Celebrating October 31st!

It seems like everybody is celebrating the Halloween. I see so many picture postings on Facebook, people dressed as any silly thing they can think of. Growing up, I did go trick-or-treating. We used to live near several high rise apartments and we would go to the upper most floor, start knocking on every door and spiral all the way to the lobby. It was a great day of the year to get candies, run around with friends at night.... and I graduated celebrating it around 6th grade.

I never realized that it was a nationally celebrated holiday until I came to this country. Apparently grown up adults (with or without kids), children and their pets plan and look forward to this extremely silly holiday.

What makes it even more silly is the look of people when you tell them that I don't celebrate Halloween. They look at you with a look of horror (yes, I see the irony here) and have no idea why I choose not to 'celebrate' a day that has nothing to 'celebrate'. - but that's another blog if you don't know why dressing like a cartoon character and celebrating the day with misguided witches is not an idea of fun for me.

Now, if you want to celebrate the October 31st with something, and I'm not talking about a cheap substitution by calling your Halloween party a 'Fall Harvest Party', then we should go back and celebrate the day that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences to the door of the Castle Church. Imagine the boldness and courage that was needed to stand up to the religious authorities that seemed as if majority of the people agreed or didn't want to go against. We should celebrate the beginning of the day that we got the earthly freedom from corruption and false doctrines of the Church. Wouldn't you rather celebrate someone's bravery and bold action based on true faith rather than running around dressed up like a cartoon character?

Lately, I have met several people who are thirsty to see reformation in the body of Christ in the US. Most of people that I have met who believe in the basic tenants of Christianity would tell you that US church is pretty much dead. It is time, once again, that people of God would stand up, break the barrier of apathy, complacency and christian institutions that are operated solely as a business institution. I am hoping that another reformation will come, perhaps in my life time...

What is God to me?

I wish I could hear how you have come to know God in your life. I started thinking I would love to share about God in my life.

Without God I know my life would be in shambles, if I would be alive at all. God has been everything to me in my life. As a young child I grew up in an abusive home. A home where I didn't feel safe. My parents gave me food and I do have some good memories of growing up.. but the abuse really reached my core. Each time I was beaten, I was a broken mess. As I became so broken and bruised, I cried out to God. I prayed that He would help me. And I know He did. I prayed that I would survive this time and that God would help me make it through college and be able to leave this life of abuse. God helped me each step of the way, bringing people in my life, holding my hand.. even when all felt completely dark. Today I am a mother of 3 wonderful children, married to my a knight in shining armor. I have hope, I have God, who has carried me through much darkness and continues to show me his love each day, in unexpected ways. I hope if you haven't already, you will find the God of all comfort and Hope in your life today. He is waiting for you.

What is Love?

If someone asked you this question, would you talk to them about a romantic feeling that you have when you see someone you love, or a happy feeling you have when you see your child do something cute? Or a feeling of pride when someone you are close to does something special? Or would you go further and say you have to be forgiving and patient to really love. Or maybe you have read 1 Cor. 13 and memorized it, but are still trying to work it out in your life. I know I am. When I read this passage, I started asking myself... What does this passage mean when it says "..[Love] .. rejoices with the truth. What does the Bible mean when it says truth. And what does it mean to "Love" as God means it, not in the way we use it today.

So I am starting to realize my main problem is my definitions are incorrect. In order to understand Love, I need to understand what does God mean when he says it? How does He love? God put every evil of our world on his own precious son, his only son. He not only gave up his son, but he was sacrificed. He watched him be tortured and killed. And God asks me to love my neighbor? What am I willing to sacrifice for my neighbor, to show him love. What sacrifice of time or care can I show to my friend so that I can be love to her.

Our society is full of people looking for love. Wanting true love. Are we willing to be love to show this True Love to those who are around us? Try this week to show love to someone. Someone who may have done nothing to stir up loving feelings, but who still needs love.

Miracles?

Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe God can work in our everyday life today? Do you think God can change your life?

Can God bring hope to our desperately seeking world by touching us where we are? By showing up in our everyday life.. just to show us He loves us.

It seems everyone these days is looking for the supernatural. As Christians we have the ultimate power source. Let's call on God to show up. He is waiting for us to cry out to Him.

I would love to hear about your miracles.