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Will P.E.A.C.E. really come on the earth before Jesus returns?
Did Jesus say that His church would bring peace to the earth? That concept cannot be found in scripture. What Jesus did say is:
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Christians need more discernment not more gurus with humanistic dominionist dreams
It is high time that the Church went back to the basics and studied the scriptures for themselves and stopped being led by the nose by gurus who publish their latest whim.
Recently Rick Warren caused an uproar by going to Syria where he was taped praising the antichristian dictator of this terrorist nation. Warren has future plans to go to North Korea. One might wonder how Warren gets access to these rogue nations. Warren is a member of the ultra elite Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Could it be that what is being espoused in some evangelical circles are doctrines of men or demons that have been deceptively weaved into the fabric of the many colored garments that are now displayed on the backs of multitudes of Christian dummies?
For the full article go to:
http://www.thepropheticyears.com/comments/Globel%20Peace%20plan.htm
To me…one of most important statements in the above article is “Warren is a member of the ultra elite Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).”
What is the CFR and why is it important here? The CFR created in part the Social Gospel, so the fact that Rick Warren has proclaimed to be a member of this elite organization is very significant.
Here is his statement made to Joseph Farah:
“Warren explained that he had also counseled with the National Security Council and the White House, as well as the State Department, before his little courtesy call for a neighbor.”
”In fact,” Warren added, ”as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Oxford Analytica, I might know as much about the Middle East as you.”
One of the main goals of the CFR is to create a gospel that is favorable toward a world government. There are many in government today and past who are members. Just to name a few in no particular order…… Eisenhower, Cohen, Feinsten, Mondale, McGovern, Lieberman, Bentson, Carter, Bush, Clinton, Gore, Powell, McNamara, Rumsfeld, Rockefeller, Nixon, Albright Humphrey, J.P. Morgan, Gephartd, Gingrich, Kissinger, Cheney…it goes on and on. Take a look at the list at the below link.
http://www.apfn.org/apfn/cfr-members.htm
The public knows what the CFR wants the public to know about the CFR, and nothing more.
Dr. Quigley knew a lot about the behind-the-scenes work of global power because he was a part of that power network for most of his life. In his book, Tragedy and Hope, Quigley states:
The “Hope” in the title of Quigley’s book represents the thousand-year reign of a collectivist one-world society which will be created when the “network” achieves its goal of world government. Quigley believed that the “network” is so powerful at this point that resistance by the common people is futile. Hence, those who resist the schemes of the globalist planners represent the “Tragedy.” By Dr. Quigley’s logic, there is no point in struggling against the noose around our necks, because resistance will merely guarantee strangulation.
According to Dr. Quigley, the Council on Foreign Relations is one of several front organizations set up by the network’s inner circle to advance its schemes. The ultimate goal: a New World Order.
http://www.infowars.com/print/Sept11/cfr_whitewash_commission.htm
The late Admiral Chester Ward, who resigned from the CFR in disgust after being a member for 16 years, was not exaggerating when he charged that the group’s agenda is to promote “disarmament and submergence of U.S. sovereignty and national independence into an all-powerful one-world government.” The leadership of the group, he said, “is composed of the one-world-global-government ideologists � more respectfully referred to as the organized internationalists.”
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/12/social-gospel-60.html
The CFR and the Social Gospel: Part 4
The concept of “peace” was re-defined so that it contained the added meaning of an international new world order by the architects of the United Nations, many of whom were leaders in the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). John Foster Dulles led the way in this effort, writing a concept paper entitled “The Problem of Peace in a Dynamic World” presented to the World Conference of Life and Work at Oxford in 1937.
“…Dulles… stated that he looked to Church leaders in particular to guide the world into a peaceful future.” (p. 86)“…[H]e challenged a new generation of pastors to guide their future congregations into the unfamiliar terrain of a new world order as the only sure hope of peace.” (p. 88) [emphases added]
These CFR leaders contrived to manipulate a new Christian ethic and era of “peace” by creating a new doctrinal ideal – that of building the kingdom of God on earth. This doctrine would serve as the foundation upon which international peace could be built.
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Have you ever heard of Peter Drucker’s 3-legged stool? The three legs of the stool are…government, business, and churches. These three sectors of society must be joined or partnered to facilitate the New World Order. You can see today how the church is becoming involved with businessess, (starbucks) using advertising and marketing methods, (bring in the customer) and government (the patriotric movement) on the superficial level. On a deeper level Peter Drucker’s networking management genius is being implemented into the church and is helping to create a dominion-based kingdom here on earth.
Who are two of Druckers prominate protege’s? Rick Warren and Bob Buford.
I am reading the Dec 06 Interchange Postings Summary for the P.E.A.C.E. Briefing for Mission Agencies, held by the Saddleback PEACE team in Atlanta GA. Here are two statements:
“We must take everything we have learned [about missions] in the past centuries and infuse it in and through the local church.”
“The specific components of this Summit are still being finalized, but the goal is to bring togther many of the key P.E.A.C.E. players from churches, businessess, agencies, and government for information and interaction.”
The above statement taken from the Saddleback Church Briefing defines exactly the same goal as Drucker’s 3-legged stool, which is the incorporation of the main segments of society into the church.
Let’s take another look at this statement taken from Herescope:
“…[H]e challenged a new generation of pastors to guide their future congregations into the unfamiliar terrain of a new world order as the only sure hope of peace.” (p. 88) [emphases added]
So.. (a CFR leader) is challenging pastors (Rick Warren… a CFR member) to guide future congregations (us) into the New World Order as the only sure hope of peace.
Clearly we can see that Rick Warren has been pretty effective to date. He has one of the largest congregations in the United States and he has implemented a huge undertaking with the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. He is using the “40 Days” programs as a way of inserting his agenda into the churches and pulling them along right into the next phase as they go.
