Edit: I started writing this post on August 2, 2008 (10 months since my dad passed away) but it’s now August 3, 2008. *sigh*
It’s Hungry Ghost Festival as you know.
We celebrated my niece’s birthday today.
My uncle told my mom that some of my dad’s friends had dreamt of Papa.
One of Papa’s friends, I think he used to give us fish and chicken during Chinese New Year in a Mercedes S Class, yes… haha… quite funny, dreamt a while ago that Papa had walked into his house. He was shocked and asked my dad, “what are you doing here?” and my dad said in his brash tone, “Why? Can’t I come and visit? I cannot walk around is it?” That is really my dad. He’d say things like that and he was always restless and I can totally imagine him getting bored and walking around. I mean he always did it when he was alive. He’s always been mischievous.
Another one of Papa’s friends just dreamt of him. About 2 nights ago (start of Hungry Ghost Festival), he dreamt of my dad. My dad said he was very happy “up there” and was with my grandfather, grandmother and my uncle’s first wife. My dad’s friend, who had never seen my grandfather before, could describe him to a degree (in terms of clothes, white singlet, black pants) except that he had seen my grandfather smoking a cigar. My grandfather was never a smoker though. Hmm… However, my dad asked his friend to light a candle for him during this festival.
In a way, it makes you think doesn’t it? We must remember that my dad’s friend is not a Christian but I really believe in the spiritual realm. Not because of the above but everything I’ve experienced and seen over the last year(s).
I first of all, have to say, I thank God that my dad received and believed Jesus Christ as His Lord and Saviour.
Last week, I attended a wake and it was really interesting to hear that a week before the person passed away, she said she saw her dead husband and she had a party with him downstairs. Then she requested for Buddha chants. The thing is, she was a Christian and one of those that served rather fervently over the last few years. She had cancer that went into remission a few years ago but sadly came back aggressively. She suffered a lot before she died. What caught my attention was the party she had “downstairs” and the fact that she requested for Buddha chants.
I believe that things can happen even before we die. When you’re in-between life and death, and in constant pain, you can be swayed and it is easy to be attacked by the devil. Our faith in God must be steadfast and not only that, we must know that our God is the most powerful and He loves us. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. We must know this so we aren’t led astray or away from God. I remember a dream I had and I thank God for that assurance. My dad a week before he passed away was actually saying things like, “God’s going to heal me. Jesus Christ is going to give me a brand new body. I’m not going to be in pain anymore.” He said it to a pastor and it shows how important constant prayer is for someone so they are protected from all things evil. Wow. 
Thank you God that you sent angels into our midst, people who could minister to my dad and mom during those trying times. Thank you Father.
God is all powerful. Jesus Christ is my Saviour.
Therefore when we hear of people who have such dreams, what can we say about it? We have had our shackles broken by what Jesus Christ did on that cross for us. His dying and resurrection is the reason why we are no longer bound to our sins and to evil. So even though my dad’s friend dreamt of my dad asking him to light a candle (my dad’s friend actually asked my uncle if it’s ok to do so), it’s not going against anything God’s said. It’s a sign of remembrance. Like the butterfly.
Edit: Just so you know, we think that whoever asked my dad’s friend to light a candle for him, is not my dad. After much thought and prayer, we feel it could be evil disguising itself. Why? ‘Cos it asked my dad’s friend to light the candle on the Hungry Ghost Festival Day itself. Anyway, it’s not like that spirit asked us (the family) to light it. Just asked my dad’s friend.
I believe my dad is in heaven with Jesus Christ.
It’s going to make me believe even stronger in God and it proves that God is real that there is a battle between good and evil. Yes, like my youth leader said, we still have to be careful when we hear of such things because they are not Christians and of course, the devil can disguise himself but still, it shows how the realness of heaven and hell.
What I find most strange is how, during this Hungry Ghost Festival, the people burn “hell money”, know their dead loved ones are in hell and know they worship the god of Hades. *ahem* The path to heaven through salvation and yet… they can’t see it and choose not to go there because they love their dead loved ones more and want to be with them.
I was telling my dad about it before, “these people know they are going to hell. Why can’t they see what Jesus Christ has done? It’s so obvious! It’s such a difference. They can take the path of happiness, of hope, of freedom but they don’t.” My dad shrugged his shoulders at the time. We were in the hospital and yes, it was Hungry Ghost Festival then.
Dear Father, thank you for loving us, for not giving up on us and for pursuing a relationship with us. Thank you Jesus Christ for dying on that cross so that we can be saved. Thank you Holy Spirit for always watching over us and protecting us.
One of the things that pleases me most is that Papa is always so happy in our dreams. He’s smiling and we know he’s in a better place. Love you Pa!
