Believe in God; - joyful or burdensome?

[distracted]

**

]**

it is both… but mostly sorrowful, i feel… Jesus said to pick up the cross and carry it and if we are not willing to give up everything for him we are not wrothy of him…

i didn’t exactly “give up” everything… it seems that “everything” gave up ME… but in any case, i was willing to let Everything do that… so maybe i am “worthy” of Christ…? (as much as a person can be…) What i mean is, i could have held on or done something about all those things trying to run away from me… but i didn’t… because those things were not worthy of ME… (long story)…

(My middle name should be changed to Long Story)…

anyway… sorrow turns to joy… joy turns to sorrow… and its probably a good thing… because if that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t/couldn’t make it to Heaven… Many are focused on this world as if it were the only one… I am SO, SO thankful it is not because i have messed this one up!!! :banghead: :hypno: uch:

 

[noodles]

i believe in God with all my heart and soul. There were times in my life before that i have neglected the Lord and I regret it. There is no other way but to return to God and I feel safe and loved

noodles

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Dear “Distracted”, this post of yours really does sound quite distracted and sad:

“mostly sorrowful - to pick up the cross and carry - willing to give up everything for him we are not worthy of him -“everything” gave up ME - i was willing to let Everything do that - those things were not worthy of ME - joy turns to sorrow - if that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t/couldn’t make it to Heaven - is not because i have messed this one up!!!”

Hey, cheer up. Life isn’t sad! Neither is even near any sadness, to be a Christian! Christianity and faith in God is joyful, for we know what’s expecting us (1Cor 2:9).

Did not all Saints do pick up the cross and carry it? Look at Mother Teresa. She always had a smile on her face and she lived in the dirtiest spots of the world.
Ok – we are no Saints, but least we can do, is showing God a smiling face without grumbling. What should atheists say – they really are alone – without God, to whom we can speak any time.

Remember Simon who was forced by the roman freelancers to carry Jesus’ cross the last bit of way to Jesus’ crucifixion (Mk 15,21). Simon of Zyrene later thanked God for this coincident.

If we carry the cross of Jesus as He told us, and we do this bad-tempered; we better not do so.

So – let’s cheer up and let’s do whatever we do, with a smile on our face. God; exactly as we – doesn’t like grumbly members of His people.

**

 

[Realcatholicgk]

i believe in God with all my heart and soul. There were times in my life before that i have neglected the Lord and I regret it. There is no other way but to return to God and I feel safe and loved

noodles

**
你好面条，

一名美丽的妇女的逗人喜爱的图片。 上帝爱您。 不要忘记那! 他是方式、真相和光! 上帝保佑 **

 

[Realcatholicgk]

it is both… but mostly sorrowful, i feel… Jesus said to pick up the cross and carry it and if we are not willing to give up everything for him we are not wrothy of him…

i didn’t exactly “give up” everything… it seems that “everything” gave up ME… but in any case, i was willing to let Everything do that… so maybe i am “worthy” of Christ…? (as much as a person can be…) What i mean is, i could have held on or done something about all those things trying to run away from me… but i didn’t… because those things were not worthy of ME… (long story)…

**Hi Distrated,

None of us are worth of Christ! Not a single person ever born! He is His gift to us! We don’t deserve Him, we jost have to accept Him!**

(My middle name should be changed to Long Story)…

anyway… sorrow turns to joy… joy turns to sorrow… and its probably a good thing… because if that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t/couldn’t make it to Heaven… Many are focused on this world as if it were the only one… I am SO, SO thankful it is not because i have messed this one up!!!

**
I often tell people who ask how God allows sorrow, pain, hate, etc that He must allow those things, without Sorrow what would be Joy? Without hate, what would be Love? In order to have Cold you must not have heat! In order to have dry no water.

I thank God for every sorrow and pain I have exer had, they made me stronger and able to enjoy the love and happiness that His grace allows me to recognize! None of us could be where we are now, if we weren’t where we were before! Enjoy Life, Love God! Sing a new song unto the Lord!

God Bless**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

I often tell people who ask how God allows sorrow, pain, hate, etc that He must allow those things, without Sorrow what would be Joy? Without hate, what would be Love? In order to have Cold you must not have heat! In order to have dry no water.

**
I don’t really know if that can be so !?-

God does NOT allow sorrow, pain, hate, etc. God does not allow sin. To the contrary Jesus said: Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin!

without Sorrow what would be Joy?

We all know, that in heaven is no sorrow but joy only.

And what about those who buy their joy here on the world? The rich and super-rich?
They truly; as Jesus said several times; have received their reward in full… as: “You cannot serve both God and Money”.

Still: However we have messed up our life, we always get the strength to start fully anew! Who of us was never in a state of complete hopelessness and desperation?! All where.
And let’s be honest: Did not always prayers help?!
They did.
More often than not, not the way we had preferred - but looking back;
in a way that was better for us.

 

[Realcatholicgk]

I don’t really know if that can be so !? - God does NOT allow sorrow, pain, hate, etc. God does not allow sin. To the contrary Jesus said: Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin!

**Hi Bruno, :wave;

Don’t be foolish my friend. if God didn’t “allow” it, It just couldn’t exist. PERIOD! Of course God allows sin, If he didn’t “allow” us to sin, do you think we could? God doesn’t “cause” sin but he sure does allow it!

I did not say God approved of those things. I did not say that God made evil. There are “opposites” and “absenses” Evil is the Absense of “love” bad is the “opposite” of “good”

As I explained before. if you did not have “pain” you would not enjoy pain free days! If you did not had sorrow, where would your understanding of joy come from?

Many things are the absense of a thing, not just an opposite. Cold is the absense of Heat; Hate is the absence of Love; Dark is the absense of Light.

God Bless!**

We all know, that in heaven is no sorrow but joy only.

And what about those who buy their joy here on the world? The rich and super-rich?
They truly; as Jesus said several times; have received their reward in full… as: “You cannot serve both God and Money”.

Still: However we have messed up our life, we always get the strength to start fully anew! Who of us was never in a state of complete hopelessness and desperation?! All where.

**I have indeed messed up may life many times, however I have never been in a complete htate of helplessness and desperation, my loving friend. Never! Sorry! **

And let’s be honest: Did not always prayers help?!
They did.More often than not, not the way we had preferred - but looking back; in a way that was better for us.

**Things always work for the best! Prayer is the answer of all questions!

God Bless**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

Don’t be foolish my friend. if God didn’t “allow” it, It just couldn’t exist.

This time we find ALLOW in quotation marks
That’s what I meant

So really God doesn’t allow it at all, as we do not allow our kids to do wrong, like to be rude to anybody. But they still do wrong from time to time though we didn’t allow it.

We “punish” (in quotation marks) our children then by showing them our clear disapproval. Kids would - if they are brought up well, come and say they are sorry and won’t do it again - for they want and need the full love of mom and dad - as we want and need the full love of God.

In our relation to God, it’s very much alike. When doing wrong, we loose the love of God quite alike. So, our “fear of God” (very often misinterpreted) is not FEAR of an “enemy” or somebody bullying us around - threatening us; (I once red in a forum “God is threatening us”) but our fear is: The fear to loose Gods love (which is very well-founded) as Jesus told us, though we have the tremendous present of forgiveness - if we really confess and repent.
That’s another reason for big overwhelming joy!

**

 

[Michael_David]

it is both… but mostly sorrowful, i feel… Jesus said to pick up the cross and carry it and if we are not willing to give up everything for him we are not wrothy of him…

i didn’t exactly “give up” everything… it seems that “everything” gave up ME… but in any case, i was willing to let Everything do that… so maybe i am “worthy” of Christ…? (as much as a person can be…) What i mean is, i could have held on or done something about all those things trying to run away from me… but i didn’t… because those things were not worthy of ME… (long story)…

(My middle name should be changed to Long Story)…

anyway… sorrow turns to joy… joy turns to sorrow… and its probably a good thing… because if that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t/couldn’t make it to Heaven… Many are focused on this world as if it were the only one… I am SO, SO thankful it is not because i have messed this one up!!! :banghead: :hypno: uch:

This is interesting, as it seems you are in the middle of these occurrences right now… I remember, this is how it seems. One is kinda in a ‘static’ way with it’s affects on the body, mind and soul. It’s like debating with yourself, hard to win or loose as one is the same as the other with reference to our whole being. It takes a while to settle out, but at any time, the rest is not far away.

