Many Christian organizations, schools, and ministries are using the writings of Spiritual Formation pioneer (and a colleague of Richard Foster) Dallas Willard. Yet on his website, he tells his readers to follow the example of Teresa of Avila. (source) If you have not read the based on a true story novel Castles in the Sand, we highly recommend it as it shows the truth behind spiritual formation and focuses in particularly on Teresa of Avila, a Catholic nun from several centuries ago who used mystical experiences to “enter God’s presence,” even to the point of levitating. Below is a chapter from Castles in the Sand by Carolyn A. Greene. Then you decide if Dallas Willard is giving sound advice when he says that Teresa of Avila is an example to follow:

by Carolyn A. Greene
Chapter 19: Bad Counsel

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.–Jesus, Matthew 6:7

March 23
“And so, I’m really not sure what to think anymore about this spiritual formation training,” Tessa said softly. She felt very small and insignificant sitting in front of the huge desk in the head counselor’s office. The walls were covered with hardwood panels, and on the one with the credenza pushed against it hung a framed portrait of a man staring down at her with knowing eyes. The counselor wrote on a notepad with an expensive-looking gold pen. He had been at Flat Plains [Bible College] for nearly five years and most of the students respected him. Tessa had often heard him play the cello in the string quartet during chapel for Monday meditations. He was a bachelor, but not the kind the girls would flirt with. She wondered if he ironed his own shirts every day, as he always wore a crisp white one under his sports jacket. He had a few odd quirks but was generally kindhearted and caring. Tessa didn’t know why she felt so uncomfortable as she sat in his office. The counselor analyzed the comments he’d been jotting down. His notes said this girl had dark circles under her eyes and seemed very nervous. She had no previous record of drug use and had never gotten into trouble at school.

“Miss Dawson, we realize it’s an emotionally and spiritually demanding course. You have probably been working very hard. I see you stayed at school over the Christmas holidays as well as spring break last week to catch up on some course assignments. With the semester nearly over, the pressure will soon be off. Have you talked to your spiritual formation professor?”

“Well, she was the one who recommended that I be mentored by Ms. Jasmine. Naturally, I was excited about that, at first. Now, I’m not sure anymore. So I talked to the other counselor this morning, and she told me that you and Ms. Jasmine are the only people I need to talk to about my concerns.”

“Did she now? Instead of speaking to me, have you talked to Dr. Winters first about your concerns?” He secretly wished Dr. Jasmine Winters hadn’t been so casual with the students, allowing them to address her by her first name. It was simply disrespectful.

“Well, that’s the problem. I’m not comfortable with that.”

The counselor leaned forward on his oak desktop and looked at her over his black-rimmed glasses. “Well, apparently Dr. Winters is comfortable enough to have you all call her Ms. Jasmine. Now, could you tell me exactly why you are ‘uncomfortable’?”

“It’s like this. I . . . when I am in a session . . . I mean, when I did the sessions with Ms. Jazz, I mean Dr. Winters, strange things happen, I mean, happened.” Tessa started to cry. “I’m sorry, I haven’t been sleeping well.”

Tessa felt her throat tightening. This wasn’t easy for her. At first, in the beginning of the school year, everything was good. Really good, actually, and Tessa had soon become a keen and open-minded student. But later, she’d begun having reservations, even before Katy read her “the list.” She couldn’t say why, exactly, only that she’d started to feel vaguely suspicious and oddly unsettled about the whole thing. That was probably why she could never muster the courage to take it to the next level. And lately, her resistance seemed increasingly ineffective. She used to have control, but she didn’t seem to have it anymore. Had the words of warning, the words she had so carelessly rejected, been right after all?

“What sort of strange things?” the counselor asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Yes. Well, this may sound very, very weird, but I get a tingling, prickling sensation in my head and my hands, and sometimes all the way down to my feet.”

“Has Dr. Winters been letting you drink her Yerba Mate? It sometimes has an . . . effect on certain people.”

Tessa shuddered at the thought of the South American tea Ms. Jasmine sometimes drank through a metal straw. She thought the Yerba leaves looked and smelled like a wet horse stall.

