In My Opinion

Closer To One World Religion and Government

2010-12-05T14:40:00.000-05:00

No man knows the time of Jesus' coming. But signs all around us point to that time. We are told in the Bible to be alert, be aware of the signs. We must pay heed to these as they happen.
The Catholic Church is working to bring all religions into a one world center. I depend upon writing of others as well as my own observations. So, I want to share one writing with you here. The link is given.
November 17 - Bishops Give Landslide Approval To Common Agreement On Baptism

Article: Bridges To Rome

Comment from Understand the Times:

This is just one more example that ecumenism headed by Rome is nearly here. The One World Religion in the name of Christ will set up the antichrist, right, ay! Reformed first, then the Orthodox Church, then Anglicans, followed by Calvinism, Lutheranism and eventually atheism.

Oh, we forgot the group that was once called "Protestant Evangelical." They have all gone emerging and are on the road to Rome too. Then there are the Charismatic pentecostals who have lost touch with the Bible. Then there are those who once taught the Bible verse by verse but now have forgotten the Bible and are purpose driven using entertainment in order to reach the POST MODERN generation. WHO is left? The remnant!

Folks, we are in times that have never been before. The "falling away" spoken of in Thessalonians is happening faster than before. The time of the end is upon us. I don't say this as a fear tatic, but it is a fact. For those who belong to Jesus, there is no fear of those events. For those who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, there is plenty to fear.

There are many who are speaking and writing these same words. We are accountable for what we know. We must tell others. We cannot keep it to ourselves. As the Holy Spirit leads us, we will continue to give the warning. Heed them! Prepare yourself for the coming of Jesus for His own. The time is soon.
Sandy

Be Alert. We Are In The Last Days

2010-11-30T16:53:00.000-05:00

Satan is being even more active these days as he knows his time to fool people is short. Don't be in denial about this. Don't say like other do that this has always been said. Yes, it has been warned about from the days of Jesus. But most people today know that something powerful is on the horizon. We who are Christians know what is on this horizon. Jesus will come for His Bride, and then the Great Tribulation will begin.
Christians will spend the seven years of this awful time with Jesus in the place He has prepared for us.
This is like the Jewish marriage tradition. The Bridegroom went after the ceremony to prepare a chamber for his bride. Then he went to get the bride and take her to the chamber to spend seven days alone without coming out.
Jesus, the Bridegroom will come for the Bride, the Christians, and take them to the place He told us He was going to prepare for us. We will spend seven years with Him before coming back to earth with Him to rule and reign with Him.
This time is coming sooner than anyone thinks. Keep yourself in tune with the Holy Spirit and get your life ready. You may not have much more time.

Occult Using the Church

2010-11-30T16:47:00.000-05:00

The occult has long been a tool of Satan to lure young people into his dangerous game. This article in LightHouseTrails talk about this. I will just put a bit here to show you. The link will take you to the site where you can read more about this.

In other words, instead of opposing Christianity, the occult would capture and blend itself with Christianity and then use it as its primary vehicle for spreading and instilling New Age consciousness! The various churches would still have their outer trappings of Christianity and still use much of the same lingo. If asked certain questions about traditional Christian doctrine, the same answers would be given. But it would all be on the outside; on the inside a contemplative [emerging, new] spirituality would be drawing in those open to it. -Ray Yungen, A Time of Departing, p. 123.

Link: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=r49t9yaab&v=001J8BvtJGIt7vjdd3QIXjNckmzlBMBApZe2deIexs18vRudkHDvBXR1vZTVTDK06mm60nP5DH4qo-nWaL6Ti-PdXN7oRvPnJjCy4O5Vo-dNzeWEhHFRtTSkyzwmqzAqgTV2HccOBKpHIoYVXoEbzu6Dl78C3Hh_jRb9Z5vlDZXgm_OiqSxxg1HaX6IS51uECCEPD1cYqO09psnO2BhQHlJhHdNv-2a8tBDmw1VwOQ0eyfB5Gfu3rTit5p8F0K8MJn7EG9ZNOmcprMCMi6tS5KA4HHfr0Nx9-QlCEggMzE8zsWr5aYkpT5DCaIe0BefdM7SRO2hQLm9JNUoG6MVXpa70eV-_PDjbDcu90fkBC172qoJqjhF7HONRg%3D%3D

It Is Coming!

2010-11-11T19:11:00.000-05:00

I have not written here for a while. I have been doing a lot of writing on Facebook. But the one world political system is coming. I do not think it is avoidable because it is spoken of in the Holy Bible. I have studied both the Bible and the present world situation for a long time. If our nation is to avoid being swept into the one world system, it will be by an act of God. And the only thing I can think of that would exempt us is that we support Israel. That nation is in the gleam of God's eye, and anyone who turns against it will be forsaken by God.
Here is a quote from an article about this:

The twenty economies among the nations of the world are working to come up with a solution to the global economic crisis that is a danger to all nations of the world and many of these national leaders accuse the US economic policy of causing more harm than help. China and Germany lead the attack on the United States economic policy that calls for dumping more dollars with no monetary value into the United States marketplace saying it will not solve the problem and bring economic problems to other nations.

At the top of the agenda at the G-20 meeting is a discussion on two issues; a global structure to solve the worldwide economic crisis and the development of a one world economy.

Here is the link so you may read the rest of it: http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2010/11/world-leaders-meet-to-work-out-solution.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BibleProphecyBlog+%28Bible+Prophecy+Blog%29

In these times, it pays us to be aware of all that is going on. It takes research on the part of some. Others have been at it longer and know places to read about these things. But i will try to put the data I come across here for those who want to be informed.

Don't bury your head in the sand. The time is upon us; Jesus will come for His Bride soon. You either are going to be ready or be left here on the earth during the Great Tribulation.
Sandy

Mexicans in California Defacing Our National Flag.

2010-06-12T21:48:00.000-04:00

Montebello High School in California

You will not see this heart-stopping photo on the front page of the NY Times, nor on the lead story of the major news networks. The protestors at Montebello High School took the American flag off the school's flag pole and hung it upside down while putting up the Mexican flag over it.

I predict this stunt will be the nail in the coffin of any guest-worker/ amnesty plan on the table in Washington ... The image of the American flag subsumed to another and turned upside down on American soil is already spreading on Internet forums and via e-mail.

Pass this along to every American citizen in your address books and to every representative in the state and federal government.. If you choose to remain uninvolved, do not be amazed when you no longer have a nation to call your own nor anything you have worked for left since it will be 'redistributed' to the activists while you are so peacefully staying out of the 'fray'. Check history, it is full of nations/empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values. One person CAN make a difference....

One plus one plus one plus one plus one plus one........ ..

The battle for our secure borders and immigration laws that actually mean something, however, hasn't even begun.

If this ticks YOU off....PASS IT ON!

IF IT DOESN'T IT SHOULD!

I predict this stunt will be the nail in the coffin of any guest-worker/ amnesty plan on the table in Washington ... The image of the American flag subsumed to another and turned upside down on American soil is already spreading on Internet forums and via e-mail.

Pass this along to every American citizen in your address books and to every representative in the state and federal government.. If you choose to remain uninvolved, do not be amazed when you no longer have a nation to call your own nor anything you have worked for left since it will be 'redistributed' to the activists while you are so peacefully staying out of the 'fray'. Check history, it is full of nations/empires that disappeared when its citizens no longer held their core beliefs and values. One person CAN make a difference....

One plus one plus one plus one plus one plus one........ ..

The battle for our secure borders and immigration laws that actually mean something, however, hasn't even begun.

If this ticks YOU off....PASS IT ON!

IF IT DOESN'T IT SHOULD!

How Much Do You Want Our Nation to be One Nation Under God?

2010-05-30T15:03:00.000-04:00

I think most of us woud like for our nation to stand as a free nation and keep our constitution in tact. But the way the world is going, this is going to be hard. If it is to stand as a beacon of light and hope in a dark world, it is going to be up to God's people to make it so.

Read Nehemiah 1: 5-11 to see how Nehemiah prayed to God for his people. This is a good example of how we should pray for our nation. God knows when our prayers are in earnest. We can just pray on the fly. God hears best when we are on our knees. But I can't get on my knees, so my heart bows as I lie down. It is the attitude of the heart that God sees.

Prayer is a mighty tool God has given us to bring to Him the needs of our heart. Some things we should keep in mind as we pray are:
1. Recognize the holiness of God, He is Soverign of the universe; honor His holiness.
2. Cleanse our hearts before Him. Repent. Make certain you have your slate wiped clean
     before you begin your requests.
3. Recognize our inadequacies. God knows what you can do. Don't simply imply God is
     mistaken when He tells you to do something. Obey what he tells you. But recognize we
     need His power to do whatever.
4. Be willing to be available for God to use you. In prayer, we experience divine enabling
     power. We don't have the right to withhold ourselves from God. If He tells you to do a
     certain thing, do it. He has already equipped you for it.
5. Faith, trust, cleanliness, and expectation enable us to come to God with our needs. We
     come to Him out of our necessity.
6. Prayer and the Holy Spirit are inseparately linked. We come to God by the name of Jesus
     and with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Our nation is in necessity. We are losing our powerful influence for God in this world. God knows this, and He is waiting for His people to realize it and come to Him for instructions as to what we each can do to help bring it back under His control. He will hear the prayers of those who have earnest desires to bring this about.

But God may ask you to do something besides pray. Be willing to do whatever He leads you to do. It may be to write someone. It may be to speak before people. Whatever it is, He has already opened the door for you and equipped you. Be of good courage and obey.

If God's people don't pray and work for the good of our nation, we will fall under the tyranny of those who are evil. Our lot will be bad. None of us want this. It is a great necessity that we give our time and hearts to earnest prayer. And then obey as God leads.
We cannot save our nation in these last days without this.

We need to stand as a nation that supports Israel. God is not finished with Israel. And those who turn against Israel, God will dishonor. This is something we must do because it is written in the Bible. God knows why.

I plead with all of us to do this. Our very lives depend on it, and the lives of our children and grandchildren.
Sandra

Pray for God to have mercy on our nation

2010-05-13T13:40:00.000-04:00

Everyone of good conscience and those who belong to Jesus Christ must pray for God to have mercy on our nation. Pray for Him to forgive our national sins and to spare us to be a lighthouse to a dark world. Please intercede for our nation to have leaders who will bring us back to a nation with God as our Commander. Pray for leaders who will make laws according to the principles of God's laws.
If we pray, perhaps God will find favor with us and spare our nation from entering into the dark one world government. Our nation is needed as a beacon of hope in the dark days to come. We need to continue to support God's people, Israel, for He still has work to do with them in the end times.
If we are complacent and lazy, we will go the way of the world. I urge everyone to pray in earnest for our nation to remain as light and salt for this evil world.
Sandy

Leaders Turning to False Ways

2010-05-08T13:45:00.000-04:00

I remember a time when I could count on Joyce Meyer to speak the truth. But lately she has come out for things I no longer can tolerate. Is she one more leader who is being led astray by the ecumenical movement?
See this article:
April 14 - Joyce Meyer joins critics of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Article: Social Gospel

Charismatic preacher Joyce Meyer has spoken out against Uganda’s highly contentious Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

In a statement released Monday, Meyer said it is “increasingly evident” that the Bill introduced in the Ugandan parliament is a “profoundly offensive, dangerous and disturbing attack on the very foundation of individual liberties and human rights afforded not only to the good citizens of Uganda, but on the at-large global community”.

Proposed last October, Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill seeks to strengthen the criminalisation of homosexuality in Uganda by introducing the death penalty for people who are considered serial offenders, are suspected of "aggravated homosexuality" and are HIV-positive, or who engage in sexual acts with those under 18 years of age.

Though Member of Parliament David Bahati, who proposed the Bill, said the legislation is necessary to protect Uganda’s children from being “recruited” into homosexuality, the Bill has provoked criticism and protests internationally, including in the United States, where both liberal and conservative church leaders have expressed their opposition.

Among those who have spoken out against the legislation are Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Presiding Bishop Mark S Hanson, popular megachurch pastor Rick Warren, and leaders of Exodus International – which claims to be the world's largest Christian referral and information network dealing with homosexual issues.

“As a global society, we do not have to agree, endorse or condone the lifestyle choices of others. However, history has taught us that we equally cannot and should not excuse those who would hide behind religion or misuse God's word to justify bigotry and persecution,” she insisted.

The Signs of the Times

2010-05-08T12:59:00.000-04:00

The more I read and study, the more convinced I am that we are living in the end times. I know that has been said of each generation, but we are told to look for the signs in the Bible. In the book of Revelation, God has to show John the things that were to come at the end of the age by symbols and signs because He could not show John the things as they were. John would not have been able to comprehend such things as computers, helicoptors, tanks, and other modern warfare equipment. But God showed these things to John.
Those who can read about these things in this book and see what we have today in our modern military that can be these things know that it is now possible for each event to take place. This is the time when the battles described in that book can now be possible.

Also, much is written in the Bible about the love of people toward God and things of Jesus will grow cold as time draws to and end. The last church written to in Revelation is to the church of Laodicea. Each church gives a time in church history when the love of people was either hot or cold. But in Laodicea, the love is purely gone neither hot nor cold. God hates this.

Today, many people are like this Laodicean church. They attend church on Sunday to appease their consciences, but live like the world for the rest of the week. False teachers abound in our nation and the world. Many people are following them. The people of God have been silent for so long that the world thinks they have given up.

It is urgent today for God's people to wake up, speak up, and stand up for their faith. Only by this can our nation hope to be given mercy by God to stand in these dark days as a light of hope to a lost and dark world. If God's people don't do this, our nation will be lost into the chaos of the one world nations.

It is going to take a lot of intercession on the part of Christians to bring God's mercy on our nation. We must stand. We must support Israel, for God is not yet finished with that people. We must vote for leaders who will give back our nation to God's control and make laws according to His principles. If we don't do this, the fate of our nation is upon our heads.

We cannot sleep and be lazy. We cannot quit. We must walk this path as long as we have breath and life. It is a call to arms for all Christians. Wake up! Be alert! Act! Write to your senatore and representatives at both the state and federal level. Urge them to make laws that abide by the prinicples of God.

If we do our part, God will heed our devotion, and He will work. Other nations may fall, but ours can shine as a beacon of hope and light. Please do your part to make this happen.
Sandy

Time Is Growing Short - One World Religion on the Rise

2010-03-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

This article was in the newsletter I get frequently. I have written about Rick Warren and his false teachings before, but I want to put this here for you to read. I will include the link so you can read more.
Sandra

March 14 - Blair courts controversial US pastor Rick Warren in bid to unite faiths

Article: One World Religion

Tony Blair is preparing to launch a "faith offensive" across the United States over the next year, after building up relationships with a network of influential religious leaders and faith organisations.

With Afghanistan and Iraq casting a shadow over his popularity at home in Britain, Blair's focus has increasingly shifted across the Atlantic, to where the nexus of faith and power is immutable and he is feted like a rock star.

According to the annual accounts of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, a UK-based charity that promotes cohesion between the major faiths, the foundation is to develop a US arm that will pursue a host of faith-based projects. The accounts show that his foundation has an impressive - and, in at least one case, controversial - set of faith contacts. Sitting on some £4.5m in funds as of April last year, mostly gathered through donations, it is now well placed to make its voice heard.

The foundation's advisory council of religious leaders includes Rick Warren, powerful founder of the California-based Saddleback church. It attracts congregations of nearly 20,000 and is reportedly one of the largest in the US. Warren, who has addressed the UN and the World Economic Forum in Davos, has been named one of the "15 world leaders who matter most" and one of the "100 most influential people in the world".

Also on the council is David Coffey, president of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), a Virginia-based network of churches that spans the globe and is particularly active in the US.

The accounts also shine a light on the close connections the foundation now enjoys with major political institutions in the US. "With the Washington-based Centre for Interfaith Action, the foundation supported a meeting of major international organisations active in faith-based approaches to combating malaria (plus the White House, World Bank, UN, World Health Organisation) to co-ordinate international efforts," the accounts state.

Read More .... http://www.understandthetimes.org

The Times of the End

2010-03-02T13:19:00.000-05:00

Before I post the message that I want to give you today, I will tell you that many people of faith have predicted that we are in the last days - the true end times. This article from LightHouse Newsletter by Ray Yungen is from his book, A Time of Departing which can be ordered from LightHouseTrailsPublishing. It is a book I recommend all Christians read.

This is the article from today's newsletter:
Could This Really Be the End of the Age?

by Ray Yungen

Throughout my Christian life I have periodically heard fellow Christians suggest we are in the last days. Often these comments were initiated from current cases of violent crimes, sexual perversions, war, or natural disasters. Since I knew history had repeatedly encountered these calamities, such predictions of Christ’s imminent return rang hollow.

However, in 1984 I had an unexpected encounter that changed my entire outlook. A newfound friend educated me about the New Age movement and its end-times implications. After a period of investigation, I came to believe this could very well be the time period the book of Revelation showcases. Instead of a vague and obscure manifestation of prophecy, I saw something distinct and pervasive happening in our churches and society. And incredibly enough, this shift has been predicted from both sides of the struggle.

Christians must remember that the authenticity of Christianity itself is predicated upon its prophecies coming to pass. Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul, and various apostles and prophets of the Old and New Testaments make clear and direct references to particular events occurring in the future. If these events are only fantasies, then everything else could be deemed equally fictitious as well. I believe current trends authenticate Jesus Christ’s and the apostle Paul’s prophetic claims regarding the end of the age. Upon examination of the evidence, it becomes clear that the course our society (and our churches) is taking has been foretold by the apostolic writings.

The apostle Paul spoke of the “day of the Lord” in reference to “the times and seasons” in the fifth chapter of I Thessalonians. He describes how God will intervene swiftly and without delay. Paul states:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (I Thessalonians 5:1-6)

Paul is saying the end of the age will come upon the world like a thief in the night. In other words, it will actually sneak up on people. Then interestingly, the apostle contrasts two groups: “But ye, brethren [followers of Christ] are not in darkness [people of ignorance], that that day should overtake you as a thief. [unaware]” (v.4). Here, Paul is saying believers in Christ will have the information (Scripture) available to them to prepare for “that day.”

Those who walk in the light can see both where they are going and what is coming up ahead. Paul then warns against spiritual slumber and drunkenness, which could lead to a person being overtaken by that day, unaware: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (v. 6). The word sober means be alert or aware. If we are instructed to watch and be aware, there must be something to watch for—otherwise, Paul’s admonition would be useless. But who and what are we to watch for? …

Interestingly, the apostle Paul declared one called “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition” would proclaim himself to be God (II Thessalonians 2:3,4). I believe this coming Aquarian messiah will be the son of perdition spoken of by Paul in II Thessalonians. Furthermore, I am convinced the New Age movement is his spiritual platform. Too many things fit together for this to be just mere coincidence. Therefore, we must watch for the restructuring of our world by those who are preparing the way for his arrival and identity to be revealed.

Daniel 8:23 states this man will be a master of dark sayings. In Hebrew, this translates as one skilled in cunning and ambiguous speech. The world will see him as one who is distinguished and spiritually brilliant. Keep this in mind as you read the following description:

The coming one will not be Christian, a Hindu, a Buddhist, not an American, Jew, Italian or Russian—his title is not important; he is for all humanity, to unite all religions, philosophies and nations.1

The only one who could bring this about is the one who fits the description mentioned in Daniel. This explains the all-out effort by the New Age, which is saturating our society with meditation right now. When this man comes forward, all those who are in touch with their higher self, those who are awakened will clearly recognize him as their unifier and give him their allegiance. He will have a ready-made constituency (many in key positions) to help him reconstruct society. This will be the final culmination of the paradigm shift….

Familiar spirits (fallen angels) will not just mislead a few individuals; they will deceive the whole world into embracing a new system. Satan (whose name means adversary) will be the power behind the “Coming One”—the great Antichrist. The origin of the Antichrist’s religious system is clearly revealed by the apostle John in Revelation 17:5:

And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.

Another word for Babylon in the Old Testament was Chaldea. The Chaldeans were renowned for their use of metaphysical arts. They began the first mystery schools. Daniel 4:7 says: “Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers.” This Mystery Babylon, then, would be the original source or mother of what is now New Age metaphysics….

I believe the Bible contains an important passage, which clearly indicates a change of times and seasons may indeed be at hand. In Matthew 24:3-5, which is a chapter dealing with the tribulation period, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples concerning the signs of His coming and the end of the age:

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many….

In light of the many who will be coming in Christ’s name, I also believe the [occultist] Alice Bailey prophecies can provide further insight into what the apostle Paul called in II Thessalonians the falling away. Bailey eagerly foretold of what she termed “the regeneration of the churches.”21 Her rationale for this was obvious:

The Christian church in its many branches can serve as a St. John the Baptist, as a voice crying in the wilderness, and as a nucleus through which world illumination may be accomplished.2

In other words, instead of opposing Christianity, the occult would capture and blend itself with Christianity and then use it as its primary vehicle for spreading and instilling New Age consciousness! The various churches would still have their outer trappings of Christianity and still use much of the same lingo. If asked certain questions about traditional Christian doctrine, the same answers would be given. But it would all be on the outside; on the inside a contemplative spirituality would be drawing in those open to it….

[T]he world is opening its arms to wholly embrace a spirituality that will exist under the umbrella of mysticism. The correlating theme will be—we are all One. When the man of lawlessness does rise to power with a one-world economy and political base, he will seduce many into searching for their own Christ consciousness rather than the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

(from A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen, excerpted from Chapter 6)

Notes:
1. John Davis and Naomi Rice, Messiah and the Second Coming, p. 150

2. Alice Bailey, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, p. 510

Topics of Interest For You to Read

2010-02-23T17:23:00.000-05:00

The following topics are some of what you can read at this site:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?cat=122

A Global Spirituality

Book/Film Reviews

Children and Meditation

CHILDREN AT RISK!

PROTECT ISABELLA

Christian Organizations

Christian Publishers/Bookstores

Churches in Crisis!

