MOODY RADIO’S ‘MIDDAY CONNECTION’ PROGRAM – CANCELLED

(SOURCE)

UPDATED MONDAY 2/22/16 7:44 P.M. Added another video of Dr. Sue Edwards and more information. See further below dated 2/22/16 in red.

UPDATED SUNDAY 2/21/16 Added video of Dr. Sue Edwards, Barbara Neumann, and George M Hillman discussing Organic Mentoring, and added a few more comments.

UPDATED SATURDAY 2/20/16 Added more information. See further below dated 2/20/16 in red. Lord willing, when time allows I will be searching for the notes that I took as I listened to many Midday Connection programs, and will share them with you in this post which should then fully complete this post.

NOTE: 1/4/2016 This post is a work in progress. It is almost completely finished, but in order to make sure that I will not lose all the information that I have already added to this post, I am publishing it now, and will continue to update it when time allows until it is completely finished. I will then remove this note.  Thank you.

Christians, have you ever found yourself stunned by what you have heard on Christian radio while you’re driving? Have you found yourself in disbelief to the point of where you gasp in utter shock and have to remind yourself that you have to concentrate on your driving or you might hit the car in front of you? Well, that had been my experience many a time over the past at least five years or so while I had been listening to Moody Radio’s Midday Connection program which started at 12:00 noon central time in my area. I write in the past tense because at first I was led to believe (by the announcement that I found as I was searching for more information at the end of October which I quick captured and posted above for you) that Moody Radio was simply going to be airing prerecorded editions of Midday Connection programs until the start of the new year when they would then begin having their new Midday Connection programs. However, after I began writing this post way back on September 9, 2015 with the intention of warning you about what is being presented on Midday Connection, as I was searching for more information at the end of October to add to this post it was then that I discovered the show  was actually cancelled! I then realized that what they meant by “new program” was actually just that; an entirely different program. I then had to go back and reword some of what I had already written and change the title of this post, as well. All that just to explain to you one reason why it has taken me so long to finish writing the post concerning Mysticism that I had been telling you at first was coming soon.

Okay. On with my post.

As I searched the Internet to see if I could find out the reason why Moody cancelled their program, I came across the blog belonging to one of the former hosts of Midday Connection —Lori Neff. She wrote a very vivid and deeply emotional account of how she was told:

(SOURCE)

My heart was filled with compassion for her because it reminded me of how I was treated after working so very hard for thirteen years at my previous job, and it brought back to my mind of how I felt two years ago when I was called into the office and told that I was fired. Unjustly fired, I might add. But that’s another story.

As I continued to read Lori Neff’s post I also identified with the shock that she felt, the disappointment, as well as the depression. But I had actually been praying that God would somehow get me out of my job mainly because of how the new manager was treating me. And although I shed some tears for a few moments after I left the building because I was escorted out as if I was a criminal, and because I loved my co-workers and was hurt that no one came to my defense, my heart then became filled with thanks to God for releasing me! Lori Neff, on the other hand, loved her job! As did Melinda Schmidt and Anita Lustria, I’m sure!

Before I continue by sharing some of my concerns with you in regards to what Moody Radio has presented and is continuing to present to their listeners, I’d first like to start out by saying that Moody Radio played a part in my spiritual journey before I was a Christian and when I was still married, yet feeling so unloved and alone. When my ‘husband’ would leave for work very early in the morning, I would search through all of the radio stations looking for something to comfort me, and one day I came across Moody Radio. One of the songs that I heard  for the first time was Unfailing Love, by Evie Torquist. The beauty of her voice, the melody, and above all, the gospel message (that I was unaware of at the time) which permeated this song, was what truly brought me to tears. Here’s a portion of the lyrics:

“Unfailing love flows from His heart and heals my soul. In spite of who I am He loves and makes me whole. I almost can’t believe it’s true, unfailing love. And yet I know…He gave His life to give to me, unfailing love.” 

