Holy Spirit

 The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).

· The Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13).

· The Spirit regenerates us (John 3:5–8; Titus 3:5).

· The Spirit glorifies and testifies of Christ (John 15:26; 16:14).

· The Spirit reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16:14–15).

· The Spirit leads us (Matt. 4:1; Luke 4:1; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18).

· The Spirit sanctifies us (Rom. 15:16; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2).

· The Spirit empowers us (Luke 4:14; 24:49; Acts 1:8; Rom. 15:19).

· The Spirit fills us (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; Eph. 5:18).

· The Spirit teaches us to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 1:20).

· The Spirit “bears witness” in us “that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16 NKJV).

· The Spirit produces in us the fruit or evidence of His work and presence (Gal. 5:22–23).

· The Spirit distributes spiritual gifts and manifestations (the outshining) of His presence to and through the body (1 Cor. 12:4, 8–10; Heb. 2:4).

· The Spirit anoints us for ministry (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).

· The Spirit washes and renews us (Titus 3:5).

· The Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body (Eph. 4:3; 2:14–18). Here He plays the same role that He plays in the Godhead. The Spirit is the life that unites Father and Son, and He plays this role in the church. When the Spirit is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love. Therefore, a sure evidence of the Holy Spirit working in a group is love and unity—not signs and wonders (those are seasonal and can be counterfeited).

· The Spirit is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5 NIV).

· The Spirit seals us for the day of redemption (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

· The Spirit sets us “free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).

· The Spirit quickens our mortal bodies (Rom. 8:11 KJV).

· The Spirit reveals “the deep things of God” to us (1 Cor. 2:10 NKJV).

· The Spirit reveals “what God has given us freely” (1 Cor. 2:12 NIV).

· The Spirit dwells in us (John 14:17; Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14).

· The Spirit speaks to, in, and through us (Matt. 10:20; Acts 2:4; 8:29; 10:19; 11:12, 28; 13:2; 16:6, 7; 21:4, 11; 1 Cor. 12:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 3:7; Rev. 2:11).

· The Spirit is the agent by which we are baptized into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).

· The Spirit brings liberty (2 Cor. 3:17).

· The Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

· The Spirit cries in our hearts, “Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6).

· The Spirit enables us to wait (Gal. 5:5).

· The Spirit supplies us with Christ (Phil. 1:19 KJV).

· The Spirit grants everlasting life (Gal. 6:8 KJV).

· The Spirit gives us access to God the Father (Eph. 2:18).

· The Spirit makes us (corporately) God’s habitation (Eph. 2:22 KJV).

· The Spirit reveals the mystery of God to us (Eph. 3:4–5).

· The Spirit strengthens our spirits (Eph. 3:16).

· The Spirit enables us to obey the truth (1 Pet. 1:22).

· The Spirit enables us to know that Jesus abides in us (1 John 3:24; 4:13).

· The Spirit confesses that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:2).

· The Spirit says, “Come, Lord Jesus,” along with the bride (Rev. 22:17).

· The Spirit pours out God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5).

· The Spirit bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Rom. 9:1).

· The Spirit teaches us (1 Cor. 2:13; John 14:26).

· The Spirit gives us joy (1 Thess. 1:6).

· The Spirit enables some to preach the gospel (1 Pet. 1:12).

· The Spirit moves us (2 Pet. 1:21).

· The Spirit knows the thoughts of God (1 Cor. 2:11).

· The Spirit casts out demons (Matt. 12:28).

· The Spirit brings things to our remembrance (John 14:26).

· The Spirit comforts us (Acts 9:31).

· The Spirit makes some overseers in the church, and through the body He sends some out to do the work of church planting (Acts 20:28; 13:2; 1 Cor. 1:17; Gal. 1:1).

In sum, the Holy Spirit unites us to Jesus Christ and to His body. He reveals Christ to us, gives us His life, and makes Christ alive in us.

The Spirit takes the experiences of Jesus—His incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—and brings them into our own experience. Because of the Holy Spirit, the history of Jesus Christ becomes our story and experience.

