What should Christians do on Halloween?

Halloween

It is that time of year again, Halloween or Day of the Dead.  What should we as Christians do?  Do we compromise what we believe in just to dress up and eat sugary sweets?  Do we stand up and say No, I celebrate Christ and not anything that supports evil and wickedness? 

I find that most times as Christians we sell out and conform because of lack of knowledge. Indeed, the people perish because of lack of knowledge.  I know I have never in my life celebrated this particular holiday, but for me I never really could articulate why. As a teacher for kids under 13 in church, the questions came every year and my answers often sounded flat and unconvincing even to myself.  My persuasiveness stemmed from my ignorance on the matter.

I have challenged myself this year to find out more; to be less ignorant of the facts and strengthen my convictions.  I have determined to stand up even at work, when we have grown people walking around in Devil and Death Costumes unaware as to what they are inviting into their lives.

In response to an email I wrote, my friend sent me this about her own Halloween stance:

My family also does not celebrate Halloween. When asked by unsuspecting adults what costume they will be wearing for Halloween, both my kids answer that they do not celebrate Halloween. If pressed as to why, they say that that it is because they are Christians. A few years ago, when my 9-year old was in SK, he told the teacher that he is a Christian who worships God not ghosts. I was really proud of him that day.

Yes, they still wheedle to try and do "something" Halloween. They would ask if they can dress up in some "harmless" costume, they would bring home pumpkins from school field trips, or will ask if they can give/accept candy. I treat every situation as it arises:

·        Costumes: NO,

·        Pumpkin: we keep it as a decorative fixture inside the kitchen, until it is time to cook it! Maybe I will carve a cross next year.

·        Candy: "no"

It is a struggle to keep our kids on the right path, but it helps if other Christian parents actively stand up for our beliefs and not send their kids to school in costumes, and not participate in the hype.

God bless you and thank you for sharing.

Keisha Stephenson

What do you believe in? by Engada

Are you ready?

As Christians we ought to be ready to give an account of what we believe at any given time.  According to the word of God in 1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)

15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

So what is it that we believe?  Are we able to tell of a Christ that is also God? Can we explain how Christ can be our creator and also our redeemer?  Are we able to expand on the trinity of our God head and the deity and sovereignty of our God?

Can we eloquently express our service and commitment to a King who came to earth as a Carpenter, void of monetary wealth?  A king who hung out with fishermen, prostitutes, disease covered, and demon possessed people of society’s rejects?

What do you believe?

In Matthew 16 :13 – 14, When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

And, question 2…

Matt 16:14-16

 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Who is He to you?  You have heard who He is through the Pastor, your parents your friends, but what of you? What has been your personal declaration of faith? It is easy to believe what others tell us. It is easy to mimic robotically the motions of what is an outward show of Christianity. Yet I tell you friends that it has to be much more than that.  The recent killings in Virginia tell me that these are not the days to be passively following the crowd.  We are in war and we better know what we are fighting and who we are fighting for. 

God has spoken in revelation that he wishes we were either hot or cold. He said in chapter 3 vs 16, “So because you be lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”  What do you believe? Are you sure of who you are in Christ? Do you know who He is?

Have you retained the preaching echoed to you from the pulpits?  Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Ladies and gentlemen in less than 1 minute Paul has told you the nutshell concept of Christianity.  He did not spout off a list of “do’s and don’t’s” that we must adhere to.  Christianity is about a relationship.  The goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God the Father. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ, and the ministry in the life of the Christian by the Holy Spirit.

Is this what you believe? (This section borrowed from the internet)

Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and that its teaching is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21). Christians believe in one God that exists in three persons, the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but that sin separates all men from God (Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23). Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ walked this earth, fully God, and yet fully man (Philippians 2:6-11), and died on the cross. Christians believe that after His death on the cross, Christ was buried, He rose again, and now lives at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for the believers forever (Hebrews 7:25). Christianity proclaims that Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to completely pay the sin debt owed by all men and this is what restores the broken relationship between God and man (Hebrews 9:11-14, Hebrews 10:10, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8).

In order to be saved, one must simply place his faith entirely in the finished work of Christ on the cross. If someone believes that Christ died in his own place and paid the price of his own sins, and rose again, then that person is saved. There is nothing that anyone can do to earn salvation. Nobody can be “good enough” to please God on his or her own, because all of us are sinners (Isaiah 64:6-7, Isaiah 53:6). Secondly, there is nothing more to be done, because Christ has done all the work! When He was on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Just as there is nothing one can do to earn salvation, once someone has placed his/her trust in the work of Christ on the cross, there is nothing anyone can do to lose his/her salvation either. Remember, the work was done and completed by Christ! Nothing about salvation is dependent upon the one who receives it! John 10:27-29 states “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.”

