….. a Ministerial Association will host Kitsap County clergy, chaplains and spiritual leaders in a second annual retreat day Oct. 16th at Firway House Retreat….The retreat will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the theme “Thank God You’re Here!” The day includes holy leisure, celebration of call and humor. A rustic outdoor labyrinth is available on site for prayer, play and pondering.…..
My local newspaper seems to be fodder for many articles lately and then readily delegated to the dumpster for toxic removal. (IMHO). This weeks surprise in the RELIGION section was the above ministerial retreat complete with labyrinth and all the expected goodies for….pondering?
So now it seems I have to research labyrinths since they are coming to a neighboring town so that our local spiritual leaders can do their Buddhist meditations for “holy leisure”.
I found this at http://www.Cephas-library.com.
Most of the practicing New Age occult world has known and still does, that the introduction of the labyrinth prayer walk is a victory for their cause, bringing the unsuspecting Christians into agreement with the overall plan of the Aquarian Age, where those participating in this practice could be captured or ensnared into the ways of Satan. (‘The Labyrinth: The Occult Has Truly Gone Mainstream’ can be found at http://www.cephas-library.com/na/new_age_labyrinth.html )
Even though the labyrinth is a Western concept, it shares some similarities with Asian monastic and spiritual practices. The patterns of the labyrinth are similar in design and conception to the mandalas of South Asian Buddhism, which are physical representations of the spiritual realm designed to aid in meditation. Labyrinths blend their visual symbolism with the process of walking, which is similar to the Japanese Zen practice of kinhin, literally “walking meditation,” where all of the attention is focused on the process of each step, one foot in front of the other, and the breath is controlled and regulated. Both of these techniques are used in Buddhist meditation, which combines the elements of calming and insight into the single goal of samadhi, or “awareness.””
From what I am reading from different sites the labyrinth is an ancient symbol of wholeness with a purposeful path to a journey to our own center and back. It creates a sacred place to “That Which is Within.” This journey to center of our deepest self broadens our understanding of who your are.
Why would a Christian be involved in such an activity? We have already learned that to go “within” is an occult eastern mystical practice using meditation and controlled breathing patterns. To go “within” is to search for one’s own divinity. Again I have to ask why a Christian would even think twice about getting involved in the metaphysical.
“In walking the Chartres style labyrinth the walker meanders through each of the four quadrants several times before reaching the goal. An expectancy is created as to when the center will be reached. At the center is a rosette design which has a rich symbolic value including that of enlightenment. The four arms of the cross are readily visible and provide significant Christian symbolism.”
Can you see the readily visible four arms of the cross in this labyrinth? Oh yeah…maybe there…no…there…I give… I guess they are referring to the gaps between the four quadrants but to suggest that this is a Christian symbol is ridiculous. The above passage from lessons4living explains that reaching the center has a symbolic message of enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a New Age term for all-knowing or being as God. This is an anti-Christian message found over and over again in spiritual mysticism. The labyrinth is no exception.
Here is a picture of a Labyrinth right inside of a Presbyterian church in Maryland. I simply do not understand. Do the congregations of today no longer have any discernment whatsoever? Do they not realize that this is an unholy blend of eastern mysticism and Christianity? Do Christians absent-mindedly swallow everything that is introduced by their leaders as “spiritual”?
The use of such a method as a labyrinth… is merely another method of meditation which is a way of emptying the mind. We have learned that the use of meditation is the doorway between worlds and the key to the metaphysical.
Contact with the higher self – inner self- or the search for divinity is the ultimate goal of occultism. Any terms in New Age circles such as enlightenment, Christ Consciousness, breath prayers, new gospel, centering prayers, contemplative prayer are suspect and to be avoided by the Christian.
Christianity is being invaded by eastern mysticism. Christians are allowing themselves to be taught how to achieve altered states of consciousness in order to enhance their lives. This is deceit. The bible teaches that were are not to be involved in such practices.
Below is part of an article from Steve Muse of Eastern Regional Watch
The Labyrinth: A Walk to Life or a Walk to Death?
Is it a coincidence that within the last 20 years an ancient practice that had been abandoned by the “Church” has once again been introduced within its very walls that is impacting thousands? Why now is it being welcomed with open arms with such great enthusiasm by an unsuspecting church populace? This is another of many deceptions that have risen up within the body of Christ to bring delusion upon those who do not love the truth of God’s word. What affect will this ancient practice have upon we the believers in Christ?
