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gman
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 02:30 pm |
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My name is Mike, and I am married with 3 children, two of whom are in college, and the other is in 3rd grade.
My wife and I started attending a nondenominational Saddleback-style church in the mid 90's, went there for about 4 years. Then we switched to a more charismatic nondenominational church that we attended up until about 2 years ago.
For various reasons, we just stopped going to church back then. I became discontent with the church leadership. I had a High School friend who now lives out west who suggested I try the Orthodox church, so I attended by myself about a year or so ago. I really thought it was weird, but for some reason, wanted to keep going back. I finally got my wife to agree to go with me, but when she saw the candles, and the icons, and smelled the incense, I thought she was going to run out of the sanctuary. The lack of musicality of the hymns was hard for her to take as well.
We have been at odds ever since. We don't talk too much about it, so we just don't go to church much, occasionally to a nondenominational, noncharismatic church near our new home.
I started watching EWTN on the sly, and reading lots of literature about the RC faith. I find myself in total agreement with it, and really want to convert. My wife doesn't know yet how much I want to convert, even though we have attended a mass together. She is perfectly content to keep going to what I call "happy-clappy" churches, but I want the authentic faith.
I am truly at a loss: if God is calling me home, why is it so difficult on my marriage? I am thinking of beginning the process of converting, attending mass on Saturday, and then agreeing to attend church with my wife and daughter on Sunday mornings so she will not be too unhappy about it. I did go with her yesterday, but found it really hard to appear happy, and my wife noticed.
I just don't know what to do next, it is bizarre to think about attending two churches. If it were the right thing to do, I would hope God would make a way for me, but right now I feel abandoned. For about the past year, I have thought constantly about converting to either EO of RC, to the point where I am praying and thinking about what to do constantly. No obvious answers have come to me yet, but I will keep praying. I would think worshipping as a family would be more important to God than my wife and I going our separate ways on churches. So in that regard, part of me thinks I am being truly selfish, and that I should just be happy and allow my wife to get her way.
Last edited on Mon Nov 26th, 2007 02:36 pm by gman
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sewnsew
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| 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: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 02:42 pm |
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| Is your wife a reader? There are loads of great apologetic books out there. Also the Journey home on EWTN. You are4 not alone- many of us on this board have made the journey or are making it alone. Take some time to browse the forum topics and you will find threads dealing with the issues of family and the Catholic church. Several of us are still attending services at our previous church with family and attending Mass on our own either on the same day or Saturday. In my case My husband has agreed to continue going to our old church with our two teenagers but we are hoping that the kids will join me- then my husband would come to the Catholic church as well.
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gman
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 03:00 pm |
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I have read some of your posts, and agree with you about the tatters of the Episcopal church, from what I have read, you never know what the service at an Episcopal church is going to be like until you attend. No uniformity of beliefs exist.
I have left several apologetic books around, but she won't take the bait! When I was looking seriously into EO, I even checked out "Facing East" by Federica Matthewes-Green, which is supposed to be an easy read for a non EO, especially a woman...lol. I tried to get her to read it, to no avail.
I think she might be afraid that she might agree with RC apologetics of she were to read some. I think she is in the mind set I used to live in: "I am looking for a church that agrees with what I believe and like."
BTW, I would even be willing to meet her in the middle at a high Anglican church, my main non negotiable is the real prescence in the Eucharist. She wants contemporary praise and worship, almost at all costs.
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sewnsew
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| 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: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 03:39 pm |
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Bite your tongue (till it bleeds )- don't offer any opinion unless asked.\, don't ask her to read any of the books just leave them around handy- kind of like giving the "birds and the bees" books to your kids! If it doesn't create turmoil try to come to a meeting of the minds wherby your wife doesn't feel that you will pressure her to join the Catholic Church but that you intend on joining by yourself and will do your best to ensure that your faith life doesn't "threaten" her. Then quietly start living a Catholic life which although you may feel you are ready to embrace wholeheartedly does take practice. For a while your life will feel topsy turvy as you try to keep the peace by attending both churches ( but belonging to one). I now look at the happy clappy Christian services of my inlaws in the same way as attending a Christian music concert- pure entertainment- they feel they have gotten some real benfit from it and I do enjoy the music.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 03:43 pm |
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gman wrote: I just don't know what to do next,
Welcome Mike. Others have walked the same difficult road.
I suggest two actions.
1. Follow the truth where it leads you.
2. Follow the teaching of St. Francis: "Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words."
In other words, live your faith. You can only pray that others will follow your example.
