You know you're a nerd when...

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

You know you're a nerd when... You go to Koorong (Christian Bookstore) and are absolutely ecstatic when you find an Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible at a heavily discounted price!

You know you're a nerd when... At your first youth meeting you enthusiastically encourage your youth group by saying ..."Let's play Salvo Trivia!!!"

You know you're a nerd when... You are extremely excited at the idea of finding a Bible College that can teach you BIBLICAL HEBREW in Semester 1, 2008!! WOOOHOOO!!!!!

You know you're a nerd when... you check your iNotes (Salvo mail) each day awaiting the possibility of Australian & International Appointments coming out.

You know you're a nerd when... Every year when the field change comes out you play over and over again the song 'O Boundless Salvation' on your old record player.

You know you're a nerd when... you get extremely excited when people say "Oh, I've got some books for you!.."

And finally...

You know you're a nerd when... you can list every General of The Salvation Army in order AND know a whole heap of very random Salvo facts!

Well, I guess I'm a nerd.....BUT! I'm a nerd for Jesus! Hallelujah!

Who am I?

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

When I meet new people they often ask me to share some of who I am. The reality is that I haven't met every single person that reads this blog, so I thought I'd share some things about myself.

My name is Aaron Scott MacDonald Stobie, my birthdate is the 24/09/1987, which makes me currently 20 years old. I love, worship and serve the Triune God - that is, God the Father, God the Son and God, the Holy Spirit. I am currently a Cadet in The Salvation Army Training College in Melbourne, Australia. I have completed my first year and in a matter of weeks, enter in to my 2nd and final year before becoming and Salvation Army Officer.

In my family are my Mum (Rhonda) 'Promoted to Glory (passed away) on the 16th of May, 2004. Dad (Brett), Step-Mum (Susuan) and I have 4 sisters - Kim, 35 (Married to Bill with 3 children, Deon (13), Leilani (One) & Neva (3 weeks old), Bernadette, 29 (Married to Kevin, with one child, Harley (2), Rachael is eight & Sarah is five. I also have two younger brothers, Ronald, 17 & Stephen 14. I love my family immensley.

I've lived in New Zealand as well as all over Melbourne. We lived in Hoppers Crossing which is where I was invited to come along to The Salvation Army SAGALA sectionn (A Salvo version of Scouts). This started my hunger for God. My brother and my parents became Christians during this time. Hallelujah! As well as SAGALA I also started going to Sunday School,Church and then was enrolled as a Junior Soldier, and then that lead onto being enrolled as a Senior Soldier at the age of 15. As I continued to journey with God and with those around I felt very strongly called to be an Officer. I followed God's will and am now in the Training College.

I love Rock 'n' Roll dancing, I love music and singing and anything to do with music. I especially love composing music. I'm loud and extraverted, I get my energy from God and others. I love people, I love journeying with them and hearing their stories. I love learning news things and I love serving God and those around me.

I'm passionate about God and doing His will. God has created me and I'm working at being WHO He created me to be, cause if I don't then I actually dishonour Him, and that's not something that I want to be doing. God give me Your strength to be all You've made, intended and want me to be. Hallelujah!

Got any questions? Want to know more? Send them through the blog!!

All of God's blessings!!

God, give us strength to be who You've made us to be! May we honour You, by doing that! I love You and need You. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me! Hallelujah! Amen!

Disciples in training, NOT in waiting!

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

The last few weeks, I believe God has been placing something very strongly on my heart. I know when He's placed things on my heart in the past, and so because of that I discern that this is of God this time also.

You may know them from their laughter, or their cheekiness or even, at times, their naughtiness. They have so much joy and are absolutely full of life. They appear to be fearless and willing to do anything. They are wonderful gifts from God.

I am talking about Children!

We need to be effective in our children's ministries. We need to disciple them well. We need to love them, care for them, support them, encourage them and empower them. They are not Disciples in waiting, No! They are Disciples in training! Jesus loves the children, they are apart of His Kingdom. Hallelujah!

We must disciple our kids wherever we are! For parents, disciple your kids, teach them the ways of the Lord. It's a Biblical instruction! (Check our Proverbs 22:6)For all of us, disciple the kids we come into contact with!

I had a conversation on Saturday night with a very good and close friend of mine. She is a faithful woman and has such a great heart for God, Children and Cross-Cultural ministries. We were discussing the importance of valuing children. No longer can we be half-hearted about kids ministries. We need to be doing it with our whole heart!

