Who Gets The Glory?

I really, really, really dislike this day ... October 31 ... and all it represents! My reason - It has its roots in pagan customs!!!

The Celtic people of Great Britain and Northern France were the first to celebrate this eve. Here is some history in a nutshell! They were worshippers of many gods - one being the Sun God - whose "job" was over for the year as harvest time was upon them. Another god was the god of the dead - which was how they perceived winter... they believed that on this night he called together all the souls of the dead which took on animal shapes. The priests of these people built bonfires hoping to increase the sun's power so that the god of the dead would be overpowered. And then there is the history of the jack-o-lantern; and the "trick or treating"... and so on. This just barely touches the tip of the iceberg! You can research more if you need to know more!

I just KNOW this is not a celebration from my GOD! I KNOW too, that this IS the day HE has made and I WILL rejoice in HIS day! And - I GIVE HIM ALL THE GLORY FOR TODAY!

For most North Americans this day has no special meaning except to dress up and go home-to-home asking for a treat! BUT - my heart gets heavy when I see the church involved in this night.... I KNOW there will be many people say that it is an outreach avenue! That it is to keep the kids off the streets! That it is one more way for the church to be part of the community! I have even contributed to the treats being passed out tonight! Go figure!

Please - know this comes from my heart and not a place of judgment ---- for I realize that many, many churches across our country are celebrating Fall Festival. To me it is like taking an orange & painting it red, calling it an apple --- it is NOT an apple - it is still an orange!

PRAISE GOD! Scriptures tell us that the dead will rise - when Christ returns! Hallelujah! Not tonight! Not any other October 31st! Then - and only then!!!

1 Corinthians 15:52-53
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.

Elsewhere in scripture we are told that we will not know the day or the hour this will occur! I love that His ways and thoughts are not ours...

I sometimes feel saddened though, wondering if HE is sad with us! Does He look at us and say, Oh my children, when are you going to learn.
Do you not KNOW that I AM!
I AM ENOUGH!
I AM IS SUFFICIENT!
I AM WILL ENABLE YOU TO STAND STRONG AND BOLD BEFORE THE WORLD!

Father God,
I bow my head and my heart before you today. Make me a light today - your light! You know the heaviness I feel every year at this time... show me, Lord, what I can do to be an instrument of change for You! Bless those reading this - may they KNOW that You are I AM!

Resting in HIM,
Ruthie