This week in the Self Denial Appeal our attention turns to Lae Street School in Papua New Guinea.
As mentioned previously the appeal originally started in 1886 when General William Booth called Salvationists around the world to give sacrificially and to deny themselves so that they could offer God’s grace and love to a hurting world.
The theme for this years appeal is: ‘A Gift from the Heart’.
Through inspirational testimonies and stunning imagery, the video series challenges us to see how people with so little can still give generously. And it is hoped that through them you’ll be encouraged to consider the blessings that you have received from God, and how you can use them to bless other people.
Through these resources hopefully you’ll be able to discover how God is speaking to you about your response and how you can contribute to further His work in the world through The Salvation Army’s Self Denial Appeal.
The Self Denial Appeal was started in 1886 when General William Booth called Salvationists around the world to give sacrificially and to deny themselves so that they could offer God’s grace and love to a hurting world.
The theme for this years Self Denial Appeal which started last weekend here in New Zealand is: ‘A Gift from the Heart’.
This year we highlight The Salvation Army’s work in Kenya and Papua New Guinea and some of the programmes that have benefited from the generosity of those that have contributed in years gone by.
Through inspirational testimony and stunning imagery, the video series challenges us to see how people with so little can still give generously from what they have.
It is hoped that through these weekly videos you’ll be encouraged to consider the blessings that you have received from God and how you can use them to bless other people.
Also that you’ll be able to discover how God is speaking to you about your response and how you can contribute to further His work in the world through The Salvation Army’s Self Denial Appeal.
For more information on devotions that are available and how to donate, check out the Self Denial Appeal website.
The other week I wrote a post about finding joy in the hard times, recognising that oftentimes it can be hard in amongst the trials and tribulations that one faces. Especially if you’ve been saddled with things not of your own making.
I shared that due to my faith, I can find joy in the hard times! As my faith has enabled me to hold on to the Hope that comes in believing that better days are ahead of me, regardless of what I am facing today.
You see, my faith has helped me more than I’d care to imagine! It has helped me get through some pretty tough trials and tribulations that I’ve faced throughout my life. And it continues to do so, as I work through the challenges that my health condition Scleroderma brings, which you can read about here.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus. My faith comes from knowing that in Him alone, my hope is found. He is my solid ground, my cornerstone and when things go awry – I can trust in His love for me. Like the writers of the well-known contemporary Christian hymn, “In Christ Alone” I know that this to be true for me and can be for anybody 🙂
Written in 2002, “In Christ Alone” was a collaborative effort between Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. “The song came about in an unusual way,” Townend explains.
“Keith and I met in the autumn of 2000 at a worship event, and we resolved to try to work together on some songs. A few weeks later Keith sent some melody ideas, and the first one on the CD was a magnificent, haunting melody that I loved, and immediately started writing down some lyrical ideas on what I felt should be a timeless theme commensurate with the melody.
So the theme of the life, death, resurrection of Christ, and the implications of that for us just began to tumble out, and when we got together later on to fine tune it, we felt we had encapsulated what we wanted to say.”
Townend writes; “The lyric [of this song] excites me because it places our hope, our assurance, our eternal destiny in the right place—on the solid foundation of Christ. I know in my own life I need reminding continually not to live by my feelings or my circumstances, but by the unchanging truth of the gospel.” *
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand.
I too need to be constantly reminded that despite all the stuff that I’m facing in life, all the changes that I’m dealing with, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I can’t rely on my feelings or certain circumstances that surround me I need to grasp a hold of the truth that in Him there is life! Christopher Reeve is attributed as saying that “once you choose hope anything is possible”.
Another song that resonates with me is Tuhia which was written by Aaron Hardy from Te Rautini, formerly known as Link. It has become an influential worship song throughout the church in Aotearoa (New Zealand) over the past few years and I just love the bridge (refrain);
Your love has freed us We’re free indeed Spoken to our pain, revealing hope again
The thing is, Jesus not only frees us from the bondage, penalty and guilt of sin – He also increases our capacity to love, to experience peace in amongst the trials and tribulations of life that we face, to have joy, to find rest, to have hope, and to enjoy life.
In John 10:10 Jesus says “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (New International Version)
We can have hope because of who God is and what He wants for each and every one of us.
Lamentations 3:22-26 says that “It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is His faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul;
“Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. It is good that one waits quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Amplified Bible)
I’d like to leave you with a piece of music that has been written by Roger Trigg for, and premiered by Enfield Citadel Band (Bandmaster Jonathan Corry) on 11th October, 2013.
According to the World of Brass sitethe work formed part of the band’s annual pre-contest festival on the eve of the National Brass Band Championships which are held in the august surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall, London each year.
