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Ten people were shown walking the Labyrinth at the Harmony Hill Retreat Center for cancer patients. The picture I copied from the newspaper website is not the same labyrinth they showed in the actual paper. They have three you know.
A cancer retreat. What would you be looking for in a retreat if you were dying of cancer?
This is from the article in Sunday’s newpaper:
Harmony Hill is a nonprofit retreat center with its roots dating back more than 20 years when founder Gretchen Schodde first visited the area.
The center’s 12 acres incorporate healing gardens, labyrinths, walking and hiking trails and beach access into its purpose of helping people find “emotional, spiritual and physical healing in the face of cancer.”
“In 1985 I came to St. Andrews Episcopal Church retreat center for a woman’s retreat, which is next door to Harmony Hill,” Schodde said. “I felt like I was coming home. The idea of creating an educational, recreational and therapeutic center started coming back to me.”
Today the property has been developed to accommodate the various cancer retreats, private parties, yoga lessons and gardening workshops. Surrounding the buildings are gardens, trails, labyrinths and views of the Olympic Mountains and Hood Canal.
Schodde lives in an apartment on the property, and absorbs the healing powers felt by retreat participants on a daily basis. Six years ago she drew heavily on those experiences when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Schodde underwent treatment and was cancer free for five years, but recently had a reoccurrence. Drawing on the strength of the hundreds of cancer patients who have walked the gardens of Harmony Hill, Schodde is proof of the center’s purpose.
During retreats, yoga and meditation classes are held to help manage stress, a chef prepares vegetarian meals using local organic foods and attendees break into groups facilitated by staff to discuss their experiences.
I am sure this is a wonderful facility. But..if I were dying of cancer….I would not be walking a labyrinth, or doing yoga. I would be on my knees praying for strength from the Lord to sustain me for His purposes, or I would be found curled up in a chair, reading my favorite passages in Ephesians.
What was curious was the reference to the church but never mentioned was the strength and courage that comes from walking with the Lord Jesus Christ.
How sad….people at this retreat are possibly facing death……and they seek to walk a labyrinth for healing and comfort.
Zec 10:2
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain; therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was not a shepherd.
2 Cor 1:3
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
Once I read…. “to understand the book of Revelation you need to study Genesis”. Not much of an explanation was given but I have been thinking about this for a long time. Studying New Age Enlightenment piqued my interest in looking at verses about “light”. New Age techniques that involve meditation can take a person into an altered consciousness that may result in seeing an explosion of light. They often describe a feeling of euphoria or a oneness with the universe along with this experience and believe it to be godly. Let’s take a look…..
Q. SO WHAT IS THE LIGHT?
A. It is the Word of God.
Psa 119:105 . Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
A. It is Jesus Christ.
Jhn 8:12 Then spake Jesus again into them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jhn 12:46 I am come as a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
Q. WHAT DOES THE LIGHT DO?
A. It exposes evil.
Jhn 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Jhn 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the ligh, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Jhn 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Q. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LIGHT?
2Cr 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2Cr 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath sinned in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
A. The light gives knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Q. WHOSE LIGHT ARE YOU SEEING?
Luke 11:33-34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when [thine eye] is evil, thy body also [is] full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
A. 2Cr 11:14 And no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light…….
We were discussing Luke 11:33-36 at Bible Study and talked about ways Christians could be light unto the world and how light is used and what does it do? Light shows the way and it exposes what is in the darkness. It exposes sin. Think of a speck of dust in a sunbeam. Suddenly dust and dirt show up in greater detail than we like to admit. What once was a speck is a now a whole lot of dirt when it is under the scrutiny of the Lords eyes. Light is a beacon opening up a pathway to the truth. This light on the pathway also warns of any bumps on the road.We are to expose our light to others, helping them find the way to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to share the gospel with others and our love of Christ.
This prompts me to ask:
Does the light of new age meditation expose sin?
Does the light of new age meditation cause repentance and hunger for the word of God?
Conclusion: If the answers are no, then the New Age enlightenment is not “the light of the world”, it is the light of Satan’s counterfeit spirituality.
Now back to Genesis….
Genesis 1:3-4 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:14-19And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them by for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
This is what amazes me. God said “let there be light” on the first day. But He did not create the sun and the moon till the fourth day. God’s own light, reached the formless earth and empty darkness.
