Halloween - Do you celebrate or not?

[returntosender]

Contradictory to what to think, I think avoiding Halloween and saying that it’s evil would not impress non-believers as they would think that being a Christian means that they have to erase all aspects of fun from their lives.

There's plenty of things to celebrate other then Satan and his minion's.

 

[AV1611VET]

I can remember when Halloween was mostly cartoonish fun with the likes of Herman Munster and the Monster Mash.

Did you ever read Turmoil in the Toybox, by Phil Phillips; where he shows that even Gilligan's Island is evil?

 

[returntosender]

I can remember when Halloween was mostly cartoonish fun with the likes of Herman Munster and the Monster Mash.

That wouldn't be so bad take everything out that related to evil. There's plenty left.

 

[returntosender]

Did you ever read Turmoil in the Toybox, by Phil Phillips; where he shows that even Gilligan's Island is evil?

That's good, i couldn't stand that show, lol

 

[CoreyD]

I'll give it a try. I don't know how far we can go though as I have a very different perspective of the Light of God and even God than I suspect you may have. I'm not at all limited to the Bible or even Christ when it comes to the Light of God raining upon all of this Creation. Please let me know if I'm hitting the direction your thinking of. Please also, if all your going to do is hit me with Bible quotes, that's not going to work on me. I tend to go a bit deeper than that. It's God who is my reality and I'm not at all wanting to be distracted by images of Satan or Sin.

So, towards the Light. Spiritually I start out knowing that every soul as an activity of God, capable of bringing forth that Light. When sitting in the Heart of Christ, there is that Light of God shining through ALL of Creation, without exception. It has a way of shining forth in an infinite number of ways. For example, I remember when sitting with my infant grand-daughter (she's 22 now) and seeing her eyes shine as she giggled in that baby sort of way. There clear as day was the Light of God shining forth, touching my soul causing in me wonderful joy and happiness. And I witnessed that Light last evening as the children knocked on my door and I handed out butterfingers. And I also witness the Light within the vitality of the plants and animals which makes them alive and vibrant with Life. With God being infinite, I'm just not able to limit God's Light to a single point of reference. From my perspective that would be limiting God.

Lastly, to take the opportunity to share a major influence upon my own spiritual life, and this may give you a clue about what I think of the Christian Church, is the medieval Christian mystic Marguerite Porete. She wrote that there are two churches. The first she called the High Holy Church. That church PREACHES Love. The other church she called the Little Holy Church. That church she wrote preaches rules, laws and order. Which to be honest is how I read your post. Needles to say Porete was burned at the stake by the Little Holy Church. There seems to have been some disagreements about the soul that the Little Holy Church didn't like very much.

Thanks for responding.

I think you summed up for me, why 'Christianity' is so divided, and why it's not possible to sit and have a reasonable discussion with most of this system, on a topic, or come to some sort of reasonable conclusion.

I'm not saying this to hit at you, but to point out what is observable.
We cannot deny, it is as the skeptics point out. There is no objectivity in Christianity today. Every belief of those professing to be Christian, is emotional subjectivity.

This was not the way with Jesus and his apostles, who came to reveal the truth.
Essentially, everything Jesus said was backed up, or based on "It is written" - God's word.

I would not consider Jesus as one who hit people with Bible quotes, but he did quote scripture quite a lot.
If by imitating Jesus and his disciples, you consider that hitting you with Bible quotes, what would you have thought of Jesus?

I won't hit you with the quotes, but here are some passages where Jesus quoted Bible texts.
Matthew 4:4
Matthew 4:7
Matthew 4:10
Matthew 5:21
Matthew 5:27
Luke 4:18, 19
Matthew 9:13
Mark 10:7, 8
Mark 12:29, 30
Matthew 15:7-9
John 8:17
Luke 7:27
Matthew 21:16
Luke 19:46
Matthew 21:42, 44
Mark 12:36
John 15:25
Matthew 27:46
Luke 23:46

In the four Gospels, 180 of the 1,800 verses that report His discourses are either Old Testament quotes or Old Testament allusions.
Of, course, since all of Jesus' life and ministry is not recorded, we can safely say from both evidence, and understanding of his character, that Jesus quoted Bible texts, more than triple that number.

I'm sure he quoted the Bible more often than I did, in three and a half years of my life.
Yes. Jesus did a lot of clobbering. To use expression for "hit me"

In Paul's case, Paul surpassed Jesus by far. No question about that.
Acts 17:2-3
2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”

I could imagine Paul quoted quite a lot from Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and all the way back to Genesis, to prove Jesus the promised Messiah. Those poor lads must have been sore every three sabbaths.

