I have seen some commercials lately announcing the fall line-up of new TV shows. Some interesting fare coming up. Let’s review some of the fresh autumnal offerings.
Betrayal (ABC) – A step beyond Scandal or Revenge. This is an show devoted entirely to an adulterous affair. Continue reading
You may not have heard of Emmanuel Swedenborg, but in his lifetime and for quite some time afterwards he was a man of renown. He was an 18th century genius, likely on par with Leonardo da Vinci. He was born in Sweden in 1688, the son of a Lutheran pastor. Early in life he was noted for great achievements in math, science and engineering. In 1724 he was appointed to a prominent government position on the Swedish Board of Mines.
But then in 1743 things began to change. Swedenborg began to have strange dreams and visions. He believed that ancient sages and religious figures were appearing to him. He supposedly had conversations with Jesus, Moses and other biblical figures. He went on spiritual journeys to heaven and hell. Angels reportedly showed him great spiritual truths. He also developed psychic powers, especially clairvoyance. Out of these visions he developed a unique brand of religious philosophy. This included a prophecy that there was coming a new era of universal spiritual understanding, which he called the New Jerusalem. Continue reading
“Axiom 1: SURVIVE!” Thus declared L. Ron Hubbard, delineating the Primary Axioms of Dianetics in 1948. A few years later, in 1951, he described the Eight Dynamics which are foundational for Dianetics and Scientology. Here he stated, “The FIRST DYNAMIC is SELF. This is the effort to survive as an individual, to be an individual. It includes one’s own body and one’s own mind. It is the effort to attain the highest level of survival for the longest possible time for self.”*
Lately I have been studying Scientology in preparation for a seminar on the group coming up next week. Scientology is a complex system, with a very convoluted process of advancement and an equally complicated belief structure. But wading through books by Hubbard and books about Scientology I have come to see that Hubbard’s declaration in 1948 is a fundamental, if not the fundamental, concept of the entire system of Scientology. It is all about SURVIVAL. Continue reading
I wish you could have been there. It was a memorable event. Indeed, an unforgettable event. It was the Court of Honor for a young man who had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I will refrain from using his name. He is rather modest, and I don’t want to cause him any embarrassment. However, at the same time I wish I could broadcast his name across the country. A young Christian man with such courageous virtue deserves to be honored, to be recognized.
The Court of Honor was impressive. It stirred my heart to see the ceremonious actions, the words of commendation, the rehearsal of the values and journeys of a scout. Finally, our young hero stepped forward to receive his due recognition and honor. The capstone of the occasion was his Eagle Scout speech. Wow! It was truly inspiring to witness this 16 year old young man of God declare his appreciation for scouting, his love for God, and his moral convictions. And to maturely, courageously announce due to those very same moral convictions that that day would be his last day of involvement in the Boy Scouts of America. In response to the recent decision of the BSA to admit homosexuals to their ranks, this new Eagle Scout boldly took a moral stand based on his principles and values, and thus was leaving the Scouts. Continue reading
For anyone living in or near Central Virginia or the Shenandoah Valley…
Truth Builders ministry will be presenting a seminar on the Church of Scientology on Friday, September 6.
If you would like more info, you may go to the ANM website, or contact me via this site.
TRUTH BUILDERS MINISTRIES 