Dear Lighthouse Trails:
By the grace of God, I have led women’s Bible studies since 1982. In the past ten years, I have noticed a departing from the fundamentals of the faith in the materials I used by Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and others. New thought, strange language, omission of teaching the repentance of sin, etc. The last six years I began a research of New Age teaching, Yoga, mysticism, socialism, Common Core, Hinduism, Spiritual Formation, contemplative prayer, etc. A Christian friend directed me to your website. When I finally realized the danger and was extremely grieved for the church, I wrote a ten-page essay to hand out to my friends, family, and pastors.
Since then, I have written and led two inductive Bible studies. Whenever the Scripture mentions heresy or apostasy, I took the opportunity to explain what is emerging in our church with Spiritual Formation practices, interfaith authors, and publishers.
I was preparing to teach “Jude,” and expound on verse 4, explaining those creeping into the church during the time of Jude and comparing those teachings with the emerging church teaching today. One week before the study, our pastor hand delivered a letter from himself and the board, and left without any discussion. To make is short, we were so restricted and disrespected, we left the church of ten+ years.
So now we have an open door church in our home on Sundays. The materials our former church preferred are Bible Study Fellowship (interfaith), Intervarsity Press Bible studies, Jesus Calling devotions, Napress/Navigators, etc. If I had been able to teach the 5-week class, I was going to give each of the ladies a copy of The Good Shepherd Calls by Roger Oakland. Since the class was cancelled, I have been meeting with some of the women individually to talk about the emerging church and give them a copy of the book. They have called to ask me questions, and Lord willing, we will get together and study Jude in a home setting soon.
At the time of my order in 2017, how blessed I was while reading Castles in the Sand and Dangerous Illusions. I read few fiction novels. I usually read nonfiction, true stories, history, or factual materials. So, when I began Castles in the Sand, I almost tossed it. I am so thankful I didn’t! To see the information in the beginning of the novel was so necessary in order to relate it to the true story that is playing itself out everyday in our churches, homes, schools, political, medical, everywhere in our society today. It is a book you cannot put down, and need to see what is going to happen and bring God the glory. It is a must read for anyone dealing with friends and family who are being caught up in the New Age, occult forces of today.
May the Lord protect, open doors, open eyes and ears to realize the deception and darkness approaching. May He soften the hearts to see the beauty and love we have in the Word of God. Like Job, we make a covenant with our eyes and hearts to not seek counterfeit experiences that lead into darkness and away from our Awesome Holy Lord and Savior.
Sharon
I thank the Lord that Sharon was able to see danger when it appeared and is warning others. As in the times of Jeremiah the prophet, few there be who listen and obey warnings; there is always a small remnant that heeds warnings and does not follow the pack. May the Lord preserve us from evil teachings.
I thank God for the discernment and courage, decision and steadfastness you have had to engage the culture and found it wanting. The Bible is our authority and the body at large *the church* has lost its bearings. Easier to go with wanting to impress, look relevant, new speak and require the scripture to adhere to our new church style instead of we as Gods people adhere to it. The remnant grows smaller every day. Stay the course and do not doubt that Gods word is worthy of our faithfulness. He wasnt so popular so have no illusions we, you will not either.. These words i desire to hear on that glorious day “enter in good and faith servant”. God Bless you all.
So glad for your discernment and courage to teach other women in your church about all the deception I filtrating most churches. I research all the women speakers and authors of books, as well as the false preachers. I don’t think I’m liked very much in our church because many of the women know how I feel about their videos and conferences held in our church. We are planning to leave at some point but have nowhere to go. Sad.
Praise the Lord!
Great job Sharon!! I’m glad you didn’t get caught up in all the wrong teachings but clung to what is right 🙂 The Bible study you prepared sounds really wonderful, I hope you will be able to start it soon.
Thank you for this….I’m dealing with the same things…I’m a musician who doesn’t fit in the church or the commercial music biz. I’m slowly getting some places to play and sing my songs. The Lord keeps giving me the message that those with ears will hear. Not so many of us now. 🙌🏼