I invite all to share any thoughts they wish to on subjects surrounding the passing from this physical world into the next, the Spritual World. Dealing with your own pending passing or that of a loved one is an experience like no other. But, it is an experience we will all face at one time or another. Facing this is truly the one thing each and everyone shares in common. There are no exceptions to this rule. Irregardless of individual Religion, culture, sex…….. we are all facing the same fate. We are all in our own individual little “life boats” floating down the river of life. Time is the only differentiating factor, the amount of time we have before we face the same inevitable conclusion to this physical voyage.
Irregardless of Faith, culture or anything else when it comes down to it we are all just people facing the same fears, dreads and worries.
I pray for, and want this to be a safe loving spot where people of all faiths and cultures can openly share their feelings. I can only hope that by being able to read and share in the thoughts of others of different faiths, cultures or what ever, it will truly help us all to understand, we really are just people, one no different than the other.
I invite all to share their individual, very personal thoughts, beliefs and fears. We are all in the “same boat”, can we help each other by sharing? I think so.
WARNING: It truly is my desire to have this as a safe and loving place. ABSOLUTELY, no comments will be allowed to remain, if I see them as being intended to be derogatory to anyone or any group. I will not edit comments merely delete them.
Please, let’s help ourselves by helping each other.
It is my desire to keep this page of my blog totally unbiased by my personal opinions. I hope and want it to be a “safe” haven where anyone and everyone can leave their individual thoughts and opinions. I do not want to limit or hamper anyone by possibly having them feel they must conform with my thoughts and opinions. As such I will not be responding to individual comments left on this page of my blog, beyond a simple thank you.
I freely state my thoughts on the main page of the blog.
Dying mans daily journal 
I am really scared of dying- well, I am scared of ceasing to exist. I hope there is an afterlife, but that is hard for me to believe. Does anyone have anything encouraging to say about that?
I saw this today – and it was a long time ago that you wrote it – when i was dying a couple of years ago I found the thought of not existing a relief because it meant there was nothing to be afraid of .
Hi B,
This is a topic I love. I sincerely believe in an afterlife, as to what it is I don’t know. But I do believe that we just don’t die and thats it. Why I believe in this is because I have been lucky enough to feel and hear the spirits of my beloved ones that have passed. I know also because my cousin who passed away, knew our grandma was there waiting to take him with her. He was very comfortable and very strong in his beliefs in that before he died. His wife even said that she had a dream that she was looking down at her and Terry in bed before he died, and she seen grandma sitting in Terry’s chair smiling at her. She felt it was reassurance that Terry is going to be ok when he passes.
Don’t be scared to die, I believe we all have our spirits of guardian angels and loved ones waiting for us. I am not scared to die, but more of the fact that it is an inconvience for me at the moment with a young family etc…. Thats what I worry about.
My recommendation for you is to try this and I hope it works for you. Think of the one family member that you bonded with completely, the one that you confided in and loved without hesitation, When you go to bed at night, be totatlly relaxed and talk to them. Kind of like a meditation, have no other thoughts but them in your head. Talk to them in your mind, ask questions, talk about whats happening in your life, anything you want to yarn about as if your having a cuppa with them. Once you are asleep they will come to you and answer you in your dreams. I am convinced of it, I have done it many times, I have been taken to many places that show me they are ok. I love doing this little excercise and I do it when I really miss them, or feeling a little low etc.
I hope it works for you, it’s worth a try.
Jo
I just wanna share my knowledge on this, though it has been a long time since you wrote here. But I still do want to share.
Ahm. Think of a loving father who bought his child a very beautiful doll as a gift. The child loved the gift and treasured it. Now, would it be called loving if the father took the doll away for his own happiness? I think the answer is no, because why would he give something if he has to take it anyway in the future.
So does our Loving father. He did not give us the life just to take it away. It’s because Satan cause many to be imperfect and die.
But as for a life after death. YES! there is paradise in the future. All the lands in the earth will be inhabited by already perfect human. There, We will enjoy the everlasting life and be with the people we lost.
Hi B. I think your fear is one shared by virtually everyone on this planet at one time or another. I can share only my thoughts and belief’s on this and hope that it may give you some comfort. I absolutely believe in my mind and in my heart there is an afterlife. I do have to say having such a strong belief definitely make dealing with my current health issues so very much easier. Is this something I or anyone else can scientifically prove to you, sadly not, I really wish it were.
But there is much in this world that can’t be proven, we just know it to be there and it is. This is a feeling or a believe held by the vast majority of people around the world irregardless of faith or religion. I am not aware of any religions or faiths that do not have this belief.
I admit my original beliefs and thoughts about God and Heaven were given to me by various preachers or ministers. I was told what I should believe and that is what I did. But, through actual life experience, those beliefs have been firmed up and altered somewhat. I look around me at everything I see in the world, and I don’t mean anything man made. I see all the beauty and the complexity of nature, the interact, the beauty of all of the plants and animals, could all of this sort of happened by accident? I think of our own human bodies. So fragile, while at the same time so durable and strong so complex in its inner workings. So complex and amazing our educated doctors and scientist are just beginning to understand a small part of most of it. Could something this marvelous have happened merely by accident. I just can’t believe that.
I think it is all to amazing, to complex to have just happened. I believe all was designed and created by God, a very Loving God. I believe, the “real” us is contained within what we like to call our soul. It is the spark of energy, the light that ignited this physical body, keeps us going and makes us who we are. God placed that spark of energy, (us) into our physical bodies. Our bodies are actually just “housing” for that spirit while we have our physical experience here on earth. The real us is indeed that spirit housed within the physical body and are actually two separate things. For me a comparable would be, you are living in a house. The house totally burns down and is gone, but you escaped unhurt. Your body may die but you, the real you escapes unhurt.
I know I am rambling as I am so apt to do, it is just I have so much to say on this topic. I will send you a short email, if you should so chose, were can “chat” more.
On the purely physical side, I have found and have it listed on my blog roll an amazing site, Near death experiences it is something you may wish to check out. It details the experiences of many that have briefly passed over and have returned to share their stories.
