Hello guys! An Introduction.

[TheoLeDee]

Hello! I'm Theo. I am 20 of years of age and I am a college student. I was born and raised in Cajun Country Louisiana. Small Native American and Cajun town in southwest Louisiana. I presently reside in Lake Charles, LA. I am hoping to join you guys and learn from you guys! My journey to Bible-truths and the TRUTH and treasures of God's message or Gospel is rather unique (I suppose) and eventful and gracious. I have noticed many of you guys have come from out of the church, the vast majority of you guys. I have not been brought up in the church, my parents were not too religious albeit they were both raised Catholic and taught us about God but we did not attend church ever. I can count how many times I have been to a church on one hand. I have not been baptized with water nor christened at birth. My parents are believers always has been they have told us about God and many of the teachings of Christendom and they still believe many of those to this day. I have a rather large family and only a few of us have been baptized in the church and many of them just believe in God how they see fit. My dad is seventy-one and my mom is fifty-seven and my aunt (my mother's sister) is fifty-nine (my second mom!) and I have nine siblings and twenty-five nieces and nephews combined. One of my brothers is a pastor and the majority of my family are Christians except my two younger sisters who do not care and one of my nieces was a Muslim. So my parents and my aunt had many to discipline and train and teach. I always prayed and I always knew God was there. I especially made sure to pray before exams in school! Lol! I prayed every night, every morning it was a routine, a custom. God was always acknowledged in my daily life since I was 14 and it is become ever so evident and discernible since I was lead to Bible-truths at the age of 18. I went through so many different beliefs, being blown and tossed by every wind of doctrine ever conceived and posit by carnal minded men. From not having a definite and mature understanding of who God is and what He planned and wants to believing in nearly every teaching of Christendom to carnal philosophy to astro-theology (taking scientific findings in astronomy and applying the terms and such to God and the Bible it is a bit more elaborate than that[study of the astronomical origins of religion; how gods, goddesses, and demons are personifications of astronomical phenomena]---proof positive that the truth and wisdom only comes from God—the unlearned and unstable ignorance of the ignorant who are accustom to and continues to constructively twist the Scriptures to their own destruction is prevalent) to the marvelous and glorious symphony and harmony of the awe-inspiring revelations given to and revealed by Mr. Smith. I knew there was no hell after reading the silly books and literary falsehoods peddled by Christendom, Mr. Armstrong Lamentation booklet, Jack Van Impe (parents always bought their books and DVD's ---we still have many of those in our house to this day) but they never read them but I did--- their description and choice of words all seemed fantastic and fabled and like a fantasy or fairy tale, an utterly bizarre explicit work of fiction and that's why I could not believe that Revelation is meant to be taken literal and most of the Bible and the carnal invention of end of time prophecy or eschatology could not be a sequence of events in reality it means so much more than physical events—I use to write stories and poems all the time and I love to read so I recognize figurative language so that helped immensely) and the Divine Revelation of Hell and historical accounts of religion which putting all that combined nonsense of confusion and fabrications together and had me thinking there is something more than they and I will or could ever know then coming to the realization that most people come to Christ through the fear of the condemnation to hell and my failing to cling to and believe that that's what love does or means or is. I felt ensnared and imprisoned, hopeless! I could not find anything in the Scriptures that validated or proved their doctrines or what they said to be truthful and Scriptural (I was in tenth grade by this time) and I could not disprove them so I did not believe and I was close to throwing in the towel. I did not fully believe in it but still thought it was so but I did not want to condemn or consign anyone there. Fast forward two years listening to one of my favorite songs and a thought pop into my mind, "if God is a consuming fire what if the lake of fire or hell is His Spirit or God Himself." I still could not figure it out. I was in full swing, knee deep in Christendom's Babylonian and pagan teachings without actually ever attending a seminary, church services, watching televangelist frequently but by only reading those few books, attending church like 4 or 5 times in my life and watching religious programs a few times which I did not learn much if anything from them, most of it came from my parents and my brothers because I am very inquisitive and I love gaining new knowledge so I always inquired of their beliefs and my concerns. It would be a few weeks after that that my life would become chaotic and disruptive and my belief and faith was vanishing nearing atheism (my foundation on the sands---the sands of tradition came crashing down and I was crushed THANK GOD) and along with struggling with homosexuality I searched for help and wanted to discover the truth about it in the Scriptures (I know the reason behind my lust and this pull of flesh not only through the Scriptures but in addition to what transpired in my life ) and I found bible-truths....the greatest day of my life! I gained profound knowledge and principles and I procured and secured confidence again in Christ and the Scriptures that is far more impregnable than ever before now constructing and erecting my house on the rock of the faith of Christ and the Scriptures. True beauty and peace! That was December of 2013 and I have read all of Mr. Smith's teachings and watched all and liked every video on bible-truths YouTube channel (was thrilled when I found that) before that I found the video(s) of the Nashville Conference on Vimeo. Some of the truths Mr. Smith shared on bible-truths in his writings was already familiar to me nevertheless there was so much more I was unaware of and was being edified and there is still more I long to learn therefore I seek fellowship with you guys! I had joined the forum in 2013 but never logged on because of preparations for college and my dad's health which has exponentially improved and relocation! I am so grateful God had lead me to Bible-Truths and has put in my heart to seek fellowship to assemble with like-minded believers to strengthen me and to keep the unity of the spirit and hopefully make new friends as well! I had entertained and teased and delayed and protracted the notion and action of membership with BT for far too long. No longer lurking and hidden in the shadows the truth and the light of BT beckoned me therefore I look forward to fellowship and learning more from you guys! Thank you guys for continuing the discussion of Mr. Smith's teachings and having a place for us to retrieve to and seek fellowship and friendships and the ability to get clarification and strength in understanding the mysteries of God and our faith.

