Joan Wester Anderson: How Do You Move Beyond Blue?

Of course I can't get past the spending time with my grandchildren part. So well done, what a marvelous woman.

Joan Wester Anderson's books are hopeful reading. First, because the stories come from the personal angelic experiences of others. Second, because she is such a wonderful story-teller. One of the major points you notice from the stories, is the response of the receiver. You never get the feeling that people think, "I deserved that" intervention or rescue. There is no sense of boast at all. It is instead a feeling of wonder, gratitude, and humility.

Larry, the whole point of the parking space example, is the smallness of it. The loss or gain of a parking space is not a life/death situation. I know you have a problem with the Prosperity Gospel, but she is just telling the story, and letting the reader decide. Joan's first book came out before the idea of angels became the late 20th century "fad."

An example of what I believe was an angelic encounter happened in the 1990s when I was serving as a music director at my church on a volunteer basis. I did it because it was my gift to God and the congregation. People, however, are quick to complain, but slow to offer a kind word. The pastor was critical and even said he never paid any attention to the music. There were several people who constantly complained about everything I did.

Anyway, at this time I was pretty depressed because I put so much work and prayer into each week's Mass. One day as I entered the narthax, an old woman whom I did not recognize (and I knew almost everyone) came up to me and said how much she liked the music. I said thank you, but then she began to tell me all the things she knew that went in to my music selection -- details no one but God knew -- that is the important part; things I told no one. I didn't know what to say, but "thank you," and continued on into the church. If my life depended upon recognizing her, I'd be dead because I almost immediately forgot what she looked like. God found a way to let me know that if no one knew or appreciated the amount of work I put in, God was pleased with my imperfect efforts. Those words gave me hope, and that is what I believe the angels do. Being a person of weak faith, I need constant reminders that even when others abandon me, or don't seem to know I am alive, God is always present. I don't understand it, or deserve it, but I believe it.

'Now we see through a glass darkly...' I believe St. Paul said this.

And I say it to myself when I lack understanding--about anything. When I was so sick during my breakdown two years ago, I couldn't understand why I was going through what I did. I repeated this statement to myself, and the promise that God would not give me more than I could handle....

Larry: But there ARE children who are miraculously (at least in the sight of medical professionals) cured of cancer! Not all, I grant you, but I persobally know of at least two situations the medics said were"terminal" and "hopeless" before they went into a remission which has lasted for years and years!Kids who were given months to live in elementary school who have now graduated high school and gone on to college! Mind you, I don't understand why some and not others, but it DOES happen. (Generally not on stage at a revival or "healing", either!)

God makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. you can call him a hideous monster, he can take it, he has been called worse. Some are healed, some are not. Some are protected some are not. We don't know the big picture. We are usually afraid, God tells us not to be, more often than he tells us anything else, Be not afraid. Nothing is near as bad if we are not afraid. He says love God, love your neighbor. What would life be like if we really did these three things? "All things work together for good for those who love God".
Bad things still happen. I know this well. God is love, I know this well, too. I cannot completely reconcile this. But He is God, I am not. I know with all certainty He lives within me. And others, all others, some just don't know it.

Larry,
I tink you're getting too hung up on the parking space thing. Unless I'M misunderstanding, I think Joan's whole point was that god's love for us is so deep that he cares about even the most trivial details of our lives, kind of like "...numbering the hairs on each of our heads..." Obviously, we'll all have trials and tribulations; He doesn't "bribe' us to accept Him. If that were so, EVERYONE would "believe in order to reap the side benefits! Regardless, He knows our pain and frustrations and he CARES! I can, however relate to your point. when I first began working on my post stroke regabilitation, my new neurologist/psychiatrist gave me the standard depression inventory where there are all those questions about whether or not you feel you're being punished for past actions.(I'm sure you're familiar with it.) I answered those in the affirmative because my lifestyle obviouslt DID have bearing on my condition. My wonderful psychologisyt, who worked in tadam with the psychiatrist, questioned me about it and pointed out to me the difference in accepting responsibility for our actions and BLAMING ourselves. As she so succinctly put it,"...there are lots of people who are overweight, smoke and don't get enough exercise who DON'T have strokes, and blame conotates intent, which i surely didn't have. That was a lesson I badly needed to learn as it was contriburing heavily to my depression, but it had the unfortunate side effect of sending me into the "Why ME?" ARENA, NOT A GOOD PLACE TO even VISIT, le alone DWELL.; VISIT, LET ALONE live1 so, I DO get your point; sometimes it DOES feel like God "plays favorites" in spite of the proclaimed common rainfall. It took mr a lot of prayer and journaling to get through that particular pity party and reach a place where I wasn't damning myself for my condition but was willing to face the contriburion my life style had made in terms of accepting culpability. that IS a tough one to sort through, but calling Him names doesn't solve anything either!

Larry,
GOT IT!!! (But since when has politeness strained your responses? Don't mean to be rude, I just thought we were beyond that need! Merry christmas anyway, my Irish cyberfriend!

