From the Pastor's Pen...

"Faith Through Adversity"

      I would be the first to admit that it is sometimes difficult to believe God is in control when we are in the midst of anxiety, heartache, grief and disappointment. I believe I am safe in saying that we have all struggled with this concept. However, just as we must learn to obey God one choice at a time, we must also learn to trust God one circumstance at a time. Trusting God is not a matter of my feelings but of my will. Usually we don’t feel like trusting God when adversity strikes, but I can choose to do so even when I don’t feel like it. That act of the will, though, must be based on belief, and belief must be based on the principles of God’s Word.

      The trust we must believe is that God is sovereign. He carries out His own good purposes without being distracted. All of the painful situations that come into our lives are filtered through the Father’s hands. We are challenged to believe this and cling to this in the face of adversity and tragedy.

      Our first priority in difficult times should be to honor and glorify God by trusting Him. However, we tend to make our first priority the gaining of relief from our feelings of heartache, disappointment or frustration. This is a natural desire and God has promised to give us grace sufficient for our trials and peace for our anxieties. But just as God’s will is to take priority over our will, so God’s honor is to take priority over our feelings.

      We honor God by choosing to trust Him when we don’t understand what He is doing or why He has allowed some difficult, heartbreaking times. Is this an easy truth to accept? Absolutely not! But I know, from experience and continued learning, that God has a perfect plan for my life and He makes no mistakes.

      Let me share with you the words of a familiar poem I have read many times:

THE WEAVER
      My life is but a weaving
      Between my Lord and me;
      I cannot choose the colors
      He worketh steadily.
      Oftimes He worketh sorrow
      And I in foolish pride,
      Forget that He seeth the upper,
      And I the under side.
      Not till the loom is silent
      And the shuttles cease to fly,
      Shall God unroll the canvas
      And explain the reason why
      The dark threads are as needful
      In the Weaver’s skillful hand
      As the threads of gold
      and silver
      In the pattern He has planned.

      - Pastor Kuns

Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God
and the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech
and night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth
and their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
and its circuit to the other end;
and there is nothing hidden from its heat."
(Psalm 19 NKJV)

      This is one of the passages that Joyce and I shared while seated on the beach on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, last week. We also shared I Corinthians 13:1-13. What a beautiful place. It was our privilege to celebrate 25 years of marriage this past May 12th while in Hawaii. Thanks to so many of you who also helped us begin to celebrate the Saturday before our trip began.

      While the atmosphere on the island of Kauai was both breathtaking and beautiful, the celebration of our lives united in marriage was my true highlight. We spent time together, enjoyed a special anniversary meal together, and later in the week sat and viewed the video recreation of the pictures taken and the reel to reel audio tape made May 12, 1979. The experience of hearing our voices committing to one another in marriage while seeing the pictures was filled with emotion. We sounded like a couple of kids who were scared beyond description. We looked scared, too. To rekindle the memories of that day was very special. Although the specifics escape me, my words went something like this: "I, Paul, take you, Joyce, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." Ha! I didn’t even know what "plight thee my troth" meant! Joyce would repeat similar words that were based on Ruth 1:16 and 17.

      When I stop and reflect on a 25th anniversary celebration, I am so very blessed. When I stop and read the words of the experts whose warnings state that marriage and the family are under attack, I am concerned. When my brother sends me congratulations for joining the elite crowd who make it to their 25th anniversary, I am proud, humbled and alarmed. Dr. James Dobson writes in his April 2004 letter: "I write to you today with a profound sense of concern and apprehension for the welfare of the family, and indeed, for the future of our nation." When I research and discover that the divorce rate in the church is the same or slightly higher than those outside the church, I am ashamed.

      I would like to say that Joyce and my relationship has been without any bumps in the road. Although I never used a frying pan except for its intended purpose, the tendency to fight and demand MY way is ever present. A marriage is the intertwining of two different lives into one. We think differently, we dress differently, we have different strengths and weaknesses, and we are emotionally different. as different as we are, we made the same commitment 25 years ago. And in that 25 years we have learned about the other, we have been shaped by the other, we have been stretched by the other, and we have been frustrated by the other. Yet we are both the better person because of the other. Thank you, Joyce, for helping to build our marriage on Biblical principles that work. Thank you, Joyce, for helping me become who I am today. Thank you, Joyce, for 25 wonderful years of marriage. I love you, and I still "plight thee my troth" (pledge you my faithfulness).

