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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 03:39 pm |
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We're home sick today, which means we miss another Sunday at church. On the one hand, I'm glad. On the other hand, I feel guilty that I am glad.
I'm not quite ready to even visit a Catholic church yet. I feel like there is a wall up there; it's as if God is saying "no" to me right now.
I really hate being in spiritual limbo and was wondering what your experiences were/are while you were/are there. How did/do you cope with being in this in-between place of confusion, uncertainty and doubt? Did/do you continue going to your church? Did you quit? Are you active in ministry there?
How should this be handled when you have (older) kids? I'm finding this especially hard because of the kids. I feel guilty and selfish for dragging them along with me on my journey. Will this damage their faith? Should I just go to our regular church and pretend I'm okay there for the kids' sake? I keep feeling this expectation to "get involved" there and I'm afraid to at this point.
Would y'all be willing to share what it's been like for you? Misery loves company. 
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1446 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 05:28 pm |
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Kim M wrote:
We're home sick today, which means we miss another Sunday at church. On the one hand, I'm glad. On the other hand, I feel guilty that I am glad.
I'm not quite ready to even visit a Catholic church yet. I feel like there is a wall up there; it's as if God is saying "no" to me right now.
I really hate being in spiritual limbo and was wondering what your experiences were/are while you were/are there. How did/do you cope with being in this in-between place of confusion, uncertainty and doubt? Did/do you continue going to your church? Did you quit? Are you active in ministry there? . . .
Would y'all be willing to share what it's been like for you? Misery loves company.
Hi, Kim, I'm home sick today as well -- I hate missing Sunday Mass!
Although I was uncomfortable at times, I stayed at my Baptist Church and continued with my various responsibilities there until I knew I had no choice but to embrace Catholicism. I phoned a priest at a nearby religious community who met with me two hours that evening. Within the week I contacted my pastors and the ladies in the Sunday School class I taught to inform them of my decision. I have not returned since, though I have maintained cordial social contact with the pastors and the ladies in my class.
People are so different. I would have found it a too painful delay of the inevitable to continue attending a Protestant church, after realizing that the Catholic Church was the one true Church. Obeying the Truth that has already been revealed has been an important guiding principle for me. (I don't always measure up to it, but I try.) Toward the end of my time at the Baptist church, the Holy Spirit was drawing me to the Catholic Church in such an unrelenting manner that I truly felt I had no choice but obedience. Once I knew I would have to leave, I wanted to get on with the departure and the adjustment.
I was fortunate in that I had already attended several Masses because of having a Catholic daughter-in-law. When you are ready, perhaps you might choose to move slowly—perhaps a brief simple visit to a local parish rather than an actual Mass. You could quietly look around, enjoy the beauty (hope it has stained glass windows), maybe sit near the tabernacle and just take in the atmosphere for a few minutes, say a brief prayer for your kids, then leave. Next time stay longer, pray longer, listen a few minutes before you leave. Just get used to the look and feel of the place and give yourself a chance to recognize the presence of the Lord there. When you're ready, maybe you could attend a weekday Mass alone.
I was a retired widow and had the luxury of going every day. I wanted as much exposure to all things Catholic as I could get (thinking I would become comfortable more quickly that way) but also I just needed all the strength I could possibly get. So daily morning Mass and daily Adoration/Holy Hour were my lifelines in those early months of waiting for confirmation.
My son was already grown and married; so I can't be of much help to you with the questions about handling children and their interests. I will say that Catholic parents need to be much more involved in their children's religious education and need to continue monitoring it for orthodoxy and thoroughness. I've met so many devout, precious children and teenagers since becoming a Catholic. Their parents deserve the credit for the formation of those children. Most of our families are home-schooled. It really makes a difference.
____________________
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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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:21 pm |
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Kim M. wrote: I'm not quite ready to even visit a Catholic church yet. I feel like there is a wall up there; it's as if God is saying "no" to me right now.
Is God saying "no" to you, or are you saying "no" to God?
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:30 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: Kim M. wrote: I'm not quite ready to even visit a Catholic church yet. I feel like there is a wall up there; it's as if God is saying "no" to me right now.
