I was here for a short time a while back, but I closed my account because I found myself to be the only one online a couple of times. I was used to more real time interaction from trying christianchat.com for a couple of weeks, but I quit that forum because the spirit of discussion was not edifying due to continuous contention about church doctrine. I'm not interested in church doctrine, just sharing God's love with my like minded brothers and sisters in Christ. This seems like the best place to do that online. So I'm back. I communicated with Gary years ago, and I did again when I closed my account a few months ago. I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, but I left it when I was a young man to seek the truth elsewhere. One day I left my body and was looking down at myself in a hospital bed when suddenly I was rushing down this dark spooky tunnel until suddenly again I was in the brightest light I'd ever seen, brighter than the sun, but it didn't hurt my eyes. I experienced total peace and unconditional love. Then suddenly again I found myself back in my body feeling compelled to look in the drawer of the bedside stand in which there was nothing but a Gideon Bible. Being raised Catholic, I wasn't familiar with scripture, but I picked it up and began reading. I was overwhelmed with emotion because I knew God was actually speaking to me through the words in that book. Then I read the King James Version for years until one day, when I was on a die hard King James site, I got mysteriously bounced to another site with information about universal reconciliation. I thought it was bogus, and I decided to read as much as I could about it to disprove it. But the more I read, the more it seemed like it had to be true. I was mad the church never told me about it, but then I realized that's because it threatens its control over its followers through fear. I switched to Young's Literal Translation for a while after I became aware of the King James mistranslations. Then I became aware that Young's Literal Translation had a few things in common with the King James due to using the same manuscript. I became aware of the Concordant Version, and I've been studying it ever since. I'm a member of no church or religious organization, and I don't believe the creeds established by Rome. The only creed I need is scripture. I think Rome has so distorted the evangel that church doctrine is a horror story. Unfortunately the Protestant Reformation didn't purge all of the apostasy. So I don't go to church, but I study scripture every day. I realize everybody has a different perspective because we're all in a different space and time, but, if we're here, at least we probably share the belief that God is love and will reconcile all those on earth and those in the heavens because that is what scripture says (Colossians 1:20). I'm just a humble brother. I claim no authority other than that of scripture. Anything I say is just my perspective unless I quote scripture, and you probably won't see me quote anything but the Concordant Version unless it's for comparison. I look forward to communicating with you all. God bless you.
Hey Tom H. Welcome back. I enjoyed your testimony, and find it inspiring. Thanks.
TM discussion forum was busier several years in the past when it was a more general forum. There were more people, but with that, came many things that were not scripturally based. It got into a lot of relativism, including actually obvious and direct teaching against the scriptures. Many of mans' imaginations and rebellion was involved, and there was often a spirit of dischord, arguing, dissension. Several years ago Gary decided to trim the boards back to more of a focus on the Victorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, and also stated there needed to be a respect for scripture on the boards. At that time (and here and there since) many people left who didn't want what they perceived as boundaries/impediments to "everyone doing what is right in their own eyes", and the boards haven't been as busy since. Much more peaceful, and a place where someone honestly questioning and seeking can be met with a helping hand, rather than a bash in the teeth or line of baloney from some "learned member's" imagination. Even though it's quieter, hopefully you'll find a place where you feel you fit in, and will explore the scriptures and the will and way of the Father with us - and help someone else who may be passing through.
Blessings, James.
Thanks for the welcome, James. I talked to Gary when I closed my account the first time about how I saw a lot of members listed but not many online. I believe quality is more important than quantity though. So I would rather be here than at christianchat.com where there was a lot of what you described used to go on here.
:welcome: :HeartThrob:
Quote from: Tom H on August 04, 2013, 02:33:14 PM
Thanks for the welcome, James. I talked to Gary when I closed my account the first time about how I saw a lot of members listed but not many online. I believe quality is more important than quantity though. So I would rather be here than at christianchat.com where there was a lot of what you described used to go on here.
I understand and agree. Blessings.
Quote from: micah7:9 on August 04, 2013, 06:12:21 PM
:welcome: :HeartThrob:
Thanks for the welcome, Micah.
Hi, I'm Laz. Welcome! Enjoyed your testimony!! :friendstu:
Quote from: Lazarus Short on August 04, 2013, 11:42:01 PM
Hi, I'm Laz. Welcome! Enjoyed your testimony!! :friendstu:
Thanks for the welcome, Laz.