Dec. 5, 2001
Overcoming adversity is a
common theme for all of us. As we all know, 2001 brought America many new trials, allowing
we Christians many opportunities to present our faith and point people to Christ. Let me
share with you some personal victories and challenges from our household.
First, it has been a whirlwind year for me traveling across the nation nearly non-stop.
God has blessed the ministry continually and we've seen many commit their lives to Christ
at our Take A Stand! seminars this year.
My book, Entertaining Spirits Unaware: The End-Time Occult
Invasion has been very well received and my two newest videos ("Harry Potter, Pokémon and Hollywood: The NEW Occult Invasion" and "The Rise, Fall and Redemption of America" have
been seen by thousands. We are continuing to get so much encouraging and gratifying mail
concerning these ministry tools.
Melanie and I are enjoying being grandparents beyond any description. Kaylee just
turned six and Casie was five in October. What a joy and privilege to be a part of the
training and growth of these two young ladies who will serve the Lord!
However, 2001 brought us not only an awareness of our national vulnerability to
terrorism but some real personal and family trials too.
My father-in-law Dale developed cancer and has undergone two operations, the second to
remove his bladder. Though he had life-threatening complications, he is now recovering
nicely in Seattle.
I lost my beloved Grandmother in October. She was nearly 104 and though we had been
prepared for her passing for some time, it is always hard to lose the woman who raised
you. I miss her but I know there is a reunion ahead for she and I, as we'll some day walk
the streets of gold together in God's Heaven!
Another tragedy struck close to us this year too. Just 3 weeks ago my friend Pastor Jay
Hawes (Elyria, Ohio Community Church of the Nazarene) was taken suddenly in a car crash.
Please remember Jay's wife, Judy and their three children in your prayers. I will miss Jay
dearly and had just spent three days together with him in August.
OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF 2001
Perhaps the biggest challenge Melanie and I face now concerns our daughter, Kellie.
Many of you remember that two years ago Kellie experienced a "mystery"
infection, which resulted in extreme and debilitating chronic fatigue. During that time it
came to light that she has what is commonly referred to as a "hole" in her
heart. She has been tested extensively several times since the hole was discovered which
concluded that she must have open-heart surgery to fix the breech before it is beyond
repair. The hole is now about the size of a quarter. The operation is scheduled for early
January.
Having spent a month in Seattle in October and November caring for her Dad, what is
ahead will be nothing new for Melanie. Kellie is going to require 8-10 weeks of constant
care so Melanie and I will be taking up the slack as Kellie's husband will probably be
leaving school (micro-processor training) and taking a second job to make ends meet since
Kellie will lose her income when she is operated on.
We currently live too far from Kellie, Chris and the two girls to commute 2-3 times
daily. So we believe the only feasible thing to do is for our two families to acquire a
house together during this traumatic period. At very least Melanie and I will have to
break our current lease and relocate closer to Kellie. The catch is this: For our
ministry, December is historically our lowest month for income each year.
Just making it through the slow holiday season is always a task for us as I rarely
present seminars during this time of the year. If it weren't for the gifts of folks
through this newsletter each year I do not know what we would have done. But this year the
need could be as high as $2000 extra. This does not include any funding for the
much-needed laptop computer that the ministry simply must acquire immediately.
Attempting to move right now seems overwhelming but I believe that not only is God
going to provide the funds needed to move, He is going to provide for every need the
ministry and our family has.
Perhaps just one person reading this has the capability to write a single year-end gift
check to meet ALL the needs. I don't know for certain, but I am sure of the biblical truth
that if everyone just does as the Lord impresses them to do the need will be met and the
givers will be blessed. It is evident that we wouldn't have been here ministering the Word
of God and challenging the Devil at every turn if God hadn't touched His saints to pray
for and support our ministry all of these years.
Thank you for helping bear this burden with your December and January giving. There
is no way to correctly express how grateful Melanie and I are that you are standing with
us and that we are able to come before you - our friends - and transparently lay out our
needs.
We praise the Lord for your partnership with us as we watch for Him in these end-days!
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LETTERS (more HARRY
POTTER)
- GOOD, BAD AND UGLY!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
I just ordered your book, "Entertaining Spirits Unaware."
Thank you so much for all that important information to protect ourselves and our children
and grandchildren. Praise God for both you and your co-author and for using you to keep us
informed of all the occult invasion of the enemy.
- Erma, Arizona
E.B.'s
H.P. MOVIE REVIEW
Hello Eric!
