The Soul and Near Death Expericences

I AM in your Midst was just published and I should finish writing my final book I Am Within You this year.  My friend, Bill McKinney, who does my website and prepares my books for publication, sent me a link to a two-part interview of Chris Stefanick and Fr. Robert Spitzer.  The topics were “The Existence of the Soul” and “Near Death Experiences.”  We had just finished a discussion on the soul, which is the subject in the final chapter of my upcoming book I AM Within You. 

Another friend's out of body experience was the first story in my last book, I AM in Your Midst.  Bill thought this interview was relevant to the books’ topics. My upcoming book will have stories of life after death.  This video interview shows how we, as humans and the supernatural, work together.  I use the word Ideals as what we strive for in life, a term used in Cursillo. Father Spitzer refers to what we seek as perfections, as does St Teresa of Avila in her book The Interior Castle. The attached interview is very interesting, as they discuss both topics in a deep but understandable way.

Click on the button below to listen to all or part of the 40 minute interview:

New Book Published

Clarence’s newest book has just been published

I AM In Your Midst Book Cover

I AM In Your Midst

Amazing TRUE STORIES of God working in the lives of a variety of people who have shared their story with me since our move to Indiana. Each story reveals God’s presence in the world and how the Holy Spirit intercedes to carry out His will. These stories are shared so that all might know that God, our Father, who created the universe, is concerned about each of us on our little planet.

If you want to order 4 or more copies:

TRUTH

When you hear someone say to you, “The truth is…” What do you expect next? Isn’t it something that is going to be revealed, that up until now has been held secret, or untold knowledge. We usually are all ears.

Are we open to THE TRUTH? Are we all ears? Are we hearing Him.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John14-6)

This week a friend shared this prayer with me from (Peter Kreeft and Ron Tacelli)

Prayer of the Truth Seekers

“God, I don’t know whether you even exist. I’m a skeptic. I doubt. I think you may only be a myth. But I’m not certain, (at least when I’m completely honest with myself.) So, if you do exist, and if you really did promise to reward all seekers, you must be hearing me now. So, I hereby declare myself a seeker, a seeker of the truth, whatever and wherever it is. I want to know the truth and live the truth. If You are the truth, please help me.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  (Matthew 7-7)

 Clarence

He’s Different

This week I was discussing with a friend about the story on my website, Why Does God Make People with Downs Syndrome.  He said, "What good can come from Downs Syndrome?"  I answered, "you will have to read the two stories on the website.”

Two days later I told another friend I was putting, Why Does God Make People with Downs Syndrome in my next book.  He replied, “I have something for you that I have listened to a dozen times.”  He sent me the YouTube video, HE’S DIFFERENT. You can click on the link to view it, too.

God gives everyone gifts.  Sometimes we focus only on flaws and miss the beauty of the gifts.  I think God has made His point.

Clarence

Weeping Willow

My Daughter Karen sent this to me.  We all seek understanding of situations, and that is why I think this post is so impactful.  My granddaughter Kayla painted the picture in her teens, during some trying times.  She was always quite the artist.  Kayla graduated with highest honors from UNC Chapel Hill in 2022.

Clarence

My daughter Kayla painted this in 2015.  On the back it says, "Just like the willow tree our family is broken..., but beautiful."  "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)."  She is an amazing young lady. 

Weeping Willow, by Kayla

We used to joke that our family tree was the weeping willow.  A family riddled with addiction, mental health issues and broken relationships.  The weeping willow name comes from the way raindrops run down its long leaves, making it look like the tree is crying.  The weeping willow is therefore associated with grief and mourning. 

My kids’ grandfather and then their favorite uncle both committed suicide within 10 years of each other (they were identical twin brothers).  This happened back in the time when you didn’t talk about mental health.  Suicide had a stigma with it and it was something families swept under the rug and didn’t let people know.  I remember feeling like, what if people found out how they died?  How would that reflect on us and our family?  So, we kept it close.  But then a friend shared about her brother taking his life.  I had no idea. She and I had been friends for a while, and I remember feeling a sense of relief that someone understood.  Her vulnerability gave me such comfort and allowed me to be vulnerable and share what I was feeling.  Confusion, sadness and guilt (I know now that it wasn’t my fault, but at the time you find yourself asking could I have done something? What didn’t I see?

