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How did it get started?

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seminole:
I was reading someof the e-mails to Ray and wondered how this whole thing started? When and how did Bible-Truths.com start up? How did Ray's site start up? Who originated it? I read a good bit before joining and don't see many names that were there back when I started reading. In one of the e-mails Ray made some comment about "taking Ray Smith down" in reference to what the person wrote. Those who personally know him, is he happy to speak badly of people or is it a defensive thing for himself? Just wondering. E-mails got me thinking about it.
Nole

fe32k:
Listen to one of the Nashville Audio, he says it all there. Can't remember which one, sorry.

Kat:

Hi seminole,

I have been attending Ray's Bible studies for over a year.  I will say, he is a very friendly person.  He opens his home to all those who would like to come to the Bible study and you can talk to him personally there.  He has always made me feel welcomed and has never spoken down to me.  He is out spoken as you can see, and he does have a sense of humor.  I consider him a dear friend, like a brother.

I believe he mentioned in the last Bible study just how BibleTruths got started.  He heard a sermon by James Kennedy and John Hagee about the same time, on hell.  So he wrote up the letters and sent them off to them.  I think it was Dennis (His web master) who got him to put his letters up on a website.  That was about 2000.  And He has been adding the articles he has on there since then. 
He is very serious about this truth.  He spends most of his time at the computer writing these articles.  And as far as I know he lives what he preaches.
He has always answers all his emails himself, sooner or later   ;)
I think he answers his emails by the way they present themselves to him.  If they try to use the scripture to back up their heresy, then he will put them in their place.  He does not sugarcoat his answers, to people that try to stand up for the untruths that the church teaches.  And he has given a fair offer to all that read his site, it they find something wrong that he is teaching, show him 2 scriptures that prove it and he will change it.  None have done this.
Now I have seen him show a lot of kindness to the people that thank him for his site. 

I was not here when the forum started, I'm the newest moderator.  I guess I've been particpating here for about 10 mons., and I love being a part of this fellowship  :)

mercy, peace, and love
Kat

hillsbororiver:
Kat's answer pretty much sums it up. Ray wrote the Kennedy and Hagee letters and Dennis thought it would be a good idea to make them available online. (Thanks Dennis)

Maybe if Dennis has the time and inclination he could write a little synopsis on how it started.

Sorry to put you on the spot Dennis!  ;D

Joe

skydreamers:
Hey Nole,

Ray sometimes talks about his history in some of his audios.  I believe it was Dennis' idea to start the website and he funded it for quite some time.  Since then it seems they operate on faith based on the "cheerful giving" of bibletruth supporters.  Ray may seem to you to come across as harsh at times, but it's not like he hasn't paid his dues in the suffering department.  He lost his son at 7 years old from a mosquito bite!  How tragically bizarre is that?! 

The word of truth is a double edged sword.  In this carnal state, the truth hurts.  I don't mind Ray's tactics.  He has his own unique personality and humor that not everyone is going to get, but I appreciate his honesty.  Personally, I have experienced some who teach with prettier and more comfortable words, and that drew me in at first, until I found out how empty the teachings were. 

With Ray, I was relieved at his openess and willingness to be upfront about the garbage being taught out there.  It seems to me he has come through enough in his lifetime, that he just doesn't waste time anymore in coming to the point.  There are hundreds of people who have been blessed by his ministry, despite his approach.  From what I remember him saying, the website is somewhere in the top percent of websites visited.  Can't remember the exact statistic.

I don't think he is "happy to speak badly of people", nor does he have any reason to be "defensive".  It seems to me that in many of the 'attacking' emails that Ray gets, the people are not interested in the truth, and perhaps by Ray's approach they may get rattled out of their "self-righteousness".  So, some find his approach refreshing and eye-opening, and others find it abrasive and harsh.  But regardless of our personal opinions, what of the truths he is teaching?  Isn't that more important? 

Besides a few on the forum who know him personally and can testify to his character, most of us don't know the man other than his writings/audios.  This is the world of the internet.

I got caught up a few years back in something called the "Pauline conspiracy".  There are Christians out there who claim that Paul is a false prophet based on his writings, and they write some pretty intricate scripture filled arguments.  It had my head spinning for a time, and I had trouble reading Paul's writings for a time and could only see his "harshness" and inconsistencies.  I got past it, and now his writings are a source of comfort and truth.  (Ray actually helped a lot  in that area).

So my point is, that at the end of the day, we can only trust God to show us the truth in anyone's writings.  If you've come to a place where you believe Ray writes  about the truths as God has shown him, than his personality is secondary.  Don't let his mannerisms distract you from the treasures he can show you.

Peace,
Diana   

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