Dot Every 'i' and Cross Every 't'

[Updated: Sentence adjustment -- minor corrections - 5th and 9th paragraphs, minor additions to correct reading fluency BP]

God guides the eagles

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with My eye. [Ps32:8]

Dot Every ‘i’ and Cross Every ‘t’

click any picture to enlarge

Teaching, guiding and instructing also involves correction, for a good Father will discipline and/or correct a child if they make a mistake, or if they can improve in an area. It is all part of expanding understanding, growing and maturing. On the other hand, a wise child will be receptive to guidance, counseling, and correction.

A man named E. Skolfield once said [paraphrased] that when writing online, one must take great care to dot every ‘i’ and to cross each ‘t’. Every effort is made on my part to do so, but there may be awkward instances where I unintentionally cross every ‘I’ and dot each ‘t’ instead. [a little humour…very little lol]                                                                                              

Crossing the 'i' --
dotting the 't'

                                                                                                                      ([Side note]: A woman named Marilyn Foley wrote a novelette full of humourous short stories which was published in December 2016. I only discovered her when I was searching for a picture. Her book title was the perfect fit to express the awkward moments where I can mess things up or seemingly get them backwards when I am writing.

click to enlarge

The short introduction to the author written up underneath Marilyn’s picture states that she was unwell, with medical professionals and caregivers struggling to ease her suffering from health issues at the time that she was working on her short stories. That being said, and since the booklet was released nine years ago, I do not know if she is still alive. I have not read the book, which is sold on Amazon. I also do not know if she was/is a Christian. [End side note])

It is interesting how a random search for a fitting picture for my article brought me to a book written by someone who (at the time) desperately needed healing. What are the odds? A quick search to find out further information about the author turned up fruitless. I hope Marilyn Foley was made well, but if not, and more importantly, I hope she was a Christian and is with the Lord, free from suffering and all hardships.

In the last article I posted, had I indeed dotted every ‘I’ or crossed every ‘t’? [I did not think so.] The words that are written could easily be misconstrued. I should continually remember this because of the way the “written Word”, the Holy Bible itself, has entire verses taken out of context. People are often divided over the way they understand certain passages.

It is how false doctrines are created, and it is how the devil (Satan/Lucifer) leads people astray, away from Jesus, and away from childlike ‘faith’.  It is also how [false] ‘faith-healers’ and false prophets/teachers hoodwink people, causing them to stumble blindly along the path of deception.

Upon rereading it, it was easy to see where explicit details were lacking, and where questions and doubts could rise up, which could possibly cause misunderstanding. In the writing I was mentioning how I kept coming across scriptures (without trying), as well as random articles and videos about healing (particularly scriptures) after I had prayed to the Lord about it.

I have been praying for years and in certain instances, decades, regarding healing. Various things have been healed by Jesus, things such as pleurisy, bad flues, blood clots, etc. Even a sick dog was healed once when I could not afford the cost of an examination and medicine at a vet’s. Glory to God alone.

There were also many times that I had to go the usual course and allow doctors and their medicines to heal me, but I still saw it as God’s hand in it all. Yet, this time I have been praying for osteoarthritis [bone-on-bone in both knees], and in my wrists [osteo], as well as degenerative discs and sciatic nerve pain. 

Over the years the pain has increased to such a state that I have difficulty walking, and standing and sitting for long periods of time are difficult. Some pressure sores become ulcers and have trouble healing.

Every step of the way Jesus Christ is with me. He is my joy - He never fails...

The pain has brought me to tears many times. There are times I think I cannot bear more, and have had enough. Others suffer more, I do realize, but pain is pain, and when we deal with it, we have to cling to Jesus for strength and perseverance (endurance).

Every step of the way Jesus Christ (Yeshua) is with me. He never fails...

Yet, I must say one thing. I do know that the Lord has revealed much in me that needed changing through all this – attitudes, harbored bitterness, anger, long list, unforgiveness, things I was sure I had dealt with, seemingly endless. Corrupted flesh; fallen nature…

The Lord does good work in His people just as He promised.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: [Phil 1:6]

Yet it seems like one thing is overcome and something else pops up; deal with that, and something else…like “whack-a-mole”. There is no end to the corruption of the flesh. Every day it has to be nailed to the cross, to deny the lusts, appetites, and desires of the flesh, dying to self.

Some days we do well, some days not so much, but the beauty is that the Holy Spirit helps us. The more we love God, the more we mature, the more we obey Jesus, the more often we overcome temptation – step by step, with the precious Holy Spirit and Jesus/Yeshua [their constant help when we pray, without fail-glory to the living God], we have victory.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. [Rom 8:37]

Checking Every Detail

We often hear (at least I have) in Christian circles that the devil is into details. Satan’s interest in details is two-fold. Firstly, to counterfeit (copy, mimic) God's work, for the purpose of deception and destruction. The Creator of all things knows every detail and cares for everything according to His wisdom and His will. Secondly, the adversary's effort to sabotage our walk and rob us of our faith (hope and love).

I believe that when we pray about healing and long to know God’s will in the matter, we should seek confirmation. In the previous article I posted I wrote that I believed Jesus was confirming His promise to me in order to remove all doubt and unbelief because the reality is that not everyone receives miraculous healing.

Then I wrote: We all know that. None of us can explain why. Yes, children of light understand about faith and unbelief, but nothing irks me more than people who look at those who are suffering and say, "you just have to have enough faith" [to be healed].

That is the place where my words can be easily misconstrued, that being where I wrote that “nothing irks me more”  than people saying “you just have to have enough faith”. The details need to be checked carefully here so there is no misunderstanding.

