[Professor Bessemer]

Re: My introduction post

Thank you professor for your kind welcome. You have so far been one of the few who has actually read my posts and replied to them in the true Christian way.

Gary, I am humbled by your praise. I am but a simple True Christian Scientheist doing my best to help those in need. Sometimes on a forum like ours, you will find members whose opinions differ from time to time. But we all hold Jesus and his temporary sacrifice in our hearts and we are all saved.

And all do respect my crimes are my business and I do not wish to share them with people I hardly know.

Unburdening your soul before saved True Christians™ is hardly the same as talking to people that you hardly know. Are we not all children of God? Are we not all Brothers and Sisters? Gary, tell us of your sordid past, you will feel a great weight lifted from your heart if you do! Glory!

After all professor it states under your name that you are an ex-gay. So you surely were headed for damnation as well. But you were saved through Jesus and that is what is important.

And I have been very open about my past here on this holy forum. Here and here are just two links where I discuss my sordid past. And believe me Gary, every time I tell the good people of Landover a little bit more about my former life as a drug addicted, leacherous, promiscuous "power bottom", I feel the love of Jesus coursing through my now saved soul! Praise!

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: My introduction post

Well Billy Bob I never said God wasn't perfect please don't quote me out of context. I have said nothing to offend so I don't understand why you all are being so defensive.

Your exact words were "no one is perfect". Unless you think God is "no one" then you are wrong. God is too perfect. And I notice you didn't take it back. You just denied saying it. So are you still saying God is imperfect? Or do you take it back?

Second of all, you accuse True Christians(tm) of being imperfect, and True Christianity(tm) by extension. What do you see as the problems with Christianity?

[Brother Harold Porter]

Re: My introduction post

I actually haven't made any demands. Who am I to demand you to do anything. I have however made some observations. I am not here to teach you anything as you all are very well versed. But I have pointed out some of your flaws which you carry yourselves as not having any. We all have flaws regardless of how you may think of yourself. And I know you are trying to save people I just feel as though the way some of you go about it is a little unorthodox to how a interpret the bible to state. We are suppose to turn our cheeks not lash back at others, correct? Or do we only turn the cheek to those who are also saved?

Welcome Gary,

My Brothers in Christ here are passionate in their belief, as am I. We simply feel that every single word of scripture is correct and righteous, as my signature reflects. If you believe even one word is errant or not to be taken literally, why not toss out the whole book? As True Christians™, we obviously cannot do this. Christianity is not a "pick and choose" path to Salvation.

I'd hate to see you leave before we have a chance to reconcile our differences. It's all in the Bible, trust me my friend.

Yours in Christ!

[GaryfromtheUS]

Re: My introduction post

Billy Bob: Please stop twisting my words. By my statement I meant no one is perfect as in us humans. We all fall short to God's greatness. And there is nothing wrong with Christainity as a religion but it's followers have all have all sinned at some point in their lives and still make mistakes whether they are saved or not, hence why I say we are not perfect. . Please don't be so arrogant as to say you don't make mistakes.

James: I think you don't quite understand anything I say. I am not here asking for pity. Just feel as though some of the people here have been a little unorthodox with their approach to the people who are unsaved. I never intended to make you feel hurt or make you think I was slapping you in your face. I would not do something like that intentionally and I deeply apologize if my words did so. Even though you say such things as "No wonder no one likes you anywhere". In truth I am liked by many people and have many friends of which come from a variety of political and religious upbringings. I am not here to flame you or question your faith. I have not questioned your faith or the fact that you are not saved. I believe you all are saved. It is you who think I am not.

Ezekiel: It is one thing to preach the word of God accurately and a total other issue to approach people who are not saved the way some of you have shown. I agree there are a lot of false prophets that do the devil's work to convince people to turn their backs on God. Attacking people is not going to convince them that Jesus is the way. I believe most of you to be very knowledgeable and well versed when it comes to the bible. Your knowledge isn't what I have questioned or your faith. It is the manner in which I have seen unsaved people be treated here. Which is a character flaw not a flaw of faith or religion. By the way my favorite book is The Book of Job.

Last but certainly not least, Professor: Once again it seems you are more on page with me than anyone else. You, sir, are a fair and just man and are by far becoming my favorite person on these forums. I assure you there is no weight on my chest about the wrong doings I have done and in time you may learn more about my story but in good time. I have been forgiven of my past and have been received a blessing from God in the form of my beautiful children.

[GaryfromtheUS]

Re: My introduction post

Hello Rubicon,

Thank you for the warm welcome. I don't see anything wrong with the bible or your religious beliefs. But the manner in which some of the people here have conducted themselves. Not in the way I believe a servant of God But many don't seem to understand what I have been saying at all.

My regards,

Gary

[Nobar King]

Re: My introduction post

I have pointed out some of your flaws which you carry yourselves as not having any.

Do you see how rude this is? This entire forum is a living document of our flaws. You haven't read all of the posts, yet, but I assure you that I don't hold anything back. I'm not perfect, and I know that. I'm glad to share my failures, but I prefer to do it with people who are on my level, and that's why I do it in a Church forum and not on Digg or Dugg or whatever.

