I received the following from a friend and find it very timely:
There is little doubt that there has been a ceaseless new age movement and migration of that movement into most of what we call mainstream Judaism and Christianity during most of this century. Subtle at first but now hidden in the wide open for all to experience.
Over time many have tried to incorporate the channeling of spirits and God’s Word into morphing religions, ie new age, Mormonism, Catholicism, the prosperity movement, etc. A woman named Alice Bailey born in 1880 may be most accountable for coining certain phrases first, such as new age, new world order, etc all channeled to her from a spirit guide called Djwhal Khul. Of course there have been many others that have channeled and we know there is nothing new under the sun but she sort of kicked off the modern movement. And after her death her school eventually became know as the Lucis Trust and we all know the implications of that and it has ties to freemasonry and Rosicrucian roots.
That bit of history sets up the current events and personalities promoting the New Age infiltration of much of the common man’s spiritual understanding. More and more we are as a people turning our back to God and his word and moving toward instructional sources like “The Secret”. The Secret is significant because it along with stories like Harry Potter have captivated and desensitized mass groups of people concerning the Occult and divination. The Secret played off the ego, money, wealth and a power that is present in the universe for all to utilize. We know that power exist but is not glorifying God, in fact just the opposite. The Oprah’s, Rick Warren’s and Thomas Merton’s, just to name a few, are instrumental in the promotion of this energy. The in between step is to introduce something called contemplative prayer and eastern style meditation and its catching on, which of course is in complete opposition to what is meant to meditate in The Word. Contemplative prayer and meditation removes the brain from the conscious involvement by repeating a mantra and opening the pathway to allow outside spiritual influence which is in direct contradiction to what is meant to meditate in the Word by consciously using your mind to understand the nature of creation and the spiritual dimension.
Well, this brings us to the point of all this, that on April 5th a dvd will be released from a book called “The Moses Code” and the attention and numbers of copies sold should rival the Secret. Interestingly when one looks at the sequence of events and milestones in this movement one can see a logical sequence of first stepping all over conventional biblical belief systems within society and then introducing the next step in the sequence. This step really concentrates heavily on the I am god, we are all collectively god and eastern style meditation. They have carefully paved the way to move people to the next level of new age. We can turn to Luke 21:7-8 where Jesus himself warns to “take heed that many will come in my name, saying I am.” The words Christ and he in most bibles have been added later by bible writers. The indicting phrase “I am” comes through loud and clear in “The Moses Code” because the suggested mantra is none other than I am, I am.
God Bless,
Greg Maranto
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Members in Particular
1Cr 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
I am so struck today with the beginning understanding of how God deals with each of us individually. It is human nature to follow someone. We hear of a good testimony or word of God that someone gives us and through it we might begin to think we too need to do the same thing or have the same type of experience to please God.
We know Jesus, along with being our savior and redeemer; he is also an example for us to live by. John, speaking of Jesus, said in 1 John 2:6 “he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.” And Peter also said in 1 Peter 2:21 “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
And Paul said speaking of himself…(2 Thessalonians 3:7a) “For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us:” (2 Thessalonians 3:9b) “but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.”
But it is also clear that we can not walk in any one else’s calling.
(Romans 12:3b-6) but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
(1 Corinthians 12:12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
Because we are different parts of the same body, God deals with us in different ways. Not in just the “gift” we have, but in the “walking” as well. God did not create us like drones all walking the same way with the same expression on our faces as a military parade.
We have a tendency to put on a pedestal those with a “better” or “greater” testimony or calling. Some seem to have “waters parted before them” at every turn as the Red Sea opened up before the Israelites; others seem to have great dreams and visions; and still others seem to always “walk in victory” never in need of prayer.
We have whole denominations and new teachings spring up because ONE time God did something in a particular way. We embrace this “new doctrine” and believe God will always work in the same way, with this new “formula” that we stumbled on to. That is where things like the “prosperity gospel” came from, that is where the “healing ministries” came from, we could go on and on with all the “different” teachings and denominations we have today. How many times in scripture do we find God doing the exact same thing over and over again?
