Mind and matter: The freedom to love

Recently, I've been reading with great interest all of the parenting posts online of people making headway with children suffering from very challenging disorders. From adhd to sensory issues and autism, oppositional defiance disorder to hypersensitivity and anxiety disorders... it seems they are everywhere we turn and I often fear in my own household as well.

It is hard to sort out my feelings about how to handle these incredibly difficult experiences. I wholeheartedly believe that professional counseling, diet changes, and close professional monitoring are often necessary. But I also believe in the healing power of Our Lord to help these children -- and their parents-- overcome.

A wise old friend, priest exorcist, and mentor to me who has a higher education in psychology AND  theology once told me something that really hit me.
He said--
"In a sense, psychology is really a necessary bunch of hooey. Necessary, but psychology will never save us. The practice of psychology essentially gives a name to a symptom. It categorizes, it notices, it points out. But the work of healing must be done within, no person receiving psychotherapy is healed by the psychologist, but by God."

I think it is helpful to look at clusters of symptoms, to listen to the experiences of others who seem to experience them, to speak about them regularly with someone, and to examine oneself.

More useful are two things:
(1) Unconditional love and acceptance, respect and human dignity
(2) a good example.

I'm coming to realize that this is the only way to parent, and the only way to evangelize... and the only way to disciple.

I'm also starting to realize just how much craftier Satan is than I had ever, ever thought (and believe me, I've thought and thought because I worked in deliverance ministry for years.)

You see, part of the inheritance we receive from our bloodline includes genetic weaknesses... tendencies. Sometimes they have to do with obvious sins like alcoholism or rebelliousness. Other times with inherited issues surrounding neurotransmitters or organ formation.... but some of these can be spiritual too.

In my first day of psychology, I learned that some of us are "born" with the seed for certain issues, but that no one really understands when / why they get activated and begin to grow. Studies do show that a person with a certain chemical tendency in the brain, given the right environment, may never experience its effects. Studies also show that given the WRONG environment, even a person who suffers from NO SUCH genetic pre-disposition can and WILL develop said issue. It seems to me, then, that the best solution is and always will be to begin with infancy and to watch over our children.

When Charlotte Mason said "education is a discipline, an atmosphere and a life...." she was NOT kidding! We cannot let go for one instant. At the same time, we WILL fail, of course, at providing the perfect atmosphere and discipline. Not only because we will sin ourselves, but because ultimately we cannot control some kinds of input. Our children will see, hear, eat, observe all kinds of things that we would rater they not at some point, and our vigilance can only go so far.

That's where the Will of God comes in-- those difficulties which He in His infinite wisdom allows us to experience despite our best attempts at vigilance. We must accept them as the will of God for our lives and embrace the sanctifying suffering which they cause us.

This is why we confess our own sins, and not the sins of others. This is why when a person wants an exorcism, we begin by reminding them that the best exorcism in the world will fail when you do not have a penitent spirit. This is why, on the other hand, a baby who is baptized (and therefore exorcised, as the rite of baptism contains an exorcism) is instantly healed of original sin, and why food that is blessed becomes blessed.

It is also why a psychologist in a therapeutic setting will lead a person through painful/traumatic experiences and ask him to examine them in light of truth. Naturally, for us, truth is not objective! We have a rock on which to stand.

When we look at ways we have been wounded and accept that these experiences were wounding, but that Jesus heals us and that we are called to forgive and to fight with all our might against our OWN sins, we may not need any further assistance.

But when our hearts become closed to this idea... when we begin to feel justified in our violence and unforgiveness and wrong reactions and in our anger and bitterness and hurt.... THAT is when a mental imbalance begins to develop and strengthen. It is also when a physical imbalance can be begin to develop and strengthen--- and even a spiritual imbalance.

Were we justified to experience anger and resentment and paralyzing fear when we were abused as a child? These are natural responses to such a horrific act, and no one in their right mind would blame us for having them. But is there a better way? Is there a path of peace, and if so, how can we find our footing along it? Psychology offers us some insight, but only theology offers us the answers. Those who appear healed without God will find that they may have been "saved" from a suffering which was intended to give them a real, and deeper salvation.

Sin is messy and ugly, and the working out of our own salvation (Phil 2:12) is rough, difficult work.
Like childbirth, it involves pain so bad we don't think we will live through it, and an inner strengthening which can come only from above.

So psychology is extremely helpful, but it does not always provide the focus we might need.
Before I studied psychology or returned to the Church, I was surrounded by people who were FORMER psychiatrists and psychologists-- people who had ceased to practice because of their Christian faith. They felt like frauds, essentially, keeping people from the Gospel, and were adamant about the work of healing belonging to the Holy Spirit. I learned very much from these people and I still hold them in very high esteem. I watched some of the most challenging cases find healing and peace through their interactions, and I cannot deny that what they said would happen... did. And that people were better off and at peace.

When I returned to the Church, it was a confusing time for me. No longer sure of the path God had put me on, I realized quickly that there was no room for me in the ministry of exorcism of the Church in a professional kind of way. In the Catholic Church, the only exorcists are Catholic priests. At the same time, I KNEW that I had prayed with people and that the demonic torments they were experiencing had left them. So I couldn't deny that. It was one of the hinge-issues that kept me from embracing a full return immediately. Fortunately, a wise priest once explained to me: "just because you CAN, doesn't always mean you SHOULD." Ahhhh.

I began to see that I had been very foolish as a protestant in deliverance ministry, and had only been protected from evil by God's ocean of mercy. I never really experienced the kind of mind boggling, bone-chilling (I SO know the root of that expression now!), horrifying and subtle evil-with-a-capital-E until I returned to the Church. That's when, it seemed, my pride was exposed for what it really was to me.... because whereas before I had been sure of myself and sure of God's ability to deliver, I had also been both telling God what to do and telling the person how they should respond. I had been completely unaware of these things as I did them-- I really thought I was doing what was best. But it was revealed to me very quickly that my former actions had been prideful, self-centered in many ways, and also narrow-minded. God's plan includes a far greater purpose than just "feeling good." It involves holiness, and sanctification. Nothing less than our pruning and perfecting.

I met people who were "doing all the right things" by Christian standards, and yet who simply could not "achieve" deliverance. At first I thought that these must be signs of the profound evil-ness of Catholicity, and I wondered if I had been deceived into returning. But then I began to notice that these suffering people were experiencing something I had never really seen from the scores of people who were delivered in the settings I was used to before and freed to walk away. These suffering people were holy. And holiness was something oft talked about in my circles before, but not often seen.

Within the Church, I was at first so amazed and frustrated to find that we always had to consult psychologists first to help people. It seemed so secular and unspiritual. I felt psychologists couldn't possibly help anyone in a really LASTING kind of way. And because of that, I felt that any child suffering from any type of disorder was really in need of nothing but a prayer and a good talking to.

But over time, although I vehemently disagree with many Bishops, including my own, in their stance on the ministry of exorcism (For you shocked Catholics--- I'm looking to Peter, always my eyes on Peter, and he has never let me down. ;) ) I have found that psychology is a useful tool to help pinpoint certain characteristics and concepts that lead us to root causes. In modern usage, a Bishop requests that a complete psychiatric evaluation be undertaken before the rite of exorcism is approved. Further, the Rite of Exorcism is ONLY approved if one of six super-natural signs (things like levitating or knowledge of something the person cannot have knowledge of) are present. This is "prudence." Now, most exorcists I have met live extremely lonely lives. They walk between two worlds, and no one wants what they have-- not even themselves.
They are also some of the holiest and most prayerful people I know. AND the most mentally taxed. I pray for them daily, and you should too.
I don't know a single exorcist who thinks that any harm would come to a person who WASN'T suffering from possession having been exorcised. The general consensus among them is that evil is present in the world and we must root it out and combat it, particularly when it hides. This whole cautionary craziness is all about fear... mostly fear of scandal, they assert.
At the same time, there is wisdom in the precautionary attitude.
While the Rite of Exorcism serves to literally command a demon to go from hidden to visible so that it can be dealt with accordingly, psychology serves to root out a sin so that it can be faced, or to root out a biological tendency that needs addressing which may be the result of evolutionary conditioning (years upon years of sinful behaviors that produce long term results).

And  this gift is oft neglected, although I know that as a protestant I was SURE that I was incorporating it into my ministry.

As a totally random example-- there is now a disorder called exploding head syndrome. Scientists noticed that many people reported waking up suddenly with extremely heightened physiological awareness that they were in danger, having heard a door slam, for example, that they realized had never slammed when they woke up. They behave physically as if they are in life-threatening danger (heavy breathing, heart pounding, adrenaline pumping), but everything is calm and peaceful when they awake. Some people experience it once a lifetime. Others several times a night.

