St. Paul's Lutheran
SASSAMANSVILLE — Transfiguration Sunday will be observed during this week's 10:15 a.m. worship service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1809 Hoffmansville Road.
Good Shepherd UCC
BOYERTOWN — Couples married 50 years or more will renew their marriage vows during the 10:20 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave.
A reception honoring the couples will follow.
Coventry Brethren
NORTH COVENTRY — An annual Sweetheart Banquet will be hosted by Coventry Church of the Brethren, 946 Keen Road, at 6 tonight at Michael's Diner, Douglassville.
Cost will be $35 per couple. Advance registration is required.
Bally Mennonite
BALLY — A pancake breakfast will be served from 7 to 11 a.m. today at Bally Mennonite Church, Route 100.
Donations will be accepted.
Zion Lutheran
SPRING CITY — Transfiguration Sunday will be observed at this week's 9 a.m. worship service at Zion Lutheran Church, 39 Bonnie Brae Road.
A Valentine's Day luncheon will follow the service.
Trinity Reformed
COLLEGEVILLE — Fourth- and fifth-grade students will be recognized as Church School Class of the Month during Sunday's 10:45 a.m. worship service at Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ.
Transfiguration Sunday will be observed.
Ash Wednesday will be observed this week at services at noon and at 7:45 p.m.
St. James Lutheran
LIMERICK — A valentine dinner is slated at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road. Tickets are $13 per person. Proceeds will benefit youth mission and faith-building events.
Child care will be offered for youngsters sixth grade and under.
The Women of St. James will meet at 1 p.m. on Monday.
A Lenten dinner will be served by the Women of St. James at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Ash Wednesday worship will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Hope Methodist
DOUGLASSVILLE — Ash Wednesday worship will begin at 7 p.m. this week at Hope United Methodist Church, 117 N. Monocacy Creek Road.
St. James Episcopal
COLLEGEVILLE — The Girls Friendly Society of St. James Episcopal Church, Germantown Pike, will serve a sausage and pancake supper from 5 to 7 p.m. on Shrove Tuesday.
Ash Wednesday services are planned at 7 a.m., noon and at 7:30 p.m. at St. James.
Centennial Lutheran
KIMBERTON — Transfiguration Sunday will be observed at this week's single 9:30 a.m. service at Centennial Lutheran Church, Hares Hill Road.
A "Build Your Own Sundae" fellowship will follow.
Ash Wednesday worship will begin at 7:30 p.m.
St. Paul's UCC
POTTSTOWN — St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Grace and Franklin streets, will host a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Cost will be $6 for adults and $3.50 for children.
A brown-bag luncheon is set Tuesday in the church library.
Weekly Lenten services will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday. This year's theme will be "Faith Questions."
St. Paul's is providing food and shelter for homeless people throughout the month of February.
St. Luke's Lutheran
OBELISK — The movie "Fireproof" will be shown at 7 p.m. on Sunday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Route 73 and Neiffer Road. Snacks will be served.
Bethel Methodist
SPRING CITY — Members of Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road, will join members of the Union of Churches for an Ash Wednesday service at 7:15 p.m. at Brownback's United Church of Christ.
Sarah Bollenbach and Connor Patterson, music students at Millersville University, will provide music for Sunday's 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services at Bethel.
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — Bring a Friend Sunday will be celebrated at 7:45 and 10:15 a.m. worship services this week at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road.
A coffee hour and blood pressure readings will follow the latter service.
Ash Wednesday worship will begin at 7 p.m. with the Imposition of Ashes.
Emmanuel Lutheran
POTTSTOWN — A breakfast will be served at 7:30 this morning at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 150 N. Hanover St.
Victory Christian
AUDUBON — Victory Christian Fellowship will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday at its new facility on the first floor of the J.P. Mascaro & Sons building, 2650 Audubon Road.
Renovation of the facility to meet the needs of the church was underwritten by Pat Mascaro, president of J.P. Mascaro & Sons.
The Rev. Ed Crenshaw, pastor of Victory Christian, said he and Mascaro share a vision of making the church a community resource. To that end, the church will host an employment seeking workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, a marriage workshop at 9 a.m. on Feb. 27 and a money makeover program at 1 p.m. on March 13.
More information is available at getvictory.net.
St. Vincent UCC
PHOENIXVILLE — The burning of palms from Palm Sunday will take place during the Sunday worship service at St. Vincent United Church of Christ, 137 Ridge Road. The ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday.
Youth of the church will begin a training program on operating video equipment for special church events. The Rev. Dr. Ben Motz, interim pastor, will direct the effort.
Parker Ford Church
EAST COVENTRY — A work day is set from 8 a.m. to noon today at Parker Ford Church.
A four-week introductory class will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Colebrookdale Chapel
COLEBROOKDALE — A family prayer breakfast is set at 8 this morning at Colebrookdale Chapel.
Prayer for the selection of new church officers will follow.
Shepherd of the Hills
BECHTELSVILLE — Scout Sunday will be observed during this week's 10:30 a.m. worship service at Shepherd of the Hills United Church of Christ, 527 Hoffmansville Road. Cub Scouts will distribute church bulletins, and Boy Scouts will serve as ushers. Scouts Kyle Grater and Jay Smith will lead pledges to the American and Christian flags.
The Lenten season will begin with an annual agape meal at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Kork Moyer of Ministries on Main Street will be speaker.
A family night is set 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Coventry Brethren
NORTH COVENTRY — An open house is set 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Coventry Church of the Brethren.
St. John's UCC
POTTSTOWN — Phil Moser will be guest speaker at Sunday's 10:15 a.m. service at St. John's United Church of Christ, High and Price streets.
A social hour will follow.
Coventryville UM
NORTH COVENTRY — A children's program, "Lenten Twist," will be hosted from 1 to 3 p.m. today at Coventryville United Methodist Church, 1521 Old Ridge Road. Games, stories, crafts and pretzel making are planned.
The OWLS, the church women's group, will meet at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
Brownback's UCC
SPRING CITY — A social hour will follow Sunday's 10 a.m. worship service at Brownback's United Church of Christ.
St. John's UCC
PHOENIXVILLE — Transfiguration Sunday will be observed during this week's 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. services at St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay St.
A mission Muscular Dystrophy Association project will be recognized during the latter service. Special guests will be Melanie Parks, executive director, Philadelphia-Delaware MDA; Samuel Miller, Samuel Miller Jr., and William F. Miller, Spring City Forest No. 34 of Lebanon, and Peter Updegraff, Tall Cedar Foundation, Norristown Forest No. 32 of Lebanon.
Ash Wednesday will be observed with the imposition of ashes at three services: noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. A pizza supper will be served after the 5:30 service.
Shenkel UCC
NORTH COVENTRY — Ash Wednesday worship will begin at 7 p.m. at Shenkel United Church of Christ, 1580 Shenkel Road.
The prayer shawl ministry of the church will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday and at 7 p.m. on Thursday. A healing prayer service is also scheduled on Thursday at 9:15 a.m.
First Baptist
POTTSTOWN — An all-church stewardship session will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday at First Baptist Church. The session was originally slated for Feb. 7 but was postponed because of inclement weather.
A collection of soup and other canned goods will continue through Feb. 21.
An Ash Wednesday service will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Lenten worship theme will be "Jesus: Our Bread of Life - A Faith that Sustains."
A family night event is set 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
St. Peter's Episcopal
PHOENIXVILLE — An annual meeting of the parish of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church St., will follow Sunday's 10 a.m. Mass. A light luncheon will be served.
Ash Wednesday Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes will be conducted at 7 a.m., noon and 7:30 p.m.
