The talk lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes, after an eight minute introduction.  Well worth the time.  The Powerpoint is available here.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." -Psalm 90:12

How much do you remember about the history of Thanksgiving?  Find out in this quiz from Probe Ministries.

"That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:" -Psalm 78:7

The Celts lived more than two thousand years ago in what is now Great Britain, Ireland, and northern France.  Their new year began on November 1.   The festival that began the previous evening honored Samhain, the Celtic lord of death.  The Celts believed that Samhain allowed the souls of the dead to return to their earthly homes for that evening.  On the evening of the festival, the Druids, or Celtic priests, ordered the people to put out their hearth fires.  The Druids then built a huge new year's bonfire and burned animals, crops, and possibly even humans as sacrifices.  Then each family relit its hearth fire from the new year's fire.  During the celebration, people sometimes wore costumes made of animal heads and skins.  They told fortunes about the coming year by examining the remains of the animals that had been sacrificed.

The Romans conquered the Celts in AD 43, and two Roman autumn festivals were combined with the Celtic festival of Samhain.  One of them, called Feralia, was held in late October to honor the dead.  The other festival honored Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees.

Many customs of the Celts survived even after the people became Christians.  In the 800's, the Catholic church established All Saints' Day on November 1, so that people could continue to celebrate the festival they had celebrated before becoming Christians.  The mass said on this day was called Allhallowmas.  The evening before became known as All Hallow e'en, or Halloween.  The people made the old pagan customs part of this Christian holy day.  The church later began to honor the dead on November 2, which became known as All Souls' Day.

Traditions:

Certain fortunetelling methods began in Europe and became an important part of Halloween.  They were used to predict things like if someone were to become married, become rich, never marry, or die within the year.  Today, some people use such fortunetelling techniques as cardreading or palmistry in addition to the traditional Halloween methods.

Ghosts were believed to roam the earth on Halloween, and if you did not give them something, they would play tricks on you.  This superstition led some pranksters to dress in costume and go "trick or treating".  Beggers were quite active on Halloween.  In England, poor people went a-souling (begging).  They received pastries called soul-cakes in exchange for promising to say prayers for the dead(!).

Celts in England and Ireland once made jack-o'-lanterns out of beets, potatoes, and turnips.  When the custom reached America, pumpkins began to be used.

It was believed that witches gathered to worship Satan on Halloween.  Scottish Celts built huge bonfires on hillsides to drive witches and evil spirits away.  Witches nowadays celebrate four witchcraft festivals- called Witches' Sabbaths- a year, one in each season.  The most important festival occurs on Halloween.

Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

Halloween is of pagan origin and is permeated with pagan and even Satanic customs.  It is shocking to see Satan use Halloween to deceive people into viewing the occult as harmless and even practicing occult activities.  We are warned not to love the world (1 John 2:15) or its pagan customs (Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:10-12).  So what's wrong with running around with a paper bag and getting free candy?  We are to avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).  Remember, we imitate God (Ephesians 5:1).  Since we are to be holy (Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:15-16), I believe it is clear that this is one festival we should stay away from.

This is from Abort73.com's e-mail update today:

Gift Matching Update

Two weeks ago I told you about the incredible offer made to us by a young and extremely generous family. Responding to the fact that giving to Abort73 had declined for four months in a row, they offered to match, dollar for dollar, whatever money comes in this month from first-time donors, all the way up to $10,000. I shared a portion of their email in the last update, but I want to highlight part of it again:

[Our] hope and prayer in offering to match only first-time givers is that this would cause all of the Abort73 lovers out there to tell everyone they know about Abort73 -- that a thousand might tell ten thousand, that your regular support base might grow, and that Abort73 would change more and more hearts for the sake of the unborn...

