What others see plainly, we often ignore…

I remember asking dad about Castro when I was about 9 years old.  I asked, “Is Castro a good guy or bad guy?”

Dad said he couldn’t tell!!  This was about 1955.  We were living in Louisiana  at the time.  Dad was in the Army there. Cuba was fairly close and in the news a lot.  The Cubans were asking the same question!  Ike was president.
 
This past July, we had the pleasure of sharing a summer barbecue  with a refugee from Cuba. Our dinner conversation was starkly different than most. This refugee came to the United States as a young boy in the early 1960s. His family was more fortunate than most as they were able to bring a suitcase and $100 when they fled Castro’s newly formed revolutionary paradise.
 
Our dinner consisted of all-American fare: hamburgers, potato salad, watermelon and fresh ears of sweet corn. This is a menu shared with family and friends nationwide, while celebrating the birth of our beloved  America on the Fourth of July.
 
We began with a simple discussion about our country and the direction it has taken since Barack Obama came to power.  We shared the usual complaints about the sour economy and liberal social engineering emanating from the rulers in Washington. But then he said it.  The sentence came naturally. I assume it  was unplanned. But it carried the weight of a freight train. 

“You know when Castro took power, none of us knew he was a Communist”
 
We sat stunned.  He continued, “Yes, we all thought he was a patriot, a nationalist.  Before the revolution he didn’t sound like a radical.”
 
The comparison at this point was easy, and I interjected, “You mean just like Barack Obama?”
 
He responded; “Yes, just like Barack Obama.”
 

He continued, “We were all shocked as the government just continued to grab more power.  First they said the revolution is over, so please turn in your guns.  We all complied.”
 
“I remember my uncle saying after it started;  ‘Castro will only nationalize some of the big industries, he will never come and take our family hardware store.’   But that is exactly what happened.  Castro started with the sugar mills and the large industries. But  they eventually came and knocked on the door of our family hardware store.  My family had run this store for generations.  They said we now own the hardware store— you work for us.  And that nice, large four-bedroom home you own, it is now our   property also, and you can move yourself and five children into two rooms of the house because others are moving in with you.”
 
The lesson learned from this discussion is a lesson most Americans refuse to hear.  Political  leaders can lie about their  agenda and once in office they can take totally unexpected turns.
 

If you had asked us three years ago if we thought General Motors would be nationalized, we would have never believed it.  We could never contemplate a country where the rule of law, the most fundamental building block of a justice society would be evaporating just like it did in Castro’s Cuba in the early 1960s.
 
But the news of injustice keeps increasing.  Black Panthers are not charged with wrongdoing by the U.S.Department of Justice because their crimes are against whites.  The bondholders of GM are stripped of their assets without due process by the government.

Governmental leaders are bribed in full daylight only to have all investigation of the crimes stifled by the Attorney General.

The U.S. Borders are overrun with crime and illegal activity and the leaders in D.C. act as if it is important to protect the lawbreakers while the innocent are killed and overrun. When local communities attempt to enforce the law, they are ridiculed and threatened as racists and bigots.  They are sued by the very administration entrusted with enforcing the law.
 
Without the rule of law— the U.S. Constitution is a sham.  Without the rule of law—our beloved America is swiftly becoming a country where only the well connected and politically powerful will be safe.

As Michelle Malkin has so eloquently explained in her recent book,  a culture of corruption has replaced honest government.

—submitted by Mike

—writer anonymous

 Will there be marriage in heaven? 

 Will we recognize our loved ones in Christ?

A lady I met in a “Grief Share” group asked me these questions earlier today and after some research, I emailed her these answers:

The Bible tells us, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30)

This was Jesus’ answer in response to a question concerning a woman who had been married multiple times in her life —whom would she be married to in heaven?  (Matthew 22:23-28)  He is saying here that there will be no need for a sexual union. So evidently, there will be no such thing as marriage in heaven as we know it today. This does not mean that a husband and wife will no longer know each other in heaven. This also does not mean that a husband and wife could not still have a close relationship in heaven. What it does seem to indicate, though, is that a husband and wife will no longer be married in heaven.

 It  appears that believers are married to Christ and that marriage is made complete at The ‘Marriage Supper Of The Lamb” as seen in (Revelation 19:7).

When God established marriage here on earth, He did so to fill certain needs.

First, He saw that Adam was in need of a companion. “The Lord God said ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’” (Genesis 2:18).  Eve was the perfect solution to the problem of Adam’s loneliness, as well as his need for a “helper,” someone to come alongside him as his companion and go through life by his side. In the new heaven, however, there will be no loneliness nor will there be any need for helpers. We will be surrounded by multitudes of believers from past generations beginning with Adam and Eve and by angels (Revelation 7:9) and all our needs will be met including the need for companionship.

