Conversations With Sally

“My sister is a priceless soul who is in need of a deliverance.”

Other than this immediate household, my family isn’t as close as we have been in previous years. Not because of any falling out or rift; it’s merely the by-product of everyone having a hectic lifestyle in a diversity of venues. For this reason, whenever someone in the family calls unexpectedly, the imagination instantly launches into a wondering of “what has happened and who did it happen to?” On the morning of July 3, we received an unexpected call from my sister in South Bend. Although she has suffered from an assortment of infirmaties in recent years, she sounded well on the phone. Shortly into the dialogue, however, the conversation took an unexpected turn when she stated:

“Mom wants me to tell you that she says hi.”

The problem with this message is that our Mom passed away in October of 2000. My sister has been involved with some dangerous activities for a lot of years; although she does not regard them as being dangerous.  She became a mormon in either her late teens or early twenties; thereby eroding any confidence that she may have had in the divine inspiration of scripture while embracing a doctrine which in no wise resembles “that which is written.” Shortly after I came to Jesus in 1983, she made an attempt to steer me into that way, but the Lord prevented this. I had a “very uneasy feeling” about what I being introduced to; even though I considered the mormons to be “just another denomination” at the time. In recent years, my sister has embraced many aspects of new age teaching and professes to routinely talk with deceased persons. This latest incident, however, came about when she attended a session with famed necromancer John Edwards.   

I was caught off guard by the statement, but replied that scripture warns against communicating with, or attempting to contact, those who have passed into eternity. She dropped the subject and moved on to more casual topics, but I could tell that my refusal to entertain the idea was bothering her. Once a person detaches themselves from the foundational truths laid out in scripture, they unwittingly set themselves up for embracing a worldview based on falsehoods. A set of beliefs that will often appear warm and fuzzy, but be the ways of death.  To the average person, it would seem a good thing to once again visit with a deceased loved one, or perhaps receive a message from those on the other side. (Luke 16:19-31 just came to mind) All of this despite the warnings that are clearly defined in scripture.

II Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
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.”

Following this conversation, I rehearsed the matter to Mrs. timbob. This created additional complication as Mrs. timbob sees nothing wrong with this practice. She admitted that she holds the workings of John Edwards in high esteem; making me, once again, the guy who rains on everyones parade. Sadly both of us have relatives who embrace such practices. Amongst my kinfolk, (kinfolk?) Sally is by far the most visible. On my wifes side it was her Mom and late Grandma who, through the routine employment of a ouija board, opened some doors that should have been left unopened. We can be assured that, when a person calls into the darkness and says “come on over” there will be takers. We can be equally assured that those invited guests will conceil their identity as they lure the “curious simple ones” into a web of bondage and confusion.

There really is nothing new under the sun and a well known reference to the practice of necromancy is found in I Samuel.  King Saul knew that the Lord was no longer with him and consequently, he paid a visit to the witch of Endor. She asked of King Saul “Whom shall I bring up unto thee?” as though it was as common as baking a pie. (I Samuel 28:11) Without a doubt, this practice does yield results. We know that during this encounter, Samuel disclosed the demise of Saul and his sons, along with the deliverance of the children of Israel into the hands of the Philistines. But this doesn’t justify the practice of engaging in necromancy; any more than giving to the poor would justify the act of stealing. A person can proclaim that a conversation with a deceased loved one would be a positive experience that could lead to “closure.”  But the devil attaches a price tag to everything and the spiritual state of my oldest sister is a primary example of that price tag.

Speaking of king Saul; I’ve been perplexed, for a long time, that the prophet Samuel appeared in a situation where an unscriptural practice was being employed. Certainly the Lord is in control and permitted this to transpire. One thing, however, is very clear, and that is the spiritual condition of Saul. This was a man, appointed by God, to be be the king that Israel sought after. He later dissolved any prospects for those of his lineage to reign when he “forced himself” (I love the king James wording) to offer the burnt offerings instead of waiting for the prophet. (he was more fearful of the Philistines than of God) Later on, the bleating of sheep and a lone surviving Amalekite (King Agag) bare witness of a man who was no longer little in his own eyes. In the end, this man, who at one time was “also among the prophets” received his final morsels from a lady of Endor who communicated with the dead as routinely as we do laundry. 

King Saul did not have to end up like this. At any time during his downward spiral, he could have called out to the Lord in genuine repentance. Even with the understanding that his rebellion would have consequences in the physical realm, (the disobediance of performing the burnt offerings cost his descendants the throne; this was irreversable) he could have turned his heart to the Holy One of Israel. Instead, he spends his final moments seeking dialogue with Samuel by means of a lady with a familiar spirit in a desperate attempt to hold on to his temporal position in the land of the living. Loving this world will cause a person to make “really bad descisions” every time.

Hebrews 3:12 “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

Well I should wrap this up shortly. The conversation with Sally was not the only thing that transpired Friday morning. About two hours beforehand, Dustin arrived from Kentucky to pick up Morgan. She left on good terms; despite the volatility that has defined our relationship over the past few years. I think this is going to end well. I’m praying much for both of them as these are two priceless souls who need Jesus. In fact (this is going to sound nutty) it’s much easier to keep them in prayer from a distance. When residing here, Morgans attitude and shady workings sometimes engage the emotions and make it a real struggle to focus on the eternal. The spirit is always striving but the flesh wants to “react in a manner that’s not condusive to gathering.” But with two states in between us, I can come before the Lord and pray fervently for both Morgan and Dustin; void of any distracting issues in the realm of atoms that cause hindering.

Dustin and Morgan are now in the town of Corbin where employment has been secured. It sits along I 75 about halfway between Lexington KY and Knoxville TN. Please keep Dustin, Morgan, Sally, and this household in prayer. The spiritual battlings are not subsiding; they are growing more intense as the days draw to a close. The situation in this venue is more complex than words can relate, but God sees the end from the beginning.

Blessings always in Jesus name.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consuilter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”

Acts 19:19 “Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.”