Universal Healthcare for All Citizens of The World

BarnumandBentley from Youtube gives us the following video.

Think it can’t happen? Don’t kid yourself.

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,  and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. — Revelation 13:16-18 – 

But we are not to be afraid. We are to trust in God. He is our Strength, our Shield, our Provider and Healer.

The Rapture, Islam and the Second Coming of Christ

No one has to be left behind. Call upon the Name of Jesus. Turn from wickedness and believe in the one and only begotten Son of God.

nodoubt257:

OBAMA & U.S ISAIAH 47

nodoubt257:In light of Obama’s decision to support same sex marriage, I have decided to re-post this video. He says his decision “evolved” based on counsel around him. As this video states. From Isaiah 47. “The Daughter of Babylon’s” leader receives bad advice from his counselors. This reminds me of our country, as the daughter of Babylon and Obama, making fatal choices for our country. I hope he doesn’t call himself a Christian again. He didn’t reach his decision by seeking God but by the people around him.

RH: I can agree with nodoubt257. It is true he did not seek God in his decision. It is obvious. I can not put blame on those around him. He made his choice.

Pat Robertson does not care how hungry your family gets

I put the following two videos out for one reason: A lot of people are facing hard economical times. Those who aren’t, will. The church has been taught the FALSE doctrine of “tithing,” therefore giving their money to many false teachers/preachers helping them to live off the fat of the sheep, living extravagant lifestyles. No where in God’s Word are we taught such a thing.

http://redeemedhippiesplace.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/the-truth-behind-tithing/

RWWblog:

“If you really want His blessing, be faithful with your tithe. And then you’ve got God as your financial partner and you have every reason to ask him for His blessing.”

Really? Where does the Word teach that? Jesus said, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” — Luke 11:9,10 – I see no mention of Jesus saying anything about tithing. He simply said, ask, seek and knock. But so many today have been bewitched into superstition by greedy men. If you are a child of God, you have every right to ask Him for a blessing on your life. His blessing you is not contiguent on if you tithe or not.

“I don’t think you’re managing your money properly…..what can I cut back …am I living too big a house, have I bought too much car… I think you just need some financial help…”

What Robertson thinks is not important. What is important are you able to feed your family? Are you able to pay your bills?  In the meantime it is ok for Robertson to have how many cars? How many houses, boats or planes?

Don’t get me wrong. I do not begrudge anyone who has wealth as long as they have earned it honestly and respectfully. But for a man like Robertson whose income comes from tithes, books and CD’s he may make on any number of subjects, then to expect YOU to continue to give to him or any other man while your family has to do without, is WRONG. Flat out wrong. Show me where preachers or ANY man should have that kind of priority in your life.

Then there is this little piece of lying manipulation.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. — 1 Timothy5:8 –

Pat Robertson causes men to become worse than an unbeliever. Men like him are stumbling blocks to those who are trying to do what is best for their family. 

If anyone lets the likes of Pat Robertson or any other man put a yoke upon you by telling you you must give to them — especially while your family does without — then you have just let allowed yourself to become worse than an unbeliever.

The Truth behind Tithing

seedsofgrace:

Don’t let yourself get droopy

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. — John 4:13,14 –

Recently, parts of America had a heat wave. My state being one of the areas. The heat kept me indoors except for watering my tomatos I had planted a few weeks back. My husband and I had to leave the house for a bit and I noticed the plants were just a tiny bit droopy. We won’t be gone long, I’ll get to them when we get back, I thought. 

We were not gone long — maybe a little over an hour — but when I came back, the leaves of the plant were all curled up screaming “Give me water!”

“Stupid me,” I said to myself, “I should have watered them earlier.” But, I went on and watered them thinking they were going to die anyway. A couple hours went by and I stuck my head out the door to look at them and could not believe it. They had perked up. Their leaves were no longer curled. They were standing straight and strong.

Instantly, I was reminded, isn’t that the way we are when it comes to God’s Word? If we go days, weeks, without cracking open the Bible, we begin to get a little droopy. We tend to forget what our true calling is. We become slack in our ability to reach the lost … or even wanting to. We become so caught up in the things of the world, forgetting our home is not this earth, but a Kingdom which awaits us. (I speak to myself right now.)

Somebody, somewhere knows exactly what I am talking about. You (like I) have gone far too long without being in God’s Word. You have (same as I) let the cares of the world bring you down so low that you may even be wondering if God has forgotten you. No, my friend, God has not forgotten you. He is just waiting for you to come to Him and HE wants to give you drink. It is not a drink man can give you, or a drink your church or pastor can give you. But an intimate drink of water that only He can provide.

The drinks of this world which we may try to satisfy ourselves are polluted. They may satisfy for a while, but sooner or later, we come to the realization they are void of any real substance. We have not fed our spirit by such things, but our soul. Becoming more soulish than ever. I have been and am, so very guilty of this. I want to rise above the soulishness. It is a hard thing to do at times. At least for me.

I pretty much see things in black and white. Rarely, is there a grey area. Opinions and emotions take over. Causing me to forget quickly, you are a child of God. Stop behaving like you aren’t.  Such soulishness! God is very displeased with such a thing. But He does not cast us off. He does not say, you’ve gone without for so long, you are on your own. No. He is such a gracious God. Understanding that we are but dust. He knows. He knows exactly where, when and how we began to stray. His greatest desire is for us to run to Him with all our soul.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. — John 6:35 –

I am a diabetic. Not severe, as of yet. Anyone with diabetes knows you have to feed yourself ever so often or you become weak and perhaps a little disoriented at times. Even though you don’t quite feel hungry, you know you have to eat. There are times I do not eat because I do not have what would be called a healthy appetite. I eat because my body tells me to, and by then, it is a little bit too late. I’m shoving anything I can get my hand on into my mouth just so I can feel normal again. Whatever that is.

That too reminds me of how we feed ourselves sometimes. We know that we are hungering for something in this world. So we fill that void with everything we can get our hands on. And like a diabetic will do at times, we shove anything down as quickly as possible in order to satisfy.

