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Blackwind is a spell to cause effects of bad luck through an area. But the spell could backlash to the person who casts it. Use one to three candles of minority colors to withstand from red as it binds, the person into almost disaster with the spell itself. The chant after lighting the candles in a circular pattern and a triangle with the three candles at the points. There can or can't be a bowl or glass dish in the middle. Now the process is to place a picture or something of the area in the middle. The short version is "fail" or "failure", "falur", "banal" while looking at the target in picture or thinking of the area. You cast this by not effecting a presence near the area of the spell. Only the short version can be done without the ritual but twice the chance of failure.
This is the nonverbal form. Imagine the person, and imagine a whole bunch of bad things happening to them, and then after you basically dream up their own personal hell, add two conditionals thought on: "Make sure that they gain lessons from all of these things that will change them from who they are, and make them better." and "If they become better, then halt the curse. If they begin again, begin it once again."
This chant consists of 6 lines and is the verbal form:
"Three times the wind blows"
"With failure in the area"
"So this caster is unaffected and the target is"
"Ruled by corruption and the laws of bad luck"
"Make better, If they become better, then halt the curse."
" If they begin again, begin it once again."
This chant is different as it uses Egyptian force craft:
"umbideu loseus lobran"
"socrac marwin wiuwin"
"lebrosia marksi verbont"
"ruby corrut ilabalu"
"ifbeco beta hythex"
"ifbei agabei acaga"
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I read a lot of stories about pastor flying around the country in private jets and living in mansions. I know these people to be frauds by their works. There is no connection between the lifestyle they live, and message of Christ that my christian friends try to sell me when we talk of religion. My friends use the old canard, "Well pastor X is not a real christian, and his church is not an authentic church." They urge me to pay no attention to the high-flying mega church pastors and the moral corruption of their collective message. Worship the dollar... pay no attention to the family struggling to put food on the table. Wealth is our God...
Corruption takes many forms. If you read my blog, you know that clergy sexual abuse is an area that I explore. I cannot understand why anyone abuses a child. When you wrap the abuse in religion, it becomes all the more confusing. I don't have an answer. I simply point at it and yell, "Wrong!"
When a pastor trips over money, the stories are easier to understand, but no least disturbing. Why would a pastor lie, cheat, and steal? I have a theory, but few religious people listen. Pastors are just men or woman whose job puts them at the head of a church. They are not holy, or filled with the spirit, or different from us in any way. Pastors are people. Thus, they fall just like the rest of us.
Pastor Kevin Sutherland is the latest in a long line of fallen pastors. Although his alleged crimes are still unproven allegations, his case is a perfect example of my point. Sutherland and his wife run the Mosaic Miami Church. If you attend Mosaic, then you get the Sutherland spin on Christianity. I wonder if that spin includes teaching members how to profit from the sale of counterfeit art?
"According to prosecutors, Kevin Sutherland, a Florida pastor, tried to do just that in December. Mr. Sutherland contacted Sotheby's and offered to sell one of Mr. Hirst's "spin" paintings, which he bought from an unidentified person according to court documents, at an upcoming auction."
"By the end of January, Sotheby's authentication service, Science Ltd., had determined that the work was a forgery, a prosecutor said in court. But before Sotheby's notified Mr. Sutherland of that, it would seem that they also notified law enforcement authorities."
Rejected by Sotherby's, Sutherland offered the discredited work and other works, to an undercover investigator.
"Then, on Jan. 31, Sotheby's notified Mr. Sutherland that there had been a problem with the authentication. Three hours later, Mr. Sutherland e-mailed the undercover officer, prosecutors said in court papers. Mr. Sutherland went on to tell the undercover officer that he had another spin painting and three of Mr. Hirst's "dot" paintings. He provided provenance papers and agreed to sell the lot for 185,000."
Now disgraced pastor Kevin Sutherland and his upbeat alternative church are in the spotlight. I am afraid the attention will not be kind. Fraud in one area leads to crimes in another area. Do you really want to tithe 10% of your wealth to a man who tries to sell counterfeit art? What other schemes are afoot? Look at your walk with Christ. is it authentic? How would you know if the words you've been using to interpret the message of Christ came from the lips of a liar?
How would Sutherland know what God wants?
