Living spiritually

[beckyb342]

im still waiting to recieve the holy spirit in me.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

im still waiting to recieve the holy spirit in me.

The Holy Spirit can be contageous.

As far as your waiting, all I can say is, “tag, you’re it!!”

Ask and you shall receive.

If you are talking about formally rather than experientially, such as awaiting Confirmation, my apologies; my reply is not intended to be flippant but sincere – the Holy Spirit has been working overtime healing my own family so I’m pretty “up with the Spirit” right about now.

Alan

 

[beckyb342]

no im talking about experimently.is it something i have to pray for?how long to i have wait?

 

[Damascus]

I am curious, how can you be so sure that the Holy Spirit has not been with you?
How can you say you are still waiting?
Just curious… I really don’t understand. How were you expecting the Holy Spirit to come to you?
Once again, just curious.
May you have peace

 

[Della]

no im talking about experimently.is it something i have to pray for?how long to i have wait?

I don’t know what kind of “sign” you are waiting for, but the Holy Spirit isn’t waiting to come to you–he’s already with you. All you have to do is open your heart to him. He will lead you quietly and surely into becoming what God wants you to become and doing the things God wants you to do.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

no im talking about experimently.is it something i have to pray for?how long to i have wait?

With my experience it wasn’t so much about waiting, as it was in freeing my mind to become open to see and hear what is being done.

According to the “signs” I see, it is just like Christ says – when you see buds in the spring you know there will soon be blooms. Well, I believe the society is now primed very well for a massive spiritual renewal, and I’ve already started to see the beginnings of it.

Your questions are of general enough nature that I am tempted to go so many ways with it that I’ll try to restrain myself a bit until such time as we can get some “dithering” going which could, in fact, help get the spirit working in this very thread. I cannot answer your question directly, as we each have a personal experience. (“Dithering” is an electrical engineering term that I have used as a mental tool to model spiritual perturbations and their effects.)

So maybe we should kick something off. What is something you’d like to experience in yourself that comes from the Spirit? Spiritual gifts, fruits? Conquering certain types of fear?

Somehow I sense there is a lot of potential for this discussion but I don’t know how to bring it out into the open so I’ll try throwing a few ideas around. You may ignore them or read them as you feel “led” to by your instincts, which speak to your own spirit even though they may not be clear enough to be fully useful.

One thing I think is useful is developing your mind beyond what you consciously think about or focus on at any moment, and integrating your experience with “intuition” or the peripheral consciousness, which can process many many things at once and not just a couple thoughts at a time like we’re used to. For example, sometimes when driving you can stop paying focused attention to the road but somehow your mind still keeps you on track and safe. This is does while also monitoring your body conditions, adjusting chemical levels, and many other things. We don’t even know, with out focused mind, how our hands open and close but we know how to use them without thinking at all; I think the spirit is kind of like that.

How else can I put it? Life is like a video game that at some point you quit consciously trying to do this and that, and it becomes part of your very nature as you automatically respond to threats and opportunities without even “trying” or “thinking” about it because you just react.

Another part of being renewed in mind and heart by the spirit, is that you lose your whole concept of “judging” the past. In order to live fully in the moment, you must accept that everything in the past – which is completely outside your control to change – is exactly as it HAD TO BE, if for no other reason than it is non-negotiable so it might as well have been. Ideas such as, “boy that really was terrible what happened” turn into “wow, I wonder what the Spirit is going to do with that?” Therefore, the past is completely judgment-free, in the heart of the would-be judge. (Now I’m not talking about prudent behavior on earth here or learning from the past, I’m talking about the destructive, negative feelings in the heart that judges oneself and the world in general.) Next is worrying about the future. Faith allows us to be completely carefree with that regard, even as we might plan for things knowing those plans may never turn out – such as the foolish one who built his treasure on earth only to find out he was to die that day.

If none of this appeals to you, then please tell me what sort of experience you’re looking for and I’ll see if I have one like it that you can borrow or otherwise use for yourself.

Alan

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I don’t know what kind of “sign” you are waiting for, but the Holy Spirit isn’t waiting to come to you–he’s already with you. All you have to do is open your heart to him. He will lead you quietly and surely into becoming what God wants you to become and doing the things God wants you to do.

