It's Halloween again.

Once again the streets of America have a different face, a scary face. Carved pumpkins and spider webs everywhere. Kids dress up in their cute costumes (some cutter than others) and go out on the streets "Trick or Treating". I won't pretend to be an expert on Halloween because I am clearly not. I have to say though, having been brought up elsewhere, the fact that children go out on the streets knocking on strangers' doors asking for candy does trip me out. But why is it that we don't do Halloween? Are we being over zealous parents? After all, the triplets are 3 1/2 and this is the first year we have to really deal with it. And mind you, we haven't slept in 3 1/2 years.
I do think that it is possible for godly parents to go trick or treating with their children and use that as opportunity to teach them about Christ while at the same time engaging the culture, being part of a community and etc...Having said that i am fully convinced in my conscience that I should not participate in it. It's not like I don't want to do Halloween because of all the child sacrifices and satanists looking for little children to murder on that day, which the police records in the country don't know much about anyway. It's not like that at all. So why don't we do Halloween?
One reason is a fascination for the ugly. I think there is already too much ugly and negative in the world that we have no control about. For that reason, Halloween is not attractive to me. It's actually a turn off.This is why I do believe in Halloween alternatives where kids can have a lot of fun in, what I think, is a healthier way. There are other reasons too. I, in my BC days, was deeply involved in a religion very similar to the Cuban Santeria. One of the "deities" we celebrated was a pair of twin children that was appeased by candy or they would trick you. People all over the country would go out on the streets and lay their offers to this deity in hopes of getting on their good side through out the year and to thank them for the past year. Children would go out at the same time all over the streets stealing the offerings from every corner and the whole thing was a big celebration for worshipers and children alike. That has too many similarities to Halloween for me, and it hits me in a way that makes me not want to take any part of it.
When I was writing this post, a pastor, church planter I follow on Twitter posted his reasons for not celebrating Halloween on his blog and I was blessed as he conveyed my sentiments exactly. I asked for his permission to steal it and he replied: " Post away", so here we go:

Why we don't do Halloween, by Joe Holland.

The Hollands don't do Halloween.

To be honest, Halloween makes my stomach turn. I'm a pastor. I daily face death and its destruction—physical and spiritual. In hospitals, counseling sessions, and sermons I teach people about Jesus's triumph over sin, death, and the devil. Mortality, spiritual malevolence, demons, twisted sensuality, devils and the like aren't just costumes at RiteAid. They are daily realities.

So when it comes around to Halloween and I see ghoulish decorations, 5 year old zombies, 8 year -olds in fish net stockings, bloody corpses in front yards, and resurrecting dead it hits a little too close to home. How can I laugh and give kids sugar highs when I'm facing grotesque, cartoonish representations of the things that literally haunt people's souls? Do I really want my kids thinking that death and the demonic are only lawn decorations for a few weeks a year?

I know what you're thinking, "Dude, lighten up!" Well, I've tried and have been unsuccessful. I'm not angry at Halloween or the folks that will pad my street on the eve of October 31. I'm not really all that concerned with the historicity of the cultural practice. I don't even think there is a whole lot of malevolence going on—in fact I'm more concerned with the relative ease in interacting with Halloween on a thematic level.

I just can't keep from cringing when I think about it.

It comes down to the cross. I actually believe that Jesus triumphed over malevolent spiritual forces at the cross—Col 2:15. The cross has changed me and my affections in ways I could never have predicted. I'm more serious about death and the spiritual world than I've ever been. I'm also more joyful in God's power over sin, death, and devil through Christ than I have ever been.

For so many Halloween is about good times, candy, and fun. Put simply it is joyful frivolity and dress up. For me it is sobering and sharpening.

So we don't do Halloween. Not because we think it earns us anything with God. It's just the way the cross has affected me and my family.

Now for all of the disclaimers:

1. If you participate in Halloween with a clear conscience then please continue to do so. I don't think you're a pagan Satan worshiper.
2. I know not all of Halloween is about death and the creepy. If you want your little pumpkin to parade up and down the street with Freddy and 12 year old bar maids, then go for it.
3. I love my neighbors and actively and aggressively look for ways to tell them about Jesus. The whole, "You're not really into evangelizing if you don't do Halloween" is one of the more stupid arguments I've heard.
4. I'm not really into Halloween alternatives either.
5. The whole argument not do Halloween based on its historical basis is silly too. Although, if Halloween occurred for the very first time this year, would you participate? Something to think about.
6. Don't worry about my poor deprived children. We have a large tupperware full of costumes and I give them enough candy to make a dentist's drill finger twitch. They do just fine on the other 364 days a year when it comes to dress-up and sugar consumption."

