Among Christian people there are many varying opinions about what holidays to celebrate, how to celebrate, and such. “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it…”(Rom 14:5-6a) Many consider Halloween, Christmas, and Easter to be just a holiday in which to celebrate. It is true that they are all pagan holidays. Therefore as Christians, in raising our children we do not celebrate the pagan holidays. The rule is simple in our home. Only observe that which points us and others to Christ.

Therefore, as the world celebrates Santa Clause, reindeer, and elves, as believers we celebrate the birth of Christ. As the world celebrates Easter bunnies and the pagan goddess of fertility, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the world celebrates Cupid and arrows on Valentine’s Day, we celebrate God’s great love. Each day being a special reminder of God, His Son, and the great love for mankind. Which brings us to the celebration of  Halloween. Can the celebration of Halloween point us and other’s to Christ?  No.  In fact, it does just the opposite.  

The world celebrating Halloween is not the issue of discussion. After all, one would expect the world to do worldly things. But, Christian people are peculiar people, set apart from the world. True believers in Christ do not love the world or the things of the world (I John 2:15). Why, then if over 80% of Americans claim to be “Christian” are we celebrating this holiday? Why is Halloween the second most decorated holiday in our country? Is this a holiday that can point us and others to Jesus Christ?

There are three reasons that I believe Christians celebrate Halloween. The first reason is simply that they do not know the truth. That have never been taught the origins of Halloween. You see, like most people when my first child was born I went along with the flow of the tide. When Halloween came around I found a costume for my baby like everyone else did and took him to get candy. No harm in that! No bothered conscience. But the second year, I remember taking him to the mall on Halloween. The absolute evil and oppression present was astonishing. It was then that I questioned why I was doing this. I started my research in the place that all Christian people should – the Bible. It didn’t take long to know the will of God in this matter. The question then came. What was I going to do with this knowledge?

Which brings us to the second reason Christian people celebrate Halloween. They know the truth and do not care. Did you know that a person can justify anything? They can read in scripture to abhor evil and to abstain from even the appearance of evil and yet somehow justify in their mind and heart that what they are doing is not evil. Unfortunately, the average person’s mind is full of the world (Mark 4:18-19) and their heart is deceitfully wicked (Jer. 17:9). But amazingly, we will trust our hearts and minds over the very Words of God. A person will read in scripture that we are to be separate from the world but yet they will justify in their hearts their love for the things of this world. Did you know that we are called to be the light of the world? A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Do you know why a city on a hill cannot be hid? It is because the light is separated. A person wondering around with the masses trying to shine their lighted jack-o-lanterns with the rest of the world will not give off much light, but take a person who is called out, a peculiar person, a holy person, a chosen person (I Peter 2:9) and set this person up on a hill for all the world to see.

The third reason and saddest of all is that those who claim Christianity are not true believers. Therefore, they cannot help but be workers of darkness. Without Christ there is not capability of righteousness. Can we judge someone’s salvation? NO. But they can and should before it’s too late. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. (2Co 13:5a) We are called to be fruit inspectors who look at the fruits of those who claim Christianity. And an apple tree that produces figs is not an apple tree no matter how much it claims to be one.

As professing Christians, we teach our children that every word, every action and every deed should be done for the glory of God. To celebrate (observe, show happiness, mark an occasion) Halloween can in no way bring glory to God. Churches often participate in this holiday. There are those who have Halloween parties to “bring in the world” and witness to them.  It is due to a damaging pragmatic thinking of “we must be like the world in order to win the world.“. When a person tells me that they will use this evil day to witness to the world my question for them is, “Are you witnessing for the Lord on all the other days? Do you hand out tracts and talk to people about their salvation the rest of the year?” A person trying to get another person saved while participating in Halloween seems to be equivalent to a doctor taking his dying heart patient to Krispy Kreme Donuts to discuss the importance of eating healthy foods. The message would be looked at in disgust. This might explain why the world looks at the message of the church in utter disdain.