Across the country and throughout the nations a practice is being revived within the church, which has been dormant for centuries. In effect, an ancient tool has been “unearthed” or re-discovered and people have begun to experiment in the practice of walking the labyrinth. This is a practice that seems to bring a sense of spiritual well being for those participating in it but in reality it has trapped and is snaring many in darkness because of the labyrinth’s Occult origins.
Most of the practicing New Age occult world has known and still does, that the introduction of the labyrinth prayer walk is a victory for their cause, bringing the unsuspecting Christians into agreement with the overall plan of the Aquarian Age, where those participating in this practice could be captured or ensnared into the ways of Satan. ttp://www.cephas-library.com/na/new_age_labyrinth.
After researching the many websites on today’s use of the labyrinth, most agree that the labyrinth is a tool or device created to bring one into a higher spiritual realm through the use of meditation whether your are a practicing Zen Buddhist, a Hindu, a Muslim, a New Age Occultist, a Satanist, an atheist or even a “Christian.” My question now as it was at the beginning of this article is what is this labyrinth all about and how will it affect the believer in Christ?
If someone were to hand you an Ouija Board, telling you that it had been thoroughly redeemed and that other Christians were successfully using this board to bring them to a greater experience of God, would you also begin to entertain the thought of using this well known Occult method to seek God? Would you then use this Occult device, knowing full well that this is a tool or rather a gateway and portal to bring you into communication with “higher” spiritual entities (demons and familiar spirits). The labyrinth is much the same as the Ouija Board in its intent and purpose, to open one up to the influences of the demons of darkness, to supposedly gain wisdom and knowledge of the mysteries of life. Then why even begin to experiment or experience the sacred walk of the labyrinth?
In Deuteronomy 12:1-14 and again in Exodus 34:10-17, God commands us clearly not to participate in anything that has ever been used in pagan ritual for worship or for any other use, for that matter. The labyrinth has been from the very beginning a demonic temple, a Kundalini energy source, a tool of divination, a gateway and a portal to communicating with other spirits and was incorporated into the Roman Catholic experience at a time when there was little understanding of the Bible and little or no discernment.
People are drawn to the labyrinth by the subtle seductions of the spirit world trying to convince us that anyone can get to know “God” through some kind of spiritual experience. If this were the case then we have all been duped as Christians. If I knew that I could have a “God” experience just by walking the labyrinth then all that God did through the sacrifice that Jesus gave on the cross is really unnecessary to bring us into relationship with the Father, I just have to have an “experience” and all will be well.
Many believe that the labyrinth is the beginning of a “spiritual journey” opening up relationships with the ancient masters who will in turn offer the knowledge and wisdom of the ages to all who will take the first step or “the initiation” to enlightenment. Most Christians know or should know that the ancient masters are really familiar spirits or seducing demons and the initiation is a bonding with the powers of hell itself. Is this really a walk to life or a deception that will lure us onto a path to death?
http://www.erwm.com/TheLabyrinth.htm Here is the link for the entire above article from Eastern Regional Watch Ministries.
Researching labyrinths has been interesting. There are about 1954 currently in the United States. 793 of these are located within churches. YES…. IN THE CHURCHES OR ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS. I randomly scanned about 300 of these and here is the number of each denomination that has installed a labyrinth on their premise.
Baptist – 3
Church of Christ – 9
Lutheran – 17
Presbyterian – 24
Catholic – 28
Unity – 13
Unitarian – 16
United Methodist – 39
Undefined- 63
Episcopal – 88
These numbers are only representative of the total… but they show which churches are allowing contemplative spirituality into their ministries. The Undefined churches had a general name like Hope Church, The Foothills Church, etc. so they were impossible to designate. The remaining number of labyrinths (1161) not on church properties….were located in health/medical facilities, spas, retreats, private residences, parks, etc……I discovered that a local retreat about 10 miles from my home has 3 seasonal outdoor labyrinths.
http://wwll.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org/locate-a-labyrinth (link now broken) Here is the site I used to find where the labyrinths are located. I invite you to take a look for yourself.
*updated* link http://labyrinthlocator.com/
All of this eastern mysticism found in the church today is making me very cranky, sad, and burdened. I weep inside when I wonder what the Lord must think when He looks down at His own children, walking the traditional path of the lost and pagan.
kim
DiscernIt 
111 comments
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September 24, 2007 at 7:11 am
mysticheart
“God commands us clearly not to participate in anything that has ever been used in pagan ritual for worship or for any other use, for that matter.”
Then absolutely NO Christmas trees for you.
No wreaths.
NO CAROLS.
No bells or candles.
No stars.
No wassail.
