It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....

Odd?  Perhaps.  I have been called worse. 

I love this time of year.  Yes, I enjoy the leaves changing colors, the crispness of the air and warm, delectable drinks.  However, I enjoy this time of year for a much different reason.

Our church puts on an event for the community called Fear Factory and the Maze of Darkness.  There is a lot of controversy with what we do.  I have gotten into many debates about why it is wrong and have had my fair share of opinions on the subject. 

With our FF/MoD, we are giving the community something they are searching for while sharing the gospel in an unconventional manner.  At the start of the attraction, guests are plunged into a maze so dark they cannot see their hands in front of their faces.  With many twists and turns, you must find your way out.  The maze indicates our lives without Christ - we stumble in the darkness, searching for the light that can save us.  Once guests exit the maze, they are then plunged into a post- apocalyptic, interactive experience that is a representation of our interpretation of the "end times" taken right out of the book of Revelation. 

Many express concerns, saying they don't agree with scaring people into salvations.  However, some people (myself included) need a radical, in-your-face realization to finally comprehend what they may face if they continue on the path they are taking.

When Jesus spoke to fisherman, he talked about fish; when he talked to farmers, he mentioned wheat; when he talked to tax collectors, he mentioned money.....we need to get on their level with something they are familiar with without compromising our beliefs in order to share the gospel and have them truly hear what we are saying.

A lot of Christians like to shut their lights off, close their blinds and pretend to not be home - deeming Halloween as "the devil's day".  In Psalms it states 'This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!'  It says THIS is the day; not this is the day except October 31st.  We give too much power to the devil!  I don't know about you, but I refuse to hand over one of God's days to the enemy.


 I understand the origin of Halloween and I am not saying to practice the evil associated with it (which was created by man and superstition).  However, I am saying not to point fingers and cast a stone because a church wants to reach a community.  It seems there is no grey area on the subject; either you are okay with Halloween or against it.  That is your choice and your walk with God to determine your convictions on the topic. 

I love my church and the fact that they step out of the norm and offer something so different and radical to the community.  The area wants a "spook house" type of attraction and we give it to them - complete with blood, jump scares, strobe lights, dead bodies and rats.  We just do it in a manner that does not compromise what we stand for and who we are and in the end, we present the Gospel and give out candy! 

So if you are in the NW Indiana area, come visit us on one of our opening nights. $8.00 to experience both and we have yummy concessions for purchase!  The Maze and Fear Factory are both enclosed so rain, snow or shine we are open!  We begin construction on our  maze late August and on our Fear Factory early October.  It has taken many, many hours (some days as long as 10-12 hours), many scrapes and bruises to complete this attraction.  It is our 10th year (and you get FREE popcorn to celebrate!) and I love every minute of it.  THIS is ministry!  You many not think so but I am sure when Jesus turned the water into wine for his friend's wedding, onlookers gasped and thought "what in the world is he doing!?"  He saw a need and he met it.  We do not want one to parish, so we are meeting them where they are.  Like it or not, it makes no difference......200 people came to Christ last year.  That is 200 people that I will be partying it up in heaven with.  That is 200 people who won't parish in hell.  That is why we do what we do.

*Special shout out to Jeremy and Cindy Cummins who took a God instilled idea and made it a reality.  

On the Outside Looking In

Feeling left out.

I think that is one of the worst feelings in the world.  Looking over at a group of your peers and seeing them laugh and connect in a way that is endearing only to not be part of that connection.  I am a people watcher.  In a group setting, no matter the size of the group, I watch people.  I take in their quirks, their mannerisms and their emotions.  I calculate it all in my mind like a mainstream computer and can get a pretty good feel for someone quickly.  Being a people watcher, I notice things.  I see the groups standing to the side laughing loudly for all to hear and see the one person sitting alone.  That solitary person's glances their way as he/she gets up to find a reason to walk past the group.  That solitary person that steals a glance their way with hopeful eyes wishing nothing more than to be drawn into their conversation.  That solitary person that acts like he/she doesn't care but in reality it hurts in way like no other. 

