By Cathy Tankersley

On one of our Treasure Hunting outings, I was reminded of the parable of the lost coin.  The official TSM Treasure Hunt had ended and I had business to conduct at Chesterfield mall.  As I went to the different Jewelry stores, I spread God’s cheer by praying for the attending clerks and providing them with a gospel of John. 

Still on mission, looking for God’s treasure, I passed a man in the Food Court sitting at a table.  He had baggies of coins, and he was counting his coins. So, as I passed, I casually asked what he was doing.  This led to a lengthy conversation as he shared how he loved collecting coins and shared with me his different coin collections – what the collection was, what he had and what he was missing.  He shared how a sister had stolen some of his coins. He was bitter about his loss. These coins were his passion and his treasure.

I can’t help but think how God is eyeing his treasures, how he knows what is still missing and what the enemy has stolen. He is passionate about his treasures. God is on mission to gather the lost to himself and wants to use us to help in that mission. Not that He can’t do it without us. He sent his only begotten son to the earth on a rescue mission.  He has personally appeared in visions and dreams to many in order to bring some to Himself.  But He wants to give out rewards for us to join Him in the pursuit of the lost. There is great joy when we lead someone to Christ and even in the act of planting seeds that might take root. There is a satisfaction on being God’s hand and feet on mission for his purposes.

When I asked the man if I could pray for him, he requested prayer concerning the death of someone he knew.  I prayed then and there for the request. Then I said I would like to give him a gift and was he interested.  I had a gospel of John with a love letter from God.  He asked me what the gift was.  I told him the book was a true story that I thought he might enjoy reading.  He gladly accepted the gift.

When I left him, I went the wrong way in the mall and had to turn back and pass thru the Food Court again in order to get to my car.  My soul delighted as I passed the man deep in thought reading the Book of John.  I had to trust God for the redemptive work He was doing in this man, knowing that Isaiah 55:10–11 says, “As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, . . . So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void” (KJV).

TSM would love for you to join us on a Treasure Hunt. 
Who knows, you might get hooked as you start hooking others for God’s Kingdom

By Kathleen McCardel

PRAYER AGENDA:  February 2020
PRAYER REQUESTS: If you have a prayer request, please text me at any time, day or night, and I will call or text.  Please text first:  Kathleen McCardel 804-484-0195

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
 
VA LEGISLATURE:  HB 980; SB733 
Today, January 29, 2020, the lieutenant governor broke the tie to pass SB 733.  Pro- abortion Democrats have stripped a bill that was designed to give women the information they need to make an informed decision regarding abortion: the types of abortions and risks , including a 24-hour waiting period and access to an ultrasound.  In September, 2019, Judge Henry upheld the requirements and stated none of these requirements were burdensome. His ruling no longer stands.
 
Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
Heavenly Father, as churches we have not lived your Word as we should have. As a nation we have ignored your Word.  We are a sinful people. We have perverted your law and made good what you call evil. We are proud in our sin.  We come to you today and ask for forgiveness for our complacency, our compromising, and our conforming to this culture of death.  Forgive us.
We love you, Father. We ask that you bring Planned Parenthood to truly nurture parents by not taking the lives of future parents in the womb. We ask that they would see, along with our nation, that killing children is not an acceptable solution to a crisis pregnancy. You are God and you can make a way. Lift the veil of deception from our nations’ eyes. May your name be honored.  May Christ be exalted.  May the Gospel advance in our country.  In Jesus name.

I Timothy 2: 1-2
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness
 
 
PRAYER FOR:   THE BORN-ALIVE ABORTION SURVIVORS PROTECTION ACT (H.R. 962)
Speaker Pelosi has stopped a vote on this bill 80 times.  This bill would require that appropriate medical care be given to any child who survived an attempted abortion and that the child be transported and admitted to a hospital.  Abortionists who violate these requirements would be subject to criminal penalties. 
Remember Gov. Northam: “If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the doctor desired.  And a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother.”  (I have a list of names of babies that have survived)!
Pray that a bipartisan coalition of 218 members will sign a “discharge petition”, which would bypass the Speaker and force a vote.  Pray that the public would become informed and put pressure on legislators to vote for this bill.  Pray for our legislators to realize that any baby who survives a failed abortion should be given the same medical treatment as any baby born prematurely at the same age.
 
Philippians 2: 1-2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
 
PRAYER FOR PRO LIFE ADVOCATES:    40 Days For Life   Feb 26 – Apr 5   SPRING 2020
Father, help us neither to despair nor to retreat in the face of this evil.  Give us Holy Boldness, wisdom and perseverance.  Give us compassion and love as we advocate for the unborn- in our communities and among nations. . .. as we seek to care for those whose lives have been marked by abortions, whether victims or agents.  Only the Gospel can bring healing.  Only the Gospel can cause an abortionist to become a warrior for justice and mercy.  We petition you for Godly men and women to stand and pray as men and women enter these facilities.  We pray for safety for those standing up for life.  We pray for Godly men and women to come alongside families facing poverty and difficult decisions.  Give them Godly counsel to choose life.  May they walk with men and women in crisis pregnancies to support and encourage them throughout the pregnancy and beyond.  Raise up loving Godly families to adopt.
 
Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like angels, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint
 
PRAYER FOR THE MARCH FOR LIFE       Richmond, VA FEBRUARY 13
This is an historic time in the pro- life movement.  Virginia had its first March  For Life in 2019 and over 6,500 people attended.  Pray for an outstanding rate of participation in DC.  Pray that those attending will be controlled and peaceful.  Help them to demonstrate compassion and wisdom. Pray for protection.  Pray that the media will allow honest coverage.  Pray that the weather conditions will be favorable.  Pray for the speakers to be Holy Spirit filled.  Pray for hearts to be softened, to hear the message, for lives to be changed.  Thank you Father for the  225,000 (estimated) people that walked for life in DC in January, 2020. We are grateful for all the churches and thousands of young people that attended.  Thank you for a president that stands for life. We beseech you to protect him, guide him, give him courage and wisdom.
 
ISAIAH 41:10
Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous hand.
 
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH:
Pray for pastors to be strong in the face of pressure to preach what is popular instead of what is Holy Spirit imbued.  Pray for church leaders to be above reproach, not to yield to temptation, complacency, idols and worldliness.  Pray that its people would grow in being distinct from the world in love, holiness, unity, even as it engages with outsiders.  Pray for courage – as they speak for life.  Pray for protection. Pray for compassion and generosity for those who face a crisis pregnancy and may be alone.  Pray for compassion for those who have been affected by abortion. Pray for volunteers to be faithful in serving where God leads them in the struggle for life.  Pray that the church would be a light in the midst of darkness, sharing the Gospel.
 
Deuteronomy 30:19
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses.  Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life and your descendants might live!
 
PRAY FOR FATHERS
Pray for changed hearts, receptive to the Gospel.  Pray for the desire to put the mothers and child’s needs above their convenience and comfort.  Pray for a desire to protect and meet the needs of the children’s lives as he is able to, and trust God for the rest. Pray for courage and determination for life. Pray for a willingness to seek help and accept help from Christian agencies and communities.  Pray for healing of past hurts and regrets that may interfere with Godly parenting.  Pray for healing for fathers affected by abortion.  Pray for men of God to come alongside fathers to mentor and encourage them.

Psalm 103: 13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
 
PRAY FOR MOTHERS
Pray for changed hearts, receptive to the Gospel. Pray for the desire to put the babies’ needs above their convenience and comfort.  Pray for a desire to protect the child growing within her, the sanctity of life. Pray for those who are alone and afraid. Pray for mothers to be supported by people who love them and their baby. Pray for courage and wisdom to find the resources necessary to support them.  Pray for Christians to reach out in love and generosity.  Pray for someone to come alongside mothers to mentor and encourage them.

Matthew 18:14
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

By Kathleen McCardel

Two weeks ago the U.S. Department of Justice declared that the Equal Rights Amendment has expired and any vote of ratification is not valid.  However, the VA Senate passed the House version of the ERA by a vote of 27-12-1 and the House passed the Senate version of 58-40.  If this vote were valid, it would enshrine abortion into the Constitution. This may ultimately have to be decided by the Supreme Court.  As Victoria Cobb, President of the Family Foundation has written, "The ERA may sound benign but it's a Trojan horse to accomplish many of the liberal left's ideals."  
NOTE:  Two bills passed last week - HB 980 and SB 733.  These bills  remove the requirement that a woman have an ultrasound prior to an abortion and a 24-hour waiting period.  In addition, nurses and other staff will be permitted to perform surgical abortions.

We will be gathering for prayer Monday, February 10th at the General Assembly Building from 10:30 to 2:00 PM.  We will meet in 200-B Subcommittee Room at 900 East Main Street.  This is a joint America Pray Now event sponsored by the Family Foundation.  You must register soon. 
We will be praying for Virginia March For Life on Wednesday, February 13th!

Please contact me if you are able to attend. Kathleen McCardel 804-484-0195

Dear Intercessors,

Most of America will be glued to their TV screens next Sunday to watch the Super Bowl.  But under cover of this event an evil exchange will be taking place...  Many men will be in Miami to buy sex from  young trafficked women and children.  Let us rise up WITH ONE VOICE for God to expose this evil and set the captives free.   

PRAYER TO EXPOSE AND END HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Gracious Father, we come in the Name of Your Precious Son and our mighty Redeemer and King, Jesus Christ, Who came to set the captives free, and we ask for the souls and the lives of all who are caught in the evil web of human trafficking.

We ask that You would stir every heart throughout the Body of Christ into action to combat slavery in all of its forms. Thank You, Lord, for those who labor as modern-day abolitionists to bring an end to this nefarious scourge. Give law enforcement officers and under- cover agents supernatural revelation to uncover the hiding places and sex houses. Mobilize teams of intercessors and rescue workers to bring hope and shelter to trafficked victims.

And may the God of Hope fill all victims of abuse with the joy and peace in believing in Him, that they may even abound in Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

It is a shameful fact that in America, while the rest of the world is partying on Super Bowl Sunday, thousands are being sold as sex slaves at the mercy of the lusts of evil men. Father, first of all, forgive us for embracing a culture that would allow this to happen. And forgive us for desecrating Your day with this abominable activity. Have mercy on us for turning our eyes away from this problem because it may not directly touch our personal lives.

From the perpetrators to the victims, many are caught in this evil web of destruction. IT IS WRITTEN that the goodness of God leads men to repent and turn from their wicked ways. So, we call down the goodness of God over our nation on this day, and especially over Miami, Florida. May the liberating presence and goodness of Almighty God invade the strongholds of darkness to expose the hidden places of abuse and cause men to abandon their evil plans. We declare that no money will change hands in the abuse of women and children on Super Bowl Sunday this year. We call forth the angelic hosts of heaven to direct rescue teams and law enforcement officers to the location of the captives and set them free.