No red and green and gold decorations at all. Lose all of it. Oh, and no decorations of any sort up during Advent. Do you decorate for the Christ Mass immediately following Thanksgiving? Well, that’s wrong. Christ’s Mass BEGINS on 24 December. Not the last weekend of November. That’s strictly a Madison Avenue idea anyway.
No Easter either – that too was a Heathen holy tide long before Christ. Call it something else, but don’t use the Germanic Heathen term “easter” – and don’t argue with me about the word. Call it Passion Week or whatever – you all have plenty of your own Greek words you can use for it.
EVERYTHING Northern European in your tradition – GIVE IT UP.
It was STOLEN from us anyway, and stealing is wrong.
September 24, 2007 at 7:12 am
mysticheart
Oh, and do get it straight, at least – Unity churches and Unitarian Universalist churches are different. They are not governed by the same administrative body, they have very different histories of formation, and they have very different focuses. So don’t lump the Unities in with the UUs. They. Are. Different.
September 24, 2007 at 7:20 am
Kim
You are right..Christmas (Saturnalia) is a pagan holiday in origin…and yes i know that Easter also is related to Ishtar and that the egg is a symbol of fertility.
I will make the correction right now and separate Unity and Unitarian, thank you.
September 24, 2007 at 7:31 pm
IWanthetruth
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (ESV)
I fear that this is more for those in the church of today than those in the world. I am so sadden at what the churh is doing, but on the other hand, it is a sign of the end tims. Come Lord Jesus, come!
September 25, 2007 at 3:21 am
Kim
For those who would like to look up the above verse from IWanthetruth, it is Romans 1:18-25 thank you IWTT
September 25, 2007 at 3:21 pm
livingjourney
Great Post Kim, you have done your homework.
A few months ago a friend sent me a newspaper clipping about a Labyrinth that has started up in Australia.
Sound Doctrine is no longer endured…
V
September 26, 2007 at 7:25 pm
IWanthetruth
Word that I read last night…
“2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 2Th 2:10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 2Th 2:11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 2Th 2:12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits[fn4] to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2Th 2:14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Th 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. (ESV)
Blessings this day to all…
September 28, 2007 at 4:00 am
livingjourney
I remember someone commenting to me – after I had used this verse to show that God does indeed send the delusion – that they find it hard to believe that God would do such a thing. Not a loving Gracious God! He wouldn’t send a delusion to His people!
Regarding ‘Belief in the truth’… I have heard some say that Jesus is The Truth, I agree, there has never been a truer statement. But then they take it one step further saying, that to believe in Him as the Truth is all that is needed because you can believe that He is that, but the truth of the gospel is something that is actually culturally relevant and can be debated because we live in an increasingly changing world etc., and that no-one can claim to know the whole truth as truth in a post modern contextual context cannot be known for sure because of double truths existing.
They can distort scripture sooo out of “biblical context” in favour of the 21st century post modern multi-cultural context that the truth of the gospel (the fundamentals that conservative Christians have fought and sometimes died for in the past) becomes watered down because they have read the gospel and understood it with their own ever changing world view.
There is a clear difference in understanding the gospel inside its Biblical Context and so therefore understanding the world through the Word of God …. to understanding the gospel in a worldly context to make it more contemporary.
We must be sure to wear our Biblical glasses!
I hope this makes sense, about the truth problem. The trouble is error is very often very close to truth and it is hard to explain when the same words are being used but the meaning behind them is actually quite different.
V
November 4, 2007 at 2:19 am
Karen
In the discernment of anything of this nature, the major question we need to ask is: what does this practise, symbol, etc. say to me/us about the nature of God and His relationship to us. If I embrace this practise, will what I learn match up to who God has revealed Himself to be through Jesus Christ and in the Scriptures? Does it match with biblical reality, and not just give me a “comfortable” or exciting experience. The concern is not only that some pagans used it (pagans use the world around them just like we do) it’s about what it’s communicating as I relate to it. The foundation of biblical reality is that God comes to us, even to the point of sharing flesh and blood with us—we do not journey to Him. He reveals Himself to us, we do not “find” Him unless He does so. We cannot create a circumstance in which He then comes to us, or gives us an experience of His presence, as if we were conjuring Him. He decides these things according to His will and initiative. All He has ever told us to do is ask, and He has promised to respond, because that is what He is like. These complex practises turn a relationship into a labor. I won’t meet God any more in the middle of the labyrinth than I will meet Him in the middle of my morning shower, or in worship with the community of faith, because He is always with me and I with Him through Jesus Christ. And Him alone.
November 25, 2007 at 7:57 am
HolyHands
Wow, some Christians seems to find evil in everything. Wasn’t it Paul who said, “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15). There is a problem when something is automatically labeled evil as a result of its geographical origin.
