JUNE 8, 2021 VOL.2 NO.23

DEEP DIVE: BREADTH AND DEPTHThere is a very close connection between God and His Word. Jesus Himself is called the Word of God (John 1:1, John 1:14; Revelation 19:13). To know God, you must know His Word; to honor God, you must honor His Word; to be in touch with God, you must be in touch with His Word.Mighty promises are given to those who master the Bible so well that the Bible masters them.• We are promised spiritual stability, fruitfulness, and true prosperity as we meditate on His Word day and night (Psalm 1:1–3). • When the words of Jesus abide in us, our desires will be given to us, according to God’s will (John 15:7). • Meditating on God’s Word leads to prosperity and success in our endeavors (Joshua 1:8). • We will have more wisdom than our enemies, more insight than our teachers, and more understanding than the aged (Psalm 119:97–100). • We will have greater power over sin (Psalm 119:11). • We will have comfort in affliction (Psalm 119:50). • By drawing near to God, we have His promise that He will draw near to us (James 4:8).These astonishing observations, these magnificent claims, these profound promises — they help us to realize how important the Bible is, and what remarkable potential we bring to our lives when we become serious students of Scripture. That’s why it’s so important that we commit ourselves to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters us.There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you:• Read the Bible • Study the Bible • Memorize the Bible • Meditate on the BibleSeems simple. Obvious, even, for those who have been Christians for a while. Yet very few people take all four steps. Many take one step. Some take two steps. A few take three steps. Very few take all four steps. As a result, very few people ever experience the full life transformation, the fellowship with God, the spiritual stability and strength, the power in ministry, the joy in worship, and the spiritual prosperity that the Bible promises to those who master it so well that it masters them.READ THE BIBLE FOR BREADTH OF KNOWLEDGE. To begin a mastery of the Bible, you must read the Bible. This may seem self-evident to some, but to others who have never developed the habit, it is groundbreaking. Some Christians do not read the Bible, or they only read snippets that are attached to daily devotionals. This will not get you where you want to go. You must begin to read the Bible widely.It is only by covering a lot of territory in Scripture that you gain a breadth of knowledge. If you never read the Old Testament, you will never have a general knowledge of it. If you only read the Gospels, or the Epistles, you will never have a basic grasp of the other sections of the Bible. As a result, your life will be untouched by important truth, plus your ability to connect the dots from various different Scripture passages — a critical component of a mature Christian experience — will be limited.The New Testament tells us that many stories in the Old Testament were “written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). If we never read those Old Testament stories, we will never gain the insight, the power, or the freedom that become ours when we do.The good news is that there is a simple way to read for breadth of knowledge. If you read the Bible for five minutes a day, you will read the Bible over thirty hours a year! (5 minutes × 365 days = 1,825 minutes divided by 60 minutes per hour = 30.4 hours!)Think of it!! Thirty hours a year! Perhaps no other discipline will provide a breadth of Bible knowledge more easily. If you want to master the Word so well that the Word masters you, begin by reading it.Very early in my Christian experience, I was challenged to read the Bible at least five minutes a day. I took that challenge, and have not missed my daily time in God’s Word in over forty years. As a result, I have read the Bible for a couple thousand hours! And it was all done at the manageable pace of five minutes a day. There is no easier way I could have gained and maintained the breadth of knowledge of Scripture than by taking this simple step. I urge you to take this first step, too.Pick a readable translation. To begin with, pick a translation that is easy for you to read. Many Christians have a New International Version of the Bible, which is a fairly readable translation. I study out of the New American Standard Bible, which is a good study Bible because the translation is very literal. However, for those times of just reading for the story and flow, and breadth of knowledge, I have found that more conversational translations sometimes allow the Bible to come alive in a way that the NASB does not. I experimented for years with more conversational Bibles and, frankly, was disappointed with them for two reasons. First, they often interpret unclear passages for you to make it more readable, and I didn’t always agree with the translators’ interpretation. Second, in their attempt to be conversational, they often dumb down the language so that it is unsatisfying to read.However, I have found The New Living Translation to be an effective reading Bible. This version began as a paraphrase that author and publisher Ken Taylor wrote to help his young children understand the Bible better. In a paraphrase, you start with an English Bible and reword it to make it easier to understand. But in 1995, Taylor commissioned a team of translation experts to go back to the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and change whatever needed to be changed in order to bring the version up to the level of a translation. In my opinion, they did a commendable job.All Bible versions have strengths and weaknesses. More literal translations have the strength of being closer to the original languages but the weakness of sometimes being more difficult to understand. More conversational translations are often easier to understand, but sometimes that clarity comes at the expense of accuracy, especially when a difficult passage may have two possible meanings in the original language.For those reasons, I prefer having both a more literal translation for studying and a more conversational translation for reading. This way, I can compare both translations to gain a fuller understanding.Pick a time to read. I read before I go to sleep. By experimentation, I learned that I could always carve out five minutes before I go to sleep. But when I tried to read in the morning, sometimes I would get too busy and forget, and I would end up having to read in the evening, so I just switched to reading in the evening.I found that I can always stay up an extra five minutes to read. No matter how late it is, another five minutes is not going to make or break my evening’s rest. There have been times I have been so tired I had to read standing up so I wouldn’t fall asleep, but I did it. I have been accused of being legalistic. I’m not. I’m being realistic and disciplined.I’ve learned that if I give myself an excuse one day, I am likely to give myself an excuse another day and another day. So, I have just not given myself an excuse. And more than two thousand hours of reading the Bible later, with a breadth of knowledge of Scripture I could never have gained or maintained any other way, I am glad