First, bring the people into the congregations by a social and weak gospel message by appealing to their desires instead of their need for the true gospel. Second, “bring together many of the key P.E.A.C.E. players from churches, businessess, agencies, and government for information and interaction”. Third…..?
Will the mega-churches unite? Is the mega-church of today to be part of the one-world church of tomorrow? Is the true mission of the P.E.A.C.E. plan to feed the poor? I wish it was. But when looking at the Big Picture…I see how the networking, the blending of the three segments of our society…is creating a church for all mankind… a church with no gospel message…a blending of all other religions with Christiantity…a new universal religious system full of mystic practices. A new religion for the New World Order. Do you see it? It is happening before our very eyes.
kim
….. 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
NOTE: OCTOBER 30, 2007 The link to the video was changed. When i watched the new video it was evident that it had been heavily edited and no longer contained some of the quotes below. The video is now about 3:00 minutes instead of 5:23.
I have been wondering what the youth’s emerging church really entails. The description i have been hearing, is this: a dark room, sofas, and candles. One can imagine that easily enough, but what about their beliefs. Disenchanted with the church, young people are creating their own churches. One has to ask…if people are creating their own churches and tailoring it to their own liking, what will they come up with? I saw this video on another blog and watched it with interest. This church is called Solomon’s Porch and it is youth orientated. So please watch this video called “A Spiritual Revolution”. Read the quotes i took from the video first and be listening for them while you watch.
I am sorry i could not embed the code for this video but it loads fast. Please watch.. it only lasts 5:23 minutes.
A Spiritual Revolution
http://current.com/items/76386062_solomon_s_porch note: (this is the edited version, the original no longer exists)
Here are some quotes from these young people.
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” We just knew that the way we had done Christianity all of our lives was no longer a viable option anymore.”
“The issues Jesus would deal with today would be …racism, the environment, it would be globalization, and it would be feeding the masses….it would be these sorts of things.”
“I see the Bible changing…i do not see it stagnant and so for us, as a community of Christians to say, we need to believe this one thing and hold it tightly and make sure that it is never questioned?…That is a real waste of energy with all the things we could be doing in the world.”
“I have no agenda to go around and convince people of things they don’t want to be convinced of. That seems to be the least gracious, kind and loving thing you can do…is go and disturb someone who chooses not to be disturbed. I think places like ours are hope producing for people who are already disturbed and gives them another option.”
“There is no…like..statement of belief at this church or statement of faith..is not like a set in stone theology that everyone in this church has to adhere to.”
“I have heard that the kingdom of god is supposed to be like a party house so let’s do communion like a house party.”
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While the video did not exhibit any disrespect during their communion, an attitude that diminishes the holy sacrament of communion is definitely a negative. Insinuating that communion is part of a “house party” is degrading to God.
Basically we are seeing a common trend of removing Jesus Christ from the church. Here at this church they seem to be removing or rejecting authority. But in this process are they removing God’s authority? I think so. The young woman who commented that making sure the Bible was never questioned was a waste of energy… this hurt my very soul.
The church wants to make its own rules because they do not like the rules set forth in scripture. What a convenient belief system. If you do not like what scripture says, do not want to change your life, do not want to give up sin…well, just say that the Bible is not true or is not relevant today, or how about this…it was written by men.
I would love to have the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments written by God’s finger, but this is a little impractical for lugging to Bible study.
All scripture is God breathed. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers to write about God’s Word with perfect accuracy. God only speaks the truth, it is impossible for God to lie. (Hebrews 6:18) The Bible is inerrant, free from error. When in doubt about versions always go to the KJV.
Brian Flynn in his book “Running Against the Wind”, was prepared to stump Dr. Don Bierle who was speaking about his becoming “a Christian after examining the evidence that supports the historical accuracy of the Bible.”
Here is what Brian says on page 81. “At the end of the class, I was impressed but disturbed. I had no idea this type of information existed. I could hardly believe that historical evidence supported the authenticity of the Bible. I had entered this class so confident that I could challenge Dr. Bierle, and he would fold with the well-you-just-have-to-believe line. But I was wrong. He had the evidence, and all I had was my arrogance.”
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[suggested reading]
Surprised by Faith – Dr. Donald A. Bierle
http://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Faith-Don-Bierle/dp/0971410089
The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? – F. F. Bruce
Evidence That Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell
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Anyway watch this video and check to see if you are exhibiting any of the same attitudes of these young people.
Are you trying to change the Word of God to your liking?
Do you choose not to believe the Holy Bible is truly from God?
Would you like to see the Bible changing to fit your needs?
Do you think it is kinder to not share the Gospel because it may disturb someone?
Do you think there is another way besides repentence of sin and faith in Jesus Christ?
Are you ashamed of the Gospel?
The Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”
Do not be ashamed of God’s Word. Glory in every word. Pray that His Word will speak to your heart and convict you of your sin. Yes…ask…ask for the conviction of your sin and that the Lord will show you what areas in your life need changing. The Holy Bible is your Owner’s Manual for everything you need to live a life pleasing to the Lord.
kim
There are many who are unaware of the New Age Movement and do not know how to even detect the signs of this spreading belief system. Yes…belief system. This is truly dangerous because ALL people are being directly affected today.
What are some of the beliefs of New Age philosophy.
1. God is All. God is in All. We are therefore God-like.
2. We can achieve transformation of self to a higher enlightenment.
3. If we unite and share the same belief system there can be peace in this world.
4. We are not accountable to anyone but ourselves.
5. There is no such thing as sin. Therefore we are not in need of forgiveness.
6. Being spiritual is based in mysticism and its techniques.
7. All religions lead to God.
8. Your spiritual life is based on feelings and emotions.
9. There is a higher knowledge available to the spiritual elite.
10. Humans can attain perfection and are divine.
11. Evil is a misperception of reality.
12. All judgments and values are relative… not truth.
13. Change is always good.
14. Jesus was a good man and prophet but not the Son of God.
This list is not exhaustive by any means and there are many facets to each belief. But you may be thinking, Hey….none of these things have affected me or family and friends. Well….Let’s see.
