Taking an invitation

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Peaceful Dove; wanted some new post on the Charismatic Catholic, apparently from Charismatic non-Catholic. I am not Catholic, have never been to a Catholic service, but I am a Chaismatic, spiritually gifted Christian,who hears from the Lord. And there are things I have heard from Him that I don't really go over with my Charismatic friends.

For example, When the Lord asked me to open and run a Christian bookstore for Him. He told me to get Catholic books also. I tried to reason with Him. "Lord, I am not expecting much business from the Catholic community", of course that didn't go very far with Him. So He showed me a publisher called Queenship publishing and had me get a number of books from them. Queenship publising was a Charismatic Catholic publisher, as far as I could tell.

Then when I was merchandising the store for opening, He forced me [instucted me clearly so again my reasoning did not prevail] to take one of my prime front widow locations to display the Catholic books that He had me get. Frankly, it made virtually no business sense. I never sold many books from that display. I'm pretty sure I gave away more than I sold off that display.

Another thing, He had me go around all the Catholic churches and knock on the doors, to tell them that I was opening a Christian bookstore. And He also had me take out an ad in the bulletin of the closests Catholic church. I would not have done any of those things, except for the specific instructions of My Lord. For the record, I got virtually no response from the ad or from going to the Churches before opening.

He also had me get used books, and insisted that I get Catholic used books also. He pointed out a small handful of very old, beat-up and basically cummy looking Catholic books on e-bay and had me g,et them. They had to be the worst looking books I had in the store. He let me put them in a fairly obsure spot. I never sold those books, but I did finally give away one.

I was sitting behind the registar one day, and working on accounting, when suddenly I heard the Lord say, "That man is kind of like a Pastor." I looked up at the only customer in the store. Then I looked back down and started working again. Again the Lord said, "That man is kind of like a Pastor."

"OK Lord, What do you want me to do with that information?", I asked. But I got no response. So I went back to work.

Again the Lord said, "That man is kind of like a Pastor."

So I looked up at the man and announced. "SIR, YOU ARE KIND OF LIKE A PASTOR!"

Stunned, the man look at me and said, "I'm a Catholic priest."

I thought Catholic priest always wore the white collar type of thing. He was dressed nice, but looked normal to me. He had a book in his hands from that old crummy group the Lord had me get, and He was thrilled.

It turned out that crummy beat up old book was written by a friend and priest that he had gone to school with a long time ago. He had been looking for that very book for years and if I understood him correctly, he had been asking the Lord how he might get it.

I of course gave it to him, because it was pretty much useless to me, and there was no way I was going to charge this man whom the Lord specifically pointed out to me, for that crummy looking book.

Now this was not all, nor even the most spectacular ways that my Lord has made it clear to me that He is all for the Catholic church. That does not mean that He has ever asked me to go to a Catholic mass. He never has, even when I made it perfectly clear that He could. Still He has indeed made it very clear that the Catholic church is His.
 
P

Peaceful Dove

Guest
Peaceful Dove; wanted some new post on the Charismatic Catholic, apparently from Charismatic non-Catholic. I am not Catholic, have never been to a Catholic service, but I am a Chaismatic, spiritually gifted Christian,who hears from the Lord. And there are things I have heard from Him that I don't really go over with my Charismatic friends.

For example, When the Lord asked me to open and run a Christian bookstore for Him. He told me to get Catholic books also. I tried to reason with Him. "Lord, I am not expecting much business from the Catholic community", of course that didn't go very far with Him. So He showed me a publisher called Queenship publishing and had me get a number of books from them. Queenship publising was a Charismatic Catholic publisher, as far as I could tell.

Then when I was merchandising the store for opening, He forced me [instucted me clearly so again my reasoning did not prevail] to take one of my prime front widow locations to display the Catholic books that He had me get. Frankly, it made virtually no business sense. I never sold many books from that display. I'm pretty sure I gave away more than I sold off that display.

Another thing, He had me go around all the Catholic churches and knock on the doors, to tell them that I was opening a Christian bookstore. And He also had me take out an ad in the bulletin of the closests Catholic church. I would not have done any of those things, except for the specific instructions of My Lord. For the record, I got virtually no response from the ad or from going to the Churches before opening.

He also had me get used books, and insisted that I get Catholic used books also. He pointed out a small handful of very old, beat-up and basically cummy looking Catholic books on e-bay and had me g,et them. They had to be the worst looking books I had in the store. He let me put them in a fairly obsure spot. I never sold those books, but I did finally give away one.

