http://ichthys.com/ 
Believers in the World XVIII

Question #1:  
Hi Bob,

The Lord reminds me of 2nd Corinthians 1:3-7 quite often and He reminded me of it again just before you gave it to me. I've been through a lot in my life but I've never asked the Lord, "Why me?". I've often wondered if there was any purpose for it and maybe those verses answer that question. I know He loves me more than I can ever imagine and whatever I've been through I've known that it was His Will and that I would be okay. That He would take care of me and give me the strength to get through. And He has - every time. 

This week I've had pain in my back but also the pain of discouragement and upset for other reasons the Lord knows about too. It hasn't caused me to wander from the strait and narrow. The Lord is helping me and the direction He is leading me in is bringing me closer to Him and there's nothing better than that.

I haven't taken any sick days off work for my back. They were already two members of staff down. I worked yesterday and today and I'm feeling less pain. Standing and walking around at work has worked out to be less painful for me than sitting at home resting. Today was an extra day at work that I promised I would do for them. When I looked out of the window this morning everything was covered in snow but I managed to get to work okay. I worked with my boss today and all but two of his patients cancelled their appointments for this afternoon. Normally the receptionists can easily fill the appointments with other patients but today they couldn't find anyone who wanted to come in. That never normally happens - even when it's snowing - and it never happens to my boss either. The other two who were working today had no cancellations at all. So my boss went home to do some paperwork and I was able to go home two and a half hours earlier as well. The Lord was looking after me - He is so good! It's not an easy job and He very often helps me out. It can be something very small but it makes a huge difference to my day at work. It's so noticeable and I always say thank you Lord!

He has comforted and encouraged me this week, He has heard your prayers and my back is slowly getting better and the direction He is leading me in is drawing me closer to Him. So physically and spiritually I'm feeling a whole lot better than at the beginning of the week.

I'm back to work tomorrow and looking forward to the weekend. Thanks for all your patience, encouragement and prayers for me this week. It's helped me so much. The testing has been tough and it isn't finished yet but the Lord is with me. He will never leave me or forsake me.

Keeping you in my prayers too.

In Jesus
p.s. I'm happy for you to post this.
Response #1:   
I hope you realize what an encouragement you are to me, my friend. Little does my heart better than to see a fellow believer under great pressure refusing to break – and refusing to give up their essential peace in the Lord in spite of everything . . . because of their prior and present devotion to the truth of the Word of God. That is what it is all about down here.

Thanks for your willingness to have this message posted – I know it will encourage others as it certainly has me.

For now, let's concentrate on getting past Friday.

Keeping up the prayer and thanks so much for yours as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #2:  
Hi Bob,

It's lovely to know that you have been encouraged too. I love God's Word.

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103

We made it past Friday! I drove to work this morning in heavy snow and the Lord got me there safely. I drove back home with the sun shining and all the snow had melted away. He gave me a beautiful end to the week in many ways!

Happy to have reached the weekend and praying you have a good and restful one too.

In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #2:   
Thanks for the prayer – it really helped. I was on the verge yesterday of coming down with something, or so it felt after a difficult day. And then . . . an awful noise from outside repeated at random intervals (the sewer people are intending to dig up the street and have left a huge iron plate on the pavement almost just right outside my house – it rattles like someone knocking on my bedroom door every time a car going past hits is). But God is good! I was able to get a good enough night's sleep and able to bump through Friday, catching up on all of the necessaries in the process. It'll be a bit of a late night tonight too, but no alarm clock tomorrow morning so all is well.

How is your back?

Great news that you've made it through as well, my friend. One day we'll finally "make it through" to the resurrection. Marana Tha!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #3:  
Hi Bob,

I hope you're feeling well today. Friday always seems to be a tough, busy day for you so I'm thanking the Lord that you got a good night's sleep and made it through. Like you said to me before, sleep is medicine.

Seems like there's lots of action going on outside your house just recently. I'm hoping the sewer work won't cause you too much disturbance. I'll keep this in my prayers too.

My back is feeling good today. Still not quite 100% but we're definitely getting there. Thanks so much for your prayers. I forgot to tell you that every year for work we have to pay a registration fee and indemnity insurance. Our boss told us last week that he is going to pay all of this for us. That's the first time ever. And we're getting a raise too. God is good!

I remembered this verse today.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Takes a bit more focus in the tough times but better to have our eyes fixed on the Lord than on our troubles. And we have so much to thank Him for every day. 

My face lit up when I read your last sentence - "One day we'll finally "make it through" to the resurrection. Marana Tha!"

Amen to that, Bob! I thank our Lord with all of my heart for this!

In Jesus
Response #3:  
MSD was out early this morning – earlier than usual since this was time-change day here in KY. Had to go out in the mist on short sleep and move the car but it was worth it. They spent the morning digging up the street but are finished for now and the steel plate is now on our side with barricades around it – so no chance of anyone driving over it. Looking forward to a quiet night tonight! So thanks for your prayers!

