Twinky

It would be really interesting to see a totally different perspective on this. From a Christian in India, Pakistan, Ethopia, Somalia, China. We're all from fairly similar "western" backgrounds. Our views and understandings are similar. How do you think you might think about this if you were, say, a Somali Christian who had walked days to find food, who'd watched one or more children die of starvation? Or you lived in India or Pakistan or some Arab countries, where it's an offense to convert to Christianity? Would you "get mad" with God, or just accept difficulties as part and parcel of being a Christian? or (at least) a God-believer. Did Jesus, who was rejected, beaten, abused, laughed at ... get mad with God? We know he spent a lot of time in prayer - talking with his Father. Maybe he "got mad" then. Maybe he asked why these things happened. Leastways, if he did, he got over it and didn't let it affect his dealings with people or doing his Father's will. And we know from the records in Acts and the epistles that some very bad things happened to early Christians (persecution and murder) and to Paul and his companions. They didn't blame God or get mad at him. They rejoiced, met together, sang songs ... Some of the Psalms are full of "woe is me, why is this happening?" followed by submission and acknowledgment of God's greatness. We were never promised an easy time of life. So there will be things that we could "get mad" about. We were, rather, promised difficulties. And we were also promised peace, such as the world does not give. Despite the external circumstances. Not sure that "getting mad" is quite the right response. But asking "WHY?" certainly is.

Well, you do have a point Abigail. That place left me in such a state of despair that ... well I'm still here despite them. And each day was a torment. In the day I longed for the night; in the night I longed for the day. I lost maybe 35lb because deciding what to eat was too difficult (and I'm not fat, only 140lb). No physical abuse (well not much) but the mental abuse...left me badly damaged. Strange, it's so much like a bad dream now - did it really happen??? I wasn't mad at God, just utterly full of self-condemnation for being such a failure and disappointment to him. I grovelled. Was ashamed. It took me YEARS to be able to think even slightly straight. I'd about forgotten that...like a dream, as I said. I am so thankful now for - well - everything. Not much bothers me nowadays. In my heart. The physicals - like the misery of being unemployed and existing on practically nothing - belong some other place. I always had enough. Attitude of mind is something we can all control.

Abigail, you were posting at the same time I was. Your posts are always thought-provoking. (off topic) TWI could really have helped us to understand some things better if they’d brought in a rabbi or two to explain Jewish perspectives on things – not thrown Lamsa in our faces. Anyway…lots to think about in your post. We’re all going to live each moment, each minute, each hour, each day. We can live it enjoying it, or live it as if it were a burden. As we’re going to live it anyway, what will be our attitude of mind? That’s going to affect a lot of our attitude towards God, a “higher power,” randomness or whatever else we hang our hats on. Completely but I just noticed that the post I wrote above which was timed for me at 5.32 is quoted by Soul Searcher at 12.32. This board adjusts for local time except when posts are quoted, obviously!

Interesting. I don't ever recall being angry at God. I do recall being puzzled, surprised, other responses, at what happens - or doesn't. I was ....ed off that I got laid off from work over 3 nearly 4 years ago - from a job I truly believe was God-given - and only a few months after I'd purchased my first (and only) house in this city that I moved to for the job. How could that happen - that God gives me a great job in a new city - and then just a few months later "He" takes it away??? No, I never thought He took it away - "it's the economy, stoopid!" - and I've NEVER had any debts! - but if it was a bad thing, a lemon, for sure God has turned it into lemonade. See, on the other hand, I found a great church that has been very healing to me after the battering from TWI - I spent the first few months with tears of thankfulness in very Sunday service - I have found great friends, a social life that's better than I've ever had, and now (after being on the dole [welfare] for 3 years) have set up doing "whatever" for people and don't know when I have ever felt so happy and content at work. It's like a fresh start in a new location. I still have my house and even have managed to reduce the amount of mortgage outstanding. Godliness with contentment is great gain.....I'm rich! Usually when something - let's say "less desirable" - happens, I can look at what I myself have done and know it was my own fault. I didn't pay attention and caused an accident on the road; didn't take care and fell off a ladder; took a short cut and the task was a disaster. But that's MY fault, not God's. (Not that these things have happened, but I know I've done stupid things that had the potential to cause very serious problems.) So no, I don't get angry with God. When things go "wrong," I wonder what better thing is just around the corner (even if it's some years down the line). It might be different if I had a horrible accident or was struck by some horrible disease or something very unpleasant happened to one of my loved ones. Maybe I would be angry then. But (thank God) that hasn't happened yet.

If it is his page, you can be sure that it's not open for "public viewing" but is severely restricted to chosen friends and family. Wouldn't want to cope with the flak he'd get from those he's hurt.

I thought the reason this was done was (1) to avoid names coming up in Google searches; and thereby (2) avoid the possibility of libel lawsuits.

I did wonder, Patriot, if it was a figure for everyone remaining. I decided to take a charitably kind view that they might be a little bigger than that. So every fellowship. Could be every country they're supposedly active in... like one deluded believer. Or each State they're supposedly active in... maybe likewise? Are the figures holding up their hands in surrender? Because anyone who held up "holy hands" in praise, in a service, would be well out of line.

I think it's nice that they have put a figure to represent every remaining Way fellowship.

Even worse for them: the wording of the clip from HBWB in post 1 reads: "The Way: International Trailer" [my bold] - don't know if y'all get that or it's just because I'm not in the US - maybe you get a different trailer. Looks like it could be a good movie...but the name...is enough to put me off...

