Dearest
Betty, sometimes I feel so alone! How
can I feel God’s love?
This
is our journey here, to learn to give and
receive love. Overcoming the feeling of loneliness
is a challenge most of us feel at some point
in our lives. We can take comfort when we
remember the Savior in the garden of Gethsemane.
He too, felt alone, and understands our deepest
pain and heartache. As we follow his teachings,
we will grow to expand our own heart to greater
love and become more open to our Heavenly
Father’s love that is always around
us. We each are his child, his son or daughter.
And he wants to hear from us! Perhaps the
best way to grow to feel his love is by nurturing
our communication with him through prayer,
our divine connection to him.
I talk of my own experience learning this in
The Awakening Heart:
The
gift of love was freely given to me, but the gift of communicating with him
was not. In the spirit world I had been able to express my feelings without
using words. Our communication was pure and without effort. Back on earth,
I found no words that could express my thoughts and emotions. I knew that God
already knew my heart; he could see my desire for direct contact within it…I
began to think of God as more of a father…someone personal and loving,
not just an authority figure. We talked together as parent and child. I shared
with him my joys and fears. I began to thank him for the things in which he
expressed himself, which was just about everything. I began to look forward
to those times we had and soon found that my talks with him did not have to
be at night, on my knees, but that I could have an ongoing communication with
him all day long. — The Awakening Heart,
pp. 45-47
God’s
Love can be difficult to understand in the world we live, much less express,
and its pureness can overwhelm. But when you find that you are love, and that
you are loved unconditionally by God, then no other love compares and you lose
all fear of ever losing love again because you know that you are born of everlasting
love through the design and wisdom of God.
What
about hell?
Some
of my most oft asked questions have to do
with hell and punishment for our sins in
the afterlife. Many want to know if God's
unconditional love is real and how this affects
the consequences for our mistakes and sins.
Here are some samples of the questions I
receive:
Betty,
if everyone just automatically goes to heaven,
then why did Jesus Christ come into this
world? Clearly, there must be punishment
for our sins.
Question:
in the end, does God forgive all sins no
matter how big or small?
If
there is no hell, wouldn't the Bible be wrong?
And then, wouldn't God be wrong since the
Bible is God's word? Please enlighten me
on this because I'm living in fear of the
afterlife.
My
brother died without receiving the last sacrament.
It still bothers me not knowing if he is
reconciled with God.
I
can only share what has been given me and
what was taught me during my visit to the
spirit world. When I asked the Savior similar
questions, he asked me if I would throw any
of my children into a burning hell of fire
and brimstone. Then he gently reminded me
how much greater the Heavenly Father's love
is than mine. If a son shall ask bread
of any of you that is a father, will he give
him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he
for a fish give him a serpent? (Luke 11:11) Concerning
hell, I wrote in The Ripple Effect:
.
. . I can say that I did not see “hell,” and
also that I find it hard to conceive of
such a place, given what I experienced.
I felt greater mercy and understanding
from God than I had ever imagined. To say
that the fires of hell will claim anyone
forever is to deny the extent of God’s
love, of his understanding, and of his
willingness to forgive. We doubt his judgment
in the first place if we believe he would
send us here, block us from heaven, and
then expect us to return to him unblemished.
We must not think in black and white, but
more like God thinks, without limiting
any possibility for love and redemption.
We should try everyday to see the good
in people as he sees it, Not that we should
blindly trust all people, but we can temper
our judgment with the recognition that
a piece of God dwells in each person, which
is always redeemable.
For
25 years I have thought about this judgment
and forgiveness and about the worth of
each soul to God. My experience was just
my personal experience, not the collective
experience of all, but pondering these
things I have come to the conclusion that
no soul, once remembering his or her true
nature and previous life with God, would
behave in ways God would not approve of.
To do so would damage their own happiness.
But in life we don’t remember. We
cannot hear, see, or physically feel God.
We act blindly and perhaps our true colors
or our true ignorance comes out. These
revelations about ourselves teach us what
we need to work on to become more like
God, and he kindly gives us the time and
space to work on them . . . —The
Ripple Effect, page 89
We
create many of our own consequences by the
choices we make. When we err or make mistakes,
we suffer the consequences for those choices,
this is how we learn to make right choices!
Opposition is necessary for our growth, and
growth is why we are here. Again, from The
Ripple Effect:
.
. . This statement may appear contradictory,
but in an important respect I no longer
view evil as evil. I view it as opposition
with a purpose. People choose the wrong,
not because they want to hurt themselves,
but because they have not yet learned to
choose the good. Through false traditions
of those who teach them or through the
enticements of Satan, people are led to
believe that negativity will solve their
problems. Negativity seems to have the
instant ability to serve without effort
and so is usually the first route taken. 
