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Question for Discussion: Simplification

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:20:33 GMT

What area of your life most needs simplifying,
and what’s one way you could simplify in that area?

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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FYI: History of Halloween

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:22:26 GMT

From history.com

Ancient Origins
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

Modern Traditions
The American tradition of "trick-or-treating" probably dates back to the early All Souls' Day parades in England. During the festivities, poor citizens would beg for food and families would give them pastries called "soul cakes" in return for their promise to pray for the family's dead relatives.

The distribution of soul cakes was encouraged by the church as a way to replace the ancient practice of leaving food and wine for roaming spirits. The practice, which was referred to as "going a-souling" was eventually taken up by children who would visit the houses in their neighborhood and be given ale, food, and money.

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. Hundreds of years ago, winter was an uncertain and frightening time. Food supplies often ran low and, for the many people afraid of the dark, the short days of winter were full of constant worry. On Halloween, when it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world, people thought that they would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. On Halloween, to keep ghosts away from their houses, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease the ghosts and prevent them from attempting to enter.

Evolution Of A Holiday
As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Because of the rigid Protestant belief systems that characterized early New England, celebration of Halloween in colonial times was extremely limited there.

It was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included "play parties," public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other's fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country.

In the second half of the nineteenth century, America was flooded with new immigrants. These new immigrants, especially the millions of Irish fleeing Ireland's potato famine of 1846, helped to popularize the celebration of Halloween nationally. Taking from Irish and English traditions, Americans began to dress up in costumes and go house to house asking for food or money, a practice that eventually became today's "trick-or-treat" tradition. Young women believed that, on Halloween, they could divine the name or appearance of their future husband by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings, or mirrors.

In the late 1800s, there was a move in America to mold Halloween into a holiday more about community and neighborly get-togethers, than about ghosts, pranks, and witchcraft.

At the turn of the century, Halloween parties for both children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. Parents were encouraged by newspapers and community leaders to take anything "frightening" or "grotesque" out of Halloween celebrations. Because of their efforts, Halloween lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century.

By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular, but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide parties as the featured entertainment. Despite the best efforts of many schools and communities, vandalism began to plague Halloween celebrations in many communities during this time. By the 1950s, town leaders had successfully limited vandalism and Halloween had evolved into a holiday directed mainly at the young. Due to the high numbers of young children during the fifties baby boom, parties moved from town civic centers into the classroom or home, where they could be more easily accommodated. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Trick-or-treating was a relatively inexpensive way for an entire community to share the Halloween celebration. In theory, families could also prevent tricks being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats. A new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country's second largest commercial holiday.Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Bible From Beginning to End: Deuteronomy 14-26

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:21:20 GMT

Key Verses
(or verses I liked)

Deuteronomy 14:22-23 “Make an offering…Bring this into the Presence of God, your God…In this way you will learn to live in deep reverence before God, you God, as long as you live.”

Deuteronomy 16:20 “…Pursue only what’s right! It’s the only way you can really live…”

Deuteronomy 17:19-20 “That scroll is to remain at his side at all times; he is to study it every day so that he may learn what it means to fear his God, living in reverent obedience before these rules and regulations by following them. He must not become proud and arrogant, changing the commands at whim to suit himself or making up his own versions.” (speaking of God’s Word)

Deuteronomy 18:9 “…don’t take on the abominable ways of the nations there.”

Deuteronomy 18:13 “Be completely loyal to God, your God.”

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 “When you make a vow to God, your God, don't put off keeping it; God, your God, expects you to keep it and if you don't you're guilty. But if you don't make a vow in the first place, there's no sin. If you say you're going to do something, do it. Keep the vow you willingly vowed to God, your God. You promised it, so do it.”

Deuteronomy 26:10-11 “…Prostrate yourselves in the Presence of God, your God. And rejoice! Celebrate all the good things that God, your God, has given you and your family; you and the Levite and the foreigner who lives with you.”

Deuteronomy 26:16-17 “This very day God, your God, commands you to follow these rules and regulations, to live them out with everything you have in you. You've renewed your vows today that God is your God, that you'll live the way he shows you; do what he tells you in the rules, regulations, and commandments; and listen obediently to him.”

Notes

Command:

Don’t mutilate your bodies or shave heads in funeral rites.
Eat only ritually clean animals

Ritually Clean Animals: Ox, sheep, goat, deer, gazelle, roebuck, ibex, antelope, seafood with fins and scales

Ritually Unclean Animals: camels, rabbit, rock badgers, pig, seafood without fins and/or scales, shellfish

Deuteronomy 20:1-9 Men who shouldn’t fight:

hasn’t dedicated his new home
hast enjoyed grapes from new vineyard
is engaged and not yet taken his wife
wavering in resolve and is afraid

The test of a prophet is whether or not what is says comes to pass or not. (Deuteronomy 18:22)

Thoughts

We are not given any reason for why some animals are ritually clean and others are ritually unclean. God made the distinction. Who are we to argue with God?