Is God saying "no" to you, or are you saying "no" to God?
I know you probably meant that rhetorically, Rick, but I currently sense that it is God saying no to me. I don't sense a clear path just yet. Believe me, I'm praying for it! I think God still has some things to show me. But I do admit to having much confusion right now, probably because I (being a voracious reader) am reading too much info which is producing many questions.
Joining the Catholic Church is no small thing. I must be ready to accept and agree with all of its teachings to join. I'm not there yet. Not even close. But I do see paths being made in my thinking that may eventually carry me there.
Be gentle with me, dude. 
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:35 pm |
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Kim M. wrote: Be gentle with me, dude.
It was only intended as food for thought. I am nothing if not gentle.
At least until I bring out my 'gator. But that's only if you get out of line on the forum, which of course I know you would never do!
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
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| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:36 pm |
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Attend both churches for a while- as for the kid question if you track down many of my posts you will see the struggles my family went through. In our case we were Episcopal and our church went through a split with a large portion of the people forming a new Anglican church so leaving my kids to their usual church wasn't a good option since our original church was disintegrating around them. My kids are now 15 and 17 and it has been a year since January 28 that I started on this journey
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Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:41 pm |
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Intercessor wrote: [size=Kim M wrote:
We're home sick today, which means we miss another Sunday at church. On the one hand, I'm glad. On the other hand, I feel guilty that I am glad.
I'm not quite ready to even visit a Catholic church yet. I feel like there is a wall up there; it's as if God is saying "no" to me right now.
I really hate being in spiritual limbo and was wondering what your experiences were/are while you were/are there. How did/do you cope with being in this in-between place of confusion, uncertainty and doubt? Did/do you continue going to your church? Did you quit? Are you active in ministry there? . . .
Would y'all be willing to share what it's been like for you? Misery loves company.
Hi, Kim, I'm home sick today as well -- I hate missing Sunday Mass!
Although I was uncomfortable at times, I stayed at my Baptist Church and continued with my various responsibilities there until I knew I had no choice but to embrace Catholicism. I phoned a priest at a nearby religious community who met with me two hours that evening. Within the week I contacted my pastors and the ladies in the Sunday School class I taught to inform them of my decision. I have not returned since, though I have maintained cordial social contact with the pastors and the ladies in my class.
People are so different. I would have found it a too painful delay of the inevitable to continue attending a Protestant church, after realizing that the Catholic Church was the one true Church. Obeying the Truth that has already been revealed has been an important guiding principle for me. (I don't always measure up to it, but I try.) Toward the end of my time at the Baptist church, the Holy Spirit was drawing me to the Catholic Church in such an unrelenting manner that I truly felt I had no choice but obedience. Once I knew I would have to leave, I wanted to get on with the departure and the adjustment.
I was fortunate in that I had already attended several Masses because of having a Catholic daughter-in-law. When you are ready, perhaps you might choose to move slowly—perhaps a brief simple visit to a local parish rather than an actual Mass. You could quietly look around, enjoy the beauty (hope it has stained glass windows), maybe sit near the tabernacle and just take in the atmosphere for a few minutes, say a brief prayer for your kids, then leave. Next time stay longer, pray longer, listen a few minutes before you leave. Just get used to the look and feel of the place and give yourself a chance to recognize the presence of the Lord there. When you're ready, maybe you could attend a weekday Mass alone.
I was a retired widow and had the luxury of going every day. I wanted as much exposure to all things Catholic as I could get (thinking I would become comfortable more quickly that way) but also I just needed all the strength I could possibly get. So daily morning Mass and daily Adoration/Holy Hour were my lifelines in those early months of waiting for confirmation.
My son was already grown and married; so I can't be of much help to you with the questions about handling children and their interests. I will say that Catholic parents need to be much more involved in their children's religious education and need to continue monitoring it for orthodoxy and thoroughness. I've met so many devout, precious children and teenagers since becoming a Catholic. Their parents deserve the credit for the formation of those children. Most of our families are home-schooled. It really makes a difference.]
