Could it be that the rituals of Halloween are a cultural stronghold in our lives?

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

What is the harm of taking our kids door to door trick or treating? Our kids will be left out if we don't give them permission to go to that school Halloween party. Grandma and grandpa will love seeing them in their Halloween costumes! What is the harm of it all, after all I did these things when I was younger and I turned out OK.

These are examples of cultural strongholds that cling to our lives. Like going up against an evil giant they refuse to die. These cultural strongholds are very real and have origins to evil pagan traditions.

The Mason's are one such group that most people see as a 'good' group, but the reality is this group is a very evil organization with satanic roots. They have the appearance of doing good with their Shrine circuses that have entertained kids forever and their contributions of money to worthwhile causes certainly have that same appearance; yet, when you research the history of the Mason's you find they are anything but 'good' Here is a CBS video that gives you a glimpse of this secret group:http://www.cbsnews.com/news/inside-the-secret-world-of-the-freemasons/

What I found interesting was how they attempted to debunk all of the conspiracy theories about this organization, but in the end there was a 'secret, closed door society they refused to share. Satan loves to parade in secrecy, in darkness, in a shroud of mystic. Just like their work they do through the Shriner's hospitals for children trick or treating has become the rallying cry of why we should allow our children to trick or treat.

As Christian's is this what we ought to be doing to our children? To introduce the powers of darkness through the innocence of taking them door to door, dressed in scary costumes in the name of fun?

My own personal opinion is that it is not. My opinion as a believer in Jesus Christ and a child of the light that we must have no part of this pagan tradition because once you open the door just a crack one day other forces of evil will push it wide open. They will come masquerading like the free mason's luring you in because everyone's doing it mentality. After all, who wouldn't want to be a mason with an allstar membership lineup of theirs?

We ought to instead mentor our children into the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ, teach them and help them memorize the word of God by attending a church with a great children's program.

We do this we are raising an awesome generation of children who will be able to defeat the strongholds of Halloween and bring people to Christ.

Why as believer's in Jesus Christ we ought not celebrate Halloween?

6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

In only a few short days families will be dressing their children to look like goblins, witches, ghosts, or their favorite character in a horror show they have watched. As a father I was torn by this so called holiday. At a time when public schools have taken out any resemblance of the celebration of the birth of Christ many schools continue the tradition of Halloween.

I know I will end up stepping on toes of people who see no harm being done in celebrating it. As a dad who experienced a loss of a child and who has sought God's own heart to help me recover from this grief I see this 'holiday' differently.

As a child I remember dressing up as a ghost and going door to door to collect candy. I remember playing with the Ouija board with friends and thinking it was just a harmful game. As I got older I would get together with friends to watch so called innocent movies of horror. At the Junior high dance they would show Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' in the gym for those who didn't want to dance.

Our culture is so occupied with death that we think it is Ok for people to choose to die when any amount of suffering comes into their lives. When we become incapacitated we see death as our escape from suffering rather than an opportunity to  teach our younger generation what it means to live as we suffer.

 I see Halloween not acceptable because in it we are celebrating death and allowing for the remote possibility of evil spirits to come into our lives.

The question becomes, 'is this really what we should be doing to our children?' Are we setting the very foundation where our kids will reject any possibility of declaring Jesus as Savior and Lord as they begin their own flight from our homes? Lastly, should we instead be celebrating life and freedom through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

My concern for this 'holiday' is it has become so ingrained in our lives. We take our kids trick and treating because it was something we experienced as kids. We have our kids bob for apples because it was something we did as kids. If we are not careful our lives become nothing more than celebrating 'rituals' instead of celebrating true freedom from those rituals that Jesus Christ gave to us.

We live in Anoka County near a city that is unfortunately known as the 'Halloween capital of the world'. Every Saturday before Halloween  they would have a annual parade down main street Anoka with floats, marching bands and of course children dressed up in costumes. I am happy to say that our family has never gone to any of these parades simply because we wanted to avoid any introduction of evil spirits, but yet I know the turnout for these parades is huge with families coming from miles around the metro area just to be there. 

At one point I thought the city of Anoka should eliminate Halloween as a theme and in place of it create the Lake Wobegon days in honor of our own Garrison Keillor.

