What spiritual books are you reading?

[Eve]

I would be interested to know what people are reading and what has jumped out at you! Inspiration is everything!

 

I started reading 'God's answers to lifes difficult questions' by Rick Warren yesterday and will finish it shortly. I didn't get to sleep until nearly 3am due to contemplating my reading. The answers are not in any way quick fix orientated.

 

God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions (Living with Purpose): Rick Warren: 9780310273028: Amazon.com: Books

 

I have also restarted 'Miracles' by CS Lewis because there were too many eureka moments. I read very quickly but with such a book I have to savour the moments and take notes.

 

Miracles: C. S. Lewis: 9780060653019: Amazon.com: Books

 

I also have beside my bed, which I have dipped into - 'Children who have lived before. Reincarnation today', by Trutz Hardo.

 

Children Who Have Lived Before: Reincarnation Today: Trutz Hardo: 9781844132980: Amazon.com: Books

 

Very compelling read of a topic I dislike but I have decided that I need to get my head around reincarnation once and for all. Just hope I really am on my final cycle here!

 

I have some other titles also but it is doubtful I will be reading those until next week.

 

Really interested in hearing what others are reading, especially why and what you are getting out of it.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[pie2]

I think everything CS Lewis has written can give me more than my brain can possibly contemplate in a lifetime! He's beyond wise and eloquent. At this moment, I'm only reading the bible. But I loved "The Problem of Pain".

[Anela]

Miracles Happen, by Brian Weiss.

[TheFinalWord]

Cool thread. Just finished re-reading Polycarp's letter to the Philippians. Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John, martyred for refusing to blaspheme Christ. Can be read on-line for free:

 

http://www.supakoo.com/rick/PolycarpToPhilippians-2010-01-05.pdf

 

My brother and I are reading Francis ChanErasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and the things we made up:

 

Erasing Hell: What God said about eternity, and the things we made up: Francis Chan, Preston Sprinkle: 9780781407250: Amazon.com: Books

[mercy]

Anything Ravi Zacharias has to say, I read (listen to).

 

Hazrat Inayat Khan (bowl of Suki). Truly God anointed both men.

 

 

RZIM | HELPING THE THINKER BELIEVE. HELPING THE BELIEVER THINK.

 

Wahiduddin's Web

 

 

[Eve]

Well, the reincarnation book I highlighted has depressed me somewhat. There is no way the children could have made up all that information. No way. Especially with the whole birth mark matching death issue as well. They even have first encounters with past families recorded. That's not made up. Seriously, no way can that be faked.

 

Don't know if I am going to finish reading this book, as fascinating as it all is.

 

I hope finding out Jesus is real and all that means the cycle will now end for me. I really do not want to come back here again. Although life is essentially good, too much bad stuff happens. Can't be doing with having to cycle back all the time. That is horrible!

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

[M30USA]

Eve, you mentioned "Miracles" by CS Lewis. I actually own an original softcover copy of the revision from 1960.

[Eve]

Eve, you mentioned "Miracles" by CS Lewis. I actually own an original softcover copy of the revision from 1960.

 

It is an amazing book. Mr Lewis was a wonderful debater.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[M30USA]

It is an amazing book. Mr Lewis was a wonderful debater.

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

You ladies might appreciate this:

 

CS Lewis said, regarding his wife, that if there were a hole in any debate/argument, she'd be able to find it.

[Eve]

You ladies might appreciate this:

 

CS Lewis said, regarding his wife, that if there were a hole in any debate/argument, she'd be able to find it.

 

Well, of course she would! :laugh:

 

H'mmm.. I liked that. I do hope you are planning on being a bit of a ladies man M30USA. That would be good to try out, lol. Even just for fun.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[M30USA]

Well, of course she would! :laugh:

 

H'mmm.. I liked that. I do hope you are planning on being a bit of a ladies man M30USA. That would be good to try out, lol. Even just for fun.

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

Lol, nah, ladies men don't get respected.