I wanted to know God’s unfailing love! I needed His unfailing love to heal my soul! However, it would be a few more years and many more days of tears, heartache, and rejection until God revealed His love — as well as His truth — to me, and healed my soul and made me whole. (If you’d like, you can read about that by clicking on My Testimony at the top of my blog).

Mike Kellogg’s soothing voice, the Scriptures that I heard him share, as well as the songs that he played on his program Music Through The Night on Moody Radio was also a deep comfort to my broken heart and troubled mind throughout those years before I personally came to know Jesus Christ and the true gospel in 1980.

Now I’ll get back to the reason for this post by focusing on the program Midday Connection:

While Anita Lustrea, Melinda Schmidt, and Lorie Neff seem like they are all very sweet and warm radio hostesses who treated their callers with respect and gave them enough time to share what they wanted to say when they called in, I found myself becoming deeply concerned about all of those who listened to their programs because of many of the guests they had on over the past, at least six years, or so. Take September 9th, 2015 for example. Ruth Haley Barton, the former Associate Director of Spiritual Formation at Willow Creek Community Church, who is the founder of the Transforming Center, was their special guest:

For those of you who are not aware of who Ruth Haley Barton is, you will find some of many articles on her posted by Lighthouse Trails, HERE.

Here is an excerpt from some of the information that you will find:

(SOURCE)

Here is another very good article with a lot of information on Ruth Haley Barton that was written by the late Pastor Ken Silva (who faithfully and earnestly contended for the faith), followed by a quick capture of a portion of his article:

WHO IS RUTH HALEY BARTON?

(SOURCE)<–Click here to continue reading.

Then on September 29, 2015, Midday Connection had author, speaker, and spiritual director, Janet Davis, as their special guest. During this program creative ways to pray were  discussed which focused on prayer beads, breath prayers, wordless prayer, body prayer, praying in color, and other forms of prayer and practices that went beyond the examples of prayer that can be seen in Scripture, and into mystical and pagan practices that can be seen in the New Age/New Spirituality movement. Lorie Neff said that these creative ways to pray, such as wordless prayer, brought about a “deeper connection with God.” Janet Davis agreed by saying that these creative ways to pray is  “something that can really revitalize our prayer life.” Because of the fact that what they presented to their listeners on this particular day was so far from Biblical Christianity, and because much of what they presented on many of their shows led their listeners to desire having mystical experiences with God and away from seeking God in His Word, I found my concern for their listeners begin to intensify!

During this program, Lorie Neff, the host of Midday Connection, also mentioned  Richard Foster’s book Prayer which she said she had read for her spiritual direction training. (More information on Richard Foster a little later in this post).

(SOURCE)<– You can listen to the program here.

Here is a quick capture from one of her articles on Being Prayer, and using visual aids in prayer:

(SOURCE)

 

While doing research for this post I discovered that on June 3, 2013 Anita Lustrea wrote an article about Walking the Labyrinth on their Midday Blog:

(SOURCE)

For those of you who are not aware of what a Labyrinth is, here is some information that will show you this is not a Christian practice by any means; it is pagan in origin:

ENTER THE LABYRINTH – LET US REASON MINISTRIES

VIDEO PLAYLIST OF MANY DIFFERENT LABYRINTHS, AND AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE CENTER OF THEM IN THE VERY LAST VIDEO:

At first I was hoping that some of Moody’s discerning listeners called and complained about the many New Age/New Spirituality teachings that were being presented on Midday Connection and that was the reason it was going off the air.

