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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 9, 2010 22:35:55 GMT -5
Christmas traditions- such as Christmas trees and all that we grew up to love....
They are a strange fire being offered up on the alter of our hearts.
Want to know what happens when we offer a strange fire?
Read about aarons two sons........
It was harmless right?
Noone got hurt. Probably didn't cost anyone there soul.
But god killed them both.
You say you do these things in love and fun.
You say even in all the hype you still "remember the reason for the season"
How are you honoring Christ this Christmas?
To truly honor Christ for who he is, FORSAKE these pagan traditions.
Tear down the tree!!
Stop lying to your kids about a fat dead man in a red suit!!
Instead tell them of a Holy LIVING Christ!!
Who is set apart. Is not common or unholy. A God who has a specific order of how we worship and how we don't worship!!
Tell them of a holy God who does not tolerate strange fire!!!
Stop ruining your finances over false guilts for not buying everyone everything!!
Honor god by going out of your budget for plastic crap!!
Just a rant.....
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Post by John Byerley on Dec 9, 2010 23:48:35 GMT -5
Yup and an excellent rant at that The "strange fire" was I believe an actual fire they lit off of in the temple in an attempt to please God in their own way. And I think there were very strict rules in how to do so back in the day. Thankfully 99% of the laws/traditions in the Old Testament don't apply to Christians, or else we may have all been struck down at least a few dozen times. I only have a 3 foot tree, is that ok? Growing up the only decorations that ever graced are yard ( when we had a yard ) were nativity scenes. Unlike the happening in the Old Testament, where the two were punished for "worshipping God incorrectly, IN the presence of God Himself" - Christmas traditions, no matter their roots, WHICH ARE VERY DEBATABLE, are simply symbols of the season, a season that Christians use to remember the birth of Christ. Most traditions are completely harmless, and as there are so many things that can only be judged by God himself, I would put my two cents in that these in particular would come down to matters of the heart. Off topic example: Facebook and Walmart - both are very useful, and serve as, for most of us, and everyday, functional, and positive part of our lives. But both have very dark stories with either they way they were conceived, the way they do business, or have done business in the past. But we don't think about that when we shop at Walmart, or logon to facebook. Because our intentions are not questionable, and their uses help us better communicate and/or provide with and for our families. You are right, you should make sure to remind each of you and yours about the true meaning, and importance of what we are remembering, the rest can and should only be seen as good, harmless fun. Things like that have their place in our lives, as long as they are not placed on a higher pedestal than they should be. JMO, Merry Christmas to you and your Family.......
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Post by Johnny Edwards on Dec 10, 2010 9:32:19 GMT -5
I agree. Christmas truly was based off of a Pagan tradition. But if your a Christian I truly just can't see the harm in this if you was never raised believing it to be. If you do put Christ into this holiday and make it about him. I think it's perfectly acceptable. Matter of fact when I was little I used to think it was really Jesus's birthday, I even started a tradition when I was 3 and grandma would help me bake him a birthday cake every year and I would eat it for him lol. Now if we practiced this as the Paganism it was originally based off of then I would say yes don't do it. But If you do something just to have fun and your not worshipping something else then i see no harm. Even halloween I seen no harm. If you get down to picky stuff, armwrestling could be considered Pagan if it takes up most of your life, if you look at things that way. Or ten million other things for that matter. Long as you know in your heart what is right and wrong and don't worship the sun or something, imo your alright.
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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 10, 2010 9:48:18 GMT -5
To many people armwrestling is their "god"
Absolutely possible. The lord has put me in check several times about my consumption if the sport and my pride as a competitor and a promoter.
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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 10, 2010 10:02:21 GMT -5
Peeps can do what they want.
But me I simply chose not to associate Christ with pagan traditions.
We are set apart. Christ is like no other.
I would think such a holy God would be offended with the association.
