HALLOWEEN

Halloween. It’s celebrated every October 31st. We all have our opinions of the so called holiday. For me, growing up in New Jersey then moving to New York, I looked forward to it. I had so many great costumes. A clown, a football player, a television! In New Jersey it was a nightly event. My brother and sister and I went house to house on North Hillside Avenue in Chatham, NJ receiving tons of candy. (We never did like that old man who gave out scooter pies!) In New Jersey, the night before Halloween was called "Mischief Night" when "those teenagers" would put toilet papers in trees, spray shaving cream all over the place and try to cause "innocent havoc" so to speak. Halloween was fun as a kid. When my family moved to Long Island when I was 9, it had a different feel. I remember asking my fellow 4th graders if they went trick or treating at night. They all had the look of horror. "Are you crazy Harff? Do you want to die? You will have eggs thrown at you!!" they said. Sure enough even going out in the afternoon after school I did have a kid chase me down the block trying to throw an egg at me. Ahh, the memories of growing up in Smithtown, NY. Instead of enjoying that day, it always confused me why kids had to be destructive. I remember when a kid in Jr. High told me that he and his brother would go out on Halloween and knock down mailboxes with a pole. That’s supposed to be fun?

I would have to say during High school and college I didn’t think much about October 31st. I know one year in Bible College we all did get dressed up in costume and even some jobs I have had for fun we wore costumes. This year at Chick Fil-A I dressed up as Ed Norton from the Honeymooners! In 1988, a group of ladies in my church asked me if I would help them plan an alternative to Halloween. We called it the Praise Fest. It ran for two years and involved food, crafts, candy and I was asked to put on a puppet show. I don’t remember if kids wore costumes or not but I remember one particular lady telling us how evil Halloween was and how she would let her kids even go to school that day. She even said she always prays for a rain downpour every year. I was always oblivious to the history behind Halloween until I watched a video about the history of it. It was created as a Satanic Holy day and I will not get into specifics because it is very disturbing. Even a simple thing like a Jack O Lantern has an evil meaning. I am amazed how many people decorate for this holiday. Tombstones are on front lawns next to dragons, ghosts, vampires, bats and orange and black lights all over.

When I was hired at Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle in 1991, one of my goals was to offer to our community an alternative to Halloween. A year later in 1992, the Fall Fun Fest was born. That year it was on a Saturday and crazy me had it planned from 12 noon to 6pm! We had carnival games, food, face painting, spin art, free candy for kids, a bible character costume contest, a program in the Auditorium we called "Walk Thru the Bible (it turned out to be a disaster) and we gave out door prizes. Admission was 2 cans of non perishable food for the needy. I did however get some opposition not from the townspeople but some church people. They were upset we were even recognizing the day, that we even called it a carnival and felt we should just ignore that day altogether. I will never forget when some big guy walked into our Fun Fest wearing a real pumpkin on his head with a black cape. People raced over to me telling me we should ask him to leave. I said "No way. He and his family are exactly who we want here and they are welcome." Our Fall Fun Fest was held every year from 1992 to 2011 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 pm. The vision I had for it was to be not only an alternative to Halloween but a very safe place where parents can bring their kids. At the end of the night we would assemble either in the auditorium or the sanctuary and present a gospel program either by myself or a special guest. I felt not only was this event very important, what was more important was it needed to have the gospel presented to children and parents in a creative way without a doubt. One year we did a Puppet Musical! It was a tremendous success.

So what is my opinion of Halloween? I am not opposed to kids wearing costumes and truthfully see no harm in Trick or Treating. I will say it is definitely a very evil holiday and is a great opportunity to educate your children about it. Truthfully, my children have never gone Trick or Treating simply because they we always at church on that day! I will say as a Christian man and as a pastor I do sense a lot of evil during the month of October especially here on Long Island. I know there are Satanic Churches in Stony Brook, NY and I can remember one time at my church we knew that a couple sat in our balcony who were witches praying against what the church was doing for the Lord. I truthfully look forward to November 1st and love it when the Halloween decorations come down. But I do see a great opportunity for Christians to be a "Light in the darkness" on a very dark day. Instead of boycotting the day, use it to share the Good News with parents and their kids! I know one children’s pastor in Pennsylvania who does a mini carnival on his front lawn every year! He is truly spreading God’s love to his neighborhood.

Be safe everyone and hopefully no one will chase you down the block with an egg

A GOOD REASON TO BAN TBS

   

A week ago I took my two younger kids out for pizza. We went to a tiny little pizza place that was in a huge shopping center. There was a tiny dining area in the back. The restaurant was very narrow and looked like it hadn’t been refurbished since the 1970’s. We ordered our pizza’s and headed to the back dining area to wait. Over the back door that said “Employee area” there was a TV on. It was on not very loud but enough for us to hear it. It was around 4:00 pm and the show “American Dad” was on. I am not a big fan of these “adult cartoons” at all and I don’t think I have ever watched an episode of “The Simpsons” since it started airing 30 years ago or so. What I had to listen to and see on that television screen appalled me. That cartoon made fun of Christians from the beginning to the end. They mentioned the rapture, Jesus coming back and being “left behind.” At one point I even heard them say Jesus was at a Civic Center speaking and one of the lady characters was dating him. I tried so hard to ignore it but could feel myself getting mad. Apparently the creator of the show who also is the creator of “Family Guy” has been known to poke fun at Christianity and Jesus. In that show he depicts Jesus working in a comic book store. Folks, that’s supposed to be funny??

