If you’ve read my story and my blog, you now know that I am a true Christian. I am, because I placed my Trust in Christ Alone. Because I did this, I know for absolutely certain that I have Everlasting Life. I formerly fancied myself a catholic christian because I was a part of the catholic church (the church of Rome) but now, thanks to the precious gift of Eternal Life, I now know that the church of Rome is a false church, it is not the One True Church, which is Christ’s Body.

Now, because I am a part of God’s salvation plan, I have received the counsel of the Holy Spirit to guide me. Once I was enlightened by Him, I came to know that the celebration of Christ’s birth on December 25th each year is nothing more than another man-made holiday that at best is completely misguided and at worst, intentionally designed to glorify a pagan holiday.

Isaac Newton argued that the date of “christmas” was chosen to correspond with the winter solstice. History tells us that in ancient times the winter solstice was marked on December 25. In 1743, Paul Ernst Jablonski stated that “christmas” was placed on December 25 to correspond with the Roman solar holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti and was therefore a “paganization” that was essentially an insult to the True Church.

We know that the “True Church” is not an organized religion here on Earth, but rather “The Body of Christ” Himself, and thus any of us who are True Christians are a part of that Body. We make up that True Church as we are a part of Him, and He is It.

It should be quite obvious to even a non-religious observer of the Scripture that December is not the actual month of Christ’s birth, since events in the Holy Scripture clearly indicate circumstances which would not make a winter birth feasible. The most obvious Scriptural reference is from the Gospel of Luke which tells us that shepherds were tending their sheep in the fields when He was born.

The rains stopped and temperatures first allowed shepherds to tend their sheep in the fields around April. By December, the sheep were no longer in the fields. But does it matter exactly which month it was? No, certainly not. What does matter, however, is that once again the false church, the church of Rome, has developed a man-made declaration and set it down as truth to their followers. A “truth” for them which history proves to be a falsehood.

If you celebrate this pagan holiday, take a closer look at it. Refuse to allow yourself to continue to be misled.

God’s salvation plan is a very simple one, yet many “organized religions” try to make it overly complicated. There may be a number of reasons for that, it could be ignorance, it could be tradition, it could be that some groups are actually trying to lead people away from Christ by muddling and confusing God’s message.

As a catholic who later learned that I was on the wrong path, following the wrong church, I first came to understand the salvation plan of my Heavenly Father and then, through that understanding, received the gift of Eternal Salvation.

It is as simple as simple can be. It isn’t complicated, His plan doesn’t have a lot of conditions imposed on it, His salvation plan is one that anyone can achieve through one simple and completely straightforward method:

Trust in Christ Alone.

It sounds much too simple, and in many cases that leads people to look for a more complicated means of achieving Eternal Life. God never intended for His Salvation to be something you had to EARN, but rather it is meant to be a GIFT that you may freely receive, simply by taking that one, simple step. God never, ever wanted you to have to do any works, to behave in any particular way, to have to labor in any fashion, or to make any special self-sacrifice to receive His salvation. That’s what He sent his Son here to do for us. That’s the whole reason that Christ died on the cross for us, for all of our sins: so that they would ALL be forgiven, once and forever.

So to receive God’s Gift of Eternal Salvation, to fulfill His Salvation Plan, there is nothing more for you to do than to Trust in Christ Alone. Trust that His sacrifice is the one and only sacrifice that can ever be made for our sins, that we cannot save ourselves, trust that it is only through His death on the cross that our sin debt was paid in full.

That means letting go of human teachings, letting go of organized religions and their man-made rules, it means letting go of traditions and interpretations of Holy Scripture and it means, once and for all, placing ALL of your Trust in Christ.

If you can do that, right now, then you can receive the Gift of Eternal Life.

I feel such great joy every time I hear from someone who has read my catholic Christian story on this Web site and they take the time to write to me and let me know how inspiring my message is for them, personally. It is through God’s grace and his wonderful Gift, the Gift of Eternal Salvation, that it is possible for me to share my story with you.

While some have written to tell me that my site is attacking catholicism, this is far from the truth. I’m not setting up a catholic vs Christian battle here, the intent of this site is to share the good news of God’s Word and to help those who are stuck in a false religion to see God’s true and simple Plan for Salvation.

