Kobe Bryant is only one of the best basketball players ever. And he recently announced he plans on retiring at the end of this season. What most people don’t know, though, is that he’s Catholic.And that,
according to a recent interview, his Catholic faith helped him through
one of the darkest times of his life.
Born in 1978 in Philadelphia, Kobe (he’s known by his first name) was
raised in a Roman Catholic family. When he was six, his family moved to
Italy, to a small town an hour outside of Rome. Because of this, Kobe
speaks fluent Italian to this day.
He was drafted into the NBA right out of high school, the first time a guard
had ever been drafted that young, and he quickly became a star. Soon
people were speculating about whether he was “the next Michael Jordan.”
In 2001, when he was 23, he married 19 year old Vanessa Laine, who is
also Catholic. The wedding was held at St. Edward Roman Catholic Church
in Dana Point, California. Two years later in 2003, their first child
was born.
The year 2003 was also when something else happened that changed his
life forever, and for which he would need to lean on his faith: he was
accused of raping a young woman in his hotel room while in Colorado for
knee surgery.
Ashamed, Kobe admitted right away that he had had sex with the woman,
which was adultery against his wife. But he was adamant that he had not
raped the woman.
In addition to the grave damage this did to his family, it had huge
consequences for his career: major sponsors dropped him, sales of his
jersey plummeted, and his general reputation was obviously badly
damaged.
A year later, a judge dismissed the criminal rape charges. The woman
also filed a civil lawsuit against Kobe, which was settled out of court.
In the midst of this, Kobe issued a public statement that
included apologies to the woman, her family, his family, and the people
of the Colorado town where the incident had occurred.
In an interview with GQ in early 2015, he explained how he leaned on his Catholic faith to help him get through the ordeal:
The [loss of the] endorsements were
really the least of my concerns. Was I afraid of going to jail? Yes. It
was twenty-five to life, man. I was terrified. The one thing
that really helped me during that process—I’m Catholic, I grew up
Catholic, my kids are Catholic—was talking to a priest.
It was actually kind of funny: He looks
at me and says, ’Did you do it?’ And I say, ’Of course not.’ Then he
asks, ’Do you have a good lawyer?’ And I’m like, ’Uh, yeah, he’s
phenomenal.’ So then he just said, ’Let it go. Move on. God’s not going
to give you anything you can’t handle, and it’s in his hands now. This
is something you can’t control. So let it go.’ And that was the turning point.
Kobe and his wife remained together for a few years after the
accusations, and even had a second child, but in 2011 his wife filed for
divorce. Fortunately, in 2013 they announced they had reconciled and
called off the divorce.
It’s hard to know how important the Church is in his life on a daily
basis. But we do know that he was raised Catholic, got married to a
Catholic in a Catholic church, and says he is raising his kids Catholic.
And when he was at his lowest point, it was to a Catholic priest that
he turned for help and guidance.
Might we all remember that Christ and His Church is always there for us – especially in our darkest moments.
excerpted from https://churchpop.com/2015/12/26/how-kobe-bryants-catholic-faith-pulled-him-through-his-darkest-hour/
"My wife and I are friends with
him and his wife. I work with his wife at a car dealership. After I met
her I shared with her my wife's testimony about seeing the angels. She
said that her husband also had a wonderful testimony and they took us
out to dinner. To Cheeseburger in Paradise!
Well, his testimony is truly
a blessing to hear. When he shared it with us he couldn't help keeping
the tears from his eyes as he seemed to relive it while he told it. My
wife and I were literally filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and
I was almost in tears when I heard this.
I know most people will not
believe this man's testimony but that doesn't matter. It actually
happened and I have heard it from his own mouth. I could feel the
presence of Jesus at that table when he shared this with us.
Since, then
we get together once a month to serve the Lord at homeless shelters. I
see his wife every day at work still and we have wonderful fellowship.
Praise Almighty God!
After you have watched this check out my "Angels
are Real" video to see my wife's testimony. I believe Jesus is going to
be back very very soon and I am ready. I hope all of you are also."
A number of young catechumens were arrested, Revocatus and his fellow
slave Felicitas, Saturninus and Secundulus, and with them Vibia Perpetua, a
newly married woman of good family and upbringing. Her mother and father were
still alive and one of her two brothers was a catechumen like herself. She was
about twenty-two years old and had an infant son at the breast. (Now from this
point on the entire account of her ordeal is her own, according to her own
ideas and in the way that she herself wrote it down.)
While we were still under arrest (she said) my father out of love for me was
trying to persuade me and shake my resolution.
'Father,' said I, 'do you see
this vase here, for example, or waterpot or whatever?'
'Yes, I do', said he.
And I told him: 'Could it be called by any other name than what it is?'
And he said: 'No.'
'Well, so too I cannot be called anything other than what I am, a Christian.'
At this my father was so angered by the word 'Christian' that he moved towards
me as though he would pluck my eyes out. But he left it at that and departed,
vanquished along with his diabolical arguments.
For a few days afterwards I gave thanks to the Lord that I was separated from
my father, and I was comforted by his absence. During these few days I was
baptized, and I was inspired by the Spirit not to ask for any other favour
after the water but simply the perseverance of the flesh. A few days later we
were lodged in the prison; and I was terrified, as I had never before been in
such a dark hole. What a difficult time it was! With the crowd the heat was
stifling; then there was the extortion of the soldiers; and to crown all, I was
tortured with worry for my baby there.
Then Tertius and Pomponius, those blessed deacons who tried to take care of us,
bribed the soldiers to allow us to go to a better part of the prison to refresh
ourselves for a few hours. Everyone then left that dungeon and shifted for
himself. I nursed my baby, who was faint from hunger. In my anxiety I spoke
to my mother about the child, I tried to comfort my brother, and I gave the
child in their charge. I was in pain because I saw them suffering out of pity
for me. These were the trials I had to endure for many days. Then I got
permission for my baby to stay with me in prison. At once I recovered my
health, relieved as I was of my worry and anxiety over the child. My prison
had suddenly become a palace, so that I wanted to be there rather than anywhere
else.
