Sometimes I wonder how many are in Grace

[Quietfire]

Uh, not to correct ya...

Im not a bro.

But at least we're not alone. I thought on my remark after I posted it and decided that it should be foremost in my mind at all times...from this day foward.
Not to dwell on who is more right or wrong. If we all keep the thought of trying to stay in a state of Grace then (to quote Louie Armstrong) "what a wonderful world!"

Peace.

[Kilroy the Ninja]

Yes, I'm hardly ever in grace anymore. It's quite sad really. And I can tell too, because I'm just so unhappy all the time.

But I'm completely there with you Bro. Adam about the worldly goods thing...sometimes I actually believe the answer to my too-much-stuff dilemma is a match.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Quietfire' date='Nov 1 2004, 06:14 AM'] Lil Red,
I agree with you wholeheartedly on the soft porn. How little tv I watch now. Mostly home improvement shows and such. I tend to leave the room or shut the tv off if something 'aint right'. Ya know?
[/quote]
yup!

[cmotherofpirl]

Kilroy said:"Yes, I'm hardly ever in grace anymore. It's quite sad really. And I can tell too, because I'm just so unhappy all the time.

But I'm completely there with you Bro. Adam about the worldly goods thing...sometimes I actually believe the answer to my too-much-stuff dilemma is a match"



I understand completely.

Edited November 2, 2004 by cmotherofpirl

[Balthazor]

IF I am in a State of Grace may God keep me ther ad if I am not in a State of Grace may God bring me to it.

[CatholicAndFanatical]

[quote]
Kilroy said:"Yes, I'm hardly ever in grace anymore. It's quite sad really. And I can tell too, because I'm just so unhappy all the time.

But I'm completely there with you Bro. Adam about the worldly goods thing...sometimes I actually believe the answer to my too-much-stuff dilemma is a match"
[/quote]

Couldnt of said it better myself.

whew! and here I thougth I was all alone.

[XIX]

Holy cow I totally hear you. Totally, totally, totally.

We can speculate all we want. The fact of the matter is that we don't know, we can't know, and that the Church is very clear that...well, the picture is unclear. It is perfectly fine to be concerned. I sure am. However, I think you have to be careful not to be overly scrupulous of others. What CatholicforChrist was, IMO, just plain wrong in this circumstance. Those kinds of readings used to put the fear of the Devil in me. That is no figure of speech. Satan still tried to work into my insecurities like that, trying to convince me that almost everybody I know is going to hell. In all reality, someday I might find out that is the case. God doesn't tell us. Why doesn't He? I'm not even sure why He decides to withhold this information from us, but you can bet that it's not so we can try to analyze the situation to death, so as to figure out something God is hiding from us.

I found that the mega-Traditionalist sites were the ones that scared me the most. I don't know if you are going through the same thing as I am, but I know that some people were bent on proving beyond reasonable doubt that almost everybody is going to hell, while only a few people can get into heaven. Then they will drill the "Narrow gate" Bible verse and [i]Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus[/i], even though the Church has a thing or two to say about each of those. They try to prove it; you can't. You can't prove what God is actively concealing. That's not to say that there aren't a few hints out there--it's fine to speculate and wonder. Just stop short of being overly analytical. Heck it's possible that damnation is very rare. I wouldn't count on it...I wouldn't count on anything regarding the afterlife, at least concerning the state of other people's souls.

I think we really have to tunnel-vision ourselves, ultimately. Regardless of the state of other people's souls, there is only so much we can do. The question isn't "who is going to heaven/hell," but "What can I do about it?" What you can do is to lead a holy life, to try to lead others towards holiness, and leave everything else up to God. Concern is healthy--fear is paralyzing.

[Catalyst]

you ask how many people are in grace..Do you know what grace is? Its the Lords willingness to be involved in our lives...we are in all in grace..its just so many of us turn our backs on His Majesty.

[AfroNova No Limit Soldier]

[quote name='CatholicAndFanatical' date='Nov 1 2004, 08:33 AM']
Im right there with ya bro.[/quote]
ditto. pray for me.

[White Knight]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Oct 31 2004, 04:17 PM'] I believe the main cause of this, is because of:

[b]- Materialism
- Relativism
- Humanism
- Secularism[/b]

Our society today places such importance on material wealth, in an attempt to feed the emptiness and hunger that dwells inside. Once someone obtains such wealth (or is in the process), it is harder for that individual to turn to Christ. Hence:

[b]Matthew 16:26 -[/b] [i]"What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfiet his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?"[/i]

Or this portion of Matthew 19:16-30, about the rich young man:

[b]Matthew 19:23-24 -[/b] [i]"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."[/i]

Maybe that is why majority of the rich lack Christ? Indeed there are Christians who are rich, and it is perfectly possible to be one while having many possessions. However if we're not careful, material wealth [b]can[/b] and [b]will[/b] either distract us or make us fall from the path of righteousness. [/quote]
Some of those on the list you stated dude, fall into one. Secular Humanism are the same thing so they really count as one, but I agree almost entirally that these things are promoting Evil, theres some more out there that I dont think you mentioned yet. Materialism is another huge one, I agree with that, about that promoting evil. False Morality falls into a different factor. People making their own Morals, instead of going to the True Moral Code, which is The LORD our God's Morality. from the Holy Bible. Secular Humanism and Materalism are 2, Relativism is 3, False Morality is 4.... it goes on and on.



I Agree of course on the Scripture you posted dude, Bravo, and so very true, Gain the World, Lose Your Soul, Gain Christ, Your Rich in his Glory and Power, etc etc all that I agree with.

[Quietfire]

I am so unhappy that there are so many unhappy people, fellow phatmassers, here.

This is my favorite place to hang out, and I am saddened to find that my friends are sad.

Prayers for all.
Pax.