Peter - always ready to strike with the sword, even when Jesus did not give him permission to. Man he must have left people bruised and battered.

James and John - "sons of thunder" Whoa. All I can say is Ouch.


I'm being a little over dramatic there @dlamberth, but these make the point that unlike the masses professing Christianity today, Christians, who followed, and imitated Jesus, used the scriptures as the authority. They did not rely on what they felt was true. They knew God's word was true, and used it.

In fact, that is the way people of humble hearts were drawn to God.
They were not satisfied with hearing someone say what, they believe they know of God.
Here is a good example.
Acts 17:11
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

What are your thoughts?
What do you think of Jesus and his followers quoting Bible texts, often?

 

[Lukaris]

Did you ever read Turmoil in the Toybox, by Phil Phillips; where he shows that even Gilligan's Island is evil?

No, I have not. Gilligan’s Island??

 

[Desk trauma]

Justify all you want. The devil and all the evil of it shouldn't be celebrated. If you do, as a christian what impression are you giving to non believers?

Hi, non-believer here, by celebrating a holiday based on frivolity with varying levels of macabre window-dressing you give the impression of being normal in effect no impression at all one way or the other.

 

[CoreyD]

Satan can mislead us and others in all kinds of ways. In short, the Devil's agenda is in large part to slander or discredit the ways of the Truth. 2 Peter 2:1-2 speaks of this. This could take the form of taking things too seriously (Matthew 12:1-5 with respect to the Sabbath) or not seriously enough (Matthew 12:7 with respect to justice and mercy).

i5? You mean that freeway that runs through the West Coast, including where I am originally from? I believe some concepts are easy to grasp, but the details could take a while to master.

We all understand how it is folly to say something is not sin when it is. But sometimes people don't understand the danger of erring in the other direction. How can we warn others against sin and expect to be taken seriously by others when we trivialize real sin by going on about the supposed evils of playing cards, secular music, halter tops, dancing, beer, etc? That kind of thing makes us look like ding dongs, and that plays right into the Devil's hands.

You see, legalism is counterfeit righteousness. The Devil is a master in counterfeiting.

I would not limit it to any particular thing, but as regard supposed evils of playing cards, secular music, halter tops, dancing, beer, etc., there are Bible principles that help people in these areas.
For example,

• If the music promotes worship of Satan, it may be the parcel, labelled Satan's. On the other hand, if the music contains profanity, it may be the parcel, that's not labeled, but is still Satan's.
• If the cards are Cartomancy cards, it may be the parcel, labelled Satan's. On the other hand, if they are tarot cards, it may be the parcel, that's not labeled, but is still Satan's. *
• If it's a halter top, as halter tops are known, the apostle Paul gives the mature ones solid food they can handle. 1 Timothy 2:9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,
• The same applies for dancing, beer, etc.

The only difference is, the ones "who are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food", would be slow poisoning themselves. Hebrews 5:12
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Hebrews 5:13
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14

Tarot - In the late 18th century, French occultists made elaborate, but unsubstantiated, claims about their history and meaning, leading to the emergence of custom decks for use in divination via tarot card reading and cartomancy.[1] Thus there are two distinct types of tarot pack in circulation today: those used for card games and those used for divination. However, some older patterns, such as the Tarot de Marseille, originally intended for playing card games, are occasionally used for cartomancy.

You should understand what is meant by "the World", its value system, etc. I've seen what the pursuit of the worldly desires does to people - I want no part of it. Context. Context. Context.

I'm a little uncertain. Was this an explanation?

Also, in John 3:16, what was it that God So Loved? It says "the World" but the context is very different than what is spoken of in those verses you cited above.

I'd be happy to hear the explanation, if it's not asking too much.

 

[dlamberth]

What are your thoughts?
What do you think of Jesus and his followers quoting Bible texts, often?

Were we differ is that I feel that people followed Jesus because of the Love He taught and exemplified. End of story. They did not have the New Testament to fall back on.

It's that Love that those first Christians brought to Rome that drew so many to Christ.

What do you have to say about Love? Where do you see and experience it? What do you feel in your heart when you see Love?

 

[CoreyD]

Were we differ is that I feel that people followed Jesus because of the Love He taught and exemplified. End of story. They did not have the New Testament to fall back on.