With a few days left in the month, we have so far received just over $2,000 in first time donations. All told we've received $6,680 this month. If we include the $2,000 that will be added via the gift matching offer, it puts at $8,680 for the month. That's significantly more than the $4,500 we received in September, but still a ways short of October's target budget ($12,607). For a more detailed budget breakdown, visit Abort73.com/budget. With a few days left in October, there is still an $8,000 window of opportunity which, if met, would actually bring in $16,000. If you've never given to Abort73, but believe in the work we're doing and the influence we're having, there may never be a more strategic opportunity for you to make that first donation. Whether it's $10 or $1,000, every gift makes a difference, especially this month. Also, please join us in focused prayer through the end of the month. I confess that with all that's been going on this October, I haven't been on my knees nearly enough. Let's plead for God's blessing as we come to the end of the month. Eight thousand dollars is a daunting amount from our perspective, but is as nothing for the power and provision of God.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A TAX-FREE DONATION TO ABORT73

CLICK HERE FOR A SNAPSHOT OF ABORT73'S FINANCIAL SITUATION

Abort73.com isn't supported by selling t-shirts.  It's supported by God through your prayer and giving.  Now is an excellent time to give strategically for double the impact.

"Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:17-19

This is from Abort73.com's e-mail update yesterday:

Gift Matching Offered to First-Time Donors

I woke up Saturday morning to find an email from one of our supporters in which he and his wife offered to match, dollar for dollar, whatever money comes in this month from first-time donors, all the way up to $10,000! The offer is remarkable on two fronts. First, because it couldn't have come at a more opportune time and second, because it came from a young family who, by worldly standards, has no business donating $10,000 to anything. I want to share some of their email so that you can see the heart behind their offer:

It has been on my heart for quite some time as I pray about abortion to do something to tell more people about Abort73. I believe in the approach of your ministry and I want to see it thrive in educating the world about abortion for the sake of Jesus Christ! Your financial situation has weighed heavily on my heart. I've recently been convicted to write everyone I know and introduce them to the ministry, and the idea of matching whatever they contribute has been on my heart as a good way to encourage giving. I ran the idea of further supporting your ministry by my wife a few nights ago (without mentioning matching). Her gut said no -- that we've got a budget and have already broken it enough. Well, last night I'm in bed almost sleeping and she says -- after about 20 minutes of silence -- "I've been praying and thinking about it, and I think we should offer matching funds with Abort73". In prayer, I came to matching, and in prayer, she came to matching. We had watched Voddie Baucham's message at the 2006 Desiring God conference that night, and his suggestion that the world's take on life is to "get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can" was convicting her to let go of our money

My hope and prayer in offering to match only first-time givers is that this would cause all of the Abort73 lovers out there to tell everyone they know about Abort73 -- that a thousand might tell ten thousand, that your regular support base might grow, and that Abort73 would change more and more hearts for the sake of the unborn...

To receive such an offer, from such a family, is profoundly moving. It's a reminder that we can never take our donor dollars for granted. They come from precious people who are entrusting us with part of their eternal investment! Obviously this family could have just written out a check for $10,000, but they're actually looking for a way to do more. They're looking for a way to turn their $10,000 into $20,000, while giving all of the potential first-time donors out there an extra incentive to take the plunge. Please consider joining this family in financially supporting Abort73 this month. We came into the month with almost a $10,000 deficit. By God's grace, we can go out in the clear...

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A TAX-FREE DONATION TO ABORT73

Abort73.com is endorsed by John Piper, Randy Alcorn, Steve Wagner of Stand to Reason, and Rick Holland of Grace Community Church.  Even if you can't give, there are plenty of other ways to help.

^"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:  (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)  Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God." -2 Corinthians 9:6-11

If you look at the bottom of my profile box, you'll notice the little "LIFE" badge.  Recently, I spent the $100 for "Xanga for Life," a lifetime of Xanga Premium.  $100?!  Well, 12 months of Xanga Premium costs $25, so $100 is the cost of 4 years of Xanga Premium.

What's so great about Xanga Premium?  Control of advertising.  I first bought Xanga Premium when I noticed, in the Xanga banner ad above my Xanga, a Google ad with a link to a website belonging to opponents of Proposition 85.  I had posted some blog entries supporting Proposition 85, and an ad directly above was contradicting me because Planned Parenthood had spent money to buy Prop 85 Google ads.  Well, if they were willing to spend money, so was I.  I even bought a 1 month Gift Premium for another prolife Xanga where the anti-Prop 85 ads were showing.  Now I don't have to worry about ads for abortion clinics when I write an entry about abortion.

You may also have noticed the abort73.com banner ad to the left.  It's in a custom module, a feature of Xanga Premium.  So in addition to not having ads I don't want, I can have ads I do want.  I've added some new ads that might help me recover a little of the $125 I've spent for Xanga Premium.  Whenever you buy anything through those ads or the links in my blog, I get a small percentage.

