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In This Issue
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Canada in Crisis: “Feds Propose Mandating Woke Requirements on Broadcasters as C-11 Becomes Law”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves a flag as he takes part in the annual Pride Parade in Toronto on Sunday, July 3, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Blinch
LTRP Note: The following news story is posted for information and research purposes.
“The Bill has been heavily criticized by many, who have said among other things that it is a censorship bill that will harm content creators.”
By Elie Cantin-Nantel True North (Canada)
The Trudeau government is proposing to have the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) impose woke “Equity, Diversity and Inclusion” (EDI) requirements on broadcasters as part of its Sustainable and Equitable Broadcasting Regulatory Framework.
This comes as the government’s controversial internet censorship legislation Bill C-11 received royal assent.
The changes sought by Heritage Canada seek to ensure “the meaningful participation of Indigenous persons in the broadcasting system,” to support “greater inclusion of equity-seeking groups in the broadcasting system,” to redefine Canadian programs and to create “an equitable, flexible and adaptable regulatory framework” among other things.
“The broadcasting system should serve the interests of all Canadians. Part of this is recognizing and overcoming the challenges faced by certain Canadians, including Indigenous persons, Black and other racialized persons, Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, members of OLMCs, persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, women, and members of other equity-seeking groups,” reads the government’s regulatory proposal. Click here to continue reading.
“An AI Program Is Pretending to Be Jesus and Thousands of Lost Young People Are Flocking to It”
LTRP Note: The following Out-of-house news story is posted for informational and research purposes.
By Rachel Emmanuel The Western Journal
There’s an event recorded in the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, and his disciples asked him what the sign of the end of the age would be.
Jesus replied, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
At least one of those deceivers is turning out to be an AI called “ask_jesus.” Click here to continue reading.
(image from istockphoto.com; used with permission; design by Lighthouse Trails)
“Supreme Court: Gov’t Can’t Force Christian Businesses to Promote Same-Sex Weddings”
LTRP Note: The following is posted for informational and research purposes.
By Michael Foust Christian Headlines
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday handed a Christian website designer a historic free speech victory, ruling that the state of Colorado cannot force her to design a website celebrating same-sex weddings.
The landmark decision involved a Colorado graphic designer, Lorie Smith, who wants to expand her business into wedding websites but does not want to be forced to create sites promoting same-sex weddings. Smith sued the state, fearing that a Colorado law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in public accommodations would make her business illegal. Smith is a Christian.
She lost at the district court and appeals court levels. But on Friday, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court reversed those earlier decisions and sided with Smith. Click here to continue reading.
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A Look at Shiny Happy People and What the Church Can Learn
“[Bill] Gothard turned obedience into a matter of terror. If I misstepped in any way, I was removed from all protection, and Satan would have full access.”—Jinger Duggar, Becoming Free Indeed, p. 65
“Despite Shiny Happy People’s shortcomings, it’d be a great loss to the church if thoughtful Christians, pastors, and other ministry leaders choose to look the other way.”—Christian attorney, Alex Harris (interviewed on Shiny Happy People)
On June 2nd, Amazon Prime aired a new docuseries called Shiny Happy People (Duggar Family Secrets). It was difficult to watch for several reasons, but we knew it was necessary. If you watch it, we believe you will understand what we mean. What’s sad is that it took a secular group to expose what the church should have dealt with years ago. Basically, if the church refuses to judge itself on seriously gone wrong issues, then the world will judge us; and because they do not understand the nature of true Christianity vs those within the church who have sorely and often horrifically misrepresented Christianity, secular exposés will grossly generalize and lump together the real and the fake.
While Lighthouse Trails was troubled with Shiny Happy People’s misuse and misrepresentation of the term “Fundamentalist”* and other over generalizations, there are things to be learned from this series; church pastors and leaders have allowed false teachers and cultish teachings to pervade the church to the detriment of countless victims (often young ones, many of whom end up rejecting Christianity, thinking that biblical Christianity is equated with the false teaching; in this case, Gothardism). We hope this series, as painful as it is to watch, will be a wake-up call to defend truth and not be afraid to call out the names (and their teachings) of those who stand in the gates of the church proclaiming and practicing dangerous lies (in this case, legalism, unscriptural authoritarianism, and sexual and physical abuse). If the church doesn’t judge itself, the world will—in its own way.
Don Veinot of Midwest Christian Outreach has tried to warn the church for many years about Bill Gothard and IBLP (Institute of Basic Life Principles) (and the many associated false teachings) because countless numbers of unsuspecting Christian parents and their vulnerable children have been harmed. This week Mr. Veinot wrote the following article after watching Shiny Happy People.
