Real Life Ghost Story:
 

This will be very short, but it really was creepy for me and my wife.

We were driving last night after going out to dinner and we were just listening to music "chatting". My three year old son was seated in the baby seat in the back seat. That's when he said he wanted to go to home to see his "brother".

It amused me and my wife because Noah's an only child. So my wife asks him, "Who's your brother?"

Noah answers, "The little boy in my room."

My wife asks, "What's his name?"

With that my little boy paused for a minute and said, "Biwwey", his way of saying, "Billy".

Chills raced up and down my spine and arms, my wife held her breath, chills obviously all over her. The "static" of our uneasiness was nearly tangible in the car. That's when my wife broke the uneasy silence with, "Okay, that was spooky."

Most don't know that when I was two years old I had a 7 year old brother named Billy. Billy died in a hit and run accident just after he had turned 7. My wife and I never really talk about it. I mean, I was only two years old and I don't even remember him. But what's odd is that my little boy doesn't have any friends named "Billy" and I have no idea where he came up with the idea of having an invisible "brother" named Billy.

Oh well... that's my first ghost story of the season.

God bless.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

A familiar spirit?

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

There are some things that are just too strange to explain. When I get a moment, I have a story to add to this thread, if Aquila doesn't mind...

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Please feel free.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I have no idea.

I'm of the opinion that there's far more happening on the spiritual plane than what traditional religion considers. For example, we know that a man is appointed once to die and then the judgment.... but what happens between death and that person's judgment is largely a mystery to most Christians. It comforts us to assume it's cut and dry and all understood. But it's not.

I could explain how some spirits of the dead have found their way back into the earthly plane but I highly doubt many would see any value in what I'd have to say. And yes, I'd be able to draw from Scripture.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I've heard of this happening. Not sure exactly what all it means. I agree there is much more that goes on in the spiritual realm than we understand.

As a side note: I could not sleep last night from before 3:00 a.m. to past 6 this morning. However, while laying there trying to go back to sleep, I heard something hit the floor on my husbands side of the bed. I woke him up but we didn't see anything on the floor. Very strange. lol

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

This conversation could get interesting. We can discuss the possible origins of "ghosts". Most believe that they are not "ghosts" but "familiar spirits". But there are other possible origins. What are some of your thoughts?

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You probably already know my thoughts on this! :)

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Actually Timmy, I'm not sure if I do.

Here are my thoughts. I believe that when witches conjure the dead they leave doorways open between the earthly plane and the spirit world. Spirits of the dead often wonder back into the earthly realm and haunt. At that point they can be dealt with as with any other spirit. We can cast them out or pray them over depending upon their disposition.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

While the diced red skinned potatoes are boiling for potato salad, I will jump in on this...

When Bishop NJW was my pastor he taught us that there is no such thing as a ghost.

According to him, the only person who ever came back from the dead was Samuel, and the Witch of Endor was so shocked to see the real deal, she screamed out at Saul in fear.

However, this is the story as told to me by my grandmother and aunt...I caution you, it is strange, but I promise you it is true.

Their mother died at a young age, leaving 6 small children. My granny was the oldest, and she was 9 yrs. old. This was 1906...

Three months after her momma passed, her daddy married the 19 yr. old babysitter. The morning after they were married, he hollered for my granny to fetch him a cup of water.

Granny said it was a large sitting room/ kitchen combined, and in the center of the room was a big potbellied stove.

When granny walked into this room she saw her dead mother sitting in the rocker next to the stove, her elbow resting on the tea kettle with her hand on her chin, and a tear streaming down her cheek.

In shock, granny called for her sister...she yelled, "Zelia come here, it's ma..."

Aunt Zelia ran into the room and saw her mother sitting in the chair.

They both turned to call the rest of the family, but when they looked back, their mother was gone.

My grandmother was saved before I was born, and would literally cut off her hand before she would lie to anyone, least of all her grandchildren.

But a few years before she passed I asked them both together to relate the story one more time...they were both well into their 70s, yet my sanctified grandmother and Aunt Zelia told the story again.

Even stranger than that, many years after their mother passed there was a problem with the graves at the cemetery, and my great grandmother's grave and casket were opened.

Back in those days dead folks weren't embalmed, at least not where she lived...she must have been in a comma, woke up and realized she was buried alive because she had turned over in her casket and a handful of hair was in her hand.

Someone told my great grandfather, and he died a few months after that, never recovering from such horrific news.

I do NOT believe in ghosts, but I certainly DO believe my dear granny.

I can't explain it, but I know it is true...

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Interesting.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

When I was 16 years old me and my family lived in an apartment complex. Some of the darkest times of our lives happened while we lived there. One building had about 4 apartments downstairs, and 4 upstairs. The walls were paper thin.

We had an old "pleather" couch that was pushed up against the wall where the front door was. That couch made a very loud noise every time you sat down or stood up. One day I came home and tried to open the front door, it was locked and I had forgotten my key, so I knocked. I heard someone get up off the couch, I heard the deadbolt unlock, so I walked in the house.

I heard my Mom yelling from the back of the apartment, "Who is it?" I walked towards her room where she was laying in the bathtub taking a bath. I said, "It's me, you just opened the door for me." She got this strange look on her face and told me that she is the only person here, she was taking a bath and it wasn't her that unlocked the door for me. I just kinda dropped the subject and we didn't talk about it anymore.

There was another time I saw a tall figure walk into a room. I saw it out of the corner of my eye, and as soon as I whipped my head around, nothing was there. It had the shape of a person, yet was completely black like a shadow.

I really do believe a bad spirit inhabited that place, and I also believe it affected my family spiritually while we lived there.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I agree it was a demonic spirit. Could have been there from someone that lived there before.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Personally, I believe in ghosts. I know that it's appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. But what happens between death and judgment is largely a mystery to most.

I believe that witches really can conjure the dead. God's Law states....

Duet. 18:10-12
10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.
11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

If there wasn't anything to it I'd think God wouldn't take it so terribly seriously, instead his law would reveal that it's not true. But the way the law addresses the subject, it would appear to be true that withes indeed conjure the dead.

Notice what happens with the witch of Endor...

1 Samuel 28:13
And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

When the witch conjured Samuel you'll notice other spirits were ascending out of the earth. This demonstrates that conjuring the dead opens a door way and that often additional spirits break free to roam on the earthly plane.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I wouldn't say I believe in ghosts but I do believe in evil spirits and Angels.

I wouldn't call it a bad spirit if it opened the door for me when I was locked out. Some would say that was their guardian Angel. Several years ago we were staying at my mother-in-laws house in Pana, Illinois. I saw an image behind me when I was looking in the mirror combing my hair in an upstairs bedroom. I thought my wife had walked behind me and I started talking to her. When she didn't answer I looked around and she wasn't there. I went down stairs and she was having a cup of coffee with her mother in the dining room. That didn't scare me, in fact I had a warm feeling when it happened. I'm not sure that God doesn't allow us to see our Guardian Angels sometimes.

My mom was living with us shortly before she passed away. On day as I walked by her room she asked me to come in. She said " You're going to think I'm crazy but I saw a tall young man standing at the foot of my bed. He didn't say anything but just stood there looking at me then disappeared".

There are evil spirits also. An old UPC pastor lived in a house in Herron, Illinois where the Shelton gang was active. Cabinet doors wouldn't stay shut and dishes would even fly out of the cabinets, it was very violent if I remember the story right. He finally cast the demon out of the place.

There is a pretty English Tutor house in my town on the corner of Pershing Ave, and Acasia st. that no one will live in very long because strange things happen. There was an article in the paper about it about a year ago. People have reported a woman looking out an attic window. Problem is it is a the window is covered on the inside. There is something about the house on Utube under most haunted house in Stockton.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Interesting....but not conclusive.....you have to read a WHOLE lot into the Scripture to come to that conclusion.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I agree. The human spirits/ghosts of the dead don't hang around on the earth. They either lift up their eyes in hell or are with the Lord. Familiar spirits can take on the appearances of those who have passed on. When confronted with a spirit of the someone who has died, try calling on the name of Jesus Christ in faith and see what those spirits do. My guess is that spirit will show its true colors/form.

