Once upon a time there was this little church in a small town - off the beaten path.  The church needed a pastor.  So this extended family with two preachers in the family decided they would help this little church out and pastor the church.  Some members of this family were very very unhappy about the move.  They were satisfied where they were at.  But they went.  They eventually joined this little church.  All the while wondering why the little church wasn't going anywhere spiritually or growing in number.  Everyone seemed to just be playing church.  But things went on as usual.  One night a few members of this family decided they would go to church early and see what kinds of decorations they could find to make the little church pretty for Christmas.  You will never guess what they discovered.  They discovered that their little church was committing adultery.  They were sleeping with the enemy.  No wonder things seemed at a stand-still.  Those two family members found halloween and mardi-gras stuff in the closet.  Can you believe that?!!  The bride of Christ (the church) was sleeping with the enemy (satan).  The two family members just stood there looking at each other - wondering what they should do about what they had discovered.  They decided to talk with the pastor about their findings.  He acted like it was no big deal.  They were really stunned after that.  What were they to do?.  They went home that night with very heavy hearts for that little church. 

Now for my two-cents - As long as churches hang on to satan in any way, shape, form, or fashion they will never grow spiritually.  Compromising for the sake of the children is WRONG.  You say - "But it's just inocent fun".(Read with sarcasm emphasis)  But is it??  Think about what you are having fun with.  God IS NOT PLEASED with any of this stuff.  Yes, we should do lots and lots of things with the youth of our church - but why does halloween have to be one of those days.  To make it sound christiany they call it a "fall carnival".  Well - have it in november and loose the halloween theme.  I know I'm rambling.  But the best way for me to feel better sometimes is to write my thoughts down.  But there is NO COMPROMISING when it comes to living a christian life.  I have raised my daughter like that.  When it comes to your morals, ethics, and christianity YOU DO NOT COMPROMISE.

Pass that piece of information on.  DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR SOUL!!