Why Memorial Day
May 23
There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920).
Reverend Crucifies Bunny on a Cross
Apr 14
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” Mark 7:6 The year was 2002 and I was just completing a very hard day’s journey hiking a nine mile portion of the Appalachian Trail’s famed “100 Mile Wilderness”, located in the rugged mountains of central Maine. As I approached the “Rainbow Ledge Shelter” (a small three sided building for A.T. hikers), I was met by a scraggly fellow. His appearance was somewhat shocking to me initially. His clothes were dirty, his shoes worn from miles of traveling and he has tattoos up and down every inch of his exposed thighs.
Spiritual vs. Carnal Thanksgiving
Feb 25
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15) Unique to the United States is the national holiday Thanksgiving. We are encouraged to recognize the bounty and wonder of our land, and express gratitude in some formal way. In many homes, however, thanks have become a vague expression of happiness for prosperity rather than a "sacrifice of praise" to our El Shaddai. This is the natural man's character and is temporal, oft times self-centered. Unique the the Christian Church however, we are told to, "...cry out with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of your wonderful works." Psalm 26:7 Not only by our outward expression of voice to offer thanks, but with song too. "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30 When we come before our God of grace to offer our thanks to Him, we remember that we are spiritually approaching the very One who sustains us in the day to day and for eternity through the death, resurrection and promise of salvation wrought by God the Son Himself, Jesus Christ.
Halloween and the Christian Church
Feb 23
Each year Christians are faced with the social pressure of this event we call “Halloween.” Our children are exposed to it at school and through commercial advertising, displays, and items to be sold, and they find it hard to resist being a part of all the festivities. Many Christians find it harmless “fun” and see no reason to oppose it. Other churches and believers attempt to “compete” with it by having special “harvest festivals” (or similar such events) at the church facilities so that families can have an alternative for their children. For information’s sake, here are a few facts: Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle.
New Year’s Vows and Christian Conversation
Jan 01
"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5:37
The tradition of making resolutions for a new year dates back to ancient Babylon. It was connected then with the New Moon, which signaled the end of the winter season.
Roman emperors managed to manipulate the calendar enough to get the event out of sync with the moon, finally declaring in 153 B.C. January 1 as the New Year.
Greeks used a baby to symbolize the rebirth of their wine-god Dionysus as far back as 600 B.C.
All these celebrations centered on pagan ceremonies of pantheistic or polytheistic systems of worship, and the early Church fiercely fought these sensual revelries. However, by the Middle Ages, many of the pagan festivals and gods had been "Christianized" by various missionary efforts.
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