The Holy Spirit grants what Christ bestows. He makes real and experiential the work of Jesus. Therefore, we cannot separate what Christ does from what the Spirit does.

This article is an excerpt from my book, Jesus Now: Unveiling the Present-Day Ministry of Christ. The book includes many lists like this one while highlighting the 7 aspects of Christ’s present-day ministry.

Frank Viola

Immigrants and the Bible

 This is how you say I never read the Bible without actually saying it

Law & Covenant Instructions (Torah)

These are foundational instructions about how Israelites should treat non‑native people living among them.

 • Exodus 12:49

One law for native and foreigner alike.

 • Exodus 22:21

“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

 • Exodus 23:9

Do not oppress a foreigner; you know the heart of a foreigner because you were foreigners in Egypt.

 • Leviticus 19:33–34

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native‑born…”

 • Numbers 15:15, 29–30

One ordinance applies to the native and the stranger who sojourns among you.

 • Deuteronomy 1:16–17

Justice is to be the same for the native and the foreigner.

 • Deuteronomy 10:17–19

God loves the foreigner; you are to love foreigners because you were foreigners in Egypt.

 • Deuteronomy 14:21

Do not eat anything you find already dead; give it to the foreigner.

 • Deuteronomy 24:17–18, 19–22

Do not deprive the foreigner of justice; leave gleanings in fields for the foreigner, orphan, and widow.

Historical Books

Stories showing how foreigners are received, included, or judged.

 • Ruth 1:16–17

Ruth, a Moabitess, pledges loyalty to Naomi’s God and people — and becomes part of Israel’s story.

 • Esther 1–10

A foreign‑born Jewish woman becomes queen and saves her people.

Prophets (Justice, Mercy, and Inclusion)

Prophetic calls for justice often include warnings about how outsiders are treated.

 • Isaiah 1:17

Seek justice, defend the oppressed, fatherless, widow, and foreigner.

 • Isaiah 56:3–8

Foreigners who join themselves to the Lord are welcomed; God gathers all peoples.

 • Jeremiah 7:5–7

If you oppress the foreigner and do not serve God, your worship means little.

 • Jeremiah 22:3

Do justice and righteousness to the poor and needy, the stranger and orphan.

 • Ezekiel 47:22–23

In the future land allotment, foreigners may live with Israelites as citizens.

 • Zechariah 7:9–10

True fast includes showing kindness to the widow, fatherless, immigrant, and poor.

Wisdom Literature

Reflections that include empathy for others.

 • Psalm 146:9

The Lord watches over foreigners; sustains the fatherless and the widow.

 • Proverbs 29:10

Violence against the wicked brings fear, but the righteous consider the foreigner.

⸻

New Testament

Gospels & Teachings of Jesus

Jesus reframes mercy and neighborly love in ways that welcome outsiders.

 • Matthew 25:35

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (in the final judgment context)

 • Luke 10:25–37 (Good Samaritan)

Neighborly love crosses ethnic and cultural boundaries.

Pauline & General Epistles

Early Christian communities include people from diverse backgrounds.

 • Ephesians 2:19

You are no longer strangers and aliens, but citizens with the saints.

 • Hebrews 13:1–2

Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels unaware.

- Jody McKewen

Why do bad things happenChristopher Cook

 Dallas Willard taught that grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning. Effort is necessary because desire will drift without discipline. But discipline must be understood as communion, not self-righteous striving. The Holy Spirit forms us through repetition and through resistance. He shapes the affections of our hearts through abiding in Him and through crucifixion and resurrection at the level of the heart. And the result of that deep work of formation is that the desires of the flesh lose their persuasive power. Praise be to our God!

The Spirit is the Gardener, Not Just the Guide

When Paul writes that we reap eternal life “from the Spirit,” he does not merely mean that the Holy Spirit is passively present at the outcome. He means that the Spirit Himself is the agent of our transformation. He is not merely walking beside us, watching our choices. Rather, He is cultivating our interior life. He is tilling the soil of our soul. He is uprooting patterns of rebellion, planting seeds of divine affection, and guarding the growth from unseen predators. As such, what the Father plans and the Son accomplishes, the Holy Spirit applies.