I haven’t.Others find that they must read first thing in the morning. It really doesn’t matter when you read. The bottom line is: read when it is best for you.Read for understanding. This was a recommendation given to me by the man who led me to the Lord. He said, “When you read, don’t get bogged down by anything you don’t understand. Just skip over it, and read for the things you do understand... and underline everything that seems especially important.” This counsel was extremely valuable to me, and it set me on a course of Bible-knowledge acquisition I’m not sure I would have taken any other way.Without that advice, whenever I would come to something in the text I didn’t understand, I would grind to a halt, or be forced to stop reading and start studying, both of which destroyed the original intent.Read with a plan: Many people are motivated by the goal of reading through the Bible in a year. I think it is something that everyone might want to do at least once, just to know that one has read the entire Bible. However, it is not an easy task, and many who start the project do not complete it. You might set a goal of reading through the Bible without committing to having to do it in a year. Just read five minutes a day, and let it take however long it takes to get through the entire Bible. Other reading plans can be found online.If the Bible is new to you, I recommend what my mentor recommended to me when I first became a Christian. Read the Gospel of John six times in a row, not worrying about what you don’t understand but underlining everything that seems especially important. Then you might read the rest of the Gospels and then the New Testament. After that, you might read the first seventeen books of the Old Testament, known as the historical books. Or, there are eleven primary historical books that you might start with: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Those are the eleven books that tell the story of the Old Testament. The other Old Testament books give additional information, but do not advance the Old Testament story significantly. Then, reading Psalms and Proverbs is always a profitable experience.On the other hand, if you are a more seasoned Christian and are generally familiar with the Bible, read what is interesting to you in your current circumstances... but be open to stretching yourself into other territory from time to time, remembering the importance of reading for breadth of knowledge.STUDY THE BIBLE FOR DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE. Few of us can gain a depth of knowledge without sitting under skilled teachers. So, for most people, they must sit under effective preaching from the Bible and be involved in a Bible study taught by an effective teacher. For maximum benefit, Bible study must have assignments that get you studying and interacting with the Bible on your own. To gain a depth of knowledge, you cannot be passive. You must become active in the process of deepening your knowledge. Crawl before you walk, and walk before you run, but this should be your goal. That is the only way you will progress to a depth of knowledge.If this is new to you, begin by attending a church that is committed to teaching the Bible, not only from the pulpit during sermons, but also in small groups or Sunday/Sabbath school classes. You might also find helpful information in Christian bookstores or online. More seasoned Christians might be able to give you helpful suggestions as well. If you are an avid reader, there is a wealth of knowledge available to you as well through good books available online or at Christian bookstores. --Max Anders — **DEEP DIVE: BREADTH AND DEPTH**
There is a very close connection between God and His Word. Jesus Himself is called the Word of God (John 1:1, John 1:14; Revelation 19:13). To know God, you must know His Word; to honor God, you must honor His Word; to be in touch with God, you must be in touch with His Word.
Mighty promises are given to those who master the Bible so well that the Bible masters them.
• We are promised spiritual stability, fruitfulness, and true prosperity as we meditate on His Word day and night (Psalm 1:1–3).
• When the words of Jesus abide in us, our desires will be given to us, according to God’s will (John 15:7).
• Meditating on God’s Word leads to prosperity and success in our endeavors (Joshua 1:8).
• We will have more wisdom than our enemies, more insight than our teachers, and more understanding than the aged (Psalm 119:97–100).
• We will have greater power over sin (Psalm 119:11).
• We will have comfort in affliction (Psalm 119:50).
• By drawing near to God, we have His promise that He will draw near to us (James 4:8).
These astonishing observations, these magnificent claims, these profound promises — they help us to realize how important the Bible is, and what remarkable potential we bring to our lives when we become serious students of Scripture. That’s why it’s so important that we commit ourselves to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters us.
There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you:
• Read the Bible
• Study the Bible
• Memorize the Bible
• Meditate on the Bible
Seems simple. Obvious, even, for those who have been Christians for a while. Yet very few people take all four steps. Many take one step. Some take two steps. A few take three steps. Very few take all four steps. As a result, very few people ever experience the full life transformation, the fellowship with God, the spiritual stability and strength, the power in ministry, the joy in worship, and the spiritual prosperity that the Bible promises to those who master it so well that it masters them.
READ THE BIBLE FOR BREADTH OF KNOWLEDGE.
To begin a mastery of the Bible, you must read the Bible. This may seem self-evident to some, but to others who have never developed the habit, it is groundbreaking. Some Christians do not read the Bible, or they only read snippets that are attached to daily devotionals. This will not get you where you want to go. You must begin to read the Bible widely.
It is only by covering a lot of territory in Scripture that you gain a breadth of knowledge. If you never read the Old Testament, you will never have a general knowledge of it. If you only read the Gospels, or the Epistles, you will never have a basic grasp of the other sections of the Bible. As a result, your life will be untouched by important truth, plus your ability to connect the dots from various different Scripture passages — a critical component of a mature Christian experience — will be limited.
The New Testament tells us that many stories in the Old Testament were “written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). If we never read those Old Testament stories, we will never gain the insight, the power, or the freedom that become ours when we do.
The good news is that there is a simple way to read for breadth of knowledge. If you read the Bible for five minutes a day, you will read the Bible over thirty hours a year! (5 minutes × 365 days = 1,825 minutes divided by 60 minutes per hour = 30.4 hours!)
Think of it!! Thirty hours a year! Perhaps no other discipline will provide a breadth of Bible knowledge more easily. If you want to master the Word so well that the Word masters you, begin by reading it.
