Life can be scary!

This time of year always reminds me how scary life can be. I mean we got ghosts and spider webs and skeletons and witches and other scary stuff out in front of people's houses. We got thunder and lightning and rain. We got scary movies being released in the theatres and movie stores. And have you read the headlines in the newspaper recently? On top of that, it is SO EASY to move away from God - now that's scary!

I was thinking about all the costumes people will dress up in over the next week. Halloween is a time when we get to sort of transform ourselves for one night into somebody else without feeling like a complete loser. What if we all dressed up as somebody else everyday? Now THAT would be scary! But I was thinking how many of us try to do just that. We might not change our clothes but we do change our personalities so we can fit in with a certain group of people. I know I've done that before. You know... when you are feeling real unsure of yourself and you know it just doesn't feel right. Have you been there? Yep, I'm pretty sure we've all been there.

There are alot of reasons people do this - and they aren't all bad. As a matter of fact, even people in the Bible did this. Did you know that Abraham once told his wife to pretend she was his sister so he could live in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20). Then there was Esther. She didn't reveal her true identity and used her new role as Queen to save Israel (Esther 2). Jacob pretended to be Esau (his older brother) to trick Isaac into giving him a blessing (Genesis 27). The devil appeared to Eve in the form of a snake (Genesis 3). Even Jesus himself did not reveal his identity to two men he discussed spiritual matters with while walking on the road after his resurrection (Luke 24).

The key is this. While there may be times where it will seem natural to act like somebody else, the truth is that God loves each of us the way we are. He made us each unique for a reason. And He wants us to trust in Him at all times and in all situations. So when you dress up for Halloween (if you do), remember to be thankful for who you are and for the Lord who loves you. And if you get scared as easy as I do... keep your light on!

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Some random thoughts...

Do you realize its been almost a month since I've last posted! Since I don't want to get too far behind and lot alot on my mind, I'm going to post a few thoughts to get me back into it...

As I sprayed to cover up Fila's farts last night, I remembered our class. How have you been smelling lately? The aroma of Christ or the fart of Fila?

Pepperdine YouthFest is coming up next month. Are you going?? We need to get a list started of who is going. We will only be able to take 5 this year unless we get another chaperone, so talk to your parents about getting their car involved.

On Sunday mornings we are discussing money. I'll be talking this week about giving. Over the next few weeks we will be talking about spending and investing. If you want to learn something about cash, you gotta wake up early and get to church on Sunday!

It was very cool to see John get baptized. I love the fact that people of all ages, cultures, backgrounds, etc. can share the most awesome thing together... life with Christ.

Well, I will have more over the weekend but this was a quick post to get me back in the spirit of posting. I hope you all have a great weekend and I will see you Sunday!
Vince