As almost everybody knows, Halloween is this coming Sunday. It's a day where I'm often the "outcast" because I have chosen to have no part of this event. I refuse to call it a holiday because to me, it isn't. The reason it is not is simply because the bible tells me I should have no part of witchcraft. Yes, you can water down the day and argue it's just about having fun with the children and letting them get candy. My counterpoint? We usually go to Chuck E. Cheese or similar, have a blast and I buy a bag of candy for the girls and they are happy. It has nothing to do with halloweeen. In fact, they get to pick the candy they want so it's even cooler than begging door to door (or trunk to trunk if you go to church....don't get me started there).
In researching information on this day and the meaning of it to those who practice witchcraft, this is what I've found:
Samhain / Halloween, our next sabbat on the 31st of October, is the third and final of the three harvest holidays. Samhain is a time to take care of our dead, and to remember the past year. It is traditional on Samhain night to leave a plate of food outside the home for the souls of the dead. A candle placed in the window guides them to the Lands of Eternal Summer, and burying apples in the hard-packed earth "feeds" the passed ones on their journey. Divination is commonplace and Samhain is known as a time of year where the veil 'tween the living and the dead is at it's thinnest. As the nights grow cold, the dark half begins.. (from http://www.witchway.net/)
In response to this, the bible tells this story in Acts 16:16: And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Notice the bible refers to this "talent" as being POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT.
In reading an example of a coven initiation ceremony (© Starhawk; "The Spiral Dance: Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess"; HarperRow 1979 Valiente, Doreen; "Witchcraft for Tomorrow"; Phoenix Publishing 1985), this is an excerpt. At this point where we pick up, the participant is naked after her clothes have been cut away :
The candidate is brought back to the altar. The High Priest kneels and gives her the Five Fold Kiss; that is, he kisses her on both feet, both knees, womb, both breasts, and the lips,starting with the right of each pair. He says, as he does this:
"Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways. Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar. Blessed be thy womb, without which we would not be. Blessed be thy breasts, formed in beauty. Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names."
For the kiss on the lips, they embrace, length-to-length, with their feet touching each others. When he reaches the womb, she spreads her arms wide, and the same after the kiss on the lips.The candidate is then measured with the other piece of cord, from head to toe. The cord is cut. She is then measured around the head and chest and knots are tied to mark these lengths."
**So....she's naked in front of the whole coven and kissed by the "priest" It goes on to say:
"The High Priest then makes an X mark on the initiates forehead,breast and genitals while saying:
"May your mind be free. May your heart be free. May your body be free.
I give you the Craft name of ______"
The rest of the Coven members grab her suddenly, lift her if possible and carry her three times around the Circle, laughing and shrieking. They then lay her face down before the altar and press her into the ground. Gradually the pressure changes to stroking. They chant her new name, raising a Cone of Power over her."
So.....genitals? Breasts? They all press her face first into the ground and then fondle her? Orgy anyone?
This is how witches view halloween:
"Halloween, plain and simple is our favorite time of year. A true time for witches, Witchcraft itself, and Wiccans alike who feel that on this night the separation between the physical and spiritual realities is it's least guarded and it's veil the thinnest. It is a time for dimensional openings and workings, it is a somber holiday, one of dark clothes and thoughts for the dead, it is said to be the time when those of necromantic talents can speak with the dead and it is certainly a time to remember ones own dead. Witches believe it is a time of endings of relationships and bad situations and it is the time when one can see the glimmer of hope in the future. There are as many concepts attached to this holiday as any other, truly a time of remembrance of our ancestors and all those who have gone before."
Quite honestly, the only defense I should need to make for why Christians should not be a part of this "celebration" is found in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (MSG): "When you enter the land that God, your God, is giving you, don't take on the abominable ways of life of the nations there. Don't you dare sacrifice your son or daughter in the fire. Don't practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding séances, or channeling with the dead. People who do these things are an abomination to God. It's because of just such abominable practices that God, your God, is driving these nations out before you. Be completely loyal to God, your God. These nations that you're about to run out of the country consort with sorcerers and witches. But not you. God, your God, forbids it."