About Faith and Healing

Back to the purpose of this article. I am unsettled about just leaving the sentence and thought like that. It needed more of an explanation; some things are more difficult to explain than others. The thought of misleading anyone or misrepresenting the gospel or the words of Jesus terrify me…we are responsible for our words, and will be held accountable.

Prayer and petitions have gone up more than once to the Lord regarding healing. Millions of people, if not billions, are praying for healing, either for themselves, for a loved one, or someone they have been asked to lift up in prayer before God Almighty [El Shaddai].

I had shared how I continued to come across precise scriptures (without effort), videos, and articles about the Lord bringing health, healing, or a cure. Although it randomly showed up in the latter two ways, it was mostly through scriptures that keep appearing about “healing” and a “cure”, from Old to New Testament, that strengthened me, re-enforcing and building faith.

Do get the Word of God down in your heart. Do speak forth scripture in context.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. [Rom 10:17] NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [Heb 11:1] KJV

Building our faith is done through hearing (learning) the Word to discover God’s character, His will, His desire for us. We are saved by grace through ‘faith’.

Abba gives all a “measure of faith”.

For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. [Rom 12:3]

One church online stated that the Lord grants each of us the measure of faith we need to get through the mission we have (individually) in life. That would make sense. They mention Paul and how God granted him the faith he needed for all he endured “for the sake of Christ”, such as being shipwrecked, stoned, whipped, hunger, thirst, fasting, cold, and more. [2Cor 11:24-27] Source: Valley Bible Church

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

It is important to me that I never lead anyone astray or shake up their faith because I know what it is like to be deceived. After the orphanage, the Word of Faith church (that was its name) was the first church I attended as a young adult in my twenties.

I learned some “name it and claim it” lessons the hard way. I will never endorse that doctrine of devils. The false prophets have toned down some of the teachings but they will still promote the belief that God’s will is health and wealth for all, and blessings are a direct result of faith and “giving”.

Many have wised-up and no longer promote seed-faith as much as to give a ‘donation’, or a ‘love-gift’. The internet has helped many false teachers cloak or help cover up their false doctrine. All they have to do is search about false teachers or false prophets and avoid the obvious.

Could that be why Jesus said if it is possible the false Christs and the false prophets, along with their signs and wonders will deceive even the very elect? [Mt 24:24]

People think if they see a miracle (signs and wonders) it must be of God, but Jesus/Yeshua makes it abundantly clear that Satan’s ministers (false prophets and teachers) will perform them, and God will allow it.

We must cling to Jesus and walk obediently in His will. We NEED the Lord and that need is increasing as darkness in the world deepens and corruption in all things multiplies. The adversary counterfeits what he sees God doing, as do his minions, his demonic legions and his fleshly double agents.

That is why I was surprised to see that I unintentionally “seemed to approve” those who believe and operate in the teachings of the prosperity gospel on my radio program back in 2013, and still hung onto certain beliefs, such as prophets.

I absolutely believe in prophecy, but as for prophets. Today’s “prophets” can “get it wrong”, whereas the ancient prophets of God, the true prophets, never got anything wrong. That is the major difference.

Today, people give prophetic messages as the Holy Spirit moves upon them to speak. However, sometimes a person can get a prophecy wrong, and that would be because they either spoke in the flesh or through divination. Today, if that happens, people excuse it with, “I’m not perfect; I make mistakes.”

Of course that is true; we all make mistakes. There is not one person who has ever lived that has not made mistakes, except one. His name is Jesus/Yeshua, and that is why He was the only one who could be the perfect, blameless sacrifice - as atonement for our sins.

In the Old Testament the prophets spoke as the Holy Spirit moved upon them, otherwise it more often was of the flesh or a familiar spirit if there was error. Such were called false prophets or prophets of Baal. 

When false prophecies failed, the prophet was to be stoned to death because they usually led people into rebellion, away from God, or promised things that God did not promise. They prophesied lies or from their own imagination, or by an familiar or unclean spirit (divination/python spirit).

There is the difference, and that is why I am not too quick to say there are prophets today. We do not stone to death those with wrong prophesies, we excuse them. God does not make mistakes. He IS perfect.

As for apostles, I believe there were the 12 and that is it. Their names will be written on the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.  There never was female apostles, and there never shall be. Those who hold such a title today are not true apostles. Otherwise, show me scripture that justifies it.

Many today are hung up on titles and position, a matter of pride, ego, man-given authority and power. They will mean nothing (the titles) in heaven – all I hope for are crowns to place at the feet of the King Jesus.

Consequences of Sin

As we all know, or soon find out, sin has consequences. What I later discovered is that I was in a long season [turned out to be 39 years] of consequences (due to idolatry), which affected discernment in an area.

When I was unsaved and had no fear of the Lord, I chose to follow after a mere man; I chose a man over the Lord Jesus. In other words, I chose the created over the Creator and fell headfirst into idolatry. I thought my ex-boyfriend would love me (bad love is better than no love – I deceived myself, then the enemy helped).

I grieved the King of kings and Lord of lords that day, but thus began a season of consequences, my own 39 year wilderness walk (I ended up with a year’s undeserved grace when I finally came to my senses [like Nebuchadnezzar], confessed my sin, repented with godly sorrow, and received forgiveness.

Seven years were still remaining in 2013. Season of consequences is a reality which I wrote about in a 3-part series, ending with the Backbone of America is Broken                                                                                    

The Prosperity Doctrine on Healing “Irks” Me

In the article “To the Weary” written in 2013, I mention two guests that were on [Warriors of Endurance] "W.O.E. in the Time of Revealing" program I hosted on BlogTalk radio (which is now defunct as of January 2025).

My guest (a fine woman who loves God, whom I met in person and a year later drove me over the US border so I could return home to Canada) spoke of the five-fold ministries. To this day, she goes under the title of “prophetess”, and her husband goes under the title of “apostle”.

