Ongoing Issues

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morefaithrequired

Guest
#41
#41
helping someone who feels suicidal:
yes we need spiritual help. yes we need God above all but.....
God can help us more indirectly:
1. through skilled counsellors
2. through quality friends
3. through other emotional and psychological help.

so never advise "just pray". Be there for that person. "Im here. How can I help?"
 
Mission21

Mission21

Pathfinder
#42
Mar 12, 2019
913
805
93
#42
calibob said:
Well there will always be those any and everybody that disagrees with them. Mostly I believe it RCC doctrine, dogma and the Vatican that most people (including myself) have a problem with.

As you know, I was Catholic. As well as my mom, aunts, uncles and the entire Dalmatian, Italian and Latino side of the family. Catholics are no better or worse than any other euro or latino culture. Many are sincere and some do believe that Jesus died for them. There are Charismatic Catholics that are born again.
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Good point / comment.
---
You wrote, "There are Charismatic Catholics that are born again."
- I met some of them.
- We had interesting conversation.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#43
#43
calibob said:
There are Charismatic Catholics that are born again.
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Yeah I seem to remember spending a weekend retreat with some of these people. They were enthusiastic but I got a cultish vibe from them. it was weird.
the whole born again concept is hard for me to digest fully. I can respect people like yourself and those who attend AA meetings. They really do hit rock bottom. And maybe people who really hit rock bottom, see the blinding light and finally wake up. Just like Paul did.
As close as ive got to rock bottom ive never had that defining moment. and for many of us who don't reach the end of our tether, its more a process in my view. Stop and start. stop and start. insight --one step forward, negative relationship event --two steps back.
the complacency that comes with "born again" bothers me too. If people are assured of heaven, dont they rest on their laurels somewhat?
that's enough for now though Im not quite done on the topic of course
 
calibob

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
#44
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,516
113
Anaheim, Cali.
#44
morefaithrequired said:
Yeah I seem to remember spending a weekend retreat with some of these people. They were enthusiastic but I got a cultish vibe from them. it was weird.
the whole born again concept is hard for me to digest fully. I can respect people like yourself and those who attend AA meetings. They really do hit rock bottom. And maybe people who really hit rock bottom, see the blinding light and finally wake up. Just like Paul did.
As close as ive got to rock bottom ive never had that defining moment. and for many of us who don't reach the end of our tether, its more a process in my view. Stop and start. stop and start. insight --one step forward, negative relationship event --two steps back.
the complacency that comes with "born again" bothers me too. If people are assured of heaven, dont they rest on their laurels somewhat?
that's enough for now though Im not quite done on the topic of course
Click to expand...
The term comes from John 3:
Jesus and Nicodemus
…6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”…
Berean Study Bible
 
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morefaithrequired

Guest
#45
#45
calibob said:
The term comes from John 3:
Jesus and Nicodemus
…6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”…
Berean Study Bible
Click to expand...
i can attach a "Catholic" youtube response to that if you are interested. I suspect youve made up your mind though which is understandable.
One of the points made on the video is that you need to interpret the verses that come after the one you quoted. Thr importance of water and Spirit ?? cant remember exactly...will get back to you on this .....
 
calibob

calibob

Sinner saved by grace
#46
May 29, 2018
8,268
5,516
113
Anaheim, Cali.
#46
morefaithrequired said:
i can attach a "Catholic" youtube response to that if you are interested. I suspect youve made up your mind though which is understandable.
One of the points made on the video is that you need to interpret the verses that come after the one you quoted. Thr importance of water and Spirit ?? cant remember exactly...will get back to you on this .....
Click to expand...
I]ve got the whole thing here in lager print and with the lords words in big red letters. He repeats it again in verse 7. You must be born again. Not by the flesh but by the water . Whe water and baptism symbolize having our sins washed away, and the Spirit is what circumcizes the heart. The wind symbolizes the Holy Spirits ability to go where it pleases.

John 7:38
New International Version
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
 
preacher4truth

preacher4truth

Senior Member
#47
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,719
113
#47
Lots of judging and determining to know persons hearts and motives for posting going on in this thread. ;)
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#49
#49
Im not a huge fan of Bishop Barron. Sometimes he doesn't get to the point. But he mentions the sacraments as a way a Catholic can be born again. "also born again means "born from above"
For me personally, I do need spiritual renewal. I started about 4 years ago coming back to the Church. I go to Confession on average once a year now which is not really enough. And Communion. Im no Saint. No theologian. My brother is a pentecostal and complains about the Catholic Church . each to his own. we are probably all wrong in the end. :)
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#51
#51
tourist said:
At times that would seem to be the wise course of action. I make it a point to praise my wife each day while giving God the glory.
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my wife loves praise fortunately, I try not to be fake, she does deserve it though because she has put up with me for almost 30 years
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#52
#52
calibob said:
The term comes from John 3:
Jesus and Nicodemus
…6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”…
Berean Study Bible
Click to expand...
heres another catholic answer...…..it all gets a bit confusing to be honest and finally boring as we split hairs over semantics. I wont be offended if you don't watch it.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#53
#53
I admire some loners. Not all. The ones who arent playing political games to maintain their popularity. The people I least admire are sheep who hide in groups. Who derive their identity and happiness from being accepted in the group.
Christian loners go out on a limb to find truth. They might have to go against the grain. Leave their friends and family. But they reallycdig deep to find answers. they dont accept glib answers. They use gut feeling, emotional truth, commonsense, objective truth , humility doubt and trust in the God of their conscience.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#54
#54
weeping at funerals. arent people crying for themselves? their own loss. nothing wrong with that . just that is not clear.
you weep for someone who is facing their own demise before they die. how sad it is to face ones own imminent death.
"I am soon to be no more."
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#55
#55
we feel sentimental sbout dying and death. "this world is losing one of its best. how will they all survive without me?" 😁
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#56
#56
this is the test. the real test of our Christian faith. our attachment to this life, this world and loved ones is real. we are human after all.
 
S

Susanna

Guest
#57
#57
Memento Mori...why did the Lord open our eyes to this unpleasant fact?
 
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