| I was brought up in mostly the Congregational church (now UCC).
Because I have been diagnosed as having a fatal disease, my parents
yanked me from doctor to doctor and from faith healers to Christian
Scientists. I was the subject of a lot of conflicting information
and therapy. My parents, God bless 'em, were going to leave no stone
unturned in finding a cure for me.
I thought Sunday School was boring. We mostly colored slick
mimeos in characteristically faded purple outlines of Biblical
scenes and people. We used insultingly thick crayons which were
flat on one side.
I attended confirmation classes. I thought they were boring
also. The teacher couldn't answer my questions. The pastor was called
in. The pastor couldn't answer my questions either. At the end of
the classes all were asked to become members of the church. I hesitated.
I wasn't sure. The pastor called my parents. My parents insisted. I
yielded and joined the following Sunday.
I had a near death experience when I was in the hospital with
hepatitis and dehydration. My Mother tells the story that the death
certificate was filled out except for the time and the doctor's signature.
I saw that light that others have spoken about. I felt the incomparable
contentment described by others. From that point on, I was never afraid
of death though I was only 8 or 9 years old.
When I was around 13 I started to study the Eastern religions;
Vendanta, mostly. I found a great deal of meaning in Raja Yoga thought
and discipline. This was at a time when I started noticing a lot of money
grubbing and hypocrisy in the church. I did enjoy the fellowship of the
nearby Presbyterian youth group. I attended alone. We did not attend as
a family. (Funny though...My Mother is presently a member of that very
same church. They've been very helpful and supportive to her. She is
in severely declining health.)
All sorts of preachers and healers have approached me my entire
life. It didn't matter where I was or what I was doing. They were going
to get me saved and get me healed. It still happens. A few healers I
have approached. I've concluded that my spirit has been healed. My body
hasn't caught up to it yet.
Anyway, I reconnected with Christianity through the back door.
The Quaker faith provided a foundation centered in Christ and encompassed
the mystical aspect which I had grown to appreciate in the Eastern religions.
In my journey there were no breakthrough moments; none that left
a lasting impression on me anyway. There have been innumerable times that
I have experienced the Peace that "passeth all understanding;" times that
the felt the Spirit of the Lord upon me; times when the words I spoke
were not my own; times the impulse was not my own.
Today, I am a Christian of the United Methodist variety. More
about that is in the "Why I'm a ________________" topic.
Mother Theresa has said that in each human she sees, she sees
the face of Jesus. I'm beginning to see what she sees.
Peace,
Richard
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| .1 Thank you Richard for sharing all that. Can you elaborate more on
your near-death experience? Were you actually dead? If so, for how
long? What else did you experience during that moment? What was this
light, and where was it coming from? Feel free to send me private mail
if there are some things you do not want to post here, publicly.
(I thank God you survived that experience, and did not pass on, simply
because I am learning via your entries in this conference.)
Thanks,
Paul
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