This, of course, means our formation is not self-engineered. The Holy Spirit is not a distant observer of our sowing; He is the Gardener who takes even our meager obedience and breathes divine life into it. He takes what is weak and hidden and makes it strong and fruitful. He takes what is dead and buried and causes resurrection to break forth. The very eternal life we reap is not our reward; it is His work. That’s why He guards the process, governs the timing, and sustains the growth.

This reframes obedience entirely. Understand that we are not earning harvest; we are yielding to the One who alone can produce it. The Holy Spirit is not our assistant. He is our source. And so we sow, not to impress Him, but to align with Him and to place our hearts in the field where He works. We do so to step into the soil where divine life grows. Because without Him, there is no growth. But with Him, even hidden seeds will flourish in due season.

Jesus offers a yoke, and so does the flesh. The question is never whether you are yoked, but to what (or to whom). When Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you,” He offers something profoundly countercultural. A yoke is not a symbol of comfort; it is a symbol of submission. It is the instrument that determines pace, direction, and endurance.

Everyone carries a yoke.

Some carry the yoke of ambition. Others carry the yoke of shame. Still, others carry the yoke of legalism. And Paul is clear in all cases: “Do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” In context, Paul warns against the yoke of legalism—a life attempting to secure righteousness through law-keeping. Jesus warns against the crushing burden of sin and self-rule. Both are forms of bondage. Both deform the soul. Both produce exhaustion, not rest. And both will shape the harvest of your life.

Jesus’ yoke is the only one that produces rest because it is the only one that frees the soul from self-governance. His yoke is easy, not because discipleship is effortless, but because union with Him is effortless grace. And to carry His yoke is to be governed by His presence. It’s to move in step with Him, not in frantic self-striving. It is to surrender the illusion of control. It is to accept that learning from Him requires relinquishing the yokes you have chosen for yourself. And you cannot carry both. You must choose. And the yoke you choose determines the harvest you reap.

The Unseen Discipline of Delayed Harvests

The most challenging aspect of sowing to the Spirit is the delay we often face in our natural lives. But we’re not alone in this matter. Even fruit forms slowly. Growth takes time. And in that space of delay, the Lord is working with precision. His delay is not an accident. It is the crucible where motives are tested, where identity is clarified, where faith is purified, and where desire is refined. The delay is where God ensures that the harvest does not become an idol, and where He forms you into someone who can steward blessing without being seduced by it.

But the delay can also feel like discipline, and sometimes…it is.

Hebrews 12:11 reminds us that all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those trained by it. So please know that the delay is not meant to frustrate you; it is meant to form you. It is not intended to break your spirit; it is intended to deepen your reliance on the Lord.

The point is, the due season belongs to God. And because it belongs to God, it carries the weight of His wisdom. He is never slow, but He is never hurried, either. He is always purposeful, but He is never pressured. He forms His people for endurance, not entertainment. He forms His people for maturity, not immediate gratification. He forms His people for wholeness, not emotional comfort. And so you must learn to interpret delay not as divine indifference but as divine intentionality. The harvest will come, my friend. We serve a faithful God. But it will come at the appointed time. And your responsibility (my responsibility!) is to continue sowing faithfully while God prepares the soil of your soul to bear the fruit He intends.

The Field Will Speak Forever

There is a harvest that arrives in this life, but there is also a harvest that waits at the judgment seat of Christ. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” This is not a judgment of condemnation, but of evaluation. The bēma seat is where every life will be weighed, every motive revealed, every field examined for fruit. It is the moment where secret faithfulness is honored, and spiritual negligence is exposed.

Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 3 that some will build with gold, silver, and precious stones. Others with wood, hay, and straw. And the day will indeed disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire. That’s why the life built in the Spirit will remain, and the life built in the flesh will burn. This is not legalism. It is not fear-based obedience. It is an eternal reality, confirmed by the Scripture. And honestly, it forces us to ask what we are building, sowing, and what will remain when the fire comes. Because the field will speak—and it will speak not only in this age, but in the age to come.