Scientists can now pinpoint the exact part of the brain that is activated when Exploding Head Syndrome occurs. They have named it, named the disorder, and done studies to correlate lifestyle choices and genetic situations which make it more common than for others. They have done studies and found medications which can limit the number of experiences or at least slow down the active parts of the brain that cause it.

But science STOPS there. It cannot tell you WHY a person experiences exploding head syndrome and it cannot tell you WHAT activated this pinpoint in the brain. It cannot explain the activity in the physical brain matter at the time, only say that it. is. there.

Now, in my personal life, I have met many people who complained of Exploding Head Syndrome and many other strange disorders besides. And though I am not a psychologist, with the help of my own mentors and teachers and by the grace of God I have been able to help them. And how? By doing the above:

(1) Unconditional love and acceptance, respect and human dignity (2) a good example.

Obviously, the only key that truly unlocked what they needed was prayer. Obviously it was through prayer that God moved and that they agreed to accept Him and that they were healed. But the real deliverance happens when a person accepts that there is a better way than sin!

At the same time, I'll tell you a secret--- in all those years in deliverance ministry and then in the Catholic Church helping people who were in need of exorcisms and priest exorcists and Bishops communicate, I have found that some people appear to be simply beyond deliverance. Neither doctors nor medicine, nor priests nor prayer, have been able to help them. For some people, the Exploding Head Syndrome doesn't stop. The nervous tics, the uncontrollable impulses, the compulsive behaviors, the voices.... they won't let up. In those people, some medicated, some not, I have found two reactions: either peace, or panic.

I know countless people who have been failed by both psychology and the Church. They lie, rotting in hospitals without help, and their screams are ignored. They are kept sedated and quieted by force. My heart aches for them, and I pray for them daily.

There are others, though, who have shown a different way is possible.

I know a woman who suffers tremendously from schizophrenia. Medicated or not, she cannot find quiet from the voices in her head. She has had exorcisms to no avail, she has had psychotherapy and even hospitalization. Nothing. When I met her, she was terrifying to me. Today, she still hears the voices and still suffers from schizophrenia.
She is also the proud, happy mother of three beautiful and well-adjusted children, wife to a kind and wonderful man, and generally a very happy and well-faring person. How? Because she knows JESUS.

She knows the power of God over her visions and voices and evil thoughts.. She has experienced his deliverance over the issues of her body and soul. At the same time, she accepts her cross--- His will for her life--- and she has spoken to Him about it extensively. Daily she gets up and receives strength and light to face her unusual journey. And daily He delivers, although she is not like you and me. Her insight and wisdom are attractive to all who meet her. And her peace is profound.

This is how I always want to look at disorder and mental illness. I want to remember that there are two choices for each of us: peace, or panic. And to walk the way of Peace, with the Prince of Peace.
And I want to remember that in my interactions with others, whether they be my own children or the children of others exhibiting strange and difficult disorders of the mind and body..... there are really only two things I can do besides pray:

I can love without limits.
I can lead to my Lord.
Amen.

Distinguishing suffering from a curse

I’ve been stuck with this feeling that I haven’t been able to get rid of. It overwhelms me and frustrates me. The frustration comes from not knowing what it is, and not knowing what the cause of it is. I have to constantly fight it and snap myself out of it. Sometimes, I just let it win because I’m tired. I should know better then to do that because it doesn’t just affect me, but also my family. Guilt follows for allowing it to get to me. I think about my life and ponder over what it could be. Am I upset? Am I sad? Am I missing something? Am I unhappy with my life?.........I give a sincere “no” to all the questions. What in the world is it? Maybe I’m just depressed?.........I had a bout of depression before and it’s definitely not that (that feeling was horrible and I’ll never underestimate it again. It’s a feeling of complete and utter hopelessness.). This feeling is more of an empty and fear type of feeling. But it makes absolutely no sense! I love my wife, I love my kids, I laugh and smile, I am loved, etc. etc……….how is that empty? That sounds like a rich man to me!  So I increased my dose of prayer. I have to be doing something wrong? ......Of this, I’m sure of (I shall not cast a stone, for I am a sinner). But I was looking specifically for something that I might be doing that I’m not aware of or that I’m missing. It keeps escaping me and it’s only bouts of amnesia or moments with my family that help me forget it. The “not knowing” really stinks. 
I’ve even gotten to a point where I’ve entertained the idea that me seeing the number 911 endlessly is supposed to mean something. Every time I see it, it’s without my consent or will; it’s just there (time, freeway, license plates, signs, etc.). And when I do, I excuse it as coincidence (even though I see this number several times a day). The only time it went away is when I started to pray more. But it got replaced by 910 (weirdness!). I literally jumped in glee when I first saw it; and the same pattern for this number followed suit.  Silly isn’t it? Well, the silliness isn’t over yet… I started to think that I’m cursed! Not Harry Potter cursed but something far more real and sinister. I started to back track on my mom’s stories of seeing witches in Mexico and her confrontations with them. Not just her, but my entire family has a litany of stories like this. I haven’t the foggiest idea how true most of it is, but I know it’s real and I know it’s possible. I’m not alone here either, stories like these are a dime a dozen for most Mexican families and that’s probably why they are mostly ignored.  However, my mom allowed a man into our home when I was in high school and he was a peculiar man. Within time we found he was practicing the dark arts of sorts (whatever that means) and particularly called upon some being to assist him (he told me but I can’t remember). My mom eventually gave him the boot and I was aware he had casted curses on people before as he wasn’t shy about sharing what he had done to people he disliked (cursing them). At any rate, life went on and I never made much of it until now.  My mother in law also tells us of a women who put a curse on her first baby before she was born (E). Saying she would be born sick and with defects. Why? She has no idea. E has been perfectly healthy in every way (besides her being sleep deprived). But she swears by it and I have no reason to believe otherwise. As bizarre as all this sounds, I’m basing this entirely on a feeling (as previously noted) I’ve had for some time. I’m purposefully leaving out the hundreds (no exaggeration) of things that have happen to us (bankruptcy, car accidents, foreclosure, deaths, etc.) since we got married because my mind will go bonkers thinking about it all. That can be attributed to bad decisions (although I contend much of it is simply bum luck if you will because we had no control over it).  It didn’t help that I battled my feelings of resentment because everybody around us seemed to be moving forward and they [and we sometimes question ourselves as well] couldn’t understand why we couldn’t. They simply didn’t know what we’ve been through and I didn’t want them to feel sorry for us (wretched pride).  What can you tell us about curses? How do they work? Can you share what one can do to get rid of it? Please pray for our family.--Anonymous

My heart goes out to this family for so many reasons... living like this is something I'm very familiar with and these are questions I have asked myself over and over.
For the sake of brevity and clarity, I will try to break down the answer into two simple categories, one of them being the strength of our Catholic faith and the other being the heart of the many protestants who, by virtue of their strong relationship with Our Lord, have a place in the ranks of the Church militant.

SUFFERING: THE GLORY OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH.

When I was a protestant, I viewed most suffering as the work of Satan. I knew that God was good-- He was light, and that there was no darkness in Him at all (1 Jn 1:5), and therefore anything "dark" I experienced was allowed by God only in the context of my having allowed it in somehow because of my own sin. This factor REALLY came into play, not only when unpleasant events occurred in my family, but especially when I began to work in deliverance ministry. We had absolute authority over the demon in the name of Jesus. We had warfare business to attend to and that warfare was the stuff of life. Now, the Catholic Catechism affirms this position, but what we also had, which the Catechism poo poos pretty regularly, is PRIDE.`Mega pride---- we practically taunted Satan, and found him around every corner and peeking around every wall. It was almost TOO easy. And it made me uncomfortable, because there were things I had seen/experienced that really weren't explainable and that didn't fit into the nice, catchy schematics smattered with bible quotes we drew on chalkboards in small groups and watched our pastors explain to us on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Things like people who we just couldn't help and houses where none of our hypotheses seemed to fit.

Conversely, there were times where "prophets" and "apostles" did or said things that made my inner spirit-man wince and when what I "heard" about victory didn't always add up. And that's when I wondered... was there something wrong with ME? Now that can be a good thing.... sin is the root of every problem. But the thing is, sometimes God allows suffering that is simply a mystery. And mystery is a word lots of Protestants don't like. I remember well telling Catholics: "You serve a God who is full of mystery, but the Bible says that we can KNOW God." Well, duh. But that's another story.

So when I came into the Church, one of the very first things God taught me-- both in the context of spiritual warfare and in the context of personal relationships and evangelism or ministry--- was HUMILITY. The second thing He taught me was HOW to suffer "well." (I'm a slow learner.)
When in the past I had seen my protestant, God-fearing sisters endure one hardship or another, I'd been moved to tears over their stoicism and perfect trust in God. I still am! Only now I don't envy them that ability, I am saddened at the wasted suffering. The concept of atonement however imperfect, outside of the PERFECT atonement of Christ, and of our union with Him in His suffering, is lost in protestant theology.

God knew I needed to learn it the hard way, so He placed me right in the midst of the group of Catholics who probably suffer the most (if that's possible) as an Order and who not only welcome it but ask for it (crazy.)
Carmelites. I was drawn to Carmelite life initially because I liked to pray and it seemed to me like that's what Carmelites did. I didn't know that Carmelites are Carmelites because they like to pray AND SUFFER.

In fact, I remember distinctly the moment, about a week and a half into my Carmelite formation, when I stopped and said..... Oh my gosh. EVERYBODY here and everybody we are reading suffered horrendously. What am I getting into??


The Carmelites were taught by saints who said things like:

The more lofty the degree of loving union to which God destines the soul, so much more profound and persistent must be its purification. St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, OCD (Edith Stein, Science of the Cross 77)
Always remember to love your neighbor; always prefer the one who tries your patience, who test your virtue, because with her you can always merit: suffering is Love; the Law is Love.
Bl Mary of Jesus Crucified "The Little Arab"

I desire to suffer always and not to die. I should add: this is not my will, it is my inclination. It is sweet to think of Jesus; but it is sweeter to do His will.
Bl Mary of Jesus Crucified "The Little Arab"
Trials are nothing else but the forge that purifies the soul of all its imperfections.
St Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi, OCD

One cannot desire freedom from the Cross when one is especially chosen for the Cross.
St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, OCD (Edith Stein)

Are you seeing the picture here? What did they know that I didn't??

Well, it took a while but I learned two major things. First, that we actually had a gift in suffering we didn't have  without it. Ironically, the very Bible I have heard people use to denounce suffering as the work of Satan over and over again has some interesting things to say about it. Here are a few I found on my facebook page this morning as a reminder:

2 Timothy 2:12 says, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him..." Jesus said, ". . . . If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Lk. 9:23) Jesus said that we SHOULD rejoice when we suffer for His sake, because great is our reward in Heaven (Mt. 5:12). I Peter 2:19-21 tells us that it is our duty to follow our Lord's example in suffering, and 1 Peter 4:12-16 tells us to be happy when we suffer for Christ, and it tells us not to be ashamed. Romans 8:18 says, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." We read in 1 Peter 5:10 that our suffering in this present world is only for "a while." Are you willing to bear your cross for the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you have any treasures in Heaven? Are you willing to suffer for the Lord?

Second, that we could offer that suffering up for good-- it produced FRUIT. I learned this by experimentation at first, tentatively offering up small sacrifices to Jesus FOR the good of some person I was praying for. What I saw was amazing. When I was willing to suffer, people were changed. Not just me--- those I was praying for and surrounded by. Suffering was the key that unlocked all of it. Now, there came a time when I got so into suffering that I lost my joy. And that is the danger-- that we suffer but do not love and hear from God.
The only remedy to that is the sacraments, and time spent with Jesus, allowing Him to minister to our souls.

Nevertheless, in that suffering I found great wisdom. And now I can say with St Josemaria in difficult times (USUALLY! I'm a work in progress.... haha):

"Blessed be pain. Loved be pain. Sanctified be pain. . . Glorified be pain!" (The Way, 208)
"No ideal becomes a reality without sacrifice. Deny yourself. It is so beautiful to be a victim!" (The Way, 175)
"Obey with your lips, your heart and your mind. It is not a man who is being obeyed, but God." (Furrow, maxim 374)
"And be watchful, for a spark is much easier to extinguish than a fire. Take flight, for in this it is low cowardice to be "brave"; a roving eye does not mean a lively spirit, but turns out to be a snare of satan. Yet human diligence, with mortification, the cilice, disciplines and fasting are all worthless without you, my God." (Furrow, 834)
"To defend his purity, St. Francis of Assisi rolled in the snow, St. Benedict threw himself into a thornbush, St. Bernard plunged into an icy pond... You... what have you done?" (The Way, 143)
"What has been lost through the flesh, the flesh should pay back: be generous in your penance." (The Forge, 207)
"If you realize that your body is your enemy, and an enemy of God's glory since it is an enemy of your sanctification, why do you treat it so softly?" (The Way, 227)
"Your worst enemy is yourself." (The Way, 225)
"You have come to the apostolate to submit, to annihilate yourself, not to impose your own personal viewpoints." (The Way, 936)

Pray for the grace to suffer well, and ask God to help you know when and for what to offer it up-- do not waste one tear.... let all suffering be redemptive lest it be satanic!

UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC PREMISES OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND SIN

And now we come to part two--  what can I do to ensure that my suffering is productive and useful and not intrusive and satanic? One thing to keep in mind before we even broach the subject of curses and demonic oppression is that if we experience it, God has allowed it. Sit and chew on that for a while, it's a mind-blower.

The first thing one can do is suffer well. The second thing one can do is look for which experiences we have that could be natural consequences, particularly of sin.
We are diagnosed with diabetes. The devils' work? An occasion for God's work? Or the result of our overeating?
We have a car accident, and then another. The devil's work?  Or a result of our unwillingness to drive more slowly?
Our mother in law keeps driving us crazy and infernally bugging us. Satanic dimension? Or simply a challenging person in need of charity whom we must overcome our passions to serve?
You get where I'm going.

Now, on the other hand, there are legitimate situations where curses are involved and in which we need to search for answers to alleviate the suffering. These types of suffering can come from a curse, either one which has been very specifically placed (by a witch doctor, satan worshipper, etc) or accidentally allowed to alight (whether by disobedience to God's laws, idolatry, etc.)

St John Vianney, for example, the Curé D'Ars, was besieged with horrible experiences at the hands of Satan tailor made to keep him from doing God's work. One need only have a quick glance at the facts to determine which is which. A few select scriptures and common sense questions can help us discern. One tool in particular is the Discernment of Spirits from the Ignatian Exercises.

More importantly, there is a methodical means of determining what's going on, hyper-developped by Charismatic Catholics and Protestants from scripture and personal experiences over the past thirty years or so
since the "re-newal" of the Spirit. There are as many "flavors" of the teaching on curses I'm about to present as there are Charismatic denominations, but I will say that they all share the majority of ideas in common. Keep in mind that I "mastered" these ideas as a protestant, and that there may be some error therein but I am unaware of it. I have asked Roman Catholic exorcists about these ideas in the past and been told they are sound. Consider this a very brief and oversimplified teaching on lifting curses.

Yes, there are people who are cursed because someone in their entourage visited a brujeria or witch doctor and literally cast a spell on them. For those people, the following information will still be helpful.
More importantly, there are people who are cursed because of their own activities.... and these are the people who often realize it the least.

Eph 6:10-13 says:  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Curses are defined as "invisible barriers." In Deuteronomy Ch 28, the Lord lists several possible blessings and curses the Israelites can choose from. It might be helpful for you when you read these verses to make your own list of what God promises for a Blessing and what God promises for a Curse. My own list looks something like this:

The Blessings: 

Exaltation

Health

Fertility

Prosperity

Victory

God's Favor

The Curses:

Humiliation

Barrenness

Mental and physical sickness

Family breakdown

Failure and defeat

Oppression

Poverty

God's disfavor

Based on these ideas, here are eight commonly-held symptoms of a curse. When you read them, you are likely to find that at least one of them relates to you. More likely than not, you are NOT cursed. TWhile many families struggle with these, there are typically more than one of these symptoms present when dealing with a true curse. Keep in mind that in researching this question, it is incredibly helpful to have some idea of your family history or some notes about your family history on hand.

1. Mental or emotional breakdown

2. Repeated or hereditary sickness

3. Barrenness, or a history of miscarriages or stillbirths

4. Alienation in families

5. Continual poverty

6. Being accident prone (we often hear say of some of these people that they "have bad luck.")

7. A history of suicide or unnatural death in the family

8. Repetition of life-dominating sins (alcoholism, abuse, etc)

A curse can have one of five sources:

1. A generational curse. Exodus 34:7 says "Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

2. A curse of consequence. These are curses imposed on people by idolatrous behavior, or the literal having / keeping of idols, in particular idols from other false religions etc. Sometimes these are bought unknowingly, which makes them even more challenging to find in the home. I've known people who related their troubles directly to the removal of a painting, a sculpture, and even pieces of fabric and wood that had been used in occult ceremonies or very sinful situations. Deuteronomy 7:25, 26: The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.

3. Occult curses. Isaiah 8:19-22 explains it well: When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.  Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God.  Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

4. Pronounced curses. These will often fall into the "visit to a witchdoctor" category and are common curses that are pronounced against God-fearing people. I pulled these scriptures from Psalm 109: 7-10.
(the curse of condemnation/ being cut off)
7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin! 
(the curse of early death and physical affliction)
8 May his days be few;
may another take his office! 
(the curse of disaster in family-- often passed on through generations)
9 May his children be fatherless
and his wife a widow! 
(the curse of financial disaster)
10 May his children wander about and beg,
seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!

5. Spoken curses. Numbers 14:28
Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you.

This falls under the use of the tongue, and is often demonstrative of our OWN misuse of our OWN tongues. How many times has someone said to you "you are so stupid!" before you started to believe it? How many times have you yourself said: "You are killing me here," or "I will never forgive her?" Each time we misuse our tongues, God hears us, and in certain conditions our out-of-control tongues can be our own downfall.

A great teacher on this topic is Derek Prince, who wrote a wonderful book called: "Does your tongue need healing?" In his book, he points out the endless scriptures contained in the Bible which warn us to submit our tongues to God instead of doing whatever comes out of them. If this is a topic you are interested in, stay tuned to this blog where I will cover the misuse, and proper use, of the tongue because "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Prov 18:21) Remember also that scripture tells us that the heart overflows through the mouth, so keep that in mind and really LISTEN with spiritual ears to what you are saying to others and yourself.

In proverbs 26:2 we read that the curse without cause will not come. "Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest."One thing we need to remain aware of is that a curse will alight on it's sender if the person it is sent TO is living a holy life. Ie, the more we remain in the state of grace, the more easily a curse-- even a very specifically sent curse--- will just roll right off us. On the other hand, if we are doing the cursing, we can be on the receiving end of the curse we send out. So again, cleanse those tongues and spend some time in examination of conscience each night. Go to confession. Repentance is always the key that unlocks the door to deliverance.

The Law of Blessing, or righteous living within the context of proper and right use of spiritual means at your disposal to do good and be good, is found in 1 Peter 3:5-12. Chew on this one for a while.

5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love,a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

And lastly, the Law of Cursing:
We read this law in Psalm 109:16-19. It's pretty self-explanatory, so I will just let you read it and meditate it on your own without breaking it down for you.
16 For he did not remember to show kindness,
but pursued the poor and needy
and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.
17 He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!
He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!
18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;
may it soak into his body like water,
like oil into his bones!
19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,
like a belt that he puts on every day!

HERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE STEPS TO FIND FREEDOM FROM A CURSE:

These are obviously over-simplified but should give you a basic plan of attack through which to work with your confessor or spiritual director. My suggestion would be to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament praying about everything you've read here, and there asking Jesus to help you determine whether He has called you to suffer or overcome in whatever you are facing, and to help you to discern the right steps to take in doing so. 

1. Confess your sins and the sins of your fathers

2. Forgive all the others involved

3. Renounce ALL contact with the occult and demons

4. Transfer the curse to Christ (Galatians 3:13)

5. Receive a blessing in the place of a curse (Galatians 3:14)

Many blessings to you, friends!

Freaky Fridays: demonic manifestations in church

Below you will find a few videos demonstrating what I personally believe to be demonic manifestations in church settings. The makers of these videos clearly have some personal issues with the people in question... I do not. Other than the little research I have done on these pastors and this particular revival, I don't know anything about these people and I'm not qualified to have an opinion about their intentions or otherwise.

I am using these videos because I want to focus on one particular aspect of demonic manifestation in church-- that of demonstrations of demonic activity which is often mistaken for activity of the Holy Spirit-- for a reason I will describe below. For me, these are painful to watch because I can always yes and amen MOST of what is said. Then there is a little tiny "white" lie.... a  little something tweaks my spirit.... a little false mixed in with a lot of truth.

I've been present on many Sundays in many places where things not too far from this have occurred. Many, many times, in worship in very solid, pleasant churches, I have encountered "worshippers" who I believe were actually manifesting. I have prayed for them to be delivered right then and there. Sometimes, I have seen deliverance come, quite unexpectedly. In a Charismatic gathering, you never really KNOW for sure, except in your own spirit, what "spirit" the person to your right and to your left has actually invited in. But all of this is subjective. We do not test spirits by gut feelings but by the Word of God.

For God is not a God of confusion (disorder/chaos) but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints. - 1 Corinthians 14:33.

 On a greater level, I would say that these manifestations are all a part of a particular spiritual force with a particular goal, evidenced by the fact that-- just as once upon a time in upstate New York a mysterious apparition birthed three similar, yet different religions (Jehova's Witnesses, Latter Day Saints, and Seventh Day Adventists-- all of whom loathe the Catholic Church)-- a similiar situation occurs frequently in charismatic circles where a geographic location hosts many similar manifestations OR where similar manifestations occur rapidly in a short time span but in many different geographical locations, as in this case with the Toronto Blessing and Lakeland Revival.

 It isn't necessary to discuss that too deeply here.. anyone with an ounce of discernment can see for themselves that something is up. My old pastor Britt Merrick had wise words indeed when he used to tell us: "If it's WEIRD, it's NOT GOD."

On a practical level, this activity simultaneously (and successfully, in the eyes of many people) discredits God, discredits the Catholic Church (the demonic force acting on the first person has him making the sign of the cross and blessing his congregation.) discredits the Charismatic movement (which I believe-- and the Church affirms-- is a LEGITIMATE move of God) and discredits the integrity of the persons worshipping here.

However, these give me great consolation. There is evident need for a magesterium when we consider the implications of "no-holds-barred" church like this. There is great wisdom in the Catholic system, and protection. I'm thankful to be a part of the Catholic Church.

I encourage you to consider that these videos in no way represent the Charismatic movement, but only an offshoot and branch of it which clearly demonstrates the need for wise Church leadership. Please keep in mind also that I do NOT agree on a theological level with the commentary and subtitles in these videos. I do speak in tongues, believe in the miraculous gifts, and believe in the communion of saints,  etc.

However, when I watch these through the lens of my own past experiences with exorcism and deliverance, I am quite certain I am not seeing God at work.

As a warning to you, these videos are extremely creepy, and they will leave you.... ill at ease. Should you choose to watch them, I pray they will give you a new depth of understanding when it comes to the operation and activity of our enemy within the circles of "Christianity."











NOTE: THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE BELOW COMMENTS. Thanks for reading!


I have some misgivings about the way many people IN the Renewal, especially at this time, go about doing what they do. I recently became involved with the Renewal in our Diocese completely by accident and discovered that I simultaneously felt very at home and very uncomfortable. :D
I'm still working through that, but what it comes down to is that I firmly believe in the Charismatic gifts, have seen them and partaken of them, have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and can attest to the fact that it was a DIFFERENT and more fruitful experience than any of my experiences with the sacraments initially-- like an "unlocking" of sacramental grace. To clarify that statement: there is nothing else NECESSARY than Sacramental Grace, but a deep, personal awareness of the grace received is a grace in itself that I find indispensable.
There was a "time before" and a "time after" this experience for me, and it has remained ever since.
On a theological level I am in agreement that the Renewal is a work of God and that it was EXTREMELY timely with regards to Church history. On a personal level I get frustrated at meetings and gatherings of the local Renewal because I hear things that demonstrate a misunderstanding of the POINT of the Charismata. I hear people call out things like.... "We're Catholic, that's what the problem is..." or "the church is holding us back." They demonstrate a misunderstanding of the perfect and necessary, HEALTHY tension between the work of the Holy Spirit and the prudence and rigidity of the Magesterium. So while I believe wholeheartedly in the Renewal and participate in it within the life of the Church, I am wary of the individual manifestations of the Charismatic gifts and gatherings OF the Renewal, mainly because I've noticed that there are many people within the movement who come seeking the GIFTS and not necessarily the God who gives them.
There is a three day gathering in Raleigh this month that I'm hoping to attend to see more and pray more about. Not sure if I will make it unless I can find someone to go with me.

Colleen,
In the past I have spoken with tongues in a congregational setting and had someone with the gift of interpretations interpret, under the oversight of a pastor, when I was a protestant.
Nowadays, I pray in tongues in my private prayer, and it sometimes comes out when I am with others who pray in tongues, just in private prayer. It is not "gibberish" as it is very clearly A language, but I do not know what language it might be. I have often thought that it resembled a combination of hebrew and arabic.
I have been in the presence of Christians who began to pray in tongues and who were understood by other people in the congregation because they were speaking a native dialect of theirs which the people themselves had never heard before. It is extraordinary to witness. I have NEVER in my life felt that tongues were "coming out" when I was in a liturgical worship setting. Only in my private discussions with God and in my conversations with Him among friends. I don't go into prayer ever with the intention of speaking in tongues, but sometimes it just comes out.
When I returned to the Church, my biggest problem was that I have SEEN the fruit of baptism of the holy spirit in the lives of people who change and suddenly LIVE for God. I could find very few people around me in the Catholic Church who had shared this experience.... most of them were seeking holiness via what I  would have at that time called dry channels.... reading more prayers each day, making an examination of conscience twice a day, something like that. These things can be very fruitful, but only if they aren't looking to "do more" but rather "receive more." The issue is building a personal relationship with Christ and His Church over religiosity or empty actions. We receive grace when we come to communion worthily whether we are aware of the amazingness of the eucharist or not.
The main difference is that when we come AWARE of God's greatness, we become filled to overflowing.

Reading Fr Cantelamessa, (preacher to the papal household during JPII) especially his book "Sober Intoxication of the Spirit," and Bishop Cordes' "Call to Holiness: reflections on the charismatic renewal" were instrumental in helping me prayerfully discern what was what here.
I'm the first to admit that I find a dryness in the PERSONAL LIVES of most traditional Catholics who reject the Renewal's lives that I personally find unbearable. On the other hand, I'm also the first to admit that I find a "falseness" and "emotivity" in the personal lives of those who embrace the Renewal but reject the traditional. To me, there is a healthy middle ground, and that's where I always want to be.

When it comes to my personal prayer? It is more "Charismatic" than anything else-- I feel a kinship and bond and fellowship with Charismatics in prayer that I do not feel when I'm praying a rosary with an SSPXer. :D Nevertheless, I embrace the traditions of the Church and especially the Extraordinary Form of the Liturgy, which I believe is LIFE GIVING. I cannot stand the idea of going to a "Charismatic mass"-- To me, liturgy is about something totally different.
There is a time and place for the Charismatic gifts but it is not IN MASS, because in MASS our eyes are on the Cross and Resurrection.

OUTSIDE of Mass our eyes should be on bringing the Cross and Resurrection to others, and that is where the gifts come in handy, ESPECIALLY the Charismatic gifts.

I am a recent revert, it has been less than five years, so I expect that my understanding will evolve over the years. However, I simply CAN NOT discredit the Charismatic gifts-- A, because they are approved in the Church and B, because I have seen their fruit in action and glorified God.

One of the largest charismatic gifts in operation in my own life is discernment of spirits. I "sense" the darkness around me as a tangible presence and am drawn to prayer when others around me haven't noticed a thing. God often places people in my life who struggle with deeply demonic (extraordinary activity of the devil) issues in their lives. I myself was exorcised at one time. Because of that, I am - -as I mentioned before-- simultaneously WARY of the overemphasis placed on the Charismatic gifts by some, and sympathetic to their reasoning. It is my firm belief due to my own experiences with the gift of tongues, the gift of discernment of spirits, and the gift of word of knowledge, none of which I have asked for our sought out-- among others-- that we must always SEEK the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show up, and SUBMIT our experiences to those in rightful authority over us. Without one, we cannot have the other.

Love to hear your thoughts! <3

The other side

I'm writing a blog for next week's Freaky Fridays on demonic manifestations in church. And in doing research, someone visiting my house heard and saw some of the things I came up with, which made him really angry.
He was able to recognize the false teachings and the demonic in the things I was pulling up, and yet he was not able to see at all that responding with anger towards the PEOPLE who were doing these things-- not the spirit behind them-- was losing at spiritual warfare. He advised me to stay far away from thinking about or talking about these topics, stating that I would never change bad people. "Let the devil have them," he said. "They are choosing to side with him. The whole world has gone crazy." He also told me I would never make a dent in the evil around us, and advised me to just take care of myself. "You can't change stupid," he said to me. "Have you ever made a difference in any of these churches?"
"No," I admitted. "But I believe I've made a difference-- sometimes a big difference-- in individual people's lives."
He snorted. "Alot of good that does us," He said.

These types of conversations with him are fascinating. It seems to me that theologically, saying "Let the devil have them" is the antithesis of Christianity. We are called to bring the Light to the darkest places... And yet he is as passionate and affirming of his place in Christianity as anyone. And he's not the only one... there are thousands of self-professed Christians walking around thinking the same way.

The Catholic Church knows full well that everything boils down to our willingness to engage in spiritual battle, both for ourselves and on behalf of others.

"The whole of man's history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil, stretching, so our Lord tells us, from the dawn of history until the last day. This dramatic situation of the whole world, which is in the power of the evil one, makes man's life a battle."
--Catechism of the Catholic Church: 409

Spiritual warfare is so interesting. Not just because I'm immersed in it-- we all are-- but because when I am AWARE of it because by some great miracle I happen to have my eyes and heart lifted toward God at the right moment, it's just amazingly interesting.

Usually, Satan is cleverly disguised in the daily actions and events that tempt us towards panic and sin instead of trust and peace. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in these times... knowing that there is no earthly way that we can overcome whatever has just been put in our plate. And yet, panic is playing into Satan's hand.

When we receive terrible news, or something terrible happens, our job is to respond as worshippers do-- with trust. We place the event in God's hands and offer up our sufferings for His glory. We offer up a sign of our trust in His plan, and we recognize that when we obey those placed in rightful authority around us, we are operating within the realms of His plan. Ideally, this gives us peace.... a peace which is lasting, because everything ELSE is fading away. We know that this is the "right" way to respond to trials because Scripture tells us so, and also because when we do, we know we have never been let down by God. He always pulls through. He is truly Sovereign, and truly All-knowing and All-powerful. In fact, scripture tells us to rejoice always, especially in these moments!

Sometimes--even often,  spiritual warfare puts on such an ordinary face that we forget what we are dealing with. In these situations it takes a trained eye and an inner  guidepost. Other times, it is so UNusual that we struggle to even comprehend what we are looking at with our intellect.

For me, it is often sensed by a clear, unusual pit-of-your-stomach "gut feeling" even when outwardly, everything might seem right, or by the very small, still, and quiet "voice" I might "hear" when everything around me is exploding like a battlefield, calling me back to perfect peace.

In a recent bible study, we discussed how the Catholic understanding of scripture includes contextual reading, acknowledging the style of writing and literary structure of the passage, and also keeps a centered position somewhere between the fantastic/supernatural and the reasonable/literal. For example, that when God turned the nile to blood during the plagues, it was quite possible that the Nile became bloody due to a natural moss or plant that overgrew, creating reddish, cloudy water, rather than to literal BLOOD. At the same time, it was quite evident that each of the ten plagues corresponded very specifically to ten separate deities in the Egyptian pantheon, striking a blow directly into their territory. And that no matter what, God's hand was at work through the timing and execution of each plague.

I thought about the relevance of these ideas.... how different they were from my protestant mindset in which ANYTHING that could even remotely draw towards the natural rather than the supernatural was heretical. (I guess that would stem in their theology somewhat from a manichean outlook-- that matter was bad and unspiritual. I could be wrong.)

Nevertheless, as my understanding of theology deepens and as my experiences with demonology increase over time, I find myself amazed at how it seems that angelic beings (both good and bad) can physically move matter around. I notice that many diseases we know now as having "natural causes" were frequently diagnosed as demonic before, and (in my opinion) probably still should be to some degree. (things like night terrors, and multiple personality disorder, for example... which certainly appear to have a ""natural" cause, but often may have a spiritual cause that continues unaddressed.) At the same time, Angels are pure spirit, with no physical body.

When I first made a conscious decision to follow Christ, I was plagued with all sorts of crazy events. Among them, two really stand out as "demonic." And yet, as clearly demonic as they were to me... they were also very... ordinary.

I had had a profound conversion experience and found myself dealing with the strangest things.
The first happened immediately after I determined I was going to really LIVE for God, and that God was real.

My very first daring act as a practicing Christian was to break up with my live-in fiancé and move out of our shared apartment, moving into my dad's house even though we were not really getting along, all because I knew it was what God wanted me to do.
Nothing about this decision was easy. I relished my independence and had enjoyed my relationship with this man. The breakup was hard and he took it wrong, not understanding.
He became depressed and tried to commit suicide. He became unstable. I became depressed that he was responding so poorly to what I wanted. He killed my cat. It was a mess.

In the course of all that, I was staying at a friends' house while trying to sort myself and my situation out and was finding peace and renewal there.
And then it happened.... one early morning, near six a.m.,  out of nowhere--- I got a mysterious phone call.
It was him, calling to tell me that he was sure I would never make it as a Christian. I believe the exact conversation went something like this:
"Hello?"
"Hi."
"Oh. Hi." I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was just not quite awake yet.
"I'm just calling to let you know that you will never make it as a Christian. You can't do it. It's too hard. I know you.... you won't be able to be strong enough."
"What?"
"What I said. It's too hard. You won't be able to do it. Others could. But not you. You're too evil. You LIKE this."
I shuddered, thinking in my head that it was a remarkably satanic thing to say.
Well, I'm going to try my best. God will do the rest." I said, and hung up. It was the last time we talked.