      - Pastor Paul

Kids Korner with Pastor Greg

      See the volcano towering over the jungle...
      Hear the rumble in the distance...
      Feel the ground shaking under your feet...

      You can almost taste the excitement that’s building as we head into big adventures at Lava Lava Island, Where Jesus’ Love Flows - this summer’s Vacation Bible School program here at Grace Baptist Church!

      Lava Lava Island is overflowing with fun for kids, teenagers and adults. Everyone involved in this VBS will jump into God’s Word with both feet...and will never be the same again! As kids explore the life of Jesus, they’ll take part in Daily Challenges that encourage them to apply Bible truths to everyday life.

      Just what will be happening at this year’s VBS? Well, kids start each day by forming small groups called Island Crews. All the Island Crews gather at Sing & Play Bay to do fun motions to upbeat Bible songs that introduce kids to the concepts they’ll be learning that day. Then Island Crews visit five different Island Stations. They explore Hot Bible Adventures, meet Chadder chipmunk on video (and use their Lava Lava Island Bible Books), have fun playing Jungle Gym Games, sample tasty Tropical Treats, and visit Crater Crafts and Missions to make the hottest bible Point Crafts around! Then everyone comes together for the closing, Lava Lava Luau. Throughout the week, children work on a special project they’ll share during Operation Kid-to-Kid. This missions project allows the kids to impact needy children around the globe!

      Things are heating up at Lava Lava Island! We’re getting ready to let Jesus’ love flow! Vacation Bible School is not just a "one-week event." It is a catalyst for an entire year of ministry to children (by developing relationships and gaining contacts for Sunday School, Children’s Church, Midweek Clubs, Bible Camp, Special Events, and more)!

      I want to thank everyone who has stepped forward to help in this year’s VBS! We have a great TEAM of volunteers. Be in prayer for them as we prepare for and participate in each day of VBS. If you would still like to be involved in some way, please let me know! MAHALO! (Hawaiian for "Thank You").

      - Pastor Greg

Celebrating Our Heritage

Sunday, July 4

One Service from 10:00 - 11:30 AM

      The service will include recognition of past and present military personnel in attendance, patriotic congregational songs, a special presentation from our Children’s Church, testimonies from military personnel, and special guest speaker Whit Woodard of the Civil Air Patrol. The congregation is encouraged to wear red, white and blue.

Picnic on the Grounds following the service

      Featuring the "All-American" meal: hot dogs and apple pie! The hot dogs and fixin’s will be provided but each family is asked to bring an apple pie. There will also be a MEN’S APPLE PIE BAKE-OFF! Prizes will be awarded for the best apple pies baked by any of the men that wish to participate!

Fireworks Booth

Grace Christian Academy & Preschool
June 28 - July 4
Raley’s Center Parking Lot
(near Wendy’s Restaurant)

Easy & fun way to help raise funds for GCA.

Pre-sale coupons can be purchased now in the GCA office.

Volunteers (18 or above) are needed to staff the booth for two-hour shifts during the hours of operation. A sign-up sheet is available in the school office.

Tell your family and friends to get their fireworks from the friendliest booth in town!!!

ATTENTION - Grace in Action!

      Dann Spear, son-in-law of Phil & Ethel Eskew, will host the Grace in Action (55+) group on Saturday, June 12.

Dann is the founder of the Vietnam Museum located in Linda.

Plan to meet at the church at 9:00 AM in order to carpool to the Peach Tree Restaurant on North Beale Road for breakfast before the tour.

There is a sign-up sheet in the church foyer for reservations.

Academy and Preschool End-of-the-Year Events

Grace Christian Academy and Preschool
End-of-the-Year Events

      Tuesday, June 1
           GCA Noon Dismissal
           7 PM: 1st-6th Grade Awards
     
      Wednesday, June 2
           GCA Last Day of School
           Noon Dismissal
           7 PM: 7th-8th Grade Awards
           and 8th Grade Graduation
     
      Friday, June 4
           7 PM: Preschool Graduation
           and Promotion

Calendar of Events

Click on the highlighted dates - the events are shown on the right.