By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
I bought a book recently entitled, "Critical Thinking" which is a popular text in colleges on logic--how to think carefully and reasonably. At 5 am, while in the gym on the bike, it was a curious coincidence that I opened the book randomly to a discussion re: 'burden of proof' in an argument. What blew me away was the example given...it woke me up!! It was a section entitled "Misplacing the Burden of Proof" Below is a verbatim quote and it mentions ghosts.
Before I proceed, I want to say that 'Critical thinking" has been a love of mine for 40 years, and have done graduate work in logic at UNC-CH. I also started Caldwell Academy in GSO and designed their logic curriculum...as well as "Greensboro Academys".
Affirmative/negative. Other things being equal, the burden of proof falls automatically on those supporting the affirmative side of an issue rather than on those supporting the negative side. In other words, we generally want to hear reasons why something IS the case before before we require reasons why it is NOT the case....This rule applies to existence versus non-existence, too. Most often, the burden of proof should fall on those who claim something exists rather than on those who claim it doesn't. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY EVIDENCE THAT THERE ARE GHOSTS. BUT BECAUSE NOBODY HAS SHOWN THAT THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS (when someone claims that we should believe in such-and-such because nobody has proved that it isn't so, we have a subtype of burden of proof known as an APPEAL TO IGNORANCE.) This is a burden-of-proof fallacy because it mistakenly places the requirement of proving their position on those who do do not believe in ghosts. (Critical Thinking. 8th ed. 2007, Moore, Parker..pg 187....emphasis added)
This is NOT a Christian text by any means. However, I almost fell out of my stationary bike when I read this at 5 am! The first time I opened the book, the above is what I had turned to. Logic/critical thinking rules are subordinate to Scripture, but since Jesus is the Logos/Logic, then we must realize that Jesus wove logic into the fabric of reality. Aristotle did not create logic, he simply 'discovered' and categorized what the Logos had intertwined into the warp and woof of reality.
According to secular accepted rules of logic (in line with bible) any claims for existence of ghosts MUST assume burden of proof. That has profound implications for--A calling non-believers in ghosts "fundamentalist"in derogatory way. B more importantly, ANY claims of apparitional humans have burden of proof. There is an arrogance toward the "all paranormal is demonic", but in reality they are bumping against reality and logic.The bible clearly affirms the existence of two types of angels--good and bad. There is an unending enumeration of alleged spirit entities by those not guided by the bible. Now they must see that logic itself opposes them.
If you believe in ghosts in ANY form (other than biblical examples), the burden of proof lies squarely upon your shoulders.
In conclusion, if one responds by saying that there is an abundance of evidence for the existence of ghosts via EVP, sightings, etc, then that is another fallacy--circular reasoning. One has to assume the existence of ghosts, to interpret those experiences as being evidence of ghosts. Christians have to bow before the authority of God's Word, which makes clear that Satan is the great deceiver.
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, August 21, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Smoking Toking Rick Rowe; Profile of a Stalker.
Rick is the owner of a Yahoo group called Paranormal Ghost Society that has been around since at least 2006 and I hear even longer by a few years from some. He has a web site by the same name. While his name does not reflect it, he’s a Bigfoot hunter and does very little ghost investigating.
Now the first thing people may think is… ok, he’s been around for a while. They click on the link to his site; it won’t be what people expect. It’s colorful not appropriately sizing to most screens and its grandiose and out dated style hits you in the face, and it reflects more of self promotion, little representation of any ghost, paranormal, Bigfoot or alien subjects and… it seems to be about POT and lots of it. It’s like the main reason to have a site. He is obsessed with marijuana to the degree; it becomes very obvious to anyone seeking him out on Facebook or his website. His profile pics and photo albums are full of him smoking a pipe and appears his favorite type of pose and believe me, selfies done this way is forte’.
Now, I do not have problems with what people do with their lives, but, he’s trying to represent a team in the paranormal and I know people and how the public sees things from running my shows. He looks like a pot head with the way he represents himself and not any kind of serious ghost investigator or Bigfoot hunter. But, ok, I can over look that, like a lot of people might… until… you see what else he has on his site.
He has a forum that is called Theatrical Clowns. It goes back to 2007 where he gets upset with people and, writes a forum post on them. But, it goes further then a post or two… he makes them a forum subject where he can make repeated posts about them and he has many, posting thousands of posts against others, berating them, insulting them, threatening them and just really ripping on them. On me, he has over 400 posts alone. Now, from looking at what he says of me, I can ascertain that the other forum posts are likely done in the same manner, which is twisting what people say, purposely misconstruing “evidence” that he has and interpreting it completely wrong, lying, talking to people and screen shotting only a portion that appears to back his own agenda up. He’s done this to many people who are listed on his forum like some great wall of shame of his.
My offense for this rendering of shame was not seeing his allure and greatness, as well as his grand following and inviting him on my radio show. The problem is he has so very many pictures of himself toking pot from a pipe as if he’s the poster boy of how to smoke dope, I just could not connect someone like that with what I do and I told him so. That conversation was the first post on me that was screen shot with his dribble of complaints added. Now, I admit that at times, people come off rudely to me; I’ll be a bit overly arrogant just to piss them off. It’s just what I do. I had no idea how far this guy would take it. There are many on this clown forum of his besides me and some are well known.