Revelation 21:23-24 says: The city does not need the sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light…
The Lord says He is coming soon! He is the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. We can see by studying God’s word, that His light shone on the earth in the beginning and and we who live for Him will walk in the glory of His light at the end of time. The light is Jesus Christ who is bodily coming again to set up his kingdom here on earth and He will rule.
Is your present life dark and empty? Have you been seeking light from the wrong sources? Read God’s word and pray that its meaning will be illuminated in your heart and mind. Jesus is the only true light in this world. Will you seek him today?
I should have seen it coming….
Chiropractic – the adjustment of the vertebrae in the spine
Chakras – the gateways or centers of spiritual power located on the spinal column
= NETWORK CHIROPRACTIC
A reader informed me of a new danger in the health field, Network Chiropractic or Network Spinal Analysis. NSA has evolved from chiropractic and it has some mystical new twists. The spine is now considered “a conduit of consciousness”. NSA was developed by Dr. Donald Epstein, a chiropractor from Colorado. Apparently Dr. Epstein discovered “Spinal Gateways” (hmm…chakras maybe?) running along the spinal cord. Also he discovered that these gateways run from the tailbone up to the bottom of the skull. What else did he discover? He found that the spinal gateways lead to the front part of the brain awakening the brain’s cortex causing profound changes in the body. Sounds like kundalini serpent power running up the spine through the chakras and enlightenment to me…!!
Read this article about Network Chiropractic:
During Network Spinal Analysis™ (NSA) care two “healing waves” develop which are unique to Network. One is a breathing wave that releases tension throughout the spine and body and relaxes a person. The other is called a somatopsychic (or body-mind) wave, which is associated with a dolphin type undulation or movement of the spine. These waves are related to a significant increase in wellness and quality of life. Once people experience these Network “healing” waves, they tend to make healthier choices. Suddenly the exercise, diet, supplements, meditation or prayer that may have been resulting in minimal wellness benefits increased in effectiveness. Saying it differently, people in Network care, who experience these waves often double their perceived wellness. As these “healing waves” progress along a person’s spine it revitalizes, energizes, and helps the body to self correct distortions of alignment and posture. They move “stuck energy” and are a resource of new energy and vitality. Vertebra of the spine spontaneously realign as one of the by products.
This video is named Riding the Kundalini Dragon and it shows how the energy is being directed through the body and its effect. The video is not from a network chiropractor but a yoga studio. They are calling this procedure Breath and Touch which serves as an entry point into an altered state in which the mind-body system processes and releases the stress or emotional blocks.
While watching a short video from a Network Chiropractor in San Diego i noticed that the body movement of the patient was exactly the same as those in the yoga studio video. I do not know how to embed this video so please click on the below link to compare with the above video.
http://www.bodywisdomhealing.com/BodyWisdomSite/healing_wave_video.htm
******update November 2008 – it looks as though the above video has been removed from it’s site, if i can relocate the video i will fix the link – thanks, kim *********
The rippling effect of the body is also the same as those under kundalini serpent power. These kundalini manifestations are now being relabeled as “healing waves”. This healing is not of God…is this healing worth the risk?
I scanned various NAS websites, and the names sounded like this…The New Wave Chiropractic, Ride the River, Esprit Healing Center, Care Wave, Healing Wave…..These offices are sporting a new look, a new name and carry a dangerous spiritual message.
Here is a list of awakened kundalini manifestations from Swami Nityananda (Kundalini Yoga Guru) : trembling, shaking, uncontrolled speaking, weeping/crying, uncontrollable laughing, altered consciousness, elation, feelings of electricity….waves of bliss.
Now i want to relate a list of manifestations from the Pensacola/Toronto outbreaks. Spasms, tremors, shaking, spontaneous trance states, holy laughter, energy rushes, and involuntary body movements.
When reading about Network Chiropractic from the EastWestHealth website i read some interesting statements from a patient and a chiropractor.
“When the tension of stored emotional stress is released, people often express it by laughing or crying. For example, after one patient’s second adjustment she went home and was laughing for two hours..”
“When I get adjusted I feel my mind become completely still, and I feel much more attuned with my heart”
“What always amazes me is that you touch me so gently, like with one fingertip that I can barely feel, and then these powerful waves of energy start traveling up and down my spine and bringing everything into alignment.”