Friend, that just will not do. You will end up mal-nourished, weak and disoriented in the things of God. You and I have the responsibilty (yes, it is our responsibility) to feed ourselves accordingly. But not to worry. God gave us a Book, the Holy Bible to feast upon. What a wonderful, beautiful AWESOME Book! We know it is unlike anything on this earth. So why (I ask myself the same question) would we just lay it aside?

Just like my tomatos plants that became revived after just a little watering, you too can be revived in such a way. I exhort you to get back in His Word. FORGET the things of the world for a while. Just try it for one day. Turn off the radio, turn off the T.V, turn off the T.V. preachers you have learned to trust in. Turn me off, for pete sakes. Hear God for yourselves. Let HIM speak to you.

Do not cast your seed to man. No, not one of them! You will get droopy. Sow to the Spirit and become alive again!

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. — Galatians 6:8 –

Pastor says F – YOU while preaching

If you are in a church like this, then you need to come out. Do not be deceived into thinking somehow this is ok — as if it is some kind of new evangelistic tool. It is not. What is happening is the rotting culture of a cesspool of a vile society creeping into the church. Blinding the eyes and dumbing down the sheep.

If God has cleansed you from all unrighteousness by the blood of the Lamb, then why subject yourselves to take part in something that is so vile and vulgar?

The pastor takes the F word and makes it to mean “forgive.” Then starts telling his audience to f everybody else. He even goes as far as to say “F God.” Really? As in forgive? For what?

This is blatant debauchery within the church and if you can not see it, then I dare say, you are part of it.

Come out from among that whore or you will take part in her judgments.

Do not leave me any comments in trying to uphold this. Some things I just will not waste my time. This is one of them. You are free to leave this place and wallow in the muck and the mire of the world. Or you can repent, the choice is yours.

215keanu:

“God will Provide” Foolishness

Article gotten here:

http://www.wnd.com/2012/07/god-will-provide-foolishness/

Written by Patrice Lewis

I’ve been closely following the struggles of folks in the aftermath of the super-derecho storm that slammed the eastern United States last week. Compounding the disaster are massive power outages and a blistering heat wave. Grocery store shelves have been stripped bare, and gas stations have been unable to get gas or unable to pump it. In short, it’s been a miserable week for millions of people.

If there’s a silver lining to the massive disruption this storm has wreaked, it’s that the need for personal preparedness was underscored. There are various articles that highlight this. I believe everyone should be ready in what I call the Seven Core Areas of Preparedness: food, water, heat, lighting, sanitation, medical and protection.

And yet …

And yet there are some people who claim they don’t need to be prepared because “God will provide.” Despite my total belief in God’s mercy and providence, I confess I have no patience with those who refuse to lift a finger toward their own physical safety or survival on the grounds that the Almighty will supply them with whatever they need.

Usually this reference about God providing happens when the End Times are under discussion. Frankly I don’t know much about End Times and don’t care to, since we’re specifically told we won’t know the day or the hour. But I’ve actually heard some people say with a straight face that they have no need to prepare because “God will provide” or they’ll be raptured up before things get really hairy.

No offense, folks, but that’s about the stupidest contingency plan I’ve ever heard. The End Times aren’t here (yet), but super-derechos and wildfires and earthquakes and power outages and heat waves are. Disruptive natural phenomenon happen all the time. And it’s for these types of events that everyone must prepare according to their means and abilities.

J.G. Holland said, “God gives every bird its food but does not throw it into the nest.” Right now, God has blessed us with an abundance of goods and services in this country, but He isn’t throwing free groceries into our cart. Nor do any of us expect to open our kitchen cupboards in the morning and find them magically filled overnight by Divine providence. It’s up to us obtain those groceries, not God.

Or, as one reader of my blog put it, “I have told the ‘God will supply’ people not to show up on my doorstep when things get tough because ‘I’ am not their God.”

Nor is the government anyone’s god (despite its apparent claims to the contrary). If we look to the government to save us every time Mother Nature throws a nasty storm our way, then of course we’re not going to lift a finger to help ourselves. Why should we? “God” (I mean, the government) will provide, right?

It’s essential to place one’s trust in God, but to assume He will behave in accordance with our interpretation of what we want Him to do is foolish beyond belief. If you fold your hands and refuse to help yourself because of your sincere belief that God will give you full pantries when times get tough, then you’re slothful. It smacks of arrogance. You’re expecting Him to do the work he commands you to do.

I truly believe God expects us to prepare to meet the challenges inherent in life: natural disasters, terrorist attacks, economic downturns and other natural or manmade calamities. In addition to our physical preparedness, we all need spiritual preparedness for comfort, focus and protection.

But to do one without the other – to prepare our souls but not our earthly lives to meet physical challenges – is shortsighted and incomplete.

The Bible is absolutely chock-full of advice for a preparedness mindset, and it exhorts us not to be foolish, slothful, or ignorant. Everything from the stories of Noah or Joseph in Genesis, throughout Proverbs, up to and including Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins, urges people to be vigilant and to keep their lamps lit.

And yet there is a certain subclass of people who won’t do this because, after all, God will provide.

You can argue and bicker all you want. You can disagree with me and tell me my biblical understanding is poor (which it probably is). You can believe all the End Times prophecy until the cows come home – I really don’t care. But don’t use that as an excuse to refuse to prepare.

At this point I’ll make the critical distinction between those who can’t prepare and those who won’t.

There are those who unable to be prepared due to age, illness, disability, finances, or other factors. For those who can’t prepare due to any of these reasons, we must be ready to offer assistance as best we can. A significant part of a prepping lifestyle is mercy and charity, just as it should be a significant part of our walk with God. We must never forget the importance of treating our most vulnerable citizens with compassion.

But this compassion wanes when we encounter those who won’t prepare. These are people who have the means to put aside food and water, but refuse to believe such actions are advisable. Simply put, they are in denial that anything bad can ever happen to them. After all, God will provide.

Grocery and gas prices will continue to rise. Storms will hit, electricity will fail, wildfires will ravage, and the economy will continue to tank. But hey, feel free to fold your hands like the sluggard and do nothing to help you or your family through hard times. That’s your choice. Just don’t expect anyone else to come riding to the rescue.

God told you to help yourself and you didn’t listen. You expected Him to provide without your effort. Remember 1 Timothy 5:8: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” And 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

There’s an old saying that goes, “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good.”

In light of last week’s reminder, perhaps those are wise words indeed.

Press On

For those of us who sometimes forget where our strength comes from.

idecompot:

Beware of the Scab Pickers

When I was a young girl, I loved bike riding. I enjoyed the thrill of seeing how fast I could go, sometimes unaware of bumps in the road or some other object that would cause an instant crash. One crash I landed on the side walk. My knee was a bloody mess. Even though I did not require stitches, it took days if not a few weeks to heal. Mainly because I kept picking at the huge scab, not allowing it to heal on it’s own.

There are all kinds of wounds and afflictions we suffer from in life. Some can be taken care of by something so simple as an aspirin, while other things require time and surgery. Either way, it is God who brings healing in His way and in His time.

I’ve learned over the years that there are those who will continue to see you in your afflictions even though God has healed you. Why is this? I believe one reason is, as long as you are weak in their eyes, they get to look strong. Sometimes people just do not want to see you overcome.

Some people are just plain old scab pickers. They are the ones who the enemy of your soul will use to come along and open up old wounds after God has either healed or in the process of healing. I’ve pondered why they do this thing. I believe it is because they are not content with seeing you whole. They themselves have issues that keeps them in the dark and they love it so. You may even be trying to walk in the light with these people. God knows. Spending time and energy in edifying them, pointing them to the light/truth. You may even think they have been hanging on to every word you have spoken to them. Only to find out that what they have really done, is retained all they have learned about you in hopes of using it against you one day. While you are walking in the light with them, they are walking in the dark. Sound familiar?

I had this happen to me a few weeks ago. A friend (I use that term lightly) of over 40 years decided it was ok to take an old issue and try to open it up. IF I had given her the power, she would have been able to hurt me. However, I chose not to give her that power knowing God had already taken care of the very thing she was relishing in — a weakness I have had to overcome over the years. One where I did so with truth. And with trusted individuals God had/has put in my life. Obviously she was not one of them.

These people usually are manipulators, rarely walking in the light. I used to be very thin-skinned with such people. Not anymore. People can only hurt you IF you give them that power. When darkness comes against you, how can it have any power over you, if you are in the light? It can not.

How to deal with a scab-picker? Perhaps, the Word of God has a few things pertaining to this:

“Do not cast your pearls among the swine.”

This is when you are doing your best to be an edifyer to the person in question. You have lovingly and patiently done it over and over in hopes they get the message. The message is one of simple truth and light. However, there are those who still want to wallow around in the mud. When they refuse to listen or manipulate — we are to move on.

“Flee from all appearance from evil.”

Is it not evil when person in question is trying to manipulate? That is witchcraft, friend. Do not be entangled in it. Move on.

“If they do not hear you, then shake the dust off your feet and go on.”

Christians make a mistake when they continually over and over go around the same old mountain with some people. Unless you happen to like to play the martyr then by all means stay in that place of being used and abused. However, though God tells us to pick up our cross, to be a light, to help, etc., that does not mean we are to enable others. When we enable others, we are not pointing them to God, but to ourselves.

Scab pickers — like leeches — love to suck all the life out of you. If God has healed you in an area, and you know it to be true, do NOT give the scab pickers power in your life. After all, it was not the scab picker that died on the Cross for you.

“IT” is a Baby!

About two weeks ago I got to see an ultra sound for the first time. I am going to be Great Aunt to my niece’s TWO little twin boys! How exciting for us all. Not one, but two babies. I told her, “double the trouble and double the joy.”

Watching those little fellows — as tiny as they are — I wept with tears of joy. How precious! I saw a tiny little foot and when I asked how big it was, the lab said about 4 centimeters. If I am right, that is about a little over a quarter of an inch. But I could see it…. right on the face of his brother! I could see their profile and even said, “That one looks like his daddy.” At least to me, he did. I could not take my eyes off the life (lives) growing in my niece. They were alive! Alive and safe and sound in their mama’s womb. They were getting a little rowdy in there. The lab tech said they were fighting. I couldn’t tell who was winning.

Her due date is in October. But she may deliever before then. I can hardly wait to meet them.

A lot of people will tell you “it” is tissue, just a blob. They lie. I tell you, it is a baby. A tiny little soul being created in God’s image. Everything about those little babies are thoughtfully being formed and created by a God who loves them.

So the next time, anyone wants to tell you the lie, that “it” is not a baby. Tell them they are either ignorant or an out right liar. STAND FOR LIFE.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.”

Deuteronomy 30

Who is deciding what you believe? Oprah, Joel Osteen or GOD?

The world and the church are being indoctrianted for what will be the new religion one day. Lucierferism, Satanism, Secularism, Humanism. A “religion” with no absolutes. Other than the one absolute they teach which is all roads lead to God.

Who is your teacher? The likes of Oprah, Joel Osteen or God?

Do not be afraid to test this. Just make sure God’s Word is your plumbline. Anything else, will lead you astray.

Know this: who and what you believe does determine where you will spend eternity. So which is it? The ear-tickling star-studded sugar coating liars of today? OR GOD? Your choice. 

Think not that you have a problem with me, if you refuse to see the truth. Instead, you have a problem with God.

The Goddess of Freedom: from Libertas to Lady Liberty

Many Christians no longer celebrate Christmas once finding out it is a Pagan holiday. Yesterday, America celebrated it’s independence. I wonder how many would stop celebrating July 4th if they knew they were actually in a sense worshipping freedom itself.

The following is taken off a Pagan site. One thing I can say for the Pagans: is at least they know who and what they worship, whereas many Christians do not. Christians today have so many gods it is unbelievable. Is this just another one? I believe so.