Great news on the job and back fronts, my friend!

Getting through tough times with flags proudly flying is always wonderful . . . on the other side. So we endeavor to stay as tough as the times themselves . . . through Jesus Christ and His truth.
I have the strength to endure all [extremes] in the One who empowers me to do so.
Philippians 4:13
Spring break here this coming week so no going down to the uni. Lots on the list: income tax, mid-term grading, lunch with my old colleague, and of course the first push to get the gardens set up for the season (if the weather cooperates). Possibly even a bit of rest!

Wishing you a wonderful week as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #4:  
Hello Bob,

I was going to write something else to you tonight but all I really want to say now is how sorry I am to hear about the shooting in Louisville today. I read all about it and that those who were injured are in the university hospital. I'm praying for all of those involved and their families.

I had a good study in CT today. Living in this evil world just makes me more determined to continue to prepare spiritually for the even harder times to come. I know I say this a lot but I understand how important it is. It's too easy to get comfortable when things are going smoothly - very smoothly compared to what's coming.

I praise God for the hope we have in Him. I'm glad we haven't got long. I know we have work to do for the Lord here but I can't wait to be with Him.

I'm at work for the rest of the week now - covering for staff on holiday.

Take care, Bob and hope the rest of your week goes well. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

In Jesus
Response #4:  
Thanks for the prayers. This took place downtown a fair ways away from my home and work. I don't think I know anyone involved. I guess the officer badly hurt had only been out of the academy a couple of weeks. We have a big staffing problem with the police here and the feds aren't making that any better by breathing down their necks with their big investigation. I hope this tragedy has positive rather than negative effects in terms of the aftermath: people should appreciate what our police do instead of seeing them as the enemy. This is less of a problem here than in many northern cities but Louisville is a pretty left-leaning town (different from the rest of the state in that regard). 

They canceled classes today because of this and another shooting, but only got around to doing that after I was done teaching all four of mine. Just as well. I'd hate to miss an opportunity to put my students to sleep so close to the end of the semester. 

Sounds like a busy week for you! Mine is not too bad but I'm getting pretty tired. May can't come soon enough this year (but I'll be complaining about summer research soon enough no doubt).

I appreciate your spiritual resolve, my friend – and it's always good to hear it (very encouraging).

Keeping you and your family in my prayers as well.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #5:  

Hi Dr L,

How are you?

[omitted]

PS: If you want blunt honestly from me...while it is true I was a little lonely, part of the reason I went also was for that deeper friendship that you have explained to me is very rare (where you help each other out if something goes wrong). But I think me having that attitude, even if only partially, messes it up. I think you are right that it has to happen naturally. And I think it would be through work or maybe if I did social events more casually if/when I did them (I mean something I really did like and would do on my own without others). 
Response #5:   
If the Spirit is guiding you not be part of this group, well, it's always better to listen to the Spirit than to ignore Him – in matters great and small.

The Lord is able to provide you with everything you need. Just because you don't have the fellowship you would like to have at the moment, doesn't mean that the Lord isn't aware and isn't going to do something for you. Our job is wait patiently, trusting Him – and growing in the meantime so that when we are blessed with something good we will have the utmost capacity to enjoy it thoroughly.

I do pray for you daily, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #6:  
And there is the part that is normally used against believers marrying unbelievers, but when you read it, it seems to be referring to friendships (even more than just marriage, because marriage is more than friends, and it is talking about the friend level specifically; at least it looks like that to me). And that is a lot of danger to put yourself in for the possibility of Christian friends. A bad environment to look for that in. So then it would be church, but we are back to where we started. Yes I refer to myself as 'we' sometimes when thinking lol.

Please take care of yourself
Response #6:  
Abraham was called "the friend of God" (Jas.2:23), and our Lord Jesus calls us His brothers/brethren (Heb.2:12). There's no better relationship and nothing better than the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (2Cor.13:14; Phil.2:1; cf. Philem.1:6; 1Jn.1:3-7).

David wrote some of his most joyous Psalms out in the wilderness alone – but God was with Him.

I am praying for you on this score, my friend. We all have basic human needs and desires which are legitimate and do not conflict with a godly life. Abraham, very legitimately, wanted an heir. And God gave him the perfect one . . . but he did have to wait a bit as I recall.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #7:  
Hi Bob,

In Response #19, there may have been a cut and paste error.

As a side note, it seems some of your readers are still fretting over their salvation. I think Psalm 37 would be a comfort. Much in my life confirms the Bible; I prayed for a little patch of prairie to call my own, and I received it even though I was to stubborn to see it at first, the Lord held it for me for two years. I have not suffered want and have been fed and I've been protected twice, once from stepping on a rattle snake and once for grabbing a flower pot and a very pregnant black widow. And more... For me that's enough confirmation of God's Word.

I'm convinced that those doubts come directly from Satan. Doubt and temptation come occasionally to me, too, but thinking about the blessings I've been given quickly puts that thinking back out to pasture.

In thinking about the blessings I've been given and connecting it with the Lord's feeding of 5,000 from a few fish (Much to consider there!) I got curious. It turns out the most common commercial fish in the Sea of Galilee is a variety of tilapia (of which there are probably hundreds.) They're also found in the Nile and apparently favored by the Egyptians.

Today, nearly all tilapia are farmed and in sometimes questionable conditions. Many times imported from China. Still, it's a pleasant fish to eat. Carp are also common in the Sea of Galilee (think McDonald's fish sandwiches.) Carp is a little more oily than tilapia and closer to salmon, but out of clean water, is a delight. Quite similar to cod. Apparently, in the Sea of Galilee are myriad sardines -- also a large group of species. It seems the sardines were traditionally pickled and may have been the basis for Roman garum. (An interesting seasoning, if you haven't tried it. As near as I can tell, Red Boat Fish Sauce is the same as what the Romans called garum.)

I'm finding I'm gravitating toward more fish in my diet. I still love beef and lamb but generally feel better mixing in fish with my diet. I can get frozen wild caught seafood at the local grocery. Fresh is much better, but for me, it's an 80+ mile round trip to get it, and I just don't have the gumption anymore. Generally, too, seafood is frozen on the boat so may in fact, be fresher. Curiously, the frozen fish is now less expensive than beef.

I love shrimp, scallops, clams and mussels which wouldn't have been permitted In Christ's time. As idle speculation, were those restrictions lifted in preparation for these end times?

In my humble opinion, the many references to fish, fishermen and specifically the references to feeding of multitudes in the Bible is there for a reason. I don't know if it has anything to do with salvation but I do think it's worth considering.

I apologize for regaling you with more food issues. This has turned out to be a reflective Sunday. (Temps in the 80s.)

In our Lord Jesus,
Response #7:   
Thanks for noticing that (corrected).

We could all afford to trust the Lord more – and more often. It's far from unusual for believers who are growing and mature to get into the good habit of trusting the Lord on big things . . . then let little things aggravate or worry them. We have a right to put our petitions before Him for ALL things – and the responsibility to trust Him and His promises regardless.

I love lobster, clams and oysters (though these last I am very cautious about nowadays), and I can eat some fish. About the only fish I would choose to eat over, say, a juicy steak, would be whitefish (from northern Michigan great lakes waters) or really well done "fish and chips" (not the fast-food chain stuff). I get that it's supposed to be good for you. So are arugula and cod-liver oil (are we seeing a pattern here yet?).
[False teachers] order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1st Timothy 4:3b-5 NIV
That goes for fish as well, even Tilapia (I suppose). And, yes, there is something to this biblically:
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Matthew 4:10:20 NKJV
That is one of the few hymns I remember from Sunday school which I still like.  When I was a young tad, in kindergarten and first grade they had us do the "what do you want to be when you grow up?" thing.  I remember for one of them it was "missionary" and another "an army man driving a tank".  It didn't work out exactly that way (for the latter I was in the USMC and commanded them but didn't drive them; for the former, this ministry is not an overseas mission per se, though there are plenty of overseas readers), but it is interesting how the Lord works things out.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #8:  
Hi Bob,

I'm beginning to feel guilty; constantly nitpicking.

Yes, Bob, I'm beginning to see a pattern. It appears you have somewhat parochial tastes, though I agree with you about the oysters. I used to love them -- raw on the half shell. Grocery tilapia are generally farmed in China, so I don't eat that, either. Wild-caught, yes. China, no. Waleye fillets are particularly good seared skin-side down to make it nice and crisp and finished with butter. But I rhapsodize. There's no possibility of walleye here in Texas.

I think there are enough good things to eat that we can all choose what we like. My habits are also somewhat parochial; I seem to be cooking the same things over and over.

Yes, we need to trust more. While I have my tongue reasonably under control. Thoughts are much more difficult. Doubts and anger seem to pop up out of nowhere. Prayer seems to be the best anodyne.

Stay well, my friend. Eat well. I hope your time at U of L isn't crazy as other schools appear to have become. I know my brother used to complain about Cornell. Not the students. The faculty and administration.

In our Lord,
Response #8:  
Walleyes were "the great white whale" for my dad. He was a pastor who went fishing every vacation and day off. My mother and brother and I tagged along on occasion. He was always looking for those fish, but though he caught all manner of other things, I don't remember him every catching a walleye (no doubt had a lot to do with the lakes he fished more than anything else).

The Christian life is all about trust. Once we get to the point of trusting Him no matter what, we have really gotten somewhere – but who of us is completely "there" yet? Many more opportunities for this during the Tribulation.

