The Deception All Around Us

This past weekend my wife and I watched Jim Staley’s “Truth or Tradition: Should Christians Celebrate Christmas and Easter” and it was eye opening. I didn’t know just how many idol symbols were around the world and within our very own churches.  Plus prior to watching this I knew that Jesus was actually born around the end of September/beginning of October. I also knew the evil and pagan roots behind Halloween, but I didn’t know that Valentines Day, Christmas, and Easter had these same evil roots and how badly Satan had deceived God’s people with our current holiday traditions. Yes I know that Easter is when churches celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection from the grave but isn’t this something that we should be celebrating, thanking Jesus for, and sharing with others all year round? Also I know that Christmas is when churches celebrate Jesus’ birthday but where in the Bible does it say we are to celebrate Jesus’ birthday? Plus, as Jim Staley said in his video, would your spouse appreciate you celebrating their birthday on the birthdate of your ex then on their actual date? This is what happens when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25th. When you look in the Bible there are only seven festivals that God commands His people to celebrate. Yes He gave these commandments to the Jews but Jesus celebrated them and so did the Apostles in the New Testament. If we are to live like Jesus did then we should celebrate these as Jesus did.

I recommend checking out Jim Staley’s video below. It will open your eyes to the deception that is all around us.

God Bless

Christmas Bells

By: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The Carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!’

Click here to read more about this poem.

Have a Merry CHRISTmas and God Bless.

Click below to hear Casting Crowns song “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” which is based on this poem.

Luke 2: 9-12

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”"

- Luke 2:9‭-‬12 NIV

Praise The Lord our Savior has come, and then died and rose from the grave, and He will be returning again soon. Though you can look at historical records to see that Mary and Joseph would have been in Bethlehem during the fall season so that is when Jesus really would have been born, the church celebrates and remembers at the end of December. We remember the gift that God gave us, His Son, who came to be our friend and die for our sins only to defeat death three days later so that we can all live eternally in Heaven with Him. May you and your loved ones have a blessed CHRISTmas.

God Bless

Bentleyville Tour Of Lights (Duluth, MN)

This past Saturday my family and I went to Duluth Minnesota and walked through Bentleyville. It’s located right along the shore of Lake Superior and has many Christmas lights to look at. This year was not as busy as past years, but sure if because of Covid or time we went. They are back to a walk through format so if you go you will want to dress warm. While there you can get popcorn and roast marshmallows. We really enjoyed it again like past years. Entry is free and it’s only $10 to park.

If you love looking at Christmas lights then you should check out Bentleyville Tour Of Lights.

God Bless

Thought Of The Day: 12/24/20

Have you ever had to put your trust in someone? One time while in Florida I went bungee jumping and I had to put my trust in the quality of the route that it wouldn’t snap. Even though there was a huge cushion on the ground, that happened to have written on it in big letters “Got Jesus?”, I still had to trust that I would be safe. Mary and Joseph and to have even more trust in God that what His angel was telling them was the truth and that He would be with them in this journey.

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.””

- Luke‬ ‭1:30-33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.””

- Matthew‬ ‭1:20-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Mary and Joseph were not married yet when Mary was carrying Jesus. They would have been considered outcasts by family and friends but they choose to trust God and honor Him over what people thought. Because of this we were able to get the best gift we could ever receive, baby Jesus. I pray that we all can be like them and trust God.

God Bless

Thought Of The Day: 12/21/20

When out and about for work or personal stuff lately I have been having people say Happy Holidays to me. I do respond back with Happy Holidays but I always wish that instead I had said Merry Christmas. I know that people say happy holidays so that they don’t offend those who don’t celebrate Christmas. But should we be worried about offending those whom we are talking to or not be ashamed of standing for God. As it has been said by many others Jesus is the reason for the season. (I will have more about this later in my Christmas post.) I keep wishing that I had the courage to say Merry Christmas or God Bless when I am talking with others. Maybe you already do this and that’s great. If not you could join me in praying for courage to stand for God and say those sayings to people. Maybe it will help brighten their day or maybe it will bring them to Christ. Have a great day.

God Bless