Good morning on this Saturday, July 16th. Recently some parts of the country have been baking in a sultry heat wave. Wichita, Kansas, has experienced temperatures over 100 degrees for 20 days during the last month. Someone compared the relentless hot spell as being like "sticking your head in a oven." It brought back memories of my college days one summer when I lived in Missouri. Every day during the month of July was at or above 100 degrees with exceedingly high humidity. Being a poor college student, I had no air conditioning at home, work, or in my car. Believe me when I tell you it was pure misery enduring the nearly unbearable heat. You couldn't beg, borrow, or steal a window air conditioner because every one in town had already been sold. Many were replacing their non air-conditioned cars to get some relief. It makes you realize that the good old days (without air conditioners) were really not so good after all. Thank God for cool comfort we can enjoy today. Years ago people were creative in their efforts to keep cool. They put blocks of ice in front of fans, would hang cold-water saturated wet sheets in breezeways, sleep on open porches at night, camp out in basements to take advantage of cooler temps underground, and fan themselves with various types and shapes of hand-held fans. Many sought refuge under the shade of trees and foliage. In Jonah chapter 4:6-9, the Old Testament prophet, Jonah, experienced torrid heat from the sun until God provided a vine to provide him relief through its shade. When a worm ate away part of the vine and with it his refuge from the sun, he fainted from the heat and subsequently became very angry, whereupon God reminded him that he selfishly showed more concern for the vine and his own comfort than for the people who would have perished had he not given them his message of repentance. Clearly Jonah cared more about his personal comfort than the welfare of the perishing Ninevites including 120,000 small children. Sometimes we imitate the sin of Jonah when we care more about ourselves and some things than the needs of others, especially those who are in desperate need and are perishing without God's message. He clearly did not do to others as he would have had them do unto him.

Tomorrow's sermon is on the topic of Heaven. It should be a heavenly message. I hope you'll make every effort to hear it.

Mel Brown