"What God wants from us is not religion but a relationship. Jesus didn't teach His original disciples a religion. Rather, He loved them, trained them, commissioned them, and empowered them, and these disciples went out and changed the world! Jesus is still doing the same today. Now that's an adventure. "
Sutherland, like every other pastor on the planet, makes it up as he goes along. Some pastors rely on ritual, some on doctrine, and still others build something to fit their personal vision. Yet, we give these people special privileges simply because they call themselves pastor. We treat them as holy or wise when they are just... us. I'll never understand it.
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Eye of Ra
Written by
Theresa Chaze
Eye of Ra is an occult horror film that is based on Egyptian mythology. When Isis stole power from Ra, she initiated a guardian who not only had the strength to be the focal point for this great power, but who also had the ability to protect its secrets from those who would abuse them. Jealous of her grandmother and daughters' spiritual gifts, Sandra takes her youngest daughter, Rikki and disappears. Seeking power, she searches the world for the Eye of Ra; when she finds it, it is Rikki not her that the Guardian chooses. Enraged, Sandra makes a pact with the Dark Ones; if they help her destroy her own daughter, she will use the Eye in their name. Sandra attacks in the middle of the initiation ceremony. The Priestess is killed before it can be completed. Barely escaping with her life, Rikki returns to the small town of her birth. Her physical wounds have heals, but the guilt and self-doubt keeps her from seeing the truth of her life. Sandra follows Rikki to finish what she started, bringing the evil of the Dark Ones with her, and a small northern Michigan town learns the black secret that had been buried among them for generations.Theresa Chaze has been described as the woman who plays with dragons, especially the dragons of the mind. She leads her readers to magical realms and others worlds. Her work is based on her philosophy that all peoples can live together in peace as long as we come from respect, not only for ourselves but those who follow different paths or beliefs. Her work has been compared to Marion Zimmer Bradley and Anne McCaffrey with an adult version of Harry Potter mixed in.
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Oghams, Faerie Divination
Oghams, Fourth Aicme
Ailim-Silver Fir or Elm
Myrddin the Mage
Objectivity-Rebirth-Secrets
Deities: Arianrhod, Wheel Goddess of Time, Space, Fate, Life, and Death.
Magickal Use: Fires. Torches. Regeneration.
Attributes: Color: Light Blue, or Piebald. Class: Shrub. Herb: Cowslip. Animal: Red Cow, and Phoenix.
Tree: The station of Ailim is the station of rebirth: the Winter Solstice. The Silver Fir is considered by many to be a tree denoting birth or the beginning of things. It stands at the head of the series of vowels in the Oghamic system, while the Yew, considered a tree of "death," stands at the end of that series.
This is a tree of regeneration. When it is cut down, and appears dead, new stems grow from the still-growing roots. Its resinous wood produces a strong purifying flame which was used in Keltic ceremonies of birth and death. It symbolizes the growing light of the reborn sun at midwinter emerging from darkness.
Expression: Fir indicates rebirth: a transformation from a weak state into a strong one. It is raw, basic force of health and vigor. This is a highly elevated state of being. From the height of this perspective, objectivity is gained and wisdom is found as a result of the objectivity. The Silver Fir is the beginning of the path to finding truth and life. It implies the need for secrecy on this path.
Divination: Ailim indicates that there is to be a rebirth: a great
transformation for the better, where new knowledge, objectivity, and leadership will be gained. There may be an opportunity to see an old challenge from a new perspective or to exercise domination in the near future. This Ogham also implies the need to conceal these new beginnings. The early phases of new things need to be done in secrecy so that they will not be disrupted. A new creative direction is likely to influence things. Along with discretion there is the need to learn from the past. Take care in choices.
The Challenge inherent in the Silver Fir Ogham is that a rebirth will be hindered. This may be because something that needs to remain a secret will be revealed before it is acceptable. There is the implication of gossip and idle talk. Embarrassing secrets may be uncovered and personal reputation damaged.
Carelessness may hinder progress and new projects have false starts. Also, one may be challenged to exercise the power of domination, leadership, and rulership without the benefit of full maturity or objectivity. This can be a very painful experience. There may be frustrations and the inability to see clearly and objectively.
