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Messages - PeacefulWarrior

#901
Welcome to Astral Chat! / What Dreams May Come
June 26, 2002, 15:38:55
CUSTOMER REVIEWS - An Open Forum


Number of Reviews: 17    Average Rating:  

grace (kandiegirlie55@hotmail.com), 18 year old b&n employee, November 17, 2000,  
one of the best titles i ever read
i saw the movie when it 1st came out...and i am an employee at b&n...and one day i found the book while i was shelving...so i bought it...and i couldn't put it down...1/2 way through the book...i rented the movie to compare...and the movie leaves out so much...the book is fantastic...i recommened it to anyone...fabulous book


Jen, September 19, 2000,  
touches your soul
This is a true story and unlike the movie!! you will cry the whole time and yet have your heart filled with love.

Also recommended: only love is real, brian weiss


A reviewer (cang@interpharma.com.ph), August 18, 2000,  
UNCONVENTIONAL! CONVINCING!
It may be purely fictional & just a figment of the author's imagination but death is something we all end up to. & knowing that there's life after that is very interesting & scary at the same time. Reincarnation may not be acceptable in all forms of religion, but I believe that one gets what he deserves after life. If you live honorably, there's a place for you to harvest what you sow. If you hurt people, there's also another place for you to either suffer or cleanse. At the end, I believe we will all join God in Heaven (wherever that may be) at the right time.

Also recommended: Somewhere in Time


LEYA, A 15 YEAR OLD POET FROM N.Y., May 1, 2000,  
THE BEST BOOK I EVER READ!!!
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. WONDERFULLY WRITEN. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! NO OTHER BOOK IS GOOD TO READ EXCPET THIS ONE.


A reviewer, UCA CHEERLEADER, November 23, 1999,  
The Most Powerful love Story I've Ever Read!!
I knew from the start that this book would apeal to my taste. I've always dreamed of a love as powerful as the love Chris and Ann had. Their love caried them through the depths of hell. their experiences could make any reader cry. They were actually each other's soul mates, which is completely amazing. They could actually communcate with eachother and not know they were doing so. Each knew what the other was thinking and loved eachother more deeply than anyone else could love.


A reviewer, September 8, 1999,  
timeless classic for searchers
I read this book 15 years ago. It was a borrowed copy and it was out of print at the time. I am thrilled to find it back in print and cannot wait to re-read it. Not many books have remained so vividly in my mind for so many years. It's truly a masterpiece of suspence as you follow the journey of the characters in the afterlife.


A reviewer, a New Yorker, August 5, 1999,  
'A Powerful force'
I've watched the movie and now I'm reading the book and I must say that the book is a completely different version. I will not give away any details of what the book offers compared to the movie. However, the same concept of the afterlife remains unchanged. The book makes you rethink your view of the afterlife and your existence on Earth.


John, a hopeless romantic resurrected, June 17, 1999,  
BEST PIECE OF MODERN LITERATURE EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is one of best that I have read. This book tranforms you at a level that's unthinkable. If you are dealing with any kind of problems and you aren't able to let go of them, then read this book THEN see the movie; It will kill the faults within your soul and from the remains of the faults, the quintessence of your soul shall rise


Natalie (Swaggyp@aol.com), I am a 26 year old in Chicago, June 1, 1999,  
Best Book I've ever read!
This is the perfect book for anyone, but especially for those who are dealing with death in any way. This book will change your life. Maybe death is something we should all look forward to instead of fear.

Also recommended: The Reader, Message in a Bottle, The Deep End of the Ocean, Tuesdays With Morrie, Reaching to Heaven


A reviewer, a 15 year old reader., May 12, 1999,  
Life Altering!
You will never be able to look at life the same again. So realistic and life provoking, it makes your mind bend. A true inspiration to live and a wonderful story to know. A suggested reading for anyone.

Also recommended: Other novels are Lord of the Flies and Great Expectations.


Carlitos, a little Zen homey from California., April 8, 1999,  
Don't die without this one!!!
Wow, now that's writing! So death does not change a thing after all... This book is amazing for one reason: even though it deals with a subject as occult as the afterlife it never stops making sense! Beautiful piece! Everyone will find something in it that they will just love.