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Post by ericmyler on Dec 10, 2010 12:28:52 GMT -5
This link talks about Roman History and December 25th. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Invictus I for one do not see how two people exchanging gifts is Christian. Especially when Christ denounces it- Luke 14:12-14 12Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. I let all of my family members know that I celebrate Christmas by giving to the needy. There will be no exchanging of gifts. If I need some more junk I will go buy it myself. Now more than in years past there are more needy families, that need your help. James 1:27 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 10, 2010 12:35:59 GMT -5
Excellent post.
I tried convincing my wife to not go all out on gifts this year.
But I did get her to choose not to put up a tree.
She has toned down the gift swapping only because of the budget awareness.
Baby steps I guess lol
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Post by Michael Wells on Dec 10, 2010 13:01:37 GMT -5
I agree with everything yall are saying about where these holidays have originated from. I also feel that putting a tree up with my wife and kids is fun. I also feel that God can make a bad situation into a good one. I've gone back and forth on this issue........with myself. It all boils down to living by your own convictions. To me, this isn't an issue until God puts it upon my heart to stop. We plan on exchanging gifts but not many. More importantly, there is a family I just met that lives down the street that has little to nothing. I, as a father, want to bless that family and teach my children about giving even when you don't have much to give.
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Post by Johnny Edwards on Dec 10, 2010 13:17:09 GMT -5
Fellowship is key. Whether it be giving gifts or not.
The Bible clearly speaks to help those in need Eric. But fellowship is important also. Spreading love is the most important commandment. You can pull different scripture from anywhere to try and make it mean one certain thing when it doesnt.
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Post by Johnny Edwards on Dec 10, 2010 13:17:39 GMT -5
You give thinks for anything and all the glory to God.
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Post by Johnny Edwards on Dec 10, 2010 13:19:47 GMT -5
Even though this isnt where Christmas originated. The infant Jesus was nonetheless brought gifts according to the Bible.
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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 10, 2010 13:27:35 GMT -5
Because he is god
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Post by Johnny Edwards on Dec 10, 2010 13:30:05 GMT -5
With all the other important issues to deal with, such as crime, abortion, and drugs, a logical question would be, "Why bother with such a minor issue as gifts at Christmas?" Because gift-giving is one area totally under our control, and like the Easter bunny, it is leaven that Satan sprinkles in the church. The practice of giving gifts is not the problem, just as the use of credit is not the problem. It is the misuse of these things that entangles us and diverts attention from Jesus Christ to material things.
We have enlisted in God's army and now we can't identify the real enemy. "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4).
Our problem is that we keep trying to negotiate a compromise with an enemy who is totally dedicated to destroying us. It's time that, as Christians, we decide to draw a battle line again. When it comes to commercializing Christ's birth or resurrection, we need to establish a balance.
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17).
Thats God Ryan not god. The whole thing is to make sure the celebration is glorifying him and not ourselves. Fellowship is in no way a bad thing whatsoever. Don't see how that can go wrong unless your meeting to worship the devil or something stupid crazy.
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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 10, 2010 13:31:15 GMT -5
Those many kings and wise men who brought him gifts where convicted or directed to do so by god.
They gave them to him two years after his birth by the way.
Not at his birth and not in his manger. But that beside the point.
Those men went under the direction of god.
We are put under extreme pressure by the government, business, and Hollywood.
Not God....
Except for some cases
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Post by Ryan Thames on Dec 10, 2010 13:40:16 GMT -5
We have enlisted in God's army and now we can't identify the real enemy. Our problem is that we keep trying to negotiate a compromise with an enemy who is totally dedicated to destroying us. It's time that, as Christians, we decide to draw a battle line again. When it comes to commercializing Christ's birth or resurrection, we need to establish a balance. You make my point exactly. We as Christians should be set apart!! What's the difference between you and me celebrating Christmas in the same way the non Christian celebrates Christmas? How are we set apart then? How u's the line drawn? Unless it is drawn clear. And that we are clear on the right side of that line?
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