 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 08:48 pm |
|
Greetings Everyone,
Today my secret journey into understanding the Catholic faith was finally discovered by my husband and daughter. This morning, I was asking God whether or not I should talk about my interest in the Catholic faith. In my heart, I did not think it was time just yet. However, the Holy Spirit had something else in mind.
When the mail arrived, my daughter said, "Mom, you received something from the Army." Then she looked closer and said, "It says Rosary Army." Well, you can imagine what ensued after that. Not from my daughter, but my husband who was in an ear's shot of what was being said. "You sent away for a rosary?" he exclaimed. I took the mail and said, "I've been getting books and other information sent to me from Catholics who want me to understand their faith better." Then I saw the other mail that came for me from a Catholic friend. I opened it up and read the titles of the 3 books, "The Faith for Beginners, The Papacy and Meeting Mary." I brought out all the other books I've received thus far and read their titles. Then I said, "And I haven't had to pay a cent for any of them. These Catholics really want to convert me." Looking back on it, perhaps I shouldn't have said that because it opened up a door for my husband to begin with his attacks against the Catholic Church.
He began by saying,"They are the synagogue of Satan, didn't you know that?" He said it with sort of a smirk so I responded by saying, "You don't really believe that do you?" He said that while the Catholics have some good doctrine, a lot of it is bad. Like praying to Mary and the saints. I brought up Martin Luther and mentioned him wanting to get rid of the books of James and The Revelation because he thought they weren't inspired by the Holy Spirit. My husband already knew that. Then I told him about the "Sin Boldly" sermon that Luther wrote. He had never heard of it but said that the Catholics have probably twisted the meaning of it or just don't understand what he really meant. Then he went on to discredit the papacy by saying, "You know that many of the popes were homosexuals, don't you?" Honestly, I had never heard that one before. Then he said, "And what about the Crusades and all the Christians that the Catholic Church persecuted?" I responded by saying that the Protestants were also persecuted under the English Reformation and in Northern Ireland. He said if Catholics wanted to do a character assasination against Protestants, then there's plenty to charge them with. "I can play that game just as well" he stated.
It isn't that we were raising our voices and he wasn't really attacking me personally. He just exposed his true feelings toward the Catholic faith in a way that surprised me. I really didn't want him to know about my interest in Catholicism just yet, and I wasn't quite prepared to respond. So I guess the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. I did let him know that I intended to read all of the material that has been sent to me and we could discuss it at some point.
After he left the house for awhile, I spoke with my daughter. She did not agree with the way he responded and said, "You know how Dad is, he always thinks he's right." Now I know she meant that with regard to his Christian faith. Our daughter dated a Catholic boy several years ago and one of her closest friends is Catholic, so she is a very open person.
Anyway, I said all of the above just to ask for prayer. As always, I appreciate any helpful comments or suggestions.
Love in Christ,
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
|
|
|
JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 682 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 09:55 pm |
|
With a few differences, our journeys are paralleling each other. We even share the same wonderful person sending us great stuff!
I was listening to a CD of Peter Kreeft sharing his testimony and he said something that I think many converts share: he would have been thankful to find something, anything that could allow him to not become Catholic. He didn't want to, but he had to. It was a move toward truth. I fully relate, and that's why I keep questioning everything so closely. I need assurance, though less and less of it as time goes on.
My husband isn't on my journey either, though he's known about it longer. But he doesn't question me. I wish he would! Maybe then he'd come with. (That's how I got started...)
Let's compare notes here at CHN!
____________________
"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! You know me right well; my frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth." Psalm 139
|
|
|
Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 11:20 pm |
|
Hi Jill,
I would love to compare notes with you. There are many similarities in my journey to our friend's who sent me the books. Just a while ago I remembered something else my husband said. When referring to Mary, he said, "Catholics believe in Mary and pray to her, but you know that the Bible says there is only one mediator between God and man."
I'm expecting that there will be many "interesting" conversations between the both of us as my journey progresses.
Take Care & God Bless You,
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5101 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 12:00 am |
|
Darlene wrote: When referring to Mary, he said, "Catholics believe in Mary and pray to her, but you know that the Bible says there is only one mediator between God and man."
Now that you are "out of the closet," there is an opportunity for dialogue.
Sometimes the best answer is a good question. For example, in response to the above question, you could ask, "Do you pray for our children?" Assuming his answer is yes, ask him, "Why do you mediate between God and man? Isn't that Jesus' role? Mary is just another friend Catholics ask to pray for us."
