Summertime

Wow. I cannot believe that in less than 24 hours, my summer will officially begin. Where did this year go? Even though the time has flown, I can honestly say that I think God has grown me more this year than I could have ever imagined. He has taught me so much about Himself and in that shown me how far from being like Him I truly am. I hope that this year has been a year of extraordinary growth for you, but, even if it hasn't, I want to extend the challenge that my college pastor Kyle Dunn extended to us this past Sunday, our last of the semester. Use your summer to seek Him wholeheartedly.

Kyle challenged us that for many of us, the reason our relationship with God isn't where it should be is because sin is running unrestrained in our lives. (I would encourage you to check out the whole sermon on Itunes. Just search Kyle Dunn or Encounter sermons and you should find it. ) Colossians 2:20-23 says "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Far too often we try to restrain sin by regulations of do's and don't's. The problem is that we try to impose external solutions on an issue of the heart. We need to battle the root of the problem. I read John Piper's Battling Unbelief this semester, and I was convicted by the truth that our sin is a result of our lack of faith in the promises of God. We sin because we believe the promises that it entices us with. This will get you ahead. This will feel good. You deserve better. You're missing out. Instead, we must embrace in faith the promises that God makes us.

"'But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him,
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
it does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.'
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
'I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:7-10).

I want to be "ruthlessly committed to walking in the ways of His truth" (Kyle's challenge) . I want to be so immersed in Him that others have a hard time finding me. What does it really look like to "do good works" in such a way that others don't praise me, but "glorify my Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). THAT is what I want my life to look like. I am determined to use my summer to seek Him earnestly and allow Him to transform my heart and my life to reflect Him more clearly. I pray you will join me in pursuing Him with renewed passion.

Now that you know somewhat the attitude I am entering the summer with, I would like to share more with you about where I'll be this summer. I'm really excited, because I know God is going to rock my world. May 27th, I will begin training to be a counselor at Charis Hills, a camp for kids who "learn differently". The heart of the camp is to serve kids who often have had negative camp experiences in the past due to behavioral and social problems resulting from various special needs. Charis Hills desires to show kids the grace and acceptance ("charis") of Christ and be a part of imparting His joy in their lives. After a week of training, camp will begin, and I will be there until August 17th. This summer is going to be full of challenges and unique experiences, and I am anticipating all that God will do. I appreciate your prayers, and I would love to hear from you over the summer about any ways that I can pray for you. I will be more difficult to get a hold of by phone or email, but not absolutely impossible. You may also write me, and I REALLY WANT TO WRITE YOU!!!! Please, message me with your mailing address and I will do my best to send you a letter this summer. If you want to write me, my mailing address will be

Tamara Stringer
PO Box 58
Castell, TX 76831

If you want to check out Charis Hills the website is www.charishills.org

You are all dear to me, and I can't tell you how in so many ways you have been a part of shaping where I am today. You will be in my thoughts and prayers this summer. Please keep me in your's.