Scripture says we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and Paul said to follow his example. Jesus explained he only did what his father told him to do, only the things his father showed him. I can not hear what God told Jesus to do, I was not privy to the conversations between Paul and God, so how can I do exactly the same things they did? I can’t! I can only do what God told me to do! Like Paul and like Jesus, I have to have a relationship with the father, and do the works he gives me to do. I have to live my life by faith, just like Paul did as one of our examples:
(Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
How do I have this faith? How do I live it? By hearing from God! (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Each day I need a “word” from God in my spirit! Just as Jesus would separate himself out and go to his father everyday, we follow his example and do the same. Each situation in life will require a fresh word from God. God can (and does) use his written word for this, but it is in communion with him that he will speak this to our spirit. Just because God’s answer to an issue yesterday was such and such scripture, doesn’t mean he will use the same one today. Yesterday the scripture might have been “by his strips you are healed” but today it is “His grace is sufficient”. We can only stand on what God gives us to stand on. We can not stand on the word he gave someone else, we need our own word.
God deals with us individually. Even though we will be part of the one body of Christ in unity, we don't all go through the same experiences to get there. God speaks to each of us in a unique way that we will understand and can respond to. And we all have our own place in the kingdom that God makes just for us. While it can help listening to or reading about someone else's testimony in how God has dealt with them, ultimately it is only us with God alone in our secret place where God deals, teaches and directs us. It is like different parts of harmony in a song, but the same song. Beautifully entwined together, but separate in our individual part we play.
Make no mistake; just because God has us all walk our own walk, it is the same path. We do not have different gospels to follow or a different Jesus. We all enter in through the same narrow gate with much suffering. We may not suffer the same things, or have the same victories, but we all have to die the same death of our flesh and death to this world. How God gets us there is all up to him, he knows how to deal with each of us and what it takes to get us there. But we are all one body going to the same end! We are being conformed to the imagine of Christ, God is making for himself, Sons of God, a temple for him to dwell in.
This individual care of each part of the Body of Christ is more wonderful than we can know. David wrote: (Psalms 139:6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. In fact the whole 139th Psalm is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ and it speaks loudly of each individual part of that body.
The song of my heart today:
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
He is good in his mercy, righteous in His judgments, Holy in His actions. Fulfilling his word to each generation (individual). Let us lift up our heads and behold his face, he is shining downs on us in holy righteousness, giving us the power to become Sons of God. Give him the Glory that is due him.
I am so struck today with the beginning understanding of how God deals with each of us individually. It is human nature to follow someone. We hear of a good testimony or word of God that someone gives us and through it we might begin to think we too need to do the same thing or have the same type of experience to please God.
We know Jesus, along with being our savior and redeemer; he is also an example for us to live by. John, speaking of Jesus, said in 1 John 2:6 “he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.” And Peter also said in 1 Peter 2:21 “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
And Paul said speaking of himself…(2 Thessalonians 3:7a) “For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us:” (2 Thessalonians 3:9b) “but to make ourselves an ensample unto you, that ye should imitate us.”
But it is also clear that we can not walk in any one else’s calling.
(Romans 12:3b-6) but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
(1 Corinthians 12:12) For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
Because we are different parts of the same body, God deals with us in different ways. Not in just the “gift” we have, but in the “walking” as well. God did not create us like drones all walking the same way with the same expression on our faces as a military parade.
And to those parts of the body which seem to have less honour we give all the more honour; and to those parts of the body which are a cause of shame to us we give the greater respect;
But those parts of the body which are beautiful have no need of such care: and so the body has been joined together by God in such a way as to give more honour to those parts which had need of it;
So that there might be no division in the body; but all the parts might have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:23-25) BBE
We have a tendency to put on a pedestal those with a “better” or “greater” testimony or calling. Some seem to have “waters parted before them” at every turn as the Red Sea opened up before the Israelites; others seem to have great dreams and visions; and still others seem to always “walk in victory” never in need of prayer.