Onn-Furze or Gorse
Lughos the Master
Synthesis-Wisdom-Gathering
Deities: Adraste, War Goddess.
Magickal Use: Honey.
Attributes: Color: Yellow Gold. Class: Chieftain. Herb: Heather. Animal: Hare.
Tree: The station of Onn is the Spring Equinox. The Gorse or Furze is a low growing shrub with long, thread-like spines. It is an evergreen, but its leaves often fall off and are very small. It can be found in flower in almost every month, therefore it takes on the symbolic meaning of continuous fertility. Its most outstanding feature is its small, fragrant, yellow-golden blossoms. Its golden flowers and prickles typify the young sun at the Spring Equinox. There is a Keltic custom of placing a spray of gorse in the bridal bouquet, as the old saying goes, "when the gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of season."
The Gorse makes a fine food for animals, especially after it has either been ground into meal for horses, or after it has been burned on hillsides for the sheep to eat. The effect of both processes, of grinding or burning, is to destroy the hard thorns, leaving only the tender shoots.
Expression: The Furze is a sign of the in-gathering of sweet and valuable things. This is the gathering together, or synthesis, of valuable things (material, information, people, or whatever) for a great purpose. One of its other symbols is that of the beehive. The Gorse is one of the first plants that the bees visit in the springtime when they come out of their hives after hibernating. Bees create honey, an ancient symbol of wisdom because it is a sweet substance which comes only after hard work. This is one of the main functions of a chieftain or sovereign. The Gorse's spiky thorns make it a protective plant.
Divination: Onn suggests that now may be a time to sit back and gather yourself and the things around you together in order to come to a new and higher understanding, which is wisdom. There may be some influence from a divine source if you are open to it. Your way will be eased in life by a period of gathering information followed by active internal synthesis. Get yourself together within your own self. This will, of course, perhaps lead to a radical change in your approach to life and to matters surrounding any individual question. New opportunities are dawning and new information will be available.
The fertile possibilities of your life are opening up. Vitality is increasing.
Prosperity and well-being are growing. You will be able to effectively repel unwanted influences.
The Challenge associated with the Furze Ogham would be the tendency to scatter focus and concentration because too much attention is given to the very activity of gathering information or material. You must act effectively to meet all of your aims. Also, there may be some difficulty in gathering something you need. Vitality may be lacking, opportunities will seem few, and success will seem to be elusive. Dealing with "prickly" characters will cause action to be limited.
Ur-Heather (& Mistletoe)
Dalua the Great Fool
Passion-Success-Dreams
Deities: Grainne, Sun Goddess.
Magickal Use: Bringing Good Luck. Perfume. Restoring.
Attributes: Color: Resinous, or Purple, or Light Green. Class: Heather is Peasant and Mistletoe is Chieftain. Herb: Heather. Animal: Bee, Lion.
Tree: The station of Ur is the Summer Solstice. The Heather is the Midsummer Tree, and Red Heather at Midsummer is a sign of passion and is associated with the mountains and with acts of passion. The White Heather is a protection against acts of passion and is considered a lucky sign. Both are attractive to bees and are thus associated with the sovereign work of the spirit and with vigorous activity. Heather Ale is brewed as a restorative.
Expression: This is the sign of romance and dreams. In the Heather Ogham there is a strong connection between the conscious self of the subject and the deep levels of his or her unconscious. Ur is a gateway between the inner and outer worlds. In this Ogham, there is the expression of the need for passion and ecstacy in life. self-expression is also implied in the power of the Heather.
Divination: When Ur turns up in a divinatory reading, the subject is usually being advised to find gateways to passion in life, or there may be such an opening coming in the future. The individual is about to encounter the experience of love. The influences of imagination, intuition, and dreams are also very strong. One needs to find a creative outlet for self-expression to begin. Personal success, prosperity, and well-being are on the horizon. Plans are reaching fulfillment and the powers of self-expression are strong. A mature woman lends influence. Spiritual help, and psychic or spiritual development are beginning.
The Challenge of the Heather Ogham is the tendency to see projects, dreams, and direction dissolve under futile attempts to realize them. There may be some betrayal by people close to you. Do not be caught in the trap of merely daydreaming. Act on your passions, but act wisely. Immaturity and wayward behavior may be causing problems of "bad-luck" and under-achievement. You seem to be unable to become successful. Loss of confidence, dissatisfaction and discontent are possible. A love affair that began on a good note may turn sour.
