I will refrain .

[Boaz]

New people posting here is rare now . I don't understand it but is is what is .I will refrain from posting prayer on a thread . Perhaps us 'regulars' are intimidating ? Hogging the threads ? It's a strange situation and I have no clear cut answer or resolution , I don't understand what's happening . If I am a part of the problem I can resolve that . I will still pray on my time but not post them , he will hear . I will still appreciate others by posting an ... Amen

No more long windedness , no more attempting to encourage reading the word by leaving things open ended , no more meaningless 'stories' of my own life to get a point across .

I have no presumptive feelings or inclination to push My personal convictions , I care about you . I constantly post my own failings past and present , heck that's bound to get old . If you are one of the MANY viewers that do not post questions , your thoughts or your own convections please join in here . There are good people here that love you and want you to share your life with you .

Be with and share with them , the parts make up the whole . I will not mind being silent . I want others to speak , my input is worthless . Thank you if you post , my heart is with you .
May our Lord bless you all .
Boaz

[DerekP Houston]

well, I don't remember a whole lot from my original teachings so I enjoy your daily posts and verses. I guess I'll have to start finding my own so you can comment on my threads instead of the other way around. Thanks for all the time you spent here.

Hebrews 13:5-6 (http://www.biblestudytools.com/passage/?q=hebrews+13:5-6)5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

I found this one a verse of the week post and it deals directly with my issues. I am still afraid but trying my best to find a better path.

[aspangler]

Boaz, my Brother. I for one enjoy ALL your posts. Many times they are the inspiration for a message that I them use on the local radio station. If you do quit posting like this, then it will be a lose to me and to God's work. Did you ever think that God gives each of us a work to do and that this may be your's? I for one fully support you.
May the God of Heaven richly bless you my brother.
Bro.Albert

[shoot-n-lead]

Boaz...I have used and enjoyed your postings, including the prayers.

GOD bless.

[Boaz]

You old ones will propagate my poor posts , I thank you for your support but do mot require it . I am here if needed . PM me , I want to help . I am here , not leaving , it's all good .

[DerekP Houston]

You old ones will propagate my poor posts , I thank you for your support but do mot require it . I am here if needed . PM me , I want to help . I am here , not leaving , it's all good .

:/ I ain't old just appreciating what you did. if you wanna be stubborn you messed with the wrong bloodline.

[Boaz]

LOL , my avatar of that old coon watching is not an accident , My forum name of Boaz is not by chance . Boaz is not who I am but an inspiration of who I could be. Read the book of Ruth . LoL ! Dang it , there I go again . See what I mean . Things that make sense to me are nothing . YOU FIGURE IT OUT IN YOUR WAY .

[Boaz]

:/ I ain't old just appreciating what you did. if you wanna be stubborn you messed with the wrong bloodline.

So be it .

[rl69]

Just make sure what your doing is Gods will. Your posts or a inspiration and comfort to many here.

[slim1836]

Just make sure what your doing is Gods will. Your posts or a inspiration and comfort to many here.

Amen to that, I for one appreciate it, just never said it. Bet there are many more that feel the same.

Slim

[toallmy]

I have only been here for a year or so , but truly enjoyed your post please reconsider . The kindness showed on this site is inspiring ,

[jcwit]

Not to tell anyone what to do, but this was taught to me during Catechism,

Matthew 6:6

5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. 6But (http://biblehub.com/greek/1161.htm) when (http://biblehub.com/greek/3752.htm) you pray, (http://biblehub.com/greek/4336.htm) go (http://biblehub.com/greek/1525.htm) into (http://biblehub.com/greek/1519.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) inner room, (http://biblehub.com/greek/5009.htm) shut (http://biblehub.com/greek/2808.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) door, (http://biblehub.com/greek/2374.htm) and pray (http://biblehub.com/greek/4336.htm) to (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) Father, (http://biblehub.com/greek/3962.htm) who is (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) unseen. (http://biblehub.com/greek/2927.htm) And (http://biblehub.com/greek/2532.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) Father, (http://biblehub.com/greek/3962.htm) who (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) sees (http://biblehub.com/greek/991.htm) what is done (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) in secret, (http://biblehub.com/greek/2927.htm) will reward (http://biblehub.com/greek/591.htm) you. (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) 7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.…

[rl69]

I have always found this passage interesting. Is it saying we shouldn't pray in public? I have been lead to understand that this is not what it means, but that we should be true of hart when we pray in public and private.