Also recommended: Love Story by Erich Segal


Keri, a teenage bookworm., March 2, 1999,  
Awsome!
This has to be one of the best books I have ever read. I have not seen the movie yet, but I am sure that they could never make you feel what you feel when you read this book. There is such a mixture of emotions that you actully start talking to the characters in the book!


Antigone, February 22, 1999,  
Very... thought provoking
Wow. This was one of the strangest books I've ever read. I finished it in two days but its content stays with me even now. Some parts may be rather disturbing, because the realism and depth in the characters and emotions make an unbelievable setting and plot seem very real.


Melinda, a 27 year old at home mom, January 18, 1999,  
Best love story I have ever read
I loved this book. It had me crying throughout the whole thing. It really shows you what true love for someone is and how far a person is willing to go for that love. I couldn't put it down. I recommend it to everyone.


A reviewer, a career woman in city employ., December 28, 1998,  
FASCINATING!
It gives a varied idea of what happens to our souls after death and why. I found it interesting how hell and heaven was delinated into levels, which gives new meaning to 'my house has many mansions', as stated in the Bible, but this book isn't religious in its content. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is interested in life after death.


A reviewer, a career woman in city employ., December 28, 1998,  
FASCINATING!
It gives a varied idea of what happens to our souls after death, and why. It also has a romantic twist to it, but it focused more on life after death and on rebirth, or reincarnation, and the choices we make before our rebirth.


A reviewer (shizznik@Sover.net), a teacher and Christian, December 9, 1998,  
Superb
The movie was great. The book is 100% better. This is a case where a movie cannot convey the deep feelings and emotions that are hidden in this book. I loved this book! A timeless classic.


fides quaerens intellectum
#902
Welcome to Astral Chat! / What Dreams May Come
June 26, 2002, 15:37:39
I suggest they should have followed the book, and by the way, the book is VERY different and of course a lot more detailed.  I have mixed feelings about the ending...and obviously the author put in a lot of his own beliefs, but he does mention at the end that the people's afterlives are as varied as the lives people live in this sphere.  Anyway, I recommend it...the author's names is Richard Matheson.

fides quaerens intellectum
#903
Congratulations!  Sounds like your hard work and desire have paid off, now it's just time to FOCUS and PRACTICE.

fides quaerens intellectum
#904
What kind of audio tapes/CD's are you wondering about specifically?  I know that myself and others recommend the Monroe Institute's series of audio tapes and CD's, go to the astral pulse search engine and type in Hemi-Sync, etc and you will find many old threads regarding this topic...
-Dan

fides quaerens intellectum
#905
I just saw Minority Report...that was definetly food for thought.

fides quaerens intellectum
#906
My own thoughts on the subject are this:  build a row with larger seats and then charge a little extra for those.  Not a whole lot, but enough...or is that unreasonable?  If so, then don't charge extra for them...Glad I don't have to make the final decision about this.

fides quaerens intellectum
#907
I find I have the tendency to do this as well, and sometimes it hurts my eyes...I am anxious to hear from someone who may have some understanding of this...?

fides quaerens intellectum
#908
Hello!  My name is Daniel...that's interesting that you are from Utah, what city?  I was born in Ogden and have lived in Provo for a few years.  I live in Southern California (where I was raised).  

Anyway, welcome to the site and welcome to the world of energy work and the like.  I believe it's not by chance that you have stumbled upon these things, you are obviously a very strong and "special" person...it may sound crazy for me to say that, but anyone who has progressed enough to find these things is obviously a true seeker.  I am sure I speak for everyone when I say I look forward to hearing your ideas and possibly answering your questions.

