By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
I have done dozens of cleansings, and sometimes it does not accomplish what you planned. This can be very disheartening. I think it is important that we be honest lest we give an unrealistic/unbiblical perspective of what it means to be a demonologist. I have said before that interviewing an oppressed person or family is like peeling away layers from an onion. It can seem almost endless in trying to get to the bottom of why a doorway was opened initially...usually many years ago. Folks forget very significant events....they sometimes hold back information....or they simply do not know what/why the line was crossed. As much as I am certain that ghosts do not dwell on the earth, I do not have the same certainty as to why some of my cleansings have "failed". I have the most wonderful and godly prayer support group imaginable. So, I cannot and will not take the blame for these failures. However, neither will I blame my clients. There is mystery...sometimes endless mystery as to the workings of the demonic in space and time.
Recently I did a cleansing of the family and their house. It was a powerful experience.At the end, the father expressed that the house felt and smelt much better. What I have not mentioned is that the 40- year-old wife was deathly ill with cancer. When I anointed her and prayed for her healing (spiritually and physically), I was hopeful that the cleansing would help her heal. After the cleansing, I have called and texted numerous times, with no reply. I had come to love this family and the silence was very difficult. Satan tempted me mightily to get deeply discouraged. A proper sense of sadness is appropriate in this situation, but I refuse to be swallowed up in self-pity. I have no idea was has happened...perhaps she had a serious relapse which hospitalized her again. I do not know. What I do know is that through the tears I will press on.
I say all this to encourage any of my friends who may have experienced something similar. We do what we can and leave the results in God's hands. We cannot force our beloved clients to reply. We may weep, and pray, but we press on. Not all cleansings work out the way we would like them to.But the Lord is good...all the time.
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, November 13, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Dark Side Entertainment Falling by the Wayside; the Carol Malone story continued...
I have talked at length to some of the people involved with today's subject and those who have been involved directly with this person who are now coming forward after realizing that her promises are just empty promises and her financial obligations are turning into excuses. I watch this story unfold, knowing full well there would be many effected that risk their reputations only taking her at her word and not realizing where I was coming from early on. You see, I am one of the people that also at one time trusted her and was burnt. I am one of the people she threatened, harassed, lied about and did so in such a way, no other person out there is someone I would warn on more then this person and no other is someone I would consider being lead by evil more then her.
There comes a time when you realize that someone that is in the paranormal and brags about her home being vortexes to evil and then she does such selfish and undeniably greedy things to people, that one would see her as affected by an evil so dark, it will likely destroy her and probably already is in some unknown way. Whether that sounds far fetched would be one's own perception of how they view what I and others have seen. I for one, can not mistake the actions that I have repeatedly seen and wonder, what evil does she play in? She has turned her world into those who she uses and takes advantage of until they begin to ask questions and then pretends to be some victim whilst lying and being vindictive. Her Facebook posts are inherently full of her anger and malice and threats when she does not get her own way and people call her on her actions. She leaves a wake of people that at one time called her friend and with no thought to undermining them, taking from them and attempting to ruin them through public displays of lies and accusations whilst trying to continue to look innocent. The problems are the same, the company she uses and people she burns are not, leaving a wake of people behind her that have learned like me, the hard way. Trust in some people is disastrous.
I will just put out what is going on with the links so that people can plainly see a pattern and problem to who Carol Malone has become. Like a fairy tale wicked queen, she has risen from obscurity with lies and deception and done so in a way one would think no one would be so bold. Early on she bragged about being a writer and having a movie being made. That turned into bragging about filming for a TV show that really was never happening and her post seemed to have been forgotten.
She bragged about having some “Cold Case” Paranormal (The Paranormal Cold Case Association) group. I ask you, what ghost investigation is not a cold case and how was Luminol, meant for detection of blood suppose to work in ghost investigations? In reality, it only worked if there had been a crime that was unsolved and not once did I see anywhere that it helped with any investigation, nor, truly go any further then the Luminol. Scroll down to “drawbacks” and get the real scoop of how someone could read a false positive or even make false positives by applying simple chemicals beforehand to an area on the below link.
Luminol in itself should have a safety sheet with it when used in any sort of commercial investigation and should offer the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) that shows Luminol to be a hazard and according to the EPA designates it as hazardous and falling under EPA rules and therefore, needs protective gear to use, because of the skin and eye dangers it could propose to handlers. It can have false positives just by bleach or copper or other chemicals. Any commercial company should have the MSDS to this handy when ever in use in any commercial way, such as paid investigations.
From the above link directly:
Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not breathe dust.
It's as if this one idea to use a really neat chemical made her base her whole idea of what she did around it, but, it doesn't quite work in this field for ghostly phenomenon, unless you are investigating a murder, which in that case, would not be a ghost investigation any longer.
To date, there has been no movie and no television series or show. Her books are flops and have very few reviews. The one that is most noted is on the Amityville haunting that it is rumored that she plagiarized from various sites and took pictures from various places online to put in her book. One only needs to read her reviews.http://www.amazon.com/Amityville-House-Lies-London-Knight-ebook/dp/B00BW7JV3W
Let's not forget her injection in the involvement of stolen statues saying she had possession of them and had her lawyer take them and then demand the owner to the statues prove they were his, when the lawyer was not her lawyer and he knew nothing about it. Here she was trying to say she expected money for a appraisal of objects that even Christina George, the admitted thief, said Carol was never given possession of the statues.
She uses the name London Knight regularly sounding like a cheap hooker from a obscure corner in some big city has her story “The Stiletto Diaries” suggest. It already admits to heavy drug use, mob affiliations and being a stripper... so should we be surprised at her latest attempt at a business and what she is doing?
Dark Side Entertainment, her newest venture. A event planning business promising adventures in the paranormal at well known haunted places for a price. Immediately she was set with problems when she burned another entertainment business and stole their events as her own and accused some of their people who were previously her friends of stealing and misrepresenting the events. It is something she does well by acting as though the problems is because of someone else and she is some victim. However, she never repays, never makes things right, acts the victim and gets very vindictive in a public display on Facebook over several pages and she does this consistently every time including radio shows she appears on.
She had four events planned I believe and the last one (and first) took place on last Halloween night at a hotel called Glasden, a very well known to be haunted location. She sold tickets. She promised the people who she asked to be lecturers and speakers, travel expenses and pay for their time and has reneged. She promoted the event to be a charity event and named “The Wounded Warrior Project” and then said she didn't sell tickets, leaving it a crime if she indeed did. The organization knew nothing of the event and did not endorse or give permission for her to run the event with their name. See VA law on solicitation and charities. http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/forms-pdf/cp/oca/charitable/ocalaw.pdf She also appears to not have done the proper paper work needed to run the event whether with the charity themselves or doing the paperwork herself to run such an event in the state.
At the current time, she has lost at least three of the previous speakers, Steven LaChance, Tony “Wolf Paw” Ortiz and Dan Dewhinney (who was also the web master and did a lot more who has not been paid for his work on the web pages) who were suppose to be speakers for the Sloss furnace event set to take place in February of next year. The event is selling tickets with a prepayment of 60 days for tickets, making it risky to consumers due to the lack of any available refund from Paypal or most credit cards who do not honor refunds of after 60 days of purchase. This means if events are canceled, buyers will be out money unless they sue or find another avenue for refunds, making it more risky. This is something that happened when Paranormal State star Ryan Buell did the same thing.