Eadha-Aspen or White Poplar
Keyne, Lord of Temperance
Overcoming-Will Power-Sensitivity
Deities: Brighid, Goddess of Springtime, Youth and Fertility. Rhiannon, Great Queen and Enchantress.
Magickal Use: Shields. Measuring Rods. Shape-Shifting.
Attributes: Color: Silver White. Class: Shrub. Herb: Bracken. Animal: White Mare.
Tree: The station of Eadha is the Autumnal Equinox. In ancient Keltic times, shields were often made from the wood of the Aspen. Ancient bards would also sometimes divine by means of listening to the sounds made by the wind rushing through the leaves of the Poplar. The Aspen is very hardy, living in a range of habitats from low-lying wetlands to exposed mountain ledges. It thus has the quality of hardy resistance to a variety of seemingly inhospitable conditions.
In ancient Ireland, a stick of Aspen was used to measure the body for the coffin and the coffin for the grave. The esoteric significance of the Aspen wood is to point to the overcoming of death.
Expression: The Aspen is a sign of determination in the face of adverse negativity. It is a sign of actually being able to overcome the negative situations through a welling up of inner reserves and strength. There is resistance, but it will be overcome. This is a sign of protection against foes.
This Ogham also reminds us that the mind's power can override the inertia of matter, surmounting death itself. It is the power of the will overcoming destiny.
Divination: In divination, Eadha indicates that there may be some adversity in your everyday life, but that you will have the inner strength to overcome it.
The source of this strength must be from within. You are advised to seek in some creative way for the source of this strength, to come to know it and make it manifest in your life. At a certain point in a battle, there is a pool of strength and vigor in reserve that may be drawn upon to achieve victory. There is also a certain sensitivity to surrounding influences. Inner strength is powerful. Sensitivity is more effective than direct action at the present time.
Beware of indecision.
The Challenge of the Aspen Ogham is the tendency to give in to the forces that oppose us, or to burdens which tend to overwhelm us, especially those of which we remain unconscious. You may not have the strength in reserve to draw upon and finish a battle. Be aware of this challenge. There may also be
insensitivity to other's feelings. A lack of compassion, inner strength, or callousness leads to problems. Avoid over sensitivity.
Iodho-Yew
Arawn of the Underworld
transformation-Death-Immortality
Deities: The Weaving sisters. Arianrhod, Wheel Goddess of Time, Space, Fate,
Life, and Death. Badb, the Great Battle Crone.
Magickal Use: Magickal Staves. Bows. Poison. Skis. Healing (clearing away old negative influences). Releasing mental and emotional energy in preparation for new ideas, attitudes and visions. Poisoning Weapons.
Attributes: Color: Blood-Red, or Dark Green-Brown. Class: Chieftain. Herb: Bryony. Animal: Spider.
Tree: The station of the Yew is the last day of the year, the Eve of the Winter Solstice. The Yew is one of the five magickal trees of Ireland. The Yew is a perfect symbol of eternity. It's wood is extremely hard and the trees themselves live to great ages. It is also a powerful symbol of life and death because it is an evergreen tree, alive when all else is dead around it; yet it is poisonous for its fruit can cause death. The Fir is the Womb of Silver Pain and the Yew is the Tomb of Leaden Grief.
Expression: This is the essence of the self, that which is inherited from the ancestral past. It is the eternal root of the self. This becomes the central reference point by which time and life are measured. This reference point by which time and life are measured. This reference point is also the ultimate measure of passage of the soul from life to life. Often the outward manifestation of this will be the innate talents or abilities passed from one generation to another, often skipping one or more generations.
Divination: Iodho refers to total transformation or sudden movement of some kind. There are powerful influences at work. Forces of past and destiny are coming into play. There is a need to accept inevitable events, changes and death. Here, death is understood as a kind of total transformation from one state of being to another. This is very often fraught with discomfort and a sense of loss. But the changes are unavoidable. If, however, these
transformations are experienced in a conscious state, they will be seen and understood for what they are. There is a high likelihood that this Ogham will indicate that there is either ignorance of a certain forthcoming
transformation, or it is indicating that awareness of such a metamorphosis is immanent. Spiritual understanding will be transformed, allowing you to see the patterns affecting your life. Need to be in tune with the forces of transformation in order to be a master of one's own fate. Complete change in life direction.