Recently, I received a wonderful e-mail from a reader who said:

“I really appreciate you posting this information. I have a
situation that will not be easy. I am feeling much like you
did the day you confronted your mother. I know my confrontation
has to take place. The truth has been revealed to me in the scriptures
and through prayer. I have to pass it on to those loved ones that are
being misled. I ask that you keep me in your prayers, and thank you
again for sharing your story.”

The only thing I would say is that when speaking to your loved ones who are trapped in the false church or some non-Christian religion (such as the Church of Rome), you should approach these conversations not as a “confrontation” but instead as a sharing of the Holy Spirit.

See how powerful our Heavenly Father is?

It happens that at times when I talk to others about my catholic Christian journey, they sometimes try and categorize my message as a Christian vs catholic attack. I think some of that may be rooted in the fact that I spend a lot of time speaking to catholics directly about my transformation from catholic to christian, and I’m quite certain that they are immediately on the defensive because I’m telling them things that challenge their long-standing beliefs.

I know what they’re feeling, because remember that I was on the opposite end of that debate myself.

I have never, ever considered this online ministry to be a catholic vs. christian battle, but rather my intent is that perhaps through my story — as a former life-long catholic of 44 years — some who are currently a part of the church of Rome, a church which calls itself the catholic church, will begin to look at their church with a new perspective and will challenge the things this “religion” has taught them.

Unfortunately, catholics have generally been told that they are to strictly follow the teachings of the Roman church and to deviate from them would lead to dire consequences. I believe that it is this teaching, a teaching that prevents many practicing catholics from exploring the Holy Scriptures fully, which forms the basis of this impression that I’m setting up some sort of a Christian vs. catholic attack.

It isn’t true.

I know for certain that the vast majority of practicing catholics are sincere about their faith. I know this, because I was one for 44 years. I know for certain that the vast majority of lay people who have advanced into leadership positions within their parishes are sincere about their faith and their leadership roles. I know this, because I was one for nearly 30 years. I know that those in local parishes who teach others about the catholic religion are sincere as well, because I was one of those too, for many, many years.

So this isn’t a Christian vs catholic argument. My ministry, inspired by the Holy Spirit, isn’t set up to be a catholic vs. christian debate. In no way do I intend this to be a christian vs. catholic attack on another’s beliefs. Instead, I mean this to be a method for delivering my personal catholic to christian transformation story, and in the process of revealing my journey, I hope that others who are currently practicing catholics will take a step back and open themselves up to the fullness of God’s Word. If they do that, they will discover that God’s plan for salvation is a simple plan for salvation.

Remember, too often those who are members of the so-called catholic church believe that their religion should not be challenged. The Roman church has claimed for itself the sole right to “interpret” Holy Scriptures, and because of that many practicing catholics are simply too afraid or too accepting to compare the teachings of their church to the Word of God. The Holy Scriptures tell us that we should use the Scriptures to test what we are taught, not that we should accept without question what we are told and to be afraid to test it against the Word of God.

As you can probably imagine, I receive many, many e-mails a day. Dozens actually, perhaps as many as one hundred on a very busy day. Many of the e-mails I receive are encouraging, some talk about reading my catholic Christian conversion story and taking great joy in it, others detracting of my message, some saying that I am attacking the catholic church or that my message isn’t a Christian one or that catholicism is superior to my own faith.

Today I received an e-mail from someone who took the rather unusual approach of boasting to me about how much they know about the Bible, and how much more they know about it than I. It was clear that they were intent on acting superior to me, to prove through their claim exactly how much more they knew about Holy Scripture than I do (or my family did or does — combined, as a matter of fact):

“I know the Bible better than your or your parents or even your
grandparents ever did while they were Catholic. And I bet that
I still know it better than all of you combined now”.

