In my latest post I discussed how I create “A Merry Halloween.”  I shared some of my funny and festive Halloween decor and collectibles, and some ways that  I continue to participate in Halloween activities without incorporating the darker aspects of the holiday.

For some believers (followers of Jesus Christ who truly desire to walk in His light and follow His example by faith,  living a life as outlined by scripture to the best of our abilities through the enabling of the Holy Spirit) this subject can perhaps be a little confusing.

Should we as Christians participate in Halloween activities at all? Do we have to avoid the holiday altogether? What does scripture say?

Scripture clearly states that we absolutely are not to have fellowship with darkness of any kind… or even speak of it!

Hmm. What does that suggest about Halloween which glorifies all that is spooky and fearful?

Ephesians 5:11-13

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.

Yikes! God clearly does not want us to have a spirit of fear, create a spirit of fear, indulge a spirit of fear or invite a spirit of fear! “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid” is referenced 365 times in the Bible! Enough for a daily reminder! Coincidence? Of course not!

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Happy Easter! I hope you have had a blessed holiday! This week in my personal Bible study I had planned to revisit the trial of Jesus, crucifixion and resurrection story in the gospels. Instead, God pointed me to Psalm 130.

 Psalm 130: Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord,

2 Lord hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3 If thou, Lord shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope.

6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say more than they that watch for the morning. 

7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption. 

8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Recently I had been feeling somewhat discouraged due to some stressful situations and unanswered prayer, and I had certainly not been trusting God fully. As a result I felt guilty and overwhelmed.  I kept thinking I had failed and “disappointed” the Lord yet again! After all he has done for me, how can I possibly repeat this pattern of lacking faith? I had certainly asked for forgiveness and believed that he paid my sin debt in full on that Good Friday so long ago, but I was still holding on to despair over a few issues.

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