“Bill Gothard and the Unpaid Bills of the Church”
By Don and Joy Veinot
Midwest Christian Outreach
There is a cost, very often a high cost, exacted by false teachers in the lives of their followers. Lives can be crushed. Often people are badly damaged spiritually and almost always emotionally devastated by authoritarian leaders in whom they have put their faith. Pastors and elders are charged with guarding and protecting the flock from predators that creep in from outside the church, or perhaps worse, arise from within (Acts 20:28-30), but too often, the wolf sneaks past the guard without being seen for the danger they are. The late Dr. Walter Martin used to say, “cults are the unpaid bills of the church.”
We were painfully reminded of the harm and damage that can be done to spiritually ravaged sheep by authoritarian predators as we watched the four-part series, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secretson its release date, Friday, June 2. There wasn’t a story told that we had not heard from people who had experienced the same treatment over the past quarter century, as we have ministered to people victimized by Gothardism. One of the directors/Producers, Olivia Crist, called and emailed us numerous times while they were producing the series. She and others on her team read our book, A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life. and had also been in contact with our friends at Recovering Grace. We were not interviewed for this series, but one of the things we were able to point out to the producers is that although Bill Gothard has unfortunately had great access to Evangelical and Fundamentalist churches, he is neither an Evangelical nor a Fundamentalist. In the opening episode titled “Meet the Duggars,” Brooke, one of the women who was interviewed, said something very similar:
The IBLP teachings aren’t Christianity, they’re something entirely different.4
She is correct, but if Gothardism does not represent true Christianity, how can it be classified? What is it? Click here to continue reading.
LT disclaimer on the following article: We have decided to put a link to an article titled “Amazon’s ‘Shiny Happy People’ Has Lessons to Teach, If We’re Willing to Listen” by Alex Harris. However, the article is on The Gospel Coalition website, a progressive emergent Calvinist site, and our linking to this one article in no way is meant to be an endorsement of this organization.
Letter to the Editor Reminds Us of Paul’s Words: “Am I Therefore Your Enemy for Telling You the Truth?”
Dear Lighthouse Trails,
I am so very grateful for Lighthouse Trails. You are exposing lies that are deceiving people. You love people by telling them the truth regardless of whether they accept it or not. In Galatians 4:16, Paul said, “Am I therefore your enemy for telling you the truth?”
I too was deceived for 33 years. One day, someone asked me to read the Bible. I began to read it but had so many questions because what I had studied in the Catechism of the Catholic Church was not the same as what I was reading in the Bible. The six ways of salvation I had learned nullified Jesus Christ as the only way (John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”)
In Joshua 24:15, it says that we have a choice to serve God or man. I chose God and came out from among them (2 Corinthians 6:17).
Concerning your article about Jonathan Roumie (of The Chosen) and his personal interactions with Padre Pio, the article I have sent you exposes Pio and who he really was. Interesting!
In Christ,
Tina
LTRP Comments: We appreciate Tina’s mention of Galatians 4:16 when Paul asked the Galatian believers the profound question, Am I your enemy for telling you the truth? Many times, over the years, Lighthouse Trails has been accused of being hateful because of our warnings about various Christian leaders and teachings. But we have always maintained that we are motivated by love, not by hate. We also know many of our readers have experienced this same kind of misrepresentation by others, merely for trying to speak the truth and warn loved ones of spiritual dangers.
We are reminded of a short piece LT author and researcher Ray Yungen wrote in 2009 titled “Is Lighthouse Trails ‘Haters?’ He wrote this in response to comments made to a large crowd of young people at the Calvary Chapel youth event called “Movement 2009” where emergent figure Mike Erre (author of Death by Church) was the featured speaker. It was actually this event that was the catalyst for Paul Smith (brother of Chuck Smith) to be fired because of his efforts to keep Mike Erre and the emergent church out of Calvary Chapel.
Recently, at a large Christian youth event, Lighthouse Trails was indirectly referred to as “haters” because of our articles and books exposing the emerging church movement. We realize that many people think ministries like Lighthouse Trails are mean-spirited, hateful and derive pleasure from causing trouble for others.
On the contrary, what motivates and drives Lighthouse Trails is a sense of duty to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We see that being the issue at stake.
Right now, there is a struggle going on for what the church of the future will look like. Karl Rahner once said the Christian of the future will be a mystic or he or she will not exist at all. The question must be asked (and answered): Is this really a good thing? Will mysticism lead to a Christianity that is more vibrant and in harmony with the will of God?