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Dave Armstrong
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| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 2172 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 03:46 pm |
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Hi Mike,
A warm welcome to our forum. These are very complex questions, with no easy answers, unfortunately. What you'll find here is plenty of empathy and practical advice from others who are going through the same thing, or have in the past. Dealing with a spouse who believes differently is very delicate, and requires a lot of prudence. You'll find the helpful advice of those who are in the same boat of great comfort and assistance, I think.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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gman
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 03:48 pm |
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Thank you Rick and Kim!
Kim, I had thought of doing exactly what you are advising me to. I think my worst fault right now is that I don't hide my displeasure at the happy clappy services very well. I need to be more understanding of my wife in that regard, and it really would be enjoyable to attend those services with her if I had the right attitude!
Now I just have to get up the courage to actually talk to my wife in a deep meaningful conversation for once!
I read this old thread from the conversions section, and I swear, this could be my post! http://www.chnetwork.org/forums/forum11/308.html
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Pani Rose
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| Joined: | Fri Oct 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Irondale, Alabama USA |
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| First Name: | Rose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Ruthenian Byzantine in a Melkite Greek Catholic Parish, raised ... |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 04:10 pm |
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WELCOME!
Humm, since she likes the 'happy-clappy' and you have been part of charismatic worship, why not look for that side of the Catholic Church for her. See if there is a group close to you http://www.nsc-chariscenter.org/searchdb.asp
Pani Rose
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Dave Armstrong
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| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
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| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 04:16 pm |
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That would definitely be some sort of "middle ground". Many Protestant charismatics have a great appreciation for Catholic charismatic masses. I know that when I first converted, it seemed more familiar to me, like I was amongst "friends." But I shortly started attending a traditional liturgical parish with the Latin Mass. I continue to appreciate both kinds of services, as long as the charismatic ones are appropriately reverent and observe all the rubrics. Perhaps your wife might "relate" more to that kind of service.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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gman
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 04:17 pm |
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Pani Rose
Looked up stuff in my diocese, not sure what the terms mean.
There was a prayer group, a liason, and a covenant community. The latter two had the same contact person.
What is a covenant community?
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CajunRick
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 09:59 pm |
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gman wrote: What is a covenant community?
We have a covenant community in our parish, affiliated with the Alleluia Christian Community in Georgia. Their web site is here.
I am not a member, but I guess you could say I am a friend. Many of the community members are active in various ministries in our parish. I have attended several of their functions.
The group is non-denominational (but all the members in our local branch are Catholic) and charismatic. Some live in community surrounding a meeting hall. They dedicate one day a month to a community project (painting someone's house, fixing a roof, etc.) while others prepare their "Lord's Day" meal, and they gather in the evening to break bread and pass the cup. There is no pretense at liturgy; as the cup is passed, each adult (and many children) will express one thing they are thankful for and one thing they will ask others to pray for. Following the sharing, there is a time to make peace, and each person who feels slighted or apologetic will ask another to join them in an adjacent room to settle whatever ill feelings might exist between them, and they do not return until they are reconciled. After all ill feelings are resolved, the blessing is said and the meal is shared. It's really a quite moving experience.
In addition, they hold a weekly praise service, men's night, and women's night. The men's andwomen's nights are usually social. They might go bowling or to see a movie, or whatever else the group decides.
As part of their covenant, they are assigned a senior member who advises them on spiritual, financial, and family matters, but they are free to accept or reject the advice. Some members exchange residences periodically to help them from materialistic tendencies, but that's really "above and beyond" the covenant.
One strong benefit is that the children play with other children whose families pray together as well as play and work together, so the children are raised in a Catholic environment. My wife and I decided the environment was not for us, although we still have a close relationship with the community members.
I know I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the organization, but these are the things we can see looking in from the outside. It's almost like the commitment of a religious but in a family setting, and it is certainly not for everyone. If you call the liason, he or she will certainly be happy to tell you about their activities in your community.
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Pani Rose
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| Joined: | Fri Oct 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Irondale, Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 675 |
| First Name: | Rose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Ruthenian Byzantine in a Melkite Greek Catholic Parish, raised ... |
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Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 10:11 pm |
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Sorry, that is funny. I never thought to look at what they had, I was trying to give you a link to find a prayer group and also a place to attend a 'Charismatic Mass'. I am sorry the link became a bit confusing. But, it is good, you got great explanations from Rick and Dave.
Many people do find it easier to be a part of to begin with. Our total goal in CCR is to bring all of us into closer relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church, through the Holy Spirit and for many women it is through the help of Magnificat.
We are actually Eastern Rite Catholic, so what you experienced in the Orthodox Church is very alive and active in the Catholic Church - called Greek Catholic or Byzantine Catholic. There are actually 22 Rites within the Catholilc Church.