Some say we should partake in this holiday to be 'salt and light' to a hurting community. I say there are other ways to be salt and light than giving honor where none is deserved for this holiday.

In the end each person needs to decide on their own how they want to celebrate this day with their kids. I am reminded by the verse from Joshua 24:15"but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Lastly, there is hope for anyone who is tormented by evil spirits. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wants to free you of the powers of darkness. With the help of a freedom appointment and prayer restoration ministries you can gain true freedom from the powers of darkness. Our church as well as many others have such ministries to help you. Here is our churches link to freedom in Christ http://www.newhopechurchmn.org/prayer/freedomministry.php

The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,And be gracious to you;
he Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’

Dialogue with with Jesus one day at Panera

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all[a]comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

One morning at the local Panera bakery shop where Todd had hunkered down to have a cup of coffee while reading from his bible and writing in his journal Jesus stopped by to visit. Surprised and bewildered Todd immediately identified Jesus and asked him to join him. Jesus took a seat on the opposite side of the booth and noticed the 365 days with Wilberforce devotional Todd had opened next to his bible.

"I remember Mr. Wiberforce so well." Jesus declared, "I remember the restless nights he had as he pursued the bill before the English Parliament to outlaw the slave industry. Those were very painful days for him, especially after his visit with John Newton, another man who suffered greatly."

Todd looked with interest, " tell me about John Newton."
Jesus reflected on Todd's words.

 "John Newton was involved in an organization known as the Atlantic slave trade. He had no religious convictions until one night a violent storm was threatening to swamp his ship. John Newton immediately cried out to God and that night I came into his life and helped him change  his life. He began to have severe remorse over the slave trade as he saw men, woman and children being treated horribly. You might remember the song John Newton wrote. With excitement in his voice Todd remembered. " Yes, Amazing Grace. We would sing that song a lot in church."

Todd remembered the calming of the seas from the New Testament, "you calmed the storm in John Newton's life like you did when your disciples cried out to you on the sea."

Jesus asked a question, "What lesson did you learn from that picture?"  Todd thought then added, "that when the people you love cry out to you that you will calm the storm in their lives."

There was a long pause before Jesus added with a tear in his eye.

"I remember after  I heard that your daughter had died that June 10 2007 night how I cried for your family." Jesus paused, "I remember answering the prayers of the teachers and the students from the school Maria attended that her surgery would go well and that she would heal fast.  I remember the prayers of your family for the same reason. It was my intent to see her grow into a young adult."

Todd reflected on a memory of his kids. "You knew that both of our kids were on the Kid's prayer team at Crystal Evangelical Free church."  Jesus smiled remembering.

 "Ah yes, those prayers of little children, I heard every single one. I loved how they prayed those prayers fully knowing those prayers would be answered."

Todd shared a concern with Jesus. "Jesus, how come it seems that when everything is going right in our lives we neglect you, but when our lives are tossed upside down we cry out to  you?"

Jesus thought about what Todd had said before giving a response, "If only they knew that I want to be in their lives no matter if it is a crisis, or they have been especially blessed like the addition of a new family member, a new job, or a promotion at work.

 Jesus paused before adding, "I admire your heart as you come here to this place every morning to make new memories out of a place where you had taken your family of four out for meals." Todd thought about what Jesus said, " After Maria died I couldn't so much drive by this place without feeling such deep prolong sorrow."

 Jesus paused to reflect on those words,"Todd, you are so right about leaning into your grief and trusting that I will guide you through the grief process."  Jesus paused again, " You know, many people tend to run from their grief by moving away from the places they previously experienced positive memories with loved ones no longer with them. They try to bury their pain in their work, or in long moments of solitude of drinking too much, using drugs, or anything they think will make their pain go away, but they do everything but cry out to me. Many get angry and blame me for the loss of their loved one. Some stop believing in me. They pursue a path of unbelief. They fail to realize that we live in a fallen world where things go wrong.If only they can see the the bigger picture that all things will be made new again."
Todd looks at his watch and notices he has to begin his drive to work. Jesus noticed. "I will let you get on with your day. Remember Todd, I am only a simple prayer away."

  Todd shuffles his papers together along with his bible and devotional  and as he walked out he looked back and watched Jesus walk over to another person with a pained expression in her eyes. As she saw Jesus she smiled and asked him to join her.