"He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." -Psalm 101:7

Declaration Day?  Don't you mean Independence Day?  On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, commonly known as the Declaration of Independence.  Each one of the 56 delegates knew the risk he was taking by signing what could become his death warrant.  If they lost the war, they would be accused as traitors.  (The penalty for treason was hanging the victim until he was half dead, then disemboweling him and cutting his body into four quarters while he was still alive.)

But this document was not the true declaration of independence.

The charters of the thirteen colonies specifically said that all legislative powers were to be vested solely in the legislative assemblies of each of the colonies.  Parliament does not have any jurisdiction in any of the internal affairs of the colonies.  Parliament and the King (note: "King" is capitalized as a title, comparable to "President") are not even mentioned in most of the charters.

According to the English Bill of Rights (a part of the English Constitution), the King does not have the power to make laws, only regulations.  If the King wanted legislation, he had to submit the bill to Parliament, the sole lawmaking body of England.

King George wanted the throne to have more power, so he stacked Parliament with some of his puppets (the "King's friends").  Now if he wanted legislative control in the colonies, he would have to use Parliament, the lawmaking body that he had some control over.  This commenced when Parliament tried to tax the colonies in order to assert its right to make laws in the colonies.  The colonies resisted taxation by Parliament because according to their charters, only their colonial assemblies could tax them.  They knew that if Parliament got its foot in the door by asserting its right to tax the colonies, it would probably use this legislative power to establish the Anglican Church (the established church in England) in the colonies, thereby strangling the other independent churches and limiting religious freedom.  The Anglican Church was known for its profession in the absolute authority of the King.

The colonists assumed that all the legislation that Parliament was pushing was the result of the King's overzealous ministers, abusing the name of the King.  The first Continental Congress met September 5, 1774 for the purpose of seeking reconciliation and also urging the King to right the wrongs of Parliament.  On October 1, the Petition to the King was proposed and of December 21 it was delivered to Lord Dartmouth and received by King George.

In spite of the petition "graciously received," war began on April 19,1775.  The colonists were determined to protect their right of making their own laws and to preserve religious liberty; Parliament was just as determined to usurp that right.  Although the colonists had hoped that armed resistance would cause Parliament to withdraw its legislative interference, the idea that the colonists deliberately engineered a war at Lexington and Concord is farfetched.  According to the nineteenth century historian, George Bancroft, the British tried to suggest "that a handful of countrymen at Lexington had begun a fight with a detachment that outnumbered them at twelve to one."

On May 26, 1775, the Continental Congress again resolved that, despite the hostilities which had begun on April 19, they would send another petition to the King.  This was the Olive Branch Petition.  It confirmed the natural ties with Britain and expressed loyalty to the King.  Although it requested that the recent offensive acts be removed, it was truly conciliatory.  It was signed on July 8, 1775 by 49 men, more than half of which signed The unanimous Declaration only one year later.

For some reason King George had falsely assumed that the colonists were designing a separation, and planned to squelch it by threat of war or actual war.  He proposed, against vigorous protests in Parliament, to remove his protection from the colonies and to treat them as foreign enemies.  Everyone knew what this meant.  It was a basic legal principle that removal of protection would mean removal of the duty of allegiance; King George would be forfeiting his authority over the colonies.

On December 22, 1775 the Prohibitory Act was passed by Parliament (with the help of the "King's friends").  This is the true Independence Day, eight months before Declaration Day.  The Prohibitory Act officially removed the colonies from under the King's protection and declared war on them with their unconditional submission as the only way to obtain peace.  The King renounced the colonies, severing all ties and embarking on a malicious war of conquest.  This was the true declaration of independence.

When the colonists found out about the Prohibitory Act, they immediately recognized that they were independent.  Why The Declaration then?  First, the colonies needed allies for the coming conflict.  They wanted the other nations to recognize them as a legitimate nation.  Second, with no structure of authority left, the colonies needed to form their own government to avoid anarchy.  Third, the colonists needed to end attempts at reconciliation to be effective during the coming conflict.  The King had rejected their petitions, expelled them from his protection, and declared war on them.  (They now realized that it was the King, not Parliament, that was behind the attempts at usurpation all along.)