“No. You don’t believe me, do you?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded, wrinkled paper. It was the list Katy had tried reading to her the other night. Later, when Katy wasn’t there, Tessa picked it up, folded it neatly, and put it in one of her books. “I would like to read this to you. These are some symptoms that–”

“That you have?”

“Well, I might have some, but so does my friend Elise and at least half the class. But Dr. Winters has most of these. Can I just read this?”

“Have you been to see the school nurse?” he asked.

“I don’t need a nurse!” she said too loudly, and remorsefully looked down at the floor. “Please . . .” she said quietly.

“Go ahead.” The counselor leaned back in his chair.

“These are some of the symptoms I am talking about. It’s only some of them.” Click here to finish reading this excerpt.

Related Information:

Pastors call A Dallas Willard Horror Story “Shocking,” and “Astounding”

Richard Foster’s Renovare Turns to Panentheist Mystic Richard Rohr and Emerging Darling Phyllis Tickle For New Book Project

DANGERS OF CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY/MYSTICISM: LECTIO DIVINA

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The Titanic was one of the greatest ships that has ever sailed the seas. When built it was considered unsinkable. Today, when the name Titanic is mentioned, we think of one thing – the boat that was, is no more. It’s at the bottom of the sea. What a legacy!

The name “Titanic” has become synonymous with the idea that a disaster can be avoided. You see, the sinking of the Titanic provides an analogy of what can happen to human aspirations when humbled by circumstances. A great ship that was deemed to be unsinkable – sank because it hit an iceberg. The disaster did not have to happen if proper precautions had been taken.

The Process of Sinking the Titanic
In the case of the Titanic, human pride and accomplishment came to a tragic end in a moment. The Titanic was on its maiden voyage. The captain was sailing in dangerous waters. Although he had been warned to be careful, the boat was thought to be invincible. But of course we know now, this was not the case.

Nature and its forces intervened to show mankind is subservient. Of course, the Titanic provides an excellent spiritual lesson for those who study the Bible. Great things, great countries, and great leaders can come to and end when a sovereign God pulls the plug.

The history of Christianity shows that the sinking of the Titanic can help us to understand what often happens to denominations and organizations. There comes a time when an organization that was sailing successfully, hits an iceberg and then takes on water.

In the case of the Titanic, the circumstances that brought about the sinking of the ship could have been avoided. Perhaps the captain got a bit too confident. Or maybe the crew was giving him faulty information.

Maybe some of the crew wanted the captain to make a mistake. Maybe some of the crew wanted to be captain when the captain retired or died. Whatever the case, the dangerous waters could have been avoided. If only a watchman would have sounded the alarm. Of course the captain would have had to listen and act accordingly.

But as we know, if there was a watchman who warned the captain, the captain did not listen. The mighty ship hit an iceberg that knocked a hole in the wall of the ship. Some felt the bump but there were those who did not. Soon the boat began to take on water. Then the boat began to list. At first the party continued until it became apparent there was a serious problem.

Eventually concern turned into panic. There was a mad scramble for the lifeboats. As the boat went into its final dive, many had to jump off in desperation. Some were saved but many were not. The ship went down to the bottom of the Atlantic. The greatest ship that had ever been built did not make it to America. How tragic! How sad!

The Process of Sinking a Denomination
Now, think for a moment. Could a Christian denomination go the way of the Titanic? Could the process of sinking be avoided? Is it possible that the captain could foresee the inevitable but do nothing to prevent it?

Over the years of history, many denominations and movements that were once sailing “smoothly” went down just like the Titanic. Apparently, given time, this is what happens, and it just cannot be avoided.

Why is this so? The answer is simple. Christians are humans and human behavior can be predicted.

It is at this point in the analogy that I want to point out a difference. The similarity of using the captain of a ship in comparison with the leader of a denomination may not be appropriate. Denominations, while they may have a moderator or a president, also have others who are striving for position.

The Roman Catholic Church would be a good example. The pope is the top guy. However, next in line are the cardinals. Following this are the bishops, the priests and finally the people.

