With God Everything is Possible?

by Jillian Maas Backman

People are obsessed with answers. People are obsessed with serial killers. Some people even have an obsession with Spirituality. Link one unto the other and you have an eccentric smorgasbord of unanswered questions.

For some questions finite answers will come only after one departs from this planet. Questions like can people really be absolved from despicable human sins and still go to heaven if they go through a radical spiritual transformation? Is this even possible or are some people to evil to bounce back and repent?

Most of us are Ok living with the fact we probably will never receive a concrete answer to this question. Yet, for others who need closure for every question in the universe this is not an option. In their way of thinking all questions lead to circular logic and conclusive answers, including the mystery of human salvation.

On my radio program last week, Change Already, I introduced the May series; Serial Killer and Spirituality with my first guest, Criminology Professor and Author, Dr. Scott Bonn. We chatted about the seemly dark fascination many have towards this morbid subject. People want the inside scoop on what makes another human being lose touch with the outside world and justify with precision their warped narcissist rationale for killing another.

Dr. Bonn will be joining me on air again this week, Thursday, to discuss one case in particular, Son of Sam serial killer from the 70's now serving a life sentence without parole. Several weeks ago Dr. Bonn had the rare opportunity to sit face- to- face with this deviant and have a frank discussion about his past transgressions and his thoughts for the future. (See Scott Bonn's article on CBS Crimesider)  He describes in detail a spiritual incident that happened during his incarceration in the late 80’s that changed his perception of purpose forever. He believed he underwent a spontaneous religious awakening from the heavens that released his past, humbled his soul and accepted Jesus as his savior. In the Christian faith this is called being saved. From that day forward he banished his old label, Son of Sam and adapted a new one, Son of Hope.

Dr. Bonn's latest book scheduled to be released sometime next year; Monster Dearest: Our Macabre Fascination with Serial Killers,  will detail the entire conversation with this well- known criminal, including this supposed spiritual soul revival. Controversy has already started and the back talk among those who have heard and read excerpts from this forthcoming book have mixed feelings about his reported transformation. People are having a hard time buying into the fact that a man of such evil proportions could be eligible to receive such a sought after human prize, let alone deserve it. Apparently, from all accounts, he believes in his own spiritual rebirth and is ready to serve the rest of his life sharing God’s word and purpose.

Herein lies one of those unanswerable questions that simply defy rationality. How could someone of such low vibrational caliber be able receive such a highly regarded societal religious honor in the wake of all the pain he has caused others from his past? If one puts some thought into the question there might be a way this really could happen!

We have all heard of personal accounts of people having near death experiences or suffering tragic events such as auto accidents and come back a completely different person. As if one personality walked out during the crisis and another walked in. Like magic, soul transference, one soul going back home and another waiting in the wings to takes its place. Happens right under our noses without notice as in the case of “Son of Sam” as he recants the story to Dr Bonn. He simply had enough of his sick ways and dropped to his knees one day in his jail cell, asked spirit for human forgiveness and the grace of unconditional redemption. From all accounts, he acted like a new and improved faithful man spreading the word of hope to all who would listen. One could label this transference a spiritual death rather than a physical death. The body remains the same but the soul is renewed.

Dr. Bonn will be joining me on air to tell us his professional and analytical thoughts on the matter. Does he believe he is telling his truth of being re-born and does he believe in redemption for all?

I personally have no intentions of casting expersions one way or the other on this case of soul swapping for “Son of Hope.” The only hope I can add to this bizarre turn of events is that he makes good on his promise to help others who seek spirituality light rather than choose the dark path of evil.

Again, another unanswered mystery we will never completely know until we have made our own transition to the other side. Until then these controversial spiritual transformations will continue to happen and we as normal human beings will continue to probe through our critical thinking and ask how and why. Hopefully, make peace with the fact there is no need to understand but trust that our hearts will show us the difference.

Jillian Maas Backman, Author, Beyond The Pews, Breaking With Traditions and Letting Go Religious Lockdown and host of Change Already! broadcasting each Thursday at noon CT.  www.jillianmaasbackman.com

To read previous articles by Jillian Maas Backman CLICK HERE

Looking Back, Looking Forward: 2012 and 2013

by Jillian Maas Backman

It is time once again to bid a fond farewell to another year served. Not just any year, mind you, one surrounded in antiquated mystery, intrigue and doomsday prophecy foreseeing ever-lasting fatal consequences, designed to unilaterally and spiritually over haul ourselves and emerge on December 31st as a new and improved population of undetermined proportion. A Utopian society comprising of single like-minded individuals flushed through by organic (severe weather and polar shifts) and non-organic (faith-based forecasts) convergence for universal higher consciousness.