Dan and Tony have come forward on the site that Dan once ran to speak their mind, along with other notations that can be found here.http://www.darksideentertainmentevents.com
So let's recap that simply for you here:
Carol Malone has;
- Consistently said she was a successful writer. Her books have bad reviews if any at all.
- Has professed to have or having a movie made and even pretended to be in filming.
- Said she had a TV show in production or was going to have one in production.
- Claimed to have taken in statues to a lawyer and the lawyer was her neighbor who was not representing her and knew nothing about what she was doing or any statues.
- Attempted to extort money for appraisals from owner of statues.
- Promised TV spots, movie spots etc. to allure people to help her, but was in reality unable to do.
- Threatened people with the mob affiliations or implied threats.
- Put people's personal information out there on them and their family and at times, to people who were NOT related but only had the same name. (Imagine that with the boasted mob affiliations and how that would make some feel.)
- Made veiled threats publicly, like naming my co-host as a stealing a dead woman's name whose name was not the same.
- Lied to businesses and companies and affiliations by making fake papers appearing to be from a lawyer, but, are not such as with Blogtalk radio and what she did to me.
- Accused former friends of stealing her business name as she did with me originally and has done so several times.
- Made promises for trade, payment or favors and not followed through.
- Turned on former friends that were also past business arrangements.
- Used a name of a charity without their permission and then lied to them saying she had no ticket sales.
- Did not refund travel expenses as promised.
- Did not refund tickets as was suppose to.
- Borrowed from friends and did not repay them for her projects and she still owes prior to this next event.
- Accused people of stealing $4000 twice that didn't and often accuses people of stealing, even when they had a business arrangement that she fell through on, such as paying someone for the website and them not being paid so they shut it down and then being accused of stealing it.
- Is known for not making written contracts with people and only doing verbal and then going back on her word or promising the same percentage of profit twice to two different people for instance.
- Puts out photographs of “proof” that is not proof in an attempt to confuse or make her argument to the public and is deceptive. Such as putting out a receipt saying she paid her webmaster $100, when in truth, she owes way more then that and the amount was to make a logo for another business and is unrelated to the websites.
- Get's people to help her and then does nothing herself and reaps the reward and then when she pockets money, blames everyone else for the downfall that is really her own fault and apparently doesn't pay anyone.
- Sold the rights to her “The Stiletto Diaries” twice. You really can only sell them once and then lose the right to them, as the new person who bought the rights owns the rights.
- Some of her accounts were frozen, a sign that Buell also showed in his attempt at selling tickets to events that never happened when people started asking for refunds.
You don't have to take my word for it. Read some other reviews on her from the links provided and at the very least, be watchful when dealing with her. I have nothing to gain or lose by exposing her and you listening to me or not. But, I do care and do not want to see others taken advantage of.
As Dan Dewhinney said, her former webmaster, “I will not allow her to take advantage of one other person, I will stop her no matter what threats, what she tries to do or the risk to my own reputation, this stops now.” I feel the same way here. THIS STOPS NOW and if not, you'll be hearing from me. I’d like to say to Dan, you have my utmost respect for coming forward and taking a stand and trying to stop her. Thank you!
Until next time...
Evan Jensen
Producer of Beyond the Edge of Reality Radio Network
Monday, November 10, 2014
Dalai Lama Teaches on the Essence of True Eloquence
“Thurman first came to Dharamsala in 1964,” His Holiness told the capacity crowd of almost 3000. “He was dressed as a monk and had only one eye like Nagarjuna’s disciple Aryadeva. We’ve been close friends since then. He became a professor and has dedicated his academic career to elucidating Je Tsongkhapa’s teachings and aspects of the Gelugpa tradition. I often think we should look more at what unites us, like our common Nalanda University heritage rather than our diversity of meditational deity lineages and practices. The Sakya, Kagyu, Gelug, Nyingma, Jonang and Bonpo traditions all study the great classic Indian Buddhist texts. Je Tsongkhapa wrote about the great Indian texts and Thurman has taken special interest in that body of work. I’d like to acknowledge that here and thank him.”
Following a brisk recitation of the Heart Sutra in Tibetan, His Holiness, seated in a comfortable armchair, surrounded by monastics resumed his address:
“Firstly, my greetings to these good scholars, Abbots, former Abbots and Geshes. I wonder if you have come to my lecture to check up on me. I appreciate that nearly all of you on the basis of 30 years serious study have dedicated your lives to the Buddhadharma. As masters of monastic discipline you’ve observed ethics, with regard to shamatha or concentration, we might say that you haven’t had time to develop it. But with respect to the third of the three higher trainings, you great scholars not only have wisdom, but have also related it to your own experience. To have this opportunity to teach from this important text in your presence is a privilege.
“All the Buddha’s activities are inspired by great compassion. We say he developed an aspiration to enlightenment, collected merit and wisdom for three countless aeons and finally attained full enlightenment. Thus, he became a valid teacher, someone who could really benefit others. As well as aspiring to benefit others through compassion, the main aim for Buddhists is to dispel all wrong views.”
His Holiness explained that it is through his peerless teachings, expressed in speech, that the Buddha liberates sentient beings. He also mentioned that all religious traditions stress non-harm and doing good, which is the method aspect of the path and, the source of good future rebirth. The source of the other goal, liberation and enlightenment or definite goodness is correct view. The ‘Essence of True Eloquence’ deals with two aspects of the view, that of the Chittamatra or Mind Only School and that of the Madhyamaka or Middle Way School.
In his ‘Praise of Relativity’, Tsongkhapa suggests that to begin with, as he delved into the writings of Indian masters, he became more confused. He is said to have received a vision of Manjushri and described his understanding of the view asking whether this or that understanding was correct and Manjushri answered, “Neither”. He asked him to clarify.
His Holiness recalled a great master who lived into the 1950s who remarked that if those who aspire to enhance their wisdom were to spend a month reciting Manjushri’s mantra or studying ‘Collected Topics’, the latter would be of more benefit. He was a Gelugpa master, who also took an interest in Dzogchen. His Holiness remembered another Nyingma master, who took an interest in Je Tsongkhapa’s writings. He said these are the sort of non-sectarian masters who can really contribute to the Dharma.
His Holiness stated that he had received the transmission of ‘Essence of True Eloquence’ from Ling Rinpoche on the basis of a commentary by the 2nd Dalai Lama, who, like the First, was a truly great master. The Second was known as a non-sectarian with a yellow hat. His Holiness clarified that he was not going to be able read the entire text and asked who had made the textual selections in the brochure, remarking that he would depend on his own selections and follow his own way.
The early verses include a salutation to the Buddha, homage to Manjushri, and to the pioneers Nagarjuna and Asanga. That done, Tsongkhapa makes a pledge to compose the text. He quotes Dharmakirti as saying, “If it’s opaque to you, how can you explain it to others?”
Prompted by the Buddha’s remark:
The way is empty, peaceful, and uncreated.
