No longer will be around

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archangel04

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For the past couple of months I’ve really withdrawn from the church, and for the past month I haven’t visited this site. All I can say is that life is much more at peace and less negative than I can remember. I’ve always been an “outcast” type, never truly being able to belong with groups, friends or community. I thought the Church would make me feel like I belong, but all my life I have never felt it. Basically I am just tired of fighting off those who are against the Church or being part of Traditional vs Modernist battles. Regardless of my beliefs this site really pushed me towards the edge, especially some of the members on here who always had to rebuke an opinion or give a sarcastic response to make themselves feel better. In the end I guess my sin is that really people irk me. I really can’t be part of this community the church speaks of even if I wanted to. For so long now I always wanted to belong, but have never found it not even in the Church. Groups of people now annoy me and going to mass is painful as there is always preach about how we should all love each other and hold hands and run through the rainbow. As I read about Calvin and St. Thomas, one believing in pre-destination and the latter believing in something similar I feel that I am one of those who was not destined for heaven. It was always in my mind but never gave it a second thought, but in a way I have made peace with that. I will now continue to live my life morally and being the best person I can be. This does not mean I don’t believe in God, of course I do, but I feel that he has his chosen, and I am not one of them, but perhaps one that this might change? This also does not mean that I will attack the Church, but I also will not be part of defending, as all I want is to be at peace with myself and just continue with my life as it is meant to be. So, I wish everyone the best of luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
 
Don’t give up on Jesus and on His Church. This is where you belong, your true home, even though your feelings are telling you something else.

You are one of the chosen. You are beloved of God. It’s a great trial to feel this sense of alienation, especially in church. There are, no doubt, wounds from your past at the root of these feelings. Your feelings are real but they are not true. Have courage, fight the temptation to give up.

I felt the same way in the past for many years at a stretch. I understand that it’s incredibly painful. Things are better for me now. Looking back, I’m grateful that I remained faithful, hard as it was. Have hope that things can improve for you too and that God cares about what you’re suffering.

I will pray for your healing and comfort.
 
Give peace, o Lord,
In our days
Because there is no one else who will fight for us
If not You, our God.
 
I haven’t been around for too long on this site, so I am not familiar with you or the posts that you have previously made. But one thing I do know…God wants all of His children to come to Him. He wants all to be saved if possible. Why would Jesus come and teach and die only for a few chosen? Think of the apostles. Why would anyone die for their faith if all the people who are going to heaven were predestined? Why bother? Why would someone devote their lives to evanglizing if only the elect are going to go to heaven anyway? Why would anyone try to follow the commandments? Those people you mentioned stated their own theology, not God’s. Why would there be a final judgement, if all is predestined? It wouldn’t be necessary.

I have many questions also, and I get very discouraged at times about my faith and those who share my faith. Perhaps you could look at it as part of your struggle climbing to the summit. There will be problems and Jesus SAID THERE WOULD BE. If you feel like you don’t belong to the “club” or group, then you can rejoice in the Lord, my friend; because HE said it would happen that way! We are all human and broken. Don’t think that you will always find God within the actions of people. You might, but you will also see the brokeness of the human condition and all the more reason we need God in our lives. Don’t give up on God because of the “thinkers” . Go find a good priest to talk to about this. A priest once told me to thank God every day for forgiving me for my sins and if I had trouble believing it, say it anyway. I do. So I say to you, thank God for SAVING YOU! He died so all could be saved. Go to Him and pour out your heart, on your knees, every day. He will lead you, love you, forgive you, and save you. God bless.
 
Hi archangel04,

You can’t get out of it that easily. God loves you, St. Thomas doesn’t teach predestination to hell. God “predestinates” who He foreknows to heaven and you can’t claim to not be on of those until you are dead and not in heaven or purgatory! So as long you are alive there is hope. Anyway, however it all shakes out for now and forever, there is a perfect spot for you that no one else can take in the Body of Christ.

Also, we need you even if you don’t think you need us. Every sin you ever commit will weigh us down, and every meritorious act you do will help us to salvation. I can’t sit quietly and not object to your announcement. If you don’t come back now, you are always needed whether you can see it or not. My heart and prayers go out to you and for you my dear brother or sister in Christ. Do take care.

Planty Pall
 
archangel04 said:
For the past couple of months I’ve really withdrawn from the church, and for the past month I haven’t visited this site. All I can say is that life is much more at peace and less negative than I can remember. I’ve always been an “outcast” type, never truly being able to belong with groups, friends or community. I thought the Church would make me feel like I belong, but all my life I have never felt it. Basically I am just tired of fighting off those who are against the Church or being part of Traditional vs Modernist battles. Regardless of my beliefs this site really pushed me towards the edge, especially some of the members on here who always had to rebuke an opinion or give a sarcastic response to make themselves feel better. In the end I guess my sin is that really people irk me. I really can’t be part of this community the church speaks of even if I wanted to. For so long now I always wanted to belong, but have never found it not even in the Church. Groups of people now annoy me and going to mass is painful as there is always preach about how we should all love each other and hold hands and run through the rainbow. As I read about Calvin and St. Thomas, one believing in pre-destination and the latter believing in something similar I feel that I am one of those who was not destined for heaven. It was always in my mind but never gave it a second thought, but in a way I have made peace with that. I will now continue to live my life morally and being the best person I can be. This does not mean I don’t believe in God, of course I do, but I feel that he has his chosen, and I am not one of them, but perhaps one that this might change? This also does not mean that I will attack the Church, but I also will not be part of defending, as all I want is to be at peace with myself and just continue with my life as it is meant to be. So, I wish everyone the best of luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
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If you try to live your life morally and be the best person you can, as you state, I’m sure G-d in his infinite grace and mercy will give you inner peace and enable you to live your faith and in this way remain true to the Church.
 
Yeah this site can be poison for some Catholics faith, I’ve meet a growing number of Ex-Catholics that site this forum as what finally did it.
 
archangel04 said:
For the past couple of months I’ve really withdrawn from the church, and for the past month I haven’t visited this site. All I can say is that life is much more at peace and less negative than I can remember. I’ve always been an “outcast” type, never truly being able to belong with groups, friends or community. I thought the Church would make me feel like I belong, but all my life I have never felt it. Basically I am just tired of fighting off those who are against the Church or being part of Traditional vs Modernist battles. Regardless of my beliefs this site really pushed me towards the edge, especially some of the members on here who always had to rebuke an opinion or give a sarcastic response to make themselves feel better. In the end I guess my sin is that really people irk me. I really can’t be part of this community the church speaks of even if I wanted to. For so long now I always wanted to belong, but have never found it not even in the Church. Groups of people now annoy me and going to mass is painful as there is always preach about how we should all love each other and hold hands and run through the rainbow. As I read about Calvin and St. Thomas, one believing in pre-destination and the latter believing in something similar I feel that I am one of those who was not destined for heaven. It was always in my mind but never gave it a second thought, but in a way I have made peace with that. I will now continue to live my life morally and being the best person I can be. This does not mean I don’t believe in God, of course I do, but I feel that he has his chosen, and I am not one of them, but perhaps one that this might change? This also does not mean that I will attack the Church, but I also will not be part of defending, as all I want is to be at peace with myself and just continue with my life as it is meant to be. So, I wish everyone the best of luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
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Archangel04…I know we may not have always seen eye to eye…and if you want to leave this site…that’s fine…I know I have had to pull back. But don’t leave the Church. You may just find peace by not being here at CAF. I know that I was having a terrible time being distracted at Mass…but then I unsubscribed from some treads here and told myself I would not even look at them. That I would take the advice someone here in the traditional forumn once told me…“just live your faith as best you can”. You know what…without all those distractions I am no longer distracted at Mass. I was letting too many things from here bother me.

again…please try leaving CAF but don’t leave the Church. I fear you will come to regret it.
 
Love of GOd is a sign of Predestination. 🙂

We could not love GOd unless he drew us:

It is impossible for you to love GOd without him loving you first.

It is impossible for you to desire salvation without his desiring it for you.

YOu Long for grace?

THat is GOd longing for you!

YOu wish to be close?

THat is him speaking to you!

YOu feel alone?

THat happens.

BUt the good God does not reveal his election to anyone. He choses, but nobody knows for infallibly certain. THat is why St. Paul says: Make every attempt to make your calling and election sure.

And yet: “I am confident that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.”

Remember: “YOu did not choose me, I chose you.”

THose of us who choose Christ are by that very fact chosen by him, for “Nobody comes to me unless the Father draws him.”

If you wish to be near GOd, it means he is calling you to himself.

THis is what I call the happy side of predestination: You cannot lose GOd’s grace except through your own sinfulness. We do not fully understand his methods, but we KNOW that when we long for him, it is only his own preparing of our hearts to receive him:

God is not a tease.
 