And yet the group doesn't even know.  They continue to guffaw, slap each other on the back and talk about upcoming plans that don't involve everyone.  It infuriates me.

I often tell people to be aware of those around you.  If you are going to talk about fun plans, don't do it around people you have no intentions of inviting.  Don't talk about have a fun "girl's day" around a young girl that wants nothing more than to be invited if you aren't going to invite her.  Don't talk about a "guy's day" around a guy that you don't plan to invite, creating an awkwardness.  Talk about those things in private with one another.  Don't huddle together in the corner of the room and laugh loud enough for all to hear but talk in a voice just above a whisper.  We know you are there.  We see you in your cliche.  Stop drawing attention to yourselves and making those not inside the circle painfully aware that they are on the outside.

I am not saying I am perfect and always see these situations in my own life.  I do try though.  I am not an extrovert by any means.  I tend to keep to myself, rather quiet and task orientated.  In being so, people think I am not a happy person or that I am angry all the time because my face holds a look of determination.  Not so!  However, being an introvert, I may not be the first person to start a conversation however, I do notice when someone sits a little closer, hoping to be drawn in.  Or perhaps they are in the middle of the group that is speaking of going out and they laugh a little louder or mention key words like "that sounds fun" or "I haven't seen that movie yet" hoping someone takes the bait and offers an invite.  Sadly, more often than not - no one does.

We have all felt left out to some degree.  It isn't fun - at all.  It isn't fun to see a group enjoying one another's company and you aren't included.  It isn't fun to hear of fantastic adventures or see pictures posted and know that you were never a thought.  It isn't fun to think you might get invited this next time only to realize you will never be. 

I know some will read this blog and feel conviction and others will read it (that are in my life) and think "is she talking about me?".  I assure you, this is not directed towards anyone in particular.  This has been on my mind and wanted to blog about it because it is something we all deal with.  I suppose if you are feeling convicted, perhaps it is because you are inside that circle I speak of and know what I say is true.

The next time you are in a group setting, look around.  See that person that isn't included.  Offer then a smile then wave them over.  Invite them to a day out.  Laugh with them. I am realistic.  We all won't get along.  We can't be friends with everyone because personalities clash.  I am not saying be bff's with every person.  What I am saying is there are 365 days in a year.  It won't kill you to use one of them to include someone in your day.  And when you do include them, don't ignore them.  Don't invite someone along only to hang out and giggle in the group, excluding them once again.  Invite them, engage them in conversation and make them feel welcomed and loved. 

It is an easy concept yet as I watch people, it is rarely executed. We rather stay in our comfort zones with the people we are comfortable with.  I assure you, if you start being aware of your surroundings, you will see the hurt in others eyes as they watch from afar, wishing for nothing more than a wave to invite them over. 

Just something to think about.

Those that leave us are never truly gone.

I was going through my dad’s writings and sat for a few hours poring over his wisdom on paper.  So thankful I have these.  My dad was always clicking away at a Royal typewriter.  He wrote weekly for a local paper (in IN), monthly for a magazine (in KY) and bi-monthly for a newspaper (in VA).  He also wrote a book, that I hope to one day get re-published, that was the subject of a 6 week high school curriculum in Florida. He was a brilliant man. 

So, as I went through his writings, I can’t help but share one.  I cherish these works for several reasons.  One being, they are all I have.  He had many more rough drafts, books in progress and nuggets of wisdom but they were burned by a gentleman who shall remain nameless.  That day broke my heart and made me want to break his face.  But, I digress….   Second, I find pieces of him in these writings.  Pieces that help me remember who he was, the way he spoke and sometimes he spoke of me in his works.  Those I treasure most.

This excerpt is from the local newspaper The Leader.  He had a weekly column called “On the Back Side”, clever isn’t it?  (his last name was Back)  He always ended his articles with “Think about it.”

I thought this was appropriate considering the season. So enjoy.

“You might have trouble believing this.  Had I not experienced it, I'd be in the same boat.  It was totally unexpected and caused more than a little irritation to swell up inside of me.

On October 29th, I walked into a nearby department store and what do you think my wondering ears heard?  Are you ready for this? How does Christmas music grab you?  So help me, it was being piped throughout the store.  Honest to goodness Christmas music!  Halloween was yet to be, Thanksgiving a month away, and the store already had attached itself to Christmas like a voracious parasite.

I admit that extremely cynical thoughts competed with the music being forced upon me.  I wondered why we don't eliminate Halloween and Thanksgiving completely and start singing Christmas carols the day after Labor Day?  Nothing like getting an early start on things, is there?  While we're at it, why bother taking down decorations and Christmas trees every year?  What the heck-- leave them up and let's have Christmas the year around.  By comparison, the others really aren’t that important or nearly as lucrative, are they?

Side-long shots aside, doesn’t it seem as though the Christmas season begins earlier every year?  Is it just my longing to see the restoration of good taste and proper homage to the holiday, or was there a time when the merchandizing blitzkrieg associated with Christmas didn't commence until Santa Claus made his initial appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC?  What happened to those times?  Are they really over for good?  Sad to say, they are.  Like so many tradition-filled yesterdays, they're dead and gone.  They were slain by insensitivity, indifference, selfishness, and cut-throat greed.  All killed without remorse or lamentations.

Oh, I know there are some who'll contend there's nothing wrong with playing Christmas music in toy-filled department stores in late October.  They don’t or won’t accept the fact that it is they for whom the music is being played.  On the other hand, if you suggested buying fireworks for the 4th of July in April, you'd be labeled a moron.  Whoever heard of buying 4th of July fireworks in April, for Pete's sake?  Why, you can’t even find them to buy at that time of year.  No, you can't.  However, the Christmas season isn't hamstrung by such inconveniences, is it?  Of course the fact that fireworks don't gobble billions of consumer dollars probably has a lot to do with that.  Christmas is big bucks while all other holidays are small potatoes. The holiest of all holidays is vastly more commercialized than the combined holidays made by man.  Say what you want, but there's something very, very wrong about that.

I hope no on draws the conclusion that I don’t like Christmas.  I enjoy it very much, but there is a time and a season for all things.  October is not the time or season for Christmas carols.  I will enjoy them in December, but I refuse to be moved or motivated by them before I've had the privilege of observing Thanksgiving. It is an affront to the Creator to ignore Thanksgiving and musically honor the birth of Christ while people are in the process of preparing to celebrate Halloween -- a "holiday" which arose out of paganism and is deeply rooted in bizarre superstitions that provide no sane logic to justify annual observance.  The very thought of Christmas being simultaneously associated with witches, ghosts, vampires, werewolves and ghouls is repugnant and an insult to everyone who possesses reverence for that special holiday.  Furthermore, any retail business establishment that lowers itself to that level in order to increase profits insults the buying public and cheapens the very spirit of Christmas.

Unless dire circumstances force me to change my mind, I will not patronize the store which is the focus of this article.  When I found myself surrounded by Christmas toys and trappings on one side and grotesque Halloween costumes on the other while Christmas music filled the store, that was it for me.  That reflected a cold-blooded greediness the likes of which I've never witnessed.  I've observed the blatant commercialism of Christmas in the past, but I'd never seen it set side by side with Halloween.  That stretched my tolerance well beyond the breaking point.  To be frank, I'd feel guilty if I bought anything from that particular store.  I'd feel as though I was compromising my values and helping tarnish something that should be kept spotlessly pure.

I'm sure it won't be long before other retail establishments begin to hit us with their best shots.  Most have their shelves stocked with toys as this article is being written.  That’s all well and good, I suppose, but I won’t buy anything from any store that bombards me with Christmas carols before Thanksgiving.  As I stated before, there is a time and season for all things.  Let’s keep them in proper perspective and stop allowing the quest for profits to determine the degree of importance we should attach to them. It’s time we got back to thinking for ourselves and stop allowing merchandizers and their gimmicks to influence our decisions and actions.

Think about it.”