  This made me think of a few things:

1.      Would the Muslim or Gay Community stand for this? You don’t think they would all start a fight? How many of us remember back in the late 1980’s when Salman Rushdie wrote the book “The Satanic Verses.” The Muslim community wanted him assassinated! If the creators of “American Dad” poked fun and the gay and lesbian community, don’t you think they would speak out? You bet they would!

2.      Why are we as Christians so afraid to be a voice? In the early 2000”s I was getting ready to watch an episode of “ER” and in the opening scene they showed 2 women in bed together. I immediately changed the channel and then wrote a letter to NBC (National Broadcast Company not my beloved Bible College). I told them how I was offended and I got absolutely no response.

     If you are a Christian you know we are living in the Last Days. I don’t believe Christians should be sitting on their hands and hoping “someone else will do it.” I believe we need to be a voice. Recently here on Long Island, Drag Queens are now wearing their ridiculous outfits and going into many libraries sharing “Story Time.” The sad part is PARENTS ARE BRINGING THEIR KIDS TO THIS!!! I say we take action. We need to begin by banning TBS and telling them through letters that unless they take shows like “American Dad” and “Family Guy” off the air that mock the name of Jesus, we will ban their station and not watch one single show unless they take these shows off the air. Are you all in agreement? I am working on a strong letter to the Turner Broadcasting Station and telling them how I feel. Even if I get no response my goal is to be a voice and let them know this is NOT okay in my book whatsoever! It’s time for Christians to stand up and take action! 

     I truthfully don’t watch a whole lot of television. Mostly sports, old television shows and of course my favorite “The Honeymooners.” All of my teams are doing terrible so watching sports can be painful! Many shows today have tasteless humor and try so hard for us to accept that life should be one way when we know life is all about serving and loving Jesus! I often wonder if the creator of “American Dad” is searching for the Truth and maybe he knows Jesus is the Only Way so instead of accepting it, he pokes fun at it! We live in very sad times people that’s why we need to be strong for our Lord!  

A CLASS ON LIFE!!

     In the last few months, I have had conversations with friends and co-workers about a certain topic. LIFE! No, not the Board Game pictured above but something that has always puzzled me in my 55 years on this planet. Why have the school systems of our nation never had a class on life?

     I attended school from 1968 all the way to 1986, from preschool all the way to Northeastern Bible College. I can honestly say I have used many things I have learned during those years. Math, English, maybe some science and some wood shop maybe. I can’t say I used any geometry, art and very little biology if any in my day to day duties. But in all my years, I was never taught how “Life” works. Simple things like how to budget money and time, how to deal with conflicts with others and difficult people, how to treat a lady I am dating, how to use proper manners, how to balance my checkbook, how to stay pure and avoid sexual temptation, how about the effects of alcohol and drugs on your system or even how to deal with road rage. Just think about it! In Middle School and High School it would be mandatory to take a class called “Life.” In order to graduate, you would not only need this class but you will need to pass it. If I were the teacher or the Principal in charge of any school, Christian or Public, this is what my class would look like.

BUDGETING MONEY AND TIME: Money does grow on trees. That’s the old saying. However, many kids today don’t understand what it means to budget their money because, quite simply, Mom and Dad give them what they need without teaching them how to not only manage their money but how to budget their money. What about time? I can’t say I was good at budgeting my time especially when I was in my early twenties. It took one of my bosses to straighten me out by saying “Get your butt here on time no more lateness’s, do you hear me?” This topic would certainly hit home with our young people today!

DEALING WITH CONFLICTS AND DIFFICULT PEOPLE: Ever since I was a kid, I have noticed television and the movies depict the majority of people as kind and compassionate. Of course we know there are Archie Bunkers out there but shows like “Leave it to Beaver” and “The Brady Bunch” make everyone look perfect in every way, shape and form. The reality is simple. There are people out there who love confrontation and, there are people who also love being difficult and for a simple reason. To get what they want in life. How about we teach our kids how to deal with both scenarios and prepare them for what is out there for, unfortunately, many years to come.

HOW TO TREAT A LADY/ OR GUY AND PROPER MANNERS: Do our young men today seriously know how a lady wants to be treated? Do they understand what she wants in a relationship? How many young men do we see hold a car door open for a lady or even a door to a restaurant? What about our young ladies? Do they treat a guy with respect? Don’t even get me started about manners. I can’t tell you how many times I have asked a Millennial “How are you doing” and their response is “Fine!” You would think they would ask you how you are doing back? Recently, a young lady who was looking down at her phone while walking toward me literally walked INTO me. I didn’t even get an “Excuse me Sir.” What I did get was a dirty look. We need a class on this! Kids today don’t say please or thank you. Rather I hear “Gimme that” or No thank you whatsoever.

