Welcome
I
pray my site serves you well, and you consider it a valuable resource. The Lord
God grants each of us special talents, gifts and purposes, and I try to use mine to serve you and bless you.
God says, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." - John 3:27
God says, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." - Romans 12:6
God says, "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
I encourage you...
With all things, and with all information, be skeptical. At the same time, be open-minded and willing to learn. Ultimately, this means, be a "seeker," a learner -- not quickly accepting just any old thing, but not acting as though you have figure everything out either.
As you peruse my site, realize that I do not require anyone to agree with me. I merely offer what I have learned and believe, wanting you to come to your own conclusions. I pray God and your own conscious truly guide you.
Christianity
It may not be what you think it is...
This may surprise you, but many people actually misunderstand Christianity. Many non-believers consider Christianity just another religion. Even worse, some (so-called) Christians misrepresent it, treating as a religion, thus helping to confuse the matter even more. In general, many always have misunderstood it...and just as many have always persecuted Christians. The thing is, people tend to react negatively to things they do not understand or like, or which they think threatens their beliefs or way of life. The questions are... How do you see Christianity? Is your view truly correct? How do you react to it? Is your reaction correct?
The truth is...
True Christianity IS NOT about obeying certain rules, regulations, or rituals. That is, it is not about religion or relying on your own goodness. Instead, it is about having an ongoing and intimate relationship with the God who created you and loves you unconditionally and immeasurably.
God says, "...no one will be declared righteous by observing the law; rather, through the law you become conscious of wrong doing." - Romans 3:20
God [Jesus] says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter heaven, but ONLY he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never KNEW YOU. Away from me, you evildoers!'" - Matthew 7:21-23
The most important thing to understand is, God does not force Himself on you or anyone. Instead, He daily knocks on the door of your heart, waiting for you to invite Him in. He chooses us, and He waits for us to choose Him. He wants our attention. He wants our love...genuine love. Of course, when you force another to do something against their will, e.g. love you, it is no longer genuine, and this is one reason He lets you decide.
God says, "For God so loved you that He gave..." - 1 John 3:16
God [Jesus] says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20
About My Faith
My wife and I are non-denominational Christians. We believe and confess, "Jesus is Lord." We believe...
- ...God exists and longs for a personal relationship with each and every person. You get to know God personally when you invite Him into your life.
- ...God became flesh, or human, through Jesus Christ. That is, Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. As a man, he died on a cross and was buried for three days, paying he price for our sin. As God, he rose from the dead to live again, forever.
- ...God provides His "Holy Spirit" to us as our helper -- our Guide, our Teacher, etc. He works in the lives of believers and non-believers, seeking to guide and direct everyone to God.
- ...life is eternal, and thus continues after death, forever. Although God loves us and wants us to have eternal life with Him, we decide where we reside after death by accepting Him or rejecting Him while still alive here on earth.
- Visit my Christian section for more...
- You can learn more about my Christian background and what we believe. You will find articles, commentaries and Bible studies I have written, links to many other Christian sites, and more.
Nudism/Naturism
It may not be what you think it is...
Unfortunately, as I mentioned above about Christianity, most people misunderstand nudism/naturism and persecute its followers. Most non-nudists relate nudity to sex in such a way that, to them, nudity and sex are basically the same. They have become so sexual, or so sexualized (and in some case, down right perverse) that they find it difficult consider nudity another way. Naturally, this leads them to believe nudism/naturism must be about sex and/or perversity, too.
Even worse, similar to what I said above of some (so-called) Christians, some (so-called) nudists/naturists misrepresent the lifestyle, actually mixing sex and perversity in with it, thus helping to confuse matters even more. Of course, as I also said about Christianity, people tend to react negatively to things they do not understand or like, or which they think threatens their beliefs or way of life. Once again, the questions are... How do you see nudity and nudism/naturism? Is your view truly correct? How do you react to it? Is your reaction correct?
The truth is...
True nudism/naturism IS NOT about sex, rather it is about health. The actual dictionary definition of nudism or naturism is "going without clothes, especially socially, FOR REASONS OF HEALTH." In fact, what many people probably do not realize is, nudism/naturism actually began as a health movement. While many today enjoy the lifestyle for many other reasons, I believe every reason still always boils down to health...not only physical health, where the body functions better and more as intended (by God or nature), but also in regard to every other aspect of life, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.
The human body is common to us all. That is, we all have a body, and they're all, for the most part, similar. Most importantly, our bodies are the vehicles that carry us through life. They house the immortal spirit of man. With this mind... Is it healthy to accept the body as normal and natural? Is it healthy to accept the body as good, or beneficial? Is it healthy to accept the body as beautiful, regardless of shape, size, color, age, condition, etc.? Is it healthy to accept the body as more than merely a sex object or merchandise? I think so. I think it is unhealthy the way our culture tends to associate the body primarily with sex, sin, fear, shame, disdain or scorn, etc. I think it is healthy to be free from these things, and that is what nudism/naturism helps you do.
For Christians, it is worth noting that Christians often led the way as leaders. For instance, when organized nudism came to America, Reverend Ilsley Boone, along with his wife, two daughters, and son became its leading family.
God says, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." - 1 Corinthians 1:28-29
God says, "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." - Genesis 2:25
God says, "God SAW ALL that He had made, and it was very good." - Genesis 1:31
God says, "Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving..." - 1 Timothy 4:4
God [Jesus] says, "Why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how GOD CLOTHES the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you...?" Mathew 6:28-30 (also Luke 12:27-28)
Why Nudism/Naturism?
