Tonight on Deepertruth Radio we have the Conversion stories of Jeff Hutchins and Tyler McNabb. What a great opportunity to give testimony for their holy Catholic Faith.
Jeff was formerly a member of the Church of Christ and Tyler was a member of a Calvinist group. Both stories are very inspirational.
This past weekend, Sunday, I was honored to meet with Jeff and Tyler taking the Catholic Faith to the streets of Dallas.
St. Paul's Street Evangelization is making a mark across the United States with positive results bring home many who had left the faith. We are experiencing good fruit with people taking a look at the Catholic Faith.
Tonight's show will begin at 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central and you can listen to this
http://deepertruthblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/catholic-defender-blood-of-holy-ones.html
I've had some stressful assignments in my time, many deployments, but few like Korea. I was stationed at Camp Hovey about 12 miles from the DNZ, close to the 38th Parallel.
I was assigned with an artillery unit. I quickly became active in fixing several problems I inherited. The Combat Life Saver program was in poor shape.
I reorganized the program setting up a class of 50 Soldiers beginning a successful deployment. At the graduation of that class the Battalion Commander participated in the ceremony giving an Army Achievement Medal to the Soldier with the highest scores on their practical exercises and written exams.
I also had to redo and reorder all the Combat Life Saver bags as they were not well maintained or stocked. There was no accountability. In Korea, we were in the field constantly. There were civilians camping out there with us which was very new to me.
I think they were sometimes more informed of our plans than allot of us. We were able to buy food and have nice pictures made. That was really a change from anything I had seen before. I became very involved with the Catholic Community at Camp Hovey serving as our Battalion Lay Eucharistic Minister when in the field, serving at Mass as an Altar server every Mass when at the Camp.
What an honor this was for me. I was involved with Father helping him organize an RCIA program where we would meet on Tuesday evenings. This was great support for me. I was always witnessing for the faith when the opportunity arose!
After 3 months we received a new Chaplain transfer into our unit. He became very important to me. We would support each other a great deal. He was an Episcopalian and I would have fun with him. I would challenge him asking him why he stayed in a "halfway house". Why did he prefer being a "liberal" Catholic?
We would have many respectful discussions in the field as well as back at Camp Hovey. As the Battalion LEM, I would go with the Chaplain to the field when ever there was a service in the field. I was commissioned to offer the Eucharist to the Catholic Soldiers in the field in the absence of a priest. During Holy Communion you could really feel the division between the Catholics and Protestants as we went our separate ways.
One night, as we were conducting training, as we were crossing a bridge, one of our APC's (Track 113's) went off the bridge and plunged into the river. There were five casualties that were riding in the back of the track. It was a sad time and I obtained permission to advertise a Rosary service for those who died in conjunction with the military service.
I organized the Rosary service picking out music, scripture, and the mysteries. I invited the Chaplain if he would say a few words at this service. He did and the Soldiers and their families were lifted up in prayer. This service would be a life changing experience for the Chaplain!
About six months after I returned home (back in the USA), I received a call from my old Battalion Chaplain and he called me to thank me personally for leading him to Mary. As a Protestant, he never knew Mary.
Later that year (June 2,000) he informed me that his wife and family were received into the Catholic Faith through RCIA. He continued serving as a Military Protestant Chaplain until his commitment was fulfilled and he was finally received into the Catholic Faith in 2003.
He went on to become a permanent Deacon where he worked through his Bishop going to Rome finally to receive his dispensation from the Pope and is now an ordained Catholic Priest. While I was deployed to Iraq between 06 and 08, I was on the computer when his address come up as if he was on line.
I recognized him so I called to see how he was doing these days. I was informed this was his Son, not his Father. I apologized to him and introduced myself, when he realized who I was, he became very appreciative towards me.
He thanked me for the witness I gave his Father and informing me the result of his Family. He and his wife and family converted to the Catholic Faith, his siblings and their families as well. His Aunts and Uncles and their Families Converted as well.
This was very humbling to me, I asked him what it was that he learned that changed his mind to accept the Catholic Faith. He paused for a moment, then he said, "When Jesus told Simon, Son of Bar-Jona, you are Kepa (Kephas), and upon this Kepa (Kephas), I will build my Church. Everything else fell into place after that".
No matter how difficult times might be God can still work where you are at. In every assignment I've been in, I have tried to make the best of it. God will open doors for you if He has a mission for you. Like the Virgin Mary, through faith in Him, we can say yes.
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One of the great conversions to the Catholic Faith has to be St. Paul, there are literally millions, all of them important.
At the time of St. Paul, the Catholic Faith was being persecuted by St. Paul himself. He was formerly Saul of Tarsus, a leading young Pharisee who was bent on destroying this new sect called Christians.