Not knowing that, the living beings wander.
Moved by compassion, he introduces them
With hundreds of reasons and technical procedures,
His Holiness recalled the verse in the Three Principal Aspects of the Path:
Swept by the current of the four powerful rivers,
Tied by strong bonds of actions, so hard to undo,
Caught in the iron net of self-centredness,
Completely enveloped by the darkness of ignorance,
Born and reborn in boundless cyclic existence,
Ceaselessly tormented by the three miseries
All beings, your mothers, are in this condition.
Think of them and generate the mind of enlightenment.
He said we all grasp at a self, and only by employing our intelligence can we attain liberation and enlightenment. We have to understand and realize emptiness. “Although,” he joked, “some might find it easier to remain in cyclic existence, thinking that it’s not too bad and that they are enjoying it; especially American samsara.
If, on the other hand, you aspire for liberation, there is no choice but to discard the view of intrinsic existence.”
His Holiness highlighted the distinction between destructive emotions like anger that requires a specific target and constructive emotions, like compassion, that can be directed to a general target. As an example, he suggested that as each of us desires happiness, there are grounds for generating compassion for all beings. He remarked that the most effective antidote to destructive emotions is an understanding of emptiness. The text says:
“the discriminating should exert themselves in the techniques for realizing Thatness. This depends on the discrimination between the interpretable meaning and the definitive meaning of the teachings of the Conqueror.”
Continuing to read the text after attending the Tibet House Art of Freedom Award luncheon, to illustrate the power of disturbing emotions such as attachment His Holiness asked his listeners to imagine being attracted to a particular object in a shop. “If somebody were to drop and break it you might not mind, but it you’ve already bought it, you might even cry out in distress.” Understanding emptiness is the most effective way of loosening the grip of disturbing emotions.
His Holiness touched on the Mind Only School’s dependence on the ‘Unravelling of Thought Sutra’ as a prime source. In it the Buddha says:
“I teach the intrinsic unreality of all things intending the following three types of such unreality: identity-unreality, production-unreality and ultimate-unreality. “
The ‘Unravelling of Thought Sutra’ explains that there are two types of sutras according to whether or not they discriminate between existence and non-existence of intrinsic reality. The discriminating sutras are definitive in meaning, as they cannot be interpreted otherwise, and the non-discriminating are interpretable in meaning, since they must be interpreted otherwise.
His Holiness drew attention to the fact that Asanga was said to have been a 3rd ground bodhisattva, someone who had directly experienced emptiness. He speculated that he had chosen to expound the Mind Only School in order to help his brother Vasubandhu, who was initially disdainful of the Mahayana, but later converted to it.
His Holiness touched on the tradition of ‘other-emptiness’ expounded by the Jonangpas. He mentioned several views of emptiness that some regard as contradictory to each other, but quoted Khunu Lama Rinpoche’s comment that for someone with a profound understanding and the experience of a yogi these different views converge on the same point.
“That’s all,” he said, “good night.”
original link http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/1187-the-essence-of-true-eloquence
Saturday, November 8, 2014
The Dangers Of Paranormal Investigating
Hello to everyone. I pray you are having a great weekend. I can't believe Thanksgiving is coming! Before we know it, 2015 will be here. It's hard to fathom "2015" but it's right around the corner my friends. All the good food and desserts just can't be beat. This time of year always promises amazing goodies and our favorite dishes.
To start off I'd like to discuss something first. Many don't believe ghosts exist, they feel they are malevolent entities mimicking our loved ones who passed. Some feel it's ridiculous thinking and debate the verses in the bible. Below are a couple of verses that many feel tell us the dead are unable to return much less communicate with us in any fashion.
"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:5 NIV
"As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return.
He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.” Job 7:9-10 NIV
As I have mentioned many times, one of the most common forms of spiritual attacks my ministry deals with are mind attacks. There so common that every Christian has experienced these through spiritual warfare in one form or another. As an example, perhaps you have gone through life believing your never really good enough at something you wanted to do in life. Or perhaps, you feel like no one could ever love you. These are basic examples of how spirits can invade our thoughts and rational. This is why in Corinthians, the Apostle Paul tells us to take every thought captive.
When Jesus was seen walking on water according to the bible it was said "Oh my it's a ghost" or something to that effect so many believe ghost surely must have existed in order for those specific words to be mentioned. And there are some places in the Bible where there is communication with some who were already passed on. That's a whole different topic right there and I'm trying not to get sidelined off the subject at hand. I however, cannot debate that topic very well. It's just one of those things that I feel some of us may not know for sure until we are deceased. Familiar Spirits are spirits that give an appearance of a person that is familiar to a human being. For example : Demons know the history of the property and the person, so they can take on the appearance of any person so you feel comfortable in talking to. Unfortunately for me all I have ever dealt with was inhuman spirits, the demonic. Some are very passionate about that subject and can't agree to disagree. Like I said for me personally I have my personal beliefs but there are just some things we won't know for sure until we are passed on.
Ghost hunting is dangerous in my humble opinion. You need to educate yourself before you go trampling into a world you really know nothing about. Beings from another dimension, don't need to follow our physical rules, or observe our morality. There are just too many people jumping in to paranormal investigating who do not understand the dangers that are involved to them and anybody else around them. Demonic attachment is so prevalent and very scary. It happens so easily and most people can't believe even though they didn't do anything that would invite demonic entities they were still at risk. We can inadvertently open up doors. It's not hard at all. Just because you've done research online and you watch all the paranormal TV shows does not mean you are equipped to deal with these very serous consequences. It happens so easily but yet it takes a lot of work to rid someone from demonic attachment. You are lucky if you can even find the proper help in these situations. It can take a lot of time. Some people claiming they can help actually make the problem worse in many cases. This is very unfortunate but happens often.
I have witnessed ramifications when people were playing around with Ouija Boards. In my humble opinion they are nothing more than portals to the demonic. Mainly who are using this form of provocation call themselves paranormal investigators who engage in this type of activity in order to illicit possible evidence. Christ warns us about this.."Beware Of The Familiar Spirit." Our friends and loved ones are mimicked by demonic entities in a effort to trick us into offering help or becoming highly involved in keeping the communication going. This eventually allows them legal ground into our life. Now you have big problems. These things hate humans and anyone who loves Christ. They will torment you and your loved ones into thinking you are crazy. Things will escalate and get worse over time. This situation will not go away on it's own. You can't ignore it and it eventually go away. You will be tormented beyond belief. I am very strong about this due to what I've witnessed and do not want anyone to even entertain the thought. No matter how curious you
"Be aware of the familiar spirit" Familiar spirits operate under their master, Satan. They influence people to create hate and hurt. Basically raise hell and torment us relentlessly. They spew lies and make a person believe such horrible things of others and ourselves. To knowingly open oneself to the work of demons is an evil act: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in a fire, who practices divination or sorcery." To knowingly open yourself up to these demons and their tasks is considered a sin. They are very convincing to make you believe it's a passed loved one making contact. Test the spirit each time. Ask if he/it believes Jesus Christ is the son of man and does it worship Christ. You'll know real quick then if it's real and not eyes playing tricks on you or a person seeking attention.
The Word (bible) warns us of this trickery demons do. They often imitate our loved ones to trick us into giving them attention. They can take the form of anybody who lived in that home prior to you, again a way to fool you or others so they never get dealt with properly. And if that happens they can do whatever they want whenever they want with no real fear of being banished. You should not ever attempt to directly engage with demons unless the Lord Himself is authorizing you with a calling. He is the boss (pending your religion) and If we step behind enemy lines, which is what you are doing once you step foot into these types of haunted places it very well could break your hedge of protection. The results could be that you are opening yourself for attachment or demonic attack as a result of searching for these evil entities, trying to capture activity. I can't stress this enough!
"I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:18-20 CEB)."
Much of the demonic activity reported seems to happen at 3am or shortly after. This is thought not to be any kind of coincidence. Many people believe that 3am is referred to as the "Demonic Witching Hour." The reason for this is because it is a way for demons to mock the Holy Trinity, since 3am is an inversion of 3pm and that is considered to be the Miracle Hour. According to many this is accepted as the time when Jesus Christ died on the cross. So to mock his death, demons commit unspeakable torment the during this time. This is when they prefer to attack, this does NOT means they are limited to this time. Things have been known to happen at many other times, as well. Even during the daylight.
Second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 14 states: For satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Demons themselves can trick us and come to us as Angels of light as well. Like I mentioned already, Familiar Spirits are spirits that give an appearance of a person that is familiar to us. Here is a good example: Demons know the history of the property and the person, so they can take on their appearance of any person so you feel more at ease with communicating with them. Satan may have great power, but even the Arch Angel Michael depends on only GODS power when dealing with satan. That speaks volumes doesn't it?
Written By Jennifer L Auld; Biblical Demonologist
To start off I'd like to discuss something first. Many don't believe ghosts exist, they feel they are malevolent entities mimicking our loved ones who passed. Some feel it's ridiculous thinking and debate the verses in the bible. Below are a couple of verses that many feel tell us the dead are unable to return much less communicate with us in any fashion.
"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten." Ecclesiastes 9:5 NIV
"As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return.
He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.” Job 7:9-10 NIV
As I have mentioned many times, one of the most common forms of spiritual attacks my ministry deals with are mind attacks. There so common that every Christian has experienced these through spiritual warfare in one form or another. As an example, perhaps you have gone through life believing your never really good enough at something you wanted to do in life. Or perhaps, you feel like no one could ever love you. These are basic examples of how spirits can invade our thoughts and rational. This is why in Corinthians, the Apostle Paul tells us to take every thought captive.
When Jesus was seen walking on water according to the bible it was said "Oh my it's a ghost" or something to that effect so many believe ghost surely must have existed in order for those specific words to be mentioned. And there are some places in the Bible where there is communication with some who were already passed on. That's a whole different topic right there and I'm trying not to get sidelined off the subject at hand. I however, cannot debate that topic very well. It's just one of those things that I feel some of us may not know for sure until we are deceased. Familiar Spirits are spirits that give an appearance of a person that is familiar to a human being. For example : Demons know the history of the property and the person, so they can take on the appearance of any person so you feel comfortable in talking to. Unfortunately for me all I have ever dealt with was inhuman spirits, the demonic. Some are very passionate about that subject and can't agree to disagree. Like I said for me personally I have my personal beliefs but there are just some things we won't know for sure until we are passed on.
Ghost hunting is dangerous in my humble opinion. You need to educate yourself before you go trampling into a world you really know nothing about. Beings from another dimension, don't need to follow our physical rules, or observe our morality. There are just too many people jumping in to paranormal investigating who do not understand the dangers that are involved to them and anybody else around them. Demonic attachment is so prevalent and very scary. It happens so easily and most people can't believe even though they didn't do anything that would invite demonic entities they were still at risk. We can inadvertently open up doors. It's not hard at all. Just because you've done research online and you watch all the paranormal TV shows does not mean you are equipped to deal with these very serous consequences. It happens so easily but yet it takes a lot of work to rid someone from demonic attachment. You are lucky if you can even find the proper help in these situations. It can take a lot of time. Some people claiming they can help actually make the problem worse in many cases. This is very unfortunate but happens often.
I have witnessed ramifications when people were playing around with Ouija Boards. In my humble opinion they are nothing more than portals to the demonic. Mainly who are using this form of provocation call themselves paranormal investigators who engage in this type of activity in order to illicit possible evidence. Christ warns us about this.."Beware Of The Familiar Spirit." Our friends and loved ones are mimicked by demonic entities in a effort to trick us into offering help or becoming highly involved in keeping the communication going. This eventually allows them legal ground into our life. Now you have big problems. These things hate humans and anyone who loves Christ. They will torment you and your loved ones into thinking you are crazy. Things will escalate and get worse over time. This situation will not go away on it's own. You can't ignore it and it eventually go away. You will be tormented beyond belief. I am very strong about this due to what I've witnessed and do not want anyone to even entertain the thought. No matter how curious you
"Be aware of the familiar spirit" Familiar spirits operate under their master, Satan. They influence people to create hate and hurt. Basically raise hell and torment us relentlessly. They spew lies and make a person believe such horrible things of others and ourselves. To knowingly open oneself to the work of demons is an evil act: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in a fire, who practices divination or sorcery." To knowingly open yourself up to these demons and their tasks is considered a sin. They are very convincing to make you believe it's a passed loved one making contact. Test the spirit each time. Ask if he/it believes Jesus Christ is the son of man and does it worship Christ. You'll know real quick then if it's real and not eyes playing tricks on you or a person seeking attention.
The Word (bible) warns us of this trickery demons do. They often imitate our loved ones to trick us into giving them attention. They can take the form of anybody who lived in that home prior to you, again a way to fool you or others so they never get dealt with properly. And if that happens they can do whatever they want whenever they want with no real fear of being banished. You should not ever attempt to directly engage with demons unless the Lord Himself is authorizing you with a calling. He is the boss (pending your religion) and If we step behind enemy lines, which is what you are doing once you step foot into these types of haunted places it very well could break your hedge of protection. The results could be that you are opening yourself for attachment or demonic attack as a result of searching for these evil entities, trying to capture activity. I can't stress this enough!
"I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Look, I have given you authority to crush snakes and scorpions underfoot. I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the spirits submit to you. Rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:18-20 CEB)."
Much of the demonic activity reported seems to happen at 3am or shortly after. This is thought not to be any kind of coincidence. Many people believe that 3am is referred to as the "Demonic Witching Hour." The reason for this is because it is a way for demons to mock the Holy Trinity, since 3am is an inversion of 3pm and that is considered to be the Miracle Hour. According to many this is accepted as the time when Jesus Christ died on the cross. So to mock his death, demons commit unspeakable torment the during this time. This is when they prefer to attack, this does NOT means they are limited to this time. Things have been known to happen at many other times, as well. Even during the daylight.
Second Corinthians chapter 11 verse 14 states: For satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." Demons themselves can trick us and come to us as Angels of light as well. Like I mentioned already, Familiar Spirits are spirits that give an appearance of a person that is familiar to us. Here is a good example: Demons know the history of the property and the person, so they can take on their appearance of any person so you feel more at ease with communicating with them. Satan may have great power, but even the Arch Angel Michael depends on only GODS power when dealing with satan. That speaks volumes doesn't it?
Written By Jennifer L Auld; Biblical Demonologist
Friday, November 7, 2014
Was Jesus a Ghost?!
By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
It has surprised me the number of seminary trained Christians whom I respect point to the text in Mark 6 as proof positive that Jesus believed in ghosts. They say it is the clearest text of Jesus affirming the existence of human spirits/ghosts populating the earth, and that Jesus Himself believed in ghosts because He did not correct his disciples when they thought/said Jesus was a ghost as He walked on the water. Though I dealt with this in my book, I want to address this again in more detail. What I want to do is take the cumulative evidence to show that Jesus was NOT affirming the existence of ghosts. As we shall see, the Holy Spirit's intent for this text is antithetical to the notion of ghosts. "Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night7 he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened."
1. It is important to put this text in context. Mark, spokesman for Peter, wrote this "docudrama" in order to persuade people to be followers of Jesus--words and actions of Jesus are presented by Mark to draw true disciples to our Divine Messiah. This episode is "hooked" into the preceding narrative of Jesus miraculously feeding over 10,000 people by using the word "immediately". (5,000 was just the men) Jesus is trying to show his obtuse disciples that He was the "greater then Moses" by giving us eternal Bread, and not ephemeral manna.The parallel text in Matthew 14, which includes Peter walking on the water, is also followed by the word "immediately". This is important because the authors want us to connect what had just happened (empirical evidence of Jesus' deity as seen in miracle of feeding of large multitude)The disciples were eyewitnesses of this profound miracle. In order to interpret this text correctly, we must remember that didactic/teaching texts interpret historical narratives.Both in the OT and NT followers of God did and said many wrong things, which are not always corrected by the editor. The classic case is Jepthah (Judges 11:30--who vowed to kill the first thing that came out of his tent, if God gave him victory. His daughter came out of his tent to congratulate him and was condemned to death. Jepthah had made an unbiblical vow--which the bible had made provisions for him to repent of. However, it seems that he did not repent and felt obliged to follow through with his horrible vow--he killed his daughter. However, the editor does not explicitly condemn this act. The inspired editor assumed prior knowledge of his readers. Anyone conversant with Leviticus/Deuteronomy would know that wrongful vows should not be acted upon, and that Jepthah SHOULD have known human sacrifice was repugnant to God. The editor assumes this prior knowledge, but does not give commentary. That is that danger of drawing doctrine from the silence of historical narrative. The same is true of the NT. Many evil words and actions are recorded in the historical books of the bible but are not always condemned. It is HISTORY. In the NT there are numerous examples of the disciples saying/doing whacko things prior to Pentecost,but Jesus did not always correct them (e.g. Transfiguration experience where Peter stuck his foot in his mouth, again)....a precedent of the disciple NOT being rebuked by Jesus for saying stupid things.
2. What was the Holy Spirit's intent in above text? Was it to prove the notion of ghosts? NO!! This text, and its parallel text in Matthew 14. was included to prove that Jesus was Yahweh! How sad and ironic that it is used to "prove" that Jesus believed in ghosts. Jesus intentionally "walked by them" in order for them to see Him, and thus give empirical evidence that He was the Creator of Heaven and Earth. By walking on the water Jesus wanted them to see Him walking in the midst of a ferocious storm to show He was the Lord of creation. "it is I....."ego eimi"...I AM" echoing Exodus 3:14 )By walking on the water in a furious storm He was demonstrating that He was Lord over creation, and that there was no need to be afraid. Not only Jesus' actions but His words were designed to show the disciples that He was/is God Almighty. The Septuagint uses the same word for "passed by" when Moses experienced God "passing by" him )Exodus 33:19,22....giving Moses/disciples a glimpse of God's glory. In Mark 6:48 "walking on the sea" echoes the Septuagint Job 9:8 where "God trampled upon the sea"....same Greek words. The Holy Spirit's intent in this text is to accent the deity of the Lord Jesus--King over creation (see Mark 4).
3. First century Judaism was rife with superstition and theological confusion. For example, Jewish leaders believed in salvation by good works, and the popular superstition of a plentitude of ghosts was rampant, as it has been since the dawn of time. Peter and the rest of the disciples were deeply effected by common superstition, and were very slow to change until after Pentecost.
4. Why would they call Jesus a "ghost" when they had just seem him a few hours earlier...very much alive? Was He a ghost of a living Person? Perhaps they were terrified because they thought this was a demon trying to deceive them? That is an option not often mentioned. Either way, with an abundance evidence for Jesus' deity, why would they call Him a ghost? How could God be a ghost?! This is (and the parallel text) is the only place that "phantasm" is used, which can mean superstitious imagination.
5. Recall that the Holy Spirits intent was to exalt the deity of Jesus, and the disciples de-exalted Him by calling Him a "ghost".
6. So, why did not Jesus correct them? First, we do not know if Jesus corrected them or not because in many cases the entirety of what Jesus said is not recorded. But my guess is that He did not correct them....not then, anyway. Why? They were deathly afraid! He was keen on comforting them, and not correcting them.It is an argument from silence to say that Jesus must have agreed with them since He did not correct them.The most common negative command that Jesus uttered was, "Do no be afraid!" If your child was drowning, and you jumped in to save them, what would be your first words to them?
7. In a context in which the deity of Jesus is being accented, it must have broken Jesus' heart that His disciples responded so faithlessly. He "walked by" in a manner to empirically display His Lordship over the storm, but the lesson was lost on them. Instead they became wild-eyed with fear, and superstition enveloped them like a cocoon.
8. To say that Jesus must have believed in roaming human spirits because He did not (that we know of)correct His disciples, is an argument from silence--a logical fallacy. Jesus/apostles did warn us of Satan and demons, but they never warn us of roaming human spirits. This is NOT an argument from silence because knowing who populates the spirit realm is utterly necessary for discernment and victory in spiritual warfare. As an exorcist, how can I properly proceed if I do not know exactly who/what may infesting the house/person? Jesus never cast out a human spirit from a human...only demons.
9. Not all historical narratives are bereft of teaching or editorial comment.v.52 is an inspired editorial commentary on this whole episode--they were afraid and their hearts were hardened. Faith Vs fear, and teachability vs hardened hearts. Unlike many historical narratives, this one is concluded with an editorial comment. This is extremely important in interpreting this text accurately. Everything...EVERYTHING...the disciples did and said has a shadow cast over it. Everything they said and did was compelled by fear and hard-heartedness. Their comment re: Jesus being a ghost was an expression of both fear and hardness of heart. They did not learn from the feeding of the 5,000 (or the 4,000) that Jesus was God almighty. How utterly tragic that they would call Him a ghost, when what He was doing and saying displayed that He was the culmination of the I AM". It is difficult to over-state the significance of this concluding comment...it renders the ghost comment utterly suspect.
10. The epistles were written largely to interpret the actions and words of Jesus. After Pentecost, ghosts are never mentioned again--except the deceased spirits in heaven or hell (e.g. Moses and Elijah). To those who are unduly affected by the fact that the bible does not mention Jesus correcting their comment that He was a ghost, was He a ghost in that text? NO! As parents, do we correct our kids EVERY TIME they make a mistake? The bible says that would break their spirits if we do. If your child was in danger of drowning and was frightened, would you feel the need to immediately correct them of anything dumb they may have uttered in their terror? I hope not....rather we would embrace them.
With an issue as significant as ghosts, we cannot camp on a text in which we are told explicitly that they were full of terror and hardness of heart, which casts a long shadow over everything they said. It is much more plausible that their cry of "ghost" was fueled by superstition.
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.
It has surprised me the number of seminary trained Christians whom I respect point to the text in Mark 6 as proof positive that Jesus believed in ghosts. They say it is the clearest text of Jesus affirming the existence of human spirits/ghosts populating the earth, and that Jesus Himself believed in ghosts because He did not correct his disciples when they thought/said Jesus was a ghost as He walked on the water. Though I dealt with this in my book, I want to address this again in more detail. What I want to do is take the cumulative evidence to show that Jesus was NOT affirming the existence of ghosts. As we shall see, the Holy Spirit's intent for this text is antithetical to the notion of ghosts. "Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night7 he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened."
1. It is important to put this text in context. Mark, spokesman for Peter, wrote this "docudrama" in order to persuade people to be followers of Jesus--words and actions of Jesus are presented by Mark to draw true disciples to our Divine Messiah. This episode is "hooked" into the preceding narrative of Jesus miraculously feeding over 10,000 people by using the word "immediately". (5,000 was just the men) Jesus is trying to show his obtuse disciples that He was the "greater then Moses" by giving us eternal Bread, and not ephemeral manna.The parallel text in Matthew 14, which includes Peter walking on the water, is also followed by the word "immediately". This is important because the authors want us to connect what had just happened (empirical evidence of Jesus' deity as seen in miracle of feeding of large multitude)The disciples were eyewitnesses of this profound miracle. In order to interpret this text correctly, we must remember that didactic/teaching texts interpret historical narratives.Both in the OT and NT followers of God did and said many wrong things, which are not always corrected by the editor. The classic case is Jepthah (Judges 11:30--who vowed to kill the first thing that came out of his tent, if God gave him victory. His daughter came out of his tent to congratulate him and was condemned to death. Jepthah had made an unbiblical vow--which the bible had made provisions for him to repent of. However, it seems that he did not repent and felt obliged to follow through with his horrible vow--he killed his daughter. However, the editor does not explicitly condemn this act. The inspired editor assumed prior knowledge of his readers. Anyone conversant with Leviticus/Deuteronomy would know that wrongful vows should not be acted upon, and that Jepthah SHOULD have known human sacrifice was repugnant to God. The editor assumes this prior knowledge, but does not give commentary. That is that danger of drawing doctrine from the silence of historical narrative. The same is true of the NT. Many evil words and actions are recorded in the historical books of the bible but are not always condemned. It is HISTORY. In the NT there are numerous examples of the disciples saying/doing whacko things prior to Pentecost,but Jesus did not always correct them (e.g. Transfiguration experience where Peter stuck his foot in his mouth, again)....a precedent of the disciple NOT being rebuked by Jesus for saying stupid things.
2. What was the Holy Spirit's intent in above text? Was it to prove the notion of ghosts? NO!! This text, and its parallel text in Matthew 14. was included to prove that Jesus was Yahweh! How sad and ironic that it is used to "prove" that Jesus believed in ghosts. Jesus intentionally "walked by them" in order for them to see Him, and thus give empirical evidence that He was the Creator of Heaven and Earth. By walking on the water Jesus wanted them to see Him walking in the midst of a ferocious storm to show He was the Lord of creation. "it is I....."ego eimi"...I AM" echoing Exodus 3:14 )By walking on the water in a furious storm He was demonstrating that He was Lord over creation, and that there was no need to be afraid. Not only Jesus' actions but His words were designed to show the disciples that He was/is God Almighty. The Septuagint uses the same word for "passed by" when Moses experienced God "passing by" him )Exodus 33:19,22....giving Moses/disciples a glimpse of God's glory. In Mark 6:48 "walking on the sea" echoes the Septuagint Job 9:8 where "God trampled upon the sea"....same Greek words. The Holy Spirit's intent in this text is to accent the deity of the Lord Jesus--King over creation (see Mark 4).
3. First century Judaism was rife with superstition and theological confusion. For example, Jewish leaders believed in salvation by good works, and the popular superstition of a plentitude of ghosts was rampant, as it has been since the dawn of time. Peter and the rest of the disciples were deeply effected by common superstition, and were very slow to change until after Pentecost.
4. Why would they call Jesus a "ghost" when they had just seem him a few hours earlier...very much alive? Was He a ghost of a living Person? Perhaps they were terrified because they thought this was a demon trying to deceive them? That is an option not often mentioned. Either way, with an abundance evidence for Jesus' deity, why would they call Him a ghost? How could God be a ghost?! This is (and the parallel text) is the only place that "phantasm" is used, which can mean superstitious imagination.
5. Recall that the Holy Spirits intent was to exalt the deity of Jesus, and the disciples de-exalted Him by calling Him a "ghost".
6. So, why did not Jesus correct them? First, we do not know if Jesus corrected them or not because in many cases the entirety of what Jesus said is not recorded. But my guess is that He did not correct them....not then, anyway. Why? They were deathly afraid! He was keen on comforting them, and not correcting them.It is an argument from silence to say that Jesus must have agreed with them since He did not correct them.The most common negative command that Jesus uttered was, "Do no be afraid!" If your child was drowning, and you jumped in to save them, what would be your first words to them?
7. In a context in which the deity of Jesus is being accented, it must have broken Jesus' heart that His disciples responded so faithlessly. He "walked by" in a manner to empirically display His Lordship over the storm, but the lesson was lost on them. Instead they became wild-eyed with fear, and superstition enveloped them like a cocoon.
8. To say that Jesus must have believed in roaming human spirits because He did not (that we know of)correct His disciples, is an argument from silence--a logical fallacy. Jesus/apostles did warn us of Satan and demons, but they never warn us of roaming human spirits. This is NOT an argument from silence because knowing who populates the spirit realm is utterly necessary for discernment and victory in spiritual warfare. As an exorcist, how can I properly proceed if I do not know exactly who/what may infesting the house/person? Jesus never cast out a human spirit from a human...only demons.
9. Not all historical narratives are bereft of teaching or editorial comment.v.52 is an inspired editorial commentary on this whole episode--they were afraid and their hearts were hardened. Faith Vs fear, and teachability vs hardened hearts. Unlike many historical narratives, this one is concluded with an editorial comment. This is extremely important in interpreting this text accurately. Everything...EVERYTHING...the disciples did and said has a shadow cast over it. Everything they said and did was compelled by fear and hard-heartedness. Their comment re: Jesus being a ghost was an expression of both fear and hardness of heart. They did not learn from the feeding of the 5,000 (or the 4,000) that Jesus was God almighty. How utterly tragic that they would call Him a ghost, when what He was doing and saying displayed that He was the culmination of the I AM". It is difficult to over-state the significance of this concluding comment...it renders the ghost comment utterly suspect.
