My Catholic Roots are showing -

Opening Doors To Demons

January 15, 2024 No Comments

On January 8th we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord.

Baptism

The simple way to explain baptism is to understand that Adam was born of the flesh and Jesus was born of the Spirit. Because of Adam’s original sin, we all need to be baptized. By this sacrament one receives the Holy Spirit and is forgiven of all sins that were committed before baptism. This makes the baptized person a new creature. Through this rite we become adopted as a child of God and a member of the Catholic Church. In the case of an infant, the water is poured over the baby’s forehead; in an adult, the body is immersed in water. This is a holy sacrament to protect us from evil.

The Lord’s baptism was the beginning of His ministry. The Book of Mark is filled with vivid stories of Jesus casting out demons. There is a connection here because in order for Jesus to cast out these demons, He had to be baptized first. In His baptism Jesus was anointed for His ministry.

I remember my baptism because I was a four-year-old child. My younger sister Norma was a year old, and my sister Jo was seven. We were all baptized on the same day. Looking back on that day, I have a sense of great gratitude that our mother took on this spiritual commitment for us. Whether I realized it or not, it was part of my journey and baby steps into who I have become today.

If your children are not baptized, it is your responsibility before God to do this. Please do not become one of those parents who say, “This is their personal choice, and when they get older they will decide.” No they won’t! And the longer you wait, the more problematic it will become. The Sacrament of Baptism helps us fight demons in our life because we belong to God.

Two Movies

Over the weekend I watched two movies: Leave The World Behind and Nefarious. This is my personal critique:

Leave The World Behind

This movie is entertaining but offers no hope. The characters are forced to figure out life after losing contact with the rest of the world. They have no television, no Internet, no cell phones, and no explanation for all the bizarre things that are happening around them.

This forces two families to live together in an attempt to understand what has become of their world. No one knows what to do; they are all baffled and attempt to remedy the situation by escaping. In their world they feel that they have the intellect to solve the mystery. No one cries out to God, because in their world God does not exist. The story line had Kierkegaard’s signature philosophy of existentialism in plain view, so this movie will be popular with the general public.

Nefarious

Nefarious, on the other hand, teaches us how to rebuke demons. The story line is about an atheist who has to evaluate a prisoner. The prisoner is filled with demons; he shows the audience the source of evil, and that demons have power over people who are weak in their beliefs. The demons manifest themselves by knowing specific characteristics about the atheist. This movie offers the Christian believers an opportunity to reflect on their lives and to make sure that no doors are opened for the Enemy to enter.

Ports of Entry

Horoscopes/Astroology

In Hindu culture the positions and movements of planets and stars are believed to provide guidance and auspicious timing for upcoming events based on their position at the time of a person’s birth. They are believed to give insight into personality traits, marriage, careers and human relationships. But the Bible tells us to trust in God and warned against these beliefs. (Isaiah 8:19-22)

The Enemy loves to trick us into believing that horoscopes are innocent and just for fun. They may start off like that, but the deeper you enter into astrology the greater the possibility you have opened a door for the Enemy. All Satan needs is a cracked door to come in.

Yoga

Yoga is another entry to the occult. Yes, stretching is good for the body, but all the poses have names of deities, since some of the poses offers worship to Hindu Gods. Now you have invited more demons and after a while the party of demons will take over.

Ouija Boards

I remember as a young teen we bought a Ouija Board for fun, but it was not so much fun when the board communicates with you! I threw that demonic game board in the trash! Stay away from Ouija Boards! As an adult I had to renounce using it. This definitely has an evil spirit attached to it.

Tarot Cards

When I was a novice Christian, I thought that it would be a good idea to walk around Jackson Square in New Orleans quietly renouncing the evil spirits of the Tarot card readers. When I returned home I developed the most unusual cold/flu symptoms that lasted more than three weeks! The evil spirit got the best of me because I did not pray before doing this.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

Fortune tellers/Mediums

Years ago when my son’s friend was killed in an accident, his mother was desperate to find some comfort or explanation for his death. We both went to see a woman who used crystals. I knew as soon as I walked into the living room that there was something very dark about this person. When you are gripped with fear, it is not of God. I wanted to leave as soon as we arrived, but I was polite and stayed with my friend. I never went back and had to renounce ever being there. This is witchcraft! (Lev 19:31;20:6)

Remember fortune tellers and mediums get their dysfunctional gifts from the Enemy. Yes, they have knowledge and will use it to win you over. Their readings captivate young people who have no knowledge of God or those who have never been baptized.

New Age/Crystals

Calling on Mother Earth and believing that you yourself are a demigod open so many portals to the Enemy. Satan loves it when your free spirit is about you and takes advantage of the fact that you have no spiritual covering.

