Happy Fourth of July!!  I really do love this particular day.  It is a day of summer fun, family time, and best of all… fireworks.  I love fireworks.  The spreading out of light cast against the darkness of a night sky moves me.  It reminds me of the love and empowering of Christ in our lives to do the same; spread light out in a world of darkness.  Be a light.  Shine.  Move.  Be about spreading out and bringing forth oooo’s and aaaaahs.

            Did you know that the fourth day of July is also National Country Music Day as well as Tom Sawyer Fence-Painting Day?  That’s right!!  Fourth of July is not just relegated to a celebration of Independence and the birth of a nation.  It is also a day in which we celebrate unique and particular qualities that reflect the uniqueness of our nation.  Freedom and Independence provide for strong foundations to build life upon and in this building, we discover unique qualities that contribute to the whole.  Country Music and Tom Sawyer are uniquely American and in the freedom of our nation, these vehicles portray the uniqueness of the whole, our nation.

“So, if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. (John 8:36)  It’s living our lives in the freedom delivered through the Christ that encourages us to discover the unique individual that God has created us to be.  As we grow in our discipleship with our Risen Lord, we discover the spiritual gifts, insights and perspectives of faith that contribute to the whole, which is the Church; the Body of Christ.  My hope and prayer is that this freedom of discovery is a part of the Mount Zion culture.  That this freedom is fostered and nourished and takes hold in such a way that each of you look forward to coming and discovering your gifts.  But also, that there is a spirit of freedom in order for you to practice and develop your gifts in the Body of Christ.

            There are two other important days in the month of July.  July 11^th is National Cheer Up the Lonely Day.   It is very easy within our culture to feel isolation and loneliness.  There are probably people in your immediate circle of family and friends who probably need a “Cheer Up” every day.  Here is a good day for you to start a new habit.  Call someone with a cheerful word and tell them, this is a National Cheer Up day.  Perhaps, it is you who are experiencing loneliness and in your reaching out to cheer up others, you will find that you, yourself, will be finding cheer.

            The other day in July to remember is July 12^th.  July 12^th is National Pecan Pie Day.  The rich, sweet goodness of a Pecan Pie will always be a reminder of the rich, sweet goodness of Christ in our lives.  May the Lord Bless you this month and may all of your days be special and unique in the freedom God has give to each of us in the Christ.

  I hope you continue to grow in these words with our Risen Lord. Contact Pastor Dan at: pastor@mtzionelca.com

Pastor Dan
Contact Pastor Dan at: pastor@mtzionelca.com