Stations of the Cross are scheduled this Friday and will continue at 7 p.m. every Friday during Lent.
Bethel AME
POTTSTOWN — Officers/Members Sunday will be observed during this week's 9:15 a.m. church school at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Vernon Ross, pastor, will lead the program. The topic will be "Declared by Peter."
Items for Saturday's weekly church news pages can be e-mailed to The Mercury at psommers@pottsmerc.com. Deadline is noon on Wednesday.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Spiritual Enlightenment through Music
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The Quotable John Mayer
Posted: February 11, 2010, 1:50 PM by Mark Medley
Music, john mayer
In light of recent events, it’s somewhat ironic that John Mayer’s debut album includes a song called My Stupid Mouth.
“My stupid mouth has got me in trouble, I said too much again,” he sings.
Nine years later, his stupid mouth is still getting the popular musician in trouble. Egotistical, brash, and willing to say just about anything, the singer-songwriter’s off-colour quotes and frank answers in interviews are a journalist’s dream. But if the backlash to a recent interview with Playboy is any indication, Mayer may want to take an oath of silence.
The 32-year-old singer-songwriter behind the hits Your Body Is A Wonderland and Daughters shared too much information with the men’s magazine, comparing his penis to a white supremacist, openly discussing his masturbation habits, and describing his ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson as “sexual napalm” and “crack cocaine.”
Mayer apologized for his comments on Wednesday, both on Twitter and later that night at a concert in Nashville.
“I think it’s time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews,” he said on Twitter. “It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it’s gotten out of hand and I’ve created somewhat of a monster. I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don’t have the stomach for it.”
His voice breaking, he told the crowd at the concert that “in the quest to be clever I completely forgot about the people that I love and the people that loved me.”
It’s hardly the first time Mayer has run his mouth. Herewith are some of Mayer’s greatest, er, hits:
• In a May 2001 profile in which Mayer was described as “the antithesis of your everyday average wannabe pop/rock star,” a not-quite-famous Mayer recalled “When I first started playing out, my audience consisted of drunk schoolteachers who would tell me how much I reminded them of their son and then they’d grab my ass.”
• In a 2003 Rolling Story interview Mayer admitted “I wrote a fan letter to Michael J. Fox when I was eleven, asking how I could get my hair like his ... Around the time of Secret of My Success, he had a little mullet, with a tuft thing behind his ear. I tried to get that going, but my hair is too thick.”
• In a 2003 interview with a hometown newspaper, he said “A lot of people think I’m cocky, and I think cocky can be cute. Being arrogant is totally different. I’ve learned that now. If cocky is when, before someone throws you a pitch, you think you’re gonna hit it, then yeah, I’m cocky. Arrogance is talking about it in the dugout all day.”
• In 2005 he told MTV that for “my next record, I’m closing up shop on acoustic sensitive and I’m gonna go to electric guitar and make something else happen ... I’m bored, man, [singing,] ‘I miss your kiss so much.’ Truth is, I don’t.”
• During an impromptu stand-up comedy routine in May 2006, Mayer joked that he never consummated his brief relationship with actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, blaming food poisoning. He later apologized to Hewitt, telling Us Weekly that “it really was me making fun of myself.”
• In another interview with Rolling Stone that same year Mayer said “I bought myself a Playgirl once ... I just loved the feeling that there was a porno you really, really weren’t supposed to have ... If there’s some shit I’m not supposed to have that’s on the top rack, with the black bar over the bag, I want to know what’s in there. I don’t care what it is — furniture, spider monkeys.”
• From the same interview: “Everybody right now in the world of entertainment is a pussy. A pussy ... They’re all so sensitive. What the *** happened?”
• Still in the same interview, Mayer was sort-of clairvoyant: “I’m at a point right now where the more I talk, the more I’m going to say something in the next twelve months that’s going to damage my career.”
• In August 2008, he held a press conference to explain why he broke up with Jennifer Aniston: “I ended a relationship to be alone because I don’t want to waste somebody’s time if something’s not right.”
• In March 2009, the singer told E! that Twitter was “inherently silly and it’s inherently dumb...If you really think that Twitter is the pathway to spiritual enlightenment, well...It’s one step away from sending pictures of your poop.” Mayer now has over 3 million followers on the social networking site.
• Last June, after the dust-up between Perez Hilton and the Black Eyed Peas in Toronto, Mayer tweeted: “Last year P!nk kneed me in the nuts outside Chateau Marmont. I was pissing blood for days. Did I make a scene?”
• Last year he told Details that “sometimes I feel like I do two things for a living. I make records and I talk to people. The record is much, much better than any interview I can give — you’ll walk away from the record liking me a hell of a lot more than you would walking away from an interview.”
• He told The New York Times last fall that “I should be having sex with more girls” and that “it’s crazy to me that in my head, that being 32 and dating women is going to get me in trouble ... I can’t even explain to you how terrible that feels, that I equate dating a woman with punishment, shame, guilt, disappointment, reproach, reprimand, persecution. It’s a nightmare.”
• In a Rolling Stone cover story last fall, Mayer admitted that “I almost didn’t do this interview because I’ve gone through so much discomfort on a profound level in speaking my mind and telling the truth and being taken advantage of by the truth. I was feeling preyed upon by people who wanted to know what I had to say about things. I had stopped doing press, I canceled my U.K. trip, I canceled any Canada press, and my manager said, ‘Does that mean that even if we get a Rolling Stone cover, you wouldn’t do it?’ I said, ‘That’s correct, I wouldn’t do it.’ Then I decided, ‘Let’s do this one more time,’ but after this, I have nothing else to say. There is nothing more subterranean than this, so I think I’m ready to be done and just play music.”
“So maybe I try too hard,” he sings on the aforementioned track, “but it’s all because of this desire: I just wanna be liked. I just wanna be funny. Looks like the joke’s on me.”
• John Mayer performs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Sunday.
[John Mayer at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Photo by Lucy Nichilson/Reuters]
Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2010/02/11/the-quotable-john-mayer.aspx#ixzz0fHeiL2kr
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Main | About | Contact Editor | Subscribe RSS
The Quotable John Mayer
Posted: February 11, 2010, 1:50 PM by Mark Medley
Music, john mayer
In light of recent events, it’s somewhat ironic that John Mayer’s debut album includes a song called My Stupid Mouth.
“My stupid mouth has got me in trouble, I said too much again,” he sings.
Nine years later, his stupid mouth is still getting the popular musician in trouble. Egotistical, brash, and willing to say just about anything, the singer-songwriter’s off-colour quotes and frank answers in interviews are a journalist’s dream. But if the backlash to a recent interview with Playboy is any indication, Mayer may want to take an oath of silence.
The 32-year-old singer-songwriter behind the hits Your Body Is A Wonderland and Daughters shared too much information with the men’s magazine, comparing his penis to a white supremacist, openly discussing his masturbation habits, and describing his ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson as “sexual napalm” and “crack cocaine.”
Mayer apologized for his comments on Wednesday, both on Twitter and later that night at a concert in Nashville.
“I think it’s time to stop trying to be so raw in interviews,” he said on Twitter. “It started as an attempt to not let the waves of criticism get to me, but it’s gotten out of hand and I’ve created somewhat of a monster. I wanted to be a blues guitar player. And a singer. And a songwriter. Not a shock jock. I don’t have the stomach for it.”
His voice breaking, he told the crowd at the concert that “in the quest to be clever I completely forgot about the people that I love and the people that loved me.”
