Our Life Together
Fun & Retaliation: Right Here at The Kroc!
Aug 24th
As part of the celebration last night – we commemorated one year of recovery ministries at the Kroc Center with a big birthday bash – our Corps Officer/Senior Pastor pronounced a blessing over the night and for our future success. And how was he rewarded? Click ‘play’ and see for yourself!
Photo Slideshow:
Puppets On Stage!
Aug 21st
Last Sunday morning, some of the Kroc Church Sunbeams took a few moments onstage to introduce us to their hand-made puppet friends. Here they are, singing a fun old song with a fun new attitude!
Relationships
Jul 12th
Man is a knot into which relationships are tied.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This week, the Kroc Center sent 35 children to enjoy a residential summer camp experience at The Salvation Army’s Wildwood Ranch in Ramona. Camp has been an integral part of Salvation Army mission since the 1920’s, exposing kids to God’s love and caring relationships in a rustic, nurturing setting. We’re grateful to Jessica Sneed and Lynette Baker for all they’ve done to make camp a positive experience for all of our kids.
On July 29, our Family Resource Center is sponsoring another nutrition class designed to help families lead healthy lives. Over eight sessions, the classes teach something many of us take for granted: exercise plus nutrient rich meals equal healthy living. I’d like to thank Nahum Mendoza for all he’s doing to coordinate this learning series, and help us fulfill one of our strategic priorities.
Our fourth annual, July 4 Church at the Pool was awesome! Over 115 people gathered in and around the pool where they were encouraged to discover God’s love and enjoy each other’s friendship. This year, I’d like to join the ministry team in expressing appreciation to Danny Beers and the Life Guard Crew for keeping watch over us; and to Ross Klareich and the Food & Beverage Team for feeding us. We appreciate all you do everyday – but we’re especially grateful you provided service to our church family on a holiday. Thank you!
And finally – drum roll, please – our second annual Heroes With a Campaign has surpassed this year’s goal. One of our engaged members came forward last, and sent us soaring to a campaign total of $70,427. Once again, we are indebted to our Heroes; and also to Fran Waller for her service. Congratulations!
I recently re-read a letter from a member whose story touched the very depth of my soul. It’s from the 61 year-old mother of an autistic son, both of whom have found a lifeline at the Kroc Center. We have created “a sense of family they do not otherwise have.” For her, our facilities provide fitness so she can stay strong – off an invasive medical regimen – and involved in her son’s life. She writes:
“We are regular church members locally and stay involved with our faith. The Kroc Center membership is certainly an ongoing answer to my prayers for God’s blessing in our lives. Thank you again for your help and for the wonderful people who greet us each day with warm and welcoming smiles.”
Her letter reminds us of one important thing. We’re all about people. Everything we do is subservient to encouraging, equipping and engaging people. People are our mission, and relationships – genuine, authentic, caring, selfless relationships – are our lifeline.
The Bible’s third guidance for relationships is simple: let’s work together and help each other:
So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault.
– Romans 14:19 (The Message)
A better English word for the phrase “encouraging words” is edification. It’s a word resonating with depth and dignity. It’s a word that elevates its recipient, and comes close to articulating the thoughts and intentions of its speaker.
From where I sit this answer is very obvious because the illustrations – the real life examples – abound. We’re at our very best when we come together and do our mission: whether it’s interpersonal moments that touch the soul, or center-wide activities that celebrate our life together. In these moments we not only build each other up, we also edify the people and fabric of our community. We experience the best of who we are, and see – perhaps – a glimpse of who God knows we can become.
So let’s pursue, let’s continue running after these things with open hearts and hot-blooded passion.
In Jesus,
John
Acceptance
Jul 2nd
Isn’t it strange that princes and kings,
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And common people like you and me
Are builders for eternity?Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass, a book of rules;
And each must make – ere life is flown
A stumbling block or a steppingstone.~ R. L. Sharpe
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This past week, our School of the Arts did Rock the Kroc with their summer recital. Many styles of dance and the beautiful sound of piano filled the theatre as our students celebrated their accomplishments and shared their newly developed skills with family and friends. We grateful to our instructors Rebecca Bauman-Inglis, Hanan Jammal, Annalisa Lauer-Hansing and Spencer John Powell for their guidance through hours of rehearsal, and to Deidra Davis for her guidance through the recital.
