Help! Quick decision needed . .

  • Thread starter Thread starter TiggerS
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TiggerS

Guest
I need to make a decision today and it is 7.55am here now. I have been working for 2 years voluntarily for a Catholic Charity. Another Charity, not specifically Catholic but for quite disabled and marginalized people often quite young people has offered me a job in the office and voluntary. I am under a lot of pressure just now with a few important decisions to make. This particular decision is bringing me ‘grief’! I really don’t want to change my voluntary work, but the long travel involved in my current position is problematic although not impossible. I have been treating the difficulties as sacrificial and penitential although I am starting to think that because of my back and legs problems, I might be causing myself some harm - at least in the long term if I stay where I am.
I am praying about this ardently - and this morning in desperation flipped a coin and it was two out of three for a change!!!***$%%??http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-shocked003.gif… http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/sos.gif It’s one of those times when Heaven seems silent, which in this situation would seem to indicate that either way would be pleasing to The Lord and hence completely my decision. Both charities are very worthwhile and needy re voluntary workers.

I plan to ring this other Charity at 9am to clarify a few things and if I decide to change, to ring my boss now and advise him I will be leaving later today.
A quick prayer for me would be returned today in spirit!

Against changing (pros)

  1. *]I am happy where I am
    *]I have been there 2 years now
    *]The devil one knows is better than the one I don’t
    *]I could go from the frying pan into the fire
    *]The staff is great and amenities top notch
    *]Relaxed atmosphere, except for the boss at times only
    *]Both male and female on staff
    *]I need to get up at 6am and then leave at 7.20am, home around 6.30pm
    *]Hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm (half hour lunch)

    For changing (cons)

    1. *]The boss can be very short indeed, but it is just his nature and he is the same with most all staff. He doesn’t handle pressure well and the cause of his ‘shortness’ if the pressure is on. At other times, he is the nicest of persons. I call him to myself a “big lovable teddy bear”! How can one not love a person who can’t handle pressure!http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/red-neck-laughing-smiley-emoticon.gif
      *]It is a long way to travel two days weekly - 2 buses there and back with a fair amount of walking involved and I have a bad back which affects my legs
      *]I don’t know the staff if I change to this other position, although seemed relaxed and happy at interview (I went in for an interview just to see what it was all about)
      *]I don’t know the work, although it sounds very interesting and diversified
      *]It is only two bus stops from where I live (5 min if that one bus trip, not much walking)
      *]They are changing offices at the end of the year but plan to stay in this area (“plan” is not “will” stay in this area)
      *]Females only on staff (having had years of experience in offices, it tells me that female only staff can be quite ‘catty’ and such things, while males with females tends to balance things out and bring rationality and logic into situations. Although female management today is far better trained in human relationships than during my career 25 years ago)
      *]I would only need to get up at 8am at the latest, leave at 9.20am
      *]Hours are 10am to 2pm and I would be home by 2.30pm
      *]On the way home, I can jump off the bus a stop early and do the shopping and still be home by around 4pm.
      *]I am tempted to think that a change more or less ‘just up the road’ is Providential but refuse to settle on that thought as the decider.

      Glancing at the above there seems to be far more reasons to change than not to change. My problem I think is loyalty and the fact that where I now work is specifically Catholic.

      What are your thoughts? Should I change or not?
 
  • JMJ +
For my big decision nowadays, I use “Spiritual Triangulation”.

The principle of “spiritual triangulation” states that you need to align three factors to know that we have discerned rightly:


  1. *]The present circumstances: weighing pros and cons, our responsibilities, advise from other people
    *]Moral law and the teachings of Mother Church: Magisterium, Scripture, Tradition.
    *]Our conscience and inspirations, especially the accompanying joy and peace of God.

    Now if we follow only one of these, we will surely get into error.

    1. *]To discern only through the present situation leads to relativism.
      *]To discern only through the Church and moral law leads to legalism.
      *]To discern only through conscience and inspirations leads to subjectivism.