“It always shocks people what profound changes happen from such a light touch. The light touch is like tuning a guitar; it gives the proper vibration for good harmony. Information travels in waves so when we “tune” the spinal cord we can experience our own inner rhythm.”
These two statements are alarming:
“As one persons spine releases, it actually helps release the spines of other people in the room.”
“It’s the phenomenon which researchers have found the most astonishing about Network. They watch Donald Epstein adjust someone and then point to the person on the next table: the second person’s spine is visibly unwinding and he is not even touching them. It’s community healing, and it shows how we are all connected on a very deep level.”
Dr. Epstein has something in common with Rodney Howard-Brown, Benny Hinn and Swami Nityanada; they are all distributors of the power: (kundalini, shakti, fire, anointing) Kundalini awakening can be imparted by…light touch on the body or forehead, by pointing to someone, or just laying one’s hands on someone.
There are many obvious relationships between Network Chiropractic, Yoga, Eastern Mysticism, and the false spiritual anointings of today. When we see a chiropractor merely point to a patient, who then starts manifesting with kundalini signs, we need to question where this power is coming from and what is actually happening to the patient. When a doctor or a patient will not question why a second patient automatically manifests without being touched or refers to the undulating spine as “unwinding” from stress….i despair at the deception.
This power is demonic because it is metaphysical in nature, so it is unbiblical for the Christian to participate in this type of activity. It is imperative to understand that the Hindu term kundalini translates into “serpent power”. Meditation and yoga positions pushes this power at the base of the spine up working its way snake-like, through the chakras or gateways. In Network Chiropractic the chiropractor has attained the ability to pass this serpent power onto others with only a simple touch. I cannot begin to tell you how dangerous this is. Patients who are treated by a Network Chiropractor are in danger of allowing a demonic presence to enter their body. The “waves of bliss” are deceptive. Satan does not show himself as a demon, he shows himself as an angel of light, deceiving all who will fall into his false spiritual trap.
May the Lord protect his own who may unknowlingly walk into one of these offices for treatment. I have no problem with getting standard adjustments, but whenever a health practitioner begins to talk “spiritually”… immediately question the procedures.
This is an important article because a major goal of the Theosophists is to infiltrate the Western education system with Eastern mysticism. These schools are CHRISTIAN BAPTIST supported in part by the churches!!!
kim
Yoga/New Age
Source: Christian Research Service
by Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
September 10, 2007Introduction: During the preparation of this article, Christian Research Service (CRS) contacted SBC officials and asked specific questions pertaining to the schools listed on the SBC’s “List of Colleges and Universities” at http://www.sbc.net/colleges.asp. As of this writing, the list contains 52 schools.Unfortunately, almost half of the schools listed are promoting Yoga and other forms of the New Age Movement, such as Reiki, Feng Shui, Labyrinth, Tai Chi, Yoga for kids, and student field trips to “an ashram and worship with Tibetan Buddhist monks.”CRS also called the SBC headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, and spoke to an SBC Executive Committee official concerning the Cooperative Program, and what part it plays in the support and sponsorship of the schools. The official explained that,
* The SBC does not have or support any colleges.
* The colleges and universities listed on the SBC website are directly connected to the corresponding state Baptist conventions. 1 * The colleges and universities don’t receive any cooperative program funds from the SBC’s National Convention.
When asked if there are certain criteria or guidelines the schools must meet prior to being considered for support or sponsorship, the SBC official explained that each state convention votes whether or not to officially align with the college or university, and that typically there has to be a Baptist connection.While the colleges and universities do not receive Cooperative Program funding from the SBC’s National Convention, they do receive funding from the SBC’s state conventions. According to SBC officials, the funds are primarily designated for endowments and student scholarships, and may be used for building additions and projects.Briefly, the colleges and universities listed on the SBC’s website receive financial funding from the SBC state conventions–by way of tithes and offerings Southern Baptists give through their local SBC churches–through the Cooperative Program, which states in part that,
“Churches in your state work together through your state convention to support a wide array of ministries and missions including: evangelism efforts, children’s homes, volunteer missions, missions education, new churches, colleges and universities, collegiate ministries, camps, and much more”(2.