However, as I was listening to Moody’s morning show with Karl and June, I realized that was definitely not the reason, because on the morning of October 26, 2015 they had Richard Foster as their guest, so I went to their Facebook page to quick capture this for you:

 

That wasn’t the first time that Richard Foster was on Moody Radio. I remember him being on Midday Connection at least a few times over the past six or so years. Here is just one example:

(SOURCE)

One of the most alarming things that Richard Foster said in the 1978 version of his book Celebration of Discipline, a book which can be found on the Recommended Reading list put out by many churches to this day, is the following very disturbing description of what the reader is instructed to do which exactly describes the same occult practice of astral travel:

“In your imagination allow your spiritual body, shining with light, to rise out of your physical body. Look back so that you can see yourself lying in the grass and reassure your body that you will return momentarily … go deeper and deeper into outer space until there is nothing except the warm presence of the eternal Creator. Rest in His presence.” –Richard Foster in the 1978 edition of Celebration of Discipline, pages 26,27 (SOURCE) Lighthouse Trails

There was a time when you could listen to Moody Radio and hear  many Biblically solid teachings and messages. Today, however, as I hope that you can now see, things have drastically changed!

When I first bought a computer in 2008 I began searching for information on some of the guests that I heard on Midday Connection because of some of the troubling things that I heard them say, Lighthouse Trails Research was the first blog that I found that had an abundance of information concerning Moody, as well as Midday Connection. The information that I found confirmed all of my concerns and provided me with enough information to even cause my concerns to intensify! That’s why I decided to start writing posts this past year such as Mysticism Monday and Warning You With Tears Wednesday instead of just writing poetry that I began this blog with, so that I could warn all of you of the extreme importance of not only reading and studying God’s Word, but also the extreme importance of testing everything that you hear and read in light of Scripture (Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22), as well as the need to help you become aware of Satans devices that he is using to cause many Christians to be led astray and even to become deceived!

Lighthouse Trails has been warning about Moody’s promotion of mysticism and New Age spirituality for over seven years, as you will see by reading this article when time allows:

MOODY’S PASTORS’ CONFERENCE TEACHING LECTIO DIVINA THIS WEEK – AND SEVEN YEARS OF WARNING BY LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS GO UNHEEDED – LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS

Here are just some of the many other special guests that were presented to the listening audience on Moody’s Midday Connection over the past at least six years, and some articles and videos of them, as well. Pray for discernment when you have time to read the articles and listen to the videos below:

 

As previously mentioned, Ruth Haley Barton was one of their guests:

 

 

 

 

 

Trevor Hudson was on quite frequently, as well. Here are two examples:

(SOURCE)

(SOURCE)

Here’s an article with information on Trevor Hudson posted by DISCERNING THE WORLD – EMERGENT MYSTICISM: A BIBLICAL APPRAISAL OF THE MOSAIC CONGRESS – MOSAIC CHURCH (4-5 SEPT 2009)

 

 

 

John Ortberg

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: WHAT ABOUT JOHN ORTBERG’S ‘FULLY DEVOTED’ BOOK? MY PASTOR WANTS TO USE IT

Erwin McManus

(SOURCE)

 

ERWIN MCMANUS – HIS GOAL IS TO “DESTROY CHRISTIANITY” – LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS

Below is a quick capture from a portion of one of the many articles concerning Erwin McManus that you will find on Lighthouse Trails at the link above:

(SOURCE)

 

 

Kyle Strobel, son of Lee Strobel, was also one of their guests.

(SOURCE)

 

Here is more information on Kyle Strobel that I found over two years ago, which should raise your concerns, because, as the saying goes, “One picture is worth a thousands words.”

Richard Rohr – As I searched the archives of Midday Connection’s previous shows that now only date back to 2014, there were none to be found for Richard Rohr, but I am almost positive that I remember him being on there, and will continue to search for information to verify that for you.

I remember him as being one of the guest speakers on Midday Connection that I was very concerned about! Just by reading some of the titles of the following videos should cause a discerning Christian to become very alarmed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good information on Richard Rohr by the late Pastor Ken Silva in the following article:

WHO IS RICHARD ROHR

James Bryan Smith

James Bryan Smith was also a featured guest on Midday Connection. His book The Good And Beautiful God was discussed once a week on their programs throughout the entire summer of 2015.

