The No Goofy Zone Discernment Ministry

The No Goofy Zone is a discernment ministry for saved born again Christians and all who are seeking the truth.We expose non-biblical trends in the church. We are making material available to advance understanding of issue's which endanger Christianity. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit.

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Location: Piqua, Ohio, United States

Former drummer for Gary Lewis and The Playboys and The Coasters. Tim has also played with Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, Darlene Zscech and Hillsongs, Jeff Fenholt, SteveCamp among others. Tim founded The Simply Agape Project in 2001 to get free Christian music to the troops. Recordings have been made with Tim, and friends Alex Acuna, Abe Laboriel SR, Justo Almario,Steve Camp , Jared Ming and some wonderful Independant Christian artists.The Somebody Brave CD also features words of encouragment to the soldiers from Pastors, Moms, Dads, and Lt Col Brian Birdwell a Pentegon 9/11 survivor Tim is married to Donna Wirth and has four children Alan 25,Steven 23, Brittany 22, Bethany 21. Tim has played in numerous churchs as well as shows on TBN. Tim has also performed on JCTV on the show Generation Worship featuring worship leader Jared Ming. Tim has a book published worldwide titled "Pass The Plate And Let Us Prey" (My Search For Black and White Christianity in a Gray Nation)

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Emerging: from Tradition to Transition to Transformation




Great article by my friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord at Herescope.
You really need to read up on Emergent because it really is oozing into the church in many forms.
And the names of what your church may call Emergent change to protect the guilty.
Many forms but still just New Age rituals.
Lectio Divina, Praying the Bible, contemplative prayer, centering prayer.
This movement morphs so as to deceive the congregation that may stand against it.
Here is the article.
http://herescope.blogspot.com/

Monday, January 30, 2006

Another PDL Refugee Testimony


From Ingrid Schlueter 's Slice of Laodicea website.
The comments on Ingrids site are as good as the posts sometimes.
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/01/another_purpose.php#more

Jude 23"but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh."

Purpose Driven Resisters Pay A Dear Price


Believers from around the world are being ostracized, and often pressured to leave their churches, for showing any opposition whatsoever to Purpose Driven programs.
From my friends and brother and sisters in the Lord at Lighthouse Trails.
And shame on you pastors who are still quoting Rick Warren.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/pdlresisters.htm
Purpose Driven and its cult movement preaches another jesus and another gospel.
The reason paid staff doesnt protest is because they want to remain paid.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

AMERICAN CHURCH UNDRESSED


Another (older) but very good and relevant article from my friend and brother in the Lord in Ohio. Nick Jackson.
http://www.newswithviews.com/Jackson/nicholas7.htm
Pastors and church leadership really need to read this article and then pray for boldness from the Holy Spirit to deal with this.
Even though its winter and may not be a problem yet.
Seasonal sinfullness how far have we gone?

OPRAH AND THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH


New article by my brother in the Lord -Paul Proctor.

http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor86.htm

Africa Watch Update: Missionaries told "not to minister the Word"!


It really pains me to post this. But I trusts my brothers and sisters in the Lord at Herescope for reporting accurately.
When I first became a Christian I was really blessed by some of Bruce Wilkersons teaching B.J.Z(Before Jabez).
It hurts to see Bruce train wreck.
here is the article.
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/01/africa-watch-update-missionaries-told.html

Theophostics: Unbiblical Teaching Wedded to Mystical Experience


Great article by Pastor Bob DeWaay from his Critical Issues Commentary
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue79.htm

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Gee, What Should I Preach On ~ Processed Food for the Franchised Church


Great article by my brother in the Lord Scott MacIntyre.
As Rick Warren leads pastors into all his truth instead of the Holy Spirit.
http://www.woodandsteel.net/preachtheword.htm

Friday, January 27, 2006

Gaither's Evangelical Tolerance: A Bridge Too Far


The Gaithers were the originators of the Christian mantra otherwise known as praise chorus's. I think since fundemental Christians have gotten hip to what they are ,for moneys sake and paying the bills you have to sell to a different audience.
Maybe thats whats being done here all in the name of tolerance.
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/01/gaithers_evange.php

Series of Emergent Church articles


The Emergent church-infiltrating your church now.
Great series of article by my brother and friend in the Lord Pastor Ken Silva.

http://www.apprising.org/

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

How Leadership Network established Emergent


Interesting and well thought out article again from Herescope.
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/01/how-leadership-network-established.html

The Terra Nova Project


Many folks assume that the Emergent movement which has taken many forms is just a per chance thing.
Not true check out this well documtented article by my friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord at Herescope.
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/01/terra-nova-project-vanguard-for.html

David Jeremiah and Chuck Swindoll promote contemplative prayer


Great article by Carla over at Emergent No.
Carla is a great source of Emergent information and what may be creeping into your church.
We here at The Simply Agape Project will continue to name those in Christianity who are promoting New Age/Occult rituals and practices and churches as well.
Here is the link.
http://emergentno.blogspot.com/2006/01/david-Jeremiah-and-chuch-swindoll.html

Stuck in Stupid Part Four-Lectio Divina-The Pope does not think your stuck in stupid.




I have published many articles on Lectio Divina here because it was introduced into the church I went to be the Emergent junior high pastor.
I have got some replies on how Lectio is harmless and we don't practice it that way.
The church I went to even changed their website which posted Lectio Divina and how to do the ritual.
They merely changed what Lectio was called they how ever did not change the ritual.
This has all now disappeared from the website.
If Lectio Divina is such a good thing at the Sanctum event I attended at First B in Modesto why was a DVD played called Digital Glass in order to "get our minds ready"?
But Im sure if your church does Lectio they don't do it in a bad way.
Lectio Divina is chanting scripture for the purpose of a encounter with Jesus.
You may have an encounter.
It probably will not be with Jesus.
A Emergent junior high youth pastor shared with me why he practiced Lectio Divina.
He told me that we are so busy these days and seldom set aside time for God.
Lectio Divina changed his devotional life he shared with me.
"I can take a 1/2 hour or hour out of my busy day and go out into a park and have a encounter with Jesus."
(Picture church ladies voice here) -Now isn't that convenient!
We can take a little time, chant some scripture, and have a full borne encounter with Jesus.
Wow.
Gosh.
Gee.
It's cool that God will meet with us when we decide.
Umm but what about praying withour ceasing? 1Thess 5:17
Does God show up at our beckon call?
Do we honor God by letting Him have a little of our time?




Lectio Divina is a ritual thought up by Catholic monks who were influenced by Hindus and Buddhist practices.
The ancient one like St Anthony and modern ones like Thomas Merton both had the same influence and it was not scripturally based but rather influenced by eastern religion.
But it sounds harmless doesn't it?
One form of it (and there are many) proclaim it is a way of praying the Bible.
Sounds good doesn't it?
I challenge you to find this practice encouraged in the Bible.
I did a topic search on Bible Gateway on prayer and praying.
Came up with 103 topics on prayer and praying.
Not one encouraged or even remotely suggested to pray the Bible.
Did a word search on Bible Gateway.
Prayer-128 times mentioned .
Praying-20 times mentioned praying the Bible and or scriptures not mentioned once.
I checked the Greek and Hebrew in Vines on prayer and praying and could not find one verse that even closely suggests praying the Bible.
It sounds more like what Word Faith folks do when they tell you to speak the word over someone or speak the word to get what you want.
Which turns reduces the Bible to some sort of magic book where your words have power if you speak them out loud.
Making you god.
HMNN sounds like occult witchcraft to me.

But then you can take the stance Ted Haggard takes
Quote from Christianity Today page 44 Ted states "Think big. Think about the whole world. The Bible does not tell you everything you need to know." end quote.

Or you can hop on the train with Pope Benedict XVI who stated on Sept 16 2005
"In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of "Lectio divina": "the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart" (cf. "Dei Verbum," n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church -- I am convinced of it -- a new spiritual springtime."
Here is the link to that speech
http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/799/Dei_Verbum_and_Lectio_Divina_Benedict_XVI.html

I am conviced however that the new spiritual springtime that the pope is speaking of will be the entrance of a New Age all religion encompassing religion.
And he you had better get a clue who will be running this religion.
Just a hint.
It will not be Jesus.
So hey are you Stuck in Stupid if you practice Lectio Divina.
The pope doesn't think so.