Then my brother said to me: 'Dear sister, you are greatly privileged; surely
you might ask for a vision to discover whether you are to be condemned or
freed.'
Faithfully I promised that I would, for I knew that I could speak with the
Lord, whose great blessings I had come to experience. And so I said: 'I shall
tell you tomorrow.' Then I made my request and this was the vision I had.
I saw a ladder of tremendous height made of bronze, reaching all the way to the
heavens, but it was so narrow that only one person could climb up at a
time. To the sides of the ladder were attached all sorts of metal weapons:
there were swords, spears, hooks, daggers, and spikes; so that if anyone tried
to climb up carelessly or without paying attention, he would be mangled and his
flesh would adhere to the weapons.
At the foot of the ladder lay a dragon of enormous size, and it would attack
those who tried to climb up and try to terrify them from doing so. And Saturus
was the first to go up, he who was later to give himself up of his own accord.
He had been the builder of our strength, although he was not present when we
were arrested. And he arrived at the top of the staircase and he looked back
and said to me:
'Perpetua, I am waiting for you. But take care; do not let the
dragon bite you.'
'He will not harm me,' I said, 'in the name of Christ Jesus.'
Slowly, as though he were afraid of me, the dragon stuck his head out from
underneath the ladder. Then, using it as my first step, I trod on his head and
went up.
Then I saw an immense garden, and in it a gray-haired man sat in shepherd's
garb; tall he was, and milking sheep. And standing around him were many
thousands of people clad in white garments. He raised his head, looked at me,
and said: 'I am glad you have come, my child.'
He called me over to him and gave me, as it were, a mouthful Of the milk he was
drawing; and I took it into my cupped hands and consumed it. And all those who
stood around said: 'Amen!' At the sound of this word I came to, with the taste
of something sweet still in my mouth. I at once told this to my brother, and
we realized that we would have to suffer, and that from now on we would no
longer have any hope in this life.
A few days later there was a rumour that we were going to be given a hearing.
My father also arrived from the city, worn with worry, and he came to see me
with the idea of persuading me.
'Daughter,' he said, 'have pity on my grey head--have pity on me your father,
if I deserve to be called your father, if I have favoured you above all your
brothers, if I have raised you to reach this prime of your life. Do not
abandon me to be the reproach of men. Think of your brothers, think of your
mother and your aunt, think of your child, who will not be able to live once
you are gone. Give up your pride! You will destroy all of us! None of us will
ever be able to speak freely again if anything happens to you.'
This was the way my father spoke out of love for me, kissing my hands
and throwing himself down before me. With tears in his eyes he no longer
addressed me as his daughter but as a woman. I was sorry for my father's sake,
because he alone of all my kin would be unhappy to see me suffer.
I tried to comfort him saying: 'It will all happen in the prisoner's dock as
God wills; for you may be sure that we are not left to ourselves but are all in
his power.' And he left me in great sorrow.
One day while we were eating breakfast we were suddenly hurried off for a
hearing. We arrived at the forum, and straight away the story went about the neighborhood near the forum and a huge crowd gathered. We walked up to the
prisoner's dock. All the others when questioned admitted their guilt. Then,
when it came my turn, my father appeared with my son, dragged me from the step,
and said:
'Perform the sacrifice--have pity on your baby!'
Hilarianus the governor, who had received his judicial powers as the successor
of the late proconsul Minucius Timinianus, said to me:
'Have pity on your
father's grey head; have pity on your infant son. Offer the sacrifice for the
welfare of the emperors.'
'I will not', I retorted.
'Are you a Christian?' said Hilarianus.
And I said: 'Yes, I am.'
When my father persisted in trying to dissuade me, Hilarianus ordered him to be
thrown to the ground and beaten with a rod. I felt sorry for father,
just as if I myself had been beaten. I felt sorry for his pathetic old age.
Then Hilarianus passed sentence on all of us: we were condemned to the beasts,
and we returned to prison in high spirits. But my baby had got used to being
nursed at the breast and to staying with me in prison. So I sent the deacon
Pomponius straight away to my father to ask for the baby. But father refused
to give him over. But as God willed, the baby had no further desire for
the breast, nor did I suffer any inflammation; and so I was relieved of any
anxiety for my child and of any discomfort in my breasts....
Some days later, an adjutant named Pudens, who was in charge of the prison,
began to show us great honour, realizing that we possessed some great power
within us. And he began to allow many visitors to see us for our mutual
comfort.
Now the day of the contest was approaching, and my father came to see me
overwhelmed with sorrow. He started tearing the hairs from his beard and threw
them on the ground; he then threw himself on the ground and began to curse his
old age and to say such words as would move all creation. I felt sorry for his
unhappy old age.
The day before we were to fight with the beasts I saw the following
vision. Pomponius the deacon came to the prison gates and began to knock
violently. I went out and opened the gate for him. He was dressed in an
unbelted white tunic, wearing elaborate sandals. And he said to me: 'Perpetua,
come; we are waiting for you.'
Then he took my hand and we began to walk through rough and broken country. At
last we came to the amphitheatre out of breath, and he led me into the centre
of the arena.
Then he told me: 'Do not be afraid. I am here, struggling with you.' Then he
left.
I looked at the enormous crowd who watched in astonishment. I was surprised
that no beasts were let loose on me; for I knew that I was condemned to die by
the beasts. Then out came an Egyptian against me, of vicious appearance,
together with his seconds, to fight with me. There also came up to me some
handsome young men to be my seconds and assistants.
My clothes were stripped off, and suddenly I was a man. My seconds began to
rub me down with oil (as they are wont to do before a contest). Then I saw the
Egyptian on the other side rolling in the dust. Next there came forth a man of
marvelous stature, such that he rose above the top of the amphitheatre. He was
clad in a beltless purple tunic with two stripes (one on either side) running
down the middle of his chest. He wore sandals that were wondrously made of
gold and silver, and he carried a wand like an athletic trainer and a green
branch on which there were golden apples.
And he asked for silence and said: 'If this Egyptian defeats her he will slay
her with the sword. But if she defeats him, she will receive this branch.'
Then he withdrew.
We drew close to one another and began to let our fists fly. My opponent tried
to get hold of my feet, but I kept striking him in the face with the heels of
my feet. Then I was raised up into the air and I began to pummel him without
as it were touching the ground. Then when I noticed there was a lull, I put my
two hands together linking the fingers of one hand with those of the other and
thus I got hold of his head.
He fell flat on his face and I stepped on his
head. The crowd began to shout and my assistants started to sing psalms.
Then I
walked up to the trainer and took the branch. He kissed me and said to
me:
'Peace be with you, my daughter!' I began to walk in triumph towards the
Gate
of Life. Then I awoke. I realized that it was not with wild animals
that I
would fight but with the Devil, but I knew that I would win the victory.
So much for what I did up until the eve of the contest. About what
happened at the contest itself, let him write of it who will.
Saturus tells the story of a vision he had of Perpetua and himself, after
they were killed, being carried by four angels into heaven where they were
reunited with other martyrs killed in the same persecution.
Such were the remarkable visions of these martyrs, Saturus and Perpetua,
written by themselves. As for Secundulus, God called him from this world
earlier than the others while he was still in prison, by a special grace that
he might not have to face the animals. Yet his flesh, if not his spirit, knew
the sword.
As for Felicitas, she too enjoyed the Lord's favour in this wise. She had been
pregnant when she was arrested, and was now in her eighth month. As the day of
the spectacle drew near she was very distressed that her martyrdom would be
postponed because of her pregnancy; for it is against the law for women with
child to be executed.
Thus she might have to shed her holy, innocent blood
afterwards along with others who were common criminals. Her comrades in
martyrdom were also saddened; for they were afraid that they would have to
leave behind so fine a companion to travel alone on the same road to hope. And
so, two days before the contest, they poured forth a prayer to the Lord in one
torrent of common grief. And immediately after their prayer the birth pains
came upon her. She suffered a good deal in her labour because of the natural
difficulty of an eight months' delivery.
Hence one of the assistants of the prison guards said to her: 'You suffer so
much now--what will you do when you are tossed to the beasts? Little did you
think of them when you refused to sacrifice.' 'What I am suffering now', she replied, 'I suffer by myself. But then another
will be inside me who will suffer for me, just as I shall be suffering for
him.' And she gave birth to a girl; and one of the sisters brought her up as her own
daughter.
Therefore, since the Holy Spirit has permitted the story of this contest to be
written down and by so permitting has willed it, we shall carry out the command
or, indeed, the commission of the most saintly Perpetua, however unworthy I
might be to add anything to this glorious story. At the same time I shall add
one example of her perseverance and nobility of soul.
The military tribune had treated them with extraordinary severity because on
the information of certain very foolish people he became afraid that they would
be spirited out of the prison by magical spells. Perpetua spoke to him directly. 'Why can you not even allow us to
refresh ourselves properly? For we are the most distinguished of the condemned
prisoners, seeing that we belong to the emperor; we are to fight on his very
birthday. Would it not be to your credit if we were brought forth on the day
in a healthier condition?'
The officer became disturbed and grew red. So it was that he gave the order
that they were to be more humanely treated; and he allowed her brothers and
other persons to visit, so that the prisoners could dine in their company. By
this time the adjutant who was head of the gaol was himself a Christian. On the day before, when they had their last meal, which is called the free
banquet, they celebrated not a banquet but rather a love feast. They spoke to
the mob with the same steadfastness, warned them of God's judgement, stressing
the joy they would have in their suffering, and ridiculing the curiosity of
those that came to see them. Saturus said:
'Will not tomorrow be enough for
you? Why are you so eager to see something that you dislike? Our friends
today will be our enemies on the morrow. But take careful note of what we look
like so that you will recognize us on the day.' Thus everyone would depart
from the prison in amazement, and many of them began to believe.
The day of their victory dawned, and they marched from the prison to the
amphitheatre joyfully as though they were going to heaven, with calm faces,
trembling, if at all, with joy rather than fear. Perpetua went along with
shining countenance and calm step, as the beloved of God, as a wife of Christ,
putting down everyone's stare by her own intense gaze. With them also was
Felicitas, glad that she had safely given birth so that now she could fight the
beasts, going from one blood bath to another, from the midwife to the
gladiator, ready to wash after childbirth in a second baptism.
They were then led up to the gates and the men were forced to put on the robes
of priests of Saturn, the women the dress of the priestesses of Ceres. But the
noble Perpetua strenuously resisted this to the end. 'We came to this of our own free will, that our freedom should not be violated.
We agreed to pledge our lives provided that we would do no such thing. You
agreed with us to do this.'
Even injustice recognized justice. The military tribune agreed. They were to
be brought into the arena just as they were. Perpetua then began to sing a
psalm: she was already treading on the head of the Egyptian. Revocatus,
Saturninus, and Saturus began to warn the on looking mob. Then when they came
within sight of Hilarianus, they suggested by their motions and gestures: 'You
have condemned us, but God will condemn you' was what they were saying. At this the crowds became enraged and demanded that they be scourged before a
line of gladiators. And they rejoiced at this that they had obtained a share
in the Lord's sufferings.
But he who said, Ask and you shall receive, answered their prayer by
giving each one the death he had asked for. For whenever they would discuss
among themselves their desire for martyrdom, Saturninus indeed insisted that he
wanted to be exposed to all the different beasts, that his crown might be all
the more glorious. And so at the outset of the contest he and Revocatus were
matched with a leopard, and then while in the stocks they were attacked by a
bear. As for Saturus, he dreaded nothing more than a bear, and he counted on
being killed by one bite of a leopard. Then he was matched with a wild boar;
but the gladiator who had tied him to the animal was gored by the boar and died
a few days after the contest, whereas Saturus was only dragged along. Then
when he was bound in the stocks awaiting the bear, the animal refused to come
out of the cages, so that Saturus was called back once more unhurt.
For the young women, however, the Devil had prepared a mad heifer. This was an
unusual animal, but it was chosen that their sex might be matched with that of
the beast. So they were stripped naked, placed in nets and thus brought out
into the arena. Even the crowd was horrified when they saw that one was a
delicate young girl and the other was a woman fresh from childbirth with the
milk still dripping from her breasts. And so they were brought back again and
dressed in unbelted tunics.