Since that time, I have shared our family story with many others struggling with the loss of a friend or family member to suicide.  In my former life, I was a pastor’s wife for 15 years, so I was privy to many peoples struggles through co counseling with my then husband and knew sharing our story could help these families feel understood and not alone. 

Also, since that time, I have more personally dealt with mental health concerns with my own children.  I am thankful that the universities they attend provide ways for them to get counseling, and teachers and friends who understand when they are having a difficult time.  Vulnerability is key.  Others sharing their stories helps in so many ways.  It takes the stigma away of “what is wrong with me?”  “what is wrong with my family?” or “what is the purpose in all this pain?” and the alienation one feels when they feel like no one else understands or feels this way. 

One of the stories my kids and I used to read when they were little was a story called “Best of All” by Max Lucado, where the character Punchinello, being a made of a willow tree, was seen as weak and less-than from the others made from the strong trees.  He questioned why he had to be made different.  But later in the story he found that being made of willow allowed him to be flexible and bend and actually save the strong maple in a life-threatening situation while the others made of strong trees couldn’t save her.  

There’s a quote by Robert Jordan I just saw that reads, “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent and survived.” 

So maybe having a weeping willow for a family tree is actually not such a bad thing, but yet a strength in vulnerability and a way to help others survive. 😊

As Kayla reminded me…We are broken,…but beautiful.

Karen

STORIES FROM GRANDPA

A friend sent me this poem. It was written when his first grandbaby was born, approximately 7 years ago.  It is from the perspective of what a person sees through their life, from the time they are born, until the time they become a grandparent. It takes us back 5 generations and looks forward two generations. Quite an interesting poem.

His own grandfather was born in 1885 and was about 75 years old by the time he was born in 1960.  So, between 1885 and 1960, life changed in countless ways.  He wondered what his own grandbaby would see in his lifetime.

 STORIES FROM GRANDPA

Grandbaby, Grandbaby What Will You See? 

Grandbaby, Grandbaby, what will you see,

by the time you become a Grandparent, so proud like me?

 

Things change so quickly, technology has evolved.

What will life be like, what challenges will be solved?

 

My Grandpa before me saw so much new automation

Things previously thought possible, only in one's imagination.

Tractors replaced horses, electricity came to the home

And connected by wires, you could talk through a phone.

Man learned to fly and you could travel by plane

Cars replaced buggies, trucks delivered our grain.

TV came to the home, with picture and voice

You could select from three channels, what a wide wonderful choice.

By the time I was born, it was all normal to me

My Grandpa must have wondered, what would I see?

 

Now that I'm a Grandpa, I can look back and reflect,

At the changes I've seen, with awe and respect.

Interstate highways, the first man on the moon

On-line orders are delivered, the next day before noon.

You can talk "to" your phone, send an e-mail or text

Your phone talks back to you, and tells you where to turn next.

Self driving cars have been tested for miles

3D objects are printed, from your computer's design files.

TV has evolved, with sound all around

1,000 channels plus movies, the choices astound.

Grandbaby, Grandbaby, what will you see,

by the time you become a Grandparent, so proud like me?

 

Will delivery drones take your children to school,

Will self driving cars be the general rule?

Will you fly across the country, in less than an hour,

Live wherever you want, with no office tower?

Will your house be powered by the wind and the sun's rays,

Will you blow on a pin-wheel, and have power for days?

Will the watch that you wear, be your phone and tell time,

Replace your doctor, Diagnose you, Inject your medicines for a dime?

Will you have a home shopping portal?  Your size it would scan,

Print your order in an instant, in any color known to man?

 

Technology will be great, but take time for the simples

Join your Grandparents for lunch.  Smile.  Show your dimples.

Read a book, go fishing, run outside and play,

and thank God for your blessings, each time that you pray.

 

Not all things will change, I hope you will see

Like the love from your family, and fond memories of your Grandma and me.

 

Oh Grandbaby, Grandbaby, what will you see...............

 

Written for Henry Mitchell Olsen, by Grandpa Olsen - February 28, 2016

When I Die

I read somewhere that, in receiving the Holy Oils in the Sacrament of healing of the sick, the recipient oftentimes receives a glimpse of heaven.  

I think the recipient feels the profound Love of God and the joy and peace that comes with it. If it is the end of life as we know it, those around the dying person feel that same love, peace, and joy, emanating through the dying person, as they go through the process of passing from this life to the next. There is a sense of peace and a subdued joyfulness.    