That is the awesomeness of Christ's Church, it fits us all. However, the Lord does not leave us at status-quo, he asks us to GROW. Thereby he brings us into the fullness of the Church with the Mass, all the Sacraments, and Eucharistic Adoration, and all that Christ has to offer us in the diversity of worship that he brings.
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HermitpatOCDS
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 21st, 2007 |
| Location: | Denison, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 50 |
| First Name: | Patricia | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born: Presbyterian / became Disciples of Christ in 1986 / ... |
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Posted: Wed Nov 28th, 2007 06:14 pm |
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Mike,
Hello! I totally understand where you are coming from. I am a convert and my husband has shown no interest in becoming Catholic. He is happy in his Disciples of Christ church and serves as an elder.
I left the same church he attends in 1995 and was confirmed a year later. It caused some problems at first but as soon as I convinced him that I wasn't trying to convert him things leveled out. We both met with my parish priest who was able to put him at ease. In fact, there was NO WAY I was going to be confirmed by our priest until he knew that it wasn't going to cause problems in our marriage.
I occassionally attend the Saturday evening Mass and then meet my husband for services at his church on Sunday morning and since I know everyone there anyway I always enjoy my visits. In fact I have been able to share some of what Catholics believe with these folks and they now have a better understanding of why I believe what I do. I had one elderly woman who had been a friend of my grandmother ask me why I didn't receive communion when I attended services there. I explained to her about the Catholic belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and her reply to me was, "Oh my! If that was what I believed I wouldn't receive communion here either!" She understood perfectly. None of the folks at my husbands church have ever made me feel uncomfortable when I join them for services or social functions. In the meantime I continue to pray for the conversion of my entire family to the Catholic Church.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers and I know that God has a plan for you and will lead you where he wants you to be. God bless.
Patricia
____________________
"Ecce ancilla Domini fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum." Luke 1:38
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Free
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Michigan USA |
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| First Name: | Jane | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian, Gnostic, non-denominational, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Dec 1st, 2007 08:14 pm |
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Attending two churches is what I do each weekend. I go to Saturday evening mass and then take my elderly father to a Methodist church on Sundays. This particular female Methodist pastor was raised Catholic and converted due to marriage, and the sermons are more orthodox than the New-Agey homilies I hear at the local Catholic church!
I don't go to the Methodist Church on the days they serve communion, though, because I don't want to sit there in the pew and not go up. For these Methodists, the bread and juice are more than symbolic, and certainly sacred, and they even refer to them as the body and blood of Christ, yet I know the elements are not consecrated by a successor of an apostle. Also, I asked at the RCIA class last year if I could receive communion at the Methodist Church and was cautioned to not receive it with the Methodists, because it would send the wrong message about my beliefs.
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Racaela Fultz
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| Joined: | Sat Aug 4th, 2007 |
| Location: | Indiana USA |
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| First Name: | Racaela | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Nondenominational, will be Catholic Advent 2007 |
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Posted: Sat Dec 1st, 2007 09:03 pm |
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I'm in a "Covenant Community" right now, called People of Praise, and it's almost just like Rick described. It's ecumenical, but it's almost all Catholic. They have mens groups, and womens groups, and also programs for the children (scouts and girls of praise). Each adult memeber has a spiritual head to turn to for advice. They have a community center owned by the branch (there are twenty-something different branches of People of Praise accross the country), and they have worship meetings, etc, there. Everyone goes to a church as well, though - the Covenant Community is not a substitute. But, the idea is to live life in community like the earliest believers did in Acts. These people care for each other and go out of their way to help each other - a lot - and they're the most accepting people I've ever met - I felt a part of them right away.
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"To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant" - Cardinal Newman
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lia
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| Joined: | Mon Dec 11th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | lia | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 7th, 2007 12:12 am |
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gman wrote: I am truly at a loss: if God is calling me home, why is it so difficult on my marriage?
This is only an answer to the question above.... and I don't know the right bible verse quote...
Jesus said he didn't come to bring about peace, but division. It sounded he was pitting husbands against wives, father against sons, etc.
When I first read this I didn't know what it meant. But I was patient. I'm sure the Church has the answer...and sure enough...after some years, a priest explained the meaning of the verse.... It just means one day you are going to choose Him (Jesus) over your husband, wife, son, daughter, etc. So there will be those who will believe and those who will not. Thus the "division".
God bless!