Things aren't too bad at U of L, not compared to other places in the news, at any rate. Colleagues in my dept. and college are mostly pretty nice and reasonable (as long as you don't talk politics and that is something I don't want to do anyway). Had an article accepted for publication today, so thank you for those prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #9:  
Hi Bob,

Walleyes are the ultimate pan fish. Nothing else comes close. Congratulations on your article. Editors are strange birds. You've conquered a beast. I hope you were paid for it, too.

You and yours are always in my prayers. Stay well.

In our Lord,
Response #9:   
If they're anything like their northern pike brothers, they'd be too bony for my taste. But everything in time soon to come will be wonderful.
"It shall be that fishermen will stand by it [i.e., the river flowing forth from the millennial temple] from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many."
Ezekiel 47:10
"I hope you were paid for it, too." LOL! It doesn't work that way. One does get a token amount for books (akin to the "grand pay" a person receives for jury duty), but zero for journal articles. Publishing is part of the job . . . so I guess we do get paid, sort of (at U of L it's more of the "sort of" variety). But lest I leave you with the wrong impression, I am very grateful to the Lord for my job – and to have had this article accepted. Thanks for those prayers!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #10:  
Doc, if we're struggling with shame and guilt over past actions, how can we fix this? I know God wants godly sorrow for sin, not worldly shame.
Response #10:   
You have to make a conscious effort to let go of the past and move forward instead:
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
Philippians 3:13-15 NKJV
So repent of all wayward activity, confess all sin, and commit to moving forward TODAY in spiritual growth (n.b., there is an important section on all this towards the end of the latest Hebrews posting, chapter three, at the link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #11:  
I would like to be part of the Ichthys-on line forum. Just to let you know I am still here.

Thank you for all you do. 

Merry Christmas 

Your friend 
Response #11:   
Good to hear from you!

Christmas was great – hope yours was as well.

I've sent the forum moderator, a join-request. He is visiting his family for Christmas and I'm not sure when he'll be back. But if you don't hear anything by, say, the middle of January, please do let me know.

Hope your Christmas was a good one too!

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #12:  
Hi Dr Luginbill,

So, what does it mean for someone to be a friend? I think people might use two categories: what one might call fair weather friends (or ones who do a bare response to someone for a short period when something bad happens), and friends who are there for you when times are bad. On the first, I don't see them as a friend. I would say they are more like acquaintances-though after you have known them a long time you are more than acquainted and it becomes more of a rejection (for lack of a better word, no one is required to be friends, and some people just don't click). You and them just sort of happen to be interacting for a while until circumstances shift. But once it has become a 'rejection' (again lack of a better word) because they get to know you and choose not to, they are definitely not friends. When you are kids they say to make friends, and they seem to mean just someone who shares an activity you like (which would be the first group) and may or not be an actual friend like the second group. I suppose this is partly because everything is a bit different for kids.

Into the latter group- I was realizing that someone can genuinely care and not be there every time something is bad (maybe they had some other emergency or something). So it is more complex that I originally thought, and you have to consider their general way of relating to you to judge (lack of a better word for this one too).

But then you said to me a long time ago that most people don't want to be intimate (friendship-wise). So what I said before I still posit, but add that there are very, very few in the latter, and you have to let it happen naturally or not, and it probably takes a long time to see (I am guessing multiple years at least). And it seems to me that it is done when you are getting something out of the relationship (this is hard to pin down). I mean in a give and take way (not quite tit for tat but something like it). And later it either grows into friendship or not when you see how you both like or dislike things about each other. (My younger self is like 'we are allowed to dislike people? lol).

Am I framing this right? If so, I am asking myself how this applies to the Christian family. I don't want to write a book, so can I start by asking if you think I am understanding this sort of thing right?

Respectfully,
Response #12:   
Friendship is not something that the Bible guarantees. People are problematic in this world, after all (cf. "I love humanity. It's people I can't stand"; often attributed to Mark Twain but apparently from Charles Schulz). In my observation and experience, unless someone is genuinely dedicated to growing in the truth, becoming friends with them is a dicey business, either to make friends or to have a friendship which will not disappoint. The ONE person who will NOT let us down is the Lord, so doing all we can to grow closer to Him is the best "friendship investment" any believer can make.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
James 2:21-23 NKJV
I do pray for you for some good Christian contacts. I would be happy to ask the forum moderator to send you an invite if you'd be interested in that.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #13:  
I was trying to get foundational knowledge needed to understand the Bible

[omitted]

I guess I can just treat this like another disability, just of an odd kind. I can still understand the Bible about the Lord and how to relate to Him, and once in a while how to treat others will come into play. I think I am just accepting I am going just have a loner kind of life maybe.
Response #13:  
I'm sorry if I upset you. I was trying to encourage you.

