Posted on 06/16/2008 10:12:34 AM PDT by NYer
Several years back we met a woman from Syosset, New York, who had a near-death experience. We try to be cautious with all such reports. We're well aware that there can be deception in any realm, and also that near-death experiences, because they involve a reality far outside our own, can seem strange to some people.
But hers sounded legitimate -- one of the most powerful we've heard -- and the Church has been recording such experiences since the fourth century (when Pope Gregory the Great detailed them). Scientists recently issued a study saying that millions have had these experiences, and we believe this woman, who resides on Long Island, is one of them. We believe she has some lessons to teach us. As you'll see in the coming several days, her experience was a complex one that shows us something about God's judgment, the way we are to conduct our lives, and how the Lord watches over us. After her "death," she claims to have had visits from the Virgin and the Lord. That aspect of her experience we submit for your discernment.
Her name is Barbara Marie (we'll preserve aspects of her privacy). She is married, has two teenage children, and her "death" allegedly occurred in June of 1991 -- when surgeons conducting exploratory laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis perforated the membrane to her small bowel at the outset of the procedure, causing what she and her husband describe as massive bleeding. Before she was brought back, doctors had to frantically take her intestines outside her body to search for the source of hemorrhage, which was finally found. "They tore it right as they were putting the instruments through," says Barbara, whom we met at Our Lady of the Island Shrine in Eastport. "They had lost me twice. They told my husband they had lost me and didn't know if they could get me back. The first thing that happened was that I realized I was in a void. It was a total black place in space, is the only way I could describe it. For a fraction of a second, I was very scared -- but as quickly as that came, I was directed to the left side of me, and as soon as I turned, there appeared a Light in the distance to the left side which immediately comforted me.
"At that point I just started heading toward that Light with my being -- I don't know how -- and I was surrounded by what I would describe as a tunnel. There were like rings of wind, like the funnel of a tornado, and it was moving forward. Besides the Light, which was very bright, there was a prism within it and music unlike any that there is on earth. I don't know how to explain it. The music was so welcoming and it becomes a part of you. It was comforting, angelic. And I was moving up this tunnel and getting closer and closer to this Light.
"I know there was some kind of companion with me because every time that I had a thought, to ask a question, everything was answered immediately, as I 'asked' it. I remember stopping briefly because within the walls of this tunnel were beings.
"I never had a great religious upbringing and never thought of purgatory, but when I came back it seemed like part of that, probably the last level of purgatory. [The souls] were existing like on the outside of the tunnel and resting, as if they were sitting or standing or lying down. I had a surge of emotions. I felt sorrow for them and despair because they were stuck where they were but it was also made very clear to me that as much as there was despair, there was full knowledge and peace within [these souls] because they understood and accepted that they couldn't yet move forward."
It was a glimpse of purgatory. But the Light was still there and was still to Barbara's left. "Brilliant, brilliant," she says. "You can't describe the brilliance. It was just filled with love and peace and the knowledge of God. As you move through that tunnel, you're more and more consumed by it. And then at that point I was in the Presence of the Lord. I was prostrate. I was not able to withstand the awesomeness and the majesty of what was before me! I was nothingness compared to that. And then there was a period of being embraced by this love and peace and serenity and knowing I had reached my final destination, that this was truly a home."
It gave new meaning to the word "home." This, she realized, was where she actually belonged. This is where she wanted to permanently be. But first there was a "life review." Call it her "judgment." It was astonishing to see her life as God did. In many ways, things looked very differently, she told Spirit Daily. "I was not only shown the things I did good and bad, but like a three-way view," she said. "I was seeing it first through my eyes and how offensive it was. Then I was seeing it through the eyes of the person I had offended. Then I saw through the eyes of Jesus. When you see it in the Presence of Jesus, there's sorrow you can't even imagine, because there's true knowledge of the offense -- recognition and accountability. There's that inner cleansing and accountability. Then you take further accountability because you see it in how you affected somebody else. When you see it through somebody else's eyes, you see how it intertwined with their lives. You see it from a whole different point of view and you see how it affected their journey. And then when you see it through the eyes of the Lord, you see it as a whole. It makes the whole thing complete. You see how in the course of all creation it made a difference and how it then affected the Creator -- how it stops at the Creator when you offended one of His own.
It wasn't all bad, says Barbara. There were also the victories. There were the "magnificent" accomplishments that caused joy to the Lord.
These events of her life amazed Barbara because they seemed so minor.
"The Lord showed me the things that really mattered, the 'extraordinarily,' 'magnificent' things that I had done," said Barbara. "There were two profound examples. One was when my girlfriend lost her fiance and it was devastating; he had been decapitated in a car accident. The Lord showed me how I was on the phone with her one day for two or two-and-a-half hours and just sat there and listened to everything that she said. I remember saying to the Lord, 'I don't understand. I didn't say anything. What great magnificent deed did I do?' I could never comprehend how this was something extraordinary or magnificent. I did nothing. I just sat there. I didn't say much more than five or six words. I couldn't comprehend how that could be so pleasing to the Heart and Mind of Our Lord. Then I was shown another time that I had walked into church and this woman had lost her husband. I didn't know this woman, but I was so moved that she had lost her spouse that sitting in the pew I felt I had to do or say something and so after Mass I had just gone up to the altar -- she had been sitting in the front -- and just put my hand on her shoulder. Again, I didn't say anything to her. It wasn't what I said. The Lord made it very clear that it was the gesture, the placing of my left hand on her shoulder."