What does Jesus have to say about freedom? “He whom the son sets free, is free indeed.” “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

http://www.circlesanctuary.org/circle/articles/pantheon/GoddessFreedom.html

By Selena Fox

The honoring of the Goddess of Freedom began more than two thousand years ago among the ancient Romans. They called Her, Libertas, the Latin word for Freedom. Libertas signified freedom of action, freedom from restraint, independence, rights, and related forms of personal and social liberty.

The Roman religion had a large and complex pantheon with a great assortment of Goddesses, Gods, and other sacred forms. Ancient Romans revered and deified certain values, known as Virtues, and Libertas was one of the most important of these. A few of the more than two dozen other private and public Virtues were Hope (Spes), Justice (Justica), Piety (Pietas), and Courage (Virtus). According to their religion, Roman citizens were to uphold Virtues in their personal lives as well as in the culture as a whole.

Libertas as a deity usually took the form of a Goddess. A temple to Her on the Aventine Hill in Rome was dedicated around 238 BCE. Sometimes She merged with the chief Roman God Jupiter, in the form of Jupiter Libertas, whose feast was celebrated on April 13. Libertas also was closely associated with the Goddess Feronia, and some viewed them as aspects of the same Goddess, including the Roman scholar Varro, a contemporary of Cicero. Feronia is thought to have been originally an ancient agricultural and fire Goddess among the Etruscan and/or Sabine peoples. During the Roman Republic, Feronia’s feast day was November 13. She was honored in central Italy as the Goddess of freedwomen and freedmen, and She was associated with the granting of freedom to slaves. Part of the passage from slavery into freedom in Roman society involved having the head ritually shaved, being ceremonially tapped by a magistrate with a rod, called a vindicta, and then wearing a cap, known as a pilleus, to symbolize freed status.

Some of the Roman depictions of Libertas have survived to this day on coins and other artifacts. Libertas usually is pictured as a matron in flowing classical dress. She often is shown holding both the Liberty Pole (vindicta) and Liberty Cap (pilleus). In some depictions Libertas wears the Liberty Cap or a crown of Laurel leaves. Sometimes She carries a spear instead of the Liberty Pole. Sometimes the Goddess Liberty is shown with a Cat at Her feet.

Although the Roman empire is no more, the Goddess Liberty still survives. Over the centuries and across cultures, She has continued to signify Freedom in Her appearances in paintings, sculptures, songs, stories, poems, and other literature. In recent centuries, the form She has most often taken is that of Lady Liberty.

Libertas as Lady Liberty began emerging in America during the colonial era as part of the American quest for political independence from Britain. American patriot Paul Revere may have been the first to depict Lady Liberty in that context. In 1766, on the obelisk he created in celebration of the repeal of the Stamp Act, he used the image of Liberty with a Liberty Pole surmounted by a Liberty Cap. Another patriot leader, Thomas Paine, included Her in his poem, the “Liberty Tree,” referring to Her as “The Goddess of Liberty.” Freedom Goddess depictions not only emerged in America during its Revolution, but a few years later in France during its own Revolution, with the female symbol of the French Republic, the Marianne, depicted wearing the Liberty Cap, and often accompanied by Liberty’s Cat.

As the USA became a nation, Lady Liberty became part of the official symbology of some of its newly formed states. Holding Her Liberty Cap atop the Liberty Pole, Lady Liberty appears along with the Goddess of Justice on the New York State Flag. On the obverse of the Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, created in 1776, Liberty holds the Liberty Cap atop a pole in Her right hand and is flanked on Her left side by the Roman Goddess of Eternity (Aerternitas) and on Her right by the Goddess of Fruitfulness (Ceres). In addition, the Goddess Liberty, also with a Liberty Pole and Cap, appears with Ceres on the front of the Great Seal of New Jersey, adopted in 1777.

As more states were formed in the USA in the 19th and 20th centuries, some of them also chose to include Liberty imagery as part of their iconography. In addition, Lady Liberty images appeared on coins, paintings, stamps, and in sculptures throughout the land, including the colossal bronze Statue of Freedom, which was commissioned in 1855 and in 1863 set on the top of the dome of the US Capitol building in Washington, DC, where it can still be seen today. It is interesting to note that during America’s Civil War era both sides claimed Liberty and sought to use Her images to promote their own causes. Among abolitionists, Liberty was depicted freeing slaves, while states rights advocates used Her image to signify independence from the “tyranny” of centralized government. Today, Liberty images are used in connection with a wide range of political parties, candidates, and positions on various issues.

The most famous of the Freedom Goddess’ American depictions, the Statue of Liberty, was a gift from France to the United States in honor of America’s 100th birthday. Originally called “Liberty Enlightening the World,” the Statue of Liberty was designed by French Freemason and sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi with the assistance of engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. The head of Lady Liberty’s statue wears a crown with solar rays, similar to the crown on the Colossus of Rhodes, a magnificent monument to the Sun God Helios that once stood astride a Greek harbor and was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The seven rays on Liberty’s crown represent the seven continents and seven seas. The torch Liberty holds in Her right upstretched hand is the Flame of Freedom, and underneath Her feet are broken chains representing overcoming tyranny and enslavement. The tablet Liberty holds in Her left hand is inscribed with July 4, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the USA as a nation. Her flowing gown is similar in design to depictions of Libertas in ancient Rome.

More than 100,000 people in France contributed money to the creation of the 151 foot (46 meters) high copper clad Statue of Liberty. In the USA, in a grass-roots effort spearheaded by newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer, thousands of Americans contributed money for the creation of the 65 foot high granite pedestal to serve as the Statue’s base. The Statue was completed in Paris in May of 1884 and shipped in pieces to the USA where it was reassembled. Work on pedestal construction began in August 1884 following the laying of the cornerstone by Masons of the Grand Lodge of New York in a traditional Masonic ritual. The Statue of Liberty was erected on top of Her pedestal in New York Harbor on Bedloe Island, which was renamed Liberty Island in Her honor seventy years later. Thousands of people attended the dedication ceremony held on October 28, 1886, including Suffragettes, who, while circling the island in a boat, loudly proclaimed through a megaphone their freedom demand that women have the right to vote. A plaque was added in 1903 to an interior wall of the pedestal containing “The New Colossus,” the poem written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 as a tribute to the Statue and to immigrants coming to America for freedom. In the twentieth century, in preparation for the one hundredth birthday of the Statue of Liberty, an extensive renovation project was undertaken from 1984-1986. On the weekend of July 4, 1986, a great centennial celebration was held and the newly restored Statue was re-opened to visitors. The Statue of Liberty continues to be one of the most beloved of America’s civic shrines. The United Nations designated it as a World Heritage site in 1984. The Statue of Liberty receives over 5 million visitors each year.

