It's the end of April and school is almost out and it's about time for summer vacation. Now the fun starts right? Teens everywhere - including most of you guys - will struggle to balance jobs, a full schedule of sports &/or other activities, the youth rally, summer camps, volunteer work, missions trips, and music lessons. None of these things are bad. Really, they're all good things to be involved in. However, it becomes a problem once it eliminates or gets in the way of your time with God, or to relax and refresh yourself, or to do things together with your family. Summer busyness can sometimes get so extreme that time for God, family, & even friends takes a backseat. Make sure that this doesn't happen to you this year. Try instead this summer to live out an "organic" faith.

Erin has gotten our family to really try eating mainly organic food these past few years. At first, I wasn't so sure about it, but it has grown on me. The great thing about organic food is that is has no chemicals - so it is "going green". This kind of food is at it's basic, original, purest form, which also means it has it's God-given flavor, not something caused be additives. It is really just plain good - good tasting and good for you. In fact, after switching to organic milk - a little more expensive, but definitely worth it - I have a hard time even drinking 'regular' milk anymore.

So, what is "organic" faith? It is really no different - it is faith in its purest, simplest, God-given form. There are two things that Jesus said we should do if we wanted to live this lifestyle of faith, and that is to Love God and Love People. This is highlighted for us in Matthew 22:37-40. "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." The problem is we talk about this often, but rarely live it. The question is will you really try to live it?

Even amid all the busyness this summer, make time for God first, then your family and friends, & after that, then have fun doing the rest of the stuff that will quickly fill up your days.

Thanks to Walt Mueller and Adam Short for your articles that help inspire these thoughts.