bible-truths.com/forums
=> Off Topic Discussions => Topic started by: longhorn on March 04, 2007, 11:46:01 PM
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I was trying to think ( Now I know) what led me to this BT site.? There was a thread about a year ago that had some very neat post. There were some that said they typed in a word for "Hell", and Ray's site came up, but after reading the things on BT.com and regersting ( I cant spell ) when they tried to go back to that site, it had no mention of L. Ray Smith.
I think I typed in the words' Universal Reconcilation" Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had the same situation. I know God led us all to this site. Ray's LOF series is so great.
I cant wait for part D.
Longhorn
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Longhorn,
Same here. I am excited for part D as well.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
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I tried looking for years for others and couldn't find anyone.
I was looking for a grief poem to use on another forum. I think I typed in "death poem" and found Ray's site.
God spent 5 or 6 years teaching me and my brother and then we went about 10 years without learning very much at all. I was starting to feel abandoned and kind of desperate. 2 weeks before I found BT I prayed that if God had a teacher anywhere in this world that he would lead me to him and here I am.
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I was trying to think ( Now I know) what led me to this BT site.? There was a thread about a year ago that had some very neat post. There were some that said they typed in a word for "Hell", and Ray's site came up, but after reading the things on BT.com and regersting ( I cant spell ) when they tried to go back to that site, it had no mention of L. Ray Smith.
I think I typed in the words' Universal Reconcilation" Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had the same situation. I know God led us all to this site. Ray's LOF series is so great.
I cant wait for part D.
Longhorn
Hello Longhorn,
That fatefull night I was searching for any literature or writings on weather in "the last days," my first attempt was "Revelation Weather" and Ray's site came up. At first I thought it was some bogus christian money machine but just for laughs I checked it out, things have not been the same since.
Interestingly, I have never been able to duplicate the results of that search since.
His Peace to all,
Joe
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Hi longhorn,
It is funny all the different things that lead us to bibletruths.
I was visiting a forum for a tv show 'Lost,' just reading along trying to understand that show.
And a thread started up about evolution vs creation. What a debate that was, I did not post but I kept reading it and it went on for weeks. What I noticed was that most of the Christians that argued were angry and mean. There was a couple of athists and this one disillusioned Christian from a Moslim background, young and intelligent. Their argument was much more realistic than the Christians. This guy was lamblasting the church, about all the things wrong with it, even going back in history with it, and I knew he was right. What got me to really thinking was the athist said 'if there was a God, that God would not send him to burn forever just because he didn't go along with the crazy christians.'
That really made me think about things, I went he was right, I had to wake up. I had been in church a long time and was very disillusioned myself. So I got on the internet and was searching for, I don't remember what, something about hell I guess. I found bibletruths.
I went throught about 6 or 7 of intense study and one prfound revealation after the other. When I got through studing everything on the site, I needed something else. I did not think a forum was something I could really get into ::) Oh well I registered 7 months ago and I don't think I've missed a day on here yet :)
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
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I had really been bored at church & life etc...almost to the point of questioning the whole thing. I started reading sites from ancient history and early church fathers. I got really interested in all that and couldn't read enough. I read a book by a pastor named ...Bell, and his book had "Elvis" in the title. He had started a BIG seeker church and he was very cutting edge(Ithougth).
At the same time, over in Africa, my son had gone to a church w/ a daughter of a friend of mine who just "Happened" to be a missionary in Kampala. The church so turned him off that he didn't even want to see the girl again. Here in an African church all they talked about was people going to hell! He went and typed in hell and got Ray's site. He emailed me very excited and then I checked it out. That was in early fall of 2005. Somehow we both knew this was the real deal!!
Funny, I had never had any conscious ideas that hell was wrong or anything...but when I saw it, deep deep within I KNEW THAT I KNEW ALL ALONG. I jumped up, my chair goes falling backward, and I was shouting and praising the Lord. A month or so later, by the time I found out I was the beast of Rev., I did the same thing, jumping, shouting, chair falling over...... It has been a wild ride ever since.
My husband has absorbed it from me like a sponge-(he can/t sit at computer and read so long), my son, and me. We 3 even made it to a conference.
My other two kids have eagerly accepted ALL will be saved-they like that. But have made us stop talking to them about everything else. They were upset(still are) when we quit church. I am praying their eyes will open.
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I have no idea how I specifically got on to BT. I'm still amazed that I started reading. But when I did, I couldn't stop. That was about 2 years ago. I wasn't going to church, I was disillusioned with it. At that time, I was confused about my theology, and I was looking into other writings, thinking I must be missing something. I was starting to look into the gnostic gospels, which didn't make any sense to me and other writings. I got desperate with God and begged Him to show me His truth. I think that's how I got onto Bible Truths, looking for the truth. And boy, did I find it!
I was so grateful and overwhelmed with joy. It was one truth after another and it felt like it was all absolute common sense and absolutely right! I would talk to God about all these things I learned, and beg Him to show me more.
Ursula
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Hey Longhorn,
I was reading my thirty-something year old bible and it began to literally fall apart. So I went to Google and type in the word bible and on the right hand side of the screen it said, "there is no hell, and I can prove it." It's not there now, but this was last March of 2006, and I haven't been the same since. ;D
Dwight
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I begged and pleaded with God for the past 12 years to allow me to know the truth. I was at the point of desperation when I stumbled upon Rays writings. I knew that the local baptist church I was attending was not teaching the truth but till I came to Rays site, I had no idea what the truth was. I was so excited after just a few weeks of reading. little did I know when I started to share this truth in sunday school (I was the sub teacher) that I would run into a brick wall and Have to eventually leave. Little did I know when I shared this new found truth with my co-workers I would be labeled an infidel and needed to get saved before it was eternally too late. Little did I know when I announced the TRUTH OF GODS WORD to my very own family, I would be laughed at and looked at with such sceptitism. I begged God for the truth but knowing the truth is not what I thought it would be. it is sort of lonely knowing the truth.............rick
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After years of being in bondage to the doctrines of the JW's, the Lord placed it in my heart to search for the real truth. I became preoccupied with searching for the "remnant" church of Christ on earth today. I started thinking of myself as a "truth-seeker". I spent hours on various "christian" websites doing research on their doctrines and beliefs. Nothing was ringing true. Almost all of these sites had something to sell. I kept typing various phrases using the word "truth" and along the way I came across BT.com. At first glance I was a little startled by the bold title of the essay "You Fools, You Hypocrites....". I also remember seeing an essay on Tithing, a subject a relative of mine wanted to know more about.
Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I knew in my spirit that this was truth. I was home! That was August, 2005.
Rene'
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I was really caught up in the prosperity doctrine; and having to eat bologna so there would be enough money to give.
I was planning on giving to Copeland & Dollar; did a search and the only thing my eyes could see was the link to the tithing article at Bible-Truths. I hesitated for a couple of minutes and finally clicked on the link. That was July 05'.
I was traveling alot anyway, so I decided to go and "check out" this L. Ray Smith fella when the news was posted about a conference in Mobile. Coincidence that the conference was the weekend before I had to be on the East Coast? (NOT)
Coincidence that the 06' conference was the weekend before I had to be on the East Coast? (NOPE)
I really felt uncomfortable that first day at the conference in 05'. My head was spinning so much.
But one thing I saw right off the bat; this man was genuine and backed up everything he said with Scripture. His love will rub off on you big time if you ever get the chance to meet him in person.
I could not wait to share my new knowledge, even being cautioned verbally, and with Scripture, that I would be hated and cursed. Man, I had no clue how bad it would be.
Since being drawn to B-T's, I have told many friends and family about the site; even printed about 200 pages to give to someone and never heard from them again. I know of only one that has gone to the site and read some of the material.
BIG hug out to everyone.
Patrick
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Neat Post Everyone... These stories remind me of a thread a while back that had some interesting post where someone would "type" in a word, and Rays site came up, but the next time they tried to key in the same word, the BT site did not appear.
Longhorn
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I was doing a search on Tithing and I saw at the top to the Google search "Tithing is Unscriptural Under The New Covenant". After clicking on the link and reading the article and a few NASTY (to put it mildly) emails to Ray. I felt that this guy (Ray) KNOWS what he's talking about.
Before then I would read a chapter a day and think I could get it. WRONG!!! Since reading the papers on the BT site, I've learned (THANK YOU JESUS!!) that only God can call me in to a study of His truths. He has to teach me to trust in His ability to do that (with God ALL things are possible) which I can NEVER do on my own. Not that I agree with everything Ray has written to begin with. But it's when the Lord removes the veil from my eyes (in God's appointed time), usually from the 2nd or 5th reading of the papers, that I see His truths as written through Ray. For Ray is a vessel that was chosen to do what he has been called to do.
Ches
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I too am looking forward to part D!!! ;D
If its got 70 pages already, its going to be
a real goody. I can't wait to read it.
Iris
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Hi Iris.
I'm also looking foward to Rays part d.
I kinda was dragged here. After hitting every tree in the forest I gave up, and thats when God brought me here.
It wasn't easy being a woodduck. ;D
Your brother
Randy 8)
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Hi Longhorn,
Wow, great thread. I love reading everybody's stories of how they got here. It's so fascinating how God can just pluck you out of whatever point you are in your life and say "Okay, it's time for some truth now!" Very Cool.
Having come from a background in the SDA church I didn't believe in eternal hell fire but rather anihillation. However, I had not been going to church for some time (about a year) as I was going through what I thought to be a real spiritual dry spell. No interest. Zippo. Then one day, almost suddenly, things changed and I started doing research on the internet on various topics. It started with wanting to understand Daniel and Revelation (there is a lot of end-time prophecy in the SDA). From there I spent several months getting into all sorts of bizarre studies and information, from the Serpent Seedline to the Reptillian Conspiracy to the Pauline Conspiracy theories....I mean some really crazy stuff. I was just all over the place to the point that I really didn't know what in the world the truth was. Some groups out there can "seemingly" back up their theories with scripture etc. and it can make your head spin.
Anyways, I really got the sense that God was pulling the rug out from under me but I had no idea yet what he really had in store for me. I realized I didn't understand the bible at all and started thinking that it was really impossible to know any truth, since so many people could take scripture and make it mean whatever they wanted! I was exasperated.
Somehow though I just knew that God would not have made some torture chamber of fire, and I clung to that. I also firmly believed that the dead aren't floating around in heaven or roasting in hell. I started begging God to show me HIS TRUTH no matter what the cost. At the time, I started returning to SDA doctrine and studying it out. I figured this is how He led me to be a Christian in the first place, maybe he wanted me to get back to Church! I also determined to do as much research as possible to show my hell-believing sister-in-law that hell didn't actually exist. I knew about Hades, Sheol, Gehenna etc and i was doing research on that so I think I must have typed in one of those words. And that's what finally led me to bibletruths.
Oh boy, I remember physically shaking and trembling at times and like many of you I just could not stop reading until I had the whole site read (I think it took me about six months). I was speed reading. And I wonder how I missed so much when I go back for re-reads!! haha There really is just a feeling in the depth of your soul that this is different, that you really are on to something, and that God has answered your prayer. It's amazing how much I keep learning. You think you understand something and then God takes you to a deeper level of understanding. Awesome!
God Bless Ray and God Bless this Forum, peace,
Diana
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I’ve heard a saying before it goes something like this: Change only happens when the pain of holding on is greater than the fear of letting go.
Before I came to Ray's website I was at a place where the pain had gotten so great in my life that I could no longer hold onto my old ideas of God and religion. I was willing to let go of all that I had known to find truth! If I had not been at that place I would never have read Ray’s writing because he challenged my Orthodoxy on several counts! I was so in awe of Ray's writing it was like nothing I had ever read before. I knew in my spirit that it was truth! But I read cautiously because I didn’t want to believe a lie.
I didn't want to believe everything he said without checking it out for myself. I spent a lot of time looking up ALL the scriptures and using the Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries and Lexicons to look up the word definitions. My husband use to tease me that I was a "wanna be" Bible scholar.
I actually spent several YEARS reading Ray’s writings. I started reading way back before he had a forum, even before the yahoo group. There were times I would have to take a break because it was too much for me to digest. Sometimes I thought I understood Ray's writing and Bible Truths. I would try and tell my husband these truths but I would later get frustrated by a new scripture that I couldn't seem to fit. I would throw up my hands in frustration and announce to my husband that I don't know anything!
But I would always feel drawn to come back and read some more. I spent about 3 years reading before most of my questions were answered. It has only been in the last year that I finally have peace with my questions and have felt comfortable seeking like minded fellowship. I’ve been a member of the forum for a while but it would only be to pop in to ask a question. That’s selfish, I know, but I had nothing to contribute at the time. I was still learning. To parallel that I starting pulling away from my church around the same time I started reading Ray’s website, because of my lack of peace That's another whole story!
When all else fails become a nonconformist! ;D Now I only go to church when my husband prompts me that he wants to go. I go out of respect for him.I'm curious about what God has for our future. It's like we are in this place of limbo, but that's alright with me. ;)
I am very much looking forward to part D of Hell! I can't wait! THANK YOU RAY! GOD BLESS YOU! :)
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To All,
I am posting my journey to BT and the forum under the topics of In Pursuit of the Truth series. Bear with me as I am quite busy and I will have time this weekend and next week to post these things. I was orginally going to respond in this thread, but God has led me to share my story as well.
And as it is quite long, I decided to post it under different threads, got the idea from Joe. Joe great testimony story by the way, and I enjoyed reading every part to it. Thanks for sharing all of your stories guys and gals. It is a blessing to hear of others journies to the Truth and to blissful freedom.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
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Hi Paula,
Its do good to have you here. I'm glad God drug you here like most. You guys have really became part of my family.
I look foward to getting home from work to see how everyone is doing and read the truths God is showing everyone.
8)
Anne,
when I first came here I remember your posts over all teh others because you really poured you heart out. ;D
It truly is a blessing to be around all of you. We all fit together because God is the tie that binds us all. Its good to know we will be brothers and sisters forever.
Many years from now we will have this memory to tell all of Gods creations about the time He built his famioy.
Love and blessings everyone.
Randy ;D 8)
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I got to Ray's web sight in a differant way than most of you here.
I was doing some research on the use of religion as a form of social control by governments throughout the centuries. This naturaly lead me to the doctrine of eternal punishment. I typed in the word "Hell" and the first page on the list was Bibletruths.com.
I had never believed in hell....but
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Randy,
Thanks so much for the kind words that you wrote. They mean a lot to me. Many of my posts are written with my heart at my fingertips, becuase I wish to be open and transparent and truly wish that the love of Christ shines through me more and more, and myself shines with him as One with Him.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
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I got to Ray's web sight in a differant way than most of you here.
I was doing some research on the use of religion as a form of social control by governments throughout the centuries. This naturaly lead me to the doctrine of eternal punishment. I typed in the word "Hell" and the first page on the list was Bibletruths.com.
I had never believed in hell....but
COOL 8)
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Hey Randy,
Thank you for being so kind. 'm glad that God drug you here too! I enjoy your fellowship. I consider this my family too, you all are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I consider this fellowship my church and my home on the web. I love hearing testimonies and what God is doing in your lives. I look forward to learning new truths, encouraging one another, and talking about how to apply what we learn as we walk with Christ daily. :)
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Hello everyone, (it is 1;30 AM and I just wanted to read a bit before I went to bed; I will have more time this week to get back into the swing of things now that all projects are done in the homeschooling dept.; nest is spring cleaning ::)
My story is this: 2 yrs ago after my dh got electrocuted and I was desperate for a 'pastor' from the Messianic church (that we had been a part of for several years) to come to the trauma center burn unit at the hospital (and annoint my husband with oil and pray over him) and the pastor was too busy working and making money, well, my disapointment in him was so great that I made him cry over it. I couldnt get over the fact that there was not any true church that I knew of that expemplified the New Testament's example of LOVE. I was afraid that if this happened again (Lord forbid) that there would be noone spiritual or caring enough to come to my spiritual rescue...well, for the next year I begged God to show me HIS truths b/c I was tired of fake believers whom didn't really love the truth with all of their hearts (I was inspecting the fruits of their lives.) (I now know that God has to open their eyes first.)
Finally while doing a fundraiser, three of us put together a formal dinner with a representative/guest speaker who was here from Israel, a Messianic dance group from out of state for the entertainment and then a silent auction of donated items that we raised form local businesses and individuals...all of this in in order to raise money for the Gaza Strip homeless Israelis whom got ousted when they were forced to give up their land for 'peace'; (in which we were blessed to raise $40,000.00 to send to them!!!!!) So, after calling an old friend (whom I had called to see if she would be interested to come to the banquet or to donate), she began telling me all about all of these new things that she was learning. What she was saying (was from L.Ray Smiths' site on LOF), in which the truths I could not deny!!!! We literally talked for a couple of hours...it was a great beginning; then I checked it out for myself. I finally feel completely like a daughter of the KING now!)
So, it was a year ago (Jan. that I kept making excuses for not wanting to go to church (DH would get upset but, he was the drummer and had to go...), It took me 3 months of daily reading of enough of his materials to really be able to see the TRUTH FOR ONCE; and during that time, I was in the middle of planning for the meal at our annual PASSOVER dinner (for about 130 people) when GOD would not allow me to go any further. I literally had to call my 'brethren' and tell them that God has pulled me off of this committee ( in the middle of planning for it) and that HE will not allow me to plan or participate in Passover this year. They thought I was crazy, of course...but, I was actually relieved. That was the last thing that I ever had to do with the organised church and my dh came out about 2 months later.
DH and I have read Bt's on our own and then when HE brought us to the understanding of a certain truth, then we would share it w/ each other ...we would get soooo excited!!! Everything started making sense finally! We were so happy and thankful to be set free finally. So dh and I and our son are all equally yoked (Praise God). And the pain that we have suffered was from sharing these truths and learning that these 'beleivers' and family members are denying HIS truths; as I had expected that response from the world, but really, the wordly people seem to have no problems with it! We have been blesssed to actually have the discernment to know/see the reasons as to why people were rejecting these wonderful truths; we could actually know what kept them from wanting the whole truth (usually money, family traditions, too lazy to change; and ignorant of the scriptures.) We were amazed at the amount of people whom God has kept their eyes closed for now (I even spoke w/ a Dr. of divinity and his eyes were shut.) Truly amazing to me. The more that I read, the more I see that HE wants the motives of the hearts and obedience, and not works. It is such a narrow road to walk, it can get very lonely. So I thank HIm for sending yall to me!!!
(nite nite for now...as I have both eyes in one socket at this very moment... :o
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Thank you so much Susan for sharing. You are a dear sister to us!! To you and DH and Daniel. (psssss....to some of you DH=dear hubby ;))
luv ya!!!
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Susan,
What a great story dear sister, and it is still being written. I am so sry for missing your calls yesterday. I slept from 2 am to 2 pm yesterday, got up for a few hours, and slept until now LOL. It was great. So I am awake, alive, and enthusiastic this morning, even though I probably will go to sleep after some more internet work.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
P.S. Sister, your journey has been so amazing, it is great to see how you have grown from the day that you logged onto this forum and now.
ACM