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

Hail! (newcomer from Indiana)

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Beloved:


Hi Athyron welcome to the BT forum we are a very mixed crowd and a little different that othe forums,

Littleitialianboy will be glad to know you are here, you may share a lot of things in common.

Most of here have our heavens shaken and have experienced the same type of spiritual earthquakes as you have. We are all growing and learning here. Look forwrd to your posts.

Beloved

hebrewroots98:
Beloved, I like the way you put that...thanks :D!

Arthyron:
Thank you all very much for your warm welcome (though to be honest, I kinda saw it coming, knowing what fruits true Believers produce).


--- Quote from: Kat on December 24, 2007, 01:52:17 PM ---
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
--- End quote ---

Honestly my life sounds exciting but I'm actually a very low key person.  I just have a very interesting and unusual mix of hobbies. ;)  Indeed, it's as one of my favorite verses says:

Proverbs 27:17
"Iron by iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the face of his friend."

I look forward to growing in the Lord and having fellowship with all of you as the Lord permits. :)


--- Quote from: hebrewroots98 on December 24, 2007, 05:45:02 PM ---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

--- End quote ---

I haven't quite read all of Ray's writings, but I'm working on it.  I have at least listened to all the conference podcasts, though.  I was certainly blessed to be raised in a very devout Christian family.  My family has yet to come to see things from the perspective those of us here share, but the Lord will reveal it to them in time.  Were it not for the mother the Lord has given me, only He knows where I'd be or what I'd be doing at this moment. 

I will certainly take care in my studies, and continued prayer for me in that regard, that the Lord reveals to me the path I am to take, that I be used for His greatest Glory is always welcomed.  I intend to pursue a Master's Degree (as it requires no particular pre-requisite bachelor's degree, only a bachelor's degree in general) in Apologetics at Biola University.  Teachings of men such as Ray and certain philosophers have equipped me with the ability to answer most any criticism of Christianity essentially, but I want to learn all the necessary info I can about Biblical history, learning at least some ancient Greek perhaps, basically things only going through schooling of some sort can really teach you.  One can only learn so much from books, and I've been reading like a madman as of late (which is odd, as I never used to when I was younger, I was too busy spending hours every day surrounded by a sea of Legos :P).

As for philosophy, those of you who haven't heard of it, I'd recommend checking out a (Christian) philosophy known as Presuppositionalism.  It comes from Reformed Christian philosopher Cornelius Van Til, and was later promulgated by his students Greg Bahnsen and John Frame.  Francis Schaeffer also borrowed some ideas from it.  While I don't agree with Reformed theology (too Calvinist for my tastes), the arguments and concepts it has are thus far ineffable.  It basically entails demonstrating that without presupposing that God exists, one cannot prove anything, that to have antithesis (i.e. the idea that one thing is true, as opposed to not true), one must first presuppose God.  I can go into more detail if you would like.  One can piece the ideas of this philosophy from Scripture, of course, but few would ever think to.  I have yet to see any remotely worthwhile criticism of it by any non-believer.

I do not have any friends or relatives that have come to this knowledge yet, but I pray continually in that respect and try to demonstrate why it's right when the Lord presents the opportunity.  I don't care, though, I've always been a solitary type.  The Lord will reveal it to those I love when He deems it appropriate.  Despite being indoctrinated into the teachings of men, which makes it more difficult to come to the Truth, it is no real obstacle for Him.  They love the Lord and are (truth be told) often more faithful than I, so it is for Him to decide what shall be done and made of His servants.  All things in His perfect timing, aye?

I'm glad you like our music.  We actually recorded it all in our drummer and bass player's apartment (they're twin brothers) by ourselves. :)  The band Trans Siberian Orchestra features a few members of the legendary metal band known as Savatage, so it's no coincidence that we share some similarities. ;)  All the songs (and by corollary the lyrics) are based off of a fantasy novel (think Lord of the Rings) written by our drummer.  On stage, we dress in those costumes to represent characters in the story, so yeah, it's a fun time.  And yeah,  my size is largely genetic (though the strongman training helps), my grandfather was Mr. Miami or something in the 1950's.  I'm familiar with Shotokan, but I haven't heard of Kanami Ryu, I'll have to look into it.  I favor Aiki Jujutsu as it's one of the older martial arts that's focused on actual, real, practical self-defense rather than sport or flashy moves.  It's a very devastating art (a big focus on joint locks, chokes, throws, etc) and focuses on fending off multiple opponents at once.  I decided to take it because while it can be devastating, it doesn't have to be.  I can naturally (due to my stature) clobber people if I want to, but what knowing this art allows me to do is inflict pain without causing any lasting physical damage.  I can get someone in a lock and immobilize them and make it hurt enough to get them to listen to me so we can calm down and discuss matters civilly without going all the way and breaking their arm or what have you. 