On the website under New Life are the stories of Rick and Marilyn. They give that indication of a sense of peace and a subdued joyfulness.

Clarence 

The Adam Vellic Story

This story is about a young boy, Adam Vellic, who loved baseball and had a knack for it, even at the age of five.  He would constantly be asking his father to play it with him.  Unfortunately, before he was old enough to play in little league, he was diagnosed with leukemia.  He underwent Chemotherapy to combat the cancer.  As Adam was recovering, the doctors and family noticed the chemo was causing Adam to lose some of his cognitive ability.  Within a few weeks Adam went into a coma.  He did come out of the coma, but he had to learn to walk all over again.  He no longer had the agility he had as a five-year old. 

When he was in the third grade and old enough to play T ball, his dad signed Adam up because he had loved baseball so much.  He was assigned to Coach Ralph’s team.  Coach Ralph had 5 boys of his own and coached all his boys until they went into the Little League. His second youngest son, Scott, entered T ball the same year as Adam.  Adam’s father talked to Coach Ralph and told Coach about Adam’s disabilities.  The Lord put the two together, because Coach Ralph had a philosophy that no matter how good or poor a player was, he played the same number of innings and at bats as everyone else.  It cost Coach games early in the season when other teams played by the rule that each player had to play only two innings.  But as the season went on, Coach Ralph ended up developing each player, and in the end, they usually won the championship.  Since all the players were young, most hits were to right field as most players were right-handed and were late in swinging.  Coach Ralph did not stick the poorer players at third or left field.  He had them play all fielding positions.  Even Adam played second base which was the most active.  One time Adam threw out a player going to first and everyone cheered.  No one was as HAPPY as Adam.  Of course, just playing baseball made him happy.

Parents and players knew Coach Ralph, so there were few complaints when they lost games.  Also, his sons, who were some of the best players, sat out.  Coach Ralph spent hours planning the line up before game day, so that he would not be tempted to play the better players if they started to lose.  He stuck to the game plan. His goal was to help each player to play to the best of his ability to build character and team values.

In this T ball league if a player gets 4 balls, he gets to put the ball on a tee and hit it.  Adam wanted to get a hit so bad that he most always struck out or the ball would not go over 30 feet in the infield, which was an automatic out.  Adam never got on base.  Toward the end of the season, unbeknownst to Coach Ralph, Adam told his teammates he was going to hit a home run.  It was pretty bold for someone who has never gotten to first base.

The score was tied, and it was in the last inning when Adam ended up getting four balls, which meant he got to hit the ball from the tee.  He hit it and started to run for first base.  The pitcher did not think the ball would reach the 30-foot arc.  The ball slowly rolled to the arc and passed it by inches.  The pitcher picked the ball up and thew it to first.  Adam was running all the time the ball was slowly rolling to the 30 ft mark. and as the first baseman reached for the ball his foot came up from the bag.  Adam was safe on first and rounded the bag to go to second as his coach was telling him to stay on the bag.  The first baseman was about to throw the ball to the pitcher, when he noticed Adam halfway to second base.  The first baseman was so startled that he overthrew the second baseman.  The shortstop was there to back him up, but Adam was safe at second. Everyone heard Coach Ralph screaming for Adam to stop at second, but Adam never stopped running. Adam rounded the bag.  The shortstop was so surprised to see Adam running past him that he over-threw the third baseman.  The errant ball rolled all the way to the fence.  The third baseman picked up the ball and threw it, but by this time Adam was running for home plate. But was he?  No, he was running to the tee, which the umpire had moved off home plate.  Adam was out of the baseline. His teammates were all screaming. They picked Adam up as he ran toward the tee and put him on home plate.   The umpire called him safe.  The other team was clapping.  Adam’s only hit of the season was a home run, which won the game.  

Yes, Coach Ralph had another winning season.  His son Scott moved up to the Little League and now his youngest son Rick was in T Ball.  Adam was allowed to play T ball the next year and not be forced into Little League because of his disabilities.  Adam died five years later when his cancer returned.  The school planted a tree in his honor.  He was beloved by everyone for his big heart and his never give up attitude.  Whenever anyone brings up Adam’s name, there are always tears that follow in his memory.

