In Spirit and In Truth

Basic Scriptural Principals

2011-10-19T00:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a nice email correspondence between L. Ray Smith and a lady
For the sake of the emailer I will not post her name.
I will highlight and bold important points!

Hi Ray,

I have been reading the 60 pages on The Rich man and Lazarus. Wow ! You sure went into detail. How long did it take you to do all this amazing research?
I have a long ways to go yet to finish reading what you wrote but so far it looks like you have some very interesting points and it's easy to follow. I plan to get back to you later. I may have a lot of questions. Hope you don't mind.

Is that your picture on the front page?

One question I have right now is how can the average Christian possibly get the true meaning of this Parable if it took such extensive research?
It seems that most Christians in a life time would never go to the extent that you have. Does the Lord make things that deep and complicated? The way you break things down does seem complicated but the research and time you must have put into this is over whelming.
-----

[Ray replies]

Dear -----:

Yes, that is my picture. Although I should probably update it seeing that that picture is about six years old.

A few words regarding the understanding of the Scriptures.

Almost everything in the entire Bible is SPIRITUALLY discerned.
Jesus taught in parables so that his listeners in public would NOT understand a thing He was saying. He had to teach the meaning of these parables to His disciples in private.
Once you understand thoroughly a half dozen spiritual TRUTHS, the rest is kinda easy.

One will never ever understand the Scriptures with the mind set and carnal mindedness of the Christian tradition. You must understand a few spiritual Truths that are totally rejected in all religions of the world and atheists as well. Here are a few:

God is totally Sovereign. That is, He is in control of EVERYTHING and ALL THE TIME. Many people actually claim to believe this, but they really really don't.

The words "everlasting" "evermore," "forever," "for ever AND EVER[?]," and "eternal" are nowhere found even once in any Hebrew or Greek manuscript from which our modern language bibles are translated.

Man does NOT have a "free" will that can make decisions independent of his Sovereign God.

Man is mortal, not immortal as Christendom teaches. Therefore, when people die, they are DEAD, not alive in a different geographical location.

The ONLY hope for believers is that there will be a RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

[There are unscriptural] Biblical doctrines that are of no value to Christendom. They teach that dead people go to a place called hell and a place call heaven WHEN THEY ARE DEAD!

Hell is not the translation of any word in either the Hebrew or Greek Manuscripts.
Heaven and hades (often translated hell) are not geographical locations.

God will save all mankind, seeing that He IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

God is a family and not a trinity.

We are under a New Covenant, and the old is passing away.

God is LOVE (no really, He really is, He would never torture most of His creation in fire for all eternity).

Well, there you have it. Understand those few principles and the Bible is a whole new book.
With these few spiritual Truths in mind, even you can become a Biblical scholar.

God be with you,

Ray

I will post scriptures on each of these points in future post!
Stay tuned,...........

Conquering Sin

2011-06-26T02:59:00.000-04:00

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Are these limited to just the physical??
remember this verse: 1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Adultery
Eze 16:32 But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!
Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell(Gehenna).
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell(Gehenna).

Was Jesus serious?? pluck out my eye!! Cut off my right had!!! What???
Is this literal?? remember 1 Corinthians 2:13
Compare spiritual with spiritual!

Lonely

2011-06-26T02:32:00.003-04:00

My mom told me that my brother had a saying. It goes something like this, "I may be alone but I'm not lonely".

I wish that applied to me.

Since coming home from Atlanta I have been on this down turn of motivation and general well being. I'm doing things I just don't like doing and wondering where is my Father through all this.

In short......I'm severely lonely.

Why do I say severe because? ahhh!!!! I don't even want to go there.

Where are my friends? All in Atlanta????

Why don't they seek me out? Do they not need me?

Is it because of my obviously public beliefs?

I don't know............

I need a shoulder sometimes and during those times I never find one or have one.

Where does someone like me find companionship?

I have to get out and start doing the things I have a desire to do and maybe I'll make a friend.

I don't know............

My loneliness is possibly my reasons I over eat. I'm becoming self destructive.......I don't like the road I'm going down.

People say, "change it"!

I wish it was that easy! I wish I could magically change my mind, put in great motivators, and have a great support system around me.

Constantly praying that God will change my mind and circumstances.

I hate this life

2011-02-02T00:52:00.004-05:00

When I feel this down, I feel like I have no one to turn to.

The only scripture that comes to mind when I us the title phrase is this one:

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Sometimes I have no idea what this scripture means.

But I do know I hate my life.

I hate having to think about what I must lose in this life to gain it from God.

Why is it so hard?

What did Paul mean when he said this?

1Co 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself.

Was he single? Did he ever feel alone? Has he ever had to part from someone that he loved?