I am so glad you had the guts to write about the Harry Potter movie at epinions.com! My
God daughters were reading these books, and I finally convinced their mom to throw them
out! I'm sorry about the negative feedback from your review, mine was the only positive
one. This shows how truly ignorant people are on this subject, and what a good job Satan
has done in camouflaging this subject! Write on! By the way, your one article earned a
place on my web of trust!
- Sue (from the Internet)
Dear Eric,
I wanted to touch base with you once again now that Harry Potter and the
Sorcerers Stone has made its theatrical debut and appears destined to set box office
records. I read your wayward review of the HP film/phenomenon and just couldnt let
your misrepresentation of this fine literary series go unchallenged. Rowling is an
immensely talented writer who wont be detracted by the onslaught of Bible-beating
little fungus warts accusing her of preaching the Dark Arts. Get a clue. And stop being
threatened by illusion and fantasy. Its only a threat to the paranoid, simple-minded
and idle-handed.
- Larry (from the Internet)
"Thanks Eric
"
...for standing up to compromise in a winsome and unique way. I don't sense judgement in
your call to stand against Harry Potter but, rather, a true concern for the Lord Jesus
Christ - a love for Him...May God give you grace for what you have endured (in your past)
and what you will surely endure from a shallow Church that needs to be called back to her
Master! Please know that (1) you are not alone. (2) many others are concerned with
compromise, as you've also stated (3) thousands upon thousands upon millions need the
clear concise argumentation that your articles seem to offer about this kind of topic.
It's so easy for people to be swept into innocent sounding arguments that lead directly to
compromise because they don't want
to take the time to think and to reason and to see what the Scripture says and what the
real issues are.
I love what you said about "Potter enabler" because that leads directly to a
discussion about "what does it look like to compromise." It is true that we
believers, MYSELF INCLUDED, to be sure "enable" much sin, in our own lives, in
the lives of our children and families, in our friends lives and, as a result in the life
of our communities and nation and world. As Lord Byron (I think this is the source) said,
"Nothing promotes evil more than when
good men (people) do nothing." How true and your article directly addresses this
important principle. So, once again, thank you!
Your brother in Christ in relatively unchurched Seattle - praying for true revival in my
heart and in the hearts of God's people that we may see many come to Jesus for His honor
and glory,
- Bruce (from the Internet)
(You can read Eric's review of the movie Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone online)
SHAME
ON YOU!
You must be kidding, right? Harry Potter? He's not a wiccan, pagan, or any other modern
day equivalent. There is nothing in any of the books or the movie that suggests a belief
or practice that is actually involved in modern day witch craft. I have been a serious
student of all religions, finally settling on the one true faith, Christianity. I do not
believe in observing Halloween, Christmas, or any other pagan-related Holiday. I know what
paganism and witchcraft entail, and Harry Potter isn't it. The only thing I can see that
the author, J.K. Rowling is guilty of is imagination. The things that go on in the books
and the movie are pure fantasy. Any serious student of christianity knows that none of
those things are possible without the help of G*D. Paganism and Wicca are empty religions
that don't get results. That is why so many Pagans and Wiccans turn from the
"craft" and become born again Christians. If you are a genuine seeker of Truth,
you will only realize that there is one true path, and it is holding the hand of G*D.
There is nothing to fear from the likes of Harry Potter; Allowing your fear that something
"might" happen is blinding you to the good qualities in the movies and books:
parents are spending time with their children, children are learning about bravery and
friendship (I'm certain these qualities were very important to Jesus Christ), and people
are finding a commonality that allows them to love themselves and each other. These are
all very special and important for people who are learning how to be good Christians. It
is unfortunate that modern "witches" are rallying behind Harry Potter, but that
does not mean that the movie should be rejected by devout Christians. I respect your
"take a stand" dogma, but I don't respect your attacks on a movie that brings
families closer together. You are wrong and arrogant, and while being wrong isn't a crime
against G*D, being arrogant is (shame on you).
with due Concern,
- Helene (Oklahoma)
ERIC WRITES BACK
Helene,
After 18 years of researching, writing and speaking on this issue from a biblical
viewpoint it never fails to baffle me how people can defend BLATANT occultism, while
claiming to be "Christians."
You obviously have no understanding of Scripture on this issue. And, though claiming to be
a student of it, it would also appear that you are ignorant of historic occultism as well.
Harry Potter and the crew engages in nearly every occult practice from
history...levitation, spells, incantations, lycanthropy (shape-shifting) to name a few. I
saw the movie last night and after researching the books for the past few years, I have
little to add. It was EXACTLY as I thought it would be.
