he ceremonies are over, the classrooms are getting quieter, the teachers are taking a breath and the students are beginning to taste their summer freedom. Another year of tests, bus rides and alarm clocks is over for most. We honored our graduates at Hillside last week and wish them God's guidance in their lives and choices. Everyone involved in private or public education needs our prayers. Equipping children to be self-sufficient citizens has never been an easy task and the job hasn't become easier. We ask that kids know more than ever and that their teachers do more with less to make it happen. Little Johnnie may not be able to read Shakespeare like his mom but can probably work the home P.C. and VCR better than his dad. Educational balance is tricky to get and harder to keep. It is, however, a worthy and important goal.

In our time in God's Word Sunday we talked about the temptation to get out of balance in our faith and practice. With so many items at the grocery store emphasizing that they are better because they are "lite", it is easy to be lulled into thinking that "Christian Lite" is better than the real thing. Many in today's churches try to apply a watered down version of the Bible's message to lives that desperately need the full strength of God's power. The result is lives that are a picture of struggle instead of victorious living and the abundant life Christ promised. We examined examples of Jesus' prayer life that show how He derived power and strength from fervent prayer. We also looked at the conviction Peter acquired to be thoroughly immersed in his knowledge of and commitment to Christ. Not knowing much of God's Word and weak prayer lives get our life with God out of balance. We tend to think that just knowing there is a god and praying sometimes is the essence of all we need. That is the perfect description of "Christian Lite". It isn't very satisfying and doesn't last when tested. We need the whole truth God has for us and the only reliable source is His perfect Word.

It is camp season and many children are lining up at Hillside to go to Maranatha Bible Camp for their turn at lots of safe fun and learning more about Jesus. It is the high point of summer for many or our youth. We are blessed with excellent facilities and leaders at the camp and have supported it over the years. The mission it performs is critical to the spiritual lives of the children who go there. Lifetime and eternal decisions are made there and many Christians can look back to a critical moment when the reality of God in their lives came into focus and they were changed forever. Please keep the campers in your prayers because these are important days.

Don't settle for "Christian Lite" this summer. Determine to make your relationship with the Creator as valuable to you as it is to Him. We can help you do that at Hillside Christian Church