The Bible doesn't always approach things as we would like it to. We all have a great many life-application questions which aren't answered directly but which can be informed and guided and directed by the Spirit if we are really growing spiritually. From where I sit, your spiritual common sense based on growth seems very solid. Listen to the Spirit and He will guide you into the best paths with all actual situations you face. That doesn't mean providing you with a detailed guide of the sort that some "churches" will give you in "workshops" going well beyond what is written (1Cor.4:6). And scripture doesn't do that for a good reason: we are supposed to navigate this world on principles of truth, not the letter of Law (or worse, made up human lists of rules).

Plenty of believers have had to deal with loneliness and other frustrations. Abraham had to wait over twenty years for his promised heir. And speaking of great believers, David was unloved as a child and alone most of the time. He was friends with Jonathan later, but Jonathan chose to stay with his father rather than accompany David into the wilderness. David was not, however, lonely: from his youth onwards and in all his distress his aloneness led him to cultivate his relationship with the Lord. Scripture never calls David a "friend of God" as it does Abraham (previous email), but it does say that he was "a man after God's own heart" (1Sam.13:14; Acts 13:22), and you cannot read his psalms without understanding what a deep, joyous and wonderful relationship David had with the Lord. 

People come and go and cannot be expected to demonstrate the consistency and faithfulness we all crave. But the Lord never ever lets us down. 

Here is a link which talks about David's solitude and unfair treatment – and how that actually helped to make him the great believer he was: David (in BB 6A; see also in HE 11; link).

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #14:  
Doc, you say we have to be grounded in reality at all times, to the point that even fantasizing about anything or really using our imagination for much at all is sinful...sorry to sound like I'm doubting, but you're making the Christian life sound like it's very depressing. How does ANYONE live like that and not end up being either depressed or a stone cold killjoy? I would be depressed so bad it would make my current depression look like a momentary bum over something like not getting a meal I wanted. I don't get you sometimes Doc...

By the by, so many people claim what they teach is what the Bible teaches, even giving logical proof, how can I even be sure you're truly teaching what it does? These people truly believe they teach what it does and have absolute faith in the version of God they believe the Bible teaches...you seem no different from that. When people question it they often say the same thing you do, that if you truly want the Truth and nothing else you'll either find their ministry or one that teaches what they do, or come to their conclusions. They even often claim people that don't agree with what they teach are people who "just want to believe what they want", or even that they're willfully leading people away from the truth to fill the seats of their congregation so to speak, whether it be an online ministry or physical church...this is usually about the same kind of people I just described. This is why I feel like I can't truly trust anyone. Even God supposedly revealing Himself if you truly want the truth is almost always just leading you to one of these people who have wildly varying doctrine. I sometimes feel like God is just trolling us so to speak, that He leaves us to stick to some teaching in blind faith and hope it's the right way to Heaven. I know He's not like that, but it truly feels that way at times. I don't know what to do Doc...even people who supposedly found God through natural revelation seem to come to all sorts of conclusions.
Response #14:  
Re: "you say we have to be grounded in reality at all times". While it's not a bad policy, I don't believe I've ever said it that way. Reference?

Fantasizing is not the same thing as thing as using one's imagination; the former is always a waste of time while the latter can involve innovative approaches to problems et al. But no one ever got anywhere in this life by wasting their time daydreaming and imagining things that aren't true. That can be a real trap and an addictive one as well.
Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
Proverbs 12:11 NIV

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.
Proverbs 28:19 NIV
On your second paragraph, as to the claims and unreasonable requirement of other ministries, I am certain you never heard this sort of thing from me. In any case, no one is twisting your arm and forcing you to read Ichthys or to email me. I would hope that by now you would be able to see that you have benefitted from this ministry. From my perspective, it is clear that you have made some spiritual progress. Is that the case with any other ministry you have spent time with? The proof is always "in the pudding" as they say. I will add that there are limits to what any legitimate Bible teaching ministry can do for you . . . because YOU have to believe the truth when it is taught and have the discipline to apply it to your life. We all limit our own growth in lots of ways; the more we limit ourselves through unwillingness to believe and apply the truth, the less we grow.

Secondly, there are ways to tell a good ministry from a bad one. I have never ever claimed that Ichthys was the only legitimate Bible ministry out there. Indeed, there are others I also recommend (like Bible Academy and Bibledocs; links). But I have worked hard at making it as clear as I can that this is one good place to learn the truth. I always try to explain where I "got what I got" and also how. I have posted my C.V. so that my credentials – on which I worked very hard for a very long time – can be evaluated by anyone making use of this ministry. And I also stand ready to answer legitimate questions from readers about any and all biblical subjects, as well as to defend the teachings of this ministry (to a reasonable extent: I don't engage in endless fencing with people who clearly are never going to believe the truth).
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
Matthew 7:15-20 NIV
This is the test our Lord has given us, namely, the "fruit test" (see the link). If the ministry you are considering gives you a spiritual stomach ache – or worse – then there is probably a problem with it. This does not mean, however, that a good ministry will always provide you with the exact fruit you really like a lot; but it does mean that it will provide you with fruit that is good for you, fruit that will help you grow. Any ministry worth its salt will tell you things that are true. But sometimes you are not going to like the truth you hear, because we all have areas of our lives where adjusting to the truth is not so easy. Still, it's easy enough to tell the difference between figs (which you may not like) and thistles (which would give anyone nausea or worse). If a Christian is objective, listening to the Spirit, and genuinely being interested in learning the truth, he/she will have the patience to push through minor things that may be his/her personal hang-ups or even some minor peccadilloes of the ministry in question (no pastor-teacher is perfect). Are you growing? If so, that should tell you something. If you're not, then maybe you need to find someplace else where you can grow.

