I Dare You To Read This Book

This is a book of common sense and it is based on my life's experiences and the knowledge I have accumulated over the last 40 years. I challenge you to ask yourself do you know what you believe and why? Where did your beliefs come from? Are there things you just don't know you don't know. Does it matter what you believe? Are you willing to change and be right when you are wrong? I must warn you it is a bit pithy. I dare you to read this book!

The purpose of this book is simple. I hope to encourage everyone willing to read it to evaluate his or her belief system and decide if it is based on valid information. Simply, do you know what you believe and why? Have you ever heard the expression, "You don't know what you don't know?" Are there things you don't know that are essential, and do you perhaps hold to beliefs that are based on a false premise? In this book we will examine truth, what it is and attempt to answer the question "Is there absolute truth?" We will explore some of the crazy things people believe. You will be challenged to examine yourself to see if you are teachable and correctable. I submit that most arguments are usually supported by philosophical arguments not facts and truth. You will also be challenged to examine yourself to see if you are being socially engineered without your consent and knowledge. A few of the other topics in these writings include: "Does it matter what you believe?" "Books people believe in," "Do you believe in God? why or why not?" "Do you believe in a devil and demons". Finally, I hope to give you solid proof to the existence of an Almighty and why Christianity is the only way. I dare you to read the whole thing. I just ask you to give me a chance to tell you about what I have learned. All too often I do not get the opportunity to have a full discussion concerning the topics in this book. Usually emotions, stubbornness, philosophical dogma and tradition get in the way. I dare you to read this book.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1949. I am a classic baby boomer raised in a blue collar neighborhood. My father was a World War II veteran. Although I don’t have a formal degree, my educational background has been extensive. Searching for my place in life I went to community college for a few years, and went to computer programming school for a few years. As I pursued a career in management I took courses in everything from dimensional metrology to union busting. I guess in many ways you could say I was a self-taught, home schooled adult with a degree in life. I was always a curious sort with a thirst to know. I have taken classes in first aid. I got my scuba license, glider pilot license and worked for nine years in insurance (which required me to get my property and casualty license). For most of my career I have been a manager. I even had a two year stint as a lay pastor for a church. For the last nine years I have been the president of a small group of Christian radio stations. Space doesn't allow me to explain how this came about other than to say that this has not been a career, but a calling. God works in mysterious ways. I first became obsessed with wanting to know the meaning of life when I became a father. I remember one day at work. I was minding my own business when Pee Wee, the janitor came into my work space singing. He was a very happy, personable, older guy. He would always come in singing and talking about the Bible. When I was a boy I went to church. My parents would send me but didn't go themselves, except my mother who would go at Easter sometimes. My church-going was short because if not forced to go, I didn't. So I knew a little about the Bible. Actually, most people knew some things about the Bible when I was growing up. The Ten Commandments were common knowledge. Well, anyway Pee Wee came in one day talking about the Bible and I said to him, “Yeah Pee Wee, when I get older and have more time I wouldn't mind reading the Bible.” I‘ll never forget what he said to me. “What if you don’t live that long?” he asked. A light bulb came on; what if I don’t live that long? This set off a barrage of questions that I was compelled to answer. Is there a God and if there is, does it matter how we live? Are we required to live a certain way? What happens when we die? Does it matter what we did while were alive? When we die is that it? Do we go to some other place or state? Is the Bible God’s word? I have spent the last 40 years as a student of the Bible. I have taken more courses in Biblical studies than I can remember. Although I wouldn't consider myself an avid reader I have read and studied theology extensively. When I began to give a list of books I recommend reading I was surprised at just how many books I have read. My writing is one of the ways I hope to share what I have learned. Although I don’t consider myself a writer I have found myself led to write more than I would have ever expected. It is my desire that whatever I do in my life, it helps point people to the Creator of life. There is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain.