Last week you may have noticed that Keith and Lynn Clayton from Waterville, Maine were here for 2 days. The church in Waterville has been going through what is commonly known as a "dry patch" (i.e. few, if any, Bible studies are being held with people in the community). Those of you who know Keith know that he is a tireless worker for the Lord. He has been known to have multiple studies every day and night of the week. So when he wanted to come down here to take a page from Kierie's book, I was more than a bit surprised.

Especially since we have been having our own dry patch here in this area. For the first time in a very long time Kierie had only one Bible study in the week. It has also been a very long time since there have been any calls made to either the radio or the television program. These dry patches are particularly hard on our beloved preachers. They tend to take it rather personally, thinking that they are not "earning their keep". In spite of their best efforts they find the community can sometimes be cold and unresponsive. In the case of Kierie and Keith they went out and did something that is commonly known as "beating the bushes". Perhaps it was a rainy evening but it was another dry day. Why do you suppose this happens and what can we do about it?

Well, I think there are a variety of reasons: I heard that there are only 92 days of SUMMER available to us here in N.E. Right away that made me want to make hay while the sun shines, how about you? The children are out of school - I want to rotisserie myself, canoe, hike, gulp in all that delicious warm air and horde it for the winter months, dig in my garden and laze all day long. I have to purpose in myself to take time to read my Bible. You would think that with all this free time I would just naturally think of God first but it is if my mind has gone of vacation, as well! Judging from the amount of people who play daily in the lake across the road from us I am not alone in this summertime slide. By the way, we have found it exceptionally hard to talk to friends and neighbors about Jesus at Christmas time as well - imagine!

Over the years, we have noticed a trend among people both here and abroad to think of the practice of Christianity as being "beneath them intellectually" In other words, Christianity is for the downtrodden uneducated, losers. The intelligentsia often suck God out of their lives and replace the void with all sorts of substitutes - the newest modem convenience, the pursuit of money to fulfill every desire and "lookin' good". This is why I am both amazed and thankful to see bright smart people taking the time to worship and humbly seek out God. These people have come to the realization that without salvation their riches and knowledge are totally meaningless.

There are others out there who feel that empty void in their lives and are searching what can we do? Well, live your Christianity all the time, every day. Dress more modestly than your friends. Don't just say "others dress a lot worse:" no, you dress a lot better! Don't stand for evil to be around you. Go ahead, reprove the evil that you see. Your dress, conversation and manner of life are a constant head-turner. Believe it! Above all, pray to God for people to come into your life who really want to learn. Pray that you will unashamedly grasp every opportunity and lead them to the Lord of Harvest.

Patti