I was sitting behind the registar one day, and working on accounting, when suddenly I heard the Lord say, "That man is kind of like a Pastor." I looked up at the only customer in the store. Then I looked back down and started working again. Again the Lord said, "That man is kind of like a Pastor."

"OK Lord, What do you want me to do with that information?", I asked. But I got no response. So I went back to work.

Again the Lord said, "That man is kind of like a Pastor."

So I looked up at the man and announced. "SIR, YOU ARE KIND OF LIKE A PASTOR!"

Stunned, the man look at me and said, "I'm a Catholic priest."

I thought Catholic priest always wore the white collar type of thing. He was dressed nice, but looked normal to me. He had a book in his hands from that old crummy group the Lord had me get, and He was thrilled.

It turned out that crummy beat up old book was written by a friend and priest that he had gone to school with a long time ago. He had been looking for that very book for years and if I understood him correctly, he had been asking the Lord how he might get it.

I of course gave it to him, because it was pretty much useless to me, and there was no way I was going to charge this man whom the Lord specifically pointed out to me, for that crummy looking book.

Now this was not all, nor even the most spectacular ways that my Lord has made it clear to me that He is all for the Catholic church. That does not mean that He has ever asked me to go to a Catholic mass. He never has, even when I made it perfectly clear that He could. Still He has indeed made it very clear that the Catholic church is His.

I just finally read this post. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. A dear Catholic brother and a partner on my Charismatic Healing team bought a Christian bookstore. You two need to compare notes. I am sending him a copy of your post. If he allows me, may I message you his email address. His name is John, by the way. Please put him on your prayer list for success with his store. Times are hard here in Northern CA.
 
Upvote 0

Rhamiel

Member of the Round Table
Nov 11, 2006
41,182
9,432
ohio
✟241,111.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
may God bless you and keep you safe from all evils

thank you for sharring your story with us... i can never hear the message that the Lord has for me... only once was it clear
i know many bookstores around here that sell anti-catholic material... i am glad yours is not like this
 
Upvote 0

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Baruch 1:16 [NAB] that we, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our fathers, have sinned in the Lord's sight and disobeyed him. We have neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God, nor followed the precepts which the Lord set before us.

It is very important that we try to listen to the Lord. Hearing with faith is what Paul called it. And here is another thing that He pointed out to me, that strongly favors the Catholic church.

When I sit down in the morning to meet with the Lord, He has instructed me to take with me a Bible. Because I had a Christian bookstore [I have since given it to a Southern Baptist Pastor, and he runs it to this day in a building that houses several small Christian churches] I have a number of Bibles. The one out of habit I usually take is a NASB. Yet that is that the best Bible to take?

The Lord pointed this out to me in the past, and because of this thread, I remember what He had pointed out to me. The NASB has 66 books. Now I am not too into the meaning of numbers, but clearly the Lord using numbers to get across meanings at times. The number 3 seems to come up in the Scriptures in connection with death and resurrection. The number 7 seems to respresent completion, fullfilment, or a perfect number. And of course the number 666 is the number of Satan.

So I take a Bible that is comprised of 66 books with me before the Lord. Well, I confess that I am not all that smart. How many books comprise the Catholic Bible? 73 isn't it?

Now the Lord has never had any trouble teaching me out of the Bible with 66 books. What the Devil means for evil the Lord uses for good, doesn't He?

Anyway, the Lord pointed this out to me a number of years ago. At that time I went back and read all the books in the Catholic Bible I had missed when the Lord first came into my life. I had heard before doing this, not from the Lord of course, that us Protestants used the Bible we did because you could see Jesus Christ in all the books of the Bible, but that wasn't the case with the other books included in the Catholic Bible. WOW, was that ever wrong!!

The book of Tobit is such a wonderful story about a young man that with the help of an angel goes back to pick up a treasure from a far away land and winds up finding a bride. Doesn't that remind you of the Lord coming to earth and being lead by the Spirit in order to get His bride?

The Book of Sirach derives its name from the author, Jesus, son of Eleazar, son of Sircah

Wisdom has an unknown author, and while obviously written after the time of king Solomon, it almost seems like it was written by Soloman. A close looked at what God told David about Solomon reveals that his son Solomon would always rules. Obviously Solomon, [Man of Peace] is another name for the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, and in Prov 2:1-6 we are told that wisdom comes from His mouth.

