Some Things to Make You Go "Huh"
About those adorable little orbs that New Agers love so much... "Yes, I will follow you, Jesus—after I do the laundry"... Why there's no such thing as a "gateway drug" for occult involvement
Another compilation for you; there is just always so much stuff to talk about. Enjoy my mini-dives into various spiritual topics that caught my attention this week.
About Those Adorable Little Orbs That New Agers Love So Much
If you are one of my readers who came from a New Age background, you know exactly what I mean: those white, translucent orbs that are often caught by a camera in photos of certain sites, often associated with paranormal “hotspots,” occult rituals/pagan ceremonies, cemeteries, etcetera.
Back in the day when I was still a New Ager, we all knew they were non-human entities, and that knowledge left us partially awestruck and partially touched and amused, as in, “Awwww… look, the fairies/angels/spirits are coming to play.”
In his latest blog post, well-known Catholic exorcist Msgr. Stephen Rossetti puts an end to that cutesy idea.
He writes…
Recently a video of one of our afflicted souls showed a small orb of translucent white light about one foot in diameter following her. Shortly after I received text from the demons: "I'll always be watching over my child, Stephen." (The demons never call me "Father".)
This is not the first time I've seen these little white round orbs; in each case they were demonic. Some appeared in infested houses. Others around people who were afflicted by demons. But in every case, they were demonic.
So get this: These little orbs are the same entities as the much-feared shadow people with the glowing red eyes or the notorious Hat Man.
Msgr. Rossetti also issues a dire warning against going on paranormal investigations, also called “ghost hunts.” Too many ghost hunters have brought back a demonic attachment that then proceeded to haunt them and their families.
He says, “I think such ghost-hunting individuals will find that they thought they were hunting the spirits, but in reality evil spirits were hunting them.”
He recommends we pray the St. Michael prayer that Pope Leo XIII installed and that used to be said at every Catholic Mass. Thankfully, it has made a comeback in our churches:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and the snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all his evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
(For Msgr. Rossetti’s full blog post, click here.)
“Yes, I Will Follow You, Jesus—After I Do the Laundry.”
The intro of the June edition of Magnificat really hit home for me. It was talking about Matthew 8:18-22.
In it, one of his disciples says, sure, I’ll follow you, Lord, but “first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus replies, rather harsh-sounding: “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Apparently, this passage was important enough that it shows up again in Luke 9:59-62, with some add-ons:
He said to another man, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
How many of us have done this? “Yes, Jesus, I absolutely will follow you… AFTER I do this one very important thing.”
Which, of course, always turns out to be some secular thing. Maybe we have to establish our secure position in the world first—find a good career, start a family, raise the kids. Then we need to get that all-important promotion, upsize our living quarters, get the kids off to college, get them through college, downsize our living quarters, save enough money for a solid retirement nest egg, care for our elderly parents.
Before we know it, our worldly concerns have completely consumed us. And then we’re dead and it’s too late.
Not that we couldn’t follow Jesus while doing all of the above. But sometimes He will ask hard things of us. Sacrifices. Unquestioning leaps of faith. Leaving our creature comforts behind and moving into the unknown. Are you ready to take those steps, or will you resort to the “Yes, but…” answer?
Note what Jesus calls this. “Let the dead bury their own dead” does not refer to physical corpses but to being spiritually dead.
What are you doing right now that in your mind is more important—or at least more urgent—than to follow Him?
“There’s No Such Thing as an ‘Entry-Level’ Occult Practice”
There are many “ex-New Agers” on YouTube and elsewhere warning of the dangers of the New Age—which nowadays I call “Satanism Lite—but this interview is one of the most clear-minded I’ve seen.
Teresa Yanaros is a highly intelligent and insightful witness to what exactly makes the New Age so irresistible and so treacherous. She also has a book out, Freedom from Darkness, which I haven’t read yet, but it’s on my reading list.
One very interesting thing she says (and I have to concur completely) is that New Agers don’t call themselves “New Agers.” Most will probably say when asked what their belief system is, “Oh, I’m spiritual but not religious.” Or “I believe there are many ways to God.” Or even, “I’m a Christian.”
Yes, it’s true. Many New Agers are under the false impression that they are actually Christians when nothing could be further from the truth. Even “official Christians” can be New Agers.
Take, for example, the Unitarian Universalist Church. THAT’S New Age, 100%. “Oh, we are very inclusive and recognize that there are many paths to God.” As a UU member, you can lean toward Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, whatever, and that’s totally okay.
And then take the televangelist type of New Ager, like Joel Osteen, who surely believes that he is a Christian. But he and his fellow “Prosperity Gospel” preachers are actually practicing witchcraft. Mind over matter. Create your own reality. God wants you to prosper, so just DECLARE that you are capable and powerful.
The rabbit hole goes very deep.
Watch Teresa’s full interview with a Crisis Magazine editor below.
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Love this article or newsletter-whatever you're calling it. Important topics presented in a well written way that's enjoyable to read. Thank you! 🙏
Thank you Shannara for this article! It's really been a while since I read from you. I receive email notifications, but it's been very hectic for me to catch up, what with being a new dad (March this year) and all; yes, I'm now a father *life is different now.*😅 I believe God drew me to your first topic, and I've learned a lot from reading through Msgr. Rossetti's blog. May God bless and keep you, Shannara, as we await the coming of the Holy Spirit.