There’s nothing quite like being the new kid at school – especially when a well-intentioned teacher draws unnecessary attention to you through the obligatory, “Class, please welcome our newest student…” which is followed by the thunderous silence of half-hearted applause. The same holds true for being the newbie at work. Learning the professional and social norms is awkward and mildly uncomfortable, and all the while you’re wondering, “Is my best behavior good enough? When do I let the real me out of the bag? While they like me?”
Acceptance is one of the most important spiritual needs people have. It begins with our family – the immediate and extended – expands to our friends and peers, and penetrates all the dimensions of our social interactions with other people. Failure to feel acceptance can lead to hurts we try to mask and suppress, or can lead to deep wounds from which we never recover. Inversely, finding acceptance can cause us to soar with wings like eagles, and lead to immense, complete healing.
Our experience along the way of life teaches us there are few places where we can find authentic acceptance, and that there are fewer people with whom we can be ourselves. We’ve learned to be reticent and untrusting of others, hiding our deep desire to know and be fully known. But we persist on the pilgrimage for acceptance. We march onward to its cadence beating in our hearts because we must – not out of duty but out of desire to find what we’re looking for.
We’re a community of princes and kings, clowns and common people – each with a story, each with a need, and each with a unique ability to contribute to eternity.
Acceptance requires humility, a deep awareness of who we are and who we are not. Humility also acknowledges who other people are, even regarding their needs as more important than our own. Acceptance also requires grace, paying forward the patience, generosity, gentleness and kindness we’ve received from others. Acceptance opens the doorway to opportunity because it welcomes all that we are – our strengths, skills and successes equally with our hurts, habits and hang-ups. It creates safety for who we are, it helps us whisper the dreams of who we want to be, and it opens our eyes to discovering the ever expansive horizon of God’s perfect purpose for our lives.
O Lord, make us not a stumbling block, but rather a stepping stone…
In Jesus,
John
Excellence
Jun 21st
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It’s a pleasure to announce we recently received a check from the National Inclusion Project in the amount of $8,400. This is directed toward supporting Day Camp’s inclusion program, which is the beginning of more expansive efforts to ensure everybody within our community is encouraged to discover the fullness of life God has planned for them.
Last week, our Heroes with a Heart Campaign was featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a national magazine for non-profit executives and fund raisers. It highlighted the success of our Heroes campaign over the past two years – which is contrary to the trends being experienced by charitable organizations throughout America. This article, and our philanthropic success, is attributable – first and foremost – to all of our Heroes. Thank you for your heart, and for making an incredible, tangible difference in our world. (And now everybody knows the secret of our success…)
The 1992 Barcelona Olympics provided one of track and field’s most excellent moments. Britain’s Derek Redmond dreamed of winning a gold medal in the 400-meter race, and his dream was in sight as the gun started the semi-final heat. He was running the race of his life and could see the finish line as he rounded the turn into the backstretch. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain go up the back of his leg.
He fell face first onto the track with a torn right hamstring. As the medical attendants were approaching, Redmond fought to his feet. He set out hopping, in a crazed attempt to finish the race. When he reached the final stretch, a large man in a T-shirt came out of the stands, hurled aside a security guard and ran to Redmond, embracing him.
It was Jim Redmond, Derek’s father. “You don’t have to do this,” he told his weeping son.
“Yes, I do,” said Derek.
“Well, then,” said Jim, “we’re going to finish this together.” And they did. Fighting off security men, the son’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder, they stayed in Derek’s lane all the way to the end, as the crowd gaped, then rose and howled and wept. Derek didn’t walk away with the gold medal, but he walked away in his father’s arms with excellence. He gave his first, his all, and his very best to his chosen sport and the Barcelona Olympics.
Excellence is not perfection or perfectionism. Excellence is good enough because we’ve given it our all. Excellence is sufficient because if flows from the core of our character. Excellence is honorable because it dignifies those whom we serve. Not every piece of work requires the same painstaking care and attention, but everything we do requires our best offering.
Moreover, earthly reward and recognition is not the goal of our dedication to excellence. Our aim is eternal. Our aim is love:
You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athlete’s race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
In Jesus,
John
Hope
Jun 7th
The Bible hints that in some way beyond our imagination our life’s legacy is permanent.
~ R. Paul Stevens
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I don’t give a dime! You read it right. For the past month I have joined dozens of people within our family who aren’t giving a dime back to vendors. Instead, we are saving all of the dimes we receive as change as an offering for Salvation Army world missions. The Army is now at work in 121 countries, and many of the people in those nations can do more with a dime than we could ever do with a dollar. I’d like to thank Belinda Owens for concentrating our world mission focus, and I’d like to encourage you to give your dimes for others.
