Posted on 07/03/2004 12:14:49 AM PDT by melsec
Hi all,
After reading a thread earlier which talked about the Charisms of the Holy Spirit I thought about not seeing the Spirit but being able to see His effects i.e. like the wind blowing analogy. For me and I believe for most people their is a critical moment in life when we make the decision to follow the Lord or not I am really interested to hear other people's comments on this or their testimonies on how God moved on them.
The Third Secret Revealed!
http://www.fatima.org/third.html
One More Thing!
HOLY FATHER
Please Stop the Persecution of this Faithful Priest and His Fatima Apostolate!
http://www.fatima.org/engappeal.html
A faithful priest honors his vow of obedience to his ecclesiastical superiors.
Mr. Gruner has demonstrated time and again that this vow means nothing to him.
Mr. Gruner and his supporters may argue that his disobedience to his superiors is a token of his "higher obedience to God." His supporters should remember that this is the same argument employed by Martin Luther to scant his own vow of obedience.
That being said, Our Lady of Fatima is a powerful intercessor and every Catholic should know about the Miracles of Fatima.
My spirit began to diminish in jr. high and almost collapsed in high school. A lack of good teaching combined with bad teaching, such as evolution and modern literature, as well as the sex-saturated popular culture, began to erode my character. In high school my two heroes were Jesus Christ and Mick Jagger. Talk about cognitive dissonance!
College introduced me to girls and partying, and things continued to spiral down, although to the outside world, I was a success, since I had a degree in engineering and I had an attractive (atheist) girlfriend.
When she dumped me after her graduation, I thought the world had come to an end. By this time I had figured out that I hated engineering (I chose the profession for the money and because I figured no one could tell me that 1 + 1 = 3). So at age 23 my mid-life crisis began. I began to search. My search began, strangely enough, with economics. I practically worshipped Milton Friedman since seeing his TV series in the late 70s. Finally I had found something that was true, and someone who wasn't afraid to speak it!
Meanwhile, my mother developed cancer. I went to a retreat that year. I had to ask a friend if he had a Bible that I could bring along, since our family didn't have one. My mother died, and the following year, my father died. It was a time of tremendous grief and isolation. During this time I went through an Objectivist phase, which I ultimately rejected because of Rand's atheism. But I couldn't counter her arguments. I examined many other modern philosophical systems, but found none of them satisfying.
Eventually, because of Milton's Friedman's influence, I began to look into the natural law, which ultimately led me to Thomas Aquinas. At last I had found the philosophical pearl of great price. I spent the next few years reading mostly Peter Kreeft and C.S. Lewis.
Today, 20 years later, my life revolves around Christ and His Church. Sometimes I wonder if I've changed (my childhood friends have noticed a difference), and then I remember that 20 years ago I was too embarrassed to go into a store to buy a Bible. I thought people would think I was a religious nut 8-)
Mother Angelica says, "when I think God's telling me to do something, I do it!"
It's as simple as that.
I really said that. That moment marked the beginning of my slide, which didn't turn around until my parents' illnesses which I mention above.
My revival began my senior year in college when, in a state of total despair and confusion, I asked God to send me suffering. He answered my prayer, and sorted out my life.
A couple of months ago I took my two daughters (6 & 9) into Church for a few minutes of Eucharistic adoration. We knelt to pray, and then I noticed that my youngest girl was inching toward the Tabernacle. My older girl looked at me and I whispered, "it's OK." We watched. She stood up, spread out her arms, and gave the Tabernacle a great big hug. It made my body tingle. It's a moment I'll always treasure.
**Eventually, because of Milton's Friedman's influence, I began to look into the natural law, which ultimately led me to Thomas Aquinas. At last I had found the philosophical pearl of great price**
What a powerful story! Thank you for sharing it.
I did at my wedding. Couldn't keep them back. My wife didn't though, which was a little embarrassing 8-)
Blessings
Mel
How absolutely wonderful for you and your daughter! I'm sure it was an event that neither of you will ever forget. Children are so open and innocent - adults can be that way too though it takes more effort. We tend to get wrapped up in all of our trials and tribulations.
Please write and let us know when you hug Jesus!
Thanks for your input about Nicholas Gruner. I really don't know that much about him but intend to research more so that I will be in a position to discuss the topic
I am aware of the Miracle of Fatima however I have never delved into the whole story. Shame on me!
Maybe it was meant for me to find that slip of paper in order to "start class".
The best place to start is an excellent book by Francis Johnston entitled "Fatima: The Great Sign."
It is an ecclesiastically approved work and it goes through the history and theology of Fatima in a very straightforward and accessible way.
What Gruner and his followers seem to miss, as they try to interpret symbols and search for hidden secrets and conspiracies, is that Fatima is first and foremost a miraculous call to conversion.
It is this call which Johnston emphasizes and which is most valuable.
I'm disappointed. I was looking forward to some more
wonderful stories and experiences but, everything has
come to a halt.
Most of the talk today is about the "vile" Democratic
Fund Raiser last night!
Me too somewhat. Like I said earlier I do believe that everyone has a story it's just that many do not stop to consider it. I am sure with so many great Catholics on this website it would give Glory to God and uplift the bretheren to hear those stories.
Blessings
Mel
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