Do you recall just a few weeks ago how I mentioned that I was sad that Bible study was ending? Well it didn’t take long for my summer to fill up with some exciting studies that will be happening at Rocky this summer! You can find out all about them on the side bar of my blog.

Personally, I don’t know that I could go through a summer without doing a Bible study of some sort. There have been summers when I’ve done a study on my own, but I have found through the years that I thrive on being with other women and digging deeper into God’s Word. Of course, God created us to be in community, so it’s not a surprise that it is in these settings where we find deep fulfillment.

So what about you? Do you take a summer break from community? From the study of God’s Word? From attending your local church worship service? Do you check out for the summer?

If you have done so in the past, I might encourage you to stay connected this summer. Perhaps you’ve heard the illustration of what happens to a burning log when removed from a campfire. At first it begins to dim and eventually dies out.

The same can be said of our spiritual lives when we choose to remove ourselves from our community of believers and especially from God’s Word and His presence. It’s a cold, lonely place out there. Why wouldn’t you want to be with others who want to encourage you in Christian fellowship?

There haven’t been many times in my life when I’ve “checked out” from being in God’s presence. But when I did, those were some of the worst times of my life. My choice is not to go there again.

So you will be seeing me around Rocky each Sunday during the summer—okay except when I’m in Ohio visiting family…but I love being with that group of believers for worship! You’ll see me leading Bible studies. You’ll see me serving. You’ll see me giving. You’ll see me contributing to the fellowship of believers in any way I can. Because it’s what I choose to do.

Recall these encouraging words with me.

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:22-25 – NIV)

What will you choose to do?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna