10-09-2009, 02:23 PM
William is a wretched sinner, justly deserving of God's displeasure, and without hope, save in His marvelous grace.
How's that for an introduction? That's the most important thing I could say!
I was saved, one month before my twentieth birthday, from a life of agnosticism, the occult, immorality, and a hopeless addiction to politics and political involvement. A teenage girl had witnessed to me faithfully for two solid years, despite my rudeness and hostility, and, when I was nearly at the point of suicide, she and her mother led me to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, in their living room. I was saved by taking God at His word, and receiving Christ, according to John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
That was forty years ago.
I am a father and grandfather. I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and the Pensacola Bible Institute. I have worked as a schoolteacher, a taxi driver, a government bureaucrat, a convenience store clerk, a freelance writer for print publications, and, for several brief but blessed years, the pastor of an independent, Bible-believing Baptist church.
By "Bible-believing," I'm referring to the King James Bible. I was blessed with many good and faithful teachers and mentors, from the very beginning of my Christian life, but they used multiple modern versions, so I did, too. I did not learn the truth about the unique authority of the King James Bible for thirteen years after my conversion. Some people are stubborn, and some are stupid; I hope that I was in the former group, but I was probably in both! When I learned the truth, I went to the Pensacola Bible Institute, like a moth to the flame, and made the acquaintance of Dr. Peter S. Ruckman, who became my pastor, mentor, and friend. He is an imperfect man and an abrasive personality, but, without giving him praise, he is also the wisest man I have ever known, and probably the kindest.
Anyway, that's William. It's one of the highest privileges of my life to serve in this forum, with these other Administrators. Despite the title, our role is "servant:" God's first, then of the members.
God bless you, and thanks for taking the time to read this!
How's that for an introduction? That's the most important thing I could say!
I was saved, one month before my twentieth birthday, from a life of agnosticism, the occult, immorality, and a hopeless addiction to politics and political involvement. A teenage girl had witnessed to me faithfully for two solid years, despite my rudeness and hostility, and, when I was nearly at the point of suicide, she and her mother led me to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, in their living room. I was saved by taking God at His word, and receiving Christ, according to John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
That was forty years ago.
I am a father and grandfather. I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and the Pensacola Bible Institute. I have worked as a schoolteacher, a taxi driver, a government bureaucrat, a convenience store clerk, a freelance writer for print publications, and, for several brief but blessed years, the pastor of an independent, Bible-believing Baptist church.
By "Bible-believing," I'm referring to the King James Bible. I was blessed with many good and faithful teachers and mentors, from the very beginning of my Christian life, but they used multiple modern versions, so I did, too. I did not learn the truth about the unique authority of the King James Bible for thirteen years after my conversion. Some people are stubborn, and some are stupid; I hope that I was in the former group, but I was probably in both! When I learned the truth, I went to the Pensacola Bible Institute, like a moth to the flame, and made the acquaintance of Dr. Peter S. Ruckman, who became my pastor, mentor, and friend. He is an imperfect man and an abrasive personality, but, without giving him praise, he is also the wisest man I have ever known, and probably the kindest.
Anyway, that's William. It's one of the highest privileges of my life to serve in this forum, with these other Administrators. Despite the title, our role is "servant:" God's first, then of the members.
God bless you, and thanks for taking the time to read this!