2 Thess 2:10-11
"10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

Here is a link to a newsletter that can really help you not to be stuck on stupid and understand what Lectio and other new age/contemplative rituals may be coming to your church.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletterjanfeb06.htm

Stuck in Stupid the Series Part Three-The Top 50 Most Influential Christians in America


Now first of all I would not disagree with this report because I think it is very accurate on what and who is influencing American Christianity.
It's not a mistake that within the top ten there are six that I consider false teachers.
And the list is littered with them.
Dr Phils a Christian?
Who knew?
Here is the link.
http://www.thechurchreport.com/content/view/823/32/
Here is Steve Camps take on TD Jakes being number one.
http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2006/01/td-jakes-is-number-one-of-top-fifty.html
Why are most of these folk influencing Christianity?

Its because some of us are listening to them.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Stuck in Stupid Part Two-Rick Warren and his followers Stuck in Stupid





Yes Im no friend of Slick Rick because its not of the Lord what he has accomplished doing to the church. Now keep in mind this verse.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 "3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
So its not all Ricks fault.
He's just selling a product.
And people are buying it and it has created a new religion.
The Book of Warren (The Purpose Driven Church) has sold millions of copies.
Ricks Pearl of Great Price (The Purpose Driven Life) has sold even more millions.
Plus Rick sells his sermons to other pastors.
Forget about looking to The Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth check out Ricks weekly sermon instead.
Well should we criticized what God is blessing (to quote a tired Warranism)?
Why not take a look at how Rick sold so many books in the first place.
Check this link out.
http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/default.cfm?Action=ReleaseDetail&ID=11182
and than Tim Challis thoughts on this.
http://www.challies.com/archives/001310.php

Here are how some Christian are reacting to Slick Rick.

At its 69th General Synod, the Bible Presbyterian denomination urged congregations and all believers of whatever denomination to fiercely repudiate and expose the egregious error espoused by Rick Warren and other proponents of the purpose-driven paradigm (PDP) of church growth, reported John T. Dyck, Assistant Clerk of Synod. The denomination cited several problems with the PDP: 1) The entire strategy is based upon the concept that unbelievers are seeking after God, in spite of the fact that the Bible could not be clearer to the contrary; 2) The PDP values the opinions of unbelievers more than the opinions of God as revealed in His Word, believing that felt needs should dictate what is said from the pulpit; 3) The PDP asserts that Christians must think like non-Christians to reach them; 4) The PDP believes God is not concerned with the manner of His creatures entering into His presence; 5) The PDP misunderstands the nature of the church, ignoring the Biblical teaching that the institution and worship of the church exists for the glorification of God Himself and the edification of believers.

Another link
http://bpc.org/synod/2005/069_13.html
And here is what happens when people don't go along with Ricks man made new religion.
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/4-purpose-resisters.htm

So what went wrong with Rick Warren?
I think Rick was stuck on stupid from the start.
Here is a quote from Richard Abanes book "Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him"
on how Rick started his church out.
Page 47
So between January and Easter (the date he slated for his first public service), he spent 12 weeks going door-to-door, canvassing about 2000 homes. If he met a Christian, he thanked them, encouraged them, and went on his way.

But when he met someone who did not regularly attend a church, he asked them four questions:
*"Why do you think most people don't attend church?"
* "If you were looking for a church, what things would you look for?"
*" What advice would you give to me as the pastor of a new church that really wants tbenefit benifit to the community?"
* "How could I, as a pastor, help you?" end quote

Did Rick look to the word of God on how to start a church?
NO.
Did he consult and submit to the Holy Spirit on how to start a church?
NO.-The Holy Spirit would have pointed Rick to Gods word.
Instead he asked the unsaved, unbelievers (otherwise know as pagans)spiritual truth that they could have no clue of, because they dont know truth, because they do not have the Holy Spirit.
So Rick believed a lie from the start.
And I must say Rick has taken appealing to the flesh to a new level and has made a fortune on it.

Playing Purple Haze after worship music is played? Come on.
But appealing to the flesh is from the enemy not God so we know who's fruit this is.

John 2:15-17
"15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

So are Rick Warren and his followers Stuck in Stupid?
I hope not but I can't help but wonder when I read this verse.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-11
"10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

Stuck in Stupid the Series Part One-Focus on the Family Stuck in Stupid

For those of you who have not read my first article on Stuck in Stupid the story goes like this.
A man comes to a persons house and offer to paint the house.
The person's house needs painting so the person agrees.
The man who is doing the painting asks for $200.00 upfront for paint and materials.
The person gives the man $200.00 and promises to return in one week to paint the house.
The man never shows up to paint the following week.
One month later the same man shows up at the persons house and asks the person if he would like the house painted.
The person again agrees.
The man asks for $200.00 upfront for paint and materials.
The person gives the man $200.00 again.
The man promises to return in one week to paint the house.
The man never shows up to paint the following week.
One month later the same man shows up....
You get the gag.

Im going to do a series of articles of people and things Stuck in Stupid.

To lead this first article off I want to caution you that the link I am providing is to a Focus on the Family website but it contain a very graphic movie review which about made me sick.
It is a movie review on the movie "Hostel"which is a torture flick.
Who would have ever thought people would want to watch other people getting tortured as a form of entertainment.
Here is the link.
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002487.cfm

Here is Plugged In's mission statement from their website.
"Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to help equip parents, youth leaders, ministers and teens with the essential tools that will enable them to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Entertainment is a potent influence on our culture for both good and evil. Through our reviews and discussions of that entertainment, we hope to spark intellectual thought, family discussion, spiritual growth and a strong desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

Now how is reviewing a torture flick and many other R rated movies a essential tool for anything
Movies are rated R for a reason.
What about the reviewers who have to sit through these movies with all the sex and violence.

Watching naked women and violence for the cause of Christ do they know thatChristians should not go to these movies?
WHAT????
They even list a positive element in their review of "Hostel."
WHAT??????
HUH????
No where in the article do they mention to the folks not to go to this flick.
They just caution it's not for children.
DUH!!!
SorryIm not articulating here but this is a real no brainer.

Therefore To Focus on the Family and all the staff at "plugged in."
You are officially STUCK IN STUPID.
Maybe you should get plugged into the word of God?
Just a thought.

Debate between Bob Dewaay and Doug Pagitt



Recently Pastor Bob DeWaay debated Emergent guru Doug Pagitt.
Here is one bloogers insights on the debate.
http://micah.typepad.com/dogears_wrinkles/2006/01/bob_to_doug_tak.html

Saturday, January 21, 2006

The Issue of other Religious Practices as Worship in the Church


This article was written by Mike over at Let Us Reason website. I would encourage you to take the time to read the entire article.