"There's none so blind as them as [those who] will not see" - as my great grandfather would say. It's an old problem. Check out Jeremiah 5:21

"We are family." Explains Uncle Howard etc. But Big Sis Rosalie...? Ah, got it!!! TWI leadership behavior ... It's all just sibling rivalry.

Can only say that - like the one posted above by WG - that these comments are so bizarre ... it's hard to imagine anybody at all making them. Especially when you only have to open your eyes... Can't exist outside the household of God? (Assuming such a thing exists) - well, since there are zillions of people on this planet alive and well, that must logically (TWI logic) make them part of the household of God. Since they exist and all. Some of 'em are Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, animists, pagans...and even Christians. Real living breathing SITing existing Christians. (Not that I want to dissect these crazy comments.) Not exactly session 1 of PFAL; nobody would make it past the coffee break.

Hmm, one's only invited to "Join us for the Sunday Teaching Service" at 3pm. That's your problem, Highway; it wasn't Sunday! Maybe they wanted to give you a special invite? Pregnant guppy still says "Welcome" though. Weird lot......

Oh, dear.... Since everyone's welcome at The Way, are you sure they weren't hoping you'd stop, so's they could invite you to fellowship? Hey, did you recognize anyone? Or anything?

Except "Wonder"land it was not. Wander-land, maybe.

Hmph. Sanitized, somewhat. Loved the reference to Pike's Peak, heh heh. ...The Dilemma of Foreign Missions...has anybody seen a copy? Maybe that should be one of the documents pinned on the Cafe front page. Since Vic wrote it as a founding charter or some such.

Good for you, JJ. Sounds like you have a good teacher/tutor there. One who will encourage you to THINK. Make sure it stays like that throughout your teaching sessions. I go to a "course" in my city which is entirely free (though donations welcome). There are a variety of teachers/lecturers from different backgrounds. The tutors all have their own biases and sometimes don't say exactly the same thing - which I'm not sure others pick up on. There is no opportunity ever to ask questions. I don't necessarily enjoy it and think some of them are in it for a bit of self-glorification, and some are definitely not reading the scriptures correctly. However, I go because it's interesting to me to see another point of view and it sometimes allows me to challenge areas of TWI-think that I hadn't delved into before ... and sometimes makes me wonder how they could be so wresting the scriptures ... and then I wonder if I'm being elitist. No doubting, however, that they have done things with their theology...reached out to people in need. Thank God He gave us thinking ability and the opportunity to CHOOSE. But it's all about HEART towards God. He's the one who draws us to Him, and He's the one who will provide those to teach us more about Him...in whatever way HE chooses.

Well, folks, business is building up...and dying down. I have several gardens to tend, but as autumn (fall) approaches, that's slowing down - instead of every week, people want my help every other week. It'll be autumn tidies for the next few weeks, then very little. So I asked the Senior Partner for some more work and he has sent me some more "indoor" work. This is a couple of houses to tend, a "companionship" job which will be 5 hrs every Weds (more if I want), two decluttering jobs (well, one declutter and one ... dunno what exactly, for someone who has emigrated and left the house as it was!), a petcare (feeding) job for someone on holiday, and a catering assignment (dinner party for 7). There is also some exterior painting to do when the flowers and foliage die back. And a management job for a block of flats. So an interesting variety of jobs, and some very grateful clients. Not making a whole heap of money, but enough to cover immediate outgoings and to overpay a bit on my mortgage. What's nice is being able to come and go at will, fit the jobs around other things I want to do and have time for people. Open for any options, and willing to try practically anything legal, decent and honest.

Congratulations to you both. Best wishes for very many happy years ahead.

D'ya know, JJ, now you say that - I think I remember hearing him say that, too. The earth doesn't have to be the center of the solar system or anything like that, but it is the center of the universe - the focal point. Hadn't thought of that for years. (Probably, not even for 30 seconds)

I guess Housekeeping has to be a (paid) staff job now, not done by in-rez Corps, as there aren't enough in-rez Corps to waste on doing that job. Yep, your ABS at work.

,,, pay Housekeeping????

They won't leave till they're ready and the more you try to persuade them, the more they will think you are possessed. it's a trick of the adversary, etc. Maybe the question(s) to ask of - or about - them is, Why do they stay? What do they get out of it? What's the emotional hold on them (on them as individuals - not the "fear factor")? There are other threads on this, on how to help people - and also how to help them once they are out.

Looks like they're working the kids hard there. Lotta equipment on view. But they still get 'em doing keep fit in the dark (so early in the morning, before the working day begins). And where exactly were was a group of them rowing to - in the dark? I see from the pix that there is a .....LE MEMORIAL LIBRARY. What d'ya reckon, "Wierwill Memorial Library" to honor Gramps? Is there, perchance, a doctor in the house?

Well done, OE. What's your target weight? Lots of simple substitutions can make a difference: eat fruit not candy, change French fries for a baked potato, etc. If wannabe lessofme's must use a car, park on the far side of the car park, not in the nearest slot. Walk up one flight of stairs, walk down 3 or 4 instead of using an elevator. A pedometer (step counter) is quite good - set a target and each day try to take more steps. My biggest thing is to avoid grazing. (If I eat a decent meal, I don't need to snack out.) So I keep my grazable items (cookies, cakes, candy) in the shop. If I'm bored and want some chocolate then I have to go (on foot or bike) to get it. So probably I won't (lazy critter that I am ( ... not really)).