Praying for you Melly! Did you get the help you need?

Hello Melly,
First I want to say how courageous you are! I can assure you God loves it when we want to get closer to Him. But sometimes, yes, there can be obstacles but all are able to be overcome since God is the one who is in charge. He is allowing you to experience difficulties right now but do not let that discourage you. Remember even Jesus in the garden asked His Father to take the cup of suffering away from Him but then Jesus went on to say that He wanted to do whatever the will of His Father was and that did include such unspeakable sufferings. So if the Son of God Himself, who was innocent and did not deserve such a death, suffered so bitterly, how can we who are sinners expect to not have terrible sufferings? We Catholics can offer our sufferings to God in union with Jesus' sufferings for the salvation of souls, for the conversion of sinners, or for peace or for any other intentions you may have. I wanted ask you, have you gone to confession? If it has been a while or even if it has been years, please avail yourself of this sacrament of healing and forgivenss. It sounds like you also have not been to mass. I would encourage you to contact your local Catholic parish and make an appointment with the priest or deacon or someone who can help guide you in your journey. As far as reading the Bible, make sure you are reading a Catholic Bible because the King James version for example does not have all the original books because reformers from the Protestant Reformation and reformers hundreds of years later took it upon themselves to actually take out some books from the Holy Bible. You can find the Catholic Bible and Catholic Catechism online at the usccb website, ust put usccb bible or usccb catechism in your search engine and it will pop right up in the results. Also you can find the daily bible readings on their website as well. The Catechism gives you a resource on what all the Catholic Church teaches and what Catholics believe. Sadly not all Catholics know the Churchs teachings so avail yourself and become familiar with what our Church teaches if you haven't already. I will leave you with a verse from Jesus and please be assured of my prayers: "In this world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." John 16:33

Hello Melly! I am a convert to the Catholic faith. First pray, ask the Holy Spirit to help you especially right before you read the Holy Scriptures. There are many options as far as reading the Holy Bible. First you must make sure you have a Catholic Bible because the King James version does not have all the original books like the Catholic Bible does, during the protestant reformation, the reformers decided to remove some books. You can also go to the usccb (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) website and search for the Bible and it is there on their website. You can find the Catechism on their website as well as lots of other help in understanding the faith. Also, you can use Father Mike Schmitz Bible in a year podcast on Ascension press or the hallow app. It is also on youtube. The best way to have a relationship with God is to talk to him which means to pray to him. Sounds like you also absolutely need to go to avail yourself of the sacrament of confession if you haven't already. This sacrament is necessary for us since it cleanses us from all sin, it strengthens us too and God gives us grace in this sacrament just like he does with all His graces. Every time we go to confession we are strengthened each time. God is so loving and merciful, since it seems that you are experiencing spiritual warfare, you may want to also look up Father Chad Ripperger and also Father Dan Reehill. They are very helpful in that area in my experience. Be careful of youtube videos that are fake that say they are either one of these priests because there are some AI fake video stuff out there of them, just make sure that it is in fact their channel or in fact them in the interview or podcast. Jesus is happy that you want him in your life. The fact that you experience such trouble everytime is a sure sign that the devil fears you! Do not let your heart be troubles Melly, remember Jesus tells us that in the Bible, to not let our hearts be troubled, that in this world we will have trouble but to take courage, that He has already overcome the world! So first, pray, then get to confession asap, there are guides online if you need a refresher on how to go to confession even if it has been years. But please go to confession, I promise you once you have gone, you will feel the love and peace of God return to you. Then start researching, praying, and learning about our faith! Catholicism is truly the fullness of Christianity and it is the only Church Jesus Christ founded. Do not give up! Just remember Jesus and how he suffered unspeakable humiliations and pain and literally gave His precious life and blood for you and for me and for all souls. How unimaginable sad that there are some souls who reject Him. Do not forget to ask Our Lady for help too. Ask her to pray for you and help you and you will see how speedily things come about! Please let me know if I can be of any further help. Be assured of my prayers. Peace be with you.

May want to try Taylor Marshall's website: Go to https://nsti.com/ would be a good place to start your journey.
This is the Mass - https://remnant-tv.com/channel/RemnantTV/video/1625/oremus-the-traditional-latin-mass-explained Hope this helps. May God Bless! Rob

New Saint Thomas Institute | Online Catholic Courses with Dr. Taylor MarshallNew Saint Thomas Institute – Online Catholic Courses with Dr. Taylor Marshall

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OREMUS: The Traditional Latin Mass Explained

Why is it in Latin? Why does the priest have his back to the people? Why Communion on the tongue? So many questions about this most beautiful thing this side of heaven -- the 2000-year-old Roman Rite of the Catholic Mass. It dates back to Apostolic times. Its prayers originated on the lips of angels, Roman centurion...

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Hello Molly!
I’ve been Roman Catholic my entire life. That’s over 60 years. I’ve seen the church go through so much. I’ve met Saint Pope John Paul and I’ve met Mother Teresa of Calcutta too. When I was in high school.