November 25, 2007 at 8:07 am
HolyHands
Oh by the way, if you really want to get serious about stripping away all pagan and occult influences from your life, start by throwing out your calendars. You should know that the names of our calendar months derive from pagan origins. As a matter of fact, the first of January was dedicated by the Romans to their God of Gates and Doors, Janus. Oh yeah, and strip away the days of the week, that’s of pagan origin too. I hope you begin to realise how futile this is.
November 25, 2007 at 8:46 am
Kim
Titus 1:15 says that Christians who been saved by God’s grace are cleansed by his atoning death. To those who are corrupt and unsaved nothing is pure.
Titus 1:16 goes on to say: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable , disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Even these verses are telling us not to deny God by unholy actions.
I have heard it said that if you are pagan..everyday is a holiday! I am aware of pagan influences on society.
But futile? No Way. Jesus died for our sins. If we turn away from sin repent, turn and follow Him, we are new creatures in Jesus Christ. He knows our hearts. This is the only way to eternal life.
January 18, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Orkan
“Titus 1:15 says that Christians who been saved by God’s grace are cleansed by his atoning death. To those who are corrupt and unsaved nothing is pure.”
“Titus 1:16 goes on to say: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable , disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. ”
If you follow the words you can reach the conclusion that we should not deny God by unholy actions but the “reason” and “will” in the actions actually change the form of action even actions seem same to us.
It shold be not forgotten that all practices of Pagans are not wrong, and every person who is in the way of enlightenment shold see that
“Actions should not be banned or denied because of people who perform it is not appropriate.”
Actually, I do not agree Pagans are not appropriate, but since you assume it, I will give examples.
Imagine a thief who is praying.
Imagine a killer who, somehow, helps a person.
Imagine a Pagan, who seeks the enlightenment.
Does it mean that we should not take this actions? Does it mean that we should not act good because even evil people sometimes act good?
Funnily, Pagans are seen as unholy because some of their acts seen as unholy, not all! And now, Pagan actions seen as unholy because they are unholy?! This is completely a fallacy my friend.
Look for the good wherever it is, even it is in light or dark. Even I do not believe Pagan is dark, if it is, you should accept its good actions since you are supposed to find and take good to yourself.”LAbyrinth” can be one of them, if it is good. Here, the labyrinth does not seem as an evil thing. Do not forger that “CROSS” was to kill the people.
Lastly, an addition, Do not confuse people with the actions. This simple can lead to all inequalities.
February 12, 2008 at 6:03 am
C Malone
It blows me away to what lengths you guys will go to to try to out Christian one another when the least of our concerns should be whether or not a Labyrinth is Christian. If it was not Christian then and now Christians have found a way to use it to the end of prayer — that was then and this is now — It becomes Christian. There are more Christians in the world than any other belief system — if we lay claim to something in the Name of the Lord then it becomes so. If we are to use the “walking meditation” to pray and be conscious of every step it is in the Name of the Lord. There is a scripture to support every negative thing you want to build into a fire of fear. There is a scripture that can make anything you want conform to the Heart of Jesus. Remember that when you are distracting yourself and finding fault in every system because it is not Christian enough for you, you are inviting the confusion and despair that comes from ill-will or hate. For if you have to dwell on all that is not Christian instead of making all you see Christian you will eventually become bitter. Find the Love of Christ and the Peace of Christ and this will help us all to find those in need of the Love and Peace of Christ.
May the Peace of the Lord be Always With You.
February 12, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Kim
If someone wants to walk around in a circle and pray thats fine with me. But that is not what we are talking about here.
God says:
Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
To use a labyrinth one goes inside oneself in eastern meditation to find the God within. This is NOT a Christian practice it is a heathen practice.
Christians are accepting heathen practices at an alarming rate exchanging godly practices for pagan ones. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He doesn’t change his mind. Christians are to obey His word in the Bible.
The ones who seem bitter to me are the ones who do not want their unbiblical practices and pragmatic reasoning questioned.
By reading the Bible daily one will know which path is true. The Christian who truly loves the Lord and want to do His will, will obey His word and instruction in the Word of God.
Eze 11:12 And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that [are] round about you.
August 2, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Jim/Pam Nicholson
Utter blasphemy! Remember Sodom and Gomorrah!
August 2, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Lee
If someone were to hand you an Ouija Board, telling you that it had been thoroughly redeemed and that other Christians were successfully using this board to bring them to a greater experience of God, would you also begin to entertain the thought of using this well known Occult method to seek God…?
