The Philippines

For more information and photos about our LTW campus table outreach in partnership with Good Shepherd Baptist Mission in the Philippines, please go to the LTW blog here

Watch “The Lord’s Prayer” video for photos of orphans in the Philippines we help rescue and give Bibles.

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An evaluation of the words of C.S. Lewis [Part 1]

Words to Live By

C.S. Lewis Edited by Paul F. Ford

An evaluation of the words of C.S. Lewis [Part 1] By: Charisse Graves

This book initially stood out because of the eye-catching cover that depicted Eve’s delicate hands, seductively offering the forbidden fruit. In fact, this cover appeared almost identical to the cover of Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. The excerpts from C.S. Lewis writings seemed like a good way to sample his various flavors of expression and thereby gain a well rounded view of his thoughts and ideologies. Admittedly, there was surprise and intrigue at what began to unfold. We are freed from the anchor of truth (The Bible) and transported to Purgatory, (although clearly not due to Total Depravity) then we arrive at the door of Ecumenism, which naturally opens to the wide path of Universalism, ultimately landing in a sea of confusion. My hope is not to disparage Mr. Lewis, but to demonstrate, in light of Scripture, the potential hazards his writings could pose to the Truth of our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Why Contend?

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Atlanta, GA

Hello Everyone,

I sure met a lot of hurting people today, this first day of the table outreach of apologetics in Atlanta. “Jesus” was popular. It seemed the seekers in Little Five Points were turning to every Jesus under the sun for comfort, except for the real One. As I drove home, I thought of an idea for a sign for the new table: “Big Needs Met in Little Five Points,” thanks to a Savior for sinners who rules the spirits.

A Rastafarian approached, and I offered him any of our materials on the table for free. I explained there were CDs on the spirits of “Psychic Phenomena” and “Angels, ” and he was obviously interested. I asked him if he believed in Jesus, and he said, “Yes, “ and he reached in his pocket to pull out his New Testament to show me. I said with a smile, “Wow, you carry around a New Testament!” I continued, “So, tell me about what Jesus means to you.” He said, “Well, I just got out of the mosque,” and I interrupted, “The mosque? So, you are a Moslem?” He answered, “Yes, and I embrace all religions as one. It is all about the ‘one love’” I replied, “Well, the Jesus of Islam never died. He never died on the cross, as Surah chapter 4 teaches, so the ‘Jesus’ of Islam is a different Jesus from the Jesus of the Bible who died as a Savior for the sins of the world.” The man attempted to shift the discussion back to his ‘one love’ of Rastafarian and Islam (and the world, assumingly). He stated simply, “What Islam teaches is that Jerusalem belongs to everyone.” I said, “What Islam teaches is that the sun up in the sky sets in a muddy pool (Surah 18:86); Satan stays in the human nose overnight (Bukhari Vol. no 516); Mohammed was a white man who owned black slaves (Bukhari vol. 1, no. 63); and that the Jews believe Ezra is the son of Allah (Quran 9.030).” The African man started to cover his ears as I continued, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is pure. Allah is not, promising an eternity of celestial sex with virgins.” The man became angry and asked, “Why are you putting down my religion? This is the problem with Christianity!” I answered, “I am not putting down your religion of Islam. I am simply quoting from it. I would challenge you to prove to me that Islam is the same as Judeo Christianity.” I offered him our documented quotes from Islam to show its true teachings and an essay on “The Gospel of an Angel” to show the perverted spirit behind Islam. He didn’t want to take anything. I told him I was glad he stopped by the table and to please come back, showing me verses in the Bible to prove that the character of Jesus is the same as the character of Mohammed. He quipped, “It is all about the ‘one love’.” I answered, “Not when the spirit behind the ‘one love’ is a lie and a perversion of the only Pure Love from the God of the Hebrews.”

