from bondage to salvation...

Thankful that, today, this blog allowed me to easily access previous "finds" and forward these morsels of experience to someone else!   First and foremost, I consider myself more "spiritual" than religious... born Catholic and touched by many with various religious backgrounds, I have found that there are many ways to find God and that there is no "right" or "wrong" religion.  We are all seeking and we find "our own" ways which are as individual as each of us!
   

The feeling of being used by God, to do His work, is very rewarding... I am also prepared for the backlash that the "enemy" will toss my way for shedding this light on another.  "Spiritual warfare" is real and has brought clarity to many situations that could have easily destroyed me.

I want to share a very powerful prayer with you in hopes that you will read this at the "perfect" time.  May it help you significantly in the challenges you forge thru!  My hope is that one day, all of this is not in vain... my effort to "share" was with purpose!

 
"From Bondage to Salvation" was given to me many, many years ago by a pentacostal preacher and his wife.  They were brought into my life during a very difficult time.  God seems to always send us what we need at the "perfect" moment!  This prayer has continued to be my source when I am hopeless and feel that I am about to give up.  I've made many copies and have them scattered in different places so that during my time "in need", I am not blocked by the enemy (suddenly the prayer is nowhere to be found or I cannot remember a single word from memory).  

This prayer and the ancient Native American ritual of "smudging/ saging" have changed my life and I hope they do the same for you, too!

Here are two of my past blog posts with information on "saging/ smudging":

• the power of saging...
• more info on saging and smudge sticks...

more info on saging and smudge sticks...

How to Smudge

Any action, undertaken with intention and belief can become a potent ritual so consider your intention before you smudge and hold it clearly in your mind. You may wish to invite the spirit of the herbs to join you and guide and assist with your intention.

A candle flame is recommended to light the smudge stick as it may take a little time to get the stick smoking. Once there's a flame blow it out so that the smudge stick is smoldering, not burning. Blow or wave the flame with your hand to put out the fire. Allow the smudge stick to smolder, freeing the smoke to circle in the air.

Smudging yourself

Fan the swirls of smoke around your body from head to toe. You may want to especially focus on areas where you feel there are blockages or where there has been or is physical, emotional, or psychic pain. Imagine the smoke lifting away all the negative thoughts, emotions and energies that have attached themselves to you. If you are feeling depressed for instance you could visualize the smoke carrying away all your feelings of depression.

Smudging another

It is often appropriate to smudge guests as they enter the space at a ritual, ceremony or special event. Smudge as if you were smudging yourself, fanning the smoke all over their body. You may want to speak an intention or a suggestion for the smudging as you do it. For instance "Allow the sacred smoke to cleanse your body and spirit and bring you present and available into this moment"

Smudging a room or space

Light the smudge stick and walk about the perimeter, giving special attention to the corners and the places behind doors. You can also fan the smoke throughout the room with a large feather.

During healing work

During healing work, the smoke may be fanned over the person either by your hand or with feathers. This clears out unhealthy energies and brings in the special attributes of the herbs. You may also direct smudge to each of the person's chakras and as you do so visualize each chakra coming into balance as it is purified by the smudge.

Cleansing crystals or other objects

Hold the objects to be purified in the smoke or fan the smoke over them. If you are clearing your crystals prior to programming them thank both them and the smudge stick for helping you to realize your goals.

Extinguishing the smudge stick

Have ready a fireproof receptacle such as a shell or a glass or ceramic dish to put the smudge stick in when you've finished. It's ideal to damp the stick out in sand, or earth or you can just press it against the bottom of the receptacle. Always make sure that a smudge stick is out before leaving the room where you keep it.

this is what i say when burning white sage throughout the house...
"Any spirits in us or around us that cannot say 'Jesus Christ is Lord!'... I command you to loosen and leave, now, in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen!"

*****Helpful links:

Smudging And Smudge Sticks For Health And Aromatherapy Benefit

mendlbarr blog (earlier post)

incense warehouse

the power of "saging"

Want to share something with you that just might make life a little easier! 

Robert Downey, Jr. has been a  favorite of mine for a long time and when I read that he has improved his life with the use of "saging"... I had to do my own research and give it a try.   I am now a true believer in the powers of energy and utilize "saging" in my life.  Peace immediately surrounds our home afterwards... we've become more productive when the "negative" energy is sent away.  May you find this information helpful.  Heather Buchanan, HamtonsHeather.com, writes:

Have you ever had the feeling that there's an invisible little grouchy entity which has attached itself to you and is wreaking havoc with your life (not including certain political figures)? I'm a great believer in the power of energy be it positive or negative and when I hit a patch where I've done yoga five days in a row, shaved my legs, finished my column, and chased two mating ducks out of the middle of the road so they didn't get hit by an oncoming truck, and I feel good about myself, magical things can happen.

After spending two days, in bed, in a cloud of yuckiness... I decided to grab my sage and give it a try!  Yes...finally feel like myself again!  It's times like these that I wonder what kept me from remembering the powers of "saging"?  So you ask "what is it?"  Nicole Brown, eHow Contributing Writer, gives a concise description:

Sage has been burned by the Native American people for centuries. Today, burning sage has become a widespread practice. Sage can be used for a variety of different purposes. One common use for sage is to cleanse a space. Sage can be purchased in a ready-made bundle or loose. Once lit, the smoke from the sage can be fanned around the location with the intent of purifying the area and removing any negative energies. Sage can be burned in your home to cleanse it of a haunting or unwanted spirit activity.

Hope this enlightens and inspires...
Belinda :)