Ripples on the SeaSkipping rocks across the pondI see the ripplesHow they radiate, each time the rock touchesI reflect on how life mimics nature sometimes.How does my actions imitate               Those ripples on the sea?I give to a friend in need, does it stay there?Or does my generosity create a ripple on the sea?I yell at my child, does my anger remain in that place?Or create a ripple in her l...  Read More

"I wanted to share with you a way that God spoke to me over this weekend. As you know, I've struggled with my mental health for years. Over the last year, I had to deal with some specific relational issues that have been a source of the pain that lead to depression. I've recently had to forgive this person and accept that these things happened, and I had been doing a lot better lately with being o...  Read More

Questions from Your childHow much did it weigh?A thousand pounds? More?My sin upon Your backYou carried it up that hillTo Calvary.How much did it cost?My sin that You paid for30 pieces of silver?Oh much more than that!Your life.An unfair exchange for my earned death sentenceCalvary, cruel Calvary.How deeply did it hurt?To be betrayed by friendBy meBy those You made, lovinglyTo be made a laughingst...  Read More

Looking Beyond CircumstancesIn our “Is God Really Good?” sermon series, we looked at several Psalms while wrestling with the brokenness we see in our world. When God divinely overlapped our Wednesday night women’s study with the sermon on Psalm 46, He led us to discover the story behind the Sons of Korah, the men that God inspired to write this Psalm. The knowledge of their family story led to a b...  Read More

Why, Judas?by Joyce Leep PetrichekJudas, you were one of them,One of the chosen.You walked with Him,Talked with Him,Ate with Him,Prayed with Him,You saw Him heal the lame,The sick,The blind,The leper.You saw HimFeed multitudes,Cast out demons,Raise the dead.You saw Him reach outTo the vilest of sinnersWith love and forgiveness.And, yet, You betrayed Him,This God manWho loved you enoughTo suffer an...  Read More

Jesus, the Only CureLet me hand you a snapshot:Today, I woke up.The bed I woke up in was unfamiliar.The person beside me was a stranger.The headache I had suggested that I soaked myself in an alcoholic marinade last night (most likely tequila).The shame I was feeling suggested that I didn’t want to know how I spent part of my night.My next movement would add to my shame, realizing that I was going...  Read More

The Innkeeper's StoryAwakened by a knock, I found a stranger at my door,A poor man, it was certain, for a simple cloak he wore.His wife was on a donkey, looking anxious and distressed.I could see she was with child and was in desperate need of rest.She looked at me with pleading eyes. I looked down at my feet."I have no room," I told them, and I made a quick retreat.It troubled me to turn them dow...  Read More

Make Your Own SunshineI keep a gratitude journal. I have done this off and on over the years. I like intentional things, seeing change and transformation in small incremental ways. And journaling is one way I get to see change as it is happening. But in 2020, my gratitude journal became one of my lifelines as my mental health was spiraling. I would take out my bullet journal and doodle a great big...  Read More

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 12,440 living veterans in Washington County; 21,538 in Westmoreland County; and 63,057 in Allegheny County, PA. Approximately 7.5% of those vets live in poverty, according to usafacts.org.Denise Stasko has been a part of our church for about 4 years. Two years ago, she and her husband, Ed, started a ministry out of their...  Read More

Where Are You?Have you ever set pondering that question? Sitting at my desk, of course.Is that really the answer God would be looking for from me?Where are you?               Lost.               Found.               On a journey.               Busy.How would you answer that question if God asked you today, “Where are you?”Is that question even talking about your location?Psalm 139: 7-10 says: Wher...  Read More

Common GroundAngela, who attends GAC, and Dawn were good friends; they had known each other since kindergarten. Like most friendships, they had times where they were really, really close, and they had times where they were just less close. They described it as being like family during the “on” years.But during the “off” years is where this story begins.Dawn decided that she needed a break from her...  Read More

I learned that Jesus died on the cross for my sins when I was a child, and I accepted Him into my heart as my Lord and Savior when I was young. I was also fortunate enough to have parents who believed in God too, and they took me to church every Sunday and made sure that I was able to participate in any church activities that I wanted to. My entire childhood and early teen years, I truly followed ...  Read More