(SOURCE)

Here is an article that I just found which was posted by Lighthouse Trails in which they give a review on his book, as well as inform the very concerned writer of the letter they received that James Bryan Smith is a writer and speaker in the area of Christian spiritual formation and that he has a very close connection with Richard Foster:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: CONCERNS ABOUT HOME CHURCH USING BOOK BY RENOVARE’S JAMES BRYAN SMITH

 

 

 

 

Margaret Feinberg – Margaret Feinberg was also a frequent guest on Midday Connection. As you can see from the quick capture below, she presented many teachings from the Book of Genesis:

(SOURCE)

In a PREVIOUS POST,  I added a lot of information concerning Margaret Feinberg. Here is just a little of what I wrote in that post to make you aware of some of the troubling things that she says:

“In the following video you will hear Margaret Feinberg say, “God often uses the repetitive nature of events and themes in daily life to get our attention. I call these moments, “Sacred Echoes.”

 

“In the video below, Margaret F. expounds on what she means by “Sacred Echoes” by saying the following.”

“What is a sacred echo? It is the persistent voice of God in your life.”

“And in my own life, while I want to hear the whispers of God, what I am discovering is that when I listen for the sacred echoes — when I listen for the repetitive nature of God’s voice in my life — then I walk more fully, and more confidently into all that He has for me.”

 

In that previous post I concluded expressing my concerns about her by saying the following:

“When you hear Christian leaders and speakers say things like that it should truly concern you, because it’s leading people away from the belief in the sufficiency of Scripture. Yes, Margaret F. does say in many of her videos that ‘what we hear must line up with what God’s Word says,‘ but the emphasis is no longer completely on hearing God speak to us through His written Word. Instead, people are now  encouraged to learn how to hear God speak by not only Margaret F., but also by Christian teachers such as Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and many others. It then makes God’s Word appear to be outdated, and some will end up opening themselves up to doctrines of demons and demonic spirits through participating in these occultic practices and will end up being deceived spiritually. Never lose sight of the fact that we have the very words of God Himself recorded in sixty-six books of the Bible written by many different authors, but completely inspired by the Holy Spirit.”

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20,21)

 

 Ann Voskamp

This program originally aired on November 27, 2013(SOURCE)

Ann Voskamp is the author of the New York Times best selling book One Thousand Gifts. Although our hearts go out to Ann because of the very tragic death of her baby sister which she speaks about in her book as well as on this program, and even though she focuses on the goodness of God in both of them, as well, there are some extremely serious concerns that many Christians have with some of the very disturbing and unbiblical things that Ann Voskamp says in her book. We must be very careful not to be so emotionally moved by something that an author or a speaker says that we forget the importance of praying for discernment, as well as the importance of testing what is being said in light of Scripture. You can read about the serious problems in her book in the following articles:

LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS RESEARCH – ANN VOSKAMP’S BEST SELLING BOOK ONE THOUSAND GIFTS – A COLLISION OF INSPIRATION AND THE NEW SPIRITUALITY

CRITICAL ISSUES COMMENTARY: ROMANTIC PANENTHEISM – A REVIEW OF ONE THOUSAND GIFTS – PASTOR BOB DEWAAY

 

 

 

Mark Buchanan – Original program aired on Dec. 6, 2010

(SOURCE)

 

 

Mary DeMuth – Original program aired on May 19, 2010

In this program, Mary DeMuth shares her heartbreaking story of child abuse in her book entitled, Thin Places (a Celtic term; physical places between heaven and earth were considered “thin places” where they believed “you can sense the presence of God”) and the healing that she said she received after coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

(SOURCE)

Though the above program was very moving, not only because of hearing what Mary DeMuth went through as a child, but also because of the heartbreaking circumstances that women shared when they called in,   what I discovered while  doing research on A PREVIOUS POST is the fact that Mary DeMuth promotes contemplative spirituality. As you can see in THIS ARTICLE  posted by Lighthouse Trails, in Mary DeMuth’s book Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, she “favorably quotes [Marjorie] Thompson in three different chapters.” The book that she quoted from was Soul Feast. In the article by Lighthouse Trails, we are told that this book “is a book that promotes mantra meditation and New Age mystics.”

