By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
The book of Joshua presents the sensitive reader with a problem; the slaughter of the indigenous Canaanite population in order for Israel to occupy their land.How are we to understand this today, and what lessons can we learn from it in general, and particularly regarding how we understand God and the paranormal? This is a legitimate issue that deserves a reply--but I will only be able to touch on some basics--for fuller reflection one will need to see more in-depth articles. Any similar actions today would rightly be condemned by Christians, but there are special features to Israel's actions which are unique, which means their actions are not to be imitated today.This command to Israel is one reason that the Pentateuch goes into so much detail regarding the singular divine calling of Moses.The commands given and written by Moses originate in God's own mind (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). Without this certainty of Moses as God's spokesman, Israel would have had no right to the land.In fact, in Deuteronomy 18:9-14 God tells us how much He hates occult sins (e.g.psychics/mediums, and attempts to speak to the dead) and this is intentionally juxtaposed to Moses call...showing that the prohibition is trans-cultural and trans-generational in authority. It was these very sins which called forth God's wrath, using Israel as His vessel of judgement.
A second preliminary point is that He sets out laws of warfare which distinguish between battles fought against cities outside the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 20:16-18) and those fought against cities in the Promised Land. Only the latter were required to be devoted to complete destruction (Deuteronomy 20:1-20). With these clarifications, let us now (in mere outline form) show why this command is not an unsovable problem.
1. It is crucial to understand that Yahweh is the Creator and owner of all people and lands. Hence, He has the right to distribute lands according to His good and holy will (Exodus 19:5; Psalm 24:1) He is also (and this is so very important in the ghost debate) the universal Judge, to whom all people everywhere are accountable.This can be seen in the Flood account in Genesis 6-8; the judgement on the Tower of Babel, and all throughout both the Old and New Testament. Thus, God alone has the ultimate rights over the land of Canaan, and bring them into judgement for cosmic treason against His holy character and will.
In addition, as the Creator of life, the Lord has the right to end one's life..or an entire nation.. In fact, God is sovereign over your death, and that moment is in His hands (Psalm 139) God has the right to "kill" anyone at anytime....which we call 'death'.. We are not God, so abortion is not our prerogative. Behold, your God!
2. Since all people are sinners (Romans 3:23), they are subject to God's judgement (6:23). The bible gives a moral rationale for the destruction of the Canaanites. (Deuteronomy 7:1-5) If the Jews did not kill all the Canaaanites, then they would lure them into idolatry. We are told in the New Testament that believers will participate in the final judgement (1 Corinthians 6:2). Likewise, Israel was God's instrument of judgement, expressing to the watching world the holy character of God, and foreshadowing the Day of Judgement (hell) and our participation in the carrying out of the final judgement. To the extent that Israel mirrored God's holiness and justice, the surrounding nations outside the Promised Land were blessed by this holy war. In nations which were drowning in occult darkness, being exposed to the light of truth regarding the True God, was very much a blessing, to those who received it.Behold, your God!
The Amorites and other Canaanites were not "innocent people"....they hated Israel and they were unspeakably depraved.... They were given 400 years to repent, but unlike Ninevah, most did not repent.
Some people have wrongly called this "ethnic cleansing", but there was no double standard. Israel herself experienced God's wrath multiple times--they were blessed if they obeyed but they were cursed by God if they committed spiritual adultery. Ethnic cleansing is occurring today and Christians should be the first to oppose it.
3. The Sinai covenant set up a unique entity--a theocracy--in which church and state were combined.Hence, the distinction between sin and crime was not as it is today (since we are not a theocracy).Sin would pollute God's covenant community. Over and over and over again, the Lord warned the Israelites that they HAD to destroy the Canaanites or they would most certainly be dragged down by them. Sadly, that is precisely what happened. We could call it "the Canaanization of the Jews". The first city they destroyed was Jericho (one of the oldest cities on earth..perhaps the oldest), which was symbolic of the whole land. The city's name has reference to the moon, so they likely were worshippers of the moon...a moon idol behind which were demons.Canaan was teeming with idolatry and ritualistic murder, and as a result it was a stronghold of Satan...teeming with demons.Idolatry, injustice, and evil were everywhere, and this triad is what Yahweh wanted to protect His elect people from, the apple of His eye. As we are told, the Canaanites sin had reached "fullness', making them ripe for judgement. The people had become so corrupt the very land is said to have vomited them out. Behold, your God!
4. The apparent implacability of total slaughter with no exceptions was just that, an appearance. The verbiage is strong, but provision was made for any who were converted to Yahweh (e.g. Rahab) It was not ethnic cleansing that occurred, but rather it was spiritual cleansing.Ethnicity had nothing to do with the Canaanites destruction because, from day one, the Jews were a mixed bunch. They were supposed to be a light to the nations, according to the Abrahamic covenant.
In summary, God's ownership of all land and the One who judges the world with perfect justice, the need to protect the purity of the Israelite theocracy, the depravity of the Canaanites had reached a critical mass,and provisions for even the Canaanites to be saved--all illustrate the justice behind this holy war of annihilation. That was a unique part of Israels mission, and nobody today can follow in their footsteps. Again, it was not ethnic cleansing (Christians should strongly oppose any such actions) but it was spiritual cleansing.
When I watched the Dead Files last Friday, I was alarmed that, once again, Amy put the blame on evil dead kids who were out to kill the living adults. This trio of alleged earthbound children supposedly pushed a woman down the steps (according to this medium), and she is blessed she wasn't killed. Last week she recommended a curandero (sorta like a shaman), and this week (not sure if it was a re-run) she said, "I was going to recommend an exorcism, but you need a chaos magickian." Even many occultists are fearful or least wary of these people. I mention all this as an application of what we have learned. 2 Corinthians 10 tells us that we are to destroy (not the Canaanites) but arguments or ideas contrary to God's holy word. We are in a holy war, not jihad as Muslims practice, but a holy war nevertheless.How can one believe in children being trapped here (and killing people)? It is madness. The cure for such monstrous beliefs is a fresh vision or understanding of God's absolute holiness. Wrestling with the destruction of the Canaanites should make it abundantly clear how holy God is, and how contradictory to God's holiness are the foundational beliefs of the paranormal community.Christians, behold your God!
Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.
Looking inside the spiritual & literary worlds
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Monday, June 6, 2016
An Interview with the Dalai Lama: Politics & Environment
Fabien: Do you think that democracy is helping laws to evolve in this way?
Dalai Lama: Yes, in democratic countries, legal systems should work that way and generally do. Bur these laws nevertheless partially contradict the Buddhist principle of interdependence, since they do not include "democratic rights" for the environment and the animal realm. Most legal systems refer only to human rights and do not consider the rights of animals or other beings that share the planet with us. Laws that protect human rights and values and indicate proper ways co use human ability are not in contradiction with karma or causality - not in the Western sense where the same causes have the same effect, but in the Buddhist sense where each effect proceeds from a cause that also needs to be considered.
In reality the problem is that for most "powerful" people there is a difference between the principle of the law and its application almost all legal systems condemn killing. This notion occurs in most countries of the world. Yet in practice, powerful people treat killing as they treat lying. For politicians, small lies are prohibited, but large lies are accepted. For a Buddhist, this is a very obvious Contradiction. The same applies to killing. When a man who is desperate kills another person, this small act is defined as murder. It is wrong. But the man who kills or gives orders to kill thousands of people is a hero! That is very unfortunate.
Most religious systems condemn murder, rape, and theft. In my opinion, religious principles are based on natural human attitudes and feelings. Their essential function is to inspire human beings to develop basic human qualities. Thus it seems logical that most laws would be consistent with the principles of positive karma. But in order for both religious and secular laws to conform to the principles of interdependence, we need to widen their perspective to include protection of the environment and the animal realm. This is how we can apply the Buddhist view of interdependence to a broader vision of law and order.
Dalai Lama: [...] In any case, all the natural resource specialists with whom I have spoken warn me that this gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" should be reduced. At present there are around 5.5 billion human beings on earth. If the living standard of the southerners were raised to 'the level the northerners are presently enjoying, what would happen to the world's natural resources? This situation would not be sustainable. China, for example, has a population of 1.2 billion. If each family were to have two cars, the environmental damage would be unimaginable. Nine hundred million people live in India.
The Western concept of increasing the GNP each year must change, and fast. The principle itself contradicts all natural and logical laws.
Fabien: Do you think Westerners should also have fewer cars?
Dalai Lama: Certainly. They need to develop a sense of contentment and more consideration towards others. Things should be done in a more just, equal manner. In the meantime, the birth control question must also be addressed. The southern countries must curb their population growth.
Fabien: Efficient birth control mainly depends on standard of living. The more access to education women have, the fewer children they 'produce, statistically speaking. So, education seems to be the best way to curb the population explosion.
Dalai Lama: That's very good. But what education? To tell you the truth, I think the first thing the southerners must do is recognize the negative consequences of the present Western concepts of life and economy. We have to correct or remould this erroneous belief in, the value of an ever-increasing GNP.
Likewise, although some factories and industries are now adopting, new ways to protect the environment, the northerners are inflicting a lot of damage on the world's environment. This prompts me to say that from a global point of view the money produced by the northern world is still insufficient.
[. . .] In the early part of this century, everyone foolishly thought that natUre's resources were limitless and at the disposal of humanity. Today ecological ideology even influences political parties. All these changes stem from the experience we have acquired as human beings. In the same way; the concept of human rights, whether individual or general, such as die right to self-determination for a given group, has evolved. These ideas are now universally recognized. Such progress gives me hope for the future.
Fabien: Do you think that one individual can change the world?
Dalai Lama: Yes.
Fabien: In that case, the best thing to do is to start trying to improve oneself.
Dalai Lama: It seems quite simple. First, it is important to realize we are part of nature. Ultimately, nature will always be more powerful than human beings, even with all their nuclear weapons, scientific equipment, and knowledge. If the sun disappears or the earth's temperature changes by a few degrees, then we are really in trouble. At, a deeper level, we should recognize that although we are part of nature, we can control and change things, to some extent, due to our intelligence. Among the thousands of species of mammals on earth, we humans have the greatest capacity to alter nature. As such, we have a twofold responsibility. Morally, as beings of higher intelligence, we must care for this world. The other inhabitants of the planet - insects and so on - do not have the means to save or protect this world. Our other responsibility is to undo the serious environmental degradation that is the result of incorrect human behaviour. We have recklessly polluted the world with chemicals and nuclear waste, selfishly consuming many of its resources. Humanity must take the initiative to repair and protect the world.
Of course, when we say, "humanity" or "society", it's obvious the initiative must come from individuals. It is wrong to expect our governments, or even God, to give us any guidance on these matters.
[...] Actually, I'm quite optimistic. Take the example of environmental problems. The scientists and associations that defend the environment have repeatedly informed us about the ecological problems now facing the earth, like global warming and widespread pollution of our water and air. Now, awareness is growing worldwide. New techniques are evolving so that we can avoid pollution without changing the process of industry or the economy. During a recent visit to Stockholm, my friends told me that ten years before the fish had practically disappeared from the nearby river. Now they are regenerating, simply because the industrial plants along that river have made some efforts to protect the environment. In other words, they managed to improve the situation without destroying the industry. I was recently in the Rohr region of Germany, a centre of industry. One large company showed me a film on the different means they were raking to reduce pollution and recycle waste material. Without changing their entire structure, they were causing much less damage to the environment.
Concern for ecology grows with the proper and widespread dissemination of information. People have gradually become convinced what the situation is serious and what we must take care for our planet. I've noticed that now, in some hotels, we are asked to not waste electricity or water. This is a good start. Likewise the media must speak of the importance of altruism in every human activity. It must be discussed again and again, in newspapers, in the movies, on the radio, on TV. I think there is plenty of momentum to do this. Medical and scientific fields should support the theory of altruism. Ecologists will support it, as the peace movement, providing the educational systems are also improved so that children become less violent. Then, even the police force will change. and everyone will gradually begin to think and act with more kindness, altruism, and compassion.
Excerpt from the book Imagine All the People: A conversation with the Dalai Lama on Money Politics and Life as it Could Be, Wisdom Publications, Boston.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
The Lesser Keys Of Solomon (Clavis Salomonis) Part Two
Read Part 1 here: The Lesser Keys Of Solomon And Dark Magic
The Key of Solomon, in Latin Clavis Salomonis or Clavicula Salomonis, Hebrew Mafteah Shelomoh (מפתח שלמה), is a grimoire, or book on magic, attributed to King Solomon, probably dating to the 14th to 15th century Italian Renaissance and presenting a typical example of Renaissance and magic. The Lesser Key of Solomon, or the Goetia, is a medieval magickal text that claims to give the techniques and materials needed to embark on the mystical path of Solomon. It gives directions for casting magick circles, and invoking demons and dark Djinn into the consciousness of the magician. Here like Solomon the magician must unleash the demon from the brass vessel and symbolically slay the demon with a magical sword. Like the Djinn trapped in the magick lamp, the demon may also grant the wishes and desires of the magician, but it is the test of fortitude for the magician to resist these temptations and expel the demon from his mind. As smart as he was in his last days people don't know that he just spoke this gibberish type language. Made no type of sense. His mind was not there sadly.
These are from what I know, ancient hebrew spells, rooted in hebrew mysticism. Solomon the wise king of Isreal, son of David supposedly used the magic formulae laid down in the Clavicles to gain power over Demons. For example, he is reputed to have cast a spell to put the Demon Asmodeus into submission and make him build the Temple of Solomon. At the end of Solomons life He spoke in jibjerish and no one heeded his calling until his death. This was a very sad end for one who thought it was okay to walk with only 1 foot in God's Word. And all because he heeded the invitations of his foreign wife who had nothing to do with our God all powerful creator of the Heavens and Earth. He did what he should not. when he summoned Samuel, He was rebuked.
This is basically a book on how to summon 74 (I think) different demons. It should only be used for research or study in certain callings, it's not a safe book in the wrong hands. It drove King Solomon was crazy in the end of his life. Can you believe that? As I mentioned above, he spoke gibberish in his last days. Wise King Solomon even fell victim to temptations. He would summon demons to have them do his bidding for him. Such building buildings and anything else that he wanted. Whatever he wanted he would make them do it. And God did not give him permission to use to demons in that manner. It's nothing but dark magic. That is highly dangerous stuff to tamper with. You could really open up a dark world for yourself and loved ones. The emotional torture is pure hell. Someone using that book feeling is just as dangerous as someone doing that that knows how.
These are from what I mentioned before, I believe these come p ancient hebrew spells, rooted in hebrew mysticism. Solomon the wise king of Isreal, son of David supposedly used the magic formulae laid down in the Clavicles to gain power over Demons. For example, he is reputed to have cast a spell to put the Demon Asmodeus into submission and make him build the Temple of Solomon. At the end of Solomons life He spoke in jibjerish and no one heeded his calling until his death. This was a very sad end for one who thought it was okay to walk with only 1 foot in God's Word. And all because he heeded the invitations of his foreign wife who had nothing to do with our God all powerful creator of the Heavens and Earth. He did what he should not. when he summoned Samuel, He was rebuked.
Dabbling in dark magic is very dangerous. And It puts you on their "radar" and now you are familiar to them. Eventually they will use that interest or curiosity against you. I've said it before, demons are very patient. Some people don't suffer repercussions still down the road year two years of mine you just don't know. It's like I said just because you've left the location in one piece doesn't mean all the provocation and taunting said person did will eventually come back on them. Demons and Satan are not and never were humans. And they never can be. They fear Jesus Christ greatly because they know how everything ends and their time is near.
According to Wiki Black Magic or Dark Magic has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes. With respect to the left-hand path and right-hand path dichotomy, some believe black magic is the malicious, left-hand counterpart of benevolent white magic. In modern times, some find that the definition of "black magic" has been convoluted by people who define magic or ritualistic practices that they disapprove of as "black magic". There are many different opinions on that subject. People have strong feelings about this and doing this kind of dark arts.
A Few Examples Of The Type Of Attacks:
Exaggerated emotional states: fear, anxiety, anger, panic, shame, rejection, grief that is over-extended or out of proportion, hopelessness, helplessness. Attacking Our Mind Mentally. Tormenting thoughts of suicide, self-mutilation thoughts, confusion, forgetfulness, blocked memory, self hate, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of being unloved and thoughts that God won't ever forgive you and He doesn't love you.
Demons will always, and I mean always, horn in at the worst time in your life. Our minds are the devil's playground. And sadly it's true. But if we put our faith in God and wear the armor of God everyday the enemy will hate this left with no choice but to flee.
Written By Jennifer L Auld
The Key of Solomon, in Latin Clavis Salomonis or Clavicula Salomonis, Hebrew Mafteah Shelomoh (מפתח שלמה), is a grimoire, or book on magic, attributed to King Solomon, probably dating to the 14th to 15th century Italian Renaissance and presenting a typical example of Renaissance and magic. The Lesser Key of Solomon, or the Goetia, is a medieval magickal text that claims to give the techniques and materials needed to embark on the mystical path of Solomon. It gives directions for casting magick circles, and invoking demons and dark Djinn into the consciousness of the magician. Here like Solomon the magician must unleash the demon from the brass vessel and symbolically slay the demon with a magical sword. Like the Djinn trapped in the magick lamp, the demon may also grant the wishes and desires of the magician, but it is the test of fortitude for the magician to resist these temptations and expel the demon from his mind. As smart as he was in his last days people don't know that he just spoke this gibberish type language. Made no type of sense. His mind was not there sadly.
These are from what I know, ancient hebrew spells, rooted in hebrew mysticism. Solomon the wise king of Isreal, son of David supposedly used the magic formulae laid down in the Clavicles to gain power over Demons. For example, he is reputed to have cast a spell to put the Demon Asmodeus into submission and make him build the Temple of Solomon. At the end of Solomons life He spoke in jibjerish and no one heeded his calling until his death. This was a very sad end for one who thought it was okay to walk with only 1 foot in God's Word. And all because he heeded the invitations of his foreign wife who had nothing to do with our God all powerful creator of the Heavens and Earth. He did what he should not. when he summoned Samuel, He was rebuked.
This is basically a book on how to summon 74 (I think) different demons. It should only be used for research or study in certain callings, it's not a safe book in the wrong hands. It drove King Solomon was crazy in the end of his life. Can you believe that? As I mentioned above, he spoke gibberish in his last days. Wise King Solomon even fell victim to temptations. He would summon demons to have them do his bidding for him. Such building buildings and anything else that he wanted. Whatever he wanted he would make them do it. And God did not give him permission to use to demons in that manner. It's nothing but dark magic. That is highly dangerous stuff to tamper with. You could really open up a dark world for yourself and loved ones. The emotional torture is pure hell. Someone using that book feeling is just as dangerous as someone doing that that knows how.
These are from what I mentioned before, I believe these come p ancient hebrew spells, rooted in hebrew mysticism. Solomon the wise king of Isreal, son of David supposedly used the magic formulae laid down in the Clavicles to gain power over Demons. For example, he is reputed to have cast a spell to put the Demon Asmodeus into submission and make him build the Temple of Solomon. At the end of Solomons life He spoke in jibjerish and no one heeded his calling until his death. This was a very sad end for one who thought it was okay to walk with only 1 foot in God's Word. And all because he heeded the invitations of his foreign wife who had nothing to do with our God all powerful creator of the Heavens and Earth. He did what he should not. when he summoned Samuel, He was rebuked.
Dabbling in dark magic is very dangerous. And It puts you on their "radar" and now you are familiar to them. Eventually they will use that interest or curiosity against you. I've said it before, demons are very patient. Some people don't suffer repercussions still down the road year two years of mine you just don't know. It's like I said just because you've left the location in one piece doesn't mean all the provocation and taunting said person did will eventually come back on them. Demons and Satan are not and never were humans. And they never can be. They fear Jesus Christ greatly because they know how everything ends and their time is near.
According to Wiki Black Magic or Dark Magic has traditionally referred to the use of supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes. With respect to the left-hand path and right-hand path dichotomy, some believe black magic is the malicious, left-hand counterpart of benevolent white magic. In modern times, some find that the definition of "black magic" has been convoluted by people who define magic or ritualistic practices that they disapprove of as "black magic". There are many different opinions on that subject. People have strong feelings about this and doing this kind of dark arts.
A Few Examples Of The Type Of Attacks:
Exaggerated emotional states: fear, anxiety, anger, panic, shame, rejection, grief that is over-extended or out of proportion, hopelessness, helplessness. Attacking Our Mind Mentally. Tormenting thoughts of suicide, self-mutilation thoughts, confusion, forgetfulness, blocked memory, self hate, feelings of worthlessness and thoughts of being unloved and thoughts that God won't ever forgive you and He doesn't love you.
Demons will always, and I mean always, horn in at the worst time in your life. Our minds are the devil's playground. And sadly it's true. But if we put our faith in God and wear the armor of God everyday the enemy will hate this left with no choice but to flee.
Written By Jennifer L Auld
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Limestone and its Paranormal Properties: a Book Review
Book Reviewed by Rev. Mark Hunnemann
My friend Timothy Yohe has written a unique and thought provoking book, “Limestone and its Paranormal Properties”. It is one of the most significant paranormal books that has been written in quite awhile.Before reading this book we had been in communication regarding a shared interest in the connection between paranormal investigators acquiring serious sickness….which is far from being a mere theoretical issue…it is intensely human and personal issue which calls for compassion.
In a word, Tim’s thesis is that limestone has the ability to do two things: it acts as the mechanism for releasing residual energy which then re-plays events from the past; and limestone also can act as sponge which stores energy which spirits can tap into to give them a ‘boost’ of energy. It needs to be stated from the outset that, whatever else we say, these are TWO DISTINCT ISSUES. It is a tribute to Tim singular ability and competence that he addresses these two issues in the mere span of 130 pages!
It is a well-written book, interspersed with wry humor, and proceeds in logical fashion. It is not easy to explain some the more esoteric theories of quantum physics in a manner that a layman like me can understand, but Tim does a marvelous job! I will not be able to explain some of Tim’s more significant arguments in detail….I will leave that to the reader to purchase the book and read for themselves.
Back in 2010 I was wrestling with the notion of residual energy/haunts but I could not find any substantive articles/books which attempted to explain the mechanism of the Stone Tape Theory. Folks just assumed it was true. Starting in 2010 I wrote 3 different blogs in an attempt to be intellectually honest by explaining what I believed to be the primary problems with the notion of residual haunts, or the Stone Tape Theory.
Then, in 2015 along comes Tim’s book. At the outset of his book he quotes from 2 authors who state, “…we know of no mechanism that could record such information in a stone or play it back….”(Theodore Schick and Lewis Vaughn) A sufficient mechanism was/is the primary challenge to the Stone Tape Theory. Early on that was my primary concern as well.
In transparency which I find rare, Tim states that he simply assumed the dynamics of the Stone Tape Theory to be true….and that Limestone was ‘food’ for ghosts, until his intellectual curiosity got the best of him. Tim is the ONLY person I know who has attempted to explain one of the most basic and widely accepted tenets of the paranormal community—the residual haunt….as well as why limestone seems to feed paranormal activity. For this I have immense respect for him.
Depending on who you talk to, the consensus of the paranormal community seems to be that at least 50% of all true paranormal activity is residual in nature—non-intelligent. Given the large (and keeps growing daily) number of haunted places, it is of immense importance that we understand the alleged mechanism behind residual haunts.
There are usually four kinds of haunts folks allude to: intelligent haunt, poltergeist, residual/non-intelligent, and demonic.
Let me briefly summarize each chapter, and offer reflections along the way. Of necessity, I will have to be selective and brief or I’ll end up writing a review as long as the book! Having written 3 blogs on this subject, each longer than this blog, I realize the limitations of adequately conveying/analyzing Tim’s arguments.
First, it is noteworthy that Tim elected to begin and end the book with his own personal experiences—the first was at McPike Mansion, and the last was an honest assessment of his own experience at home.
As he and his wife and the others in the group approached the building, they heard the giggles of deceased children in the adjoining woods. Though Tim said it seemed positive, we all know how the demonic use the guise of children to deceive. Being a student of the bible I cannot reconcile God leaving young children here after they die…and in this case, an indeterminate amount of time. At no time did Tim mention challenging the spirits in Jesus name to reveal their true identity…I humbly wish he had.
Even though God says that the ‘fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Tim elected to analyze this topic solely from a scientific perspective. I ask: is that wise…given the wide-spread deception and evil that is in the spirit realm? And in light of the fact that God created the paranormal realm?
While in the cellar, Tim and his wife (20 others) saw orbs, swirling clouds and Tim’s wife was touched on the pant leg…which was thought to be a playful child spirit. Again, this was merely mentioned as a fact, without any attempt to discern the spirits.
Fast forward to the end. Tim states that his home has always been very active. (why, my friend?) The same ‘little girl’ that his wife played with when young is now playing with their daughters. That raises a question: how did this entity follow them? What is it? Tim assumes it is a little girl, but I assume otherwise. On pg 121 he lists about a dozen paranormal phenomena which occur regularly in his home, including apparitions.
‘The energies in our house fluctuate from positive to sometimes very negative.” One of the activities is 2-3 knocks on the bathroom door while it is occupied. It has been observed that 3 knocks is often a mockery of the Trinity. And Tim acknowledges that they experience oppression at times. Why, my friend, do you not reflect more on the role of the demonic in light of your own very personal experience?
He closes by saying that limestone is present all around—much of the earth’s crust is made of it…and the whole neighborhood seems haunted. The point is that Tim is not an armchair investigator/researcher…he has experienced a lot—indeed every day at home.
So, his book is like a sandwich—two pieces of ‘experiential bread’ and the meat inside is scientific analysis and theorizing.
We all have assumptions and mine is that any paranormal activity is demonic activity. Obviously the author and I differ in this regard. I say this gently, but somebody is right and somebody is wrong.
Having said that, I have often wondered how/if demons were able to re-charge themselves. Cold spots, the frequent draining of batteries seem to suggest that MAYBE they can re-charge. The bible is not an exhaustive handbook on demonic ‘physiology’. One could argue that they are merely going along with the show to reinforce the deception of trapped spirits. Yet I cannot categorically deny that demons MAY be able to acquire additional energy via limestone, EMF pumps, etc. On the other hand, I see no evidence (biblical or anecdotal) that angels ‘re-charge their batteries.” What’s up with that since demons are fallen angels, and one would assume their spiritual physiology is similar?
I have often wondered how they can transport objects. Tim offers a possible solution….quantum entanglement. More on that later.
Ch 1—what is limestone? It is made of calcite, which makes up a significant portion of earth’s crust. Like most minerals and rocks, it is often mixed with other things. It is the softest of all the minerals.
Ch 2 The deep history of limestone…He states that among other things, limestone played a significant role in the creation of Adam and Eve. Non-inspired commentaries (Talmud and Islamic texts) on the rock encased in the Done of the Rock apparently assert that Adam was created from the rock and that he and his family offered sacrifices on it. (The Foundation Stone) has allegedly been preserved. It is allegedly 90,000,000 years old and made of limestone. My question is: how could this rock from which God allegedly created Adam have survived intact the Flood? How could it have been found after that worldwide carnage?
According to some, it must have been found because it is said that Noah offered sacrifices on it as well. (again, non-inspired sources). What is the biblical text? I take issue with his belief that limestone has played a significant role in shaping the entire history of the human race. The comments from Muslims do not reflect biblical teaching.That the place where the temple was built was possibly on limestone is incidental to the meta-narrative of the place of the temple in the flow of redemptive history. The bible does not attribute any sacredness to this rock, and neither should we. God chose the place where the temple would be built, and if it partly contained limestone, that is of no significance in the biblical view of the site. It certainly is not intrinsically more sacred than any other kind of rock.
Tim also assumes the dating of macro-evolution, which I reject. Some Jews and Muslims affirm that this rock was the place where very significant events took place (e.g. where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac, the site of the Temple, etc.) The location of the Temple was made holy by God’s presence, and there is no indication that Almighty God intentionally used a specific kind of rock to unfold the drama of redemption.
What we need to realize is that that site/rock was holy because it was in close proximity with the Holy One….He certainly didn’t choose this site because of the limestone nature of a rock….if it is connected at all with biblical events.
Ch 3—I’ll skip as he offers skeptics arguments to the paranormal….and I am no skeptic when it comes to paranormal activity!!
Ch.4—intelligent and residual haunting. Tim clarifies the difference between the two. Since the rest of the book is an attempt, in part, to explain how limestone is the mechanism for residual haunts, I’ll be brief here. Although Tim urges caution, he does affirm the use of mediums, Ouija Boards and pendulums to make contact with intelligent human spirits. Again, I gently ask my friend: what of Deuteronomy 18 and Leviticus 19,20 which forbid ALL attempts to contact the dead, and the use of mediums? These verses forbid any and all attempts to communicate with the dead, which was a common practice in the surrounding pagan nations, which they were to destroy. Why are Christians, to their detriment, disobeying this clear command? Could this be why so many investigators are experiencing sickness?
As opposed to intelligent haunts, residual haunts are thought to be non-intelligent. Due to a traumatic release of energy, this is thought to make an imprint on the surroundings. Like a cassette tape they can be recorded and played back if the circumstances are right. Paranormal, psychic, or emotional energy can be trapped in limestone for centuries. A prison in Alton, Illinois experienced horrendous inhumanity. When it was torn down, the limestone rocks were used to build different buildings…all of which are haunted. This is thought to be released residual energy and evidence of limestone’s paranormal properties. It seems that Tim is assuming the very thing he is trying to prove. It makes more sense that demonic attachment is to blame for the activity in the various locations. The grisly circumstances opened doors to the demonic.
Ch 5—explanation of EMF fields….nicely explained.
Ch. 6 It this chapter, the role of the First law of Thermodynamics is explained—energy cannot be created or destroyed. He gives an analogy: just as spirits hang around cemeteries to extract energy from the dead bodies, they also extract stored energy from limestone.
Here is the heart of the matter. First, the human body (brain, heart) has only a few volts of energy which run the system. I must interject that I see no scientific evidence that there is also psychic and emotional energy which releases at death…or in extreme circumstances. Second, there is no energy in the long dead corpses for spirits to feed on. The reason cemeteries are frequently haunted is because our spiritual enemy is drawn to human death...just as Satan disputed over the corpse of Moses. They don’t congregate there to act like spiritual vampires—at death all our energy is released and is dispersed…widely. Like spiritual vultures, they are drawn to places of human decomposition/death.