I'm sure he has.

When you realize that the one thing you desire most in life may not be the thing for you, how does it make you feel? It makes me feel like crap and wonder if this life is worth living.

I know Paul felt the same thing but maybe not for a wife.

I hate to think that I'll be alone for the rest of my life.

The work of the gospel seemed like the only thing that kept him going. Honestly serving others distracts you or even minimizes your own problems. Things may not seem so bad compared to those who have bigger issues that need a hand or shoulder to cry on.

Sometimes I wish I had that shoulder to cry on...............

With a heavy heart,

2010-04-14T18:53:00.003-04:00

Who can you turn to in times like these?.................God.

A scripture I came across today.

Psalms 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

Psalms 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Psalms 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

Psalms 73:24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Psalms 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalms 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

Psalms 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

You spoke to my heart today lord, thank you!

I need a friend

2010-04-14T00:25:00.003-04:00

Sometimes your just lonely.

Sometimes it comes during weird parts of the day.

Though I have plenty people around me and plenty people to call

I still feel alone.

I wish I had a friend who loves the things I love.

but....I do have those friends.....thats the weird thing.

I still feel alone.

Twelve God Given Truths to Understand His Word

2009-07-06T02:34:00.003-04:00

Truth Number 7

[A] "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; COMPARING [or ‘matching’] SPIRITUAL THINGS WITH SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 2:13).

[B] "And to this AGREE the words of the prophets; as it is written…" (Acts 15:15).

[C] "These [Bereans]… searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were SO [Gk: ‘in this way,’ ‘like’] (Acts 17:11).

[D] "AS You have sent Me into the world, EVEN SO have I sent them into the world" (John 17:18, and many, many other such comparisons).

For a thorough explanation of these truths please visit:
L. Ray Smith at www.bible-truths.com

I love my Father!

2009-06-20T21:23:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine said some wonderful words to me today!
I truly value the words of this guy!
It did wonders for my spirit and current state.
I feel much better today and highly edified.
I rarely and I do stress RARELY hear words of encouragement like these.
Thank you my friend --- and thank you so much Father!

My comment is first. His statement is second.
I won't mention his name.

"I really need this today.
I get so tired of people causing me anxiety, frustration, anger, sadness, and depression.
Its very maddening when those who do this to you seem to be highly blessed in there lives.
I so agree ---!!
Its not easy loving them either.

(Love worketh no ill to his neighbor!) Gosh I believe this which is why I keep trying.
And if one of these people decides not to deal with me anymore or me them, another is right around the corner awaiting their chance to pounce on me.
Isn't life grand!!
I guess I speak as a fool.

Nevertheless I do not doubt its working in me!

I thank you every now and then would be nice though."

Antaiwan

Hi Antaiwan,

"Let me thank you for your friendship and also for all the encouragement and kind words you have sent in my direction through the years. Although we are not in constant contact you are someone I have valued as a real friend ever since we met a few Conferences back, there is an unassuming friendly spirit within you that I have found to be consistent and comforting to me. That others within your circle of family and friends that do not or cannot perceive this is their loss, not yours......"

His Peace to you and all,

---

I immediately cried after reading!
To have such people in your life is truly a blessing and undeserved.
Thank you again Father!

Self Sacrifice and Dying to self

2009-06-20T12:16:00.003-04:00

What do men know about this two terms?
Not a thing!! Christians give lip service to such terms but have not a clue as to what it means.
They actually think its all about them. Gosh do they actually read scripture?
NO!!
Well you say what is lip service? Let me show you:

Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

See its not just what comes from the mouth. Why? Because we also have scriptures likes these:

Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Why is this so?? Here is another:
Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Do Christians understand this stuff! They claim they do but do another thing!
Can they not see it is of the heart!!
From the heart, to the heart, heart has to change, heart is renewed. Why don't they get this?
Well I digress..........wait wait one more scripture!

Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Heart!! its either good or evil!
I've heard Christians say such things like:
Evil men think with there minds and Good men think with there hearts! What silliness!!
But.........I digress

I love this scripture:
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Man! There is so much to be said for this verse! Do Christians obey it! NO! resounding no!
Self sacrifice and dying to self is not important to them because they don't know what it means! Even if they did, they don't do these things. Which gives way to more lip service!!

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
lip service and no doing!
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We must learn to die daily! DAILY! How can a man die everyday.
He can because this is spiritual not physical!
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Gosh I have to die!
Do you?

True Friendship

2009-06-20T11:24:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you actually think you matter to your friends. Well, in some respects that's true, you do matter to your friends but only those that are your friends. People who actually put you before themselves and you would do the same for them.
What is a friend actually? Lets define it!