This is an excellent point. As a kid, I remember using a Ouija Board and being amazed that the board would move and spell out words from a “deceased relative,” etc. This was all B.C [before Christ]; and, I think back in horror of what I did. I did not know then the dangers; but, I KNEW it was REAL. There is a most definite spiritual realm of good and evil spirits. So, why would I want to fool with this other stuff which is known to have occultic roots?
August 2, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Mary B
Lee,
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you I really appreciate your views. Often times we either are too skeptical of the supernatural relm or we tend to go overboard and both you and Kim have a very balanced view.
August 2, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Lee
Mary B,
Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate your input.
August 2, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Kim
Hi Mary….
It seems to me all things have come with a battle. I had been deceived by lying spirits (it may be more accurate to say, i allowed myself to be deceived), and so I have to be careful not to go too far in the other direction by not heeding the leading of the Holy Spirit. I have had to cling to my Bible lately.
Lee,
I remember my experience with the Ouija Board as a teenager. Contacting a spirit was so easy. It told us it died of a death fever and this scared us and we ran to my mother who threw the board away. This goes to show how easy it is to contact the spirit world, when we open ourselves up to it. When we desire to know the unknown. This is Gnosticism. Strange Fire. The desire to know the ancient secrets which the demons tell us is “wisdom”, and only for the “specially anointed.”
I have always wondered, once you contact the spirit world in this fashion, are you always “open” till you repent of it. What of those who open themselves up in false revivals? Does the demon spirit eventually leave completely? Does it remain somehow?
August 2, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Lee
Kim,
Good questions. I wish I had, or knew of someone else who has, the answers.
August 2, 2008 at 11:26 pm
mbaker
There are no easy answers, I’ve found. except to heed the biblical command of being Bereans, and therefore being careful of all teachings. It is unfortunate that sometimes the sheep seem to have to be watching out for the shepherds nowadays, but it’s still better to err on the side of caution than to follow the entire herd over the cliff. There do seem to be times when being the “black sheep” is the only viable option.
November 15, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Jeff
woops! I had no idea. Guess this explains the black cloud I have had for abought 5 years now! I thouht that stupid maze prayer thing was kinda freaky.but the guy that took me there was a so called Christian. I did hear a faint voice in the center of it that answerd my question In my prayer. I prayed tonite for any evil spirits that may have enterd et to be gone. Hope it works, will keep ya posted.
Jeff
“Christ Is lord”
November 15, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Kim
Jeff,
Thank you so much for the comment and the information you have just provided to the flock of Jesus Christ.
I pray that the black cloud is removed in the name of Jesus Christ. It seems that you contacted an evil spirit while walking the labryinth.
Deliverance can be instant, but sometimes it takes awhile for your spiritual life to return to normal.
Someone who experiences oppression like you also has trouble praying, and reading the Bible, and can suffer depression.
Yes, please keep us posted and if you need any extra prayer…please ask…readers..pray for Jeff for complete deliverance.
Those who hand their lives over completely to Jesus Christ can have freedom from the occult influences they have innocently called upon.
November 16, 2008 at 5:00 pm
MARY B
I will pray for Jeff.
November 16, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Jeff
wow! You nail it, yes I went compleatly nuts
Reading the word. I also went crazy with a devotional by john wesly.
As far as praying it has been as if god took the phone off the hook for five years. And emotionaly don’t get me started. Angry and hoplessness with a srprinkle of kill my self thinking would be more like it.
Anyway I don’t want to sit here and complain as every one has trials but perhaps this might offer some contrast when things turn around. I strangly am hoping that I was messed with by a demon at least things would make sence and I would now have hope. One point the faint voice I heard was a lady. The maze was out side on the grounds of a church in Tequesta fl. I think I remember the guy told me that it was a very old American Indian site of some kind. Does this mean anything?
“Christ is lord”
Jeff
November 16, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Jeff
thank you for your prayers if he can’t here me can you give leave him a message for me? LOL
Christ is lord!
Jeff
November 16, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Kim
Jeff,
Demons pretend to be dead relatives, god, angels, spirits of indians or whatever….to fool you into thinking they are a good entity.
Once you accept this spirit or open yourself to it, all kinds of negative things can happen. Anger, hopelessness, unfounded fears and suicide are common with the oppression.
Renounce your experience by asking forgiveness and immerse yourself in prayer and scripture. Expect resistance and be persistant, demons hate to be evicted.