We must remember that there are THREE Laws of thermodynamics. Tim alludes to this very briefly when he speaks of diffusion but does not follow it to logical conclusion. Tim assumes that there is such a thing as psychic/emotional energy that is released at times of high stress. That we have emotions is certain, but that it is released into surrounding environment like electricity is questionable. It is not quantifiable so it is at best a theory.
But regardless, the energy released upon death (again a few volts) is immediately diffused widely until it reaches equilibrium. Imagine putting a drop of food coloring in a glass of water. Without agitation, it will diffuse equally in the glass. Similarly, our energy cannot remain clustered indefinitely. The second and third laws state that, unless acted upon by an outside source, energy will dissipate into the surrounding environment…which is in this case the entire atmosphere. Why should it make a beeline for the limestone and remain clustered there contrary to the absolute laws of thermodynamics? I spent 3 entire blogs dealing with this, so I cannot go into sufficient detail here. The savage, traumatic events which paranormal investigators believe cause residual haunts are seen by the bible as doorways to demonic infestation/oppression. You murder someone, that will attract the Evil One who lives to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10)
Strangely, limestone apparently cannot emit or store electromagnetic fields. It is the quartz in it that allegedly allows for this. Quartz is piezoelectric, meaning that when pressure is added it emits an electrical charge, and when subjected to ac current it vibrates. Tim states that quartz has some deep spiritual significance. It is said to be to heal, absorb negative energies. He quotes, “crystals are living beings, incredibly old and wise, and willing to communicate when an individual is open and ready to receive.” (pg. 73) Uumm, no. On page 79 he quotes from the poet Robinson Jeffers who reminds me of the Romantics, saying that granite can remember and displays patience. He is personifying an inanimate object. And it is pagan/New Age rituals that use crystals to heal. These rituals are a doorway to the demonic.
I will only mention how vital a consistent biblical worldview is when dealing with such wide-ranging topics. Nature with a capitol ‘N’ tends to diminish the distinction between the sovereign Creator and His creation….and is at the heart of the pagan worldview change which is ripping like a juggernaut through our culture. At the heart of the biblical worldview is the biblical God who is holy and distinct from all He has created. However, He also upholds and sustains the cosmos moment by moment.
In a short section on haunted objects he attributes the haunting to psychic energies and not demons. However, I know from experience how demons can and do attach to objects and become quite territorial. When rebuked in Jesus name the connection was broken. Tim references John Zaffis here and for all his experience, the haunted collector got it wrong regarding human energy being absorbed in objects…even allegedly for centuries.
Ch 9 Tim uses an air freshener in a car/house as an analogy of how limestone absorbs and releases psychic/emotional energies. After a while it loses its scent as it diffuses. This is likened to a site that has been infused with psychic energies but then they are ceased…slowly it goes away. My problem with the air freshener analogy is that it is in a car that is a convertible. I’m not being sarcastic. What I mean is that immediately (not slowly) the infused energy into the limestone would diffuse until it reaches equilibrium in the atmosphere. And it’s a ‘convertible’ because when the psychic trauma occurs the entire earth atmosphere is the ‘glass’ in which the food coloring disperses. Or put another way, the second law shows that the air freshener goes stale in seconds.
It is said that lightning or any electricity can cause the clustered psychic energies to release and give a veritable light and sound show…replete with apparitions, sounds, smells, etc. However, if you take a piece of limestone from a very haunted place and subject it to strong current, has anybody ever elicited a residual haunt in the lab? No, but they should be able to given Tim’s thesis.
Ch 10 For sake of time, I will only mention remanence and induction. Remanence is the magnetic induction that remains in a material after removal of the magnetizing field. And induction is the production of an electric or magnetic state by the proximity of an electrified or magnetized body. Allegedly there is some kind of ‘memory’ of the EMF activity over ages of time. It is interesting that this author asserts that one can trace the amount of EMF over a period of time. However, it is my understanding that this is a PHYSICAL recording. I think it is better to speak of a ‘record’ of past activity instead of a memory of it. Inanimate objects having a ‘memory’ implies consciousness. In my opinion, not enough time is spent explaining what is the linchpin regarding the mechanism for storing and releasing residual haunts. Whatever record of past EMF activity that may be recorded in limestone and other minerals/rocks, it is a HUGE leap to say that this explains how emotionalized events (in form of energy) can be recorded and then replayed…like a hologram on steroids. I wish Tim spent more time explaining the connection because this seems to be the heart of his book in explaining his thesis.
Whether the limestone has quartz or other energy attracting rocks/minerals in it, the energy received or produced (from pressing quartz) will be quickly released. As Tim affirms, the laws of thermodynamics are absolute and none of the arguments given in his excellent book overcome this HUGE HURDLE. Namely, that whatever traumatic events occurred, that energy must have dispersed until equilibrium was reached….leaving no clustered energy to be ‘incited’ to replay over and over. There is NOTHING left to replay…even if one could explain how this replay is actually done.
Again, it is one thing to say that some rocks MAY store the record of past EMF activity levels but this does not explain the method by which inanimate energy from a traumatic event can create a veritable movie set. While writing a few minutes ago, there were a few close, loud lightning strikes/thunder. Even the introduction of the massive amounts of electricity/energy from lighting cannot press the start button on the recorder in an alleged residual haunt area because THAT energy is long gone….new energy may have been introduced but that is a horse of a different color! And even IF it remained for long time, NOBODY HAS EXPLAINED HOW ENERGY CAN CAUSE OTHER ENERGY TO ASSUME HUMAN FORM AND WALK ACROSS A ROOM THROUGH A DOOR THAT IS NO LONGER THERE, etc.
Please hear me. It is one thing to say that a rock may store and emit alleged emotional energy….BUT it is HUGE jump to explaining how a virtual sound and light show can be put on by inanimate energy. Scientists can create holograms which are amazing, but some of the visual, auditory, and olfactory ‘re-plays’ of the residual haunts put these holograms to shame.
I must challenge my dear friend and say that: it is one thing to release energy (even emotional energy…whatever that is) but quite another to create a moving, talking apparition. I am not persuaded that Tim has provided a sufficient mechanism for such an enormous task. Taking energy from 300 years ago, which should have dispersed immediately…or at least soon, which then is prodded to coalesce into something our scientists are not close to mimicking or reproducing. Frankly the alleged unintelligent world of residual haunts has the handprint of intelligence written all over it.
Ch 13—quantum world. (I cannot adequately explain Tim’s reasoning in this chapter due to space/time)Tim hypothesizes that quantum entanglement is possibly the means by which spirits transport objects…or poltergeist activity.
I want to try to be intellectually humble and honest and express that I have no idea how angels or demons transport objects. To Tim’s credit he gives us some real meat to chew on regarding this phenomenon. You simply need to read his section on quantum entanglement. He focuses a lot on human spirits and how their ‘spirit hand’ can move things.
He asserts, “Spirit energy entangling with stored energies within rocks and objects becomes the mysterious release mechanism that Lethbridge’s Stone Tape Theory is unable to provide us.” (pg 113) Even though I have not had the space and time to elaborate on all Tim’s theories, I must beg to differ that he has sufficiently explained the comprehensive and incredibly complex activity allegedly associated with residual haunts. Our understanding of the sub-atomic realm is hampered by our limited, finite observational abilities. It is fascinating, but I don’t think that Tim has given sufficient support for the mechanism of residual haunts…which I am convinced are demonic. Demons are intelligent enough to act non-intelligent if it will support a theory they find helpful to their cause. And many folks jump way too quickly to the conclusion that a haunt is allegedly non-intelligent.
At some point I wanted to point this out: while some (or perhaps many) of the world’s most haunted sites are associated with limestone/quartz, many others are not. I gently challenge anyone to show me a haunted site which is NOT caused by demonic activity.
However, it has always been my conviction that poltergeist activity is simply demonic activity. They are much stronger and smarter than us. They also hate us. The term poltergeist has become a catch-all phrase for all things off the chart paranormally speaking. In every case in which it was thought that a human spirit, or human unconsciousness, caused the strange activity, it turned out to be demonic when I/others challenged it in Jesus's name. My dear friend from Scotland, Laura Maxwell, was visited every night for years by a deceased loved one. However, when she asserted Christ’s authority, its true demonic nature revealed itself. We are both keen on warning folks to please not judge spirit beings by their appearance or their vibes.
Perhaps you’re thinking that I have brought ‘religion’ into a scientific discussion. But in fact, Tim let it out. If God created the spirit realm (Colossians 1;16-17) then we cannot make sense of it apart from His revelation. All of God’s creation (including God’s laws woven into the cosmos) are rendered incoherent and meaningless without having the biblical God as our primary presupposition.
Nevertheless, Tim has done the paranormal community a huge labor of love in writing this book because it challenges all of us to think through some very basic issues. This is one of the most significant books on the paranormal that has come along in a quite awhile. Please read it, and come to your own conclusions.
http://www.amazon.com/Limestone-Paranormal-Properties-Comprehensive-Possibilities/dp/1517326982
Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.
In a word, Tim’s thesis is that limestone has the ability to do two things: it acts as the mechanism for releasing residual energy which then re-plays events from the past; and limestone also can act as sponge which stores energy which spirits can tap into to give them a ‘boost’ of energy. It needs to be stated from the outset that, whatever else we say, these are TWO DISTINCT ISSUES. It is a tribute to Tim singular ability and competence that he addresses these two issues in the mere span of 130 pages!
It is a well-written book, interspersed with wry humor, and proceeds in logical fashion. It is not easy to explain some the more esoteric theories of quantum physics in a manner that a layman like me can understand, but Tim does a marvelous job! I will not be able to explain some of Tim’s more significant arguments in detail….I will leave that to the reader to purchase the book and read for themselves.
Back in 2010 I was wrestling with the notion of residual energy/haunts but I could not find any substantive articles/books which attempted to explain the mechanism of the Stone Tape Theory. Folks just assumed it was true. Starting in 2010 I wrote 3 different blogs in an attempt to be intellectually honest by explaining what I believed to be the primary problems with the notion of residual haunts, or the Stone Tape Theory.
Then, in 2015 along comes Tim’s book. At the outset of his book he quotes from 2 authors who state, “…we know of no mechanism that could record such information in a stone or play it back….”(Theodore Schick and Lewis Vaughn) A sufficient mechanism was/is the primary challenge to the Stone Tape Theory. Early on that was my primary concern as well.
