emdie

Do you guys know that an Aussie LAST is an impressive thing  indeed, not that I want to try and muscle in here.   

I find evidence of the Holy Spirit's workings throughout my life all the time, so much so that I almost regard the signs with a degree of amusement since I know they're coming. These signs may be something revealed to me that I have wanted to know but never asked, or a song comes on the radio about God advising me of help with a problem, down to really strong instincts and urges. It's always accompanied by a feeling of love and well-being, so I don't think it could come from demons as they are incapable of engendering love and other similar emotions.

For example: I was about to undergo life-saving surgery to remove my badly infected leg, and the theatre nurses came early so I was caught a bit unawares and hadn't said my prayers. We had already reached the lifts, when I suddenly remembered, and right then the lift just stopped. The lift couldn't be fixed straight away, so one of the nurses with me said' can anyone sing?' I said yes I can, as I had sung in choirs since I was 9, and thought I may as well sing about the main person in my life, and sang The Lord's Prayer and The Lord is My Shepherd. The minute I had finished, the lift was working again with the workmen saying that had no idea why it had stopped. It was only a while later that I thought about it, and I think the Holy Spirit was working through me.

A while later my mother was in the same hospital, and met up with one of the cleaners from the ward I had been on, and so she asked after me. Mum told her how I was doing, and somehow got on to the topic of what had happened to me in the lift. The cleaning lady said 'was it Emily?', and then told her that everyone near the lifts, on every floor, had heard me sing my songs of praise for the Lord. I had done for myself and God, but other people heard and I'm very glad they did. It was one of the most important things I had ever experienced. Praise God and magnify His glorious Name!

So I was curious, how does the Holy Spirit manifest to you? Do you have any particular incident which you were convinced He was working through you?

I sometimes wonder what the Apostles would think if they knew the extent of Christianity in the world today. I'm sure they would be astounded and delighted.

If you think their lives had a happy ending, I suggest you don't read the following article for fear of disappointment...

http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1-300/whatever-happened-to-the-twelve-apostles-11629558.html

19 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

Good post. This is more or less what I was trying to get across without much success. 

I'm thinking by and through 'sin' our DNA has degraded over time and has affected us more physically and mentally generation after generation.  I suspect if it were not for modern medicine and an abundance of food, due to our degradation, our lifespans would be much shorter? Thus the scientific push to transhumanism, but that's a different topic. I also highly suspect demonic and unclean spirit possession / influence has dramatically increased in our generation. One point I didn't get across very well...

I'll just use a violent 'pedophile' as one of many examples I could use. Using just this one example, it appears to have exponentially increased in our generation compared to the past? As far as I know, there are no known cases of anyone being "cured" of it? It's said it can be controlled through medication provided the affected stays on the medication and it's adjusted as needed. Not being a professional in any area of medicine, I'd still say they are treating the symptoms and not the root cause. 

I guess my point is, if my assertion of escalating demonic activity has occurred in our generation, we're barking up the wrong tree. Whatever it is, mental illness or demonic possession or both, I don't need statistics to see the dramatic increase in abnormal behavior and repulsive acts occurring since I was a kid. Something has rapidly changed for the worse. What I'm getting at, man and medicine can not treat the spirit or soul, the root cause of most of the violent and disgusting acts committed, and our prisons and society are full of them. 

In Jesus's day, He alone cast out probably hundreds of demons and unclean spirits, healed the sick with divers diseases and raised the dead, as recorded in the Gospels. I can only find a couple of cases where Jesus healed lunaticks (MT 4: 24, which I assume is mental illness). So if my understanding is correct, there was mental illness back then, but apparently not as prevalent as today. 

Hi Dennis,

I think you got you point across quite well, I just came in from a different angle.

This is a difficult area because there aren't many statistics or studies done on it. Can you imagine trying to do a paper on it and get approval?

Me: I have a suggested paper on the amount of demonic possessions in males and females between the ages of 5 and 70....

Committee: Demonic possessions?

Me: Yes, fallen angels who were corrupted by the Morning Star when there was a war in Heaven many many years ago....

Committee: We do wish you wouldn't bring 'fictional beings' into your studies Emily, it's hardly conducive to 'real science', now is it?

Me: I know through faith...

Committee (laughs uncomfortably): We hardly see how THAT comes into it. You're looking a  bit pale there dear, why don't you just go on a nice holiday, a nice long holiday...

The only way to do real research I suspect would be to report on the number of cases with similar symptoms, from the angle of wanting to know how many people believed they were possessed. Otherwise, you would have to go the Vatican, as they have the only real stats on the planet, and their priests have been trained to recognise the truly mentally ill. As for possession, the Vatican reports 400 new cases per year in the area of Italy alone, so it does seem to support what you've suggested.

If I may remind you though that Jesus wasn't the only one to drive out demons, as He taught His disciples to do so in His Name, and Peter even raised a girl from the dead.

Not to be too obvious, but I think that mental illness may be of our human condition, and possession is from the spirit. To paraphrase Jesus (although He was talking about being born again), what is of the spirit is of the spirit, and what is of the flesh is of the flesh.

On a serious note, although this isn't my area of expertise, pedophilia  is by far the hardest condition to treat, and doctors/psychologists have turned themselves inside out trying to do so. The success rate is minute. I can't really make an official comment on why, but in my own opinion it is evil so dreadful that has these people exactly where it wants them, so they don't want to break free. People generally don't want to change if they're getting behavioural rewards, and some times even if they aren't. We as human beings tend to keep to the familiar, even to our own detriment. So unless you had presented each person with the cross and watched how they reacted, how would you know who was ill and who was possessed?

In the end it probably doesn't matter too much as we know God can heal both of these things. It would be our faith (the therapist's AND the patient's) that matters in whether or not the person recovered. In counselling psychology, you always know that your success rate is determined by the patients' willingness to change and listen to your advice. If they don't have faith, they won't get better. It's a bit like we know that it's pretty likely that a placebo will work on you with the same potency as the real drug, no matter what the illness is, so there's the power of suggestion for you. I guess there may well be a place in science for faith, just not openly  

I guess the only comfort we can take is that it's all biblical, and God is always near to love and comfort us when we need Him. Thanks for posting everyone, it certainly got my grey matter working for a change.

God Bless,

Emily 

21 minutes ago, HisFirst said:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-13/will-president-trump-be-the-most-pro-israel-president-ever/8021034

 

"It's like John Howard became leader of the free world!"

Er, umm, n-o, I couwldn't! (That was my really bad John Howard impersonation, although I actually liked the guy).

That's really disappointing His

We have such a huge obligation to those people.

49 minutes ago, HisFirst said:

Hi Haz,

Thanks for all the info you put forward.

You know, it's nearly the case of every incident that happens around the globe, there's a counter conspiracy theory for it  - or just plain skepticism that it even happened at all.

Just look at the Sandy Hook massacre. Folk out there believe it never happened at all - so are all the "dead" living somewhere? Forever to hold their peace for the sake of gun laws, gun control etc?

I know we live in a messed up world: morally decaying,  politically corrupt,  sex addicted, self loving etc - which we know will get worse, as also we know that there will be many things out there to cause confusion.

It's hard to know what is truth and lies sometimes, as the lines start to blur and merge.

So on that note, I have to and I must keep my eyes on Him and His truth and leave some things in the not worth arguing over box - I have believed that MB did in fact kill on that day and I backed PM JHowards decision to buy back guns. 

I'm going to stick with that - one day I may find out 100% that I've been lied to - but until that day, I have to take a stance one way or another.

 

 

Hear hear His,

I also supported John Howard's decision as I remember the horror of Port Arthur. After talking to the victims, he really had no choice. If you ask most of the victims today as to whether gun control should be relaxed, the answer is a strong no, as evidenced on the SBS show Insight from within the last 6 months.

I don't pretend that the buyback has worked to the extent it was meant to, I think handguns are still too easy to procure and it's the rifles that they concentrated on, but I would think some amendments to the law would iron out the kinks. This current government should be working towards that, but then we have the usual objections in the Senate so nothing ever gets passed through.

Hazard in that first article, it says that people who would otherwise be law abiding citizens are made unlawful by the scheme, well I'm afraid you've got that backwards. What law abiding citizen would ever have the need to own an illegal firearm? I certainly have no intention of buying a gun, unless of course I was living on a property as I used to, where rifles were a necessity. Again, the law could be altered to more adequately prepare for those circumstances, but to call the law a failure is a little like calling one of God's laws a failure, so if people still commit adultery even when told not to, does that make the 7th commandment invalid? No, it just means that humans are a perverse lot that want what they can't have, be it your friend's wife or an illegal weapon. 

I would hope that Australia is sufficiently out of colonial times so as to gain a degree of sophistication, and not have the need for weapons in urban areas, as our police carrying them should be enough. However I agree with HisFirst here, as it states int he Bible that there be more and more sin int he world, the closer we get to Judgement Day, and it's part of the human condition, so I'm not that surprised really.

I also believe that Martin Bryant killed on that day, and I believe the law passed soon after has saved lives. The US has had nearly 90 mass shootings since that day, one not so long ago was of primary school children, so I would take our way over theirs any day. God bless Australia!

18 minutes ago, georgiamay said:

Thank you for praying with me Kwik! You are such a blessing!!! Love Georgia 

You'll find some very special people on here Georgia, people who have genuine love for their fellow man and would give you help anytime at all, and yes Kwik is one of them. We're very lucky to have such people, but then again this site is different to any other social media experiment. I hope you find what you're seeking.

God Bless,

Emily 

Dear God, I ask you to lift up Georgia into your arms and open her eyes to see You in all Your glory. I pray that she finds You at every decision, every turn and step in life, and that she falls in love with You all over again. I ask that You share your wisdom with her and guide her, and that the majesty and enormity of Your beloved Son's crucifixion is revealed to her, that your Son took His place on the cross for Georgia's sake.

We ask that You maintain your role as Parent to Georgia, that you hear her prayers and that the Holy Spirit speaks to her during bible study and throughout each day and night. Honour her Oh Lord as Your child, and lavish your amazing love upon her for as long as she walks this earth, and for all eternity. You are our Almighty God, and we sing all praise and glory to You, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

As a chronic study-er of psychology, I can tell you that demons are not generally discussed in psychology, or if they are mentioned, it's always with a degree of scorn and derision for those who believe in them. There's no room in science for the unexplained and unverified you know.  

I know different, and have absolutely no doubt that they exist and are in possession of more people today than they ever were. This is, I believe, because of our lifestyle today, our worship of all things man made and earthly. It just sets up the environment for them, but of course God has to permit it for reasons known only to him. I think it's because in the end it will shift the balance of evil and good in mankind. But enough idle musing.

But I must stress that I do not think every person who has maladaptive behaviours/behaviour patterns is possessed or influenced by demons. There is such a thing as mental illness, but I think it comes from the human makeup in the mind and spirit, and also from biology. Therefore all care has to be taken to ensure the right diagnosis is made. That can be a long process of trial and error, and what doctors won't tell you is that it's done by a process of elimination. They work from the most common problems all the way through (if necessary) to the really rare stuff. Though of course, possession isn't on the list. 

I can't say if mental illness is on the rise, but if you read the statistics, it will tell you that it is and the profession of psychologist is enjoying one of the biggest growths as an industry. Perhaps it's just more acceptable to seek help these days, so the statistic gets reported.

If I was ever in the situation where I suspected demonic possession, I would be presenting the person with the cross, and saying 'In the name of Jesus Christ' as demons can't stand this. Jesus gave each one of us the power to banish demons from the bodies of men, so I wouldn't hesitate to use this if I believed the situation warranted it. I know I'm in the minority there.

Hi Myrtle&Palm,

I'm 39 and still single. I also have disabilities, and although it doesn't hinder my mind I think the first thing men see with me is an amputee in a wheelchair, and it's only when they get to know me that the image fades a bit into the background. I was engaged until February of this year, but I realised I was doing something I had promised myself never to do - I was settling out of loneliness, so I broke it off.

You can't affect how other people think, so the only person you can work on is yourself, and that is through prayer. I think by now your self-esteem has taken a hit, but I think the most important thing for you is to love yourself, as God loves you. That film with Tom Cruise 'Jerry Maguire', where he says 'you complete me' to Renee Zellwegger is just such complete rubbish because you should be complete in yourself, otherwise you're put in the position of being reliant on someone else to make your life worthwhile. We as disabled people are reliant on other people enough to feel like burdens as it is! So I'm going to let you in on a secret....

You are a precious, worthwhile, loved, special and unique human being. There is no-one on this planet exactly like you, or ever has been in the history of mankind. You have a lot to offer any man, so if they're not looking that's their problem and nothing to do with you. Practically everyone alive has self issues, so even if people were available to be in a relationship with you, they might end up being too much of a burden on you. 

I can't promise that you will ever be married, I don't even know for myself. But you can't spend your life waiting for a guy to sweep you off your feet and take you away from everything, because life doesn't work that way and you'll end up disappointed. Love yourself as God loves you, and pray not to care if you ever get married. Surprisingly, it's often when that happens you end up meeting someone, right out of the blue. So stop looking so hard Myrtle m'dear, and take some time out to look after yourself.

God bless you and keep, I really do understand how you feel, and have sympathy. I pray you find peace in God and His dear Son Jesus.

Love,

Emily

Funniest thing I've read in years 

I just read this to my mother, who is English, a Monarchist, and very hot on Spelling and Grammar, and she said 'what a pity it can't be instituted'.

Funniest thing I've read in years 

I pray for our sister MissKayLay, so that all she seeks is fulfilled through your unending love and compassion, and that You heal her and restore her. We ask this in Your beloved Son Jesus Christ's name, and that Your will is done in heaven and earth. 

