November 2022
a publication of Lakeside Lutheran High School Volume 12: Issue 3
LLHS FED eration CONnection
920-648-2321 • info@llhs.org • 231 Woodland Beach Rd. Lake Mills, WI 53551
Dead Bodies. Everywhere.
Pastor Don Schultz is interim principal of Lakeside Lutheran. Reach him at 920.648.2321 or dschultz@llhs.org
Early in October, I drove by a house (I won’t say where) and I thought to myself, “What kind of person lives there?” The front yard was covered with dead bodies—everywhere. These weren’t real dead bodies—but realistic Halloween decorations. The whole front yard was jam-packed with every kind of gore imaginable, every decoration related to death, ghosts, skeletons, spiders, witches, zombies, and bats. It seemed overthe-top, in my estimation. (Halloween was over 4 weeks away —come on!)
Whenever we have disagreements like these, can we aim for “middle ground?” That’s not always an easy spot to find. Should you eat until you burst on Thanksgiving? Or should you not eat at all? Where’s the middle? What about watching Netflix or playing video games? Is five straight hours too much? (I think so.) Or should you never do those things at all? Where’s the middle ground?
I know that I’m getting into the world of personal preferences and things like that. But it made me think about that question that Christians debate from time to time: to what extent does a Christian celebrate Halloween, which is also the Reformation?
“The fruit of the spirit is… gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:23). May God the Holy Spirit help me (and you) to find that middle ground that shows self-control in these matters. And when I disagree with you about where that “middle” is, may God help both of us to have gentleness—to not speak harshly about each other when we differ (even if I think I’m right!).
Where do you stand on that question? One extreme view says “Anything goes—who cares!” But that can go in many bad directions. The other extreme view says “No costumes and no candy! Just think about Martin Luther and that’s it!” Good luck convincing your kids to do that. Perhaps the middle-of-the-road approach is the way to go here. Moderation. Self-control. And gentleness toward those with whom I disagree. How about this: I will not go off the deep end embracing all of the darker aspects of Halloween. But I also won’t reject every costume or decoration. I will celebrate the Reformation. But I will also buy candy.
And may we encourage our students to have that same spirit of gentleness and self-control: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
FFA Christmas Sale: Fruit & Veggie, Cheese, Meat, Nut, Candy
New this year: order anything except potatoes and onions online using a credit or debit card!
sales.minntexcitrus.com (choose Lakeside)
See Galatians 5
or contact an FFA student or Mr. Jeff Meske by Nov. 8 to order, and your order will be in the first week in December, just in time for your Christmas preparations! Thanks for supporting Christian and Career Education. Go online or see the order form with all items & prices at llhs.org/apps/pages/ffa