In transparency which I find rare, Tim states that he simply assumed the dynamics of the Stone Tape Theory to be true….and that Limestone was ‘food’ for ghosts, until his intellectual curiosity got the best of him. Tim is the ONLY person I know who has attempted to explain one of the most basic and widely accepted tenets of the paranormal community—the residual haunt….as well as why limestone seems to feed paranormal activity. For this I have immense respect for him.
Depending on who you talk to, the consensus of the paranormal community seems to be that at least 50% of all true paranormal activity is residual in nature—non-intelligent. Given the large (and keeps growing daily) number of haunted places, it is of immense importance that we understand the alleged mechanism behind residual haunts.
There are usually four kinds of haunts folks allude to: intelligent haunt, poltergeist, residual/non-intelligent, and demonic.
Let me briefly summarize each chapter, and offer reflections along the way. Of necessity, I will have to be selective and brief or I’ll end up writing a review as long as the book! Having written 3 blogs on this subject, each longer than this blog, I realize the limitations of adequately conveying/analyzing Tim’s arguments.
First, it is noteworthy that Tim elected to begin and end the book with his own personal experiences—the first was at McPike Mansion, and the last was an honest assessment of his own experience at home.
As he and his wife and the others in the group approached the building, they heard the giggles of deceased children in the adjoining woods. Though Tim said it seemed positive, we all know how the demonic use the guise of children to deceive. Being a student of the bible I cannot reconcile God leaving young children here after they die…and in this case, an indeterminate amount of time. At no time did Tim mention challenging the spirits in Jesus name to reveal their true identity…I humbly wish he had.
Even though God says that the ‘fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Tim elected to analyze this topic solely from a scientific perspective. I ask: is that wise…given the wide-spread deception and evil that is in the spirit realm? And in light of the fact that God created the paranormal realm?
While in the cellar, Tim and his wife (20 others) saw orbs, swirling clouds and Tim’s wife was touched on the pant leg…which was thought to be a playful child spirit. Again, this was merely mentioned as a fact, without any attempt to discern the spirits.
Fast forward to the end. Tim states that his home has always been very active. (why, my friend?) The same ‘little girl’ that his wife played with when young is now playing with their daughters. That raises a question: how did this entity follow them? What is it? Tim assumes it is a little girl, but I assume otherwise. On pg 121 he lists about a dozen paranormal phenomena which occur regularly in his home, including apparitions.
‘The energies in our house fluctuate from positive to sometimes very negative.” One of the activities is 2-3 knocks on the bathroom door while it is occupied. It has been observed that 3 knocks is often a mockery of the Trinity. And Tim acknowledges that they experience oppression at times. Why, my friend, do you not reflect more on the role of the demonic in light of your own very personal experience?
He closes by saying that limestone is present all around—much of the earth’s crust is made of it…and the whole neighborhood seems haunted. The point is that Tim is not an armchair investigator/researcher…he has experienced a lot—indeed every day at home.
So, his book is like a sandwich—two pieces of ‘experiential bread’ and the meat inside is scientific analysis and theorizing.
We all have assumptions and mine is that any paranormal activity is demonic activity. Obviously the author and I differ in this regard. I say this gently, but somebody is right and somebody is wrong.
Having said that, I have often wondered how/if demons were able to re-charge themselves. Cold spots, the frequent draining of batteries seem to suggest that MAYBE they can re-charge. The bible is not an exhaustive handbook on demonic ‘physiology’. One could argue that they are merely going along with the show to reinforce the deception of trapped spirits. Yet I cannot categorically deny that demons MAY be able to acquire additional energy via limestone, EMF pumps, etc. On the other hand, I see no evidence (biblical or anecdotal) that angels ‘re-charge their batteries.” What’s up with that since demons are fallen angels, and one would assume their spiritual physiology is similar?
I have often wondered how they can transport objects. Tim offers a possible solution….quantum entanglement. More on that later.
Ch 1—what is limestone? It is made of calcite, which makes up a significant portion of earth’s crust. Like most minerals and rocks, it is often mixed with other things. It is the softest of all the minerals.
Ch 2 The deep history of limestone…He states that among other things, limestone played a significant role in the creation of Adam and Eve. Non-inspired commentaries (Talmud and Islamic texts) on the rock encased in the Done of the Rock apparently assert that Adam was created from the rock and that he and his family offered sacrifices on it. (The Foundation Stone) has allegedly been preserved. It is allegedly 90,000,000 years old and made of limestone. My question is: how could this rock from which God allegedly created Adam have survived intact the Flood? How could it have been found after that worldwide carnage?
According to some, it must have been found because it is said that Noah offered sacrifices on it as well. (again, non-inspired sources). What is the biblical text? I take issue with his belief that limestone has played a significant role in shaping the entire history of the human race. The comments from Muslims do not reflect biblical teaching.That the place where the temple was built was possibly on limestone is incidental to the meta-narrative of the place of the temple in the flow of redemptive history. The bible does not attribute any sacredness to this rock, and neither should we. God chose the place where the temple would be built, and if it partly contained limestone, that is of no significance in the biblical view of the site. It certainly is not intrinsically more sacred than any other kind of rock.
Tim also assumes the dating of macro-evolution, which I reject. Some Jews and Muslims affirm that this rock was the place where very significant events took place (e.g. where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac, the site of the Temple, etc.) The location of the Temple was made holy by God’s presence, and there is no indication that Almighty God intentionally used a specific kind of rock to unfold the drama of redemption.
What we need to realize is that that site/rock was holy because it was in close proximity with the Holy One….He certainly didn’t choose this site because of the limestone nature of a rock….if it is connected at all with biblical events.
Ch 3—I’ll skip as he offers skeptics arguments to the paranormal….and I am no skeptic when it comes to paranormal activity!!
Ch.4—intelligent and residual haunting. Tim clarifies the difference between the two. Since the rest of the book is an attempt, in part, to explain how limestone is the mechanism for residual haunts, I’ll be brief here. Although Tim urges caution, he does affirm the use of mediums, Ouija Boards and pendulums to make contact with intelligent human spirits. Again, I gently ask my friend: what of Deuteronomy 18 and Leviticus 19,20 which forbid ALL attempts to contact the dead, and the use of mediums? These verses forbid any and all attempts to communicate with the dead, which was a common practice in the surrounding pagan nations, which they were to destroy. Why are Christians, to their detriment, disobeying this clear command? Could this be why so many investigators are experiencing sickness?
As opposed to intelligent haunts, residual haunts are thought to be non-intelligent. Due to a traumatic release of energy, this is thought to make an imprint on the surroundings. Like a cassette tape they can be recorded and played back if the circumstances are right. Paranormal, psychic, or emotional energy can be trapped in limestone for centuries. A prison in Alton, Illinois experienced horrendous inhumanity. When it was torn down, the limestone rocks were used to build different buildings…all of which are haunted. This is thought to be released residual energy and evidence of limestone’s paranormal properties. It seems that Tim is assuming the very thing he is trying to prove. It makes more sense that demonic attachment is to blame for the activity in the various locations. The grisly circumstances opened doors to the demonic.
Ch 5—explanation of EMF fields….nicely explained.
Ch. 6 It this chapter, the role of the First law of Thermodynamics is explained—energy cannot be created or destroyed. He gives an analogy: just as spirits hang around cemeteries to extract energy from the dead bodies, they also extract stored energy from limestone.
Here is the heart of the matter. First, the human body (brain, heart) has only a few volts of energy which run the system. I must interject that I see no scientific evidence that there is also psychic and emotional energy which releases at death…or in extreme circumstances. Second, there is no energy in the long dead corpses for spirits to feed on. The reason cemeteries are frequently haunted is because our spiritual enemy is drawn to human death...just as Satan disputed over the corpse of Moses. They don’t congregate there to act like spiritual vampires—at death all our energy is released and is dispersed…widely. Like spiritual vultures, they are drawn to places of human decomposition/death.
We must remember that there are THREE Laws of thermodynamics. Tim alludes to this very briefly when he speaks of diffusion but does not follow it to logical conclusion. Tim assumes that there is such a thing as psychic/emotional energy that is released at times of high stress. That we have emotions is certain, but that it is released into surrounding environment like electricity is questionable. It is not quantifiable so it is at best a theory.
But regardless, the energy released upon death (again a few volts) is immediately diffused widely until it reaches equilibrium. Imagine putting a drop of food coloring in a glass of water. Without agitation, it will diffuse equally in the glass. Similarly, our energy cannot remain clustered indefinitely. The second and third laws state that, unless acted upon by an outside source, energy will dissipate into the surrounding environment…which is in this case the entire atmosphere. Why should it make a beeline for the limestone and remain clustered there contrary to the absolute laws of thermodynamics? I spent 3 entire blogs dealing with this, so I cannot go into sufficient detail here. The savage, traumatic events which paranormal investigators believe cause residual haunts are seen by the bible as doorways to demonic infestation/oppression. You murder someone, that will attract the Evil One who lives to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10)
Strangely, limestone apparently cannot emit or store electromagnetic fields. It is the quartz in it that allegedly allows for this. Quartz is piezoelectric, meaning that when pressure is added it emits an electrical charge, and when subjected to ac current it vibrates. Tim states that quartz has some deep spiritual significance. It is said to be to heal, absorb negative energies. He quotes, “crystals are living beings, incredibly old and wise, and willing to communicate when an individual is open and ready to receive.” (pg. 73) Uumm, no. On page 79 he quotes from the poet Robinson Jeffers who reminds me of the Romantics, saying that granite can remember and displays patience. He is personifying an inanimate object. And it is pagan/New Age rituals that use crystals to heal. These rituals are a doorway to the demonic.
I will only mention how vital a consistent biblical worldview is when dealing with such wide-ranging topics. Nature with a capitol ‘N’ tends to diminish the distinction between the sovereign Creator and His creation….and is at the heart of the pagan worldview change which is ripping like a juggernaut through our culture. At the heart of the biblical worldview is the biblical God who is holy and distinct from all He has created. However, He also upholds and sustains the cosmos moment by moment.
In a short section on haunted objects he attributes the haunting to psychic energies and not demons. However, I know from experience how demons can and do attach to objects and become quite territorial. When rebuked in Jesus name the connection was broken. Tim references John Zaffis here and for all his experience, the haunted collector got it wrong regarding human energy being absorbed in objects…even allegedly for centuries.
