Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
Dawnmarie: I can use all the prayers I can get. I believe in the power of prayer but perhaps for different reasons than some.
I compliment both you and your son for his great educational accomplishment and expect he is successful in his career.
I was baptized a Roman Catholic and my story follows most catholic boys altar boy, etc. Of all Christian faiths being catholic fit me best.
However the dividing issue for me is that like any organization large or small politics inserts itself and then God's word or the interpretation thereof is subjected to the political or personal ideological whims of a human being. The result is that it becomes the singer and not the song. Ergo I can approach my God as a child because if I believe then he is my Father but I cannot and will not surrender myself to a human being who may or may not be a better person than me.
And, so Dawn Marie I appreciate your candor and your point of view and the time you take sharing . Life is complicated and that's what makes it worth living.
Personal Best Regards:
|
A few thoughts Rubicon...my son (one of three) is very successful as a Scientist but he has kept his mouth shut about his faith for the most part in order to achieve this success. He said once he made a name for himself he would be able to speak and he was not about to do that until he received his doctorate. He recently cured epilepsy in adult mice which has never been done and finds himself somewhat of a rock star in the epileptic world. He's been written up in several Science Journals and recently received a million dollar grant from the government to continue his research. God has certainly blessed him for being faithful.
Even though you didn't say I was pretty sure I could read RC between the lines. I came out of that religion as well as my husband who was also an altar boy and thought hard about becoming a Priest.
I do have to say Doctrine DOES matter. It's the ONLY way to fight heresy. The RCC was not a good church when it came to bible reading. They wanted you to rely on them alone and that is not a good thing. God wants us in His book, reading, studying and meditating on it. It's His word to us. It's great to pray and meditate on God but in order to have a relationship with Him it has to be two way. it can't be all about you talking to him without you listening to His heart via His Word.
When we become Christ followers (born again is a term used in Scripture) God gives us certain gifts. For some, it's Pastors, others teachers, helpers, some gift of compassion, discernment, etc. The comparison is liken to a body. We are not all arms, toes, or legs. The body is made up of diff parts. So too is the body of Christ. He has appointed Pastors and teachers to help us. We are to surrender to God alone but there's nothing wrong with being under a teaching of another gifted by God. Paul wrote to follow him as he followed Christ. Everything, everything...tho has to be examined in the light of Scripture. Paul had no problem with the Bareans who checked Paul out by examining the Scripture themselves to see if Paul was telling the truth.
Life is complicated filled with many trials and tribulations...it's only going to get worse. I do believe Satan is real and that there is a battle that has been going on since the beginning. We can't see it but we can see the evidence of it. I thank God for His Spirit and His Word to guide me in these very uncertain times.
Blessings to you Rubicon.