Why dear friends do you suppose the Holy Spirit has led you CAF?

[PJM]

Not sure it was the Holy Spirit leading me here considering it was being ticked off that led me here. I was in a pre-1650 Western History class and we were on the rise of Islam. The teacher mentioned that Christianity, with things like Purgatory, hadn’t been appealing to the Arabs. That prompted a classmate behind me to say, “But that’s a Catholic thing. Not a Christian thing.” People saying Catholics aren’t Christian happens to be one thing that annoys me so a day or so later I besought the giver of answers, Google, and typed “Why do people think Catholics aren’t Christian.” Would you hazard a guess as to the name of one of the sites that came up? Though I probably wouldn’t have stayed long if not for the Ask An Apologist section. I still chuckle at how being angry led me here.

Our God is Mysterious and effective!

Thanks for being on CAF!

GBY

 

[PJM]

Because I am trying to meet and talk to fellow Catholics. I am very isolated as far as social connections with like-minded people goes.

Juliette

Delighted and thankful that you joined us!

But know that NOT everyone on the FORUM is Catholic and not everyone is as ALWAYS as charitable as we are called by Jesus to be.

Its a very GOOD site and ton’s of great information

God Bless you Juliette! and WELCOME to CAF

Patrick [PJM] here on the FORUM

 

[PJM]

I came because I’ve been commanded to share Islam with people. The Qur’an says “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best” (surah 16:125). The reason I keep coming back is because I like to learn about various religions and I like the community. CAF motivated me to buy a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

THANK YOU

and that same principle is WHY I and most of us Catholics are here; to share, to explain and when necessary to defend our Catholic Faith.

I have read your post on several of the STRINGS that I have started.

God Bless you friend!

Patrick

 

[PJM]

Not one bit, God gave me life and a brain. There is a book, the bible and church teachings, that instruct me on how to live. God, I believe knows every possible outcome of decisions I make but he in no way influences me because if he did I would be lacking in free will. It is my life to do with as I decide. Once done God will then decide where I go.

AMEN to your last statement my friend!

Pray much

GBY

 

[PJM]

God is bigger than all of us and He uses others to emphasize possible errors that may occur in any denomination. Why would God “Being God” have allowed for the sins that some of the popes or others committed? Not trying to badmouth Catholicism per se but just trying to put out why some of the reformers felt the need to focus on some of the things that were not pleasing to God

Hi,
Thanks! That is a GREAT question and one I have not been asked in quote awhile.

I can only address the 1st part of your reply without the details of the reformers that you have in mind. Provide the necessary details & I’]] TRY to address them too.
The clearest answer to your Pose & sinners question has a biblical answer

1 Jn 1:-8-10
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.** If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” **

Being called by God is not by itself proof that that person is not or will not sin. Two Apostles: Judas who betrayed Christ, and Peter who AT FIRST denied Christ both sinned grievously** [1 Jn 5:18-19]**

Peter repented and reconverted, while Judas in despair [a LACK of Faith] hung himself.
** Matt.26:75** “And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly”

It’s NOT sinning but refusing to repent and convert that is the very heart of God’s Mercy & Love for each of us.

Mark 2:17
Jesus hearing this, saith to them: They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. For I came not to call the just, but sinners.

Dear friend, just because one is CALLED by God does not mean that one ceases to be human. What Christ promised refers to rsharing HIS Teachings through Doctrines and Dogma’s, as well as Sacred Traditions; each of which are guided by the Holy Spirit and GUARDED & Protected by Jesus Himself.

**Mt 10:1-2 & 5 **
And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother… & These twelve Jesus sent

CALLED directly, precisely & exclusively [this applies equally to each of the teacu=ings I’m sharing here]

Mt 16:18-19
And I say to THEE: That thou art Peter; and upon [YOU PETER] this rock I will build MY CHURCH singular, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to YOU [all of implied here] the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever YOU shalt bind “teach”] upon earth, it shall be bound [AFFIRMED] also in heaven: and whatsoever YOU shalt loose upon earth,** it shall be loosed also in heaven**

Jn 17:17-20
Sanctify THEM in truth. Thy word is truth. As thou hast SENT ME into the world, I also have SENT THEM into the world. And FOR THEM do I sanctify MYSELF, that they also may be sanctified IN TRUTH And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me

No other church or faith can claim & PROVE that they have Jesus Himself as the warranty of their TEACHING truth, except the RCC This is the foundation for Infallible TEACHINGS

Mt 28: 19-20
Going therefore, teach YOU all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe ALL THINGS whatsoever I have commanded [TAUGHT] YOU: and behold I am with YOU all days, even to the consummation of the world

Jn 14:26
But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you.

