Harry Potter and the assault on Christianity

Ok, I know I said that the piece I did on the Biblical Christianity blog and Harry Potter would likely be the last piece that mentioned Harry Potter. Well, I was wrong, kind of. I figured there was a possibility I'd do another one, and here it is.

I just read an excellent article about HP, and it says basically everything I'd say on the topic. Probably better than I would. I'll throw a few sentences below, otherwise I highly recommend the entire article, here.

I've even heard some Christian parents express delight that the Harry
Potter novels have sparked reading interest in their hitherto
literarily indifferent offspring - the implication being that content
doesn't matter as long as kids are reading something. Could a similar
case be made for reading pornography?

In the context of occult literature and cinema, Harry Potter is
relatively soft-core, but its sanitized portrayal of the black arts
arguably makes it more potently subversive. Interest in the occult
incited by getting caught up in the Harry Potter phenomenon is likely
to carry over into deeper exploration.

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The Infinite Supply of the Lord

I'm reading an excellent article, which really speaks to some current issues in my life. Particularly in this EFT endeavor. And one paragraph also answers one thing I've been asking for months -- in regards to using Dr. Pat Carrington's 'Choices Method'. The article is a bit long, but worth reading because it has some great stuff in it. Here's a quote from the article that I wanted to share here:

We are always looking at the need when we should instead look to
the Lord. Whether we have much, or whether we have little, is of no
concern at all. Here is a need. The Lord has compassion on the
multitude and wants us to feed them. So we take inventory of what we
have and find only a few loaves and fishes. Let us bring that to the
Lord and lay it at His feet. Since what the Lord is asking is beyond
what we can do, we can and should expect a miracle. Indeed, that is why
He puts us in impossible situations.

When confronted with such a circumstance we should remember
that if we have the Blessing of the Lord then He can multiply what
little we have and will even give us "twelve baskets" remaining. But
without the Blessing of the Lord, "two hundred pennyworth of bread is
not sufficient for them to even taste a little" (John 6:7). So the
issue is never what we have or what we are doing, but rather, do we
have the Lord's blessing? With the Lord's Blessing we have Infinite
Supply. Practically speaking, it means instead of trying to convince
the Lord to bless what I want to do or what I think needs to be done, I
should find out first what the Lord wants to BLESS and do THAT instead.
Remember, "Jesus already knew what He was going to do" (John 6:6b).
Thus, we pray, "Not my will, but Your Will be done; not my kingdom, but
Your Kingdom come." And then we enjoy the Lord's Blessing on our work.

Since I don't always know if what I'm doing or asking for is His will, in the context of using something like 'The Choices Method', I would pray first that if I'm tapping for a choice that I'm unsure of, that the Holy Spirit speak to me clearly if it is not His will, or if perhaps I'm close but He's ready and willing to do better. I've recently been brought around to discovering, that I've been so afraid of doing it 'wrong' and then getting 'punished' that I've somewhat paralyzed myself. I'm learning I really can rely and trust in Him, which is different that what I learned growing up, listening to the Adversary's lies.

You can read the entire article here.

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Where's the discernment?

I didn't add a 'tag' of Harry Potter for this message, since it's hopefully the only message I'll ever post on the topic. But, since the blog topic is spiritual warfare, I have to post something.

I'm flabbergasted. Nearly speechless. It's a good thing I don't need to speak to type this up! I stopped by one of my favorite Christian blogs, which is also on my list of Christian blogs and websites on here. (At least it is as I'm typing this, it may or may not remain on the list, I'll have to pray about it.) And one of the articles is a review of, guess what? The latest Harry Potter movie! Biblical Christianity: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: very spoilery movie review

What's wrong with this picture? On that blog, he says: "PS — I really don't want to spend too much time on the "how-can-a-Christian-read/watch-Harry-Potter?" thing. If you want to read more along those lines, you might try here." and therefore I figured I'd spend some time on that question here on my own blog.

