[Faith-talk] Fwd: Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
Lisa Felix
lisadee1063 at hotmail.com
Fri Jan 11 22:48:52 CST 2008
Hello Joseph,
That's wonderful that you are studying special education. I believe there is a high need for people in that area, and the Lord knows that we need people who are not abusive in that area as well. I seen far too much abuse when it comes to special education educators. Sadly, but true.
So preciously you were in the tech industry. I'm guessing you mean through that elaborate description, that you created software?
Your description of your experience with Catholicism is quite different than mine. What type of Catholic Church are you going to, if I may ask? Roman Catholic? Or, one of those newer modern churches? I forget what they're called. My mother began going to one of the modernized catholic churches before she died. We attended a Roman Catholic church, though, when I was young. I remember "holy water", "kneeling before entering the pew", praying certain prayers repetitively, and confessing to a priest. I just felt a quite a young age, LOL! that I should be able to talk with Jesus whenever I wanted, and say whatever was on my heart to say when talking with him. I didn't like having a middle man. I feel the same till this day. That is why I attend a non-denominational church where the focus is understanding the bible, applying to our lives, and implementing what it says. I don't mean disrespect for the Catholic Church in any way. I'm glad to hear that the priest emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus. When I attended the Catholic Church, we were encouraged to build a personal relationship with the priest, who would speak on our behalf to God. I just never thought that was appropriate. It gave men too much power in my mind. It still cracks me up because I was sooo young thinking such things, and even as an adult, I feel the same way. I know Catholics, as well as other Christians of other denominations, including non-denominational, that go to church just to say that they do and have a "religion". Then, I know others of all denominations, who actually have personal relationships with Christ.
Making Christ our Lord does not happen by just attending church and knowing in your mind what is right and true. It also takes a heart knowledge and literally inviting Christ to be in our heart and be our Lord.
God can certainly work miracles in our lives, I've experienced that myself. Maybe I'll share it my experiences one day. God also answers prayer by saying "no". I've experienced that, too. All of this I'm sure you know. I do enjoy discussing it.
I'm sorry you had bad experiences in other denominations. How we respond to what happens to us is vitally important. We can respond poorly, or we can respond with the power and wisdom of God, for we have the mind of Christ. Wow! That is a huge reminder to me! Praise God.
How much longer do you have until your graduation?
May God bless your endeavors.
Warmly,
Lisa> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:19:23 -0800> From: tjosephcarter at gmail.com> To: faith-talk at nfbnet.org> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Fwd: Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah> > Lisa,> > I'm studying special education at Western Oregon University. This is a> new vocation for me--and I believe it is a vocation. I am called to do> this, it's not just more education for a job. Previously I was what we> affectionately refer to in the tech industry as a "Code Monkey". That is,> a highly evolved form of pink-colored primate which effectively turns> large amounts of caffeine into software. Believe it or not, those skills> have served me well in my new vocation already.> > Before I became Catholic? Well, I was confirmed Easter 2006. Around that> time three years earlier, I had a conversation with a person about how I> wasn't really happy doing what I was doing. She asked what I wanted to> do, and I told her what I thought was important, and why it could never> actually happen. She asked if I believed in God or any creator for that> matter, and I said I figured if he was there, he had long since written> off this mudball and everybody on it. She asked me, if there was really a> God, would I agree to let him do all of these things I said couldn't> happen, if it were his will to do so. More to shut her up than anything,> I agreed.> > And then something happened. I was accepted into a Writing 121 class I> needed later than should have been possible. This was the least of> things, and certainly not proof that there was any kind of creator that> was taking care of me, but it shouldn't have happened. Neither should the> next dozen or so things that were impossible--but they all happened. By> October, I had reached the, "Okay okay! I get it, you ARE there, and you> DO care what happens to us!" stage. It was another two years before I> began asking the question, "so I believe in God, now what?"> > At that point, my friend suggested that her priest would be willing to> talk to me. I was expecting to hear why the Catholic Church is the One> True Faith and all of that, but I went because I had to start somewhere> and my friend said I'd enjoy talking with him. We talked about many> things, most importantly what it means to be a Christian (but not what it> means to be Catholic--that was only mentioned once, in passing), the> importance of prayer, and attentiveness to God's efforts to communicate to> and through us.> > He also lent me a lecture series that is truly wonderful on the early> Christian church done by a guy who teaches at Emory. It took another six> months to digest that material, by which time I had learned about the> origin of some of the important things central to Catholic faith that were> missing from my experience of other faiths.