Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      For some of you who know the Yosemite National Park area, you will know that adjacent to this park is the lesser known park, Devil's Post Pile. You can do an inter-net search on your own to locate this park and see a picture or two. Devil's Post Pile is a very interesting formation of columnar basalt and the monument serves as a gateway or trail head into the high Sierra mountains. Hiking portions of both the John Muir and the Pacific Crest trails, one can cover beautiful pristine country and end up in Yosemite Valley. The trip on foot will take anywhere from a few days to well over a week depending on your hiking speed and how much wilderness you stop and enjoy. As a young teenager, our trek took us about a week. It included many wild animals, breath taking mountain passes, beautiful high country lakes with fresh water trout waiting for your bait, lots of hard work, sore feet, and wonderful memories that are about 40 years old. I remember hiking above timber line and hearing a certain bug that sounded like a rattle snake. Having grown up in the Arizona desert, my reaction was quick and dynamic as I knocked down several hikers behind me in my rapid retreat. I remember the bear in our camp on more than one night and how we had to swing a backpack up high between two trees so that bear would not get some of our food. I recall the home made raft we used to sail across one of those high mountain lakes, the water was so clear you could see all the way to the bottom. I remember fresh fish with

     dehydrated eggs. I remember evening Bible studies around our camp fires. And I remember several of my friends, some from Texas and the rest from Arizona.

      There is one other thing I remember about this trip. It was a character trait that was taught and experienced along the trail. I could not tell you how many miles we hiked or how many days the trip took us. I do remember the joy at the end of each day and the struggles we encountered along the way. Each one of us had to practice this character trait on a very regular basis. It became critical to the individual and the entire group on several occasions. Without it, we would have found ourselves in some very serious and dangerous situations. That character trait is the quality of endurance. When you are carrying all of your essential needs on your back, about 50-60 pounds worth, when the temperatures climb and you are hiking even in the heat of the day, when the trail is so steep that it includes switch back after switch back, when you think you can see the top only to discover it is yet another knoll with yet another climb awaiting you, when your feet require the use of mole skin because of yet another blister, when you wish for a hot tub and a cold shower, what keeps you going is endurance. The Webster dictionary defines endurance as "the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity."

      The first part of Hebrews 10:36 says, "For you have need of endurance…" Later on in the same book the Word of God says, "There-fore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1) The preacher Jeremiah warned, "If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?" (Jeremiah 12:5) The Word of God from the Apostle Paul to young Timothy is good for us today: "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Timothy 2:3) God used James to give us "Indeed we count them blessed who endure…" (James 5:11a)

      Endurance, the ability to withstand hardship or adversity, especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity. Wow, something for all of us to think about today. And, as you think about endurance, remember Philippians 4:13 and 2 Timothy 4:7. Thanks for the privilege of sharing some old memories and relevant scriptures with you today.

      Pastor Paul

Men's Retreat 2007

August 24 - 26

$30.00 Per Person

Dunsmuir, CA

See Terry Sloan at the sign up table in the church foyer for more information.

GCA/Preschool Upcoming Special Dates

August 6 GCA Teachers back to work for 2007-2008 school year
August 13 Preschool break for teachers to prepare for 2007-2008 school year
August 16 Back-to-School Night (6:00 PM)
August 19 GCA Teacher Dedication during 10:30 AM Sunday service
August 20 First Day of School for 2007-2008 school year

Help Bridge the Gap!!!

As our church moves forward, we need your support with our Children’s and Youth Ministry. There are many ways you can help. We need you to pray! Pray for our staff and volunteers. We need adults to help plan activities and provide supervision for the teens on Tuesday nights from 6:45 - 8:00 PM. We also need help with small groups, crafts, and other activities for our children’s Wednesday night program. Would you prayerfully consider lending your support? You can help once a week or once a month. Please contact Terry Sloan if you would like to help with the teens or Bob Schultz, if you would like to help with the children.

The Family Spotlight

Cash Clash: What's Below the Surface?

If you and your spouse argue about the same money issues over and over, it may be time to look below the surface.

Focus on the Family July 2007 - by Mitch Temple

Fifth grade science taught me that appearances can be deceiving. I learned that when looking at an iceberg, we only see the small portion that sticks out of the water. The largest part of an iceberg — typically 80-90% —remains unseen, hidden below the water's surface.

Financial conflict is like the tip of an iceberg. Many couples cite money problems as the reason for marital strife when the true source of their conflict is a larger issue lurking below the surface. In my years of working with couples in crisis, I've found that financial issues are usually a surface problem driven by deeper issues.

It's easy to mistake finances for the real issue if you argue about it on a regular basis. However, the fact that the same financial arguments happen over and over without being resolved indicates that the real problem is something deeper. That "something deeper" is what we call a core issue. If core issues are not dealt with, surface issues — like finances — will keep popping up. It's kind of like trying to keep a balloon below the surface in a pool of water. You keep pushing it down, but it keeps right on coming up.

If you've tried to resolve arguments related to finances, but they keep popping up, it may be time for you to look below the surface. Here are a few questions to ask:

1. Do we have a breakdown in communication?
2. Am I harboring unresolved hurt or resentment?
3. Am I afraid to face the truth?

Missionary News

While working for PacBell in 1980, Steve and Susan Gledhill responded to God's call to leave that livelihood and step out by faith to work full time with the youth of California under the umbrella ministry of Word of Life. They had been thrust into working with teens unexpectedly with a spur of the moment directive at a teen meeting from Bob Runge: "Now Steve and Susan will take over the young peoples' group".

Over the years they have worked through the ministry of three churches, settling at Grace Baptist in 1983.They travel throughout Northern California ministering to leaders and youth of about 20 churches as well as spearheading church-wide teen events such as SuperBowl, Basketball Marathon, summer camps and training events for youth and leaders.

They are currently at 83% of their full support and are putting away special gifts to replace their 2001 Ford Windstar van with 110,000 miles. Steve will be ministering the Word to us on Sunday, August 12. When you see them be sure to ask about their daughters, grandchildren and the expected grandchild.

Water Baptismal Service

Sunday, August 5

We will be having a Baptism Service on Sunday, August 5. If you would like information about being baptized, speak to Pastor Paul or contact the church office this week.

Eight Ate Together Sunday

Join the fun on August 12, as church families host a meal for eight in their home. No evening service so the meal may be lunch or dinner. The format is up to you: provide a meal, bring a dish, or potluck. See Theresa Gallier in church foyer if you would like help with organizing your EATS dinner.

Youth Group Pool Party

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!

Friday, August 10

More information to come!

Coming September 16

Join us for this special Sunday as we “Round-Up” everyone after the summer vacation season!! Special musical guests will be “Bluegrass Brethren”.

The morning service will be followed by Dinner on the Grounds.

Watch for more details next month!!!

Calendar of Events

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