I wish you the best, and I'll be praying for his understanding.
____________________
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
|
|
|
JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 682 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 01:05 am |
|
Darlene, I hope you don't have a basement.
____________________
"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! You know me right well; my frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth." Psalm 139
|
|
|
Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 10:33 am |
|
No Jill, no basement here. Just a crawl space!
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
|
|
|
SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 125 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 06:36 pm |
|
Dear Darlene,
Welcome to the Club, not that it is one that has an especially appealing defining characteristic. That would be: I want to become Cahtolic, but my spouse is against it. There are many variations on this, from passive aggressive stuff to open hostility, (and sleeping in the basement) -- all the same, it hurts.
My family did not join me in my journey into the Catholic Church. They remain staunch Baptists, very active, as I was when I was a pastor for 18 years, a member for 30 plus.
My son understands better than my daughter, and my wife has used it as an excuse to move out, which she wanted to do long ago for other reasons.
Like Peter Kreeft, I also would have not done this conversion except that I was compelled by a call from God. Obedience to the Lord's will as my Master trumps all other considerations.
You probably already know this, but there is a book, "When Only One Converts," by Lynn Nordhagen. Very helpful.
Don't be discouraged, and know that this process takes time and yields great blessings.
In Christ,
Monte
____________________
In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
|
|
|
Katy
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | DFW, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 78 |
| First Name: | Katy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Non-denom/Bible churches, Catholic since Easter 2005 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 11:23 pm |
|
SBC2RCC wrote: Welcome to the Club, not that it is one that has an especially appealing defining characteristic. That would be: I want to become Cahtolic, but my spouse is against it. There are many variations on this, from passive aggressive stuff to open hostility, (and sleeping in the basement) -- all the same, it hurts.
The weirdest thing about that basement comment in the "My wife is converting" thread is that basements are extremely rare in the Dallas area. The clay soil is very hard on our foundations and makes basements impractical. :?
Last edited on Tue Nov 14th, 2006 11:25 pm by Katy
____________________
Lord, by Your cross and resurrection, You have set us free. You are the Savior of the World.
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5101 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 11:36 pm |
|
Katy wrote: The weirdest thing about that basement comment in the "My wife is converting" thread is that basements are extremely rare in the Dallas area. The clay soil is very hard on our foundations and makes basements impractical. :?
They are equally rare (actually impossible) in South Louisiana because the ground is so soft and the water table so high that a basement would fill with water. Most cemetaries even have most of bodies buried above ground, or in a waterproof below ground vault capped with a huge piece of concrete to keep the coffins from popping out!
Here's a picture of our cemetary so you can see what I'm talking about.
Attachment: DSCF0023.JPG (Downloaded 85 times)
____________________
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
|
|
|
SBC2RCC
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | York, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 125 |
| First Name: | Monte | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | was Southern Baptist Minister, now Roman Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 11:36 pm |
|
If, on the odd note, your observation about the basement, and some of my own misgivings, bear out, ....well, Iwould say that an attempt to set up a story that would inflame us -- rather resulted in a demonstration that people here really care and want the best for all people. This to be understood under the principle that first, we must please God rather than men.
____________________
In Christ,
Monte W
(Formerly on CHN Forum as "Pilgrim Paul"
Minima Maxima Sunt
|
|
|
StephenC
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Dallas, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 51 |
| First Name: | Stephen | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, SBC, Nothing, Back home in 2006 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 11:41 pm |
|
Katy wrote: SBC2RCC wrote: Welcome to the Club, not that it is one that has an especially appealing defining characteristic. That would be: I want to become Cahtolic, but my spouse is against it. There are many variations on this, from passive aggressive stuff to open hostility, (and sleeping in the basement) -- all the same, it hurts.
The weirdest thing about that basement comment in the "My wife is converting" thread is that basements are extremely rare in the Dallas area. The clay soil is very hard on our foundations and makes basements impractical. :?
Your right. I was thinking the same thing.
|
|
|
Darlene
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 15th, 2006 01:52 pm |
|
Maybe the husband was speaking "figuratively." lol That would then lead me to wonder what a figurative or symbolic basement would be referring to. hmmmm...
We have a nice, large yard with many trees and a campfire. We have pitched a tent back there many times. I wouldn't mind having to sleep in a tent for awhile. Of course, not in the winter. Winter in the Pocono Mountains can be cruel at times. I can handle the winters here though, because I grew up in the Great Lakes region of Ohio. Winters there were so cold and windy, that at times, the wind could knock you over!