We have whole denominations and new teachings spring up because ONE time God did something in a particular way. We embrace this “new doctrine” and believe God will always work in the same way, with this new “formula” that we stumbled on to. That is where things like the “prosperity gospel” came from, that is where the “healing ministries” came from, we could go on and on with all the “different” teachings and denominations we have today. How many times in scripture do we find God doing the exact same thing over and over again?
Scripture says we are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and Paul said to follow his example. Jesus explained he only did what his father told him to do, only the things his father showed him. I can not hear what God told Jesus to do, I was not privy to the conversations between Paul and God, so how can I do exactly the same things they did? I can’t! I can only do what God told me to do! Like Paul and like Jesus, I have to have a relationship with the father, and do the works he gives me to do. I have to live my life by faith, just like Paul did as one of our examples:
(Galatians 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
How do I have this faith? How do I live it? By hearing from God! (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Each day I need a “word” from God in my spirit! Just as Jesus would separate himself out and go to his father everyday, we follow his example and do the same. Each situation in life will require a fresh word from God. God can (and does) use his written word for this, but it is in communion with him that he will speak this to our spirit. Just because God’s answer to an issue yesterday was such and such scripture, doesn’t mean he will use the same one today. Yesterday the scripture might have been “by his strips you are healed” but today it is “His grace is sufficient”. We can only stand on what God gives us to stand on. We can not stand on the word he gave someone else, we need our own word.
God deals with us individually. Even though we will be part of the one body of Christ in unity, we don't all go through the same experiences to get there. God speaks to each of us in a unique way that we will understand and can respond to. And we all have our own place in the kingdom that God makes just for us. While it can help listening to or reading about someone else's testimony in how God has dealt with them, ultimately it is only us with God alone in our secret place where God deals, teaches and directs us. It is like different parts of harmony in a song, but the same song. Beautifully entwined together, but separate in our individual part we play.
Make no mistake; just because God has us all walk our own walk, it is the same path. We do not have different gospels to follow or a different Jesus. We all enter in through the same narrow gate with much suffering. We may not suffer the same things, or have the same victories, but we all have to die the same death of our flesh and death to this world. How God gets us there is all up to him, he knows how to deal with each of us and what it takes to get us there. But we are all one body going to the same end! We are being conformed to the imagine of Christ, God is making for himself, Sons of God, a temple for him to dwell in.
This individual care of each part of the Body of Christ is more wonderful than we can know. David wrote: (Psalms 139:6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it. In fact the whole 139th Psalm is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ and it speaks loudly of each individual part of that body.
Friday, March 28, 2008
IN CASE YOU HADN'T HEARD, GOD IS NOW GREEN......
IN CASE YOU HADN'T HEARD, GOD IS NOW GREEN......
For years it's been creeping up behind us. Some of us were given grace to discern it's true nature and kept a watchful eye. Others couldn't or wouldn't see it. Now this ugly "green" monster is breathing down our necks and eventually we'll each have to decide just how much power we are going to allow it to have in our lives.
If you haven't guessed I'm talking about the new one world religion " global environmentalism". Is this the one world religious system that will unite mankind many of us have been watching for? I can't say for sure, but if not it's certainly a forerunner and integral part of it. While wars and rumours of wars divide the planet on just about every continent at the present time, environmentalism seems to be the one thing uniting people from most cultures and nationalities. Have you noticed since the year 2000 how the new language of global environmentalism has increasingly gained prominence in the media? Hardly a day goes by without our radio or T.V. news reporting on the latest findings of "climate change" scientists and what our governments are doing about it. In fact, words and phrases such as "climate change", "environmental footprint", "carbon emissions" and "greenhouse gases" are the catch phrases of the hour. What do they mean? Just ask any 10 year old because, thanks to our education experts, saving the planet has now become the main mission in life for most of our primary schoolers. ( By the way, there are many, many professional scientists who do not agree with the whole "global warming" theory, but you won't hear their opinions on the 6 p.m. news.)