Alpha Course

Conference Alerts

Contemplative Spirituality

Contemplative Churches

Contemplative Colleges

Contemplative Denominations

Contemplative Organizations

Contemplative Practices

Spiritual Directors

Creation/Evolution

Defending the Faith

Persecution

Spiritual Deception

The Word of God

Ecumenism

False Signs and Wonders

General Information

Hinduism

Holocaust

Homosexuality

Same-Sex Marriage

Interspirituality

Israel

LTPC Book Excerpts

Missions

New Age movement

Reiki

New Evangelicalism

On Christian Faith

Publishing News

Purpose Driven Movement

Rick Warren

Remember the Holocaust

Road to Rome

The New Evangelization

Sensitive Issues

Signs of the Times

Eschatology

Hate Crime Laws

Politics

Spiritual Formation

The Emerging Church

The New Missiology

The New (False) Spirituality

The New Spirituality

The Role of Meditation

Mystical Practices

The Shack

Willow Creek

YEARS IN REVIEW

Yoga

One World Religion - Closer Then You Think

2010-02-23T17:20:00.000-05:00

It's closer then you think:
Link for further reading: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?cat=122

Copenhagen and Melbourne: World Religion

December 7th, 2009
Author: Miscellaneous News Source

Contact: UndergroundNews.us, 608-469-7956

MADISON, Wisc., Dec. 7 /Christian Newswire/ –Interfaith meetings continue at a great rate all over the world. Many religious leaders will descend at the UN Copenhagen Climate Conference this week. Plus, the Parliament of the World Religions is occurring at the same time in Melbourne, Australia.

The underlying desire of government leaders at the Copenhagen conference is to form a world government. A treaty will most likely not be signed at this current conference, however, Christians need to wake-up to the fact that eventually this could happen.

Despite questionable climate change research, religious leaders are using the Copenhagen meeting to further their cause of promoting an eventual world religion to go along with a world government.

According to USA Today, 100 “religiously affiliated representatives” from the USA will attend the Copenhagen summit according to Tyler Edgar, assistant director for the environmental arm of the National Council of Churches. Hundreds of religious leaders are projected to attend from different parts of the world.

Former National Association of Evangelicals vice president Richard Cizik will attend. He was forced to resign his NAE position. Rowan Williams and Desmond Tutu will be there. Williams is the leader of the Church of England and of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Tutu is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and South African minister. Click here to continue reading.

Rick Warren's Church Is a Contemplative Church

2010-02-23T17:15:00.000-05:00

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1706
Go here and read more about this:

Saddleback Church IS a Contemplative Church

June 16th, 2008
Author: Lighthouse Trails Editors

As Lighthouse Trails has reported many times in the past, Rick Warren (pastor of Saddleback Church) has been promoting the spiritual formation (i.e., contemplative prayer) movement for many years. This report will show that Saddleback Church is directly recommending numerous contemplative materials to those under their influence through “spiritual formation” and what they term “maturity.”

First of all, it is important to understand what the contemplative means by “maturity.” In Rick Warren’s first book, The Purpose Driven Church, he said he saw spiritual formation as God’s way of bringing “believers to full maturity.” He named Richard Foster and Dallas Willard as being key players in that process and said that the spiritual formation movement had a “valid message for the church” and gave “the body of Christ a wake-up call” (pp. 126-127). Because Warren equates spiritual maturity with Richard Foster, it is logical for us to examine what Foster thinks about this subject.

Many Seeking Spiritual Directors

2010-02-23T17:12:00.000-05:00

Link to this article in LightHouseTrails.com:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/

“More people turning to spiritual [formation] directors”

February 17th, 2010
Author: Miscellaneous News Source

LTRP Note: This article from a secular newspaper once again proves that spiritual formation (i.e., contemplative spirituality) has entered the evangelical church in a significant manner. Please see our links below this article for more information on spiritual directors. Remember, the roots and nature of contemplative spirituality is occultic and panentheistic. We believe Richard Foster and Rick Warren have both played vital roles in bringing this paradigm shift into the church. And yet, most Christian leaders and pastors today will not acknowlege this and continue to promote the teachings of both men. Thus, the results as reported on in the article below.

Specialists provide guidance to those seeking deeper faith

By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ashes, which many Christians will receive on their foreheads today to mark the beginning of Lent, are intended to encourage repentance and renewal.

Those who want guidance in that process can turn to spiritual directors. Most clergy aren’t spiritual directors and not all spiritual directors are clergy. They have special training in guiding others into a deeper life of prayer and in seeking God’s will.

“Ash Wednesday is a time of renewing and turning away from that which is distracting us from God, and recommitting to being in a relationship with God. That is what spiritual direction is designed to support,” said Liz Ellmann, executive director of Spiritual Directors International, based in Bellevue, Wash.

Her organization includes 6,400 spiritual directors from many faiths, though most are Christian and more than a third are Catholic. Its website, www.sdiworld.org, includes a regional directory. Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10048/1036363-455.stm#ixzz0fomfqHJ1

New Age Is Not Dead

2010-02-23T17:06:00.001-05:00

I was raising my children when the New Age movement took place. I, too, thought it was just a bunch of hippies on drugs. But, as I have done research into the Emergent movement, I have found that this age of Aquarius did not just dissolve and go away. Instead, it has evolved into the present day false teaching that incorporate the emergent teaching. Below is an article from LightHouseTrails.com that tells about this. You may read more by going to the link provided.
Sandra
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/

Universalism: The Gospel Message of Emergent and New Age Spirituality

February 17th, 2010
Author: A Ministry in His Service

by Sola Sisters

One of the greatest misconceptions in this country today is that the New Age Movement of the 80’s and 90’s is (1) a thing of the past and (2) has nothing whatsoever in common with Christianity. Nothing could be further from the truth on either count. Let me explain.

Most Americans today have sort of an eye-rolling, amused response to the phrase “New Age.” Perhaps their minds are conjuring up an image of Shirley MacLaine on the beach, talking to the sky, a spiritual eccentric who became the punch line of many jokes for her interest in reincarnation and channeling. Perhaps they think that, like Shirley MacLaine, the New Age has passed gently into history, much like the rubix cube and Duran Duran. Well, the truth is that the New Age is still very much with us today. It never really went away, it just went mainstream. New Age practices or beliefs that were once considered borderline occultic or kooky are now widely accepted and embraced, including yoga, mantra meditation, muscle testing, acupuncture, reiki, sustainable living and going green. Don’t believe it? Just pick up any newspaper or popular magazine today (Reader’s Digest, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parade) and you will most likely read at least one, usually multiple articles, on the benefits of these practices. Heck, even my husband’s Golf World had a lengthy article in the February 2010 issue on how golf courses around the country are trying to “go green.” Click here to continue reading.

More Awareness of the One World Church on the Rise

2010-02-19T16:27:00.000-05:00

I am reading a lot more about the One World Church in the New World Order than I did just months ago. The article linked to this message has some facts about the church at Rome. I have always believed that the Catholic Church at Rome will be the Great Whore that will control all the religious practices of the world in the end times. This church has been working toward that end. It is becoming more ecumenical than before, including many into their ranks who would not have been allowed in in earlier times. I urge you to read this article for yourself. And I also urge you to read more about this.

On the tv news, we hear a lot about the new world government and economic unity, but the reporters don't tell us about the new world order in the realm of religion. Of course, we who are God's children are not religious anyway, so this won't apply to us. But, lest some be caught unawares, we must alert them to what is going on.

Oh, A Good God Would Never Do That...

2010-02-03T11:22:00.000-05:00

I have heard many intelligent people say, "A good God would never send anyone to hell." They assume there is no hell since this is what they believe. They can't believe God would allow animals to suffer and die. But they are putting our great God in a box.

All things exist by and for God. God is not ruled by His creation, He rules it. If we can think of time as a creation of God, and see it as a span stretching out from one end to the other, we can see what God made to use for His unfathomable plan. Who can know the limits of the universe? There is more power in the vastness of this great expanse than man will ever know. And this power belongs only to God.

I use the King Jame version of the Holy Bible most. And it clearly explains that the heavens and the earth were created by God in the beginning. Genesis 1:1 refers to a dateless past, the time span of which we no nothing. God has the privilege and power to create the earth and the universe as He willed. Nothing prevented Him from doing it His way.

We see the layers of the earth that have been laid down by vast spans of time, and we know that the earth is older than the time of the Garden of Eden. God made the universe for His use. And He made this planet earth for His use. We don't know how many other planets are in the universe that are capable of having life made in the image of God on it. But God knows. We at least know that He made this planet to house His highest form of created beings - mankind.

There is no need for argument between scientists/archeologists and creatonist over the age of the earth. God knows the age. That is all we need to know. But, the Word tells us that God does all things well - in His time. And He chose the perfect time to work out His plan for mankind.

It is generally accepted that the earth became without form and void as the result of Satan's fall from grace. When he was expelled to earth, he was naturally violent. As a result of his and his fallen angels' wrath, the earth was "all shook up." It became an upheaveled mess.

So, in Genesis 1:2, God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit came to put earth to rights again. There is no creative act in these first verses of Genesis by God except the animal life and man. All the rest was put into proper order by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. They re-organized what God had already created. And, God made the times and seasons for earth for the benefit of man.

On the whole earth, there was evidence of God's mighty power. In the storms, winds, and other forces of nature, God's power was shown. We are told in the Word that this earth will wear out and fold up like a scroll. God never intended for this earth to last forever. And those who think they can make God's kingdom come now are just fooling themselves.

God has a purpose for time. And He built into the earth a law called the second law of thermodynamics. This results in decay and wearing down of earth. If nothing ever died, this earth would have long since been over crowded. But God made the animal, insect, and plant life to die, be food for other animals and plants, and for life to go on by this giving of food from dead animals and plants. He created such a balance in life that plants take in what animals/man give out, and then they produce what man/animals need to take in. God has perfect balalce in His world.

Those who say we can save the earth by environmental acts are just stalling time and fooling themselves. Yes, we are to be good caretakers of the earth. But man cannot prevent it from growing old and becoming unhabitable for man and all life. Eventually, the earth will wear out. And God will bring about the new earth and new heavens.

In the Garden of Eden, God placed Adam and Eve. They were not eternal in their life at that point. They were in a state of grace. Outside the Garden were all the things that made life dangerous and hard. But in the Garden, these two were kept by God in harmony and safety. If they had kept God's commandmants, they would have been kept in that state of safety while God worked out in their lives the path for eternal life. Instead, when they disobeyed God, He sent them from the place of safety before they could eat of the tree of life and obtain eternal life and live in their state of rebellion forever.

God put His creation in His image on earth at the right time. And then, in another right time, He sent His Son, Jesus, to come to earth, teach, and sacrifice Himself so that all who will accept His work on the cross can have their spirits reborn, made alive. Then, with the spirits, those who believe can communicate with God. This is God's reason for creating man. He wanted beings higher than the angels to communicate with Him. His goal for every man is to help him grow out of the sins of the soul and into a spiritual life that is in harmony with Him.

And, when the time is right again, Jesus will come to earth. He will set up His own kingdom and will reign over it until all things are put under His feet and all people who will believe are come into His kingdom. No one knows this time. Many perdictions are made. But only God knows this time.

However, let's not put God into the box of time. He lives outside it. He controls it for His purpose. And when that purpose is accomplished, time will cease to exist. Those of us who are His will live outside the barriers of time. We will no longer by hampered by decay, death, or destruction. All things will have passed away. And new things will take their place. This is enough reason for me to live for Him. Life has meaning only by living in His fellowship, experiencing His cleansing power, and doing what He leads each of us to do.
Sandy

Please, pray for our nation

2010-02-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

This morning, as I was in my time with the Father, I was going to a scripture for some reference. But, instead, my attention was directed to this scripture:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it....." Ezekiel 22: 30

As I read this, I realized the Father was giving it to me this morning to write about on the internet. This video/song is so true. It is past time for our people to pray for our nation. As a nation, we have committed many sins. As in the previous verse:

"The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy..."

As a nation, we have done all this. Much of it was done in long times past. But it is the sin of our nation. As such, our nation must repent, must mourn for its sins. They can't be undone, but if we call upon the Lord, asking for national forgiveness, with the people calling out to Him, He will forgive.

Our nation is the world's only light for freedom and hope for a kind of life that will allow us to live in accordance with God's principles. If we refuse these principles, God will exact His wrath upon us as a nation. It will take the people of God to call out to Him for forgiveness. The majority of our people will not do this. But if enough of His people do, then I believe He will give our nation a chance to stand for Him as we need to.

I know this will offend many people. But it is the only way to save our nation from the destruction that will come upon it if we don't do it. I know I make enemies when I write like this. But I would rather make enemies of men than make an enemy of God.

Please, if you value our nation, pray. Not only pray, but write to your congressmen/women and to the Supreme Court judges, the President, and everyone you can reach with your words. Put feet to your prayers.
Sandy

Is Jesus Lord of Your Life?

2009-12-27T14:04:00.000-05:00

December 27

Is Jesus Lord of Your Life?

Many people will say that Jesus is Lord. But, will they say Jesus is Lord of their lives?

Luke 2:11 - "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

The Bible says Jesus is Lord. Christ comes from a Greek word, Christos, meaning Messiah. Jesus is Lord, Lord of all there is. Many people confess Jesus as Saviour, but they don't let Him in as Lord of their lives. If Jesus is not Lord of a person's life, He is not Saviour either. A person cannot have Jesus in name but not in Lordship.
Some say, "I will make Jesus Lord of my life." This is wrong. No one can make Jesus Lord. He already IS Lord. So, it is only for a person to accept that fact and let Jesus have complete control over his life. A person cannot have Jesus and still live as the world lives. That person is only fooling himself. If he won't let Jesus have control over his life, that person is not saved at all.
Man has always wanted to have control of his life. Adam ate of the forbidden fruit because of his self will. And man has always wanted to make his own decisions. But, when a person accepts Jesus as Savior, he accepts Him as Lord. And that is the last independent decision a man will ever make. From then on, it is Jesus who is making the decisions. God is in control. And if a person is not willing to give up this control, he cannot be saved.
Romans 14:9- A man cannot live unto himself and still be a child of God. In verse 7, we read, "For none of us live to himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." And in verse 11, "For it is written, As I live says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and ever tongue shall confess to God (that Jesus is Lord)."

One day every person who has ever lived will confess that Jesus is Lord. Every knee will bow to Him. Those who live today as though there is no God, as though Jesus does not matter, will one day bow before Him and confess that He is Lord. This is a fact. No man shall escape this.
We must take ourselves off the throne of our lives and let Jesus have His rightful place. We must say with Paul, on the road to Damascus, "Lord, what would You have me to do?" Our lives are to please Jesus, to obey Him. It doesn't matter who we displease if we please the Lord. So, for then on, our service is simple. Each day we ask for guidance to live as He wants us to live. That is our reasonable service.

When we have Jesus as our Savior and Lord, it subdues Satan. Satan fears a godly Christian. We do not fear Satan, for He is a defeated foe. Jesus won victory over Him at Jesus' ressurection. Now, Satan has no power over a Christian unless that Christian won't give up his will and way to Jesus.

Some people say that Jesus wasn't really born of a virgin. But in Genesis when we read what God said about putting enmity between Satan and the woman, Genesis 3:14-15- "And the Lord God said unto the serpent, because you have done this, you are cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field; upon your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel."

A woman does not have a seed. Only the man has seed to reproduce. So, this passage speaks of the birth of Jesus from a virgin. This is the first indication of Jesus' virgin birth. It was given in the earliest part of the Bible. And it was then foreshadowed all through the Old Testament.

When Jesus came to earth, His work and sacrifice on the cross gave Satan a death blow. Now, Satan has no power over those who belong to God. He want to make them think he has power, but he has none. And we all need to remember this. When it is Jesus, Lord, God, the Holy Spirit making the decisions about our lives, Satan cannot touch us.

So, I leave you with this question, Is Jesus Lord of your life?

Sandy

The Times Are Very Near

2009-11-30T18:24:00.000-05:00

We are seeing today how the times prophesied in the Bible speak of. As I have written in this site, false teachings about religion now abound. As I write this, we are on the very verge of becoming a one world government, economy, and also a one world religion under the church at Rome. All these things lead to the rise of the Beast who will be the leader of the one world government, and the Great Whore that will take people away from the Truth of the Bible and feed them with lies and lead them astray. This gives the scene for the appearance of the Anti-Christ.

The Anti-Christ will be just as his name indicated. He will be totally against everything of Jesus Christ and the Bible. This man will know the Truth of Jesus and the Bible, but he will lead many away by his lies and false miracles. He will imitate the life of Jesus while Jesus was on this earth. He will do miracles by the power of Satan, his other self. He will even seem to rise from death. He will foold many who do not know Jesus.

I have written many times how important it is for all people who want to be faithful to our Father, God and to our Lord Jesus Christ to make themselves prepared by knowing the Word as in the Bible, spend time in fellowship with the Father to know Him intimately, and learn to listen to the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit. In the days, weeks, and years ahead, we cannot take time to get ready. We must BE ready. In order to do that, each person must learn to feed on God's Word for himself/herself. We can no longer be spoon fed by preachers.

Today, many people are running to and fro, trying to find knowledge, but always seeking and never finding. We can't find what God wants us to know by running to other preachers. There are some great ones out there, but they had to find their messages the same way we have to find our knowledge of the Word and of God's will. They get into the Word, pray and ask for revelation, and spend time with the Father. It is so important to allow time in your prayer time to listen to the Father. He just may have something to say to you.

I wish I could get up on a tall building in every city and with a loud speaker shout to all the people this message. My heart burns with it. I just cry in my spirit for everyone to know this. Please, don't just read this for yourself. Tell others, share it with all you know. If you know people who don't know our Jesus, tell them about Him. We don't have time to be timid. We don't have time to be selfish with fear. We must tell them. How will they know unless we tell them?
Sandy

God's People Must Feed Themselves On The Word

2009-11-18T15:25:00.000-05:00

If the people of God will stand in faith in the times we are in, they must learn to feed on God's Word. Too many people depend on preachers to feed them. These are still baby Christians, and they will not have the strength to stand in the hard times to come.

Psalm 119 gives plenty of instruction for how to feed on God's Word. I will take this message from that Psalm.

1. We must appreciate the virtues of the Word of God.
         A. The Bible is a timeless book. v. 89. It is indestructible. Many have tried to destory it,
         but it lives on.
         B. It is a true word. v. 160
         C. It is a treasured book
All these are true of God's Word. It was written by many authors over long periods os time. Still, the essential theme of redemption runs from Genesis to Revelation. It is a consistent book with the truths of how God wants mankind to live in relationship to Him.

2. We must assimilate the vitality of God's Word
         The Bible pulsates with life. v.73- Pray over it, asking for understading
         Ponder it - v. 148 - take time to get it into your heart, think on it,
         v. 11- Preserve it. Keep it in your heart. We can memorize it better than we think. God
         says to hide it in our hearts that we might not sin against Him.
         v. 1-5 - Practice it. We never remember what we don't practice. Faith is like a muscle.
         The more we use it, the stronger it gets. And the same is true with the Word of God.
         The more we read it, ponder it, think upon it, the more it will stay within us.

Spend time with the Father just talking to Him as you would a best friend. Ask Him for what you need. Ask Him to search out your secret sins and take them from you. Then, be prepared to obey the leading as the Holy Spirit helps you with this. It won't always be comfortable, but it will be healing and bring you peace.

Ask yourself these questions:
     Is there a promise to claim?
     Is there a lesson to learn?
     Is there a blessing to claim?
     Is there a command to obey?
     Is there a sin to avoid?
     Is there something new to carry with me?

If you really want to understand the Word of God, you must practice what you already know and understand of it.

The, but not last, we must proclaim it. v. 46, 172.
After the Word is in you, then you can appropriate it.
It is our source of victory over all that besets us from the enemy. It gives us victory.
It is our source of food for the spirit. v 32
It gives us joy and power and produces peace within us.
If we don't feed on the Word of God, we cannot grow in our spirits.

The Bible addresses one problem -- SIN. It has one enemy -- Satan. It has one hero- Jesus.
Our purpose is to glorify God. We cannot do this unless we know His Word, His ways, and His will for each of us. We learn these things by studying His Word and spending time in fellowship with Him.

We those who are of Jesus come before His throne to have our works judged, Jesus will not ask us how much earthly work we accomplished. Rather, He will be interested in how many works we did by the inspiration and leadership of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to God's Word. He will look at our motives, our purposes, our desires of the heart. All these things must line up with the will of God, or they will burn up as wood, hay, and stubble.
Lay up in Heaven things of gold, jewels, and precious things to last and lay at the feet of Jesus in that day.

Sandra D
11/18/2009

Unity Is The Name of The Game

2009-11-16T16:17:00.000-05:00

In most of what I read these days, the word "unity" is paramount. The Catholic church, which was not ecumenical before, is now becoming so. It has been accepting Anglican Catholics into the church at Rome. And it is now considering accepting the Orthodox Catholics. It also has its eye on the Oriental Catholics. The theme of all of this is unity.

When I was a younster, I heard preachers say that the Catholic Church was the "Great Whore" of the book of Revelation. Well, I won't judge that. But with everyone going to the church at Rome, what is one to surmise?

The Catholic Church is united with the Lutherian congregations in this unification process. Soon, all the mainline churches will be drawn into this unity. This is the establising of the one world religion. This one world religion does not require that all people worship the same way or hold to the same "god", it is allowing other peoples, such as other faiths, to join the ranks and keep their own religion.

Well, religion is not what Jesus preached anyway. I am not a religious person. I am a person of faith. My faith is in the one true living God of all, in Jesus Christ as His Son and my Savior, and the Holy Spirit who resides in me as my teacher, counselor, friend, and helper. I don't claim a religion, but I claim salvation in Jesus Christ.

Those who do not know how to feed on God's Word for themselves in these days will be led into error as more of the clergy turn to the false ways. Those who are strong in faith will stand, but will be considered harmful people by this false way.

If you don't want to be led astray, begin studying the Word. Spend time with the Father. Listen to and obey the Holy Spirit. You don't have a lifetime in which to do this. Time is short, and the workers are few. Be about God's business of spreading the truth of the gospel to everyone you can reach.

