Concord Chronicle

We are back! It's has been a crazy couple of weeks!

After Congress, we drove to Boring, Oregon (yep - that's the name) to drop off our older three kids to The Salvation Army's Camp Kuratli for the summer. Rhys is in charge of creating media content for the programs. Kaylynn is the Christian Education Director which oversees the chapel services for the kids every day. And Morgan is - finally! - a girls' cabin group leader.

Before Morgan's orientation started with the rest of the camp staff, we had a few days together with her and Evan. We had so much fun together doing the simplest things: tested out the local coffee shops, walked through a Farmer's Market, swam in the river, thrifted (we found some great deals!), ate a food truck stop, went on a waterfall hike, watched a movie, did all the children's activities at an interpretive center, and completed word puzzles in a book. They were precious times.

Jim Burns, president of HomeWord and executive director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University, gives numerous workshops and blogs on marriage and family. He often says that "your children regard your presence as a sign of caring and connectedness." Sometimes we might get distracted and so preoccupied with the urgent that we miss the most important. Trust me, it was hard not checking my emails while we were away, but I did it! (I'm not saying this to boast or to prove my importance. That is not the case at all.) Of course, I was concerned that everything would be ready for Vacation Bible School and our campers got off to camp without any problems. But for those limited days, my main focus needed to be quality time with my children.

For families during summer break, make sure you carve out time with your kids or grandkids. The last night together, Morgan and I stayed up until 2 AM to finish our last episode of Blown Away (the glass blowing show). It probably wasn't the most wise thing to do, but it was fun and definitely memorable, cuddling together, eating snacks, and giving our fair share of commentary.

If you need some ideas, here is a list of ideas created by kids age 6 to 18. Go for it!

1. Make daily phone calls
2. Plan weekly dates
3. Establish special traditions
4. Attend their games and plays
5. Drive them to school
6. Put together puzzles
7. Watch a special TV program and eat popcorn
8. Write them notes
9. Take them on a business trip
10. Take photography lessons together
11. Play tennis
12. Skip rocks and have a contest
13. Write a letter to God
14. Walk the dog
15. Read a good book together
16. Go out for breakfast or doughnuts
17. Take pictures
18. Go to the park
19. Visit the library and ask the librarian a bizarre question
20. Develop a new laugh together
21. Visit the zoo
22. Visit a museum
23. Ride bikes
24. Learn a hobby
25. Wash a car
26. Rollerblade
27. Climb a tree
28. Climb a mountain
29. Eat creatively one whole day for $1.29
30. Picnic
31. Shop for cars
32. Go to the airport and watch people
33. Visit the beach or lake
34. Ice-skate
35. Shop
36. Play backgammon
37. Go horseback riding
38. Play pinball
39. Hit golf balls or play miniature golf
40. Bowl
41. Play water sports
42. Fly a kite
43. Go on a hike
44. Plant a garden together
45. Play board games or card games
46. Fish
47. Sail
48. Play tennis
49. Play croquet
50. Go river rafting or tubing
51. Play badminton
52. Build a tree house
53. Go to a casual dinner but dress up
54. Make homemade ice cream
55. Bake cookies
56. Attend a play
57. Go to the movies
58. Go to a sports event
59. Visit a swap meet or a garage sale
60. Feed ducks
61. Go to the circus
62. Go to the county fair
63. Volunteer at a soup kitchen

I'm sure you can come up with your own list. And if you don't have your own children, do things with your friends. Let's make relationships a priority this summer.

AnnMarguerite Jones

I will readily admit that my title is pure clickbait!

But, now that I have your attention, let me point out that in the church at Philippi a couple of the ladies in the fellowship did have a falling-out significant enough and serious enough to come to the attention of the Apostle Paul!

Paul gives the church a recipe for how to deal with the situation. He asks the two women to “…be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2 NIV). In doing so, Paul also gives us one of the most astounding examples of what humility means for a Christian.

Earlier in his letter to the Philippian church Paul pleads with the members of the congregation to “…make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:2-5 NIV).

Paul then goes on to explain to his readers what this mindset of Jesus was. He points out that Jesus is God Himself. By right, He should be an object of worship, but Jesus considered that something that might be an impediment in his mission to redeem fallen mankind. So He made a choice and chose to become a servant!

In Philippians 2:6-11, Paul lays out the implications and consequences of this choice. Instead of appearing as some fantastical being he took on the appearance and limitations of being fully human. The King James translation says He took on the “…form of a man…”. This is the same root as the Greek word which gives us our word “performance” or saying that someone was in good “form”. This means that Jesus decided that he would show us mankind at his fullest potential.

Paul also says Jesus made himself “nothing”, reversing roles by becoming the servant rather than the one being served.

Paul says he “humbled” himself. The Greek word here is one which means “to empty out”. This means that Jesus forsook all rights and privileges so that he could be wholly available to carry out the will of the Father, even if that meant dying on a cross!

Against this standard, the petty disagreements and irritants inside the church pale into insignificance. Paul says we should look at our purpose in life with the same humility as Jesus, because if it was good enough for the very Son of God it should be good enough for us.

