[betty boop]

You'd better go back to CCD.

I missed out on CCD, having been deprived of the privilege by my Deist father, who considered CCD a form of "brainwashing."

Ya wanna make something of THAT???

My point is: I have attempted to struggle along in the Light of the Holy Spirit, not having had a "proper" theological education. My resources: the Bible; the Catholic Catechism; papal encyclicals. These, plus my own hard-won experience as a lover of God, produce the worldview that I hold today.

[T Minus Four]

Never-the-less, you are mis-representing Catholic doctrine.

Your father was right.

Your proper theological education lies between the words "In the beginning" and "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen" Coupled with a good bible-believing, gospel preaching church, denomination unimportant.

Religion is the tool of the enemy.

[T Minus Four]

I have attempted to struggle along in the Light of the Holy Spirit

You don't have to struggle, my friend! That's really what I want to say here.

[T Minus Four]

Just out of curiosity, have you really read papal encyclicals?

[Alamo-Girl]

I have attempted to struggle along in the Light of the Holy Spirit, not having had a "proper" theological education. My resources: the Bible; the Catholic Catechism; papal encyclicals. These, plus my own hard-won experience as a lover of God, produce the worldview that I hold today.

I gladly testify that you are my dearest sister in Christ! I say this because I see all of the fruits of the Spirit in you.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23

I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. - Matthew 7:17

You obviously have had a Spiritual education. That's the important part, not a theological education.

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - John 14:26

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. - I John 2:29

[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. - Romans 8:1

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: - John 10:27

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. – Romans 8:9

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:3

As you have testified - to which I strongly agree - God the Father has revealed Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ, in the Person of the Indwelling Holy Spirit, in Scriptures and in Creation, both spiritual and physical.

Your spiritual ears and spiritual eyes are wide open, dearest sister in Christ. If anyone ever seeks to demean your spiritual understanding, just count it all joy.

Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.- Matthew 5:11-12

God's Name is I AM.