MARIPOSITA

This is the second major act of violence in America this month alone,

the first being the sniper attack in Las Vegas,

killing 59 people and injuring more than 500 others.

After a while, the headlines blur together and we are tempted to tune it out.

Father, we come before you, grieving the violence and hatred we’ve seen played out today in Manhattan,

as well as many other places here on earth. In moments of piercing grief,

we feel the weight of sin and brokenness heavy in our hearts and in our minds.

We pray for the families and those close to the victims of today’s tragedy.

May you send comfort their way,

and people to surround them with your love and truth during the impossibly difficult season ahead.

For those who were injured today, we ask for healing and recovery.

 Be with the doctors, nurses, and caretakers in Manhattan.

Give them wisdom, grace, and energy to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.

God, we know you are the ultimate healer. As it says in Psalm 147,

you heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

Give us discernment as we go out and interact with the brokenhearted of the world.

Help us to lay down our own pride as we seek your wisdom to convey your light in a dark place.

Amen.

Whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween can be a very controversial topic.

Some Christians celebrate Halloween simply by dressing up in a costume and having fun,

seeing it as innocent and harmless.

Other Christians are equally convinced that Halloween is a satanic holiday

established to worship evil spirits and promote darkness and wickedness.

So, who is right? Is it possible for Christians to celebrate Halloween

without compromising their faith?

Different ways to celebrate

Halloween, no matter how commercialized,

has almost completely pagan origins.

As innocent as it may seem to some,

it is not something to be taken lightly.

Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate

or not to celebrate Halloween.

For some, it means having an “alternative” Harvest Party.

For others, it is staying away from the ghosts,

witches, goblins, etc., and wearing innocuous costumes, e.g.,

little princesses, clowns, cowboys, super-heroes, etc.

Some choose not to do anything, electing to lock themselves in the house with the lights off.

With our freedom as Christians, we are at liberty to decide how to act.

PRINCIPLE TO BASE OUR DECISION

LIBERTY TO CHOOSE

So, should a Christian celebrate Halloween?

Is there anything evil about a Christian dressing up as a princess or cowboy

and going around the block asking for candy?

No, there is not. Are there things about Halloween

that are anti-Christian and should be avoided? Absolutely!

If parents are going to allow their children to participate in Halloween,

they should make sure to keep them from getting

involved in the darker aspects of the day.

If Christians are going to take part in Halloween, their attitude,

dress, and most importantly, their behavior

should still reflect a redeemed life (Philippians 1:27).

There are many churches that hold “harvest festivals”

and incorporate costumes, but in a godly environment.

There are many Christians who hand out tracts that share the Gospel

along with the Halloween candy. The decision is ultimately ours to make.

But as with all things, we are to incorporate the principles of Romans 14.

We can’t allow our own convictions about a holiday to cause

division in the body of Christ, nor can we use our freedom

to cause others to stumble in their faith.

We are to do all things as to the Lord.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!