I hope and pray that the rhythm of summer provides a rhythm you can dance to.  It seems that the rhythm of summer enhances the rhythm of our lives.  In summer, we tend to take note of the extremes of the necessary cycles our lives need for health and well being and they seem to take shape in very rapid succession.  We seem to go from moments of solitude and reflection to celebration in very short periods.   We may find ourselves in the quiet reflections of cool mountains, or the solitude of fishing one day and then the next day, a massive family celebration.  Both are necessary for fullness of life and summer is a great time to take advantage of both.

            To spend time in continuous celebration would be awesome, but we can’t keep a continuous pace that celebration demands.  We burn out and need to rest.  To spend continual time in solitude and rest, for too many people, lends itself to melancholy or depression.  And, to add to this, we also need to read the times, so that we are not celebrating when we should be in a quiet place and not being in a quiet place when we should be celebrating. We need a balance of living in both quiet time and celebration and in doing so we find that staying within a proper rhythm with both, we can dance in the faith and life we have been given. 

            This Fourth of July – CELEBRATE!!  I hope you are gathering with family and friends to celebrate.  Make an effort to reach out to others to have them join you.  Make it known that you want to celebrate.  We celebrate family, community, communion, independence, freedom of speech and worship, the qualities of a nation that cares for the well being of its citizens and the well being of all humanity throughout this world.  Celebrate the lights, the brilliant lights exploding the darkness and showering light reflecting on the faces of all people. 

            And then, throughout the summer months, continue to spend time in solitude, in quiet time with God in Christ and then join in the celebration of resurrection, with God’s people, in worship.  Take advantage of the unique faith development that the rhythm of summer offers.   

In the living hope of our Risen Lord   
Pastor Dan
Contact Pastor Dan at: pastor@mtzionelca.com