Giving: (Deuteronomy 15:7-11) if everyone assumes that someone else will take care of the needy, then nothing will ever be done. “…Give freely and spontaneously…” What would this world look like if every follower of God stood up and truly loved as God loves? What if everyone gave freely and spontaneously without a stingy heart? That is a world I would like to see.

The Clothing Debate: (Deuteronomy 22:5) This verse is commonly used to support the belief that woman should not wear pants. I do not believe that is what this verse was talking about. I’ve also heard that is isn’t really about physical clothing but about designated roles. God designed each sex for a specific role/purpose and they shouldn’t try assume the other role/purpose.

Swear to God: (Deuteronomy 23:21-23) God takes this very seriously. He expects you to do what you are going to say you’re going to do. I noticed that it refers to vows that you willingly make. If you carelessly throw it out there, does God hold you to it? Could it be considered using His name in vain?

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Lead Me Lord I Will Follow

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:31:16 GMT

Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you in the way that you should go.
Isaiah 48:17 AMP

I [the Lord] will instruct you
and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8 AMP

In the verses above God tells us that He will lead us in the ways we should go. God knows what is best for us. He is the creator of the universe and everything in it. He has a plan for us and He desire to bless us. What father wouldn’t want the best for His children? I believe wholeheartedly that if I keep my eyes on Him and follow Him, that He will take care of me.

Frontline Worship has this song, I don’t know what it’s called, and in it has these lyrics: “Lead me Lord I will follow…I’ll do what you want, take my life anywhere, I’ll go, I will always be faithful.”

I’ve been meditating on the phrase “lead me Lord, I will follow” for the past day. It stemmed from my prayers last night. I was praying about a certain situation and I was basically telling God that whatever he wants, I’ll do. I meant it too. If it is not His will, I do not want it because I believe that means He has a better plan for me. I pictured myself laying this thing at His feet and walking away. It was so freeing and gives me a chance to focus and enjoy other things in my life.

In the past few years I come to trust Him completely. I trust that He will take care of me and to lead me in the direction I need to go. I have no problem coming to Him and giving Him my cares because I know that placing them in His hands are the best.

Are you willing to follow the Lord no matter what?
Do you trust Him enough to give Him everything?

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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The Lesson of the Coffee Bean

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:25:36 GMT

A daughter complained to her father about how hard things were for her."As
soon as I solve one problem," she said, "another one comes up. I'm tired of struggling."

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with
water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one
he placed carrots, in the second, eggs, and in the last, ground coffee
beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After a while,
he went over and turned off the burners. He fished out the carrots and
placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. He
poured the coffee into a bowl. Turning to her he asked, "Darling, what do
you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted
that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After
pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked
her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich flavor.

She asked, "What does it mean, Father?" He explained that each of them had
faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but after being subjected
to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg was fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior,
but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. By being in the boiling water,
they changed the water.

He asked his daughter, "When adversity knocks on your door, which are you?"

-- Author Unknown

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character,
hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his
love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 8:31-39
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be
against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us
all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God
who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more
than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also
interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or
sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, either height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and
complete, not lacking anything.

1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the
same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Bible From Beginning To End: Deuteronomy 1-13

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:54:16 GMT

Key Verses
(or verses I liked)

Deuteronomy 6:6 “Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts…”

Deuteronomy 6:13 “Deeply respect God, your God. Serve and worship him exclusively…because God, your God, who is alive among you is a jealous God.”

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 “God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love…”

Deuteronomy 7:9 “God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon.”

Deuteronomy 7:21 “God, your God, is among you—God majestic, God awesome.”

Deuteronomy 8:3 “…men and women don’t live by bread alone, we live by every word that comes from God’s mouth.”

Deuteronomy 8:5-6 “You learned deep in your heart that God disciplines you in the same ways a father disciplines his child. So it's paramount that you keep the commandments of God, your God, walk down the roads he shows you and reverently respect him.”

Deuteronomy 9:3 “God, your God,…he’s a consuming fire.”

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “…what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I'm commanding you today—live a good life.”

Deuteronomy 10:17 “God, your God, is the God of all gods, he's the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and awesome”

Deuteronomy 10:20 “Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight to him, back up your promises with the authority of his name.”

Deuteronomy 11:18 “Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you.”