Ceasing to exist is not an option that I believe is. I believe we wake up in a marvelous other reality that we had forgotten about when we left it last time. I know that there are a lot of scams built around this topic and I have learned to take what I need and pass on by the rest. The largest collection of NDE I have found is in this link. What really impresses me here is the sheer number of accounts! The evidence is just far too abundant to ignore.
I also believe our days are numbered and that we will not leave here 1 second before or after we are destined to and that God sends an angel to accompany us into the light of home.
http://www.nderf.org/
hi Carol, I thank you for leaving this wonderful comment. I absolutely agree with everything you have said. I thank you for the referal to the web site. It is wonderful and I have added it to my blog roll.
Thank you, you are in my heart and prayers.
Bill
Hi B,
‘Scared of ceasing to exist’ is such an intriguing way of putting it, almost as if you already feel like you are slowing down. There is an afterlife; that I believe in the depths of my soul – I believe that the confusion comes in with the actual word ‘afterlife’. We are really on a continuum of life – much like Bill said – our body houses the spirit and the spirit is eternal. Some people can remember all of their past lives on this planet and so have a very deep understanding of this concept. Perhaps we can look at it as an ‘afterbody’ instead; in other words – after I’ve been in this body, I wonder which body I’ll create next?
I did a reading for a woman on Tuesday and saw her maternal Grandmother who had passed away a long time ago standing behind her showing me her knitting 🙂 It was clear as day. When I asked the woman if she had a grandmother who knitted, the woman grinned and said her mother’s mum was an avid knitter. You see, we do carry on. And the beauty of death is that we offload our physical burdens from this life before we begin again, so it’s freeing and joyous and safe.
Lots of love to you B xx
At times the wisest of answers
lies in these simple words:
i do not know
I do not know what happens after death
of whether the soul remains awake
of whether soul and body awaits
to be awakened in the last day
I do not know what judgment looms before us
or what mercies await us in our Father’s
loving arms
I only believe in this –
that death can be likened unto sleep
and that it is in the nature
of life to go on
night may come
but day comes as well to awaken
winter may fall
yet spring comes again
whence flowers bloom into their full blossom
I only believe in this-
that perfect love casts away all fear
and therefore, there is no fear in love
Glady and peacefully then
can I sleep
Joyfully and sweetly then
can I wait for the morning
http://www.itakeoffthemask.com
Life and Death in Balance
It is interesting that most human beings, particularly when they are younger, live life as if they were immortal. Most people do not think of the prospect of dying, or have varying degrees of experience with it over their lifespan. This leads to what one may call short-term selfish behavior that has suboptimal results from a social standpoint. The outcomes in single-shot games (any interaction among two or more individuals where individual interests can be modeled in relation to a feasible outcome) do not often result in cooperation, but if the game were repeated many times from an endpoint of sincerity (an example being the extremely common occurrence of reflecting back on one’s life when one is on one’s deathbed) then one could have more cooperative outcomes.
If you reflect on the above, dear reader, many corollary observations follow, much like what Gautama Siddhartha started to realize as he observed sickness, disease, desire, and death in his rounds of the city as a young prince.
1. Younger human beings are more likely to be more self-directed in their dealings with others relative to older people who are increasingly confronted with their mortality, as well as that of their peer group.
1a. Among younger people, those with a higher relative experience of mortality will tend to behave less selfishly.
1b. Societies with higher and healthier lifespans will tend to be more self-interested, everything else being equal.
1c. In societies where there are subpopulations with significantly different experiences related to the prospect of death, there be a higher degree of intra-group coherence in those groups that have higher prospects of dying.
2. Higher education and wealth, which correlate with health and longevity, are likely to result in more self-directed behavior.
2a. In some cases, where the education effects outweigh wealth effects, behavior may be more altruistic (the informed ability to reflect on the consequences of death).
In short, reflecting on the prospect of dying (or not being able to do so) is what what defines us as human beings and causes many interesting patterns in social interaction, and our individual decisions in regard to those interactions. We often think that death is a consequence of how we live, but what is substantially more consequential is the prospect of dying for life.
I am not afraid of die physically. We all will one day, because the body decays. I think we are imortal beings, and that we come back; the proof to me is that there are great pianists, mathematicians, people with a certain abiligy to speak many languages, etc., or people with certain abilities at their young age that they could not have learned those things in their present lifetime.
I also think that the passing it is an individual act, and I mean that the individual has to confront it by himself. People can support the individual, but he, or she must come to grips with reality, as it is a natural process. Perhaps, I think that because I am a Nurse.
I believe that people that we love, who already passed come to help us in our passing.
I’ve witnessed people, before dying, mentioning names of people that had already passed, as if they were present in the room.
I’ve read stories of people who came back with the ability to remember facts of the past.
Who Gets To Go To Heaven?
Does everyone go to Heaven? On the surface we could take this lightly, but since we will all die eventually, maybe we need to take a more serious look. So, does everyone go to Heaven? Most would say no, but also most would probably believe that the majority of people will go there. They would continue to say that only those who have done major ‘bads’ such as murder, stolen bigger things like robbed banks or peoples homes, hurt people, or other similar things will not get to Heaven; but that most people are relatively good and will go there. Still others believe that as long as we are a member of a Church or have been baptised either as an infant or as an adult we will go to Heaven. Where do these conclusions come from? Is it passed down through the generations in our families of what they believe, is it taught in our Churches, is it passed along from friends and acquaintances. Like many other important decisions we make in our lives, it is important for you to know what is true and what is not.
As part of your upbringing you generally were taught, that as children if you are good you get rewards and if you do bad things you can get punished or have rewards taken from you. Even as an adult out in the world, things generally work this way, promotions, careers and jobs are gained or lost depending generally on how ‘good or bad’ you are at handling situations in our lives at home or at work. This way of thinking follows us so closely that we tend to carry it into our spiritual beliefs. At this point it would be important for you to see what God has said in His word, called the Bible.
You should be careful at this point that you are objective to what the Bible says on this or any subject for that matter. You need to be willing to acknowledge if and where you may be wrong in your beliefs
. The Bible says in Rev 21:27 ‘only those written in the Lamb’s book of life’ will see Heaven. Jesus told the disciples about two men who died in Luke 16:22 ~ 26, one went to Abrahams bosom and the other went into torment. To find out what it takes to get your name written in the Lamb’s book of life you need to know what will not get your name written there.
