Now we all, with uncovered face, mirroring the Lords glory, are being transformed into the same image, even as from the Lord, the spirit
Paul to the Corinthians (2) 3: 18, Concordant New Testament
Almost every church that I have belonged to always held a negative view of Halloween each year. It was the day of negative, wicked spirits so I was often told. A day when people dressed up in costumes and celebrated by asking for treats from neighbors. Indeed, I did a lot of that growing up. But I also spent a lot of time thinking of that "Other" side. That realm which very few of us can or ever will discern. Most people live in fear of what has become known as the paranormal, I was more curious than afraid. So much so that I would devour as many books about ghost stories that I could. Even today, I will take time to watch the various ghost hunting shows on TV. While I have never actually seen a spirit from the other realm, I have experienced something akin to that a few times in my life. Once was just after my mother had passed, a time of grief for me. As I lay in bed half awake one morning, I discerned a voice saying "She watches and then she returns." Now, I almost instinctively understood this to mean my late mother as for some reason I began to feel as if she were near me. Even though I did not see a full fledged ghost, I am convinced that I had experienced a spirit event. I believe that there is indeed a reason that I have never held the spirit realm in fear. For I believe that our true identity in the Lord is that of a spirit identity. It is well known that God is in spirit {Johns Account 4:24}. Therefore, if we have been created in His very likeness, are we not in spirit as well {Genesis 1:27}? I believe this to be the truth of our own identity, of who we are. Our identity is not based on our flesh bodies, which are but temporary. No, for our flesh is but a vessel for the spirit which dwells within us. The apostle Paul speaks to his life as "Living in me is Christ" {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}. One thing I have learned from the evangel spoken by Paul is that not only is this flesh of ours a temple for His spirit who dwells within us, but that our lives are now lived in Jesus and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}.
Or are you not aware that your body is a temple of the holy spirit in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with a price. Bu all means glorify God in your body
Paul to the Corinthians (1): 19-20, Concordant New Testament
People have been conditioned to refer to themselves as their own beings. But when you look deeper into this belief you will see that this cannot be possible. Have we created ourselves? No, it is the Father who loved us enough to create us in His likeness. Knowing that we have been created by God, how is it, then, that we have become our own self? How is it that which has been created can ever be separate from the creator? Do we believe that Gods creation is His and His alone? Good, then we must also acknowledge that we are not independent from Him. Yet this continues to be the lie spoken by those within the mainstream church. That it is our sin which has separated us from God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those who document paranormal activity often refer to another "Realm" where spirits remain. A realm often unseen by man. But what if what they are referring to is but another dimension of our Lords creation? After all, has not God created all which we will ever see and experience? What if ghosts and spirits were never meant to be feared? The scriptures tell of many who experienced visions of spirits. Joesph was warned by angels of his child's birth and to protect his family. What are angels but spirits themselves as we are. What if those who have professed to seeing ghostly images simply had their eyes opened to another dimension? Cannot God do that for us if it serves His will? A radical idea would be to not celebrate Halloween as a day of wicked spirits, but a day recognizing our own spirit identity in the Father.
~Scott~
