Table Saws and Loyalty

[Webmaster's note: The following article is by Major Clay Gardner who is the Corps Officer of the Concord, California Corps in the USA]

Because...

There’s a lot of talk these days about customer satisfaction and especially consumer loyalty. And for good reasons, because we like what we like and we like them for reasons that differ from person to person. That's why we have such a variety of stuff avaible to us. And, even though we love the stuff we love, I suspect even more than that, we love having a choice, even if we choose not to excercise it.


For instance, think of the grocery store you shop at (I realize some of you don’t shop—just go with me on this) and think of why you shop there. Convenience, price, staff, the things they offer? Perhaps you like the warehouse stores with their huge boxes and great savings, or perhaps you like the store down the street where they call you by name; or the one that uses a little card and tells you how much money you saved. We often drive right by one major grocery store on our way to another. Why? Because it’s the one we like.

Or credit cards? Why is it you use a particular credit card? Pam and I used one with reward points on it and one day I cashed those points in for a new table saw! True story! Now that I have my table saw—we use a different card. Maybe you use one because it has a low interest rate or gives you airline miles.

In church we talk a lot about loving God.
Of course the Bible tells us to love God, so we kind of ought to talk about it.
And we sing about loving God. We sing about God’s love for us.

But let’s face it, love is personal, even more personal than the grocery store you shop at or the credit card you use. And if you’re going to love God, can you love Him just because Major Clay wants you to? Or the Bible says to? With all the people, groups, activities and yes, even religions, vying for your loyalty—why give it to God?
Well the psalmist says,

“I love the Lord, because He hears My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalms 116:1-2

“...as long as I live.” Now that’s loyalty! God heard his prayers and saw him through his troubles and he became a loyal lover of God.

Give God a chance, He will earn your loyalty too! (not to mention your love) He might even throw in a table saw, He's like that!

Kites and Windmills

Kites and Windmills


Summer is a really wonderful time of year, especially if the weather is good. My family and I feel so fortunate to be living in Ayr, with its beautiful beaches, walks, country parks, it really is the place to be. In fact fortunate is not the right word, blessed is what I mean. God is good!

Of course summer is here and schools out, so we’ve been going to some of the beautiful places in Ayr to keep our children amused and occupied. One of the things that we enjoy the most as a family is going to the beach, the kids will spend hours digging in the sand and splashing in the water. The youngest is not quite ready for the sand, and prefers to sit in the pram or on a rug playing with some toys. Knowing that the older children were happy playing in the sand, I decided to get a windmill, and a little kite to take to the beach to amuse the baby! As soon as I took these out, the older kids were there wanting to have the kite and the windmill!! The old toys are always the best, and not just for the kids, I got a little possessive of the kite!! From the youngest to the oldest, seeing a kite flying in the sky always fills us with joy! As I watched the kite flying and the windmill spinning around, I thought again of that conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus. Jesus is explaining the Holy Spirit to Nicodemus and he says: ‘The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:8)

I was reminded in that moment of the fact that even though we cannot see or touch God the Holy Spirit, we can see the evidence that he is there. Just as I could see the windmill spinning around, or the kite soaring high in the sky, but couldn’t see the wind that was causing it to happen. So it is with us, when the Holy Spirit fills us, we can’t see Him, but we can see evidence that he is there. The Holy Spirit within us should impact others, compelling us to bring Good News to the poor, to love the unlovable, befriend the friendless and much more. The Holy Spirit will make a difference in us that others will see. They should see within us, ‘Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22).

If you are searching for true Love, true joy, true peace etc… then the only way is to be filled with God the Holy Spirit. Seek the Holy Spirits power and you will be able to soar high like the kite. Seek the power of the Holy Spirit and you will have the strength to keep on going proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Christ, just as the windmill spins on and on, through the power of the wind.

Wendy Parkhill (Captain)

Life is a Journey - Part 2

This article is the second of a series written by Major Ian Robinson, who is a local Ayr product. You can read the first article by clicking here.

Major Robinson and his wife Isobel are moving back to the UK to take up an appointment at the Sheringham Corps.

Ian and Isobel are well-known all over the Army world as pastors, missionaries, and an incredible music and song-writing team. While they were stationed in Singapore, Ian and Isobel wrote a series of email "epistles" to the rest of the world entitled "Survivor Island". Those letters were always filled with poignancy, hope, and a love for the people for whom they worked so diligently to bring the love of Christ.

We are delighted Ian has agreed to write these articles for us and we hope you enjoy his journey as we publish it!