The colonists did not just get fed up with British tyranny and declare independence.  They were wholly for reconciliation until the real declaration of independence (the Prohibitory Act) was passed.  Then they just decided to end attempts at reconciliation and recognize independence by The unanimous Declaration.

It occurred to someone in Philadelphia on July 2, 1777, that the anniversary of the adoption of The Declaration should be celebrated.  Arrangements for a dinner were made and Congress adjourned for the day on the fourth.  Celebrations were elaborate and noisy all day and into the night.

The firing of cannon and fireworks caused so many injuries and deaths throughout the country that, by the early 1900s, ordinances forbidding private pyrotechnics were passed in many cities.  Now, Fourth of July fireworks are largely handled by professionals.

Celebration of the Fourth of July gradually spread throughout the country and into the new states and territories as they were admitted to the union or as they were created. Today, the day is recognized a holiday in every state and territory.

The custom of holding a festival in honor of motherhood is very old.  It dates back in the Western world to the times of the ancient Greeks who worshipped Cybele, the mother of the gods, and honored her with rites in woods and caves.  This custom was passed on to Rome about 250 BC.  However, Mother's Day had an entirely different origin.

In May 1907, Miss Anna M. Jarvis, of Philadelphia, thought that at least once a year sons and daughters should pay a tribute to their mother.  She arranged for a special mother's service in one of the churches and asked that white carnations be worn by those attending the service.  The plan appealed to the imagination of others and services were held in more churches the next year, and the second Sunday in May was agreed upon as the suitable date.  By 1911, the observance had spread to all the states and several other nations.

In December 1912, a Mother's Day International Association was incorporated to encourage a greater observance of the day.  In 1914, Congress designated the day as Mother's Day.

The custom of wearing a white carnation was modified so that those whose mothers were still alive wore red carnations and those whose mothers were dead wore white carnations.  Sons and daughters soon got into the habit of making little gifts to their mothers on this day.

Easter may have come from an early English word, Eastre (or according to the Venerable Bede, Eostre): the name of a pagan goddess of spring, the name of a spring festival, or the name of the season itself.  Or it may have come from the early German word eostarun, which means dawn.  This may have been an incorrect translation from the Latin word albae, which means dawn and white.

The Resurrection occurred during the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the month Nisan, so the early Jewish Christians celebrated the Crucifixion and Resurrection on that day.  The Resurrection occurred on the first day of the week, so early Gentile Christians insisted it be celebrated on Sunday.  The Council of Nicaea in 325, decided that the celebration should occur on the same day throughout the church.  It was finally decided that the date should be the Sunday after the first full moon on or after the Spring Equinox (March 21).  It can occur between March 22 and April 25.  In the 4th century, the Crucifixion was celebrated on Good Friday, and Easter became devoted to the Resurrection.

It is probable that the Catholic Church in its early days adopted old pagan customs and gave a Christian meaning to them (perhaps the inevitable result of the establishment of Easter and Christmas as "Christian alternatives" to the pagan spring equinox and winter solstice festivals).  The festival of Eostre in celebration of the renewal of life in the spring was easy to make into a celebration of the Resurrection.  Catholic churches have an elaborate ritual for Easter services.  With the rise of the Puritans in England, Protestants for a long time took no notice of Easter, or any other church festivals (like Christmas).  They began to observe it during the Civil War, to comfort the bereaved of slain soldiers.  The Presbyterian churches first, and then others later, used the Easter season to remind mourners of the hope of resurrection.

The egg is an ancient symbol of new life.  The Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans colored their eggs long before the Resurrection.  Eggs became associated with Easter originally because it was forbidden to eat them during Lent and on Easter Sunday they were served.  They were dyed red either to suggest joyfulness or symbolize the blood shed on Calvary.  Children were told that the rabbit lays the Easter eggs and the eggs were sometimes hidden in the garden for the children to find.  Pagans regarded the prolific rabbit as an emblem of fertility.  The Bermuda lily, which blossoms in the spring, is used so often in the decoration of churches for the Easter service that it has become known as the Easter lily.

Biblically speaking, the Lord's Supper and the Lord's Day (Sunday) are sufficient to remember the Crucifixion and Resurrection.  If you want to celebrate Easter, that's fine; just don't invite the Easter Bunny.