When one looks at the writings of those such as Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, etc., one finds that this mysticism is rooted firmly in a spiritual understanding more in-tune with Buddhism and Hinduism that with the writings of the apostles in the Bible.
Thomas Merton said:
“It is a glorious destiny to be a member of the human race, … now I realize what we all are…. If only they [people] could all see themselves as they really are … I suppose the big problem would be that we would fall down and worship each other…. At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and by illusions, a point of pure truth…. This little point … is the pure glory of God in us. It is in everybody.” (A Time of Departing, p. 59)
This is identical to what is called in New Age spirituality, the higher self. Over the last few decades there has been an ever-increasing number of individuals in Christianity that draw on and promote persons such as Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen. The mission at Lighthouse Trails is to point out that if the church goes in the same mystical direction as these individuals, it will ultimately embrace the spiritual perceptions such as the one just stated. If that sounds implausible, take a look at the spiritual life of Sue Monk Kidd (author of The Secret Life of Bees).
Monk Kidd was at one time a conservative Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher. But after she was introduced to the writings of Thomas Merton, she branched out and began embracing contemplative practices and her spirituality dramatically changed. Eventually, it led her to say that God dwells in everything, even excrement and graffiti.
At Lighthouse Trails, we are not motivated by hate for people but rather by love and concern. We believe, with everything in us, that man’s only hope lies in Jesus Christ and the free gift of salvation offered to those who believe and accept it. And we also believe that contemplative/emerging spirituality leads man away from that Gospel not toward it. This is why we do what we do.
Ray Yungen
(Painting above: The Apostle Paul painting c. 1657, Rembrandt (from Wikipedia, public domain)
That Dreaded Word . . . HERESY!!
LTRP Note: Kevin Reeves was an elder and a member of a “River” (Latter Rain, Word Faith, etc.) church for many years. His book, The Other Side of the River chronicles those years and the story of how he and his wife were able to finally understand and leave this movement in exchange for biblical Christianity.) The article below is an extract of Kevin’s book. (Drawing on right is that of martyr Hugh Latimer who was burned at the stake in 1555 for speaking up against heretical teachings.)
“That Dreaded Word . . . HERESY!!”
By Kevin Reeves
Nearly everyone in our leadership cringed at the actual utterance of the word heresy. At its every mention, they regarded me with an alarmed expression that nearly yelled, “Don’t say that!” and avoided the use of the term as if it were an unclean thing. Even presented with the Word of Faith doctrine that states the physical death of Christ on the Cross did not accomplish salvation, their heads would shake, mouths tighten, and hands would go up to bring a halt to further discussion.
It’s as if it is considered unloving to bring serious departure from the Christian faith out into the light, and openly name the person involved. Interestingly, Paul had no such compunction (2 Timothy 2:17-18), nor did the apostle John (3 John 9-10). Jesus called out the Pharisees to their face, in front of multitudes. We have the pattern set forth in the Word, but we simply refused to follow it, shrinking back behind an unbiblical definition of love.
What exactly is heresy? In 2 Peter 2:1, the word is used in the plural to indicate those who would bring in doctrines that contradict the Gospel set forth by our Lord and His apostles. In the Greek, the word—hairesis—comes from a word meaning “choice or opinion.” Teachings contrary to the doctrine of Christ are built upon “imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5). They are the result of a minister’s (or anyone’s) personal choice to depart into another realm, “intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” (Colossians 2:18). Heresies are mere opinions given a godly veneer, persuasive argument based upon assumptions, ideas, dreams and visions not grounded in the revealed Word of God.
Heresy is not a light thing. In this relativistic, tolerant age, it is wrongly considered good manners to look the other way when someone expresses disagreement with objective truth. We have begun to find common ground, as some would put it, and link arms with Mormons and Muslims, believing the theological divide is not as wide as we had thought. Instead of bravely upholding the standard of scriptural inerrancy, we succumb to a redefinition of the very Gospel of our salvation which was once for all delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).
We have conveniently forgotten the martyrs who stood faithful to our Lord under penalty of death, who clung to the pure Word of God as the flames licked the soles of their bare feet, and the smoke of their own burning flesh seared their nostrils. We, who have never shed a drop of our own blood in defense of the Gospel, turn our backs upon those who have.