The Challenge of the Yew Ogham is the inner feeling of loss and sorrow which often accompanies transformations of all kinds. There will be grief to be worked through before the change will be fully understood. Depression and fatalism are a threat. Feelings of powerlessness make a situation difficult to deal with. Efforts to change are short lived through personal weakness and lack of endurance.
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REVIEW &
Awakening Series Start with its first book, Visions of Magic. This book introduces us to the Shea Jameson, a descendant of witches who denies her own destiny to become a witch. Shea fled since his aunt was burned by people who are afraid of the witches. In her escape, Shea live a life as a teacher, a boring job for her.
Until one time when her safety was threatened, Shea unconsciously defends himself with deadly flames. Since her original identity as a witch was revealed, the people trying to catch him. Shea later rescued and taken away by someone who claims to be her Eternal, Torin. Torin has waited for Shea for centuries, he wait until the witch has risen her power.
Torin is Shea's guardian and Shea is his other half. Will Shea trust Torin? Will Shea realize her fate? Will Shea mastered her power? Get the book Immediately.
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I was raised in a Roman Catholic home. My dad never went to church, and my mom and I pretty much only went on holidays and for bingo but she took all of it pretty seriously in her own way. I had a godmother that I saw two or three times a year that always gave me prayer By the time I was 21, I was married for two years into an Evangelical Christian family that had made it quite clear that I was not acceptable to them as a non-Christian. I was soon working at a bridal shop staffed by charismatics and had a "born-again" experience. For the next 15+ years I went from traditional Presbyterian to Evangelical to adult reconversion in the RC church and ended up in the Eastern Orthodox church as a fervent, zealous convert.
My religious beliefs in part led me to end my marriage of 17 years. In the two years following my divorce I spent my time searching for understanding: why did our Christian friends turn their back on me? Why did my priest not even try to help? What was the basis behind the doctrines that influenced my reasons for leaving? I was able for the first time to examine my beliefs and the very foundation of Christianity itself. In concluding that the faith and scripture was built on little credible evidence, I was left to examine whether *any* religion was true. It was scary and I strongly resisted the process, but I eventually concluded that what described what I was left with was atheism.
Reference: http://master-of-tarot.blogspot.com
We all have ethics and guidelines we live by. They form the foundation for each person's belief system, spirituality, philosophy, ideology, faith, practice, moral values, tradition, or religion. Those of us on an earthwise path support these basic principles. (1)
* We recognize that all beings are connected.
* We have a reverence for earth and all creatures and we believe it is important to protect and heal the environment. We try to step lightly on the earth and to live in harmony with nature.
* We support free inquiry and we honor learning, knowledge, skills and ideas, both ancient and modern. We value discovery and understanding, rather than unquestioning obedience and we believe in equal access to education for all people.
* We cherish, support and protect artistic expression and we celebrate creativity in all it's forms.
* We believe in the four basic human freedoms (2):
Freedom of Speech ">Freedom of Worship,
Freedom from Want,
Freedom from Fear
* We believe in equal opportunity and equal treatment under the law for all people, regardless of their religion, nationality, political affiliation, age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical challenges, or social status.
* We oppose cruelty, abuse, and the exploitation of others.
* We have a desire to help those in need and to be a force for good. We work to prevent and correct the mistreatment of children and animals both around the globe and close to home. We also seek to help those men and women who are less fortunate than ourselves.
* We believe that every human being is ultimately responsible for his or her own actions. Therefore, as individuals and as citizens, we endeavor to make choices that are wise, healthy, informed and responsible. We acknowledge that our choices matter greatly to others, both in the present time and in future, and we act accordingly.
* We respect the beliefs of other people as long as these beliefs do not violate basic rights and freedoms.
* We oppose fanaticism and hatred and we speak truth to power.
* We honor our own cultural heritage and respect what is positive and life affirming in every society.
* We support economic and civil justice for all.