According to websters dictionary defines friend as one attached to another by affection or esteem
Thats a nice definition!

How does scripture define friend? Lets see!
Strong says:
H7453
ריע רע
rêa‛ rêya‛
ray'-ah, ray'-ah
From H7462; an associate (more or less close): - brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, X (an-) other.
It occurs in the old testament 187 times and is always defined as these above terms.
In the new testament here is what Strong says:
G5384
φίλος
philos
fee'-los
Properly dear, that is, a friend; actively fond, that is, friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.): - friend.
Wow! We have another word in Greek that is so close to this one. You say what is it?...........I'll be glad to tell you.

LOVE!
G5368
φιλέω
phileō
fil-eh'-o
From G5384; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is, have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while G25 is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as G2309 and G1014, or as G2372 and G3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head); specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness): - kiss, love.

Isn't that wonderful!! You know why its wonderful?.......because when all other friends forsake you, curse you, hate you, and despitefully use you you have another friend you can always turn to. His name is Jesus!
Really!! Yes really! Well you might say was Jesus a friend to anybody?
Why yes he was!

Joh 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

The love in this verse is the phileo love! That love as defined by strong's above!
Check this verse out:
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Jesus called Lazarus his friend!

So can I trust that Jesus will be my friend when I need him yes!
I need you now lord!

I did a lot of defining here no talking but sometimes its just too clear to say anything. Its too simple to be explained and its too easy to complain about!!

Be a friend and have a friend in Jesus!

A weak man

2009-06-09T04:03:00.004-04:00

I have never felt as low as I feel right now.
Friends can be really honest with you, sometimes it hurts.
I'd like to share my thoughts in poetic form.

I thought I was a strong man.
I have been describe as a weak man.
I thought I stood up for what is right.
I been told that is my weakness.
I thought my life was headed in a good direction.
I been told that it has not been managed properly.
I thought I was leading a friend to the truth.
I been told that I was the obstacle to the truth.
I thought I loved with all my heart.
I been told that was my weakness.
I thought I loved pure.
I been told I only gave in to temptation.

Some friends pull no punches.
I needed to be punched and I got punched hard!

Where does my strength come from in these times?
Psa 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mar 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (I am so weak?)

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. (Do I do this?)

1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (have I?)

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
(was Christ perceived as weak?)

I pray for true strength
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

I rather be humble! Lord take away any weakness I may have and make me a humble servant!
Life is hard indeed!
Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it. (from the clv)

2009-06-05T01:22:00.003-04:00

I am back in Oklahoma City!
My first home!
Well what can I say? I lost my job, lost my apartment, was about to lose my mind! But.........I didn't!

I moved in with my best friend Tanya and she allowed me to stay with her for two months.
What an interesting experience! I believe I'm better for it, of course it had to be since its now in the past!
I learned a lot about her and her father but that's another blog for another day!
Nonetheless I enjoyed being there and seeing her everyday, was kind of neat to expect her to come home and then it would happen. Oh well that time has gone.

So I'm here in OKC living with the parents!
All I can say is that I am again an errand boy!! God is amazing indeed! Here's why:

Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

I really try to live my life according to this principle. Only God is able to bring it about!
So living with my friend and parents should be joy to me in that I can serve them!
To serve is to be great in the kingdom of God, we should follow Christ example:

Joh 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Joh 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Joh 13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Joh 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Joh 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean,..................

Joh 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Happy is he that does them!!
I am truly happy this day!

Twelve God Given Truths to Understand His Word

2009-06-05T01:09:00.007-04:00

Truth Number 6

[A] "…that in the mouth of TWO OR THREE WITNESSES every word may be established" (Matt. 18:16).

[B] "…In the mouth of TWO OR THREE WITNESSES shall every word be established" (II Cor. 13:1).

[C] "And I will give power unto my TWO WITNESSES…" (Rev. 11:3).

Please visit bible-truths.com for a thorough explanation of these wonderful truths!

by L. Ray Smith

The Lake of Fire

2009-03-13T21:40:00.003-04:00

Questions to ask yourself:

· What is it?

· Where is it?

· When is it?

· Why is it?

· Who will go there?

· Is it an actual place?

· And How long will it last?

· What actually takes place in this lake of fire which is the second death?

· Is John’s vision to be taken literally?

· Does this lake of fire and second death serve no purpose other than to vent God’s frustration and vengeance on most of humanity which He Himself created?

· Would a loving God really create billions and billions of people which He knew in advance would torture for all eternity?

· If ninety to ninety-five percent (a ballpark statistic used by many theologians) of humanity is destined for this atrocious destiny, how could any sane person worship a god who would design and carry out such a vile and eternal nightmare on so many billions of helpless and weak creatures?

