Silenced but Un-Changed

The past month, my email inbox has been filled with letters from people asking me about my research on cult groups.  It has been impossible for me to respond to every inquiry, so I will give a blanket response here.  The most common question:  “Where did all of your blogs on IHOP and other cult groups go?”

I apologize, but I pulled those blogs down because it was causing turmoil within my family.  In short, I promised my family I would sit down and shut up in order to promote and maintain peace.  I know I have let some of you down in doing so, and for that I am deeply sorry.

I understand this makes me look weak and pointedly pathetic, not to mention hypocritical, as I encourage all people to stand up for what they believe is right and to fight for truth.  I’m still praying for truth, deep down, despite my forced silence.

If we don’t stand for something we will most assuredly fall for anything.  So, I encourage you to keep seeking knowledge and continue on your quest for truth, taking a stand against the demonic strongholds prevalent in these types of cult groups.  Back up every word with Biblical knowledge.  Beware of false prophesy.  It’s not okay.  It’s not acceptable. Beware of elitism and arrogance, as these are not traits of Jesus, but rather ones that cause relational division and destruction of families and friendships.  Demonic influence is strong in these prophetic-induced, cult-type movements. Study. Study. Study.  Avoid any group that incorporates brainwashing tactics into the core foundation of their methods. Beware of any group that becomes so "radical for the Lord" that they lose balance in daily life.  I cannot stress enough that ANYONE who tells you that false prophesy is justifiable, explainable, acceptable or excuses it as a mere learning curve in the spiritual journey is NOT operating with the Holy Spirit, but rather inducing demonic translation.  The Bible specifically warns us against false prophets.  Heed this warning.

Again, I apologize for letting you down.  I did not pull my blogs because my opinion, intuition or awareness has changed.  If anything, the repulsion against false prophetic movements has grown stronger within me.  I have done it because I have been accused of attempting to cause conflict in my own family and blamed for an intent I never possessed.  In standing up for my convictions and expressing my true beliefs,  I am deemed unacceptable.  I cannot express the lingering heartache.  

To all that have emailed, I am happy to send you my research notes on the cult-type groups I have studied.

May God open the eyes of the blind and one day rid the world of all false prophets and bring about the destruction of the false prophetic movement altogether.  ~

Sequel for Certain

I received several emails regarding my book, House of Lies, asking if there is going to be a sequel and when it will be released.

The answer:  A RESOUNDING YES

There is definitely going to be a sequel and it will be released in the fall of 2014. 

The book has yet to be titled, but I will keep you posted as the release date nears.  If you haven’t yet read House of Lies, I recommend reading it before the sequel.  You can get a copy in either print or Ebook from the following retailers:

BARNES & NOBLE

SMASHWORDS

AMAZON

 

 

 

 

 

As always, thank you for your letters and for your interest in my books.  It means the world to me.   ~

Love is our savior; our Savior is Love

As I age, I have come to realize that I have fewer answers and more questions.  I am less rigid on the boundaries of right and wrong, in the context of people’s personal decisions and lifestyle choices.  Things appear more gray than black and white.  Now, before I get a barrage of emails telling me that the Bible is very much black and white and we, as Christians, are not to live in the gray… hear me out. 

We are all very much alike.  Regardless of upbringing, cultural background, religion, political affiliation, race and sexual preference, we are human beings.  We have bodies that function the same; and minds and souls.  We make decisions for our lives based on what we think, how we feel and what “moves” us internally.  We have unique gifts and talents, that when we come together, are used to help and entertain one another.  We share a fundamental foundation of truth that is innate in humanity.  It wasn’t learned, but has existed inside of us from the moment we were birthed.  It says this:  Love is right.  Hate is wrong.  Love is healthy.  Hate is harmful.  Love is good.  Hate is bad. 

I do not believe anyone on the planet will argue with that fundamental statement.  We, as people, long to be loved and are, in essence, created as an extension of love.  Love is internal and inbred in us; but we must be taught to hate.  Hate is an external entity that one makes a personal choice to grasp and invite inside.

