My Spiritual Journey

[jbsmith]

beckyann2597:

Hi Jeff!

I have been checking my profile link CONSTANTLY to see if you were back! It is so good to hear from you. Of course I have continued to pray for you, but you have been especially on my mind lately because a new Ikea just opened in my area (BIG deal) and whenever I hear anything about it, I wonder if you are shopping for new furniture at one. Haha…I’m a dork, I know. Just wanting you to know you are on my mind.

Talk to you soon–Rebecca

Thank you, Rebecca. It means a lot that you’ve been thinking of and praying for me so much lately. I haven’t been buying firniture at Ikea (We don’t have any here) but I have found some great pieces at some local shops. I live near the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and there are countless small, independently owned shops here. You can find some very unique things here.

 

[jbsmith]

TheRam:

Well he is back…and he looks so dapper…smile

I am so glad that you will have an opportunity to re-embark with family. It is not a time to prove onself rite, it is a time to gather your strengths. In grumbling over the differences, we loose sight of the Lord. In finding our strengths and similarities…we can rise above so much. God be with you on this path of strength.

To tell you the truth, i had a gut instinct, threw it to the curb, then said, “why not?” When you said you were under attack by"others", i wondered the following…

Do they hold a place in your life of importance…eaning, do their oppinions of you and your choices reflect upon you in your lifestyle?

If they do, then some diplomacy is in order, and tact is important, along with some proper information to back yourself up. Then, and only then, tred with calm and assuredness in your path. You were asked, and you will have answered…but that does not mean it will be met with acceptance. This is ok. They are not where you are, or vise versa.

If they do not hold this importance in your everyday life, i would concider it not worth the struggle. Why would someone of little impact in your life want answeres, if not to debate. Gog and the life you are choosing, is not up for debate. With assuredness, i would not spar with them in a tangle of quotes, and information…the smart game does not mean you KNOW the Lord. You have nothing to prove, and sometimes engaging in this sparing of words can bring you down, and loose your spiritual faith in your own abilities. Hence forth, you make yourself weak to sorrow, sin, self doubt and the clean up of realizing you let “old red legs” led you slowly away from God.

So concider its worth, it’s investment, and walk strong and tall in Gods shaddow of comfort…It needs to be said…i am so excited for you and your changes that have occured.

AMEN my dear friend…we all are worth it, and we are all worthy of his light.

Let your family see the changes…you are like the catipillar turning into a beautiful butterfly…I am very proud of your dilligence to reach out.

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Emphasis on MERCY here…he loves you soooo…

Well, a couple of them are friends. A couple more are just acquaintances, and their opinions really aren’t very important to me.

As for my mother, she’s Pentecostal. She doesn’t exactly love the Catholic Church, but she’s overjoyed that I’m in church. She sees the changes in me, and she’s happy. She told me yesterday that I should keep on going and be confirmed, because I seem so happy and so close to God now. That was a big step for her. She’s happy that I’ve found a spiritual home.

 

[TheRam]

jbsmith:

That’s sweet, that you would be willing to wear such an unflattering helmet for me.

Unflattering…well no, it is quite beautiful…it’s the chainmail that sucks…it’s so darn heavy!

My pun was on the complete and utter confusion in where we were going, but the why was evident…for you Jeff!

it has been good to help, support, and hold hands though this…ok, and the ocassional cheer!

Amen

 

[TheRam]

jbsmith:

Well, a couple of them are friends. A couple more are just acquaintances, and their opinions really aren’t very important to me.

As for my mother, she’s Pentecostal. She doesn’t exactly love the Catholic Church, but she’s overjoyed that I’m in church. She sees the changes in me, and she’s happy. She told me yesterday that I should keep on going and be confirmed, because I seem so happy and so close to God now. That was a big step for her. She’s happy that I’ve found a spiritual home.

You see, Mamma’s have a definite kinship for seeing good in a childs demeanor! She see’s it, and this is conformation, and is good!

 

[jbsmith]

TheRam:

Unflattering…well no, it is quite beautiful…it’s the chainmail that sucks…it’s so darn heavy!

