V
Vanguard
Guest
I grew up as a Southern Baptist, attending church with my parents. I was saved at the age of 12, on Mother's Day, and baptized shortly thereafter. I was the youngest of three children, and lived through a happy childhood. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I started recognizing that my family was not the "all American" family that I thought it was (I was naive).
My father had a massive gambling addiction. He would lose entire paychecks on the ballgames playing over the weekend. When the bills would fall behind, he and my mother would get into yelling matches. He probably threw away over $50k by the time I was 18. He was a pipe and cigar smoker, he drank at night, and I am fairly certain he cheated on her once. Through it all, she never divorced him. Fortunately I learned through him what not to do. I do not smoke, drink, gamble, or cheat on my wife.
In school, I was that kid who never studied but made straight A's anyway. I have a semi-photographic memory, and could recall my teachers' lectures during test time. I would blaze through the tests, often finishing 10-15 minutes ahead of everyone else. I was labeled a nerd by my peers.
By the time I was in junior high, I wanted to fit in. I let my grades slide, started listening to heavy metal music, wore black concert t-shirts, grew my hair long, got an earring, and hung out with the "metal heads." I witnessed drug use, shoplifting, premarital sex, etc. My disguise was a facade. Through it all, I never touched alcohol or drugs. By the time I was a senior, my grades came back up, and I was known as one of the best literary writers in my school (my class graduated 300). I was a band member from 7th - 12th grade, having played the drums (still do).
After high school I enlisted in the US Army. I was 11 Bravo (infantry) but never went anywhere. From there I started college and dabbled with my core classes while trying to decide on a major. I was originally headed for sports medicine, but opted for criminal justice instead. I finished my degree in CRJ/Law and played around for several more years before going to police academy.
As a cop, I have seen the evils of the world. Most will never have to go through what I have experienced. My job makes you question God.
I met my wife in 2000 and have been with her since. We have a four year old son who is my spitting image (even his attitude). Everything I do is for the love of my family.
I always identified myself as a Christian, though I often wondered why. Yes I had my early upbringing in the church, but as I gained in knowledge and wisdom, I began to see faults. I have a naturally inquisitive mind, so I asked questions, looked for answers, and broke out of the "KJV only SB" mold.
Research is a BIG hobby of mine. If I take an interest in a subject, I dive headlong into it and don't come up for air too often. I never take things for granted or at face value. Every coin has an opposite side. Every story has alternate renditions. There is dark and light in everything.
Without trying to sound arrogant, I have a gift. When I write, the words flow from my mind onto the page with ease. I've always been able to do that. I've always been able to express myself, convey ideas or illustrate a point on paper quite easily. I sincerely believe I missed my calling as a professional writer. However, it is never too late to start.
People often ask me, "why do you think or believe the way you do"? I am an outside-of-the-box type of thinker. I try to look at the bigger picture. I don't settle for vague, cop-out answers. I want to KNOW!
As a student of history, I look at numerous different factors that might govern an outcome. With regard to biblical history, there is so much more to the 4,000 BC - 200 AD era than what is written in the Bible. I look at political factors between the people. I look at wars and conflicts. I design psychological profiles (it's part of what I do as a CSI cop) of interesting figures. Whether it is 2,000 BC or 2,000 AD, humans act the same at the basic levels.
Am I a Christian? Yes.
Do I believe in God? Yes.
Do I believe that Jesus is God's son, and that He died for our sins, and that by asking Him to save us we are granted salvation? Yes.
Everything else is subjective, contextual, and argumentative. Did the early and middle Christian writers claim that they were anointed and divinely inspired? Yes. So did the translators for the NWT, yet we quickly shun them. Who are we to judge? I personally do not think they "have it right," but I remain civil toward them.
My posts are designed to be thought provoking. I engage with people to get them to actually read and understand what is in the Bible. If someone is stuck on the KJV only, they will fall behind on my threads. I use no less than 8 different translations, 2 concordances, and study the Hebrew and Greek.
I speak my mind, I don't sugarcoat things, and here's the kicker...what I say in my threads when talking about a subject, may NOT be my actual belief on that subject! However, in the interest of study, I often present material that is subjective and assume the role of devil's advocate. I want people to think for themselves, break out of their safe little shells, and really get into the heart of religion.
I get aggravated at those that keep spitting the same info over and over, even after they have been proven wrong or shown an alternate reading. I have no problems with the KJV, but those who swear by it as the only version, can't grasp or rationalize on the same level as me. They are blinded by it. It's like talking to a brick wall. However, I try to refrain from making anything personal. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and walk away.
I also believe that science can explain a lot of the events in the Bible. People back then would turn to the supernatural when they did not understand something. Not everything has to be a miracle. It could simply be an act of nature. However, God formulated the laws of nature, so that in the end, it is still His work.
I say all of that to lead to this...I know I am being called to the ministry. I always have that "little voice" in my head, guiding me and shaping my thoughts. I believe in guardian angels, because there have been too many times that I have been spared, for it to be coincidental. I also believe in ESP and its various studies. As a child I would dream about things, and within a short amount of time those things would happen, triggering de javu. Jesus speaks of gifts...mine might be prophecy. This country; this world needs a spiritual revolution with Christianity. I pray I am a part of it.