-Dan

fides quaerens intellectum
#909
THanks so much for the comments...I think the word "boring" could be substituted with "simple" and I have heard that simple food is truly the best for the body.  I LOVE Italian food and I think I am going to get a veggie/Italian cook book.  I also love spicy food so I think I am in business...I just need to start cooking so I can learn.  Thanks again!  If anyone has further idea please share!

fides quaerens intellectum
#910
I know I am jumping in to this discussion late, but I just wanted to share something I heard on the radio the other day.  The host was talking about the difference between murder and killing.  Murder is the killing of an innocent and killing, in essence, is taking the life of another individual in self-defense or defense of others.  Of course there's a lot of gray area, but generally I agree with this simplified definition.

fides quaerens intellectum
#911
Yeah, on second thought I should just get a cook book, I know there are millions of them out there.  I really wanted to know what people who eat vegetables every day make, you know, something quick and practical yet tasty.  Thanks anyway!
-Dan

fides quaerens intellectum
#912
Another one I thought of was "Powder"....I saw it a long time ago in the theatre, anyone seen it?  Also, more recent films such as Devil's Advocate, Dragonfly, etc.  I personally thought Dragonfly was ok...and the ending was cool.  ANyway...

fides quaerens intellectum
#913
THanks, I will try to find more stuff like this now that I see there is an interest...
-Dan

fides quaerens intellectum
#914
I don't pretend to know a whole lot about "Pleidians" and the like, but in my opinion many times these beings are negative entities who appear as something else and deliver false teachings and information.  You will know when you meet a truly positive being, everything and everyone else is not to be trusted in my opinion.  If you read about the experiences of these people (try SpiritWeb) you will see what they say not only varies, but is extremely eclectic and even confusing...

fides quaerens intellectum
#915
I recently read something by someone who said that many "new age" thinkers are often drug users.  I think that is definelty not true...and it's good to hear people here who shun drugs.  I am a former drug user, and while I was never strung out or addicted to anything like cocain or herion, I do admit to having smoked marijuana for a period of years and I can testify to it's negative effects.  I too now use my knowledge of things spiritual and my desire to do what is right and increase my knowledge as a way of staying away from these negative things.  I think it's interesting how many curious individuals look to drugs to escape "reality" and then end up finding that reality isn't really reality but that there is an unseen world and one doesn't need any drug to tap into it.  In other words (because I think what I just wrote doesn't make a lot of sense) some people turn to drugs initially because they feel the need to seek truth but they don't know where to turn, and these truth seekers many times find truth and then give up the substances, many of which do indeed open the eyes, like the forbidden truth, but they are indeed negative...

Anyway, I hope what I have written makes some sense.  THe bottom line is that yes, drugs (including marijuana) have very negative effects on the both the body and spirit.

fides quaerens intellectum
#916
I was psychologically addicted to marijuana for years and now shun the drug completely.  I admonish those I know who continue to abuse marijuana to stop.  If you still smoke marijuana I advise you to truly think, pray, meditate...whatever you need to do in order to engage in serious introspection and decide if it's a positive thing.  I do know there is a difference between occassional use and long-term, daily ABUSE...but in the end it's always damaging to your body and spirit.

Here is some basic info that I think may help initiate the kind of thinking of which I wrote above:
Facts About Marijuana
Cannabis sativa, more commonly known as "pot," "grass" or Marijuana," is a very common drug which is the starting point for many substance abusers. For many years there has been a lot of misinformation about marijuana, but recent studies have proven that is dangerous as well as addicting.

What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a plant which is dried, then rolled into cigarettes ("joints") or put in to a pipe, and smoked. The main mind-altering ingredient in Marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), but more than 400 other chemical are also in the plant. The amount of THC, which is dependent upon how the plant was grown and the type of plant, will determine the strength of the marijuana. Marijuana can also be enhanced with common grasses and/or sprayed with PCP (angel dust) making the drug even stronger. Another common process is to press a plants leave and flowers into a resin call "hashish" or "hash," which is five to ten times stronger than crude marijuana. Hash oil may be used on marijuana or even on regular cigarettes.

What are the Effects?
There is absolutely no scientific evidence that indicates that marijuana improves hearing, eyesight, nor skin sensitivity, as some people claim. Studies of marijuana's mental effects who that the drug can impair reflexes, reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require coordination--driving a car, for instance. Marijuana interferes with learning by impairing thinking, reading comprehension, verbal, and mathematical skills. Some immediate physical symptoms of marijuana include; a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. A common psychological reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction" which is the extreme fear of losing control. The chronic user is characterized as apathetic, lacking good judgment and introverted. Habitual marijuana use may result in the inability to design or implement plans. The habitual user is marked by fragmented thinking and fanciful ideas which makes it difficult to plan realistically for the future.

