of how God works. It was his will that I learn from that situation, and only through him speaking to me about it 6 years later do I fully understand and appreciate what happened.
The Fathers Love - A father is there for his child. As I did with the van I ran to my father for help and he was there with wide open arms. God is father to the world, in your times of trouble and in your times of celebration run to Abba Father and he as well is ever welcoming and loving and full of grace, peace and understanding.

"How deep's the Father's love for us,

so vast beyond all measure,

That he would give his life for us,

To make a wretch his treasure."

(Stuart Townsend)

My prayer today is that you seek love from the father!!

IHS,

Jonathan

Movin' On Up and Movin' Back In!!

2006-02-01T09:03:00.000-08:00

Well, after reading through some of my past blogs of late, I have realized that i have forgot to mention that I am a proud owner of my own personal vehicle. After weeks of struggling with getting the finances approved and hours searching on the web I went out and purchased a 1989 Volkswagen Jetti GL. This car tryed hard not to accept me as its owner and threw me problems left, right and center. This I believe was spiritual warfare, I believe this car needed love and prayer to overcome its bout of post-partum depression that it suffered upon its seperation from its tolitarian wholesaler dealer that sold it to me. But all is well now!!

So I have the car and now its time to look at my living arrangements. I had been blessed over the past 3 months to live in a beautiful house on my own with my friend Jared for FREE! Jared and I knowing that this would sometime end were going to look at getting a 2 bedroom apartment in the Vancouver area. But once again another situation arose. I have moved back to the Eastside Core!! 219 Main (Aka the Love Shack) is a 2 apartment facility that is now home to 12 614 community members,... oh the thrills of living in community.

So my night there was a little uneasy, i was up a while worried that my car would be broken into as it was parked on the side of Main Street. But I awoke to find that indeed no human hand had harmed my car, but the pigeons those darn pigeons. I think they must have felt it necessary to re-enact the Battle of Britain over my car. My car had been shat on about 20 times. It was nasty, but like the British Isles in the 40's, my car still went on. PTL!!

So thats been me!!

IHS,

Jonathan

2006-01-30T13:10:00.000-08:00

The Salvation Army High Council has appointed Commissioner Shaw Clifton as its next international leader. May the Lord bless him in his role as General and and the Salvation Army in this time.

"‘I have not much to give Thee, Lord
All I have is Thine.’
That is my simple but profound life-changing
pledge in this sacred moment,"
(Shaw Clifton, Sudbury Court, 2006)

IHS,

Jonathan

Certain things just dont make sense...

2006-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

A New General

2006-01-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

For the past week the Salvation Army's High council has been meeting to appoint a new general (The World Wide Leader of the Salvation Army). Salvo bloggers all over the HTTP world have been weighing in on these meetings and sharing their opinions and recommendations on the selection of the next general.

I too now will share my vision/my God given hope of the next General.

- A leader who will guide a growing army to the frontline
- A leader who will gladly welcome persecution in order to prevent anything that would lead us away from a total reliance on God.
- A leader who wants and lives a life that reflects the blinding light of HOLINESS
- A minister to the nations
- A warrior to protect and uplift and save the fallen
- A medic to stem the arterial bleeding caused by past compromise and broken covenant
- Someone who places their hearts above their heads, and their hands always outstretched
- A "William Booth" Visionary mixed with a "Samual Logan Brengle" Lifestyle
- A FLAME to light the fuel that is the Salvation Army so that it may burn hotter and brighter in this time as we begin the final conquest for Christ in all his Glory!

God Bless, and God Bless the Salvation Army!!

IHS,

Jonathan

About me

2006-01-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

ANSWER truthfully
1. do you like anyone?: yes

ARE YOU..
1. simple or complicated? Neither, my mom says I'm special

IN THE LAST MONTH HAVE YOU,
1. Been given something: yes
2. Bought something: yes
3. Gotten sick? no
4. hugged?: All the time
5. Been kissed?: No
7. Felt stupid: Me.... NOOO!!! (Extreme Sarcasm)
8. Talked to an ex: yep, dispite my attempts to go into hiding
9. Missed someone: The Berkshire clan on the East Coast
10. Got drunk: no
11. Gotten high: no
12. Danced crazy: yes
13. Gotten your hair cut?: no
14. Watched cartoons: VEGGIETALES
15. Lied: NO (hmm, i know have to re-answer #5)

About You:
1. Nervous habits?: Biting my finger nails
2. Are you double jointed?:no
3. Can you roll your tongue?: no
4. Can you raise your eyebrow?: yes
5. Can you cross your eyes?: yes
6. Do you make your bed daily? try annualy...
7. Do you think you are unique?: As unique as a three legged lemur that can fly