On the program she was sharing an urgent message that the “prophets” were being targeted by Satan, not just for ‘attack’, but she believed ‘targeted to be literally killed’. She was to warn all those in the 5-fold ministry in the office of the prophet.

Another guest, Jason Pillow, an ex-Satanist, shared that the Lord revealed to him that it was the time of sealing of God’s people by the Holy Spirit. My message was that I had a snapshot in a dream of three [3] words presented themselves – test of endurance.

So, was the Lord warning of a battle by the enemy that would ‘test our endurance’?  Would the time of sealing come after the battle? How did Satan plan to literally kill the modern-day prophets?

There never were any reports that any “prophets” were killed (murdered]. Praise God! I am sure prayer went up for protection, but such are the ‘prophecies’ that can come forth from today’s prophets. That is why I said what I said. It is not a salvation issue, but it can and does lead people to the prosperity gospel, and I wholly disagree with that false doctrine.

When I said it irks me when folks mention having enough faith to be healed, it is not those words necessarily that irks me. It is the words of those who insist healing is for everyone, and if you are not healed it is because you do not have enough faith. That is it right there - no healing? Not enough faith. That is simply not true.

About Faith

Yes, faith is important to Jesus. It is crucial. Hebrews chapter eleven is the ‘faith’ chapter. In chapter six, it is written: But without faith it is impossible to please Him [God]: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. [11:6]

 Indeed Jesus marvelled at the faith of some people such as the centurion [Mat 8:7-10], and the woman with the issue of blood who knew if she could just touch the hem of His garment she would be healed. [Mat 9:20-22]

But Jesus turned about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. [vs 22]

The prosperity teaching is also called the “health and wealth” gospel, the “name it and claim it” doctrine, or the “seed-faith gospel”.  I do not know what else, but the core of the Word of Faith (WOF – I always add an “L” for WOlF) teaching is a teaching that person’s faith is measured by their physical health (physical condition) or their financial success, which is a doctrine of demons.

The false teachers and false prophets insist that God’s power moves through “positive confession” (decreeing and declaring) combined with enough “faith” for God to move and perform. They teach that we receive blessings, health, and wealth (prosperity)  through faith, positive confessions, decrees and declarations.

NO ONE can override the power and authority of God Almighty (Yahweh) NONE. No one can cause God’s will to take second place to their will. Kenneth Copeland cannot overrule God.

They profess that we are little ‘gods’ and misrepresent the authority we have been given through Christ Jesus. There is one God who consists of the Father, Son (Jesus/Yeshua) and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons, one God, called the Godhead. [Col 2:9; Rom 1:20] There is one God, and no other.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. [1Jn 5:7-8]

We are not little ‘gods’. I do believe that we must have faith and believe for healing. We see throughout the New Testament where Jesus said a person’s faith has made them whole, or He commended them for their faith.

I believe in praying to God, and bringing Him all our petitions, and cares, and requests as we are instructed. [Phil 4:6] The Holy Spirit will lead us. My prayer is always (sometimes I forget, but I am getting better at it-practice) to ask the Lord that in His Sovereignty to not allow my flesh or any demon – the lying counterfeiter - to deceive me. 

It has been my prayer for a few years now (since learning about self-deception -- some lessons are painful, but I would rather the truth, with the discomfort and humbling of correction than the false comfort of a lie). Seems in my life that I mostly learn the hard way, but at least, I am learning. Thanks to a very patient Jesus/Yeshua.

When the prosperity teachers and prophets suggest or teach everyone who has enough faith gets healed is a dangerous teaching that threatens to shipwreck the faith of multitudes (the youth, new converts, the unlearned) if healing does not come.

Final Thought and Conviction

Nick Vijicic 
Joni Eareckson-Tada

Joni Eareckson Tada and Nick Vijicic are two examples of strong Christians who glorify God in their afflictions and silent sufferings. And it is because of brethren such as these two shining examples that I did write that it “irks me when people say you just have to have faith” you will be healed.

We do not know the mind or the wisdom of God. We cannot comprehend His magnificence or ways any more than an ant can understand us. There is no one who can explain why some are healed and some are not.

I hope now my statement makes more sense. We must have faith; it is our shield. It pleases our Creator – [Heb 11:1]Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.

Trust God that whatever He decides for us because whether we are healed miraculously in the physical now, or have to wait until we get our glorified bodies, our Lord Jesus cares about us. Do not listen to the lies of the enemy who wants everyone to end up in hell.

We belong to a loving marvelous Creator. We are His for His glory. We are in the best hands.

Even everyone that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him: yes, I have made him. [Is 43:7]

Season of Silence

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time for silence, and a time to speak

Season of Silence

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: [Eccl 3:7 and 1]

I realize this post is a day later than anticipated, but the interruptions. Nevertheless, let us begin.

Now What, Lord?

There were many times over the past months that I had planned to post an article, but it seemed each time that I planned to do so, the Holy Spirit held me back. It was as though there was a blockade in place. It was not yet to be. I had to wait on the Lord’s timing because I was about to enter into a season that I was not expecting.

However, the Lord had things He wanted to reveal, things I was to learn and to gain understanding of. I also had to fully comprehend what “suddenly” and “unexpectedly” really entailed. However, the lesson that occurred was only the beginning of a turbulent and dark season.

Many, if not all of God’s people go through dark nights of the soul, often more than once if they have been walking with the Lord for any length of time. Some seem to enter these times more than others (as evidenced in the Bible), but Christians do experience it.

