A point of View on the Whole "Holidays" Issue

(don't leave without looking at important scrips at bottom to back up my comments!!)

An awful lot of brothers and sisters are kind of bent out of shape on the whole Holiday Seasons issues (Halloween, Christmas and Easter). And if you choose not to celebrate them- HEY, that's cool. But let me give you a couple of good reasons why you shouldn't judge those that do:

The old Christians and Catholics did a lot of wicked, wicked things in the name of God, but trying to redirect pagan people's attention from their wicked festivals simply was not one of them. Are we not always striving to redirect people's attentions away from the world and back on God? Now I'm not sure who started their holidays first on any of these three holidays - Christians or Pagans, but who cares. What I do know, is that it is good that we have the Truth on our side. the pagans celebrate false gods or Lucifer himself while we celebrate the one and only Living God and His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. When the pagan holidays come around, spread the news that there is a better day, a better way, and a better REASON to celebrate. What? Would you have us give up our holidays of celebration and let the pagans keep theirs (be careful what you ask for- that time is drawing close)? That certainly is bad discipleship my friends! Was it not Paul who stated "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might win some" (1st Corinth 9:22)"? Use the tools God has given us to bring lost souls home. Celebrating the holidays isn't the source of sin. WHY AND HOW YOU CELEBRATE THOSE HOLIDAYS "IS"!!

This is a spiritual war... GOOD VS EVIL. Why be so surprised that there is always a Pagan celebration around the same time there is a Christian celebration? Do you really think that's an accident? Don't forget who's truly in control and enjoy the holidays for all the RIGHT reasons. Who cares who started these holidays! Just be happy that there "IS" a "RIGHT" reason to celebrate and give others a better reason to celebrate their holidays!


Jesus is the REASON FOR EVERY SEASON!

Please see my other blog items for full studies on this particular holiday coming up. Many Christians are truly celebrating THIS particular holiday completely out of God's will! Let's not spit in Christ's face for our worldly pleasures brothers and sisters... please!

Important scrips on this subject:
(CEV: please feel free to look these up in your favorite version; I use CEV because it's easier to understand for the average person ;)=))

Colos. 2:16 Don't let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don't let them say that you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival.
Col 2:17 These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real!
Col 2:18 Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires.

1Corinth. 9:19 I am not anyone's slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so that I can win as many people as possible.
1Co 9:20 When I am with the Jews, I live like a Jew to win Jews. They are ruled by the Law of Moses, and I am not. But I live by the Law to win them.
1Co 9:21 And when I am with people who are not ruled by the Law, I forget about the Law to win them. Of course, I never really forget about the law of God. In fact, I am ruled by the law of Christ.
1Co 9:22 When I am with people whose faith is weak, I live as they do to win them. I do everything I can to win everyone I possibly can.
1Co 9:23 I do all this for the good news, because I want to share in its blessings.


1Corinth. 5:9 In my other letter I told you not to have anything to do with immoral people.
1Co 5:10 But I wasn't talking about the people of this world. You would have to leave this world to get away from everyone who is immoral or greedy or who cheats or worships idols.
1Co 5:11 I was talking about your own people who are immoral or greedy or worship idols or curse others or get drunk or cheat. Don't even eat with them!
1Co 5:12 Why should I judge outsiders? Aren't we supposed to judge only church members?
1Co 5:13 God judges everyone else. The Scriptures say, "Chase away any of your own people who are evil."

Mat 7:1 Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you.
Mat 7:2 God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.
Mat 7:3 You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye.
Mat 7:4 How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye?
Mat 7:5 You're nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend's eye.
Mat 7:6 Don't give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don't throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.

Isaiah 55:6 Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.
Isa 55:7 Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.
Isa 55:8 The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours.
Isa 55:9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours.

1Corinth. 7:29 My friends, what I mean is that the Lord will soon come, and it won't matter if you are married or not.
1Co 7:30 It will be all the same if you are crying or laughing, or if you are buying or are completely broke.
1Co 7:31 It won't make any difference how much good you are getting from this world or how much you like it. This world as we know it is now passing away.
1Co 7:32 I want all of you to be free from worry.

Romans 15:1 If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves.
Rom 15:2 We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.
Rom 15:3 Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."
Rom 15:4 And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.
Rom 15:5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ.
Rom 15:6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 15:7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.

Halloween Study: Ghosts and Communicating With The Dead

I Found This Online, and Now I Share It With You...

