1. What do you believe happens when we die?
Life never ends, although its form changes. I believe that death is the moment when we cross over to the next plane of existence. That place might be heaven, but I don’t know where or exactly what it is. I’ve had some really intriguing conversations with friends about what heaven might be like and how we will recognize each other there. One friend suggested that we will all be 33 years old there because that’s how old Jesus was when he was crucified. Another thinks we will be the age that we were the happiest while on earth. Of course, we all agreed that the concept of age is probably not going to have meaning there, at least not in the sense we think of it in relationship to our earthly existence.
2. Do you consider yourself religious?
No, I am not “religious” in the sense that I do not belong to a particular congregation or participate in religious rites or ceremonies on a regular basis. On some level, I will always identify with and consider myself part of the denomination in which I was raised and remained active until a few years ago. I’m sure that my religious training and experiences will always, to some extent, inform and supply the standard against which I measure my beliefs.
I prefer to focus upon being a spiritual person. I do not just accept information or conclusions at face value. I question, ponder, contemplate, and test information before I adopt it as part of my belief system. I no longer believe much of what it taught in traditional churches because the message is too limiting, the answers too pat.
3. Do you believe in ghosts?
I believe in angels, archangels, demons, and spirits, including spirit guides. I do not believe in ghosts as tormented entities that somehow became trapped between earth and the next plane so wreak havoc in a specific building or locale.
4. Do you believe that people live on other planets?
People like us? No. Other types of beings? Why not? If we are here, I believe that scientists could someday discover other types of life forms on other planets.
5. Have you ever seen something abnormal?
I’m a lawyer, so I see “abnormal” things on a daily basis. 
I have had experiences with angels and demons, as well as the spirits of persons who have already crossed over.
For instance, I believe that when we dream about someone who has crossed over, we have been visited by that individual. On numerous occasions, I have had very realistic dreams about persons who are dead, including some people that I barely knew. For instance, I had a very vivid, detailed dream about the father of an old friend in which we had a long conversation and he imparted information to me about my friend’s life now, his state of happiness, etc. My friend and I lost touch a number of years ago, but for some reason, I had been thinking about him quite a bit in the days leading up to that dream. Skeptics will say, “Oh, it’s just a coincidence. You dreamed about his father because you were thinking about him. Since you wish the best for him and want to hear that he’s happy and doing well, you dreamed that he is. There’s no mystery here!” But I believe that his father visited me for the purpose of conveying a message. Although I continue to think about that friend from time to time, I have never again dreamed about him or any member of his family and I don’t believe that is a coincidence.
I have also experienced precognition and had premonitions. For instance, I had a premonition the day before my mother-in-law died.
The last car my father owned or drove was his 1989 Buick Regal. In 2000, we purchased it from my mother when she was no longer able to drive. As a general rule, BigBob drove that vehicle, but on the day before Thanksgiving 2001, I swapped cars with BigBob because he was going to have some work done on my car. As I was driving to the office, I looked over at a gas station and had a memory flash. At least 25 or 30 years earlier, my father went to the gas station and while there, his car caught fire. Fortunately, it was a minor fire caused by two engine wires touching and sparking. The gas station had a fire extinguisher, and there was only minor damage which he easily repaired since he was an auto mechanic. On that November morning, I found myself remembering that incident, amazed that I recalled that event after so many years. I chalked it up to the fact that I was driving the car that had been my father’s past a gas station, thereby triggering a long-buried memory.
That afternoon, I was sitting in my office when my husband called. He said, “You’re not going to believe what just happened.” After having the work on my car completed, he decided to fill the gas tank for me. The car was parked at the gas pump and he went inside the store to pay for the gas. When he came out of the door and began walking toward the car, he saw smoke coming from under the hood. Fortunately, he quickly ran back inside and got a fire extinguisher. Two engine wires had touched together and sparked, causing a fire. The damage was extensive enough that the car could not be driven. Fortunately, it was an accidental event covered by our insurance policy. By the time he called me, the car had been towed to the repair shop and he had picked up a rental vehicle for me.
My sudden recollection of my father’s experience so many years before was not a coincidence. On the contrary, I believe it was either a premonition or a message from my father letting me know that an angel arranged for us to trade cars on that day. After all, if I had been at that gas station alone, I probably would have panicked and called 911. I doubt I would have had the good sense to reach for a fire extinguisher and certainly would not have known how to use one. My car would probably have been totally engulfed and a complete loss by the time the fire department arrived. Instead, it was fully repaired and is sitting in front of the house right now.
