Letter from the President

Dear CDA Family,

No time!

This is such a wonderful—yet busy —time of year. As we come to the end of another school year, we may feel busier than ever. The month of May brings the end-of-the-school-year events and celebrations. We think not only of wrapping up school and graduations, but we also have weddings, travel, family time, and summer reading…. And before you know it, we are excitingly shopping for new school supplies and uniforms, and August is upon us.

In this seemingly always busy culture, we must deliberately make time to be with God each day. It is very easy for us to be like Governor Felix in Acts 24. For different reasons, we will make time for God when we have an opportunity or at a more convenient season. It is almost always easier to do something else rather than spend time with the Lord, listening for Him to direct, discerning His will, studying and applying His Word, and walking step-by-step with His Spirit. Something always comes up, and we lose focus! And we know a deep relationship with God takes time.

Recently, my wife Lisa and I were given a beautiful miniature schnauzer puppy (who does that?). We like to think of her as a rescue. I don’t know if you have had a puppy given to you before, but they are a lot of work. I was not planning on adding a new member to our settled family, and honestly I wasn’t ready to add the additional time commitment. This little dog requires a lot, and it has been very easy for me to spend time tending to her needs when I normally would be doing my quiet time or making time to be with God. I was concerned that I am too busy for a new dog, but since I have one, I have made time for her. This means being deliberate in making time for our Lord. Both are important (and life-changing), but only one is eternally important.

As with our surprise dog and other things that are taking up your time in this season, the pace of our lives can cause us to become anxious. Yet, we know that we are not to be anxious— Paul tells us that in Philippians 4, where he instructs us to

not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v.6)

That seems to contradict a bit as we are to add things like prayer and thanksgiving to the things that are already taking up so much of our time.

But the great thing about this plan of God’s is that it leads to peace. The very next verse in Philippians 4 says that

the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” (v.7)

We can live in peace. We should live in peace. God can and will provide supernatural peace in our lives, leading us to hope in all areas of our day-to-day routines—by the power of His Spirit. This is not something we can do on our own; we need His power to be at peace in our lives. Keep that in mind as you pray and give thanks each day this summer.

As for me, this summer, I do hope to slow down a bit and take time to spend with my family, including my two grandsons, for sure. Train our dog (or be trained by her). And prepare for the new school year that is coming. But in that, I will live in peace and hope and joy through the power of His Spirit in me. Will you do the same? I pray that you will.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

God bless you in this way,

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, CDA President

Lisa & me with our new puppy, Lexi

Good thing she's cute.