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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Sun Sep 14th, 2008 02:47 am |
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Hello Everyone,
I am a recent convert (last Spring). My husband's background is Baptist. He was hostile to my becoming Catholic in the beginning, but now it seems he has settled into an attitude of complaisance which is a relief of sorts. However, he has decided to make a change himself and not attend church at all. His complaint is that all denominations are filled with hypocrites including my Catholic faith...he works alongside many "fallen" Catholics as he calls them. He says he can worship God, outside of a church since he is "saved".
How do others respond to the complaint about "bad Catholics" and hypocrites? His brother has the same beliefs and my husband has followed his lead in this...they are very close.
I know to pray, and I do, but he seems so settled and satisfied in his opinions and his brother holds so much influence over him. Is there any response I can make to him when he says these things? Gently, with love...
I'm very concerned for his soul knowing there is no guarantee of salvation.
Stymied,
Christine Ann
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BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 840 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Sun Sep 14th, 2008 03:56 am |
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Hi Christine Ann,
As I read your posting, I had the thought, “Been there, done that.” My wife tried everything including the silent treatment, an emotional rage in public, snippy comments and put-downs, etc. During one of her tantrums I asked her to tell me specifically what she did not like about the Church or the teachings of the Church. I admit that was a trick question since we were both raised in the same religion (SDA) and I knew she knew nothing about the RCC. I got a copy of the Nicene Creed and asked her to tell me which belief she thought was wrong and we could look into it. She did not want to do that so I mentioned that I could understand why she would not want to know the facts but would rather wallow in her ignorance. (At that time we had been married 50 years. I knew where the buttons were!) I think she felt a little trapped by that. It was sort of a “put up or shut up” comment. After another small tantrum she sat down and I went over the Creed point by point. She did not disagree with a single point in the Creed. She has come a loooooooonnng way since those days. She listens when I explain the teachings of the Church to our older daughter who has shown some interest in the Church and judging from her recent comments, she has learned quite a bit about the Church. To top off this story to date, a couple of weeks ago we were visiting the older daughter up north. I had made it clear and the daughter understood that I intended to go to Mass on Sunday. Come Sunday, we ALL went to Mass in Virginia City, NV in old St. Mary’s (built, I believe, in 1862). With my wife sitting by my side in Mass, I tried to take it all in stride but I will confess to you, I was higher than a kite!!!!!
I wish you all the best in your Journey.
____________________
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1423 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 14th, 2008 07:17 am |
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Christine Ann wrote:
Hello Everyone,
I am a recent convert (last Spring). My husband's background is Baptist. He was hostile to my becoming Catholic in the beginning, but now it seems he has settled into an attitude of complaisance which is a relief of sorts. However, he has decided to make a change himself and not attend church at all. His complaint is that all denominations are filled with hypocrites including my Catholic faith...he works alongside many "fallen" Catholics as he calls them. He says he can worship God, outside of a church since he is "saved".
How do others respond to the complaint about "bad Catholics" and hypocrites? His brother has the same beliefs and my husband has followed his lead in this...they are very close.
I know to pray, and I do, but he seems so settled and satisfied in his opinions and his brother holds so much influence over him. Is there any response I can make to him when he says these things? Gently, with love...
I'm very concerned for his soul knowing there is no guarantee of salvation.
Stymied,
Christine Ann
Christine Ann, Here's a passage from Hebrews 10. (NAB)
Click here for NAB.
Hebrews 10
23
Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
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We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.
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We should not stay away from our assembly, 13 as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
26
14 If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins
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but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.
footnote: 13 [25] Our assembly: the liturgical assembly of the Christian community, probably for the celebration of the Eucharist. The day: this designation for the parousia also occurs in the Pauline letters, e.g., Romans 2:16; 1 Cor 3:13; 1 Thes 5:2.
14 [26] If we sin deliberately: verse 29 indicates that the author is here thinking of apostasy; cf Hebrews 3:12; 6:4-8.
If your husband was a Southern Baptist and if he paid attention in church, he should be very familiar with verse 25. It's the standard verse used with Southern Baptists who are not faithful in church attendance. (I included the good Catholic context here.) Your husband knows that "backsliding" and "forsaking the assembling of the local fellowship" are not acceptable.