It is for the above reason that I am now studying theology, and working my way toward a PhD in the field.
Anyway, there it is. Nothing fancy, just honest.
My father had a massive gambling addiction. He would lose entire paychecks on the ballgames playing over the weekend. When the bills would fall behind, he and my mother would get into yelling matches. He probably threw away over $50k by the time I was 18. He was a pipe and cigar smoker, he drank at night, and I am fairly certain he cheated on her once. Through it all, she never divorced him. Fortunately I learned through him what not to do. I do not smoke, drink, gamble, or cheat on my wife.
In school, I was that kid who never studied but made straight A's anyway. I have a semi-photographic memory, and could recall my teachers' lectures during test time. I would blaze through the tests, often finishing 10-15 minutes ahead of everyone else. I was labeled a nerd by my peers.
By the time I was in junior high, I wanted to fit in. I let my grades slide, started listening to heavy metal music, wore black concert t-shirts, grew my hair long, got an earring, and hung out with the "metal heads." I witnessed drug use, shoplifting, premarital sex, etc. My disguise was a facade. Through it all, I never touched alcohol or drugs. By the time I was a senior, my grades came back up, and I was known as one of the best literary writers in my school (my class graduated 300). I was a band member from 7th - 12th grade, having played the drums (still do).
After high school I enlisted in the US Army. I was 11 Bravo (infantry) but never went anywhere. From there I started college and dabbled with my core classes while trying to decide on a major. I was originally headed for sports medicine, but opted for criminal justice instead. I finished my degree in CRJ/Law and played around for several more years before going to police academy.
As a cop, I have seen the evils of the world. Most will never have to go through what I have experienced. My job makes you question God.
I met my wife in 2000 and have been with her since. We have a four year old son who is my spitting image (even his attitude). Everything I do is for the love of my family.
I always identified myself as a Christian, though I often wondered why. Yes I had my early upbringing in the church, but as I gained in knowledge and wisdom, I began to see faults. I have a naturally inquisitive mind, so I asked questions, looked for answers, and broke out of the "KJV only SB" mold.
Research is a BIG hobby of mine. If I take an interest in a subject, I dive headlong into it and don't come up for air too often. I never take things for granted or at face value. Every coin has an opposite side. Every story has alternate renditions. There is dark and light in everything.
Without trying to sound arrogant, I have a gift. When I write, the words flow from my mind onto the page with ease. I've always been able to do that. I've always been able to express myself, convey ideas or illustrate a point on paper quite easily. I sincerely believe I missed my calling as a professional writer. However, it is never too late to start.
People often ask me, "why do you think or believe the way you do"? I am an outside-of-the-box type of thinker. I try to look at the bigger picture. I don't settle for vague, cop-out answers. I want to KNOW!
As a student of history, I look at numerous different factors that might govern an outcome. With regard to biblical history, there is so much more to the 4,000 BC - 200 AD era than what is written in the Bible. I look at political factors between the people. I look at wars and conflicts. I design psychological profiles (it's part of what I do as a CSI cop) of interesting figures. Whether it is 2,000 BC or 2,000 AD, humans act the same at the basic levels.
Am I a Christian? Yes.
Do I believe in God? Yes.
Do I believe that Jesus is God's son, and that He died for our sins, and that by asking Him to save us we are granted salvation? Yes.
Everything else is subjective, contextual, and argumentative. Did the early and middle Christian writers claim that they were anointed and divinely inspired? Yes. So did the translators for the NWT, yet we quickly shun them. Who are we to judge? I personally do not think they "have it right," but I remain civil toward them.
My posts are designed to be thought provoking. I engage with people to get them to actually read and understand what is in the Bible. If someone is stuck on the KJV only, they will fall behind on my threads. I use no less than 8 different translations, 2 concordances, and study the Hebrew and Greek.
I speak my mind, I don't sugarcoat things, and here's the kicker...what I say in my threads when talking about a subject, may NOT be my actual belief on that subject! However, in the interest of study, I often present material that is subjective and assume the role of devil's advocate. I want people to think for themselves, break out of their safe little shells, and really get into the heart of religion.
I get aggravated at those that keep spitting the same info over and over, even after they have been proven wrong or shown an alternate reading. I have no problems with the KJV, but those who swear by it as the only version, can't grasp or rationalize on the same level as me. They are blinded by it. It's like talking to a brick wall. However, I try to refrain from making anything personal. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and walk away.
I also believe that science can explain a lot of the events in the Bible. People back then would turn to the supernatural when they did not understand something. Not everything has to be a miracle. It could simply be an act of nature. However, God formulated the laws of nature, so that in the end, it is still His work.
I say all of that to lead to this...I know I am being called to the ministry. I always have that "little voice" in my head, guiding me and shaping my thoughts. I believe in guardian angels, because there have been too many times that I have been spared, for it to be coincidental. I also believe in ESP and its various studies. As a child I would dream about things, and within a short amount of time those things would happen, triggering de javu. Jesus speaks of gifts...mine might be prophecy. This country; this world needs a spiritual revolution with Christianity. I pray I am a part of it.
It is for the above reason that I am now studying theology, and working my way toward a PhD in the field.
Anyway, there it is. Nothing fancy, just honest.
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