Here is a quick capture from a portion of the article by Lighthouse Trails Research:

(SOURCE)<–Click here to continue reading the article.

Nancy Kane

Ray and Nancy Kane were frequent guests on Midday Connection and discussed topics that focused on marriage and relationships. However, Nancy Kane is also deeply involved in the Spiritual Formation movement which she briefly mentions in this program:

 (SOURCE)

Although I could not find examples of programs in Midday Connection’s archives concerning Keri Wyatt Kent who was one of the guests on the show who promoted and who continues to promote Spiritual Formation and contemplative spirituality, here is some information on her:

Keri Wyatt Kent

(SOURCE) <–Click here to continue reading

(SOURCE) 

 

 

 

Mindy Caliguire – Although I had never heard of her before, Mindy Caliguire was another person who immediately caused alarm bells to go off in my spirit when I began to hear her speak on Midday Connection.

(SOURCE)

After listening to her for the first time, I began searching for information on her later because as I listened to her speak I discovered that she was involved with Willow Creek Community Church where Bill Hybels is the pastor. That definitely heightened my concerns that I already had about her! By all that she said it was very clear that she was also involved in promoting Spiritual Formation. 

Here’s some information on Mindy Caliguire from her Soul Care website:

(SOURCE)

(SOURCE)

Mindy Caliguire promotes Catholic mystic Teresa of Avila as well as Richard Foster’s Renovare’ and Dallas Willard:

Mindy Caliguire is also involved in The Practice:

And as Amy Spreeman of Berean Research tells us in the following article,  WILLOW CREEK’S “THE PRACTICE” BLENDS NEW AGE AND CATHOLIC MYSTICISM, The Practice is:

“… the brainchild of Pastor Bill Hybels son-in-law, Aaron Niequist. Niequist is also the Worship Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, and he calls a Jesuit priest his spiritual director.”

Here’s a portion of her very revealing article that clearly shows you the intent for The Practice:

(SOURCE)

This tweet by Aaron Niequist that Mindy Caliguire retweets, again confirms to you her promotion of Spiritual Formation. A term that may seem innocent enough, but as you take the time to read the articles that I have added links to, as well as watch the videos below, you will come to realize that it’s simply New Age meditation techniques cloaked in somewhat Christian terminology. Please do not be deceived by those who promote this! Our minds are renewed and we are conformed into the image of Jesus Christ through the reading of God’s Word! These practices will only succeed in leading Christians away from the sufficiency of Scripture by telling you that you can have experiences with God! God’s Word is all that we need to truly come to know Him through Jesus Christ and to become like Him. (Read Hebrews 1, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:1-14, 2 Timothy 3:16, Ephesians 4:22-32, just to name a few Scriptures).

 

In the following series of videos, Mindy Caliguire also had another one which was entitled, Practicing Silent Prayer. However, it seems that because of the comments that I remember discerning Christians had made on that video, she must have decided to remove it.

 

 

 

As I was doing more research today, 1/4/16, desiring to finally finish writing this post, I did another search on Lighthouse Trails hoping to find some information on Mindy Caliguire’s video, Practicing Silent Prayer  that she must have removed from her series like I just mentioned to you above, and was so thankful to have found an article that had been written by Mike Stanwood which included information on that video! Here is a portion of his article that I quick captured for you:

(SOURCE)<– Click here to continue reading.

David Jeremiah

Moody radio also airs David Jeremiah’s program, Turning Point. There was a time when he strongly warned about the New Age Movement in his book and audio series Invasion of Other Gods, (which I personally have). Sadly, however, he now promotes Roma Downey, who is deeply involved in the New Age Movement.