You could remind him of what he undoubtedly heard many times in a Southern Baptist church: Jesus came to call sinners, not the righteous, and the local church is a hospital for sinners (including hypocrites and irregular attenders) who need help.
I don't think the problem is one of educating him about what he should do. The problem is in his "want-to." He does not "want to" do the right thing right now because he has decided that the cost is too high. You've condemned him to attending church alone (or at least to being the only Baptist member). His faith (his obedience, his love for God) is not strong enough to go it alone.
In his defense I will say that it is very hard indeed for a married person who has enjoyed attending with a spouse to suddenly be left without that support and companionship in the Baptist church. I feel very sorry for him since I have walked in those shoes and know the loneliness and longing of sitting on a church pew and remembering how it used to be when the spouse was present.
You could write a note to the Baptist pastor and ask him to take a special interest in your husband. He would probably speak to some deacons or your husband's Sunday School teacher (if it is a Southern Baptist church) and ask them to make an extra effort to encourage your husband. Beyond that, as you say you already know, there is prayer. You could consider fasting, if that is not already part of your practice.
Remember that he is hurting. Show him all the tenderness, attentiveness, and affection you can muster. Show him how beautiful a gift a devout Catholic wife can be. Win him with love and devotion.
I will join you in praying that grace will fall and that his heart will be disposed to receive it.
Be faithful, dear sister. Satan wants to see whether this trial can unravel your trust and obedience.
Grace and peace,
Becky
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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sewnsew
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 905 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sun Sep 14th, 2008 07:26 pm |
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[size=In his defense I will say that it is very hard indeed for a married person who has enjoyed attending with a spouse to suddenly be left without that support and companionship in the Baptist church. I feel very sorry for him since I have walked in those shoes and know the loneliness and longing of sitting on a church pew and remembering how it used to be when the spouse was present.
For many years I took the kids to church alone because my husband wouldn't attend, then for two or three years he started attending faithfully which was nice- just in time for me to blow our barge out of the water by becoming Catholic. As you know the last year and a half have been hard around here. My son is in RCIA but my daughter is struggling- she has decided to go back to the Anglican church that split from our Episcopal church. Even though she denies this she is going becuase of of her friends goes there. This weekend the friend's family will be out of town so she refused to go to church even though my husband was willing to take her and she refused to come to the Catholic church with us. We have a rule that while the kids live at home they have to go to church, we are letting it slide this week but since her friend's family does more travelling in the winter the issue will come up and my husband feels that the next time it comes up she has to choose to go to the Anglican church or the Episcopal one or come with us. A family split is very hard.
An interesting thing though our DD turned 16 this month and is more liberal than the rest of the family- she has swallowed the talk of gay marriage and life styles being alternate but not bad- she had no idea that our local church split entirely over the gay marriage issue and that there were "pro- choice" people in both congregations, she only learned a few weeks ago that belief in the real presense was not what every Anglican/Episcopalian beleived and both those findings have shaken her.
]
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1398 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Sep 14th, 2008 09:38 pm |
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Dear Christine Ann,
Just want to add in some encouragment. We've both been down this road, attending Mass alone, either as a convert or a revert -- and it's not easy is it? Sometimes it can be a very hard, confusing and totally exasperating road to take.
But He's always there by our sides. Even when we goof up, He's there to keep us from really going over the top, which I could've really gone in a much bigger fashion lately with my family's baptist hurch I'm no longer able to volunteer for. We've both share the loneliness of dealing with some rejection from a smaller denomination's policies, for whatever reason. Though my reasons are more related to my big mouth.
Despite the pain of the recent separation from my volunteer "job" due to my rashness of expressed thoughts, I hold no grudges and that has to be God's presence. The old me that'd take matters further into his hand would've been outright angry at everyone else but himself -- even if I was mostly at fault. Even though my wife was honest enough to point out that my eagerness to openly express my opinions and be “bossy” in how I do it was right on the money -- how could I disagree -- I can’t ever thank her enough for her shoring up these past days over this and my frustrations because of this.
Over the years I've learned over and over -- because I'm sometimes a much too slow learner -- these trials we endure are indeed planted in our lives by God to help us learn how to depend on Him more and use what He gives us to refine the dross out of our system. The devil doesn't cause all our woes, but he sure does his best to make 'em worse -- and that's all he's good at.
