The word Halloween comes from All Hallows Eve, which was the evening before a religious holiday in Medieval England that became known as All Saints' Day. It was a time set aside by the church to commemorate its saints.Today's celebration of Halloween, however, is more closely related to pagan customs that originated in ancient Europe. The Druids believed that the spirits of the dead returned to their former haunts during the night of October 31, so they lit torches and set out food for these unwelcome visitors. They did this out of fear, thinking they would be harmed if they didn't.
The Bible warns against all dabbling in the occult and preoccupation with witches and ghosts. What then can Christians do? Most of the churches in the Best Southwest area are holding "Fall Festivals" or "Trunk or Treat" nights as an alternative. Invite your neighbors and take your children to these activities.
In a way, these activities are calling to mind the sufficiency of God's grace in the lives of His people. Yes, the example set by that great "cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1 encourages our faith. Remembering them on Halloween can remind us of the triumph of trusting the Lord.
The greatest gift anyone can give us is a godly example!
10/30/07
10/27/07
Forgiven
I'm forgiven
Now I have a reason for livin'
Jesus keeps givin' and givin'
Givin' till my heart over flows...
I'm forgiven - blows me away! Do you ever just stop and think about what that means?
First it means that I am accountable for my actions. Even if the world says things are acceptable that isn't the final authority. The worlds values keep changing so there has to be an absolute someplace. At some point there has to be a line between right and wrong and I would suggest that line is found in Scripture.
Next it means that when I do mess up - and I will - that there is a power greater than man that can give absolution and forgiveness. What's that verse... which is easier to say,'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? (Matthew 9:5) A physician can help a man walk again, but I have not yet met a mere mortal that could forgive sin.
The result of all this? Joy that makes the heart leap (Psalm 28:7) as it overflows in praises to Him.
Yes, I am forgiven and now I have a reason for living ...
Thank you Jesus.
Now I have a reason for livin'
Jesus keeps givin' and givin'
Givin' till my heart over flows...
I'm forgiven - blows me away! Do you ever just stop and think about what that means?
First it means that I am accountable for my actions. Even if the world says things are acceptable that isn't the final authority. The worlds values keep changing so there has to be an absolute someplace. At some point there has to be a line between right and wrong and I would suggest that line is found in Scripture.
Next it means that when I do mess up - and I will - that there is a power greater than man that can give absolution and forgiveness. What's that verse... which is easier to say,'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? (Matthew 9:5) A physician can help a man walk again, but I have not yet met a mere mortal that could forgive sin.
The result of all this? Joy that makes the heart leap (Psalm 28:7) as it overflows in praises to Him.
Yes, I am forgiven and now I have a reason for living ...
Thank you Jesus.
Quote
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
-- 1 John 2:17
-- 1 John 2:17
10/24/07
Encourage
This summer I became Director of Women's Ministry at my church. During the first few weeks I began to hear criticism about ministries I was developing. People were telling me I wasn't doing things the way it should be done. Some of the men said they would be talking with staff about my leadership. Then my Pastor sent me an email. "Uh-oh," I thought, "Here it comes."
The email said, "I want you to know that I think you are doing a great job. You're doing exactly what we asked you to do. Just keep at it." My attitude was changed and my confidence came back. My head was held high and my heart was singing. I began to work with renewed joy, and now the Women's Ministry is beginning to grow numerically and more important spiritually.
Paul told the Roman believers that he wanted to see them so they could encourage each other (1:11-12). You and I know how helpful that can be. We all appreciate an arm around the shoulder or a kind word.
If you've received some unexpected encouragement today, thank God for it. And when the Holy Spirit leads you to encourage someone, go ahead and do it. Be an encourager. Both of you will be glad you did.
"The power in words can build up or tear down
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say."
—Fitzhugh
"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Romans 1:11-12
The email said, "I want you to know that I think you are doing a great job. You're doing exactly what we asked you to do. Just keep at it." My attitude was changed and my confidence came back. My head was held high and my heart was singing. I began to work with renewed joy, and now the Women's Ministry is beginning to grow numerically and more important spiritually.
Paul told the Roman believers that he wanted to see them so they could encourage each other (1:11-12). You and I know how helpful that can be. We all appreciate an arm around the shoulder or a kind word.