[jcwit]

I was taught it means exactly what it says.

One of the major problems with Christian religions is that everyone seems to wish to twist Christs teachings to fit what they wish.

The above is just another reason I left the Lutheran faith.

[lightload]

Some new people may be shy. Some of the younger ones may not have found the comfort of prayer. Since no person is forced to read another's post, I see zero harm in including prayers or any other words of wisdom about making good choices and making the effort to live according to God's teachings. Said another way, he who is offended can stay out of this section.

[Pine Baron]

Boaz, I respect your wishes. I understand you must follow your heart and do what is right, for you, but please reconsider when the Spirit moves you, and I know it will. Go in peace my brother. May God give you renewed strength.

[Blackwater]

FWIW, Boaz, I think the Chapel would be diminished without your input. Have you ever noticed that around the camp fire at deer camp, it's not always everybody who tends to tell the best stories? Each of us has a gift, and some just simply do better at telling their life's stories than others, but we all understand them, and most can relate to just about all of the stories others tell. So, IMO at least, I'd like to see you keep posting. But as you note, I'd ALSO like to see more folks tell their own stories. Some of us are a little challenged with spelling and knowing just what to say and how to go about it, but how are we ever gonna' learn if we don't cast a little bread upon the water. And this isn't the pit, and folks here are mainly concerned with gleaning whatever we can from others' experience and input, and it is EXTREMELY rare for arguments to break out, or aspersions to be cast here. It's the perfect place for those who are a bit bashful now to get started and LEARN how to express themselves better, and maybe be a better witness because of their efforts here. I know it's helped me! And I needed the experience here. Like you say, what I say means nothing, except maybe as it makes me think, and reason and learn. That's why this place is so valuable! It's a great place to practice our witnessing and storytelling. And the better we can learn to tell all our stories, the better we can become in being a father, brother, son, friend, etc., etc. And the better we learn to tell our stories as a witness, the more we may influence ohters when the opportunities arise to do so.

It's always a challenge, of course, even for the best among us, but it's always worth it, so like you, I'd VERY much like to see more folks chipping in, even if it's only an "Amen," or some fine point that needs or ought to be noted. There's a spirit that reigns here strongly, of accepting anyone who will give a testimony. And surely, even the best at expressing themselves here had to start SOMEWHERE, and they obviously weren't as good at it at first as they are now.

To me, seeing a "younger" Christian expressing themselves, is one of the most heart-warming things ever! So if anyone is here and wants to post, but isn't sure what to say or how to say it, all I can say is "Dive right in, the water's warm and you're welcome."

Thanks for posting this, Boaz. It really needed to be said. And I think the most regular posters would be very happy to see others take the lead here. I'd bet on it, and I'm not a betting man!

[Pine Baron]

Not to tell anyone what to do, but this was taught to me during Catechism,

Matthew 6:6

5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. 6But (http://biblehub.com/greek/1161.htm) when (http://biblehub.com/greek/3752.htm) you pray, (http://biblehub.com/greek/4336.htm) go (http://biblehub.com/greek/1525.htm) into (http://biblehub.com/greek/1519.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) inner room, (http://biblehub.com/greek/5009.htm) shut (http://biblehub.com/greek/2808.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) door, (http://biblehub.com/greek/2374.htm) and pray (http://biblehub.com/greek/4336.htm) to (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) Father, (http://biblehub.com/greek/3962.htm) who is (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) unseen. (http://biblehub.com/greek/2927.htm) And (http://biblehub.com/greek/2532.htm) your (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) Father, (http://biblehub.com/greek/3962.htm) who (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) sees (http://biblehub.com/greek/991.htm) what is done (http://biblehub.com/greek/3588.htm) in secret, (http://biblehub.com/greek/2927.htm) will reward (http://biblehub.com/greek/591.htm) you. (http://biblehub.com/greek/4771.htm) 7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.…

Matthew 5-15 & 16
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

For you, Boaz, my brother.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Mr. Boaz, sir, did you talk to the Boss about this? did he give you permission to "stand down"? We are not living in times when the carpenter would put his sharpest tools back in the drawer.