Twleve God Given Truths to Understand His Word

2009-03-13T21:24:00.005-04:00

Truth Number 5

[A] "It is the spirit that quickens [gives life]; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are life" (John 6:63).

[B] "But this spoke He of the SPIRIT..." (John 7:39).

[C] "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT which IS the word of God" (Eph. 6:17).

Please visit bible-truths.com for a thorough explanation of these wonderful truths!

by L. Ray Smith

Contentment

2009-01-12T01:06:00.001-05:00

Twleve God Given Truths to Understand His Word

2008-10-05T20:06:00.004-04:00

Truth Number 4

[A] "Inasmuch as ye [all you] have done it unto one of the least of these My BRETHREN, ye have done it unto ME… Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [My brethren], ye did it not to ME" (Matt. 25:40b & 45b).

[B] "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF" (Luke 24:27).

[C] "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to FULFILL" (Matt. 5:17).

[D] "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took Me not: but the Scriptures MUST BE FULFILLED" (mark 14:49).

[E] "After this, Jesus knowing that ALL THINGS were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be FULFILLED, said, I thirst" (John 19:28).

[F] "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into DEATH: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so WE also should walk in newness of life… I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ LIVES IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Rom. 6:4 & Gal. 2:20).

[G] "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also… Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He [Jesus] IS, SO ARE WE IN THE WORLD…" (John 15:20 & I John 4:17).

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Please see Bibletruths.com for a better explaination of these wonderful truths!

Passion Restored??

2008-10-05T12:18:00.003-04:00

For four long years I have worked at my current job with a longing that I shouldn't be there. Or working for long hours and low pay. I soon lost the desire to do what I always thought I'd love to do.

Yet even though I lost my desire, I stayed at the company hoping to find a place within it to settle down and not reach for anything more.

I had once said things, such as:

"I want to have my own firm, design all these wonderful things and say to myself that I have accomplished something in my life."

While all of this was going on I was reading the book of Ecclesiastes and came across this:

Ecc 1:3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

What am I doing?

I found myself seeking a worldly postion of granduar, to be exalted on the so called thrones of the design world. What was I thinking??

I new God had greater things for me after this realization so I no longer wanted to attain to such postions, they meant nothing to me. I had lost the passion and desire to become a great designer, then something interesting happened...............

My job loaned me out to another company, were the work is awesome, the designs are fantastic and the company itself has so much going for it. I felt my passion returning. The desire I once had was coming back but here is the thing,..........does God want me to return to my worldly pursuits??

I have been given a chance to see the outside world of my previous company and it looks good but do I want it? What would it mean if I lefted it to join this other firm were a chance of my dreams of greatness would be fullfilled. Mind you, even I know that it could happen or it couldn't happen, things may be worse, whose to say but God.

One thing is for sure, I want to come out of the world and it seems that the only way to do that is to not be apart of its vain pursuits.

Lord help me...........

My Goal!

2008-08-26T13:37:00.014-04:00

With all my health problems. emotional problems and financial problems, I cannot lose focus on my ultimate goal:

Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Php 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

I have to realize no matter how much I gain here and try to attain too, it means nothing in light of my goal.
The suffering of my spirit,
the sadness in my heart, and
the anguish of my flesh
I count it all joy in light of who
I attain to be.
Lord God deal graciously with me.

Patiently

2008-08-25T21:43:00.006-04:00

This is a poem by a very good friend of mine
I'd like to selfishly say it was wrote for me (even about me) but I know it wasn't
Hope you like it.

Steady is my eye on you as you appear
from a state of oblivion

But a glimmer, reflecting your light
You awaken the world to your very purpose

Force us to watch, patiently
Force us to wait, patiently

Your existence is necessary (to me)
For we share divinity in this circle of life

Yes! I salute the divinity in you and eagerly await your reveal
as you rise like the king star you are

I absorb you...

Your reflection, illuminating a beauty within me that no one has seen
A beauty, even in your invisibility radiates through me,
so that I too may bring light to darkness.

A transparent warmth felt, leaving presence even in a state of absence

Love, assuredly, faithfully, patiently....

Hope it was ok to share this with the world
If I asked her I'd be afraid she would say no.

Repost of Love Lost

2008-08-25T21:32:00.005-04:00

Still relevant..........in my heart anyway.

Sometimes the only thing I can think to do is write when I feel really down.
I lost the love of my life.

Last year I broke up with my friend\girlfriend\lady what ever you want to call a girl you love so much. I know your saying it was last year but dang the pain has lasted that long. It was very rough and still is, as it seems were growing apart.

I haven't seen her face in almost three weeks, seems short huh? Well, that’s how bad I got it I guess. Yeah I got issues according to some but what the heck is this all about. Matters of the heart I seem to just be really ignorant on and reading scriptures on the subject don't help to make me forget.

