The Trials of Friendship
I had a dream almost two months ago that’s been on my mind since the night it arrived. In the dream, I moved my family to Oregon and I’ll admit, the dream has had me a bit confused.
Less than a year ago, I moved away from the Pacific Northwest, to the desert Southwest, primarily because my wife and I wanted to live in a warmer climate. I didn’t receive much revelation from God prior to the move, so when I had the dream about moving back to the northwest, I wondered if I’d made a mistake.
In thinking about the dream, I knew that if God wanted us to live in the northwest, He probably would have made it clear before we moved. His ways are a bit mysterious, but He’s been a perfect gentleman in leading us in these kinds of things. It seems out of character to tell us after we’ve moved that we’d made a mistake.
Although many of my dreams are literal, most of the moving dreams I have are symbolic. I’ve felt for a while that I’d entered a new season of life and if I’m in a new season then a moving dream might be appropriate. Dreams of moving tend to portray, symbolically, the things we can expect in a new season. I believe it’s the city we moved to in the dream that holds the key to the interpretation. And the city we moved to was Salem, Oregon
Now in thinking about why the city of Salem was chosen, I considered the things that the name Salem is associated with. The most obvious being the famed witch trials of 1692, in Salem Massachusetts, where dozens of people were tried and executed for the crime of witchcraft. Many of those killed were members in good standing of a church congregation. It seems as though God is warning me to watch out for some things that might resemble the witch trials of Salem in this new season.
It’s hard to receive this as good news. I certainly don’t have warm, fuzzy feelings about it. And yet, God always has a purpose for the things He reveals, and His purpose is always for our benefit. The things He warns us about may not be comfortable, but the advanced notice may bring comfort, reassurance, and instruction on how to navigate the storm when it arrives.
So the question is: have I encountered anything yet resembling a witch trial?
Strangely enough–shortly after I had this dream, I began receiving private messages from Facebook friends, who warned me about my association with a close friend, who had become the suspect in a string of bizarre spiritual events.
This friend is very interested in the supernatural. He writes often on supernatural topics to spur discussions about things we don’t fully understand yet. Some of his views are pretty radical and they’ve generated a lot of controversies. As is always the case with radicals—some of the people who once supported him have accused him of going off the deep end. The story took a strange turn when this group of former friends began experiencing demonic attacks and, as a group, they “discerned” that my friend was responsible for them.
This group of former friends, without any direct evidence of wrongdoing, relying solely on their own personal discernment, tried and convicted my friend of the crime of witchcraft. They have as a group, blocked him from their lives.
That’s not the end of the story.
It isn’t enough to discern a source of evil and remove it from your sphere of influence. You must find out how far the evil influence has spread and remove yourself from anyone who has been infected by it. Isolation from any potential source of evil is the name of the game.
So the group approached me through private messages and laid out their accusations against my friend. Knowing that he respected me–they hoped I would either straighten him out or sever all ties with him. After all–what man of God would knowingly associate with a convicted witch? (And if he was a witch, and I was his friend, maybe I was a witch, too.)
When I didn’t respond as they expected, most of these people unfriended me.
The accusations against my friend are growing almost daily. He’s become the official cause of demonic attacks and bizarre spiritual occurrences that happen to anyone who knows him. Forget about Murphy’s law–you can now blame my friend for all of your bad luck.
The witch trials of 1692 are an example of how mass hysteria works. They’re a poignant reminder of the dangers of isolationism, religious extremism, false accusation, and disregard for due process. My friend has suffered the same type of holy violence the early pilgrims endured at the hands of their brothers.
When I approached my friend about the accusations, I was shocked to learn that not one person had bothered to confront him personally. In complete disregard for the instruction of Jesus to confront a brother in person (alone) when you have a problem (Matt 18:15-18), they chose to slander and gossip about him behind his back.
Of course, they claimed that “God told them” to talk to someone else about the problem instead of confronting him personally. I suppose you can do whatever you want as long as you make it clear that “God told you,” and apparently, God now endorses gossip, slander, and false accusation.
I’ve taken a break from Facebook for a number of reasons—this is just one of them. The way these people have behaved reminds me of how adolescents resolve conflicts in a sandbox. I expected more maturity and compassion from people who are old enough to know better.
My friend has received a few warning dreams from God recently. A mutual friend also had a dream about him suggesting that he is in some type of danger. The three of us have solicited the counsel of older, trusted leaders to help us navigate these times of uncertainty. That’s what true friendship is about. It’s helping others when they’re in danger —not departing from them for the sake of self-preservation. Isolationism isn’t the answer. True friends see the good in others and encourage their development. They don’t overlook the bad, but they don’t make it the focus of every discussion. They nurture others and suffer along with them, bearing each other’s burdens.
I may have ten thousand friends when the good things in my life are on display. But only my true friends will be at my side when my flaws and failures are in the spotlight. And it’s the prayers and encouragement of true friends during hard times that I need more than the hollow praise of fair-weather friends.
If I’m the kind of friend that can be pressured to leave your side when the adversary is having a good time at your expense, then I’m not really a friend.
PM – I’ve been on the receiving end of that very same witch hunt. Same approach, same everything. It was devastating. I lost my church family as well as my immediate family. By the half-way point – only my two sisters stood with me. As someone who knows the deal – Thank you SO much for taking a different stance. It will prove a testimony of life for all involved. love, t
Thanks for dropping by IHOP. Sorry to hear about your trials, but its comforting to know that others are going through it too and that God sees it for what it is.
Bless you!
PM
man, this is so moving. and so sad. it’s internet people. and there is more to this life than we can possibly imagine. i am glad you wrote about it.
sometimes God works from the “fringe” in towards the middle, ‘cuz the fringe is listening.. bless you tons PM
Thanks Elizabeth, “from the fringe to the middle…” I’ll try to remember that.
PM
I was really touched by this post… and reminded that we’re not meant to fight battles on our own. We need help and companionship, and it’s ok to be in a place of need. During a difficult time several years ago, I remember a friend noticed I had withdrawn a lot from everyone and approached me about it. I had been keeping a lot to myself and for whatever reason, I was ashamed to share the burden. After I told her what was going on she told me there was no shame in needing protection or help. That was what friends were for – to take up their shield of faith along side each other and help one another in carrying our loads.
It reminds me of the relationship between Frodo and Sam in the Lord Of The Rings. When all hope had abandoned Frodo, Sam remained – and he did even more than remained, he carried some of Frodo’s burden himself when Frodo couldn’t any longer. Steadfast friends are a gift and a blessing from the Lord.
P.S. Glad to see your posts again on Facebook 🙂
Long time, no see Ashley! Thanks for stopping by and adding your always wonderful words of wisdom. Friendships are more important than I realized.
I’m back on Google+ by the way….in case you ever get back on.
Thanks again my loyal friend,
PM
He’s well free of those fools.
Nice article – I don’t buy into “suffering along with them”
Suffering is optional. But it takes time and wisdom to
be able to opt out. Not to mention a ton of inner work.
If my friend is suffering in a hole, i’m not going to climb down into that hole with them. I’m gonna lower a ladder into that hole and if the friend is willing and able I will offer a hand to help them out. Not just a hand but tools to help them free themselves. None of it involves me suffering.
PM thanks for posting this message from the past. I have gone through something alot like it. Someday perhaps I can somehow tell you about it. It’s a hurtful thing when people you trusted turn on you. The best thing about it is that I was driven closer to Jesus. He knows the truth, he’s a friend to lean on.
I so appreciate your steadfast ministry!
In the love of Christ, John
Those verses in Matthew have salvaged many a friendship, humbled many a soul (my own included), and preserved the body of Christ is myriad ways. Doesn’t Scripture tell us to test the spirits to see if they are from God (as opposed to just “feeling right” in our lack of discernment)? If what we think God is telling us to do doesn’t align with what He told us to do in Scripture, then it’s not God we’re listening to. I’m glad you’ve got his back, both physically and spiritually.
Thanks for posting the link to this on Telegram now in late November, 2021. Yes, Satan uses the same wiles over and over. It is sad to see Christians caught up in the slander and gossip inspired by “the accuser of the brethren” and then trying to draw other Christians to join them in this evil or be ostracized for standing with a true patriot. It takes divine wisdom to deal with it!
It’s often a distraction-by-design of the Enemy of our souls away from the “real issues” where that very spiritual warfare is being waged, while attempting to “cripple” or “take out” someone who is actually a hero of the faith vitally engaged in the very battle of which they are accused!
The one accused needs prayer and support, along with the undiscerning and judgmental Christians, who are being
hoodwinked by the schemes of Satan.
I myself have been feeling isolated by circumstances which I now see as distractions from God’s purpose for me and the temptation to take up an offense for superficial (but emotional) reasons. I’m drawn back to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith and be upheld by Him and bring all imaginations into captivity to Him. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Praying for you, Denise, and your friend. I ask God to forgive Job’s comforters, and curse the harvest they sowed for. God have mercy on them.
When I prayed I saw a hornet’s nest. I cover you and Denise with the precious blood of Jesus as you minister to your friend and the ones who condemned your friend. The enemy will wish he never did this because of the knowledge you will gain and teach. When I prayed for you God said, “The only thing Dave despised more than politics is religion, and I have much for him to do in that arena.” Yippee, right? ?? (Don’t shoot the messenger)
We are entering a time of the knowledge of the glory of God covering the earth, and the miracles and supernatural manifestations we will see will be very unusual. We must be careful not to check the “That’s not God” box too quickly. Religious folks are going to have a hard time with some of the manifestations, and may call it magic.
What would you do if an ax head floated, or if you spoke to a rock in the desert and water flowed from it? Or what about if your olive oil bottle never ran dry? What if God replaced your fillings with gold? What if you sat in a chair that really wasn’t there? ( I personally witnessed the last two.)
Praying for your other Q books, too. I am the one who saw the multi-colored pickup sticks vision about your first two books. The editing process would not be nearly as arduous this time, but the choice is yours. Asking for God to raise up intercessors for you in this season. You are well and able to possess the land. You have been faithful to minister truth to normies and have a remarkable gift to convey the peace of God to us. God bless you in your obedience.
