CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH THE WRONG KIND
A Powerful Testimony
by "Jennifer"

By Jennifer Robinson

The last few years the occult was a subject that I attempted to avoid on my web site due to the personal experiences I've had. Darkness can be an all consuming void that saps you of whatever strength you have in the Lord. After thinking about this topic I decided it was time to place this on my web site.

Back in July of 1998 after losing a job earlier that summer, rumors were flittering around of a company that was moving into the area and I thought that it would be a great job to apply for because it could possibly offer a good paying job and a secure future. Whenever they had an open house I went and immediately applied, took a computer test, and was never called back. I got literally angered at God over this. I prayed so hard for a break, at the time I had little money left and feared I would lose my telephone. I was in my mid-twenties and was still focusing on "self" rather than "Jesus Christ".

For most of July I found myself stirring in the anguish and eventually began to cut myself off from everything Godly. I would often hear myself spout out hateful things to my brother and whenever he tried to warn me of my path I would say, "You Christians are all alike, self righteous and holier than thou. You find negative things in everyone and never focus nor accept the good." When my brother heard me say that he knew I needed help badly but went on his way, I guess he didn't need that kind of scene in his life at the time. He was going to high school and was busy with extra-curricular activities. My parents had their own jobs, we all spent our time at home doing our own thing.

I was so mad at God that the anger turned to bitterness, this was when Satan could come right in and attempt to take over my life. He took advantage of my feelings and began to deceive me. I was pulled into the occult and began doing research into converting to Wicca. Wiccan people told me how they loved me and how precious I was to mother nature. They told me of how tolerant they were ad how they respected all religions. I was hooked on Wicca, I watched the show Charmed quite a bit and thought it would be interesting to dabble in it. I knew that their "ways" were contrary to the Word of God. My heart kept telling me this, my head told me to continue on with the path I was making for myself.

Research was something I did constantly while connected to the net, to find my own way of believing. While I was reading over the enormous amount of information on the internet about Wiccan beliefs, I came across a page of their rituals. Needless to say, I read one rite where they well, I won't get to graphic, did something to the cross of Christ. The cross was the most symbolic thing to my beliefs.. it was Holy to me. Jesus Christ died on that cross for me and his blood covered my sins. He died in my place, no one else loved me that much. I was shaken out of the daze I was in for many weeks. God had mercy on me and He called me back to Him. The veil was removed from my face and I seen what I had done.

Godly fear was something that I had never experienced before, I trembled in fear because I seen how close I was to losing myself. I was so frightened and could hardly breath. I had seen first hand how Satan can deceive and lie. It was always one thing to "hear" about it but it was another to actually "know it". I was a member of a Christian organization back then called, "Ladies of Faith", run by a dear friend. She called me on the phone very late at night and prayed with me. She helped me shun the darkness and denounce it all. With her help, I was delivered from the occult. I cast my first spell, decided to undergo the ritual to be a solitary witch practitioner... a few days away from it. My deep love for Jesus Christ, the seal that was given me when I became a Christian was my alarm. It was warning me that my heart would be hardened if I underwent any type of conversion of that sort. God fought Satan for my soul and He won, praises be to Him!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12, 13

I am always extremely aware of the spirits that I encounter each day. God tells us to test the spirits-- "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1, NIV) I have learned to test all things against the Word of God and if it violates it one iota I know immediately that I am being deceived. I avoid all things that are contrary to Word of God. '"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything.' (1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV) I was mastered by Wicca for a while, but praise be to God I was delivered from it. The occult will never have mastery over me again.. the same can be said about many things in this life.

"and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 NASB

Thank you God

While doing a Bible Study in Philippians I noted the many times Paul told the church people at Philippi to rejoice. In fact he never tired of it.

