If you're reading this, it's probably because you were invited to check it out since I don't promote this to just anyone. Or you may simply stumbled across this on your own. Either way, WELCOME!

                                         

Imagine, it's 48 A.D. and the apostle Paul is delivering his speech at the Areopagus in Greece to Athenians. (Acts 17:22-34) Centuries later Shakespeare's wrote, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears", or, in modern vernacular terms, "May I have your divided attention?"​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

                                  

RELAX, NO ONE IS ASKING ANYONE TO BUY OR SUBSCRIBE TO ANYTHING.

Jesus taught , "You received free, give free". (Matthew 10:8) 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

                         

Yes, there are a lot of words herein, but for good reason. We're going to take a deep dive into the main objective of this site, "Understanding the mind of God". I know that may sound presumptuous, but because we're made in the imagine of God, spiritually speaking, and He's given us abilities to ask significant questions on very complex matters, He promised He will give us answers. (Matthew 7:7)

                          

*THREE THINGS TO HELP ALONG THE WAY:

                  

    1.) Bible verses highlighted in "BLUE" throughout. 'Right' click on each instance and choose "Open                link in new tab" and go directly back to this page. 

    2.) This ✨ AI, appears several places to indicate that certain comments come from impartial                      "objective" sources verses what some might consider "biased subjective" sources. 

    3.) When certain key scriptures are sited, a process called "exegesis" is used to  examine them.                  ✨ AI highlights; (EXEGESIS is the critical interpretation of a biblical text, by carefully                          examining the text, the historical and cultural context, and its understanding of original meaning          in order to avoid misinterpretations. 

                           

It seems gaining and keeping people's attention using a lot of printed words is more challenging than ever. Not that long ago people used to sit down and read books for hours. It seems people's lives now are filled with "time saving" devices like smartphones, ipads, and laptops all to entertain. While there's nothing wrong it themselves, however these days people often tell me, "Sorry, I don't have the time or bandwidth to deal with such "heavy" matters such as "Learning the mind of God." And, of course, paying attention to an average everyday non-clerical person, such as myself, without a PhD in theology or philosophy, people often let the perception of the messenger keep them to consider the message, as St. Thomas Aquinas said in the 13th century.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

  

I tried to be as brief and down to earth as possible on matters many consider sensitive and complex, in terms 'we average everyday people' can understand, without loosing the meaning. Many don't read books or long documents these days. In fact, haven't we all signed important legal documents without ever reading all that "fineprint", that can and has in some cases lead to unforeseen liability, lawsuits, even dangerous situations. But relax, there's no "fine print 'gotcha' material herein. The meat of this material comes straight from sacred scripture and the immutable traditions of the Catholic Church, who Jesus Christ sent forth. (Ephesians 4:11) 

                    

What can be more worthwhile and important than "learning the mind of God"?

                      

To gain this knowledge of God will require some patience, discipline, and "bandwidth", so hang in here to explore these vital matters herein. However, I can guarantee you that this will be worthwhile to achieve a better understanding of the main subject of this site, "Understanding the mind of God". What can possibly be more significant, rewarding and noble than the search for the eternal truths of God? As an ancient proverb said, "The reward is in the journey". So, enjoy the ride. 

​

Everything you read herein has been handed down by the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church "of all time", from the first century. Yet something occurred within the hallowed halls of Rome since the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958 and the implementation of certain documents at the Second Vatican Council in 1969 that changed "The Catholic Church in 'modern' Rome" that has caused confusion, chaos, and, in fact, according to many clergy, "a crisis within". More on that on another page on this site.

                      

A little about "old" me, and I mean "a little". This is all about the message, not the messenger.