> > As a child, my sister's father decided that we "needed to get religion",> and consequently this happened at a Southern Baptist church. We went> through the motions, but I don't think any of us really had what could be> called a conversion experience. Not two years later, I had abandoned> Christianity for some bit of Newage (that's not a typo, it really should> rhyme with sewage), and later abandoned even that.> > I see one major problem in the Catholic Church, and it is the same problem> that affects all religion: God is represented by men, and men sometimes> are very poor representatives. We have our good and our bad, in the> laity, priests, bishops, and even popes from time to time. It seems to> work out in the long run. Interestingly, it seems to work out much the> same in other denominations.> > Thank you for your kind response. I'll take all of the blessings I can> get when it comes to my academics--I am pretty sure I will need them!> > Joseph> > On Fri, Jan 11, 2008 at 03:00:54PM -0700, Lisa Felix wrote:> > Hi Joseph,> > > > So glad to hear from you.> > > > Wow! A graduate student, you say? What are you studying? > > > > What were you before you converted to Catholicism? Or, did you not know God before your conversion? If you were part of another faith, which one was it? I hope I am not being too personal. I'm just curious why you would choose Catholicism over something else. The most important thing for someone of any denomination of the Christian faith is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Next, I believe, would be to bring about a unity between the denominations. A person can attend a Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc., and even a non-denominational church very regularly, and even be quite involved with the church, and still not know Christ. I have seen this. It's quite sad. One day, we will be standing before our Lord, and to some He will say as you said, " I never knew you.".> > > > I was raised in the Catholic religion as a child. At age 8, I decided it wasn't for me. During a chatechism class, I accepted Christ into my heart. I asked Him to be in me and be my Lord. It wasn't until I was 14 that I began going to a baptist church, and shortly thereafter, I began going to a non-denominational church. That is where I now prefer to be, though I am not against the other denominations of the Christian Faith. I have a relatively close friend that is Catholic.> > > > Romans 1:18-20 says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them. for since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." God created the heavens and the earth and everything this is in them. Just by looking at creation we can see that there is a God. Even atheists have no excuse.> > > > Joseph, it has been enlightening speaking with you. Thanks for taking the time to chime in when you have the time to do so. May God bless you in your studies.> > > > Warmly,> > Lisa> > _______________________________________________> Faith-talk mailing list> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk
_________________________________________________________________
Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows Live™.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_012008
-------------- next part --------------
.hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma }
Hello Joseph,
That's wonderful that you are studying special education. I believe there is a high need for people in that area, and the Lord knows that we need people who are not abusive in that area as well. I seen far too much abuse when it comes to special education educators. Sadly, but true.
So preciously you were in the tech industry. I'm guessing you mean through that elaborate description, that you created software?
Your description of your experience with Catholicism is quite different than mine. What type of Catholic Church are you going to, if I may ask? Roman Catholic? Or, one of those newer modern churches? I forget what they're called. My mother began going to one of the modernized catholic churches before she died. We attended a Roman Catholic church, though, when I was young. I remember "holy water", "kneeling before entering the pew", praying certain prayers repetitively, and confessing to a priest. I just felt a quite a young age, LOL! that I should be able to talk with Jesus whenever I wanted, and say whatever was on my heart to say when talking with him. I didn't like having a middle man. I feel the same till this day. That is why I attend a non-denominational church where the focus is understanding the bible, applying to our lives, and implementing what it says. I don't mean disrespect for the Catholic Church in any way. I'm glad to hear that the priest emphasizes a personal relationship with Jesus. When I attended the Catholic Church, we were encouraged to build a personal relationship with the priest, who would speak on our behalf to God. I just never thought that was appropriate. It gave men too much power in my mind. It still cracks me up because I was sooo young thinking such things, and even as an adult, I feel the same way. I know Catholics, as well as other Christians of other denominations, including non-denominational, that go to church just to say that they do and have a "religion". Then, I know others of all denominations, who actually have personal relationships with Christ.
Making Christ our Lord does not happen by just attending church and knowing in your mind what is right and true. It also takes a heart knowledge and literally inviting Christ to be in our heart and be our Lord.
God can certainly work miracles in our lives, I've experienced that myself. Maybe I'll share it my experiences one day. God also answers prayer by saying "no". I've experienced that, too. All of this I'm sure you know. I do enjoy discussing it.
I'm sorry you had bad experiences in other denominations. How we respond to what happens to us is vitally important. We can respond poorly, or we can respond with the power and wisdom of God, for we have the mind of Christ. Wow! That is a huge reminder to me! Praise God.
How much longer do you have until your graduation?
May God bless your endeavors.
