My Dad kissing me on my wedding day
religion Archives
Readers chime in on divorce conversation
A recently got an email from a fan. Well, she may not be a fan anymore since I wrote a blog saying that you shouldn't be staying married just for the sake of the kids if you are miserable in your relationship. While I try not to get upset with differing opinions, this woman's email to me was totally out of line. You be the judge, since I'm posting her email, (along with my response) in this post.
Lily Dale hits HBO
There's a town in New York that's a popular spot for those trying to talk to dead people. I visited Lily Dale a few times. Wrote about the "town that talks to the dead" in my book
"Stay Tuned". I even pitched a documentary based on the town to several networks but nobody thought a whole movie about talking to the dead would be of interest.
I guess somebody changed their minds.
Getting married? Make it a destination!
I recently went to a destination wedding in the Bahamas for one of my oldest family friends, Armen Jr. It was a beautiful place, surrounded by clear blue water. Having been to my share of weddings over the years, (most of them for my own parents,) I now know that getting married in a far away place is the only way to go...
Unique places of worship from around the world
I was sent an email from my Aunt Deni yesterday that had several pictures of churches from all over the globe. I personally believe God finds you whether you pray in your kitchen or in a chapel- but here are some beautiful places to enjoy and pass along.
Kids see things we don't
The other night I was tucking my son into bed.
"Look, Mom!" He said.
"What?" I asked.
"The Angel," he said, pointing to the sky.
Are there any "spiritual" meeting groups in Chicago?
An email from a reader:
Dear Jen-
I was raised in Catholic schools and I'm not practicing Catholicism anymore because I feel there is too much judgment. I spent my childhood around mean nuns and bitter priests that should never have been around kids to begin with. As a baby boomer, I'm trying to find a group that will be welcoming to my evolving beliefs. I don't want something that is "Christ" based- or really steeped in any religion at all. I am just looking for a group that talks about the 'after life' with an open mind. Any ideas?
From- A "Recovering Catholic"
Holy week can be dangerous, dammit!
On this "holy week"- I'm staying busy with the usual: Snacking on chocolate, enjoying the warm weather and trying to figure out what the hell a bunny has to do with the birth of Jesus. But today- my good mood was briefly dampened by a snotty twenty-something who almost killed me.
The Healthcare debate- would Jesus be covered?
I recently had a friend tell me he is "De-Friending" any of his friends on facebook if they are FOR this Healthcare Bill. I'm sure we've all had people we know forward us emails to sway us to their beliefs. So how do we handle this? What is the answer? How can I stay "spiritual" when I want to punch some of these people out?
God loves sinners- even Tiger Woods
A comment from a reader-
Dear Jen,
i agree that only God has the right to judge a woman who is an exotic
dancer. And He loves her just as He loves me or you. However, the fact
still stands that she is causing other people-her brothers in Christ-to
sin. When the 10 Commandments say not to commit adultery, He also means
lust (Matthew 5:28). Disobeying one of the 10 Commandments is sinning.
Is it better to cause one of your brothers to sin than to commit a sin
yourself? I believe it's worse to knowingly cause someone else to
stumble.
dancer. And He loves her just as He loves me or you. However, the fact
still stands that she is causing other people-her brothers in Christ-to
sin. When the 10 Commandments say not to commit adultery, He also means
lust (Matthew 5:28). Disobeying one of the 10 Commandments is sinning.
Is it better to cause one of your brothers to sin than to commit a sin
yourself? I believe it's worse to knowingly cause someone else to
stumble.
Brittany
If you THINK about getting some- you just might!
Did you know that just THINKING about someone you really dig can actually cause them to have a physical reaction? This isn't my "woo-woo" stuff talking either, there's actual research behind it. 
Jesus likes dancing
My last post about God loving everyone, even exotic dancers- generated this response from someone with the name "Heisthelight"...
God loves you- even if you're a stripper
An email to share from a reader...
"Dear Jen-
I wanted to ask you a question about judgment. I was raised Catholic, and feel guilty about everything. I am a single mom and because of this tough economy, I have had to resort to getting a second job dancing for a strip club. Does that mean I'm going to hell?
Three words for Brit Hume: Shut your yap!
Incase you missed it- the Fox News analyst Brit Hume has put his uptight nose where it doesn't belong. This time- he's telling Tiger Woods to embrace Christianity.
Oh Jesus!!!
Oh Jesus!!!
Jesus drove a Cadillac!
What if Jesus was a rich dude? Seriously, I'm not just throwing out a hypothetical scenario to upset the Christian community, there are a slew of folks who think this is actually the case. Thanks to a recent story from CNN, one pastor says there are enough clues in the bible to prove it.
