Vacation Time!

Yea, it’s vacation time. Summer is here, the kids are getting out of school and the grill is going full blast. It doesn’t matter if you are a mom, dad, grandparents or aunts and uncles, the fact that school is out will affect you. Kids will be in the neighborhoods, at the malls and at the pools. Your traffic patterns will be different, no more getting caught in the wrong lane on the road to find out you are in a carpool lane.

We're getting ready for a summer vacation also and I think we are more excited than our grandchildren. A week at the beach with our daughters and their families which will be six of our grandchildren, three boys and three girls, ages ranging from 13 to 4 yrs. old.

The preparations are being made along with lists of who brings what and which meals and snacks to prepare. Plans, emails, text messages and phone calls consume our time and thoughts. What places to visit while we are in the area and of course which restaurants we will visit?

It was last year that we started planning this vacation, picking out the place and having it fit all of our family and needs is not an easy task. We rotate that job each year to one of us. Each time we learn a little bit more that makes planning an event like this easier.

The one thing we always make sure and bring with us is God. Our plans include looking for a local congregation to attend or holding a simple service among ourselves. Either way, we know and understand God is with us.

As we enjoy our vacation we try and talk to the kids about life lessons and enjoying Gods beauty that surrounds us. Every moment is a teaching moment. But first and foremost I have to be in God’s word to be complete.

Don’t take a vacation from God, take Him with you.

Having a Bad Day (part 2)

by Lillian Humphries

Last week I wrote about having a bad day and preparing ourselves for those days because we know they are coming. This week let’s talk about how to put on the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

What is the armor of God? Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us a list of what the armor of God looks like. How can we incorporate that list into our lives today?

The Helmet of Salvation – Having salvation through Christ provides us confidence that God will keep His promises and will protect our minds from Satan.

The Shield of Faith – Hebrew 11:1 now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. If we have this faith that the Bible speaks of, we will be able to protect ourselves from Satan’s temptations.

The Breastplate of Righteousness - Matthew 6:21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. Living a righteous life, not “holier than thou” but a true righteousness in our life putting God first will protect our spiritual heart.

The Belt of Truth –Luke 12:35 let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning. We must be bound in truth, be ready and prepared for what may come our way.

The Sword of the Spirit – Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit. We can use the sword of the spirit to deflect the enemy’s blows and find the path of righteousness.

The Sandals of Peace –John 16:33 these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Be ready to walk as Christ did with the peace of knowing God through His word.

Going to God in prayer daily and studying His word will keep us clothed in the armor of God. So the next time you are having a bad day (or week), stop and ask yourself if you put on your armor lately. Just as we get dressed each day, don’t forget to put on the armor of God.


May God Bless.