*Some names have been changed for privacy.

I became a Christian in 1984 when I was 17 years old. I wrote this as the result of finding a 129 year old book at the Georgia Home Education Association Conference on April 29th,2000. I want to begin by quoting from this book. In chapter 25 (I will reveal the title of this book later) the author says "One of the signs of a perfect conversion is a great zeal to convert others; and with this desire my heart was filled." I put this quote in because that is how I have always been since my conversion. My Bible-study teacher put it in a way I will never forget, I believe I wept when I heard it (this is not real unusual for me though). She said "If I could just come up behind you and inject you with the Truth, I Just want you so bad to GET IT!". In 1992 , I took Continuing Witnessing Training at the church we went to for 12 years , and about the same time I learned about the Christian Research Institute. This organization specializes in witnessing to cultists (i.e. Mormons and Jehovah's Witness', Etc.) and defending the Christian faith. I was also reading my Bible and praying for the lost people I knew, as I do now. 2 Tim. 2:15 says "Study to show thyself approved unto God., a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." So God was showing me how to talk to the Mormon on my doorstep and how to talk to my lost family member or neighbor etc.

In 1993 we received a new pastor at our church, who became somewhat controversial. He would say things like "The Roman Catholic Church is the 'Whore of Babylon' spoken of in the book of Revelation" (Ch.17). I would think "well, that's not what the Christian Research Institute says, they don't say they're a cult because they believe in the deity of Christ". An organization that I just found which is similar and I believe on target with regards to Catholicism is the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. And I would also think "My cousin's Catholic and I feel I have a lot more in common with her than with most of my family". Finally I confronted this pastor by asking him how can we judge an individual's heart, (you can't) and couldn't a Catholic be saved? I can be very persuasive and he finally said "Well, they'd have to be a very compromising Catholic". A few years ago we met the nicest Catholic homeschooling family who joined our homeschool group, Central GA Christian Home Educators, again I thought "Well, these people could teach some families at our church a thing or two!". The father does math and science with the children and "Blesses" all seven of them before leaving for work each morning! [they are now expecting their 10th and still homeschooling!] So I went to our new pastor asking the same question I asked our former pastor (He from time to time says a negative word about Catholicism). He said of course they can be saved but they will leave the Catholic Church. So bottom line is ;I was not convinced. I don't want to even consider that my cousin and these other NICE people could be lost in a false religious system! But God was going to show me in His own timing and His own unique way.

Let me say a word here about my spiritual gift. I'm talking about my motivational spiritual gift. I learned about them in 1994 when a very mature homeschooled young lady (14 yr. old) gave me a copy of a spiritual gifts inventory. When I took the inventory however, I was biased by my Bible-study teacher who said she thought I was a Prophet. This sounded good to me so it influenced how I answered the questions and consequently it said I was a Prophet. This is NOT someone who adds to scripture but who aids in the interpretation of it. I like what Webster's says; "A person who, by divine inspiration, declares to the world the divine will, judgements etc." Later, however , I listened to a set of tapes in our church library called "God's Children; Gifted for Ministry". They are by Charles Stanley. It was then that I realized that I was a Mercy with some characteristics of a Prophet. Prophets are ones who are big on Truth but can tend to be small on love. (I am also pretty big on Truth but I strive to speak it in "love" Eph.4:15) Our former pastor was a Prophet and I realized later that that was why I reacted so to his negatives on the Catholic Church. I was thinking " So, 'a large majority of Catholic priests are gay' , (something he said once), is that going to show me how to witness to them in love?" Meanwhile I met yet another Catholic family through the other family I had met. They were going to start homeschooling, but the father wasn't going to have them join our homeschool group because of negatives he heard at his work from "Christians" who called him an idol worshiper. Great witnessing folks!! I wondered too "Was that a member of our Church?" The former pastor had also suggested I read the book "The Trail of Blood" by a man whose last name was Carroll. I never looked for the book back then, though. I have read it now and given away many copies (they're only $2.00!). I do have a copy of Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World but no Mercy in there right mind wants to read that! However, quoting from the back of "Foxe's", it says" 'Foxe's Christian Martyrs of the World' may not be a pleasant reading experience, but it is an invaluable one.)

