By Paul Cross, Spiritual Reflections

Summer in Minnesota — a time when people who have been long cooped up by winter break free and get into the great outdoors. Before summer gets too far gone let me offer five suggestions to make this summer a season of both recreation and spiritual renewal. 

1. Vacation Bible School. Few things stand out in the memories of my youth like Vacation Bible School. Back then it was two weeks long and it was the highlight of the summer. Over time schedules got more hectic, summer got busier, and VBS got shortened to a week. Even so, for a kid it’s still one the best weeks of summer crafts, games, singing, skits, all for the sole purpose of instilling in our youth one of the most valuable lessons they will learn in life — the great love that God has for them. Here are a few suggestions: Not only have your kids go to the VBS at your own church, sign them up for several throughout the summer. My youngest son is a VBS connoisseur. He generally hits three a year and loves them all. Even if you don’t have kids or your kids are grown, you can still participate by volunteering at your congregation’s VBS or by inviting the kids in your neighborhood.

Paul Cross

2. Bible camp. One of the greatest experiences of growing up is going to Bible camp. For some sending the kids to camp is just an excuse to get them out of your hair for a week. But there is a much greater value. Bible camp is one of those watershed experiences in a young person’s life that can set them on the path to a life lived through the eyes of faith. Yes, I recognize that the content and quality of Bible camps can vary greatly, thus it’s good to do some checking in to the program and history of the camp. Personally, I look for camp that inspires kids to faith in Jesus Christ while providing them with an environment that is safe, educational and fun. Bible camp can make a positive and lasting impression on a young person’s life. My dad tells the story of being young and poor growing up during the Great Depression. Even though his family did not have the resources, he still got to go to the Salvation Army Bible camp.  Because someone had the heart, vision, and resources, a life was changed. My dad is now 87 and because the investment some unknown person made in his life, he now sponsors kids to go to Salvation Army Bible camps. As a pastor, I strongly encourage parents to send their kids to Bible camp. But let me encourage others to find a Bible camp in the area and become a patron of the camp sponsoring kids who otherwise would not be able to experience this life changing week in the summer.

3. Family camp. Another faith-building activity for summer is family camp. If Bible camp can have such a powerful and fun impact on children, why not have a week like this for the entire family. In 1995 I was asked to be a speaker at a family camp in Okoboji, Iowa. This was an experience that shaped our family life from that point forward. What an inspired idea — combining all the benefits of Bible camp for the kids, provided an uplifting and edifying experience for the adults, and bringing families together instead of sending them apart — well family camp is just about the best idea for a family vacation I have ever heard of. Now when you make that suggestion most people they look at you like you are from Mars. “Take my vacation at a Bible camp? You must be crazy!” But ask anyone who as attended a summer family Bible camp and they will tell you what a great time it truly is.

4. Morning solitude. There is no escaping the early morning sunrise of summer. The rays make their way into our bedrooms well before 6 a.m. We can try to fight it, close the blinds tighter, pull the covers over our head; but my suggestion is to utilize summer’s earlier wake up call in a different way. Rather than be annoyed by the earlier sunrise, why not rise early and spend some time of solitude before the day begins. A quiet early morning can be a perfect time for solitude reflecting upon God’s grace in our lives. Spend this time in prayer and mediation, or take time to read a passage from scripture to use as a guide for the day. Consider the new day as a new opportunity to live in harmony with God — a fresh start to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

5. Inspirational reading. Maybe you’re one of the many people who have a summer reading list. This summer, when you go on vacation, rather than take the latest blockbuster novel, why not take an inspirational book instead. As a young man I remember one summer reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “The Cost of Discipleship” by the pool. Few books apart from the Bible have made me consider what it is to be an authentic follower of Jesus. Perhaps Bonhoeffer might be a bit too heady for summer reading. Why not ask your pastor to recommend something. You are always welcome to drop me an e-mail, I’d be glad to recommend something spiritual for you to read this summer.

(Rev. Paul Cross is pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Lutheran Church in Savage. He is one of several area pastors who write columns for "Spiritual Reflections.")