This maybe 2021, but is a very timely word. I had something similar going on this morning. God is so gracious and loving that it all worked out in a short amount of time. Thank you for bringing this very important topic up. Christ followers need to be reminded of this!
I am a former Clairvoyant/Medium. Got saved filled with the Holy Ghost and DELIVERED years ago. I’m prophetic and have gotten that same “God Told Me” thing a few times. Baaahahaha, Wrong! I’ve been to Heaven a few times now and it was never brought up. Imagine That! If you move in the supernatural in out of the box ways, I’m assuming your friend is like that, some people, well meaning as they think they are, just will not see how big God is. I would bet this guy is hungry for God and going after the things of God. Looking back the most intense “didn’t see that coming” times were when I was crying out for more and flowing heavy in the word of knowledge. Just before GOD supposedly told them it was all of the devil and warned all my close friends. Common. Never gets easy. GC
Thanks so much for sharing this from almost 10 years ago! I started watching a video I saw on Telegram last night called, “Mass Psychosis – How an Entire Population Becomes Mentally Ill,” and interestingly, they used the Salem Witch Trials as an example of mass psychosis! It was just as you described in your personal story about what your friend went through. And it actually describes what so many of us are going through as we are being falsely accused of being QAnon conspiracy theorist/white supremecists /violent insurrectionists/racists, etc, because we voted for Trump, etc. This is what I’m going through with my family. They will not talk to me and ask me about what I believe, they listen to what the Media says about me, which, of course, are all lies.
The fact that there was a convergence of all these things tells me that God is highlighting these things and exposing the strategy of the enemy, the Accuser of the Brethren. Though it’s painful to learn of how lives have been so damaged by this strategy, the fact that it’s being exposed right now is telling us that God is at work in it. The division, discord and mistrust that is being sown in our movement is alarming, but your posting this, Dave, helps us see more clearly.
Thank you for what you are doing. I’m going to have to continue to be praying about how to navigate through this time of deception and misunderstanding, because truly, behind the Fog of War is Truth waiting to be seen. We will win, God wins, and the revelation of truth is what awaits us behind the subterfuge.
praying medic. I get dreams also, but mine relate the pole shift all of humanity will face here in about 5 years. prior to that we all will face the new madrid fault line rupture which will do as prophecies have explained opening of the mississippi River straight to the gulf separating that 1.3 of the US continent out into the ocean by 25-50 miles… To stay alive, the safe locations are mostly North west. The desert is difficult to grow food in as the soil is too sand y and does not have much nutrition. Water sources are less available. survival of this extinction event is going to be difficult. it will take going to a safe location. Making sure to be above rivers by about 1000′, a minimum of 100 miles inland from the ocean, building domes that will withstand 200MPH winds, creating a fire break around any wooden structure as fires will cover this planet, and growing food year round in a dome shaped greenhouse that is off grid, where temp and lighting is controlled by solar panels. All energy will have to be renewable and you will need a group of people set on surviving and saving the children so humanity will continue. That group could be called a homestead group. Some do gardening, some do animals, some cut wood for heat, some do repairs, some make compost, some trim all the plants and feed biogas machines to fuel and fertilizers can be made. My thoughts are God was showing you a safe location. Oregon is safe, especially on the southeast side. You need to locate away from the cascade range as all volcanoes will go off. The ground on the SE side of oregon is locked, so it will quake and it will get hot, but that means you will just have to have a platform above the ground that is safe from falling bolides, maybe under a cliff or structure made to withstand the winds. All survival structures need to be placed in an area where fire, wind, and any negative weather, or earth event will not destroy the structure. To get information on how to survive please read this site and know that in all the government lies we see today, that very government that lies continually has never told the truth about aliens/UFO’s. Aliens are real. They like humanity are both bad and good. The bad guys are referred to as demons, or the devil, and the good guys are referred to are angels. Our angels are painted in many old paintings over Jesus or beside Mary, as they were very present during the times of jesus. They created the star that the 3 wise men followed. So our angels live in the flesh and are here to help. These angels have been on the net now for 26 years. read what they have to say about these end times and how to survive them
http://poleshift.ning.com/ Main site
https://zetatalk.com/ archive on everything since they started in 1995. this site has over 10,000 pages.
God Bless Tere’
This is a smear campaign lead by a person with NPD (narcissistic personality disorder). They NEVER expected you to confront him. This is the story of my life… isolated everywhere. No one has ever had my back until just a few weeks ago. Most people just go along with it. Praying Medic you are a part of the FEW!
Read a few years ago that Eastern Oregon was the safest place to live away from natural disasters and is politically conservative. Though that does not include the disaster of a very liberal government right now. Much corruption has given us a solid liberal base with no recourse Just found out passports will come into play in March if not stopped.
I have read some recent prophecies that there is a witchcraft spirit in this state and it is painfully obvious to me. However, God has blessed me with friends and family that have stayed by my side come hell or high water.
The people who followed the Oregon Trail during the western expansion of the United States were trailblazers. It looks like Oregon will be a trailblazing state in the worst kind of way now. I will pray that God intervenes.
I don’t know……seems to me the real witchcraft are the social media platforms.