Dear Friends at Lighthouse Trails:
At 86, my days here under the sun are waning, and that’s fine with me. I don’t make plans for the future—my future is secure in my Lord and Savior Jesus.
But I’m really writing to thank you for how you have blessed me over the years, for all the booklets from you which I’ve given out to bless others. All the wonderful books warning about the “New Age” (really old-age) spirituality, books by Ray Yungen, warnings from Warren Smith, truths about The Shack, The Chosen, Calvinism, truths about Israel and the promised Kingdom. I could go on and on.
The Lord rescued me from 31 years of Armstrongism, sending me in search of a “good” church. Believe me, I tried many. “Water baptism” groups, Rick Warren’s heresy, charismatic (the need for a “second filling” of the Spirit—because we leak!!), other wild, wild groups—falling down, etc. The very last group I tried is an offshoot of the Plymouth Brethren. They call themselves an “Assembly.” There are two kinds—the “Open” and the “Closed.” They are both controlling with the Closed being most severe. Both believe women or all females should wear some kind of head-covering. The Closed enforce that, the Open prefer it; and you are made to feel you’re more holy (a better Christian) if you wear one. In those Assemblies, women are second-class. So, after this last experience (about eight years ago), I decided to stay home. I now fellowship by phone, mail, and in-person with others who’ve also given up the “search for a church” as well.
I have wondered for a long time what would cause people to be under such strong delusion that they would take the mark of the beast. I believe your ministry has answered that question. New Age spirituality, pantheism [all is God], panentheism [God is in all], the “god” within, etc. It appears what we’re experiencing now is a pre-cursor to the final deception. I wonder if about half of America (other nations too) have bought into that lie. How else could people actually think homosexuality, gay marriage, and transgenderism are OK? They have to be under a strong delusion, with schools, businesses, clubs, gyms, and even churches teaching that all this is good, normal, and even beneficial.
So, thank you for allowing God – through the Holy Spirit—to work through you in all the help and warnings you have published.
With love and gratitude as we continue loving and believing our Great God and Savior.
Norma
1 Timothy 3:15 – “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Hebrews 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 The Lord Jesus Christ makes this statement to each of the seven churches – “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” which demonstrates that God has not forsaken the local church and neither should we.
I am an independent fundamental Baptist that believes that the King James Bible is God’s perfect word for the English speaking people of this world. Therefore, if I am seeking a new church to attend, I will only visit independent fundamental Baptist churches that believe that the King James Bible is God’s perfect word for the English speaking people of this world. It’s as simple as that. We have had to start a new church because the other independent fundamental Baptist churches in our town are worldly.
I thank you Norma for your letter and encourage you in your walk with Lord Jesus and your stand for His truth.
Like others here, my wife and I (both in our 70’s) were led by our Lord out of the institutionalized church years ago, and since then He has introduced us to others who are like minded and led by Him.
We learnt over time that we hadn’t left the church, rather it was He who had called us away from man’s organised assemblies and into His Church (Bride) where we are led by Him and counseled, taught, encouraged by His indwelling Spirit as He promised in John 14 and 16. We meet from time to time with others who are like minded and with whom we can share the deep truths of God.
We also have a few sites like LHT who continue to warn against deceit, and share writings from those who are also following Lord Jesus in His truth.
Thank you again Norma, – and thank you too LHT for your ongoing sharing of truth.
I am so happy to hear the author of this letter is ready and yearning to meet her Savior. I am as well.
I did want to comment, however, about Plymouth Brethren. As with any international denomination, I’m sure there are certain local fellowships that leave much to be desired.
I have found the exact opposite. After years in Pentecostal/ Charismatic fellowships, I knew the Lord was calling me to leave as I was seeing more and more unbiblical practices in my area ( I live in the South, y’all:) After visiting around for quite a while, the Lord supernaturally directed my path to an Open assembly.
They have been very gracious and such a blessing to me, I had to comment.
Yes, most ladies (including me) wear head coverings according to I Corinthians 11. Yes, male elders are exclusively in roles of leadership. My husband of fifty years had a massive stroke twenty years ago and is unable to talk or walk and is completely homebound so I attend alone. Even in my situation I have never felt like my voice is not heard. I find the same true with all the women in attendance. I have also found some of the most sober minded, loving and caring women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I have also seen the strongest ministry I have ever witnessed of the older women ministering to the younger women to become Godly wives and mothers, even when they are divorced or their husbands are nonbelievers. I have never experienced a “holier than thou” attitude.
I have chimed in because while I am sorry you had such a bad experience and it sounds like you were possibly hurt by them, I would ask that we not paint with such a broad brush over an entire denomination.
I moved to my current state about twenty two years ago from Florida. I went to the most wonderful, Biblical Assembly of God. I was not able to find a Biblically solid one in my current city but I wouldn’t write off the entire denomination because I know there are still some God fearing among them.
I would also mention that a favorite of Lighthouse Trails, H. A. Ironside was raised Plymouth Brethren as was Jim Elliot, George Muller and several other well known, God fearing men in the past two hundred years.