I'm not sure why God allowed Samuel to come back up from paradise to talk to Saul.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

You propose that it's not conclusive. I think it's pretty clear. When the witch of Endor conjured Samuel other spirits arose also. It opened a gateway. This is why locations where occult activity has been present are often full of reported sightings of "ghosts", demons, and unclean spirits.

Also, you have to take into consideration that some things are known by additional personal experience in the area.

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I disagree. When my mother died her spirit lingered with us for overnight. Here's what happened...

When my mother had a massive heart attack they sent her to Ross Heart Hospital where she later died. We were gathered around her bedside when we let her go and I led the family in prayer. She wanted to see my son's first birthday on July 9th more than anything. She had her heart attack on the 4th and the night we decided that we had to let her go was the 7th. She was partially conscious - she could squeeze my hand softly and she cried as I led us in prayer. I prayed that angels would comfort her as she passed and I also prayed that she be permitted to spend the evening with my son who was at a babysitters while we were at the hospital. As we prayed we lost her. The next morning we were in the hotel room reflecting and suddenly everyone stopped talking. It was like we could feel her walk into the room. My grandmother said, "Do you feel that?" I said, "Yes, it's feels like mom." We sat quietly for maybe 30 seconds and suddenly there was a knock on the door. It was my wife's aunt Marta and her husband Terry, the couple that kept Noah overnight while we were at the hospital. After the normal greeting and conversation they left and we were getting ready to go. My aunt Lois who was in the room with us before they arrived for the moment of silence asked, "Do you think Joyce actually spent the evening with Noah before moving on and that's what we felt?" I answered, "I do."

It is also important to note that people with near death experiences often linger for a time without encountering any "light" or "experiences". The ancient Jews believed that the spirits of the dead often linger for at least 3 days after death and this is why it is so significant to the Jewish mind that Christ was in the grave for three days.

I have no doubt that this occurs for many. But I want to mention that the text regarding the rich man and Lazarus doesn't elaborate on any time that may have elapsed. We assume a lot either way.

Please note, most don't realize this but Jonah died in the whale's belly. His spirit saw the bottoms of the ocean and didn't go straight to Heaven or Hell.

Can you show any biblical support for this notion?

A "familiar spirit" is essentially a demon spirit that mediums, witches, and spiritualists contact that aids them with contacting the dead, gaining knowledge, etc. They are often called "spirit guides" today. We don't read in Scripture that these ever appeared in ways that imitate the dead. In fact imitating the dead wouldn't accomplish their role. Ancient literature and writings illustrate that familiar spirits pretend to be angels or actually reveal themselves as demons.

I've experienced something akin to this. There was a couple who lived in a house that they believed was "haunted". They often saw a man walk through the house and heard noises. There times when they heard something whispering "Pray for me." in the master bedroom. As it turns out a man who molested his children died in that house. I was a lay minister and assisted one of our care group leaders with visiting the house. When we prayed and called the name of Jesus feelings of rage and fear raced through the house and the lights dimmed. He decided to pray that God comfort this soul and help it move on to it's eternity. As we prayed the feelings of rage and fear subsided and the lights returned to normal. This couple never had any fearful encounters again. You see, he was very irreligious and feared death. We helped him find his way to the other side and of course he moved on to his reward, whatever that may be.

I've also been with the pastor when casting out unclean spirits. This are an interesting lot. These are not "demons" in the classical sense. They are quite stupid and often act illogically. They act more like mentally disturbed spirits than intelligent diabolical devils. It's my understanding that these are spirits of the Nephilim, the offspring between early mankind and the Bene-ha-Elohim. Being half demon and half human their souls are in a state of limbo. You see it's appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. These, being "demonic" in origin, didn't face judgment at any point after death. The "angels that sinned" with mankind were bound in chains of darkness... these unclean spirits, not being "angels" (demons, i.e. fallen angels), were left to roam the spiritual planes that intersect with our world. These, once having had bodies, desire to live again and inflict pain and entice people into sin so that they can "live again" and live out their lusts. When manifest, it's not uncommon for them to appear in animal or partially animal forms. Although these spirits are partially human and partially demon, they are classified as in a sub category under demons due to their origin and nature.

When dealing with Demons or Devils I've discovered that these are very intelligent and are often scheming. These hold sway over entire regions and communities on earth. They are behind most false religions and again, I can't over emphasize how intelligent these are. They often appear as bright angels of light at first...but when their real nature is revealed they are like living darkness that reflect their previous angelic natures.

Angels themselves are awesome. I normally can't see them when looking straight at them. I can see them on occasion out of the corner of my eyes in my peripheral vision. They often appear to me as pillars of light that move quietly. You'll notice that on occasion they appear in the Bible with very bestial qualities like wings, claws, feathers, the heads of lions, etc. When an angel reveals itself in all their glory they are fearsome and bright. Imagine being in the same room with an ancient creature that is man-like, but is also a "creature" with qualities of a beast and/or bird of prey. They too are highly intelligent and are mostly benevolent. They often bring great peace and appear in a human like form...but when they unleash their true nature it's terrifying. You feel as though they are about to rip you limb form limb... like being in the cage with a staring lion. Remember, these live for worship and the destruction of anything that offends Jehovah. Encountering an angel in this fashion can be very troubling.

Many don't. Here's my understanding and experience. God gave mankind spiritual authority over creation. This authority extends into the realms of the spiritual. If a human being is spiritually inclined and focused they can conjure the dead and even conjure demons or angels.

It seems that within the past couple generations we've had ministers who aren't very adept in dealing with the spiritual. In addition they've become influenced by skeptics and discount much of what's really going on in the spiritual planes we intersect with on a daily basis.

Those are my thoughts and experiences. God bless.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

There's a new film out right now called Paranormal Activity that casts a very realistic light on the presence of evil spirits. It was actually made a few years ago for about $10K, but is just now seeing the light of day. Most of the footage is shot from a handheld video camera sitting on a tripod in a bedroom at night. It focuses on the presence of an evil spirit that has been following this girl her whole life. Of course it's meant for entertainment and shock, etc. But I can't help but think that a film like this might scare a few people into a church ;)

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LOL

Oh brother... I firmly believe that those scared into church don't stay. It's the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance... not fear.

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My post was meant to be a bit TIC, by the way ;)

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I was working with my brother-in-law at an old log house somewhere near Duluth, MN. It was reported to be haunted by the owner, for whom we where doing some remodeling projects. The owner was a bit weird and I wondered if he had some bad spirits following him around. The told us that when his wife and kids had been there, before we took the job, that the kids where sleeping on cots and one raised up in the air and dropped to the floor while a kid was sleeping in it. The Wife and kids left, and I'm not sure if they ever returned.

One day I was up on some scaffolding at the second floor level, measuring and hanging lath, as my b-i-l cut it down on the ground and handed it up. I heard a conversation between a woman and a man going on inside the room I was working nearest on the outside. I couldn't make out what they were saying. There where no electronics on in that room. There had never been a woman on the premise the whole time I worked there and no one was at the house that day. I tend to think it was natural recordings, but am not sure. I didn't feel anything evil around the place.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Barb, Wow what a story.

I believe most of these things are familiar spirits, in that they are spirits/demons, something that is familiar enough with someone to mimic them. Very rarely do these encounters bring comfort, only confusion, fear and dread, therefore they are not of God.

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While I tend to agree with you on the familiar spirit aspect of these types of encounters, not all encounters with things of God bring comfort and are dread and fear free......

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

One test to determine if something is of God is found in James 3

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

While the responses of those that encounter a work of God are not necessarily fruitful or peaceful, the intial act of the Spirit does agree with purity, peace, gentle so on...

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Keith, I don't believe in ghosts, but does the manisfestation have to be demonic?!

