GraceLife

Living for the Glory of God

A personal and theological journey to the marrow of the faith

“For from him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever” (Rom. 11:36)

I was not born a Christian. No one is. Becoming a believer is the result of an act of God the Holy Spirit upon the [...]

The Priority of Discipleship

From Pastor Tim Menez
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:1-2
This month’s newsletter article provides a good opportunity to update the flock [...]

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” ~ John the Baptist

From Pastor Thomas Kruggel
Seven words…. that’s all. Short, simple and straightforward, yet profound, poignant and penetrating. I think my little six year old Poppy could read them, but I’m not sure that even Einstein himself could fully decipher them. This declaration spoken from Jesus’ lifelong relative (and “friend of the bridegroom” ) thousands of years [...]

The Beauty and Power of Praise

This quarter and the next has afforded a group of us the opportunity to study the Book of Acts observing the advance of the gospel in the ancient world and the early missionary life of the Christian Church. Together our group has learned many things, but something I was not expecting was the impact the [...]

The Glorious Gospel of Jesus

Do you view Christ as precious? As glorious?
I think that far too many of us, myself included, fail to see the beauty and glory and majesty and sweetness of Jesus. Because I think if we did see Him as more precious and more glorious than anything we could hope to gain on earth then we [...]

How is your Love Life?

As we enter the month of February, many people have the 14th on their minds…and hearts. Valentine’s Day…the day of love. “A day for the exchange of tokens of affection” according to the Princeton Web Dictionary. Wikipedia calls it “an annual commemoration…celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.” Dan’s Chocolates web site says “Originally a [...]

Where Have You Wandered?

A Prayer for More Humility in 2011
“Thou dost rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, who wander from Thy commandments.” Psalms 119:21
One of my favorite pastimes is meandering on foot through the backcountry in the foothills of California. Sometimes I’m quail hunting (yes, I own a shotgun), other times just hiking and getting to know the territory [...]

A View From Outside These Walls.

The Northern California Church Planting Network (NorCal Net- work) has provided many great opportunities for me to both person- ally meet and learn from movement leaders God has raised up to see the gospel proclaimed throughout our country. Church planting comes with the excitement of seeing an established church sacrifice beloved staff members and people [...]

Dis-appointments or Divine-appointments?

I was recently released from a dark dungeon of despair. It was lonely and cold in there. Not surprising. Prisons are designed to be that way. I don’t ever want to go back again. Who would? No one relishes those places. And as much as I don’t want this newsletter article to be about me, [...]

Of Fig Leaves and Fellowship: Reflections from Genesis 3

The effects of humanity’s fall into sin are vast and far-reaching. Among the most subtle and devastating effects is how we are provoked to believe another gospel, both individually and interpersonally. The world we all wanted – a lush garden paradise where man could enjoy the presence of God with the freedom to both see [...]