Some may think, “This is great--once I am saved, I can do just as I please, and not lose my salvation!” But salvation is not about being free to do as one pleases. Salvation is becoming free from having to serve the old sin nature, and being free to pursue a right relationship with God. As long as believers live on this earth in their sinful bodies, there will be a constant struggle with giving in to sin. Living in sin hinders the relationship God seeks to have with mankind, and as long as one lives in sin as a believer, he will not enjoy the relationship God intended to have with him. However, Christians can have victory over the struggle with sin by studying and applying God’s Word (the Bible) in their lives, and being controlled by the Holy Spirit--that is, submitting to the Spirit’s influence and leading in everyday circumstances, and through the Spirit obeying God’s Word.

So, while many religious systems require that a person do certain things or not do certain things, Christianity is about having a relationship with God. Christianity is about believing that Christ died on the cross as payment for your own sin, and rose again. Your sin debt is paid and you can have fellowship with God. You can have victory over your sin nature and walk in fellowship and obedience with God. That is true biblical Christianity.

Why be sure?

There will come a time when we will have no other voices but the ones in our heads.  Maybe you will find yourself wrought with sickness or perhaps facing troubles beyond your imagination right now.  At this time if you are not fully persuaded in the God you serve you will not be able to stand.  In your minds, in your heart, in your soul you have to be certain of what you believe and know in whom you believe and trust.  I have seen for myself friends who are currently being beaten up with adversities.  Unable to move, unable to physically do much and yet because they know in whom they stand they are able to overcome and stand spiritually in Christ.

Friends, be certain that you choose this day who you will serve. Be certain that you are able to give an account of what you believe. 

There is still life in you

There is a tree planted outside my window.  Each season I look at it and marvel at the changes. I always learn something from the tree…no, God always teaches me from this tree.

This morning I stared up at the very heights of it branches.  I remembered that just last week, theses same branches were full of leaves, all yellow and orange in colour.  I remember trying to catch the fall of one leaf on camera.  Then strong winds came, and the morning after, not a single leaf was to be seen on this tree. 

In fact, the tree looked dead.  I thought about that and then I heard the whisper “there is life in me”.  You see, even though it appears that the tree is dead; although it appears that the branches will never again show green foliage; although it looks barren and hopeless, there is still life in it.  There is still hope for it. There is still a reason to expect that in the next season, things will be good better best.

My friend, do not trust in what you see.  The bible says that the things that we see are temporary, but what we don’t see is permanent.  So as you look upon your life and it appears that all is gone, just remember that like the tree, you are just going through the fall/winter of your life.  Also, believe in God, who speaks life to that which is dead.  There is still life in you.

God will Deliver His Own

And now it has come that I have to live out what I have been speaking and reading all this time. My sister got fired from her job yesterday evening.  She called me crying great loud sobs that made me feel useless through the invisible phone waves.  This was her second time with this experience and friends, it was horrible the first time and horrible the second time.  Let me back track, the feeling was horrible.  She said they made her feel like a criminal.  They lied about their “restructuring plans” and refused to tell her what the real reason was.  She didn’t fit that company, and that was the truth. 

Now, my household has to look up.  We have to rely heavily on God.  We have to trust Him more than before, because we are incapable of sorting this out on our own, but more so because we do not want to do it alone.  I believe with every fibre of my being that God will cause us to triumph. I believe that He watches over the righteous and will not cause us to perish. I believe that when we do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor sit in the seat of mockers, we are blessed.  I believe our leaf will not wither and that whatever we undertake will prosper, (Psalm 1).

David said in Psalm 3, “Oh Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him”…. Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.  From the Lord comes deliverance.  May your blessing be on your people.”  I have written this, not to gain sympathy, but to encourage you.  You may also be facing a time of transition.  You may have lost your job as well, and are now facing economic depression.  Don’t despair, God will deliver His own.  Don’t stress, don’t worry, don’t lose hope.  They that put their hope in the Lord shall never be put to shame.  As for the company that let her go, well they are left to God.  May He deal with them as He sees fit, for He alone is just.

Hope in Christ will not disappoint

Today is a good day. God has shown Himself strong, once again. Where do I begin? I guess there is no other place but the beginning. As such, let me shout out that God is still stretching forth His hands of healing. Remember my friend in the hospital with cancer?

Let me remind you of her story.  About two or three weeks ago, she was admitted to the hospital; confused, unresponsive and at the brink of death. At this, the doctors determined that she was not even admissible to ICU. They put her (without the family's approval) on DNR. They told them that surely she would die that night; the next day; or perhaps the next. She didn't die, and has even now improved! The beauty of this is that all credit has to be given to God. Why?

The doctors have ceased giving her any treatment. They deemed her palliative three weeks ago, but today she can swallow, and she said hi. She woke up, and now she speaks and eats. We celebrated that she could swallow apple sauce and pudding! God is a good God!

