It is almost October 31st

Halloween

By now everyone should know (as you can ask google, siri, bing?) that Halloween was a day  dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows),martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers. This was established by the catholic church as early as the 700's. Where would we be without the rememberances of past saintes? I think about some of the my fellow brothers and sisters who now reside not here that have influenced me. Here is a brief list:

• The apostles
• St. Francis
• John G. Lake
• Billy Sunday
• Leonard Ravenhill
• Rich Mullins
• Keith Green
• C. S. Lewis
• My Grandama

Certainly the world, and most certainly not I, would be the same were it not for the lives of these past Saints. Remembering them is good for the mind, soul, and spirit.

So, here are some thoughts on Halloween as it exists in present day in American culture. 

Let me say first, as an American I do not celebrate many holidays of other natios, mostly because they mean nothing to me; to American national heritage. Just as I would guess independence day isn't so well celebrated in England, the day the cardinals won the world series by the many teams they have beaten or the conquering of Ethiopia to Mussolini by the Ethiopians.

Hypothetically...
Let's say you are a Jew in Hitler's Germany. The Nazis have sworn to destroy you and your kind. Let's say each year they celebrate the day they enrolled the Hitler youth. Every year they celebrate this with dressing as Hitler youth with swastika badges and candy given to everyone. As a Jew who has watched the Nazis burn, cage and destroy your family and relatives, would you celebrate this day with them? It is just dressing up and enjoying candy; no harm done. But would you celebrate with your enemy? Would you celebrate separately from your enemy in a different fashion?

Christians, we are in a war. Let's not join in celebrating a day that centers on our enemy, seemingly devised by our enemy. A day Certainly not promoting the love and life of our king. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Instead celebrate our king everyday.

P.s. If you have any left over candy send it my way.