      And yet if you look closely, following the “spiritual triangulation” is actually following the Holy Trinity.

      1. *]To align decisions based on the present circumstances is to follow God the Father, whose Divine Providence over the universe guides and sustains us all.
        *]To align decisions according to the moral law and the teachings of Church is to follow God the Son, the Word of God.
        *]To align decisions according to one’s conscience and inspirations is to follow God the Holy Spirit Who “blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.” (John 3:8)

        So…sorry if I couldn’t help you with an instant solution, but I hope you can use this for a quick decision…although in my opinion such a short time is not a good idea for such an important decision…
 
nuntym said:
  • JMJ +
For my big decision nowadays, I use “Spiritual Triangulation”.

The principle of “spiritual triangulation” states that you need to align three factors to know that we have discerned rightly:


  1. *]The present circumstances: weighing pros and cons, our responsibilities, advise from other people
    *]Moral law and the teachings of Mother Church: Magisterium, Scripture, Tradition.
    *]Our conscience and inspirations, especially the accompanying joy and peace of God.

    Now if we follow only one of these, we will surely get into error.

    1. *]To discern only through the present situation leads to relativism.
      *]To discern only through the Church and moral law leads to legalism.
      *]To discern only through conscience and inspirations leads to subjectivism.

      And yet if you look closely, following the “spiritual triangulation” is actually following the Holy Trinity.

      1. *]To align decisions based on the present circumstances is to follow God the Father, whose Divine Providence over the universe guides and sustains us all.
        *]To align decisions according to the moral law and the teachings of Church is to follow God the Son, the Word of God.
        *]To align decisions according to one’s conscience and inspirations is to follow God the Holy Spirit Who “blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.” (John 3:8)

        So…sorry if I couldn’t help you with an instant solution, but I hope you can use this for a quick decision…although in my opinion such a short time is not a good idea for such an important decision…
Click to expand...

      1. Thank you very much indeed!
        It is not really for me “such a short time” re making a decision. I have been thinking about it for over a week, just unable to make up my mind; however, written what I have (being a writer, I think best at my keyboard or ‘on my feet’ as I type and I think this is because Google is so handy for any researching. That is, being a writer, I am long years conditioned into ‘thinking on my feet’ at a keyboard).

        I have almost made up my mind to change.

        Looking at “spiritual triangulation” and thank you very much again for sharing the process :
        1. I have weighed up pros and cons and rang my brother a few days ago for advice (he is not practising and seems to have some hostility to The Church).
        2. Nothing morally wrongful in changing, although there could be in staying in my present position if indeed it is having a negative affect on my back and legs. I live alone and if I am incapacitated in any way I am a burden on others. Also morally, we are called to care for our health and life, body. The body is the Temple of The Holy Spirit. Coming back from Holy Communion, I reflect that I am now as holy as a Tabernacle.
        3. Certainly, the thought of changing having moved on a bit and almost decided to change is a Peaceful and Joyful decision - and this will remain providing the new position is all that I am hoping it will be. I don’t expect perfection in anything human - just the HOPE that any problems or drawbacks I am able to handle retaining Peace and Joy.
          I am most always in Peace and some degree, great or small, of Joy - only sin per se changes that disposition.
        Thank you again, please whisper a prayer for me and I will be praying today for all who do pray for me and/or read and/or post.

        Just now, a wrong move would SEEM a disaster were it not for Divine Providence.

        God bless you richly always…Tigger
 
Thank you very much, nuntym. Your “spiritual triangulation” method (which I applied) has decided me.
👍👍👍👍
I have rung the charity involved and accepted their voluntary position - and my new boss was totally delighted that I had changed my mind. I had advised her that I would be staying at the Catholic charity some time back.

