tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.comments2023-08-17T11:57:44.987-04:00Waiting In Joyful HopeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-41845272634100544082013-12-04T17:34:04.226-05:002013-12-04T17:34:04.226-05:00Q: On what should we base our assurance of salvat...Q: On what should we base our assurance of salvation? I know the Word and the promises of the Gospel are our rock, but how do we distinguish between real faith and mere intellectual assent? I ask this because many evangelicals make me nervous when they say that if one has doubts about one's salvation, one is probably not saved, because the Holy Spirit is supposed to provide inner assurance. (I guess this ties in to the whole Pietist problem.) But in the face of emotional ups and downs, moral failings, intellectual doubts, and confusion over doctrine, how can one know if one truly has faith in Christ?<br /><br />A: Lutherans believe that faith is created and strengthened not by looking inside of one's self (to one's own faith and/or doubts) but by looking outside of one's self (to God's Word and promises in Christ). Therefore, assurance of salvation is to be sought by looking to God's Word and promises in Christ (which create and strengthen the faith through which one is saved), not by looking inward at the strength or weakness of one's own faith (which creates either pride and false assurance or doubt and lack of assurance). Anxiety regarding doubts, strength of faith and certainty of salvation are signs of faith (however weak it may be), not signs of unbelief, since the unbeliever has no concern or anxiety about doubts, faith or salvation.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-7722180463374405392012-12-22T19:21:27.885-05:002012-12-22T19:21:27.885-05:00Roman Catholic priests do not have wives. An exam...Roman Catholic priests do not have wives. An example to the exception to the rule would be say a Luthern priest, who converted to Catholicism, was married and wanted to remain a priest.Johnannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07645134436564648409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-72954454237359388212011-11-25T10:06:37.041-05:002011-11-25T10:06:37.041-05:00Catholic practice depends on the Diocese actually,...Catholic practice depends on the Diocese actually, not on The Vatican. That is why in many places, Manitoba, Canada all are able to receive Holy Communion/eucharist in a RC Church from the Priest. As a person non RC outside Manitoba Canada I wrote to The Vatican. There is a form on-line and that led to a meeting with my RC wife's priest who after a short talk simply asked I examine my Heart, not attend Confession and receive. Further that permission applied just to Toronto, Canada Diocese though I am able to use that permission to be welcome at any RC Church world-wide. This self examination is in keeping with Scripture:<br /><br />Saint Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, puts it this way, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”Jan-Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14813149854030293572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-59530289500204264942011-02-15T05:26:17.125-05:002011-02-15T05:26:17.125-05:00i was inspired by your sharing and it strengthened...i was inspired by your sharing and it strengthened the more my Catholic faith!expat's worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00739584847145895014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-15169393238736886072010-05-22T11:21:46.331-04:002010-05-22T11:21:46.331-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-47038069703543829762010-05-14T01:43:41.511-04:002010-05-14T01:43:41.511-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.kekekelohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00437844207083106064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-7223312753560657792010-04-30T23:13:33.496-04:002010-04-30T23:13:33.496-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.AlexKatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511287848712210704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-25350158183746183742010-02-03T05:03:43.787-05:002010-02-03T05:03:43.787-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.想想https://www.blogger.com/profile/03181717965993378805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-24130866495478692732010-01-25T20:19:54.564-05:002010-01-25T20:19:54.564-05:00Todd, I have included you in my "Convert Stor...Todd, I have included you in my "Convert Stories" listing (<a href="http://www.convertjournal.com/p/convert-stories.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.convertjournal.com/p/convert-stories.html</a>). Please let me know if you would like any changes to your entry and consider adding the "badge". Thanks.George M. Sipehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530469952307984143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-72918325855960190202009-10-21T10:23:48.207-04:002009-10-21T10:23:48.207-04:00I know this an old entry in the blog, but wanted t...I know this an old entry in the blog, but wanted to add a comment nonetheless. It would seem that the parable of the seeds is a good one to employ here, to help explain. The farmer throws seeds on various types of ground (people)....with various results. In a lot of cases, within Christ's parable, the seed fell in a place/person where it took root...even began to grow. But some withered. It doesn't speak of 'saved seeds' that can fall on any type of ground and still survive. From the story, it can be assumed that all the seeds that sprouted were believing christians that had begun their 'journey' (not a one-time event where they grow up, on fertile ground, without any trial or setbacks)....but believing christians who had begun, but failed to continue growing to maturity. We must all continue to grow, until our death........not assume that we are full grown and fruitful simply because we believe. Our believing is an action in itself. If it isn't supported by proper nourishment and conditions, it can wither....and eventually die.rabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10572976371220596468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-18807732252859362822009-10-09T15:43:36.691-04:002009-10-09T15:43:36.691-04:00great, thoughtful post. But, when I saw the title,...great, thoughtful post. But, when I saw the title, I confess, my first thought was triple chocolate cake. LOL!Tracy C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15254871932134809248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-49861451697948840252009-09-27T22:36:24.921-04:002009-09-27T22:36:24.921-04:00I asked a dumb ? and figured it out myself! So loo...I asked a dumb ? and figured it out myself! So looks like you're the one who