It’s summertime and many people are busy with vacations, home work projects, visits to the mountains or the beach, trips to see family and friends, or just taking it easy and “chillin”.  Are you aware of the life threatening peril that is just around the corner?

I love this time of year and the rest and re-creation it brings but, as a shepherd (pastor) I am also keenly aware of the potential danger of dropping our guard.  Although we may be resting up a bit, I want to remind you that:

the devil doesn’t rest!

He hates you and your kids.  He is relentless about trying to mess you up.  He wants to: 

  derail you, 

    tire you out, 

      ruin your relationships, 

        distract you, 

          discourage you, 

            depress you, 

              tempt you, 

                get you to spend too much, 

                  rob your joy, 

and sidetrack your primary objective of living victoriously for Jesus.

DON’T LET HIM DO IT!

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up.   1 Peter 5:8-9a (MSG)

My best advice for us this summer is 

• stay steady, 
• keep watching, 
• and keep following Jesus as your example.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion … Hebrews 12:1-2a (NLT)

So, enjoy the season but stay the course.  Here are some ideas:

• Stay close to friends who will encourage you in your walk with God.
• Set time aside to just enjoy the presence of the Lord.
• Keep up with spending time in the Word and prayer.
• Serve someone.
• Clean out that closet or garage and give a bunch of stuff away to someone who really needs it.
• Get your kids, go to the park and pass out a case of cold water to the folks there.
• Stay faithful to your church attendance and giving.
• Pay for a kid to go to Kid’s Kamp.
• shhh . . . special contest: email me at steve@westsideinfo.com with the words: “special contest” in the subject line for a chance to win a 16×20 canvas print of the July 5 winning photo on the Westside e-newsletter.  One winner’s name will be drawn from those who respond. 
• Have fun!  (and give God thanks for His many blessings)

Love you Guys,

Steve  🙂