jebarr

Bro Sam Gipp has a great website where he has scripted videos leading a young man to "why we should use the KJV"  It is at http://bigdealKJv.com/
 
It answered a lot of questions I had and helped me understand its importance and how other versions are incorrectly translated or downright leave verses out.

As far as at church, I would think it comes from the idea of giving our best to God. That's how I see it, anyways. Our culture still knows how to dress up for a funeral, or job interview, or to go to the symphony, or to see the Queen.  We know how to be respectful; shouldn't that same respect apply to the house of God? Suits and ties are still the definition of proper dress for formal attire and business wear.
Our men don't dress in suits/ties when witnessing for exactly the reason you mentioned above. 

we had out anti-Halloween service last night, as our midweek service is on Thursdays. It was a good service, though these days, after a few years, I'm kind of preaching to the choir. I spoke about the fact that Halloween glorified darkness, death and fear, three things we have been delivered from by Christ-so why should we celebrate such things? One day, darkness, death and fear will be no more-why would we wish to glorify them now?

I am in a state of shock. My church has been so against any association with this day. This year we are passing out candy because the 31st falls on Wednesday.

I am amazed at how many "good" churches are doing a "Trunk or Treat".

Halloween is a Satanic Holiday. It is not just about Children. It is not about Candy.

No Christian should be participating in any fashion on this wicked day. No church should be participating in this wicked day.

There, I said it. Now I have to find a new church as I will not go to a church that is involved in this wicked day.

The passing out of treats is part of the druid paganist part of the day. There is no good in the day. Christmas at least is a celebration of the birth of Christ.

I agree with PastorJ. I'm fine with holidays but Halloween is directly involved with demonic things.

Just to follow up on how the wedding went.First of all we put on the rehearsal dinner- no alcohol around- no toasts offered.  Just great food and conversation.  At the wedding everyone had clear water glasses and we just used those when a toast was presented.  There was alcohol all around and God-awful ear thumping music that made it very difficult to even converse.  We did stay at the hotel and manage to escape to our room for several much needed breaks.  I was able, oddly enough at the reception, to witness and reach out to my wife's widowed aunt about coming to church with us as soon as she moves back to the area this month.

I really don't want my kids bringing home all that candy, anyway....they eat enough trash as it is.

The school my kids attend (a church, but we have our own church) has a harvest night on Halloween where we just have a bonfire and games and food...but nothing like Halloween stuff.  I'm glad they do that.  I'm staunchly against Halloween, and I don't think Christians even realize the devil's influence in their lives these days.
 
My husband is starting a series about the devil in church for the next several weeks.  We, ourselves, have had to get rid of a few things in our home that the kids liked that we were afraid was opening the door for Satanic influence (games that others think are harmless, etc.)
 
The college we went to, which was otherwise "strict" and almost "legalistic" actually allowed people to celebrate Halloween, even so far as to allow trick or treating on the campus.  I remember being appalled back then, and remain appalled.  Just goes to show that even people who think they are perfectly aligned with Scripture prOBably aren't.
 
I personally do not believe Halloween falls into "personal liberty" because it directly deals with Satan and I believe God tells us to flee from anything having to do with Satan.   Halloween doesn't even try to hide it...witches, gOBlins, ghosts, horror houses.
 
BTW the fact that our country loves Halloween but now people are starting to get upset about "Christmas" tells me there is a huge difference between the two holidays.  Even the world will admit that Christmas is a religious holiday.

I was just informed that the birthday party we were attend this weekend will have booze.  Needless to say, we're now free on Saturday.

I hope she is saved, however...no root...no fruit...avoids any discussion concerning Jesus Christ or Christianity. So I pray.

If you skip part of the wedding, they may very well never forgive you for that. Some of the biggest regrets I have heard people lament are decisions they made about a wedding that caused irreparable rifts.

Just don't use a wine glass so everyone can tell at a glance you have water. Help choose the dance song so it's not heavy metal or something....and just of course warn that if the party gets too wild you may duck out early. But if you shun the reception...you may not have much witness in the future. I say participate, but keeping your standards in tact. Best of luck.