First the heifer tossed Perpetua and she fell on her back. Then sitting up she
pulled down the tunic that was ripped along the side so that it covered her
thighs, thinking more of her modesty than of her pain. Next she asked for a
pin to fasten her untidy hair: for it was not right that a martyr should die
with her hair in disorder, lest she might seem to be mourning in her hour of
triumph.
Then she got up. And seeing that Felicitas had been crushed to the ground, she
went over to her, gave her hand, and lifted her up. Then the two stood side by
side. But the cruelty of the mob was by now appeased, and so they were called
back through the Gate of Life.
There Perpetua was held up by a man named Rusticus who was at the time a
catechumen and kept close to her. She awoke from a kind of sleep (so absorbed
had she been in ecstasy in the Spirit) and she began to look about her. Then
to the amazement of all she said:
'When are we going to be thrown to that
heifer or whatever it is?'
When told that this had already happened, she refused to believe it until she
noticed the marks of her rough experience on her person and her dress. Then
she called for her brother and spoke to him together with the catechumens and
said:
'You must all stand fast in the faith and love one another, and do
not be weakened by what we have gone through.'
At another gate Saturus was earnestly addressing the soldier Pudens. 'It is
exactly', he said, 'as I foretold and predicted. So far not one animal has
touched me. So now you may believe me with all your heart: I am going in there
and I shall be finished off with one bite of the leopard.' And immediately as
the contest was coming to a close a leopard was let loose, and after one bite
Saturus was so drenched with blood that as he came away the mob roared in
witness to his second baptism:
'Well washed! Well washed!' For well washed
indeed was one who had been bathed in this manner.
Then he said to the soldier Pudens: 'Good-bye. Remember me, and remember the
faith. These things should not disturb you but rather strengthen you.' And with this he asked Pudens for a ring from his finger, and dipping it into
his wound he gave it back to him again as a pledge and as a record of his
bloodshed.
Shortly after he was thrown unconscious with the rest in the usual spot to have
his throat cut. But the mob asked that their bodies be brought out into the
open that their eyes might be the guilty witnesses of the sword that pierced
their flesh. And so the martyrs got up and went to the spot of their own
accord as the people wanted them to, and kissing one another they sealed their
martyrdom with the ritual kiss of peace.
The others took the sword in silence
and without moving, especially Saturus, who being the first to climb the
stairway was the first to die. For once again he was waiting for Perpetual
Perpetua, however, had yet to taste more pain. She screamed as she was struck
on the bone; then she took the trembling hand of the young gladiator and guided
it to her throat. It was as though so great a woman, feared as she was by the
unclean spirit, could not be dispatched unless she herself were willing.
Ah, most valiant and blessed martyrs! Truly are you called and
chosen for the
glory of Christ Jesus our Lord! And any man who exalts, honours, and
worships
his glory should read for the consolation of the Church these new deeds
of
heroism which are no less significant than the tales of old. For these
new
manifestations of virtue will bear witness to one and the same Spirit
who still
operates, and to God the Father almighty, to his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord, to whom is splendour and immeasurable power for all the ages.
Amen.
Zaevion
Dobson, a
15-year-old high school football player, was a sophomore at Fulton High School in northern Knoxville.
On 12/17/15 he was killed as he shielded three
girls from gunfire, covering them with his own body. The police believe
that the senseless crime was perpetrated by several men on a shooting
spree in Tennessee
on Thursday night.
Dobson was hanging out on a porch with his brother and some friends
when a group of men walked up and started shooting at them, Zach Dobson
said.
Police
said the shooters, who they believe may have been gang-affiliated,
picked a group at random who were 'just hanging out and trying to
celebrate the holidays'.
Zaevion
Dobson is a Hero, who at 15 years old, without hesitation, laid down his life so that others might live. Zaevion
acted to protect those who could not protect themselves. There is no
higher duty, no greater sacrifice, no deeper love, then to lay down your
life for another.
Make no mistake islam is 7th century system of subjugation, slavery, hatred, murder, and deception cloaked in the guise of a religion.
Read for yourself what the qur'an says about JESUS CHRIST, Jews and Christians.
Jesus is NOT the Son of God: “O People of the Scripture! Do not
exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning allah save the
truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of allah,
and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So
believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not “Three” – Cease! (it
is) better for you! – allah is only One allah. Far is it removed from
His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is
in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And allah is sufficient as
Defender.” — qur’an 4:171
“It is not befitting to (the majesty of) allah that He would beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says
to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.” — Qur’an 19:35
Jesus was not crucified: “And because of their saying: We slew the
Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, allah’s messenger – they slew him not nor
crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree
concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save
pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him NOT for certain.” — qur’an 4:157
Those who believe in the divinity of Christ are unbelievers and wrong: “They
have certainly disbelieved who say that allah is Christ, the son of
Mary.” — Qur’an 5:17
Belief in the Trinity is “excess”: “O People of the Scripture, do not
commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. Jesus, the son of Mary, was ONLY a messenger of allah and His
word which He directed to Mary and a soul from Him. So believe in allah
and His messengers. And do not say, ‘Three’; desist – it is better for
you. Indeed, allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To
Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And
sufficient is allah as Disposer of affairs.” — qur’an 4:171
Christians have forgotten part of the divine revelations they
received: “From those, too, who call themselves Christians, We did take a
covenant, but they forgot a good part of the message that was sent
them: so we estranged them, with enmity and hatred between the one and
the other, to the day of judgment. And soon will allah show them what it
is they are WRONG.” — qur’an 5:14
Those who believe that Jesus is God’s Son are LOST and ACCURSED: “The Jews
call ‘Uzair a son of allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate
what the unbelievers of old used to say. allah’s curse be on them: how
they are deluded away from the Truth! ” — qur’an 9:30
Christians who do not accepted Muhammad and the qur’an are the most VILE and FOUL of created beings: “Nor did those who were given the Scripture
become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence. And
they were not commanded except to worship allah, sincere to Him in
religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah.