The Emergent church began as a grassroots movement of those seeking to understand what the Christian Church should look like in the 21st century. Their concept is- because the culture and thoughts have changed- we must adapt.
“We must imagine and pursue the development of new ways of being followers of Jesus … new ways of doing theology and living biblically, new understandings of mission, new ways of expressing compassion and seeking justice, new kinds of faith communities, new approaches to worship and service, new integrations and conversations and convergences and dreams." (www.emergentvillage.com)
Our Christian worldview should not change no matter what the culture does. We are not to be dictated by Culture but by the Word of God. Because God’s word does not change and is eternally the truth it can speak to and be used for every generation. We can point to the one who is the truth and have anyone from anywhere understand the truth alongside whatever belief system they hold. But for it to affect the hearer it must be spoken and explained correctly without tainting it with the current philosophies of the day.
The Emerging church has become indicative to be the carrier of Contemplative prayer and integrating other spiritual practices. Many involved in contemplative and centering prayer find their influence and practices from eastern mystics and Roman Catholic mystics (monks). Their main sources are from Meister Eckhart, Teresa of Avila, and Morton Kelsey, Thomas Merton. Other men looked to are Henry Nouwen, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Ingatius Loyola, Henry Suso, Dorothy of Montau, Julian of Norwich, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Thomas Keating, and Basil Pennington who taught on Centering Prayer. Others associated with these same teachings Jacob Boehme and George Fox. They claim 'Centering Prayer' can be traced from the earliest centuries of Christianity (fourth), what they don’t tell you is that it was held on the outskirts of the Christian church (mostly monks away from civilization). We do not need to hear of bad arguments to justify non- biblical practices. If it goes beyond Scripture the apostle Paul tells us not to accept it (2 Corinthians 4:6).
When you adopt other spiritual practices to Christ’s teachings you diminish and corrupt the truth. These practices are used to bring one into an experience, a knowing of God in a deeper way. Many of the young do not know what they are participating in but some of their leaders certainly do. What we see is a movement, a community of churches that are turning people into a group of free thinkers that do not look to the Bible (alone) as literal guide for their spiritual living. They are promoting spiritual experiences – which results in a Christianity without the Bible. Yet you cannot be a Christian without it. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Once you go outside the Scripture and its principles to live a spiritual life you are damaging your growth. One may wonder how equipped those of the next generation will be if all they know is this alternative spirituality being introduced to them.Being open to other spiritual practices translates into a Synthesis of far more than the practices. Brian McLaren states, “Western Christianity has (for the last few centuries anyway) said relatively little about mindfulness and meditative practices, about which Zen Buddhism has said much. To talk about different things is not to contradict one another; it is, rather, to have much to offer one another, on occasion at least.” (A Generous Orthodoxy, p. 255.)
McLaren is promoting an exchange of spiritual practices and this one of the common elements found in the Emergent church movement. Though he does not come off as someone who openly rejects the fundamentals of Christianity they are buried under the new teachings and practices of a new spirituality for their post- modern outreach.
McLaren (and others) admire Hindus, Buddhists and other ways to God. To do this one needs to reject, to some extent, the literal interpretation and inerrancy of the Scriptures (the Bible), make no mistake- what they are presenting is not the Christianity the apostles delivered. This concept of learning truth from other religions has long been a useful tool for amalgamation.
“Centering Prayer is a method of prayer, which prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence.” “Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert, Lectio Divina, (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. It was distilled into a simple method of prayer in the 1970’s by three Trappist monks, Fr. William Meninger, Fr. Basil Pennington and Abbot Thomas Keating at the Trappist Abbey, St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts” (http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/)
We read “In 1974, Father William Meninger, a Trappist monk and retreat master at St. Josephs Abbey in Spencer, Mass. found a dusty little book in the abbey library, The Cloud of Unknowing. As he read this anonymous 14th century book presented contemplative meditation as a spiritual process enabling the ordinary person to enter and receive a direct experience of union with God.
This form of meditation, recently known as 'Centering Prayer' (from a text of Thomas Merton) can be traced from and through the earliest centuries of Christianity. The Centering Prayer centers one on God. (reference from contemplative outreach website)
During a conference on contemplative prayer, Thomas Merton was asked the question: “How can we best help people to attain union with God?" His answer was very clear: "We must tell them that they are already united with God." Contemplative prayer is nothing other than coming into consciousness of what is already there (emphasis mine, A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen, p. 80). It becomes obvious that many do not know they are adopting spiritual practices that are not from Jesus nor will lead to Him.
Did Jesus or the apostles ever instruct us to pray this way? If not where did it come from?
You Don’t Always get What you See or Experience
They call it alternative worship. Those involved in the Emerging church make use of liturgies, prayer beads, icons, chants and practices from Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, the Anglicans and even eastern religious practices. They see this as a return to the ancient faith that will give them a richer spiritual experience- practicing sacramentalism. By making it their own experience many see this as privatization of their faith. Yet it was Jude and others who wrote of our commonness of the faith and salvation we all share together in the Lord. There is no mention of these practices in the Bible. Of course one may argue that not everything God told us for our spiritual practice is in the Bible, revealing their being influenced by this new thought spirituality. 2 Timothy 3:16 says otherwise.
Their worship does not just involve old style candles and crosses, and incense. They make use of multimedia- music, video projection screens etc. to bring one into a multisensory experience with “the divine.” They walk the labyrinth in the darkness lit by candles and have the fragrance of incense permeate the air as they stop and chant Christian words or contemplate their thoughts and prayers. They can also carry their portable CD players – it becomes a personal spiritual experience as each one enters into their own spiritual space. Unfortunately the Bible has nothing to say about worship, prayer or meditation of this sort; but other religions certainly do.
There is a movement in youth ministry that is taking us back to what some would call ancient spiritual practices, or different contemplative tools.” (Mark Oestreicher, President Youth Specialties)
For example: It's Sunday just after 5 P.M.. in the youth room. Seven adults are sitting around a 'Christ-candle'“ in the youth room. There is no talking, no laughter. For 10 minutes, the only noise is the sound of their breathing ... now it's 7 p.m. ... one hour into the night's youth group gathering. There are 18 senior highers and five adults sitting in a candlelit sanctuary. A gold cross stands on a table. They're chanting the 'Jesus Prayer', an ancient meditative practice.”(from the July/August 1999 issue of Group Magazine - a leading resource magazine for Christian youth leaders. quotes from www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com)
In the Dec. 3rd issue of Youth Worker. Disciplines, Mystics, and the Contemplative Lifeby Mike Perschon: excerpt: “I built myself a prayer room, a tiny sanctuary in a basement closet filled with books on spiritual disciplines, contemplative prayer, and Christian mysticism. In that space I lit candles, burned incense, hung rosaries, and listened to tapes of Benedictine monks. I meditated for hours on words, images, and sounds. I reached the point of being able to achieve alpha brain patterns...” (November 2004)
They may call it a Christian prayer or use a sacred word (from the Bible), but it IS the same methods and practices used in eastern religions to achieve union with other gods. Saying certain phrases over and over: it does not matter whether the word is “Jesus” or “aum,” using this method you arrive at the same place. The mystics would instruct to “sound” the word silently or out loud; one can synchronize it with your breathing till it becomes part of you. You let go of all your feelings and thoughts that enter your mind and have only the sound of the word (but ignore the meaning of the word.) As it is repeated over, ones thinking diminishes, a new state of mind rises in the silence. One can have feelings of euphoria, oneness, your senses can be overwhelmed. They believe they have made a connection with something spiritual, sacred- God has broken through. The same state can be achieved with icons, mandalas; various other methods can be used to bring an alternate state of consciousness. How do I know this? I use to practice it when I was involved in other spiritual practices (the new age movement) before I became a Christian. It is non- compatible and not negotiable with the historic/orthodox Christian faith.
The Roman Catholic monk, William Johnston said: “In the mystical life one passes from one layer to the next in an inner or downward journey to the core of the personality where dwells the great mystery called God … This is the never-ending journey which is recognizable in the mysticism of all the great religions. It is a journey towards union because the consciousness gradually expands and integrates data from the so-called unconscious while the whole personality is absorbed into the great mystery of God” (The Inner Eye of Love: Mysticism and Religion p.127 (1981).
Deep Ecumenism = Inter-Spirituality