What Does the Bible Say About Talking to the Dead?
By Mary Fairchild

Is there such as thing as a sixth sense? Is it possible to communicate with the spirit world? Popular television shows like Ghost Whisperer, Medium and John Edward Cross Country all seem to suggest that talking to the dead and communicating with spirits is quite possible. But what does the Bible say about talking to the dead?

What Does the Old Testament Say?
The Old Testament warns against consulting with mediums and psychics in several instances. These practices are considered detestable to the Lord.

Leviticus 19:31
'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.' (NIV)

Leviticus 20:27
"Men and women among you who act as mediums or psychics must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense." (NLT)

(Chad: this of course is no longer done due to the change in culture- but it still represents how dangerous they obviously are to the human spirit, otherwise they would not be so readily punishable by certain death for such practices!! If they were bad for us then- they're bad for us now!)

Deuteronomy 18:10-13
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. (NIV)

1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. (NIV)

2 Chronicles 33:6
He [King Manasseh] sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. (NIV)


What Does the New Testament Say?
The New Testament reveals that the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and guide.

John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)

John 15:26
[Jesus speaking] When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (NIV)

John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (NIV)

Spiritual Guidance Comes from God Alone
The Bible teaches that spiritual guidance should be sought in God alone through Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. He has provided everything we need for this life in his Word.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? (NIV)

Hebrews 4:14
That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. (NLT)

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. (NLT)

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (NLT)

2 Peter 1:3
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! (NLT)

Deceiving Spirits, Demonic Forces, Angels of Light, Counterfeits for the Truth
Are psychic experiences of talking with the dead real?
Yes, I believe they can be very real experiences, but not of truly talking with dead people. The Bible considers these experiences to be associated with deceiving spirits, demonic forces, angels of light or counterfeits for the true Spirit of God.

1 Timothy 4:1
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, not at all. What I am saying is that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want any of you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too. (NLT)

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve. (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (NIV)

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Q: Is it wrong to contact or communicate with the dead? Someone I know claims to have been visited by a deceased relative. Is this any different than praying to the dead, as in Roman Catholicism? DC, California


A: The Old Testament term for communicating with the dead is "necromancy." (Deuteronomy 18:11, also read verse 10) It is forbidden by God: "There shall not be found among you... For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord" (an "abomination," KJV).

Also see: 1 Samuel 28:3-20; 1st Chronicles 10:13, 14; Isaiah 8:19-22. The punishment for contacting the dead is very severe, if not repented of.

This must also include what Roman Catholicism claims is praying to the "saints" -- the deceased who have been beatified, canonized, or placed in a position of spiritual superiority by the hierarchy. (Scripture refers to all believers as "saints.") The real force at work in such "apparitions" (appearances of the deceased) is deception: demonic activity, evil spirits. Satan disguises himself as "an angel of light," it says in 2 Corinthians 11:14. (He doesn't approach us saying, "Boo!" or we'd run & hide.)

When prophecies or visions fail to come to pass, we know they're not of God (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). But even if a vision or prophecy does come to pass, scripture says, we are still instructed to examine or discern the source: if it doesn't glorify Jesus -- if it glorifies any other person, living or dead -- it's not of God.

When someone claims to have received a "vision" of the dead, it's really a deception of the enemy -- demon forces at work. Luke chapter 16 contains excellent instruction on the state of the dead, referring to an impassable separation between the after-life and this world. Those in the next world, saved or otherwise, simply do not return to deliver messages to the living:

"[Lazarus] died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom," and the rich man died and suffered torment in Hades. A "great gulf" separated the two and was "fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." (Luke 16:19-31)

Another example is the instance in which, at the death of his son, David testified: "I shall go to him, but he shall not return unto me." (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

Not all miracles are of God. Satan performs lying signs and wonders (Exodus 7:9-12; 8:7, 17-19; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-14, 16:14; 19:20) The magicians in the times of Moses and Daniel could perform some magic (Exodus 7:9-12; 8:7; Daniel 1:20) ... but their power is limited (Exodus 8:17-19; Daniel 2:2, 10, 27; 4:7; 5:7-8, 15).

Many Roman Catholics and others, lacking discernment* and knowledge of the Scriptures ("My people perish for lack of knowledge") -- and trusting the hierarchy of man -- fail to "test the spirits and see whether they be of God" (1 John 4:1). They assume the priests do that for them! Some of the primary points relative to this issue include:

If a sign or wonder predicted comes to pass, but the person is enticed to follow after another god, we are to reject it. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5) Also, if the message delivered is contrary to Scripture, it's not from God (Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16). Some religious messages don't glorify Jesus at all; rather, the "vision" is glorified and, repeated again and again, perpetuated by tradition.