So this morning I got a little smarter and took both my NASB and my NAB [Catholic Bible] with me for my morning time with the Lord. That we He had a choice. What did He choose today? Well I opened this post with the thread He discussed with me this morning.

Baruch 1:16 [NAB] that we, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our fathers, have sinned in the Lord's sight and disobeyed him. We have neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God, nor followed the precepts which the Lord set before us.

We do indeed need to understand that we have all sinned in the Lord's sight, and have not heeded the voice of the Lord like we should, nor followed the precepts which He has set before us like we should, and that includes us, our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and our fathers.

I need to start taking that NAB Bible with me for my time with the Lord. Why should I only take 66 books when I can take 73?
 
Upvote 0

MoNiCa4316

Totus Tuus
Jun 28, 2007
18,882
1,654
✟34,687.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
I think it might help to look into the history of the Bible :)

in the early Church, the Councils decided (with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) which books of the Bible are Scripture, and which are not. (there were many false books going around). The Pope then approved the list. This list was as we find in the Catholic Bible today.

However, not all the books were used in liturgy. There are many, like Revelations, which were not used.

In the Reformation, they thought the books that weren't used in liturgy, weren't considered Scripture by the early Church.. so they were discarded and we got 66 books. However, the early Church DID consider those other ones to be Scripture also.

In addition, Martin Luther wanted to get rid of James and Revelation.... and other Reformers didn't let him, basically. If they had agreed, Protestant Bibles wouldn't have James or Revelation either.

That's one of the reasons why I think the Bible has more than 66 books.. because historically, that's how it was.

God bless
 
Upvote 0

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I think it might help to look into the history of the Bible :)

in the early Church, the Councils decided (with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) which books of the Bible are Scripture, and which are not. (there were many false books going around). The Pope then approved the list. This list was as we find in the Catholic Bible today.

However, not all the books were used in liturgy. There are many, like Revelations, which were not used.

In the Reformation, they thought the books that weren't used in liturgy, weren't considered Scripture by the early Church.. so they were discarded and we got 66 books. However, the early Church DID consider those other ones to be Scripture also.

In addition, Martin Luther wanted to get rid of James and Revelation.... and other Reformers didn't let him, basically. If they had agreed, Protestant Bibles wouldn't have James or Revelation either.

That's one of the reasons why I think the Bible has more than 66 books.. because historically, that's how it was.

God bless

It was my understanding that Jerome, back about 400 AD, was sent to to the Holy land to produce a Latin translation, the Vulgate, which is basically the Catholic Bible that is used today.

Yet regardless, we clearly have two Bibles used today. One with 66 books and one with 73. I primarily read a translation with 66 books, but the other 7 books (and that in itself is an interest number to be the difference between the 2 Bibles) are of some value.

For example, I have seen books written on the Jewish feasts with the meaning and how Chrsit has filled some of the feast, and speculation as to how Christ will fulfill the others. To understand the feast the Maccabees become necessary. So how is it that they are not included in most of the Bibles I have?

It hasn't prevented me from coming to know the Lord, and that is what is really important, so I don't want to make more of it than should be made. Yet it is somewhat interesting, especially considering the zeal for the Scriptures I have seen at times in church.

I have seen preachers [not Catholic] lift the Bible over their head and proclaim, "I am going to preach the Word of God". Yet when I read the Scriptures, they say that the Lord must be lifted up and that His name is called "The Word of God.

I love the Spirit filled churches I go to [Protestant], but I would not say that we have it all together. It seems to me that too many are going to be telling the Lord on that day "Didn't we cast out demons and prophesy in your name" only to be told that He never knew them.

So then, believing in Him and listening to Him is what is really important. And He had me go back and read the seven books missing in most of my Bibles.
 
Upvote 0

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
There is one last post I would like to make on this thread. It has to do with the many wonderful Christians [people who know the Lord well] that have come through the Catholic Church.

The reason I took the invitation to come post on the Catholic Spirit filled sight was that I wanted to express my complete conviction that the Catholic Church is a wonderful church of the Lord's. I say that because of the things my Lord, whom I hear from and try to follow, has told me, shown me, and testified to me. Also because of the Catholic Bible being a better Bible as far as telling the story of the Lord Jesus Christ. And also because of the clear examples of Catholics who know the Lord, even up to this day.

I am not a Catholic, so I don't follow the teachings and assorted things going on in the Catholic church, but even I have come across some writing and such of Catholics who very clearly know my Lord.