I've continued to be drawn to Catholics and Satan subtly continued to feed me propaganda in many forms and ways. In 1989 Bob, Sarah (then 2) and I took a trip with Bob's parents and little brothers to Chicago to visit his grandparents , aunts, uncles etc. Bob's aunt, Wava, turned us on to yard sales. We went with her that Saturday and found a bunch of great stuff. At one house there was a lot of antique looking things and the woman said she was redecorating. There was a beautiful picture in a gold colored frame of a woman and child. It was like $3.00 or something outrageously cheap like that and I couldn't believe how blessed I was to find this beautiful picture at that price! I had thought it was just a woman with a child. We got home and I hung it up in our apartment in the dinning area. Christmas of that year I was looking at the picture and thought "You know I think that's Mary with baby Jesus". Then I received some old books from my parents. I love books! Especially OLD Christian ones. Among the books was an old Bible Reader copyrighted 1925. I supposed it had been my dad's. So guess what exact picture was on the page opposite the Christmas story? Mary and baby Jesus exactly like my beautiful black and white (VERY antique looking)only this one was in color. When a Catholic friend came over and saw it (the hanging one) she said "Oh yeah, that's "Our Lady of Mercy". In 1990 we bought our first home. I hung the picture in our bedroom. In 1991 I met my very good friend Melanie . She was the first Christian friend I ever became close to and we encouraged each other in our Christian walks "As iron sharpens iron" Proverbs 27:17. One day when Melanie and her husband Todd were over at our house we started discussing pictures of Jesus and they said they didn't have any in their home because they felt they were like graven images. Exodus 20:4(uh-oh!). Also in 1991, I was listening to a report on Christian radio of how Satan took attention away from a Billy Graham Crusade in New York state with a painting of Mary that cried! My picture was in my bedroom where I prayed. So for awhile I put Mary and baby Jesus in the closet! I don't remember how long I left them there, but I counseled with my Bible-study teacher who is a very wise older lady and she said what if I hung it where I didn't pray? Of course, if it went against my conscience, don't do it because "whatever is not of faith is sin" Rom.14:23. Finally after praying about it and feeling confident that I was not worshipping the picture, I hung it in my foyer at our old house. Here in our new house it hangs in the living room. When someone from our other church who was formerly a Catholic came over he said "If I didn't know better…I'd think you were a Catholic." This was because hanging near the picture of Mary and Jesus, I also have a pretty carved picture of Jesus and the little children which I purchased at Mission San Luis Obispo in Calif. My parents live near this mission. I was impressed with this place mostly because at 12:00 PM every day they serve a free lunch for the poor! Mercies love this kind of stuff. My dad, the thrifty one, suggested we eat there for lunch.

In 1994 Bob's best friend from high school, Dominic (he was our best man) was married. Dominic is Italian and Catholic. He had been to church with us one time when we lived in Florida. We were attending Spanish River Presbyterian Church. Dominic had just been to Italy and had a turbulent flight back and so promised God he would go back to church if He would let him live. A good evangelist always jumps on opportunities like this! So I invited him to our church and he came that one time. Later on, however, when I spoke to him about coming again he said "You gotta stay what your born as, Sue…I'm Catholic". I remember thinking "what if you were born a Buddhist?" Dominic asked Bob to read Scripture at the wedding. They read a lot of Scripture at the wedding, more than at our wedding! Wow! This is great. How can it be so bad? The wedding took place on a Sunday afternoon and they had what we call communion. We had already had communion that morning at our friend's church we visited. We also heard a very good message on the Lord's Supper from I Corinthians Chapter 11. So we didn't feel the need to take communion again. Now that I know more about the Eucharist, I am glad I've never partaken of it. In it Christ is offered up as a sacrifice continually, yet on the cross He cried "It is finished!". The bread and wine DO NOT actually become Jesus' body and blood. It is symbolic and we are to do it in remembrance of Him. Dominic's wife, also Italian and Catholic, got Dominic to start going back to church (the Catholic one). "That's good", I thought at the time.