Here’s some information concerning Roma Downey:

NEW BOOKLET TRACT- CONFUSED BY AN ANGEL: THE DILEMMA OF ROMA DOWNEY’S NEW AGE BELIEFS – LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS

 

David Jeremiah also ‘opened his pulpit to Contemplative Advocate, John Ortberg‘ as Lighthouse Trails documents for us below:

(SOURCE) <– Click here to continue reading

As you can see, John Ortberg was also a guest on Midday Connection:

(SOURCE)

 

Here is some information on John Ortberg that was written by James Sundquist of Rock Salt Ministries which I found posted at DECEPTION IN THE CHURCH– JOHN ORTBERG EXPOSE’

John Ortberg and Joyce Meyer discuss “how to experience God in every day life.” He also mentions Catholic mystic, Brother Lawrence and “practicing the presence of God.” 

 

 

 

Further below you will see an example of another Moody Radio program, This Is The Day, with Nancy Turner. Nathan Foster, the son of Richard Foster, was her featured guest. The “ancient practice of spiritual disciplines” was the topic of their conversation.

As her program began, Nancy Turner invited those who tuned in to her program to continue listening, by saying:

“Hope you’ll stay tuned to hear the insights from saints of old to uncover fresh ways of of living in our world today.”

She introduced Nathan Foster by saying the following:

“Nathan is associate professor of social work and theology at Spring Arbor University in Michigan. He holds the Andrews Chair in Spiritual Formation. He’s also a licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Director of Teaching Ministries for Renovare.’ 

When asked by Nancy Turner to explain what Renovare’ is, Nathan said the following:

“Renovare’ is a nonprofit organization that my dad set up, and essentially it is kind of an outgrowth of his work and Dallas Willard’s work in helping equip the church with teachings on Spiritual Formation and how people grow into  Christ-likeness.”

(SOURCE)

To read about the many concerns that discerning Christians have with Renovare,’ please consider reading some of THESE ARTICLES POSTED ON LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS

Also, if you are not aware of who Dallas Willard is, here’s some information for you:

LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS RESEARCH – DALLAS WILLARD GOING DOWN THE CONTEMPLATIVE ROAD, AND TAKING OTHERS WITH HIM

 

 

The clearest evidence that I can present to you to show you that Moody is indeed promoting Spiritual Formation, (if everything that I have already shared with you wasn’t enough) is the fact that Moody Bible Institute now has a  Spiritual Formation program, (which Nancy Kane briefly mentioned in her November 19th visit on Midday Connection) and upon completion of the class you will  receive a Spiritual Formation certificate:

(SOURCE)

If you are still unaware of what Spiritual Formation is and the dangers that you can encounter in most of these teachings, please consider reading the following articles, as well as the articles that I have added under Further Reading. When time allows, I encourage you to watch the videos further below, as well.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION – PASTOR GARY GILLEY

ROOTS OF THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION MOVEMENT – PASTOR GARY GILLEY

 

When time allows, I will be updating this post by adding more information and videos, as well as some notes that I took as I frequently listened to Midday Connection’s programs in order to do research on the many guests they had on over the many years they were on.  It would not be an exaggeration to say that at least 98% of their guests were — and still are — involved in the practice and promotion of mysticism and unbiblical spiritual disciplines at various degrees. Simply by looking at the information that I have already provided for you, I am almost certain that you will agree.

UPDATED: 2/20/16

HERE ARE SOME UPDATES FOR YOU:

Upon discovering that Moody Radio chose Equipped as their new show that would replace Midday Connection, I decided to listen in on January 7th 2016 to get an idea of what they would now be presenting to their listeners:

(SOURCE)

 (SOURCE)

The description of this show reminds me of In The Market with Janet Parshall because they discuss topics in light of our culture today. At first I thought that this show might be good, because from the little that I heard the host of the show, Chris Brooks, say that day, he seemed very discerning and he is aware of the fact that spiritual deception is a big concern these days, and it sounded like Dr. Sue Edwards seemed to be presenting some good Bible studies by listening to much of what she had to say, as well. While I am not going to judge Chris Brooks by simply listening to one of his shows, what I soon discovered about Dr. Sue Edwards did cause me to become concerned:

Wanting to be certain that this particular speaker was Biblically solid, and that she wasn’t into anything related to Spiritual Formation since it seems that these teachings are especially permeating countless number of churches and ministries these days, I decided to do some research on Dr. Sue Edwards. Sadly, as you can see from the information that I quick captured for you below, she is on staff at Dallas Theological Seminary where they are  presenting these teachings to their students, and they have now merged their Christian Education and Spiritual Formation & Leadership departments:

(SOURCE)

Sue Edwards, along with Barbara Neumann, wrote the following book which caught my attention because the term organic, when not referring to food, can mean something new, vibrant, and unique in the language of the New Christianity:

LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS – NEW BOOKLET TRACT: D IS FOR DECEPTION-THE LANGUAGE OF THE “NEW” CHRISTIANITY

After looking at a preview of this book on Amazon it clearly shows that the intent of this book is to explore ways that will be successful to mentor young women in order to keep the relationship going between mentor and mentee, and by the little that they showed in the preview, there doesn’t appear to be anything troubling in this book. However, just the fact that Spiritual Formation is strongly promoted at DTS is reason enough to be extremely hesitant about purchasing this book.

In the following video as Organic Mentoring is discussed, George M. Hillman had this to say towards the end of their discussion beginning at the 28:29 minute mark:

“Plug for my department: Many of you are in a Spiritual Formation group…that’s mentoring! That is pure mentoring. And you have an opportunity to invest in people’s lives and not just your leader in the group but you invest in one another’s lives. And I’ll go a sales pitch with this aspect of…if you want to learn this stuff,  guess what. Be a SF leader. We’ll give you a group of people and say, “Hang out with these people and love on these people.”

As I continued to search for information I came across this Spiritual Formation series that is based on a  curriculum which was developed at Dallas Theological Seminary which I have added to further demonstrate that Sue Edwards is indeed involved in Spiritual Formation. Not only is she is on staff at a seminary that teaches Spiritual Formation, but also she is on staff at a school that develops Spiritual Formation curriculum. Therefore Moody is still continuing to feature speakers on their programs that are involved in Spiritual Formation, some more deeply than others.

 

Below you will see that Dallas Willard (who is now deceased) and Richard Foster, who both have strongly promoted mysticism in their teachings, are favorably mentioned:

(SOURCE)

 

 

In Part 3 of this series, which is entitled Integrity, you can see by the list below that Spiritual Disciplines are a part of this course. To what extent, I do not know, but it is very possible that since Dallas Willard and  Richard Foster are quoted favorably in their series, the mystical practice of Contemplative Prayer may very well be included in their Spiritual Discipline practices.

(SOURCE)

UPDATED 2/22/16

After discovering that Sue Edwards had some of her teachings on YouTube, I decided to listen to many of them to test them in light of Scripture. Here is one of them that I would like to bring to your attention:

Beginning at the 4:57 minute mark in the above video you will see the following information that I quick captured for you below:

As you can see from the information above, Sue Edwards listed Henry Cloud’s book as one of her Recommended Resources.

This is very troubling in light of the fact that as Lighthouse Trails shows us in the following article (that I quick captured a portion of for you below), Dr. Henry Cloud wrote the forward to the Be Still book (the companion to the 2006 Be Still DVD that featured Beth Moore, Henry Cloud, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Priscilla Shirer, and more) in which he “makes comments that clearly show the true nature of this mystical spirituality.”

(SOURCE)<– Click here to read this very good article in its entirety, or click on the link below.

LIGHTHOUSE TRAILS – BE STILL BOOK CONFIRMS TRUE NATURE OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER

END OF 2/22/26 UPDATE

Another thing that I would like to bring to your attention as you can see from the quick capture below, is the fact that Moody Founder’s Week just took place on February 1st through the 5th:

As you can see from the schedule below and the video that follows, one of their guest speakers was Ann Voskamp. Earlier in this post I shared with you the serious concerns that many have with what she presents in her books.

