Goodbye Halloween!

     I'm sure that many people won't like what I post on here, and will disagree with me, but I feel like I should re-post this article with Halloween quickly approaching. I ask that you take some of these questions into consideration. I realize each family is different no matter what they read, and I realize that, but this is a great read nevertheless... 

The more I learned, the more I became convinced that this “holiday” (a word that means “holy day,” by the way) was not honoring to God in any way. I began to see that my refusal to give up Halloween was evidence of a divided heart — but Jesus wants my whole heart.

Ever since deciding to “just say no” to Halloween, I can honestly tell you that the blessings and joy of obedience are far greater than any fun I ever had “celebrating.”

And since many people, even Christians, think my decision is odd or even legalistic, I finally decided to put together a list of the top ten reasons I kissed Halloween goodbye.

1. Halloween glorifies evil, not God.

It’s no secret that Halloween is all about witches and ghosts and fear and death. Haunted houses, Hollywood movies, even neighborhood patios are graced with blood and dead bodies and axe murderers … giant replicas of poisonous spider and cobwebs … scary organ music, skeletons, and gravestones. Can anyone deny that this holiday glorifies Satan and every evil thing?

“Oh, but our family only dresses in good costumes,” we are quick to point out, as if somehow sugarcoating the evil with smiling pumpkins and sparkly Disney princess costumes somehow changes the meaning of the celebration.

I too continued to dress up for several years, but no matter what creative spin I put on it, eventually I could no longer justify that anything I was doing in respect to this holiday was honoring to God. Sure, my costumes were cute. Sometimes they were even sophisticated, clever, funny, or smart. But none of those things changed the fact that the holiday itself glorified evil, and I could no longer lend my talents and attention to remain part of it.

Most of us know that Halloween is one of the highest, most holy days for witches and Satanists. Even though we ourselves may not be involved in the practice of witchcraft, we give credence to the holiday by celebrating it. If we abhor evil, should we not also abhor any day designated to celebrate it? The Bible says to avoid even the appearance of evil.

“Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” —1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

It also doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discern that the Halloween is all about fear. Scary costumes, haunted houses, and horror movies are designed for no other purpose than to frighten us. Seeking out opportunities to be scared is, on this day at least, the highest form of entertainment. If we do not have a spirit of fear, should we even acknowledge a day whose purpose is to invoke a spirit of fear in us?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, and of power, and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7

2. If the seed is bad, the fruit will be bad.

Halloween has never been a Christian holiday. The foundations of Halloween are occultic, and the symbols and traditions we continue today all have roots in pagan practices. God tells His people over and over again to avoid all pagan rituals and traditions...

3. Don’t dine with demons.

Samhain was the one day of the year when the dead were allowed to come back into the world and commune with the living. People traditionally set a spot for the dead at their table, inviting them in. Since there was also the possibility that evil spirits would come looking for them, people took to “guising” themselves for protection. In other words, it’s okay to dine with demons — as long as you wear a costume to protect yourself.

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” —1 Corinthians 10:21...

10. Come out from them and be separate.

Perhaps the reason I finally let go of Halloween was precisely because I didn’t want to.

If that sounds like a contradiction, let me explain. You see, the very fact that I kept coming up with reasons and excuses so I could continue celebrating eventually led me to question my motives. Why was I hanging on so tightly? Was it possible that my celebration of Halloween had become an idol to me? Certainly it appeared so, because still I embraced the traditions of men even when I knew God’s heart on the matter.

“Therefore come out from them and be separate from them, says the Lord.” —2 Corinthians 6:17

God wants His people to be holy, which means to be set apart. If everyone else is doing something, and I’m doing it too, that is a good time to examine myself to see if I’m really in the faith. If people don’t look at me and think I am peculiar (1 Peter 2:9) — if I fit right in with our culture and no one can tell I am any different — then I am probably doing something wrong.

The Bible doesn’t say that we should have less up do with darkness than other people do; it says have nothing to do with evil. By even acknowledging and associating with the holiday, I was giving credence to it in my life and opening myself to deception.