* We value integrity and honor wisdom in all it's forms.
* We treat ourselves and other people with respect.
* We claim the right to be joyful, creative, fulfilled human beings and we support the right of others to do the same.
* We accept the global and personal challenges before us. We seek out the solutions that work best, both for us and for the planet as a whole.
* We honor the past but avoid repeating the mistakes of history. We celebrate the present with a sense of perspective and gratitude. We take action today to create a better future for us all.
For many of us there are spiritual components to these principals:
* We believe in the spiritual equality of women and men.
* We honor our connection to the sacred, as we understand it.
* We celebrate the changing of the seasons, our holidays, and the important moments in our lives according to our chosen path, tradition, faith, or philosophy.
* Our personal practice is a source of joy, comfort, empowerment, and growth. It includes self-acceptance, respect, honor, courage, understanding, and compassion.
* We accept that each person will find the path that is right for him or her. We do not claim that our way is the only one, true or right way. We offer information on our traditions and beliefs to those who are interested but we do not proselytize.
* We speak out against spiritual abuse, intolerance and fraud, including that which we find in our own groups, and circles.
* We treat people of other faiths and traditions as we wish to be treated.
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- Copyright 1999, 2005, 2008, 2009 Sia Vogel
Questions? Comments? Additions? Write to me at via the email link (the one that says Contact Sia) at the top, right hand side of this blog.
You can also take the Poll I've placed at the top of the blog.
Endnotes:
(1) I've been tinkering with this mosaic of earthwise principals since the mid-90's As you can see, very little here is original; these ideas come from a number of different sources, including the U.N. statements on human rights, feminism, the ecology movement and the recovery movement, not to mention a myriad of writers, thinkers and philosophers. Hecate's recent post reminds me that it is again time for us to clearly state what we believe. But none of this means anything if we do not put these principals into action in our daily lives.
(2) The Four Freedoms were outlined in a speech by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1941.
Thanks to:
Artemesia, Chaos, Fritz Jung, Kitchen Diva, Lynn W., Rowan Fairgrove, Snakemoon, Terry P. & Wren Walker for their thoughts and suggestions as these notes grew and changed over time.
Sia@FullCircle
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Be careful what you pray for especially if it involves asking God to remove the things in your life that He detests that you've been ignoring or rationalizing (or never even knew existed). I learned that lesson the hard way this week. In fact, I'm still learning that lesson as I type this.
While the catalyst, the tipping point, was Halloween and whether or not we as Christians have any business to be celebrating it no matter how much we "dress it down" to feel better about things, the core issue is what it has always been with me.
Let me be clear. I'm a hypocrite. I've been living like a hypocrite for far too long and never realized it until this week. No, not just about Halloween, but about so many other things in my life (certain thoughts, feelings, actions, behaviors, etc.) that I allowed to take root in my life and in my family even though I should know better. In that sense, I have failed my Lord, my wife, my children, my family, my friends, all of you, and myself.
The Bible is clear when it warns us...
HEBREWS 10:26-29 (NIV) "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?"
This is what the unpardonable sin ultimately accomplishes.
Through willfully practicing sin, the sinner rejects the very basis of his covenant with God - the shed blood of Jesus Christ. If one deeply appreciates and values His sacrifice, he will not willfully practice the very actions that made that sacrifice necessary.
God forgives with the understanding that the one forgiven has turned from sin and will continue to overcome it. That's what repentance is all about. It is not just changing one's mind about sin and getting to the point where you intellectually know what God says about what He considers "right" and what He considers "wrong". Repentance is taking that new knowledge and then actively TURNING AWAY from such things!
I haven't been doing that like I thought I was for so long and so this harsh reality that He's just now bringing to light is impacting me greatly. Praise the Lord for that!
When God designed this creation, He considered His purpose along with our free-moral agency, right? He concluded that He had to devise a payment for sin so profound in its implications that the heirs of salvation (that's you and me), out of overwhelming gratitude, would drive themselves (ourselves) from sin.
Such a price of redemption could not be the death of any common person or animal, for these have neither the worth nor the ability to pay for all sin. Only the sacrifice of the sinless God-man, Jesus Christ, could meet these qualifications.