I should point out that none of this implies that we should become doormats or limp noodles in dealing with people - a quick look at the courage, tenacity and zealousness for the Father’s will quickly convinces us that Jesus was no shrinking violet in that regard. Rather, by seeking to emulate Jesus’ mindset we will empty out our wills and desires and seek the kingdom of God first. Doing so comes with great rewards in this life according to scripture (Matthew 6:33).

If everyone in the church can have this kind of purpose and mindset then the irritants which might lead to squabbling will melt away in a higher purpose and critics of the church will have little to write about except for seeing our good works and giving God the glory!

I have long admired the elegance with which my grandmother’s generation closed their letters, and so praying for blessings on you and yours,

I remain,

Your Humble Servant,

Jim Black

P.S. If you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study

From the Caring Magazine

So far, we've covered the what and the why. We've defined a testimony as YOUR story within the FRAME of God's story. We looked at three examples of what Scripture tells us about the power of sharing our stories. And we established the testimony TEST (that it should be true, encourage, strengthen, and transformative).

So it's about time we get into the how.

Of course, start in prayer and ask God to speak through you as you write or share your story (see Matthew 10:18–20).

Then, decide on an angle that allows you to be clear, concise and thoughtful. Your testimony is not one story that includes all the details of your life. You have countless testimonies you could tell, covering different themes, seasons or moments.

Pick one for this exercise—a tiny lived experience, a memory you can't shake, a moment that felt noteworthy (not newsworthy).

And keep in mind, good storytellers don't necessarily experience anything extraordinary. They simply know how to imbue meaning in the ordinary.

Here's a few questions to prompt your thinking:

1. When is a time you felt the presence of God most in your life?
2. Do you recall a specific instance in which you became a Christian?
3. What is a favorite verse or passage from Scripture, and why is it so meaningful to you?
4. Who is a spiritual mentor to you, and how did your relationship develop?
5. What is the hardest thing you've ever been through? How did it affect your relationship with the Lord?
6. Imagine you are writing a letter to a future child or grandchild. What do you want them to know about your relationship with Jesus?

Jot a few notes to those questions and see what stands out most to you—follow that thread as the angle for this version of your testimony.

I know Jesus is writing a beautiful story in your life ... so let's testify to it!

With love,
Christin

P.S. Next week: What to do with the angle you've decided on to write your testimony.

SUNDAY

• 9:00 AM - Praise Team Rehearsal - Chapel
• 10:00 AM - Spiritual Education & Discipleship Classes
• Corps Cadets - Corner Classroom
• College Age Class - Prayer Room
• Adult Sunday School - Library
• 10:30 AM - Prayer Time - Chapel Foyer
• 11:00 AM - Worship Service - Chapel
• NOTE: Although we do have access to our Fireside Room now, we will postpone our food and fellowship until next Sunday.

TUESDAY

• 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Child Safety Training for 1st Time VBS Volunteers - Fireside Room
• 12:00 - 2:00 PM - ALL VBS Volunteers - Meeting & Lunch - Fireside Room
• 2:00 - 3:00 PM - VBS Program Rooms Set-Up
• 4:30 PM - Craft Class - Classroom 2
• 6:00 PM - Men's Bible Study - Fireside Room

WEDNESDAY

• 10:00 AM - Women's Fellowship (CAMEO): VBS Crafts Prep - Classroom 2
• 12:00 - 3:00 PM - Finalize VBS Set-up & Decorating - Chapel

THURSDAY & FRIDAY - OFFICE CLOSED - Fourth of July

NEXT SUNDAY, July 7th - Potluck Sunday (YAY!)

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! We still have space for more!

As in the past couple of years, we have included an elective class for our students, in addition to the regular VBS rotations of crafts, lunch, games, and Bible study. This year, we have the following:

• Beginning Brass Band - Students will learn how to play the basic scale on a trumpet, if they do not already have an instrument of their own, and perform a couple of songs at the Graduation Celebration Sunday.
• Percussion - Students will learn the basic rudiments on the snare drum.
• Mission Focus - Students will do hands on daily service projects that will bless our community - for example, make blessing bags for the homeless, pack party kits for foster homes, and collect food for the pantry.
• Tactile Art - Students will work behind the scenes on more detailed, time-consuming art projects that will be displayed or used for our final concert.
• Dance - Students will choreograph and perform a dance to a Christian song.
• Ukulele - Students will learn a few basic chords and a couple of songs that will be performed in our Graduation Sunday Celebration.

Please complete registration using this link: https://form.jotform.com/241377716896169

The theme comes from Hebrews 6:10, "God is not unjust: he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

Location: Suisun Kroc Center, 586 Wigeon Way, Suisun City, CA 94585

Cost: $10 per person

Registration is due by August 1st. If you'd like to attend, please message Major Ann Jones:

mailto:AnnMarguerite.Jones@usw.salvationarmy.org

Email: annmarguerite.jones@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: https://www.SalvationArmyConcordCA.org
Location: 3950 Clayton Road, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 676-6180
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tsaconcord