Second, God created marriage here on earth as a means of procreation and the filling of the earth as we now know it in this current age with human beings. But in the New Earth as spoken of in Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 20:7,  Satan will be released for a short time to bring cohesive leadership during the Millennium to the world of rebels born to the believers during the time of the Millennium, who survived the tribulation and accepted Christ.

Despite that fact and the presence and rule of the Lord Jesus Christ among them (as was the case with Judas Iscariot, who spent three years in the presence of Jesus only to reject Him) many of their descendants will also refuse to believe in Him. Satan will then gather those unbelievers together for one final rebellion against God. It will be quickly and decisively crushed followed by the Great White Throne judgment where every unbeliever—those who have made a conscious decision to rejected Christ from all prior generations—will at that time be judged. This major event, by the God of all love, as well as, the God of all justice will be followed by the establishment of the New Heaven and the New Earth “…coming down out of heaven by God.” (Revelation 1:-4)

All people of every generation, however, who do go to heaven will only get there by their belief, faith and trust in the promises as they were written and believed in Old Testament times or later when they were written and believed in New Testament times—- the actual biblical account and fulfillment regarding the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ, who indeed died upon the cross to pay the price for their sins. 

Acts, 4:12 says: “Salvation is found in no one else, for their is no other name under heaven given to men/women by which we MUST be saved.”

 Next, the lady asked me: “Will we be able to see, recognize and know our friends and family members when we get to Heaven?”

Many people say that the first thing they want to do when they arrive in heaven is see all their friends and loved ones who have passed on before them. In eternity, there will be plenty of time to see, know and spend time with our friends and family members. However, that will not be our primary focus in heaven.

The greatest thing about heaven is that Jesus will be there and we will see Him. Right now, we do not know exactly what we shall be like when we get to heaven. “But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)  And therefore, we will be far more occupied with worshipping God and enjoying the wonders of heaven (Revelation 5:11-14) than our current concerns of reunification with our loved ones. Our reunions with loved ones are more likely to be filled with recounting the grace and glory of God in our lives, His wondrous love and His mighty works. We will rejoice all the more because we can praise and worship the Lord in the company of other believers, especially those we loved here on earth.

This is what the Bible does have to say about whether we will be able to recognize people in the afterlife.  King Saul recognized Samuel when the witch of Endor summoned Samuel from the realm of the dead (1 Samuel 28:8-17).  When David’s infant son died, David declared, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). David assumed that he would be able to recognize his son in heaven despite the fact that he died as a baby. In Luke 16:19-31, Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man were all recognizable after death. At the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah were recognizable (Matthew 17:3-4).  In these examples, the Bible does seem to clearly indicate that we will be recognizable after death to one another.

Just as our earthly bodies were of the first man Adam, so will our resurrection bodies be just like Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:47). “And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven: Jesus. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:49, 53).  Many people recognized Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:16, 20; 21:12; 1 Corinthians 15:4-7).

If Jesus was recognizable in His glorified body, we also will be recognizable in our glorified bodies. Being able to see our loved ones is yet another glorious aspect of heaven, but heaven is far more about God, and far less about us. What a pleasure it will be to be reunited with our loved ones and worship God with them for all eternity. I truly hope and pray I’ll see you in heaven’s eternity.

—Mike

—all scriptures taken from the NIV

For example, as a manager there are things I can say or share with peers that would be different than what I can say or share with subordinates. That is socially acceptable in most companies.

But what about our spouses, kids, family, friends? Do we “spin” things differently? If so, why? Aren’t we just lying at some point to people at work, at home or in our social circles?

Such as, when the wife asks where I’ve been for the last hour and I answer, “Running errands”. . . isn’t that lying to her because errands were only 25% of my last hour activities and I’m not offering to disclose the rest of that time?

My coworker looked up “Lie” in the wikipedia, which is the source of all truth next to the Bible (sarcasm intended). Surprisingly there are 23 types of lies listed. Twenty-three!

Many of us have either used one or all of the types of lies on this list. We’ve even justified many types of lies for the betterment of ourselves or the person we’re telling the lie to.

A common scripture on lying is Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,

seven that are an abomination to him:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked plans,

feet that make haste to run to evil,

19 a false witness who breathes out lies,

and one who sows discord among brothers.

Seems pretty clear God doesn’t differentiate between which types of lying he hates and which he doesn’t. Lying of any kind is something God hates!

John 8:43-46 says the Devil is the father of lies. Thus lying may be a sign of where one’s spiritual “family ties” truly lie (no pun intended).

