Stop and reflect a bit this week.

A column by David Brooks calls on us to reflect on BEAUTY. It is a marvelous piece.

This is the view that beauty is a big, transformational thing, the proper goal of art and maybe civilization itself. This humanistic worldview holds that beauty conquers the deadening aspects of routine; it educates the emotions and connects us to the eternal.

Then a post by Ben Witherington on a good “election guide” as we enter into Mudslinging 2016. He bases it on the Sermon on the Mount and Romans 12-13. Neither party is impressive held to that standard, but there are some things to AVOID.

I am beyond “over” when it comes to politics. It’s been almost 2 decades since I’ve quit voting categorically one party. Voting will still happen for me, but after that is what counts as well. I will pray for those in authority and I will press Kingdom issues and continue to bring Kingdom blessing to whoever is in office. I have worked hard to adopt what I call a “pro-life” ethic in my life.

1. I use a word that is “loaded,” but I don’t care. I won’t allow bad politics to co-opt an ethic that is worth having.
2. That ethic is womb to tomb. The only person more pro-life in this life ethic than me is the Pope.
3. There isn’t any political party, or candidate, who matches that ethic, so I choose to live my ethic and bless those in leadership as I try to live out Kingdom goodness in this world.

Quite honestly, soak in Brooks’ column and reflect on the beauty around us. It is a wonderful tip for the weekend ahead!