At 8 p.m. on Saturday March 29 (Sydney time) thousands of homes, schools, businesses and government buildings will turn all their lights off for one hour to signify "Earth Hour". For that one hour, the lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House will also go out, and many people celebrating weddings or other events will celebrate by candle light. The Earth Hour event, which began in Sydney, Australia, just one year ago, will this year be celebrated in 24 of the world's major capital cities including San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Manila, and Copenhagen. Over 100 cities in the U.S.A. alone will participate, making Earth Hour 2008 turning what started as a "symbolic event into a global movement", according to the website: http://www.earthhour.org/ No doubt this "global movement" will attract even fuller participation in 2009 and years to come.
What's wrong with being environmentally conscious you may well ask? Nothing, if its kept in the right perspective and balance. My family and I recycle whatever we can and turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, and have done so for many years. We do this out of a sense of responsibility and cost saving, and were doing so long before being environmentally conscious became popular. I agree totally that responsible stewardship of, and care for, creation is something that should be part of the normal Christian lifestyle. But I am stirred in my spirit to sound an alarm about the seductive appeal this "green movement" is exerting over many churches and believers. Even just a cursory search of the internet will turn up articles with such statements as I have listed below:
*"GOD is green, and always has been, according to a parish in southern Sydney....."http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/where-being-green-goes-beyond-pieties/2008/03/27/1206207300940.html*"Community Christian Church in Tempe (USA) hosted a sermon during Lent on "Opening the Book of Nature," about the Christian tradition that nature could be considered another "book" of revelation." http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0322greeneaster0322.html*"Bishops call for "green’ Church": Salvation is not just for humankind but for all of creation, according to the annual Social Justice Sunday Statement by Australia’s bishops.....The bishops speak of a new "green’ Church that rejects the former understanding that God gave humankind dominion over the earth and its resources. The statement by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, which calls on Christians to treat the Earth and its resources “ethically”, is in line with Pope John Paul’s much-repeated call for “ecological conversion”. http://www.cathnews.com/news/209/79.php*"I see the environment as a portal to connect with the divine," (Ps.) Abele says. Why now? "I think it had to get to the crisis level, and that's where we are." Abele and her flock leave no stone unturned. Literally. An outdoor circle of stones, built by congregation members in 2003, is "a place to connect with the Earth's energy." Members are encouraged to walk the Sacred Earth Wheel often. Nearby is a labyrinth that members also traverse.Don Stevens of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi even used feathers from a red-tail hawk to wave sage and tobacco smoke over members at the opening service in October. The "smudging" ceremony is an American Indian purification ritual to drive away evil spirits. This winter, the church's adult and children's programs will focus on environmental messages. The "green" theme has always been taught at an early age here. ASIG's children's program this winter is titled "The Sacred Environment — The Earth and Me." Hoping children will "fall in love with the earth they live on, we're teaching creation stories from the ancient myths to the big-bang theory," Caswell Burke says. "I think we're ahead of our time. The earth is woven into every service. There's a connection between the environmental and the spiritual."Each month a community member is invited by ASIG to talk about his or her passion for the planet. A beekeeper has spoken to the children, and Christopher Davis, who manages the 1,000 acres around ASIG, spoke over the weekend about the congregation's new "green building, how it works day to day." As for the sanctuary, Abele can't quite explain the spirit the new building houses. "It's beyond what I expected," she says. "I'm not sure what's happening, but it's all good." http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-01-06-green-church_N.htm?csp=34
Hello? Are the alarms sounding for you as loud as they are for me? These quotes are just a handful of thousands that can be found on the internet by supposedly Christian believers and leaders. If you would like even more research links on this subject just go to a site called "ecofaith" where, according to the founder "you will be helped to ground your faith story in the new creation stories being uncovered by evolutionists, ecologists and cosmologists. Here also you will be able to "measure the ecological footprint of your (fellowship's) worship service" and find "a growing collection of evolution affirming worship resources: hymns, sermons, rituals, prayers etc" Here is one of the hymns, a rewording of "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory":
MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF AN EVOLVING UNIVERSE ;To the tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic, Jason John 2007
Mine eyes have seen the glory of_the evolving universeSure it isn’t perfect but you know it could be worse!There is lots of fighting, but there’s love: now that’s a firstGod’s love is flowing forth!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! God’s love is flowing forth.
I have seen God in the twinkle of a zillion zillion starsThere may be life out there but its very very farGod loves us and ours- just like God loves them and tharsAnd we are loving back!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Yes we are loving back.
Now we stand upon the threshold of 2008Christ may be coming back but now he’s getting rather late.We’ll leave it to the cults to try and pick his return dateFor the Spirit lives on in us.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Yes the Spirit lives on in us!
God has given us the strength to change all the things we shouldThe serenity to leave the things we only wish we couldIf everybody gets involved the world could turn out good!When love comes flowing forth!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our love is flowing forth!
We are the hands and feet of God, the forests are the lungsThe rivers are God’s lifeblood and the microbes are God’s bumGod is more than all of that but also in each one. God's glory is all around Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! See God's glory all around!Well, we all want the world to turn out good, don't we? Or check out a new way to do Christian (?) "baptism" at http://ecofaith.org/ecofaithcommunity/green_christian_baptism.html
The purpose of this article is not to ridicule or cast criticism towards individuals who may have a different viewpoint to mine. Its purpose is to clearly state, whatever your stand on the environmental issues, beware, Christian, this green church movement, is PREACHING A DIFFERENT GOSPEL We can expect the world to be the world, but when the church becomes inextinguishable from the world, we have every right to ask some serious questions. The gospel coming out of this 'green church movement', is seductive, deceptive and worst of all, it sounds really "good". Its appeal as a "good work" is almost irresistible. But it's not Christ and it's not consistent with either His Word or His Spirit. Jesus has set up His church on this earth as witness of the manifold wisdom of God to the powers and principalities in the heavenly places (Eph. 3:10). He has called His church to "the ends of the earth" to preach the good news to all creation - the news being that man is reconciled to God and saved from death through the Blood of His Cross, and not that if we reduce our carbon emissions we will save the planet. The church is not called to measure our "ecological footprint" but to grow into the full measure of the stature of Christ (Eph. 4:13). And creation, which was subjected to bondage through sin, will continue groaning until the true sons of God are revealed. Creation's only hope is in Christ, as is ours. (Rom. 8:19-25).
If you're thinking about showing your support for "Earth Hour" I urge you to think again. If you think there's no harm in it, you're not watching and waiting until His return (Mark 13:35-37). This is worship of mother earth at its most seductive. It should not surprise us at all that one of the fruits of "global environmentalism" is to cover the earth with as much literal darkness as possible during Earth Hour. I don't know about you, but my house will be easy to find on the evening of Saturday 29th June. It will be one with every light on."You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober." 1 Thess 5:5-6
Loving His Appearing,
Cheryl McGrathhttp://www.greatsouthland.org/
For years it's been creeping up behind us. Some of us were given grace to discern it's true nature and kept a watchful eye. Others couldn't or wouldn't see it. Now this ugly "green" monster is breathing down our necks and eventually we'll each have to decide just how much power we are going to allow it to have in our lives.
If you haven't guessed I'm talking about the new one world religion " global environmentalism". Is this the one world religious system that will unite mankind many of us have been watching for? I can't say for sure, but if not it's certainly a forerunner and integral part of it. While wars and rumours of wars divide the planet on just about every continent at the present time, environmentalism seems to be the one thing uniting people from most cultures and nationalities. Have you noticed since the year 2000 how the new language of global environmentalism has increasingly gained prominence in the media? Hardly a day goes by without our radio or T.V. news reporting on the latest findings of "climate change" scientists and what our governments are doing about it. In fact, words and phrases such as "climate change", "environmental footprint", "carbon emissions" and "greenhouse gases" are the catch phrases of the hour. What do they mean? Just ask any 10 year old because, thanks to our education experts, saving the planet has now become the main mission in life for most of our primary schoolers. ( By the way, there are many, many professional scientists who do not agree with the whole "global warming" theory, but you won't hear their opinions on the 6 p.m. news.)