It’s hardly the first time Mayer has run his mouth. Herewith are some of Mayer’s greatest, er, hits:
• In a May 2001 profile in which Mayer was described as “the antithesis of your everyday average wannabe pop/rock star,” a not-quite-famous Mayer recalled “When I first started playing out, my audience consisted of drunk schoolteachers who would tell me how much I reminded them of their son and then they’d grab my ass.”
• In a 2003 Rolling Story interview Mayer admitted “I wrote a fan letter to Michael J. Fox when I was eleven, asking how I could get my hair like his ... Around the time of Secret of My Success, he had a little mullet, with a tuft thing behind his ear. I tried to get that going, but my hair is too thick.”
• In a 2003 interview with a hometown newspaper, he said “A lot of people think I’m cocky, and I think cocky can be cute. Being arrogant is totally different. I’ve learned that now. If cocky is when, before someone throws you a pitch, you think you’re gonna hit it, then yeah, I’m cocky. Arrogance is talking about it in the dugout all day.”
• In 2005 he told MTV that for “my next record, I’m closing up shop on acoustic sensitive and I’m gonna go to electric guitar and make something else happen ... I’m bored, man, [singing,] ‘I miss your kiss so much.’ Truth is, I don’t.”
• During an impromptu stand-up comedy routine in May 2006, Mayer joked that he never consummated his brief relationship with actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, blaming food poisoning. He later apologized to Hewitt, telling Us Weekly that “it really was me making fun of myself.”
• In another interview with Rolling Stone that same year Mayer said “I bought myself a Playgirl once ... I just loved the feeling that there was a porno you really, really weren’t supposed to have ... If there’s some shit I’m not supposed to have that’s on the top rack, with the black bar over the bag, I want to know what’s in there. I don’t care what it is — furniture, spider monkeys.”
• From the same interview: “Everybody right now in the world of entertainment is a pussy. A pussy ... They’re all so sensitive. What the *** happened?”
• Still in the same interview, Mayer was sort-of clairvoyant: “I’m at a point right now where the more I talk, the more I’m going to say something in the next twelve months that’s going to damage my career.”
• In August 2008, he held a press conference to explain why he broke up with Jennifer Aniston: “I ended a relationship to be alone because I don’t want to waste somebody’s time if something’s not right.”
• In March 2009, the singer told E! that Twitter was “inherently silly and it’s inherently dumb...If you really think that Twitter is the pathway to spiritual enlightenment, well...It’s one step away from sending pictures of your poop.” Mayer now has over 3 million followers on the social networking site.
• Last June, after the dust-up between Perez Hilton and the Black Eyed Peas in Toronto, Mayer tweeted: “Last year P!nk kneed me in the nuts outside Chateau Marmont. I was pissing blood for days. Did I make a scene?”
• Last year he told Details that “sometimes I feel like I do two things for a living. I make records and I talk to people. The record is much, much better than any interview I can give — you’ll walk away from the record liking me a hell of a lot more than you would walking away from an interview.”
• He told The New York Times last fall that “I should be having sex with more girls” and that “it’s crazy to me that in my head, that being 32 and dating women is going to get me in trouble ... I can’t even explain to you how terrible that feels, that I equate dating a woman with punishment, shame, guilt, disappointment, reproach, reprimand, persecution. It’s a nightmare.”
• In a Rolling Stone cover story last fall, Mayer admitted that “I almost didn’t do this interview because I’ve gone through so much discomfort on a profound level in speaking my mind and telling the truth and being taken advantage of by the truth. I was feeling preyed upon by people who wanted to know what I had to say about things. I had stopped doing press, I canceled my U.K. trip, I canceled any Canada press, and my manager said, ‘Does that mean that even if we get a Rolling Stone cover, you wouldn’t do it?’ I said, ‘That’s correct, I wouldn’t do it.’ Then I decided, ‘Let’s do this one more time,’ but after this, I have nothing else to say. There is nothing more subterranean than this, so I think I’m ready to be done and just play music.”
“So maybe I try too hard,” he sings on the aforementioned track, “but it’s all because of this desire: I just wanna be liked. I just wanna be funny. Looks like the joke’s on me.”
• John Mayer performs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Sunday.
[John Mayer at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Photo by Lucy Nichilson/Reuters]
Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2010/02/11/the-quotable-john-mayer.aspx#ixzz0fHeiL2kr
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Thursday, February 11, 2010
7 is the Number for Spirituality
Posted by Arzo Yusuf on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 · 3 Comments
One of the greatest things about beginning a new year is the opportunity for a fresh start. 2010 can become one of the best years of your life if you are open and receptive to all things that are positive. Finding a spiritual path is the first step to true freedom and finding success.
Photo from Yodel Ancedotal via Flickr
Photo from Yodel Ancedotal via Flickr
One of my favorite spiritual teachers is Deepak Chopra, MD. He is the founder of the Chopra Center in Carlsbad. He has written many books including: The Path to Love, Perfect Health and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Chopra has given many TV interviews on PBS and Larry King Live. Deepak Chopra is known for his ability to translate the ancient life science called Ayurveda, “the knowledge of life,” (www.chopra.com/ayurveda) to the modern language our society understands. He uses supportive evidence from western medicine to supplement his explanations of spiritual life. Chopra’s spiritual teachings are very practical and address many of the issues that people face in western society.
The past few years, especially 2009, were very difficult for people in America as well as the rest of the world. It is now time for each person to take responsibility and claim the health, happiness, peace and success that is their spiritual right. Deepak Chopra has taught that success can be actualized through the spiritual path by instilling The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. I have applied these laws in my own life and have seen the miraculous unfolding of spiritual success.
PURE POTENTIALITY
“The source of all creation is pure consciousness.” Chopra explains that creativity is birthed from silence and meditation. He teaches the importance of “the gap,” moments of simply being, where thoughts cease. There must be a time to experience a sense of stillness so that the organizing powers of the universe can methodically create a plan of action for goals to materialize.
GIVING
“The universe operates through dynamic exchange.” In order to receive, one must give. Deepak Chopra says that an abundant river awaits those that are willing to be charitable. He explains that it is important to give no matter how small. He shares examples of giving to others things like cards, flowers, a pleasant thought or prayer. He also talks about the importance of monetary giving as a way to ignite the flow of energy.
KARMA (Cause and Effect)
“Every action creates an energy that returns to us in like kind.” This, he says, is true of both positive and negative actions. Based on ancient teachings, Deepak claims that the universe has a perfect accounting system and that no debt goes unpaid. People essentially reap what they sow. It is never too late to begin harvesting seeds of goodness, happiness and love.
LEAST EFFORT
“Through the forces of harmony, joy and love, we create success and fortune with effortless ease.” The spiritual laws take time to take effect. Accepting the moment as it is rather than how it “should” be is the first part of this law. The second is taking responsibility for situations and actions rather than blaming others. And last, being defenseless and relinquishing the need to defend your point of view.
INTENTION AND DESIRE
“Intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality has infinite organizing powers.” Deepak expresses the power of desire coupled with right intentions. Chopra says that a person should list their desires, meditate on them and release them to the “womb of creations.” He claims that if a person does this, they will received even greater benefits that what they could have conceived of on their own. Obstacles will derail the attention from the desires and are to be banished from the mind. If a person’s goals are in line with those that benefit the greater good, of say, mankind in some way, desire becomes the fuel and right intention becomes the power. Together, this turns into a magnanimous force of creation, making anything possible.