There are times I don’t know if the people I spend most of my week with can point and say, “Yes, that guy is a follower of Christ.” Could it be due to some of the things coming out of my mouth?

The question each of us should ask ourselves:

Putting all justifications aside, is what I’m saying to this or that person a lie or not?

 And so all Israel shall be saved.

—Romans 11:26

When Moses sang at the Red Sea, it was his joy to know that all  Israel[ites] were safe.  Not a drop of spray fell from that solid wall until the last of God’s Israel had safely planted his foot on the other side the flood.  That done, immediately the floods dissolved into their proper place again, but not till then.  Part of that song was, “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed.”  In the last time, when the elect shall sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and of the Lamb, it shall be the boast of Jesus, “Of all whom thou hast given me, I have lost none.”  In heaven there shall not be a vacant throne.

For all the chosen race

Shall meet around the throne,

Shall bless the conduct of his grace,

And make his glories known.

As many as God hath chosen, as many as Christ hath redeemed, as many as the Spirit hath called, as many as believe in Jesus, shall safely cross the dividing sea.  We are not all safely landed yet:

Part of the host have crossed the flood,

And part are crossing now.

The vanguard of the army has already reached the shore.  We are marching through the depths; we are at this day following  hard after our Leader into the heart of the sea.  Let us be of good cheer: the rear-guard shall soon be where the vanguard already is; the last of the chosen ones shall soon have crossed the sea, and then shall be heard the song of triumph, when all are secure.  But oh! if one were absent—-oh! if one of his chosen family should be cast away—it would make an everlasting discord in the song of the redeemed, and cut the strings of the harps of paradise, so that music could never be extorted from them.

—Charles H. Spurgeon

Morning by Morning

What is it that most often hinders our prayers?”

The greatest hindrance to an effective prayer life is unconfessed sins.  Because God is holy, a barrier is present between He and us when we come to Him with unconfessed sin in our lives.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” Isaiah 59:2.

King David agreed knowing from experience that God is far from those who try to hide their sin: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” Psalm 66:18

The Bible refers to several areas of sin that hinder our prayers:

First, when we are living according to the selfish desires of our flesh, rather than living in the Spirit. Our desire to pray and our ability to effectively communicate with God and truly hear what He is attempting to convey to us is greatly hindered. Although we receive a new nature when we are “born again” ( see John 3) that new nature still resides in our old body of flesh and our old fleshly body is corrupt and sinful and continues wanting it’s own way.

The flesh can and will, if we allow it to,  gain control of our attitudes, motives and actions unless we are persistent in our intent to “…put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live…” (Romans 8:13)Once we put to death our old sinful nature and deny self, rather than thinking, praying and doing wrong, we will be led by the Spirit of truth in a right and pleasing relationship with God.

And: “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James, 4:17) Those type of sins are called “sins of commission.”  They are sins deliberately and willful committed against God, as though raising a clenched fist up to His face in complete defiance of His will for us. That person should not expect to have his/her prayers answered. On the contrary, only those living a right life; those in close communion with Him, and walking in the light of Christ, should expect to have their righteous prayers answered. (1 John 1:5-10)

Also, when our prayers are selfishly motivated, when we ask God for what we want rather than for what He wants, our wrong motives get in the way hindering our prayers. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Asking according to God’s will is the same as asking in submission to whatever His will may be, whether or not we know, or fully comprehend what that will is. As in all things, Jesus is to be our example in prayer, and He always prayed in the will of His Father: …“Yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42)

Selfish prayers are always those that are intended to gratify our own selfish desires and we should not expect God to respond to such prayers. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”  (James 4:3)

Living according to selfish fleshly desires will also hinder our prayers because it produces a hardness of heart toward God and others. If we are indifferent to the needs of others then we can expect God to be indifferent to our needs. When we go to God in prayer our first concern should be His will. The second should be the needs of others. This comes from the understanding that we are to consider others better than ourselves and be concerned about their interests over and above our own. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Another major hindrance to effective prayer is a spirit of unforgiveness toward others. When we refuse to forgive others a root of bitterness grows up in our hearts and chokes our prayers. How can we expect God to pour out His blessings upon us undeserving sinners if we harbor hatred and bitterness toward others?  This principle is beautifully illustrated in the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35. This story teaches that God has forgiven us a debt that is beyond measure: our sin.

And while we should not deliberately allow others to use and abuse us, we can and should, even if they don’t ask for it, have a spirit of forgiveness toward them.  In addition, we are to love and pray for our enemies.( Matthew 5:43-48)  God expects us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. To refuse to do so will indeed hinder our prayers.