Padre Pio is one of my favorites. It is so completely obvious that this man knows my Lord. I say knows because God is God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and I belive firmly that He is the God of Padre Pio.

From everything that I have read, it is clear to me that Padre Pio was clearly hearing from the Lord. The same One I call Lord. It is not always clear when someone is hearing from the Lord of Lords, but it is clear based upon the testimonies of those familiar with Padre Pio that he clearly was hearing from the Lord. Yet if someone was not to believe the testimonies of people, how can you deny the testimony of God, and he was given that.

I also love the writing of Madame Jeanne Guyon. I have a number of her books, and it is clear that she had a wonderful relationship with the Lord also. That is what's important. God is love, so if we are to know love we must know the Lord. There truely is no other way.

When I was giving that Catholic priest the book he wanted from the Christian book store, the Lord told me how He really loved that man. Well.. I have nothing more to go on concerning that man than the testimony that the Holy Spirit gave me concerning him, but I am certain that testimony is true. For these reason I am certain the Lord loves the Catholic Church, though I am certain that not all in the Catholic church know the Lord as well as Padre Pio.

May God Bless you, all of you, and thank you for the invitation.
 
Upvote 0

MoNiCa4316

Totus Tuus
Jun 28, 2007
18,882
1,654
✟34,687.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
It was my understanding that Jerome, back about 400 AD, was sent to to the Holy land to produce a Latin translation, the Vulgate, which is basically the Catholic Bible that is used today.

that is the translation to Latin... but before then, the books of the Bible were already declared Scripture by the early Church Councils :) it was the same number of books as in the Catholic Bible. The "Protestant Bible" came to be in the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox, who are the other ancient church, also have more than 66 books..

Yet regardless, we clearly have two Bibles used today. One with 66 books and one with 73. I primarily read a translation with 66 books, but the other 7 books (and that in itself is an interest number to be the difference between the 2 Bibles) are of some value.

For example, I have seen books written on the Jewish feasts with the meaning and how Chrsit has filled some of the feast, and speculation as to how Christ will fulfill the others. To understand the feast the Maccabees become necessary. So how is it that they are not included in most of the Bibles I have?

It hasn't prevented me from coming to know the Lord, and that is what is really important, so I don't want to make more of it than should be made. Yet it is somewhat interesting, especially considering the zeal for the Scriptures I have seen at times in church.

I have seen preachers [not Catholic] lift the Bible over their head and proclaim, "I am going to preach the Word of God". Yet when I read the Scriptures, they say that the Lord must be lifted up and that His name is called "The Word of God.

I love the Spirit filled churches I go to [Protestant], but I would not say that we have it all together. It seems to me that too many are going to be telling the Lord on that day "Didn't we cast out demons and prophesy in your name" only to be told that He never knew them.

So then, believing in Him and listening to Him is what is really important. And He had me go back and read the seven books missing in most of my Bibles.

I see what you mean :) I agree that listening to God and doing His will is what is important. That's something I fail at every single day though :(
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
that is the translation to Latin... but before then, the books of the Bible were already declared Scripture by the early Church Councils :) it was the same number of books as in the Catholic Bible. The "Protestant Bible" came to be in the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox, who are the other ancient church, also have more than 66 books..



I see what you mean :) I agree that listening to God and doing His will is what is important. That's something I fail at every single day though :(

Thank you for the information. I knew the Eastern Orthodox also had 66 books. I have an translation from the Ancient Eastern text, but not the complete history of what happen to give us two Bibles.

And yes, failing to listen to the Lord everyday like I should is what we need to confess the most. Jesus said and did only what the Father told Him. Maybe I hear from Him a dozen times a day, and that is far short of what Jesus did and even Isaiah explain that in that day we would hear a voice behind us everytime we turned to the left or to the right. So I am so far off where I should be. Still it is that that realization that gets me to turn back and listen to the Lord.

Thank you again for the information and for listening to the Lord. He is amazing.
 
Upvote 0

MoNiCa4316

Totus Tuus
Jun 28, 2007
18,882
1,654
✟34,687.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
Padre Pio is one of my favorites. It is so completely obvious that this man knows my Lord. I say knows because God is God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and I belive firmly that He is the God of Padre Pio.

:idea: did you know today is the feast day of St Padre Pio??

he's one of my favourite Saints also :) He was definitely very close to God.

thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

God bless you!

