This article was written by Chuck Norris last month exposing the deception of the new age teaching that Oprah is promoting. We all need to pray for Oprah to see truth. She has a huge audience that is fast becoming a congregation of deceived people.

Since Oprah’s endorsement of Tolle’s book a month ago, 3.5 million copies of his spiritual self-help guide have been sent out to enlighten the minds of people around the globe. And more than 2 million people in 125 countries have already signed up for the worldwide web seminar.

Other celebrities have also chimed their endorsements of the book, like Guy Ritchie, Russel Simmons, Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey, who said, “I think one of the most important questions that people ask in life is who am I and why am I here? This book gets as close to an answer as any book could ever get.” “A New Earth” has even been labeled “a spiritual classic” by one of today’s leading spiritual thinkers.

But will this religious text and its subsequent Internet church-like gathering really lead you and our world to God’s gates of splendor?

A coincidental alignment?

I completely respect everyone’s First Amendment rights to choose their religion of choice. But I also recognize the First Amendment rights to speak freely against what I and so many others deem as errant and spiritually unsafe. We can all agree to disagree agreeably, but that doesn’t turn an aberrant spiritual opinion into almighty religious truth.

With this live webcast running through the very heart of one of Christendom’s most sacred seasons of the year (including Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter and Pentecost), the queen of daytime talk is preaching from a primetime pulpit, from which she is heralding to the world community, “Get ready to be awakened!”

But is it merely a coincidence that Winfrey’s and Tolle’s spiritual quest aligns with this special religious time of year? It is yet one more evidence of the paradigm shift in our culture from its moral absolute and Judeo-Christian basis to a relativistic worldview in which anything goes and everything is tolerated.

The fact is: Tolle’s “A New Earth” is being adopted and transformed into Oprah’s new Easter and religion.

Nothing new under the sun

Like most self-help spiritual texts of this type, it is a blend of half truths and half fabrications. One could easily save the purchase price of “A New Earth” and subsequently avoid misleading remarks by reading a Bible, which gives a much more thorough and accurate picture of life’s purpose and methods for overcoming its obstacles.

For example, Tolle advocates that the chief obstacle to awakening is our ego, and that fear is the basis of ego. (Is that a revelation to anyone?) The Bible declared more than two millennia ago, “With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” and “perfect love drives out all fear.”

Tolle newly advocates “being in the now,” while the Bible admonished long ago, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Before Tolle even conceived “A New Earth,” the Bible described “a new heaven and a new Earth” and shows us exactly how we can inherit them in the future.

Tolle concludes, “This book is about you. It will change your state of consciousness or it will be meaningless.” On the other hand, the Bible emphatically assures its contents are “able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation.”

‘Religion Light’

Tolle himself doesn’t align with any one religion, but blends tenets of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Sufism, Christianity and other faiths. One reviewer from the Vancouver Sun said of Tolle:

His spiritual outlook has become more complex since [his former book] “The Power of Now,” when he dismissed external reality as an illusion and made it sound as if “living in the now” was a panacea for all the world’s problems. … In addition, Tolle believes outer realities - including politics, war, poverty and even the climate - will magically be transformed when individuals change their inner consciousness. This may be true, but only to an extent.

The reason Tolle’s psychology and spirituality is marketed so easy is that it is an eclectic mix of conventional and unconventional wisdom, and Western and Eastern beliefs, presented in a tolerant, non-threatening, and non-sectarian way. In other words, it’s “Religion Light,” in which one can be spiritual with “little down and no credit.”

Is anyone else growing weary of light, quick fix, pop-a-pill-and-you’ll-feel-better schemes in society and self-help? Have you ever found that the most valuable lessons in life have come easy? If we’re ever to discover the truth and purpose for life, we must be liberated from our fixations with easy roads - and then model and teach the same to our children and grandchildren.

That is why I’m endorsing, and even written the foreword for, an upcoming (April 15 release) revolutionary book, “Do Hard Things,” written by Alex and Brett Harris. It offers real insights and rewards for life by commendably calling us to rebel against the low expectations of culture and choose to “do hard things.”

Even Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to follow me, you must take up your cross and follow me.” Tolle, however, only quotes relatively benign sayings of Jesus, while avoiding the more difficult ones. For example, he notes that Jesus taught that the “kingdom of heaven” was already present on Earth and can be experienced right now, but overlooks Jesus’ teaching that one must be born again by believing in him as the Son of God and Savior to see that kingdom in the future.