Another significant hindrance to effective prayer is unbelief and doubt.  This does not mean as some suggest, that because we come to God convinced that He will grant our requests, He is somehow obligated to do so. Praying without doubt means praying in the secure belief and understanding of God’s character, nature, and motives. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

When we come to God in prayer, doubting His loving character, purpose, plans and promises, we insult Him.  Do we trust God with our lives at least as much as our children trust us with their lives?  I would certainly hope so. Our confidence must be in His ability to grant any request that is in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives. God, first and foremost, always has our best interest in His heart.

We must pray with the understanding that whatever He purposes is the best possible scenario for us and those for whom we pray. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man/woman should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”
(James 1:6-7)

And discord in the home is a definite obstacle to prayer. Peter specifically mentions this as a hindrance to the prayers of a husband whose attitude toward his wife is less than godly. “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” ( 1 Peter 3:7)

Where there is a serious conflict in family relationships and the head of the household is not demonstrating the attitudes Peter mentions, the husband’s prayer communication with God is hindered. Likewise, wives are to follow the biblical principles of submission to their husband’s headship if their own prayers are not to be hindered. (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Fortunately, all these prayer hindrances can be dealt with at once by coming to God in prayers of confession and repentance.

We are assured in 1 John 1:9 that: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  Once we have done that we enjoy a clear and open channel of communication with God, and our prayers will not only be heard and answered but we will also be filled with a deep sense of peace and joy.

Finally, many believe a prayer request not granted is an unanswered prayer. While God does answer His children’s prayers, it’s a good thing He does not give us everything we ask for. God knows what’s best for us and His timing is perfect. God, I believe answers our prayers in at least four ways: “Yes, no, not right now or I can’t believe you asked me for that.”

Jesus said: “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  (John 14:14)
Does that mean we can ask Him for a new Corvette, or other frivolous things that will continue to glorify our old sinful, selfish, prideful nature and flesh?  We already know the answer to that question. Jesus also said that the heavenly Father knows our needs and will supply them. (Matthew, 6:29-34) So, we must pray for needs and not merely wants to be met according to God’s perfect will for our lives; those things that will first Glorify God, be good for others and then for ourselves.

Have you ever seen licence plates on the back of a new Corvettes that said something like: “I prd 4 ths”. Or: “God gav it”. Or, and this is the really wacky one: “Its Gods”.

Wow! talk about self-centered and not God centered.

 Got that picture firmly in mind, of the Father cruisin Friday nights in His new a Vette? 

No, me either!

Misguided justification for getting what you want, is pretending you have God’s approval and permission to go out and get it no matter how far in debt it places you.

The better we understand what to pray for, the more often God will supply the right need, at the right time, everytime.

—Mike

—all scriptures taken from the NIV

When we go through valleys we can claim God’s promises

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him…” (Psalm 145:18-20)

Psalm 23 speaks of the “valley of the shadow of death.”  For every shadow there must be light.  Jesus Christ said: “I am the light of the world.”  (John 8:12)

 A shadow may frighten us but it can never harm us.

A shadow at one time or another has frightened most of us.  But “thanks be to God”, death is only a mere shadow if you truly know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you keep your face toward the light, the light of Christ that is, then the shadows hovering over you in your valley will soon fall far behind you.

In fact, if you are truly walking in the light of Christ (1 John, 1:5-7) you won’t even notice shadows. Also, God never brings us to a valley to leave us there. He always brings us— not over, not around— but walks with us through our valleys. Psalm, 23:4 “ …for you are with me; your rod (of protection) and your staff (of guidance), they comfort me.”

And in fact, God is never closer to us than when we are traveling through a dark valley. That is when He is especially near to His children.

The Amplified Bible translates Hebrews 13:5 this way: “I will never, no, not ever, never leave you nor forsake you.”  Count them, there are five negatives within that one verse, but they are all extremely positive promises as they relate to the child of God.

What that verse says is— If you truly belong to Christ, nothing; no not anything we can possibly even imagine, has the power to separate us from the love of God. ( Romans 8:35)

 Human love on the other hand is often fragile and easily upset. Any number of difficulties and struggles we often experience, such as with our finances, sickness, marital, or family stresses can and often do hinder or even obstruct our human love.

But God’s great love is far different and higher than our human love and even our understanding of His love. His love is unconditional toward us; that is once we accept His love through trust and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Then absolutely nothing can ever separate us from Him.

In John 10:28-29, Jesus Himself said: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”  What a great and wonderful, all assuring promise from our Lord.

So if today, you’re a Christian, going through a dark valley filled with shadows and are feeling unloved, disconnected or even separated from God, look up to the light of the world Jesus—The Christ— and be set free from your discouragement, loneliness and fear.