So, my question for Christians who celebrate this holiday is why? Are you truly a child of God, do you just not care about God’s Word, or have you never searched out the truth? For those who truly want to know the truth and who are willing to search out God’s will I encourage them to open the Word of God. Open His precious Word, not with intents to trample on it but in a humble spirit. For in reality, God’s ways to a true believer are not grievous. His ways are light, His ways are worthy, His ways are above all others.

My husband found this article several years ago while working with the youth in our church.  We are not sure where it came from but is very good.  For those who are seeking the truth continue reading….

Halloween – Can it be an entirely innocent practice?

What is the origin of Halloween? It is generally agreed that in the church history Halloween took the place of a special day celebrated by the ancient Druids who was the priestly class of the Celtic religion. Our modern Halloween appears to initially be traced to their winter festival on October 31. The Celts and their Druid priest began their New Year on November 1, which marked the beginning of winter. They apparently believed that on October 31 the Lord of Death gathered the souls of the evil dead who had been condemned to enter into the bodies of animals. Thus they believed that on their New Years Eve (October 31) ghost, evil spirits and some say witches roamed about. On this night evil or frustrated ghost were also supposed to play tricks on humans.

Some things to consider:

Halloween is the most sacred day of witchcraft and other occults. It remains a special day for Satanists. It was and is believed by Satanists to be the only day of the year in which the devil’s help could be invoked for a variety of things.

Human sacrifice was and is offered on this day.

It has and will continue to encourage occult activity on the part of children and adults. It is common for children to pull out an Ouija board and attempt to contact the ghost and spirits that are believed to be roaming about.

It helps support pagan philosophies and practices by encouraging people’s interest in things like ghost.

Probably no Halloween activity or symbol can be found that does not go back to pagan occultism. For example: Jack-O-Lantern – This comes from a legend of a drunk man named Jack who tricked the devil into agreeing to never come after his soul. As Jack is leaving hell the devil throws a hot piece of coal at Jack. So Jack wanders the earth carrying the coal in a pumpkin. Halloween costumes – Halloween was a night where evil spirits roamed freely and played tricks on the living. So it was to the advantage of people to hide from them or scare them away by wearing costumes. Trick or Treat – This is related to the idea that ghost and witches created mischief on this night. For example, if the living did not provide food (or “treats“) for the spirits than they would “trick” them. When a child goes door to door in the ritual of “trick or treat” he is re-enacting the ancient superstition.

It can unequally yoke Christians and pagans together. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness and unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part that he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor 6:14-18

Christians participating in Halloween may be a ploy of the devil to mock God. How does God feel when He looks down on Halloween night (in full awareness of the events that have happened on this night) and views Christian children dressed up as ghosts, devils, witches, and goblins? Or, even innocent characters but going out, as those in the world, on the very night that Satan is most honored. Satan, of course, knows the meanings of all of these symbols and so does God.

The Bible has many references condemning the practices of witchcraft, sorcery, spiritism, contacting the dead and so forth.

“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:31

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. “ Deut19:10-11

“..Also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and delt with a familiar spirit and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.” 2 Chron 33:6

Is it possible to glorify God by imitating what occultists do on their special day, however innocently? Historically, this is the very day that evil powers have chosen above all others. Most people think that imitating these things on Halloween is innocent enough since they are not engaging in the original practices or intents.

But, what does the Bible say?  Christian, is the Word of God going to be your only source for Truth?  Are you going to base your life on it?  Will it determine how you live?

“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. he that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” 3 John 11

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” I Cor 11:1

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.” Eph 5:1-3

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. “ Ephesians 5:8-11

“When thou are come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.” Deuteronomy 18:9 “..Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22

This is the final survey for my new book, Crown Jewels: Becoming the Women God Intended.  This survey is for any woman who is married to a pastor or minister.  If this is not you, please forward it on to your pastor’s wife.  Thank you so much!

http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/dO0-GJv/Questions-for-Women-Married-to-PastorsMinisters

Here is the survey for unmarried women.  Here is the survey for married women.

In order to get an accurate assessment I need as many women as possible to participate.  Thank you for your time. 