Ch 9 Tim uses an air freshener in a car/house as an analogy of how limestone absorbs and releases psychic/emotional energies. After a while it loses its scent as it diffuses. This is likened to a site that has been infused with psychic energies but then they are ceased…slowly it goes away. My problem with the air freshener analogy is that it is in a car that is a convertible. I’m not being sarcastic. What I mean is that immediately (not slowly) the infused energy into the limestone would diffuse until it reaches equilibrium in the atmosphere. And it’s a ‘convertible’ because when the psychic trauma occurs the entire earth atmosphere is the ‘glass’ in which the food coloring disperses. Or put another way, the second law shows that the air freshener goes stale in seconds.
It is said that lightning or any electricity can cause the clustered psychic energies to release and give a veritable light and sound show…replete with apparitions, sounds, smells, etc. However, if you take a piece of limestone from a very haunted place and subject it to strong current, has anybody ever elicited a residual haunt in the lab? No, but they should be able to given Tim’s thesis.
Ch 10 For sake of time, I will only mention remanence and induction. Remanence is the magnetic induction that remains in a material after removal of the magnetizing field. And induction is the production of an electric or magnetic state by the proximity of an electrified or magnetized body. Allegedly there is some kind of ‘memory’ of the EMF activity over ages of time. It is interesting that this author asserts that one can trace the amount of EMF over a period of time. However, it is my understanding that this is a PHYSICAL recording. I think it is better to speak of a ‘record’ of past activity instead of a memory of it. Inanimate objects having a ‘memory’ implies consciousness. In my opinion, not enough time is spent explaining what is the linchpin regarding the mechanism for storing and releasing residual haunts. Whatever record of past EMF activity that may be recorded in limestone and other minerals/rocks, it is a HUGE leap to say that this explains how emotionalized events (in form of energy) can be recorded and then replayed…like a hologram on steroids. I wish Tim spent more time explaining the connection because this seems to be the heart of his book in explaining his thesis.
Whether the limestone has quartz or other energy attracting rocks/minerals in it, the energy received or produced (from pressing quartz) will be quickly released. As Tim affirms, the laws of thermodynamics are absolute and none of the arguments given in his excellent book overcome this HUGE HURDLE. Namely, that whatever traumatic events occurred, that energy must have dispersed until equilibrium was reached….leaving no clustered energy to be ‘incited’ to replay over and over. There is NOTHING left to replay…even if one could explain how this replay is actually done.
Again, it is one thing to say that some rocks MAY store the record of past EMF activity levels but this does not explain the method by which inanimate energy from a traumatic event can create a veritable movie set. While writing a few minutes ago, there were a few close, loud lightning strikes/thunder. Even the introduction of the massive amounts of electricity/energy from lighting cannot press the start button on the recorder in an alleged residual haunt area because THAT energy is long gone….new energy may have been introduced but that is a horse of a different color! And even IF it remained for long time, NOBODY HAS EXPLAINED HOW ENERGY CAN CAUSE OTHER ENERGY TO ASSUME HUMAN FORM AND WALK ACROSS A ROOM THROUGH A DOOR THAT IS NO LONGER THERE, etc.
Please hear me. It is one thing to say that a rock may store and emit alleged emotional energy….BUT it is HUGE jump to explaining how a virtual sound and light show can be put on by inanimate energy. Scientists can create holograms which are amazing, but some of the visual, auditory, and olfactory ‘re-plays’ of the residual haunts put these holograms to shame.
I must challenge my dear friend and say that: it is one thing to release energy (even emotional energy…whatever that is) but quite another to create a moving, talking apparition. I am not persuaded that Tim has provided a sufficient mechanism for such an enormous task. Taking energy from 300 years ago, which should have dispersed immediately…or at least soon, which then is prodded to coalesce into something our scientists are not close to mimicking or reproducing. Frankly the alleged unintelligent world of residual haunts has the handprint of intelligence written all over it.
Ch 13—quantum world. (I cannot adequately explain Tim’s reasoning in this chapter due to space/time)Tim hypothesizes that quantum entanglement is possibly the means by which spirits transport objects…or poltergeist activity.
I want to try to be intellectually humble and honest and express that I have no idea how angels or demons transport objects. To Tim’s credit he gives us some real meat to chew on regarding this phenomenon. You simply need to read his section on quantum entanglement. He focuses a lot on human spirits and how their ‘spirit hand’ can move things.
He asserts, “Spirit energy entangling with stored energies within rocks and objects becomes the mysterious release mechanism that Lethbridge’s Stone Tape Theory is unable to provide us.” (pg 113) Even though I have not had the space and time to elaborate on all Tim’s theories, I must beg to differ that he has sufficiently explained the comprehensive and incredibly complex activity allegedly associated with residual haunts. Our understanding of the sub-atomic realm is hampered by our limited, finite observational abilities. It is fascinating, but I don’t think that Tim has given sufficient support for the mechanism of residual haunts…which I am convinced are demonic. Demons are intelligent enough to act non-intelligent if it will support a theory they find helpful to their cause. And many folks jump way too quickly to the conclusion that a haunt is allegedly non-intelligent.
At some point I wanted to point this out: while some (or perhaps many) of the world’s most haunted sites are associated with limestone/quartz, many others are not. I gently challenge anyone to show me a haunted site which is NOT caused by demonic activity.
However, it has always been my conviction that poltergeist activity is simply demonic activity. They are much stronger and smarter than us. They also hate us. The term poltergeist has become a catch-all phrase for all things off the chart paranormally speaking. In every case in which it was thought that a human spirit, or human unconsciousness, caused the strange activity, it turned out to be demonic when I/others challenged it in Jesus's name. My dear friend from Scotland, Laura Maxwell, was visited every night for years by a deceased loved one. However, when she asserted Christ’s authority, its true demonic nature revealed itself. We are both keen on warning folks to please not judge spirit beings by their appearance or their vibes.
Perhaps you’re thinking that I have brought ‘religion’ into a scientific discussion. But in fact, Tim let it out. If God created the spirit realm (Colossians 1;16-17) then we cannot make sense of it apart from His revelation. All of God’s creation (including God’s laws woven into the cosmos) are rendered incoherent and meaningless without having the biblical God as our primary presupposition.
Nevertheless, Tim has done the paranormal community a huge labor of love in writing this book because it challenges all of us to think through some very basic issues. This is one of the most significant books on the paranormal that has come along in a quite awhile. Please read it, and come to your own conclusions.
http://www.amazon.com/Limestone-Paranormal-Properties-Comprehensive-Possibilities/dp/1517326982
Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.
Monday, May 30, 2016
The Dalai Lama Teaches ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in Osaka, Part 3
Continued from:
The Dalai Lama Teaches ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in Osaka, Part 1
The Dalai Lama Teaches ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in Osaka, Part 2
Osaka, Japan, 12 May 2016 - After several days of cloud and rain, Osaka awoke today to bright sunlight streaming through the windows and bright blue skies overhead. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked through the hotel to the Osaka International Conference Center the light caught the fresh leaves on the trees around the buildings.
“Today I want to tell you about the Stages of the Path tradition,” he began once he had sat down. “In the 8th century Shantarakshita came to Tibet at the invitation of the Emperor Trisong Detsen. He was a leading scholar of Nalanda University in his day and established the pure Nalanda tradition in Tibet. Following the reign of Tri Ralpachan, Tibet became politically fragmented.
“In the west of the country, Ngari, was the Kingdom of Guge with its capital at Thöling. The king wanted to invite Buddhist teachers from India to restore the traditions set up by Shantarakshita and Guru Padmasambhava that had fallen into decline. A local translator, Rinchen Zangpo had already been active in the region when the king prevailed upon Dipamkara Atisha to come from the University of Vikramashila to Tibet.”
His Holiness explained that the king requested Atisha to compose a teaching that would be specifically suitable for Tibetans and in response he wrote the ‘Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment’. What distinguished this text from other Indian treatises was that it laid out the entire path to enlightenment in terms of an individual’s spiritual practice - the stages of the path. He described these stages in relation to practitioners of three capacities. Those of least capacity aimed to achieve higher rebirth. Those of middle capacity sought liberation from the sufferings of the cycle of existence and those of great capacity aspired to cultivate compassion and the awakening mind, intent on achieving enlightenment.
The stages of the path became a model for subsequent Tibetan authors. The Nyingma master Longchenpa followed it in his ‘Mind at Ease’; the Kagyu Dagpo Lharje did so in his ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’, which begins with an explanation of Buddha nature. Sakya masters followed the pattern in their ‘Paths and Fruit’ texts. And eventually the founder of the Renewed Kadampa tradition, Je Tsongkhapa commented and elaborated on the ‘Lamp for the Path’ in his several Stages of the Path texts. He also made reference to the Six Kadampa texts, of which the ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ was one.
His Holiness explained that according to the ‘Ornament for Clear Realization’ it is on the basis of understanding the Two Truths and the Four Noble Truths that people go for refuge to the Three Jewels. He remarked that when they understand the possibility of liberation and what it is they will be inspired. This is much more effective that frightening them with the prospect of hell if they do not follow instructions. He observed that the Buddha taught in a way people could be comfortable with, adding that it is Buddhism’s strong background in reasoning and philosophy that equips it to engage in conversation with science.
Turning to the ‘Guide’ His Holiness began to read chapter eight which deals with patience and opens with this straightforward advice:
He highlighted the need for confidence in achieving what you want to do and mentioned how in relation to the disturbing emotions it needs to be combined with vigilance and alertness. If you allow the disturbing emotions to arise before you take action it will be too late; you have to apprehend and deal with them before they erupt.
Moving on to the chapter on meditation he explained that the main topic was developing a single pointed mind, a practice also maintained by other non-Buddhist Indian traditions. He said ‘shamatha’ is about stability, but not necessarily about keeping physically still with a mind emptied of conceptual thought. The text discusses how to develop a calmly abiding mind, how to choose an object to focus the mind on and how this can be disrupted by either laxity or excitement. His Holiness advised that Buddhists often choose an image of the Buddha as an object on which to focus, but that some traditions take the mere clarity and awareness of the mind as their object.
He clarified that where Shantideva advises how to counter the distraction of desire and lust for women, he was addressing monks. What he says applies equally to women with regard to men.
Shantideva’s distinctive explanation of exchanging self and others begins with the reflection:
And continues:
His Holiness remarked that exchanging self for others is referred to as a secret because of association with the practice of tantra which is secret, but also because it is not something everyone can do. The practice is summarized by the following verse:
After returning from lunch, His Holiness advised that when it comes to instructions about meditation he recommends a book called ‘Stages of Meditation’ composed in Tibet by the Indian master, and disciple of Shantarakshita, Kamalashila.