According to the SBC’s website, since 1845 the SBC “has grown to over 16 million members who worship in more than 42,000 churches in the United States” (3 ). Thus, over the years, untold millions of dollars–if not billions–has made its way from the collection plate to support the various efforts outlined in the SBC’s Cooperative Program, including colleges and universities.
And colleges and universities, whether Christian or secular–have the potential to strengthen or weaken, sharpen or dull young adults, whose sensitive minds are spiritually ripe for cultivation.
Concerning schools and colleges, the SBC’s May 1939 “Resolution on Christian Education” states in part:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Baptists throughout the South be urged to acquaint themselves with the abundant educational opportunities afforded in our Baptist schools and colleges and to assist in turning Baptist students to them that the future for Christian education and Christian democracy, even Christian civilization itself, may be guarded with jealous care (4
.
Guarded with jealous care. How powerful the words. As Christians, are we not charged with the responsibility to jealously guard fellow Christians with the same care as the Apostle Paul demonstrated?
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2).
In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, Paul admonished them to jealously guard themselves and their body of believers, defend and protect that which had been entrusted to them: the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears (Acts 20:28-31).
Christian parent, as you review the following list of colleges and universities, ask yourself this question: Is the spiritual welfare of my son or daughter being guarded with jealous care? To see the documentation on the SBC list of Colleges/Universities that are promoting Yoga and the New Age, click here.
This article or excerpt was posted on September 10, 2007@ 1:16 am .
From: http://www.christianresearchservice.com
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
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]
*******************
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
Continued from:
Part 3 Contemplative Spirituality
Contemplative Spirituality – A belief system thatuses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence), and is rooted in mysticism and the occult, but often is wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of Contemplative Spirituality is Pantheistic (God is All) and Panentheistic (God is in All). – Lighthouse Trails Research
On my last post I went over Yoga, Meditation, Contemplative Prayer, Channeling and Visualization. The post was getting way too long so I decided to split it up.
Now onto:
Reiki/Therapeutic Massage
When I first started researching Reiki, I realized that I had seen this word somewhere before but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
It didn’t take long before it came to me. I saw it on of a wall of a massage therapist. Because of an auto injury, massage therapy was recommended and I went about 4 times. On the fourth visit I was witnessing to the therapist. It was at this time that she told me that she was going to “try something new” on me. Well I didn’t know it at the time but I guess she was going to try a reiki treatment on me. As soon as she started to lay her hand on me, she jerked her hand away. Startled, she told me that she had just received a shock. ” I won’t be trying that again” she joked. The bad part is that she was not going to tell me of her intention to try an alternative treatment besides the basic massage approved by my insurance company, and I would not have known the difference.
The Lord was protecting me, and He let me experience this situation so i could relate this incident. That is what I believe anyway.
Reiki was developed by a Japanese Buddhist, Dr. Mikau Usai. The word translates REI (universe), KI (life-energy). The two Japanese characters together express the unification of body and soul. It is pronounced ray’-kee.
After fasting for 21 days on Mt. Kurama in 1914, Usai was “enlightened”. He said “When I fasted I touched an intense energy and in a mysterious manner I was inspired (I received the reiki energy).”
Apparently, the reiki energy enters the body of the master at the chakra at the base of the skull just above the neck and it is released into the other person with the hands. It is believed that the patient is taking in the energy as it passes through the chakras, meridians and the nervous system along the spine. The reiki practitioner uses rituals to pass the universal energy to the patient. It seems that the origins of this healing energy power is unknown or unexplained except that it comes from the Source, God, spirit, or the Force.
Christians who are using reiki say that Jesus used this power to heal. I do not believe this to be true in any sense. When Jesus healed the sick all the glory was given to God. This healing method does not point to Jesus at all and is similar to occult methods.
I like what Marcia Montenegro says about reiki and Jesus.
“Jesus being the Son of God, did not need a technique, but healed because His nature was the same as God’s (which is what being the “Son of God” signifies), and God is the Healer and Giver of Life. Jesus’ miracles of healing were not just to cure, however, but were a sign that He was the promised Messiah.”
To find out more there is a website by Marcia Montenegro that i recommend.
