De-stressed not Distressed

Relax spend time chilling out and de-stress….

Copyright (c) Peter Sutcliffe 2007

A World of Peace

A poem to pause and reflect on the really important issues of life…. Copyright (c) Peter Sutcliffe 2008

Kybernetics

2. Kybernetics^©

The word Kybernetic^© is taken from the Greek word kubernesis used in 1 Cor. 12:28 and translated “administrations” in the NKJV. It is an endowment and an appointed aspect of ministry. The word carries the idea of the ability to lead and is originally used of the helmsman of a ship and by extension the captain who gives the directions to the helmsman. Hence the idea of the word involves the concept of being able to know and see what to do to guide the progress of a venture or life. As a result the word Kybernetic^© has been developed to mean; “the art and science of guidance.” It is a science as it involves defined principles and personal experience; however, it is an art because it involves the person creatively applying those principles and experience in developing guidance. The Lifesource Kybernetic^© Principles equip a person to develop a mindset that will position them to know the ‘mind of Christ’ so that they can lead and set the directions for change and shape their world for good.

Understanding God’s Will

Knowing The Will of God and Doing It

Moving in the Direction of Positive Change People often spend a lot of time looking for the will of God in their lives. A lot of time and money is spent seeking guidance to help find the right thing to do. However, in Romans 12:2 is outlined a way to know the will of God in every situation and in the process become a transformed person. The Scripture declares in Prov. 3:5-6 that a person should trust completely the ways of God and not rely on their own perception of situations. Also in all they do they should seek to do what honours the perception they have of Him. When these things are done God Himself will direct their way in life; He shall make sure that as they move into the future the paths they take end up fulfilling His vision for their life. In Ro. 12:2 the writer sets out how to achieve what the writer of Proverbs desired in such a way as to not only fulfill your destiny in an ultimate sense but to see and understand what God wants and why He wants it.

The apostle Paul in Ro. 12:1 gives the same exhortation as the writer of Proverbs; trust completely in God and surrender yourself totally to Him. He then issues a command; “…do not be conformed to this world (the word used is world as ‘era’ rather than physical entity)…” However, the force of the command is realized by consideration of the structure of the text. The verb translated conformed is a Present Imperative and so as a prohibition it would have the force and sense of ‘stop being conformed (or shaped) by the age (or era) in which you live.’ As the writer of Proverbs stated don’t rely on your own perception and don’t develop your values under the pressure of the society in which you live.

The apostle Paul then states “…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” This also again involves a Present Imperative and as such is a positive alternative action to the one you should stop doing. What will take place is an inward transformation or change that will result in the person becoming a revolutionized person, not just an outwardly different one. This will be achieved by the ‘renewing’ of the mind. That is by changing you mindset, or perception of the world, which is achieved by looking at the world through God’s eyes. This is involves not leaning on your own understanding but rather developing your understanding through the application of Scripture to your life and values. This will lead to an internal revolution that places you in the position of having sound judgment.

Paul states that as a result of this “…you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The word translated ‘prove’ is as word that means to discern, interpret or discover. Consequently, by adopting the exhorted approach to life a person will come to a place being able to perceive and understand the will of God for their lives. Hence, they will be able to choose pathways consistent with the ultimate vision for their life. They will become truly successful in the best and fullest senses of the word.

Positive Visioning

“Positive Visioning” not just “Positive Thinking”

Positive Thinking changes your mind but Positive Visioning changes your world A dream is an expression of the desire for something other than what exists; often the desire for a better future and life. A vision is a description of how a person will go about achieving that dream. It includes a purposeful plan to bring into reality that which began as a dream. Therefore, it is our understanding of what God will do through us. However, in what He does through the life of a person God also has a vision of what He wants to do in a life. The simplest and clearest statement of the divine will in us is found in Ro. 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”“…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” God’s vision for every person is to be transformed into the likeness of His Son Jesus. In all that God does through us that is His purpose in us.

