Spiritual Growth or Death

With the upcoming holiday season fast approaching my mind is turned to all the yummy food and endless hours of cooking ahead. That brings to mind the spiritual man within. As professed christians we, when we came to faith in Jesus, were born again. Now, every momma knows that a baby, when it is first born, needs breast milk and can't survive without it. It is unable to digest solid foods. It takes time for the child to develop the ability to do this. Before long they are getting teething and growing and their abilities to process solid foods progress as they age. As does their ability to discern what is good and what is bad for them. Notice, I didn't say what they like or don't like. When talking about the spiritual person with us as christians, it is not about what we like or don't like. It is all about what is good for us and what is not. We have to grow into that understanding and discernment. When we are born again we are like babes and need milk. Basic teachings and concepts. But, if we stay there we are in danger of malnutrition. We become emaciated spiritually. We must eventually start eating solid foods and allow our bodies to adjust to it and grow from it. This can be painful at times, like upset stomachs and growing pains that come with growing up. But, grow we must or wither and die. Feast on these thoughts as you read this passage in Hebrews.

Hebrews 5:13-14

Learning From The Past

History can teach us a lot when we don't overshadow or ignore it entirely. Things, like words, have meaning. Halloween is one of those words and things that has been replaced by a shell of its true meaning. “Halloween” or “Hallowtide,” dates back to medieval times and literally means “the Eve of All Saint's Day” which was the night that the poor would visit the homes of the wealthy and exchange prayers for loved ones who have passed on to Heaven for food. It wasn't until the early 1970's that the over-emphasis of possible devil worship became an issue within the church. It was the result of rumormongers and fear-mongers; fighting against the tides of culture and anything relating to the rock and roll of the age. Their actions, birthed from well meant intentions, did far more harm to the cause than good. The church became known for what it is against rather than what it was for. The church became labeled as negative, dogmatic, hateful, and demeaning rather than characterized by love, peace, patiences, kindness, and gentleness. We started chasing rumors and shadows rather than seizing the opportunity in the innocence of childhood - to teach truths about Satan and the demonic/spiritual realm and in so doing we drove more people away than we ever attracted and created a rift of division both inside and outside the church. We must learn from the past and seize the opportunity before us to teach truth with grace and love in all patience and kindness while embracing the innocence of youth.