In 1997 we drove to Chicago to see Bob's family and then on to California to visit my family. I really don't recommend you do this with a 10 month old and her siblings ages; 10,7,and 31/2. We are sometimes gluttons for punishment though. When in northern California (the Bay area) I usually went to my grandmother's Presbyterian Church, but she had passed away in 1995. Seeing as my cousin was the only other family member in that area who attended church we went with her and her husband to the Catholic Church although we did not partake of the Eucharist. I thought it was great. My cousin leads the music there and they sang all the contemporary chorus' I am familiar with and even "Do Lord" from my children's "Wee Sing Bible Songs". A line from it goes; "I took Jesus as my Savior, you take him too.....". I was thinking, "You know I think my cousin is 'Born Again'. She may not use that terminology but she loves the Lord. There are some wrong teachings in the Catholic Church and I would never be a Catholic, but I think she's saved". Then I ran into another Catholic (they're everywhere!) This was a soccer mom ,her son was on my son's team in 1999. So we were talking and she said "You know in 1985(?) was when I was reborn, I confessed everything I had done wrong…and I believe that is when I was reborn". So I said to myself "See, I'm right and my pastor is wrong". I'm not saying that now that I've read this book they're lost, but I shouldn't be assuming everyone's saved either. And whom are they trusting? Their good works or Christ's finished work? Are they trusting in a false religious system set up by the "father of lies" (Satan) himself?(John 8:44)

In 1999 I rented the movie "Wide Awake" with Rosie O' Donell. This is a sweet movie that added fuel to the flames. The little boy in the movie is Catholic . He goes to a Catholic boy's school. His grandfather just passed away and he goes on a mission to find God. Very cute piece of Catholic Propaganda like the old "Sound of Music". What about "The Flying Nun"? Very interesting is the discussion the boys get into with Rosie about all the people they know who aren't baptized in the Catholic church and how they're all going to hell. Rosie tells them "No, they're not going to hell". One says "Well, the Bible is wrong then?" (may-be he should read the Bible for himself to know what it says) Rosie says "No, the Bible is not wrong"(That's true) She is then "saved by the bell" and tells them "Tomorrow we will have an in-depth discussion on baptism until then , please don't inform any of your friends and family of their impending doom." I want to tell you: I loved this movie! Go rent it and see for yourself. Just like those wonderful commercials the Mormons have.

My daughter, Sarah loves to play soccer. In 2000 she had always played for the Central Ga. Soccer Association (C.G.S.A.) but in the Spring of 2000 they weren't able to get together enough under 14 girls to make up a team. Sarah is now almost 16 and braver- she plays on the C.G.S.A. co-ed team and will play on the girls team in the Spring where she goes to school. She was homeschooled then so she couldn't play on a school team, or could she? I went over to the middle school in our zone, to see if they could let her play on their team, why not? We pay our taxes. In some places you can do this, but not here. Sarah still wanted to play soccer badly .We had been praying about it and then the man from Sacred Heart (this is the Catholic Church and School in Warner Robins) called, he said Sarah could be on their team! Praise God! Another answered prayer. And may-be a strange bit of Providence? They're called "the Crusaders" and I couldn't help but wonder "What would our pastor think of this?"

Just a note here about two crucifixes. It's note-worthy. The first was one Bob had in his room as a teenager and he took it with him when he moved out. It is wood ,15 ins. tall ,we still have the cross, and the "Jesus" on it glowed in the dark! Bob's dad had made it in parochial school when he was a kid. So we had it in our house when we were first married but Jesus kept falling off the cross! (I kid you not) Finally after trying to glue him back on once or twice, I said to myself , "Well He is not up there any more" and I put "Jesus" in a drawer. The second one was a pretty little silver one to wear on a chain. This story took place in early 2000: The boy up the street, at our old house was friends with my boys. Brandon found this crucifix on his bus one day. That day we went to our house we were building. We took Brandon and his brothers with us. Like many boys, Brandon (he was 10, at the time) was kind of sweet on Sarah. He had reached in his pocket as they were playing at our (new)house and pulled out the crucifix. He showed us and asked Sarah if she wanted it. She liked it and it went perfectly on her silver chain she got from Aunt Joyce! That night as she was getting in the shower she dropped it down the bathroom sink. If only we had left it there! She made her Daddy get it out and he was successful but in the process he cracked the counter, we were weeks with only one sink to share with six people! Perhaps God was trying to tell us something but we weren't ready yet to listen? So now my daughter was on a Catholic soccer team with a crucifix hanging around her neck. And this is all fine with me. Hey, I'm not asking my pastor what he thinks, I think he's wrong, remember? And this story is not over yet!