Sandra

Much Confusion Is Now In Christianity Ranks

2009-11-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

I have been writing about the false teachings of the emergent church movement for about two years. But the situation is becoming so serious that even those in the main stream of Christianity are becoming confused as to what is the truth or what is false. I have written that we are in the days when those who are not well-grounded in their faith will have a hard time standing, and it is becoming so. I am going to put here some writing from the LightHouseTrails newsletter. It shows how this confusion has affected many of the pastors and leaders of main line churches.
Sandra

Dear Concerned Christian,

If your head is spinning, trying to keep up with the latest happenings of the leaders of the evangelical Christian church, it's no wonder. For many, it's becoming increasingly difficult to see clearly through the muddy waters of organized Christianity. More and more leaders, who have been considered orthodox and traditional, are ending up on speaking platforms with those from the emerging/contemplative/New Spirituality arena.

These minglings are not occasional or isolated events any longer. They are happening with increased frequency. For the most part, Christian leaders are not speaking up about the confusion it is causing.

Some people watching this unfold are angry that ministries like Lighthouse Trails would dare question their spiritual" heroes." For others, they laugh and say, "See, I told you there was nothing wrong with this new paradigm spirituality." And still others say, "I thought at one time it was wrong, but one of my favorite Christian figures shows no concern (and in fact stands alongside them), so now I believe this new spirituality is not wrong at all." And in the midst of all this, confusion mounts, and the Gospel message is looking more obscure all the time.

Examples, you ask? Too many to list them all. But here are a few:

I have included a link where you and read the rest of this.

http://mail.live.com/?rru=inbox

All Things Coming Together for the End

2009-10-27T13:38:00.002-04:00

As I read and study today, I learn more about how many areas of our nation and the world are coming into alignment for the one world government, economy, and religion that will give rise to the man of sin, the Beast of the end times. At the present time, Tony Blair of the UK is probably going to try for the leadership of this one world society. It may be that our President, O'Bama will also try for this leadership.

This leader will be against Israel, but will make peace with her for the space of time alloted. Then, all the armies will come against Israel. This is the time when Jesus will come to the earth and kill all the armies so that a great deal of blood will be shed in the valley of war.

In Daniel 12: we read about this time. Read this for yourself. It refers both to the people of Daniel, the Jews, and to the people who have accepted Jesus as Saviour. Verse 3 gives a picture of what God's people will be like in this time.

However, the verse 4 says that many will run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. At this time in our church history, many people are going from preacher to preacher, from Bible study to Bible study trying to get the knowledge of God that they seek. These people want it spoon fed to them. They want preachers to give it to them. Instead of this, people should get into the Word, the Bible, and spend time with the Father Himself. They must get to know Him. They must hear what He wants to say to each individual. Spiritual maturity is not learned second hand. It is learned by being in the Word and hearing from the Holy Spirit.

People are wasting precious time that they could spend learning from our Father, from our Lord Jesus, from the Holy Spirit. Some even neglect their families for seeking out these preachers. They are like people on fire for something that is illusive to them. The Bible speaks of these people as babies. They have to be fed milk instead of meat. They can't feed themselves.

There are good times to hear the Word preached from the pulpit. This often happens on the day of worship for Christians, Sunday. There is nothing wrong with hearing from the preacher. He is annointed to bring God's word to the people. But when a person is not in the assembly of the church, that person has a duty to work out his/her own salvation with fear and trembling. This means that every person must study, pray, listen, and learn from the Father what is for that person. Make your spiritual experience personal. Make it from the Father for you.

A time is coming soon when you will not have a preacher to feed you. In these times, you must have the ability to get your food from the Word and the Holy Spirit. And if the Bible is taken from you, you still have the Holy Spirit to teach you and the Word that you have placed in your heart to guide you. If you don't get these now, when that time comes, you will have nothing to hold on to.

What will you have?

Demonic Power Will Grow Stronger in the Last Days

2009-10-19T19:42:00.000-04:00

The following is from the latest newsletter from http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter20091019.htm

I highly recommend this site to up to date information about what is happening in the spiritual world today.
Sandra

Demonic Power Will Grow Stronger in the Last Days

I am convinced that the world is being prepared even now to accept and believe the witness of the sign when the false prophet will call down fire from heaven (Rev. 13:13). Note, for example, the unprecedented increase in emphasis on television on supernatural powers, ghosts, and spirits. These themes have been around for a very long time, but not since the superstitious days of the Middle Ages have they been accentuated so heavily. This build-up, I believe, is preparing the populace for Satan's introduction of the Beast and his false prophet, who will deceive "them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast;" (Rev. 13-14).

Thus will the false prophet seemingly verify that the Beast that rose out of the sea (Rev. 13:1), also known as "the son of perdition" and the anti-Christ, is indeed the promised Messiah. Once again, God will be testing mankind by allowing these miracle-signs, to reveal the faithful remnant that will cling to the revealed Word and will not be snared by the Anti-Christ's powerful delusion.

May all who read these words be among that faithful remnant!

Our Nation Is In Danger

2009-10-19T12:16:00.000-04:00

http://fightinwordsusa.wordpress.com/rebels-and-radicals-the-new-american-revolution/
This link says a lot.

Folks, it is time for all who value this nation to act. We can no longer sit by and watch while our President gives our nation away to the European Community. All our rights will be gone. We will become slaves to this new One World Government.

I have written about the emerging church movement and its goal to have a one world government. Well, it is past time to research them. Our President is about to sign away our nation. We must act. Please, call the White House at 1-202-456-1111. Call your senators and representatives. Call anyone who has any power at all. Speak up. Tell them you don't want our nation given over to this one world government.

THE TIME IS NOW. WE MUST ACT!

Sandra

Our Nation Is In Mortal Danger

2009-10-19T12:11:00.000-04:00

The link to the site above tells us that President O'Bama is selling our nation to the European Community. If we allow this, we will have no more freedoms. Please, please read the above article, then call your Congressmen and Senators. Call the White House at 1-202-456-1111. Tell them that you are strongly opposed to what O'Bama is about to do. Our nation is at risk!! Please do something. Here is the link again in case the one above doesn't work.

http://www.infowars.com/obama-poised-to-cede-us-sovereignty-claims-british-lord/

Sandra

Sites To Read

2009-10-10T14:25:00.000-04:00

http://www.understandthetimes.org I have often referred you to the site where the LightHouseResearch.com tells of the emerging church teachings. I now want to refer you to the link at the first of this page. It is a site that publishes articles about things happening in our world that Christians should be aware of. It is easy reading, but gives the reader much more to search out.

Here is an article from the recent newsletter of Understanding the Times:

September 27 - The US joins the world

Article: Israel And The Last Days

US President Barack Obama last week firmly aligned his administration with the Arab world, joining the rest of the international community in its position against the Jewish State of Israel.

Addressing some 140 world leaders gathered in New York for the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Obama condemned as an illegal "occupation" Israel's presence in its ancestral homeland. And he roundly rejected the right of Jews to live and build communities in the hill country they believe was given to them by their God.

But while, according to the American leader, Israel's people have no right to possess, dwell in and govern the land of their fathers, the United States must insist that Israel "respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians."

Obama's position indicates his acceptance and intention to champion the Arab narrative - which insists that the "Palestinians" have lived in the land "from time immemorial" and have the right to be formed as a nation in it.

He has thus rejected the Jewish narrative - which holds that this was the Land of Canaan given to Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob and then Jacob's descendants; that the nation took root here nearly 4000 years ago, growing and developing in this land and ruling as sovereigns over it; that following the Jews' expulsion from the land they kept burning for two millennia the fire of their intended return; that they are not a foreign implant, not a colony, not in the land in order to assuage stricken western consciences following the Holocaust; that the Palestinian Arabs have no national history - neither in this land nor anywhere else, and that the creation of an Arab state in the historical Jewish homeland constitutes land theft and poses an existential threat to Israel.

Critics slammed Obama's speech as the most anti-Israel message ever delivered by a president of the United States. America's former ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, slammed Obama's address as "the most radical anti-Israel speech I can recall any president making."

Read More ....

Folks, this is getting serious. The time when many armies will come against Israel and God will intervene on their behalf is very near. And most of us as Christians believe that before that time Jesus will come for His own, so the time of the Rapture is so near that we dare not be ready. Our nation is rapidly entering into the One World Community, and Tony Blair just well may be the leader of this community. We all need to read what is currently going on in our world. We cannot afford to be ignorant of the signs of the times. Some say that they just want to be ready and wait on Jesus to come. They don't want to know what is happening in our world. I think this is wrong. As we see the times growing closer, we are spurred to tell the gospel of Jesus even more to everyone we know. We must continue working until Jesus takes us out of this world. None can afford to sit idle.

Christians Who Hold To The Truth Will Be Hated

2009-10-06T14:56:00.000-04:00

I am continuing to read in the book of Acts in the Bible. This is where the Holy Spirit has me for the time being. This morning I read about how Peter and John were arrested for preaching the truth of Jesus. The Pharisees were so angry at them for this that they warned them not to preach about Jesus anymore. Before they let Peter and John go, they beat them. But this didn't diminish these disciples' ardor for preaching Jesus.

In Acts 5: 41- we read that Peter and John went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' name.

In our society today, Christians and Christianity is under attack. According to Rick Warren and people like Brian McLaren,

"if you believe the Book of Revelation and Matthew 24 are yet to take place, you are a dangerous psychological misfit and are assumed to have no compassion for the suffering, no concerns for the environment or the world in which we live, and have the potential to blow up the world with 'weapons of mass destruction."
(Faith Undone by Roger Oakland, page 204)

It would be one thing if he was referring to big governments and political leaders, but this is not the case. He is referring to Christians who believe what the Bible says about the last days.

Rick Warren calls these people "resisters." He says they will have to leave or die. He calls these Christians "the ornery ones." And he calls the pastors of churches that still preach the Truth, "the meaner ones."

With such criticism of Christians being taught by leaders whom most Americans think to be wonderful leaders in the spiritual movement, it is time to think about what Christians who refuse to
"leave or die" will do when the fire comes to each one of them.

I have written much in my other site: http://christianchatsandart3.spaces.live.com/ about Christian growth and how Christians must learn to stand on faith. It is imperative that we learn these things. If we cannot stand in times of really minor persecution from people around us now, how will we stand when this persecution comes from leaders of the nation?

In the book Faith Undone, a man with the last name of Sutherland tells readers that "some folks are going to get very angry. He likens these opposers (Christians) to 'leaders from hell." (page205)

The concept of get with it or die is very common in New Age and emerging circles as well.

I could site many references to these people and their views of Christians. But you need to get this book. You can order it from LightHouseTrailsPublishing on the web. It costs $12.00 plus shipping and handling = about $18.00. It is worth every penny. I also recommend the other book I have been referring to, A Time Of Departing by Ray Yungen. If you read these two book, you will have a complete knowledge of where this movement came from, what it advocates, and where it is leading. This may be the most important reading you can do besides the Holy Bible.

I will write more about this movement and about another church that is promoting a false christ in future messages.

Please tell your friends about this site. I want everyone to be warned. What they do with the knowledge is up to them.

Sandra

In My Opinion: Christianity Is Threatened in America

2009-10-06T14:31:00.000-04:00

In My Opinion: Christianity Is Threatened in America

Christianity Is Threatened in America

2009-10-06T14:29:00.000-04:00

I saw Newt Gingrich on tv last night. He and his wife are making videos about how Christianity is being threatened in our society. I don't know what all his videos contain, but you can get the link for them from this site.
Sandra

Newt Gingrich: Americans Must Fight Hostility to Christianity Growing in Schools

Sunday, October 4, 2009 5:37 PM

A virulent hostility toward religion is threatening the very fabric of American liberty and prosperity: That's the alarm former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife, Callista, are sounding in their thought-provoking new documentary, “Rediscovering God in America II: Our Heritage."

In an exclusive Newsmax.TV interview, the former House speaker contends that American culture has been marked by "a steady increase in hostility to religion over the last 70 or 80 years, in ways that are a profound challenge, both to Western Civilization and to America as we know it."

Christianity appears to be the primary target of the attacks, Gingrich says.
See Video: Newt Gingrich talks about the threat to Christianity in our nation’s schools - Click Here Now

Special: Get Gingrich’s new video and see trailer Click Here Now

Gingrich says, "When you look at efforts to drive the cross off of public lands, efforts to drive [out] Nativity scenes. . . there are a number of places in America now where there is a great bias in favor of teaching children about Islam than there is about Christianity. You actually have schools today that will have a class on Islam but refuse to have a class on Christianity. I'll let you decide whether that's a bias."

With top-drawer cinematography complementing the real story of democracy's birth pangs, the DVD manages to avoid sounding the drumbeat of religiosity or politics.

"What we try to do is really put America in a historic setting," says Gingrich, himself a former college history professor. "These movies are not theological, they're not ideological."

The new DVD takes off where Gingrich's New York Times best-selling book “Rediscovering God in America” and its companion DVD by the same name left off.

Videos too important to miss

2009-10-02T17:43:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM2A4AHkMzQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Fr-FBstaE

Here are two more videos that I think are good.

Videos About the Emergent Teachings

2009-10-02T15:49:00.000-04:00

I want to give you some videos to view to learn what others have to say about the teachings of the post-modernism and emergent teachings. Please view these in the order in which I have listed them.
I got these from You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv6uxCch7oc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z6jAXuSaYI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vM0qODY9Gg

(If you have trouble with any of these videos, just let it run. Most of the time it will continue.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVth6gtHBNk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH1yOmij7Q4

On the same site where you view these videos, you will find others. You can look at them as you want. I just put these here to show you that many people are talking about this false teaching. It is not something of yesterday, rather it is a teaching of the now. We are experiencing it.
Sandra

What Is Contemplative Prayer?

2009-10-02T14:09:00.000-04:00

Today I want to make sure everyone knows just what contemplative prayer is, and why it is so dangerous. I am using data from the link I put with this post.

Contemplative Prayer—A mystical prayer practice that leads one into the "silence" but in actuality leads away from God.

Definition of Contemplative Spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

The purpose of contemplative prayer is to enter an altered state of consciousness in order to find one's true self, thus finding God. This true self relates to the belief that man is basically good. Proponents of contemplative prayer teach that all human beings have a divine center and that all, not just born again believers, should practice contemplative prayer.

"Contemplative consciousness," says [Thomas] Merton, is "a trans-cultural, trans-religious, trans-formed consciousness … it can shine through this or that system, religious or irreligious"(Thoughts on the East, p.34)

"Sparked by Eastern meditative techniques, today's version of centering prayer is bent on stilling the mind."

A Quiet Revolution—JODI MAILANDER FARRELL

Listen to What Contemplatives Have To Say About This Form of Prayer and the Contemplative Lifestyle.

"For Fr. Bede, being universal meant to be centered and grounded. He generated this universality of heart through his daily practice of meditation and contemplative prayer, and this opened him ever more to the myths, symbols and teachings of the other great religions of the world."

Man, Monk, Mystic by Pascaline Coff, O.S.B. Speaking of Bede Griffiths.

"This understanding of the unity of the human family is central to Christianity. Our spiritual journey, especially contemplative prayer, together with its practices for daily life, are processes of becoming aware of just how profound that unity is with God, ourselves, other people, other living beings, the earth, and all creation." Thomas Keating in The Transformation of Suffering

"... beyond our methods and understanding is an ultimate reality that is open to all people regardless of their religious traditions. The overwhelming sense of this groundbreaking conference was the unifying force of a contemplative prayer practice."

Jena Hatchett WCCM 2001

This shows you why this type of prayer is so dangerous. It leads one away from the true God and opens him up to evil spirits, witchcraft, mind-altering myths. It denies the need for Jesus Christ as our Saviour.

Did Jesus instruct his followers to empty their minds through contemplative prayer?

On the contrary He said,

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your MIND."

Matthew 22:37 [NKJV]

I will write more about this type of prayer and about the things that are leading our nation into a one world religion as well as a one world government in future writings.

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We Live In Dangerous Times

2009-09-30T12:53:00.000-04:00

Almost all people today have the sense that the world is coming to an end. Even news casters who don't claim to be Christian talk about it. We can see that this earth is wearing out even as the Bible says it will. But there are those who condemn the ones who think this way or who look for the coming of Jesus. Those in the emerging church movement condemn such ones. Here is an article from LightHouseResearch.com that tells of this:

A growing number of well-known evangelical leaders today are teaching thousands of people that the world has a serious problem. The problem they describe is not what you might expect to hear, especially from evangelical leaders. They believe that those who claim Jesus is coming back soon and that the Earth will face a horrible Armageddon or judgment are actually the cause of the world's major problems and are prohibiting a time of great renewal from taking place. Talk of biblical end-time prophecy is considered by these men to be unnecessary and downright dangerous.

Tony Campolo in his recent book, Speaking My Mind suggests that these types of end-time thinkers are even the cause of wars. He says, "Their doctrines are a major factor in determining a far-ranging set of consequences that include American policies regarding militarism, the emergence of evangelical Zionism, attitudes toward Palestinians and the role of American geopolitics." (p. 207) He later says their "impact on geopolitics can only lead to war." (p. 215).

Rick Warren suggests that Jesus doesn't want us to even think about prophecy or His return. Warren tells us that it is none of our business. He tells us that thinking about Jesus' return is a ploy by Satan to get us distracted. (PDL, pp. 285, 286)

Richard Abanes, author and speaker, in his book End-Time Visions: The Road to Armageddon, criticizes many Christians who believe we should discuss prophecy and that there is indeed a coming Armageddon. He puts solid, Bible-based Christian leaders in the same category as cult leaders such as David Koresh, who led his group to an untimely end.

Are these evangelicals the first ones to hate the idea of Armageddon and the disaster that is coming to the world before Christ returns? In the book, Reinventing Jesus Christ, he quotes Barbara Marx Hubbard who says that those who believe in an Armageddon are self-centered people who if not stopped will actually cause a self-fulfilling prophecy to take place - the destruction of the world.

Marx Hubbard tells us of a global peace plan and she calls it an "Armageddon alternative." This alternative can actually save the world from Armageddon, she says, but only if enough people believe it and only if the world can be rid of these self-centered doomsdayers. "The species known as self-centered humanity will become extinct. The species known as whole-centered humanity will evolve.... Those who choose this version of the future will be there. Those who do not choose it will not be there." Marx Hubbard's own book of "Revelation" describes a message she received from the "Christ": "You are to prepare the way for the alternative to Armageddon, which is the Planetary Pentecost, the great Instant of Co-operation which can transform enough, en masse, to avoid the necessity of the seventh seal being broken." She continues: "Tell them to recognize the God within themselves, and to follow that light through the darkness of tribulations to the dawn of the Universal Age, when only the God-conscious continue to exist, and everyone is like Christ…. Those with the seal of the living God on their foreheads will be with Christ at the time of the Transformation. I cannot 'return' until enough of you are attracted and linked."
(By Sandra - This is just like Satan. He is a liar and the father of lies. If he can convince people to take this mark of the beast, he will have a people to worship him.)

According to Marx Hubbard it is these self-centered believers that are standing in the way. And yet in the book of Revelation, in the last chapter, Jesus says not once but three times, "I am coming quickly," while John in the same chapter tells us not to seal the words of the prophecy because the time is at hand."

In Reinventing Jesus Christ, he quotes Alice Bailey who was "told by her spirit guide over fifty years ago that the 'Forces of Darkness' would oppose the 'new gospel' and the 'New Age.' Is this new gospel and Transformation one and the same as Brian McLaren's New Kind of Christian and Emerging Church? Is it the same as Rick Warren's spiritual awakening and global Transformation? With so many similarities, one can only surmise that they may indeed be so. And if that is the case, will there be a growing hostility and anger towards those of us who say, Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus? (I Corinthians 16:22)

By Sandra-- All this is just more positive proof that the time when Jesus is coming for His own is immediate. Today we see that our President and other world leaders are working toward a one world community. The Catholic Church is now holding up the Eucharist Christ as the thing to be worshipped instead of Jesus himself. All over the world, we see that false christs are on the rise more than ever in my lifetime. Soon, the main anti-christ will make himself known. Satan is just using these foolish leaders to bring people in line with his plans. His desire has always been to be worshipped as god. He even tried to get Jesus to bow down and worship him when Jesus was in the wilderness. If Satan will tempt Jesus in this way, how much more will he work to get man to bow down to him. We are indeed living in a dangerous time. It is not that Satan hasn't been working hard to accomplish his goal all along, but now that he has reputable leaders in churches teaching his lies, his goal is that much more within his grasp. We must be warned. I urge you to tell everyone you know about this. It is your mandate from the Father. We are our brother's keeper.

Sandra

The Article from A. W. Tozer about the Lonliness of a Christian

2009-09-22T17:10:00.002-04:00

An Excerpt from

The Loneliness of the Christian

by A. W. Tozer

The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone.

The unsatisfied longings of the prophets for human understanding caused them to cry out in their complaint, and even our Lord Himself suffered in the same way.

The man [or woman] who has passed on into the divine Presence in actual inner experience will not find many who understand him. He finds few who care to talk about that which is the supreme object of his interest, so he is often silent and preoccupied in the midst of noisy religious shoptalk. For this he earns the reputation of being dull and over-serious, so he is avoided and the gulf between him and society widens.

He searches for friends upon whose garments he can detect the smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces, and finding few or none he, like Mary of old, keeps these things in his heart.

It is this very loneliness that throws him back upon God. His inability to find human companionship drives him to seek in God what he can find nowhere else."

From Man - The Dwelling Place of God, Chapter 39: "The Saint Must Walk Alone"

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Is It All About Relationships?

2009-09-22T16:59:00.000-04:00

In his book, Rick Warren would have you believe that the Christian life is all about relationships. Well, I found the following article that says it better then I can.

IS CHRISTIANITY ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS?

By Paul Proctor

September 11, 2009

NewsWithViews.com

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” – Luke 6:26

It seems I am receiving a little extra email these days from troubled Christians who have had to give up a church, some friends and/or certain family members in order to remain faithful to God and His Word. I can tell you without hesitation that I certainly have – and on more than one occasion.

No one can lead you down the road of temptation quicker than a close friend, family member or fellow Christian. The downgrading of today’s “Church” along with society has clearly taken its toll on the brethren and is now driving many out the sanctuary doors to preserve their faith in Jesus Christ.