Sunday night I was @ The Salvation Army - Waverley Temple Corps and it was the YP (Young People's) Christmas Concert. Kids are being discipled there, and not just in spiritual things. It was an amazing night, that bought with it huge blessing.

God, we thank You for the gift of children. May You empower us to love them more, teach them more, support them more and empower them more. May the kids ministries in Your Army - The Salvation Army be covered in Your anointing and absolutely EXPLODE - Growing from strength to strength. In Your name, for Your glory! Hallelujah! Amen!

Hallelujah!!!!

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

With a song of praise and a grateful heart, Lord we magnify Your holy Name - Lord, come and fill us once again.

THIS is the cry of Your people!

Holy Spirit come and reign down Your mercy. We are here to worship You.

When was the last time you asked the Holy Spirit to reign down on you and fill you afresh and anew? God is always willing and wanting to fill us again and again.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Saviour? If you don't, then leave a message or email me and we'll talk more.

God is worthy of all honour and praise! He is wonderful loving and powerful! I give testimony to this! He has done amazing things in my life. And I'm confident that He has done some amazing things in your lives to. But friends, can I let you in on something?..... It's not gonna stop! He cares about us and loves us too much to ever leave us, and just being in His presence is an amazing blessing!!!

Lord, let it be so! Reign down Your Holy Spirit on us all!! Hallelujah! Amen!

There's no escaping!

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

I've been reminded recently that there is no escaping God! He is everywhere! Everywhere you go, He is there. For those who have decided to turn away from God - There is no escaping God. Even if you don't call Him your Lord - He is there with you. You can't escape His love or His presence.

Scripture confirms that we cannot escape from His presence. Because He is everywhere!

Psalm 139 says:

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

For those who are called to Officership - God is with you. Ask Him to give you the time He wants you to enter College. He is very faithful. Trust Him!

For those reading this.... Are you running?

Christmas Time!

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

It's Christmas time! So far, I've carolled 5 times, wrapped thousands of presents, tested Christmas food and have been to 4 Christmas carol services...AND it's only the 9th of December! I love Christmas time. It's a great opportunity to share a great message of hope, love and peace. For unto us a child was born - a child that is the Saviour of the world! While for many Christmas is a wonderful time of joy and celebration with families and friends, there are those who do not enjoy Christmas. I learnt this week that for clients in courts and prisons this time of year has the highest suicide rate. I was immensley sad when I found out that. A time where we celebrate the great hope found in Christ is also the time when some consider ending it all. Would you make some time each day to pray for those who are not seeing any hope this Christmas. Oh Lord give them hope, may they come to know you - the Eternal Love and Hope.

For a number of years now some friends and I have had this little tradition where we go to the big carols service at the Werribee Mansion and sing really loud and dance and eat lots of food. Well last night was our night. It was the Wyndham City Carols @ the Werribee Mansion. There was an estimated 9,000/10,000 or so people coming to the carols service. My very good friends, Bree & Kym (and some others) and I went to the carols. I praise God that my friends and I spoke about Him alot and about what I've been learning at the Training College. This carol service is outdoors and organised by the local Ministers Network. Completely focused on God. There was great singing, a live Nativity scene and lots of people. I thank God for my friends and for the source of inspiration they are to me.

There is only a week and a half left of College and then the first year is completed. For all those who have journeyed with me for the whole year - where has the year gone? I praise God for this year and for all that has taken place. He is faithful.

Just a prayer request - Could you please pray for my older sister Bernadette, her husband and their 3year old son, Harley. Bernadette lost her Dad on Saturday. Please pray for comfort, peace and strength. And pray that they would come to know Christ and be in relationship with Him!

God we thank you for the great gift you gave us - Jesus. We praise You because You still love us and You continually give us gifts. We pray that all people would know the hope that is found in Jesus this Christmas. May You use us to be that hope to the people around us. We are Your children. Hallelujah! Amen.

Magistrates Court

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

As part of my placement, I had the immense privilege and eye-opening experience of the work of The Salvation Army Chaplains in the Magistrates Court. The Chaplains that work there are Majors Dennis & Thelma McMillan & Captain Alison Platt. They are quite an extraordinary team who love God with a passion and with that same passion love people. It's inspiring!