Arthyron doesn't really have any real meaning as far as I know, it's just a name I made up a long time ago for a character I drew and I've used it ever since.  As for your daughter, I assume she plays maybe Vampire: The Masquerade or some other form of L.A.R.P. (Live Action Roleplaying)?  As I said, I'm a big nerd, I'm familiar with pretty much all forms of gaming. ;)  But don't worry over her fascination with Wicca and the like.  I mentioned I'm a big metal fan and such.  A lot of teenagers (girls especially) go through a goth/wiccan/hard music phase quite often these days it seems.  I could name probably 10 gals who were enamored with Wicca or some other "dark" niche as a teenager and eventually grew out of it.  In the metal music forums, I see 100's of them.  It just appeals to teenagers, it makes them feel special/unique/empowered/mysterious.  If it be the Lord's will (as it seems to be in most cases of self-proclaimed Wiccan teenage gals I've known), she'll grow out of it.  It's so common that among most circles I travel, it's generally regarded as a comedic cliche'.  I'll pray that your experience is the same.  I don't know if you will find it very useful, but there's a man with a ministry who is a former Wiccan High Priest named Bill Schnoebelen (he has an hour long interview here * not allowed* if you would like to watch, don't mind the hokey sidebar info or music).  Not a Bible Truths Christian by any means, but he may have some information useful to you about how to address Wiccans and Wicca.


--- Quote from: Arcturus on December 24, 2007, 06:48:10 PM ---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 :)

--- End quote ---

I am very grateful that the Lord has led me to this truth so young (and hopefully early) in my life.  I only hope that He also chooses to use me as a conduit to spread His truth as I feel He is leading me to do so.  He does certainly work in mysterious ways that are not our own. ;)


--- Quote from: Phil3:10 on December 24, 2007, 07:10:11 PM ---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

--- End quote ---

I will be certain to do so, and I pray that the Lord keeps me steadfast in my convictions.  Some lie, some simply have had what is false crammed into them since they were born.  I admit a lot of what Ray teaches was admittedly hard to believe at first, simply because it was so different and contrary to what I had always been taught, but oddly it was the affinity for philosophy the Lord gave me that allowed me to accept the Truth despite my previous indoctrination.  Because I studied truth and logic itself so much, I began to see that when an argument is right and in line with logic, that it is correct, and if it is correct it is foolishness (and perhaps wickedness) to stand opposed to it.  I began to see that what Ray and others like him teach is what the Bible really says.  What struck me the most is that when criticizing Ray's teachings, even learned Theologians had to rely on teachings of men and man-made (or at least inferred) doctrine and ideas to make any substantial criticism.  And yet all the while, Ray defended His position from Scripture and Scripture alone.  It was that picture that really made me see "You know...this guy may be on to something."  If all these learned men have to rely on is the words of men, then their house is built upon the sand.  As for me, I wish to build upon the rock, and from what I've seen and from what the Lord has revealed to me in my prayer is that these Truths come from one who is firmly established on the rock.  I have no other course but to kneel before the Lord.  It is the Lord I serve, not man or their institutions after all.  Thank you for your blessings.  The Lord obviously has a purpose in calling me out so young, and it's with anticipation and awe that I await His plan for me.


--- Quote from: Beloved on December 25, 2007, 05:24:10 PM ---

Hi Athyron welcome to the BT forum we are a very mixed crowd and a little different that othe forums,

Littleitialianboy will be glad to know you are here, you may share a lot of things in common.

Most of here have our heavens shaken and have experienced the same type of spiritual earthquakes as you have. We are all growing and learning here. Look forwrd to your posts.