Some believe that being a good person such as helping the poor & needy, going to church, becoming a church members or member of good volunteer groups, etc. will earn them a right to Heaven. In Eph. 2:8,9 it says ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast’. First it is by God’s grace and nothing of yourself that you can ever get to Heaven; God’s ways are not like our ways in which doing good things or ‘works’ as God calls it has no merit in helping you get to Heaven. If you could earn your way there through any sort of good deeds or works; then how would you know when you did enough good things. Also and even more important, if you could earn your right into Heaven then there would have been no reason for Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sin. What He endured on your behalf would have futile. SIN, what me; let’s look at this a little later.
Many others believe that being a member of a Church or being baptised will earn them a right into Heaven. There is not one single verse in Bible that backs up Church membership as an avenue into Heaven. Also when it comes to baptism you will notice that if you examine the verses (Acts 18:8, Acts 10: 47,48, Acts 8: 29~31 & 35 ~ 38) closely that you need to here God’s Word, believe next, and then get baptised. Baptism is an outward expression of obedience, not an act that can have any power to earn you any right into Heaven.
The only thing that keeps us out of Heaven is sin. Everyone sins or has done something wrong in there lives. It could be saying bad words, stealing of any kind – yes even the “little things ”, wrong attitudes toward others, and on and on. The Bible says in Romans 3:12‘There is none who does good, no not one’ and in Titus 3:5 ‘not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us’.
In Matthew 5:20 Jesus said to His disciples ‘Unless your righteousness (holiness) exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven’ If you were to read accounts of these Scribes and Pharisees you would see the extremes they went through to try to uphold God’s law. Also read carefully 1 Cor 6:9~11 .
So how can you assure a place in Heaven? You need to be rescued from penalty of sin. The Bible says you must be born again. You need to recognize that you have sinned and fall short of the mark that God has set for us. In Romans 10:9,10 it says to ‘Confess with your mouth(a sinner), believe (trust Jesus) in your heart…’. In Act 4:12 it says ‘There is no salvation in any other that you might be saved…’ The Bible is clear that there is no other way to get saved from Hell apart from recognizing you are a sinner needing salvation.
Jesus said in John 14:6 ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ Jesus also said in John 3:36 ‘He who believes in the Son has everlasting life and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides ..’ Also in John 1:12 the Bible says ‘As many as received Him He gave the Right to become children of God’
Some have said that God is loving and would not send anyone to Hell. Actually it is us by our own refusal to except Jesus as our Lord and Savior and not admitting that we are a sinner in need of salvation that sends us to Hell. God offers us a way to salvation through the work of His Son Jesus Christ, but it is us who either except or reject this.
If are someone who has done a lot of bad things and believe you could never receive God’s forgive ness, there is good news. You could never do anything so bad that God would not forgive you if you truly ask it from your heart. If you truly mean it from your heart; ask today for Jesus to forgive you, tell him that you are a sinner and need His forgiveness, tell Him that you know that He went to the cross and died for you sins and that you are ready to give your life to Him. If you truly meant this from your heart and you turn to Him, He will forgive you and except you as one of His. Thank God for His love and grace He has extended to you.
Billy, I’m a christian (a word cast upon the early church as an insult and we define it as being like Christ) and it was when I understood the significance of a daily death to lay down or give up my life for Christ did I know gow to reflect His Way, Trurh and Life. I believe that the reason why most people who define themselves as christians do not understand what it normally entales is because death is an uncomfortable subject. to lose our lives so that we may know how to live life is the cup that He offers us.
I am afraid of dying and more specifically afraid of anyone close to me dying. Ever since I was a child (my parents had me a bit later in life) I thought my father was going to die. I mean I know he is going to die but I thought it would happen any minute! I lived with that fear for the longest time…it still creeps up on me now and I am 22yrs old. I realise I am lucky to have my father with me this long! Death in my book is defined and complete SADNESS! I know there are many like me but most people around me seem to handle it much better. There was this guy I worked with that passed away in a car accident. I freaked out! It is unreal to me that I have a photo where I am sitting right next to him and I can actually remember his voice and everything he said to me that day. I dont know why I have this weird feeling that death means you dissapear, and maybe if you dissapear then you were never really here to start with. I have to stop myself from thinking too much…where was I before I was born??? where do I go when I do??? These questions just chew your brain up untill your willing to watch a 5yr old childs cartoon show to get your mind off of everything. These are really my basic thoughts on death at this point in my life. I have a lot I need to work on!
The Bible reveals that it is God’s purpose to restore the dead to life by means of a resurrection to a paradise earth, where sickness and death will be no more. Jesus said: “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”
When speaking of his recently deceased friend Lazarus, Jesus compared death to sleep. (John 11:11-13) Moreover, after Jesus resurrected him, Lazarus said nothing about having been in a place of torment or a place of bliss during the brief period of his death. (John 11:37-44) This is understandable, for the dead are unconscious. They do not experience suffering but await the “hour” in which they will be raised. In any event, the fact that Jesus resurrected Lazarus shows that the dead can live again. Indeed, by this miracle Jesus showed on a small scale what will take place on earth under the rule of God’s Kingdom. (Acts 24:15) What a comfort that is for those who lose their loved ones in death during this turbulent time!
According to Bible prophecy, “[Jehovah] will actually swallow up death forever” and “will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” When this occurs, “one will certainly say: ‘Look! This is our God. We have hoped in him, and he will save us. This is Jehovah. We have hoped in him. Let us be joyful and rejoice in the salvation by him.’”—Isaiah 25:8, 9
Don’t be afraid. life will continue only in a diffrent sort of way. I can promise, if you continue to search , the best remedy for fear is unconditional “LOVE”.
If you’re able there is an interesting book out there called the Diary of Divine Mercy. By Faustina Kowalaska. page 310 article 187, 7th paragraph from the top, will give you an impression of the next level of life.
Just google the titile.
Perhaps this can help a little. Have a great day.
ALso another great book and a quick read, from the great author CS LEWIS
The titile called THE GREAT DIVORCE. An allegory that can cause alot of reflection on a life. Less than 200 pages and every year I re-read this story and ALWAYS come away with a diffrent perpsective.