I will be spending time in prayer for all those who have read, posted or prayed 🙂

Thank you, Jesus, Your Loving Mercies to your most least abound every day always.👍

Moving on, no longer “stuck”…👍…
 
TiggerS said:
Thank you, Jesus, Your Loving Mercies to your most least abound every day always.👍

Moving on, no longer “stuck”…👍…
Click to expand...
Thank you Tigger for your gift of yourself to others.

May God bless all those you touch each day and bring them the Light of Christ through you.
 
  • JMJ +
You’re very welcome, Tigger! I am pleasantly surprised by how fast my suggestion helped you, and I thank the Lord for it.

Alas, why is there a plush tiger bouncing on his tail in my mind while he is singing silly songs? 😛

One last advice, Tigger: never doubt this discernment. You did your best to discern what God’s will is in this event of your life, so never doubt you discerned correctly, no matter what happens in your new job. Difficulties may arise later, but those do not invalidate what you have learned from God, for God is always faithful and never plays cruelly with His sons and daughters. 👍

God bless on your new job, and thanks for the prayers!
 
What lovely posts - thank you very much indeed - “Every day keep encouraging one another” (Intro to The Divine Office). Thank you very much RoseMary and also nuntym. Thank you very much to those who might have read…and/or…whispered a prayer…and CA for tolerating me…to date…

I needed advice from a Catholic perspective - my new director (priest) is still finding his way with me and doesn’t need me blabbing away at this stage in his ear until next appointment - and I have told him “Father, I can be a bitter pill at times” and forewarned is forearmed. I could have rung a number of people I know, but writing is a gift with me - although can be a burden to others - and how I can best express myself without needing to let the other get a word in edgeways sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/toothless-chuckle-smiley-emoticon.gif…most of all I needed some quick Catholic spiritual advice.
Nuntym, thank you very for the good wishes for my new job and once again (and over Joyed to state it) for your own response to The Holy Spirit. Your words were just what I needed - no worries, “spiritual triangulation” is with me for the rest of my journey on this earthly pilgrimage. I was going to write "spiritual transmogrification"and had to look it up in the dictionary and then had to start laughing. I have journeyed from spiritual triangulation to spiritual transmogrification and then back to spiritual triangulation and a very funny (and worrying) pilgrimage it has been at times, (“journey” is hackneyed, overly so to my mind - and lost it’s meaning. We are used to it and don’t think about it!), at other times our pilgrimage here can be a most consoling one. Ahhh that journey we call life
sherv.net/cm/emoticons/jobs/cowboy-lasso-smiley-emoticon.gif

Rang the Catholic charity and my ex boss was really nice, which made things harder for me and the tears came. He has told me that if I ever wanted to return, I would be welcome and that I had done a “mammoth job” for them. I had to hang up before I started crying in earnest and I wanted to spare him that. Monday is their busiest day and just what he needed, being male (scuse me any males! write it off to this "poor mere female"http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-love006.gif)…me bawling in his big teddy bear earsherv.net/cm/emoticons/hello/cute-bear-smiley-emoticon.gif! He can be quite short at times if pressure gets to him…and after all, he had me on voluntary staff…He to me was just a lovable big teddy bear…most of the time…

I’ve noticed that the one thing that can often rub me really the wrong way is someone who is just like me in personality…think about it and the people one doesn’t like…or probably it is just mesherv.net/cm/emoticons/jobs/cleaner-smiley-emoticon.gif…

I wonder if you have realized that I am really overjoyed to have FINALLY made a decision and carried it through …is there any such thing as over joyed in Catholic spirituality sherv.net/cm/emoticons/confused/i-dont-know-smiley-emoticon.gif Psychiatry tends to call it often “manic”. I know, I know, it is joy out of proportion to the situation…explain my previous situation of indecision together with the overwhelming (for me) negative feelings and then describe ‘proportionate joy’ to that situation (for you it can only be imaginary, for me it is all reality. A here and now experience). Or is it more like the Bob Dylan lyrics “Counterfeit philosophies have polluted all of your thoughts”…?…

Thanks again, guys:thumbsup:
 
Tigger, I’m so very glad you came to a decision and acted on it.

Um. I am a lot like you in that I “process externally.” I’m also a professional writer. Simply put, they (employers or clients) pay me to write business process documentation.

I’m also a certified and professionally experienced instructional designer. Meaning that I IDENTIFY what, if any, training is needed. Then create customized learning sessions or full-blown classes to teach that learning, including making the training materials and delivering the classes myself either in a room or online (live or delayed).

I’m also a catechist formed and certified by my local diocese. With a specialty in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation which I taught it for 10 years. THAT’s how I truly learned the Faith.

Anywho, one of those sessions that I taught in 2 parts was one on moral decision making. Which is one reason I’m chiming in here. I read that you were having a dilemma with deciding – discerning – what it is that would be the “moral decision” best for you to make.

I applaud you! You have done already the steps that helps folks to determine for any given situation what the moral choice would be.

One of those things to consider what ARE your choices, really, from which to choose?
  • You listed them with precision. And logic for each decision’s expected, specific outcome.
I “heard” you wrestling with the physical outcomes for this – or that – decision. That’s where I, myself, pay special attention when I’m deciding which way to go simply because at times I get “hopeful” thoughts – in a way, denying the reality – of a negative physical outcome that is quite predictable in reality for this - or that – decision.

I’m concerned that this - or that - decision will render you physically harmed – even if it appears to be “just” physical soreness if you chose that particular direction to go.

Also to consider is what others who are trustworthy for good advice would advise you. We here on the board, simply put, don’t know you personally. Therefore, anybody’s advice or feedback here (including mine, of course) is worth only so much.

I wonder if you have had a chance yet to discuss these options with people whom you know and trust in your own life?

Still. I applaud you for making the decision. I’d be applauding you, anyway. Just making a decision, I think, is good – no matter which decision you did make.

I hear (well, read) here that your former employer will accept you back if you choose to go back to that job that you just quit. That, alone, I think is a clear sign from God that WHATEVER you choose - or chose - He’s protecting you.

👍

I hope you’ll have an opportunity sometime after you take this “new” position that you’ll have a chance to let us know how it’s going.

Meantime, I’m praying for you and all involved.

:clapping:
 
Tigger, I’m so very glad you came to a decision and acted on it.

I hear (well, read) here that your former employer will accept you back if you choose to go back to that job that you just quit. That, alone, I think is a clear sign from God that WHATEVER you choose - or chose - He’s protecting you.

👍

Um. I am a lot like you in that I “process externally.” It’s simply part of my personality that God gave to me. I’m also an extreme extrovert. Drives my introvert friends nuts. As they do me. My challenge is to cool it a bit and float toward center so that introvertive personality types actually can hear me. Otherwise, I might overwhelm.

I’m also a professional writer. Simply put, they (employers or clients) pay me to write business process documentation. That’s a very brief description of what I do when I’m writing professionally. But that description is enough without my cluttering up a lot of space on this board about only that. Also, I tend to offput editing my own text until ready for publication in a professional context. Discussion boards are not such a context so please forgive me if what I write is not as clear as it could be. :o

I’m also a certified and professionally experienced instructional designer. Meaning that I identify what, if any, training is needed. Then create customized sessions or full-blown classes to teach that learning. I make (create) the training materials. I personally deliver the classes either in a room or online (live or delayed).

I’m also a catechist formed and certified by my local diocese. With a specialty in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation which I taught for 10 years. That’s actually how I truly learned the Faith better than the minimal catechesis I got going to CCD until I was confirmed when I was 13 years old in the late 1960’s.

Anywho, one of those sessions that I taught in 2 parts was one on moral decision making. Which is one reason I’m chiming in here. I read that you were having a dilemma with deciding – discerning – what it is that would be the “moral decision” best for you to make.

