Oct 31 missions; being salty and full of light

WHY MISSIONS?

We moved a lot in the last 9 years since my first son was born, and even still, we have done what we could to always be light and “salt” which is something that tenderizes the heart, it brings the pure flavor to the front, but it doesn’t overshadow it enhances with love.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. ” is the first half of Matthew 5:13 MSG

 CELEBRATION OF THE HARVEST

As a homeschooling mom, I have an advantage to the Halloween choices we make – because I can focus on harvest time activities that give my kids the same “fun” as activities around Halloween without them feeling left out.  We also painted (left) a fall tree craft project in preparation for the Harvest season. With owls (this is their most active season), sunflowers, acrons and leaves. We have done a whole study on Thanksgivings around the world which begin in October in Canada and how different countries celebrate their harvest times with celebrations; some of them include special candies.  This time of the year is a great lead-in at my home to remember what their is to celebrate, and how we can prepare for the winter. (Inlcuding changing out their closets moving out the summer and in the winter.)  They have really loved reading the difference between what some history books say versus what others say about the first settlers!

PRETEND PLAY & DRESS-UP

My children this year have been working on fun drama masks as pilgrims and native americans while doing research for school. My experience is that my children (most children I think) want to enjoy the things that TV, media, and school reserve for this Halloween season all year and when we give our children the opportunity to enjoy  those activities outside of the unholiday on Oct 31, then they don’t miss anything. Honestly, it’s just as cute when they are a spy in the middle of the evening, the Minnie mouse all day, the buzz light-year or the alligator wildlife rescue whenever they want to be.  It works for us, and for my kids.  Although we don’t necessarily dress-up as “bible characters” we do often roll play those fun Veggie-Tales silly stories and other childrens bible lessons.  With any child however, natural pretend play should come without a guided story – this helps them develop their creativity, story-telling and fundamental skills. So, our dress up often includes random clothes that they can turn into something wild – see below!

OUR OUTREACH & MINISTRY

My favorite thing is the last two years we were able to invite everyone we knew and all of our neighbors over for an open house bar-b-que (they could if they so choose bring something but we didn’t ask).  Not to sell them anything, but simply to build relationship. It’s amazing how many people will show up when you offer free food! When we can’t feed the neighborhood, or attend an outreach, then we do what we can to ensure that God is glorified. Regardless, we do not trick or treat or trunk o’ treat, because of the origins, but mostly the selfishness of those acts. No one needs practice at my house at asking for things! 🙂 We’ve pretty much got that covered.

Our family spent the weekend after Oct 31st last year with a Florida extension of the HARVEST GATHERING funded by the non-profit Jesus Village.  This is simply people from all over the country who come together lay aside any differences, focus on being Jesus and provide free food, free music festival, and the love of Jesus. They desire to raise awareness of communities to the real needs and face of homelessness, hunger and poverty.  Regardless, this ministry happens every Halloween, because it is a High Holy Day to the occult. Yes, folks, it is, and they gather in Asheville, NC by the thousands to take their Craft, Wicca beliefs, and Satanic worship to the streets. (Literally)  The Harvest Gathering sets up in the same city, across the street or like this year in the middle of the entire event. To simply offer the homeless a warm meal, and to minister to people who hear the songs of hope instead of death. *It’s rare to find such ministries, but that doesn’t mean that real witches and warlocks are not having a party somewhere near you, so if nothing else, pray over such ministries this Halloween season – pray for those people who God is speaking to inside an occult and pray for the salvations of those stuck. That is my tyraid, but look it up, do research, I promise just as there is a God, there is also many who seek to deceive people into believing that there is such a thing as a good witch, my friends, the Bible says, there is only two choices – you are honoring God or other gods.

DECORATIONS

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this narrative of one families way to be LIGHT. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAQQFs6gAP8  from Kristine McGuire’s blog story by Amy Russel Watson, she explains how she decorates with a heart for honoring God.

S

He is darth vadar, and as we all know, that requires you to be covered in black. He came to show me so proud. In April this year & since then!

Pumpkin fun with clay pots.

My favorite thing about Harvest Time is pumpkins. First, I call my kids my pumpkins, so maybe it’s just me. But, find some terra cotta pots for under $1 and some simple paint, maybe real leaves or felt like shown here and MINI-terra cotta pot was this steam with a little pipe cleaner.  The BEST part about the small little pots are that each child can go crazy at any age slapping on orange paint, mom or a big kid can come along and stencil or use stickers to add names. Now you have a fun fantastic Place Holders for Thanksgiving and cute little decorations for a shelf until then.

 

Whatever you do for this season of the year, I hope you find something that you can say is a special way you show the world Christ. Be yourself, and not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds daily with scripture, prayer, and a relationship with the God of the Heavens who loves you more than he loved his own son.