In the first of [our church’s] eldership meetings, when I brought out the courageous faith of the early reformers, one leader rebuked me and told me not to bring that up. I was stunned. Why not talk about our forefathers in the faith? If not for some of the early reformers, most of us would be Catholic. I remember well the feeling of being lost in a system of rules and superstition, and leaving the interpretation of Scripture to a clergy that sacrifices Christ again with every Mass. No, we must never forget or disparage the martyrs who “overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12:11).
And yet, a new kind of Christian has taken the place of those earlier defenders of the faith. They have traded biblical Christianity for an experiential, mystical spirituality. Brothers and sisters, this shouldn’t be! While there have always been Christian leaders and teachers who pervert the doctrine of Christ, we live in a time where there seems to be an increase of false doctrine permeating the halls of Christendom. We must not shy away from facing these heresies head-on.
False doctrines and the practices that come with them do not set free—rather they enslave their adherents and hinder them from truly knowing God. This bondage was one of the main issues facing my wife and me upon examining the un-biblical doctrines we had been taught. As long as we believed the false, we were hemmed in on every side, backed into a corner by superstition and unbelief. Both of us having left one system of that ilk (Roman Catholicism), we had jumped feet first into another, and avoided the liberating message set forth in the Gospel. As with every religious system outside of the Gospel, do this, don’t do that, don’t touch, grab for this—a manmade set of rules had rendered the Word of God of no effect.
Quite frankly, I grew very tired of the whole affair. . . . Every time we turned around, a new revelation steered us in another direction. My spiritual legs became heavy from running after every “wind of doctrine” that blew through our ranks. There was never a place of satisfaction, that Sabbath rest spoken of in Hebrews 4. While the anointing we pursued promised to be refreshing, all it did was hone, razor-sharp, the craving for another spiritual high. We at New Covenant were caught up on an unceasing merry-go-round.
But we are not so different from Old Testament Israel. They, too, ran after new and exciting ways of worship. They, too, thrilled at false signs and wonders, hung on the words of their multiplied false prophets, and substituted idols for the true God. But seeking the satisfaction they craved, they ran right past the only One who could offer it. The result was a maddening mix of gods that spiritually bled them dry.
Our Lord’s remedy for them holds as true for us today. “Return, thou backsliding Israel and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful” (Jeremiah. 3:12). We need to repent and return to Christ, who gives life and genuine refreshment:
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)
Since the turn of the millennium, in particular since September 11, 2001 when America was attacked by terrorists triggering a global-wide spiritual paradigm shift, Christianity as we have known it has experienced a major meltdown. While many are saying Christianity is on the brink of a great revival and even a “new reformation,” in reality, we are witnessing the greatest apostasy in modern-day history.
In one word, Christianity is being redefined. Scores of pastors have chosen to abandon the Bible in favor of postmodernism (that is, what they view as progressive and culturally relevant). Light has turned into darkness. What was once believed to be true is now proclaimed to be a lie. Those who once claimed to be followers of Jesus and the Bible are now following men and their philosophies, and all without question.
Rather than reaching out to the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pastors, professors, and Bible teachers are abandoning the Bible and embracing the world. They look for ways to market what they call Christianity by incorporating sensual gimmicks that are supposed to attract the masses. Hymn books are tossed out of churches from the pews. Pews have been replaced by soft theater seats and in some cases, even include credit card terminals. Being comfortable while attending church has become the standard. Don’t mention sin or that Jesus shed His blood on the Cross to pay for our sins because that would be offensive.
The God of the Bible, who created all things according to the Book of Genesis, has been rendered to be nothing more than an ancient religious myth. The theory of evolution has become the science that proves that an explosion plus time and chance is the formula for the origin of all life.
The New Age movement has infiltrated the evangelical churches; they have been Hinduized as growing numbers of Christians think Yoga is a Christian exercise. To hear God’s voice, Christians are humming mantras, “getting centered,” or practicing the “presence of God” (i.e., eastern mystical contemplative prayers that will put your mind into a “sacred space”).
Countless Christians are overtaken with extra-biblical experiences such as getting drunk in the “Spirit” because of the “transferrable anointing.”
Have multitudes of Christians had their minds snatched by seducing demons as worldwide delusion becomes the norm? Are Christians being prepared for a great revival, or are they being seduced by another spirit?
Then there are those who are embracing the ecumenical agenda that plans to unite the Protestant church to the Roman Catholic Church and eventually unite all religions into one common body. They say the term Protestant is a word that should be retired to the past and has no significance in the church today.
Charismatic leaders claim there is no difference between the Pentecostal Jesus and the Catholic Eucharistic Christ worshiped and adored in a Roman Catholic monstrance (the container used when a priest consecrates a wafer). They have forgotten that in the past many Christians underwent torture and death over this very issue because they understood that inherent to the Eucharist is a works-based gospel offered to “another Jesus.” Or perhaps they believe these martyrs simply died for no reason at all!