There comes a time when the pope gets old and weak. Common sense says there must be a new pope in the making. The new pope is always chosen from the cardinals. While I have never been in a meeting where the next pope was about to be chosen, I am sure there is a lot of political lobbying.

Of course, in order to take over as pope, it is advantageous to be well known. Most cardinals start out as ordinary sheep. First they have to become a priest. A bishop is the next step up the ladder before taking over as cardinal. Cardinals wear different hats and different robes and are noticeably different looking than a bishop. You can pick a cardinal out in a crowd. Besides they always get to speak at the important conferences.

You see, denominations that have hierarchies like the Roman Catholic system are looking for trouble. Without knowing it, there is a tendency to get one’s eyes off Jesus and on to a human system. Rather than focusing on being a servant and reaching people, there is a possibility to seek after success for the cause of developing personal kingdoms.

When denominations take on the essence of secular corporations, the Spirit of God departs. When this happens, it is very difficult to recover. Further, the love that once was abundant in this fellowship goes south.

The cardinals in the organization who are seeking after position put the pope between them and Jesus. Sometimes, the cardinals are better known than the pope. They can even veto the pope and do their own thing if they choose.

This pattern that develops is also quite contagious. The pope model of leadership actually gets cloned and passed down. Churches within the denomination play a game similar to follow the leader. Staff members and assistant pastors at these churches follow the law of the corporation. This means one hundred percent loyalty to man is required. When one is not one hundred percent loyal, you are shown the door. Too bad if you were attempting to serve Jesus!

When carnal people are driven to be loyal to a man rather than to Jesus, there is a potential to even perform illegal acts. However, while this is happening, those who are being loyal don’t realize that anything is wrong. They are still God’s men. They are just doing what they believe to be right.

At first, the common people can’t see there is a problem. However, there are signs indicating that something is wrong. Some begin to warn others. When they warn, they are told they are traitors. They are told if they don’t like what they see they should find another boat. However, they don’t want to find another boat. They liked the boat the way it was before it became a submarine.

Eventually, the secular media reports there are problems that should have been addressed. Dirty laundry is placed in public view. Why didn’t someone wash these dirty clothes before?

Finally, the passengers start to panic. “Why didn’t the captain tell us sooner?” they shout as they scramble to save themselves from drowning. The only option they have is to get off the ship and find a lifeboat.

Learning from the Titanic
All is not lost. There is good news even though a movement or a denomination sinks.

Christian history reveals there is always a remnant that survives when the ship goes down. There are many sincere Bible-believing pastors who want to do what is right. They love God’s Word. They know that its not about property, possession and power. They want to feed the sheep and reach the lost. Isn’t that the way the denomination started in the first place?

God is sovereign, you see. Jesus said, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” While Satan has his plan, God has the right plan. All those who trust in Jesus alone will spend eternity with Him.

This is what keeps me going!

We are in the last days. Many churches that once were giving their all to be biblical are now gone off track. The Scriptures state we should not be surprised. Satan is out to take down every Christian organization that once stood for truth.

Are you going to let him take you down?

This is a time to get serious about truth. Pastors of churches that proclaim the truth will be like lighthouses that shine bright into the darkness in the future. The darker that it gets, the brighter their lights will shine.

If you know a church, a fellowship, or a movement that is like the Titanic, PRAY. Pray the captain will warn the people that which is underway. Let the light of God’s Word shine into darkness and reveal Satan’s plans.

Pray that the things that have been hidden in darkness will be brought into the light. God cannot use an organization that allows darkness to exist alongside it. In these days, judgment must begin in the house of the Lord. God is a righteous God. He hates darkness. God would not be God if this were not the case.

I am excited what God is going to do. Aren’t you?

Remember – the Titanic!

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7: 24-27

Contact: ChristianInvestigator.com, 608-469-7956

MADISON, Wis. /Christian Newswire/ – The city of Cambridge, Massachusetts has pictures of yoga positions on parking ticket envelopes while Christian symbols are being taken down throughout the United States.