Before I begin writing what it is I am going to write, I just want to let you know that I will keep you in my prayers.
I just stumbled upon your blog today, I don’t know what books you have read on the subject-but when I was going through a dark, depressing questioning phase in my life, I read the book,”Saved by the Light” by Danion Brinkley. It’s based on his near death experiences. I found that very comforting. Also, “Don’t Kiss them Goodbye” by Allison DuBois is another good one.
Hi Bill…I know it has been a while. Sounds like you’ve been well, hanging in at least. I noticed you have added things to your site…well I actually just wrote something and upon visiting your site I thought it pertains to your request….
http://enreal.wordpress.com/2008/01/26/conversation-with-death/
namaste bill
‘There never was a time when I did not exist, nor you. Nor will there be any future where we cease to be’
Krishna to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita.
Hello Bill,
I’ve only just recently started a blog and in my explorations landed on your blog. Bless you for journalling your experience. I have no doubt that those who come across your blog are touched by it in the way they most need at the time. What a gift you are giving the world.
I’m a life coach… After reading a number of your posts, I must say YOU are a natural… Nice life coaching, Bill!
My thoughts on death: I believe that when we die, we understand our entire experience on earth. I bet we even say, “Man, I wish I’d remembered that while I was there!” And I suspect many of us will add, “I didn’t need to be so hard on myself. I was so busy trying to be better, I didn’t quite notice the beauty of me.” Yes, even those times where we are particularly critical of ourselves, when we’ve made ‘mistakes’, when we haven’t behaved the way we thought was ideal… all this I think we will see had an ideal purpose for us.
Four people very close to me have died. My mother when I was nine, my brother when he just turned 30, his son, whom I was very close to, when he was 21, and most recently my Dad who lived to the grand wondrous age of 81.
And through all this, I learned a crazy amount about afterlife, and our connections to our loved ones on the otherside. So many things that some people consider paranormal, metaphysical, ‘strange’, ‘scary’ and impossible, I have gotten to experience in the most gentle, loving, and even fun ways. The more I accepted what I was experiencing as real, the more I’ve gotten to experience.
Being with my Dad his last days in hospice were some of the most powerful days of my life. The entire family was there, an eclectic mix of people with varying beliefs. We all agreed when my daughter said: “nobody, no matter what their beliefs, could have gone through this and not know there is so much more after this life.” (Thanks, Dad!)
And so I just wanted to add myself to the list of people who have no doubt that there is an afterlife, and that our connection to our loved ones who have died is much closer than most people think. And most importantly, when we die, we go to a very very very very nice place.
I am not so much afraid of dying as I am afraid of getting sick. I dont know what i would do with myself with that impending doom over my head. i feel as if dying wouldnt be bad but its the idea of not being around to see things happen that would break my heart. how do you cope?
Hi Connor, you ask a very interesting and a very difficult question. I am with you on not seeing the actual dying part as all that terrible. By that I simply mean I have my strong beliefs in the afterlife and am comfortable within myself as to where I am going after death. I have to really focus and concentrate on that belief or the daily struggle could be so much harder, so much worse. On a day by day basis I do have my highs and lows on this feeling and at times must struggle to keep my head together so to speak.
I do not as such fear what I believe is to come after but I do fear of am nervous about the actual physical process. I confess to being a total wimp when it comes to pain.
With no doubt at all the thing I fear or dread the most is the thought of leaving my loved ones behind. Worry about how they will make out, will they be OK with out me in their lives. As I have reflected more and more on this I realize of course they will be alright, it will take a bit of an adjustment period but they will be just fine.
Connor, I could carry on and on about this, I have decided instead to do a post on this very subject. I thank you for giving me this thought and I do hope you will feel free to comment on the post with I hope to have up tomorrow or the next day.
Thank you my friend.
Bill
When I discovered my brother was terminally ill it was devasting for him, his loving family, our parents and family everyone. As a christian I have my own beliefs on what happens and I firmly believe this life is a preparation for the wonderful life yet to come. My brother did not share this belief and never had.
I asked my own minister how to cope with it and he told me grieve a little whilst he was still here. My parents always skirted the issue even with him whereas my husband and I didn’t when he spoke about things to come and said I won’t be here we never flinched they did, which was a great shame.
When he passed away he had done all he wanted to, we made sure of it, there was no unfinished business between us and I was eventually able to go forward and it helped me grieve for him after he had gone.
Whilst I am not afraid of dying I too don’t like the idea of getting sick and all that encompasses, but would hope and pray with my faith I would be able to cope.
All people are occupied with the daily processes of life on this planet, eating, sleeping, drinking, working, raising a family, daily chores and responsibilities, entertainment, etc. We rarely give a thought to the reality of eternity. We live our lives as if we have a guarantee of tomorrow and even the years to come. There are those who think that when they die it is all there is, just death. Others, push the thought of death far from their minds. They may say, “I don’t want to be bothered with that thought”.
There are 8,760 hours in a period of a year. According to The World Fact book, updated as of June 10, 2008, the average life span for a male on our planet is 64.18 years, and for a female 68.2 years Total average hours of life on this planet is as follows: 56,221.6 for a male, and 59,743 hours for a female. The World Fact book statistics can be found at this link: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html All of us live our hours in both times of joy, and in times of sorrow.
In the Book of James ( In the Bible) 4:14 it says: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. In the natural, our finite minds cannot comprehend eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (Speaking of God) says: “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end”.
Eternity should be a major part of our thinking process, but why is it not? 2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this age [Satan, The Adversary, The devil] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel [good news] of the glory of Christ (Yeshua, if your Jewish) , who is the image of God”.
We will all face death at some point in our life, there is no guarantee of our next breath. Hebrews 9:27 :Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement”. What should we be saying?, James 4:15-17 “Instead, you ought to say, If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins”. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one”. How can we become righteous (right) with our Creator? Romans 3:22 “This righteousness from God comes through faith [trust] in Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach, if your Jewish) to all who believe”. Jesus (Yeshua) took the punishment of eternal separation from God, which we all deserve, because of our sinfulness. How does a person come to salvation? First we must be humble because it says in James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. John 14:6 Jesus (Yeshua) said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We must acknowledge to our heavenly Father that we are a sinner, in critical need of salvation. Tell Jesus that you want Him to be the Lord and Master of your life, and surrender your life to him. Ask Him to change you and make you like Him. Read the Bible and obey what it says to do. The New Covenant (Brit Hadashah if your Jewish) is the greatest commentary on the Hebrew Covenant ( Old Testament [Tanach] if your Jewish)
Jesus spoke more about hell, then about heaven. No matter what anybody else has told you, hell is a real place Mark 9:48 “where their worm does not die , and the fire is not quenched”. Jesus (Yeshua) said in Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who , after killing the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes I tell you, fear him.” Jesus (Yeshua) said in Matthew 25:41 “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Not to come to Jesus (Yeshua) for salvation is rebellion against the Heavenly Father’s only way that he has graciously provided for us. Remember that our life here on this earth is like a “mist”, in comparison to eternity. It would be beyond foolishness to reject Jesus (Yeshua) and spend eternity (never ending) in the fires of hell. The absolute worst conditions you can face here on this earth will be like heaven, compared to the separation in hell from our Heavenly Father
Remember that our life here on this earth is like a “mist”, in comparison to eternity. It would bebeyond foolishness to reject Jesus (Yeshua) and spend eternity (never ending) in the fires of hell. The absolute worst conditions you can face here on this earth will be like heaven, compared to the separation in hell from our Heavenly Father.
For those who consider themselves atheists and are reading this, you need to ask yourself the following two questions. 1. What if I am wrong? 2. Am I willing to allow my stubbornness and pride to casue me to make the gravest choice possible?. Remember that you will choose your own destiny, and have no one to blame, except yourself.
My words echo the words of Paul ( Shaul, if your Jewish) ” We are therefore Christ’s (Mashiach’s, if your Jewish) ambassadors , as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s (Mashiach’s) behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. All the love and joy and peace that you can ever imagine are found in Jesus (Yeshua) 2 Corinthians 6:2 “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation”.
Shalom in Jesus (Yeshua)
Great Spirit whose voice I hear in the winds
Whose breathe gives life to all living things
Hear me, I come before you, one of your children
I am small and weak
I am seeking strength and wisdom
Strength, not to be superior to my brothers
But, to fight my greatest enemy…
Myself
Wisdom, so that I might learn the lessons you have hidden under every leaf and rock.
Make my hands strong, But, Make them respect the things you have made.
Make my ears sharp to hear your voice.
May I walk in beauty
And, may my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunsets.
So that when my life fades like the setting sun.
My spirit may come to you.
Without shame.
I don’t know how I stumbled upon your website, but I have a very interesting story to tell you.
A family friend (my husband was friends with this man’s son for 40 years) passed away a few days ago. This was an upstanding man, a well known pediatrician that cared for children even if there parents could not pay, a father to 11 children, a devoted husband and a devout catholic.
He was dying very rapildy from an extremely aggressive prostate cancer that had spread. They were not sure of how much time was left, but everyone was sure it was probably not going to be long.
Anyways, my story is that 2 days before he died he was talking to people in the room that no one could see. He did not say if they were family or friends. He was conversing with them (in a very lucid state) and asked “Who’s getting married?” A pause. Then he asked, “well, when will I be coming back?” A pause settled in the room again and he said “Oh.” Then he told he family that he had to get up to get showered, shaved and get dressed nice. His whole family close around him and his son asked why he would need to do that. His response was putting his hands together as in a prayer, closed his eyes and said “Because I’m going to my Celebration”.
He died 2 days later.
The day before the funeral at the church (2 days after he passed away), one of his youngest sons was planting a special flower garden as a special present for his mother at his parent’s house. As the son took a break, in this terrible Florida summer heat, a dove sat on the roof watching him. It cocked it’s head and looked right at him. Then it flew very closely right over his son’s head. His son retold this story at the funeral, and with so much emotion told us that a feeling of amazing calmness overcame him when the dove flew over. He was sure that was his father coming to watch what was happening.
I am a somewhat spiritual person, but these stories gave me so much inspiration. I cannot tell you how this has changed me. It’s just really amazing.
I felt almost no sadness for our passing friend. Almost a joy and elation that he was definitely in a better place and free of his earthly confines.
Hi Jeanette, I thank you so very much for sharing this sad but at the same time beautiful story with us. It is sad to hear of the passing of this gentleman, but at the same time so beautiful, encouraging and uplifting to hear the rest of the story. I have no doubt that in his final days he was indeed speaking to pre-deceased family member and or Angels there waiting to take him on his heavenly journey. I also have no doubt that the dove was either he, himself or at least a messenger sent by him or by God to reassure the family he was alright.
I do thank you so much for sharing this.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill
Thank you for this blog Bill. What a positive place to read. My mother recently was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer, and while she’s still fighting for her life, it hit me hard with my own mortality. Christian explanations of heaven and hell don’t feel right to me. Never in my life have I seen anything that’s black and white like that. Hearing other people’s experiences with death brings me comfort, specially Jeanette’s story.
Be blessed Bill.
Hi Kim, thank you for stopping by and leaving your comment. I am very sorry to hear of your mother’s health issues. Your mother, you and your family will be in my prayers. I think that it is natural for us to consider our own mortality when a loved one is in a serious condition such as your mother is. You are not a lone in struggling to come up with a faith base belief that makes sense to you. I was in your exact position for the longest time, so much of what I heard just didn’t make sense. I just kept reading and looking until I suppose I have formed my own belief system that is of great comfort to me. Keep searching and you will find one that does ring true to you. In the next few days I will share my beliefs to show I really don’t fit in totally with any church at least that I know of. Please don’t stop looking
I do not know exactly what I believe but I can’t believe this is all for nothing. Brought up Roman Catholic (strict) I am supposed to believe in heaven and hell. My only feeling on the subject is we feel love, we dream in our sleep, and good memories stick better than bad ones. I believe our afterlife is an extension of our dreams… and as crazy as it might be when we are dreaming about people we may know that we are connecting with them on that level, although not yet at the end. I firmly believe that is a trial of what comes in our future.