Coach Ralph continued to coach his son Rick the next three years, but under new rules. The city now had the coaches rank their players at the end of the season. A committee would then assign them to a different team each year by ranking. Coach Ralph no longer had most of his team from the prior year. This made it difficult, as new players and parents did not understand Coach Ralph’s philosophy.  Parents felt if their son was one of the best players, he should never sit on the bench, and many new older players were less disciplined or did not respect Coach Ralph’s philosophy.

Coach said, “When I got new players and new parents, they did not like my coaching philosophy. Which was, “No matter how good or poor a player is, you are all going to get the same playing time.”

What take-aways did you have from this story?

I had three:

1}  Adam proved that determination can overcome any deficiency.

2) Coach Ralph’s philosophy, builds character, teamwork and values that go beyond sports.

3} Parents need to look less at scores and more into what values, and character traits their young children are developing through sports.

Clarence

Mark 9:37

Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Poem, Chuck Riegler

The following poem was sent to me by a friend of Chuck Riegler. Chuck is a retired high school teacher and youth counselor. His poem is worth sharing.

Clarence

MY Faith, My Anchor

By Chuck Riegler

I’m sailing on this sea of life, just trying to find my way.

I ask of You this morning, to steer me through the day.

I sometimes seem to drift about, just moving with the tide,

Forgetting of Your presence, that You are at my side.

Believing that I know what’s best, I’m captain of this boat,

Forgetting also You’re the One who keeps this ship afloat.

But when I sail the troubled waters and my ship is tossed about,

I turn to You in desperate need, and cries for help I shout.

But what I need to realize is where my strength comes from,

To praise You not only when the sea is rough, but also when it’s calm.

For what I fail to understand, am just too blind to see,

Is that You will always hold a lifeline out to me.

And far beneath my keel, so deep I cannot say,

You’ve got me anchored firm and fast, and won’t let me slip away.

 

The Fuller Center for Housing

Here is an opportunity to instill Christian values and donate to a good cause at the same time.  

The Fuller Center for Housing provides housing, similar to Habitat for Humanity, with a special caveat.  Their Bicycle Adventures, of which there are six this year in the US, get funding from the riders.  Each rider donates $4,500 which goes toward building the houses.

Scholarship programs are offered, and one has been set up in my name, Clarence Gilles, to which people can contribute to help the less affluent, mostly college students, cover up to ½ of the donation needed to go on an adventure trip.  Different churches put them up for the night and feed them on the route.    

All, of the money goes to sponsoring young riders and all, of that money ends up building homes for those in need.  Fuller is a 503C Christian organization.  This year a friend is donating, to each participant, a copy of my book “On My Way.”  The book will be used for group studies on these trips.

For more information on scholarships and how to donate, click below.

Any amount would be appreciated, and if you know of someone who would like to go on a trip, please froward this information to them.  Riders of all ages are regulars on these trips.  Participation by young people is especially necessary to introduce them to this rewarding and enriching program.

Clarence Gilles

Lighting Candles

During Lent many Christians increase focus on Christ through prayer, the sacraments and acts of charity.  Below is an excerpt from the book On My Way.

During the Easter Vigil the priest takes the Easter candle and lights the candles of those near Him. The candle lighting spreads throughout the church. As more and more candles are lit the once small light grows into a glow which illuminates the entire church.

When we share the gospel or use our gifts to spread the love of God with those we meet, our light takes root in them. Now others are touched by God’s love which is uplifting for them and encourages them to share kindness with those they meet.

Each time God’s love is shared in any form, a smile, a helping hand, a special moment, a sharing of the gospel, a spontaneous gesture or a donation, it illuminates those we touch. They then take the light we gave them and share it with others. Soon our neighborhood, family, church, workplace, and world will be illuminated. It does not take long for God’s love to spread. All it takes is us sharing God’s love and gifts each and every day. At the end of the day, we will never know how many candles were lit because of our actions in sharing the love of God.

How many candles will you light tomorrow, along with using the spontaneous opportunities God places before you?

The sharing of God’s love is a gift, a gift from God to us, from us to others. It is when we listen to His voice and do His will with love that we become one with Him and His joy shines like a beacon from within.

Under True Stories on the website under Lighting Candles are two stories that are pertinent to the 40 days of Lent. The stories are not conversion stories, but they provide inspiration on ways to introduce others to a deeper relationship with Christ and His universal church

"Faith in Action" Interview

Recently I was interviewed by Catholic Radio Faith in Action cohosts Brigid Ayer and Jim Ganley about how to get to know Christ and reflection on your spiritual journey into the New Year. The interview did not go smoothly at first.