I applaud you! You have done already the steps that helps folks to determine for any given situation what the moral choice would be.

One of those things to consider what ARE your choices, really, from which to choose? And from there, what other decisions pop up from your making this – or that – decision?
  • You listed them with precision. And logic for each decision’s expected, specific outcome.
I “heard” you wrestling with the physical outcomes for this – or that – decision. That’s where I, myself, pay special attention when I’m deciding which way to go simply because at times I get “hopeful” thoughts – in a way, denying the reality – of a negative physical outcome that is quite predictable in reality for this - or that – decision.

I’m concerned that this - or that - decision will render you physically harmed – even if it appears to be “just” physical soreness if you chose that particular direction to go.

Also to consider is what others who are trustworthy for good advice would advise you. We here on the board, simply put, don’t know you personally. Therefore, anybody’s advice or feedback here (including mine, of course) is worth only so much.

I wonder if you have had a chance yet to discuss these options with people whom you know and trust in your own life?

Having done those things, the last step is to pray. Ask God and discuss with him those options, what you’re thinking, possible outcomes for this or that decision. Then, listen. Probably will take several praying sessions Listen. Listen. Listen to Him.

Me → I tend to talk to myself a lot in such prayer sessions. I always need to remind myself to just shut up and give God a chance to get His Word in edgewise.

Still. I applaud you for making the decision. I’d be applauding you, anyway. Just making a decision, I think, is good – no matter which decision you did make.

Having done that, LISTEN to what God is actually telling you. He really doesn’t care, I don’t think, which way you go. As long as whatever you’re doing is with love.

If you’re not currently qualified for the tasks that job requires, then is there a way for you to obtain them?

Bottom line – you KNOW (emphasis intended) for sure that your decision is within His will if you have a deep sense of peace with the decision, itself. Joy will come as you act and do that decision. No way to describe it – that “peace.” That “joy.” Doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult. Or that it will be easy. It just means that deep down, indescribably, you have a sense of “place-ness” about your decision. In other words, that decision puts you in that “place” of BEING in that “place.”

:yup:

I hope you’ll have an opportunity sometime after you take this “new” position that you’ll have a chance to let us know how it’s going.

Meantime, I’m praying for you and all involved.

:clapping:
 
Thank you very much, Veronica Anne, for the interest, time and effort taken to reply and most of all for prayer for me. You will be kept in mine and I have already spent time in my oratory area here praying for those who are praying for me, reading and/or contributing to this thread. All are in the hands of The Sacred Heart, Our Lady of The Way and of The Streets and St Joseph, Patron of The Church…and my beloved ‘little’ patron St Therese of Lisieux. These have stood by me all my life and to me anyway, to a level of miraculous intervention at times.

I especially smiled at the use of your word “with logic”. My brother has suggested I might be unwell (Bipolar). But I truly know this illness like the back of my hand having pilgrimaged here for over 35 years now with that burden to drag around with me though I have never been alone in the carrying. Not once. I am ringing my psychiatrist today and my regular appointment is on the 30th this month next week. She has been my doctor for many years now and has taken me from a very ill woman to 10 years without a serious episode. Bipolar can get restless now and then and I probably will suffer it for me entire life, short of miracles, but nowadays, I am in control of Bipolar rather than as before, Bipolar in control of me. The problem for me socially and in some close relationships is our instinct and need to herd, to belong. We want others to like us and in order to ‘win their like’ we need to be similar to them and predictable. And often I am not and with no instinct to herd as instinct - rather a choice that I retain freedom to choose if I desire.