10. The epistles were written largely to interpret the actions and words of Jesus. After Pentecost, ghosts are never mentioned again--except the deceased spirits in heaven or hell (e.g. Moses and Elijah). To those who are unduly affected by the fact that the bible does not mention Jesus correcting their comment that He was a ghost, was He a ghost in that text? NO! As parents, do we correct our kids EVERY TIME they make a mistake? The bible says that would break their spirits if we do. If your child was in danger of drowning and was frightened, would you feel the need to immediately correct them of anything dumb they may have uttered in their terror? I hope not....rather we would embrace them.
With an issue as significant as ghosts, we cannot camp on a text in which we are told explicitly that they were full of terror and hardness of heart, which casts a long shadow over everything they said. It is much more plausible that their cry of "ghost" was fueled by superstition.
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.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Compassion, Service, Joy: The Dalai Lama Visits Princeton
With wisdom, honesty and humor, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama urged young people to take action to make the world more peaceful through compassion and service during a visit to Princeton University on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
"If you make [an] attempt now, this century can be more peaceful. [A] more happy world can be possible," the Dalai Lama said. But, he said, "you will not achieve it through wishful thinking."
The Dalai Lama, the most well-known figure in Tibetan Buddhism, participated in two major events on campus. In the morning in Jadwin Gymnasium he gave a public talk on compassion titled "Develop the Heart." He wore an orange Princeton baseball cap given to him on stage by the Rev. Dr. Alison Boden, Princeton's dean of religious life and the chapel, who introduced him to a crowd of more than 4,200 people.
In the afternoon the Dalai Lama joined 150 students and three faculty members in the Chancellor Green Rotunda for a conversation on Princeton's informal motto, "In the Nation's Service and in the Service of All Nations."
When the Dalai Lama arrived at Jadwin Gym, he blessed the campus during a rice ceremony, a Buddhist custom traditionally done when visiting homes to cleanse them of evil elements and bless them for goodness. On stage a sacred Tibetan painting called a thangka with a representation of Buddha and four disciples was displayed behind him.
Boden called the Dalai Lama a leading "spiritual and moral voice on a host of issues that concern the human family," including the environment, poverty and public service.
"This morning we are blessed to hear His Holiness's teaching on the subject of compassion, of cultivating loving-kindness within ourselves, so that it may radiate throughout all that we are, all that we think and feel and do," she said.
With the assistance of interpreter Thupten Jinpa, the Dalai Lama spoke about compassion and its place in the world, combining earnest statements with funny quips and his impish, infectious laugh. He mixed his own insights with those from ancient Indian and Buddhist traditions as well as modern psychology and medicine.
In an interconnected world, "each individual's future depends on the rest of [the] community," he said. "East depends on West, West depends on West, and South and North. Therefore, we really need a sense of group responsibility."
That concern for others, he said, is the essence of a meaningful life.
"Meaningful means [a] peaceful life. Peaceful means any action for your life is carried out with a sense of compassion, a sense of well-being for others. Then there is no possibility to harm others," the Dalai Lama said.
The Dalai Lama said he first learned compassion from his mother, who was "uneducated, but very kind." He recalled that she let him ride on her shoulders as she worked on a farm and let him manipulate her ears and change direction, without ever getting angry. "I was a young, spoiled boy," he said with a big laugh.
Practicing compassion, he said, includes respecting all religious traditions, and believers and nonbelievers. The Dalai Lama challenged modern society's materialism, as well as its emphasis on difference rather than sameness.
"Yes, we have differences — different professions, different family, education, also color, also faith," he said. "If we [have] more emphasis on sameness, [we have] no basis of quarrel."
Emphasizing the need for people to build "inner value," he said people must reflect, and then share what they learn from this reflection. "This must come from [an] individual," not the government, or even a spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama said.
"It is your responsibility. It is your opportunity" to actively try to make the world a more peaceful, happy place, the Dalai Lama said, addressing the younger people in the audience.
He answered questions about a variety of topics. When asked about the meaning of life, he jokingly said "money" before giving a serious answer about developing inner strength, living life honestly and building trusting relationships. In responding to a question about his happiest memory from childhood, he spoke about the affectionate relationship he had with his mother. Other topics included how to incorporate Buddhism into daily life, and the best way to practice forgiveness and how he resists hateful feelings toward China, from which he has been exiled (he said he separates the actor from the action).
"Forgiveness really means to try to not to have anger towards that person. Forgiveness does not mean you accept what they've done. … We can make a distinction [between] action and actor," the Dalai Lama said.
Asked about his biggest regret, he said he wished he had taken studying more seriously when he was a child and had no other responsibilities.
"You must concentrate for education," the Dalai Lama said. "Education is not just copying. You must analyze, [do] critical thinking. You need to read different books, different views," to form your own opinions and convictions.
Students have been participating in activities and lectures based on the Dalai Lama's visit all semester, and many students attended the talk, including sophomore Tiffany Cho, whose Buddhist grandmother had taught her about the religion. Cho said she was inspired by the Dalai Lama's message of "overall responsibility and generosity, to act considerately to others and to yourself."
Senior Nicky Robinson said he was curious to see what kind of message the Dalai Lama would deliver to a modern society so far removed from his teachings.
"If the world was as peaceful and compassionate as he is, it would be a different place," Robinson said. "As a religious person, you can imagine him preaching, but he was very conversational and [you could tell he] didn't view himself as superior."
During the afternoon, the Dalai Lama, three faculty members and 150 students selected for their engagement in service gathered in a more intimate setting, the Chancellor Green library.
The Dalai Lama's opening remarks focused on service. "If you do good for others, you get benefit, if you get harm to others, you harm yourself. … The real mover is love and a sense of concern and wish of well-being," he said.
Jill Dolan, the Annan Professor in English and director of the Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies, asked how people can best serve with "compassionate care" despite cultural differences.
Speaking through his interpreter, the Dalai Lama said: "When we talk about human connection and compassion, the focus is the person, not their culture. … The primary emotion at a basic human level is that of love; the secondary level is differences — that's where complex emotions like jealousy and competitiveness arise."
Mitchell Duneier, the Maurice P. During Professor of Sociology, and Eddie Glaude Jr., the William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies, also asked questions before the floor was opened to the students.
One asked: "Can arts be considered an act of service in and of themselves?"
"The promotion of understanding of [the] huge gap between rich and poor — the artistic way can be very powerful medium," the Dalai Lama replied. "Through [the] artistic way, you can carry more clear message: every human activity can be positive so long as motivation is good."
A student raised in Newark, New Jersey, said he felt limited in what he could do in the face of homelessness, crime and poverty. He asked how to maintain compassion and hope in such situations.
"What is important is to be cognizant of your own ability to make change in other areas, so you don't feel overwhelmed by these circumstances," the Dalai Lama said.
After the conversation, the Dalai Lama walked to the lobby, where two Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Sera Mey Monastery in southern India had built a sand mandala depicting the paradise of Avelokitshevara, the Buddha of Compassion.