It is very true that there are plenty of "ministries", churches and denominations out there which have learned to "say the right things" to entice people in. Please read Proverbs chapter nine and compare what the Woman "Wisdom" says in the first part of the chapter with what the Woman "Folly" says in the second part. They both begin their appeals in the same way. From where they are positioned and from what they first say, they cannot be told apart. But very quickly, Wisdom starts saying things that are a little hard to accept but which we know in our hearts are right, while Folly says things that we would like to accept – although we know in our hearts they are wrong. The Spirit is easily able to distinguish right from wrong – and so are you. You can't let the rhetorical position "they all sound alike" be used on you by the devil to peel you off from the good and steer you over to the bad – not if you are wise.

Other indications that you are in the wrong place: 1) celebrity: any outright seeking of fame is likely more concerned with that than the truth; 2) money: if the ministry is all about getting you to give to it, then perhaps that is its true priority; 3) control: a group which wants to run your life by having you pass all of your decision by some "discipler" or have you confess your sins to some "priest-confessor" is out to take away your free will and will ruin your life in the end (all cults do this sort of thing). 

So from my point of view, it's very easy to figure out what is good and what is bad. That is only the start, however. I have noticed throughout many years of doing this ministry that some who partake are never really interested in committing to a very deep degree. To the extent that a person lands at Ichthys once in a while, but also bounces around and hops from church to church and from website to website, not much good will come of such effort and activity – because in the end nothing will be believed since no authority has been accepted. It's not good believing what is not true. But when the Spirit tells you something is true and you refuse to believe it or go elsewhere for a second (or third) opinion, no growth is likely to take place. Growth doesn't take place just because you heard the truth; you have to believe and then apply the truth.

For anyone who wants to grow, I never tell people what to do. But I can tell you that the more of this ministry you read, the more attention you give to it, the more you commit yourself to believing and applying what you've heard and read and learned and believed, the better off you'll be, in terms of spiritual growth, progress in your walk with the Lord, and, one hopes, ministering to others as the Spirit has gifted you to do in some way or another. That is the only way to glorify Jesus Christ. That is the only way to earn a good eternal reward. I feel like I'm doing my part. But you have to make your own decisions and follow through yourself in order to get the benefit.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #15:  
I am working through the Angels study, and I notice you say two things: that all fantasy is bad (well you say it probably should be avoided), and I am listing separately things like vampires and werewolves in this sentence. I suppose I really struggle with the first idea, because I don't see why it should be like that. On the second, imaginary beings are sometimes representatives of something in real life, or exaggerations of real life things to make a point or illustrate something. I just, do you still think that now, that they should just be avoided, and fantasy books, for example, are not valid forms of recreation for Christians (or not good ones, which leads to not valid)?

And it isn't like it is just 'fun' like dancing is just fun for the moment (though dancing has long term benefits and is not just a momentary beneficial thing). But art and fantasy can help one visualize how things may be possible, expand the mind. Yes I know the liberal arts crew says things like this in their PR, but I do think it is true. For example, I do think my lots of reading helps me when I read the Bible. Yes I could just believe when I didn't understand (and I try to do that, because many times it was explained to me later), but if we have a medium that expands the mind to help us to see, that is one benefit. 

Also, lots of reading gives you good communicative ability. And if fantasy is the sugar that helps the medicine down with the medicine, well then. 

Do you think it is bad and should be avoided? I mean everything has 'potential' for danger, and yes some more than others. But it really doesn't seem to me like a fantasy book like Lord of the Rings is much more dangerous than alcohol.

Anyway. I just, there are a lot of activities like wearing jewelry, and dancing, and lots of others that are not directly tied to worship that the Lord endorses (basically, I mean why give jewelry and talk about His doing it as a good thing, same with providing opportunities for dancing-in some it is because the people are happy and free and not directly worshipping, or drinking wine (not overdoing it)). I just don't see what you are saying.
Response #15:   
I do endorse reading! And as a Classics professor, well, it's not like I have no contact with literature – literature pretty much sums up my job. I think if you'll read over that section carefully you'll see that I'm speaking about practices which may push us away from our focus on Jesus Christ and the truth.

In any case, when it comes down to the specifics, these are matters of application. I don't make rules for other people and I certainly wouldn't want to be making rules about this sort of thing. Also, no one is accountable to me – we are accountable to the Lord, responding to the Spirit and our consciences (not to other believers).

As you say, there are dangers everywhere. Believers negotiate those dangers through growing in the truth and learning to listen to the Spirit. So the real answer is, if the Spirit is coaxing you not to do something, you would be far better off not doing it; if you are not getting any negative feedback from Him about certain courses of action it could be because there is nothing wrong with them. Or it could be because you are not ready to hear it yet. 

We get better at adjusting our applications as we grow in the truth. Or at least we should! None of us is perfect in this regard, but that is no reason to ignore the Spirit or fail to try to get better at our walk with Jesus Christ day by day. After all, we are here for Him – and that is the only reason we are here.
"If you love Me, do what I tell you."
John 14:15

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #16:  
[omitted]
Response #16:  
Human beings are just flesh and blood, and there's nothing good in any of us . . . except through the Holy Spirit.

It doesn't make sense to me that you would be "worried sick" about what I might say and yet think or say that you have "no fear of God". The God I know is so awesome; if we caught even a glimpse of Him we would be paralyzed. No doubt that is why He "hides Himself" (Is.45:15), namely, to allow our choices to be truly free. But if you would just consider the truth in the Spirit even a little, you would recognize the truth of this statement:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
See the link: The Fear of God (in HE 4)

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #17:  
Do you know what is weird? I spend so much time and effort on this related to understanding and obeying the Bible...the prayers, Bible reading, study Greek (did 1.5 hrs today), and more. And yet I still often feel disconnected from Him somehow. As if I haven't been spending so much time. 
Response #17:   
Please let me know if you receive this – I got another rejection; here are some of the details:

Our system has detected that this message is likely unsolicited mail. To reduce the amount of spam sent to Gmail, this message has been blocked. Please visit https://support.google.com/mail/?p=UnsolicitedMessageError for more information.

If you would do me a favor and add Ichthys or may email to your "trusted" list, that would really help out.

As to your question, this is not an uncommon feeling, but it is always the case when we are "feeling dry" (as it is commonly put), that is a fault on our end, not on God's end. 

It is our responsibility to keep our relationship with Him fresh and joyous. That is not necessarily an automatic thing, even if we are doing due diligence in reading the Bible, accessing good Bible teaching and praying. We decide what we think – and what we think about – as we walk through each day. Whether or not we're walking closely with the Lord has a lot to do with whether or not we are thinking about Him and how aggressively we are keeping Him and His truth – all the things we love more than life – in the forefront of our hearts and minds. There is a lot about his in BB 6A: Peripateology.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NIV

Remember, the key to not feeling spiritually "dry" is the water of the Word of God (Is.55:1; Jn.3:5; 3:8; 4:10; 4:13-14; 6:35; 7:37-39; 1Cor.10:4; Eph.5:26; Heb.10:22; 1Jn.5:8; Rev.7:17; 21:6; 22:1; 22:17; cf. Ex 17:5-6; Num. 20:8; Ps.42:1-2; 63:1; 84:5-7; Is.41:17; 44:3; Jer.2:13), reading it, hearing it taught, remembering it, living by it.
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
Psalm 63:1-7 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #18:  
You don't have to read my last email if you don't want, it's just me explaining how I got out of that political nightmare. Anyway you say most if not all fiction is mimesis, and you seem to talk about that as if it's some kind of satanic abomination. Yet you say enjoying appropriate fiction isn't necessarily sinful? And then you essentially say it's not something we should do if we're truly seeking the Lord? From what I can gather you're saying any form of fun or entertainment is kind of just there for us until we're ready to fully commit every bit of our lives to spiritual growth? I don't understand...
Response #18:  
Saturday is posting day, so apologies for the delay.

As to "you say most if not all fiction is mimesis" – yes; that is not particularly controversial, even in a secular appraisal; it's a valid description. We enjoy art because it approximates reality but is not identical with it.

But as to "and you seem to talk about that as if it's some kind of satanic abomination", I don't know where you got that idea. I doubt that "Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm" or "Black Beauty" have plunged many young people into satanic cult activity, e.g. Also, I am a Classics professor and literature is art. There are a lot of benefits to learning, reading and studying Greek and Latin classics. That doesn't mean we have to believe in pagan gods or myths, e.g.

This world is presently under the devil's sway and his world system is designed to promote his lies (see SR 4 at the link in particular). We believers love the truth – or at least we should. And there is nothing fictional about the truth. Is there anything true about fiction? Like all good lies, the closer fiction imitates the truth, the better it generally is/seems/reads. 

I think it would be impossible for anyone to grow up and live in the modern world without any exposure to fiction. Attempting that would probably be a mistake. The Greeks had a saying, "Learn to swim" (because the Greeks were islanders and coastal people and if you didn't know how to swim eventually you'd drown for one reason or another), "and remember to dis-believe" (meaning that people are liars and if you don't learn that early on you'll get into great trouble one way or another). 