There are just so many things for which we can give thanks! God gave us his son...We can rejoice in that. We have been forgiven again and again...We can rejoice in that. The Lord helps us through trials...We can rejoice in that. God gives us wisdom when we look to him for understanding and not ourselves...We can rejoice in that. And I could go on...but then so can you.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful wonderful time of year when we can think of all there is to be thankful for and for all the reasons we can rejoice as Christians. While you are planning your big family meal for November, take some time also to write down all the reasons you have to be thankful. You’ll just see why it is imperative that you and I live our lives in the joy of Jesus rather than in the doldrums...that sea of despond (as you read in "Pilgrim’s Progress") or under the burden of depression.

Take the time to go to your New Testament and look up all the times the words "rejoice, joy, rejoicing, or joyous" and the word "thanks" are there. Do you think God was trying to send a message to us all? I think so.

The Virtuous Woman during Thanksgiving!

Now where do we read about the Virtuous Woman during Thanksgiving time? Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday...or is it? What often happens at Thanksgiving time when relatives from near and far come together to partake of that fine meal prepared by the ladies (and men) and children? This is a time that is supposed to reflect appreciation for one another’s efforts, and to relax and reflect on a year gone by ... the end of harvest for some, the beginning of Christmas festivities for others... or maybe it’s a time of sadness or loneliness or bitterness. What about the Proverbs 31 woman? How can she make this time of year special?

Thanksgiving means literally – the giving of THANKS. The woman of virtue the Bible speaks of, that woman with godly character is going to go out of her way to make sure this time of year is just that. And with a grateful heart she will see to it, that she has set the example for her family.

There are ways a woman of virtue can express traits that rub off on other people. Let’s look at a few of her godly characteristics... those Christian Graces that are especially needed during any holiday season.

A woman of virtue is "Christ-like" in action whether she is cleaning the turkey, making her invitation list for the table, cooking, scrubbing the house, dressing herself and her table to match the occasion, sharing chores with her daughters, or passing the plate at mealtime.

"She is like the merchants’ ships: she bringeth her food from afar." (We decided to grow our own turkey this year! Scrappy... watch your head.)

"She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." (Scrappy must weigh 40 pounds by now. He’s is going to be difficult to lift in and out of that oven!!)

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." (There may be someone coming to dinner who hasn’t much to offer. Just their presence will be enough for the Virtuous Woman and she will welcome them with open arms and teach the same to the rest of the family. The Virtuous Woman has this gift of hospitality!)

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple." (Even if it is last year’s dress, the Virtuous Woman wants to welcome her guests as a fine hostess. This is a time for pampering. Get out that old iron and buy a can of spray starch. Freshen up the linens and make sure the creases are straight in the husband’s shirt and the hem of the skirt.)

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." (This woman keeps the conversation at the table on an even keel and uplifting to the Lord.)

"...The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (The virtuous woman, in God’s eyes is holy. She doesn’t speak unkindly of others. She is careful with the example she sets to others. She teaches her daughters especially to have the traits of a godly woman of virtue and shows them by example how they, too should set examples to their family and to keep God in their home life.)

As women of God, let’s consider these thoughts as we go to be with our families. May our hands be extended hand at all times. May we walk in truth, live in truth, present ourselves as representatives of truth, and strive for the same in our daughters.

Lord God we pray that we all can be the women you have called us to be. Help us to set the example. You have given us the instruction. With Jesus Christ we can do it. Make this Thanksgiving season a time of joy and rejoicing, and a time when families can come together in peace and love. Work miracles in dysfunctional families and shine your light in the homes that have allowed you in. In your name we ask this. Amen.

From the Kitchen of...

Patti Walters, Healdsburg, California
In Arnold Country...

Patti makes the best CRISP in the world. You’ll have lotsa friends after a treat like this...

(Every bite will melt in your mouth...unfortunately, though, it won’t melt in your tummy. For some reason, one tends to add a couple of pounds with this dish; maybe because they can’t stop with just one piece.)

Thank you Patti for your recipe...

Hearts for Christ Ministries thanks Patti and this Soup Contributor for these recipes.

The crisp sounds perfect as a side dish to pumpkin pie and the soup will satisfy our tummies after our Thanksgiving feasts!

Do you have a RECIPE that you would enjoy sharing? Send it to us here in the Hearts for Christ Ministries Comments Section or e-mail direct: info@heartsforchrist.org. We will be thrilled to pass it along to our readers.

Sharing Hearts One with Another... The following letters are excerpts from the correspondence Hearts for Christ Ministries has been receiving. Dear Hearts For Christ: Just wanted to say this was the first time I looked at "God's Glory". Some of the photos brought tears to my eyes. Your farm animals and Eve. = ( Some of those places I will probably never be able to see in person. Those glorious colors and the magnificent display of His majesty, Almighty power. Like I wrote in a devotional to my Christian CF group just today...I think there is only one word that we should use exclusively in describing Our Lord (and it should only be used to describe Him and His Wonderful deeds!!!)...Awesome, He is awesome!!! The pictures just proclaim it evermoreso!! = ) Whose house is that with the beautiful canopy bed and the chairs and couch? Very beautiful! Sorry I had overlooked this section of hfc!!! Thanks to all those who contributed and put it together. May the Lord bless them in all of their dedication and hard work! = ) Laurie Dear Laurie, Thank you for those very special words, Laurie. People do often forget to look into "God's Glory." There are many surprises there and there is NOTHING like these sunsets in Southern Oregon! I can just see God with His paintbrush! Who knows, Laurie...maybe someday the Lord will make a way possible for you to trek up this way to see it all in person. You see now why we love it in these parts. God is awesome beyond description. The setting with the canopy bed belongs to one of the sisters on the ministry team who sent hers in from "Wyoming." Be sure to get YOUR digital out Laurie and start taking photos for our presentations. I am planning one for fall. Much love to you in Christ. Shirley and the rest of the team Dear Hearts for Christ, I have a women's retreat scheduled for October 24th-26th. We are a small church and I don't think that we will have more than 20 attendees. My theme is on God's Promises. This is my first time as a women's ministries leader to do this kind of an event. My Pastor's wife and a few sisters are giving me ideas but help with ideas from other resources would be a blessing. Maggie Dear Maggie, A scripture promise on each name tag is a great idea especially when it comes to God's Promises. Assigning prayer partners is also a good idea for the retreat (little sets of 2) where you pray over the names and then select by drawing them. The partners name would be listed on the back of the name tag or in the folder. Making sure everyone has a folder DEFINITELY so they have something to take home. Inside have an agenda so the retreat runs smoothly. With 20 people have a prayer group time where you break into groups of possible 4 (5 to a group) with one selected as facilitator. The groups would do questions and discussion following whatever the speaker talks about. Have a list of questions ahead of time for them. And then they would go to prayer as a group. Let your theme run through the weekend. Make a craft to go with the theme. (Then they have a memory to take home). Make sure you have a theme VERSE that can go on the craft you make. It can be anything. Even a candle that never burns out on a little piece of driftwood...anything. Or something "autumn" natured. Those are a few ideas. Sharing time is important as well to break the ice at the beginning even if you all know each other. Just keep a handle on it so people don't get off track. I hope these help a little to start. Jesus Loves You and Me, Shirley Connolly and the HFC Ministry Team Hello Shirley - I am so thankful for your prompt response and for your wonderful ideas. You have blessed me today. You may be hearing from me from time to time before my event. Once again thank you and may the Lord Bless you! Because of Jesus, Maggie Solis Good News Fellowship Church - Daly City, CA Do let us know how it all turns out. We will be anxiously awaiting! GBU

Are You Ready to Share with Us? What is the Lord doing in your life today? Do you have a question, an experience, or a victory in trial you would enjoy sharing in a future newsletter? Send your comments and inquiries to "Dear Hearts for Christ." Article Submissions and Testimonies should be sent to Shirley@heartsforchrist.org. No names will be included without permission, and the editor reserves the right to edit submissions.