Posted on 07/03/2004 12:14:49 AM PDT by melsec
Hi all,
After reading a thread earlier which talked about the Charisms of the Holy Spirit I thought about not seeing the Spirit but being able to see His effects i.e. like the wind blowing analogy. For me and I believe for most people their is a critical moment in life when we make the decision to follow the Lord or not I am really interested to hear other people's comments on this or their testimonies on how God moved on them.
Thank you. But I am ready to move on and let someone else take on the running of B. E. of Oregon! LOL!
How absolutely beautiful! This prompts me to pass along one of many wonderful things God has done for me.
I am quite a social person and love to give everyone a big hug. A couple of years ago when our church was being renovated, the Tabernacle was put into a small room off the school auditorium where Mass was celebrated. I had asked a friend about heaven and if we made it would it be OK to give Jesus a big hug. She said you would know what is appropriate when and if you get there.
The very next day I was alone in the little room with the Tabernacle and started to say my rosary. All of a sudden my thoughts turned to the conversation of the day before. And then the following words formed in my brain, "You don't have to wait to get to heaven to hug me, come hug me now"! In tears I went up and hugged the Tabernacle - it was a most wonderful experience. Since the church has been completed and the Tabernacle resides in a Chapel off the main church, every opportunity I get I make it a point to give Jesus a great, big hug.
Anyone else who has the opportunity to do the same, I guarantee you will never forget it!
I was brought up in a Protestant family. I went to Sunday school every so often, but didn't attend regularly until I began singing in the choir. Some years I went regularly; other years I didn't. Other than one grandmother, I probably went more than anyone else in the family.
My husband grew up in a Catholic family but fell away shortly before we started dating. He began attending my services at my church and singing in the choir, also.
After 30 years of service, our minister retired and the new one was very different. He was far more liberal in his theology and elsewhere. I began to question much of what I was hearing from the pulpit. After several discussions with the new minister, I began seeking answers from friends I trusted. One, who had some answers that actually made sense to me was a cousin of my husband who was studying to be a Deacon in the Catholic Church. I had many wonderful conversations with he and his wife. Many of the people here at FR know him as ThomasMore.
I'm a "black and white" person; there are very few gray areas in my life. When searching for answers, the Catholic Church provided strong ones. But even then, it was the Holy Spirit which, when I began to pay attention, took hold of my heart and filled it with a shining light that was so strong, it literally took my breath away - and still does!
The rest is history. My life, since my conversion, has been so much better. My husband and I had our marriage blessed in 2000. My children have all had their 1st Communions. I don't suffer from doubt and indicision as I used to. I don't fear death. I rejoice in the small things I see each day. I worry far less. There is peace in my life - even when day-to-day chaos is all around me in the form of my 3 wacky, wonderful children! Praise God!
I was born into basically nothing. The only time I ever attended church was to be baptized a Lutheran when I was six. Met and married a cradle Catholic and she prayed hard that I would find God. I was very thick headed and it took 19 years of marriage for God to finally find his way through my thick skull.
After many sleepless nights, waking for what I thought was not good reason, I finally just lay in my bed and for the first time in my life, I really prayed. One week later I started attending church regularly, two months later I decided to enter the OCIA class at church. My first Sunday accepting God’s body and blood I balled my eyes out in church; the feeling of relief, love, and oneness overwhelmed me. 5 years later I’m a 4th degree Knight, on the OCIA team, sing (?) in the choir, am a lector, and try in other ways to repay God for the many blessings he has given me over the past 48 years. Oh yeah, and no more sleepless nights.
Wow. Your story brought tears to my eyes. If only there were more catholics like you.
"My first Sunday accepting God's body and blood I balled my eyes out in church; the feeling of relief, love, and oneness overwhelmed me."
I was wondering how many others reading this thread have received the 'gift of tears'?
St. Ambrose says of the two conversions that, in the Church,
"there are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance."
God granted me that Grace, and I consider it the greatest gift of consolation that He could grant.
If anybody has received it and wants to know more about it, read St. Catherine of Siena 'The Dialoge' or St. John of the Cross 'Dark Night of the Soul'
There is a whole theology to it.
**There is peace in my life**
Thank you for sharing your story!
**the feeling of relief, love, and oneness overwhelmed me.**
Andyman, I have tears in my eyes, thank you!
Wonderful story. I think you will get a great big hug in heaven!
**"there are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance."**
The tears happened to me one evening after Confession. I just felt so close to God. All I could do was sit there and sob quietly for about 10 minutes before I could even begin to say my Penance.
I help to give healing weekends for the divorced, widowed and separated or anyone who has suffered a significant loss in their life. Tears are definitely a part of it, and we let them cry. But we also encourage them to put their thoughts and feelings down on paper.
Just like the Marriage Encounter weekend, presentations are given, there is a quiet reflection time and then we have a small group time. (Obviously no couples on these weekends.)
BTW, click on my name to read my profile and find the direct link to Beginning Experience.
Sorry, after reading your post it all came back to me. Thanks and God bless!
There are - as one gets older one starts listening with an open mind and things become so clear.
I remember being a teenager and even in later years, I knew it all, had too much going on in my head and didn't take the time to be QUIET and listen!
Amazing what one hears!
Thanks Salvation! I know you will receive a big hug too - and - I plan to be second or third in line to also give you a hug!
As a matter of fact, all of you wonderful people who have opened up so in this thread, I send you all a great big hug right now. You are ALL in my prayers.
Perhaps one day we can all get together for a 4th of July picnic in heaven!
By the way, has anyone seen the video "All Animals go to Heaven"? It's put out by Dr. Jack VanImpe and his wife Rexella. I've had to put down five of my beloved pets over the years and after seeing this video, I feel much better about everything.
I do get carried away, don't I?
God is good hey! Better late than never. I don't think God needs our pay back but I certainly understand your expression of love and gratitude at His great mercy and forgiveness. I believe it's what Paul meant when he said he was under obligation to preach the Gospel.
Blessings,
Mel
I long to hear Catholics share their faith and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the way people have in this thread. I have heard Protestants do it for years I really believe every Catholic has a story that they may not have considered - It is however the word of their Testimony and it says to others that God is alive and working in and through his people's lives. Theology is great, doctrine is great however nthing seems to speak more directly to outsiders or build up the fatih of insiders more than a persoanl testimony of what God has done for them and how much they love him for it. It's great news!
**I really believe every Catholic has a story that they may not have considered - It is however the word of their Testimony and it says to others that God is alive and working in and through his people's lives.**
Definitely!
Let's all gather 'round the campfire and exchange the wonderful things that have happened to each and every one of us courtesy of a loving Father!
Since I don't know how to make it a direct link in this posting, I will post the address next.
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