dmiller

Hey there Hollygolitely. :) I called them at twi (about a year ago), merely to ask where a fellowship was here in Minney-soda. I wasn't interested in attending again, but I did want to talk to some locals. Curious about stuff, numbers, response, and just a general *how ya doing* kinda thing. The operator in Ohio (twi), not only refused to give me the info I requested, but; Wanted to know who I was; Wanted to know if I had any past involvement with twi; What was the purpose of my query?; What was my adress and phone number; and then told me they would pass on the info to the *appropriate people*, after which -- I would be contacted by the area leaders. ALL I ASKED FOR WAS A LOCATION OF A LOCAL TWIG!!!!!!!!!! They wouldn't even give me THAT info. It had to be *cleared* by whomever. The *area leaders* (who live in the Minneapolis/ St.Paul area) ---- finally gave me a call, but by then I was so P!$$ed, I didn't return it. They sent me a pamphlet about where they were headed that month. One town on their itinerary was 25 miles from me. They had to pass 4 blocks from my house to get there. Did they stop and say hi, leave a note at my door, or acknowledge me in any way?? No. Bi!! and Ren!ta S@ge had *precious flock* to attend to -- and I (obviously) wasn't one of them. They knew where I lived, could've swung 4 blocks off the beaten path to leave a *bless* note, but I guess it was too much of a bother for them to do so. Just like it was TOO much of a bother for twi to give me a straight answer, when I asked. The more I look at this outfit we know as twi, the more I see a SNAKE in the grass. They just HAVE to know who they are dealing with, before they strike. So -- guess I can't really answer your question, however; I wanted to let you know you're not the only one summarily *dismissed* ---- without a second thought to YOUR NEEDS or wants, or wishes. (PS --- Ya know, had I called a Baptist, Mormon, Catholic, 7th-Day Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Church of Christ, Apostolic Lutheran, or Messianic Jewish *headquarters*, to get info on a fellowship in MY area --- those folks would have bent over backwards to make sure I had it, so I could attend. WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT TWI???!!!!! Dont-give-a-sh!t-about-you-It's-ALL-about-US *Ministries* (comes to mind).

Well --- It's pretty obvious (to me) it's all about the money. "What would it take for you to come back" sounds like a *preferred customer* ad, that one sees SOOOO frequently in your junk (snail) mail box. (We want you back as a customer!!!! We're offering a sale to YOU and YOU ALONE!) "No visionary" and no *growth potential*, yet she is CEO. Having been in retail (in both menial and supervisory positions) -- I've seen many folks passed over for promotion, for these EXACT same reasons --- they won't bring in $$$ to the company. "Eye on growth, outreach, and marketing" That one says it all --- coming from a BIBLICAL research and teaching *ministry*. Whatever happened to *teaching folks the greatness of God's Word"?? I guess it's now boiled down to *growth* (of the ministry); *outreach* -- getting a following for the ministry; so they can *market* their particular product. (At least the admission is being made that they are looking for twi *security*). Good lord. They (whomever THEY are) still haven't a clue. They are looking to change things superficially (maybe), while ignoring the internal, structural, foundational problems. Whited sepulchers comes to mind.

Hey there J! How have you been? You (as a gardener), must have SURELY heard the saying ------ COMPOST HAPPENS!!!

(Fits like a hand in a glove)

Hey there Waysider. :) Yea -- time sure do flyyyyyy, don't it!! :( I was in California fighting forest fires in Sequoia National Park when I heard the news. Seems like yesterday. Certainly doesn't seem like 30 years ago. Shucks -- that's longer than I was old at the time! I never cared much for Elvis (being the Bluegrass Junkie that I am), but there sure were a lot of somber faces there at the base camp that day. It seems to be one of those moments in history that you remember --- where you were, what you were doing, feelings, emotions, reactions, etc.

Will be praying for and thinking of you and yours, Chas. Here's hoping things work out smoothly.

According to Google --it was a Tuesday

Where does the Flying Spaghetti Monster fit into all of this?

:biglaugh: And then there's ---- Jews don't recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Protestants don't recognize the Pope as the Head of the Church. And Baptists don't recognize each other in the liquor store!! ;)

Mr. H. --- wow does THAT bring back memories!! I kid you not -- reading this here, got me to look for an old pocket bible I have. Found it, and I see I bought it in 1979. Still got the little guy. Pocket bible -- 3 1/2 inches wide, and 5 1/4 inches tall. VERY small print. Oxford Press. Whole bible -- not just the New Testament. It fit *handily* in the back pocket of your jeans. Could carry it anywhere. Flipping through it now -- I see I've got MANY notes written in between the lines, of the print on the pages there. How the heck I could do that is beyond me. I need glasses (these days), to even read the print, much less what I was able to write, in between all that *fine print* 28 years ago, without glasses.

In a (feeble) attempt to keep this on topic, and NOT discuss doctrine --- I've checked out several churches since leaving twi. I had a good time at all of them, but didn't stick around for the *long haul*. Coupla Baptist places I went to were the best. Close knit group, active in the community, that sort of thing. Hey Geo -- You'd recognize (I think) a few names of some of the folks, I saw at one of those Baptist churches! ;) Won't go into details about all of the groups , but suffice it to say ---- Someone said ealier (in this thread), it's all about HEART. And I have to agree. I've seen the HEART of what should be acomplished, in outfits that twi used to so caustically berate as *pawns* of religion. I like a place that will accept me in t-shirt and jeans, or a suit and tie. I like a place where name tags are forbidden ------ unless it's at a potluck picnic, and you write your name on one of those peel-off stickers, to slap on your chest for the day (only). I like a place where the preacher is open to questions, honest discussion, and NOT full of himself. I like a place that welcomes ALL folks, regardless of beliefs. I like a place that has members going out into the community to help others, leaving the bible and theology at home, focusing on *Love thy Neighbor*. The Baptist churches I've attended have out-done twi on every one of these! (Not recommending any one denomination --- but I'm just saying --- There are many choices out there!) Mat. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Hey there Kit. :) Sorry to say -- I heard this too, and it isn't true. It would have been neat to see, but it's not going to happen. SNOPES (I heard this on a talk show I like to listen to, and the host was enthusiastically promoting it). He got several calls immediately from folks who either directly (or indirectley), were involved in astronomy, to let him know this won't be a happening thing. He (the host of the show) --did some checking, and retracted the story, and all the accolades he had said about it.

Congrats on making a desicion. I still can't do that. Fiddle or banjo??? Mandolin or Guitar??? Piano or Organ??? Bouzouki or Dobro??? So many instruments --- So little time!! :biglaugh: Am glad you found your space in this thing we call life. :)

Amazing what a guy can do with a phone these days!!! ;) (If one has the magazine in question).

Sorry for the de-rail. Back to ads. :) Hmmmm. This post might generate some Statler/ Cash oriented ads!!!

Pond -- that's funny! ;) Reminds me of the Statler Brothers (the country music group). Here's how they got their name ----- :)

Doc Watson plays a Gallagher 6-string. He made Gallagher a *household* name because of how he picked it. I've never seen pics of him with a Guild, much less a 12-string.

Came to Duluth in 1978. 5 families of wow's were sent here that year. One couple (Gene and Debbie Ne$goda) owned a church building and lived in it. They lived there (with their two daughters) downstairs, that was remodeled to make it *liveable* (separate bedrooms, etc.) Gene and Debbie graciously allowed some of the new WOW's *living quarters* in the upstairs area, until they found housing. They wanted to turn the upstairs (what used to be the main sanctuary), into a *coffee house* for believers to perform at, and --- they called it the Uncle Harry Coffee house. (Why? I don't know.) With 20 new wow's in town (all eager to work for such a worthy goal), things moved quickly in getting it into shape. Suddenly --- we were informed that Joyful Noise was going to go *out of their way* to pay us a visit on the tour that they did that year. We weren't ready for them (with the coffee house), but almost everything was done. When Joyful Noise showed up (in a BIG COACH with THE WAY INTERNATIONAL painted on the outside of it), they were conscripted to help. They were asked to help lay the carpet, which was (about) the last thing that needed to be done there at the *coffee house*. I remember in particular --- Richie D!Bartolo was truely *miffed* to have to go to work. (He said so during the concert they gave that same evening). But to give him credit -- He also DID say that while he was initially Pi$$ed, he got a chance to forget his (as he called it then *negative*) thinking, seeing the family working together for a common goal. This happened on October 23, 1978. A special day for me, and ---------- I taped their concert that evening. (That's one of my *fond* WOW memories.) :)

some sharks end up like this ---- ;)

Me --->>> Day late and a dollar short (as usual)!! You --->>> Here's hoping you had a GOOD one! :)

:biglaugh: (Not for me --thank you!!) ;)

Solid cloud cover here tonight. No chance of seeing any of it. :(

Hmmmm. If it fits like a "hand in a glove", I don't even want to think about what the *glove* must be!! :blink:

I went to the Barnes and Noble Bookstore the other day. I asked the clerk where the *self-help* section was. He said -- "If I told you -- it would defeat the purpose". :D

Why??? Because it's an aphrodisiac??