In all probability, thankfully, it appears the world will continue long past this year and well into future. As much as some hoped, our transformation from turmoil to tranquility is not going to happen over the course of this magical year. There will be no spontaneous combustion on the horizon that will sway millions of lost souls to unite towards unselfish goals and wants for each others. No, this rise in conscious thought will take a tad longer than anticipated. However, the soul work we did accomplish over these several months did bump us up on the vibrational hierarchy chart of awareness and that’s always a good thing.

Year 2012 I labeled the “Year of Buoyancy.” In review, the last couple of years have brought about hardships for thousands of people. Last December’s blog post I asked each one of you to envision your inner spiritual core as buoys in a large body of water. Immovable flotation devices that serve to signal danger ahead and mark the beginning of calmer water ahead which helps to bob and weave through conflict and challenges without too much interruption to your normal routine. Hopefully, you were able to heed this calling and minimize the pain caused by indomitable circumstances. You will be asked to tap into this inner core strength once again during tenure in 2013. The energy of next year will not only encourage deeper contemplative thoughts but demand well laid introspective action as well.

This year was not about settling for status quo. It was supposed to represent a changing of the guard. New energy that could calm feuding nations and bring about greater hope of a peaceful planet. Elections held the potential to tear down cruel partisan rhetoric and set an historic tone of compromise, set aside obvious difference and strive towards mutual objectives. From outward appearances it seems we fell very short of the great 2012 potential. To the untrained intuitive eye it seems we are sitting right back where we left off four years ago. Piles of frustrated stalemates and honey-do lists for next time around. Don’t count out the energetic forces of 2012 just yet. The groundwork has been laid this year for new alliances next year. Watch for individuals demonstrating great courage to cross-over their political party allegiance to form lasting by-partisan relationships. These relationships will open discussions for others to follow. My hope is these brave taskmasters will in turn have constituents brave enough to follow their lead and support their endeavors for the higher good of all.

If one wants to see the true accomplishments from 2012 dig below the surface where magic truly lies. The mystical energetic treasures were not gifted to groups but to the individual. It’s no secret that year 2012 will go down in the history as the year we all worried about an apocalyptic fatal threat on December 21. I can’t imagine anything quite like a potential threat of immediate mass destruction of an entire planet to strip people down to the bare essentials of our existence. It shifted the onus back onto each one of us and forced us to live in “real time.” Individuals willing to set their ego aside and ask themselves tough internal questions about their own mortality by proxy. When insignificant things are dropped at the wayside it gives a person time to ponder the bigger picture. What do I believe in and can I support that cause to the bitter end.

2012 has been a year of blatant contrasts back and forth between all sorts of societal factions. As I have been suggesting, the gap is growing larger and more pronounced. In the words of Santa, there will always be some “naughty” and some “nice.” The difference is now Santa's “naughty” are becoming more brazen with both thoughts and actions. The nice are no longer turning a naive eye to their less than loving behavior towards others and getting involved. They are starting to stand up against the bullies of the world and saying no! once and for all. The energy of 2012 has removed the invisible cloak of anonymity and showing their true techno-colored grey aura for the entire world to see.

Many of you may have already been experiencing this same phenomenon in your own personal relationships. Those people who have been playing two ends to the middle for their own gain are starting to lose ground quickly. The perceived payoffs living in the middle grey zone is evaporating rapidly. The energy of 2012 is widening the gap two-fold. If you, or someone you know, is playing in this danger zone, watch out. This will be their spiritual death if not careful. The energy in 2013 is about asking yourself the reasons of why you are the way you are. It is about raising the consciousness of this planet upward towards the next plateau of awareness. The core theme for 2013 will center on building true adult soul relationships. Eliminating the need for foolish games or tactics to get what you want from another person. Souls will be communicating first and words will follow. This will be a new way of learning and growing for many who have not been practicing in small spurts this way. Don’t be surprised if it pushes your Trust emotion to the limit. There is something attractive when human beings are challenged to be venerable and trust another person as much as they trust themselves.

The energy of 2013 is all about re-calibration. Setting the re-start button to go bigger than ever before. Unlike this year where change and personal growth was waiving up and down, next year is slow and steady movements. No sudden jerking off course if you lay the foundation down properly. Turn your full attention towards your home life, specifically personal relationships. This is where the energy of 2013 will be felt the most in the coming months ahead. The energy for 2013 will afford each one of us the opportunity to see every relationship before you in a true light, the games people play and the way you interact with it. In this year many will come and go. The ones that survive the cut will afford the opportunity to delve deeper into a spiritual connection than ever before. How much are you willing to trust the new consciousness that is coming to fruition? Or are you going to be one of those people who are stuck in the mud and refuse to budge from your stubborn old matrix or risk for big rewards?

