Comments on: Lola Jones and Divine Openings http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/ Communicating with God and Hearing God's Voice Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:48:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Robert http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-1266 Robert Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:02:31 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-1266 Thanks John, I spent some time on your site as well! Like a friend of mine used to say "We went to the same school together" - in reference to learning life lessons similar to people we haven't even met! Amazing! I love WordPress as it allows for a blog scenario. I don't get a lot of comments compared to number of visits but that's ok. It used to bother me some but I also realize that people don't always feel comfortable sharing online. But if they're looking, it is here! Blessings, Robert Thanks John,

I spent some time on your site as well!

Like a friend of mine used to say “We went to the same school together” – in reference to learning life lessons similar to people we haven’t even met!

Amazing!

I love WordPress as it allows for a blog scenario. I don’t get a lot of comments compared to number of visits but that’s ok. It used to bother me some but I also realize that people don’t always feel comfortable sharing online. But if they’re looking, it is here!

Blessings,

Robert

]]> By: John http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-1263 John Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:29:29 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-1263 Hi Robert, Thank you for replying to my post. I noticed that you read all of the comments on your site and respond to many of them. I think I'll re-create my site as a blog so I can do that, or add one to it. I did notice that most of the folks who were against Lola hadn't seen her book or really looked into what she's about. She's a very sweet, and very conscious person, as you know. I was reading your home page a few minutes ago and saw that you said you'd been looking for God for most of your life (as have I) and had found him. I had feeling the first time I read some of your posts that you had. I can usually tell by the way a person expresses themselves roughly where their level of consciousness is at. I call it how "awake" they are. I expect your experiences must have been similar to mine, or perhaps beyond. I still have a very long way to go compared to some of the people on the planet today.. but even where I am at is incredible compared to where I was just 10 years ago. I feel so blessed sometimes that I find myself in tears of gratitude. As you said, it is God's good pleasure to give us the keys to the Kingdom. And all we have to do is ask. The ironic thing about it is that we're already in it but aren't aware of it. :-) John Hi Robert,
Thank you for replying to my post. I noticed that you read all of the comments on your site and respond to many of them. I think I’ll re-create my site as a blog so I can do that, or add one to it.

I did notice that most of the folks who were against Lola hadn’t seen her book or really looked into what she’s about. She’s a very sweet, and very conscious person, as you know.

I was reading your home page a few minutes ago and saw that you said you’d been looking for God for most of your life (as have I) and had found him. I had feeling the first time I read some of your posts that you had. I can usually tell by the way a person expresses themselves roughly where their level of consciousness is at. I call it how “awake” they are.

I expect your experiences must have been similar to mine, or perhaps beyond. I still have a very long way to go compared to some of the people on the planet today.. but even where I am at is incredible compared to where I was just 10 years ago. I feel so blessed sometimes that I find myself in tears of gratitude. As you said, it is God’s good pleasure to give us the keys to the Kingdom. And all we have to do is ask. The ironic thing about it is that we’re already in it but aren’t aware of it. :-)

John

]]> By: Robert http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-1249 Robert Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:25:14 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-1249 Dr. Christian, Thanks so much for sharing your comments. You likely noticed that those who judged Lola Jones and her work on this page never read her book or participated in one of her courses. It's the proverbial "judging a book by it's cover" - which is not recommended but we do it anyway! I love what you've shared of your own experience and what God has spoken to you. It's the same thing He's sharing with me! I love a tweet by Deepak Chopra "All belief is a cover up for insecurity. Only knowledge and experience will do." Blessings, Robert Dr. Christian,

Thanks so much for sharing your comments.

You likely noticed that those who judged Lola Jones and her work on this page never read her book or participated in one of her courses.

It’s the proverbial “judging a book by it’s cover” – which is not recommended but we do it anyway!

I love what you’ve shared of your own experience and what God has spoken to you. It’s the same thing He’s sharing with me!

I love a tweet by Deepak Chopra “All belief is a cover up for insecurity. Only knowledge and experience will do.”