Thank you for the information. I knew the Eastern Orthodox also had 66 books. I have an translation from the Ancient Eastern text, but not the complete history of what happen to give us two Bibles.

Oh I meant that the Eastern Orthodox have the Catholic books also! They have more than 66 books:)

And yes, failing to listen to the Lord everyday like I should is what we need to confess the most. Jesus said and did only what the Father told Him. Maybe I hear from Him a dozen times a day, and that is far short of what Jesus did and even Isaiah explain that in that day we would hear a voice behind us everytime we turned to the left or to the right. So I am so far off where I should be. Still it is that that realization that gets me to turn back and listen to the Lord.

Thank you again for the information and for listening to the Lord. He is amazing.

Jesus said what matters is that we do the will of the Father, not our own will :) I really wish I could do that better. I agree with you... listening is very important.
 
Upvote 0

Rhamiel

Member of the Round Table
Nov 11, 2006
41,182
9,432
ohio
✟241,111.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Wisdom has an unknown author, and while obviously written after the time of king Solomon, it almost seems like it was written by Soloman. A close looked at what God told David about Solomon reveals that his son Solomon would always rules. Obviously Solomon, [Man of Peace] is another name for the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ, and in Prov 2:1-6 we are told that wisdom comes from His mouth
in the ancient world sometimes things would go for generations as oral history before being written down
I believe the Wisdom of Solomon comes from the good king himself but was not written untill much after his time
 
Upvote 0

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
:idea: did you know today is the feast day of St Padre Pio??

he's one of my favourite Saints also :) He was definitely very close to God.

thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

God bless you!



Oh I meant that the Eastern Orthodox have the Catholic books also! They have more than 66 books:)



Jesus said what matters is that we do the will of the Father, not our own will :) I really wish I could do that better. I agree with you... listening is very important.

Thank you for the post. I didn't know it was feast day of St Padre Pio. I don't follow those things. Still, since the Lord came into my life I don't really believe in coincidences either.

Also, the translation of the Bible for the Ancient Eastern Text that I have, published by Harper Collins Pub. a George M Lamsa's Tranlation, does not have the other seven books. Well, I didn't pay much for it, but I kind of thought I was gettng the whole thing??

Thanks again for the information.
 
Upvote 0

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
in the ancient world sometimes things would go for generations as oral history before being written down
I believe the Wisdom of Solomon comes from the good king himself but was not written untill much after his time

Yes, that could very well be. Yet how is it that somethings are forgotten and some things remembered? The closer I get to the Lord the more I see His hand some how invovled in everything.

We have a tendacy, as people with our own free will and pride, to think of God as being somewhere up in heaven and not really all that involved and available to us.

That was what Paul wrote about [and referred to Scripture in in the Old Testament] by writing "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN"... The Word is near you, in your heart and on your lips.

The Spirit of God is everywhere and doesn't stop working, according to the Scriptures. So He is involved in everything, though not responsible for actions taken according to our own free will and not listening to His.

If we ignore Him, then we won't realize how involved He is! We are blinded by our own failure to believe that He is really with us, like He said. And I too have to confess to often forgetting that He said that He would never leave me, and doing what I want instead of listening to Him.

Yet once I start believing in Him as an Omni-present God and my Lord, then I start seeking Him for answers, as in hearing what He personally has to say to me. Then I start becoming aware that He is Lord of lords, and Lord of me also. I no longer can believe in lucky circumstances, but I then can give glory to God for everything.

It is like the earlier post, where I wanted to tell Catholics how much I [a Protestant believer] love Padre Pio because he would have obvously understood what I wrote. It was apparent that Padre Pio listened to the Lord, and even much better than I. So I admire a man like that!! Yet I had no idea that I was writing at the time of a feast that was in honor of him. That was not just a coincidence.

The Lord is clearly behind those things, just like the Lord was behind that Catholic priest coming to the store that I had and finding the book he really wanted among that sorryful few used Catholic books that I had. And I knew that the only reason I had that book was because the Lord specifically told me to get them. I would have absolutely not gotten those books by my own free will.

Isn't He an awesome God?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

MoNiCa4316

Totus Tuus
Jun 28, 2007
18,882
1,654
✟34,687.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
Thank you for the post. I didn't know it was feast day of St Padre Pio. I don't follow those things. Still, since the Lord came into my life I don't really believe in coincidences either.