Here's my question: isn't Harry Potter all about 'magic', 'witchcraft' and 'wizardry' ?? How on God's green earth can ANY Christian think that it's just harmless, imaginary fun? I wasn't raised in 'the church', and spent some time in the 'new age' type beliefs, and came to Christianity by way of studying this topic of spiritual warfare, and I can guarantee you that Harry Potter is all about using demonic powers. Have I read any of the books? No! I've heard enough about them to know what they're about and I won't spend what little money I have on something so unGodly. I'm actually a big fan of the local library, and I wouldn't check one of the HP books out of the library, either. (In case anyone cares, I am reading a book by Ravi Zacharias called 'The Real Face of Atheism' right now, from the library. I'm becoming one of his newest fans, but I digress...)

That's basically my take on it, and perhaps I'll post a message or two backing that up, with some messages on witchcraft and / or deliverance from demonic spirits, from those who have had involvement in the occult and who have then come out of it. In fact, the video I linked a few days ago is a case in point. This is not harmless or wholesome fun for the kids. It just boggles my mind that a preacher of the gospel would take his children to see a Harry Potter movie in the name of 'family entertainment'. It's just so easy to compromise or justify a little here and a little there, and before you know it you're doing more to serve the dark side than the Lord. I'm not saying that's the case here, but it's a slippery slope. I pray for discernment and that I'm not deceived, and that those who have been deceived be brought back to the truth of His light. In Jesus name, amen.

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Addressing Christian concerns about EFT

I had an idea this morning to possibly start a new blog, specifically for EFT and Christians practicing EFT. This blog will remain my own -- but I had the idea of opening the other blog for a variety of others to post messages and/or links to their web sites, etc.

I thought it might be a good idea to do a web search using the terms EFT and Christian, and came across this article on the Mercola.com web site, but it's by a man named Larry Nims who offers something called BSFF (Be Set Free Fast), which is an offshoot of EFT. I think I have Larry's manual somewhere, I'll have to dig it up and take another look at it. I prefer the physical tapping, it works best for me. Though sometimes my fingers hurt and I firmly rub the tapping points rather than tap, it works that way too. In a pinch I'll do imaginary tapping which is almost as good. I'm getting off on a tangent -- back to this article.

He writes: "As such, I have no problems with any treatments that involve the use of the subconscious mind (in the form of EFT, BSFF, hypnotherapy, medicine, chiropractic and many other practices that are dedicated to helping people).

When ethical, experienced, conscientious and skilled professionals who are working in their areas of expertise apply any method, God can and does use them "for good to those that are the called, according to His purpose."

I don't completely agree with him, see my other post about psychology. I particularly would be very cautious about hypnotherapy (aka hypnosis), unless you really know and trust the hypnotist. One of the 'fruits of the spirit' is self-control -- and with hypnosis you're basically handing that control over to the hypnotist. Here's something he says that I agree with completely, at least in regard to my use of EFT:

"They can also remove subconscious blocks to "fervent and effectual prayer," to knowing God, hearing from and obeying God, and being fully available to God. These blocks, I believe, are programmed into us from birth by "the prince of the power of the air" (Satan)who holds sway over our cultures and our world." and "This includes removing the strongholds and bondages that the enemy has set up in our conscious and subconscious minds, our emotions, our bodies, and our spirits. That is what Energy Psychology therapies helps us to do, and what it teaches people to do for themselves.

EFT and BSFF does not make anyone do anything new or different. It simply sets them free to have a true choice about things that previously have been operating on "automatic pilot" under the control of their subconscious mind. In other words, they are freer to hear from and to follow God's leading in their life."

He then goes on to discuss the devil's programming in our subconscious. It's a good article, check it out.

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Video - The devil inside

This is an excellent video that is right on-topic, since it deals with the demonic.

I tried to use the feature 'send to a friend' and it didn't work for some reason, so I hope that link works. I know there's also ways to 'imbed' videos on a blog, I'll have to study my 'complete idiot's guide' some more, soon.

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Kim Clement prophesy somewhat fulfilled

I posted a message back on May 23rd while reading an article about Kim Clement being a 'new age' prophet. I'm still on the fence about that, I have to look at scripture a bit more on the topic. I know there's a passage about a prophet saying things that come to pass and THEN telling you to follow another God being a test -- and that you are NOT to use the pretext of a fulfilled prophesy as a reason to follow another God.