Matthew Fox is known for someone who has long crossed over the line and incorporated mysticism into Christianity. He among many wants to convince you that this is the right direction. In his book The Coming of the Cosmic Christ Fox contends that we should throw out any idea of a “historical Jesus” (p. 7). We should focus on the “Cosmic Christ” who is defined as “the pattern that connects” (p. 133). His experience shaped his new theology “The birthing of the Cosmic Christ is the purpose of the incarnation ... Divinity wants to birth the Cosmic Christ in each and every individual” (p. 122) The Cosmic Christ connects every part of creation with every other part: heaven with earth, divinity with humanity (p. 134). There is nothing off limits to people like this that name Christ and have no connection to the Bible or basis for their faith.
In an article in Yoga Journal, titled- One Truth, Many Paths What other spiritual traditions tell us about meditation can illuminate our own tradition—and the era in which we live. Matthew Fox writes “Ours is a time of what I call “deep ecumenism”: religious pluralism and discovery of one another's spiritual traditions and practices.
I'm reminded of a statement made by Griffiths (a Christian monk who truly did know his mystical tradition and practiced it in an ashram he directed for 40 years in Southern India): “If Christianity cannot recover its mystical tradition and teach it, it should simply fold up and go out of business.”
Douglas-Klotz's vision is comforting and challenging at the same time… using primal breath sounds from the languages of these three Biblical faith traditions, thereby connecting practices of the great Western traditions with those of the East.For example, he encourages us to “take a moment to breathe with the word adam....Inhale feeling the sound 'ah' as a breath from the Source of All Life. Exhale feeling the sound 'dahm' resonating in your heart, reminding you that your heart beats with the rhythm that began the cosmos.” (Yoga Journal, http://www.yogajournal.com/views/309_1.cfm)
In the PBS special on the emergent church we see the practice of yoga in the church. In Hinduism, Yoga is used to help one neutralize their karma, to find a way off the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation), it is a spiritual not just physical practice. How can this spiritual exercise be sanitized for Christian use. And for what reason would it be used? To relax! The Bible teaches God will “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3). One cannot make an excuse that they want to use it to experience peace and or the divine.
The idea of incorporating yoga, mantras and eastern type meditative practices should be appalling to any biblical Christian. The men [those] that promote this in the church (unknowingly) have no discernment, nor do they base their teachings or practices on what the Bible teaches; the way Jesus taught or how the apostles taught. However there are many who profess Christianity that have synthesized some of the teachings OF Jesus Christ (MOSTLY about love- they think is tolerance) with other religious practices, to intentionally change the church into something they have in their mind. the goal is to make us new and powerful in our age. Contrary to his statement of “Christianity recover its mystical tradition and teach it, it should simply fold up and go out of business.” We have entered an era of the danger zone for the church unlike any before. If we do not take a stand and be outspoken on yoga, meditation and the growing mysticism practiced inside the church we will watch the true church crumble before our eyes and be left with a transformation into a counterfeit. That’s how serious this all is.
We find certain leaders bringing in a hybrid form of Christianity. "I must add, though, that I don't believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu, or Jewish contexts.” (Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy).
This would be like sending a Mormon or a Jehovah Witness who has come to the truth of who Jesus actually is and the way of salvation back into their false religious system. Be assured they will be eaten up and spit out, the seed of truth will be ripped off. In the very least this is negligent to say, on the other hand it is a dangerous way to do ministry.
Leonard Sweet is a major leader in this Emerging church movement. Brian McLaren has become well known because of his statements and books that challenge the church to question her teachings (i.e. his book The Last Word and the word after that, urges Christians to reassess conventional views of hell PBS interview).Though he makes the point, he does not speak for everyone in the Emerging church movement. However, the Emerging church's most intellectual and influential thinker is Leonard Sweet.
Sweet calls the word an energy The Bible teaches that God is “spirit” or “energy” (p.64). What he describes is metaphysical concepts for Bible terms “Matter is the energy of Spirit. Ultimately, all that exists is spirit” (p.59-60). “I am spirit masquerading in matter’s form....I cherish the illusion of being substance, yet I am as much the spatial nothingness of atoms…” (Scientist/soldier/conservationist/aviator Charles A. Lindbergh). Those who hold to mysticism often describe God in this fashion as Norman Vincent Peale explains, “God is energy. As you breathe God in, as you visualize His energy, you will be reenergized!” ( Norman Vincent Peale Plus the magazine of positive thinking vol.37, no.4 p.23 May 1986).
From what I have read in Quantum Spirituality Sweet does not begin with a Biblical basis for his philosophical expressions of reality (or the future reality we are converging on). Consider Leonard Sweets statements in his book “Quantum Spirituality” that describe a new consciousness surfacing and a synthesis of faith. “The emergence of this New Light apologetic is a harbinger and hope that anew, age-old world is aborning in the church, even that the church may now be on the edge of another awakening.” But this awakening he describes is not like any other- its emphasis is not a Biblical one. “New Light embodiment means to be “in connection” and “information” with other faiths…. One can be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ without denying the flickers of the sacred in followers of Yahweh, or Kali, or Krishna.”
“A globalization of evangelism “in connection” with others, and a globally “in-formed” gospel, is capable of talking across the fence with Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim--people from other so called “new” religious traditions (“new” only to us)--without assumption of superiority and power. One Caribbean theologian has called this the “decolonization of theology.”~ It will take a decolonized theology for Christians to appreciate the genuineness of others’ faiths, and to see and celebrate what is good, beautiful, and true in their beliefs without any illusions that down deep we all are believers in the same thing” (pp.130-131 emphasis mine)
Are we ALL believers in the same thing? I would more accurately call this a deconstruction of theology not decolonization (unless it means the same thing). Sweet then reconstructs- not inhibited to express the idea of inter-spirituality to his readers, because this is what the Emerging church is on board with. Hybrid religion is their answer to the changing church. It was Thomas Merton who uttered: “We are already one. But we imagine that we are not. And what we have to recover is our original unity” ( quoted on p.12 of Quantum Spirituality)
Whether he is quoting other authors or coming to his own deductions they all lead to the same conclusion, the truth is not contained only in the Bible (showing disdain on fundamentalism). We must reach over the barriers of separateness and embrace each others truths. This is the essence of interfaith and the new inter-spirituality.
On the Living Spiritual Teachers Project website "It may well be that the meeting of spiritual paths — the assimilation not only of one’s personal spiritual heritage, but that of the human community as a whole" (Ewert Cousins, Professor of Theology, Fordham University).
Sweet agrees, he writes, “4. An absolute faith stance can be shown to be compatible with the notion that truth is relative? 30 In Philosophy of Religion Society founder Joseph Runzo’s words, “To believe that your faith is best, you need not believe that only the beliefs inherent in your faith can be right.” (Quantum Spirituality- my emphasis)
Here Sweet is endorsing what some have identified as the precept that All truth is God’s truth; that truth can be found not just in Christianity but nearly all religions. But there is only one faith- delivered to the Saints (Jude 1:3). He even tells us that we can still be faithful, that “Christians to appreciate the genuineness of others’ faiths.” No longer is Jesus THE Way but has become one of many, as in theosophy.
What we are hearing is a presentation of a Faith that does not come from the Word of God but can be practiced separate from it. Some even take the position that the word of God is not the Scripture but the Son of God, even though Jesus made it clear when refuting the Devil, saying, “It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’” (Luke 4:4) quoting him the book of Deuteronomy. It is written is Jesus’ response of what man shall live by, as He further said to his disciples if you love me you will keep my words, my commandments.
Sweet seems to make the point of the logos (Jesus Christ) being just one of many metaphors for truth: “Every religion has a “root metaphor” that gives it depth and substance. For the Chinese it is Tao. For the Indians it is Dharma. For the Egyptians it is Ma’at. For the Jews it is Berith or Torah. For the Christians it is Logos” (Quantum Spirituality)
Under the topic of Coincidence, or connection? And how light affects us. “Leadership toward the light is the heart of what it means to be New Light,” he then quotes a medieval manuscript on the Trinity and proceeds to say the “feature of all the world’s religions is the language of light in communicating the divine and symbolizing the union of the human with the divine: Muhammed’s light-filled cave, Moses’ burning bush, Paul’s blinding light, Fox’s “inner light,” Krishna’s Lord of Light, Böhme’s light-filled cobbler shop, Plotinus’ fire experiences, Bodhisattvas with the flow of Kundalini’s fire erupting from their fontanelles, and so on.53 Light is the common thread that ties together near-death experiences as they occur in various cultures.(p.236 This is quoted from Ralph Metzner, Opening to Inner Light: The Transformations of Human Nature and Consciousness (Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, 1986), who Sweet quotes numerous times).
Light is also the experience that binds the whole new age movement together. Though Sweet has some negative things to say about the NAM he continuously uses their language, concepts and authors to present his new spiritual transformation of the church. He conglomerates all experiences of light from different religious teachers as if they are all the same and from God. Muhammed, Krishna, Fox, Kundalini’s fire are not the same as Moses’ burning bush nor Paul’s conversion. The others had a very different revelation- that is not from God. For example George Fox converted a number of seekers of new spirituality to the Society of Friends that was called the Children of the Light. To them, Jesus Christ was the light within that everyone had the potential to experience this “light.” 2