He is living within you by the power of His Holy Spirit (John, 14:15-19) giving His mighty assurances, that regardless how dark it may seem to be, or how hopeless you may feel at this moment, you can claim by faith these promises God has proclaimed in Hebrews 13:5

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

—Mike

Lady Gaga is a teen (and post-teen) idol, whose recordings are bestsellers and whose videos are watched by tens of millions.  Why does her music and message resonate so powerfully with the younger generation?

Lady Gaga is the most followed person on Twitter with almost eleven and a half million followers.  The blogging Tumblr crashed when she launched her own blog there; when her album was released on Amazon, she crashed that site.  U.S. sales of her Born This Way album the first week of release were above the million mark, and most of those purchases were digital.

At this moment, Lady Gaga is one of the most powerful women in the world, and the most powerful in music.  In only a handful of years, she has generated the kind of loyal fan base that other artists take decades to form.

Lady Gaga’s narrative speaks of freedom from repression, but for Gaga repression is the contraints that society puts on individuals, and freedom is being yourself, becoming a star, and expressing yourself.  Gaga recasts the sturggle for freedom from the social and political realms to the individualist and the therapeutic.  Gaga’s world is one where freedom is not the opportunity to vote, live, and work in peace, free from oppression.  Rather freedom is the opportunity to sleep with whom you want, to take drugs, or to be interviewed by Anderson Cooper in your underwear with a prop saw in your hand.  For Gaga, this transgressive approach to art and life is a way of conquering past hurts, rummaging through the history of popular culture therapeutically salvific.  Gaga comments, “I find freedom in my ability to transform and liberate myself (and others) with art and style—because those are the things that freed me from my sadness, from the social scars.”

What is the fount of Gaga’s sadness?  What created her social scars?  Gaga points to a painful breakup with a past boyfriend, the death of her grandfather, and the bullying she experienced in high school.  While we don’t want to denigrate any of these experiences, they are hardly earth-shattering tragedies.  Such social scars are made even more ironic once one considers that Gaga stands as the current queen of American popular music, an art form whose roots are born out of the pain of the African American experience.  Gaga is no Billie Holiday.  She is instead, a young woman from an upper-middle class Manhattan family, who attended the same private school as Nikki and Paris Hilton. Gaga’s high school classmates have disputed her claims of isolation and bullying, noting she was popular and successful. Billie Holiday’s rendition of “Strange Fruit” fused African American social exclusion with her own personal pain to create a sublime moment where American popular music became both high art and social protest.  Gaga, is a far more calculated move, also attempts to do the same: to move into the world  of high art and to articulate her audience’s pain.  Gaga’s sadnesses, however, are typical upper-middle class woes, but that is the point—they are accessible to those who buy her music and her message.

Gaga’s therapeutic message seems at odds with the visuals of her art.  On one hand you have the Gaga persona of a polite young woman on Good Morning Ameria encouraging young people who are being bullied to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams.  On the other hand, we have the Gaga persona appearing on stage and in music videos blending images of sex, death, and violence.  Cultural critic Camille Paglia speculates that Gaga represents the death of sex, noting, “Despite showing acres of pallid flesh in the fetish-bondage garb of urban prostitution, Gaga isn’t sexy at all—she’s like a gangly marionette or plasticised android.”  How could a figure so calculated and artificial, so clinical and strangley antiseptic, so stripped of geniune eroticism have become the icon of her generation?  Can it be that Gaga represents the exhaused end of the sexual revolution?

I am not sure that Gaga represents the death of sex.  Rather I  think that her art resonates with a generation whose worldview is shaped by a torrent of media in which sex and violence are inextricalby linked.  Gaga’s music and art is designed for a generation for whom sexual abuse is the norm and hardcore pornography is part of the wallpaper of everyday life.  These teens and young adults inhabit a world in which sex is no longer just about overexcited teenage hormones, but rather is an avenue toward social power.  Gaga resonates with those navigating gender confusion, sexual dysfunction, the reality of absent parents, and who face the spector of self-harm.  The illogical disconnect between Gaga’s feel-good therapeutic message on daytime TV and the Dionysian themes of her performance art makes perfect sense to a conflicted generation who some days want to reach for the stars and other days just want to lie in the gutter, wasted.

—Mark Sayers, Senior Pastor of Red Church, Melbourne, Australia

–excerpted from Christian Research Journal, Vol 34, No.6/2011

Administrator’s Note: This is an explict video that should not be viewed by children.  I am posting it to give a true represention of Lady Gaga’s art and music.  For many adults this will be shocking.  Remember Lady Gaga is the “Queen of American Pop” music and may be influencing your children or grandchildren.  The song she sings on this video, “Born This Way”,  is proclaiming her message of  “sexual freedom.”  Please listen to the lyrics closely.