Oh, the rehearsal dinner....my Christian dad hosted the rehearsal dinner for my Christian brother and his Christian wife, so they had no alcohol...but the wife's family loves drinking. So they were asked to purchase their own alcohol at the restaurant, but none was provided with the dinner.

The receptions I've attended in the past, the father/daughter and/ or mother/son dance is done after the bride and groom dance their first dance. You could leave after that when the rock n roll music usually starts. Your idea of toasting and raising your bottled Mt. Dew or whatever will make it clear it's not alcohol. Since reception in a hotel, family and friends that want to visit with you, can come to your room or visit in the lOBby. No reason you have to stay in the reception area to visit.

Well we have no intention of offering a toast.  This is our first son's marriage and have no idea fully what to expect.  I have just read that at the Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding Reception, toasting can be frequently offered so was just looking for advice on how to handle that with good stewardship.
 
 
Thank God she has testimony of being saved.  I pray that she returns to the Lord soon.  Your situation is definitely difficult with the distance and you funding the whole wedding. At least perhaps that will give you some control over the content. It is hard when it is our own children who are away from God. We can only pray for them daily and love them.  Offer that you will always be there in a time of need as will Christ.

Arbo- that is what we are dealing with- the other side paying and putting this together so I am not sure how much input we get on some things.  There is always the leaving early option though.

Well we have no intention of offering a toast.  This is our first son's marriage and have no idea fully what to expect.  I have just read that at the Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding Reception, toasting can be frequently offered so was just looking for advice on how to handle that with good stewardship.
 
 
Thank God she has testimony of being saved.  I pray that she returns to the Lord soon.  Your situation is definitely difficult with the distance and you funding the whole wedding. At least perhaps that will give you some control over the content. It is hard when it is our own children who are away from God. We can only pray for them daily and love them.  Offer that you will always be there in a time of need as will Christ.

Well
I tried to drink the toast, one time, but it was a little too brown and crunchy because it scratched my throat something awful on the way down. If it hadn't been for that little bit of butter and grape jelly, I would have choked for sure.   
 
Congrats on the wedding. My Wife and I weren't saved when we got married either. I hope and pray that your kids get saved too. I would not feel comfortable at such a reception, would tell my son so, and leave it at that. I might show up for a minute or two, greet everyone and wish them well, then leave. I would not participate in the "toast" thing.

Do not gaze approvingly upon...

In other words, don't approve of it.s use.

Abstain from every appearance of evil.

Does that glass of water have the same color as the wine that is being consumed? will drinking it or lifting it in a toast cause others to think you are also enjoying and approving of their wine?

Proverbs 23:29-32 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
 
The word look used in these verses has multiple meanings. It can mean to simply glance upon. It can also mean to gaze approvingly upon, to enjoy, experience. Looking at the full context I would have to say it is the latter definitions that are more appropriate than the former. One is hardly likely to suffer all the negative ramifications mentioned in these verses by simply gazing at a glass of alcohol; regardless how potent it may be.
 
Also, to think Jesus never cast his gaze upon an alcoholic beverage in all his journeys is a pretty significant stretch.
 
If you decide to shun an occasion like this strictly because you will not gaze upon alcohol, you had best walk exceedingly circumspectly for the remainder of your days, especially in the company of those whom you may have offended. You had best not be seen in a grocery store, restaurant, sporting event, or any social event, festival, etc. where alcohol is sold or consumed, and where your eye may fall upon an alcoholic beverage; Thou hypocrite.
 
Ultimately, jebarr, this is really between you and the Lord. What HC said in post #4 is wise advice and worthy of consideration. I have had several family weddings over the past couple years (brother, nieces and nephews) and we go, congratulate, stay for dinner, and respectfully part company shortly thereafter (before the music and alcohol really begin to flow). On several occasions I have even been asked to give the opening prayer which officially gives me occasion to inject scripture into the event. Specifically how marriage is a picture of our relationship with Christ once saved.

Ohh boy!  My little brother and his wife play games with giving my folks access to their children and it hurts them very deeply.  Hopefully they'll (your kids and my brother) get right with the Lord sooner than later.

