With all the storms that have torn through our country, with all the election cycle angst, with all the pressure of the everyday world, we need some unbridled joy.
We keep a friend's dog from time to time. Piper is a year old miniature golden doodle. She is a ball of energy and a source of unbridled joy. She quite literally hops like a baby goat because she gets so excited. She is always up for repeated games of fetch, belly rubs, and snuggles. Piper is just excited to be with her people. We need some of that. In Proverbs we read "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed Spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22). Paul routinely writes to churches about joy. So how about we find ways to seek joy this week, we all could use it!

Support the show

Halloween in my childhood was for kids. Trick-or-treating with friends. Getting candy and homemade treats. Wearing plastic costumes. Along the way the candy companies have marketed well, costumes have become more elaborate and some folks have gotten bent out of shape over this holiday.

Halloween has its origins in ancient Celtic practices honoring the dead and the transition from life to death. Christians began to recognize All Hallow's Eve (10/31), All Saints Day (11/1) and All Souls Day (11/2). Then Christians in many places got weird about a kid's holiday. We need to recapture the childlike fun of Halloween and we need to take the opportunity to remind ourselves of the transition from life into death, not in scary ways, but it ways that remind us of those who have gone before us and of our own mortality.

Support the show

As I snuggled with one of my kids this week, they asked me who I was voting for in the election and why. As I gave my answer, I realized that much of what sways me as a voter is the character of the leader. I can disagree with people on policy, but if they are a leader who cares about people, I can still follow.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus heals people and in doing so restores them to community. They are no longer cast out because of disease or mental illness. They can be brought back into the community and can be cared for. I wonder what would happen if we elected more leaders who acted that way?

Support the show