When will we learn? Our pursuit and obtainment of truth is hindered most by our subjective (or à la carte) selections of religion and refusal to consider tougher commandments that call us to higher accountability and our true purpose.

Looking back to move forward

My battle is not with Oprah - she has her guru (Tolle), and I have mine (Jesus). The real war is between those who espouse to be bearers of the truth, like Tolle and Jesus. And the question is: With contradicting truths, will we believe a mere man or one who claimed to be so much more? As C.S. Lewis, the great Oxford scholar and writer of the “Narnia” series who was once an avid atheist, wrote,

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a good moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great moral teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

That might not be what Oprah, Tolle or others around the world want to hear on their webinar, but he is everything we all need to obtain peace with God and peace with one another.

Again, the question is: Will we turn from what’s easy, what’s new, what’s popular, what’s even “Oprah” and take a step back and rediscover the answers that have been there all along? As C.S. Lewis also said, “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”

I just got some new photo’s of my youngest grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Andrew. Chris and Angie don’t have a digital camera yet, so I don’t get pictures of them as often.

Andrew who just turned 5 is going to graduate from his school next month and will start kindergarten next year. That is hard to believe. Katie is now 8 and riding the school bus and is very active in Brownies. We have not gotten enough time with them since we moved away.

Andrew decorating Christmas cookies with his other grandmother, Peggy. This was 2006 and Peggy had a stroke six months later. She is in a nursing home now and they miss all the good times they had with her.

Katie and her friend after going to Lillie Lou Who(well that is what I call it) for her birthday in Nov. She has always liked to play dress up, now it is not play.

On August 5, 2003 I was sleeping in our bed in our home in Arnold, MO when I had a vision in a dream. I was suspended between heaven and earth with my arms extended out in front of me. I began to scream to the top of my lungs, “FIRE!” Each time I screamed “FIRE” molten hot fire fell from heaven to earth. This fire looked like what you see flow out of an exploding volcano. It was red, yellow and orange all mixed together. There seemed to be a beginning and an end to it. By that I mean that when I screamed fire it started and when it stopped I would scream again and another flow would come. I do not remember how many times I screamed, but I woke myself up with my arms extended up in the air screaming “FIRE!”.

Off and on now for almost 5 years I have been praying for the fire of God to fall. I only thought of it as revival and never considered the fact that God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:18-22….22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken–that is, created things–so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Chuck and I have been watching the “Healing Revival” on God TV and on the internet(Healing Revival) Over and over I have heard them say “FIRE”. I have wondered if this is the beginning of what I saw in 2003. I sure want it to be that revival fire.

With revival fire will come separation, cleansing, holiness and the fear of God not only in individual lives but in churches and communities. It will cause a distinct dividing line. Luke 3:15-20…15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The fire I saw would burn up everything in it’s path and it would spread rapidly. We have seen lately how wildfires come up quickly(sometimes with just one spark) and spread at rapid speeds consuming all in it’s path. Malachi 4:1-3…1 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the Lord Almighty.

I believe that the last big revival will be as the fire of God. It will spread rapidly and it will bring Holiness and the Fear of God back to the Church. It will be the revival that will produce the bride of Christ without spot or wrinkle. “FIRE!”

A friend sent me this video this morning and made me want to jump and shout Hallelujah. Please watch the whole video or you will miss the surprise.

Lately, I have really been pondering love. Reading 1Corinthians 13 I see how far I am from the God kind of love, but I know the God who is love. He dwells within me and I am asking that His love arise in me.

Very few probably remember Corrie Ten Boone now. She and her family hid Jews from the Nazi’s and as a result they were sent to concentration camps. She was the lone survivor in her family and spent the rest of her days testifying of the love of Jesus.

Hunter and Brittany had two games each yesterday in a regional tournament and because of their team’s victories they had to return to play for the championship today. When I got out of church today I had a text message that Hunter’s game had started. His team won and Nana was jumping.

They then walked over to see Brittany play. Chuck sent me a message to pray that the opponents were huge. I reminded him that David’s brothers thought the same thing..ha. Brittany’s team had a huge victory. Wow, I thought we were home free….not.

The next thing I knew I was getting an update on Hunter’s game again. This was his final championship game and Brittany had her final game later. They played hard and were very tired. However, they did not get the regional championship.