This is posted for educational purposes only.

Reiki a Universal Energy Technique to Heal

Reiki is known as spiritual energy, like its counterparts it is based on a pantheistic worldview.

Ray Yungen reports that in 1970 there were ½ million Reiki chanellers now there are 1 million Reiki chanellers in Germany and there are 2.6 million web pages on Reiki. So in the 90′s it grew significantly.

Reiki is the Japanese word for Universal Life Form Energy. The definition for Reiki is universal, transcendental spirit, power, and essence. The Rei and ki are broken down into their two component parts, (Kanji Japanese alphabet) it is described as the vital life form energy similar to the Chi of Chinese acupuncture. In the Encyclopedia of Alternative Health Care, author Kristin Olsen says Reiki is “an energy healing system based on ancient Tibetan knowledge discovered by a Japanese theologian.” Many people have commented on the ecumenical aspect of Reiki. Supposedly it was founded by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian minister in Kyoto, Japan, in the mid-1800s. When one of his students challenged his belief that Jesus Christ healed people with His hands, Dr. Usui began a quest for proof that this type of healing actually did exist.

Dr. Usui began a journey of many years looking for a way to heal through the ‘light of God’ which is the way Jesus had healed. Studying first at Christian schools in the US, he had no results. He studied Buddhist writings at a monastery in the Orient he still could find no answers. Usui learned the ancient language of Sanskrit and began to read the sutras, the ancient books of esoteric Hindu religious teaching.

The story goes that after discovering this healing in the sutras, Usui told the monks of this monastery he intended to fast and meditate for 21 days on a nearby mountain in Japan. If he did not come back they should come and get his body.

He went to the mountain and gathered 21 stones with which to count the days. Each day he would throw away a stone and in this way count the time. On the 20th day no revelation had come and he threw away the last stone saying “Well, this is it, either I get the answer tonight or I do not.”

On the final day of his meditative quest, at night on the horizon he could see a ball of light coming towards him. The first instinct was to get out of the way, but he realized this might just be what he was waiting for, so he allowed it to hit him right in the forehead. As it struck him he was taken on a journey and shown bubbles of all the colors of the rainbow in which were the symbols of Reiki, these were the very same symbols in the Tibetan writings he was studying but was unable to understand. Now, there was total understanding.

After this experience he began back down the mountain and from this moment on was able to heal. This first day this new power proved itself to Usui when he stubbed his toe and was able to heal it, his own starvation, an ailing tooth and the Abbots sickness which was keeping him bedridden. These are known as the first four miracles.

Thus was discovered was the healing knowledge he termed “Reiki.” The name comes from the Japanese words rei, meaning “boundless and universal,” and ki, meaning “vital life energy force that flows through all living beings.”

Wanting to use these abilities to help others, he spent the next seven years in the beggar section of Tokyo healing the poor and sick.

How Does It Work?

Reiki is a “laying on of hands” healing. Reiki today is an energy technique that is passed along from Reiki masters to initiates. According to Olsen, these Reiki masters themselves don’t understand how it works. They can only describe it as a linking with the cosmic radiant energy, an opening of chakras, or an attunement with universal life energy. Proponents say, these can be applied to the practitioner himself, to plants, or to animals and can even heal long distance!

Reiki is drawn through the channel, not sent. By laying hands on the person you supposedly draw appropriate amounts of energy to whatever areas of your body need it. The energy centers, also known as charkas (found in Hinduism), are opened to enabling the person to channel higher amounts of universal Life Form Energy. Their claim is that “recipient” does do not take on an any of negative energy or blocks from the practitioner it is claimed Reiki passes through a purified channel in their body and by this process, each has a treatment. Proponents say the technique can be applied to the practitioner himself, to other people, to plants, or to animals.

“Once the chakra is opened the universal energy is chanelled to flow freely and in higher amounts Reiki is never sent but drawn through the channel The energy enters through the crow chakra of the healer it passes through the upper energy centers, the heart and solar plexus then passes throughout he arms and hands to the recipient. So the practitioner and the patient both are treated. They teach that we all have the reiki energy and that anyone can learn to lay their hands on another to help accelerate the healing process by transferring magnetic energy” (Paula Horan Empowerment through Reiki May, 1990 Calendar of Events, Hawaii newspaper)

Reiki treatments consist of a series of three or four sessions lasting about an hour each. The practitioners do not claim to diagnose. The ‘words’ spoken mentally or verbally during the healing session is of great importance to them. The symbols drawn with the healers palms over the patient should be correct as the light energy is brought through the healer. During a Reiki session, the practitioner supposedly draws energy and focuses it through his hands, thus providing a link between himself and the patient. Some Reiki teachers have described this connection as “lighting up.” The practitioner’s hands are held at twelve basic positions, for five minutes each. A practitioner allows his or her own intuition to guide the placing. Over problem areas, the hand is held twice as long. Some Reiki practitioners claim to heal at long distances.