I know what you mean :)

Also, the translation of the Bible for the Ancient Eastern Text that I have, published by Harper Collins Pub. a George M Lamsa's Tranlation, does not have the other seven books. Well, I didn't pay much for it, but I kind of thought I was gettng the whole thing??

Thanks again for the information.

I saw a thread at TAW (the Eastern Orthodox forum) and they were saying how they have more than 66 books.. I think probably it's just the publisher, Harper Collins.... the Bible they were talking about was the Orthodox study Bible.

Yes, that could very well be. Yet how is it that somethings are forgotten and some things remembered? The closer I get to the Lord the more I see His hand some how invovled in everything.

We have a tendacy, as people with our own free will and pride, to think of God as being somewhere up in heaven and not really all that involved and available to us.

That was what Paul wrote about [and referred to Scripture in in the Old Testament] by writing "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN"... The Word is near you, in your heart and on your lips.

The Spirit of God is everywhere and doesn't stop working, according to the Scriptures. So He is involved in everything, though not responsible for actions taken according to our own free will and not listening to His.

If we ignore Him, then we won't realize how involved He is! We are blinded by our own failure to believe that He is really with us, like He said. And I too have to confess to often forgetting that He said that He would never leave me, and doing what I want instead of listening to Him.

Yet once I start believing in Him as an Omni-present God and my Lord, then I start seeking Him for answers, as in hearing what He personally has to say to me. Then I start becoming aware that He is Lord of lords, and Lord of me also. I no longer can believe in lucky circumstances, but I then can give glory to God for everything.

It is like the earlier post, where I wanted to tell Catholics how much I [a Protestant believer] love Padre Pio because he would have obvously understood what I wrote. It was apparent that Padre Pio listened to the Lord, and even much better than I. So I admire a man like that!! Yet I had no idea that I was writing at the time of a feast that was in honor of him. That was not just a coincidence.

The Lord is clearly behind those things, just like the Lord was behind that Catholic priest coming to the store that I had and finding the book he really wanted among that sorryful few used Catholic books that I had. And I knew that the only reason I had that book was because the Lord specifically told me to get them. I would have absolutely not gotten those books by my own free will.

Isn't He an awesome God?

indeed! :)

I think that's very true.... one time I had to do a talk for a Catholic club at my university.. and I couldn't come up with a topic. I asked Jesus, what would He want me to tell others about Him. I got this idea that He wants everyone to know just how much He cares about all the little parts of our lives and how He's concerned with everything about us, - that He's really involved, and wants us to be attentive to His presence.. (it's like that book, 'The Practice of the Presence of God'). I talked about that, and I don't know if I did a good job but God gave me a lot of peace and joy as I was speaking about this topic. I really had to rely on Him then because the talk wasn't very polished, but it was something I cared about deeply.

By the way, can I ask you a question? If you're alright with answering this, how did you get involved in the charismatic movement? I'm asking because I'm not charismatic, - I've been to some CCR events and have friends who are charismatic (both Catholic and Orthodox) but I can't figure out what to think about things like speaking in tongues, etc.. I do believe in healing and prophesy, though I don't have these gifts. I guess I'm waiting for God to lead me where He wants. But I would also love to understand more about it all.. because I know that not all Christians agree with the charismatic movement, so I find myself caught between two different opinions much of the time. (oh and this question is open to anyone.. or should I start a new thread?)

God bless :)
 
Upvote 0

K2K

Newbie
Jul 21, 2010
2,520
471
✟50,646.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I know what you mean :)



I saw a thread at TAW (the Eastern Orthodox forum) and they were saying how they have more than 66 books.. I think probably it's just the publisher, Harper Collins.... the Bible they were talking about was the Orthodox study Bible.



indeed! :)

I think that's very true.... one time I had to do a talk for a Catholic club at my university.. and I couldn't come up with a topic. I asked Jesus, what would He want me to tell others about Him. I got this idea that He wants everyone to know just how much He cares about all the little parts of our lives and how He's concerned with everything about us, - that He's really involved, and wants us to be attentive to His presence.. (it's like that book, 'The Practice of the Presence of God'). I talked about that, and I don't know if I did a good job but God gave me a lot of peace and joy as I was speaking about this topic. I really had to rely on Him then because the talk wasn't very polished, but it was something I cared about deeply.

