Old Lurker, new member

[lurquer]

Hi All,

New member, just a quick intro:

I'm new to the forum, but not new to the site.  The Lord showed me bible-truths and led me to Ray's teachings (uh-oh, that sounds cult-ish) about 7 years ago--seemingly by accident, when I was no longer even searching.  I know now, it was directly in answer to an old, almost forgotten, long-refrained prayer that the Lord show me the truth about Him, his character, and how He could reconcile 'hell' with what I'd read of Him in scripture.

Like many here, I have a similar story, no need to re-hash it...Grew up in the "church", never quite 'got it', but always considered myself a "christian". Messed around in the world for a time, then came to Christ indeed and got "saved" while overseas in the Army at about 19 yrs of age...  Then got married, moved back home to my old haunts... Then promptly forgot that I was "saved".  Lost in the world for many more years.  Then under extreme duress, sought out the Lord and he found me.  After that, I re-read all my extensive collection of "theology" books, Jack Van Impe and Texe Marrs paperbacks, Rapture scenerios, and what-not, went through my kjv Bible a few more times, went back into the "church", eventually joined a (sort-of) christian commune for a while, then left, and more-or-less left the "church" altogether. (with some occasional back sliding here and there on christmas and easter especially  ;-)  Ultimately realizing I was still lost as ever as to Who exactly this God was I was attempting to worship; and all my teachers were also.

And I muddled about in like manner for about another decade. But always searching for the answers to so many contradictions I was taught in the church... "always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". Until that moment 7 years ago when I did.

So, to cut to the chase, I've read all of Ray's stuff (minus all the emails--still going through them!) and listened to his sermons and videos, most numerous times. More  pertinently, I guess, I've been a regular "lurker" of the forum to this day...hence the 'handle' :-)  I've read almost everyone's posts here, since that day I found the site.  And that must sound weird.

But I was asked by the Moderator when joining the site, "what was my purpose in joining?"  It was a good question.  I wasn't sure how to answer (after all, I'd been a ghost-member for all that time)... But I think I understand now why I've wanted to 'officially' join.  It is because I consider you  my family.  That is all.  I hope to post often, but I'm not as inclined  to write as many here.  That is my defect, not theirs. Perhaps that will change for the better.


(sorry the intro wasn't so quick).
Your brother,
Michael

[virginiabm]

       Hi Michael, welcome to the family. We all have about the same story, but we all know we were brought together by God because of it. I don't say much here either, but I learn a lot and I hope to learn from you as well. May God bless you
     
                                 Virginia Miller

[Kat]

Hi Michael,

I'm glad you have finally joined us 
It's so interesting hearing others journey here. I'm sure you are already aware that this place is such a breath of fresh air to have like minded people to discuss these truths with. I hope you join the discussions or ask questions if you like, I think you will find, as I have, that it is very beneficial to discuss these things with others to get their perspective. It seems the interaction between beleivers accelerates the learning process. It will be good, certainly for me, to have another perspective in the discussions.

You make have found all the stuff available here, but I will give you the links so you can check it all out.

Here are the boards and info we have here at the forum.
Forum Rules- General info
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3.0.html
Topic- Questions and Truth 
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4558.0.html
Topic- How this Forum is Moderated
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3614.0.html

General discussion board- to ask questions and discuss what is presented at the Bible-truths.com site.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,3.0.html

Child board- FAQ (most frequently asked questions)- above General discussion board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,23.0.html

Forum Indexes & Info.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,14.0.html

Ray's Videos
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8227.0.html

Ray's Audios 
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2641.0.html

Ray's 2008 Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,8256.0.html

Transcripts of Audios
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,12.0.html

Off Topic board- to discuss things that may not directly relate to BT, you will find a good bit of humor
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,4.0.html

child board- Inspirationals, Writings, Poems, Etc.- above Off Topic board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,15.0.html

Testimonies / Prayer Requests / Fellowship board- mostly for personal posts
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,5.0.html

Child boards- Who Am I? (only available to members)- above Testimonies board, members pics and other stuff
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,16.0.html

Members Recipes- for sharing recipes and food tips
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,22.0.html

mercy, peace and love
Kat

[Rene]

why I've wanted to 'officially' join.  It is because I consider you  my family.   

Welcome to the forum, Michael.  I like your reason for joining.  It made me smile.

René

[Mike Gagne]

Hi Michael, nice intro, I also like your reason for joining! 😎

[Dave in Tenn]

Good to meet you, Michael.

[lilitalienboi16]

Ahoy! Look forward to your contributions here with us!

Alex

[Rhys 🕊]

Welcome to the forum

  I've read almost everyone's posts here, since that day I found the site.  And that must sound weird.

