A New Spin on Halloween

It's that time of year again. Giant bags of candy. Pumpkins outside of every store you visit. "Trick-or-Treat"s all night long...yup! Halloween is upon us yet again.

I hope no one is disappointed, but I'm going to skip the talk about pagan rituals and Satan's birthday and all the other terms that float around Christian circles this time of year. It's not that these are things we, as Christians, shouldn't be concerned about, I just think we've heard it all before, and I do not feel fully equipped to give a history lesson on Paganism anyhow.

Instead, I want to talk about the Bible. Halloween makes me think about the Bible. More specifically, I think about Lazurus. The original Night of the Living Dead if you will. In thinking about Lazurus, I think about masks, and that takes me right back to Halloween. (I know, just stay with me for a few paragraphs.)

One of the biggest appeals of Halloween is getting to be, at least for one day, someone you're not. This year I have the distinct privilage of dressing up as Ron Stoppable. (Ask your kids.) Who do you get to be? Spiderman? Superman? A witch? An angel? Some sort of fruit? Whatever it is, it is fun right?

The reason I think about Lazurus though, is that I can't help but think about the other 364 days of the year. What masks do we have on then? The always cheery secretary? The manager who has no fear? The friend who always has time for other people's problems because he's got none of his own? If we can answer that question, that begs another. What are we trying to cover up?

The answer is sin. The sin in our life. Things we've done to others. Things we've done to ourselves. Things that others have done to us. It's all sin. And it stinks.

This is where I get to Lazurus. The story says that Jesus removed the stone from Lazurus' tomb. Do you know why they put stones in front of tombs? Certainly not to keep the dead from escaping. They did it because death stinks. Jesus was even warned about it. But He didn't care. He removed the stone and conquered the death and stench that it was covering up.

I think by now you know what I'm getting at. It's time to put the false identities aside, and let Jesus deal with the sin underneath. He's not afraid of the stench. He wants in. He's not afraid to get dirty and work things out. But you have to let Him have a crack at it.

This Halloween, I hope you get all the candy you can eat for a month, or that your kids get some of your favorites. Just consider this. When you are standing in front of the mirror and you pull off that mask, how many more are underneath it?

By Aaron Blackwell

PRAYER CHANGES ME

Prayer can be an animated interaction with God over time. For example, the Book of Jonah begins and ends in conversation between Jonah and God and contains graphic animation in between. God asks Jonah to evangelize Nineveh. Jonah would rather see the people of Nineveh burn, and he basically says “no way!” Jonah flees from God and God’s request only to wind up in the belly of a large fish with some time to think it over. After three days and three nights, Jonah prayed (Jonah 2:6-9):

“While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord;
And my prayer came to Thee, into Thy holy temple.
Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness,
But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving.
That which I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation is from the Lord.”

Prayer changed Jonah, and God commanded the fish to spit Jonah up onto dry land. This time Jonah went to Nineveh at God’s request. He still had a bad attitude with respect to compassion, but at least he was obedient.

Prayer changed the hearts of David, Daniel, Nehemiah and other biblical characters. Prayer changes our hearts today. Prayer moves things from our thought realm into our hearts and emotions. We can learn compassion through what we experience as we surrender our wills to God’s wishes. Prayer is interactive and part of the life process that God uses to weave His character and strength into our lives and transform us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray continually.

By Harvey Dove

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"

Yesterday, in Cottonwood’s worship service, member Mike talked about fasting. He explained how it helps him to get closer to God. Fasting is an effective way to build and strengthen your relationship with Him. In fact, there are lots ways to develop this vital bond.

Living somewhat near the river, I go down there from time to time to walk, run, sit, and meditate. There is virtually no noise from people, no clamor from traffic, no disturbing telephones. An occasional cry of a chipmunk, a runner navigating a distant trail, or the splash of the river plotting its course around a piece of old driftwood merely delight the ears.

This environment is a splendid one in which to be with God. As I ponder His creation, I talk to Him and He seems to reply as I sense the reassuring comfort of his presence. The contentment is overwhelming, yet humbling.

We all need ways to bask in His power and love. What do you do to get closer to God?

By Larry Walsh