You may argue that you aren't practicing any of these things yourself, but notice in the last verse it mentions those that CONSORT with sorcerers and witches. A definition of consort is to associate with. By participating in the high holiday of those who do practice these thing, would you not say it is being associated with them? I know this may seem harsh, but it's time we wake up to all the ways the enemy uses to attack us. By watering down the truth of this day just so we can not be different, we are giving him a foothold into our lives. The truth is, we are CALLED to be different. What kind of witness are we to those living in darkness if we claim to walk in the light of Christ, yet participate in the most "holy" of days for those walking in the dark? Seems like an oxymoron to me.
This is something I am really writing for those who are Christians. Before any of you comment in defense, please take the time to research more, read what the bible has to say about these topics, spend time with God and see what He may want to reveal to you. We each have the option to choose as we wish for our families, but God has clearly told me to have no part in it.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Stuff
I have a confession to make. Last week when I said I was going to clean my room, I didn't really clean my room. However, I did get half of it done on Sunday. So there is some progress being made. What I have realized (and not just recently either) is that I have a lot of stuff. I have closets full of stuff. Cabinets full of stuff. A storage closet in the back of my house that is full of stuff. My car? Yeah, there is some stuff in the trunk there too.
We are a society consumed by stuff. Companies pay thousands and millions of dollars for thirty seconds of commercial time just to sell their stuff. How often have you seen a food commercial and though "wow, I wasn't hungry, but now I'm thinking that looks good." Or the latest "beauty" product and thought "that's it! I have to try that!" Another example I have experienced myself is purchasing a new television. At first I was in awe of the size difference, better picture quality, etc. However, after a few weeks I started to gaze longingly at the bigger, better, newer models in the store. Did something suddenly become wrong with my t.v.? No, it's that we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us we need STUFF. There are even businesses (storage units) that make millions of dollars every year and all they do is store our stuff!
One of my favorite television shows is Hoarders. I can't exactly explain my fascination with this show. In ways it motivates me to clean. In other ways it makes me feel better about all my stuff because I think"well, I'm not THAT bad." Sometimes people are overtaken in their homes by trash. Other times it's because of a shopping addiction and they simply run out of places to put all the stuff. Frequently during the clean up process the owners discover their stuff has been infested with bugs, mold, etc. If only we (myself included) took scripture to heart when it comes to our stuff:
"Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20 NLT
Imagine the decline in security system sales if we no longer stored our treasures here on earth? Until that day comes in our world, I'll start with another trip to donate some of this stuff I've recently uncovered and stay out of Wal-Mart for a while.
We are a society consumed by stuff. Companies pay thousands and millions of dollars for thirty seconds of commercial time just to sell their stuff. How often have you seen a food commercial and though "wow, I wasn't hungry, but now I'm thinking that looks good." Or the latest "beauty" product and thought "that's it! I have to try that!" Another example I have experienced myself is purchasing a new television. At first I was in awe of the size difference, better picture quality, etc. However, after a few weeks I started to gaze longingly at the bigger, better, newer models in the store. Did something suddenly become wrong with my t.v.? No, it's that we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us we need STUFF. There are even businesses (storage units) that make millions of dollars every year and all they do is store our stuff!
One of my favorite television shows is Hoarders. I can't exactly explain my fascination with this show. In ways it motivates me to clean. In other ways it makes me feel better about all my stuff because I think"well, I'm not THAT bad." Sometimes people are overtaken in their homes by trash. Other times it's because of a shopping addiction and they simply run out of places to put all the stuff. Frequently during the clean up process the owners discover their stuff has been infested with bugs, mold, etc. If only we (myself included) took scripture to heart when it comes to our stuff:
"Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20 NLT
Imagine the decline in security system sales if we no longer stored our treasures here on earth? Until that day comes in our world, I'll start with another trip to donate some of this stuff I've recently uncovered and stay out of Wal-Mart for a while.
Healing
While I don't know all of you personally, I would bet that all of you have experienced some type of hurt in your life. For many, it could be as deep as sexual abuse as a child, a parent who left or maybe just wasn't there emotionally, or betrayal by a friend. The list of possible hurts is endless. However, our Father in heaven has seen them all. Not only has He seen them all, He has felt them all. Every time you have cried and felt nobody cared, He saw your tears and His heart broke for your pain. When that person was abusing you, He was crying and shouting NO! She's my daughter. Yet, He also saw your abuser and cried for the path they chose because they are His child too.