[buckwheatpaul]

Charlie, I also enjoy your posts......I avoid long posts because I have always followed the K.I.S.S. principle......It is hard to post a prayer but doing so from your heart is God's way of gathering others unto Him.....I know that when I first started posting actual prayers I did so because I believed that by doing so I could help others in their healing or solving their problems.....it shows that we, Our Chapel, care!

[No_1]

Boaz,

Your prayer are not only welcome on this site they are NEEDED on this site. Don't stop now!

Robert

[smoked turkey]

Boaz I am afraid I have let you down by not being more vocal on this thread. Please forgive me for looking and learning and passing on through without a word. I will try to remedy that from now on. This reminds me of the old but true cliche that goes something like this.."you don't miss the water until the well runs dry".. I want to say that you may never know on this side of eternity how much good you have done and how much positive influence you have been to others on this site. At the Judgement Seat when rewards are given out to the righteous, we will all be rewarded for things we have done while laboring here on this earth. So don't grow weary in well doing because in the end you will reap if you faint not. Besides you are not the one who gives the increase. You are planting seeds and others are watering, but it is God who is causing them to prosper and grow. Stay strong my brother.

[BUCKEYE BANDIT]

What he said !!! ,I for one hope you'll reconsider.As I've said before this is the place I come for inspiration.
Mr. Boaz, sir, did you talk to the Boss about this? did he give you permission to "stand down"? We are not living in times when the carpenter would put his sharpest tools back in the drawer.

[SSGOldfart]

Boaz,

Your prayer are not only welcome on this site they are NEEDED on this site. Don't stop now!

Robert
I have to agree,there is a reason we read them I'm sure each of us have their own reason or your threads wouldn't get the views they do.
Thanks for sharing

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I sit in the back pew, I rarely speak up, but am always listening.
There are many of us, don't be as silent as us.

[rancher1913]

what he said ^^^^^^^^

[jcwit]

Well I guess I am wrong, because in fact we are not actually praying, but giving a New Or Old Verse to help members go by for the day, which in fact is a good thing.

I retract.

Keep up the Voice of Good News Boaz!

[Preacher Jim]

Many years ago there was a concept called the silent majority, we silenced ourselves to the silent minority. And the devil is laughing at us.

[Blackwater]

Well, Boaz, looks like you've been nominated, seconded and elected. Only question left is "Will you serve?" That one's up to you, my brother. Personally, I'd be diminished by whatever degree you ceased posting. Don't let that happen to ANY of us here!

[DerekP Houston]

Well I guess I am wrong, because in fact we are not actually praying, but giving a New Or Old Verse to help members go by for the day, which in fact is a good thing.

I retract.

Keep up the Voice of Good News Boaz!



That was my interpretation of the thread. I choose and pray on my own, I just thought when I find something relevant to my day or train of thought I would share it. If I'm doing something wrong or offending just let me know.

[Boaz]

I got in from work about an hour and a half ago . Had many messages in my mailbox , have been trying to reply . I never meant to leave here , just want more to post , No one here is the ultimate authority ....WE ALL ARE EQUAL IN GOD"S EYES .

In 1979 I was working with an old driller I knew named Derril . Derril wasn't plumb right , redheaded , built like a spider monkey , 1/3 Indian , short tempered , could get drunk drinking two beers and had no reservations about whipping anybody .
He was ramrodding a production company called Texal Drilling and Production . Wanted me to run the drilling rig , roustabouts and learn to run a rod rig .
The drilling rig was a float mounted Mayhew , no problem . I knew nothing about rod rigs , he said he would teach me .
All the company and production folks were on the location and he just casually told me (out of the back window of a new Cadillac full of Texal owners) . Tear the rod rig down and move it to hole no. 4 . As he rolled the electric window up he was trying to keep from laughing . I had never been 'learned' how to tear it down .
Got the two hands to throwing guywire binders and was trying to figure out how to scope down the mast and lay it down on the headache over the cab on the two ton truck it was mounted on .
Scoped the 3 section mast down just fine , went to break it over to lay down on the headache over the cab but .....chose the wrong break handle to ease it down . When it broke over it went into freefall , I was up on the (wrong) handle with both knees determined to stop it . Hands were running away through the cut wheat field hard as they could . Mast hit the headache and dang near blew both front tires , front of the truck bounced back up about four feet in the air with me still fightin that worthless brake . The truck stopped bouncing and the hands just stood out in the wheat field lookin . I stepped away from the console and drew a big breath then hollored at em .... Spool them lines , their waitin on us . Got in the cab of the truck and said over and over Thank you Lord Thank you Lord
Later that day I informed Derril I was going to kill him soon as I got a little extrie time . He died laughing .

I will post , I sure would like to see some of those post that just visit the Chapel , us regulars need that . Thank you all .

[Blackwater]

You're right on that last, and thanks for the great story. A close friend used to be a driller and roughneck, and loves telling the stories. Most are in the same vein as yours. And every one is funny now, and some are outright hillarious! God intended for us to be happy, and stories like this aid that as well - appropriate to the Chapel, I think. If God didn't want us to laugh, He'd have made us a LOT smarter!!! And good to see ya' back, bro'! Glad you've elected to serve!

[DerekP Houston]

I'm too young to have many great stories to share...just a bunch of stupid ideas I had in my 20's. True to my word though I will continue posting here and see where it takes me. Many paths to the same end and whatnot.

[Boaz]

I'll tell a little more about me and Derril . I preferred working derricks , didn't like drilling and runnin a crew . Derril loved to drill , he always told me ... I'll get us the job but you got to hold it for us .I won two cases of Hercules dynamite in a poker game (yea I know you have questions , just don't ask em ) and we blew up a 72 yellow Buick Century for fun . Put 4 sticks of dynamite under the back seat and 3 five gallon cans of wellhead drip gas on top of the seat . I was an amazing thing to witness .

Derril was an atheist . I tried to talk to him , he would pay me no mind . Derril joined the Masonic Lodge in his little town . He found GOD , he was witnessing to me !

Derril came up with testicular cancer 3 years later . He lived two more years in pain . He suffered , I watched it . He remained faithful to the Lord , we talked much . I miss Derril but he found the Lord after his struggle not to . His answer came from a group of men that put their faith in GOD . Imagine that .

[dverna]

Boaz,

My advice is to trust your gut. If you feel something should be posted - do it. No one is forced to read anything on here. If you feel what you are going to post is superfluous or somehow not "important" enough - trust your instincts and refrain from posting.

I rarely post on this sub forum as I have been an atheist for about 50 years. I feel it is not appropriate for me to comment on many of the threads but I still read them. It is part of my search and part of helping me understand things I do not understand.

I am planning on going to church tomorrow for the first time in over 50 years. In part, it is due to this sub-forum: and I have received encouragement from one member here as well as two good friends who are Christians.

If there is a God, and he has the power that the faithful believe, He moves us in different ways. Look to Him to understand why you feel as you currently do. With that understanding your path will be apparent.

Good luck

Don

[Boaz]

Don I thank you . To hear your going to church is really uplifting . I hope and pray you will find your answer in GOD . And I will pray . It can take time to understand , give it time .

[Boaz]

I'm too young to have many great stories to share...just a bunch of stupid ideas I had in my 20's. True to my word though I will continue posting here and see where it takes me. Many paths to the same end and whatnot.


There are stories all around you every day you live but you have to open your eyes to see them .
This Chapel is a story with many things going on here . There will be effects from here , GOD allows it to exist .

[rl69]

Thank you Don you made my day, hell you made my weak! Your post brought tears to my eyes.ill pray that you find what it is that your hart is drawing you towards

Ronnie

[Blackwater]

I'll tell a little more about me and Derril . I preferred working derricks , didn't like drilling and runnin a crew . Derril loved to drill , he always told me ... I'll get us the job but you got to hold it for us .I won two cases of Hercules dynamite in a poker game (yea I know you have questions , just don't ask em ) and we blew up a 72 yellow Buick Century for fun . Put 4 sticks of dynamite under the back seat and 3 five gallon cans of wellhead drip gas on top of the seat . I was an amazing thing to witness .

Derril was an atheist . I tried to talk to him , he would pay me no mind . Derril joined the Masonic Lodge in his little town . He found GOD , he was witnessing to me !