-Robert G. Back
 11/08/1987

Some of my dad's writings (the articles I laminated and have an article front and back)

Got pets? Got Fleas? This works!

I haven't blogged in awhile.  Not entirely sure why.  I guess I have been busy and just "not in the mood".  So, I decided today was the day and this isn't something I normally blog about but felt it was worth sharing.

I have pets, always have.  My home just doesn't feel complete without a furry friend around.  Currently, we have a dog and two cats.  They get along great and they are pretty special animals.

Well, if you know anything about Newfoundlands - they are big and hairy.  Ours is no exception.  While he was the 'runt' of the litter, he weighs in at 150 pounds of pure, stocky muscle.  He is an amazing dog - laid back and friendly.  He has never threatened to hurt anyone or anything. 

Some interesting facts about this breed:

• They have webbed feet like a duck (they are water dogs)

• Even though, in the movies, the dog from Peter Pan is always portrayed as a St. Bernard, it is actually a Newfoundland.  They are great "babysitters" and will watch and protect.

• They are represented on fishing boats in pictures and artwork.  They are notorious for loving the water and saving people from it.

....and they have a lot of hair!!! 

So you can imagine what happens if we get a flea problem!  He is an inside dog but goes outside to potty, therefore fleas jump on the smorgasbord for a free trip inside the warmth of the house. Once inside, they jump to our cats and infest them.  We typically use Vectra from the vet but I tend to slack off getting it at time due to being busy or just don't have the extra $22 to spend.  It is the only topical flea medicine that will work on him. I should know better because once he gets fleas it is a nightmare.

Not only does he get fleas, but he is allergic to them and not only is he allergic to the fleas but he also has separation anxiety - hates for me to leave.  Anyone else can leave and he is fine, but I leave him alone and he sits and waits for me......and chews himself.  When I say he chews, I mean his backside looks like hamburger. 

Recently, after about 9 months of not chewing, he started again.  With the fall weather, the fleas are hitching a ride to get inside.  People have the misconception that fleas die off in the winter - not so.  They are a year round pest.  So, I went to get some Vectra but it didn't alleviate the issue.  I began to research home remedies.

Here are a couple tips that I found WORK!  These remedies actually eliminated his scratching/biting, haven't seen the cats scratching, haven't seen any fleas and all is well in our world.....

First off - it seems an impossible task to get rid of them but not so!  Persistence is the key.

Mix equal parts of Dawn dish soap and white vinegar together.  This is creating a shampoo.  Bathe your pet like you normally would, be careful around eyes or any open sores and rinse.  My dog has sensitive skin and this doesn't dry it out like other soaps do.  The dish soap (has to be Dawn, tried others and no success) sticks to the fleas and suffocates them which will kill them and the vinegar makes what doesn't die from the soap, not like the taste of their meal, so they hop off.
(cost : small bottle of Dawn $1 plus vinegar $1 = $2)

Next I mixed Apple Cider vinegar and water (1 part water to 3 parts ACV) in a spray bottle and douse the pet's fur, rubbing against the hair growth to get to the skin.  The smell is strong but will go away after about 24 hours.  Again, be careful around eyes and open sores.  The ACV creates a bad taste for the fleas and they fall off and die due to no food source.
(cost : AVC - $1.50, spray bottle, if you don't have one - $1.00 = $2.50)

Now to get them out of your carpets.  Sprinkle normal table salt all over your carpets and leave overnight them vacuum up.  The salt dries out the fleas and kills them.
(cost : Great Value salt - $.47)

You can also add garlic to their food once a day, creating a nasty flavor in their pores causing the fleas to not want to munch down.  Be sure to use fresh or garlic powder, not garlic salt.
(This is optional.  Sometimes I do it, other times I don't.  My dog loves it; cats won't touch it.)

I did the bath, spray and salt and have had no issues at all.  They have pretty much vanished.  I felt the need to blog and let other pet owners know that this does work.  I know how frustrating it can be to battle these pesky parasites! 

So I hope you enjoyed the read and were well informed!

 Goliath and his two pals, Phoenix and Kirby

When Goliath first met Phoenix

Golaith