DETACHMENT
“Surrender ourselves to the creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe.” This is one of the most beautiful of the laws and simultaneously the most difficult. Society has conditioned people to hold on to things for fear of losing them. However, in the spiritual plane, fear must become obsolete. A person is to realize the illusion of fear and know that they possess nothing and that everything, just, is. When people are attached to things, it kindles fear. If a person “loses” something they are attached to, the feeling of mourning begins to ensue. However a person experiences freedom when they are no longer attached to the outcome of a result. Acceptance of surrender is a key to allowing energy to flow through, which will bring people closer to their goals.
DHARMA (Life Purpose)
“Everyone has a purpose in life, a unique gift or special talent to give others.” When people begin to understand the value that their life brings to this earth, they will learn to unlock the porthole to their Dharma or life purpose. Life must have a purpose. Goals are the mere signposts of the journey towards that purpose. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is designed to assist a person or a seeker on their path to Dharma.
Deepak Chopra teaches that success can be reached by understanding the basic human needs and following the laws of nature. Life is greater than what we think we know. If we take the time to respect life and the universe, we will begin to “see” beyond the surface and break past the mirage that surrounds us. Goals are insignificant without a purpose. Finding a life purpose and using goals to achieve it, brings a profound sense of meaning into your life.
Deepak Chopra, through his seminars, books and audio tapes has become my personal guru. For those that are interested, Deepak Chopra is scheduled to speak in Carlsbad, on February 26th. Deepak’s teachings are a wonderful perspective to incorporate into your life no matter what the origins of your beliefs are. The Chopra Center, www.chopra.com, offers many workshops on spiritual enlightenment. This is a new year and a fresh start to take courage, keep an open mind and an open heart, to achieve Dharma through The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.
One of the greatest things about beginning a new year is the opportunity for a fresh start. 2010 can become one of the best years of your life if you are open and receptive to all things that are positive. Finding a spiritual path is the first step to true freedom and finding success.
Photo from Yodel Ancedotal via Flickr
Photo from Yodel Ancedotal via Flickr
One of my favorite spiritual teachers is Deepak Chopra, MD. He is the founder of the Chopra Center in Carlsbad. He has written many books including: The Path to Love, Perfect Health and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Chopra has given many TV interviews on PBS and Larry King Live. Deepak Chopra is known for his ability to translate the ancient life science called Ayurveda, “the knowledge of life,” (www.chopra.com/ayurveda) to the modern language our society understands. He uses supportive evidence from western medicine to supplement his explanations of spiritual life. Chopra’s spiritual teachings are very practical and address many of the issues that people face in western society.
The past few years, especially 2009, were very difficult for people in America as well as the rest of the world. It is now time for each person to take responsibility and claim the health, happiness, peace and success that is their spiritual right. Deepak Chopra has taught that success can be actualized through the spiritual path by instilling The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. I have applied these laws in my own life and have seen the miraculous unfolding of spiritual success.
PURE POTENTIALITY
“The source of all creation is pure consciousness.” Chopra explains that creativity is birthed from silence and meditation. He teaches the importance of “the gap,” moments of simply being, where thoughts cease. There must be a time to experience a sense of stillness so that the organizing powers of the universe can methodically create a plan of action for goals to materialize.
GIVING
“The universe operates through dynamic exchange.” In order to receive, one must give. Deepak Chopra says that an abundant river awaits those that are willing to be charitable. He explains that it is important to give no matter how small. He shares examples of giving to others things like cards, flowers, a pleasant thought or prayer. He also talks about the importance of monetary giving as a way to ignite the flow of energy.
KARMA (Cause and Effect)
“Every action creates an energy that returns to us in like kind.” This, he says, is true of both positive and negative actions. Based on ancient teachings, Deepak claims that the universe has a perfect accounting system and that no debt goes unpaid. People essentially reap what they sow. It is never too late to begin harvesting seeds of goodness, happiness and love.
LEAST EFFORT
“Through the forces of harmony, joy and love, we create success and fortune with effortless ease.” The spiritual laws take time to take effect. Accepting the moment as it is rather than how it “should” be is the first part of this law. The second is taking responsibility for situations and actions rather than blaming others. And last, being defenseless and relinquishing the need to defend your point of view.
INTENTION AND DESIRE
“Intention and desire in the field of pure potentiality has infinite organizing powers.” Deepak expresses the power of desire coupled with right intentions. Chopra says that a person should list their desires, meditate on them and release them to the “womb of creations.” He claims that if a person does this, they will received even greater benefits that what they could have conceived of on their own. Obstacles will derail the attention from the desires and are to be banished from the mind. If a person’s goals are in line with those that benefit the greater good, of say, mankind in some way, desire becomes the fuel and right intention becomes the power. Together, this turns into a magnanimous force of creation, making anything possible.
DETACHMENT
“Surrender ourselves to the creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe.” This is one of the most beautiful of the laws and simultaneously the most difficult. Society has conditioned people to hold on to things for fear of losing them. However, in the spiritual plane, fear must become obsolete. A person is to realize the illusion of fear and know that they possess nothing and that everything, just, is. When people are attached to things, it kindles fear. If a person “loses” something they are attached to, the feeling of mourning begins to ensue. However a person experiences freedom when they are no longer attached to the outcome of a result. Acceptance of surrender is a key to allowing energy to flow through, which will bring people closer to their goals.
DHARMA (Life Purpose)
“Everyone has a purpose in life, a unique gift or special talent to give others.” When people begin to understand the value that their life brings to this earth, they will learn to unlock the porthole to their Dharma or life purpose. Life must have a purpose. Goals are the mere signposts of the journey towards that purpose. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success is designed to assist a person or a seeker on their path to Dharma.
Deepak Chopra teaches that success can be reached by understanding the basic human needs and following the laws of nature. Life is greater than what we think we know. If we take the time to respect life and the universe, we will begin to “see” beyond the surface and break past the mirage that surrounds us. Goals are insignificant without a purpose. Finding a life purpose and using goals to achieve it, brings a profound sense of meaning into your life.
Deepak Chopra, through his seminars, books and audio tapes has become my personal guru. For those that are interested, Deepak Chopra is scheduled to speak in Carlsbad, on February 26th. Deepak’s teachings are a wonderful perspective to incorporate into your life no matter what the origins of your beliefs are. The Chopra Center, www.chopra.com, offers many workshops on spiritual enlightenment. This is a new year and a fresh start to take courage, keep an open mind and an open heart, to achieve Dharma through The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
More Sweatlodge Fallout on Spiritual Trail
Roger Butow Salem-News.com's 'Odd Man Out'
How The hopes and expectations Of Spiritual Materialism are shaping many lives.
James A. Ray
James A. Ray
Courtesy: livewell360.com
(LAGUNA BEACH) - "Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32
Many Americans are shaking their heads and “Tsk-tsking” about the avoidable deaths of three people who attended self-help guru James A. Ray’s retreat in Sedona, Arizona last October. Who knows where the grand jury manslaughter indictment of Mr. Ray will lead, but one thing is for sure: He’s got enough in the bank to fend off the accusations, funds provided by his incensed supportive entourage. And the "if it bleeds it leads, film at 11" media will go into a feeding frenzy mode.
With about 50 people total in that makeshift sweat lodge, another 18 were treated for burns, dehydration, respiratory arrest or kidney failure, look for them to seek their own trials and punitive damages. This will become a veritable cottage industry for Gloria Allred and other celebrity ambulance chasers that will also become rich off the publicity and legal fees. Look for phony populist Nancy Grace to cry, dab her make-up with her hanky, milk it dry on her show.
It may sound harsh, but what exactly did these New Age sycophants who willingly participated in this brainwashing seminar and ceremonies, intended to toughen them up, believe they signed on for? How was this supposed to help them gain strength in any form? They forked over $9,695 (marked down from $10,000) per person for a 5 day assemblage to assist them in achieving the life they felt they deserved: A life of not just spiritual but fiscal wealth and advantage too.