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_reiki1.html
Now there is nothing wrong with a good massage because it can be an effective stress reducer, such as a Swedish, deep tissue, or sports massage. But if the practitioner makes any comments as to chakras, kundalini, energy fields, or anything close to these terms, then you need to rethink your decision to accept such treatment. Do not expose yourself to any occult methods.
Therapeutic Touch is a form of psychic healing by the channeling of the therapist’s prana into the patient, which induces healing from the process. Again we see a practice that is occult in nature and Christian’s need to be aware and careful.
kim
Next: Goddess Worship
Contemplative Spirituality – A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence), and is rooted in mysticism and the occult, but often is wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of Contemplative Spirituality is Pantheistic (God is All) and Panentheistic (God is in All). – Lighthouse Trails Research
YOGA/MEDITATION
I have already written about Yoga in “Is Yoga Occult?”. Well it is and here’s why. Yoga is based on Hinduism no matter what others may say. It’s main goal is ‘union” with Brahman a Hindu god. The names of the asansas (positions) are Hindu goddesses and were named as worship to them. The positions that one holds, were developed to force the Kundalini Power up the spine through the Chakras (wheels) with the ultimate goal of reaching the Crown Chakra. This causes an “enlightenment”. I have read that few ever are able to reach this final state, but in the process you are involving yourself in Hinduism. There are two dangerous aspects.
Meditation, used in many other practices other than Yoga, empties your mind of thought. What happens when you meditate is that you alter your consciousness. Many religions worldwide use meditation as a tool for spiritual growth and now it is being advertised today in the West as a form of relaxation.
Kundalini Yoga. Serpent Power. I wonder how many Yoga teachers bring to their students attention, that Kundalini translates into Serpent Power. In “Is Yoga Occult?” I quoted the many manifestations that can occur. I was criticized for using the extreme manifestations but the words that people have been using in their search engines to find my blog, are….demons, occult, insanity, serpent power, etc. I found that I could not downplay the worst that could happen, just as a drug company would not leave out the extreme side effects of a medication, (ha… sorry …bad example).
Warning: Yoga is not for Christians. It will initiate you into a worldview and practices that may separate you from Christ.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
CP is just a step beyond meditation. Basically it is repeating a biblical phrase till you become “Still”. Even though it is a biblical phrase it still becomes a “mantra” because when a phrase is repeated over and over again it becomes meaningless suspending you into an altered state of consciousness. Eastern pagan religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism have always used mystical meditation. Buddhist call this state Nirvana, New Agers call it unity with the universe or oneness with God, Christians call it contemplative prayer.
Other names that may be used for CP is centering prayer, listening prayer, breath prayer, or prayer of the heart. But it is all the same, part of the mystical movement called Contemplative Spirituality.
Here is a list of those who promote CP. Alice Bailey…Jack Canfield…Richard Foster…Matthew Fox…Barbara Hubbard Marx…Brian Mclaren…Thomas Merton…Henri Nouwen…Robert Schuller…Marianne Williamson…Bill Hybels…David Jeremiah…Max Lucado…Eugene Peterson…Michael W. Smith…Watchman Nee
This list is far from complete. Two that surprised me were David Jeremiah and Michael W. Smith. I used to watch David Jeremiah on TBN ( I never watch TBN anymore) and I used to listen to Michael W. Smith all the time. But I found out Smith is a promoter of Brennan Manning’s book “Above All” which advocates CP . Now I have to toss the CD’s I have because now I can hear how hypnotic some of his songs are and to stay true to the findings of my research, have to abandon this artist.
I like what Ray Yungen has to say about CP, in his book, “A Time of Departing: How a universal spirituality is changing the face of Christianity”. (a necessary read for every Christian)
“The premise is that God can never be really known in a conventional non-mystical way. Therefore the mind has to be shut-down, turned-off so one can enter the cloud of unknowing where the presence of God awaits. The practitioners of this method believe if the sacreds words are Christian, you will get Christ–it is simple a matter of intent. Contemplative Prayer may sound exotic and appealing, but it is Biblically groundless.” (pg39)
Mat: 6:7 “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do…”
Warning: If a church leader or anyone recommends anything that resembles meditation with repetitions, do not do it!
CHANNELING
Have you heard of spirit guides? Well, this is another bonus of CP and channeling. While you are repeating your biblical phrase (chanting) someone may talk back to you. This is the case of Barbara Hubbard Marx, one of most well-known NewAgers who heard an “inner voice”. This inner voice Of Marx’s actually dictated a “new” book of Revelation.