 

[beckyb342]

maybe because im not whole mentally,spirtually,and physically.i have a brain disorder,that why im not complete.it would help if i felt the holy spirit.maybe this is why?i don’t know.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

no im talking about experimently.is it something i have to pray for?how long to i have wait?

After reading the other responses, I’m reminded that many people say that God will heal or answer prayer or do this or that on “his” time, with the assumption that we have to just sit and wait.

I don’t believe God delays blessings, because God has nothing to gain that way since He is outside of time. I believe it is a matter of preparing our hearts and finding ourselves in circumstances that God can work through. How well He can get through and do anything in particular in any given time frame, is a matter of many variables involving individual preparedness and circumstances.

The work was actually done long ago; Christ already gave us the spirit, but the world has caused us to become blind to him as it has taught us its worldly truths. We must get beyond those truths, and really really believe in our faith, as we learn to recognize and experience that faith.

Alan

 

[Damascus]

maybe because im not whole mentally,spirtually,and physically.i have a brain disorder,that why im not complete.it would help if i felt the holy spirit.maybe this is why?i don’t know.

I will pray for you and your health condition.
Remember, we all have a “weak condition” in one way or another, you are complete to God and that is all that matters. You are a child of God and his creation, you are therefore very whole. Do not be sad or think you are any less worthy than anyone else. You are just as loved and cared for by your creator than anyone else!
In Christ,
Prayers

 

[AlanFromWichita]

maybe because im not whole mentally,spirtually,and physically.i have a brain disorder,that why im not complete.it would help if i felt the holy spirit.maybe this is why?i don’t know.

If you have a brain disorder, then maybe you would also like to join us at a website I began with some other so-called “mentally ill” people for talking about mental illness and spiritual issues in ways beyond what we can on this forum. Several of us have found a great dealing of healing there. There we can discuss in detail as open as you’re able, about your condition and spirituality, with others who will likely understand what you are saying. The group there is very small so they won’t have all the resources that those here at CA have, so don’t quit posting here. You are welcome to send me PM or email if you have any questions; for some reason I am very drawn to trying to help you find this as I sense you are very sincere about it and that, to me, is the most important step.

The site is at forums.wordsfree.org/.

Note: the site is not only for mentally ill. Also let me warn you that it is not completely Catholic; there are several religions represented, including fallen away Catholics and active Catholics both. We also welcome people who are upset with religion and even with God, and try to hear them out.

Alan

 

[leonie]

maybe because im not whole mentally,spirtually,and physically.i have a brain disorder,that why im not complete.it would help if i felt the holy spirit.maybe this is why?i don’t know.

Becky, you are complete. You are comparing yourself to the world and not to God. Just think about it–to God our intellects are so small and disordered. To God the differences that seem so big to us, are as small as the difference between lavendar and purple.

As for the Holy Spirit, He doesn’t always bring gushes of feelings. Most of the time, He is working quietly in your soul strengthening you and sanctifying you. Trust in the Church’s assurance that through your baptism and confirmation, you are sealed in the Holy Spirit.

I know that your desire to experience more directly His awesome power is so pleasing to Him.

 

[beckyb342]

i am a mess.i don’t feel like i have any faith either.are you saying we don’t usually feel the holy spirit a whole lot?

 

[LilyM]

i am a mess.i don’t feel like i have any faith either.are you saying we don’t usually feel the holy spirit a whole lot?

Not that we don’t feel it, but it happens as a process over time, like a child growing into an adult. Small, hardly noticeable daily increments that gradually build up.

 

[beckyb342]

yeah i understand,but am i supposed to be praying for it.i mean im 35 yrs old and still don’t feel it.im sorry don’t mean to freak you out.

 

[puzzleannie]

im still waiting to recieve the holy spirit in me.

If you have been baptized the Holy Spirit is within you, and when you are confirmed His gifts are released and put to work in you. If you are waiting for an emotional experience, it may be a long time, because that is not ordinarily the way it happens. feelings, sentiment, emotions, are very unrealiable guide to one’s spiritual condition and the workings of God within one.

