News: GCC Theological Library

Dear Saints,
1.  This news item may be of far more interest to me than to some of you:  Yesterday GCC and Veritas Academy received a donation of a large number of theological works.  Many of you remember Pastor Dave Richardson, who taught at Veritas for several years.  The Richardsons are moving into a smaller home (with little room for his books), and Dave wanted his theological library to be somewhere where it would be used and appreciated.  Often, loads of 'free stuff' involves having to sift through the items to see if anything good is there.  In this case, we received a wealth of goods.  I would estimate that we received about a thousand dollars worth of books. The donated books include Spurgeon's Treasury of David, B.H. Carroll's commentaries on the Bible, Keil and Delitzsch's Old Testament commentaries, the multi-volume Twenty Centuries of Preaching series, Bahnsen's study on Van Til, and numerous dictionaries and reference works.  And, Dave stated that this was just the beginning (although it is the best of his collection).

I hope we can place these works in the office shelves in the room Bill has used.  These books will be available for church members, teachers at church and school, and students to use and study.  I have been combing through a helfty volume, titled Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, using the material for some of my work.  We are living in a time in which the "church" and many students of ministry are shying away from books and study.  The Internet is a blessing in that it enables a student or pastor to access lots of material easily.  But there is still the place in this world of I-pads, computers, Kindles, and Nooks, for books.  
Let us give thanks to God for Dave Richardson's generosity to us and pray that we can use these reference works to help make our church and school a center of theological learning.  That goal is central to what Reformed theology is about.  Certain scholarship is not all that Christianity is, but it is a vital part of "taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every area of life."

2.  Prayer Meeting tonight at the Houses at 7:00 PM.  The topic tonight is Family Worship.  This will an occasion for us to encourage one another, share experiences, and seek to further our family practices.  We will be specifically praying for our family lives, in which all activities fit in with worship (Deut. 6:4-9).

3.  In August, the adult Sunday school class will be on the topic "Christian Living in a Bad Economy."  I am studying on the topic, but really need all interested people to contribute.  Pertinent articles, essays, summaries, and information about economic matters would be appreciated.  I would love to other members bring and share insights from your own reading.  It would be easy to allow such a topic as the economy to cause us to fall into gloom and a "God, gold, and guns" mentality (not to deny  that there are gloomy aspects to the economy or that gold or guns have a place in a God-centered life).  Again, let me know what information has helped you understand the economy and the needed Christian responses.

4.  Continue in prayer for Zach Ramsey.  His most recent Houston visit resulted in some good news regarding his condition, but he is very weak while battling both his cancer and the effects of treatments.  Pray for Dori and Becky who are there helping him. 

5.  Continue in prayer for our youth and counselor at church camp. 

I hope to see you tonight.  If you cannot come, but have a prayer request, let me know.