I am not a professional writer, incidentally, although I am published and by the Australian Catholic Bishops’Conference - but only them. I have spoken publically on more than one occasion including at assemblies here in Australia on “Women’s Role in The Church”. The thought of what it must take to seek publication puts me right off and I have no real interest in doing so. When I write, it is a fait accompli, and even as a student in creative writing, pointing out to me where my writing was amiss and how to correct annoyed me no end. Ah well, annoyance is only annoyance as opinion is only opinion. That I have written, wherever I may have written, is sufficient for me and I just move on - and because of the internet, I feel that at least the potential for readers does exist. This is sufficient for me. During my working life, career, now over 20 years ago in the past, I was a private secretary and also a trained counsellor and again, working voluntary only in counselling (marriage guidance). Prior to the onset of Bipolar I had an excellent reputation at both parish and diocesan level - Bipolar took that apart. It was back in the days when culturally in The Church, mental illness was aligned with satanic possession - or at very least, a probable spiritual reprobate. One was an outside and on the fringe of The Church, if not rejected entirely.

Very sadly, alarmingly and often quite cruelly, this can still exist in The Church and especially amongst leadership. We are viewed often with suspicion and wariness…best avoided is the attitude. I have quite intelligently I think rebuilt my reputation in The Church from the ruins to which it was reduced. It has been small goals to a bigger goal and enjoying the steps along the way. There have been failures, as all lives will experience. Sometimes failure is no failure at all and life is all about perspective and attitude.
What Bipolar has done to me psychologically is an identity problem. Will the real me please stand up, as it were. There is the real me that I can only express in writing and at times, if I choose, in relating. There is another me that I present so others will think me sane, well and ok to be around. I know who the real me is, but to establish that as my sole identity, I have to go through that whole bit of others being, well, afraid of me having experienced my 35 year history of Bipolar, 20 years as a very ill woman indeed. There is no forgiveness for that, where forgiveness is not needed. We can be irrational creatures at times. In other relationships, it is just fear and incorrect attitudes re sufferers of mental illness.
I am now resolving that identity problem psychologically - but the likelihood, indications, are that relationships will suffer because of it. I am looking to bridge that problem so that it does not happen…if possible!

You are quite correct about the problems I have with my back and legs. Deciding to change voluntary office jobs to something much closer, just MIGHT ease things. The only way for me to know for sure really, short of a miracle, is to change to the closer job and see how things go and then having worked the new situation to make a new decision if this might be a wise move. Certainly the moment I made my firm decision and then carried through, relief flooded in and with that Peace and Joy settled happily home once more.

…cont/next post
 
Part 2 (Part 1 HERE )

There are certainly people who know me in my own life - and whom I trust for sound advice on the human level only - whom I could have consulted. There are reasons why I did not that I wont go into here. What I needed was objectivespiritual advice and am sufficiently experienced to recognize good advice and the not so good. What I did receive was sound advice which was a major factor in my actual decision. “Spiritual triangulation”, I know, will be with me for the rest of my pilgrimage until I am called home. My reason for hesitation about leaving the Catholic charity was because I was very happy there loving the staff, the organization and the job and I knew they needed me - and now having changed jobs, I realize that I was trying to get into ‘denial mode’ to avoid facing the fact that it had become too much for me physically with my back and legs problem. I am almost 68 years of age and my primary back injury is from a car accident in my mid twenties - for a few years it has been affecting my legs. Doctors at the time of the accident did tell me that it was an injury that would very slowly, thankfully, deteriorate over time and it has done this.

The charity I will now be working for are involved very much with those who suffer down syndrome as well as children with this disability. I have related to a young woman with down syndrome and I came to really love her, respect her and quite stunned at the time at her intelligence and wisdom, insight into people and life generally - and not all down syndrome sufferers are thus gifted. Her life was short by comparison generally. And of course, sometimes down syndrome can mean that the sufferer has a limited life span. I love children with a will. Hence I was attracted to the charity from the outset.
This charity is in a lot of trouble re reliable and efficient staff due to finances and I know that I can be a big help to them. I am a highly experienced private secretary and at executive level. My position with this charity will be a voluntary Girl Friday type of position carrying out whatever might be necessary and my secretarial experience will bring much to that position. I am a very fast and quite accurate typist. I still retain my Pitman’s shorthand skills and these still do come in handy, especially with telephone messages but at other times too.