Were they duped by seeing this man promoted, glorified on OPRAH, “Larry King Live”, the Today Show? Or his appearance in the grossly simplistic and really stupid 2006 film “The Secret?”
I know that I’m supposed to feel sorry for the dead and injured, be compassionate towards their families, but these were for the most part middle age adults who if they could afford that much for a metaphysical nudge should have read the label on what they gullibly bought: Promises and hope, two things they could “purchase” anywhere really.
These types of events, wrapped in quasi-spiritual trappings like ersatz Native American and Asian philosophies, are not really new. Get rich quick schemes have always fascinated many in Western cultures, and in a shallow-minded, materialistic, capitalistic culture like ours facilitators like James Ray are like Gordon Gekko in the 1987 movie “Wall Street.” There’s never been a shortage of suckers, people who like the quick fix and cut corners to get where they’re going, as PT Barnum noted. Cheap and fast, that’s how we like things, intrinsic or extrinsic.
Go back to the whacky film 10 years before that, when in 1977 “Semi-Tough” was released. A thinly-veiled send-up of Werner Erhard and EST, locking people voluntarily in a room until they “Get it,” some urinating on themselves due to being prohibited from even a bathroom break, audiences laughed at the absurdity.
Inexplicably, that lesson didn’t sink in, for many who watched it howling are now subsequently paid customers for successors like Rajneesh, Mahara Ji, L. Ron Hubbard, Dr. Phil, Wayne Dyer, one might even add the Dalai Lama and Eckhart Tolle, the list goes on and on. Buy their books and tapes, attend their lectures, become the futuristic Nietzschean ideal, the “übermensch.”
Greed is not only good, it’s as American as Mom and apple pie. Add into the mix the simple fact that we like things instantaneously. Whether it’s a take-out window at a Taco Bell or our microwave TV dinners, as Jim Morrison said “We want the world and we want it now. NOW!”
Being a relatively young country, basically in our juvenile stage of development is no excuse for demanding immediate gratification, but Americans seem to believe that whether it’s wars, the economy, or spiritual growth, instant-everything is our subtext, it’s come to be an expected entitlement.
“Enlightenment Light” is what these self-acclaimed masters peddle, less calories in this case means with less effort, just put your soul (and Master Card/VISA) into their hands for a few days and VOILA! Experience both the Oneness of Nirvana and the bank account numbers of Donald Trump, step right up!
This flies in the face of our most precious religious and philosophical traditions. The wisdom of the Essenes, of Jesus Christ, of The Talmud, of Lao-Tzu (Patriarch of Taoism), of Siddhartha Gotama (Shakyamuni Buddha) or Socrates, Zoroasterians, you name it, all come from long term commitments and sweat, yes sweat. These traditions don’t claim to be easy and effortless, their core values simple to achieve, and definitely the wisest people among them arguably never charged a crass penny for their thoughts, now did they?
This is simply a variation on a theme, reflect ye righteous ones upon mega-church Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. He implored his congregation in the last 72 hours of 2009 to hit the financial panic button, make up a $900,000 church budget deficit. He declared donations fulfilling that overhead deficit would constitute a miracle.
He received almost $2.5 million, but few took him to task for the obvious: Miracles are for sale, being peddled in ways that Jesus himself would probably question or object to. Apparently, Rick Warren doesn’t believe that rich men can’t go to Heaven, but then again neither does Jimmy Swaggart, Robert Schuller, Joel Osteen, Jerry Falwell and the rest of the unprincipled pack.
Yet Americans hold tight to the concept that wealth and spiritual awareness are not mutually exclusive events. They see enlightenment and big bucks as synergistic, can’t they have their minor satori AND eat it too? The pyramid as a metaphor, as a visual aide regarding capitalism, keeps most of the people at the bottom, only a few in the rarified air of the apex. And so too these gurus sit at the top of their own MLM heap. No wonder they smile a lot!
Governmental oversight and accountability being called for by organizations like Americans Against Self-Help Fraud, actually don’t address the real causal factors. You have on one hand self-help gurus who really just want to help themselves to people’s money and amenable suckers, lining up to hopefully get into the grift, stuff their own pockets.
Like Mr. Ray, their MO is to allege they achieved enlightenment as a result of being directly given mystical, esoteric knowledge and secret teachings from a poor naked sage in the (a) Andes, (b) Himalayas, or (c) Sierra Madre of Mexico, etc. etc. So their snake oil is based upon your participation in some kind of ennobling, cosmic, metaphysical conga line.
These Western culture zeitgeist entrepreneurs are popping up like weeds in the spring, and in economically tough times they proliferate. These fools who are ready, willing and financially able to have their enlightenment served on a silver platter are paying dearly for that platter and don’t seem to mind that it’s really a golden parachute for the bogus masters they fawn over. Attend their lectures, buy their books, it’s really cool and hip to be part of the movement.
Peruse the web and you’ll see oodles of these endeavors, and growing up in Southern California I’ve seen them all. They usually have supporting staffs composed of a yoga teacher, a nutritionist, a financial counselor, etc., all with fancy-schmancy titles or names they’ve given themselves, degrees from obscure, virtual (online) universities. They look and act the picture perfect of health and prosperity---Which is what they’re selling you, the hope, the waking dream that you’ll get these things too if you just follow their recipe---Oh, and give them lots of your money at subsequent mandatory, equally expensive “tune-ups,” did they mention that?
No amount of government regulation can save people from themselves. If potential devotees analyzed the warning label on these people like they now do the ingredients in their food things might change. Caveat Emptor is the first mantra that should be heeded.
By relying upon these self-help gurus we've become spiritually lazy to match our couch potato physical sloth.
Turns out that the truth might set you free, but it’s going to cost you a bundle, maybe even your own life.
How The hopes and expectations Of Spiritual Materialism are shaping many lives.
James A. Ray
James A. Ray
Courtesy: livewell360.com
(LAGUNA BEACH) - "Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32
Many Americans are shaking their heads and “Tsk-tsking” about the avoidable deaths of three people who attended self-help guru James A. Ray’s retreat in Sedona, Arizona last October. Who knows where the grand jury manslaughter indictment of Mr. Ray will lead, but one thing is for sure: He’s got enough in the bank to fend off the accusations, funds provided by his incensed supportive entourage. And the "if it bleeds it leads, film at 11" media will go into a feeding frenzy mode.
With about 50 people total in that makeshift sweat lodge, another 18 were treated for burns, dehydration, respiratory arrest or kidney failure, look for them to seek their own trials and punitive damages. This will become a veritable cottage industry for Gloria Allred and other celebrity ambulance chasers that will also become rich off the publicity and legal fees. Look for phony populist Nancy Grace to cry, dab her make-up with her hanky, milk it dry on her show.
It may sound harsh, but what exactly did these New Age sycophants who willingly participated in this brainwashing seminar and ceremonies, intended to toughen them up, believe they signed on for? How was this supposed to help them gain strength in any form? They forked over $9,695 (marked down from $10,000) per person for a 5 day assemblage to assist them in achieving the life they felt they deserved: A life of not just spiritual but fiscal wealth and advantage too.
Were they duped by seeing this man promoted, glorified on OPRAH, “Larry King Live”, the Today Show? Or his appearance in the grossly simplistic and really stupid 2006 film “The Secret?”
I know that I’m supposed to feel sorry for the dead and injured, be compassionate towards their families, but these were for the most part middle age adults who if they could afford that much for a metaphysical nudge should have read the label on what they gullibly bought: Promises and hope, two things they could “purchase” anywhere really.