Additionally, I read something very interesting on The Resurgence blog. The history of the holiday and its connection with the protestant Reformation.Give it a read.

I am one of those that believe fasting, prayer, solitude, contemplation still work. I cannot think of many things that feed my soul more than an afternoon alone listening to hymns and singing and praying. It stirs something in my soul, increasing my affections for God, convicting me of sin, bringing about repentance. It's just neat. The whole thing is pretty cool. I love when God does that. Just a couple of days ago, he did it again. I had to go on a job to Sycamore Cove. I was already thrilled with the drive. The beach is beautiful. The ocean is awesome. The gig ended faster than I thought and I had a large time slot in my hands. I new what I was going to do. Just a quick drive and I was at a very nice spot. Parked the car, climbed down the rocks, Ipod blasting "I have a shelter" and the prayer/worship walk began. Soon enough music turned into the book of Genesis, the whole story of Joseph ( I'm catching up on my ESV listen through the year podcast) and that was followed by the whole gospel of John and the whole thing felt like Jesus was physically there walking with me. I wanted to pitch a tent but at one point I had to go. I felt fully recharged. It was a much needed break that God in his providence handed to me just like that. I am eternally grateful and I cannot wait for the next one.

My God!

My God Created the oceans, the waves and everything in them.

My God can look at the gigantic waves, raise his hand and say "quit it!" and the seas obey Him to the terror of those who are present.

My God grants gifts to men so that they can perform great acts for His glory.

Every men, even the so called great ones, everyone will bow at my God's feet.

The wrath of my God makes giant waves and mega Tsunamis, feel like a pimple when we see his fiery eyes.

My God's mercy, and goodness, and grace, and love abound and are greater then any giant wave.

My God is Holy and just.

My God is merciful and redeemer to all those who trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sin and eternal joy.




Praise God.

To Him alone be glory!

Mr. Helio Gracie

He fought "The Law" and he won.

Vítor Belfort put a stamp on Matt "The Law" Lindland. It was very impressive to see something that had never happened before. Lindland is the definition of a tough guy. The man is an accomplished Olympic wrestler and a top notch MMA fighter. He has fought the likes of "Rampage" Jackson and Fedor and neither of them could put him to sleep. Vitor did. I am not sure "The phenom" is back yet because, although impressive, it was a very short fight and I wonder how he would deal with Matt's smell, toughness and meanness after the 10th minute. Anyway, congratulations to brother Belfort and the best of luck to brother Lindland as heals up from the fight.
Sokoudju is going to have to figure something out because he doesn't look very dangerous right now. Babalu slowly applied the choke and the "African assassin" did nothing. Inexperience on the ground? Poor conditioning? Can't really tell but he's gotta do something. He has the stars of no less than Team Quest behind him so it shouldn't be hard to figure it out. Barnett is mean! What he did with Gilbert should be against the law. I really liked Minotoro's showing. Hopefully he'll be on the main card next time.
The WEC event was very, very good in my opinion. Little Evil has nothing to be ashamed of. Urijah is a beast and it could have happened to either of them. Now, to me, the star of the night was Jose Aldo. I was impressed. Killer leg kicks reminded me of he "Pitbull".
Anyway, this was a weekend packed with good MMA and the coming one is no different. I'm looking forward to it. In the meantime we'll keep talking about biblical manhood as I have a couple of interesting things coming up.
Until next time.

Fighting principles in the Word

I remember one day long ago when we were doing some drills and at one point we did "roundhouse kick" against "spinning hook kick". It was very intense and we really did simulate a real fight , with a lot of footwork and faking until this one guy would not attack me but would only hypnotize me with his "killer" footwork. Eventually he got too close for (my) comfort and the tension had really built up over the last minute so, on pure instinct, I fired an attack even though I was supposed to counter only. "The prey became the predator!" our trainer exclaimed with a loud voice and a positive tone. "Patrick (Coté) when you're not doing anything, he (Anderson Silva) is thinking on how to hurt you, so stay busy OK. " said Coté's corner between rounds.

