The season of Advent is a time of waiting as we listen once again to the stories surrounding the birth of Jesus. This year I am preaching a series called On the Way to Bethlehem, which is written by Dr. Marcia McFee and based on a devotional book of the same title by Rob Fuquay. As we begin in Rome and a decree from Caesar Augustus - how can we ponder "What is God up to?"

It is a great question to ponder in our lives and for the world around us as we go not only through Advent, but throughout our days. What is God preparing to do and how might we join in that work?

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As we come to the week of Thanksgiving in the United States, I find that I am often forgetful of saying thank you. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul reminds the people to Give thanks in all things. I certainty forget to give thanks in the midst of hardship and trouble. But I forget to give thanks for the little every day things as well. My goal is to be thankful for the world and the people around me more intentionally, not just this week, but in all that I do and with all those I encounter from day to day. What would it look like for you to be more thankful?

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Hope is not about magical or wishful thinking. Hope is grounded in our trust of God and of God's goodness. Hope should help drive us to make a difference in the world and to be the hands and feet of God. Hope should be about getting to the places we have not yet gotten.
#Lamentations3 #Romans8 #Hebrews11

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Mr. Rogers Neighborhood premiered nationally in February 1968. The land of make believe was in turmoil as was the real world. For 30 years Fred Rogers helped children make sense of the world around them and he taught them ways to cope with changes. Being a neighbor was about caring for your community.

In this day and age we need to remember how to be neighbors. Luke 10 brings the parable of the Good Samaritan and the question who is my neighbor? Dr. Amy Jill Levine reminds readers in her book "Short Stories of Jesus" that this would have been a shocking story for those who were gathered. Perhaps we need a jolt once again as well.

Neighbors are those who are in need of mercy and compassion. Neighbors are those who see the humanity in others and reach out to care for people no matter who they are. Let us work to be good neighbors.

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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!

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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.

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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?

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Life feels overwhelming. Hurricanes Helene and Milton; West Coast Wildfires; Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine; an election cycle; climate change; gun violence; and the list goes on. I was late getting this episode posted because of feeling overwhelmed with family and with career and with all the things.

Kate Bowler, New York Times best selling author co wrote a devotional book and in one devotion she talks about the cost of caring. It costs part of our soul to care for others. To have empathy and compassion means we give a bit of ourselves away. A price but certainly worth the cost.

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