I heard Authority Research founder and director, Dean Gotcher, in a recent radio interview refer to the loneliness that results from the loss of such relationships as the taking up of one’s cross for Christ. When I respond to the heartbreaking email of readers who have had to leave their local church in obedience to God’s Word, I often reply with some empathetic encouragement and a link to a short piece written by A.W. Tozer titled: The Loneliness of the Christian.

For believers new to this column, I realize that the idea of sacrificing treasured relationships, even those we worship with, is probably a stark contrast to what you regularly receive from the pulpit of your local church and the lectern of your weekly Bible study class where most everything these days revolves around establishing, protecting, sustaining and maintaining relationships of all kinds, at all costs – a dangerous notion that is just not biblical.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” – Amos 3:3

Simply put, it turns people into church worshippers who revere, embrace and obey the consensus of a congregation with a contrived unity rather than God worshippers who put His Word and Authority far and above the fellowship, opinions, theories, life experiences and personal tastes of well meaning Christians and clergy.

This Religion of Relationships has now all but taken over what is called “Christianity” and ought to be called what it really is: “Churchianity” – the worship of and faith in those who claim to be the “Body of Christ” – especially its leaders who treat their own counsel, conjecture, sermon stories and agendas as equal to or greater than the Word of God.

Those who embrace Churchianity will often respond to a rebuking scripture with: “Yeah, but…” as if to be able to trump it with some greater knowledge, wisdom, anecdote or seemingly contradicting verse from the Bible. This is the ugly arrogance of today’s humanistic spirituality and its self-serving, self-worshipping ways.

When listening to a fellow church member, teacher or preacher talk about the Christian life, how many times have you heard them cite that sacred slogan: “It’s all about relationships?”

Baloney!

It’s about repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and our loving obedience to His Word, whatever may come – a faithfulness that will cost you more relationships than it will ever garner you! Our first love and loyalty is to Him, not our fellow man. That doesn’t mean we don’t take up the towel to wash feet, serve others, sacrifice ourselves and love our neighbor – it simply means they don’t come first in our lives – Jesus Christ does. That’s why we call Him “Lord” and not the brethren.

But, when we place our hope and faith in the redeemed rather than the Redeemer and put the words of men over the Word of God, we become no better than new agers who believe that God is in everyone and in everything – worshipping the creation instead of the Creator and in doing so, make ourselves gods to be praised and exalted with reciprocating adulation and acclaim.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” – Psalm 12:2

If your Christianity isn’t costing you at least some friends and family, both inside and outside the church house, your hope and faith may have turned horizontal. If your Sunday gatherings have become flattery festivals where people are quoted and praised more than Jesus Christ, you might want to reconsider your church membership. If you have friends and family that hate God, but love you, it might be time to reexamine your witness for Christ and your commitment to Him.

“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.” – Luke 21:16-17

Take a sober and discerning look around your church next Sunday and tell me what you see. If it’s all about relationships there, it may be time to hit the door and go find your cross.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 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. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 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. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” – Matthew 10:33-39

Related articles:

1. The Loneliness of the Christian

2. Authority Research

3. Are You A Church Worshipper?

© 2009 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved

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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.

E-Mail: watchman@usa.com

A Novel About Contemplative Spirituality

2009-09-21T16:26:00.000-04:00

The following statements are from people who have read a novel that exposes the dangers of the Contempative Spirituality. A novel is generally easier for some people to read than a research book. I highly recommend getting this book and reading it to share with others. Carolyn A. Greene's novel, Castles in the Sand
Sandra

One Family's Reaction to Novel Exposing Contemplative Spirituality Dangers

LTRP Note: The following letter was sent to us by a woman in Florida, whose family has been helped by reading Carolyn A. Greene's novel, Castles in the Sand, the only novel ever published that exposes the dangers of contemplative spirituality. We hope this letter will encourage others to get this book and share it with their families and friends who may be delving into this mystical spirituality).

Dear Lighthouse Trails, just want to pass on some input about Castles in the Sand:

--From a friend I had loaned the Castles book to:

"I finished the book ... I'm ordering some extras to pass out, too."

--From another friend I had loaned a copy to:

"This is scary! May I buy this book from you? I want to mark in it and show the info to all my friends and my children."

--From my niece in rural Kentucky who had read a copy of Castles that I had loaned her:

"Because I had read that book you loaned me, I was able to recognize what a lady who spoke in our church was saying. She was promoting contemplative prayer and other such things. Had I not read Castles, I would not have known what she was talking about and would not have been concerned. I plan to speak with our pastor about this."

--From Me:

My daughter read the book while visiting us. She liked it so much she had me order one for her to loan to her friend in Tennessee. She told her friend about it before the book came in. A bit later, her friend told her that, because of what my daughter told her about the book, she recognized the problem areas in a book she had checked out from her church library for her 4 YEAR OLD. It was about snakes and yoga. My daughter's friend is now reading the book. Her husband is the Christian Ed teacher at a Christian school, so I'm hoping he'll also read the book so he can beware.

My son, who doesn't usually read things like that (he's a history reader) read it -- at my insistence. He said--without my prompting-- that it was a book that many should read so they can know what is out there!!!

I'm so proud of my late 30s children--that they truly have a biblical worldview, and I know it is because of sound Bible teaching and understanding the need for books like Castles in the Sand.

Please pass this on to the author. I am giving each of my two visiting friends copies of the book this week. They are from two different churches in Kentucky so, hopefully, the info will go out from them to many. Thanks for your ministry! M.R. in Florida.

Test The Spirits

2009-09-21T16:18:00.000-04:00

by Warren B. Smith

www.newagetograce.com

Not long after our conversion, my wife and I sat down one day and talked about the ultimate spiritual deception described in the Bible--the great "falling away" of the church and the coming of Antichrist. We agreed that for someone like Antichrist to be credible in the world, he would need a majority of the people who call themselves Christians to believe that he was Christ. If he could get enough Christians--especially Christian leaders--to follow him, he could then discredit and marginalize those who oppose him. But to get people who call themselves Christians to believe that he was Christ he would first have to successfully redefine Christianity. To do that he would have to introduce non-Christian teachings and practices into the church, while at the same time make them appear Christian. His obvious goal would be to convert undiscerning and unsuspecting believers into a more eastern and mystical, New Age "Christianity." While invoking the name of "God" and "Christ" he would actually turn the Bible upside down--just as we had seen in A Course in Miracles and in our New Age teachings.

Christianity would become a more "positive" New Age "Christianity." This New Age Christianity would have "a form of godliness" but it would actually deny the true faith (1 Timothy 3:5). This New Age Christianity/New Spirituality would use Christian terminology but it would be under the spell of "another Jesus," "another spirit," and "another gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4). This New Age/New Gospel/New Spirituality would be the ultimate counterfeit and the ultimate deception. It would be what the real Jesus warned his followers to watch out for.

The New Age/New Spirituality has continued to make great inroads into the church--particularly in the area of meditation and so-called "contemplative prayer." Despite grave warnings from many of us that came out of the New Age movement, the church remains extremely vulnerable to deceptive, supernatural experiences that appear to come from God.

We knew from our own New Age involvement that powerful, seemingly "meant to be" spiritual experiences had often been used to draw us closer into the New Age and its various spiritual practices, including meditation and contemplation. And we knew that the same seductive experiences which had led us into the New Age, continued within our meditations and contemplations. Because our spiritual experiences felt so good, we just assumed that what we were experiencing was coming from God. Our meditations and contemplations soon became the primary connecting force that gave us "the feeling" we were on the right track. These daily meditations and contemplations served to reinforce our emerging New Age beliefs, and had the effect of leading us deeper and deeper into the teachings of the New Age/New Spirituality.

For most of us in the New Age, meditation was an integral part of daily life. Because it was so relaxing and felt so good we had no idea that our meditations were opening us up to great deception. Looking back on it now, meditation was the major pipeline through which deceptive spirits impressed upon us their New Age thoughts and teachings. The spiritual "high" that often accompanied our meditations and contemplations seemed to corroborate our emerging New Age belief that we were all "one" because God was "in" everyone and everything. In fact, in my very first meditation I experienced a "mysterious sense of oneness" that I perceived to be my "divine connection" to that oneness. One of the daily lessons I contemplated from A Course in Miracles was "Let me remember I am one with God."Click here for source material and to continue reading ...

Let me say, (Sandra) that for more information on the terms used by the emerging community, you can go to

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/researchtopics.htm

I use data from this site by their permission. It is a really good site to learn more about this false teaching. And while you are there, go to the publishing site where they sell books about this. Everyone should read Faith Undone by Roger Oakland. It will open your eyes.

Sandra

2009-09-21T16:12:00.000-04:00

http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin534.htm

The Bible is the absolute Truth for anyone who wants to know God. There is no other way. Satan is working overtime to make this world into a one world community. This is the community over which he will preside as the anti-christ. The above link tells more about how the Presidents of our nation have been and are pushing for this one world community.

This effort tells me more than anything else that the stage is set for the appearance of Jesus to come for His own. In John 14: 3, we read:

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

Now, why would Jesus tell people this if all they could expect was to live on this planet forever until they die. Or why would this be true if there was no Rapture as some people think. Jesus didn't say He would make a place on this earth for us. And He is not going to prepare a place for the lost people. Rather, He is preparing a place for His own people, those who accept Him as the Savior, the only door to the kingdom of Go.

And Jesus says He will come again and receive us. He will take us up to be with Him in that place He has prepared for us. Let not your hearts be troubled. Many of us who are alive today will witness this event. Of this I am positive.

I put in the above link so you can read some things for youself about the efforts to make this one world community. And it will happen.
Sandra

Is Christianity All About Relationships?

2009-09-21T16:01:00.000-04:00

IS CHRISTIANITY ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS?

By Paul Proctor

September 11, 2009

NewsWithViews.com

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” – Luke 6:26

It seems I am receiving a little extra email these days from troubled Christians who have had to give up a church, some friends and/or certain family members in order to remain faithful to God and His Word. I can tell you without hesitation that I certainly have – and on more than one occasion.

No one can lead you down the road of temptation quicker than a close friend, family member or fellow Christian. The downgrading of today’s “Church” along with society has clearly taken its toll on the brethren and is now driving many out the sanctuary doors to preserve their faith in Jesus Christ.

I heard Authority Research founder and director, Dean Gotcher, in a recent radio interview refer to the loneliness that results from the loss of such relationships as the taking up of one’s cross for Christ. When I respond to the heartbreaking email of readers who have had to leave their local church in obedience to God’s Word, I often reply with some empathetic encouragement and a link to a short piece written by A.W. Tozer titled: The Loneliness of the Christian.

For believers new to this column, I realize that the idea of sacrificing treasured relationships, even those we worship with, is probably a stark contrast to what you regularly receive from the pulpit of your local church and the lectern of your weekly Bible study class where most everything these days revolves around establishing, protecting, sustaining and maintaining relationships of all kinds, at all costs – a dangerous notion that is just not biblical.

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“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” – Amos 3:3

Simply put, it turns people into church worshippers who revere, embrace and obey the consensus of a congregation with a contrived unity rather than God worshippers who put His Word and Authority far and above the fellowship, opinions, theories, life experiences and personal tastes of well meaning Christians and clergy.

This Religion of Relationships has now all but taken over what is called “Christianity” and ought to be called what it really is: “Churchianity” – the worship of and faith in those who claim to be the “Body of Christ” – especially its leaders who treat their own counsel, conjecture, sermon stories and agendas as equal to or greater than the Word of God.

Those who embrace Churchianity will often respond to a rebuking scripture with: “Yeah, but…” as if to be able to trump it with some greater knowledge, wisdom, anecdote or seemingly contradicting verse from the Bible. This is the ugly arrogance of today’s humanistic spirituality and its self-serving, self-worshipping ways.

When listening to a fellow church member, teacher or preacher talk about the Christian life, how many times have you heard them cite that sacred slogan: “It’s all about relationships?”

Baloney!

It’s about repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and our loving obedience to His Word, whatever may come – a faithfulness that will cost you more relationships than it will ever garner you! Our first love and loyalty is to Him, not our fellow man. That doesn’t mean we don’t take up the towel to wash feet, serve others, sacrifice ourselves and love our neighbor – it simply means they don’t come first in our lives – Jesus Christ does. That’s why we call Him “Lord” and not the brethren.

But, when we place our hope and faith in the redeemed rather than the Redeemer and put the words of men over the Word of God, we become no better than new agers who believe that God is in everyone and in everything – worshipping the creation instead of the Creator and in doing so, make ourselves gods to be praised and exalted with reciprocating adulation and acclaim.

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” – Psalm 12:2

If your Christianity isn’t costing you at least some friends and family, both inside and outside the church house, your hope and faith may have turned horizontal. If your Sunday gatherings have become flattery festivals where people are quoted and praised more than Jesus Christ, you might want to reconsider your church membership. If you have friends and family that hate God, but love you, it might be time to reexamine your witness for Christ and your commitment to Him.

“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.” – Luke 21:16-17

Take a sober and discerning look around your church next Sunday and tell me what you see. If it’s all about relationships there, it may be time to hit the door and go find your cross.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 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. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 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. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” – Matthew 10:33-39

Related articles:

1. The Loneliness of the Christian

2. Authority Research

3. Are You A Church Worshipper?

© 2009 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved

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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.

E-Mail: watchman@usa.com

Alcoholic's Anomynous Uses Comteplative Teachings

2009-09-21T15:55:00.000-04:00

All who don't want to be led astray these days must be aware of the teachings of the emerging church movement, or Emergent as we can call it. Many are being taught these practices without knowing it. Satan is certainly deceptive, and he is using many good organizations to foster his work.

Editors at Lighthouse Trails editors@lighthousetrails.com
by John Lanagan

Free-Lance Writer

AA's 11th Step states: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

"Don't make a big deal about AA's 'prayer and meditation,'" writes pro-AA author Dick B. ... "It is nothing more than praying and studying or 'pondering' what you are reading."[1]

This is simply not so. As discussed in 'Alcoholics Anonymous and Contemplative Spirituality,'[2] advocates of contemplative spirituality are using AA and other 12 Step groups as a launching pad for their meditative practices. Nor is AA's contemplative potential a new thing. As a treatment website notes, "AA and 12 Step Fellowship have known for years that spirituality or some form of contemplative meditation is an important part of treatment."[3] (italics mine)

AA's definition of meditation has no limits and no boundaries. For most, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Word of God. AA cofounder Bill Wilson felt meditative knowledge from anywhere in the world could be valid.

It should be noted that AA apologist Dick B. has written numerous books and articles portraying AA and the 12 Steps as Biblical in origin.[4] This is a concern because Christians who join AA based on these erroneous claims may become involved in the very meditative practices this author minimizes.

In Standing Fast in the Last Days, Warren Smith describes his entrance into the occult. He recounts how a psychic, a woman who uncannily knew many details about him, told Smith the spirits on the other side needed his permission to work in his life. Watching this DVD recently, it reminded me how similar this is to AA's 11th Step. Click here to continue...

New Message For This Site - Sept. 20, 2009

2009-09-20T14:52:00.000-04:00

This is my first message since moving my writings from the Windows Live site. All messages before this one were copied and pasted here. So, some of the links don't work. You can just copy the links and put them in a new window to view what is there. I urge you to do this because I would not have put them there if they weren't important.

I will continue my writings here. It is a much easier site to work with, and I think that all a person has to do is join blogger to get into this site. I had to send invitations to the other site. That is why I moved here.

I hope you will read prayerfully what I have written. I pray each morning for the Lord to give me the words for the day. Unless the words come from God, they will not have life or light. My words mean nothing unless they are inspired by the Holy Spirit.

I have an unction in my spirit to write these messages. I know that there are books available to read about these false teachings, but I also know that most people won't take the time to read a book. I have permission from LightHouseResearch to use portions of the books I refer to and to use excerpts from their site. I urge you to go to their site to do further study about this topic.

Please pass along the word about the writings here. I am not out for personal attention, not at all. I just want as many people as possible to know about these false teachings. A lot of people think Rick Warren is just fine and like his book. But these people don't know the real truth about his or his teachings. Yoga is being taught is some schools as a way or relieving the stress for the students. They are leading those students into witchcraft, and it is of the devil.

If people aren't warned, then they will be led blindly into these false practices. It is my goal and mission to warn them if they will just let themselves read and know.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:43:00.001-04:00

What Does God Have To Say? Sept. 16, 2009

Sandra D Before I begin writing about the teachings and practices of the emerging church movement, I want to say a little about what the Bible has to say on this subject.

I am using some excerpts from Faith Undone by Roger Oakland, and also from A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen. I highly recommend both of these books. You can buy them at Lighthouse Publishing online. I use these excerpts by permission from LighthouseResearch.

Since Adam and Eve's day until our own, a battle has waged between man's ways of doing things and God's ways. So often, what may seem to be the right way ends up not being that at all. Rebellion is always due to one thing -- rejecting God's Word because our own way appeals to us so much more. ....the emerging church movement fits this explanation.

So many of the people who go to the way of the emerging church do so because they have failed to find what they are seeking in the traditional church. But, the Bible is truly an amazing book. To get to the place where the truth that has been taught for centuries gives a person a life of joy and peace in his walk with the Lord, one has only to read the Bible.

However, while God has provided a way for us to seek Him and to know Him, God's adversary has a plan of his own. The last thing the devil wants is for man to be obedient to what God has said. Instead, his objective is to lead people away from the Savior, Jesus Christ, with counterfeits; these deadly detours sometimes very closely resemble the real thing.... but in reality lead to spiritual disaster. The Bible says as the time before Christ's return shortens, the devil's agenda will only intensify.

Emergent leaders say the Christian faith needs to be reinvented or reimagined for the 21st century.

In his book, Faith Undone, Roger Oakland challenges the emerging church message, and here is why: True biblical faith never changes. What Jesus and His disciples offered two thousand years ago is still offered to mankind today and has been consistently offered to every generation in between. Jude, verse 3, exhorts us to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8: 12) By saying this, Jesus wanted us to know that the world without him is dark (because of sin). But He has come to dispel the darkness of sin and give us true life.

The Bible says we have been given the answer to the mystery of life. It is God coming in the flesh (Jesus) and His Spirit living inside all who accept Him by faith. Contrast this with the message of the emerging church -- a message that is not clear at all. One movement leader wrote a book called

The Secret Message of Jesus. But in truth, there is no secret message of Jesus.

In future writings, I will emphasize the teachings and practices of the emerging church. I believe you need to recognize these because many of them are already being widely practiced in our society today. Even in our schools is yoga being taught as a means to relax the students and take the stress away. These practices are insidious, and and creep into churches and institutions as acceptable ways. This is why I am writing about this. I want every person to be able to recognize these teachings and practices in order not to be lead astray.

Please invite everyone you think would be interested in this topic to come in by invitation to read.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:42:00.001-04:00

Why Abortion Is Murder

Sandra D Life Begins at Conception Aug 14, '09 4:35 PM

for everyone

I really don't know why people have so much trouble deciding when life begins. It takes a spark of life to start the cell multiplying into the human form. This spark of life comes from God. God knows us from the time this spark of life begins. The life that is forming may not know anymore than a new born baby knows, but God knows this forming life, and He made it. He approves of it. And to kill it is murder in His sight.

Psalm 139:

King Davd talks to God here and tells how God knows him.

He says that God "has possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb."

David describes how God made him "fearfully and wonderfully."

"My substance was not hid from Thee when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."

God knows each tiny life that is growing in the mother's womb. He knows the parts that are not yet formed. God made the DNA that composes this life. Even in the unperfected form, all of the tiny life's members are written in God's book. They continue to be fashioned according to God's plan.

In another scripture, it is written that the very hairs of our head are numbered. God knows every cell and the particles that make up each cell. This is how God will give a glorified body to people who have died in the Lord and their earthly bodies are now gone, some even scattered over the earth or water. All the parts of these bodies are written in God's book. And it is not a hard feat for Him to make our glorified bodies from the plan that is written in His book.

Those who kill an unborn life are commiting murder. God created that life. Only He knows what that life will produce. Take the examples of lives that were born with handicaps but who went on to produce great works for the world.

No one can justify abortion at any stage. Once that life has started from the first cell dividing, it belongs to God. Those who destroy these lives will some day answer to God.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:41:00.001-04:00

God Is Real!

Sandra D Last night as I read more in the book, Faith Undone, by Roger Oakland, I came to a chapter on page 190 called

A Slaughterhouse Religion. Now, I have heard people talk about this before. They say that no God of love could cause a man to be cruely punished for the sins of others. But I have never read it quite as clearly as I did last night.

In this chapter, some called God a "blood-thirsty barbarian" and the faith we hold a "slaughterhouse religion".

It is said that the atonement, where "Jesus suffered as a substitute for us" because of our sins, is a "precivilized barbarity." I have put the word, Gnostic, in the definitions message. For it is this that is behind most of this thinking. In the early church, some became Gnostics. These use philosophy to live by instead of faith. I believe it is this that is in the thinking of most and maybe all of those who are against the faith of the Bible these days.

In 1991, William Shannon (biographer of Catholic monk and mystic, Thomas Merton) said:

"This is typical patriarchal notion of God. He is the God of Noah who sees people deeep in sin,

repents that He made them and resolves to destroy them. He is the God of the desert who sends

snakes to bite His people because they murmured against Him. He is the God of David who

practically decimates a people.... He is the God who exacts the last drop of blood from His Son,

so that His just anger, evoked by sin, may be appeased. This God whose moods alternate between

graciousness and dierce anger..... This God does not exist. (emphasis added)

As Roger Oakland says, "This is another perfect example of how the emerging church turns doctrines it doesn't understand into a mockery against Scripture and God's plan of salvation. God's way are not our ways, and to expect them to live up with our human reasoning is ludicrous." ( Read Isaiah 55: 8-9)

Another person, former Catholic priest , Brennan Manning, has been a major influence in emerging spirituality. In his 2003 book Above All, he quotes William Shannon almost word for word, regarding the atonement:

[T]he god whose moods alterrnate between graciousness and fierce anger ... the godd who exacts the last

drop of blood from his Son so that his just anger, evoked by sin, may be appeased, is not the God

revealed by and in Jesus Christ. And if he is not the God of Jesus, he does not exist.