These are principles that are true, both in the physical and the spiritual worlds. How so? One might ask. You see, the Bible is replete with military terms, fight references, war language, war analogies that depict one very important truth: the Christian life is a battle. It is war. It is a fight. It is on. One of the few things I've learned in my life is that Truth is disgustingly indifferent to my likes and dislikes, opinions or even awareness. We are in a battle whether we realize it or not. Many men end up being casualties because they don't see this reality. Paul tells Timothy "fight the good fight of faith" and part of how we can fight that battle is to stay on the offense.

The fight is a fight of FAITH. It does take place in many battlegrounds but the bottom line is Faith. Saving faith is to be kept at all costs. If there is anything that is threatening to your faith, you should attack it before it attacks you. How does that apply to real life? Well, Rachel in human resources. You just don't ever go beyond good morning with her. She's got the power to destroy everything you truly value. The abusive boss will not get an argument from you because you have been reading ( for the 4th time), Mahaney's "Humility", praying that God crushes your pride therefore you will see the abuse from God's perspective, not as an enemy but as a tool of sanctification conforming you to the image of Christ, to which you have been predestined , brought about by your loving God. A good fighter will be alert to all possible threats and even the remotely possible threats (i.e Houston Alexander's ground game) in the same manner the Christian man will do himself a favor by asking God to reveal to him constantly anything that could harm his faith. This should be done as a perpetual, frequent spiritual discipline. As a result of identifying possible attacks, action is taken against the enemy, whatever it may be. It is crucial that spiritual disciplines are in place here, because it is easy to DO the "right things" out of formula or self reliance or many things other than FAITH. So, be always on the lookout and shoot on sight.
May God give you the strength to fight until you die.

Franklin won

Although I do have a couple of biblical manhood related posts brewing, we are in a month innundated with MMA events and eventhough my wife seems to love it even more than I do, I reckon that's kind of manly too, so here we go.

For once in my life I had been right in all my predictions: Toquinho overpowered Horn but couldn't GnP him much less sub him. Davis outboxes Lytle in an old fashioned slug fest. Shogun beat a very tired Hammer and although I was surprised about how poorly Rua performed, he came out with a "W" which is what I thought would happen. No surprises, everything is going as predicted. Coke and Cheetos in hand I fast forward to The main bout of the night. I really thought Rich won the first and the third and had secured a decision. I said to my brother in law: you know, 29 x 28 isn't that bad. After all this is Dan Henderson, one of the baddest dudes out there". The score cards were made public and there were flying Cheetos everywhere. Now, I already hate being wrong like i was on Chuck x Rashad or Werdum x Cigano or Griffin x Rampage or Chuck x Rashad and many others but this one reminded me once again that I should never bet on MMA because even when I'm right, I'm wrong.

See you again for the Affliction on the 24th.

God bless you all.

Skirt to church

Magenta buildings, men holding hands singing romantic love songs to a nice, wrathless life coach named Jesus. That, I think, describes a good percentage of American evangelicalism today. I mean, how many slow, "I just want to fall in love with you" type songs can a guy sing? And since when is "magenta" even on the radar of a guy's color knowledge? Hey, I'm all for slow songs too, but where are the "Onward Christian soldiers" and "A Mighty fortresses" in our day? More than that, where are the mighty men of David? Our churches are full of girls because we dropped the ball. Our fatherless generation produced a bunch of little boys who seek comfort and entertainment above everything, even God. I long to see a generation of John Bunyans choosing affliction over sin, Athanasiuses taking ostracism and opposition over false unity. We can moan and complain about how much wrong our daddies did us or we can go to our father in Heaven, The Lord of Hosts and petition Him for a generation of men who will, in fear and trembling, pursue Him and step up in faith and love our girls as Christ loved His, our neighbors as ourselves and our God with all our might. That is the only way we'll see true reformation in our day. We have to seek God desperately as He is the One who can birth the desire for true, biblical manhood in us. To the extent that that happens we'll be able to reform the church out of the "Skirt Christianity" and eventually even lead our culture once again for Christ's name sake and our eternal joy.