More than a pretty face Part 2

I know all too well that a seemingly nice "normal" person can be tricked into thinking they have "gift" from God in this area. Although I grew up with a christian background, I never had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We went to church because that was "the thing to do" not because there was any joy in it.

My great grandmothers sister was a neighborhood "card" reader. She would read "cards", tell fortunes and give advice to the women in town. One day after giving me a "reading ", she told me I too had the gift and was to use it to help people. That lead to many years of tuning into my "skills", delving deeper into the occult and leading me far away from the God who loved me. Oh I thought I was still a Christian the whole time. I prayed and felt very spiritual. Yet, I was also being immersed more and more into Ancient fortune telling techniques, tarot cards, psychic reading, past lives exploration (and was convinced I was a Scribe in a monastery in another life etc.) palm reading extra-terrestrial abductions, Bermuda triangle stories anything that was a mystery intrigued me.

My drinking and drug use continued as well. I was being paid for my readings and felt a power I cannot explain. I was flattered that people would ask for my advice and feel empowered that I was so accurate. I investigated channeling spirits like Ramtha and thought I would do the same. To make my readings even better I would invite Spirits to come near me or to fill me so I would receive their ancient knowledge. (There are Biblical accounts of true God sent Angels contacting humans as with Mary the mother of Jesus and Joseph in a dream warning him to escape to Egypt.)

I would only deal with good Spirits, so I thought. But only demons connect in this way in today's world to deceive the foolish and hide their true identity in many ways. Satan is the Prince of this world and his demon may be disguised as relatives who have passed on. I was convinced of my "calling". To help people by giving them insights and advice maybe even help them to contact that dead relative.

There are accounts in the book of Acts in which a slave girl was possessed by a demon and read fortunes also the demon possessed man that met Jesus called Legion whereby Jesus cast out the demons and sent them into the herd of pigs. I still believe demons can possesses humans even today. But that is for another time.

The Bible tells us we are constantly battling the flesh, the world and the devil. I welcomed them all. I was on a search for my purpose and deep down inside I knew I was not living right. I would go to church on Christmas Eve and cry the whole service and not know why. God's Holy Spirit was tugging at my heart but I ignored it.
The Bible says there will come a time when are hearts are so hardened we will not hear God, he turns us over to our sinful ways.

My marriage was not going well and I was never really happy. Out of the blue an old friend (I'll call him David) contacted my parents and said he had been thinking about me and wanted to stop by and speak to my parents. He left his business card and said he was praying for me.

I eventually called that friend and we met for lunch. David told me how he had been deeply involved in doing tarot readings and even exploring Satanic worship. He said he was now Saved and a new person. That God had brought me to his mind to go talk to. Then he pulled out his Bible. That is when he showed me in the Scripture what God said about how much He hates the occult, astrology, mediums, spiritualist etc. God wants us to seek Him. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything will be added to you" Matthew tells us.

David explained that was in bondage. Bondage! Why I am as free as a bird and helping people, so I thought. Not so, as I swirled in my own nightmares of alcoholic black outs, illicit drugs and relationships near fatal car crashes and DUI's. I was keeping the "door" of the demonic realm open with these practices and therefore I could not stop my drinking and drugging lifestyle.

His words laid heavy on my mind for days after he left.

One afternoon as I was making my bed, I caught me own eye in the mirror and was taken back. Who was that girl? I looked into my own eyes and did not recognize myself, it was not the girl I thought I was. It was as if God revealed my own filthiness inside. I burst into tears. I quickly gathered up all my fortune telling items and put them out on the lid of the trash can outside. After one week I sent them out for the trash man.
I went through a powerful withdrawal for this. Feeling lost and without any answer. I cried out to God in desperation. Please help me! He did.

There is so much more to tell, sometime when I give my story somewhere you will hear the rest. But the important thing is that I was willing and ready to recognize I was a sinner and that I needed to turn away from this sinful behavior (repent) and admit I needed a Savior.

Jesus was at the door of my heart, waiting so patiently for me to invite Him in. He entered my heart and changed me from the inside out. I am a new creation in Christ. Old things have past away, Behold all things become new.

Ah, the sweet taste of true freedom. I have now been a soundly saved truly reborn Christ follower for 15 years now. I have not had a drink in all that time. Amazing. A miracle. An awesome God!

Oh yes, BTW- I am now married to a real illusionist who told me to mention...He knows how all their "tricks" are done . Well, I found out I just happened be a good "cold reader" and know people well. That "gift" has helped in all my sales jobs:).

The Bible says, "God is not a respector of persons" that simply means that what he did for me he can do for you. All of us have sinned .Your story may be different then mine. But God is good.

"I am the Way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me," Jesus says. "Behold I stand at the door of your heart and knock." Won't you let Him In? Please make that decision today. Right now. Today is the day of salvation! Amen.

If you have made a decision for Christ please contact me. I would love to encourage you in your new walk with the Lord and pray for you.

love and blessings~
Darlene

All Content Copyright © 2009 Darlene Taylor. Any fellow believers that would like to pass this on please just let me know. I am happy to share. :) Thank you.