Oh, that again. It's Halloween...

As we creep upon the eve of All Hallowed (Saints) Day, the posts and tweets multiply on why Christians shouldn't participate.

But I'm not going to get into a debate about whether or not Trick or Treating is some kind of pagan ritual that celebrates a spirit of anti-Christ. When I was a kid it was strictly about one thing: loading up on candy. Period. I never heard of the Celts.

But I wonder what Jesus meant in Matthew 16:18 when He said the "gates of Hell" would not be able to "prevail" or "overpower" the church.

If Halloween is a tool in the hands of the powers of Hell, as many claim (and, yes, I'm aware of its pagan origins), is it something from which we retreat or is it something we charge as an army with the Gospel?

I mean, if Jesus was being truthful, what about Halloween do we fear? And aren't we called to invade the culture to proclaim the chains have been broken by the Cross?

Doesn't the Gospel have the power to not only overcome but convert evil to good? And if so, does that not apply to how we approach Halloween?

I'm reminded of Larry Norman's radical lyrics that challenged the church in my teenage years. "Why should the devil have all the good music?" Likewise, why surrender to the devil a fun celebration by hiding from it? Why not turn it into something that points people to Jesus?

So, do we crash the party, or do we run away? Are we truly "like a mighty army" as the old hymn says, on the offensive, or are we monastic and reclusive, hiding out in our bomb shelters until the 2nd Coming?

Just thinking out loud.

Thinking about your pastor this month?

Every so often I hear someone in the church or community make a comment that tells me that a common perception of pastors is that they aren't or can't be regular guys. One of my outside the church friends recently told me that one thing he liked about me was that even though I'm a preacher I'm a "regular guy". I took that as a compliment.

My guess is that perception of pastors being abnormal is because most in the church only see their pastors on Sundays being "pastorly". (Spell check tells that isn't a word, but I think you understand it.) You only see us when we're up front reading Scripture, praying and sermonizing. And in your minds, unless you see us elsewhere in "real life", if you don't stop and think about it, you might think that's all we do in life. On top of that, if your pastor always wears a suit or some kind of clerical garb at church, you might assume that's his wardrobe 24/7. And that's not regular.

My personal belief is that pastors are and should be seen as "regular" guys who happen to be called to lead and preach. We weren't born with Bibles in our hands. Our first words as little ones weren't "God bless you". We were teenagers at one time and had zits like everyone else.

I laugh when people see me in the supermarket or out and about and are almost shocked that I'm wearing a ball cap or that because I've been working in the yard I'm pretty dirty and sweaty. Some are even shocked to see me in a store at all. I guess they think I don't have to go shopping...that God sends an angel to my house every day with my "daily bread".

But the truth is I watch football on TV and I yell at the players if they don't perform to my expectations - just like the rest of you. If I eat Mexican food it tends to have a physical effect on me a few hours later - just like the rest of you. I have to pump the gas in my truck - just like the rest of you (except residents of NJ). I change the oil, cut my grass and put off repairs to my home too long - just like the rest of you. I stay up too late for my own good. I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, but for me it's not a matter of life and death.

I love to laugh, hear and tell jokes, tease and pull practical jokes on my friends. My wife often has to tell me to pick up my clothes. And if I could get by with it, I'd wear the same pair of jeans every day for the rest of my life. I cry watching movies about dogs. I dream of retiring and sitting around at a restaurant breakfast table with other old guys drinking coffee and telling stories. (Wait, I do that now.) My grandkids bring me great joy, but I'm glad they live at other houses with their parents.

I can get angry, but try not to. If you ask me, Forrest Gump is probably the best movie ever. Braveheart would probably be #2. I only have 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. And God works on me every single day. On the good days I respond the right way to Him.

The church is my calling and I'm passionate for her. I don't understand why others are not equally passionate. So, I get impatient when Christians take her for granted. I also get impatient with the cable company and the internet provider. I never get impatient with my wife. OK. Sometimes I'm not totally honest.

I hope this hasn't been earth-shattering news for you. If it has been...get over it. But let's be sure we neither judge one another because of our pre-conceived ideas. If you've put your pastor on some kind of superman pedestal, take him down from there. Not only does he not belong there, it's not where he wants to be.

Mostly he wants to be a friend who is respected and loved. Just like you.

Frustrations of a Teaching Pastor

And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

For those of us who serve Christ and the church as teaching pastors, those words are taken seriously.

We know that the teaching of the Bible leads to spiritual growth and changed lives to the hearers and responders. We know that God's Word is profitable and that it's ability to mold us is like a sharp, two-edged sword. We know that the church can only be the church when it feeds on "sound doctrine (teaching)".

So we prepare. Some of us have spent many years at no small financial expense learning the crafts of exegesis, hermeneutics, biblical languages and homiletics. We work to the point of exhaustion, digging, praying for the right words and struggling at the same time with our own spiritual needs.

