Download .pdf - The Salvation Army USA (Southern Territory)

November 20, 2007 7Prayer and your ‘thankfulness’ quotientI used to teach high school. I loved the age group.I enjoyed challenging their minds with new ideas andseeing them grasp concepts never before imagined. Atthat level of education, a teacher has the pleasure ofinteracting in a fast-paced learning environment. Thestudents not only have a great capacity for knowledge,they are also on the brink of their own adult lives.But one disturbing thing I observed in thatenvironment was the lack of thankfulness. I rarelyheard the phrase, “thank you,” from any of mystudents. I was not looking for gratitude, but I wasstruck that the spirit of thankfulness seemed totallyabsent from their minds. I really loved these teenagers,but it puzzled me about this particular character flawand how thankfulness seemed to have gone by thewayside in their development.In our prayer conversations with God, I wonderabout the “thankfulness” quotient. When I look atthe measure of thankfulness in my own life, I liketo think of my childhood. A beautiful, innocentspirit of gratitude came out of me when I leastexpected something – like the unexpected gift onespecial Christmas or the surprise when my brothercame home from the military during the time ofVietnam. But in retrospect, I see another measure ofthankfulness – those things of my history that warmmy heart: a delicious Sunday meal prepared by mymother’s hands, the feeling of belonging to peoplewho loved me, the many people, places and eventsthat taught me invaluable lessons. It is good for me torecount those things often as they contribute to the“thankfulness” quotient I have on a daily basis.One of the reasons for ingratitude perhaps stemsfrom the notion that we did all the work ourselves. Weseldom acknowledge God’s direction and provisionof everything we experience. We earn moneyand purchase things with that money. We educateourselves and receive acknowledgement at work forour accomplishments. We bring up our children andpride ourselves in how well they grow and excel. Weoften look to the sum of all our deeds and have theshallow perspective that we authored the whole scriptof success. (Notice all the personal pronouns in thosesentences.) Then something drastic happens in our lifeand we take inventory again.If we are attuned to His voice, we hear Him say,“Where have you been? I have missed you and yourdependence and trust in Me.” When we see that Hehas been there the whole time, just waiting to receiveour worship of thanksgiving, acknowledging His gift oflife and its abundances and then pouring His generousspirit into our emptied souls, how can we not bowdown and worship Him in gratefulness and give Himback the authorship He deserves as our help?It was His great gift to our unexpected hearts thatgave us purpose – a purpose that will last forever. AllTHQ guest had early connection with the ArmyThe paths of Rev. David Huffand Lt. Colonel Beatrice Combsnever crossed until a recentmorning at the weekly devotionalat territorial headquarters, but theywere connected by a commonthread from their past.Combs, an active officer inthe Salvation Army Home andHospital program for many years,is pictured in a photographtaken in 1960 that hangs in theatrium at THQ. The photo showsCombs holding an infant in herarms. Huff spent his earliest daysin a Salvation Army Home andHospital.Huff is the minister of music atthe First Baptist Church of Lilburn,Ga., where THQ employeesMike and Regina McGraw areactive. They invited Huff to sharehis testimony and gifts of musicwith the THQ staff at the weeklydevotional.Before he was born, Huff’smother sought help at TheSalvation Army Home and Hospitalin Birmingham, Ala., where sheDavid Huff is shown with Lt. Colonel Beatrice Combs and a photographof Combs during her appointment at a Salvation Army Homeand Hospital.received help with the birth andpreparation for adoption. Only afew weeks old, David was adoptedby a loving Christian family andgrew to love and follow Jesus.Many years later, Huff becameinterested in his roots. Through hisown independent search effortshe became re-united with hisbiological mother and learned howshe was helped by The SalvationArmy. He credits the Army forplaying an important role in wherehe is today.Combs shared that throughouther service in the Home andHospital program, many mothershad their babies dedicated in theHome’s chapel, entrusting the Lordto take care of their little ones.Meeting David Huff confirmed toCombs God’s faithfulness.24/7PRAYERJUDE GOTRICHour striving for our “best to impress” is truly worthlessin light of what will count in heaven as well as whatreally counts here on earth.When our prayers are filled with thanksgiving,the Lord seems to create a greater perspectivefor us as we speak with Him in prayer. When Ifirst read the prayers of the Old Testament, I wasso impressed with the lists of thanksgiving at thebeginning of these written prayers. God’s charactertakes on immeasurable facets when we take thetime to identify all the areas of just thanking Himfor all varieties of His expression of love towards us.Intentionally listing your thankfulness changes youroutlook and fills your prayers with His character ratherthan just your petitions which He gratefully receives.Give thanks to Him and bless His Name. For theLord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, andHis faithfulness continues to each generation (Psalm100:4b-5 – New Living Translation).Regent University offeringtuition discount to officers,soldiers and employeesRegent University of Virginia Beach, Va.,is offering officers, soldiers, employees,spouses and their dependents tuitionscholarships of up to 25% off through theuniversity’s Corporate Partners program.To receive the benefit, qualified full- orpart-time employee applicants must havebeen employed by The Salvation Armyfor at least six months. Dependents of anofficer, soldier, employee or spouse qualifyif they meet IRS guidelines for dependents.Regent University offers more than 30degree programs through seven graduateschools in addition to the School of UndergraduateStudies. Undergraduate, graduateand doctoral degree programs are availableon campus or online.For more details on Regent’s tuitiondiscount offer, see www.regent.edu/salvationarmy.Junior soldiers added to rollat Greenwood, S.C., CorpsThe Greenwood, S.C., Corps recently added several juniorsoldiers to the roll: (L-R) Caitlyn Alewine, Taron Freeman,Breanna Freeman, Libby Greer, Abigal Aquilar, Dasia Deal,Brandy Gunter. Elijah Sloan was also enrolled but is notpictured. Flagbearers are Munya Pamacheche and FaraiChiutsi, Lander University students from Zimbabwe who areSalvation Army soldiers.Officers doing the enrollment are DYSSharon and Tarryl Ray.