Feeling Hot Hot Hot

Summer has finally arrive to the city of Hamilton, which means that our apartment has once again become a bit of a greenhouse sauna. As the temperatures soar outside, so do they in our apartment, especially in the afternoon sun that beats directly into our west facing windows (which are all but one north facing window in the kitchen). And with the increased temperature comes the decreased desire to do anything that might contribute to the heat and sweat. As a result, with a brief escape to university plaza air conditioning, I have spent most of the day sitting right here in front of my computer.

For the most part I spent the time working on my service for Sunday. I will be preaching at two churches this Sunday (a two point charge) which will be a first for me... as if conducting a service and preaching once a day isn't tiring enough. My passage of focus is Acts 4:11-22 (the account of Peter and John being brought before the Sanhedrin because they healed a lame man in the name of Jesus). I'll admit that I've used this sermon before, but as I read the passage again this morning I was really struck by the statement that Peter and John could not keep quiet. In a society that avoids conversations about religion (unless you know you are safely surrounded by those of similar beliefs, and then it becomes a good ice breaker) the idea of being unable to keep silent about what they have seen and heard poses a bit of a challenge. Even among Christians who hold very similar beliefs to mine I rarely make a statement that too obviously gives away the intricacies of what I believe. I avoid saying too much because I might be labeled. And yet here, Peter and John are essentially asking to be labeled... let the world know, I have seen Christ, I know who he is, I know what he can do, and I will testify, I will bear witness, I will not be silent. huh. Something to think about.