Seems a physical loss is a spiritual gain… but it has to go through the middle mind for mental understanding. A neat process! One already ‘knows’, but on a deeper level… to gain the ‘knowledge’ is the ‘static’ process.

And Bruno and Real, what God Allows or not I do not know, but I do KNOW He wants me to get closer to Him… and Him to me. HOW that is done, I leave to Him. As He knows me better then I know myself or Him… so yes, the Father knows best. As a child, I am suppose to ‘accept’ that and go from there. What happens to me is not always of my doing; like a job lay-off; or a tornado coming through; or the spring flood; or the investments going down as the stock market falls; or a power surge that takes out my computer. We are at the mercy of our environment, and many others in a more powerful position then ourselves; even with relatives, they too have free-will and are not always in-tune with us, or us them; hitting my head on the wall and getting hurt is my own doing, but most of the rest is not.

 

[Realcatholicgk]

**

This time we find ALLOW in quotation marks
That’s what I meant

So really God doesn’t allow it at all, as we do not allow our kids to do wrong, like to be rude to anybody. But they still do wrong from time to time though we didn’t allow it.
**
Hi Bruno,

You are stilll misunderstanding. We can’t STOP our Children. God COULD stop us if he didn’t allow us to do wrong. He allows us to do what our free will and fear of God doesn’t control! There is a big difference. God is all powerful parents aren’t! Although we are probably saying the same thing in different languages! ****

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

You are stilll misunderstanding

Well ol’ man -
as I told you before
I am misunderstanding things ever since 70 years

right on the start 70 years ago I misunderstood what’s going on and asked if that’s the right exit

but the world couldn’t wait ‘til they had me

and now they have me
it’s their biz how to get along with it

**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

-God COULD stop us if he didn’t allow us to do wrong-

Now let’s think one step further:

How “on earth” should we prove ourselves to be worthy for heaven, if we all simply couldn’t do wrong, but lived all in the right - that is to say - in commanded full faith and believe in God.

What sense would the world make then?!

We are on this world, which is created as a room for probation to be worthiness or unworthiness of eternal life in Gods kingdom.

If God then – as God (of course) could, would stop us and didn’t allow us to do wrong, it would be unjust towards the angels, who also had the free will – but followed Lucifer – and lost and where condemned.

So: – as God allows us to decide freely, and does “allow” us to do wrong (which of course he doesn’t “allow” but Jesus warned emphatically of such doing) it’s up to us to finally go to heaven or - - - not !

And now let me finally say: it really is a tremendous joy to KNOW we go to heaven IF we live the way God – Jesus – told us to.

Ain’t that so ?

**

 

[moen]

I’m so glad I found this phrase, the one in the Title. I am going to convert (this year, God willing) to the CC. And I must say one of the main reasons that I hesitated for several years was what I saw in Catholics as walking “burden-bearers,” in a not so great way. IE, so many of the serious, fervent ones simply looked burdened down. Then I’d see other varieties of Christians that seemed joyful and enjoying God’s beautiful world, being the ones who gave Jesus back the burden…make sense? Several of my CC friends’ children seem much more “locked up” than mine, and I’m not saying that as a judgement at all, please know that. I have just observed for a long, long time…and now I know that I know I must convert, but honestly, I do not want to walk around appear that I am bearing an “unbearable burden” that others will see and go “Why would I want to believe what they believe?”
Make sense, anyone?

 

[Michael_David]

I’m so glad I found this phrase, the one in the Title. I am going to convert (this year, God willing) to the CC. And I must say one of the main reasons that I hesitated for several years was what I saw in Catholics as walking “burden-bearers,” in a not so great way. IE, so many of the serious, fervent ones simply looked burdened down. Then I’d see other varieties of Christians that seemed joyful and enjoying God’s beautiful world, being the ones who gave Jesus back the burden…make sense? Several of my CC friends’ children seem much more “locked up” than mine, and I’m not saying that as a judgement at all, please know that. I have just observed for a long, long time…and now I know that I know I must convert, but honestly, I do not want to walk around appear that I am bearing an “unbearable burden” that others will see and go “Why would I want to believe what they believe?”
Make sense, anyone?