HAVE YOU EVER...
1. Said "I Love you" and meant it?: Yes
2. Given money to a homeless person: Yes

MANNERS:
1. Do you swear?: "On the moon and the stars in the sky,.. I'll be there"
2. Do you ever spit?: Yes
3. You cook your own food? When I have the time
4. You do your own chores?: What are chores??
5. Did you get laid today?: No, I was a fetus in my mommys tummy, I wasn't an egg at all
6. You like beef jerky?: yes
7. You like pepsi or coke?: Pepsi
8. You're happy with your hair? Minus a little mullet action in the back,... yeah
10. You own a dog? No
11. You spend your money wisely?: No Comment
13. You like to swim? yes
14. When you get bored do you call a friend?: Yes
15. Are You patient?: Yes, Except with the bank

DO YOU PREFER...
1. flowers or angels?: DVD's
2. gray or black? Black
3. Color or black and white photos?:B&W
4. lust or love?: love
5. sunrise or sunset?: Snow
6. M&Ms or Skittles?: skittles
7. rock or rap? Rock
8. staying up late or waking up early?: late...of course
9. being hot or cold?: cold
10. Winter or Fall?: Winter
11. left or right: right
13. having 10 acquaintances or 2 best friends?: 10 Acquaintances
14. sunshine or rain?: Sunshine
15. vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream?: vanilla
16. boys or girls?: EVERYBODY

Okay, so there is a bit about myself....now its your turn!!!

Things that make you go "niiii-ice"...

2006-01-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

I was driving in the company truck today bringing one of the warehouse guys to the bank on his lunch break and he said something that I think many Christians seem to forget. First of all, this guy, my friend/co-worker is seeking, he has no real grasps on faith, lives a rather wild sinful life (I AM NOT JUDGING, I LOVE THE GUY!!). He has recently gone through a rough break-up, really scarry drunk situation and is having some financial troubles, over this time I have really been trying to be an effective Christian witness (is their any other kind??) towards him. So as we were approaching the bank this was how the conversation went....

(WG - Warehouse Guy, JB - Me)

WG - You know I've been prayin' lately
JB - Oh yeah, thats really cool
(Momentary Pause)
JB - Who have you been praying to?
WG - Well God, you know, ... Jesus Christ
JB - That's awesome!
WG - Things have been getting better too since I started praying, I have more peace.
JB - What do pray for?
WG - Strength so that I can deal with all my personal ^%#* (four letter expletive for poop), and brains so I dont &@#! (Four Letter Expletive) up. I don't ask for anything silly like more money,... but if wants to give me some i'll take it.
JB - Me as well, me as well
(Momentary Pause)
WG - You know what is really cool though?
JB - What?
WG - When I'm praying it feels like I'm actually talking to somebody, like somebody is actually giving me thier full attention.
JB - ... :-)

1 John 5:15
"And if we know he is listening when we make our requests,
we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for."

IHS,

Jonathan

Cariboo Hill today,... Spike TV tomorrow!

2006-01-12T12:49:00.000-08:00

We'll I have after almost a year of talking about it, I finally have. Yesterday I began training in the art of Pankration. For those of you who don't know what Pankration is, it is Mixed Martial Arts. For those of you who dont know what Mixed martial arts entails, it is ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP!, more commonly abbrievated as U.F.C..

My trainer Michael Collins, a pastor, friend and rugby coach, is a "bad" man. But after having my neck, shoulders and arms put in positions that I never knew existed, after having my shirt stained with my own blood (never a good sign). I found myself in row, giving a bow to my sensai, and agreeing with his statement that "Jesus is comin' back!!"

I made it, I love it, can't wait till next week!!!

JESUS IS COMIN' BACK!!

IHS,

Jonathan

Pictures to follow...

2006-01-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Last night I got to have dinner with 15 kids involved with Salvation Army programs in the Greater Vancouver Area. This dinner was special, it involved Todd Bertuzzi, Ed Jovonoski, Steve Tambollini and "The Man" Pat Quinn. It was awesome!!

IHS,

Jonathan

Interesting...

2006-01-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I found this on Armybarmy.com, thanks Steve.

Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.

I saw this today..."In 2000, Romanian children accounted for almost 1 in 6 of the juvenile offenders appearing in Paris courts."

I was blessed to have spent a month of missionary time in Romania in the Summer of 2003, it was here that I had my first encounter with the "Broken Heart of Christ". I wept over the orphans and homeless children that wandered the streets. 1 out of 3 children in the city of Ploiest are gypsy children that are either homeless, parentless or live below the poverty line.

What are we gonna do? Lets open our families, LETS ADOPT!

If I was married, I would!!

