Dear Friend, What a wonderful life I have experienced. Oh, I don't mean it's just been wonderful, but when I look back now at the experiences, both good and bad, and how they've brought me to the place I am today. Inside, I am better, more secure, independent of the world and dependent on God, and there is a constant peace.
I could be sad that I've experienced divorce, but it's awesome that I was blessed with the experience of having been close enough with someone to enjoy all the joy that comes with intimacy within marriage. And, to bring beautiful children into the world, to help them grow into maturity, with lives of their own now. What a blessing.
My Father was an alcoholic and a womanizer for many years and I hated him until I was 27. Today, we are closer than ever. It is sad to see the affect that alcohol and an ungodly lifestyle has had on his mind and body, but it is awesome to see enough of the father I so wanted, that is left of him for me to enjoy now.
My Mother suffered many years with Bi-Polar before even knowing what was happening to her. At times it caused much heartache and stress within the family. I could grieve over the loss of love and struggles that caused us, as children, growing up, but today, she has, not only had medical treatment for it, but is much better at dealing with it. And so now, we are able to spend quality time together.
As a runaway teen, I can remember selling blood to buy drugs, and stealing food and life was very rough for a number of years. I could be sad for such a troubled start at life, but today I am thankful for have gotten a G.E.D. and to have retired from the military.
Even though I did not know God in those days, He knew me. His love for me was constant, meticulous, and patient. In time, he would use my hard edge, strong will, and desire to be something someday, to bring me to know Himself.
My first Job in the Air Force was at Cape Canaveral, Fl., typing launch countdown sequences for Rockets. I was also an escort to DVs during the 1st 4 shuttle Launches. Then I went to the Pentagon for 4 1/2 years as the Secretary of The Air Forces' Supply man. I went from there to Hickam AFB Hi. and was NCOIC of Protocol.
I was in Protocol for nearly the rest of my career and met all kinds of people. Big Wigs... some nice, some not so nice. I retired with 23 years of service, with the 6yrs Army added. 3 MSMs, 3 AFCMs, 3 AFAMs, and 1 JCM. I have been to Alaska, Portugal, Germany, Hawaii, and 47 states... I've watched Ice Burgs dwarf cruise ships in the bay near Anchorage, Bears fish barehanded... hehe...
I watched 3 F16s come up to the back of a Kc10 and refuel over the Pacific as I laid in the tail window. I've climbed the highest mountain in HI and watched the sun go down in the ocean that night and come up out of it the next morning. Seen guards walk behind the Iron Curtain between Germany and Russia, The Aurora Borealis (northern lights) in Fairbanks Ak, Volcano Plumes on the big Island, Rockets and Shuttles take off.
I've seen underwater missiles take off from submarines and dove off 60 feet cliffs into the ocean, swam with every kind of fish there is, and skied on every form of water, but the greatest thing I've ever seen was watching my 3 children born. God has let me see many things in this world , including death, and He has brought me all the way back where I started, here in N.C. Through all of it I see His Love, Grace, even Mercy... And lots of patience and forgiveness. I am trying to share His-story with everyone now.
In our relationship together, He has cut away many things that kept us separated for so long, and He is still doing a work in me.
But the greatest thing He has done for me has been revealing to me His Love. I don't know why me, but I am so thankful, because it is the greatest thing I could ever have received. The more about Love I learn, the deeper into Love I am plunged. I can't keep it in. I can't shut up about it. It's power over those I share it with is visible, amazing, and life changing. Those that I don't think the love is working on right now, come back later and tell me how it begin to work and grow in them.
It is what has changed my view about all the pain I have endured in my life. Love has made me feel loved like never before, and love has allowed me to love like never before.
Walking in a Spirit of Love, is an amazing thing to watch. Most amazing to me is to see for myself, and to know in my mind that it is NOT me that is generating this amazing power.
Before, I always believed that I knew where I was going and very concerned about what would happen. Today, with Love, I do not know where I am going now and not concerned at all what will happen.
In trying to be loved I struggled with sin, but understanding love has made me to sin less and loved even more. Walking in Love changes the way we perceive the whole world.
I was listening to a sermon the other day that was using the Old Testament to threaten the listeners into repentance. Walking in love, I was able to travel backwards in the Spirit towards the time when Gods' prophet wrote those words.
On my way back towards that time in His-story, I passed by the Cross and I saw the threats of the Old Testament nailed there into the hands and feet of Love. I traveled a little further back in time to when He said, "Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets, but to complete and fulfill them".
Walking in a Spirit of Love allows you to understand that when God says something has been fulfilled, that IT IS FINISHED, "no refills", Amen?
I want everyone to know this love, and God is waiting to fill up every heart with Himself - LOVE so that you may Walk in a Spirit of Love. Keep Searching my friend.
I love you.
by: Preston Pittman
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
Showing posts with label Keep Searching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keep Searching. Show all posts
Is That All There Is?
This thought of being laid to rest,
a hoax it seems to me at best.
Does it refer to skin and bone,
and all the thoughts we've ever known.
Since long before my final day,
those things began to fall away.
What care have I of things that rot,
though, to me, these things... they restith not.
Nor will the spirit ever lay to rest,
not for the worst nor for the best.
The spirit given up at death by thee,
lives on throughout eternity.
Is this the point of rest for you,
where forever will be set for two.
One, for where death awaits for some,
a death who's rest will never come.
The other, where rest awaits in great amaze,
but is traded for our eternal praise.
This thought of being laid to rest,
a hoax it seems to me at best.
By Preston Pittman
I'm back my friend, and I hope you're continuing your search for God. The poem, this time, may sound like a dark way to start off this section of our study together, but the material I want to cover with you today will fit with the point within this poem. So, here we go!
I know, today... that God was always drawing me to Himself... and that may be getting ahead of your belief just yet... but, one of the things that seemed to help me get closer to believing was my look into the issue of death.
This may seem odd to some, but I think you may have considered it too, because of the depths of your thinking. I know you agree there are so many people who think that when you die... "That's It". When the brain stops getting what it needs to continue functioning, so will the thought processes. It's just simple science... but is that all there is?