The Dalai Lama blessed and prayed over the mandala before the monks, in a tradition symbolizing the impermanence of life, ceremoniously dismantled the mandala by sweeping the sand with small pieces of paper into a ceramic vessel. The monks later walked down Washington Road and poured the sand into Lake Carnegie, a tradition intended to carry blessings and energy throughout the world.
Sophomore Richard Peay said he was inspired by the Dalai Lama's understanding of service. "He confirmed my long-standing belief that service isn't just going to a poverty-stricken area and building houses; it's also the little things you do every day that show compassion, that brighten someone's day, even if it is just a nice hug."
Original link plus pictures here: http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S41/45/30S62/index.xml?section=featured
Paranormal Python Preying on Paranormal People
In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity. ~ Hunter S. Thompson
The words of the victims should be louder than the criminals who sit behind concrete and steel. Rep. Mike Vereb (R., PA after the death of a police officer and what sparked off new legislation.)
Today is the day, where we bring out someones dark past and it is a history we think most folks will agree that should be told. Because... it appears some have alluded the confines of a cold cell by turning states evidence.
What is states evidence?
A colloquial term for testimony given by an Accomplice or joint participant in the commission of a crime, subject to an agreement that the person will be granted Immunity from prosecution if he/she voluntarily, completely, and fairly discloses his/her own guilt as well as that of the other participants. http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/State's+Evidence
Marie Annette's journey is one I remembered well. For years now I have been outspoken about her. I smelled the foul air as she created a fallacy of myth about herself and entered the paranormal world that she misrepresented so many times throughout the years. I used to like her, endorse her and asked her to be on our shows. I asked several times why it is she represented known thieves who have recently swindled people. I also remembered her last words to me and I so quote her as saying, " I have no other choice. Those people pay me and I have to make a living.” The first thought I had was, “Did you ever try working a real job?”
They say misery loves company and apparently now she is divorced from her husband and is in fear he will be coming after her. The question is; (we should all be asking) if she did not turn states evidence why would he be coming after her? Did she sell her husband down the river to save her own thick skin? That's what our sources say.
Another direct link to sentencing of her said husband is here. http://video.news8000.com/watch.php?id=13144 The truth is even the district attorney stated for the record HER HUSBAND was a drug addicted junkie who needed drug money and he stated that it was for the reason of the bank robbery. Again I ask you all what was her actual position into the involvement of this bank robbery in Lacrosse Wisconsin?
There is something more underlying then WHEN someone's prior criminal history COMES TO THE SURFACE but the continued existence of their actions in what should of been a newer presentation of correcting ones life doesn't. I do believe that everyone deserves a second chance and some folks will clean their past up,while others continue down the lonely roads that lead them to where they were to muddle in the depths of their own putrid muck.
Remember, we as adults choose our own destinations in life. We are not children and do not surrender to peer pressures. It should never be used as an excuse to conceal or hide the truth in what we do and how we do things. The only thing that comes to mind is that when folks hide and use aliases and avoid any said truths, they are traveling back on the same paths that lead them to where they once were. I have seen this many times. I for one believe that when someone's truly rotten they only know one thing and that is being good at what they were and in what seems her case “rotten”.
Marie Annette, talent agent, event booking agent, publisher who works through both D.T.M. Wicked Edge Radio, and French Point Publishing, is one that most folks are now starting to realize doesn't work on the up and up and they need to stay away from. Several authors now have been stunned by the lack of any ethics this woman has had. She is dropping some well known and respected folks without warrant and I feel it is just wrong. She is in my opinion someone that will sell her soul for money not someone I care to ever be around. I feel deeply for all the recent folks she has taken for granted in the para field and according to her, they are all wrong and she is the victim. But did she ever consider she is not good at what she says she can do? Heck, she doesn't even do what she promises to do. For instance how about French Point Publishing, owned by both Lisa Livingston Martin and Marie Annette Munnich? Apparently several authors are highly upset over their books deals and monthly fees being paid to her company, but, not having anything happen with their books being published, promoted or even seen? Missing dead lines in the book industry is hurtful to the author or authors and she has been known to just avoid and ignore repeated inquiries on what is going on by some authors. Then I saw recently Marie Munnich came out in what she said was a book about 24 pages. It's a children's Halloween book. Wait... was there not supposed to be some para books coming out before hers? There certainly were. A link to her dearest book release was and is this link.http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Rabbits-Halloween-Adventure-Dennis-ebook/dp/B00O2P20HA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1414956064&sr=1-1
With recent complaints by various authors, not having their books published as was scheduled through French Point publishing, we should take a look at also a book that was written by D.T.M.'s Wicked Edge Radio's producer Denny Gager who is also on the “author” billing on that book with Annette. Did the money that Marie is said to of run a way with go to endorse and reinforce the published short story book of Billy Rabbits Halloween adventure? Maybe the book should have been titled “Denny and Annette's Deceptive Practices.”
Besides the OBVIOUS bad artwork and inability to even understand how to make a composition that adequately works to draw the reader in to buy the book in the first place and given the bad design work all and all from Annette that is limited only by her meager use of a free graphic program with the inability to clean up her work for the final finished product that leaves gross artifacts (dots all over) on advertising used by her clients, it's a wonder anyone would even consider them a serious business and employ Annette as an artist. She does not even have rudimentary understanding of design or ad graphics and lacks sorely the ability to promote properly whilst being a complete and utter failure as a representative of her clients by being a drama queen constantly on Facebook and attempting to slander publicly past clients and friends on their own Facebook pages publicly. As a talent agent, she apparently has no clue on how to make and maintain a good image for the sake of her clients she is suppose to be representing.
It would appear to me and a good many of my friends and colleagues that Annette and French Point Publishing take money for services and do not deliver and have been doing so. One wonders if the legal beagle cohort is so busy with her practice and interest in being a history buff just does not even pay attention to the destruction of her own company in the hands of her partner. Perhaps being only an editor and not taking an active roll into finding out what her partner is doing will be her own undoing as well.
As for the Children's book, “Billy Rabbit's Halloween Adventure”, save your money and buy a real piece of artwork your children and grandchildren will enjoy and take the time to flip through even just the Halloween section of Children's books on Amazon or your local book store or section. Support authors and artist that truly have spent time on their wares and it shows. Believe me, many are struggling authors and artist too.
If you are looking to publish your book, well, I suggest NOT paying someone to do it for you. Generally if your manuscript is truly good, the publisher pays you. If you want more control, think about self publishing through Lulu (https://www.lulu.com/), Blurb (http://www.blurb.com/t), Create Space (https://www.createspace.com/) or through Amazon's Kindle (https://kdp.amazon.com/). There are some services available from these bigger companies, or do some homework and learn to market your own book. There are even ways to help you with the design of the cover. (Or just hire a REAL artist.)
When doing any book, there is a large amount of competition, especially in the paranormal world. But, be careful hiring a publishing firm that promises a lot and delivers little or even nothing. When inquiring on the owner of French Point Publishing's own Lisa Livingston-Martin, there is a reality in the low book review and obvious lack of sales of her own book. If they can not even sell their own books, how do you expect them to sell yours? And they expect a re-occurring fee of $50 a month for promoting? It would seem that is not their strong point.
Until next week...
Evan Jensen
Producer of Beyond the Edge of Reality Radio Network
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