Prophecy

Jesus says, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves …” (Luke 21:25)

Over 10,000 years ago Hopi Indian elders of North America received visions of the future. Amazingly, these ancient visions accurately predicted the arrival of the white men who would take away their land, the movement of wagon trains across the plains by the pioneers, domestic long-horn cattle, and clearly described the railroad tracks, roads, and telephone lines that would cover the earth like a giant spider web. Their ancient glimpse into the future revealed what the Hopi call the great earth shakings of the first and second world wars, giant oil spills that would kill many living things in the sea, as well as the hippie movement of the 1960’s. The visions warned that if rocks were brought back to earth from the moon it would precipitate the severe weather and earthquakes that are now being reported almost daily in the news. It is truly amazing that they had this vision thousands of years before space flight was even possible, but it is even more amazing that the Apollo 11 mission actually did bring rocks back from the moon in 1969! As astonishing, as these ancient visions of the Hopi are it is important to realize that they are not merely a message about what was going to happen in the future. These ancient visions represents a great warning about something even more chilling – what the Hopi Indians call “the Great Purification” – which predicts that the countries that first received the light (India, China, Africa, and Palestine) will begin world war three. Ultimately, this war will rain “gourds of ash” (nuclear bombs) upon the United States, boiling the rivers, and making the land barren. The Hopi believe that this time of Purification is the advent of the return of the “true white brother” who will usher in a new world of everlasting life and transform the world into its former pristine state of abundance and beauty. The Hopi elders see these prophesized events as signs that the great destruction is coming very soon.

Jesus says, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And he told them a parable, “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:25-31) The Hopi Prophecy echoes the same message of Jesus in eerie detail, even predicting that at the time of the Great Purification the “true” white brother would appear! But it is not just the ancient Hopi Prophecy, or the warnings of Jesus that reveal that the world seems to be swiftly approaching what is called the end times or Armageddon. CNN just ran a series of documentaries called God’s Warriors that begin to unveil the truth of what is plunging the world into civil unrest and global terrorism. What the CNN documentary exposes is that it is not just nations, politics, or religion that is leading us on a path of destruction, but the combination of all three. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, all believe in the “end times” or final judgment and are quite sure that they are the people chosen by God to enter the Kingdom of Heaven also known as paradise. It is the clash of these three religions, as well as the geo-political organizations, extreme fundamentalism, and terrorists organizations that have emerged from them that is the source of the ongoing bloodshed in the Middle East and the world. When you look at each religion and the associated geo-political agenda of each religious orientation, you can visibly see the passion, faith, history, and complexity of each religious belief system. People of every religion are so passionate in their faith that they are willing to die for their beliefs, but there is one very simple reason why this clash was inevitable and it is almost never discussed. What is this simple reason and how can it help us understand the teaching of Jesus on an even deeper level?

Long before Jesus was born, the Hopi elders carved a drawing into the face of a rock. For centuries, its hidden meaning has been passed down from generation to generation. The ancient drawing depicts two paths on which people can walk through life; the true path of balance and the false path of destruction. It is known as Prophecy Rock, simply because it represents a time-line that eventually leads to time of the Great Purification. The people on the path of destruction are what the Hopi call two-hearted people. A two-hearted person is one who thinks with his head rather than his heart. According to the Hopi, two-hearted people think material gain is more important than spiritual wisdom or living in balance with nature. As Jesus illuminates, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The Hopi elders saw the two-hearted people living in the land of stone(cities) that separated them from nature. They describe them as people who have forgotten their spiritual roots, have no relationship with God, and are out of balance because they only think with their mind, which ultimately leads to self-destruction. The drawing has a vertical line that connects the two paths just before the Great Purification is prophesized to occur, this vertical line depicts a junction where the two-hearted people have a choice to leave the path of destruction by thinking with their hearts or continue on the path of destruction. Once they begin to think with their hearts, they will gradually return to the true path of balance – the path of salvation. According to the prophecy, many two-hearts will choose to leave materialism behind and lead a life in balance with nature.

Jesus explains, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth, and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:19-23) Jesus knew that the things of this world do not offer you any lasting happiness and is pointing to the source of eternal peace and joy. As you turn your attention to the source of your heart you will see the great light that you are – a joy without end! It is living from heart, as heart, that you naturally live the life of grace that Jesus envisioned for everyone! Your heart is the gateway of everlasting life!

