GCV Blog

The book of James is right around the corner for us as a church family. Full of almost proverbial wisdom, James hits us close to home on a variety of practical issues. Before we get to it, though, I thought it would be good to consider what James 1:19-25 should teach us about how we hear this next sermon series. We do a lot of listening. It’s an integral part of our Christian lives to listen to sermons, as well as to other Christians speaking into our lives personally. So it’s also a constant challenge to actually hear the way God intends us too. In this crucial discipline of hearing, God has not left us without instruction.

I hate being tricked. Telemarketers using the guise of “surveys” doubly annoy me, magic tricks make my brain hurt, and scam artists make my blood boil. Unfortunately, my heart is the best deceiver I know. When it comes to hearing, I’m concerned that I share a weakness to deception with all the rest of you. I can hear, and hear, and hear, and still not do. In James 1:22-25, James probingly moves on from the right attitudes in hearing to the right actions.

There is a lot going on this month at Grace Church of the Valley. Please read on to see our events and the dates they will be. We look forward to seeing you there!

Founded in 2002, Sufficiency of Scripture Ministries (SOS) is a Christian non-profit organization which seeks to provide humanitarian aid and biblical training to all those in need. Shannon Hurley, one of our missionaries and the founder of SOS, began the ministry after seeing the overwhelming physical and spiritual needs of the Ugandan people. These needs primarily are a result of the horrific reign of Idi Amin in the 1970s and the devastating results of the AIDS epidemic.

We are privileged to host Shannon and Danielle Hurley from May 21-26, and we are so excited for the mutual impact this week can have. We have three goals we hope will be accomplished during their stay: 1. Develop a deeper and stronger relationship with the Hurleys, 2. Encourage the Hurleys in the work of the ministry, and 3. Motivate our church to pray, give, and go for global missions. Below is the schedule we’re working out, and I hope you’ll look through it and see how you can be involved with the Hurleys. Let’s take advantage of a golden Kingdom opportunity with these precious missionaries! We have several needs that you can help meet, also listed below. If you can meet any of these needs, please contact Pastor David or mark your interest on the bulletin tear-off.

This campaign positively impacts the Pregnancy Care Center, allowing them the opportunity to serve women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. The Center is located in urban, downtown Fresno and they are experiencing about 425 client visits per month. Praise God! Right choices are being made! All services at the Center are free of charge. Their services include pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, option counseling, resources and referrals, parenting and nutrition classes, post-abortive support groups, and abstinence education. Your support in this campaign keeps our doors open as you partner with us to touch lives, save lives, and build a culture of life.

This Month at Grace 5: Spanish Sunday Service Begins Pray for the Spanish Ministry as Tom begins teaching through Colossians during the ABF hour. This is an important study of the Sufficiency of Christ. It will be completed in early September, just in time for the inaugural Spanish Service on September 15.

The cover article of Time Magazine for April 15th, together with the article entitled “The rise of the evangelicos” detail the most rapidly growing religious group of Spanish speakers: not Catholic, not secular, but latin ‘evangelicals’. The two articles describe the trend of latins turning from ritualistic Catholicism and diving into a deep, intimate and charismatic experience with Jesus. I pass by at least five Spanish-speaking charismatic churches on my way to church, so I can attest to the growing numbers. However, calling them all ‘evangelicals’ and calling this a ‘reformation’ might be a stretch.

Some news is so shocking and grievous that it seems there isn’t anything to say. Yet lots has been said already about the bombings in Boston. Reporters, analysts, politicians, and more have weighed in, sometimes prematurely, sometimes unhelpfully, and sometimes usefully. But what can we say from the Bible? Colin Adams helps us with these seven truths.

Persecution Update: Libya