The word "dominance" will rear its ugly head a few more times as well. There are still factions of individuals that will refuse to rise to the level of greater open consciousness. Not ready to admit old school methods of dealing with everyday dealings which are no longer working. This is not time to sit back on our laurels. We need to keep the pressure on our present systems with love and grace. Yes, we are on the verge of breakthroughs. However, the plan is not entirely written on how that will evolve. If we choose to let others take over the transition, you will not gain the conscious vibration rewards.

So many of us have built lives around the goal of survival and the quest for material goods and services, money, job issues. The energetic year of 2013 is our payoff for the work in 2012. Watch for that to continue, but not at the forefront of people's mind. It was rocky for some but the calm is waiting for us in the future coming months. Stability in this area is reaching mass level. Take this reprieve before us and shift attention to other areas of happiness. Clear out your relationship closet and expect remarkable soul conversations to come your way.

For the rest of the 2012-2013 intuitive thoughts at Change Already, Your Future, Your Choice. 

Get ready for steady 2013! 

In love and grace, Jillian

Jillian Maas Backman, Author, Beyond The Pews, Breaking With Traditions and Letting Go Religious Lockdown and host of Change Already! broadcasting each Thursday at noon CT.  www.jillianmaasbackman.com

To read previous articles by Jillian Maas Backman CLICK HERE

One Ant Can’t Do That

by Jillian Maas Backman

I bet if each one of us deliberately took a giant step back from our daily grind and examine the overall success of our journey so far, the majority would be pleasantly surprised. By doing this simple exercise, one may discover a life sprinkled with more subtle “victories” than ever imagined.

Somewhere in our distorted perceptions of what we think we should act like, be like or achieve like, we have lost sight of our subtle accomplishments. Insignificant daily “wins” we automatically carry out without thought and very little fan fare. Like taking our kids to school on time or picking up an extra task at work to assist a co-worker meet a deadline. Menial duties that seem to the outside world as trivial, but necessary to grow and spark quiet self- talk when no one is around. Synchronized internal homework designed to keep one in a state of constant change and build personal character, motivation, courage and discipline which leads to self-esteem, self image….fill in the blank…..self…….? Subtle victorious changes that hold the potential to produce a big “WOW” in the end.

To demonstrate how subtle self-work leads to grand results, I turn to my pets I had as a child, ants. That’s right, ants. Many of you may remember the small see-through double pane window constructed ant farms made of plastic that stood upright. Mine held a prominent place next to the jewelry box on my pink and white dresser. Filled with fine granular sand and live ants in a vial delivered through regular mail, I would watch as dozens feverously constructed their colony for days on end. At times, a singular ant would break away from the pack and build a personal tunnel and nesting hole for themselves. I can remember thinking to myself one ant can’t do that. How could one little insect move that much sand one grain at a time and survive. One rogue ant digging an entire new crawlspace, adding to their ever- changing colony of pass-throughs. A job that should have taken weeks to finish would take instead hours of intense goal driven labor. Labor that always yielded a spectacular result every time, the WOW the little ant was toiling for, a new home. What could make an ant do that? A fascinating feat to behold at any age.

Like my pet ants, each one of us has to see our quiet accomplishments as big victories. Celebrations of change and trust there are pristine untouched landscape waiting to blaze a subtle path leading to the big WOW at the end.

My big WOW right now is the return to radio in a program entitled Change Already, Your Future, Your Choice. A bi-weekly interactive program designed to help each one of us change, grow and find the big WOW in the end. I share my intuitive spin on social, spiritual, and cultural reality through array of personal and universal topics important to all of us for several weeks in a row. To enhance the program I incorporate well-known expert interviews and original systematic e-lessons to double the success. All this from the comfort of your own home!

Before you jump to conclusions and assume you are one of those people that believe life is filled with more losses than victories, take a giant step back with me and claim your subtle accomplishments. You too may be pleasantly surprised to find your big WOW is waiting just around the corner.

I invite each one of you to join in on the series Power in the Quiet Moments on Change Already!, every Tuesday and Thursday, high noon (CST) when we discuss life’s grand subtleness and the lessons learned from these silent influential push forward.

In subtle celebration,

Jillian Maas Backman, Author, Beyond The Pews, Breaking With Traditions and Letting Go Religious Lockdown and host of the radio show, CHANGE ALREADY!  www.jillianmaasbackman.com 

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CHANGE…You can’t live with it you can’t live without it!

