Growing and Growing

I cannot remember an October 31 that I did not go trick-or-treating as a child. In fact, I had it down to a science: (1) Costume was just that … a prop … to get candy; (2) Pillowcase to store the mounds of treats; (3) Eat a few during the trick-or-treat ritual, but mostly save them for trading; and (4) Get back to the house, organize candy, make an inventory list, and start trading away!

Up until last year, I had never thought that it would be different for my five children: dress them up, parade through the streets, over-indulge in candy, come home and pass out from a sugar high.

But aren’t we called to be different than the World? You can Google the phrase “Christians and Halloween” and get hundreds of articles on whether we should celebrate this once-a-year phenomenon. One author for a leading evangelist concluded that “Halloween is a real, sacred day for those who follow Wicca.” Another leading Christian site goes so far as to say that it is “closely connected with the worship of … Satan.”

I am not sure I am willing to go that far. For me, the real source is not Google or what other Christians may be saying or even what other people may be saying about what other Christians are saying. For me, answer comes from the Word:

Don’t participate in the things these people do. For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. (NLT) Ephesians 5:7-12

Where does that leave us? Am I cancelling Halloween this year? Kinda-Sorta. Here is my response to you and to my kids:

• Make it a personal decision. I think this is an issue of studying the scriptures yourself and following your own convictions. As long as your decision is based upon the Word (… as opposed to the World … ), then stick with it.
• Make it a family celebration. We will continue to make this a special time for our kids. Traditionally, we have gone to my parents’ neighborhood for a parade, chili cook-off, and then the obligatory candy-begging.
• Make your own costumes. While we love hitting the ‘mart for the weekly special, we have decided that the kids can dress up as long as they make their own costumes. We will, of course, help them with materials. But this is supposed to be a time of fun and imagination. Other ground rules: no witches, no ghouls, no devils, and absolutely no Britney’s!
• Make use of your collections. All that candy and what to do? This year, we are going to make use of our kids’ bounty. There are a number causes out there that we can support and we want to use our Kinda-Sorta-Halloween as a time to help others, whether it is care packages for the military, prison ministries, or local children’s groups.

I received Chris Brogan’s e-newsletter this morning and was lead to Mark Horvath’s Invisible People, a project that gives voices to the homeless across the country. This one caught my eye … and mind … and heart:

(Rashid from InvisiblePeople.tv on Vimeo) Rashid is no different that you and me. In fact, he’s got about 12 years more in the working world than I do. Despite his circumstances … amazing indeed … Rashid still finds the passion to be kind to others. How about you? Can you make a difference? Yep.

If you live in the Nashville area, Lambscroft Ministries and Woodbine Cumberland Presbyterian Church provide food, shelter and a hot shower two nights a week to some of friends without homes. What can you do to help?

• Come eat a meal with our friends
• Come watch a movie with our friends
• Come talk with our friends
• Come read a story or share a bible study with our friends
• Make a meal for our friends (Wednesday or Saturday … email Pat DeVries)
• Bring some new socks, jackets or blankets

I’ve had my doubts and concerns about helping others when I had an extra two (not three) cinnamon rolls. But it wasn’t that hard once … once … once you just reach out your hand to help another. You can make a difference.

A guy died. You saw him take his last breath. You heard him scream out. You winced as his body collapsed to the earth.

Two months later you were at an international festival. Crazy things were happening. You saw a crowd in the distance … they were gathered around what appeared to be a lunatic. He was quoting some prophecies about a savior. The image of the broken, bloodied, soiled-stained body pierce your mind. You saw it. You were there. The voice from the yelling man trumpets loudly: ” . . . God raised [the dead guy] up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” Acts 2:1-36.

I’ve heard some crazy stories in my life and this one has to be on top of the list. Imagine the modern day (skewed) equivalent: Michael Jackson dies. There is an international celebration. As his music plays, the words are heard in the native tongue of the listener. At the end of the celebration concert, Ozzy Osborne (…I said it was far fetched…) stands up and says with all might: “The King of Pop lives. He was raised from the dead.”

Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing remotely similar between the King of all Kings and the King of Pop. But your disbelief may be the same as those hearing Peter’s words. Peter began his sermon with a public statement of Christ’s resurrection. This was a hugely powerful statement because many of the people listening had been in Jerusalem during Passover and had either seen or heard about the crucifixion of Jesus.

The resurrection was the ultimate sign that what Jesus said about himself was true. As crazy as it sounds, are you a believer … or disbeliever?

Today was our last regular Tuesday morning group meeting for 2007. As I was packing up the last three cinnamon rolls and collecting a few dollars, I half-heartedly joked, “These three will go to the homeless.” I say half-heartedly because I don’t know that I had any real intention of seeking out someone that would want a few rolls for breakfast.

I left the sugar-laden treats in my car and proceeded to the gym for a little morning exercise. As I was walking back to my car after my workout, I saw that God had plans for the cinnamon rolls—two homeless persons. And the excuses began flowing through my mind, “I don’t have time to walk a block to my car, get the rolls, and walk a block back.” and “There are only two people, and I have three rolls. I don’t want to start a homeless brawl.” I decided that three of my work colleagues would probably appreciate the sugary delights more than the two hungry souls sitting on the park bench.

As I passed those empty and lonely eyes, I was immediately convicted…but not enough to turn around. Instead, I put out a challenge to God (which, by the way, I do not suggest that you attempt this yourself). “God, if you really want these TLM’s (tasty little morsels) to feed the hungry, then put three homeless dudes closer to my car.” After all, I had three (not two) cinnamon rolls.

I walked down the alley and slowly turned the corner. I was like an excited child on Christmas morning coming down the stairwell. I looked up and saw God’s response sitting at back entrance to my garage. There were three (not two) homeless dudes. Thanks, God. I spent the next few moments talking with the three (not two) lost wanderers, who were, by the way, very thankful for a cinnamon roll.

John 14:9 says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” You see, there’s an interesting relationship between God and man. The link between the two is Jesus—fully God and fully man. In other words, Jesus can teach you a lot about God, as he is every bit God himself. And yet Jesus can completely relate to you, because he is every bit a man. This morning, I was challenged once again to look for God and serve God in the everyday moments. And so should you.