Halloween. Martians! Cargo Trailer. Dizzy-Dick & Ruth. Lake Conroe. Egypt.

 
















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HALLOWEEN! Harmless? or Hazardous??

CELTIC NEW YEAR
"October 31 is the most important day in the satanic year. It marks the Celtic new year, and is always at the end of the growing season, thus it became the "Festival of Death." On this day, the god of the Celtics was to have called up the spirits of the wicked dead who had died during the past year. At the same time, other evil spirits arose and went about the countryside harassing the people.

On October 31, the Celtics expected to be harassed by ghosts, evil spirits, and demons; and it was no fun and games to them! They would light bonfires to guide the spirits to their own town and to ward off evil spirits."

MODERN HALLOWEEN
"Now let's look at the present day celebration of Halloween. Isn't the whole theme one of darkness, death, fear, threats, destruction and evil? There are witches, broomsticks, bats, owls, ghosts, skeletons, death, and monsters. We dress our children as demons, witches, ghouls, monsters and werewolves and send them out into the streets in the dark to reenact the Druids' practice of demanding food from people under the threat of tricks (or curses) if they don't comply
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We take not a turnip like they did, but a pumpkin and carve demon faces in it and decorate with it. At Halloween there will be apple bobbing, divination, fortune telling, haunted houses, candles lit, and spirits called up. There will be séances and ouija boards in the name of fun and excitement. There will be sacrifices of dogs, cats, rats, chickens, goats and even humans!

You say, "We don't take it seriously." But the devil does and so does God! Particularly this is true when the church which He purchased with His blood builds haunted houses in its fellowship halls so that the little lambs who have been entrusted to its care can be terrified and opened up to invading spirits of fear, torment, and confusion. HOW THIS MUST GRIEVE THE LORD!

Halloween has never been a Christian holiday and it has no place in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. In fact it is an abomination to God and we should take our stand firmly against it and all it entails. As we look into its history, we find that its roots go deep into heathenism, paganism, Satanism, and the occult; and the modern expression is no better!"
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Hosea 4:6
Ezekiel 44:23
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
James 1:27
2 Corinthians 6:14
Philippians 4:8
Deuteronomy 7:25-26
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23
1 Corinthians 10:19-23
More at: http://www.angelfire.com/nd/trickortreat/
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"Test everything. Hold on to what is good.  Avoid every kind of evil"     (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22)
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Is Halloween Harmless?

"Every year at Halloween, well-meaning parents dress their children in grotesque and ghoulish costumes. Is Halloween really harmless? Who and what's behind this bizarre holiday?

It all looks like so much fun and seems so harmless: jack-o'-lanterns, grotesque grinning masks, long black witch attire with pointed black hats, costumes painted like skeletons, outfits that represent demons and goblins, and children going door to door, soliciting treats from compliant neighbors.

But when Halloween comes around, do you find yourself yearning for the hours to pass until the whole trick-or-treat farce is over? If you don't, you should!

Halloween's not-so-fun side

Since when is it acceptable for little children to threaten to commit vandalism?

What happens if the homeowner doesn't come to the door or doesn't have the treats the kids might expect? Is it permissible for children to then soap his windows, toilet paper his trees, chalk mark his sidewalk or turn over plants as they leave? When is it okay for children to commit vandalism while on another person's property?

Isn't it about time for all well-meaning citizens to just say NO to Halloween?

The clergy, in general, hasn't stood against it. Some churches even have Halloween parties. Some citizens do speak up against it, as the letters to the editor in your newspaper occasionally show.

Is Halloween simply good, clean fun, or is it something else entirely? You need to know!

