Is Halloween Evil?

Attention everyone! Though this is posted by me (Jessica) it was actually Savannah who wrote it. Because she doesn't have enough computer time to post, she writes the articles, and I simply put them on the site for her. So here's what Savannah has to say.
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In a few days most people will be carving pumpkins and Trick-or-Treating. But for some people, it will be just an average night.
All my friends are Christians, and 60% to 70% celebrate Halloween. The other 40% to 50% don't have anything to do with it. Recently a friend of mine told me that Halloween was Satan's holiday and celebrating it was worshiping Satan. She asked my sister if we celebrate Halloween and she (my sister) said yes.

My answer to the question: 'Is Halloween evil?' In one sentence my answer is... It can be, but it doesn't have to be.

The same friend that said Halloween is Satan's holiday also said that she thinks her neighbors burn cats as an offering to the Devil on Halloween. Now that would be sick, twisted, cruel and evil. Playing pranks on people is as well. Dressing up in over the top costumes such as the Devil, or scary things I find to be evil as well. But, if you avoid Pagan, cruel, and twisted things that are associated with Halloween, I believe you can celebrate Halloween as a Christian.
In my family we carve pumpkins and Trick-or-Treat for Halloween. We dress up in costumes such as princesses, coal miners, cats, surgeons, old men, or scarecrows. For us, Halloween is about having fun and enjoying Fall, not worshiping Satan.

If you are wondering, 'Why celebrate it if it is even associated with being evil?' Here is my answer: Do you celebrate Christmas? I assume you said yes. Christmas can be evil when the focus is taken off Jesus and onto money and presents, but we celebrate it anyway with the focus on Jesus.

Do you celebrate Halloween? Why or why not?

Churches: A need, a pleasure, or a nuisance?

Lately, I've been thinking about going back to church. And that got me started thinking about this; Is church something needed? I mean, do you absolutely have to go to church? Some people think so. I don't think it is, but that's just my opinion. If you want, you can convince yourself that it's mandatory, but truly, it isn't. Otherwise you would have to go when you were sick, out of town, etc. Just as long as you praise God, it doesn't really matter where. Below are some reasons why you absolutely have to go to church every (or nearly every) week.

1. Growing. It is very important to grow spiritually, and church is a great place to do it.
2. God's command. God has told you to go to church, and you're following it.
   

If someone said that it says in the Bible, ask them for proof. I've searched, and can't seem to find anywhere in the Bible that says we have to go to church. There are times it says talks about having fellowship, but that is different. Now here are some reasons why I think it is good to go to church.

1. Fellowship. It's good to know other people who believe the same (or nearly the same) thing as you do. It's both spiritually good and simply nice to talk to others about your beliefs. A bonus: You may become friends with these people.
   
2. Learning. From listening to you pastor/preacher/priest and others talk, you learn more about God and his workings and miracles, how to become a better Christian, and other spiritual things.
3. Encouragement. I think everybody needs some encouragement at times, because everyone has times when their relationship with God is not very good. It helps to hear the words of others encouraging you to go to Him, to rebuild what has crumbled.
4. Fun. Church can be fun, despite what some of you may think. It's fun to learn about Jesus and God, and others who are in the Bible. It's fun to hang out with other people who believe nearly the same things as you. And sometimes a church will put on things that are meant to be fun yet still teach about Him, things like camp; barbecues; even Trick-or-Treating!
   

These are only a few. Perhaps you can think up a few more reasons. Now here are reasons why church is a complete nuisance.

1. Time. Going to church takes time. Time you could be spending doing other things.
   
2. ...............

I truly can't think of any other reasons why it's a nuisance to go to church. And that one reason I have is pretty lame. Can you think up any others? If you can, please tell me in the comments.

So no, I think that no one has to go to church, yet most people should. Church may not be right for some. Others, it may be perfect for. It depends on who you are, but it is important that you have fellowship with others, and most people choose church.

Well, I think that is all for today. I hope I made enough sense that you could at least understand what I mean. Please freely express your thoughts, no matter what they are, in the comments. Thank you!
Jessica

Prayer Requests

Just thought that a prayer request place would be good for the blog so here is how it works, you leave a comment on a prayer request that you have and I will pray for that thing that you put in the comments place. Hope you enjoy the prayer request place.

*Alex*

Skirts are for Girls

I found an interesting post on a blog I read, called 'Skirts are for Girls'. It's about how our culture is contradictory to the idea of girls wearing skirts and dresses. It gave me a lot to ponder. Please read it, and tell me what your thoughts on it are.
Jessica