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Thursday, December 19, 2013

For Those Who Have Suffered The Loss A Child

Reposting from 2011...

It was exactly 31 years ago at this very time that Nathan Andrew was born. Something had been wrong for a very long time. I had been bleeding off and on since my second month of pregnancy...at times very heavily.

On the 18th of December I was out Christmas shopping with my mother, my aunt, my 1 1/2-year-old daughter, and my three little cousins. All of a sudden I went into labor. My aunt took my daughter home with her and her children, and my mother rushed me to the hospital. Next thing I knew I was being strapped to a gurney and was being shipped by ambulance to a bigger hospital...one that was attached by a walkway to Children's Mercy in Kansas City. Even though I had been given a lot of medication and was pretty much out of it, I could hear the doctors and nurses talking. If they didn't get me to the other, better equipped hospital soon, they were going to lose me AND the baby. It was one of the most frightening experiences I've ever had. All I could think about was what would happen to my little daughter at home if I died. 

I arrived at the other hospital in record time and was immediately surrounded by all sorts of doctors and nurses. I was plugged into every kind of equipment they had...which wasn't nearly as good as the equipment that they have now, but, at the time, it was state-of-the-art. Immediately, the head doctor wanted to know who my doctor was and how long I had been bleeding. She said that the placenta had torn away from the uterus wall and that this baby should have been "taken" months ago. What was she talking about? I would never have allowed my baby to be "taken!"

Long story short...27 hours of intense labor later (I had been given every kind of pain medicine available and nothing seemed to be helping) Nathan Andrew was born...in the hallway on the way to delivery. He was immediately rushed across the walkway to Children's Mercy and I was taken on into delivery where a DNC was performed. A few hours later the doctor came into my room with a nurse who was carrying my baby. Nathan had fought hard and lived for two hours, but his lungs were just too little. Now days they probably could have saved him, but, back then...there was nothing they could do. There was just nothing that they could do. :'(

Nathan was perfectly formed. He had long, black hair, had perfectly formed features, perfect, tiny, little fingers and fingernails...toes and toenails...on the outside he was just that...perfect! Tiny, yes (he was 10 inches long and he only weighed a pound)! But still...perfect

Not having money for a funeral left me with few choices. I would not be allowed to leave the hospital without signing papers for Nathan's body to, either, be donated to scientific research, or be cremated in the hospital crematory. Not wanting to do either I chose the lesser of the two evils...the hospital crematory. To this day I regret that, but I don't know what else I could have done under the circumstances. It still hurts me beyond anything that I could ever express and there's never been anywhere to mourn Nathan's loss. I came home on Christmas Eve with two very blurry pictures, a set of tiny footprints on a piece of paper, and a poem that the hospital chaplain had given me.

I've never written about all this before, but, tonight, I felt a need to do so. Perhaps there is someone else out there who has been through a similar experience...someone who needs a word of encouragement. Even though all that I went through was, and still is, very sad...there are two things that have ministered to me over the years since Nathan's death...

#1 - The poem that the chaplain shared with me. It was entitled FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND, and I had never read it until the night that she gave it to me there in the hospital. It is still very special to me.

#2 - There's a verse of scripture that the Lord gave to me many, many years later, and it is still the verse that comes to mind whenever I think of Nathan. The verse is found in Psalm 30...verse5...and it says, "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." I know beyond the shadow of any doubt that Nathan is with Jesus and that someday I will see him again! Not as a premature baby, but as the spirit man that God created him to be!

And, if you've suffered the loss of a child...whether it be at birth or beyond...know that, if you are a born-again, Bible-believing, follower of Christ, and child of God, then you, too, will see that child again and be reunited with them in days to come!

And as you remember that trial that you've gone through...perhaps you're asking (or have asked), "Why God? Where were You when I was going through all that? Why weren't you there for me?" I leave you now with that beautiful poem that was shared with me by that wonderful, old chaplain at Children's Mercy...


FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, 

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Family Christmas 2013 Recipes

We're preparing for our annual Family Christmas Get-together this evening when the whole clan will gather at our oldest daughter and son-in-law's for an evening of food, fellowship, and fun. Here are the recipes that I'm taking along tonight...




CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI RING
(Uncooked - Will Cook Tonight)

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI RING

(This recipe is an old family favorite that I have made many times over the years. The last time I took it to Family Christmas was in 2009.)

2 cans crescent rolls
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 to 1 cup broccoli, chopped
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded Monterey cheese
1 can of chicken or 1 to 2 cups cooked chicken,
chopped

Leaving a 3-inch circle in the center, form a sun with crescent rolls on a pizza stone. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place on rolls around the center. Tuck points of rolls over meat mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, or until rolls are brown.


THELMA'S CHOCOLATE ECLAIR

THELMA'S CHOCOLATE ECLAIR

(I got this recipe from my friend, Vickie. I am posting it exactly as Vickie sent it to me.)

Here's the recipe for "Thelma's Chocolate Eclair" (we call it Ryan's Dessert). 1/2 box (8 ounces graham crackers 2 pkgs of (3.4 ounce) instant vanilla pudding mix 3 1/2 cups milk 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed 2 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 tsp. light corn syrup 3 Tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 1/2 c. sifted confectioners sugar Cover the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2 in baking pan with whole grham crackers, set aside. Combine pudding mixes and milk, fold into whipped topping. Spread over graham crackers. Top with another layer of crackers. In a saucepan, melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Spread over top graham cracker layer. Cover and refrigerate. Dessert is best made 2 - 3 days in advance. Yield: 12-15 servings. If I don't have enough graham crackers, I will make a pie crust for the bottom layer; bake it for 12-15 minutes. After cooling, I assemble the rest of the dessert. I also added about a 1/2 cup of confectioners sugar. But, I LOVE chocolate and what the recipe calls for doesn't satisfy my taste buds!!!!  It's real easy to make and I like the fact that you can make it ahead of when you need it!! Less stress on the day of your dinner! 



SNOWMAN TRAIL MIX

1 bag stick pretzels
1 bag mini marshmallows
1 bag chocolate chips

Open and mix together in a large bowl. Easy! 

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Baking Soda Fridge Buddies - Snowmen

I am making and selling these little guys for Christmas this year, and, I'm sure, will be giving a few away as Christmas gifts. :)



To order e-mail me at proverbs31heart@yahoo.com and, please, put SNOWMEN ORDER on the subject line. Snowmen cost $7.50 each, plus shipping and handling ($10.00 for one snowman; $14.00 for two to six) - U.S. and Canada only. 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Recipes: Crockpot Haggis and Scottish Shortbread/Pics From Our 5th Annual 'Night Of Reformation'


Our family got together this evening and celebrated our 5th Annual 'Night of Reformation'. Our focus this year was on Scottish reformer John Knox and the country of Scotland. I made a 'crockpot haggis' and Scottish shortbread. I thought I'd share those recipes with you and a few pics from our celebration tonight. 

This haggis is actually one I made a
while back. Tonight's haggis was three
times as big as this one! 
CROCKPOT HAGGIS

1 pound lean ground turkey
1 chopped red onion
1 cup whole oats
a pinch each of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 cup chicken broth

In a large mixing bowl, mix all of the ingredients, minus the broth, the same way you'd make a meatloaf. Plop it into your crockpot that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Press meat down to form in the shape of the crockpot. Pour broth over top. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for about 4. This is cooked fully when it has browned on the edges and is beginning to brown on top. Don't overcook and risk drying out. Using a large spatula, carefully remove from crockpot and place on cutting board (I loosened ours by running a table knife around the edges first and it came out beautifully). (Save broth to serve over top.) Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing.


Scottish Shortbread

Scottish Shortbread

2 sticks butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together by cutting together until crumbly. Pat into shortbread pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. This is one of my favorites to serve with tea!


A few pics from our evening's event...

The Scottish Flag
Scottish Reformer John Knox
Granddaughter Liz Sharing Her Presentation On Scottish Terriers
Granddaughter Audrey Reading A Report She Wrote On John Knox
Grandson T.J. Giving A Presentation On Loch Ness
Granddaughter Abby Presenting A Poster That She Made
Granddaughters Abby and Gianna Waving Their Scottish Flags
Grandson Silas Sharing A Picture Of John Knox That He Drew
Grandchildren Jed, Sarah, and Isaiah Just Kind Of Hanging Out While The Older Children Made Their Presentations

We had a wonderful time this evening and all of the children did an excellent job! I am so proud of each and every one of them!

Have a blessed weekend,
~Rebecca

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Book Review: THE THUNDER - A NOVEL ON JOHN KNOX by Douglas Bond

The Thunder by Douglas Bond
Douglas Bond is one of the favorite authors in this home, and has been since, shortly after discovering our own Scottish roots, we discovered and read his Crown & Covenant Trilogy, followed by his Faith & Freedom Trilogy.

In preparation for our upcoming 5th Annual 'Night Of Reformation' get-together, I just finished reading (make that devouring) Mr. Bond's latest book, The Thunder - A Novel About John Knox and, I must say, Douglas Bond has done it again! The Thunder is one of the best books that I have read yet, and through it's pages I was spiritually humbled and challenged.

In the book Mr. Bond tells the incredible story of God's grace in the life of John Knox and the struggle for Reformation in Scotland. In the words of one of the books endorsers, The Thunder is "...historically informative and spiritually inspiring, as well as highly enjoyable and fast-paced..." It's pages tell the life story of a man filled with the love of Christ and made courageous by his faith in God's Word. I suggest that believing families everywhere read this book and read it together (aloud) as The Thunder is a deeply spiritual novel that is sure to stir the heart and faith of anyone who longs to see God's Word triumph in our world today.

In addition to this latest book, Mr. Bond has something else going on that is very exciting, indeed, and I would like to share it with you here...

In celebration of John Knox's 500th birthday, Douglas Bond is hosting a John Knox @ 500 Tour of Scotland and northern England in the summer of 2014! While this is something that my own John Knox and I would love to go on, it is also something that finances simply would not allow, BUT I know that there are others out there (especially among homeschooling families) that might be interested and able, so I am passing this along. If you are interested in finding out more, just click HERE!



Sunday, October 27, 2013

Recipes For Sourdough Starter, Pancakes, and Biscuits

An old friend contacted me tonight wanting to know if I had a recipe for sourdough starter...which I did (and do!)...and though I've shared these recipes before, I thought I'd share them again here because it got me excited! So excited, in fact, that I've got a fresh batch of sourdough starter making in the kitchen right now! :)



SOURDOUGH STARTER

1 package active dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water (potato water is good)
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar

Using a quart size (or half-gallon) fruit jar or crock, dissolve yeast with 1/4 cup water. Allow to stand several minutes then stir in water, flour, and sugar. Cover with a cloth. Leave overnight at room temperature. Stir down several times as mixture rises to top. The longer the mixture stands at room temperature, the stronger the sour taste. Replace cover and refrigerate until ready to use. To maintain an ample supply of starter, each time you use it, replenish it with equal amounts of warm water and flour. Makes about 2 cups.


SOURDOUGH PANCAKES

(This is the sourdough recipe that we usually use.)

Mix the night before using:

2 cups flour
2 cups milk
1 cup starter

Let stand overnight at room temperature.

When ready to cook, add:

2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Stir batter until well mixed. Grease griddle if necessary. Pour or spoon pancake batter onto hot griddle. When bubbly and puffed, turn and brown other side. Serve with your favorite syrup. Makes 16 pancakes.

For future use, add to starter:

1 cup water to original jar
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar

Keep refrigerated.


SOUR DOUGH BISCUITS

Mix the night before using:

1 cup sourdough starter, at room temperature
1/2 cup warm water
1 cup flour

Let stand overnight at room temperature.

1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
Bacon drippings or butter or olive oil

About 1 hour before serving, turn dough out on 1 cup of the flour on a bread board. Combine remaining 1/2 cup flour with baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar. Knead flour lightly into batter. Make a well in the dough and mix dry ingredients into the batter, kneading lightly to get correct consistency for rolling dough without sticking. Roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut biscuits with a cutter or into 2" x 3" rectangles. Brush tops with warm bacon drippings or warm butter or olive oil. Place biscuits 1/2 inch apart on baking sheet, or close together in a 9-inch square pan, and set in a warm place to rise about 1/2 hour. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes. Makes 14 biscuits.

Sanctified And Set Apart For God's Purposes

Some of my thoughts during my early morning Bible study this morning...


"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

To "sanctify" means to make holy, to separate or set apart. The evening before His crucifixion Jesus prayed to the Father that His disciples would be a holy people, separated from the world and sin for the purpose of worshiping and serving God. God's people must be set apart in order to be near God, to live for Him, and to be like Him. This sanctification is accomplished by their devotion to the truth revealed to them by the Spirit of truth through the living Word of God (a personal relationship with Jesus Christ) and the revelation of God's written Word (the Holy Bible).

Where are you in the sanctification process? Are you set apart from the world as you seek after God and His ways (hot)? Or can you still be found pursuing the world and it's temporal pleasures (cold)? Or do you find that you're somewhere in the middle (lukewarm)?

In Jesus' message to the Laodiceans He said, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I could thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:25-16).

Perhaps it's time to get off the fence?

Saturday, October 26, 2013

A Meal Made Of Childhood Memories

A while back our next-to-the-youngest son (nearly 30 now) requested that I make, and teach his wife how to make, one of his favorite childhood meals. It's been years since I've cooked like this, but, today, at his request, my daughter-in-law, along with two of the grandlittles, came over and we set to work. We made chicken chowder, refrigerator rolls, and a pumpkin roll. With fall in the air, I thought I might as well pass the recipes along to you, so you and your family can enjoy them as well! Have a blessed weekend!

~Rebecca




CHICKEN CHOWDER SOUP


2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 c. boiling water
3 c. diced potatoes
1 c. sliced carrots
1 c. sliced celery
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. butter or margarine
2 c. milk
2 to 3 Tbsp. flour
2 c. cooked, cubed chicken or turkey
1 can corn, drained, if desired

Dissolve bouillon cubes in water; add seasonings and vegetables. Cover; simmer until tender. DO NOT DRAIN. In separate pan make white sauce with butter, flour and milk. Add cheese and stir until melted. Stir chicken into vegetable mixture. Add cheese sauce. Heat, but do not boil.

REFRIGERATOR ROLL DOUGH

1 package active dry yeast (or 2 1/2 teaspoons bulk)
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 cup unseasoned lukewarm mashed potatoes
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6 to 7 cups all-purpose or unbleached flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in potatoes, sugar, shortening, eggs, salt and 3 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover bowl tightly; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 5 days.

When you get ready to make the rolls, divide, and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown (about 15 minutes).



PUMPKIN ROLL

(Makes 10 servings)

CAKE:

Powdered sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup canned pumpkin

FILLING:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened (I use 1/3 less fat cream cheese)
1 cup powdered sugar
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
Powdered sugar

FOR CAKE: PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel (NOT THE FUZZY KIND) with powdered sugar.

COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.

BAKE for 13-15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool completely.

FOR FILLING: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in a small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Re-roll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.


Friday, October 25, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Together


It's FRIDAY! That means it's time for another Five Minute Friday where, as our hostess and inspiration, Lisa-Jo Baker, puts it, we write "For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not." 

Today's prompt is together. So...here...we...
Go!

About once a month a few close girlfriends/family members and I get together for tea. We rotate houses and each one, in turn, serves as hostess to the others. Today was my turn.

I always look forward to getting together with this particular lovely group of ladies. Our little group consists of one friend a little older than myself (mother and mother-in-law to two of the girls), two friends younger than myself (daughter and daughter-in-law of the slightly older friend), my oldest daughter, and an assortment of whatever children might be in tow with the two girls in the middle. (The little girls usually outnumber the little boys by a two-to-one ratio, but Baby Leeza is always the star of our show! She is absolutely delightful and just full of fun!)

Sweet Baby Leeza
What I appreciate most about this particular group of ladies is that there is never any tension...no pretense...no pressure...no stress...no gossip. There is usually a lot of laughter, sometimes a few tears, and always a sweet time of fellowship that lingers long and runs deep.

Together my sweet friends and I drink tea, eat something scrumptious (my treat today was pumpkin streusel muffins), and just enjoy being together. We discuss what's been going on in our lives since our last get-together, news of family and friends far away, what we've all got coming up, and recipes. Today's discussion focused primarily on plans for a long-overdue, upcoming, polar bear birthday party, plans for the soon-approaching holidays, and matters of the heart and spirit.

Theses special times, shared together with special, long-time friends, aren't anything fancy. They just are! And that, being coupled together with the fact that we are together is what makes them so wonderfully special!

Stop!

Until next time...

All My Love,
~Rebecca
 

Friday, October 18, 2013

Five Minute Friday - Laundry



It's FRIDAY! That means it's time for another Five Minute Friday where, as our hostess and inspiration, Lisa-Jo Baker, puts it, we write "For only five short, bold, beautiful minutes. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not." 

At least this is how it's supposed to be! The truth is, it's, literally, been months since I last participated in Five Minute Friday and that's sad, because I really enjoy it! It seems like life has been lived in such a whirlwind lately that I very seldom have time to do anything justice and today is no different. BUT when I saw Lisa Jo's prompt for today...laundry...I couldn't resist! A past post flashed in my mind and I thought, "Well, it might not be current, but it is definitely one of my own personal favorite posts from the past. So, why not? Why not share it again for others who might enjoy it?"

So, in hoping that it's okay to share, even though it's not from today (this post was written and originally posted on May 6, 2011), here goes...


 Today's topic is laundry. So...here...we...
Go!

Laundry Hung In The Early Morning

I know we've had this "Little House on the Prairie"/laundry discussion before, but having grown up on Laura Ingalls Wilder books and, now, after living on the tall-grass prairie, not all that far from where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived during her "Little House on the Prairie" time, I can't help it. There are just certain things that trigger a thought, or a quote, from one of Laura's books, and this was just such a morning.

When I went out to hang my towels, the morning sun was streaming in deep angles from the eastern sky spilling out across the lawn. Naturally, I was bare-footed and the grass was wet and cold as I made my way to the clothesline. Immediately, thoughts raced through my head..."dew", "wet", "chill", "grass", "clothes", "dry"..."Laura"!

My mind was filled with swirling thoughts of the Ingalls family living their lives on the prairie...Pa bringing water up from the creek for Ma to wash the family's clothes in, Ma washing the clothes in the tub and laying them out on the grasses to dry, Laura and Mary running barefoot through the prairie grasses...taking simple pleasure in God's magnificent creation...a meadowlark flitting up from the grasses in front of them , the song of the little yellow-breasted "Dickie-bird", the beautiful prairie flowers (Indian paintbrush, birds-foot violet, and prairie phlox are in bloom right now) and the jackrabbits with their long ears flopping as they bounded away over the blowing grasses.

How many of those simple pleasures I've experienced myself over the years since moving to the tall-grass prairies of Missouri!

After hanging out my laundry, I came in and looked these quotes up from a couple of Laura's books...

"In the mornings they ran through the dewy, chill grass that wet their feet and dabbled the hems of their dresses. They liked to splash their bare feet through the grass all strung with dewdrops..." ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder from On The Banks Of Plum Creek

"How beautiful the prairie was in the spring! The blue cornflowers waved in the wind, meadowlarks flew singing up into the sky, and the dew sparkled on the grass. How cheerful it made everyone feel!"  ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie

Now, as the sun moves higher and the soft prairie winds begin to blow, it's time for me to get on with my day. I pray God's best over each and every one of you. I pray that each of you have a beautiful and a blessed day!

All My Love,
~Rebecca 


Laundry Later In The Day
 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Thoughts On Celebrating Halloween

Every year about this time I start getting cute little e-mails from Christian sources trying to convince me that Halloween is a "Christian" holiday and that it's okay to practice it...as long as we keep it within the "right" perspective and spirit.

I'm sorry, but nothing could be further from the truth! Halloween has NEVER been a "Christian" holiday! And those of you who know me well know that, in the past, I have been known to radically oppose Halloween, and have put out plenty of information trying to expose the truth behind it.

Have I ever celebrated Halloween? You bet! I grew up celebrating Halloween. At one time, Halloween was bigger for me than Christmas! Not only do I have a family history steeped deep in Celtic roots and tradition, but (and this is not something that I am proud of...in fact, I still shudder when I really think about it)...but, my first husband was a Satanic priest in Panama...a warlock. (I was really young and really dumb back then...18-years-old. We weren't together long, but we were together long enough!) I have studied the origins of Halloween extensively and, believe me, the dark side of Halloween is very real, as are all the occult practices that go along with it. It wasn't until the Lord, Himself, through the reading of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit (NOT church doctrine) convicted me and my family of celebrating it. We finally quit celebrating Halloween altogether about 24 years ago.

Do I miss Halloween? Sometimes...the fun, cute, little, kiddie side of it...you know...the dressing up part and getting candy part...but, then, even when I think of those things, it doesn't take but a moment or two, before the truth that is behind it all comes flooding in, and, then, no...I don't miss it at all!

You see, the world, and much of the church for that matter, would like for us to believe that Halloween is just a cute, little, harmless "Christian" holiday and that it's okay to celebrate it, but God's Word tells us EXPLICITLY that we are not to conform to the world's standards.

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 we are admonished to "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what  concord [accord] hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" Verse 17 goes on to say, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate..."

As Christians, we must not compromise the Word of God...not even  for the sake of church doctrine and policy when it is not in agreement with the Word of God.
 


What I'm trying to say is this...
 
The dark side of Halloween is very real and our children need to be protected from it. They should not be introduced to, and involved in, things, that can, and will, (and has) lead many of them into the occult. Please pray angelic protection over the children that will be out and about this Halloween. Many of them will suffer terrible things due to the negligence and ignorance of those to whom they've been entrusted to for safe keeping.
 
And, please understand, my purpose is not to condemn anyone. I am simply asking those of you who have had that check down in your spirit where Halloween is concerned in the past, to, please,  please, please, pray! Seek the Lord concerning these things. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes and ears and to make these things clear to you from His Word. Ask Him what He would have you to do as a family concerning Halloween.
 
Thank you so much for allowing me to share my heart!
 
All My Love,
~Rebecca
 
P.S. - During the 24 years since we quit celebrating Halloween we have done a variety of things. The first year or two we opted to celebrate autumn with a harvest festival of sorts. That didn't feel right, either, so, for many years, we chose to use Halloween as an opportunity for ministry. We passed out flyers and/or gospel tracts (along with candy) to trick-or-treaters. The past five years or so our focus has been on celebrating Reformation Day, which is also celebrated on the 31st of October each year. This year we are being prompted by the Holy Spirit that it is very important to get back to putting the Word out there and to use every opportunity. Time is short! So, this year we will be passing out tracts and candy on the 31st and holding our Reformation Day celebration on November 1st.
 
Also, for anyone who is interested I am including an article that explains further about Halloween and it's origins. (It's rather lengthy, but very thorough!)
 

 
Come with me to the south of Britain; it is cool, late autumn, and the time is 300 years before the birth of Jesus. The Celtic civilization is in full flower, spreading by bloody conquest from the British Isles through Scandinavia, Europe and all the way to Asia Minor. The people are thoroughly pagan, worshipping many gods, and are ruled in a sense by kings; but the real power is in the hands of the Druids, a secret priestly society which rules by terror and by sorcery. Even the kings fear the mysterious, ever-present Druids; and when the king becomes too old to lead in battle or to father children, they sacrifice him to the gods, cutting his body cavity open while he is still alive and using his internal organs for divination and other magic.

Spiritual darkness covers the land, overshadowing every aspect of the people's lives, eroding even the laughter and play of the children with the penetrating presence of fear. Life is always hard, especially for the peasants; and the ever-nearness of the mysterious, powerful, silent Druids is a constant menace, looming like a dark, brooding presence, always felt and feared but never understood.
But now the darkness is thicker still, and more threatening; the pervasive, choking fear is at higher levels within, for it is the day they dread all year long. It is October 31st, the festival of Samhain, the Festival of Death.

Samhain is their God of Death and most powerful god. Every year on this day, they believe, the old year dies and the new year begins. It is the Celtic New Year, as well as the Festival of Samhain, the Festival of Death. He is particularly honored on this day, but more especially on this night; and the great climactic moment will come at midnight. Darkness, fear and death prevail; many human sacrifices are to be presented to Samhain, and midnight is the high moment of the year for divination, spiritism and sorcery of all kinds. Darkness is deepest, and death more sovereign tonight than at any other time of the year, and midnight will be the climax.

As the sun goes down over the western hills and darkness begins to flood the valleys, the people become more and more silent, doing the things they must do, but saying little. The fires are already being prepared on the hilltops, strange cries are heard, and other muffled sounds that are difficult to identify. Chores are hurried through and doors closed early. Lamps are extinguished; it will soon be time for the Druids to be out.

With darkness deepening the fires blaze higher and higher on the surrounding hills, the flames leaping and stabbing into the gathering gloom. Strange figures move about the fires, seen only in eerie red-orange glimpses. Strange singing and chanting begin. And screaming. Paralyzing waves of fear rise and fall. Then, as if materializing out of the blackness, they appear . . . the Druids have come. Dressed in peculiar robes with mysterious magical markings, heads covered, silent as death, they appear. Each has, slung over his shoulder on a cord, a large, hollowed-out turnip with an oil lamp burning inside. Carved into the side of the hollow turnip is a hideous face, the likeness of the demon spirit that dwells inside. This spirit is the Druid's spirit guide, his personal little god, who directs and empowers his life. The smoky, yellow light from the oil lamp within shines dimly, causing the carved-out face to light up in a menacing, hideous grin.

The people tremble in silence within, barely breathing, hoping the Druids may pass them by and go on to another thatch-roofed home. Children cling to their parents, burying their faces in parental robes; the parents wish they could. Then comes the thumping on the door and the unnatural, moaning chant. They aren't going to pass by; oh, no . . . they are here! (Oh mighty gods, preserve us, they are here!) The door is opened with trembling hand and the Druid spokesman demands certain foods. The Druids adhere to strange dietary restrictions, and on the night of the Festival of Death they go from home to home demanding these peculiar foods. If the people comply, they pass on in silence; if their demands are not met, the people and their home are cursed with trouble, sickness and death.

The fires roar skyward, feeding on their own fury, summoning and guiding the spirits of the wicked dead. Witches and evil spirits go forth over the land, vexing and afflicting the helpless people. Cats screech and howl (the Druids believe them to be reincarnations of the wicked dead, possessed with supernatural knowledge and power). It is a night of raw, sickening terror.

As the midnight hour approaches, the madness increases; human sacrifices are ripped open, hearts torn out still beating; the viscera are spilled in the dust to be used for divination. Other things are done, too hideous to describe. Then the sacrifices are thrown into the fires, celebrants dancing and screaming around them in drunken, demonized fits of orgiastic abandon.

Satan's help is invoked as many forms of magic, witchcraft and sorcery are performed and much divination is done, for this night is known to be the premier night of the entire year for such things. Much guidance and information concerning the coming year are sought. It goes on all night, but the madness reaches its climax at midnight and gradually diminishes after that.

By daylight the exhausted people begin cautiously to stir. On the hilltops, fires have died down, nothing remaining but ashes and the bones of the sacrifices. The people call them "bonefires," and avoid going too near, for the smell of death and the presence of evil hang heavily there still. But it's over.
Another Festival of Death has come and gone; they are weary but relieved, for they have somehow survived.

And you and I have seen this Samhain, this night of death, for ourselves; with them we have experienced this horrible festival of darkness . . . this celebration of the devil that plagues and vexes people to this day. We have seen it in its full flower on the misty, chill moors and windy hills of Celtic Britain.
Now walk with me in giant strides across the centuries, as we see how it has come down to us, bringing its destruction, dread, fear and death in an unbroken tradition of darkness to this enlightened Christian era. For Samhain is with us still.

Popularizing Samhain. As the centuries passed, and the Druids, under Roman domination, declined in numbers and in power, the common people entered more and more into the practices of Samhain. They particularly practiced a growing number of forms of divination, and these works of darkness were woven deeply into the very fabric of Celtic life. Since Samhain was the beginning of the new year, much divining was done concerning the coming year, and many things were done to invoke "good luck" (which meant finding favor with the evil spirits) for the coming year. A very popular form of this was to kneel around a tub of water with apples floating in it, and the first one who could get one out without using hands or teeth would have good favor with the spirits in the coming year. Then each would peel his (or her) apple, trying to get the peel off in one piece (which gave the peeling particular power, and gained special favor with the spirits). The peel was then thrown over the left shoulder, and, whirling quickly about, each was supposed to see an apparition (ghostly vision) of the one who would become his or her sex partner (or spouse, depending upon local custom) during the coming year. Many such superstitious customs developed as time passed, all for the purpose of knowing the future, pleasing the spirits and seeking their help.

The Pope Strikes Back. In the eighth century the Pope, in an at tempt to get the people to abandon the festival of Samhain and all its occult, idolatrous practices, established All Saints Day on November 1st. This holy day was to be a day for honoring the Christian dead, particularly those who died as martyrs in the terrible Roman persecutions. He apparently hoped that the similarity of meaning, although in a godly context, would cause the people to accept All Saints Day as a substitute and abandon the Festival of Death. But it didn't work. As a matter of fact, this attempt to end Samhain follows us and causes trouble to this day, because its location on the calendar has led many people to believe that Samhain is a Christian observance. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but let me show you how this gigantic misunderstanding developed.

In the British Isles, All Saints Day came to be called "All Halloweds" since it was a day to honor all the "hallowed ones", the Christian dead. Since Samhain always occurred the evening before All Halloweds, it came to be called "All Halloweds Evening," or just "Halloweds E'en." From this it evolved to "Hallows E'en" and, finally, to "Halloween" as we know it today. Because of the relationship in the names, and the adjacent dates, many today entertain the completely unfounded idea that Halloween is somehow a Christian holiday. This has made it much easier for the ungodly festival to move right into the churches each October and flourish there, spreading its occult poison.

But we know better; we know the truth. This hideous holiday for devils has nothing at all to do with Jesus and the Christian Church and it never has! It has been going on since at least 500 years before the birth of Jesus, and is in every way an abomination to our Holy God, and a deadly enemy of the faith of the saints. To link Halloween with the Christian Church makes less sense than for the Jewish survivors of the Nazi holocaust to happily celebrate the birth of Adolph Hitler, honoring the morals and reenacting the practices of the death camps!

In the Middle Ages. In the midst of the darkness that prevailed during the Middle Ages there was a mighty revival of witchcraft and satanism. During this time there developed the belief that on October 31st witches traveled to their covens flying on brooms, guided by evil spirits in the form of black cats. There was a great outpouring of satanic power, and as all the old practices continued, some new ones developed; the Festival of Death continued without interruption as the most important day (night) of the year for witches and all satanists, deepening the darkness that already covered the Earth, as a corrupted weakened Church was ineffective in opposing it.

In the New World. When our Puritan ancestors came to the New World in the seventeenth century, they strictly forbad all such occult practices and pagan festivals. Our textbooks and social commentators today paint them as intolerant, legalistic, loveless bluenoses; but I am now beginning to suspect that they knew some things, important things, that have been lost to our modern churches. Among the Puritans there was no Festival of Death, there was no Saturnalia, there were no Maypoles, no Midsummer Night, nor any such things; they were well aware of the satanic origins, nature and dangers of them. They may have been harsh, but at least they nourished no vipers in the bosom of the Church.

Then, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, there came a flood of Celtic immigrants to the New World, mostly from the British Isles, and they brought with them their folk beliefs and pagan superstitions; they brought with them Samhain, the Festival of Death. In the New World they found pumpkins, much easier to hollow out and carve than turnips. Among the English-speaking Celts the hollowed turnip or pumpkin was known as "Jock (or Jack) of the Lantern," referring to the spirit guide (Jock or Jack) who lived in the thing; he was literally "Jock/Jack who lived in the lantern." This was soon shortened to "Jack o' the lantern," then to "Jack o' lantern" and finally to "jackolantern" as we know it today. These popular, but pagan practices were increasingly accepted by the general populace and gradually became an established part of American life. The few small Christian voices raised against this invasion of paganism were shouted down and swallowed up in the rising tide of popular acceptance. Except for the substitution of pumpkins for turnips, the old practices continued very much the same as they had been in the British Isles and in western Europe.