As long as we know/accept/understand that fiction is not the truth, as long as we don't make decisions based solely upon what we hear/see/read in anything fictional, as long as we don't let ourselves be sucked into fantasy and fantasizing based on fictional representations, in short, as long as we don't allow ourselves to be influenced by things that are made-up and therefore by definition not actually true, a reasonable amount will probably not hurt us (what is "reasonable" depends, as in all things, on us individually, and on our level of spiritual maturity). But as in all things, it's possible to go overboard with too much as well as to commit one of the "as long as" mistakes above. The Greeks were instrumental in developing western fiction (starting with Homer), but as mentioned, when it came to actually living life, they generally had a good grasp of what was real and what was not – and were wary of trusting things that could not be verified.

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #19:  
Thanks. What does it mean to not let it make us be pulled into fantasy and fantasizing? It's not really a horrific thing to make up a story based on a show or game you like, is it? I know we shouldn't think on such things most of the day, after all our focus should be on God and serving Him, right? But maybe it is such a bad thing after all. Maybe thinking on such things to the point we make up our own stories based on it and it's world is actually detrimental spiritually, in a subtle yet potentially devastating way. What do you think?
Response #19:   
I don't think any of us is perfect on this score. As I always have maintained, capturing and retaining the "high ground of the heart", "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2Cor.10:5), is in many ways both the hardest and the ultimate spiritual battle believers face.
(1) Therefore since you have been resurrected [positionally] with Christ, keep seeking after the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) Keep thinking on the things above, and not the things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
The above is the biblical standard, but that standard is hard to meet 24/7. We are surely happier when we do get closer to it rather than if we let ourselves drift far from it.

As to "making up things" in terms of producing art, I don't think that's the same thing exactly as fantasizing / day-dreaming (which latter things are not helpful). We all "drift" in our thinking and so are often not at our best when unexpected tests come our way. In terms of making up things for a purpose (i.e., writing a book to sell, writing a song, painting a picture, etc., etc.), every believer has to come their own decisions about how they want to use their time (or earn a living). Some thinking / works of art are definitely better, some definitely worse than others (i.e., Handel's Messiah vs. porno-rap music). This is a matter of individual application and spiritual common sense, not of biblical rules (beyond the general principles given above).

In Jesus,

Bob L.
Question #20:  
Hi Bob,

I lost the email I used to email you, and tried to use a new one that doesn’t seem to be working. A couple of things I wanted you know.

- I started to feel that icky feeling about the condemnation from the past, but this time, I faced it head on using the scriptures we have been discussing over the last 5 or so years. 

- I sadly just could not get it into my head to take the Lord at His word. It appears belief was at the root of the problem. Though at the time I had to justify why my sin was extra special. Perhaps some part of me had pride in the big bad sin I committed. Something has shifted in my heart Bob!

I know you have been telling me that spiritual growth is the only way out of this hole, but I kept fearing the reading of the scriptures. I retraced the steps that scared me so bad last time in the word and it’s as if I can hear Him again. Nothing supernatural as most would define it, but rather the scriptures sound like good news again. You describe it well in your Q and A as a negative feedback loop left unchecked leads to all manners mental health issues that seem to compound. 

I started running back through the Bible Basics with Ichthys when I’m in a public place that I can’t listen to audio and I have Curtis playing videos as I work with my hands for audio [links]. This is a very recent breakthrough. Had you seen the emails I wrote you previously, the tone, though upbeat, was not as positive as this. 

Additionally, I ran into some other Ichthys readers on YouTube that invited me to thier forum, I am blessed to find more people with which to discuss these topics. I believe you know the moderator, I randomly ran into him on YouTube and asked him if he knew this ministry. Now I realize that his and a few more sites are recommended on Ichthys. 

After some soul searching and some good advice, I’ve decided to leave the weird occult stuff behind. Obviously I don’t want anything to do with it any more but you could barely tell it from how often I speak about the topic. I think it’s time to move on to the things that God has planned and spiritual growth. 

Things are looking much better now and I’ve been able to hand the heavy burden over to The Lord. Adding a community of believers to the list things to be happy about. I’ll keep digging into the Bible. Thanks for your help.

In Him,
Response #20:   
I'm very happy to hear of your spiritual victories, my friend! Sometimes it does take a minute for us to get victory over particular problems, especially if we've spent a good deal of prior time digging holes for ourselves. But nothing is impossible for the Lord, and the Spirit is capable of solving all problems through our acceptance and application of the truth. 

Great also to hear that you were led to the forum! That is really fantastic, and, given the plethora of "Bible teaching/Bible study" sites and channels out there, seems to me to be definitely "from the Lord". 

I'm keeping you in prayer – may your peace and confidence in the Lord to continue to build, my friend!
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 NKJV
In Jesus,

Bob L.
http://ichthys.com/