These types of events, wrapped in quasi-spiritual trappings like ersatz Native American and Asian philosophies, are not really new. Get rich quick schemes have always fascinated many in Western cultures, and in a shallow-minded, materialistic, capitalistic culture like ours facilitators like James Ray are like Gordon Gekko in the 1987 movie “Wall Street.” There’s never been a shortage of suckers, people who like the quick fix and cut corners to get where they’re going, as PT Barnum noted. Cheap and fast, that’s how we like things, intrinsic or extrinsic.
Go back to the whacky film 10 years before that, when in 1977 “Semi-Tough” was released. A thinly-veiled send-up of Werner Erhard and EST, locking people voluntarily in a room until they “Get it,” some urinating on themselves due to being prohibited from even a bathroom break, audiences laughed at the absurdity.
Inexplicably, that lesson didn’t sink in, for many who watched it howling are now subsequently paid customers for successors like Rajneesh, Mahara Ji, L. Ron Hubbard, Dr. Phil, Wayne Dyer, one might even add the Dalai Lama and Eckhart Tolle, the list goes on and on. Buy their books and tapes, attend their lectures, become the futuristic Nietzschean ideal, the “übermensch.”
Greed is not only good, it’s as American as Mom and apple pie. Add into the mix the simple fact that we like things instantaneously. Whether it’s a take-out window at a Taco Bell or our microwave TV dinners, as Jim Morrison said “We want the world and we want it now. NOW!”
Being a relatively young country, basically in our juvenile stage of development is no excuse for demanding immediate gratification, but Americans seem to believe that whether it’s wars, the economy, or spiritual growth, instant-everything is our subtext, it’s come to be an expected entitlement.
“Enlightenment Light” is what these self-acclaimed masters peddle, less calories in this case means with less effort, just put your soul (and Master Card/VISA) into their hands for a few days and VOILA! Experience both the Oneness of Nirvana and the bank account numbers of Donald Trump, step right up!
This flies in the face of our most precious religious and philosophical traditions. The wisdom of the Essenes, of Jesus Christ, of The Talmud, of Lao-Tzu (Patriarch of Taoism), of Siddhartha Gotama (Shakyamuni Buddha) or Socrates, Zoroasterians, you name it, all come from long term commitments and sweat, yes sweat. These traditions don’t claim to be easy and effortless, their core values simple to achieve, and definitely the wisest people among them arguably never charged a crass penny for their thoughts, now did they?
This is simply a variation on a theme, reflect ye righteous ones upon mega-church Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. He implored his congregation in the last 72 hours of 2009 to hit the financial panic button, make up a $900,000 church budget deficit. He declared donations fulfilling that overhead deficit would constitute a miracle.
He received almost $2.5 million, but few took him to task for the obvious: Miracles are for sale, being peddled in ways that Jesus himself would probably question or object to. Apparently, Rick Warren doesn’t believe that rich men can’t go to Heaven, but then again neither does Jimmy Swaggart, Robert Schuller, Joel Osteen, Jerry Falwell and the rest of the unprincipled pack.
Yet Americans hold tight to the concept that wealth and spiritual awareness are not mutually exclusive events. They see enlightenment and big bucks as synergistic, can’t they have their minor satori AND eat it too? The pyramid as a metaphor, as a visual aide regarding capitalism, keeps most of the people at the bottom, only a few in the rarified air of the apex. And so too these gurus sit at the top of their own MLM heap. No wonder they smile a lot!
Governmental oversight and accountability being called for by organizations like Americans Against Self-Help Fraud, actually don’t address the real causal factors. You have on one hand self-help gurus who really just want to help themselves to people’s money and amenable suckers, lining up to hopefully get into the grift, stuff their own pockets.
Like Mr. Ray, their MO is to allege they achieved enlightenment as a result of being directly given mystical, esoteric knowledge and secret teachings from a poor naked sage in the (a) Andes, (b) Himalayas, or (c) Sierra Madre of Mexico, etc. etc. So their snake oil is based upon your participation in some kind of ennobling, cosmic, metaphysical conga line.
These Western culture zeitgeist entrepreneurs are popping up like weeds in the spring, and in economically tough times they proliferate. These fools who are ready, willing and financially able to have their enlightenment served on a silver platter are paying dearly for that platter and don’t seem to mind that it’s really a golden parachute for the bogus masters they fawn over. Attend their lectures, buy their books, it’s really cool and hip to be part of the movement.
Peruse the web and you’ll see oodles of these endeavors, and growing up in Southern California I’ve seen them all. They usually have supporting staffs composed of a yoga teacher, a nutritionist, a financial counselor, etc., all with fancy-schmancy titles or names they’ve given themselves, degrees from obscure, virtual (online) universities. They look and act the picture perfect of health and prosperity---Which is what they’re selling you, the hope, the waking dream that you’ll get these things too if you just follow their recipe---Oh, and give them lots of your money at subsequent mandatory, equally expensive “tune-ups,” did they mention that?
No amount of government regulation can save people from themselves. If potential devotees analyzed the warning label on these people like they now do the ingredients in their food things might change. Caveat Emptor is the first mantra that should be heeded.
By relying upon these self-help gurus we've become spiritually lazy to match our couch potato physical sloth.
Turns out that the truth might set you free, but it’s going to cost you a bundle, maybe even your own life.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Spiritual Quest in the New Testament
Over four decades ago, I had a dream vision of many of the details of the second coming of Christ. It sent me on a lifetime quest to find out all I could about this great coming event. Today I am far from alone, as more people than ever are having visions, dreams and revelations about this wonderful change coming to the world.
One of the side benefits of the call to the prophetic ministry is the ability to discern the dreams, visions and revelations of others. Sometimes it may just be a Freudian thing, or that someone ate a sour pickle before retiring for the night, that brought on an apparition. At other times, God has clearly spoken and even when the recipient of the vision is not sure God has spoken, I am.
I have always treaded cautiously when I hear someone has had a revelation, for obvious reasons. Some revelation is false and very misleading. I don't haphazardly accept everything I hear, but I am also reticent to dismiss a matter too quickly. I have often been guided by what the Pharisees concluded when listening to the Apostle Paul's rendering of the gospel and the vision of Jesus Christ he had as he traveled on the road to the city of Damascus.
The Pharisees decided not to look too harshly at Paul because they could be seriously mistaken and thus be bucking the very God they were supposed to represent. They concluded by saying "We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God." (Acts 23:9b)
One of the most powerful and inspiring visions I have ever encountered came to a Louisiana based preacher and evangelist, Jesse Duplantis. Jesse is a Cajun-born Louisiana native who had in his former life run the gamut of drugs, booze and rock and roll. He is now at the center of one of the most dynamic Spirit-led ministries in the nation.
In a CD (available through his ministry based in Destrehan Louisiana) entitled "Close Encounters of the God Kind," Jesse tells of the five and a quarter hour experience he had being escorted around heaven by various angelic and patriarchal figures.
He has traveled the nation and the globe telling people about his heavenly encounter while preaching the gospel to thousands. It would be nearly impossible to cover all that he saw and heard in one article, but one single part of the vision that is most startling cannot be overlooked in the ongoing moral and legal battle against the scourge of abortion in America.
It should be noted that Duplantis has not used the particular aspects of his heavenly visitation to hone in on abortion proponents in particular. It is my special interest in that part of his visit that is the impetus for these observations- and the fact that this is the only generation in world history that seems so perfectly comfortable with 150 million abortions worldwide, with 50 million of those here in the United States.