A Word to the Weary, the Wandering, and the Uncertain

To the weary, your sowing is not wasted. Your obedience is not invisible. Your prayers are not forgotten. Your endurance is not ignored. The seed is in the soil, and though the soil is silent, it is not inert. God is working beneath the surface. He is shaping roots. He is strengthening foundations. He is forming you in ways you cannot yet perceive. Do not give up. The due season will come.

To the wandering, you are sowing even now. Every compromise trains your desires. Every avoidance cultivates soil. Every rationalization plants seeds that will one day bear fruit. Stop deceiving yourself. Turn around. Please. Crucify the flesh. Walk by the Spirit. Because the harvest of the flesh may be slow, but it is certain.

To the uncertain, examine your yoke. Ask what governs your pace, your direction, your endurance. Ask what shapes your imagination. Ask what forms your desires. Ask what you are building your life around. And choose your yoke with fear and trembling. Because the one you choose will determine everything.

In due season, the field will speak. And what it says will reveal the truth about what you have sown.

I believe in you.

Pride

 Brian Dempsey

For a long time, pride was something I mostly saw in other people. I was wrong. My life has been dominated by it.

I used to think pride meant arrogance. Loud confidence. Swagger. Someone who thinks they’re better than everyone else and wants the room to know it. But that definition allowed me to miss what was actually destroying me.

At its core, pride is not arrogance. It is a focus upon self, where self becomes the center of the story and the center of attention. 

And once you see it that way, you realize how many different forms it takes. Arrogance, yes. But also self-pity. Narcissism. Defensiveness. People-pleasing. Insecurity. Control. Even a kind of false humility. These are not opposites. They are different expressions of the same disease…pride.

And in relationships, pride is not subtle for long. It is destructive. 

Before the Lord saved me, my life was spiraling out of control. The constant, pervasive focus upon myself made me blind to anything outside of my own desires. Pride turned me into something like an addict. I was always looking for the next thing that would feed my self-focus. Admiration. Success. Pleasure. Power.

I wanted people to admire me. To think well of me. Honestly, I didn’t even care if they were jealous of me.

What is so ironic is that I cloaked all of this sinful pride behind a Southern accent and a whimsical personality. Most people thought I was just a “good guy.” They had no idea about the absolute chaos under the surface, quietly driving my life and destroying it.

Because of my nature and extent of my sin, I ended up going through seven months of intensive counseling after the Lord saved me. Not to clean things up externally, but to reshape my thinking and expose patterns and habits that were self-destructive and completely contrary to God’s Word. That process forced me to look closely at pride, not as an abstract category, but as something that showed up in very specific and repeated ways, especially in my relationships.

Looking back, there were certain patterns that dominated my life. These weren’t occasional lapses. They were the air I breathed.

I had an inflated view of my own importance, gifts, and abilities. I consistently overestimated myself and underestimated others. My sense of what I brought to the table was deeply distorted.

I talked too much about myself. Conversations often became vehicles for self-focus. Even when I wasn’t overtly boasting, I found subtle ways to bring things back to me.

I saw myself as better than others in ways I would never have admitted out loud. I quietly looked down on people who thought differently, struggled differently, or lived differently than I did.

I talked too much in general. I felt the need to fill space, to be heard, to assert myself. Silence felt uncomfortable because it meant surrendering control.

My humor was often sarcastic, hurtful, or degrading. Sarcasm gave me a socially acceptable way to elevate myself while cutting others down.

I was impatient and irritable with others. People became obstacles when they interfered with my plans, my preferences, or my timeline. My irritation exposed how central my agenda really was.

I voiced my preferences and opinions even when I wasn’t asked. I assumed my thoughts were necessary, helpful, or wanted, even when they weren’t.

I lacked close relationships. I avoided depth because it required vulnerability. Independence felt safer, but it was really just pride dressed up as self-sufficiency.

I was consumed with what others thought of me. Many of my decisions were shaped by how they would make me appear. Approval and esteem quietly ruled far more than I realized.

I used others for what they could do for me. I evaluated relationships based on usefulness. Even service could become transactional, centered on what I gained rather than what I gave.

