Harvest, Halloween, and Fall Festivals

I've read dozens of articles about Halloween, harvest celebrations, and fall festivals.  It seems that Christendom is greatly divided over these issues.  Is there a definitive answer to what is right and what is wrong?  I'll be honest: I used to think so, but now my answer is different than it once was.

I do not celebrate Halloween, nor will our children.  That is because it is a day that has no root in Christianity and much of what happens on it seems innocent but is rooted in traditions that have nothing to do with God or good.  I cannot and will not support this day.  Perhaps my strong feelings come from my experiences with the darker side of Halloween and others without this experience will not feel as passionately as I about this issue.

However, I do know that the Bible clearly says that light has no fellowship with darkness, we are to come out from the world and not be of it, and that we are not to be a part of all that it has to offer.  I don't think of my choice as legalistic, nor is it being bound up by fear instead of walking in freedom.  It is a conviction placed on my heart by the Holy Spirit and I am accountable for my obedience.

What about taking the kids to a Harvest Party?  Again, totally not a fan.  And not because I think that the harvest is inherently evil, but because of the double standard it sends to my young children.  "OK, kids, we are not going to dress up and Trick-or-Treat because Halloween is not a day that glorifies God and we shouldn't take part in it ... but let's dress up and go get candy on a church property.  As long as it's at a religious institution and not in our neighborhoods it's not compromise or sin; it's fine!"
Really???  I don't see that as setting a solid example.

It's communicating to our children that simply because we don't want them to miss out on a fun experience we are going to create a "Christian" version of it for them.

We have never been called to imitate the world, nor have the children of God been called to re-create an invention of the enemy.  Satan is not the enemy of God, but he is the enemy of the children of God.  He has been trying to entice us to compromise since the beginning of time.  GOD is the Creator, and He has created all good things that we need for life and godliness.

BUT ... I do see Fall Festivals as being potentially beautiful things!  It is a night when we can open the doors of the church, have loving people milling around ready to talk to and serve those who show up, and witness to those who might otherwise never be open to appearing at a place of worship.  It can be an opportunity to minister, to pray, to build relationships, and to reach out to people.  After all, people are the heartbeat of God.  However, it needs to be done in the right way.  If the focus is simply entertaining children, fellowshipping with friends, and creating a "Christian" experience for a worldly holiday then we have missed the opportunity given to us.


I was blessed to be a part of a church that I believe caught the heart of God and used innovation and inspiration to reach their community when I first started out in ministry.  This body of believers opened the doors of the church and had games, dances, skits and more on the inside.  Outside there were tables with hot apple cider and hot cocoa.  This church was in its neighborhood, reaching out to the people who lived around it (a beautiful thing, and a message all on its own for another blog!).  It met the needs of its people in a practical way and afforded those of us ministering a wau to touch and talk with many, many people who never came on a Sunday.  We weren't there to talk to each other, to give our kids a pseudo-Halloween, or to compromise our standards in a way that removed feelings of guilt.  Our purpose was to REACH OUT. 


If a festival is done in such a way that it affords the people of God an avenue to reach out to those loved by the Father but who do not know Him, it is a tremendous opportunity.  However, in spite of this, many churches focus on bigger being better and get the numbers ... but never reach the souls.  That breaks my heart, and I'm sure the heart of the Father is waiting for us to catch a bigger vision than we already have.


As for as me and my house, well ... until our children are old enough to understand the difference between a compromise in standards and reaching out, we are going to sit out.  I believe there will be a day (and soon!) that God will show us practical ways to use this day as we do others to reach out to those in our neighborhood.  I anticipate it with joy and am even now praying for next year when we might be able to put feet to the ideas in our hearts.


What do you think?

Why The Emotions???

Have you ever thought about the things that wring an emotional response from you?  

It's something I've been contemplating a lot as of late.  On my facebook page I often share where I am at a particular place in time ... a thought about marriage, child rearing, homemaking, current events, or just my own personal thoughts at that moment in time.  Sometimes it generates conversation and at other times it gets completely overlooked by others.  And yet other times... Well, let's just say that I've started to find out just how passionately some people are about certain issues.

It kind of baffles me.  Yesterday I found myself actually crying over misconceptions that people had over things I'd asked about because of how I had apparently hurt them and didn't even realize I had done so.  So this morning I've been praying and mulling over why people get so emotionally invested in certain issues.  I don't have an answer yet, but I was wondering:


What do you get emotional about?
Do you think your emotions add to your credibility, or do they sometimes make others tune out your very valid points?
How do you handle your emotions? (do you vent, hold them in, pray about them, or let them erupt?)
What do you do when you elicit emotional responses from others?

For me, emotional issues include God, abortion/life, and life-controlling addictions (eating disorders, drug abuse, alcoholism, occultic involvement, etc).  Pretty much everything else I can stay fairly logical on.  Why?  I guess because I am certain of my convictions and I try my hardest never to make an issue about a person, but keep it about the issue itself.  The reason I get emotional talking to someone about God is because HE is not an issue, and neither is the need of a person for Him ... those are real things with eternal consequences.  The same holds true with abortion and addictions; they alter the lives of many people and need to be dealt with passionately -- with LOVE!

A wise friend pointed out that we shouldn't get offended when people ask questions, even if they go against our belief system.  We should instead value the opportunity to deepen our convictions, develop a more well-rounded view, or perhaps correct a misguided point of view.  However, emotions can so totally blind us that none of these options will have the chance to become a reality.

Growing

Our little family is preparing to grow.  We will be going from a family of four to a family of five in about 5 months!  While we wait for baby's arrival, there is so much to do.

The biggest thing I've been working on has been being a better mommy to the two little ones we've already been blessed with.  I am trying to be more intentional about our time together, as well as having fun with them.  God has really been impressing on my heart the importance of incorporating both the Princess and the Lil Man in the day to day tasks, not just in homeschooling and play.  They now help clean our home, do laundry, and cook.  I'm getting better at not micro-managing, and as I let go they step up!  At 4 and 6, it amazes me how joyfully and with such excellence they perform daily tasks.  They make a beautiful bed, set a pleasant table, dust well, and even help clean the bathroom once a week.

I'm also working at intentionally creating a date night, even just at home.  My goal is to keep the kids up from their nap twice a month and really wear them out that day, so that they go to bed a little early.  Then I want to light candles, have a simple yet special dinner with my amazing man of God and best friend, and be there to watch a movie, play a game, or just talk ... whatever will be fun for him that night.  My husband is the head of our home, and yet often he can slide into the "most overlooked" place as the kids and I do what we do from day to day and that's just not okay.

I've also been working on organizing.  I'm going back to the basics of a routine and a shiny sink, as per the FlyLady.  It's been fabulous; everyone in our home is on board and we all enjoy creating a beautiful home to live in!  Not only is it "clean", but it's well presented.  We've switched to cloth napkins for economy and the environment, but it also adds a simple elegance to each meal.  We light candles for ambiance, simply because being together is an occasion worth effort and enjoyment.

We are growing.  Not just in number, but in character and habits.