Yet, God always brings his people through, without fail, always…and it goes much easier if we can but look to Jesus.  That sounds easy, but when circumstances and life overwhelms us, it can quickly become desperation of the heart, mind and soul, yet the men and women of God who were forerunners in the faith would humble themselves and cry out to God, holding nothing back, yet walking in appropriate fear of the Lord. They are our examples in scripture.

It was around the year 2010, give or take, that I wrote about a saying that is often quipped in Christian circles, which is: God never gives us more than we can bear [or handle]. The cliché was inspired by the scripture posted below.

There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer (cause) you to be tempted above what you are able (to handle); but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.  [1Cor 10:13]

What I had written was that that particular scripture clearly speaks of temptations and how God makes [offers] a way of escape so that we can bear [overcome] it. It does not speak about severe trials (tests) or tribulations that present in this life.

No, it does not say that God will not give us more than we can handle. I wrote that indeed, we WILL come across many situations and trials in life that will overwhelm us and definitely cause us to think we cannot handle it or that we will not make it through. A sad reality is that some commit suicide, whilst others still all away from the faith.

However, the purpose behind it all is to cause us to run to Jesus; to understand our need to depend on God. It is to strengthen us, and to teach us to lean on and trust God in all things.

In August 2012, I wrote an article about the “Dark Night of the Soul”. 

(Excerpt):  “As in the processes of dying and birthing, a paradigm shift is occurring, from that which was to that which must be. It begins in your own Garden of Gethsemane. Here is where great darkness falls upon the soul and spirit and the travailing begins. The flesh cries out, not desiring to suffer and die.”

Charles Spurgeon once wrote: “I bear willing witness that I owe more to the fire, and the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in my Lord’s workshop. I sometimes question whether I have ever learned anything except through the rod. When my schoolroom is darkened, I see most.”

One only has to search the scriptures to see godly people suffering through staggering situations, pouring out their heart in prayer to God, in brokenness, despair and great distress. But this season has somehow been very different. It was like moving from challenging tests to the intense exams, tougher and yes, more taxing. It was as if the hardest portions of all the previous individual tests were extracted and put into the granddaddy of exams.

I know that I am not alone in this…there are others who have been feeling like a fish out of water, right on the edge of the tide. The water would splash over, just enough to keep one alive, yet somehow still just out of reach to escape into the relief of freedom. The sense of being out of place was overwhelming whilst fighting to get back in the flow of things – as if a fight for hope, destiny and life were being challenged as never before.

A Storm Brewing

At the beginning of August 2018 (eight months ago), the Lord first warned me of a storm brewing. Throughout August, the warning was repeated, yet the words “escalating” and “accelerating” were added near the end of the month. I still sensed no urgency in my spirit, but I certainly paid attention and yes, I wrote about it.

In September, the words were repeated, but added to it were the words: “A storm is brewing; it is on the horizon. Escalating, escalating, accelerating – darkness, darkness, foreboding, unprecedented.” By the end of September 2018, with the words being repeated, I felt that I was to post a message, but I procrastinated because I had no idea “what” was brewing; ‘’what” was on the horizon, or “what” foreboding darkness was escalating, accelerating.

Was the message personal? Was it corporate? I wrestled with these thoughts because I had no further details. I did not want to post anything if such words were not from the Lord. It was in the second week of October that the Lord rebuked me and said I was as Jonah, and asked me why I was running. What?! 

In my heart I argued that Jonah, firstly was a prophet, whereas I am only but one of countless watchmen. Secondly, Jonah’s message was strictly to warn the Assyrians (who carried out great evil and atrocities against Israel) who were in Nineveh to repent of their wickedness and turn back to the one, true living God.

Who was my message for? What storm was brewing and what great foreboding darkness was escalating and accelerating? I had no answers. For those reasons I did not want to write an article. But God is Sovereign and His will be done, so on October 14^th last year (2018), I posted the message as led.

Deep in my spirit, I knew that the Lord did not want me to fear the darkness of the approaching storm. Many times before a storm hits, we experience heavy winds that come in sudden gusts, then die out, only to come again, as in waves.

At times we may feel drops of precipitation, but we know it is not yet the storm.

This season of darkness has been different than times before, but I posted a word in the above article. In that message, I shared something the Lord had given me. Excerpt below:

Do Not Fear the Darkness

When the darkness comes upon you, as you go through the dark season, I shall shine My light upon your heart and reveal the secret things that you have not known are there. Fear not; neither be dismayed or confounded. Be strong and of good courage. I work in the darkness; I work in ways you cannot see.

Your emotional condition is not necessarily your heart condition. Allow this piercing of the heart, for out of the wound shall pour forth all that festers and infects you. Surrender it into My hands with genuine repentance, believe and I shall heal you; you shall have a new heart. I shall shine My light into the darkness, and shall shine light upon your heart. Then shall you see clearly; then shall you know My glory in the face of My Son.

For god, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [1Cor 4:6]

(End excerpt)

The Unexpected Suddenlies

Some days after posting the message in October (2018), it was during morning prayers that the Lord once again reminded me about things happening “suddenly” and “unexpectedly”. 

The first time the Holy Spirit had spoken to me about “suddenly” was back in 2008 after all my belongings inside my purse had spilled out somewhere, unnoticed by me until I went to make a purchase. All my money (nearly $400 at the time, which was nearly every penny I had to my name), my identification, everything in my wallet was gone.

I had retraced my steps throughout the entire store and out into the parking lot. I went to Customer Service to see if anyone had at least turned in a wallet – nothing. At the time I was a foreigner in the United States (from Canada) and found myself without any identification; a frightening reality.

Although the Lord had caused me to take notice of things done ‘suddenly’ and revealed in his Word (Bible), that was the first time He had strongly impressed upon my spirit the importance of being aware of “suddenlies” that come “unexpectedly”. He drove it home with me with an example, stating that there coming events will be as sudden and unexpected as the loss of a wallet.

No amount of searching would bring answers or satisfaction. People will become angry and blame each other, and many more will blame God. The article was called, “We Overcome”, written in early 2008. So in October, as I remembered what had transpired ten and a half years earlier, I understood that things that are quickly coming will indeed happen unexpectedly and suddenly.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit was letting me know that sinful people with corrupt hearts, influenced by Satan and his wicked hosts (some being literally demon-possessed) would be behind the overwhelming wickedness happening in the world, and that which is written about in God's word about the coming great tribulation. The holy Bible is full of warnings. As hard as it is for people to understand, it is all part of God’s perfect plan.

The one and only omnipotent God (Yhvh) forewarned mankind that this would all transpire. Satan does not always ask permission to wreak havoc, or to cause chaos, to test us as many people often claim that he does. They use the book of Job in the Bible to validate that statement.

Keep in mind though that Satan did not ask God if he could carry out a rebellion in heaven, nor did he ask God if he could tempt Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, at the same time, remember that God is Sovereign. Try as he may (and he does), Satan cannot overrule the will of God.  

We do not fully understand why God allowed the heavenly rebellion or the temptation in Eden. We try to reason it out and speculate with the information we have. But one thing we can be confident of, God is omniscient (all-wise; all-knowing, all-seeing). He is Sovereign and omnipotent (all-powerful, almighty). Our own wisdom is foolishness to God.

The very morning after (November 7, 2012) Obama was elected for a second term, I was led to write, Now It Begins. Below is an excerpt:

I have risen from My throne. The shaking increases – judgment falls, and has been falling for some time. It shall increase. It is moving over the lands as surely as death moved over Egypt at the time that the first born of both man and beast were slain [Ex11:5] when Pharaoh’s hard heart had no fear of the Creator of all things. 

(End excerpt)

A Sudden and Unexpected Occurrence

The Holy Spirit had spoken to me once again about how God does things suddenly and unexpectedly, yet cautioned me that the adversary (Satan) does the same, always seeking to counterfeit the things of God (Yhvh). On that same day, on a return home from running errands in town, I was waiting for a green light.

At that time of the year (October 20^th) here in British Columbia, Canada the sun is right on the horizon at 4:30 in the afternoon, which is very challenging for drivers facing west. I had put the sun visor down, but the sun was still at such a degree that the visor was of no help.

I was in the left turning lane, awaiting a green light. There were only automobiles in the turning lane for oncoming traffic, but no vehicles in the lane for traffic that was going straight through. I saw no pedestrians waiting to cross the road.  When the light turned green, I proceeded to make my left hand turn. What happened next was completely unexpected and very sudden.

As I was in mid-turn, I saw a woman about three feet from the driver’s window. For an instant I thought she looked angry. About three seconds after I saw her, I heard a sudden thud. Horrified, I pulled over as soon as I made the turn, thinking the ‘thud’ may have been another person. I was shaking when I exited my vehicle. Books were strewn across two lanes. With great angst, I looked toward the back of my SUV, trembling at what I might see.

I saw two small wheels like those seen on a small folding shopping cart. I was relieved that I had struck an object and not a person! Yet I was not fully convinced in my mind, so I continued scanning the sidewalk and road. How grateful I was that no one was injured. I could not believe I had not seen any pedestrians. How could I not have seen her, if not on the sidewalk, then at least crossing the road...sun or no sun?

In shock, I paced back and forth between the woman and my SUV a couple of times, absorbing all that transpired. But it was less than thirty seconds when my mind finally was clear enough to ask the woman if she was alright. I knew she was because she was picking up the spilled books, but it was as though I had to hear the words come from her own lips.

She would not answer me, nor would she even look at me as she placed an armful of books down on the sidewalk. It was as if I were invisible. Is it possible she was deaf, I wondered. I asked again. Still no response – confused and guilt-ridden, I paced toward the vehicle and then back toward the elderly woman.

There was a tall man of Asian origin standing on the sidewalk that she had excitedly asked to be a witness. I interjected, stating that a witness was not necessary, as I was admittedly at fault and would be shouldering the responsibility. She again acted as though she did not hear me.

When I asked her a second time if she was alright she emphatically replied that she was calling the police. She asked the man again about being a witness, but he quietly said he knew no English. He was soon joined by a woman who exited the fast food restaurant and they got in a car and left the scene.

I realized the woman had not been injured, but for one last time, I asked if she was alright. She uttered a hasty, crisp ‘yes’, but still refused to look at me. I sat on a short wall on the sidewalk’s edge like a defeated soul.  A female employee from the restaurant came out with a takeout cup of cold water. She came directly to me, asking if I was alright. I nodded and thanked her as I took the cup and thirstily drank the cool drink.

I was shocked that she came to me first, as it was obvious that the woman standing by the two piles of books was the victim. A tear escaped one eye as I explained that the sun had blinded me and that I had not seen any pedestrians. She calmly stated in a matter-of-fact way that many people have a hard time seeing in that direction (west) at that time of day and year. She reminded me that it was an accident and not to beat myself up over it.

She placed a hand on my shoulder and told me to relax. I felt peace as she touched me and I sincerely thanked her, still amazed that she had come to me first. The pedestrian turned out to be a 74 year old woman, seemingly physically fit, but who certainly did not look her age. The employee said that she had just finished her shift as she re-entered the premises. She returned with another cup of water for the victim, offering to drive her to wherever she wanted to go.

It was in retrospect that I realized that in my state of shock I had never even helped the woman pick up the books. The elderly lady had wanted the employee to be a witness, but the Good Samaritan stated that she had only seen the aftermath. I do not know why, but I turned to the victim and suddenly blurted out, “God really loves you. He spared your life with no injuries!”

The employee agreed, saying, “Yes, God is good.” Well, that seemed to soften the old woman’s heart and finally she looked at me, smiled and said, “Yes, He does and I felt his light.”  

I felt further peace and gratitude for the kind employee. She was like a peacemaker, calming two different sides. The thought struck me that God saw to it that we were all Christians, but I would learn that I was wrong. The statement about God’s love brought a paradigm shift into the situation.

NOT a picture of the actual books

The woman said she had been on her way to the library to return the books (30 altogether). She was folding the damaged backpack that she had been pulling behind her. Unfortunately, the folding shopping cart was destroyed, but only four of the thirty books were damaged.

The backpack was ripped and the wheels were caught up under my rear bumper. Again, I mentioned the mercy of God and his love for the woman to spare her. Oddly, this time she looked at me, smiled and returned the hug I offered. We exchanged first names and phone numbers.  The police arrived.

The hazard lights were flashing on my SUV, so traffic moved into the other lane. As I moved the vehicle into a nearby alley, the wheels dislodged from the bumper immediately and fell to the ground. The officer picked them up and placed them on the sidewalk. The female employee then took the fragments, along with the books, to her car. She waited in her vehicle as the officer got the other woman’s information.

Handcuffs

Within five minutes, the accident victim was gone. The officer got my information next. He said something that startled me, so I repeated his words. “Handcuffs?!” He looked at me momentarily puzzled. After a moment, he laughed.

 “No! I said, ‘hang tough’.” He added, “I will be back in a minute. I have to get a case number.”  He was still chuckling as he headed for the police car.

I felt like a donkey, but thank goodness! I had thought I was going to be handcuffed and placed under arrest. The whole thing took less than ten minutes since the officer’s arrival. He returned from his vehicle and actually apologized for having to give me a ticket, but stated that he had no choice since the woman had called the accident in.

Then, after he wrote the ticket up, he informed me that I did not have to sign it, but if I did it meant that I was taking full responsibility. I quickly grabbed the pen stating that I was at fault, so yes, I accepted responsibility. It was a bit of a steep fine, but to me, it was a small price to pay. 

No one was hurt or worse yet, killed. He smiled as he handed me the signed ticket, shook my hand and wished me well. “I’m free to go?” I asked.  Chuckling again, he joked. “Yes, no handcuffs today. Go home and relax!”

As I drove away heading home, the whole thing seemed so profound. Why had I not seen the woman at all, not on the sidewalk and not even when I began my turn? Was this the storm that had been brewing on the "horizon"?

Why did the female employee come to me first to see if I was alright, knowing that I was the driver and not the victim? Why did a police officer literally apologize for having to ticket me? Why shake my hand, wishing me well? It seemed so surreal.

Witchcraft and the Subtlety of the Enemy

I will not go into all the details, but a couple of hours after the accident, I called the woman to make sure that she was alright (mentally, emotionally). She assured me that she was fine, adding that her son, who she said was a Christian agreed with me that God had spared her. Again I mentioned the love of Jesus and how he had intervened. She agreed adding that the “light and love shone in the darkness; love and light were the guides.”

Over the course of the next two weeks, we spoke a total of three more times. What I learned during our short conversations proved to me that I had to pray for increased discernment because I had not expected the information I gleaned from our talks.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. [2Cor 11:14, 15]

The books that the woman had, all thirty of them, were books about Hallowe’en, its origin, history and how to celebrate the ‘high holy day’ (her words).  She had intended to teach her grandchildren all about the "special day" by reading them the books. Hallowe’en was coming up in only 11 days from the day of the accident.

When I stated that Christians do not celebrate that day as witches or occultists do, she stated that there were countless “good witches” that were slaughtered by Christians. Even Christians were burned at the stake or hung, she added. She was not pleased when I said that there was no such thing as a good witch and that witchcraft is witchcraft and seen akin to rebellion in God’s eyes. [1Sam 15:23]

“Let love and light be our guides again”. 

So, although the woman from the accident (yes, I know her name) said the words with a slight twist (typical of Satan), it comes from the Rede of the Celtic Wiccans. However, I found in my research that there is more than one Wiccan Rede.

Yet only the Celtic one mentions “love and light”. The others mention “perfect trust and perfect love”. However, nothing that comes from Satan is love or light, nor does he have anything to do with “perfect trust and perfect love”. He is the father of lies, counterfeiting everything that originated with the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is within them.

I also learned that the reason I hit the cart or backpack on wheels that she was pulling is because she admitted that she “let it go” (pushed it).It was understandable, but I had momentarily questioned within myself if a Christian would do that. I reasoned that none of us is perfect in our walk (including myself) and that it was likely done spontaneously out of anger because I had come so close to her. 

That is why there was a delay (three or so seconds) in the “thud” I heard after I saw her about three feet away from my driver’s side window. The bag was certainly not three feet long.  It all was beginning to make sense.

At one point, my insurance broker told me that I was being sued for three million dollars. I was flabbergasted because I had not even touched so much as a hair on her. The only damage was to the backpack on wheels that she was pulling and four of the books and my insurance covered the cost of replacement.

She had, however, told me that she had been to a doctor to have her eyes tested, but he had told her there was no change in them. So it became apparent that she was trying to find something wrong with her, but her doctor found nothing in his examination of her. Praise God for honest doctors!

The information about a three million dollar claim came from an insurance broker when I had stopped in to see if my insurance rates were going to increase. The info was given to me at the end of a business day, so I had to wait overnight before I could place a call to get more information. 

Meanwhile, I took the matter to the Lord. In prayer, I understood that the enemy was trying to cause stress, doubt and fear, but I was to have peace and trust God.