By the way, can I ask you a question? If you're alright with answering this, how did you get involved in the charismatic movement? I'm asking because I'm not charismatic, - I've been to some CCR events and have friends who are charismatic (both Catholic and Orthodox) but I can't figure out what to think about things like speaking in tongues, etc.. I do believe in healing and prophesy, though I don't have these gifts. I guess I'm waiting for God to lead me where He wants. But I would also love to understand more about it all.. because I know that not all Christians agree with the charismatic movement, so I find myself caught between two different opinions much of the time. (oh and this question is open to anyone.. or should I start a new thread?)

God bless :)

You've got it so right!! It's the relationship, and that invovles the little things. See what you just wrote? You asked Him and He told you. Ok, you actually wrote that the idea came to you, but God is spirit and that is how we hear from spirits. Both good and evil so you have to do what Paul suggested and take all thought captive to Jesus Christ. Yet it is written that if you ask for bread God, He is not going to give you something evil. Jesus Christ is the bread and He is the Word of God. Also it is written that God is not slow to answer like you think.

Like I mentioned on this thread, we people have trouble actually understanding that the Lord is always with us. If someone is right next to you and you ask that person a question are they going to wait a week or two to answer. No, they will just tell you the answer. The only things different with the Lord are that hearing from Him requires faith, and that He knows what you are going to ask before you even ask it. So He will answer you, if you can believe it, when you ask, but you may find out that He had already given you the answer.

I once told Him, "Lord you are sometimes so hard to hear from", but instantly I heard His voice correcting me. He said, "Karl, I am always easy to hear from, it is just hard to believe it."

That's the way it really is. It is actually very easy to hear from Him, it is just very hard to believe that we can. So you start asking with the intent of hearing and He starts answering. Still that answer comes as thoughts in our head, and we have to try to figure whether it is Him, us, or maybe a demonic spirit.

Heb 5:14 Solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to dintinguish good and evil.

The context in Herbrews 5 is praticing hearing from Him. A few verses before the Hebrews are told that they should be teachers but they have become deft. They havn't been practicing listening to the Lord.

You are so right about practicing the presence of God. That is a great book, but I'm not sure that even reading that book gives you the understanding of what practicing the presence of God really means. It means communicating back and forth with God. Being in the presence of God is not like being in the presence of mountain or a sea, it is like being with a person. So you talk to Him and you listen to Him just like if you are with a person. That is what praying unceasingly is about. It is not like meditation where you stare at someting and go ...humm.

Concerning how I wound up in charimatic churches, I be happy to tell you.

As a kid my parents took me to conservative Baptist churches, but they seemed to present God as some farway being. So most of my life I didn't to to chruch, I didn't really believe in God, nor was I looking for Him. About when I turned 40, and I had a job, house, wife, and 2 kids, the Lord started to come into my life, but I didn't pay attention. My marriage of ten years started breaking up after that. Then one day while sleeping down stairs by myself I woke up one morning, sat up, and this voice said "READ YOUR BIBLE!" It was like getting hit over the head with a baseball bat [literally]

So I started reading my Bible [which my mom had given me at some point] everyday. It took me 8 months to finish, and during that time I started going back to church. Of course I chose a conservation Baptist church. Yet things [increadible, fantastic things] started happening in my life, and when I tried to tell what was actually happening to those at the Baptist church, they simply could not understand.

The Scriptures said to desire the gifts, so because that was what was written, I started asking God to the gifts. I asked Him 3 times for the gift of tongues; each 2 nights apart, before going to bed. At that time I had not meet anyone [at least that I knew of] that spoke in tongues. I was only going by what I had read in the Scriptures. After the third time, at about 3 AM I suddenly just woke up in bed and sat up. Something wierd was going. I could feel it but didn't know what it was, then suddenly it felt like I swallowed a bug. As the bug, or whatever it was went down my throat, it was hot, very hot. OH WOW.. what was going on, I thought. Then I remembered what I had prayed for. That was how I got the gift of tongues.

I could cover it in more detail, but wierd spiritual things like that were happening regularly to me. The Baptist church I was going to couldn't understand or believe me. They wouldn't let me become a member, and excluded me from helping with the kids, and overall just didn't trust me. So I went to a charasmatic church, where when I told them the things that were happening to me, they would go, OH YEAH, thats the Lord alright.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to say anything against the Baptist churches. I gave my bookstore to a Baptist Pastor, because the Lord told me to. What I am saying is that I go to charasmatic churches because I can relate to the people there.

You probably are aware of the stories about God taking Padre Pio in the Spirit to other places to pray for people. Some people can't accept that God can do that, even though the Scriptures tell how God did that very thing with Phillip.