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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
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Prayerie Pal
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| Joined: | Sat Mar 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 254 |
| First Name: | susie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian,Methodist, Charismatic Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and now Truly Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 7th, 2007 10:29 am |
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Welcome to the forums, Mike! When my husband informed me, just 3 years ago, about his desire to return to the RCC, I was by then, rather bored with our 'happy clappy' fellowship, and had stopped going to church AGAIN, (there was a pattern of that over our 30 year marriage) he said he had 3 books for me to read. He knew I was an avid reader and though he'd not read all three, he gave them to me and I gobbled them up. I read, Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic, by David Currie on Sat. On Sunday I read Rome Sweet Home, by Scott and Kimberly Hahn. On Monday I read Surprised By Truth, vol. 1 by Patrick Madrid. It is 11 stories of 11 converts to the Catholic Church. It is excellent as are the others. I agree that perhaps you shouldn't say, "Here, honey, read this" but do leave them lying around, I mean, it's your house, too, right? If you're reading them and learning, then you'll start shining, because the Truth does shine! You'll become excited about what you're reading and it will show. Be kind and gentle, but firm also in your desire to seek the Whole Truth. The Fullness of the Truth is only in ONE CHURCH, that's the CC!
I do recommend Rome Sweet Home, as Scott struggled with his wife's lack of desire and her adamant desire to NEVER be Catholic. It took her 4 years of observing Scott's 'new life' to gradually soften over that period and be 'ready' to convert herself. Now look at where they are! God's timing in amazing! But Scott did persevere and he sought out help along the way. He attended Mass on his own, by himself for over a year I believe it was. Then, our dear Bishop Bruskovitz (in Lincoln NE) told him to "lay off the apologetics and 'beef up the romance" to help soften Kimberly's heart and it worked!
Do follow the Lord's leading, and realize that many have walked in your shoes. When our Lord calls us, we have to follow him no matter what our family, spouse or friends think. Many lost their lives and still are by becoming Catholics. They get shot by their own families in other parts of the world even now, so it's not always going to mean that spouses or other family members will accept your journey. But the Lord did say, and I paraphrase here, "If you would follow me, take up your cross daily" and that cross will be your wife's hard heart at this juncture. It will be hard, but keep loving her and seek out a priest to talk to, to help you through this time. I was happily graced to accept where my husband's desire to return to the CC because of my waning "love" for our Inter-denom church and the pattern of being on fire and then becoming bored with the "fluff." Looking at the menu is fine, but when you're hungry and finally famished, it's never enough to look at the description of the dinners...it's time to "ORDER" and get your meal!
The Eucharist is the real MEAL. Jesus himself, feeding us his flesh for the LIFE of the world! Daily! It is life changing, soul changing, heart changing and the best place one could ever be part of this side of heaven, for it is Heaven bending to kiss earth during every Mass. Reality is what Catholicism is, and helps us face. The good the bad and the ugly of it. The Evangelical world we were part of for nearly 30 years, was nice, and there were and are very kind, very giving honest seekers of Christ and dear followers of Christ, but yet, in the end, I was left hungry for more than a "great message" by some pastor. More than a cassette tape of listening to that message again. I was hungry for ALL of Jesus, his body, blood, soul and divinity which is found nowhere else! I will pray for your dear wife at Adoration tomorrow night. I am praying for another's husband on this forum tomorrow night, too. I'll pray for you to find a priest near you to talk to as Scott found. Keep coming here and letting these great folks help, too. How great it is to have this forum and all the helps available on line and in Catholic book stores and EWTN! Oh yeah, and watch The Journey Home, especially this Monday, Dec. 10 on EWTN as my friend (and friend to so many here) will be on with Marcus Grodi. Russ and Deborah Rentler will be sharing their own journey and return to the CC after 30 years in the Evangelical fray. It will be a good thing for you both to watch, if you can. If not, the download will be available probably the next day on http://www.ewtn.com as most of the shows are.
PAX, Mike. You're not alone! Follow Christ, even if it means being hated, and we will be, for He was. He was hated by his own...this man from Nazareth, they complained, and found fault with him, because 'nothing good' ever came from Nazareth. But how wrong they were!
susie
Last edited on Fri Dec 7th, 2007 10:39 am by Prayerie Pal
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God gave us memory so we could have roses in winter.
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THE FRENCH GUY
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| First Name: | Richard | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | baby catholic - born again christian - may be catholic ... |
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Posted: Fri Dec 7th, 2007 03:00 pm |
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Hello
I may not be of any help but I understand what you are going through - mostly since as husband and father we are supposed to lead the spiritual side of the family as well - my wife once said : "you left the Cathaloic church 14 years ago, then when we met, I did the same - then you got involved into Messianic judaism and the whole family did the same (my kids love Hanukka..!! we still celebrate right now) - now we just went back to our former Grace Brethren Evangelical Church and you are looking into Catholicism..." I agree with her - it may look like a roller coaster ! i even wondered what God was doinf with me ? could it be possible that He once again shows something different ?