At one time, I really struggled to understand what is wrong with simple non-sexual nudity. Since as far back as I can remember I often preferred wearing less or no clothes, and I didn't see mere nudity as sexual, lustful, sinful, etc. Of course, since modern society teaches otherwise, I didn't know what to think. I thought maybe something might be wrong with me, as though maybe I was just perverted or something.
After a while, it bothered me so much that I began to look for answers in order to resolve the issues in my own mind. After a few years of thorough study and serious prayer, I learned the truth. I learned that there is nothing wrong with non-sexual nudity, in and of itself, and that it can actually be beneficial, when used correctly. I learned I was a nudist, or naturist, and I was not alone, even as a Christian. I learned that many people, even other Christians, are like me, preferring to wear less or no clothes.
I now believe most people would embrace non-sexual social nudity, or at least not be so against it, if they understood the truth themselves. How many actually care enough to learn more? How many actually see it as something they need to do, or would benefit from doing? The thing is, only true seekers will; people who are skeptical, but open-minded. For Christians, God's word commands us to "test everything" -- to look for the truth of a matter, every matter, and not rely merely on opinion, preference, tradition, etc. This same command goes on to tell us that, after testing a thing, we must "hold on to the good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
God says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..." - 1 John 4:1
God says, "Test EVERYTHING. Hold on to the good." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
I consider myself a seeker. Although I am generally a skeptic, I am very open-minded and love learning. In this case, I thoroughly "tested" nudism/naturism for myself and I found out it is actually good, when used properly, and even Godly. In fact, I now believe social nudity is the Lord's "perfect will" (and clothing is part of His "permissive will"). After all, He established social nudity as His "norm" in The Garden, before sin entered the picture. Since the Lord does not change, I believe He still sees social nudity the same way He did in the Garden. Of course, in order for us to benefit from social nudity, we too must see it the way He does, the way Adam and Eve did before they sinned.
- Visit Common Ground (my nudist/naturist section) for more, much more...
- A wealth of information. You can learn more about what I believe and how I live. You can find articles, commentaries and Bible studies I have written, articles on other sites, links to many similar sites, especially Christian nudist/naturist sites, and more. Note: My site has no nude photos, so you can browse without concern (if that concerns you). Oh! One page does show you what men where under their kilts.
Programming
What can I say here? Hmmm... My programming section is not quite as controversial as the rest of my site. LOL :) Hopefully, if you are a programmer, interested in programming or simply need help with it in some way, you will find something useful here.
My Background
Originally, I programmed as a hobby. Now is also my profession. I am mostly self-taught. I started with Atari Basic on my first computer in the late 1980's. Later, I learned DOS and then AutoLISP for AutoCAD, as well as AutoLISP's associated languages, e.g. DCL and macros. I was a diehard DOS programmer until Windows 95 came along. Even then, I still used DOS extensively. I only used Windows 3.1 for specific applications that handled certain functionality better. Now I program primarily in Visual Basic, mostly VBA and VBScript right now, and Microsoft Office, mostly Microsoft Access. I do continue to program in AutoLISP from time to time, and I dabble in other languages as I have time, which is rare these days.
God, the Ultimate Programmer
God says, "Let there be light" and there was light. - Genesis 1:3
Sorry! I just had to include that. :) I just had to mention that, as a programmer, when I look at life and creation, I see "logic" and I marvel at how well it works. Each system runs rather smoothly within another system...system upon system.
- Visit Code Do (my programming section) for more...
- You will find my coding examples, links to coding relates sites or software, and more.
More about Greg
- About me and my family
- Background information, some family history, genealogy, links to other family, and more.
- My Family Photo Pages
- Many photos of my family and me, and I do try to keep the "Recent" section current. Enjoy!
Contact Me
If you find you enjoy my site, or just want to comment about it, please sign my guestbook, or if you prefer, email me. You can even "Instant Message" me. Just use My Online Page to see if I am online through AOL, ICQ, MSN and/or Yahoo. NOTE: I rarely use ICQ these days.
God says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." - Jeremiah 33:3
Quoting God?
In brief, God wants a relationship with us. He wants us to know Him personally. As a result, He continually speaks to us, seeking to guide and direct us to Himself. What many do not realize is, God is a gentleman. That is, He refuses to force Himself on you or anyone else. Instead, He prizes our free will -- our ability to choose to love Him -- and so He waits for us to invite Him into our lives. He is like a father who just keeps loving and speaking to his young baby until his child begins to understand him and eventually love him back.
Having said that, maybe you do not believe God exists -- or maybe not as the God of the [Christian] Bible. If, for whatever reason, you do not agree that "God says," I hope you at least see the wisdom in what is said and I hope you find it useful for your own life in some way.
Don't agree?
If you do not agree with me, that is ok. I do not require anyone to agree with me. Although I hope you and I do find some common ground, the very least I expect is that you keep an open mind and a seeking heart. In the end, each of us must live up to our own convictions and not try to force them onto others. Hopefully, by sharing what I believe, we both benefit.
God says, "Come now, let us reason together..." - Isaiah 1:20
God says, "One man considers something more sacred than something else; another man considers that same something as no different than anything else. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards something as special, does so to the Lord." - Romans 14:5-6
Copyrights
The U.S. Copyright protects all material on my web site. For more information, visit...
An Intellectual Property Law Primer For Multimedia And Web Developers
http://www.eff.org/Censorship/Academic_edu/CAF/law/ip-primer
Library of Congress' U.S. Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov
Copyright Basics
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html