BaptistLife.Com Forums.

For some reason, I think some of you might wish to do just that... because (gasp) I am here!

Not a Baptist, but am a Christian. I enjoy hearing various opinions & ideas. One of my favorite local preachers is Baptist. I drive almost 40 miles to hear Dan preach, from time to time.

I am from the Phoenix, AZ area (81° today) and love a variety of things.

I do know this...

How to start an argument online
1. Express an opinion
2. Wait

With that in mind, I will avoid offering opinions until I get the feel for this community.

Welcome, Ralph! (Or R N, if you'd rather we called you that at least initially ...

You will find some of us are rather opinionated, I'm sure. But as long as you're reasonably civil, don't cast aspersions on our salvation, and try to avoid invoking Hitler, you'll find a number of folks here ready to discuss or argue on a variety of topics, religious, political, and college-sports in nature.

You will find some of us are rather opinionated, I'm sure. But as long as you're reasonably civil, don't cast aspersions on our salvation, and try to avoid invoking Hitler, you'll find a number of folks here ready to discuss or argue on a variety of topics, religious, political, and college-sports in nature.

I think everyone is opinionated - some are just louder than others.

I learned, a long time ago, not to cast aspersions as to anyone's salvation - that is for God only & not for me to decide. As a preacher told me once, when we get to heaven, there will be three surprises... 1) The people you see there. 2) The people you don't see there. 3) That you're there.

Don't get me started on Hitler.

As for religious things, I try to stay within Christianity, but study all types - including the non-Christian ones. Politics, well, let's just say I am a Classical Liberal. As such, I am extremely tight on the Constitution & abhor Progressivism, modern Liberalism, the Democrat Party AND the Republican Party. As for college sports, I root for the home teams & against an assortment of others.

I do like variety, however.

I am deeply in love with a beautiful woman who is leaving me... she loves me & doesn't want to lose me, which is good, but a job promotion is taking her away from Arizona to (gasp) Kansas. My heart is fragile, on this subject, and I might be here a lot looking for some encouragement.

I love double-entendres - and sometimes I let them get out of hand. I am not perfect & only human, after all.

I am a biker, at heart. Sometimes I am found with people who might scare little old men, but little old ladies seem to love us. I love God, my family, firearms, my country & anything with a motor, in that order. I don't trust the government, however.

I am sometimes long-winded, even when posting from my phone. It is a flaw I deal with - and you might have to, as well.

Personally, I place love, loyalty, honor, respect & integrity above all other traits I might possess.

Have I scared anyone off, yet?

Oops - almost forgot... Ralph is fine. I answer to nearly anything civil. On the road, they call me Wildman... more because of the way I ride than anything else.

Ralph, welcome to BaptistLife.com. I'm a former Baptist, now United Methodist, who hangs out here because I have friends from my previous Baptist life. I've been on this forum for years (on and off) but my views have evolved over the years.

Ralph, welcome to the forums. We look forward to interacting.

Thanks, folks - I think I will enjoy coming around. I probably won't light the board up for awhile... I'd prefer to watch, learn & get the feel for things first.

I'll probably be 80% lurker, 18% topical commenter & 5% smartalec.

If you noticed that doesn't add up, you might also notice it is past my bedtime.