Now I'm going to tell you about the first book, that's not 129 years old, that I found at the homeschooling conference. It's called "Conversations with Catholics" by James G. McCarthy (copyright1997). How about that title, I could write a book with that title. In this book (which I highly recommend, since you won't be able to find the other) the author talks about E.C.T. (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) spearheaded by Chuck Colson. I love Chuck Colson! He started Prison Fellowship Ministries. Even our former pastor had mentioned his book "The Body" when he was at our church. I already knew his stance on Catholics that was my excuse for not budging. God knew this book, although very good, alone it wouldn't do the trick for me! Satan was making his last play for my heart before God blew him out of the water! This is just how he (Satan) works. Another friend of mine, Katie and I were talking about Satan once. She said "Do you ever watch Star Trek?" I said "No, not much" She said "Well, there's one where the evil Borgs (robots) are trying to take over and stealthily piece by piece they attempt to take over Captain Picard so as to get to the last piece and he'll be a Borg like them." But as the author of the old book (I'm keeping you in suspense) once said "Falsehood can never crush truth"!

April Fool's Day 2000 (appropriate huh?) Sarah's team was to play Mount DeSales , the Catholic school in Macon. Piece of cake, they beat them the week before. I had never even heard of this place. They have a beautiful facility and I know how they keep it, they charge $2.00 to get in. I had left my purse in the car, they had let the coaches in free and I said "but, I'm team mom" winking at the coach who I had told I couldn't be team mom, but I did have my cooler of oranges in hand. Finally Anne's father , a NICER Catholic than the lady collecting the money paid my way in. I had got a sitter for Teddy ,Ian and Claire because they don't like to go and Bob would be working on the house, as usual. I brought a book I was reading called "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala. My pastor had recommended this book (and I still mostly listened to him) and we had just watched an excellent video of Jim Cymbala in church Sunday night. I thought "If someone asks about the book, it would be an opportunity to witness to them". They let me sit on the bench on the side with the team. They prayed before the game, I thought "How nice". Somehow since last week (when our girls won) Mt DeSales got some 9th graders on their under 14 team, these girls had scored and our team was losing. I headed to the concession stand at half -time (another way they keep up this wonderful place).There was a beautiful statue of Mary by the concession stand (about 3 feet tall) dedicated to a nun at the school. When I came back to the game someone did ask about my book; Michael, one of the young men on the Sacred Heart college team who helped coach our girls. I was starting to wonder if it was a help or a distraction since several of the girls have crushes on these boys. I told Michael the book was about revival in a church that was formerly dying in Brooklyn (The Brooklyn Tabernacle) "Oh, Mormons" he said, I said "No Christians, it's a non-denominational church, I believe". I told him where I went to church and he told me his mom was Catholic and his dad was Protestant and his dad converted to Catholicism and he seemed to think he made the right decision. We got into the discussion of whether or not they worship Mary above Christ (I've had this discussion with a Catholic before). He said "No" they just admire Mary like you would other Bible characters. That's what the other Catholic said but I forgot to ask , why do they pray to her? I found myself saying "Well my pastor says thus and so, but if you have Jesus then I think you're O.K." He would say "yeah, some of my father's family say stuff like that about Catholics". Some how we started talking about hypocrites and he said "it seems some of the Baptists are hypocrites (this is true) , Lee's (another one from the college team) a Baptist" (how convenient to have an example near by!). I had the example of the other team's coach, who was cheating. So I briefly spoke to Lee who didn't seem to mind being called a hypocrite or didn't notice. He was going to his girlfriend's Baptist church until they broke up and now he was waiting for the new church to open up and he said he was going to go there. Funny but this "new church" we were talking about here, is where we go to church now! Back then, I never would have imagined it. I haven't seen Lee there though! Then Michael and I talked about superstition and I said the Catholics were superstitious. He said he heard that before also. Then he would come back with a comment about Baptists, but he would say "Not you, though, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders" . At this point I wasn't paying much attention to Sarah playing soccer. The guys invited me to their game the next day. Our coach said she was going. They said no one ever came to watch them play. Michael said they were "Professionals", well I guess I should go then, may-be we can continue our lively discussion? That evening Bob and I had one of our tiffs. I don't remember what it was about but we talked and prayed together and went to bed.

