1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! 2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God. 3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” 4 For you, a thousand...

Our culture is obsessed with our bodies. We love to hate them. We love to pamper them. We hide them, abuse them, starve them, stuff them, and flaunt them. Whether you adore your body or loathe it, the core of the preoccupation is the same...

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” 36 “What is your request?” he asked. 37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit...

3 9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so,...

Many of us struggle with a love-hate relationship with our bodies. Narcissism and how it relates to our bodies is gauged by how much we obsess over our body image — no matter where we fall on the spectrum from self-pity to boasting. Whether...

Sleep.  It’s something that eludes me. I suffer long and frequent bouts of sleeplessness. I don’t know which is worse though, the sleepless nights or the prescription medicine to prevent it! This particular medication for helping me to get some rest has possibly the worst taste...

Genesis 3:17-19 17 And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. 18 It will grow...

1 I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. 2 So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” 3 After much thought,...

1 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent...

As I have reflected on the number of stories and changes I have witnessed in the last five years in Grace Church Kids, there is a theme of life change and growth that continues to come to mind. It is the growth and development of...

In my fiftieth year of life, there are some aspects I like about getting older, such as growing a bit wiser, more experienced, more focused, and less concerned about little things that don’t matter. But other things, I don’t like at all, such as the...

Colossians 3:1-3 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3...

Proverbs 26 28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattering words cause ruin. Proverbs 29:5 5 To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet. Jude 1:16 16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others...

In today's culture, coming under authority is rejected, and suffering and adversity are seen as things to be avoided. In actuality, the reverse is true: obedience develops strength, and suffering helps usher in maturity and holiness. Obstacles rather...

This week’s sermon has had a few days to marinate now, to sink into my thoughts, and I noticed something. Every time I became slightly frustrated, irritated, or bothered in the last few days, there is a trend. It is usually all about me. It’s...

12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 13 You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for...

The challenges for those facing incarceration are growing. When you consider the statistics surrounding those serving time in prison, it becomes clear that there is much brokenness within our justice system. Gaps created through poverty and race often bring about more injustice than justice....

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. 4 You...

1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well...

Last month, we partnered with a local Indian pastor to host a christmas event. While the evening was a great opportunity for Grace members to bring their Indian friends, the real ministry is taking place in the day-to-day relationships being pursued with those who attended.   ...

Many of our members are benefitting from participating in our Care Ministry groups. We asked Deb Fowler, from our Powdersville Campus, to share a little bit about her experience in this past fall’s GriefShare. Hear Deb’s experience in her own words. "Initially, I was hesitant to...

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God...

Proverbs 13 24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 19 18 Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. Proverbs 22 15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will...

1 “These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, 2 and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God...

Our culture today is consumed with self. Narcissism is defined as the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one’s own attributes. As a church, it is important that we realize the warning signs of being consumed with self. No matter where...