The words ‘my hope’ appear in both hymns that are referenced in the music. The notes ‘E’, ‘C’, ‘B’ also feature throughout the work as homage to Enfield Citadel Band.
The verse of ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ (S.A.S.B. 662), to the tune ‘Solid Rock’ (T.B. 446), is then introduced and forms the basis of the end of the first section – set in the minor, unlike the usual setting of the melody. The more sedate middle section that follows features an original theme, again using the notes ‘E’, ‘C’, ‘B’ as a melodic stimulus.
The tune ‘Michael’ (Herbert Howells), to which the text ‘All my hope on God is founded’ (S.A.S.B. 530) is sung, provided the original impetus for this work. The song features as a new addition to The Salvation Army’s 2015 iteration of its song book. It is a noble tune and there are big majestic, organ-like sounds utilised in its final treatment which brings the work to a climactic end.
I hope you enjoy it and contemplate what has been written about where I have found my hope and where you too can find yours.
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace, may you find rest for your soul and may He give you strength for today, and hope for tomorrow.
Just over two months ago, a report was launched by Rare Disorders NZ exposing the shockingly low quantity of data available on rare disorders in New Zealand. This indicates that government health entities have no real sense of the prevalence of rare disorders or the scale of their impact on the health system.
The report found that it is not possible to accurately estimate the prevalence of rare disorders in the country due to the low quantity of data available. The primary reason for this is that the classification system for diseases that New Zealand uses does not include most rare disorders.
“As an organisation, they have long been calling for a national data registry on rare disorders, because otherwise how can we know the size of the issue? Without the numbers, how can the Government measure the need, estimate the demand for services, and make evidence-based decisions for this population group?”, says James McGoram, Chair of Rare Disorders NZ.
Since February 2020 when Rare Disorders NZ launched the Fair for Rare NZ campaign, they have been calling on the government to develop a National Rare Disorder Framework. They identified seven strategic priorities to improve health and wellbeing for people living with a rare disorder:
DIAGNOSIS: Early and accurate diagnosis of rare diseases
PLANNED PATHWAYS FOR CLINICAL CARE: Coordinated and integrated pathways for cohesive healthcare
ACCESS TO DISABILITY AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS: Implement simple mechanisms to ensure appropriate access to disability and social supports
RARE DISORDER MEDICINES: Equitable access to modern rare disorder medicines through a specific assessment pathway
RESEARCH: Coordinated and funded programme of research for rare disorders
NATIONAL RARE DISEASE REGISTRY: Capture relevant data on rare disorders in New Zealand
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Planned training on rare disorders for health professionals and support staff
While some progress has been made with the government accepting the Pharmac Review’s recommendation to develop a strategy for rare disorders in June 2022 – we still have a long ways to go 😦
In the interim “People affected by rare disorders are falling through the gaps because of a lack of data.”
Based on international data, there are over 6,000 known rare disorders, estimated to affect around 300,000 people in New Zealand. While these disorders individually occur in very small numbers in the population, those affected share the same challenges and systemic barriers in our health system – lack of timely diagnosis, poor treatment access, lack of coordinated care, isolation and for many, being lost in the system.
These conditions can be complex, debilitating, and life threatening and often require a broad range of services. Without access to the appropriate care and treatment, rare disorder patients often end up – unnecessarily – being high-need, high-cost patients.
The report highlights studies from the US that found that an average rare disorder patient has an annual medical cost that is over NZS$40,000 more than an average patient, and that failing to treat rare disorder patients incurs even higher costs.
“Over half a billion dollars is currently being spent on a new data and digital health information system, Hira.
We have repeatedly asked for rare disorder data to be captured under this new system, but we have seen no impetus to incorporate rare disorder data collection. To miss this opportune moment would be extremely frustrating, as having the data is the first step to creating meaningful change for the rare community, and will ultimately lead to the health system saving millions,” says McGoram.
I’d like to think that as the Government continues to grapple with Bills (proposed laws) relating to health such as; the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill, and the Therapeutic Products Bill, that the above kind of information is at the forefront of their minds, along with their commitment to develop a strategy for rare disorders. As it has serious ramifications if they don’t get it right for those affected by Rare Diseases and Disorders.
The team at Rare Disorders NZ have sent questions to all the political parties leading up to the 2023 general election on their commitment to developing a strategy for rare disorders and the seven priority areas, which you can read here.
Today is the start of this years Self Denial Appeal* and its theme is:
‘A Gift from the Heart’.
It encourages us to consider the blessings we have from God and how we can use those to bless other people.
This year we highlight The Salvation Army’s work in Kenya and Papua New Guinea and some of the programmes that have benefited from the generosity of those that have contributed in years gone by.