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
|
|
|
Flowerchild
Member
| Joined: | Wed Oct 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Washington USA |
| Posts: | 31 |
| First Name: | Terri | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian to nothing to Lutheran to now Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 29th, 2006 02:36 am |
|
Hello Darlene,
You are so brave!!! I so want to tell people that I am on a very special spiritual journey toward the Catholic faith. The rollercoaster of emotions that you go through keeping this inside is exhausting. The freedom you must feel!
Just like you, I am more than somewhat concerned about how my family will react. There is the part of my mind that thinks “Oh, it’s not going to be so bad”, and then there seems to be the more realistic part of my mind that says “Oh, this is going to explode in your face.” So I wait and pray for the right moment to present its self.
My husband and his family come from a very long line of Lutherans. His family is very involved with the church. He like your husband will think I have lost my mind. I foresee some anger. My family comes from a mixed religious background, with a negative approach to most religion. They will think I have totally lost my mind, my children included.
This “Coming Out” is a huge big deal. At times the thought totally overwhelms me. I do believe that at the beginning of my journey (almost a year now) I was more tied up in knots about it. Now with study, reading, praying and more time adjusting to this new overwhelming knowledge, it does seem to be easier for me. I know I need to be comfortable with what is happening before I can share what I am feeling, and I am getting there. I can only hope that when the door opens I am brave enough to step through.
A year ago, God put this journey in motion, for the reasons that he only knows. What I know is that deep down even if I wanted to stop this journey, I could not. I truly know that I am on my way to Coming Home.
Thanks to all who support the CHN forums. I have learned so much from all of you! Darlene thanks for sharing your stories. They make me feel as though I am not alone on this journey (humanly that is.)
Wishing you all joy and great blessings during this holiday season. Prayers and good thoughts are always welcome!
Flowerchild
(I'll have to find the tread that talks about "the basement". I live in the Inland Northwest and my guess would be that 9 out of 10 homes have a basement. See what happens when you come in late to something. )
____________________
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
St. Francis of Assisi
|
|
|
JillD
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Visalia, California USA |
| Posts: | 682 |
| First Name: | Jill | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | heathen, EvFree, Messianic, LC-MS, Catholic 2007 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 29th, 2006 12:18 pm |
|
Hello Flowerchild,
The "basement" thread is in the Marriage forum and is called "My wife is converting." It's pretty heavy, actually, but if you read it you'll know where the basement deal comes from.
Jill
Last edited on Wed Nov 29th, 2006 01:40 pm by JillD
____________________
"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! You know me right well; my frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth." Psalm 139
|
|
|
lia
Member
| Joined: | Mon Dec 11th, 2006 |
| Location: | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Posts: | 86 |
| First Name: | lia | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 11th, 2006 10:20 pm |
|
He began by saying,"They are the synagogue of Satan, didn't you know that?" He said it with sort of a smirk so I responded by saying, "You don't really believe that do you?" He said that while the Catholics have some good doctrine, a lot of it is bad. Like praying to Mary and the saints. I brought up Martin Luther and mentioned him wanting to get rid of the books of James and The Revelation because he thought they weren't inspired by the Holy Spirit. My husband already knew that. Then I told him about the "Sin Boldly" sermon that Luther wrote. He had never heard of it but said that the Catholics have probably twisted the meaning of it or just don't understand what he really meant. Then he went on to discredit the papacy by saying, "You know that many of the popes were homosexuals, don't you?" Honestly, I had never heard that one before. Then he said, "And what about the Crusades and all the Christians that the Catholic Church persecuted?" I responded by saying that the Protestants were also persecuted under the English Reformation and in Northern Ireland. He said if Catholics wanted to do a character assasination against Protestants, then there's plenty to charge them with. "I can play that game just as well" he stated.
Darlene,
I think you should ask for HISTORICAL proofs of what he claims the Catholic Church stands for, believes, have said and did  . Why should you believe the things "he just said" which is probably just something heard from another who just heard it from another, who just heard from another, who just heard from another...who is just as equally ignorant as he is of what the Catholic Church really teaches.
Lia
____________________
Man can't b forced 2 accept the truth.He can b drawn toward the truth only by his own nature, that is, by his own freedom w/c commits him 2 search sincerely 4 truth & when he finds it, 2 adhere 2 it both in his conviction & his behavior.-- JP2
|
|
|
Current time is 03:20 am | |
|
|
|
|
|
