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October is an interesting month, with Halloween coming at the end of it. In Ohio, it seemed like everyone put out spooky decorations and blow-up monster figures on the lawn. Here in the West, Day of the Dead celebrations are also seen, due to our Mexican heritage. I once served a church that prohibited any kind of Halloween party because of the traditional association with Satan worship, witches, devils, ghosts, etc. When the youth wanted to have a "Harvest Party" where they could have apple dunking, pumpkin carving, and a scary movie, they were told "if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck -- no matter what you call it!" I have never been fond of scary movies, and dislike the association with the occult, but sometimes I think that our society needs a way to talk openly about death. We tend to avoid everything that has to do with dying, and that may be one of the reasons why the tragedy of Covid deaths hit so hard emotionally. Christianity has the answer, of course, but too often our message of a joyful passing into eternity with a loving God gets hidden by the perceived negatives of Church rules, politics, and prejudice. The current political climate of Christian nationalism (the belief that America was divinely anointed by God, and that Christian belief should prevail in our government, schools, and daily life) muddies the water even further, especially among non-Christians who feel that they are being threatened. Why should they listen to anything taught by us? We must be proactive about inclusiveness, protect human rights, and welcome all people before we will gain a listening ear for our message about Jesus, who loved every person enough to ensure that all can find life after death. So maybe you can find an opportunity to share the message of Jesus when you encounter Halloween revelers. Comment on the decorations, and maybe ask what your friends really believe about what happens after death. After all, they say that nothing's sure but death and taxes - we will all experience it! ArchivesBob and I just got back from a cruise to Alaska, long awaited and postponed because of Covid. It was amazingly cold, and very beautiful! Ours was the first cruise of the season; we missed the mosquitoes and the rain but got a bit of snow in Skagway. We were blessed to have a church friend on the trip with us, and were also able to tune in to the Zoom worship on Mother's Day when we were in port. Some reflections about the trip:
1. It would be great to take a cruise with all our friends from Church, so that we could experience the laughter and fun together! 2. I have a very narrow tolerance for temperature variation - I want it between 65 and 80 all the time. 3. God's world is very beautiful, very complex, and very sensitive to human depredation. 4. I always eat a lot while on a cruise, and indulge in things I wouldn't normally allow myself. It's fun to try new things! Spiritually, there are correlations to these reflections: 1. We are already on a trip together with friends from our Church, a trip through life on the way to heaven. We need to remind ourselves to take time to share our laughter and fun as we go! 2. I have a very narrow tolerance for anything that discomforts me, or isn't just as I would have it! I need to broaden my perspective, seeing the world through God's eyes, and with His viewpoint. 3. Each of us has been created beautiful, complex, and sensitive to human depredation! God calls us to value each person as uniquely and wonderfully made. He even provides the love with which to do it! 4. The Bible says that we are to "taste and see that the Lord is good!" We need to remember that God wants us to experience joy in our lives! Jesus was not a masochist when "for the JOY set before Him, He endured the cross..." He experienced life to the fullest extent, sweet and bitter, for the love of humanity. Yes, we will have our own crosses to bear faithfully and without complaint, but we will also receive joy in this world and in the next. Enjoy your earthly cruise -- see you in Heaven! Randa
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