The Lord has ALWAYS protected me as He does all. The problem we Catholics can have is failing to recognize that The Cross is central to our Faith and when it comes along in our own lives - and it will as in every life - we start to feel that The Lord is not ‘with us’. He is not a Father Christmas in the skies and our task is to have our wish list completed. Our task is to be co-redemptory as it were with Him and to share His Cross prayerfully that we will share it with something of His love and appreciation. To me, He did have an appreciation of His Death and a terrible death because He loved us so much that He wanted to effect whatever was necessary to save us, re-deem as His Father’s children. The Cross was that price. May we all share, I daily pray, in that same Sprit and with overwhelming love for all mankind - beloved of The Father. Amen.

I am very grateful for your post, VA! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. May The Lord every richly bless you in your own pilgrimage here. As a benefactor, you will be in my daily prayers. So very many have donated so very much, including furniture and other items, to Bethany here and I have never asked for anything - no finance drives etc. etc. etc. No asking button for donations anywhere. No fetes or anything like that to raise money. I have relied on The Lord alone and only to provide the necessary including my own purification and other needs. As The Lord said, whatever we give He will return one hundredfold. With me it has been more like ten thousand fold including the gift of sharing as object of His brothers’ and sisters’ generosity and thoughtfulness, unselfishness and advice and of so many - and benefactors with prayer and advice, friendship too. I made a private vow of poverty to Him - and I meant it literally. I did not rationalize it.
PS While a student for 7 years, I attained Very High Achievement levels in most subjects both academic and artistic and especially creative writing. I was awarded an Award of Merit for Outstanding Student in Journalism 1.
 
Re Our Lady of The Way and of The Streets and a patron of mine in Bethany as way of life. “The Way” was what the very first Christians were known as i.e. follows of the way. Christianity came much later and is thought to have been initially a quite derogatory term for follows of the way. We were not initially specific believers in specific matters alone, rather we were known moreso as followers of a most unusual way of life for the times. And of course, those specific beliefs led the people to live a most unusual and quite specific way of life.
Those specific beliefs incorporated conversion (“conversio” - Latin) - or the adoption of a specific way of life based on those beliefs and then regarded as quite intrinsic to those beliefs (the vital factor of and essential to, prime, believing or Faith in Jesus and His Gospel’. No real living Faith without conversio) - i.e. The Gospel of Jesus, truly man and Truly God. Second Person of The Blessed Trinity - One God. There was no believing back then without conversio. Conversio was intrinsic to belief
Sometimes conversion can be a miraculous event and immediate as with St. Paul for example. Generally, God Wills for us, that it be a 24x7x365 unfolding - and in the minutes and moments of each day. A renewal and conversion.

I must rush off…very busy day again today. 🙂 Thank you again all…and in a special way to nuntym for spiritual triangulation.

Below is an image of Our Lady of The Way and of The Streets:

[
St Therese of Lisieuxencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhOG4TwAEoZ1T_ZWbocCpgAbZBPZMFrBcjfqRoIMw3p48K2113
Sacred Heart of Jesus
saintwares.citymax.com/i//tn_Our_Lady_of_the_Streets.jpgOur Lady of The Way and of The Streetshttp://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&r...Lnc_cjLkDIBInOGsWZYCtDiw&ust=1374626258007827
encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCgk_lvchlBZNWnqx4ztLtk6Yg2s84FXNP84Oq8exDIfhL0HyvSt Joseph, Patron of The Church%between%encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRNmlqUJWCIE6cLemTIKP98-YLg6a-HGDCoJJlK3At5ZQJhrpkp-A](http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&r...Lnc_cjLkDIBInOGsWZYCtDiw&ust=1374626258007827)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top