And an alarming number of proclaiming Christians believe Jesus is nothing more than a cosmic “Christ” that sees all is one, and one is all. This “Jesus” is the universal Jesus of the New Age. Those who don’t believe in this “Cosmic Christ” are deemed as outdated, paranoid, intolerant, and not willing to unite with the rest of humanity to bring it into a harmonic convergence.
Then there is the charismatic bridge located on the road to ecumenical unity. It provides a connection for the gap that once existed between Roman Catholics and the separated brethren. But many of those on both sides realize that “ecumenism” to the Catholic clergy does not mean mingling but absorption; it means finding a way to get those on the Protestant side to cross over the bridge that is headed to Rome.
Some are calling for a Second Pentecost claiming that the world will turn to Christ and establish the kingdom of God here on Earth without the presence of the King. Many are on this path already, and it’s a path lined with apostles and prophets who are more than willing to point the way to go.
Further, Israel no longer has a significant place in Scripture. Jews and Israel are a problem to the “new” progressive church. Adherents of replacement theology (where the church replaces Israel) have ignored the Israel of the Bible and replaced God’s chosen people with a church that plans to establish the kingdom of God here on Earth. In other words, Christianity has been reformed, and those who refuse to accept this are standing in the way of world peace.
Bible prophecy and the warnings about apostasy are totally relegated to a museum. A one-world religion for peace is in the making. The postmodern mindset has hijacked true biblical Christianity and made God into a god of their own imagination. The Word of God has been degraded into a myth.
Churches that stress the Bible and salvation through Jesus Christ alone are being pushed to the sidelines, and the shepherds of these usually smaller churches are being pressured by anxious elder boards and congregations who want to see “success” and get with the flow. The big get bigger and the small are getting smaller. It appears that Bible-believing Christianity is on the verge of becoming next to extinct.
Scattered, Shattered, Battered, and Gathered
Nearly everyone has thought about death at some point or another. Eternity is a long time to spend in the afterlife. The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and without salvation, Hell is our destiny. A person dies when the heart no longer beats and life signs such as pulse, respiration, and brain activity have ceased.
Now another significant issue is at hand. Where will you or I spend eternity? The answer to this question is very simple, but we need to make a decision regarding Jesus the Savior, the Good Shepherd. When someone accepts the free gift of eternal life, that person will live with Him forever. When you reject who He is and what He did for you at Calvary and choose some other belief system, your works are of no value. Jesus is the One whose life was sacrificed for sin. His blood was shed as the perfect sacrifice. All that is required is a willful choice to accept Him and ask for forgiveness. “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). His Spirit then dwells within us.
Now here is the rub! Life is brief and like the passing wind. It comes and goes sometimes before we know it. In some cases, friends and relatives perish without warning. We should always be prepared for the final bell as there are no second chances.
Further, there are many complications. Sometimes people believe they have believed but instead are deceived. Jesus mentioned this on more than one occasion. It is actually possible to believe in the Savior intellectually in name only without knowing Him personally and trusting in Him as Lord and Savior.
Therefore, everyone should examine their personal lives carefully. Even people of spiritual stature can be deceived. This includes pastors, teachers, elders, and members of church boards. The Bible says . . . there will be those who think they are going to stand before Jesus as their Savior when instead He will turn out to be their judge, not because He is unmerciful but because they refused to hear the call of the Good Shepherd.
Following Men Instead of the Good Shepherd
History has revealed many common patterns over time. Often men and women are easily influenced. This is why the Bible equates humans with sheep and preachers with shepherds. For some unknown reason, humans are easily misled. Men and women who desire power often gather weak sheep into their folds and take advantage of them.
While the Bible makes it clear that strong leaders must be biblical, Satan knows the weakness of humans and provides apostate deceivers. Often, pastors, teachers, and evangelists are clever manipulators and use the Scriptures to trick the sheep into thinking they are sound when they are actually dangerous.
As the old adage by the poet Robert Burns states: “The best laid schemes of Mice and Men oft go awry and leave us nothing but grief and pain.” Simply speaking, following men will nearly always lead to a catastrophic end. Knowing this in advance and knowing the Bible is true, it would be best to ignore following men and be led instead by the Holy Spirit rather than driven by deceived men. A true shepherd will continually guide his flock with the Word of God and point them to the only Good Shepherd who is able to seek and to save. Like John the Baptist, he is willing to decrease that the Lord may increase. But too many shepherds want ownership of the flock, not realizing the awesome responsibility of the sacred trust they have been given.