Even now, I still see these same patterns creeping into my life. Pride does not disappear quietly. It has to be confronted daily, crucified daily, and replaced with humility. It is so deadly and deceptive because it is the root of all other sin.

Humbling ourselves is simply bringing our lives more fully under the Lordship of Christ in the areas He continues to expose and refine.

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. ~ 1 Peter 5:5–6

Lord, give us eyes to see our pride, grace to put it to death, and hearts that grow in humility before You and others.

Surrender in an age of power politics

 Following and Obedience Doesn’t Wait for Clarity

“The gospel of the Kingdom is not the gospel of upward mobility.

It’s not throwing your weight around nor talking loud  

It’s not a career path or a trajectory toward being the power elite  

It’s a descent.

A descent into love.

A descent into faithfulness.

A descent into the humble call of following Jesus with everything we have  

The gospel will conflict with the power boss  

It may involve criticism, persecution, gaslighting  

The gospel over rides the loneliness of protesting power  

The gospel is the way of Jesus, 

It won’t make sense to the systems of the world. Not to your boss. Not to your family. Not to your friends. Not to your peers. 

It’s not supposed to

It’s an entirely different way of being human.” - Aaron Salvato

In an age of division, anger, and uncertainty, I am confused about who to trust. As I listen to slander, manipulation of words without discernment of fact, pitting one group against another, I’m afraid of falling into an echo chamber. Some say they they want peace and harmony, yet do everything they can to incite fear and scarcity thinking. 

We say we’re praying about it. But if we’re honest, most of the time, we either hide, build walls and remain silent  

we’re simply resisting the discomfort of moving forward in the Lord without a full plan because our brains are trained to avoid uncertainty. The prefrontal cortex, which handles risk and prediction, equates “unknown” with “unsafe.” And so, what’s typically our next move? We stall. Not because we’re lacking peace, but because we’re lacking control. But this is where obedience reorients the soul.

When we choose to act on what God has said (even when the next ten steps aren’t visible), we begin to rewire our nervous systems. Eventually, our brains learn that uncertainty is not danger and that obedience is not a gamble. This is a very important step of development for the believer who is called to maturity as a son of God. In so doing, we stop waiting to feel safe before moving, and we start letting the Word define what safety means: that our words, thoughts, and actions are seated in the center of the presence of the Lord.

Obedience is the antidote to paralysis. It isn’t reckless, but rather, responsive. And the more we obey without demanding guarantees of outcomes from the Lord, the more our hearts are trained to walk by faith, and not by sight. That’s spiritual maturity. You see, the lamp doesn’t flicker because we don’t see far enough. It burns steadily, revealing the step the Lord is asking us to take today.

Now, this brings us to the counterfeit. In Isaiah 50:11, God confronts His people with a terrifying indictment. Here’s what the Scripture says: “Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches you have kindled! This you have from My hand: you shall lie down in torment.”

This is not a metaphor. It is a covenant judgment. And while the verse speaks directly to Israel’s rebellion, the principle carries forward, and it is this: when we refuse to walk by His Word, we will invent our own light. And whatever we invent will eventually consume us.

We light torches of emotional certainty. We craft lamps of cultural affirmation. We walk by the fires of self-justification and baptize them in spiritual language. We elevate preference over truth and call it discernment. We reject surrender and call it wisdom. But Isaiah’s warning is clear: the fire you make apart from Him will not guide you. It will consume you, because artificial light cannot sustain a soul. It burns bright for a moment, then turns to smoke. It offers comfort until it demands control. And by the time you realize it’s counterfeit, you’re already lost in the weeds of your own making.

Light treatment

 The BLU-U treatment (often used as part of Photodynamic Therapy or PDT) is generally considered a safe, non-invasive procedure for treating acne and precancerous skin lesions like actinic keratoses. However, it does carry specific short-term and rare long-term risks, particularly when used in combination with a photosensitizing agent like Levulan (aminolevulinic acid).  

1. Immediate & Short-Term Risks

The most common risks occur during or immediately following the procedure:

• Sensations During Treatment: Most patients experience stinging, burning, or a "prickling" sensation while under the light. This typically peaks a few minutes into the session.  