Are There Long-Term Effects?
Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs--even more so than cigarettes--because users inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible. The exposure of lung tissue to the damaging smoke is increased, increasing also the risk of emphysema and cancer. In fact, recent studies which examined human lung tissue that had been exposed to marijuana smoke over long periods of time showed cellular changes which proved to be precancerous. These studies indicate that long term marijuana smoking can cause lung cancer and other serious lung disease.
Studies of men and women who use marijuana have shown that it may influence levels of hormones relating to sexuality. Women start having irregular menstrual cycles; booth men and women may experience a temporary loss of fertility. Marijuana, then may be particularly harmful during adolescence, a time of rapid physical and sexual development. Research studies also suggest that the use of marijuana during pregnancy may result in premature babies and in low birth weights.


Is it Addicting?
A drug is physically addicting if the user becomes tolerant of the drug over time--making it necessary to increase the dosage to experience the same effects-- and if the user experiences withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing use. There is conflicting evidence on whether or not marijuana has these effects. However, there is much evidence to show that using marijuana does lead to psychological dependency and has been associated with the loss of interest in all activities except those related to drug use. The lack of drive or incentive has been termed the motivational syndrome, resulting from personality changes that the chronic user undergoes.
Most frightening of all, most hard narcotics users will admit that their drug habit started with marijuana. Research shows that the earlier people start using drugs, the most likely they are to go on to experiment with other drugs. Not everyone who smokes marijuana will turn to other drugs, but the probabilities are extremely high.


What Can I Do?
Marijuana is dangerous and can lead to more and more abuse! If you or a loved one are using marijuana, get help now, THere are people out there that can help with intense psychological-psychiatric counseling, group and individual therapy, and support groups. Make the call and make a difference. NOW.

fides quaerens intellectum
#917
I hate to just drop a bomb of info, but then again I am not the most eloquent of writers and I feel that the following "talk" (the LDS term for speech or sermon I guess) sums up many of my feelings about baptism.  I don't think it's a secret that I am a member of the CHurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...I even served as a full-time missionary in Italy for two years at the age of 20.  For those of you who have a few minutes and an open mind, I highly recommend reading this.  FInally I say this: I have experienced things that have taught me the futility and absurdity of "belief systems" but at the same time I know that truth exists- total, objective, eternal truth.  With this said I am a Christian and I know that what we believe is what becomes reality.  I am planning on posting Joseph Smith's famous "King Follet Discourse" sometime...it's not a document I share with many, but I know everyone here is mature and open minded enough to appreciate it...you may not agree with it, but it's definetly food for thought, and then some.  Anyway, here is this little peice about baptism:

Theodore M. Burton, "To Be Born Again," Ensign, Sept. 1985, 66
One day, as I was traveling on a plane to New England, I entered into a conversation with a young stewardess sitting in the seat next to me. Most members of our Church know how to steer a conversation toward the gospel, and, before long, we were talking about religion. She told me that she had recently been converted from her former manner of living and was now "saved." I congratulated her. Then she added that she was now a "born-again Christian."

I asked her how she was born again, and she told me that she had accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and now believed in him. I told her how wonderful that was, but explained that acceptance and belief in Jesus Christ is normally called faith. She said, "But I have changed my former way of thinking and living. I am now on the path of eternal life." Again I congratulated her and told her that change is normally called repentance. "But," she said, "I have felt a marvelous spiritual change come over me which has purged all evil from my soul." I then asked her if this were not a gift from the Holy Ghost. "I suppose it is," she admitted, "but I mean I've had a sanctification experience, not through any work that I or any other person has done for me, but a work of grace whereby Jesus has pardoned my sins and promised me eternal life. I don't need any formal church organization to accomplish this. A person needs only that wonderful, spiritual experience, or feeling of grace." She added that she had truly been reborn spiritually. From her words, I knew she did not understand what is meant by being "born again" nor what is termed the second birth.

I have observed that few people who profess to be Christians—even many within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—really understand the most basic principles of the gospel. I want to examine one of these basic principles—what it actually means to be "born again."