Of course we have no way of knowing for sure, but as it relates to the incident I mentioned in my earlier post, what would be the purpose for a familiar spirit/demon to contact two small children, and in the image of their mother?!

Is it possible it could have been angelic?!

I don't believe for a second that my great grandmother was sitting in that rocking chair, but I'm not so sure I want to believe it was a demon either.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

:rip
:reaper
:paranoid
:runhills
:nothingtoadd

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

On my weird story in 1976 we lived on the Ilsand of Malta (biblical Melitta). My Dad worked the oilfields in Libya. Back home my great uncle Jake was trying to sell some property out from under my great grandma in Houston out close to the then fairly new Houston Intercontinental airport, which made it pretty valuable. Great grandma didn't live there at the time she lived in the home my parents owned.

It had my mom pretty worried because she knew how uncle Jake was and knew that grandma would get taken for a ride and Jake woul get a bundle.

Anyhow, I was 14 at the time and was sitting at the table for breakfast when my mother told me that she had the strangest dream, that in it my deceased great grandfather came to her and told her that uncle Jake would never sell that property.

That afternoon we got the telegram that Uncle Jake had a massive heart attck and died the night before.

I think there is a lot we don't know. But I don't spend much mental time on it. Just weird and unexplainable

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

:lol

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Why do many of you not believe in ghosts?

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

I don't believe in them cause I have never seen one myself..

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

The scripture reveals the following Spirits,

Human
Divine
Demonic
Angelic-Righteous

We are to test the spirits, to determine what Spirit is at work. In your case, it can't be a human spirit, as they need a body to manifest.

So the choices are Divine, Demonic or Angelic, anytime in scripture where Angels appeared they had a clear message, you knew what they were etc. Plus there was aura of Holiness about them. So then the remaining spirit is demonic in nature. Familiar spirits fall into this category. They are low level demons that are familiar with people and can manifest themselves as such. Of course this is my opinion.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

No sure exactly, other than I just don't believe the dead can return. I could be wrong...it's been known to happen, you know.

However, in this instance no one has proven ghosts truly exist, despite the fact that there are things that cannot be explained.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Thank you, Elder, for your response...

It stills leaves me to wonder though why a familiar spirit would reveal itself to my granny and aunt...guess we'll never really know the answer.

Perhaps because their momma had been buried alive?!

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I was visited in a dream once. I can't explain it, but I was told to tell things I had no knowledge of except through this dream.

Re: Real Life Ghost Story:
 

Open Vision Maybe?

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Some things we just can't explain with current facts. Most of what I have seen had an explanation. I went to a college whose main admin building was said to be haunted. People often heard whispered voices, and it was pretty spooky listening to things like that.

They did a remodel on the building a few years ago. When they tore the plaster off the walls, they discovered an
old...
dead...


uncommon PA system of a sort-pipes through the walls from one office to another to talk through. The pipes could be corked off or talked into to relay messages room to room. It was neat, but it wasn't ghosts.

If you believe in ghosts you are more likely to have an encounter. Not impossible if you don't believe, just highly unlikely. We have active imaginations, and explain what we think we experience in terms we can understand. Timmy could run with that one, but it is true anyhow. :thumbsup

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I agree, visions and dreams... God speaks in those ways. No reason why He couldn't use someone from your memory to speak to you. He used a donkey to speak once, after all... :heart

I do believe that people can be called back though. The witch of Endor called up Samuel, and Samuel rebuked Saul. I don't think that was a vision, a fake (since the witch didn't know Saul til Samuel came), or a demon. Could be mistaken though.

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Pastor Keith, I believe that the Scriptures reveal the following spirits:

Divine Spirit: Spirit of God
Human spirits: embodied when living; disembodied when dead (i.e. ghosts – see Samuel and other instances when believers thought they saw or encountered ghosts)
Unclean spirits: once living; part demon part human in origin; these seek out bodies to possess to live out their lusts (see Nephilim in Genesis 6; Related - 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6)
Familiar spirits: spirits who act as spirit guides for witches etc.
Demonic spirits: also known as devils & demons (fallen angels)
Angelic spirits: holy Angels that serve God Almighty