Blessings,  Kimberly

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My seven year old came to me holding his hand.  I could tell by the look on his face that he had hurt himself.  “What’s wrong son?” I asked.  “I jabbed my hand with my pencil” was his sad reply.  How, I thought, while practicing cursive h’s, was he able poke his palm hard enough to cause it to bleed?  I do not know nor care to ask.  But as I went to get some medicine and a Band-Aid, he ran. I guess no boy likes to have his cuts cleaned.  “Andrew!”  I said “Come here.”  “No, I really don’t want to.” was his answer.   Because I believe that every situation should be a teaching moment I said, “I have never known of a boy named ANDREW who was not strong and courageous.”  With that he stepped over to me.  “Now son, what does being strong and courageous look like?” I asked.  His reply –  “MOXIE!”  “Well then, show me some moxie.”  As he looked at his hand and back to me he said, “I really don’t want to.”

Of course he didn’t want to, but he it anyway.  I cleaned up his wound and sent him off to finish his work.  The whole discourse brought to mind a problem we have seen over the pass few generations.   The problem is that boys are not taught to be strong and courageous.  They are not taught to take a stand.  They are not taught to be leaders.  Therefore, they grow up to be men who lack many of the biblical qualities of what a true man should be.  As I witness society today I see a blending of feminine traits pushed on little boys.  Just this week I saw a little boy pretending he was a cowgirl.  I questioned him, thinking he had just misspoken.  “What are you playing?”  I asked.  “I’m Jesse, the Cowgirl!” he replied.  “Really, where is Woody, the cowboy?”  “Oh, he’s with Buzz.  I’m a cowgirl!”  Does anyone see a problem with this type of behavior?  The problem is multifaceted.  It can come from single motherhood, inactive fathers, feminist teaching, weak men, worldly standards, lack of knowledge and much more.

You see, as I read in the Bible what a true man looks like I’m drawn into a mindset of “accept no substitute”.   The men in the Bible were warriors.  They fought for their land, homes, family.  They fought for the truth.  They stood when no one else would stand.  Men in the Bible were the head of their homes.  They understood their role as men.  Men in the Bible were providers for their families.  They understood that it was their responsibility to provide for and take care of the women and children.  Too often I see men who cannot lead their families because they do not know how to.  They have never been taught.  They will not stand up or speak up for fear of what their wife or another woman will say or do.  These men are teaching their boys the same things.  Or should I say because the men will not teach the boys anything, others are teaching them.  Just the other day I was at an activity with a group of homeschoolers.  In walks this little boy.  He was maybe 14.  He walked like his mother, he dressed like his mother, he talked like his mother, and he flipped his hair out of his face like his mother.  Not too many years ago a boy would have been embarrassed to be called a “momma’s boy”, especially at that age.  And we wonder why so many boys from Christian homes now have homosexual tendencies?  Where is this boy’s father?  Does this child have any manly role models? Or do they only have High School Musical, teenie bob, wish I were a man, role models?  He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Pro 13:20)  

Don’t get me wrong.  I do not blame these poor boys.  It certainly is not their fault.  But Christians, we must wake up to what we are doing to the next generation.  And women, we need to step out of the way and let the men lead.  We need to let the fathers train their boys into Biblical manhood.  We need to encourage the masculine qualities.  We need to place into their lives strong godly role models.  We need to start with the Word of God.                  

I am very thankful that I have a husband who is teaching and training our boys to be men.  From the time they were very little my husband has been preparing them to be strong men of courage.  He has been preparing them to be hard workers, teaching them that they will be responsible to provide well for their family.  He has been training them to fight.   Not others – but ideas.  He has showed them how to fight error, lies, workers of darkness, false teaching, and worldliness.  It is easier to train a boy, than to re-teach a man.  Teaching boys to be men really is simple.  It’s just not easy.  My husband’s advice to other men would be to “man up on it, it’s your responsibility.”  My boys would say, “Show me some moxie!”  The Bible puts it like this, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1Co 16:13)