Anyone sweating out there?  The past few days have been so intense people have been sitting on blocks of ice, crowding around air-conditioning units, running through the sprinklers (you know you’ve done it), and sweating, sweating, SWEATING!  You know, high temperatures are not just uncomfortable, they’re dangerous.

It’s true, intense heat like this can really mess you up if you don’t take proper precautions. Heat can kill by pushing the human body beyond its limits. Under normal conditions, the body's internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Elderly people, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to become victims of extreme heat. Because men sweat more than women, they are more susceptible to heat illness because they become more quickly dehydrated (www.disastercenter.com).

Another dangerous thing happens when it gets hot outside.  We tend to get angry, irritated, impatient and frustrated much easier.  We blow the horn in the car, raise our voices, clinch our fists, and grit our teeth.  IT’S ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE’S FAULT! And with sweat running down our brow, no one, and I mean NO One better get in your way. 

Friend, some water and cool fan aren’t going to fix this problem.  This is not an external problem: high temperatures, “stupid people”, barking dogs or steaming car engines. No, when you boil over – what is INSIDE you comes out.  You can blame it on something outside but you know, ultimately, it’s something inside.  Jesus Christ put it this way;

“Good people bring good things out of the good they stored in their hearts. But evil people bring evil things out of the evil they stored in their hearts. People speak the things that are in their hearts"  (Luke 6:45)  

See, it comes out of the heart – your core.

Such uncontrolled anger will leave you empty and ultimately alone: 

“Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious - don't get infected”  (Proverbs 22:24-25.)

So, friends, let’s chill a bit.  Relax. Count to ten.  Buy a squirt gun.  Eat some ice.  When someone’s car is blocking your way or traffic is at a stand-still, smile, breathe deep and give them a few seconds before blasting them with the horn & revving your engine.  When the drive-thru isn’t moving fast enough, just be glad there is such a thing.

It’s hot outside but keep cool inside.  We’ll all be better for it – including you!

(By:  Pastor Chilly)

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I was listening to a song this morning called "The Blessing" by, John Waller.  I've decided...this is my theme song for the year...(listen to it!!  I put it as an attachment)

Let it be said of us
While we walked among the living
Let it be said of us
By the ones we leave behind
Let it be said of us
That we lived to be a blessing for life

Let it be said of us
That we gave to reach the dying
Let it be said of us
By the fruit we leave behind
Let it be said of us
That our legacy is blessing for life

This day
You set life, you set death right before us,
This day
Every blessing and curse is a choice now
And we will choose to be a blessing for life

Let it be said of us
That our hearts belonged to Jesus
Let it be said of us
That we spoke the words of life
Let it be said of us
That our heritage is blessing for life

For your Kingdom, for our Children
For the sake of every nation

One of my really amazing friends made me this notebook where every day I'm supposed to write down why I am blessed.  Then I can look back on it, and see how God really blesses me - even in the little things.  In this song, though, it talks about being a blessing for others.  And while it's still good to recognize how I'm blessed...because it reminds me how much God loves me...it's also good to focus on being that blessing for others...so they can fill up their own blessing book.  :)  I don't want people to remember me as someone who's just a "good person" - I want them to know me by how much I talk about Jesus...and hopefully how much they can see Him inside of me.  I know I still have a lot of work to do...

PBPGNFWMY

(Please Be Patient, God's Not Finished With Me Yet)