[Bob4God]

I would like to apologize to all my church brethren for my long absence from these GODly forums.

Six weeks ago I had an encounter that changed my life momentarily.

I had gone back home to visit my family in Kansas and while I was there GOD gave me the opportunity to witness to one of two atheists that I know to exist in an otherwise GODly state.

She's your typical angry atheist. I argued for JESUS CHRIST passionately for hours, explaining His adventure as a man-God on Earth, His daring sacrifice, and glorious resurrection.

She had heard it all before and would not budge from her stubborn magical atheist thinking.

Eventually she insisted it was her turn to talk and she asked me a single question.

How did I know that, if GOD is real, He was who the Bible says? How did I know that when I died and went to Heaven I wouldn't find myself face to face with the ultimate tyrant, an all-seeing, all-knowing beast to whom I have vowed to serve for eternity? Why would I even want to be bound up in servitude to anything?

I was taken aback. Honestly nobody ever asked me this before, at least not like this.

I spent a moment thinking and told her that I know from reading the Bible and my personal relationship with GOD that He isn't a tyrant. He's not a tyrant, He's just a disappointed father.

Yes, He can see all and does watch us every waking moment of the day, but that's His job!

She was dissatisfied with my answer and insisted that I have no right to dismiss other gods until I dismiss them all.

I came back home to Iowa still thinking about the question. How do I know this isn't a trick? What if Satan was right all along and he was fighting valiantly to undo the greatest totalitarian state in history?

The moment the thought entered my head I felt a chill race down my spine. I fell to my knees and begged immediately for GOD to forgive me for considering that Satan might be right about anything and went to sleep.

The next morning I was ready to resume my normal life. I couldn't. For weeks I wrestled with doubts.

Suppose GOD wasn't there, or worse, suppose He was but was a liar.

Suppose everything I built my life and identity on was wrong.

I was in a state of near-panic some days.

Then finally I was on my way into the gun store one morning, still unable to forget about my encounter. There were so many things I should've said that I didn't.

I hadn't felt so low in all my life. I had failed my witnessing attempt. I had failed my LORD and SAVIOR. I had suffered a woman to teach and usurp authority over a man, and the result was that she shook my faith.

I breathed a prayer for forgiveness again.

While begging GOD to forgive me for my thoughts of doubt, I accidentally ran through a red light and was nearly struck from the side by a UPS truck.

I landed safely on the other side of the intersection and just came to a stop. The truck went on after issuing a loud honk from his horn and nobody else seemed to have noticed.

I haven't spoken or written about it till just now, but I truly believe this was a warning sign from GOD. He wasn't angry because I had failed in witnessing to this woman, He was angry that I had left my mind unguarded long enough for her to slip her womanly seeds of sin into my brain, as Eve did to Adam 6,000 years ago.

I apologized again to GOD for allowing myself to entertain thoughts that He was a cosmic Adolf Hitler and thanked Him for not killing me in the intersection.

I was nearly killed! My heart was racing and I felt a cold sweat on my forehead. But He had spared my life!

All at once I understood again why I was a Christian! I want to live forever! Only GOD can give me such a gift, and He wants to give it to me!

He isn't a tyrant, I know He isn't. A tyrant is defined on the Google as "any person who exercises power in a cruel way."

Well first of all, GOD isn't a person, He's GOD, so He can't be a tyrant! GOD simply punishes people who are bad!

I live my life to please GOD and will literally do whatever He asks, even if it means death for me or others. Why serve GOD in such a way?

Because He controls the tap of life, and I don't want to give Him a reason to cut me off. Is this servitude out of fear or intimidation? Of course not.

It's common sense. Common sense tells you not to do stupid things that will get you killed, and offending GOD is one of those things. So I avoid it.

The same way a parent must whack his child with a stick or a belt to teach him to do right, GOD also sends the occasional UPS truck careening our way to remind us to be good.

I thank Him daily now for the whole experience, and I am glad to be here to share it with all of you!

[Pastor William Nathaniel Sampson]

This is a truly inspired message, brother Bob. It took a lot of courage to admit such a thing. I know Jesus will reward you for it in the afterlife.

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I think we need to go on a retreat together to you can properly reconnect with God. The Holy Spirit is telling me that if we can surround ourselves around and pray over you, it should clear things up for you again.

That's the thing I always do when I have questions. I take them to the congregation. That way they can all work to consult with me, so we can work these things out together.

That's why you will always find my office door open. It's that or I will come to you if you miss another Sunday.

[Capt. Aaron Portway]

Originally Posted by Bob4God

VERY POWERFUL TESTIMONY AS TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE POWER OF FAITH SNIPPED

That explains why there were several broken figurines in my last order from Precious Moments! The UPS driver never mentioned almost killing somebody when I signed for the package either!

Next time you're gonna have a crisis of faith, let me know! I would never have placed an order if I knew Satan was going to be in town trying to tempt you to backslide! Thank God that The Joy of the Lord My Strength wasn't damaged, they don't make it any more! This one was made in 1985, it's highly collectible!