Brother Adam Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 You sit there and go "Dang, I've been taught by men how I should believe my whole life. I've sat down and read the Bible and told myself what made sense to Me. I know in my own mind I can flip-flop on doctrines all the time. I know I'm not infallible and I know that the men that teach me are as often as easily swayed. I wonder, where is the constant? Did God preserve Absolute Truth in the Scriptures? Yeah, he did. Where's the teaching that doesn't change? Where's the teaching that is firmly grounded in truth against all attacks? I get on my knees and worship and praise God. I cry out to Him "Why can't I just know for sure?! Why must I be caught up in this mess? Where's my garuntee I'm following the right path?" Yeah, if you sit and talk to one group of people long enough to the neglect of talking to anyone else, you'll start to get convinced- especially if you WANT to be convinced! But Catholicism...I didn't want to be convinced. Something in me still doesn't want to. I'm still arguing with Catholics. When I became Baptist I just argued the faith that I didn't want to be a part of. But Catholics keep turning up with the right answers. It's wierd to, cause Catholics keep it real. They don't end up "molded" into this corporate image. Act this way, do this, don't do that. They are real people unlike I've ever seen before. They don't try to hide their faults but admit we're all on a journey together. And protestantism...I've been around enough to know how schizophrenic it is. "Everyone has the answer". Everyone can tell you like it is. But Catholics are like that too. They "have the answer". But something is so different. There's other liturgical churches. Something is just different. And it isnt' like when you explore something you know to be false, like Mormonism. Then you just "feel" something about the doctrine is terribly wrong. You feel like running. But why do I feel pulled by Catholicism? By God? Is it just me gettin' swayed? So I get on my knees and praise and cry out to God. The one place I KNOW I'm home right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willguy Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant you peace and understanding that can only come through Him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Huether Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 I was watching EWTN the other day and there was a nun giving her story of how she became a nun and was "clothed" in the habit. She said that the months leading up to her "clothing" were horrific. She wasn't at rest. She didn't know if it was the right step. If God was really calling her. She was at the point of crying. And yet in her heart she knew she must continue. Well, it was the day of her clothing and she still was distraught. The priest handed her the habit, and she went to put it on. It wasn't actually til after she had put it on that this incredible peace fell over her and filled her up. It was a complete transformation. You see, Bro. as the story goes. Sometimes God tries us, in patience and obedience. I don't know any other way to tell you then this: The peace you are looking for will not be obtained until you obey. If you are being called to the Church, then you will find peace only IN the Church. My prayers are with you. I know you will make the right choice. And I know God, like I've always said, will use you in GREAT ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 Brother Adam, God did preserve the Truth in the Scripture. Its just not the ONLY place where He preserved it. Jesus left a Church, not a book. THe Church is a living breathing entity, always the same and always new, steered by a chosen sinful man toward the undiscovered country at the end of time. Centuries and civilizations have come and gone since Simon Peter answered " Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." No matter where I stray, those words bring me back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 3, 2004 Share Posted March 3, 2004 (edited) 2 random thoughts: Have you read C.S. Lewis conversion story [i]Surprised by Joy[/i]? No matter what you do we still love ya Edited March 4, 2004 by cmotherofpirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
God Conquers Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Amen! God Is truly blessing you Adam. He will honor your anguish with joy. Just as He rose Christ from the dead, so you will be risen in new faith and surety in were God wants you. You're an inspiration, allowing yourself to follow God and not men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Brother Adam, I tremble with you. [i]Anything but Catholicism! [/i] That is exactly how it was for me. And I was drawn and revolted, drawn and revolted....drawn... My Jesus, have mercy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marielapin Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 WOW. That's all I can say. I'm praying for you and your wife, bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted March 4, 2004 Author Share Posted March 4, 2004 [quote name='Donna' date='Mar 4 2004, 12:10 AM'] Brother Adam, I tremble with you. [i]Anything but Catholicism! [/i] That is exactly how it was for me. And I was drawn and revolted, drawn and revolted....drawn... My Jesus, have mercy. [/quote] that is exactly how it feels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willguy Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 I know the feeling, kind of. For me it was "Anything but the priesthood." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted March 4, 2004 Author Share Posted March 4, 2004 Just so all of you know every single Catholic who can properly defend the Catholic faith was banned from the BaptistBoard on March 1st. The board is now run rampet with anti-Catholic posts and pride and hate. I declared publically that I was done from posting there for now, so suddenly I never read my Bible, never pray, can't understand proper Bible exegesis, and am being swayed by every wind of doctrine. Yeah, right. You can go look at the board, but I warn you in advance, something is seriously wrong there. Very wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 I would recommand a book for you, Bro Adam. I have only read about 1/4 of it so far but it is really good. It explores what makes the American Catholic different from the American domenations. It is by one Father Andrew M. Greeley, a ordained priest in Chicago and a socal scientist. The book is called "The Catholic Myth." Fr. Greeley is know for saying what is on his mind and can be kind of contevisoal, I must warn you. I have down to much looking up on his past and the views on him becasue I always forget, but I do rember reading a supporting view of him from someone high up in the Chruch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 [quote name='Brother Adam' date='Mar 4 2004, 09:11 AM'] Just so all of you know every single Catholic who can properly defend the Catholic faith was banned from the BaptistBoard on March 1st. The board is now run rampet with anti-Catholic posts and pride and hate. I declared publically that I was done from posting there for now, so suddenly I never read my Bible, never pray, can't understand proper Bible exegesis, and am being swayed by every wind of doctrine. [/quote] that's really sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 I was just over at the BB... sad, sad, sad... But, frankly, a year ago I could have written many of those posts... (Not the super ugly ones, but some of the "misguided" ones). So many misunderstandings over there... <sigh> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 [quote name='Brother Adam' date='Mar 4 2004, 10:11 AM'] Just so all of you know every single Catholic who can properly defend the Catholic faith was banned from the BaptistBoard on March 1st. The board is now run rampet with anti-Catholic posts and pride and hate. I declared publically that I was done from posting there for now, so suddenly I never read my Bible, never pray, can't understand proper Bible exegesis, and am being swayed by every wind of doctrine. Yeah, right. You can go look at the board, but I warn you in advance, something is seriously wrong there. Very wrong... [/quote] banning every catholic.........thats a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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