New Age Spirituality

If someone were to ask you the question "What the?^*# bleep do you believe?" do you answer in any of these ways?

"I believe that the Star Wars movies put it best: there's a great cosmic Force and it can be used for good or for evil."
( "I'm not sure how to tap into that Force myself - I have no idea how Luke Skywalker did it - but maybe if I ever find my Yoda, I too can do great things.)"

"I believe in the supernatural - in psychic powers, beings and forces. It makes me feel more powerful and in control, knowing I can turn to psychic realms, tarot cards or astrology for knowledge and guidance."
("Yet in the core of me, when the night is long and dark and I'm afraid, I still feel weak and defenseless, and I'm still pretty confused about a lot of things that matter most to my heart)."

"I believe that eastern religions are way cooler than Christianity. I'm looking for the kind of blissful state of mind that Buddhism teaches and I don't believe you need to believe in God to be spiritual..."
("It's kinda scary, though, to think that I'm going to lose my self forever when I die....and I'm still pretty lonely")

"I believe that we have ignored the Mother Goddess for too long and my spirituality is a women's spirituality....I've read The Da Vinci Code and believe the author's right on - the divinity of Jesus is a myth. We have no more need of an oppressive, male God."
(" I wish I could believe in a kind, loving Father who is all-wise and treasures me beyond all measure....but I've never met a man like that.")

"I believe in reincarnation...that the purpose of this life is to make up for the evils of previous lives so that the next life might be better."
("I don't know though....I've done a lot of bad things and I may be destined to suffer for my mistakes for life after life, and that depresses me and scares me.")

 To the New Age Seeker

Many new-age and eastern beliefs speak of a heart-felt need for genuine connection with a Greater Good, a Spiritual Destiny, a Higher Power.

But the problem is....these trails just can't take you all the way there. They don't actually introduce you to that Higher Power. You never get to experience the Source of all creation as a Being that loves you and cares for you passionately, like a loving Father does....because these paths cannot lead you home, to the Kingdom within you where your Heavenly Creator and Father lives.

Occult practices and new age teachings will never bring to you the kind of love, healing and deep peace that Jesus brings. This is because He is the Highest Power in all the universe, and the fullness of these gifts are only His to give.

It is only through Jesus that we truly do experience a supernatural healing of the heart and a sense of our lives being turned right -side up again. In His delight that you've turned to Him, He washes over your heart and makes it clean, transforming an unholy past into a different future, energised by the joy of love that you now can give and receive. When you respond to His call with a YES!, and release your toubled past to Him, you are freed from it forever.

Jesus is more than an idea, a historical figure, just another prophet or teacher. He is the living God of creation...and He waits to be invited into to our lives so that He can have a rich and loving relationship with us.

Without a confident knowledge that God is our Father we will always be spiritual orphans...in our hearts not knowing that we are in reality personally known and cared for with a love too awesome for words. Each of us is treasured as a precious child. We are never alone - we don't need to look for spirit guides. We always have a real and present Guide in Jesus - the most awesome companion there is! - Whom the Father sent to personally show us His love.

We invite you to St. Paul's to explore faith with us. The messages from God's word are intriguing and powerful. Many of us have explored new age spirituality along our spiritual quests, but, for us, we have found that He, Jesus, is the way, the truth and the life. At this point in your spiritual quest, realize it is important to fully understand what it means to be born anew. If that is fully understood and experienced, then it is vital to be a part of a smaller group where you can know and be known and gather for more in-depth spiritual growth, such as one of our life groups. We hope to see you on the path at St. Paul's.