6. Do you believe in reincarnation?
I’m open to the idea.
7. Have you ever witnessed a miracle?
I have seen miraculous things happen for which there was no logical or plausible explanation. Those things have taken place over the course of a period of time, not within a few seconds or even minutes. Miracles are happening around us all the time, but most of the time we are too busy, preoccupied, and oblivious to notice them.
8. Is there a person living or dead that influences your philosophies?
There are a number of people who have influenced my beliefs and philosophies, including the various professors, teachers, spiritual leaders, pastors, fellow parishioners, and good friends with whom I have studied and discussed these topics over the years. Certainly, my parents influenced my beliefs through their quiet examples of faithfulness.
I am also a big fan of John Edward. I have seen him in person five times.
9. Is there a work of fiction that closely matches your spiritual beliefs?
I am not aware of any fictional work that aligns with my beliefs.
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11 Comments
Hi Janie my fellow Evanovich friend!
OH MY GOSH – about the incident with the car! What a preminition. That is incredible!
I loved your answer about abnormal things..that first sentence was hysterical!
I also like your answer about what happens after we die. Being Catholic I’ve heard about everyone being 33yrs old. My only question I would ask people was what would happen if someone died prior to being 33. I also heard that we are in Heaven at our happiest/healthiest stage.
Jodi´s most recent post: Saturday 9: Dying To Know
The whole car story was eerie and facinating. (My last car BTW was a Buick Regal.) But the thing with you and premonitions is awesome. I have them, too. There is one major difference. Mine NEVER come true. Happy Saturday…
Bud Weiser´s most recent post: That’s Where the Smirnoff Is
Thanks for sharing your very interesting beliefs. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
NurseExec´s most recent post: Saturday 9–Dying to Know
The way you stay connected to those who have passed through dreams is very cool. Do you remember most of your dreams the next morning? Or only particularly vivid/meaningful ones?
The Gal Herrself´s most recent post: I love this show
Interesting topic, not one I personally think about too much but still rather interesting read. Thanks for sharing.
Alex´s most recent post: WebProsperity Pre-Launch
LOL @ YOUR ANSWER TO NUMBER 6……MY STATE TROOPER SON IN LAW SAYS THE SAME THING…
I like this review which had discussed over here..I do agree with you that life never gets ended until we die..
Alvina´s most recent post: Mesa, Arizona
I agree that miracles are happening around us all the time but we are too experienced to even notice!
A very interesting story. I definitely think miracles are hapenning all around us every second. I do believe in ghosts and spirits, they are around us in my opinion. My family and I have had many experiences with ghosts. Anyone ever been to the Golden Lamb in Ohio? I believe when you pass away you either go to heaven or hell. I am a Christian so that is why I believe this way. I have never heard the 33 yrs thing, how interesting.
I feel sorry for people who believe this life is it. This can’t be it.
I was raised Catholic where it seems every thought or deed would be another black mark on your soul. I don’t attend church anymore but I am spiritual. I know God has a plan for me but I wish sometimes he would let me in on what it is.
It was a miracle about your car. I had an incident, where I was driving home from work one night when my car died. I couldn’t get anyone to stop. I didn’t have a cell phone on me or AAA. A car pulled over and a man and his girl friend got out. He checked my car and thought it was something other than the battery. When I explained I didn’t have a cell phone or AAA, he said no problem. He had enough room on his AAA card to have me towed to my mechanic. He called them and they waited with me until the tow truck showed up. Not only did they drive me to my mechanics to wait for the two truck driver to show up but they also insisted on driving me home. I offered money but they said no and when I left to go into my building they told me God Bless. I never have accepted rides from strangers but I wasn’t afraid with this couple. I really believe they were angels sent to help me by God. In this day and age very few people are willing to help out a stranger.
This is why I believe the old saying about being kind to strangers because you never know one of them might be an angel.
The whole dream thing is eerie. I have had dreams about family members, friends and even people I barely know who have past on that were really vivid. Who is to say what you can or can’t do on the other side. That is the wonderful part about it. I think heaven is a place where your hearts desire is met. Where if you didn’t have love here on earth you will find it there.
I’m not religious but I do believe in reincarnation. I believe it’s not about reading something about it in the Bible but it’s about thinking about it, searching through world religions like Buddhism and deciding for yourself. Christianity is not the only religion on Earth. Look at the people in India – they’re poor but they’re happy. Maybe we should be like that?