Major Ian Robinson

Life is a Journey – Part Two

The letter 'S' has played a critical role in our journey. We left Ayr in 1977 to live in Surrey, and five years later immigrated to the USA with our two girls. We had a simple plan – open an English pub to sell British drinks and food to Americans at extortionate prices, then retire to a Greek Island where we would write books in the Mediterranean sun! But as Burns once wrote, "The best laid plans of mice and men …"

After eighteen months in our California paradise our relationship was in trouble and our Catholic faith was failing to meet our spiritual needs. The dream was crumbling until one of Isobel's nursing friends suggested we read the Bible. Trial and error led us to the Living Bible and when she read the Gospel of John she was utterly convicted by the Holy Spirit and surrendered her will to God. Seeing a dramatic change in her I did the same. We then knew that we needed to find a church where we could develop this new relationship with God, so I made a list of churches in the area and suggested we visit one each week until we found one we liked. Isobel, ever the pragmatist, looked over the list and, seeing The Salvation Army at the bottom, said, "We'll just go there!" So I returned to the Army and we went to the Santa Ana Corps. Within six weeks I was in uniform and playing in the band. The girls loved Sunday school and we made many new and lasting friendships. Most importantly, we grew spiritually and our family bond was strengthened because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our journey was very pleasant and comfortable. We had a wonderful church home, a nice house, good jobs and a growing family. I played piano at the Corps and began writing music. We taught an adult Sunday school class, started a home Bible study and were increasing our understanding of God's will and purpose for our lives. Then I was made redundant and spent several months trying unsuccessfully to find a new job. I was told by more than one company president that I was the one they wanted then never heard from them again! It didn't make any sense until one day Isobel came down to breakfast and asked if I had been talking to God about Salvation Army officership.

"Don't be so absurd!" I said, utterly shocked.

"Well," she said, "I've just been arguing with God upstairs and He told me I was stopping you from becoming an officer!"

She had been praying and asking God why her talented and intelligent husband – her words, not mine – could not find a job. God answered that it was because she was stopping me. At first she was confused, and then she realized what He was saying. "You don't mean THAT job?" she asked incredulously. And God said, "Yes, that job!"

Isobel never wanted to be an officer so that avenue of service appeared closed. Now it suddenly opened up and within a few months we were appointed as Auxiliary Captains to Santa Barbara on the Pacific coast about ninety miles north of Los Angeles. After seven and a half years we were moved to Santa Rosa, forty-five minutes north of San Francisco in the Northern Californian wine country. Then in 2004, two and a half years later, the Army sent us to Singapore where we served for four and a half wonderful years before reluctantly returning to California. Now, following a few months at THQ we are ready to leave for Sheringham, the sixth 'S' in our journey.

We never achieved our dream but received something infinitely greater and more valuable. Instead of serving alcoholic drinks we have helped people overcome their addiction to alcohol. Instead of serving British food we have given out the bread of life to those who need it most. Instead of making a lot of money we have stored up for ourselves treasures in heaven. And instead of retiring to a Greek island we will spend eternity in heaven with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! We have riches beyond our wildest imagination and the journey's not over yet!

Wheee!

Webmaster note: The following article was written by Major Clay Gardner who is the Corps Officer in Concord, California, a sister corps to Ayr.