As people choose a path not intended by God
for them, they will eventually learn, but through
a harder, longer process than necessary. Regardless
of the process, though, whether in this life
or in the next, it will yet turn them
to God. “For it is written, . . . saith
the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every
tongue shall confess to God” (Romans
14:11). Every knee shall bow and every tongue
confess. God will use any means at his command
to reclaim his lost children—even if
it is through the things which they suffer.
Hell is a tool at God’s command both
here and in the hereafter and is a state of
being, that individuals place themselves into.
It claims its own: those who refuse to turn
from negativity. But since all will eventually
confess that God is God, we know he will eventually
reclaim all his sheep, even the one who leaves
the ninety and nine for a time.
I
know the endless love of God, and I know
that if there is a way to reach any soul,
he will find it and use it—for eternity
if need be. Every spirit has the seed of
God in it, a seed that only he knows the
greatness of, and we cannot judge. —The
Ripple Effect, pages 86-87
God
does love all his children, and when we fear
him we actually draw ourselves farther away
from him.
I
understood how others had been instrumental
in distancing me from him, though I felt
no bitterness or judgment toward them. I
saw how men and women in authority over
me had become prey to negative energy and
had taught belief in God through fear.
Their aims were positive, but their deeds
were negative. Because of their
own fears, they were using fear to control
others. They intimidated those under
them to believe in God, to “fear
God or go to hell.” This
prevented me from really loving God. I
understood again that fear is the opposite
of love and is Satan's greatest tool. Since
I feared God, I could not truly love him,
and in not loving him, I couldn't love
myself or others purely either. The
law of love had been broken. —Embraced
By The Light, pages 60-61
Hell
is separation from God, but he loves all
his children, and though we may move away
from him for a time, eventually, I do not
believe one of his children will be lost.
What
man of you, having an hundred sheep, if
he lose one of them, doth not leave the
ninety and nine in the wilderness, and
go after that which is lost, until he find
it? And when he hath found it, he layeth
it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when
he cometh home, he calleth together his
friends and neighbours, saying unto them,
Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep
which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise
joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and
nine just persons, which need no repentance.
(Luke 15:4-7).
Betty,
when in heaven you learned that we can literally
open the windows of heaven for creative inspiration
and abundance. How do we do that?
When
we acknowledge our source, and are grateful to
that source, it is natural to receive in greater
abundance.
“I also understood the importance of thanking God for the things we receive.
Gratitude is an eternal virtue. In humility we must ask, and in gratitude we
should receive. The more we thank God for the blessings we receive, the more
we open the way for further blessings. His desire to bless us is full to overflowing.
If we will open our hearts and minds to receive his blessings, we too will be
filled to overflowing. We will know that he lives. We may become like the angels
themselves, helping others who are in need.” —Embraced
By The Light , p. 107
Learning to live with gratitude in our hearts also increases our ability when
we do walk through life’s challenges and lessons. “There is magic
in gratitude. It frees us from worry and competition in life. It opens our hearts
and hands to genuine love, ironically allowing our hearts and hands to be filled
again. . . . Gratitude helps ward off negativity. Being grateful for the good
things in life invites their continued influence.” —The
Ripple Effect, pp. 30, 76
Gratitude and abundance follow "acknowledgment." As we prayerfully and thankfully
acknowledge our Creator, learn to recognize his hand in our life, and even share
the blessings we have been given with others, we open the way for God's blessings. "We
are sent here to live life fully, to live it abundantly, to find joy in our own
creations . . . to use our free will to expand and magnify our lives." —Embraced
By The Light, p. 59
We
are all “terminal,” we will all die
one day, and though we suffer loss while here,
we can remember that this world is only a temporary
home. "Life does not end when we die. Death is
a rebirth into a spirit world of light and love,
a transition from the physical to the spiritual
that is no more frightening or painful than passing
between rooms through an open doorway. It is
a joyful homecoming to our natural home, . .
." –The Awakening Heart,
p. xi
Sometimes I don't think God answers my prayers.
How can I tell mine are answered?
A portion of this answer can be found in Embraced By The Light Prayers and Devotions for Daily Living, July 18th, my prayer: Father, sometimes when I pray for others, I pray believing I have perfect solutions for their problems. While I know my heart is in the right place, I am confident and grateful that you will answer according to their needs and your plan for them, not mine. Bless me always to allow for your will whenever I pray in behalf of others.