Lady Liberty images can be found not only throughout America, but elsewhere in the world. She sometimes makes appearances at political rallies, usually in Her Statue of Liberty form. Such was the case in May, 1989, when She gained worldwide attention as She emerged as the Goddess of Democracy in student demonstrations in Beijing, China. Pro-democracy demonstrators erected a 33 foot styrofoam and plaster Liberty Goddess with torch image in Tiananmen Square, and this became a powerful rallying symbol of their quest for Freedom. Although, a short time later, tanks moved in and crushed this statue as well as demonstrators and their demonstrations, their vision and work for Democracy continues within and outside of China.

Images of Lady Liberty now abound in American popular culture. In addition to the variety of Statue of Liberty replicas, postcards, t-shirts, and other souvenirs at tourist shops in New York City and elsewhere, Lady Liberty imagery can be found in movies and on television, on postage stamps and posters, in books and newspapers, in art museums and theaters, in poems and songs, in cartoons and advertisements, in public squares and private homes, in pageants and costume parties, plus in many other contexts. Lady Liberty’s biggest Feast day in the USA is Independence Day, July 4. She is honored on other occasions as well, such as having Her own float in the globally televised Rose Parade which took place on January 1, 2000 in Pasadena, California, USA. The float, “Liberty for All,” was sponsored by the Family of Freemasonry and included a 50 foot high replica of the Statue of Liberty. In addition, Lady Liberty can be seen year round at a variety of websites on the internet.

To many contemporary Wiccans and other Pagans, Lady Liberty is more than a symbol. She is a powerful and ancient Goddess who can guide, inspire, protect, and comfort. Pagans have invoked Lady Liberty in rituals for personal and/or social liberation. Some Pagans include Her image in their household shrines and altars. Because of Her ancient Pagan origins, Lady Liberty is an excellent Goddess to work with in support of Pagan religious freedom.

In 1988, I renamed Circle Sanctuary’s religious freedom network, the Lady Liberty League, in Her honor because of the help She had given us in defeating anti-Wiccan legislation (1985) and in winning Circle Sanctuary’s zoning battle for the right to use our land for spiritual activities (1988). Those affiliated with the Lady Liberty League invoke Her not only in workings on specific cases, but each year as part of our annual meeting, held in June during the Pagan Spirit Gathering.

I close with several Liberty Goddess meditations and rituals:

Personal Liberation: Call to mind a habit you wish to break or a restrictive situation you seek release from. Imagine it taking the form of a chain binding you. For a few moments, experience its restrictions and the problems it causes. Then, invoke the Goddess of Liberty to come to your aid. Imagine Her wearing a Liberty Cap and carrying a Liberty Pole. Imagine your chains falling away as She touches them with the Liberty Pole. Imagine Her placing Her Liberty Cap on your head. As you experience yourself wearing Her Cap, allow guidance to come to you about specific things you can do in your daily life to break the habit or change the situation and take on healthier behaviors. When this guidance comes to you, imagine the Goddess giving you Her Liberty Pole as well. Give thanks to Her. Write down the guidance you received and other impressions. Select an action that can help your situation and do it.

Lady Liberty Feast Day Celebration: Begin the day with a Lady Liberty meditation. Call to mind Her image and imagine Her standing before you. Invoke Her by at least one of Her names: Liberty, Libertas, Lady Liberty, Goddess of Liberty, and/or Goddess of Freedom. Then name and give thanks for each of the freedoms that you experience in your own life. If you are an American, do your meditation on July 4 and work with Her Statue of Liberty form. If you are from another country, select the date and image that you feel is most appropriate.

Religious Freedom Support: Do this ritual to send spiritual support to Pagans and others involved in religious freedom cases. Obtain an image of Lady Liberty, such as a sculpture, illustration, or photograph. Set it on a central altar and position the image so that it faces the direction where the person and/or group needing help is located. Place a piece of paper with the names of those needing help before the image. Around this, place and light white votive candles, one in each of the compass points, plus a fifth on top of the paper naming those needing help. Invoke the Liberty Goddess by repeatedly chanting Her ancient name, Libertas. Peak the energy and then be silent for a time. Imagine She is in your midst, holding Her Flame of Freedom high, and facing in the same direction as Her physical representation on the altar. Welcome Her and then ask Her to guide, protect, and support those in need. Then chant the names of those in need and as you do, imagine Lady Liberty being with them. As the chant peaks, imagine those in need glowing with Lady Liberty’s Light and receiving strength, healing, protection, guidance, and support from Her and from you and others taking part in the ritual. Then give thanks to Lady Liberty and ask Her to continue to work Her magic on the situation. Use the Lady Liberty physical representation again in additional rituals or, if you feel it is appropriate, give it to those in need as a reminder of the support they are receiving from Lady Liberty and those who took part in the ritual.

You are the Light of the World

I shouldn’t be, but I am. Still constantly amazed at how dark the world is getting. Families being ripped apart, nation against nation, marriages being tested in ways they never thought possible, children so rebellious that those whom have passed on a couple generations ago, would be shocked if they could see the youth of today. There is little respect — if any – for the elderly, the sick or the unborn. Politicians lying through their teeth just to get a vote. Good being called evil and evil being called good. Society is a cess pool of putrid filthy dung. I could go on and on, but I digress.

I look around and cry out to God, How long, oh God, will You continue to hold back Your wrath and judgments?

I’ve learned the past year or so, that you don’t have to be a blazing fire to make some kind of impact in one way or the other against the darkness in those around you.