Jn 15:26
But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall give testimony of me.

So dear friend, it is not sinning but NOT repenting that is the REAL issue.

GBY
Patrick

 

[PJM]

To be able to come and interact with others on topics from politics, to movies, to prayer requests, to faith and religion (Catholic and non-Catholic), to spirituality and to weather and to love of chocolate!
The Holy Spirit led me to CAF as a new convert to the Catholic faith and a place to ask questions and learn more.
I was led here to share with others and help me cope in a world I find ever more confusing and troubling. I realize I am not alone in my worries about the present state of the world and it helps me to know there are others with the same concerns.

THANKS you soooo much,

Me too especially the choculate

GBY

Patrick

 

[PJM]

I’ve been lurking for several years on the forums. I have no intention of converting - as it is my religious beliefs border on the heretical in Evangelical Lutheranism, let alone Catholicism. However, I find the forums to be a valuable resource when it comes to looking at the support and criticism for many religious topics, ranging from papal infallibility to sola scriptura to justifications for book inclusion/exclusion and differing versions of the Bible. I have lurked other religious forums and have found this one to be the most interesting in terms of questions asked and the variety of opinions that are held.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH:thumbsup:

NOT TO WORRY, WE ARE NOT IN THE CONVERSION BUSINESS, WHICH IS GODS EXCLUSIVE DOMAIN

As a FYI ONLY I have recently authored a book you might find interesting???

http://www.catholicandchristianbypatrickmiron.com/

God Bless you and thanks for posting!

Patrick

 

[spedteacherita]

**

So dear friend, it is not sinning but NOT repenting that is the REAL issue.

GBY
Patrick**

Amen to that. We have not dispute with that at all.

Rita

 

[PJM]

I’ve been lurking for several years on the forums. I have no intention of converting - as it is my religious beliefs border on the heretical in Evangelical Lutheranism, let alone Catholicism. However, I find the forums to be a valuable resource when it comes to looking at the support and criticism for many religious topics, ranging from papal infallibility to sola scriptura to justifications for book inclusion/exclusion and differing versions of the Bible. I have lurked other religious forums and have found this one to be the most interesting in terms of questions asked and the variety of opinions that are held.

THANKS we like it too:thumbsup:

GBY

 

[PJM]

Amen to that. We have not dispute with that at all.

Rita

PRAY much!

God Bless you!

Patrick

 

[The_Old_Maid]

I know exactly how I ended up here: I was doing research on those Left Behind books.

So, for me, the question might be, why do I suppose the Holy Spirit led me to do research on those Left Behind books?

A possible answer that I’ve been able to live with is the penitent thief. Maybe reaching one person wouldn’t seem like much to the world. But to that one person, finding Christ means everything in the world.

 

[PJM]

I know exactly how I ended up here: I was doing research on those Left Behind books.

So, for me, the question might be, why do I suppose the Holy Spirit led me to do research on those Left Behind books?

A possible answer that I’ve been able to live with is the penitent thief. Maybe reaching one person wouldn’t seem like much to the world. But to that one person, finding Christ means everything in the world.

THANKS my friend

TWO QUESTIONS:

Your “the Old Maid”;I’m 72 so what am I:shrug:

The Left behind series is a Protestant myth & not TRULY biblical as it is recounted [Sorry Tim]

If you’s care to know wha I say this send me a Private message and the topic & and I’;; gladly share the information with you,

It is awesome tha you’re aware of the HS working in your life!

GBY

Patrick [the OP]

 

[The_Old_Maid]

THANKS my friend

TWO QUESTIONS:

Your “the Old Maid”;I’m 72 so what am I:shrug:

The Left behind series is a Protestant myth & not TRULY biblical as it is recounted [Sorry Tim]

If you’s care to know what I say this send me a Private message and the topic & and I’ll gladly share the information with you,

It is awesome that you’re aware of the HS working in your life!

GBY

Patrick [the OP]

“Elder,” maybe.

I’d say the authors of Left Behind probably did get a calling to write something, and they probably did their very best. But I think it’s also an example of how you can be both passionate and sincere yet be passionately and sincerely wrong. They’re not wrong about everything (Jesus wins), but the road to victory has some misleading detours.

I’d slogged along at this for almost 20 years now. Thought I was done. Then I got a nudge to do one more. Ended up here while collecting resources. The Spirit moves in mysterious ways!

 

[Wampa]

OP, this is an intriguing question that has garnered some interesting and surprising answers!

For me, I can’t remember how I got here, but I can guess based on my join date. I joined one month after I finished RCIA and became Catholic. I’m guessing I was missing my weekly RCIA sessions and the opportunity to discuss Catholic issues of all sorts with my class and teacher, so I probably went online looking for a new place to converse on a regular basis.

I’ve never been a frequent poster (averaging less than 75 per year), but I’ve usually been a regular reader, aside from a one-year break I took after I found myself getting too emotionally invested in arguing.

My wife can confirm that I spend too much time on the computer reading CAF, but she also acknowledges that she’d rather I “waste” time on my religion, as opposed to watching TV or playing video games all evening

 

[PJM]

“Elder,” maybe.

I’d say the authors of Left Behind probably did get a calling to write something, and they probably did their very best. But I think it’s also an example of how you can be both passionate and sincere yet be passionately and sincerely wrong. They’re not wrong about everything (Jesus wins), but the road to victory has some misleading detours.

I’d slogged along at this for almost 20 years now. Thought I was done. Then I got a nudge to do one more. Ended up here while collecting resources. The Spirit moves in mysterious ways!

We agree!

GBY

Patrick

 

[PJM]

OP, this is an intriguing question that has garnered some interesting and surprising answers!

For me, I can’t remember how I got here, but I can guess based on my join date. I joined one month after I finished RCIA and became Catholic. I’m guessing I was missing my weekly RCIA sessions and the opportunity to discuss Catholic issues of all sorts with my class and teacher, so I probably went online looking for a new place to converse on a regular basis.

I’ve never been a frequent poster (averaging less than 75 per year), but I’ve usually been a regular reader, aside from a one-year break I took after I found myself getting too emotionally invested in arguing.

My wife can confirm that I spend too much time on the computer reading CAF, but she also acknowledges that she’d rather I “waste” time on my religion, as opposed to watching TV or playing video games all evening

THANKS so very much!

I’m the OP, my name is Patrick [PJM] here on CAF

I’m now retired after a great many years of teaching and sharing our beautiful Catholic Faith. My last three years was co-teaching RCIA.

That experience left me understanding that despite a GREAT effort, the time NORMALLY allocated to RCIA formation, Back to School to Easter, is simply unable to do more than introduce our faith, beliefs and practices.

So after I retired I developed a TOTALLY FREE OF ALL COST home study course as a supplement to RCIA that covers FAR more topics, ALL in greater depth & I emphasis providing the evidence of our beliefs and practices, which RCIA often does not ahve the time to do.

I offer the FREE course to anyone interested in knowing MORE about Catholicism.

I Also answer all faith questions personally, so anyone interested in discussing our faith, please just send me a Private message to PJM

THANKS for sharing your story with us.

By the way, the course BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH in beginning its 8th year

God Bless you!
Patrick

 

[Wampa]

Patrick, thanks for the reply. That is awesome that you are doing all of that in your retired years! I pray that I am as worthwhile when I get there!

 

[PJM]

Patrick, thanks for the reply. That is awesome that you are doing all of that in your retired years! I pray that I am as worthwhile when I get there!

Thanks and GBY!

Partick

 

[Peter_J]

I love how you phrased the question as I do not believe anything happens without God(Understood or not) behind it. That is if that’s how you meant it? Although I see some Catholics having a problem with that.

Depends.

I don’t believe in luck … but I do believe, like philipl said, in free will.

That being said, I guess I also have an instinctive suspicion of thinking that everybody who joins an Internet discussion forum was led there by the Holy Spirit.

 

[PJM]

Depends.

I don’t believe in luck … but I do believe, like philipl said, in free will.

That being said, I guess I also have an instinctive suspicion of thinking that everybody who joins an Internet discussion forum was led there by the Holy Spirit.

OK but

The HS = GRACE

GRACE= the ability to influence one’s Freewill we still HAVE to give assent or deny the GRACE

GBY