Sunday was our regular routine back then: we went to Sunday school class and then to teach the 2nd graders in Children's Church. (our former church has a bus ministry).Then we go to eat, Sarah's friend Bridgette came with us. Claire went to her friend's house for the afternoon. I mentioned something to Bob about going to the guy's game and he said it would be good for Sarah's game to go watch them. So we went home and Bob took a nap and Sarah, Bridgette and I went to catch the end of the guy's game. They won, the guys they played looked like foreigners but it was said that they were from Americus. So when the game was over we did continue our discussion. I was telling him how I was still reading my book ("Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire") and it told about how the Brooklyn Tabernacle started an outreach to male (homosexual) prostitutes in a bad section of town. One of them who made a very good woman dressed in drag got saved and came out of all that. I mentioned that I have a family member that is gay and I have hopes that he will get saved and come out of that lifestyle also. Michael said he didn't understand how anyone could be like that, but always respectful, he said he felt bad because of my family member. So out of mutual respect (or was it something else?), I didn't inform him of what our former pastor said about all the priests. Bridgette (the outspoken homeschooler- only 12 years old at the time!) interjected with "wisdom far beyond her years", simply saying "It's an addiction". She's right, homosexuality is a bondage only Christ can break but "If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed" John8:36. So we talked about an hour with Bridgette occasionally saying something , but not Sarah, she's the quiet one (except at home). We invited him to our church to hear Sammy Tippet (an evangelist), he declined saying he had to study. He said he doesn't go to church much, and still being polite I didn't say anything about that. I was faltering at that moment. I realize now, that at that time I was very lonely-Bob was always either at work or working at the house we were building. Here it was Sunday, he was finally home but he was sleeping. I should have stayed home also, avoiding temptation, but that is hindsight, always 20/20! Michael and I were walking towards my truck and I told him my husband and I were building a house. Sarah and Bridgette got in the truck. He said he knew a couple that started building a house and then got divorced. Then, seeing the look on my face he said, "Not that that will happen to you, I hope that you are happily married". Right then a red warning light was going off in my head "Danger, Danger, bail out!" I was honestly tempted to tell him my husband doesn't understand me (which is sometimes true, but he does try to) and get his phone number. At this point Sarah started the truck for my escape! After I stood there flabbergasted for a moment (was I feeling a mid-life crisis coming on?) I said "Most of the time, I'm happily married" and with that Sarah , Bridgette and I went home. This is a good place for a Peter Marshall quote, if you know me you ought to be used to this; "But it's no sin to be tempted," Peter loved to say "It isn't the fact of having temptations that should cause us shame, but what we do with them. Temptation is an opportunity to conquer. When we eventually reach the goal to which we are all striving, God will look us over , not for diplomas, but for scars…." from "A Man Called Peter" by Catherine Marshall.