Blessings,

Robert

]]> By: John http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-1248 John Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:56:31 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-1248 Hello Robert, I loved reading many of the comments on this page, however I was also deeply saddened at some of the harsh judgments that were put forth. Jesus teaches us to "Judge not".. but when a person's belief is threatened we tend to still do exactly that. I would like to address that herewith if I may. I am not wishing to bring up the Lola debate again, but that is how I found your website and I do have some comments. I have listened to and read Lola's teachings, and as a long time Christian I find a lot of what she says to be very similar to what Jesus himself said. I am not making a comparison per se except to say that Jesus was trying (by example largely) to lead us into surrender to the Will of God, and that is what Lola suggests as well. Another similarity that I would like to point out is that she asks us to "Let God do the heavy lifting".. which is remarkably similar to what the church teaches when it asks that we accept Jesus as our savior and let Him remove our sins. Are the two really so different? I think not. And by the way.. for those who are not aware, the word which we translate as "sin" and which has such heavy implications, in ancient Aramaic was an archery term which simply meant "to miss the mark". So then in reality, Jesus is simply showing us how we may become better, and stop "missing the mark".. which takes us away from God. Instead, He was trying to point the way TO God. As you know, Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven was within, and that is something that Lola relates as well. She holds stillness retreats for days at a time, where silence is held for the duration, and during which one is directed to go within and connect with one's own divine nature. I have done silent retreats myself, and they are really beautiful and quite powerful to experience. Also, and as your website name indicates, we can, "Be Still And Know God". When we become still and go within (also known as meditating), and we ask for divine revelation, we will eventually get it. We will come to know ourselves in God and to know the Stillness that is within. We will also come to know, as I have, that the same peace and stillness that can be found within is "in the midst of us" as well. I would like to add that I have never been to a retreat of Lola's nor am I defending her, but I do know that the only way that we can truly KNOW the Kingdom is through direct experience. I also know that it can happen by going within, or by asking the Father to give us the direct experience in some other fashion, and that is exactly what she teaches. This I think is where most of traditional Christianity misses the mark and why a lot of people become confused. The teaching is fundamentally to accept Christ as our Savior (which I did at 15 and experienced being born again) and there is great power in that if it results in an authentic experience of the Holy Spirit. If it does not however, it is more a symbolic representation than an actual experience of the Divine. This same teaching does not however lead us to believe that we too are Divine, and can experience ourselves as such, but in fact teaches us the exact opposite. Jesus however, WAS trying to show us that we are divine, and that we can ourselves find God. "I am the way, the truth, and the life, to me clearly points out that he could show us the way. He also said that the things He did, we could do also, and MORE. And He made reference to Corinthians at one point, saying "Ye are gods". And additionally, he also told us that the Kingdom of God (Heaven) was within. In 1 Corinthians 3:16 the bible says: "Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" This is the reference I mentioned above that Jesus spoke of. And it is also something that I know to be true. This is a bold claim I know, but it is the truth. After the death of my wife in 1994 I asked God to show me the Truth of Life. I needed to know who, and what I was, and I was shown. After I was given a glimpse of Heaven on Earth for the first time seven years later, I realized by direct experience that the Spirit of God does indeed indwell our body, and that we ARE that Spirit. That same Spirit is not only within all of us, it IS all of us, and it is within the earth and all of Creation as well. This is enormously difficult for most Christians to wrap their head around however, for the obvious reason that we are taught that Jesus was the only Son of God, and that we are lesser beings. Neither of which are true. I also came to understand after that experience that Jesus was trying to point us in that direction all along. The Kingdom of Heaven IS within. The reason so few know it, is because they do not seek it, nor do they ask to be shown. And as I said earlier, most of the fundamental teachings in Christianity do not generally include such (and in fact consider it blasphemous to even think it). So therefore unless we are what I would term a true seeker, it is unlikely that we will stray far from the teachings of the church. I have discovered however, that when you do seek you will find, when you knock it shall be opened, and when you ask you shall indeed receive. And it is the Father's good pleasure to assist us. I have since had these experiences many more times, with each taking me deeper, and I know that anyone can experience it as I have. In fact, it is God's will that it be so. In the third experience I had (which I call Spiritual Awakenings, or Openings into Oneness), God's Voice came to me for the second time and said "It is My Will than you know who and what you are". I realized afterward that God was saying to me that it is Divine Will that we ALL experience our own divinity directly. I also realize if you even post this that it may be very controversial and draw negative feedback simply because I state that God spoke to me, and/or for saying that I have experienced the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. I say this because I have had the experience of being severely judged for saying these things before, but only from Christians ironically. All of what I have written did actually happen to me however.. and I know of other people who have had similar or very nearly identical experiences as well. In closing, I also know in my heart of hearts that God wants us to stop living in fear, and to stop fighting and warring with one another, even as was done on this website.. and I believe the only way that will happen is if we all experience the Truth from within. We are all part of what I know to be, and was told is "The Body Of God In Creation". We are all brothers and sisters on this planet. We all come from the same God, and we all live in God's creation, and we all return to the same God in spirit when we die. Having said that however, we can only really know it by direct experience. We only know for certain what we directly experience.. everything else is just belief. Blessings to all, Rev. Dr. John Michael Christian Hello Robert,
I loved reading many of the comments on this page, however I was also deeply saddened at some of the harsh judgments that were put forth. Jesus teaches us to “Judge not”.. but when a person’s belief is threatened we tend to still do exactly that. I would like to address that herewith if I may.