Here is the email of Leigh Fuller who is experienced in deliverance in these type of matters.
leighfuller777@hotmail.com
I have read hundreds of case histories where emotional and spiritual problems have developed from occult transferences from “anointings”, “healings”, and being “slain”. Also many Christians are being bamboozled into thinking eastern mystical practices can be christianized (yoga, labryinths, reiki) …they cannot as you now will know…
Yes, Christ is Lord. Praise God you know Him.
November 16, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Kim
Jeff, i too had been deceived by a false spirit. I often quote these verses.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
And i read Ephesians 6:11-18 before retiring at night.
kim
November 16, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Jeff
thanks for the referal. When I was talking abought the location of the maze I meant the guy who took me there said it was a old Indian ground before the church or somthing like that. Tequsta Florida is the town it is located on the corner of seabrook and Tequesta dr. Tequesta as I understand is a Indian word that means the land of fun. Anyway thanks again kim ! Have you heard of anthony Robbins? I have been doing his stuff for years and now wonder if his teachings have been vented or if you ever heard anything pro or con.
November 16, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Kim
Oh…I thought maybe the voice you heard was being attributed to some indian spirit.
No i hadn’t heard of Anthony Robbins so i just googled him. I don’t like what i see from a Christian perspective… for instance take a look at this excerpt from this site:
http://www.nightingale.com/prod_detail~product~Unleash_Power_Within_Anthony_Robbins.aspx
Power given to us at the moment we are born? We are born sinners. The only real power we have is from the Holy Spirit when we are regenerated and born again when we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives. That there is some power within us beside this is an eastern philosophy such as Hinduism and this is a false religion. Eastern religions teach self-divinity and search for power within.
I have been taught to stay from self-help books as all the answers we need are in the Bible. When i was younger i read some of these books. Remember, I”m Okay You’re Okay, anyone?
Totally unbiblical. Romans teaches no one is righteous, no one.
Do you attend a church or a bible study?
November 17, 2008 at 8:44 am
Kim
Jeff,
Another thought occurred to me in the early hours this morning.
The process of going “within”….it is the same whether you are walking the labryinth or seeking internal energy. In the maze you are taught to go within yourself while you are approaching the center, in effect you are looking for a god within yourself. There are false Christian teachings using words like “centering” or “centering prayer”. The positive thinking, inspirational approaches are similar. Hope is found in your own devices instead of seeking Jesus.
And so what was the result of going within to seek this “power” or “energy” ? You came in contact with an evil spirit which oppressed you.
All these occult processes are the same. They take you away from the true and living God found in the Bible, and make you believe that you can find solutions and happiness elsewhere.
November 17, 2008 at 10:04 am
Jeff
yea I just googled tony Robbins and man I am not so lost you couldn’t draw me a map. Everything I have been doing for 10 years plus now for my personal improvement is some kind of new age freak thing! U don’t understand how clever they are . I mean come on tony Robbins? How could you not of heard of him? He infermercial for person power has blots the airwaves tv for over 15 years. He is the number one pesonal development instruct of all time! So his teachings are evil thin he makes jim jones look like micky mouse! I have been doing his programs and exercises for so long now like my hour of power walk in the mourning that I may be broken beyond repair. If in fact it is Antichrist. For example hour of power. Fist you start out walking while breathing four in threw your nose 4 out threw your mouth in stero to you march. 1234 1234 like in the army witch by the way he has also given lessons to. Then after five minutes you start to think of everything you are greatfull for in your life. Out loud saying stuff like thank you lord for my wife , my son or what everyour greatful for et .Then after that you start your incantations and visualation declaring your life the way you want it . All I need is within me know. All the love I need is within me now this is to be an emotional exercise to fill yourself up for the day. The visualation part you start to see your short and long term goals and thank god in advance with apsalute excpectaiton that they will or better yet that they allready happend. ” your brain won’t know the diff and will manifest them. Then a celebrate at the end with your step or walk down. The breathing part in the begging is to airate the blood and stimulate the brain. You are idealy to start your walk as soon as you get out of bed. You wake up put on the head phones with his cd and go! I really thought this was good stuff and would please Christ why wouldn’t it?
I now confused.
Christ is lord
I guess I am a idiot.
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 10:13 am
Jeff
sorry abought the typing errors in addition to me being the worlds worst speller my I phone thingy keeps auto rounding my words when I am not looking. LOL
Ranks,
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 10:24 am
Kim
Jeff,
You are not an idiot. If this was the case then you would not be able to recognize the truth which now you are……you are now receiving God’s wisdom.
The reason we are open to these deceptions is that we go to other sources instead of Jesus Christ who is the Living Word in the Holy Bible.
The Bible says that there will be wolves in sheeps clothing. Many of these wolves are in THE CHURCH ITSELF.
