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tedjenczewski
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| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 306 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 02:40 pm |
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| I reverted last week. I informed the pastor of the PSA church my wife and I have attended for the last ten years that I reverted but would still like to attend the church and participate with my wife. This has upset my wife terribly and she is threatening to separate from me. I have asked the pastor to call on us. Please pray for us and our marriage.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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Zosan
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Biloxi, Mississippi USA |
| Posts: | 79 |
| First Name: | Norm | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic - Worldwide Church of God - Assemblies of ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 03:40 pm |
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Ted...You and your family are in my prayers and sacrifices this day...May the Lord of Hosts grant peace of mind to you and your family as you face this trial.
In Christ We Are One
Norm
aka Zosan
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Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 05:57 pm |
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Ted, I will certainly pray for you! Did your wife know you were going to revert or was it a complete surprise? Was she upset about you rejoining the CC or that you wanted to continue at your old church with her? I'm not sure I understand the problem.
Regardless, you and your wife will be in my prayers! 
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 306 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 07:13 pm |
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She knew and accepted that I had gone to confession and was receiving the blessed sacrament each week. It was my telling her pastor (by letter) that I wished to be considered an "attendee" rather than a member adhering to Calvin's teaching that REALLY upset her. I told her several days after I wrote the letter. Now I am again questioning the substance of my love for her and how I could hurt her so badly since we both have faith. Maybe I should drop all these considerations about doctrinal truth and the sacraments, arguments which can go on forever. And then just try to love her as Jesus loves the church and be a member of the PCA.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 07:20 pm |
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It sounds like you're trying to live honestly in your faith, Ted. Perhaps her pride was hurt? Maybe she wasn't ready for your move to the CC to be made known? She's probably a bit in shock right now. Love and especially humility can go a long way in healing a rift in your marriage. You will continue to be in my prayers, dear Ted. 
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 306 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 08:44 pm |
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| Thanks, Kim. God bless you.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1323 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 01:46 am |
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tedjenczewski wrote:
She knew and accepted that I had gone to confession and was receiving the blessed sacrament each week. It was my telling her pastor (by letter) that I wished to be considered an "attendee" rather than a member adhering to Calvin's teaching that REALLY upset her. I told her several days after I wrote the letter. Now I am again questioning the substance of my love for her and how I could hurt her so badly since we both have faith. Maybe I should drop all these considerations about doctrinal truth and the sacraments, arguments which can go on forever. And then just try to love her as Jesus loves the church and be a member of the PCA.
Ted, I am so sorry you have run into this painful situation.
Dear brother, you need to be consulting a good priest about what to do.
I'm not saying you should completely stay away from marriage counseling with your wife's pastor, but you are no longer of that fold.
Please, Ted, be careful. This is a grave situation to have experienced the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord and then to consider turning your back on that. Satan is indeed making a strong attack on your faith. Instead of questioning the degree of your love for your wife, ponder the kind of loyalty, gratitude, and devotion you owe to the Saviour.
Quickly make an appointment with your confessor or another good priest. Confess these thoughts; seek his counsel; obey him, Ted. He has responsibility for your soul before the Lord.
You are in my prayers. Listen to the Holy Spirit.
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"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 03:05 am |
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Wow! Good advice, Becky! 
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Pani Rose
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| Joined: | Fri Oct 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Irondale, Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 601 |
| First Name: | Rose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Ruthenian Byzantine in a Melkite Greek Catholic Parish, raised ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 04:06 am |
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Kim, you and Becky are both full of wisdom!
May Our Lady, Untier of Knots, come to your assistance.
Holy Mary, full of the presence of God during your life you accepted with great humility the Holy Will of the Father and the legacy of your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Evil never dared to entangle you with its confusion. Since then you have interceded for all of our difficulties. With all simplicity and patience you have given us example on how to untangle the knots in our complicated lives. By being our Mother forever, you arrange and make clear the path that unites us to Our Lord. Holy Mary, Mother of God and ours, with your maternal heart untie the knots that upset our lives. We ask you to receive in your hands Ted and his wife's situation and deliver us from the chains and confusions that have us restrained. Blessed Virgin Mary, through your grace, your intercession and by your example, deliver us from evil and untie the knots that keep us from uniting with God, so that once free of every confusion and error, we may find Him in all things, have Him in our hearts and serve him always in our brothers and sisters. Mother of Good Counsel pray for us . Amen
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 04:22 am |
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Rose, you're so kind. Amen to your prayer!
