July 2026 Blog
July Reflections: Kingdom First
There are some seasons of life that seem to stretch on forever.
And then there are seasons that seem to pass in the blink of an eye.
July has a way of reminding us just how quickly time moves.
This year, our nation has been celebrating a significant milestone…America's 250th birthday. For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have worked, sacrificed, dreamed, built, and prayed. It's a remarkable reminder that we are part of a story much bigger than ourselves.
As Christians, however, we recognize that while we are grateful citizens of an earthly nation, our ultimate allegiance belongs to an eternal Kingdom.
Jesus taught His followers to pray, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." His Kingdom existed long before America was founded and will endure long after every earthly kingdom has passed away. Nations rise and fall, leaders come and go, cultures change, but God's Kingdom remains forever.
That perspective feels especially meaningful to me this summer.
In just a few short weeks, our youngest daughter will be getting married.
I can hardly believe I'm even writing those words.
Like many parents, I remember bringing her home from the hospital. I remember first steps, first days of school, dance recitals, sports competitions, vacations, family dinners, church events, laughter around the table, and countless ordinary moments that didn't seem extraordinary at the time.
Now those moments feel like they happened yesterday.
Someone once said that you only get about eighteen summers with your children before they become adults and begin building lives of their own. Eighteen summers.
When you're in the middle of raising kids, eighteen feels like a long time. Looking back, it feels incredibly short.
The truth is, life moves faster than we expect.
The Psalmist reminds us: "Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts." (Psalm 90:12)
Summer has a way of teaching that lesson.
The Fourth of July celebrations come and go. Family vacations begin and end. Children grow taller. Graduates leave for new adventures. Weddings arrive sooner than parents are prepared for. Before long, another school year begins and another season has passed.
So what do we do with that reality?
We don't panic.
We don't cling desperately to what is changing.
Instead, we invest in what lasts.
We treasure the people God has placed in our lives. We make time for conversations, meals, laughter, worship, and shared experiences. We put down our phones more often. We create memories. We tell people we love them.
Most importantly, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His Kingdom.
Because while childhood passes, God's faithfulness remains.
While seasons change, God's promises stand.
While earthly kingdoms have birthdays, God's Kingdom has no end.
As we celebrate our nation's history this month, let's thank God for the freedoms we enjoy. Let's pray for our communities, our leaders, and our country. But let's also remember that our greatest hope has never been found in Washington, Madison, or any earthly capital.
Our hope is found in the King whose Kingdom will never be shaken.
And as this summer continues to fly by, let's not miss the gift of the moments God has placed right in front of us.
After all, summers are temporary.
God’s Kingdom is forever.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Sonny
And then there are seasons that seem to pass in the blink of an eye.
July has a way of reminding us just how quickly time moves.
This year, our nation has been celebrating a significant milestone…America's 250th birthday. For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have worked, sacrificed, dreamed, built, and prayed. It's a remarkable reminder that we are part of a story much bigger than ourselves.
As Christians, however, we recognize that while we are grateful citizens of an earthly nation, our ultimate allegiance belongs to an eternal Kingdom.
Jesus taught His followers to pray, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." His Kingdom existed long before America was founded and will endure long after every earthly kingdom has passed away. Nations rise and fall, leaders come and go, cultures change, but God's Kingdom remains forever.
That perspective feels especially meaningful to me this summer.
In just a few short weeks, our youngest daughter will be getting married.
I can hardly believe I'm even writing those words.
Like many parents, I remember bringing her home from the hospital. I remember first steps, first days of school, dance recitals, sports competitions, vacations, family dinners, church events, laughter around the table, and countless ordinary moments that didn't seem extraordinary at the time.
Now those moments feel like they happened yesterday.
Someone once said that you only get about eighteen summers with your children before they become adults and begin building lives of their own. Eighteen summers.
When you're in the middle of raising kids, eighteen feels like a long time. Looking back, it feels incredibly short.
The truth is, life moves faster than we expect.
The Psalmist reminds us: "Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts." (Psalm 90:12)
Summer has a way of teaching that lesson.
The Fourth of July celebrations come and go. Family vacations begin and end. Children grow taller. Graduates leave for new adventures. Weddings arrive sooner than parents are prepared for. Before long, another school year begins and another season has passed.
So what do we do with that reality?
We don't panic.
We don't cling desperately to what is changing.
Instead, we invest in what lasts.
We treasure the people God has placed in our lives. We make time for conversations, meals, laughter, worship, and shared experiences. We put down our phones more often. We create memories. We tell people we love them.
Most importantly, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His Kingdom.
Because while childhood passes, God's faithfulness remains.
While seasons change, God's promises stand.
While earthly kingdoms have birthdays, God's Kingdom has no end.
As we celebrate our nation's history this month, let's thank God for the freedoms we enjoy. Let's pray for our communities, our leaders, and our country. But let's also remember that our greatest hope has never been found in Washington, Madison, or any earthly capital.
Our hope is found in the King whose Kingdom will never be shaken.
And as this summer continues to fly by, let's not miss the gift of the moments God has placed right in front of us.
After all, summers are temporary.
God’s Kingdom is forever.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Sonny
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