When I was in the hospital with COVID I had a dream that someone had placed different sized crystals around my body to cause me harm. In my weak state of mind I had to cry out to God to cancel any assignment the Enemy had to hinder my recovery.

Crystals are another means of opening the doors to demonic activity. Some people believe crystals have healing properties for physical and emotional benefits; they believe that they promote good energy to help rid our bodies and minds of negative energy. Do not get caught up in the snares of the Enemy! The world will try to convince you, but believe God instead!

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for giving me discernment on how to keep the doors closed to the Enemy. Lord, I pray for all who are dabbling into the occult by practicing any of these sinful behaviors. Father, open their eyes to Your truth, and deliver them from all evil. Amen.

My Heart of the Matter

Prophetic New Year

January 8, 2024 No Comments

I believe this will be a year of great reckoning.

The Vatican

The ambiguity coming from the Vatican has left us all in a quandary. What did the pope really mean, and why does it need to be explained? Why does the media welcome this news with such glee? I am referring to the blessing of same-sex couples. With God there is no hidden agenda. His message is simple and does not need an explanation.

I will not use this platform to attack the Catholic Church, nor will I condemn the words of our pope, which greatly saddened me. Instead I will patiently wait on God and concentrate on His blessings, reminding myself of Who sits on the throne. Besides, the gates of hell will not prevail, against it. The Catholic church will remain because God planted it on solid ground. (Mt 16:18) We pray for a spiritual cleansing.

The Truth

How do you distinguish a lie from the truth? If you truly have a healthy relationship with God, the Holy Spirit will reveal truth. Occasionally when I watch the secular news I know immediately if the reporting is indeed factual or fabricated. We must take into consideration that any matters having to do with secular news are based on profit; the more sensational the report, the better the ratings. (John 14:17)

1 John 4:6 New American Bible (Revised Edition)

With eyes wide open many refuse to see the truth. Nothing will change the true believer’s mind about same-sex marriages. God loves them and wants them to live saintly lives. Although they believe that the marriage can be blessed, it is not scriptural. Unfortunately there are priests who will bless these unions, but in the eyes of God they are unacceptable. Marriage is between a man and woman. (Lev 18:22) I fear any Catholic priest who supports same-sex marriages will face judgement without mercy because they know and have been taught the Word of God. ( Jeremiah 50:6)

We have been living in a bubble of lies, but God will expose the truth. Sometimes I feel surrounded by so much distortion that I want to scream. It is maddening!

Public Schools

For years our public schools have been a target of the Enemy. Satan would want nothing more than to destroy the future of our children. Slowly the Devil has chipped away and opened doors from the pit of Hell to indoctrinate students into believing that transgender is normal and acceptable. Those who have supported this agenda will be held accountable for the young lives that they have affected. (2 Timothy 4:3)

Big Pharma

I recently took my cat Prudie to the vet. As several of us waited for our pets, a man walked in with his dog. This man was a talker; even if we did not want to hear what he was saying, we were forced to. He wanted to make sure that his dog was going to get his second COVID vaccine. So now Big Pharma has a surplus of these vaccinations so it is giving them to our pets? This is news to me because of all the dogs we have owned, we have never given them any sort of a flu shot.

COVID Vaccine For Pets

According to Complexity Science Hub Vienna, there have been only 174 cases of canine COVID reported worldwide! So now that human beings have removed the scales from their eyes about this vaccine, Big Pharma is pushing it on our pets! The truth will always prevail.

Lost Trust

Why is Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Lapado calling for a halt of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine? And why have only 3% of Americans received the COVID booster? The CDC and FDA have failed the American people. When the truth about the vaccines remains hidden, people lose trust. Without trust, Big Pharma will lose.

Social Influencers

I have Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook accounts. I use these social media platforms for promoting this Blog. A couple of weeks ago I posted a video that offended others. Of course my intentions were meant to come across as comical, but others did not receive it that way. I quickly removed the video from my page because I want to lead others to Christ, not anger them.

As soon as I hear the F-bomb drop on social media, I immediately move on. You do not need to use profanity on social media to gain more followers. Be yourself and others will recognize your honesty.

Being Held Accountable

You may have millions of followers, but where are you leading them? Many social influencers are leading our youth into more confusion. They’re talented and fly in private jets; these are blessings from God. We do not need to know how liberal they are, or how their fame has catapulted them, but are they qualified to give any sort of advice? They need to be careful because God is not only watching them, He can take it all away.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I praise You and believe that all that hidden agendas will surface and truth will prevail. Many will be in shock with the outcome of Your great reckoning. I pray for those who are steeped in self-love, causing many to go astray. I pray that they willl wake up to see the glory of Your existent and pay homage to all the gifts You have given them. Father, You are the great judge, and we say, “Enough!” Save us Lord! Amen.

