Greetings Forum,
My name is Derrick and this is my first day on the forum(At least as a member, I've been lurking as a guest for a year or two)and I truly enjoy Ray's teachings, and the comments and responses to questions that have flooded my mind.
Just a brief(I hope) intro of me. Back in 2005, I did a google search on tithing and lo and behold, I see these words "Tithing is Unscriptural.." I don't know why I couldn't resist clicking on that link, as I was totally fed up with people coming up with their nonsensical(So I thought)theories against tithing, and I thought I had read everyone of them. Well, it must have been that God right then and there opened my eyes, as I could not resist the fact that this man was right, and had the scriptures to prove it. He helped shake me loose of that oft-used scripture in Malachi that is used to beat people into submission when it comes to tithing.
Well, from there I went to the story of the rich man & Lazarus, and literally had tears rolling down my eyes, as I had FINALLY gotten the truth of that parable! It was something I could not at all dispute, and it so resonated in my soul, that I began to really doubt this thing called "hell", and was rejoicing that my dear Grandfather, Uncles, and several other relatives and friends were NOT roasting in hell.
Oh what great news this gospel truly is. The first several days after stumbling onto Ray's site, I think I slept an average of 4 hours a night, as I was enthralled in the Lake of Fire series. I left my church, much to the dismay of my mom and several friends(I'd been a menber there since 1979), who claim that I "backslid." I have NO desire to go back to that mess. So here I am, hoping to find fellowship with like-minded people, and learn more and more of the scriptures. Sorry this turned out to be so long, but I wanted to tell you how thankful I am to be here, and I hope to one day meet you all at a conference.
God bless you,
Derrick AKA "D"