When it comes to height, I've never been ahead of the curve. I grew late, and I didn't grow much. Like most of us, I grew up with a list of things I wished were different. I wish I could run faster. I wish I could jump higher—on top of a laundry list of other insignificant opinions I held about myself.

Oftentimes, we dismiss our temporal reality because of our eternal destination. And while eternity is infinitely more important than anything temporary, our temporary existence is still significant. Second Corinthians 5 tells us that these earthly bodies are fading away (2 Corinthians 5:1–4). But that does not dismiss the reality that our bodies are sacred, that they are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), and that they will be renewed and resurrected one day (1 Corinthians 15:42–44; Philippians 3:20–21). When God made us, He looked at what He had done and said it was very good (Genesis 1:27, 31).

The Gnostics taught that the body was a prison and that everything material was evil. We can make a similar error when we minimize the sacredness of who God made us to be—not just as souls, but as souls with bodies. And though these bodies are not yet eternal, one day they will be (Romans 8:23).

In the month of July, we will dig into the Word of God to discover what God intended for us to experience in our temporal lives and our temporal bodies, and how we navigate a temporal world to find abundant life (John 10:10). The decisions we make in and about our bodies and our human existence affect our spiritual condition, our emotional stability, and the fullness of life that Jesus promised to offer in salvation.

When we ignore the natural order and design that God has perfectly established—a world constrained by time, ordered in nature, and experienced in our bodies—when we neglect sleep, nutrition, exercise, and rest, and when we refuse to embrace the limitations God intended not only to constrain us but to order us and fix us in His purposes, we find ourselves living lives of dysfunction and disorder, carrying stresses Jesus never intended for us to bear (Psalm 127:2; Matthew 11:28–30).

The Great Commandment says we are to love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength (Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 6:5). That means we are to love Him with all that we are and all that we have. And as we discover what we are, we will grow in our love of Christ and in obedience to His desires.

A church is most faithful when it stays on mission—making disciples, proclaiming the gospel, and showing the love of Christ to the world. When a church keeps that focus, it brings clarity, unity, and purpose to everything it does.

Men Men’s Retreat Men are invited to get away for a weekend of rest, encouragement and challenge at Lake Eufaula. The cost is $150 ↗ Lake Days @ Eufaula

People often ask me what administration, or, more specifically, what a principal does during the summer. I usually smile, knowing they are thinking that when school is out, things must slow down. In reality, summer can be one of the busiest seasons of the entire year.

It is often the time when important decisions are made and put into motion. Curriculum is ordered, repairs are completed, new staff members are hired, student schedules are built, calendars are created, and training takes place. Here at Byne, summer is also a time when potential families visit our campus, questions are answered, and new students are evaluated and welcomed. At the same time, one of the hardest parts of summer is that our biggest inspiration, our students, are not here each day to brighten our halls simply by being themselves.

I am especially grateful that this summer, Tykeshia Thompson has joined me as my right hand in all of these efforts. She has been by my side through two rounds of teacher training and is already hard at work helping with our summer curriculum order. We are thankful for Hal and his A-Team, who continue to make sure everything looks fresh, renewed, and ready. We are also so grateful to our office staff, Donna, Rhonda, Samantha, and Luke, who keep everything running smoothly. And I would be remiss if I did not recognize Mark and his leadership in helping move us forward.

Finally, and most importantly, I thank God, who graciously allowed me to come home to Byne. As I approach the end of my first year on July 31, I am filled with gratitude. I suppose I have just one more month to be called the “new principal.”

Just a gentle reminder, please do not forget to include Byne Christian School, its students, and its staff in your prayers throughout the summer. Your support and His strength make all the difference!

With joy,

Denise Hall

Summer Running Club + Core Training | June 1–July 24 Calling all Byne student athletes! Join us this summer for an 8-week program designed to keep you moving, build endurance, and strengthen your core before the next season begins. For rising 6th - 12th grades 🏃 Summer Running Club Monday & Thursday Morning Runs 8:00–9:00 AM 🌙 Tuesday Evening Run 7:30–8:30 PM 💪 Core Training Stations Wednesday 8:00–9:00 AM 📅 Program Dates: June 1 – July 24 🎟️ Cost: FREE for all Byne student athletes 📝 Registration required Show up, put in the work, and keep your summer running strong! ↗ Train hard. Stay active. Build strength this summer.

July 20-24 | The King’s Kids Summer Drama Camp Returns! Directed by Vickie Knuckles, this high-energy camp will take place July 20–24 from 1:00–4:30 PM daily at the Byne Worship Center. Throughout the week, campers will learn songs, choreography, and staging while growing in confidence, creativity, teamwork, and performance skills in a positive Christ-centered environment. Each participant will receive music, a script, and a show t-shirt as they prepare for the week’s big finale — a public performance on Friday, July 24, at 6:30 PM for family and friends to enjoy. Camp is for ages 8-14. Campers should bring: * A water bottle * A snack * Comfortable shoes for dancing This special opportunity is hosted by The King’s Kids Production Company in partnership with Byne Church & School. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, contact Vickie Knuckles: 229-347-9818 vknuckles@gmail.com ↗ A Christ-centered week of music, theatre, fun, and confidence-building for students ages 8–14.