 

If you haven't, you should read at least a short bio of Lewis' life--particularly his marriage. He married a woman about 15 years younger than him, but they only had 4 years together before she died of cancer. She was a true wife in my opinion. Even in her dying breaths she urged Lewis to let her go, to realize that she is God's. From what I've read of her, I admire her ability to put truth even before her own desires and ambitions. A very rare trait.

[Eve]

Lol, nah, ladies men don't get respected.

 

If you haven't, you should read at least a short bio of Lewis' life--particularly his marriage. He married a woman about 15 years younger than him, but they only had 4 years together before she died of cancer. She was a true wife in my opinion. Even in her dying breaths she urged Lewis to let her go, to realize that she is God's. From what I've read of her, I admire her ability to put truth even before her own desires and ambitions. A very rare trait.

 

Yes, he really loved her. I enjoyed the film.

 

Shadowlands (1993) - IMDb

 

Oh, that's a shame. I reckon you could pull the ladies man thing off quite well. Obviously you wouldn't have to be a whore or anything. I think I probably mean in terms of the use of using humour more than anything else. You do have a good sense of humour when you let it shine, Mister.

 

I want to collect all his books. His science fiction trilogy was FABULOUS.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[M30USA]

Anthony Hopkins was great in that movie.

 

Yes, his sci-fi trilogy is amazing. He helped to explain better than anyone how/why Adam and Eve were tempted and deceived in the garden. I also loved his imagery at the end of Perelandra with the whole cosmic orchestra of God's creation at the end of time which praised him and worked together for his purposes.

[Anela]

Well, the reincarnation book I highlighted has depressed me somewhat. There is no way the children could have made up all that information. No way. Especially with the whole birth mark matching death issue as well. They even have first encounters with past families recorded. That's not made up. Seriously, no way can that be faked.

 

Don't know if I am going to finish reading this book, as fascinating as it all is.

 

I hope finding out Jesus is real and all that means the cycle will now end for me. I really do not want to come back here again. Although life is essentially good, too much bad stuff happens. Can't be doing with having to cycle back all the time. That is horrible!

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

I was going to ask if you would be open to emailing me, because I wanted to talk about this, and I thought it would be off topic of the thread (books) - email, not PM, because mine is just about full again. I keep on reading about this subject, because I thought it would comfort me, but I can't stand the thought of coming back again. I used to think it would be neat to do so; I also can't stand the thought of us just ceasing to exist after death, so I'm not an easy person to please right now.

 

I re-read part of Your Soul's Plan, but what bugs me with this guy and the mediums he used in the writing of the book, is that he charges $545 for a "life between lives" regression (when there's no guarantee it will work), and the mediums charged even more. I also remember that they wanted some back-story upfront, in order to hone in on it for you - but this is stuff that they could easily make up.

[Eve]

I was going to ask if you would be open to emailing me, because I wanted to talk about this, and I thought it would be off topic of the thread (books) - email, not PM, because mine is just about full again. I keep on reading about this subject, because I thought it would comfort me, but I can't stand the thought of coming back again. I used to think it would be neat to do so; I also can't stand the thought of us just ceasing to exist after death, so I'm not an easy person to please right now.

 

I re-read part of Your Soul's Plan, but what bugs me with this guy and the mediums he used in the writing of the book, is that he charges $545 for a "life between lives" regression (when there's no guarantee it will work), and the mediums charged even more. I also remember that they wanted some back-story upfront, in order to hone in on it for you - but this is stuff that they could easily make up.

 

Yeah sure I will PM you, not sure how to email you. Send me the details. This book has completely changed my outlook on life - it has truly disturbed me and I am not easily disturbed. I would love to have someone to talk over things with. I have been a bit mopey with H about this book. We were talking last night and came to the conclusion that we probably always find each other in whatever life span or something because of how deeply connected we are and how random our meeting was and the instant recognition of each other. I even knew exactly what he would look like before meeting him which is really really weird.