Read those verses above again please. What we see in Hebrews 10:26-29 is the end of a person who, by the very conduct of his life, reveals his pitiful assessment of that sacrifice. The author makes a three-fold indictment against this person. First, they repudiate the oath taken at baptism. Second, they contemptuously reject Christ. Third, they commit an insulting outrage against the merciful judgment of God. I don't want to be that person any longer!
Sure, no one will ever live a perfect life. The only One who could and who did was Jesus Christ Himself. But what do we read in the Scriptures folks?
We read over and over again about how we are to AT LEAST TRY, right? We should try and strive to become more like Him from the very moment we become born again to our last dying breath!
Yes, we will stumble along the way and fall into sin every now and then, but that shouldn't mean that we ever stop trying to live obediently to Him. God forbid! We must simply try to walk-the-walk and not just talk-the-talk or else our faith is worthless.
This is not some "Works Based Theology" I'm writing to all of you about today. It's pure, unadulterated Biblical truth my friends!
JAMES 2:17 (NIV)" In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
JAMES 2:20 (NIV) "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"
JAMES 2:26 (NIV) "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
See what I mean? And we haven't even looked at the "BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM" verses either!
So my response to Halloween today has been to ask the following key questions...
"Is Halloween that important? What is so valuable about costumes and pumpkins and candy that it can't be renounced for this God who loves us so much? I've read articles in which people say things like, "I'm not going to let Satan take away my fun." What is Satan's "fun" except another name for "sin"? What is Satan's "fun" compared to the joy of the Lord?"
The natural response I've received from loved ones has been one of a mocking condescension. Yes, even from self-proclaimed "Christians" believe it or not. What they fail to realize is that it's not me they're mocking; it's God and His holy Word.
To reply to such critical questions like the ones I wrote above in jest with things like...
"Jeff, you celebrated Halloween and you turned out just fine. You're a Christian. So, what's the big deal? Is anyone really going to go to Hell because they trick-or-treat one night of the year? It's not like people are handing out Satanic Bibles or teaching the kids spells when they go around to each door. Stop trying to steal the fun from your kid's lives! They only get to live once! They only have one childhood anyway! Besides, if you build the proper Christian foundation then what do you have to worry about then?"
Where do I even begin? My heart broke to hear such things.
My kids are 4 and 5 years old. I agree 100% about "building the proper Christian foundation", but the irony is that that's PRECISELY what I'm trying to do here. How can no one see that?
How can anyone lecture me about how to raise my own children that God entrusted into my specific care for Him and His purposes? I have a right and a responsibility to lead by example and teach them the truth regardless of what others think.
Plus, aren't I still building that "Christian foundation" with them being as young as they are? You bet I am! People have made it sound like it's already built when I'm trying to teach them now what I want them to think, what God Himself thinks, about certain things like Halloween.
As "Christians", how does any of what the Scriptures say about things connected to Halloween not make you feel even SLIGHTLY guilty? How does it not make you want to at least explore the topic and discuss it further?
Forget about the Scriptures for a moment. What about the FACT that people and animals around the world will be kidnapped, abused, tortured, and used in Satanic ritual sacrifice today and tonight? I hate to break it to ya, but Satan is just as real as God is, and there are MILLIONS of people out there (some even in your own local community) who are practicing Occultists/Pagans/Satanists/Wiccans and they do these types of things ON THIS DAY because it's what their twisted belief system and god tells them to do. You're ok with that though, right? As long as you or your kids don't do it it's fine then, right? Wrong.
All I'm trying to do is share the truth so that I don't have to answer to God about why I let my dear loved ones continue to go on thinking something that wasn't true when I should've known better. It's not like I've gone around and every time Halloween came up this past week I made a comment about it or sounded off on all the verses that speak about this.
No! I made one innocent comment ("You know, I'm really feeling guilty about celebrating Halloween for a number of reasons and think we should maybe talk about it some...") and World War III erupted. It hurts, but it's not surprising. I get it. I know that we're told to expect such things. It just stings even more because it's not coming from strangers, but it's coming from family and friends.
Look, it will be on me one day if I simply sit back and never say a word about stuff like this. I'll be held accountable and will have to answer to God myself if I just keep my mouth shut to avoid causing an argument or offending people. Gosh, Christianity is offensive! That's the point here.
