The Grand Ol Opry has been in continuous service since it's first broadcast on WSM November 28, 1925. That's 98 years, folks! But even Little Jimmy Dickens had to hang up his hat and guitar after 67 seasons! Yes, all things - even good things - must come to end, and today's Living Your Dash is the last episode with our host, Rick Hale. Our first recording was on September 11, 2019 - just before Covid-19 started to halt things - but we kept recording!

But Sunday, July 7th, was Rick's last message, and he had a lot to say to his church, and therefore, some sage words to all disciples no matter where you are. Of interest is not only Rick's own beginnings in ministry, but wise words to people thinking about ministry themselves, and for those of us who now begin ministry under new leadership with Nate Marsh.

Rick - thanks for letting me experiment with this podcast. It's been a lot of fun and very meaningful to me, personally. I love you! ~ Sean

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior or favored beliefs or values. Take chocolate ice cream. Of all ice cream, nothing is better than chocolate ice cream and anyone who says differently is empirically wrong, and is probably unAmerican. "That's silly," you may say - and you'd be right. What is needed is perspective: seeing through the received data and finding alternative intentions and outcomes. Take Rick's upcoming retirement: one could say "It's an end of an era - nothing will ever be the same and based on other people's pastor transitions, it's going to get worse." Yes, it's true, that Rick is retiring, and it's true that some churches struggle with transitions: but there are so many other factors to take into consideration. It is an unfair bias to the situation - and to yourself - to believe that. This is why Rick talks about "Faith-Sight". Find out what he means in this penultimate podcast.

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://www.youtube.com/live/yAAsSvyDoRo?si=X4w9mwGrB6O5uh14&t=2954

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

"With great power comes great responsibility." Benjamin Franklin Parker

Now, the culturally astute amongst us may cringe at such a quotation (given it's source - IYKYK). But you have to admit: it slings with truth! This week, our friendly neighborhood pastor sits down with Sean to discuss his latest message in his last every sermon series, NEXT and they have grand discussions about the stewardship of our lives, being called into account, and one of Rick's favorite verses: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48)

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://www.youtube.com/live/wfl1Q6P45Co?si=8vefL0GnfJ-qKYGP&t=3095

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

John Maxwell said "You've got to give up, to go up", meaning that you can't hold on the past, can't hold on to failures - or even successes - to reach newer, better goals. "There is no significance without sacrifice. But the good news is… you will be moving toward a better and more fulfilling way of life if you learn to give up so you can go up."

This is why forgiveness is so important. We don't like to admit we hold grudges, nurse bitterness, and incorporate bias. But those are all too-human characteristics. Your enemy might not even be human or it might be a system or just bad circumstances. But you have to let it go.

So, make sure you listen to Rick's message, then come and listen to this great conversation on the importance of developing the skill of giving up the right to get even.

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://youtu.be/Mo1upt1Uccg?si=y2SnFDk4P48yHY0e&t=2313

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

"Integrity is the glue that holds our way of life together," wrote Billy Graham. "What our young people want to see in their elders is integrity, honesty, truthfulness, and faith. What they hate most of all is hypocrisy and phoniness…Let them see us doing what we would like them to do." As Grace Community Church enters into this next phase of its life - or as you might be facing (or will soon BE facing) challenges, it is important to guard and exercise your integrity.

In this discussion, Sean and Rick talk about the ways we can demonstrate and nurture the moral rebar of our lives!

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://youtu.be/niaFI0FK2Rk?si=v7eMXp_5nEWADzrc&t=2527

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

What does Orwell's 1984, Rand's Atlas Shrugged, Dostoyevsky's Brother's Karamazov, and Bronte's Wuthering Heights have in common? Only that they were the last works written by the authors. Now, to be clear, Rick is as healthy as a horse. But his last few messages remind us that every preacher has his last sermon and sermon series. NEXT is Rick's last choice.

In this podcast, we discover why he's chosen this series and its main character, Joseph, and why we've got a lot to learn!

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://www.youtube.com/live/OZ9SJy30ykA?si=4H4EJMMQaqM0w7f8&t=3040

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

It is a very special place that Grace is in, right now. We all feel a paradox of emotions: challenging, exciting, sad, happy, cautious, open, etc. And in the middle of this is Rick Hale, who is giving us an opportunity to witness his own journey in a very candid way. For most of us, the end of jobs come with little to no fanfare, and without much philosophical reflection. Rick invites us into examining his own experience so that we can perhaps evaluate our own retirements or cessations.

But he's not out yet! He's got work to do! This week, based on our Lord's teaching of how we are salt and light, he reminds Grace - and therefore every disciple - what we must focus on.

Join us in this fascinating conversation.

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://youtu.be/tzHUYwqMGw0?si=5uThGzIax6pi89tg&t=2761

🚀 LEARN more about our series: https://www.roswellgrace.com/1545-2/

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

Fifteen years after the American Civil War, a man by the name of Thomas Edison patented and began commercializing the incandescent light bulb. It was a watershed moment not only for the United States, but for the world. Thereafter, it would change the way we design buildings, changed the nature of the workday, jumpstarted new businesses, and forced energy production and conveyance into the stratosphere. It was exciting - but very disruptive. If you were in the gas lighting business, back then, you had better have your resume updated!

Disruption. It's all around us and in us. How do we tackle disruption? Paul wasn't worried about the disruptions at the church at Colossae (a church he didn't plan nor ever visited), he simply PRAYED.

Oh - it can't be that simple ... Yes - yes, it can. Simple doesn't mean easy. But simple doesn't mean feeble, either. A hammer is a simple tool. Used correctly, it can be used to build the most useful items conceived by man.

Listen-in on this conversation Rick has with Sean on the message he gave over Memorial Day weekend.

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH today's message: https://youtu.be/rTuqBMjw6JM?si=OwGLYEd1py4LrNMF&t=2709

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

There comes a time when pastors need to retire, and if he's the founding pastor, that's brings a new set of challenges to that local church. Mostly because they've never been there before.

While that could bring anxiety, depression, or insecurity, that's not the case for Grace.

Rick Hale has basically written the textbook on how to transfer leadership in the most gentle, generous, and logical way, the benefit is that he gave his church time to find their next Senior Pastor, Nathan Marsh.

Hailing from the great state of Kansas, Nate, Cosette, Shamonique, and Tyson, are about to make New Mexico their adopted new home - and Grace couldn't be more excited!

Listen-in to this amazing conversation Sean has with Rick and Nate.

🔔 LISTEN to the podcast NOW! https://www.roswellgrace.com/living-your-dash-podcast

▶️ WATCH Rick's Mother's Day message, here: https://youtu.be/tB-7E6C1fTw?si=ODzW3LuNzodZWc5a&t=2296

🚀 LEARN more about our series: https://www.roswellgrace.com/1545-2/

🏠 DISCOVER more about Grace Community Church: https://www.roswellgrace.com/

"There is no such thing as a permanent Senior Pastor. In fact, we are all interims at what we do." It's true, isn't it: all we are in this world are stewards of our time and opportunities.

On August 22, 2022, Rick Hale signaled his intention to retire, setting in-motion actions that would lead to a retirement that has always been inevitable, but now steadily drawing near.

What does a Senior Pastor do as he faces retirement? What should the congregation do? What can the average disciple learn from their Head Shepherd as he navigates his own ride into the sunset.

It's exciting to be a part of this major historic event in Grace's history - but it also makes us a little nervous! But Pastor Rick assures us: we have nothing to fear!

Listen-in on this revealing podcast!