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1323 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 05:21 am |
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Pani Rose wrote:
Kim, you and Becky are both full of wisdom!
May Our Lady, Untier of Knots, come to your assistance.
Holy Mary, full of the presence of God, during your life you accepted with great humility the Holy Will of the Father. . . . With all simplicity and patience you have given us example on how to untangle the knots in our complicated lives. . . Blessed Virgin Mary, through your grace, your intercession and by your example, deliver us from evil and untie the knots that keep us from uniting with God, . . . Amen
Rose and Kim, thank you both for your kind words. I love this prayer, Rose. I am grateful for your presence and for Kim's presence on this forum. I don't think either of you ladies would let me get away with much. It's good knowing that somebody is watching who won't hesitate to speak Truth. In this case, TWO somebodies. 
Whatever wisdom I have comes from dealing with my own mistakes and frailties or from fraternal correction. The older I get, the more highly I prize a person who speaks Truth, even when Truth is painful to hear. All of us need such persons in our lives.
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"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 02:55 pm |
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Same here, Becky!  You guys are the best!
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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tedjenczewski
Member
| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 306 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 07:34 pm |
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| Our prayers are being answered. My wife is calmer today and is starting to accept the situation. Eventually I will talk to the PCA pastor or the assistant pastor. I am not really worried about that situation for the time being as I think the assistant is sympathetic to Catholic teaching. Also, several former Presbyterians played a big role in my reversion. God bless you all.
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"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 08:18 pm |
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Great news, Ted! God be praised! Continuing to pray.
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 887 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 08:47 pm |
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In your wife's mind it may be okay to be a "closet Catholic" so to speak but once you come public SHE has to face her pastors and the congregation with all their questions and it may be threatening to her. I would continue attending HER church with her but also going to Mass and being Catholic. one of the hardest things my family faced were the questions and spoken and unspoken criticisms of my choice.
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:10 pm |
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Kim, I think that's how my hubby feels, too.
You don't know how anti-catholic people really are till you talk about maybe becoming one!  
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 887 |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:15 pm |
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No kidding- my husband thinks that I am too sensitive and that people aren't as biased against Catholics as I think but boy I now expect perfect strangers to feel free to give me their opinions on any Catholic dogma or doctrine that they happen to disagree with to put it mildly
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:33 pm |
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Is being a Catholic worth what you have to go through? I suppose it keeps you on your toes, doctrinally! 
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1479 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:38 pm |
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Dear Ted, I'm so sorry you and your wife are having this problem. You should be celebrating at this time, and instead you are doubting your actions. I think maybe by your "going public" with your letter, now your wife has to deal with it, where before she did not. I agree with Becky, you should consult with a priest as well as your wife's pastor. If possible, have her attend with you. I can't say what your wife will or won't do, I don't know her, but I think a loving wife will do what she needs to do to keep her marriage intact. She may be very upset now, and saying things she will regret later ... you have forced her hand so to speak. But that's okay, because you are an important part of this marriage also. You certainly deserve to worship in the church of your choice, in the one that you consider to be the truth, and as Becky also said, once accepting the RCC and receiving the Holy Eucharist, how can you turn your back on it? I hope I never will have to make that choice, I don't think I ever will, but if I did, I would have to choose the church that Christ established.
God loves marriage, and wouldn't want you and your wife to separate over loving Him. I will pray for both of you, and for whomever you counsel with to lead both of you in the right way. God bless
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 10:03 pm |
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s being a Catholic worth what you have to go through? YES YES YES
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CajunRick
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| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 12:38 am |
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Kim M. wrote: Is being a Catholic worth what you have to go through?
Kim, Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
I suppose the answer to your question is, "How important is the Truth?".
Protestants offer you two-thirds of the faith. How important is that last third?
What are you willing/able to go through for that last third? What is it worth to have all of Jesus, rather than just most of Jesus?
Or can you say that by following a Protestant faith, you are following the Truth?
No one can answer these questions for you. They can only answer for themselves.
You must answer for yourself.
There is a nice, dry, fuzzy, pure white garment waiting for you on the Rome side of the Tiber, and also a big cross for you to carry. You can't have one without the other. Jesus also said, "Take up your cross and follow me."