I have experienced times, when my thoughts were brought toward one end... while, it seemed, something inside of me was set toward another end. No matter what calculations, pre-existing rules, or facts there were, which assured my decision... there was sometimes this, separate conflicting persuasion. At times it made no since... contrary to what I had fixed my mind to, but quite certain of itself. It just didn't seem like me at all. It was different than the, "Oh I want that shiny car... no you can't afford it", which I understood as reasoning. This was something not of my own and I wanted to understand it.
Now, I have read of the concept of dualism. Not a new concept, in fact, it was accepted in ancient Greece. But, there is an example recorded in the Bible, thousands of years before Greece came to exist. The ancient scriptures in the book of Genesis say that mankind was created in God's image and Adam was breathed with the spirit before he became alive.
From this account in Genesis, we can see that Adam was not totally made of a physical body but more importantly, a spirit breathed by God into him. Without this spirit, Adam would not be alive. This is the basic premise held by religious believers behind their belief that the body merely houses the spirit. Plato and Aristotle had touched on the mind-body link... pointing out that the human mind or soul could not be part of the physical body. But it was Rene Descartes that discussed this concept in detail. Descartes believed that the immaterial mind and the material body are two completely different things. They are not one. That is why they function differently. They can only interact with each other but not be one.
Rene Descartes argued that the mind and body are distinct and separate. This is the first point of Cartesian Dualism. According to Cartesian thought, man looks upon his world as a direct reflection of him, his values, beliefs, experiences, conditions and development. Being a rationalist, Descartes asserts that clarity of perceptions of intellect is the best way to gain knowledge. The information derived from the senses merely helps us to live in a practical manner.
Descartes explored his beliefs by starting with doubting or questioning his own beliefs so he could arrive at what he thought is certain. In this experiment, he pointed out the fact that he could doubt if he had a body by convincing himself and thinking that he could either be dreaming of it or it is an illusion created by evil, but he could never question the reality of his mind.
This served as the first basis for his theory that mind and body are totally different. The mind is conscious and self-aware unlike the brain, which is the seat of intelligence. The brain is part of the physical body but the mind or the spirit is not. The mind interacts with the physical body through the brain, more specifically, through the pineal gland in the middle of the two hemispheres of the brain. In Meditation VI Descartes stated: "I have a clear and distinct idea of myself as a thinking, non-extended thing, and a clear and distinct idea of body as an extended and non-thinking thing. Whatever I can conceive clearly and distinctly, God can so create", he says.
The body could be divided up by removing a leg or arm, but the spirit is indivisible. The mind is not only indivisible but also invisible and immortal. The body is the exact opposite being visible, mortal and divisible. The spirit in Descartes explanation is a "thinking thing" and immaterial. This "thing" is capable of doubting, believing, hoping and thinking on its own.
How man will ever find something which is totally invisible leaves great doubt, but for the reasoning man, it is still very real. Regardless, the bible teaches throughout, that our bodies are temporal and that our spirit is eternal. It teaches us that there are only two places that these spirit will exist throughout eternity.
People who have died and were brought back to life and others who came back through, what can only be explained as a miracle... give us again, an even greater puzzle to consider.
Often, they speak of "out of body" or "near death" experiences. Images of themselves below them surrounded by medical technicians trying to revive their now, "lifeless" body. Even more revealing are accounts of seeing a great light... the presence of spiritual beings... and even more dramatic accounts of seeing hell and heaven.
"Are out of body or near-death experiences real?" Even skeptics now concede that it is a real phenomenon. The question to ask is, "Are these experiences a phenomenon of a person's consciousness being outside of their body?" And if this can be proven true, then the next question is, "Can consciousness survive bodily death?" This last question likely cannot be proven true to the satisfaction of the skeptics using near-death research alone. This is because no matter how you define "death," the only kind of definition that satisfies the skeptics is "irreversible" death. Just the very nature of the phrase "near-death" suggests that it is not true death - where nobody comes back. However, good scientific evidence for survival can be found in other realms of research such as psychic studies, quantum physics, consciousness studies, and remote viewing - not to mention the mountain of circumstantial evidence.
My friend, if you are collecting these letters I am writing to you, there should be already much to suggest "coming on in"... so-to-speak! But I am not anxious about this... I believe the evidence is insurmountable, and I want to come back later with some other things for you to consider. I have great hope for you.
I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
a hoax it seems to me at best.
Does it refer to skin and bone,
and all the thoughts we've ever known.
Since long before my final day,
those things began to fall away.
What care have I of things that rot,
though, to me, these things... they restith not.
Nor will the spirit ever lay to rest,
not for the worst nor for the best.
The spirit given up at death by thee,
lives on throughout eternity.
Is this the point of rest for you,
where forever will be set for two.
One, for where death awaits for some,
a death who's rest will never come.
The other, where rest awaits in great amaze,
but is traded for our eternal praise.
This thought of being laid to rest,
a hoax it seems to me at best.
By Preston Pittman
I'm back my friend, and I hope you're continuing your search for God. The poem, this time, may sound like a dark way to start off this section of our study together, but the material I want to cover with you today will fit with the point within this poem. So, here we go!
I know, today... that God was always drawing me to Himself... and that may be getting ahead of your belief just yet... but, one of the things that seemed to help me get closer to believing was my look into the issue of death.
This may seem odd to some, but I think you may have considered it too, because of the depths of your thinking. I know you agree there are so many people who think that when you die... "That's It". When the brain stops getting what it needs to continue functioning, so will the thought processes. It's just simple science... but is that all there is?
I have experienced times, when my thoughts were brought toward one end... while, it seemed, something inside of me was set toward another end. No matter what calculations, pre-existing rules, or facts there were, which assured my decision... there was sometimes this, separate conflicting persuasion. At times it made no since... contrary to what I had fixed my mind to, but quite certain of itself. It just didn't seem like me at all. It was different than the, "Oh I want that shiny car... no you can't afford it", which I understood as reasoning. This was something not of my own and I wanted to understand it.