                             

Although I grew up believing in the God with only a cursory knowledge of the Bible, I took the "Long and Winding Road", (Paul McM) before I converted to Catholicism late in life. Not blaming, but I had no guidance or help from family, friends, or teachers. Religion seldom came up in conversations, but I have yearned for a spiritual connection since my youth. I began looking into the Bible after I left home and entered a "Christian"-college. I was introduced to Protestantism early on since I had no exposure to Catholicism. After college I met a young lady, a Protestant, and we married soon after and we raised three sons. It was only then I begin seriously studying the Bible. However, the more I read in both scripture and history, I began to see the gaps in Protestant beliefs. I eventually began to move away  away from Protestantism. For many other reasons, having nothing to do with religion, my marriage fell apart and we divorced due to irreconcilable differences, and not infidelity.  Beyond this, my personal life is not germane to this website. As they say, "Stuff happens!" During those years of stress and tears, my family scattered like sheep without a shepherd. I felt lost and bewildered, so, I drifted like a nomad for years with no real plans or direction, focused primarily on making money.

                         

Then one day, "out of the blue", God saw fit to introduced me to a devout Catholic lady who opened my eyes and my heart again. I have no idea what she could see in me, this old tumble weed of a man, but apparently God had a plan. For the first time in many years I began asking questions again and this time I was determined to find the real answers straight from the source, Christ's original Catholic Church since Pentecost 33 A.D. That lead me on a spiritual pilgrimage and the rest is history. 

                              

What could this old tumble-weed of a man, a convert to Catholicism late in life, without thr customary PhD or ThD behind his name bring to your table and be taken seriously? All I can say is what Aquinas said above,"consider message rather than I messenger.

              

None of Christ's apostles or disciples for centuries were also "unlettered". (Acts 4:13) Afterall, aren't we all simply looking for answers to these kinds of questions; 

1.) Which version of the Bible can we rely on?

2.)  Which version of scripture did Jesus and His apostles quote from?.

3.) Who are those Jesus referred in the first century? (Ephesians 4:11)

     a. Jesus send forth some as apostles, prophets, and "doctors".

     b. He established "a" Church with a leader, Peter and the other apostles, to function               non-stop, until the time of the end. (Matthew 28:20)

                          

All mankind fall into these categories of belief, with very few exceptions, whatever they may be.

1.)  Materialistic atheists: who claim there's no intelligent design behind the universe.

2.)  Agnostics: those who claim neither belief nor disbelief in God, no questions, answers, or purpose.

                         

Generally, atheists and agnostics have these things in common;

a. They all "believe" conclude about religions;

1.  That all religions are true, which even they say is impossible, contradicting each other.

2.  That all religions are false, even they say doesn't make sense either, or 

3.  TIf there is one God above all, He would have one religion, all reflecting His thoughts.

b.  They may ask questions, but seldom stick around for the answers.

                           

3.)  Polytheistic pagan religions, such as Buddhists, Hindus, Shintos, base on human philosophies.

4.)  Monotheistic religions, "other than Christian, such as Jews, Muslims, and Zoroastrians.

None of these believe in the God who incarnated on earth as Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God.  

                             

5.)  Churchgoers; for the most part these are Protestants, even those who claim they are not, yet every one rejects and "protests" against the Catholic Church. But added to this category of Protestants  are what even scripture calls "lukewarm Catholics" (Revelation 3:16) . As St Alphonsus Liguori, doctor of the Church characterized these as those who, "lacks of enthusiasm, passion, are half-hearted and/or apathetic, due to human weakness and/or deliberate willful 'unapologetic' sinners". This entire group of "churchgoers" seldom read the Bible, have no knowledge of the origin of the Bible, and do not know the "one true" Church even atheists and agnostics realize there must be. 

                   

4.) "Traditional Catholics", a distinction that needs explanation. There are divisions today among the Catholic groups in modern times, particularly since Vatican II.

a.  SSPX: Society of St. Pius X

b.  SSPV: Society of St. Pius V

c.  ICKSP:  Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priests

d.  SV: Sedevacantists

e.  FSSP: Fraternity Society of St. Peter.

f.  Independent clergy: There have been a number of priests and bishops since Vatican II that have separated themselves from the modern religion in Rome, Novus Ordo.  