Lukily enough, our three small daughters (8,6 and 4) go to a private Catholic school here in Dijon, France. and we have decided today with my wife to go to the Catholic church on Saturday evenings and to our evangelical church on Sundays because of the kids. but I guess we may end up in the coming years in the Catholic church. The hardest thing is how to talk about it to our families...they had to face our rejection of all Catholic things when we became born again christians and now they'd see us come back, although they're not believers but Catholic by tradition.
what is the stand point of your family ? would they be supportive? maybe should you tell your wife that as the spiritual leader of the family, God is working in you ?
in Him
Richard, on ly way home but not arrived yet !
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Prayerie Pal
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| Joined: | Sat Mar 24th, 2007 |
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska USA |
| Posts: | 254 |
| First Name: | susie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Presbyterian,Methodist, Charismatic Catholic, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and now Truly Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Dec 7th, 2007 07:23 pm |
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The hardest thing is how to talk about it to our families...they had to face our rejection of all Catholic things when we became born again christians and now they'd see us come back, although they're not believers but Catholic by tradition.
We've had to go through some of that, too, an in fact still are with a number of family members. Most are just 'curious' and don't have much to say, and prefer to be quiet. Others are a little more vocal about their disdain for JPII and his "traditional" ways. So we have all kinds to contend with now and then.
My husbands side of the family is more on the CINO except for a few. Now we're kind of the relatives that have come back to the Church but yet, we're so VERY Catholic. Strange. My family was Methodist, and I have only my brother in my immediate family left. He's not practicing anything but as far as I know hasn't claimed to be atheist. It's a long and winding road, and a tough slog through the ups and downs, but the jump in the Tiber was well worth our rollercoaster I must say.
I rejected the Catholic Church after joining circa 1979 because my husband was Catholic and I figured I 'should be' since he is and it's the woman's role to submit to her husband. Then about 1.5 years later, I couldn't take it and wanted the "happy clappy" Assembly of God church, so my husband went along to "please me" and keep the peace. It was a long rollercoaster ride for 26 years, but the blessing of it is that God never left us, he still had his hand on our lives and so did our Lady. Tomorrow we celebrate 3 years back in the CC and we've never looked back. There's no hard feelings for any of our former fellowships, or for our friends, (at least on our part) but believe me, once you've had a perfectly cooked steak with a fine red wine, a baked potato with the toppings, a delicious side of steamed veggies and a lovely fresh salad of mixed greens and bleu cheese dressing, and then a top it all off with an exquisite Crème brûlée it's extremely hard to settle for McDonalds chicken nuggets every day.They're ok now and then, and the sauces are alright, but that's the vast difference between the Catholic Church and the independent fellowships sprouting up all over the place.
At least when I was growing up in the Methodist church it was a bit more liturgical and since my Grandad was the lay minister, it was fun to go there and listen to him. Plus they still had the more reverent atmosphere, and stained glass windows...however now, my Gramps wouldn't know the Methodist Church in most places. How things do change. Much has changed for good but much has changed for ill in the Methodist church. But w/out an real authority...churches crumble and new ones pop up and the world just laughs at our lack of unity and it's so sad.
God bless you both as you struggle right now, it's hard but you have much support here and many places. Nothing worth anything is ever easy.
PAX,
PP
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God gave us memory so we could have roses in winter.
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gman
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Virginia Beach, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 20 |
| First Name: | Mike | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | nondenominational |
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Posted: Sat Dec 8th, 2007 10:20 am |
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Thanks for all the kind advice, and especially for the prayers!
I looked for Rome Sweet Home at Barnes and Noble, but it is not available. I will have to order it. I really want to read that book!
I can tell in my heart that God has helped me change some of my sinful habits since this pull towards Catholicism began. Mainly little things, such as not losing my temper on the golf course, not getting angry so easily in general, softening of my attitude when I see those less fortunate than I am, etc. And to top it off, God has helped me stop being so lustful of women (including internet) and possessions.
I have prayed a lot about it, and I am going to try to talk to my wife about it today.
Thanks again for all the support!
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Dec 8th, 2007 04:26 pm |
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gman wrote: I looked for Rome Sweet Home at Barnes and Noble, but it is not available. I will have to order it. I really want to read that book!
Try a Catholic bookstore, or order it online. You can get it at CHResources, the Coming Home Network's store, and help to finance CHN.
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