Holy Spirit where are You? Holy Spirit where are You? That's what I was screaming in my mind as I picked up my I-phone from the floor. I had just dropped it as I was frantically trying to call the radio studio. In an effort to increase the volume so I could better hear Jim Ganley, the host of the "Faith in Action" Catholic radio program, I cut him off.  He was just starting to give the opening prayer when I lost the call.  

Shaking, I tried to redial, but the phone dropped right out of my hand. When I finally got back to the station, they lost the call and I had to call back again. Now 5 minutes had gone by. Brigid Ayer must have already done the introduction of the guest speaker, me, but I was no longer there.  This was the mother of stress tests.  

I was frantic. Would they now be asking me a QUESTION? When I was finally back on the air, they could tell I was stressed. Then they said not to worry because the program was being pre-recorded. They asked if I wanted to do the interview at another time. I said, "No."  Jim said, "Okay then, we will take it up again where Brigid is doing the introduction."

Prior to the program they gave me a list of 14 questions to prepare for. While answering my first question, I mentioned Cursillo. When the question about Cursillo came up, it was a surprise, as it was not on the list. I knew then that we would be winging it. After listening to the program and hearing what was said, I knew the Holy Spirit was there.

Completely drained, I heard Him say, I am with you always.

Here is the link to the podcast program.

Clarence

The Chosen

Have you seen The Chosen yet?  The first eight episodes were released last year during Season 1.  It is a fantastic depiction of the life of Jesus as it would have been like at the time of His ministry.

Season 2, episode 1, was released Easter Sunday.  The story is contiguous so it is suggested you first view the eight episodes of Season 1 before you view season 2, which will unfold this year.  Each episode is 45 to 55 minutes.  It is available on the The Chosen app, U-Tube, Facebook, and other platforms.

This is a God inspired must see program.  It is free at the following links on U-tube:

Clarence

How Do You Visualize Jesus?

The images of Christ: 

In Mark’s gospel we meet the human Jesus.

In Matthew’s gospel we learn from Jesus the Teacher.

In Luke’s gospel we see Jesus as compassionate and forgiving.

In John’s gospel we come in contact with His majesty and divinity.

By His life, death and resurrection He has purchased for us eternal life.

When I have trouble falling asleep, I try to visualize the image of Jesus in this picture. To me it denotes peace, love, compassion and hope. I am comforted. This is my go to Jesus.

Christ Painted by the late Deacon Ned Ostendorf

Christ Painted by the late Deacon Ned Ostendorf

The crucified Christ feels like a piercing of heart and soul. This image drives me to my knees as I wipe away tears because of what He endured. I can’t bear to linger here, but I must for my soul.

Crucified Christ on the Cross at Our Lady of America, Rome City, IN

Crucified Christ on the Cross at Our Lady of America, Rome City, IN

Clarence

Do Good For the Glory of God - Part 6

What is the greatest commandment?

Luke 10: 27   He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The following two verses may bring the greatest commandment into focus.

John 3:36   “Those who know me will have eternal joy, those who disobey me have my eternal wrath.”

Revelations 22-12    “Behold, I am coming soon!  I will give recompense to each, according to their deeds”

We live in a world that is motivated by prospect of gain and fear of loss. 

We experience the prospect of gain by who we support in government, our jobs, our education, our homes and our investments.  In the world we prepare for the fear of loss with insurance, unions, healthcare and plans for safety. 

Where salvation is concerned, we almost always are counting on prospect of gain.  We can attain heaven by having a personal relationship with God, by going to church, doing good deeds and praying.  If done out of love, they bear much fruit and favor with God, who gives us grace.  A more compelling but often overlooked motivation is fear of loss.  Despite all of God’s signs and the incredible interventions of the Spirit, it comes down to free will and the First Commandment.  Where does obedience to God rank in your relationship to family, children, grandchildren and a comfortable life? 

God the Father’s request for obedience is no less than He asked of Jesus.  We all have a destiny.  Is it worldly, or is it the unseen hereafter?

Karen experienced the power of the Holy Spirit within herself and others as God carried out His will.  She called on Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in Adoration to find courage, but it was God the Father who came in a cloud, that put her to the test. 

The Transfiguration

Matthew 17: 5   While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!”

Clarence