If you want to share with us about your flaws and failures and how they were part of your path to finding the Lord, I'm sure everyone is dying to read it. That's why we have an introduction forum.

You might find that people understand where you have been.

However, if you want to use your experiences with Jesus as a way to criticize other Christians, don't be surprised if you don't get a warm welcome. No one likes to be told that they're doing it wrong.

[Professor Bessemer]

Re: My introduction post

TEXT EDITED TO SAVE HOLY BANDWIDTH

Gary, again you embarrass me with your kind words. But I do need to correct you on a particular point. Once a peron is truly saved, they are no longer capable of sin.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1st John 1:7

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Psalm 119:2-3

As a True Christian™, no matter how much I sinned in my past, and I sinned quite a lot, I am now incapable of sinning. I am not perfect, but I am now sin free and will remain so until the Lord takes me.

A Christian that sins was never truly saved in the first place. I do not wish to judge you, but if you currently sin then you are not saved now and never were.

If this is the case, that may be why Jesus led you here. He may believe you are worthy of True Christian™ salvation. I myself believe you are, but I am only a Professor at an Independent Baptist University, so I could be wrong. I am not perfect, I am simply forgiven. Glory!

[Capt. Aaron Portway]

Re: My introduction post

Sorry for this late welcome Brother. There are lots of posts to read on God's Favorite Forum©.

I know this forum can tough for non-True Christians™ Gary. See, our souls are blood-bought, we are washed in the Blood of the Lamb, so sometimes we forget what it's like to be unsaved.

But stick around, you'll get used to it. Just like God, we are fair and just in our judgements!

[Palmer C. Eldrich]

Re: My introduction post

I believe that true Christians would accepted a person with arms wide-open instead of trying to flame them. Even if they came into your forums claiming to worship the devil isn't it our duty as Christians to help them find Jesus. To ban them and put a label on them and shun them from here is not doing your Christian duty.

Dear Gary,
I have a feeling that you're new to the internets. Web forums are like real life- there are rules you have to follow. If you don't follow the rules you get banned. That's why you see so many banned users on this forum. You don't always get to see the post that was the final straw, though. I don't think you'd really want to see THAT. The pastors delete them for our protection.

How many death threats should we tolerate before a user is banned? How about web attacks? Have you ever had your forum invaded by fourchans?

There's even an instruction manual for how to be banned from a forum:
How to Avoid Being Banned on a Forum

If you want, you are welcome to start your own Christian ministry forum (on your own private server) and we can point any problem cases in your direction so that you can make an effort to help them before they are lost completely to Satan.

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: My introduction post

Billy Bob: Please stop twisting my words. By my statement I meant no one is perfect as in us humans. We all fall short to God's greatness. And there is nothing wrong with Christainity as a religion but it's followers have all have all sinned at some point in their lives and still make mistakes whether they are saved or not, hence why I say we are not perfect. . Please don't be so arrogant as to say you don't make mistakes.

Name one instance in which I misquoted you. You can't, because I didn't.

If you meant "no one is perfect as in us humans", then you meant something other than what you said. Please, in the future, if you mean something other than what you say, please say so.

How are you endowed with knowledge of the fact that none of God's followers are perfect? Are you omniscient? Did God tell you? How do you know whether or not I am perfect? You don't even know me. Yet you presume to know that all of God's followers are imperfect. And you call me arrogant.

It is clear to me that you are imperfect.

[Ezekiel Bathfire]

Re: My introduction post

[...]Ezekiel: It is one thing to preach the word of God accurately and a total other issue to approach people who are not saved the way some of you have shown.

Revelations 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

I would like to think that all who come to Landover come in peace. However, as a glance through the community list will show, many, many have been shunned. This bears witness to the verses above.

I agree there are a lot of false prophets that do the devil's work to convince people to turn their backs on God.

Ha! It is not the atheists, that are a problem; their general demeanor gives them away. No, it is the more wily amongst them, those who profess to be Christians but basically pick and choose the verses that suit them or seem to have some ‘special knowledge’ that allows them to see into Ineffible God’s Holy Mind and ‘interpret’ what is plainly before your own eyes!! There, if you will, is real temptation, real deception.

It is the manner in which I have seen unsaved people be treated here. Which is a character flaw not a flaw of faith or religion.

Well, as you earlier said, you’ll have no trouble forgiving them.

Hey! I’ve just thought! Let me tell you some news. At the beginning of the year, we needed a certain amount of money. Did we pray for it? No we did not! Shocked? You needn’t be. You and I know that God knows everything, so what’s the point of telling Him twice? Well, He knew OK. We have now twice the amount we need and we’re only halfway through the year!

So, if you’re worried about our approach, do not be! It seems to me that ‘Someone’ up there Loves us.

By the way my favorite book is The Book of Job.

A brave choice and the sign of a soul of some faith. It was the book I came to love last – I must have been about 8 or 9 years old. There is God, chatting to The Devil! “Why” I asked, “did He simply not destroy the Devil?” (You must have asked that too.) Then God, in His Wisdom, allows Satan to torture Job in countless ways – Why? Because Job is a faithful person. Hmmm… I asked myself, “If I am going to be faithful, does that mean God will let me be a plaything for Satan?”

