Trick or Treat? Yes? No?

So, what’s the big excitement about Christians having nothing to do with Halloween? After all it is really All Hallows Eve and November 1^st is All Saints Day. I mean when you look at it Christmas and Easter are pagan holidays and yet Christians celebrate these too. Yes, the focus is not the pagan celebration but on Jesus, His birth and His death and resurrection. But, what is the focus on Halloween? It is nothing more than a Pagan holiday and there is nothing Christ centered about it.

What does God say about Christians celebrating pagan holidays? Let’s see.

Deuteronomy 12:29-32 ESV

“When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

Colossians 2:8 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Matthew 15:3 ESV

He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Ephesians 5:11 ESV

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

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 5:6-12 ESV

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ...

There are a lot more verses that are against worldly ways but I don't want to bog you down, I think you get the idea by what I have shared. So is it wrong for a Christian to take part of the fun? Well, there is a lot more to Halloween then meets the eye. It is a strong hold for satanists and there are a lot of sacrifices going on but really Halloween is not the most powerful time for these people. They rely more on full moons and solstice. But even with that our God is bigger and He demolishes strongholds in the heavens. With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ those who trust and believe in Him are free. 

I do believe that even give us the freedom to take part of Halloween.

There is more though.

What does God want from us? He wants us to love Him and put Him first. He wants us to love our neighbour. He wants obedience from us. To love Him means we obey Him and He detests all things that are evil and Halloween has nothing to do with God but all to do with the world.

Consider this...

How much do you really love God?

Joshua 24:15 ESV

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Blessings,

<><

Sharing a Miracle

Ava Rose

Hello everyone!
Ava's mommy here Thank you all for being so patient with me and for your continual loving care and support for my sweet Ava! Part of the reason I had not written a post in so long is because I had been extremely discouraged. One minute Ava would be doing well the next minute she would get a corneal abrasion. One minute she would have the courage to not hold on to the couch and try to walk the next second she would fall and take skin off her fingers. And bandages changes were just another stab at my heart. Anytime I would unwrap her she would just bleed and bleed. She would cry and say "momma stop!! you hurt me." All I could do was try to hold back tears while telling her that I'm so sorry and I never want to hurt her! Explaining to a 2 1/2 year old that a bandage change is good for them no matter how much it hurts is impossible. So in my despair I did the only thing I could, I cried out to God. How much more could Ava possibly take?! She never gets a break! Im tired of the emotional roller coaster. Why can't Ava just have a normal life! I have had to say no to her on so many things that a normal toddler should be experiencing. It just breaks my heart. The questions went on for quite some time. But just like I comfort Ava when she is in so much pain, God was comforting me in the midst of all my fear and confusion. I knew He had heard me. So I am excited to share this miracle! Ava's left eyelid has had an open sore on it for about a year and a half. We had seen the eye doctor numerous times and with each visit the wound was getting bigger and bigger. All they could suggest was putting a lubricating ointment on it. It never worked, so I stopped using it. I promise you that from the day I cried out to God, until now that sore has almost completely closed up! He had heard the secret cries of a broken hearted mommy, and proven Himself to be faithful. Ava started doing better, as you saw from Aunt Monkey's post. I just want to stop and say thank you for your prayers, I know this was God's hand at work!!! Ava's overall demeanor changed. She was just so happy. But sadly bandage changes were still awful. I hated that time of day!! In the beginning of October my sister had invited us to her church for a healing service. The guest speaker prayed for Ava at the end. He asked me if I believed Ava could be healed and I said Yes! The next day I did Ava's bandages and it wasn't as bad as it had been. Day two and three rolled around and she was no longer bleeding after each bandage I took off. I called Tony and told him the amazing news! And with each day that has passed her wounds have been getting smaller and smaller. Bandage changes have gone from the most dreaded part of the day to us eagerly unwrapping her bandages to see more new skin! So many areas are healing. Even the big scabbed spot under her nose is healing! If you are struggling with believing God for something, just hold on! I will keep you in prayer if you need me to, just like you all have done for us. If He can answer my prayers He can most certainly answer yours! Ava's cover page was taken last december when she had that awful virus. Quite honestly i wasn't sure she was even going to make it. I look at her today so full of life! I thank God everyday. Sadly many families have lost their loved ones to EB. Please join with me in spreading awareness! We desperately need a cure! Too many people have suffered for too long. A few months ago Ava and I went to Walmart. As we turned the corner two kids around 8 and 9 years old saw Ava and started pointing and yelling ewww, eww, look! I quickly started talking to Ava and engaging her in conversation because I knew she would know what they meant. I waited to see if their mom would do anything about it. This carried on for about two minutes until the mom just pulled them away. I cant even begin to explain how hurtful that was! Im grateful at that moment Ava didn't even notice. But please, remember to spread awareness to your children as well! Again thank you very much for all the love and support. It would be great to hear how you were able to spread EB awareness! -Rose