Becky, sorry to hear you're sick today! 
Thanks for the tips. I have one Catholic friend (not a close friend, mind, but a nice person I know), and she has been in my thoughts a lot lately. At some point I'd like to call her and see if she'd take me with her to church on a less formal day of the week. I haven't seen her in years. We used to be in a food co-op together. I think if I went with someone I would feel more comfortable going the first time.
I look forward to the day when I feel like you did! Not there yet. Wish I was. :?
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Intercessor
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| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:46 pm |
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Kim M wrote:
. . . But I do admit to having much confusion right now, probably because I (being a voracious reader) am reading too much info which is producing many questions. . . .
Oh, Kim, I remember that stage very well! Overload, overload!!! 
I hope you will investigate opportunities in your area for attending Adoration or Holy Hour. How I would love for you to experience the peace that comes from sitting silently before the exposed Blessed Sacrament! It's the best possible way to allow God a chance to speak to you and to comfort you. For me, it is like water. I can go only so long before I crave it.Last edited on Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:49 pm by Intercessor
____________________
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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Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:46 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: Kim M. wrote: Be gentle with me, dude.
It was only intended as food for thought. I am nothing if not gentle.
At least until I bring out my 'gator. But that's only if you get out of line on the forum, which of course I know you would never do!
Well, thankee, sir. Good food I would never turn down, especially from a Cajun!  Just gotta watch that Kermie feller. You never know when HE might start typing away!
If you were in my head these days, you'd want out! lol It's full and a mess. But I'm working on organizing my thoughts so they are in nice, neat piles.  Wish there was more room in there!
Last edited on Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:33 pm by Kim M.
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:50 pm |
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Intercessor wrote: [size=13]Kim M wrote:
. . . But I do admit to having much confusion right now, probably because I (being a voracious reader) am reading too much info which is producing many questions. . . .
Oh, Kim, I remember that stage very well! Overload, overload!!!
I hope you will investigate opportunities in your area for attending Adoration or Holy Hour. How I would love for you to experience the peace that comes from sitting silently before the exposed Blessed Sacrament! It's the best possible way to allow God a chance to speak to you and to comfort you. For me, it is like water. I can go only so long before I crave it.
I hear that so often from Catholics. It certainly intrigues me!
So, Becky, how did you cope with the overload? Did you take breaks from it all? Sometimes I can't stand to read or watch another thing. Then soon afterwards I'm craving again!
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Intercessor
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| Posts: | 1446 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 06:58 pm |
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Kim M wrote:
Thanks for the tips. I have one Catholic friend (not a close friend, mind, but a nice person I know), and she has been in my thoughts a lot lately. At some point I'd like to call her and see if she'd take me with her to church on a less formal day of the week. I haven't seen her in years. We used to be in a food co-op together. I think if I went with someone I would feel more comfortable going the first time.
I look forward to the day when I feel like you did! Not there yet. Wish I was.
Kim, I have every confidence that the Lord will get you to that point and at the right time. You have a beautiful attitude, a precious spirit, and an eager mind. I see no signs of your resisting the Holy Spirit.
You are anything but stupid; so let's let the final S stand for SISTER.
KISS Keep it simple, sister!
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the Truth.
Obey the Truth as He reveals it to you.
You are on your way.
____________________
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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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:03 pm |
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Intercessor wrote:[size=Kim, I have every confidence that the Lord will get you to that point and at the right time. You have a beautiful attitude, a precious spirit, and an eager mind. I see no signs of your resisting the Holy Spirit.
You are anything but stupid; so let's let the final S stand for SISTER.
KISS Keep it simple, sister!
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the Truth.
Obey the Truth as He reveals it to you.
You are on your way. ]
Thanks, sistah! I am doing so and will continue to do so. It's just that the Catholic Church is anything but simple! lol 
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
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| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:05 pm |
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kimdyuma wrote: Attend both churches for a while- as for the kid question if you track down many of my posts you will see the struggles my family went through. In our case we were Episcopal and our church went through a split with a large portion of the people forming a new Anglican church so leaving my kids to their usual church wasn't a good option since our original church was disintegrating around them. My kids are now 15 and 17 and it has been a year since January 28 that I started on this journey
Kim, I'll be on the lookout for those posts. Thanks for the tip.