Doing what I do, I get screen shots when something is amiss from friends, colleagues and just concerned citizens out there when they see something amiss, along with those that are as I put it “underground” and close to people that come forward. On Rick, it’s an ongoing process and has been for years.
Recently, there was a link posted from an Encyclopedia Dramatica, which is a site dedicated to people who upset people online. It was made in the idea that some people made Wikipedia articles on themselves and you could not edit to put truths in them, such as people being a scammer or stalker or worse. Encyclopedia Dramatica (ED) is a satire site, which is to say it’s done in a snarky and joking manner and not meant to be serious, but, makes a point about someone that the article is written of. Most people are insulted when they get written about on there. The link went to a Lord Rick Rowe article. He did not like that. He wanted them to erase the article. He then, decided he would war with the administrators and owners of the site. So, he made them each subjects. Mind you, they did not write the article on him. He posted insulting things about them seeming to reveal criminal histories and even posting where they lived. Now, while I can not verify whether what he has there is true or not, I know what I have on me isn’t the slightest bit of truth or anything that was posted about my friends. So I’ll assume it’s completely not true.
Now these posts of Rick’s get posted all over by him and he regurgitates his post from time to time making it sound like something was just said that might be a few years ago that he’s already brought it up previously. He wrote I went to jail for kidnapping for 10 years. I find that funny. I once took a child out of a dangerous situation and the parent called the police on me to which the police had to initially charge me with kidnapping until they could prove the abuse. This person lost custody of her child because of it and they dropped the charge on me. You’ll notice the charge was actually “attempted” kidnapping and you won’t find anywhere that I served jail time. It does not stop Rick from posting a lie and trying to perpetrate it all over. Like wise saying how I molested children. When he did this, I did it back to him, thinking he would see how it felt. NOPE, instead, the guy just posts what I said and keeps it going. He can’t understand how his actions cause reactions and why people do react the way they do. I do not think he cares.
He has threatened me and my family by saying he would show up at my door, taunted me last night through email while threatening. He posted a picture of my home that he had someone take, as well as posting my address, phone number and names of my family members. He has recently went after friends that are helping me and posted fake criminal charges they were suppose to have as well as threats and their addresses, that include charges that supposedly their children are suppose to have (but don’t).
I could go on and on about what he has out there and what he’s done. So if you see me letting him know I’m not intimidated and poking fun at him, you understand that I am the voice of many here and against many other’s out there in the paranormal field like him. I have met my share of odd people out there with these same types of stalker antics.
It’s time for the paranormal field to stand up to these types of people and object to these kinds of behaviors. Together, we can stop them. Strengthen our voice by reading our blogs, listen to our shows and like or comment on our posts. The bigger our audience, the bigger our voice and influence on these people. Feel free to write us for either a report against someone or what you think. We rarely hear the positive side of what we do.
The truth is out there… the War is ON! It’s time to clean up the field and make it a true community in every sense.
Evan Jensen, Producer of Beyond the Edge of Reality Radio Network
Lord Rick Rowes Forum; Theatrical Clowns (scroll down below his videos (all slamming me)
http://www.paranormalghostsociety.org/TheatricalClowns/index.php
Our Facebook Pages
https://www.facebook.com/beyondtheedgeofrealitynetwork
https://www.facebook.com/paranormalbureauofinvestigation
https://www.facebook.com/beyondtheedgeofrealitydesigns
Web Pages
http://beyondtheedgeofreality.net
http://beyondthedgeofreality.com (primarily our radio site)
Blogs (Watch for more information on these articles on our blogs.)
http://beyondtheedgeofreality.blogspot.com/
http://hauntedishpeming.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 18, 2014
Dalai Lama on Compassion & Respect in Today’s Society
After lunch, he greeted a group of physically challenged Czechs who play music together as he was on his way to the Tipsport Arena, venue for his public talk. His first words from the stage, having greeted the audience of more than 6000, were in tribute to his late friend and founder of Forum 2000, President Vaclav Havel.
“He was a humble, genuinely good human being, who put on no airs. From the first he was honest and truthful. I visited him several times after our initial encounter and was one of the last to visit him before he passed away. Because of my friendship for him and others here, I have a special place in my heart for the Czech people. The day after tomorrow, I hope to visit his office to pay my respects although he is no longer physically with us, just as I once visited the home in Patna of Rajendra Prasad, First President of India after he too passed away. As I told Havel’s widow and those who knew and admired him, the best tribute we can pay him is to carry on his activities in his spirit.
“I have come to participate once more in Forum 2000, which was founded by President Havel and led by Oldrich Cerny, who has also sadly passed away since I was last here. I have just met his widow and was impressed by the warm smile rather than grief with which she greeted me.
“I am very happy to be here, to be able to talk to all of you like members of one family and I thank the organizers of this event for making it possible.”
His Holiness began his public talk in his customary way:
“We are all basically the same, mentally, physically and emotionally. We all want a happy life and have a right to achieve it. We have the same emotions, some are destructive, some are positive. I don’t think of myself as anything special; I think of myself as one of you.”
He elaborated that as human beings we are social animals. Like other creatures, ants and bees, for example, our survival depends on the rest of our community. Today’s reality is that the whole world is interdependent. Problems like climate change affect us all, ignoring boundaries. Because of climate change natural disasters are likely to occur, also, natural resources will become scarce and the gap between rich and poor continues to increase. These are challenges we have to face thinking of humanity as one family and working together as one.