I’ll share a little bit to get you started … so you can reignite your Catholic faith.
As Roman Catholic, we follow and believe in the New Testament (where Jesus’s journey starts). We don’t put much emphasis on the Old Testament like Protestants do. We focus on Genius and then go straight to the New Testament. We still believe the Old Testament was written and inspired by God but it’s a precursor with symbols that point to Jesus’s coming.

Saint Pope John Paul II always suggested listening to new convert witness accounts. I would start there. All over the Catholic world you’ll find amazing podcasts and shows to listen to. Go slow.
There are also shows that go over specific apologetics. You find there really interesting and many young people tune in. Look in YouTube or Apple podcasts. You’ll also find lots of Catholic history around.
As Catholics we’ve built our own world inside America with our schools, universities, etc because we had too. We have newspapers, radio shows, debate channels, history, and conferences to rely on.

I would start there and let the topics pull you in when you find something interesting.
You can spend your entire life inside the Roman Catholic world plus in our institutions and never leave. I hope everything goes well
Remember, Pope John Paul II always told us young teenage Americans to “Be a Great Saint! The World Needs you! “
He encouraged us to learn more and stand up for Roman Catholics.
He always suggested listening to witness accounts of conversations to get inspired more.
I was born Catholic but I still find conversion stories so interesting.
Peace be with you.

Hi Melly!
This is absolutely a safe place to ask for help. Thank you so much for sharing your story and I'm so glad you're here and reaching out to help accept Jesus into your life! You are not crazy at all, I only just got saved and baptized early this year, and it's the best decision I have made for myself.
In my experience I had a difficult time growing up accepting the Lord into my heart because so many churches have corrupt motives and religion has become so opinionated. I understand and have also experienced the feeling of life falling apart and not understanding why my faith was betraying me. However, I realized it was because I didn't have faith. I've always been spiritual as well and have been told I have so much potential, but always felt lost and unsure of my purpose.
I was blessed enough with a partner who helped me find God. He brought me to our now church where they were adamant about speaking through the word of God, not themselves. The way they preach Gods purpose in your life is to give him all of you. The Lord will challenge you until you're on your knees, throw your hands up and finally say "God it's in your hands," because you're purpose is to share the word of Christ, honor and praise his glory and trust the path he is taking you on.
It may look like life is falling apart when you ask the Lord for help, but I promise he is ridding you of things that don't fulfill or benefit you to make room for the things that do. I’m still on a journey to true discipleship, but what I can recommend is taking the time to find the right church, surround yourself with people of faith and the bible app/keeping your bible in places you look most. I hope this helps. Welcome to the community, God Bless and best of luck on your journey! Christ is King.

@melly said in Might not be the place:

Hello Everybody !
This might not be the place to raise my hand and ask for help but I have to try. I was baptized catholic as an infant I went to catholic school until 4th grade then public school and CCD. We went to church for Holidays Weddings and Funerals. So needless to say I didn’t have a strong faith. There are a lot of things that have happened to me and I know at this point it is spiritual. I need help learning how to read my bible and how to have a relationship with God. I want Jesus in my life but everytime I try my life falls apart. I’m not crazy. I promise. But I know it is spiritual warfare. If there is anyone who could guide me I would alternate it. I apologize if this is not the right place. God Bless

Hi, Melly,
Try Bible in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz. It is ~20 min a day, and you go there Bible in 365 days. He is excellent. I’ve gotten so much out of it. Reading the Bible is hard!, and he has a wonderful way of breaking it down and making it understandable. Give it a try. I could have never done it without him.
Best regards, Franca

Melly:
Satan does not want or like people to read the Bible. Having converted to Catholicism in 2007. I would recommend the https://nsti.com/ with Taylor Marshall (a Man) he explains everything very well & is willing to take questions. If you can't do that I have went thru "The Agape Bible study" https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/ & If you like a group "The Great Adventure’s color-coded Bible Timeline Learning System is an option https://ascensionpress.com/pages/the-great-adventure find a church group that is teaching it. Myself I took a challenge to read the Catechism in order to find something I did not agree with. But, it took a year & is kind of a dry read. If you can find a "good group" the Great
Adventure is a good place to start or go with Taylor Marshall.
Personally I find the "Latin Mass" a fulfilling option.
I wish you well on your journey. May God Bless! Rob

New Saint Thomas Institute | Online Catholic Courses with Dr. Taylor MarshallNew Saint Thomas Institute – Online Catholic Courses with Dr. Taylor Marshall

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Agape Bible Study

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The Great Adventure

← LEARN WITH → Bible Studies Bible Resources & More The system that transformed how Catholics read the Bible—and continues to change lives today. The Great Adventure’s color-coded Bible Timeline™ Learning System has already helped more than one million Catholics gain the big picture of salvation history for over 20

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