We are told that we all have Reiki energy (Universal Life Form Energy) and anyone can lay the hands on another person and help accelerate their healing process by transferring this energy (many claim that this is how Jesus healed using these various techniques). One needs to go through the attunement (the initiation) process which the student experiences in the various Levels of Reiki classes. With practice, they say they can detect energy responses from the body that often give clues to the site of an organic problem and its seriousness.

Practitioners described their becoming a channel through which this force of the of the universe  is transferred through them. This healing process is applied with “palms into the body of the person I am touching, sometimes lightly, almost imperceptibly, sometimes in famished sucking drafts. I get it even as I’m giving it. It surrounds the two of us, patient and practitioner.”

What is this “juice of the universe?” The answer is an important one, given by a renowned Reiki master who explains:

A Reiki attunement is an initiation into a sacred metaphysical order that has been present on earth for thousands of years … By becoming part of this group, you will also be receiving help from the Reiki guides and other spiritual beings who are also working toward these goals,”

Ray Yungen writes, “While this is not widely advertised, Reiki practitioners depend on this “spirit guide” connection as an integral aspect of Reiki. In fact, it is the very foundation and energy behind Reiki. One Reiki master who has enrolled hundreds of other masters spoke of her interaction with the spirit guides:

For me, the Reiki guides make themselves the most felt while attunements are being passed. They stand behind me and direct the whole process, and I assume they also do this for every Reiki Master, When I pass attunements, I feel their presence strongly and constantly. Sometimes I can see them.” (p.95 A Time of Departing)

“Nurses and massage therapists who have been attuned to Reiki may never disclose when Reiki starts flowing from their palms as they handle their patients. Reiki will naturally “kick in” when it is needed and will continue to flow for as long as the recipient is subconsciously open to receiving it.” (P.97 A Time of Departing)

Most believe they are helping people with this undiscovered but ancient energy balancing new age technique. They believe they have discovered tools for reawakening, higher levels if of conscious, creating better health.

Again. like other new age practices, this energy is manipulated by techniques learned by the initiate. This is no different than many of the other prana, chi, Ki techniques. It has nothing to do with a Christian worldview and actually opposes it.

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTE:  If you are currently involved with Reiki be aware that you are tapping into the world of the occult, demons and Satan.  I would advise you to get out as soon as you can.

—www.letusreason.org

 Administrator’s Note: Here’s an email that I received from my brother-in-law, Mike Connolly.  I hope this is of some interest to you and will help you in your life.  –Sandy

I reprint the email for your consideration.

From: Mike Connolly
Date: January 9, 2012 9:41:11 AM MST
To: Sandra Van Asch

Subject:   This is the article I spoke to you regarding Jennifer Mills. I liked it so I posted it on Facebook and four other sites

Love and kindness! Love and kindness! If you say that you are a believer, not a denomination, but a true follow of Jesus, then love and kindness should be your first order of business in the Body of Christ. God has given to each of us a particular gift, He does not ever withdraw them once they are given. (Romans 11:29) At the forefront of that gift should be the leading of love and kindness.

God is love. That is what God is. LOVE! From the top of His head to the souls of His feet. Inside, outside and all the way around, He is pure love. The scripture tells us in 1 John 4:8, that this is so of God. It also tells us that, “He who does not love has not become acquainted with God – does not and never did know Him.”

 Now that, is a startling revelation for those who profess to be heirs of salvation, and yet, don’t have a kind bone in there body or, love only those that love them.

This is not the true love of God and the Bible says so. Jesus said in Matthew 5:46, “For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?”  You know how they felt about tax collectors!

You know, one of the reason’s, if not the reason, that believers suffer such persecution is because, they are always saying, “God loves you,” and they themselves, are the very same ones that go out of their way for no one. They are judgmental, back bitting, gossiping and talebearing. They are the ones who stir up strife among the brethren, sow discord, and then when they are leaving the sanctuary and all the way out into the parking lot, have passed judgment on half the congregation and tore the pastor’s message to shreds. This behavior follows them in their daily life because, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34) The behavior does not change, but is worse in this way. They say all kinds of Amen’s and Hallelujah’s, they quote all kinds of Bible verses to those around them, usually in a judgmental tone, as they correct others, whether it be in the work place, at home, around friends, and those are the very same people, in the work place, at home, and around friends, that also hear them judging, back bitting, gossiping and talebearing.