Have you joined a “green” movement to save the earth?
Do you know anyone who participates in Yoga, acupunture, or therapeutic massage?
Have you or a friend ever purchased a crystal to wear or dangle from your rearview mirror, or a message rock to keep in your pocket?
Do you read your horoscope or put any stock in your “sign”?
Ever used a Ouija board?
Joke about having the “Force” in Star Wars?
Ever seen anyone use a divining rod?
How about the pendulum over a pregnant women’s stomach at a baby shower to see if it is girl or a boy?
Tarot Cards?
Have you ever been asked to do any practice with meditation or visualizaion at a seminar at work?
Do you know anyone who has tried one of the spells performed by Harry Potter in his books or movies?
Ever had your palm read?…Fortune read by a Medium?
Have you studied Feng Shui in a room setting for universal life energy?
Have you ever spelled out the word “witch” with your muffin crumbs? (just kidding)
Let’s see…what else….tea leaf reading, numerology, ESP, psychic powers, spirit guides, scrying, ball gazing, auras, astrology, omen interpretation, runes, astral travel… yep,..all occult.
It is my belief that the church is responsible for preparing Christians for the end time deceptions. All faiths will be accepted into the New Age One World Religion except Christianity. Why? Because of Jesus and who He really is, the Son of God, the only way to the Father. So what are the differences between the New Age and Christianity?
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The New Age teaches that enlightenment is the way to salvation.
Christianity teaches that grace and faith in Jesus Christ is our salvation.
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The New Age teaches that there are many ways to God.
Christianity teaches that there is only one way, through Jesus Christ.
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The New Age teaches that you are reincarnated till you get it right.
Christianity teaches that man dies once and then will be judged.
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The New Age teaches that Jesus was a good man, a prophet.
Christianity teaches that Jesus is the Son of God.
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The New Age teaches that the second coming is happening within all who are enlightened.
Christianity teaches that Jesus will physically come to earth again in judgment.
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The New Age teaches that the Bible is wrong and needs to be corrected.
Christianity teaches that the Word is inerrant and that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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The New Age teaches that sin doesn’t exist.
Christianity teaches that if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves.
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The New Age teaches a new way to pray with chanting and eastern meditation.
Christianity teaches we are to use a prayer like the Lord’s prayer, as Jesus taught us, and not use vain repetitions.
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The New Age teaches that pleasures are here to be taken and this is our purpose.
Christianity teaches that our purpose is to give God glory.
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To those around you who may be involved in the New Age/Emergent church: Pray for them, study the Word so you can present the truth, be kind..loving and patient.. and tell them what the Lord has done in your life. Be a godly example and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit who will give you the words you need to say. If you stumble it is okay….just remember,
Isaiah 55:11. ” So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and acheive the purpose for which i sent it.”
kim
ps – don’t ever let your mother-in-law see those muffin crumbs.
Because of a special program broadcast in Brazil November 13, 2011 featuring Paul Gowdy, two new translations of his article are available.
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/a-decepcao-toronto-pelo-pastor-paul-gowdy/
Portuguese Version link above
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/el-engano-de-toronto-por-el-pastor-pablo-gowdy/
Spanish Version link above
*Update*
The Toronto Deception
By a former Toronto Vineyard Pastor
It has taken me nine years to actually come to the place where I would write this story. Part of the reason was because I was not fully convinced that it is appropriate to speak out against weaknesses in the body of Christ publicly. Another reason is because it has taken years of soul searching to become convinced that what happened in the Toronto Airport Church was actually all bad or at least more bad than good!
For the past number of years I have called it a mixed blessing. I think James A. Beverly called it this in his book Holy Laughter and the Toronto Blessing 1994. Today I would call it a mixed curse concluding that any individual good that came from this experience is far outweighed by much harm and satanic deception. I suppose that therein has been my dilemma. I have tried to live my life in the fear of the Lord and Jesus told us that the unforgivable sin was the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Attributing to Satan what was in fact a work of God. If pressed as to whether or not the Toronto blessing is all God or all Devil I will still be hedgy, but I am convinced that Satan has used this experience to blind people to the historical doctrines of God, to produce fruit in keeping with repentance, to failing to test and discern the spirits and failing to test prophecy.
After three years of being in the thick of the Toronto blessing our Vineyard assembly in Scarborough ( East Toronto) just about self destructed. We devoured one another, with gossip, backstabbing, division, sects criticism etc. After three years of ‘soaking,’ praying for people, shaking, rolling, laughing, roaring, ministering at TACF on their prayer team, leading worship at TACF, preaching at TACF, basically living at TACF we were the most carnal, immature and deceived Christians that I know. I remember saying to my friend and senior pastor at Scarborough Vineyard Church in 1997 that ever since the Toronto Blessing came we have just about fallen to bits! He agreed!
My experience has been that the manifestation of spiritual gifts mentioned in 1st Corinthians 12 was much more common in our assembly, before January 1994 (when the Toronto blessing started.) than during this period of supposed Holy Spirit visitation.
During 1992-1993 when praying for people we would experience what I believe was genuine prophesy, deliverance and much grace and favour from the Lord. After the Toronto Blessing started, all ministry time changed, the only prayers were ‘More Lord MORE ’, the shouting of ‘Fire’ the jerky shaking of the body with the ‘ooh ooh OOH WOOOAAH’ prayer. (I kid you not!)