I am not wishing to bring up the Lola debate again, but that is how I found your website and I do have some comments. I have listened to and read Lola’s teachings, and as a long time Christian I find a lot of what she says to be very similar to what Jesus himself said. I am not making a comparison per se except to say that Jesus was trying (by example largely) to lead us into surrender to the Will of God, and that is what Lola suggests as well. Another similarity that I would like to point out is that she asks us to “Let God do the heavy lifting”.. which is remarkably similar to what the church teaches when it asks that we accept Jesus as our savior and let Him remove our sins. Are the two really so different? I think not.

And by the way.. for those who are not aware, the word which we translate as “sin” and which has such heavy implications, in ancient Aramaic was an archery term which simply meant “to miss the mark”. So then in reality, Jesus is simply showing us how we may become better, and stop “missing the mark”.. which takes us away from God. Instead, He was trying to point the way TO God.

As you know, Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven was within, and that is something that Lola relates as well. She holds stillness retreats for days at a time, where silence is held for the duration, and during which one is directed to go within and connect with one’s own divine nature. I have done silent retreats myself, and they are really beautiful and quite powerful to experience.

Also, and as your website name indicates, we can, “Be Still And Know God”. When we become still and go within (also known as meditating), and we ask for divine revelation, we will eventually get it. We will come to know ourselves in God and to know the Stillness that is within. We will also come to know, as I have, that the same peace and stillness that can be found within is “in the midst of us” as well.

I would like to add that I have never been to a retreat of Lola’s nor am I defending her, but I do know that the only way that we can truly KNOW the Kingdom is through direct experience. I also know that it can happen by going within, or by asking the Father to give us the direct experience in some other fashion, and that is exactly what she teaches.

This I think is where most of traditional Christianity misses the mark and why a lot of people become confused. The teaching is fundamentally to accept Christ as our Savior (which I did at 15 and experienced being born again) and there is great power in that if it results in an authentic experience of the Holy Spirit. If it does not however, it is more a symbolic representation than an actual experience of the Divine.

This same teaching does not however lead us to believe that we too are Divine, and can experience ourselves as such, but in fact teaches us the exact opposite. Jesus however, WAS trying to show us that we are divine, and that we can ourselves find God. “I am the way, the truth, and the life, to me clearly points out that he could show us the way. He also said that the things He did, we could do also, and MORE. And He made reference to Corinthians at one point, saying “Ye are gods”. And additionally, he also told us that the Kingdom of God (Heaven) was within.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16 the bible says: “Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” This is the reference I mentioned above that Jesus spoke of. And it is also something that I know to be true. This is a bold claim I know, but it is the truth. After the death of my wife in 1994 I asked God to show me the Truth of Life. I needed to know who, and what I was, and I was shown.

After I was given a glimpse of Heaven on Earth for the first time seven years later, I realized by direct experience that the Spirit of God does indeed indwell our body, and that we ARE that Spirit. That same Spirit is not only within all of us, it IS all of us, and it is within the earth and all of Creation as well. This is enormously difficult for most Christians to wrap their head around however, for the obvious reason that we are taught that Jesus was the only Son of God, and that we are lesser beings. Neither of which are true.

I also came to understand after that experience that Jesus was trying to point us in that direction all along. The Kingdom of Heaven IS within. The reason so few know it, is because they do not seek it, nor do they ask to be shown. And as I said earlier, most of the fundamental teachings in Christianity do not generally include such (and in fact consider it blasphemous to even think it). So therefore unless we are what I would term a true seeker, it is unlikely that we will stray far from the teachings of the church. I have discovered however, that when you do seek you will find, when you knock it shall be opened, and when you ask you shall indeed receive. And it is the Father’s good pleasure to assist us.

I have since had these experiences many more times, with each taking me deeper, and I know that anyone can experience it as I have. In fact, it is God’s will that it be so. In the third experience I had (which I call Spiritual Awakenings, or Openings into Oneness), God’s Voice came to me for the second time and said “It is My Will than you know who and what you are”. I realized afterward that God was saying to me that it is Divine Will that we ALL experience our own divinity directly.