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Intercessor
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:22 pm |
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Kim M wrote:
So, Becky, how did you cope with the overload? Did you take breaks from it all? Sometimes I can't stand to read or watch another thing. Then soon afterwards I'm craving again!
How did I cope with the overload? Before I realized I had no choice but to obey the Holy Spirit's drawing me into the Church, I coped with the overload by getting angry and frustrated and refusing to watch EWTN and refusing to pick up the CCC or any other Catholic materials. For a brief time I would want nothing to do with anything Catholic. The Holy Spirit never allowed those "vacations" to last very long, though.
It was a tremendous (that's not even a strong enough word) help to me, in dealing with the overload of the whole experience, to become rock solid on Church Authority and allegiance to the Magisterium. Once I had that down, it took so much pressure off. I no longer was desperate and frenzied about exploring every tiny teaching and satisfying myself intellectually that I agreed with every nuance of it. I was prepared to embrace, through faith, the teachings of Mother Church, whatever they were.
This forum was a comfort to me. Although I remained a lurker before my confirmation, I checked in on the forum regularly. It was such a help to see others struggling with similar issues.
Finally, I was really serious about spending time in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. There is a reason that you keep hearing about that from so many Catholics!!!! There I found a peace that passes understanding and strength to move through another day of preparing for confirmation.
I think you're right on track! I'm not going to dart out suddenly and nip at your heels as the wild Cajun did , but I will say this. Be courageous, dear Kim. You've got sass; you've got spunk. (How I love that about you!) Find the courage to push past the culture shock. When something looks, sounds, feels, smells weird, be patient. You will grow to understand it and to love it. Two years ago I detested incense. Now, they can't produce enough to suit me!
____________________
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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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:51 pm |
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Intercessor wrote:[size=How did I cope with the overload? Before I realized I had no choice but to obey the Holy Spirit's drawing me into the Church, I coped with the overload by getting angry and frustrated and refusing to watch EWTN and refusing to pick up the CCC or any other Catholic materials. For a brief time I would want nothing to do with anything Catholic. The Holy Spirit never allowed those "vacations" to last very long, though.
It was a tremendous (that's not even a strong enough word) help to me, in dealing with the overload of the whole experience, to become rock solid on Church Authority and allegiance to the Magisterium. Once I had that down, it took so much pressure off. I no longer was desperate and frenzied about exploring every tiny teaching and satisfying myself intellectually that I agreed with every nuance of it. I was prepared to embrace, through faith, the teachings of Mother Church, whatever they were.
This forum was a comfort to me. Although I remained a lurker before my confirmation, I checked in on the forum regularly. It was such a help to see others struggling with similar issues.
Finally, I was really serious about spending time in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. There is a reason that you keep hearing about that from so many Catholics!!!! There I found a peace that passes understanding and strength to move through another day of preparing for confirmation.
I think you're right on track! I'm not going to dart out suddenly and nip at your heels as the wild Cajun did , but I will say this. Be courageous, dear Kim. You've got sass; you've got spunk. (How I love that about you!) Find the courage to push past the culture shock. When something looks, sounds, feels, smells weird, be patient. You will grow to understand it and to love it. Two years ago I detested incense. Now, they can't produce enough to suit me! ]
Good stuff, Becky! And thanks for your honesty. I love to hear what people are really going through. It's scary to bear one's heart in public, but doing so brings such relief to those too afraid to come forward themselves. Plus, it can do us a world of good just getting something out in the open. I sure hope the Catholics here will not fear our honesty. The mind is part of the body, and needs to find rest somewhere, too. In fact, I'd say that it's not the heart that has the hardest time, but the mind. My heart is there. My mind is still struggling. Unfortunately, it goes everywhere I do. It can be a real nuisance sometimes!
heheh About the Cajun dude, you gotta remembuh, he is a guy. They need to "fix" everything. It's in their nature. Some of them haven't learned yet that just some listening and some sympathy will do wonders for us womenfolk.