Perhaps few have counted the cost of the disastrous results of following false shepherds. These are men who are really wolves in sheep’s clothing. Many have done untold damage as they have ravaged flocks of sheep that were once in folds. They are now scattered and forlorn. Comparatively speaking, they are like ships without a rudder and sailboats without a sail. They bob up and down on the waves of the ocean, wandering souls seeking help and counsel.
He Is Faithful
Many sheep have been scattered, shattered, and battered. Sheep without a shepherd are in the balance, and there are those who are willing to battle for the truth. The truth is the Word of God (John 17:17) states the Bible. Thy Word!
In these last days of time as we know it, is it possible that God will raise up a standard? Will the stones from the rubble and the burned gates be reconstructed so that the Gospel will go forward? Or is all hopeless, and the remnant will be snuffed out?
The biblical answer to these questions is simple. God has not forgotten His people! He never has. He is the Creator of the universe, the God who knows all things and who is omnipresent. He will raise up the standard, and He will continue to warn until the Day of Judgment. He is the God of Salvation. He is the God who loves us. Yes, apostasy is on the rise, just as the Bible predicts; but as the darkness gets darker, the light will shine brighter.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful . . . ) (Hebrews 10: 22-23)
The article above is from Roger Oakland’s book, The Good Shepherd Calls.
(image from bigstockphoto.com; used with permission)
Interview With Chris Lawson: “Influential Pastor Steve Berger’s Mediumship Practices”
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17)
By Chris Lawson of Spiritual Research Network:
The video presented below is by no means meant to bring unnecessary division in the church. (See video, What SRN is NOT.) We are called to “warn and teach,” (Colossians 1:27-29) and to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God,” (1 John 4:1). Furthermore, we are admonished to “mark [keep a close watch on] them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 16:18). See also, June 2023 video, About SRN.
(photo on right: from the cover of Warren B. Smith’s bookletDead Men Talking(addressing necromancy in the church).
“Self-proclaimed prophet Steve Berger claims to receive messages from his deceased son, and he wrote a book about this practice. Talking to the dead is the condemned sin of mediumship, even when it involves talking with deceased loved ones. In this video, Pastor Chris Lawson of the Spiritual Research Network, discusses how he tried to warn Berger and the pastors who endorsed his book such as Greg Laurie and James Robison about the dangers and sin of mediumship, but they wouldn’t listen. Berger even claimed that “God had made an exception for him and his family” to allow them to send and receive messages from his deceased son. Former psychic medium Doreen Virtue describes how she was demonically deceived when she thought she was receiving messages from her deceased grandmother, and how her pre-salvation mediumship sessions failed the Apostle John’s test of the spirits.” (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzy1Q1TZImM)
(image of graveyard from Dead Men Talking is from alamy.com; used with permission)
June Report From Bryce Homes of Kenya
As many of our readers know, Lighthouse Trails began supporting the Understand the Times (Roger Oakland) missions outreach – Bryce Homes of Kenya – in 2011. Since then, many Kenyan Christian families (especially widows and children) have been assisted. Lighthouse Trails readers have been a big part of the ongoing support of this missions work. The following is June’s report written by the leadership team in Kenya. To read other reports from Kenya, for more photos, and for support information, visit Understand the Times, International.
Photo on right: The newest family added to the Bryce Home program in Kenya. (Widow Kezia)
Dear Understand the Times and Lighthouse Trails readers:
Greetings from Bryce Homes Kenya to all the UTT and Lighthouse Trails readers’ family. The month of June has been cool over here with averagely cloudy and partially sunny days with evening rains. What this means here is plenty of green leafy indigenous vegetables which is always a common meal on the table for every humble household. We were able to reach the widows under Bryce Homes Program and from one household to the other, we received testimonies which are acutely decorated with good deeds courtesy of the readers’ family. In 12 years, Bryce Homes Kenya has been able to have impact on the lives of over 80 widows and 170 orphan children.