Jesus was speaking of a basic concept when he related the parable of the sheepfold, as recorded in John 10. He called himself the true shepherd and said the sheep must enter in at the door, as does the good shepherd. He explained that those who try to climb into the sheepfold by some other way are thieves and robbers. The shepherd leads the way coming in or going out, and the sheep follow him, for they recognize his voice. They trust the shepherd and will follow him, but they will not follow a stranger. His hearers did not understand what Jesus meant by this statement, and so he explained, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9.)

He then went on to explain that he is the Good Shepherd and that he would willingly give his life for the sheep. On the other hand, a person who is just hired to do the job and is not a true shepherd will flee when opposition comes or when a more attractive opportunity beckons. He will then leave the sheep, allowing a wolf to come in and destroy them. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15.)

What did Jesus mean when he said, I am the door for the sheep?

When Jesus said he was the door to the sheepfold, he meant that there is only one door or way by which one can return to God, the Eternal Father. That door is Jesus himself. It is a very narrow door, designed and constructed to conform not only to his teachings but also to his works. If we enter in through that door, it must be in the Father's way, as Jesus demonstrated through his own life of instruction and service, and not by some other way prescribed by man.

Jesus had preached this doctrine before, as when he spoke with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a prominent Jew and a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme council of the Jews. When Nicodemus asked Jesus how he could personally enter into that fold as one of the chosen sheep, or true believers, "Jesus answered ... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot [even] see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3.)

Nicodemus could not understand how a person could be born again and asked how that was possible. How can a person again enter into his mother's womb and be born a second time? Jesus explained that this new birth was symbolic in nature and thus different from one's first birth. He explained that a person had to be born this second time both of water and of the Spirit. He was not referring to a spiritual experience only, but to an experience involving water also.

When Nicodemus still could not understand and questioned what the Savior meant, Jesus chided him and asked, "Art thou a master of Israel [that is, a teacher of the people], and knowest not these things?" (John 3:10.) Jesus was asking how Nicodemus could fail to recognize that he had been speaking of baptism. After all, the Israelites had been practicing baptism for centuries. Surely Nicodemus, as a master or teacher of Israel, should have recognized the teaching Jesus referred to and should have understood what Jesus meant. But Nicodemus didn't understand, as many people today—even some within the Church of Jesus Christ—do not fully understand what occurs when a person is baptized. This lack of understanding was also evidenced by the words of the stewardess in the seat next to me on the airplane.

Baptism richly symbolizes many things. For example, Paul likened baptism to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be [raised out of the water] also in the likeness of his resurrection:

"Knowing this, that our old man [that is, our former unrighteous life] is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin [that is, the devil]." (Rom. 6:3-6.)

In other words, there must be a "death" to the type of life most people live. The wicked self must die. In my own thinking, I define wickedness simply as disobedience to God. Personal disobedience, or wickedness, must cease and die. Furthermore, disobedience to the laws of God must not only die and be buried but must remain dead and buried. Such a change of life for the better is normally called repentance. All personal disobedience to God must end and be replaced by a willingness to keep his laws and his commandments.

Repentance precedes baptism, and baptism is the ordinance by which former sins are washed away. The washing in water symbolizes the purification of our soul, just as bathing in water cleanses our bodies from the grime and dirt of everyday living and makes us feel refreshed again. But baptism symbolizes something more. It is the beginning of a new life. Just as the resurrection purges the dross and imperfections of mortality and renews and perfects the body, so baptism cleanses the soul from sin and prepares a person to lead a better, more perfect life in the future. We can see how apt Paul's simile was in which he compared baptism with death and the resurrection.

But this is only part of the concept of baptism. When Jesus referred to being born again, he was comparing this experience with our original birth. During gestation, the fetus is completely surrounded by the amniotic fluid in the womb. The fetus is nourished by the blood of its mother, which provides the necessary food for the developing body. When the spirit enters the body, a living soul is created. Without that spirit, the creation process would not be complete.

Note now what the Lord told Adam and Eve to teach their children:

"Inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul [the creation process], even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory." (Moses 6:59.)

That is why baptism is called a second birth. Note, too, how the Lord describes the results of baptism:

"For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified." (Moses 6:60.)