• Severe Sunburn-like Reaction: For 48 hours post-treatment, your skin is extremely photosensitive. Exposure to sunlight—or even bright indoor light—can cause severe redness, swelling, and painful burning.  

• Local Skin Reactions: It is common to experience redness (erythema), swelling (edema), scaling, and crusting that can last from one to four weeks.  

• Pigmentation Changes: Temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) can occur, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones.  

2. Specific Contraindications

The treatment is not safe for everyone. You should avoid BLU-U if you have:  

• Photosensitivity Disorders: Conditions like Lupus or Porphyria that make you sensitive to light.  

• Active Infections: Such as active cold sores in the treatment area.

• Pregnancy/Nursing: Although there is no evidence of direct harm, most providers avoid the treatment during pregnancy as a precaution.

3. Rare & Long-Term Considerations

While the BLU-U light itself does not contain UV radiation, there are minor risks to monitor:

• Eye Damage: Looking directly at the high-intensity blue light without the provided protective eyewear can damage the retina.  

• Temporary Memory Issues: Though extremely rare, some medical literature (and manufacturer brochures) notes that temporary memory problems have been reported following PDT with Levulan.  

• Skin Aging/Oxidative Stress: Some research suggests that prolonged or frequent blue light exposure can contribute to oxidative stress and premature skin aging (fine lines and wrinkles), though medical-grade treatments are usually too brief to cause significant damage compared to daily screen or sun exposure.  

Comparison of BLU-U Uses

The BLU-U treatment (often used as part of Photodynamic Therapy or PDT) is generally considered a safe, non-invasive procedure for treating acne and precancerous skin lesions like actinic keratoses. However, it does carry specific short-term and rare long-term risks, particularly when used in combination with a photosensitizing agent like Levulan (aminolevulinic acid).  

1. Immediate & Short-Term Risks

The most common risks occur during or immediately following the procedure:

• Sensations During Treatment: Most patients experience stinging, burning, or a "prickling" sensation while under the light. This typically peaks a few minutes into the session.  

• Severe Sunburn-like Reaction: For 48 hours post-treatment, your skin is extremely photosensitive. Exposure to sunlight—or even bright indoor light—can cause severe redness, swelling, and painful burning.  

• Local Skin Reactions: It is common to experience redness (erythema), swelling (edema), scaling, and crusting that can last from one to four weeks.  

• Pigmentation Changes: Temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) can occur, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones.  

2. Specific Contraindications

The treatment is not safe for everyone. You should avoid BLU-U if you have:  

• Photosensitivity Disorders: Conditions like Lupus or Porphyria that make you sensitive to light.  

• Active Infections: Such as active cold sores in the treatment area.

• Pregnancy/Nursing: Although there is no evidence of direct harm, most providers avoid the treatment during pregnancy as a precaution.

3. Rare & Long-Term Considerations

While the BLU-U light itself does not contain UV radiation, there are minor risks to monitor:

• Eye Damage: Looking directly at the high-intensity blue light without the provided protective eyewear can damage the retina.  

• Temporary Memory Issues: Though extremely rare, some medical literature (and manufacturer brochures) notes that temporary memory problems have been reported following PDT with Levulan.  

• Skin Aging/Oxidative Stress: Some research suggests that prolonged or frequent blue light exposure can contribute to oxidative stress and premature skin aging (fine lines and wrinkles), though medical-grade treatments are usually too brief to cause significant damage compared to daily screen or sun exposure.  

Comparison of BLU-U Uses

Levulan BLU-U treatment (Photodynamic Therapy or PDT) is highly effective for treating actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions) and severe acne, but it involves a significant period of light sensitivity.  

The risks are divided into the physical reactions during the procedure, the strict recovery period, and rare serious side effects.

1. Extreme Photosensitivity (40–48 Hour Risk)

The most critical risk is severe skin burning if you are exposed to light after the Levulan Kerastick solution is applied.

• The 48-Hour Rule: Your skin remains photosensitive for roughly 48 hours. You must avoid direct sunlight, indirect sunlight through windows, and even bright indoor lights (like desk lamps or exam lights).  

