Ever since I posted the blog about my conversion I have received many emails, calls and responses. I sincerely appreciate your faith and must say I am overwhelmed by the loving responses of many of you. All I can think is that I worded it all wrong and for that I am sure I have lost some friends. I can understand why many of you are upset with me. I want you to know that I am Catholic and am convinced it is the true church. Anyway my wife wanted to write a few words. I didn't want her to at first but she can better express some of the things we are going through.
From Jennifer:
Dear Cherished Friends,
First, I would like to express our love and appreciation to all of you who have responded to our announcement. Taking time to ask us questions and let us know how you feel shows us that you truly love us. We are eternally indebted to you for your concern, honesty, kindness and prayers.
Next, I would like to clarify a few misunderstanding. Some of you are under the impression that Eben's previous post was directed toward a specific group of people. This couldn't be farther from the truth. We have nothing but love, respect, and appreciation for ALL of the people we have worked, worshiped and fellowshipped with over the last five years. Any frustrations we had were with the overall system, not individuals within that system. The reason for our conversion was NOT because of these frustrations. After all, wherever people are involved there will be imperfection and frustrations. However, these frustrations were the catalyst that pushed us to question many things. This began several years of study and prayer that led us to the undeniable truth at which we have arrived. We are fully aware that many of you will not agree with us. That is okay. We still consider you brothers and sisters in Christ and our hearts are full of His love for you.
Finally, I would like to ask that any comments, questions, or concerns be directed to me or Eben. Please do not speculate without getting the answer directly from us. We are prepared to answer any questions that come our way (otherwise we would not have made this life changing decision).
Again, thank you to all of you who have responded to last night's post. We are sorry if a poor choice of words hurt you or anybody else. Please keep us in your prayers as we do the same for you.
Love in Christ,
Jennifer
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
My stupid mouth
I want to set the record clear on one thing. I have not converted because of what someone did or did not do. I respect elders and the impossible task they have in front of them. If I communicated that I did not have that respect please know that I do. As I said in the bloag yesterday I wrote that quickly but I never meant to hurt anyone. What can I say.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Now that the Cat is out of the bag!
OK! Here it goes.
Ever since I became a Christian I have grown increasingly tired of the subjective nature of Christianity.
I am now a Catholic. I know how this sounds because I once, like many of you, thought that the church of Christ or other protestant churches were the true church. But what they have become is a den where opinion rules and that we determine where the church will head by our feelings about what God believes rules. Those of you who know me the best know this is not a flippant decision. This has been a four year process in which I have studied, prayed and examined all the facets of the Christian faith I know. I come to one undeniable conclusion...there has only been one church to exist since Acts 2, the Catholic church. I did not want to believe this but at the same time I could not honestly deny it's truth. I just have a couple of questions.
1. What one church has existed since the first century, according to history and not a false interpretation of history?
2. In light of the direction of protestant faith is it possible that it would be better to have an anchor to the faith?
3. What do you think about this?
Oh boy, this was written rather quickly but there it is. I have to say that as I write this I am scared and don't want to lose friends but if that is what it cost oh well.
Love,
Eben
Ever since I became a Christian I have grown increasingly tired of the subjective nature of Christianity.
I am now a Catholic. I know how this sounds because I once, like many of you, thought that the church of Christ or other protestant churches were the true church. But what they have become is a den where opinion rules and that we determine where the church will head by our feelings about what God believes rules. Those of you who know me the best know this is not a flippant decision. This has been a four year process in which I have studied, prayed and examined all the facets of the Christian faith I know. I come to one undeniable conclusion...there has only been one church to exist since Acts 2, the Catholic church. I did not want to believe this but at the same time I could not honestly deny it's truth. I just have a couple of questions.
1. What one church has existed since the first century, according to history and not a false interpretation of history?
2. In light of the direction of protestant faith is it possible that it would be better to have an anchor to the faith?
3. What do you think about this?
Oh boy, this was written rather quickly but there it is. I have to say that as I write this I am scared and don't want to lose friends but if that is what it cost oh well.
Love,
Eben
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
What!?!?!?!
It has been a little over a month since we left Tulia. I have to say that I feel like myself again. Who I had become was not who I am. Jennifer is doing her school work. I married up when I married her, for sure. I feel more relaxed and we love our life. I was never made to do what I was doing. I got bitter and it showed, and for that I am sorry. I was looking on the blog world tonight and I saw some people who I really appreciate.
Some of you may have heard but there are some covictions of ours that have changed over the past three years. I could not remain a minister in the church of Christ with what I now believe. It was not a flippant decision but rather one that took much prayer study and time. I believe it would have been worse to be divisive than to just leave. I love to preach, I love to teach but my life was not reflecting what I was saying. It would be shocking for many to know where we are going to church now. A good friend of mine who is a pastor for a church of Christ came by the other night with his girlfriend to eat supper. He preaches in a small town like I did and when I told him where we are going and what we believe he said "that is radical." Not like dude where's my car radical but the other kind. I could and will write more about it, after it's effects will not be divisive. But I want those of you who read this to know...I love you and appreciate you and if my actions were poor toward you I am sorry.
Peace and God bless.
Some of you may have heard but there are some covictions of ours that have changed over the past three years. I could not remain a minister in the church of Christ with what I now believe. It was not a flippant decision but rather one that took much prayer study and time. I believe it would have been worse to be divisive than to just leave. I love to preach, I love to teach but my life was not reflecting what I was saying. It would be shocking for many to know where we are going to church now. A good friend of mine who is a pastor for a church of Christ came by the other night with his girlfriend to eat supper. He preaches in a small town like I did and when I told him where we are going and what we believe he said "that is radical." Not like dude where's my car radical but the other kind. I could and will write more about it, after it's effects will not be divisive. But I want those of you who read this to know...I love you and appreciate you and if my actions were poor toward you I am sorry.
Peace and God bless.
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