As the church we “are connected to one another within the information network called the Christ consciousness" (Quantum Spirituality, Page 122). Christ consciousness is a strict new age term (is used about 10 times in his book) and the concepts he is introducing throughout his book are decidedly not Christian. When you have professing Christians speaking the same language and promoting practices of the new age what does that make them? If you are promoting the same concepts in other spiritual practices you may not call yourself or even identify with the new age movement (new spirituality) but the fact remains, you have accepted its system
Sweet, who has corresponded with David Spangler quotes him several times (admittedly favorably) says this in his footnotes #86. I am grateful to David Spangler for his help in formulating this “new cell” understanding of New Light leadership.” New Light leadership obviously has everything to do with what the new age means by new light. Spangler wrote the book Emergence, the rebirth of the Sacred. He has a different Christ than the Scriptures. David Spangler states in his own book Reflections on the Christ, that “Christ is the same force as Lucifer... Lucifer prepares man for the experience of Christhood. (He is) the great initiator.”
This is a major deception. If you try to go through Lucifer-the light bearer- you will never come to the true Christ- Jesus of Nazareth who died for your sins. This is an initiation into the new age movement.
The Emergent movement is also ecological friendly. Many other spiritual practices are Christianized, it is not surprising to see Gaia Christianized as they leave the Christian religion for something new. After Sweet defines Pantheism and panentheism in his book Quantum Spirituality he writes, “New Light communities extend the sense of connectionalism to creation and see themselves as members of an ecological community encompassing the whole of creation. “This is my body” is not an anthropocentric metaphor. Theologian/feminist critic Sallie McFague has argued persuasively for seeing Earth, in a very real sense, as much as a part of the body of Christ as humans.” This is panenthism-plain and simple- he goes on to state we constitute together a cosmic body of Christ.
To become part of the body of Christ, you must receive salvation by the gospel, something the planet earth cannot do. Nor is the planet alive with consciousness as some surmise.
The Contention of Biblical Purists and the New Light spirituality
This is all about the word and a literal, biblical interpretation, make no mistake about it. This emergence is a liberal, mystical hybrid movement that is developing and growing before our eyes.
Sweet writes quoting “Alexander Solzhenitsyn, who used to warn us against Soviet totalitarianism. “Old Lights are revivalists of the old. Their movements are defensive in nature, often constituting classic examples of letting the dead bury the living. Old Lights include the resurgent fundamentalists in every religion who put a freeze on history and fortify their adherents against the “new dark age” in which they are forced to live.80 “Back to the Bible,” Old Lights shout; “back to the Koran,” Old Lights thunder. But not everything Old Lights say is wrong. Much is right. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day, the old adage reminds us.”
Back to the Bible is what Jesus told the Pharisees, back to the Bible is what the apostles tell the church. “That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior” (2 Peter 3:2; Jude 1:17). One can say the same for his new light transformers, not everything they say is right either. In fact, I’d rather be right twice a day then not at all.
What really is Emerging? Unfortunately “Emergence” has been used as a New Age term and genre for over 25 years since the Tara center announced the new Messiah would be revealed to mankind. This Christ teaches the unity of all religions. He too is about experience, community and service. Some may know what they are introducing into the church, some may not- it really does not matter if it all leads to the same end. As stated in his book- “Quantum Spirituality is a hybrid work.”
The similarity of statements by Maitreya the New Age Christ are disturbing and should make one stop and think of the various correlations of language, intent, and meaning. Maitreya: “Wherever I look today around the world, I see the shining points of Light of my people, those on whom I rely. These beacons of Light shall bring all men to me, and thus the Plan will unfold. May it be that you will gather yourselves around me in this way, that my Light may kindle your flame; and so together we can transform this world.” (Maitreya, message No. 85). These are the people of the new light.
Sweet quotes apostate Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “But there are moments when this impression of transformation becomes accentuated and is thus particularly justified.”
Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin spoke of a new mysticism and a universal Christ who ... satisfies them all: that seems to me the only possible conversion of the world, and the only form in which a religion of the future can be conceived” (Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Christianity and Evolution (Collins, 1971), p. 130)
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in his book The Phenomena of Man (Sweet refers to) writes of formulating a Planetary Faith that explored his vision of the Omega Point and the evolution of consciousness. He said, “I can be saved only by becoming one with the universe.” Here is the new age experience and revelation of oneness which one can achieved by various means. It is apparent that a number of people already on the path of this movements agenda are bringing about a synthesis with the new age movement, the two streams have converged.
Sweet borrows extensively from philosophers and new agers, as well as some Christians of the past. “The Third Testament is thus no simple extrapolation of the First and Second Testaments into the future, but a divine inbreaking into the historical moment through which Alpha beginnings and Omega endings converge. The Third Testament is everything new about the old, old story. Or in Teilhard’s more mystical phrasings, a “descendent divine involution” combining with the “ascendent cosmic evolution.”35 (p.258)
“With the crooked lines of our lives God is wanting to write “a new account of everything old,” a Third Testament. This book has been breathed forth with the prayer that the crooked lines and cracks of New Light ministries, whatever they maybe, will become openings through which God’s light can shine. (p.259 emphasis mine). These quotes are only a fraction of what is said and proposed in his book Quantum spirituality.
This movement is not without its critics that notice that they have incorporated other religious practices and philosophy into the mainstay of their assembly. The emerging church cannot be categorized as just a movement - but a new way of thinking-which brings one to practice a new spirituality. It goes far beyond being a “new [kind of] Christian. They are practicing what they teach. What we are seeing is an intellectual - philosophical pursuit that stimulates the mind. A baptism into a new openness of spirituality powered by an experience that may even touch the recesses of the soul. But without the preaching of the cross it neglects the true spiritual condition and need of mankind. This is not leading people to the truth of their sin by being confronted by the gospel for salvation but instead pursuing a spiritual experience outside the parameters given by Jesus. This is all integrated in the church to reach the post- modern generation that does not see any one way more valid than another. It is opening the door to thousands to go another way. All this leads to is interfaith- accompanied with universalism. The Bible tells us there is a way that seems right to man but in the end it leads to death. It has been documented that 90% of the people who come to Christ do so in their teens. The youth are very susceptible to being influenced with other spiritual practices, many do not know any better. These are the people that are being drawn into the emerging church. They are Marketing a new spirituality to the youth in the church and it is working because so many are unfamiliar with THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT, THE OCCULT, and ALTERNATE SPIRITUAL PRACTICES found in other religions.
As Paul told young Timothy “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”(1 Timothy 4:16)
They are not questioning what they are doing, only what the majority of the OTHER (classified as traditional/evangelical) churches are doing wrong. There are no alarms going off, Their discernment is non- active.1 Cor. 2:11-14: “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Do not conform to this world means not only to resist worldly influences but forbids us to adopt other religious practices (Jesus said He was the way). Finding our spiritual needs and questions answered by the Bible should supercede any worldly reasoning. Without it we have words and beliefs without any spiritual substance. Jesus said, “My words are spirit and they are life,” not the words found in other religions. Some obviously do not believe this and think they can find spiritual life in most any religious practice. They are trying to reach an experience by the natural mans spirit; by various other spiritual ways that are not of Jesus Christ. But the Holy Spirit cannot honor such ways. The words of Jesus have not changed, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” We had better believe this and hold to it despite the world making the way wider. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber”. (John 10:1- the rest of the discourse is about those who hear only Jesus as their shepherd).
We have to adhere to the already revealed eternal truth, we are not to view these matters by the culture we live in, we must be the ones to bend and submit to what is PLAINLY written, not bend what is written to our “new interpretations” because the culture has changed.
If I were a new ager (which I’m NOT) where could I go to church to promote new age practices and tell everyone I'm a Christian and not have them suspect I'm bringing in the New Age practices or agenda? In a church that has NO discernment, that's where...
This is what the new age movement is about and this is certainly what the new spirituality is in the emerging church. The Emerging church is the new age movement; I see little difference. Sometimes hard statements need to be said: Don’t call the emerging church- church, if you practice other spiritual ways found in the worlds religions.