“Where humanity used to work together in ancient times we now rely on technological support and material values to the neglect of our human values.” His Holiness said, “I have participated in several conferences about the crisis in human society. At one, in San Francisco, the conclusion was that our difficulties derive from a general lack of human affection. Unfortunately, our education system is materialistically oriented and the influence of religion that used to be a source of moral values has declined. Many of those who continue to follow religion show little real dedication and are inclined to corruption and exploiting others.
“We need to introduce ethics into our education system, not based on faith but on reason. I meet all kinds of people in different parts of the world and it is clear to me that peace of mind is the key to living a happy life. I meet many who are materially successful, while remaining unhappy inside.”
He remarked that women who beautify themselves with cosmetics remind him that while external beauty is one thing, inner beauty is much more important. When a beautiful face wears an angry expression, the beauty is lost. Meanwhile, peace of mind makes for a happy family and a community will be happier if the families within it are peaceful and compassionate.
Occasionally anger may be positive if the motivation is good. Likewise a courageous person needs a strong sense of self; self-confidence is positive. But an over-emphasis on self and selfish concerns doesn’t help, whereas having a compassionate heart is always helpful.
His Holiness suggested that we need a map of our emotions to understand how our emotions work. No one enjoys anger, but everyone appreciates affection. Because warm-heartedness is positive, we need to develop a sense emotional hygiene. The code of ethics that can lead to this needs to be secular ethics. He clarified that when he uses the word ‘secular’ he does so in an Indian context, meaning respect for all religious traditions without bias. The men who contributed to drafting pluralistic India’s secular constitution after Independence - Gandhi, Dr Ambedkar and Dr Rajendra Prasad for example - were all personally religious men. Secular ethics is what is appropriate for our secular education system.
“Many of our problems are our own creation. They derive from our self-centredness. But once we develop a greater concern for the well-being of others, there is no room for bullying, cheating and exploitation. All destructive human action derives from our destructive emotions. These need to be our target. On the other hand, genuine concern for others’ well-being is implicitly an expression of respect for them. If we can reduce our sense of self-centredness, we can reduce our destructive emotions.”
His Holiness reiterated that the essential teaching of all religions is love and once you develop love and affection, you naturally become respectful of others. The key factor is education; education that involves warm-heartedness and takes account of human values.
“If you find any of what I have said interesting,” His Holiness concluded, “please think about it and discuss it with others. Musicians can sing about warm-heartedness. Film-makers, instead of depicting sex and violence, can educate people about the value of simple warm-heartedness and respect for each other. However, if you find what the Dalai Lama says is stale and unrealistic, please, just forget it.”
Among questions from the audience, the first concerned how we know the decisions we take are correct. His Holiness recommended looking at the question not just from one angle, but from many angles. He also said that the mind should be very clear and that unless you take account of reality, your decision will be unrealistic and will fail to bring a result. To another question about fear he replied that there are two kinds of fear: fear with a practical basis like fear of a mad dog and fear that is largely our mental projection.
Someone asked how to put compassion into action. His Holiness said compassion doesn’t just mean sitting still, it means getting up and doing something. Compassion brings energy and enthusiasm to act, but wisdom lends good judgement. Enthusiasm by itself is blind, but wisdom derived from analysing the situation coupled with an unbiased attitude give it direction.
As His Holiness thanked the audience with folded hands for coming to listen to him, they responded with smiling faces and sustained and warm applause. Tomorrow, he will give an explanation of a traditional Tibetan Buddhist text, the “Eight Verses of Training the Mind.”
original photos and link http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/994-compassion--respect-in-todays-society
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Act of Smudging - Witchcraft Ritual
So the question that gets asked to the Exorcism Ministry quite frequently is “Is it okay if I were to smudge my house to remove “negative energies?” During this blog we hope to help you discover the “Biblical Truth” of what the Holy Bible states regarding this pagan ritualistic act practicing witchcraft.
Yes you read that correctly. Smudging is Witchcraft. First of all so all of you understand Sage will NOT work to cleanse a Demonic location. In the previous blogs, we made reference to the fact that it is the Fallen Angels who are posing as the culprits. In other words as Jesus Christ said recorded in Matthew 7:15 (KJV) “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
So let’s look at this in a different aspect shall we. Say you are walking home and a group of creepy individuals begin to stalk you, yelling threats and insults at you as they quickly close the distance between yourself and them. Would you run over to a rock or a mailbox and beg it to protect you from these individuals?
Of course not, that wouldn't make any sense would it. A mailbox doesn't have ears to hear you asking for help, and a rock doesn't understand language, right? So why would you use a plant to battle Demonic forces? This plant does not comprehend you are in trouble and need of protection. Wouldn't it make sense that if you’re in trouble you would seek the help of someone who is stronger than those who want to harm you?
Who is bigger than the darkness and the bumps in the night? God is, specifically his one and only son, Jesus Christ who beat death and rose again to eternal life with decisive victory.
Isn't it logical, that if you are having issues with the infestation or heavy oppression in a house you would ask someone who already beat them and is much greater source of protection? The request to a greater and stronger force, such as God (i.e. Jesus Christ) to protect you from an ancient evil rather than a few smoldering leaves?
Now, there are many who burn sage because that's what everybody on the ghost hunting/paranormal shows are doing. The other aspect is, one of the many dubious "experts" on the paranormal told them to do this and naively they “obeyed” without so much as a second guess to find out if this is correct.