It is my prayer that everyone who follows Christ will be open to prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom about the traditions of man.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. 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 5:6-10

Here are additional Bible verses you can review as you prayerfully seek God’s wisdom regarding whether your family should continue to celebrate Halloween:

http://www.openbible.info/topics/celebrating_halloween...
Read more on this article, here:
10 Reasons I kissed Halloween Goodbye

http://www.girldefined.com/should-we-celebrate-evil-sexualized-holiday-year

Seasons Change

     You know, it's funny; I look back at where I was last year, and so much has changed since then. I look at my life here in Ohio, and stare in awe at the wonders God's done in my life. 

     It was a year ago, when Josh wrote a guest post on my blog, found here: http://daughterofdestiny-generation78.blogspot.com/2014/10/guest-post-surrendering.html

     Many of you may not know, but I help take care of an elderly lady just down the street from me. I take care of her, right now for one day a week, from 7:30AM-5:30PM. Mary White (Mrs. White) tells me so many stories of her and her husband. She's 92, and has 5 generations of children/grand children/great grandchildren/etc...! When I look at Mrs. White, it's very clear that she's a Christian. For her, being a child herself was just yesterday. She has so many wonderful stories, and many stories when she had to lean on the Lord for complete and full guidance. Seasons change, and she got older. She fell and broke her hip in June, and ever since then, it's kind of been down hill with constant pain, and medications. But through it all, she still finds words to praise God... and to pray. Praying is never her last resort. We pray before each meal together. When she's worried, she'll offer a prayer up to God.
      Seasons change, and one day Mrs. White will no longer be on this earth, but with God. I can't help but wonder, what kind of a person I'll be when I get old. Will my husband and I have many children, and grandchildren? Will we be healthy? Will we read the Bible and pray all the time? I pray that we will! It seemed like it wasn't that long ago that I had my "sweet 16" birthday. I didn't want to get married anytime soon. In some aspects, I wanted to stay a child my whole life. However, God has other plans. God changes heart, and with time, God changed my heart. I longed to have a husband and children. I had the image that we'd have many children and sit down in the living room with our Bible's in hand, doing devotions, together, as a family.
     Now look at me?! I'm married! I got married at 22, and I pray to God that He'll bless our home with many children in the years to come.
     So, seasons change, and so do we. I need to remember to praise God in each season of life... even in the not-so-great-times. I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, 11, 14 "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him."

Reflecting on Media

     This week, I've had the chance to reflect about how much time I spend on the computer/social media sites etc... My husbands computer decided to quit on us on Saturday, and will be in the shop until the end of this week. My laptop stopped working when we got married, and hasn't worked since. Today, I have my smartphone, but my sister-in-law needed my phone charger for the day... which happens to be the only one I have at home. ;) It gave me a chance to reflect on how much I not only use the computer/phone, but rely on it to do so many things. The computer/internet can be used for so much good, but it can also be used for evil.
     I use the computer usually for catching up with friends via email/Facebook, researching things, reading articles, writing on my blog, chatting with my husband throughout the day, and various other things. It's a day and age when we use the internet a lot. Don't get me wrong, having the internet is awesome! I can keep in contact with my family and friends in Colorado, while I'm here in Ohio! There's Face-time to see my families facial expressions to things, Facebook that I can load pictures on and tell stories of my life and what I'm learning, Blogger, so that people can know what I'm learning both spiritually and physically, and so many articles that you can read with just the click of a button! You can order things online, and have them shipped to you, you can watch documentaries, and you can store your pictures and video's on the computer. It's amazing how far we've come in the last couple of decades!
     I'm reminded of the Bible verse in Psalm 90:12, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." ... if we spend so much time on the computer, how can we enjoy Christ in the little things, like the birds, butterflies, flowers, trees, and blue skies? Are you spending so much time on the computer/internet, that we don't study the word of God, or pray?
     I tend to get into this cycle, where I reflect on things I should change, I change for a little while, and then a few weeks later, I'm back to my original self, doing the exact same thing that I promised myself I wouldn't do. Any way, just a  little something I've been thinking about this week. :) I hope that I might encourage you to think about these things. 

• How often are you on the computer daily?... whether that's for research or not. 
• When you get home, or when you're on break, what's the first thing you do?
• Should you consider taking a Computer Break?

     Having a computer/laptop around the house, has been wonderful, and it's helped me to keep in contact with many friends/family who I otherwise wouldn't know about. It's helped me to write down things, and look up recipes, articles, and so many things that I wouldn't otherwise do, if I didn't have a computer. I pray that God will help me to remember to not rely on the computer for my happiness, but ultimately, in Jesus Christ my Savior. May you all be blessed this week!   