And that is the correct religion. Indeed, they who disbelieved among
the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of
Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the most vile of created
beings.” — Qur’an 98:6
Muslims must fight against and subjugate Christians: “Fight those who
believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which
hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the
religion of Truth until
they pay the Jizya with willing submission, or KILL them.” — Qur’an 9:29
This is a Testimony about a young woman who died suddenly and went on to meet JESUS CHRIST... I was in a
serious car accident and have head, back, neck, left leg injuries. In
an attempt to keep working I was taking a lot of Tylenol and a
prescription pain medicine that I did not realize had Tylenol in it. I
ended up having Tylenol poisoning and had liver/kidney/multiple organ
failure. I was in a coma for twelve days. During this time everything
was black for a long time. All of a sudden I was in the center of my
brain. I traveled down through my bloodstream and went through a tunnel
of light out of my abdomen. I was in the hospital room
watching myself dying and seeing all the doctors etc. I could hear them
saying that I was not gonna make it. They were loosing me. I started to
get anxious and very worried.
Suddenly, I noticed two angels in the corner of the room watching
me. They spoke to me in my mind without using their mouth and said...
"Do
you want to come with us?"
I said... "Yes."
They each took hold of one side of
my arm and we flew through the wall and up into the sky. As soon as a
question or any anxiety would come I to my mind they would answer me. Looking down I
was afraid I was going to fall. They told me I would not and even if
they were to let go that I could fly now. I asked them where are you
taking me? They said...
"The great King of Kings is waiting for you." We then
came into an area like a city with the most beautiful smell and
singing/music that I have ever experienced. There were people on both
sides sending total love and adoration to me. There were waterfalls, I
could see the ocean and there were the most gorgeous flowers everywhere.
These people were here to welcome me. I then saw off in the distance a
huge white being with light radiating from him standing on a cloud. The
angels took me and set me down in front of him, the Lord JESUS CHRIST.
I tried to stand and was
immediately t my knees gave way and I was with my face down before JESUS CHRIST. I was never scared. I
recognized HIM, my Soul knew HIM immediately as JESUS CHRIST. He then took my hand and pulled me upon my
feet.
I asked him some what hesitantly...
"Am I going to hell?"
He said..."For what?"
I said..."For drinking, for taking drugs."
He then showed me in my mind all the things that I had
been doing because of the pain I was in and all the injuries I had and HE said to me that anyone would of taken drugs. He then went
through all the memories of my life and was looking for something
specific but I do not know what that was. When I was with him I
understood everything. Why we are here on earth etc. he was very kind
and when memories that were embarrassing to me such as me having sex
came through he set those to the side and let me know that he was not
looking at those.
I was grateful. In his presence I was completely changed, Born Again, and still am
now. All from being in his Holy and Divine presence. His love, compassion, forgiveness for me
was amazing. We talked about many things. I have been raised in the
Mormon religion and was so surprised by how different he was than the
vengeful Jesus I was taught.
He said to me..." I know you have been confused by
what you were taught."
HE told me that HE
comes to us when we are ready. HE explained a great deal and answered
tons of questions. Eventually, he told me that I could stay here or
return. I wanted to stay very much and told him yes I want to stay
please. He said before you decide I need to show you what will happen to
your mother without you. He showed me that my dad was very ill and what
was going to happen to him and that my mother would fall apart at the
seams.
I did not want to leave but I knew that I needed to go help my
mother through what was to come. I told him I chose to return to the earth to help my mother and father.
HE said..."I
have to warn you that great damage has been done to your body and I will
heal some but you will live in great pain."
I still told him I wanted to go
back. I then went to a kind of waiting place for my body to recover
enough for me to return. I was able to talk with all my dead family
members and others not born yet. As well as, many who love me that I knew
there but do not know who they are here. They then had to leave and this
place was like an outdoor market by the ocean with places to eat. It
even had a barber shop. I remember thinking it was funny that you could
get your hair cut in heaven. I remember thinking that I had been there a
long time and maybe my body was not going to pull through after all. I
thought dang and I died without going to Africa on safari. I have always
wanted to do that. Upon thinking this, I was all of a sudden in Africa
on the most awesome safari watching the animals.
As soon as I started to
think... "I wish I was back at that other place" - bam- I was back there. I
had many different experiences in this holding place and met many
different people of all countries. I told you this was long.
So,
anyway it finally was time for me to come back and I was escorted by
these two same angels. I came back down through this layer of people
that were moaning in pain and had arms missing etc. there were demons. I
was scared. They were all around me. The angels told me not to worry.
They were attracted to my light and could not harm me. I remember being
afraid they would get in my body. I finally got through that terrible
layer and saw my body laying there. I was yellow/orange and did not look
good.
The angels told me to line myself up with my body, which I did. Then, I
woke up in the most horrible pain I have ever had. The doctors told
me that I was to have an emergency liver transplant but would most
likely not make it. I told them no, I am leaving. They said no you are
going to emergency surgery. Before a liver was ready for me, my levels
had returned to normal. These doctors were scared of me. They said they
had never seen anything like this. I told them thanks for the care but I
am going home now.
They held me on a psych hold for two days and
determined that I had severe chronic pain for which I was finally put on
the proper pain control for and released. I told my mom all of this.
Including a lot more because this is too long but she has since come to
thank me for loving her enough to return for her. My dad was not sick
that we knew of at this time but two years later was diagnosed with
shy-Dragers.
He is doing terrible and deteriorates daily. He got really
abusive toward my mom and she would of been hurt and had a total mental
breakdown without me here. I am the only one my dad trusts and listens
to. I am grateful to be here for my dad as well as my mom.
Yes I am in
pain 24/7 and have all types of problems. Have been trying to get
disability for 4 years and have been denied three times. I have worked
for 30 years in the health care/insurance industry and am not a slacker
in any way.
About JESUS CHRIST... He is a being
of white light which is brighter than the sun. He was the one providing
the light for the entire place. I asked him about a lot of the things
that I had been taught as a Mormon in my youth such as you have to be
married in the temple to be with your family. He told me there is no
marriage in heaven and nothing we do in an earthly Mormon building means much
to him. It is all inside of us. It wasn't that I was the only special person...
