My Spiritual Journey

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jbsmith:
The distiction between chastity and celibacy is interesting. Correct me if I’m wrong, but this would seem to indicate that someone who experiences SSA could possibly overcome it and live chastely in a heterosexual relationship. Of course, I imagine it would take a long time.
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Jeff:
I agree. I think this is a reasonable conclusion; it’s my conclusion, too. I just think that the RCC will not come out and spell it out. Instead, make such as statement as appears in the CCC and leave the behavioral psychology to the behavioral psychologists! It’s hard for me to articulate what I mean. I bet Edwin would be able to weigh in on this; he seems to be very intellectual in these matters . . . 🙂
 
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krysianka:
Jeff:
I agree. I think this is a reasonable conclusion; it’s my conclusion, too. I just think that the RCC will not come out and spell it out. Instead, make such as statement as appears in the CCC and leave the behavioral psychology to the behavioral psychologists! It’s hard for me to articulate what I mean. I bet Edwin would be able to weigh in on this; he seems to be very intellectual in these matters . . . 🙂
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I am not a theologian or cannon lawyer but I get the impression that chastity is wanting and having a pure heart. (A devotion to the one person you love).
Celibacy is devoting your who life to Our Lord and His service, when you have No sexual contact for the good of Him and/or His Church. (Some single people can decalre themselves in a celibate life and do not need to be in any kind of ‘relligious’ order.

A person, I believe can be both chaste and celibate. When you ‘save yourself’ for the person you love, you hold back from sexual desires for THAT person. Then when married, the chastity part continues into a one mane-one woman relationship.
The same thing happens between a religious and God, and that does NOT, of course, involve sexual contact. So the relationship becomes celibate.

I hope I have correctly tried to explain this from my point of view?
 
I think I need to add to the description of married chastity to mention that there are times when a husband and wife cannot come together, (for about six weeks after childbirth, and for serious illnesses). And, of course, not to use artificial birth control.

Chastity is also having the right attitude towards one’s partner, - not thinking of them as an object for pleasure, but as someone loved and respected.

I am sure there is more on this subject that others can add.
 
oh my goodness. I’ve just read both of your threads, Jeff. I know you’ve heard this before, but I must say that what God is doing in your life is truly amazing and inspiring. And it’s super amazing that step by step it’s all recorded on CA to inspire others!

I’m sorry you’re being harassed by baptists…I know that can be bothersome! It’s pretty much unavoidable, however. That’s part of the reason why I started doing research on church history etc. because I didn’t know how to refute their (protestant) arguments. It’s a good way to learn more about the faith, at any rate 😉

Looking over what you have been through so far, I see the Lord is leading you step by step, bit by bit. He knew what He was doing when He blessed you with Mike and Michelle at the beginning of your spiritual journey…I tend to look at the beginning one’s spiritual journey as being a spiritual “infant”. As you grow and mature, God introduces you to more and more things, yet never more than you can handle. Imagine if Mike and Michelle would have had the attitude of the baptists who are attacking you now. Ah…God is good. You will be in my prayers. God bless you, brother in Christ!

Also, TheRam,
I’m so sorry about your loss! In your last post about Will…where you included a picture, I must say I got teary-eyed. My heart truly goes out to you…I’m happy to see you are healing. Prayers for you as well.
 
Jeff, this post has become ‘your Journal’. A journal that everyone gets to read and reflect on. This thread has become more and just Your Journey but a testiment to God’s love and power.

I hope your day was very fruitful and productive in your researching of the Catholic faith.
 
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aBeLLe787:
oh my goodness. I’ve just read both of your threads, Jeff. I know you’ve heard this before, but I must say that what God is doing in your life is truly amazing and inspiring. And it’s super amazing that step by step it’s all recorded on CA to inspire others!