Paul tells us love is patient, and John tells us God is love, so whenever you're ready, God and His Church (and, by the way, the rest of us) will be waiting.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1323 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 02:03 am |
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Kim M. wrote:
Is being a Catholic worth what you have to go through?
Kim, the Devil plays this trick on all of us. He certainly played it on me when I was investigating Catholicism. I call it a trick because it is the wrong question. The question reveals a mind and heart in need of Catholic ordering.
We can't say, "I'm willing to suffer this, but not that."
We can't say, "I can accept this teaching, but that one is ludicrous."
We can't say, "God, I will obey you as long as you don't ask too much of me."
We can't say, "God, I will submit my will to yours, as long as there's a good reward."
The Catholic mindset is deadly earnest. I must not only carry a heavy cross. I must also be crucified with Christ and must remain on that cross myself until He releases me at death. It is a true death to self.
I must strive, every minute, to have no will except the will of the Father.
It doesn't matter whether I agree with His will or like His will.
All that matters is conformity to His will.
Once God has revealed to us the Truth of the Catholic Church and has drawn us to His one true Church, it is grave matter to resist. One's eternal soul becomes endangered with such resistance.
It is a fearful thing to resist the clear call of the Holy Spirit.
I write these words with love and as one who struggles to be obedient.
Let me add that there is no true joy to be found outside the will of God. Every morning at Mass I rejoice anew that He called me into the Catholic Church and that I am blessed with the Sacraments. What mercy and grace!
Becky
Last edited on Tue Apr 1st, 2008 03:58 am by Intercessor
____________________
"He who will persevere unto the end is not he who will never fall, but he who after every fall will humble himself and rise again, relying on the infinite strength of God." Divine Intimacy, p. 885 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Credo Catholic
Member
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 01:41 pm |
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Intercessor wrote: [size=The Catholic mindset is deadly earnest.
]
Truer words were never spoken.
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 03:49 pm |
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Don't worry, Becky. I would never reject Catholicism because it might bring suffering to me. I didn't reject Christ as a new Christian even though I suffered for my faith. I counted it an honor to suffer for Him. I will also count it an honor to suffer for His Church.
I just want to be at peace with my decision. I need to come to a place of rest. And I'm getting there by God's Grace! We all have to come to that place, but the path isn't the same for all of us. I'm aware of the wickedness in my own heart (but it's probably worse than even I know!). So I am treading gently and carefully so I will walk each step trusting that the Lord is directing it. He is being very gentle with this lamb. I love my Shepherd!
I'll admit that this path scares me...a lot. But it also thrills me. I like to hash out my thoughts, sometimes here, sometimes just in my head. Often my thoughts don't come out right on this keyboard. But I try.
When I ask the question, "Is being a Catholic worth what you have to go through?", I guess what I want is to be reassured. Understand, I have almost no one in real life I can ask these kinds of questions. Y'all are IT! lol
So Becky, I will watch how I phrase my questions so I hopefully don't cause any misunderstandings in the future. And I will watch how my thoughts are going to see if I'm giving the Devil a foothold. I certainly don't want to do that!
I covet your prayers, my friend!
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 04:55 pm |
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I just want to be at peace with my decision. I need to come to a place of rest. And I'm getting there by God's Grace! We all have to come to that place, but the path isn't the same for all of us. I'm aware of the wickedness in my own heart (but it's probably worse than even I know!). So I am treading gently and carefully so I will walk each step trusting that the Lord is directing it. He is being very gentle with this lamb. I love my Shepherd! I'll admit that this path scares me...a lot. But it also thrills me. I like to hash out my thoughts, sometimes here, sometimes just in my head. Often my thoughts don't come out right on this keyboard. But I try. When I ask the question, "Is being a Catholic worth what you have to go through?", I guess what I want is to be reassured. Understand, I have almost no one in real life I can ask these kinds of questions. Y'all are IT! lol I think most of us here understand how isolating this journey into the faith can be. I look at my in-law's church and realize just how much farther they have to leap into Catholism as opposed to those of us from more liturgical backgrounds.
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 05:41 pm |
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Gater Dude, if you're a fisherman, you know that when you have a fish on the line you reel them in slow and steady. If you yank on the line it'll break. Don't be yankin', Dude. I'm on the line, okay? 
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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