God has brought you the truth. The breathing methods and visualization techniques are all suspect. Here is a great site that i trust with my spiritual life.
http://lighthousetrailsresearch.com You might want to scroll down to mystical practices. Please take the time to take a look at this site. It is full of truth.
As you learn about these things the confusion will go away.
I am so glad that you posting here. Praise God.
November 17, 2008 at 10:35 am
Jeff
I noticed you asked if I attend church well yes I am a member. LOL ok
I need get back to attending. I really have had a hard time finding one I trust my old Methodist church kinda went into left field lately.
And the new one Calvary plays rock & roll and every ones in blue jeans I mean I like and play rock & roll but I don’t want it at church. Give me wood pues and hims please.
Christ Is lord,
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 10:51 am
Jeff
kim, I am the kinda guy that needs daily instruction, goals , results growth et. Do you know of any devotionals that are safe you would recomend?
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 11:37 am
Jeff
here’s an idea. Safedevotionals.com
Hey if there a way to make money with it you keep the change. All I want is a 1959 ri cloud 9 Gibson les paul gutair!
Buy the way can you please ask god to hurry up allready with this request I have been asking for five years and he can’t hear me remember! So please give him my message. LOL
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 11:41 am
Kim
hhhmmmm… you know i really am unsure what to recommend. Believe it or not this is not easy….there is so much junk out there. Many like Max Lucado but he is borderline contemplative.
Here is something
http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals
They have a program for Bible study and daily messages from the great Charles Spurgeon.
This reason i don’t currently use devotionals is that i teach Bible study in BSF (7-8 grade)
http://www.bsfinternational.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx
so I am daily in the Word, looking for truths and finding ways to apply these truth to our daily lives. I spent hours yesterday sitting on my sofa in my office, scouring over scripture, looking up the cross-references, thinking about it and praying about it.
Maybe others will have some good suggestions….
November 17, 2008 at 2:28 pm
cheryl U.
Hi Jeff,
With Jesus Christ I will guarantee you that are not broken beyond repair! Here are some Scriptures that come to mind that I hope will be an encouragement to you:
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Everything doesn’t always change right away, but if you are trusting in Him and asking Him, they will change. You have come a long ways already in recognizing that the things you used to think were good are really not.
Here is one last verse for you:
Philippians 1:6 {For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
He has started this process in you and He will be faithful to finish it! He has promised.
November 17, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Jeff
yea Corinthians 4:13 is my favorite and is what I used in my incantations in my power walk. I have always been a christian witch is why this stuff is so dangerous. They have very carefully taken eastern and god knows what other influnces and cloaked them with our christian languge. I mean I was not a stupid christian my father god h phd dr in the word and education et and they were good enough to fool me.
They have messed with the wrong sheep in
the flock this time ten years of my life out the wimdow! I am pss ! And this is war!
Sorry if I offend any one on the blog with my words of anger. But Antony Robbins has millions and millions of students a lot of witch are the leaders in our gov and very top business comunity I mean this guy is huge even owns his island now in feji . Something must be done!
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 3:53 pm
MARY B
Hi Kim and Cheryl,
Jeff: One of my most favorite verses is Ephesians 3:20-21:
but I just want to emphasize to anyone who may not be a believer and is reading this-that the power talked about in this verse is the power of the Holy Spirit – the comforter which is given to us when we believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Do you know of any good bible teaching churches near you? I know it can be a daunting task to find a church that preaches the Gospel and the Bible and where you can feel at home. But it is most definitely worth the effort.
My husband and I are currently attending a Calvary Chapel on Sundays and also a reformed Baptist church on Sunday nights. I pray you will find a loving body of believers to grow and worship the Lord in.
November 17, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Jeff
sorry I meant corinthians 5:17 see what I mean this stuff really trips you up. Lol
My grandmother god rest h s learned me 5:17 when I was like 5 it has always been my favorite. I did today feel that god may have finnaly spoke to me. Of was more like a realization than a voice when it hit me that all I have to do to get gift was to simply pray with faith and wait it was I hate to say it but a white light. Not so much a new idiea for me as much as remenbering what I already new. I mean all this other stuff is not only a lie but very complicated and a waste of time and energy.
It’s so simple… LOL LOL LOL
Christ is lord,
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Kim
No offense taken, i understand your anger.
Take all of the tapes or books or whatever and burn them. I did this with a list of “words” I thought i had received from the Lord. It freed me and that night a dream showed me that this exposed a demon.
Yes… i totally believe what you say, that Robbins has infiltrated business and government…..You are educating us on another facet of how the new age spirituality will encompass the earth.
