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Hey Everyone -

Oct 31, 2006 - “Halloween”. I was quickly reminded of this when Jon Michael (my 6-year old) announces at the breakfast table “Happy Halloween Everybody!”.

Joy and I have been praying and discussing our plans for this holiday. Typically, our church has always hosted an alternative to the traditional “Halloween Trick-or-Treat” ideas. So, since I’ve been heavily involved in “church”, Halloween has usually been spent @ church rather than “in the world”.

Our church isn’t having anything this year - so, we have been asking ourselves what we wanted to do. As a kid, I *ALWAYS* went trick-or-treating, and it was a highlight of the year. I remember filling up that little orange, plastic pumpkin with all sorts of goodies and delights. I still remember some of the “stops” we’d make, and even now - I don’t have bad memories or wicked thoughts of Halloween - just good memories.

The Christian Church, for the most part - especially in more “Charismatic circles” has shunned the holiday because of it’s evil origins. I’ve read the countless “tracts” of how the holiday originated and Scriptural rationale for why Christians shouldn’t celebrate it. Honestly, a lot of that makes perfect sense. But at the same time, maybe there is an opportunity to still have some fun and get some good out of it …

So, we decided we’d go out w/ some friends (from church!) and let our kids have a blast getting candy. But I had a lecture at the breakfast table, and it was something like this:

1. Halloween can be fun, but originally, this holiday originated from bad things, and to those who take it seriously, it represents some evil things that can and do take place, not to mention being about “fear, spooky, etc”, which is contrary to God’s Word.

2. A lesson we can learn is that through Jesus Christ, all of that EVIL and FEAR was defeated on the cross, and we are forever VICTORS.

3. Because the Bible teaches us to not “imitate evil”, we’ll dress up as good guys - super heroes, Champions of Good … not “bad guys” (ie. witches, warlocks, ghosts, goblins, scary monsters, etc”. We intend to imitate the good guys - not the bad ones … the guys who win and defeat.

4. This day, which originated from pagan, evil practices will be remembered in our home as a reminder that “where sin abounds, grace much more abounds” and that “Good Conquers Evil”.

So … we plan on dressing up as Champions of Good (Spiderman, Superman, and Batman, I believe is on the agenda), and upon receipt of our candy, we’ll say “thanks, and may God bless you”.

Understand - I wouldn’t dare cast judgment on anyone who chooses differently. I’m not “supporting the original cause” of Halloween anymore by letting my kids go out and have fun getting candy anymore than I’m supporting “gambling, smoking, drinking, or porn0graphy” by buying a Coke and pack of crackers from the neighborhood quickstop store who happens to sell lotto tickets, booze, cigs, and/or adult magazines. Especially coupled w/ the additional effort to teach my kids about the evil, and how we plan on being “light in the darkness” and letting our light shine out there (instead of hiding inside the confines of our church) … I’m at peace w/ the decision. Granted, if our church did have an alternative, we’d surely participate - but we very well may have done BOTH. After all, Joy pointed out the fact that if the church has the “alternative”, they are essentially recognizing and celebrating the “holiday” anyway.

So, if we’re gonna celebrate and dress up in Bible costumes and “good guy” outfits - why not let those lights shine in the darkness? Not that the “alternatives” are a bad thing - but unto themselves, I don’t know that they are the answer.

So, today - as we live on a holiday most recognize for evil … stand up proud and declare that “Fear not, I have overcome the world” lives in YOU … that is, if you are a Christian!

For the Kingdom,

Fred

PS:  thanks to Brooke, here’s a good read to supplement this topic:
http://www.carm.net/questions/halloween.htm

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Happy Monday, everyone!

Things have settled down a bit since last week’s conclusion of “Worship Under the Stars”. Our photographer, Chris Moncus, has uploaded a bunch of photos - so check’em out in the Photo Gallery. I’ve also created a slideshow on MySpace and have embedded that slideshow on my homepage here as well.

My legal meeting this past Friday went well - thanks for those who prayed and asked. Sounds like the other side still has a desire to ‘work it out’, so we’re just going to have to be busy with getting everything in order. I continue to pray (and ask YOU to pray) that I might dodge this bullet.

Had a great time in worship yesterday - I felt impressed to do a “retro” song list. Basically, almost all the songs were 10+ years old … I opened with an old Don Moen classic, “I Want To Be Where You Are” - a far cry from the edgy, upbeat stuff I’d normally use. Then, we sequed into the Vineyard Classic, “In The Secret” followed by “You are So Good To Me”.

Then, we sang “How Great is Our God” - a tune not on the list, but I just felt inspired to move into it, and it was wonderful. The people really seemed to tune in and connect in both services where I led. I’m so grateful, because it’s all about Him, and not a single bit about me.

I really hope to get a podcast out this week - so stay tuned for more …

Oh yeah - we’ve been doing this “motivational gifts” seminar on Sunday evenings at my church … and last night was the wrapup where we take a little quiz, use this nifty formula, and compose a “mission statement”.

I was clever enough to do two - one for myself (which shouldn’t be a huge surprise to most who know me) and a second I opted to do on behalf of my favorite football coach, Mark Richt of the University of Georgia Bulldogs …

His first:

“My mission is to transform, shake up, and ignite potential in the Georgia Football Receivers”.

Well, that got a few laughs, especially after our expected, yet nasty defeat to the Florida Gators, the team I cannot stand more than any other. Luckily, my blog-reading bro Robert Pooley can’t harrass me too much this year as his beloved ‘Noles are even worse!