So then what is it you are doing when “smudging?” You are engaging in Nature Worship – Paganism. The act of burning this plant with the hopes of “clearing” a place of Demons becomes an act against what the Ministry of Jesus stood for. Thus, reciting words in addition to this act of burning the plant to create “smoke” becomes an offering of homage which is not from Christ. This very act of paganism becomes known as Witchcraft.
Requesting a plant to give you or someone else protection from forces of evil is just absurd. Nature worship is as old as the hills so I won't spend much time explaining it, but for those who don't know what it is Google nature worship.
Basically doing this act boils down to worshiping the creation instead of the creator. In addition to this just not being an effective way to protect yourself from the Demonic (realize Ghosts don’t exist – Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6 & 10), you are adding insult to injury.
By practicing this act of nature worship you are saying to the Demons, "I don't need God." This is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. This also makes one open to attack by Evil from the spirit realm, because you openly mock God (Galatians 6:7)
The act of rejecting God and taking it upon yourself, thinking you have the power to attempt to fix the mess or that you know better, opens the gateway for all types of Demonic attacks into your life. This allows one to become proud enough to say "I have the power ~ I will fix this." This how you make yourself vulnerable. A little plant that goes good with beef or lamb is not going to do the trick and has no power over Demons.
Now if you are seeking a Priest or Pastor to perform a simple Exorcism on your house (because confirmed diabolical actions are present) and you tell the Priest or Pastor that you smudged, many of the clergy will refuse to help you. Why? You’re a practicing pagan by your actions of plant usage to ward off Demons.
The data used to write this article was taken during Exorcism’s with a reformed Wiccan, turned Christian. This person went on to tell me in a frank manner that during the numerous years that they were a practicing “good” witch, they burned bushels of the stuff and it never did a thing for protection against Evil even when manifesting near her.
The only time in her life did she receive any protection from the Demonic realm began just about a year ago after she came to learn the truth about God. Believe her when she stated “I tried everything and looked for protection but absolutely none of it was ever effective in keeping me safe, except the word of God.”
So the moral of the story is this you either ask Jesus Christ for help or you try your luck with the “elementals” with the Demonic, as well as whatever else is out there masquerading as Mother Nature and her "elementals".
Regardless of how convincing or sincere people can be, mixing a little nature worship into their watered down faith in God is dangerous. Just remember this: "No man can serve two masters” (Luke 16:13; Matthew 6:24).
For Christians, in name only, who practice this act of smudging, who feel it is not an issue to do a little nature worship you need to be reminded of God's thoughts regarding this very dangerous act: read Isaiah 44:14-20. The mighty King was to be chopped down much like Lucifer fell from Heaven. Yes, we are under authority of the true King Jesus, thus we are righteous in his eyes. So as we can see the only way to defeat evil is with the name of Jesus Christ, not using false items or occult practices.
See additional scripture for support to this claim that “any false worship” is NOT sanctioned by God or his son Jesus Christ.
Exodus 34:14 "For you shall worship no other god..."
Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Luke 4:8 "...Jesus answered.... Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
1 Samuel 12:24 "...serve him in truth with all your heart..."
Exodus 20:5 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them..."
Exodus 23:24 "Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works...."
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist Minister
Yes you read that correctly. Smudging is Witchcraft. First of all so all of you understand Sage will NOT work to cleanse a Demonic location. In the previous blogs, we made reference to the fact that it is the Fallen Angels who are posing as the culprits. In other words as Jesus Christ said recorded in Matthew 7:15 (KJV) “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
So let’s look at this in a different aspect shall we. Say you are walking home and a group of creepy individuals begin to stalk you, yelling threats and insults at you as they quickly close the distance between yourself and them. Would you run over to a rock or a mailbox and beg it to protect you from these individuals?
Of course not, that wouldn't make any sense would it. A mailbox doesn't have ears to hear you asking for help, and a rock doesn't understand language, right? So why would you use a plant to battle Demonic forces? This plant does not comprehend you are in trouble and need of protection. Wouldn't it make sense that if you’re in trouble you would seek the help of someone who is stronger than those who want to harm you?
Who is bigger than the darkness and the bumps in the night? God is, specifically his one and only son, Jesus Christ who beat death and rose again to eternal life with decisive victory.
Isn't it logical, that if you are having issues with the infestation or heavy oppression in a house you would ask someone who already beat them and is much greater source of protection? The request to a greater and stronger force, such as God (i.e. Jesus Christ) to protect you from an ancient evil rather than a few smoldering leaves?
Now, there are many who burn sage because that's what everybody on the ghost hunting/paranormal shows are doing. The other aspect is, one of the many dubious "experts" on the paranormal told them to do this and naively they “obeyed” without so much as a second guess to find out if this is correct.
So then what is it you are doing when “smudging?” You are engaging in Nature Worship – Paganism. The act of burning this plant with the hopes of “clearing” a place of Demons becomes an act against what the Ministry of Jesus stood for. Thus, reciting words in addition to this act of burning the plant to create “smoke” becomes an offering of homage which is not from Christ. This very act of paganism becomes known as Witchcraft.
Requesting a plant to give you or someone else protection from forces of evil is just absurd. Nature worship is as old as the hills so I won't spend much time explaining it, but for those who don't know what it is Google nature worship.