Forty thousand citations have been issued by Cambridge parking officers with yoga positions on the front of parking ticket envelopes. Instructions are given to show people how to do the yoga positions. Yoga is a ‘symbol’ of Hinduism.

Officials say the tickets are used to lead to a “peaceful exchange” between officers and the public. Cambridge officers hand out 340,000 parking tickets per year. 

However, throughout the United States, Christian symbols are being removed from many public places. Schools, courthouses, and other public buildings have been forced to remove Christian symbols.

The ACLU and other atheist organizations have worked overtime to make sure Christian symbols are taken down. However, they are silent as yoga is propagated in our schools and public buildings, and now on parking tickets.

Yoga is a ‘symbol’ of Hinduism. Hindu leaders know this and they are pleased that yoga is making headway. Rajan Zed, Hindu statesmen, sent out a news release thanking Cambridge for their promotion of yoga. 

Zed says “Yoga was based on a eightfold path to direct the practitioner from awareness of the external world to focus on the inner.” Swami Vivekananda brought yoga to the United States in 1893. About 16 million Americans now do yoga.

Some say that Christians can practice yoga, however, yoga is a spiritual exercise. It goes beyond normal stretching. 

ChristianInvestigator.com President Steve McConkey says, “Yoga, being a symbol of Hinduism, is pushed by some Christians without realizing yoga promotes Hinduism, spiritually and symbolically.”

Steve McConkey is the President/Founder of 4 Winds Christian Athletics (4 WINDS), a worldwide track and field ministry which offers ChristianInvestigator.com. ChristianInvestigator.com is the first ever news-apologetics site offered by a sports ministry. The ChristianInvestigator.com site was started for athletes, but the vast number of readers are now non-athletes. Steve has been on hundreds of radio stations and in major newspapers throughout the world.

In this forth  preview of the Exposing the Quantum Lie DVD set with Warren B. Smith and Bob DeWaay, DeWaay talks about Emergence Theory and how pantheism and panentheism have entered the church, convincing millions that this New Spirituality is exactly what the world needs to save itself. You can order the entire 4 DVD set (over 4 hours of lecture by Smith and DeWaay), and it is on sale right now too.

FRONT PAGE MAGAZINE -A plethora of terror-related individuals surrounds the profile of Pastor Rick Warren on the “Speakers Corner” of the official website of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). He is fully aware of how he is being portrayed on the site (as this author has had correspondence with his office regarding the matter) but refuses to demand its deletion and offers no apology for its existence. Pastor Warren has become a shill for Islamic terror.

“As-salamu Alaykum. I come to you today deeply humbled and honored by this invitation. I truly mean that. I applaud your courage for inviting an Evangelical pastor. Thank you.” This was the opening statement of Rick Warren, the leading pastor of the influential Southern California Saddleback Church, as he stood in front of the attendees of ISNA’s 46th Annual Convention in July 2009.

He spoke these words as he stood at the podium emblazoned with ISNA’s logo, an image that, for many, is a symbol of terror and stealth jihad.

ISNA is an American arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. It was founded in 1981 by a group of individuals which included the North American leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Sami al-Arian.

In 2007 and 2008, ISNA was named by the United States Justice Department as a willing participant in the financing of millions of dollars to Hamas. Click here to continue reading.

Related:

Serious Concerns Over Rick Warren’s Ecumenical Efforts with Islam

WorldNetDaily on Mark Driscoll and Rick Warren: Growing trend to meet with Muslims rings alarm bells for some

From the back cover of the November Lighthouse Trails release, False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care?

“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Matthew 13:25

Many church leaders believe that antichrist is alive and well and in the world today. But what is being left out of the discussion is how this coming false christ has already mainstreamed his New Age Gospel via a New Spirituality into the world and into the church. Using bestselling books and authors that have been popularized by media favorites like Oprah Winfrey and Larry King, the mystical teachings of this false New Age “Christ” state:

*”A slain Christ has no meaning.” 1

*Humanity saves itself by recognizing its own divinity – the “God” and “Christ” within.

* World peace is dependent upon this understanding that humanity is divine.

* The only “Satan” is not believing that man is “God.”