So we hope that the church will benefit from our ministry. We know that God's Word never returns void to Him - it always produces results when it is heard and applied. But when we work for Christ to shepherd and feed His flock and they are not there to hear from God's Word it is frustrating.

Even more is when the lessons taught that have gone unheard due to absence or unheeded due to insolence or apathy could have made a difference in a life struggling for answers. The answers were given.

Why weren't you there to get them?

But then, I remember I'll be judged for my teaching. That's between me and Jesus.

I won't be judged for your hearing. That's between you and Jesus.

And lest you think I'm riding some high horse, I didn't ask for this gift.

Presidential Religion

Recently the pastor of a leading Baptist church proclaimed that Mitt Romney, being a Mormon, is a member of a cult.

First, is that true? And whether it is or isn't, should it matter when choosing a presidential candidate?

I was planning to write about this, but Chuck Colson articulated my own views so well, I'll just share his thoughts instead.

You can read them here.

The Prayer of Columbus

Here's some historical into about the motivation behind the man who "discovered" America.

In My Seat - The Pilot Who Got Bumped from Flight 11

What a powerful, gripping story. Watch it to the end. It's 15.5 minutes.

My Political Endorsement for President and Why

My name is Rick. There has never been a Rick in the White House before and I think it's time we Rick's got represented. I really don't know much about his positions, his party or qualifications, but that doesn't matter. He's Rick and he's got my vote!

I'm sorry for all you people with other first names. But, that's all I'm going to say about that. So, don't try to confuse me.

Aerial Spraying For Mosquitoes Planned

An aerial spray operation has been scheduled this week for over 50,000 acres within Dare County to help reduce the number of mosquitoes resulting from flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. The aerial application will begin Thursday evening, September 8 at approximately 6:30pm and continue until about 2:00am, weather permitting. September 9th and 10th will be back up days in case of bad weather. The aerial application may take 2 days to complete. Dibrom® is the pesticide being applied at the rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre.

The aerial spray operation is being conducted in response to surveillance findings that indicate greatly increased mosquito populations and also due to the limited road accessibility in portions of the County.

Although a person's chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are very low, the Dare County Department of Public Health offers the following steps to reduce exposure to pesticides during spraying:

• Remain indoors when pesticides are sprayed in your immediate area.
• Close windows and doors before spraying begins.
• Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Should you feel you are experiencing health effects from spraying, please consult your doctor.

For more information, please contact Dare County Department of Public Health at 252-475-5003 or Dare County Public Works at 252-475-5880.

Melody C. Clopton, SPHR
Management Assistant

Show That You Have Not Forgotten September 11

The 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 is this Sunday. Here are some practical things you can do to show you have not forgotten the acts of heroism shown that day.

Fly your flag. Do you remember how many Americans displayed Old Glory in the days following 9-11? And don’t wait until Sunday. Put it out early.

Replace tattered flags. Check out the flag flying at your place of business and the businesses you frequent. If they are tattered, ask that they be replaced with a new flag. And suggest places (Scout troops and the American Legion, for example) to give the “retired” flag. They’ll see it is retired with proper dignity.

Say “Thanks” to a cop, firefighter or EMT/paramedic. 9-11, designated by Pres. Bush as “Patriot Day” is their equivalent of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Provide a meal or a dessert and take it to your local Fire Department. If a meal, it’s a good idea to let them know early in the day. Police, for obvious reasons, tend not to accept food from the public. But a gift card to a local eatery works.

Have your kids make thank you cards for your police, fire and EMS stations. They’ll be grateful and will put them up for all to see. No kids? Drop by with a card yourself.

Attend a 9-11 ceremony or church service. Many municipalities are hosting ceremonies. And many churches are honoring public safety on that day. My department is having a ceremony at 8:30 AM followed by breakfast. And my church is honoring and remembering public safety heroes at our 9 and 11 worship gatherings.

Pray for our country and her leaders. Terrorism continues to exist. Our leaders need wisdom from on high as they serve to protect freedom.

Some Biblical Thoughts on Labor

Today is Labor Day. For me, it’s a holiday, for which I am grateful.

Jesus said that when life is built on the foundation of His words it becomes a life able to withstand the storms that invariable come. God’s Word is not silent about a good work ethic.

You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you. – Ps. 128:2

There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty. - Prov. 14:23

A slacker’s craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. - Prov. 21:25

There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and to enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand. - Ecc. 2:24

It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. – Ecc. 3:13

Here is what I have seen to be good: it is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.
God has also given riches and wealth to every man, and He has allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart. - Ecc. 5:18-20

Whatever your hands find to do, do with ‹all› your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. – Ecc. 9:10

Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. - Matt. 11: 28-30

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. - 1 Cor. 15:58

The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. - Eph. 4:28

In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat." For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work ‹of others›. Now we command and exhort such people, by the Lord Jesus Christ, that quietly working, they may eat their own bread. - 2 Thess. 3:10-12