Summer Is Almost Here

Believe it or not, Summer is around the corner. To make the most of the warmer weather and longer days, decide now how you are going to spend the summer and plan it. Here are a couple of suggestions.

• Schedule vacation. Some of our fondest family memories took place on trips we took as a family in the summer.
• Bike the Des Plaines River Trail. We have seen deer, fox, coyote, cranes, lots of geese and ducks, and one or two mosquitos :-). If you don’t have a bike, maybe now’s the time to get one. The fresh air and exercise will do you good.
• Hike the State Parks. Our two near-by favorites are Rock Cut and Starved Rock. It’s worth it to set a Saturday aside and get into God’s creation. He created nature to be our habitat and the further we have removed ourselves from it, the more emotional and psychiatric problems we have developed. Get outside!
• Kayak or Paddleboat. We like to take our canoe out on area rivers. But if you don’t have a canoe or a kayak, area parks offer boat rentals. There’s an old Native American saying, “Looking on the water daily is good for the soul.” Jesus seemed to agree. He spent a lot of time on the Sea of Galilee and along the Jordan River.
• Walk and pray for your neighborhood. Linda and I like to walk the neighborhood and pray for those in the houses we pass. We ask God to reveal himself to them and to send someone into their lives with the Gospel. People are outside in the summer and it also gives you the chance to get to know them.
• Plan a cookout or two. This is a great witnessing tool. Invite a few neighbors and a few church friends. It’s amazing the opportunities that present themselves in these kinds of outdoor gatherings.
• Help us fill spots at church. Because of vacations and weekends away, our faithful ministry volunteers need help. They need the break, but our ministry keeps going and we need to fill the holes when they are gone. Can you help us with that? It might be a great way to check out a few different ministries to see where you would fit in best. Contact Becky in the office (bhardt@thebridge.church) and let her know you are available. She’ll get you plugged in. While you’d be filling a need, you won’t be locked into a long-term commitment.

This summer could be a time of refreshment and rejuvenation for you. Make the most of it. God has some big plans for you next fall. Let this summer be your time to get ready!