ABOUT ME

Here’s what I am not.

I am not an ordained pastor, reverend, or priest.

I am not associated with any religious denomination.

I am not trained in theology.

I am not a prophet, I’ve never heard the actual voice of God, that I’m aware of.

I am not perfect.

I am not afraid of God.

Here’s what I am.

I am a Christian, a fairly new Christian at that, and as such, I follow Christ.

I am very cynical of man and how he has twisted the character of God. I don’t blame man, they’ve only done this at the temptation of Satan. I don’t blame man, because I too am a sinner who is, and has been tempted by Satan, and who fails and falls every, single, day. And several times a day.

I am a normal, well as normal as one can be, human being who believes in God and the Triune.

I believe Jesus when He said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.” Since God and Jesus are one in the same, I have no doubt that God has the same character as Jesus, which is caring, loving, compassionate, forgiving and merciful, and loves everyone, regardless of monetary or social status.

I am a huge proponent of making the world see the true characteristics of God rather than being afraid of God and His so-called punishments.

I am a retired firefighter/public safety communications director. I am a widower having lost my wife to a defective heart valve in 2020. I haven’t always been a Christian; I’ve always believed in God, but I have always followed Him or tried to have a relationship with Him.

I was raised a Christian, but drifted away from the church when I was in High School. And yes, I have a problem with churches. I believe Satan has infiltrated the church and instead of sticking with true values, they are now bending to the demands of culture. Some, as I consider, have become “The Church, Inc.”, nothing more than a big business, in the business of performing church services for money rather than being in the business of saving souls.

I fully expect backlash for my beliefs, but I’m not trying to convert anyone to my style of thinking, I’m simply trying to open some minds and give people food for thought. On Judgment Day, I believe there is one and only one question. “Do you truly love God?” And God knows the heart, so you better be prepared to give a truthful answer. Then again, I don’t even think we will get to that point because the Glory of God burns so bright and burns so hot, those who have distanced themselves from Him with not be able to withstand His Glory.

As a widower, I am the head of a household, and the legal guardian of three special needs adults, two of whom were former foster children of my wife and I. Even though I’m retired from public safety after 44 years of service, I still consider caring for these three, who are mentally disabled and have severe behavior disorders, a full time job.

Although I’ve read the Bible five full times now, I’m still eager to learn and have a hunger for the truth. I’m in the process of reading the Bible a sixth time, however after becoming cynical of man, I’m studying without the help of outside aids; no sermons, no advice or guidance from well know theologians, just my Bible, myself, and God. Each time I study, I pray that God opens my heart and mind, that He sends His Spirit to impress the truth on me, and that He puts the right words in my mouth to share with others.

After I study the lesson for the day, I start typing on my blog, without a plan, just typing the words that come into my head. I like to think that the words I type are what the Spirit of God has impressed on me, but I also pray that if they are not, that God somehow stops me or throws an obstacle in my way before publishing. The last thing I want to do is be a false prophet.

To end this, every person on this planet is responsible for their own salvation. It is important that you have a belief in something and stick to those convictions, I only urge you to keep an open mind and see God for what He really is, our Heavenly Father. And just like our earthly father, He loves us, wants to care for us, wants the best for us, and the last thing He would do is harm us. I’m not gullible, I realize not everyone in this world has a good earthly father, but just imagine God as the father you had or the father you wish you had.

God bless you all. – Big John

P.S. Keep an open mind. I’ve had new insights as I read scripture this time around, insights that have actually changed past beliefs. Pray that God leads you in the right direction.