I would like to take moment to introduce myself prior to posting on this forum.
I am a cradle Catholic. I was the typical youth, questioning parents authority and ultimately Gods. Nothing surprising thus far, but this is just the beginning. I later became a religious zealot. During that time in my life I thought I had it all figured out.
I lived that lie for many years. I talked the talk but did not walk the walk. I was able to help others to come to know Christ Jesus, even though my faith was a secondary consideration. Academics, religious practices, liturgics, philosophy, systematic theology, and even church architecture were much more important to me then the person of Jesus Christ. I had faith in myself, and my understanding of Church law and theology. It was not until much later that I finally discovered just how little I really knew about the God Man Jesus Christ.
My foundation was shaken and I fell. I could not defend a faith that I did not love any more. I had it with the hypocrisy and I was the biggest hypocrite of them all. I began to chase after anything that was not of the church. I fell away and I fell hard. I went from listening to only Catholic musicians to listening to groups like Godsmack and CrazyTown. I began to chase after money, and worldly approval.
I turned away from some of the habits that I had formed, but I still was not grounded in Christ. I could not take it anymore life had no joy fear, stress, and depression were around every corner. I had to do something. After conversing with some old friends of mine I began to see that I needed to trust in something outside of myself, this time it was outside of the Catholic Church. But I still did not find total peace.
I believed it was peace for some time, but I could not get past a nagging voice that kept calling me. I was still only intellectually involved. I decided that it was time to read the NT in its entirety for the first time in my life. This time, I needed to read it, not as an academic, but as a husband, father, and most of all a sinner.
After reading the NT from start to finish for the first time a fire was lit in my belly, and this time it is a fire that will not be put out. I discovered Christ Jesus. I had studied him as an academic; I did not take the time to let it sink in. I never bothered with the Pauline writings because I did not think that they mattered much since I had a strong grasp of the Gospel accounts.
St. Paul has done it again. He has witnessed to Christ nearly 2000 years after his death, and made a difference in someones life. I am still asking questions, but I am pleased to be back in the Catholic Church. I know that I have gone on and on here, but I believe that it will shed some light.
I look forward to participating in this community. I have previewed many of the threads and you all seem like a cool bunch. There is a song that really says exactly as I feel. I have included a link to it here. Listen to song. It is in mp3PRO format but will play in standard mp3 players.
God Bless,
Bondservant in Christ Jesus
I am a cradle Catholic. I was the typical youth, questioning parents authority and ultimately Gods. Nothing surprising thus far, but this is just the beginning. I later became a religious zealot. During that time in my life I thought I had it all figured out.
I lived that lie for many years. I talked the talk but did not walk the walk. I was able to help others to come to know Christ Jesus, even though my faith was a secondary consideration. Academics, religious practices, liturgics, philosophy, systematic theology, and even church architecture were much more important to me then the person of Jesus Christ. I had faith in myself, and my understanding of Church law and theology. It was not until much later that I finally discovered just how little I really knew about the God Man Jesus Christ.
My foundation was shaken and I fell. I could not defend a faith that I did not love any more. I had it with the hypocrisy and I was the biggest hypocrite of them all. I began to chase after anything that was not of the church. I fell away and I fell hard. I went from listening to only Catholic musicians to listening to groups like Godsmack and CrazyTown. I began to chase after money, and worldly approval.
I turned away from some of the habits that I had formed, but I still was not grounded in Christ. I could not take it anymore life had no joy fear, stress, and depression were around every corner. I had to do something. After conversing with some old friends of mine I began to see that I needed to trust in something outside of myself, this time it was outside of the Catholic Church. But I still did not find total peace.
I believed it was peace for some time, but I could not get past a nagging voice that kept calling me. I was still only intellectually involved. I decided that it was time to read the NT in its entirety for the first time in my life. This time, I needed to read it, not as an academic, but as a husband, father, and most of all a sinner.
After reading the NT from start to finish for the first time a fire was lit in my belly, and this time it is a fire that will not be put out. I discovered Christ Jesus. I had studied him as an academic; I did not take the time to let it sink in. I never bothered with the Pauline writings because I did not think that they mattered much since I had a strong grasp of the Gospel accounts.
St. Paul has done it again. He has witnessed to Christ nearly 2000 years after his death, and made a difference in someones life. I am still asking questions, but I am pleased to be back in the Catholic Church. I know that I have gone on and on here, but I believe that it will shed some light.
I look forward to participating in this community. I have previewed many of the threads and you all seem like a cool bunch. There is a song that really says exactly as I feel. I have included a link to it here. Listen to song. It is in mp3PRO format but will play in standard mp3 players.
God Bless,
Bondservant in Christ Jesus