I have not written all that is in this book, but it is enough to show you how these people think. Not everyone in the emerging movement thinks God does not exist. In most part, they just want to make God such a part of themselves that they are god. This is done by a type of meditation that I will write about in future messages. I will be writing about what these emergent followers believe and what they practice in future messages. But today, I want to tell you what God has to say about what I have written here.

When I went to bed last night, these thought were in my head. So, I began to talk with my Father, God. I said to Him, "How can people think this way. What do they have to hold on to? How can they live without You?"

And as I poured out my thoughts to Him, these words came to my mind. They came fast and they were complete. I had to get up, go to the computer, and write them down. I feared lest I forget them in the morning. And these are the words He gave me:

God has a nature, a personality. He hurts, he feels, he gets angry. He is not a force, but he is a person. God has angels who adore Him, but He wanted to fellowship with someone like Him. So, He created a man in His image. He gave to the man a body, a soul, and a spirit. God could communicate with the man by his spirit. God wanted fellowship. He walked with Adam in the garden each day. They talked and they fellowshipped.

But God wanted a friend. No one can force a person to be a friend. A friend must choose to be a friend. So, God had to give man a free will. He wanted man to choose to be His friend. But Adam chose to be disobedient to God’s rules. He violated them for his own pleasure. He chose to give in to self rather than obey God. Every wrong choice has consequences. And the consequence of breaking fellowship with God was to be cut off from fellowship with Him.

But God was sad about this. He had made man to be His friend. And God has feelings. He wanted Adam to live and not die. But Adam could not live eternally as God had designed him to in the disobedient state he had chosen.

So, God made a covering for Adam, and his wife, Eve. He took the lives of animals to cover the ugliness of Adam’s sin, disobedience.

God had to turn Adam and Eve out of the Garden before they could eat of the tree of life and live forever in their sin nature. So, they went out to live on their own, as they had chosen to do. And thus began the time of the generations.

The people whom God called to be His people began with Abram from Ur. He called Abram and told him that Abram would be the father of many people, more than the sand on the beaches. He promised Abram, who became Abraham, that He would be with him. God made a covenant with Abraham. This covenant was to be God’ promise to Abraham, and Abraham made his covenant with God, to be obedient to God. It takes two to make a covenant. This is an agreement between the two. And it is binding. The method of making this covenant was of sacrifice. (See Genesis 15: 9-21)

God gave Abraham a son named Isaac. To see if Abraham loved God more than his son, God gave him a test. Abraham took Isaac up to a mountain and prepared him as a sacrifice to God. God saw that Abraham loved Him this much, and He spared the son of promise. This showed God that Abraham would keep the covenant they had made.

All down through the succeeding generations, the people often disobeyed God. This made Him sad and angry. He sometimes wished He hadn’t made man. God could feel these emotions because He is a person. But God is also just. He knows that disobedience brings consequences. So, when the people disobeyed God, there were consequences to pay. Sin in our lives brings consequences. Bad things happen to us. We suffer the effects of the sin in our lives. What we do brings harm to us in one way or another. God knows this. And He wants us to learn from our disobedience. And, just as we teach our children that wrong actions bring consequences in order to teach them to do the right things, so God has to teach us that our disobedience to His laws hurt us. He made the laws of nature and of the universe for our good. But when we break these laws, we harm ourselves and others.

But God didn’t want to give up on man. He instituted the sacrifice of animals (the covenant He made with Abraham) as a way of repentence for the sins the people committed. This was the way God designed. It was a temporary covering until the time when the permanent offering could be made. The people knew this. The time came when the sacrifices were made in a Temple for the sins of all the people. This was a satisfactory act in the eyes of God for it said to Him that the people recognized that they had sinned and wanted to repent of it. By making the sacrifice of their best lamb, the people were reminded of their sins and wanted to make it right with God.

Time passed, and people continued to sin. Sacrifices were made, and temporary forgiveness was given. But it was not enough. God wanted a people who would choose Him above themselves. He wanted the friend He had made in Adam. So, God had a plan by which each person could once again gain that state in which he/she could communicate with God in spirit to His spirit. God’s plan was to send a part of Himself to earth in human form. God became flesh and dwelled on this earth by the name Jesus. This was a part of the Trinity, God, the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus taught who God was and what He was like. He was like Jesus. Jesus is a picture of God. Jesus had emotions and wanted fellowship with those who would be His followers. The emotions Jesus had were the same as what God has. Jesus wept. He had great compassion. He loved the people. So many emotions housed in that body of Jesus told us how God feels. Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen God.” He was a living picture of God. So, we know God. We have no excuse for denying God exists.

The plan of salvation was not a cruel punishment for Jesus as some think. It was a plan that made a way for humans to once again have the privilege of making the choice between themselves and God. God made Jesus the last sacrifice that would ever have to be made. Jesus went willingly to the Cross. God sacrificed a part of Himself so that man could once again make the right choice to choose God as his friend. And those who choose to believe in the work of Jesus on the cross make this choice in their own conscience. It is a choice of free will, just as God gave to Adam.

By choosing Jesus, man chooses to be a friend of God. And in return, God puts a part of Himself into man. When the person makes a public profession of faith in the work of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the third part of the Trinity, comes to reside in man. This does not make man a god. It makes man a vessel in which God can dwell on earth.

When this is done, a person usually is baptized by immersion to show his death with Jesus as he goes under the water, and it shows he is raised to a new life as he comes up from the water. The water represents the grave. Then a new relationship begins between God and man. They can now talk, communicate. They can fellowship. They can become friends. And as a man walks with God, he learns how to live as God designed him to live.

In a man’s walk with God, the Father, the Holy Spirit teaches that man what he needs to be rid of in his life. Since habits and faults of personalities are hard to change, God gives man help in doing the changing. The Holy Spirit gives check in a man’s spirit when that man is going in the wrong direction. If the man listens and changes his course, he conquers the habit or bad personality trait. It is a strait and narrow walk. Man cannot live as the people of the world live and also live as God’s friend. He must make the choice. But becoming more like Jesus, and thus what God wants us to be, is not hard for a man who is dedicated to God.

The walk of a Christian, a person totally given to God, is a way of life. It leads eventually to a state of God-likeness. Man never reaches the absolute goal of perfection while living in a human body, but he can attain a state of peace that the world cannot understand. And the life of a mature Christian is a life of living joy. It is not a dead life, but rather a life of vitality and strength to face each day’s problems in the right way. It is a victorious life.

Once again, man has the choice to make. Will it be fellowship with God, or will it be a life of obedience to Satan, the supreme being of evil. No one can

live without making a choice. He will either serve God, or he will serve Satan. Which one will you choose?

Put in writing by Sandra Davis, August 31, 2009

2009-09-20T14:40:00.001-04:00

We Live In The Last Days

Sandra D I am not alone in saying that we are in the last days. But, we must remember that the last days began when Jesus went to the Father after He was resurrected. However, we see signs of the appearance of the anti-christ all around us. Many are now following other christs, believing they have found some secret way to God.

In II Corinthians 11: 3-4, Paul warns these people about those who preach "another Jesus". And this is just what the emerging church people and other groups are doing today. The Bible warns that in the days before Jesus Christ returns, truth will be abandoned for a wider spiritual road that gives "heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (I Timothy 4:1) A new form of Christianity will replace biblical faith with a faith that says man can find his own path to God and create a perfect kingdom of God here on earth. The Word will become secondary to a system of works and rituals driven by ancient mystical experiences. (Faith Undone)

An ecumenical pattern toward unity with other religions has already become quite apparent. Many people will consider those who refuse to embrace this direction as spiritual oddballs who need to be reprimanded. These resisters who stand up for biblical faith will be seen as obstructions to a one world spirituality and global peace. Now, do we want to be singled out as people who keep this world from becoming a world of peace? Ask yourself what this will mean in your life. If you stand firmly for the true faith taught in the Bible, how will it affect your work, your social life, your church life? Are you ready to stand? Are you strong enough? Am I? We all must ask these questions of ourselves.

The emerging movement is not really a church. It is rather a dialogue or conversation. Brian McLaren, a leader of this movement, explains the objective of the movement:

We are "exploring off the map" -- looking into mysterious territory beyond our familiar world on this side

of the river, this side of the ocean, this side of the boundary between modern and postmodern worlds.

We are looking into an exciting, unmapped world on the other side of all we know so far. (Faith Undone)

In II Timothy 4:3-4 we read: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall the heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables."

This is what we are seeing in our own nation today, even in some of our churches. People are not finding fulfillment in the truth of the Bible. And this is because they never had a life-changing expierence of salvation in Jesus Christ. Paul says in one of the Scriptures they "they went out from us" but he also says that they were not of us to begin with or they would not have gone out from us. When people pretend at being saved, they can find no satisfaction in being a so-called Christian. It is only when a person has been truly born again, and the Holy Spirit is living in him, that he can learn the truth and become free from the ties of this world.

The churches of today are filled with people who just endure the sermon and go their own ways all the days of the wreek. They think they have done their duty by going to church. These people don't have the joy of the salvation in Jesus. No one who has known Jesus can ever go back.

(Faith Undone) One young pastor who participated in the early stages of the emerging church said the old traditional church is bein replaced with an "emerging, missional [church] and bound together by the following traits:

* The cultural context is postmodern and pluralistic.

* The church accepts that it is marginalized in culture.

* Pastors are local missionaries.

* Church services blend ancient forms (Mysticism) and local styles.

* Missions is "glocal" (global and local).

These new types of missional emerging leaders want to break away from what they view as a dead, traditional church. More on this next time.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:38:00.001-04:00

I wrote a long message.....

Sandra D ...... in http://christianchatsandart3.spaces.live.com/default.aspx this morning. It woke me up about 5:20 am. For anyone who knows me, they know I like to sleep late in the mornings. I am a night person, and I often write late into the night. But I lay there in bed writing in my head. Finally, our little dog, Duke, wanted to go out about 7 am. So, when I got up to let him out, I just stayed up. I got my coffee and fruit and went to the computer. I wrote for a long time. I feel like the message I wrote was from God by the Holy Spirit. God often gives me things to write after I've gone to bed. I think I need a tape recorder under my pillow, but it is not the same as seeing the words on the screen.

I hope you will read what was written there. It is rather long, but I wrote it so anyone could understand it. I wrote it for a person who is not used to knowing about these things. So, just read it, and maybe re-read it. I welcome your comments.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:37:00.003-04:00

Our Warning Against Those Who Deny the True Diety of Christ

Sandra D In what I am writing here, you can see that there are many, many people who are denying that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God. These people want to make Him just a teacher or someone who lived a good life and is an example to follow. But if Jesus is not a part of the Trinity, then He is not the One we should be giving our whole lives for. But it is He that is the true Son of God. He was all man and all God in one. He is deity true. He lives today at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. He defeated Satan and all the evil followers of this wicked one. And he took the keys of death, hell, and the grave from Satan. These no longer have any fear or hold for us.

I John 2: 18-23 -- "Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us (did not hold to the truth), but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us, but they went out, that they might be made manifest (show) that they were not of us."

Many today are now saying that Jesus is not who the Bible says He is. They have another way to God. Their other way is by contemplative meditation. This is one of the main practices of the emerging church people. In this meditation, a person is in a type of situation much like yoga. The person gets into the silence and shuts his mind down by repeating a word or phrase (mantra) over and over many times. When a word is repeated many times, the soul begins to sink deep inside ones self. This is a state of self hypnosis. In this state, the mind is no longer thinking at all. The spirit of the person is now open for any and all spirits to come into it. We know that the spirit of God doesn't work this way. So, the spirits that come into the person in this state are the evil spirits that are in this world.

I have read that many hollywood actors go into this type of meditation before beginning to act. They say it is not them doing the acting, but another person altogether. This is like another person has taken over the actor's mind and body. People who practice this meditation think that they are getting deeper into fellowship with God. They believe that their spirit combines with the spirit of God. This teaching is leading people to think that they have a "secret way" of communing with God. While in this state of self hypnosis, a person can be inhabited by an evil spirit who then can control the thinking of that person. It gives some people a kind of god-complex, making them think they are god.

I John 2:23 - "Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father; but he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also."

The people of the emerging church movement deny that Jesus is the way to God. They don't believe that Jesus is the "door" as the Bible teaches He is. They do not believe that a person must accept Jesus as Savior in order to be saved. And not only these people think this way. There are a great many people in our nation and the world today who do not believe Jesus is "the way." They say that a God who would let only those who accept Jesus be able to be in heaven is not a good God. They believe that a God who would condemn people to hell because they don't accept Jesus is not a just God. But the Bible teaches just the opposite. God is a just God. But God is also a God of compassion. He didn't have to make a way for people to come to Him after the fall of Adam; but He did. God gave a part of Himself, His Son, to be sacrificed in a cruel way in order for all mankind to have the choice to come to Him and be a part of His kingdom.

As I wrote before, "kingdom now" is a big term with emerging church people. They believe that they can establish a perfect world now if they do certain things. They believe that God is in every person, therefore every person is god. This is the belief that Oprah Winfrey bases her church upon. It is the teaching of Rick Warren and many other leaders of this false movement.

I John 3: 8 - "He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."

The Bible can't be any clearer about who Jesus is. Those who don't believe Jesus is the Son of God just either do not read the Bible or they don't want to believe. Maybe the sin that is the favorite of the devil, the pride of life, has them blinded. Whatever is the cause, they are headed for hell as surely as they live in this world and are of this world.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:36:00.002-04:00

A Strong Warning

Sandra D I am putting here the experience one person had with the emerging movement. Please read his warning.

“Contemplative Prayer Movement”

April 30, 1945 Adolph Hitler commits suicide. It's my birthday. I am three years old, living in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a poor white southerner, one of my main pastimes was fighting. Irrelevant to this writing to discuss why, violence was a big part of my life. In the early 1960s as a condition to be released from jail, I moved to California.As with most Americans I knew about Jesus Christ. I attended a few Methodist and Baptist Sunday school classes. I was instructed in the Christmas and Easter stories and had a vague conception that Jesus was very special to God, if the Bible was true. Like most Americans, violent or not, I was a nominal Christian, which of course I realize now means a fake – destined for hell.

I brought my mental and spiritual baggage with me to California and discovered grass (marijuana). I thought I had found heaven. It took all the violence away which alcohol had previously only intensified. I had my own set of morals and there were lines I had vowed never to cross. I worked, went to college, smoked grass almost every day. I soon crossed almost every line I had drawn for myself. That is the nature of sin. In the 60s, as there is today in 2006, many cults and eastern religious practices that offered ways to find peace were available. I finally went past meditation with a group to find total enlightenment – to find the ultimate -- God. The requirements were simply stated – hard to achieve.

1. Reject every belief you have previously held; and 2. Empty your mind.

I finally actually did it. It was called “Psychic death”. Depending on your world view, I became insane or demon possessed. Oh how I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and oh, how I thought I was so aware and could teach others to escape this unreality into “my heaven”.

I was the right age, approaching 30, and had found “the answer.”It was time to make “my appearance.”I called a reporter and made an appointment with him at his office in Torrance, CA. As I was walking to the front door of the Torrance Breeze office, a thundering voice said, "Behold He comes with clouds and every eye shall see Him." It is irrelevant if it was a suppressed scripture I had read as a child or if God spoke audibly. This experience literally knocked me to my knees and shattered my philosophy. I immediately embarked on a torturous few months of soul searching, reading the Bible, arguing with preachers and the Jesus freaks and arguing with God. To be concise, one night I heard God call my name, one word, “Tom”. The presence was overpowering. All the LSD and mind altering techniques in the world paled compared to this. My final words were, “Lord Jesus, I give up. I believe in you.” I got saved.

That was winter 1969. I’ve been an active Christian ever since. I’ve seen many revivals, many more so called moves of God”, and many new improved methods to improve yourself and the church come and go in the last 37 years. The contemplative prayer movement is one of these fads. I’m not ignorant of the movement, nor want to “nitpick” Most people in churches are not saved anyway and that is a real danger. All honest pastors admit this. This is beyond an innocent technique, beyond a biblical stilling of the mind to focus on God—which you cannot ever do accurately until you are saved anyway.

This is dangerous territory and I strongly warn people in the churches to avoid this movement.If you want to experience God and “feel like” a Christian, you must die to yourself and at the same time "Let this man (Jesus) rule over you." To become born again. If you are a Christian and you don’t feel like one, you aren’t living like one.

I am adding my voice to many evangelical Christians who are opposed to this “movement”. Study the reasons against it as well as for it. If you empty your mind, you are the one who will suffer the consequences.

Tom Adcock

Jesus People Information Center

4338 3rd Ave

Sacramento, CA 95817

www.mission.org/jesuspeople

2009-09-20T14:35:00.000-04:00

Part 7 -- Some of the practices of the emerging church

Sandra D Before I leave the emerging church movement, I want to put some of the practices they teach and follow here.

Contemplative Spirituality -- definition: 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 wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

Some terms used in the emerging movement -

Ancient Wisdom: The supposed laws of the Universe that, when mastered, enable one to control one's own reality—another word for metaphysics or occultism.

Alice Bailey: British-born occultist who wrote under the guidance of a familiar spirit and channeled nineteen books on the New Age. She also popularized the term.

Centering/Centering Prayer: Another term for meditation (going deep within your center). A type of meditation being promoted in many mainline churches under the guise of prayer

Creative Visualization: Imaging in the mind, during meditation, what you want to occur and then expecting it to happen. In simple terms, you are creating your own reality.

Desert Fathers: Mystics who first taught the practice of contemplative prayer.

Ecstasy: The hoped for outcome of contemplative prayer or mediation

The silence: Absence of normal thought.

Definition of Contemplative Spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

In the mid-seventies three monks wanted to bring contemplative prayer to Christianity. This is how they did it.»

"They invited to the abbey ecumenically oriented Catholic theologians, an Eastern Zen master, Joshu Roshi Sasaki, who offered week long retreats on Buddhist meditation, and a former Trappist, Paul Marechal, who taught transcendental meditation. The interaction between these Christian monks and practitioners of Eastern meditation helped distill the practice of Christian contemplative prayer into a form that could be easily practiced by a diverse array of "non-monastic" believers: priests, nuns, brothers and lay men and women." by Joseph G. Sandman (America Magazine 9/9/00)

For the whole story:

http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/interfth

/Centering\centering_prayer.htm

Also see a meeting that took place in 1977.

I will put more of these terms in the reply to this entry.

Sandra

Contemplative Prayer—A mystical prayer practice that leads one into the "silence" but in actuality leads away from God.

Definition of Contemplative Spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

od. od. Contemplative Prayer—A mystical prayer practice that leads one into the "silence" but in actuality leads away from God.

2009-09-20T14:32:00.001-04:00

More people than the emergent ones are against Christianity

Sandra D I have written about the emerging church and Rick Warren mostly, and they are definitely against Christianity. But there are more groups who are also trying to wipe out Christianity and impose their beliefs on us today.

One such group calls itself the "Barbarians". I will tell about these, but first I need to start with what Rick Warren has to say that leads into this group.

Faith Undone, by Roger Oakland, page 174:

"Emerging spirituality is changing the way missions is being conducted. The idea is that you can go for Jesus, but you don't have ti identify youself as a Christian or part of the Christian church. This concept spills over into some missionary societies too, where they teach people from other religions they can keep their religion, just add Jesus to the equation. They don't have to embrace the term Christian. At the 2005 United Nations Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, Rick Warren made the following comments to 100 delegates who represented various different religions:

'I'm not talking about a religion this morning. You may be Catholic or Protestant or buddist or Baptist or Muslim or Mormon or Jewish or you may have no religion at all. I'm not interested in your religious background. Because God did not create the universe for us to have religion.'

"Donald Miller, author of the popular Blue Like Jazz puts it this way:

'For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a non-political mysterous system that can be experienced but nt explained.'

"In Erwin McManus' book The Barbarian Way, he refers to "Barbarians" in a positive light and says that this is how Christ-followers should be. (Note: They are now calling people "Christ-followers instead of Christians.)

'They [Barbarians] see Christianity as a world religion in many ways no different from any other religious system. Whether Buddhism, Hindusim, Islam, or Christianity, they're not about religion; they're about advancing the revolution Jesus started two thousand years ago.' (This might sound good, but it is not Biblical)

In my own words I paraphrase what the book says: Missions are now making converts, but they are allowing them to hold on to many of their former traditional religious beliefs and practices. They do this so these people won't offend others in their culture or community.

You may have seen on the news recently that a young girl became a Christian. She feared her father would kill her, so she fled from Ohio to Florida. She wanted to be a Christian badly enough to forsake her family. This is so Biblical. Jesus said unless we forsake (or love not) our own families for Him, we cannot be His followers.

There is now what is called a churchless christianity. These people keep the traditions of their former religion and add Jesus to it. They openly confess to faith in fundamental Biblical doctrines, yet remain outside the institutional church. This is so unfair to these people. For missionaries to tell people they can have Jesus and keep their former faith is unjustice to them. They tell these people enough about Jesus that the people want to accept Him, but then they are told that they don't have to deny their former faith. These people are being misled in the worst way. God will have His justice upon those who tell people this.

Herbert Hoefer says that "non-baptized believers" are afraid of suffering in their financial or social world if they openly confess Jesus. These people continue to practice their former religious rituals so as not to draw suspicion or ridicule from family and friends.

Only God knows the hearts of the people. He will be their judge. But lets remember the disciples who died cruel deaths for preaching the gospel. He was willing to give up all for the sake of having Christ.

Rick Warren says that your religion should have no bearing on your spiritual life. Erwin McManus says he would like to destroy Christianity, and missionaries are telling people that they can have Jesus without Christianity (or baptism).

These teachings will likely undo the tireless work of many missionaries who have given their lives to bring people to Jesus in the Biblical teachings.

Jesus says: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father who is in Heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in Heaven. (Matthew 10: 32-33)

"No where i the Bible is there any precedent for this kind of evangelism. The Old Testament prophets warned the children of Israel NOT to join hands with pagans -- yet they ignored God's warning."

I hope to write about the teachings of the emerging church in another message. I will tell what they do to come into the "deeper presence" of God. I will tell how they use mysticism and witchcraft.