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People are noticing


"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Mt 9:36).

To those who may think I'm a raving lunatic I'd like to share a portion of emails I get.
People who are biblically ground are noticing whats going on.
Many are getting kicked out of PDL churches for not agreeing with the Book of Warren.
But its not just happening in PDL churches but all across the board and people are retreating to their homes.
I would like to advise those who are in and starting home churches remember to keep things focused on what the Word of God teaches.
And remember to give generously to the poor and needy among you.
Here are some emails.

For example, BETTY: "If, as you say, I MUST have a body, where in my little town is that body??? I would joyfully join it. My only option is the institutional church. What do you want me to do?"And also JIM: 'There are many of us who are "loners", but not by choice. I have been to many "churches" in my area looking for the things you mention and believe me, it is not there. Talk about apostasy, it is everywhere, along with a good deal of deception to boot. I would appreciate knowing where one might find the type of church that would make up a Body as described that I could get involved with. It certainly doesn't seem to be any of the mainstream churches, and I have tried many smaller unknown ones too, and been even more disappointed....'

"There is only one thing that hasn't been mentioned in this debate of sorts, and that's the deficient "shepherds" and leaders who have been the primary reason many Christians are running away to begin with! If they would tune in with the Lord, perhaps there would be unity and the "Body of Christ" would be functioning as the New Testament COMMANDED.... I can't even find one Holy Spirit led church anywhere in my area. It's the same old saga every place you go. Man-made agendas, programs that bore you to sleep, obsession with money & growth, and who will boast the loudest this Sunday about their ministries & gifts from God?

a friend of mine states: "You can't just blame the saints in this situation. You must ask yourself WHY? Why are the saints scattering, looking for greener pastures? Because like the book of Amos said in ch. 8, "There would be a famine in the land, one of hearing the word of the Lord."

"Right now I know many, many, on hold because we are caught between a rock and a hard place.We have no sense of belonging anywhere because of the intense hypocrisy and game playing... We want so much to please the Lord, and have NO problem submitting to leadership, but where are the men of God who are supposed to LEAD THE SHEEP? I think someone needs to address them first. We are disgusted with dead shepherds & sermons. These people pleasing, non-offensive ministries are draining the life out of the saints.... Where's the Holy Spirit? Give us something to go to and be a part of... At this point, staying home is better, at least we can seek the Lord without any pretense. "Many of us have no intention of being deliberately rebellious. But who would want to sit in a dead service led by self-centered ministers who rub shoulders with others like them? If we could find a Holy Spirit motivated Pastor and flow as the New Testament church was intended to, we'd be there whenever the doors opened...We are not against assembling together as long as it's accordingto the Bible.

"If I hear one more person say, "there is no perfect church", I think I'll scream! We aren't looking for a "perfect church." We are looking to find CHRIST in the center again, and to become more CHRIST-LIKE ourselves!!!

"What are we supposed to be a part of?
Cake sales, yard sales, watered down sermons, program after boring program, lectures about giving more money and "a form of godliness denying the power thereof?" This is happening all across the USA. The sheep are going to be only as good as the shepherd who leads them... If the leaders are playing games, what do you expect the sheep to do? Some may be content to follow the crowd, but the Lord has called others to Himself for a meaningful relationship with Him, and the local churches aren't hearing the marching orders of the Lord! The Lord does have a remnant who are seriously determined to follow Christ and obey!"

"I have been "Out-of-Church" for some time now, and have been wanting to - and being led by the Lord to - have a house church in my home. Recently I found a local expression of the Body of Christ that is meeting in a home. Their entire purpose is to have a home church, and raise up the men to be leaders, so that eventually, THEIR home becomes a meeting place for a home church."While there is and are leaders, the emphasis is on each man bringing something to the meeting. Instead of just one man being the one who "brings the Word of the Lord". "Just after a few weeks after "assembling together" with this group, God had led other people to my family, and us to others, that will soon be assembling in my home. "The problem with sitting in a "traditional church"... is just that. The men just SIT. The men are to be leading, or learning to, and exercising leadership. If they just passively SIT, they are not doing what God wants them to. In my opinion, they might as well be "Out-of-Church." "God does not want MEN to SIT. He wants them to Lead. He wants them to Lead their family, and He wants them to lead others to Christ. "One big church, with one man doing the leading, does not allow other men to grow into leadership. Small groups of men, (families) afford each man the opportunity to be obedient to the Scripture:

"Remember the REASON for assembling is to EXHORT ONE ANOTHER. You go to bless them.. not to be blessed by them. This requires you to bring something to the Body of Christ. This has not changed since the time the Israelites were at the Mountain of the Lord after they came out of Egypt.


Tim,
I attend a Vineyard Christian Fellowship (non-denominational) church. My daughter and I have been attending for about 4 years and have been active in several ministries for about 3 of those years. She and I volunteer for Children's Ministry, Homeless ministry, Clothing Bank, Food Bank, Compassion Outreach, Missionary Outreach, Home Group coodination, Seminar hostessing, and Maintenance. We are well liked by those around us and have never had any problems within ministry. Until now. If you would like to post this on your blog, it would be fine with me if you do so. Maybe others are hurting from a similar situation and would benefit from it. I sure would welcome the prayers. I don't know how much information you'd want to publish. What I sent in my e-mail below is about all there is. If there are specific things that I have not mentioned that you'd like to know, I'll sure provide you with that information. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot more to tell. This "spiritual Abortion" is a sad topic. Knowing how I am being treated makes me wonder all the more how the body is being ripped apart all over this world. Thanks for writing back to me and for offering prayer. One of my 7 pastors recently did say he'd pray about what's going on. The others have not sent or voiced any compassion or concern at all.

Please help me. I am in a major dilemma at my church and would so appreciate your input. I really enjoy your blog and am hoping you might have some insights for me. I have been accused of saying something negative about our Children's ministry. I would never talk bad about ministry, especially since my daughter and I have served in Children's and many others for over 3 years and thoroughly LOVE the gift of sharing Christ's message and love with others. I am not sure how I was even linked to the "gossip" that appears to be going on, but somehow my name was added to the people who are not happy with some issue. The leaders won't even talk with me about the issue they're facing, nor will they tell me what I supposedly said or have been saying that upsets them. For the sake of peace, I have appologized to point of there is a fact that people are gossipping about stuff, and I am hurt that people don't try to resolve their issues rather than gossip about them. I have also appologized to the leader of the Children's ministry since she is very upset by what was said. I do not feel it is right to give a personal formal appologize for saying something I did not say. She has decided to punish me because I refuse to do so. As of two months ago, I was ripped from Children's ministry. Two weeks ago I was informed I have been removed from EVERY ministry within the church and was asked that I refrain from even praying with people. I am experiencing a spiritual abortion and words could never say how deeply this hurts me and troubles my spirit. Where are we when our leaders purposely find ways to punish people and hurt people because they do not do or say or act exactly as they want? What hurts the most is that they know me. I mean, they really seemed to know me. I am a woman of character and I am the first to admit if I have done something wrong. They do not care to be reminded of that. I have sent 5 e-mails to our leaders and none will respond. Neither will they talk to me when I approach them. I know the "obvious" thing to do would be to leave. I can't help but want and pray for some kind of resolution. Help me. Please. My church has been my family and we have so many friends there. It's been 2 months and there appears to be no hope. Please help me. Lynne marie

The last email is very typical since senior pastors and leadership are often very busy running their business they are often not accessible.
Now I do understand that a pastors cant talk to 5000 people everyday but I also believe that people pastors have around them often screen what gets to the pastors ear and what doesn't.
Did Jesus do that?
And what happened when Jesus was tired and the Apostles tried to screen him from some kids?
Im still not sure why they are so busy though in large churches since when did it become the fact that its not about the flock anymore but rather its about running the business of running the flock.

Weak Leadership

2 Timothy 3:13 " But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."

Again as I have stated time and time again part of the problem with the church is we have spineless pastors in place running a business instead of a church.

So they look at what effects the bottom line instead of what effects the spiritual health of the flock the Lord has intrusted to them.