Now, I have read of the concept of dualism. Not a new concept, in fact, it was accepted in ancient Greece. But, there is an example recorded in the Bible, thousands of years before Greece came to exist. The ancient scriptures in the book of Genesis say that mankind was created in God's image and Adam was breathed with the spirit before he became alive.
From this account in Genesis, we can see that Adam was not totally made of a physical body but more importantly, a spirit breathed by God into him. Without this spirit, Adam would not be alive. This is the basic premise held by religious believers behind their belief that the body merely houses the spirit. Plato and Aristotle had touched on the mind-body link... pointing out that the human mind or soul could not be part of the physical body. But it was Rene Descartes that discussed this concept in detail. Descartes believed that the immaterial mind and the material body are two completely different things. They are not one. That is why they function differently. They can only interact with each other but not be one.
Rene Descartes argued that the mind and body are distinct and separate. This is the first point of Cartesian Dualism. According to Cartesian thought, man looks upon his world as a direct reflection of him, his values, beliefs, experiences, conditions and development. Being a rationalist, Descartes asserts that clarity of perceptions of intellect is the best way to gain knowledge. The information derived from the senses merely helps us to live in a practical manner.
Descartes explored his beliefs by starting with doubting or questioning his own beliefs so he could arrive at what he thought is certain. In this experiment, he pointed out the fact that he could doubt if he had a body by convincing himself and thinking that he could either be dreaming of it or it is an illusion created by evil, but he could never question the reality of his mind.
This served as the first basis for his theory that mind and body are totally different. The mind is conscious and self-aware unlike the brain, which is the seat of intelligence. The brain is part of the physical body but the mind or the spirit is not. The mind interacts with the physical body through the brain, more specifically, through the pineal gland in the middle of the two hemispheres of the brain. In Meditation VI Descartes stated: "I have a clear and distinct idea of myself as a thinking, non-extended thing, and a clear and distinct idea of body as an extended and non-thinking thing. Whatever I can conceive clearly and distinctly, God can so create", he says.
The body could be divided up by removing a leg or arm, but the spirit is indivisible. The mind is not only indivisible but also invisible and immortal. The body is the exact opposite being visible, mortal and divisible. The spirit in Descartes explanation is a "thinking thing" and immaterial. This "thing" is capable of doubting, believing, hoping and thinking on its own.
How man will ever find something which is totally invisible leaves great doubt, but for the reasoning man, it is still very real. Regardless, the bible teaches throughout, that our bodies are temporal and that our spirit is eternal. It teaches us that there are only two places that these spirit will exist throughout eternity.
People who have died and were brought back to life and others who came back through, what can only be explained as a miracle... give us again, an even greater puzzle to consider.
Often, they speak of "out of body" or "near death" experiences. Images of themselves below them surrounded by medical technicians trying to revive their now, "lifeless" body. Even more revealing are accounts of seeing a great light... the presence of spiritual beings... and even more dramatic accounts of seeing hell and heaven.
"Are out of body or near-death experiences real?" Even skeptics now concede that it is a real phenomenon. The question to ask is, "Are these experiences a phenomenon of a person's consciousness being outside of their body?" And if this can be proven true, then the next question is, "Can consciousness survive bodily death?" This last question likely cannot be proven true to the satisfaction of the skeptics using near-death research alone. This is because no matter how you define "death," the only kind of definition that satisfies the skeptics is "irreversible" death. Just the very nature of the phrase "near-death" suggests that it is not true death - where nobody comes back. However, good scientific evidence for survival can be found in other realms of research such as psychic studies, quantum physics, consciousness studies, and remote viewing - not to mention the mountain of circumstantial evidence.
My friend, if you are collecting these letters I am writing to you, there should be already much to suggest "coming on in"... so-to-speak! But I am not anxious about this... I believe the evidence is insurmountable, and I want to come back later with some other things for you to consider. I have great hope for you.
I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
A Trail of Great Design
Oh how I've search for the truth,
even since the days of youth.
Taking things apart to find,
if it worked as it had in my mind.
The mysteries were always there,
drawing me to stop and stare.
Then one day it occurred to me,
the lure was not to all the mystery.
For in all those wonders so divine,
there laid a trail of great design.
For behind a design there must be a mind,
so this became my quest for to find.
Always on the edge of my belief,
yet, the design lay in one great motif.
Then I found what seemed to be His plan,
but was it the work of common man.
Now my search since from my youth,
was focused on what's called His truth.
Closer and closer to truth I'd find,
chipping away at the doubt in my mind.
But my search of truth was not complete,
until I fell before His feet.
By: Preston Pittman
I love you.
Well, dear friend... I hope my other two letters have got you really digging now. As I promised, I have brought with me some examples of non-Christian writings, which add to the reliability of biblical truths. These writings are from ancient documents found, just as similarly as the original bible writings were. And too, these have undergone the same tests of identification of dates, authenticity, etc., as biblical writings. But I think it is important for us to listen to what these non-Christian writers say about Jesus, Christians, and events of their day.
Cornelius Tacitus was a Roman historian who wrote two major works... the "Annals" and the "Histories". Tacitus refers to Christ in the Annals, which he wrote in 115 AD. In this passage he records the great fire that occurred in Rome. Nero, looking for a scapegoat placed the blame on the Christians. Tacitus wrote,
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. (Tacitus, Annals, 15.44)
From this passage we learn several facts. First, we see that the community at large hated Christians for their "abominations." Second, Christians received their name from Christ (Christus in Latin). Third, We see Christ was a historical figure. And Fourth, that Christ died during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD). Fifth, that Christ was put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate. Keep in mind that there was no physical evidence of Pilate until 1971, when a stone tablet was found that marked a building he had made as a monument of some kind. The tablet says it was from Pontius Pilate. Anyway, we continue... Sixth, Christ's death ended the spread of Christianity for a short time. Seventh, Christianity originated in the land of Judea. And finally, that Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire beginning in Judea and spreading even to Rome.