Or maybe it was dat gator typin'. Ya nevuh know! I wouldn't be surprised if Rick taught him to use his computer! For all we know, we got a gator running the boards sometimes under Rick's name while he's out back eatin' him some crawdads and corn on the cob!
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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wwjd
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:54 pm |
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Hi Kim,
When I started my journey, I stopped going to the Baptist Church. I drug my kids to several other Protestant churches but my thoughts kept coming back to the Catholic Church. I don't know that I could have mustered the courage to attend Mass on my own but I knew of an acquaintance who attended the local Parish so I called her to ask her about Mass times and protocol. Once I mentioned my interest in the Catholic Church, she immediately offered to meet me at Church and sit with me during Mass. The first time I went, the children did not accompany me to Mass but instead visited the religious education class. We are fortunate in that several of their classmates attend this Parish so they have not been at all uncomfortable with the change. It has been a smooth transition for them and now they are getting ready to receive first communion! I think each person is different and you have to decide what you feel most comfortable with. I couldn't continue going to the Baptist Church when I knew in my heart that I wanted to be someplace else. At that time, I didn't know where that "place" was but God nudged me in the right direction. I knew when I left the Baptist Church that January day in 2006 that I would never be back. I feel so at home in my Parish now and cannot imagine going anywhere else!
Last edited on Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 07:55 pm by wwjd
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Ryan
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 10:43 pm |
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Sounds like a tough decision and situation. I will say a prayer for you.
In our Lord,
Ryan
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EMarshallBuckles
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
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| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 11:06 pm |
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Kim, I know how you feel. Also, my wife, daughter and I were feeling "yucky" today so we did not go to church either. However, through the wonder of television, we first watched a Baptist service, live, from Grove Avenue Baptist Church in the Richmond area, then we watched the Daily Mass on EWTN. My daughter was asking some questions about why they did certain things during the Mass and - ya'll woulda been PROUD of me - I was able to answer her questions.
As I have shared elsewhere, although my wife is a lifelong Baptist, I was raised in a Christian Church (independent) and later became an Episcopalian before joining my wife in a Baptist Church (I've been Baptized twice and Confirmed once so I tell my wife that I am "holier than thou", ha, ha - gives her a chuckle too!). Anyway, after I had been on a church committee, which was trying to railroad our Baptist church into a more liberal Baptist group, and I politely yet firmly recommended maintaining a balance and not going off entirely into the more liberal Baptist group (it's a Baptist thing, I'll explain if anybody wants to know), my Pastor, whom I had respected and admired, "kicked me off" the committee (to make a long story short, he retired not long after that). I was deeply disappointed in my Pastor and so was my wife. We have been visiting other churches for a while since that incident. Anyway, point being, my wife and I and our daughter, after she was born, have visited other churches, over the years, either out of curiosity or out of convenience occasionally. We have felt that it was important to let our daughter learn that there are other denominations out there. We have explained that some denominations, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses for example, have, sadly speaking, gone off into what cannot be regarded as Christian, however, on the other hand, there are other churches, such as our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, who ARE truly Christian people. We teach her that the most important thing is that people believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit as three in one, one in three and other aspects of the faith as taught in the Nicene Creed and Apostles Creed. This has not damaged our daughter's faith but, instead, has enriched it. She knows, and appreciates, as do her Mother and I, that she has many Christian brothers and sisters out there in addition to those in the Baptist denomination. As it happens, her Uncle Martin, my twin brother, is a Roman Catholic and so she loves him and understands that Uncle Martin attends his church and that he is a good person so that helps too. Some people do just attend their church of their denomination and no other, however, I think that they miss out on the blessing of realizing that there ARE other Christians out there, in other denominations. I leave wide open the door that the Roman Catholic Church may very well be the TRUE church - as I continue to "surf the Tiber", ha, ha - yet I also see that God is very apparently still using other denominations to help bring people into the "sheepfold" so to speak (perhaps these could be thought of "outer perimeter sheep folds" which, if the sheep will allow it, may be temporary until they are herded to the "home sheep fold", so to speak). Perhaps God's goal, God's preference, is that everybody would be a member of the Catholic Church, yet He is still "the Good Shepherd" out there seeking His lost sheep, not willing that any should perish. Perhaps one could use an astronomy image - Astronomers tell us that if it was not for the planet Jupiter, and its huge influence upon our solar system, as we all circle the sun (the "Son" ), the other planets could not exist, earth would not be able to exist. Perhaps one could envision the Roman Catholic Church as being Jupiter and the other planets as other denominations with the Roman Catholic Church's "gravitational influence" helping to hold us all in the Christian faith. Anyway, I think that it is good for any family to occasionally visit other churches, to learn about the rest of our Christian family and that this ENRICHES our faith.