Makes PERFECT sense!

Your observations have lead you here. Some were uplifting, some were not, but remember, in the midst of the ‘discipline’ we do feel it just like any other human being does… it’s what happens next that is the difference with our faith. (Should be!)

Look also at how we are trying to understand the German Bruno, in how he writes in English… I would not be as good at writing in German for his translation. I have found that he does speak from the heart, even if it is German first, our English sentence structure is different then his… but, it’s fun to see how he does it and try to figure it out. Ah, sometimes my English (sentence structure) follows my heart better then the proper use of the language… whatever that is nowadays

Have a little fun, and nice to see you here…

 

[Realcatholicgk]

**
Now let’s think one step further:

How “on earth” should we prove ourselves to be worthy for heaven, if we all simply couldn’t do wrong, but lived all in the right - that is to say - in commanded full faith and believe in God.

What sense would the world make then?!

We are on this world, which is created as a room for probation to be worthiness or unworthiness of eternal life in Gods kingdom.

If God then – as God (of course) could, would stop us and didn’t allow us to do wrong, it would be unjust towards the angels, who also had the free will – but followed Lucifer – and lost and where condemned.

So: – as God allows us to decide freely, and does “allow” us to do wrong (which of course he doesn’t “allow” but Jesus warned emphatically of such doing) it’s up to us to finally go to heaven or - - - not !

And now let me finally say: it really is a tremendous joy to KNOW we go to heaven IF we live the way God – Jesus – told us to.

Ain’t that so ?

**

**YES! **

 

[Realcatholicgk]

I’m so glad I found this phrase, the one in the Title. I am going to convert (this year, God willing) to the CC. And I must say one of the main reasons that I hesitated for several years was what I saw in Catholics as walking “burden-bearers,” in a not so great way. IE, so many of the serious, fervent ones simply looked burdened down. Then I’d see other varieties of Christians that seemed joyful and enjoying God’s beautiful world, being the ones who gave Jesus back the burden…make sense? Several of my CC friends’ children seem much more “locked up” than mine, and I’m not saying that as a judgement at all, please know that. I have just observed for a long, long time…and now I know that I know I must convert, but honestly, I do not want to walk around appear that I am bearing an “unbearable burden” that others will see and go “Why would I want to believe what they believe?”
Make sense, anyone?

**

Hi Moen,

I understand what you wrote. But being a cradle Catholic of 64 years, I can tell you that I can’t see where you got the impression Catholic’s carry a “unbearable burden”.

We sin as others do, but we have confession which cleans away the sin and pulls us closer to God! We get to eat the flesh and drink the blood of our lord and savior. He resides in us and changes us! How could we be in anything but Bliss?

Of course, we share the pain of Jesus as he died for our sins, but we also share in the Glory of His Resurrection.

We will have to ask you to remember to type slowly. Bruno and his computer are both older than dirt! Also never look him in the eye!

Good luck on your journey! Jesus will be with you!

God Bless **

 

[moen]

**

Hi Moen,

I understand what you wrote. But being a cradle Catholic of 64 years, I can tell you that I can’t see where you got the impression Catholic’s carry a “unbearable burden”.

We sin as others do, but we have confession which cleans away the sin and pulls us closer to God! We get to eat the flesh and drink the blood of our lord and savior. He resides in us and changes us! How could we be in anything but Bliss?

Of course, we share the pain of Jesus as he died for our sins, but we also share in the Glory of His Resurrection.

We will have to ask you to remember to type slowly. Bruno and his computer are both older than dirt! Also never look him in the eye!

Good luck on your journey! Jesus will be with you!

God Bless **

It sounds like the group on this thread knows each other pretty well, looking at the last post…knowing about Bruno’s computer and all

I guess the appearance of looking like one is bearing a burden is simply personality… I’ve been around the block a few times, so to speak, and I will say that generally people gravitate towards groups most like themselves, or what they’re looking for. Make sense? Hence, the order, peace and (sometimes in some churches) sameness/monotony attract and keep those people who are not prone or like to express emotion, etc.