These facts recorded by Tacitus affirm several facts mentioned in the Gospels and the book of Acts.
Thallus in 52 AD, wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean world from the Trojan War to his day. Although much of his work is lost, Julius Africanus writing in 221 AD quotes Thallus. Regarding the death of Christ Thallus wrote,
One the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. (Julius Africanus,Chronography 18.1)
Thallus reveals several facts in this passage. First, the crucifixion account was known in the Mediterranean world. Second, darkness covered the land on the hour of Christ's death. Third, an earthquake shook the city. Fourth unbelievers knew of the supernatural events surrounding the death of Christ and were offering a naturalistic explanation.
Pliny was the governor of Bythnia in Asia Minor. In 112 AD, Pliny writes a letter to Emperor Trajan regarding the Christians. His province was experiencing financial difficulties because his economy depended on the religious festivities surrounding the pagan religions and temples. The spread of Christianity was hurting this industry and he was seeking a way to deal with the Christians. He wrote in his letter the following:
They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food – but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. (Pliny the Younger,Letter, 10:96)
From this passage we learn several facts about early Christianity. First, the Christians worshipped Christ as God. This strikes a serious blow to skeptics who attempt to promote the idea that Christ was a man who was promoted to divine status by Christians in the fourth century AD at the Council of Nicea. Second, the Christians followed closely the ethical code taught by Christ. Third, the "food" Pliny refers to is probably the sacraments of communion which would show this meal was celebrated by the Christians.
Seutonis was the chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). Seutonis first mentions the Christians when he refers to a series of riots that broke out in Rome in 49 AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41- 54 AD). He wrote,
"Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city." (Seutonius,Life of Claudius, 25.4)
In a second reference, he writes regarding Nero's persecution of the Christians.
"After the great fire at Rome …. Punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief." (Seutonius,Life of Nero, 16)
From these two brief references we learn the following. First, the Jews were expelled from Rome during the reign of Claudius (which coincides with Acts 18:2). Second, Christ was the reason for the Jewish riots. Christians referred to believers who followed Christ.
Finally, Lucian was a second century Greek satirist. He spoke very negatively of Christians accusing them of being gullible and believing in a charlatan. He wrote,
The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day – the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…. You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original law giver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely a common property.
There are many more writings like this, my friend, but these should raise the hair on your neck, if you think about it. I will come back to you soon, but I will also be praying for you to consider what I have shared with you and "come on in". There are a great number of believers whom have not heard some of what I am sharing with you, yet they believe. But I know it's important that YOU totally believe or you're just not gonna do it, and that will mean a lot to God when you finally do! Remember... Take your time.
I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
even since the days of youth.
Taking things apart to find,
if it worked as it had in my mind.
The mysteries were always there,
drawing me to stop and stare.
Then one day it occurred to me,
the lure was not to all the mystery.
For in all those wonders so divine,
there laid a trail of great design.
For behind a design there must be a mind,
so this became my quest for to find.
Always on the edge of my belief,
yet, the design lay in one great motif.
Then I found what seemed to be His plan,
but was it the work of common man.
Now my search since from my youth,
was focused on what's called His truth.
Closer and closer to truth I'd find,
chipping away at the doubt in my mind.
But my search of truth was not complete,
until I fell before His feet.
By: Preston Pittman
I love you.
Well, dear friend... I hope my other two letters have got you really digging now. As I promised, I have brought with me some examples of non-Christian writings, which add to the reliability of biblical truths. These writings are from ancient documents found, just as similarly as the original bible writings were. And too, these have undergone the same tests of identification of dates, authenticity, etc., as biblical writings. But I think it is important for us to listen to what these non-Christian writers say about Jesus, Christians, and events of their day.
Cornelius Tacitus was a Roman historian who wrote two major works... the "Annals" and the "Histories". Tacitus refers to Christ in the Annals, which he wrote in 115 AD. In this passage he records the great fire that occurred in Rome. Nero, looking for a scapegoat placed the blame on the Christians. Tacitus wrote,
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judea, the first source of evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. (Tacitus, Annals, 15.44)
From this passage we learn several facts. First, we see that the community at large hated Christians for their "abominations." Second, Christians received their name from Christ (Christus in Latin). Third, We see Christ was a historical figure. And Fourth, that Christ died during the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14-37 AD). Fifth, that Christ was put to death by the procurator Pontius Pilate. Keep in mind that there was no physical evidence of Pilate until 1971, when a stone tablet was found that marked a building he had made as a monument of some kind. The tablet says it was from Pontius Pilate. Anyway, we continue... Sixth, Christ's death ended the spread of Christianity for a short time. Seventh, Christianity originated in the land of Judea. And finally, that Christianity spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire beginning in Judea and spreading even to Rome.
These facts recorded by Tacitus affirm several facts mentioned in the Gospels and the book of Acts.
Thallus in 52 AD, wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean world from the Trojan War to his day. Although much of his work is lost, Julius Africanus writing in 221 AD quotes Thallus. Regarding the death of Christ Thallus wrote,
One the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. (Julius Africanus,Chronography 18.1)
Thallus reveals several facts in this passage. First, the crucifixion account was known in the Mediterranean world. Second, darkness covered the land on the hour of Christ's death. Third, an earthquake shook the city. Fourth unbelievers knew of the supernatural events surrounding the death of Christ and were offering a naturalistic explanation.
Pliny was the governor of Bythnia in Asia Minor. In 112 AD, Pliny writes a letter to Emperor Trajan regarding the Christians. His province was experiencing financial difficulties because his economy depended on the religious festivities surrounding the pagan religions and temples. The spread of Christianity was hurting this industry and he was seeking a way to deal with the Christians. He wrote in his letter the following:
They (the Christians) were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food – but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. (Pliny the Younger,Letter, 10:96)
From this passage we learn several facts about early Christianity. First, the Christians worshipped Christ as God. This strikes a serious blow to skeptics who attempt to promote the idea that Christ was a man who was promoted to divine status by Christians in the fourth century AD at the Council of Nicea. Second, the Christians followed closely the ethical code taught by Christ. Third, the "food" Pliny refers to is probably the sacraments of communion which would show this meal was celebrated by the Christians.