 

[puzzleannie]

maybe because im not whole mentally,spirtually,and physically.i have a brain disorder,that why im not complete.it would help if i felt the holy spirit.maybe this is why?i don’t know.

if you have a disorder, and we will certainly be praying for as you deal with this Cross, it is also possible, and indeed probably, that the Holy Spirit is accomplishing great things within you, without possibly your even being aware of it.

three of the most spirit-filled persons I have known, who are also three people who have evangelized literally hundreds of people through their lives are 1) a young man born with only a rudimentary brain 2) a young lady with CP and developmental challenges including blindness and 3) a small boy who is deaf and mute and developmentally delayed.

Another friend of mine, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his 20s, was a brilliant artist and scholar who had tremendous insights into theology and the workings of the Holy Spirit, which he was able to express during the times his illness was under control.

any disorder, mental, physical, developmental or otherwise, is not by itself a bar to God’s work within us, neither it is a proof of his disfavor, or a sign of punishment, or an incompleteness. Every single one of us is incomplete, and we will never be complete until we invite God to complete us and conform ourselves to His will.

 

[beckyb342]

that’s why i think it has to do with my illness.so do i have to pray for it?or just wait till my illness goes away?and im complete,physically,emotionaly,and mentally.i guess i could ask my dr.too. meantal health dr.im talking about. i don’t understand everything about my illness.

 

[beckyb342]

i hope the holy spirit is helping me when not ware of it.i hope all my prayers are answered all my needs are met.and im toched with the holy spirit.and also do great things.

 

[mommyof4]

With my experience it wasn’t so much about waiting, as it was in freeing my mind to become open to see and hear what is being done.

According to the “signs” I see, it is just like Christ says – when you see buds in the spring you know there will soon be blooms. Well, I believe the society is now primed very well for a massive spiritual renewal, and I’ve already started to see the beginnings of it.

Your questions are of general enough nature that I am tempted to go so many ways with it that I’ll try to restrain myself a bit until such time as we can get some “dithering” going which could, in fact, help get the spirit working in this very thread. I cannot answer your question directly, as we each have a personal experience. (“Dithering” is an electrical engineering term that I have used as a mental tool to model spiritual perturbations and their effects.)

So maybe we should kick something off. What is something you’d like to experience in yourself that comes from the Spirit? Spiritual gifts, fruits? Conquering certain types of fear?

Somehow I sense there is a lot of potential for this discussion but I don’t know how to bring it out into the open so I’ll try throwing a few ideas around. You may ignore them or read them as you feel “led” to by your instincts, which speak to your own spirit even though they may not be clear enough to be fully useful.

One thing I think is useful is developing your mind beyond what you consciously think about or focus on at any moment, and integrating your experience with “intuition” or the peripheral consciousness, which can process many many things at once and not just a couple thoughts at a time like we’re used to. For example, sometimes when driving you can stop paying focused attention to the road but somehow your mind still keeps you on track and safe. This is does while also monitoring your body conditions, adjusting chemical levels, and many other things. We don’t even know, with out focused mind, how our hands open and close but we know how to use them without thinking at all; I think the spirit is kind of like that.

How else can I put it? Life is like a video game that at some point you quit consciously trying to do this and that, and it becomes part of your very nature as you automatically respond to threats and opportunities without even “trying” or “thinking” about it because you just react.

Another part of being renewed in mind and heart by the spirit, is that you lose your whole concept of “judging” the past. In order to live fully in the moment, you must accept that everything in the past – which is completely outside your control to change – is exactly as it HAD TO BE, if for no other reason than it is non-negotiable so it might as well have been. Ideas such as, “boy that really was terrible what happened” turn into “wow, I wonder what the Spirit is going to do with that?” Therefore, the past is completely judgment-free, in the heart of the would-be judge. (Now I’m not talking about prudent behavior on earth here or learning from the past, I’m talking about the destructive, negative feelings in the heart that judges oneself and the world in general.) Next is worrying about the future. Faith allows us to be completely carefree with that regard, even as we might plan for things knowing those plans may never turn out – such as the foolish one who built his treasure on earth only to find out he was to die that day.

If none of this appeals to you, then please tell me what sort of experience you’re looking for and I’ll see if I have one like it that you can borrow or otherwise use for yourself.

Alan

Wow. Thank you. I needed that!