On January 20th 1994 about 15 people from our church traveled over to Toronto Airport Vineyard in order to listen to Randy Clark, a Vineyard pastor from the USA. John Arnott had called our senior pastor to invite us. He communicated that Randy had been to the Rodney Howard Browne meetings and that the stuff had broke out in his church in the following weeks. John was hoping that something might break out with us too. We were only too happy to travel over. We were a church plant out of the Toronto Airport and we started in 1992. In those days there were three Vineyard Churches in Toronto. One Down Town church, Scarborough vineyard church to the east and the Airport Church. We were one big happy family. Because we were small in number we did special meetings, conferences etc, together.
The year before most of our leadership teams joined and had headed to Nicaragua for a short term missions trip. We had genuine love and fellowship with each other. Since leaving the Vineyard churches I have read a fair bit of analysis from the critics.
Some make out that the Toronto Blessing was one huge conspiracy to lead the body of Christ into heresy. Heresy and apostasy I suspect may well be the result, but none of these destinations were intentional. I am honestly convinced that the leaders in the Vineyard churches are genuine born-again Christians who love the Lord, but have fallen into deception. They have not loved the Lord enough to keep His commandments. They have failed to obey the scriptures and have been led astray by our longing for something bigger and brighter and more exciting and dynamic. I am guilty of this sin also. I have preached renewal in Korea, the United Kingdom, the USA and here in Canada. I am genuinely repentant and in writing this story I would ask you the bride and body of Christ to forgive me. Especially the Pentecostal / Charismatic Christians among you, for you are my immediate family theologically. I am an evangelical Christian, I always have been but I do not believe in the cessation of the spiritual gifts at the end of the apostolic era. I believe that it was my evangelical roots (my family are Baptists and I was born again in the Presbyterian Church.) that started to open my eyes to problems with this so called renewal.
In hind sight I look back and think how could I have been so blind? I laughed at people acting like dogs and pretending to urinate on the columns of the TACF building. I watched people pretend to be animals, bark, roar, cluck, pretend to fly as if they had wings, perpetually act drunk and sing silly songs. How I thought that any of this was from the Holy Spirit of God amazes me today. It was loud irreverent and blasphemous to the Holy God of the Bible. I suppose in my mind I reasoned that as long as they did not teach any thing in direct violation to scripture then it was what we called the exotic. This is a buzz word for manifestations that could not be justified from a biblical perspective. I was taught from the pulpit that we had two options. The order of the nursery full of life and messy or the order of the graveyard, very orderly but dead!
As a young immature pastor I wanted life with mess. I failed to remember that God wants us to become mature and grow up in him. I became disconcerted by the prophetic words that came forth especially one by Carol Arnott in which she had her bride experience where she was taken into the very presence of Jesus and said that the love that she experienced was even better than sex! I was shocked in my spirit and thought how can one compare the love of God with sex? When we suspected that demons were running riot in our services John Arnott would teach that we should ask are they coming or going. If they are leaving then that is ok! John would defend the chaos by saying that we ought not be afraid of being deceived, if we have asked the Holy Spirit to come and fill us then how could Satan come and deceive us? This would make Satan very strong and God very weak! He said that we needed to have more faith in a Big God to protect us than in a Big Devil to deceive us. This sounded very convincing but was totally contrary to scripture for Jesus and Paul and Peter and John all warn us about the power of deceiving spirits and especially so in the last days. Again we did not love God enough to obey His Word and the result was that we opened ourselves up to lying spirits. May God have mercy upon us!
Finally the penny dropped for me as I was rolling around one night ‘drunk in the Spirit’ as we would say. I started singing and as I rolled around the floor the Nursery Rhyme ‘Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow.’ came to mind. I sang this in a mocking spirit and instantly my heart told me this was a demon. Instantly I repented and was in total shock. How could a demon get into me? Did I not love God? Was I not zealous for the things of God? Was I not nuts about Jesus? I knew that an unclean spirit had just manifested through me and I was guilty of great sin. After this experience I stayed away from TACF. I did not go back there any more. I did not possess the conviction to denounce the whole experience but thought that we where failing to pastor the Blessing well enough.
Even after I stopped going over to TACF, I had to pastor the fruit of it. One example was when some of our people returned from a meeting there asking us if we had all received the golden sword of the Lord? I asked them what they were talking about thinking that it was some prophetic reference to the Holy Scriptures but they said, ‘no, its not the Bible, it’s an invisible golden sword that only the really pure can receive. If taken in an unrighteous fashion then the Lord would kill you. But if you are holy enough to receive it then you can wield this sword and it will heal aids, Cancer etc. and bring salvation. How one wielded this sword was by pretending to have this invisible sword in your hand and motioning to strike people with it when in prayer! I thought while even in deception at this time that the TACF had become Looney bins! This was purportedly first received by Carol Arnott and then given to the ones holy enough to receive it!
Another thing was the golden fillings in the teeth. We had people in our assembly peeping down one another’s throats looking for the gold fillings that God had placed there to show how much he loved them! In all my time there I only heard one message on repentance given by a visiting speaker from Hong Kong named Jackie Pullinger. It went over like a lead balloon. We were not there to repent, we were there to party in the Lord! After one year into the blessing I spoke out at a pastors meeting and said ‘guys we have shaken, rattled, rolled, laughed cried and bought the tee-shirt. But we have no revival, no salvation, no fruit and no increased evangelism so what’s the deal?’ I was soundly rebuked – who was I to expect to see fruit when the Lord was healing his broken people? We had been legalistic long enough and God was spending this time restoring his wounded and freeing us from legalism I was told not to push the Lord and the harvest would come in his time.’
