John Johansson

Thanksgiving, Here It Comes

Well, in three weeks it will be Thanksgiving. Boy, how time flies. In a society that caters to self, and what is in it for us, we more often than not forget to be thankful. We take so many things for granted, and we forget how blessed we truly are. Yet, we try to make the few hours we have on Thanksgiving with family and/or friends as a time that we can set aside to be thankful. Thankful for what? For many that thankfulness is self-centered and selfish, and for others it is a genuine, self-less time of rememberance. Usually, people focus their thankfulness on that pertaining to this life here on earth, but we need to remember to be thankful not only for that which pertains to this life, but especially for what Christ has done in our lives, and the life He offers us on the other side of the grave.

Here is my challenge to each of you, that you won’t wait till Thanksgiving to be thankful, and that you will take time each day to think of something different to be thankful for. As you do, think about Christ’s role in what you are thankful for, and thank Him for it. After all, we know that everything good comes from God, so it is only reasonable and right to give Him the thanks and gratitude He deserves.

If you were to do this each day, you will find that it will become not only a habit but an attitude and a lifestyle. If you battle with depression and anxiety, you may find it diminishing the more you think about and give Jesus thanks for what He’s done for you, and for what He is going to do for you. Your life will never be the same.

So, what are you thankful for???????

To Halloween or Not

As we enter this day known as halloween, the question often asked over the years by Christians during this time is, “should Christians participate in halloween?” I’ve heard many an argument over the years, some arguing that there is nothing wrong with Christians participating in it, and yet others who argue that a Christian should not be a part of it. In the midst of these arguments for or against we have some who have found a place of compromise that allows them in some way to be a part of the festivities. So, what should be our stand on the issue of halloween, or is it something that shouldn’t be an issue one way or another? The choice is up to you on what stand, if any, you will make regarding halloween, but for me not to share my thoughts on the subject would be wrong.

One of the arguments I hear tries to throw into the mix of this argument past pagan traditions and activities, making the accepting or unaccepting of Santa Clause, christmas trees, Easter bunnies, and other things, equal to that of participating in halloween. They mention things about being extreme and legalistic, and if that is their take then that is up to them. I have no objections about Santa Clause, the use of a christmas tree as a holiday decoration, or even Easter bunnies, but I do have an issue of halloween. Let me explain.

I was talking with someone yesterday about this subject and a word-picture came to my mind that many of us can identify with. We in America have had the privilage of enjoying a freedom and peace that most countries in the world do not have, and we have been willing to sacrifice the lives of our soldiers to protect and defend those privilages we do not take for granted. Being a country that enjoy these privilages, there are countries and groups out there that are bent on destroying our nation and any trace of the freedom and peace we enjoy. They want nothing less than to wipe us off the face of the earth. One of these groups, among many out there, are Islamic extremists and terrorists. If you knew someone, or some group, was bent on your destruction and annialation, what would you do? Most Americans would keep them at an arms distance away, being both wary and protective in their dealings with them. However, and I’m not being political but instead showing a parallel, our current administration has in their decisions, choices and behavior, have pushed the envelope with us in some of their dealings with these groups. They have in some ways embraced and flirted with these groups trying to be their friend, all the while ignoring the fact that our demise is their only objective. This is how we treat halloween. Everything about halloween is diametrically opposed to everything God is and stands for. Unlike other holidays and special festivities, there is absolutely no redeeming attribute in halloween, and it flies in the face of our Christian faith, opposing anything that is good, right, true and loving. Yet, we find a way, like our current administration, to push the envelope and flirt with something that is ‘hell-bent’ on the demise of the Christian faith and those who follow it.

So, what should our stand as Christians be toward this day that the enemy of our souls has used to magnify himself and bring death and darkness to our world? Are we not told to have nothing to do with ‘darkness’? Yes, Jesus interacted with all people everywhere in His day here on earth, but would he give place to idolatry and participate in that which promoted or represented the different forms of idolatry and worship of other gods? I think not.

Some would argue that we need to use the day as an opportunity to give kids an alternative or to even reach out to the lost. For the most part I’m not opposed to such, but does it in any way resemble in appearance or practice to that of Halloween? If so, then I am opposed to it. Scripture is very clear to not even have the appearance of evil or have any part in it, so to sugar coat or water down the day in different ways while still maintaining some of it’s appearances and practices would be wrong.

The decision is up to you, what you will do with this day known as halloween. Regardless, this is the day that the Lord has made, and we need to honor Him in it first and foremost, not the one who is completely at war with Him.

The Death in Halloween

Sitting here and watching some television a thought crossed my mind, the death in Halloween. Have you ever really taken a look at Halloween and what it involves, and what it promotes? Everything about it embraces death and darkness, both physically and spiritually. Physically, we see little skeletons running around, we see images of death and dying in various displays and costumes, and we get an adrenaline rush from the fear associated with being pursued by one like “Freddie”. Spiritually, we see witches, goblins and different forms of paraphernalia associated with satanic worship of all kinds. Everything it embraces and promotes is diametrically opposed to the only God of life, and the Creator of all, Jesus. I wonder how many people that participate in Halloween really want to be associated with death and darkness? How many would prefer life and light? As true followers of Christ, as ones who have been called as Christ’s ambassadors to a lost and dying world, we need to embrace the life and light found only in Christ, and to point as many as we can to that same life and light. This isn’t a time for us to take a vacation and get excited about that which opposes our God, but rather to be diligent about the Masters business and point people to Him. If they truly want death and darkness, then hell is for them, but if what they want is life and light, then they need to run to Jesus. How are you going to point people to the life and light of Jesus this Halloween. This may be the day that Satan uses for his purposes, but it is still the day that the Lord has made, and we need to honor Him despite the honoring practices of some for Gods enemy, Satan. Think about it.