The most striking thing about the CNN documentary God’s Warriors is that whether people identify themselves as Jewish, Christian, or Muslim, they all demonstrate an incredible passion and willingness to die for their faith. The focus of this series of documentaries is on extremism and highlights how fundamentalist beliefs can turn even the most sublime spiritual teaching into justification for violence and death. Of course, each religion believes that they are the “chosen” ones of God and the only way to achieve salvation. It is a natural tendency to believe that your way is the right way, and another person’s way is the wrong way. How many times have you argued with someone just to prove that you are right?! But it is this fundamental idea that you are right and someone else is wrong that has the power to reveal what is deeper than the polarizing ideas of “you” versus “me” or “my way” versus “your way.”

Jesus says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23) What does Jesus mean by sound? If the eye is the lamp of the body where does the light come from? What is this light? Who is looking through the lamp of the body before name and form? Jesus is revealing the secret….the same secret that the ancient Hopi Indian elders knew….where your treasure is there will your heart be also! When you focus your attention on your heart you realize that you are the eternal light shining through lamp of the body! And how great is the light! This is thinking from the heart as heart! Wow!!!!!!

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam represent a clash of ideologies, politics, and government, that is the source of all of the conflict we are witnessing daily in the news. Jews believe that Jesus is not the Messiah for the simple reason that peace did not reign on earth after his crucifixion. They believe that when the true Messiah comes peace will reign over the entire earth. They also believe that all of the Palestinian land is the land promised to them by Moses and they are willing to die to have the privilege of living on what they believe is sacred. Palestinians believe that Islam is the only true faith and Jews, who are infidels (non-believers in Islam), are stealing land that is sacred to them and they are willing to fight to the death to keep them off “their” land. In addition, Muslim extremists believe that anyone who is not Muslim is the infidel and must be either converted or killed. They believe that Islam must be the religion of the entire world and are willing to kill themselves to kill the infidel and is the primary reason for their terrorist attacks on the United States and Europe.

The CNN documentary also reveals that Shiite Muslims still beat their chests and weep over the death of their beloved saint Imam Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad, who was killed by Sunni Muslims over 1400 years ago. He is considered by the Shiites to be one of the great martyrs of their faith who symbolizes their continuing belief that it is a very great honor it to give your life for Islam and is the source of inspiration for many courageous acts in battle (the warrior hoping to achieve martyrdom). Still other Muslims believe that there is a “hidden” Imam who will return to restore peace to the entire world and that Jesus will come back to help everyone recognize Islam as the true faith. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah and he will return. The fundamental tenant of Christianity is that everlasting life and salvation are only possible through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as lord and savior – which, of course is not possible for a devout Jew or Muslim. Can you begin to see how the clash of these religions, geo-political governments, and terrorist organizations will never end?

Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.” “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:38-44)

Jesus was born to show everyone a different way – the way of love, freedom, and peace. Violence, regardless of religious belief, is not the way of God. Anyone who is willing to use violence in the name of God is someone the Hopi call “two-hearted” people who are thinking and acting with their mind alone. It is this “us” versus “them” mentality that is the source of all conflict. Violence is simply not condoned by the scriptural teaching of these three great religions, but the unfortunate truth is, if someone is passionate enough about their faith that they are willing to die for what they believe is true, no one can stop them, not an army, bomb, government, political movement, or even religion. The reason is simply that most people in the world lack a very basic and simple understanding of themselves.

Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) Mammon is means money or more accurately the love of money. Materialism, power, greed, hatred, death, all arise from a single source - ego. Fundamentally, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, all fail to understand the innate ability of ego to twist anything, even the most sublime truth, into polarizing ideas, beliefs, dogma, and ideologies that can ultimately lead to violence and death. Of course, all of these religions are aware of the psychology and meaning of ego, but this is an intellectual understanding only.

What does Jesus mean when he says, “No one can serve two masters?” Is he referring just to money or something else? Money is an idea and only has the value you give to it, so money has no power in of itself to be a master over you, but there is something else; an invisible force within you that does have that power. In fact, there is hidden battle raging within you as well as everyone else. It is a battle that very few notice, which is comprised of thoughts and desires that are constantly running through your mind and body. This is the second master that Jesus is pointing out! God is one master. The other is your own ego. Ego is the source of all of your thoughts, desires, and identities, and originates from the thought “I” or more simply “I am me” which is ultimately is the source of your mind.