A few weeks later, I was at my dad's house when a man I knew from the adult industry who had an unexplainable hold over me both emotionally and physically (and who I tried to avoid at all costs) appeared at my door, which was very unusual for him. He pushed past me and made himself very comfortable on my couch.
"So," he declared, smirking. "I hear you are a Christian now. Come on. What is that about??"
I searched for a witty answer-- faltering in my somewhat-embarrassed, somewhat-proud state.
"Yeah," he said. "That's what I thought. You're no Christian. You don't need to worship Jesus. You need to worship ME. You worship MY......" he went on to verbally vomit a slew of completely inappropriate comments relating my worship of Jesus to my duty to worship his man-parts which I will spare you here. Even more bizarre? I was incredibly attracted to him at that moment and it took ALL my will power to remove myself from the situation.

From then on, things have only gotten stranger in my Christian walk.

At the time, it seemed obvious to me that Satan wanted to detract me from my commitment to live for Jesus. And yet it was in the most ordinary-- albeit bizarre-- ways that he seemed to go about it. Then I quickly learned something else about his technique.
I learned that Satan would often use a method that appealed to my pride.

For example, one day I was on a break from my job as a bookseller at Borders Books.
Standing in the street, I shoved a few remaining pieces of sushi from my lunch into my mouth and looked around for my napkin when suddenly I saw a familiar homeless man walking up the street. Now, in Santa Barbara, homeless people-- homeless by CHOICE people-- are everywhere. They smell like urine and sweat and pot and have dreadlocks and skin caked with grime, and they live on the beach by night and take over the city by day. They are everywhere. Most of them are vietnam vets or hippies left over from the sixties who just couldn't pull it together. Harmless... but annoying if you're a young female who likes her freedom in the city.
So this man started walking up my side of the street, calm as can be. I could smell him from a few feet away and he's definitely different.... but apparently harmless. But when he got to me, he started to shout..... ranting and raving like a complete nutcase.
"F- you, Jesus!" He shouted, making a fist in my direction. "You don't KNOW me. You can't have this!!"
Mystified, I watched as he clammed up and quieted down, resuming his quiet, happy walk down the street without even a hint of  sign that something was up inside him.

 I had never in my life heard a teaching on spiritual warfare or even been aware of it's existence. But on that day something in my spirit told me that that's exactly what was happening. Something inside of him was reacting to something inside of me. And that something was in reference to the person of Christ-- living and active in me, and clearly hated and reviled in this man. I was FILLED with compassion for him, and followed him down the street, praying for him. When he became physically agitated again, I ran away, scared. At the same time, I was proud.... proud that I had somehow drawn this reaction from him, proud that I was powerful. When I later realized what great sin that pride had been.... it was very hard to remove.

Since that time I've experienced spiritual warfare continuously with very little respite. Although I have recognized it as such for years and am now well trained and experienced in spiritual warfare, I am never less mystified than I was in that first few months of actively choosing Christ, because no matter how much training, teaching and experience one has--- God's ways are not our ways and there is always a mystical element that is quite simply incomprehensible except by the inner spirit man.

I meet and talk to people often who consider themselves equipped demonologists or deliverance ministers and who believe that they know all there is to know about demonology and deliverance ministry. I'm not sure how that works, because God is always surprising me.

When I think about it, though,  I guess I do know all I need to know too... I know that
-- God and the Devil are real.
-- Our free will is our friend and our foe.
--Healing comes when sinners repent
--Satan is tricky but God is stronger
--99 percent of our suffering is self-induced.

Most importantly... I've learned that I will never know it all, at least not on this side of death. Spiritual warfare remains a fascinating mystery and a daily battle that we must always give to God, our Deliverer.

Freaky Fridays-- the prophetic pulse and the core of contemplation

Well, it's 06:48 here and we are waiting on a hurricane, the first of the season, called Irene, to get here by the end of the day.
In the seven or so years I've lived here we have had a hurricane or an almost-hurricane a year, and only once has the weather been bad enough to make me think: oh em gee, the world is falling apart. For me, the tornadoes this past year were FAR more terrifying than any hurricane experience we've ever had. However, since in the last six or so  months we've had before-our-eyes devastation due to tornadoes, a nuclear fallout problem due to a tsunami and subsequent breakdown of a nuclear power plant, the hottest summer I can remember, an EARTHQUAKE (thought I left those behind in California??) and now this, so I'm a little bit.... edgy. Maybe as a child I was less aware of the gravity of all the weather scenarios I endured. We thought earthquakes, even big ones, were like roller coasters, and the great El Niño had us paddling down the streets on our surfboards for fun. Now that I'm a grown- up (?) though, it's a little bit different.
There are a million and three zany prophecies out there warning of end times storm scenarios, beginnings of apocolypses, storms unleashing economic problems unleashing world instability, etc. Is there truth to them? Quite honestly, I neither know nor care anymore. I think it's absurd to sit on these prophecies or look at world events with a "the world is ending" mentality. After all, the world started ending for me the day I was born, and it could end today as I step outside and into the street, or truly at any given moment. St Joseph, keep me ready!
On the other hand, I think it's foolish to DIScredit the fact that things are changing around here. Something is up in the air, and I can see it/feel it everywhere. For me, it's a tingling, spaced out, airy feeling of simultaneous dread and displacement I get in the pit of my stomach and somewhere along the lines of my heart. Since I started really paying attention, I can think of a handful of times I have experienced that same "woah, this is serious" feeling. Once at a rave, in Los Angeles. Once while sitting in my driveway here in Fayetteville, NC looking up at the clouds in the sky. Once at a pro-life rally in Raleigh, NC when the spiritual opression was thick in the atmosphere as a "feminist pro-lifer" ranted about rape and destruction. Once on my front porch the day the tornadoes came. Once when I was sitting in church listening to some god-awful protestant song that had no place in mass whatsoever, and watching the people in the pews either clapping along or sleeping. Once in an airport, watching the planes take off. Once while I was praying for someone who needed deliverance from demonic oppression. Once when I was in a walmart during Valentines' day while the hurried, materialistic world swirled around me. It's a general feeling of unease and certainty that what I see in front of me is passing away... is dust.  A feeling that I'm standing in the middle of a wildly swirling mess and that I see it but I don't know how to escape it. Probably similar to the feeling a deer gets when caught in the headlights of a passing car: "Here it comes. This is it. Oh, Sh*t!"  Some people call that feeling "anxiety." Maybe even a "panic attack." I call it.... a spiritual wakeup call.
It's just obvious to me that while the wold has been ending since Jesus rose again, we are now at a "turning point" of sorts. It's in the air. I imagine the "air" felt charged like this around the time just before the crucifixion in Jerusalem... we get a picture of it when we watch Mel Gibson's movie The Passion-- a tangible feeling of "something" in the guts of the people. Just like it was in the air for my parents when they lived through the sixties. The times, they are a' changin.
Recently, I upset a Catholic friend by posting a prophetic word given by a protestant charismatic regarding the intensity of the coming storm and its relationship to the end times. To me, the core of all these prophetic messages is the same, and it is good: repent, turn to God, amend your lives. The Kingdom is nearer today than it was yesterday. Whether or not the prophecy is "accurate" doesn't really make a difference. We may feel personally implicated and then respond with personal decisions: like selling a stock, or not buying a house. We may feel disconnected and totally reject it. But at the end of the day, what all these "prophets" have to say, Catholic or not, has no relevance whatsoever because there are no secrets that need be revealed. We know the gospel message. We know what we must do. We must do it, and there are no shortcuts.
As people called to be Contemplatives (and I do believe we are ALL called to contemplation) in the world, we must realize the great wisdom of what Mary did: She took all these things and kept them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
So take all these things, and keep them in your hearts. We don't need to pass judgment on every prophecy, every news story, every new ideology that emerges. We don't need to pass judgement on trends, what other people are doing, thinking, saying....we don't need to pass judgement on every new weather system and natural disaster and economic failure and war. We need to pray and work, taking all these things, and keeping them in our hearts.
People look to prophecies because they want to hear a magic word that gives them all they are searching for. They don't realize that Jesus does that from the altars of every Catholic Church in the world without saying a word. He is there: a silent witness that HE remains the same -- FAITHFUL-- though the world moves like mad. If you read prophetic words long enough, you begin to get a picture, and that picture becomes clearer and clearer as time goes by, like a camera lens focusing... and what you see is JESUS. Only Jesus.
In the midst of all the hurricane preparedness my friends up and down the coast are doing, my prayer is that we would keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and -- as my friend Sandy so aptly put it last night as she was trying to determine whether to evacuate or not-- "drown out all other voices." Drown out the news, the world, the stores, the radio. Drown out your TV and the internet, your facebook and twitter feed. Drown out your parents, your friends, your boss.... and turn to Jesus, who commands the winds, and walked on water, who created the heavens and the earth. He is here, and He alone is sovereign over all the earth.