• Sunscreen Ineffectiveness: Standard sunscreens will not protect you from this specific chemical reaction. You must use physical barriers like wide-brimmed hats and stay in dimly lit rooms.  

• Reaction: Exposure can lead to a severe, painful "sunburn" with intense swelling and blistering.

2. Common Local Skin Reactions

Most patients experience a "downtime" period characterized by:

• Stinging & Burning: Intense prickling or burning occurs during the 16-minute blue light exposure. This usually plateaus after 6 minutes but can persist for 24 hours.  

• Erythema (Redness) & Edema (Swelling): Redness is universal and can last up to 2 weeks. Swelling is most common around the eyes if the face was treated.  

• Scaling & Crusting: The treated lesions will often crust over or peel. This is a sign the damaged cells are being shed and can last up to 4 weeks.  

3. Serious & Rare Risks

• Transient Amnestic Episodes: A rare but serious side effect reported by the manufacturer is temporary memory loss, confusion, or disorientation occurring during or shortly after treatment.  

• Pigmentation Changes: About 1% of patients experience temporary darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) of the skin. Permanent changes are extremely rare.  

• Eye Damage: High-intensity blue light can damage the retina if protective goggles are not worn correctly during the session.  

• Infection: Though uncommon, the peeling skin can become infected or trigger a flare-up of the herpes simplex virus (cold sores).

Contraindications

You should not undergo this treatment if you have:

• Porphyria or known allergies to porphyrins.  

• Lupus or other photosensitivity disorders.  

• Skin sensitivity to blue light (400–450 nm wavelength).  

• Coagulation defects (this treatment has not been tested in patients with blood clotting issues).  

Comparison of Side Effects

When discussing "allergies to porphyrins" in the context of Levulan BLU-U treatment, it is important to distinguish between a true medical allergy (an immune response) and porphyria (a metabolic disorder). Both are strict contraindications for this treatment.

1. What is a Porphyrin Allergy?

A true allergy to porphyrins is an adverse immune reaction to the porphyrin molecules themselves or the ingredients in the Levulan Kerastick (which contains aminolevulinic acid, a precursor that your body turns into porphyrins).

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

• Hives or Urticaria: Itchy, raised red welts on the skin.

• Angioedema: Deep swelling, often around the face, lips, or tongue.  

• Severe Itching: Intense pruritus that occurs shortly after the solution is applied.

• Anaphylaxis (Rare): Difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, or a drop in blood pressure.

2. Porphyria (The More Common Risk)

Most people asking about "porphyrin allergies" are actually referring to Porphyria. This is a group of rare genetic disorders where your body cannot properly produce heme (a component of blood). This causes a toxic buildup of porphyrins in your system.  

If you have Porphyria, the Levulan BLU-U treatment is dangerous because:

• Extreme Photosensitivity: Porphyrins are naturally "light-activated." In people with porphyria, even normal sunlight causes the skin to blister, swell, and peel.  

• Systemic "Attacks": Adding more porphyrins to the body (via Levulan) could theoretically trigger a porphyria "attack," which includes severe abdominal pain, chest pain, and neurological issues like confusion or muscle weakness.  

3. Why the Doctor Asks

The Levulan solution works by intentionally creating a temporary, localized "porphyrin buildup" in your skin cells to make them sensitive to the blue light.

• If you are allergic: Your immune system will attack the solution immediately.

• If you have porphyria: Your body already has too many porphyrins, and the treatment could cause a severe, body-wide reaction rather than just treating the specific skin spots.

Summary Checklist

Having a history of food-induced anaphylaxis is something you must disclose to your healthcare provider, but it is not an automatic disqualification for Levulan BLU-U treatment.

The primary concern is not the food itself, but whether you are allergic to any of the specific chemical components in the medication.

1. Ingredient Check

While food and medication allergies are often unrelated, the Levulan Kerastick contains specific inactive ingredients that you should review with your allergist or dermatologist:

• Aminolevulinic acid HCl (Active)

• Alcohol USP (Ethanol content 48% v/v)  

• Isopropyl alcohol

• Laureth-4

• Polyethylene glycol (Note: This is a common ingredient in some medications and vaccines that can rarely trigger reactions in sensitized individuals).