The last time I spoke with Michael was at a Thursday evening practice in April 2000. You know already that I like this KID- my goodness he was 5yrs.old when I got married! I am happily married to Bob. So what I was thinking, at the time, was "Look us up in about 6 years and if you're still single, I'll fix you up with Sarah….I'll even let her convert to Catholicism, see…she already has a crucifix". I didn't say this to him, however, and I feel very differently now! I also had the crucifix made into a regular cross. I told Michael about the book "I Kissed Dating Good-Bye" by Joshua Harris (we were talking about teen pregnancy, abortion etc.) and told him what it was about: not dating just waiting for the person God picks for you. He said he did believe in destiny. This is note-worthy because when I found "the book" at the conference, I knew it was destiny (it was God, O.K.). He shared with me that some suggested to him that he become a Priest. But he did not think that was for him, and wasn't sure what he was going to do. I told him to pray about it. I gave him a copy of my testimony that day (I had some copies handy in the truck). That was the last I spoke with Michael. Although, I sent my first draft of this to him through his father (I knew someone who worked with him). I then received a response to this from his dad! I also sent a copy to my cousin and had a response from her. For more on all that see; "A True Story Part II", when I'm finished revising it.

O.K. you've had enough suspense :Exactly four weeks after that discussion with Michael, Bob and I headed to the homeschooling conference. There was a new booth at the conference this time. It was all older used books I couldn't believe it, you'd think I'd died and gone to heaven! I went to the Christian section and there it was: It was worn, but not in bad shape for 129 years! copyright1871: Trials and Persecutions of Miss Edith O'Gorman, Otherwise Sister Teresa De Chantal, of St. Joseph's Convent, Hudson City, N.J- Written by herself. With Appendix by the Publishers." It was probably the oldest or one of the oldest books he had. I began reading incredulously. It was about a 19 year old girl who becomes a nun, she enters the convent and the Sisters are all unbelievably cruel , they beat the orphans with a cat-o-nine tales (this is what Christ was beat with), make them run bare footed in the snow, one nun actually poisons one of the orphans and she dies! One of the sisters names is Sister DeSales! (I always said God has a sense of humor) I was out loud saying "I can't believe I found this book" over and over and it was marked $1.00 ! The man that ran the booth, however, said that was what he paid for it, so he marked it up to $2.50, and said I could think about it! So I said "I don't have to think about that!". This man missed a tremendous opportunity to make at least 20 bucks, if not more! The book goes on, this is better than any fiction I've ever read!(I don't read much fiction though); A priest falls in love with her and she loves him but wishes to be faithful to her vocation (unlike all the ones around her) so she asks to be moved to a different convent. The Mother Superior laughs at her saying "Indeed, you ought to feel highly honored to have won the love of such a handsome young priest, but I guess you only imagine it, and if you are not tried you will never gain the victory". This priest begs her to leave the Convent with him , go to a foreign country and get married by a Protestant minister. She, as a strict Catholic, saw that as "null and void" and thought "an anointed priest ought not to think of a woman". She writes "No love could make me sacrifice my honor and virtue." . She writes; "At the same time I was also troubled about some articles of the Catholic faith, especially the 'doctrine of transubstantiation'." An incident occurred w hich caused her faith in the Eucharist to waver; She was in charge of making the hosts and one Sunday there was a large number of communicants and the priest had to send for more .She rushes to prepare more but the time for consecration was past (this is when they supposedly become Jesus' body) .Yet the priest is not bothered by this and just gives them unconsecrated to the people. When she apologized to him later he replied "It is just as well, the people did not know the difference". She writes; "And is there any difference? Was a question which filled my soul with doubts." So since she can't go to another convent she is trying to avoid this Father Walsh, but he'll not be ignored and slips her a drink and tries to violate her. She can take no more and runs away and so thinks she is damned to hell. She is poor, destitute and without a friend until… until she is saved. I sat weeping reading of her conversion (Chapter XXIV). I happened to be listening to the song "Consume Me" by D.C. Talk, while reading, which is very appropriate.(it's about the Holy Spirit). Then comes the quote from the beginning of this. She begins lecturing and gets mobbed and nearly assassinated by the Catholics who don't appreciate her speaking out against the church.. Another evil man, not a Catholic, tried to get her to run away with him to Europe that is who she tells the truth will prevail and that she will not run. I want to quote from Chapter XI ; "My dear Catholic readers, I now look pityingly upon you, as I was once in the same condition myself. I did not lose my faith in the purity of the Catholic church without a fearful struggle. I would gladly have your eyes open to the truth of what I state as facts, in order that your daughters and sisters may escape the sufferings like those of Sister Teresa de Chantal. Tear down the false staging which keeps you from the true worship of Christ. I desire you all to be saved through Christ alone." She continues in the end of the chapter; " I never realized the truth of God until I completely torn down the false staging which hid him from me. But oh, the unutterable anguish, the fearful desolation of spirit I experienced, in the awful tearing away of my once venerated faith! I now thank God in my innermost heart for my wonderful deliverance. I am now covered with His righteousness. I am no longer the same; Jesus is now my only refuge. Adored Lord! Increase my faith, perfect it, crown it. Having drawn me from the pit and borne me at last to Thy true fold, keep me in Thy sweet pastures and lead me to eternal life." I was saying to myself "WOW, the truth is stranger than fiction" When I came to the conclusion, I busted out in laughter, because she says: "Gentle reader, in thus accompanying me through the sorrow and tribulation, the joy and gladness of an eventful period of eight years, can you refrain from exclaiming, "Verily, truth is stranger than fiction"" NO, Edith, I cannot!!!