I knew this was wrong because the Lord had commanded us to go into all the earth and make disciples! Not, that everyone should take a sabbatical for who knows how long, while God does some strange new thing! Ultimately I left over something as controversial as the ordination of women. Personally I believe from scripture that women should not be pastors/ elders in a local assembly. I could be wrong on this and there is much debate in the Church today but that is my conviction and in the Vineyard churches they were ordaining all the pastors wives to co pastor with them. I am certainly for women in ministry but believe that the Elder/ pastor role in a local assembly has been reserved for men. I did not write scripture but God willing I will have the grace from now on to obey it.
So there is my story. I could go on and document much excess, folly, sin and latter day reign teaching that manifest from the prophetic end of this Blessing but others have already done that. We sang about Joel’s army and the billion soul revival as if it were one of the Ten Commandments, and as always it was just around the corner. Next month, next year etc. Jesus said that when the son of man returns will he find faith upon the earth? And if he does not return when he does no flesh would be saved but for the sake of the elect he comes. This is a far cry from the dominionism that is being taught all through the vineyard / prophetic/ spiritual warfare movement. I honestly think that they think they are going to take over the whole world! While in the Vineyard I embraced a life verse from the Apostle Paul the phrase do not go beyond what is written!
To finish I just want to say sorry for the damage, that I have personally done by teaching things that are not correct biblically. I repent before men as I already have before God. I will not excuse my falling into deception. I did not bother to test things when the scriptures commanded us to do so. Everyone who was there when this thing started knows that what I write is true, they would just come to different conclusions especially if they are still promoting the ‘river!’
To those in the river I would say swim out, there are things living in the water that will bite you real good! I love the people of TACF and the Vineyard movement but I think that we have much to answer for and may the Lord open your eyes sooner rather than later. I suspect that when this letter goes online I will get bombarded by emails from both camps, some damning me for still believing in the ministry of the Holy Spirit and still walking in deception and some old friends damning me for exposing dirt or being negative about the Lords anointed! Well, the Lord knows my heart and by his grace he will guide me into all truth as I seek to know Christ and him crucified! If you believe that I walk in sin and error please pray for me that the Lord would forgive me and open my eyes. I will study the word to show my self a work man approved! I would call on all who read this to pray that the Lord would open the eyes of all who have been involved in this deception. Whether leader or follower, we are loved and the Lord is a forgiving God. He says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I believe we are like the church in Laodicea, we think that we are rich, have prospered and need nothing, we do not realise that we are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. We must take the Counsel of Jesus and buy gold refined in the fire (which is his suffering, not a false spirit!), white garments to clothe our shameful nakedness and salve for our eyes that we might see again. Jesus is calling us to repentance and thank the Lord that he is, for it will lead us to true restoration with our Father! If God has forgiven me and opened my eyes then he can do it for all those caught in deception too. I will finish with a warning from Paul, he says if you think you are standing firm be careful lest you fall.
Sincerely Paul Gowdy.
What a great book this was!….. It was engaging from the start and filled with important information that the church of today needs to know.
Here is something I learned.
You know those psychics who do readings and know certain things about you? They guess your brothers name or say they know that your grandmothers favorite color was lilac. Often they are right. Or how about this… they know your boyfriend is going to ask you to marry you. How does this work? I mean how do they know these things about our personal lives. Well they don’t know, but others do.
Others? What Others?
The more I learn about contemplative prayer the more alarmed I become. CP is being introduced into the church in the most subtle of ways at times, then sometimes it seems it is almost flaunted in the church’s face. Both methods of introduction are dangerous. When unbiblical practices are slowly integrated into Christianity people do not seem to notice. When a trusted church leader promotes a new way to worship without questioning it himself, the people just follow. The reason the church doesn’t know enough to question these new practices is that they are not familiar enough with the Bible.
At some point in time, all Christians will have to decide for themselves, whether or not they want to follow this emerging mysticism in our churches today. Willl they even recognize it when it comes upon them? Will there be no personal decisions made because Christians are not even aware these decisions are being made for them behind the scenes? This is the large question looming in my mind.
In his book, “Running against the Wind” Brian Flynn tells the story of a course he took in mind control. It was offered as a way to be a pyschic reader. After six months of preparation and meditations his teacher told the class:
“Starting tonight we will begin to identify and later come to know your spirit guides–the ones who will assist you in your readings. With your eyes closed, imagine an open doorway standing in front of you. Now, silently within your mind, ask the first guide to step in front of the door and reveal him or herself.”
Brian now explains how the spirits emerge:
“At first, as I stared at the doorway, I saw only blackness. Then a moment later, a large figure appeared looking similar to a Viking or medieval soldier. He looked tough, strong and somewhat intimidating….The next to appear was a very meek looking woman with a warm smile. After her there came a smoke-like vapor rising from the floor. (pg.65)
The teacher continued:
“Allow each one to appear before the door so that you become familiar with them…..stop analyzing it all, and just trust your feelings. The more you let go, the more you will be open to the spirit guides’ abilities to teach you what you need to know.” (pg.67)
These are the “others” mentioned earlier. These are the spirit guides that many have evoked from another spiritual realm by deep meditation and visualization.
How is it that we can rely on God alone if we have “spirit guides” to teach us what we need to know. The answer is that we will not rely on God or read the Bible for the truth on how to live our lives for the Lord.
We are NOT to delve into this spirit world. It is forbidden in the Bible. Divination is a means for extracting information or guidance from a pagan god which is a demon. Therefore, divination is occult.
What does occult mean? Occult is supernatural or hidden powers that are NOT from God. Seeking information or guidance from this source is dangerous. The New Age is occult through and through and so is ANY means or methods to obtain this occult knowledge.
Here is why this is forbidden.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12: “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD…”
“A consulter with familiar spirits.” Why would we as Christians need to consult with these spirits. WE DO NOT. We have the Holy Spirit. Why in the world would we settle for anything when we already have the real thing. The “others” are counterfeits.