 

There are too many accounts to go through but the one which stood out to me is the story of a 3 year old born with a large birthmark on his forehead (in the shape of a gash) who went on to identify his murderer face to face. He even located where his previous body had been hidden and the location of the axe. The man confessed to the murder in full.

 

I now believe the whole karma business is for real.

 

I do feel a greater peace that those who think they have gotten away with horrendous crimes or who generally defecate on human life don't get away with anything in the greater scheme of things - but on the other hand I really can't stand the thought of having to come back all the time... even though I am successful and all that. Life is WAY too hard and people are generally horrible. I can find my peers very easily but my number one priority now is to ensure I never come back to this dimension.

 

I am hoping that all my super weird spiritual experiences mean I am soon to return home. I have even been blessed to see heaven so fingers crossed, lol. Earth is beautiful but people are often simply too bad to be around.

 

Anyhow the next book on the pile is Beyond Atheism. It is the story of a mans journey from being a priest to an atheist to now being agnostic. I picked this book due to being inspired by the poster therhythm who I think is a sweetheart honey pops. Yeah, never really thought about agnosticism being a belief in itself.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[happydate]

Well, the reincarnation book I highlighted has depressed me somewhat. There is no way the children could have made up all that information. No way. Especially with the whole birth mark matching death issue as well. They even have first encounters with past families recorded. That's not made up. Seriously, no way can that be faked.

 

Don't know if I am going to finish reading this book, as fascinating as it all is.

 

I hope finding out Jesus is real and all that means the cycle will now end for me. I really do not want to come back here again. Although life is essentially good, too much bad stuff happens. Can't be doing with having to cycle back all the time. That is horrible!

 

 

Take care,

Eve x

 

Dear Eve,

 

A good in depth book that takes you deeper and explains a bit more would be

Origin Of the Soul and the purpose of reincarnation written by a doctor by the name of Walter Semkiw, MD. In it, he would explain the whole process of reincarnation and the purpose of it and the stages of the soul. I will not go into more details as I know certain groups of people here are very sensitive to people talking about souls, reincarnation and so forth.

 

Is Jesus for real. The answer is absolutely yes. I've communed with the Lord, Jesus, mother Mary and the holy spirit via prayers and reading the Rosary and have been blessed many times by him in the heart. The feeling is so intense and so warm and the flashing bright white light even if the room is dark is so blissful.

 

You need to have a joyful relationship with the lord. If you are so bleak about this world, rejoice on his presence. Don't feel that you have an oppressive relationship with him like the third slave in the Parables of the Talents.

 

Blessings.

[happydate]

I was going to ask if you would be open to emailing me, because I wanted to talk about this, and I thought it would be off topic of the thread (books) - email, not PM, because mine is just about full again. I keep on reading about this subject, because I thought it would comfort me, but I can't stand the thought of coming back again. I used to think it would be neat to do so; I also can't stand the thought of us just ceasing to exist after death, so I'm not an easy person to please right now.

 

I re-read part of Your Soul's Plan, but what bugs me with this guy and the mediums he used in the writing of the book, is that he charges $545 for a "life between lives" regression (when there's no guarantee it will work), and the mediums charged even more. I also remember that they wanted some back-story upfront, in order to hone in on it for you - but this is stuff that they could easily make up.

 

I hope to clarify this..

 

You need to understand a few things about mediums and how they work.

 

A medium or psychic require a lot of preparations before they even do a reading. The reason for that preparation is that, it does take a heck alot of their own energy to connect with the Universe. So they eat a special diet before hand like an elite endurance athlete before running a marathon. Then they do an intense hour or 2 of higher-self meditation so they surrender their thoughts and let the true information you want to channel through. And then they will do a spiritual protection prayer with the Lord's witness. This is needed to ensure that when the medium open a channel into the Universe, both the medium and the client are protected from influences and demonic possession of the lost and floating spirits in the etherical plane, which is slighty higher than our existence. It's not fun to be possessed by demonic beings.