JESUS said..."We are all special. We
all have GOD inside of us. We must desire with all of our hearts to
know him and know the truth and search relentlessly for HIM."
Like
I said before JESUS comes to us. There is nothing we can do to get to
heaven. We can't earn it, buy it, it is Divine Grace and Faith in JESUS CHRISTS that grants us Heaven. We are all fallen from his grace and it is only through his free
gift of grace that we can make it back to him. But really JESUS has never
left us. He is with me now and with each of you even if you don't know
it or believe it. It does not matter what you believe, as JESUS CHRIST is GOD and
the truth is the truth no matter what delusions we may be under.
JESUS loves everyone. JESUS loves you so much, if you knew you would start
crying. I came to love him so very much because he loved me first. JESUS is
so patient and full of forgiveness and compassion. I don't think there
is a hell in the way that we have been taught. Rather, we have free will
and we create our own hell. Some are in hell right now on earth because
they have created this for themselves. There is no one who is trapped
by an ultimate sin. They can quit what they are doing and know in
their hearts is morally wrong. Jesus loves s all no matter what!
We all agreed to this plan before we came
here so we could find out for ourselves what kind of soul we are. I
think this layer I came back through was those people who were taken
suddenly by murder or those that refused to leave. Refused to accept
that they are dead. A lot of them still think they are alive. Remember, I
told you the two angels asked me if I wanted to come with them. I said
yes. If I would of said no then I think I would be trapped in that layer
of wandering and lost Souls.
The demons are the rulers of this domain but it is
kind of like being the supervisor of a company. There is still an owner
who has all the power. Jesus does not want to loose any of his beloved.
We are all beloved. Some just love evil and that is where they want to
be. None, of those demons and evil persons can get anywhere near HIS domain. In his domain, Heaven,
everyone loves everyone and there is no judgement of others. It is not
for us to judge.
Only Jesus knows what each person has had to endure and
the circumstances of their life. He makes allowances for those who have
been abused, sick, etc. I feel as if I went through my own apocalypse
and have already been judged. After being in the presence of JESUS I am
changed and have no desire to go against what I know if moral and
acceptable in the eyes of my lord and savior. I never could understand
the bible before this happened but I now understand it. I think we must
have new eyes so to speak to be able to understand it the way it was
intended to be. He is unhappy that his guide and love letter he sent to
us has been misused, misinterpreted and used to enslave, confuse, take
advantage of his beloved and has been used by demon possessed people to
profit off his word and name. His love is free and it goes out to all.
I
am not bashing the Mormons either, please don't take what I said about
them the wrong way as they are good people who really do try to create a
good social structure to raise kids in. I just always felt like I was
doomed because I had sex before marriage and some other details that he
really does not care about. The only thing he really gets angry at is
what I said above- the misuse and abuse of his beloved through his own
name and how we treat each other. Always keep in mind when dealing with
another person that they also have GOD inside them and you need to treat
others with love. As he has loved us-love one another. This is the main
and really only message. Any other sin can be forgiven. Forgive others
as he forgives you. "Please love one another. I love all of you and
that is why I am sharing this with you..."
excerpted from: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2293888/pg1:user Goddess of the sea/User ID: 2355588507/16/2013
Before we enter into full communion
with God,the sin which stains, behaviors which have bent our consciousness, must be eliminated and every
imperfection in our soul must be corrected. It is NOT that we are not forgiven, we are, it is the imperfect LEARNED behaviors which must be erased. The biggest example I can give is that most people feel UNWORTHY of GOD'S Divine Love. It is the misunderstanding that we MUST earn GOD'S love. It is these things which must be purified from the Soul before entering Heaven.
We ARE forgiven when we first have FAITH in JESUS CHRIST and HIS sacrifice on the Cross for ALL of our sins. Purgatory is not for forgiveness but for the removal of faulty thinking and understanding of what exactly constitutes GOD'S Love.
We can not earn GOD'S love, nor can we increase GOD'S love for us by works and deeds. GOD'S love is perfect from the beginning, it lacks nothing and needs nothing.
At the General Audience of Wednesday, 4 August 1999, following his
catecheses on heaven and hell, the Holy Father reflected on Purgatory. He
explained that physical integrity is necessary to enter into perfect communion
with God therefore "the term purgatory does not indicate a place, but a
condition of existence", where Christ "removes ... the remnants of imperfection". 1. As we have seen in the previous two catecheses, on the basis of the definitive option
for or against God, the human being finds he faces one of these alternatives: either
to live with the Lord in eternal beatitude, or to remain far from his presence.
For those who find themselves in a condition of being open to God, but still
imperfectly, the journey towards full beatitude requires a purification, which the faith of
the Church illustrates in the doctrine of "Purgatory" (cf. Catechism of the
Catholic Church, n. 1030-1032).
To share in divine life we
must be totally purified 2. In Sacred Scripture, we can grasp certain elements
that help us to understand the meaning of this doctrine, even if it is not formally
described. They express the belief that we cannot approach God without undergoing some
kind of purification.
According to Old Testament religious law, what is destined
for God must be perfect. As a result, physical integrity is also specifically required
for the realities which come into contact with God at the sacrificial level such as,
for example, sacrificial animals (cf. Lv 22: 22) or at the institutional level,
as in the case of priests or ministers of worship (cf. Lv 21: 17-23).
Total dedication
to the God of the Covenant, along the lines of the great teachings found in Deuteronomy
(cf. 6: 5), and which must correspond to this physical integrity, is required of
individuals and society as a whole (cf. 1 Kgs 8: 61). It is a matter of loving God
with all one's being, with purity of heart and the witness of deeds (cf. ibid.,
10: 12f.)
The need for integrity obviously becomes necessary after death, for
entering into perfect and complete communion with God. Those who do not possess this
integrity must undergo purification. This is suggested by a text of St Paul.
The Apostle
speaks of the value of each person's work which will be revealed on the day of judgement
and says: "If the work which any man has built on the foundation [which is
Christ] survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will
suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire"
(1 Cor 3: 14-15).