Warmly,
Lisa
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:19:23 -0800
> From: tjosephcarter at gmail.com
> To: faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] Fwd: Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
>
> Lisa,
>
> I'm studying special education at Western Oregon University. This is a
> new vocation for me--and I believe it is a vocation. I am called to do
> this, it's not just more education for a job. Previously I was what we
> affectionately refer to in the tech industry as a "Code Monkey". That is,
> a highly evolved form of pink-colored primate which effectively turns
> large amounts of caffeine into software. Believe it or not, those skills
> have served me well in my new vocation already.
>
> Before I became Catholic? Well, I was confirmed Easter 2006. Around that
> time three years earlier, I had a conversation with a person about how I
> wasn't really happy doing what I was doing. She asked what I wanted to
> do, and I told her what I thought was important, and why it could never
> actually happen. She asked if I believed in God or any creator for that
> matter, and I said I figured if he was there, he had long since written
> off this mudball and everybody on it. She asked me, if there was really a
> God, would I agree to let him do all of these things I said couldn't
> happen, if it were his will to do so. More to shut her up than anything,
> I agreed.
>
> And then something happened. I was accepted into a Writing 121 class I
> needed later than should have been possible. This was the least of
> things, and certainly not proof that there was any kind of creator that
> was taking care of me, but it shouldn't have happened. Neither should the
> next dozen or so things that were impossible--but they all happened. By
> October, I had reached the, "Okay okay! I get it, you ARE there, and you
> DO care what happens to us!" stage. It was another two years before I
> began asking the question, "so I believe in God, now what?"
>
> At that point, my friend suggested that her priest would be willing to
> talk to me. I was expecting to hear why the Catholic Church is the One
> True Faith and all of that, but I went because I had to start somewhere
> and my friend said I'd enjoy talking with him. We talked about many
> things, most importantly what it means to be a Christian (but not what it
> means to be Catholic--that was only mentioned once, in passing), the
> importance of prayer, and attentiveness to God's efforts to communicate to
> and through us.
>
> He also lent me a lecture series that is truly wonderful on the early
> Christian church done by a guy who teaches at Emory. It took another six
> months to digest that material, by which time I had learned about the
> origin of some of the important things central to Catholic faith that were
> missing from my experience of other faiths.
>
> As a child, my sister's father decided that we "needed to get religion",
> and consequently this happened at a Southern Baptist church. We went
> through the motions, but I don't think any of us really had what could be
> called a conversion experience. Not two years later, I had abandoned
> Christianity for some bit of Newage (that's not a typo, it really should
> rhyme with sewage), and later abandoned even that.
>
> I see one major problem in the Catholic Church, and it is the same problem
> that affects all religion: God is represented by men, and men sometimes
> are very poor representatives. We have our good and our bad, in the
> laity, priests, bishops, and even popes from time to time. It seems to
> work out in the long run. Interestingly, it seems to work out much the
> same in other denominations.
>
> Thank you for your kind response. I'll take all of the blessings I can
> get when it comes to my academics--I am pretty sure I will need them!
>
> Joseph
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2008 at 03:00:54PM -0700, Lisa Felix wrote:
> > Hi Joseph,
> >
> > So glad to hear from you.
> >
> > Wow! A graduate student, you say? What are you studying?
> >
> > What were you before you converted to Catholicism? Or, did you not know God before your conversion? If you were part of another faith, which one was it? I hope I am not being too personal. I'm just curious why you would choose Catholicism over something else. The most important thing for someone of any denomination of the Christian faith is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Next, I believe, would be to bring about a unity between the denominations. A person can attend a Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc., and even a non-denominational church very regularly, and even be quite involved with the church, and still not know Christ. I have seen this. It's quite sad. One day, we will be standing before our Lord, and to some He will say as you said, " I never knew you.".
> >
> > I was raised in the Catholic religion as a child. At age 8, I decided it wasn't for me. During a chatechism class, I accepted Christ into my heart. I asked Him to be in me and be my Lord. It wasn't until I was 14 that I began going to a baptist church, and shortly thereafter, I began going to a non-denominational church. That is where I now prefer to be, though I am not against the other denominations of the Christian Faith. I have a relatively close friend that is Catholic.
> >
> > Romans 1:18-20 says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them. for since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." God created the heavens and the earth and everything this is in them. Just by looking at creation we can see that there is a God. Even atheists have no excuse.
> >
> > Joseph, it has been enlightening speaking with you. Thanks for taking the time to chime in when you have the time to do so. May God bless you in your studies.
> >
> > Warmly,
> > Lisa
>
> _______________________________________________
> Faith-talk mailing list
> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk
Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista® + Windows Live™. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_012008 Start now!
More information about the Faith-talk
mailing list