Very early in my Christian experience, I was challenged to read the Bible at least five minutes a day. I took that challenge, and have not missed my daily time in God’s Word in over forty years. As a result, I have read the Bible for a couple thousand hours! And it was all done at the manageable pace of five minutes a day. There is no easier way I could have gained and maintained the breadth of knowledge of Scripture than by taking this simple step. I urge you to take this first step, too.
*Pick a readable translation.* To begin with, pick a translation that is easy for you to read. Many Christians have a New International Version of the Bible, which is a fairly readable translation. I study out of the New American Standard Bible, which is a good study Bible because the translation is very literal. However, for those times of just reading for the story and flow, and breadth of knowledge, I have found that more conversational translations sometimes allow the Bible to come alive in a way that the NASB does not. I experimented for years with more conversational Bibles and, frankly, was disappointed with them for two reasons. First, they often interpret unclear passages for you to make it more readable, and I didn’t always agree with the translators’ interpretation. Second, in their attempt to be conversational, they often dumb down the language so that it is unsatisfying to read.
However, I have found The New Living Translation to be an effective reading Bible. This version began as a paraphrase that author and publisher Ken Taylor wrote to help his young children understand the Bible better. In a paraphrase, you start with an English Bible and reword it to make it easier to understand. But in 1995, Taylor commissioned a team of translation experts to go back to the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and change whatever needed to be changed in order to bring the version up to the level of a translation. In my opinion, they did a commendable job.
All Bible versions have strengths and weaknesses. More literal translations have the strength of being closer to the original languages but the weakness of sometimes being more difficult to understand. More conversational translations are often easier to understand, but sometimes that clarity comes at the expense of accuracy, especially when a difficult passage may have two possible meanings in the original language.
For those reasons, I prefer having both a more literal translation for studying and a more conversational translation for reading. This way, I can compare both translations to gain a fuller understanding.
*Pick a time to read.* I read before I go to sleep. By experimentation, I learned that I could always carve out five minutes before I go to sleep. But when I tried to read in the morning, sometimes I would get too busy and forget, and I would end up having to read in the evening, so I just switched to reading in the evening.
I found that I can always stay up an extra five minutes to read. No matter how late it is, another five minutes is not going to make or break my evening’s rest. There have been times I have been so tired I had to read standing up so I wouldn’t fall asleep, but I did it. I have been accused of being legalistic. I’m not. I’m being realistic and disciplined.
I’ve learned that if I give myself an excuse one day, I am likely to give myself an excuse another day and another day. So, I have just not given myself an excuse. And more than two thousand hours of reading the Bible later, with a breadth of knowledge of Scripture I could never have gained or maintained any other way, I am glad I haven’t.
Others find that they must read first thing in the morning. It really doesn’t matter when you read. The bottom line is: read when it is best for you.
*Read for understanding.* This was a recommendation given to me by the man who led me to the Lord. He said, “When you read, don’t get bogged down by anything you don’t understand. Just skip over it, and read for the things you do understand... and underline everything that seems especially important.” This counsel was extremely valuable to me, and it set me on a course of Bible-knowledge acquisition I’m not sure I would have taken any other way.
Without that advice, whenever I would come to something in the text I didn’t understand, I would grind to a halt, or be forced to stop reading and start studying, both of which destroyed the original intent.
*Read with a plan:* Many people are motivated by the goal of reading through the Bible in a year. I think it is something that everyone might want to do at least once, just to know that one has read the entire Bible. However, it is not an easy task, and many who start the project do not complete it. You might set a goal of reading through the Bible without committing to having to do it in a year. Just read five minutes a day, and let it take however long it takes to get through the entire Bible. Other reading plans can be found online.
If the Bible is new to you, I recommend what my mentor recommended to me when I first became a Christian. Read the Gospel of John six times in a row, not worrying about what you don’t understand but underlining everything that seems especially important. Then you might read the rest of the Gospels and then the New Testament. After that, you might read the first seventeen books of the Old Testament, known as the historical books. Or, there are eleven primary historical books that you might start with: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Those are the eleven books that tell the story of the Old Testament. The other Old Testament books give additional information, but do not advance the Old Testament story significantly. Then, reading Psalms and Proverbs is always a profitable experience.
On the other hand, if you are a more seasoned Christian and are generally familiar with the Bible, read what is interesting to you in your current circumstances... but be open to stretching yourself into other territory from time to time, remembering the importance of reading for breadth of knowledge.
STUDY THE BIBLE FOR DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE.
Few of us can gain a depth of knowledge without sitting under skilled teachers. So, for most people, they must sit under effective preaching from the Bible and be involved in a Bible study taught by an effective teacher. For maximum benefit, Bible study must have assignments that get you studying and interacting with the Bible on your own. To gain a depth of knowledge, you cannot be passive. You must become active in the process of deepening your knowledge. Crawl before you walk, and walk before you run, but this should be your goal. That is the only way you will progress to a depth of knowledge.
If this is new to you, begin by attending a church that is committed to teaching the Bible, not only from the pulpit during sermons, but also in small groups or Sunday/Sabbath school classes. You might also find helpful information in Christian bookstores or online. More seasoned Christians might be able to give you helpful suggestions as well. If you are an avid reader, there is a wealth of knowledge available to you as well through good books available online or at Christian bookstores. *--Max Anders*