I guess one thing you have to understand is that she was my first love, first everything!!
I thought she would be the last too...........but that fell apart.

What did I learn from all of this?? I learned that to pity myself for love does not work, because that’s what I realized I was doing but is it wrong to want to know how much a person loves you?
She really didn't love me as much as I loved her.

So much is different now in my heart, considering my new found beliefs. Believing what I do now has made me realize how much of an idiot I was in the way I treated her. I so forced her to love me. She just wanted to be friends and we were good friends, I considered her my best friend and only true friend and now I have lost that and I'll never be the same. She was such a good friend that I should be talking to her about these problems but how?? It would be crazy to do so. I miss her so......................

I don't know how people go from one person to the next and not feel something.
It would seem the only reason to move on is to fulfill some fleshly desire and once thats over there goes another relationship. I would feel my heart would just grow cold towards women the more I got out there. Being miserable almost feels good sometimes, it lets me know I still feel and still capable of deep meaningful love.

What do I do with the memories?? Everything reminds me of her and I mean everything!! As much time as I spend on the computer it was talking to her! 95% of all the decision I made during our relationship was because of her. I traveled back and forth to her place just to be with her. I new she didn't have the time to see me so I tried to integrate myself into her life. She has a son and other responsibilities.

I gave up a lot just to have more time with her and be more available to her. She meant more to me than church at the time but that quickly changed were as "church" become an increasingly heavy burden in regards to teaching and silliness(but that’s another story) so easily had time for her. I gave up band for her!
She had no idea though. But what’s so funny about all this is that it back fired. She wanted me to do stuff when all I wanted to do was just be available. I thought she would see but she saw it different. There's so much more to say but I'll leave off for now I'm tired and venting helped a little.

I Read it, still relevant...............how pathetic!

Gods Plan for My Life

2008-08-25T21:24:00.002-04:00

Nice little essay I found.
Don't have a clue who wrote it, let me know if you do.
Gave it to the one I loved at one time. Wonder if she still reads it...........?

“God’s Plan for my Life”

Everyone longs to give himself completely to someone…to have a deep soul relationship with another….to be loved thoroughly and completely. But God to a Christian says……..

“No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me alone – with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me: to having and intensely personal and unique relationship with Me alone; discovering that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found – will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you.”

“You will never be united with another until you are united with Me…exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan that there is… one that you cannot imagine.”

“I want you to have the best; please allow Me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. Just wait, that’s all. Don’t be anxious. Do not worry. Do not look around at the things others have, or that I have given them. Do not look at things you think you want. Just keep looking to Me, or you will miss what I want to show you. Then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you could dream.”

“You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time), until you both are satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for both of you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with Me. This is perfect love.”

“Dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in your marriage a picture of my relationship with you, and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love that I offer you with Myself. Know that I love you unconditionally. Believe it and be satisfied.”

~ Author Unknown ~

Hope you enjoyed it.
Antaiwan

A New Song

2008-08-25T20:39:00.003-04:00

Have you ever been in love?
I mean truly in love?
I have. I loved her so.

I listen to music all the time, but before I was in love all those sappy love songs had no real meaning. I mean there were some good songs out there but they only reached the surface.
Now that I have fallen in love , those songs mean so much more to me. Now there deep within! I know its sickening right?
But hey I guess thats why they get written.

People fall in and out of love and they feel the need to express themselves sometimes, whether through song, poem, and even violence! I choose the first two,LOL!
Recently I have been finding myself listening to songs I never thought I would listen to and re-listening to songs I already knew. Makes me feel sad at times. I can understand verses like this in scripture when pertaining to the heart:

Pro 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

I struggle to keep my heart of flesh but find sometimes the hardness creeping in.
I guess I feel I've done wrong by losing love and wondering if I'll find it again.
I then realize its good to love and never losing that is better.
Sometimes the days get heavy and depressing but a good song gets me through.
God does some wonderful heart healing through song but sadly its only temporal.
Can't solve a spiritual problem with a physical solution.
Darn......something should come from my new ears for love songs, right?

I do wonder sometimes if I can handle her loving another.
Can I handle her loving another............?
Hard to say right now but I would like to think I love her for happiness sake not my own.
The songs seem to get me through.

A new song I hear:
Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

I hope my life now is a new song to those around me even her.
Moving on is difficult.
I guess its worth it just to love again.
Pro 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Pro 5:19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

To love again..............

Twelve God Given Truths To Understand His Word

2008-07-13T21:35:00.007-04:00

Truth Number #3
[A] "Therefore speak I to them in parables, because they seeing SEE NOT: and hearing they HEAR NOT, NEITHER DO THEY UNDERSTAND" (Matt. 13:13).

