It seemed like just a few bulletins ago I was welcoming summer and the fun it promised. Wait! That was just a few bulletins ago. Isn’t it amazing? No, it does not just seem like summer is a lot shorter now… it really is. Some time back, schools started taking bigger slices of the calendar (not to mention extra curricular activities) and ever since summer has been in a rush. With only ten weeks, there usually is not enough time to do all you want. So what do you do? Here are some ideas for youth and parents alike…
- Give up trying to do everything and do the most important.
- Spend time with your family. They are the ones you will have forever. Most of the other organizations you are involved with will one day be gone.
- Give God all your time. That’s right… all of it. Lay it all out before God and ask Him how to spend his time. Be sure your answer is rooted in scripture not the latest demands of the culture, and don’t mistake “church” work for the only “Christian” work. Ask, “God, this is your time, what do you want me to do with it?”.
- Remember the Sabbath. God instituted the idea for the Jews that they could not go 24/7. They needed time to rejuvenate their spirit. There had to be disciplined time in their schedule where they trusted God to take care of them (ie. getting stuff done) and they relaxed, worshipped, and rested. Also, along these lines, make sure your recreation is “recreating you” not just wearing you out further. Use 1/7th of your time for things that rejuvenate you.
- Invest your time and money in people. Possessions, accomplishments, trophies, events, etc… they will all pass away. Only one thing goes with you to Heaven; the people in your life. Lay up treasures for heaven in the hearts of others.
One writer lamented that the trouble with American culture is that we had began to worship our work, work at our play, and play at our religion. That’s not scripture, but it is a wise observation. If your schedule is out of control, maybe reordering these three things may be a good place to start.
Upcoming Events: TNT (painting for VBS) - July 17 & July 31; Mountain Home Youth Rally - Aug.3-4; Vacation Bible School - Aug. 4 *New date; End of Summer Trip to St. Louis - August 24-26
Sign up today so we know for whom to prepare, help out, and keep your ears open for other events. Thanks, Danny
The Mexico work was another great success. We went down to build two houses and finish some sheetrock and painting inside the church building at 10 KM. We did that… as well as some electric work at the church building, some dirt work at the orphanage (all the walls are now up!), two roofs, one porch, and some extra painting we hadn’t planned on originally. Thanks goes to everyone who made it possible. It took a lot of people donating money and materials, people learning new talents (like Debbie Moreland cutting and putting up drywall), and just great dedication and a lot of work. Thanks goes to all of you who supported us. A special thanks to all the adults who took time off to lead the trip; Keith and Randy for being the “lead men” in this year’s effort, all the drivers who braved the Piedras Negras roads, and especially to all the youth who carried on a tradition of working so very hard and giving great joy through your service. God, working through you, did a wondrous thing. Thank you personally, for the gifts and the plaque that marked our ten years of being a team in this effort. Words cannot express the appreciation I feel. Thank you very much!!!!
With the mission trip behind us, it’s time to start the summer break. There are lots of great things planned. We are going to St. Louis June 22nd. The cost is $25 per person. There is still room for about 10 more who want to go to Six Flags; the ballgame availability will determine if tickets are still available. If you would like to go, we need you to sign up right away. There are also Tuesday Night Throwdowns each Tuesday at 7 pm. (Next Tuesday we are going to Searcy for the evening worship at Uplift.)
Don’t forget summer camp!!! Sign up today! There are great camps around. The youth fund will pay the first $75, and we will try to provide transportation if you need. David, Tim, Don and others are working hard to prepare for camp at Barton, while others are going to Tahkodah, Wyldewood, Caudle, Green Valley and more. Let us know where you are going to camp this year… someone may want to go with you.
Finally … Retreat – July 13-14; Mountain Home Youth Rally on Aug.3-4; and of course…
Vacation Bible School, Aug. 5-7
Sign up today so we know for whom to prepare, help out, and keep your ears open for other events. Thanks, Danny