It's Been About 10 Years

[izarya]

Since I've been to a church, and now as of lately, I'm feeling drawn to return. I think I will go to a Catholic mass however, since I think I'll be more comfortable there since that is the church I was raised in. My children (the last 6 of them) have never set foot inside of a church except for a wedding or two.
I have baptised them myself ritualistically at home, I read to my family out of the Bible and make sure they learn it's moral lessons etc...
The reason I feel more comfortable in a Catholic Church is because when I was younger and curious, i visited the churches of a few different denominations. I do not like the dramatics involved in the worship of some churches, for me personally my experience with the Holy Spirit has been that of revelation, and inner peace and joy. I cannot connect with the desire to jump and or shout during service. Though some may think this is because I do not know the spirit, this is untrue, the Spirit of the Lord has played a very active role in my life for at least the past two decades. That is just not the way that the Lord deals with me as an individual.

[Monica02]

I think you will enjoy returning to mass. WHat kind of church building do you like - older ones or more modern ones? I like the older ones.

[izarya]

I think you will enjoy returning to mass. WHat kind of church building do you like - older ones or more modern ones? I like the older ones. I love Gothic architecture, and there is nothing like the ambiance that the older churches evoke in the mind of the participants in mass, or prayer as far as earthly surroundings go.
IMO

[ctay]

Go out and check out a few church's. I'm not Catholic but I love the old Catholic churchs over the newer ones.

[progressivegal]

Since I've been to a church, and now as of lately, I'm feeling drawn to return. I think I will go to a Catholic mass however, since I think I'll be more comfortable there since that is the church I was raised in. My children (the last 6 of them) have never set foot inside of a church except for a wedding or two.
I have baptised them myself ritualistically at home, I read to my family out of the Bible and make sure they learn it's moral lessons etc...
The reason I feel more comfortable in a Catholic Church is because when I was younger and curious, i visited the churches of a few different denominations. I do not like the dramatics involved in the worship of some churches, for me personally my experience with the Holy Spirit has been that of revelation, and inner peace and joy. I cannot connect with the desire to jump and or shout during service. Though some may think this is because I do not know the spirit, this is untrue, the Spirit of the Lord has played a very active role in my life for at least the past two decades. That is just not the way that the Lord deals with me as an individual.
I am definitely more "contemplative" too. I grew up Catholic, now I go to an Episcopal church (after going to lots of different protestant denominations). What you say is very true. There's nothing wrong with a more "charasmatic" form of worship, but some of us a more "contemplative" (and some are both) and that certainly doesn't mean that we don't have the spirit of God in us.

[jsimms615]

Since I've been to a church, and now as of lately, I'm feeling drawn to return. I think I will go to a Catholic mass however, since I think I'll be more comfortable there since that is the church I was raised in. My children (the last 6 of them) have never set foot inside of a church except for a wedding or two.
I have baptised them myself ritualistically at home, I read to my family out of the Bible and make sure they learn it's moral lessons etc...
The reason I feel more comfortable in a Catholic Church is because when I was younger and curious, i visited the churches of a few different denominations. I do not like the dramatics involved in the worship of some churches, for me personally my experience with the Holy Spirit has been that of revelation, and inner peace and joy. I cannot connect with the desire to jump and or shout during service. Though some may think this is because I do not know the spirit, this is untrue, the Spirit of the Lord has played a very active role in my life for at least the past two decades. That is just not the way that the Lord deals with me as an individual.
I'm looking for a church myself. My denomination doesn't give you much time for any silent prayer or reflection and that has always bothered me. We don't seem to be able to be quiet before the Lord. I would enjoy some quiet time to pray there, but I think I'm in the minority it seems.
I have written before that I don't like the way the worship seems to be about man. The music leader of the church I went to seems to think very highly of herself and her singing and it really turned me off this morning. Is it a performance or worship?

[Rick Otto]

The gift of musical talent IS a "performance art", so I don't see 'performance' and 'worship' as a necessarily valid seperation. I think "performance OF worship" is valid, but I can't disagree that I've seen it become indulgence in self gratification.
It is arguable that even sitting still & listening, as well as raising hands & leaping, are 'performance' - in a broader sense.
I've been both right in sharing a perception like yours, and I've been unfairly critical for numerous reasons at times. It can be both obvious sometimes, and a difficult thing to discern, other times.
Also, I've enjoyed both times of quiet contempltion, and times of excercising "all my might" in worship, from both the seats, and singin' with keyboards & guitars in hand, up front.

One thing I can say for sure... I don't like getting 'stuck' in one way or the other.
you know 'what they say', "steak every night..."!

[plmarquette]

You can go to www.oncecatholic.org (http://www.oncecatholic.org) and look at some of the problems others have and the wise counsel given them .

Or to www.garg.com (http://www.garg.com) which is a Charimatic Catholic web page ... prayers , praise , charisms , gifts of the Holy Spirit

You can go to www.cfaith.com (http://www.cfaith.com) , which has a Word of Faith Church locater [ church in your area ]

Do you have a friend who is " blessed " and very positive that you could go to church with and ask questions of ?

[izarya]

Do you have a friend who is " blessed " and very positive that you could go to church with and ask questions of ?
No, I have been a spiritual hermit for the last 15-20 years. I have been more concerned with developing my own relationship with the Lord, most of the people I know come to me for advice now, and all of those who are spiritually concerned look to me to answer their questions.

I did go and speak with a local Priest, but that's another story....