I was raised Catholic in Quebec. My ancestors were prohibited from reading the Bible, because you could go insane doing so. We had a little book of do's and dont's named the "petit cathéchisme". Not much to do with Bible teachings. It was a sect of control and fear all along. Later the New Age mishmash came in for those who had faith God existed. I got in that movement for years (reiki, esoteric books, tarot cards etc) and for a lot of "believers", Jesus was put back on the guru/master bench ( to use a hockey word!). Much later in life I became an anabaptist. What struck me in the protestant faith was that Mary was not an intercessor and was not to be worshipped. The images of the suffering of Christ on the cross, the rosary where most prayers concern Mary, prayers for the dead, the favors asked to dead people or saints, these declared so by popes. To Catholism saints are dead religious figures, not the living believers. I discovered what prayer is: I had no idea we could pray out loud from our outpouring heart for one another, lay hands on one another. Heck I took years of reiki and massage therapy classes to fill my natural inclination for hands-on healing. I discovered the Holy Spirit dwells in me: wow! That there is no Catholic authority to bless me, or to absolve my sins. I found out what the word "rapture" means (eventhough we don't agree on its timing! ) among other words. the magic in the "transsubstantiation" communion ritual changed to sharing the tradition of bread and wine. No catholic prays in tongues (as protestants we don't agree on that either!). Oh and I discoved I could use my modest music skills for worship at church or prayer groups. Thank you Lord, I can confide in you, be myself and serve you as a believer in your son Jesus.
I’ll never forget that the first book I read as a tiny kid, in totality, was Revelation because everyone told me specifically not to read that one. Guess I’ve always had that personality hahaha. Needless to say, Ezekiel DOES have a cool name, so I don’t blame you there!
I recently read about our need to learn our heavenly Father’s language. You did a wonderful job of enlarging on that. Thank you!
I have learned that I can be wrong not only in what I speak but how I speak. My soul may have an agenda contrary to Holy Spirit’s making the communication “UNREADABLE” and confusing as you aptly pointed out.
James 3 addresses this very well and I and want to quote vs 17-18: “But the wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
I test what I want to say and what others say to me by this.
Like all through Proverbs a prayer for wisdom is also found here in James 1:5 - as you know.
Eccl 5:2 is perfect, albeit tough for me to put what I want to say in fewer words so I hope that my comment complements your article 🙏
I was raised Catholic in Quebec. My ancestors were prohibited from reading the Bible, because you could go insane doing so. We had a little book of do's and dont's named the "petit cathéchisme". Not much to do with Bible teachings. It was a sect of control and fear all along. Later the New Age mishmash came in for those who had faith God existed. I got in that movement for years (reiki, esoteric books, tarot cards etc) and for a lot of "believers", Jesus was put back on the guru/master bench ( to use a hockey word!). Much later in life I became an anabaptist. What struck me in the protestant faith was that Mary was not an intercessor and was not to be worshipped. The images of the suffering of Christ on the cross, the rosary where most prayers concern Mary, prayers for the dead, the favors asked to dead people or saints, these declared so by popes. To Catholism saints are dead religious figures, not the living believers. I discovered what prayer is: I had no idea we could pray out loud from our outpouring heart for one another, lay hands on one another. Heck I took years of reiki and massage therapy classes to fill my natural inclination for hands-on healing. I discovered the Holy Spirit dwells in me: wow! That there is no Catholic authority to bless me, or to absolve my sins. I found out what the word "rapture" means (eventhough we don't agree on its timing! ) among other words. the magic in the "transsubstantiation" communion ritual changed to sharing the tradition of bread and wine. No catholic prays in tongues (as protestants we don't agree on that either!). Oh and I discoved I could use my modest music skills for worship at church or prayer groups. Thank you Lord, I can confide in you, be myself and serve you as a believer in your son Jesus.
I’ll never forget that the first book I read as a tiny kid, in totality, was Revelation because everyone told me specifically not to read that one. Guess I’ve always had that personality hahaha. Needless to say, Ezekiel DOES have a cool name, so I don’t blame you there!
Aww, I love a good rebel. Haha kindred spirits huh.
I recently read about our need to learn our heavenly Father’s language. You did a wonderful job of enlarging on that. Thank you!
I have learned that I can be wrong not only in what I speak but how I speak. My soul may have an agenda contrary to Holy Spirit’s making the communication “UNREADABLE” and confusing as you aptly pointed out.
James 3 addresses this very well and I and want to quote vs 17-18: “But the wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
I test what I want to say and what others say to me by this.
Like all through Proverbs a prayer for wisdom is also found here in James 1:5 - as you know.
Eccl 5:2 is perfect, albeit tough for me to put what I want to say in fewer words so I hope that my comment complements your article 🙏
Very wise advice. We need this as a reminder. Thank you.