Some of you know I've been.... struggling... with religion this past year or so. Mama MB called upon God in her time of need, when she found out how sick she was. She then found a church and reached out for guidance and support. With time I took to going with her and Papa MB. Figured it would be nice to spend a day doing something they enjoyed. I found it rewarding...
Mama MB got worse in worse in recent months leading up to her death. I rebelled and became very angry with God. I quit going, not only because they weren't going anymore, but because I couldn't find it in myself to understand why this God was taking my Mama MB from me. I was very angry.
Pastor said today, that God comes back and takes the dead from this place. This earth. Does this mean they (the dead) are stuck here also until God comes back to take them from this place?
I want to believe, I'm trying so. I do believe... I think... I keep telling myself she's in a better place. I keep telling myself this. Her pain and suffering is over, this much is true. That much I am glad for. I'm glad she isn't suffering from her cancer anymore. For that I am glad, but I'm just a bit confused as to why he said the dead will leave this place when God comes back.
What does this mean?
I think all things religious mean different things to different people. Everything is open to interpretation, really. What I believe is that when you die, your soul goes to Heaven. Many people who have had near-death experiences usually speak of a light that is peaceful. That's what I think souls of the dead see - the peaceful light of God. You could take your pastor's statement the way it sounds, that the dead are left to wait around, twiddling their thumbs for God to show back up and get them. I don't think that's how it works. But that's just my opinion. I think your Mama MB was greet by God moments after she passed.
ReplyDeleteHi friend,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the Pastor meant, aHe may have been referencing a passage in the gospels which talks about dead rising from the graves and ascending to heaven with Jesus. I'm not going to claim to know all about these things that are probably beyond our imagination.
But. I am going to recommend a book (which I 'll confess I have not read myself) that my friend found very helpful when her husband died very suddenly a short week or 2 after beating cancer for a second time. The book is called 'Heaven' by Randy Alcorn.
One thing I strongly believe is that there is hope of reunion in heaven. David said when his child died - 'I will go to him, but he will not return to me'.
I don't profess to any one religion or push my beliefs on anyone else, some things you must decide for yourself in time. I take a little of this one, a little of that one. Some Hindu, some Budda, throw in some native American/Ancient peoples mystics into my own devine flow. There is an old religion called the "Nostics." From way back in the beginning of the Hebrew religion, they believe in God but they don't believe in organized churches, therefore they pray where ever they are, they don't go to church. I have said in the past I was turned off by church because of some church elders early in my life and that's why I prefer to create my own path of spirituality.
ReplyDeleteDoria you like to read, my friend Lenny turned me on to a man named Joseph Campbell. He talks about religions, the myths, the Gods of ancient Greece, Rome, Shamans, Priests and the many beliefs of all religions and ancient mystic theories. His beliefs are much about the path I have already been on for years. There are no real answers in his words, just a view point to create that path you may be looking for.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what the pastor meant either, but all I can say is that we can't get mad at God for not curing someone's cancer. If curing cancer was as easy as sending up a few prayers, we'd all be disease free. Mama MB's in a better place now, and I'm certain that all of those prayers didn't go unnoticed.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind, time doesn't pass for the dead. When Jesus returns for His people, Paul says, first those who died in Christ will be raised, then the living will follow- this is what we call the Rapture of the Church. For Mama MB, it will seem she is asleep a moment, and then will be in heaven. And watching to see if her daughter is following along a moment later!
ReplyDeleteI can't add anything here, except to say I wouldn't focus on the pastor's words very much. He was just trying to be comforting and missed the mark.
ReplyDelete