 

The Bible says that “God is love.”  Thus, He is the absence of hate.  The Bible also says we are not to judge one another.  In the words of Mother Theresa, “If you are judging someone you are too busy to love them.”    Judgment and love cannot go hand in hand for human beings.  When we judge it is a hate-driven attitude that then becomes a hate-driven action.  For a person to cast judgment, even in the name of God, it is still an action of hate and not one of love.  Only God has the right to cast judgment and only God has the ability to be able to judge and love simultaneously. 

 

Part of our human nature is that we want to believe we are right, that we have the answers, that we’re the best, the chosen, that we are as-close-to-perfect-as-a-human-can-be.  But, this is just a lie that we tell ourselves.  We cannot be perfect and we’re not supposed to be.  We weren’t created with an expectation of perfection.  We were created out of love for the purpose of love…loving God and loving one another.

That’s what life is all about.

Sometimes we think that we’re supposed to have the answers…but maybe we’re supposed to have the questions.  Seeking the answers is what causes growth.  The lesson doesn’t lie in the destination, but in the journey. 

See, love has no ego.  Love is not self-serving.  Love doesn’t go into ministry for the popularity of being known in Christian circles.  Love doesn’t talk other Christians or other religions down and love doesn’t puff itself up.  Love doesn't use fear-tactics and threats.  Love doesn’t destroy families and friendships, but cherishes that which God has given for this lifetime.  Love isn’t satisfied with fake, shallow, hollow relationships. Love doesn't care about image.  In a world where hate prevails in our churches and is spewed forth from our pulpits,  love is our only savior and our Savior (Jesus) is love. 

At the core level, there is no greater truth than love. "Faith. Hope. And Love. But the greatest of these is love."  Everything else will fade away...and all that will be left is love.  ~

... especially hate in His name.

 

Notable and Quotable

Today I am going to quote some people I respect.  Some of them I don’t even know as they are writers and philosophers from long ago, others are merely friends in the virtual world of Facebook or Twitter, and some are close and personal.  Each of these quotes are meaningful to me, as I have found them applicable throughout my life.

 

“You don’t have a soul, you are a soul.  You have a body.”

I heard this was said by C.S. Lewis and then I’ve also read that he was not the original, but had quoted it from someone else.  Regardless who said it first, I love this quote because it reminds me that life isn’t about the exterior, but the interior.  Beauty is on the inside and radiates outwardly.  Love, faith, truth, hope …. they are all attributes of the soul, not the body.  Sure, the physical realm is important and there needs to be balance between the external and the internal; but the true purpose of every person lies within.

 

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” ~Oscar Wilde

This is such simple advice and yet, at times, so difficult to live.  It is hard, particularly for the youth of today, as they are seeking validation, acceptance and a sense of belonging in what can feel like an overwhelming world of deception and chaos.  Conformity doesn’t equal true belonging, but this is a lesson that often stems from a long learning process.  For some, the process lasts a lifetime.  Loving oneself is often the most difficult task.  Accepting oneself, especially when you appear or feel “different” from everyone around you, can be daunting.  But, I believe it is important to realize that God created you exactly as you are and you have a purpose in life; one you can’t fulfill by conforming and becoming something you were not made to be.  True belonging starts by accepting yourself.

 

"Nothing is impossible. The very word itself says I'm Possible." ~Audrey Hepburn

LOVE this quote!  It was said by a woman oozing with class and elegance. What’s more… I believe it.  Nothing is impossible because with God “all things are possible.” (Luke 18:27)  Despite the odds, miracles happen.  Statistically impossible things happen.  Your dream, whatever it may be, IS possible, even when it looks grim.  I hold onto this every day.  I clutch it, cling to it and never let it go.  The world will beat you down unless you stand on a foundation of faith; and there is no greater faith than to look into a world of doubt and say, “Nothing is impossible.”

"If you're going to walk on thin ice you may as well dance!"