On Wednesday afternoon, we received a $1,000 check from the La Mesa Rotary Club to benefit our Family Arts & Literacy Connection. This grant will sustain and expand the support we provide to local partner schools for literacy education (helping reluctant readers become active readers) and arts (exposing children to the world of fine and performing arts). I’m grateful to Deidra Davis for her facilitation of this program, and to Fran Waller for her ability to gather resources.
The top ten list of my favorite movies includes The Shawshank Redemption. Among all of the story lines it contains – friendship, justice, persistence – a golden thread woven throughout its script is the story of hope. Set in a 1940’s Maine prison, the sage lifer, Red warns the newly arrived, Andy, against hope, “Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.”
But Andy doesn’t deposit his hope in some fantasy, or a fictitious future in the far off country of imagination. His hope is invested in something living deep within, “There are places in this world that aren’t made out of stone. There’s something inside… that they can’t get to, that they can’t touch. That’s yours. Hope.”
The Kroc H.E.A.R.T. beats with hope. Within each person who graces our walls we see not only who they are, but the potential of who they can become – and we gravitate toward their future for a multitude of reasons. First, there’s the pure satisfaction of enjoying the “a ha” moment – wherein the potential we see, and the reality a person experiences are forever married together in a life-changing experience.
Second, from these moments of satisfaction grow a self-less desire to serve others and share in their lives just because it’s the right thing to do. We don’t look for the moment. We don’t wait for the moment. We don’t anticipate the moment. It’ll come all on its own in due time. We simply enjoy the relationship for what it is – freely giving just as we have freely received. (Matthew 10:8)
Ultimately, we discover we are participants in the divine dance of eternity. We are missionaries – those who are sent – who though our life and labor join force to do something that lasts. Hope, along with faith and love, lasts. (1 Corinthians 13:13) It’s not just something we think about. Hope is something we do:
It is not pure intention alone, nor is it faith, hope and love residing unexercised as virtues in a person that lasts. What lasts is the action taken in these virtues, the praxis that flows from intention, the works the virtues shape. These last!
– John C. Haughey (Converting Nine to Five)
Hope is something inside that can’t be touched. Hope changes people for good. Hope lasts forever.
In Jesus,
John
Heart
Jun 1st
Those with a well-kept heart are persons who are prepared for and capable of
responding to the situations of life in ways that are good and right.~ Dallas Willard
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was a pleasure to spend last Tuesday with Major John Chamness from the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center. He spent time sharing with our Advisory Board and encouraging our management staff from the treasure chest of experiences their collecting in the beautiful, North Idaho city. Our prayers are with him, his wife Lani, and their entire staff team as they enjoy the blessings of this ministry.
An even greater pleasure from last Tuesday was discovering one of our librarians, Malouq Iraj, completed the five year journey to becoming a citizen of the United States. It’s an honor to be around her as she celebrates this significant life moment.
This past weekend, we enjoyed watching the Kroc Kids perform Once on this Island, Jr. As always the kids we’re prepared and impressive. We’re grateful to the many people who make every production happen, and especially want to thank Siobhan Sullivan for her artistic management of the Kroc Kids.
Last week, I failed to acknowledge another person who is helping fill employee needs during this period of HR transition. Many thanks also belong to Jessica Guerrero for all she’s doing to serve our associates.
Finally, this week we’re bidding farewell to Kris Burns, our Athletics Program Manager. She’s been a part of the team since Lisa and I arrived, and we’re thankful for everything she’s accomplished in her four years with us – like the gathering of an excellent staff team in our athletics department. We pray God’s blessing upon her upcoming adventures.
It’s something I’ve seen on a daily basis for the past four years. I’ve seen it in the arm of encouragement, wrapped around a frustrated skater who couldn’t manage to grind the rail. I’ve heard it in the words of affirmation spurring young children to claim the summit of the rock wall. I’ve watched in drip to the floor in pools of sweat as teams of adults reclaim their vitality through Kroc Fit Challenge. I’ve sympathetically felt its shiver in the cool evening breeze on the pool deck after a long swim. I’ve witnessed it in the pure dependence between teacher and student on the ice. I’ve beheld its expression on the stage and in a mosaic. It’s a gracious and merciful gift I’ve received, and something I’ve attempted to freely share. It fills our halls and walls with life.