I am in no way saying that’s bad, please don’t get me wrong…believe me it’s welcomed…but I think it’s just reality here.
Having said that, in big cities I bet there are more options in terms of CCs where if one wants a little more warmth and enthusiasm there’s a choice. I know in Steubenville OH where Franciscan Univ. is located, that’s the case…
One thing that I think is wrong is saying we’re just all the same, cookie-cutter humans and that God wants us all to express our faith the same way, quietly or whatever. Otherwise, why did God give some people personalities that express, with louder words or with “bigger” personalities (12 apostles all very different)…better stop here It would be nice if more of the CCs allowed for that somehow. The ones here (small towns) are filled mostly with “dart in and dart out” Catholics, there’s very few fellowship opportunities, community life, etc.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

It sounds like the group on this thread knows each other pretty well, looking at the last post…knowing about Bruno’s computer and all

Thanks heavens that is so and thanks heavens not only of this group. Why don’t you join?!
Anyone can mail me. I’d be delighted and would mail back right away. (Though someone here told me, my English is not to be understood).

I’d love to know a lot more or even all here better, but there is a big drawback:

Many here, do not want any contacts to anyone else here<.

I sometimes wonder why, and I wonder where then is the love that’s foundation of being a Christian.

Over here in Germany, you’d speak to anyone you meet. Like sitting together with a stranger on a restaurant table; - you’ll never leave as strangers.

In the USA I was terribly disappointed, that even people sitting on my hotel-table (e.g. on the pool) hardly spoke to me and when we met again later - they looked the other way instead of having some small-talk or even real conversations.

Something is rotten in the State of USA, as far as togetherness is concerned
**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

We sin as others do, but we have confession which cleans away the sin and pulls us closer to God!

Oh Dear, I wish you’d have said that your usual way. For now, it looks like the unfortunate “automatism” some think confession is.

Yes, we do sin. True. BUT there is a huge difference:
We REALISE we are sinning, when we do so. We jolly well know we sin now. All of us often felt after committing a sin, that we can’t look into a mirror, because we are ashamed of ourselves and ashamed before God.

Atheists sin without thinking twice about it. They believe there is no God who judges them after their deeds; so they sin and look smiling into any mirror - even into the face of God, whom they deny. In fact they look into the face of Satan who is their master, but even that they don’t know nor believe.

I quite often had quarrels with other Christians and sadly to say, also a number of Catholics, who think there’S an automatism – like a treadmill: Sin – confess – done with it – sin – confess – forgotten - and so on.

NO! That’s definitely not how it works! Such thinking originates of Luther’s disastrous: “SOLA SCRIPTURA - SOLA FIDE - SOLA GRATIA“ – which is more than wrong and even versus the Bible!
Ist NOT sole Holy Scripture, but Holy Scripture PLUS TEACHING OF THE CHURCH.
NOT sole believe, but believe PLUS LOVE AND REPENTANCE.
NOT sole Gods grace, but grace PLUS OUR ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION lead to justification, faith and salvation.

So, there is nowhere any kind of (mainly by Non-Catholics, but sadly enough even some Catholics) suspected automatism of sinning and confession.

That’s why it’s not only a different thing if a Catholic or “others” sins. There’s also a tremendous difference in confession, which is mindless without true repentance and redemption; in last case confession is nil and void.

Of course I know Realcatholicgk meant confession in true repentance and redemption.
But we have to keep telling, that there’s no automatism involved.
**

 

[distracted]

**Dear “Distracted”, this post of yours really does sound quite distracted and sad:

“mostly sorrowful - to pick up the cross and carry - willing to give up everything for him we are not worthy of him -“everything” gave up ME - i was willing to let Everything do that - those things were not worthy of ME - joy turns to sorrow - if that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t/couldn’t make it to Heaven - is not because i have messed this one up!!!”**
well, since you butchered what i said & took things out of context … yeah, it does sound kinda distracted…

Hey, cheer up. Life isn’t sad!

Mother t had a lot of sorrow as well… and etc.

[/QUOTE]