I’ll admit that when God just sat there as Satan inflicted boils, and pain and then killed off his cattle and family, I frankly thought, “Would I allow someone to do that to my favourite dog? Is there not other way? Why is God doing this?”

But you keep reading and reading looking for the meaning, the circumstances, the reasoning, the guidance. Slowly you see the connection with

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?

Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

And you understand that all the disasters of the world are God’s Hand. This is a book that speaks to the lie when you hear some false Christian interviewed on TV. What do you always hear them say?

“God saved me from the hurricane / fire / earthquake / etc.”

Why do these people never ask why God punished them with the hurricane / fire / earthquake / etc., in the first place? Do they lack that extra step of Faith? Is it not merely God letting Satan loose and then stopping him when the bet is won? Or is it God punishing them for some transgression. Either way, their Faith, like Job's is strengthened! And is that not reward enough to a good and faithful servant?

So, yes, I came to like Job too – it’s a good choice.

[James Hutchins]

Re: My introduction post

..................
James: I think you don't quite understand anything I say. I am not here asking for pity. Just feel as though some of the people here have been a little unorthodox with their approach to the people who are unsaved. I never intended to make you feel hurt or make you think I was slapping you in your face. I would not do something like that intentionally and I deeply apologize if my words did so. Even though you say such things as "No wonder no one likes you anywhere". In truth I am liked by many people and have many friends of which come from a variety of political and religious upbringings. I am not here to flame you or question your faith. I have not questioned your faith or the fact that you are not saved. I believe you all are saved. It is you who think I am not.................

You know Gary, some of your hurtful words really cut deep. I have been a True Christian nearly my entire life. I live by God's word and never deviate from His written Word as transcribed in the KJV Bible.

Just so you can see how hurtful and disturbing your cruel, cold words are, this is from your quote above:

I think you don't quite understand anything I say.

Then you say:

No wonder no one likes you anywhere

Then you try to twist it up and confuse me by saying:

It is you who think I am not

No one who is Saved(c) would ever deliberately hurt another living thing, be it a person or an animal, correct? But you've hurt me.

[GaryfromtheUS]

Re: My introduction post

Nobar: It was not rude it was constructive criticism. I understand that can be hard to swallow sometimes. It is difficult for most of us. And I am not using Jesus or your beliefs against you at all. I simply felt it was wrong how some of the other posters were being treated. What is so wrong with that?

Professor: My friend, you do raise some very good points. Interesting you chose books from each testament. Tell me, should we follow the Old Testament to the "T" and the New Testament to the "T" or both? I would find it difficult to follow both as the Old testament is more an eye for an eye and the New Testament is more about forgiveness. As you are a sensible man I know you won't blow my question out of context or think I am being sarcastic.

Capt. Portway: Thank you sir for the kind welcome. I am starting to see that most of you here are fair and just people.

Palmer: I haven't given anyone a death threat or attacked anyone what so ever. I'm sorry if anyone feels that way. But hey I understand some may feel that I have some how attacked them so again I apologize. I am not here to make enemies.

Billy Bob: You are well aware of what I meant. You are taking what I said out of context. If it would make you happy I will say this. If we become perfect once we are saved then we should help the imperfect become perfect and not be so quick to shun them. Can you agree with me there?

Ezekiel: I do believe some come here to go on a rant and shame on them for bringing turmoil to your peaceful forum. Some seem to think I have come here to attack people but that wasn't my point. Sadly many felt that way. And you are right it's the false Christians that you have to watch out for. My mom is extreme catholic and I have to here her rant. I am happy to
hear of your financial stability within your organization. It seems you will be set-up quite nicely for next year as well. As for the Book of Job, it is hard for a lot of Christians to accept that God would allow his most faithful servant to be torture in such a way. But Job's faith is impeccable.

[GaryfromtheUS]

Re: My introduction post

tl;dr

Gary, I lost interest in your 'poor me' rambling after the first sentence. Infact, I was and am terribly hurt by the words you bantered about. I tried to reach out to you only to be slapped in the face. Not very Christian, I must say. No wonder no one likes you anywhere. Poor baby Jesus must hold His head in His hands and weep when he thinks of you.

Son, I'll close by saying everyone is an outsider until they let Jesus into their heart. Do not shut Him out.

James it was you who said "No wonder no one likes you any where". Please don't twist things around. If you want to quote me please quote my actual words not words that I used to quote you. Why would you say such a hateful thing to me? And if a truly saved person would never deliberately hurt another person, so why have you? I hope you weren't being serious. Or is that your attempt to discredit me?

[Billy Bob Jenkins]

Re: My introduction post

Billy Bob: You are well aware of what I meant. You are taking what I said out of context. If it would make you happy I will say this. If we become perfect once we are saved then we should help the imperfect become perfect and not be so quick to shun them. Can you agree with me there?

Wrong again, Gary.

2nd Chronicles19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

You really should start taking your opinions from scripture, instead of making up God's will according to your whims.