Weee!
by Major Clay Gardner

When Pam was pregnant with our daughter Joy, we flew from San Francisco to Orlando, to visit her parents. Pam was still in the morning sickness phase of her pregnancy. We were concerned with the flight and for good reason. We flew all the way across country in a Boeing 737,  one of the smaller airliners. On the way home we had a layover in Dallas.
Approaching Dallas it got real bumpy. I began to get concerned for Pam. I would have been more concerned except that I was afraid if I concentrated too hard on any one thing, I might get sick. Pam on the other hand (who gets carsick driving across town) was fine.
I read a story recently by a man who was on a really bumpy flight. The plane was getting tossed about pretty good. Next to him was a young boy who was obviously terrified of the whole ordeal.
The man gripped his armrests, looked over at the young traveler and said "Weeeee!!!" Then he said to the boy, "Are you scared?" the boy nodded. "But this is fun!" Suddenly the boy's expression changed and the man and the boy spent the rest of the flight enjoying the ride.
I daresay that you won't find too many people enjoying the ride on an airplane being tossed about by a windy day. Overall it really isn't a pleasant experience!” and most of us have a hard time enjoying unpleasant experiences. It takes a person of deep, inner joy to find a reason to be happy when life isn't.
Now the Apostle Paul and his disciple, Silas had plenty of reason to be happy. When they visited Philippi they had started a small Bible Study and more and more people were coming to know God through it. People were being delivered from idol worship, from sickness, from all sorts of problems; they even cast a demon out of a slave girl.
Of course the slave girl's owner had used her and her demon to tell the future for a price and he wasn't too happy about the loss of income. Likewise the idol makers were losing business. So these businessmen gave Paul and Silas the business by concocting some lies that got Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in jail.
Personally, right about here I would have gotten a bit perplexed, perhaps even discouraged. To think, the reward for all the good they were doing was a back ripped raw with a whip and being thrown in jail. I think that most of us believe that good deeds are rewarded with goodness. But what happens when it's rewarded with evil? That's when we get grumpy!
Except Paul and Silas didn't get grumpy, they got happy! The inner joy - the joy that lived deep within them - surfaced in that jail. They realized that they were being punished for doing the work of God and that if they weren't doing it very well, no one - including Satan would have cared. So they rejoiced!
1 Thessalonians 5:16, "Rejoice always," and John 11:35, "Jesus wept." are the two shortest verses in the Bible. Jesus wept has fewer letters and so technically it is the shorter verse. Except, in the original Greek, the verse Jesus wept consisted of three words while rejoice always only had two - making it the shortest verse in the Bible.
As short as these verses are, they speak to a huge truth. You see, it is when we realize that it was His great love for us that caused Jesus to weep, that we really have something to rejoice about.
Now, perhaps you're thinking, "Boy, I wish I had that kind of inner joy." Well my friend, I have good news for you: Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. We don't need to work on being more joyful or happier people - we just need to work on being more like Christ - and the joy will come.
Because "...the fruit of the Spirit is...joy!" (Gal 5:22)  So enjoy the ride!

Summer Fun!

Summer Fun!



Summer Fun – Jesus

A few years ago now we bought a tent on impulse. It was a bargain and we decided that we would give camping a go. Some folk thought we were mad to try camping with a young family but nothing could curb our enthusiasm!!! We went away that first summer and it rained the whole week! Everything was damp, but we loved it! The kids enjoyed the novelty of the tent, and it was just a great experience.

These days we still try to get away in the tent, and even if we’re not going away somewhere we will still put the tent up in the back garden and sleep out a few nights.
The tent has been up in the garden for about a week now and we’ve had two nights out in the tent. BBQ, campfire, the lot! I just love sitting round the campfire, for one when you’re near the fire the midges don’t come near you, and secondly it’s nice and warm. We never got as far as singing round the camp fire, but we didn’t toast a bag or two of marshmallows.

It was wonderful…11 o’clock at night, darkness had fallen, but we sat there, toasting marshmallows, still able to see because of the light from the fire, enjoying the warmth that it was giving. I could see everyone round the fire was smiling, as the light reflected of their faces.

As I sat, I was reminded that Jesus is the light of the world, but also that we should be the light of the world too, reflecting His light into this dark world. Jesus said: ‘my light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so that the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.’ (John 12:35-36)

I remember listening to a sermon some time ago where the preacher was talking about a bonfire and all the people gathered round. He said that he imagined that it was Jesus in the centre of the circle of people. He observed that those who were closest to the fire, had a light shining from their face, the faces that were a bit further from the fire were not illuminated so brightly. He concluded that if we want to be reflectors of the light of Christ then we need to be close to him.

Stay close to the light of Christ and feel the warmth of his love, repel the midges or the attacks of the devil, and reflect his light to this world. Live as children of light!

Shine, Jesus shine. Fill this land with the Fathers Glory
Blaze, Spirit blaze, set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord and let there be light!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Showstoppers!


There is always lots of fun to be had at our annual holiday club!

We’ve had ‘Pirates’, we’ve had ‘Astronauts’ and this year we are turning to ‘Showbiz’.

This year our children’s summer holiday club is called ‘Showstoppers’ and as always there is fun in store! If you enjoy singing, dancing, acting, wacky challenges, games, then Showstoppers Holiday club is just for you!

So as they say: ‘Lights, Camera, Action!

For more information click here.

For a registration/consent form please click here.

Triple Celebration

What a wonderful day was had by all on Sunday 28th June. A very special day for the young people, and for everyone who was there to support them, as we celebrated our Young People's Anniversary.

The day commenced with senior soldier Rachel Irvine being commissioned as a Songster and Bandswoman. Rachel is a talented musician and wanted to dedicate those talents to God, and to use them to bring others closer to Him.
For some time now Rachel has been singing in the senior choir (songsters) and playing in the band, she is also very involved in helping the young people reach their potential both in music making and in their journey with God. So it was a joy to be able to acknowledge all that she has already been doing by presenting her with these commissions.