WE’RE OPEN! IN-PERSON & ONLINE WORSHIP OPTIONS AVAILABLE Please join your worship with ours! Choose from an array of worship experience options, knowing that in-person @ygchurch worship no longer requires reservations. Click the above icon or h… — **WE’RE OPEN! IN-PERSON & ONLINE WORSHIP OPTIONS AVAILABLE**
Please join your worship with ours! Choose from an array of worship experience options, knowing that in-person @ygchurch worship no longer requires reservations. Click the above icon or here for the current community health guidelines. Our online options are on Facebook LIVE, YouTube, and our church online platform.

A CALL TO PRAYER // YGCHURCH // SATURDAY // 10:15AM CDT My Testimony, Won't Stop Now, Holy Spirit, Do It Again #WorshipSet #Jun12 10:15AM CDT fb.com/ygchurch #DeepDive #ygchurchIn his own words, Jewlz Davis is a people person. He sees that his mission in life is to help people see people as people. He strives to do this through his work at the University of Texas Arlington, his involvement with @ygchurch, his work at summer camps, and his pursuit of a law degree from the University of Texas Law. Above all though, Jewlz loves Jesus and works to utilize his gifts areas of leading, speaking, and connecting with people to show Jesus to others. Don’t be surprised if you catch him laughing, dancing, swinging his hair, or giving out free hugs when you see him!Lisa [@lisa_brandreth] is the founder of the non-profit platform, Broken to Beautiful. Through sharing her story, she aspires to help others find healing from their own wounds. Lisa believes we all have hurt but go through life keeping it to ourselves and feeling alone. Through her blog, she wants to provide a place where your pain can become your power. An international student from South Africa, Lisa is majoring in Business Information Systems with Consultative Selling at TCU. She enjoys singing, dancing and staying healthy.______________ DEEP DIVE The deep calling of GOD is a life-long process with GOD and each other; It is a journey not a destination. It’s about a sacred space of transformation found in every day, listening to GOD’s voice and finding satisfaction in Him. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. –Jeremiah 29:13 [NIV]Join Younger Generation Church for their Summer series, “Deep Dive,” Saturdays, 10:15AM CDT, fb.com/ygchurch #DeepDive #ygchurch — **A CALL TO PRAYER // YGCHURCH // SATURDAY // 10:15AM CDT**
My Testimony, Won't Stop Now, Holy Spirit, Do It Again #WorshipSet #Jun12 10:15AM CDT fb.com/ygchurch #DeepDive #ygchurch
In his own words, Jewlz Davis is a people person. He sees that his mission in life is to help people see people as people. He strives to do this through his work at the University of Texas Arlington, his involvement with @ygchurch, his work at summer camps, and his pursuit of a law degree from the University of Texas Law. Above all though, Jewlz loves Jesus and works to utilize his gifts areas of leading, speaking, and connecting with people to show Jesus to others. Don’t be surprised if you catch him laughing, dancing, swinging his hair, or giving out free hugs when you see him!
*Lisa [@lisa_brandreth] is the founder of the non-profit platform,* *Broken to Beautiful*. Through sharing her story, she aspires to help others find healing from their own wounds. Lisa believes we all have hurt but go through life keeping it to ourselves and feeling alone. Through her blog, she wants to provide a place where your pain can become your power. An international student from South Africa, Lisa is majoring in Business Information Systems with Consultative Selling at TCU. She enjoys singing, dancing and staying healthy.
______________
DEEP DIVE
The deep calling of GOD is a life-long process with GOD and each other; It is a journey not a destination. It’s about a sacred space of transformation found in every day, listening to GOD’s voice and finding satisfaction in Him.
*You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. –Jeremiah 29:13 [NIV]*
Join Younger Generation Church for their Summer series, “Deep Dive,” Saturdays, 10:15AM CDT, fb.com/ygchurch #DeepDive #ygchurch