But this is long enough for a message. Please read prayerfully.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:31:00.001-04:00

Part 6 - Apocalyptic Millennialists

Sandra D I begin by recommending that all who read these messages keep a dictionary beside them. Don't skip over words you don't know or understand. It is important to understand the words in order to really know what is being said.

Faith Undone by Roger Oakland, page 200:

...anti-Christian sentiment is growing toward those who believe in a biblical last days/Book of Revelation scenario prior to Christ's return. Here are some words that tells of this:

'The leader of the nation's largest Lutheran denomination has called for a global Christian council to address an "identity crisis" on how churches interpret and understand the Bible. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelial Lutheran Church in America.... called for Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Angelican and Lutheran churches to come together to combat a fundamentalist millenialist apocalypticist reading of Scripture.'

(From me:) This makes me believe that our beliefs about the last days are correct. If Satan was not afraid of this, he would not cause these people to come against it. If the belief about the last days that we have held for so long didn't threaten Satan's plan to make himself like god, there would be no one to come against it.

"Hanson made a request for a group to monitor and expose anti-ecumenist who take the bible literally (Remember that ecumenialism is to combine all into one). He is really calling for people to expose those who believe in the Bible literally so that they can be destroyed. Hanson says that those who believe in a biblical end times and a literal Bible interpretation are counterproductive to and holding back the cause of Christ, which he suggests is to unite all of creation and produce a panetary utopia.

Remember that I told you in the first message that the teachers of these false religions emphasize kingdom now

thinking. They don't believe in an after life. They think they can establish the perfect world here on this planet as it is. We who have read the Bible know this will never happen. But these foolish people think it can be done. How blind they are. God has really given them over to strong delusions.

Brian McLaren has written on a website called Planet Preterist where he discussed his dilemma over eschatological-thinking believers. (I put the definition of eschatology in the article for definitions.) McLaren also says that such Christians are relly going to hurt our world. He says, referring to the "Left Behind" theory, that any project geared toward improving the world long term is seen as unfaithful, since we're supposed to assume that the world is getting worse and worse.. McLaren also says that if you believe the Book of Revelation and Matthew 24 are yet to take place, you are a dangerou psychological misfit and are assumed to have no compassion for the suffering, no concern for the environment or the world with "weapons of mass destruction." If McLaren was talking about big governments and political parties, that would be one thing, but he is clear --- he is referring to Christians who believe what the Bible says about the last days.

Rick Warren, in one of his articles, talks about churches that have hit a plateau, they aren't growing. He says that the changes are slow to happen because of what he calls "resisters". He said it would take these resisters either leaving the church or simply dying. "I'm saying some people are going to have to die or leave. Moses had to wander around the deserts for 40 years while God killed off a million people before He let them go into the Promised Land. That may be brutally blunt, but it's true. There may be people in your church who love God sincerely, but who will never, ever change." While Warren doesn't say that people should kill them, he does say that God may have to end their lives, just like when "God killed off a million people" in the desert.

Warren is saying that those who believe in the truth of the Bible are "resisters" and must leave or die. What will be left are those who have been brainwashed into thinking like he does or like the emerging church teachers. One of the tools Rick Warren uses to help chruches make the transformation into the new paradigm is a book called Transitioning: Leading Your Church Through Change. This book was written by Dan Southerland, a Saddleback pastor and the director of Church Transitions Inc. (Saddleback is Warren's church)

Southerland states in a chapter titled "Dealing with Opposition":

"We have experienced two major sources of criticism durin our transitions. The first is Christians from more traditional backgrounds ..... Not all of our traditional backgrounded Christians have been critical --- just the ornery ones. (emphasis mine) Our second source of criticism is traditional church pastors. Again, not all traditional church pastors -- just the meaner ones.

Southerland tells readers that "some folks are going to get very angry." He likens these opposers to "leader[s] from hell".

The concept of get with it or die is very common in New Age and emerging circles as well -- those who don't get on board will have to die. This sounds like Leonard Sweet when he says "Reinvent yourself for the 21st century or die."

Some would rather die than change.

As I look through the last chapters of this book, there is so very much that I could write. But I just can't quote the whole book. That would be very illegal and would not set well with the author. I can't recommend this book strongly enough. As I've told you before, it costs just about $18 including tax and shipping. You get it from Lighthouse Publishers online. If you want it, but just do not have the money for it, ask the people at LighthouseTrails Research if they will send you a copy. They might do this. But I recommend you purchase it.

I will include some of what is in the last chapters in further messages. But I also want to talk about the Catholic church and what she is doing to bring parishioners back to the church and the Eucharist. It will be an eye-opener, and I think it will give you some insight into the predictions of the end times.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:30:00.000-04:00

About the first century church and today's church

Sandra D How does the first century church compare to the church today?

In his letters to the first century church, the Apostle Paul commended each for excelling in the graces of God. Specifically, these first century churches were known for their faith, love, zeal, giving, knowledge, and intolerance for sin, as well as false doctrines. The first century church was united in spirit. Consequently, they were a conduit for the power of God as manifested in the miraculous signs and wonders performed through the apostles and for the apostles, in response to the prayers of the saints. The gospel of grace spread like wildfire, at tremendous cost to the early followers of Christ. The first century church was beset with persecution, torture, and martyrdom. In spite of this, Christian churches were being established throughout the Mediterranean region, Asia Minor, and into Europe.

Today's world is characterized by the last days events foretold by the Lord Jesus Christ in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Matthew's Gospel. Specifically, we are hearing of the "wars and rumors of wars," earthquakes, famines, and pestilences of which our Lord warned. It was foretold of the church in these last days, that (among many other things):

The "love of many" would "grow cold."

Many in the church would be "lovers of self" rather than lovers of God.

Many in the faith would be "offended."

The church would "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof."

Last day Christians would have "itching" ears, would not "endure sound doctrine" and would have "many teachers."

In other words, the end times church (the organization) will include those who profess belief in Christ but who are, in fact, children of disobedience. The Lord Jesus Christ foretold of this reality in His parable of the "wheat and the tares."

Certainly, the early church had its problems, just as the church today. However, the early church was more diligent to identify and eradicate false doctrines than today's multi-denominational church. It was easier for the early church to discipline, or rid itself of those engaged in immoral activity. This could be because the early church was not as fragmented, or divided as the church of today.

It is important to remember that, regardless of the times in which we live, every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God. Every true believer is God's "building." While unity of the spirit in the local church is to be desired, Christ's Church (the organism) is not a visible building. There is an unseen church, comprised of Christ's followers, who remain true to the teachings of Christ and to the leading of His Holy Spirit. The unseen or invisible church excels in the graces of God, just as the early church did, despite the physical location of its members.

Christ's Church is not a building with programs. Christ's church is comprised of those who have a vibrant relationship with our risen Lord and Savior. Though the world may not be witness to the miraculous signs and wonders, or other manifestations of the power of God that were apparent in the early church, Christ's church remains alive and well.

Learn More about the Beginning of Christianity!

http://www.allaboutreligion.org/first-century-church-faq.htm

Sept. 3

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Sandra D

Beginning of Christianity - The Outcast Roots

The beginning of Christianity may surprise many of us. Since much of the world views Christianity as a narrow and elitist religion that judges all other faiths and beliefs, it's interesting to take a look at the roots of the Christian faith. Actually, the line of people leading to and following Jesus Christ were far from squeaky clean elitists. If anything, these were the outcasts…

ADAM was a failure. NOAH was a drunk. ABRAHAM was too old. ISAAC was a daydreamer. JACOB was a liar. LEAH was ugly. JOSEPH was abused. MOSES had a stuttering problem. GIDEON was afraid. SAMSON had long hair, and was a womanizer. RAHAB was a prostitute. JEREMIAH was too young. DAVID had an affair and was a murderer. ELIJAH was suicidal. ISAIAH preached naked. JONAH ran from God. NAOMI was a widow. JOB went bankrupt. JOHN the Baptist ate bugs. PETER denied Christ. The disciples fell asleep while praying. MARTHA worried about everything. MARY MAGDALENE was, well, you know... The SAMARITAN WOMAN was divorced ... more than once. ZACCHEUS was too small. PAUL was too religious. TIMOTHY had an ulcer. AND LAZARUS WAS DEAD!

Beginning of Christianity - The Grace of God

The beginning of Christianity is not founded on an exclusionary belief system. The Christian faith is grounded in God's loving response to nasty sinners like you and me. There's nothing narrow or elitist about a faith that says "come as you are!" Charles Spurgeon, a powerful teacher of Christianity, said it beautifully, "When a man sees himself to be altogether lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and no part free from pollution; when he disclaims all righteousness of his own, and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the blood of Jesus, and the grace of God. When sin is seen and felt it has received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the soul afflicted with it.

Spurgeon continues, "Sin mourned and confessed, however black and foul, shall never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus. Whosoever cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out. Though dishonest as the thief, though unchaste as the woman who was a sinner, though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though rebellious as the prodigal, the great heart of love will look upon the man who feels himself to have no soundness in him, and will pronounce him clean, when he trusts in Jesus crucified. Come to Him, then, poor heavy-laden sinner, Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare; You can't come too filthy--come just as you are."

Beginning of Christianity - Wonderfully Inclusive Faith

The beginning of Christianity is far from exclusionary or elitist. The foundation of the Christian faith is lavish, open and excessive grace! In fact, contrary to today's view of Christianity, God doesn't seem to be very careful about who He calls to be His friends and followers. His grace, delivered through the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ, is powerfully and wonderfully inclusive!

For a true picture of the beginning of Christianity read the Bible. As Mike Yaconelli put so well, "The Bible is full of changed people who changed the world around them, people who were prostitutes, murderers, cheaters and adulterers… Why God would want us, like us, seek us and pursue us is more than bewildering. It's the best news we could ever hear!"

Discover More Now!

2009-09-20T14:28:00.003-04:00

A Dangerous Revolution - Part 5

Sandra D Bridging the Gap between Good and Evil:

Using the book, Faith Undone, by Roger Oakland, on page 185:

The serpent's temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden, that we can be like God, remains with mankind to this very day. Satan's plan is to lessen or eliminate (he hopes) the gap between himself and God. The following explanation puts it very well:

"He is important to understand that Satan is not simply trying to draw people to the dark side of a good versus evil conflict. Actually, he is trying to eradicate the gap between himself and God, between good and evil, altogether. When we understand this approach, it helps us see why Thomas Merton and everyone is already united with God or why Jack Canfield said he felt God flowing through all things. All means all -- nothing left out. Such reasoning implies that God has given His glory to all of creation. Since Satan is a part of creation, then he, too, shares in this glory, and thue is "like the Most High." (my note: Satan was an angel. Angels are not like humans. Satan seems to forget this in his efforts to be like God).

The tension between good and evil is called dualism, and at the heart of occultism is the effort to eradicate evil. If that gap could truly be closed, then Satan and God would be equal. The Bible clearly states this will never happen, but it also says that it is Satan's desire. (Isaiah 14: 12-15)

The emerging church leaders and teachers seek to use the occult and mysticism to enter into a deeper relationship with God. The silence, or a type of meditation is one of the ways they do this. I will write more about their teachings in another message. In the long run, those who follow after this false teaching will be lost, stumbling along a broken path, hoping to find light. In sharp contrast, Jesus commanded believers to stand out as a beacon of light in this dark world, bearing the Word of God to a lost and dying generation. In such times as these, in which we live, let us not be quickly decieved, but let us heed the words that give life and true peace. (Matthew 5: 14-15)

2009-09-20T14:28:00.001-04:00

Rick Warren's Tides of Change

Sandra D Rick Warren's Tides of Change Jan 26, '09 2:56 PM

for everyone

If Leadership Network was the "advance scout" for the emerging church, Warren's role was also vital to the everging church's growth. Even before the Young Leadrs Network (later becoming Emergent) was launched, Warren was drawn to the emergent conversation. In 1995, he joined with emerging leader Leonard Sweet to do an audio series titled Tides of Change. Sweet is Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, a self-proclaimed futurist, and a apopular author and speaker. For 2006, he was voted a one of "The 50 Most Influential Christians in America", listed as number eight just under Bill Hybels ( Willow Creek(, Billy Graham, and Joel Osteen, and ranking higher than President Bush, Robert Schuller, and Rick Warren.

In the Tides of Change audio series, Sweet and Warren talked about "a new spirituality" that was looming on the horizon. Both Warren and Sweet emulated Drucker in the audio, talking about "new frontiers", "changing times", and letting go of traditions and thhe old way of doing things. In fact, the similarities between the audio in 1995 and Drucker in 1957 are striking.

I will write more about this later

2009-09-20T14:27:00.001-04:00

More Definitions:

Apostles: Apostles. They were appointed by Christ himself, with absolute power to govern His Church; to them He had given the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, with authority to admit or to exclude; they were also guided by His perpetual inspiration, so that all their moral and religious teaching was absolutely and infallibly true; they were empowered by their solemn denunciations of evil, and their inspired judgments on all moral questions, to bind and to loose, to remit and to retain the sins of men.

There are no apostles today because the last one died. No man has been given the power to bind or to loose, or to remit and to retain the

sins of men. This is where the Catholic Church has been in error. None of the priests in the Catholic Church were given this power. They came from a group known as the bishops.

Bishops: A bishop

was to watch over the particular church in which they ministered, in all that regarded its external order and internal purity; they were to instruct the ignorant, (1Timothy 3: 2.) to exhort the faithful, to confute the gainsayers, (Titus 1:9.) to "warn the unruly, to comfort the feeble-minded, to support the weak, to be patient towards all." (1Thessalonians 5:14.) They were "to take heed to the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers, to feed the Church of God which He had purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28.) In one word, it was their duty (as it has been the duty of all who have been called to the same office during the nineteen centuries which have succeeded) to promote to the utmost of their ability, and by every means within their reach, the spiritual good of all those committed to their care.

Deacons: The last of the three orders, that of Deacons, did not take its place in the ecclesiastical organization till towards the close of St. Paul’s life; or, at least, this name was not assigned to those who discharged the functions of the Diaconate till a late period; the Epistle to the Philippians being the earliest in which the term occurs in its technical sense. In fact the word (diakonov) occurs thirty times in the New Testament, and only three times (or at most four) is it used as an official designation; in all the other passages it is used in its simple etymological sense of a ministering servant.

Prophet: a prophet does not mean a foreteller of future events, but a revealer of God’s will to man; though the latter sense may (and sometimes does) include the former. So the gift of prophecy was that charism which enabled its possessors to utter, with the authority of inspiration, divine strains of warning, exhortation, encouragement, or rebuke; and to teach and enforce the truths of Christianity with supernatural energy and effect.

The gift of prophecy cannot easily be separated by any accurate demarcation from another charism often mentioned in Scripture, which we should now consider an ordinary talent, namely, the gift of teaching. The distinction between them appears to have been that the latter was more habitually and constantly exercised by its possessors than the former: we are not to suppose, however, that it was necessarily given to different persons; on the contrary, an excess of divine inspiration might at any moment cause the teacher to speak as a prophet.

Ordinances of the church:

.Baptism: " It is needless to add that baptism was (unless in exceptional cases) administered by immersion, the convert being plunged beneath the surface of the water to represent his death to the life of sin, and then raised from this momentary burial to represent his resurrection to the life of righteousness. It must be a subject of regret that the general discontinuance of this original form of baptism (though perhaps necessary in our northern climates) has rendered obscure to popular apprehension some very important passages of Scripture.

The Lord's Supper (or communion): while the Apostles themselves poured out the wine and broke the bread which symbolized the perfect union of the members of Christ’s body. Note: Here it says that this bread and wine symbolized the perfect union of the members of Christ’s body, not that it became the actual blood and body of Jesus.).

The Catholic Church: Catholic church taking its name from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. There were two factions or parties in opposition to each other, causing trouble for the church. One was called the Pauline party, and the other was the Judaizers.

The Pauline party (as they called themselves) appear to have ridiculed the scrupulosity of their less enlightened brethren, and to have felt for them a contempt inconsistent with the spirit of Christian love. And. in their opposition to the Judaizers, they showed a bitterness of feeling and violence of action, too like that of their opponents. Some of them, also, were inclined to exult over the fall of God’s ancient people, and to glory in their own position, as though it had been won by superior merit. These are rebuked by St. Paul for their "boasting," and warned against its consequences.

"Be not high-minded, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee." (Romans 11:17-22.)

Gnosticism: This laid the groundwork for philosophy. It also is the basis for most of the emergent movement of today.

One section of this party seems to have united these errors with one still more dangerous to the simplicity of the Christian faith; they received Christianity more in an intellectual than a moral aspect; not as a spiritual religion, so much as a new system of philosophy. This was a phase of error most likely to occur among the disputatious reasoners who abounded in the great Greek cities; and, accordingly, we find the first trace of its existence at Corinth. There it took a peculiar form, in consequence of the arrival of Apollos as a Christian teacher, soon after the departure of St. Paul. He was a Jew of Alexandria, and as such had received that Grecian cultivation, and acquired that familiarity with Greek philosophy, which distinguished the more learned Alexandrian Jews. Thus he was able to adapt his teaching to the taste of his philosophizing hearers at Corinth far more than St. Paul could do; and, indeed, the latter (Paul) had purposely abstained from even attempting this at Corinth. (1Corinthians 2:1.) Accordingly, the School which we have mentioned called themselves the followers of Apollos, and extolled his philosophic views, in opposition to the simple and unlearned simplicity which they ascribed to the style of St. Paul. It is easy to perceive in the temper of this portion of the Church the germ of that rationalizing tendency which afterwards developed itself into the Greek element of Gnosticism. Already, indeed, although that heresy was not yet invented, some of the worst opinions of the worst Gnostics found advocates among those who called themselves Christians; there was, even now, a party in the Church which defended fornication (See 1Corinthians 6:9-20.) on theory, and which denied the resurrection of the dead. (See 1Corinthians 15:12.) These heresies probably originated with those who (as we have observed) embraced Christianity as a new philosophy; some of whom attempted, with a perverted ingenuity, to extract from its doctrines a justification of the immoral life to which they were addicted. (This is the beginning of justification of immorality.)

2009-09-20T14:26:00.002-04:00

Definitions for reading about the Spiritual Reformation

Sandra D Let me first say that typing on this site is tedious. It is slow, and letters are often left out of words. Spaces don't always show up. So, please read with that in mind.

Today I will put some of the definitions needed for reading about this false teaching. I will add more as a reply under this topic as needed.

Emerging: starting to arise or develop

Contemplative Prayer—A mystical prayer practice that leads one into the "silence" but in actuality leads away from God.

Definition of Contemplative Spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

See more on Contemplative Spirituality.

Definition of Contemplative Spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).

The purpose of contemplative prayer is to enter an altered state of consciousness in order to find one's true self, thus finding God. This true self relates to the belief that man is basically good. Proponents of contemplative prayer teach that all human beings have a divine center and that all, not just born again believers, should practice contemplative prayer.

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/youthspecialties.htm

Click here to read about Youth Specialities

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/PressReleasemarhc252005.htm

Click here to read about the Emerging Leaders and their idealogies.

http://www.crossroad.to/charts/postmodernity.htm

Here is a complete chart on what modern vs post-modern means.

Click on the link.

Eschatology -- doctrines about death and its aftermath: the body of religious doctrines concerning the human soul in its relation to death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Usually the study of life after this one as in the Rapture and Heaven.

Apocalyptic -- . bible relating to Apocalypse: relating to the events in the Book of Revelation in the Bible

2009-09-20T14:24:00.002-04:00

A Praise Song

Sandra D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBezK_v_FqY

A video with a praise song.

Aug. 31

Reply Quote Edit Delete post

Sandra D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDM8cucTjKA&feature=related

Go here to listen to some great songs.

Aug. 31

Reply Quote Edit Delete post

2009-09-20T14:23:00.001-04:00

Being Born Again

Sandra D Steps to Being a Christian May 2, '09 4:11 PM

for everyone

I want to write here about what it is about to be a Born Again Christian.

To accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. In reality, it is the beginning of a brand new life in Christ, and as a new-born child of God, there are many important things you need to understand. As you read this, please note the scripture references and look them up in your Bible.

1. You are saved by Faith -- Your salvation is based purely upon your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. In other words, salvation is not something that can be "earned" by how good you try to be or some religious act that you perform. Salvation is a free gift from God, and came as you simply put your faith in Jesus [you need to confess Jesus in the company of two or three people or in a church], His death and resurrection, and trusted him to forgive your sins and become your savior and Lord. The scripture says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. You're not saved by feelings -- Good feelings are nice to have, but feelings do not prove whether you're saved or not. There may be times when you "feel" that God is close to you, and other times when you "feel" that He's not. But remember that He has promised to always be with you and never leave you, regardless of feelings (Hebrews 13:5). Always remember that the Christian lives by faith, not by sight or the feelings of our natural senses. The Bible says "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

3. You may experience doubts -- One of most common things that happens to a new believer is that the devil tries to whisper doubts in your thoughts: "You're not really saved," or "nothing really happened to you." But don't buy into Satan's lies and deceptions! If you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, then you are saved, regardless of whether you feel it or not. God's Word promises, "If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

4. You are Forgiven of all your sins -- The Bible teaches that all mankind has a sinful nature which keeps him separated from God's presence and will result in eternal death. But Jesus came to suffer the consequences of that sin as our substitute, so that we could be forgiven of sin and have access to God's presence. When you repented of your sins, and asked Jesus to forgive you and become your savior, that's exactly what he did. He forgave every sin you've ever committed, regardless of how awful or evil they may have been. God can forgive more sin than man can commit. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

5. You're not perfect, just forgiven -- Being a Christian doesn't mean that you won't make mistakes, but it means that you are forgiven of sin and that your goal is to live like Christ and not live in the old sinful way anymore. Don't ever let the Devil condemn you if you stumble or make a mistake! God loves you and wants you to ask Him to forgive you (1 John 1:9), then He wants you to get back on your feet and keep walking for Him! Don't ever let other people or the Devil bring condemnation upon you! God loves you and will correct you, but He will not condemn you. "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 8:1). Don't keep looking back at old sins. They are no more. They are all in the blood of Jesus. If you feel guilty of something, confess it to the Father or maybe to someone you hurt. But you are not now guilty of past sins. Failure is not in falling, but in not getting back up.