Many people live in denial and shame because of their past. The greater the hurt, the deeper the shame. Some of you may even blame yourselves for things that happened that were beyond your control.
My precious sister, it's time to let it go. It's time to let go of the shame and start letting those wounds heal. If a physical wound is covered without attention, it will become infected and eventually affect the rest of the body and could even cause death. The same is true for our emotional wounds. Without dealing with them, they fester. They are toxic to our souls. Without allowing forgiveness to enter, we can never experience the freedom and joy Christ died to give us.
"Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits." Matthew 6:12 MSG
I pray today is the day you choose to send those demons packing and let Christ in to heal your spirit!
I've added this link to an amazing song by Matthew West. I pray it ministers to you today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whb-XSOog8k
Many people live in denial and shame because of their past. The greater the hurt, the deeper the shame. Some of you may even blame yourselves for things that happened that were beyond your control.
My precious sister, it's time to let it go. It's time to let go of the shame and start letting those wounds heal. If a physical wound is covered without attention, it will become infected and eventually affect the rest of the body and could even cause death. The same is true for our emotional wounds. Without dealing with them, they fester. They are toxic to our souls. Without allowing forgiveness to enter, we can never experience the freedom and joy Christ died to give us.
"Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits." Matthew 6:12 MSG
I pray today is the day you choose to send those demons packing and let Christ in to heal your spirit!
I've added this link to an amazing song by Matthew West. I pray it ministers to you today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whb-XSOog8k
True Love
Do you love Jesus? Lower your eyebrows because this is a valid question. Do you REALLY love Jesus? I mean, really LOVE Him? This is something I have been asking myself recently. I was thinking about this earlier this morning and then saw this scene outside my kitchen window:
A man and woman standing outside of their car embracing each other. I watched as they gently kissed each other and then pulled back to look at each other. They were gazing into each others eyes and caressing each others face and hair. Then they hugged each other. Then looked at each other again. Then kissed again. You get the picture.
I wonder if later today someone will ask him or her why they are smiling. I wonder if there will be something different in the look of their faces. I wonder if they will freely tell others of this love in their life. Or, will they not say anything because they don't want to offend anyone by telling them about their love.
As I was watching them, I asked myself if this is the LOVE I have for Jesus? Do I love His presence so much that I am hesitant to leave or do I look at my clock and wonder what I'm going to do next. Do I look into His eyes and rest against His chest as I feel Him caressing my face and hair. When others ask me what is different about me, do I tell them about the greatest love of my life or do I just grin and say "oh, nothing".
"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: YOU HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR FIRST LOVE." Revelation 2: 3-4 (emphasis mine)
My prayer today is that I would return to my first love. That I would not be ashamed of telling others about this love. That I would run to His embrace and not rush to leave Him.
A man and woman standing outside of their car embracing each other. I watched as they gently kissed each other and then pulled back to look at each other. They were gazing into each others eyes and caressing each others face and hair. Then they hugged each other. Then looked at each other again. Then kissed again. You get the picture.
I wonder if later today someone will ask him or her why they are smiling. I wonder if there will be something different in the look of their faces. I wonder if they will freely tell others of this love in their life. Or, will they not say anything because they don't want to offend anyone by telling them about their love.
As I was watching them, I asked myself if this is the LOVE I have for Jesus? Do I love His presence so much that I am hesitant to leave or do I look at my clock and wonder what I'm going to do next. Do I look into His eyes and rest against His chest as I feel Him caressing my face and hair. When others ask me what is different about me, do I tell them about the greatest love of my life or do I just grin and say "oh, nothing".
"You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: YOU HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR FIRST LOVE." Revelation 2: 3-4 (emphasis mine)
My prayer today is that I would return to my first love. That I would not be ashamed of telling others about this love. That I would run to His embrace and not rush to leave Him.
No Comparison
How often do we compare ourselves to others? We look at someone who is on the worship team singing and criticize ourselves for not being able to sing. We see an amazing speaker and think "I wish I could speak like that in front of people!" Or maybe it's in the smaller things.
Personally, housekeeping is something I struggle with. Having a spotless house is just not high on my priority list. However, there are times when I do wish I cared a little bit more! If any of you saw my bedroom in it's current state, you would be tempted to call a reality show to come start filming and back up the dump trucks.