[B] "How is it that you [disciples] DO NOT UNDERSTAND…" (Matt. 16:11).

[C] "But they [the disciples] UNDERSTOOD NOT this saying, and it was HID from them…" (Luke 9:45).

The last time I posted on the twelve truths I said what I needed to say there!!DUH!
What struck me the most about them is that Jesus spoke in parables because he did not want them(the multitudes, the religious scholars and theologians of his day) to understand the great spiritual truths he was speaking.
The obvious question is why??? Heres the kicker..........

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Mat 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Did you see that??
All I am going to say is if a man wants to understand God's purpose and will for all men, pray for understanding of Jesus' parables! Remember.......you learn one and you will know them all!! What an interesting God we serve!
All of this is explained much further on Ray's website! Bible-truths.com

Weight Loss Update

2008-07-13T21:25:00.002-04:00

I have lost 25.6 pounds so far!! I feel good about that. God willing I lose more!
So far I'm looking forward to how God will use me once the goal is attained.
He may even use me during the journey who knows, but only him.
I have gotten over certain humps in the struggle and I know there is more to come.
I feel God is giving me this time to focus and prepare for the road ahead. Though I can't see it
I perceive it to be rough and rocky hopefully with help from my lord I can make it through.

Its funny I can't find scripture and verse to support what I'm doing except verses telling me its all for nothing. What a great thing I'm realizing through his word, just hope I'm on the right path....

Twelve God Given Truths To Understand His Word

2008-06-07T08:51:00.004-04:00

Truth Number #2

[A] "All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in PARABLES; and without a parable spoke He not unto them" (Matt. 13:34).

[B] "But without a PARABLE spoke He not unto them…" (Mark 4:34).

[C] "This PARABLE spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which He spoke unto them" (John 10:6).

I believe these scriptural truths are most profound, for me anyways. They reveal something about Jesus that most Christians say but don't believe, that truth is revealed through him and not of our own selves! No matter how much I study I won't be able to see or hear these truths unless my understanding is opened by Christ. Praise God for that!!

For Rays commentary on these scriptures please go to bible-truths.com. This is only a condensed version or bullet points if you will on these marvelous scriptures.

An Awesome Site!!

2008-05-25T17:58:00.006-04:00

I just got out of the shower when I heard a knock at the door!! I'm like, "who is this?"
I mean its Sunday afternoon during dinner time! Well it was a guy trying to sell me newspapers.
I told him I wasn't interested and that I don't read the paper. Well as he was leaving we both saw this huge moth just sitting at my door step! Here's a few pictures:

As you can see he's a big boy!!
Well I found out that he's a Luna Moth a rare species to see during the day and in the South!
As there mostly found in the northeast. I thought about keeping him but I would have just ended up killing it. From what I read there more active during the night so he'll probably sit on my door step till night! He didn't move either when the newspaper guy kicked him! Jerk!
Thats why no one wants to by newspapers from you and stop drinking before you go door to door!!!! *I could smell it all over him!*

Weight Loss Update

2008-05-23T22:34:00.006-04:00

Its been about five weeks since I started my weight loss and eating healthier. So far it has been a real struggle as in trying not to fall into temptation. Temptation is all around me!!! Sometimes I have to thank God I don't have the money to buy fast food! Lord knows I have thought about it.

So far I have been able to save more money so that I'm able to buy groceries for at least two weeks. In the past I hardly shopped for my own groceries and if I did I'd go in and get two or three items and leave! I'm getting better at selecting food for the week and trying to give myself variety.

I still deal with all of these things on a spiritual level too. The book Ecclesiastes in the bible is a constant remainder that the things I do now don't really matter all that much. Some say how much? Well the writer of Ecclesiastes's, who is King Solomon, says that it all means nothing, its vanity, its vexation of spirit, its reaching towards a higher goal that’s unattainable by mere physical means. Look at the first few verses:

Ecc 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Ecc 1:2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Ecc 1:3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
(from the English standard version)

All the work I put in to eating right and exercising will not save my soul, nor can I by doing these things believe that I can save myself or am made a better man so that I may receive salvation.

The book is revealing to me towards my current goal. Will I reach it?, if I do it will mean nothing in the long run. I know this yet I press on believing in this only:

Ecc 11:8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

Ecc 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Ecc 11:10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

(from the English standard version)

Its All Vanity............................

I still must do this one thing, which is more important:

Php 3:7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Php 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Php 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--
Php 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Php 3:11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Twelve God Given Truths To Understand His Word

2008-05-23T22:10:00.005-04:00

My words in black Rays article in blue!

