My house is full of family and there are about 7 different conversations going on and a few singing and a game is being played and pictures are being shared and others are in the kitchen grazing.

We had a great thanksgiving day with all the traditional treats and accompanying stresses of hurrying up and saying hellos and goodbyes all too quickly.  Thanks for all who came and shared the day together.

I woke up this morning feeling lousy. Like sick. I probably won’t die of this, but just enough of a sore throat to keep me somewhat isolated and careful at best. So, here I sit in the other room, listening and checking in with you.

Like some, Laurie and I have a pretty quiet home. For whatever reasons the Lord never gave us children. We love the extended families that we share. But there’s nothing like family actually filling the house. 

Our hearts are full.

Laurie would say that too, but now she’s busy playing Christmas songs accompanying a few of the sibs.  All is good. Truth is, it’s always good because God is good and His gifts are good. Somedays we get to live in the awareness of His goodness more than others. So, with grateful hearts, let’s never tire of saying Thanks. To God. To each other.

I keep meaning to say something about a couple of new apps. I don’t hear much of people talking about ‘favorite’ apps much anymore. I think everyone is kind of on their own. And there doesn’t really seem to be too much room left for the latest coolest. But in case you still have a little room…

A couple of weeks ago I found two new apps that I really like:

Skyview and GoISSWatch

I’m intrigued watching the International Space Station go overhead usually in good view about once a night.

The Skyview is just cool to get your bearings.  Have fun.

I’m hesitant to use the word rest because I usually envision a hammock on a beach, or a carefree stroll through a new place with no obligations or cares. The truth is, rest comes in many sizes and shapes.

²  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters. 

³  He restores my soul.  Psalm 23:2–3 

For the past several weeks I’ve had a change in my routine. And overall, it’s been restful. Part of my time was spent vacationing with family. Some time was given to study and research. Sprinkled throughout was the occasional meeting with individuals, staff and leaders. But overall, this time has been a good change of pace. Lots of travel. Lots of hiking. Lots of time working from home with my sweetheart nearby. I feel rested. And ready.

The way the travels and study time fell, I was able to be in attendance at Grace for all but one of the Sundays. I was so blessed by the teaching at Grace from our pastors and elders. Thanks men, for feeding our church so well.

Now I’m back in my office preparing for this week’s message from Second Thessalonians chapter one.  Read the chapter this week, let’s both come prepared!

• We have the privilege this week to celebrate baptisms at Grace. Always a celebration!

• This coming Monday begins our Vacation Bible School!  Let’s all pray for an amazing week for the kids and pray for each of our many workers! God bless each of you, and thanks for your work to make this VBS the awesome week that it is!

• Men of Grace!!!  Our annual retreat is just a few weeks away, Aug 7-9. You can go online and register here at our website.  If this is your first time and would like more info, please contact Pastor Bob at the office or see him on Sunday.  The best way to register is online. Calvary Community Church in Phoenix hosts this retreat each year and we’re thankful that we are invited to come and join them.  This link will take you to their website for details and registration.  Do it today. And please, bring your sons (12yo and older). They too will have a blast. What a great environment for young men, surrounded by a few hundred men following God!  I’m going. Can’t wait to see you there.

Blessings, Pastor Mark

Laurie and I returned a couple of weeks ago from an amazing trip to Israel. Last Sunday, our first back, we shared some of the highlights of the trip and then I brought a message about why the Mount of Olives was such an important part. As we are now on Palm Sunday, where Jesus started on the Mount of Olives, I’m so grateful we had a chance to go and experience being where Jesus was, and is coming again! You can hear last week’s message here.

With Holy week upon us, I compiled a simple list of the readings for this week in the life of Christ. One source had one event on Wednesday, most don’t have anything. I added it there just to bring some balance. The important thing in considering this week is remembering how it all ends!

Grace Group Study Notes for Holy Week

At this place. 

For the past 7 1/2 years, this has been home for the Grace offices and ministry center. 

I’m thankful the Lord has had a place for us and we have been able to see a lot of lives affected and changed right here in this building. With the students of GSM that meet here, the men’s and women’s groups, Bible studies, discipleship groups, classes, prayer meetings, the worship rehearsals, the countless elder and staff meetings, the special meetings we’ve had, there are many great memories here. Remember those few times we had to actually meet here for our Sunday services?  Seems like we did that twice.  Pretty awesome!  God’s people have had a place to do ministry and for that we’re all grateful. But it’s time to clear out and make more memories at the next address.  

Most Saturday’s I’ve been here in this quiet room.  No matter how busy or hectic the week has been, I’ve found a place to be still and get my mind and heart ready for the weekly celebration we call “church”.  I know God has much more in store for Grace with our new place and a season while we continue to shop for a place to buy. In the midst of packing I’m encouraged that we are HIS people, no matter our address, no matter if we rent or buy. We are His, our identity is in Jesus, not an address.  Thanks to all of you who have worked hard to bless the body of Grace Community Church. 

A week from today is our huge “moving day”.  Yes, we need your help!  What’s that saying, ‘many hands…’?

Keep praying for your church!  

Please pray for Laurie and I as we head into Mexico.

I’ll be speaking at a family camp this evening in Imuris. Our church has invested in this ministry over the years. We’re looking forward to seeing some dear friends.

Pray that we can encourage the missionaries and that God would bless His Word in the preaching and teaching opportunities.

I’ll be back at Grace this Sunday!

I love summer in Flagstaff, don’t you?  Here are a few dates I want you to know about and mark down:

July 1st – Vision 2012 Update.  I’ll use time during the sermon to update you on what we set out to do on January 1. 

July 8th – If I were you, I wouldn’t want to miss this Sunday! 

July 22nd – Grace @ Noon and Sinagua Service day.  Regular worship service, themed on serving, then an all-church lunch (this is what we call Grace@Noon!), then an all-church work day for a few hours to minister right there at Sinagua. 

July 29th – Grace 1.0

Aug 19th – Baptism!!

We just sent our kids off to Hume Lake today.  I love seeing all these kids, many I don’t know, many friends going because they were invited. I love seeing a huge, cool bus.  I love seeing a group of parents watching, knowing the real cost of something like this. I love watching the young ones launch out for the first time and get on that big bus with kids they don’t know. Yet.  Mostly, I love seeing our man Timothy Serrano step up and own this. I love that he was mentored by Pastor Bob and raised by godly parents. This is what a church does. It raises up and launches. It invests in others.

Be praying for Tim and Makensie and all the youth workers as they love and lead this group of students in a wonderful week.