Ego is desire. All of your desires, good and bad, arise from ego. Ego is the source of all conflict or the idea “us” and “them.” As Jesus points out you cannot serve God and ego, or you will end up loving one and hating the other or devoted to one and despising the other simply because this is the nature of your ego – the nature of mind – to look outside itself for fulfillment, which only creates more desire and conflict. The only way to end the conflicts that arise from desire is to find its source, but very few people ever stop to see the source of their own ego. Even fewer stop and ask themselves; Where did this “I” thought arise from? If you keep your attention on the source of this primordial thought “I” a peace that surpasses all understanding will arise of its own accord!

Jesus says, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-6) It is the natural tendency of your ego to judge others or try fix or change them. Again, Jesus reveals that you must look deeply at yourself first and take the “log” that is blinding you about the truth of who you are and who your brother is! When you look deeply within yourself there is no movement and you become the peace that uplifts your brother, sister, mother, father, or friend!

Jesus says, “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14) The reason so few find this narrow gate is that it is in the very last place you would think to look! The thought “I” is the narrow gate and it originates in your heart! To enter the narrow gate you have to stop everything for a single moment and look deep within the sacred realm or your heart to see what exists before this “I” thought, before your breath. Take a moment and look to see the source of yourself. When you recognize this source, this light that is shining through your eyes, a peace that transcends all understanding arises of its own accord. It is in the awareness of this eternal source that you will fall through the narrow gate! Once you fall through this gate you will realize that this gate never really existed, simply because you are that eternal light that your ego was looking for!

Jesus is always pointing to the narrow gate of your own heart, but it is so very very very difficult to perceive that almost no one ever discovers this narrow gate of endless grace. This is the fundamental reason why Armageddon is inevitable. Almost no one is willing to really stop and discover the peace that is within them simply because they are unaware or the simply do not believe that eternal peace is alive with in them at the core of their being. Of course, this cannot remain as concept, for it to have any value, you have to stop and see for yourself!

The ancient Hopi elders knew the importance of thinking from your heart simply because your heart is the source of the eternal light of God – the eternal compassion, and peace that no word or words can ever fully describe. As Jesus explains, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)

Why not stop for a moment and be one of those special few that really looks where Jesus is pointing and actually enter the narrow gate of eternal life?! Stop for a moment and discover for yourself that you are the peace that you are seeking!

Peace begins with you! Focus on your heart and know that you are the peace of God!

The Lion and the Lamb

Jesus said, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

To prevent the casual onlooker from deciphering his secret scientific analysis and mysterious inventions he wrote his notes backwards in what is known as mirrored script. Credited as being a man far ahead of his time, he designed a parachute, airplane, cannon, tank, as well as the first robot. More than a scientist or inventor, he is recognized the world over as the artist who created the famous paintings of the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. Attention to detail is the key to understanding the almost photographic quality of the mysterious paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci. He used his scientific skill to study the nature of light, reflection, and form, but more importantly he examined how light interacts with the human eye, how the body moves, and how light reflects off of surfaces. He even dissected several human bodies to understand the hidden structure of the human form. This very detailed scientific study enabled him to perfect painting techniques that capture light and form to such a degree that his paintings take on an almost photographic realism. As incredible as his paintings are, Leonardo Da Vinci has captured global attention in recent months because of his mysterious connection to the Knights Templar, which was a religious order made up of highly trained elite knights. The initial purpose of the Knights Templar was to protect pilgrims that where traveling to the Holy Lands, but it was also one of the elite fighting forces of the Crusades whose primary purpose was to regain control of the Holy Lands from Muslim rule. Leonardo’s secret relationship with the Knights Templar has been the source of a growing controversy that began with the best selling book The Da Vinci Code.

Jesus said, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Almost from the beginning, there was controversy that swirled around the elite fighting force of the Knights Templar, whose very purpose seemed to contradict the teaching of Jesus Christ. The Order at its outset was subject to strong criticism, especially the idea that religious men could also carry swords. In response to these critics, Bernard of Clairvaux, the original patron of the Knights Templar, wrote a multi-page treatise entitled De Laude Novae Militae (In Praise of the New Knighthood), championing their mission, in which he strongly supported the concept of killing in the name of Christ. However, it was not this treatise that gave the Knights Templar legitimacy and power, but the papal bull, Omne Datum Optimum, signed into effect in 1139 by Pope Innocent II. This papal bull granted the Knights Templar with the unprecedented power to pass freely through any border, freedom from taxation, and were subject to no one’s authority except that of the Pope. It is not their legendary power that has given rise to the most recent controversy, but an unusual image that appears when a mirror image of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper is overlaid onto the original painting creating a composite image in which, three Knights, the Holy Grail, and an infant mysteriously appear. Perhaps even more interesting is that there was so much interest in this composite image that the website that originally displayed it received over 15 million hits crashing the web server (Please see mysterious image on the next page).What can this mysterious religious order and this latest controversy over Da Vinci’s mysterious painting teach us about the limitless light, love, and compassion of Jesus Christ?