This speaks to the subject, from Deut. 18:21-22 (KJV) "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
And of course there are also many false prophets mentioned in the Old Testament. I also know that some prophesies require the fullness of time before you can say it wasn't the truth. But IF someone is being blatantly unscriptural and/or won't repent if such a thing is pointed out to them, then obviously that's not a good thing.
But, there was a prophesy fulfilled recently, so I wanted to be fair and post something here about it. On Jan. 14, 2006 Kim said that Hillary Clinton would credit her faith with saving her marriage. I read the prophesy on his website sometime after that. Following is the link to his website: (Jan. 14, 2006 - Orlando FL)

On June 6th, 2007 there was an online article about an interview with all of the Democratic candidates about their faith, and Hillary did indeed credit her faith with saving her marriage. I don't see that the entire prophesy has come true, since it also says something about God having dealt with her heart not to be President of this Nation -- and yet, she's running for the 2008 nomination. (I recall at that time she was making noises that she wasn't going to run, so who knows? And if anyone cares, I repented of being a Democrat around 1995 and now lean more Libertarian / Republican / Constitutional parties since I don't believe a person can put their faith in God, and in the State - i.e. socialism, which is what the Democratic party has become. At the time it was a general distaste for the hypocrisy I saw in the party.)

There are some other prophesies he's made that I'm praying do come to pass, since they're far more optimistic about the happenings in the USA than what I see happening right now. I'll post it here if or when they do.

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Some 'word faith' comments

I'm reading an article about Joyce Meyer and the 'word faith movement'. I watched and enjoyed some of these preachers, and quoted from a couple of Joyce Meyers' books in my booklet. But I didn't know then that some of their basic beliefs or doctrines were so unscriptural, so I'll probably have to change a small bit of my booklet in that regard. (Particularly the section about what you speak.)

So here are some of the troublesome beliefs or doctrine in a nutshell, from the article linked above:

1. God creates by using His faith through the power of spoken words.
2. Man is a “little god” capable of creating in the same fashion as did God.
3. Man,
   through faith-filled words, creates or causes to come to pass that
   which is spoken. Thus by one’s spoken words health/healing and
   wealth/prosperity are created.
4. Jesus earned our redemption, not on the cross, but in hell.

My response to these is as follows.

1. I don't know how God creates, He's God and I'm not. I know the Genesis account says that 'God said, let there be light' and there was light and he saw that it was good, etc. But I'm pretty sure it is more than just spoken words, as we know it, that He uses in creation.

2. While it's obvious man has some creative ability, I think it might be more proper to say we have some focusing ability, and the ability to push things around that have already been created; but in the end God is the Creator.

3. My current opinion is that you can't have 'faith-filled words' if there's emotional turmoil or conflict. More on this in another post, probably, and when I update the booklet. I think there's more 'power' in the emotion than in the actual spoken words. Something said in anger can have quite a different impact than something spoken in a neutral emotional state. But it still ties into focus AND that God is the Creator.

(In the Law of Attraction arena, it's generally referred to as 'the Universe' -- but 'the Universe' is basically neutral and uncaring and generally impersonal, whereas the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is both caring and personal.)

4. This one I hadn't heard any of the 'word faith' preachers preach, or I'd have turned them off immediately. One could only preach and/or believe that if they hadn't read the Bible and/or didn't believe it is the Word of God.

So I want to go on the record as saying (typing) that I believe that the Holy Bible is the Word of God, and I believe that Jesus / Yeshua is His only begotten Son, born in the flesh and rose again from the grave on the 3rd day. I believe all of the 'essential doctrines of the Christian faith'.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is for today and didn't leave believers high & dry after the Apostles died. But I've never spoken in tongues and have never seen or heard anyone (really) speak in tongues, but that doesn't mean there aren't those who do.

More in another message.