"God sets the lonely in families..." Psalm 68:6

IHS,

Jonathan

2006-01-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

I read this today on www.cnn.com,

Study: Free booze benefits homeless alcoholics

TORONTO, Ontario (Reuters) -- Giving homeless alcoholics a regular supply of booze may improve their health and their behavior, the Canadian Medical Association Journal said in a study published on Tuesday.

Seventeen homeless adults, all with long and chronic histories of alcohol abuse, were allowed up to 15 glasses of wine or sherry a day -- a glass an hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. -- in the Ottawa-based program, which started in 2002 and is continuing.

After an average of 16 months, the number of times participants got in trouble with the law had fallen 51 percent from the three years before they joined the program, and hospital emergency room visits were down 36 percent.

"Once we give a 'small amount' of alcohol and stabilize the addiction, we are able to provide health services that lead to a reduction in the unnecessary health services they were getting before," said Dr. Jeff Turnbull, one of the authors of the report.

"The alcohol gets them in, builds the trust and then we have the opportunity to treat other medical diseases... It's about improving the quality of life."

Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

We'll thats brilliant...

Laugh... cry... please get angry!!!

IHS,

Jonathan

Music Advertisement!!

2005-12-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

Currently Listening to:
All I thought I knew - Anna Vandas

I am often hesitant about purchasing worship albums that have no songs I know or can sing along with. But a friend of mine, the artists husband, recommended the album, so I purchased it. I have to be honest with you, I have wept many tears listening to this album. It's full of great kingdom stuff.

You spoke my name
You spoke my name
I was expecting shame
You spoke my name
With a smile on your face.

-=Anna Vandas=-

For samples and or purchase please DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR, check it out at http://www.annavandas.com

IHS,

Jonathan

Covenant

2005-12-28T08:46:00.000-08:00

I was thrown the other day when the Holy Spirit moved upon me, when I heard an all too familiar confession of broken covenant. A “Covenanted” soldier told me of her consumption of a “few” drinks at a local club. I’ve heard this same confession, from this same person, a couple times before, and have just played it off, continuing on with irrevelant conversation. Well, this time I was quiet.

Today, a couple days later, the Lord began to speak to me, it was as if he was complaining out loud in order to teach me.

“Why are you so held up on the fact that this person broke covenant with the army? The covenant has been more so broken with me.”

In our own arrogance and pride, how many Christian covenants do we make with out God and place the importance of the covenant elsewhere away from God?

or,

How many Godly decisions do we choose, that have nothing to do or are against the will of God?

Covenant is a life-long all about God thing.

Why is the percentage of divorces increasing within Christian couples?

Why do we see churches and their leaders falling in to horrible depths of sin and corruption?

Why, because we fail to see God, to listen to God, and to walk with God in all matters of our lives which we have so dedicated to him.

God doesn’t want us to be away from him, he doesn’t ask us to do it on or own. Hey, he doesn't want us to do it on our own.

I guess what I am trying to say is that there is no compromise or half-assing covenant with Jesus Christ

But what he wants a people that are holy, set apart, covenanted to him, as he is so covenanted to us. And he is and was, and always will be faithful to us in that convenant.

A covenant that beautifully layed out in his word.
- Hope and Future (Jer. 29:11)
- Everlasting Life (John 3:16)
- Holy Spirit Power (Joel 2:28)
- Redemption (Just read Isaiah)
The details of his covenant with us are just as beautiful as they are plentiful.

So, take a piece of advice, please...

"Covenant yourself and all that is with in you to God. Covenant your uniform to God. Covenant your rank or position to God. Just covenant in absolute surrender to the Lord. Because only through absolute surrender can we have total and complete victory."

Thats all I got!!

IHS,

Jonathan

Christmas Carols

2005-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

As I continue to understand the unfortunate "Religiousity" that often surrounds the Christmas season, I find myself being surprised by the working of the Holy Spirit. I have not really been doing a lot of Caroling, because of so many times I see/hear a sacred carol being sung, but is purely of the voice and not of the heart. I admit I was becoming somewhat caloused in my soul when I heard carols being sung.

So this past tuesday I was invited to North Shore Alliance Church in North Vancouver for their weekly Young Adults meeting. As I entered the sanctuary, I saw the lovely decorations, witnessed gifts being exchanged, the "feel" of the holiday season was in the air. The worship band took its place and we began to sing. O Come, O Come Emmanuel. As the Spirit moved in the hall, I realized how much of a pompas ass I was. Man, Christmas Carols are worship songs. In my pride, I was so worried about everybody elses caroling intentions that I was drying up in exactly what I was speaking out against.

Needless to say, I became convicted, but thankfully there was grace, and it was not even a moment after a private prayer of repentance was I filled with urgent need to worship.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

What a worship song!

Why do we only sing this song during December?