The day continued with the enrollment of three Junior Soldiers: Rachael Muir, Isaac Parkhill and Alyssa Smith.


Rachael started to attend the Sunday School at the Salvation Army just about a year ago, when her mum Valerie started to come along to the Sunday meetings. When asked why she wanted to become a Junior Soldier Rachael said: 'I just want to do my best to pray and read my Bible'. Isaac has been coming along to the Salvation Army since he was a baby, and became a Christian at Easter time 2 years ago. Isaac said: 'I want to be a Christian because Jesus died to save me'. Alyssa started coming to the corps last summer during the children's holiday club and has been getting involved in everything that she can at the Salvation Army. She says: 'I want to be a Junior Soldier because I want to get to know more about God'. How wonderful to see these three young people deciding to follow Jesus, and to be able as a group of believers to encourage them.

Finally we finished of the day with our Sunday School Prize Giving.



All the young people had waited patiently for the presenting of the prizes. During the Prize Giving all the children received books to acknowledge the commitment that they have shown in attending Sunday School. These prizes were presented by our Cradle Roll Sergeant Mrs Margaret Graham. The day concluded with the Song 'Come on and celebrate, His gift of love we will celebrate. The Son of God who loved us and gave us life.

A wonderful celebration; of Rachel's commissioning, the enrollment of our Junior Soldiers, the Sunday School Prize Giving, but most importantly of the love of God!

School Memories

Do you remember the trick question that kids used to ask each other in school - “When is a door not a door? When it’s a-jar!” It brings back memories of how, as children, we used to love getting “one over” our fellow students. Knowledge was power and everyone used to try to be the best, or at least have the best answer.

I listened into a similar conversation between a few nine year olds recently. They were talking about how late they could stay up. The conversation went something like this:

“It’s the holidays and we get to stay up until 10 o’clock.”

“Well, my mum and dad put us to bed at the same time, but I don’t go to sleep and I’ve stayed up to half eleven!”

“Well, we can stay up to 4:30am!” - Stunned silence for a moment, then…

“So can we – although who would? I mean, there’s nothing even good on the TV at that time.”

“I remember when I went to Stuart’s dads for a sleep-over. We got up at 5 o’clock and put on Adult Sky. There was this lady on the tele who was naked! (nervous laughter) …..”

And then he went on to explain to the other boys what he had seen. I couldn’t print it in this column.

Nine year olds – with their innocence stolen. Tragic … lamentable … disgusting.

What memories do we want our children to have of their school days?

I would encourage you, during this next week to let this story challenge you. And if this could happen in your house, to take the appropriate action. A recent article in a Christian magazine I was reading stated that nearly 30% of Christian youth workers admitted that they were addicted to pornography.

The statistic is shocking. The truth of it is tragic. It grieves my heart to think of it.

The children of our country need our prayers more than we can imagine. So too do the youth workers.

Let this direct our thoughts, prayers and actions this week.

Graeme Parkhill

(Whilst this is a true story, the names have been changed to protect identity.)

The Real Article

To be, or to do, that is the question….
(with apologies to Shakespeare!)


In my last contribution to this column, with reference to the personal motto of William Carey, I urged the reader to ‘expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.”

However, central to any fulfillment in life and lasting use for God in the building of His Kingdom is the need to be the person that He wants more than doing what He wants.

As I write this, a quirky statement has come to the forefront of my thoughts. “What’s the best vitamin for a Christian? B1, of course!”

There are many reasons that we should be the real article.

From a practical point of view its clear that who we are matters more than what we do. This can easily be illustrated by the example of the person for whom we are always saying, “They do so much good and then waste it all by letting their true self show through.” Do you know someone like that? Their good work is lost because underneath bitterness and frustration exists and, from time to time, surfaces. People are, understandably, wary of these folk.

More importantly, from a Heavenly point of view it matters because, as we are reminded in 1 Samuel 16:7, “man looks on the outside, but God looks on the heart”. God is never pleased when we try to impress others by our good actions. It’s a cheap imitation of how God intended our life to be – a life of fullness, rather than deceit.

The Scriptures urge us to “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Heb 13:14). It is in this way that we can be as well as do. Perhaps you may wish to give some thought over this next week about the ‘clothes’ in your life that you may need to take off in order that you can be clothed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Perhaps Shakespeare was right after all; perhaps it is just a question of, “To be or not to be”. Perhaps pretending is never an option.

Graeme Parkhill