Basically doing this act boils down to worshiping the creation instead of the creator. In addition to this just not being an effective way to protect yourself from the Demonic (realize Ghosts don’t exist – Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6 & 10), you are adding insult to injury.
By practicing this act of nature worship you are saying to the Demons, "I don't need God." This is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. This also makes one open to attack by Evil from the spirit realm, because you openly mock God (Galatians 6:7)
The act of rejecting God and taking it upon yourself, thinking you have the power to attempt to fix the mess or that you know better, opens the gateway for all types of Demonic attacks into your life. This allows one to become proud enough to say "I have the power ~ I will fix this." This how you make yourself vulnerable. A little plant that goes good with beef or lamb is not going to do the trick and has no power over Demons.
Now if you are seeking a Priest or Pastor to perform a simple Exorcism on your house (because confirmed diabolical actions are present) and you tell the Priest or Pastor that you smudged, many of the clergy will refuse to help you. Why? You’re a practicing pagan by your actions of plant usage to ward off Demons.
The data used to write this article was taken during Exorcism’s with a reformed Wiccan, turned Christian. This person went on to tell me in a frank manner that during the numerous years that they were a practicing “good” witch, they burned bushels of the stuff and it never did a thing for protection against Evil even when manifesting near her.
The only time in her life did she receive any protection from the Demonic realm began just about a year ago after she came to learn the truth about God. Believe her when she stated “I tried everything and looked for protection but absolutely none of it was ever effective in keeping me safe, except the word of God.”
So the moral of the story is this you either ask Jesus Christ for help or you try your luck with the “elementals” with the Demonic, as well as whatever else is out there masquerading as Mother Nature and her "elementals".
Regardless of how convincing or sincere people can be, mixing a little nature worship into their watered down faith in God is dangerous. Just remember this: "No man can serve two masters” (Luke 16:13; Matthew 6:24).
For Christians, in name only, who practice this act of smudging, who feel it is not an issue to do a little nature worship you need to be reminded of God's thoughts regarding this very dangerous act: read Isaiah 44:14-20. The mighty King was to be chopped down much like Lucifer fell from Heaven. Yes, we are under authority of the true King Jesus, thus we are righteous in his eyes. So as we can see the only way to defeat evil is with the name of Jesus Christ, not using false items or occult practices.
See additional scripture for support to this claim that “any false worship” is NOT sanctioned by God or his son Jesus Christ.
Exodus 34:14 "For you shall worship no other god..."
Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Luke 4:8 "...Jesus answered.... Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
1 Samuel 12:24 "...serve him in truth with all your heart..."
Exodus 20:5 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them..."
Exodus 23:24 "Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works...."
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist Minister
Saturday, August 16, 2014
What Is Spiritual Warfare?
Hello para beauties! I hope everyone is well and everyone you love is healthy. I know many are also preparing for the holiday and have family in and out of town and have hardly a moment to sleep. Some of us have no one. Let's pray for anyone that might be suffering with depression and feelings of loneliness. This time of year especially, brings about a lot of human emotions. A lot of us hide this and I ask that you turn to God. Please open your heart to his and ask him to give you peace again and no more torment. It is a spiritual battle to be faced everyday however, we already know who wins. Fear is not of God. Perfect Love casts out fear.
Spiritual warfare is an activity by Christians whereby satan and demons are fought, using a variety of methods and prayers depending on the group, mostly a lot of prayer and fasting. From a biblical point of view, spiritual warfare is the cosmic war of good versus evil: its battles are fought daily between God and Satan; between the Christian Church and the world fueled by our spiritual enemy; and within every child of God, between the Holy Spirit and the lusts of the carnal flesh. The clear meanings of good and evil, as defined by God rather than man, are revealed within the verses of the Holy Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. The Book of Daniel, chapter ten, provides one of the most striking examples of spiritual warfare found in Scripture. Remember when Daniel was held in captivity in a foreign land due to a great spiritual conflict, which led to the conquest of Israel and Judah. He resorts to intense prayer, which includes fasting, to seek guidance from God, verses 2,3. He receives a miraculous vision and word, verses 5–9 (which introduce. 10–12), from one having the appearance of a man (cf. verses 16,18), who may have been an angel, but whose description in verses 5,6, seems to match that of Christ in Revelation 1:13–16. Daniel’s earthly conflict extends to the heavenly realm, as the spiritual messenger was delayed by a demon, until being assisted by an archangel, verses 12–14. Strong resistance was met due to the importance of the answer to Daniels’s prayer, as it is a prophecy on Satanic activity in the end time.
Do we have a say in the matter?
When a person becomes converted and receives God's spirit they immediately enter into a war-like struggle against two large opponents and a lot of it consists in the mind. They will have to fight these two powerful enemies every day of their life until they die. The first major opponent Christians face is themselves. They must battle their own human nature with its self-defeating, sinful and destructive tendencies. The apostle Paul referred to this constant battle of the mind Christians face in his book to the Romans. The second lifelong opponent true believers must face is the devil and the world he has deceived into thinking and acting like he does (Ephesians 2:2, 1John 5:19, Revelation 12:9, etc.). Jesus, in his prayer to the Father before his crucifixion, reveals the ultimate attitude of those who do not believe God against those who do. I have given them (the disciples and all Christians by extension) Your words, and the world has hated them. . . (John 17)
Paul tells us, in no uncertain terms, that believers do not fight a carnal war that is so familiar to the world but rather one that is on a spiritual plane. Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual power of wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6)
Now that we know how to create armor to protect ourselves, what other ways can we stop the enemy from influencing us? We have to avoid all evil influences in our life. We can find these influences through music that we listen to, the TV shows and movies that we watch, and activities that are tied to the occult that we can find ourselves silently drawn towards or introduced to via our acquaintances and friends. We don't realize how the little things we do can open up doors and allow legal rights for demonic influence in our life. I'm so guilty of this myself. None of us are perfect nor are we expected to be. Remember Jesus Christ died for our sins.
While the fallen angels have no control over your Free Will, they do have some preternatural abilities to influence your thoughts. They will silently tempt you, often to impure thoughts, or into dissuading you from some good effort. Construct a mental picture of Our Lord Jesus Christ during His Passion. Focus on His pierced hands or feet, or maybe His carrying of the Cross, or concentrate on His crowning with thorns or scourging at the pillar. You will be amazed at how fast the evil thoughts will flee.
The dark forces pull out all the stops to trick us out of our good intentions, and it is only by our soul's determination to succeed and by the grace of God's assistance that we can get back on track.
Without your spiritual armor on tight (the light of God sealed around you), it's easy to fall prey to a spiritual attack.
These so-called attacks don't have to be very in-your-face. In fact they work better when they aren't obvious, because you're less likely to do anything about it. Cunning and subtle methods cause us to accept an intrusion into our world as 'the way things are' or 'just part of our personality'.
It's important to recognize when we need to call to God to take care of that negative energy. Praying for discernment is key, as well as just simply practicing.
Spiritual warfare is really one of the greatest blessings we have. We don't have to wallow in the darkness, we can call for spiritual protection from the forces of light and they will fight back and raise us out of whatever negative state of mind or being we are in.
Written By Jennifer L Auld
Spiritual warfare is an activity by Christians whereby satan and demons are fought, using a variety of methods and prayers depending on the group, mostly a lot of prayer and fasting. From a biblical point of view, spiritual warfare is the cosmic war of good versus evil: its battles are fought daily between God and Satan; between the Christian Church and the world fueled by our spiritual enemy; and within every child of God, between the Holy Spirit and the lusts of the carnal flesh. The clear meanings of good and evil, as defined by God rather than man, are revealed within the verses of the Holy Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. The Book of Daniel, chapter ten, provides one of the most striking examples of spiritual warfare found in Scripture. Remember when Daniel was held in captivity in a foreign land due to a great spiritual conflict, which led to the conquest of Israel and Judah. He resorts to intense prayer, which includes fasting, to seek guidance from God, verses 2,3. He receives a miraculous vision and word, verses 5–9 (which introduce. 10–12), from one having the appearance of a man (cf. verses 16,18), who may have been an angel, but whose description in verses 5,6, seems to match that of Christ in Revelation 1:13–16. Daniel’s earthly conflict extends to the heavenly realm, as the spiritual messenger was delayed by a demon, until being assisted by an archangel, verses 12–14. Strong resistance was met due to the importance of the answer to Daniels’s prayer, as it is a prophecy on Satanic activity in the end time.
Do we have a say in the matter?
When a person becomes converted and receives God's spirit they immediately enter into a war-like struggle against two large opponents and a lot of it consists in the mind. They will have to fight these two powerful enemies every day of their life until they die. The first major opponent Christians face is themselves. They must battle their own human nature with its self-defeating, sinful and destructive tendencies. The apostle Paul referred to this constant battle of the mind Christians face in his book to the Romans. The second lifelong opponent true believers must face is the devil and the world he has deceived into thinking and acting like he does (Ephesians 2:2, 1John 5:19, Revelation 12:9, etc.). Jesus, in his prayer to the Father before his crucifixion, reveals the ultimate attitude of those who do not believe God against those who do. I have given them (the disciples and all Christians by extension) Your words, and the world has hated them. . . (John 17)
Paul tells us, in no uncertain terms, that believers do not fight a carnal war that is so familiar to the world but rather one that is on a spiritual plane. Because we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against principalities and against powers, against the world rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual power of wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6)
Now that we know how to create armor to protect ourselves, what other ways can we stop the enemy from influencing us? We have to avoid all evil influences in our life. We can find these influences through music that we listen to, the TV shows and movies that we watch, and activities that are tied to the occult that we can find ourselves silently drawn towards or introduced to via our acquaintances and friends. We don't realize how the little things we do can open up doors and allow legal rights for demonic influence in our life. I'm so guilty of this myself. None of us are perfect nor are we expected to be. Remember Jesus Christ died for our sins.
While the fallen angels have no control over your Free Will, they do have some preternatural abilities to influence your thoughts. They will silently tempt you, often to impure thoughts, or into dissuading you from some good effort. Construct a mental picture of Our Lord Jesus Christ during His Passion. Focus on His pierced hands or feet, or maybe His carrying of the Cross, or concentrate on His crowning with thorns or scourging at the pillar. You will be amazed at how fast the evil thoughts will flee.
The dark forces pull out all the stops to trick us out of our good intentions, and it is only by our soul's determination to succeed and by the grace of God's assistance that we can get back on track.
Without your spiritual armor on tight (the light of God sealed around you), it's easy to fall prey to a spiritual attack.