Dreams from dead people
Every have a dream of someone you loved? Is it vivid? Well, according to all the "I see dead people" experts I've interviewed, that's actually a "visitation".
Dad kissing me on my wedding day
Hilarious church signs
Just in time for that whole birth of Jesus thing- let's take a look at some funny church signs to lighten our mood. These actually exist, so have a good laugh and pass them on. And remember- God loves you, even if you swear at him, dammit!
Three things you need to know this holiday season
If you want to be spiritual for the holidays, I have a couple of ground rules... They're pretty simple and I've already seen several people I know and love break them. Of course, in my attempt not to judge for the month of December, I am torn whether or not to share... but for now, I will say this is guidance...and not judgment.. (You buying this? Cuz I'm not sure that I am..)
Is judgment acceptable if someone's in danger?
I would like to make an amendment to my "no judging" challenge. If you put someone's life at risk- then not only should you be judged- you need to be STOPPED!
More judgments
Trying to go through my day still without judging- and I got all rattled after getting a note from a friend. She was ripping on a friend of mine and I got this sick feeling in my stomach. Why do some people have to think they are better than others?
Can you stop judging others for a month?
I've been asked to take part in vocalo.org's "Month on Faith" by issuing a challenge to my readers and the vocalo listeners. This challenge doesn't have to be specific to any particular faith- (which is good, because I am a combo platter..) and should make others want to share their experiences.
Psychic predictions from a 3 year old
A few weeks ago, my brother Rafer was getting the feeling that his soon to be born son was coming early. While the baby's due date was Nov 19th, in early November, my brother had a hunch it wouldn't take that long. My 3 year old son Britt, however, begged to differ.
Uncle Rafer with his nephew Britt
Kids STILL say the darndest things
My son is at it again. I've written before about the inappropriate phrases that have accidentally flown out of his mouth in public. Well now, he's cracking us up at home too. 
my son Britt
Jesus lovers need to be more loving
I was driving the other day behind a car with about four different Jesus themed bumper stickers. Everything from "Honk if You Love Jesus" to "Jesus Saves." Since this person obviously holds Christianity close to their heart, I was shocked when I saw them act...well...less than "Jesus-y".
Positive energy and nice words keep flowers alive
So it's been two weeks since my husband bought me these flowers. Normally they
would be dead within a week- but I decided to do a little experiment to help them live longer.
Seems to be working!
would be dead within a week- but I decided to do a little experiment to help them live longer.
Seems to be working!
Coincidence? Or something more?
I am on deadline for my second book, and spent the majority of the day holed up in a room writing. But in the middle of my work day, I had another reminder that there is more going on in this vast Universe than we can ever imagine...so I had to share.
God hears you -- even if you don't go to church
Have you ever gone out to dinner and overheard the conversation at the table next to you? From first dates to long time friends, the variety of table chat can be both entertaining and tedious. Well, the other night my husband and I were out to eat, and we witnessed something unusual -- someone praying.
More signs from the other side
I think dead people are chatting with us and watching over us all the time. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with grief that we miss the signs. Other times, we are caught up in our logical minds, that we just call them "coincidences." So when I found out that my friend Randy Rogers wrote about book about how we are all connected, and his transformation from news man to understanding the meaning of life, I couldn't wait to write about it. 
Oprah is spiritual, dammit!
When it comes to being a spiritual warrior- we all know Oprah is a pioneer. Her word is... well- all powerful. (Who else could get permission to shut down Michigan Avenue??) And as her new season gets under way in a few days, I'm hoping that in addition to interviews with folks like Whitney Houston, Oprah will continue to push the "woo-woo" envelope.
Psychic or coincidence?
Image by Larry Miller via Flickr
How to get rich
If you're looking for the key to having unlimited abundance- apparently the answer is easy:
You just have to give away your money.
Everyone can afford to give ONE DOLLAR to charity
I was at the Petco in Skokie the other day buying dog food when I was faced with a dilemma:
How do I stay "spiritual" when the guy in front of me in line is being greedy?
What if there were no Hell?
So here's something to wrap your head around...All that talk of Hell, and "being cast into the lake of fire because of your sin..." well- what if I told you that was all just a p.r. campaign to get you to go to church?
Mediums in the Bible? You bet!
I've gotten a lot of flack from religious folks about the content of my book, Stay Tuned. What seems to set them off is the fact that I interview several mediums and psychics who claim to be able to talk to dead people in an attempt to talk to my dead dad, the late Tim Weigel. They think that the Bible cautions against this, saying it's "the devil's work." But I met a Catholic priest who told me otherwise...
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