Seutonis was the chief secretary to Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD). Seutonis first mentions the Christians when he refers to a series of riots that broke out in Rome in 49 AD during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41- 54 AD). He wrote,
"Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city." (Seutonius,Life of Claudius, 25.4)
In a second reference, he writes regarding Nero's persecution of the Christians.
"After the great fire at Rome …. Punishments were also inflicted on the Christians, a sect professing a new and mischievous religious belief." (Seutonius,Life of Nero, 16)
From these two brief references we learn the following. First, the Jews were expelled from Rome during the reign of Claudius (which coincides with Acts 18:2). Second, Christ was the reason for the Jewish riots. Christians referred to believers who followed Christ.
Finally, Lucian was a second century Greek satirist. He spoke very negatively of Christians accusing them of being gullible and believing in a charlatan. He wrote,
The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day – the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account…. You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them; and then it was impressed on them by their original law giver that they are all brothers, from the moment that they are converted, and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws. All this they take quite on faith, with the result that they despise all worldly goods alike, regarding them merely a common property.
There are many more writings like this, my friend, but these should raise the hair on your neck, if you think about it. I will come back to you soon, but I will also be praying for you to consider what I have shared with you and "come on in". There are a great number of believers whom have not heard some of what I am sharing with you, yet they believe. But I know it's important that YOU totally believe or you're just not gonna do it, and that will mean a lot to God when you finally do! Remember... Take your time.
I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
The Greatest Truths
Sifting through all the facts of life,
there was always one that caused me strife.
Not harder than the others to believe,
nor impossible for me to begin to conceive.
But in among the truths that I had learned,
It was this one that in my heart so burned.
Was He really there or was it me...
to find this truth became my quest you see.
Of all the truths, to me made known,
it was these writings, said, to be His own.
And so my journey led me back through time,
Combing through all that I could find.
Archaeological records and ancient history,
anything that would help me solve this mystery.
It was at the point when in Him I began to believe,
when suddenly His truths became what I could cleave.
True, the more you read and understand of a certain writer,
the more your knowledge of them becomes brighter.
But of these truths I had searched it was not so,
they could not be understood until Him I came to know.
And so ever since the day I met The Lord,
my understanding of life's truths has soared.
You see, the greatest truths to be unfurled,
can only come from Him whom holds the world.
By Preston Pittman
I Love you.
Well, Here I am, my friend... as I promised. The poem kinda sums up what I said in my first letter to you. But I don't want to get ahead of things. I can't assume that you're ready to "give in" yet.
I mentioned last time, that I would talk more about the reliability of the bible. Of course this was so important to me and I know it is the same way with you too.
We must consider that the "reputable" bible translations were produced by a careful scholarship, through: textual criticism, linguistics, translation, grammar, vocabulary, style, and history. Various texts of the original language Testaments (Hebrew and Aramaic of the Old Testament and Greek of the New Testament) are published and generally available to actually see, along with documented accounts of how the texts were derived from existing copies over time. We must also consider that those scholars worked together, to ensure that the original languages were understood and translated accurately into the receptor language. You and I were not the first skeptics to have been born since those efforts were made... I know you've considered this, also. But, you can also find those arguments out there just as well... each with various interpretations of the renderings.... You can read and study them too. That is what I have done with my favored translation (The Amplified). In my study of the Amplified, I have researched critical, or key words, all the way back to the original word and noted important points through my copy. But I am confident of it's closeness to the original intent and meaning.
Some translations, such as the New American Standard, favor "formal equivalence," preserving much of the original language structure and vocabulary equivalence. Sometimes readers have difficulty understanding a culturally, linguistically, or historically unique statement with no close English parallel. Other translations, such as the New International Version, combine formal equivalence with "dynamic equivalence" for culturally or historically obscure texts.
In Paul's writings in the bible, he talks of the "sinful flesh" in a cultural and religious context that associates "flesh" with sacrifices, but in our culture, it is more readily understood as "sin nature" (Romans 7:18 NIV). Whether you prefer the literary beauty of the New King James, the complexities of the New American Standard, the concise clarity of the New International, or some other reputable translation, the text of the bibles we have today are still "essentially" what was written originally.
I'm sure you are also aware of the fulfilled prophecies contained within the text of the bible. Most popular or made aware of are those describing (with great detail) the coming of Jesus Christ, which were written some 900 years before it happened. But I should mention a few that have happened since that time. One is the mention of the Jewish people becoming it's own nation. You know this did not happen until 1948. Imagine what skeptics thought of this prophecy even up to the day before it came to pass. Yet, so many people had reached a "faithful" belief of the text for so many years before 1948. Even in the specific date that it did occur, there are amazing secrets revealed, but back to the issue of things happening long after this book foretells them... you must admit, it's "perfect" score, so far, says something!
Most disputes about the truthfulness of the Bible can be grouped into three categories: (1) misunderstandings; (2) ignorance of the facts; (3) dislike of its teachings. One example of an interpretive Bible problem is the common misunderstanding that "God of the Old Testament" is harshly judgmental while "Jesus of the New Testament" is lovingly forgiving. However, the God of the Bible is consistent from Genesis to Revelation in bringing judgment against unrepentant sin and forgiveness to those who repent... both attributed to love. Ezekiel 18 explains, "Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it... But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life... I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit...I take no pleasure in the death of anyone... Repent and live!" (vv. 25-32).
Jesus makes the same kind of declaration in Matthew 23, pronouncing judgment against the Pharisees, calling them "blind fools," "hypocrites," "sons of hell," "full of hypocrisy and wickedness," "condemned to hell." But his loving desire for them to repent is evident as well: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (v. 37).
Interpretive (called hermeneutic in literary terms) problems range from misunderstanding the type of literature in a passage (confusing poetry with historical narrative, for example), through vocabulary, to confusing time and circumstance differences between two events.
