Twenty-six years ago this month, I moved to a very different place than Spooner, WI (where I lived in the early 1990s), and Minocqua, WI (where I now live, two hours east of Spooner).
Phoenix (and the entire desert Southwest) has been in the news all summer long for the extreme heat that’s been in place. Honestly, the heat there is always “extreme,” compared to most other places including the Midwest.
When I first moved there, I quickly learned that Mountain Dew wasn’t the answer to that relentless thirst caused by 100+ degree temps. It never is, but I was younger and foolish-er then. My family and I enjoyed/endured (depending on one’s perspective!) desert living for nearly twenty years.
It’s important to always be mindful of the symptoms of dehydration before ending up in need of a doctor’s care! Among them:
There are others. The more severe the symptoms, the more dangerous the condition. Hydration with water and replenishing of electrolytes must take place. By the way, I still enjoy the occasional Dew (maybe one a month), but it is drowned in gallons of water.
Do we pay attention to signs of spiritual dehydration? Similar to the above, but spiritual in nature. Frustration with circumstances. Aggravated by people. Irritable just for the sake of being irritable. Confused, uncertain. A sense of needing something but not quite knowing what it is.
Spiritual dehydration can only be met by the refreshing Word of God. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1,2a)
A lack of physical hydration may not be all that ails you. Along with that tall glass of water, treat yourself to spiritual replenishment with the living water of the Word. Follow the Good Shepherd who “leads me beside quiet waters (and) restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2b,3a)
Finding refreshment for the soul in Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
Phoenix (and the entire desert Southwest) has been in the news all summer long for the extreme heat that’s been in place. Honestly, the heat there is always “extreme,” compared to most other places including the Midwest.
When I first moved there, I quickly learned that Mountain Dew wasn’t the answer to that relentless thirst caused by 100+ degree temps. It never is, but I was younger and foolish-er then. My family and I enjoyed/endured (depending on one’s perspective!) desert living for nearly twenty years.
It’s important to always be mindful of the symptoms of dehydration before ending up in need of a doctor’s care! Among them:
- Thirst, even extreme thirst
- Irritability and confusion
- Headache
- Constipation
- Rapid heartbeat, breathing
There are others. The more severe the symptoms, the more dangerous the condition. Hydration with water and replenishing of electrolytes must take place. By the way, I still enjoy the occasional Dew (maybe one a month), but it is drowned in gallons of water.
Do we pay attention to signs of spiritual dehydration? Similar to the above, but spiritual in nature. Frustration with circumstances. Aggravated by people. Irritable just for the sake of being irritable. Confused, uncertain. A sense of needing something but not quite knowing what it is.
Spiritual dehydration can only be met by the refreshing Word of God. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1,2a)
A lack of physical hydration may not be all that ails you. Along with that tall glass of water, treat yourself to spiritual replenishment with the living water of the Word. Follow the Good Shepherd who “leads me beside quiet waters (and) restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:2b,3a)
Finding refreshment for the soul in Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
RSS Feed