Brian talks about his personal life while all of this is going on:
“Rarely a day passed that we didn’t fight about something..it always ended with vicious personal attacks. At times I thought i was losing my mind. I had this feeling of being stirred up like someone else was saying those cruel words to Hailey…Instead I had put all my hopes on the universe or some lucky break that would lead us to wealth…I couldn’t help but feel betrayed by them (spirit guides) though…I trusted them to guide me and they guided me right to bankruptcy court. (pg 70)
Here Brian talks about a situation when he started truly considering Jesus as the Son of God.
“The voices of my guides were constantly ringing in my head…I had never felt this type of resistance or opposition from my guides……The reason they were resisting me was because they were opposed to Him. They hated Jesus….They did not want me to become a Christian because they were not of God. Satan in his attempt to keep me where I was, revealed who he was…the identity of my guides were revealed.” (pg.84)
Wow! Brian did learn the truth for the Lord opened his eyes.
It is fascinating when someone who has come out of the New Age and who has accepted Jesus Christ as savior, finds similarities in both New Age and Emergent church techniques.
Here is an exerpt:
“If you are not a New Ager but rather a Christian, you may be in for the surprise of your life because this very New Age movement I speak of has and is now infiltrating the Christian church at a rapid and alarming rate. And you can imagine my horror when I left the New Age movement only to find the very same techniques and practices I literally ran from, were waiting patiently for me in the church pews, pulpits and bookstores of the church. Oh, it isn’t called the New Age movement–names have been changed. But as a rose by any other name is just as sweet so too is the New Age movement by any other name just as deviant and dangerous. And there’s a very good chance it has already entered your church, your college and even your home.” (pg. 89)
Contemplative prayer may sound quite lovely or innocent and in some instances it may be, but if you are reading books by Brian McLaren, Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Brennan Manning, Matthew Fox, or Tony Campolo, (just to name a few), you may be opening yourself up to deception. Most of these authors all tow-the-line for the mysticism of meditation and use such terms as sacred space, inner space, breath prayer, inner silence, into the silence, be still, turning off the mind, etc. This list goes on and on. But repetition of phrases is almost always used, which is just a form of meditation. It is no different than eastern meditation no matter what word is used.
Brian tell us this:
“Jesus told us not to use vain repetitions as…the heathen do. Jesus tell us the heathen who pray this way, do so because they think this type of prayer will more likely be heard and responded to. He then tells us not to be like them because our Heavenly Father already knows what we need before we even ask Him.” (pg. 171)
Contrast this with a quote from Brennan Manning:
“The first step in faith is to stop thinking about God at the time of prayer..Choose a single, sacred word…repeat the sacred word inwardly, slowly, and often.”
Can’t you see what is happening here? Manning is asking you to forget about God and to speak repetitions as the heathen do.
This next excerpt will be my last as I want you to buy the book and read it for yourself. There is just so much in it….but please ponder this……
“If contemplative prayer or other Eastern practices were sanctioned or blessed by God of the Bible, why are there no stories of any Hindus or Buddists coming to Christ by these methods. Instead we hear of Christians receiving revelations during contemplative prayer that all paths lead to God and that God is in all.” (pg 171)
Good question. It seems that all revelations that are being received by occult means are very similar in nature. Remember that theosophy or the divine wisdom of the “ascended masters” revealed the same message. That we are God, that we are divine. This is most certainly not true. The Divine One is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not open yourself to the occult powers by engaging in occult methods. If you use occult methods expect occult results. All “revelations” need to be compared against God’s word and tested because we are to test these things. These spirit guides are not of God which means they are unholy. At first they will deceive you by their friendly appearance and neutral suggestions. But Brian said they eventually revealed themselves as from Satan.
Trust in God only. The Son of God is Jesus Christ and you can know Him by simply praying to Him as he taught in the Bible. Once you receive Him into your life by repenting your sin and believing only in Him, you will be indwelled by the Holy Spirit. There is no need to search anywhere else but the Bible. His Word will guide, lead, comfort, and encourage you daily.
I want to thank Brian Flynn for writing this book and for bravely sharing so much of his personal experiences.
kim
This is a great article about the comparisons between Kundalini and the Toronto Blessing manifestations from http://www.inplainsite.org
Also think about contemplative prayer when reading this article. Toward the end it talks about the phenomena that happens at Hyper-Charismatic meetings. This reminds me of the Glory Meetings that are being held today by the Extreme Prophetic group. The link to the full article is provided below. Please take a few minutes to look at the charts.
KUNDALINI – (Sanskrit kund, “to burn”; kunda, “to coil or to spiral”) a concentrated field of intelligent, cosmic invisible energy absolutely vital to life; beginning in the base of the spine as a man or woman begins to evolve in their first incarnation; fed by the chakras along the spine and by the cosmic energy entering through the feet from the earth; as wisdom is earned in each ….Kundalini is at least a 1000 years old occult practice with it’s roots in India. It involves bodily manifestations as a consequence to the ‘Awakening of an individual’s kundalini’, and is related to several other occultic practices like Qi Gong (a Chinese occultic tradition).
Shakti Pat or Divine Touch Robert Walker described what takes place in Kundalini yoga: ‘Few Christians realise that for thousands of years gurus have operated with gifts of healing, miracles, gifts of knowledge, and intense displays of spiritual consciousness as they stretch out and connect with a cosmic power which, though demonic in origin, is very real. The meetings which mystic Hindu gurus hold are called ‘Darshan’. At these meetings devotees go forward to receive spiritual experience from a touch by the open palm of the hand, often to the forehead, by the guru in what is known as the Shakti Pat or divine touch. The raising of the spiritual experience is called raising Kundalini. The practice is quite intricate but is brought on by Shakti Pat in conjunction with the repetition of mantras or religious phrases and by holding physical positions for a long time. After a period when the devotee has reached a certain spiritual elevation they begin to shake, jerk, or hop or squirm uncontrollably, sometimes breaking into uncontrolled animal noises or laughter as they reach an ecstatic high. These manifestations are called ‘Kriyas’. Devotees sometimes roar like lions and show all kinds of physical signs during this period. Often devotees move on to higher states of spiritual consciousness and become inert physically and appear to slip into an unconsciousness when they lose sense of what is happening around them. This state is called ‘samadhi’ and it leads to a deeper spiritual experience.’