I also realize if you even post this that it may be very controversial and draw negative feedback simply because I state that God spoke to me, and/or for saying that I have experienced the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. I say this because I have had the experience of being severely judged for saying these things before, but only from Christians ironically. All of what I have written did actually happen to me however.. and I know of other people who have had similar or very nearly identical experiences as well.

In closing, I also know in my heart of hearts that God wants us to stop living in fear, and to stop fighting and warring with one another, even as was done on this website.. and I believe the only way that will happen is if we all experience the Truth from within. We are all part of what I know to be, and was told is “The Body Of God In Creation”. We are all brothers and sisters on this planet. We all come from the same God, and we all live in God’s creation, and we all return to the same God in spirit when we die.

Having said that however, we can only really know it by direct experience. We only know for certain what we directly experience.. everything else is just belief.
Blessings to all,
Rev. Dr. John Michael Christian

]]> By: Robert http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-847 Robert Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:21:52 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-847 Dear Pungki, Thanks so much for your comments. You've had quite a journey! Well stated! Beautiful! Blessings, Robert Dear Pungki,

Thanks so much for your comments. You’ve had quite a journey!

Well stated! Beautiful!

Blessings,

Robert

]]> By: Pungki http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-846 Pungki Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:35:16 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-846 Hi Robert, Allow me to join in a bit in the Lola discussion, please. Since childhood I wanted to be a Christian. I just wanted to. I live in Indonesia, my parents are very tolerant moslems (bordering on non-religious) and all I got was moral guidance. With no religiuous guidance, I grew up becoming a non-religious person. But the longing for the Truth is always there, hidden deep in my heart! After reaching 53 (that was in 2003) I finally managed to embrace the Catholic religion. But something was amiss. Searching for the Truth, I soon joined the Catholic Charismatic movement. I found more Truth there, but I felt something is still missing. So I joined a truly Charismatic Church for 3 years. Again I found more Truth there, but I also came in touch with the theology of prosperity. Something in my heart tells me that that is not the whole Truth at all! And at about the same time I was lead to discover several websites (including www.bestillknowgod.com, which is the easiest to follow) talking about the need to have direct communication with God in order to really understand Him and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to the whole Truth! And before long, a friend took me to a seminar by a non-denominational Christian Revival Group about just that topic! Now I'm a member of that group for the last 1 year, still studying and happily returning to the Catholic Church with a new understanding that no church is perfect, and it's of no use comparing non-perfect doctrines against each other! What matters is God's Word communicated directly and confirmed in the Scriptures -- the Truth goes beyond the printed words! It's so beautiful and it is our duty to convey it to our brothers and sisters in our respective churches. No grudges, no judgments, no envy, no regrets for the past, no fear for the future, ... old teachings about backbones and pride and self-esteem are no match compared to the all-embracing Power of God's Love! They just fade away! Collosians 1:13 - "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" There really is heaven on earth! We can live in divine bliss -- now -- on earth! I ran out of expressions! And then comes Lola, explaining such grand things with such ease! Not so long ago, I was lead to understand about the Genesis Gap, which closes the gap between God's Word and man's science. And now, after reading her book/books, I believe I will have a glimpse or two of what Our Heavenly Father has in store for us AFTER the Millenium Kingdom! God Bless You Robert and God Bless You Lola! Hi Robert,
Allow me to join in a bit in the Lola discussion, please.
Since childhood I wanted to be a Christian. I just wanted to. I live in Indonesia, my parents are very tolerant moslems (bordering on non-religious) and all I got was moral guidance. With no religiuous guidance, I grew up becoming a non-religious person. But the longing for the Truth is always there, hidden deep in my heart!
After reaching 53 (that was in 2003) I finally managed to embrace the Catholic religion. But something was amiss. Searching for the Truth, I soon joined the Catholic Charismatic movement. I found more Truth there, but I felt something is still missing. So I joined a truly Charismatic Church for 3 years. Again I found more Truth there, but I also came in touch with the theology of prosperity. Something in my heart tells me that that is not the whole Truth at all!
And at about the same time I was lead to discover several websites (including http://www.bestillknowgod.com, which is the easiest to follow) talking about the need to have direct communication with God in order to really understand Him and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to the whole Truth!
And before long, a friend took me to a seminar by a non-denominational Christian Revival Group about just that topic! Now I’m a member of that group for the last 1 year, still studying and happily returning to the Catholic Church with a new understanding that no church is perfect, and it’s of no use comparing non-perfect doctrines against each other! What matters is God’s Word communicated directly and confirmed in the Scriptures — the Truth goes beyond the printed words! It’s so beautiful and it is our duty to convey it to our brothers and sisters in our respective churches.
No grudges, no judgments, no envy, no regrets for the past, no fear for the future, … old teachings about backbones and pride and self-esteem are no match compared to the all-embracing Power of God’s Love! They just fade away! Collosians 1:13 – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” There really is heaven on earth!
We can live in divine bliss — now — on earth!
I ran out of expressions! And then comes Lola, explaining such grand things with such ease!
Not so long ago, I was lead to understand about the Genesis Gap, which closes the gap between God’s Word and man’s science.
And now, after reading her book/books, I believe I will have a glimpse or two of what Our Heavenly Father has in store for us AFTER the Millenium Kingdom!