One of the things that really amazed me was how much TSA is respected in the Courts & Prisons. The people knew the Chaplains by name and even shared in many jokes with them. It was refreshing and such a great blessing to be apart of and experience. We must pay tribute to Chaplains, who are often overlooked. But, they play an integrel part and have such a powerful ministry. They need our prayers. Pray for them regularly.

Over the past four days I have come into contact with many, if not most of the Courts & Prisons Chaplains and have been incredibly encouraged and inspired by their wealth of knowledge and their practical application of God's Word. It really is amazing! I have learnt from them, and am confident that I will continue to learn from them well into the future - whatever, or where ever my appointment may be.

Tonight I went carolling with TSA - Brunswick Corps. It was great fun. Good people, good music, good ministry and good (extremely funny) experiences! We played for a couple of hours whike others collected from door to door and then on the way home, we sang all our parts. Praise God for the gift of music!

Today I also celebrate a good friend of mine giving her life to Jesus! All of heaven is rejoicing! We took her through the prayer and she's loving the Lord! God we give you ALL the glory. We thank You for all You have done, all You are doing and all that You will do. Give us strength to be all You've made us to be. Empower us by Your Spirit and lead us in Your love. May we be more and more like You. This is our prayer. You are faithful and we celebrate You. Hallelujah! Amen!

Missy Higgins

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

I had a wonderful night tonight! Cadets Kim & Rach, our friend Jodes & I went to see the fabulous Missy Higgins concert at the Rod Laver Arena. She was in amazing form, to say the least, performing many of her well loved songs. People sang and cheered, clapped their hands and stomped their feet. Kim, Jodes and I even stood up and danced for the last song. It was a great time! I believe that it's important to be social, with Christians and those who are not yet Christians. There is something about hanging out with friends that really deepens the relationship and offers a great opportunity to share with one another. God longs to be in a relationship with us and to deepen that also. We should be in relationships with others. It's a healthy and a whole lot of fun!

In Kneedrill on Monday morning I prayed that God would give me opporunity to speak with people while I was on placement, particularly when I was on Public Transport. I got off the tram at the Victoria Market, and was a little bit confused about where the street was that I need to get to, so I asked a lady and she said "I'm walking there.." and we walked there together. She was asking many questions and it was a great time of sharing with her about my faith and how my family came to faith. She encouraged me in what TSA is doing around Australia and she had a great excitement about where things are heading. Please pray for her, that God would put someone, or something in her life that would draw her unto Him.

God I thank you SO much for relationships. May we all be blessed with good, healthy relationships that bring you glory. We celebrate our relationship with You and thank you heaps for sending Your Son, Jesus to die for us, so that a relationship with you could be made possible! Hallelujah!!! Amen!

Court & Prison Chaplains

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

My day on Monday started much earlier than usual. Our new TP, Captain Stephen Court introduced Kneedrill (prayer meeting) to go from 5:30am - 6:00am. It was great! Then I headed off to the Victorian Office for Court & Prison Chaplains. It was the start of my placement. What a brilliant day. I am incredibly blessed to be under the leadership of Major David Brunt, who is the state co-ordinater of the court and prison chaplains. Major Brunt has a wealth of knowledge and experience. I count it a true honour to be able to learn from him - I'm soaking up his knowledge.

My elective for the Second Semester was at the Eastern Victoria Division's Sports ministries (SABAV). Last night was the presentation dinner. It was great. I didn't get a trophy, but I did get a napkin and a little sticker celebrate my great achievement of being the best benchwarmer in the league. I did play almost every game, but as you are all probably aware, I was far from being the best player. But it was fun and it was a great time to celebrate all that I had learnt from the Sports ministries.

Today saw most of the Court & Prison chaplains, Business people, school students and other helpers come together to make up 3000 showbag type things to be distributed to all the prisoners across the state. We also wrapped HEAPS of presents for their children. It was a long day, but it was a really good day too. It was lots of fun, especially seeing as though, Cassie, Kimmi, Brit, Caitlyn and Mel were there. They worship @ Waverley Temple and they love the Lord with all their heart. It's was an honour to work together for the Lord in this way. The Victorian chaplains are second to none and are absolutely amazing. They love their work, they love God, they love the people they work with. They have much compassion and a huge amount of knowledge and experience. I thank God for them each!

