Aslan's Place

Escaping the Matrix

“I really believe the Lord has given to Gregory Boyd and Al Larson, the “new” move in inner healing. This book is a must for those seeking to help heal those of the hurts of the past.” ''Paul L. Cox'' Like the characters in The Matrix movie trilogy, our minds can get hardwired to distortions that lie so deep within us that we aren’t even aware of them. Whether it’s habitual sin, thought patterns, damaged emotions, or even phobias, we all know of something that is holding us back. <br> <br> In Escaping the Matrix pastor Gregory Boyd and clinical psychologist Al Larson bring together the biblical and neurological truths behind such struggles. Their practical examples and exercises will help you transform your thought processes to experience a deeper life in Christ. Are you prepared to escape the world’s Matrix that controls you? Get ready to free your mind. "Boyd and Larson brilliantly utilize the metaphors from the recent movie series //The Matrix// as a framework for the book. This is a most enjoyable read." ''Bobby G. Bodenhamer, D.Min.;pastor;author;mofounder, Institute of Neuro-Symantics'' "This is a must read for Christians desiring to grow in their relationship with Christ and desiring to assist others in finding real life in Christ." ''Stanley H. McCreary,PH.D.,professor of Christian counseling, Central Christian College of the Bible'' "This work is well grounded in Scripture, current in the neuro-sciences, and practical for everyday living. It is a must read for every pastor, counselor, coach, teacher, and parent." ''L. Michael Hall, PH.D.,author, //The Matrix Model//'' "If the desire of your heart is to be all tha tGod has created you to be, and to serve Him with joy and gladness, then //Escaping the Matrix// is the book for you! Read it, apply it, and you will be free!" ''Mike Davis, assitant pastor, By His Spirit Fellowship, Chino, California'' ''About the Authors'' ''Gregory A. Boyd'' is the founder and senior pasator of Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, and founder and president of Christus Victor Ministries. He was professor of theology from 1986 to 2002 at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul. Boyd is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary (Ph.D.), Yale University Divinity School (M.Div.), and the University of Minnesota (BA). He is a national and international conference speaker and has authored thirteen previous books including //Is God To Blame?, Seeing Is Believing, Repenting of Religion,// and the award-winning //Letters from a Skeptic//. He is cofounder of Theosynergistic Neuro-Transformation (TNT). Boyd and his wife, Shelly, live in ST. Paul and have three children. ''Al Larson'' is the president of Dynamics of Growth, Inc., which provides counseling to families and individuals as well as consultation for business professionals. He is the founder and developer of Theosynergistic Neuro-Transformation (TNT) and of a dynamic new concept in Christian counseling called "Cooperating with God for a Change." Larson holds an MA in phychology form Loberty University and a doctorate in clinical pastoral counseling form the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. He is a nationally board certified counselor and is a member of the Nother American Psychologist Association. His is also a supervising therapist with the American Academy of Clinical Family Therapists. Al and his wife, Sue, live in St. Paul; they have two Children and seven grandchildren.

Remedy

On 2007's REMEDY, David Crowder leads his Waco, Texas-based band through an easy-going and engaging set of Christian alternative-rock songs. Although the album is largely an acoustic affair (see the upbeat "Everything Glorious" and the plaintive "Never Let Go"), Crowder and company plug in and cut loose on the vibrant "We Won't Be Quiet," which features guitar work by newly transplanted Texan Ted Nugent. David Crowder Band: David Crowder (acoustic guitar); Mark Waldrop (electric guitar); Mike D. (bass guitar); B-Wack (drums); Hogan (turntables); Jack Parker (background vocals). Additional personnel: Taylor Johnson, Kevin Howren, Ted Nugent (electric guitar). 1. The Glory of It All 2. Can You Feel It? 3. Everything Glorious 4. ...Neverending... 5. Never Let Go 6. O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing 7. Rain Down 8. We Won't Be Quiet 9. Remedy 10.Surely We Can Change ''Artist Overview'' David Crowder is one of the biggest names in Contemporary Christian Music. His band plays a mix of alt-rock and Dave Matthews-style pop marked by the occasional electronica touch. Crowder is a devout Christian and is unapologetic about his intent to proselytize via his band, hoping to convert the uninitiated and strengthen the resolve of the saved. That said, Crowder and his band are talented musicians and smart songwriters, and have garnered several Dove Awards over the course of their quick ascent to stardom. The group's 2007album, REMEDY, features a cameo from one-time madman turned born-again rocker Ted Nugent.

Swatting the Fly of Lust

Ed Silvoso

SWATTING THE FLY
Ed Silvoso, founder of Harvest Evangelism, tells the story of a pastor who was walking along the seashore. As he was trying to enjoy the scenery a swarm of flies began bothering him. "There is a spiritual truth here," the Lord said, "Understand the life cycle of the fly and you will begin to understand how to get rid of the negative spiritual issues in your life."

Upon investigation the pastor found that the life cycle of the adult fly is 21 days in the summer. The larva stage of the fly is a few days and the pupa stage is three to seven days. The truth then became clear. If you can get rid of a fly and its offspring, then the cycle of the fly’s generation is broken and you will be rid of all flies.

The Lord then told him to proclaim truth for forty days. Specifically He told the pastor to take an area of your life in which you want freedom. Find forty key biblical verses in that area and proclaim them as truth for forty days.

Proclaim The Truth For Forty Days

Leviticus 11:44 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

Job 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

Psalm 24:3-4 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

Psalm 51:6-10 Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you

Proverbs 5:20-23 Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

Proverbs 17:24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 22:11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better or you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Mark 7:18-19 "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- meditate on these things.

Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Hebrews 12:10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

James 1:13-16 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, gives birth to death. Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.

1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

I John 2:16-17 For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.