Man, I have not enjoyed an Ash Wednesday quite so much as this one. Strange?
A group of cyber friends and I, had set a time for group prayer that evening. The crazy thing is, that I totally felt like they were all there. I was in my room, closed my eyes, and held my hands out, as if to hold hands in a circle. I prayed specifically for each lady and her current struggle, and I could just feel the warmth of God and the Holy Spirit around us. It was one of those moment where you just can feel He was listening.
We all lit candles in our own space, which is spread all over the US and even some UK folk too. It was so powerful and amazing. At the end of the prayer, I took the ash from the match, and made a sign of the cross on my forehead, as I asked for blessing and forgiveness. My kids were a little confused by my black ashen "t" on my head, but I just smiled and said I would tell them one day more about it.
Now I am terribly excited to learn more about this specific tradition, as I know I didn't pay quite so much attention when going yearly to Catholic church for this ritual. It just means more now.
2/20/2010
2/07/2010
When people Die, they aren't really Dead
My husband and I were having a discussion this morning. He has long been fascinated with the "unknown" and phenomena of life and the after life. He watches things like Ghost Hunters and those others like it.
His faith was greatly shaken when his mom passed on Christmas Eve only a year, and a few months ago. He just doesn't "know" what happens, but wants to know she is alright. He also believes in God, raised very Catholic (even went to Catholic school.) Yet he still just doesn't "know" there is anything but this.
Me on the other hand....am a strong believer of God and miracles, and life beyond death. But I have also never had someone QUITE that close to me die. Will my faith change? I am sure it would. I don't even want to think of it. There are just certain people that I NEED in this world, to survive and thrive.
Saying that, I still believe...and am trying to help him believe. He says that he asks to "see proof," asks God for contact, a sign, something tangible. But I argue that he does get signs...he just is expecting a certain "type" of sign. He expects a vision of the Holy Virgin Mary...and I said he has to open his heart and mind to experience something so radical as that. There is a reason children often experience these kinds of visions....they fully and wholely are open to the impossible.
He thinks there must be some scientific measure of this, for it to be real....and I say...science may not yet have the tools to truly measure these things, but a human has all the ability in the world to experience it. He says if you can't measure it, it cannot be proven - thus, it is not real.
So that is what we argued about all morning. :) And as he was wrapping up his debate, I said with a loving smile, "Honey, just ask for proof then. Ask to see a ghost." And he said, "I don't WANT to see a ghost, I just want proof." So I said, "Ask for proof, then." (I know he'd crap his pants if he saw a real ghost...so would I now...which is why I ask to be left alone...but I HAVE seen things...which someday I will post.) Anyway...just as I said that, and was leaving the car to go into work, I grabbed something off the dash and next to it was the book my good friend had lent me, called "Glimpse of Heaven."
I said ....here...read this....God is trying to tell you something. Here is your proof. :) (yes, it is small...but we cannot ignore the small signs, because even small signs, most often ...as long as you are firmly on the path of Good and Light, are signs from God. )
I walked into work feeling quite happy and giddy at the realization of such an instant answer. Thank you God, for your amazing miracles.
His faith was greatly shaken when his mom passed on Christmas Eve only a year, and a few months ago. He just doesn't "know" what happens, but wants to know she is alright. He also believes in God, raised very Catholic (even went to Catholic school.) Yet he still just doesn't "know" there is anything but this.
Me on the other hand....am a strong believer of God and miracles, and life beyond death. But I have also never had someone QUITE that close to me die. Will my faith change? I am sure it would. I don't even want to think of it. There are just certain people that I NEED in this world, to survive and thrive.
Saying that, I still believe...and am trying to help him believe. He says that he asks to "see proof," asks God for contact, a sign, something tangible. But I argue that he does get signs...he just is expecting a certain "type" of sign. He expects a vision of the Holy Virgin Mary...and I said he has to open his heart and mind to experience something so radical as that. There is a reason children often experience these kinds of visions....they fully and wholely are open to the impossible.
He thinks there must be some scientific measure of this, for it to be real....and I say...science may not yet have the tools to truly measure these things, but a human has all the ability in the world to experience it. He says if you can't measure it, it cannot be proven - thus, it is not real.
So that is what we argued about all morning. :) And as he was wrapping up his debate, I said with a loving smile, "Honey, just ask for proof then. Ask to see a ghost." And he said, "I don't WANT to see a ghost, I just want proof." So I said, "Ask for proof, then." (I know he'd crap his pants if he saw a real ghost...so would I now...which is why I ask to be left alone...but I HAVE seen things...which someday I will post.) Anyway...just as I said that, and was leaving the car to go into work, I grabbed something off the dash and next to it was the book my good friend had lent me, called "Glimpse of Heaven."
I said ....here...read this....God is trying to tell you something. Here is your proof. :) (yes, it is small...but we cannot ignore the small signs, because even small signs, most often ...as long as you are firmly on the path of Good and Light, are signs from God. )
I walked into work feeling quite happy and giddy at the realization of such an instant answer. Thank you God, for your amazing miracles.
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