Pastor Bob Alderman

First Baptist Church

It is a hot summer here in Rio Grande City! Temperatures have been over 105 degrees just about every day, rain seems to be just a memory and the sun feels like it is on a mission to toast all of us brave enough to venture out into it's rays.

In other words, it is a typical Deep South Texas Summer. Hot and dry.

There are a few life issues the heat effects beyond sun burns and dry skin. We need to be watchful and aware of these issues just as much as we need sunscreen and water.

The extreme heat has a tendency to drive us all inside to the air conditioning.

Let me clarify something here: I am pro air conditioning! I like AC and enjoy it often. We need our cool air refuge from the heat!

The issue with staying inside all day is that we are not outside. Sounds confusing? Let me explain.

Community is built on relationships with those around us. We need to know our neighbors and speak to them often.

When the weather is cooler we can stand outside and "visit" sharing our old jokes and passing on the latest "news."

When the heat comes out we retreat into our homes and loose that community connection.

A second issue we must consider is that as the heat goes up, our clothing tends to come off. Our dress becomes less and less as our bellies, shoulders and legs become more and more exposed.

This may be a sincere effort to cool down but it does have a negative side effect; we abandon modesty and raise the level of "people watching" to an unhealthy level. The combination of extreme heat and exposed flesh can cause many people to fall into a lustful state.

I know it is hot, but it is healthier for you and those around you if your clothing remains modest. Modesty will protect you from sun burn and from being burnt by eyes staring at you.

A third issue is alcohol. When the temperature rises people will drink more beer in order to quench their thirst. The main problem is that it doesn't work. Alcohol will cause you to become dehydrated and more open to heat related problems.

Drink water and lots of it. You will keep your body hydrated, help protect you from heat related issues and maybe keep you from an alcohol related problem as well

Summer time can be a wonderful time if we learn to have fun in a Godly way.

1 Corinthians 10:31-32

"Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God." NLT

Keep your relationship with God first in your mind and heart. Measure everything you do against His love for you.

Keep up your relationships with other people. Invite them to your home, meet at restaurants, stores or community centers or simply set up a time to get together after the sun goes down and it cools off. We need relationships with people in our community.

Keep your dress modest and acceptable. I am not saying that you should only wear long pants and trench coats! But we can dress for the weather without dressing down! Keep you belly button covered and your shorts longer than a inch or two.

Remember that your dress can and will have an effect on other people. I know that K.Fed, Jessica, Shakira, Justin and Paris dress like that, but do you really want other people looking at you the same way they look at them? And with the same thoughts?

Stay away from alcohol. This is always good advice but in the summer the problems can be multiplied by the heat. If you choose to drink do so in moderation and please don't drive.

Wear your sunscreen to protect your skin, drink a bunch of water to stay hydrated, limit your exposure to the sun to protect your body and increase your exposure to the SON to protect your soul and increase your joy.

Be safe and have a great HOT day!

Remember that God loves you! And so do I.