Story of my life.  I’ve done some stupid things… some crazy things…some things I hope my children never do.  BUT… I can honestly look back at my life and say I’ve had fun.  I’ve played hard, laughed until my sides hurt, cried so hard I’ve thrown up, loved and even hated.  I’ve pulled people close, pushed people away, hidden in sorrow and been exposed.  I’ve sinned, I’ve triumphed, I’ve hit my knees, writhed in agony, screamed in ecstasy and thrown my share of punches.  I’ve been selfish and selfless, I’ve been used, I’ve been cherished, I’ve been jealous and broken; and I wouldn’t trade any of it.  Every up had a down and every down taught me the lesson which gave me the strength and the wisdom for the next up.

Perhaps there was a time when one could play life safe, but I think those days are gone.  Our world today is reckless and scary.  You can’t go to a movie without thinking about a gunman coming in.  You can’t send your kids to school without thinking about children being massacred.  One might say we are all living on thin ice….that our very existence is on thin ice…  and if it is then isn’t that more of a reason to enjoy every moment?  

 

"If you're judging someone you're too busy to love them." ~Mother Theresa

This is one of my hot buttons.  Jesus told us not to judge other people, and that’s good enough for me.  When I look back at all of my mistakes, all of my flaws and wrongdoings, I think to myself, “Who am I to judge anyone?”  I’m the greatest sinner of them all.  I’m from a generation that loved sex, drugs and rock-n-roll and guess what?  I still love all three.  The point is, truly loving someone means I’m not going to judge them and what’s more, I’m not going to try to change them. 

There are Christians that proclaim to be non-judgmental, yet they actively pursue people in order to “save them from their sin.”  Homosexuals often endure this un-spoken condemnation.  I have seen and heard this many times and it repulses me.  Because the Bible says that God doesn’t like homosexuality, some Christians take this as license to condemn and try to change the homosexual person; all the while arrogantly proclaiming how they have been gracious enough to accept this homosexual into their life.  This is not love.  This is judgment.

“I have homosexual friends, and I pray for them.”  I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard a fellow Christian utter this sentence.  It’s really repulsive and what’s more, it’s a form of condemnation and judgment. 

If a person is non-judgmental it means that they do not distinguish one individual from another based on external factors.  We’ve all heard the expression “love is blind.”  What that means is that truly loving someone gives you the ability to become blind to the external, unimportant things and to see and accept who they are on the inside.  It means it doesn’t matter whether someone is homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual or metrosexual.  The color of their skin, their nationality and their religion don’t matter.  True love is when you realize everyone is equal and on the same level in God’s eyes.

As a Christian, your job is to love people, not analyze what you deem as sin in their life, try to change it and silently reward yourself for being so gracious as to “accept them anyway.”

Everyone has sin in their life.  

  

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~Dr.Seuss

It’s hard when good things come to an end, but I think it is important to take the goodness and the lesson from each experience and hold onto it.  Be thankful you had the opportunity to participate in something wonderful or get to know someone wonderful.  If you cherish those memories they will forever make you smile.

 

“Faith. Hope and Love; but the greatest of these is love.”  ~ Jesus

Self-explanatory.

 

“The greatest danger facing the Church today comes not from outside the Church but from within it, from people who are too eagerly twisting millennial expectations and the radicalism of youth to their own twisted ends.”

If you are involved in a group that alienates you from your family or your friends, that financially isolates you, that robs you of your individual identity, that looks down upon you for questioning and even punishes you for what they deem as disobedience, you could be in a dangerous situation.  Seek help.    

“Stay close to your friends. Stay close to your family. Stay grounded in the truth.”

A Jagged Little Pill of Truth

There are moments in life when speaking the truth isn't easy, especially when you know that the truth is going to hurt someone's feelings.  There have been plenty of moments in my life when I have been on the receiving end of a truth I didn't appreciate hearing; but when I look back I realize I didn't want to hear it because the truth can often be painful.  It can be a jagged little pill to swallow.  That being said, hindsight is twenty/twenty and I can now glance back and see that the people dishing up that plate of truth were the ones loving me the most.  They were trying to protect me, not hurt me.  They were trying to open my eyes so that I didn't stumble into something dangerous and cause permanent damage to myself or to others around me. 

They weren't attacking me with the truth... they were attacking the lie I was living in order to free me from it.