Ignorance of the facts concerning the trustworthiness of the Bible can be embarrassing for critics. For example, for many years doubters disputed the New Testament accounts concerning Pontius Pilate. No hard artifact evidence existed confirming his existence and position, and later extra-biblical historical mention of him and his position was suspected as having been improperly assumed from the Christian scriptures and later creeds. Then, in 1961, archaeologists unearthed an early first century theater inscription at Caesarea Maritime in Israel, dedicated from "Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea," to "Tiberius Caesar." What the Christians had preserved in scripture and creed had achieved hard artifact verification nearly 2,000 years later.
Finally, some say they distrust the Bible when they really mean they don't like or agree with it. However, the Bible has more supporting its truthfulness than does any critic. The historical and textual evidence of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, for example, would compel anyone who did not already discount the existence of God to accept its reality. When Christ endorses the Bible, the wise man believes the Bible, even if he dislikes it.
I want to point out one more point in prophecies as it relates to the reliability of this bible, before I end this portion of my writing to you. Putting aside all those that have been fulfilled, we can look at those yet to have happened and find a sense of wonder. It should be quite alarming for even the skeptic to see how aligned history, news of current events, political and social plans for tomorrow, etc... with the detailed descriptions surrounding the bibles future prophecies in the books of Matthew, Revelations, and (if you understand dual prophecy... you can add Daniel, as well).
One of my urgencies in writing to you has a lot to do with these prophecies, because I am convinced that one of the end-time prophecies will leave you in a very terrible predicament... Should it occur before I have time to convince you to "come on in".
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
Now let's look at Daniel 12:
Dan. 12:1-3 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."
Now look at 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
1 Thess: 4:15-18 "According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
You don't want to miss being a part of this event, because what happens after this is going to really be hard for those left, to endure. Well, I better stop here for now, my friend... but I hope you will keep searching. I am believing in you and I know as you get to the bottom of some of these issues, you will let go and let The Creator of this world really begin to pour out more truth than you can imagine. I want to go into non-christian truths that actually add to the reliability of the bible... Next time.
I love you friend. I really do. Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
there was always one that caused me strife.
Not harder than the others to believe,
nor impossible for me to begin to conceive.
But in among the truths that I had learned,
It was this one that in my heart so burned.
Was He really there or was it me...
to find this truth became my quest you see.
Of all the truths, to me made known,
it was these writings, said, to be His own.
And so my journey led me back through time,
Combing through all that I could find.
Archaeological records and ancient history,
anything that would help me solve this mystery.
It was at the point when in Him I began to believe,
when suddenly His truths became what I could cleave.
True, the more you read and understand of a certain writer,
the more your knowledge of them becomes brighter.
But of these truths I had searched it was not so,
they could not be understood until Him I came to know.
And so ever since the day I met The Lord,
my understanding of life's truths has soared.
You see, the greatest truths to be unfurled,
can only come from Him whom holds the world.
By Preston Pittman
I Love you.
Well, Here I am, my friend... as I promised. The poem kinda sums up what I said in my first letter to you. But I don't want to get ahead of things. I can't assume that you're ready to "give in" yet.
I mentioned last time, that I would talk more about the reliability of the bible. Of course this was so important to me and I know it is the same way with you too.
We must consider that the "reputable" bible translations were produced by a careful scholarship, through: textual criticism, linguistics, translation, grammar, vocabulary, style, and history. Various texts of the original language Testaments (Hebrew and Aramaic of the Old Testament and Greek of the New Testament) are published and generally available to actually see, along with documented accounts of how the texts were derived from existing copies over time. We must also consider that those scholars worked together, to ensure that the original languages were understood and translated accurately into the receptor language. You and I were not the first skeptics to have been born since those efforts were made... I know you've considered this, also. But, you can also find those arguments out there just as well... each with various interpretations of the renderings.... You can read and study them too. That is what I have done with my favored translation (The Amplified). In my study of the Amplified, I have researched critical, or key words, all the way back to the original word and noted important points through my copy. But I am confident of it's closeness to the original intent and meaning.
Some translations, such as the New American Standard, favor "formal equivalence," preserving much of the original language structure and vocabulary equivalence. Sometimes readers have difficulty understanding a culturally, linguistically, or historically unique statement with no close English parallel. Other translations, such as the New International Version, combine formal equivalence with "dynamic equivalence" for culturally or historically obscure texts.
In Paul's writings in the bible, he talks of the "sinful flesh" in a cultural and religious context that associates "flesh" with sacrifices, but in our culture, it is more readily understood as "sin nature" (Romans 7:18 NIV). Whether you prefer the literary beauty of the New King James, the complexities of the New American Standard, the concise clarity of the New International, or some other reputable translation, the text of the bibles we have today are still "essentially" what was written originally.
I'm sure you are also aware of the fulfilled prophecies contained within the text of the bible. Most popular or made aware of are those describing (with great detail) the coming of Jesus Christ, which were written some 900 years before it happened. But I should mention a few that have happened since that time. One is the mention of the Jewish people becoming it's own nation. You know this did not happen until 1948. Imagine what skeptics thought of this prophecy even up to the day before it came to pass. Yet, so many people had reached a "faithful" belief of the text for so many years before 1948. Even in the specific date that it did occur, there are amazing secrets revealed, but back to the issue of things happening long after this book foretells them... you must admit, it's "perfect" score, so far, says something!
Most disputes about the truthfulness of the Bible can be grouped into three categories: (1) misunderstandings; (2) ignorance of the facts; (3) dislike of its teachings. One example of an interpretive Bible problem is the common misunderstanding that "God of the Old Testament" is harshly judgmental while "Jesus of the New Testament" is lovingly forgiving. However, the God of the Bible is consistent from Genesis to Revelation in bringing judgment against unrepentant sin and forgiveness to those who repent... both attributed to love. Ezekiel 18 explains, "Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it... But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life... I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit...I take no pleasure in the death of anyone... Repent and live!" (vv. 25-32).
Jesus makes the same kind of declaration in Matthew 23, pronouncing judgment against the Pharisees, calling them "blind fools," "hypocrites," "sons of hell," "full of hypocrisy and wickedness," "condemned to hell." But his loving desire for them to repent is evident as well: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (v. 37).