My Heart of the Matter

New Year’s Resolution: Forgive

January 1, 2024 No Comments

What will the New Year bring?

Hoarding Emotions

I love to watch the television program “Hoarding, Buried Alive.” There is always an emotional attachment to all the madness in hoarding. Our emotions, without God to guide us, will hoard matters of past pain for years. We store these bad experiences, sometimes without realizing it, so our fragile, damaged emotions surface when triggered.

Hoarding emotional trauma will only hold you back from receiving blessings. How many of us will ring in this new year with extra baggage? Or will you continue to rehash how you were hurt and remain unable to forgive?

My Story

For years I have struggled to accept someone in my family. I will call this person Leanne. Leanne and I have never been friendly toward each other because we both experienced childhood traumas, hers much more traumatic than mine. I always felt forced to have her in our lives. At family gatherings, my stress level would accelerate to high alert whenever she was around. To put it plainly, we did not like each other.

Exposing The Iceberg

We all know that the tip of the iceberg is what we can see, but what is hidden below gives the iceberg its strength. I can honestly say that in all my years of hoarding emotional unforgiveness toward Leanne, the hidden iceberg became my crutch. On the outside I remained civil, even cordial; but underneath all that unforgiveness the iceberg gained strength. I did not like the person that I had become, so I went to confession many times.

1 John 1:9 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

Once I realized that the Enemy was the one holding me down in the cold waters of the iceberg, my unforgiveness was finally exposed. I cannot speak for Leanne, but I know that she was freed as well. You see when we harbor animosity toward another person, we hold them hostage.

Walking The Talk

Let’s get one thing straight: I love the Lord and want nothing more than to be used of Him. This unforgiveness was a hindrance because the Enemy constantly harassed me that I was a weak, hypocritical Christian. Finally it all came to a peaceful resolution this Christmas, and I can say it was a miracle.

The Photo

I had a photo of Leanne’s mother and wanted to give it to her. I had a complicated conversation with my husband because he believed that it would bring back bad memories. After much prayer Mike finally agreed.

I framed the photo, placed it in a recycled box for wrapping, and also gave Leanne a beautiful blanket her mother had crocheted.

We had agreed that we were not going to have a gift exchange, so Leanne was surprised when I handed her the gifts. When she unwrapped the recycled box, she saw that it was an image of a Christmas plate and did not bother to get it out. I said, “Leanne, you need to open the gift. There is something special inside the box.” “Oh, I thought it was a plate,” she answered.

In my heart I wanted to capture the look on her face when she pulled out the picture of her mother. I knew that this was the best peace offering I could give. She was so grateful! Leanne had no idea about the history of the blanket either, so when I told her that her mother crocheted it, she held it tightly to her heart.

Listening To The Holy Spirit

By no means do I consider myself a hero for doing this. After I prayed about this for several days, the Holy Spirit put this in my heart. And when Mike agreed, I understood it was confirmation to go ahead with the plan.

The Holy Family

Sunday, December 31st we celebrated the Feast of The Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph – there is no better example of a holy family than these. God chose Joseph to be Jesus’ foster-father. What a beautiful example to those who have foster children and stepchildren or to those who have half-brothers and half-sisters. We are all part of one big family of God.

Know Who You Are

Mike was cleaning out the garage the other day and found a basket with a variety of stuff inside. Some of it was trash, but I found a notebook with a letter I had written to my father long after he died. My father was a wounded man, so he brought that unhealed part of his life into our family. This is my letter written in 2014.

The Letter

Dear Dad,

I want to thank you for giving me life. Though we did not have a close relationship, I understood why. In conversations with my mother, she shared a story about your upbringing. She mentioned that your grandmother raised you, and that she was uncharitable and cruel to you. This emotion left you with a mistrust for women – all women.

The day you left our family you took our mother’s heart with you. Though we went without, it was God’s plan that you moved on. No more fighting. Finally peace in our home!

Without the Lord to guide and direct us we are sojourners in this strange land. You loved us, but were never taught to display love. You were a good father to my brothers, teaching them your trade as a lathing contractor. The girls in the family were distant from you because of the painful scars left from your past. You never understood women. I hold no anger or grudges toward you but only love. You were the father that God chose for us, and you gave us what you were given. For that I am grateful.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, so many of us are holding on to unnecessary pain caused by others. Lord, may we operate in the spirit of forgiveness. Remove this heavy load we have been carrying for so long. Lord, forgive me for not understanding Leanne’s heart. Please continue to heal us from all of our past hurts. Bring us peace this New Year and allow us a glimpse of all the blessings You have in store for us. Amen.