Here are a few quotes from her “inner voice”:
“Behold, I am writing anew, through scribes on Earth who are willing to listen to me again with new ears, in the light of the present crises on planet Earth” (p.265)
“I did not suffer on the cross and rise again on the third day to show you what i could do, but what you can do. Yours is the power. Yours is the glory. That is my message to you.” (p.100)
“I did not intend for you to deify me, but to deify yourselves as being at the same stage of evolution as I am.” (p.231)
(Quotes taken from Warren Smith’s—Reinventing Jesus Christ)
Obviously these quotes show that Marx’s “Christ” is a false Christ, a spirit merely masquerading. Those who get involved with these New Age techniques become deceived because the experiences seem to be real, pure, and uplifting. This new gospel is nothing but deceit and rubbish.
J.Z. Knight is a channeler of the 35,000 year old warrior Ramtha here in my home state of Washington. A quick look at Ramtha’s web site is pretty revealing and predictably follows the New Age mantras.
Ramtha has “The School of Enlightenment, the School of Ancient Wisdom”. His four cornerstone philosophy is:
You are God. (no surprise here)
To make known the unknown.
The concept that consciousness and energy create the nature of reality.
The challenge to conquer yourself.
These are the same New Age goals you will collectively find in all New Age definitions. The same glorification of self, the desire to learn the esoteric unknown, and that an altered consciousness is the way to these truths.
Christian’s should not involve themselves in any practice that eliminates Jesus Christ, makes oneself a God, and searches for unknown truths outside of scripture.
Warning: Deut 18:10-12
“Let no one be found….who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchdraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritualist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…” (NIV)
VISUALIZATION
I have read so much about visualization the last couple of weeks that my eyes are all glazed over. This being the case, I have decided to use a summary from Brian Flynn’s “Running Against the Wind”.
Creative Visualization is the practice of creating mental images for the purpose of self-improvement or personal gain. The underlying belief is that if someone can ceate a mental picture of a desired outcome…let’s say more confidence in social and business settings, or a physical healing…then that outcome can be achieved by mentally picturing it into existence. Here again is the underlying philosophy that every human being has a higher self or the God within who can, like God, virtually speak things into existence.
Coupled with the practice of creative visualization is the use of spirit guides. According to Shakti Gawain, creative visualization can easily introduce the practitioner to “spirit guides, the like of which would be thrilled to meet us.”
Guided Imagery is in the same category as creative visualization. Some guided imagery programs actually suggest meeting a being in your mind to assist you. This is dangerous because it opens the door to spirits that are not of God. Sadly countless Christians have jumped into this trend by creating their own version of guided imagery where they suggest meeting Jesus to act as a guide. This is problematic in that it creates a false belief that you are actually meeting and talking with Jesus in a mystical sense. There is no scriptual support that God chooses to communicate with us in this way.
This summary truly reminds me of all aspects of meditation and yoga. The deification of self, the necessity for the altered state of consciousness, the desire for power, the possibility of contacting the spirit world and the deception that can follow by thinking this contact is godly.
This is just another New Age occult practice that is spreading from the secular world to the church. It suggests that we are divine and can create our own reality when we should be bowing to Jesus, seeking Him only and doing his will.
Do not look inside yourself, to try to visualize an inner “Jesus”. The real Jesus is found in the words of the Bible.
kim
Next:
Reiki/Therapeutic Massage
Many churches are so lacking in the gospel that people are hungry for God. This has created a vacuum that people are desperately trying to fill. Unfortunately, there is someone who is more than happy to fill this void but it is NOT of God.
Churches that are lacking the true Gospel are becoming the norm instead of the exception. In the attempt to fill pews, pastors are allowing their sermons to become a source of inspiration instead of conviction. Conviction or feeling guilt for sin is what causes a person to repent. This is a necessary action on part of the Christian. Repentance turns us back to God. Jesus Christ’s blood shed for us atones and cleanses us.
This lack of Bible-based truths is not the only problem in the church. When people stray from the Bible and its guidance they open themselves up to deception.
