New member

[mikekamrath]

I was reading a Quora post about Ica stones (depicting dinosaurs along with people). To counter the claim that they are all fakes, I googled and this site was the first to pop up.

I went to church and met my wife there, we went for 15 years. I am only sure I am a sinner and Jesus died for me. I have been a porn addict for 22 years, so my spiritual life is pretty much non-existent.

Certainly hoping to find real connection with others here who will not mince words but tell the truth without condemnation.

[Jeanne]

Hi Mike, I'm glad you found us, though you really haven't told us a whole lot about yourself. What is it you would like to know and how can we help you?

There's another member here who struggled with porn for many years until the Lord finally delivered him of that addiction. It might help to realise that many of those women are actually victims who are forced into that life in one way or another, either through drug addiction our outright kidnapping and human trafficking. What if that was your daughter or your sister who was in a situation like that?

You haven't said yet whether you are saved or not, so I'm going to assume from what little you have said that you're not. I would recommend the teaching Chris did on repentance first of all, and you can find that here:

http://www.creationliberty.com/articles/repent.php

[creationliberty]

Mike, I gotta' say your introduction was a bit strange, and it's not because you did anything wrong, it's just that it was odd because it left me wondering: What am I supposed to say?

I mean, first of all, you didn't find this site because you were searching the truth of Scripture, you found us because of research into a scientific debate. So, I don't know if you're a Christian or just a churchgoer; I can't tell. You didn't testify of anything that led me to believe one way or another.

Of course, you might argue that you said "I am a sinner and Jesus died for me," but that's what a lot of churchgoers say, and yet, Jesus (who you referred to in that sentence) said there will be MANY (not few) who will call Jesus "Lord," claim they believe in Him, and claim they are saved, but He will reject them unto everlasting fire:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
-Matthew 7:21-23

So I would ask you: Why do you think Jesus said that? Why is it do you believe that Jesus said that most people in this world (including most churchgoers) were going to end up in destruction and perish in hell, but FEW (not many) would find the way to eternal life?
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
-Matthew 7:13-14

If you want to treat that question rhetorically, you are welcome to do so, but I would like to hear your answer. If you cannot find an answer, but are curious to know, then I wrote a short book about that which is free-to-read on our website:
Why Millions of Believers on Jesus Are Going to Hell

Probably, the most confusing part was the last comment:
Certainly hoping to find real connection with others here who will not mince words but tell the truth without condemnation.
Perhaps you will need to elaborate more on that, but I'm not sure what it is you want. You will have to define what you mean by "real connection." It's rather vague. I mean, I don't think I've ever used that phrase. I'm very close with my wife, but I would not refer to her and say that I have a "real connection" with her because I'm not sure what that means, so I don't know what you mean by that.

The word 'condemn' generally means "to judge a person guilty" of doing a particular thing. This confused me even more because I'm not sure why you thought we were going to be judging you guilty of something.

The Bible already judges us all guilty.
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
-Romans 3:10-12
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
-James 2:10

Thus, it is not just that one thing you confessed to us that you are guilty of doing, but rather, you are guilty of ALL the law. It is not that I expect you to know all these things from Scripture, but I want to point out is that I cannot tell what you really believe unless you take the time to write more because, as of now, based on what little you have written so far, you have left me with an impression that you sound more like a churchgoer (i.e. one who just attends church buildings), not a Christian who has been born again into the Lord Jesus Christ. If that is the case, you can still talk with us on here, that's not a problem, but I want to make sure there is a distinction so you are aware of God's Word on these matters.

I'll wait until you write more or give more details on these matters to comment further, but I hope you'll consider having a read over that book I linked above. I wrote that as a counter to the new-age false gospel that is taught in most church buildings (i.e. they only teach part of Christ's Gospel, but not the fullness of it), which is why so many of them are lukewarm. If you decide to read it, I would be interested to hear your comments on it, and you can comment on it here:
http://www.creationliberty.com/forum/index.php?topic=820.0

Looking forward to hearing more back from you when you get the time.

[mikekamrath]

I ordered the paperback from Amazon.

I am obsessive/compulsive. I was a member of an independent Baptist church - it is an idol to me now. What should have been for my benefit, became a trap. My late mother-in-law was right: "You cannot ride the fence forever, Mike."

My mom has had compulsions in the past too. So it's hereditary. The "calling on the name of the Lord" is followed by "how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"

That can men two things: I have to recognize Jesus for who he is before I can acknowledge him.
Or - dismissive, I know - if I didn't believe in him, I could not have called on him.

I am very worried now. I am 55, and hell is so close I can smell it. Praying is of no use because the conviction (God calling me) has lately only come when I am in public. And the fear of man keeps me from falling on my knees. You are only a man, and God does not reveal the awful condition of another lest you be terrified.

I am afraid of hell, but so what? The devils are too. Religious people are many. I have felt remorse, but it must not have been godly sorrow, because I let bystanders keep me from acknowledging Christ. I am afraid I have run out of excuses. If you pray and realize I am beyond hope, then I will know by you not replying, thank you.

[creationliberty]

I have no idea how to respond to that because I could not understand hardly any of it. Did anyone else comprehend much of that, or was it just me that had a problem understanding it?

All I can say is that "OCD" or "obsessive/compulsive" does not exist, but that would require a lot more study:
Psychology: Hoodwinked by the Devil

[mikekamrath]

Thank you. I take medication. The 1500 a month from the VA is nice, but it's not worth my soul.

I just started reading your psychology book online. Using mind-altering drugs to cure a soul seems no better than using alcohol ... Now I need to wean myself off, I'll take a couple of weeks. Then have a talk with my VA psychiatrist. Isn't it strange that a psychiatrist has to be a trained doctor?

[Jeanne]

Isn't it strange that a psychiatrist has to be a trained doctor?

Not at all. Only trained doctors can write prescriptions and that's all psychiatrists do.

[strangersmind]

Mike u said "If you pray and realize I am beyond hope, then I will know by you not replying, thank you." 

Beyond hope? If you read In Matthew when Jesus was on the cross there where 2 men on crosses as well. They too where beyond hope but what did Jesus say to the one who believe on Christ? Shurly this day you should be with me in the kingdom of heaven.

[what2do]

Hi Mike,

I just joined here and felt overwhelmed by the thought of reading all the new member threads.  I figured I would just go back to the most recent (you) and I am glad I did.  Would you read my new member post?

As a former porn addict I can testify the Lord Jesus Christ can set you free.  I am sensing that you are at least being somewhat honest about your state (at least not in denial).  Do you have a Bible?  Read around 2 Cor 10:5, Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:4 & 4:18,  and Romans 8:11.  If you get more motivated look thorugh Paul's epistles for In Him, In Whom, In Christ, etc that refer to the new man. 

I think I understand a little bit about what you have said.  In the few months that I have been attending services at an unregisted baptist church I have seen some red flags including using fear to try and control and manipulate with a heavy emphasis on God punishing for disobedience.  It sounds like you have grown up in a "heavy-handed" religious environment in which the judgment and punishment of God was the emphasis.  I'll end with this:

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?