God Bless You Robert and God Bless You Lola!

]]> By: Robert http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-809 Robert Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:49:44 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-809 Gene, Thanks my friend for the encouragement. This is good for all of us if it prompts us to look within - because that's where it all comes from... Robert Gene,

Thanks my friend for the encouragement.

This is good for all of us if it prompts us to look within – because that’s where it all comes from…

Robert

]]> By: gene http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-808 gene Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:00:23 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-808 Robert, The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be the truth. ''Albert einstein'' Amen!!!!!!! Gene Robert,
The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be the truth. ”Albert einstein”

Amen!!!!!!! Gene

]]> By: gene http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-807 gene Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:50:16 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-807 Robert, Here is a example ( Bill ) of a persons old traditional belief pattern I call it to follow and not look around and pay attention to how people are evolving and in search of a spiritual manner that applies to ones self. I'm not casting judgement on Bills religion viewpoints for that works for him and to stay in that comfort zone. I believe it takes more trust and faith in God to step out the box. Somebody like Bill I would not even respond back, because he will only feed off your response and push his agenda more to get a self form of satisfying ego for his existences, but I know Robert you have to respond for it's you web site. I've been reading all the blogs on this topic, interesting to me how all the responses where either from the left or the right. Now this is growth, look at all the seeds that have been planted for some if not all. This might come in to play for some of us in years to come through trying times, because in trying times our ego is beat up and thats when we are more receptive to learn and understand the big question WHY. Robert please don't get discouraged for you have a true gift to share the message, even if it takes some righteous love, for I am a big fan of yours keep it going Gene Robert,
Here is a example ( Bill ) of a persons old traditional belief pattern I call it to follow and not look around and pay attention to how people are evolving and in search of a spiritual manner that applies to ones self. I’m not casting judgement on Bills religion viewpoints for that works for him and to stay in that comfort zone. I believe it takes more trust and faith in God to step out the box. Somebody like Bill I would not even respond back, because he will only feed off your response and push his agenda more to get a self form of satisfying ego for his existences, but I know Robert you have to respond for it’s you web site. I’ve been reading all the blogs on this topic, interesting to me how all the responses where either from the left or the right. Now this is growth, look at all the seeds that have been planted for some if not all. This might come in to play for some of us in years to come through trying times, because in trying times our ego is beat up and thats when we are more receptive to learn and understand the big question WHY. Robert please don’t get discouraged for you have a true gift to share the message, even if it takes some righteous love, for I am a big fan of yours

keep it going Gene

]]> By: Robert http://www.bestillknowgod.com/spiritual-growth/lola-jones-and-divine-openings/comment-page-1/#comment-800 Robert Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:09:22 +0000 http://www.bestillknowgod.com/?p=1078#comment-800 Bill, I didn't post your last comment. I just didn't think it added anything to the discussion. I'll include this one. Even though I'm selective about what I allow to be posted I do approve almost all comments. I'm sure there were others upset with my recommendation of Lola. I'd encourage each of you to sit with your anger and discover it's source for yourself. I find myself having to practice this when I'm frustrated with some of the personal emails I receive as well as the occasional blog comment. Just being honest here. I don't really want to see anyone unsubscribe - but if you feel you must then so be it. Blessings, Robert Bill,

I didn’t post your last comment. I just didn’t think it added anything to the discussion.

I’ll include this one. Even though I’m selective about what I allow to be posted I do approve almost all comments.

I’m sure there were others upset with my recommendation of Lola. I’d encourage each of you to sit with your anger and discover it’s source for yourself. I find myself having to practice this when I’m frustrated with some of the personal emails I receive as well as the occasional blog comment. Just being honest here.

I don’t really want to see anyone unsubscribe – but if you feel you must then so be it.

Blessings,

Robert

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