Seriously, this quiz asked you to choose one “passion/core value”, three “action words” and one “focus group” to formulate your mission statement. Mine came out to read:

“My mission is to awaken, inspire, and empower worship to God’s People”.

Enough said.

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Hey Everybody -

Well, I’m a bit tired still, but rejoicing over yet another glorious time of worship at the annual “Worship Under the Stars” event. This year’s event was a 2-night event on Jekyll Island and both nights were full of genuine praise and worship. The band and singers did a fantastic job and we had no technical issues at all! The crowd was off a bit from last year, but then again - we did two nights instead of one, and it was a ticketed event this year instead of “free”. Regardless, people came and were hungry for God - we had the best time.

The week of “Worship Under the Stars” (last week) culminated into an explosion of various things in my life - not just the huge production itself, but a couple of other biggies.

Most notably, I received my first ever court summons … I only wish it were jury duty … but I finally got official notice of a lawsuit that my company got pulled into. I heard a couple of months ago that it was ‘coming’ but had been in contact with the Plaintiffs and had all hopes that my company would be dismissed before we ever actually got to “papers being served”. No such luck, so I have my first legal appointment on Friday. Please join me in praying for favor and provision. Even the Plaintiffs in this case have told me directly that they weren’t going after me, but I was initially added to the case because of some audio that was stored on one of my company’s web servers. I’m confident it will be resolved, but wish it could’ve been resolved earlier so that no legal expenses were incurred. I don’t always feel so great when I see myself listed as a Defendent when the complaint is filed for compensation “in excess of one million dollars”. PRAY!

Also, one of my e-commerce/e-biz sites that I’ve been working for a year sold last week. That was a huge burden lifted off of me - I was working an average of 3-4 hours per day (many times, much more) on that e-biz, and although it was somewhat profitable, I really began feeling the conviction of the Lord that it was time to take what I’d built and pass it along. I prayed a classic “Gideon’s Fleece” prayer … “God, if you want me to get rid of this, please bring a buyer” … and a buyer he brought - HOORAY.

So, the dust is starting to settle after the big concert, the business I’d put most of my time into this year is sold … and it’s getting colder outside. Joy even turned on the heat this morning in the house. Seasons are changing, and I feel and see it in my heart and spirit as much as I feel it outside in the air.

I’m looking around my office/studio … trying to wrap up some lose ends, but the question that is screaming at me, whispering at me, and silencing me all at the same time … it is always there … asking … “so … what now”.

God has heard me asking that for weeks … “so Lord, what now”. I’m not a very patient person, so I’ve always had a “project” that I’m poured into. Right this minute, there are no real “open doors” or “plans” - so I’m just waiting. Waiting on His leading.

I guess if there is ANYTHING that is smoldering down in my spirit, it would have to do with the “worship podcast” that I’ve done before. I dunno if you’ve ever listened, but you can find it at www.highestpraise.com/podcast

I do two formats … one is like a radio show - where I’m like a host who puts together a show of some great worship-related music that I discover from various “Indie” artists or labels that are open to my broadcasting their music. That’s fun - I guess the most fulfillment in that is the reality that I’m helping other writers and artists get their material “out there”.

The other format is totally different - it’s like a “spontaneous, prophetic” worship session. I just worship, and then mix it and upload it for others to use in their own devotional time. It’s like a way I can go home with you and lead you in a personal time of worship.

Hands down, I always get the most feedback when I do that. It’s been months since I did, though. Another reason I knew the Lord was calling me to step away from all the “business” and get back to “ministry” in that area.
So, I’m torn - I like both formats, and I’ve entertained doing two separate podcasts - one like the “radio show” (I’ve even had vision of that show being syndicated on “real” radio stations”) AND the “worship podcast”. Then again, I know that there is a special “gift” on the ones where I just sit down and minister/lead in worship … and all my studying of leadership development reminds me to focus on “what I can do that nobody else does as well” … I’d not be so presumptious to say nobody else does a worship podcast like that as good as I could … but I can easily say that there are TONS of folks out there who could put together a “radio-show” type format. Like I said, I enjoy both, however, each takes a good amount of time, and honestly … neither has EVER contributed a single dollar to my every-day life which unfortunately requires finances to operate. I want to spend the time doing those things, and I can honestly say I will do my best to trust the Lord in it … but in times past, I’ve gotten discouraged because when it’s time to pay bills, I always feel forced back to the “business”.

Well, didn’t mean to ramble on that - God always proves to be faithful. But I do ask for your prayer in this area. I know God’s up to something. I know He was asking me to step out - to lay down a profitable business to free up more time to be about His Kingdom - I’m just not quite seeing what He’s up to yet - the season is changing.

I’d love to have THOUSANDS of people who subscribe to the podcast - to think that God could use me to minister to folks every week through it - but maybe God wants me to quit trying to get “out there” so much, and just hide away “in here” with Him.

OK, enough rambling. I’ve finally unloaded my stuff from the concert, and I hope to do a new podcast this week … worship that is … maybe it will be a hybrid - maybe I’ll open up the podcast with a tune I’ve found, do some worship/minitry, and then close up with a tune to end it .. I dunno .. I’ll just pray.

God bless ya tons!
Fred

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Hey Everyone -

Worship Under the Stars 2006 is finally here.  I’m packing up my gear and heading over to the Jekyll Island Convention Center to start setting up my keyboards and stuff!

Please come join us if you can, and mostly - keep us in your prayers!
For the Kingdom,
Fred

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