This is the newsletter portion for the August newsletter from Grace Evangelical Church.

Did someone say it was August? Where did Spring go? School is already beginning for students? I know that one second today is no quicker than one second 50 years ago, but the days seem to go faster! I remember when I was young, the time was reasonable, but now the days are rippling by like a stream rushing down a mountain!

My 40^th high school reunion is August 2. What a joy to reconnect with students I haven’t seen for so many years! It’s hard to imagine how old some of my friends look! I find it soooo interesting to hear of the experiences of former classmates, who have found the Lord and used their time to bless other people! I get excited to hear how those who were headed for their own “path of success,” have been turned around by the Lord are now seeking to use their time to disciple their children and others!

The Lord said,

• To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
•  ² A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
•  ³ A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
•  ⁴ A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
•  ⁵ A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
•  ⁶ A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
•  ⁷ A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak. (Ecc. 3:1-7)

Have you taken inventory of your time? Do you have a purpose for how you use it and will you have any regrets when you are old on how it was spent? There are many distant lands to see, but will that matter when you stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ? There are many hobbies and activities to pursue, but will they matter if you have no legacy of disciples and disciple-makers walking with the Lord? Grace has a vision to “Connect…Equip…Multiply.” How well are you “Connecting” to take advantage of the “Equipping” in the Summer Selectives? If you do, you’ll be ready to “Multiply” your investment of time into the “purposes” that the Elders have set before you.

How can you “Multiply” your investment of time? There are few things that bug me more than to look back on some of my pursuits and think, “I wish I hadn’t spent so much time on THAT!”  I know I am probably the only person in the world who cared about my grade point average in college and seminary. I am probably the only person in the world who cared if my car had been cleaned and waxed “enough.” I am probably the only person who cared if I could hit a straight shot on the links. Thankfully, I am learning that I want to be “rich” toward God and not care if I’m not “rich” toward people. How about you?

Let me make several practical suggestions on how you can be rich toward God. Help out with the Youth and Children’s Ministries! Those are great “purposes” to help not only the youth or children but their parents as well. In fact, you could come alongside the parents and help them raise these children. Too many pass off this blessed ministry opportunity because they’re tired, unsure of themselves, concerned that they may not have an impact or maybe just selfish.

The only thing that matters in life is “coming alongside” to reach others and disciple them to become disciple-makers themselves. Because you’ll have to use God’s Word you’ll become rich in it, and they will be eternally changed. They may turn on you, but God will always bless you for doing His work of helping to transform hearts to the Lord Jesus. That means you’ll invest in men and women that are part of your church family. They matter to God!

Finally, invest yourself into the soul care ministry at Grace.  We will be starting that series again in the Fall and you’ll be blessed! If you went through part of it this summer, I’d suggest you take it again. You will never regret coming alongside of people or having someone do the same for you. That is where we become real with each other, because we are all “frail children of dust” who need the Savior and   the sustaining ministry of the Holy Spirit before the Father. It’s the family here at Grace who will help build you up to know Him better.  What else is there time for in life?