God is at work in every circumstance. Consequently, what those circumstances are is not as important as our attitude toward those circumstances. As it is declared in vs.28   In Scripture Hebrew’s chp.11 is a passage that demonstrates the idea of vision. The opening statement of the chapter declares that “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is the substance of vision, the evidence the dream will come to pass. Then in v.2 the author states that by this method “the elders” have a record or history that demonstrates the working of this principle. This phrase “the elders” refers to those who had gone before and whose stories are recorded in the Old Testament since the remainder of the chapter from v.4 is a list of the exploits and achievements of these people.

In Heb. 11:3 the writer declares that; “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” The phrase translated “the worlds” generally refers to and is translated as the ages and era’s of humanity rather than the idea of the physical inhabited world. The author of Hebrew’s uses the word kosmos, the usual word translated world, when speaking of the world as a physical entity. Therefore, the writer of Hebrew’s by using this phrase ‘the ages’ directs attention more to the era’s in which we live; our circumstances and history. However, in v.4 the first of these “elders” mentioned is Abel and in the Genesis account the event preceding the story of Abel is the story of the creation of the world. Therefore, the writer of Hebrew’s is drawing a direct parallel to the creation but his reference is to the “eras” that follow the creation. Hence the writer is informing the reader that from the beginning the future of humanity was created by the “word of God” and unfolded from that point; so that “…the things which are seen (the eras in which we live) were not made of things which are visible (our own efforts or circumstances).”

In the account of the creation in Genesis chp.1 the formula for the act of creating is, God spoke His word and the substance or “stuff” of the physical world came into order around that word. That is to say God spoke and it came to pass as He had said, and continues to do so to the present day. Therefore, the way to re-order reality so that there is real change from the present state is to speak the word of God into the situation and watch circumstances re-order themselves around that spoken word. This is also the thrust of 2 Cor. 13-18. The Spirit of faith operates on the principle that what is believed is declared; hence faith gives substance to things hoped for. The apostle Paul states that circumstances will work for us and therefore we will not become discouraged “…while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seem. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18. Positive visioning is to look into the realm of God and see things His way then declare His word and watch circumstances re-order themselves around that word. If we keep our eyes on the positive vision and not the negative circumstances we will live above circumstances in the realm of faith from where circumstances are changed. Hence, the apostle Paul will go onto to declare in following up this great concept; “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7.

Lifesource Courses Outline

Lifesource Course Development

Material for Lifesource courses has been developed by Ps Peter Sutcliffe (MA Th) emanating from his many years experience in ministry. Peter noticed that in counseling the way people saw things, or their individual mindset, was a large part of their problem.The issue was to help people develope a divine perspective on their situation.   In 2002 Peter began exploring this more closely revisiting previous courses he had developed in this area. He came to recognize that the Ten Commandments reveal what breaks relationship between people and communities (i.e. the principle of The Law). Clearly if there are those things that break relationship then conversely there must be those things that build and restore relationship.  Since the Law set out what not to do there must be behind this the basis of good relationships, i.e. the how to of good relationship. He began to concentrate on the principles behind the commandments that can lead to the restoring and building of relationship. His research focused on these Lifesource Principles which led to a clear revelation of how they impact relationships, the way we see God, ourselves and others. As these concepts were explored it led to the opening up of other related areas and from this the Lifesource courses are developed.   Since that time Peter and Ann have combined their time in ministry, Peters’ Prophetic mantle (revelation of how God thinks) and Scriptural insights to develop the Lifesource courses. Click here to make an inquiry to find out more about Lifesource courses. –

Power of Ten Course Overview:’Power of Ten’ presents powerful tools to understanding the association between belief, self image, relationships and character using Lifesource Principles. It focuses on the empowerment of individuals to bring sustainable success through a positive mindset, good character and successful relationships. Click here to find out more about Power of Ten

Mission + Mandate + Mantle – Course Overview: This course has specifically been developed for releasing the leadership in every person by focusing on mindset of the leader, character in leadership and our interaction and responsibilities with God in fulfilling our calling within our ministry based on Lifesource principles. Equipping and empowering leadership. Click here to find our more about this course

Character 101 – Course Overview: This course presents a basic outline on what is character and how it can be developed. It examines the relationship of a person to their own strengths and weaknesses. Whilst a person’s strengths can qualify them in life it is the weaknesses that can end up disqualifying a person. Character is the resultant impact on our personality due to the decisions we make not those made for us. This course examines a basic framework for decision making in life.

