Rummaging for Truth

By Sybil J. Padgett

An account of my dark experiences from the inside of the supernatural world. The deception was so subtle that I always believed I was doing God's work. It is easy to become involved in the cults, but the "angels of light" do not give you an easy way out. My struggle to be free was influenced by God, who in His mercy, put people in my path who could help me escape the darkness that I was ensnared in. Feel free to contact the author at: [e-mail].

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641381277

Book preview

It was February, and the snow was still on the ground. There had been a record-setting blizzard several days before. I sat in my comfortable chair, looking out the window at the beauty of the snow-covered countryside. I live in a small rustic house that overlooks the city lake, and the several acres that I own have many beautiful large oak, hickory, pine, and blackjack trees, also there is an abundance of small animals such as squirrels, rabbits, and deer. This property is one of the loveliest areas in the surrounding countryside. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to live here.

It was a clear day with a hazy blue sky, and the temperature was hovering just below freezing. I had put all kinds of bird seeds out to help feed the many birds that live in this area. They were beautiful to watch, and I especially liked the blue birds and the cardinals as they scratched the surface of the snow, looking for the bird seed.

As I watched the birds search for food, I felt something that I had not been aware of stirring deep within my being. I began to feel peace and possibly a new purpose for my life that I had not felt for a very long time.

As I pondered on this new feeling, which I still had no discernment of what it might be, I was hopeful that it might be a new turning point in my life. I would like to do some meaningful work in the service of the Lord that might help others sidestep the mistakes that I had made during my sojourn here.

Jeremiah 29:1, For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

I am eighty-three years of age, and I still have a sharp and an inquiring mind. I thought surely there was something in my life worthwhile that I could share with others.

Isaiah 46:4, Even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years, I shall bear you.

My life had not been extraordinary, but possibly a little different from others, and my struggle to find certain spiritual truths would make for interesting reading. My life with the ups-and-downs of having to make choices and decisions without a guidebook was very ordinary. I did not always make the right decisions, but I learned from my mistakes.

So in the middle of February, as I watched the birds feeding, I made a decision to share some aspects of my life, especially the search for spiritual truth, the only way I know how, and that is in a form of a book. I believe there is a need for a book such as this to help people navigate through the maze of the many doctrines, ideologies, theologies, and philosophies that are abounding and proliferating today in our society and the world as never before. This new way of thinking has permeated every aspect of our lives, including the schools, churches, and places of work

Since my story includes my many years as a Catholic, I want to be clear about several things concerning those years. I am not judging Catholics or their beliefs; I am just sharing my experiences as a Catholic. In the past years, there have been many stories in the newspapers about priest’s activities outside the law. Priests that are guilty will be judged by either the legal system or God.

I had close personal contact with the priests and nuns for many years, and not once in all those years did a priest or a nun touch me, my sisters, or any of the other girls in an inappropriate manner.

The nuns and priests were there to teach both academics and the catechism of the Catholic Church.

They were excellent teachers and strict disciplinarians. This is my story about my years as a believer of Catholicism, and how it affected my life and emotions, both good and bad. Since I was under their tutelage for so many years, I believe I have earned the right to both criticize and pay homage where it is due.

I have always had a curious mind. As I was growing up, my parents said I was always asking questions, so much so, that sometimes they would have enjoyed taping up my mouth. My mother said that when I was very young, I would stand on a box and hand out holy cards. I suppose the Lord had a calling on my life, but it took many years for me to find out what that calling was.

My inquiring mind has taken me in many directions in the past years. I have a very interesting and unusual group of ancestors who were the explorers and mountain men of their generations and were instrumental in the founding and the settlement of this country. Nearly every history book you find, it will include some of my family. The interesting family history is one of the reasons I started searching the past.

I found out that for generations, my maternal ancestors had all been Catholics. The search took me to