Major Brunt shared with me that for a lot of prisoners, Christmas time is far from being a happy and fun time. Infact, it's the complete opposite. Christmas time has the highest rate of suicide. I almost cried when Major Brunt shared that with me. This time where most of us have great joy and happiness, is for others a great time of loneliness and sadness. This Christmas, may we all share to Hope of Jesus! Will you pray for those prisoners during this time? I know you will! God we thank you for all you have done for us. Thanks for sending Jesus so that we may have an eternal hope, that hope of a lifetime spent with you. We give you praise. We love you. Hallelujah! Amen!

Sunday Blessings!

Greetings in the name of Jesus!

Sunday was an amazing day! Thank You God, for the great gift!

Sunday morning, Cadet Dibbie Wilson and I attended the Box Hill Chinese Corps. The Corps is under the very capable leadership of Majors Sam & Donnie Pho. God is there and we could feel a real sense of good, healthy community. We didnt understand a thing apart from two VERY important words.....HALLELUJAH and AMEN! It was an amazing experience. Major Sam Pho even spoke a couple of sentences in English, just for us - Hallelujah! If you get a chance, you should go there and experience the amazing blessing. I thank God for the Box Hill Chinese Corps and for all who attend there.

Sunday night I helped out at TSA in Torquay. What an amazing night. I believe that they have a dinner on the first Sunday of each month....and Hallelujah, that just happened to be last night! There were so many people there. The newly commissioner, Captains Phil & Catherine Abram, and their leadership team are amazing! God is really working there in a powerful way.

Would you suuport out friends and comrades in prayer as they do God's work? I know you will.

I've got some more exciting news - Thursday saw me become an Uncle, for the fourth time. My eldest siser, Kim, along with her husband Bill welcomed a beautiful little girl into the world. She is gorgeous! Her name is Neva (pronounced 'Neeva') Trinity. God I thank you SO much for the safe arrival of Neva, may she come to know you in a real and special way. Bless her Mum and Dad and her older brother and sister - May they call you their Lord.

Maybe you can find someone to pray for regularly. Someone who doesn't yet know God. Be faithful in prayer. God is faithful.

This week I'm @ a Social Placement with Major David Brunt. I'll fill you in more about that later.

I read Ephesians 3:19 today and I found a line that really resonated with me. This is in the context of Paul's letter to God's people who live in Ephesus. We're told they are faithful followers of God. 3:19 says: "I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is" (CEV) That last line there. Are you filled with all that God is? Isn't that awesome!? God today, and everyday may we be filled with all that you are. Bring it on Lord! Hallelujah!

New Beginnings!

Greetings in the Name of Jesus!

So here we are on the first of December, 2007. Today brings new beginnings and is a day of change.

I think particularly of TSA and all the new beginnings that have begun today. Today has seen Lt. Cols. John & Judith Jeffrey step into retirement after many years of faithful service to God. I trust that this time will bring great blessing as they celebrate God. I am confident that they will continue to be faithful and hard working for God and His Kingdom. We celebrate with the Jeffrey's and constantly thank God for them! Hallelujah!

Today has also seen the promotion of Majors Raymond & Aylene Finger to the rank of Lt.Col. as they take up their new roles as Chief Secretary and Territorial Secretary for Women's ministries. We celebrate all that God is doing in their lives and look forward with great anticipation as to how God will continue to use them in the future. I am sure that Lt. Cols Raymond & Aylene Finger would appreciate our prayers at this time.

Major Frank Daniels has also stepped into a new role as the Secretary for Personnel. Major Daniels loves God and he loves people. He will be a great blessing to this Territory and I am certain that God will continue to use him greatly in this role. He is a great mentor, leader, Spiritual Director and friend. We praise God for Major Daniels and for all he will achieve in the power of Jesus!

This day also has seen Captain Stephen Court take up a new appointment as Training Principal. We have seen him around the place over these last few days and look forward to all that God will do over these coming day, weeks, months and year(s) at the Training College.

The first of December also brings another new beginning or change. It's SUMMER! And what a beautiful day to start summer on. The weather is amazing. I praise God for His creation and for all that He gives us. I know that you celebrate with me!

It's important and Biblical that we support our leaders in prayer. So as our leaders and friends start their new appointments let's pray for peace, wisdom, strength and grace.
God we celebrate you today and ask your blessing of divine peace, divine wisdom, divine strength and divine grace be with our friends mentioned above. May they work in Your name, for Your Kingdom and to bring You glory. Hallelujah! Amen!