In Loving Memory – 10 Months and 1 Day – Hungry Ghost Festival and Dreams
Edit: I started writing this post on August 2, 2008 (10 months since my dad passed away) but it’s now August 3, 2008. *sigh*
It’s Hungry Ghost Festival as you know.
We celebrated my niece’s birthday today.
My uncle told my mom that some of my dad’s friends had dreamt of Papa.
One of Papa’s friends, I think he used to give us fish and chicken during Chinese New Year in a Mercedes S Class, yes… haha… quite funny, dreamt a while ago that Papa had walked into his house. He was shocked and asked my dad, “what are you doing here?” and my dad said in his brash tone, “Why? Can’t I come and visit? I cannot walk around is it?” That is really my dad. He’d say things like that and he was always restless and I can totally imagine him getting bored and walking around. I mean he always did it when he was alive. He’s always been mischievous.
Another one of Papa’s friends just dreamt of him. About 2 nights ago (start of Hungry Ghost Festival), he dreamt of my dad. My dad said he was very happy “up there” and was with my grandfather, grandmother and my uncle’s first wife. My dad’s friend, who had never seen my grandfather before, could describe him to a degree (in terms of clothes, white singlet, black pants) except that he had seen my grandfather smoking a cigar. My grandfather was never a smoker though. Hmm… However, my dad asked his friend to light a candle for him during this festival.
In a way, it makes you think doesn’t it? We must remember that my dad’s friend is not a Christian but I really believe in the spiritual realm. Not because of the above but everything I’ve experienced and seen over the last year(s).
I first of all, have to say, I thank God that my dad received and believed Jesus Christ as His Lord and Saviour.
Last week, I attended a wake and it was really interesting to hear that a week before the person passed away, she said she saw her dead husband and she had a party with him downstairs. Then she requested for Buddha chants. The thing is, she was a Christian and one of those that served rather fervently over the last few years. She had cancer that went into remission a few years ago but sadly came back aggressively. She suffered a lot before she died. What caught my attention was the party she had “downstairs” and the fact that she requested for Buddha chants.
I believe that things can happen even before we die. When you’re in-between life and death, and in constant pain, you can be swayed and it is easy to be attacked by the devil. Our faith in God must be steadfast and not only that, we must know that our God is the most powerful and He loves us. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. We must know this so we aren’t led astray or away from God. I remember a dream I had and I thank God for that assurance. My dad a week before he passed away was actually saying things like, “God’s going to heal me. Jesus Christ is going to give me a brand new body. I’m not going to be in pain anymore.” He said it to a pastor and it shows how important constant prayer is for someone so they are protected from all things evil. Wow.
Thank you God that you sent angels into our midst, people who could minister to my dad and mom during those trying times. Thank you Father.
God is all powerful. Jesus Christ is my Saviour.
Therefore when we hear of people who have such dreams, what can we say about it? We have had our shackles broken by what Jesus Christ did on that cross for us. His dying and resurrection is the reason why we are no longer bound to our sins and to evil. So even though my dad’s friend dreamt of my dad asking him to light a candle (my dad’s friend actually asked my uncle if it’s ok to do so), it’s not going against anything God’s said. It’s a sign of remembrance. Like the butterfly.
Edit: Just so you know, we think that whoever asked my dad’s friend to light a candle for him, is not my dad. After much thought and prayer, we feel it could be evil disguising itself. Why? ‘Cos it asked my dad’s friend to light the candle on the Hungry Ghost Festival Day itself. Anyway, it’s not like that spirit asked us (the family) to light it. Just asked my dad’s friend.
I believe my dad is in heaven with Jesus Christ.
It’s going to make me believe even stronger in God and it proves that God is real that there is a battle between good and evil. Yes, like my youth leader said, we still have to be careful when we hear of such things because they are not Christians and of course, the devil can disguise himself but still, it shows how the realness of heaven and hell.
What I find most strange is how, during this Hungry Ghost Festival, the people burn “hell money”, know their dead loved ones are in hell and know they worship the god of Hades. *ahem* The path to heaven through salvation and yet… they can’t see it and choose not to go there because they love their dead loved ones more and want to be with them.
I was telling my dad about it before, “these people know they are going to hell. Why can’t they see what Jesus Christ has done? It’s so obvious! It’s such a difference. They can take the path of happiness, of hope, of freedom but they don’t.” My dad shrugged his shoulders at the time. We were in the hospital and yes, it was Hungry Ghost Festival then.
Dear Father, thank you for loving us, for not giving up on us and for pursuing a relationship with us. Thank you Jesus Christ for dying on that cross so that we can be saved. Thank you Holy Spirit for always watching over us and protecting us.
One of the things that pleases me most is that Papa is always so happy in our dreams. He’s smiling and we know he’s in a better place. Love you Pa!