Without the nourishment provided by the atonement of Jesus Christ, baptism would remain just a dead form. Baptism alone cannot save us. Works alone cannot save us. Baptism must be accompanied by the granting of the Holy Ghost, which makes us spiritually alive just as God breathed into Adam the breath of life when he was created. Without the Holy Ghost, we would be spiritually stillborn and not have power to enter the presence of God the Eternal Father.

As to the importance of confirmation following baptism by water, Paul recorded that he found some of the Ephesians had been baptized in the same manner of immersion that John the Baptist had used. When Paul then asked if they had received the Holy Ghost, he was astonished to find that they had not even heard about it. He then explained: "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

"When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [not in the name of either John or Paul].

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." (Acts 19:4-6.)

In other words, their original baptism was invalid, apparently because it had been performed by someone without proper authority, as evidenced by their lack of knowledge of the complete ordinance. They were spiritually stillborn, and the whole ordinance had to be performed again properly, in full, by one having authority.

Even if all the ordinances were carried out properly and with authority, we still could not be saved. The grace of Jesus Christ is also necessary. Mankind cannot be saved solely by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Only those ordinances coupled with the atonement of Jesus Christ and conditioned upon obedience to gospel truths can bring us back into the presence of God the Eternal Father. Thus, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, together with the proper ordinances performed in the proper manner by proper authority and coupled with obedience to the laws and commandments of God, we can be saved from spiritual death and can be exalted to live in the presence of God the Eternal Father. That is why all three of these concepts—atonement, ordinances, and obedience—are mentioned in the third article of faith, which we accept as truth.

Let us return again to the symbolism of baptism as a second birth. John the Beloved knew and taught this doctrine, comparing baptism with a birth process that leads to exaltation in the presence of the whole Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Referring to Jesus Christ, he wrote:

"This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

"And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." (1 Jn. 5:6-8.)

Not only are the proper form and authority necessary, but one must have proper understanding of what is actually being accomplished in this ordinance of baptism. Note again the symbolism. Just as the three persons in the Godhead constitute a unity of purpose, so the three elements of baptism constitute a unity which can bring us back into the presence of those Three in heaven. The unity of this baptismal ordinance on earth mirrors in symbolism the unity in heaven.

Let us here pause a moment to explain the dual nature of Christ's atonement. Jesus Christ defined his work as follows:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39.)

When people of the world speak of being "saved," they refer to being saved from death to rise in the resurrection. This is the first part of the atonement of Jesus Christ as he described it. It is a pure gift of grace which Jesus Christ gives to every person who has lived on the earth, and is independent of the works we do. But to be exalted to eternal life and to be able to live the kind of life that God the Eternal Father lives requires not only the gift of grace that Jesus gives to all mankind through his atonement, but that gift coupled with our own obedience and conformity to all the requirements of righteous living prescribed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Exaltation, or the eternal life Jesus spoke about, comes from a partnership with Jesus Christ, which begins in the ordinance of baptism, by which we are reborn, and is developed through a lifetime of righteous living.

Now, if we are born again, we must be born into a family. Into whose family are we born? Why, into the family of Jesus Christ! The scriptures refer to the Savior as the Bridegroom and to the church as the bride. Through baptism, then, we become children in that royal family, with Jesus Christ as our Father. Through the baptismal ordinance we take upon ourselves a new family name—the name of Jesus Christ. Paul states that we are thereby adopted as the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. Note these words of Paul given to the Romans:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons [and daughters] of God.

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him [that is, if we are obedient and serve as Jesus Christ has done], that we may be also glorified together." (Rom. 8:14-17.)

That the adoption process which Paul referred to is baptism is made clear in his message to the Galatians:

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female [in other words, it makes no difference at all what you have been in the past; through this ordinance you are now all equally children of God]: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise [to receive the same promise and blessings as were given to Abraham]." (Gal. 3:26-29.)

Baptism is the ordinance through which this adoption is effected and through which we take upon ourselves the new family name of Christ. It is, in other words, the means by which we become Christians.

