Halloween Suprise Winter Storm

Rahway was hit this weekend by a nasty winter storm. It knocked tree limbs down all over town. This is a picture from this morning, a street several blocks from my house. A tree limb took down the power line. Many people have been without electricity since Saturday.

What a strange year it has been. Blizzards in January, a Hurricane in August, an Earthquake in September and how this. Are the End Times upon us? Or, is it just our turn to get hammered by God's creation. I wish you all peace on All Hallow's Eve. Pastor Bill.

I Hate Halloween

I hate Halloween. I hate buying candy. I hate dressing up in stupid costumes. I hate ghouls and goblins. I am the ultimate Halloween party pooper. Every party must have one, and I am it. I am also, not alone in hating this fall celebration.

The Christian world has several responses to Halloween. First, the people who hate it like me, just ignore the holiday and hope that someday it will just go away. Second, are the Christians who try to incorporate the holiday in their ministry. They have events at church with candy and costumes, but they ban scary costumes and have Christian programming as part of the party. I know of one church that has a haunted house that shows kids that if they are not Christians, they are going to hell. Now that is scary.

In the great scheme of things, Halloween doesn’t matter. It’s a chance to have fun, and there’s nothing wrong with that. What really matters is this, Loving God and Loving People. That is the essence of Jesus’ message. God wants to have a loving, supportive relationship with us. And God wants us to have the same relationship with each other. If we make this simple truth the core of our lives, the rest will be easy. Even putting up with candy and costumes will be a piece of cake.

God bless you,

Pastor Bill