Yes it sounds weird if you have read all of mine 

Rhys

[lurquer]

Thanks for the kind words everyone 

Like Virgina said, I've learned much from just reading and listening to others (yes, even you, Rhys!). That's what I'm here to do. I'll contribute as the Spirit moves, but I'm not much into disputes.  Sometimes I'll disagree with a member's comments, and perhaps I'll say as much, but never for the purpose of arguing.  I just need the conversation from like minded people who love the Lord and accept His truths.  (Hard to find such people these days).  So much thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to keep this site up--with their time and their resources.. May the Lord greatly bless you for that in this age and in the next! 

I want to say that I believe the Lord has a great purpose in guiding Ray in his teachings and in causing this site to exist. In Jesus' most beautiful prayer he prays in the book of John just before he is "delivered up", that his disciples "may be one, even as We are one, I in them, and thou in me; that they may have been perfected into one." (John 17:23)

That's how the Rotherham's Emphasized renders it.. with a footnote to "observe the method:  'perfecting' the means, 'unity' the end."  That is beautifully spot on.  We are to become perfected through His word, so that we may be in unity, One, like Christ is with his Father, so we, like him, with each other.  That is why I believe we are here. 

"As Iron sharpeneth iron..."

Michael

[Extol]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for joining us, and welcome. You say you are not as inclined to write as many here. That's just fine. Don't feel any pressure to write if you are not inclined to do so. I've been here over eight years, and I'm not even to 400 posts yet. That averages to roughly one post per week. Considering there have been periods where I've felt very talkative, there have been plenty of "dry" spells in between to average it to just one per week. I believe there are several members her who do not post at all, but just read and listen to the audios.

If you don't post a lot, at least say Hi once in a while. And always keep reading...

Jesse

[indianabob]

Hi Lurquer Michael,

Name sounds almost like an expensive liquor or Liqueur.
I hope that means that you will be "100 proof" and well aged with wise commentary. (smile)
Just kidding and hoping to hear from you very soon.
We just love to guess what a newer member will have to say.

Welcome from Indiana Bob
Plymouth, IN USA
U.S Air Force 1955-59

[lurquer]

Jesse, thanks for the encouragement... I'm probably more like you than not.  And I'm sure there are many more who, like me, are content to read and learn from others, while never posting at all.  I certainly understand that.  But I surely appreciate your sentiment and I promise to 'check in' as much as possible!

Hi Lurquer Michael,

Name sounds almost like an expensive liquor or Liqueur.
I hope that means that you will be "100 proof" and well aged with wise commentary. (smile)
Just kidding and hoping to hear from you very soon.
We just love to guess what a newer member will have to say.

Welcome from Indiana Bob
Plymouth, IN USA
U.S Air Force 1955-59

Ha!!  Have you ever listened to "Car Talk" on NPR with "Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers"?  Well, you remind me of Ray for some reason.    Tom, sadly just died last year.  Show's over, but re-runs are forever now.

Anyway, only God knows how expensive I was, but I know we'll all be "100 proof" one day.  Perfected... And the Lord didn't just make wine at that wedding, he made the BEST wine.  That's us. His workmanship.  Wine from water. 

Lurquer Michael
Nor FL, USA
U.S. Army  1988-92

[indianabob]

Michael,

I loved your analogy; wine from water..
We truly are just an animated bag of bones and water with some type of "spirit" or mind  in us that makes us different from other animals. It is amazing to consider what we will eventually be and that we will have immortality and perfect love for our creator and for one another.

We surely don't want to waste too much time with the "foolish things" of the world as God patiently molds us into vessels of honor like His first born son.

Keep a good thought as you face each day and always keep smiling.
Makes your neighbors wonder what you're up to. Ha ha

Indiana Bob 

[lurquer]

Hi all,

I just wanted to make note that I changed my screen name.  One or two people here shared with me (and I appreciate that) that it gave possibly a bad impression.  "Lurquer" was a handle I used to go by when I used to spend inordinate amounts of time "debating" people on other forums.  Many years ago (before I ever found this site) I actually used to waste time debating with "atheists" on message boards, and trying to convince "evolutionists" why they were so wrong and the Bible was correct in that God had made all creatures ex-nihilo about 7000 years ago 

Well my understanding has changed much.  And I'm not here to debate with family members, of which you are. I see myself more as someone who has awakened after a long sleep.  My journey has been, and continues to be, more focused on the vast deception this world is under and how great is that darkness... It is truly greater than anyone has imagined.  The Lies we are taught begin at birth and pervade EVERY aspect of our lives--especially, I've discovered, in the 'Church'.  Babylon, indeed.  Our very perception of Reality is greatly flawed.  Ray pulled back the curtain--just a little bit!--and I can never see things the same again.  The Matrix revealed.

Michael