Deuteronomy 13:3-4 “…God, your God, is testing you to find out if you totally love him with everything you have in you. You are to follow only God, your God, hold him in deep reverence, keep his commandments, listen obediently to what he says, serve him—hold on to him for dear life!”

Notes

Some rules and regulations:

The 10 Commandments revisited
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all that’s in you, all your might
Respect God
Serve and worship him exclusively
Back up promises with His name only
No other gods

Why keep God’s rules and regulations:

Deuteronomy 5:32-33, 6:18-19, 24—to have a good life
Deuteronomy 6:2—to live in reverence before God
Deuteronomy 6:25—to have a set-right and put-together life
Deuteronomy 7:12-13—God will keep the covenant he made
Deuteronomy 8:11—to not forget God

Deuteronomy 9:6-10 The promised land was not given to Israel because of anything that they did, therefore they cannot lose it because of something they did.

Thoughts

Caleb revisited: In Deuteronomy 1:36 God says that Caleb “was all for following God, heart and soul.” Yet another reason that he is the kind of man I would want to marry. I would love a guy who follows God passionately (Numbers 14:24) with all his heart and soul.

I think Deuteronomy is one of my favorite books of the Bible so far.

Vigilance: In chapter 11 verse 16 we are advised to “be vigilant, lest you be seduced away and end up serving and worshiping other gods…” I think that this is wonderful advice. How easy it can be to get distracted by the things of this world or by life in general. There are many things that demand our attention that sometimes we forget about God. This should not be. He should be first and foremost in our lives. Remember what he says to us in Matthew ”…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Don’t lose sight of God.

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Introverts Confessional: Unafraid

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:43:59 GMT

There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18

I have been reflecting recently on the past few years and have been amazed. I have grown so much in the past year alone, that I am practically a different person. The picture on the right was the old me, hiding in my shell afraid of the world. I moved to a whole new place and my world was turned upside down.

It took me a while but I can finally say that I am comfortable here. I have a life here and I don’t want to leave it anytime soon. The biggest change in me, I think, is that I am no longer afraid to be me. I know I can be slightly dorky, ditzy, and confusing at times but that’s okay. I am also kindhearted, optimistic, and I love the Lord. I like who I am and I wouldn’t change me for the world.

This might not seem like a big deal to you, but for someone who has dealt with self-esteem issues for a long time this is monumental. It is incredibly freeing. I feel like now that I accept who I am I can finally move forward and I am looking forward to what God has in store for me.

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Red Letter Teachings: Matthew 15:8-9

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:19:19 GMT

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth,
and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men

Jesus is quoting Isaiah 29:13 here:

“And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning]” (AMP)

Jesus is talking to the Pharisees. He just got done accusing them of using the doctrines of man (tradition) to nullify God’s commandments (the Old Testament Law). He was none to happy with that, but that is a whole ‘nother post in and of itself.

What is described in these verses is commonly known as lip service, meaning that their words are absent of action or intention. It’s talking the talk but not walking the walk. It’s hypocrisy.

While he was referring to the Pharisees, they can be applied to us as well. It has applied to me in the past. Many times in fact. I think that we all go though seasons when our heart is far from God, and while we might not be reading our Bible or praying, we are still going to church. We are still singing worship, we are still talking and acting as if we have it all together. Sometimes we even think that is enough. I’m not saying that this is good, just that it happens.

The part that gets me is when he says that “in vain they do worship me.” If your heart if far from God, if he is not consistently or habitually on your mind, then your worship is useless. All your church going, singing and acting is all for nothing. What God desires is people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

My life application Bible had some good things to say about these verses:

When we claim to honor God while our heart is far from him, our worship means nothing. It is not enough to act religious. Our actions and our attitudes must be sincere.

Are your words backed up by action?
Are you sincere in your worship and devotion to God?

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Quotes to Ponder:

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:19:13 GMT

“We must live wholly for Him and seek nothing for ourselves.”

Watchman Nee, Let Us Pray

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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Abide in Christ

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:43:59 GMT

Abide in my love
John 15:9 NKJV

When you abide somewhere, you live there. You grow familiar with the surroundings. You don’t pull in the driveway and ask, “Where is the garage?” You don’t consult the blueprint to find the kitchen. To abide is to be at home.

To abide in Christ’s love is to make His love your home. Not a roadside park or hotel room you occasionally visit, but your preferred dwelling. You rest in Him. Eat in Him. When thunder claps, you step beneath His roof. His walls secure you form the winds, His fireplace warms you from the winters of life. As John urged, “we take up permanent residence if a life of love” (1 John 4:16 The Message).

Max Lucado
Come Thirsty

Note: Cross posted from A Christ Follower's Musings.
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