"Conversations With God" book series- how to approach?

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Hi all- not sure this is the "right’ forum, but here goes:
I have a friend from law school who I’ve known for, geez, 15+ years now. She lives back in my hometown, and I only see her once a year at most and probably chat on the phone or email quarterly. She was raised Lutheran, married a cafeteria-style Catholic, and they are raising their 2 girls Catholic. However, their parish seems less than orthodox, as last time I visited home and saw her, she told me that she takes communion at their Catholic parish because she doesn’t want her girls to think anything wrong/ or bad about her. I gently told her that practice wasn’t authorized, and told her to speak to her pastor, to which she replied they HAD and he said it was okay. YIKES! (I did try to explain to her the reasoning behind why it was wrong, but she gave me a glass-eyed look and, so the conversation dropped off without her assuring me she would inquire again… ) Anyhow, that’s not the latest thing… the latest thing is that she is pushing me to read CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD series by Walsch. I checked out the forums, and there are several threads where people confirm what I suspected, that they’re at best new age drivel, at worst, blatantly anti-Catholic. I assumed so becuase my friend commented she was thoroughly enjoying “creating her own reality” since she read the books! YIKES AGAIN. In any event, how do I talk to her abou thtis? Do I send her some orthodox Catholic (or a good Christian book-- such as Mere Christianity- one of my all time favorites by a protestant!) What do you suggest? I want to warn her against this stuff- - - and she’s got those 2 babies in the house! (Her husband I doubt even cares… although I suppose I could try to warn him, but I’d feel like I was going behind my friend’s back…) Should I read the darned things? I have so much “good” (aka orthodox) reading to do that I hate to make room on my nightstand for evil/worthless stuff like that… Any sugestions!? THANKS AND GOD BLESS! I LOVE CATHOLIC ANSWERS FORUMS!
 
Okay, I’ve read them. During a spiritual crisis. While, they did feel good they just didn’t feel right, if that makes sense. So if your friend was raised Catholic, more than likely she is going through a feel good stage and by reading them yourself, you might be able to get her to see what’s right in the Church.

They are good for new agers.

They are not Anti-Catholic as in Chick Tracts are, they just are not the teachings of the church.

She is not going to harm her babies by reading these books, they are not THAT bad. They are very hippie, if that makes sense.
 
It is absolutely NOT okay for this friend of yours to recieve the Eucharist if she is doing it unworthily! 😦

Excuse me my head is exploding now.

Can you try to talk to her about it in a non confrontational way? Maybe send her a book on the topic for Christmas? No wait. That is too far from now.
Send something to her and send it ASAP. Her pastor is not guiding her and I think your friend is going to be in spiritual trouble if she continues like this.

If she lives close enough to you, could you go to Mass at her parish sometime and talk to her pastor if you can?
 
Hellisreal…can you think of a feel good Catholic book that can be given to her?

Anyone who enjoys these books are going through a crisis and this has to be approached with what she is feeling right now…
 
Oops! Your friend was raised Lutheran and she’s receiving communion in the Church! Ouch, I missed that! Big no, no!

Okay, how about Marcus Grodi’s Journey Home? It’s a great book.
 
I am going to have to think about this one. It must be done in Love because I read this over and over and it seems she truly does not know or think she is doing anything that is inappropriate at all, and I cant blame her especially when she is being told otherwise. The worst thing would be to highlight that though, because then she will feel as if she was snookered. Will think on it.
 
What you could buy, read and then recommend to her are the *In Conversation With God *series by Fr Francis Fernandez. I read a chapter of these books every day as part of my spiritual reading. They are thoroughly orthodox and the meditations give one food for thought for the whole day. 👍
 
yinekka said:
What you could buy, read and then recommend to her are the *In Conversation With God *series by Fr Francis Fernandez. I read a chapter of these books every day as part of my spiritual reading. They are thoroughly orthodox and the meditations give one food for thought for the whole day. 👍
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I have seen these books…that sounds like a good recommendation…feel goody type things…
 
BTW - Mere Christainty…:nope: too much theology…not what she needs right now… I can’t even get through that book, and I like theology (sorta)

Also, I think we need to think of a book that talks about the Eucharist…obviously, she just don’t get it about the Eucharist…I’ve never had that problem because I came here first! 👍
 
DJgang said:
BTW - Mere Christainty…:nope: too much theology…not what she needs right now… I can’t even get through that book, and I like theology (sorta)

Also, I think we need to think of a book that talks about the Eucharist…obviously, she just don’t get it about the Eucharist…I’ve never had that problem because I came here first! 👍/QUOTE]

👍

I am thinking it may be too obvious to give her a book souly devoted to the topic, so I am trying to think of one where its in there, and explained well but not the sole thrust of the book. And, has the spirituality angle in there to fill her interest in the as you said “feel good” stuff.

I also think Mere Chrisitanity is not a good choice, but I have a online summary of it done by a catholic that may be good, but that is sorta dangerous to do, because its like saying, I know you are not smart enough for the real thing, so here is the watered down version for ya. So, this one is particularly a challenge.
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Hi All- thanks for your kind advice & Comments… I do think if I gave her a book she’d be open to reading it… but again, the problem is what book! After hearing all your comments, I was thinking maybe Scott Hahns book the LAMBS SUPPER - about the mass with plenty on the Eucharist… Maybe I should do the “I’'ll read your book andyou read mine and we can discuss?” Any other book suggestions warmly welcomed…
 
What is her beliefs about Mary? Never underestimate to power of the Rosary…ya know?