Slavisa Pesci, an information technologist and amateur scholar, discovered that by superimposing the Last Supper with its mirror-image creates a completely different picture. In a recent interview Savisa Pesci explained, “I came across it by accident, from some of the details you can infer that we are not talking about chance but about a precise calculation.” Historians are skeptical of this theory stating that the composite image is too blurry to make this speculation, but given the fascination that Leonardo had with secrecy and mirror writing it makes sense that he would hide another mirror image within his famous painting.

John the Baptist saw Jesus walking toward him and exclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:29) The official head of the Knights Templar order was known as the Grand Master who had their own hand made seals that were used to validate documents approved by the order. The seal was the equivalent of a modern day signature, but in a time when the majority of people were illiterate, the seal was an acknowledgment of a document’s authenticity. The Knights Templar would have needed a seal whose imagery expressed something positive about their organization and many of the Grand Masters chose Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) as the central theme of their seal. Since the seal represented the power of Knights Templar, their seals were closely guarded and stored in a box, which required three keys to open it!

The Agnus Dei seal was meant to convey the idea that the Knights Templar were sacrificing their lives for Jesus, but the image of Agnus Dei conceals their true nature, which was more like a lion poised to kill. Although the Knights Templar was considered a religious order they were in fact a group of highly trained elite soldiers. Like other religious orders they made a solemn oath of chastity, poverty, and obedience giving all the material wealth that the owned to the order. But the Knights Templar were very different from other religious orders because they also swore an oath to fight to the death and were known to be reckless in battle in the hopes of achieving martyrdom as the most honorable death. Even their horses were trained to fight and were known to kick and bit the enemy during battle.

Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39) Jesus is revealing the hidden war. It is not war the way we think of war, but more accurately a war between freedom and bondage that lives within you. If you choose the freedom that Jesus is offering you, it can literally turn those who are choosing bondage against you – even your father or mother! Wow!

Jesus illuminates, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) Your body is a desire body. If you follow your desires outward toward the world you will find “your life” and be dead to your eternal nature. On the other hand, if you turn your attention to the source within you at the core of your being you will discover the joy of eternal life – you will be dead to the desires (sins) of the body, but alive in the eternal light of within you! Wow! Wow! Wow! As Jesus intimates, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14)

Of course, when you examine the Knights Templar more closely you will discover that they were more than an elite fighting force, they were a special group of men who were willing to fight to the death to protect something. The obvious question is; what was it that they were protecting? Most historians agree that they were willing to fight to the death to regain control of the Holy Lands and protect Holy Relics such as the True Cross – the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The True Cross was discovered by Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, when she traveled to the Holy Land around 312 A.D to establish churches and relief agencies for the poor. It was at this time that she discovered the hiding place of three crosses used at the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves that were executed with him. Through a miracle healing it was revealed which of the three was the True Cross.

The Knights Templar were known to have a piece of the True Cross and often carried it into battle with them, but as the book The Da Vinci Code suggests, there is a legend that suggests that the Knights Templar were protecting something far more powerful than any relic. Many people believe that the secret code of the Knights Templar was established by the Vatican to protect the sacred bloodline of Jesus Christ. It is based on the theory that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had a child. Of course, since there is a baby in this new composite image it is raising renewed interest in this legend.

Jesus said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” (Luke 12:2-4) It is easy to get caught up in the controversy swirling around Leonardo Da Vinci and Dan Brown’s book the Da Vinici Code. As Jesus illuminates nothing remains a secret in the infinite light of God. Again and again, Jesus points you to that which is eternal, that which as far more importance than any legend or theory regarding the Knights Templar or the Da Vinci Code.

And Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. The controversy that is swirling around the Da Vinci code and this latest mysterious image is a great wind that has the power to distract you from the deepest Truth, but if you simply stop for a moment and listen very closely to your heart you can hear Jesus whispering to you, “Peace! Be still!” When you stop for a moment and allow your mind to rest in your heart a peace that surpasses all understanding washes over you. This is the message of Jesus – the eternal message of lasting peace. This peace is always available to you. It is available to everyone!

Jesus illuminates, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) It is easy to become troubled by various events in the world, but if you stop for just a moment you will discover that lasting peace is always present within you at the core of your being. This is the true Agnes Die that quenches the never ending thirst of the roaring lion of your ego.