Beloved

--- End quote ---

So I've noticed and so it would appear.  Thank you for your kind words and I'll be sure to keep my eye out for him. :)

hebrewroots98:
Hi again Athyron,
I am amazed at your insight and love for and search for truth at such a young age...good job!  ( I started at 18 looking for the whole truth and I just finally got to this site and found it about 2 yrs ago; Plus, I've been on the forum for only one yr now...ever was on another forum before this one ;)!   I can't wait to see where the LORD leads you in the years to come!! ;) :D  What an interesting young man that you are...if my little 9 yr old has what you have when he is at your age I will be so happy for him for sure :o!   I will continue to pray that HIS guidance is obvious to you and that HE blesses you with the desires of your heart in that schooling situation.

Where is Biola University?  A Masters' or doctorte degree in Theology is something that I had always wanted to do myself, but, it just hadn't worked out (yet ;) :D))....I would love to know more biblical history; so, I know what you mean when you say that you would like to know the history of religions and current world religions.  (I just took my 8 yo son last year into the only Mosque here in Lubbock, and the Muslim Imam (preacher) is from ???? (a Muslim country) and he is here at Texas Tech Univ. studying WORLD RELIGIONS himself (we had a homeschool culture fair and Daniel did a presentation on Saudi Arabia....)  That surprised me for some reason, but, it is a great department at TTU!    True, you would be more effective to others by understanding the Worlds' history of regilgion by going to school for it.  My dh loves the history and especially biblical history. especailly aboutwhere cristiantiy came from  (via the Catholic church) and the history from at that point, lol. ;).  The Holy Spirit has been an awesome teacher in the past couple of years ...we have been taught so much since we have been out of churches; it is quite amazing to me. 

 Nice job on the recording of the music all on your own; pretty impressive. 

Yes, I see that the strongman gene MUST run in your family ;D   (ha, that reminds me of when I had dated the brother of Mr. Ohio...he was so short, but, built, ha...he looled like MIHGTY MOUSE ;) ;D ::)

There are only 4 Kanami Rue dojo's in the country and the owner of all of them is Darren Walters, aka known as Daniels' Sensa.  My dh is a black belt in 4 of the older styles;  (in one of the ones you just mentioned;) but, as you say; he didn't use it for just pretty moves; it is/was for life and death and devastating situations.     He just got back into it after being away for many yrs; so now he is learning the Kinami Rue.  but, just be careful b/c I see alot of people who make their martial arts as an idol in their hearts. 

I understand where you are coming from in understanding the goths and such, but, my step daughter is neraly 30 and she has married into this; her husband is into it BIG TIME; they have freinds who are older that myself and they taught them this,so it truly is their 'religion'...just pray for them pleaase, that God would show them the truth.   Yes, I have heard Bill Schnibeling in person here in Lubbock when he did the prophecy club circuit; also Doc Marquis from the same cicuit.  Thank God that they came out of it!!!

Well, off to Karate',
blessings,
your sister in Christ,
Susan 

Arthyron:

--- Quote ---Hi again Athyron,I am amazed at your insight and love for and search for truth at such a young age...good job!  ( I started at 18 looking for the whole truth and I just finally got to this site and found it about 2 yrs ago; Plus, I've been on the forum for only one yr now...ever was on another forum before this one Wink!   I can't wait to see where the LORD leads you in the years to come!! Wink Cheesy  What an interesting young man that you are...if my little 9 yr old has what you have when he is at your age I will be so happy for him for sure Shocked!   I will continue to pray that HIS guidance is obvious to you and that HE blesses you with the desires of your heart in that schooling situation.
--- End quote ---

The only advice I can offer you is continually expose your children to the Word.  Teach it to them daily, make sure they understand it and why it is important.  It's ok if you even annoy them a little bit.  Just make sure to give them a little breathing room.  I have an older brother who is also a strong believer (only the two of us in the family), so I guess my parents did something right, and if I had to guess, that's probably what it was.  The verse and number is escaping me, but there are the passages about teaching your children the ways of the Lord so that they won't diverge from them when they're older, and hiding the word in one's heart that they might not sin against God. I don't know how many times I've had those (and other Scriptures) drilled into me, but they're true and they "worked."  God's word does not return void indeed.