To confirm that which the Holy Spirit put on my heart, I placed a call to ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) the next morning. Insurance in the province of BC is a monopoly controlled by the government – it is the only for-profit public auto insurance in Canada.

Sovereign God

God rules! An agent at ICBC assured me that the case was closed, the damaged items were paid for and there was no claim to sue for three million dollars. Two weeks had passed already since the time of the accident. Also, my insurance rates would not increase, despite losing points. Even with three points deducted, I was still in the safe driver range. Indeed, the enemy had tried to put a spirit of fear upon me, but God’s word proves true.

Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace that passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. [Phil 4:6, 7]

I did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. [2Tim 1:7]

Satan can be subtle or aggressive. What happened was indeed an example of Satan’s aggression and how he counterfeits God by doing things suddenly and unexpectedly. When we write things down that the Lord speaks to us, Satan's watchers (demons) see it and report back to him.

I am fully persuaded that what happened that day was no accident, but a plot by the enemy to do great harm not only to me, but to a person who ‘worshipped’ him through witchcraft. But God! I am convinced that God intervened.  

Case in point – I went back to the fast food restaurant to personally thank the female employee that brought out the cups of cold water for both of us, and who went out of her way to drive the victim to the library and then home. 

Guess what? No such person worked there. I described the woman to a regular daytime staff member (I did not have a name). There was only one woman who might fit the description, but I would have to return as she was not there at the time of my inquiry. 

The person I met when I returned was not the employee who came to the aid of us both that day. There are only three women and three men that work at that particular establishment full-time and four part-time students. The manager is a male. There was no woman there that fit the description I gave. So, who was the mysterious employee? No one knows…Hebrews 13 verse 2 speaks of entertaining angels unaware.

Secondly, I have been to that corner countless times in the past five months since the accident. I was the first vehicle in the turning lane. There was no music on to distract me, neither was I lost in any deep thought. I was focused and alert. For the life of me I cannot understand how I did not see the woman at the corner waiting for the walk signal, even with the blinding sun.

And I do know I looked for pedestrians, as always. Now I am not one to blame every bad thing on Satan. Accidents do happen, typically through human error. Only four months earlier, a relative very close to me was driving home when he struck a pedestrian.  The woman succumbed to her injuries a few hours later.

This hard-working, dedicated father of a toddler not quite two, who was driving home from work, is now awaiting trial. He broke down in tears as the charges were read against him in court because his heart breaks that he was responsible for the death of someone. It also is broken for the family that lost a loved one. He has no criminal record but now his entire life is altered. I pray to God for a miracle for him. Perhaps the Lord will use this to draw the young man to Jesus. He is only twenty-seven years old.

So yes, accidents happen. Human error occurs. And when my accident happened, I was greatly shaken at the reality of what “could have been”, with the memory of the young man's accident still fresh in my mind. The only thing I can ascertain is that the enemy blinded me so that I did not see her and that God allowed it as an object lesson to show me the reality of the “clash of the kingdoms” Is upon the world now, and how the enemy also moves “suddenly” and “unexpectedly”.

It was the very morning of the accident that the Lord had been speaking to me about how He works suddenly and unexpectedly, such as the parting of the Red Sea, the destruction of Jericho and its tumbling walls, the great flood, or as on the day of Pentecost, or as in miracles.

One thing the Lord asked me, as he had once before when I came across those practicing witchcraft. What would I do, knowing that the victim was into witchcraft? Answer: I prayed for her deliverance and salvation and have several times over the past months, as she is getting up there in age. That is what we are to do, to pray for the lost, but never are we to compromise in order to win them to Christ.

Witchcraft in the Neighbourhood

It was only about a month and a half or so after the accident that the handyman of “someone in the neighbourhood” (names and details are withheld to protect the identity of those involved), who knows I am a Christian, knocked at my door extremely distraught.

Winter was nigh and it was cold, so I invited him in. He had discovered a book on a certain property that had been negligently been forgotten by someone we both know. Although he thought it was just a notebook, it was actually what is known as a Book of Shadows, which is a witchcraft book that contains rituals, spells, pagan “sabbat” days (days that are celebrated and considered sacred by witches), recipes, private writings, astrology, charts and more. It is a personal book.

He was greatly upset by the spells (which were descriptive as to the candles needed (colour and number), items required, what moon phase a spell was to be done under, incantations, whether a sacrifice was needed and if so, what etc). Spells for revenge, sickness, calamity, curses, hexes, healing, sudden death and much more were detailed in the book. Some of the language in a couple of portions was extremely vulgar. Great fear was upon him.

He wondered if he should return the book. I did not think that was a good idea because then the person involved would know that he knew who they really were and what they were up to in secret. 

The owner of the Book of Shadows involved calling on Bel (master, lord aka demons), at times naming Baphomet and/or various gods and goddesses to carry out an evil act. The person also relied on the elements, earth, air, wind and fire. 

It seemed that the person is more of what is known as an eclectic witch (one who draws upon many sources and has their own form of practice). There are different types of witches. They do not consider themselves all the same, not in beliefs or in practices of the 'craft'.

Although I remember the person once expressed interest in finding a coven, they had not done so yet to my knowledge, as they prefer seclusion. It matters not because witchcraft is witchcraft, though some have been deceived to believe the ‘craft’ they practice is for good and not evil. However, the owner of the book stepped over the boundary with some nasty spells that were written.

He calmed down when I told him that I would fast and pray, not only for protection for him and others (a couple of individuals named in the book), but also for wisdom. He later told me that he burned the book, but unfortunately he unwisely told someone who is a friend of the witch involved. Not a good thing – yet more lost and deceived souls that need prayers for deliverance and salvation.