Derril came up with testicular cancer 3 years later . He lived two more years in pain . He suffered , I watched it . He remained faithful to the Lord , we talked much . I miss Derril but he found the Lord after his struggle not to . His answer came from a group of men that put their faith in GOD . Imagine that .

Now THAT is really a great story! I'm sort'a new at witnessing in any serious way, so whatever I say is always as much or more a seeking of something better as it is any real statement of what I think, but I believe everybody has to have REASONS to really believe. And some, like Derryl, never get that until they stumble onto it, and often in the least likely places.

I'm a Mason too, PM of Ogeechee Lodge #213 F&AM, Statesboro, GA, and I love the things we're taught in the lodges, and the things we do and the comraderie there, and the ethics and morals they propound, but of course, it's NOT a "religion." It's just a fraternity based on GENERALLY accepted religious principles that encourages men of all religions who simply acknowledge a real God of some kind, to interact peacefully, and hopefully, to better understand each other so that needless dissension and conflict might be avoided, and peace and harmony reign. I think they're valuable lessons, too, but certainly no substitute for a real religion, and more specifically real Christianity.

I'm so glad Derryl found his way to the light. He reminds me of some similar personality types I've known through the years, and not all have wound up as Derryl did, but many did. It seems that general personality type tends to really be seeking some sign there's something out there. I believe people innately sense that there's "SOMETHING out there," but can't discern just what it is.

Many say they don't believe in anything, but at least they're honest, and an honest man CAN find the light, if he just finds his doorway to it. Some never find it, and I fear sometimes, it's because we "good Christians" don't even cast any bread their way. Those types generally have to be approached gently.

People who are brutally honest tend to not deal with unwanted "prosteletyzing" very well, and generally, I've found asking a simple question is the best inroad to a good discussion with them. Just a simple exchange of views, really. And if kept short, at least at first, they CAN be very effective. Most are simply conditioned to not think about it unless they're alone with themselves in some quiet place. But they do. How could any of us not?

The dedicated atheist scoffs at every mention or impulsive thought of God, but most of these types just don't believe they CAN understand God, so they just don't really try. That's ripe ground for us, if we know how to use it and just reason out or approach. Approaching someone who doesn't believe is, I think, a lot like landing a plane. We have to make our approach at just the right angle to have a good result.

Seeing someone like Derryl come to Christ makes the story of the prodigal son SO much more understandable! All Heaven sings when someone like that comes into the fold!

[9.3X62AL]

I have always found this passage interesting. Is it saying we shouldn't pray in public? I have been lead to understand that this is not what it means, but that we should be true of hart when we pray in public and private.

That is my view of this Scriptural passage as well, rl69. My sourcing was similar to yours, from catechism classes.

[Andy]

Hi Boaz,

Just wanted you to know I'm a "new poster" only been here a year or so, this is the only Christian forum I participate on, on the entire internet. I have taken inspiration from your dedication to this part of the forum and hope you will continue with ALL of your posts. I think we have a great thing going here and people like you are what makes it work out. You are one of the leaders and when a few leaders go down the whole situation can crumble, please stick with us and keep doing what you have been.

You never know how many (like me) are watching before they start posting some day. You are probably the most diligent poster in this subforum and we need more people like you.

[aspangler]

Boaz,
You have been an inspiration to me. You also have put a bee in my bonnet. In another thread sometime in the next few days I will give my testimony of how I came to Christ. Pray for me that God will give me the words.
Your brother in Christ.
Albert

[Boaz]

I thank you all for your kind words here . I don't consider myself a leader , this Chapel is level ground for all that post . That is the part I really enjoy . Many thoughts and ideas are encouraged to honor the GOD we all believe in . Different denominations , different lifestyles , different jobs , different parts of this nation but we share the commonality of our faith in GOD . We come from far and wide to honor him here , in this we are bound as should be. We come to share and encourage .

This is a good place . We build and strengthen one another I refer to Proverbs 27;17 ;

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

[DerekP Houston]

It appears your post had the desired affect Boaz, people are coming out of the woodworks now ;).

[castalott]

I must re-use a quote from Shakespeare...

Boaz... this quote is for you...

"How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world."