> Introductions, Announcements, and More of Ray's Teachings

Hail! (newcomer from Indiana)

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Arthyron:
I guess I'll make my entrance now.  I finally signed up after having read the forum and the essays and emails on Bible Truths off and on for around a year.  I really wanted to take the time to follow the edict in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, to make sure that I wasn't being led astray (because let's face it, the message Scripture conveys according to Mr. Smith is rather "unorthodox," not that that's a bad thing).  It just went against all that was drilled into me since childhood.  The Lord has been working in me in amazing and fearful ways, and I'm very thankful He has brought me to this place.  I count it as no accident or mere chance that I found my way here.  I'll apologize in advance for my ridiculously verbose post, I can't help it. :P

I have long challenged traditional notions held by friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers alike.  I've always been a detail person, I've always wanted to see how things work, what makes them tick.  I encountered so many things that made me raise an eyebrow when it comes to faith.  I grew up most of my life in an Assembly of God church, where they pushed for "revival" (whatever that means :p) and emphasized things such as "speaking in tongues" occasionally.  It wasn't really a full-blown Pentecostal church, but looking back, it reeked of the average TBN/"Churchianity" feeling.  I remember looking at the lady who was trying to get myself and several other younger kids to "speak in tongues," muttering some gibberish to give us an idea on what we should be saying.  Rubbish.  I knew even then (I was maybe...12 at the time) that it was absurd.  My parents finally grew weary of the resident pastor's somewhat negative and demeaning message and finally decided to make the move to another church when I was in oh...maybe 6th grade.  We moved to an Evangelical church in the Covenant denomination which was much more low-key and compassionate, basically exactly what my parents were looking for.  The pastor was a very sincere, compassionate, soft-spoken man.  I thought pretty well of the church, it was a fairly pleasant place with fairly pleasant people.

It was around this time when I really started to delve into the word, and when I began to question my faith and what I had been taught.  During this time of "church-hopping," shall we say, from Kindergarten to 8th Grade I had attended a Christian school.  Aside from accelerated (basically one step above "honors" in most public schools, we were basically learning things a year ahead of time, sometimes even further) classes, we also had Bible classes, regular "chapel" convocations and the like.  When I went to highschool, I entered into the public school system, and for the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people whose beliefs were questionable, uncertain, *gasp* even contrary to my own.  People began to drill me, to question me, to criticize and make fun of what I believed.  I began to study the Word and eventually discovered the field of Christian Apologetics. 

Since then, I've spent countless hours online debating, discussing, and ministering to people (much in the manner of this site, though typically through online forums and message boards).  I'm a fan of the style of music that a lot of you know as Heavy Metal (though it's much more complicated than that, as you can guess), so I tend to frequent the message boards of bands that I like, and so it's these places where I've spent most of my time in dialog with believers and non-believers alike.  You'd be surprised how many really intelligent and thoughtful people listen to Metal, and the kind of people it attracts.  I've seen the Lord do some amazing things in that crowd.

Anyway, I continued on doing on through entering college (where I currently am).  I'm pursuing a bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics Technology.  However within the last year or so ("coincidentally" just before I stumbled across Bible Truths), it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps my "ministry" was more than just a hobby, but perhaps the path that God has set before me.  Over the course of several months the feeling that the Lord was leading me to ministry in some capacity increased more and more to the point where it was almost tangible.  I also developed a love and appreciation for philosophy.  It's truly amazing how the Lord can even use the intellectual ramblings of heathen philosophers to reveal His truth.  I'm amazed at how so many of the great revelations and achievements in understanding of philosophy in the last several millennia were already instilled within Scripture.  It's for these and many other reasons that after I finish my degree here at Purdue University, I've decided to actively pursue the study of the Word and Philosophy academically.

I thank the Lord that He has revealed the Truth of His Word (at least in part) to us here, so that I can prepare myself for entering into the world of academic Theology.  So with my introduction, I would ask that those of you who are willing and able would pray that the Lord continues to lead me in a path that brings Him Glory, that I would not be led astray by the false teachings of men, that He would continually renew my mind and work within me to transform me into what He wants me to be, and that He would continue to use me to reach people who otherwise might not be reached (given the circles I frequent due to my interests).

A bit about me (aside from my testimony, so to speak).  As mentioned, I'm a 22 year old male college student studying Computer Graphics Technology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.  I'm an enormous computer geek, I dabble in most things technological.  I train in two martial arts: 

Aiki Jujutsu -- A Japanese martial art from which Aikido, Hapkido, and a few other martial arts are derived.

