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DiscipleLand Workshop, Thoughts on Halloween (Pastoral Emphasis for 10/31)

If you missed the Church Family Meeting, check out my entry about our model for ministry (which is Discipleship). Also, I'm asking the entire church to read the book, "Radical" by David Platt. This book will definitely challenge you but will transform your thinking and deepen your faith.

We are hosting a DiscipleLand Workshop for parents on this Friday from 6 to 8:30pm and for teachers on Saturday at 9am to 12pm. For Friday's workshop, child care for ages 12 and younger will be provided and refreshments will be served from 5 to 6pm. Dick Crider from DiscipleLand will be our guest speaker so we're asking all parents and teachers to participate. We don't want Mr. Crider to come all the way from Texas and only a few people show up. Also, let's show our children that we care about their spiritual development.

Today is Halloween. I'm actually actually that it's on Sunday this year because that's the day we celebrate the fact that Jesus defeated demonic authorities, death, and evil by His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead!

Here are my thoughts on Halloween. Personally, my family & I don't celebrate it. It's not a salvation or justification issue. Remember Col. 2:16 says to let no one judge you in regards to celebrating a festival. But I do think we should be cautious. Halloween has pagan origin and often celebrates witchcraft, monsters, and demonic things. Although we have Christian liberty, we do not want to participate with demons. Read 1 Cor. 10:14-31. Everything we do should bring glory to God. So ultimately it a matter of conscience before God. But if you do participate, think about how you can use it as a Gospel opportunity to share with neighbors and friends. Don't let it just be about tricks, treats, and candy, but bring glory to God by sharing the Gospel.

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