Of course this person went on to attempt to lecture to me about what God REALLY meant in certain portions of the Word. Unfortunately for the e-mail’s author, they don’t realize exactly how truly lost they really are. Their statements made it abundantly clear that they do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them in the Scripture, a counselor that everyone who receives the Gift of Eternal Salvation has to help them understand the Word, as He promised us:

John 14:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

What this assurance means to all of us who have received Eternal Life is that we (you or I) don’t have to worry about being as learned about the Holy Scripture as some, like the e-mailer above likes to believe — and publicly boast — that they are. God our Father in Heaven knows that we all need help to understand His Word, and what better way for us to understand it than for Him to sit beside us as we read the Holy Scripture and to impart unto us, one at a time, the full meaning and power of His Holy Word?

This person’s boast of Bible knowledge reminds me of a very poignant passage from Matthew…

Matthew 13

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Remember that in Jesus’ day there were many people who were supposedly much more “knowledgeable” about what was written, yet they were incredibly ignorant about the Truth of God. Their Savior stood right there before them, in the flesh, yet they were unable to see it (”because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, nether do they understand).

Just like the e-mail author who pridefully boasted about how much they “know” about the Bible, yet despite all of their “knowing” they do not understand.

Jesus Himself spoke to the common people, He surrounded Himself with followers who believed in Him and placed their Trust in Him Alone for their Salvation and did not attempt to preach to others by lecturing them about how much more they knew about what was written. And when Jesus left us on earth, He left behind for us the Holy Spirit that we may fully understand everything about God’s Word without having to spend our entire lives intently studying every single passage of Scripture.

We are very, very fortunate to have this counsel once we have the Gift of Eternal Life.

My Christian catholic story, which you may read here if you haven’t done so as yet, is my humble exposition of how I made the journey from catholic to Christian. How I was led from the darkness into God’s Wonderful light. I, like the e-mail author who boasted to me about their knowledge of the Scripture, thought that I knew a lot — remember that I even taught the catholic faith as an instructor in the RCIA program — but I never really knew the Holy Scripture, I never really KNEW Him, until I put aside the false teachings that I had received throughout my entire life and allowed myself to Trust in Christ Alone.

This part is something that is very important, and something I only learned once I’d received the Gift of Eternal Salvation: He will fill us with the fullness of His Word, but in order to be filled, we must first be emptied. Until we empty ourselves of the false teachings that obscure His Word and its meaning, we can never truly be filled.

I’m often asked a question:

What is the difference between catholic and Christian?

I understand why there would be confusion. On the surface, the question may sound odd or even silly. Many folks will respond: there is no difference between catholic and Christian. Catholics believe in Christ, that makes them Christians.

Well, unfortunately, that answer isn’t necessarily accurate. First, simply “believing” in Christ isn’t sufficient to make on a Christian. It goes a lot deeper than that. If you wish, you can read a post of mine on the subject, called Believing in Christ Doesn’t Make You a Christian.

No, belief is not enough. So what else is there? What more must one do to actually become a Christian? The key word is:

Trust.

You must TRUST in Christ. And not only trust in Christ, but you must trust in Christ ALONE for your Eternal Salvation. You must trust that His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary paid your sin debt in full — which it did — and trusting in that payment means releasing your own need to have to “pay” for something that Christ Himself has already paid. His death released you from your debt.

It isn’t about “accepting” Christ or “believing” in Christ or “asking Christ into your heart”. It is only about trust and placing your trust FULLY in Him, your Savior. So what is the distinction between belief and trust? My brother likes to describe it this way:

“You believe in the chair that you are sitting on. You trust that the chair will carry your weight and support you”.

It wasn’t until I actually TRUSTED in Christ Alone that I received the Gift of Eternal Life. If you haven’t yet read my story, please take a few minutes to do so. That moment was a life-changing event, for both my earthly life and my eternal life.

So then what is the difference between catholic and Christian?

Most catholics have placed their trust in things other than Christ for their Salvation. This isn’t necessarily their fault directly, they’ve been raised that way. I know, I was raised that way myself and I was totally and completely sincere about my belief in Christ and that He died for my sins. But, like most other catholics, I also believed that I had to trust in the church of Rome for assistance in achieving Eternal Salvation. I had to trust in the leaders of the church to provide me with proper doctrine, in the priest in the confessional to ensure that I received absolution for my sins, in the wafer of bread that was supposedly transformed into the Body of Christ (something I now know is preposterous and not supported by Scriptures), and trust in the church of Rome’s claim to apostolic succession (read my post: Dispelling the Myth of the “Rock” Peter) to provide the authority to dictate to me what I must believe.