Thank you all so very much for your insight. I can say I agree with everyone's viewpoint about taking this to the Lord and we have been in much prayer about it.  This boy is our oldest of four children and his brother is getting married next year. Similar situation but we do know that they are having our IFB pastor perform the ceremony at least.  I know that I have to make a stand for God and cannot compromise my morals but I am not sure that I can totally skip the reception.  We are staying in the hotel too, so we may be able to just leave when the alcohol and dancing get going.  That way we are able to participate in at least some of it.
 
I like the idea of toasting with water or soda- I just did not know if that would be bad testimony or not.
 
I do think my wife would have say on what song is picked out for that mother/son dance so that may help.  Even though we abstain from dancing normally.
 
My wife doesn't want to have hurt feelings as grand kids will prOBably be entering the picture next year and the future fiance seems very much in charge in the relationship. So we try the best we can to maintain good relations, invite them to church all the time, and pray for them everyday.
 
We know that this is their day but everyday is the Lord's to us so we will make our concerns known before hand and hopefully talk this out so that everyone knows the expectations for that day.
 
Thank you all so much for your help in this matter again.  I think we may have a meeting with our pastor too.
 
Jebarr

Yes, "Left Behind" is really bad about that, even having a lost pastor who knew the Gospel but was never saved suddenly get saved and hold church during the tribulation.
 
This is becoming ever more common in these movies and it's very dangerous. I know of some folks who have seen this in movies and believe that idea gives them a "get out of jail free" card. Why bother "getting religion" now and losing out on all the sinful fun when they think they can just wait until they notice all the Christians disappear, then "get right with God" so they can go to heaven. To some folks it's like having their cake and eating it too.
 
This kind of dovetails into the idea that quick prayerism is okay because a seed might be planted and those  who heard it can get saved some other time.
 
Scripture is clear, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Now is the time to get saved, not hopefully in the future if someone finally presents the clear, full Gospel and not after the rapture.

Thank you all so very much for your insight. I can say I agree with everyone's viewpoint about taking this to the Lord and we have been in much prayer about it.  This boy is our oldest of four children and his brother is getting married next year. Similar situation but we do know that they are having our IFB pastor perform the ceremony at least.  I know that I have to make a stand for God and cannot compromise my morals but I am not sure that I can totally skip the reception.  We are staying in the hotel too, so we may be able to just leave when the alcohol and dancing get going.  That way we are able to participate in at least some of it.
 
I like the idea of toasting with water or soda- I just did not know if that would be bad testimony or not.
 
I do think my wife would have say on what song is picked out for that mother/son dance so that may help.  Even though we abstain from dancing normally.
 
My wife doesn't want to have hurt feelings as grand kids will prOBably be entering the picture next year and the future fiance seems very much in charge in the relationship. So we try the best we can to maintain good relations, invite them to church all the time, and pray for them everyday.
 
We know that this is their day but everyday is the Lord's to us so we will make our concerns known before hand and hopefully talk this out so that everyone knows the expectations for that day.
 
Thank you all so much for your help in this matter again.  I think we may have a meeting with our pastor too.
 
Jebarr

Arbo- that is what we are dealing with- the other side paying and putting this together so I am not sure how much input we get on some things.  There is always the leaving early option though.

Thank you all so very much for your insight. I can say I agree with everyone's viewpoint about taking this to the Lord and we have been in much prayer about it.  This boy is our oldest of four children and his brother is getting married next year. Similar situation but we do know that they are having our IFB pastor perform the ceremony at least.  I know that I have to make a stand for God and cannot compromise my morals but I am not sure that I can totally skip the reception.  We are staying in the hotel too, so we may be able to just leave when the alcohol and dancing get going.  That way we are able to participate in at least some of it.
 
I like the idea of toasting with water or soda- I just did not know if that would be bad testimony or not.
 
I do think my wife would have say on what song is picked out for that mother/son dance so that may help.  Even though we abstain from dancing normally.
 
My wife doesn't want to have hurt feelings as grand kids will prOBably be entering the picture next year and the future fiance seems very much in charge in the relationship. So we try the best we can to maintain good relations, invite them to church all the time, and pray for them everyday.
 
We know that this is their day but everyday is the Lord's to us so we will make our concerns known before hand and hopefully talk this out so that everyone knows the expectations for that day.
 
Thank you all so much for your help in this matter again.  I think we may have a meeting with our pastor too.
 
Jebarr