Defying the Darkness

     We are called to be a light in darkness. Sometimes, the light feels like it's being overtaken by the darkness, and we feel like we're drowning in the darkness. This past Sunday, our pastor did a sermon about the Spirit of God, and light vs. darkness. The spirit of God will move where it wants to, when it wants to.
     Have you ever been in the store, or out walking, and you pass by a group of teenage kids who make you feel very nervous? As Christians, we're called to be the light in the midst of darkness. It helps me when I pass by a group of kids, who I get nervous around, that I just pray. I pray for each of those individual in that group as I pass by them. Our Light needs to shine for the whole world to see!
     Below is a couple verses about light shining in the darkness. I also posted a video done by LampLighter, that my mom showed me a couple years ago. It has a wonderful message; Enjoy!
     "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shine." ~Isaiah 9:2~
     "...and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." ~John 1:5~
     "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." ~1st John 1:5-7~
     "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." ~Ephesians 5:8-10~

Warning: Video may be too scary and intense for younger children

Biblical View of Halloween

I thought that since next week is "Halloween", I'd share a few of my thoughts...
Growing up, and even now, my family and I don't do the "Halloween Thing". We did harvest festivals when we were younger, and now we do "Reformation Festival". So, I was looking around for some information about it. I found-
virtually all of the common Halloween decorations represent something Demonic or Occult. For instance:
The "Jack-O-Lantern" is the ancient symbol of a damned or condemned soul. Almost all web sites connect it to Satan in some fashion.
The "Black Cat" has long been associated with Witchcraft.
Witches and Witchcraft are a dominate theme of the Halloween holiday, but consider what God said in Exodus 22:18, "You shall not allow a sorceress to live." God seems to be pretty serious here.
I also find that the "trick-or-treat" part of it, is a threat! Actually it sounds like extortion to me! "You either give me a treat or I'll play a trick on you."

So, how serious should 'we' be about whether we do the Halloween thing or stay completely away from it?
Let's consider the following:
Ephesians 5:11, "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them..."
No, that does not specifically tell us not to stay away from Halloween... but, are any of us truly convinced that our participation in Halloween somehow pleases God?
Let's also consider 1 Thessalonians 5:22, "Abstain from every 'form' of evil."
Is it possible to dress up in costumes that represent demons and witches and the like and actually be "abstaining from every 'form' of evil"?
Let's also look at 1st Corinthians 10:31, "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do,
 do 'all' to the glory of God."
And the last scripture I will share with you is, 3rd John 1:11, "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil,
 but what is good."

As Halloween does have some connection to the harvest of crops, let me suggest to you that we ought to
 use the pumpkins to make some pumpkin bars or pumpkin pie and then sit down and discuss with our families how greatly God has blessed this nation with so much food that we can afford to cut it up and
 then throw it away or give it those in need.
I ask that you please consider these Biblical passages, as Halloween approaches.
Blessings on you all!