MissKaylay, we love and support you no matter what you're going through. I think life can sometimes be more difficult for those God has chosen as His special loved ones, but take heart that we all have our own particular trials to go through, so we understand. That's what I seem to find from most people on this site anyway. I hope you find peace in Him, for He loves you so very much.

Best Wishes, Emily

1 hour ago, Robert said:

"When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:17-23, NASB, emphasis mine)

I think Jesus ended the conversation there.

Well you just said it, so I don't need to  

On 11/6/2016 at 10:47 AM, Marilyn C said:

Hi Kwik,

We here in down under land started our daylight savings time a while back. Does that mean we are ahead of you or behind.

It is harvest time here & the fellas are working from dawn to late at night. Busy time but rewarding seeing the paddocks with the mown hay or large bales etc. Good time for neighbours to help each other. I didn`t know all this before I married a farmer. have learnt quite a lot.

have a God day, Marilyn.

PS. Glad you are getting around after your nasty accidents.

We're ahead by about 16 hours Marilyn, so people like Kwik are living in our yesterday but today, if you get what I mean lol 

Thank you all, for taking time out and praying to the Lord on our behalf. I think whatever you said worked, as Mum appears to be fine, she's just feeling a lot of stress and has a nasty virus but she's just starting to feel a little better, but your prayers will have helped her heal more quickly I think. I feel a lot better about Mum's condition, and I have felt such love around me from the Holy Spirit during prayer and when I finally dropped off to sleep in the wee hours.

You're all amazing people, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

God be with you,

Emily

18 hours ago, *~*Honey*~* said:

Dear Lord,  ...I am praying  to You today for divine guidance and help!  I pray for Emdie's mum - I pray for healing in her body and a renewing of her mind! Help her mum seek out not just the doctors help but also Your Strength -to conquer this minor setback. !! Bring full healing to her Lord --Lord, Emdie's Heart is troubled, yet she strives to keep it set on You, as Your infinite Wisdom will show her a right way to managing this situation and help convince her mum to get medical attention. ....Thank you for hearing my prayer .....and staying by Emdie's side

Amen

Dear sister Emdie...when we are afraid His Word tells us not to worry/

Isnt it Wonderful..you know God is beside you...

So, do not loose heart dear Sister!

BLESSINGS!  

Thank you so very much Honey, for such a personal prayer.

1 minute ago, HisFirst said:

She's right mate??

Yeahgoodonyamate 

1 minute ago, HisFirst said:

That is believable to me emdie.

Sorry mate, I just read what I wrote and it came across as if I thought you wouldn't believe me. Not at all, I was just meaning that I believe my memories to be real, but I'm careful as I know it's out of the ordinary.

It's hard to know what people mean when you can't see their facial expressions, so I thought I'd explain. So, as one Aussie to another, I repeat the traditional words: howyagoinmateorrighthen? 

Take THAT Google spellcheck!

Just now, HisFirst said:

A friend of mine as a child described a dining table and chairs to her mum who was left speechless as her mum and dad had owned it before she was born.

I however didn't really believe it when she told me as a teen and thought may be she had the memory from photos of their home prior to her birth...

In my late teens I astonished my mother when I told her that my nappy pins were one baby pink and one baby blue on the top, and she said 'how could you possibly know that?'

We went over my baby photos and the pins weren't shown in detail, so I think I may know that genuinely from a memory. I also used to be able to remember the taste of the icing on my second birthday cake, and I couldn't get that from a photo.

I would appreciate a short prayer to the Almighty as my mother may have had a stroke. She'll be undergoing testing tomorrow, if I manage to drag her into hospital, which she is resisting. 

All I have left in the world is Mum, so she is very precious to me, and she hasn't been well for some weeks now. I know she's scared of getting older and the associated loss of abilities, and chronic pain as well. She needs support, as she's understandably stressed and concerned. So am I for that matter, as she's everything to me.

Thank you, I really appreciate it. May your prayers mingle with mine to God's ears, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Emily 

Also, if any of you could suggest some comforting scripture, or favourite passages that you read when you or your loved ones aren't well, I would be most grateful.

Oh dear... I think you'll find that studies show people don't generally remember anything from less than age four, unless it was linked with a very strong encoding emotion.

I can remember being changed as a baby, but it's only flashes of feeling and sensations, not a solid memory including all five senses (actually there are more, but that's another post altogether), and so my experience is completely out of the ordinary.

So a memory from the womb? 

Yay Australia!

You could Google him if you were so inclined, or extremely bored... Basically he claims he can talk to the dead, so I was curious as to why I thought you were mentioning him lol