Drawing on the key verse for the Self Denial Appeal this year, the six-weekly devotional series explores Paul’s writings in 2 Corinthians 8 about giving willingly and out of the overflow of our hearts.
“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have“. 2 Corinthians 8:11-12 (New International Version)
Paul reflected on the church in Macedonia who were poor and yet still gave generously:
“… their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part”.
Their generosity was inspired by the love of God and we are encouraged to follow their example.
It is hoped that these weekly devotions will help you to engage with the weekly Self Denial videos and enable you to discover how God is speaking to you about your response.
Through inspirational testimony and stunning imagery, the video series also challenges us to see how people with so little can still give generously from what they have. It encourages us to reflect on all that God gives us and consider how we can joyfully give to others to further God’s work in the world.
* The Self Denial Appeal started in 1886 when General William Booth called Salvationists around the world to give sacrificially and to deny themselves so that they could offer God’s grace and love to a hurting world.
Throughout the appeal Salvationists are encouraged to put aside One Weeks Salary On Missionary Sunday (the Altar Service), OWSOMS is a term that the appeal was also known as previously.
For more history about Self Denial check out SALT Magazine here.
Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the official public holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori – Matariki. Although it won’t always fall on the same date each year (just like the Easter holidays) it’ll always fall on a Friday.
Refer to last year’s post that I wrote for more information about some of the specific stars that make up the star cluster known in Aotearoa (New Zealand) as Matariki. The rising of this star cluster which is known around the world by many names, but most commonly Pleiades, signals in the Māori New Year and is made up of several hundred stars.
It’s a common thing to gaze up at the night sky on a clear night and take in the signs and wonders, and even feel as sense of awe when one searches the stars for clusters that we know of. However, only a handful are visible to the naked eye, even though there are millions that we can see, and each star in those clusters has special significance.
Māori believe that the appearance of Matariki in the morning sky in mid-winter signals a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate the present and plan for the future, and it is also a time to reflect.
The public holiday affords us time to do exactly this while we also possibly spend time with our whānau and friends – to consider what it means to be ‘community’ together, enjoying kai (food), waiata (song), and tākaro (games).
So what can you do to celebrate Matariki this year?
Possibly you could get up early in the morning and head outside to view Matariki before sunrise, taking time to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. Some people even like to call out the names of the dead to honour them, or you might like to sit around a fire sharing memories of the people who are no longer with us here on earth.
You may want to say a karakia (prayer) that relates to Matariki and learn about the maramataka (Māori Calendar) and the many phases of the moon, along with identifying as many stars as you can.
You may like to spend some time in solitude, contemplating the world around us, your part in it and give thanks for the year that has passed, sharing your thoughts, words, a scripture, and a karakia to God.
For, “when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? … Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-4 & 9
(New International Version)
You may even like to organise a Matariki feast (breakfast, lunch or dinner), so that you can spend time with whānau and friends that you haven’t seen for a while.
Possibly you could plan and create some goals for the year ahead, writing them down and posting them somewhere you’ll see on consistent basis, so that they can remind you each day of what you are working towards.
Or maybe you’d like to plan and plant a garden of remembrance so that you can be reminded of the new life that follows as a plant grows and produces more leaves, flowers and fruit etc.
Celebrate in a way that feels right for you and your family 🙂
For other activities and resources that you can do check out what Te Wānanga o Aotearoa have provided for free here.
This week in the Self Denial Appeal our attention turns to Lae Street School in Papua New Guinea.
The other week I wrote a post about 
Written in 2002, “In Christ Alone” was a collaborative effort between Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. “The song came about in an unusual way,” Townend explains. 
In Christ alone my hope is found,
Your love has freed us
The tune ‘Michael’ (Herbert Howells), to which the text ‘All my hope on God is founded’ (S.A.S.B. 530) is sung, provided the original impetus for this work. The song features as a new addition to The Salvation Army’s 2015 iteration of its song book. It is a noble tune and there are big majestic, organ-like sounds utilised in its final treatment which brings the work to a climactic end.
Just over two months ago, a report was launched by 
While some progress has been made with the government accepting the Pharmac Review’s recommendation to develop a strategy for rare disorders in June 2022 – we still have a long ways to go 😦
I’d like to think that as the Government continues to grapple with Bills (proposed laws) relating to health such as; the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill, and the Therapeutic Products Bill, that the above kind of information is at the forefront of their minds, along with their commitment to develop a strategy for rare disorders. As it has serious ramifications if they don’t get it right for those affected by Rare Diseases and Disorders.
Today is the start of this years Self Denial Appeal* and its theme is:
The life and times of Perry... 