bible-truths.com/forums
=> General Discussions => Topic started by: Amrhrasach on November 06, 2008, 01:33:34 PM
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Some of you may, or may not, spend a lot of time reading old posts. I do. There is a wealth of information and many, many views are shared. Some of the old posts do, and some do not, agree with Ray’s teachings or questions are posed in order to clarify points that Ray is teaching. Normally, however, it’s all good. One thing has struck me rather oddly and makes me very curious. I see many, many forum member names that are no longer posting. Some of these folks are very intellectual and their posts prove that they have studied Ray’s teachings to a very in-depth level having taken them to heart and habit, or so it seems.
It makes me wonder why those forum members are no longer seen posting.
Faith loss?
Returned to the church system? (I personally can’t see myself being induced into the “church” system again. But, I never say “never” any longer knowing that God does work in strange ways.)
Loss of interest as a result of posts that dwell on the personal and do not offer viable information to growth?
Did God *blind* them (for a time) in their walk? Is that possible?
Have they just simply chosen to be *readers of forum* now and have no interest in posting? (I normally see a lot of “guests” on the forum.)
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All of the above, plus, someone insulted them (too much pride), they found one point they could not agree with (baby out with the bath water), the walk was too hard (couldn't overcome, so just quit), or they were permanently banned (they were never one of us to begin with).
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There are several parables that deal with this.
The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.
v. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
v. 3 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
v. 4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it.
v. 5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
v. 6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
v. 7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
v. 8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
v. 9 And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
Mat 13:24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
v. 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.
v. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.
v. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, "Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?'
v. 28 He said to them, "An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, "Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
v. 29 But he said, "No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
v. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.""'
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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Some do not like the restrictions on topics and keeping things centered on the teachings of Ray. Even though they agree with this when they join. ::)
They can't understand or are too hard headed to realize that we know Ray does not have the answer to all questions, that is why we limit discussion to the ones he has covered. A person can belong here and not agree with everything or anything, we just ask they keep this between themselves and God.
Some have quit and join other forums and spend their time talking about how those of us here are unloving and puppets of Ray. The hate they spew forth in their posts on other forums and emails they send to me are very revealing to their character. I find many of these to be very tortured souls, who face hardship after hardship after hardship. Even though they won't believe it they are remembered in prayer.
Craig
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Just because they are not here does not mean that they are a dead loss.
God is sovereign and He has every individual where He wants them at this time, for good or for evil.
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Also, if a member does not visit at least once in any three month time frame, they are automatically dropped.
Other forums do not do this. If we did the same as other forums we would show thousands of active members and all those names you see would still be active.
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Man, that bath thing is the grossest thing I have ever heard!
Even if I miss one shower I feel completely disgusting.
:o
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Also, if a member does not visit at least once in any three month time frame, they are automatically dropped.
Thanks Dennis, I should have said that is what happens to the majority of the members. Many times they will rejoin.
Craig
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Man, that bath thing is the grossest thing I have ever heard!
Even if I miss one shower I feel completely disgusting.
:o
Yea, me too. If I miss my monthly shower the cat wont play with me anymore.
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My Mom threw me out of a wash tub, landed straight on my head, at least that's what her cosmatoligist-psychologist-aroma therapist-professional snake handler told me years later, you know, when I was able to comprehend. Ray's teachings have made those lost years less painfull. Gotta go, rabbits got out of there cage, one's heading to Lula's next door, and the other is hauling tail towards the RR tracks. Gonna be a busy night.
Love in Christ
Longhorn
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Hello, I am fairly new to here. I had read Ray's articles for almost a year before joining. I wanted it for fellowship with people who believe like me. My husband treats me fine over how I believe now. He really doesn't miss church. He doesnt
like to type cause he doesnt do it so well. The other night I saw the pink hair lady on tv as I switched channels and he said"Good Lord Who Is That." They were acting crazy that night and he said"That sure is not a good example."
Christmas has always been so big to His Family not as much for mine. Not sure how he is feeling. Though, his work has a Christmas Party no Drink because his boss is of
christian faith. Not, sure how I should handle that, being that is about all they do for them each year. He is one of the most faithful workers I have ever known he only missed once in 17 years for a snow storm and when they rushed me to the hospital. He won't care so much about the decorating because he is so busy, because he is a Baker. He has been in the field for years. He loves to work with all kinds of foods. If, he doesnt go to the party they do not get there gift. He could get extra week vacation and money, so that would be hard for me to not want him to go being he earned it. Plus, he likes me to go.
But, being off topic. It is very hard on people who believe, like this and when you live with someone not real certain what you are teaching. I know I feel really out of place sometimes cause you all find scriptures and I am still learning. But, I don't have no pride about it I want to learn and I mark all my scriptures in my Bible and now am using different Bibles and such. I am very happy that I have someone to ask things, when I am not sure. So, I love that. I am learning all over. Some things I believed right while in Babylon, but kept my mouth shut there. All, I can say is I pray now that I believe like this God will enable me to follow through with it. It has saved my life as far as I am concerned.
In His Love,
Marlene
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All of the above, plus, someone insulted them (too much pride), they found one point they could not agree with (baby out with the bath water), the walk was too hard (couldn't overcome, so just quit), or they were permanently banned (they were never one of us to begin with).
NOT true of me ..too many commitments back home in Aussie with my own web site and congregation.
A bit of too many generalisations Dennis. Yes we spell with "s" and not a "z".
digitalwise
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Hi there A,
Just had to put my thoughts in on this one. I sure hope that none of the things that I say are offfensive to you or any one reading them. I have to say that there are many reasons why people are not posting in the quantity that you think they should. Just to name a few,
1. there are many people on this fourm that just pm each other back and forth
2. there are many people that e-mail back and forth
3. there are many people that have to go to work every day and don't have time to post
4. there are many that are tired of posting all the time, and would rather sit back and read all the things that other people post
5. maybe some believe that God will tell them to post when He wants them to
6. and what was that scripture about idol talk - meaning when someone really doesn't have anything to say? or maybe asking a question that they know that man cannot answer, at least spiritually.
So, my brothers and sisters, just because we, followers of Christ, are not posting all the time, does not mean that we/they have left the teachings that L. RAY. SMITH has put so much of his life into.
I cannot imagine anyone going back to church after reading Ray's teachings about God, even though it can happen if it be the Father's will. If it is not the Father's will, that person will not be able to come back to the truth; and therefore what ressurection will he be in? Please reply, A.
Here are a few scriptures to ponder:
Eph 4:29 Benefit Those Who Listen
James 1:19 Quick to listen
1 John 4:6 Listen to us
Psalms 46:10 Be Still
Mark 4:39 Be Still
Just read all these scriptures, A, and think about them; and see if there is any kind of a spiritual meaning that comes to you. I would love to tell you what my scriptural meaning is, but I can't and won't. Otherwise, uhhhh, never mind.
A, here is your answer to the question "Did God blind them......Is that possible?"
All I have to say is that history has it Jesus slapped Paul with a beam of light and he didn't see for 3 days. After that, he went into the desert for 15 years and was taught by the Holy Spirit and when he came back he was preaching Jesus Christ, Saviour of all men. HALLELUJAH!!!
Hey, folks, Paula and I love each and every one of ya and we say that freely because tomorrow we may never get to tell you again.
love y'ans
Dewey & Paula
goin' out on a limb for Jesus; why? 'cause that's where the fruit's at
P.S. One of the most intelligent things I've seen on this post was by Martinez. He says, "Just because they are not here does not mean that they are dead loss. God is sovereign and He has every individual where He wants them at this time, for good or for evil.
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All of the above, plus, someone insulted them (too much pride), they found one point they could not agree with (baby out with the bath water), the walk was too hard (couldn't overcome, so just quit), or they were permanently banned (they were never one of us to begin with).
NOT true of me ..too many commitments back home in Aussie with my own web site and congregation.