Patience

Persistence

Coming to the end of self

This is what EB is teaching Rose and can teach us too.

In every situation that we find ourselves in we can learn valuable lessons if we allow ourselves to bend and mold to the Teacher's way. Nobody wants to suffer. Nobody wants to see their child suffer. It seems, though, we don't learn unless we suffer and go through things we dread. God has promised in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The rough situations we find ourselves in are not meant to harm us but to draw us closer into Father's heart. 

I encourage you to seek God and ask Him to help you. He will, you know, because He loves you. 

Isaiah 41:10 ESV 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Praising God for this miracle in Ava!

<>< 

Spirit and Life

To really live we need to be whole and the only way we will be complete is to live in the 

Spirit of God.

Linking up with Barbie for The Weekend Brew

Blessings,

<><

World Hunger Awareness

October is World Hunger Awareness Month

Have you ever gone without for a period of time? If so, then you know that the first 3 days of hunger are the worst. The pains in your stomach can make you feel like you are dying and that there is just no way you can continue on through the day without satisfying your gnawing stomach. If you have gone longer than 3 days without food then the cramps in your stomach subside but they never truly go away and your body becomes weaker. Being a fully developed person, one can continue on without food for a good many days before they become ill but, if you are a growing child, your body quickly becomes malnourished and development becomes stunted and eventually death.

2013 World Hunger and Poverty Fact and Statistics reports that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, which is one in eight are suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. Of that 852 million live in developing countries giving us 15 percent of the population of developing countries, with 16 million people undernourished in developed countries. That, my friends, is a lot of hungry people.

Poorly nourished children suffer from preventable illnesses. How sad! This report also tells us that our world produces enough food to feed everyone! World agricultures produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago. So then, why is there hunger? Well, there is the lack of resources for the poor, unfair distribution of food in the world within certain countries, conflict and hunger itself. This site also tells us that the World Bank has estimated that there were 1,345 million poor people in developing countries who live on $1.25 a day or less. When you are hungry your health is poor and you have low energy levels and sometimes mental impairment which can lead to greater poverty and thus greater hunger. A vicious cycle is produced and can be hard to remedy unless there is intervention.

Today’s news has Syria in it focus. The inhumane treatment of these innocent people is just ghastly. Huntington Post reports: 

Mouadamiya is controlled by rebels but under blockade by Assad's forces. The United Nations says aid workers have been unable to visit the town for over a year due to fighting.

"Food is only dozens of metres away and our children are dying because of a checkpoint or a sniper," said Omar, a doctor in the town, speaking by Skype.

Save the Children cited reports suggesting a quarter of Syrian families go as much as a week at a time without being able to buy food. Food is often available but prices have doubled in the last year and poverty is rising.

According to the World Food Program (WFP), about 4.25 million people need food aid. It targets 3 million people for aid a month. But Graham said other aid groups assess that at least 10 million people face problems getting food.

"We have a situation where millions of people are not being given any help at all," he said.

U.N. officials say they are struggling to find ways to enter combat zones. Laure Chadraoui, a WFP spokeswoman in Beirut, said aid workers had resorted to air-lifting food to some areas.

