Weather, FL – the long season of hot and humid hath begun. It will continue until October, when we will be teased by a brief respite of cool and dry, then continued warm until January. This is the way.

Baseball – will continue until November, unless there is another player’s strike or lock-out by the owners. Unless your team is the Yankees or you are glued to WGN out of Chicago (let’s go, Cubbies), there’s nothing to see here.

Pentecost – also long, 23-28 weeks. Continues into November. Kind of like this FL weather pattern and baseball. It is the Time of the Church or Ordinary Time. Christ’s Church has been birthed in the eponymous festival marked by tongues of fire, multiple languages, and wearing red. We are between the times of Jesus’ earthly ministry and when he shall return. In churches like ours, JOY!, the banners and paraments (the things that go on the altar front, pulpit, and font) will stay green. Thankfully at JOY!, we have a couple of different shades to choose from: bright green for growth or darker for perhaps vegetation (cue the shoulder shrug). Adiaphora (small stuff).

Vacations, “snowbirding”, slowing down the pace – these are typical behaviors in the pattern of the season. Typing this at the moment, I observe typical FL weather in a brief 45-second shower, followed by steam coming off the pavement and bright sunshine (i.e. “sauna”). The long season of heat, baseball and Pentecost gives us the opportunity to anchor ourselves in God. We can pray to the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit in all times and in all places. I especially recommend while driving! God desires our spiritual growth, taking a breather from Martha-esque labor and busy-ness. Green is the visual prompt for hope that believes all things and endures all things – even the long stretch of heat and humidity. Laze in the cool waters of pool, spring, or ocean and bask in our Triune God’s unconditional love. 

Pastor Art