Gotta keep the machine THEY built rolling.
Why else would pastors look to Rick Warren instead of the Holy Spirit for inspiration in their sermons?
Why would we entertain instead of teach?
I got my hair cut yesterday and I shared with the dear soul who was cutting my hair why I left First B in Modesto.
I shared with her my concerns about a youth pastor being a follower of the Emergent church and the problem and danger that could put young children in.
The conversation turned to personnel modesty and the young lady shared with me she was part of a group of women who were taken to church from a group home called the Redwoods.
What I understand of this group is that it is a home for recovering drug addicts and other women with problems. Its a really nice outreach of this church to get this ladies to church.
I told the lady I appreciated how conservative these ladies dressed when they came to church.
She let me know they had a dress code and if they had tattoos they had to cover those, as well as dress modestly.
Thats a good thing and a lesson well taught.
But then I thought why not offer or submit a dress code to the congregation?
More than once when playing on the stage(called a platform because it sounds less carnal) I have gotten a eyeful of ladies dressing immodestly.
And Im talking about professing Christians and their daughters here folks not new believers.
I had expressed these concerns to the worship pastor I used to serve who also expressed the same struggle, and he had even went to the senior pastor about it as well.
Here is why I think nothing is done.
Now I know pastors sometimes will express that "This is not a issue that The Holy Spirit has released me to preach.
Which is odd with some many pastors being led into all truth by Rick Warren instead of the Holy Spirit.
Here is my thought and opinion though.
Drug addicts and women with struggles often don't have much money to give. Even though these ladies Im sure give more consistently than other members do in many cases.
If you tell your congregation most of all the women that they ought to cover it up in church think of the money you wont get.
And I do think its about the money and keeping butts in the seats.
These days if you tell a women in church to cover it up and dress modestly she will probably take her family, her money and go to another church where she doesn't have to hear about it.
I gotta ask you husbands and boyfriends this as well.
Why are you letting the ones you profess to love out of the house wearing tops that expose their breasts?
And why don't pastors address this topic?
Promise Keepers?
O please that organization died long ago.
Its because of weak leadership in the home and from the pulpit.

Chuck Smith JR promoting Contemplative Prayer


Yes folks things are getting weirder every week.
Never though I would see Calvery Chapel depart from what the Bible teaches.
Sad indeed.
First Charles Stanley's son, then Chuck Smiths son.
Shows how weak our leadership has gotten to tolerate their own kids promoting New Age/ Emergent.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/chucksmithjr.htm

Saturday, January 14, 2006

The Good News


To many times here we bring you bad news on how many churches are becoming apostate.
There is however good news.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ presented here in a biblical solid fashion at Let Us Reason.
http://www.letusreason.org/Cult7.htm

A return to the holy Catholic Church?


As many of you may know I grew up as a Catholic. I also went to Catholic grade school and high school.
I also visited at seminary in 7th grade because I wanted to be a priest.
In other words I am very well aware of what the Catholic church teaches.
And I thank God for the education I received it prepared me for this.
I am amazed at how many people are currently embracing Catholics as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I am also amazed at how so many are embracing the ancient rituals of Catholic monks.

I also see what long term effect of what the practice of Lectio Divina and centering prayer can do to someones spirtual life.
I can see the longterm effect and fruit ofLectio Divina and Thomas Merton from my own mother who was a big fan of Thomas Merton in the 60's.

The bottom line on any religion is what gospel of salvation do they teach.
Many Catholics may state that they believe what you believe.
That is not however what the official church teaches.
The Magesterium the official teaching arm of the Catholic church teaches another gospel.
that's just a fact.
So it really doesn't matter what a Catholic thinks the Bible say but what the Magesterium and the pope thinks the Bible says.
We are no means to hate Catholics but instead share the true gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
However we would not want to adapt what ancient Catholic monks teach or disciplines they practiced no more than we would adapt practices of Mormons or , Buddhists.
Its a matter of historical fact that the monks liked the Hindu and Buddhist practices in spirituality.
Thomas Merton considered himself a Buddhist as well as a Christian.
You cant be both folks.
Here is a excellent essay on what Catholicism teaches about salvation from the fine folks at Let Us Reason.
http://www.letusreason.org/RC19.htm

Why Are People Stuck In Stupid?




Say a man comes to your house and offers to paint it for you.
He asks for $200.00 upfront to pay for supplies and you give it to him.
You schedule the job to take place in one week.
Problem, the man never shows up to do the job.
You are out $200.00.
Well time goes by and the man shows up at your door again.
States some excuse on how he lost the money and was embarrassed and asks you to forgive him.
Your a Christian so of course you forgive him.
The man offers to paint your house again he of course states he will need another $200.00 for materials.
You give him the money again.
Again he takes off with your money and does not do the job.

As Christians God expects us to forgive others.
Matt 6:14-15
"14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Matt 18:21-22
"21 Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?
22 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
God however does not expect us to be stupid, naive and ignorant.
Matt 10:16
"16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."
1 John 4:1
"1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
The problem that Christianity at large is having now is we are following leaders instead of following God and His Word.
So why do people continue to follow false teachings like those of Joyce Meyer and Kenny Copeland as well as the Catholic rituals that the Emergent church is now marketing to our youth?

Yesterday I received a appeal by mail from St Matthews church.
They promote what I call The Shroud of Tulsa.
It is a paper prayer rug that you are instructed to stare at and the eyes will open (an optical illusion).
And then you are told put a mark on your needs (they mainly encourage you to pray for a financial blessing).
And then mail it to another family in need and to do this right away.
And of course they ask for the good ole seed gift.
Folks this is witchcraft and God does not honor this type of prayer when you stare at a funky prayer rug and believe this piece of paper is soaked with prayer.
The only thing these folks are praying for is that you will be stupid and send them money.
We do this all the time.
Look at all the televangelists who have been exposed, some sent to jail for a time, some not caught yet.
And they are still getting wealthy off your ignorance.
The same goes for false teaching in the church.
People rename rituals and duh it's ok now because we have renamed the ritual and called it something else.
All these rehashed occult rituals have come into the church (after being regected throughout the centuries)
for the sake of having some kind of experience with God.
Will it be a experience?
Yes.
But it will probably not be of God.
And what will happen to many in the church who continue to believe false teaching and lies of the enemy?

The Bible speaks of this as the falling away.
2 Thess 2:3
"3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

What will happen if you continue to believe the lies.
2 Thess 2:10-11
"10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie."

I believe we are in the great apostasy the Bible speaks of as well as what our Lord Jesus spoke of in Matt 24:11-12 as well as verse 22-24
Matt 24:11-12
"11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."

Matt 24 11:22-24
"22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elects sake those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

I encourage you to let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth.
Search the scriptures and see if what I say is true.
Reread Matt 24 because many Christian leaders are teaching that the world is getting better not worse. And that it is up to Christian leaders to subdue the earth for Christ return.
Page 245 of Dallas Willards "The spirit of the disciplines" states-
"CHRISTIAN LEADERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD
This is why the responsibility for the condition of the world in years or centuries to come rests upon the leaders and teachers of the Christian church. They alone have at their disposal the means to bring the world effectively under the rule of God." end quote

Balance that against what Jesus states in Matt 24 on the condition of the world when He returns.

Compare it also to what Our Lord states in John 18:36
"36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.
I would suggest following the words of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rather than the contradicting words of New Ager Dallas Willard.

To sum things up follow scripture and forgive your enemies and all others as God commands.

Just don't give them any more money for paint.

Special thanks to Bud Press for some ideas in this article.

Leaving church and finding Jesus update-


On January 7, 2006 I reported that my old church First Baptist of Modesto was still promoting Lectio Divina and on that date when you clicked on the scripture link on the junior high website portion it read this.


Lectio Divina-Scripture Reading
This devotional method reading Scripture dates back to ancient Christianity (around 540 a.d.). It has recently gained popularity among protestants of modern day.The practice is designed to foster a spiritual frame of mind, a discipline that helps us dwell on a biblical passage as a means of seeking an encounter with Jesus. Simply put, it involves focusing on a text in the presence of God for the sake of radical change in our soul. In essence, it is a way of praying the Bible.
Lectio Divina can take 10 minutes or two hours. I recomend taking 30 minutes using the following format.
READ (10 minutes)Pick a biblical passage that naturally leads to reflective prayer or the person of Jesus (Psalms or one of the Gospels). Choose a short amount to read (5-10 verses) and read it several times with silent pauses in between each reading. Try reading it aloud a couple of times as well. As you read, a word or phrase will sort of stand out to you.
THINK (5 minutes)Give the opportunity to quietly reflect on the passage and listen for what God has to say to you. Chew on the word or phrase that stood out and think about what it means. Memorize it by slowly repeating it to yourself.
PRAY (10 minutes)Ask God what He is saying to you through the passage and especially the word or phrase. Ask God, "Why this word? What are you saying to me today?" Dialogue with God and let Him speak to you.
LIVE (5 minutes)Finally, spend some more time resting in silence, thinking about what God has said to you through His Scriptures. You can also use this time to respond to God through action such as journaling, painting, drawinig or singing your favorite worship song.Finally here is the link that sends you here

The website has changed and it currently states this.

