RCIA Reflections

I think I've raised every objection that I have ever had to Christianity for the first 4 or 5 months of RCIA. Brother David said "it's good to get it out of your system." As someone who converted early as a child to Christianity once, baptised at the age of 8 or 9, I wonder: when did I become such a skeptic? When did I become so cynical and mistrusting? I talked to Jesus about how difficult it was to understand him, and realized that in spite of it all I believed anyway. I wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for his silent invitation.

My 20th century mind is still wired to doubt. What does the evidence say? I feel God's presence every time I do something for someone else,or struggle to accept a perceived wrong without starting World War III. It's a new year and a new decade in this new millennium. I don't have to be stuck in 20th century ideas of reasons and faith. Truth is truth is truth. I believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead. That's where it all comes down, and God wants to have a personal relationship with every person. We cannot save ourselves, but we can help each other, and in so doing help ourselves. God saves.

The Tree

Last year I went to Wal Mart and bought a Christmas tree. It's a six foot fake tree complete with lights. There was a variety  of colors to choose from but I chose white. Yes, white because of the unfortunate color scheme of my current house. I have blue carpet and red furniture in my living room, and I thought a green tree would make it appear that I was going for plaid. Anyway, it was pretty with the lights on. Last year I had a "good" job, I was going to school full time, and  I was in a relationship. I was doing what I was supposed to be doing, I thought. I should have been feeling great. Not anxious, trapped, and hopeless as I felt.

By Christmas that "good" job was gone, and I was considering a career change. By May, I had left school- so much for the career track- and I started going to Church.  By August of this year, I left the man behind too, and I was really able to hear God in the silence. In the sweet, terrifying silence,I realized that God never left me or forgot me. He saved me for something. He saves us all for something. So I put my full trust in him and he shows me everyday that he is real and he is with me.

Now I realized that I bought this tree last year, but I bought it for this year. Ive got a pile a debt. I am not free from all my problems, but I'm facing them. But I have a peace this year that I haven't known since I was a child. His day is coming- the day of his birth. Jesus came to this earth, walked in my shoes, and died for me. He came into my heart and showed me mercy. He's coming again to judge how well I kept his commandments, and all he asked me to do was love him and love my brother as myself. Happy Christmas.

Beliefnet Presents Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd, A Devotional- Beliefnet.com

Beliefnet Presents Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd, A Devotional- Beliefnet.com

Even during darkest days of my life, there was no denying the power and beauty of a psalm. The 23'rd Psalm is one of the first prayers I memorized as a child, but I am only now beginning to understand what it means. Beliefnet has a video meditation on the psalm so perfect for this time of year. During Advent, it's fitting to remember "Our Shepherd" came to earth, walked among us, and took away the sins of the world.

Evidence Against Evolution as Life's Origin?

Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous are the basic building blocks of all life on earth. So we thought. Scientists have discovered a bacteria in California that has arsenic instead of phosphorous as a basic component. Where did this bacteria come from if all life evolved from the same organism?

Read about at the Washington Post and decide for yourself...

Second Genesis on Earth?

Here's what I think...

This news is intriguing because if there is a life-form that is fundamentally different from all other life on earth, it could be argued that all life did not evolve from a single organism. There is plenty of evidence that life evolves and adapts, but the evidence that a single-celled life-form just appeared by happenstance one day and from it came all other life is a theory. It's a brilliant theory and one I would subscribe to if I did not believe in God. I respect and enjoy science, but I wonder why whenever science discovers that evolution does not explain Everything, people go to even more extraordinary lengths to deny an intelligent creator?

Advent Reflection

As a candidate for full communion with the Catholic Church, I've experienced a powerful conversion to Christ that I truly pray will continue my whole life. This is my first Advent, and I feel a child-like anticipation. As the church year begins, my life in Christ begins anew. So, I excuse myself from the madness- the fruitless pursuit of material goods that has cost me so much more than money. Jesus is my get- of-jail- free card. I pledge this year to give of myself and celebrate all the he has given to me. I pray that I keep vigil for our Lord in my heart every day, and grow in faith during this Advent season.

Awesome Android App

Prayers to Share is a simple inspirational app for your Android phone that allows you to pray with and for people all over the world. Much like Twitter, prayers scroll in real time and you can follow other subscribers. Click to pray whenever the spirit moves you and comment on the prayers of others. Post your own prayers and Prayers to Share will keep track of how many people prayed with you. I believe that the power of prayer is unleashed in a special way when we open our hearts to God on behalf of others. For more information, here is a link to the developer's website:

Prayers To Share For Android

Why I am Converting to Catholicism

 In his article, "Why Be Catholic?" and his book of the same name, Father William O'Malley gives a passionate, humorous and provocative response to this question. It's bold, intelligent and relevant. Here's a link...

"Why Be Catholic?"
If you're still reading, here's why I am on a journey to enter the Catholic church in 2011.

You can go home again, sort of. I was raised Baptist, and some of my happiest memories took place at Free Will Baptist Church in Bakersfield, California.  This is a recent realization on my part, because when I moved to South Carolina in the 6th grade, I was quoting the Bible and trying to be a good Christian. You would think that played well in the Bible belt, but 6th grade is 6th grade. I simply abandoned my faith at the first signs of ridicule and the confusion of prepubescence. I know now that I blamed God because I wasn't happy anymore. God never abandoned me; however, and I have done nothing to deserve this grace. I should be dead and lost, but it hasn't happened that way. Now that I've fallen in love with Christ again as an adult I want to be a part of the oldest Christian community, the Catholic church. There's a lot more to the story, but since that's the whole point of this blog..I'll share more later. It is my fervent prayer to hear from you no matter where you are in your conversion story.