Another man approached who was getting off heroin. He took several materials, saying, “I believe in Jesus, and I really need help.” I told him Jesus would help him one day at a time. I explained, “ Jesus sure does offer rest to the ‘weak and heavy-laden.’ The bad news is, so does Satan.” I said, “God understands when you turn to heroin. You are hurting. You want to escape feelings. It is a way out, yet it is a way of shame. Jesus comes to give you a way out, too, but with no shame.” The man took sermons on CD, and looking over all of the sermons on apologetics from Walter Martin on “Spiritual Warfare,” “Tools of the Occult,” “Reasons for Faith” and “Jesus: God, Man or Myth,” he asked, “Is it possible for me to take one of all of them?” I said, “Well, we need more CD copies than we can make for others. If it is okay with you, just take a few and come back next week for more, so that others can have the sermons, too.” The man took several generic sermons by Tommy Fox, Hollie Miller, Paul Washer and also took a Bible. He took “Unity School of Christianity” and commented, “I know about this group. They believe in Jesus.” I answered, “Yes, but their Jesus is a christ-consciousness.” I took out a list of the different definitions for “Jesus” according to pagan religions and New Age cults. He looked over the list and said, “I never knew there were so many.”

Another man approached and asked, “What is the occult?” I answered, “If you look up the definition in the dictionary, you will find that the occult means secret, initiated power. It is all about power and control.” The man wearing amulets picked up a sermon and read the title out loud: “Tools of the Occult.” I said, “You can have that if you want it.” He replied, “No, I know all about it already. I am involved in palmistry and tarot cards.” I said, “Well, you sure are tapping into a power greater than humans, aren’t you?” I offered him the book, The Light That Was Dark, explaining that Satan parades himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), yet demons tremble at the name and Person of Jesus and turned to James 2:19, reading that even demons believe in God and are subjugated by only Jesus, not humans. I said with a smile warning, “Those demons may turn on you someday.” He answered adamantly with ease, “Yeah, I am involved in the occult, no doubt about it.” I commented, “Well, you seem satisfied.” He said, “I believe in a christ-consciousness.” I asked, “Does the ‘consciousness’ love you?” He looked bewildered. I said, “ Jesus loves you. An impersonal ‘consciousness’ can’t love you,” and he left the table without taking anything.

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Atlanta, GA (Continued)

All of our books on The Light That Was Dark were taken by the end of the day. Teens passed by seeing the red brochure (from a Christian perspective) called “Occult Nightmare.” One guy took one passing by quickly, yelling back, “Thanks for the Jesus news.”

A man stopped by who said he believed in Jesus. I asked, “Which one?” He repeated, “Which one?” I said, “Didn’t you know there are many? 2 Corinthians 11:4 explains that there is certainly more than one Jesus being taught.” He looked over our materials, and he changed the subject to Satan. With conviction he said, “Satan was created as a brother to Jesus.” I said, “No, Satan is a fallen angel,” and I offered the man a sermon on “Angels.” He asked, “Are you sure that Satan is not the brother of Jesus?” I smiled and said, “ I am sure. He is just a fallen angel. He wishes!” The man took a Gospel of John, and I said, “You can get to know the real Jesus in this book.” The guy also took a brochure against the spirits of Hinduism and the meaning of “Om.” I said, holding up that brochure, “This will tell you about Satan,” and, holding up the Bible I said, “And this will tell you about Satan and how he is defeated by Jesus.” The man answered a bit dazed, “Well, I thought he was Jesus’s brother.” I added with understanding, “Well, these days people make ‘Jesus’ out to be whatever they want. People love sin, and Jesus is pure, so it is much easier to appease the conscience with a much less powerful and holy lord. The real Jesus is the One whose grave is empty today and is the only Savior who loves you.” I opened up the Bible and read to him out loud:

“Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:7-10)

And I left Little Five Points today realizing once again that I am not missing out on any good thing. Such “humble” work is the honor of my life, all because of Jesus.