Reading and Praying Scripture
This devotional method is designed to help us focus on a biblical passage as a means of seeking Jesus. Simply put, it involves focusing on a text in the presence of God for the sake of radical change in our soul. It is a way of praying the Bible.

I recomend taking 30 minutes using the following format.

READ (10 minutes)

Pick a biblical passage that naturally leads to reflective prayer or the person of Jesus (Psalms or one of the Gospels). Choose a short amount to read (5-10 verses) and read it several times with silent pauses in between each reading. Try reading it aloud a couple of times as well. As you read, a word or phrase will sort of stand out to you.

THINK (5 minutes)

Take the time to quietly reflect on the passage and listen for what God has to say to you. Chew on the word or phrase that stood out and think about what it means. Memorize it by slowly repeating it to yourself.

PRAY (10 minutes)

Ask God what He is saying to you through the passage and especially the word or phrase. Ask God, "Why this word? What are you saying to me today?" Dialogue with God and let Him speak to you.

LIVE (5 minutes)

Finally, spend some more time resting in silence, thinking about what God has said to you through His Scriptures. You can also use this time to respond to God through action such as journaling, painting, drawinig or singing your favorite worship song.

So have the folks at First B repented of Lectio Divina and are no longer promoting this practice?
I'll let you read and compare the two website postings and you can decide for yourselves.
My purpose of reporting this was to show that the website had changed its post.
I do want to be accurate and honest in my reporting you can draw your own conclusions .
I would be interested in what you think though.
We do need to pray for the current leadership in the church most of all our youth pastors.
Many who are being deceived and being sold a bag of goods that is not of God.

Modern Christian Mysticism


Great series of articles by Gary Gilley.
I would suggest everyone take time out to read the whole series.
Most of all you parents out there since this is being marketed and targeted toward your children (many times covertly).
It's interesting to me that churches who may not agree with Catholic doctrine will still allow rituals into their churches which originated from Catholic monks.
I think this is due largely to the fact that many of our leaders are gutless and seriously lack knowledge of what scripture teaches about occult rituals.
Even if these rituals involve using the Bible it does not make them any less a ritual.
Plus many pastors have built huge machines disguised as churches that they have to keep moving by whatever means necessary.
Whatever it takes I guess.
What happened to 1 John 4:1 "1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. "

Maybe thats not being preached from the Book of Warren that has now replaced the Word of God in many churches.

Part 1
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?ID=106
Part 2
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?id=107
Part 3
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?id=108
Part 4
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?id=109
Part 5
http://www.svchapel.org/Resources/Articles/read_articles.asp?id=110

Purpose Driven Plagiarism


Great article from Ingrid Schlueter at Slice of Laodicea about more madness in the pseudo Christian world Slick Rick Warren created with his own hands.
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/01/purpose_driven_4.php
Monkey see monkey do I guess.

Friday, January 13, 2006

New article from Wood and Steel blog


New article by my brother in the Lord Scott MacIntyre over at Wood and Steel blog.
Scott has many other helpful and insightful articles on his blogs. Good blog for musicians struggling with issues in the church as well.
http://www.woodandsteel.net/fundamentalist.htm

Monday, January 09, 2006

Rick Warren gets a makeover


New article from my friends at Herescope.
More purpose driven madness.
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/01/reinvention-of-rick-warren.html

Ephesians 5:19


My wife and I visited a church yesterday. We have now made the choice to once and for all start a home church.
The pastor actually said B.S. (without the abbreviations) from the pulpit towards the end of a hurried sermon.
And this was not even a Emergent church where foul language is encouraged.

To add to the embarrassment we had my wife's granddaughter with us who does not usually attend church so this was really embarrassing to me even though our grandaughter thought it was very funny.

Then came the special music.
It was like fingernails on a blackboard.
This lady had no business up there singing.
It was what I called prison singing because she was behind the bars without the right key.
We almost left.

It gave a new meaning to make a joyful noise. And it really was just plain noise.

Now I don't go to church to be entertained by professional musicians but someone either has the talent and ability to sing or not.
And the audience hooted and screamed for this lady after she was finished and the focus was of course on her not the Lord.

How far have we gone.

Its gotten to be through seeker friendly channels like Saddleback and Willow Creek that it sounds more like a bar in church.

Not to forget folks like the Joel Osteen's band with Israel and Cindy where even though churches will disagree with Joel Osteens theology they will still play the crowd pleasing tunes from the Joel Osteen House band.


Here is some good comments on how music should be played in church from Matthew Henry.

Ephesian 5:19 "19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Matthew Henry's comments
"To sing unto the Lord,v 19. Drunkards are wont to sing obscene and profane songs. The heathens, in their Bacchanalia, used to sing hymns to Bacchus, whom they called the god of wine. Thus they expressed their joy; but the joy of Christians should express itself in songs of praise to their God. In these they should speak to themselves in their assemblies and meetings together, for mutual edification. By psalms may be meant David's psalms, or such composures as were fitly sung with musical instruments. By hymns may be meant such others as were confined to matter of praise, as those of Zacharias, Simeon, &c. Spiritual songs may contain a greater variety of matter, doctrinal, prophetical, historical, &c. Observe here, (1.) The singing of psalms and hymns is a gospel ordinance: it is an ordinance of God, and appointed for his glory. (2.) Though Christianity is an enemy to profane mirth, yet it encourages joy and gladness, and the proper expressions of these in the professors of it. God's people have reason to rejoice, and to sing for joy. They are to sing and to make melody in their hearts; not only with their voices, but with inward affection, and then their doing this will be as delightful and acceptable to God as music is to us: and it must be with a design to please him, and to promote his glory, that we do this; and then it will be done to the Lord. " (my emphasis)

My comments-This is actually contrary to what Rick Warren promotes in his awful book that has deceived scores of Christians "The Purpose Driven Church."
We really need to get a clue.

Ephesians 5:11

Have you ever gotten up late, or early, and turn on the lights to your house have you ever seen cockroaches running for cover?
They hate the light for some reason.
And they run and hide every time the light is turned on.
The thing about cockroaches is this.
You need to hunt out their nests and take care of the source or they multiply.
unfortunately the church is being overrun by cockroaches.
Dirty beasts that hate the light of scripture.

I will on occasion use a good commentary to study my Bible with.
I enjoy Matthew Henry's Commentary.
Here are a few of a couple insights by Matthew Henry.

Eph 5:11"11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. "
Matthews comments-
"Sinful works are works of darkness: they come from the darkness of ignorance, they seek the darkness of concealment, and they lead to the darkness of hell. These works of darkness are unfruitful works; there is nothing got by them in the long run, whatever profit is pretended by sin, it will by no means balance the loss; for it issues in the utter ruin and destruction of the impenitent sinner. We must therefore have no fellowship with these unfruitful works; as we must not practise them ourselves, so we must not countenance others in the practice of them. There are many ways of our being accessary to the sins of others, by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And, if we share with others in their sin, we must expect to share with them in their plagues. Nay, if we thus have fellowship with them, we shall be in the utmost danger of acting as they do ere long. But, rather than have fellowship with them, we must reprove them, implying that if we do not reprove the sins of others we have fellowship with them. We must prudently and in our places witness against the sins of others, and endeavour to convince them of their sinfulness, when we can do it seasonably and pertinently, in our words; but especially by the holiness of our lives, and a religious conversation. Reprove their sins by abounding in the contrary duties. One reason given is, For it is a shame even to speak of those things, "

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