The loneliness you feel is human; but any resentment beyond normal "why is this so hard to solve ..." sorts of feelings and questions -- well that's where Old Scratch loves to step in and add a few more sentences. And has he ever done that with me, especially when I'm alone and I'm not able to keep preoccupied enough. That‘s not a good situation, especially for a bipolar‘d ADHD brooder. (Whoa! Talk about describing one’s mind as a breeder reactor for trouble! )
Here’s a thought that might help. Since you mentioned the “once saved-always saved” argument your husband used, why not suggest to him that he would not -- better yet -- could not, lose his salvation by even looking into the Catholic Church, never mind at this stage take the big leap if he’s filled with so many misgivings. (Of course we know it’ll only be a matter of far sooner than later that he’ll learn that his salvation will be more than safe if he becomes Catholic -- provided of course he lives out his Faith like all of us are expected to do. But you don’t have to mention this right now. All he needs right now is to have the peace of mind and soul that he’s not going to endanger his salvation.) Check this out with your pastor first, though and see how he can guide first, then the both of you in due time.
I keep praying for Ruth. But I dare not push the issue, and this isn’t something we can nor should ever push. It's her soul and salvation and walk with the Lord. Expanding the “comfort zone,” sure; but on matters of conversion, I’ve learned that slow and easy is best (for me at least.) Sure cuts down on harmful and wasteful arguments. For Ruth, conversion may never be in the cards. It wasn’t for William F. Buckley, Jr. wife Pat, of many years who remained an Episcopalian all her life. Besides, I’ve never been good at “closing the deal” on a lot of other things, as well, save for our family real estate matters.
Limbo-land is so hard for converts and reverts, especially when spouses and kids are concerned. But if I’ve learned one thing, when a break is made, hard as it seems at first, it has to be made swiftly and cleanly. What Jesus said about serving two masters really hits home when it comes to following His lead into -- or back into -- the ONLY Church He ever founded.
As hard as I tried to maintain full diligence to the church (the rest of my family still belongs to) and always grateful for what they’ve done for us, there will always be that moment when we have to decide when to walk. And the sooner we learn to discern that moment, the easier it’ll be to take it and so with more grace. I waited too long and now I’m paying the price for letting my fatigue with it all -- especially in dealing with some misplaced guilt -- to get the worst of me.
Whenever I’d hear the “we’ve given you a lot of help” reminders -- and they had -- naturally, I felt that tinge. I always will. But on the other hand, I was already a member of THE Church, founded by Jesus, and I knew where my full loyalty would eventually and ultimately lead me to.
This is one of the cruxes we have to face; the emotional tugs of local Protestant congregations, with long family ties, etc. or really put our “Bible Church beliefs” to work and leave it all behind to follow Him. I honestly believe that in “Bible Christianity” they believe it’s possible to have all these cakes and eat them too because they don’t see the whole picture from both sides. In many respects they would prefer absolutely refusing to even listen to our arguments on this point because to even admit our fully legit arguments on behalf of exclusive claim of Divine Origins -- well, that's one point they'd rather die than to even give a moment's notice to.
Great starting point for an inter-family jihad! (Noooo thanks!, not Taliban style) BUT, we have to state it every now and then, hard as it is and it can be unpleasant for both sides -- especially if humor's not used. After all, it calls directly into question the VERY foundations of Protestantism and the Reformation.
As you know I tried being a real ecumenical soul, but only as a volunteer staying out of the house and maintaining some pater familial connection for my family, even though I had reverted some three years ago. (I thought “Catholic guilt trips” were toughies!  !)
Since so many Protestants, particularly evangelicals with little or no lengthy denominational histories or even taught concepts of religious history to rely on, have a difficult time with Catholicism’s accurate claim (of Divine Origins) that’s taken right out of the same Book so often put above all else, save for God -- our work was cut out for us long before we even took our first steps.