YG LIFE // SATURDAY // 11:15AM CENTRAL Immediately following YG’s worship experience, don’t miss out on the after party, YG LIFE. Always entertaining and informative with everything YG—concluding with a live prayer session with your requests and praises. Your hosts are Jocelyn Castillo and Adeline Long.Hi my name is Jocelyn Castillo. I’m 17 years old and I’m currently finishing up my senior year this Summer. I love to read and I love to hang out with family and friends. Hi I’m Adeline Long! I’m 17 and a senior at Burton Adventist Academy. I like to read, paint, and spend time with my friends and family (and my dog Sugar). Don’t miss YG LIFE, this Saturday, 11:15AM CDT! We’re open and you’re invited to join your worship with ours! Click link for all the deets, https://linktr.ee/yglife — **YG LIFE // SATURDAY // 11:15AM CENTRAL**
Immediately following YG’s worship experience, don’t miss out on the after party, YG LIFE. Always entertaining and informative with everything YG—concluding with a live prayer session with your requests and praises. Your hosts are Jocelyn Castillo and Adeline Long.
*Hi my name is Jocelyn Castillo. I’m 17 years old and I’m currently finishing up my senior year this Summer. I love to read and I love to hang out with family and friends.*
*Hi I’m Adeline Long! I’m 17 and a senior at Burton Adventist Academy. I like to read, paint, and spend time with my friends and family (and my dog Sugar).*
Don’t miss YG LIFE, this Saturday, 11:15AM CDT! We’re open and you’re invited to join your worship with ours! Click link for all the deets, https://linktr.ee/yglife

WOMEN OF VALOR LIFEGROUP // SUNDAYS // 6:00PM CENTRAL Join Cecy, Leslie, and Kayla as their women’s small group journeys through Deep Calling this Summer. This Sunday they begin at 6:00PM CDT. Contact Cecy for details and meeting link. — **WOMEN OF VALOR LIFEGROUP // SUNDAYS // 6:00PM CENTRAL**
Join Cecy, Leslie, and Kayla as their women’s small group journeys through *Deep Calling* this Summer. This Sunday they begin at 6:00PM CDT. Contact Cecy for details and meeting link.

AYP GROUP: JAMES - A SERVANT OF GOD // SUNDAYS // 8:00PM CDT James - A Servant of God is for young professionals who are interested in learning more from the book of James. The group will feature the study of scripture and group discussion with the … — **AYP GROUP: JAMES - A SERVANT OF GOD // SUNDAYS // 8:00PM CDT**
*James - A Servant of God* is for young professionals who are interested in learning more from the book of James. The group will feature the study of scripture and group discussion with the goal of discovering real-life applications on how to be a servant of God in the modern world. Click above icon or here to join AYP Groups.

AYP GROUP: CREATED FOR MORE // TUESDAYS // 7:00PM CENTRAL Seize the life you were created for and push through barriers of self-imposed limits and inabilities. This group will help you recognize the power of thoughts and intention as well as their … — **AYP GROUP: CREATED FOR MORE // TUESDAYS // 7:00PM CENTRAL**
Seize the life you were created for and push through barriers of self-imposed limits and inabilities. This group will help you recognize the power of thoughts and intention as well as their disempowering, debilitating tendency when not understood. Learn to prime yourself for success, connect better with others, and unfold your ministry, your life, and your God-imbued potential. Acquire practical life, relational, success, and motivational tools that are interwoven with Biblical truths and principles to pursue the life you were made for! This group meets weekly on Tuesday at 8:00pm, Eastern, USA. Click above icon or here to join AYP Groups.

DEEP CHATS // WEDNESDAYS // 6:00PM CDT
Food, fellowship, and conversations on the Deep Calling Journey.
SWAU Student Center | Keene, TX | Wednesdays, 6:00 pm CT
Contact Pastor Michael at mgibson@swau.edu

