Concord Chronicle

Before our Lord was about to return to heaven after having spent thirty some years on earth as a human, his followers were greatly troubled. The one who had been their inspiration, their guardian, their teacher, their helper, their strength-giver, appeared to be about to abandon them and leave them alone to face the world.

But we have the words of Jesus, recorded by the beloved disciple, John in John 14:16, 17 where he said “another comforter” would come to their aid.

Once again I think it really helps us to understand the greek words which are used here because they paint a much fuller picture than their English translation.

In greek there are two different words for “another”. There is one for “another of the same kind” and a different word for “another of a different kind”.

In English we might pose a question such as “would you like another drink”? Depending on the context that might mean “would you like a refill of your coffee?” or it might mean “would you prefer to have tea or coffee?”. There would be no such ambiguity in Greek for you would either use the word for another-of-the-same-kind, “more coffee” or another-of-a-different-kind, “tea or coffee”.

Jesus tells his disciples, and by extension us, that he is sending another comforter of the same kind as he is - the person whom today we call the “Holy Spirit” - to be and do everything that Jesus-as-a-human had been and done for them. Note that in typical God fashion this was not to be a reducing of God’s presence, it was to be a vast enlargement of his presence by removing the limitations that Jesus had in time and space. All the attributes we adore in Jesus were now to be made available anywhere and at any time.

In English the word “comforter” derives from two Latin words which mean “with strength”, and there is a similar but expanded meaning in Greek. The Greek word is “Paraclete” which is used in many ways to describe someone who brings strength, knowledge, empathy and wisdom to a person in need. So, for example, if you ended up in court your lawyer/defender who knows so much more than you do about how the law works would be your Paraclete. The Boy Scout helping a little old lady across the busy road is a Paraclete. The consulting physician in rare tropical diseases is a Paraclete. The minister who comes and holds your hand and prays with you in distress is a Paraclete. I’m sure you can extend the list from your own experience.

There is an extra twist, however. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul says

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” [NIV]

So, not only does Jesus send his spirit to be with us generally, but the spirit resides in our bodies individually and is available on a personal level 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! No need to dial 911 to summon him because for every believer in Jesus he is right there all the time with wisdom, strength, encouragement, healing, advice, and guidance.

It makes no sense for a Jesus-follower to try and live a God-pleasing life in his or her own strength when we have such a resource available on immediate call. To ignore his influence is to fall prey to the sin of pride, which never ends well.

Taking advantage of this inestimable gift allows us to have the same testimony as Paul expresses in Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]” [Amplified Bible].

Let’s be sure we are leaning on the helper who has been provided to enable us to fulfill our part in expressing the glory of God. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to accept all the help I can get!

Blessings on you and yours,

Jim Black

"Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others." Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)

Some time ago, as I was driving down the road, a fellow driver pulled up next to me and motioned for me to roll down my window. My thoughts raced. I didn’t think I had cut him off, missed a light, or gone too slow. What had I done? With trepidation, I rolled down my window without any indication of the problem. The driver, friendlier than expected, informed me that my back right brake light was out.

As I drove away, I became aware that I would never have known my brake light was out without that person making the effort to tell me. I needed someone with a different viewpoint and angle to see what I couldn’t. I would have continued to drive unaware of any problem. The busted light was in a spot I could not see.

You and I both have blind spots in our lives don’t we? Just like the driver who helped me on the road, the Lord uses other people in our lives to give us wisdom and correction. It is easy to get so caught up in me, that I am blind to all else. Perhaps it is blindness to the Lord’s will. Maybe I can’t see how my actions are affecting others. Or, I may be blind to see how the Lord wants me to change and grow. What a blessing that the Lord puts others ahead of us, behind us, and with us each step of the way.

With a different angle and viewpoint, others are able to sharpen us and help us grow. Sometimes it can be hard to listen to the advice others offer. It is so important to listen carefully to the advice and wisdom of the godly people God has placed in our lives. The insight of others will help us make our way wisely through life’s journey.

In the same way, we must be willing as Christians to help point out blind spots to others around us. Pray that the Lord would use you to speak lovingly and with humility, into someone else’s life. Seek out the wisdom He has waiting for you. Just make sure you are able to season the truth with grace.

The proverbs speak again and again about a foolish man versus a wise man. It is a wise man that listens to the correction of others. Only a fool ignores it.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What makes it difficult at times to take correction from another?

2. Has there been a time in your life when someone lovingly pointed out one of your blind spots to you? How did you react?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 11:2; Romans 11:33-36

Kelly McFadden, HomeWord Daily Devotional for 8/24/2021

How has your community shaped you?

What makes a healthy community and what part of that are you most drawn to?

What does it mean to being a light to your community?

What are ways you can be that light?

