For the members, family and friends of the Downey Adventist Church
Prayer
Peer Pressure by Cary Fisher
In the month of August schools will be opening and our children will be back in classes. While a new school year can be filled with anticipation, it also can be a time of anxiety. Children are challenged by trying to meets the demands such as homework and getting good grades, but for many students, their greatest struggle is just fitting in a school setting and just hoping they can make some friends. This pressure can be so overwhelming that it
can lead many into making terrible decisions trying to get their classmates to like them. We call this peer pressure. If you are a parent, you have a difficult job to teach your children not to compromise their Christian principles for others, but as adults, we know that we have our own pressures and temptations for us to resist. If we want our children to stand firm, we need to set the example for them by overcoming our own battles.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). The good news is that God desires us to have a transformational life that Paul calls a “renewing of our minds.” God wants us to live vibrantly and with full of purpose, but we are continuously being continued on page 2
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Show off your artistic side in the pavement drawing contest, or play some ping-pong, volleyball or basket-
—Jared Brock, A Year of Living Prayerfully
INSIDE
Parking Lot Party he party will begin on Aug. 29th at 5:30pm. This year we have a Fiesta theme. Come ready to enjoy the party Fiesta style. There will be food, worship and fun in our parking lot.
I don’t think prayer is merely a sociological phenomenon. I don’t think it’s something we do just to fit into a community or when we’ve exhausted all other options. I think it’s hardwired into our spiritual DNA. God is the inevitability of humanity’s search for true meaning.
ball or just hang out by the fire and enjoy the food and fellowship. Bring some picnic food to share, some lawn chairs to sit in, invite some friends and enjoy the evening with us. =
VBS pictures page 3 Taste & Inspiration on page 5 What’s happening? see pages 6 & 9 Our Church Family page 7 Teacher Appreciation on page 8 Kid’s Page on page 9