My pun was on the complete and utter confusion in where we were going, but the why was evident…for you Jeff!

it has been good to help, support, and hold hands though this…ok, and the ocassional cheer!

Amen

Amen. Thank you.

 

[jbsmith]

TheRam:

You see, Mamma’s have a definite kinship for seeing good in a childs demeanor! She see’s it, and this is conformation, and is good!

Yes, I was really surprised. It was nice. Her denomination teaches that the Catholic Church is a cult, worships Mary, etc. So this was truly a major step.

 

[jbsmith]

I found out that the local parish here (the orthodox one about ten minutes from my house) is staffed and operated by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. Can someone explain to me what this means and who this group is?

 

[TheRam]

jbsmith:

Yes, I was really surprised. It was nice. Her denomination teaches that the Catholic Church is a cult, worships Mary, etc. So this was truly a major step.

Honey, no church can come in comparisson to the pain, and sepparation a mother watches with the child she ha brought into this world, with the path you were on…

It all comes down to spacifics…do not debate them with her…let her see your love for the lord…that is all that is important!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b282/Lanasshoebox/72.jpg No matter the reason, if your child is in danger, or dieing…the path he is on effects your own path. This is the exact feeling of having to say goodby to my son, just after he passed away. I had to know that God was whom he trusted. I taught him this, yet he showed mor maturity, more faith, and more direction than i had ever come to terms with…

Take it from a mom that has seen wonderful paths, but yet a journey full of pain accepted with such grace for a young man. He would want you to be so so strong, and listen…that is the key…listen to god…he wiill tell you what you need to know.

For Will, i share this…Amen…my babydoll, my sweetheart…my son…Will!

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[TheRam]

Let it stan on it’s own…I love who you have discovered in yourself Jeff…so very much. God Bless the courage you have found in yourself to be heard here!

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[krysianka]

Jeff:
So glad you’re back. I will pray that you can receive ashes tomorrow. I think it’s a wonderful way to start Lent, it really puts me in the right penitential frame of mind.

Re Oblates of St Frances de Sales–I am unfamiliar with the group, but I would suggest you start a new thread (probably the Spirituality section may be best) with their name in the title, asking forum participants’ opinion and experience with them. Just to get the most eyes viewing your question. I google-d the name and I see a bunch of sites. Here’s one:
newadvent.org/cathen/11187a.htm
There are many that are the specific site for the Oblates for a single region.

 

[krysianka]

Allana:
I thank God for your affirming and loving words to Jeff. You have the strength to share, instead of closing your heart to others and God, you sought out God in your pain and He gave you the supernatural grace courage to go on, it seems. I would think that having such courage to do so and remain loving would be beyond what a human can do on her own. It’s a testament to “with God all things are possible”, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I don’t know if I’m making any sense, but I just wanted to tell you this!

 

[TheRam]

krysianka:

Allana:
I thank God for your affirming and loving words to Jeff. You have the strength to share, instead of closing your heart to others and God, you sought out God in your pain and He gave you the supernatural grace courage to go on, it seems. I would think that having such courage to do so and remain loving would be beyond what a human can do on her own. It’s a testament to “with God all things are possible”, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I don’t know if I’m making any sense, but I just wanted to tell you this!

Whoa, someone has seen my plight, beyond what we are here for. Thank you very much. my graces, are nothing but supernatural. The lord leadith, and my pain is used as a tesiment to anothers pain…

It is quite beautiful actually…

 

[Zooey]

Jeff, I am so glad that you are back with us!!
It is such a beautiful thing to see you growing in your relationship with our Lord.

God bless you & keep you.

 

[beckyann2597]

jbsmith:

Well, a couple of them are friends. A couple more are just acquaintances, and their opinions really aren’t very important to me.

As for my mother, she’s Pentecostal. She doesn’t exactly love the Catholic Church, but she’s overjoyed that I’m in church. She sees the changes in me, and she’s happy. She told me yesterday that I should keep on going and be confirmed, because I seem so happy and so close to God now. That was a big step for her. She’s happy that I’ve found a spiritual home.

I wonder if all pentecostals believe that Catholics are apart of a cult?

