life – Grand Lake Community Chapel

Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel

Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Greetings in Christ!
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in the arrival of Nautical Festival week in Rogers City, and let us be glad for the joys and delights that the Festival brings to our area! While the smoky haze from the Canadian wildfires are blocking out a bit of the sunshine as we write this message, nothing can block out the fun to be had as the summer rolls along!
Fun is an element of life that we often neglect. We’re not suggesting that anyone blow off the responsibilities of life, failing to fulfill obligations or tend to important matters; we’re suggesting that each of us should seek a balance every day, a balance between achievement and play. Nowhere in scripture is it written that having fun is sinful or evil. It’s true that there are negative references to idle hands, sloth, and laziness, but there are also references to joy and recreation and rest. Add it all up, and the answer always comes back to balance. In North America, many of us have taken the Protestant work ethic to an unhealthy extreme, typified by the dour expressions on the faces of the subjects of Winslow Homer’s famous “American Gothic” painting. It’s been said that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” (feel free to substitute “Jill” if you’re concerned about sexism), and none of us want to be seen as dull. So, work to achieve a healthy balance between work and play; the exact ratio will vary by individual, but for your physical, mental, and most importantly spiritual health, make time every day for a little fun. The benefits are truly astounding!
Blessings,
Karen and Greg
Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13

Toby the Church dog

Hello dear friends!

I try to be a good boy; I really do. In spite of this, I sometimes hear my name said sharply by my parents. “Toby!” Now when I hear my name, I generally stop what I’m doing and turn my attention to the speaker. It might be you or another of my friends, and I never want to miss out on an interaction with someone special to me. But, when my name is repeated again and again in a tone that I find annoying, I tend to tune it out. Unfortunately, this happens almost daily within my house; and the vocal tone seems to become more strident if I ignore the call to attention.

Sometimes additional words are added to my spoken name. Frequently I hear, “Toby, No bark!” Frankly, this hurts my feelings. It’s not as if I bark just to hear myself talking—well, not often, anyway. I bark to alert, to warn, to greet, to protect, and for so many other reasons: “I hear a noise, I hear a noise, I hear a noise!”, “Hey you! Get off my sidewalk!”, or “Well hello there, pretty lady!” While I don’t like to brag, I do have quite a nice voice; a pleasing baritone, if you will. As needed I can dip down into a bass range, and I can even sustain my vocalization as needed to make my point! You want to hear a vibrato; I’ve got it too! Yes, I don’t think there is anything wrong with my voice; certainly not something that should cause someone (my parents!) to “shush” me.

In fact, I do try to be mindful of my surroundings and to adopt a demeanor of dignified reserve when called for. Mom and Dad are often complimenting me on how well I get into a zone of rest and reflection when I bring them to my office and monitor their work. I find that they are easily distracted, and I work to set a good example.

While it may look to the outside world as if I am merely sleeping, this could not be farther from the truth! I believe time with God is so important; and it cannot always be about my requests, my concerns, and my worries handed to God —sometimes I need to listen. And that is what I’ve decided to do! I quiet myself and wait to hear (or feel) what God wishes to share with me. This I know; God always has something important to share with us!

Nothing can ever quiet me in proclaiming my care for you, dear friends! Know that you are loved by me.

Your church dog,
ToBY

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 62:5

Tag: life

Pastor’s Message

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