Character: The Journey From Dream to Fulfillment

The purpose of the Book of Genesis, the book of beginnings, is to explain how the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the Israelites) came to be dwelling in Egypt at the time of Moses. It consists of a number of major narratives the last one of which is Gen.37:2-50:26. All of the narratives are in the form of genealogies, or stories about the lives of people, not chronological reports of events. This last narrative of Genesis concerns the life of Joseph from his teenage, Gen.37:2, until his death in Egypt, Gen.50:26. The vehicle for the story is a narrative showing the fulfillment of God’s vision and dream for Joseph. It is the divinely inspired dreams that set the story in motion by bringing to a head the antagonism between Joseph and his brothers, Gen.37:5-11.

The brothers sell Joseph to Midianite slavers who take him to Egypt, Gen.37:12-28. Joseph himself realizes they were the vehicle of the divine plan to take care of the Israelites; since the dreams and reactions to them resulted in being sent before his brethren to prepare a place for them, Gen.50:20-21 Note Joseph recognizes that the brothers originally intended evil but God intended good and it was the divine purpose which prevailed; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Rom.8:28 At the beginning of the story Joseph is revealed as a spoilt brat, Gen.37:3, who is a “tattle tale” informing on the behavior of his brothers, Gen.37:2. In other words Joseph is a precocious young man who lacks character at this time in his life.

However, God had a dream and purpose for this young man’s life at the end of which, when the dream was fulfilled, he would be humble before God seeing himself as a provision for his brothers; a person seeking to cover and protect, not expose and demean. This is indeed an astonishing transformation of character, especially considering the road to fulfillment. Joseph could easily have succumbed to the desire for revenge, which his initial treatment of his brothers suggests he was battling with, see Gen.42:9-44:34. This appears to become resolved in his life when he recognizes that it is the purposes of God which brought him to Egypt, not the actions of his brothers or their hatred of him, see Gen.45:7-8. The fact that Scripture records that Joseph wept and cried out in agony, so much so that the whole house of Pharaoh heard it, may indicate that this concept of divine purpose had become revelation to him at this point. Whether or not this is the point of revelation the important issue is that this revelation resulted in his being reunited with his brothers and able to forgive and release his hurt. At this point Joseph is released to become a true servant to his brethren. Revelation of the purpose of God freed him from reacting and judging his brothers hence allowing forgiveness to occur.

This story is not about a person sustained and empowered by the dream of God, it is not a success story of a person “going” for the dream. It is likely that Joseph had forgotten the dream, or that it was at most dimly in the background, since the Scripture declares that it is when the brothers stand before him as the ruler of Egypt under Pharaoh that he remembers the dreams, Gen.42:9. It is the story of how God took hold of a life and fulfilled His dream for a person’s life, God never loses sight of the vision even when we do. It is most importantly the story of how God prepared the person to fulfill the dream. Finally it is a story showing that when others are seen through the purposes of God this enables a person to deal with the tendency of reacting to people and their actions. God calls a person to fulfill His purpose and then prepares the person to fulfill the purpose. The journey from call to fulfillment is about establishing a character commensurate with the call so that the person can finish their race, achieving the purposes of God, and not be destroyed by the call.