Say it with me: Jesus, I trust in You.

Freaky Fridays: My "Other" Life.

Are you experiencing strange phenomena in your home or place of business?

Popular television shows are making people more and more aware that paranormal activity is not only a reality but a far more common reality than one might think. At the same time, I like to think that spirits are like cockroaches- like attracts like, and when we focus on them we often realize that we are more aware of their constant presence than we would have liked! Sometimes we experience what we believe to be paranormal activity and immediately, things become gloomy and dark in our homes. We go through periods like this until we mentally "shake it off" and then things seem to improve. This cycle can sometimes go on for years.
Other times, no amount of "ignoring" will make the situation stop-- in fact, ignoring it only makes it get worse. No matter what, when we think something is going on in our home, we want to know what it is!! Natural curiosity is a strong catalyst for discovery and investigation.
There are now a slew of paranormal research associations near and far with broad ranging specializations designed to assist you with discovering if the "strange" activity in your home is indeed otherworldly... but what exactly are they looking for?

Some examples of typical and atypical, but still commonly reported, paranormal activity:

• Loud, unexplained bangs, rappings or knocks, strange sounds, music, hearing distinct voices, crying babies or names being called which appear to come out of nowhere.
• Objects moving (either visibly or while you are out) without a human explanation.
• Strange feelings of extreme fear in certain rooms for no apparent reason, feelings of being watched or "not alone."
• vibrating sensations, feeling a blast of unusually cold or hot air where there shouldn't be, having hair pulled or body touched in some way.
• unexplainable cuts, scratches or bruises that appear and disappear suddenly.
• unusual coincidences (this is a broad topic but often manifests as something that just has no worldly explanation, for example: finding a lost item after finding something that points you to where you would find it and instantly recognizing the connection.)
• Visuals. These can be shadows, lights, body parts or even full bodied persons
   which appear and then vanish. 
• Smells that can not be explained, such as a certain type of perfume that appears at certain times or the lingering smell of feces in a home that has no reason to smell.

Other signs of activity to watch for in conjunction with some of these:

• Sudden, unexplainable changes in behavior or interests in family members
• An interest in the occult, or a marked change in interest in self-destructive behaviors like alcoholism, drug use or promiscuity.
• Preoccupation with new age  or esoteric teachings and ideas.
• Extremely unhealthful physical habits (eating only one type of thing, or not eating at all, for example.)
• A definite feeling of unease/fear/ lack of peace/ even chaos within a family on a regular basis or within a building or place.
• Strange coincidences such as all members of a family dying of unnatural causes or a generational inability to come out of poverty, a recurring sickness or mental sickness.
• A sudden ability to speak a different language, external knowledge of interior things which others have not revealed, new "abilities" such as increased psychic activity, trances, or visions which may prove accurate.
• Superhuman strength that did not exist previously.
• Night terrors, recurring nightmares, sensations of physical heaviness on the body which do not allow a person to move.
• New physical manifestations: tics that appear only when a certain mood or topic of conversation occurs, for example.
• A strong attraction towards certain religious items or a complete disgust with certain religious items.
• Markedly different behavior when certain types of activities take place, in particular in conjunction with religious activities. (for example, getting violently angry after receiving communion or being confessed, responding poorly to prayer or being unable to pray oneself.)
• A strong belief in the effects of the spirit world on oneself coupled with a desire to intensify the paranormal experiences.
• Strange behavior, such as talking to oneself or making gestures that are not deciferable.

Any of these things needs to be examined further if they are a regular occurance in your home or place of business, and most people today go the way of the professional Ghost Hunter, seeking out organizations that can confirm the presence of an "unnatural" activity. Because of their media popularity, many people are now "amateur" Ghost Hunters themselves, spending weekends and free time "investigating" houses they believe might be haunted. Some people, however, aren't as enthralled by paranormal activity. And that's the people who are victims of a haunting-- they daily experience the terrifying reality that others seek out for thrills and chills. When they call paranormal investigators, it's usually because they are frightened or tired of being surprised and curious. Not all, some will call because they think ghosts are cool and they want to know if the group can find any in their homes. The experiences of victims and seekers vary widely, but all remain within certain boundaries and are somewhat understandable when explained and investigated by experienced investigators who have developped experience and a body of knowledge, a science, from what they do.

(If you are local I strongly recommend contacting:
Fayetteville Paranormal Research and Investigations for assistance, as they will provide you with a complete, professional investigation and are mindful of the compassionate nature needed to actually help and not hinder someone involved in a frightening paranormal ordeal.)

My job begins where theirs ends. As a lay Catholic demonologist and deliverance worker, my job is to pray and counsel you and your loved ones as you cope with the positive result of your investigation.
Most people will need someone to help you answer the question: "My house really IS haunted! Now what?" Ironically, not many people think much of what they will do if it is, they simply want to KNOW if they are really experiencing what they think they are experiencing. It can be mentally distressing to second guess oneself during a paranormal experience, and having someone else confirm your experience can be very helpful.

I don't personally recommend using a paranormal research group, since many of them are secular in nature and will use occult techniques to get a "response" from the house. Instead, I suggest that you begin the endeavor to understand what's going on the same way I would suggest undertaking any big project: with prayer and time spent in the Word of God. However, I am well aware that most persons will elect to use a Paranormal Research group, if only for their own peace of mind that it "isn't just them." So what do you do when you hear them confirm your suspicions?

Many paranormal research societies will leave you with the certainty that something is going on in your house that truly cannot be explained by natural means, but then simply advise you to learn to live with it. Most will assert that "something's here, but it's harmless" without a more thorough investigation-- even though they cannot tell you why they believe it will be fine.
Often the investigation itself will stir up additional activity or change the nature of the activity, which some say will go back to "normal" once the investigation is over. Indeed, most paranormal research organizations are secular in nature and thus unconcerned --or unintentionally distant from--any answers regarding how to help a ghost that might be manifesting with a particular need, or the idea that there may be a real danger present, though invisible behind the "friendly" spirit they have encountered. (I in no way intend this to be an insult to many of my personal friends and acquaintances who run and work in paranormal investigations groups and who are good people with hearts of compassion for the victims. Rather, it is a word of caution to the slew of new "investigators" appearing on the scene-- if you are an investigator today, have you been trained? By whom? Are you offering a service that helps or hinders people from living a peaceful life? Are you doing this out of concern for victims or to satiate your curiosity? If the latter, do you allow your natural curiosity to endanger yourself, your team or your client? These are tough questions, but they need to be addressed.)


Scripture and the Church, however, have consistently taught that there are spiritual elements around us who are neither benevolent nor uninterested in the human goings on around them. Experience teaches that the demonic nature is to deceive, and we have all heard at least one story where what started out as a playful haunting by an "innocent" ghost, once embraced and welcomed became a terrifying nightmare.
So how can you discern what exactly is going on in your home from a spiritual standpoint and eliminate it altogether if necessary? The goal, of course, is always your family's physical and spiritual safety.Many people find that paranormal activity they experience in one home causes them to flee... only to discover that they do not have any where to go since this activity is likely to follow them until it is dealt with. More often than not, although there are plenty of exceptions, we deal with haunted people, not haunted houses.

A "haunting" can refer to a person, place, or thing.

A PLACE is usually the site of a spiritual 'opening' of some sort--for example,  the site of an occult or overtly satanic ceremony,  or a place where a terrible and frightening ordeal  or other similar event has occured. There are houses in virtually every community which are simply "not right," in which strange things take place or in which chaos, fear and calamity seem to reign no matter who lives there or what they are doing.
A THING is usually an item which has been "charged." While everyday objects are not usually problematic, certain objects, such as coins, statues, images, dolls, or other things have been "blessed" or "cursed" or used in a ceremonial sense that opens them up to the spirit world. Sometimes the blessing can bring about the aroma of God's goodness, and other times the stench of hell. Many people keep cursed items in their homes for years without knowing anything about them, only to discover that they were the source of a spiritual problem in the house. These days, you can even purchase such items in auctions like ebay and visit them in paranormal museums!
A PERSON is the focus of the spiritual pestering. Some people are simply more aware than others when it comes to the spirit world, for various reasons (some cultivate it and try to "take" esoteric knowledge about spirits, others are simply "gifted" either from a  good and Godly source or from a demonic source.) Many people who have special powers of spiritual perception often lose them when they renounce certain sins or occult activities they are involved in. All of us come under demonic attack at one point or another. Opression is a relatively normal state that comes and goes... Satan's purpose is to destroy each individual life. However, some people are cursed or make  promises or even blood oaths with satanic entities that give them legal access to their lives. In rare cases, people become possessed by evil spirits, and in very rare cases, people can become perfectly possessed, or unwilling to be delivered.

