After our conversation was cut short on Christmas Eve, I really felt the need to write you about my convictions and beliefs. I realize that I am in no way an expert on life, death, the Bible, nor Christ. However, I believe you need to hear the following from someone who not only loves you, but respects your fears, your worries, and your doubt more than you can possibly imagine. So here is my explanation of a soul and life:
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When a baby is born, and she takes her first breath, God fills her body with a unique soul/spirit/essence. This can be best illustrated by filling a glass with water. The baby's body is the glass, and the unique essence is her soul.
As the baby grows into an adult, the glass will take on characteristics of the soul/spirit/essence. Therefore, resembling the essence in most ways. Of course the glass might shake a bit during turbulent times, thus spilling the water. And of course the water will evaporate over time, but that is where spiritual nourishment comes into play. Will the girl fill her glass with the word of God (i.e. scripture), or will she fill her glass with negative thoughts, fears and worries (i.e. air)?
Upon death, the water from her body is poured out and the glass/body/shell is buried in the Earth. The water, her spirit/soul/essences enters the Universe. If she is a Christian, has lived by the teachings of Jesus* and God finds her worthy, her soul will enter another existence (i.e. heaven) where she will be reunited with others. She will be energy/spirit/essence, but she will resemble her former shell/body, so will the others with which is united. I do not think Heaven is a guarantee, but a spiritual "destination" which one can achieve.
*I want to interject that the teachings of Jesus, not those massaged, tweaked and written by Paul in his letters, are where we truly see the grace and love of the "universal" God. If one is to live by the B-Attitudes (sermon on the mount), the lessons of the parables, and the unorthodox friendships Jesus acquired, one truly learns to live for Christ, "working" toward a life HE would want. As Zoe tells me often, "Be Kind, Be Like Christ."
When a baby is born, and she takes her first breath, God fills her body with a unique soul/spirit/essence. This can be best illustrated by filling a glass with water. The baby's body is the glass, and the unique essence is her soul.
As the baby grows into an adult, the glass will take on characteristics of the soul/spirit/essence. Therefore, resembling the essence in most ways. Of course the glass might shake a bit during turbulent times, thus spilling the water. And of course the water will evaporate over time, but that is where spiritual nourishment comes into play. Will the girl fill her glass with the word of God (i.e. scripture), or will she fill her glass with negative thoughts, fears and worries (i.e. air)?
Upon death, the water from her body is poured out and the glass/body/shell is buried in the Earth. The water, her spirit/soul/essences enters the Universe. If she is a Christian, has lived by the teachings of Jesus* and God finds her worthy, her soul will enter another existence (i.e. heaven) where she will be reunited with others. She will be energy/spirit/essence, but she will resemble her former shell/body, so will the others with which is united. I do not think Heaven is a guarantee, but a spiritual "destination" which one can achieve.
*I want to interject that the teachings of Jesus, not those massaged, tweaked and written by Paul in his letters, are where we truly see the grace and love of the "universal" God. If one is to live by the B-Attitudes (sermon on the mount), the lessons of the parables, and the unorthodox friendships Jesus acquired, one truly learns to live for Christ, "working" toward a life HE would want. As Zoe tells me often, "Be Kind, Be Like Christ."
As Biblical scholar, Sandra Glahn wrote in her book Coffee Cup Bible Studies: Kona with Jonah, "To believe that every work of the Bible is true and inspired by God does not necessarily mean we must believe God intends for us to understand every word of it as nonfiction. Assuming otherwise is a mistake made by both believers and nonbelievers."
Works are important, but Grace is what truly interjects and saves us from our selfish goals. Finding a balance between Faith and Works is essential, but it is Grace that allows us to stumble, fall, and try again. If we are truly "working" with the only intent on "getting into heaven," then we have missed out on what we are supposed to be working towards: to be like Christ and show all (every soul on this Earth) the grace that God showed us through His son, Jesus Christ.
Works are important, but Grace is what truly interjects and saves us from our selfish goals. Finding a balance between Faith and Works is essential, but it is Grace that allows us to stumble, fall, and try again. If we are truly "working" with the only intent on "getting into heaven," then we have missed out on what we are supposed to be working towards: to be like Christ and show all (every soul on this Earth) the grace that God showed us through His son, Jesus Christ.
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