Open Text: Exact Phrase:

Supporters of this ministry in the Rochester, MN area alerted me to the fact that the Dalai Lama will be visiting the famed Mayo Clinic in that city in April. An announcement was sent to the staff that "His Holiness the Dalai Lama will visit the Mayo Clinic speaking on compassion in the face of suffering."

What's wrong with this picture?

* The Dalai Lama has hijacked the term "His Holiness." That is reserved for God the Father alone. His belief system even questions the reality of a God or god.

* Apart from the true and living God, it is difficult to have "compassion in the face of suffering." God is the father of compassion who distributes it to His children.

* We can see how distinctly the East has seduced the West as Mayo employees race to get their tickets for the limited seating of his presentation.

* The Dalai Lama will focus on "Practices that encourage a peaceful mind and positive ways to live during difficult times." The problem is that there is no peace apart from the "Prince of Peace." He will send false philosophies and practices to desperate people as the patients will be able to view his presentation on TV screens. His belief system and worldview are endangering already ill people and could instill false hope.

* Many go to the Mayo Clinic as a last hope for treatment with traditional medicine. They are open to any kind of help. Such was the case when I went in 1994 and actually got very solid and practical help apart from the Dalai Lama. Instead friends and loved ones prayed for wisdom for all doctors treating my problem. Being grounded in the Bible I would have paid no attention to the Dalai Lama but many will. With today’s biblical illiteracy and the death of discernment, some will clearly be harmed.

Today people want to "experience God in a fresh new way." The chronically and seriously ill are victims and what's worse, the "New Age Movement" claims that 75% of their recruits come through holistic health (which is not to say certain holistic health practices can be helpful.) But I have no doubt that the Dalai Lama will share with staff and patients some dangerous alternatives. But he will likely encourage things very hazardous to one's health, both physical and spiritual. What's next? Burning incense, contemplative prayer, and tapes by Benedictine monks? Going into an altered state of consciousness? Is this the next wave of medicine?

It doesn't help when some of our churches today push the mystical, again reinforcing methods we need to avoid. If I were to name some top evangelicals today who are pushing such mysticism in a new DVD, "Be Still and Know," you would be quite alarmed.

The enemy is using deceitful practices today to further his agenda in these last days. People are literally caving in to "doctrines of demons" and "not giving heed to sound doctrine" (I and II Timothy).

The Dalai Lama visits the Mayo Clinic April 17. I would encourage you to pray a prayer of protection over patients and staff who are looking for answers often in all the wrong places. God still heals because He healed me the summer of 2000 or Olive Tree Ministries would not exist. The story, which was turned into a book, can be found under "Jan's Articles," near the bottom of a list of articles. With a mighty, compassionate God, who needs the Dalai Lama? The article is titled "Waiting for Miracle" found here

To learn about today's rampant deception, visit this category at my Web site

We are in a last days’ age of rampant deception and delusion for which we almost need a spiritual “Better Business Bureau.”

(Jan Markell is founder/director of Olive Tree Ministries and Contributing Editor to Omega Letter. For more information, her e-alerts, or free, print newsletter, visit the Web site, www.olivetreeviews.org.)

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