Tony Campolo: On Being “Born Again” by Centering Prayer

Full Article Link:

"...

Now, it is certainly true that not all conversions are experienced by coming to Christ at an evangelistic crusade. However, it’s important to carefully consider how Campolo describes his personal conversion experience, especially in light of the Scriptures. Later in the same chapter, he wrote:

In my case intimacy with Christ had developed gradually over the years, primarily through what Catholics call “centering prayer.” Each morning, as soon as I wake up, I take time—sometimes as much as a half hour—to center myself on Jesus. I say his name over and over again to drive back the 101 things that begin to clutter my mind the minute I open my eyes. Jesus is my mantra, as some would say.[9]

I have searched the Scriptures! You can do the same. Centering prayer and using the name of Jesus as a “mantra” is just not there. In fact the idea of using a mantra (that is mindlessly repeating a word over and over again) is used by the Buddhists and the Hindus in their attempts to focus on the spiritual realm and contact higher beings that the Bible calls demons.

..."

BHT finds Tony very creepy in a squishy-wishy way. What's with these people wanting to improve on Biblical interpretations and concepts. They somehow have become so much smarter than all the preceding Godly saints. This same thinking wants always to "improve" the US Constitution.

Liberalizing Christianity is nothing new. It presents itself as today's Church - the Emerging Church. It just seems more significant in light of present day events. It's so End Time, Yo.

FALL OF AMERICA. FALL OF THE WEST

Link to full article.

By Jan Willem van der Hoeven

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26)

"....

America has fallen, never to rise again to its former glory and strength. It is as what happened to the glory and splendor of Rome. I have wept about this, and reading now some of the Christian commentators trying to put the typical 'let's not lose hope' seal upon what has happened, I believe this will only speed up this degradation of America's society.

As a European, I years ago saw this same process happen to most of the Continent - today a pagan, self-centered, de-Christianized and heavily Muslimized continent that has hardly any moral or military strength left. As was the case when Hitler's Nazi hordes overran Europe in 1939, so now it lies nearly totally defenseless against the aggressive designs of both Putin's revived "Soviet" Russia or the deep and dangerous Jihadic infiltration of ISLAM.

,,,"

Is this true? BHT sees this as a strange time to say the least.

Live Video Feed from the Wailing Wall

Video Link Here. (Requires ActiveX)

Will the world watch the "two witnesses" here?

Revelation 11:7-12 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)

7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

8And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

11And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Temple Mount Faithful


Some Christians believe God has no interest in Israel. They believe the church is a new Israel and original Israel is not important to God. How anyone can read the Bible and get this interpretation is beyond belief! The grafted in branchs of the olive tree are calling the main tree of no importance. Sounds BigHugely arrogant to me.

America's Prophetic Future

Luke 21:31 (English Standard Version)
English Standard Version (ESV)

31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Students of Biblical prophecy differ in some details but the big picture appears to be developing like no other time in history. Here is a fair summary.


America's Prophetic Future - part 1
America's Prophetic Future - part 2
America's Prophetic Future - part 3
America's Prophetic Future - part 4

Where Do We Go From Here

A good place to start.

1 Peter 2 (New International Version)
13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Does this mean we can not criticize or oppose the government in legitimate ways? Do we citizens of democracy have an obligation to encourage right and oppose wrong as we interpret right and wrong? A good case can be made. But think of the effect a Holy people would have by living more Biblically Christian lives. How would this change the movies, products, services and institutions offered. Not all opposition is storming the walls of the castle. And yes sometimes furnaces and lion's dens are involved, too.

This is how some are feeling at the Dutch Sheets Blog.

Election Day

Well here we are, the final day. What will happen? RealClearPolitics' national averages were predictive of what happened in the last two presidential elections if my recall is correct. It showed a dead heat with Bush slight strength at the end. Unless polling has changed since then this will be the result.


Conservatives have their underwear in a bundle. Christian conservatives are on the verge of burning their underwear. I understand the feeling. Change can be unsettling and disconcerting. Mr. Obama's apparently extreme left leanings will likely bring change conservatives not only find unsettling and disconcerting but alarming.

During times of national distress, change can come quickly and drastically. Change makers can rally unusual support by appealing to people's fears. People are more willing to listen because of their fear. Change makers can sneak change through the back door while attentions are focused on more pressing issues. This can be the situation currently. The setup is perfect. Socialism's two most effective runs under Presidents Roosevelt and Johnson were models of perfection. We may have another perfect storm.

Christians may wish to take a more Biblical position. Instead of plotting the overthrow of Rome, rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's could be the way to go. This will be ever so difficult for those who view the USA as some divine representative, different from every other world government. Was this really the way we should have been viewing the USA? Maybe not.

Many Christians sense the end of all things approaching rapidly. Why then do they mourn and grieve at supporting and obvious evidence? We all hate inconvenience, discomfort and suffering ... that's why. But we can be encouraged at the same time. These are exciting times to be alive.

So what do we do on a practical basis?
1. Get our relationship with God on a sound footing through Jesus Christ.
2. Use the coming economic recovery (I think there will be one) to get out of debt.
(maybe the last chance) (can you say Larry Burkett?)
3. Simplify your life and reduce your financial obligations.
4. Now use your extra time to focus on God's plan
(some say for your life but it's not about you, it's about Christ)
5. Enjoy your new found peace in Christ!

Financially I am counting on a recovery during a Cumbia period while we head into socialism. The Euphorians will be at rest and feeling confident. This will give us time to clean up our personal finances hopefully. If I'm wrong it's too late anyway.

God's Blessings to you from BigHugeThing

Bible In One Year

If you are like me, some mornings it's tough to get started on the Bible readings. Being read to while following along is easier. Here are two online tools I use.

Open up these two browser tabs or pages.

First we need the one year schedule. Link


Now we need someone to read it. Link
BibleGateway is another good source.


Easy peasy!