It is "official" now . . . I saw the beginning of another summer in Phoenix this past week:
- Two “competing” drivers got out of their respective cars and nearly came to blows in the parking lot of a Denny’s restaurant. Why? Because one of them had pulled into the parking spot the other was waiting on and hoping to secure for himself. What was so special about the parking spot? -- It had a tree shadow about one foot wide falling across it...SHADE in the middle of the desert !
- That’s how I knew...summer is “officially” here in the Valley of the Sun!
From now through August and maybe longer, the only time you will see a Phoenician or Peorian (is that a word, you think?), a Glendalian or resident of Surprise outside his house it will be for one of two primary reasons:
- 1) He is making his way from his air conditioned car to an air conditioned building, where he will remain until returning to his air conditioned car to return to his air conditioned house or to make a trip up north to Prescott or Payson or Flagstaff where the temperature will be something lower than “broil.” Or...
- 2) He is floating in or sitting next to a swimming pool or body of water of some kind.
That’s just the way the summer is...and we “endure it” because of how nice the winters are.
IT’S ALSO SUMMER AT SUNRISE MOUNTAIN !
- Some of the most exciting church and ministry activities of the year take place during the summer.
- This summer...
- VBS will go to the Outback of Australia on the Boomerang Express, where we’ll discover that everything comes back to Jesus.
- Our teenagers will head for the cooler climate of Colorado for Camp 2009.
- Our Senior Adults will be sponsoring a Dominoes fellowship (which will also be “catered” by Dominos Pizza) and will be heading out on a day trip to Flagstaff.
- Sunrise at Nite will both debut and “graduate” the Guitar Club as they lead us in worship and LeMarcus Boyd will bring a message God lays on his heart.
- I’m also looking forward to some P.A.K. outings (Pastor and Kids) where I can get better acquainted with our boys and girls.
- In July the "Bowling Bonanza" will allow us to try out our skills at the bowling alley.
- In August at the "Pizza and Pictionary Party" we'll bake our own personalized pizzas and match our wits and artwork with others (maybe some adults) in Pictionary.
- Add to all of that our “regular” schedule of...
- Sunday Morning Bible Study
- Sunday Worship celebrations
- On-going Women’s and Men’s Ministry events
- The wrap-up of our Wednesday evening “Philippians” study
- And gearing up for our Fall outreach surveys in the neighborhood...
- Summer presents some exciting possibilities for ministry and fellowship.
But summer also brings some challenges.
- While we take much-deserved and much-needed vacations this summer...the ministry bills will still need to be paid.
- Missions will still need to be supported.
- Classes will need teachers.
- People will still need assistance.
- And we will need to remain faithful and diligent in serving the Lord (the devil doesn’t take vacations).
THIS SUMMER ... LET’S SHINE BRIGHT IN THE VALLEY OF THE SON !
- Take some time to “get away” and recreate.
- Don’t feel guilty about it...we all need it. God made us that way.
- But before you go, leave your tithe.
- Give the Lord first priority. Plus, if you leave it you won’t be tempted to spend it.
- All summer long, every day, pray.
- Pray for those who will be traveling, pray for those who will be teaching and leading, and pray that this summer will bring you a personal time of renewal and a fresh encounter with the Lord.
It’s summer time -- a time to serve the Lord in gladness ... and in air conditioning.
