 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
BD
Member
| Joined: | Wed Mar 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 46 |
| First Name: | Brett | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Non-denominational evangelical, Mennonite (Anabaptist), now Evangelical-Anabapti-catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 26th, 2008 06:17 pm |
|
Hello friends, I am a new member here. I've been wrestling with a call into the Catholic Church for about four years now and am at a place where I realize that I need to solicit your prayers! I am but a stranger asking you to bear my burdens...I can hardly stand it!
I am an Anabaptist Christian and love my church. I love the people and the faith they witness to in their lives of discipleship, but I have become slowly convinced by and convicted to enter the Catholic Church. I think...
I've dealt with most of my theological issues. I don't need much prayer for that, but I'll take it.
Here are my concerns:
My wife is a cradle Catholic now Anabaptist Christian and I am not sure how to process this with her. She is a strong and passionate Christian who looks back with respect but concern at the domineering Catholicism of her youth. Even more, as a mother (and I agree) she sees our current church as a good place for our children with budding friendships and strong adult mentoring. We have small group fellowship which nurtures us as a family. There is the very practical question of "why break up a good thing?" Still, when my seven year old asks her great theological questions (and she does so often) I find myself giving her the Catholic answer, as far as I can tell. I feel duplicitous...torn.
My job depends on my denominational affiliation. It took a lot of time and education (and money) to be prepared to get this job. Through it all my wife put the financial burdens on her back and we had a bunch of kids together, thanks be to God, on top of it all. She's endured much, given much to bring us to where we are today, and I am afraid to dishonor her and her sacrifices. We have a fine marriage and communicate well. But this is the hardest topic for me to get my mind around as to how to broach it...it will not come as a surprise to her, but it is still hard to bring up. My reading Dorothy Day, Flannery O'Connor, and G.K. Chesterton and carrying a pockey rosary around is one thing, but saying that God is calling us home to the Catholic Church is a move of entirely different kind!
Pray for me.
BD
____________________
Non abbiate paura!
|
|
|
Zosan
Member
| Joined: | Mon Dec 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Biloxi, Mississippi USA |
| Posts: | 84 |
| First Name: | Norm | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Roman Catholic - Worldwide Church of God - Assemblies of ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 26th, 2008 06:37 pm |
|
BD...You are in my prayers, sacrifices and thoughts this day...Peace be with you.
In Christ We Are One
Norm
aka Zosan
|
|
|
rbo4u2
Member
| Joined: | Tue Jan 16th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sunnyvale, California USA |
| Posts: | 518 |
| First Name: | Rich | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Formerly Christian & Missionary Alliance then became Presbyterian |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 26th, 2008 06:50 pm |
|
Welcome BD. My prayers go out for you. I have some similar issues as you. I've been on the road to Rome for 5 years now and quite frankly have settled most of the theological issues myself. My wife is not in on this with me either although I think she suspects I'll make the jump someday. Even at that, it will be a shock to her.
So I understand your difficulty. That's why we are here. We will support, pray, weep, or whatever it takes to be by your side in your journey. Get to know everyone. We are a motley, but friendly crew. Especially learn from guides like Cajun Rick, our Louisiana swamp buddy and Kermie his frog. Just watch out for the gator. He'll spring it on you if you get out of line.  Dave Armstrong is our onsite resident author/apologist that will provide you with more information than you knew was ever written. The staff is a great help and then all the rest of us bring our talents as well as weaknesses to the board and struggles with our faith.
We are a family so kick off your shoes, rest a while and soak up the friendship. Welcome aboard.
Rich
|
|
|
Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1446 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 26th, 2008 06:56 pm |
|
Hello, Brett,
Welcome to the CHNI forum. I will certainly add you and your family to my regular prayer list. We have no strangers on this forum, Brett. You are now a member of our family. Feel at home along with the rest of us.
Brett, I'm going to suggest a very simple beginning with your wife. Consider telling her very briefly (not in a way that tries to defend your position, not in a way that tempts her to refute it) that you believe the Holy Spirit may be leading you toward the Catholic faith and that you would like to ask her to pray with you that you will be led to the Truth.
"Honey, would you be willing to pray with me that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the Truth?"
Move slowly. Be patient. I admire your appreciation for what your wife has contributed to your marriage and family. Love her as you have never loved her before. Please don't pressure her. Give God time to work.
God be with you.
Becky
____________________
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
|
|
|
setapart
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 13th, 2007 |
| Location: | Austin, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 266 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Born Catholic, Non-Denominational Charismatic, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 27th, 2008 02:31 am |
|
Hello Brett,
Welcome to our family forum. I am in the same boat as you but my children are all grown up, so I do not have the responsibility of raising children in Church. I will be praying for you and your family.
I would advise you to try your best to be steadfast in your response to your calling to the CC even if you need to step cautiously. I made the mistake of wavering back and forth with my commitment to returning back to the Church. My wife is also a cradle Catholic that I turned evangelical years ago after I did. She loves Jesus with all of her heart. My wavering though has caused her much confusion and has affected her in such a way that she does not trust my decision making concerning what church I am going to stay at. This has hardened her heart even more. But now I am totally committed to staying in the Church being fully convinced that this calling is from the Holy Spirit. I go to church by myself and try to avoid hitting up on her too much with "little reminders" of "I wish you would come with me" statements.
I would at least keep your heart tender toward the truths revealed in Catholic Spirituality and Dogma. Try to avoid going back and forth at least verbally (with your wife) concerning whatever doubts you may have. There are many wise brothers and sisters in this forum who can encourage you and answer your questions.
May God continue to bless you and your family.
YBIC,
Bill
____________________
But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Mal 4:2
|
|
|
CajunRick
Guest
| Joined: | |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | |
| First Name: | | | Gender: | | | Faith History: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 27th, 2008 03:50 am |
|
Brett, we're glad to have you here with us. If you stick around, I promise to keep the gator well chained. Kermie, however, does hop around occasionally. That can't be helped -- he thinks he owns the place since LSU won the football championship.
We promise to be gentle and walk with you on your journey, wherever it might lead, and we'll do our best to answer your questions honestly.
Meanwhile, I might suggest you read Scott Hahn't conversion story. Like you, his wife was not the least bit interested in becoming Catholic, and he had to give up his career in order to pursue what he saw as the Truth. Jesus says he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, so if you are going to pursue Jesus, you must pursue the Truth.
You'll find Scott Hahn's conversion story here, along with many others. Many of the writers faced the same issues as you, so perhaps you can find comfort and assistance in their journies.
Welcome to CHNI. Just watch out for big green logs with teeth.
|
|
|
BD
Member
| Joined: | Wed Mar 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 46 |
| First Name: | Brett | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Non-denominational evangelical, Mennonite (Anabaptist), now Evangelical-Anabapti-catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 27th, 2008 06:30 pm |
|
Friends, thank you for your warm welcomes. In the past 24 hours I have been blessed and challenged to faithfulness by the people and resources of this site. Wow.
I still feel, to quote a George Herbert poem out of context, that I am
Broken in pieces all asunder...
Once a poor creature, now a wonder,
A wonder tortured in the space
Betwixt this world and that of grace.
I feel "Betwixt." But I even as I am betwixt, I have your prayers. Again, wow.
Brett
____________________
Non abbiate paura!
|
|
|
Current time is 01:50 am | |
|
|
|
|
|
