GOOD THINKING: IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME

I love summer because summer is a time for picnics!

I love picnics! I'm glad God came up with the idea of picnics! Let's pack a picnic lunch and go to the lake. Put in the ham and cheese; don't forget the potato salad and slaw, and the iced tea and a Kool-Aid. Let's go have some fun in the sun. And while we're having fun, let's remember God! For God is the One who gives us the sunshine and the water, the energy to go and enjoy, the gift of laughter and song; God also provides us with the ham and cheese, the potato salad and the slaw, and the drinks. Picnics are fun, but they're more fun when God is a part of them!

I love summer because summer is a time for ice cream!

I love ice cream! I love it in a dish or a cone, in all 31 flavors; I especially love ice cream when there's a piece of cake under it. When I think of ice cream I think of parties; and when I think of parties, I think of Jesus. Jesus was a party-person. One of the first places we find Jesus is at a wedding party. Jesus knew how to really celebrate, knew how to enjoy life to the fullest! When Jesus celebrated, he didn't wind up with a hangover; Jesus didn't get drunk or make a fool of himself, or destroy innocent lives. Jesus shows us the right way to celebrate life: Throw a party for someone else; invite all those people who never get invited to parties; buy them all the ice cream and cake they can eat; and thank God for the food and the fellowship!

I love summer, because summer is a time for swimming!

I love to swim! There's nothing more delightful and refreshing than to jump into the cool, clear water. Water is essential to life; we couldn't do without it. Every living thing needs water in order to grow, and that includes you and me. Water is a symbol of cleansing and of life. We use water to wash away the dirt and grime from the outside of our body. God uses water, the water of baptism, to wash away the selfishness and sin from the inside. Without water, life gets stale and sour. God offers us a life that gets better and better, life so rich and abundant that we call it "Heaven." So, jump into life. Come clean. Swim around and explore life. Enjoy the world God has given us.

Enjoy your summer! And remember summer goes better when God is with you!