COMING ATTRACTIONS

AYP GATHERS: SUNSET SOCIAL // JULY 3 // 7:00PM CDT Adventist Young Professionals in the Southwest USA has connected, engaged and equipped Adventist young professionals over the past months through engaging webinars. As we enter a post-covid world, t… — **AYP GATHERS: SUNSET SOCIAL // JULY 3 // 7:00PM CDT**
Adventist Young Professionals in the Southwest USA has connected, engaged and equipped Adventist young professionals over the past months through engaging webinars. As we enter a post-covid world, the Southwest team is pleased to host our first AYP Gathers, a social event coming Independence Day weekend on July 3rd in Alvarado, Texas.
**AYP Gathers: Sunset Social**
The purpose of AYP Gathers is to facilitate a space for young adults to intentionally connect with each other and build a sense of community within our Southwest network. Our first AYP Gathers is called Sunset Social on July 3rd from 7 - 9 PM. Sunset Social will be held at one of our ambassador’s homes in Alvarado, TX, for a more intimate and casual setting just on the outskirts of Keene, TX. It will include fun icebreaker activities, a devotional talk, praise & worship, prayer, food, and fireworks. All activities will be led or facilitated by AYP Southwest leaders.
**What To Bring**
Attendees are encouraged to be one and bring one. This means we not only want people within our AYP Southwest network to bring themselves, but to also bring a young adult friend. Everyone needs to also bring their own lawn chairs for seating and fireworks (at their discretion). All other items will be provided by AYP Southwest.
“I have been long awaiting this opportunity to finally meet the AYP family in person and engage in ways we haven’t done in the past. This is an extremely joyful moment as we continue to build the foundation of our young adult community through meaningful fellowship, networking, and worship. I am looking forward to meeting you all and sharing more on the plans we have for the future. See you soon!” - Paulino Santos, SW Regional Director
While there is no cost to attend Sunset Social, registration is required and space is limited. Visit www.AdventistYoungProfessionals.org/southwest to secure your spot today. Upon registering, you will receive the exact address. Spread the word! We’ll see you on July 3, 2021

ATTENTION CONTENT CREATORS! The Scratch and The Haystack are excited to announce a new Content Creators Search, empowering youth and young adult creators!In partnership with Adventist Learning Community of The North American Division, we are equippi… — **ATTENTION CONTENT CREATORS!**
The Scratch and The Haystack are excited to announce a new Content Creators Search, empowering youth and young adult creators!
In partnership with Adventist Learning Community of The North American Division, we are equipping (new cameras, lighting, microphones, etc.) and empowering ($$) the next generation of Adventist content creators.
We would love your help of sharing this opportunity with the youth and young adults within your network. Please consider sharing this via your email lists, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram pages, newsletters, and bulletin inserts.
**Winners will receive:**
- $1,000 worth of new gear (or $1k of upgrades)
- $250 cash every month
- Free consultation sessions with Adventist experts in social media, marketing, content creation, and production to help them be a better creator
- An on-going, dedicated social media expert to advise them as they create content
- Exposure via The Haystack’s channels and paid promotions
**To apply:** Creators can visit www.thehaystack.org/creators or scan the QR code in the attached graphic.
If you have any questions, feel free to email us (or ask Adam Fenner with Adventist Learning Community)! We are so excited to be supporting youth and young adult Adventists with 21st century methods.
Sincerely,
The Scratch News/The Haystack teams
www.thescratchnews.com || www.thehaystack.org

BAPTISM CELEBRATION SLATED NEXT FOR AUGUST 14 If you have interest in being baptized or wish to recommit your life to Jesus through re-baptism, we would love for you to join celebrations set for this Summer. Click the above icon or here to let us kn… — **BAPTISM CELEBRATION SLATED NEXT FOR AUGUST 14**
If you have interest in being baptized or wish to recommit your life to Jesus through re-baptism, we would love for you to join celebrations set for this Summer. Click the above icon or here to let us know and for more information.

AYP RETREAT: ROOTED - CULTIVATING PURPOSE WHERE YOU ARE // AUGUST 19-22 // OREGON Join AYPers from across America on 20 acres of beautiful property in northwestern Oregon! This Hillsboro, OR, property is a short drive from Portland. Bring your tents… — **AYP RETREAT: ROOTED - CULTIVATING PURPOSE WHERE YOU ARE // AUGUST 19-22 // OREGON**
Join AYPers from across America on 20 acres of beautiful property in northwestern Oregon! This Hillsboro, OR, property is a short drive from Portland. Bring your tents, your appetites, and your friends! During this event, you will fellowship through a truly unique experience that will offer dynamic guest speakers, inspirational worship music led by AYPers, and a wide-array of outdoor activities that will allow you to connect with old and new friends. Most importantly, this campout will leave you rooted in your identity in Christ as you return to the craziness that is being a young Adventist professional in our modern world. When we are rooted in Him and His call for our lives, anything is possible.
Come join us in Oregon to get refocused, refreshed, and recharged through fellowship with young professionals from across our West and Northwest regions facing the same challenges and questions. It is through community that we can water a vast system of roots to stay vibrant through these desert-like times.
***Cost & Details***
Registration for *Rooted* is limited and costs $150, however, if you register before July 1, your ticket cost is just $100. Registration includes:
1. Access to the campground
2. Meals for Thursday, Friday, Sabbath, and Sunday
3. Incredible programming & outdoor activities
4. Rooted gift bag with an array of AYP SWAG
Ready to return to in-person gatherings? Love campfires, food, and friends? Sign up before space runs out! Pre-registration is now open at AdventistYoungProfessionals.org/retreat! Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to become Rooted!