Jesus says, “My peace I give to you; not as the world gives…” Jesus gives not as the world gives simply because he is giving you what you already have! Wow!

You are the peace that you are seeking.

Simply stop for a moment right now and see!

Blinded by Faith

Jesus said, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? (Luke 6:39)

There is a kind of cancer that has entered the Christian consciousness that has disguised itself as the light and grace of Jesus and his teaching, but in truth it has nothing to do with Jesus or his teaching. In the rush to spread, the good news about Jesus, ignorance, arrogance, and prejudice has crept into the consciousness of several well-known evangelicals. These evangelicals seem to have completely lost sight of the teaching of Jesus Christ. In fact, in some cases Jesus is being used to serve their lust for political power and his most Holy name is being used to spread fear, hatred, and prejudice. This is simply not the way of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “They are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14) Pat Robertson actually stated on live television that the president of Venezuela should be assassinated. Is this what Jesus teaches? It is not uncommon for Jerry Falwell to actively promote politics in his Sunday sermons going so far as to tell people how they should vote! Is this what Jesus teaches? And Ron Luce has created an organization called TeenMania Ministries directed at fulfilling his dream of raising an army young people to fight against what he feels is the evils of media and immorality. He uses militant language and has even compared his BattleCry teen movement to well known military groups such as the Navy SEALs and making rash statements during BattleCryevents such as, “This is war. And Jesus invites us to get into action, telling us that the violent-the ‘forceful ones’-will lay hold of the kingdom.” He takes this militaristic vernacular even further by stating, “That is your youth pastor. He is going to make you a SEAL [reffering to the Navy SEALs] for Christ.” Is this what Jesus teaches?

If Jesus were to return to earth today he would flip over tables and throw the tainted offerings of religious leaders like these on the ground shouting,“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” (John 2:16) The message of Jesus is love not hate, love not fear, love not prejudice, love not politics. Jesus is the light. To follow him is to let go of the things of this world and embrace the eternal light at the core of your being. As Jesus intimates, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

The interesting thing about Ron Luce is the name of both his TeenManiaorganization as well his BattleCry movement is found in the very words he has chosen to describe both his organization as well as his teen movement! Mania is defined as; An abnormal mental state characterized by an elevated or irritable mood, exaggerated self-importance, racing thoughts, and hyperactivity. Battle Cry is a term used on the onset of war that leads to violence and death. These names reflect the essence of what his organization is doing; spreading mania – fear and an exaggerated sense of self-importance known as pride and prejudice. The truth is Ron Luce is using the very thing he says he is against; rock bands, multi-media, t-shirts and more, all designed to entice teens to join in the fight for Christ, but what exactly is he fighting? And why?

Ron Luce is dangerous because he is blinded by faith and has become so arrogant in his love of Jesus that he has left the teaching of Jesus in the dust. He is using the most Holy name of Jesus Christ to wage an unholy war. On the surface the BattleCry movement appears to support the noble cause of converting young teens to Christianity, but the underlying purpose is to teach these young people political ideologies in the hope of influencing politics in the future. Fundamentally, his movement is based in the fear that Christians in the United States are losing political power. Let me just say again; This is NOT the way of Jesus Christ.

To say that Ron Luce has an exaggerated sense of self-importance would be an understatement. This kind of evangelical activity does nothing to spread the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. This kind of megalomania combined with his militant message will ultimately lead to violence. Again, is this what Jesus teaches?

Jesus illuminates, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48)

The way of Jesus is the way of love not the way of hate or prejudice. It is not that men like Ron Luce do not have a deep faith in Jesus Christ. The truth is they have become so blinded by their faith that perhaps they do not even realize that they are being led by their ego and their ego’s lust for power. Ego is the root of all sin. Ego focused outward toward the world leads to more violence and tribulation. The true message of Jesus is transcendent of everything in this world and the world itself. As Jesus reveals, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) When ego is blinded by faith, it transforms into the worse kind of sin: arrogance, prejudice, and fundamentalism, which ultimately leads you away from the love and light of Jesus Christ.

When Christian voices proclaim, “BattleCry or TeenMania” or ask for, “The Assassination” of a President of another country or are audacious enough to tell someone how to vote; it shatters my heart. How did this happen? How did these Christian leaders become blind to the eternal Truth that Jesus reveals? Blind faith is the great blind spot of Christianity. It represents a shadow of truth that ultimately leads you away from the infinite love and compassion of Jesus Christ.