It was the personal touch. It was kindness. He was not great feats the Lord was looking for -- not great feats as men describe great feats. It was how we made others feel -- and how much we helped. "Nobody has the same journey," continues Barbara. "My whole experience had so much to do with where I was in my personal life. It had a lot to do with my children and my husband. The way I was offending the Lord the most at this point in my life was my nearly verbal abuse. It was my attitude and the way I spoke to my husband and children. It was my tone and the things that I said that were very offending to another's soul and heart. You can be firm with your kids, but the Lord doesn't want you to use an insulting tone. We don't see things the way the Lord does, and for me it was a tremendous eye-opener. I was shown my vocabulary and the tone with which I said things, because it was a condescending tone. Firmness is allowed -- but with love."
Barbara was also shown how particular events had a tremendous rippling effect -- far more than she imagined. When she woke up grumpy and was negative to her husband and kids, the Lord showed her how this spread to them and from them to others through the day: at the workplace, at the deli, at stores, and then through the families of those who were touched by the negativity until many had been affected.
"There was a circle of light around the world, and as I awoke and did this, the circle of darkness went over this circle of light and erased it," Barbara recounted. "Then I was shown the opposite, how when I got up in the morning and smiled and presented breakfast, hugging the children, how it went from my house and I was shown a drop of light that started in this one spot on the globe and went in this band of light around the globe. That was the way it was supposed to be."
The goodness might spread to her husband who spread it people at work or to a guy at the deli who then spread it to others who took it home with them or spread it elsewhere in a chain reaction that didn't seem to stop -- that seemed, at least in the spirit, to have global effects. "I was shown this ocean, this sea, and a drop of light that falls into this ocean and has this rippling effect," Barbara said. The trauma came when the Lord indicated to her that it was not her time, that she had more work to do, that she had to return to earth. She had great love for her husband and kids, but pleaded with the Lord to let her stay in His incredible Presence. She never wanted to leave Him. The thought of that overwhelmed her with "this despair so severe that I could never put into words." She still weeps in talking about it. But return she did. The doctors brought her back. After more than a week in the hospital, she returned "home" -- knowing this was not her real home, that her real home was elsewhere, that it was with Jesus.
Endured to the end of his life.
Good job Smittie.
Ah...so then he realized his own salvation.
Who needs Christ when you can save yourself according to the Old Covenant. And he did it all on his OWN power. Hmmm...
The bodies of the dead Christians and those still living will have been taken up a long time before during the rapture and living in the Holy City.
Thanks!
Why are you taking bows, when you have not addressed my questions in posts 77, 91, and 99?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
Yes, I thought that is what you were trying to quote.
Interesting reference, but I think it is important to get it right. God desires mercy (not love) instead of sacrifice. Jesus is quoting the prophet Hosea, a lively story about a man who refuses to treat his adulterous wife as she deserved. Just as God has mercy on his adulterous wife and her unfaithful children. This is what happens when you refuse to let your heart turn to stone.
I think you probably wanted this one to illustrate what you found pleasing in the article:
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
I encourage everyone who professes to believe in what the Bible says to actually know what it says.
Bless you.
When you actually follow Jesus, and heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons. When you forgive as you have been forgiven. When you give as freely as has been given you.
Look, read the whole thing:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
First, this is not optional - it is a command. But this is a description of power being given, not weakness being taken. I have heard someone describe this using a scene from the Rocky movie where the Russian was beating the snot out of our hero (I haven't seen this so bear with me). At one point, someone who loved Rocky says "What is he doing?" meaning, "Why is he staying in there?" The reply - "He's winning." And the Russian's response? "He's not human."
When we are struck by an evil person, and we turn to them again (and again) and let them strike us without defeating us, we defeat them. We witness to them and to the world, "We are stronger, and our strength is in Christ." And when we refuse to "resist" them (I think a better translation is "do not engage them in a contest"), we tell them that even if they have their way, they cannot triumph over the victory that has already been won.
When we truly love God and follow Jesus, we know that we have unlimited strength. Start living that way! When we truly love God and follow Jesus, we know we have unlimited treasure. Start giving that way?
My humble thoughts. Forgive me.
Blessed are the meek.
These verses don’t answer the question why we should be assured of our salvation if Paul wasn’t.
First, you need to answer the question, “Why was Paul worried about his salvation?” After all, he not only saw Christ, he saw heaven, too. His was the original out-of-body-experience. Yet contrary to these verses which you employ out of context, they are contradicted by Paul’s own words, which are also the words of the Holy Spirit.
Confessing that Jesus is Lord is only part of the equation. Jesus EXPLICITLY stated that even those who cried to Him, “Lord, Lord...” were not guaranteed a place at the banquet. So are you calling Jesus a liar?
