topoftheworld

Sky, I think you are right. Once you get older, and "put away childish things", so to speak, life becomes bogged day into the everyday routine of living and responsibilty. That's just a natural part of growing up. IMO, there is nothing wrong with having a look back at the younger days. We had more energy, more time, (less money). We were cynical about nothing except the older generation (now we are the older generation ). Everything was fresh, everything was new, everything was exciting, and we were up for it. Doesn't matter if it was football, first loves, or dancing in a cornfield. It was a time for firsts, for accomplishments, for makng our best efforts, for discovery of things that would motivate us, for unlocking the doors of passions. In looking back, knowing that I can't go back, I occasionally rediscover something of my younger days that gives me strength to move through today's days. Nuttin' wrong with that.....

Thanks, D-and Cool. Now I feel part of the crowd. I'm currently playing the "Treasure Hunter" game-this should be good practice.

LOVE that quote, Satori! Strangely (or not) that attitude made me unpopuler with most Twiter's. If there's one thing that Twit's seem to discourage, it was that human connection. We were HUMAN BEINGS, and it got lost somewhere. I'm not even talking about witnessing techniques-I'm talking about relationships crushed while one was "coming up" within the organization. "No friends when it comes to the Word". Well, that makes no room for humanity, huh? Found that out several times along the "Way"....especially when I left, tried to reconnect, and got treated like last weeks garbage. Sorry-just ranting.

Oh, geez....I forgot!!! You got to get up at 6 in the morning singing "Beauuuuuuuuutiful Ohiiiiiiiiio!"

Easy way to re-capture the feeling, White Dove. Go to your local Farmer's Market and buy a few bushels of unhusked corn. In your backyard, lay the corn out in a big circle. Wet the inside of the circle enough to stir up some mud (make sure to dampen the corn, too). Get into your three-piece suit and dress shoes. At the hottest point of the day, put on a "Selah" (or Joyful Noise, if you prefer) album and go dance in the mud. It would be appropriate to be chomping on a turkey leg or big, greasy hamburger while out there. After a song or two, you will rush inside to your air-conditioner and thank God it's twenty years later. "Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end, we'd sing and dance, forever and a day......" Yeah-sometimes I miss it too......

Incredible, Pipes. I admire the intense fight you took on to save your own life. May the road continue to move upward for you.

Interesting historical informaton about tithe-worth reading through-and other links on the subject History of Tithe Of course, TWI has to to bigger and better than anyone else-so to give only 10% is spitting in God's face. Seems to me they've simply taken a "practice" or "belief system" that is centuries old and twisted it to line their own coffers. What a crock of bb juice.

You are special, Cool-you've lifted my heart on days when I can't find too much to be uplifted about. Don't think GSC standards are an issue-it's human to human contact that counts, and you measure up quite well. Thanks for the nose wrinkle.

Oh, I'm dying here!!! The "Quaf"???!!!!???? Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe!!! How could that not be MORE perfect??? Great pics. Great lighter. More??

I'm sure the assumption is the same as it always was: nothing the World has to offer compares with what the Way can provide. Wonder if they teach Way diaper changing, too? :unsure:

Oh, my, I am rolling with tears and laughter!!! I'm so glad you all had a good time. Can't wait for the pics. All hail Q!

Consider it done, Kathy. I've been praying since this thing began three days ago. We've seen eruptions like this happen before: for all our sakes, let's pray it ends like the others have, if the Lord tarries, with peace.

"In other words I've danced in my bathrobe a few times. " Well. Kathy, at least you've really lived!!!! Season Seven was a tough one, because it dealt primarily with the Presidential Campaign, and they moved the show to Sunday night. Jimmy Smits was great eye candy, but you still had to be devoted to the show to watch it. The last shows were tough, because they had to deal with John Spencer's death and the show's cancellation. I got the feeling that, except where they dealt with his death, the rest was just a rush to tie up story lines and get off the set. I am going to miss it. Enjoy the new office!

Does this mean you will sit in paint, throw on a bathrobe, get drunk over a successful project, and dance behind your desk just as the president of your company walks in? Can't wait to hear about that!!!!! (West Wing fans should appreciate this!)

David, you're a class act. Look forward to more chats.

Yes, it was.

You all have a wonderful, safe, rowdy weekend and know I will be there in spirit. And then come back here and tell me every dirty detail. Love to all!!!

Hmmm......can't tell whether that's Priscila or Acquilla.

Looks to me like DMiller is stuck on 9,999-saw two other posts with the same number on them-or I am seeing things????????? Talk about suspense!!!

Ha! Now THE truth comes out!!!

Paw, do you award a special pin for this milestone?

I normally do not get involved in doctrinal discussions, because I have been away so long that I no longer feel capable of having a logical discussion with people like WW, who is much more learned than I. Having also been a victim of some of TWI's practices, I not anxious to jump to defend much about them or defend the postion of anyone who tends to ignore their abuses. However, I would like to somewhat address the issue of the belief that VPW took Christ out of our TWI lives. I would simply like to quote, for your review, a few excerpts from published materials. From the Advanced class syllabus, Appendix 1, "The Lifestyle of God's Word" "God is the logos. Jesus Christ is called the logos, making known God. The Scriptures are the logos, making known Jesus Christ and the Father in writing. So we have the living Word, Christ; the written Word, the Bible; and the preached Word rightly divided by a knowledgeable believer, making known the living Chirst by way of the written Word. You cannot separate Jesus Christ and the written Word. ....the written Word is made to shine with the glory of the divine presence of God through His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ. The only subject of the whole Word of God is Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God. This is the master key of the Word." My basic problem is the apparent non-adherence to the very words which VP recorded (or rewrote, depending on your point of view. For example: From God's Magnified Word, Chapter Nine, Page 164 "We don't go around in the community and say, 'Look, I know it all.' No, we don't preach ourselves, we preach Jesus Christ. Of course, God has to communicate His will by way of His Word to a person, and that person has to carry through the knowledge received. Fro example, when we are out witnessing, we are doing the witnessing. But we do not preach ourselves, or another person or an organization; we preach God's Word. We hold forth the Word, which is Jesus Christ." Think some may have overlooked these words, but my point is the sample of the writings do show that Jesus was not a non-subject. There are many examples throughout the writings that show the intent of teaching that Jesus is the head of the Church, that we have His power, and that we act on His behalf by way of the manifestations. I understand the overview that the teachings of Christ Administrations vs Grace Administrations cause many to conclude that Jesus is absent in anything substantive from the belly of TWI. However, in reviewing the materials, I just don't see that to be the case. (Ducking back into my hole now.)

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Is it Burt or Bert? Or is Burt talking to Bert? Was Henry Fonda in this movie?