The New Age….What is the New Age? One could say in general that the New Age is a new way of looking at things. In reality it is a new spirituality woven with mysticism. Think back to the late 60’s. Remember the dawning of “The Age of Aquarius”? The Age of Aquarius is inviting us to enlightenment, an awakening of peace, love, and unity with God and the universe. New Age “enlightenment” is infiltrating business, home, leisure activities and it is also infiltrating the church. Your church, my church. How can this be? Well, this process was started many years ago and it crept in so slow that many have been caught unaware. Very few churches today are totally dedicated to keeping untruths from filtering in. It is sad to say that this is what the people want and the church leaders are complying.
Consider just a few of these activities that are now being practiced by Christians.
Yoga
Meditation
Contemplative Prayer/Centering Prayer
Channeling
Visualization
Reiki/Therapeutic Touch Massage
Goddess Worship
What do these practices have in common? Divination. Divination is the attempt of man to contact the spirit world. Well the Lord forbids it. God’s people are not to use these condemned techniques to acquire knowledge or attain the “experiences” so many are seeking. Current terms for divination may be metaphysics or paranormal. Think of these terms used in the New Age lingo as meaning, beyond the seen world, beyond the 5 senses, or outside of explanation.
Now let’s take a couple of these terms and make them sound biblical. How about Centering Prayer or Christ Consciousness. Centering Prayer is actually meditation and Christ Consciousness is state of awareness one reaches while in meditation in which one becomes a “christ” or becomes divine. Christians are being duped into indulging themselves in New Age/New Thought practices by redefined terminology to make it acceptable, but in truth, it is sorcery.
Let’s look at Det 18:10-12
“Let no one be found….who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchdraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or spiritualist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…” (NIV)
The Bible could not be any more clear than this. The above verse condemns witchcraft, sorcery, and spells. This is turn condemns Harry Potter, The Chronices of Narnia, Star Wars, and the Ring Trilogy.
I used to believe that the deceivers saying “I am Christ” would only be cult leaders with a following but with the booming New Age practices being found IN the church as well as in secular life, i now believe that a new spirit is taking over the church and it is being promoted by church leaders. This spirit is not the Holy Spirit but the spirit-world which has nothing to do with holiness. These spirits are parading as Jesus and Christian’s believe that they are “seeing”, “feeling” and “experiencing” Christ. This deception is truly overpowering to those who think they are communing with the Lord when in fact they are not. Satan is a master deceiver at imitating Christ.
When this spirit takes over, it is not going to announce it to you. It is going to seduce you, make you feel joy and union with the universe and/or God. You may feel a power of being special, that you have been chosen and are spiritually superior to others. “Anointed” is another term that is popular today to describe God’s chosen.
Fallen angels, who so many years ago were thrown from the heavens for rebelling against God, roam the earth looking for a vulnerable empty vessel to enter. Please do not be that empty vessel by opening up yourself to the spirit world.
Meditation is the key that opens the door between the two worlds and an open door is an invitation to the occult spirits. Meditation is how one stills the mind and empties it of thought. This is commonly done through repetition of words and breathing techniques. Often those who use these techniques report seeing a bright white light. Remember that the Bible teaches that Satan comes as a white light.
2 Cor 11:14 “And no marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light“. (KJV)
And as he masquerades he is saying:
Gen 3:5 “…then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as Gods..” (KJV)
Isn’t this what the New Agers are promising? We shall discover the God within us, that we are as Gods, we are God?
This is the exact opposite of true Christianity, which is to give our lives totally over to Christ in obedience to his will. He is our God, our Creator, and when we repent of our sin and call upon his name, He gives us the Holy Spirit. We are no longer in charge of our lives. Look at this next verse.
Mat 16:24 “… If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me“. (KJV)
If we are our own God then how can we deny ourselves. WE CAN”T
There is only one way. That way is believing that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that he suffered and died for you and me on the cross, that he was resurrected, and now is at the right hand of God.
Hold the word of God next to your heart. Search the scriptures for truth. The truth will not be found in the ways of man that are devised to achieve Godhood. The truth lies in your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and discovering Him, as your God, by the Word He has given to us in the Holy Bible.
If you are using any of the above methods please refrain and repent as these methods are detestable to the Lord.
On the blogroll the best information comes from the Eastern Regional Watch website with a variety of New Age articles.
kim
Next – Crisis in the Church – Part 3
More about New Age Techniques
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