In fact, according to Jesse, the single command Jesus was said to have given him was simply to tell his people that he was going to return very soon. Duplantis argued with Christ about that saying "Lord your people already know that." That's when Jesus gently rebuked him with the retort "no they don't Jesse."
While face down before God the Father, Jesse found he could not rise and stand because of the sheer power emanating from God's throne. What he was able to see was tiny spirits emerging from God's throne, perhaps generated by his thoughts alone, that came forth eager to go to earth and become living spirits. They would actually ask God if they could go and become part of his plan.
As I listened to the Evangelists narrative of his visit, I envisioned the thousands of little spirits being transferred to the earth where they would take up residence in the tiny little human beings being formed in the wombs of women around the globe. In my mind's eye, I could also see the thousands of them were being rejected and sent back to where they came from without a chance to begin life here with the rest of humanity.
My thoughts were not a heavenly vision from God; rather they were simply an earthly vision based on the hard cold and selfish social climate of the day. No one can claim that the Evangelists vision was any less true than mine and if we all thought about it, than yours.
I have spent the last forty and more years telling people about my own visions of the second coming of Christ and although I have had no visions having to do with little spirits and subsequent abortions I can say I have followed the abortion question every step of the way since the inception of Roe V. Wade in 1973.
I can say that I have never heard an argument for abortion that could hold a single drop of water. To the abortionist it is a choice, but to the little spirits who so willingly come to face the existence here, it is the rejection of their choice. Long before I heard of Jesse's vision I wondered what the little unborn child would say if it could answer for itself? I have never doubted that it would say; I want to live.
Even the idea that it is a woman's right to decide about her own body leaves the mind and spirit void of satisfaction. If a woman wanted to rip up part of her body and throw it away and we knew of it, we would have her committed to some facility for her own protection and given treatment until she finally gave up the notion of self-mutilation. Why is an unborn child any different? If it is only an extension of the woman's body, shouldn't that be protected even from her?
No argument for abortion can sooth the conscience of man, because there is a thirst for life in all of us that we know exists in all of humanity at any stage, not just when we emerge and begin to grow up. These matters are on a much higher level than mere acquired intelligence or even common sense; they are a product of a far more primal and universal human quality known as "instinct."
After viewing the vision of Jesse Duplantis, I will forever believe that it is even above mere instinct. I believe it is a spiritual quest to live that is supernaturally or divinely implanted in every human spirit that wants to live for the glory of God.
One thing is certain. In heaven Duplantis saw nothing destroyed or harmed. Even as he walked on beds of gorgeous flowers his feet did not harm them. No life is destroyed, harmed or threatened in the presence of God. Perhaps we should learn this great lesson and remind ourselves of it again and again each time we say these famous words.
"...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
Rev. Michael Bresciani is an independent columnist
One of the side benefits of the call to the prophetic ministry is the ability to discern the dreams, visions and revelations of others. Sometimes it may just be a Freudian thing, or that someone ate a sour pickle before retiring for the night, that brought on an apparition. At other times, God has clearly spoken and even when the recipient of the vision is not sure God has spoken, I am.
I have always treaded cautiously when I hear someone has had a revelation, for obvious reasons. Some revelation is false and very misleading. I don't haphazardly accept everything I hear, but I am also reticent to dismiss a matter too quickly. I have often been guided by what the Pharisees concluded when listening to the Apostle Paul's rendering of the gospel and the vision of Jesus Christ he had as he traveled on the road to the city of Damascus.
The Pharisees decided not to look too harshly at Paul because they could be seriously mistaken and thus be bucking the very God they were supposed to represent. They concluded by saying "We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God." (Acts 23:9b)
One of the most powerful and inspiring visions I have ever encountered came to a Louisiana based preacher and evangelist, Jesse Duplantis. Jesse is a Cajun-born Louisiana native who had in his former life run the gamut of drugs, booze and rock and roll. He is now at the center of one of the most dynamic Spirit-led ministries in the nation.
In a CD (available through his ministry based in Destrehan Louisiana) entitled "Close Encounters of the God Kind," Jesse tells of the five and a quarter hour experience he had being escorted around heaven by various angelic and patriarchal figures.
He has traveled the nation and the globe telling people about his heavenly encounter while preaching the gospel to thousands. It would be nearly impossible to cover all that he saw and heard in one article, but one single part of the vision that is most startling cannot be overlooked in the ongoing moral and legal battle against the scourge of abortion in America.
It should be noted that Duplantis has not used the particular aspects of his heavenly visitation to hone in on abortion proponents in particular. It is my special interest in that part of his visit that is the impetus for these observations- and the fact that this is the only generation in world history that seems so perfectly comfortable with 150 million abortions worldwide, with 50 million of those here in the United States.
In fact, according to Jesse, the single command Jesus was said to have given him was simply to tell his people that he was going to return very soon. Duplantis argued with Christ about that saying "Lord your people already know that." That's when Jesus gently rebuked him with the retort "no they don't Jesse."
While face down before God the Father, Jesse found he could not rise and stand because of the sheer power emanating from God's throne. What he was able to see was tiny spirits emerging from God's throne, perhaps generated by his thoughts alone, that came forth eager to go to earth and become living spirits. They would actually ask God if they could go and become part of his plan.
As I listened to the Evangelists narrative of his visit, I envisioned the thousands of little spirits being transferred to the earth where they would take up residence in the tiny little human beings being formed in the wombs of women around the globe. In my mind's eye, I could also see the thousands of them were being rejected and sent back to where they came from without a chance to begin life here with the rest of humanity.
My thoughts were not a heavenly vision from God; rather they were simply an earthly vision based on the hard cold and selfish social climate of the day. No one can claim that the Evangelists vision was any less true than mine and if we all thought about it, than yours.
I have spent the last forty and more years telling people about my own visions of the second coming of Christ and although I have had no visions having to do with little spirits and subsequent abortions I can say I have followed the abortion question every step of the way since the inception of Roe V. Wade in 1973.
I can say that I have never heard an argument for abortion that could hold a single drop of water. To the abortionist it is a choice, but to the little spirits who so willingly come to face the existence here, it is the rejection of their choice. Long before I heard of Jesse's vision I wondered what the little unborn child would say if it could answer for itself? I have never doubted that it would say; I want to live.
Even the idea that it is a woman's right to decide about her own body leaves the mind and spirit void of satisfaction. If a woman wanted to rip up part of her body and throw it away and we knew of it, we would have her committed to some facility for her own protection and given treatment until she finally gave up the notion of self-mutilation. Why is an unborn child any different? If it is only an extension of the woman's body, shouldn't that be protected even from her?
No argument for abortion can sooth the conscience of man, because there is a thirst for life in all of us that we know exists in all of humanity at any stage, not just when we emerge and begin to grow up. These matters are on a much higher level than mere acquired intelligence or even common sense; they are a product of a far more primal and universal human quality known as "instinct."
After viewing the vision of Jesse Duplantis, I will forever believe that it is even above mere instinct. I believe it is a spiritual quest to live that is supernaturally or divinely implanted in every human spirit that wants to live for the glory of God.
One thing is certain. In heaven Duplantis saw nothing destroyed or harmed. Even as he walked on beds of gorgeous flowers his feet did not harm them. No life is destroyed, harmed or threatened in the presence of God. Perhaps we should learn this great lesson and remind ourselves of it again and again each time we say these famous words.
"...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
Rev. Michael Bresciani is an independent columnist
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sunday February 7, 2010 Services
Christ Lutheran
BARTO — A soup luncheon and congregational meeting will follow Sunday's 10:45 a.m. service at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road.