Standing with you to see justice and liberation for all victims of trafficking.

The prayer room website is fairly easy to access.  You will see the link in the middle of the attachment:  http://www.24-7prayer.com/signup/8db71f
1. Tap on it
2. Scroll to a date/time you wish to pray 
3. The website will only give dates one week at a time but you can scroll forward
4. Simply type in name and tap on “book”
( No need to give email address)
If you have any difficulties, please text me anytime at 804 484 0195 -Kathleen
Thanks, again!

Some Things a Christian Might Want to Know About Yoga.
Woman delivered of yoga spirit by Catholic priest:  http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/mamaneedscoffee/2017/04/yoga-a-cautionary-tale/
 
Yoga (yoga means “yoke”)
Yoga is considered one of the six branches of classical Hindu philosophy. Its goal is to reach “Kaivalya” (ultimate freedom) by releasing the soul from the chains of cause and effect (karma) which tie the person to continual reincarnation. Yoga uses physical exercises, powers of concentration and breathing techniques as well as meditation to achieve these ends and attain union with Brahman.   From: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?cat=11
 
http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2005/march/truth-about-yoga.html?start=2
http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/09/20/the-subtle-body-should-christians-practice-yoga/
 
When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga.
 
Nevertheless, a significant number of American Christians either experiment with yoga or become adherents of some yoga discipline.  Most seem unaware that yoga cannot be neatly separated into physical and spiritual dimensions. The physical is the spiritual in yoga, and the exercises and disciplines of yoga are meant to connect with the divine.
 
Proceed with Caution  from http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2005/march/truth-about-yoga.html?start=5
 
There's a new practice popping up at churches and fitness clubs around the country. Dubbed "Christian yoga" or "yoga for Christians," these programs supposedly offer the physical benefits of yoga along with Christian spirituality. But is it really possible for yoga to be transformed into a practice for Christians?
 
Hindu’s ultimate goal of life is release from the cycle of reincarnation.  Yoga, one way of doing that-thru
-realization of one’s unity with God
-realization of one’s eternal relationship with God
-realization of one’s unity of all existence
One way to achieve this is through yoga
 
Doug Groothuis, author of Confronting the New Age and a professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary, says proponents of "Christian yoga" are misled—and are misleading others.
 
"'Christian yoga' is an oxymoron. Yoga is rooted in Hinduism and cannot be separated from it," he says. "There's nothing wrong with stretching and calming down one's breathing. But yoga isn't really about that; it's aimed at transforming human consciousness to experience the Hindu god, which is a false god."
 
TCW found several "Christian yoga" instructors who are affiliated with secular yoga organizations that have a Hindu or New Age bent.
 
When investigating a Christian yoga class, be on the lookout for:
Sanskrit language. Many words commonly used in yoga pay homage to Hindu deities.
Metaphysical jargon. Phrases such as "breathing in positive energy and breathing out negative energy," "focusing on the third eye," and "getting in touch with the divinity within you" have New Age implications.
Projection. Beware being told to empty your mind or to step outside your body.
Feelings of discomfort. Pay attention to those feelings. Even if you can't pinpoint why you're uncomfortable, this may be the Holy Spirit's way of letting you know the class isn't for you. —H.V.R.
__________________________________________________________________________
 
Yoga beliefs that are not Christian:
 #1: Empty your mind.   Christians are not called to “empty their minds” they are to have the mind of Christ. We are also called to know His Word and to have our minds transformed.  If Christ is not filling it, either Satan or your own spirit is filling in…and our own spirits are not Christ’s spirit.
 
#2: Step outside your mind.  This leads to astral travel which is trying to get out of your body.
 
The following is excerpted from: https://www.gotquestions.org/out-of-body-experience.html
 
“A person trying to achieve an out-of-body experience in order to connect with spirits or the spirit world is practicing the occult. There are two forms of this. The first is called the “phasing” model, in which the person tries to find new spiritual truth by accessing a part of the mind that is "shut off" during everyday life. This practice is connected to Buddhism or postmodernism and the belief that enlightenment is achieved from looking within oneself. The other form, called the “mystical” model, is when the person tries to exit the body entirely, his/her spirit traveling to another plane that is not connected to the physical world at all.

The Bible explicitly warns against occult practice, or sorcery, in Galatians 5:19-20, saying that those who practice it will not inherit God's kingdom. God's commands are always for our good, and He commands us to stay far away from occult practices because there is great potential, when trying to access the spiritual world, of opening oneself up to demons who can tell us lies about God and confuse our minds. …It is futile to search for infinite wisdom inside the finite mind of man.”
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SAMPLE EMAIL TO FRIENDS
Just reviewing the yoga online articles for you.  This first one is excellent and answers your question about why there is spiritual danger with yoga, even if you don't believe in Hinduism.  The author was delivered from yoga by a Catholic priest: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/mamaneedscoffee/2017/04/yoga-a-cautionary-tale/
Here's a first hand story from some one who also practiced and taught it:
http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2005/march/truth-about-yoga.html?start=2
Here's another great link, that seems to be a book review of Stefanie Syman's The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America.  The author of the article is very succinct in defining the nonChristian beliefs of yoga. 
Some essences of these articles:
-In yoga, the physical is the spiritual and you can't separate the two. In other words, you can't say you are just doing physical exercises because yoga comes with a spiritual set. 
-Christians are called to have the mind of Christ and to renew their minds.  Yoga teaches to empty it or to become "numb" as one teacher put it.
-In yoga, the body is trained to connect with the divine.  Christians are called to look to the divine, Christ and His word, for our needs/connections. 
-Yoga teaches to "leave your body", which is an occult practice that opens one up to the demonic.  We are specifically told in the bible to not practice sorcery.