Can I draw your attention to this. I hope you don't mind. It's out of love for you.

Were we differ is that I feel...

That's the difference I was pointing out.

I feel that people followed Jesus because of the Love He taught and exemplified. End of story.

When we consult God's word, we don't have to rely on our feelings - our emotional subjective thinking. We can get the truth, and know it. (John 8:31, 32)
Why did most people follow Jesus?
John 6:26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.

Why did the disciples who stuck to Jesus, followed him?
John 6:67, 68 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

While it is true that Jesus showed compassion, and love, that was not what caught people's attention.
In fact, that was hardly noticed. What people noticed most about Jesus was that he was a good teacher, and performed amazing signs.
Matthew 13:54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
John 7:15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”

There are lot's more scriptures, but I don't want you to feel I am hitting you.
Which reminds me, you didn't answer my question, but you asked me three, below.

Would you mind answering my question, please. I really want to hear your answer.
What do you think of Jesus and his followers quoting Bible texts, often?

It's that Love that those first Christians brought to Rome that drew so many to Christ.

What do you have to say about Love? Where do you see and experience it? What do you feel in your heart when you see Love?

John 14:15 If you love me, obey my commandments.
John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Love is an easy word to say. It rolls off our tongue, easily.
The action is often the hardest part, especially when our love is divided, between God, and our desires.
A tug-of-war ensues. Hence, the reason we have James 4:4, and 1 John 2:15.

It's also noteworthy that love is reciprocated.
John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him
John 15:10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

 

[dlamberth]

Can I draw your attention to this. I hope you don't mind. It's out of love for you.

Your pointing towards Love, that's a start.
Now please...I'd like to hear what your own experiences are of Love.

Maybe try this as a starting place, step into the Heart of Christ and from that Divine place share what He experienced regarding His Love for those hurting and in need?

To hearken back to my last post: Also those Roman followers of Christ didn't even have the scriptures of Old Testament to fall back on. All they had is an understanding and action of Love, Compassion and Service to those in need. Which is totally the essence of Christ.

 

[CoreyD]

Your pointing towards Love, that's a start.
Now please...I'd like to hear what your own experiences are of Love.

Maybe try this as a starting place, step into the Heart of Christ and from that Divine place share what He experienced regarding His Love for those hurting and in need?

To hearken back to my last post: Also those Roman followers of Christ didn't even have the scriptures of Old Testament to fall back on. All they had is an understanding and action of Love, Compassion and Service to those in need. Which is totally the essence of Christ.

My experience with love, is, for one thing, persons listening to each other. Really listening, and showing that they care about you, and what you say.
Persons who don't listen to others, and acknowledge that person's interest, are persons who are only thinking of themselves, and insisting on their own interest.

Philippians 2:3 puts it this way. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
This showing interest in others, is mentioned as as aspect of love, described at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

1 Corinthians 13:5
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

 

[AV1611VET]

That's good, i couldn't stand that show, lol

Me neither.

Gilligan got on my nervous system.

 

[AV1611VET]

Hi, non-believer here, by celebrating a holiday based on frivolity with varying levels of macabre window-dressing you give the impression of being normal in effect no impression at all one way or the other.

Hey, DT!

How goes it?

 

[Desk trauma]

Hey, DT!

How goes it?

It does.

 

[dlamberth]

My experience with love, is, for one thing, persons listening to each other. Really listening, and showing that they care about you, and what you say.
Persons who don't listen to others, and acknowledge that person's interest, are persons who are only thinking of themselves, and insisting on their own interest.

Philippians 2:3 puts it this way. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
This showing interest in others, is mentioned as as aspect of love, described at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

1 Corinthians 13:5
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Thanks.
Expanding it a bit, how does compassion and service to those in need fit into your experience of Love?
What's going on in your soul during those times of Love?

What is Christ experiencing with the same?

 

[dlamberth]

There's plenty of things to celebrate other then Satan and his minion's.

Yet from Christians we continually hear about Satan...over and over and over again. Almost like Satan is more of a reality than is God. I don't get that Satan focus at all.

 

[AV1611VET]

I don't get that Satan focus at all.

Read Ephesians 6.

 

[dlamberth]

Read Ephesians 6.

I'd much rather focus on Love and Beauty of God as my reality than any images of Satan.

 

[AV1611VET]

I'd much rather focus on Love and Beauty of God as my reality than any images of Satan.

Then don't complain that you "don't get Satan's focus at all."

This is my favorite spiritual song:

This appears to be yours: