Hi, all. I guess this is the right forum to post this.
I came to Bible-Truths.com following a google ad from some website that didn't have anything to do with the bible, spiritual things, God or anything much worth thinking about. I didn't know I was on a spiritual quest at all. I was just bored and feeling 'onery' so I figured I would go check out the nutcase and entertain myself for a few minutes.
The first thing I saw were the letters to the TV evangelists and I thought, "This ought to be pretty cool." as I am no fan of them myself. But when I opened them to read, I was astounded not to find some spiteful diatribe, but a thorough and well-presented 'replacement' for all their error. Truth is, it began immediately to replace my own, because I believed many of the things that Ray was showing to be heresy, having been raised in Southern Baptist churches and baptized two or three times.
I guess I had a little light back in those days and could see where things didn't match up, but I didn't have enough to 'replace' error with truth. So like any good cutting-edge theologian, I sort of made up my own doctrine that made believing in eternal torment and free will slightly more palatable as a tried, tried, tried to be a good Christian. Eventually I fell away from church and before long was living like a whitewashed pig. I've remained there for 25 years or so. From time to time, God seemed to be calling me back, but mostly I just wanted Him to leave me alone. "Whatever you see fit to do, God, just do it and don't bother me."
Anyway, the more I read, the more I hungered to know. The more I hungered, the more God fed me through Ray. Before I'd finished that first letter, I was overwhelmed--crying, shaking, pacing through the house digesting the Word and scrambling back for another helping. How can you not love a God who loved the world by sending His Son to die on the cross for everyone? How can you not humble yourself before a God who humbled himself to become a man and walk among us--who humbled Himself to death? I stayed at it all night long and by the morning was believing the good news.
For me, it wasn't the 'undermining' of orthodoxy that drew me to believe--it was the very scripture of God rightly divided and explained. Though much--most, even--of this stuff (pardon the rough word) is new to me, it isn't the 'newness' that's brought me to believe--it's the very ancientness of it. This isn't the NEW new wine. If it was, I wouldn't want to have anything to do with it. I'll leave the NEW to the New-Agers and Mormons. Instead, it's the REAL new wine. Some may know that old song 'Give me that old time religion'? Remember the verse that says, 'It was good for Paul and Silas. It's good enough for me.'? If Paul believed this doctrine, then its one I can believe too with confidence, whether or not Ray did.
What a huge undertaking Ray has embarked on! To have studied and medidated on the word to the extent he has is daunting. To take on centuries and layers of ever-evolving heresy in hundred of Denomonations and innumerable Theologies-of-one with the boldness he exhibits is courageous and so helpful to those still seeking God in Babylon. But to teach and preach the Gospel in doing these things is glorious. Thank you, Ray, and all who aide him.
I cannot say I understand everything. For that reason, I don't want to recieve this teaching as if it were a 'creed' or a 'catechism'. I don't want to swallow it whole, and truly couldn't even if I wanted to. Shouldn't, in either case. If a man teaches a doctrine he doesn't believe, he's a vile creature. If a man doesn't believe what he says he believes, he's a hypocrite. But if he doesn't really believe what he believes, he's a fool. I hope that makes sense.
Anyway, feel free to correct me if I mis-speak. Smack me on the head if I spout the wrong stuff. I've been in a brawl or two before. I can take the licking and keep on ticking.
Sorry for being so long-winded. If the Lord wills, more 'me-stuff' will dribble out as we get to know each other. For now, I'm just an almost 52-year-old man with enough old hippy-freak still in me to feel young and not be too codgerly. I'm chock full of sin and looking forward to getting rid of it in whatever manner my Lord chooses. I love music, play a little guitar and write songs, and I'm not as good-looking as I used to be.
My internet is spotty, but I'll try to be around as often as I can. I've already spent some time reading the forums, so I feel like I know some of you already--and love you in spite of that.
Love to you all. I look forward to fellowship with you.
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