Church

I’m reading Erwin McManus’ The Barbarian Way.  Small book but good thoughts.

From page 53:

“Just do whatever God calls you to do the moment it is clear to you.  Do not procrastinate; do not hesitate; do not deviate from whatever course of action He calls you to.  But I want to warn you, the closer you walk with Christ, the greater the faith required. The more you trust Him, the more you’ll risk on HIs behalf.  The more you love Him, the more you will love others.  If you genuinely embrace His sacrifice, you will joyfully embrace a sacrificial life.”

More on the committed life in my theology blog for November 10, 2005

Well, here it is!

If you want to get in on my daily (or almost daily) meanderings on church, theology and God click on the side button under the Blogroll on “RON BAKER’S THEOLOGY BLOG”.  Or put into your browser the following – www.ronbaker.ca/theology .  That will get you there as well.

See you there!

We are a “regional” drop off centre!  A place to drop off OCC boxes.

To date we have around 550 boxes in.  Appears that’s more than last year.

In the last while we have consolidated the boxes into shipping boxes, tried to keep track of how many, and generally watched the outpouring of love people have for this project.  Not that this town has had it easy.  In past years the United Church minister criticized the project and seems to have derailed some enthusiasm.  But momentum is coming back.

Meanwhile I’ve lifted boxes, toted them bales and generally been called on to get into shape.  Not as easy a task as we thought it might be, but as a benefit, I may lose weight and have a more svelte (is that Svedish??) figure!. 

Let’s take back Halloween! 

Over the years this season has had its ups and downs!   I received information from one of our church people about the satanic influence of Halloween.  As well, I have been looking over the origins of Halloween in the Christian church.  Here is a proposal: 

In the early centuries of the church there was an attempt to redeem a pagan holiday by changing its name and emphasis and placing a focus on Jesus as victor over Satan.  Thus “All Saints Day” on November 1st, preceded by “Hallowed Evening” where we are reminded that Satan is not victor!  In more recent years we have moved to “Halloween Alternatives”   These reflect a Christian approach to the secular and pagan usurping of “Halloween”.  The back and forth attempt to see who “owns” Halloween is indeed a real reminder that we live in two worlds!!

 

Wouldn’t it be interesting if we could inundate our areas next year with an understanding of “hallowed evening”, so as kids (and their parents) trick or treat they could understand a bit more what this day is about – that the focus should be on Jesus? 

 

And for Christians, maybe an addition to regular Halloween activities – a “sacred meeting” where the victory over Satan was celebrated and explained??  Instead of having to call it a “Halloween Alternative”, maybe we could call it “Halloween Revisited”??