Bryce Homes Kenya consists of two categories of widows: young widows who are also mothers who have had little or no education as well as the elderly widows who have orphaned grandchildren to provide for. Whereas the program provides a regular monthly support in terms of foodstuff for all the widows, Roger Oakland and the local Board that oversees the program in Kenya discovered a way of assisting young widows to get an extra income to help subsidize the monthly gifts and more so educate their children. These young widows were encouraged to engage in Small Business Opportunities (S.B.Os) through which they got a one-time support in terms of starting capital. These young widows engage in S.B.Os listed below:
Small groceries where they sell vegetables
Retail of fresh small fish in the open air markets
Sewing of clothes especially dealing with repairs
Weaving of baskets
Molding of clay pots
Baking of dough nuts
Through the S.B.Os, some of these widows have progressed to reach a level of self-dependency which is so encouraging. They owe their success to the readers who came in their way to start the initial support in these businesses. Upon their success, we graduate them to live a self-sustainable life as we introduce new needy cases. This arrangement has been so motivating and makes us feel it is the way to go so as to continue reaching out to as many widows as possible. Above everything else, these widows get to know Jesus and continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ by deed.
It is important to note that most of these young widows who are equally mothers have lived with HIV/AIDS after the demise of their sole breadwinners. A few cases are young women whose marriages have been broken on grounds that are beyond human solution. For instance, a mother of three who was sent away by the husband for “failure” to give birth to a male child. Due to illiteracy, some families break on such grounds, and we take advantage to reach them with the gospel of grace as we also bless them with what God makes available.
Children are our priority in this program. We thank you all for coming to theiraid.
Finally, may I encourage every reader to keep on with the good work as whatever little you give brings great impact on these vulnerable but innocent children of God. The giving has proved to be so helpful over the years and we continue to share the good news to the onlookers, and this alone win souls every month.
(photo right: Consolata with her grandchildren receive the support earlier this month. They were so grateful to all the readers.)
(photo left: Kezia with her grandchildren being introduced by Pastor Lawrence into the program to replace Pesila. At the background is the house that accommodates her with all the grandchildren.)
(photo right: These smiles were meant to go along way so may ALL the readers receive them in appreciation for the impact on these widows’ lives.)
(photo left: Agnes conveyed her greetings to the readers.)
(photo right: The elderly Benedetta is being assisted to receive her gifts earlier this month.)
We are all grateful for the work you readers do to these households.
By Harry Ironside (1876-1951)
From his book, Changed by Beholding
What does it mean then, when it says we “are saved by His life?” It means this, that He who died for us on the Cross now lives to carry us through to the glory. He lives to maintain us, to sustain us; He lives to give us all the grace and strength we need from day to day that we may glorify Him in this scene. He lives to make us exactly like Himself in that day when He returns in power and glory. “Because I live, ye shall live also.” We have been justified from all things; now we can draw on His omnipotent power as the living Christ that we may have the needed strength to glorify Him, as we tread the pilgrim way. “We are saved by His life.”
You remember in John 17, that wonderful prayer of His as He knelt there before His disciples, and as He lifted up His eyes to Heaven. Seven times over He speaks of “those that Thou gavest Me.” Oh, how dear they were to Him! He asks the Father regarding them. In verse 17, He says, “Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy word is truth.” To be sanctified is to be set apart for Christ’s own possession and for His use. The Lord Jesus Christ says of Himself, “Say ye of Him, Whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest because I said, I am the Son of God?” One Person of the eternal Trinity was set apart to come down into the world and to accomplish the work of salvation. That work accomplished, now He says, “I sanctify Myself”—I set Myself apart.
He has taken His place at God’s right hand in order that He might undertake for His people that we might be sanctified through the truth. And there in the glory, He is representing us before God. He has sent His Holy Spirit as His representative down into this world in order to apply His Word to our hearts and consciences, that we may be separated from everything unclean and unholy, and thus live entirely to His glory in this present evil world. It is in this sense that we are saved by His life. How much do we enter into the reality of it? I am afraid some of us are content to stop at the Cross. We must begin there. There is no other way of approach to God. But as we go on, we are to be occupied with the Risen One, at God’s right hand.
Now we want to be like Him; we want to be used of Him in this sin-stained world. But in order that this may be so, He has set Himself apart that our hearts may be fully taken up with Him, and we are changed as we behold Him. He would have us yield to Him, as those who are alive from the dead, that His Risen life may be manifested in us.
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:10-11)
Think of it, that through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, sent from the Father, the Risen life of Jesus is manifested in the surrendered believer, as in this sense he seeks to bear witness to the One who died for him, and now lives to keep him. “The life also of Jesus is made manifest in our mortal flesh.”