God bless,
Theo

[Rene]

Hi Theo and welcome to the forum.

Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself to us and sharing your story.

René

[Kat]

Hi Theo,

I'm glad you have joined us 
It is a very confusing world in Christendom, as you have seen. We all have felt the great blessing of coming to BT site and having so many of our questions answered, but only if God opens your eyes to these truths, which is only a very few. so for those dew this forum can be a very good place to find fellowship and encouragement, so do join in the discussions or start a new topic and ask questions.

Also we have many more Bible studies and conferences on audio, video and transcribed here. So here is a list of the different boards and info we have here at the forum that you may want to check out.

Forum Rules- General info board
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

Emails to Ray board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,6.0.html

Introductions, Announcements, and More of Ray's Teachings board
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,8.0.html
Sub boards- http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/board,14.0.html
Topic ~Categorized list of Ray's emails~
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3108.0.html
Topic ~Outline of Bible-Truths Web Site~
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2808.0.html
Topic ~Paypal Address For Supporting Bible-Truths
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3718.0.html
Topic ~SPURIOUS PASSAGES OF THE NEW TEST.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6638.0.html
Topic ~Timelines
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,16067.0.html
Topic ~E-Sword and more study helps
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4470.0.html
Topic ~sending personal messages (PM)
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4618.0.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

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

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

[lilitalienboi16]

