Thursday, November 4, 2010

Oct 31st 2010

Fire Man 1 & 2.
Sorry this was my best picture!
If I haven't said it recently, we love our church. For starters we have a great puppet ministry! On Oct 31st we decided to take the boys to the church for our Trunk or Treat Event. We had our Geo filled with bags of popcorn to hand out and the boys enjoyed going around admiring both the cars and the candy. Then we went into the Sanctuary for the best puppet show I have ever witnessed. There were black lights, Veggie Tale Songs, and magic tricks! The boys were in toddler heaven. So much so that when the life-size puppet came onto the stage, Caleb jumped up, did a somersault, and proceeded to dance with the puppet throughout the entire song. I think he would have rushed the stage if I took my eye off him for a second! And the love and message of Christ was spoken. Waiting for the show with their friend Pooh. I also wanted to include the notes I took during our Sunday Morning Sermon. Now that we have kids, Travis and I are really conscious of what we teach and celebrate. Thanks Pastor Randy!

What Do We Do About Halloween?
Pastor Randy Blankenship 10.31.2010

REFUSE:
Duet. 8:9-13 …”Don’t imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.”
1 Thes. 5: 22 “Abstain from every form of evil.”
Hosea 4:6 …”My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
Rom 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of the world.
2nd Cor 2:11 “Don’t give satan entry.”
Eph. 6:11 “Put on the Full Armor of God.”
Lev 20:6-7 God will turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those buried. Set yourselves apart.
Ex 11:7 The Lord makes a distinction.

Origin of Halloween. The Celtics celebrated the “Lord of the Dead.” They believed sinful souls of the dead were in animals [such as owls and cats] and the Lord of the Dead determined whether the souls of the dead would stay inside the animals or go back into human form. So people, out of fear, wore disguises to ward off the evil spirits and offer them food. None of the origins of Halloween have a biblical basis. Live in the light! Expose the dark! Be Different!

REMEMBER:
Remember the good reputation and hero’s of the faith. Think of Saint Polycarp who died a gruesome death being burned alive. He had the strength to stand up in a dark time.
Heb 11:1-2
Heb 11:32-40
Be imitators of Christ

REFORM:
Don’t shut your lights out and hide in your basement. Use this day to shine like a star in the heavens. For example- Trunk or Treat! Change our environment and culture to see Christ on this day.
Gen 50:20 states, ‘You want harm but God wanted it for good.”
Let’s not retreat-let’s contend!



Also, you can go to our church website to watch the sermon if you have time:
newlife4kokomo.org
Click on SERMONS and you will be able to pick which one. Pastor Randy also shows a clip from a church in Seattle- Mars Hill Church that is worth watching!