If you've received some unexpected encouragement today, thank God for it. And when the Holy Spirit leads you to encourage someone, go ahead and do it. Be an encourager. Both of you will be glad you did.
"The power in words can build up or tear down
Create a big smile or produce a sad frown;
So in all your contacts with people each day,
Be sure to encourage in all that you say."
—Fitzhugh
"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Romans 1:11-12
10/11/07
One At A Time
My pastor always tells us, "Give someone a look, a word, and a touch." I think that is a good place to start, but maybe we need to take it one more step.
We all want to make the world a better place, but often all we do is wait for someone else to make things change. The job just seems too big. So what if we decided in addition to the "look, word, and touch" that we would do at least one thing to change just one person's life?
What if we did that one thing in the name of Jesus, who said that providing physical help would be the same as helping our Savior Himself (Matthew 25:35-36)? What if we reached out to one person with food, or clothing, or transportation? And what if that person, wondering about our motive, asks why we helped? We could then help change that person's life for eternity by introducing him or her to the Savior.
Can we change the world? We can start by changing one life, in Jesus' name.
"There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves." Lucy Maud Montgomery
We all want to make the world a better place, but often all we do is wait for someone else to make things change. The job just seems too big. So what if we decided in addition to the "look, word, and touch" that we would do at least one thing to change just one person's life?
What if we did that one thing in the name of Jesus, who said that providing physical help would be the same as helping our Savior Himself (Matthew 25:35-36)? What if we reached out to one person with food, or clothing, or transportation? And what if that person, wondering about our motive, asks why we helped? We could then help change that person's life for eternity by introducing him or her to the Savior.
Can we change the world? We can start by changing one life, in Jesus' name.
"There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves." Lucy Maud Montgomery
10/8/07
Witness for Christ with Your Life
Recently, a colleague and I were having our morning caffeine sitting outside at Starbucks. With a light breeze blowing, the setting was quiet, calm, and peaceful.
At a nearby table, a man sat quietly reading his Bible. He was absorbed in the text, occasionally looking up to consider what he had read. He never said a word, but his heart and priorities were visible to everyone. It was a gentle, positive, silent witness. He was not ashamed of Christ or His Book. He neither preached a sermon nor sang a song. He was willing to be identified with the Savior, yet he did not need to announce that allegiance.
In our attempts to share the message of Jesus, we must eventually use words, because ultimately words are needed to present the gospel. But we can also learn from the example of this man.
There are times when the quietness of our everyday actions speak loudly, revealing our love for the Lord. In our desire to share Christ with a broken world, let’s not ignore the power of our silent witness.
Witness for Christ with your life as well as your lips.Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, . . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
—Philippians 1:27
At a nearby table, a man sat quietly reading his Bible. He was absorbed in the text, occasionally looking up to consider what he had read. He never said a word, but his heart and priorities were visible to everyone. It was a gentle, positive, silent witness. He was not ashamed of Christ or His Book. He neither preached a sermon nor sang a song. He was willing to be identified with the Savior, yet he did not need to announce that allegiance.
In our attempts to share the message of Jesus, we must eventually use words, because ultimately words are needed to present the gospel. But we can also learn from the example of this man.
There are times when the quietness of our everyday actions speak loudly, revealing our love for the Lord. In our desire to share Christ with a broken world, let’s not ignore the power of our silent witness.
Witness for Christ with your life as well as your lips.Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, . . . stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
—Philippians 1:27
10/6/07
The Prayer of St. Francis
"O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light,
and Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."
Francis's prayer calls to my mind Paul's admonition in Colossians 3:12-17.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
--Colossians 3: 12-17
Like Francis, we live in a fractured, contentious world were compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and peace are in short supply. As disciples of Christ we are called to be witness to His grace, His love, and His peace in word and deed.
By
Dr. Stephen Stookey
May the words of the Apostle Paul and the prayer of a wandering beggar for Christ challenge you and me to demonstrate Christ-likeness in all we do, in word or deed.
10/5/07
10/4/07
Quote
Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope... The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose. -- Rick Warren
10/2/07
Quote
Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
10/1/07
Quote
Pride is the utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness. -- John Climacus
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