By Jillian Maas Backman

There is nothing more attractive and comforting than to cross paths with a person who is sure of themselves moving forward into the future. Whether you agree with their individual perspective or not, they know who they are and not afraid to show it. They feel free to stand philosophically naked and proud in a quiet stance of sureness among others. They hold no desire to be forceful nor boastful with their opinions or interested in persuading others to sense life as they do. They have mastered the artful dance of poetic change with dignity.

Keep in mind these people did not start out this way. They evolved like the rest of us from trial and error creating change along the way as needed. In the December blog post, I suggested everyone transpose resolutions unto old roadmaps. I wanted to demonstrate there are dozens of paths open to reaching goals.

People spend too much energy researching the quickest and easiest course to help them avoid a longer route with detours and road construction. These hurdles on the road could slow one down and force changes to well-designed plan. Even worse, this might require a shift in direction, thus, delaying the gratification of winning at the end. This is how many people tackle resolutions and change. They see the detours as problems rather than missed opportunities for change. They refuse to take an honest look at the bumps on the road in front of them. Oblivious to the fact the roadblocks may be a signal of larger problems in your life and not “coincidental chances.” In fact, it may be nature’s way of telling one to slow down, re-calibrate your route, change and adapt.

CHANGE ALREADY…your future, your choice! 

Lesson One: Know when to toughen up or tone it down.

Life has a tendency to get boring without change. There are certain tasks we all must do each day. Routines one must complete to maintain a certain level of wellness. Feed ourselves, brush our teeth and letting the doggie out to go potty. It is the in-between down times in our day we can control and let the imagination go wild with possibilities. Possibilities that are obtainable if one is willing to leave personal comfort behind and seek new ways of transforming them into reality. This is how to keep the mind fresh, chippy and geared up for new changing cycles.

The word “change” can make some people weak in the knees and sick to their stomach with just the thought of modifying personal growth. Their minds go into a tailspin with the idea of making mistakes and being ridiculed by others. They end up recoiling from change and living with less to avoid the risks it takes to obtain greater happiness. Their fears forbid them from trying anything new. The only way change happens for these folks are from outside pressure from others. They go through life like an unfinished soul frightened by their own reflective shadow of success.

Some are “change-junkies,” finding intense boredom in status-quo and insist on constant change at all time. Acting out the motto of doing something is better than doing nothing! They end up repeating the same old patterns because they are addicted to the “high” feelings one can instantly get from spontaneous change rather than waiting for the calm that comes from well thought out methodical changes.

The majority of us function in the middle somewhere. Ready for change but not sure where to start and how to finish.

Change will come if you get to know yourself first. Start with this statement: Does my New Year's Resolution support who I am in this moment and who I aspire to become into the future. If you do not know the answer to who you are, at a minimum this will help you to define what that means to you.

Practice internal self-talk on a regular basis. All day long if you need it at first. Ask yourself this question. Am I aggressively going at change like a bulldozer, taking down everything in its path? So focused on the goal at hand I am wastefully mulling down useful lessons of change along the way. It is awesome to be all-in for winning, but not at the expense of other people’s happiness. Make sure you temper your aspirations to stay in line with the task. Everyone will eventually reach a goal if they are willing have patience and do the work in logical steps. It does no one any good if you reach a goal and have alienated everyone in your inner circle to do so. You may reach the finish line but end up alone and no left to celebrate your achievements.

If you find yourself on the other side of this statement and need to toughen up to affect change, go slowly. Do not go from one extreme to the other, from quiet kitty to roaring tiger in one week. No one will believe you and it will not stick anyway. Embrace the power of change one situation at a time. Your inner strength will build fortitude and give you courage to eventually seek out change on your own accord without anyone’s approval. Be prepared for adversity. Some people thrive on the weaknesses of others. The relish in the fact that another human being cannot change without his or her permission. They depend on keeping these kind of people in a sick circle of round robin blame-game. Change for this kind of individual needs to work itself from the inside out. It is easier to change your internal self-talk first in this circumstances and actions second. No one can control the internal changes one can make because they are virtually impossible to detect from the outside world looking in. Believe me; changing internal thoughts will open the floodgates to new improved behaviors.

Change does not have to be difficult but it is necessary to grow.

In changing grace,

Jillian Maas Backman,

Jillian Maas Backman, Author, Beyond The Pews, Breaking With Traditions and Letting Go Religious Lockdown and host of the radio show, CHANGE ALREADY!  www.jillianmaasbackman.com