What's a God-Follower to do with Halloween?

This time of year is truly my favorite. The weather alone, with it's crisp cold mornings, and it's overcast skies, reminds me of growing up in Oregon. I just like it. It's also the time of year all five of my children have their birthdays, so that's pretty neat. I love the holidays too, so the thought of Thanksgiving and Christmas being just around the corner is also wonderful. I just really love this time of year... with one exception: I've never been a fan of Halloween.

I realize that it's the second biggest commercialized holiday, as far as selling stuff. I also get that it's a blast to go to parties and dress up in costumes. And whoever doesn't like candy, especially free candy, has got an issue that perhaps can only be dealt with through 'much prayer'. However, in spite of all that... I just hate this day. 

Those that know me well, know that I'm not the Bible-thumping guy that condemns stuff very often. I'm just not that guy. Be that as it may, I am asked often, especially by young parents, about this holiday, so I hope you'll keep reading and hear my heart.

First, a bit of background. [Truthfully, if you research the Internet, by typing: 'Halloween and the Christian's Response', you'll be inundated with information. If that's your thing, then this short description will only wet your appetite, and that's fine. It's not really my purpose of this blog.] The Roman Catholic Church established October 31st as 'All Holy Mass' in 800 AD. They had already established November 1st to be "All Saints Day" and November 2nd to be "All Souls Day" around the year 350 AD. These days were days to literally 'think about the dead'. All Saints Day was a day for them to set aside and consider the lives of the saints that had passed, to appreciate their lives and ministries. The next day, 'All Souls Day' was a day set aside to consider others that had passed, those that weren't necessarily saints, but perhaps good people that a person knew personally in life. These two days, then, were set aside to think about the dead. The night preceding these two days, October 31st became a night to prepare oneself for thinking about the dead, thus 'All Holy Mass' or 'All Holy Eve' or 'All Hallows Eve' or "Halloween".

All of this is simply a brief overview, again for more information - look it up. However, as nice as all this sounds, truthfully it was simply a way to 'Christianize' a day and time that was already being celebrated for hundreds of years. Many years previous the Druids had chosen November 1st as their Occultic New Year, also called "Winter Samhain'. Samhain was believed to be 'the lord of the dead' and on the eve of Winter Samhain, it was believed that the spirits of the dead roamed the earth, especially in places like cemetaries and such. These spirits were said to have many times inhabited animals, and were particularly in favor of possessing black cats. It was said that whenever you saw a black cat arch it's back, you were witnessing a spirit who wasn't so happy. Folks would gather on these nights and light large bon-fires, dress up as various animals, and dance around in hopes of keeping the 'evil' spirits from getting near them (apparently everybody knows that evil spirits hate bon-fires). There, supposedly, has been accounts of child sacrifices happening on these nights, and people placing turnips (pumpkins) on their door steps to ward off other evil stuff. As the years passed, other rituals became known and regular customs, such as bobbing for apples (which had a meaning having to do with infertility), placing sweet cakes on the porch (called 'soul cakes') to appease evil spirits, and so on. It's important to note that these were very real beliefs to people, and this night was a dreaded night of terror and darkness for many. They lived in fear on this night.

These beliefs had become so prevalent to so many people, that the Roman Catholic Church wanted to make the best of a very dark situation, and thus they created the 'holidays' I've previously described. So, what does this mean for us today?

Let me say, that I believe that God is deadly serious about His followers being involved with anything that resembles witchcraft. The Old Testament Book of Deuteronomy has a law that addresses some of this stuff, and I believe, is very much still applicable to those that have a heart to follow God today. It's found in Deuteronomy 18:9-12, and declares: "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable customs of those nations. No one among you is to make his son or daughter pass through the fire, practice divination, tell fortunes, interpret omens, practice sorcery, cast spells, consult a medium or a familiar spirit, or inquire of the dead. Everyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and the Lord your God is driving out the nations before you because of these detestable things."

Many of the founding fathers of the country of America felt strongly about NOT celebrating this particular 'holiday'. It was forbidden in much of the 'new world', and a group called the 'Puritans' went so far as to hunt down and kill people that were thought to be involved. Do I think they were right in doing some of these things? No. History tells us that many women were murdered during this period of time, and it was nothing but the religious people doing what religious people seem to have always done, and that is react to sin by condemning sinners, rather than loving them into the arms of Jesus. But that's my opinion.

I do think that we've gone pretty far in the other direction. We don't burn witches anymore, but we do 'exalt' them. If you think about it honestly, we celebrate pretty dark things, don't we? We 'exalt' musicians who use Occultic things as their 'shtick', and dark subjects and themes have saturated our culture. Movies and television shows depicting witches, vampires, zombies are absolutely the 'norm'. It sorta seems like a far divergence from the command in Exodus 22:18 that states: "You shall not allow a witch (sorceress) to live".

"Okay, but Michael... what about 'grace'?"

Yeah. What about it?

Last year, in our little town, a church had a Christian alternative to Halloween and there appeared a group of protesters holding signs that condemned them, such as, "There's No Candy In Hell".

