Dear Friends,

July will see a number of Live 8 concerts taking place to help those in need around the world. This is quite an amazing feat as it represents people coming together from all over to try and help their fellow man and woman. Even before the concerts have taken place, we have seen its positive effects with some of the richer countries in the world agreeing to write off debts in the tens of millions of dollars owed by countries in Africa. Again, this too is quite an amazing feat.

All of this represents what is great about our world. Even though at times it seems like only the bad things are predominantly featured in the news, there is a tremendous amount of good going on in the world as well such as events like Live 8 to which Sir Bob Geldof and everyone else involved are to be commended.

Let us give thanks to God for the goodness that we do see in the world around us for it can be easy to forget it at times and only focus on the negative. Jesus came that we might have abundant life (John 10:10) and big fund raising events like Live 8 and charities at work do make a difference and bring something of the fullness of life to others in need.

We have a responsibility as Christians to help make a difference for good in our world. The Salvation Army is well known for its’ social work and a desire to help those in need wherever possible. I believe that this is because our motivation is for people to ultimately see that we offer help out of the love that we have for God. From that comes the desire for others to experience the love that God has for them despite the bad things that happen and in turn may they find Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. That is something else that is great about our world and great about God!

May God bless you.

Paul Wood
Captain