(SOURCE)<–All of the above information that I quick captured can be accessed here. You can listen to all of the sessions from Founder’s Week 2016 here, as well).

 

Thanks to Debi Martin, (who must also be a detective-at-heart like I am) it was made known on Facebook that Moody Theological Seminary is having a Spiritual Formation Retreat this weekend. By doing so, they are now  more openly declaring  just how strongly they are promoting Spiritual Formation:

So upon seeing the above post, I decided to see what else I could find out about this Retreat, and I discovered this video and the following information:

 

 

(SOURCE)

Why is it that those in leadership at Moody are so lacking in discernment? Why are they not aware of the fact that because of the many ways that they are promoting Spiritual Formation, they are actually presenting New Age/New Spirituality practices that are rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism to Christians? Why are they not carefully examining what Christian speakers actually say and write in light of Scripture before they choose them to speak at their Conferences?

Why is it that so many Christians in leadership positions today lack discernment? Is it that they no longer see a need to examine the Scriptures daily to see if what these pastors and speakers are saying is true? (Acts 17:11) Have they forgotten or are they just ignoring the many warnings in Scripture about doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1) and false teachers, and that many of these false teachers will arise from among us? (Acts 20:30) Do many in leadership today just seek after those speakers who are the most popular and highly sought after in order to attract more people to their conferences and retreats? God will judge their hearts and their motives one day, but this is very troubling because oftentimes they are failing to protect their sheep! And because of the many in leadership these days who are strongly promoting Spiritual Formation Classes and the Spiritual Disciplines which almost always include Contemplative Prayer, Lectio Divina, and other mystical practices that can be found in Buddhism and Hinduism, they are actually leading many Christians astray and right into Satan’s territory!

As Christians all of us are accountable before God for what we choose to do, but I truly hope that we are coming to realize more and more that we are to trust and to follow no one but the one and only Good Shepherd — Jesus Christ — and how we are only to believe the God-breathed words recorded in His Word –the Bible. END OF 2/20/16 UPDATE

IN CLOSING

Dr. Harry Ironside, former pastor of Moody Memorial Church from 1930-1948, wrote an  article, entitled, Exposing Error: Is It Worthwhile?  I answer that question with a hearty, “YES!” As I began to write this post I thought about him and how deeply grieved he would be if he knew about the many spiritually deceptive teachings that are now being promoted today through the ministry that he was once a part of.

I can think of no better way to pay tribute to him than by sharing it with you here as a way to carry on his legacy of earnestly contending for the faith. Here is a portion of his article that I quick captured from The Berean Call:

(SOURCE) <–Click here to continue reading.

It is my hope and prayer that those on staff at Moody will come to the realization that they are drifting away from the Biblical foundation that this ministry was founded upon, and that they would repent and return to presenting Biblical principles through their radio programs, their publications, and through their classes at Moody Bible Institute, and put a stop to presenting any speaker or writer who promote these unbiblical New Age/New Spirituality pagan practices that are being promoted through Spiritual Formation.

Please know that this post was not written with the intention of attacking Lori Neff, Melinda Schmidt and Anita Lustria, for I truly see them as sweet and loving women. However, I pray that their eyes will be opened to see the dangerous spiritual path that they are going down — and leading others down — which is leading them and many other women away from Biblical Christianity, not only because of their deep involvement in Spiritual Formation and the mystical practices that they are promoting, but also because of their involvement with the many others who are promoting  these things, as well.

Thank you very much for stopping by and taking time out of your busy day to read some of my posts and poems.

God Bless You

~Mary/Living4HisGlory

 

RELATED SCRIPTURES

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24:3,4)

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6-9)

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4)

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1)

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-5)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7: 13-15)

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men. after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when  men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 3:16,17-4:1-4)

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:6-8)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

“Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:26-31)

 

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