Hope you find these articles helpful...I sure did in reading them again.  It sure shows how we have been brainwashed and need to get back in line with God's word so we can live in His ways.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
About acupuncture
 
http://www.gotquestions.org/acupuncture-Christian.html
 
The origin of acupuncture is Chinese Taoism. Taoism is the philosophical system evolved by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu that advocates a life of complete simplicity, naturalness, and non-interference with the course of natural events in order to attain an existence in harmony with the Tao, or life-force. It is closely related to Hsuan Chaio, which is a popular Chinese religion that purports to be based on the doctrines of Lao-tzu, but which is actually highly eclectic in nature and characterized by a pantheon of many gods, superstitions, and the practice of alchemy, divination, and magic.

In this Chinese philosophy/religion there are two principles. The first is the "yin," which is negative, dark, and feminine, and the second is "yang," which is positive, bright, and masculine. The interaction of these two forces is thought to be the guiding influence for the destinies of all creatures and things. One’s fate is under the power of the balance or imbalance of these two forces. Acupuncture is a mechanism practiced by adherents of Taoism that is used to bring the "yin and yang" of the body into harmony with Tao.
 
1. Most article site people get relief from acupuncture, but is that a reason to use a false religion’s gods for healing when we have a Savior in which “by His stripes we are healed”?   Many things in the occult seem to work for “a while” and/or give immediate relief…Satan does imitate God but then there is a backlash which is not seen at the onset.
 
2. Acupuncture’s harmony based on yin and yang while we have our peace through Christ?  Why are we not seeking Christ?
 
3. Acupuncture is based on meridians that cannot be proved and are not based on Christian philosophy but driven by a religion with a pantheon of many gods.  How can you separate the two?
 
4.  Why are Christians not going to Christian healing ministries?

Jesus & the Gospel September 20, 2010
The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga?


When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga. The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral.
 
Some questions we ask today would simply baffle our ancestors. When Christians ask whether believers should practice yoga, they are asking a question that betrays the strangeness of our current cultural moment — a time in which yoga seems almost mainstream in America.
It was not always so. No one tells the story of yoga in America better than Stefanie Syman, whose recent book, The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America, is a masterpiece of cultural history. Syman, an engaging author who is also a fifteen-year devotee of yoga, tells this story well.
Her book actually opens with a scene from this year’s annual White House Easter Egg Roll. President Barack Obama made a few comments and then introduced First Lady Michelle Obama, who said: “Our goal today is just to have fun. We want to focus on activity, healthy eating. We’ve got yoga, we’ve got dancing, we’ve got storytelling, we’ve got Easter-egg decorating.”
Syman describes the yoga on the White House lawn as “sanitized, sanctioned, and family-friendly,” and she noted the rather amazing fact that a practice once seen as so exotic and even dangerous was now included as an activity sufficiently safe and mainstream for children.
In her words:
There certainly was no better proof that Americans had assimilated this spiritual discipline. We had turned a technique for God realization that had, at various points in time, enjoined its adherents to reduce their diet to rice, milk, and a few vegetables, fix their minds on a set of, to us, incomprehensible syllables, and self-administer daily enemas (without the benefit of equipment), to name just a few of its prerequisites, into an activity suitable for children. Though yoga has no coherent tradition in India, being preserved instead by thousands of gurus and hundreds of lineages, each of which makes a unique claim to authenticity, we had managed to turn it into a singular thing: a way to stay healthy and relaxed.
In her book, Syman tells the fascinating story of how yoga was transformed in the American mind from a foreign and “even heathen” practice into a cultural reality that is widely admired and practiced.
In telling this story, Syman documents the ties between yoga and groups or movements such as the Transcendentalists and New Thought — movements that sought to provide a spirituality that would be a clear alternative to biblical Christianity. She traces the influence of leading figures such as Swami Vivekananda and Swami Prabhavananda, along with Pierre Bernard and the now lesser-known Margaret Woodrow Wilson. Each of these figures played a role in the growing acceptance of yoga in America, but most were controversial at the time — some extremely so.
Syman describes yoga as a varied practice, but she makes clear that yoga cannot be fully extricated from its spiritual roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. She is also straightforward in explaining the role of sexual energy in virtually all forms of yoga and of ritualized sex in some yoga traditions. She also explains that yoga “is one of the first and most successful products of globalization, and it has augured a truly post-Christian, spiritually polyglot country.”
Reading The Subtle Body is an eye-opening and truly interesting experience. To a remarkable degree, the growing acceptance of yoga points to the retreat of biblical Christianity in the culture. Yoga begins and ends with an understanding of the body that is, to say the very least, at odds with the Christian understanding. Christians are not called to empty the mind or to see the human body as a means of connecting to and coming to know the divine. Believers are called to meditate upon the Word of God — an external Word that comes to us by divine revelation — not to meditate by means of incomprehensible syllables.
Nevertheless, a significant number of American Christians either experiment with yoga or become adherents of some yoga discipline. Most seem unaware that yoga cannot be neatly separated into physical and spiritual dimensions. The physical is the spiritual in yoga, and the exercises and disciplines of yoga are meant to connect with the divine.
Douglas R. Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary and a respected specialist on the New Age Movement, warns Christians that yoga is not merely about physical exercise or health. “All forms of yoga involve occult assumptions,” he warns, “even hatha yoga, which is often presented as a merely physical discipline.” While most adherents of yoga avoid the more exotic forms of ritualized sex that are associated with tantric yoga, virtually all forms of yoga involve an emphasis on channeling sexual energy throughout the body as a means of spiritual enlightenment.
Stefanie Syman documents how yoga was transformed in American culture from an exotic and heathen practice into a central component of our national cult of health. Of course, her story would end differently if Americans still had cultural access to the notion of “heathen.”
The nation of India is almost manically syncretistic, blending worldviews over and over again. But, in more recent times, America has developed its own obsession with syncretism, mixing elements of worldviews with little or no attention to what each mix means. Americans have turned yoga into an exercise ritual, a means of focusing attention, and an avenue to longer life and greater health. Many Americans attempt to deny or minimize the spiritual aspects of yoga — to the great consternation of many in India.
When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga. The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral. The bare fact is that yoga is a spiritual discipline by which the adherent is trained to use the body as a vehicle for achieving consciousness of the divine. Christians are called to look to Christ for all that we need and to obey Christ through obeying his Word. We are not called to escape the consciousness of this world by achieving an elevated state of consciousness, but to follow Christ in the way of faithfulness.
There is nothing wrong with physical exercise, and yoga positions in themselves are not the main issue. But these positions are teaching postures with a spiritual purpose. Consider this — if you have to meditate intensely in order to achieve or to maintain a physical posture, it is no longer merely a physical posture.
The embrace of yoga is a symptom of our postmodern spiritual confusion, and, to our shame, this confusion reaches into the church. Stefanie Syman is telling us something important when she writes that yoga “has augured a truly post-Christian, spiritually polyglot country.” Christians who practice yoga are embracing, or at minimum flirting with, a spiritual practice that threatens to transform their own spiritual lives into a “post-Christian, spiritually polyglot” reality. Should any Christian willingly risk that?
I am always glad to hear from readers. Write me at mail@albertmohler.com. Follow regular updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AlbertMohler.
Stefanie Syman, The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2010).
Douglas R. Groothuis, Unmasking the New Age (InterVarsity Press, 1986).
The edition of Thinking in Public released today includes my interviews with Stefanie Syman and Doug Groothuis. You can find it at http://www.albertmohler.com/category/podcast/ You can also subscribe at iTunes.

The Truth About YogaYoga led Laurette Willis into a New Age lifestyle. Now she's warning others of the spiritual pitfalls—and offering an alternative.
Holly Vicente Robaina
 

The attractive couple on the television screen gracefully moved their bodies into the next yoga pose: arms extended, head tilted slightly back, a deep breath in. In front of the TV set, a seven-year-old girl and her mother did their best to mimic the posture. The little girl, Laurette, loved this special time with her mom.
It was 1965, and Laurette's mom, Jacquie, didn't think twice about exercising along with this yoga program that came on the TV after Jack La Lanne. She developed a passion for yoga, and began instructing free classes in her home. Laurette served as the demonstration model for her mom. The young girl relished the attention—and her family never suspected this seemingly innocent exercise would open the door to a New Age lifestyle that would affect Laurette for the next 22 years.
Speaking Out
Now 46, Christian speaker/author Laurette Willis tells everyone she meets about the dangers of yoga. The Oklahoma resident addresses groups across the country, speaking from personal experience and her knowledge as a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor. She's developed a prominent presence on the Internet, largely due to her new exercise program, PraiseMoves, which she calls "a Christian alternative to yoga." She shares her testimony on the website (www.PraiseMoves.com) in a pull-no-punches style, and responds to numerous e-mails—some curious, others critical of her stance on yoga. Additionally, she posts comments on the message boards of other fitness and religion websites. She's also self-published a book and video about PraiseMoves.
So what caused Laurette to become vocal about yoga? And is yoga really all that bad? Her testimony is a bold answer to both questions.
Throughout her childhood, Laurette's family regularly attended church. "If someone had asked us, we would have said we were Christians," she says. "But we never heard the message of salvation at our church." Lacking knowledge about the Christian faith, Laurette's mom found herself drawn to New Age practices, and began reading books by Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce (both claimed to have psychic abilities) and taking Laurette to an ashram, a Hindu yoga retreat.
As an adult, Laurette immersed herself in every New Age and metaphysical practice she came across: chanting, crystals, tarot cards, psychics, channeling spirits.
"I tried everything—Kabbalah, Universalism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism —because I was spiritually hungry," Laurette says. "I call the New Age movement 'Burger King' because it's like the fast-food restaurant's motto: 'Have it your way.' That's what the New Age movement tries to do, to achieve God on its terms."
here was one thing Laurette wasn't remotely interested in pursuing: Christianity. "I thought Christians just wanted to give me a bunch of rules and dogma," she says. "I didn't know they were speaking about a relationship with Jesus."
But in Laurette's quest to find herself, she only found a deepening sense of loneliness. "God will use whatever it takes to bring you to your knees," she says. "I'd made a mess of my life. I was an alcoholic. I'd been promiscuous. I tried every form of religion, never coming to any knowledge of the truth."
One day in 1987, a thought popped into Laurette's head: What if everything I thought about God was completely wrong? Two days later, she fell to her knees. "I didn't know anything about the Bible or Jesus. I just cried out to God from the depths of my soul, 'I give up! You win! If you can do something with my life, you can have it.' "As Laurette asked God to take control of her life, she felt a physical weight lift from her body.
"I learned much later that the weight was sin," she says. "I hadn't realized sin was real. New Agers think the word 'sin' is an acronym for 'self-inflicted nonsense.' That's the deception of the Enemy, because if there's no sin, then you don't need a Savior."
She remembers the change at the moment she accepted Christ: "I felt peace descend upon me for the first time in my life."
 
 
Exercise Plus Praise
After giving her life to God, Laurette began devouring the Bible. She burned her New Age books and disengaged from everything associated with her turbulent past—including yoga.
For years, Laurette never gave yoga a second thought. But in 2001, an idea popped into her head: What if there was an alternative to yoga that provided exercise while spiritually moving Christians to praise the Lord? She spent a good deal of time in prayer, wanting to be certain this idea was God's will.
After two years of planning, Laurette self-published a PraiseMoves book and video in 2003. She began certifying PraiseMoves instructors across the country last fall.
The PraiseMoves program utilizes gentle stretches that correlate with Scripture verses. There's "The Eagle" stretch, where the arms are pulled back to resemble a bird in flight. While students hold this stretch, Laurette reads Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles" (NKJV). Other stretches include "The Angel" (Psalm 91:11), "The Rainbow" (Genesis 9:16), and "The Altar" (Romans 12:1). At each session's end, students are asked to prayerfully consider a verse from the Bible, or to spend some quiet time expressing gratitude to God.
The Problem with Yoga
Laurette wanted PraiseMoves to provide all the physical benefits for which yoga is often touted: improved flexibility, weight loss, reduced stress, and improved circulation, to name a few. But she wanted the similarities to end there.
The goal of all yoga, Laurette explains, is to obtain oneness with the universe. That's also known as the process of enlightenment, or union with Brahman (Hinduism's highest god). The word "yoga" means "union" or "to yoke."
"Yoga wants to get students to the point of complete numbness in their minds. God, on the other hand, wants you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind through his Word," Laurette says.
Before she became a Christian, Laurette used subliminal tapes to train her mind to empty itself. These tapes are often used in yoga classes, she says. She also taught yoga classes and instructed her students in astral projection, or "stepping outside" of the body, which Laurette says poses a serious spiritual danger.
"If there's nothing in your mind, you're open to all kinds of deception. After coming to Christ, I wondered who—or what—came into my body when I 'stepped out.' While I don't believe Christians can become possessed, I do believe we can become oppressed by demonic spirits of fear, depression, lust, false religion, etc. These are all things designed to draw us away from Jesus Christ."
But what about hatha yoga, the less overtly spiritual form of yoga taught at most gyms? Even in this format, Laurette says there are commonly used words and poses antithetical to God's Word. For example, the word "namaste," often said at the close of yoga classes, means, "I bow to the god within you." The sound "om," chanted in many yoga classes, is meant to bring students into a trance so they can join with the universal mind. And the "salute to the sun" posture, used at the beginning of most classes, pays homage to the Hindu sun god. Laurette believes it's impossible to extract Hindu spiritualism from yoga—and she's gotten a bit of confirmation on this from an unlikely source:
"I received an e-mail from a staff member of the Classical Yoga Hindu Academy in New Jersey. The staff member wrote, 'Yes, all of yoga is Hinduism. Everyone should be aware of this fact.' This staff member included that she didn't appreciate my 'running down the great Hindu/Yogic religion,'" Laurette says.
Her statements about yoga have also drawn criticism from some Christians. Some accuse Laurette of being judgmental. Others say her fears about yoga are irrational. She's quick to tell critics PraiseMoves isn't for everybody, but she doesn't back down from her stance on yoga. When she speaks with Christians who practice yoga, she encourages them to pay close attention to any hesitation they feel—and then to check out the facts for themselves.
Numerous Christian women have told Laurette they decided to quit yoga after learning about its Hindu roots. It's a hard decision for those who've invested many years and many dollars into the practice.
Laurette says, "I tell people that if their reasoning is, 'But I've already paid for these yoga classes,' or 'But I just bought these cool yoga pants and a yoga DVD,' to ask themselves: Am I willing to give these things up to know the truth?"
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Proceed with Caution
There's a new practice popping up at churches and fitness clubs around the country. Dubbed "Christian yoga" or "yoga for Christians," these programs supposedly offer the physical benefits of yoga along with Christian spirituality. But is it really possible for yoga to be transformed into a practice for Christians?
Doug Groothuis, author of Confronting the New Age and a professor of philosophy at Denver Seminary, says proponents of "Christian yoga" are misled—and are misleading others.
"'Christian yoga' is an oxymoron. Yoga is rooted in Hinduism and cannot be separated from it," he says. "There's nothing wrong with stretching and calming down one's breathing. But yoga isn't really about that; it's aimed at transforming human consciousness to experience the Hindu god, which is a false god."
TCW found several "Christian yoga" instructors who are affiliated with secular yoga organizations that have a Hindu or New Age bent.
When investigating a Christian yoga class, be on the lookout for:
Sanskrit language. Many words commonly used in yoga pay homage to Hindu deities.
Metaphysical jargon. Phrases such as "breathing in positive energy and breathing out negative energy," "focusing on the third eye," and "getting in touch with the divinity within you" have New Age implications.
Projection. Beware being told to empty your mind or to step outside your body.
Feelings of discomfort. Pay attention to those feelings. Even if you can't pinpoint why you're uncomfortable, this may be the Holy Spirit's way of letting you know the class isn't for you.
—H.V.R.
This article first appeared on TodaysChristianWoman.com. Used by permission of Christianity Today, Carol Stream, IL 60188."
 