I’ve learned the hard way that if you even look like you’ve “bad mouthed” the local pastor, complained about the services, overly lengthy sermons, church politics or even liturgical oddities -- hell hath no swifter fury as a scorned local Bible church’s magisterium -- and you have no Vatican to appeal to. (So much for the Book of Acts.) You’re out. And I can appreciate that to a point. (But now when it appears as if complaints made by older and long term members are treated as near heresies to justify nudging and pushing them aside to make room for even larger classes of newer members; especially if they and a newer style pastor seem to jive better with, it's not hard to ask "what gives.") Not that we should become disrespectful and self-styled dissenting loose cannons; but I’ve learned that for all our individual mistakes in just handling day-to-day parish matters, etc., we will never lose our place as members in God’s Universal Church, (save for committing the major mortal sins and not confessing.) Since your husband mentioned his disgust with hypocrisy as one of his reasons for not attending church at all, this aspect of Catholicism alone might also appeal to him.
Keep a couple of open spaces on the pews for your husband and brother in law. The Lord’s listening, and I’m praying for the best.
God love and keep ya both!
Steven
____________________
James Michael Curley to a young Thomas “Tip” O’Neill -- “Son, it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Tue Sep 16th, 2008 05:10 am |
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Hello again...
Thanks to everyone for your responses. Cliff, I am thrilled that your family was able to worship together after so much dissention. It was a great encouragement to me and made me realize that I may be expecting too much, too soon from my husband, but should rather be patient and wait on the Lord to work.
And Kim I"m certainly finding how hard a family split is! But I talked with my husband beforehand and he told me to do what I felt would be best for me spiritually...but not to expect him to become Catholic! But with some time his comments have become less caustic and he even surprised me one Sunday by offering to go to Mass with me. I think he just wanted us to be together and it really was a blessing to me. I hope for more of that.
He has gradually stopped attending the Baptist Church. But I was the one who had insisted that we needed to be in Church. His background had been Baptist, mine Lutheran. Very different. But I attended with him for 15 years because I wanted us to have unity in our faith. Over time I became miserable...I could not accept some of the doctrines as true and I missed worshipping in a Liturgical service. He was never enthusiastic about attending and I felt he would not be going if I didn't worship with him.
When I became Catholic, I think it became a good excuse for him to stop going to the Baptist Church. And Becky, you are right...he knows that he is not to "forsake the gathering". But I didn't demand that we lose our unity, he allowed me to go forward and become Catholic. It was hard for him going back alone. People asked about me and he was uncomfortable with explaining what had happened to them. In the "independent fundamental Baptist Church" we attended being Catholic was tantamount to being lost and going to hell. He had always held a somewhat rebellious attitude toward his church and its teachings. He knew that I was unhappy and he just wasn't all that dedicated to it in the first place.
Because he does believe in OSAS, I am concerned that he's turned his back on God and church altogether, but I don't accept the blame for his decision. I've told him repeatedly that you can't do that and expect that there will be not consequences. It's only been recently though, that he's expressed his not needing church at all and using the hypocrite excuse. As I said, he has adoped his brothers opinions.
Becky, I thank you for the scriptures, they were helpful. And your advise that I be devoted to him and be the "best" Catholic spouse possible is about all I know to do for him. Prayer has been my mainstay through all of this. I love my husband, but my remaining Baptist was just a temporary fix for his lack of desire to be in Church. I am praying that his faith will be increased, and for his conversion to the Catholic Church which I see as his only route to salvation. I remain hopeful.
Thanks for allowing me to explain myself further. I haven't tried fasting...but I'm willing to do that or whatever it takes for the Holy Spirit to move in his heart. He is a good provider and a moral man...he has it all but his salvation.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1398 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Sep 16th, 2008 05:35 am |
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Dear Christine Ann,
You are not alone. We are all in your corner praying hard for you and husband. 
In His Love, and corner for you,
Steven
____________________
James Michael Curley to a young Thomas “Tip” O’Neill -- “Son, it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
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BodRod
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 840 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Tue Sep 16th, 2008 01:29 pm |
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Christine Ann wrote: It .......... made me realize that I may be expecting too much, too soon from my husband, but should rather be patient and wait on the Lord to work.
My problem exactly! If God were to ask me how to run things, I would tell Him to get the Holy Spirit on the ball and get things done faster !!! 