S.C.A. Heavy Fighting -- Essentially armed medieval combat.  We put on actual metal and leather armor and hit each other with wooden swords and such.  It's a grand time.

I'm a backup singer and narrator in a band (Lorenguard, http://www.myspace.com/lorenguard).  Our music is essentially a combination of Iron Maiden and the soundtrack to Lord of the Rings.  It's very fast (not really heavy, though) with actual singing, lots of orchestral arrangements via keyboard, things of that nature.

I also practice a vein of strength training known as Oldetime Strongman, which essentially consists of trying to duplicate the training and feats of strength of the old Vaudeville strongmen from the late 1800's/early 1900's.  So a lot of my training is more doing the feats of strength themselves rather than merely going to the gym and lifting weights.  Some of the feats I train for are bending steel bars, ripping phone books, breaking chains, rolling up frying pans, bending horseshoes, things of that nature.

So yeah, there's a bit about me, again, sorry for the absurdly long post. :)

Kat:

Hi Arthyron,

I'm glad you have joined us  :)
I must say that was a very interesting testimony, thanks for all the details.  I think that the Lord must work in amazing and fearful ways with us, in order to separate us from the ways of the world.
Your life sound very exciting and fun.  I will pray that God continue to lead you into more of the knowledge of the Truth.  I hope you will join in and share with us what you are learning from BT, it's always interesting to see different people's perspectives and enjoy the fellowship we have here.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

hebrewroots98:
Hello Athyron,
Welcome!  I am so glad that you have already read all of the info on Rays' site!  HOORAY FOR YOU!!!  It is meat indeed, eh?   I read your very interesting post  and I know that God has put you here; true, it is NO ACCIDENT that you are here.  You have a background that has grounded you in the foundations of the truth; now stick around for awhile and chew on the meat that resides here at this table.  Hopefully the unity in the spirit that you find here will grow into relationships that you never dreamed possible!  Don't apologize about having too long a post...we are very glad that you are a detailed person and one who is excited to share with us!  You have already been a blessing to me :D. with your gift of communicating well. 

And yes, philosophy has it's place, but there is really nothing new under the sun; just diff ways of getting to the same and final, ultimate answers from God.  What are you trying to persue in the Theology dept?  (I went to a theological seminary aeons ago and it did not teach what is being taught here; nothing about the spirit behind the physical meanings that the bible teaches...)   Just be careful, b/c no one out there that I know of (except here at BT) teaches the ultimate truth as is given here.  Do you have any friends that have received the message that is on this site?  If not, that can be a hard thing iat your age sometimes...but, there are others here that are your age and who will bless you (I am 46, lol.)  So you have the gift of discernment from a young age; you will need it more than ever now :o ;D. 

I went to your Myspace site and I am guessing that you are the big guy on the far left in the pix of your group.  (I'm sure they don't call you TINY, lol! ; your arms are HUGE!) ;D...  I also listened to your music on the site and I actually like it alot.   (I cannot not understand most of the lyrics right off, but the music itself is great!  It sounds alot like the Transiberian Orchestra, only a heavy rock sound added to them... Which me and  Daniel  (my little boy) just went and saw a few weeks ago here in West Texas.  (He is 9 yo and was listening to your music too and said "don't turn it off"; (I hadn't, it was just over with...He is in SHOTAKAHN AND KANAMI RU as well.) 

What does Athyron mean?  (I have a step daughter who does  the Mideval role playing games in the parks as well.  However, unfortunately, she is also into Wicca, which we are not happy about of course; and I dont like the fact that she calls satan 'LORD'... ) but, that is in Gods' hands, not mine (a whole other story...)

Anyway, glad to have you and I look forward to hearing more from you.
blessings,
Susan

Deborah-Leigh:


It is wonderful that our Lord has brought you to this site so early in your life Athyron. I am 50 years old and had I been given these Truths at your age, I believe my life would have been very different. It was not in His Plan for me though and it is in His Plan that you are here now. So WELCOME to the Forum.

Peace to you

Arcturus :)

Phil3:10:
Welcome Athyron,
Our LORD has directed your path to this site.  I personally feel you will find much meat here as well as real fellowship, with real people, who know the REAL GOD. Watch our for the Theology Departments as they do lie. However, I do feel that you evidence the gift of discernment and growth not often seen in someone of your young age.
Phil3:10

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