The Lord once took me out of my body. It was only about six inches to a foot up, to where I was looking at the back of my own head. It wasn't very far, but it was real. The Lord told me, "Karl, do you think I can take you anywhere I want." If He can take you even six inches out of your body, He can take you anywhere.

I meet a couple of other people at the Spirit filled churches that the Lord has even taken them some distance, and one of them was taken to an auto accident to pray for a man that was dying at the scene of the accident. These things can and are happening.

The gifts are just that, gifts. You should start praying for them, just like we are told to do in the Scriptures. God did not tell you to pray for them and not plan on giving them to you if you do. He'll give them to you if you pray for them. Maybe not today, or even after praying for them 3 times, but He will give them to you. Yet who are you going to tend to hang around with after you speak in tongues? Not those scoffing at what the Lord did in your life. If you do hang around with them, you'll probably keep what God is doing in your life a secret, and I like discussing those things with others that understand. Isn't that what fellowship is about?

PS, I think you are probably right about the Harper Collins version I got. It had never occured to me that they might produce a translation of the eastern text, but only for the 66 books. Yet, that is probaly what happened.

Thanks for all the info, and God Bless. It is get to hear from others that do hear from Him. It turns out that one of the main reasons for God giving us the gift of tongues is to get us to actually listen to His small voice more. When you start praying things that your mind doesn't understand, then you'll surely start asking God what it is you are praying, and He'll tell you. Still there are a number of other very good things about the gift of tongues. Have you ever wanted to pray for someone but didn't know what to pray for them? The gift of tongues is excellent in that case. And there are many more reasons also. So ask the Lord for them. It is incredible, like you can not understand until you have the gift and have been using the gift for a while.
 
Upvote 0

xTx

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2010
2,005
326
✟11,241.00
Faith
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Republican
Now this was not all, nor even the most spectacular ways that my Lord has made it clear to me that He is all for the Catholic church. That does not mean that He has ever asked me to go to a Catholic mass. He never has, even when I made it perfectly clear that He could. Still He has indeed made it very clear that the Catholic church is His.

Hope you don't mine. I am not sure if you will pop back in to read your posts.

So anyway, I just want to share if everybody does not mine. :blush:

I am not sure if I should share. But, anyway here goes.

Someone taught me the Hail Mary. And, when I was in my darkest hour, facing exams, I failed the previous exam and had to redo everything.

I thought, anything. So, having no faith whatsoever, I started desperately praying the Hail Mary. I did not want to fail my exams again.

After I sat for my exams the second time round, I was extremely worried that I have failed yet again. But, I remember clearly, that somehow a message came into my head, do not worry, you have passed.

Being human, I was terrified of failing my exams again so I was worried.

I passed. Mary has helped see me through more exams, assignments etc...

Now, I have graduated with flying colours. In August 2010, I was worried that I was being possessed because of the Hail Marys and I have started saying the Rosary.

I took my spiritual temperature. And, I find, I am all right. No spiritual possession.

Mary has lead me to Jesus. [Period]. It is up to me, what I want.

I have no compulsion to attend mass nor do I have any crazy craving to buy statues etc ... and put statues all over my house. Nothing like that.

If there was some form of possession, I will be attending all the masses etc.

I am not. There is no possession. The Hail Mary is an entirely safe pray to say. Mary just leads you to Jesus. What you do after that, is up to you.

What I know for sure through Mary is. Jesus did die on the cross like a man dying. And, Jesus did rise from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the focus. Nothing else.

I hope I have not offended anyone. I do not have any desire to offend.

Only to share, my 'spiritual' temperature :angel: And, very importantly, I have the urge to prayer for the Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation (Roman Catholics) and for the unity of Christians for peace. That is God's will.

To be honest, I do not know how this can be achieved. Even in CF, you cannot post in certain sub-forums if you do not have their symbols.

How will God make all Christians come back together as one flock?

For God, nothing is impossible. There is but one Spirit. :amen: God bless :cool:
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

MoNiCa4316

Totus Tuus
Jun 28, 2007
18,882
1,654
✟34,687.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
If there was some form of possession, I will be attending all the masses etc

:wave:I just wanted to say.. if a person were possessed, the devil would NEVER lead them to go to a Mass :) not ever... the devil hates the Mass. In fact, possessed people can't be around the Blessed Sacrament because it hurts.

God bless:hug:
 
Upvote 0