To hear and see people (loved ones even!) make a joke and mock me (mock God's Word) for being concerned in the first place, is so sad and frustrating. It breaks my heart in two. To put them, or my own personal comfort level first would've been putting things before God, and, as a Christian, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a son-in-law, a brother-in-law, and a friend I cannot give in when I know something is wrong. I just can't and won't. I had to make a stand this time.
Like I said, Halloween is just the catalyst here. What this all boils down to is what EVERY SINFUL ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR boils down to, and it's at the root of the hypocrisy in my own personal life that I opened this piece with.
What is at the root? Are we living by our will or His will? Who is sovereign in this life we've been given? Is it the Creator or the creation?
PAUL WASHER: ARE YOU DOING GOD'S WILL OR YOUR OWN WILL?
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Washer's so right! When he said, "THE MOST DANGEROUS PRAYER YOU CAN PRAY IS, 'LORD, MAKE ME LIKE JESUS CHRIST!'... IT'S PRACTICALLY CALLING A DEATH SENTENCE UPON YOURSELF", well, I can COMPLETELY identify with his assertion. It's true. Believe me.
Listening to that I'm reminded of my own wretched state despite how others might view me. Thank the Lord for bringing me to the truth and I thank Him for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
See, that's another thing. I don't want anyone to think that because of my stance on this issue today that I'm somehow suggesting that I'm better than everyone else. God forbid!
This past week has been one where the Lord is revealing all the wickedness that exists in my life that He wants me to deal with once and for all so that I too can stop living like a hypocrite. That's the message here.
We need to be willing to hold ourselves up to His Word and see what it reveals about us even if we detest what we see. Why? Because that's what will prove to us our need for a Savior from our sins, and what will force us to our knees in genuine, humble repentance to Jesus Christ over our sins. We need to regularly examine ourselves like we're commanded to, right? Of course we are.
But again, getting back to Halloween for a moment, if we call ourselves Christians then how can we not feel at least the slightest tinge of guilt over a day like today especially in light of the 5-minute message we just heard that goes hand-in-hand with this discussion?
I AM NOT ASHAMED OF GOD, OR OF HIS WORD, OR OF HOW LIVING THE WAY HE WANTS US TO WILL MAKE ME LOOK TO THE WORLD, WHICH IS WHY I NO LONGER CARE ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF ME AND MY VIEWS ABOUT HALLOWEEN. I AM LIVING FOR HIS APPROVAL - NOT MAN'S APPROVAL, NOT MY FAMILY'S APPROVAL. PEOPLE CAN THINK WHAT THEY WANT AND SAY WHAT THEY WANT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT MY KIDS TO SEE THAT THEIR FATHER TAKES HIS FAITH SERIOUSLY SO MUCH SO THAT HE IS ACTUALLY WILLING TO WALK-THE-WALK (AND NOT JUST TALK-THE-TALK) NO MATTER THE PERSONAL COST! OTHERWISE, MY FAITH IS A SHAM BECAUSE I'M NOT WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR IT OR FOR THE ONE WHO SAVED ME AND GAVE ME ETERNAL LIFE.
I'm sorry that others near and dear to me might think that I'm such a "buzzkill" or "killjoy" or "crazy Christian" because of my views on this. I really am. I will continue to pray that God opens their hearts and minds to the truth.
I didn't know that not carving pumpkins, not going out trick-or-treating, or not getting candy would ruin my kids' lives and steal all the fun out of it.
I didn't know that "having fun" and not "pursuing righteousness" was the purpose of the Christian life. I didn't know that reading my Bible and trying to do what it tells me was so yesterday. Chalk another heresy up to the "Purpose-Driven Life" crowd I suppose who are living in "The Shack".
I love my family and I love my kids. That's the whole point! It's why I decided to finally be courageous on this front this year instead of burying my head in the sand like in year's past.
I love them all, and they know that. But I pray that they don't continue to ask me to turn my back on God or His Word because I'll never do that. Whatever the cost, right?
Strangely enough, I'm now feeling closer to God than I have in quite a long time. Sad and beautiful at the same time.
I pray that this is the beginning of Him putting me on His true path for my life. I pray that He continues to shape me into the Christian He wants me to be.
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