“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” Philip.2:13

A Healthy Society No.2: The Precious Ingredient – Responsibility

The second of the prime ingredients of a healthy society, responsibility, comes from what is referred to as the ‘Golden Rule’, expressed in the phrase ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. The sense of community in a society, i.e. the quality of relationships of the people within a society, is directly proportional to how a person treats others within the society. This means that the value of relationships is enhanced when consideration is taken for others, hence the ‘Golden Rule’ is the precious ingredient which adds value to the community. Therefore, taking responsibility for our actions in the treatment of others directly contributes to our own welfare in a healthy society.

The modern society has undergone a shift in primary focus from ‘others’ to ‘self’, evidenced in such things as ‘self help’, ‘self love’, ‘my success’ etc. Also in the church the ‘what’s in it for me’ mentality has prevailed, seen in the emphasis on such things as ‘my rights in Christ’, ‘gaining my riches in Christ’, giving is promoted by what I will get in the giving, the emphasis on ‘self’ books in stores etc. What has changed is the primary focus, i.e. from ‘others before self’ to ‘self before others’. In either form of society both are considered but in a healthy society the correct order is ‘others before self’. This is the traditional concept of ‘heroism’, action undertaken placing the value on others above self. This is also the core heart value of relationships in marriage and parenting, the ability to place a concern for ‘others’ above concern for ‘self’.

When you look up the dictionary meaning of pride the various meanings primarily relate to ‘self’. In the negative problem of pride the issue is not whether the value of ‘self’ is being overestimated or underestimated; the issue is that it is the result of a fixation on ‘self’. Webster’s Dictionary states that the word proud comes from a word having the meanings of ‘being useful’ or ‘beneficial’. Therefore, in the positive and correct sense to ‘take pride in oneself’ is to attempt to be your most useful or beneficial, notice that this concept relates to ‘others’. Also to ‘take pride in one’s work or endeavors’ is to seek to make them useful and beneficial to others. Whilst the list of areas could go on the important point is that when used correctly pride is relating not to ‘self’ but to the usefulness and benefit to ‘others’. In the present society where we have a fixation on ‘self’ the emphasis on ‘self’ has led to a negative sense of pride not a positive one.

The negative sense of pride leads to problems within society, e.g. the Scripture declares that “By pride comes only contention…” Prov.13:10 Therefore, where pride is prominent the society will fracture in contentions. The over-emphasis on ‘self’ leads to envy of others, and where envy and self-seeking exist it leads to problems within a society. It also leads to a ‘pleasure centered’ society, where the emphasis is on satisfying the needs of ‘self’ before all else. The Book of James shows where this will lead for a society going down this path; “…if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there…Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” from James 3:14-4:3 This really needs no comment other than to say it reflects the total breakdown of a society. Essentially a concern for ‘self’ will lead to a reaching for rights, which will lead to contention. Alternately concern for ‘others’ will lead to a reaching for responsibility, which will lead to reconciliation.

In the light of the above consider the following Scriptural references; “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law…Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Ro.13:8&10 The purpose of law is to define evil and so remove it from a society, therefore preserving the society. However, the text highlights that the real intention of law is to avoid harm to others, and it is for this reason that love fulfills the desire of law. Acting in love, or simply a desire and concern for others, will not harm others and so achieves the law’s prime purpose. Therefore, love not only fulfills the law but also caring for others preserves and enhances your own life. The best way to correctly value ‘self’ and have a healthy society, which is best for you and others, is to live by the Golden Rule, which is the precious ingredient adding value to a society.

In No.1 concerning a healthy society it was noted that the first ingredient is accountability. The link between these ingredients is that accountability ensures responsibility, i.e. if you know you are going to have to render an account you will take care to fulfil your responsibilities. In reality these two simple ‘rules of society’ are the application of what Jesus taught. In Mark 12:28-34 when He was asked what were the great commandments of the law He essentially replied, love God and love your neighbor. When the scribe who asked Jesus the question responded by acknowledging the powerful truth of Jesus’ answer, Jesus replied to the Scribe “…You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mrk.12:34 A kingdom is a society living in harmony with one another and the King. The simple application of these principles puts any person within reach of the Kingdom of God, which is the truly healthy society.