3. At times, to reach a state of perfect integrity a
person's intercession or mediation is needed. For example, Moses obtains pardon for
the people with a prayer in which he recalls the saving work done by God in the past,
and prays for God's fidelity to the oath made to his ancestors (cf. Ex 32: 30, 11-13).
The figure of the Servant of the Lord, outlined in the Book of Isaiah, is also portrayed
by his role of intercession and expiation for many; at the end of his suffering
he "will see the light" and "will justify many", bearing their
iniquities (cf. Is 52: 13-53, 12, especially vv. 53: 11).
Psalm 51 can
be considered, according to the perspective of the Old Testament, as a synthesis of
the process of reintegration: the sinner confesses and recognizes his guilt (v. 3),
asking insistently to be purified or "cleansed" (vv. 2, 9, 10, 17) so as to
proclaim the divine praise (v. 15).
Purgatory is not a place but a condition
of existence 4. In the New Testament Christ is presented as the intercessor
who assumes the functions of high priest on the day of expiation (cf. Heb 5: 7;
7: 25). But in him the priesthood is presented in a new and definitive form.
He enters the heavenly shrine once and for all, to intercede with God on our behalf
(cf. Heb 9: 23-26, especially, v. 24). He is both priest and "victim of
expiation" for the sins of the whole world (cf. 1 Jn 2: 2).
Jesus, as
the great intercessor who atones for us, will fully reveal himself at the end of our
life when he will express himself with the offer of mercy, but also with the inevitable
judgement for those who refuse the Father's love and forgiveness.
This offer of
mercy does not exclude the duty to present ourselves to God, pure and whole, rich in
that love which Paul calls a "[bond] of perfect harmony" (Col 3: 14).
5. In following the Gospel exhortation to be perfect like the heavenly Father
(cf. Mt 5: 48) during our earthly life, we are called to grow in love, to be sound and
flawless before God the Father "at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints"
(1 Thes 3: 12f.).
Moreover, we are invited to "cleanse ourselves from every defilement
of body and spirit" (2 Cor 7: 1; cf. 1 Jn 3: 3), because the encounter with
God requires absolute purity.
Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated,
every imperfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete, and indeed this is
precisely what is meant by the Church's teaching on purgatory. The term does not
indicate a place, but a condition of existence.
Those who, after death, exist in a state of
purification, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them the remnants of
imperfection (cf. Ecumenical Council of Florence, Decretum pro Graecis: DS 1304;
Ecumenical Council of Trent, Decretum de iustificatione: DS 1580; Decretum de
purgatorio: DS 1820).
It is necessary to explain that the state of purification
is not a prolungation of the earthly condition, almost as if after death one were given another
possibility to change one's destiny. The Church's teaching in this regard is unequivocal and
was reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council which teaches: "Since we know neither
the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that,
when the single course of our earthly life is completed (cf. Heb 9: 27), we may
merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not,
like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the
outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth' (Mt 22: 13 and
25: 30)" (Lumen gentium, n. 48).
6. One last important aspect which
the Church's tradition has always pointed out should be reproposed today: the
dimension of "communio". Those, in fact, who find themselves in the
state of purification are united both with the blessed who already enjoy the fullness of
eternal life, and with us on this earth on our way towards the Father's house (cf. CCC,
n. 1032).
Just as in their earthly life believers are united in the one Mystical
Body, so after death those who live in a state of purification experience the same ecclesial
solidarity which works through prayer, prayers for suffrage and love for their other brothers
and sisters in the faith. Purification is lived in the essential bond created between those
who live in this world and those who enjoy eternal beatitude.
some info taken from: https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2HEAVN.HTM
My cousin Kim jumped into the front seat of my
car that August morning, wearing her purple Lauren shirt, and a beaming
smile.I was driving her to Baton Rouge
to see her eye Surgeon for a follow up appointment after her eye correction
surgery. As Kim fastened her seat-belt, she proclaimed, “Today is going to be
very special. I’m not sure what is going to happen, but something is definitely
going to happen, I can just feel it”.
During the drive,
Kim told me all about a nun in Baton Rouge named Sister Dulce. She was known for spiritual healings, and some
physical healings too.Kim explained
that she had tried in vain to get us an appointment to see Sister Dulce, but
she thought we should still go to her.She
said that if God wanted us to see her, we wouldn’t need an appointment.I had learned to trust Kim’s hunches, so off
we went on a wild nun chase.
My mood that day
was melancholy, and my heart was full of grief.I listened to Kim’s hopeful idea of running into the nun if it was meant
to be.The conversation and my emotion
got the best of me, and I didn’t notice how fast I was driving.The next thing I knew, I was walking back to
my car with a ticket in my hand.This
was not feeling like a very special day to me at all.As I climbed back into the driver’s seat, Kim
smiled and said, “It’s okay, that will make us right on time.It happened for a reason, remember timing is
everything.”
We arrived at
Kim’s appointment 15 minutes late.We
walked back to the exam room together.While we waited for the doctor, we both noticed the sound of a dripping
faucet.Kim told me that something had
been going on with her and water, specifically running water, for the past few
days. She felt like the water meant something, but could not figure it
out.She got up and turned off the
faucet.
After her appointment, we
returned to the car and set the GPS for Sister Dulce.We set out with excited anticipation.
We pulled up to
Sister Dulce’s address.There was a
chain link gate stretched across half of the driveway, and signs that read, DO
NOT ENTER, and NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.Kim and I hesitated.Neither one
of us wanted to break the rules or trespass, but something told us to drive in
despite the signs.The place was a big
construction zone.We found a finished
brick building on one end of the parking lot.The building had a beautiful round fountain out front with a sculpture
of three dolphins, pointed up to the sky in the center.
We pulled in amongst
the other cars, and decided to say a rosary.We began to pray with our backs to the building and the fountain.I turned off the car and rolled down the
windows.We had prayed two decades of
the rosary when I interrupted Kim.I
asked her to find the phone number for Sister Dulce.I felt like we should call because we were so
close. As Kim checked her phone, I heard a dripping noise.I started to look around for the source of
the water, not realizing it was the fountain.Kim commented,
“There’s that water again.”
