Sunday, October 31, 2010

Masquerading Christians

Today, the streets will be filled with costumed trick-or-treaters collecting candy by the bagful. There will be vampires, zombies, ghosts, and demons—and oh my, actual Christians! Why are there so many Christians this year pretending to be something they are not?

I find that my position on Halloween is not one that wins a lot of support. Both the unbelievers and the Christians I know often disagree with me on this topic. I don’t celebrate Halloween in my home because there is nothing about it that celebrates what I believe in. As Christians, we are the light of the world. I’m not a fan of a holiday that is consumed by darkness.

If you’re still reading this ☺, here are some things to consider…

One of the things that I can appreciate about the holiday is the creativity that goes into it. The elaborate design of some of the handmade costumes and intricate makeup is just breathtaking. And as a kid, I loved wearing costumes and pretending to be someone or something else for a day. Currently, I even admire the work that goes into the house in the middle of town which—taking full advantage of its location—puts out a display that looks like a Hollywood set. Yet, it still doesn’t sit right with me that some of the images (for example, a guy hanging himself) are part of the “fun” of the holiday.

I also have a serious sweet tooth. So the idea of FREE CANDY is seductive enough to get me sucked in. Yet, isn’t that how the enemy works? Temptation begins with, “Aw, that doesn’t look so bad,” and ends in death. I love candy. But not enough to rot in hell for it. I’m just saying.

And trust me, I’m not caught up in the fact that it was based on a pagan holiday, because I understand that my lovely Christmas tree and those really fun Easter egg hunts also have pagan roots.* It’s more than that. Think about it—this year Halloween falls on a Sunday. I’ve heard quite a few Christians say, “It just doesn’t seem right to go to church, then go home and go trick-or-treating.” A town in Alabama decided to celebrate Halloween on Saturday this year because the officials even felt that it was a conflict to do it on Sunday. If something in your spirit is telling you it’s not right…don’t you think you should listen?

Romans 12 tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Unfortunately, there are so many Christians who make compromises—such as masquerading as those who follow the patterns of this world—that they are unable to see what God’s perfect will is for their daily lives.

I refuse to hide myself behind masks and costumes today—I’d prefer to hide behind the cross every day of my life!


* By the way, the reason pagan traditions found their way into Catholic celebrations (such as Christ’s mass, or Christmas) is because there was at least some parallel that could be drawn between the native culture’s celebration and the Christian observance. But there is nothing about Halloween that is even remotely familiar to Christianity. For more information about other Christian perspectives on Halloween, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween#Christianity.





Sunday, October 24, 2010

What Are You Thinking???

I was recently reminded that what we think about could have a direct impact on what we do and how we respond to situations in life. Remember The Little Engine That Could? Even when all seemed lost, he said, “I think I can, I think I can,” until he reached success. What are you thinking these days?

When we are faced with a challenge, we are often confronted with the negatives: Why something can’t be done. Who’s fault it is—or will be. What went wrong in the first place. We may forget that the battle starts from within. We have a spiritual enemy that can’t wait to present us with the reasons we cannot overcome a situation. And he will flood our mind with the negatives.

Effective problem-solvers will tell you that you have to look at all sides of a problem in order to overcome it. You have to understand where the limitations are in order to get past them. However, too often we get stuck focusing on the limitations only. We have to remember that when you dwell ON the negative, you have a great chance of ending up dwelling IN negativity.

In Philippians 4:8, while giving encouragement to believers, Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” His advice could be summed up by something we used to say in my neighborhood back in the day: “Get your mind right!”

Think about a challenge you’re facing right now. Maybe it’s a family issue. Maybe it’s unemployment. Maybe it’s poor health or depression. Now think about how you have been thinking about the situation. Stop and say a prayer. Turn it over to the Lord and ask Him—who is and has been with you all along—to help you think about anything that is excellent and praiseworthy surrounding that challenge. Think about those things and watch what happens!

I’m thinking that it’s time for a change in my life—and with the help of the Lord, I know it’s going to happen!




Sunday, October 17, 2010

Victory Celebration!

Imagine going though—or think about the last time you went through—a terrible situation in your life. Think about spending hours on your knees praying over the situation, asking God for guidance and deliverance. Think about humbly reaching out to loved ones, prayer partners, and others to ask for support during our trying times…. Now think about overcoming the situation. Think about the joy that comes with deliverance! What comes next? My brothers and sisters in Christ, we need more Victory Celebrations!

I recently attended a wonderful affair hosted by a lovely married couple, friends of the family. It was a Victory Celebration—a thanksgiving for God’s goodness and awesome saving power. The attendees were friends and family members who have been witnesses to the couple’s testimony. It was an event unlike any other I’ve ever attended under circumstances that few of us would ever imagine. Let me explain…

Over the last several years, this family has been plagued by financial problems, job loss, even threat of criminal prosecution. They have faced devastation that many of us would shudder just thinking about. Yet through it all, they held to their faith in God and continued to weather each terrible storm together, with nothing but trust in the Lord to get them through. Family members and friends also prayed and lent any support they could through the trying times. And about a month ago, they received relief from their most recent trial. It was a major win for the family and an event definitely worth celebrating.

Psalm 34:19 tells us, “a righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Often, we hear about the troubles of those around us. We have prayer lists in our church bulletins and prayer requests from people we know. But how often do we hear how the Lord “delivers him from them all”? Not that we need confirmation for every prayer we send up, because we trust that the Lord is always faithful to answer our prayers. But sometimes it is nice to see that He is still in the miracle business!

During the Victory Celebration, the couple offered words of wisdom about the lessons learned during their trying times. I got a lot out of it, but one of the most important things I learned wasn’t just from what they said but what they demonstrated: When times are dark and the future is uncertain, we can reach out to loved ones, prayer partners, and even professional help—but when the clouds clear away and you are able to enjoy the light again, have them all join in as you GIVE GOD THE GLORY!

Matthew 6:6 tells me that when I pray in secret, the Lord will bless me openly—I’m inviting all those who prayed with me to join my Victory Celebration and share in the blessing!

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Sunday, October 10, 2010

More Than a Feeling

Did you ever wake up and just feel like not doing anything? Maybe you were under the weather. Maybe you were tired from “overdoing it” the day before. Or maybe, you were just feeling a little down and out. The truth is, sometimes the way we feel dictates our actions. Thank goodness our salvation isn’t based on feelings!

As Christians, we may not always “feel” like doing things we know we should. We might not feel like reading our Bible on a daily basis. We may sit out a few Sundays from church because we don’t feel like going. We may even find ourselves entrenched in sin, because we simply don’t feel like doing the right thing. If it were left up to us, our feelings would eventually lead us into some very dark and dangerous places.

During His time on earth, Jesus had feelings. He became weary. He felt hunger and thirst. He even demonstrated feelings at the hearing of the death of a friend (“Jesus wept.”). However, His divine nature would not allow feelings to get in the way of His purpose. In the garden of Gethsemane, just prior to His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39) Jesus demonstrated perfect submission—overcoming any personal feelings He may have had so that He could completely serve the will of God.

We should always follow Christ’s example and yield to the will of God. That’s because God’s grace saves us from the chaotic nature of our feelings. He cares for us even when we are careless with own lives. He watches over us, even when we take our eyes off of Him. He loves us even when we are unlovable.

I’m going to do my best to do His will—even when I don’t really “feel” like it!