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Sound vibrations and effect of 'Sacred' language

I have a couple of other posts I'm thinking about, and there is more coming on the 'lie vs the truth.' Really. I just do so much typing at work that I don't feel up to much typing during the week. (Certainly a 'tappable issue'! I'm not sure one can live on this planet and run out of tappable issues!?) But before then, I'm again reading a new article on Spirit Daily about sound vibrations and their affect on water. Apparently they also discovered that there was earlier research using musical instruments and sand or other materials, and I'll quote from the article:

It comes to our attention that years ago -- in fact, back in the 18th century -- a musician-physicist named Ernst Chladni (who was born the same year as Mozart, and died the same year as Beethoven) discovered that when he drew the bow of a violin against the edge of flat plates covered with sand, it produced geometric patterns. Physical sounds, it was shown, affected physical matter.

In 1967, a Swiss doctor named Hans Jenny took up Cladni's work and demonstrated that when he vibrated plates at various frequencies and amplitudes, he generated various patterns. He called the science of this "cymatics." And beautiful indeed were the forms.

Using iron filings, mercury, thick fluids, plastic-like substances, and gases, he demonstrated a visible effect.
Most looked like concentric patterns and mazes. The fascination was in how geometric they were -- how similar to the designs of man.

And I thought I'd add that, while I was writing my booklet, and even now, I have a feeling of some incomplete 'revelation' about our words or what we say and speak. I put something in my booklet about it and pointed to a book by Joyce Meyer, but I know there's more that I just don't quite understand yet. It's a process. Here's something from Psalm 119 that jumped out at me recently, that sort of fits in here:

psalm 119:13 (KJV) - 'with my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.' and v72 - 'the law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.'

I'd say it's very interesting and there's more to follow, as my understanding unfolds. Here's a link to the article.

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Psychology, or Demons at work?

I'm again reading an article on Spirit Daily about a split between believers in psychology and those who believe that demons can cause many mental maladies.

I haven't even finished the article yet, but since my booklet mentions and is somewhat related to psychological issues -- I wanted to share something additional about the article I posted a few weeks ago about schizophrenia. I mentioned in the post, linking to an article by a man who was delivered from a schizophrenia demon; that I believed it was the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost for you KJV fans out there) at work in the article being there when I was commenting on an EFT article on the same topic.

I wanted to share that the topic 'schizophrenia' came up several more times after I posted that, which may or may not be a confirmation of the issue having more to do with the demonic than psychology? What do you think? Does the Holy Spirit send those sorts of confirmations? On April 15th, on the t.v. show Dateline NBC, there was a story about a killer who'd been diagnosed with schizophrenia. (A Mr. Hyde, hmmmm...) Then on April 19th, watching Diagnosis Murder, part of that story line involved someone who was mostly harmless, and spoke in anagrams, that had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lastly, I was watching JDM on TBN and Cathy Duplantis made a statement that 'God's not schizophrenic'.

We could also call it the 'law of attraction' at work, too?

Someday I may add some of my thoughts on psychology. Well ok, I'll add them now. I imagine some of it is valuable, (psychology, that is) and if nothing else there are some very caring people in the field. But I think some of the premises are way off, especially in light of what can be done with EFT. And on the spiritual question, many of the 'fathers' of the field were atheists and / or influenced by the demonic themselves. (Do a search on Carl Jung, for instance.) Beyond what I just wrote, I'll wait 'til someone actually asks for my opinion.

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Modern Prophets and discernment

I'm reading a good article about Kim Clement being a 'new age prophet'.

I've read some of his prophesies, and have been disturbed that many of them don't appear to come to pass. I get very few 'words' that may be called prophetic, but the few I do get DO come to pass. One example I can think of right now, is a few years ago it was a very dry spring and summer here in Eastern Washington (state). I started praying for rain, on a regular basis, for perhaps a month or so. Then one day I got the message (as a sort of intuition, not exactly audibly but it was clear...) 'you can stop praying for rain, it's on the way.' So I stopped praying and it was perhaps 6 weeks or so before it started to rain, but rain it did.

The point for me is that discernment is so important. I don't want to 'follow' someone just because they say things I like to hear; if they aren't speaking the Truth from God, it's a waste of time, and possibly worse. And when dealing in issues of spiritual warfare, you have to learn discernment, or you're toast.

I'll most likely have more to say in another posting. But it's a good article, I wanted to pass it on.

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