6. You are a New Creation -- At the moment you accepted Jesus, He came into your heart by His Spirit, and now His presence and nature lives and dwells in your heart (1 Corinthians 6:19). You did not merely become a better person, you were "born again" spiritually as a brand new person! Now He wants you to learn to live your life according to the new nature of His Spirit inside you. The Bible says "Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

7. You have the promise of Eternal Life -- God's Word says that when you place your faith in Christ, you are given eternal life. That is, someday when your physical body wears out and dies, your soul will go to be in the Lord's presence to spend eternity with Him! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

8. You must keep living for Christ -- You must understand that your salvation is based upon your "continued" relationship with the Lord. He has promised to keep you saved, as long as you keep believing and living for Him. As a new Christian, you need to grow in your relationship with God and deepen your faith, so that discouragements, temptations, or trials will never cause you to drift away from God. Remember, if you depart from the Lord, you also depart from what gives you the promise of salvation. The Bible says that Christ will one day present you before God, holy and unblemished "...If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the Gospel" (Colossians 1:23).

9. You need to go to Church -- You should attend church regularly so that your faith can be strengthened by the preaching of God's Word, and so you can grow spiritually and be encouraged by the fellowship of other Christians. Church is where you can go to express your love, faithfulness, and worship to God. Church is where we can learn how to be a Christian, and where the Pastor and spiritual leaders can help you and encourage your faith. The Bible warns us not to absent ourselves from church attendance, because we need the strength and encouragement it brings. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." (Hebrews 10:25). But let me add a note here. Church is not a building. When we say we are going to church, many people mean they are going to the building where the service is held. The church is a body of true believers, maybe 2 or 3, maybe 2,000 or 3,000. But this is a body of believers gathered together and Christ Jesus in their midst. Jesus said where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there with them. Believers meet together to uplift each other, to help each other recover from the trials of the work week. This is a place of refuge and recovery for the believers. It is also a time to worship our Lord, for worship beings us strength. Never confuse a building with church.

10. You need to Pray every day -- Prayer is vital to your spiritual growth. God is your Heavenly Father, and He wants to hear from you and have daily fellowship with you. Not only does He promise to answer your prayers, but as you pray He will also provide guidance and spiritual strength. The Bible tells us to "Pray continually," that is to pray faithfully every day (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Continual prayer is an attitude of being in the presence of God all day. It is being able to talk to God at any time. You don't have to pray a formal prayer. Just talk to the Father as you would talk to a friend. It is not talking all the time, just as you need to.

11. You need to read the Bible daily -- The Bible is God's Word, and as you read from it every day, it will cause you to grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:15). As you study His written word (start with the Gospel of John), He will strengthen your faith, speak to your heart, and give you guidance and direction for every need and decision in your life. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalms 119:105).

12. You need to be baptized in Water -- At your first opportunity, you should obey the Lord's command to be baptized in water as a confession of your repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 29:19). Water baptism in itself, (not to be confused with baptism in Holy Spirit) does not save you or wash away your sins, but is an act of your obedience in God's Word. It symbolically shows that you have died to the old sinful life, and have risen in the newness of the Life of Christ. The scriptures say "...Repent and be baptized, every one of you..." (Acts 2:38).

13. You need to live a Holy life -- As we have mentioned, Christians are not perfect. However, God wants you to "aim" toward perfection. That is, your goal must be to grow in submitting yourself to the new nature of His Spirit in your heart, follow the example of Jesus, and live a godly and wholesome life (Hebrews 12:14). You repented and asked Him to forgive your sins, and now you need to grow closer to Him each day, which will take you farther away from sinful thoughts and behavior which are displeasing to God. Your faith in God will cause a desire to obey Him and do those things pleasing in His sight (Colossians 1:10).

Should you continue to live in an unrestrained, sinful lifestyle, this would lead you away from God and back into the old ways which lead to death. But as we grow in our relationship with God, His strength in our life will increase to overcome sinful behavior and habits. "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). Ask God to take out of you everything that He does not approve of. And also ask the Holy Spirit to take the place of everything sinful that is removed so the devil can't come back in and find an empty place to inhabit.

14. You need to be Filled with the Holy Spirit -- We already said that the Holy Spirit was born in your heart when you received Christ and now resides in you. But the Bible also says that the Holy Spirit can "immerse" you with a special power for service, to enable you to live a powerful Christian life, and to be bold in your Christian witness and testimony. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you: and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). To receive this special power, all we have to do is ask Christ to baptize us with His Holy Spirit, and He promises that He will.

15. You need to tell others about Christ -- It is important for you to openly declare Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord to others, as it establishes the testimony of your faith. Once you have accepted Jesus Christ, tell someone. Don't keep it a secret. The Bible says that "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33).

Continue to walk in the faith God has given you, and your faith will increase. You have all the faith you ever need already. It is like a muscle. You need to exercise it in order for it to grow.

2009-09-20T14:22:00.002-04:00

A Dangerous Spiritual Revolution -- Part 4

Sandra D Genesis 2: 15-17 ---

"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day that you eat thereof,you shall surely die."

Genesis 3: 1-5 --- please read these verses for youself. I will put part of them here:

"And he (the serpent) said to the woman, Yea, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garde?

And the woman (Eve) said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat of it; neither shall you touch it, lest you die.

The serpent said unto the woman, You shall not surely die."

We see here that Eve added something to what God had said. And we see how the serpent, Satan, twists God's word to make his own case. He did this then, and he has continued to do it ever since. His way of tempting mankind has not changed. He perverts God's Word to suit his own purposes. And when Satan is working in men and women of this world, he uses these same tactics. His main fault is pride. And it is that which he uses in mankind.

Matthew 10: 11-14 -- Jesus is sending His diciples out to preach the gospel. He instructs them to go into a city or town and enquire who in that town is worthy (who will receive them as being from Jesus and will receive what they have to tell them); and there abide till they go to another town.

Verse 12-13: "And when you come into a house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you."

And now, from the book, Faith Undone, by Roger Oakland and published by Lighthouse Publishing, I use more data. page 149:

In the last message (part 3) I finished with these words:

But nowhere in Scripture is the notion supported that there will be a kingdom without tears, pain, proverty, and suffering until Jesus Christ physcally returns and establishes it Himself.

Another question needs to be considered: Can those who don't know the King establish the kingdom of God?

Rick Warren believes that God has shown him not only the boundaries (or lack of them) of this coming global kingdom, but also the strategy to bring it about. Before Warren came up with the plan, he says he asked Jesus to show him how to reach the world. He explains:

Then I said, "How did You do it? You wouldn't have left us without a strategy." And I found the answer in a

passage in Matthew 10 (see above scripture) and Luke 10 where Jesus sends His first followers out....

He says, "When you go into a village (note words left out), you find the man of peace." (This is a perversion

of what Jesus said.) Find the man of peace in every village, in every govenment, in every business, in every

church. (emphasis added)

Warren further inquired of Jesus to find out just who this man of peace is. Here is the answer he got:

And so I said, "What is the man of peace?" He (Jesus) said, "When you find the man of peace if he's open and

he's willing to work with you, you bless him and you start your work there. If the guy's not open to working

with you, you dust off your shoes and you go to the next villages, 'cause you can always find someone to

work with." (these were the words of Jesus to Warren) The man of peace is open and influential.....

The man of peace does not have to be a Christan believer. (emphasis mine) Could be a Muslim. Could be

Jewish. Because, when Jesus said, "Find the man of peace." there were no Christians yet. Jesus hadn't died on

the cross. There was no ressurection. He's just saying, go out and find somebody to work with.

This is what Rick Warren bases his work on. Do you think for one minute that Jesus would have had His diciples go to anyone who would not hear the truth about Him and receive it? John had been baptising in the name of the One who would come to save them from their sins. The truth was already known. Jesus was sending His disciples out to tell people that He had come. He wanted to make more disciples. Please read the verses in your Bible and compare them with what Warren said Jesus told him.

Back to the book:

While Warren believes that a conversation with Jesus inspired his plan to establish the kingdom of God on earth, it would be important to check out the words of Jesus written in the Bible. Ironically, Jesus said much the opposite of what Warren is proposing. In view of the fact that Jesus had not died and resurrected yet, Warren suggestss that Jesus sent out His disciples proclaiming peace because there was no other message yet to proclaim; but Jesus did send His disciples out with a Gospel of repentance in proclaiming, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 10:7. This is the same Gospel of repentance John the Baptist proclaimed in preparing the way for the Gospel of justificaton by faith. Jesus did not say they were to look for a "man of peace" in every town. Rather, He said, "whatsoever city or own ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence" (Matthew 10:11)

Now, Jesus did tell His disciples to use the greeting "Peace be to this house" whenever entering a house, and if "son of peace" is there, to remain in that house (Luke 10:5-7). However, it is important to realize that the criterion for staying in a house was not the greeting of peace itself but whether those in that house received their message.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city,

shake off the dust of your feet. (Matthew 10:14)

In fact, Jesus makes it very clear that the disciples were sent out to proclaim a messge many would reject, saying,

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)

With all diligence, Jesus warns His disciples that they will be hated for preaching the Gospel. Yet, Rick Warren has turned these two passages around, suggesting that Jesus sent out His disciples to proclaim peace because at that time they had no other message to proclaim.

Let me speak very boldly here: if we are going to link hands with those who believe in another gospel or no gospel at all for the sake of establishing an earthly, unified kingdom, we will not be building the kingdom of God. (bold letters mine.)

Now, away from the book: This is the basis for all who are trying to bring about a spiritual revolution. Groups of people have been planning this for decades. They are now thinking that the time is now for them to act. I will be writing more about this Also, the Catholic church has come up with a way of bringing their people back to the church. They are for the first time in their history becoming ecumenical. This word means including all people. There is a book by Father Fred Bliss that presents us with a commanding landscape of the whole ecumenical movement in his Catholic and Ecumenical History and Hope. In his book, this author has the obvious objective of presenting a clear picture of the evolution of the Catholic Church... Bliss brings his work to a close (or rather the opening of a new frontier) by looking at what the future might hold for the churches in their attempt to conquer the divide. In his last chapter the progress being made by church mergers and union schemes is studied. Moreover, in this section he takes a closer look at the workings and roles to be played by the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Councl for Promoting Christian Unity.

In further messages, we will look at why the Catholic Church decided to become ecumenical (all in one) and what she is doing about it. I am now studying a book about this. I hope I can clearly explain what is going on in the largest church in the world. I hope to show you what the Catholic Church is now holding up for worship. It is not Jesus of the flesh and blood body that was crucified on the cross. I believe they have another Jesus. And this other Jesus to be worshipped will be an anti-christ.

More next time. But, please study for yourself. Buy the book by Roger Oakland I am using. It just costs about $18 including tax and shipping. I could be the most important book you will read except the Holy Bible.

Go to LighthouseResearch.com and read for yourself. Never take any person's word as truth. Examine all things and hold on to the absolute Truth. Our very existence depends on it.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:20:00.002-04:00

A Dangerous Spiritual Revolution -- Part 3

Sandra D "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-christ. Look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.. Whosoever transgresses and abides not in the doctrine of Christ has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." II John 1: 7-9

Using the book, Faith Undone, by Roger Oakland which can be purchased through LighthousePublishing.com.

Page 144:

Brian McLaren, a leader and writer for this emergent movement, says that people who believe and even those who wrote about a new earth and a new heaven, and about the end times did not have a view of what could exist beyond the world in which they lived. (my paraphrase) They were desperate to make up a time when they would be able to be with Jesus in a better life. Well, we know this is not true.

McLaren reworks the Scriptures in order to support his belief that the kingdom of God will be established here on earth sometime in the futureby human effort. McLaren misses the whole point of Jesus' talk about the kingdom of God. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), and "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21) Jesus was not saying that we are like god or are god. He was referring to the Holy Spirit living inside those who receive Him by faith. The same concept that McLaren held is also held by Rick Warren in his Purpose Driven

church model.

Rick Warren has an ambitious plan called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, which he hopes will usher in the kingdom of God here on earth. Warren believes he has uncovered the missing component for success where other leaders have failed. This is his all-inclusive church. Read on to see why this is against all Bible principles.

Warren's plan includes the need for political, economic, and spiritual parts of society to work so closely together that the world can be transformed into a peaceful and orderly society. Warren says that the church has to lay down its differences with other religions and secular entities so that a more powerful and effective body can be developed. Warren, as he goes out to speak to people about his plan tells them that they don't have to change their beliefs in order to work with him.

Warren's global peace plan includes virtually every belief system and persuasion. This would be Warren's second leg of his three-legged plan, and would lead to what Warren refers to as a "second reformation." Warrens says it is not about what the church believes; it is about "deeds". Rather than Jesus Christ being the focal point of this ecumenical (all in one) spiritual body, all that it requires is a common cause.

Warren's all-inclusive church includes a broad spectrum of believers with a common cause. This inclusive church does not just include Christian believers, but also includes all who are like-minded (with him) and are willing to be part of the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. When Warren speaks of Believers, he is not talking about those who have a firm faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. His reformation, which will bring in the kingdom of God through global cooperation for a common cause, will include Catholics, Muslims, and homosexuals -- a combination hardly similar to the 16th century reformation.

Roger Oakland says that "most people with any common sense and compassion want to see a planet without provery, disease, and illiteracy. I thank God for all the organizations working to help the suffering, the sick, and the poor. Jesus made it very clear that we are to care for and reach out to those in need. However, working to bring about utopia (a perfect world) on earth through global and religious unity is futile. ......nowhere in Scriptures is the notion supporte that there will be a kingdom without tears, pain, proverty, and suffering until Jesus Christ physically returns and establishes Himself."

In order to keep these messages short so people will not grow tired of reading them, I will continue this in the next part.

Sandra

A Dangerous Spiritual Revolution - Part 2

2009-09-20T14:20:00.000-04:00

A Dangerous Spiritual Revolution - Part 2

Sandra D The Undoing of Faith

On page 166 of the book, Faith Undone, the introduction says this:

"My goal is to destroy Christianity as a world religion and be a recatalyst (rebeginning) for this movement of Jesus Christ..... Some people are upset with me because it sounds like I'm anti-Christian. I think they might be right.

-----Erwin McManus

"The Kingdom of God is a central conversation in emerging communications. .... And let me tell you "Kingdom of God" language is really big in the emerging church."

-----Doug Pagitt

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"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

---------Ephesians 1:7

"For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

---------II Corinthians 5:21

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There are groups today who have been planning this spiritual revolution for a great number of years. Just like the revolution taking place in our economic and political institutions today, this spiritual revolution will take away the Truth of God's Word and replace it with an anti-christ.

The heart and core of the Christian faith i based upon Jesus Christ's shed blood at Calvary as the only acceptable substitutionary atonement for mankind's sins. The Gospel message requires this foundation. The Bible says the wages of sin is death -- thus every person alive should receive the penalty of spiritual death because none f us is without sin, since we are born with our sin nature intact. Satan hates the Gospel message. He understands what the Gospel means, and his agenda is to deceive mankind from understanding and believingso they can suffer eternally with him. While Scripture is very clear about the necessity of Christ's deat in order for us to be saved, some believe this would make God a blood-thirsty barbarian. Embedded within the structure of the emerging church is just such a belief.

The people of the emergin church movement think they can establish a utopia (perfect world) here on earth. But the Bible says we will continue to have wars and rumors of wars. The conflict between good and evil will remain until Jesus returns, and we find in John's description of the human heart in the last days:

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still;

and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let hm be

holy still. (Revelation 22:11

John's prophetic statement makes it clear that this is how conditions will be until Jesus returns. But today a theology called Kingdom Now or Dominionism is permeating Christian thinking, and the emerging church movement is taking this theology full speed into the next generation. With the idea that the church can establish the kingdom of God before Christ returns and essentially turn our world into a Christian world, this belief system has literally changedd the way countless Christians view the world and go about their Christian living. What most of these Christians don't realize is that this kingdom-of-God-on-earth mindset is an all out effort by Satan to distort the message of the true kingdom of God and thus negate (do away with) the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

In the study of this movement, there is a need to know the difference between modern thinking and post-modern thinking. I will include a post that has some of the important definitions in it for those of you who need it. That will come next.

McLaren, a leader of this movement and a prominent writer for it, says that the prophetic view of Christ's return and other things are not valid in this world of post-modern thinking. However, the modern world didn't make up this prophetic view, God did. And the Bible backs up these theologies.

McLare reworks many scriptures in order to support his belief that the kingdom of God will be established here on earth sometime in the future by human effort.

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18: 36. and "the kingdom is within you." Luke 17:21

In these passages, Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit living inside those who receive Him by faith. The kingdom now people twist the scriptures to mean that since God is in us, we are god.

This same concept is the foundation of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven church growth model.

I will begin here tomorrow if the Lord is willing. If you have any questions, please ask them at the end of each message. This is why I am numbering the messages with numbers. They will get out of order when people comment, but you can find them in the right order by the numbers.

Sandra

2009-09-20T14:18:00.002-04:00

A Dangerous Spiritual Revolution - Part 1

Sandra D I have written much about the emergent church movement before. I will give you the address to that site later, But right now I want to introduce you to an author who has done much study and research on this subject. His book, Faith Undone, is the best book I have read that clearly explains this movement and what it is hoping to do to Christianity.

It costs only about $18 from LighthousePublishers. You spend that much on a new movie. I realize that many people won't read this book, so I have permission from the publishers to use data from this book. I am trying to write a Reader's Digest form for people to read. I know that I can write the main points and tell you enough to help you decide if you want to read more about it. LighthouseResearch.com is a great site to go for some informaton about this and other things that concern Christians.

I will use scripture when it fits with what I am writing. I use the King James Bible, but I usually write it in more modern language. I will also use other materials and will give credit to those as I use them.

I have spent many weeks praying just how to begin this study. I didn't have a starting place until last night. Then, the Holy Spirit gave me the beginning. First, I want to just tell what the leaders of this movement have for their purpose.

I will begin this writing in part 2 of this site.

Sandra

What Is Our Work For The Lord?

2009-09-20T14:17:00.002-04:00

What Is Our Work for the Lord?

Sandra D A lot of people say they don't ever do anything for the Lord. I guess they are thinking of the ones who preach, teach, are missionaries, and so forth. But the Bible tells us exactly what our work is:

John 6: 28-29 -- "Then said they unto Jesus, What shall we do that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe

on Him whom He has sent." Our faith is the work God wants of us. To believe

on the One whom He sent.

And in another place. Jesus said our work was to love one another. In this will the world know that we are of God, and that He has come into our lives. We are vessels to house the Holy Spirit of God. It is this Holy Spirit, who is all that God is, that works in us and through us to minister to the world.

If we fight and bicker and have a bad attitude, how will others see the Light of Jesus in us? It is by our behavior more than our words that others see what God wants them to be. Our faith, held to firmly in spite of all the trials and troubles we have, shows others that we have something worth suffering for. Jesus suffered more than any of us ever will. And we cannot expect to live for Him, to be His servant, if we shun suffering. Most of our suffering comes from those who know us. They have a hard time believing that God can use us for anything good. The same was true of Jesus.

Do you live with someone who is hard to get along with? How do you act and react in that person's presence? It is this that will make a difference in that person's life. It takes a lot of time to make another person believe we have what God has put in us. Most of us at one time acted from the flesh and did not show the light of Jesus. So, as our lives change, and we begin to live in the light of Jesus, having peace and joy, it is hard for someone who has known the old person to believe in the new one.

Sometimes new Christians or people who have come to know the Truth want to tell others in their lives what the Bible says or what the Holy Spirit has shown them. This is mostly met with anger or resentment by the one we are speaking to. It comes out as though we have found something they don't have and we are trying to correct them. Well, that may be our motive, but it is not the way to win the people in our lives to Jesus. It is by our behavior that others will see Jesus. This is much harder to do than to talk. It is easier to tell what we are learning. But to live it is much harder. This means that we must be vigilant and alert to what we are doing, saying, how we are reacting, and constantly listen to the Holy Spirit. If we truly are trying to live by the way He leads us, He will stop us with a check in our spirits if we do the wrong thing.

So, spend much time with the Father and in the Word. Learn. Listen. Let the Holy Spirit lead. Then will we be able to show to the people around us and to the world that we have something worth standing up for. We will be lights in a dark world.

Sandra

What Is A Church?

2009-09-20T14:15:00.002-04:00

What Is A Church?

Sandra D In today's world, we need to be very clear about just what the Church is. It has been a misused word for all my lifetime. The misuse of this word causes people to turn away from the church. It causes denominations and divisions. It takes away from the purpose for which Jesus established His Church.

The meaning of a true church is simple. A church is NOT a building. Where 2 or 3, or 2,000 or 3,000 are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. We say, "We are going to church." But this is an inaccurate statement. The "church" goes to meet together. After spending the 6 days of the week in the world, believers need to meet together for worship of Jesus and to uplift each other. It is a healing time for believers. When believers who have the Holy Spirit living within them meet together, the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are there also.

No man or group of people own the church. It is not a property. It was established by Jesus and belongs solely to Him. One day He will come for His church. A church is a live body. It lives to adore Jesus, to serve God. A church is added to b the Holy Spirit, just as on the day of Pentecost. As many as hear the truth will come where the body is gathered - if Jesus is there, they will come. The Bible says no one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him. The Holy Spirit of God who lives in believers can draw people to Jesus by the teaching/preaching of the Word.

In the body, which is the church, God works to help His people grow and mature in His ways. If God is not working in the body, the body is dead. When God is working, there is life, vitality, it is warm and welcoming, the body reaches out to the lost and needy. Worship is an active thing. Too often the people in a "meeting place" are expected to sit and listen to the music, maybe sing along with the choir. But people are not allowed to participate in active worship.

I don't advocate a lot of what goes on in some churches, for I have seen it get into the realm of the flesh. But I feel that a worshipper must be allowed to worship his/her God as that individual feels the Holy Spirit moving within.

