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Should Christians celebrate Halloween? What's wrong with Halloween? Why it's wrong to celebrate Halloween.

In the last few weeks, I have seen such questions and ponderings posted multiple times on social media. I have seen Facebook posts asking those questions, YouTube videos adressing the subject, and many, many blog posts taking it head on. 

Did you know that 74% of Americans suffer from a disease called glossophobia, better known as the fear of public speaking?

Stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld said: “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

In this episode of The Thriving on Purpose Podcast, we will look through the list of what the 9 Types of Intelligences are and what they entail. This will enable you, dear listener, to recognize your own… and even those of the people you might have thought were not the sharpest tool in the shed. 

So, by popular demand, this blog is about how to find your purpose, your calling, your life’s mission, your God-given assignment, your ONE BIG THING. 

There are four simple questions you can ask yourself to get a pretty good grasp on what you are here for. These questions (or steps if you prefer)  have been talked about, written about, even philosophized about. The greatest thought-leaders have addressed how to find your purpose time and again and these four questions are pretty spot on, time-tested, and true. They are at the center of how to find your purpose.

As a believer, you’ve probably already dealt with some degree of rejection from friends and family. When you converted, as a new believer, you probably wanted to share the gospel with your those closest to you. And, chances are, you’ve probably met with a lot of opposition. Jesus warned about this. In fact, it’s totally part of your lot as a Kingdom citizen… to be misunderstood at times, mocked, or even hated. No one is a prophet in their own land.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good.”

(Luke 6:45)

I used to be a nice guy. I really did. And guess what? I found the saying, “Nice guys finish last” to be very true. Of course, that was years ago. That was before I met my wife. Before I got married. And mostly, before life called me up to the plate to provide for, protect, and live for my family. 

Today, I’m writing to encourage those who feel they have gone to a lower station in life. I’m writing to those who feel their lives are spinning out of control and going nowhere. Maybe today you are undergoing one of God’s demotions. Maybe you’re in a dungeon right now, wondering where God is in your life.

It’s one thing to be demoted at your job… by your boss or superiors, but it’s quite another to be brought down and demoted by God. It can be quite disheartening.

Through examining the life of Joseph, I want to encourage you by showing you that God’s demotions serve a higher purpose for us.

His demotions are for a season of testing and equipping.

God wants us to be whole. He made us in His image. He has three components (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). We also have three components: Body, Spirit, and Soul.

The sad thing though, is that most Christians focus solely on developing themselves spiritually. They neglect to develop themselves in other areas and so miss out on becoming all that God wants them to become.

How so?

Well, here are some bad mindsets, habits, or even excuses that some believers have developed who neglect their personal growth.

In fact, how Jesus has been taught in churches for many decades now has caused many men to leave organized religion altogether. The result is that churches have become even more feminized. And when I say this, let me be clear, I don’t mean that pejoratively. There is nothing wrong with feminine traits. God made the masculine and feminine aspects of our human nature to serve a purpose. There is a place and a time for the virtues of more feminine behaviors. However, I am saying that overly feminized church settings will inevitably make men lose interest. And the results aren’t good for the body of Christ.