Good Shepherd UCC
BOYERTOWN — "Souper" Bowl Sunday will be observed this week at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave. Canned soup and crackers will be collected for Boyertown Area Multi-Service.
Youth group members will sell homemade soup.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 503 will serve as ushers in honor of Scout Sunday.
Bethel Methodist
SPRING CITY — Scout Sunday will be celebrated during the 10:45 a.m. service this week at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road. Local scouts will participate in the service.
"Souper" Bowl Sunday will be observed with the collection of cans of soup and cash donations for the Spring City Food Pantry.
A homemade soup luncheon will follow the service.
BARTO — A soup luncheon and congregational meeting will follow Sunday's 10:45 a.m. service at Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road.
Good Shepherd UCC
BOYERTOWN — "Souper" Bowl Sunday will be observed this week at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave. Canned soup and crackers will be collected for Boyertown Area Multi-Service.
Youth group members will sell homemade soup.
Members of Boy Scout Troop 503 will serve as ushers in honor of Scout Sunday.
Bethel Methodist
SPRING CITY — Scout Sunday will be celebrated during the 10:45 a.m. service this week at Bethel United Methodist Church, 952 Bethel Church Road. Local scouts will participate in the service.
"Souper" Bowl Sunday will be observed with the collection of cans of soup and cash donations for the Spring City Food Pantry.
A homemade soup luncheon will follow the service.
Q & A with Spiritual Yoga Instructor
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/answers-from-a-yoga-instructor-part-3/
Following is the third and final set of responses from Bryn Chrisman, a vinyasa flow yoga teacher and kirtan leader in New York City.
We are no longer accepting questions for this feature.
Question:
I have been practicing for almost 10 years now, one or two times per week, and have been fortunate to find wonderful teachers.
Last week I took my third class with a teacher who I liked at first, but this time she really turned me off with her approach. She was talking about arm binds and basically saying that you were copping out if you didn’t attempt them; that they’re supposed to be painful because there’s “so much friggin’ pain in the world” and this lets you experience that. Aside from taking offense at her use of a mild expletive, I thought it was dangerous to tell students that they should be binding if their bodies are telling them that it’s wrong.
I have partially dislocated both of my shoulders (one while ice skating, the other falling during a hike), and I can no longer bind or do poses such as side plank. I’ve been practicing long enough that I know how to modify and what not to do. Should I just avoid that teacher’s classes in the future, or should I inform the studio of how I felt about her teaching that day? How do you feel about pain in yoga practice? I thought that an asana should never be painful, or it means you’re doing something wrong.
— Posted by sweetclafoutis
Answer:
I would agree that it seems careless and inappropriate for a teacher to use language that would imply such negativity. One of the most basic principles in yoga is a practice called ahimsa, which basically means nonviolence or ‘do no harm.’ The concept is deep and full of meaning, but basically the idea is that if we do not emit violence we will receive peace from others. When we act, speak and think violence, the cycle of harm continues and grows stronger. I would not want to take class from a teacher who suggests it’s a good idea to create pain in us since there is pain in the world. What sense does it make to add to the pain in the world? I would hope the opposite is happening in yoga classes around the globe! Experiencing joy and freedom in the body so that we may bring this positive energy into the world to heal it! From the compassionate perspective I would think your teacher must be experiencing his or her own pain in a major way if they are brought to say this in class. Having compassion for them will give you permission to respect your own boundaries with clarity.
Interestingly enough, many successful teachers are known for strongly criticizing their students through harsh words and physical adjustments, so it seems there are plenty of students that respond to that kind of negative reinforcement. It is unfortunate that the cycle of violence in yoga continues, but since humans practice and teach yoga, human qualities come through. My teacher Jai Uttal was telling us a great story about how a spectacular monkey god named Hanuman came to be. The story started with this one yogic master who had meditated for thousands of years, accrued powers unimaginable, but in one moment of anger lost it all. The sage had worked so hard on all these skills, but never did anything to soften his heart. The story ends well but highlights the need to include a practice of softening your heart or nothing else really matters and can be lost.
There is a huge difference between pain that will cause an injury and a challenge that is just muscle fatigue or mental struggle. Pain is your body telling you to BACK off, and I would only encourage people to listen to the messages of their body. It is awesome that you are comfortable making your own modifications and that you know how!
I think the most appropriate thing you can do if you want to keep taking this teacher’s class is to ask them to clarify what they meant when they said what they said. This approach is inquisitive and gives them a chance to explain themselves. The teacher may have realized right away their comment was totally out of place, incorrect and inappropriate. Give them another chance, they are human and therefore subject to human error.
Following is the third and final set of responses from Bryn Chrisman, a vinyasa flow yoga teacher and kirtan leader in New York City.
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Question:
I have been practicing for almost 10 years now, one or two times per week, and have been fortunate to find wonderful teachers.
Last week I took my third class with a teacher who I liked at first, but this time she really turned me off with her approach. She was talking about arm binds and basically saying that you were copping out if you didn’t attempt them; that they’re supposed to be painful because there’s “so much friggin’ pain in the world” and this lets you experience that. Aside from taking offense at her use of a mild expletive, I thought it was dangerous to tell students that they should be binding if their bodies are telling them that it’s wrong.
I have partially dislocated both of my shoulders (one while ice skating, the other falling during a hike), and I can no longer bind or do poses such as side plank. I’ve been practicing long enough that I know how to modify and what not to do. Should I just avoid that teacher’s classes in the future, or should I inform the studio of how I felt about her teaching that day? How do you feel about pain in yoga practice? I thought that an asana should never be painful, or it means you’re doing something wrong.
— Posted by sweetclafoutis
Answer:
I would agree that it seems careless and inappropriate for a teacher to use language that would imply such negativity. One of the most basic principles in yoga is a practice called ahimsa, which basically means nonviolence or ‘do no harm.’ The concept is deep and full of meaning, but basically the idea is that if we do not emit violence we will receive peace from others. When we act, speak and think violence, the cycle of harm continues and grows stronger. I would not want to take class from a teacher who suggests it’s a good idea to create pain in us since there is pain in the world. What sense does it make to add to the pain in the world? I would hope the opposite is happening in yoga classes around the globe! Experiencing joy and freedom in the body so that we may bring this positive energy into the world to heal it! From the compassionate perspective I would think your teacher must be experiencing his or her own pain in a major way if they are brought to say this in class. Having compassion for them will give you permission to respect your own boundaries with clarity.
Interestingly enough, many successful teachers are known for strongly criticizing their students through harsh words and physical adjustments, so it seems there are plenty of students that respond to that kind of negative reinforcement. It is unfortunate that the cycle of violence in yoga continues, but since humans practice and teach yoga, human qualities come through. My teacher Jai Uttal was telling us a great story about how a spectacular monkey god named Hanuman came to be. The story started with this one yogic master who had meditated for thousands of years, accrued powers unimaginable, but in one moment of anger lost it all. The sage had worked so hard on all these skills, but never did anything to soften his heart. The story ends well but highlights the need to include a practice of softening your heart or nothing else really matters and can be lost.
There is a huge difference between pain that will cause an injury and a challenge that is just muscle fatigue or mental struggle. Pain is your body telling you to BACK off, and I would only encourage people to listen to the messages of their body. It is awesome that you are comfortable making your own modifications and that you know how!
I think the most appropriate thing you can do if you want to keep taking this teacher’s class is to ask them to clarify what they meant when they said what they said. This approach is inquisitive and gives them a chance to explain themselves. The teacher may have realized right away their comment was totally out of place, incorrect and inappropriate. Give them another chance, they are human and therefore subject to human error.
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