Some would argue that people like Ron Luce are bringing teens to Christ, but psychologist point out that the brain washing techniques his movement uses will not necessarily lead to a life-long commitment to Jesus or Christianity. If anything the concern is that, the militant message it offers teens could lead to violence and this absolutely does not represent the loving peaceful teachings of Jesus Christ.

Jesus warns, “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’ (Matthew 7:21-23) This statement points directly to anyone who does not apply the true teaching of Jesus: TO LOVE. It is directed at anyone that has become arrogant in his or her faith like Falwell, Luce, and Robertson.

All too often religious leaders focus on the things of the world and neglect to focus on that which is far more important – the freedom of eternal life. As Jesus asks, “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? (Matthew 16:26) Wisdom arises when mind meets heart. One with without the other can lead to the king of chaos – egoic thought in action. As Jesus warns, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:23)

In the midst of all the articles that reveal the dark side of evangelism, is a voice of light that opens my heart and brings a smile to my lips. It is the voice of a one of the great messenger’s of God – Billy Graham. Someone recently had asked Rev. Graham, “What does a person have to do to get into heaven? I’ve heard people say that all you have to do is believe in Jesus, but what difference does that make? I guess I believe in Jesus, but I’m not sure I’m going to heaven.” Rev. Graham responded, “You’ve asked the most important question any person can ever ask, because nothing — absolutely nothing — is more important than our eternal salvation. Life is short, and someday our time on this Earth will be over. But eternity is forever — something we can barely imagine — and yet, tragically, countless people never stop to prepare for eternity.”

Reverend Graham continues, “The Bible tells us salvation is a gift from God — a gift we receive by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. When the jailer in the town of Philippi asked Paul and Silas how he could be saved, their reply was clear: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). But what does it mean to “believe” in Jesus? It doesn’t mean simply to believe He existed, or even that He died on the cross to save us. The word “believe” in the Bible means “to trust.” It means to believe that through His death and resurrection, Christ paid the penalty for our sins and conquered death — and then to commit our lives to Christ and trust Him alone for our salvation.”

This is the fundamental reason why Rev. Billy Graham will always remain a legendary messenger of Jesus Christ. He never lost sight of the deepest teaching of Jesus Christ – to trust in his infinite light of Jesus and NOT the words of men. The words of Jesus Christ prepare you for eternity. His words are not to be used to support a political agenda. As both Jesus and Rev. Graham point out – NOTHING – Absolutely Nothing – is more important than eternal salvation. This is the way of Jesus. The way of freedom. The way of love. The way of compassion.

Reverend Billy Graham has been successful for one reason – he always turns your attention to that which is eternal. Far too often we focus on the fear and tribulation of the world and forget about the light of Jesus that transcends the world. As Rev. Billy Graham points out; “Life is short, and someday our time on this Earth will be over. But eternity is forever –something we can barely imagine…” Reverend Billy Graham has never lost sight of the Truth: Jesus lights the way to eternity. It is the light that leads to the infinite grace and compassion of God.

You can choose to follow evangelicals down the slippery slope of fear, prejudice, and earthly politics or you can choose the infinite wisdom of Jesus that leads to true and lasting freedom. The choice is yours.

Mother of Light

When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27)

Mary, Mother of Jesus, is the gateway of God. It was through her that the eternal light of Jesus Christ entered the world. Recognized throughout the world as the Mother of God, the most Holy Vessel of Light, as well as the Virgin Mary, the miracle of Mary did not end with the earthly birth and life of Jesus. Since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ there has been more than one miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary and countless miracles are attributed to the eternal grace of her infinite presence, love, and compassion. Truly, Mary is a mystical demonstration of the unlimited grace and light of God. As Jesus points out, his mother is the mother of everyone, revealing the light that unites us all to the infinite light of God – a demonstration of eternal life.

A woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to Jesus, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But Jesus responded, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:27-28) Jesus always turns your attention back to the source, back to God. Nothing was more important to Jesus than abiding in the word of God. It is by abiding in the unlimited grace and power of God that Saints are born into the world, as was the case last week when the Pope Canonized Franciscan Monk Antonio de Sant’Anna Galvão of Brazil. How can looking at the life of this simple monk help you understand the unlimited power of prayer, the limitless grace of Mary Mother of Jesus, and the infinite love of God?

