Grace Christian Church of NJ's Podcast

Think about some of the best gifts you've ever received. But imagine how different your life would be if you never took the time to unwrap, open, and enjoy them? Come join us as we put a bow on our summer series - The Gift of a Sacred Summer as we review all of the gifts that were offered and the value that each has in our lives if only we took the time to engage and enjoy them. - Vincent Rife

We suffer today, not so much from our inability to agree as much as our inability to, peacefully and respectfully, disagree. Unfortunately, opposing opinions seem to threaten us. We feel judged & disrespected when others do not align with us, and instead of considering other’s views with an open mind, we often set out to prove just how wrong they are. If you are tired of living in such a charged culture and would like to find some common ground with those who think differently than you, come join us as we learn how to separate people’s ideas from their identities & become open to unwrapping the gift of respectful disagreement.

What do you typically do when you are faced with a significant loss and you are overwhelmed with sadness? How do you grieve your losses and those things that cause you extreme pain? Honestly, most of us are not great students in the art of grieving. But what if we became so? Come join us as we look at how to unwrap and engage the gift of grieving in ways that are healing and redemptive to our souls.

Pablo Picasso once said that all children are born artists. But our problem is that  somewhere along the way we forget who we are. We don't grow into creativity, we grow out of it. Come join us as we rediscover the joy of remembering who we are and what we were made to do. - Vincent Rife

If you find yourself focused on things that are stealing your joy, robbing your sleep, and shrinking your soul, this message will provide you with a new lens through which to look and rediscover the gift of today and the blessings all around you for which the only appropriate response is gratitude.

The Psalmist tells us that God’s creation proclaims his glory. That when we look at nature, somehow in some profound way it speaks to us about who God is without ever even saying a word. The trees, the fields, the mountains, the heavens, the seas, the sun, the moon, the stars, and so much more. How is it that this happens? Come join us  as we invite you to connect in a more personal and meaningful way with God through the practice of both enjoying and caring for the natural world around you. - Vincent Rife

This week we will be looking at the Gift of Rest and how it is written into the DNA of creation. We will examine our lives and intentionally turn aside to remember who we are, what we know, and to taste the gifts of God and all eternity. - Vincent Rife

Your life is more than random, disconnected events. It's a story being written. Whether it's a thoughtful response or an emotionally fueled reaction, we write the stories of our lives one decision at a time. Discover what question you can ask before making important decisions that will help you to write the best story. - Vincent Rife

Sometimes an option we're considering creates tension inside of us. When that happens, it can be tempting to ignore the discomfort or brush by it. But instead of doing that, we need to pay close attention to it and ask ourselves a very important question. Discover what that question is as we seek to make better decisions and live with fewer regrets. - Vincent Rife

On a daily basis, each of us are tasked with making so many decisions. Some of them are simple and others quite complex. But all of them become a permanent part of the story we are writing about our lives. In carefully considering the story we want to tell, we will be looking each week at a series of questions that will serve as a safeguard for helping us to make better decisions and have fewer regrets. Come join us as we look at the first question which deals with being honest with ourselves. - Vincent Rife