Summer Plans

Dear Worshipers,

If your family is anything like ours you have already begun to make some plans for the upcoming summer season. No doubt those plans probably include some traveling, maybe to see family or to get away from them, to visit an exotic or exciting destination, or simply some time to escape to a quiet place. Vacation means something slightly different to everyone, but to each of us it means a break from the usual. Here is where I want to encourage you today.

Our vacation plans begin sometime after July 4^th. The reason for this is the upcoming musical where we will combine forces with several other area churches. It is a terribly exciting time to see God at work in us collectively, and particularly as we link arms with folks who serve the Lord in their own unique ways the rest of the time. This endeavor really began to gain some momentum last year as Pierpont Nazarene hosted us. This year we will be at Drummond Chapel, or Suncrest United Methodist Church as it is now called, for our “church” performance. I hope you will consider joining us.

But I am really interested in encouraging you in totally different regard. I want to encourage you NOT to take a vacation from God this summer. When you take a break from everything else, DO NOT take a break from Him. Rather, I want to encourage you to think of how God can be a BIG part of your vacation.

You do not have to go on a short-term mission trip to do this. Maybe for you, it could actually be a time when you begin a new spiritual discipline, or strengthen one that has been waning. Maybe your vacation could be a time to break away from some things that have been holding you back from deeper intimacy with God, and to dive into the deeper life He has for you in Christ Jesus. Whether it is taking something on or putting something off, I want to encourage you now as you make your plans for vacation to INCLUDE GOD IN THOSE PLANS.

For those of you with families and younger children, think about venturing into some new area during vacation. Maybe you could visit a historical place and talk about the importance of knowing the past. Maybe you could visit a place that has been significant to you in your spiritual growth and explain that to the little ones. Again, think about God and His commands when you make your plans for the scripture tells us, “Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.” Deuteronomy 6:7b

Let us make some good plans this summer, that will help us live God’s plans for life!

In Christ,

Pastor Scott