We often live under the unspoken pressure of seeking approval and when those around us disapprove, a normal human reaction is to isolate ourselves from them.  In essense we end up pushing away the very people that love us the most, simply because we don't want to face the truth.  We bury our heads in the sand, refusing to look at it; and often, egotistically claiming it is not the root of the problem; but in our hearts we know otherwise.

Sometimes we let ego replace love, judgment trump acceptance and elitism overcome humility....all because it's easier than looking at the truth.  Sometimes we kick out of our lives everyone who isn't living our same lie so that we are surrounded by constant approval.  In doing so, we grow more inbalanced.  We shun every person who has had the courage to speak against the lie, claiming to be attacked instead of realizing how much we are loved.

It is only when we agree to seek out wisdom and knowledge that we will know the truth, "and the truth will set you free."  (John 8:32) 



 

Radical Elitist Bigots Are Terrorists Too

I’m going to go off on a rant here, but it’s my blog so I’m allowed.  I’m not going to apologize if I step on toes with what I’m about to say, because I feel strongly that it needs to be said.

If you’re a Christian and you are judgmental and condemning to others, stop it.  You’re giving other Christians a bad rap, just like radical Islamic terrorists are giving Muslims a bad rap.  Not every Muslim is a terrorist and not every Christian is an elitist, judgmental jerk. 

On that note, allow me to point out a basic element of the Bible so that the Christians who are so outwardly condemning toward others, might see the error in their own ways; and stop giving us all a bad name.

Thou shalt not judge.  Period. 

Feel free to look this commandment up.  It’s located in several places in the Bible, Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, just to name a few.  More interesting than what it says is what it does NOT say.  It does NOT say, “Thou shalt not judge…with the exception of when you disagree with a particular law or lifestyle…. NO!  It simply says don’t judge other people, period.  Meaning, you don’t have the right to cast your condemning eyes on anyone other than yourself.  Stop pointing fingers and go look in the mirror and reflect on your own bigotry.

Faith. Hope. And Love, but the greatest of these is love.

Just because the Bible says God hates something, doesn’t give you the right to condemn those who do it.  The Bible does NOT say since God hates this thing you should tear down and obliterate anyone who has anything to do with it.  NO!  In fact, it says quite the opposite.  You are to love everyone.  You are to show love to everyone.  Your purpose on the planet is not to point out sin and dish out God’s judgment, adherent to a self-proclaimed “God agenda.”  Your purpose is simply to love.  Beyond that, God has given you no agenda.  You can’t even do that, so why in the world would He give you more to do?!

When Jesus was on the earth he spent most of his time with the so-called sinners, i.e. the tax-collectors, prostitutes, etc.  He stayed clear of the “church” people and I can’t say that I blame him.  I look at some of the quote “on-fire Christians” and I am repulsed by the elitism, the judgmental nature, the condemning attitude and the outright bigotry they emit.  On the inside they are no different than that Islamic terrorist.  It must make God sad to see how His very own people warp and use His words in His name to hurt others. 

The radical Muslim blows people up.  The radical Christian tears people down.   They are both terrorists to God’s ultimate plan to love one another.

Has it ever occurred to you that in your quest for the outward status of super-spirituality that you might actually be driving people further away from God?  With your elitist, “I’m chosen” attitude, have you ever noticed that the only people left in your life are the ones exactly like you; because you drive all others away?

Radical elitism is damaging no matter what religion you follow.  That’s why God said, love and don’t judge...because without judgment, elitism can't exist.  Without elitism, bigotry can't exist.  Without bigotry, there is equality and when there is equality, hatefulness ceases to exist.  That's what it means when God said, "the greatest of these is love." 

If you can't love others without being a radical, elitist, bigot... then please stop calling yourself a Christian; because true believers like me don't want to share the title with the likes of you.  ~

 

 

F A I T H

The other day someone asked me to define my faith.  At first I thought, "Wow, that's a tall order!"   But the more I thought about it, it became clear to me that the answer was really quite simple.  My faith doesn't hinge on hoping God will, but on knowing He can.  My faith is believing in the unseen, the untouched, and the unheard.  My faith isn't connected to a particular religion, it's housed in my relationship with God.  I trust Him in all things because I believe that from Him came all things.  ~