Imagine if you will, cock roaches. You see a few during the day, but it is at night when they are most active. You step into the kitchen and turn on the light and then you see them everywhere. What is the first thing they do? They scatter back into the crevices from where they hide.

This is the very same thing that darkness does. It will always try to hide it’s deeds, lest they be exposed.

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12,13 –

Did you see that? It says “DESIRE.” It does not say if you have it all together, or if you have all your ducks lined up, it says if you DESIRE. If you are a child of God bought and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, then you have THE Light of the World within you. Even if you think your light is as small as a pin head at times, you still have THE ONE TRUE Light in you. The darkness is growing so much that even that tiny little light exposes what is in the heart of man.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew. – 5:14 -16 — (Jesus)

Yet, in the meantime, let us not be surprised and may we not forget:

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

John 15: 17 – 19 (Jesus)

Choo Thomas Herself

If you are interested, please watch. If you have any comments, feel free to leave them, but please know I will NOT allow comments from those who want to defend her. I’m tired of debating those who just will not accept the truth. Take your times and listen. See if you can discern the deception. I’ll start off by asking what in the world is that creepy high frequency noise in the back ground all about? And the constant rocking?

Do not be deceived that this woman is any more spiritual than you. If you are testing things, then you are doing what God has commanded us to do.

Part one:

Just because a child says so, does not make something more true

For those touchy feely types out there who may think I am attacking a little boy by not believing his story: Where is it written in The Bible that we have to believe everything that comes along? Are we not told to test all things? That would include whatever comes out of the mouths of anyone, and yes, that includes children as well. Do I believe he is lying? I can not say. Do I believe he may have had some kind or experience. Possibly. The point is this>>> His experience (true or not) does NOT line up with the Word of God. Please do not tell me how his book blessed you. Or gave you peace. If so, then you have put this book above the Word of God. John tells us in Revelation what heaven is like. Why do we need more than the Word? We do not.

As far as peace, the Word of God says, “He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Him (God).” NOT if you find the right books to read.

As you watch the video, ask yourself do you really believe this little child at the time knew absoultely nothing about his dead sister. Think about this…we here things all day long. Even in passing. Things stay in our sub-conscious only to be awaken at a later date. No one can tell me he never heard his parents talking about his dead sister. It only makes seense that the parents would talk about their lost child. And yes, that means in the presence of a 3 or 4 year old. So, I think they lie when they say he knew nothing about her.

The same about his grandfather who he had never met. Do you think for one moment these parents NEVER showed their son a picture of his deceased grandfather?

Jesus had “sea-blue eyes.” Uh yeah, right. Does not quite fit the image of a man who was a Jew, now, does it? Why do all the jesus’s have blue eyes? Sorry, I don’t buy it.

“And a smile that lit up the heavens.” Trite at the very least.

The parents can say this is not about money, but it is. There is a lot to gain by having a best seller. Money, fame, etc.

I find it very odd that they use almost word for word the very same title that Choo Thomas did for her book, “Heaven is so real.” What would be the purpose of this? It would be very easily found in any search engine after CT already blazed the trail ahead of them.

The world is being primed for massive deception, people. These so-called heaven experiences are just one more thing to make people hunger — not for the things of God — but for experiences. Think about it.

entrepreneurer:

“Heaven is for Real.” Is it Biblical?

In light of the many stories out there (that I believe are either being fabricated or just plain delusional) I found this at:

http://momsinneedofmercy.blogspot.com/2011/03/heaven-is-for-real-astounding-tale-of.html

I recently read Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, because I was given a copy by a family member. The book, written by Todd Burpo—a pastor in Nebraska—tells the story of his son Colton’s experience during surgery following a ruptured appendix. Although the surgery was completely normal—Colton never flat-lined and the operative report showed nothing unusual—Colton, who was four at the time, claimed months after surgery that he had gone out of his body and taken a trip to heaven for “three minutes” while on the operating table. The book reveals the details he shared about his heavenly visit.

Although encouraged to see how God spared the Burpo’s little boy’s life and provided for their medical bills, thumbing through the book, I was immediately alarmed by what I was reading.

I am so thankful we are grounded in a biblical church, and that I know my Bible well enough to know that his tale is not in line with what the Bible teaches. At the same time, I am deeply disturbed that so many people are reading this book (it is a New York Times #1 bestseller) and coming away thinking it’s an accurate, theologically sound picture of heaven. Far from it.

I am also deeply troubled that Colton’s own father is a pastor and never once refutes Colton’s claims with Scripture. He backs them up with Scripture when they conveniently seem to support Colton’s stories, but he never tells readers who may have limited theological or biblical understanding that the Bible presents a different picture from his son on certain topics, such as his son’s report that all people except Jesus fly with wings and that the angel Gabriel sits on a throne to the left of God the Father. People are being misled by this book and are basing their views of heaven on what Colton says and the new information he presents.

For Colton’s story of his trip to heaven to be true, it must agree with what Scripture teaches about heaven. If it doesn’t, either the Bible is wrong, or Colton’s story is wrong. Since no one else seems to be doing it, let me provide the Scriptural evidence to disprove some of Colton’s most troublesome, Scripturally inaccurate claims.

1) Colton claims people have wings in heaven.

Page 72: Todd Burpo writes,

“So what did the kids look like? What do people look like in heaven?”
“Everybody’s got wings,” Colton said.
Wings, hugh? “Did you have wings?” I asked.
“Yeah, but mine weren’t very big.” He looked a little glum when he said this.
“Okay…did you walk places or did you fly?”
“We flew. Well, all except for Jesus. He was the only one in heaven who didn’t have wings. Jesus just went up and down like an elevator.”
If you look up references to wings in the Bible, you will find passages conveying biblical truths using bird metaphors. Isaiah 40:31 talks about how those who “hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;” Jesus says in Luke 13:34 that he longed to gather his people to him like a “hen gathers her chicks under her wings.” Birds were created with wings. Man was created in God’s image (Genesis 1), without wings.

In 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Paul writes about the resurrection body. He says, “All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.” God created us in His image (Genesis 1), as men and women, with a human body, not as a bird with wings. Paul also writes, “And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven” (1 Cor. 15: 49).

