Roy’s Ramblings

So being a kid of the 80’s I now listen to the “Oldies” station – and while I now need to sit and rest a moment realizing that the music I listen to as a kid is now classified as “Oldies” – the song “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang came on the radio. The phrase “celebrate good times, come on” is the iconic, infectious chorus from this 1980 hit song, and at its core, the phrase is a universal invitation to let go of stress, unite with loved ones, and embrace the joy of life.

According to Google: The meaning breaks down into three key aspects:

• Joy and Unity: It encourages people to put aside differences (“It’s time to come together”) and collectively appreciate happy moments, milestones, or simply being alive.
• Positivity: The song is a dedication to optimism, reassuring listeners that no matter what, “everything’s gonna be all right”.
• Spiritual Roots: Surprisingly, songwriter Ronald Bell was inspired by a passage in the Quran (but also found in the Bible) describing the creation of mankind and angels singing praises, making the song an ode to the celebration of life and human connection.

Today, the phrase is deeply embedded in pop culture and functions as a rallying cry used to commemorate happy occasions—from weddings and birthdays to championship sports victories and homecomings.

So, in the light of all of the positive reports at Annual Conference and my re-appointment to Nashville UMC, Samuel finishing 8th grade and “Movin’ On Up” to High School, our kids (or younger humans) doing so well in 4-H at the fair, the number of students graduating, births that have happened in our extended church family, weddings that are upcoming, all of the positives that are happening in and around the church, community, and local area, and all of the stuff that doesn’t get reported in a world so very much focused on the bad/evil/horrible … I say CELEBRATE!!!!

Celebrate good times, come on
Celebrate good times, come on
There’s a party goin’ on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Come on now – CELEBRATE!!!!

Blessings to and for us ALL!! Pastor Roy