God is giving a wake-up call to professing Christians. As it was with those the prophet Elijah addressed in his day, so it is with us: "'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.' But the people answered him not a word" (1 Kings:18:21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.). What will it take for Christians to accept and stand for God's truth rather than harmful traditions that originated in paganism?
More at: http://www.ucg.org/christian-living/halloween-harmless        Article by Jerold Aust
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Paganism Is Popular Because It Is Profitable--Prime Example: Halloween

"Halloween is profitable for retailers - that is part of the reason it is so popular"
Source: photos.com

"Americans are frightened by the ongoing recession, but, ironically, a large percent are not afraid to spend pretty scary amounts for Halloween!

Incredibly, seven in 10 Americans plan on celebrating the holiday this year—almost 5 percent more than last year—according to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.

The expected expenditures total $6.86 billion! That includes $1 billion on children’s costumes, $1.21 billion on adult costumes, and $310 million on pet costumes.

The average consumer is expected to spend $72.31 on decorations, costumes and candy.

According to the NRF, the amount spent each year on Halloween decorations is second only to spending on Christmas décor.

That’s the “bottom line”! The pagan holidays are “popular” because they make a lot of money for a lot of people.

But as consumers, we need to do some re-thinking. What a person chooses to spend his money on says a lot about his priorities, principles and beliefs.

And what source can we rely on to help us formulate the best priorities, principles and beliefs? The Bible, God’s Guidebook for humanity.

Please don’t be satisfied with what you’ve learned at church about the Bible. I grew up going to church almost every Sunday and eventually realized I had learned very little about the Bible, and much of what I thought I had learned was false! When I began to read the Bible for myself, I was amazed at what I was learning!

Some history that helps explain Halloween-type practices
How did America transform from almost no one observing pagan holidays in the 18^th century to almost everyone observing them in the 20^th century?
The industrial revolutions of the 18^th and 19^th centuries and the technological revolution of the 20^th century greatly raised the average living standard and brought about many other benefits. But they also paved the way for the many materialistic and expensive traditions.

To observe pagan holidays, think of how much is spent for decorations, parties, costumes, gifts (often obligatory “gifts”), greeting cards, wrapping paper, music, “adult beverages,” etc., etc. The modern mass-production of all these things makes them highly profitable for the manufacturers and retailers.

But what motivates people to buy? It is largely the power of advertising. These holidays have been highly commercialized because they are big money-makers. We are bombarded with advertising from seemingly everywhere. It’s difficult not to be brainwashed by all of that ubiquitous influence.
Then the peer pressure is huge. It seems like everyone is celebrating these days. And since it seems that everyone is spending lots of money on attractive stuff, we are made to feel like cheapskates if we don’t do the same.

It seems downright un-American to consider doing anything else. Ask yourself: Would you ever dream of wasting your time and money on Halloween-type stuff if you weren’t surrounded by a culture doing these silly things?

It’s especially amazing to see how adult parties and costumes have soared in popularity during the last several years.

Pagan religions have always emphasized idols and images, whereas God forbids those things. God emphasizes truth through the spoken and written word. Therefore pagan religions have always been opportunities for profitable merchandising.

A fascinating illustration is in Acts:19:23-41
[23]And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.[24]For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;[25]Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.[26]Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:[27]So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.[28]And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.[29]And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.[30]And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.[31]And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.[32]Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.[33]And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.[34]But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.[35]And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?[36]Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.[37]For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.[38]Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.[39]But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.[40]For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.[41]And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly..

The preaching by the apostle Paul in Ephesus led to many turning away from the worship of Diana to the worship of God. This hurt the business of the silversmiths who made silver shrines of Diana. Demetrius stirred up the other silversmiths and a riot erupted that almost got Paul killed.

The 18^th chapter of Revelation describes the downfall of the evil end-time system called Babylon. It will be an economic, political, religious and military system. Let’s notice why the merchants of the that system will be mourning its downfall.

“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore” (Revelation:18:11). “The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing” (verse 15). Thus we see what their main motivation will be. Their real god will be money."
More at: http://www.ucg.org/blog/paganism-popular-because-it-profitable-prime-example-halloween/
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An interview with a former witch
"Wicca, divination, sorcery, vampires.
The occult is in the midst of society.
The Bible says to avoid and resist it."