For the joy of eternal life in Him,
Dwayna

Click here for latest photos of our Little Five Points outreach

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“Spiritual Direction” or Catholic “Confession”?

Metamorpha is a spiritual formation website associated with Larry Crabb.  One of the goals is to produce Spiritual Directors.  Well, what is a Spiritual Director?  According to the website under Spiritual Direction- “What is Spiritual Direction?” is the following:  “Spiritual Direction is a triad relationship between the Holy Spirit, a spiritual director, and the individual receiving direction, usually called the directee.”   This is clearly adding an element between the person and Christ in order to know their proper relationship with God.  Now, we are instructed by God’s word to have fellowship with other believers and iron sharpens iron, but this specifically states: “A good spiritual director is skilled at listening for unconscious theology, attending to the directee’s internal movements, and helping the directee to discern the invitations the Holy Spirit in his or her life.”  We cannot address “unconscious theology” or “internal movements” because they are undefinable.  For any person to dare say that they can discern the Holy Spirit’s work in another person’s life is exceedingly dangerous.

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AVATAR: Wonderland of Postmodern Idealism

“So we see ourselves, (human culture, human civilization) as nature sees us; as the intruder, as the invader, as that which is threatening.” –James Cameron speaking to Charlie Rose, regarding the movie Avatar February 17, 2010.

This revealing statement illuminates one of many underlying ideologies being conveyed in the movie Avatar. Mankind (created in the image of God) is being portrayed as a tyrant determined to ruthlessly destroy planet Pandora for financial gain. The seductive beauty of Pandora is a carefully crafted illusion through the power of imagination and visualization, that beckons us to change our allegiance from human beings to alien beings called Na’vi. On Pandora, all things are possible, including philosophies subtly erecting “Fortresses” in our thinking, standing in opposition to the Word of God. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Corinthians 10:3&4

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LTW to Israel: Jerusalem

LTW to Israel: Jerusalem

Lighting the Way began working with Rami and Evette and the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Jerusalem for a table outreach outside the New Gate in 2008. Over time, this location became too dangerous for Rami to lead on a regular basis. It is on hold currently until the team can find a safer way to do evangelism. Photos and summaries of how the outreach began can be found on the Lighting the Way blog by doing a search for “Israel” at LightingTheWay.Blogspot.com .

 



Witnessing to Catholics in Old Jerusalem

Table ministry of evangelism in Jerusalem


Photos of our table outreach in Jerusalem

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Book Review: ‘God Calling,’ edited by A.J. Russell

It is safe to assume that many sincere Christians have felt blessed by the book, God Calling, as the book remains available through mainstream Christian bookstores. We are not basing this review on our opinion but rather on God’s Word through the teaching of Scripture.
The book, God Calling, is comprised of messages from a spirit guide to two anonymous female “listeners.” The “listeners” approached the day sitting in silence, waiting for a call from the spiritual realm. Wishing to remain anonymous, the listeners compiled this book of daily guidance edited by A. J. Russell, who refers to the book in the beginning pages as the “Daily Power.”
The listeners claimed these messages were given to them by Jesus Himself as a special revelation, but an unbiblical Jesus is an oxymoron. On page 6, Russell explains more about the universal “Jesus” and spirit guide this book has to offer:
You will find that you are no longer one and alone, but two and united with the Great Companion and Guide, Who is the same yesterday, to-day and forever [sic].”
They sincerely believed the Great Companion and Guide was God calling. Yet, the Bible teaches, the devil was in the details of this seduction all along.

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The Offer of A Treasure: Come to the Storehouse

ATTENTION!
Exclusive Store; Now Open to the General Public
[HURRY, OFFER ENDS WITHOUT NOTICE]
 
We would like to introduce you to something so fabulous and wonderful that it will change your life forever (and we mean that literally)!
Our magnificent and awesome God has made available to you through grace His exclusive treasure. This unique one of a kind gift came in the form of a baby named Jesus. “And the Word Became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

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