Witnessed the Deception of Hundreds...

[HumbleBerean]

That is an awesome testimony Godsgrace.



Since leaving the RCC, I have found myself homeless, in terms of a church. Any suggestions? My son attends preschool at a Methodist church. Should I find my way into there?

I attend an independent baptist church and love it because it is biblically solid and puts Christ first and foremost. That being said there are many independent baptist churches I will not attend. Point is it isnt about denomination. Denomination can help guide you to the doctrine they generally hold to.

Most churches these days have websites and on their website is a statement of beliefs. If you find one you are interested in post their website, I am sure many here at RR will be more than happy to help.

[HeIsEnough]

You did the right thing by not publically dishonoring your parents. As a parent, I'm proud of you. As a fellow believer, I'm with you in your decision, and it sounds like your Dad understands. The Lord warned us about things exactly like this, take comfort, friend. :hug

[pboothe]

Perhaps once you find a church home you could invite you parents to join you every now and then. I am a firm believer in leading by example. If you could show your parents how wonderfull your relationship with God is since you left the RCC it will encourage them to follow you down that path. I will pray for further strength and knowledge for you and for open hearts and eyes for your parents.
God Bless:pray

[In His Glory]

As you already know- look for a Church whose shepherd will preach & teach the whole council of God.

You may want to check up on their beliefs- replacement or non-replacement theology.

Then when you visit- talk w/the sheep & see if they know the "true shepherd" (Christ). You can get a good feel if it's more of a social meeting place w/a bunch of "nice" people who make you feel warm & fuzzy (but the church is dead) or if most of the sheep are on fire for the Lord. (The Word is being taught & received- alive). Also, you know they some "appear" alive but are off-track following the "new thing" and off into "experience" & chasing after "signs & wonders."

I'm so proud of you & the stand you took w/the Church & with your mother. You know Christ was by your side though the whole ordeal.

The format of the Calvary/ Harvest- non denominational Churches- teach the Word- Genesis though Revelation non-stop which is a good marker that at least the sheep are hearing all of God's word. The particular one I attend has been great. The extra bible classes tackle deeper spiritual truths that are not covered in the same depth & detail as listening to the Sat/Sun sermons.

But as in all things- check up on the pastor that he is interpreting the Word properly. Unfortunately, there is no one "perfect" Church yet & sometimes the leaders get caught up various unsavory worldviews (ecumenical/ "green" movements) or (purpose driven) teachings.

And whichever Church you decide- join a small group weekly study.

Anyway- blessings & just keep following the Spirit as you have been- He will lead you to the
the right one for you.

Lisa

[Deborah 55]

I commend your honesty and your determination to find a good church...

I must say, that the Methodist denom. is so far from where they began...that it would be impossible for me to ever support that body.

The thithes that the Methodist denomination send to their leadership conference....is used in part to support the Palestinian peoples...

They are very much(the leadership)..against the Jews....

www.levitt.com is a web site of the late Zola Levitt....if you are doubting my word...you can find the info on his web Page with facts and figures....you may need to do a search...but it should be there somewhere....

God Bless Your stand......:)

[God'sGraceInMe]

:hug Thank you for all the kind words and advice!

I will definitely be looking at any church's statement of beliefs before I set foot inside the door. Thankfully, since surrendering my life to God, He has really given me a sense of discernment (which will really help to know if the church I am in is Biblically sound). I have also been blessed with my Rapture Ready family. There is so much wonderful information on this site. I truly feel that God led me to everyone here and that He will lead me wherever else I need to be. My search for a new church should not take very long. God is faithful and He hears our calls.

On a side note- my mother is trying to lure me back to the church. I think she is trying to convince herself that I am going through some kind of phase and that I will come to my senses. I wish she would understand that I have come to my senses, and that is why I will never attend a Catholic Church again.

[God's Trombone]

My mother and father are both Catholic. Occasionally, I am scheduled to lector at their church (although I no longer go to the church and am not Catholic). Whenever I am scheduled to lector, I do so without complaining. However, lately, I have not been comfortable doing this and had been planning to ask that they remove my name from the lector list.

This past Saturday, I was scheduled to read. I knew that this would be my last time reading and that I needed the guts to tell my mother that I was "officially" renouncing Catholicism. When I arrived at the church, I began to feel confused. I was questioning whether or not I was making the right decision and I had quite an internal battle. I knew, deep in my heart, that I was making the right decision, but I said a prayer to the Lord, asking Him to please help me. I needed Him to show me, in some way, what His plan was, not mine. I wanted to be certain that I was doing His will.

After a while, it was time for the priest's homily. "Fundamentalism," he said. "Does anyone know what that means?" I perked up my head at this. I could not imagine what he was about to say. This is a new, young priest. Would he be promoting or condemning it? He went on to give the definition of Fundamentalism and then said, "A Fundamentalist pastor wants to know if you are saved. Everything is about whether or not you are saved. The Bible mentions the idea of being saved X amount of times, but it doesn't matter if it is mentioned that many times or once. Fundamentalists live a very boring, narrow life. God doesn't want that for us. He wants us to experience everything this world has for us." He also went on to say how the Catholic doctrines allow them to live such a full, enriched life. Riiiiight...

