I believe I received God's grace.

[Scarlett86]

I was raised Catholic, and though I've had flings with different religions (and a different Christian denomination), and atheism for a bit, I've been Catholic most of my life.  It's always been like home - and I don't know why.  Naturally, I disagree with plenty of church teachings, and actually with the degree of hierarchy - but that's for a different thread.

Anyways, that's the first place I ever went public as a female - a Catholic Mass.  It seems like one of the last places I should do something like that - but I considered going in public part of my rebirth in the world.  The best place being a House of God.  I felt nervous, odd, and out of place.  I don't plan on returning - I found an alternative, specifically for GLBT people, with GREAT people involved.  But one thing particularly struck me, in my "goodbye" to the Catholic church and hello to who I am admitting I am.  I got this feeling - a peaceful, serene feeling, as if God was communicating.  Telling me everything was okay, that I was spectacular for being who I am.  That he loves me just that way, for who I am, for who my SPIRIT is.  And it was amazing.

I just wanted to share that because, hopefully other believers read this, and hopefully can believe that this was truly God speaking.  That we're okay exactly for who we are deep down, despite what any institution says.  That Christ is on OUR side.

Has anyone else had an experience like this?

[Michael Joseph]

Thats really awesome to hear!

[Scarlett86]

Thats really awesome to hear!

Yeah, every once in a while when I'm in a really weird life position, these kinds of things happen.

[justmeinoz]

I haven't but it sounds like an awesome experience. In the proper meaning of the word.

[Del]

That's really terrific.

[spacial]

Thank you Scarlet. That is wonderful to hear.

[ToriJo]

I disagree with plenty of church teachings, and actually with the degree of hierarchy - but that's for a different thread.

Of course!  You follow God, not man!    But that doesn't mean, as you point out, that God can't work through the Catholic church.

I just wanted to share that because, hopefully other believers read this, and hopefully can believe that this was truly God speaking.  That we're okay exactly for who we are deep down, despite what any institution says.  That Christ is on OUR side.

Has anyone else had an experience like this?

I'm an SO, so my experience is not the same, but I can completely understand why you would want to be honest in God's house.  Of course!  I can't think of a more awful place to have to live a lie, so I'm glad the grace of God gave you the freedom to be honest there.

I can say that the most powerful spiritual experience of my life was when God showed me His complete, total, and overwhelming love for me.  It left no doubt that He was on my side.  So it's exciting to hear of other people getting that!

And, certainly, you *are* okay exactly for who you are, the woman that God made you!  He just took more time and care forming you than 9 months in the womb, so it extended into your adult life, but we're all a work in progress after all.  We all should become more like the person God intends us to be as we age, and God is thrilled when we do!  I imagine there was a celebration in heaven as God looked down and saw you walk into church that day, with God saying to everyone around, "Look at my beautiful daughter!!!"  He knew your heart, your fears, and the truth.

[tekla]

I like Catholic churches a lot.  The Catholic church, not so much.

[SarahM777]

Anyways, that's the first place I ever went public as a female - a Catholic Mass.  It seems like one of the last places I should do something like that - but I considered going in public part of my rebirth in the world.  The best place being a House of God.  I felt nervous, odd, and out of place.  I don't plan on returning - I found an alternative, specifically for GLBT people, with GREAT people involved.  But one thing particularly struck me, in my "goodbye" to the Catholic church and hello to who I am admitting I am.  I got this feeling - a peaceful, serene feeling, as if God was communicating.  Telling me everything was okay, that I was spectacular for being who I am.  That he loves me just that way, for who I am, for who my SPIRIT is.  And it was amazing.

I just wanted to share that because, hopefully other believers read this, and hopefully can believe that this was truly God speaking.  That we're okay exactly for who we are deep down, despite what any institution says.  That Christ is on OUR side.

Has anyone else had an experience like this?

Hello Scarlet,
Is't that an awesome place to be when you realize that God is pleased with you and you can be who He meant you to be?
It was God speaking to you. That is one theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation God does speak to people and it is stated over and over and over again. He does want that personal relationship and He does see the inner person.

If you don't mind i think i need to share this. I had reached a point in my second marriage when at that time my GID was pulling me in every direction. Our marriage was so far out of balance. Even to the point she was commenting that it was like living with another woman. I realized i was no longer meeting her needs,we were way to much alike and i did not have what she needed and it was the one thing that hurt me the most because i did love her so much. That's when i did start finally seeking the help on dealing with my GID. I tried therapy,a men's confrontational support group (That turned out to be a dismal failure, a bunch of guys beating each other over the head oy vay),and various other avenues. I didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I finally started going to a few healing services at one the churches i was going to at the time and starting seeking healing even to the point of asking God if it was His will i was willing (Not happy about by any means) that if i was truly a male to change me mentally and emotionally into the man i was suppose to be.
At first i did not get an answer,but i did keep trying till finally after a year i did go forward and was anoited with oil and again asked for healing. I finally got the answer which came in a very still small voice. Stop praying for this,you are asking for the wrong thing,I meant for you to be a woman but this has been allowed for my purposes and plans. My grace is sufficient for you.
Since then i have had no doubt about what i am and that has been more freeing than anything else i have ever tried. Does God speak to us? I believe He does sometimes i think we just have to learn to listen.

With love
Sarah

[SarahM777]

I realize i should have clarified what i meant by God allowed this. I believe the world is broken to a point. Nature does follow a relative order but at times things do not always work the way they should if it was a perfect world. What then i mean by allowed is that God could have intervened at some point but He chose not to and allowed what was happening naturally to continue on.

I do apologize for my oversight.