Truth Number #1

[A] "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the Last Adam [Jesus Christ] was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is NATURAL; and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 15:45-46).

[B] "It is sown [first] a NATURAL BODY [a physical body which dies]; it is raised [afterward] a SPIRITUAL BODY [which is made immortal and never dies]…" (I Cor. 15:44).

[C] "Who shall change our [first] VILE BODY, that it may be fashioned like unto His [afterward] GLORIOUS BODY…" (Phil. 3:21).

[D] "If I have told you EARTHLY things [first], and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of HEAVENLY [spiritual] things [afterward]?" (John 3:12).

For Rays commentary on these scriptures please go to bible-truths.com. This is only a condensed version or bullet points if you will on these marvelous scriptures.

Comment By Indianabob

2008-05-09T16:14:00.002-04:00

Indianabob is a fellow poster on bible-truths.com forum!
I'm posting his statement on being called out of the church because in regards to how
I now live my life.

In the Shadows

Friend Steven,

All that needs to be said has been said and I cannot add anything more.
I would however like to summarize what has become clearer to me personally.

Those that God has called out of Babylon, out of the organized church, are the only true believers. As nice as those other folks may be, humanly speaking, they are still in Babylon and don't intend to come out no matter what I may say to them. So, I leave them alone spiritually and fellowship with them ONLY as neighbors and members of the local community. They are not yet God's chosen and when they are they will seek me out just as I will seek them.

Therefore, it is obvious to me that my present task is to learn all that I can through prayer, Bible study, sacrificial love toward all people and spiritual fellowship with the very few that God has bound me to in this phase of my spiritual development. It is now my task to work with others of like mind, IRON sharpening IRON and not to correct or offer enlightenment to any who have not yet been chosen. I am not an evangelist at this time, I am still and shall remain a student.

In this group I have noticed that there is ONE teacher. One at a time is a good plan, it avoids confusion. The rest of us, all of us, are students. We can share our personal visions and our tests or trials and share how we have struggled to overcome our own limitations and how God has worked on us, sometimes without our knowledge until it suddenly became apparent and that is good. However, we need to consciously avoid the temptation to become teachers ourselves. Why?

We are something like undergraduate students in God's University. We all know that we shall become Bachelors and Masters and Philosophers eventually (BA, MA, PhD) but for now we do not stand before any other persons, outside the University, and present ourselves as competent instructors.

Yes, we do write theses and present them to our Teacher once per semester. And yes we do present our ideas and theses to one another for practice and to check the spelling and appropriate use of words according to accepted meaning, but we are not graduates, we are not professors, we are yet students and have not earned the right and are not qualified to speak for God.

This time of testing is to allow us to grow in knowledge and wisdom and the grace of our Lord. We are to grow in grace by exercising grace, by patiently enduring the daily trials that come to all who love God more than self. There will be time enough for us to teach in the resurrection to LIFE.

As Martin King has said, "I have gone to the mountain top and I have seen the Promised Land."
We few have been given the vision of God's true plan for mankind; we need to treasure it in our secret place, our heart of hearts, until the time for its revealing is given.
It is a wonderful thought and that thought will motivate us to remain faithful until the end.

See King's final thoughts below. (If he only knew the full story)

“Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I do not fear any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

Twelve God Given Truths to Understand His Word

2008-05-06T23:17:00.006-04:00

In the next few weeks, I will present a series of spiritual truths from scripture that can only aid in your understanding of God's word. These truths are from my teacher L. Ray Smith.
From his extensive study of scripture was he only able to discover these truths himself, I'm glad he did and I'm glad the Lord uses him in such a fashion.
I will begin with a brief introduction from his article on bible-truths.com:

"None of the wicked shall understand; but the Wise shall understand" (Daniel 12:10)

In this paper I'm going to briefly outline just twelve truths of Scripture from many that God has shown me over the years. I try to apply these truths to all subjects that I write about. More than just truths, I look upon them as spiritual commandments from God, absolutely necessary in rightly dividing the Word of Truth. My hope and my prayer is that God will grace you with a spirit of wisdom to comprehend these marvelous revelations of Scripture.

I have received countless emails over the years in which my detractors inform me that the Scriptures are easy to understand: all one has to do is read them.

That’s not true. Billions of Christians "read" the Scriptures, but have not a clue as to what they mean. And one of the biggest problems in not understanding what they have read is that they do not believe the Scriptures. And why don’t they believe? Because their shepherds have deceived them into believing that Christian doctrines take precedent over the Scriptures.

I know of not one Christian doctrine that is completely Scriptural. Not one. And that includes, SDA’s, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, and every other institutionalized church and denomination of man made creeds. These truths that I am presenting here are "creed busters." They destroy the doctrines of men. They make the wisdom of religion look incredibly stupid. God’s truths are like treasures hidden in a field. We must buy the field and then diligently search out the treasure. The following twelve truths of Scripture could make you every spiritually wealthy.