needs to get back to blogging, hmm........Tracy C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15254871932134809248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-16987250566358258252009-09-27T22:34:58.956-04:002009-09-27T22:34:58.956-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tracy C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15254871932134809248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-56777441766394059002009-07-26T22:08:26.257-04:002009-07-26T22:08:26.257-04:00I think the post is clear, but in case it was not ...I think the post is clear, but in case it was not - Our Lord does not want to be sacramentally received in the Eucharist by those who are not properly prepared to receive him. This includes Catholics. The responsibility of the Church is to make sure our Lord is not profaned and that those approaching to receive him do not heap judgment upon themselves. The reasons the Church does this are given above if you would like to read them. Let me know if you would like to discuss something specific in regards to those reasons.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910063503931817277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-72658772613132499672009-07-22T19:33:03.792-04:002009-07-22T19:33:03.792-04:00So this is the true body of Jesus, God. The one w...So this is the true body of Jesus, God. The one who knows every grain of sand on the moon, every particle in the rings of Saturn, the one who was God from the beginning of time. The one who knows every hair on your head, every desire of your heart and fear of your soul. Who knows you better than you know yourself, even knows the hour of your death. Jesus who died on a cross for all people, who told his disciples to go out into peoples homes and eat what they were given. This Jesus, the creator of the universe, the king of creation, who is love, who loves all, and is not dependent on your belief in order to be physically present in body, this is the one who doesn't want to be physically with non-catholics?Resolutionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01567678670622472832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-56702873038951136012009-05-31T20:56:50.943-04:002009-05-31T20:56:50.943-04:00Clear, courageous, Catholic. Thanks for posting t...Clear, courageous, Catholic. Thanks for posting this.PHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292156826231664316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-28922379626531361302009-05-03T10:34:00.000-04:002009-05-03T10:34:00.000-04:00We need to truly begin pounding on the doors of he...We need to truly begin pounding on the doors of heaven in prayer for faith-filled people to enter and remain in the priesthood and religious life! May God raise up a generation of holy priests to serve His church!<br /><br />In His love,<br /><br />NCSue<br />http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/NCSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17617227847364562989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-36850164392208037152009-04-01T14:37:00.000-04:002009-04-01T14:37:00.000-04:00WOw! Thanks for sharing your story. I was at my ...WOw! Thanks for sharing your story. I was at my computer getting ready to write a note of prayer for the students at our school who are about to make their First Holy Communion. I was reflecting on how special a day it was for my son 7 years ago. He is a "teenager" now and has/is turning away from his Catholic Faith. I will continue to pray for him and remind him that God has not forgotten him or turned away from his sheep and that he will always be welcomed home.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09888149718120472246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-30490566856561277512009-03-10T13:56:00.000-04:002009-03-10T13:56:00.000-04:00Very cool, man. Blessings to you and your wife on ...Very cool, man. Blessings to you and your wife on your journey.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04222763502927689435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-5527517328488562922009-02-15T11:45:00.000-05:002009-02-15T11:45:00.000-05:00I missed the boat here, please feel free to email ...I missed the boat here, please feel free to email me, I'll pray for you if you want it and/or be glad to try to answer your questions. :)<BR/><BR/>Although, warning....I do not know it all! I do occasionally come across that way though.Paulette Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00370986723257787784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-61501702827684498272009-02-15T11:43:00.000-05:002009-02-15T11:43:00.000-05:00This is an older post and I pray someone will read...This is an older post and I pray someone will read it in it's fullness. I am 58 years old and experienced much of what my brother in Jesus wrote. <BR/>I too, joyfully have returned to the Catholic faith that I was raised in. I am amazed at how faith God and Jesus were in my life until I got my head on straight. My husband goes but not converted yet. So, I continue to pray and hope that he will see what taking off the blinders have exposed. I am praising God and walking in the truth.<BR/><BR/>Blessings to all and a happy New Year 2009!Paulette Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00370986723257787784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-73485096770106700232008-10-23T22:25:00.000-04:002008-10-23T22:25:00.000-04:00The tribe of Dan may have been excluded because th...The tribe of Dan may have been excluded because they had fallen into severe idolatry. I believe they were scattered about for that.Anonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04054065641493984966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-84711436188454661922008-10-14T09:36:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:36:00.000-04:00thank you very much.http://www.hospitalsasia.net/h...thank you very much.<BR/><BR/>http://www.hospitalsasia.net/hhmglobal/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11762721922483745802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-30111886598935792322008-09-09T23:44:00.000-04:002008-09-09T23:44:00.000-04:00usr88:Not too sure what you are trying to say here...usr88:<BR/><BR/>Not too sure what you are trying to say here...care to elaborate?Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05910063503931817277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5798794.post-16343436919082918892008-09-09T00:17:00.000-04:002008-09-09T00:17:00.000-04:00I trusted the Bible too much, I didn't give much ...I trusted the Bible too much, I didn't give much thought to the fact that those names representing the 12 tribes could get mixed up...come to think of it..usr88https://www.blogger.com/profile/13456749570860940191noreply@blogger.com