The Roman Catholic practice of praying to and for the dead can be traced in part to the Old Testament apocryphal books (2 Maccabees 12:46 "It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead.") These books, rejected from the canon ("rule," or "standard") of Scripture, contain historical and geographical errors, and many teachings inconsistent with the rest of scripture: salvation by almsgiving; suicide; magic; angelic intercession; etc. Definitely nothing sturdy upon which to base one's eternal destiny.

* discernment is learned by experience (Hebrews 5:14), through knowledge of the Bible (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:15, 6; Ezekiel 44;23)

--Diane S. Dew © 1998

God's Design ... or Yours?

Are you living according to God's design, or your own?
Ask Him... He'll let you know immediately through your heart!


I have learned that in all I do, in order to truly live right, ask Jesus OUT LOUD "Is this making you happy, or sad with me? Do you approve?"

The Holy Spirit will always give you an immediate answer and more often than not you get it before you even speak the words (because God already knows what you're thinking!). Usually when I'm doing something that does not give God any glory, I never even get the question out before getting an answer.

Negative answers are often greeted with immediate pangs of SHAME!

Do you truly seek God's approval?
Then ask Him if you are living in His design, and not your own.
You already know the truth!

Are You Truly a Seeker?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I find it almost humorous how many people i come across today who choose not to believe all have the exact same excuses as I once did for not believing in Christ or the Bible. one of the most popular ones is the comment "I'm a seeker". funny that, most every person who is a seeker rarely studies out alternate religions and compare them to one another, TRULY seeking answers and when you want to share your truths that you have finally found in your journey, they prefer to argue than listen. To truly seek, one must be ready to listen, observe and put REAL effort and time into the search, otherwise your just listening to everyone elses opinions and basing your own faith on loose facts and fiction, with no real ground to stand on.

My New Art Site

Come see my new art site:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/Cwick

And this is a group I joined. Good stuff here!

Happy Halloween ... INDEED!

Matthew 27: 52 Graves opened, and many of God's people were raised to life. 53 Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.

Happy Hallowmas (Yes that's a word- look it up ;)=)

And may the Holy Ghost scare the Life into you!

So, are you truly a Christian, Christian?

This is a post from a truly dear beloved sister in Christ from another friend's son. Must read this one friends and family. If a 16 year old gets it, why can't the adults?

Janet sent you a message.

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Subject: a note from a 16 year old child...

Chad, this is written by the son of my friend Jenette. You should follow her page if it is available...but she may be security conscious. I'll pass along the best tid bits to you, never fear:

Quoting Joel-

Yesterday I was reading from a book I am studying for history, The History of Christianity, and I came across this quote:

"For Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language or customs; you see, they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect, or have some peculiar lifestyle.
This teaching of theirs has not been contrived by the invention and speculation of inquisitive men; nor are they propagating mere human teaching as some people do. They live in both Greek and foreign cities, wherever chance has put them. They follow local customs in clothing, food and the other aspects of life. but at the same time, they demonstrate to us the wonderful and certainly unusual form of their own citizenship.
They live in their own native lands, but as aliens; as citizens, they share all things with others; but like aliens, suffer all things. Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country.
They marry and have children just like everyone else; but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are at present "in the flesh" but they do not live "according to the flesh". They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws, and go beyond the laws in their own lives. They love every one but are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are short of everything and yet have plenty of all things. They are dishonoured and yet gain glory through dishonour. Their names are blackened and yet are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens, and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility.
To put it simply-the soul is to the body as the Christian is to the world. The soul is spread through all parts of the body and Christians through all the cities the world. The soul is in the body but is not of the body; Christians are in the world but not of the world."

-From an anonymous letter to Diognetus, possibly from the second century.

Do we as Christians represent this description?
Is our teaching based upon The Word of God, or the teaching of imaginative people?
Are we acting as though we are only passing through, or are we focused on the things of this world? Are we offering hospitality to those in need?
Are we keeping our marriages and our minds pure?
Are we taking a stand against the killing of unwanted babies?
When cursed and reviled, do we bless?
If we were to be offered the choice of renouncing Christ or death, would we look forward to the life we would gain?

I know that I have certainly not been perfect in being different from the world, but I am praying for this to be the norm for all people who call themselves Christians.

In Christ, Joel