 

The person you are referring to is Staci Wells and yes, she does charge $600 for half day, or $1200 for the full day's work in 2 sessions. The reason she charges so much is that, she's quite a unique medium because she can preside over the altar that where the soul meets with the group to hash out the client's soul plan. Not many medium I know possess the talents like she does.

 

There is a common fallacy that mediums are mind readers. Mediums ARE NOT mind readers. Mediums get the information sent to them by forms of images, thoughts or sounds. It is the job of the medium to ask the client what those symbols meant, which is why you think they are just fishing you for info, so that means they are a fraud.

You need to understand that the Universe does not talk in plain slow English. The Universe communes to us in parallel times and dimensions. It has to find a way to communicate to the medium with the maximum amount of information with just one word or symbol. In the computer world, we call this "Data Compression".

[Anela]

 

The person you are referring to is Staci Wells and yes, she does charge $600 for half day, or $1200 for the full day's work in 2 sessions. The reason she charges so much is that, she's quite a unique medium because she can preside over the altar that where the soul meets with the group to hash out the client's soul plan. Not many medium I know possess the talents like she does.

 

She was probably one of them. And thanks, Happydate, but I think her talents are wasted, if they're rendered inaccessible to most people, thanks to her hefty fees.

 

I don't believe in demonic beings. I have dealt with all sorts of losses over the past four years - too many. I have felt suicidal for three of those years, dealt with a disintegrating family (my parents have been there for me tonight, but my sister... actually, maybe I DO now believe in demonic beings. My sister has just been a bitch to me).

 

Another one of my dogs died tonight - she went downhill suddenly, and she died three hours ago. I have been looking for some sort of spiritual comfort over the past few years, in the forms of books, meditation (when I remembered), regressions, and so on. I have had two past-life regressions in which hardly anything happened, and I came out with nothing really. No earth-shattering experience that comforted me in the way that it has those who have had strong visions/hypnosis experiences. I was told that I'm too analytical (good old dreamy, emotional me, also thinks too much), and I bought that book - Your Soul's Plan - with money that should have gone into a savings plan specifically for my dogs and vet bills, but I was conned into buying it. I believe in some psychics and I do believe there is something more to this world, but I don't believe that everything has to have a huge price attached to it. I don't have the money for those readings. I never have had it. I needed help - I still do - I needed comfort (I still DO need it), and that particular type of help wasn't available to me because of the price. It has left me jaded, when I used to be more open. I'm exhausted and hardened, and I would probably be told that I'm supposed to be that way, that it's part of God's plan. I can't believe the past four years. I can't get over any of it. It's just too much. And when someone is offering "life between lives" hypnosis session for $400 more than the people I went to, it's too much. I think they charged more for that type - another hundred dollars, making it $250, and and I thought that was bad enough, but I was desperate and had an open mind, so I paid the $150 for the regular session.

 

Sorry, you caught me on a very, *very* bad night. How do you know her? That's a real coincidence, you being here to respond.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Anela

[jphcbpa]

'Real Love: The Truth About Finding Unconditional Love & Fulfilling Relationships" by Greg Baer

 

Read it in the Fall and now I am watching the DVD series

[Tiger Lily]

I needed help - I still do - I needed comfort (I still DO need it)

 

True and long-lasting comfort can only be found in Jesus. Why? It sounds strange to say that when you don't know Jesus' love. But saying that "peace is found in Jesus" really means there's peace in the fact that the Creator of the Universe loves you so much, and knows how to provide you with everything you need in this life (his son has already made the ultimate sacrifice). There are moments of troubles. But the silver lining is Jesus.

 

I'm sorry for your pain Anela. You really have been through a lot. (hugs)

[happydate]

She was probably one of them. And thanks, Happydate, but I think her talents are wasted, if they're rendered inaccessible to most people, thanks to her hefty fees.

 

I don't believe in demonic beings. I have dealt with all sorts of losses over the past four years - too many. I have felt suicidal for three of those years, dealt with a disintegrating family (my parents have been there for me tonight, but my sister... actually, maybe I DO now believe in demonic beings. My sister has just been a bitch to me).