If it's the Lord's will, as long as you continue to instruct (through the Spirit) your children in the ways of the Lord and always emphasize the WHY and HOW (not just the WHAT like a lot of overbearing parents do), I think your children will both understand the ways of the Lord and desire to know Him themselves all the days of their life.


--- Quote ---Where is Biola University?  A Masters' or doctorte degree in Theology is something that I had always wanted to do myself, but, it just hadn't worked out (yet Wink Cheesy))....I would love to know more biblical history; so, I know what you mean when you say that you would like to know the history of religions and current world religions.  (I just took my 8 yo son last year into the only Mosque here in Lubbock, and the Muslim Imam (preacher) is from Huh? (a Muslim country) and he is here at Texas Tech Univ. studying WORLD RELIGIONS himself (we had a homeschool culture fair and Daniel did a presentation on Saudi Arabia....)  That surprised me for some reason, but, it is a great department at TTU!    True, you would be more effective to others by understanding the Worlds' history of regilgion by going to school for it.  My dh loves the history and especially biblical history. especailly aboutwhere cristiantiy came from  (via the Catholic church) and the history from at that point, lol. Wink.  The Holy Spirit has been an awesome teacher in the past couple of years ...we have been taught so much since we have been out of churches; it is quite amazing to me.
--- End quote ---

It's in Southern California ( http://www.biola.edu ).  It'll be a big deal for me if I decide to go there, as I've never lived anywhere but here my whole life, but I feel it's where the Lord is leading me.  The appeal for me is the lack of a particular pre-requisite bachelor's degree (i.e. you don't have to have a bachelor's in apologetics to pursue a master's), and the fact that Biola is the "center" of "intellectual Christian thought" in the USA.  A lot of the best minds in Christendom either attend or teach there.  Unfortunately few if any of their faculty has come to the Truths we all hold, but they do have wisdom and knowledge in some areas that I would like to learn.

Very interesting about your Muslim friend.  I sent a list of books to my philosophy professor to read (at his request).  He's not a Christian, but I hope the books I sent have a good influence on them.  He sympathizes with Christians at least, he said his personal beliefs are somewhat like Kierkegaard, so he's not too far away from the Truth.  He also told me there's a man in their department that is working on his PhD in philosophy from Purdue (my university) and his PhD in Theology from Oxford, and that he could probably set up lunch or coffee with all three of us if I'd like, so hopefully I'll get to chat with this fellow.


--- Quote --- Nice job on the recording of the music all on your own; pretty impressive. 
--- End quote ---

Thanks, we already self-released an album, but that was with a different band lineup and some older songs, so hopefully the new stuff we're writing is a bit more successful.


--- Quote ---There are only 4 Kanami Rue dojo's in the country and the owner of all of them is Darren Walters, aka known as Daniels' Sensa.  My dh is a black belt in 4 of the older styles;  (in one of the ones you just mentioned;) but, as you say; he didn't use it for just pretty moves; it is/was for life and death and devastating situations.     He just got back into it after being away for many yrs; so now he is learning the Kinami Rue.  but, just be careful b/c I see alot of people who make their martial arts as an idol in their hearts.
--- End quote ---

Yeah, I never got THAT into martial arts.  A lot of the people in them I can tell throw their entire beings into the practice of them, and I just don't feel that compelled or enthralled with them.  Martial arts to me are a means to an end, a way of learning some valuable techniques and honing my body for the purposes of protecting myself and others (while getting a good workout too :p).


--- Quote ---understand where you are coming from in understanding the goths and such, but, my step daughter is neraly 30 and she has married into this; her husband is into it BIG TIME; they have freinds who are older that myself and they taught them this,so it truly is their 'religion'...just pray for them pleaase, that God would show them the truth.   Yes, I have heard Bill Schnibeling in person here in Lubbock when he did the prophecy club circuit; also Doc Marquis from the same cicuit.  Thank God that they came out of it!!!
--- End quote ---

Oh I see, sorry if my assumptions were a bit preemptive and shortsighted.  That is a very tricky situation, but yeah, as you can see with Bill Schnoebelen, even those who are buried in as deep as they can be are not beyond the Father's reach.  I will pray for your step daughter.  The Adversary's wares are enticing and glamorous on the outside, but they lack the substance inherent to the truth of our Lord.  I pray that your stepdaughter and her husband both come to see this.

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