Shake Off the Dust

The management of the apartments where I live have posted signs, “No Soliciting”, and that includes no “door-to-door” from Jehovah Witnesses or any other ministry. That type of person-to-person ministry has pretty much disappeared. Citizens of this community are not welcoming of those types of tactics. Jesus said, “…whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” Matt. 10:14 That would include this whole city. So, with door-to-door ministry being shut-down, there is this testimony I rely on; “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.” 1 John 5:10a

There is one type of ministry that the community rallies around, and that is community-based “church” activities. They post huge sized ads in the newspapers and are allowed to hang posters on public property. The events that they advertise here in this city are centered around two main draws: The “Trunk or Treat” and a fireworks spectacular nowhere close to the date of July 4th. Both events are held at Churches and draws thousands. An internet search can be done on “Trunk or Treat” as it seems to be everywhere. I have attended a couple, and they are just a huge street party with no drugs or alcohol. Of course, they say it is all in the interest of the mission of the Church. I don’t go to any more of them, one because I think it’s only for youth and two is because I don’t sense that Jesus would be welcomed there. I know what Timothy means when he said, “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2 Timothy 3:5

I pretty much spend my time at home, worshipping at home, and being grateful I haven’t gotten caught up in the “adult” forms of “holy communion”. If the community-supported street parties held at churches are designed for kids, I can only imagine what they have arranged for adults. Instead of “Trunk or Treat” it must be “Tail-Gate” parties, and instead of fireworks it must be a night out at the local bare-knuckle fight venue. Presently, I’m indulging myself in a healthy dose of Jimmy Swaggart music and Grace Larson music. Peter encourages me by saying this, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:13


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One thought on “Shake Off the Dust

  1. I worked at a Church for almost 6 years. My work hours coincided with the hours of the youth street parties, ‘Trunk-or-Treats”. In this article, I said that I attended a couple, but actually it was about 5 or 6. Now that I’m unemployed I won’t attend one.

    The Church is as long as a football field, and about 50 yards wide. A huge building to keep clean. But the youth street party never extended into the building, strictly a parking lot event. The parking lot was as long as the building, with additional parking in the back. The parking area was always packed with cars of people attending and overflowing in the back area and on the grass edges around the parking lot. The road is about 40 or 50 yards from the front of the building. That allowed the music to be cranked up without the sound overflowing into public areas.

    They set up a canopy where hot dogs were roasted and coolers full of icy drinks were given away for free. That was in addition to all the trunk loads of candy that they were giving away. It was all of my favorite candies as well, miniature Reese Cups, snickers, butterfingers, Nestle Chocolate bars, and a variety of others.

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