They are champions to Nana and PawPaw. We are so proud of them. Way to go Hunter and Brittany!!

Hunter and Brittany’s team won their division championships in soccer within the last few weeks. This weekend they have the next stage of tournament games. I guess it is state, but I am not really sure. They both love soccer and are doing great.

Thunderation won first place in the SMSCO U12 Girls Division
Left to Right (Back): Coach John Stewart, Mary Grace Stewart, Sara Fitts, Jessica Milner, Alex Wedderstrand, AssistantCoach Susie Speetjens (Middle): Brittany Williams, Sarah Williams, Katelyn Graves, Anna Braymer, Stephanie Lee, Katie Tackitt (Front): Sarah Meeks, Caroline Speetjens

This morning they both played the first of two games each. Their teams won both games. Nana was kept updated by way of texting. Someone needs to come up with a way to webstream family events for all us us separated grandparents. However, I am thankful for texting. They went home to rest and I should start getting updates again soon on the second games. Poor PawPaw had to work today and is at Carowinds wondering what is going on at the games. He will grab his cell as soon as he gets off to see what the scores were.

HUNTER AND BRITTANY WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!!

I remember the day that our family got our first TV in the late 40’s or early 50’s. There were few good programs and the cabinet was bigger than the screen.

Today, almost 60 years later, I am in our townhouse in SC watching a conference on my computer that is going on in Minnesota and getting text messages from Chuck Jr in MS giving me a blow, by blow account of Hunter and Brittany’s soccer tournaments. All this while cleaning house, man…..I love it.

Hunter won his first game and got pushed by an opponent and hurt his ankle. Good thing for that little boy that Hunter’s Nana is here and not there..ha. Brittany is playing her first now and is way ahead. Go TEAM!!

Recently I went to a park in North Carolina with a friend and her precious baby son to check it out for our Church family day outing. While there we investigated the gem mine that would be available to those who wanted to search for treasures in the dirt.

When you mine for precious stones you have to dig up the dirt. At first it looks like there is nothing of value in that pile. Then you have to take it to the flume and pour the dig into a screen and rinse it. This is the first separation, dirt from the rocks. The second separation is when you manually go through the rocks and separate the rocks from the jewels. Jewels have color and reflect light. I like rocks and they can be pretty, but jewels are prettier and have value. There is a separation or division happening in the body of Christ and I think it can be compared to the Lord mining for jewels.

The first division we talked about was between the house of Saul(a house full of jealousy, envy, anger,pride and a lust for control, power and position)and the house of David(a house characterized by humility, true destiny and true anointing).

The second division that is happening is between priests. The word says we are kings and priests. Ezekiel 34:5 says “And the Lord said to me, “Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary”. Then skip to verse10-14 10 “And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity. 11 Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them. 12 Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them,” says the Lord God, “that they shall bear their iniquity. 13 And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed. 14 Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it. 15 “But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood,” says the Lord God. 16 They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge.

The Lord marks a line of division between priests. The levites were only allowed to do the priestly duties in the outer court because of the past choices they made which involved idolatry. God’s mercy allowed them to continue their priestly duties in the outer court, but they were not allowed into the presence of God. The sons of Zadok were chosen to come into the inner court and minister unto the Lord because they had kept charge of His sanctuary when all of Israel went astray. It is all about choices we make and remaining faithful. “Hear oh Israel the Lord our God is one and you must love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength”.

When David came to the throne he appointed Zadok and Abiathar as priests. Zadok and Abiather were the priests who brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem. When Absalom turned the heart of the people and David had to flee, 2 Samuel 15:4 says “There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city”, However, David sent them back with the ark to Jerusalem.

While Absalom was in power, David was kept informed through these two priests and they were responsible for getting the elders to bring him back once Absalom was dead. They were faithful to David’s house for many years and when David was old another son, Adonijah, whose mother was also Absalom’s mother, rose up to make himself king. This time Abiather chose to separate from David, thus leaving only Zadok.

God is placing a line of division, a plumb line. He is separating unto himself Zadok priests, seers. The descendants of Zadok were all involved with revival in Israel. Those that have kept “His charge” will be able to enter into the glory of God. God is preparing people for the revival. We need discernment as to who to align with and discernment of the times. Choose the side of humility, true destiny and true anointing and enter into the Holy of Holies. “Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”