When you think of summer, specifically summer in San Antonio, Texas, what usually comes to mind? 

Heat. A lot of heat. A long summer. Beyond that, what do you think about when you think of summer?

Vacation? Staycation? Projects you hope to finally finish? Fishing? Going to the pool? A short day trip somewhere?

There is nothing wrong with any of these things, by the way. I would ask us (and by 'us' I mean all of us at Stonebridge Baptist Church and anyone else who may happen to read this Blog article) to consider thinking about something very significant this summer: embracing a challenge, or several challenges for the purpose of positioning ourselves for renewal and revival. 

And, just a heads up, these challenges will involve disconn ecting from your smart phone at various times throughout the day. We weremade for relationship with God and with one another and sadly, the smart phone age is harming us in both spheres. Wasting time scrolling through the phone, continually being connected and continually being available to others, and, expecting others to continually be available is absolutely unhealthy and wasting time and energy that could be used for much nobler, God-honoring purposes. 

Here are some examples of challenges that I would like you to consider:

1) Devotional Challenge: Put your phone on silent and set it at least six feet away. You don't need the phone. Spend time alone with God daily in His Word (which should be normative for all Christians every day) and in prayer. Don't rush. Read one Psalm a day, one chapter of Proverbs a day and one chapter from the gospels each day (Start with Matthew). Use the A.C.T.S. model for prayer if it helps you focus (Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication). You can do this all in one sitting, or, you can break it into morning, noon and evening or however you like. The point is to spend time hearing God in His Word and spending time in unrushed prayer each day and making this a spiritual discipline. 

2) Silence your phone (are you noticing a theme here?) and go outside each day for a 30 minute walk.  Thank God for the beauty of His creation. Thank Him for the gift of life. Look up at the sky, and look around at all of the beauty all around you. Get to know your neighbors.  If you are married, make this a time to walk with your spouse, to talk and pray and dream together. This is also a great time for the family to go out for a walk together as well. 

3) The Dinner Challenge: Silence your phone. No phones allowed at the table. Whether you are alone or married or married with children, enjoy the meal God has given you. Thank God for His daily provision. If you are alone, this is a great time to reflect on the day, to pray, or simply think. If you have family at home, this is a great time to reconnect with God and one another. 

4) The Reading Challenge: Some of you are voracious readers, and some of you read more slowly. This summer, be intentional about reading one of the great Christian classic books of the past century. You'll need to commit to spending 15-30 minutes a day to reading. Yes, you'll start by turning off your phone and setting it aside and being still and reading. Here are some suggestions:

'The Holiness of God,' by R.C. Sproul

'Knowing God,' by J.I. Packer

'Desiring God,' by John Piper

'The Attributes of God,' by Arthur Pink

Knowledge of the Holy' by A.W. Tozer

5) Prayer Challenge: Turn off your phone, and each day, spend time praying for personal revival, for revival in the church and for a true awakening in our communities. Pray for the people in your neighborhood to come to faith in Christ. Pray for the people around our church building. Pray for the lost to come to saving faith. 

6) Connecting Weekly With the Body Challenge: Turn off your phone (sure, give it a try, it works at church as well!), and gather with the body to study, pray and worship each week. This is normal Christianity. We were saved into community. Let's be about that this summer. 

7) Love Your Neighbor Challenge: Start praying for neighbors, coworkers and acquaintances daily by name. Ask God for open doors to serve them in Jesus' Name, and, to share the gospel with them as well as invite them to services. This will also require you to set aside the phone for a period (unless you are calling someone). Be intentional in prayer and in effort. As you start to pray for those around you, God is going to start shaping your heart to see them as He does, and, He will open doors for you to minister to them in the Name of Jesus. 

This summer, I encourage each of us to use our time wisely, to build new disciplines and habits that will actually impact eternity. None of these are radical. All of these, in fact, are or should be just a normal part of our Christian life. All of these help us reclaim who God intended us to be: image bearers made for His glory, for relationship with Him and one another. 

Are you up for a challenge this summer? If so, I'd love to know which challenge or challenges you feel led to take! So, let me know!

Grace to You!

Pastor

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