Is that the answer?

"What are you going to do, Pastor Michael? How have you dealt with this holiday with your kids? Are you going to darken your house, by turning off the porch lights, and if by chance some little pirate or princess or Captain America comes and rings your doorbell, are you going to shoo them away and say 'We don't believe in Halloween!'"

What is the God-follower's response to be?

Ready for my answer. I'm going to do what I've done each year of my life that I've been passionately in love with Jesus Christ. I will seek God's direction, and endeavor to hear His voice on the subject... yet again.

I won't get caught up in the Halloween spirit, but rather be guided by the Holy Spirit on what I should do. James 1:5 states, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

If the Lord leads you to totally ignore this holiday, right on. I take my hat off to you and say a hearty 'amen'!

If you feel the Lord convicting you to be a light in your neighborhood, your community, and leave the porch light on and hand out candy to all the kids, with a big smile and a "God bless you, be safe!" If that's your conviction, after praying it through, then I applaud that too!

If you are not going to give away candy, but instead are going to give away an 'alleged' Gospel tract... I have a problem with that... unless it's attached to the biggest stinking candy-bar they sell. THAT might get someone to read it. (As long as it's not a tract that promotes the condemning of Halloween or some other 'thing', and it shines a light on the Light of the World, JESUS).

The Bible teaches us that whatever we do, in word or in deed, do all to the glory of God. I like that. What I'm suggesting is that you and I simply be aware of what's going on and ask the Lord to show us what is right in His sight for our families.

He might lead you into other alternatives or give you the freedom to go trick-or-treating with your kids. I sure won't fight you on that, or condemn you for it, as long as you've prayed about it sincerely, saying, "Lord, I love You... and I want what You want for me and my family in this situation."

I truly believe that God loves it when we go to Him with our questions like this. His heart is not to bum us out, but to bring us closer to Him... in all things.

"Man, Michael... I read this really long blog and thought you'd tell us what to do. This sucks."

I am. Walk in the Spirit.

This is a major principle of the New Covenant prophesied about in Jeremiah 31:31-34. "...I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people...". God's laws - God's commands - are not only written in tablets of stone, but on the tablet of flesh that is your and my heart. His Holy Spirit resides within us, and can lead us into all truth.

That's awesome.

Now, if you said, "Michael, I just have this peace and good feeling about getting some extra cash by going into the local convenience store and robbing it." Well... then I've got a problem, because the Bible is very clear about stealing. That's right there in black and white (and red for that matter). But the truth is, I can't find a verse that says, "Thou shalt not let your child trick or treat!"

Yeah, but Michael, doesn't it say in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."? 

Yes, it does. I LOVE that verse! But what does that mean in this situation? You and I must let the Holy Spirit reveal to us and guide us in all truth even as Jesus said that He would.

So there you have it. If anyone is still reading all this at this point, I'll be sorta surprised. I realize that there are a multiple of beautiful God-loving people that will greatly disagree with me, and my stance here. That's okay. I love you.

I pray that each of you do have a safe October 31st, and that, although we'll be surrounded by skeletons, witches, goblins, zombies and other stuff that symbolizes 'death'... that you and I will forever be a reflection of the One Who declares Himself, "the Light of the world".

TICKER TREAT: How To Do Your Heart A Favor

We’re stressed out! I don’t think it’s just because we are coming up on the holiday season, although that is an extremely stressful time for many. People of all walks of life, are experiencing stress like never before. Stress about finances, health issues, relationship issues, work issues, and even political issues. There sure seems to be a lot to be anxious about these days! I heard recently a dentist describe how he was seeing more and more cases of people who are grinding their teeth, a symptom of anxiety and stress – so people aren’t just stressed while they’re awake anymore! Besides causing you to lose your hair early, infertility, acne, major mood swings, it has also been linked to cancer, lung ailments, accidents, liver cirrhosis, and suicide. Stress has been called “the silent killer” and can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain, and an irregular heartbeat.

In light of the stress that I feel is happening all around me, and in my own life… I approached this week’s text. In it, I find Jesus teaching on the simple concept of humility. He shares a quick story, and then gives a very practical application… that I believe, speaks to the exact place that many of us find ourselves today. Simply put: the opposite of stress… is tranquility. And humility leads to tranquility. What if we could do ourselves a huge service? What if we could keep ourselves from all the horrific consequences of anxiety and stress? What if we could do our physical heart a favor, (give our ‘ticker’ a ‘treat’) by taking some practical advice from Jesus that is sure to put us on the path to tranquility and peace?

Luke 14:7-11 – HCSB

7 He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t recline at the best place, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host. 9 The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in humiliation, you will proceed to take the lowest place.

10 “But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ You will then be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

I read this and the obvious application is that we should strive to be humble… we should endeavor to give up always having to be first. And that is certainly something we should be trying to do… even though it can be very difficult. It’s difficult, because we like to be comfortable. We enjoy… what WE enjoy. It’s hard to say ‘no’ to what we want, in order to allow someone else to have what THEY want. But that’s Jesus’ definition of humility here.

