bropro

Thanks for your service, and Semper Fi. Glad you made it home safely. Gary

I truly hope this new treatment is a huge success. There are a lot of guys out there that are needing help. As for me, at this point in my life I am endeavoring to live drug free. But as I said in another post, these medications were what I needed at the time, and many others can attest to this. Thanks for posting this article and your concern for those suffering from PTSD. Gary

I don’t claim to know what the answer is concerning the use of medications. I believe that the pharmaceutical industry has gone to the extreme in many cases, but I also believe that much good has come from it too. The one thing I do know is, that if they had not been available to me back in the 90’s when all of my issues came to a head, I would not be here today, because I would have become a statistic by my own hands. It wouldn’t been the right thing to do, but that is where my mind was at the time, and it sounded like the only reasonable thing to do. The medication I received at that time, worked to balance my thinking and calmed my anxieties. I might be sharing too much about myself, but I feel the need to when I see this issue discussed with little support for the good that medications can bring about in people’s lives. I know a host of other Veteran’s that would agree with me on this. And not only Veteran’s but rape victims, victims of violence, etc. Gary

Because of the word study programs I have accumulated through the years, the KJV is the one I use the most. For reading purposes I prefer the Holman Christian Standard Bible. I know you asked for a favorite version, but I have two that are equally my favorites. Gary

Fifty plus years ago I spent a tour in Vietnam with 1st Battalion 4th Marines. Upon my return to the States, people noticed my exaggerated startle responses, mood swings, deep depression, emotional numbing and angry outbursts. I didn’t really connect this to my experiences in Vietnam at the time (I’m not very smart I guess you could say). I had never heard of PTSD at that time, but I think it was called something else such as, shell shot, battle fatigue, and possibly other things as well. I wish I could say that these were short term issues, but with me this is not the case. To this day, my friends and family, and the members at my church know not to come up behind me and tap me on the shoulder. I still battle with deep depression at times, especially around anniversary dates of the traumas I experienced. I have tried many of the latest medications throughout the years given to me by the VA, and they helped some, but only short term. The effects of these medications would drive me to quit taking them for a time, only to have to resume the regimen again in the future. So when I hear of new treatments coming out, I don’t really get my hopes up. They did not diagnose me with PTSD until 1996, when I wound up on the Psychiatric ward at the VA hospital with a complete mental breakdown for 3 weeks. As a Christian, I have been able to battle these things along with the tools and resources He has provided to those in the mental health field. I think I’ll stop here in order to keep this short, or maybe I’m too late for that. Gary

Amen johnthebaptist. You're right on. Have a blessed evening.

The scriptures are not a dead history book (not that I believe that this is what you are saying). They are alive and have the power to transform us, sanctify us, and empower us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. In John 15:7 we are taught to live in Christ, and to let His words live in us. The word is the means by which we live in relationship with Him. Without the written word, it is impossible to understand how to do this. In our endeavor to let His words live in us, we will need the Holy Spirit to guide us. We can get into the word for the wrong reason or with the wrong motive, therefore substituting His word for something it was not designed by God for. But the Bible should never be looked at as a substitute for the Lord in our lives, but rather it is what connects us to Him. I've heard it said, and I believe it to be so, that the Bible is God's love letter to man. What we need to focus on more than anything is to look beyond the written word in order to connect to the living Word so that we can bring glory and honor to God, and spiritual growth to our own lives. Gary

Yes, I do believe God tests us. The scripture ref. below has been a source of strength and hope for me when I encounter trials and testing. As I trust His word and go through the testing in the right manner, I am assured that I will come out on the other end of it stronger than before. He will work out the defects in me (which are many) and make sure that I lack nothing that is needful to live a successful Christian life. I kind of look at it this way now, my trials are an opportunity for growth and character development, therefore, I will rejoice when they come, knowing that God is working out His purposes in my life. James 1:2-4 (AMP) 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. Gary

A very good testimony of a life in which God's seed was sown and it's ultimate effect. Too many Christians witness/share God's word, with the intent to get an immediate response by applying pressure of some sort. We need to see ourselves simply as seed sowers and trust God to bring forth the increase in His time and His way. Thanks for your testimony. Gary

This is a topic which is very interesting to me. I will get back to you on this subject later as my time is limited today. Your posts should give us something to meditate on, and as we do, we will begin to experience the blessings and the power of abiding IN Christ and allowing His words to abide IN us. Catch you later. Gary