Some years ago, I was working among the Indians in Arizona. The Presbyterians have a splendid work established at a place called Ganado on Arizona Desert, among the Navajo Indians. I went out there for some meetings, and they took me the first day through the buildings. We went into the hospital, and in one ward, there was a Navajo woman lying upon a cot; she could not speak a word of English, and I could only speak three words of Navajo, so we could not have any conversation. The missionary told me something about her. It seems that nine weeks before, the missionary doctor had received a call to go out over the desert to a hogan (little Navajo hut) where a boy was lying ill. The doctor got into his Ford car and rattled across the desert. As the doctor was on his way, he came to a clump of bushes rising up from the desert land, and he heard, as he drew near, a terrible scream; it was a scream that did not sound human at all. He thought it was the cry of a wild beast. He had the idea that perhaps one of the Indians had set one of those cruel steel traps and that a cougar, or a prairie wolf, or some other creature, had been caught by the leg and had twisted or dragged itself away with a torn limb, and was screaming in anguish somewhere. That thing does happen. (It costs a lot to get those furs that some of you ladies wear.) The doctor thought it was some such creature in pain, and he took a gun and began to work his way through the bush in order to get to the other side, and all the time this awful screaming was ringing in his ears. When he got to the other side of the bush, he found it was not a wild beast at all, and there was no steel trap. There lay a Navajo woman on the ground, and the doctor soon saw that she was paralyzed, and she was suffering unspeakable anguish. He made certain examinations and decided there was no hope for her. Gangrene had already set in, and it looked as if she must die. But he thought, Well, I won’t have her die out here. And he gave her some morphia to quiet her. He then wrapped her in a blanket and took her to the Mission hospital.
It happened that she had been terribly ill, and the Indian doctor pow-wowed over her, and as he could not get the devil out of her, he said, “She is going to die.” And so they took her and threw her out to die. For four days, she had lain there paralyzed, without a bite of food to eat, or a drop of water to drink, with the fierce burning sun pouring down upon her by day and suffering intense cold at night (for it was about 7000 feet above sea level). He took her to the hospital, and after some prayer, he operated. The doctor never left her bedside for nine days and nights. He had a big chair put beside her, and he was ready at the moment she stirred to minister to her. At the end of the ninth day, the fever had gone, and it was evident she was going to recover. She had been unconscious all the time, and when she recovered consciousness, she looked about her and saw where she was, and the Indian nurse told her of what had happened. “Why did he do it?” she asked. “He is nothing to me, I am an Indian, he is a white man. My own people threw me out, and he brought me here and made me to live. Why was it?”
And Mary, the Indian nurse, said, “It is the love of Christ in his heart.”
“The love of Christ,” said the woman, “What is the love of Christ? I have never heard of the love of Christ. What do you mean?” The Indian nurse could not explain it to her all at once, for this woman’s mind was so dark. It would have taken days to tell her. You would have to go back to the Creation and then go on right through the Bible in order to show how God’s love was revealed. And it took two or three days before they could even get thus far.
Some days passed, and they told her more and more, and now they thought the time had come when she ought to be able to decide for Christ. So, they knelt beside her, and Mr. Mitchell, the missionary, said, “My sister, have you not come to see the love of Christ, and cannot you trust your soul to Jesus. Turn to Him from all your heathen idolatry. Take Him as your Savior.” And she just looked at him. The Indian can keep quiet in more languages than any other person I know. You can talk and talk, and they just look and look with those big eyes of theirs. And they waited for a little while, but there was no answer. And then the door at the end of the ward opened, and the doctor looked in to see how his patient was, and seeing the missionary there, he went out again.
The face of the Indian woman lit up, and then she said to my friend, Mr. Mitchell, “If Jesus is anything like the doctor, I can trust Him forever,” and she came to Christ. Do you see what had reached her? She had seen divine love manifested in a man. This is what you and I are called to exhibit to the world.
(image from the cover of Changed by Beholding (Lighthouse Trails); photo from bigstockphoto.com; used with permission)
“Target, Kohl’s, Girl Scouts Team up with Child Corrupter GLSEN”
By Linda Harvey
Mission America
The betrayal of Target gets more horrifying the closer you look. The growing movement to boycott the retailer is justified by its sale of offensive “pride” items to adults as well as children. And then there’s Target’s partnership with an avowed satanist designer.
But at the top of my long list of Target sins is the company’s proud support of one of the most radical groups existing in America today.
Target has been a generous donor to the tune of over $2 million to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, GLSEN, and a senior brand manager at Target also serves on the GLSEN board as treasurer.
What’s the problem with GLSEN? The group’s three- decade goal has been to insert the homosexual and gender distortion agenda into K -12 schools through a variety of actions and I would say that the word “target” absolutely describes what GLSEN has been doing to other people’s children. Click here to continue reading.
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