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Greetings!
In
this issue, we try to show further alignment between
Purpose Driven and the contemplative prayer movement
through our Saddleback article.
If you missed last month's special Alert, showing Rick
Warren's involvement with the National Pastor's Convention
in which labyrinths, yoga and contemplative prayer were
taught, you can view that on our news
page. We post all past issues on that page
for your convenience.
While it is not our intention to be unkind or ungracious,
we are compelled to speak up against that which negates
the message that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation,
a belief that is becoming increasingly unpopular and
rejected, even by many who call themselves Christians.
It is important to remember that the entire premise
of contemplative spirituality is that all paths lead
to God. Thus as Purpose Driven, Willow Creek, Youth
Specialties, Emerging Church and others draw closer
and closer into unity with this belief system, a growing
number of you have become compelled and pursuaded by
God to speak up. We humbly applaud your efforts and
hope we can assist you in some small way in your work
to bring light into darkness.
| Contemplative Prayer and the Evangelical Church by Ray
Yungen |
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There
is a practice that is becoming more and more popular
within the evangelical church. It is called contemplative
prayer or centering prayer. Youth organizations
and seminaries are particularly drawn to this,
thus impacting the Christian youth in this country.
Furthermore, there is a snowballing effect wherein
contemplative prayer is being accepted and endorsed
by more and more evangelical leaders, often based
not on their own experience and understanding
but rather on the word of other respected leaders
who in turn may not have fully researched this
subject.
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| Dallas
Willard - Equally Yoked with Contemplatives? |
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| Reiki,
Thomas Merton and Richard Foster - Tied Together! |
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Anyone
familiar with the work of - or the thought of
- [Thomas Merton] will find compatibility and
resonance with the theory and practices of Reiki.
Reiki comes from Buddhism, and as one Merton scholar
wrote, "The God he [Merton] knew in prayer was
the same experience that Buddhists describe in
their enlightenment." This is why it is so important
to understand the connection between the writings
of [Richard] Foster and [Brennan] Manning with
Merton. -- Ray Yungen, A Time of Departing, pp.
89- 90.
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| Saddleback is Leading Thousands Towards Contemplative
Prayer |
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On
Rick Warren's Saddleback
Church web site, under recommended resources,
he lists the pro-contemplative magazine by NavPress
called Discipleship
Journal.
So
what exactly is Discipleship Journal?
Take
a look at a few of these DJ articles ...
1.
Lessons in Prayer from the Great Spiritual Mentors
by Timothy Jones: "I had gone on
a personal spiritual retreat at a monastery; while
there I picked up a card printed with a prayer
by Thomas
Merton . . . I worked to make Merton's prayer
my own." more 2.
The Listening Side of Prayer by Stacey Padrick:
"I have learned to hear His voice through
listening prayer-what some call contemplative
prayer ... I slowly
inhale, saying to myself Jesus' name, and
with each exhalation I release a fear or worry
that is on my mind. Then, I continue to think
on Jesus' name, yet each time I exhale I think
on a characteristic of Jesus." entire
article
3.
Introducing Lectio Devina
by Luke Dysinger:
Other
topics in Discipleship Journal, right into
the hearts of the world through Rick Warren:
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Lighthouse Watch
Who is Ruth Haley Barton?? |
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Alerting
Believers to Dangers
in Their Midst.
Ruth
Haley Barton is the former associate director
of spiritual formation at Willow
Creek Community Church. Here what she says
about contemplative
prayer: "Ask for a simple prayer to express
your willingness to meet God in the silence --
a simple statement -- such as "Here I am." --
Help yourself return to your original intent by
repeating the prayer that you have chosen." -Ruth
Haley Barton (Quotes taken from Discipleship Journal
Vol. 113 1999 )
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| Amazing
Quotes |
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"The
first time I introduced this, the kids came in,
and I had a candle going and a little incense
burning and some Gregorian
chant music on the CD player"
Tony
Jones, Emerging Church leader
'The
quiet repetition of a single word can help
us to descend with the mind into the heart . Henri
Nouwen
"We
need to become aware of the Cosmic Christ, which
means recognizing that every being has within
it the light of Christ."
Matthew
Fox, author of Coming of the Cosmic Christ
"Christians -- have developed two fundamental
expressions of Unceasing Prayer. The first --
is usually called aspiratory prayer or breath
prayer. The most famous of the breath prayers
is the Jesus Prayer. It is also possible to discover
your own individual breath prayer -- Begin praying
your breath prayer as often as possible." —Richard
Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline
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| This Month's Spotlight Ministry |
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Steve
Muse of Eastern Regional Watch Ministries has
done a great job gathering essential information
in the form of articles, links and other solid
documentation. His topics range from emerging
spirituality to contemplative prayer and include
everything from Purpose Driven to cults and the
occult. Steve is staying on top of the latest
and isn't afraid to exhort Christians to stand
firm in the faith. Well done Steve. You have an
invaluable web ministry.
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