Well, anyway, my wife felt well enough to make this yummy, chocolate, rasberry torte this afternoon! I had one piece and am gonna go get a SECOND piece! MMMMM! Just what the "Doctor ordered" - well, maybe not the Doctor but it sure has me feeling better, ha, ha! Hope you all are feeling better this afternoon too! May God bless and heal you all!!!
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tedjenczewski
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| Joined: | Thu May 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Richmond, Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 358 |
| First Name: | Ted | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Presbyterian, revert Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 11:14 pm |
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| We are blessed by the dicussion in this thread. Your faith in almighty God encourages me, strenghtens me, fortifies me and sustains me. May He bless you all on your journey of faith and reward you with the peace that surpasses all understanding.
____________________
"...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth." 1Tim 3, 15
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wwjd
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| Joined: | Thu Jan 11th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 30 |
| First Name: | wwjd | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic as of 4/7/07! |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 11:15 pm |
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Marshall,
What a blessing you are! I just love reading your posts. They always make me laugh. Love your analogy
Trish
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hpj0828
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| Joined: | Sun Apr 1st, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 156 |
| First Name: | Henry | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Messianic Jewish believer, Hebrew Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Mar 2nd, 2008 11:33 pm |
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Hi Kim,
I see that you have Pentecostal roots in your background. I am also charismatic. I shared your reluctance to attend a mass.
My solution was to look for a good charismatic prayer group. I called the diocese and found one in a nearby RC church. I felt very comfortable being with others who shared my love for Scripture and who experienced spiritual gifts. God did a lot to make me feel comfortable there. Including two messages given in tongues by a man who is not the slightest bit Jewish that were in perfect Hebrew! (There's something to this RC thing, I thought...) A Polish charismatic who spoke Hebrew can't be all bad...
But, when I first started attending mass, I had to fight back literal feelings of nausea. The entry area before the sanctuary was a real challenge to me! All those statues... Being Jewish, the commandment not to worship any graven image of anything in heaven above, earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth is something drilled into my psyche. Although RC brothers and sisters explained to me that they do not worship these statues, the sight of people kneeling before them literally made me sick. Intellectually, but not viscerally, I understood this was not a violation of the 2nd commandment; but it was not easy. No synagogue anywhere would permit such images... I felt vertigo, the room started to spin around me
I had to persevere on through many weeks of attendance before I began to feel less nauseous. The perseverance came through knowing that I was pursuing the truth, that God would be faithful to me, despite what I was feeling. Once I was in the sanctuary, I always felt better. The homilies in our parish have always been wonderful: solidly grounded in Scripture and eminently practical. These sermons were better on average than the sermons I had heard in any other synagogue or Protestant church. There was a presence of the Holy Spirit there that comforted me.
It was hard to get over the feeling that I was betraying my persecuted ancestors by becoming a part of the Catholic Church. It was hard to get used to Irish priests who had stolen our Hebrew priesthood and Scriptures to use them for their own purposes. The positive side of this is: "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
After many months, I am now at peace there. Recently, a Jewish friend who has been very critical of my decision to go the RCC said to me, "Henry, I can see that you are now finally at peace in the Catholic Church." He is thinking of going to the charismatic prayer group himself!
Wishing you shalom (perfect peace and complete wholeness),
Henry
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HPJ
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Kim M.
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
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Posted: Mon Mar 3rd, 2008 05:16 am |
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