Interpretive (called hermeneutic in literary terms) problems range from misunderstanding the type of literature in a passage (confusing poetry with historical narrative, for example), through vocabulary, to confusing time and circumstance differences between two events.
Ignorance of the facts concerning the trustworthiness of the Bible can be embarrassing for critics. For example, for many years doubters disputed the New Testament accounts concerning Pontius Pilate. No hard artifact evidence existed confirming his existence and position, and later extra-biblical historical mention of him and his position was suspected as having been improperly assumed from the Christian scriptures and later creeds. Then, in 1961, archaeologists unearthed an early first century theater inscription at Caesarea Maritime in Israel, dedicated from "Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea," to "Tiberius Caesar." What the Christians had preserved in scripture and creed had achieved hard artifact verification nearly 2,000 years later.
Finally, some say they distrust the Bible when they really mean they don't like or agree with it. However, the Bible has more supporting its truthfulness than does any critic. The historical and textual evidence of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, for example, would compel anyone who did not already discount the existence of God to accept its reality. When Christ endorses the Bible, the wise man believes the Bible, even if he dislikes it.
I want to point out one more point in prophecies as it relates to the reliability of this bible, before I end this portion of my writing to you. Putting aside all those that have been fulfilled, we can look at those yet to have happened and find a sense of wonder. It should be quite alarming for even the skeptic to see how aligned history, news of current events, political and social plans for tomorrow, etc... with the detailed descriptions surrounding the bibles future prophecies in the books of Matthew, Revelations, and (if you understand dual prophecy... you can add Daniel, as well).
One of my urgencies in writing to you has a lot to do with these prophecies, because I am convinced that one of the end-time prophecies will leave you in a very terrible predicament... Should it occur before I have time to convince you to "come on in".
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
Now let's look at Daniel 12:
Dan. 12:1-3 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."
Now look at 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
1 Thess: 4:15-18 "According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
You don't want to miss being a part of this event, because what happens after this is going to really be hard for those left, to endure. Well, I better stop here for now, my friend... but I hope you will keep searching. I am believing in you and I know as you get to the bottom of some of these issues, you will let go and let The Creator of this world really begin to pour out more truth than you can imagine. I want to go into non-christian truths that actually add to the reliability of the bible... Next time.
I love you friend. I really do. Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
My Burning Desire
There's a flame that burns inside of me.
It burns for you continually.
A flame that burns though I'm not consumed.
A flame that I could not have presumed.
It burns in me to pray for you.
And it causes me to believe for you.
A flame that's there without a doubt.
A flame in my heart that will not burn out.
It burns for you whether you ever know it.
It burns for you whether I ever get to show it.
It burns in me that you might believe.
It burns in me that you might receive.
For the flame in me is not my own.
From out of Christ's love it has grown.
Sometimes so strong it stops me in my tracks.
I start praying for you though I know none of the facts.
I know nothing of you except that you exist.
But the flame in me says, 'not to resist'.
So, wherever, whoever you are.
It matters not how near or how far.
I share in the love our Creator has for you.
I share the desire for His flame in you too.
There's a flame that burns inside of me.
And it burns for you continually.
By Preston Pittman
I know you're out there... I think about you all the time. I don't know what you look like, how old you are, or where you are... and I guess it matters, not. And, I don't pretend that we are just alike... I don't know what all you've had to deal with in your life, and you can't imagine mine. But still, I think you are very much like who I was once.
You think about this world from the moment you wake up until you are able to go back to sleep. You are constantly aware of your position on the side of this planet, wherever it holds you. You often consider yourself within the whole universe. You know there is more going on than the world seems to see. Religion doesn't seem to work for you, but you know there is something going on that is not from this world. I mean, "it" reveals itself to you in everything you see.
You keep searching for answers... that is good. I always told my teens, "I don't care what you believe... as long as you really believe it... but if there is a doubt and you don't keep looking for the truth, I will be upset with you". You see, it is in seeking the truth that is what has brought me to you, now. I'll explain more about this later.
Maybe your study of life has brought you to look at the strings of information, hidden in everything around... each tree, plant, insect, and person... and each one, with it's unique difference within similar strings. It's design is just too amazing to be an accident. In truth, a design like that must have a designer... don't you agree? I remember something too, that was so compelling... there is this underlying order in everything... no matter how chaotic things seem. Also, there's the powerful force within all living things to continue... and the movement of all things within the universe... With such precision. You see these things too and I love that about you. I know you have to understand it before you believe in it and you are not satisfied until you do understand it and I am that way too.
The bible was the thing that I had to figure out... I was so suspicious of that one book. On one hand, it made so much sense... but on the other hand, there were many problems. For one, I could not get past the language of the "so favored" KJ version... I mean, who talks like that... Jesus didn't! I wondered, "we can make an artificial heart and put satellites in space, but if so many believe that the bible is so important, why can't someone correctly translate it into something people today can more readily understand"? Then I found a bible that had taken the original text, and very carefully translated the original text into an easier to understand rendering. But, with my suspicious nature, I still had to get several analytical concordances to make sure it was right.
I still had this image of a bunch of visionary monks... locked away on top of some mountain, compelled to write out some kind of story that could save mankind from self destruction. And so, I had to dig around at the truth about the source of this amazing book I was studying. Then I learned about the various sources of the bible from such different periods of time, and the authenticity of each writing. I began to study the history of all the efforts to rid the world of these writings and how amazingly they; not only have survived those efforts, but even thrived. I learned of the "eye-witness" testimonials recorded and began to study the depth and reality of what it meant for these people to insist on their claims.
I had already studied scientology, and some depths of various other religions and although I knew inside that there must be a Creator... none of these other writings worked for me the way this bible did... so I kept studying. It wasn't until I was convinced enough to trust this book before I could surrender to the one whom had inspired it... The Creator!
