Abundant Life: May 2009

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Summertime fun ... and sin?

As I write this those days in April that remind us winter isn’t quite gone yet are fast giving way to sunny days filled with warmth and sunshine. It won’t be much longer and days that were “pleasantly warm” become days that are “really uncomfortable” and “just too hot to be outside.” Summer is upon us. That brings some good things - like more time for family as kids are out of school. But summer brings some additional troubles and temptations for the disciple. This issue of Abundant Life takes a hard look at some matters we need to think seriously about as summer approaches. The matter of modest clothing (see page 4) continues to be a terrible problem, and not just in the world but among Christians who seem oblivious to what God’s word says about it. Josh Kirby works with those lazy feelings of summer on page 2. This article seeks to encourage some thought about our vacationing, as we think we a little about the reasons we should worship with faithful brethren when we are on vacation. Too many Christians return from a weekend away at some fun destination but when asked “Where did you worship? Did you hear some good preaching?” mumble something about no church being there or have to admit they just didn’t go to services. Think about this with me carefully. Why should you worship when on vacation?

Summer Laziness

“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan who are on the mountains of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring now, that we may drink!’” (Amos 4:1). The prophet indicted these wealthy women lazing on their beds calling for their husbands to wait on them. It isn’t a hard stretch to find ourselves doing something similar, especially during the summer months.

Should I Wear This?

Ever find yourself asking this question? It is one that we need to be carefully considering more often. At the center of this question is an age-old topic; one that we’ve likely heard sermons on, studied in Bible class, or received instruction about, from those older and wiser than us. Because our society in general, along with the devil, seem to continually blitz our thinking and influence our desires related to modesty, we must be continually reminded about God’s standard on this matter. 1 Timothy 2:9 tells women to “adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” We must conform ourselves to God’s standards, not the standards of the world around us (1 Peter 1:14-16). Let us consider the word of God related to modest apparel, and self-evaluate our own desires, dress habits, and clothing choices. Where improvement and perhaps even repentance is needed, we must take necessary steps to ensure we are ultimately pleasing to God.

An Important Announcement for Abundant Life Readers

Westside has published a bulletin for more than forty years. Seventeen years ago Rusty Miller and I gave that bulletin a dramatic facelift, christened it Abundant Life, and started trying to build a larger mailing list to see if brethren beyond just Westside would read from our pens each month. The response was immediate and amazing. Abundant Life has enjoyed widespread circulation across the nation and even the globe. We are thankful to all who let Abundant Life become part of their life, and who were so quick to compliment and encourage our efforts. It has truly been a joy to put together this publication each month.