Then something
caught my eye. The front door opened, and out came a nun. I was so excited I
could hardly get the words out!“Kim
there’s a nun!”She was wearing a white
habit and a cooking apron, so I assumed she was a cook. She walked to the edge
of the concrete and threw her arms out from her sides, as if to say,“What
now?”Kim immediately jumped out of the
car and guiltily ran up to the nun, explaining why we were there,“I know we
are not supposed to be here, but do you think it would be okay if we just said
a rosary in our car?”The nun responded,“Of course, you can always say a rosary, but don’t say it in the car.Come sit by the fountain, where it’s
cool.It’s too hot in the car.”
Kim and I got out
of the car, and sat on the edge of the fountain with a picture of Lauren in
between us.We resumed our rosary where
we left off. Just as we began to pray, the nun came up to us. She put her hand
on Kim’s shoulder and asked,“What are you here for?”Kim answered, “We heard
about Sister Dulce, and we know we can’t see her, but we thought if we could
pray near her, we could receive some peace.”The nun looked at us, and smiled a knowing smile.“I’m Sister Dulce.”,she said.Kim was right, we were meant to see Sister
Dulce today, and we didn’t have an appointment!
Kim explained
that I had lost my daughter Lauren six months ago, and we came seeking
peace.Sister Dulce got up and stood in
front of us.She took Lauren’s picture
in her hands and said“What a beautiful child.”The tears began to roll down my face.Sister closed her eyes and asked God, “What is it Papa?”She was quiet for a moment, listening to her
heart.She told us that there was a PaPa
that was having a hard time with Lauren’s death.She said that Lauren wanted him to know that
she was okay, and that she loved him.She went on to say that Lauren was going through a little bit of a
rebellious time.She wanted me to know
that she was sorry for the pain.
She
asked us how Lauren died.Kim told her that
it was an accident.Sister said that
Lauren was not drinking that night.She
said that Lauren wanted to call her Mama, but didn’t want to do it in front of
her friends.Then she asked how much
brain damage Lauren had sustained.I
told her that we didn’t know because Lauren died instantly.She said, “Well, she would have had severe
brain damage if she had survived the accident.”She indicated that Lauren would not have been able to do anything for
herself.She said that I would have had
to feed her and diaper her.
“You know
she didn’t want to be that way, and you wouldn’t want that for her either.”,
said Sister.What Sister said next gave
me chills,“She wants you to know that your prayers and candle light helped her
get to heaven, Mama.And you are one for
the candles, aren’t you?”, Sister laughed. I was flabbergasted!How could Sister Dulce know that I keep a
holy candle burning for Lauren at all times?
Then Sister put her hand on my
heart and prayed the most beautiful prayer.She asked God to take my pain and put it into her hands.I can’t describe the feeling I felt when she
placed her hand over my heart.It was a
warmth and energy that I felt from the inside.Sister turned to Kim next.She
prayed on her eyes and asked God to put Kim’s pain into her hands.With that, she told us to get out of the
sun.We thanked her and she turned
around and walked back into the brick building.
We stayed to
finish our rosary, but could hardly contain ourselves enough to pray.We had been truly blessed, and we knew
it.We were amazed by the synchronicity
of everything.For us to be there, at
that time, when she walked out, was just not a coincidence. We learned that it
was out of character for Sister to walk outside unaided on a hot day like that.Her scheduled appointment had just been
cancelled, and God had prompted her to walk outside the front door, at
precisely that moment.She walked out to
the edge of the concrete, not knowing why, until she saw us.
When we returned
home, we gathered with friends and family to tell them our amazing story.After the excitement, I walked my parents to
the front door.My mom started to
cry.She couldn’t even look at Dad and
me as she told us what was wrong.She explained
that when I called her that night to tell her that Lauren had been in a bad
accident, she said a prayer.She prayed
to God to take Lauren, and not leave her here to suffer, or have a prolonged
death.Mom had been carrying guilt for
her prayer of mercy since Lauren died.When she heard Sister Dulce’s words that Lauren would have been brain
damaged, it gave her heart some peace.
Dad told us that
he and Lauren had discussed death before she died.He told her of his near death experience, and
she was very interested.He felt like
Lauren’s message was to let him know that death was just like he said it
was.It is a wonderful place, and she is
safe and happy there.
London received a
frog from heaven that day, at about the same time Kim and I were with Sister
Dulce.She said a frog fell off the wall
and into her lap at school.The girl
next to her said...
“Look, a frog from heaven!”
Kim and I
received a gift of peace that day, and we shared it.I hope that Sister Dulce received a gift of
peace that day too, though I know she did, because that is how it works.God is bigger than all of us, and he uses us
to share His loving grace with each other.
Tara Rodney
3/7/11
Testimony taken from http://frogblog.brickhouse-mercantile.com/Sister_Dulce.html
Many mainline Non-Denominational Churches claim to be the true holder of the Faith of Jesus Christ. They often attack and denagrade the Catholic Church. Yet, everyone of these Protestant denominations are off shots of the Catholic Church. In fact it is only the Catholic Church, which can trace it's origin directly to Jesus Christ to the Apostle Peter in the year 33AD.
This above video gives a date for the birth of nearly all mainline Protestant Churches in the world today. Most, if not all were begun by former Catholics who had doctrinal issues with the Catholic Church. 'So, it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:5
It is obvious for anyone who is looking, to see, that the enemy has fractured the body of Christ into 20, 000 and counting different denominations. Bringing with it infighting, dogmatic separation, hatred for one another, schisms, and worst of all removing our eyes from the Lord and his declaration...
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you..." John 13:34
We are one body in the Lord JESUS CHRIST. No one has the full truth, and, no one will have the full truth until we are face to face with the Lord in Heaven. The BIBLE tells us this...
"For
now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know
in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known..." 1 Corinthians 13:12
There is one Church, one body of Christ. Jesus founded his Church on the rock which was Peter. That line of succession has passed down for over 2000 years. Jesus Christ said...
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gatesofhell shall notprevail against it..." Matthew 16:18
excerpted from https://churchpop.com/2015/12/26/how-kobe-bryants-catholic-faith-pulled-him-through-his-darkest-hour/