Until This Day. Today there is a fresh outpouring of evil upon the Earth. There is a revival of witchcraft and all forms of satanism of greater proportions than that of the Middle Ages; it is probably the beginning of Satan's final assault, his last great offensive to damn the lost and weaken the Church. There are growing numbers of Satan worshippers, meeting freely in increasing numbers of satanic "churches". Practicing witches, numbering in the tens of thousands, advertise in newspapers, on television and radio, and keep regular office hours. More and more the police are required to deal with strange, new problems of law enforcement such as the opening of graves and mutilation of bodies for occult purposes, and the stealing of pets for sacrificing and divination. Children, teenagers and derelicts are increasingly being abducted, tortured and ritually murdered as sacrifices to Satan. And in the midst of all this outpouring of evil, Samhain, the Festival of Death, is still the ultimate high holy day of the satanic year. Now generally called Halloween, October 31st is definitely the focal point of this flood of filth, and at midnight of that date these hellish activities reach their yearly climax. Sacrifices are offered to the God of Death and Darkness all over the world. Sacrifices are offered in many forms, from food and drink offerings to chickens, goats, dogs and cats; and, in some places, there are human sacrifices. Witches still gather, satanists still convene, and all the dark doings of antiquity are repeated as spirits, goblins and demonic forces of darkness are loosed upon the land.

Samhain (Halloween) is still a night people dread; we are like those ancient Britons, relieved to see the sun coming up on November 1st, spreading light and scattering the darkness. It is still a night when the old, the weak and the helpless tend to turn out all lights and go to bed early in hopes that the Halloween marauders will think no one is home and pass them by. It is still a night in which the innocent are in danger as, every year, there are children who disappear, those who are killed in dark streets by cars, victimized by poisoned and drugged candy. It is still a night of dread as people are careful to put their cars into garages, and bring lawn furnishings inside to protect them; the cost in terms of property damage and cleaning up the mess rises every year. Bonfires still blaze, and in some places buildings are set on fire as the midnight madness mounts. Extra policemen are hired for this one night at great expense to the citizens. It has become such a significant problem that many cities and even some states are now outlawing Halloween activities completely.

What are the Churches Doing? And what are the churches doing and saying in the midst of all this? It surely must break the heart of God, but many of the churches are right in the middle of this celebration of death, decorated with leering jackolanterns, giving Halloween "parties," complete with fortunetelling and other forms of divination, and building houses of horror in their fellowship halls. This may well be the worst part of all, for the very little children, the innocent lambs whom the Lord has entrusted to the churches for safe-keeping and protection, are deliberately subjected to fears and terrifying sights and sounds that may inflict permanent emotional injuries and open them up to invasion by demonic forces which seek to destroy them. Although some churches denounce and forbid such pagan practices, most enter in; and those voices raised in protest in such churches are themselves denounced as radical and dangerous. One such sincere Christian, a leader in the renewal movement within the Church, was quietly and humbly teaching the simple, undeniable truth about these things and how the Scriptures relate to them. He was singled out and rebuked by name from the pulpit by his Irish priest, to whom these Celtic traditions were still dear.

It is sad, but true, that the most significant days in the Christian year have all been invaded by the enemy, bringing in pagan practices and appealing substitutes (jolly old elves, benevolent bunnies, etc.) to take our eyes and affections from the Lord. But Halloween is the exception; there was nothing Christian to invade! This one was the devil's holiday all along, and he has somehow duped the Christians into embracing it and accepting it as our own!

Doreen Irvin, who was once the ruling witch of western Europe and the British Isles, and mistress of the High Priest of Satan over the same area, who is now a Spirit-filled woman of God, says, "If Christian parents had any idea of what Halloween really is they wouldn't even mention the word around their children." She knows whereof she speaks.'

What Saith the Scriptures? The scriptural denunciation of all such practices is so overwhelming as to make even a sample listing of passages much too great to be included here. Let it suffice to say that God hates and forbids all forms of paganism, for it honors other, false gods and leads to the destruction of the people He loves. He calls it spiritual adultery, "a whoring after other gods" (Lev. 20:5,6; Deut. 31:16, et al). He even warns that the bondages and sicknesses may be felt by succeeding generations (Ex. 20:3-6). The "images of their gods" (which a jackolantern most obviously is) are not to be tolerated or brought into our homes, lest we "be snared therein" and become "a cursed thing like it" (Deut. 7:25,26). The Lord warns us very specifically about divination, spiritism, enchantment, sorcery, witchcraft and all the other activities dear to Halloween observances and says that "all who do these things are an abomination unto the Lord" (Deut. 18:9-12). What could be plainer?

Jesus said that the great condemnation of men is that they choose darkness rather than light, preferring darkness "because their deeds are evil" (Jn. 3:19-21). Have you ever wondered why Halloween activities are always carried out in the dark? Why do you suppose the great climactic moment of the entire satanic year occurs on October 31st at midnight? Why not October 31st at noon? It is obviously because, as Jesus said, their deeds are evil. They avoid the light, for all these activities belong to the darkness. The apostle Paul teaches us (I Cor. 10:2022) that to do these things is to "have fellowship with devils," and declares that we "cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and (also) the cup of devils." We are likewise taught clearly that we are to come apart from such unholy works of darkness, that we are not even to touch such unclean practices and objects (II Cor. 6:14-18). In this same passage we are asked "what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" (verses 15,16); the only answer is a resounding "NONE!" You can't combine light with darkness; the Holy and the profane don't mix . . . not at all. You cannot have the God of Death and the Prince of Life; they are completely incompatible; they are mutually exclusive!

We are told plainly to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness"; rather we are told to "reprove them" (expose them for that they really are), and this leaves no room for any dabbling (Eph. 5:6-11).

