Spiritual Messages For All
Mother Mary image courtesy of Pixabay.com |
I'll be reviewing an older book today, Mary's Message To The World. Originally published in 1991 the content isn't as outdated as one might think. This book and the messages within will not appeal to everyone, I'll just say that right up front. I know in my heart that some will read it and scoff just as I am sure they have since it was first published. Still, others who will read it for the first time will be moved and I believe will grow spiritually. Read it with an open mind and open heart, is all I'm asking.
One might assume that since this book is about the Mother Mary that it was written for the Catholic faith due to the strong devotion to her. That is not the case, Mary chose Annie Kirkwood (of no particular denomination) to visit and urge to spread her message to the world. In the beginning of the book, it tells of Annie's struggle with the visits from Mary. She kept telling the Holy Mother that she was not a Catholic and that Mary should visit her friend who was of that faith. At one point, she reiterates that she is not a Catholic and Mary says, "I'm not, either." Needless to say, Mary did not give up on Annie and visited her many times from 1987 to 1988 and in later years, too.
I'm not one who caters to the idea of coincidences in our lives. Since a very young age, I have believed that all things happen for a reason. We may not understand them for a while but eventually the lesson we were to learn is revealed. We might see them as blessings, some will see them as a punishment of some sort and even more will ignore the lesson or message altogether. It is human nature.
I bring up the idea of a coincidence because of the way that this book literally fell into my hands. My husband was helping a lady that we know sort through her household belongings for a long distance move that she was about to make. She had several books that she no longer wanted and told him that if he saw any that interested him; he could take them. He saw this book and knew that I have a special connection to the Holy Mother and brought it home to me. Coincidence? My heart says, "No." My soul tells me that I was supposed to read this book and reconnect with the Mother Mary.
Reconnect? You are probably wondering why I would say that. At the age of 12, I was visited by the Mother Mary. I did not understand at the time who she was. I was a young Protestant girl who knew that Mary was the mother of Jesus but we didn't have statues of her in our church so her image was not familiar to me. I somehow knew that she was a holy woman and that this visit was a special one but received no guidance from the adults around me. In fact, they called me a liar and ordered me to stop talking about it. My imagination was a little out of line, I was told often. I can't help but believe that the adults knew exactly who I was describing and closed their minds to the possibility of her coming to me, a child of 12 and a Protestant to boot. About 30 years later, I would see her again in a Catholic church holding her arms out to me with that loving look of peace on her face. She looked the same as she did 30 years before and my life was forever changed.
I bring this up because it helps me explain that I do believe that Mary came to Annie Kirkwood and gave her the messages in this book. The Mother Mary has come to many people for hundreds of years. Some of her apparitions have been confirmed by the church while many others have been dismissed. Mary tells Annie that the men of the church often times dismissed her visits and messages because they didn't want the people to hear what she had said, warned of, or predicted. They had their own agenda and her visits didn't fit. This is one of the reasons that Mary chose Annie, she was not a Catholic; not affiliated with any particular denomination. She had a faithful heart and a good prayer life. She might be able to reach people of all cultures, all races, and all religions.
In the book, Mary makes predictions and warns of changes in the earth. She tells of the increase in earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes. She warns of the climate changes with droughts and floods. Weather that is unusual and unpredictable. She describes much of what we have and are witnessing right now and in the recent past.
Now, I should explain that in the book that was published in 1991 the predictions were all to come to pass by the end of that century. This is where people will begin to scoff; but hold on! Not so fast! Mary also explains that the "end" can be postponed if people heed her warnings and begin to prepare. Mary explains that we all need to connect with God, we need to pray, communicate and love ourselves and the rest of the world. It is a simple message but not one many people will pay attention to.
Mary has told Annie since the first publication of the book that the "end" has been postponed due to the prayers and connection of so many people. When I use the term "end"; I'm not saying that the earth will end. No, it will change dramatically, though. Life as we know it will change drastically but that is actually a good thing. This goes along with the predictions of the Native Americans who have been saying for a few decades now that we will be entering into the next world soon. It also goes along with the Book of Revelations in the Bible. Mary even mentions John's writing to Annie.
As I said in the beginning of this review, the book will not appeal to everyone. However, if you are open to spiritual growth and want to grow in your faith; I recommend that you read this book. I believe it will touch your heart, sooth your fears, and help you become the person that you were meant to be.
I don't question an individual's experiences or their testimonies. If anything, I wonder why some are singled out. I've always believed that has more to do with being in touch with the spiritual world. It does seem some are more keenly aware. Regardless of the "caller", I do believe the message is the same: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." The revelations of war, disasters, famine, etc. are all forewarned in the book of Revelations for any to read, as you mentioned. However, those prophesies are not being taught from every pulpit. I guess they are considered too frightening. It is for that reason, that I believe others are still being chosen to spread the Word. After all, Mary, herself, was but a peasant chosen to be the mother of our Salvation, Jesus. Thank you for reviewing this book. You never know which testimony will make a difference to someone else.
ReplyDeleteI also wish to comment about your own personal experience. Adults don't want to admit that a child would be chosen instead of one of them. There is a mix of envy, pride, and adult authority that prohibits most adults from acknowledging, or accepting, that a child was visited instead of them. A child is often chosen because their heart is not hardened to the messenger.
DeleteIt is very important for all of us to understand that the message IS the same just brought to us in different words. What speaks to one will not speak to another. Mary is saying the same things that her beautiful Son taught just in a different way. She even explains that John gave his prophecies using the language and knowledge of his own time which doesn't make them any less true...only a little harder for people to grasp in this time.
DeleteAs to those who are chosen for whatever purpose...Mary with a pure heart and an obedient soul was chosen to give human life to Jesus, Joseph was also chosen to help raise him. Neither would have been who the "world" would have picked. Jesus embraced the very people the the rest of the world scorned and brought them into His fold. His disciples were the most unlikely lot of people but He chose them. Why? There was something inside them that He knew was needed to fulfill the task.
I was raised Catholic and spent my younger years in France where they almost worship Mary. I always felt a strong connection to her and wished she would reach out to me. I have read this book and it touched my heart also. When I visited France in 2014, I was overwhelmed by all the statues of Mary and felt that connection again. There's just something about her that resonates. I believe your experience was real. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this very interesting book review, Beverly. I would never discount a visitation to anyone, especially a child as children are so much more open and accepting when something unusual occurs. I am not particularly religious, but I do believe in spirituality and have always believed that our Native American population has had wisdom beyond any I will ever know.
ReplyDeleteAh Beverly, you have written such a wonderful review on a topic that means a great deal to me. Like you I have a deep affection for Mother Mary. Oh to be so perfect in love as she was, that would be my ultimate goal. Children in their purity, are often the ones who receive these types of messages and I do believe you were one of the lucky ones. Mary holds a very special place in my heart and hopefully many will read this book and understand that truly loving people will bring you closer to God than any other form of prayer. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm Protestant, but I feel a connection to Mary because I also lost my son. I identify with her maternal heart and the pain she must have experienced as she watched her son be tortured and die. It's good she knew ahead of time from the angelic visitation she received before Jesus was born. As for a child receiving the message, Jesus himself accepted children in a way many of the adults in his lifetime did not. It's no wonder that Mary chose a child to visit.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful message to read. No matter our beliefs, faith gets us there and love is the road home. I don't doubt your experience. Like you said, everything happens for a reason, and even if you never know what that reason is personally, it's helped someone along the way. I always believe that being open is the actual conduit.
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