 

Another one of my dogs died tonight - she went downhill suddenly, and she died three hours ago. I have been looking for some sort of spiritual comfort over the past few years, in the forms of books, meditation (when I remembered), regressions, and so on. I have had two past-life regressions in which hardly anything happened, and I came out with nothing really. No earth-shattering experience that comforted me in the way that it has those who have had strong visions/hypnosis experiences. I was told that I'm too analytical (good old dreamy, emotional me, also thinks too much), and I bought that book - Your Soul's Plan - with money that should have gone into a savings plan specifically for my dogs and vet bills, but I was conned into buying it. I believe in some psychics and I do believe there is something more to this world, but I don't believe that everything has to have a huge price attached to it. I don't have the money for those readings. I never have had it. I needed help - I still do - I needed comfort (I still DO need it), and that particular type of help wasn't available to me because of the price. It has left me jaded, when I used to be more open. I'm exhausted and hardened, and I would probably be told that I'm supposed to be that way, that it's part of God's plan. I can't believe the past four years. I can't get over any of it. It's just too much. And when someone is offering "life between lives" hypnosis session for $400 more than the people I went to, it's too much. I think they charged more for that type - another hundred dollars, making it $250, and and I thought that was bad enough, but I was desperate and had an open mind, so I paid the $150 for the regular session.

 

Sorry, you caught me on a very, *very* bad night. How do you know her? That's a real coincidence, you being here to respond.

 

How do I know her? I work in a similar field as her as a counsellor and transformer, but I am not as talented like her. In a small circle of mediums, it is not too difficult to know each other talents and abilities. Also, as when we are one with the Universe, we are one with everyone like you, Staci and all human beings. We are all connected as we are all God's children.

 

First of all. I would advise you to cease further seeking of mediums and ask you to listen to a Youtube video by Gregory Levoy. He has a book by the name of "The Callings". You don't need to buy the book, cause several of his videos summarize his book really well.

 

Every human in life is entrusted with several levels of callings. Basically, what is the mission in life. I think you know it, but you don't want to accept it. Mediums only give you what you need to know and hear. Honest with professional integrity mediums don't usually give you want to hear; unless you are channeling your loved ones and need specific messages. You NEED to do some things by yourself and the mistakes you make along the way in order to have your answers released, which is how the Universe works. In fact, it's how our human schools work. It's called a test and when you take the test, you're not given answers right? You are given questions and in that context, the mediums give you enough hints and push so you are steered to the right answers.

 

Anyone who is pushing your buttons now are in fact, your best friend in the Universe and probably your past lives. Your sister's soul is doing this for a reason. To push you into a specific direction you fear going, or perhaps in many of your past lives, and she's doing it out of unconditional love. Doing so you will advance in your spiritual growth. It's part of your calling anyhow.

 

You need to know that a soul is eternal, so the soul has lots of time to contemplate and delay taking the test. But every other souls in the Universe wants to come to Earth to realize their past lessons and resolve Karma. So if you're not doing your lessons and accepting them, there will be a big push from every one including the animal world to shock you into taking drastic actions. Your dog leaving this world is also a sign that you need to take some drastic action. A dog is an animal guide and also a teacher as well. The type and breed of dog that died tells you the lesson you need to accept and exercise. The character of that dog is the actual lessons it was trying to apply to you. You got the lesson, the dog says bye. You're on your own now!

 

A person's soul plan is a blueprint of your life's mission statement. In it, you will have lessons you have to learn and master and you really don't need to pay $600 to get it. It can be had for as little as $25, but if you're intuitively gifted enough, you can get it for free. It lies in our subconscious. Past Life Regressions are meant, not to answer your specific life mission, but are used to release negative patterns and memories that locked us in a cycle of misery. This is known as absolving Karma in our practice.

 

I think I will end here now. I let you think about it deeply what I have said and go back to what you heard in your PLR sessions as well as with other mediums and write down the main theme or themes. Shoot me any questions if you are unclear of.

