Hello GRC! Last year, at this time I explained about Pastor Peter’s upcoming sabbatical, and this year is Pastor Josh’s turn. A brief history of the sabbatical policy here at GRC: 2010 – The GRC Diaconate, with the assistance of the Session, formulated a new sabbatical policy for its pastors: a 10-week sabbatical, every 5 years of service. 2015 – …
“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams.” – Ralph Lauren Last week, I looked into the life of Ralph Lauren, one of the most successful apparel entrepreneurs in American history (click here for Part 1). Lauren, like the rest of us, is on a search for glory. It’s a search that leads a billionaire fashion icon, a name that is …
I recently read an in-depth profile of Ralph Lauren, the creator of the iconic American apparel brand sold under his name, and often simply referred to as “Polo.” Lauren is the quintessential story of the American Dream. It’s a story to which many can relate. The son of immigrant Ashkenazi Jewish parents, young “Ralphie” grew up in humble surroundings in …
This might seem like “old” news a week later, but it still causes me to shake my head in wonder, and to spontaneously pray and praise! I waited to send this in order to ensure that the worship services toward the end of Passion Week received their due attention by all of us. Last Tuesday, April 11th will be a …
Hello GRC, We’re in the midst of the holiest season of the year as Christians. Â On this Thursday of Passion Week, the week of our Lord’s suffering, Jesus gathered with his apostles in the Upper Room. He stooped down to wash feet, a lowly act of humble servanthood. Hours before his arrest, he led a Passover meal, linking the next-day’s …
The height of the Christian calendar is approaching, and it involves deeper stuff than eggs and fake grass that’s impossible to clean out of your house.  (That stuff has got to be environmentally disastrous…).  Lent is supposed to be season of reflection and repentance but you may find yourself in this common struggle: when to pause to reflect long enough to repent?  Work, home, family, friends, ministry …
While in prayer for this message my mind kept flashing to my son Michael. You see, Michael is a Captain in the US Army and volunteered for a mission to the Middle East. He shipped out a few weeks ago for his 3rd deployment. Of course I prayed for his safety and tried to move on to the task at …
There are many times when people who have the same core beliefs – e.g. Jesus is our Savior – disagree on approaches to worldly problems. Certainly, this last election cycle brought out such differences and  emotions were raw. Gun control has its advocates and detractors. Immigration has its advocates and detractors. Even differences concerning traditional hymns and contemporary songs can …
That was the subtitle of the men’s retreat in September of last year. Why is this necessary? When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome to explain God’s righteousness and the salvation from death, which can only be achieved through faith in His only Son, Jesus Christ, he described an unrighteous world under heaven filled with sin that …
After the 1912 presidential election, the victorious Woodrow Wilson was approached by a Democratic Party stalwart who had worked tirelessly for Wilson’s triumph. Sensing a request for a favor, the president-elect shut the job-seeker down: “Remember that God ordained that I should be the next president of the United States. Neither you nor any other mortal or mortals could have prevented this.” …
Omission Accomplished: When Doctrine Is Ignored Read More »