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As for most spiritual seekers, my spiritual quest has been an interesting, evolutionary journey into my understanding of who I am and who God is in my life. According to the two descriptions of God in the Bible, God is Love and God is Light. We are also told that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. So, what I know for sure is that I share in God’s Great Inheritance: I am Love and Light, an expression of the Divine Love of God and so are you. There have been many extraordinary experiences that ignited my passionate search for God. When I was about 7 years old, I experienced a period of blindness caused by an eye muscle condition, known as Esotropia. In 1952, Strabismus Surgery (muscle eye surgery) was performed, which was considered experimental at that time. My mother took me to an eye clinic in New York for many months prior to my surgery as well as after my surgery. It was during my experience of blindness that I had my first spiritual experience with an Angel of God. When I awoke from surgery, I felt the cold, steel bars of the bed with both hands and then realized that I could not see…I was terrified. But, after a few moments I became aware of something very calming and soothing that would always be present in my room from that moment on. Do you believe in Angels? Well, I was blessed to actually see my special Angel. Before I could actually see again, I can remember many times that I spoke to my Guardian Angel and he spoke to me, describing my doll to me or telling me what the noises were outside my room. Many days passed until my bandages were removed. I remember my mother and the nurses bathing my crusted eyes with a warm solution, and it took several more days until I was able to open my eyes. Things looked a bit blurred at first, but I have never felt as happy as at the moment I was able to see my precious mother once again. The first question I asked my mother was, “where is my Angel friend?” Of course my mother just hugged me and told me to be calm and quiet so that my eyes could rest and heal. After my mother left to return home to my little brother, I saw my Angel friend. He had a round face and a sweet smile, and I told him I loved him. I can feel this experience right here and right now, and it has had an amazing influence on my life. It touched something deep within me and was the beginning of my spiritual quest. I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and have served as a music director, cantor, and lector. I have been married for over 40 years to my amazing husband, John, and we have a son, a daughter, and a grandson. We have lived in New York, Oklahoma, Florida, and Tennessee. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Communication and Theatre from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and did my graduate course-work at Florida Atlantic University. After my mother’s long illness and death, I began my studies in Inter-faith Ministry with the Alliance of Divine Love, and became an ordained minister in 1998. I received my Doctorate of Divinity in 2003 with The Alliance of Divine Love, Inc. and continued my ministerial studies with Spiritis Seminary in Arizona. In 2005 Linda Marie received a second Doctorate of Divinity in Christic Apostolic Philosophy and was ordained by "The Order of the Friends of Jeshua" a contemporary monastic order based in Austin, Texas, which is founded under the jurisdiction and in the lineage of the Free Apostolic Communion.
Spiritual Truth that God is Love and God is Light and that we are all created in the image and likeness of God…all women and all men…and to spread the Good News that God is WITHIN our hearts…ever Present. To that end I enjoy facilitating retreats and study groups, as well as offering seminars and lectures on a variety of topics. My ministry includes relationship counseling, performing marriage ceremonies, officiating at memorial services, and speaking at various churches on my favorite scripture, “The Beatitudes.” To quote one of my beloved spiritual mentors and cherished friend, Rev. Dr. Bob Estling, Senior Minister and Founder of the Seraphim Center in Gainesville, Florida: “The Good News is…there is ONLY Good News.” |
| About Linda.. |
| Rev. Dr. Linda Marie Nelson Alliance of Divine Love, Inc. – Chapel 423 Order of the Friends of Jeshua-"An Inner Faith Community" |