Say no to Halloween

One of the hardest days of the year approaches. I hate Halloween. I hate the fact that animals are tortured and sacrificed in greater numbers than other nights, that it is the high and holy day of the occultists, and the images of evil sanitized and considered harmless. I hate the origins which are based on fear, as well as misguided beliefs that the dead can be wrenched out of purgatory by the offering of "soul cakes" (precursor to our candy.) I hate the images of death, the devil, witches, graves, and zombies. I hate the vandalism that occurs or even the subtle threat of "trick or treat."  When I became a Christian, I took seriously the admonition to be in the world but not of the world. I believed with all my heart God's warning to flee from evil, and that our adversary was cunning and a master of deception. 

Yet, I had children, and the world took this night of the occult, filled it with candy, and placed it before them. Knowing I would win no popularity contest and they might even hate me for my stance, I just could not in good conscience put any stamp of approval on Halloween. It was always a painful evening, and I went to bed many nights crying over a decision I felt deeply in my spirit I had to make.

We as believers are told in no uncertain terms to have no fellowship with evil, witchcraft, the occult, or glorifying deeds of darkness. In my heart, Halloween fits that description. I have been ridiculed, derided, and despised for this stance. I believe Satan wants us to rationalize why it is not dangerous. However, it is a night of darkness, and I believe my light cannot shine in participation at any level, but only in standing against it. For those involved in the occult, and witchcraft, this is a special night. I don't wish to celebrate what those in opposistion to God celebrate.

As in all decisions, each of us must examine our own conscience. Many people believe they can redeem the night by offering the kids that come to their doors Bible tracts. I read one online "alternative"-- offer the kids a toothbrush. (I hate halloween but that idea sounded fun. Maybe I could write on each toothbrush, "Jesus alone cleanses our moral decay." )  Perhaps some of you  have never wrestled with standing against the "norm" because your heart would not permit you to do otherwise. If not, you may not understand that decisions like this are never taken lightly, and they aren't "silly" as I have heard so many of late describe my view. It is based on a deep conviction of my heart, but that doesn't mean that I am not suffering for what I feel I should not do. 

***************

Ephesians 5:11  variety of translations:

New International Version

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

New Living Translation

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

English Standard Version

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

New American Standard Bible 

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

King James Bible

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.

International Standard Version

and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 

NET Bible

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

Neither should you fellowship with the Servants of darkness, because they have no fruit in them, but you should rebuke them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation

Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.

Jubilee Bible 2000

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

King James 2000 Bible

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

American King James Version

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

American Standard Version

and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;

Douay-Rheims Bible

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 

Darby Bible Translation

and do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather also reprove them,

English Revised Version

and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;

Webster's Bible Translation

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Weymouth New Testament

Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them;

World English Bible

Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

Young's Literal Translation

and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict,

Everything is possible with God

Author page and published works:

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B006XJ2DWU

vickykaseorg.blogspot.com

Things are Not Always as they Seem

Incongruous.Who would think one had to fear a soft fuzzy white caterpillar that looks just like a kitty would look if it were a caterpillar? It is like the beauty of a sunset suddenly belching forth nuclear missiles. Sunsets should be peaceful, and caterpillars shouldn't have poisonous spines that burrow in one's skin and leave one floored in unspeakable pain.

This didn't happen to me, but to a friend who prefers to remain anonymous. He glanced at me as he was telling the story and said, "Oh no, this is going to be in the blog, tomorrow, isn't it?"
At the time, I didn't think it would, but I just couldn't get this caterpillar off my mind. I later researched the Puss Caterpillar, and knew God wanted me to warn my readers.

My anonymous friend was at a picnic, the scout leader of boyscouts who all came from single parent homes. So our friend was the sole man among a horde of women and boy scouts when the caterpillar showed up. The caterpillar was cutely, demurely crawling near his knee, looking as innocuous as a sunset. And then it struck. My friend said he was suddenly electrocuted with searing pain that zipped like lightning to his groin. He said it was so blindingly intense that he could not walk...for several hours. Politeness could not allow him to divulge to the ladies around him exactly what was the source of his blood curdling screams. I am not sure how he managed to get home or discover the cause of his extreme distress. I believe his wife found him crumpled and moaning as he explained he'd been attacked by a caterpillar. A fuzzy white caterpillar. I think when she finished laughing, they might have gone to the emergency room, but I am not sure of the details there...I was laughing too hard and unable to hear the end of the story very well.

However, if you are attacked by a Puss caterpillar, so named because it looks like a sweet little Pussy Cat, you will probably not be laughing. The Puss Caterpillar has poison filled spines that shoot out of its body, sort of like a porcupine. The poison in the barbs doesn't kill, though as my anonymous friend said, you wish it would. The poison goes with remarkable speed to the nearest lymph glands- like the groin, or if it bites above the waist, to the armpits and heart. It leaves a telltale red raised circular rash. The pain can result in temporary paralysis, and even nerve damage. There are two methods that seem most beneficial in counteracting the eyeball popping pain. The victim should take ordinary tape, and gently press it over the area of the bite. He should gently pull the tape up, thus dislodging the poison barbs. He should do this with fresh tape several times. Sometimes this alone will relieve the horror. If not, he should make a poultice of mashed raw potato and ginger root, apply that to the wound and cover it with a loose bandage. If that doesn't work, the kindest thing to do would be to shoot the victim in the head, at least according to the victim.

Ok, now faithful and loving as I am to my Lord and Savior, I just cannot help but ask, "Why?"  Why would God unleash an enemy on us that masquerades as a snow white, fluffy, miniature kitty? Why would He fill a tiny cute creature that we would so naturally want to pet, with poisonous barbs that detonate in the least desirable place any man would want them?

However, even as I ask the question, I think of the warning  of the Bible of the Enemy; an Enemy who comes masqueraded as the Shepherd who will guide his sheep, as the beautiful  enticing angel that will bring us all the world has to offer, as the beautiful serpent who offers us knowledge above the Gods.
Be on your guard!
Things are not always what they seem, and our enemy prowls with one desire- destruction.
As Halloween approaches, it reminds me of why as a young Christian and new mother, we made the decision never to honor what that holiday celebrated. It is the high holy day of the self proclaimed witches. It is based on pagan worship and obeisance to the occult. It looks so innocent now, like the little Puss Caterpillar. But I think God shows us over and over again that we need to be discerning and careful what we touch.

1 Peter 5:7-9

⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.