[CelticJourney]

I couldn't get this one off my mind and had some other thoughts:

For me, there is a big difference between 'reading' or 'knowing' what a teacher says and 'listening' to them. For example, I 'know' a lot of what Ezzo says, many times I have found that I 'know' more about what he teaches that those who claim to follow or endorse him. But, I don't listen to him at all. Someone very wise once said 'what is good about Ezzo is not unique, what is unque about Ezzo is not good'. Whatever is good about the teaching of Ezzo, Pearl or ... Islam or Wicca ... any truth they have to share is not unique. I will find that same truth in the scriptures or in sound Gospel based teachings, where I can truely listen without fear.

And there is a flip side. We often will caution mothers who have had a brush with Ezzo or Pearl to be sure they are callled to 'join the fight' because those of us who have 'seen battle' in this particular area of spiritual warefare know that there is a price to pay. My 'knowledge' of Ezzo and Pearl has come with a price, even if I do not 'listen' to them. I pay the price of a loss of a form of innocence. I now 'know' without a doubt the dark side of institutional religion - the power grabs, the us-against-them, the robbing Christ's followers of their blessings by twisting the scripture. I know that there is a battle ongoing for the very heart of God's family and that is a heavy burden at times.

So taking this back to Above Rubies. Is there truth there? I am sure there is something positive to be taken from their materials if you work at it, but probably also available in safer forms. Could I visit their site and read their materials? Sure, but not lightly and not without my 'heavy battle gear of discernment' on. Is it worth the time and spiritual energy to walk that path? For me, absolutely not.