This in itself doesn't make them right nor does it make them wrong.  They are traditions of men. It is what is in our hearts that makes the difference.

If what you say is true, Pastor, then this scripture has no meaning:

Deu 12:30  Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Deu 12:31  Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Yahweh himself said, "Thou shalt not do so (serve Him as the pagans serve their gods) unto Him.  In the very next verse He makes it quite clear that we are not to add to nor subtract from the commands that He gives us.

Deu 12:32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

I'm not so sure I understand the position that says we can do as we please, even if it is contrary to the command of the Almighty, as long as it is "in our hearts" to serve Him.  It seems to me that if we are truly serving Him, then we will serve Him as HE pleases, not as it pleases us. 

Can you please provide me some scripture supporting that position?

And, by your own admission you call many religious festivities and symbols "the traditions of men."  December 25 was the birthday of pagan sun gods long before it was allegedly the birthday of the Messiah (Mithra being one).

Mirtha was born on December 25, called “Birthday of the Unconquered Sun,” which was finally taken over by Christians in the 4th century A.D. as the birthday of Christ.  (See, John Holland Smith, The Death of Classical Paganism at 146; John Campbell, The Mythic Image at 33) 

http://mysite.verizon.net/resp7mpe/beliefs/id10.html

You quoted Colossians:

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Going again back to Deuteronomy 12: 30-31 and also looking at Colossians 2:8, I fail to see where we have the right to do as we please when Yahweh specifically forbids us doing that. 

I can only assume that you were including Colossians 2:16 to say that it is alright.

Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days

Paul was speaking to the Colossians here, which were Gentiles.  If they were Gentile followers of the teachings of Messiah, they would have now been honoring Yahweh's holy days and sabbath's as the Messiah did (being Gentiiles, they would not have done this before conversion).  In this verse Paul is telling them not to let unbelievers judge them for now following Yahweh's instruction of the Torah, which as true followers of the Messiah they would now be doing.  That is what Paul did and that is what he would have taught them.  They were Gentile converts living in a Gentile society now following a Jewish Messiah.  I am sure they would have been ridiculed by non-believers for now following a new teaching.  Paul was teaching them to walk in the steps of the Messiah as he was, and don't let the unbelievers judge you for what you are doing.

Even setting all that aside, this verse in no way gives up permission to disregard what the Creator says and do things our way. 

Again, can you please provide me scripture supporting the viewpoint that we are free to do our will and not Yahweh's.

Still seeking the truth~~~~Carla

SATAN'S MEETING

(Read even if you're busy)


Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and
Knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate
Relationship with their saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power
Over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their
Covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they
Don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus
Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and
Maintaining that vital connection throughout their
Day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and
Invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he
Answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow,
Borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and
The husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a
Day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will
Offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear
That still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player
Whenever they drive." To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and
Their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it
That every store and restaurant in the world plays
Non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with
Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and
Newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order
Catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter
And promotional offering free products, services and
False hopes.."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV
So their husbands will believe that outward beauty is
what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with
Their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at
Night."

"Give them headaches too! "

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need,
They will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching
Their children the real meaning of Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about
His resurrection and power over sin and death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on
God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting
Events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."

"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve
Them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with
Troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have
No time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength,
Sacrificing their health and family for the good of
The cause."

"It will work!"

"It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing
Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed,
Going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus
To change lives.


I guess the question is, has the devil been successful
In his schemes?


You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean:



B-eing U -nder S -atan's Y-oke?

Please pass this on, if you aren't too BUSY !






--------------------

For the past year my husband and I have been doing some interesting studies on christmas.  It's interesting to look at the origins of all the things we do at christmas. For years we put up trees, hang lights and ornaments on it, put presents under the tree, stand a santa claus up next to our nativity scenes with lights all over the yard and so on and so forth. (Did ya know that Jesus no longer was in a manger when the wisemen arrived, he was probably closer to 2 years old, and we do not know how many wisemen there was, the bible only mentions the three types of gifts). -that would make the nativiity scene not accurate(or a lie)
So why do we do all these things?  Where did all these traditions originally begin? Are these customs truely showing honor to Jesus (Yeshua)?
It has been said alot of these customs have pagan origins and Dec. 25th could no way be the Messiah's birth date  but it was the birthdate of pagan sun gods. If this is all true how did the name of Jesus get connected with this pagan festivity? And if all of these customs have pagan origins, isn't it wrong for christians to worship the Messiah in this way?
Has anyone else done a study on this? After doing much studying I sure see things alot different.

Seeking the truth~~~~Carla