How do you compare yourself to others? Are you so focused on the gifts God has given someone else that you fail to see the gift He has placed inside of you? Maybe you aren't front and center singing on Sunday, but you are in the nursery providing care for a baby so her parents can be ministered to by that person singing. You may not be the speaker that gives an altar call and sees salvations, but you are the person who greeted that person as they walked in the door. Because of your smile, they felt relaxed as soon as they arrived and YOU were the one who placed the key in the door of their heart so Jesus could come and unlock it.
"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. " 1 Corinthians 12:12
Never forget that you and your gift is just as important as the gifts given to others. Without you and your talents, the body cannot function the way God intended. His design in the church and in YOU is perfect. I pray today that you focus more on the gifts He has placed inside of you and take time to unwrap those gifts for His glory!
Now, time for me to go clean my room!
Personally, housekeeping is something I struggle with. Having a spotless house is just not high on my priority list. However, there are times when I do wish I cared a little bit more! If any of you saw my bedroom in it's current state, you would be tempted to call a reality show to come start filming and back up the dump trucks.
How do you compare yourself to others? Are you so focused on the gifts God has given someone else that you fail to see the gift He has placed inside of you? Maybe you aren't front and center singing on Sunday, but you are in the nursery providing care for a baby so her parents can be ministered to by that person singing. You may not be the speaker that gives an altar call and sees salvations, but you are the person who greeted that person as they walked in the door. Because of your smile, they felt relaxed as soon as they arrived and YOU were the one who placed the key in the door of their heart so Jesus could come and unlock it.
"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. " 1 Corinthians 12:12
Never forget that you and your gift is just as important as the gifts given to others. Without you and your talents, the body cannot function the way God intended. His design in the church and in YOU is perfect. I pray today that you focus more on the gifts He has placed inside of you and take time to unwrap those gifts for His glory!
Now, time for me to go clean my room!
Waiting
How many of us like to wait? I'm guessing that if you are like me, the answer is a resounding NO! Personally, I am in a season of waiting. Last Spring, God told me that I was to leave my job of 13 years in the corporate world. He showed me that I need to be home with my daughters and also for reasons He would reveal later.
The end of July, I quit my job. I cashed out everything and have been living on my "retirement". Already I have seen amazing blessings from this obedience. My oldest daughter is doing much better in school and both girls are more secure in their relationship with me. My friendships with other women have blossomed in ways I never imagined. I have been offered ministry opportunities that had I still been working, I would not have been able to accept. However, I'm definitely in a "meantime" season.
I frequently get asked "what are you going to do?". My answer? I. don't. know. What I do know is that God is the one in control, not me. He would not have told me to leave what I saw as secure if He did not have an amazing plan already in place for me. I only wish He would fill me in a little faster than the information is coming!
"For since the beginning of the world, Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him" Isaiah 64:4
You see, I could be quick to find income. I have people suggest ways of earning money on a regular basis. While all of their suggestions and ideas are great and would indeed provide an income, I know that I would be disobedient in taking action if it is not what God has in store for me. Waiting is hard for us. Our society tells us to "seize the day" or "just do it." Scripture tells us differently. God has amazing plans for us, we simply have to step back, give Him room, and wait.
The end of July, I quit my job. I cashed out everything and have been living on my "retirement". Already I have seen amazing blessings from this obedience. My oldest daughter is doing much better in school and both girls are more secure in their relationship with me. My friendships with other women have blossomed in ways I never imagined. I have been offered ministry opportunities that had I still been working, I would not have been able to accept. However, I'm definitely in a "meantime" season.
I frequently get asked "what are you going to do?". My answer? I. don't. know. What I do know is that God is the one in control, not me. He would not have told me to leave what I saw as secure if He did not have an amazing plan already in place for me. I only wish He would fill me in a little faster than the information is coming!
"For since the beginning of the world, Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him" Isaiah 64:4
You see, I could be quick to find income. I have people suggest ways of earning money on a regular basis. While all of their suggestions and ideas are great and would indeed provide an income, I know that I would be disobedient in taking action if it is not what God has in store for me. Waiting is hard for us. Our society tells us to "seize the day" or "just do it." Scripture tells us differently. God has amazing plans for us, we simply have to step back, give Him room, and wait.
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