Halloween

"The problem with Halloween is that it's become too commercial. We need to get back to the real meaning of it."

Have you ever thought about what's really going on at Halloween? The historical origins are a bit vague and complicated, but the idea of celebrating witchcraft and dressing up in horror costumes? What are you actually doing?

I know for most people it's "just a bit of fun". But here's a couple of reasons you might want to think twice:

[1] Behind the fun, there is a reality. Witchcraft is real; the occult leads many to open the lid on horrible, unseen spiritual powers that they can't control. For most people in the world, this is blindingly obvious - they experience it daily. Even in Leyland, I've come across several people who are scared out of their wits because they've messed with this stuff and found they're in deeper than they wanted to go. Why do we want our kids playing games with this?

[2] Why would you celebrate what's scary and evil? God has made so much that's good in the world for us to enjoy. In fact, it's all made for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 4:4). Why, then, turn to stuff that twists it and screws it up?

So, sure, have a laugh. Enjoy sweets and pumpkins. But there's a wonderful God who wants to give and give. He's proved it in sending his Son, Jesus, to save us. Why would you not want to enjoy him instead?

Boxing films

I've enjoyed working through the Rocky films this last few Sunday evenings for our film nights ... but here's some clips from some quality boxing films! Which is your favourite?

"Why do Christians take everything so personally with Christ?"

Has Larry David got a point? Why should Christians get so up tight about people's attitudes to Jesus? This clip summarises beautifully what people think about Christians getting so passionate about Jesus.

I'm not going to go all serious in response to a comedian. We know there are many reasons why Christians should tell people to follow Jesus. It's not like liking lobster. But here's the problem: - it's not that we have to prove him wrong; it's that we Christians actually agree with him! We know what people think: we know they think we're being too pushy with our personal opinions. So what do we do? We stay quiet. If they don't like lobster: fine. If they don't like Jesus: fine.

They won't understand why we must talk about him and tell people to follow him. But we do understand. We don't want to upset people; but let's remember what we know as we keep 'going on' about him! Who knows how many Larry Davids there are out there who've never heard a reasonable answer to their objection?

I know what's best for me!

As a child, I remember thinking how odd it is that you only see the world through your eyes. Other people have a whole different view of the world. You can never see theirs. Only your own. So at the end of the day, their viewpoint doesn't really matter that much. (Weird child? Probably. Should have just been watching Bagpuss like everyone else.) The truth is, most of us grow up only really caring about our own viewpoint.

The biggest problem is that we even think in those terms in relation to the God who sees all things. Because I think I've been running my life, I think I know what's best for me.

Here's a quote from Stephen Altrogge's book, 'The Greener Grass Conspiracy':
"In Psalm 23:2-3 David says of the Lord, 'He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.' Notice that David doesn't say, 'I plot the best course for my life. I am the captain of my ship. I will go wherever my heart desires.' David realises that God is his shepherd, his captain, his leader. God will lead him to places of rest. God will restore his soul God will lead him in righteousness.

"We're convinced that a particular thing will bring peace, order and restoration to our souls. We look around, and we see the other people who have what we want, and they look so happy. They skip down the street holding the hands of their little children. They gaze into the eyes of their lovers. The smile as they mow the lawn of their new five-bedroom, four-bath, three-car-garage house. Meanwhile, our lives seem so whacked out and dysfunctional.
"But we really don't know what's best for our souls. If God allowed us to follow our own plans, we wouldn't end up on paths of righteousness that leads to still waters. We would end up in empty, barren wastelands of sin and destruction. God is the one who restores our soul. Sometimes he restores us by giving us what we desire, and sometimes he restores us by withholding it..."

My view of the world is not only one among billions. It's minuscule compared to God's. I need to keep remembering, he knows best.

Pray for new churches, believers and missionaries

The AIM prayer diary's entry for yesterday:

"New Churches, new believers and new missionary workers often experience fierce spiritual attacks as Satan seeks to destroy them and their work in their early days, through traumatic events, slow progress, loss of old friendships, difficult new relationships. Pray for strength to persevere, and for awareness of God’s presence with them in the challenges they face."

We know how that feels. Let's be praying for the Harkers and others in similar situations this week.

(By the way, there's some interesting articles on their website at the moment - see under 'sites we like'.)