By the ordinance of baptism and confirmation, a person is both physically and spiritually adopted as a child of Jesus Christ. You will remember that God the Father had but one physical son on this earth. That Only Begotten Son is Jesus Christ. The only way a person can be exalted into the presence of God the Eternal Father and clothed with a perfected, resurrected body of flesh and bone is through Jesus Christ, the only physical Son of God the Eternal Father. That is why the scriptures in so many places state that there is only one name given by which mankind can be saved, or, better stated, exalted, in the presence of God the Father. That name is the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus correctly said, therefore, that he is the door to the fold.

King Benjamin, that great Book of Mormon leader, explained this clearly in the following words:

"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

"And under this head ye are made free, and there is ... no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

"And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ." (Mosiah 5:7-9.)

When we are baptized, we actually make a new covenant with God the Eternal Father to take upon us the name of his Only Begotten Son. Jesus Christ thus becomes by adoption our covenant Father. Thus, though he was, and is, our Elder Brother, he is also now our covenant Father, and we have become his covenant sons and daughters. We desire to be respectful and show our gratitude to him for the opportunity we have to become members of his royal family.

It was for this reason that Peter made his statement that we quote so often from his first letter:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (1 Pet. 2:9-10; italics added.)

Through baptism we have become adopted members of the royal family of Jesus Christ, and that is the basic reason we now call each other "brother" or "sister." We have indeed become members of the Church, or family, of Jesus Christ.

If we can keep that concept clearly in mind, that we are covenant children of Jesus Christ, as well as children of our Heavenly Father, it will change our lives. If we live righteously enough, we can go into the temple and be sealed into the patriarchal lineage of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We then become the covenant children of Jesus Christ even more completely. Further, as we perform vicarious work for the dead in the temples, we are given authority, as proxies, to assist in the Savior's redemptive work of sealing together all men, women, and children in family order who are worthy of such blessings. It is in this manner that the covenant family of Jesus Christ is put into proper patriarchal order of lineage for the eternity of family life to come.

If we truly understand the full stature of the name by which we then are called, we will live different lives. No longer will we do less than our best in our work or at school. No longer will we be dishonest in paying our bills or in the treatment of our family members, nor will we take unfair advantage of anyone in any way. Our word will be as binding on us as our bond. No longer will we be unkind to our associates or be unvirtuous or immoral or selfish in any way, either secretly or openly. We will do nothing to bring dishonor or shame to that holy name we carry as children of Jesus Christ. We will respect and honor our covenant Father, Jesus Christ, and be righteously jealous and protective of the holy name we bear. We will judge everything we do on the basis of how it might reflect on Him whose name we carry, not only on our lips but in our very hearts.

Peter stated clearly the importance of that name as he testified of Jesus to the Jews:

"This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:11-12.)

Paul told how important this name becomes to us as he taught the Ephesians:

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

"Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Eph. 3:14-15.)

Nephi, that great Book of Mormon prophet, wrote of this concept:

"Behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (2 Ne. 25:20.)

This truth was also revealed in our own time to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the following words:

"Behold, Jesus Christ is the name which is given of the Father, and there is none other name given whereby man can be saved;

"Wherefore, all men must take upon them the name which is given of the Father, for in that name shall they be called at the last day;

"Wherefore, if they know not the name by which they are called, they cannot have place in the kingdom of my Father." (D&C 18:23-25.)

To repeat Jesus' words:

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." (John 10:9.)

Thus, through baptism we can enter through that narrow gate into the kingdom, or family, of Jesus Christ as heirs—joint heirs with Jesus Christ, our covenant Father—to all the blessings of God, our Eternal Father.

This is one of the reasons we pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of his Son. As we make covenants with the Son, he serves as our Mediator, our Advocate, and leads us, if we will, back into the presence of God the Father. Thus, through righteous living we can receive all those blessings which God has reserved for those who are prepared to receive them. These blessings come to us through the atonement of Jesus Christ and through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, by which we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, in Hebrew Yehoschuah Maschiach, which interpreted means, the Anointed Savior or Redeemer. Through this ordinance we can walk, at least in part, in the very footsteps of our Lord and Savior.

I only wish I had been able to teach these principles to that stewardess before our plane landed and we were separated. Perhaps, though, I sowed a seed which will someday sprout and grow when a missionary later on contacts her and has an opportunity to explain the true meaning of being a "born-again Christian."