Embarking on chapter nine of the ‘Guide’ dealing with wisdom he remarked:
The chapter contrasts the views of different Buddhist schools of thought particularly Mind Only with the Middle Way to ascertain the Two Truths. It goes on to explore first the selflessness of persons and then the selflessness of phenomena. It concludes:
As the afternoon came to an end, His Holiness noted that he had not read every verse of the text, but had tried to communicate the spirit and meaning of Shantideva’s work.
“Keep it with you and, when you can, read it. Think about what we’ve talked about. It’s not like a story; read it and think about it. If you do that your understanding will grow and your disturbing emotions will begin to decline.
“Tomorrow I’ll be giving first the layperson’s vows, which Atisha said make a good basis, followed by the Bodhisattva vow and Manjushri permission. We will recite the ‘Heart Sutra’. Because we’re in Japan we’ll recite it first in Japanese and after that in Mandarin. Those of you who speak Russian, Mongolian, Korean, Tibetan or English can recite it to yourselves in your own language.”
Once again the audience of 2700 clapped with friendly enthusiasm as His Holiness left the hall.
original link & photos: http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1394-third-day-of-guide-to-the-bodhisattvas-way-of-life-in-osaka
The Dalai Lama Teaches ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in Osaka, Part 1
The Dalai Lama Teaches ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in Osaka, Part 2
“Today I want to tell you about the Stages of the Path tradition,” he began once he had sat down. “In the 8th century Shantarakshita came to Tibet at the invitation of the Emperor Trisong Detsen. He was a leading scholar of Nalanda University in his day and established the pure Nalanda tradition in Tibet. Following the reign of Tri Ralpachan, Tibet became politically fragmented.
“In the west of the country, Ngari, was the Kingdom of Guge with its capital at Thöling. The king wanted to invite Buddhist teachers from India to restore the traditions set up by Shantarakshita and Guru Padmasambhava that had fallen into decline. A local translator, Rinchen Zangpo had already been active in the region when the king prevailed upon Dipamkara Atisha to come from the University of Vikramashila to Tibet.”
His Holiness explained that the king requested Atisha to compose a teaching that would be specifically suitable for Tibetans and in response he wrote the ‘Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment’. What distinguished this text from other Indian treatises was that it laid out the entire path to enlightenment in terms of an individual’s spiritual practice - the stages of the path. He described these stages in relation to practitioners of three capacities. Those of least capacity aimed to achieve higher rebirth. Those of middle capacity sought liberation from the sufferings of the cycle of existence and those of great capacity aspired to cultivate compassion and the awakening mind, intent on achieving enlightenment.
The stages of the path became a model for subsequent Tibetan authors. The Nyingma master Longchenpa followed it in his ‘Mind at Ease’; the Kagyu Dagpo Lharje did so in his ‘Jewel Ornament of Liberation’, which begins with an explanation of Buddha nature. Sakya masters followed the pattern in their ‘Paths and Fruit’ texts. And eventually the founder of the Renewed Kadampa tradition, Je Tsongkhapa commented and elaborated on the ‘Lamp for the Path’ in his several Stages of the Path texts. He also made reference to the Six Kadampa texts, of which the ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ was one.
His Holiness explained that according to the ‘Ornament for Clear Realization’ it is on the basis of understanding the Two Truths and the Four Noble Truths that people go for refuge to the Three Jewels. He remarked that when they understand the possibility of liberation and what it is they will be inspired. This is much more effective that frightening them with the prospect of hell if they do not follow instructions. He observed that the Buddha taught in a way people could be comfortable with, adding that it is Buddhism’s strong background in reasoning and philosophy that equips it to engage in conversation with science.
Turning to the ‘Guide’ His Holiness began to read chapter eight which deals with patience and opens with this straightforward advice:
Having patience I should develop enthusiasm;
For awakening will dwell only in those who exert themselves.
He highlighted the need for confidence in achieving what you want to do and mentioned how in relation to the disturbing emotions it needs to be combined with vigilance and alertness. If you allow the disturbing emotions to arise before you take action it will be too late; you have to apprehend and deal with them before they erupt.
Moving on to the chapter on meditation he explained that the main topic was developing a single pointed mind, a practice also maintained by other non-Buddhist Indian traditions. He said ‘shamatha’ is about stability, but not necessarily about keeping physically still with a mind emptied of conceptual thought. The text discusses how to develop a calmly abiding mind, how to choose an object to focus the mind on and how this can be disrupted by either laxity or excitement. His Holiness advised that Buddhists often choose an image of the Buddha as an object on which to focus, but that some traditions take the mere clarity and awareness of the mind as their object.
He clarified that where Shantideva advises how to counter the distraction of desire and lust for women, he was addressing monks. What he says applies equally to women with regard to men.
Shantideva’s distinctive explanation of exchanging self and others begins with the reflection:
First of all I should make an effort
To meditate upon the equality between self and others:
I should protect all beings as I do myself
Because we are all equal in (wanting) pleasure and (not wanting) pain.
And continues:
Whoever wishes to quickly afford protection
To both himself and other beings
Should practise that holy secret:
The exchanging of self for others.
His Holiness remarked that exchanging self for others is referred to as a secret because of association with the practice of tantra which is secret, but also because it is not something everyone can do. The practice is summarized by the following verse:
Whatever joy there is in this world
All comes from desiring others to be happy,
And whatever suffering there is in this world
All comes from desiring myself to be happy.
After returning from lunch, His Holiness advised that when it comes to instructions about meditation he recommends a book called ‘Stages of Meditation’ composed in Tibet by the Indian master, and disciple of Shantarakshita, Kamalashila.
Embarking on chapter nine of the ‘Guide’ dealing with wisdom he remarked:
Buddhas do not wash unwholesome deeds away with water,
Nor do they remove the sufferings of beings with their hands,
Neither do they transplant their own realization into others.
Teaching the truth of suchness they liberate (beings).
The chapter contrasts the views of different Buddhist schools of thought particularly Mind Only with the Middle Way to ascertain the Two Truths. It goes on to explore first the selflessness of persons and then the selflessness of phenomena. It concludes:
Therefore this life swiftly passes with no meaning
And it is very hard to find the chance to investigate reality.
In this state, where is there the means to reverse
This beginningless habit of grasping at true existence?
It will be hard to find the leisure (of a human life) again,
And extremely difficult to find the presence of the Buddhas.
It is hard to forsake this flood of disturbing conceptions.
Alas, sentient beings will continue to suffer!
And by having, in the manner of not referring (to true existence),
Respectfully gathered the accumulation of merit,
When, by referring to others, will I be able to reveal emptiness
To those who are wretched and sad?
“Keep it with you and, when you can, read it. Think about what we’ve talked about. It’s not like a story; read it and think about it. If you do that your understanding will grow and your disturbing emotions will begin to decline.
“Tomorrow I’ll be giving first the layperson’s vows, which Atisha said make a good basis, followed by the Bodhisattva vow and Manjushri permission. We will recite the ‘Heart Sutra’. Because we’re in Japan we’ll recite it first in Japanese and after that in Mandarin. Those of you who speak Russian, Mongolian, Korean, Tibetan or English can recite it to yourselves in your own language.”
Once again the audience of 2700 clapped with friendly enthusiasm as His Holiness left the hall.
original link & photos: http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1394-third-day-of-guide-to-the-bodhisattvas-way-of-life-in-osaka
Sunday, May 29, 2016
The Biblical Truth of Depression -- It Will Shock You!
There are numerous biblical references to depression, one of the human race's most common and distressing afflictions. It is likely that the first humans to experience depression were Adam and Eve, after they sinned against God. Examples of people in the Bible who suffered bouts of depression are:
Abraham (Genesis 15)
Jonah (Jonah 4)
Job (Book of Job)
Elijah (1 Kings 19)
King Saul (I Samuel 16:14-23, etc.)
Jeremiah (Book of Jeremiah)
King David (Psalms 6, 13, 18, 23, 25, 27, 31, 32, 34, 37-40, 42-43, 46, 51, 55, 62-63, 69, 71, 73, 77, 84, 86, 90-91, 94-95, 103-104, 107, 110, 116, 118, 121, 123-124, 130, 138, 139, 141-143, 146-147)
The Bible Teaches That Sorrow Is A Natural Cure For Depression!
That's right, you read that correctly! We learn in Ecclesiastes 7:3 that being sad is a natural part of human life, which makes the “HEART BETTER.” A “countenance” is a person's face. Grieving is a natural part of the human healing process. When you are sad and down emotionally, it is ok and don't ever allow anyone to convince you that something is wrong with you. Ecclesiastes 7:3, “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better”.
The Bible Commands Every Believer To Be Depressed!
That's right you read that correctly! In fact, God commands every believer in the Bible to “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:9-10). The Bible teaches us HUMBLE YOURSELF IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD through humility, mourning and afflicting yourself (realize one's misery), and then He lifts you up.
Whereas God commands us as Christian believers to weep, afflict ourselves and have a heavy heart; the wicked world tells us the exact opposite. The world tells us that we're supposed to be happy, confident and cheerful all the time or else there's something wrong with us. The world is insane and wrong!
The Bible plainly teaches that if you're not depressed, you're not right with God! The word “afflicted” in James 4:9 is the Greek word talaipōreō and means “to be wretched, that is, realize one’s own misery.” The dictionary defines “wretched” as “very unhappy, full of misery!” There is a huge difference between Godly depression verses unhealthy depression.
Unhealthy depression is when we condemn ourselves over past sins which have already been confessed and forsaken (Hebrews 10:22). Satan tries to discourage believers by continually accusing them day-and-night the Bible says before the throne of God (Revelation 12:10). The Devil's crowd behave just like their father the Devil. We must realize as King David that God is the ONLY one that we have to answer to see Psalms 51:4
Any believer can have peace and complete joy in the Lord Jesus Christ, if we realize the scriptural truth that God is the only one that we will ever have to give account to in eternity. It doesn't matter what anyone else has to say. The Bible strictly warns all mankind against condemning anyone else, because WE ARE ALL SINNERS (Romans 2:1, James 5:9). So we are Biblically commanded to realize our own wretchedness, which is what the song AMAZING GRACE is all about.