God’s Grace and peace to all and may they know we are Christians by our love one for another,
C. Dixon
Wow! I can’t help but respond to Normas letter as it reflects my own experience in so many ways. I’ll be 75 soon and was genuinely “born again” about 43 years ago. I knew next to nothing about churches, denominations, cults, etc., but was immediately thrust into the “morass” of modern-day professing Christianity. Over the years I’ve attended about sixty churches across denominational (and cultic) lines and like Norma, felt like I was put through a wringer. But the Lord was with me every step of the way, teaching me by experience church after church. I remember thinking “What’s wrong with me? Am I so self-righteous and judgmental…am I the problem? All this time I was reading my Bible, Genesis through Revelation, daily, year after year, and I began discovering that “the Spirit of truth” really will “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13) when you search through the “word of truth” (John 17″17). Slowly, year after year, and church after church I was learning how to discern truth from error and discard all of the seeker friendly, purpose driven, Calvinistic, hyper-charismatic, emergent, new-age, and cultic nonsense. My own experience has been that there are still good churches out there, but they are few and hard to find. Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s “Thru the Bible” teachings have been so very helpful over the years. He mentioned several times (over 50 years ago) that the “church was in apostasy (back then) and when times get close to the end that the true church would be meeting in small groups in homes like it started out in the beginning. Yes, Lighthouse trails has been a true and dependable “light” throughout the years providing materials and insights that are not readily available through “normal” church sources. The three DVD series “Wide Is The Gate” that they offer in their store is perhaps the best resource for getting a broad, overall look at the current apostasy in the church. Caryl Matrisciana did a well-researched, first-class job in this series. Steven
This letter confirms the on going need for ministries that expose and warn of the many deceptions of our current day and age. Thank you Norma for expressing what many of us witness and pray for others to be alerted to and informed of the dangers today. We must to continue to pray that the Lord will open their eyes to the deceptions and they will turn back to Jesus for Truth and Salvation. Thank you LHT for your ministry.
Hi Lighthouse Trails and Norma,
I appreciate this ministry and thankful that you Norma wrote this letter. It mirrors my life a little bit. I’m glad you shared this letter, even though you and I and others went through some sadness we know it was because we were looking for the truth and God always leads us there if that’s where our heart wants to go. God bless Lighthouse Trails and you. Your brother in Christ, Rick
Norma… I only spent a few years in the “strong arm” cult. After leaving and wandering, I also thought I found the “oasis” in NAR… the social gospel… positive thinking new age. By God’s grace, with the help of some Lighthouse authors, I recognized the “poisoned waters” before it was too late.
I told my wife the other day… what has kept me going through the years is that when I read the promises to Abraham, I believed them… that I share in them through his seed, Jesus Christ. In other words, Jesus Christ revealed through His Word is all I’ve got to hold onto until He comes to redeem me by resurrection or rapture… whichever comes first.
It’s most grievous to witness a world going headlong into deception and destruction. This seems to be what Jesus was saying with… “before this generation passes away”—the generation developing a stronger taste for deception that births evil… ushering in the labor pains before the birth of the return of Jesus Christ. God’s promise to Abraham… that he’d be a blessing to the nations, through his Seed… will be fulfilled.
Some past fellow “Armstrongists” distained Israel…as does Catholicism. Are they not rejecting God’s will for the future? https://hopeishereblog.wordpress.com/whew-the-few/
Thank you Norma for your letter. I am 70 years old and I know that I have experienced many of the same things you have. My husband and I have come out of institutionalized church. We love our Lord. I believe the Lord is calling many to leave organized church. True believers are the church. We are so blessed by Lighthouse research and all that contribute to this website. Blessings to you Norma and again thank you.
Wow, what a blessing for me it was to read this lady’s letter to the editor! I am not alone with my thoughts on these matters. I’m not that far behind this 86 year old lady, but have had much the same experiences, visiting churches. (Although, not having visited a few of the churches, she’s mentioned) I too have given up, and just don’t have the stamina to even try anymore.
Lighthouse Trails has truly been a blessing to me for years. I too, buy extras of the little booklets to give to others.
She wrote: “I have wondered for a long time what would cause people to be under such strong delusion that they would take the mark of the beast.”
I use to wonder about that, myself, and have come to the same conclusion of this lady. I can easily see it happening among those that claim to be ‘Christians’ as well as the bulk of the population.
Thank you, Lighthouse Trails for publishing this lady’s letter. Funny, this lady and I share the same first name. It must have been popular back in those days.
It is so sad that Norma cannot find a true church of genuine believers, because God says we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (but the implication is with true believers). This is a sad state of affairs indeed, although I am glad she has found Lighthouse Trails. There is much to feast on, as she has already found, with all the booklets and books that are published by yourselves – and it is sad to say that even books have to be carefully scrutinised, because some once trusted writers have been side-tracked.
My wife phoned a Baptist minister who had produced some excellent tracts, strong and to the point. Alas, when she phoned to thank him for his tracts, he was most evasive, and she gained the impression that he had changed his Biblical stance. How terribly sad!