His conversion is found in Acts 9:1-19, truly one of the most important of conversions as St. Paul would affect the future of society for ever.
Most of the New Testament was written by him. St. Paul wrote, "For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, the Christ died for nothing" (Galations 2:19-21).
Like St Paul and the Apostles of Our Lord, we are all called to pick up our cross and follow HIm. Sometimes we encounter many road blocks and obstacles to have to manuver through.
Like St. Paul, we too must break away from the lure that causes people to fall into darkness. We are called to love even our enemies, I think we would do well first by starting with our own families.
Deepertruth inaugurated the "Christy Show" last night and I can't help but think how fast we continue to grow.
This morning, I am working at our local College Television/Radio Station helping them with their annual fund raising for this quarter.
I am representing SIFE "Students In Free enterprize" helping answer the phones collecting the pledges as they come in.
This is really an exciting opportunity to see how this works. I am sitting next to another SIFE member who I have had the chance to talk with last Semester.
She works here at the Television/Radio Station at Central Texas College and she is interested in helping me put together some shows for Deepertruth.
She is very interested in looking at the Catholic Faith through the discussions we have had.
You never know when the Lord will give you the opportunity to represent him.
I am finding the opportunities to be limitless! We just need to be willing and open to share with everyone we meet either through a good word for the day, or a good question and answer format.
We have this ability to stare in the face of a miracle and be unimpressed. The sun rises, babies are born, and we are unmoved. The citizens of Heaven are astounded at our hardened hearts. Sometimes we need God Himself to draw us closer to the miracle so that we see it for what it is. Then we watch the colors unfold into day, we witness the birth of our child. Then we are made new.
Every conversion is a miracle. It is God moving and acting in the life of someone. It is extraordinary. It is also common. We take it for granted because God asks everyone to convert from our ordinary lives to one of uncommon love. He touches every heart with his invitation to get to know Him better. So few answer.
We are so busy. We are so proud. We have more important things to do than wonder at a sunrise. We are astonishingly dense in that way.
Even the converted must be converted almost daily.
So pray. Pray and pray. Let us not be lazy in this. Let us not be selfish or stingy in this. Pray hard.
The whole world needs it. It happens every day. It is a commonplace miracle and yet every once in a while God will use an ordinary person in an unusual way to unveil a bit of the truth. He uses dramatic conversions like mine to point out that every conversion, even the quiet but certain whispers of the soul, are the result of God's finger gently turning our chin and saying, "Look, little one."
Pray that we look, that we see and are amazed. But pray, more importantly, that we remember in that moment to thank Him.
You who know God have a duty to those of us who do not. You know the warmth and light of the dawn. You've seen it with your own eyes, felt it in your own heart. Don't forget us out here in the cold. The dawn is coming, but we insist on staring into the darkness because we have turned our back on the light. Pray that a finger of light will break over our heads and draw our attention to the glory and the spectacle that is taking place. Pray that we notice somehow that even in our darkness, He has placed stars.
God’s Girl Although my Grandfather was always Catholic, he truly realized the value of his Faith once he’d had a scare form a Heart Attack. Realizing he was a coffin dodger he started swatting for his finals & decided to get in the Game and become a really good Catholic! He was a fascinating man who held us children captivated with Giant Tortoise Story’s; marathon walks striding along the Beach; scientific quizzes as we rowed down the river, “What bird is that my girl?” his booming voice commanding an intelligent response!
Gran, an Anglican had a marvelous relationship with St. Anthony. Truly, if something couldn’t be found & St. Anthony seemed deaf to our pleas, Gran would be called to ask St. Anthony on our behalf & straight away a victory would be had! To this day she never ceases to impress all who ask her to intercede, now she is a part of the “cloud of witnesses” Heb.12:1.
My Mother anchored our family in the Love of God & His Church. Mum grew up Anglican since Grampa never went to Mass in the early days. Attending Catholic High School, Mum loved the strength of the Catholic position, firm & unwavering. When she asked the Anglican pastor about their belief in their ‘Eucharist’ she was told, “Well, if you are High Anglican you can believe it is the Body of Jesus, & if you are Low Anglican you can believe it is just a symbol, it’s up to you.” … this stand was unimpressive. Teenagers’ are great at recognizing a weak argument!On this ground Mum converted at 16 and was received into the Church. She knew this was a critical point. She knew she wanted to receive Jesus Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity in Truth, not ‘may be, baby’.
Born & Brought-up Catholic. I am the middle born of 3 girls. At around the age of 1, I almost died of infection & was in Infectious Diseases Hospital, isolated & strapped to a little cross for 3 months with a drip into my jugular vein.My teeth went back into my gums, & I had to relearn to walk & talk, I had been so ill. Mum had a wonderful spirituality& would teach us girls to give away our most favorite toy for the poor at Christmas and to value the pain of loving with our whole heat, of giving until it hurt, dying to self to give life to others. My favorite was my Singing Doll.