If people on this forum irk you, you should take a break from this forum. But I think you should keep praising God, thanking, asking for mercy and help. Try your best to stay away from sin- even the “smallest” such as lies. Relax. Don’t worry, do your part (refraining from sin, and going for sacraments) and leave the rest to Him.
You’re His sheep 🙂
 
I am sorry for you,but Jesus still loves you,and He will not let you fall. I have use this quote a number of times,“you can’t fall deeper then in Gods hands”,and I guess it is true,at least I have learn that it is.
Nobody can force anyone to believe,but you still believe,and that is the silver lining on the dark cloud you carry with you. If you don’t get peace in the church,God will show you where you will find it. You see,God does not count the amount of prayers,times you attend mass or how many times you confess your sins,God counts what good you do,and what bad. Sometimes the best Christian [catholic or any other Christian religion] are the one who help others,or at least have a kind word. The great “hero” from my childhood,John Wayne,who died as a catholic,said once that what ever you do,always throw in a kind word. The definition of a good catholic is that you can go to sleep without no doubt or feeling “why did I do that for”. As long as your faith is strong,and from your words I can say it is,you have nothing to worry about. You may one day return to the church and begin to practice your faith once more,or then not,I wish that you will,but my wish is my wish,maybe not yours. But as long as you do what is right in the eyes of God,you have nothing to fear. And I will include you in my Rosary prayer to day,praying that you will find peace and what you search for. Bless you,and at least you are honest,and that is a blessing,in fact more,it a clear sign that God have give you honesty as a gift,Cherish that gift,and go and be perfect.(Matt.5:43-48) God bless you.
 
Francis Thompson once wrote a rather lovely poem about running away from God: The Hound of Heaven. I love it, it’s been in my bookshelf now for over 50 years.
Get a copy. It might help you.
 
archangel04 said:
As I read about Calvin and St. Thomas, one believing in pre-destination and the latter believing in something similar I feel that I am one of those who was not destined for heaven.
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Calvin was wrong. Everyone is destined to heaven. God calls everyone. Some do not listen.

You should not necessarily to belong to a group to listen to Gods call. God’s call is individual for everybody. Leave you heart open for Him.
 
Archangel04, FWIW, I for one thought your posts and comments were thoughtful and interesting. Thanks for them and keep the faith.
 
Archangel04,

I have the same kind of personality as you for the most part, I think. I’m not a “group” kind of guy. I wouldn’t mind having a feeling of belonging, but that’s not God’s plan for me, so I don’t let that get in the way of my relationship with the Church. The folks at my parish are very friendly, but I don’t really care to have any relationships with them. So Sunday Mass can be just about you and Christ’s sacrifice. In fact, I find that I “get” Mass so much more without all the “touchy-feelys.”

So hang in there. I believe that these are trials sent our way for our sanctification. Please don’t waste the opportunity.
 
archangel04 said:
For the past couple of months I’ve really withdrawn from the church, and for the past month I haven’t visited this site. All I can say is that life is much more at peace and less negative than I can remember. I’ve always been an “outcast” type, never truly being able to belong with groups, friends or community. I thought the Church would make me feel like I belong, but all my life I have never felt it. Basically I am just tired of fighting off those who are against the Church or being part of Traditional vs Modernist battles. Regardless of my beliefs this site really pushed me towards the edge, especially some of the members on here who always had to rebuke an opinion or give a sarcastic response to make themselves feel better. In the end I guess my sin is that really people irk me. I really can’t be part of this community the church speaks of even if I wanted to. For so long now I always wanted to belong, but have never found it not even in the Church. Groups of people now annoy me and going to mass is painful as there is always preach about how we should all love each other and hold hands and run through the rainbow. As I read about Calvin and St. Thomas, one believing in pre-destination and the latter believing in something similar I feel that I am one of those who was not destined for heaven. It was always in my mind but never gave it a second thought, but in a way I have made peace with that. I will now continue to live my life morally and being the best person I can be. This does not mean I don’t believe in God, of course I do, but I feel that he has his chosen, and I am not one of them, but perhaps one that this might change? This also does not mean that I will attack the Church, but I also will not be part of defending, as all I want is to be at peace with myself and just continue with my life as it is meant to be. So, I wish everyone the best of luck and hope you find what you are looking for.
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This isn’t about you, this site, the Church, …etc…
This is about GOD, whom has already called you.

Please try to say this for a month, not a long time in your life.
“Jesus meek and humble of heart, make “MY” heart like unto thine”.
Also
A daily Rosary, with this as your intention “Perservance”

You will be in my daily rosary for the next month. God Bless
 
I can understand taking a break from this site. Sometimes it can become intense. I hope that you will be able to continue going to Mass. I too have difficulty in groups of people. For me, I’ve been able to (mostly) concentrate on the Mass itself and not be distracted by the other people. If trying a different parish is an option think about that. Perhaps during Lent you can renew your interior life and continue to have a feeling of peace. I’ll say a prayer for you.
 
i reply only to state they obvious “if you hate your life you may keep it”

salutations!
 
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