PURSUE GOD

READING SCRIPTURE WELL When it comes to the Bible, are you reading rationally or relationally? Be inspired by Edyta Jankiewicz commentary feature for the Adventist Review. — READING SCRIPTURE WELL
When it comes to the Bible, are you reading rationally or relationally? Be inspired by Edyta Jankiewicz commentary feature for the *Adventist Review*.

Last week’s teaching by A Allan Martin & DJ Henderson, Deep Dive: The Journey

DEEP DIVE: THE JOURNEY
“When you think nothing is happening, something is happening. God is working on your heart in the quietness.” –Wendi Walshe

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” –Psalm 91:1-2 [NIV]

_______________
DEEP DIVE
The deep calling of GOD is a life-long process with GOD and each other; It is a journey not a destination. It’s about a sacred space of transformation found in every day, listening to GOD’s voice and finding satisfaction in Him.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. –Jeremiah 29:13 [NIV]

Join Younger Generation Church for their Summer series, “Deep Dive,” Saturdays, 10:15AM CDT, fb.com/ygchurch #DeepDive #ygchurch

DOWNLOAD FREE “THE EIGHT CALLS OF GOD” DEVOTIONAL As a guide for our journey together, download free this devotional series by Dr. Tara J. VinCross. — **DOWNLOAD FREE “THE EIGHT CALLS OF GOD” DEVOTIONAL**
As a guide for our journey together, download free this devotional series by Dr. Tara J. VinCross.

EXPERIENCING GOD Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry T. Blackaby is a beneficial and easy to comprehend devotional guide affording the Christ-follower a Biblical template for the discipleship journey. Click the above icon or… — **EXPERIENCING GOD**
*Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God* by Henry T. Blackaby is a beneficial and easy to comprehend devotional guide affording the Christ-follower a Biblical template for the discipleship journey. Click the above icon or here for various resources associated with the book.

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE The Purpose Driven Life is a 40-day devotional guide that affords a basic template for the life of a disciple. It's YG Church's preferred discipleship primer for beginning the Christ-following journey. Click the above icon o… — **THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE**
*The Purpose Driven Life* is a 40-day devotional guide that affords a basic template for the life of a disciple. It's YG Church's preferred discipleship primer for beginning the Christ-following journey. Click the above icon or here to review the variety of devotional resources available.

EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY

LET’S DO LIFE TOGETHER During these extraordinary times, we benefit from innovating ways to connect and build community amidst the challenges that surround us. At Younger Generation Church, we want to encourage you to seek out ways to do life toget… — **LET’S DO LIFE TOGETHER**
During these extraordinary times, we benefit from innovating ways to connect and build community amidst the challenges that surround us. At Younger Generation Church, we want to encourage you to seek out ways to do life together while we abide by community health guidelines. Click the above icon or here for great group options to consider.
“Let us hold strong to the confession of our hope, never wavering, since the One who promised it to us is faithful. Let us consider how to inspire each other to greater love and to righteous deeds, not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.” —Hebrews 10:23-25 [Voice]

CLASS OF 2021 We want to connect with you! Please click the above icon or here to complete the Texas Young Adult form. — **CLASS OF 2021**
We want to connect with you! Please click the above icon or here to complete the Texas Young Adult form.

THE DEEP CALL OF GOD "Deep Calling: On Being and Growing Disciples" is a wholistic movement – discipleship and disciple-making – that emphasizes a life-long process, not a destination. It’s about making space for God in the every day, bearing witne… — **THE DEEP CALL OF GOD**
*"Deep Calling: On Being and Growing Disciples"* is a wholistic movement – discipleship and disciple-making – that emphasizes a life-long process, not a destination. It’s about making space for God in the every day, bearing witness to transformation in the ordinary. It’s about knowing truth and experiencing Truth. It’s about learning to listen to the voice of God. It’s about satisfying your longing with the only One who can satisfy your soul. All are invited. All are welcome to answer the deep call of God.

Discover more, taravincross.com/deepcalling

FREE ACCESS TO RIGHTNOW MEDIA FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS! Our digital ministry library, Rightnow Media, offers tens of thousands of video-based Bible studies at your finger tips. Contact Pastor Tom [tom@arlingtonadventist.com] to gain access to our RightN… — **FREE ACCESS TO RIGHTNOW MEDIA FOR ALL OUR MEMBERS!**
Our digital ministry library, Rightnow Media, offers tens of thousands of video-based Bible studies at your finger tips. Contact Pastor Tom [tom@arlingtonadventist.com] to gain access to our RightNow digital Bible study library.

INSPIRE HOPE // SHARE GRACE

REVIVE COMMUNITY CARE: WE ARE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER Inspire those around you with the hope of grace by volunteering with Revive Community Care! Participate and refer those in need, revivecommunitycare.com — **REVIVE COMMUNITY CARE: WE ARE HERE TO HELP EACH OTHER**
Inspire those around you with the hope of grace by volunteering with Revive Community Care! Participate and refer those in need, revivecommunitycare.com

NEEDED: DIAPERS & WIPES Diapers of all sizes and baby wipes are donations that are needed and deeply appreciated. Many of the community families we serve have babies and small children. Please drop off your donations into the church foyer colle… — **NEEDED: DIAPERS & WIPES**
Diapers of all sizes and baby wipes are donations that are needed and deeply appreciated. Many of the community families we serve have babies and small children. Please drop off your donations into the church foyer collection bins OR in the office during business hours. Click the above icon or here to find out more information from Heidi Jackson, our Revive Community Care director.

