Growing up, sometimes we were aloud to dress up and go trick-or-treating, sometimes we went to a party and some years halloween was totally taboo. I would get so upset at this inconsistency, but now I can totally relate to my parents and their utter confusion regarding this topic.
So.. with this controversial holiday just around the corner, I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I personally feel about it and I thought I might offer some insight to parents in the same boat.
I will start by saying that I have heard a number of things regarding how the holiday started, the intentions behind it and the significance of the day itself. It 's complicated, at best, to really get down to the bottom of it.
I do know that October 31st has been speculated by some to be a night with significantly more demonic activity (read up on Perry Stone's website/ youtube if you are interested in the breakdown and other dates throughout the year with the same reputation. If I recall correctly, it was a teaching entitled "10 things the devil doesn't want you to know." I do believe he is a well studied man, and I find his teaching to be quite insightful.)
Anyhow.. The recent trend has been churches hosting large "harvest festivals" in place of "Halloween." I put it in quotations because I feel it's the same thing with a different name. Kids dress up, get candy, have fun. On one occasion a friend of mine with school-aged children seemed somewhat irritated that her mother took her kids to one of these festivals. Her complaint was "why not just celebrate Halloween?" And I kind of agreed with her. But still, I didn't come to a conclusion in my mind about how God feels about it or how I should, until a few weeks ago.
Fear. I have heard that God tells us "do not fear" 365 times in his word (no, I have not counted for myself). I also know He tells us that He has not given us a spirit of fear. With this in mind, why in the world would I want to let myself or my children participate in anything that makes fear acceptable and even desirable? I will not watch horror movies, go to haunted houses or do the monster mash (ok.. jk!) But honestly, the harvest festival thing is a great alternative.
I think, for the most part, people have enough decency to not show up with their 4-year-old dressed like a grim reaper. I say if it's about having fun and celebrating the good things in life (like candy) go for it!
And as for demonic activity..
1. I know who my protector is no matter what day of the year, and
2. The whole point here is not to be fearful. Fear itself is not of or from God and opening yourself to it is absolutely paralyzing.
In hopes of not being a fun-sucker,
Lindsay
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
It's in the Differences
It's been a while!
Since I last wrote Allen and I have settled into a new living space (still at home with my parents), given birth to a beautiful baby boy, taken a trip to see the other side of the family and moved Ira into his own room. Maybe that explains why I haven't been able to sit down long enough to write. If it doesn't, imagine housework for 6 people, breast feedings at least every 3 hours, diaper changes for 2 and OH YEAH! a kitchen remodel underway. Life is non-stop and I'm loving every minute.
What I really have to say today is not an original idea. As I said jokingly (or not so jokingly) to my family, the Lord told it to me twice so He must have wanted me to get it into my head.
It all started with pearls. If you know anything about them, you know that they are formed in a oyster as a reaction to an irritation. Pearls are such a precious and beautiful gem. The ones formed organically (rather than cultured pearls) are even more rare and special. The reflection here is that, in our own lives, it is the irritations in life that God produces something beautiful in us.
Let's be honest, most of our irritations in life are caused by people.
The problem is they're just not like us, right? I mean, why can't everyone see things the way I do, or react like I would in every situation?
Because 1. That would be really boring and 2. We would never grow.
Instead of applying these facts, because we all know them already, we assume we were put here on Earth to educate everyone we come in contact with into our way of thinking. HA! I'm going to help you skip a few chapters (because I have read them over and over). Usually the people who make you want to throw something heavy at them are the ones you need in your life the most. They are there to make you uncomfortable (not in a creepy way) and to open your mind a little.
The Bible talks about iron sharpening iron (proverbs 17:27), and we would be wise to realize that's not always a fun process.
Examine your life today, who are you trying to fix? Thank God for them, shut your mouth for a moment and take in what they have to say. Think of it as speeding up the process and getting your pearl a little sooner.
Sincerely Irritated-
Lindsay
Since I last wrote Allen and I have settled into a new living space (still at home with my parents), given birth to a beautiful baby boy, taken a trip to see the other side of the family and moved Ira into his own room. Maybe that explains why I haven't been able to sit down long enough to write. If it doesn't, imagine housework for 6 people, breast feedings at least every 3 hours, diaper changes for 2 and OH YEAH! a kitchen remodel underway. Life is non-stop and I'm loving every minute.
What I really have to say today is not an original idea. As I said jokingly (or not so jokingly) to my family, the Lord told it to me twice so He must have wanted me to get it into my head.
It all started with pearls. If you know anything about them, you know that they are formed in a oyster as a reaction to an irritation. Pearls are such a precious and beautiful gem. The ones formed organically (rather than cultured pearls) are even more rare and special. The reflection here is that, in our own lives, it is the irritations in life that God produces something beautiful in us.
Let's be honest, most of our irritations in life are caused by people.
The problem is they're just not like us, right? I mean, why can't everyone see things the way I do, or react like I would in every situation?
Because 1. That would be really boring and 2. We would never grow.
Instead of applying these facts, because we all know them already, we assume we were put here on Earth to educate everyone we come in contact with into our way of thinking. HA! I'm going to help you skip a few chapters (because I have read them over and over). Usually the people who make you want to throw something heavy at them are the ones you need in your life the most. They are there to make you uncomfortable (not in a creepy way) and to open your mind a little.
The Bible talks about iron sharpening iron (proverbs 17:27), and we would be wise to realize that's not always a fun process.
Examine your life today, who are you trying to fix? Thank God for them, shut your mouth for a moment and take in what they have to say. Think of it as speeding up the process and getting your pearl a little sooner.
Sincerely Irritated-
Lindsay
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