 | |
| Image borrowed from HERE |
The time of year that has me evaluating my beliefs and questioning my thoughts because of the strong opinions on either side regarding "Christians and Halloween."
I am happy to report that I still feel called to LOVE MY NEIGHBORS MORE THAN MYSELF.
When I read blogs, and comments, and facebook posts, and notes it gets me all a flutter worrying if I am EVIL by "participating" in this evil day...and I have decided no more evil than I am when I put up that Christmas Tree.
Oh, I am NOT here to debate...I am sure I am evil. AND
*correction click to see commenter's blog for details about why I am not evil ;)
I think Jesus will be disappointed in many of the choices that I make. The fact that I am rich by the worlds standards and do little to help those in need will probably be higher on the list of his concerns than the fact that I did not turn off my light and shut out my neighbors. [sarcasm intended]
Here's the deal though "I'm redeemed" Everyday is the Lords day! I choose to define myself by Whose I am than what I "do".
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”
― Brennan Manning, Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging
It benefits my community for my family to have our photo booth and gift basket. It benefits me to GET OUT and do SOMETHING for my neighbors.
I don't need anyone to think what we do is awesome...because truly...it's small awesome compared to the HUGE sucky individuals we are. I don't care if people think our participation is wrong...because in my heart of hearts I am serving the ONE TRUE GOD! It's not for "you" to judge.
It's nice. It's costly. It's a small something we do to show LOVE to our neighbors.
I was afraid my health would interfere this year...but I am happy to report that MISSIONAL HALLOWEEN is in full swing! I have so much to do to get ready!
I am not 100% but for the last 2 days I have felt human again. I am still numb, slight headache. That's it. Just dealing and ready to SERVE!
Here are a few posts about the issue:
This is the original post that got me thinking--(this one is reposted for 2011):
Jesus With His Light Out On Halloween
Another blog that encouraged me:
Sent Into the Harvest Halloween on Mission
My original post:
Missional Halloween
Follow-up post:
Follow-up Missional Halloween 2009
To be fair---
Some of the information that lead us to NOT participate years ago:
Tricked by Treats
I don't celebrate Halloween-I celebrate the chance to get to love on His beloved!
6 comments:
This is a great post! And I know what you mean...this year, I'll be working on Halloween, so I don't even have anything to debate.
Love this! I think this is a really great thing you are doing! :)
You GO girl! That's what Jesus said to do! GO!
You do not need to justify what you are doing. (as I read your post, that's what it seems like you are doing.) If you are doing what God says to do, then do it!
Do it in the power of the Holy Spirit which is inside of you!
Also, I wrote a blog post dedicated to you. I ...suggest... you go read it. As you do, picture me with pom poms doing a GOD CHEER!
http://homeward4.blogspot.com/2011/10/for-my-girlfriends.html
:)Janet
This is one of those times where I WISH I can remember book, chapter, and verse, and I'll try and find it...BUT, when the apostle Paul went to different countries and stuff, he ministered to the people and oft times ministered on THEIR level. Not that he allowed himself to become pagan or whatever the deal was, but he would find certain nuances in the culture and use that as a tool to bring everything back around to Jesus. Your way of handling Halloween with the gift basket and raffle and all that (which IS cool) is no more than doing what Paul did: taking something from a sinful culture and using as a tool to bring it back to what matters: Jesus Christ! It's like Christ said: it's not what goes in that is unclean, but what comes out. And what is coming out of your heart in this gift basket deal has NOTHING to do with Halloween, but has everything to do with Jesus and you're just using the opportunity of seeing people you'd otherwise not meet as a platform to get that message out and THAT'S what counts. (gets off soap box and goes back to bed) I love you Jen Poe!
LOL! Correction link~ That's a good one!
:)
I hope your day is going well.
Janet
Where ya been girl?
:)
Janet
Post a Comment