You for them or against them? I accept the spiritual side of things so, although it is not in modern fashion, I wouldn't hesitate to refer someone if I thought that was needed. (Nothing I would attempt. The documented exorcisms I am aware of can be quite a trial.) If I saw a mental health problem I would refer it that way. I just don't think all maladjustments are stictly MH woes.
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Mess Chief, Ft Arroyo
"Tucson sweet. Best chili in the Saguaro."
Is not whether yor for it or against it.
When you are in the ministry, you run into such things and you must be prepare to act accordingly.
I believe many areas in the US are not afflicted by this, but in our area in Florida where we have Haitians and cubans and all sorts of people from other countries , in which Voodoo and Santeria and Palo Mayumbe from Africa are practiced, we see it all the time.
I agree not all cases are of demon possession, by the same critique we found that not all mental illness is mental illness.
We have documented cases from a local mental hospital that several patients began to act up when we pulled into the parking lot area, as we walked closer inside they would go mad with rage and when we passed by their rooms they would throw feces and urine at us, and told us to get out,that they were in control, so those we exorcisedand most recovered within hours to a sane estate.
We also found different ranks in demonology, the voodoo demons are very low grade soldiers and usually leave quickly, so are the santeria demons ,unlesss you run into a babalao(Priest) they usually have a higher ranking demon.
The santeria depends on the time and rank of the practicioner, with the palo Mayumbe(African Black Magic)been the strongest and requiring great preparation and time.
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
Once when my son was 3 or so. My wife had taken him to the library. When she returned to her car she noticed some one hadtaken a ball point pen and drawn on her white camaro (83). She walked around trying to decipher what the vandalshad written on it. She came to the front right fender and saw a recognizeable symbol. It was... An odd rabbit of some sort. Not sure at first if this was some satanic symbol contrasting our new to church life stye displayed against her fairly recent model automobile or if there wassome otherrandom act of meanness.
At first glance she thought why would vandals draw a bunny on her car.True itwas just before Easter, the most religious holiday of the year... Hmmm Then it dawned on her. It was out sons hand writing. Our son had done the vandalous deed. She asked TJ about it. TJ admitted to it (he has always told the truth, even when it wasn't popular). She declard that she was way to mad to punish him. His Father would deal with him.
Conniemy wife came home and was ranting, raving mad. TJ had a look of terror in his eyes. I asked him, Son, did you draw on mommy's car? He poked out his lip and said yes sir. I don't know about your house but when things get serious andeither of ourkids that are in deep caca know when to embellish us with the sir's and mam's in their sentences. As if this willlighten the sentence or perhaps it is to be used as a shield to fend off the potential physical attack on the posteror. What ever the case the yes sir had no effect on my ill mood.
I asked him son why did youdraw on your mommys car.At this time TJ, my daughter Chrissy, Connie and I had been going to church for over a year. We knew he had been there during many sermons. They church we attended at the time did not have a childrens church so he was with us the whole time. A mid sized baptist church. Our pastor at the time could get loud and would "tell it like it is". More than once we had heard about the wiles of the devil and his attempts to lure us into temptation.
TJ looked up at me and with his bottom lip poked out declared that the devil made him do it. My wife and I looked at each other. Here before me stood a once innocent 3 year old whom now had been corrupted by the ol devil himself. Our son at the tender age of three had succombed to the wiles of the devil. My wifes lip began a slight quiver at his declaration that the devil had made him do it. Once our eyes met, we both knew there was a new situation at hand. In his sincerity our son had defined the root cause of the problem. We both knew that an excorciscm was necessary.
I glared back down at TJ. I said son. You mean the devil made you do write on mommy's car? He nodded his head up and down with a vigorous declaration. I told him well son I can see right now that we need to get that ol devil out of you righ now. So I commenced to whip out my belt. After a few licks from the leather tongued enforcer I often carried around with me. We all came to an agreement that the exorcism was successful.
To this day, that ol devil hasn't inspired anyone else in our family to perform any artistic expressions on the exterior nor interior of any vehicle in our fleet. He has risen his head from time to time in other ways but those must be saved for another time....
Alex,
Any tell tale signs one might see in a person? Signs that might leada person to conclude that there is a problem.Absolutes especialy.
Thanx
Den
Yes , usually in the young , it is amanifestation of rebellion against God or anything to do with God.
Then the fascination with the occult and dressing up the part, such as the gothic fad.
In the Mature person, there is a lot of different signs, but usually the possesss cannot stand the name of Yeshua or singing in worship, drives them bananas.
Also whistling a hym tune, why I don't know.
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
Things that will attract evil spirits to your home and you.
Leaving old pacts you might have made with Satan or satanic rituals and not repenting from them, even if you were young at the time.
Amulets.
Books on the occult.
Cursing
Bad words.
Yelling and screaming in anger.
Abad attitute concerning life.
always questioning God's motives.
Idols or statues, such as chineese gods that people think is just ornaments.
wind chimes.
Following oriental fables such as fongchuei.
sinning knowing you are sinning.
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"Blessed is He who Comes in The Name of The Lord"
Things that will attract evil spirits to your home and you.
Leaving old pacts you might have made with Satan or satanic rituals and not repenting from them, even if you were young at the time.
Amulets.
Books on the occult.
Cursing
Bad words.
Yelling and screaming in anger.
Abad attitute concerning life.
always questioning God's motives. Idols or statues, such as chineese gods that people think is just ornaments. wind chimes.
Following oriental fables such as fongchuei.
sinning knowing you are sinning.
I guess Chinese restaurants must be full of evil spirits and desperately in need of exorcism. More superstition run amok.
Exorcisms