NOT A STATISTIC: A GENERATION THAT IS INVOLVED AND ENGAGED Southwestern Union Record features an interview with our Tim Kosaka. Click his photo for the article. “We have a call to share God’s love with the whole world, but in order to stay grounde… — **NOT A STATISTIC: A GENERATION THAT IS INVOLVED AND ENGAGED**
*Southwestern Union Record* features an interview with our Tim Kosaka. Click his photo for the article.

*“We have a call to share God’s love with the whole world, but in order to stay grounded in our faith, we need to be active, not passive,”* Kosaka says. *“Active church engagement helps all of us be stronger in our faith. Jesus is coming soon, and we cannot be passive.”*

ATTN: ALL ARTISTS, CREATIVES, PRODUCTION, MEDIA & MUSIC VOLUNTEERS LIFT: A Creative Collective is a time to gather together to learn, grow and be refreshed in your gifts with other creatives without the weight of leading others. These days will include Main Sessions with teaching and worship, as well as Breakouts ranging from leading worship to production to other creative themes and topics. For more details go to tiny.one/lift21June 10-11, 2021 • Gayle Tucker Youth Annex • 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX THURS 11:00AM — 8:00PM FRI 9:00AM — 4:00PMYG & UG Creatives and Volunteers — Free Registration Creative Friends & Colleagues — $20To RSVP send email to info@ygchurch.com with the following: • Name • Cell Number • Preferred Email • Where you serve or would like to be involved in YG and/or UG [If you serve at another church, put that here]We plan to gather in person at our church to “watch party” the main sessions and have various rooms in the Gayle Tucker Youth Annex for the online break out sessions. Supper Thursday and lunch Friday will be provided. We need your RSVP before Noon, TODAY. For more info go to tiny.one/lift21 — **ATTN: ALL ARTISTS, CREATIVES, PRODUCTION, MEDIA & MUSIC VOLUNTEERS**
**LIFT: A Creative Collective** is a time to gather together to learn, grow and be refreshed in your gifts with other creatives without the weight of leading others. These days will include Main Sessions with teaching and worship, as well as Breakouts ranging from leading worship to production to other creative themes and topics. For more details go to tiny.one/lift21
June 10-11, 2021 • Gayle Tucker Youth Annex • 4409 Pleasantview Drive, Arlington, TX
THURS 11:00AM — 8:00PM
FRI 9:00AM — 4:00PM
YG & UG Creatives and Volunteers — Free Registration
Creative Friends & Colleagues — $20
To **RSVP** send email to info@ygchurch.com with the following:
• Name
• Cell Number
• Preferred Email
• Where you serve or would like to be involved in YG and/or UG
[If you serve at another church, put that here]
We plan to gather in person at our church to “watch party” the main sessions and have various rooms in the Gayle Tucker Youth Annex for the online break out sessions. Supper Thursday and lunch Friday will be provided. We need your **RSVP** before Noon, TODAY. For more info go to tiny.one/lift21

TEXAS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES Especially for those young adults, post-high school through pre-parenthood, there is an array of great activities, ministries, resources and service opportunities. Ranging from campus ministry, to young professionals, a… — **TEXAS YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES**
Especially for those young adults, post-high school through pre-parenthood, there is an array of great activities, ministries, resources and service opportunities. Ranging from campus ministry, to young professionals, and beyond, find a wealth of options and networks with Texas Young Adults. Click the above icon or here for their most recent eNewsletter and to subscribe. For more information contact Pastor Justin Yang.

YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES @YGCHURCH GROW, GLOW, & GO We invite you to support @ygchurch financially. As you bless YG, our young adults overflow that blessing into our community and into the world. Your tax-deductible donation helps YG grow, glow, an… — **YOUR GENEROSITY MAKES @YGCHURCH GROW, GLOW, & GO**
We invite you to support @ygchurch financially. As you bless YG, our young adults overflow that blessing into our community and into the world. Your tax-deductible donation helps YG grow, glow, and go. Thank you. Click the above icon or here for ways to give.
How does your support overflow into the world? Click here for @ygchurch stories of overflow.

GRATITUDE

APPRECIATION FOR ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS!
Lending your passion, artistry, elbow grease, and love for Jesus to @ygchurch is such a beautiful thing to witness and experience! Thank you so much for being Jesus, being YG!

Younger Generation Church is the vibrant young adult ministry of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.YG's mission is to deepen our devotion to Christ Jesus through:

• Pursuing INTIMACY with God
• Experiencing COMMUNITY with each other
• Inspiring those around us with the hope of GRACE