A bit of too many generalisations Dennis. Yes we spell with "s" and not a "z".
digitalwise
What would you prefer digitalwise? Actual names and events?
Pretty hard not to speak in generalities when you are talking about thousands of individuals.
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The freedom afforded me by discovering that God will save all men has also brought me to the place in my life that I don't have to "worry" all the time about the details of "daily living" including whether or not I've "responded" enough on this forum. I did go elsewhere recently to discuss a subject that was not being discussed here. My conclusions of this quest were congruent with Ray's teaching, but I didn't "report" it here because I understood that this particular topic was not to be discussed here, that's all. ???
This is a HUGE forum now, in both membership and posted comments. I look at it as a field, a planting that Ray started years ago now. The field has several "crops" of topics, each one producing fruit of various yield. If a person had a "general" question about almost every major "topic" in life, most likely, they could find a discussion about what Ray and various forum members think about it by simply doing a search.
It's got to be exhausting to Ray on some days to go on and on about the same thing in his response to the many emails he receives, especially now with his routine to maintain his health. And I see the forum "oldies" as doing the same. I get tired too, its just human. But if I see someone post a particularly stressed out request for information that I may have an opinion on, I do respond, God willing. We cannot be in total agreement with eachother on every single topic until we are ALL gathered unto The Lord and "fitted together" in oneness with Him. So, in spite of minor disagreements, I like visiting here and listening and learning. I am a work in progress, a student of the Word.
The "freedom" to come and go here proves that it is NOT a cult. In my opinion, Ray respects the freedom of an individual to experience whatever God has in store for them personally. He would not become subject to anyone or any institution, but lovingly offered what God taught him to others. I think most everyone here does the same, in my opinion.
As well, absence from "the body" of believers here, sometimes, IMHO, is simply taking more time to be "present" with the Lord. I am not trying to misuse Scripture here, I'm simply being "me" in wording it that way. :)
My best to all!
Joyce :)
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Hello, I am just glad as a new person to have the support of others. Yes, I am well aware Ray is ill. I do not care if he would answer an email of mine or not. I suffer with many illnesses every day, but I love knowing I have people to uplift me in prayers. Having someone to love you and know you have others like you helps you to get through a day. I know I love my time with the Lord it is what really keeps me close.
In His Love,
Marlene
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Dear Mr. Vogel, Craig and Kat
I am new to the forum, and as you know, I runed in some trouble already.
But if you can bear with me, I have a some questions:
In which way your comments supposed to edify me, a babe in the true church?
What am I supposed to think about this forum as I read this thread?
In which light I am to look at Ray's teachings if his disciples talk like that?
What I have to look forward to if I don't post correctly or I disagree?
How will I be categorized after this post?
Furthermore,
I thought that you said that the threads are specifically for discussing Ray's teaching.
What happened to that?
How this comments bring honor to God?
I will respectfully await your response.
Please forgive if I speak as a fool, but these are issues of great importance for
me.
I work my salvation with fear and trembling, and I look up to you as a big brother and sister for direction,
and if we are suppose to imitate our elders, which portion of your conduct am I to imitate?
Your humble servant, in the presence of Christ,
Ariel
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All of the above, plus, someone insulted them (too much pride), they found one point they could not agree with (baby out with the bath water), the walk was too hard (couldn't overcome, so just quit), or they were permanently banned (they were never one of us to begin with).
NOT true of me ..too many commitments back home in Aussie with my own web site and congregation.
A bit of too many generalisations Dennis. Yes we spell with "s" and not a "z".
digitalwise
What would you prefer digitalwise? Actual names and events?
Pretty hard not to speak in generalities when you are talking about thousands of individuals.
Hi Dennis,
I thank you for firstly for your even handedness on this forum and your fairness. For me it shows the true fruits of the spirit. There is polarisation of Christain beliefs for sure. I have seen this particually in your country.
The statement: "Not one of us" - may well be true [even in the thousands] and personally I can only watch on in dismay sometimes at the state of extremism in the fundamentalist churches in the States. This spills over into the forum at times. I have no doubts and illusions about that. You do a fine job along with others in keeping the balance. Perhaps this is are not the best wording, "not one of us" in the light of simular words said politically and in extremist churches.
Striking a balance is the wisdom of Solomon. We are "called out" to be different.
I also pray things will settle down nationally and your newly elected president by the will of God can go about his calling with freedom as God intends without some religious nut case doing something stupid. May your nation be blessed and fulfill its own unique calling in the purposes of God.
As I said before I do not have much time on hands to post but I do drop in read with interest the many fine posters you have on this forum.
I do pray God's wisdom on your life and fulfilling your own destiny as God intends for you,
digitalwise
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All of the above, plus, someone insulted them (too much pride), they found one point they could not agree with (baby out with the bath water), the walk was too hard (couldn't overcome, so just quit), or they were permanently banned (they were never one of us to begin with).
NOT true of me ..too many commitments back home in Aussie with my own web site and congregation.
A bit of too many generalisations Dennis. Yes we spell with "s" and not a "z".
digitalwise
What would you prefer digitalwise? Actual names and events?
Pretty hard not to speak in generalities when you are talking about thousands of individuals.
Hi Dennis,
I thank you for firstly for your even handedness on this forum and your fairness. For me it shows the true fruits of the spirit. There is polarisation of Christain beliefs for sure. I have seen this particually in your country.
The statement: "Not one of us" - may well be true [even in the thousands] and personally I can only watch on in dismay sometimes at the state of extremism in the fundamentalist churches in the States. This spills over into the forum at times. I have no doubts and illusions about that. You do a fine job along with others in keeping the balance. Perhaps this is are not the best wording, "not one of us" in the light of simular words said politically and in extremist churches.
Striking a balance is the wisdom of Solomon. We are "called out" to be different.
I also pray things will settle down nationally and your newly elected president by the will of God can go about his calling with freedom as God intends without some religious nut case doing something stupid. May your nation be blessed and fulfill its own unique calling in the purposes of God.
As I said before I do not have much time on hands to post but I do drop in read with interest the many fine posters you have on this forum.
I do pray God's wisdom on your life and fulfilling your own destiny as God intends for you,
digitalwise
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
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Dear Mr. Vogel, Craig and Kat
I am new to the forum, and as you know, I runed in some trouble already.
But if you can bear with me, I have a some questions:
In which way your comments supposed to edify me, a babe in the true church?
What am I supposed to think about this forum as I read this thread?
In which light I am to look at Ray's teachings if his disciples talk like that?
What I have to look forward to if I don't post correctly or I disagree?
How will I be categorized after this post?
Furthermore,
I thought that you said that the threads are specifically for discussing Ray's teaching.
What happened to that?
How this comments bring honor to God?
I will respectfully await your response.
Please forgive if I speak as a fool, but these are issues of great importance for
me.
I work my salvation with fear and trembling, and I look up to you as a big brother and sister for direction,
and if we are suppose to imitate our elders, which portion of your conduct am I to imitate?
Your humble servant, in the presence of Christ,
Ariel
Ariel,
How you are edified is between you and God. The moderators are here to keep this forum civil.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Dennis
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Hi Ariel,
The answers you get on this forum are from many different perspectives and you take them all together or one answer may speak to you more than another.
But the question of this thread was, Where are they now? In the parables we can see that very 'few' continue on to be faithful to the end. Instead of this being a discouragement, it should spur you on to stay in the race.
1Co 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
Also I this question seems to be asking can we lose the Holy Spirit once it is given. As the parable of the sower indicates that all that receive the truth do NOT stick with it. This does address what happens to some and with that is mind in March '08 Ray had a Bible study 'CAN WE LOSE GOD’S SPIRIT AND EONIAN LIFE?' Is “once saved always saved” - Scripturally true or false? And what does it matter? Are not all saved ‘anyway’?
Here is an excerpt from the transcript.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,7047.0.html -----
1 John 3:15 Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal (eonian or age lasting) life abiding (the Greek is “staying or “REMAINING”) in him.
So the Greek is staying or remaining. Now if you just read that without all the background that I’m giving you, then you get the feeling that, well he won't be given God’s abiding life. No, he already has it. The only way something cannot stay in you or not remain in you, is if it’s in you. Do you follow that? It’s in you.
He’s not talking to Barbarians here or infidels, he’s talking to the congregation who have the spirit of God. But he says if you hate your brother the spirit of God will no longer stay with you, it will no longer be in you. If the Spirit of God is not in you, you are no longer His. Then you are going to the judgment. That’s just how simple that is. All through these Scriptures if you read carefully, maybe it doesn’t have it just like this, but this is just a poor translation. But if you read Concordant and Rotherham and all, they will tell you to ‘stay’ - ‘remain.’ It means to remain, but it won’t remain. You see it’s there, but it’s coming out.
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There are so 'few' that even accept this truth in the first place, but this is not a guarantee of the first resurrection. So we need to strive to be one of the faithful that do make it to the end.
Here are a few emails that Ray expresses, the chosen are the very few.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2931.0.html --------
[1] I am not "MANY" but one person. I have a staff of ONE--my Web Master.
[2] I know of no one who is teaching what I teach on the worldwide web.
[3] I assure you that not MANY follow my teachings. MANY read our site, but very very FEW live by it. There are so few in fact, that if I had a dollar for everyone who has read our site and then turned to God and accepted Jesus as the Saviour of their wretched carnal selves, and began living godly, and righteously, and forsaking the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life....if I had a dollar for every one of them, it would not be enough to pay my utility bills for one month.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,2059.0.html -----------
Those whom God has foreordained to be the elect will always be the elect. The chosen elect cannot be lost. But you and I do not know exactly who is and who isn't an elect. Only God's knows those who are His, and therefore, we can never let down our guard, because we might only think that we are elect. I have seen and witnessed this with my own eyes where those who appeared to be elect, turned and now blaspheme the name of the Saviour they claimed to worship a short while back.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,7390.0.html --------
Mat 7:13 "Enter through the cramped gate, for broad is the gate and spacious is the way which is leading away into destruction, and many are those entering through it. Yet what a cramped gate and narrowed way is the one leading away into life, and few are those who are finding it."
I quoted it from the Concordant Literal New Testament so as to get the tense proper. Notice that it is the broad way that the many "are entering." This is still going on, and it is through the narrowed way that "few are finding." This is nothing more than Jesus' statement that "many are called but few are chosen." But this pertains to this life only. In Judgment all will be judged as God's "House of God" is BEING judged NOW (See I Pet.4:17; I Cor. 11:31-32, etc.).
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I hope this is helpful and not discouraging.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
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Kat I disagree. God's called ones are not of only just Ray's beliefs. They embrace the truth of God's Word as well as they can, including fellow Australians who know God's way and believe in him as well as you do.
There are NOT one apostle, not one teacher, not one pastor, not one prophet and not one evangelist. There are many serving God faithfully throughout all our nations, all our peoples, all our tongues, all our races - all CALLED by God and respond to that call.
Dennis the verse:
1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
digitalwise
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HMmmm?
Maybe it's worth taking a closer look at that "denying the Father and the Son" statement.
What exactly does the spiritual meaning of "denying" mean?
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HMmmm?
Maybe it's worth taking a closer look at that "denying the Father and the Son" statement.
What exactly does the spiritual meaning of "denying" mean?
My understanding is simple:
A Father begats a son. God overshadowed Mary the mother of God and Jesus was conceived. The seed of God came into the world and the world could not comprehend or know him.
Real antichrist's deny Jesus came in the flesh of a human and dwelt with men. The incarnation of Christ is NOT just spiritual but travervses the natural element of our existence and that of God as Spirit taking on humanness. Real antichrist's deny the uniqueness of the ONE. Real antichrist's tell of another way to God. Real antichrist's would have you attempting salvation without a judgement seat for all humanity.
And the greatest of these is the reality that human flesh of man now is in heaven for the body never saw corruption [decay].
Likewise we as believers are linked to this humanity [hence promise of resurrection]. The scenes in Revelation depict a Lamb before the throne. We all know what that symbolic lamb is if we do not then we are of antichrist and its spirit.
digitalwise
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Digitalwise, you are lacking some basic understanding of what we believe and understand (the antichrist for one). This forum is for those with a like mind.
I want you to actually read the lake of fire series for the next month. In the meantime you'll need to take a break from this forum.
Dennis
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The freedom afforded me by discovering that God will save all men has also brought me to the place in my life that I don't have to "worry" all the time about the details of "daily living" including whether or not I've "responded" enough on this forum. I did go elsewhere recently to discuss a subject that was not being discussed here. My conclusions of this quest were congruent with Ray's teaching, but I didn't "report" it here because I understood that this particular topic was not to be discussed here, that's all. ???
This is a HUGE forum now, in both membership and posted comments. I look at it as a field, a planting that Ray started years ago now. The field has several "crops" of topics, each one producing fruit of various yield. If a person had a "general" question about almost every major "topic" in life, most likely, they could find a discussion about what Ray and various forum members think about it by simply doing a search.
It's got to be exhausting to Ray on some days to go on and on about the same thing in his response to the many emails he receives, especially now with his routine to maintain his health. And I see the forum "oldies" as doing the same. I get tired too, its just human. But if I see someone post a particularly stressed out request for information that I may have an opinion on, I do respond, God willing. We cannot be in total agreement with eachother on every single topic until we are ALL gathered unto The Lord and "fitted together" in oneness with Him. So, in spite of minor disagreements, I like visiting here and listening and learning. I am a work in progress, a student of the Word.
The "freedom" to come and go here proves that it is NOT a cult. In my opinion, Ray respects the freedom of an individual to experience whatever God has in store for them personally. He would not become subject to anyone or any institution, but lovingly offered what God taught him to others. I think most everyone here does the same, in my opinion.
As well, absence from "the body" of believers here, sometimes, IMHO, is simply taking more time to be "present" with the Lord. I am not trying to misuse Scripture here, I'm simply being "me" in wording it that way. :)
My best to all!
Joyce :)
Hi Joyce,
Your response got my attention as it really summarized my present state of mind in many respects, as one who has posted over 3000 times and started hundreds of threads my participation (especially in writing anything) has been minimal lately. I have been content to read and observe the interactions here and how moderators and members respond to the constant barrage of questions and even accusations being presented here daily.
In the approximate 3 and a half years I have been a member I have seen remarkably similar activity repeated over and over and I have responded often until lately as I must admit to a certain weariness when I perceive people are attempting to gorge themselves with knowledge but seem to spend little time chewing, swallowing and digesting (meditating on) what has been presented to them and then jump right into something else often in the very same thread!
It takes very little time for me to recognize when people join here without doing much reading of the articles, I used to respond to these questions (or statements) repeatedly but after a while it was like giving your friend the answers to a test so they did not have to study themselves, it may not be the best analogy but it is as close to my point as I can get, the pattern I have witnessed consistantly is if people are not going to read the articles with an open bible and an open mind but are content to receive sound bites, opinions and the Readers Digest version then they are very likely not going to be here very long, they will be off in search of some new thing somewhere else soon enough.
The other thing I have been observing is how the other Mods and some members patiently handle the accusations from some newer members (another consistant pattern) of being terse, or unloving or whatever as they themselves are being sarcastic, terse and unloving, a fascinating thing to behold for sure. To me it is like inviting someone into your home and they immediately complain about the color combinations, the furniture the bland food, etc. It would be more prudent to take the time to know and seek to understand before making unsolicited suggestions and complaints.
I have to apologize for not being a very good participating moderator lately contenting myself to quietly observe and seek His Wisdom from above as I peruse the Forum, there are so many members old and new who are sincerely and diligently searching for the knowledge of our Lord and when I see these positive interactions my heart really does jump for joy! On the other hand when I see the scratching at the specks in other people's eyes with the clawed end of a hammer I say "here we go again...." ::)
There is no doubt in my mind that there are some who were just as weary of my posts as I can be answering the same questions over and over, this is another reason I have held back and waited for His Breath of fresh air to clear my mind and refresh my spirit, it is in the hope that at some point I can be a better servant to our Lord here and in all facets of my life. Thankfully we have many members who have a good grasp of the material presented by Ray and are enthusiastic in helping others find the answers they seek.
His Peace to you all,
Joe
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It takes very little time for me to recognize when people join here without doing much reading of the articles, I used to respond to these questions (or statements) repeatedly but after a while it was like giving your friend the answers to a test so they did not have to study themselves, it may not be the best analogy but it is as close to my point as I can get, the pattern I have witnessed consistantly is if people are not going to read the articles with an open bible and an open mind but are content to receive sound bites, opinions and the Readers Digest version then they are very likely not going to be here very long, they will be off in search of some new thing somewhere else soon enough.
The other thing I have been observing is how the other Mods and some members patiently handle the accusations from some newer members (another consistant pattern) of being terse, or unloving or whatever as they themselves are being sarcastic, terse and unloving, a fascinating thing to behold for sure. To me it is like inviting someone into your home and they immediately complain about the color combinations, the furniture the bland food, etc. It would be more prudent to take the time to know and seek to understand before making unsolicited suggestions and complaints.
Joe,
Excellent points you brought out and I am in total agreement with you. Thanks.
René
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It takes very little time for me to recognize when people join here without doing much reading of the articles, I used to respond to these questions (or statements) repeatedly but after a while it was like giving your friend the answers to a test so they did not have to study themselves, it may not be the best analogy but it is as close to my point as I can get, the pattern I have witnessed consistantly is if people are not going to read the articles with an open bible and an open mind but are content to receive sound bites, opinions and the Readers Digest version then they are very likely not going to be here very long, they will be off in search of some new thing somewhere else soon enough.
The other thing I have been observing is how the other Mods and some members patiently handle the accusations from some newer members (another consistant pattern) of being terse, or unloving or whatever as they themselves are being sarcastic, terse and unloving, a fascinating thing to behold for sure. To me it is like inviting someone into your home and they immediately complain about the color combinations, the furniture the bland food, etc. It would be more prudent to take the time to know and seek to understand before making unsolicited suggestions and complaints.
Joe,
Excellent points you brought out and I am in total agreement with you. Thanks.
René
As am I...thanks for your comments Joe. And more of your posts will be greatly appreciated. :)
Marques
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I cannot understand finding great treasure and then discarding it.
New posters help keep it polished, then they leave.
Askseeknock
Charles
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Rene, Marques & Charles,
Thanks for your responses!
New posters help keep it polished, then they leave.
Very interesting point.
Peace,
Joe
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I cannot understand finding great treasure and then discarding it.
New posters help keep it polished, then they leave.
Askseeknock
Charles
Some new posters come here to set us strait and consider themselves our teacher.
Dennis
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To all Moderaters and members,
I am just happy to know that God cares enough about me to lead me here.
Thanks to each and every one of you for being here in this day and hour.
And Thanks Be To God And Our Lord Jesus Christ for Saving us All.
In Love and Humility,
george.
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Hi Amrhrasach
For two and a half years I was a daily participant here and now am only able to come to the Forum on weekends at best. Why am I here? Because this is where God has me to be and I am blessed, comforted and the studies, questions, answers and dialogues here, have been integrating and helping my understanding.
Where I am now is in deeper trials and tribulations than ever before and heading into more with no sign of relief which is thoroughly going to test and hopefully prove my faith in the end.
Arc
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Hi Arcturus,
Yes, I've read many, many, posts of yours in past topics. Never a let down and always fruit.
As for your trials, your forum friends will be praying for you and that whatever goal God has set for you, you will be blessed.
Thanks for your reply Arc.
Best.
A.