As a spirit-filled traditional Catholic Christian, faithful to the Magisterium with more than thirteen years experience ministering in this field , my aim is simply to point you to specific resources that will help you on your journey, to pray for you and with you, and to serve as a liason, or translator, between you and your clergy member of any Christian denomination, as they are not always equipped to deal with the supernatural, surprising as that may be. Today, many priests and pastors are trained to guide you towards secular therapy, for example,  and not spiritual deliverance because they may not have had emphasized any teachings on spiritual warfare, on evil as a person and not just an idea, or on the war between the Devil and mankind. In fact, many priests and pastors you may encounter might suggest further occult or new age techniques to help you stop the problem, thereby making it worse. There are no magic formulas to assist people with hauntings. Like everything else, deliverance is achieved by grace, through faith in Christ. it takes trial and error, earnest self-seeking, and an eye for what to look for.


As a former victim of a haunting and a person who ministers by the Holy Spirit-given gift of discernment of spirits, I am very aware of the fear and the stigma that comes with reaching out to others about this kind of situation. I'm also aware of the psychological and spiritual repercussions of NOT heeding the advice of the Church. Because of my personal life experience, I am familiar with the paranormal scene emerging today as well as with occult religious experiences which have been known to "open doors," something which clergy often know next to nothing about. I have, myself, been delivered from my own demons, and my hope is that in sharing my experiences with you you will find solace and comfort in a world where very few people understand much of anything you might be going through.

The Bible says in Psalm 91:5 that you will not fear the terror of the night. Stand on this Word, which is for you today if you are experiencing a haunting and unsure of how to proceed. May the following information and the posts in my blog about paranormal activity as well as my demonology pages help guide you towards freedom from fear.

A guide to understanding Satanic activity:

- Ordinary activity: These include temptations to sin, and not one of us are exempt.

-Extraordinary activity: This takes six different forms. The first is external physical pain. Some illnesses, some calamity, and other types of elements which cause us suffering are included here, in particular "invisible blows" such as those suffered by the Cure d'Ars or Padre Pio. The second is called Diabolical Oppression and includes an attack in the health, jobs, or relationships of the person afflicted. The third is called Diabolical Obsession and involved an uncontrollable attack on the thoughts and/or dreamlife.This can and has been confused with mental illness, and a discerning eye is needed to know the difference. The fourth type is called Diabolical Infestation and involves the possession or demonic ownership of a place or thing. The fifth type is called Diabolical Possession and involves the maintenance of control over a person by an (often invited) demon. In this case, Satan can speak or act in the place of the person and without his/her consent. The ordinary signs of possession include: speaking in unknown tongues with fluency, superhuman/extraordinary strength, and the ability to know secret knowledge, such as another man's hidden sin or a future event. There is no "exact picture" of what to expect. Each case of possession is different. The last and final extraordinary activity of Satan is Diabolical subjugation or dependance. This occurs when an individual knowingly gives himself and his possessions over to the Enemy. The most common forms of this activity occur through the making of a blood oath or act of consecration to Satan.


STEPS TO DELIVERANCE

1. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17)

The first and most important step is a thorough examination of conscience. A solid self-awareness and increasing knowledge of self will help you to understand your own sinful tendencies and the things which keep you bogged down with demonic thoughts instead of the thoughts of God. The easiest way to form one's conscience is to begin by daily reading and mediation on the Word of God and on the teachings of the Church and writings of the Saints. As you learn what "being a Christian" means and looks like, you compare yourself and your actions to those you see and read about in the Words of Scripture and the Encyclicals and other documents (letters, etc) of the Church. Thus, you keep yourself honest about what you have and have not done that is directly out of line with God's will for your life. Repentance is the first step to deliverance, and involves a true sorrow for the sins one has committed.

2. Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. ( James 5:16)

Confession is a powerful tool that proves our repentance and deepens our appropriation of forgiveness and absolution. For Roman Catholics, confession assures our salvation by ensuring absolution at the hands of a priest, one of God's unbroken line of apostolic representatives given spiritually authority on earth.
 Confession is a crucial step after repentance to aid in the deliverance process. Confession removes our spiritual "filth" and any legal holds demonic influences may have on our person.

3.Lay ahold of God's Grace.

“Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our sanctification” (taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia). The Roman Catholic Church teaches that while God gives grace to man without outward symbols (or sacraments), He has also chosen to give grace to man through visible symbols. Because God has done this, man is foolish to not make use of this God-provided means of gaining sanctification. Thus, as a Catholic, you should turn to the sacraments as centers of accessible grace. This means you should receive Baptism, if you have not, and Confession, if you have not, and also receive Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. If you are married, you should also ensure you have been married sacramentally, if you are a priest, been given the graces associated with Holy Orders by ensuring your orders were recieved sacramentally, and if you are sick, receive the annointing of the sick.
If you are not a Catholic, note that the first part of the last paragraph says that God gives grace to man without the outward symbols as well. In other words, the sacraments are not the ONLY way of receiving grace. What else can you do? Pray, and ask God for Grace. The Bible says we must only ask, and we shall receive. (Matthew 7:7, John 14:3)

4. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)

Quite simply, the process of deliverance is to ask for deliverance and to appropriate it/ receive it when it ready to come. If you follow these four steps consistently and earnestly, seeking God with all your heart, mind, body and soul He will not fail to save you. And great shall be the peace of His Children! (Isaiah 54:13)

There are no magic formulas or spells to give you deliverance from demonic forces. You must exercise your will and depend on the wide mercy of God. There are sacramentals which can help, but not if they are used superstitiously or with faith placed in them (idolatry) as opposed to God's redeeming work. Some of the sacramentals I use and recommend are exorcised salt and water, chrism, the Miraculous Medal or St Benedict's Medal, relics of the Saints, the brown scapular or a blessed rosary or crucifix. But none of these things are efficacious in and of themselves, only by the power they are given from God to confer his grace. For many people, these can be stumbling blocks or even deepen the demonic attack. The Cross of Christ, applied to a life, is the ONLY solution and remedy for a demonic attack.

If you or a loved one are involved in a case of possession, you will still need the same things to be delivered. A Roman Catholic Priest who recites the Roman Catholic Exorcism over a possessed person for one or more days will often have success, but usually only if the above four steps are attended to first. Do not despair if you are certain of the possession of yourself or a loved one and cannot find sympathetic clergy or a willing Bishop. Scripture says that the prayers of the RIGHTEOUS MAN avail much. Though you may not find an exorcist or be able to receive a much-needed exorcism, a group of faithful people whose hearts are right with God usually will have as much success in praying for an afflicted person for deliverance as a full blown exorcist.

The business of demonic activity is profoundly dangerous. Do NOT attempt an exorcism without the spiritual authority to do so. Do NOT play with, engage, or otherwise interact with demonic entities. Do NOT underestimate the ability of the Enemy to outwit, tempt, and succeed at throwing you off track. Do NOT dialogue directly with a person manifesting demonically, and do NOT make a display of your occult knowledge or your ability to "get a name" from a demon, or other such ritualistic business. Simply humble yourselves and pray.. this is the ONLY solution to a demonic problem and you will find no other that actually work.

If you feel powerless to help yourself or someone else and aren't sure what to do next or how to proceed, I HIGHLY recommend that you simply pray the Holy Rosary daily, even hour by hour if necessary, for the deliverance of the person whom you wish to help. God answers prayer, and you need not fear the terror of  the night, nor the arrow that flies by day. God has provided your own arrows, warrior. Offer up prayers to the One who can answer, and do not get caught up in fleshly temptations to create grandiose scenarios of deliverance-- for we battle not against flesh and blood but against the powers and principalities and the rulers of this world and darkness.

One additional note: Catholic Christians believe the teachings of the Bible and the Church with regards to the doctrine of Purgatory. This doctrine states that the soul is not always "immediately" sanctified if they did not take the necessary steps to respond to God's grace while on earth.
 Because of this doctrine, combined with personal experience, it is my belief that not ALL hauntings are the result of a demonic entity, but that some can stem from a situation in which a soul in purgatory is somehow made known to a human person, ALWAYS For a purpose-- the purpose of receiving prayer.
So, with that in mind, understand that the advice I give will help no matter what--- if you believe that the entity you are encountering is a soul in purgatory, then I recommend the above four steps PLUS having a mass said by a priest on the premises or other appropriate prayers said for the release of said person.

That being said, it is my personal experience (and in line with the doctrines and teachings of the Church and Bible) that more often than not, even in a situation which seems to be clearly about a "lost soul," the ACTUAL situation is one of very cleverly disguised demonic proportions. In other words, don't mess around and always assume the worst.

Please visit my demonology blog for specific advice and assistance. http://catholicwarfare.blogspot.com/

May God  go with you and the angels and Saints protect you. And may you be empowered to halt the enemy and to fend off his attacks in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.