What is the Salvation Army’s role in your community?

Are you a community changer? For good? How so?

How can you change the world?

Verse:

For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you,” Ephesians 5:14.

SUNDAY:

9:30 am - Praise Team Rehearsal

10:00 am - Combined Sunday School

11:00 am - Worship Service - In-Person and Facebook

12:30 pm - Sunday School Teacher's Training - Library

TUESDAY:

1:00 pm - Christmas Planning Meeting (invited persons only)

6:00 pm - Men's Bible Study - In Fireside Room

WEDNESDAY:

10:00 am - Planning Meeting & Red, White and Blue Potluck - El Sobrante Home League

THURSDAY:

10:00 am - CAMEO: Sing-Along with Guest Jim Black - In-Person & Zoom

FRIDAY:

9:00 am - DYR Praise Team departs for Camp Del Oro

1:00 pm - DYR Delegates depart for Camp Del Oro

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS:

Share answered prayers or prayer concerns to mailto:marion@jecblack.com so

that she may send it out through our prayer email chain.

Pray for the young people as they leave for camp. Pray that the journey will be safe and that they will be encouraged by the fellowship and teaching during the weekend. Pray that they will be safe at camp and not affected by the fires and smoke around them. Pray for the Youth Department, Captains Javier and Irene Castro, the Praise Team, and the youth leaders that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit as they minister to the youth.

Date: September 10

Where: Concord Corps

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Cost: $10

Theme: Mary Poppins (Dress in costume is encouraged)

Registration for Senior Day is due Monday, August 30th. If you plan on going , please check with Major Ann to make sure you are written on the form.

Date: September 12

Where: Concord Corps

Time: 10:00 am - Sunday School; 11:00 am - Worship Service; 12:15 pm - Potluck

We will have an Olympic Theme for our Rally Day Sunday. For fun, we'd like families to come to church dressed alike - choose a color, represent your culture/country, or in a theme. During the service, we will recognize our volunteers and kick-off our programs for the year. To be safe during our food and fellowship, we will have lunch outdoors. We will provide the hotdogs. If you would like to bring a side dish to share, that would be nice. There will be a few outdoor games/races and prizes, so we hope you'll participate. We hope you can make it!

Yes! God-willing, the men will have an opportunity to go to camp this year. Save this date:

Date: October 29-31, 2021

Theme: The Race to Victory, Hebrews 12:1-3

Cost: $75 per person

The activities will include the 19th Annual Del Oro Games: Basketball Tournament, Go-Cart Racing, Cardboard Boat Race and more. There will be an EDS (Emergency Disaster Services) Training, Canteen Cook-Off, Bible teaching, and fellowship. Don't miss out! See Major Gwyn to register. Registration is due October 15th.

Here’s the latest on our Wildfire Response. Please remember, you can also find the latest on TSAWildfireRelief.org. That’s where we are sending donors to make gifts to general EDS. You can access response photos and video here.

Caldor Fire

• El Dorado County
• 143,951 acres
• 12% contained
• Started August 14
• 650 structures destroyed 37 structures damaged

Our Response

• Stockton Crew (demobilizing after dinner tomorrow) (Oroville & Garden street crew to take over their sites on Sunday)
• 150 meals/day at Cameron Park Community Center in Cameron Park
• 22 meals/day Rolling Hills Church in El Dorado Hills
• Santa Rosa Crew (ending their service after breakfast on Monday, Yuba team will replace them starting with lunch on Monday)

o 540 meals/day at Green Valley Community Church in Placerville (to begin cooking out of Lion’s Club Kitchen on Monday)

• We are on standby in Reno to serve meals for evacuees

Monument Fire

• Burning in Trinity County
• Started July 30
• 160,148 acres
• 22%
• 50 structures destroyed, 3 structure damaged

Our Response

• Eureka Crew
• 60 meals/day Fire House Pavilion in Fortuna (Dixie and Monument Fire evacuees)
• 27 meals/day Willow Creek Bible Church in Willow Creek
  

Dixie Fire

• 5 counties; Shasta, Butte, Plumas, Tehama and Lassen Counties
• 750,672 acres
• 46% contained
• Started July 14
• 1,273 structures destroyed, 92 structures damaged (you can find a map of homes destroyed on TSAWildfireRelief.org)

Our Response

• Redding & Eureka
• Evacuees from Dixie and Monument fire are being served in Red Bluff & Fortuna. See above for details.

If you would like to order a t-shirt, it is $7. You can wear this at corps or divisional events or when you are out running errands. It is a great way to advertise our women's ministry during the week. The color is "sangria" with a "cameo" logo and the words "Come And Meet Each Other" (which spells CAMEO).

Major Ann is taking orders.

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/saconcord