Hello! I'm Theo. I am 20 of years of age and I am a college student. I was born and raised in Cajun Country Louisiana. Small Native American and Cajun town in southwest Louisiana. I presently reside in Lake Charles, LA. I am hoping to join you guys and learn from you guys! My journey to Bible-truths and the TRUTH and treasures of God's message or Gospel is rather unique (I suppose) and eventful and gracious. I have noticed many of you guys have come from out of the church, the vast majority of you guys. I have not been brought up in the church, my parents were not too religious albeit they were both raised Catholic and taught us about God but we did not attend church ever. I can count how many times I have been to a church on one hand. I have not been baptized with water nor christened at birth. My parents are believers always has been they have told us about God and many of the teachings of Christendom and they still believe many of those to this day. I have a rather large family and only a few of us have been baptized in the church and many of them just believe in God how they see fit. My dad is seventy-one and my mom is fifty-seven and my aunt (my mother's sister) is fifty-nine (my second mom!) and I have nine siblings and twenty-five nieces and nephews combined. One of my brothers is a pastor and the majority of my family are Christians except my two younger sisters who do not care and one of my nieces was a Muslim. So my parents and my aunt had many to discipline and train and teach. I always prayed and I always knew God was there. I especially made sure to pray before exams in school! Lol! I prayed every night, every morning it was a routine, a custom. God was always acknowledged in my daily life since I was 14 and it is become ever so evident and discernible since I was lead to Bible-truths at the age of 18. I went through so many different beliefs, being blown and tossed by every wind of doctrine ever conceived and posit by carnal minded men. From not having a definite and mature understanding of who God is and what He planned and wants to believing in nearly every teaching of Christendom to carnal philosophy to astro-theology (taking scientific findings in astronomy and applying the terms and such to God and the Bible it is a bit more elaborate than that[study of the astronomical origins of religion; how gods, goddesses, and demons are personifications of astronomical phenomena]---proof positive that the truth and wisdom only comes from God—the unlearned and unstable ignorance of the ignorant who are accustom to and continues to constructively twist the Scriptures to their own destruction is prevalent) to the marvelous and glorious symphony and harmony of the awe-inspiring revelations given to and revealed by Mr. Smith. I knew there was no hell after reading the silly books and literary falsehoods peddled by Christendom, Mr. Armstrong Lamentation booklet, Jack Van Impe (parents always bought their books and DVD's ---we still have many of those in our house to this day) but they never read them but I did--- their description and choice of words all seemed fantastic and fabled and like a fantasy or fairy tale, an utterly bizarre explicit work of fiction and that's why I could not believe that Revelation is meant to be taken literal and most of the Bible and the carnal invention of end of time prophecy or eschatology could not be a sequence of events in reality it means so much more than physical events—I use to write stories and poems all the time and I love to read so I recognize figurative language so that helped immensely) and the Divine Revelation of Hell and historical accounts of religion which putting all that combined nonsense of confusion and fabrications together and had me thinking there is something more than they and I will or could ever know then coming to the realization that most people come to Christ through the fear of the condemnation to hell and my failing to cling to and believe that that's what love does or means or is. I felt ensnared and imprisoned, hopeless! I could not find anything in the Scriptures that validated or proved their doctrines or what they said to be truthful and Scriptural (I was in tenth grade by this time) and I could not disprove them so I did not believe and I was close to throwing in the towel. I did not fully believe in it but still thought it was so but I did not want to condemn or consign anyone there. Fast forward two years listening to one of my favorite songs and a thought pop into my mind, "if God is a consuming fire what if the lake of fire or hell is His Spirit or God Himself." I still could not figure it out. I was in full swing, knee deep in Christendom's Babylonian and pagan teachings without actually ever attending a seminary, church services, watching televangelist frequently but by only reading those few books, attending church like 4 or 5 times in my life and watching religious programs a few times which I did not learn much if anything from them, most of it came from my parents and my brothers because I am very inquisitive and I love gaining new knowledge so I always inquired of their beliefs and my concerns. It would be a few weeks after that that my life would become chaotic and disruptive and my belief and faith was vanishing nearing atheism (my foundation on the sands---the sands of tradition came crashing down and I was crushed THANK GOD) and along with struggling with homosexuality I searched for help and wanted to discover the truth about it in the Scriptures (I know the reason behind my lust and this pull of flesh not only through the Scriptures but in addition to what transpired in my life ) and I found bible-truths....the greatest day of my life! I gained profound knowledge and principles and I procured and secured confidence again in Christ and the Scriptures that is far more impregnable than ever before now constructing and erecting my house on the rock of the faith of Christ and the Scriptures. True beauty and peace! That was December of 2013 and I have read all of Mr. Smith's teachings and watched all and liked every video on bible-truths YouTube channel (was thrilled when I found that) before that I found the video(s) of the Nashville Conference on Vimeo. Some of the truths Mr. Smith shared on bible-truths in his writings was already familiar to me nevertheless there was so much more I was unaware of and was being edified and there is still more I long to learn therefore I seek fellowship with you guys! I had joined the forum in 2013 but never logged on because of preparations for college and my dad's health which has exponentially improved and relocation! I am so grateful God had lead me to Bible-Truths and has put in my heart to seek fellowship to assemble with like-minded believers to strengthen me and to keep the unity of the spirit and hopefully make new friends as well! I had entertained and teased and delayed and protracted the notion and action of membership with BT for far too long. No longer lurking and hidden in the shadows the truth and the light of BT beckoned me therefore I look forward to fellowship and learning more from you guys! Thank you guys for continuing the discussion of Mr. Smith's teachings and having a place for us to retrieve to and seek fellowship and friendships and the ability to get clarification and strength in understanding the mysteries of God and our faith.

God bless,
Theo

Hello Theo,

Welcome to the forums. I too, like you, am not exactly "out of the church" as I was barely seventeen when I stumbled upon bibletruths and it was also around this time that I was beginning to search and understand what the church my father had taken us to on sunday's actually believed. As I questioned my church leaders, searched the scriptures, and read ray's writings, the more I realized that the whole church system, at least the greek orthodox church that my father was apart of, was nothing more than delusions. I seperated myself after that and never looked back. I have had my ups and downs though but God is faithful and He has kept me grounded in that foundation which no man can lay.

