Posted on 08/11/2006 9:55:17 AM PDT by Gamecock
I was baptized in a Greek Orthodox Church as an infant. Since the Orthodox Church was too far away, my mother got permission from a Catholic priest for me to attend Mass and CCD. He told us since I was not Catholic I would not be able to take part in the Sacraments. I remember all those years attending Mass and watching all my classmates go to Confession and receive Communion, but unable to participate. I questioned, even as a child, these man-made laws. Yet, I dreamed as a young child of becoming a nun. The nuns told my mother they wished the “true catholic” children could love God as I did.
When I was about eight years old, I was told by the nuns that if I died, without wearing a “scapular,” I wouldn't go to heaven. From that moment, I began to wear one constantly for many years. That tradition is not practiced as much today and it's a good example of how tradition changes through the years.
I married my college sweetheart and had to be confirmed in the Catholic Church. My husband had to sign papers stating that he would raise our children to be Catholic. To this day he is held in bondage to this “law” and is reluctant to change to a new church. When we moved to Texas, the Bible belt, I began to hear the name of “Jesus” and the words "personal Savior' from all my southern friends. I began to search for “Jesus.” I felt a void in my life and longed for the love I knew was of God. And so one day I cried out to Him. Two weeks later while at an Exchanged Life conference, I saw my life in the flesh and took my sins to the cross. I realized the sacrifice was finished, once and for all. I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I was born again of the Spirit. I felt peace spiritually and physically for the first time in my life. I knew I didn't have to wear the scapular any longer. I know without a doubt, I am going to heaven!
I began a beautiful journey to several churches because I prayed to Jesus to show me the truth. After about a year I sensed a calling to return to my roots and teach Jesus to a class of second grade Catholic children. Tears filled my eyes as one child quoted John 3:16 to the class. Parents were commenting to the director how pleased they were with my teaching. I prayed "Lord, let me do Your will." Over the summer the director called me and asked, “Would you do a seminar on ‘teaching’ for all the lay teachers of the church?” I prayed, "Holy Spirit be with me!" Nearly 80 people attended and I put a Bible in front of each one of these precious people. I walked them through the Bible, declaring the truth. I told them I was not a religious person, but a spirit filled person. I said I was not a Catholic but a Christian. I knew the Spirit was with me. His presence gave me the strength to say these things. I believe that the Lord is using me in a ministry to bring the Bible to those of the Catholic faith. I invited Mike Gendron to our class of 9th graders to proclaim the Gospel and teach the doctrine of eternal security. He gave each student a Gospel tract for them to take home and show their parents. God is definitely working through Mike's ministry and he has been able to help mine. To God be the glory!
Jesus said "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).
Ping to a few...
Just a word.......
INCOMING!!!
Took me a minute to figure out the writer is not the Evangelist profiled on the site. I couldn't figure out why "he" wanted to be a nun.
Thanks for posting.
Let the Catholic bashing begin.
But he was Catholic -- it just wasn't recognized at the time!
All Returning Catholics are welcome to contact their local parishes until they find a "Welcome Back, Catholics" or some other such program.
We just had 17 complete our last program. It's entitled "Catholics Can Come Home Again." Excellent program.
Not appropriate.
You can only be saved through Jesus
I was being sarcastic.
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition...
Was it an even trade for the SBC pastor (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1680011/posts), or was there also an option on an assistant pastor?
How about revert Catholics?
Regards
This thread bears watching.
My own father left Catholicism for the Baptist Church. I was only about 3 at the time and have no memory of it.
However, he was very clear that the major issues for him were Mariology, opulence, purgatory, eucharist, papacy, and indulgence.
For me, the major issues are the total lack of scripture supporting the immaculate conception and the assumption.....Mariology in a nutshell.
I think it's a total fabrication, though.
Seems you might want to consider the Orthodox church which rejects immaculate conception and the assumption, as well as purgatory, papacy, and indulgences.
"I married my college sweetheart and had to be confirmed in the Catholic Church. My husband had to sign papers stating that he would raise our children to be Catholic. To this day he is held in bondage to this “law” and is reluctant to change to a new church."
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I see no reason they need to honor an agreement made under coercion. If the RC Church would nullify the marriage, so what get remarried.
"My own father left Catholicism for the Baptist Church."
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Wow! I was raised Episcopalian and when I began reading my KJB in earnest I became a Baptist. Walked in by myself and knew after one service this was where I should be.
Guess Jesus is a Baptist, isn't He???
"Guess Jesus is a Baptist, isn't He???"
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ROFLOL!
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