Trick? Or, Treat?

Well, it's that time of year. Time when scores of people prepare to dress like or celebrate ghosts, witches, devils, aliens, celebrities (some times it's hard to tell one from the other), and do a variety of other miscellaneous things to pay homage to the eery side of life. Most of the people who celebrate Halloween are innocently looking for a treat and have no idea that the treat is an illusion while the trick is all too real.

One of the blockbuster movies still making a strong showing at the box office is Paranormal Activity, a simple movie with a homemade feel to it that depicts the demonic posession of an innocent young lady. People have reported having difficulty sleeping after watching the movie, being scared like never before, and just being creeped out overall. Why? Perhaps it's because they didn't read the fine print at the end of the movie that explained that the account is fictional. Or, perhaps it's because, regardless of whether this particular movie is fact or fiction, something deep within each of us recognizes that the spirit realm is real, which means that not only is God's Holy Spirit real, but so are unholy, demonic spirits.

With that in mind, why is it that so many people eagerly and gleefully look forward to celebrating and playing around with demonic spirits, but are deathly afraid and ashamed to walk in the light with the Holy Spirit? Something seems a little backwards there. This goes well beyond Halloween. That's only one night out of the year. I am referring to the deeds that we do regularly under the cover of darkness, the things that we do on the "down low" that can only make others ask, "How low can you go?"

As the Apostle Paul was ministering to the church in Galatia, at one point, their behavior caused him to ask,"Who has bewitched you....?" I ask the same question of us. When did we start believing that bad was good and good was bad? Are we under some kind of spell? I've tried bad and I've tried good. Bad usually appeared to be good at first, but later turned out to be, well, bad. Good often seemed boring and bad at first, but believe me, time continually proved that good was not only better, but best!

For example, why do we believe that it's o.k. to disobey God who tells us to flee (run as quickly and as far as possible away from ) fornication? Is it because we believe that we are "grown and sexy" or that consenting adults have the right to do whatever they please. What happened to the fact that those of us who call ourselves Christian have been bought with a price--Jesus' blood--and that God has a purpose and plan for our lives that does not include sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies and the overall drama that comes from becoming "one flesh" with a variety of different people because we don't trust God enough to lead us to our mate. God still blesses us in spite of our mistakes, but that is not a "license to ill."

The belief "if it feels good, do it" appears to lead to all sorts of tasty, thrilling treats, but in reality it's just a tired, terrible trick.

God tells us that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. So, when we go against God's plan and design for us, it is like being under a spell. Imagine if a dog began behaving strangely. (What would be considered strange for a dog? Anything that seems unnatural for a dog to do. The same goes for us.) We would do all we could to figure out what was making the dog behave strangely and how to make it stop.

Well, isn't it strange for those of us who love God to want to dress up like God's enemy and decorate our homes in a manner that says, "death and demons are welcome here?" Isn't it unnatural for God's creation (us) to continually engage in behaviors that essentially say, "God, you knew what You were doing when you created me, but after that, You fell out of touch with reality. I can't possibly be expected to find any joy in living for You. The only joy I can expect to get comes with a price, alright, but it's not Jesus' blood. It's the cover charge to get into the night club so I can 'legitimately' get wasted; it's the cost of the drugs I take so my mind can get 'twisted'; it's the cost of the condoms so I can get a few, fleeting moments of pleasure; it's the cost of ____________(fill in the blank here with the rebellion of your choice).

Come on! Silly rabbits! Tricks are for kids! Let's wake up, grow up and realize that God is not our enemy! God is not trying to stop us from enjoying life. In fact, just the opposite is true. God sent Jesus that we "might have life and have it more abundantly." What does that mean? Well, take the time and make the effort to figure it out. Too many of us have wasted way too much money, time, sweat and tears searching for "treats" in anything, any place and anyone else but God.

Let October 31, 2009, be the day that you declare your freedom from the tricks and traps from the enemy! Use Hallows Eve--the original name for Halloween (Hallowed=Holy, E'en=Evening)--for what it would be most appropriate for, preparing to celebrate All Saints Day, Nov. 1. Find a church that you can attend this weekend to begin celebrating and learning about the great heroes and heroines of the Bible who overcame the tricks and found the real treats in life. Connect with other people who, just like you, have finally had enough of the tricks of the enemy and are working together to help each other stand strong through God's promises.

You many not find all the answers you need from one church visit, but be patient. Remember there is no perfect church, not because God is not perfect, but because we are not. Don't let imperfect Christians be an excuse to keep you away from church. Horrible food never made you give up eating! Horrible dancers never kept you off of the dance floor at the night clubs! (They certainly didn't stop me!). Some things that should have stopped us only made us more determined! At least give God the same amount of time and commitment you gave everything else you've tried.

Let me know how it goes. Hearing your testimony will be a real treat!

Rev. Karen

That's Not Fair!

Remember when you were a kid and your brother or sister or neighbor got something that you didn't? Three words came tumbling out of your mouth before you could blink or think--"That's not fair!" Oooh! I can just hear the whiney, pouty tone.

I have two young children and I have declared the word "fair" off limits in my household. Why? Because "fair" is always dependent upon what side of the fence you stand. If you're on the side with no grass while your neighbor has a lush emerald green lawn, you might think it's "not fair" that the grass is greener on the other side. Meanwhile, your neighbor thinks it's "not fair" that you don't have to cut grass in the sweltering summer sun and the neighbor's children envy the natural mud wrestling pit that emerges on your side after every heavy rain.

