Spirit—Part IV  Empowerment
By Debra Rae

“Power” can refer to any number of things (good and bad)—be it physical might, moral vigor, ascendancy over others, autonomy, or influence. It is associated with a variety of “-isms”—e.g., genderism, feminism, colonialism, multiculturalism, and more.

Today’s empowerment principle is paired with esoteric enlightenment to so-called higher consciousness. Having undergone a mystical evolution of sorts, those claiming to be highly evolved purportedly master “the self” and thereby discover “the god within.”

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At the extreme end of the spectrum, women liberated by trendy neo-Gnostic error embrace a sophisticated mix of blended heresies springing from Hinduism, Buddhism, Greek philosophy, and ancient mystery religions of the Mediterranean.

In the mainstream, empowerment jargon drives popular talk show venues, as Oprah. “I am WOMAN,” “You go, girl,” “My body—my choice,” “d---, I’m good” –-all represent mantras of would-be adepts with spirits awakened and human potential nearing full bloom.

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Curiously, the Hebrew word for “virtuous” paired with the ideal godly woman of Proverbs 31 likewise means “a force” or “power.” Her God-given talents are limitless; and she is known for great strength. Her source is not “the self” by means of “earned egoic advancement,” but rather the Creator to whom this virtuous woman willingly submits. Yes, she is empowered, but not by indulgent self-love, arcane knowledge, or ego-pumping. To the contrary, God’s strength and goodness are manifest through her yielded human weakness.  She is woman at her best!

Spirit—Part III   Horoscope Hoopla
By Debra Rae

While in the checkout line at the supermarket, one cannot help but notice tabloids sporting the face of 16th century French physician and astrologer, Nostradamus. To prognosticators, as he, positions of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the zodiac at the moment of birth speak to future events, relationships, and desired focus for each day. Accordingly, “astrology” means “star speak.”

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True, an astrologer’s mere interpretation of a chart references some 24 million others who were born in the same month. Nonetheless, countless enthusiasts enjoy the fun of fortune cookies and horoscopes as diversion from the mundane—or (for some) as a clichéd pick-up line!

Others are dead serious. The New Age practitioner employs astrological charts for vital information in his personal evolution from “embryo-god” to ultimate “Christhood.” Prompted by the cosmos, New Age mystics consciously head up the evolutionary ladder in pursuit of so-called “earned egoic advancement”—this, through multiple reincarnations. The end result: a “new breed” of allegedly awakened adepts for a burgeoning age of higher, group consciousness.

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Compelling as a peek into the future might be, God forbids it apart from the prophetic Word.  Why? Because the Father alone is privy to information regarding our future, and He doesn’t want us basing our decisions and our lives on speculations or lies. Even Christ is not “in the know” regarding the timeframe for the second coming, and He’s the one coming!

Spirit—Part II Centering Techniques
By Debra Rae

While scrambling for some semblance of peace and quiet in today’s short-order, sound-bite, fast-moving world, today’s woman craves “centering.”

A balanced focal point promises buoyancy as the waves of life crash in—but how to achieve it?

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To attain an allegedly “higher state of consciousness,” New Age centering techniques are commonly employed through public schools, top management seminars, retirement communities, the local YMCA or YWCA, and even churches.

Take TM, for example. Based in part on Hindu meditation, Transcendental Meditation involves repeating a special word or phrase (mantra) while assuming the lotus position—this, to induce a feeling of well-being and relaxation.

A trance state may well relieve stress, but at what price? For more adept practitioners, the quickest way to contact one’s “spirit guide” is by means of meditative visualization, encouraging participants to create their own reality. Slipping in and out of consciousness via artificially induced possibilities thinking, hypnosis, or autosuggestion, which heightens suggestibility, thus vulnerability.

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While in Kuwait, I observed groups of dishdasha-clad young boys play some serious soccer.  Facile movement was achieved only with the hems of players’ robes were hoisted up and tucked handily into waist bands. This is the very image Scripture offers with regard to “girding up the loins of our minds.”

To be centered and well able to “run the race,” we best discipline and hone our minds, consciously aligning our thoughts with truth. Steadfast, not shifted cognition, delivers the genuine peace of God that—ironically—“passes all understanding. “

Spirit—Part I Self
By Debra Rae

Believe it. “The self” is tricky business. As born nurturers, many women forfeit self to a fault as they tend exclusively to the interests and needs of others. Lyrics of a popular song from the seventies warn, “They’ll take your soul if you let them.”

The upshot of that dilemma was a radical movement through which hardcore feminists found their voice. While applauding female superiority, “liberated” extremists self-obsessed. Today’s trendy shift to self appeals more to the softer side of our gender. Increasing numbers of women find their esoteric “Self” by means of an inward journey.

So what’s the balance—and where to draw the line?

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In philosophy, solipsism maintains that the self is the only thing that can be known to exist. Others merely reflect one’s own consciousness. The inward journey in search of the so-called “higher self” mirrors this philosophical fallacy and smacks of a self-god complex. Be sure, featuring self to the exclusion or detriment of others produces no good fruit. When trampling fellows as “you go, girl!” you’ve missed it—big time. While the self matters, it’s never “all about me.”

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Recognizing self as a unique, one-of-a-kind creation worthy of honor and due attention is not only okay. It’s a must! Self and selfishness are by no means synonymous. To be a cheerful giver, one must likewise be open to receive. This applies to self-affirmation. Why not high-five yourself from time to time? (And then extend that gesture to another.) You’ll feel all the better for it!

Filling the Void

Martha Stewart has come out with a new magazine called, Body and Soul, which advocates many of the practices common to Eastern mysticism. More and more Hollywood stars are turning to Scientology. Despite 9/ll and the war on terror, more Islamic mosques are being built in America than churches. And women are asking questions. So, we at WOMANTalk think it's time to address the truth concerning spiritual matters, which we will do in this column each week.

Man is a tri-part being: Body, Soul and Spirit. Some mistake the mind or emotions for spirit. Actually, the mind, emotions and will are part of our soul. Our spirit is where God's Spirit lives in us, when we invite Him into our lives. Before we do that we don’t understand spiritual things, we can't hear His direction, or commune with Him, although He wants that very much. It's like our spirit is a transistor radio without batteries. It doesn’t work until the batteries are added.

Many have described sensing a void or emptiness inside prior to trusting the Lord. But if we sincerely invite Him into our lives He will definitely respond and fill the empty void with His Spirit. The ‘batteries’ are added and our spirit turns on. We begin to see life in a new way, and hear His voice guiding us.

A couple of verses from the Bible related to this are:

"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens to me, I will come in to him, and dine with him and he with me" -Revelations 3:20

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

If you sense that void or emptiness inside and decide you want it filled, just take a moment, and with a sincere heart, ask Jesus to come into your life and He will, and open whole new life to you.

Billy Graham, who has probably led more people than anyone else to into this life-changing experience, offers an example of a simple prayer that you can say HERE. And you can get a Free Copy of ‘Peace with God’ from Billy Graham, one of the world’s most respected spiritual leaders HERE.  

Please let us know if you make the decision to do this so we can be glad with you and pray for you. Drop us an email HERE.