* World peace will be attained by eliminating biblical Christianity and all of its followers.

* A deadly “selection process” will be instituted as part of Antichrist’s final solution.

* “Hitler didn’t hurt anyone. In a sense, he didn’t inflict suffering; he ended it.”2

Just as Hitler telegraphed his plans in Mein Kampf, so antichrist has telegraphed his plans through his designated false teachers. Author Warren B. Smith is a former follower of this coming New Age “Christ.” False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? describes the deceptive teachings that undergird antichrist’s deceptive Peace Plan. False Christ Coming is a wake-up call to a church that remains strangely silent and in deep denial about the very deception that Jesus warned would come in His name (Matthew 24:3-5). Read this book and then warn your friends and family (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Click here  for more information or to order.

1. FREE PRINT NEWSLETTER: Starting January 2010, From the Lighthouse print newsletter will be mailed to those requesting it. If you would like to request the newsletter, please fill out our Newsletter Request Form.

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Lighthouse Trails is pleased to announce that Faith Undone and A Time of Departing are now in E-Book format. You may purchase each book in a digital download on our store site. The price for each E-Book is substantially less than a regular hard copy, and of course, there are no shipping charges. You may download your purchase immediately after placing order. We have realized that many people prefer the E-Book format over the traditional softbound book. We plan to add all of our titles to our E-Book collection over the next several weeks as we are able to prepare each book.

The E-Book is not a PDF and is meant to be used with one of the available readers on the market today. We will also be selling PDF editions of each book as well – those should be ready sometime soon.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Lighthouse Trails Publishing & Research happily makes many materials free with no cost whatsoever to our readers (print and e-newsletter, brochures, sample chapters, and articles); however, we ask that our E-books not be printed or copied other than for your own personal use. Sales of the E-books go toward royalties for each of our authors as well as helping to offset the expenses of publishing our books, newsletters, websites, and DVDS. We thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your continued interest in the ministry of Lighthouse Trails.

The newest release from Lighthouse Trails Publishing, The Color of Pain by Gregory R. Reid, is going to press. The subtitle of this "Sensitive Issues" book is "Boys who are sexually abused and the men they become." With estimates at one in six boys being sexually abused, this book is timely and vital.

Book Information:
Softbound, 114 Pages
Illustrated, non-fiction
ISBN: 978-0-98248881-7-1
RELEASE DATE: October 20, 2010
Social Issues/Children's Studies
Table of Contents/Preface/Introduction

One in every six boys is sexually abused. That's just the ones who eventually tell their secret. The Color of Pain speaks to the professionals, pastors, and loved ones as well as to the boys and men who were abused. And who better to write a book like this than one of the victims who has lived the pain and later experienced the healing through Christ. The Color of Pain is a combination of some of the facts that most don't think about and some of the pain that most won't talk about. Whether you are one of the abused or someone who knows someone abused, this book is a moving and necessary read.

"I belong to a company of men and boys, mostly silent and scared. So few have survived well enough to talk about it. I know I have to talk, because I DID survive, and because I see them in every group I meet, from five to seventy-years-old suffering, silent victims who are not really considered REAL victims by many, since the male species, in their minds, should be able to fend off any abuse. No matter how little they were. No one really defends boy and men victims. So we've stayed silent. Wouldn't you?" Gregory Reid, The Color of Pain

Some key areas addressed in this book:

* Looking for the signs of sexual abuse
* Where predators hunt
* Myths about Abused Boys
* What a Victim Looks Like
* Why Boys and Men Don't Talk About Their Abuse
* The Hurt of Being Different
* What Not to Tell Abused Boys and Men

Author Bio: Gregory R Reid, DD has conducted more than 250 training classes for criminal justice workers, police officers, probation departments, and other professionals since 1987. He has spoken extensively in churches nationwide on the dangers of occultism. Gregory has been in youth ministry since 1975 and has worked with at-risk youth, including sexual abuse victims and occult-bound kids. He is an ordained minister, has an honorary doctorate from Logos Graduate School, and has authored eleven books. Click here to pre-order.

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