Other than the infinite grace of Mary, the most Holy Mother of Light, there is perhaps no greater demonstration of the grace and humility of being a true disciple of Jesus than the life and teaching of Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis founded the Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church also known as the Order of the Friars Minor. He is famous for his profound mystical experience of Jesus, which led him away from the worldly riches of his family to a life of abstinence, poverty, and service to others. He is known for his kindness, compassion, helping lepers, and healing the sick. He is also known for the Christ-like peace that emanated from him. He was so peaceful and loving, that he was known to preach the Gospel to wild birds, who would sit quietly listening to his sermons and were known to come to him and sit on his shoulders. Later in his life, he received the miracle of the Stigmata, which is the sudden mysterious appearance of the wounds of Christ that materialized on his hands, feet, and side and remained with him for the rest of his life.

Jesus said to the disciples, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food.” (Matthew 10:7-9) Saint Francis was so inspired by this commandment of Jesus that he took a vow of poverty wearing only a simple tunic, with a rope for a belt, no shoes, and he carried, no money, or food as he went from village to village preaching the Gospel. To this day Franciscan Monks are recognized for their simple brown tunics and rope belts. Given the profound nature of the Friars Minor, it is no surprise that Friar Galvão was member of this divinely inspired order of the Catholic Church. He is both a disciple of Saint Francis and Jesus. By abiding in these two, Friar Galvão was transformed into a beacon of the healing light of God and has over 24,000 miracles attributed to him.

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. (John 14:12) Friar Galvão is best known for his prayer pills, which consists of a small piece if rice paper inscribed with this simple prayer: “After the birth, the Virgin remained intact / Mother of God, intercede on our behalf.” Long after his death in 1883 and continuing to this day, nuns at the Monastery of Light, where the Friar lived, have continued to create his prayer pills. But his devotees claim that he also demonstrated supernatural abilities, such as levitating during prayer, being in two places at once, mind reading, and his unexplainable ability to witness events where he wasn’t physically present.

However, it was not his supernatural powers that paved the way of Friar Galvão’s sainthood, but two extremely well documented miracles, out of the many thousands of miracles that are attributed to the power of his prayer pills. One confirmed miracle occurred when a 4 year old girl was cured of Hepatitis after ingesting one of Friar Galvão’s prayer pills and the other is the clearly documented case of a woman with deformed uterus who doctor’s confirm was too small to allow for a full term pregnancy. To the doctor’s amazement, after eating one of these pills she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Of course, skeptics scoff at this idea that the prayer pill had anything to do with these unexplainable healings and feel that these so-called miracles are simply a demonstration of what is known as the placebo effect. But this idea fails to recognize the infinite power of prayer and the unlimited nature of God. Perhaps what is called the placebo effect is simply a demonstration of the power of your eternal nature and the unlimited power of your own mind – the power of faith! As Jesus illuminates, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.” (Matthew 9:11)

Even the former archbishop of Aparecida, a neighboring city to Guaratingüetá where Friar Galvão lived, failed to recognize the infinite depth of these simple albeit powerful prayer pills. Archbishop Aloísio Lorscheider was very outspoken about his opposition to Friar Galvão’s prayer pills openly stating in a 1998 interview, “I consider it even ridiculous that, in the evolved and progressive days in which we live, there are still people who pursue this.” He was so against what he called the “superstitious” prayer pills of Friar Galvão that he banned nuns in the region from producing them, but the nuns continued to make the pills despite this order.

Regardless of what skeptics might say, upon close examination of Friar Galvão’s prayer pills you can begin to see something extraordinary. After all, how many people would think about making an edible prayer?! Remember, prayer is surrender to God. It is a Holy Communion of your mind and your heart. Surrender means to merge with or have complete trust and faith in the unlimited power of God. By creating, an edible prayer, Friar Galvão opens the door of your heart, and demonstrates the power of merging with the unlimited grace of God. By creating these edible prayers, he is literally enabling you to ingest this prayer, or simply merge with the prayer, opening your heart to complete union with the unlimited Grace and power of God!

The other aspect of these prayer pills is that the inscribed prayer asks for the intercession of the most Holy Mother of Jesus. Some would argue that praying to Mary for intercession, or more simply to pray for Mother Mary’s help is not necessary, since God alone answers your prayers. Still others might be concerned that asking Mary for help transforms her into an idol, which violates the first commandment of God that was given to Moses;Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Exodus 20:3-4). But these ideas fail to recognize the essence of Friar Galvão’s prayer; Love, Surrender, and Service to God. There is no greater love of God than that demonstrated by the life and service of Jesus and his Holy Mother. One of the great gifts of the Virgin Mary, like Saint Francis, is she reveals the eternal nature of true service to Jesus and his life-changing message of Light.