I’m sorry you’re being harassed by baptists…I know that can be bothersome! It’s pretty much unavoidable, however. That’s part of the reason why I started doing research on church history etc. because I didn’t know how to refute their (protestant) arguments. It’s a good way to learn more about the faith, at any rate 😉

Looking over what you have been through so far, I see the Lord is leading you step by step, bit by bit. He knew what He was doing when He blessed you with Mike and Michelle at the beginning of your spiritual journey…I tend to look at the beginning one’s spiritual journey as being a spiritual “infant”. As you grow and mature, God introduces you to more and more things, yet never more than you can handle. Imagine if Mike and Michelle would have had the attitude of the baptists who are attacking you now. Ah…God is good. You will be in my prayers. God bless you, brother in Christ!

Also, TheRam,
I’m so sorry about your loss! In your last post about Will…where you included a picture, I must say I got teary-eyed. My heart truly goes out to you…I’m happy to see you are healing. Prayers for you as well.
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I am glad you stuck it out for the two threads…it was a good read even while in the midst of the reading as it went along. We have tried our very best to show Jeff how Christ loves, and how to reach out to him. The tools he has used stem from hope and faith…he was willing to simply believe, and felt he had nothing to loose, but to try. We are ever so grateful that he did reach out. A good Catholic understands the invitation process. God knocks, and unless we let him in to help…we are truly alone. There is a lot about the Catholic faith that is simply about teaching through actions…it is His way, and we take great comfort in not doing much more than that. It certainly helps a spirit.

Your words to him and us, as well as my sons passing have touched me dearly. Spread this love, we all need it at different times on our journey.
 
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beckyann2597:
Found this and thought you would find it interesting. Still looking for the Vatican stuff. I know its there! I have read it before!

Taken from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church 2357-2359 {revised edition}

2357

"Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359

Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
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Thanks, Rebecca. This was helpful. I note again the use of the word “chastity.” I’m certainly not an expert, but to me this leaves the possibility open that a person with SSA can develop a heterosexual orientation through the power of God.
 
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krysianka:
Jeff:
I agree. I think this is a reasonable conclusion; it’s my conclusion, too. I just think that the RCC will not come out and spell it out. Instead, make such as statement as appears in the CCC and leave the behavioral psychology to the behavioral psychologists! It’s hard for me to articulate what I mean. I bet Edwin would be able to weigh in on this; he seems to be very intellectual in these matters . . . 🙂
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Your thoughts sound logical and reasonable. I would tend to agree. I’ve heard of many psychologists who believe that SSA is a disorder that can be corrected with therapy.
 
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Edwin1961:
I am not a theologian or cannon lawyer but I get the impression that chastity is wanting and having a pure heart. (A devotion to the one person you love).
Celibacy is devoting your who life to Our Lord and His service, when you have No sexual contact for the good of Him and/or His Church. (Some single people can decalre themselves in a celibate life and do not need to be in any kind of ‘relligious’ order.

A person, I believe can be both chaste and celibate. When you ‘save yourself’ for the person you love, you hold back from sexual desires for THAT person. Then when married, the chastity part continues into a one mane-one woman relationship.
The same thing happens between a religious and God, and that does NOT, of course, involve sexual contact. So the relationship becomes celibate.

I hope I have correctly tried to explain this from my point of view?
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Thank you Edwin. You explained that well. 🙂
 
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Dorothy:
I think I need to add to the description of married chastity to mention that there are times when a husband and wife cannot come together, (for about six weeks after childbirth, and for serious illnesses). And, of course, not to use artificial birth control.

Chastity is also having the right attitude towards one’s partner, - not thinking of them as an object for pleasure, but as someone loved and respected.

I am sure there is more on this subject that others can add.
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That’s an excellent point. And also, I would like to add that God is omnipotent. It’s well within His power to change the heart of a promiscuous homosexual or heterosexual and work with the person to transform him/her into a devout, chaste or celibate person.
 
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aBeLLe787:
oh my goodness. I’ve just read both of your threads, Jeff. I know you’ve heard this before, but I must say that what God is doing in your life is truly amazing and inspiring. And it’s super amazing that step by step it’s all recorded on CA to inspire others!