Hi Pam, welcome and thank you for the comment. I am with you in struggling to believe everything in life is as cut and dry as most Churches preach. I had never thought of maybe we are connecting with someone on a different level when we dream, very interesting thought. I firmly believe that our time on this earth is but one step in our spiritual journey and that there is much more to come for each of us.
Hope to hear from you again
Bill
To all that may venture to read through all of the entries here, I haven’t the answers to all of life’s questions but what I can say to those that are struggling with imminent death for themselves or loved ones, the most important thing to do is just love those around you that are also being affected. Everyone displays emotions differently; we must be patient, loving, and kind.
The absolute most important thing to consider in terms of living and dying however is this; where will you wake up tomorrow? You can chose to believe whatever you wish; God’s second greatest gift to us was the gift of Choice… the first however was Grace. He will forgive you regardless of sin because sin is just that; Sin. There is no one sin greater than another and the wages of sin is death. What that means quite simply is; if you die without having confessed of your sins directly through Jesus to God, not through a minister, priest or other believing friend but through Jesus to God and accepted the gift of grace by asking Jesus into your heart as your personal saviour, you will wake up in Hell.
No need to candy-coat it, we don’t have time to make it sound nicer, we all could die the very next minute, take the opportunity to accept Jesus now. Don’t worry about how you can be the perfect Christian; you’ll never be, only Jesus is capable of that. Don’t sit there and say; “First I’m going to stop smoking, drinking, looking at porn so that I will be more presentable to God” He sees it all anyways and he still loves you. The only thing he wants is for you to accept the gift of Grace so that you can join the celebration one day soon.
There is but one god, of that we do not argue. If there is such a thing as hell, it is what we create here on earth.
Chief Tecumseh:
“Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about his religion.
Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.
When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light,
for your life, for your strength.
Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools
and robs the spirit of its vision.
When your time comes to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death,
so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time
to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.”
On dying.
If I were to die today, it would be beautiful. Not because I want to die or am going to die today or wish to die (let me be clear on that). But it would be beautiful because in that moment as my body simply stops working I will be able to see more clearly than I ever have in my life. For one moment I will get to see it all as perfect and beautiful as I only attempt to see it everyday. For one moment I will have the opportunity to savor my last breathe, knowing it is my last, seeing whatever is in front of me as wonderful as it is, being in the moment, feeling whatever is around me, the air on my skin, the light in my eyes, the wonder of life. In that moment I will be the culmination of all that I was meant to be. Dying is not to be feared. Death is what we make it.
I have esophageal cancer that is cannot be operated upon. I am facing a bleak future. A year maybe, they do not know. I am in hospice although I an still take care of most of my needs. I am on tube feeding, thank god, because I cannot eat a sufficient amount to sustain myself. I am not a believer in an after life and I am searching for other agnostic people who are facing this situation. Do you have any ideas or sites that might help me find people to correspond with?
Bob Zimmermann
Hi Bob, I thank you for taking the time to leave your comment here on the blog. I am so very sorry to hear of your condition. With it though I am so glad you have found the care of hospice. They are all the most wonderful group imaginable. I respect your personal beliefs but know you are in my prayers.
As to your question about finding like minded people, those sharing agnostic beliefs. I did a quick google search and found a number of blogs listed as being agnostic and dealing with dying. I can’t really recommend any one over the other as I didn’t actually check them out. On the list I did see my other blog, “A safe place to grieve and let emotions out”.
You are more than welcome to comment either there or even right here.
Here I often share my Christian views but this is not intended to be a “Christian Site”, but rather a site to provide support and comfort to all.
I wish you peace and serenity.
Bill
To be honest I’m not afraid of dying, I’ve been living this uncertain life for over 6yrs now and when I go to the doctor I hear I might die if this continues. I see death as taking a nap that is so peaceful you never wanna wake up from.. I’m not looking forward to it, God knows no one is but when it comes to being scared of it I’m not.
My answer to use all would be Islam it says every thing about death and after life death.may Allah BE WITH YOU ALL INSHAALLAH
Hello, sumaya. I thank you for leaving your message. I admit to knowing very little about Islam but would be very interested in learning more about the teachings as they relate directly to death and dying.
Dying is not that bad actually. Think of all the things u hate to do everyday. Its a sick world we people are living in and who knows after dying might be fun and only fun.
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I definitely believe in our pre-existence, this life and our life after. Scripturally it says in 1 Cor. 15:29 of the Bible’s New Testament: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead?” In Christ’s time church members were being baptized for their ancestors, via proxy, that hadn’t been baptized, so that the ancestors might chose to accept the baptism or not.
With regards to non-Christian belief, there are volumes of other scripture or writings that speak of people in this life having near-death experiences or being visited by personages, past and future.
In my own life I know a dozen or more people that have had visits by ancestors or recently departed loved ones, or even those yet to come to earth. In the end, we will all be resurrected, go to heaven, and depending on how well we lived this life with what we know, we receive a reward commensurate by God’s loving gift. Feel free to contact me at gliss5@connect2.com if you have any questions about my comments and beliefs. Life after death will be Amazing!
I don’t fear death, cause im going to be cremated when i die, cause I don’t believe in religion or evolution, and people are buried to prepare for an afterlife which i don’t believe in either. i believe when you die its like before you were born you know, feel, see, hear, or experiance nothing
Would you tell me more about how you feel? Our son was raised with us believing in living before and after this life. He doesn’t know if he does or not now. We respect each other’s beliefs and love for each other. I’d like to get more insight on this from your perspective.
I recommend to read “Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives” by Michael Newton.
“Journey of Souls is a controversial yet inspiring investigation of the big question we all face at one point or another: “What happens after we die?” To find the answer, Newton opens cases from his private practice in which he hypnotically regressed his clients to a point between lives–after death, but before birth. Not only does Newton grapple with reincarnation, the spirit world, and the nature of the human soul, he also tackles equally sticky questions such as “Is there a Heaven and Hell?” and “What are ghosts?” Readers with a penchant for skepticism will balk at the lack of physical evidence to back up the claims in Journey of Souls, but the book remains a reassuring voice, affirming that our existence is not limited to the boundaries of our mortal flesh. –Brian Patterson”
Thank you for the comment and the recommendation on the book, I will be checking it out.