____________________
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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PraRFLEsEkHm
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | Just West Of Titletown, Frozen Tundra, Wisconsin USA |
| Posts: | 13 |
| First Name: | John | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecostal, First Bible Baptist, Non Denominational, Now Catholic ... |
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Posted: Tue Sep 23rd, 2008 07:43 am |
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HI
I just wanted to tell you to hang in there. When I converted, my wife wanted absolutely nothing to do with: God, Jesus, the Bible, and of course Church. When we got together I wasn't too crazy about Church or anything either - although I told myself I was still busy looking for the Truth. So her stance didn't really bother me that much. I left it up to God.
Now, fast forward 10 years. I was lead into the Church, she still had her views. Just as strongly as before - and we had separated due to another serious problem, but I was back actively searching. I had gone through RCIA, she saw the drastic change in me, my stand on a lot of things - including her, and even went to Easter Vigil with me. Surprised? You bet. Not only that - she started actively inquiring into the Church as well. Even though she rejected it after awhile - personally I think it was too drastic of a change then - although she now accepts God, Jesus, and from time to time the Bible.
All within a year.
She too has had the view that "If you aren't perfect in the Church you're in - that ain't the church then, is it??
My answer to her - The Church can still be His True Church...but we, as fallen people to begin with - will never be perfect on this earth. Jesus promised His Church would never fall - he never said anything about us, other than a lot of warnings. PLUS, make the point that - the devil don't bother with those he already has...he only attacks those he sees as a threat to his purpose "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand".
Granted, the devil attacks everyone - but who does it seem he tries to bring down the most? The Catholic Church. it's all over the news, and Catholics who have fallen away from the Church really seem to make up for lost time - do you ever really see that with any of the denominations? Nope.
Pray for him, your hubby, pray a rosary a day for him as your intention. Our Blessed Virgin Mother makes it a point to bring Her children home, She did me.
Peace to you and yours
John
____________________
For many people, you are the only True Scripture they will ever read. So pick up your cross and Live His Word, Pray for those whom you meet, and Stand Firm in the Truth you have received. Above all, Stand. (Ephesians 6)
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tedjenczewski
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| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 345 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Sep 23rd, 2008 06:19 pm |
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| The fundy's who claim "once saved always saved" often resent the church for housing hypocrites. That is because if they are "saved", they have already achieved salvation and are already made perfect. They can therefore expect their churches to be perfect in this life. The catholic teaching on salvation is that it is a work in progress and will be achieved only if we persevere in grace to the end. And then purgatory awaits to clean the souls of the "saved" and make them perfect, "for nothing unclean can enter heaven". So the church (the kingdom of God) contains all sorts of people, both wheat and tares, sheep and goats. And it is the Lord who will sort them all out at judgement. Last edited on Tue Sep 23rd, 2008 06:20 pm by tedjenczewski
____________________
"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Tue Sep 23rd, 2008 09:43 pm |
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Hello John,
Thank you for the encouragement. I do have faith that my husband will be reached by the Holy Spirit and find his way to the Catholic Church. Your example gives me much hope.
And Ted,
You have summarized the Catholic belief so succintlly. I've not been Catholic very long, so I couldn't find the words. Now that I have them, I can share my belief with my husband when the opportunity presents itself. I'll be praying for that open door. Thank you for sharing.....
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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Michael2
Member
| Joined: | Thu Aug 7th, 2008 |
| Location: | South Shore, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 56 |
| First Name: | Michael | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | former Episcopalian -wife former Baptist-Episcopalian now both Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Oct 4th, 2008 09:36 pm |
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Christine Ann wrote: Hello again...
Thanks to everyone for your responses. Cliff, I am thrilled that your family was able to worship together after so much dissention. It was a great encouragement to me and made me realize that I may be expecting too much, too soon from my husband, but should rather be patient and wait on the Lord to work.
And Kim I"m certainly finding how hard a family split is! But I talked with my husband beforehand and he told me to do what I felt would be best for me spiritually...but not to expect him to become Catholic! But with some time his comments have become less caustic and he even surprised me one Sunday by offering to go to Mass with me. I think he just wanted us to be together and it really was a blessing to me. I hope for more of that.
He has gradually stopped attending the Baptist Church. But I was the one who had insisted that we needed to be in Church. His background had been Baptist, mine Lutheran. Very different. But I attended with him for 15 years because I wanted us to have unity in our faith. Over time I became miserable...I could not accept some of the doctrines as true and I missed worshipping in a Liturgical service. He was never enthusiastic about attending and I felt he would not be going if I didn't worship with him.