Lamb’s Supper, I have not read…maybe someone can pipe in a comment on that book, however, I do know Scott Hahn can write with his feelings as well as give the teachings of the Church to back himself up…very good Catholic man! 👍
 
gloraykid said:
Hi All- thanks for your kind advice & Comments… I do think if I gave her a book she’d be open to reading it… but again, the problem is what book! After hearing all your comments, I was thinking maybe Scott Hahns book the LAMBS SUPPER - about the mass with plenty on the Eucharist… Maybe I should do the “I’'ll read your book andyou read mine and we can discuss?” Any other book suggestions warmly welcomed…
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Excellent choice, but it will make her uncomfortable, as she will wonder why?

The eucharist is the focus in that book.

You already had a conversation with her about that one…

Scott Hahn is an amazing man, and he is also Opus Dei I believe…

but, I am worried about your friendship being compromised and would like to see you find some common ground, is there anything you both can find a common ground with that may help me to find something that you can both can benefit from together?

If nothing else, that would be an excellent choice for getting her to understand the eucharist, if she is an avid bible reader- Scott is a former evangelical who is a bible scholar and was led to the Church through the bible.

Maybe she needs this, I dont know. You are her friend and know her so much better than we do.

I fear putting something out that may make her feel uncomfortable with you.

Or challenged.

Is she devout? What does she have in common with us?

Lets go from there, and build on that.😉
 
In response to Hellisreal: Unlike most of my friends!, this friend has always been open to my comments/emails about religious or spiritual matters (i.e. asking for prayer requests, emails about various Christian persecution around the world… and come to think of it, years ago now, she asked me to lend her my Scott Hahn voluminous cassetted edition of his lectures on Matthew’s Gospel-after I raved about them- which she never returned and I don’t know if she ever listened to them!..) but sadly, I’ve never fully engaged her on the differences between Lutheranism and Catholoicism, and why she just doesn’t join the Church. She had a full term stillborn son about 5 years ago which I know really started her questioning about God and suffering, and at that time, I sent her CSLewis’ book on suffering (which she said she liked) and also told her pray to Holy Mother Mary (“because she also lost a son!”) I don’t know if she ever did (as marian devotion isn’t big among Lutherans). I am heartened she mentioned the Walsch books to me b/c I think, unconciously , she is asking my opinion of them, and I just want to refocus her on CHRIST, esp. since I believe the Walsch books question the divinity of Christ! However, from her email to me, where she says she’s never felt God so strongly as when she follows the meditations, etc in the book , this may be one of those situations where she’s never “felt” the presence of God until reading these books and doing the suggested “meditations”-- so now she feels these books are “the way …” vs. meditating on God’s true revelation of himself through Jesus (and the Bible and his Church!-- well, she doesn’t get /understand/appreciate the “Church” part!)… Also, I don’t know what you mean by “devout” … I don’t know about her prayer life (but, like I said, she claims now to be meditating daily to “create her own reality”!) She, I know, takes her kids to church every Sunday and CCD classes, etc. (However, again, she wrongly takes hte Eucharist herself - and why hasn’t she ever herself investigated about the R.C. Church if she is allowing her kids to be raised in it? She has, it seems to me, the erroneous opinion that “all christian religions are basicaly the same…” ) Having said that, maybe I need to try to refocus her by an email diologue with gentle proddings on what “reality” is she creating? Does it include Jesus, a member of the Holy Trinity (i.e. the “truths” she is allowing her daughters to be schooled in?) However, I still think the ‘right’ book in this situation would be the best. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. I am going to look thru my Scott Hahn collection on my own book shelf and see if anything is more appropo… p.s. Hellisreal: what does your end-caption on your posts mean–? Why don’t you consider yourself Catholic? Are you Catholic?
 
Her own reality? I hope she meant deepening her spirituality so its her “own” and therefore more “real” to her than following who knows what…
It’s sending off alarms to me.
Excellent point about Mary and trying to get her to see ways to connect to Mary, who will comfort her, and of course understands such a horrible and tragic loss. good job!
Oh, my signature. Just experiencing a time of what I hope is a temporary situation.
Off topic, but has she ever discussed charasmatics?
 
Hellisreal - Conversations with God is ALL about how God wants you to be just like him/her, thus you are god as well…or something like that :rolleyes: , that’s where making your own reality comes in to play. And that Hell is NOT real.

The Blessed Mother can bring someone to Christ and his church…I know!
 
Hi, everybody.

I apologize if someone else has already mentioned this, but here goes.

I think your best bet is prayer, maybe a full hour before the Blessed Sacrament for her conversion as well as for her husband and children, and a regular Rosary / Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the same intentions. It’s so easy to turn people off with books unless they’re really searching and looking to you for guidance. It sounds as if she’s not looking for advice. Of course, it depends on your honest assessment of your relationship with her.

Prayer is harder to do than sending emails or books. But I think they are far more effective.

God bless you all.
Susan
 
Sounds a bit mormonesque or gnostic even. :eek:
DJgang said:
Hellisreal - Conversations with God is ALL about how God wants you to be just like him/her, thus you are god as well…or something like that :rolleyes: , that’s where making your own reality comes in to play. And that Hell is NOT real.

The Blessed Mother can bring someone to Christ and his church…I know!
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DJgang said:
They are good for new agers.

They are not Anti-Catholic as in Chick Tracts are, they just are not the teachings of the church.

She is not going to harm her babies by reading these books, they are not THAT bad. They are very hippie, if that makes sense.
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Hey, “New Agers” have immortal souls, too. These books are filled with falsehoods, and tell a lot of people what they want to hear, not what’s true.
 
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