A Healthy Society No1: The Preserving Ingredient – Accountability

In the society of my youth reference was made to two valuable ‘unwritten rules’ that made a society safe and secure. Firstly there was the importance of being what was called a ‘God-fearing’ person. This was a person who lived and conducted their lives with a sense of oversight by ‘God’, whether such a belief in ‘God’ was orthodox or not and whether religious observance was present or absent. This would also involve living by a moral code consistent with the belief. Even though such people lived in a ‘secular’ world and even allowed themselves a fair degree of moral flexibility in their lives there were always boundaries and limits which were not to be crossed. The second was called the ‘Golden Rule’, which was usually expressed in the simple phrase, ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. I was often exhorted to live by the ‘Golden Rule’ by my parents and elders through my youth and teens.

These two ‘rules’ were deemed sufficient for a society to be a good place to live and to ensure success in life. These two ‘rules’ provide the two prime ingredients of a healthy society;

1. The concept of accountability from the first ‘rule’ &

2. The concept of responsibility from the second ‘rule’.

This study looks at the first of these ingredients for a healthy society.

Scripture declares that “The fear of the LORD (or God) is the beginning of wisdom.”Prov.9:10 Wisdom is not just knowing something it is being able to apply it in life. The Book of Proverbs is basically built around three main words, which are knowledge, understanding and wisdom. I once read an interesting example given by an author to explain the difference between these words. His example was based on the human problem of lying. He noted that knowledge is knowing that God hates lying, whereas understanding is self application i.e. knowing that God hates you lying, but wisdom is the application into life i.e. stop lying. So the fear of God is the doorway to being able to apply moral principles into your life, which is very important for a healthy society.

The concept of fear is not blind terror but respect and awe. Far from paralyzing to inaction, as fear is often associated with, it promotes positive action, as the Scripture declares “…by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.”Prov.16:6 Therefore, being ‘God-fearing’  promotes wisdom or positive appropriate action when dealing with others. Consider the following passage; “When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserver you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths…”Prov.2:10-15 This is what used to be called being kept on the ‘straight and narrow’, i.e. avoiding self destructive life patterns that harm others. This has great benefit for the person leading the ‘God-fearing’ lifestyle, as the passage goes on to state; “So you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness. For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, an the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.”Prov.2:20-22 In other words it is a lifestyle of self preservation in the midst of a difficult world, and hence preservation of the society in which such a person lives.

Therefore, the fear of God fosters a sense of accountability in life. It also makes the world a better place since; “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”Prov.14:34 The word righteousness in the Old Testament is a relationship word meaning being in right-standing with God, or living life in a way that is perceived by the person to please God. Such a lifestyle promotes a successful society that is good for all concerned. As a result morality is a function of individuals in a society not a function of governments. Government has a God-given function of regulation within society, despite the modern trend of government to opt out of a regulatory function preferring self-regulation. Consider the following passage; “…rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”Ro.13:3-4 They are ordained by God to punish immorality.

Therefore morality is a function of society in its accountability before God and punishment of immorality, i.e. dealing with those who ignore the morality of society, is a function of Government. In the modern society as the ‘God-fearing’ person has become lost there has been a resultant rush to situation ethics, i.e. self-regulation or self-accountability for morality. If there is a moral breakdown in society people ask what is the Government doing about it? However, Government can only pass legislation to punish immorality, it can’t enforce accountability to a moral code. In such a society legislative definition of rights of the individual is seen as the key, the focus on the self. However, in a healthy society the focus is not on rights but on responsibilities of the individual, and the focus is on others. Some years ago the government was considering legislation of the rights conferred by the government on people in a proposed Bill Of Rights. A former Chief Justice of Australia was reported to have said words to the effect that if a society is just and humane it has no need of a Bill Of Rights, if it is not no Bill Of Rights will preserve it.