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Welles scares nation.  Oct 30, 1938:

"Orson Welles causes a nationwide panic with his broadcast of "War of the Worlds"—a realistic radio dramatization of a Martian invasion of Earth.
Orson Welles was only 23 years old when his Mercury Theater company decided to update H.G. Wells' 19th-century science fiction novel War of the Worlds for national radio. Despite his age, Welles had been in radio for several years, most notably as the voice of "The Shadow" in the hit mystery program of the same name. "War of the Worlds" was not planned as a radio hoax, and Welles had little idea of the havoc it would cause.

The show began on Sunday, October 30, at 8 p.m. A voice announced: "The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations present Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater on the air in 'War of the Worlds' by H.G. Wells."

Sunday evening in 1938 was prime-time in the golden age of radio, and millions of Americans had their radios turned on.
But most of these Americans were listening to ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his dummy "Charlie McCarthy" on NBC and only turned to CBS at 8:12 p.m. after the comedy sketch ended and a little-known singer went on.
By then, the story of the Martian invasion was well underway."
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Yesterday:

It was cold (37°) first thing, so when Ray arrived we had to wear coats outside.  He wanted to get the cargo trailer front door jam primed and painted as there was no wind at all.

While he was waiting for the coats of paint to dry, we re-arranged some of the many electrical things in the computer area to six-plug strips, so that I could plug the radiator straight into an outlet.  I might need it at night, but I was quite cozy with the comforter on my bed, the night before.
He also put the 'new' battery in the Puddle Jumper, and it fired right up.

Our county posted this on FaceBook:  

BURN BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED WITH CONDITIONS

"Although the area remains in a long term drought, accumulations of brush can present a significant fire hazard as well.  With the onset of our Winter weather patterns, there is a window of opportunity for residents to dispose of brush accumulated over the past several months. Although the MCFMO recommends other means of disposal, some residents will choose to burn.  Before burning, residents must check for forecast weather conditions, and refrain from burning on any days where a fire weather watch or red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service."
  
So we, and a lot of people around here, were burning their piled up pine needles and brush.   We strung a water hose out there, Ray lit the pile, and I was busy raking up the mounds of pine needles, and was so happy to be able to get rid of them.  We had to do it quickly, before they re-issued the burn ban, or so we thought.

BUT then….  Oh! Oh!    The Fire Dept. sent out a little truck, and they went around the subdivision putting all the fires out.  In the fine print it said that you have to be on 5 acres.  Thankfully, we were not ticketed.

 
Here are the new cushions in the cargo trailer.  The space at the back is for the removable bed, not shown.

 

Just after lunch, I had a phone call from Dizzy-Dick. http://dizzydick.blogspot.com/   He is always wondering about something, and he wondered how the cargo trailer looked, so they stopped by to see it.

Dizzy-Dick, his wife Ruth and I had a good visit.  I took a picture of them, and Ruth took one of Dick and me.














Taking my picture didn't blow up my camera, and I hope theirs still works, as they took pictures, too.
 
We drove down to the lake, (Lake Conroe) and the water is really down.  But then, apart from the drought, Houston has been taking some of our water.












All the canal lots, sold as 'waterfront', are dried up and the resident's boats are sitting in the dirt. It will be a long time before they can get their boats out to the lake again.  We are about 24" behind in rainfall.

The sun was shining, a high of 68°, and I had good company, so it was a lovely day.

This was the program on WGN this morning:

I nearly missed it, as my old 'world clock' changed from Daylight Savings time, but that doesn't happen until next week.
They changed because of Halloween so the children would not be out in the dark.  That is how powerful celebrating a pagan ritual like Halloween has become!
 
Egypt is mentioned over 600 times in the Bible, and many of the prophecies are about Egypt.

This shows why these prophecies are important for us today.