The first thing I would do is prepare my heart before going to this person (Prov. 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord). The next thing I would do is to make sure that I have all the information that pertains to this person’s error. I would hear this person’s side of the story as well as any others that may have witnessed the error. Prov. 18:13 says, “He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.” I take this to mean that if we don’t hear all sides to the matter, then we really haven’t heard it. After I have gathered all the information, I would reason with this person in a spirit of meekness, lest I also be tempted, in an endeavor to shine light on this erroneous act. The scriptures of course, would be the standard that I would use to reason with this person to turn from the error and make things right with God, and to any person that may have been offended by this act. The thing I would most keep in mind is that the restoration of this person is the main objective. Gary

You're welcome, and God bless you for your kind thoughts. Gary

You're welcome, and thanks for the uplifting words. I believe that you sincerely mean what you say, and it is much appreciated. Gary

Thanks for your part in supporting our troops while they were there. Maybe I should have used anti-war protests rather than demonstrations. It was a real morale killer when we would hear of them. Gary

Welcome Home Gary Lee, from Gary Lee. I was with 1st Battalion 4th Marines 1968-69. If it was not for the grace and mercy of God, I personally don't think I would have made it. Gary

As a Vietnam Veteran myself, I was not aware of this until recently. You are right, Vets remember, and freedom is not free. Even as we came home, the war was not over for us. Aside from the demonstrations, the name calling, and the rejection, the images of what we had seen and done, are still with us today. Thanks for your acknowledgement and respectful thoughts towards us. You don't know how much it really means to finally find acceptance from the people of our country. Gary

Thanks for your answer. I've used tracts quite often, especially when I was doing street evangelism with Teen Challenge back in the 80's. We would pass them out weekly by the hundreds on the streets of downtown KCMO. After doing that for a while, I began doing less distribution and more conversational type ministry, while the others would be passing out the tracts. I don't know if you went to the link I posted here. I moved it to Videos, Biblical Topics, Do Gospel Tracts Really Work. I would be interested in what you think. It's only 9 minutes long. Gary

I notice that you are involved in street evangelism. Many years ago I was working with a ministry called Teen Challenge in down town KCMO. We passed out thousands of tracts along with doing Coffee House ministry to people that would come in off the streets. It was quite a rewarding experience. Do you do tract distribution, street preaching, coffee house ministry, etc? If so, how is it going, and what kind of materials are you using? Gary

Hello David. You are right. Jack Chick definitely had a calling to do what he did, and I'm glad he did it so well. I know his tracts had a profound effect on me and I'm sure multitudes of others. What did you think of the link I posted? Gary

It looks like you are sold on the use of Gospel Tracts. So glad to hear of someone who believes in the power of the printed word in tracts. You may not have gone to the link I shared here because I moved it to "Videos, Biblical Topics, Do Gospel Tracts Really Work?" This little 9 minute segment of a man who reached thousands of people through his 40 years of passing out Tracts, is an awesome story of faithful endurance in the work of Christ. Hope you will be able to listen to it and give me your thoughts on it. Gary

Hello walla299. I don't think you were able to listen to the link on the effectiveness of tracts, because it was removed from here by admin. My fault. I moved it to the Video Forum under the title "Do Gospel Tracts Really Work?" It is only 9 minutes long, but well worth the time. Please let me know what you think.

Hello missmuffet. I don't think you were able to listen to the link on the effectiveness of tracts, because it was removed from here by admin. My fault. I moved it to the Video Forum under the title "Do Gospel Tracts Really Work?" It is only 9 minutes long, but well worth the time. Please let me know what you think. Gary

Hello Cletus. I don't think you were able to listen to the link on the effectiveness of tracts, because it was removed from here by admin. My fault. I moved it to the Video Forum under the title "Do Gospel Tracts Really Work?" It is only 9 minutes long, but well worth the time. Please let me know what you think. Gary

This was moved here from the General Forum I don't know if this belongs here because I did not see an evangelism forum. Back in 1969 after coming home from Vietnam, a woman gave me a chick tract entitled "This Was Your Life." After reading this tract I felt conviction of sin right away. I would like to say that I came to the Lord shortly thereafter, but it took 5 years before I actually repented of my sin and received Christ as my Savior. The sad thing is, that I experienced this conviction of sin off and on (mostly on) for the next 5 years. I can only guess as to why I waited so long, but I am very thankful to this woman who gave me this tract. The link below will tell of a man who passed out tracts everyday for over 40 year. It is only 9 minutes long, but in my opinion very inspiring. I'm sure you know why. I hope all who listen to this will also be inspired also. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew1srubCw_0 Gary

Tract distribution is a great way to plant the seed, and water it, so that God can bring forth the increase. Yes, the message of that tract is still embedded in my mind. Gary