Protestant Argument of the Eucharist

[Huguenot]

Mickey:

Who is trying to convert you?

Some have tried, either with me or other Protestants, but sorry…I don’t remember their names…

 

[Mickey]

Huguenot:

Some have tried, either with me or other Protestants, but sorry…I don’t remember their names…

I don’t believe that anyone here is twisting arms. Perhaps it is your conscience?

 

[Doreen]

Mickey:

He must be particularly threatened by the Catholic Church.

I agree with you, Mickey. I think the devil’s been trying to demolish the church of Christ since its inception. The Catholic Church (as it is known today) has suffered great attack from the devil…just as he has attacked any church that might bring people to Christ.

I feel like I have gotten emotional in my recent posts, and I have not been able to even think clearly. I apologize for this.

I haven’t lost track of my basic purpose here though…and that is to try to understand the Catholic Church. And to try to settle for myself why it didn’t bring me to a saving faith in Christ.

I am certain that the church of Christ began with all intentions to maintain the truth of the Gospel. I guess I just question whether it has been able to do so.

I think I speak for a lot fo people who have left the church…it’s hard to understand how this can still be the “Church of Christ” when what we see is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Catholics, but the sway of the world. That is the way it is here in middle-America.

I just spoke to a woman at my church on Sunday. She is a very devout Catholic, but she comes to our services on Sunday…then she also goes to Mass.

She shared with me that she’s on a “Familia Team”??? I may have that wrong, but it sounds like a study group of some kind…women meeting and discussing matters of faith???

She said she was so disgusted because the leader/facilitator of the group encouraged everyone to go to a “club” nearby after their meeting, and they sat and drank alcohol 'til midnight, gossiping and cursing, included.

Now, this would have been typical of me and friends of mine when I was still in the Catholic Church. We saw nothing wrong with drunken partying or cursing or gossip. We had no higher standard set for ourselves. Sure, deep down, we knew it was a “wild” lifestyle…but we didn’t think it unhealthy or sinful.

This is why I struggle so much. I just don’t understand why I didn’t come to a point of really allowing my faith to meet up with my reality in the RCC. It was like faith in God had no real impact on my day-to-day existence.

I see on this forum that there are many Catholics who live to love and serve the Lord as we all were commissioned to do before leaving Mass every Sunday…but it seems to me that this is a major exception to the rule. I mean, where I live…middle class Americans are living for one thing…to be upper class Americans.

It is truly a sad state of affairs.

I feel like the discussion got ugly the past couple days, and I don’t want that to be the case, because it just blocks us from learning anything…I want to LEARN from you!

Eden,
I apologize if my tone started to get rough…I was feeling attacked.

I am just trying to work out in my mind what has happened to the church here in the mid-west that has zapped it of its power to save…to transform lives.

Obviously … I see it as the work of the devil…but I want to know why so many in my part of the world are missing out on the peace, love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control that is promised through the Holy Spirit. That is not to judge anyone…it’s just the observation made by one who has walked in those shoes.

Thanks for listening.
D.

 

[Mickey]

Doreen:

I think I speak for a lot fo people who have left the church…it’s hard to understand how this can still be the “Church of Christ” when what we see is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Catholics, but the sway of the world. That is the way it is here in middle-America.

It saddens me that the people in your part of the world have become lukewarm. It is not like that in my part of the world.

Doreen:

She said she was so disgusted because the leader/facilitator of the group encouraged everyone to go to a “club” nearby after their meeting, and they sat and drank alcohol 'til midnight, gossiping and cursing, included.

Yikes! That is unfortunate. However, we are taught to love the sinner and hate the sin.

Doreen:

Now, this would have been typical of me and friends of mine when I was still in the Catholic Church. We saw nothing wrong with drunken partying or cursing or gossip. We had no higher standard set for ourselves. Sure, deep down, we knew it was a “wild” lifestyle…but we didn’t think it unhealthy or sinful.

Sadly, it is not only Catholics who go through a phase such as this.

Doreen:

This is why I struggle so much. I just don’t understand why I didn’t come to a point of really allowing my faith to meet up with my reality in the RCC. It was like faith in God had no real impact on my day-to-day existence.

Sometimes the Lord gives us periods of dryness–Catholics often refer to this as “The Dark Night of the Soul”.

Doreen:

I see on this forum that there are many Catholics who live to love and serve the Lord as we all were commissioned to do before leaving Mass every Sunday…but it seems to me that this is a major exception to the rule. I mean, where I live…middle class Americans are living for one thing…to be upper class Americans.

I must respectfully disagree. My experience is 180 degrees opposite of yours. So from my perspective, your situation is the exception.

Doreen:

It is truly a sad state of affairs.

The angels in heaven weep when any Christian loses their faith.

Doreen:

Obviously … I see it as the work of the devil…but I want to know why so many in my part of the world are missing out on the peace, love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control that is promised through the Holy Spirit.

They will return to the fold in God’s time–**Thy Will be done. **Pray for them.

Doreen:

That is not to judge anyone…it’s just the observation made by one who has walked in those shoes.

God bless you Doreen. Your witness of Christian love and charity is truly inspirational. May the Lord protect you on your pilgrimage toward eternal paradise.

That sinner,
Mickey

 

[Huguenot]

Mickey:

I don’t believe that anyone here is twisting arms. Perhaps it is your conscience?

My conscience is OK…
what does “twisting arms” mean ???

 

[St.Eric]

Huguenot:

My conscience is OK…
what does “twisting arms” mean ???

It is a figure of speech meaning “to force someone to do something.”

 

[Huguenot]

St.Eric:

It is a figure of speech meaning “to force someone to do something.”

Thanks for your explanation, I’ll improve my English with you all …