Our bodies will be resurrected, like Christ’s. Therefore, if Jesus does not have wings, we will not have wings. Also, in the description of heaven, Revelation 21:24 says, “The nations will walk by its light.” Notice the word “walk”—not fly.

Further, in the account of Jesus’ transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17, when the disciples saw Moses and Elijah, they recognized them. “Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah” (Matthew 17:4). No mention of them having wings.

Jesus’ resurrected body did not include a set of wings, and we are told we will be like Him.

2) Colton claims people have lights over their heads in heaven.

Page 73:

“Everyone kind of looks like angels in heaven, Dad.”
“What do you mean?”
“All the people have a light above their head.”
Todd Burpo goes on to cite what he claims to be Scriptural evidence of lights over one’s head, using the examples of the angel appearing to Mary Magdalene at Jesus’ tomb (that his appearance was like lightning), Stephen’s face as “bright as an angel’s” during his stoning, and John writing in Revelation about a mighty angel with a “rainbow over his head,” and that the angel’s face “shone like the sun.”

It seems that what Colton was trying to describe was a halo, which the Bible does not say exists, but is depicted in virtually all children’s Bible stories, Renaissance art, and other drawings that a four-year old would most likely have been exposed to—even though his dad (who is a pastor) says he was not exposed to pictures like this.

The description given in the book of Revelation of those in heaven is that they are wearing “fine linen, white and clean.” (Revelation 21:14). No mention of lights above heads. Either it’s new and extrabiblical, or it’s a made-up story from an imaginative kid.

3) Colton claims Jesus has a rainbow horse and that he got to pet him. (page 63).

When the Bible talks about Jesus with a horse, the horse mentioned is always white. (Revelation 19:11, 14).

4) Colton’s depiction of God’s throne.
This is Colton’s account:

Page 100:

“Well, what did God’s throne look like?” [asks his dad]
Colton: “It was big, Dad…really, really big, because God is the biggest one there is…And do you know that Jesus sits right next to God?…Jesus’ chair is right next to his Dad’s!”
Todd Burpo:
“It was another one of those moments when I thought, He had to have seen this…’Well, who sits on the other side of God’s throne?’”
Colton: “Oh, that’s easy Dad. That’s where the angel Gabriel is. He’s really nice.”
Todd writes, “Gabriel. That makes sense,” and then cites Luke chapter 1, when Gabriel foretells John the Baptist’s birth and says, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God…’
“So I’d had my glimpse into God’s throne room, but Colton’s descriptions had me wondering: if God the Father was seated on his throne with Jesus on his right and Gabriel on his left, where was Colton?”…
“Where did you sit, Colton?” I asked.
Colton: “They brought in a little chair for me, he said smiling. “I sat by God the Holy Spirit.”
“What does God look like?” I said. “God the Holy Spirit?”
Colton furrowed his brow, “Hmm, that’s kind of a hard one…he’s kind of blue.”
He then goes on to claim that’s where he met his Dad’s grandpa, sitting by the Holy Spirit.

So that’s what Colton says about the throne room of heaven. This is what the Bible says:

First, though, let’s not forget all the Scriptures that tell us that God the Father is invisible. (“The Son is the image of the invisible God.”–Col. 1:15; Jesus: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known”–John 1:18).

So how could Colton have possibly seen God the Father, and can he–the God of the Universe–possibly be contained to a “really big throne”?

If that’s not enough, let’s look at a biblical description of heaven’s throne room:
Revelation chapter 4:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven…At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones, and seated on them were 24 elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumbles and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4: 1-11).
There is also another account of the Lord seated on his throne in Isaiah 6:1-4, which corresponds with the Revelation account.
Neither of these accounts resemble Colton’s account to any degree.

5) Colton claims to have seen Satan in heaven, which was revealed three years after his supposed “trip” to heaven, ironically after watching the battle scene in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Page 132:

Colton’s mom: “Well, I guess that’s one thing you didn’t like about heaven—no swords up there.”
“There are too swords in heaven!” he said.”
“Um…okay. Why do they need swords in heaven?”
“Mom, Satan’s not in hell yet,” Colton said, almost scolding. “The angels carry swords so they can keep Satan out of heaven!”…
Dad: “Hey, Colton…” “Did you see Satan?”
“Yeah, I did,” he said solemnly.
The rest of the page goes on to describe how Colton shut down and never did want to talk about seeing Satan.

He also claimed that he saw the coming great battle known as Armaggedon—that, “in heaven, the women and the children got to stand back and watch” the future battle while the men fight.

Refuting these claims is a bit more involved, as doing so requires a comprehensive biblical theology about heaven, evil, Satan, and his eternal doom. But let me begin with Isaiah 14: 12, which says,

“How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star,…You have been cast down to the earth…”
Some scholars believe this refers to Satan. Scholars also believe that Ezekiel 28 offers information about the fall of Satan, through allegory with the king of Tyre.

Jesus said in Luke 10:18 that He saw “Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12 about a time when he was caught up to the third heaven.

“Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know–God knows. And I know that this man—either in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).
Paul refuses to speak of them but says they were wondrous. Would angels walking around on patrol to keep evil out be your version of paradise?

That is also certainly not the vision of heaven portrayed in John’s vision, recorded in the book of Revelation:

“And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down….Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows his time is short.’ When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child…Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:7-17).
Numerous passages present that Satan lost his place in heaven and was “hurled down” to the earth, along with his fallen angels. While he may be “roaming throughout the earth” (Job 1:7), Scripture also says that until he is bound for eternity, Satan maintains access to God. In the words of my pastor, Jack Olsen:

“Rev. 12:10 says he accuses the brethren before our God day and night. There is some debate about where to place this passage chronologically, but I believe this describes a yet future casting of Satan out of heaven for good. He was cast out of his original position in heaven (Ezek. 28:16), but still has limited access to accuse the brethren before God (also Job 1:6).”
For a clear picture of the eternal heaven, we can look at Revelation chapter 21:

“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21: 27).