BALANCING YOUR CHECKBOOK: I realize that checks are not used as much and we do get computer printouts from the bank but our kids do need to learn how to balance out their checkbooks!

STAYING PURE AND SEXUAL TEMPTATION: I realize that there are Youth Groups and churches that teach this and I applaud them for that. I also realize that many of our young people don’t realize the effects of premarital sex. Growing up in the 1970’s, very rarely did you hear the term “Child out of wedlock” or “Single Mom’. Nowadays we hear it every day. Do our young people realize the ramifications or premarital sex? Do they know how to control their bodies? Why not teach them this topic?

DRUGS & ALCOHOL: I will never forget a Health class I took in 7^th grade? It was taught by a nurse and she did a class on the effects of smoking on your body. She literally lit up a cigarette, smoked it in front of the class and told us how terrible it is and how it’s bad for your body and not to do it. “Avoid it at all costs” she said as she took a huge drag. In my opinion it gave her an excuse to smoke. I don’t think kids today understand what drugs do you their bodies. Almost every day at our drive thru at Chick Fil-A I will smell marijuana smoke from one or two cars sometimes more. Do our young people today understand what drugs and alcohol can do to your body? Do they understand how addicting it is? This needs to be taught in this class!

ROAD RAGE: This is slowly becoming a major issue in our nation. There are so many “Hot heads” on our highways and byways. I remember one time a lady screaming at me at a traffic light. She thought I cut her off. I kindly said to her “Ma’am you have the wrong guy. I just got on the road!” I believe we need to prepare our kids for this so they properly know how to deal with the Nimrods who operate motor vehicles who have some anger issues.

     I am sure there are more topics that can be discussed and maybe you have ideas as well. I realize I had to condense it all so that my blog didn’t become my latest novel. We need to pray for our young people and especially prepare them for what is coming up in the 2020’s!

GOD BLESS YOU AND ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL FALL SEASON!

I AM NOT GIVING UP!!!

     For the last several years, I have heard many stories of Christians who have walked away from the faith. Some are members of churches I have attended, others are popular preachers, authors and Christian musicians. It breaks my heart when I either read or hear about many who have decided that following Jesus is not for them and they choose a different path. As a Christian for well over 40 years, I can’t understand what would make someone decide to walk away. Maybe circumstances, trials, unresolved conflict or just simply the devil got a hold of them.

      When I first learned about this thing called Facebook, I was told that many celebrities had "profiles" and that you could "friend them." I started doing a search for members of some of my favorite Christian Rock Bands. I will not mention them by name of their band. I was very happy to write to one in particular to thank him for his ministry and how much his music blessed me during difficult times in my life. The response I received from him was not what I expected. This is a paraphrase "Hey Dave thanks for the note but I just wanted you to know my beliefs have changed from years ago. I am a freethinker now. I think out loud. I’m glad to have you as a friend. Peace!" A freethinker? I discovered that he was now an atheist and turned his back on God. Last summer I read on Facebook about a pastor and author who wrote about dating from a Christian perspective left his wife, children and church family to now join the LGBT community! No, that can’t be possible! Even here on Long Island close to home I am hearing of pastors being fired for bizarre reasons and some refuse to darken the doorstep of a church. So what in the world is happening? Why are so many walking away? Should we react like Flip Wilson did when he did his comedy sketch in the 1970"s as Geraldine and say "The devil made me do it?" One thing is for sure! We are living in the last days!

      I honestly don’t like talking about the past because that past is over. It is much more fun to talk about what God is doing now and in years to come. I know in 6 ½ years I have been through a lot! Resigning from my church, being separated twice for my family and now being a divorced man. I have worked 7 jobs and served at a church for 8 months in 2017. In my lifetime I have been cursed at and I’ve been called stupid. I experienced depression and came close to having a nervous breakdown. I also have members of my family who will not speak to me unfortunately. I am here on this blog to declare that I am not giving up on God! I am not walking away from the faith! If there has been one "constant’ in my life, it has been knowing how much God loves me and knowing He will always be there for me. I admit, there are times I don’t understand what He is doing in my life. I stand behind the counter at a chicken restaurant wondering if I will ever stand before a church congregation as a pastor. There are times I would much rather sleep in on a Sunday then drive all the way to church. I know I need to be there. Even after I wake up, the thought of reading my One Year Bible is the last thing I want to do. Hey, just hit the old snooze button or tell Google to set my alarm for 4:45 a.m. I know I need to read my bible and I need to pray. I look at my bank account and wonder if I will have enough money to pay bills. God has ALWAYS supplied my needs! In a world where many want to throw in the towel, that does not include me. So on this rainy October Day, I am encouraging you all to do the same. And if by chance you don’t know Jesus as your Lord, savior and forever friend. Make the right choice now!