Bill
Wish you all the best! You are doing a great thing.
I am not afraid of dying, what I fear is dying in pain, and of leaving behind those whom I love and who love me. I have small cell lung cancer and have pretty muchly received all the treatment that can be given to prolong my life, so I am figuring I have about 3, maybe 4, more months until It will have metastasized so badly that I will have no other alternative but to take my own life, since they have cancelled my medicaid and I will have no way to receive any more help, not even hospice. I would suggest to anyone who has any type of spiritual beliefs to read three books called Conversations with God, Books I, II, III. They are wonderful books written by Neale Donald Walsh, a man who was at the end of his rope and sat down with a legal pad and wrote a letter to God asking Him some questions about life, and God saw fit to answer him and told him to write these 3 books. I started studying God when I was about the age of 9 and was led in all different directions, to many different books on the subject of God, to what I believe to be the truth. Of all the many Books I believe to hold the truth, I came upon these three books, when after going through a very trying time in my life, God spoke to me. I will not go into the details here as to what all took place, but after my trials were over, and I was explaining to a friend that God had spoken to me, my friend asked me why it was that God had spoken to me and did not speak to him? I asked God that question, and God replied, “It is because he does not listen.” Soon after that I was in the library, again being led to find something to read, I came across Book I of the series and on the back cover Neale Walsh is asking God that same question as to why God is speaking to him and not to everyone else, and God’s reply is ” It is not to whom I speak, but to who listens” so I knew I must read those books. In those books, among other most important issues, God talks about death and life afterwards. I choose to believe that what is said in those pages is truth, that life never ends, it just changes form, and continues, and we have a much greater understanding of it all. At least I pray that that is the case, for I shall be finding out rather soon. I guess I don’t listen so well anymore, for I find it harder to hear God speak to me now, and it is lonely here at the end of my life on this planet. I guess that is what led me to discover this site, cause I was looking for someone to talk to. I have enjoyed reading the posts here and if anyone finds some solace from my suggestions of these three books, then maybe I was suppose to stumble upon this site, and there was purpose in my loneliness. God bless you all.
You are very right about 2 things, we are all going to die, and there is an afterlife. Most people who believe in heaven/hell would say that to get to heaven, you have to be a good person, and heaven is where bad people go. Do you consider yourself good? Have you kept the 10 Commandments (God’s standard for good), lets see;
Have you ever told a lie? Everyone reading this can admit to having done this. So what does that make us? liars.
Have you ever stolen anything, regaurdless of value? A lot of people are probably flashing back to childhood memories of taking candy or something. They’re probably thinking, “but that was then, I don’t steal anymore”. But time doesn’t forgive sins, they’re all still there.
Have you ever commited adultry? Most people will say they would never commit adultry, but God sees our very thought life. In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus said “Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has commited adultry already with her in his heart.” Have you looked with lust (gals, this applies to you too)? If so your guilty of adultry at heart.
These are only 3 of the 10 commandments. If you answered “Yes” to these questions, then your admiting to yourself that your a lying, theiving, adulturer at heart. The Bible says that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement. Where do you think you will go when God judges you by His standard? Will you be innocent or guilty?
If you are thinking, “But God wouldn’t send me to hell for that, because he’s good.” think of it this way,
A murderer stands before a judge, and says “I’m sorry for what I did, and I promise I’ll never do it again.” Would the judge be “Good” if he let the murderer go? Of course he wouldn’t, justice must be served.
It works the same way with God, we have broken His law and sinned against him, so if He is good, he will exercise justice, and the Bible says “The wages of sin is death”.
But here is the wonderful news, in that same verse it also says “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ”. God sent his only Son, to come to this earth and live a perfect life. And he took our punishment, by dying for us on the cross. And because He was perfect, His sacrifice is sufficient for anyone who will repent (turn away) from their sins, and trust on him. Trust in him like you would trust in a parachute to save you when you are jumping out of a plane. Because He is the *only* way anyone can be saved when they “jump out” of this world.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I hope that you will be completely honest with yourself and listen to your conscience. This is the most important thing you can ever do in this life, because eternity never, ever ends.
okay, just a note about a typo I made in the first paragraph, I wrote “and heaven is where bad people go.” That was supposed to be “and hell is where bad people go.”
Sorry, I guess I was typing a little too fast 🙂
Hello everyone,
this is certainly one of my favorite topics as well. I have been increasingly interested in learning more about people’s experiences with dying, and also near death experiences. I strongly believe in an afterlife, although I admit I am still afraid of death. I also believe that we are called to l love each other here on earth before we depart. This blog seems to be a great tool to learn more from each other about death. The more we share, the less afraid we are, I hope. God bless you all.
Hello Noel and welcome to the blog. Facing death is the one thing every single person onh this planet has in common. As we learn from and share with others, it becomes a win/win situation. Death is scary it is an unknown. I like you strongly believe in the afterlife. By sharing these beliefs maybe we can make it even just a little bit less scary.
Hope to hear from you again
Bill
This page was great reading…Thank You everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences…
Hey everyone, I recently lost the love of my life, who was my first love and we were ready to make our relation permanent. Though I have lost his physical being, I want to keep connected to my love’s soul…can anyone please help me with this and can anyone please let me know if you know someone who can help me connect to my love who parted with me last month…Thank You…
I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in April 2010. I know that all must die someday, but I never thought it would be me. After three months of Chemo, I am under doctor’s observation to make sure it does not return.
My soul living on is what I focus on. The body will return to the dust, but Jesus promises that my soul, through faith in Him, has eternal life now and has crossed over from death to life already through faith in Him (John 5:24).
Though I still live in the body, I am training myself to think like a soul that is outside of the body.
I keep 2 Corinthians 5:16 in mind which says:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
I suggest you read 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5. It’s meant just for souls realizing their position inside the body and outside the body.
When I see myself as a soul loved by Jesus, each precious day is lived to please Him.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Hi Constance. I thank you for the visit to my blog. I am sorry to hear of you medical issues. I hope and pray all is well. I admire your positive attitude. The Biblical quote is wonderful
Bill
Hello,
I just came across your blog and have added to my blogroll. I hope you do not mind as I want as many prayers for you and your family as can be. I pray as well for all those who have commented on this blog.