When I became Catholic, I think it became a good excuse for him to stop going to the Baptist Church. And Becky, you are right...he knows that he is not to "forsake the gathering". But I didn't demand that we lose our unity, he allowed me to go forward and become Catholic. It was hard for him going back alone. People asked about me and he was uncomfortable with explaining what had happened to them. In the "independent fundamental Baptist Church" we attended being Catholic was tantamount to being lost and going to hell. He had always held a somewhat rebellious attitude toward his church and its teachings. He knew that I was unhappy and he just wasn't all that dedicated to it in the first place.
Because he does believe in OSAS, I am concerned that he's turned his back on God and church altogether, but I don't accept the blame for his decision. I've told him repeatedly that you can't do that and expect that there will be not consequences. It's only been recently though, that he's expressed his not needing church at all and using the hypocrite excuse. As I said, he has adoped his brothers opinions.
Becky, I thank you for the scriptures, they were helpful. And your advise that I be devoted to him and be the "best" Catholic spouse possible is about all I know to do for him. Prayer has been my mainstay through all of this. I love my husband, but my remaining Baptist was just a temporary fix for his lack of desire to be in Church. I am praying that his faith will be increased, and for his conversion to the Catholic Church which I see as his only route to salvation. I remain hopeful.
Thanks for allowing me to explain myself further. I haven't tried fasting...but I'm willing to do that or whatever it takes for the Holy Spirit to move in his heart. He is a good provider and a moral man...he has it all but his salvation.
In His Love,
Christine Ann
Christine Ann,
A lot of the time people who express "hatred" of the church are really just jealous..Its sorta like an Ohio State fan talking about Michigan....Well we all know that the U of M is a great school, as is OSU, but if your from Ohio you "have" to hate Michigan....Hating the catholic is sometimes like that...Its 'expected" especially if your a Baptist..What is the Baptist Minister supposted to say if asked about the catholic church.."WOW its a great place to worship" "They have all the answers and hold the full truth"....No If he did that, not only would he loose his church, but his parishoners also...He wants you to continue at his church, not join the catholic church....
your Husband may be taking the same approach.....Go to H*** Michigan"....as the football fans do.....
____________________
"sic transit gloria mundi"
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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 171 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Sun Oct 5th, 2008 03:04 am |
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Hello Michael,
I do regret the time I spent in the Baptist Church...apparently it didn't make much difference to my husband...he remains rebellious against the Baptist Church. But you've got to remember it was a fundamental Baptist Church...the worst kind to go through. Bible only, OSAS, and rules about your hair, smoking, drinking, women in skirts only, long hair. I never fit in with any of this, and I was foolish to go so long. Fifteen long years. Like so many homes, being a woman I was the "spiritual one". In all fairness, I do credit the Baptist Church for my love of scripture...but all of scripture, not just the parts that fit their strict doctrine.
I continue to pray every day for my husband's salvation...and I remain hopeful. At least he's not railing against the Catholic Church. He just doesn't want to have anything to do with Church period. I'm trying to be the wife the Lord would have me be, and I have a couple friends in the Catholic Church who support me. But I'm still basically going it alone. Except for the Forum...I'd really be alone!
I would do more with the Church...but my husband resents the time I already spend, so it's hard to feel a part of things, socially that is. Spiritually, I am one with the Lord , a member of the body of Christ, have the Eucharist and for all of that I am deeply grateful to God.
I hope for you out there who are Baptist that I've not offended you. I'm just stating the truth of my experience. I'm just so blessed to be Catholic . I've found my home here and I have no resentful feelings about the Baptists. I guess everything happens in the Lord's time, but I knew long ago that the Holy Spirit in me was grieved there, so I only have myself to blame .
In His Love,
Christine Ann
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Steven Barrett
Member
| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
| Posts: | 1398 |
| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Oct 5th, 2008 03:12 am |
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Christine Ann just wrote: "...I'm still basically going it alone. Except for the Forum...I'd really be alone!"
That's something to think about from somebody who's taken a lot of lonely walks.
____________________
James Michael Curley to a young Thomas “Tip” O’Neill -- “Son, it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
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