See Yoga And Christianity
The Chart Below was prepared by Antti Huima in August 1996, based on the Kundalini FAQ, the Siddha Mahayoga FAQ, and general knowledge about the so-called Toronto Blessing movement. The Kundalini FAQs are found from http://www.spiritweb.org/ which has since closed.
Note. This document is laid out in two columns. The leftmost column contains quotes from the documents describing Kundalini. The rightmost column contains the comments of the author, pointing to the similarity between the Kundalini and the Toronto Blessing experiences.
Read the rest of this article here:
http://www.inplainsite.org/html/kundalini.html
also check out my post:
What is the Third Eye and why should Christians know about it.
First let’s look at Wikipedia:
The 3rd or Inner Eye – A metaphysical opening which refers to the 6th chakra (brow), that leads to higher consciousness. A new age symbol of enlightenment.
Okay… so the Third Eye is a psychic ability connected to the occult. Dictionary.com defines occult as knowledge of secret or supernatural powers, beyond the the range of ordinary senses, or secret/hidden information only available to the initiated.
Next we need to know how one “opens” this Third Eye. The main way that one opens himself up to the spirit realm, is through meditation. It is through meditation that one achieves an altered state of consciousness. Constantly you will find that meditation, or the emptying of one’s mind, is the doorway to all metaphysical activity.
Back to the 6th chakra. The chakras usually relate to yoga, but not always. The 6th chakra in yoga is the brow. When kundalini (serpent power) rises to the the brow, there is enlightenment that is characterized by light. Those using yoga as a means of enlightenment get results by meditation, forced breathing patterns and using unnatural positions to force the power at the base of the spine upwards with the crown chakra as the main goal.
Another way enlightenment occurs is through meditation and visualization. Certain techniques are used to “see” and direct the serpent power up the spine through the chakras (nerve centers/wheels).
Here is another description. The kundalini rises and then goes into the brain and then down into the pituitary gland which awakens the pineal gland. When they meet there is union. This is an initiation of the birth of passage into another dimension and beyond. This is supposed to cause an explosion of light.
The third eye is also known as:
The middle eye of Shiva in Buddhism.
In Hinduism it is the eye of clairvoyance. This Hindus wear the Tilak. The red spot between the brows. When I was researching my Goddess Worship post, I looked at a link, describing Christian women who have been applying the red spot on their forehead and worshiping each other’s divinity.
In Egypt it is known as The Eye of Horus or the Eye of Osiris.
In Freemasonry, it is the All Seeing Eye. The same one that is found on our one dollar bill. This All Seeing Eye is surrounded by light.
But the eye usually means the same…esoteric knowledge that man so desires. This eye represents the passing into a spiritual world than man has no business entering. It is forbidden because it will deceive and oppress.
In Genesis 3:5-7 For God doth know..then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods…knowing Good and Evil….And the eyes of them both opened.
The Hebrew word for eyes is not plural but singular so what the serpent said was that their eye would be broadened by knowledge. Scripture here is not talking about the physical organ but the eye of the soul.
So for today…opening yourself up or opening your third eye is the same. It is opening a gate between two worlds. Meditation is a sure way of accomplishing this opening up of yourself especially through Contemplative prayer. This is simply meditation masked with Christian terminology. The fear that accompanies entrance into deep meditative levels is there for a reason…it is a warning from God.
I have been reading a manual for opening the third eye from, “The Awakening of the Third Eye” by Samuel Sagan.
It immediately states that meditation is not for relaxation, and that the third eye is the gate that leads within.
Here are some quotes:
“Developing the third eye is a direct way of expanding your conscious universe and discovering your essential values, so that you may fathom your own mystery.” (page 13)
“Suppose an angel comes to you, truly. If you have been trying to visualize angels every morning for a few months how will you know whether it is a true angel or one that you made up…The real problem is, once these visions come to you, how to discern what is real from what is a fancy of the mind” [page 18]
[I thought this was very interesting..he was acknowledging that visualization created visions from your own making]
“You see the universe and it’s finality completely different…It is not what you believe or what you have read that will change your spiritual life..it is what you can experience directly.” [page 18]
[See how a change of worldview is suggested here and the Bible eliminated]
“Whenever there is a vibration or a light, there is a being behind it” (page 160)
[The Bible tells us that Satan comes as a white light]
“What to do with an angel? Let its glory become alive in you…to worship a god first you have to become a god.” (page 161)
[How many times have we seen this? Almost all communications from the spirit world tell us that we are as gods, just like the serpent in Genesis]
“This tragedy is quite common. There are many people who seem to be desperate for spiritual progress. They go on crying ‘I wish God could help me’…and if you look above them, what can you see? Guides and angels who keep whispering ‘Please tune into us, please receive our light‘…If these people could tune in, they would immediately receive a shower of spiritual gifts.” (page 185)
[Light? We already know what the “light” is in the metaphysical world. It is Satan. And this shower of spiritual gifts?..hmmm..]
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Have you ever read the prophecies of those on the Elijah list? Have you ever had someone tell you that they have a continual conversation with God throughout the day? Have you listened to those who proclaim to the world that their visions are from God? Have you ever heard a prophet say that he could forgive your sins for you? Have you ever heard a TV evangelist say that “I am a God”? Have you ever attended a meeting where the “spiritual” gifts are so numerous that chaos erupts?
