We had a great day together this past Sunday with our facilities vibrant with  activities – worship, Bible study, and fellowship, the sharing of love with those who responded to the gospel message, meetings to plan and prepare for VBS and other upcoming events, our monthly fellowship luncheon, our singles get-together…  I could go on and on!  What a joy it is to be a part of such a wonderful family of Christians.  May God bless us with a fruitful harvest of spiritual and numerical growth as the result of our persistent, patient prayer and dedicated service to Jesus Christ, our Savior!   Our Vacation Bible School is on the horizon – July 22nd through 26th.  Our theme for this year’s VBS is “Neighbors for Jesus.”  Begin today to invite your family, friends, and neighbors to come and be a part.  Remind them every time you see them of our VBS and how great it would be to have them as our guest.   A personal invitation is a powerful force for good to those we love.   Remember that VBS is not just for children.  We will have special classes for our teenagers and adults as well as our children.   My precious Arkansas Razorback grandchildren, Faryn (2) and Kohen (10 months), will be arriving in Columbia on Saturday for a fun-filled week with Papa and Nana.  Of course, my daughter, Bridget, and son-in-law, Daryl, will be with us too sharing in a few days of “heaven on earth.”  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth” (3 John 4).   On Sunday morning we will begin a new, three-lesson series entitled, “Expecting the Impossible.”                             Sunday                 Things possible – Things impossible                            July 8                     Non-Christians Expecting the Impossible                            July 15                   Christians Expecting the Impossible   I hope these lessons will challenge every hearer to consider the Biblical warnings against being deceived by human psychology and cultural philosophies that would lead us away from God.   Satan lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden when he told her, “You shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).   Eve expected the impossible when she disobeyed God’s command.  She somehow imagined that the consequence of her sin would not result in death as God had told her husband (2:17) but in a more desirable worldly life-style.  We must remember that “God is not mocked…” (Galatians 6:7), that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness…” 2 Peter 3:9), and that “God is faithful…”  (1 Corinthians 10:13).  When we “walk in the light as He is in the light,” we can expect all of God’s richest blessings now and in the end eternal life in Christ.   On Sunday evening we will focus on the character trait of HUMILITY as we   continue “Living a Life That Counts.”  If you would like to read ahead, our lesson texts are Luke 18:9-14 and 1 Peter 5:6-11.  In the first passage from the Bible, Jesus speaks to those who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous” and viewed others with contempt.  In the second passage we find that when we humble ourselves, God will exalt us in His time.  A part of humility before God is courage and boldness in our resistance to our enemy, Satan.   Remember to check out our website every day to stay up-to-date on the many activities going on at SAR.  Get involved!  We need every member using their his/her, talents, and treasures to bring glory to God and to bring others into the light.  May God help us, comfort us, strengthen us, provide for us, and lead us always into His glorious way.