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Rev. 22:14, 15).
In conclusion, I fully agree that heaven is for real. But since there are so many elements of his story that contradict Scripture, Colton didn’t take a real trip to heaven. Besides, his operative report (included in the book) shows he never left his body. This isn’t being passed off as a “vision,” or a possibly fictitious story from a then four-year old. (Besides, kids have great imaginations and have a hard time distinguishing fantasy from reality). It’s being passed along as fact. That’s where the problem lies. If you want a true peek at heaven, check out the Bible.

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they will fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:16).

“Heaven is For Real” – But not because Colton Burpo says so

Following article gotten here.

http://responsivereiding.com/2011/03/18/heaven-is-for-real-a-review/

I know I’m going to be seen by some as a party pooper in this review – but bear with me. I think this little book raises from serious questions we DO need to ask.

That said – let me plunge on into it.

Heaven is For Real, is the (supposed) account of Colton Burpo – son of Todd Burpo, a pastor in Imperial Nebraska. When I use the word “supposed” in parentheses above, I do not wish to imply that there is any kind of fraud being perpetrated in this story. I use it only because a lot of what is reported in the book (beyond the verifiable historical facts), is all dependent upon what may or may not be the genuine experience, or dreams, or hallucinations or combinations of these – of 4 year old Colton Burpo. I do not use it either to impugn the sincerity of the Burpo family in any way. I use it because “experiences” are tricky things. And how we interpret our experiences may or may not be accurate. And herein rests a key problem with this little -quick reading and fun book.

The story line is pretty simple, and there appears to be no question regarding the general circumstances themselves. Due to an undiagnosed (for 5 days) burst appendix in little Colton (who by all accounts seems to be an utterly charming and normal little guy), the lad nearly lost his life. Sometime later, after his (by all accounts) miraculous recovery – Colton begins to let slip certain facts about an experience he relates as having had while so gravely ill. The experience ultimately being uncovered as some indeterminate (though by Colton’s reckoning – 3 minutes, be it Earth or Heaven time) amount of time spent in Heaven. I will not labor the reality that much is made of Colton’s high fever issues during his illness – but nothing of how such things effect dreams and perceptions.

As the next several years unfold, Colton relates to his parents how he saw his long deceased grandfather there (ending long speculation on whether or not he ever became a Christian), his miscarried older sister he presumably knew nothing about until he saw her there and wrestled with why she had no name (but whom later he has a very emotional sense of missing), Jesus, Jesus’ horse, lots of other children and animals and even (inserted with special reference by Todd for his Catholic friends) the Virgin Mary, assorted animals and lots of people with wings.

The book goes on to catalog the blessing all of this has been to Todd, his wife and many others. Why? And please – I need to say this firmly, but completely without malice: Because Colton’s “revelations” seem to meet some need in them, that God’s own Word through the ministry of the Holy Spirit cannot or does not. They seem to need categories of information God does not seem to have found necessary to reveal previously. And this makes me ask a lot of other questions.

Now I read a lot of books. I do so for various reasons. Some I read just for personal enjoyment. Others because I think they are important to the ministry. Still other because they simply interest me – but quite a number because people either ask me about them, and/or I think they may be books which will become part of the Evangelical landscape and thus need perused and analyzed somewhat given my own pastoral role. Heaven is for real fits this last category. I had no interest in the book personally, and would have passed it over but that I’ve been asked by several people what I think about it. It is a book also that is gaining a lot of pop-Christian attention, and thus it seemed prudent.

To be honest however, I come to books like this (dealing with near-death, death or supernatural experiences) with a load of skepticism. Why? Simple. Because the only authoritative book on these subjects – especially Heaven, has already been written – by God. And if we needed something more on this topic, the proper way to proceed (on safe ground anyway) is to carefully study what the Scripture has already revealed on it. I would suggest something like Randy Alcorn’s “Heaven”; or drawing from an earlier age – Richard Baxter’s “The Saint’s Everlasting Rest.”

You see, we are never to draw our theology from experiences. Instead, it is God’s Word, and the theology in it which is to be used to interpret our experiences. Whenever the experience cart gets in front of the Scriptural horse – speculation, rather than revealed truth rules the day. And when that happens, we slowly undermine the authority of Scripture, and will inevitably undermine our own faith. How so? Because faith, real, Biblical, saving, soul-affirming faith, can only be a by-product of the revelation of God and His character, or trust in His promises IN His Word.

This then is THE primary problem I see with this (in and of itself) innocuous little tome. The problem is NOT whether Colton might have had some genuine sort of experience of Heaven or not. The problem is (as is evidenced both in the book itself several times – AND by one or two people I’ve spoken with personally) that we are willing to find more comfort and encouragement about the reality of Heaven and some of its supposed features – from the subjective experience of a gravely ill little boy – than we are from the Bible and God’s own revelation of these things. It is as though the Holy Spirit’s revelation is inadequate for us.

The problem isn’t as much with the book and its material itself – the problem is what it reveals about us! That we know so little of what the Bible teaches about this subject, and are so little interested what God has to say about it – or are so little comforted by it – that we will find our hope rather in Colton’s experience.

So, if you have read the book, and have found your “faith” bolstered by it or your soul encouraged by it, my question to you is – Why? Why not the Bible? Why this story – and not the authoritative one? What does this say about your own attitude toward Scripture? What does it say about your understanding of Scripture? What does it say about your approach to truth – and how it is found, discerned and processed? Why does this strike a chord with you God’s own Word to you does not?

So, would I recommend the book? Not really. But neither would I say one shouldn’t read it. While it is truly light on the Gospel (especially in light of its declaration that the meaning of the Cross – indeed the gospel is summarized by Jesus saying “I had to die on the cross so that people on earth could come see my Dad” – true enough but notice how it side-steps the sin issue altogether) – I reiterate that it is not its content I find disturbing. That is – IF – one takes it for what it is – just a 4 year old’s subjective experience. Perhaps a fever, or medicinally or physiologically induced experience. Who knows?

The BIG question one must ask themselves is HOW do I respond to this – and WHY?