When I was single and Waiting

     Being single is hard, when you have the desire to be a wife to a loving husband, and a mom to children of your own. It's hard to see friends around you get married, and have kids, and you're still at home, with no possible man for your future... or at least that's how and what you feel.
     I was there. For me, as I got closer to 22, I was wondering if I'd ever be married. 22 is still young, don't get me wrong, but, I had hoped to be married by 21, at least. The closer I got to 21 though, I realized, not only was I not ready to become a wife yet, but, God wasn't ready for me to become one yet either. Josh wasn't ready to be a husband yet... he was still figuring out his life. It's crazy how God works everything out for His glory.
     During my single years, my mom told me, "You have to keep yourself busy. Give yourself purpose. Never stop learning. Help and serve others as much as you can." That was probably the best advice that was given to me for my single years. Along with teaching Piano, being the Chauffeur of my family, studying to become a Doula, I also served. Once a week, I'd commit my whole day to helping out a family in church.
     If you sit around waiting for Prince Charming to come, what could you have gotten accomplished if you would've used your time more wisely? Will you look back at your single years and be grateful that you had an opportunity to serve others, or will you look back and wish that you'd done things differently? God knows when you'll get married. If you have a desire to get married, God will bring that man to you!.. in HIS timing. If you're a man waiting to find that right girl... she's out there, somewhere! ;) God will bring her to you, in HIS timing! In the meantime, serve Christ with everything you've got! Serve your family, and your Church. Make Christ the center of your life! And when that time comes, that Christ brings your spouse to you, continue to make Christ the center of everything! It'll all be well worth it! ;)

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:13-14

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you prayed to God and asked Him to send you a spouse? 
• Did you pray just once, or do you pray over and over again? 
• What has helped you to be patient and wait on Gods timing? 
• Why do you want to be married? Is it for selfish reasons? 

The Awesome Food Award

I've been nominated for the "Awesome Food Award"! Thank you Megan for nominating me! If ya'll want to check out Megan's blog, here's the link: http://farmgirlinmontana.blogspot.com/

The rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you, as well as the link to their blog.
2. Answer the 10 questions provided
3. Come up with 10 more questions that relate to food
4. Nominate at least 5 people 5. Let those people know they've been nominated.
My answers to the questions:

~ What is your favorite food? Pizza, Taco's, and Burger's! :) 
~ Do you like chocolate?  If so do you like dark, milk or white chocolate better? I LOVE chocolate! I prefer milk chocolate, but I love white chocolate as well. 
~ Do you prefer to cook / bake food yourself or have someone else do it? I prefer to cook/bake food myself, but love it when people want to help me. :) 
~ What is your favorite food to cook / bake? I love to bake, so I love baking cookies, cakes, really any types of desserts. :) 
~ What are your 5 favorite desserts? Hmm... tough one. Anything chocolate! ;) I love cookies, cakes, muffins/cupcakes, puddings. 
~ Cake or pie? Cake! 
~ Hamburgers or hot dogs? Depends on the Hamburger, but I'll go for a hamburger any day!... you can ask my husband that! ;)
~ Nuts or cheese? Cheese.
~ Soup or salad? Depends on the soup and Salad. Probably soup. 
~ What is the one food that your whole family likes? In Colorado, my whole family loved Taco's. Here in Ohio, my husband and I love Chicken Salad melts. :) 

I nominate:
Crysyln from: http://bloggingcryslyn.blogspot.com/
Suzanne from: http://suzanneliveshere.blogspot.co.uk/
Ashley from: http://ashley-funfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Chloe from: http://blooming-maiden.blogspot.com/
Sadie from: http://irishragamuffinslilsister.blogspot.com/
Stephanie from: http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/

My Questions for the Nominee's:
1.What are your favorite Soup's?
2. Do you prefer Scones with your Tea or separately?
3. What's your favorite kind of Pizza?
4. Do you prefer baking or cooking?
5. What types of foods do you like making most?
6. What exotic food have you tried that most people haven't?
7. Do you prefer cookies or cake?
8. Are you more the chips and salsa type, or just the plain old chip without salsa?
9. Do you like Chicken or Hamburger meat better?
10. What's your favorite Dessert? Why? 