I cannot tell you anything else he said. I began to feel physically ill from what I was hearing. My heart began to pound, I felt my face becoming flushed and I felt as though I might vomit. I also felt this incredibly strong urge to stand up and walk off the altar and out the door (had my parents not been there, I may have done that). What was he saying?!?!?!?!!?!? Matthew 7:13 (I think) clearly states that the path to salvation is narrow and the path to destruction is wide. This priest was telling his congregation to take the wide path!!!!!!! And the fact that he dismissed the amount of times the Bible deals with being saved- isn't it common sense to realize that if a book mentions a specific theme over and over again, it means that the author is stressing that it is a very important point and doesn't want the reader to miss it? In this case, God is telling us over and over exactly what we must do to become saved, because He wants to make sure we understand it!

I spent the rest of the mass just fuming. All I wanted to do was get the heck outta there. After mass was over, my mother turned to me and said (with such a look of admiration), "Don't you just love him?" I looked my mother in the eyes and said, "Actually, Mom, no. I don't. I disagree with every single thing he said. I consider myself a Fundamentalist and I have to say... since becoming one, my life has not become boring at all. In fact, my life is better than I could have ever imagined. You know, Johnny and I no longer consider ourselves Catholics. I said a prayer before mass, Mom, asking God to help me know what to do, as to whether or not I should come here anymore. My prayer was answered. In fact, I would say that I was given a pretty big NO. I'm sorry, Mom, but I am not coming back here." My poor mother looked like she was going to burst into tears, but I felt as though a HUGE weight was lifted off my shoulders.

My mother stayed behind as my father and I walked out. "You know," he said, "I am really surprised at how judgmental father was tonight. His homilies are never like that!" I replied, "I said a prayer and God answered it, Dad. I really think he used father to do that." My father answered, "He sure did."

I have been upset all weekend over what I heard at that mass. And to think that all of those people listened to him and possibly took what he said to heart! Those poor souls! It breaks my heart. Please, please, please pray for my parents. I pray that their eyes will be opened and that they will come to trust in God's Word, not man's.

The truly devastating part of this is that I am sure it is happening at many other churches (not just Catholic). Satan is using and twisting God's Word to deceive people. These are troubling times. We must continue to pray for the souls of the lost and stay strong in our own faith. We are always being watched- we must lead by example.

May God continue to bless all of you. I am thankful for you everyday. :hug

As one in a Catholic family (no longer Catholic myself) I can understand your experience, and I am praying for you. It is encouraging that it seems your Father is quite understanding in the situation.


Thank you, adam423 and Amber Lynne! :hug

My father may actually be seeing the light. I had a really good talk with him a couple of months ago, where I told him how I had begun to read the Bible daily and what a difference it made it my life. I also subtly told him how so much of the RCC goes against what is in the Bible. My dad totally agreed and told me the things about the RCC that he didn't agree with. Unfortunately (and FORTUNATELY), my father is very much in love with my mother, and he would follow her anywhere. My mother is very much in love with the RCC. So my dad will continue to attend mass, because my mother does. I have used every opportunity that I can to talk to them about this. But I am always extremely careful about how I go about doing so, because people are so easily alienated if they think you are a "Jesus freak." I proudly consider myself one :wave. By using this gentle approach, I have been able to open some people up and get them onto the right path. I know the time will come (as a matter of fact, I think it is rapidly approaching) when there will be no time for being subtle. We are running out of time and people's hearts are hardening as we speak. The biggest weapon I have right now is my passion for Christ and how I choose to live my life. People see this and are affected by it.

Since leaving the RCC, I have found myself homeless, in terms of a church. Any suggestions? My son attends preschool at a Methodist church. Should I find my way into there?

I suggest staying away from denominational churches and perhaps join a bible study group, or if available, a "Bible Church."


My mother is a Methodist, and you're right, they have certainly strayed as of late. With that said, any church in any denomination can be less than sound. This is a testament to days we now live in. :sad


:hug Thank you for all the kind words and advice!

I will definitely be looking at any church's statement of beliefs before I set foot inside the door. Thankfully, since surrendering my life to God, He has really given me a sense of discernment (which will really help to know if the church I am in is Biblically sound). I have also been blessed with my Rapture Ready family. There is so much wonderful information on this site. I truly feel that God led me to everyone here and that He will lead me wherever else I need to be. My search for a new church should not take very long. God is faithful and He hears our calls.

On a side note- my mother is trying to lure me back to the church. I think she is trying to convince herself that I am going through some kind of phase and that I will come to my senses. I wish she would understand that I have come to my senses, and that is why I will never attend a Catholic Church again.

Praying for you and I would appreciate if you would pray for my situation as well.

[jackson64]

What courage you displayed when facing your mom yet being true to your Saviour instead !!

For finding a church...I have found that non-denominational Bible churches are no-nonsense for the most part. Maybe take a day off from work and visit 8-10 churches near you and have a list of questions ( Do you teach the need for redemption? Do you believe that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and his sacrifice on the cross-and God's grace--is the only way to salvation?..etc etc..) See if you can meet with the pastor, tell him that you are looking for a church to join and ask if you can ask him a few questions.......

I think you have approached your father wonderfully..he may be ready for you to remind him that the man should be the spiritual leader of the household...or maybe the 2 of you could go to church alone..eventually your mom may come along, but it may be a "one at a time" kind of thing instead of having both of them leave the RCC at once..

I Praise God for answering your prayer and thank you for sharing this with us...