I do believe that spiritual gifts are available to us today for the edification of the church…I also believe that many are the products of divination, and are false. We have to discern what is God’s truth and what is man’s truth. The Bible is the deciding factor.
Is it possible that some Christians and some who claim to be Christian have opened themselves up to demonic forces and truly believe they are hearing from God, but are not? YES! That spirit guides and angels you have summoned from another metaphysical realm are holy? NO! They are not holy.
In a world that is giving way to a New Age, a new spiritual mysticism, we have to, as Christians, discern what is from God and what is not. We are to test the spirits.
I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
I beg of you..do not practice anything that is at all similar to eastern meditation. Meditation is the common factor to all metaphysical and ungodly methods. If you have ….stop and repent…..ask God’s forgiveness.
The goal of the New Age is to unite all religions. Hold strong onto your faith in Jesus Christ. I know many reject this but…. He is indeed THE ONLY WAY.
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Also remember that Satan is a great counterfeiter and deceiver. He imitates the things of Christ. Satan is not the light. The Lord Jesus Christ is.
So this verse bears repeating.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light .
Pray daily that the Lord will give you discernment in these last days of great deception. Discern the light of the world, Jesus, from the counterfeit light of Satan’s enlightment. Many caught up in this spiritual deception and false system are experiencing the darkest time in their lives. Depression, anxiety, panic attacks seem to be common factors among those who have crossed over into this forbidden world. Those dark spirits who follow you do so because you invited them.
Jesus Christ demonstrated His power over the demonic world. Only He can cast out those dark spirits. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who triumphed over Satan and sin on the cross. He rose again. He is our Savior and will cleanse us from sin and fill us with the Holy Spirit. Faith is trust. Trust in Him.
kim
UPDATE
March 28th, 2011
I no longer teach in the BSF program but I was very blessed to be part of this wonderful program for three years.The BSF children’s program strived to teach truth to the children about biblical concepts and did not try to merely entertain them. I have never met a more dedicated and godly group of women.
I did leave BSF for other reasons, which is discussed in some of the other articles. The executive branch would not publicly address the issued raised by others concerned about new age and emergent books recommended in their newsletter and the scripture taken from “The Message.” “The Message” is not a bible but a paraphrase written by universalist Eugene Peterson who has alarmed many in discernment circles by his unbiblical writings and endorsement of the heretical book, “The Shack.”
**************
I am a children’s leader in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and this will be my third year teaching, and my seventh year overall. This year we will be studying The Book of John. September 2009 – May 2010.
The extent of this program to teach the Bible to the children is quite amazing. The children’s BSF program consists of 5 parts. We start in assembly for hymns and prayer. First in the class we have the discussion of questions and answers of the Bible passage we are studying, then we have Discovery or Homiletics which is a fun way of learning Bible truths and applying them. Next we give the the Bible lesson itself from scripture. The last activity varies according to the age group. The younger children are usually playing a verse memorization game. For the older children, we have Basic Truths or The Atttributes of God.
I am amazed at the quality of the lessons that are provided for these children. If you have ever participated in BSF then you may know that the lessons for the children are almost the same as the adults. The only difference is that the lesson is age appropriate. The basic principles that are taught for the Bible passage are the same as the adults.
The goal of the children’s program is to bring families together through mutual study of the Bible, to teach children the Word of God and encourage them to love and serve Him, and apply the principles in their daily lives. BSF is meant to supplement Christian teaching in the home and the church, not replace it. A parent cannot drop off the child on class night. Both have to be in attendance.
We spent a lot of time just on the safety of the children. There are ALWAYS two adults with the children. The same person who dropped off the child has to pick him/her up. This is the same procedure for all age groups, 1st grade through high school. So you can see the importance that is placed on your child’s safety while they are in our care.
I previously attended BSF as an enrolled participant and have been amazed at the wonderful staff and the dedicated discussion leaders who head up each group of ladies when they separate for the discussion groups. Every year my love grows for our teaching leader and know her as a true and loving servant of the Lord.
What an honor and joy it is to be able to work with these women whom I highly appreciate. Surely, I am not worthy….so I am extremely humbled to be offered such an opportunity to serve my Maker and teach children the Word of God.
Harry, Yoda, and Yoga
Marsha West
August 2, 2007
Quicker than you can say “Quiddich,” a wizard’s broomstick rocketed to the sky and inscribed a smoke trail message for all the world to see… Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows…has arrived! The long-awaited book was released at the stroke of midnight on July 21, putting an end to the suspense. The Potterites, under Harry’s spell for 10 years, now know his fate.
Parents waited in long lines with their youngsters for hours on end so that little Danielle would have first crack at reading the seventh and final book in J. K. Rowling’s phenomenally successful Harry Potter series.
…….Parents who have studied occult literature in order to better understand it should by all means talk to their kids about the Potter books and explain why they’re not permitted to read them, if that’s their decision. The dangers of the occult should not be glossed over. Tell it like it is.
…….Emerging Church leaders boast “a movement from the moral to the mystical is necessary.” To that end, contemplative (centering) prayer is now marketed to Christians around the globe. Who are these Emergents?
What exactly is contemplative prayer? “As it is expressed in a modern day movement is mystically (i.e. based on a technique or method) in which one empties the mind of thought through repetition, usually of a word or phrase or focus on the breath. In this case the silence would be an absence of thought, all thought.” [4]
Some call CP the “silence.” But why not call it what it is? Yoga meditation! [5]
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please read the entire article here from one of my favorite blogs.
http://simplyagape.blogspot.com/2007/08/harry-yoda-and-yoga.html
Parents or teachers who are concerned about the occult influences in children’s lives today need to read:
Spellbound – The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids
Here is where to order this book/
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/kdqz4
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/escjy
DiscernIt 
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