Witchcraft is on the increase, just as the Lord forewarned me back in 2010 and again in early 2012 (article I wrote was called Now It Begins). That was the third time in a year that I have come face to face with people who are blatantly or secretly practicing witchcraft. (I personally know the owner of the Book of Shadows. The person claims to be Wiccan, but denied that they practice witchcraft. They profess to be merely a lover of nature.)

I have never said a word to this day, yet oddly, that person has avoided me, likely tipped off by a spirit of divination, or possibly the man who made the discovery of the book mentioned to the witch’s friend that he had shown the book to me. Each time the Lord asked me what I would do now that it was revealed. Each time my response was the same, to pray with fasting for their lost souls – (deliverance and salvation). I continue to pray for the person(s).

I understand that some Christians go to extremes blaming Satan for everything that goes wrong, without admitting that some things that occur are direct results of sin. However, the reality is that darkness, gross darkness is covering the earth today. Witchcraft is promoted and even encouraged. Satanic rituals are carried out in public and glorified in the music industry, in sports, movies, opening ceremonies and dedications…the list goes on.

Evil itself is escalating and accelerating. Witchcraft is very much a part of it as the world readies itself for the Antichrist and the beast system. The younger generation is being taught through Harry Potter books, movies, music and lyrics, and other venues, making evil look attractive, calling it good. It is not my intention to delve into the topic here and now; however, I am beginning to unpack what has been going on in these past few months.

There has been some backlash occurring in my life, which I believe has been a direct result of my interaction with those mentioned above. Obvious demonic attacks began a little over a year ago at a church I was attending. I felt that I had walked into a witch’s coven the very day I first entered the church, but because there were true believers in attendance, confusion fell upon me.

The Lord moved on me to stay for almost a year, but I could never shake the sense that witches were also attending. It was a year of confusion, attacks, fasting and much prayer.  After a 31 day fast, the Lord opened my eyes, ears and understanding. He instructed me to confront the two leaders of the church (a husband and wife team) who were operating in witchcraft and a spirit of divination.

The man refused to call himself a pastor, instead calling himself a ‘shepherd’. The wife called herself an evangelist, although she occasionally preached and led in worship. Even as I walked up the sidewalk leading to the small storefront church, I had no idea what I was to say.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of scripture where Jesus was sending out his disciples to preach the gospel, cast out unclean spirits and heal the sick. He foretold them that when they went into the houses of kings and governors not to be anxious or take any thought about what they should say because the Holy Spirit would give the words in that hour. It would not be them that speak but the Spirit of the Father that would speak through them. [See Mat 10:18-20]

The Lord did give me the words at the exact time. He had me begin the rebuke and warning with the words: “God loves you.” 

Those were the first words the Lord put in my mouth to speak, so I know it is true. That got their attention and some huge smiles, but the next statement, which called them to repentance, was countered with a rebuke to me. They had such a bitter root of unforgiveness and anger towards people, and anyone who opposed or questioned them were called witches.  I wrote about it previously and will not rehash it here.

Sadly, only a few months after the Lord had me warn them and inform them of the Lord’s willingness to forgive if they would repent, they sold the church and their home and left the province. How tragic! I earnestly prayed that they would be delivered and restored. I do not know what has happened to them since they left.

But They Talk like Christians

New agers (who now often refer to themselves as ‘spiritual beings’), witches (not all witches practice the craft the same), Satanists (who oddly, most do not worship Satan) and Luciferians  (there is a difference between Satanists and Luciferians, although both believe humans are ‘gods’ – the original lie the serpent told in the Garden of Eden) will use words that sound “Christian”. They will even use quotes from the Bible.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. [2Cor 11:14, 15]

That should come as no surprise since Satan, who took the form of a serpent in the Garden of Eden, took God’s Word but twisted it to cause doubt and to present a different meaning. Satan spoke scripture in the temptation of Jesus Christ in the desert wilderness before Jesus began his ministry. Jesus countered it with scripture spoken in proper context.

Words such as light, love, evil and darkness, forgiveness etc will flow freely from the mouths of those who dabble in the occult. Every time that I came in contact with someone who practiced witchcraft, the words they used sounded Christian, but that should be no surprise since Satan is the author of confusion.

The person who owned the Book of Shadows would on rare occasion use the name of Jesus, but the Jesus spoken of was not the Jesus written about in the gospel; neither was the ‘god’ referred to the true, living God, Creator of heaven and earth and all that is therein.  They speak of a false Christ and idols (false gods).

It is because of the language used that I initially thought that the woman involved in the accident was a Christian. It was only after a few conversations with her that the truth was revealed. It is why I not only pray for increased discernment, but also the wisdom to know what to do once truth is revealed.

I wanted to share what began slowly in August 2018 when I was hesitant and procrastinating about putting a message out about a storm that was brewing, even on the horizon. Even though things happened like a storm in my personal life, I do believe that the message is for the Body of Christ.

The subject of witchcraft and the different types of witches has been the subject of many books. What I wanted to say has been said, with no intention of delving deeper into it here. We cannot ignore the reality of the occult, demons, witches and Satan, even though many do, but neither can we walk in fear. 

Jesus defeated Satan on the cross when he offered up his life as the perfect Lamb slain, spilling his precious blood and dying, being buried and resurrected. Jesus Christ has all power and authority over Satan and his demonic realm and we have the victory over him through Christ Jesus.

For they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and loved not their lives unto death. [Rev 12:11]

However, it takes no genius to see that we are indeed living in the days where evil is called good and good is called evil.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  [Is 5:20, 21]

It is getting late and I want to post this, but later tomorrow I will post a word about great waters, great earthquake, Damascus and Gaza, Washington, NYC, coastal lands and more.

for His glory alone

Bonita                            dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com