Catholics believe in Christ, as do true Christians. Christians TRUST in Christ Alone. Catholics, most of them anyway, trust in Christ plus, plus, PLUS. The Body of Christ is the one True Church and not a wafer of bread. Do not place your trust in something or someone other than Jesus Christ for your Eternal Salvation. It is through His sacrifice alone that you may have (not “will have” some time in the future) Eternal Life.

John 5:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

But here we see the word “believeth” and haven’t I just been writing about how it is TRUST and not belief that is the key? Well this is where we must take the time to look a little deeper. All “translations” of the Holy Scripture have flaws, even the version that I most favor, the King James Version. So let’s look at John 5:24 and see what the original Greek text used for the word “believe” in this instance. We find that the word used here is: “pisteuo” which has a definition (including: “to be intrusted with a thing; to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity; to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something; to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in) that is clearly much closer to the word “trust” for us who speak English.

Many have “believed” that Christ existed, but how many place their full TRUST in Christ as John tells us?

Is it possible for a practicing catholic to be a Christian? Of course anything is possible with God, but I would have say it is unlikely. Why? Because I was there, I was a part of that church, I was an educator in that church, and once I received the Gift of Eternal Salvation and received the counsel of the Holy Spirit, I saw that the catholic church as we know it is not Christ’s One True Church and as someone who had become a true Christian I realized that I had to remove myself from it to be a full part of the One True Church, Christ’s Body.

Again, if you haven’t read my Christian catholic journey, please check it out.

Organized religions make salvation complicated. People in general seem to want to make salvation complicated. Well, the fact is that God has never meant for salvation to be complicated. In fact, He made salvation as simple as it could possibly be. He sent His only Son to earth, in human form, to die for our sins.

That’s it.

Because of His incredible sacrifice, all of our sins are forgiven. He died once and for all, and that was sufficient for our forgiveness. There is nothing more that we can do, as human beings, that will be greater than His dying for our failings.

When I talk to people who don’t understand salvation, they often get hung up on the issue of exactly which sins He died for. They believe that there is something more that they must do to gain forgiveness. They think that forgiveness is something they get at some point, then they go out and sin again, and they have to seek forgiveness all over again. Usually, they’ve been taught this by their “church” and sadly, they’ve been misled.

God’s plan is very simple and not at all complex: He died for ALL of our sins. Every single one of them — past, present, and future. At no point along the way did He say anything at all resembling: “Okay, this sacrifice is going to cover you until you’re 18 years old, after that you’re on your own”.

He died for our PAST sins.
He died for our PRESENT sins.
He died for our FUTURE sins.

Apparently, the last one is the one that seems to trip so many people up. They say: “I know that Christ died for my sins. But how could He have died for sins I haven’t yet committed? How do I know that He died for my FUTURE sins?”

The answer, my friends, is as simple as God’s plan: we know for an absolutely undisputed certainty that Christ died for our FUTURE sins as well as past and present sins because none of us were alive when Christ died on the cross. Not a single, solitary one of us. ALL of our sins — even our past sins — were “future” sins when Jesus Christ made His incredible sacrifice.

Every single one of them.

Sadly, I was once as misled as millions of others about this. If you read my Catholic Christian story, the story of my transition from Catholic to Christian, then you know my background and how entrenched in the church of Rome I once was. So firmly entrenched that not only did I believe everything that this man-made religion told me, but I also taught it to others. That false church taught me that I constantly had to go back to the church to be forgiven for my sins — that I had to confess my sins to a priest acting as a conduit to God — in order to be forgiven. And when I went out and sinned again, my only hope was to turn back to their priests in order to receive forgiveness once more.

Do you see how the church of Rome is intent on keeping its followers so tightly controlled? How that so-called “church” is dead set on locking a person in and forcing them to behave in a way that makes their participation (and their financial support) a necessity?

It’s wrong, and completely against God’s Word and His plan. God makes this completely clear to us:

Hebrews 10:

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Simply Trust in Christ Alone, for His sacrifice is sufficient to save all of us.