Blatantly trumpeting certain verses of Scripture while conveniently ignoring others is dangerous because it’s the equivalent of shoving a square peg into a round hole and insisting it fits.
I think we discovered that the quote was Jesus’ of Hosea.
Paul, a Pharisee, writing to Romans, emphasized what would make sense to them - sacrifice. But Jesus wants us to remember that God clearly desires mercy in lieu of sacrifice.
John came sacrificing a whole lot, and they said he had a demon. Jesus came and they confused Him with a glutton and a drunkard.
Jesus said that His yoke was easy (2 commands instead of 600 odd) and that His burden was light. He told John he could eat whatever he wanted.
Wear a hairshirt if it makes you happy, but I follow Jesus, who made awesome wine, was the hit of many a party, enjoyed a good foot bath, and told us to remember Him by having a great meal.
Yeah, but all they get is the earth.
Easy, brother/ sister:
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Pretty sure Jesus took offense and attacked those selling sacrifices in the temple courts.
Careful, also, not to mind-read, or assign emotions to internet posts. One can be gentle AND firm.
The sacrifice is of one’s own desires. Mercy, as opposed to vengence, is a sacrifice.
>> He told John he could eat whatever he wanted. <<
Not exactly. Jesus certainly fasted. And he said that the time for feasting was now, since they had the savior amongst them, but there would be a time for fasting. But the whole point is that what we do what we do out of love, not legalism. Love is often festive, but it very often doing for others rather than ourselves.
>> and told us to remember Him by having a great meal. <<
Haha! You’ve never been to a seder, have you?!
Seriously, what he said was “This is my body, take and eat... This is my blood, take and drink... Do this is remembrance of me.” Not exactly the same thing as “Chow down, dude!”
The sacrifice is of one’s own desires. Mercy, as opposed to vengence, is a sacrifice.
>>>Kinda like saying pulling the thorn out of your side is a sacrifice. Like saying “follow me” to your child who doesn’t know the way asks for your child to “sacrifice” his “right” to fall off a cliff. I really enjoy treating people better than they deserve a whole lot more than I enjoy punishing them. But that may just be me.<<<
>> He told John he could eat whatever he wanted. <<
Not exactly.
>>>Peter, John, what’s the difference. One of those guys.<<<
Jesus certainly fasted.
>>>Sometimes that’s the only way to cast out demons. But I am not sure it is very good for much else.<<<
And he said that the time for feasting was now, since they had the savior amongst them, but there would be a time for fasting.
>>>Yeah, and kinda ironic that it was John’s disciples asking the question. Hmmm, I wonder why? Anyway, He certainly wanted his disciples to keep it to themselves. And why should I mourn if the bridegroom sends me a comforter? I am pretty sure that’s how Paul had joy despite his chains.<<<
But the whole point is that what we do what we do out of love, not legalism. Love is often festive, but it very often doing for others rather than ourselves.
>>>I would argue that only in loving others do we truly love ourselves. Isn’t that how we are supposed to?<<<
>> and told us to remember Him by having a great meal. <<
Haha! You’ve never been to a seder, have you?!
>>Actually, more than once. Notwithstanding the bitter herbs and flatbread, they still called Jesus a glutton, and thought his followers were drunk at 9:00 in the morning. That oughta be a clue as to how much they “sacrificed.”<<<
Seriously, what he said was “This is my body, take and eat... This is my blood, take and drink... Do this is remembrance of me.” Not exactly the same thing as “Chow down, dude!”
>>>But those that knew Him had to be restrained from enjoying it to the exclusion of their poorer brothers and sisters. Not exactly, I grant you, but I do think creation is good and was meant to be enjoyed in fellowship with all the saints.<<<
That all sounds to me like I should just sell my guns and tear up my concealed-carry permits. Why bother defending myself or my wife or my child? I’m empowered by letting anyone do anything they want to me.
I’m not trying to be caustic, don’t misunderstand, but it strikes me (and always has) as being highly irrational. And Christ was not irrational.
Matthew 7:21-27 is a fine example of how it’s impossible to obtain Heaven by your works. Those he was speaking of weren’t doing these acts for the glory of God but for themselves.
There are lots of people who fall into this boat.
You are twisted Smittie!
You pretend that their actions are of no consequence in their access to heaven, but their actions are sufficient for damnation!?!?!?
We’ll take this line by line:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
Clearly these people believed and accepted Christ as their Savior. Christ’s condemnation addresses their “evildoing”!!!
(That would be their “works”!)
“...who does the will of my Father...”
“does” is an active verb, and Christ is speaking about their actions, in all aspects of their life.
‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’
You judge that these actions were insincere, and for their own glory, when there is no substantiation for that correlation.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
If you would truly like to understand the error in you persistance, try the following:
John 3:5
Titus 3:5
Eph 4:23
I Cor 9:27 & 10:12
Hebrews 10:26
Philippians 2:12
2 Cor 5:10
Rom 2:6, 5:12, 8:24, 11:22
Col 2:23
2 Macabees 12:44-46 (not in KJV)
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