Categories
holiday

Giant Pumpkin Makes For a Happy Halloween

Giant pumpkin in a car's trunk - Trunk -n- Treat
Trunk -n- Treat

Is everything a competition? Do we need monster squash? Maybe so, because it seems a giant pumpkin makes for a happy Halloween.

Halloween is almost upon us. When I think about this day, it reminds me of some art I did for a Trunk-n-Treat event at my church. Every year, I would fret about how to decorate my trunk for the event. One day, I thought how much easier it would be if I found a pumpkin large enough to fill the entire trunk.

I then considered the size of the candle and the potential fire hazard. I scrapped the idea. But what a sight that would have made!

Behold the Giant Pumpkin!

As Halloween approaches, many people are busy preparing for the holiday. Some may spend hours searching for the perfect costume, while others focus on decorating their homes and yards. For some, however, the real challenge comes in finding the most oversized and most impressive pumpkin.

Everything is a competition these days, and Halloween is no exception. People go to great lengths to grow and display giant pumpkins possible. These behemoth gourds can weigh hundreds of pounds and are often showcased at county fairs and other events. Some even compete in pumpkin-carving contests, showcasing their artistic skills alongside their massive creations.

But is all of this really necessary? Do we really need monster-sized squash to make Halloween enjoyable? Perhaps not, but there is something undeniably impressive about a giant pumpkin. It’s a symbol of the season, and it can make for a great photo op or conversation starter.

Safe Gourding

Of course, there are practical concerns to consider as well. A giant pumpkin might not be the best choice for a Trunk-n-Treat event due to the potential stress on your shock absorbers. Besides that, have you ever tried removing an oversized pumpkin from a car trunk? Oh, the horror!

little girl standing next to wheelbarrow full of pumpkins
Photo by Toni Canaj on Pexels.com

However, for those who can display these massive gourds safely, they can be a fun and festive addition to any Halloween celebration. Practice safe carving, my friend! And check your local ordinances for transporting massive fruits in your locale.

Have a safe time with your family this evening. Watch out for an errant giant pumpkin. And by the way, Happy All Saints Day!

Editor’s Note: I originally published this blog on October 6, 2015. I revamped and updated it for timeliness and comprehensiveness.

Categories
children's ministry cartoons

Fitting Faith into Your Child’s Schedule

Cartoon of a boy talking to a Sunday school teacher. He says, "Today's class was great. I'm glad I could fit this into my schedule."

When it comes to fitting faith into your child’s schedule, our children’s calendars are busier than ever. Between school, extracurricular activities, playdates, and family commitments finding time to nurture their spiritual growth feel formidable.

However, just as we prioritize their education and physical well-being, nurturing their faith is even more critical. So, how do we strike the perfect balance between their hectic schedules and their spiritual development? Let’s explore practical tips to fit faith into your child’s schedule.

Categories
cartoon children cartoons

How I envy him!

Cartoon of a dirty, smelly boy. Caption reads: "He never takes a bath, eats a candy bar for breakfast and belches the alphabet in one, giant burp. Man I wish I was like him!"

Isn’t it interesting how boys get jealous of those without manners or good personal hygiene? He’s disgusting: how I envy him!

There is such as thing as “boy funk.” Some kids, like adults, must make an extra effort at good hygiene. When I was growing up, the number one role model for kids going through this issue was Pig Pen from the Peanuts comic strip. Yes, that’s most likely where I got the inspiration to draw this cartoon.

Categories
Leadership

Does Consensus Kill Courage?

Cartoon of man selling idea to skeptical businessmen asking does consensus kill courage

Carey Nieuwhof had a great post entitled, 5 Signs Bad Governance Is Stifling Your Church’s Growth and Mission. In a previous post that he no longer has posted, Niewshof had some great points on how committees can knock the wind out of good ideas. In his post, he said,

When it comes to courageous change, here are four things that are true:

Committees kill vision

Individuals are almost always more courageous than teams

The more people you seek to please up front, the less inspiring your idea will become

Leaders don’t always walk alone, but sometimes they have to start alone.

Carey Nieuwhof
Categories
cartoon children cartoons

Facing Your fears

Rough sketch of a girl and a monster who is eating someone. The girl says, "You see that, Roger? That's why I don't like facing my fears."

When it comes to facing your fears, it can be tough to let people see you as vulnerable and in a rough state, like this old sketch.

When I originally posted this, I thought I’d take one of my roughs out of my sketchbook. Is it facing my fears of showing my rough lines in all its glory? Perhaps. I did a lot of sketching then but didn’t have much time to create polished artwork unless I could invoice it.