****
The truth is also freeing and praying in faith can be sufficient. It may feel good to burn the stuff though. I quite enjoyed it……
November 17, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Jeff
burn baby burn! I have always been old school enough of the pc ways. Thanks kim. Thousands of dollars up in smoke tonite!
Christ Is the only way to the father,
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Jeff
were they called power words ?
November 17, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Kim
Prophetic words.
November 17, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Jeff
dates & times?
November 17, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Jeff
I will remember the remember the name prophetic words and steer clear? Or does it na to us?
November 17, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Kim
This is the short story.
One time in the middle of the night I was “given” a prophecy about destruction coming to a US city in two weeks…i was very alarmed and contacted a friend who knew the area.
Well it didn’t happen. I then started to learn that there was prophetic type ministries (most of them heresy) out there but i knew little. In my research i found that if a prophecy did not come true then that person was a false prophet. But…i also discovered many didn’t hold to this standard. I only wanted the truth, so i kept praying.
I found out later that the anti-depressants i was on caused me to hear the voices. Anti-depressants stimulate the pituitary gland just like meditation or the breathing exercises that you mentioned earlier. This allows an opening for deception from spirits.
At one point during all this, i asked God, to remove any gift that was not from Him and all the messages stopped. I slowly went off of the AD’s and my life has returned to normal.
It was this situation that has caused all my research. New Age stuff mostly.
November 17, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Jeff
I should remember the name prophetic words and steer clear? Or does it na to us?
November 17, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Jeff
Kim olsen hmm are you or your husband on tv?
November 17, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Kim
Steer clear is an understatement. Off to class…..
November 17, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Kim
On TV? good grief NO….this site is just me….you can see my profile and pic in the Zimbio link in the About section at the top of my page.
gotta go….bye …what a great day. huh Jeff?
November 17, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Jeff
I beleve it or not have always been drawn to it sence I was a kid. On the look out for the false profit ac et. That’s why I am so pss that me of all people got duped. I did ask my pasture at first methodist before hand and he told me that he did not care for success teachings but that his sons that were in business were doing Robbins stuff and self improvement was a good thing. Before though I was always looking at global events urope leaders somthing or someone big. Now I am thinking that it dosent work that way and is much more suttle. Like the frog in the pot of water. I have heard it said that even some pridictions can come true but all of them must to be not a false profit. As satin has the abilty to take a part of the truth and twist it. But the whole truth he can not. I mean if the lie does not have some truth to it then who would believe it?
Just my thoughts so grain of salt please,
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Jeff
ps if you read my post as if they were short hand it might help! LOL I really am smarter than I spell. Went to work when I was 14 missed high school compleatly.
November 17, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Jeff
oh sorry I was thinking of olsteen! LOL
Sorry
November 17, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Jeff
indeed it has been a great day! Now I am looking at the clock it seems the whole day and night! I can’t believe you took up so much time with me! How do you do it? Retorical question! Don’t answer it please go to class.
Thank you is an understatement,
Jeff
November 17, 2008 at 6:49 pm
MARY B
hey Jeff,
We are rejoicing with you. God is so good. You have been a big encouragement here. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
November 18, 2008 at 11:36 am
Jeff
thank you Mary!
I thought it may be intersting if I post a before and after shot of my black cloud with the hope of whitnessing for you a white cloud soon.
Ok here goes:
Opened a restaurant abought 8 years ago me and wife have worked 364 days a year streight threw. We close on thanksgiving day off coming soon !
With much hard work and many prayers still no profit or finacual secrity.
I would pray do my robbins stuff and he’ll would rain harder. Cooks would quit on and on.
Aboutht a year ago we had to choose between our house or the buz. Well were still open lost the house.
8 months ago my father had a heart attack as I prayed for his recovery 2 more open heart surgery and a replaced defective heart valve from that was put in on 2 sergory he still lies in recovery on a vent put threw hi neck. Life support. He is compleatly alert a can talk with a pen and paper. No improvment it’s been like 8 months. My mother who has not driven a car sence the 70s is abought out of money. I have a brother and sister but this is going gladly fall on my shoulders. So be it.. And finally I still do not have my 1959 Gibson les Paul to cloud 9 guitar! LOL.. I was praying many years for an original 59 but they are now $500.000 the re issue is $5500. I compramized! LOL…
This is a very small snap shot if the cloud but you can see the color. Black!
I burned robbins at the stake last night. I will keep you posted on ant silver linings or white clouds.
I will still believe no matter what the outcomes are!
Victory is ours!
Jeff