 

Thanks, and many Blessings!

Edited July 17, 2013 by happydate

[Eve]

Dear Eve,

 

A good in depth book that takes you deeper and explains a bit more would be

Origin Of the Soul and the purpose of reincarnation written by a doctor by the name of Walter Semkiw, MD. In it, he would explain the whole process of reincarnation and the purpose of it and the stages of the soul. I will not go into more details as I know certain groups of people here are very sensitive to people talking about souls, reincarnation and so forth.

 

Is Jesus for real. The answer is absolutely yes. I've communed with the Lord, Jesus, mother Mary and the holy spirit via prayers and reading the Rosary and have been blessed many times by him in the heart. The feeling is so intense and so warm and the flashing bright white light even if the room is dark is so blissful.

 

You need to have a joyful relationship with the lord. If you are so bleak about this world, rejoice on his presence. Don't feel that you have an oppressive relationship with him like the third slave in the Parables of the Talents.

 

Blessings.

 

Origin of the Soul and the Purpose of Reincarnation: Walter Semkiw, MD: 9788185250434: Amazon.com: Books

 

Thanks. I have included Walter Simkiw MD to my reading list. Brief reseach on him has been interesting.

 

I am going to contine to follow the work of Dr Stevenson whom I have been inttroduced to via the reincarnation book I highlighted. He seems to be the leader in terms of research.

 

Where Reincarnation and Biology Intersect: Ian Stevenson M.D.: 9780275951894: Amazon.com: Books

 

I am also following 'lost texts', such as the Gospel of Thomas.

 

Original Christianity: A New Key to Understanding the Gospel of Thomas and Other Lost Scriptures: Peter Novak: 9781571744456: Amazon.com: Books

 

Thanks for taking the time. It all makes so much better sense now.. my experiences, Scripture, everything.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[TheFinalWord]

Reading "A case for the divinity of Jesus: examining the earliest evidence" by Dean Overman.

 

A Case for the Divinity of Jesus: Examining the Earliest Evidence: Dean L. Overman: 9781442203228: Amazon.com: Books

 

He's an attorney, so the book is laid out in outline fashion. Very interesting as he is examining creeds and hymns from the early church that pre-date Paul's letters. He also cites evidence that Paul applied early creed formula when referring to Christ's redemptive death and resurrection.

[M30USA]

Reading "A case for the divinity of Jesus: examining the earliest evidence" by Dean Overman.

 

A Case for the Divinity of Jesus: Examining the Earliest Evidence: Dean L. Overman: 9781442203228: Amazon.com: Books

 

He's an attorney, so the book is laid out in outline fashion. Very interesting as he is examining creeds and hymns from the early church that pre-date Paul's letters. He also cites evidence that Paul applied early creed formula when referring to Christ's redemptive death and resurrection.

 

That guy must be a rarity. From what I've seen of attorneys (especially family attorneys), they typically don't operate on truth and facts but rather whatever gets them the victory in court. Bend the facts, bend the facts. The pastor at my church told me that he actually passed up the attorney career because he KNEW he world be forced to compromise his integrity or he wouldn't be able to compete. I respect this pastor a lot.

Edited July 18, 2013 by M30USA

[happydate]

That guy must be a rarity. From what I've seen of attorneys (especially family attorneys), they typically don't operate on truth and facts but rather whatever gets them the victory in court. Bend the facts, bend the facts. The pastor at my church told me that he actually passed up the attorney career because he KNEW he world be forced to compromise his integrity or he wouldn't be able to compete. I respect this pastor a lot.

 

Nope he's not. There are a number of people who are transformed through life challenges like Randy Langford and Jack Borden who are also attornies.

 

Check out the Youtube video of Randy Langford @ Find Purpose of Life & Passion for Life | Dr. Paul Dyer and you'll see Randy's life challenges are not that different than us. Americans trying to fulfill the American materialistic dream through deceit, manipulation etc... Then after things go really bad when they are then transformed.

Edited July 18, 2013 by happydate