These mysterious pills of Friar Galvão reveal the true nature of the Virgin Birth – the birth of a new understanding of God – Emmanuel – God with US (Matthew 1:23). Friar Galvão wrote, “After the birth the Virgin remained in tact…” Virgin means pure or untouched by human hands. The Virgin Birth symbolizes the eternal nature of life, the invisible eternal presence of God – that which cannot be seen, heard, described, or fully understood by the mind alone. It is the living Truth that is alive within you at the core of your being. As Jesus illuminates, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8) Can you see your spirit? Do you know where your spirit comes from? Or where it goes? In recognizing that you do not know, naturally opens you to a deeper recognition of That, which never comes and goes!

From the moment the Angel Gabriel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus to the moment of his crucifixion, Mary demonstrates tremendous courage, love, and surrender to God. How many disciples had the courage to stand by while the most Holy Son of God was brutally beaten and crucified? Who was with Jesus in the beginning, the middle, and in the end of his life on earth – the Alpha and the Omega? Even though their hearts were breaking, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and the most loved of Jesus’ disciples, John, demonstrate the courage of faith by remaining with Jesus while he died on the cross. Ultimately, the prayer pills of Friar Galvão honors the sacred moments of the birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which opens the doorway of eternal life – that which remains in tact forever! In this context, it is no surprise that these pills have resulted in many thousands of miracles! Wow!

It is important to note that the pills in and of themselves do not have any real power. The power exists in faith and belief in the unlimited power of prayer. The pills simply turn your mind to that which does have the power to heal – the infinite healing light of God. Ultimately, it is your own faith in God that heals. These simple prayer pills only serve to remind you of the most Holy Mother – that which is untouched within you – the unmoving light of God. As Jesus illuminates, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) With a piece of rice paper, Friar Galvão demonstrates the unlimited grace of God as well as the eternal light of the most Holy Union of Mary and Jesus Christ – one could not exist without the other. Together they symbolize the most Holy Communion of God. Mary was the catalyst of the earthly life of Jesus as well as a living demonstration of the eternal light that lives forever.

When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them,“Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast. So they took it.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him. (John 2:3-11)

Mary knew that Jesus was no ordinary human being. Of course she knew this, simply because she was visited by the Angel Gabriel who foretold of the divine birth, her husband Joseph was told the same thing in a dream, and as she held her new born baby in the light of a divine star she found herself in the presence of Kings. It was Mary and Joseph who found the young Jesus, demonstrating unearthly wisdom, and teaching the elders of the temple. And it was his mother, mentioned above, who encouraged Jesus to demonstrate his first miracle of turning water to wine. Perhaps more importantly, the Mother of Jesus became an example that Jesus used to drive home the importance of returning your attention to God.

By using his mother as an example, Jesus teaches us the importance of hearing the word of God and keeping it or more simply putting his teaching into practice by recognizing that truly God is with YOU – Always! As he was dying on the cross he calls out to both his mother and John, the only disciple present, and says “Behold your mother.” And to his mother says, “Behold your son.” Revealing that we are one with God at the core. As Jesus explains, “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you” (John 14:20)

Who would have thought that such a simple act as writing a prayer on a small piece of rice paper could reveal so much about the unlimited grace of the most Holy Mother of Jesus and the unlimited power of God? Truly, Friar Galao has earned his new title – Saint – one who demonstrates the eternal grace and power of true humility, faith, and service to God. He is a living demonstration of the eternal light of the most Holy Mother of Light – the eternal Light of God!

Many people, even Christians, have a hard time believing in the Virgin Birth, or the eternal light and grace of the Virgin Mary. But in the context of the unlimited nature of God, as well as the eternal Light of the Mother of Jesus Christ, it is not difficult to recognize that there is so much we do not understand about the true nature of God. If you believe in the miracles of Jesus, why is it so difficult to believe in the Virgin Birth? Remember, all things are possible with the unlimited nature of that which is known as God. As Jesus intimates, “With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

In Truth, your understanding of the unlimited nature of God is limited by your own mind. Only in infinite realm of the heart, can you begin to understand the infinite nature of the living Truth that is alive with in you at the core – the infinite grace of the Mother of Light and compassion of Jesus Christ. As Jesus intimates, “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34) Only when you look deep within yourself, do you have an opportunity to recognize that at the core, everyone is a Saint, that everyone has the capacity deep within themselves to demonstrate the unending love, compassion, and light of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus intimates, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Saint Galvão carries with him the eternal legacy of Saint Francis and clearly demonstrates the infinite power of prayer through his now famous prayer pills and compassionate presence.