God doesn't work to please people. He works to accomplish His purposes. And the main work of the Father is to draw people to Jesus. When God starts to work in a so-called church, some people get frightened. The established order is challenged. The "way we have always done it" is no longer in control. God won't abide by the by-laws drawn up by people. True believers will have eyes to see when God is starting a work in their midst. If the working by God is not accepted by the people, God will take His Holy Spirit away from that place. What will be left is only a meeting of people who like to be together. If the Holy Spirit is not allowed freedom to work, it is no longer a church.

If the true meaning of the word, "church", was used today, God would have a lot more people meeting together and more lost people coming to Jesus. Let us who are belivers correct this misuse of the word "church" whenever we get the chance.

Sandra

Be Prepared for the Coming of Jesus

2009-09-20T14:14:00.000-04:00

Be Prepared for the Coming of Jesus

Sandra D Please go to this site May 2, '09 3:55 PM

for everyone

I once again urge you to go to this site:

http://christianchatsandart3.spaces.live.com/

I have written about what Jesus approves of and doesn't approve of in six of the seven churches of Revelation. We all need to examine our lives by what Jesus approves of. Times are coming when we will need to be as much like what Jesus wants us to be as possible through the study of His Word, spending time with the Father, and listening to the Holy Spirit as He leads us each day.

I just can't stress enough how important it is for us to be prepared for the coming of Jesus, whenever it may be. We are living in times when just the least thing can spark a world catastrophe that will bring the end times into being. We can't afford to be like the foolish virgins who had no oil [Holy Spirit] in their lamps when the Bridegroom came for His Bride.

What Does O'Bama Believe?

2009-09-20T14:12:00.002-04:00

What Does O'Bama Believe?

Sandra D O'Bama doesn't want scriptual graphics behind hiim when he speaks May 2, '09 3:50 PM

for everyone

I saw on tv the other day that when O'Bama spoke at some university, they covered a spiritual graphic on the wall behind him with plywood. If indeed O'Bama is a part of the emerging church, he doesn't hold to the traditional Word and to Jesus. Those of the emerging church think Jesus was just another teacher, not the coming Christ. The emergents have what is called a "cosmic christ". I will investigate this and write more about it later.

We Can't Stop What Is Going On

2009-09-20T14:11:00.002-04:00

We Can't Stop What Is Going On

Sandra D We Can't Stop What Is Going On Apr 25, '09 7:01 PM

for everyone

I get so angry when I see what is going on in our government these days. I want to write to news anchors and see if they will talk about it. But in the long run, I realize I can't stop what is happening. Oh, I am all for the people going out in protest. I am for writing about it. But, I have realized lately that if this is God's plan for the end times, we just have to wait and observe what He is doing.

To be prepared for the end times, we who love Jesus and follow His teachings must be prepared for His coming. Whenever that may be, no one really knows. In another site, I am writing about the first three chapters of the book of Revelation. I am showing what Jesus had to say to the seven churches. This can be used to judge what kind of church you are in. But the main thing I think it is for is to judge what kind of life you are living. The address to that site is:

http://christianchatsandart3.spaces.live.com/ I have also written much about the emerging church there.

I have found that Fox News cannot expose the emerging church because the owner is a practitioner of that movement. This is the most dangerous movement in our nation and the world today. As I look at what O'Bama is doing, I see his goal of being the leader of the one world movement-- spiritually, economically, and in government. In order to do this, he has to have all institutions under his control.

We who are Christians have always known that one day the one world movement would come. It is one of the signs of the end times. No one knows the day or hour of His coming, but we are charged to be alert as to the signs. We all need to read our Bibles and see what the Lord told us about these days.

I am going to write more about the emerging church because I feel everyone must be aware of its insidious creeping into our churches, schools, and other institutions. If one is warned about it, and then chooses to follow it, Jesus will be that person's judge.

Look for more about this in the next writing.

Me

Keep On the Strait and Narrow Path

2009-09-20T14:10:00.000-04:00

Keep On the Strait and Narrow Path

Sandra D Keep on the straight and narrow path Mar 31, '09 10:48 AM

for everyone

Although there are plenty of things to take our eyes off Jesus and living the spiritual life right now, this is the time when we must resist worry, stress, and all that would capture our attention.

The Bible predicts such times would come. And during these times, we are strengthened by the hand of God. The Holy Spirit speaks to us, "turn here, or turn there." As we obey Him, we will walk the path set out for us without wandering in the wilderness as the Israelites did.

If you would keep the evil ones out of your house and your mind, play praise songs on your stereo. Instrumentals that you know the words to are good. Satan and his demons can't stand in the midst of praise. So, cleansed your house with praise. Join in singing the ones you know.

God bless each of you,

Sandra

Whom Is God To You?

2009-09-20T14:08:00.002-04:00

Whom Is God To You?

Sandra D Whom is God to You? Mar 30, '09 2:31 PM

for everyone

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is. (Hebrews 11:6)

There is nothing easier than getting into a right relationship with God except when it is not God Whom you want, but only what He gives.

When you talk to our Father, God, what do you ask for? If it is wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment, or strength to face the day, these are proper things to ask for. But if you ask for a new car, a new house, money, or material things, God will know why you are asking.

If you are a minister and don't have a car to travel to the hospitals, you might have a good reason for asking for a car. Are you willing to accept anything that runs right? This goes for the other things. If you just seek God when you want something, you will not gain the right relationship you need with Him. Take time to just talk to God. He is always there to listen.

God already knows what is going on in your life, but He likes for you to talk to Him about it anyway. He gives you more understanding of the situation as you talk to Him. Try it.

Sandra

Be Very Alert

2009-09-20T14:07:00.002-04:00

Be Very Alert

Sandra D Be very alert Feb 20, '09 12:30 PM

for everyone

We all need to be very alert during these times. I think you all know that. Keep up with all the spiritual messages coming from the President. Follow the tendencies he is leading us toward.

If you have children that are still teachable, you must teach them about this false religion. For about ten years, there has been a Youth Ministry & Spirituality Project. This is to teach the youth about contemplative prayer and to get them to meet in groups to practice this and other emerging acts. As they found, "... middle school and senior high youth 'were eager to learn contemplative spiritual practices.'"

Just how widespread did this become? In 1997, the Project received a grant from the Lilly Endowment to rest a "spiritual formation model." Youth ministry leaders were trained to meet regularly for faith sharing, contemplative prayer, and communal understanding through silence, solitude, and a variety of contemplative exercises.

Since this project began, Youth Specialities has become a driving force, having a major impact upon evangelical youth work throughout North America, hosting several annual events including the National Youth Workers Convention, the CORE, and the National Pastors Convention. Course titles for the conferences include, "Creating Sacred Spaces, Emerging Worship, and God Encounters: Spiritual Exercises That Transform Students." In addition, each year Youth Specialties holds over 100 seminars that reach thousands of youth workers worldwide -- all with its current teachings on spirituality.

Folks, young people have always liked to go to youth conventions and trips. For this reason, you must be very careful to investigate who will be there - speakers, leaders -- and what the topics of discussion will be. One thing that young people hate is to be left out. Thus, they are easily drawn into areas that they know nothing about but feel accepted in. These Youth Specialities leaders and youth have a driving goal of getting everyone they can into their ways. They make other young people feel very good, treating them as brothers and sisters. The church as we have always known it must do more to make our youth feel wanted, accepted, and feed them with the Word as they can take it so they know there is something true and real in God's Word.

Take heed. The President on down will be following these practices soon, if not already. It is the easy road that the Bible said would lead to destruction. We must walk that narrow road that leads to eternal life.

Till next time.

Sandra

A Link For You To See

2009-09-20T14:06:00.002-04:00

A Link for You to See

Sandra D We still need to keep up with the Emerging movement. The way O'Bama is going now, he might be the one who leads the one world order. I know he is a proponent of the new spirituality. I don't say he isn't a christian, but he is for bringing all people together under one umbrella.

Please go to this link and read whatever you want to there. It is a site full of information about this movement.

http://search.freefind.com/find.html?oq=Warren%27s+wife&id=44070390&pageid=r&_charset_=utf-8&bcd=%C3%B7&scs=1&query=Warren%27s+wife&Find=Search&mode=ALL&search=these

This is where I would have you go.

Sandra

It's My Faith, and I'm Sticking To It

2009-09-20T14:05:00.000-04:00

Its My Faith, and I'm Sticking To It

Sandra D It's My Faith, and I'm Sticking To It Jan 25, '09 2:20 PM

for everyone

As it seems that the times are not favoring the Faith of the Bible, I refuse to let it affect me. I am 65 years old, and have been a Christian all my life just about. I was completely saved at age 11, but loved Jesus at age 5. I have grown up in church, learning much about the Bible. I have studied and researched the Word using other commentaries and references. But, most of all, I have asked the Father to show me the deep things of His Word. So, it is my faith and I'm sticking to it. No one can prevent me from holding fast to my belief and my faith. No one can keep me from practicing it. While the world seems to grow more away from the Biblical teachings, I will be more determined to group in my spiritual life and be a blessing to others who are also determined to grow spiritually.

I will continue to write about what the emerging church believes and practices so that those who don't know about it can be warned. It is an easy, fee ly type of religion. Many are already attracted to it. But those of us who have a firm faith in the teaching of Jesus, our Heavenly Father and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will need to study more, pray and talk to the Father more, and just be a light in this ever darkening world. I don't know what you believe, and some of what I write may offend you. But I promise to write the truth as I find it to be true. I hope you will stay with us and even comment when you feel like it.

Sandra

Never Forget the True Word

2009-09-20T14:04:00.000-04:00

Never Forget the True Word

Sandra D Never Forget the True Word Jan 7, '09 12:46 PM

for everyone

We know that "The Word of God endures forever". I can't find that scripture right now, but I want it to be in your heart as you read this.

A "Mega" Paradigm Shift:

Leith Anderson had already be helping set the tone for the emerging church. In Anderson's 1992 book A Church for the 21st Century, he said a paradigm shift was needed:

The only way to cope and be effective during this period

of structural change in society is to change some of the ways we

view the world and the church. it is what some call a paradigm

-- a new way of looking at something. Such a shift will allow us to

view our changing world with new perspective. It is like a map.

Old maps from 1950 may have sufficed before the construction

of interstate highways and the expansion of major cities, but

new maps are needed now. Likewise, we need a paradigm shift

for the future. (Taken from Roger Oakland's book, Faith Undone)

A Note from Sandy:

It is strange that the word of God has stood the tests of time from the time Moses wrote the first books until now. It has provided us with so much. And now we supposedly need a new way of looking at things. This tells me that we are definitely in the end times. And this end time era will continue until Jesus comes to set up His throne on the earth. We might as well expect it to continue, not get better. And in these times, we must stand strong, and shed our light abroad in every way we can. If you have a group on the internet, start telling others how to accept Jesus. Tell them what a joy it is to be in the kingdom of God.

Continuing with Oakland's book: This idea of a paradigm shift would become an integral element of the emerging church. Webster's Dictionary defines paradigm as "a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind". Thus, paradigm shift is a shift or change from the present framework. Many of the leaders of the emerging church played a role in bringing this about.

While Leadership Network was the catalyst that initially launched the emerging church, many other ministries and organizations have helped to fuel it. One of the major catalysts is Rick Warren. Warren's support for Buford and Leadership Network goes back many years. Warren endorsed Buford's 1994 book, Halftime, calling Buford a "rare individual". But perhaps more important is the fact that Warren shared Buford's great admiration for Drucker. At a 2005 Pew Forum on Religion gathering called "Myths of the Modern Mega-Church", Rick Warren stated:

I did a series of lectures for the faculty in the Kennedy School...

I started with this quote from Peter Drucker: 'The most significant sociological phenomenon of the first half of the 20th century was the rise of the corporation. (HUH?) The most significant sociological phenomenon of the second half of the 20th century has been the development of the large pastoral church -- of the mega-church. It is the only organization that is actually working in our society.' "

"Now Drucker has said that at least six times. I happen to know because he's my mentor (Warren's mentor). I've spent 20 years under his tutelage learning about leadership from him, and he's written it in two or three books, and he says he thinks it's [the mega-church] the only thing that really works in society." (Emphasis is mine. O'Bama spent 20 years under that pastor he has had to dissociate himself from).

"Warren's view that Buford was a "rare individual" was mutual. Buford reciprocated the admiration when he described Warren and Bill Hybels of Willow Creek church as "change makers" in " the early day of Leadership Network." As for Willow Creek's role with Leadership Network, Buford states:

"The first Foundation conference was held in Dallas and was the beginning of a partnership between Bob and Linda, Leadership Network and Willow Creek Community Church.

Rick Warren's Tides of Change:

If Leadership Network was the "advance scout" for the emerging church, Warren's role was also vital to the emerging church's growth. Even before the Young Leaders Network (later becoming Emergent) was launched, Warren was drawn to the emergent conversation. In 1995, he joined with emerging leader Leonard Sweet to do an audio series titled: Tides of Change. Sweet is Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, a self-proclaimed futurist, and a popular author and speaker.

I have written enough to prove that Rick Warren is a proponent and practitioner of the Emerging Church. If you want me to write more about the Emerging Church. If I don't receive at least 5 responses, I will consider this chapter closed.

Sandra

An added note: The rise of corporations is now causing the havoc we are seeing in our nation. Was this rise a Satanic program to put our country in a situation where the socialist could take over? If this is true, then this is a step in leading our nationa and other nations into a one world economy and a one world religion. ???

The Birth of the Emerging Church

2009-09-20T14:02:00.002-04:00

The Birth of the Emerging Church

Sandra D The Birth of the Emerging Church Jan 3, '09 5:11 PM

for everyone

You've heard the old saying, "Things are not always as they seem." That adage implies that what appears to be good could very well be quite the opposite. A perfect example of this from Scripture would be Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent promised her eternal life and the chance to be like God. (This has always been his tactic.) His offer came in the form of an appealing, attractive piece of fruit. Eve, even though Go had already warned Adam and her, succumbed to what appeared to be so good. And of course, the results were devastating (Genesis 3).

Today, man is still being allured by seemingly wonderful ideas and schemes. But the Lord has made it clear that His ways are so much higher than our ways, and what often appears to be a good thing is not that at all. As we examine the birth of the emerging church in this message, I believe you will see that in this case also, things are not as they seem.

While we are here writing about the origins of the emerging church, the fact is that there is a distinct spiritual component to it -- a guiding force from the supernatural realm. The occult, witchcraft, and more have been around since before Jesus came. He rebuked them. But Satan will not let them go away. His aim is to change God's way into a way that will cause the people to worship him. This has always been his tactic and will always be. So be on the watch for it.

The Leadership Network

This movement was the largely the inspiration of a successful business guru whose ideas of an emerging church were catapulted onto existence by other successful businessmen, and thus it became the influential religious force it is today. The guru was Peter Drucker, who was writing about the emerging church long before many of today's emerging church leaders were even born. He wrote in the 1950's. But let us start in the 1990's when the emerging church got its official start.

In an article in the Criswell Theological Review written by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Fellowship, Driscoll recalls the early days:

In the mid-1990s I was a young church planter trying to

establish a church in the city of Seattle when I got a call

to speak at my first conference. It was hosted by Leadership

Network and focused on the subject of Generation X... Out

of that conference, a small team was formed to continue

conversing about post-modernism...

By this time, Leadership Network hired doug Pagitt to lead

the team and organize the events. He began growing the team

and it soon included Brian McLaren... Pagitt, McLaren, and

others such as Chris Seay, Tony JOnes, Dan Kimball, and

Andrew Jones stayed together and continued speaking and

writing together as friends....

McLaren, a very gifted writer, rose to team leader in part because

he had an astablished family and church, which allowed him to

devote a lot of time to the team. That team eventually morphed

into what is now known as Emergent.

When I went back to my home church, the pastor there was into this emerging church practices. I talked with him to make sure of what I was hearing. But when I tried to tell others of this, they got angry, called me a trouble-maker, and generally ignored me. I was writing about this in http://christianchatsandart3.spaces.live.com/ and had cards made to give out so people could find the site and read about this emerging church. Some people gladly took the card. But I was denied giving the cards out in my Sunday School class. The director of the class wouldn't let me. I just hope some of them read what I wrote and got an idea of what this movement is all about.

I am tired, so I will write more tomorrow.

Sandra

How Did the Emergent Movement Begin?

2009-09-20T14:01:00.002-04:00

How Did the Emerging Movement Begin?

Sandra D How Did The Emerging Come About? Jan 3, '09 4:40 PM

for everyone

I am still using the book by Roger Oakland called Faith Undone.

This book examines not just the obvious leaders of this movement, but also examines the much more encompassing emerging spirituality. Oakland intends to expose a belief system, rather than just a group of particular leaders. To write about all the leaders would take volumes upon number. But showing you what lies beneath the surface-- revealing the energy of force that moves these leaders -- will be more beneficial and long lasting.

Oakland's intention is not to determine the motives of these individuals, but rather to bring to light the truth about the spirituality behind the teachings. This emerging spirituality has far-reaching effects. If left unchallenged, it could soon pervade a warp much of what we know as Christianity.

In the near future, Christians of every denomination will have to decide whether to support or reject the spirituality behind the emerging church. If the emerging church continues unfolding at its present pace, mainstream evangelical Christianity will be restructured so that the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ will be considered too narrow and too restrictive.

This group has a saying for those who refuse to deny their Faith of the Bible and adapt to their post-modern ways. They call them "resisters" and have a plan to get them out of the way. Some of these leaders say that since all the young people will go their way, the old Christians will just die out and be no more. How does this agree with the Bible? It doesn't.

Oakland says, "If I believed for one minute that this movement was just another passing whim or the discontent rumblings that so often accompany young people's search for answers to life, I (he) would never have written this book. And if I did not believe that what we are witnessing with this emerging spirituality lines up with biblical end-time prophecy, you would not be reading these pages. But, sad to say, the emerging church is far more than a fleeting fad and much more than the complaints of a group of young leaders. It is indeed a 'new way of being Christians' and in every conveivable manner, it is striving to bring about a 'new reformation'. Without a doubt, it will have an 'impact on all churches' in the Western world and far beyond. For behind this new kind of church is a well designed strategy and maneuver by the prince of this world, the enemy of our souls, to literally take apart the faith of millions -- it will be nothing less than faith undone."

Next, I will write more about the birth of the emerging church. Remember that the first messages are at the bottom or in the archives. The first message you see is the last one I wrote. Sandra

About Rick Warren and the Emerging Church

2009-09-20T13:59:00.002-04:00

About Rick Warren and the Emerging Chuch

Sandra D About Rick Warren Jan 1, '09 2:21 PM

for everyone

I have been watching and researching Rick Warren's beliefs for over a year now. Many athiest are up in arms because of his pray at the Presidential Inagugration. They needn't be. Rick Warren speaks good words. All that I have heard him speak on tv is right on with the Bible. But underneath the talk, Rick is not a true Christian. Oh, he may have been saved at one time, but when he started his Saddleback Church, he was not getting enough from the faith of the Christian Church. So, we went out to his community to find out what the people wanted in a church. It wasn't enough what God wanted and had already set in the Bible as the Truth and Princlples to follow.

Not only is this a man-made religion, but it has no solid foundation from the Bible. In Matthew 15:8-9, God said, "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their llips; but their heart if far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

When we embrace ideas and philosophies of men rather than the inspired Word of God, it does not take long to be led astray. Following men and their methods can be dangerous if these people are not following Jesus and His Word.

In the Matthew verses, Jesus showed that humans can be misled even in their endeavors to get closer to Him. People can be decieved even though they may believe they are heading down the right road (Matthew 7:21-24).

Emergent leaders say the Christian faith needs to be reinvented or reimagined for the 21st century. They insist that a new faith and a new kind of church must be established in order to reach this generation. If you ask most emergent leaders what their primary goal is, they

would say -- to reach this present postmodern culture with faith much different from what current Christianity offers because the present one is not authenic. They would tell you that today's Christianity is too individuallistic (not communally minded enough), putting too much emphasis on a heavenly, eternal kingdom and not enought on the kingdom of God on earth here and now. They would tell you the emerging church can offer to humanity an authentic, organic, and real faith, since what we now know is outdated, irrelevant, and ineffective.

Now, I think the church today needs to be more about helping people and doing the work of the Kingdom. We are often too isolated in our beautiful buildings, not going out into the area and seeing to the needs of others. But that doesn't mean that the faith of the church today is not the true faith. But works go along with faith. If the emerging church could just accept the true faith of the Bible and add the works, we could have a powerful church.

In the book, Faith Undone, by Roger Oakland, the author challenges the emerging church message, and here is why: True biblical faith never changes. What Jesus and His disciples offered two thousand years ago is still offered to mankind today and has been consistentl offered to every generation in between. Jude verse 3 exhorts us to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. While emergent leaders reject terms like plan of salvation and asking Jesus to be Lord of your life, God actually has offered man a plan to be saved.

More to come, Sandra

Everyday Digital Scrapbooking: How To Create Your Own Paper with Tree Design

2009-07-09T15:32:00.001-04:00

Everyday Digital Scrapbooking: How To Create Your Own Paper with Tree Design

Wake UP, Americans!

2009-07-07T20:13:00.000-04:00

It is time for all Americans with a good conscience to wake up, stand up, and speak up. We can't remain silent any longer. It is too easy to just sit by and shake our heads while the corrupt government leads us away from the freedom that our founding fathers fought and died for. Those first Americans were firmly dedicated to their cause. They were thinkers and founders. What are we today? Has tv dulled the senses to the point of brain dead people who prefer to let others do the thinking for us? We cannot afford to let the people in government lead us away from the Constitution into a way of socialism that is not in keeping with the ideas of our Founders.

Yes, there are Tea Parties happening around our nation. This is a good way for people to make their objections known. But we need to keep our senators and congressmen inundated with papers from us about what we don't like and want them to do or not do. Maybe we need to make our money count in advertising and commercials while we still have any of that money.

What does it take to stop the government from taking from us the things we hold dear? How can we keep them from taxing everything to the point of making all things unaffordable to the common man? Maybe we cannot stop them. I don't know. But one thing I do know is that if we just sit idly by a let them, they will have us in their grasp with iron fists.

Feel free to speak what you think about this in a new post. We all need to gather our thoughts and come up with ways to make our leaders listen to us.