What is needed is not more laws but more ‘God-fearing’ people which will produce a sense of accountability in dealing with others. This will lead to the positive application into life of principles and ways that will preserve a healthy society.

Christianity: An Alternative Lifestyle IN the World not TO the World

Christianity often is made to appear as an alternative lifestyle to the world rather than an alternative lifestyle in the world. However, for the Christianity to be truly authentic it must be applicable to life and should work in the most difficult or unusual of situations. There has often been a tendency to ‘cloister’ people in the Christian community and try to insulate and isolate them from the world they are in fact supposed to effect.

Consider a Scripture such as 1 John 2:15, which states; “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” This text would seem to indicate that a Christian should withdraw from the world. However, such texts have been considered out of context to the whole of the Scripture. For the same author states in another place in Scriptures that “…God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son…”, John 3:16. The same author also reports Jesus as saying “I do not pray that You should take them (the disciples) out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.”, John 17:15, and “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”, John 17:18. Clearly a person must be careful not to consider a text in isolation from the rest of Scripture.

The above situation can be resolved by considering the implications of what the Apostle Paul meant when he declared “…our citizenship is in heaven…”, Philippians 3:20. The values, principles and guidelines for life in this world are derived from a spiritual source, which is the Spirit led interpretation of Scripture. They don’t arise from within this world, and, hence are not dictated by the world in which a Christian lives. Therefore, Christianity is alternative lifestyle within the world not an alternative lifestyle to it. The Scriptural concepts are to be applied in working, living and relating to the world around the believer. One paradigm, supported in Scripture, that can help illustrate this is found in 2Corinthians 5:20 where Paul states that “…we are ambassadors for Christ…” An ambassador, or representative, of another country lives and works in a host country but their lifestyle and values in life are derived from the country they represent. This is the situation for the Christian living in this world.

This view of reality began to dawn upon me when Ann and I were to be married. I was out of work at the time and felt, as a prospective husband, that I should have a job. However, the only job I could get at the time was as a Barman, working in the Members’ Bar, at an RSL club in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney. I remember the reaction of our Pastor when we went for Pre-marital counseling. He was more concerned about my occupation at the time than dealing with relationship issues. His mind-set seemed to be that believers should be separated from the world, and as a result, not involved in certain occupations and endeavors. However, I believed that the Lord had enabled me to get the work at the time. I also felt the Lord had spoken to my heart from Scriptures such as 2Thess.3:10 “…If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” and also Prov.14:23 “In all labor there is profit…” It was in this situation as I sought to apply my faith that I learnt some valuable spiritual lessons.

In my work the first thing I noticed was how destroyed peoples lives can get. There were the cleaners who worked through the night on the club. When I opened the Members’ Bar they would be the first customers and they would often remain throughout the day, only going home in the afternoon or early evening before starting work again at around 2am. All the marriages in the club, from the manager down, were either broken up, about to be broken up or would soon break up due to the infidelity of the partners. The Members’ Bar adjoined the Lounge Bar where the banks of Poker Machines were located. At times I would have to relieve in the Lounge Bar including giving change for the Poker Machines. I will never forget the ‘haunted’ looks on many of the faces, at times it felt like they were willing me not to give them change. I remember one man pointed out to me by another barman. I was told, to use the words of this barman, that ‘this man put his trucking business through the slot machines’. Evidently the business he had owned had a fleet of 12 trucks and now he worked for another firm as a driver. Whilst at first people were suspicious and dismissive of my faith, as I worked among them and didn’t judge them people began to open up about their lives. I realised that if my faith couldn’t work in this situation then I had nothing to offer these people.

The following quote from the book Pioneers of Revival about William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army sums up what I came to feel in the work I was doing at the time;”One day William took Bramwell, his son, into an East End pub which was crammed full of dirty, intoxicated creatures. Seeing the appalled look on his son’s face, he said gently, ‘Bramwell, these are our people- the people I want you to live for’.”
This is the heart beat of John 3:16-17.

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