A note here on "the Sacred Heart" from the appendix which is "The History of Auricular Confession" by Count C.P. de Lasteyrie it says "We must not forget a means of corruption employed by the monks, that of the devotion paid to the SACRED HEART of Jesus, repeated every day to fanaticize the ignorant and credulous". Unbelievable! Coincidence? I don't believe in them. Destiny? Definitely!

I'm looking into getting this book republished and possibly putting it on the internet. What I've found out is that books this old are not protected by copyright. Although anyone can republish it, they can't claim it as their own.

Dear Catholic reader, as Edith addresses you, Jesus says "If you abide in My word (hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them) you are truly my disciples. And you shall know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." John 8:31-32.Amplified. I recommend the above mentioned books or better yet get a Bible (I like the Amplified which I quoted from above) and just sit down and read the book of John for yourself .Ask God to reveal to you the Truth. Don't just accept blindly what your church says! God knows I don't! I'd like to close with the words from a D.C. Talk song written by them with Mark Heimermann. It is from their album "Supernatural". I had a former pastor who doesn't much like what he calls "Christian Rock music". But I am not concerned: I have NO DOUBT that if I'm wrong about them God will show me! He showed me my thoughts about Catholicism were wrong with a 129 year old book!

The Truth

Say what you want, mean what you say
Remember the deepest seeds still see the light of day
Do what you please, be who you be,
I'm telling you this things gona bring you to your knees, yeah,
Chorus: The Truth is what we need, it is the end of mystery,
You know the Truth will set you free!
The Truth is out there, The Truth is out there,
I am living proof that the Spirit moves,
It's a holy interceding absolute,
Say what you want but you've got to believe
There's a dimension that eyes haven't seen
The secret is out and people are coming clean,
It's a conspiracy, you know that I believe
It's a conspiracy, you know that I believe
Destiny, Destiny.

P.S. Dear Catholic readers, please check out these sites:
Good News for Catholics
Proclaiming the Gospel
Just for Catholics
Edith O Gorman's book

***I have found through research that there are some discrepancies in "The Trail of Blood" with regards to Baptist history. A Catholic apologist pointed this out to me and said it was in a book which was $37.00. So I told him if he would buy me the book and send it to me I would read it. He never did but later another person sent me an article which I checked out with another book I have and it corroborated that information. I do feel it is beside the point, which is that many many Catholic doctrines are unbiblical and do not date back to the early church- I do not feel that all Baptist doctrine is perfect either- there is no man made church which has it perfect. We just go where we feel they are the closest to Truth. I continue to learn, I am only a housewife and I DO NOT WANT TO ARGUE WITH ANYONE- but feel free to send me articles with regards to my article and I will try to find time to read them. Keep in mind what Solomon said , "Of the making of many books there is no end and much study is wearisome to the flesh." Ecc. 12:12 You don't need to know much for salvation except to have faith in Christ , "as a little child" .Matt. 18:3-4, Mark 10:15,Luke 18:17, 2Tim. 3:15.