Take a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray!
Todd Meade Story: From Southern Baptist Liberty University to Catholic
Every spiritual life is a journey. Mine began in Warner Robins, Georgia in 1971. I was born into a good Methodist family and had a strong Christian foundation laid for me in childhood. But unfortunately, as is all too common, during my teenage years I drifted away somewhat from this good foundation and was lukewarm at best towards Christianity. I still attended weekly church services and youth group activities, but my interests were mainly in having fun with my friends and having a spiritual life was far from my mind.
But at age 17, I had a profound conversion experience that impressed upon me the reality and urgency of Christianity. I gave my heart and life to Jesus and experienced a great sense of meaning and purpose in life. Around this time, my family and I became Southern Baptists, which matched well with my new fervency and devotion.
I ended up going off to college to Jerry Falwell’s well-known Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, which proved to be an ideal place for me at the time to deepen my devotion and learn more about the Faith. It was a great time of spiritual development for me, and by the time I graduated in 1995, I felt energized and excited about where Our Lord would lead me and what He would do through me.
You can read Todd’s whole story here. Hundreds of other conversions stories HERE.
Tears Singing Good Ole Baptist Hymns
The old Baptist hymns still stir me and bring tears to my eyes. They take me back to my childhood when the family would dress up, us kids in our little suits with cheesy ties and short-legged pants (I’m the one in the plaid jacket). Dad would always give us candy during the service and put his arm around us while tickling our ears. The good old days.
Dad used to tear up at the old hymns. As he lay in his bed dying a few years ago we put the Bill Gaither Trio (YouTube) albums on the iPad I bought him. He would listen to the classic hymns over and over again. I think he could already see the Lord and was ready to go.
Sunday we sang two of those old classics at Mass. I looked over expecting to see my dad and mom sitting there in their 50’s suit and dress, smiling as their three boys fidgeted in the pew waiting to get back to our ponies and swimming pool. Yeah, I had tears running down my checks.
When I got home I called my brother Tim. He said he too cannot even sing those hymns at Mass without choking up and the words stop coming. Mom and Dad were the best; those old Baptist hymns are surely sung in heaven and I have fond and loving memories on my Baptist upbringing.
The hymns from last Sunday were “What Can Wash Away My Sins, Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art” (YouTube video).
Put the hymnal away — I can sing those by heart and from my heart. I still sing them mom and dad who is surely watching from heaven — still praying for their boys.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this I see–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my hope and peace–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness–
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Childhood Memories of Grapejuice Communion
Recently, my grandson Charlie was in a school concert for kids. We were in South Carolina visiting my daughter Charlotte. The concert was held in a Baptist church, and it’s been about 30 years since I’ve been in a Baptist church, so it’s kind of interesting — a blast from the past.
I remembered the old communion cup “inserts” where we placed the little “shot glasses” of Welch’s grape juice after the quarterly communion services.
Here is a 1-minute video I made today so Catholics can see these receptacles, which are not in Catholic churches.
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