Mercy Me! Bring on the Light!

It's my annual rant time! That expletive isn’t about the Christian vocal group, Mercy Me! It’s about the ghosts, goblins, zombies, witches, and other Halloween paraphernalia that “haunts” us at retail stores and homes this time of year.

Wait! Before you Halloween enthusiasts stop reading this blog, please know I'm not judging anyone who celebrates Halloween! I know what Jesus said "Do not judge, or you too will be judged!" (Matthew 7:1) If I judge people who celebrate Halloween then those people can judge me for celebrating my birthday. Yikes! A whole day to celebrate ME? To bring me gifts and light a candle on a sugary idol with my name on it?

Honestly, my awareness of seeking THE LIGHT and being a light has come from years of growth in my walk with Jesus.
I was a trick or treater and, as you can see in these cute photos, we celebrated Halloween along with everyone else. (That first one is my son and the others are grandchildren). And, October 31st is a day we love because it's Mom's (my mom-in-law's) birthday. And, I know there are hundreds of things worse than cute kids dressed like Elsa or Buzz Lightyear.

Heaven forbid that I sound like a kill-joy! It's a heart matter for me. I don't want to rain on anyone’s Halloween Parade, but this chick prefers the "light" side. I have long removed myself from horror flicks that I watched as a kid. I wondered why I couldn’t sleep at night. Well, duh? I don’t read books that cause me to entertain thoughts of darkness, and neither do I put myself into situations that draw me into darkness or create darkness – anger, envy, strife, jealousy, sadness, grief, etc. If I find myself getting close to those places -- I look for the closest “escape hatch” that I can find. My motto scripture is “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8.

This Bible thumper just can't help but use this season to share the good news of the One who was raised from the dead. I want to preach Jesus. I want to find people to encourage, call that family member who needs hope, pray for professed witches and satanists who need Jesus and use my tongue and social media to communicate life, joy and peace. And, I want to see evil become good: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

I live in the light -- on purpose. I lean toward the LIGHT – God and His Word. That’s why the scriptures are so vital to me – they’re my absolute statements of faith, peace, comfort and joy. ”You will keep him (her) in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he (she) trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3)

If you find yourself depressed, sad, afraid, doubting -- living in those places of darkness -- I lovingly encourage you to move toward THE LIGHT. Put light in your heart and home. I promise you…..you’ll find the SWEET SPOT…..where I live! There’s nothing like it!

Just LOVE

Day 175 of Photo Inspirations -- JUST LOVE
My grandfather was an "Old Time Gospel" Baptist Preacher. He could preach "hail, fire and brimstone" with the best of them. And, my precious polar-opposite grandmother would temper his words by saying, "JUST LOVE".

God is LOVE!  The greatest example of that LOVE was Jesus Christ. The woman caught in the act of adultery -- He loved her to repentence; Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector -- He loved him to salvation; the Naughty Samaritan Woman at the well -- He loved her to her becoming an Evangelist; Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted thousands of Christians -- He loved him to becoming an Evangelist and the writer of 2/3's of the New Testament.

During the Vietnam War, Mother Teresa was asked, "Will you march with us in protest of the war?" She calmly replied, "No, but when you have a march for peace, I'll be there."   I love that.

It's a complete drain of energy to be against something -- but to be FOR something actually increases our enthusiasm and energy. Let's be FOR peace, harmony, justice and every good thing. We don’t try to get rid of the cold in our house; we simply turn on the heat. We can't fight the darkness that may fill a room; we just turn on the light.

How can we LOVE when there is so much wrong in the world?   Grace.  God treats us -- not with what we deserve,  but He treats us with loving-kindness and mercy.  GOD IS LOVE -- and that means He is good to those who deserve it as well as to those who don't deserve it. His love embraces saints AND sinners. Doesn't it make sense that our love for others should be marked by the same kindness and mercy that God has given us?

How can we possibly love those who are just plain evil? With the response that He had for Saul and Zaccheas and the thief on the cross. "WITH GOD, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.  In our own strength, it will be impossible, but in His strength and in His love, our hurts, fears and prejudices can be conquered.  Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the cruelty of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment.  His cross give us the courage to return evil with good.

We have a choice. To be a protester or a peacemaker; to be a hater or a lover; to be angry or joyful; to be a finger pointer or a forgiver.

"Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."  Romans 12:21
In the words of my sweet grandmother....."JUST LOVE!"