Gospel topics: ordinances, spirituality


© 2002 Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
All rights reserved.


fides quaerens intellectum
#918
I wouldn't worry about it...just keep informing yourself by reading and studying.  It sounds like you are projecting and then going quickly into the "mental planes" in which your subconscious mind is creating your enviornment.  I am sure you are also in the real time zone for a while and with practice you will begin to discover more and more and eventually will gain a lot more control over your OBE/dream state, etc.  Very exciting!  COngrats, you are obviously naturally predisposed to expereince this phenomena....

-DAN

fides quaerens intellectum
#919
"You should be able to project in any position. It is not the position that matters but rather if you are comfortable and able to relax. Your problem might be that you are too relaxed on your stomach and fall asleep. Also if you have it in your mind that you can only project from a certain position then you will find it difficult to project from another position. I have projected on my back, sitting up, and siting leaning forward. I mostly do it on my back but this is just because that is how I feel comfortable. I have read where people have projected from on their stomaches and from on their sides. Some find it easier to do it this way and some do not."  

The above statement was made by Fallen Angel and I agree with him.  I do, however feel that the sitting and laying positions are the most conducive to OBE and you should work at getting used to them.  



fides quaerens intellectum
#920
Yes, I have read "To Kill a Mockingbird", it's a great story, a classic.  It's often read at the high school level for obvious reasons.  THanks for sharing that with us!

fides quaerens intellectum
#921
Hello,

Allow me to offer my opinion- and it's only my opinion mind you!  http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/images/icon_Smile.gif" border=0>  

Well, the best thing you can do (as somebody already mentioned) is to inform your daughter that these things can never hurt her.  When I was young I suffered because a lot of what I experienced, which I admit is similar in many ways to what your daughter is undergoing, was chalked up to imagination and dreams- which is true to a certain extent, but I also know that many times I was in the astral and was having OBE's and of course my parents had no idea about these things.  Therefore always be respectful of your daughter and believe her, and fortunately it sounds like you already are.

In regards to these entity being negative, I have a feeling it is because positive entities have a purpose for their visits and manifestations while negs tend to simply appear and scare people or decieve them.  I myself am a Chrisitan and therefore I obviously believe in the power and authority of Jesus Christ.  I don't expect you to, but I will tell you that I have never failed to banish a negative spirit entity when I do so in "the name of Jesus Christ"- the trick is that I have complete faith in Christ and that's why I believe it works.  Having faith in Christ is another topic in and of itself and I won't go into that.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts and I hope something I have written can be of some help.  Once again I applaud you for being open minded and loving towards your daugher, she is obviously a special person.

Sincerely,
Daniel

fides quaerens intellectum
#922
Robert's treatise on OBE as well as NEW energy are both availbale online and I would recommend reading them thoroughly at least three times each. About the book, I didn't check to see where you are from, but I know the book is available in many book stores and you can even ask your local library to order it...

good luck!

fides quaerens intellectum
#923
I wouldn't worry too much.  First of all, I know many people who astral project regularly who are not perfect yet...of course anything negative, including neg thoughts, have negative effects- but unless you are a completely evil and sick person, I don't think you are going to be inhibited from projected.  The most important thing is that you TRY to be positive and have the DESIRE to be positive.  

I am even aware of very evil people who can astrally project, of course their motives for doing so are most likely completely negative.  

By the way, what are the reasons behind having chosen "rodentmouse" as your screen name??

-Dan

fides quaerens intellectum
#924
Dear "Shadow",

First of all, there is a great deal of information on the internet, some great and some not so great.  When it comes to books, Robert Bruce's "Astral Dynamics" is wonderful...and I see you have already discovered Robet Monroe whom many of us in this forum endearingly call "Old Man OBE".  

A great deal of books include information that is largely reflects certain New Age trends and therefore may lack some of that down to earth "practicality that has made Bruce's work so refreshing and respected.

When I have some more time I will post specific titles and links, ok!

-Dan

fides quaerens intellectum
#925
I just wanted to know if any of you enjoy classic literature- I enjoy english authors such as Charles Dickens immensely.  I think it also gives one a great lesson in history as well as providing great pleasure...

fides quaerens intellectum