These so-called attacks don't have to be very in-your-face. In fact they work better when they aren't obvious, because you're less likely to do anything about it. Cunning and subtle methods cause us to accept an intrusion into our world as 'the way things are' or 'just part of our personality'.
It's important to recognize when we need to call to God to take care of that negative energy. Praying for discernment is key, as well as just simply practicing.
Spiritual warfare is really one of the greatest blessings we have. We don't have to wallow in the darkness, we can call for spiritual protection from the forces of light and they will fight back and raise us out of whatever negative state of mind or being we are in.
Written By Jennifer L Auld
Friday, August 15, 2014
Do You Have God's Peace?
By Pastor Stephen Piersall
Wars and even more wars, every day in the news it is the headlines! Have you ever done a study and find a time that there was NOT a war on this planet? Even Jesus described to his disciple's wars, and rumors of wars would be a sign toward "End of Times." That fact alone makes it difficult for us to figure that one out, considering WWI & II, were the wars to end all wars.
Have you ever stopped to think of whom is the mastermind of wars? Satan is the driving influence behind man's viciousness to his fellow man. He is the source of instigation of wars. Satan wants to eradicate humans because he knows our ultimate potential of becoming glorified sons of God. He hates that our destiny is, among other things, to judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3, Hebrews 2:10, 1 Peter 5:8).
The devil cannot directly destroy human beings without God's express permission (Job 1:12, Luke 22:31). Therefore, he sets himself to influence humans to destroy themselves, hoping to end it all through the bloodshed of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
Satan will fail, but the path of his destruction is right before our eyes. Here are some examples?
· Abortion
· Alcohol
· Drive-by shootings
· Drugs
· Genocide
· Process foods
· Race riots
· School shootings
· Smoking
I am sure you can name a few more yourself. We, for the most part, are not directly affected unless a friend or family member, or a well-known personality, e.g., Robin Williams. Yes, it is a shame for anyone. For that matter, to die because of Satan's influence.
I figured since this is fresh in our minds, to mention once again, there is an alternative. No amount of money can buy you the life insurance policy that Jesus has for us. If you have not accepted the gift of Salvation, now is the time to decide. God created us in his image, but also gave us "Free-will" to determine what we do with our own lives.
Buying a new car, yes we can sleep on it and decide in the future. As for your opportunity of eternal life in Heaven, you may NOT awaken the next day to consider it more. Now, is the time to decide! If you already are a Christian, I ask you how many individuals are on your own prayer journal that you are praying for regarding salvation.
If you are against it altogether, go about your day as you see fit.
If you are on the fence and leaning toward God, drop to your knees and just ask Our LORD Jesus for forgiveness. My staff and I are available, and you can contact us multiple ways listed below. We will be glad to answer your questions, guide, and pray for you. Even so, YOU must make the first step. †
Wars and even more wars, every day in the news it is the headlines! Have you ever done a study and find a time that there was NOT a war on this planet? Even Jesus described to his disciple's wars, and rumors of wars would be a sign toward "End of Times." That fact alone makes it difficult for us to figure that one out, considering WWI & II, were the wars to end all wars.
Have you ever stopped to think of whom is the mastermind of wars? Satan is the driving influence behind man's viciousness to his fellow man. He is the source of instigation of wars. Satan wants to eradicate humans because he knows our ultimate potential of becoming glorified sons of God. He hates that our destiny is, among other things, to judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3, Hebrews 2:10, 1 Peter 5:8).
The devil cannot directly destroy human beings without God's express permission (Job 1:12, Luke 22:31). Therefore, he sets himself to influence humans to destroy themselves, hoping to end it all through the bloodshed of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
Satan will fail, but the path of his destruction is right before our eyes. Here are some examples?
· Abortion
· Alcohol
· Drive-by shootings
· Drugs
· Genocide
· Process foods
· Race riots
· School shootings
· Smoking
I am sure you can name a few more yourself. We, for the most part, are not directly affected unless a friend or family member, or a well-known personality, e.g., Robin Williams. Yes, it is a shame for anyone. For that matter, to die because of Satan's influence.
I figured since this is fresh in our minds, to mention once again, there is an alternative. No amount of money can buy you the life insurance policy that Jesus has for us. If you have not accepted the gift of Salvation, now is the time to decide. God created us in his image, but also gave us "Free-will" to determine what we do with our own lives.
Buying a new car, yes we can sleep on it and decide in the future. As for your opportunity of eternal life in Heaven, you may NOT awaken the next day to consider it more. Now, is the time to decide! If you already are a Christian, I ask you how many individuals are on your own prayer journal that you are praying for regarding salvation.
If you are against it altogether, go about your day as you see fit.
If you are on the fence and leaning toward God, drop to your knees and just ask Our LORD Jesus for forgiveness. My staff and I are available, and you can contact us multiple ways listed below. We will be glad to answer your questions, guide, and pray for you. Even so, YOU must make the first step. †
May God shine his light through you †
Pastor Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry Soul Care
Satan Would Not Do Good -- Would He?
By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
An argument that is persuading some folks is this--"Satan would not do something good, since he is pure evil". And they then give some extraordinary example of "apparitional humans" doing something that helps someone/s. The term "apparitional humans" is usually used to distinguish between deceased humans and demonic mimicry, but since I don't believe in true human apparitions, I use them as synonyms.
Examples abound of "apparitional humans" comforting or in some way helping to extend the Kingdom of God. What do we make of this?