Now, how do you suppose that really looks? If those around them are not saved, why would they want to be?

James says about their tongue, “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God’s likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.” James 3:9-10.  But then look what it says in 1 Corinthians 13:7, “Love is ever ready to believe the best of every person.” That is quite the contrast to James 3:9-10. Have you ever read 1 Corinthians 13?  Most of us have, several times in fact. Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this me?”  Have you ever examined your own heart and looked to see if you are the embodiment of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13?

When you look with the eyes of Jesus at another person, love should be the thing that floods out of you. When you see someone in trial or tribulation, love and kindness should be the thing that you cannot administer to them quickly enough. A heart that is truly rooted in love is a heart that is moved with compassion every time they see a person in need. Not moved to cursing them with the words of your mouth, they certainly do not need any more cursing in their lives, and when you speak out against them and judge their situation, or any thing about them, you are speaking curses over their lives with your mouth, and James 3:9-10, just told you that you are.

Here is something else for you to consider. You are assisting Satan in destroying that person. You are sowing negative harmful, hurtful words into their life, which are seeds, and Satan will be the one to reap the harvest on those seeds sown. He will be the one to watch over that seed and make sure that it comes to pass in that person’s life. I wonder, how would you feel if you knew someone was sowing harmful, hurtful seeds over you and those that you love? I venture to guess, that would be quite the horse of a different color.

This tired, hurting, hopeless, lost, confused, downtrodden world, is sick and tired of hearing, “God loves you,” with no confirming signs to back up that word. From the very people of God, is coming the arrow that flieth by day. It is not right. God is not pleased with this behavior. It so grieves His heart to see His children that are born into the Spirit of love, treating people so badly and really, dragging His name and His truth in the Word, which is the message of hope and love, through the mud. Let me enlighten you on a scriptural truth that directly effects your life.

“And we receive from Him whatever we ask for, because we (watchfully) obey His orders – observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us – and (habitually) practice what is pleasing to Him. And this is His order (His command, His injunction), that we should believe – put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely – on the name of His son Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us. All who keep His commandments (who obey His orders and follow His plan, live and continue to live, to stay and) abide in Him, and He in them. – They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ. And by this we know and understand and have the proof that He [really] lives and makes His home in us, by the (Holy) spirit Whom He has given us.”  1 John 3:22-24 (Amplified)

All of life, health, wealth, knowledge, ability to receive from God, hang on these verses. So, you can act however you want to, and you can treat people however you want to, but, if you believe that Jesus is living in you, you are wrong. Your house is empty.

It is not your business how someone treats you, it is your business how you treat them.

When will the Body of Christ stop acting like the rest of this hateful world and begin to express the deep and intimate love of God into the lives around them?

When will we look through the same eyes of love and compassion that Jesus looked through on every person that crossed His path. Never once did he turn any person away, no matter what their life condition. Never once did He sit around with the disciples and say, “Well, yeah, but you about that one, you know how they are,” or, “Did you see what they were wearing,” or, “they just don’t fit in here,” or, “I can’t believe they said that about me.” He did not come into the world to judge it, He came to save it, (John 12:47) and as Ambassadors of Jesus, it is your job not to judge it, but to save it.

If you truly want to be an effective minister of grace, love is your number one priority. No love, no anointing.

• 10-minutes of Bible reading
• 10-minute of prayer
• 10-minutes of exercise
• 10-minutes of high energy focus on a task, before changing to another task for 10-minutes; then returning again to original task (if not finished) for another 10-minutes. . .rinse & repeat
• 10-minute breaks at the top of each work hour (not employer approved unfortunately)

I personally have participated in the 10-minute Trainer and was amazed by the results. For the last six years I’ve done 10-minute bursts of writing in order to write 50,000 words (over 150 pages) in 30-days, during National Novel Writing Month.

It’s like eating an elephant one-bite at a time. A lot can be done in 10-minutes!

But there is so much that cannot be done in a 10-minute burst. . .or at least not done effectively:

• Downloading with the spouse at the end of a work day
• Playing with one’s children
• Entertaining guests and building relationships
• The spiritual disciplines of journaling, solitude and meditation as we open ourselves for God to speak to us (and hear him)

Yesterday I looked at a long list of Honey-Do items and personal Want-To-Do’s , but instead spent over two hours playing board games with the family. It was difficult to ignore the to-do lists, but we as a family had a great quality time together that couldn’t have been accomplished in 10-minute bursts.

Yes, we are all busy. Yes, we can get a lot done in 10-minutes.  But we all need to make time to prioritize the things that matter and last, such as our relationship with God and others.

An investment in the things that last is where success truly lies!!