Dying: Well as you probably guessed I am a Catholic, and as many of you know we ask the Saints for their prayers and help all the time. (Please, do not want to discuss that issue) I will say though I have had many prayers answered by God through their prayers, and this tells me there is a wonderful spiritual family in heaven as well as on earth. This tells me they are alive. I try to remember earth is a place of exile for me, as heaven is my true home. It is where I was in the beginning and where hopefully I will return. None of us like the thought of death, as we all feel like we have been here forever, since the beginning of time. To leave a place where we feel like we have always been is not an easy thought. The one thing we can be assured of, we will be so welcome in the most loving arms of the most loving Father and all those with Him. In this alone I find my comfort. God Bless you, your family, and all those who have left comments. I will be praying for all of you daily. SR
Hi SR and I thank you for the visit and for taking the time to leave this comment. I popped over and visited your site. Strong and powerful messages.
Bill
I’m sorry to hear about your cancer, but Amen to what you wrote Constance!
“You don’t have a soul. You ARE a Soul. You have a body. ~C.S. Lewis
And this found in the book of Alma 40: 11-14
” 11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called Paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, being led captive by the will of the devil.
14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this Perdition, as well as the righteous in Paradise, until the time of their resurrection.”
Deric, very well said
Bill,
I came across your blog today, and have been spending some time reading through your posts and the various sections you have set up as spaces for people to share their own thoughts. I think this is incredible, and demonstrates immense strength of character. The responses here are a real tribute to you, and an indicator of how you are helping people. As I have come to realise over the past few months, this is the only constant in life, the only thing that we can be sure we will all experience.
I have chosen to post this here, in this section, because I wanted to contribute something from my, orthodox Jewish, perspective. In December, my mother died of her cancer, after several years. She was 54. I have been thinking a lot about the mourning process lately, which in my faith is very structured, and formalised. I have also been curious about other people’s perspectives on the rituals and processes I have been going through, and about other religious and cultural attitudes towards death and mourning.
Since my mother’s death, I have started my own blog, not solely about this kind of topic, and the first article was about the initial mourning period as I experienced it. The article has since been enhanced by many contributions from people adding their thoughts about mourning, and the rituals associated with it. I wonder if you might like to have a look at it yourself. If you would like to, and if you have time, you may find it here: http://michaelakay.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/the-mechanisms-of-mourning/
Thank you so much for creating this space and for sharing your story, I wish you comfort and contentment, and an appreciation of all that you have in life.
Michael.
I wish I could put pen to paper as well as you.
Drawing close to my end, I’m having trouble
putting my thoughts together. I used to be a great multi tasker as well as carrying on great
Conversations. The thought of leaving my family just breaks my heart.
Thanks for your thoughts
Hi Sangremalo. It is I that thank you for sharing your thoughts. In your comment you did “put pen to paper” so to speak in an excellent manner. It is like i can feel your pain through your words. I can so understand the feelings of heart break at the thought of leaving family. my friend I am just not sure what to say other than my heart and prayers are with you. i invite you to leave comments here any time you wish. This blog is not just me but a whole family of caring friends that will be here to support you in any way we can.
Bill
There isn’t any difference between being a separate individual on this rock & being a separate individual in the ether, heaven or whatever one calls it. There are two states, 1 is thinking we’re separate from god & the 2nd is being aware of our oneness with god. Not too much chance any of us participating in this electronic exchange are in the 2nd category. I guess a slow death such as the one you’re having can be helpful in adjusting perspective a bit. Re orient a fellow from material things to his relationships & such. Anyway, I notice reading your essays it helps me reorient to the importance of my relationships.
I shared this on your “My Story” page and then I found this, so I will post again if you don’t mind..
I can only share that I have come to believe that if we cling to memories of those we love, and rid our life of anything and anyone that causes our grip on happiness to slip away, then when we depart, it is in those memories, those special places that our spirit will forever roam. Believing that gives me some comfort anyway.
Hi Kellie and welcome to the blog. I really do like and appreciate your comment. In your few short words you have managed to say so very eloquently and clearly much of what I have been trying ramble on about for so very long. Thank you. I hope we will be hearing more from you.
Bill
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who
had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast because I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending the time to talk about this matter here on your web page.
Hello and welcome to the blog. Hope you enjoyed the breakfast. Hope your friend finds what he is looking for and that possibly some of what ever it is may be here. Please ask him to share his thoughts and feelings on this topic as I invite you to do the same,
Bill
i wanted to share with you what i believe islam teaches about death and dying.
islam teaches that we are created to worship one God of the heavens and earth and that we will return to him.
yes there is a heaven and hell and different from the Christian faith, your fate is dependent on your works but ultimately God’s grace.
i will try to account the process as follows:
1) The time of death of every human is predetermined, and that moment not a second later or earlier, the angel(s) of death come to take the soul. if the person was a good person, this is a gentle process, vice versa its rough..
2) the soul is taken up to heaven
for the good person, it smells wonderful and angels that it pass by ask which person is this, and the angels carrying it will say its so and so
for the bad person, it smells horrible and the angels will ask who is this foul soul, and they will respond that its the so and so ..
when the good soul reaches heavan it is accepted and the angels bring it back to the body and the grave is made a welcoming place where it will be until the day of resurection
when the bad soul comes to the lowest heaven, it is rejected and it will be dropped violently,and back to the body
the next step is in the grave where angels come to ask the 3 questions, if one lives good will answer correctly vice versa, the questions are: who is your lord, what is your religion, who is this man sent among you.
the good person has a pleasant place until resurection, when all will be brought to judgement before the creator
God forgives all sins except making partnership ie worshiping another God, the ultimate message of islam, all prohpets is that there is one God no partners none like him and we are to serve him and will return to him.
Firstly, welcome to my blog. I thank you for taking the time to leave the comment as you have. It is very welcome.
I have read it numerous times and find it very interesting. I am fascinated, learning the core beliefs of others. So I thank you for sharing.
My personal beliefs are Christian but I have never intended my site to be a solely Christian site. Death is something we all face irregardless of faith, culture or anything. All are welcome to join in and share their beliefs, where the will be received in a welcoming and non judgemental way.
Thank you
Bill