Our prayers for others have great strength but can only be answered as far as they do not infringe on others’ free will—or as long as they do not frustrate others’ needs. God is bound to let us act for ourselves, but he is also willing to help in any way possible. —Embraced By The Light, page 105
We can always learn more about prayer. I recommend starting a prayer journal. In looking back I see answers to my prayers, not always expected or even in ways I was wanting, but I see God's hand and wisdom in my life and his blessings. Today I always pray for his will, not mine to be done and I fondly remember the angels around us, helping him answer our prayers.
I saw angels rushing to answer the prayers. They were organized to give as much help as possible. As they worked within this organization, they literally flew from person to person, from prayer to prayer, and were filled with love and joy by their work. They delighted to help us and were especially joyful when somebody prayed with enough intensity and faith to be answered immediately. —Embraced By The Light, pages 103-104
I love the promise given in Jeremiah: And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Do our pets go to heaven?
“No emotional trauma distresses us more than the loss of a dear one, and so a proper understanding of death is vital to our emotional and spiritual well-being. Loneliness tests us to the breaking point and can lead us into despair if we let it. However, knowing where a loved one goes after death is important to our healing.”
—The Ripple Effect, page 188
I am often asked what happens to our pets when they die. I believe, with all my heart, that they too return to the Spirit World where I once visited to be with our Creator. All spirit is created by God our eternal Father, and all spirit will return to him. To me this includes our beloved pets. They will likely greet us when it, too, is our time to be with God. There is no greater thing to learn on earth then to love—love each other and all creation. Sometimes it takes a furry little friend to open our hearts to experience and to learn of love. They are gifts from our Heavenly Father. How blessed we are!
Will I know my loved ones when I die?
“Our bonds with loved ones continue after death as they began long before birth. The love between us is eternal and does not cease simply because we cannot see the departed. Those who have passed to the other side are very much alive—more so than ever—and they are able to comfort us and send us their love.”
—The The Ripple Effect, page 190
Many want to know if they will see their deceased loved ones again. Death is but a transition where heaven and earth come together. Though loss is felt here, a new birth in heaven is attended with excitement and joy as a beloved family member returns home from their journey in mortality. We recognize our loved ones not only by their physical appearance, but by their "presence" as well—that identity that emanates one's true nature. We recognize each other and with great joy! When my father appeared to me a year after he passed away, I recognized him instantly, though he appeared much younger than I had become used to seeing him. I was assured with perfect clarity that, not only was he back home, but mindful of me and helping me when needed.
“You too can take comfort in knowing that your family members—perhaps from many generations back—are aware of you and are guiding you at times with unseen hands. God shares out the work of raising and watching over his children. His work occurs at many levels to ensure we are never alone. Knowledge of his plan tells us that our deceased loved ones are indeed our loved ones still. Though our mother, father, child, sister or brother may die, our love for them does not. By this we know that the bonds of love do extend between earth and heaven. By this we have hope and even assurance that family connections are enduring, even eternal.”
—The Ripple Effect, page 199
Yes, our families and our loved ones are forever!
Betty, my life is so difficult!
How can I find strength?
“Through prayer we bring life to our souls. Not only do we open ourselves to an increased endowment of God’s love and light, but we also call down the powers of heaven to overcome trials. In sending up a desperate cry for help, we call angels down to our sides to fight for our cause by adding their energy to ours. By sincerely seeking wisdom, we open ourselves to impressions which can come immediately or at odd moments and provide keys of knowledge which unlock doors of opportunity. By offering heartfelt gratitude and praise to God, we open up space in our lives for new blessings.”
—The Ripple Effect, page 95
I was distinctly told that all prayers of desire are heard and answered. When we have great need, or when we are praying for other people, the beams project straight from us and are immediately visible.
. . .We all have the ability, however, to reach God with our prayers.
Embraced By The Light, page 104
People often ask me how to pray. Any form of prayer gives us personal moments with God. Even our thoughts can be prayers, especially when we have emotion attached. The words we speak affect the energy around us and so our prayers spoken aloud are powerful. However, silent prayers are heard too and can even progress to a state of continual focus on God. Christ encouraged us to “pray without ceasing,” which is when our hearts are so connected to God that they always hold a prayer. There are times, when whatever the state of our physical being, our soul can be on its knees in prayer.
“God knows beforehand what we need, but he wants us to grow by exercising our spiritual strength and constantly seeking his help in the face of opposition. The world may tell us to rely on our own egos and talents. Satan may tell us there is no God. Our own consciences weaken us with accusations of unworthiness. If we are going to pray effectively we must exercise faith sufficient to blast through these doubts and speak to our Father who is waiting patiently and lovingly for us to reach out.”
—The Awakening Heart, page 97
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