• Water

2. The Risk of Anaphylaxis with Levulan

According to clinical data and the FDA label, Levulan can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, though this is rare. If you already have a history of anaphylaxis, your immune system may be more "reactive," making it crucial to have the treatment in a medical facility prepared to handle an emergency.  

Warning Signs of a Reaction to the Drug:

• Difficulty swallowing or throat tightness  

• Fast heartbeat or "racing" heart  

• Wheezing or trouble breathing  

• Sudden hives or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat  

3. Key Questions for Your Doctor

Before proceeding, you should ask your dermatologist:

1. "Does the Levulan solution contain any derivatives of the foods I am allergic to?" (For example, some medications use soy-based or nut-based oils, though Levulan's current inactive list does not explicitly show these).

2. "Since I have a history of anaphylaxis, will there be emergency equipment (EpiPen, oxygen, etc.) on-site during my application and light session?"

3. "Should I take an antihistamine before the appointment as a precaution?" (Only do this if they recommend it).

Summary Recommendation

If your anaphylaxis is strictly related to a specific food (like peanuts or shellfish) and you have no history of reacting to topical alcohols or PEG, the procedure is likely safe. However, you should only do it in a doctor's office—never a spa or non-medical setting—to ensure you have immediate access to life-saving care if a rare reaction occurs.

Would you like me to find the specific manufacturer's contact info so you can ask their medical team about cross-reactivity with your specific food allergens?

Having a history of food-induced anaphylaxis is a significant medical detail that you must share with your dermatologist before undergoing Levulan (aminolevulinic acid) treatment.

While food allergies and medication allergies are often separate, a history of anaphylaxis indicates a "highly reactive" immune system, which requires extra caution.

1. Ingredient & Cross-Reactivity Check

The Levulan Kerastick solution is topical, but it is absorbed into the skin. You should review the specific inactive ingredients with your doctor to ensure they don't trigger your specific sensitivities:

• Aminolevulinic acid HCl (Active)  

• Alcohol USP (48% ethanol)  

• Isopropyl alcohol

• Laureth-4 (A surfactant)  

• Polyethylene glycol (PEG): This is a critical one to check. PEG is a common stabilizer found in some foods and many medications/vaccines. If your past reactions were "unexplained," PEG is often a hidden culprit.  

2. Is there a specific risk for you?

There is no known direct link between common food allergens (like nuts, shellfish, or dairy) and Levulan. However, there are two specialized risks to consider:  

• The "Reactive" System: People with a history of anaphylaxis may be more prone to Contact Urticaria (hives) during the light-exposure phase. Clinical studies show that a small percentage of patients develop wheals or hives during the procedure, which is a histamine-mediated response.

• Soybean Note: Interestingly, some generic versions or similar PDT drugs (like Ameluz) have historically mentioned soybean phosphatidylcholine in their manufacturing or labeling. While the brand-name Levulan Kerastick does not list soy, it is always worth verifying if your specific food allergy involves soy.

3. Safety Precautions to Discuss

If you and your doctor decide to proceed, you should ask for the following safety measures:

• The "Wait-and-See": Ask if the doctor can apply a small amount of the solution to a "test patch" of skin before doing the full treatment to monitor for an immediate allergic reaction.

• On-Site Emergency Care: Since you have a history of anaphylaxis, confirm that the office has an Emergency Kit (Epinephrine/EpiPen and Benadryl) immediately available. Do not have this treatment in a non-medical spa or "med-spa" that lacks a physician on-site.

• Pre-medication: Some doctors suggest taking an oral antihistamine an hour before the appointment to dampen any potential mild allergic response (hives/itching).

Summary Recommendation

Your history of anaphylaxis makes you a higher-risk candidate for any medical procedure involving a drug application. However, if your food triggers are unrelated to the chemical components of Levulan, you can likely proceed safely provided it is done in a controlled medical environment.

Would you like me to find the contact information for the manufacturer (Sun Pharma) so you can ask their medical department about cross-reactivity with your specific food allergens?