Thoughts for a new year, 2005...

Steve Starman · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject: Thoughts for a new year, 2005...

Greetings, Forum folks,

I want to start 2005 out with a positive note regarding this Forum, and by extension, all of you.

First and foremost, I wish to thank God for the unspeakable gift of the Messiah, Jesus Christ: my Source, Guide and Goal.

I also wish to give warm and grateful thanks to Eugene and CTC (Come to Christ Ministry) for all of the time, effort and expense to keep this ministry and 'gathering place' running smoothly.

It is not a simple thing to design and operate a Forum such as this one, where every person of every belief system can come and converse. There are times when people get upset that postings move, etc, but remember that Gene's first desire of this Forum is to teach what he believes to be present Truth, that God has mandated him to spread far and wide. That means there must be a way to differentiate between the teachings of his ministry, versus the almost infinity of other religious subjects and views. I believe Eugene and CTC do this difficult job well. If you are troubled with the management system, just try to visualize how you would handle it, if you were in the position of responsibility.

I have received a tremendous blessing from this ministry. The quality of the (dare I say it) Biblical scholarship found here has challenged me to the depth of my spiritual being. I have rediscovered the Bible to be the living and powerful word of God--even more than I have in the past. I awaken each morning very excited to spend an hour or two in private Bible study. Each morning I expect God to bless my mind and life, and He does without fail. I had begun to read so many books and treatises on others' views about what the Bible says and means, that I had begun to disconnect from it--during a time when I was exegeting prophetic Scripture! It sounds mad, but it happens very easily. When studying prophecy, it becomes far too easy to lean on the 'arm of man' to interpret. That is lazy and ineffectual, in my view--and I was wrong to do it. Now, I study Scripture to understand what IT says first, and then move on to others' views.

I offer thanks to all of the Forum viewers and members that have read and/or contributed to my postings. I appreciate each and all--whether you responded positively or rebuked me in Christian love (or otherwise Laughing

). To each poster of other threads I also say thank you, for using your energies and thoughts to contribute to this rather odd 'community.'

2004 was an amazing year for me in my Christian walk. God is using me: a sinful, weak, erring man--but saved by the richness of Christ's life and death--to work for Him. I am eternally grateful for the priviledge and trust that He has given. Jesus is coming VERY soon!
God bless you all, and a very joy-filled New Year to you--
Steve