That is Syria, now, as of this past Saturday, India is suffering from Cyclone Phailin and there are thousands of people marooned by floods. Thank God, only a small number of people have been killed by this disaster, 27 as of last count reports BBC News. But the intense storm has made more than half a million people homeless, state government officials said.

The storm tore down power and communication lines and knocked out road and rail links, making an assessment difficult.

An estimated 5,000 sq km of mostly paddy crops have been destroyed, causing a loss of some $320m (£220m).

Even in our own backyard are there those who are suffering from hunger. Just on Sunday my husband bought some food for a homeless person sitting on the street begging for money. I encourage you to help out where you can. Pray for Father to guide you where to donate or just pray for those who are hungry. 

 James 2:14-18 ESV
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Today I am blogging for World Help 

Check out the videos on the Crisis in Syria center, they are pretty moving.

 Praying for Syria,
<><

Labour Of Love

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

It is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and there is nothing I am more thankful for than Jesus Christ and His gift to us. 

This past spring, my husband planted 12, 60 ft rows of potatoes. It was supposed to be a youth/young adults endeavor that didn't work out because of time schedules. These past few weeks the family and I have been trying to harvest these potatoes before the snow comes. What I am finding is that the work is time consuming and tough and the workers are very few, which made me think about Matthew 9:37 ..."The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few;". 

Our time is running short folks and we need to be those labourers spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and Him risen. 

Jesus Christ is coming again soon! Praise GOD!

 

I'm linking up with Barbie from The Weekend Brew.

Blessings,
<><

Trampling on Cancer

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Cancer is nothing more than a raging tyrant! 

Kerrie T from He will carry me through blog has just posted, after one year of remission, that the cancer is back and back and in many places, but, Praise God, Kerri found out it is all treatable! 

Here is a little snippet from her blog explaining where the cancer is:

Ok so everyone has been waiting and waiting to find out what we found out. We found out where the cancer is.
It is in a lot of places:
around the outside of most of my right lung
a spot on my left hip
a spot on my right pelvis
spots in my right chest and neck
spots in my left neck
on multiple spinal bones in my back
Places it is NOT:
Liver
kidneys
brain- due to some people's lack of belief this report said my brain is normal!! LOL

Treatment:
Chemo every 3 weeks
PET scans after every 3rd treatment to see how the cancer is responding
 - IF the cancer is not responding they will change up the chemo and keep going. My dr in Philly said that she has some out of the box ideas too.
ALL of my drs said this IS treatable!!

As you can see Kerri has an amazing sense of humour and all things considering, she has made it through with her eyes on God and her faith in Him. Please head on over to her blog and let her know you are praying for her.

Psalm 139:15-16 ESV
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Father, You know Kerri and You created her with an amazing attitude. You also know how much she loves You and trusts in You. Father, have Your hand of healing on Kerri and walk with her through what she must endure. Be with her and comfort her when the way is rough and most of all Lord, heal her from the cancer that is in her body. Touch her for as Psalm 139 says her frame is not hidden from You and You created her and wove her together. And as Luke 10 says You have given us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all of the power of the enemy. As this cancer has come into to her, You can easily remove it from her for You are her Creator and Designer. We trust in You Father and seek You for healing. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Praying and praying,
<>< 

Through The Door

Revelation 21:4 ESV
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Our sweet Phoebe is now home with Jesus. Please pray for the Fair family during this time. I think one of the hardest things ever is to watch your dear child pass from this life into the next. Even though you are happy for the fact they are now with Jesus and in the best place ever, the pain of separation is unbearable. Pray Father will walk with them and carry them they cannot go on anymore.

Please, stop over at Amy's blog, An Atypical Miracle, and send them some much needed love. You can also find out the details for the celebration of life service if you are wishing to attend, it will be held in Taylor Texas.

Thank you for your faithful prayers of intercession for this family and for our sweet, precious Phoebe.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings in Jesus Christ,
<><