Larry,
You're right, God is unfathomable. And I don't think the parking spaces go to his "favorites" at all. The next time you won't get it you didn't the time before. Providential circumstances are sometimes a sign from God you're on the right track. I don't know why every child is not cured, I don't know why every woman is not saved from rape. I don't know why I was raped as a child. God can seem abominable. perhaps he is at times. he is totally beyond understanding. But I do know he has always been with me, has offered me comfort and guidance when no human would or could. He never promised me a free ride, in fact he told me I would suffer, and I have, long and often. I still love him. He loves me. And sometimes the elevator in my building is waiting for me on my floor when I get there and I thank God. I know its at least absurd, perhaps abominable in logical terms. He defies logic.
marquos

Babs:

You have special prayers from me this dreadful Christmas for you.

But I also have to ask, medically as well as spiritually:

Do your doctors have any idea what is causing this? Did you change medications (or just your routine) lately? Or is it just one of those inexplicable nightmares that probably has hit all of us at one time or another?

Also, do your doctors think you can be stabilized enough to stay at home rather than be hospitalized?

Take care of yourself (as best you can), my sparring partner AND FRIEND.

Larry

I don't know if anyone will see this, but I appreciate the prayers, and concern. I have been in contact with my counselor and returned my antidepressant to the previous level. What is happening is some conflict coupled with grief a loss I suffered which changed Christmas for me forever. I have gotten some advice, and though I am not happy, peaceful or content, I will make it through this dark period.

Larry - thanks and wishes for a Happy Christmas to my combative FRIEND.
Margaret - I am so comforted to know that you have been praying for me and that I am in your prayer journal.

Babs
So glad you are feeling better. Glad also you found a rationale for your depression, that sometimes helps one to pull out of it I think, gives you something to work on and not just a stark, black chasm pressing in on you. Keep in contact, keep asking for help, try not to let it get so bad before you get help. You don't want to get below the point of problematic return where the cognitive strategies don't seem towork anymore and all you can do is hold on and pray and meditate and yell help to anyone who will listen. Keep praying , keep talking, keep writing. God bless.
Marquos

I was feeling a bit low this morning.... I came across your email purely by accident. I was getting ready to delete it and a "word" caught my eye that started me to read the article.
I realize we all have our moments of depression and I always call on
my lord to pull me out of it. Your article was a validation (my angel)
to my belief that "yes" there are angels in our lives that pull us out
of these momentary periods of dispair.

I found this article extremely captivating. I escaped 911 by working for the Board of Elections Mayoral Run-off. Opposed to my 9-5 as bus dispatcher for Wall Street crowd located at Liberty and Court Streets directly in front of World Trade Building One. My answers to where was god during these attacks?. He was holding up the infrastructure of N.Y.C.s subway lines running under the buildings 1-7. He was holding up the weight of lower manhattan and not allowing it to crack AND FALL INTO THE HUDSON RIVER.PLUS HE STOPPED THE BUILDINGS FROM SWAYING OR FALLING INTO ANY OF THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS, WHICH WOULD HAVE CREATED A DOMINOE EFFECT ON THE AREA AND WOULD HAVE BEEN WHAT THE TERRORISTS WERE DREAMING OF. IT WAS NOT ALLAHS PLAN, BUT THAT OF DEMONIC POSSESED EXTREMISTS IN THE NAME OF ISLAM. BLASPHEMY. WELL, I KNOW THAT THOSE WHO DOUBTED GOD HAVENT TRUSTED IN HIM. I HOPE THAT PEOPLE START USING REASON AND FAITH HAND IN HAND.I ALSO HAD MY DOUBTS ABOUT SUICIDE AND A PRIEST FRIEND OF MINE EXPLAINED THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMAS THAT DEPARTED SOULS LIVE THROUGH BEFORE COMMITING SUCH ACTS. BUT IT TAKES MUCH PRAYER AND INTERCESSION FROM BOTH HUMANS AND ANGELS.TO WELCOME THEM TO HEAVEN. THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION. TRULY, MANNY R. AKA THEORACLE04@HOTMAIL.COM

All human souls have the power of free will and this was also the case for those who departed the earth on 9/11. They chose to depart for reasons we cannot judge. I honor their choice and release to peace.
As far as suicide, it is my understanding there is no such thing as hell. Therefore, the deceased will go to heaven but will take their issues with them and need to work them out on that plane or reincarnate to try again. Now about depression, this is a matter of repressed deep grief. Start the process of healing by asking the angels to help you resolve this. Each is a personal journey and they will know what to do. Please do not have fear for the outcome is certain and God does not go back on promises. I think good thoughts of any seeker out there. Love

I am really impressed with this wonderful group of people. We have all been "through the valleys" at one time or another. That's life. I just think what a privilege it is to have God by our side! (I will never leave you..)

Marquos, your faith and love of God shines through!

May God bless each and everyone of you.

MB