I can see why this would cause problems for Christians, but we must not put Satan in a box as to what this perfectly evil creature is capable of. His intelligence is way above mine or yours, and intelligent deception will often include losses for the greater cause. What he considers an acceptable loss may not seem so to our inferior intellects. Yes, I have a healthy appreciation for the devil's capabilities. Below are a few examples or reasons for Satanic 'good works' .
Examples also abound of people who were wicked who appear to family to comfort them...does that mean folks on the way to hell may visit loved ones...I think not.
Some examples are more psychological in nature, w/o apparition--what if it is the Holy Spirit comforting a believer in extraordinary way? (e.g. C.S. Lewis) Comforting suffering Christians is a major role of the Holy Spirit.
What if demon did make tactical error...they HAVE to sometimes since they are not God. In other words, demons have had the "tables turned" (Romans 8:28)
Satan is in fight he knows he will lose. Hence, he is desperate, and desperate "persons" will do desperate things.
Satan's intelligence vastly exceeds ours. Like George Washington, he knows the importance of deception in warfare. Only, the devil IS deception. If he perceives that a 'defeat' will serve greater strategy of his, then he will allow defeat.It is well known that Mexican cartels send some shipments of drugs as a decoy to be caught in order for larger shipments to have greater chance of making it through customs/border patrol. How many "human apparitions" who actually help people, actually allow for larger "shipment" of occult to filter in?
A 'healing' by energy healer may bring wonderful results to impress all involved, but the 'good work' will backfire at some point. This is simply an example of bad good works(see below) that is similar to apparitional humans doing 'good'.
As John Gerstner pointed out there are bad good works, and good good works. The latter are done for God's glory, but the former can be the outwardly looking most wonderful actions, but have nefarious motives.
To say an action could NOT come from Satan because it accomplished some good, shows a naive view of warfare in general, and of Satan's massive intelligence in particular.
From my own experience, seemingly apparitional humans who appeared tender and helpful at first, eventually showed that they were really seeking to steal, kill, and destroy.
I end with this, why do you think Paul spoke of Satan's/demons ability to appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), if they did not appear to be doing the Lord's work?
That is what the next verse speaks of....
If you allow for any form of apparitional humans, then what is your OBJECTIVE criterion for distinguishing that and demonic mimicry? 1 John 4:1ff calls us to distinguish between Holy Spirit led teachers and demonic led teachers....you cannot read apparitional humans as third option without reading it into the text. We must remain faithful to SOLA SCRIPTURA.
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.
An argument that is persuading some folks is this--"Satan would not do something good, since he is pure evil". And they then give some extraordinary example of "apparitional humans" doing something that helps someone/s. The term "apparitional humans" is usually used to distinguish between deceased humans and demonic mimicry, but since I don't believe in true human apparitions, I use them as synonyms.
Examples abound of "apparitional humans" comforting or in some way helping to extend the Kingdom of God. What do we make of this?
I can see why this would cause problems for Christians, but we must not put Satan in a box as to what this perfectly evil creature is capable of. His intelligence is way above mine or yours, and intelligent deception will often include losses for the greater cause. What he considers an acceptable loss may not seem so to our inferior intellects. Yes, I have a healthy appreciation for the devil's capabilities. Below are a few examples or reasons for Satanic 'good works' .
Examples also abound of people who were wicked who appear to family to comfort them...does that mean folks on the way to hell may visit loved ones...I think not.
Some examples are more psychological in nature, w/o apparition--what if it is the Holy Spirit comforting a believer in extraordinary way? (e.g. C.S. Lewis) Comforting suffering Christians is a major role of the Holy Spirit.
What if demon did make tactical error...they HAVE to sometimes since they are not God. In other words, demons have had the "tables turned" (Romans 8:28)
Satan is in fight he knows he will lose. Hence, he is desperate, and desperate "persons" will do desperate things.
Satan's intelligence vastly exceeds ours. Like George Washington, he knows the importance of deception in warfare. Only, the devil IS deception. If he perceives that a 'defeat' will serve greater strategy of his, then he will allow defeat.It is well known that Mexican cartels send some shipments of drugs as a decoy to be caught in order for larger shipments to have greater chance of making it through customs/border patrol. How many "human apparitions" who actually help people, actually allow for larger "shipment" of occult to filter in?
A 'healing' by energy healer may bring wonderful results to impress all involved, but the 'good work' will backfire at some point. This is simply an example of bad good works(see below) that is similar to apparitional humans doing 'good'.
As John Gerstner pointed out there are bad good works, and good good works. The latter are done for God's glory, but the former can be the outwardly looking most wonderful actions, but have nefarious motives.
To say an action could NOT come from Satan because it accomplished some good, shows a naive view of warfare in general, and of Satan's massive intelligence in particular.
From my own experience, seemingly apparitional humans who appeared tender and helpful at first, eventually showed that they were really seeking to steal, kill, and destroy.
I end with this, why do you think Paul spoke of Satan's/demons ability to appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), if they did not appear to be doing the Lord's work?
That is what the next verse speaks of....
If you allow for any form of apparitional humans, then what is your OBJECTIVE criterion for distinguishing that and demonic mimicry? 1 John 4:1ff calls us to distinguish between Holy Spirit led teachers and demonic led teachers....you cannot read apparitional humans as third option without reading it into the text. We must remain faithful to SOLA SCRIPTURA.
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.
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