Mischief, Evil, Or Love?

            Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. Psalm 141:4

To celebrate or to not celebrate Halloween is a big deal in the Christian community. Many churches offer alternative celebrations known as 'Trunk or Treat' or 'Harvest Parties'. This time of year Hollywood inundates us with horror films and many Christians go feed their minds on them not giving it a second thought. There are even freestanding Halloween stores. Don't forget haunted houses.  Scaring people seems to be big business. 

           But what do you as a Christian do? Do you go along with the crowd and think it is innocent? Some use it as an opportunity to reach out. Those who like fortune telling    and ghostly spirits like this day. It traditionally is celebrated as a day of evil. Some laugh at this notion thinking it is purely innocent. Ponder and pray about it especially if you are raising little children.

There is evil and there is good. At this time of year it is a touchy subject with many in the faith community. I myself was born on Halloween so it is my birthday party. True it is fun to dress up and be someone else but when we start dressing children as devils, ghouls, zombies, and witches is that the right thing to teach them how to grow in Christ? Our children were in a Christian pre school once who gave the children plastic skull rings on this day. Well I have given you something to think about. 

            PRAYER: May God grant each reader peace in what he or she chooses to do on this day. I choose to not celebrate or glorify evil. I pray Lord for children to be   protected on this day of mischief. In Jesus' name. Amen.

History of Halloween in case you are interested. http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

Trick Or Tricked?

Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. Psalm 141:4

Each year I ponder how to deal with Halloween. It is for sure not an edifying holiday yet many Christians see no harm in it as they send their little ones dressed like Satan or another character out the door to get candy. My birthday happens to fall on this holiday. I just have a real hard time and choose to not celebrate. So many think it is harmless and I am some sort of religious fanatic weirdo. Guilty as charged.

Recently I saw a sign posted where a church, yes a church, was having a haunted house. Not an alternative Celebration but apparently an actual haunted house. It made me take a step back. Why on Earth would any church claiming to be Christian do this? Perhaps they do not preach spiritual warfare and do not see the harm in this.

All I know is I ask myself why is it necessary? If you see the movies coming out this time of year too, likewise they borderline on darkness as well. In my opinion a Christian should flee the darkness and run to the light. Each person has to be convicted in his or her own heart and I guess ask "What would Jesus do?"

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help the things I say and do and the  activities I participate in bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.