I’m sorry you’re being harassed by baptists…I know that can be bothersome! It’s pretty much unavoidable, however. That’s part of the reason why I started doing research on church history etc. because I didn’t know how to refute their (protestant) arguments. It’s a good way to learn more about the faith, at any rate 😉

Looking over what you have been through so far, I see the Lord is leading you step by step, bit by bit. He knew what He was doing when He blessed you with Mike and Michelle at the beginning of your spiritual journey…I tend to look at the beginning one’s spiritual journey as being a spiritual “infant”. As you grow and mature, God introduces you to more and more things, yet never more than you can handle. Imagine if Mike and Michelle would have had the attitude of the baptists who are attacking you now. Ah…God is good. You will be in my prayers. God bless you, brother in Christ!

Also, TheRam,
I’m so sorry about your loss! In your last post about Will…where you included a picture, I must say I got teary-eyed. My heart truly goes out to you…I’m happy to see you are healing. Prayers for you as well.
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Welcome to the thread, and God bless you too! 🙂

I agree, having Mike and Michelle has been a true blessing. Things really started to improve when Mike moved in here. And then when Cliff moved out and my parents decided to move in here, things improved even more. God has been good to me. I definitely feel the leading of God in my life. I’m interested to see where He takes me in life.

As for the Baptists, they can be especially relentless. I’ve been to several Baptist churches in my life. I never joined one, but attended a few for a while. I’ve never felt the Spirit of God in any of them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Baptists aren’t Christians or don’t love the Lord. I’m not even saying that faith is all about feelings. However, I do believe that when God is truly, 100% present, you can sense Him. I’ve never sensed Him in any Baptist church, at least not like I have at Mass.

I think it’s wonderful that you’ve learned so much about your own faith. Maybe God will use you to lead people into the Church. 🙂

I’m thankful you found my story to be inspiring. All the credit goes to God. He accomplished all of this.

Please post on this thread as often as you like.

Remember Psalm 27. 🙂
 
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Edwin1961:
Jeff, this post has become ‘your Journal’. A journal that everyone gets to read and reflect on. This thread has become more and just Your Journey but a testiment to God’s love and power.

I hope your day was very fruitful and productive in your researching of the Catholic faith.
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I hadn’t thought of it before, but you’re right. These two threads here have definitely become my spiritual journal. My progress has been recorded here almost daily. The ups, downs, and plateaus are all here. Kind of interesting and maybe a bit strange that anyone who logs on to the forums can read it.

My day yesterday was fruitful. I spent most of the day at the computer researching the Church. My mother walked by my office several times and just laughed. (In a good-natured way.) She knew what I was in here doing.
 
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Rammy:
I am glad you stuck it out for the two threads…it was a good read even while in the midst of the reading as it went along. We have tried our very best to show Jeff how Christ loves, and how to reach out to him. The tools he has used stem from hope and faith…he was willing to simply believe, and felt he had nothing to loose, but to try. We are ever so grateful that he did reach out. A good Catholic understands the invitation process. God knocks, and unless we let him in to help…we are truly alone. There is a lot about the Catholic faith that is simply about teaching through actions…it is His way, and we take great comfort in not doing much more than that. It certainly helps a spirit.

Your words to him and us, as well as my sons passing have touched me dearly. Spread this love, we all need it at different times on our journey.
Click to expand...
God bless you. 🙂
 
Everyone,

I want to let you all know that I fell today and landed on my hip. I was in severe pain afterwards. I saw my chiropractor this afternoon and he said my hip and back were both in bad condition because of the fall. He performed several additional adjustments today, but I’m still in a bit of pain. He said the way I hit the floor was the worst way possible. (I landed on my bad hip, the one with the deformity.) Apparently, I did some additional damage. I go back to the chiropractor on Thursday. Please pray.
 
Jeff, offer up the pain from your hip to Our Lord in connection to his Passion. Imagine Him carrying the Cross after being scourged and beaten up. I’m sure Jesus’ hip was huring Him too.
 
Oh, Jeff I’m sorry to hear about the hip! This may not sound like good news but the Lord knows you can take it, and offer it back to Him. I only wish I could practice that myself, as I know it’s sound teaching.

This is a great suggestion from Edwin
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Edwin1961:
Jeff, offer up the pain from your hip to Our Lord in connection to his Passion. Imagine Him carrying the Cross after being scourged and beaten up. I’m sure Jesus’ hip was huring Him too.
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