Years ago at a previous job I was given an assignment that I thought was unfair. A team of writers on another floor in our building needed to draft a letter of condolence to a family that had experienced a tragedy. There were plenty of writers on their team that could (and I thought should) have taken responsibility for the assignment. But, instead, the assignment skipped their team entirely and somehow landed on my desk. I was already swamped, yet I was asked to take on someone else's responsibility--and on a tight deadline! "This is so unfair!" I thought.

But, thank God that the Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth. While trying to gather the right words for the letter I was steadily stewing and asking "Why?! Why?! Why?!" Then, the thought came to me, "Have you forgotten who you really work for? You are My servant. You are My chosen vessel. This is no ordinary circumstance and this is no ordinary letter. This letter may be signed by an executive, but it will come from Me. I placed you in this position for such a time as this."

I was so humbled! I was so ashamed! There I was worried about my workload and what was "fair" while a family was hurting and simply needed a few words of empathy and encouragement to help them get through. I didn't know it at the time, but the family was Christian, which was perfect because, although I was working for a secular organization, the words that came out of me most definitely had a Christ-like feel.

I also didn't realize that God was preparing my heart and my gifts for ministry, which has proven to be my true vocation. When I really came to terms with the fact that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, is in full control, and is all-knowing, I realized my perspective on "fair" was, well, unfair.

Have you ever had a sibling take the blame and punishment for something you did? I have a sneaking suspicion that you did not blurt out, "That's not fair!" Were you ever forgiven for a debt that you owed? I am confident that your response was not, "That's not fair!" When I think about how Jesus went to the cross, not for any crimes that He had done, but for my sins, somehow--ironically--the words, "That's not fair!" are nowhere on my lips.

I am glad that God is a just God, yet a merciful God who does not judge us in relation to others--which is inherent in our notion of "fairness"--and doesn't ever give us more than we can bear. No matter how overwhelming things may seem, God doesn't ask anything of us that we haven't already been equipped to do. Of course not. Just think about it. THAT simply would not be "fair."

Rev. Karen

Walking By Faith....

We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Many of us have head knowledge of what this scripture means, but I challenge you to allow the notion of walking by faith to move down from your head and sink into your heart. Perhaps it will require you to literally take a walk--by faith. That's what has been helping me to more fully appreciate what God desires of us.

Following major surgery this summer, I reached a plateau in my recovery. I got better than I was, but then I reached a point where I wasn't getting where I needed to be. So, my doctor prescribed exercise--particularly walking.

I hadn't done any serious walking since my college days, so I could not see myself getting anywhere close to the goal he set for me -- a two-hour walk. Well, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. So, I started out with a 20-minute walk. Then, I advanced to 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and now three weeks later I am up to 1 hour and 15 minutes!

In the beginning, I couldn't see myself doing it, but I began walking anyway--by faith. I'm already feeling better and excited about reaching my goal. I'm also enjoying the view as I walk through areas I normally drive through--usually too quickly to notice the beauty around me.

Walking has forced me to "sloooww dowwn" and see the changing colors on the leaves, the beautiful architecture of historic buildings, and the quaint neighborhood corner stores that make the surrounding concrete jungle a little more homey. God has even orchestrated it that, at times, I would turn a corner or cross a street and run into people I haven't seen in 10-20 years.

I used to think it was a blessing to get a parking spot close to where I was headed. Now that I'm a "walker," as long as there is no inclement weather, it doesn't matter where I park, as long as I get a spot (preferably without a meter). Yesterday, while running errands and looking for a place to park, the nearest spot I could find was at least three blocks away. "What a blessing," I thought to myself, "I can get in a little more walking!" I had to laugh at my new perspective on parking "blessings."

When I set out to walk, I never plan my route. I just walk by faith as the Lord leads. Of course I follow basic safety such as keeping an eye on my surroundings and avoiding secluded areas. But, I never know where the next step will take me--and that's just fine. I listen keenly to God's Spirit which tells me when to turn and when to keep straight; when to move and when to stop. It's really exciting wondering where God will lead me. It's also very liberating to not have to be in full control (or at least thinking I am) of everything.

How can you step out in faith this week? Find a way to free yourself from having to be in control or knowing what every single step will bring. Examine your perspective on how God is "blessing" you--maybe it's not by making you comfortable but by stretching you.

Go ahead. Walk by faith! You will "see" things you never could by sight alone. Let me know how it goes!

Rev. Karen

THIS is the Day....

For many years I was in search of a "to it." I waited... and waited... and waited because not just any "to it" would do. It couldn't be square. It could not be triangular. It had to be round.

Why the puzzled expression? You know exactly what a "to it" is. Many of you are in search of one, too. And, like me, you will not budge until you get that round "to it"! You know the one--the one that will allow you to finally finish (or finally start) that project you promised you'd handle once you got -- around to it. You remember the plans and dreams that have been on hold for far too long waiting for you to get -- around to it.

Don't procrastinate any further. Don't continue to put off onto tomorrow that which you can do today. You've passed by enough tomorrows that at least one of them is long overdue for finally becoming your "today".

THIS is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Why not let today be the day that you take one small step toward that which you have resisted, hid, denied or delayed--knowing that God has placed it within you and within reach?

TODAY is your day to rise and shine and give God the glory for a brand new mercy and a brand new opportunity to get a round "to it"!

This series of blogs that you are now reading finally emerged once I got a round "to it". I have much more to accomplish, but this blog is an important first step--which, by the way, means that I don't need this particular "to it" any longer.

Well, well, well! This is truly your day! It would be my honor to give you my "to it" so that THIS will be the day that you finally begin at least one of the things you've always wanted to do, once you got a round "to it." Congratulations, my friend!!!

Once you've taken that first step, let me know how it feels to finally get a round "to it". I have a feeling that you will rejoice and be glad in it and declare that THIS is the day the Lord has made. :-)

Rev. Karen