Much like the time where Jesus said that the ‘last would be first, and the first would be last’, Jesus here says that the one who goes out of their way to humble themselves… will be exalted.

However… is that really the reason we should strive to humble ourselves? Do we strive to be last, in order to play God’s little mind-game, knowing that in the end we’ll end up first? Do we give up the places of honor, because deep down we know that we’re going to end up looking really good to everyone else… we’re going to be… exalted?

In other words, is ‘exaltation’ the motivation for us being humble? Seems odd to me…

I don’t think it is... and I don't think that is what Jesus meant. I do think it’s an inevitable fact for those who are sincerely humble… but being honored certainly isn’t the goal. If it were, then is it really humility?

Matthew 11:28-30…

 “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Many of us know this verse well. Jesus is talking to people then… and today… who are weary and burdened… people who are stressed. And He says, “I will give you rest”. Awesome, right? My response to this: “Thanks Jesus, that sounds super great… but truthfully… when? How? Practically, how do I come to You and find rest? I’m not saying I don’t need it, because I do big time… but that sorta sounds like a nice sentiment… I’m just not really seeing anyone practically do it, because everyone I know… even the Christians… are weary and burdened.”

But verse 29 says, “…take up My yoke” – that’s the part we always concentrate on, right. We describe what a yoke is… and that’s great. But read on… He then says, “…learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart”. It’s like Jesus is saying, ‘Hey I want you all to learn something here! Here’s today’s lesson to be learned… Are you ready? “Be yoked to Me… be exactly LIKE Me… go the exact same direction I’M GOING.”

What’s that? “I am gentle and humble”.

That’s the lesson. Be gentle and humble. And apparently, when we really learn that lesson… we do our hearts a favor… we lose stress… we find rest. Humility leads to tranquility.

Did you know that the ONLY TIME Jesus spoke of His own character… His ONLY AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL statement is this one: “I am gentle and humble in heart”. That’s it.

Psalm 131:1-3

“1 Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. 2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother;I am like a little child.3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.”

David wrote this, and ancient rabbis and scholars tell us exactly when he did. We’re told (in 2 Samuel chapter 7) that David wanted to build a Temple for the ark of the covenant. He deeply desired to build a ‘house of God’, which sounds like an awesome thing, right? So, David tells the prophet Nathan about his desires and Nathan thinks it’s an awesome idea too, and says, “Go for it. Do all that’s in your heart. God is with you” (verse 3). But then something interesting happens; that very night Nathan has a dream and the Lord speaks to him and tells him that he needs to deliver a message to David.

The message is basically, God doesn’t want you to build the Temple. God is saying ‘no’ to your dreams and your desires… even though it sounds like a really awesome idea, God says that you are not the man for the job. However, whenever God shuts a door, He often opens a window, and Nathan goes on to say that one of David’s descendants will indeed build the house of the Lord, and that the house would live forever! It was going to be something way better than he could ever imagine.

That was a Messianic prophecy… Nathan was speaking of a future descendant of David’s, named Jesus, who would indeed set up the house of God within the hearts of men and women, and that would last forever! But that’s another story…

What stands out to me today, is David’s response. David could have said, “I can’t do what I want to do?! I'm the king! I’m trying to serve You, God… and do something good! I already received Nathan’s blessing… now I’m being told ‘no’!?”

But David didn’t say that. Instead he writes Psalm 131…

Psalm 131:1-3

“1 Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. 2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.”

He says, “I won’t get involved with stuff that isn’t my concern… stuff too great for me. I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child…”. That is a Hebrew word-picture, called an idiom. The idea of ‘weaned child’ is a ‘content, peaceful, and happy child’.

A child who isn’t being weaned is a picture of discontentment. It’s the child that is whiny and crying and DEMANDING. “I want my milk NOW!”

A weaned child doesn’t demand from the Lord, but delights in the Lord.

David is saying, “I’m content. I really wanted this dream to happen… but I see, Lord that You have a bigger, better dream in mind. WAY bigger than little-ol-me. So, I’m good with it. I’ll give up having to have my way. In this case, I don’t need to be at the head of the table… the place of honor… that’s for You.”

You see, Humility leads to Tranquility.

Gang, this is HOW we are supposed to be thinking. This is to be our mind-set. It was David’s. It was also Jesus’. Last verse, please turn to Philippians…

Philippians 2:2-9

“fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name”

Interesting. Why was Jesus highly exalted? ‘For this reason’ Paul says, ‘He humbled Himself’. Sounds a little like our text in Luke 14:11, “…and the one who humbles himself will be exalted”.

May you and I be those that “make our attitudes that of Christ Jesus”. May we consider humility and may it lead us to tranquility… to peace… to heart-health… to bringing Jesus massive amounts of honor.

You can listen to this sermon by visiting www.DesperationChurch.org and clicking on 'Resources', which will take you to the podcast section of our church's web-site. God bless.