I hope you guys enjoy these truths as much as I have!! If you can't wait till I post them please feel free to surf to his site at bible-truths.com.

Life is Getting Rough

2008-05-06T19:57:00.012-04:00

Those image on the left and bottom right represent my diet for the past 15 years of my life!! They have done more harm to me than good because I have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.
All of this because of my weight and what I eat.
My doctor told me if I lose the weight I'll be better.
So now I'm on this long journey of losing weight which is very difficult because I like certain foods that are really bad for me or should I say LOVE! Those foods include pizza and hamburgers!! I can't tell you the number of pizzas I have eaten throughout my life! Hamburgers alone would greatly out due the number of pizzas!! I'm a pretty sick guy! I can eat a large pizza by myself! Sometimes two if I was hungry enough. As far as hamburgers go, I could eat about four double quarter pounders in one setting. For the entire day it would be eight!!!!
Mind you this isn't my worst habit!!
I sometimes buy about 5 pounds of ground beef and eat it all including bread!!!
I would feel so horrible about myself after eating so much food.
Sometimes I would vomit it up just so I could go to sleep comfortably.
I'm a sick man.......
So far my habits have drastically changed but I fall sometimes every now and then and when that happens I get really depressed. So much so sometimes that I feel like ending it all(You know what I mean). Staying away from these foods is rough because there all around me and easily accessible.
As of late I do eat better and far more lighter!!
It hasn't been easy though but one thing that helps is all the extra money I save from not buying pizza and burgers!! I also have a close friend thats helping me through a little competition we devised. I'm a competitive person, I don't like losing when i know I can win!
The typical new menu for me is as follows:
For breakfast I usually have a bowl of cheerios with slim milk or Oatmeal flavored with brown sugar or cinnamon .
For lunch I usually have a salad or a sandwich.
For dinner I might eat a frozen dinner or vegetable medley.
I think I'm going to try this route for awhile and see where God takes me.
I haven't lost much weight yet but I'm going to get there if God so wills!! I pray he does!!
My Father is Good to me!!
I'm going to learn how to hate this thing ---------------------------------->

Righteousness Because of Hell??

2007-10-21T20:14:00.005-04:00

Do you believe in hell because you don't want to go there? Are you living a righteous life just to prevent yourself from going there. If hell doesn't exist would you stop living a righteous life? If hell doesn't exist is that an excuse to disobey God and start living a riotous life? How absurd and unbelievable you would be if you say you love Christ.

Luk6 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Do you believe everything in scripture?
Do you even believe this scripture!?

I hope these are questions that we ask ourselves daily because you'll never see the truth if your aren't already seeking it.
I found out about two years ago that I really didn't. I was blind as a bat to all the truths of God and in his due time he has revealed to me some very important truths that help sustain my hope and faith in him. I love my Father!

My Baptismal Experience

2007-10-09T23:14:00.003-04:00

On September 5th, 1982 a four year boy by the name of Tony Wilson was baptized at Neighborhood Missionary Baptist Church. What a day I'd say!! By the way my real name is Antaiwan Wilson.
My dad remembers more vividly than I do but I remember wearing a Spider man pajama outfit, no web slinging though! Go figure huh, Spider man is my favorite superhero! Maybe I'll tell a story about why later. As a matter of fact I have a lot of cartoon heros but back to the matter at hand. According to my parents I cried like a baby when I was finally dunked under water and brought back up. All I remember is waiting in a room, making my why up the steps and getting in the pool of water. It looked so deep at first but when I stepped in I felt a little at ease because it was really shallow. I believe Pastor Ford was presiding over the ceremony, don't really remember. After him quoting Matthew 28:19's "trinity" he dunked me under the water. After coming up I don't remember feeling any certain way but according to my churches doctrine I was a full member of the body of Christ and could partake in all the rights and responsibilities that goes along with said membership. To me that meant eating saltine crackers, drinking grape juice, and singing in the choir, everything I wanted to do as a kid in church. Ten years later I would discover that God has more for me to do than fill my belly!

To Start and Stop

2007-10-09T21:44:00.004-04:00

I've been trying yo write this blog for a couple years now. I've succeeded and failed. I guess I've failed because I'm not sure if I should proceed. I mean........What am I saying to the world? What am I trying to prove? I'm hardly a writer but I feel I have a lot to say about a lot of things.
My new found understanding of my Father and his Son have given me a unique view on life. I've never seen things so clear but I am also clouded by other things I have yet to understand. I hope to cover all these things in my journal to the world!