JustThinking

Well, Oldies, I had a bunch. Lots of hurt too, for sure. I met my best friend in TWI. Genuinely helped many people. (In a way that may not be possible anymore. No intention of registering them for anything) An example? My first tc and I cleaned up the local church's playground and repaired it as they were mostly elderly and had very little money. He was a carpenter and the neighborhood kids liked to play there. They invited us to their church one Sunday to thank us in front of the congregation. Gee, can you tell that was a LONG time ago? Many evenings discussing things in the Bible with another friend also in TWI. (He is way gone also for a number of years) Worked at the Rock for a corps lady I really liked. Very intelligent and sweet. (Carla in food services) Our state wasn't even assigned there. It was either a total fluke or God meant for me to be there. She thought I was a corps person because we had the same first name and I happened to wander through. (I was lost 'cause it was my first time at the ROA) She told me I was supposed to work for her and seemed to know my name. So I stayed. Bunch more too. Finding out what some folks were up to was a sad day for me. Watching the screaming forehead killed it the rest of the way for me. JT

OM, If that was the best week, was it downhill from there? Wasn't sure if that was what you were saying. Not that things ever get misinterpreted here. ;-) JT

I have heard many fond memories here of friends made while in TWI. They all seem like so long ago though. I left TWI in the late 90s and it was a boring, colorless (in more ways than one) group. More like society in the movie "1984." Lots of false self-promotion but very little true happiness, joy, etc. Do you remember a time when those around you in TWI seemed generally happy, liked each other and were excited about life and TWI? If so, when was that? If you are kind enough to respond, could you provide an approximate time-frame and any event that you think was a trigger? Also, if you feel like sharing a "happy moment" story, feel free. :-) JT

Wayfer Not!, It's a good thing or else we'd have to start calling you "Wayfer Maybe?" ;-) JT

Were lightbearers sent everywhere or just within a certain distance of campuses? We never saw them in over 15 years in TWI.

Steve, Is your reference to Darby due to views on dispensations? JT

If it is wrong to expose seriously harmful practices by a group's leaders, what is right then? Be silent? jetc57 quote: "I do not believe VPW ever wanted others to Worship HIM, or think of HIM as the GREAT PROFIT." I know it is a typo but the irony was just too good to pass up! :-) There certainly was great "profit" for them. LOL! Taught the Word as it hadn't been known since the first century? Who taught all of the classes? Who was on more WayRag covers? Who ran the show? C'mon now, who's kidding whom? Sounds like he was running for the office to me.

Mr H, One minor edit: "would you go back into the mouth of a lion if it promises to not bite the other limb off? (But we'll keep the one in our mouth)"

CW quote: "But if all of this were done, it wouldn't be twi anymore, would it?" IMO, you just said it all. JT

I think it's just too far gone. At some point, it's probably better to just start over. If they did want to start anew and for some reason wanted my advice: 1. All the top cronies should have to start by getting jobs of their own in the real world. 2. ON THEIR OWN TIME: The BOT and associated flunkies should have to catalog their own mistakes (like so many of us had to do) and begin writing apology letters. 3. They should put themselves on probation and go work in a soup kitchen or anything else in the community but not give ANY advice to anyone. Just give. 4. Give up any plans to ever be in charge of anyone else again. Just give and nothing else.

rascal quote: "I`d think if that were to ever happen...if one were to fully understand the extent of the pain and damage wrought....the sorrow and regret would be overwhelming....they would have to kill themselves...as few humans could live with that much guilt." If it were truly sincere, I would hope that God's mercy would be big enough for them too.

Templelady quote: "I think in many ways TWI did act for Satan --however I don't think they woke up in the morning planning to do this." I agree. There were wonderful people in TWI who did harm thinking they were "holding the line on the Word." I should know, I was one of them. :-( Not saying I was wonderful but did behave badly thinking that I was right.

Sunesis quote: "It had become so spiteful and mean that it alarmed the leadership and they backed off the threats and realized their browbeating had gone too far." Did they actually say anything publicly about this? Not questioning your accuracy but wondering if there were any apologies, mea culpas, etc. Anything to say "hey, were were too hard on you guys. We need to lighten up", etc.

Steve, LMAM!

What exactly was Lightbearers? Was it just practice witnessing for in-rez corpse?

Dan, Triumph has too much class. ;-)

Blessing my socks off isn't what I want before I've had my coffee. :-) I would echo Raf and others in saying my perception is that Jeff comes across as a huckster for CES by just posting links to CES propoganda. It would be great, Jeff, to hear from YOU now. Otherwise I get flashbacks to those endless sales pitches from Corp folks to attend yet another event that will "bless my socks off." Actually, that phrase really annoys me as you don't know what I will or will not enjoy. BTW, I was taught on many occasions in TWI that JC was my advocate and made intercession for me with the Father. Maybe you missed those teachings? JT

A la, Absolutely. Although Elvis pics might be a little larger than the others. (Ok, that was mean) DM, Doesn't Elvis live in Vegas now? Wait a minute! Isn't that secret base in Nevada too? Area 51? Coincidence?

Bramble, :-) Undershepherding: PFAL = Act like it's normal to laugh at jokes you've heard 27 times. Pre-Craig leaving = Act like it's normal to scream in a Bible class. Post-Craig Era = Act like it's normal to just read a syllabus instead of actually teaching.

Ex10, "Freelance Christian." Cool term. May I use it? Not really part of any formal group so it fits rather well. JT

Branch Coordinator = Leader of 10 Limb Coordinator = Leader of a couple of 10s Fellowship Coordinator = Wishes he had 10

Duplicate post

Catcup quote: "Prophet: We ain't got no frikkin' prophets-- we ran them all off!" Catcup, they found a typo in the Bul****ta text. The last vowel was an "i." They believe the last gift ministry was profit! They have MANY who operate this even today. ;-)

Eagle, The attitude when I left almost two years ago had softened in it's outward appearance. It was more like a parent viewing a simple child: "Those poor unlearned unbelievers. If only they would accept my obviously superior knowledge and sign my card after my awe-inspiring witnessing techniques."

Gee, without my powers, I know how Superman feels when he puts on his glasses. ;-)