I am glad you have joined us and look forward to your fellowship with us here. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! Kat has provided you with some wonderful resources that I'm sure you will find of great help in your journey. This place is truly one of a kind in all the world I know not of any other. I believe that we have a safe haven here for all those called and chosen by God to find refuge and fellowship.

I am in the virginia area, originally from california, and my geography is terrible but i just wanted to give you a feel of where some of the rest of us are at. We are scattered and all around the world but joined in unity by His spirit as one body.

If I might make a gentle suggestions, I would kindly recommend that when you write in the future, please break your sentences or thoughts up into separate paragraphs, it was very hard for me to read through your introduction.

God bless,
Alex

[Dave in Tenn]

Hi, Theo.  It's good to meet you.  I'm glad you have 'de-lurked' and that what Ray taught from scripture has had such a deep impact on you.

[TheoLeDee]

Thanks for the welcome, kind words and suggestions! Thank you Mrs. Renee!  Thank you Mrs. Kat for the welcome and the resources and I will get right on that! And I am grateful and delighted to join you guys! And yes there's tons of confusion I still have a bit of old knowledge left to be replaced with truth. I am more than grateful yet unworthy of the blessings God bestowed upon me through BT. My life really has changed. I just sat back and watched the scenery change around me and within me!

Lilitalienboi16 thanks for the advice. I realized it right when I hit post, my apologies! Thank you for bringing that to light! I'll be in Virginia in the late future (3 years) for college. I am transferring to Liberty to save money and stay out of debt. I certainly look forward to fellowship and getting my questions and concerns answered when I am in a Scriptural dilemma and receive encouragement to keep fighting the fight and run firm with endurance the race that is set before us from the special and precious people of God! Thanks once more guys for the warm welcome!

Blessings,
Theo   

[TheoLeDee]

Hi, Theo.  It's good to meet you.  I'm glad you have 'de-lurked' and that what Ray taught from scripture has had such a deep impact on you.

Hi, Mr. Dave! Thank you for that and it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for responding! The teachings of Mr. Ray intensified my hunger and thirst for righteousness and my love for the truth! I look forward to my journey and involvement here. Once again thank you!

[lilitalienboi16]

Thanks for the welcome, kind words and suggestions! Thank you Mrs. Renee!  Thank you Mrs. Kat for the welcome and the resources and I will get right on that! And I am grateful and delighted to join you guys! And yes there's tons of confusion I still have a bit of old knowledge left to be replaced with truth. I am more than grateful yet unworthy of the blessings God bestowed upon me through BT. My life really has changed. I just sat back and watched the scenery change around me and within me!

Lilitalienboi16 thanks for the advice. I realized it right when I hit post, my apologies! Thank you for bringing that to light! I'll be in Virginia in the late future (3 years) for college. I am transferring to Liberty to save money and stay out of debt. I certainly look forward to fellowship and getting my questions and concerns answered when I am in a Scriptural dilemma and receive encouragement to keep fighting the fight and run firm with endurance the race that is set before us from the special and precious people of God! Thanks once more guys for the warm welcome!

Blessings,
Theo

I am attending Liberty's College of Osteopathic medicine currently. I will be in my 3rd or 4th year when you arrive. We can meet up if you like. Feel free to contact me here if the time and desire should come.

God bless,
Alex

[virginiabm]

Hi Theo, welcome to the Family.  May God grant you wisdom and Knowledge and understanding of His wonderful Word. We are all here to learn from each other and fellowship. God has given a lot of His wonderful truths through Mr. L. Ray Smith.  I thank God for it and the people he sends to Bible-truths.

     God Bless you,

      Virginia Miller

[TheoLeDee]

Hi Theo, welcome to the Family.  May God grant you wisdom and Knowledge and understanding of His wonderful Word. We are all here to learn from each other and fellowship. God has given a lot of His wonderful truths through Mr. L. Ray Smith.  I thank God for it and the people he sends to Bible-truths.

     God Bless you,

      Virginia Miller

Hello Mrs. Virginia! Thank you so much for the warm welcome and sentiments and blessings! I am grateful and venerated to be invited into the family at BT. Thank you once more & God bless!

[TheoLeDee]

Mr. Alex that is absolutely unexpected yet extraordinary. All the best on your journey to being a physician. It's certainly arduous but worth the effort and dedication! And I will certainly PM you when that time comes. Thanks for the ambiable and kind gesture!

God bless,
Theo

[Rhys 🕊]

Nice introduction you shared, glad you are here and found this truth. It's a long journey to discover but worth every minute to be set free in Christ

Rhys