The world lies in sin and pines in error the other 11 months as well...but,
Salvation through Christ redeems souls year round... and,
God is faithful to his will for a personal hope and future for us, ALL THE TIME... plus,
"Everyday with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before!!"

I hope that you worship the Reason for the season this Christmas. Sing to him because you were created too, not just because its the season.

Remember, "Worship the Reason, don't be praisin' the season."

IHS,

Jonathan

Fears???

2005-12-20T11:50:00.000-08:00

I must say I in the past years have become quite, unfearful, to the point of reckless, bordering on stupidity. But, I must say I enjoy the freedom in the physical that this emotional/spirtual victory has brought me. Two years ago, for me to say I'm gonna live in a hotel for a year with addicts and criminals in the most dangerous area of Canada, would have envoked great laughter. For me to open up to things such as rock climbing and cliff jumping, would have been unheard of. In the physical it's often a carefree life for me.

Spiritually, as well I am being blessed with what I would say is a growing boldness in my faith. I have become more open with issuing challenges to people, and resting my hope in the Lord that he, not I, will make himself real to the lost, all I need to do is ask. I rest assured in the "Perfect Love of Christ" and it is that "Perfect Love" that drives away all fears.

COME LOVE WITH ME!!

LET'S LOVE 'TILL THERE IS VICTORY!!

IHS,

Jonathan

Kingdom of Heaven

2005-12-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

To let you in on a secret, I consider myself a little bit of a movie buff/DVD collector, my last purchase, (my 78th DVD) was “Kingdom of Heaven”, this like many of my previously purchased DVD’s I bought with out seeing it. I was working at a camp when this came out, and I believe on my weekend off, I ended up going to see “The Dukes of Hazzard”, but anyways… So I am watching this movie, which is all about the crusades of the Holy Lands, and I got really excited. Our hero, Balian, a blacksmith turned crusading knight has just arrived in Jerusalem and has just spent his first night praying and meditating on Golgotha (the place of Christ’s Crucifixion). He comes down and talks to his priest and is disappointed saying,

“God doesn’t speak to me, I think I’m losing my religion.”

Obviously, this means its time for prayer, fasting, weeping and deliverance ministry, right???... NO! Much to my surprise and excitement the priest says, “… and what’s wrong with that? All religion has done has brought fanatics from Europe who quest for everything but holiness, and have only hindered the realization of the will of God whatever that might be!”

Now I have been known over the past couple years to drop the following line “I’m spiritual, not religious” I have often used this line to excuse my often portrayed offensiveness in my faith (whether or not I’m in the right or wrong in my offensiveness in any given situation, well that’s a whole series of blogs altogether.”

But I have to say, coming from what I considered a “Religious Upbringing,” that it is quite a spectacular change to leave certain "Religious" tendencies behind and move towards more in your face spiritual truths and the actions the make those truths real.

Just a cool thought that I wanted to share. Ten points to the evangelist who gets Orlando Bloom saved.

IHS,
Jonathan

Moving On...

2005-12-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

I must say that I have been blessed to be able to find a job that I am good at, and that I enjoy. But the blessing goes even beyond that, working for a Christian employer has definately made my working environment that much more pleasant. When I tell people about this situation that I have, the general reponse is, ... extremely positive.

Although accountability often makes me cringe, having it in my workplace both on a professional and a spiritual level has definately made my walk, a real one.

Yesterday however, my boss called me into his office and told me that he was leaving the company and moving on. I was definately shocked but at the same time I had peace about it. He explained to me his reasons and his plans, and as in his normal fashion is leaving it all at the feet of the Lord.

I was astonished at his confidence, and it inspires me. But at the same time I questioned my motives and my commitment to my workplace. Then, the conviction came!

I heard the Lord saying,

"BOY!! Don't question my unique plans for you!!. I, the same God that put you in your desk, is the same God that is calling him from his. You are still called to war in your place, don't run, RELY ON ME!!"

So, there are no new plans for me, i'm moving on, but staying put.

"To the war! To the war! Every man to HIS POST;"
OSASB #693 - M. Stark

IHS,

Jonathan

Welcome to Trench-Charger!

2005-12-12T19:44:00.000-08:00

As a life-long Christian, freshly baptized, in the physical, I figured it was a good cue to start some other new things, including a new blog. So my goal for "Trench-Charger" is to, through my experiences past and present. Give you fresh fuel for your Spiritual fire. God is so great, and he wants YOU to be mobilized to fight for him. He wants you to charge against the forces of Satan, and begin a global conquest for the souls of the lost, the hurting and the dying.

NO COMPROMISE!!

100%

Lets bring light in to the darkness!!

Are you charged??

Get pumped, THE VICTORY IS OURS FOR THE CLAIMING!!

Praise Jesus FOREVER!!

Word!!

IHS,

Jonathan