HEART.
Our heart beats for HOPE, as we provide positive, life-changing opportunities through our programs. Our heart pursues EXCELLENCE, as we serve others with unsurpassed dedication. Our heart welcomes with ACCEPTANCE, as we embrace diversity and provide community. Our heart values RELATIONSHIPS, as we strengthen and nurture meaningful connections. Our heart maintains TRUST, because we are The Salvation Army – people of trust.
Saint Paul described the essence of our heart when he wrote to the fledgling church in Rome almost 2000 years ago:
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
– Romans 12:10-13 (NAS)
Without our heart, we’re just another consumer gathering place that sees utilitarian value in our members and marketing value in our moments. But with our heart – because we have heart – we plumb the depths beyond what we can see with our eyes to what we can only behold with our spirits. Our heart orders our reality upon the foundation of love, and impels us to respond to life in ways that are good and right.
And now, my God bless you with heart.
In Jesus, John
In Photos: Kroc Church with Brandon Bee
May 30th
Click the image below for a brief look through this morning’s worship service with Musical Guest Brandon Bee:
Unchanging
May 29th
I remembered a song this morning.
Tomorrow’s musical guest reminded me. We used to sing it regularly, but as we go week to week preparing our music, songs occasionally fall by the wayside. This songs was one of them. Even Brandon Bee had forgotten this song, but heard it earlier this week and remember the powerful lyrics, the beautiful melody, and the timeless truth
Our God never changes. He never has to!
Take a fresh listen now, or just come tomorrow morning to sing it with us. And be sure to invite a friend: tomorrow is one of those special moments of family-building fellowship and joy.
By the way, thanks to this reminder, this song made it onto the list of forgotten Classics on our Music page.
One
May 24th
One man may hit the mark, another blunder; but heed not these distinctions.
Only from the alliance of the one, working with and through the other, are great things born.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Dear Friends,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you haven’t been by the gymnasium in the last week then you’re missing something. This may be the only time I ever encourage anybody to go and check out our locker rooms, but you gotta go and check ‘em out. Really. With thanks to a whole host of people – like our finance and property support teams at Divisional and Territorial Headquarters – we have new lockers that are (dare I say) beautiful. We’re especially grateful to Kevin Forrey and the Facilities Team for their tireless efforts to complete this project with minimum interruption to our members and guests.
On Sunday we again hosted Mayhem @ the Kroc – our 2nd annual competition in the skate park. We had approximately 90 participants. I’m grateful the original Youth Planning Committee insisted on including a skate park during the design phase of the Kroc Center, and also to David Monaco and the Skate Park Team for all they do to keep our skaters safe and engaged.
For the past two weeks we’ve been searching for a new HR Generalist to join our staff family. In the meantime, we’ve relied on Patty Ramsey and Elaine Wade to carry the heavy HR load – all the while fulfilling their regular job responsibilities. Please join me in expressing appreciation to them for their dedicated service.
It’s confession time. I am one of several million Americans who have religiously followed the TV series Lost for the last six years – from the very first episode until the series finale at 11:30 p.m. last night. It’s been a mind-bending journey of unexpected plot twists and shocking turns; and through it all the show ultimately explored a fundamental human question: Why am I here?
This is a deeply personal question resonating into the deep, quiet recesses of our souls. It forces us to confront our wound(s). We have to look at the smudges imprinted through habits, the cracks defined by our hang-ups, and the breaks created by hurts. We can find ourselves staring into the abyss of our insecurities and need for acceptance – only to find it staring back. Yet if we listen carefully beyond the noise and the clamor, we’ll hear the still small voice of God whisper, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I have ordered your days.” Our ears can capture the divine message only hinted at through the poetry of words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. It saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. I was blind but now I see.”
This is also an organizational question – but the “I” is changed to reflect the necessary dimension of our social life. Why are we here? Oh, we cannot help but ponder this question because we find ourselves inexorably drawn – even compelled – into community with others where we share our gifts, reveal our heart, offer our abilities, ignite our passions, and contribute from our experiences. Many things cause us to gather, but only one thing holds us together.
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.
– St. Paul (Ephesians 4:4-6)
Why am I here? Jesus said our highest aim and purpose is to, “Love God and love others. Nothing else matters.” Why are we here? An old Salvation Army slogan is, “Heart to God. Hand to man.”
Hmm… Is there any real difference between the two? Aren’t the two really one?
In Jesus, John