Facebook and the Real World

     A couple weeks ago, I asked my husband, why he doesn’t post on Facebook about the good times he has with different people, and why it’s usually articles. He made a good point. He said, “I feel like at times, people post about all their good times, that it’s almost creating a picture that they don’t struggle in life. That they’re always enjoying themselves.” I agree with him. Occasionally I see people post about when they’ve had a rough day, but for the most part, people only put on a fake smile, and post about good things. So, all those posts that I’ve made about how great my husband is… it’s all true. ;) Yes, we’ve had our disagreements, and our days when we were frustrated with each other. Days when we’ve cried together wondering if God hears our prayers, and days when we have regrets about how we responded in different situations! Marriage has been very sanctifying. Yes, I've had bad days, just like everyone else. I also choose to see the joy in life. Instead of looking at how late I am to an event, I try to see it, as God protecting me from a possible accident that I could’ve been in to, or Gods just simply testing my patience… which I fail at most of the time. ;) It’s not always easy to see the sunshine, when you’re in the midst of the rain. Choose Joy rather than pain. Try to look at the bright side of things. It’s not easy, I can assure you, but I’m trying my best.

   
     Yes, I only post the good things about my husband. In 1st Corinthians 13, we’re told that “Love keeps no record of wrongs…” How would I be honoring my husband, if I put him down, and if I keep track of everything wrong that he does, or every sin that he’s committed? No. Instead, I choose to see the things that I value in him. I choose to see a Godly man who’s in need of a Savior, just like me. I see a sinner, who’s saved by the grace of God. I see a husband, that Gods blessed me with, when I didn’t deserve to have such an honorable man! I thank God every day for giving Josh to me! Josh has been a great man, who, yes, stumbles and falls just like me. Yes, they’re days when I’m in constant tears, and when I’m battling inside of myself. No, it’s not all fun and games, but it’s sanctifying. I praise God every day, because Josh is a gift that I open every day, and I can see what an honorable, Godly man he is!
   
     Now, what I'd encourage people NOT to do, is when you're in tears, and just having a rough day, to not post on Facebook about how you're having a good time... because, that's lying. However, I'd encourage you, that in those moments when you just feel so blessed, to write it down. It doesn't have to be for the world to see all the time, but people like to know that you're counting your blessings, and that you're doing okay. My friends from back in Colorado like to see pictures of my home here in Ohio, and what I do every day. They like to see that I'm doing good. :)
   
     The main reason I post on Facebook, is to keep in touch with everyone back in Colorado. They like to know how I'm doing, and if I'm adjusting okay. I assure them that I love it up here in Ohio! The church, community, friends and of course, my hubby! ;)

   
     So, when you post on Facebook, or any other social media sites, just be careful when you post. You don't want to post things that aren't true, or that make you look good, and make you look like a great person. Truth is, everyone has bad days. Days when you just want the night to come, so that you can go to bed, and start again in the morning. The day will be over before you know it, so enjoy it... even on those bad days. :)

• What do you generally post on Facebook or other social media sites?
• In what ways has Facebook or other social media sights helped you, if at all? 
• Do you feel like you've posted things that you regret posting doing later? 

   
      

Labor Day Weekend Fun!

     This past week, Josh and I headed up to Wisconsin to visit with Josh's family. While we were there, they threw a "We've-tied-the-knot" party for Josh and I. 

     We enjoyed our time in Wisconsin, talked a lot, laughed a lot, had fun, and enjoyed each other's company. While there, Josh opened his birthday gifts from his brother, Joel. Likewise, Joel opened his gifts from Josh. We all had Ice Cream Cake afterwords. I also tried Frozen Custard for the first time, and it was soooooo good! :)
     I posted some pictures below of what our weekend looked like. What did ya'll do for Labor Day and/or labor Day weekend? I'd love to hear! Leave a comment below! 

Josh enjoying the party!

 Grandma Narwold holding her first granddaughter!

 Grandpa Narwold holding Norah Jane for the first time!

 Uncle Josh holding Norah

 The beautiful outdoors

 Josh holding Norah, and Josh's younger brother, Joel.

 Daddy Narwold enjoying his sweet daughter!

 I love Josh and I's rings! <3

 On our way back we stopped at Mar's Cheese Castle. It was pretty neat!