Godly depression is continually realizing that I am a sinner by birth and nature, and saying along with the Apostle Paul, “O wretched man that I am… (see Romans 7:24-25). Godly affliction is thinking about the awful sinful condition of our society, and praying about it, for God to deliver me from evil (Luke 11:4), and praying for my brethren in the Lord (2nd Corinthians 13:7).
Notice that Christ Jesus didn't say “deliver us from sin” in His example of how to pray; but rather, “deliver us from EVIL.” Evil is planned sin. No Christian can live above committing sin, but Christians can all abstain from committing evil (premeditated sin). We are commanded to ask God to deliver us from evil, that is, deliberate sinning. 2nd Thes. 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”
I'm not making this stuff up, the Bible teaches that God wants us depressed, that is, (as defined in the dictionary), “to lower someone's spirits; make downhearted.” Why in the world would God want us to be depressed? Once again go read Ecc. 7:3.
We grow from pain in our soul, if we trust upon the Lord God Almighty and don't commit suicide or turn to sin to cope which becomes demonic. It is often stated that adversity makes men, but prosperity destroys them. UNSHAKABLE FAITH COMES FROM HAVING YOUR FAITH SHAKEN!!!
This doesn't mean that Christians should walk around looking miserable. It simply means that we should continually HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST IN US, which Philippians 2:4-5 instructs and teaches, thinking upon the needs, burdens and things of others instead of ourselves.
Every Christian ought to be sorrowful concerning the gross wickedness of this evil generation. I am saddened daily over abortion, same-sex marriage, public nudity, “sin cities” Las Vegas and New Orleans, drug abuse, blatant government crimes, counterfeit Bibles, lukewarm Christians who support evil, etc., etc., etc.
God have mercy on this spiritually sick generation of fun-seekers! God have pity on this shallow, spineless, TV generation. Unless something is “FUN,” people won't get involved and have no interest, and this especially includes spiritual areas. This is today's lukewarm church scene (U.S.A.) —using Rock 'N' Roll, worldliness, things that are “FUN” to sell a product that supposedly will reignite a dead church and draw everyone to God! Yeah, right! God never intended for church to be “FUN” or entertaining. If your entertainment is God, then God must become entertaining to be worshiped.
Psalms:126:5- 6: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
John:11:35: Jesus wept.
Lastly people - There Is No Such Thing As A “Chemical Imbalance”
This is one of the biggest frauds in our country and society. Doctors commonly diagnose patients with a Chemical Imbalance. There is NO SUCH THING. It is not a scientific diagnosis. There is no test to determine chemical imbalance. There is no way to test or know for certain if someone has a chemical imbalance in their brain. This is why doctors call it a syndrome or disorder. There is a global view that moves from one generation to the next. Each new school of thought is replaced with the next popular trend. Go LEARN IT!
Therefore, when this period of depression goes longer than it should, we need to then understand it has now become a demonic problem which must be addressed properly with God.
Rev. Bradley Luoma
Fear & Torment Are NOT from God
As I've pointed out in many blogs that our mind is the devils playground. It's his major tool and weapon to utilize as a way to torment us. Even so far as to cause people to commit suicide. One of the biggest door openers to attract demonic spirits is the spirit of fear. This spirit can take on many forms, but its intentions are clear, no matter what kind of spirit of fear it may be, It intends to keep you from living a joyful, peaceful, spirit filled life where you give to others. It will keep you awake with nightmares. It will keep you in bondage unable to overcome past emotional and physical wounds. For example, the fear of throwing something away, it could be anything from collectibles, clothes or simply trash. These people have been labeled “hoarders”. You have to understand for them tossing away even trash is deeply traumatic and overwhelmingly scary for them. I feel this often comes from a major trauma, most often the loss of a loved one, but it could be any trauma that can bring this particular spirit of fear into a persons life.
Satan is the master of the mind and that's the first thing he and his demons attack, you're mind. They can manipulate thinking patterns by taking something minor put it in your head creating a Sandcastle out of a piece of sand. Fear is not of God. Many people who have an unhealthy fears need to know this. Don't let the enemy rob you of happiness and peace. No one has to be perfect and without sin in order to love Jesus Christ and follow his teachings. I'd be a liar if I even began to say I sin very little or I'm sin free. There's nothing in the bible that stipulates a sinner can't love and choose to worship God and move past mistakes and repent then move forward. That doesn't make someone a fraud. If one says otherwise, Christ died on the Cross Of Calvary for nothing then. Easter is all for nothing. I do feel people in leadership need to really pay more attention to their actions but no one is without sin or never makes mistakes or poor choices in life. Don't let this lie make you feel God won't love you or you are not allowed to worship and love him.
One way Satan gains control of the mind is when we place our trust in what many Christians mistakenly call the Holy Spirit. What I mean is "God told me to do this. . ." However, what God told them to do is completely contrary to God’s word. Jesus said in John 8:47 "He who is of God hears the words of God." God never, ever, ever leads us contrary to the Word of God. So when we receive anything we think is the Holy Spirit, the first question we must ask is "Does God’s word agree with what I believe is the Holy Spirit speaking to me?" Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder for Satan transforms himself into an angel of light."
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you. I believe God works gently with us to bring us out of bondage and into liberty. If you've been afraid of something and desire to be free, the time will eventually come when you'll have to face your fear and not run away from it. Just take Jesus' hand, acknowledge that He is with you, and do it. If you're afraid of people with authority, the time will come when you'll have to confront an authority figure and not cower in fear. God will have arranged the time. He'll be there, but you'll have to choose whether to go through or run away.
I found the following paragraph of information I obtained at deeptruths.com
Fear is today's No.1 killer! Believe it or not, fear causes more sickness and more mental illness and more premature deaths than anything else on Earth! Doctors have discovered that heart muscle is actually DESTROYED when people are subject to great fear. Dr. Marilyn Cebelin, writing in the General Practitioner's newspaper, "Pulse," says the hormone, adrenalin, literally DESTROYS heart muscles when people are subjected to intense stress and fear. Canadian medical circles also report that WORRY increases chances of infectious disease, in that it weakens the body's ability to fight off germs. A recent study of cases of streptococcal infection, according to Dr. Robert Haggerty, revealed that one out of four cases of such infections occurred after prolonged trauma and anxiety. Heart trouble, high blood pressure, arthritis and stomach ulcers are all basically caused by worry, tension, stress and fear!
If you're at one of these crossroads in your life, let me encourage you to go forward. Don't stand still in terror, but take His hand and go forward. Remember, fear torments and God wants to deliver you from all of your fears. Perfect love casts out fear. Remember this my friends. God does not being you torment, only the enemy.
1 John 4:1-3 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
If you feel the Devil is attacking you with fears, worries, anxiety etc., you can pray in the Name of Jesus and resist and overcome him!--Jesus said, "Behold, I give you power over all the power of the Enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."-Luke 10:19. This power is YOURS if you believe His Word, claim His promises and pray in the Name of Jesus! In fact, if you are filled with faith and His Holy Spirit, you have the authority to resist the Devil directly, just like Jesus and His early disciples did.
Written By Jennifer L Auld
Satan is the master of the mind and that's the first thing he and his demons attack, you're mind. They can manipulate thinking patterns by taking something minor put it in your head creating a Sandcastle out of a piece of sand. Fear is not of God. Many people who have an unhealthy fears need to know this. Don't let the enemy rob you of happiness and peace. No one has to be perfect and without sin in order to love Jesus Christ and follow his teachings. I'd be a liar if I even began to say I sin very little or I'm sin free. There's nothing in the bible that stipulates a sinner can't love and choose to worship God and move past mistakes and repent then move forward. That doesn't make someone a fraud. If one says otherwise, Christ died on the Cross Of Calvary for nothing then. Easter is all for nothing. I do feel people in leadership need to really pay more attention to their actions but no one is without sin or never makes mistakes or poor choices in life. Don't let this lie make you feel God won't love you or you are not allowed to worship and love him.
One way Satan gains control of the mind is when we place our trust in what many Christians mistakenly call the Holy Spirit. What I mean is "God told me to do this. . ." However, what God told them to do is completely contrary to God’s word. Jesus said in John 8:47 "He who is of God hears the words of God." God never, ever, ever leads us contrary to the Word of God. So when we receive anything we think is the Holy Spirit, the first question we must ask is "Does God’s word agree with what I believe is the Holy Spirit speaking to me?" Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no wonder for Satan transforms himself into an angel of light."
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you. I believe God works gently with us to bring us out of bondage and into liberty. If you've been afraid of something and desire to be free, the time will eventually come when you'll have to face your fear and not run away from it. Just take Jesus' hand, acknowledge that He is with you, and do it. If you're afraid of people with authority, the time will come when you'll have to confront an authority figure and not cower in fear. God will have arranged the time. He'll be there, but you'll have to choose whether to go through or run away.
I found the following paragraph of information I obtained at deeptruths.com
Fear is today's No.1 killer! Believe it or not, fear causes more sickness and more mental illness and more premature deaths than anything else on Earth! Doctors have discovered that heart muscle is actually DESTROYED when people are subject to great fear. Dr. Marilyn Cebelin, writing in the General Practitioner's newspaper, "Pulse," says the hormone, adrenalin, literally DESTROYS heart muscles when people are subjected to intense stress and fear. Canadian medical circles also report that WORRY increases chances of infectious disease, in that it weakens the body's ability to fight off germs. A recent study of cases of streptococcal infection, according to Dr. Robert Haggerty, revealed that one out of four cases of such infections occurred after prolonged trauma and anxiety. Heart trouble, high blood pressure, arthritis and stomach ulcers are all basically caused by worry, tension, stress and fear!
If you're at one of these crossroads in your life, let me encourage you to go forward. Don't stand still in terror, but take His hand and go forward. Remember, fear torments and God wants to deliver you from all of your fears. Perfect love casts out fear. Remember this my friends. God does not being you torment, only the enemy.
1 John 4:1-3 - Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
If you feel the Devil is attacking you with fears, worries, anxiety etc., you can pray in the Name of Jesus and resist and overcome him!--Jesus said, "Behold, I give you power over all the power of the Enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."-Luke 10:19. This power is YOURS if you believe His Word, claim His promises and pray in the Name of Jesus! In fact, if you are filled with faith and His Holy Spirit, you have the authority to resist the Devil directly, just like Jesus and His early disciples did.
Written By Jennifer L Auld
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