Can distribute 1,000 copies, for free with above credit line.

MARCH FOR LIFE RALLY IN WASHINGTON DC; Friday, January 24, 2020
For the 37th consecutive year, the Knights of Columbus will provide FREE bus transportation for people in the Richmond metropolitan area to attend the 47th annual March For Life Rally in Washington DC, on Friday, January 24, 2020. Seating on buses is limited and will be by RESERVATION only. A Registration fee may be required; however, the Registration fee will be returned when you take your seat on the bus. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a Parent, Legal Guardian, or Approved Temporary Guardian with written permission.
Charter bus services are scheduled for the following locations:
East End Pregnancy Center, 4705 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, bus arrives at 7:30 am for pick-up and departs by 7:45 am, then proceeds to the Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street, Richmond, (near the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart) for an 8:00 am pick-up and departs by 8:15 am, and then proceeds to St. Paul Church, Chamberlayne and Rennie Avenues, Richmond, for an 8:25 am pick-up and departs by 8:35 am; contact Jeffrey Gargiulo @ 804-836-9265 or jrgarg55@yahoo.com. Bus Captain: Jeffrey Gargiulo.
St. Gabriel Church, 8901 Winterpock Road, Chesterfield, bus arrives at 7:45 am for pick-up and departs by 8:05 am, and then proceeds to the Church of the Epiphany, 11000 Smoketree Drive, Chesterfield, for an 8:25 am pick-up and departs by 8:35 am; contact Tom Loviza @ 804-307-0086 or Loviza6@verizon.net. Bus Captain: Tom Loviza.
St Joseph Church, 828 Buford Road, Richmond, bus arrives at 8:00 am for pick-up and departs by 8:30 am; contact St. Joseph Church Secretary @ 804-320-4932 or office@stjosephrichmond.org. Bus Captain: Patrick Latimer.
St John Neumann Church, 2480 Batterson Road, Powhatan, bus arrives at 7:15 am for pick-up and departs by 7:30 am, then proceeds to St Edward Church, 2700 Dolfield Drive, Richmond, for an 8:00 am pick-up and departs by 8:10 am, then proceeds to St Bridget Church, 6006 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, for an 8:20 am pick-up and departs by 8:30 am; contact Tony Hackenberg @ 804-339-0267 or tjhack@hotmail.com. Bus Captain: Tony Hackenberg.
St Mary Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Henrico, bus arrives at 7:30 am for pick-up and departs by 7:45 am; contact St Mary Church Secretary Melanie Ogo @ 804-740-4044 or mogo@stmarysrichmond.org. Bus Captain: Rich Bemis.
Columbian Center, 2324 Pump Road, Henrico, bus arrives at 7:30 am for pick-up and departs by 7:45 am; contact Darius Yazdgerdi at 804-740-9633 or dmyaz@verizon.net. Bus Captain: Darius Yazdgerdi.
Church of the Redeemer, 8275 Meadowbridge Road, Mechanicsville, bus arrives at 7:30 am for pick-up and departs by 7:45 am; contact Ed Gillikin, Sr at 804-737-7628 or EdGilli@msn.com. Bus Captain: Steve Gerloff.
St Mary Church, Columbian Center and Church of the Redeemer buses will stop at the Diocese of Richmond Pastoral Center, 7800 Carousel Lane, Henrico, (just off of Parham and Shrader Roads) at 8:00 am for additional pick-up and a brief prayer service. Church of the Redeemer Bus will also stop at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 10306 Ladysmith Road, Ladysmith; bus arrives at 9:20 am for pick-up and departs by 9:30 am; contact Pat Brim at 410-336-91003or pbrim01@gmail.com.
Marchers must check-in at the pick-up location at least 30 minutes prior to the specified departure time and must bring a lunch, soft drinks, cell phone, hat, gloves and suitable clothing for weather conditions. Buses will normally return by 6:30 pm.

JANUARY 2020
PRAYER FOR LIFE:  If you have a prayer request for our group, please let us know.  I can be reached at any time for prayer.  A text is best: Kathleen McCardel ( 804 484-0195)
 
PROVERBS 24: 10 - 12  If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.  Rescue those who are taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold we did not know this,” does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to His work?
 
PRAYER FOR LIFE:
Lord Jesus, your promises give us hope, courage, and compassion to live as faithful advocates for all human life.  We long for the day when “death shall be no more.”  We lift our voices to you for the lives of the unborn children who are in danger. We plead on behalf of women and men in all situations who are facing poverty, loneliness, and despair… for those who believe ending the life of the unborn will allow the parent(s) to have a “better life.”  Help us to heed the call and walk with You daily, with love, compassion, and courage.
 
