bible-truths.com/forums
=> General Discussions => Topic started by: Dennis Vogel on December 28, 2009, 09:57:57 PM
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I want everyone to know that Ray has not been doing very well. He needs your prayers more than ever.
Dennis
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Dennis, please tell Ray that he has our prayers and thank you for letting us know...praying....continuously..
Kathy
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My Prayers for GOD'S WILL BE DONE; for Ray and Family have been sent up.
george.
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as ray is in His Hands, so are we. let His Will be done, in mercy, grace, and lovingkindness, towards ray as he endures the pain and suffering of this trial. Father, i lift ray up to You for Your Care, and i lift each of us on this forum who have come to know ray in person, and those who know him only through the BT website/forum. Father God, we all need Your mercy. amen and amen.
claudia
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I will be praying, too....
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Father touch Ray in a mighty way i pray, and minister to each one here as you see fit we need you Lord draw each one of us closer to you that we can know and do your will, Amen.
Terry
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I am praying for Ray.
In His Love,
Marlene
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Please tell Ray that I am praying for he and his family. May God continue to strengthen and shelter them during this difficult trial and may God's will be done. In Jesus name I pray that His will is for Ray's recovery. The Lord knows that if we ever needed His wisdom coming to us through Ray, it's now.
Peace and Love in Christ Jesus,
Tammy and Bailea
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I prayed for him. I hope it's not his time to go, there aren't many men like him willing to stand for truth.
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I really hope God will heal him.
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I'll be praying. Gosh I wish I could do more to help! :'(
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Ray will remain in my prayers.
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Dennis, thank you for the message.
I'm praying that God's will is a miracle of healing for Ray, and an easing of the pain. Praying for his wife also, for His strength for her.
Geoff
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as ray is in His Hands, so are we. let His Will be done, in mercy, grace, and lovingkindness, towards ray as he endures the pain and suffering of this trial. Father, i lift ray up to You for Your Care, and i lift each of us on this forum who have come to know ray in person, and those who know him only through the BT website/forum. Father God, we all need Your mercy. amen and amen.
claudia Matthew 6:6
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We are praying.
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Dear Ray,
We Love you Ray and are all grateful that God our Father has and is providing you as His instrument in bringing us these great Truths, for once we were all Blind(Spiritually speaking) and now we are able to see and believe, being rescued from Spiritual Darkness and have hope for the Ages to come. Eventually we can look forward to being One with the Father as our Elder Brother and God Jesus. We pray, if it's God's Will that you get better and continue this Ministry as God has directed you to do His Will.
Our Prayers are made in your behalf, Samson.
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Am praying for Ray too.
Angie
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My prayers are added to those of my brothers and sisters.
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as ray is in His Hands, so are we. let His Will be done, in mercy, grace, and lovingkindness, towards ray as he endures the pain and suffering of this trial. Father, i lift ray up to You for Your Care, and i lift each of us on this forum who have come to know ray in person, and those who know him only through the BT website/forum. Father God, we all need Your mercy. amen and amen.
claudia Matthew 6:6
Hello EJW.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
To pray in public is not a Scriptural requirement to be sure,it is more of a human custom. I personally do not see a Spiritual law being broke by praying in public so long as that one who is praying is praying to God for the right reasons and not for some self righteous reason in a carnal sort of way. God knows our intentions of the heart,whether that be in a private or a public setting.
Jesus did pray in public according to John.
Joh 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Joh 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Peace...Mark
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This, like all things, is always in the hands of our God. Father we put Ray and his family in Your hands. Strengthen and help them in this difficult time.
God be with you all,
Eirik
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Ray, Manuela and family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers, I can only be sure that God will not forsake them through this severe trial.
Trust in Him,
Joe
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My prayer has been added.
In Christ
Roy
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Hi
My prayers will be with Ray and his family at this trying time
Dave
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Amen to all the above. Thanks Dennis for letting us know.
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Ours prayers are added too....
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as ray is in His Hands, so are we. let His Will be done, in mercy, grace, and lovingkindness, towards ray as he endures the pain and suffering of this trial. Father, i lift ray up to You for Your Care, and i lift each of us on this forum who have come to know ray in person, and those who know him only through the BT website/forum. Father God, we all need Your mercy. amen and amen.
claudia Matthew 6:6
Hello EJW.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
To pray in public is not a Scriptural requirement to be sure,it is more of a human custom. I personally do not see a Spiritual law being broke by praying in public so long as that one who is praying is praying to God for the right reasons and not for some self righteous reason in a carnal sort of way. God knows our intentions of the heart,whether that be in a private or a public setting.
Joh 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
Joh 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
Peace...Mark
EJW & Mark,
perhaps i misunderstood dennis' post. i thought he was requesting our prayer for ray. so, i prayed amongst my brothers and sisters in Christ on the forum. of course, i pray inwardly first and foremost, but, i thought a prayer request had been made. forgive me to all if i have done wrong by praying 'outloud'. ???
claudia
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Claudia,
There is no shame or condemnation! Praying out loud is not wrong! sometimes our prayers are silent, but sometimes "out loud"! God hears what is in our hearts anyway! So even the most humble prayer said aloud may be comforting to those around you, but the deepest part of our hearts is where the prayers come from and only God has access to that area...God knows the intent of the heart!! As far as I am concerned you pray however you want to..let no man judge you...be blessed, sweet Claudia! :D
Kathy ;)
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EJW & Mark,
perhaps i misunderstood dennis' post. i thought he was requesting our prayer for ray. so, i prayed amongst my brothers and sisters in Christ on the forum. of course, i pray inwardly first and foremost, but, i thought a prayer request had been made. forgive me to all if i have done wrong by praying 'outloud'.
claudia
Hi claudia. :)
I am not condemning you for your prayer,I was replying to EJW on the verse he posted in reply to your lovely prayer for our brave teacher Ray. Sorry for the confusion my sister.
Mark
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as ray is in His Hands, so are we. let His Will be done, in mercy, grace, and lovingkindness, towards ray as he endures the pain and suffering of this trial. Father, i lift ray up to You for Your Care, and i lift each of us on this forum who have come to know ray in person, and those who know him only through the BT website/forum. Father God, we all need Your mercy. amen and amen.
claudia Matthew 6:6
Hi EJW,
While I was rereading through this thread and appreciating the thoughts and prayers for Ray from those he has touched through the days, months and years of his teaching I was struck by your reference to Matthew 6:6 in regard to Claudia's post. Had you presented this as a question rather than a proclamation I would have not felt a need to respond to your post, this very well could have been settled rather easily between you and Claudia as to what her motivation was.
By quoting this verse in the manner it was presented I could only see it as an accusation that this was a self serving, self glorification display you perceived from Claudia, knowing her personally from the Conference in Mobile, hearing her testimony of how Ray's articles have profoundly impacted her not only there in person, one on one, but here in the Forum (publicly) on many occasions I could only interpret her prayer as a sincere plea to God.
Yes, there are some who seek self glorification from a phony piousness, Jesus spoke to them in no uncertain terms but He knew their heart, can you make a claim to know Claudia's heart without first seeking understanding?
There are many examples in scripture of OT saints, the apostles and Paul (Stephen as well) of praying in public, would you say Matthew 6:6 applies to them as well? It is written that often our prayers are inspired by the Spirit of God, are we always in a position or state of understanding where we can readily discern motivation?
If you peruse through scripture you will see many examples of public prayer, sincere prayers that not only petition God for mercy and favor but also to inspire the brethren to consider and meditate on the message within the prayer and give a shout of AMEN! if so inspired.
Please do not take this as any indictment or judgment on my part, basically it is a rather long winded (I am famous for that) question in the hope we can reason together, clarify our motives and grow in His Spirit of mercy and love.
Peace,
Joe
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I'm praying for Ray!
And please Claudia....don't stop praying I admire your gift for it, and always feel strengthened by it !!!
Let's all embrace each other in love and support for Ray's current trial.
Peace,
Brenda
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These thoughts always make me sad. I will certainly continue to pray for Ray and his family.
I am so grateful that God gave Ray the strength to make this year's conference and for giving me the opportunity to fellowship with him and all who were able to attend. I thank God for the wisdom He has bestowed on Ray to share with us. So many lives have been changed as a result of Ray's God-given diligence and endurance. May God continue to bless us through Ray.
Eileen
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I also am so grateful for Ray's diligence and hard work. I add my prayers.
Vangie
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I can only imagine what my life would be like without the light of Gods love to show the way through Mr. Smith in this dark and reprebate world. There are no words to adequately express my deep sorrow in Mr. Smith's suffering. God has blessed him with many abilities in rightly dividing the word and then communicating what God has shown him to others. It takes courage to go against the tide, to resist the herd mentality and Mr Smith has been an example to us all. He is our teacher, someone we can trust and although we have never met, he means so much to me. I will be forever grateful for Mr. Smith's faithfulness in bringing me the truly Good News.. My prayers are with the entire Smith family. I believe he has fought the good fight, he has stayed the course, and I have no doubt that with God's loving kindess and mercy that endures forever, Mr Smith will finish the race.
Wendy
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sorry,I'm late.
so sad to hear that.I'm praying for Ray!
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Ray is in my prayers as well.
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We are praying for healing (God willing), blessing, inner strength and peace for our dear brother Ray and his family.
Trusting in our Father and our Lord,
Dan
(Canada)
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I don't know if anyone feels the way I do, but I have been finding so much strength from reading all the responses to this..we are family here and we can draw strength and hope from each other...as we come together in our hearts to pray for Ray...we get stronger. God has given us such a gift here! Not only Ray and what he has taught us, but God has given us each other..we share a common bond here on BT and I have not felt like a part of something so big in all the churches I ever attended!
There are those of us here who would really be lost without the others! There are brothers and sisters here who are suffering from hurts and from sickness and from sheer loneliness, and we are all the same no matter from what part of the world we may be! Ray is our teacher and our mentor we have grown to love him just as we have each other...before the Mobile conference I had thought that it would be so cool to actually get to meet Ray! But at the conference I made the startling discovery that if you have read his work and watched the videos and listened to the audios you've really "met" him because that's who he is! Dennis and Rene` are so fortunate to live near him and Dennis, we know that you are his best buddy! I'm just asking that when we pray for Ray, and I DO pray that God's will is for him to continue and to be healed, that we will pray that whatever God's will is concerning Ray, his work will go on long after L. Ray Smith has gone to his rest!
So let's keep praying for our Ray and let's pray for each other, too! I want us all to be strong and move forward in the truth we know..Ray said at the conference that he wanted to show us HOW he studies..so that we will know how to dig deeper and deeper to find the truths that are in the scriptures, that is his secret you know, so as he has told us so many times....READ ALL THE WORDS!!! Every word has a meaning and if it wasn't in the original scriptures..toss it and find the real meaning!! Ray said he tells God to show him what it means and that has to be our prayer too! We have to press into God until we understand what it is He's telling us!!
So everyone, chins up! Pray for Ray and pray for each other!
Love you all!!!
Kathy :-*
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I am saddened to read this. However I know that God operates all. May His will be done. I will be joining in prayer with all of you my brethren.
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Kathy, that was beautifully written. Thank you for that. So much truth in that.
Love, Lin
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Kathy, our resident cheerleader, that was a very needed and appreciated post. Of course, you are right, and I am one of those who would be lost without all of you. I feel so close to you all when I read your posts and responses. You don't know how many times I've had a question and coming here to post it I find that it had already been asked and answered or discussed. It used to make me feel "weird", now I thank and praise God for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I feel helpless to do anything right now except pray....but isn't that kind of the point? All my thoughts and prayers are with Ray and our whole Bible Truths family. May God be with all of us and strengthen us.
Peace and Love in Christ Jesus,
Tammy
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Hi Kathy
at the conference I made the startling discovery that if you have read his work and watched the videos and listened to the audios you've really "met" him because that's who he is!
I appreciate this comment especially as I live in South Africa and have not had the means to visit Ray or attend any of his bible studies or conferences yet I feel grateful, humbled, accountable and privileged to have “met” him in spirit! I believe that the relationship can only grow in spirit too!
2Co 5:16 So as WE NOW KNOW NO ONE ACCORDING TO FLESH, but even if we have known Christ according to flesh, yet now we no longer know Him so.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1Co 2:10 But God has revealed them to us by HIS SPIRIT. 8) :D
Arc
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I can't add anything to what has already been said. Even though I have never met him personally my feelings for him go deeper than I am able to xpress. I just pray that his suffering would end one way or the other. I know God is in control and I also pray for his will to be done in this and not ours. But it pains me to see how he is suffering. I guess that Ray has an inkling of what the apostle Paul had to endure. (Although I'm sure Ray would be the last one to equate himself with the apostle) With tremendous revelation also go's tremendous suffering and humbling...it goes hand in hand. And yet as I desire to know more of God and his ways the suffering of his true servants are breathtaking to me. God please be with Ray, his dear wife and those on this forum that are in direct contact with him on a daily basis.
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Since coming to BT I have thanked God everyday for this wonderful brother, Ray Smith, who has become a beloved teacher to us. May God cover Ray and his family with His love and tender mercies in this difficult time.
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Quoting Kathy: 'at the conference I made the startling discovery that if you have read his work and watched the videos and listened to the audios you've really "met" him because that's who he is!'
Like Arc, I found this very encouraging and a very 'inclusive' thing to say, in just a few words you managed to embrace us all Kathy, you drew us all into the 'inner circle' ;D
Quoting Arion: 'Even though I have never met him personally my feelings for him go deeper than I am able to xpress. I just pray that his suffering would end one way or the other. I know God is in control and I also pray for his will to be done in this and not ours. But it pains me to see how he is suffering. I guess that Ray has an inkling of what the apostle Paul had to endure. (Although I'm sure Ray would be the last one to equate himself with the apostle) With tremendous revelation also go's tremendous suffering and humbling...it goes hand in hand. And yet as I desire to know more of God and his ways the suffering of his true servants are breathtaking to me. God please be with Ray, his dear wife and those on this forum that are in direct contact with him on a daily basis.'
I find it hard sometimes to express my thoughts and so its really lovely when someone else on the forum just seems to capture what you yourself would like to say but just can't find the right words - thank you Arion! :)
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There is nothing more Sue and I can add to the heartfelt tributes posted here. Thank you Father for L. Ray Smith, thank you for giving him the gift to help us see and understand your word so clearly. Thank you Ray for all your passion and hard work. Our prayers and love , Bob and Sue,
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May God's Mercy permeate into Ray's life and that of his family's. May the Lord Bless and Keep him safe and provide healing throughout Ray's body and mind. Praise God all in all. Amen
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I am in agreement with all of your prayers of Ray's healing as "one".
John 17:21
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
(KJV)
Rest in the Lord,
Barbara
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That new email that Craig posted just really brought tears to my eyes...how we long for our dear Ray to be able to continue his work...God will make all things work...What a blessing to know that God continues drawing people here! I pray that we all could be so faithful with what we know....
Kathy (smiling through my tears) :'( :)
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My prayers are with you, Ray.
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Ray, I agree with all the brothers and sisters here in their prayers for you and your family. I too will be in prayer for you.
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Happy new year Ray, I pray good recovery and health for you in this new year, we are glad to God who have preserved you to see this new year and we trust Him to continue keep you and in health in the coming years. Amen. (I know Ray does not visit the forum but everyone who reads this post have actually said the prayer, and in the mouth of two or three witnesses...)
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Praying for you Ray, Happy New Year.
Ricky
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I can only imagine what my life would be like without the light of Gods love to show the way through Mr. Smith in this dark and reprebate world. There are no words to adequately express my deep sorrow in Mr. Smith's suffering. God has blessed him with many abilities in rightly dividing the word and then communicating what God has shown him to others. It takes courage to go against the tide, to resist the herd mentality and Mr Smith has been an example to us all. He is our teacher, someone we can trust and although we have never met, he means so much to me. I will be forever grateful for Mr. Smith's faithfulness in bringing me the truly Good News.. My prayers are with the entire Smith family. I believe he has fought the good fight, he has stayed the course, and I have no doubt that with God's loving kindess and mercy that endures forever, Mr Smith will finish the race.
Wendy
Wow, beautifully written Wendy. I feel the same way about Ray, what a blessing he is indeed! I am so very saddened by his trials. We all care so much about him that it truly hurts. Kelli
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Ray' teachings changed and is still changing my life. I have been praying since I heard about Ray;s illness and I will continue to pray for Ray's healing. God Bless you Ray. God bless our BT family.
Kathy your post was terrific.
Darren
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My prayers go out to you Ray and your family. I pray that you get well.
Peace
Iris
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Dearest Brother,
You have made my life more beautiful in your obedience to my Lord, )for Him to reveal mysteries to you, and show us how to unlock my heart is in almost constant praise for what He has done, you reveal Hisbeauty and majesty and I am in awe of Him, thank you for presenting Him to me, it has truely changed my life. Then thank you for being this normal person, so genyou stle and meek at the same time, I love you so much, Lisa
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I too have been praying and will continue to pray. Even though I have not met Ray either I believe I can honestly say, along with everone else I am sure, I love you Ray and continue to pray for you.
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My thoughts and prayers are with you Ray. God bless you.
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I knew there was a God, but I didn't know Him. I knew there was a purpose for all of the trials I've endured, but I didn't know what was to become of them. I knew the thirst I had to learn of God was genuine, but didn't understand that thirst wasn't my own. Now I know the Author and the Finisher of my faith and to Him be the glory forever Amen.
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Ray
You have touched many lives....mine included....
Imagine a retired roofer called out of 'Babylon' to suffer for God with great Revelations to reveal both to the called and the chosen....tears have fallen....blindness removed...deafness eliminated....the dead has been raised....of course all spiritually for me that is...and many others obviously from my reading what has been shared...the prayers....well wishes...and knowing our God is doing his will...the good news is really good news...not the lie that was handed down to us as we grew up both physically and spiritually....and we will continue to do so...some of us will step up...when God removes from our earthbound family we mourn....yet inwardly we rejoice in that we will be transformed into his glorious image as was the Father's plan all along when said "let us make mankind in our image!" when we rest....sleep....die that is...we have his promise as a down payment from the Spirit guaranteeing our resurrection from the dead...
Ray words can not express the gratitude I have for what I have learned from you on audio....video...and reading....the many many many many hours spent...yet I have never met you personally....if that shall not happen here in this life....at the next conference or ones to come...then my hope is knowing that we are brothers who will enjoy all of God's riches humbly in perfection after we are burned....
thy will be done....
AMEN
Patric