So did you know the Lord?
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M*W: I thought I did. I knew everything about him, every word he allegedly spoke, everything he stood for, his birth, childhood, mission, passion, death and resurrection. I thought I knew him pretty well. I thought he knew me, too, and was pleased.
As to what you said you provided no evidence of being born again.
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M*W: Catholicism didn't push the "born-again" feeling. They pushed the born of water (baptism) and born of spirit (confirmation) rituals for the "born-agains." I attended catholic charismatic prayer groups where they prayed in tongues. I could never do it no matter how hard I tried. The lay group (somewhat like a coven) told me that I couldn't be "born-again" until I could speak in tongues. So, I quit going, because I couldn't even fake the tongue thingy. Although, I must say, that I was very sensitive and intuitive about the others and the problems they were having, but I held my tongue since they didn't think I was "born-again" because of the lack of tongues. Perhaps I could have helped some of them with a little intuitive advice. These people seemed to be so hopeless. These charismatic groups attracted all kinds of needy people who wanted hands laid on them with prayer for healings. I didn't belong in such a group. My inner spirit led me out of there.
So going to church and following the rituals of being a Catholic is what made you a Christian? That's sad.
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M*W: I always knew what a christian was (not necessarily what a christian was supposed to be). Remember, I had a hard-shell Southern baptist grandmother who preached to me 24/7. That also led me to study christianity. I loved her very much, and she is still my role model, even though she's been gone decades. My agnostic parents who didn't believe anything, led me to the strict rules of catholic christianity. My parents, however, made me attend a local baptist university (it was close to my house), so they could continue to have control over me. My children's religious education needs led me to catholicism. Wanting to play by society's rules led me to the christian community of catholicism where I became a full-fledged, baptised, confirmed, catechist in good standing with the Pope who I met in 1978, at The Vatican, in his very first audience. I even received an official papal blessing, documented and signed on thick parchment paper with a picture of PJII, suitable for framing. I don't doubt that I was a christian. I may have been called a catholic, and contrary to what protestants may think, Roman Catholicism is christianity in it's more purer (as in concentrated) form.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
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M*W: I had no doubt that I had been saved by my faith. I have never said that I never did feel saved. I did then, and I do now, but by other means. The feeling (not the belief in) of salvation doesn't necessarily lead us all to the same place. My idea of salvation is different than yours. I'm content with my idea of salvation. I look forward to it everyday. I look forward to the future, and I know when I am gone, I will live on. Let's just say the vehicle which carries us beyond the grave are different. I definitely don't want to take this body with me beyond the grave. It's old and tired and worn out. It drags me down now, why would I want to drag it beyond the grave? I wouldn't! I'm taking care of it now the best I can so it will be tasty worm food. My salvation will come in the memories of my children and grandchildren. And maybe in the memories of some of you on sciforums. That's all I want. That's all I need. I created my life like I wanted to, and it's all mine. So, salvation is relative to each of us. I don't need a heaven when I remain in the hearts and minds of my family and friends.
Its time you try Jesus of the Bible and Him alone.
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M*W: No, that was not the way to my salvation. I tried Jesus, don't get me wrong. I read the bible backwards and forwards and upside down, and I still could not find a way to my salvation in a book. My salvation had to come from within.
And you still haven't answered me why you put your faith in the "worm" theory and not the truths of the Bible.
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M*W: Well, excuse me, but your post was after 10:30 PM. I went to bed early last night when the body gave out for the night.