At 8 p.m. on Saturday March 29 (Sydney time) thousands of homes, schools, businesses and government buildings will turn all their lights off for one hour to signify "Earth Hour". For that one hour, the lights on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House will also go out, and many people celebrating weddings or other events will celebrate by candle light. The Earth Hour event, which began in Sydney, Australia, just one year ago, will this year be celebrated in 24 of the world's major capital cities including San Francisco, Tel Aviv, Manila, and Copenhagen. Over 100 cities in the U.S.A. alone will participate, making Earth Hour 2008 turning what started as a "symbolic event into a global movement", according to the website: http://www.earthhour.org/ No doubt this "global movement" will attract even fuller participation in 2009 and years to come.
What's wrong with being environmentally conscious you may well ask? Nothing, if its kept in the right perspective and balance. My family and I recycle whatever we can and turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, and have done so for many years. We do this out of a sense of responsibility and cost saving, and were doing so long before being environmentally conscious became popular. I agree totally that responsible stewardship of, and care for, creation is something that should be part of the normal Christian lifestyle. But I am stirred in my spirit to sound an alarm about the seductive appeal this "green movement" is exerting over many churches and believers. Even just a cursory search of the internet will turn up articles with such statements as I have listed below:
*"GOD is green, and always has been, according to a parish in southern Sydney....."http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/where-being-green-goes-beyond-pieties/2008/03/27/1206207300940.html*"Community Christian Church in Tempe (USA) hosted a sermon during Lent on "Opening the Book of Nature," about the Christian tradition that nature could be considered another "book" of revelation." http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0322greeneaster0322.html*"Bishops call for "green’ Church": Salvation is not just for humankind but for all of creation, according to the annual Social Justice Sunday Statement by Australia’s bishops.....The bishops speak of a new "green’ Church that rejects the former understanding that God gave humankind dominion over the earth and its resources. The statement by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, which calls on Christians to treat the Earth and its resources “ethically”, is in line with Pope John Paul’s much-repeated call for “ecological conversion”. http://www.cathnews.com/news/209/79.php*"I see the environment as a portal to connect with the divine," (Ps.) Abele says. Why now? "I think it had to get to the crisis level, and that's where we are." Abele and her flock leave no stone unturned. Literally. An outdoor circle of stones, built by congregation members in 2003, is "a place to connect with the Earth's energy." Members are encouraged to walk the Sacred Earth Wheel often. Nearby is a labyrinth that members also traverse.Don Stevens of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi even used feathers from a red-tail hawk to wave sage and tobacco smoke over members at the opening service in October. The "smudging" ceremony is an American Indian purification ritual to drive away evil spirits. This winter, the church's adult and children's programs will focus on environmental messages. The "green" theme has always been taught at an early age here. ASIG's children's program this winter is titled "The Sacred Environment — The Earth and Me." Hoping children will "fall in love with the earth they live on, we're teaching creation stories from the ancient myths to the big-bang theory," Caswell Burke says. "I think we're ahead of our time. The earth is woven into every service. There's a connection between the environmental and the spiritual."Each month a community member is invited by ASIG to talk about his or her passion for the planet. A beekeeper has spoken to the children, and Christopher Davis, who manages the 1,000 acres around ASIG, spoke over the weekend about the congregation's new "green building, how it works day to day." As for the sanctuary, Abele can't quite explain the spirit the new building houses. "It's beyond what I expected," she says. "I'm not sure what's happening, but it's all good." http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-01-06-green-church_N.htm?csp=34
Hello? Are the alarms sounding for you as loud as they are for me? These quotes are just a handful of thousands that can be found on the internet by supposedly Christian believers and leaders. If you would like even more research links on this subject just go to a site called "ecofaith" where, according to the founder "you will be helped to ground your faith story in the new creation stories being uncovered by evolutionists, ecologists and cosmologists. Here also you will be able to "measure the ecological footprint of your (fellowship's) worship service" and find "a growing collection of evolution affirming worship resources: hymns, sermons, rituals, prayers etc" Here is one of the hymns, a rewording of "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory":
MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF AN EVOLVING UNIVERSE ;To the tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic, Jason John 2007
Mine eyes have seen the glory of_the evolving universeSure it isn’t perfect but you know it could be worse!There is lots of fighting, but there’s love: now that’s a firstGod’s love is flowing forth!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! God’s love is flowing forth.