​

More on this later. However, such breaks from the original "Roman Catholic Church "of all time", has not occurred since the "Great Schism" in 1054, when the Eastern Orthodox Churches rejected the Supremacy of the Roman Pontiffs, Popes' authority. This same thing occurred during the Protestant Revolution in 1615 A.D., with those like the priest, Martin Luther. Suffice to say, not all that glitters is gold. And though old 'alchemists' claimed they can turn lead into gold, true chemistry disproved that long ago. You can't make a silk purse from " sow's ear.

​

fAlso, to be clear, Jesus established "one Church" (Ephesians 4:5) and gave authority to these to teach and guide His flock, no exceptions; "He gave some as apostles, and some prophets, and others evangelists, some as pastors and doctors." (Ephesians 4:11) Some of these include St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and many others, and, of course, the successors of St. Peter, the first chief Holy Father of the Catholic Church, along with the apostles.

                

These same "traditional Catholics" today are well aware of the crisis in "modern Rome" since the Second Vatican Council with the establishment of the new "Novus Ordo" (new order) conciliar religion, an innovation of Freemasonic neo-Protestantism since Vatican II. 

                                 

These "traditional Catholics" are but a small remnant group today who are aware and believe the many signs Jesus, His apostles, and prophets of the Old Testament spoke of "sign of the last days"; [Matthew 24:3, Luke 21:10-12, virtually the entire book of Apocalypse (Revelation), along with the two books of Peter, 2 Peter 3:1-13, and, the letters of St Paul; 1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58] Then there are ancient writings of the prophets  such as Isaiah 2:2; Daniel chapters 2, 4, 7, 8, 10-12; Ezekiel 38-39; Joel 2; and Zechariah 9. These many passages clearly point to "the last days".

                                    

Many of the things mentioned in these scriptures have already seen fulfillment and are unfolding even in our time, without pointing to specifics, which is beyond the scope of this site. Examine these scriptures yourself and compare to what resent history reveals.

                         

So, what should we do if these things are true?                

                                    

Jesus gave us the answer: "Seek" (Matthew 7:7) and He will help us find the answers. So, we can't do as the three groups above do; they don't stick around for the right answers.

                          

Sometimes the answers can be disturbing, unpleasant, even shocking. Remember what He said, 

"Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth but the sword... a man's enemies shall be members of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36)

                                 

Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)

                       

Jesus first reached out to the Jews, yet few accepted Him as the Messiah, and only one apostle followed Jesus to the cross. Today the gospel has been preached to all nations, but few stick around to truly follow Jesus in all things. Why? Few cannot accept Christ teachings as revealed by His Holy Apostolic Catholic Church since the first century. Continue to the end if you truly want the answers.

                                          

Christ's followers are referred to as "Church~Militants", warriors, who engage in a spiritual battle with "principalities and powers, the rulers of the world of this darkness, and spirits of wickedness in high places". (Ephesians 6:12) Therefore, these "Church~Militants" need to wear the suit of armor. (Ephesians 6:11) Many can't see this enemy. Why? They're blinded. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

                   

In the meantime, His "Church~Militants" are charged to slay these "dragons" by sounding out strong warnings to those who would listen, and to flee to the ark of salvation, His Holy Catholic Church. We need to be clear who the enemies are, and make our stand for Christ. And sometimes these enemies are members of his own household, neighbors, and relatives." (Matthew 10:36) 

                       

The teachings of Jesus could fill libraries, as the apostle John said, (John 21:25), so, we can't possibly cover it all herein. This is merely a "Reader's Digest" version of the topics explored. At times, it might seem like a journey off the beaten path.

                      

We may be reminded of that "Indiana Jones movie, "Raiders", when professor Jones (played by Harrison Ford) says, "In this class we consider facts. If it's "truth" you're after, that class is down the hall." Consider this is the room down the hall.