We have everything, nobody's happy.

Great sermon title, even better commentary!

Exercising A Right

As pleased as we were with the outcomes of many of the elections that happened this fall, we were once again saddened by the ballot initiatives that limited the rights of same sex couples in California, Arkansas, Florida and Arizona. We decided to join in the nationally organized protest that took place simultaneously in cities all over the country and in ten different countries. Anne and the kids made posters and we joined in the crowd that gathered outside of the county government building in downtown Minneapolis. A number of different people spoke to the crowd, mostly city and state elected officials. The most inspiring speeches were from a lesbian pastor (married to her partner, both mothers to an 18-month-old) and the Minnesota family that is featured in the movie For The Bible Tells Me So.

I'm glad that Della and Bjorn were able to participate in a peaceful demonstration and the whole experience opened the door for us to talk as a family about human rights and how those rights have to include the gays and lesbians that we know. I hope everyone will continue to have this conversation with their families, their neighbors and their co-workers. We need to talk about it at home, in school, at work and in church. We need to keep talking about it until we're sick and tired of talking about it. Then, find somebody else to talk about it to. Love is better than hate. It's time to change people's minds. One person at a time.

Enough

You don't have to have everything. Whatever it is, whatever you have within yourself, consider it enough, and that the Spirit behind, above, and below you will do the rest. Your house is enough; it's got plenty of floor space, great windows. The goods stored in your cupboards are all you need. The place you live will give you what's necessary. Notice how different it feels in your body to have enough. Try it. Say to yourself, "It's enough. What I have is what I need." -Patrice Vecchione

art - The Girl Who Had Everything by Cecily Brown

You know you're missed when

I've often said that Halloween is the "funnest" thing that Red Lodge does so it was a little hard to miss out out on all the fun this year. Halloween is taken seriously by kids all over this country but no group of adults (wanting to be kids again) shows as much reverence for this day than the good folks of Red Lodge, Montana. It's one of those nights when people you haven't seen all year show up for the party. It's the night to see and be seen.

One thing you have to be prepared for on Halloween is that everything is fair game. Certainly politicians get it worse than most but no one or thing is untouchable in the unwritten rules of Halloween, Red Lodge-style. Costume ideas can come from the places you might least expect. If you're a person who might be in the public eye every now and then, don't be too surprised if find find yourself staring in the mirror in the middle of the main street on October 31st.

I take it as the ultimate sign of affection to have been parodied by my friend Dave Beach this past Friday night. Kudos to him and to all who poured their souls (and mine) into their costumes this year. My list of ideas for next year has already begun.

To be a saint

To be a saint is to work and weep for the broken and suffering of the world, but it is also to be strangely light of heart in the knowledge that there is something greater than the world that mends and renews.

To be a saint is to be a little out of one's mind, which is a very good thing to be a little out of from time to time.

-Frederick Buechner