 Maybe you are a skeptic, and your response is so what? Well, wait and see the glory of God. You will not be disappointed. I remember reading the verse from the book of Romans that said that our sufferings build character; character builds perseverance ; perseverance produces hope, and hope does not disappoint! When we hope in God, we will not be let down; we will not be put to shame.

However, things take time. This brings me to today. Today, after 8 months, I can say out loud, it is finished! My family has walked through a long and winding path, waiting for the end of a matter. Today, it has ended. Today, the weight that threatened to crush us, has been lifted from our shoulders.

We were accused, but God's mercy said No! Therefore we sing, this is the day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice in it!


Time; it took  a lot of time, but yet it did not tarry; just at the right time our answer came about. We give all priases to God.  My Mom has forever told us that a leaf that falls from a tree into water, will not turn brown on that day, but as it becomes subjected to time, the colour changes. 

So be patient; your miracle could be instant as well as it may take three months or more. I dont know.  BUT I WILL  encourage you to wait patiently, hoping in Christ Jesus, For we know that hope in CHRIST  will not disappoint! (Romans 5:2-5; Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13)

Oh Lord Help My Unbelief

This morning I read from Mark Chap 9.  I was reading about the Father who brought his demon possessed son to Jesus to be healed.  I read along, already knowing the outcome, having read the story before. But something different happened this time around. I burst into tears, surprising only myself as I was physically alone in God's presence. It came about so suddenly, I barely had time to register it all.  I went from marvelling at the question the Dad posed to Jesus to crying in recognition of my own similarity to him.

For the benefit of those that never read Mark 9, here is what I read  this morning:

Mark 9

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9&version=GW
¹⁷ A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son. He is possessed by a spirit that won’t let him talk. ¹⁸ Whenever the spirit brings on a seizure, it throws him to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes exhausted. I asked your disciples to force the spirit out, but they didn’t have the power to do it.” ....

²¹ Jesus asked his father, “How long has he been like this?”
The father replied, “He has been this way since he was a child. ²² The demon has often thrown him into fire or into water to destroy him. If it’s possible for you, put yourself in our place, and help us!”

²³ Jesus said to him, “As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.”
²⁴ The child’s father cried out at once, “I believe! Help my lack of faith.”


As I read the last few verses, I burst out crying.  I knew that I was also the Father, dancing the two step between faith and doubt.  I knew I was the one that exclaimed "I believe! I believe!" only to turn around and wonder, Can Christ really do it?

I cant imagine that I am the only one identifying with this desperate Dad.  I know that if you have read down this far, that you are a kindred spirit. Let me tell you then, that the story didn't end at verse 24.  It continued.  Jesus, did not rebuke or chastise him for his broken confession of unbelief. Instead, he did just what the man wanted and rid the demon from his son. 

I would like to think that Jesus would do the same for us. That our confessions, made in truth and sincerity, are what he can use.  I love how Jesus responded to this man. I saw compassion in Him and I know his compassion is available to you and me today.  Even as I sobbed through the remainder of the story, I felt comforted. It was as Jesus himself whispered "There there" in my ear. 

Let us allow Holy Spirit to search through us and identify once and for all the areas of unbelief, so that we may confess it before the One who is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.

I exhale again

My son turned 18 yesterday.  It was one of those moments I felt like I have been holding my breath for, anticipating this day and all that it would imply.  In 2009, I started a journal for him, just for this day. It was fitting that the last few pages of it would be about this new phase of life for him.

I know to many, this just sounds like a whole lot of rambling and of little worth. But if you understood the journey that led to today you would appreciate it more.  My son and I have been around some sharp corners, and had it not been for God’s grace I dare say that we would have fallen over the precipice many a time.   Grace was enough and it was sure; God’s grace. 

Parent’s you understand, don’t you?  When that little baby is born, you imagine them succeeding at everything. You imagine how they would run and play. You imagine how they will be that student that gets the grades. You imagine that they would just naturally follow the path of success in all they do. You imagine the first date, the prom, the post secondary years, the marriage, the grand kids. At some point in time, you see the picture before you of their lives and it is perfect.  When things don’t go that way it becomes a daunting reality.

As the years rolled up into one, I have found more and more that my desire for RKR has become centered upon one thing only.  I want him to know Christ for himself.  I want him to hear Christ for himself. I want him to serve Christ for himself. That for me would be success. I know that in Christ all things are possible to Him. I know that in Christ, he will find wisdom. In Christ he will make it, even when the road is hard and awful. In Christ he will be the man of integrity and valour he was purposed for; he will be the son, Husband and Father that is needed today.  In Christ alone, he needs to stand.

So now that he is 18, I cling even more tightly to hope.  I beg God to help me to overcome my unbelief, just like the Father in Mark 9 who brought his son to Jesus.  Most importantly, I exhale and release him once again to Christ.