Author Topic: Near Death Experiences and How They Can Bring Us Closer to God (Read 1320 times)

Alan Scott · « **on:** February 19, 2015, 05:37:14 AM »

In 2010 I was involved in a very bad car accident. One that came close to taking my life. It forever changed my way of thinking, and my priorities going forward.

Article Excerpt: "It’s always hard for me to explain, but it’s as if God allowed (even willed) the accident, so I could finally see my distorted view of what I perceived as normal, so God could create a new normal for me."

Gaining Perspective from a Near Death Accident
http://www.growinvirtue.com/gaining-perspective/

I would love to read any stories from fellow readers who have had experiences that brought them closer to God.

God bless,

Alan

BTNYC · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2015, 01:08:22 PM »

Alan-

A few brief questions (if you don't mind):

Are you a Traditional Catholic? By that I mean: Do you exclusively attend the Traditional Latin Mass (or Traditional Eastern Divine Liturgy)? If so, do you do so not merely out of preference but out of a conviction that the Novus Ordo is objectively inferior the Traditional Mass (and therefore displeasing to God)? Do you accept Vatican II as a genuine expression of the Catholic Faith, whole and inviolate, or do you see it as the greatest disaster in the history of the Church (at least since the Arian crisis)? Do you believe the Jєωs are "our elder brothers in the Faith," or the ѕуηαgσgυє of Satan and archnemesis on earth of the Catholic Church? Why did you choose to join Cathinfo rather than, say, Catholic Answers Forum?

I ask because this forum is specifically a Traditional Catholic one (in the sense described above) and you might find the users here a little reticent about answering questions posed by new members who are essentially unknown quantities. Also, because, after perusing your blog (though admittedly, not exhaustively) I was unable to detect any specifically Traditional bent to it.

Alan Scott · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2015, 05:37:04 PM »

Hi,

Thank you for your questions.

I converted to the Catholic Faith (from having no faith) in 2004. I have been attending only the Traditional Latin Mass since I entered the Church in 2004.

I have never attended a Novus Ordo since becoming Catholic, with no plans to do so.

My blog is exactly as the title suggests (GrowInVirtue.com) about growing in virtue. No article on the site has or will ever be about the crisis in the Church. I suffer from the crisis daily; I am well aware of what the crisis is. That is not the intent of my site.

My blog is about growing in virtue: dying to ourselves and loving God more. This is necessary whether you’re a Traditional Catholic, Novus Ordo Catholic, or even a Protestant.

So, I was hoping to be welcome on the site, given I am a traditional Catholic, but I would also hope that my site can be beneficial to anyone who desires to grow in virtue. It could perhaps be the first step from one changing from the Novus Ordo, to the true Catholic faith.

So, no, I certainly don’t mind you asking me a few questions…and I hope as a traditional Catholic I might be permitted to remain, so I can help others and they can help me as well to love God more.

BTNYC · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2015, 10:58:36 PM »

Quote from: Alan Scott

Hi,

Thank you for your questions.

I converted to the Catholic Faith (from having no faith) in 2004. I have been attending only the Traditional Latin Mass since I entered the Church in 2004.

I have never attended a Novus Ordo since becoming Catholic, with no plans to do so.

My blog is exactly as the title suggests (GrowInVirtue.com) about growing in virtue. No article on the site has or will ever be about the crisis in the Church. I suffer from the crisis daily; I am well aware of what the crisis is. That is not the intent of my site.

My blog is about growing in virtue: dying to ourselves and loving God more. This is necessary whether you’re a Traditional Catholic, Novus Ordo Catholic, or even a Protestant.

So, I was hoping to be welcome on the site, given I am a traditional Catholic, but I would also hope that my site can be beneficial to anyone who desires to grow in virtue. It could perhaps be the first step from one changing from the Novus Ordo, to the true Catholic faith.

So, no, I certainly don’t mind you asking me a few questions…and I hope as a traditional Catholic I might be permitted to remain, so I can help others and they can help me as well to love God more.

Thank you for your detailed response. It is much appreciated.

Lighthouse · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2015, 11:08:44 PM »

Quote

My blog is about growing in virtue: dying to ourselves and loving God more. This is necessary whether you’re a Traditional Catholic, Novus Ordo Catholic, or even a Protestant.

Yes, but you must understand that it impossible to "grow in virtue" (and you might want to start by defining this) without growing in the True Faith. And growing in the true faith cannot happen with adherence to lies and scandalous ideas. It would, therefore, be something I would be careful of when I attach it to heretics.

If a Hollywood actor decides to spend money feeding the starving, while at the same time engaging in sɛҳuąƖ misdeeds, intense investment with drugs, and setting terrible and soul endangering portrayals on the screen for the young to be scandalized by, then he would be descending into a Pelagian manner of behavior. Virtue comes from God and is defined by the Holy Roman Catholic Church. We aren't allowed to decide for ourselves what qualifies for salvation.

What possible meaning would growing in virtue have for a Protestant that does not convert?

AMDGJMJ · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2015, 07:43:57 PM »

Quote from: Lighthouse

Quote
My blog is about growing in virtue: dying to ourselves and loving God more. This is necessary whether you’re a Traditional Catholic, Novus Ordo Catholic, or even a Protestant.

Yes, but you must understand that it impossible to "grow in virtue" (and you might want to start by defining this) without growing in the True Faith. And growing in the true faith cannot happen with adherence to lies and scandalous ideas. It would, therefore, be something I would be careful of when I attach it to heretics.

If a Hollywood actor decides to spend money feeding the starving, while at the same time engaging in sɛҳuąƖ misdeeds, intense investment with drugs, and setting terrible and soul endangering portrayals on the screen for the young to be scandalized by, then he would be descending into a Pelagian manner of behavior. Virtue comes from God and is defined by the Holy Roman Catholic Church. We aren't allowed to decide for ourselves what qualifies for salvation.

What possible meaning would growing in virtue have for a Protestant that does not convert?

I think that perhaps one should consider here that a person does not convert in an instant. Seeds need to be planted before anyone will make such a change in their life like converting.

Also, there is such a thing as natural grace. The more a person grows in it the more they may be inclined to convert. Therefore, would it not be good to encourage others to become better so that they can eventually grow in virtue?

Sandy B · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2015, 08:26:21 AM »

Hello and welcome to our forum. I too had a near death experience and it brought me closer to God also. I am grateful to be alive. God mostly with the help of nurses and doctors saved me. I knew I was dying and asked God to please let me live me and he did. My heart stopped twice, each time for 3 minutes with 2 minutes in-between I was told. I am a new convert myself , now 77 years old , and I was 71 when converted. Long story as dad fell away from the church after he married outside of the church. He returned later when I was 26 YEARS OLD BY THEN and I was already married into an Episcopal family. I know now but I am divorced as he was not faithful to me. So ignorant was I and I was never raised Catholic for one day. I was from an ALL Catholic family and my heart and soul was in my becoming a very late convert. I was baptized Catholic but when I was 3 years old mother left all of us never to return. So I welcome you as I so understand how you want to learn and this is a great forum to learn. I will begin with from now on before I post in this forum, " I am a convert and please help me to be the best possible Catholic asking for help and kindness." I go to my wonderful church almost every Sunday, I am a member of the largest Catholic church in Virginia. Words cannot describe how they welcomed me and continue to welcome me every Sunday. God has blessed me for certain. Not all of us had the blessings some of our fellow members had. We do the best we can with what was handed us. WELCOME AGAIN TO YOU ... Sandy B... Please continue your journey with us.