I have seen God in the twinkle of a zillion zillion starsThere may be life out there but its very very farGod loves us and ours- just like God loves them and tharsAnd we are loving back!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Yes we are loving back.
Now we stand upon the threshold of 2008Christ may be coming back but now he’s getting rather late.We’ll leave it to the cults to try and pick his return dateFor the Spirit lives on in us.Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Yes the Spirit lives on in us!
God has given us the strength to change all the things we shouldThe serenity to leave the things we only wish we couldIf everybody gets involved the world could turn out good!When love comes flowing forth!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our love is flowing forth!
We are the hands and feet of God, the forests are the lungsThe rivers are God’s lifeblood and the microbes are God’s bumGod is more than all of that but also in each one. God's glory is all around Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! See God's glory all around!Well, we all want the world to turn out good, don't we? Or check out a new way to do Christian (?) "baptism" at http://ecofaith.org/ecofaithcommunity/green_christian_baptism.html
The purpose of this article is not to ridicule or cast criticism towards individuals who may have a different viewpoint to mine. Its purpose is to clearly state, whatever your stand on the environmental issues, beware, Christian, this green church movement, is PREACHING A DIFFERENT GOSPEL We can expect the world to be the world, but when the church becomes inextinguishable from the world, we have every right to ask some serious questions. The gospel coming out of this 'green church movement', is seductive, deceptive and worst of all, it sounds really "good". Its appeal as a "good work" is almost irresistible. But it's not Christ and it's not consistent with either His Word or His Spirit. Jesus has set up His church on this earth as witness of the manifold wisdom of God to the powers and principalities in the heavenly places (Eph. 3:10). He has called His church to "the ends of the earth" to preach the good news to all creation - the news being that man is reconciled to God and saved from death through the Blood of His Cross, and not that if we reduce our carbon emissions we will save the planet. The church is not called to measure our "ecological footprint" but to grow into the full measure of the stature of Christ (Eph. 4:13). And creation, which was subjected to bondage through sin, will continue groaning until the true sons of God are revealed. Creation's only hope is in Christ, as is ours. (Rom. 8:19-25).
If you're thinking about showing your support for "Earth Hour" I urge you to think again. If you think there's no harm in it, you're not watching and waiting until His return (Mark 13:35-37). This is worship of mother earth at its most seductive. It should not surprise us at all that one of the fruits of "global environmentalism" is to cover the earth with as much literal darkness as possible during Earth Hour. I don't know about you, but my house will be easy to find on the evening of Saturday 29th June. It will be one with every light on."You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober." 1 Thess 5:5-6
Loving His Appearing,
Cheryl McGrathhttp://www.greatsouthland.org/
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Vision 3-23-08 Valery Chleborad
This testimony and Vision of Valery Chleborad bares witness with my spirit. I have felt much of the same thing in the last few months.
My Vision 3-23-08, Valery Chleborad
My Vision 3-23-08, Valery Chleborad
Friday, March 21, 2008
Children of Promise (song)
An army of ordinary people. A kingdom where love is the key.
A city, a light to the nations. Heirs to the promise are we.
A people who’s life is in Jesus. A nation together we stand.
Only through grace are we worthy. Inheritors of the land.
A new day is dawning. A new age to come.
When the children of promise shall flow together as one.
A truth long neglected. But the time has now come,
when the children of promise to flow together as one.
A people without recognition. But with him a destiny sealed.
Called to a heavenly vision. His purpose shall be fulfilled.
Come let us stand strong together. Abandon ourselves to the King.
His love shall be our forever. This victory song we shall sing.
Audio
A city, a light to the nations. Heirs to the promise are we.
A people who’s life is in Jesus. A nation together we stand.
Only through grace are we worthy. Inheritors of the land.
A new day is dawning. A new age to come.
When the children of promise shall flow together as one.
A truth long neglected. But the time has now come,
when the children of promise to flow together as one.
A people without recognition. But with him a destiny sealed.
Called to a heavenly vision. His purpose shall be fulfilled.
Come let us stand strong together. Abandon ourselves to the King.
His love shall be our forever. This victory song we shall sing.
Audio
Thursday, March 13, 2008
An Urgent Word to Prepare
(Isaiah 52:1) AWAKE, AWAKE, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. [Rev. 21:27.]
(Revelation 21:27) But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.
No longer is the Lord winking at our own attempts to be righteous! No longer will he suffer with our 5 step, 10 step or even the “12 step program” for righteousness! Our sacrifices, offerings and service he does not desire! Our shallow and fleshly attempts of worship worked up by an emotionally charged song, God despises! Only a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psa 51: 17) Only a heart that is totally submitted to Him in obedience will he purify and make a clean and Holy dwelling place for Himself.
(Acts 17:30,31a) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness.
This appointed day is upon us. Time has almost run out. The time is almost upon us when it will be too late to call on the name of the Lord. (Revelation 22:10,11) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 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 him be holy still. There is soon coming a time when there will be no more chances to repent and be changed.
Answer Him while He is still calling and He WILL perform the perfect work in you. I have no confidence in the flesh, in our own understanding and might, but I glory only in the mighty work of the Lord Jesus Christ! The hour of purification is here for he cannot dwell in any unclean thing. His desire is for us, to make of us a dwelling place for Him, His resting place. He is building his temple with lively stones, a temple that no human effort could possibly make.
If you commit your way to Him, seek Him early day by day he will direct your paths. He begins to expose what we need to repent of and hand over to him, allowing him to set fire to it and burn it out. Knowing that if we submit it to him, he will cause us to obey him. Without faith it is impossible to please God. We have to believe that He is able to prefect us and cause us walk as He walked (1John 2:6).
He doesn’t over whelm us with more than we can handle, in His wisdom HE directs the cleansing, not us. Do not try to figure out what God wants us to do, humbly wait on Him for HIS direction. Seek Him earnestly with your whole heart, holding nothing back and allow Him to do His work. For what measure you give Him, He will give back to you. The only thing you have to give Him is yourself and He requires all of it!
(Revelation 21:27) But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations (unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life.
PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE…..Prepare ye the way of the LORD!
No longer is the Lord winking at our own attempts to be righteous! No longer will he suffer with our 5 step, 10 step or even the “12 step program” for righteousness! Our sacrifices, offerings and service he does not desire! Our shallow and fleshly attempts of worship worked up by an emotionally charged song, God despises! Only a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psa 51: 17) Only a heart that is totally submitted to Him in obedience will he purify and make a clean and Holy dwelling place for Himself.
(Acts 17:30,31a) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness.
This appointed day is upon us. Time has almost run out. The time is almost upon us when it will be too late to call on the name of the Lord. (Revelation 22:10,11) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 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 him be holy still. There is soon coming a time when there will be no more chances to repent and be changed.
Answer Him while He is still calling and He WILL perform the perfect work in you. I have no confidence in the flesh, in our own understanding and might, but I glory only in the mighty work of the Lord Jesus Christ! The hour of purification is here for he cannot dwell in any unclean thing. His desire is for us, to make of us a dwelling place for Him, His resting place. He is building his temple with lively stones, a temple that no human effort could possibly make.
If you commit your way to Him, seek Him early day by day he will direct your paths. He begins to expose what we need to repent of and hand over to him, allowing him to set fire to it and burn it out. Knowing that if we submit it to him, he will cause us to obey him. Without faith it is impossible to please God. We have to believe that He is able to prefect us and cause us walk as He walked (1John 2:6).
He doesn’t over whelm us with more than we can handle, in His wisdom HE directs the cleansing, not us. Do not try to figure out what God wants us to do, humbly wait on Him for HIS direction. Seek Him earnestly with your whole heart, holding nothing back and allow Him to do His work. For what measure you give Him, He will give back to you. The only thing you have to give Him is yourself and He requires all of it!
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