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Summertime Relief
Are you suffering through the dog days of summer?
You may be annoyed by blaring music from an inconsiderate person at the beach or park, or from a passing car with its windows down. The offender may be tuned to a Sirius radio station, but the annoyance goes beyond the music provider's name.
The name Sirius was once blamed for the intense heat and humidity traditionally associated with late July and August. Sirius, the “Dog Star,” is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (the Greater Dog). Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that when Sirius rose with the sun, it intensified the sun’s heat, creating sweltering weather.
Heat and humidity aren’t the only pesky things that bother us at this time. Yes, overexposure without proper protection can result in sunburned skin. The nasty insects that thrive in these weather conditions bite and sting us, leaving itchy results. Overexertion in the warmer outdoors may leave us with unwanted aches and pains.
Thankfully, we have countless remedies for summertime discomforts. Madison Avenue has made a fortune convincing us that relief comes in a bottle, a tube, a spray, or a pill. Sunburn? Solarcaine. Insect bites? Benadryl.
But what about the more serious hurts we carry (not Sirius)? The worries that keep us up. The grief that lingers. The illnesses we cannot simply spray, swallow, or bandage away. Where do we find relief?
Not only during the dog days of summer, but throughout every season of life, Christ invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,” and promises rest. The emotional, physical, and spiritual stresses we carry are real. Yet His healing presence reaches far deeper than any remedy Madison Avenue can market.
Whether you come seeking healing, praying for someone you love, or simply longing for God’s peace, you are welcome. Join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 AM, or join us on Facebook at HopeClinton.
Hope abounds!
Peace+
Pastor Eric
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