"But," some will still say, "I don't take it seriously; I love the Lord, and I certainly don't worship pagan gods; but I just do the Halloween things for fun." The Word of God leaves no room for such "middle ground"; there IS no "middle ground." We are plainly told that we are even to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (I Thes. 5:22). It just cannot be.

What About You? And what about you? What do you perceive in Halloween? Be honest and think of what you associate with it. When you think of this time of "fun," when you try to enumerate the things that Halloween represents in your thinking, you probably think of the following: death, darkness, murder, fear, hate, bloodshed, mutilation, bats, witches on broomsticks with fearsome black cats, skeletons, graves, tombstones, demons, etc. You know that this is true. In the small Bible Belt town where we live there has been a contest each year in which the little children paint Halloween scenes on store windows around the courthouse square; these painted windows are supposed to express the meaning and spirit of Halloween, and the best ones get prizes. They are all decorated with scenes of death, mayhem, vampires, witches, skeletons, bats, demons, mutilated bodies, ghosts, goblins, graves, etc. Come on, now; we cannot deny that these things are the essence of this day of darkness. It is not even disguised; it is not even subtle. Can you deny this, even to yourself? You know that this is true! It is totally negative, basically destructive, rooted in darkest paganism, thriving in darkness, featuring fear, cruelty, violence and death. It is the antithesis, the very opposite, of all that is godly, good, positive, healthy, right, constructive and pleasing to the Lord.

And There Is a Lot of Money in It. I don't suppose anyone really knows just how much money there is in Halloween-related sales each year, but it is a bundle. Think of all the money spent on costumes, decorations, and candy, just for the privilege of being put in physical danger, emotional danger and spiritual danger. My wife and I always made the costumes for our children, partly because we were creative and enjoyed making them, and partly because we couldn't afford to buy them. But the effect was the same. And we had to buy a supply of candy and fruit for those who came to the door.

And in recent years, there has developed what is by far the most illogical part of this entire illogical nightmare: the greeting card industry is now marketing "Happy Halloween" cards! Yes, this October your Hallmark shop (or its equivalent) will be decorated in the usual orange and black, with the usual representations of death and darkness, and there will be featured a rack of Halloween greeting cards. Over all this, strung across the store, will probably be a large banner saying "Happy Halloween". Think of this; just stop and think what it really means to wish someone a "happy Halloween." It is like saying, "Have a happy night of dread, anxiety and fear!"; or "Happy terrifying dreams!"; or "Here's wishing you pleasant property damage!" For the children, why not, "Enjoy your new fear of the dark!", or "Happy tummyache!" And, for the emotionally vulnerable, why not, "Have a happy nervous breakdown!"? Oh, yes, and for the Christians, why not "Enjoy a night and day of spiritual adultery!"; or "Have a happy time grieving God!" We might even sell one saying "Congratulations! You are an abomination unto the Lord!" Oh, well . . .

By now I'm sure that you see what I mean. But the vast majority of Americans (including a great many Christians) apparently do not. They go right on, following blindly rather than thinking (the herd mentality is such a sad thing), buying the costumes, decorations and the ridiculous cards.

And the Children Suffer. Aside from what I know all this does to the heart of God, the thing about it that hurts me most is seeing innocent and helpless children victimized. Without doubt, the principal victims are the little children. This past October I ached, watching young mothers carrying babies and toddlers through the stores, buying demon, witch, and vampire costumes for them. I remember vividly one mother, carrying a tiny little girl who was too young even to be excited about a party; the woman had already put a large, black witch's hat on that tiny little head and was leaving the store with a triumphant smile on her face, thinking how "cute" her little girl was going to be. The little girl, puzzled about the whole thing, looked at me as she went by, oversized witch's hat falling over on her undersized, little girl's head, and I saw innocence being swallowed up in the symbolism of darkness, unable to understand and helpless to resist.

We conduct parties for them where we frighten them with horror stories and contaminate them with divination and magic; then we send them out into the deadly darkness, dressed like demons, witches and corpses (or in Cinderella dresses . . . what's the difference?) to reenact the Druidic "trick-or-treat" rituals of Samhain. Some don't ever come back.

My wife and I always went out with our children; we considered ourselves to be good parents (and we were, in the limited light we had to walk in) because we didn't just send our little children out into the darkness for "tricks-ortreats," we took them. We watched over them. But this only reduced the physical danger to them; and we didn't know about the other kinds of danger.

So What Do We Do? With all this laid out before us, what do we do about it? How do we relate to all this? If we are going to obey and please God, we must have nothing to do with this pagan day of darkness; we must cleanse our lives of it all. If we want to be free, really free, we must renounce all such vestiges of hideous devil worship in the name of the Lord . . . no matter how innocent they may seem. Then we must call upon Him to deliver us from all bondages and hindrances that may have come upon us as a result of such things.

There can be no compromise with evil, not even with the appearance of evil; there is no middle ground. Some will say, "But I don't take it seriously, it's only harmless fun." To them I reply that it may be fun, but it isn't harmless. I'll say that again: it may be fun, but it definitely isn't harmless!

We must take the same uncompromising stand against the enemies of God and those things that would destroy us (the two are one and the same) that the prophets took, that Jesus took, and that the early Church took. This evil thing has come down to us, out of the misty darkness beyond the dawn of history, in an uninterrupted tradition of evil. It permeates the Body of Christ today, unchanged, sowing its deadly seeds of idolatry, doubt, spiritual weakness, sickness and death. Turn from it; have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. It is all a stench in the nostrils of a holy God and an insult to the Prince of Life.

It will rob you of your freedom. Flee from it, and don't look back.