Dad converted to The Faith when I was a teenager. So, in the early days there would sometimes be a skirmish Sunday mornings, as Dad would be staying at home, whilst Mum tried to get the 3 of us to Mass. My sisters would often rebel & I’d give in, mostly because I felt sorry for Mum, not because I had discovered the infinite value of the Sacraments. I’ve always gone to Sunday Mass. & I’m sure my Mum blessed me for it!Her prayers & blessings overtook me one day. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I received Jesus inHoly Communionas a little thing, & wasConfirmed at 11 years old.We moved a lot, & the new parish Confirmed school leavers. The Church would rather we were Confirmed before the trial of puberty, so as to be strengthened by the Sacrament before the battle.Mum wanted me to join in the Catechism Class. I’d miss the bus, take another route home & do my best to avoid going. She’d be upset & ask me why I was doing this… I explained that the Class was killing my Faith. It was like a coloring-in class, there was no real Church Teaching, it was horrid! I think many teens are in this boat & empathize with them. Church Teaching is so rich, & teens, even littlies can understand it, because it Lives!We must never withhold the strength & truth of Church Teaching from children or anyone, because it is beautiful & the Truth sets us free.The Bible says: “the pillar and foundation of Truth is the Church.” 1 Tim.3:15.
During my Nursing Training, I had some dreams of Jesus. These stirred me, although I was still under the impression that people who were mad for Jesus were “Jesus Freaks” … little did I imagine, I’d one daybe at the top of His Fan Club!One of the dreams involved a Large Boat or Ship or even an Ark, with Jesus on board saving people who were lost at sea & bringing them on board.
“I’m Catholic, BUT I believe in contraception” I cringe to recall claiming. I specialized during my training as a Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, Community Health Nurse& Psychiatric Nurse & then in Family Planning. My best results were in Family Planning! I mistakenly believed the Church was against reasonable spacing of little ones… which is not at all the case! Contraception & Natural Family Planning is worlds apart, the difference takes pondering, it is subtle. One goes with Nature, the other, against. I did not understand the danger of living this dual life, being in the Church but not 100%.Due to ignorance & lack of catechesis, I was receiving Communion yet was spiritually contracepting the life of grace God wanted to give me. I knew He loved me, but felt Him far away & imagined Him ‘very busy’.
Then a special thing happened & Jesus drew me into His Arms & held me close.I read ‘True Life In God’, & Jesus suddenly became a living breathing Person, not just a Spirit over up there somewhere. I could hear His Voice & feel His Breath, His Touch. The Teachings of The Church became fascinating & I bowed in humble submission to them all, in awe of the wisdom they held. I came to see the truth of Jesus words to Peter,Mt.16: 17-19 “it is not flesh & blood that has revealed this to you, but My Father in Heaven…” . Jesus was showing us that there is a wisdom,the human mind cannot grasp, it comes straight from God. A Hot Line…and this was the Rock He would build His Church upon, The Office of Peter. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom…” The wisdom of Pope Paul IV in refusing Catholics contraception, is becoming visible today. Science proves it time & again, from statistics of Divorce being around 54% in contracepting couples versus 0.002% among couples using Natural Family Planning, that’s 2 couples out of 1000 couples as opposed to more that half of all weddings among the contraceptinggroup!Then the Pathology resulting from contraception is frightening, Cancer, strokes, heart attacks, death!God said in Deut. “I set before you life & death, blessing & curse… choose life therefore that it may go well with you.”
Church Teaching is proved, time & again… it was not “flesh & blood that revealed it, but My Father in Heaven”. But before it is proven, it takes faith, (…surprise!)& Scriptures tell us, “…without faith, it is impossible to please God”. Papal Infallibility is one of these faith tests. We can be like a little child, safe in the arms of our God & Mother Church, trusting & not worrying as long as we rest in this wisdom.
On Catholic Engaged Encounter, shortly after my interior conversion, my future husband, although not yet Catholic, & I were the only defenders of Church teaching against contraception. We were married at a Pilgrimage Shrine in the bush, Our Lady Tabernacle of the Most High. My beloved who was making Rosaries & defending Church Teaching, 9 months later would become Catholic. We got back from honeymoon, & a French Mauritian friend said to him (please do the accent, )“ahh,I have a boooook for you!” I cringed as she brought out “Rome Sweet Home”, I thought, give the guy a break,that is so pushy! But to my delight, he loved it. He read it twice in one night, woke up & read it again, & said he was becoming Catholic. He entered the Church on Pentecost Sunday, along with our Brother-in-Law & baby nephew who was baptized. God gave a beautiful sign, that day, a triple rainbow hung directly over the Church in their honor. …T
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