Now, here's the kicker... It wasn't until I surrendered my life to Him before I really started breaking through to the TRUTH I had been searching for. This is why I am writing to you now... You are who I feel led to share these things with so you can "come on in", so-to-speak! It would do me No good to get you to join my group... or my charity... I don't have either... It's just me and this compelling feeling I have to help you now. It's not my truth I'm trying to help you "get at". But I am going to keep sending you whatever I get that will help you get to the truth. You're on the right road!
Now, I want to share one more thing before we continue. I had a boss once, whom used to say, whenever I asked to do something... "sure, take your time, Preston... just hurry up". Now, that was funny, for a couple weeks... later it got old... but further in my discovery of "The Truth", this saying has come back to me and I must share it with you.
I know how important it is for you to "really" believe in some things before you can believe in other things. I already told you how I love that about you. But, at the same time, I urge you to keep digging with greater relent, because from where I am, in my understanding, now... there's not that much time left.
That's why I hope you'll keeping reading this, however it's getting to you. I am committed to keep writing these things to you to help you in your search. I do not set in judgment of you, nor am I speaking down to you. I hope you will keep that in mind, as we continue, together. In my next letter, I want to share more on the reliability of this book called the bible... Some other resources... Some science... And more of my own search that may help you now. Ok?
Keep searching my friend.
I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
It burns for you continually.
A flame that burns though I'm not consumed.
A flame that I could not have presumed.
It burns in me to pray for you.
And it causes me to believe for you.
A flame that's there without a doubt.
A flame in my heart that will not burn out.
It burns for you whether you ever know it.
It burns for you whether I ever get to show it.
It burns in me that you might believe.
It burns in me that you might receive.
For the flame in me is not my own.
From out of Christ's love it has grown.
Sometimes so strong it stops me in my tracks.
I start praying for you though I know none of the facts.
I know nothing of you except that you exist.
But the flame in me says, 'not to resist'.
So, wherever, whoever you are.
It matters not how near or how far.
I share in the love our Creator has for you.
I share the desire for His flame in you too.
There's a flame that burns inside of me.
And it burns for you continually.
By Preston Pittman
I know you're out there... I think about you all the time. I don't know what you look like, how old you are, or where you are... and I guess it matters, not. And, I don't pretend that we are just alike... I don't know what all you've had to deal with in your life, and you can't imagine mine. But still, I think you are very much like who I was once.
You think about this world from the moment you wake up until you are able to go back to sleep. You are constantly aware of your position on the side of this planet, wherever it holds you. You often consider yourself within the whole universe. You know there is more going on than the world seems to see. Religion doesn't seem to work for you, but you know there is something going on that is not from this world. I mean, "it" reveals itself to you in everything you see.
You keep searching for answers... that is good. I always told my teens, "I don't care what you believe... as long as you really believe it... but if there is a doubt and you don't keep looking for the truth, I will be upset with you". You see, it is in seeking the truth that is what has brought me to you, now. I'll explain more about this later.
Maybe your study of life has brought you to look at the strings of information, hidden in everything around... each tree, plant, insect, and person... and each one, with it's unique difference within similar strings. It's design is just too amazing to be an accident. In truth, a design like that must have a designer... don't you agree? I remember something too, that was so compelling... there is this underlying order in everything... no matter how chaotic things seem. Also, there's the powerful force within all living things to continue... and the movement of all things within the universe... With such precision. You see these things too and I love that about you. I know you have to understand it before you believe in it and you are not satisfied until you do understand it and I am that way too.
The bible was the thing that I had to figure out... I was so suspicious of that one book. On one hand, it made so much sense... but on the other hand, there were many problems. For one, I could not get past the language of the "so favored" KJ version... I mean, who talks like that... Jesus didn't! I wondered, "we can make an artificial heart and put satellites in space, but if so many believe that the bible is so important, why can't someone correctly translate it into something people today can more readily understand"? Then I found a bible that had taken the original text, and very carefully translated the original text into an easier to understand rendering. But, with my suspicious nature, I still had to get several analytical concordances to make sure it was right.
I still had this image of a bunch of visionary monks... locked away on top of some mountain, compelled to write out some kind of story that could save mankind from self destruction. And so, I had to dig around at the truth about the source of this amazing book I was studying. Then I learned about the various sources of the bible from such different periods of time, and the authenticity of each writing. I began to study the history of all the efforts to rid the world of these writings and how amazingly they; not only have survived those efforts, but even thrived. I learned of the "eye-witness" testimonials recorded and began to study the depth and reality of what it meant for these people to insist on their claims.
I had already studied scientology, and some depths of various other religions and although I knew inside that there must be a Creator... none of these other writings worked for me the way this bible did... so I kept studying. It wasn't until I was convinced enough to trust this book before I could surrender to the one whom had inspired it... The Creator!
Now, here's the kicker... It wasn't until I surrendered my life to Him before I really started breaking through to the TRUTH I had been searching for. This is why I am writing to you now... You are who I feel led to share these things with so you can "come on in", so-to-speak! It would do me No good to get you to join my group... or my charity... I don't have either... It's just me and this compelling feeling I have to help you now. It's not my truth I'm trying to help you "get at". But I am going to keep sending you whatever I get that will help you get to the truth. You're on the right road!
Now, I want to share one more thing before we continue. I had a boss once, whom used to say, whenever I asked to do something... "sure, take your time, Preston... just hurry up". Now, that was funny, for a couple weeks... later it got old... but further in my discovery of "The Truth", this saying has come back to me and I must share it with you.
I know how important it is for you to "really" believe in some things before you can believe in other things. I already told you how I love that about you. But, at the same time, I urge you to keep digging with greater relent, because from where I am, in my understanding, now... there's not that much time left.
That's why I hope you'll keeping reading this, however it's getting to you. I am committed to keep writing these things to you to help you in your search. I do not set in judgment of you, nor am I speaking down to you. I hope you will keep that in mind, as we continue, together. In my next letter, I want to share more on the reliability of this book called the bible... Some other resources... Some science... And more of my own search that may help you now. Ok?
Keep searching my friend.
I love you, Preston
Keep Searching - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV
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