Biblically, there is NO SUCH THING as "white magic." It is ALL coming from the
powers of darkness to deceive and trap those willing to dabble around the edges long
enough before they are lured into it.
In defending the movie, Warner Brothers said it was "an accurate portrayal of things
that happen in witchcraft." They are right on that one. What a great introduction
into witchcraft for kids. At very least it paints witchcraft as noble, while we Christian
"muggles" are backward and nerd-like.
I won't even begin to go into all of the factual details for you in this email as I have
listed so much on my web site (See "The Information Center" at
www.ericbarger.com) and in my current book ("Entertaining Spirits
Unaware") but if I were you I would go and read the strongest condemnation found
in the Old Testament for ANYTHING. It is in Duet. 18: 9-12 in which God lists the Nine
Forbidden Practices of the Occult as abominations. Revelation 21 tells us that wizards and
witches end up in the LAKE OF FIRE! Is that clear enough?
How tragic that any "Christian" family must resort to using a book series
replete in cursing, relativism and overt occultism to rally around. You say I am arrogant.
Why don't Christians try reading the Bible instead of Harry Potter? Is holiness and
respect for God's Word arrogant?
How sad that so many know all about Harry and absolutely nothing about Scripture. God
calls for his church to be separate from the works of darkness and to expose them (II Cor.
6: 14-18, Eph. 5: 10-11).
If you want your home blessed, prayers answered and in the end your soul saved, stand with
God instead of defending stuff like Harry Potter. Fantasy it is - with a heavy dose of
real life witchcraft inviting this generation to accept it and not Jesus.
No, Helene, on the contrary, shame on YOU.
THIS IS
BIG!
Eric,
I think you have a wonderful ministry!! May God bless you with abundant finances and
favor to get the word out to the children and parents in our nation. This is big! May He
give me abundant finances to buy all your stuff and pass it around!
- Shellie (from the Internet)
WHAT
THE KIDS NEED
I got your book "Entertaining Spirits Unaware" and I'm
already half way through it. It's really good. I also appreciate the autographed copy and
the bible verse. I am youth leader and the material in your book is what the kids need to
hear. I book marked your web site and enjoy reading your stuff. I enjoy the truths you
speak and impressed how the Holy Spirit is using you. God bless and thanks again. Your
Brother in Christ,
- Troy (from the Internet)
HEARD ERIC ON THE RADIO
I heard an interview with Eric and Noah Hutchings on the radio and found the web site
when looking for the book "Entertaining Spirits Unaware."
I read some things about Harry Potter as we have a lot of people in our church and my
daughter who has read them. I sent one of the articles (from your web site) to our people
and got back one answer from a young woman who has read all the books to all her children.
Her youngest is about 4-5 yrs of age. She was highly offended that I would suggest it was
not Christian. I only asked her to read the article. I wrote back to her but she has not
responded. She is very worldly and I believe there are real strongholds in our church
which have been keeping it from being what God wants. Thank you for listening.
- Pat (Pastor's wife, in New Jersey)
VIDEO
HELPED!
I was able to watch your "Occult Invasion"
video while I was in Oklahoma. I had heard about "Pokemon" and its meaning.
Being a Christian, I was pushed away from Harry Potter by just the book's cover. Your
video was very enlightening!! I have two children and praise God they are both saved, but
your video has shown me how Satan has numbed me to areas in my life I wasn't even aware
of. My spiritual eyes are more than ever sensitive to the ways evil is in our society,
attacking our children and their generation. We moved to NH last December. I can not
believe how these people think in the Northeast. Wicca is so popular here and the sense of
the Holy Spirit needs to pour out and open these lost people's eyes, heart, and mind to
the Lord Jesus Christ. I would love for your ministry to visit this area and please pray
for these lost people. They are missing the joy of the Lord, which changes everything and
everybody!!! Keep up the great work and continue to fight right where you are, the gates
of hell!!!
- Maria (New Hampshire) |
CONTRIBUTIONS
Thanks for your continued prayer and support for our ministry! As
Melanie and I travel and minister we are encouraged to know you
are standing with us.
To contribute to this ministry "for such a time as this" please Click Here!
Thanks very much!
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SEMINARS
To learn more about our seminar ministry and how YOU could arrange
a seminar series for your Church or Community please Click Here!
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E-MAILS
Please Note: If you want to write Eric please do so at:
eric@ericbarger.com
(The Yahoo address used to send our email newsletter is
used ONLY to
send mail to our subscriber list. Therefore, mail sent to this address is
not read or responded to. Thanks for making our job easier and more
efficient!)
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