PRAY FOR FATHERS
Pray for changed hearts, receptive to the Gospel.  Pray for the desire to put the mothers and child’s needs above their convenience and comfort.  Pray for a desire to protect and meet the needs of the children’s lives as he is able to, and trust God for the rest. Pray for courage and determination for life. Pray for a willingness to seek help and accept help from Christian agencies and communities.  Pray for healing of past hurts and regrets that may interfere with Godly parenting.  Pray for healing for fathers affected by abortion.  Pray for men of God to come alongside fathers to mentor and encourage them.
Psalm 103: 13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

PRAY FOR MOTHERS
Pray for changed hearts, receptive to the Gospel. Pray for the desire to put the babies’ needs above their convenience and comfort.  Pray for a desire to protect the child growing within her, the sanctity of life. Pray for those who are alone and afraid. Pray for mothers to be supported by people who love them and their baby. Pray for courage and wisdom to find the resources necessary to support them.  Pray for Christians to reach out in love and generosity.  Pray for someone to come alongside mothers to mentor and encourage them.
Matthew 18:14
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
 
PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH:
Pray for pastors to be strong in the face of pressure to preach what is popular instead of what is Holy Spirit imbued.  Pray for church leaders to be above reproach, not to yield to temptation, complacency, idols and worldliness.  Pray that its people would grow in being distinct from the world in love, holiness, unity, even as it engages with outsiders.  Pray for courage – as they speak for life.  Pray for protection. Pray for compassion and generosity for those who face a crisis pregnancy and may be alone.  Pray for compassion for those who have been affected by abortion. Pray for volunteers to be faithful in serving where God leads them in the struggle for life.  Pray that the church would be a light in the midst of darkness, sharing the Gospel.
PHILIPPIANS 2: 1-2
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
 
PRAYER FOR OUR GOVERNMENT
The upcoming election is a crucial one, particularly regarding the sanctity of life.  As we all know, abortion is part of the Democrats’ platform.  We are seeing more and more states permit abortion up until, and during delivery. New York has even passed a law forbidding churches, prolife organizations from NOT hiring “prochoice” people. We here in Virginia may be headed in the same direction this year. Pray the VA legislature will vote for life. Pray for legislators who are firmly for life: for courage, protection, and wisdom.  Pray for those firmly for abortion: for a change of heart, courage, and wisdom.

1. Pray for God to raise up elected officials with a passion for truth, empowered by the zeal of the Lord
2. Pray for Godly men and women who walk in the fear of the Lord
3. Pray for the electoral process to be fair, impartial, and free from corruption
4. Pray that the schemes of the enemy will be dismantled and destroyed
5. Pray for leaders with a servant’s heart, a clear conscience, and a walk of integrity
6. Pray for citizens to discern what is good and right in the Lords’ eyes.
7. Pray that the Kingdom of God will be firmly established in righteous government

I Timothy 2: 1-2
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
 
 
 PRAY FOR THE VA LEGISLATURE:
Pro abortion activists have launched a multi- million dollar battle to eliminate the common-sense, protective laws regarding abortion (VSHL)

• Passing Delegate Tran’s Bill would remove every last protective restriction on abortion-until-birth
• Passing the pro-abortion Equal Rights Amendment in VA which threatens all pro-life laws, in VA and the US. (“If I could choose an amendment to add to the Constitution, it would be the ERA – to keep abortion legal.” Ginsberg; 2014)
• Mandating funding of abortion-on-demand through Medicaid
• Eliminating the Partial-Birth-Abortion Ban
• Wipe out the Parental Consent Law
• Repealing Virginia’s Women’s Right-To-Know Law, including the sensible 24-hour waiting period and the ultrasound requirement.
• Continuing their lawsuit to have all our reasonable pro- life laws ruled unconstitutional
• Stopping passage of common-sense pro-life laws like the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, or the Dismemberment Abortion Act

These pro-abortion activists recently voted in,  believe Virginia can be the 38th and final state to pass the Era to amend the Constitution.
 
PRAYER FOR THE MARCH FOR LIFE  January 24, 2020 in DC:
This is an historic time in the pro- life movement.  Virginia had its first March For Life in 2019 and over 6,500 people attended.  Pray for an outstanding rate of participation in DC.  Pray that those attending will be controlled and peaceful.  Help them to demonstrate compassion and wisdom. Pray for protection.  Pray that the media will allow honest coverage.  Pray that the weather conditions will be favorable.  Pray for the speakers to be Holy Spirit filled.  Pray for hearts to be softened, to hear the message, for lives to be changed.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
 
PRAYER FOR PRO LIFE ADVOCATES:
Father, help us neither to despair nor to retreat in the face of this evil.  Give us Holy Boldness, wisdom and perseverance.  Give us compassion and love as we advocate for the unborn- in our communities and among nations. . .. as we seek to care for those whose lives have been marked by abortions, whether victims or agents.  Only the Gospel can bring healing.  Only the Gospel can cause an abortionist to become a warrior for justice and mercy.  We petition you for Godly men and women to stand and pray as men and women enter these facilities.  WE pray for safety for those standing up for life.  We pray for Godly men and women to come alongside families facing poverty and difficult decisions.  Give them Godly counsel to choose life.  May they walk with men and women in crisis pregnancies to support and encourage them throughout the pregnancy and beyond.  Raise up loving Godly families to adopt.
 
Virginia Society for Human Life: The only single-issue statewide organization actively standing up at every stage in the General Assembly.  Olivia Gans Turner – President
Students For Life of America – 1,200 chapters in college/school campuses across America: Kristen Hawkins - President ;  Stephanie Schmitt-Stone -  Regional Director
Pregnancy Resource Center of Richmond ( 9/2019) :  Kim Southerland - Executive Director (Pray for ministry partners, community partners, board members, volunteers and staff; Pray for every word they speak to be used by God to save lives and proclaim the Gospel)