 

[Edwin1961]

jbsmith:

Well, a couple of them are friends. A couple more are just acquaintances, and their opinions really aren’t very important to me.

As for my mother, she’s Pentecostal. She doesn’t exactly love the Catholic Church, but she’s overjoyed that I’m in church. She sees the changes in me, and she’s happy. She told me yesterday that I should keep on going and be confirmed, because I seem so happy and so close to God now. That was a big step for her. She’s happy that I’ve found a spiritual home.

Jeff, you need to seek out the 3 CD set by Catholic Answers about the apologist Tim Staples. (I met Tim in 2004 and he appears on Catholic Answers Life (radio show). His 3 CD set is called “Jimmy Swaggert Made Me Catholic”. You should purchase this and listen to it. I have a copy and it’s wonderful and refreshing!

Since your mother has seen this BIG change in you, I’m sure that as you continue to live your lilfe, you may be able to share your faith, in actions than words. AND Mike wanting to be Catholic…this could ‘rub off’ onto your mom…you never know.

Tim Staples is from North Carolina and once you hear him speak, you’ll know what I mean. Since my meeting him in 2004, we’ve had some correspondence between each other. Tim sometimes appears on the Fourms and he knows the Lord and refuting those who challenge the Catholic Faith.
Jeff, you can’t go wrong with learning the apologetics of your faith!

 

[jbsmith]

TheRam:

Honey, no church can come in comparisson to the pain, and sepparation a mother watches with the child she ha brought into this world, with the path you were on…

It all comes down to spacifics…do not debate them with her…let her see your love for the lord…that is all that is important!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b282/Lanasshoebox/72.jpg No matter the reason, if your child is in danger, or dieing…the path he is on effects your own path. This is the exact feeling of having to say goodby to my son, just after he passed away. I had to know that God was whom he trusted. I taught him this, yet he showed mor maturity, more faith, and more direction than i had ever come to terms with…

Take it from a mom that has seen wonderful paths, but yet a journey full of pain accepted with such grace for a young man. He would want you to be so so strong, and listen…that is the key…listen to god…he wiill tell you what you need to know.

For Will, i share this…Amen…my babydoll, my sweetheart…my son…Will!

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No, I wouldn’t debate with her, at least not right now. She sincerely loves God and is sincerely happy that I’ve found Him in the Catholic Church. We talk about God a lot now, which is something we didn’t do before.

I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child, having no children of my own. I want to thank you for sharing your pain with me, though. It meant a lot to me. I’m also happy that you’ve let God comfort you and lead you. When you see him again think of what a joyous reunion it will be! And you’ll never be parted again! I’ll pray for you. God bless you.

 

[jbsmith]

TheRam:

Let it stan on it’s own…I love who you have discovered in yourself Jeff…so very much. God Bless the courage you have found in yourself to be heard here!

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Thank you. You and all the other posters have been an enourmous help to me. God has truly used all of you.

 

[jbsmith]

krysianka:

Jeff:
So glad you’re back. I will pray that you can receive ashes tomorrow. I think it’s a wonderful way to start Lent, it really puts me in the right penitential frame of mind.

Re Oblates of St Frances de Sales–I am unfamiliar with the group, but I would suggest you start a new thread (probably the Spirituality section may be best) with their name in the title, asking forum participants’ opinion and experience with them. Just to get the most eyes viewing your question. I google-d the name and I see a bunch of sites. Here’s one:
newadvent.org/cathen/11187a.htm
There are many that are the specific site for the Oblates for a single region.

Thank you for the suggestion. I just might do that. Thanks for the information too. I may look them up on Google myself.

 

[jbsmith]

Zooey:

Jeff, I am so glad that you are back with us!!
It is such a beautiful thing to see you growing in your relationship with our Lord.

God bless you & keep you.

Thank you. I’m glad to be back here. I’ve missed communicating on here. God bless and keep you too.

 

[jbsmith]

beckyann2597:

I wonder if all pentecostals believe that Catholics are apart of a cult?

I don’t know if all Pentecostals believe that of the Catholic Church, but I can say that all the Pentecostals that I’ve known in my life have. (And growing up in a Pentecostal church, I’ve known a lot in my lifetime.)