Twinky

Yep, LCM's teachings were major rants. Soon after I went in rez he spent the two hours or whatever going on and on and on about how devilish homosexuality was. "Well," I thought, "If anyone had doubts or actually did that stuff, they surely know now how wrong it is." The same again next week. I thought: "There must be something very serious here. Who is not listening?" Then the next week. And the one after. And for some months. I learned more than I care to know about what LCM says homosexuals do. Is any of it true? Who knows? And the defaming...I've shared here before about a Rev whose daughter died (I believe she'd got into drugs in an effort to cope with her TWI upbringing). Instead of compassion, LCM banned anyone from speaking to Rev and his wife. Rev was clearly not fit to be a minister because he didn't have good oversight of his household. Anyone who spoke to them was to be M&A'd. (You can tell LCM had a longsuit in compassion and empathy, can't you?) Another man's wife died in childbirth (the child survived). It was the parents' (epecially the wife's) fault because she didn't listen to some TWI-head of a doctor. And the wife was too egotistical and insisted in giving birth in the way she wanted to. (There's that longsuit in compassion again!) I could go on... Yet sometimes he could bring that energy into expounding a piece of scripture. And then it seemed (to me, at the time) to be rich and passionate. ('Course, I had serious Waybrain then.) Some of it was genuinely interesting. I thought it awesome at the time. When he stopped being so angry and settled down to teach in a reasonable manner, it could be very interesting. Does it have some value now? I'd have to say, just reading and spending time thinking, meditating, reflecting...has far more value. And is far more memorable. Remember, under LCM's reign of terror, we were taught to be confrontational. We had a responsibility before God to confront error. I think it only impressed, really, because I'd heard too many wishy washy sermons in a previous church life and no church minister seemed passionate for God. I remember how he presented - not what he presented. But now... ...if I were to listen to any Corps Night teaching now...what would I think? Probably, this guy's a nutter. God doesn't deal with people like that. JC didn't condemn the mass of people like that, only the hypocrites. JC's disciples didn't condemn people but reached out with practical help. And this man who yells and gets red in the face, spittle flying...has what part, exactly, in the ministry of reconciliation?

Huh, the words to "Family of God" are so different. Can see why it became WC only - the WC anthem - to keep the plagiarism secret.

(shakes head sorrowfully) Is it possible Johniam could suffer from Asperger's syndrome? I can't think why else he would be so obsessed with one principal idea (about VP) and so lacking in empathy to other people - and so quick to jump from one thing to another and never stay on topic. Aspergers syndrome Sorry, that's a bit personal, John, but I really do not understand why you don't empathize and follow along with conversations. If there's a reason, I think we'd all be glad to cut you some slack. Penworks, good to see you on this thread. You don't seem to have been around for a while.

This is turning into a very interesting thread. Geisha and Broken Arrow, very good comments. Somehow I find myself agreeing with both of you. But then, as we've come to know, in life one size doesn't fit all. Perhaps an answer is to do what one can do, without compromising one's personal integrity. Not that that's any guarantee (maybe one never had much integrity) - but when one starts ignoring the red flags in one's own and others' lives, then there's a straying into potentially abusive territory.

Standard sort of pet-introduction regime. Often, they have to be fed (caged) side by side, or disturb the space for both of them. Good that they're getting on. Bet the cat is the boss! Now if only I could figure out how to make two spectacularly scared critters (cats) a bit more sociable...one of them is getting quite good now. Likes a cuddle. The other I picked up for the first and only time about a month ago...only had her three years. But at least she lets me touch her now. You could park your success story on Cat Whispering.

You're a bit wrong in saying that TWI "didn't promote healthy boundaries." It actively moved the boundaries. Where we might have had healthy boundaries instilled by loving parents and other familial relationships, TWI spent time breaking them down. And a lot of that was sexual. Porno videos - doesn't matter what you do with your physical body - "spiritual" adultery - "it's just a part of the body". This is the organization that taught that the following: Deut 19:14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it. ---and--- Deut 27:17 Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say , Amen. meant that anyone who shifted the boundaries of people's mind, their mental landmarks, was cursed. Specifically they referred to "deprogrammers" who tried to shift people away from the "truth" of TWI. I remember LCM getting very hot under the collar about menstealers, deprogrammers, those who wanted to pull us away from TWI, and how they were cursed. What a laugh! TWI were the very ones who were busy undermining and removing our mental and spiritual landmarks, our basic decent societal norms about neighbourly decency. And so, in acknowledging that, they draw the curse of Deut 27 upon themselves.

Now you're getting personal. Just stay relevant. Easy. Anyway. Enough of this. Carry on on your own, John. I'm going to do what TWI taught: Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. I commend verse 18 to you. But it will probably provoke a further tirade from you, which I will not respond to. Enough already.

Wow, I did Multi-Services (really enjoyed it, actually, lots of fun. And I learned to use power tools). Thankfully I never had to trap any critters - much less drown them. It was bad enough having to kill chickens.

Certainly is a sham, OS. I would've got the forkie licence if I'd continued there, but found myself hauled in to work in one of the offices in an area where I do have some knowledge. I learned to drive on the "wrong side of the road" and got a US driving licence...had to, though not trained by TWI of course. Somebody lent me their car to do the test. I guess you could say that the exposure to different things is what it's about. For some people in my Corps, doing snow clearance was ... shocking. Ther's not a lot of snow in Florida so it was a new experience for them. For others picking potatoes (and not from the supermarket shelf) was a new experience. Didn't do anything new that would give me beyond a menial job...working in McD's as a dishwasher or burger flipper. Nothing enough to make a resume look ... like you had some special skill. Nonetheless, perhaps some knowledge or skills of practical stuff were acquired. Not to mention the wonderful experience of compare and contrast leadership styles. And there were some (a few) good guys there.

Couldn't agree more, OldSkool. Soon as Johniam makes an appearance on a thread, you know it's "gone" and it'll never stay anywhere near the topic as originally started. Nothing against John personally, just wish he would stay somewhat relevant. Anyway, this particular thread is for him to be as relevant or irrelevant as he likes. And those of us who want can join him or not. I'm quite happy to talk to him about anything - on this thread.

Sheesh, I thought you meant the witness of stars like...Michael Jordan, or something. On the subject of animals in heaven, I doubt it. One thing I think of is that as fetuses we had no idea of what bigger thing was available to us and (to the extent that fetuses think) we probably enjoyed playing with our umbilical cords and would have decided that we weren't leaving home without them. The we got born and learned about cats and dogs and horses and other critters. So who knows what we might find to play with in heaven. One of those things from Ezekiel 1 maybe. Terrifying.

LOL, Excie, thought it might be something like that. Soccy, that dog looks like it could give anyone a run for their money. Bundle of mischief. Amazing how much more empathetic family pets are, compared to human beings - even family members.

More than just "being" at - he provokes all the arguments. Other people are just conversing amongst themselves. Not necessarily agreeing, but paying attention to each other...listening.

Seriously, though... Is there anything that you could say was well done? That you learned something from? That is useful in "worldly" terms? (I discount stringing chairs and killing chickens. But include mass dishwashing in the Dishroom.) > Events planning and management? > Feeding large numbers of people? > Green Room or AV skills? > Floral arrangements? > Dressmaking or clothing adjustment? I learned: How to use a power drill (to put up shelving) How to use a forklift Very efficient dishroom techniques Some useful things about trees and their care, from Grounds Crew But nothing about office efficiency And nothing that's "earth-shattering"

John, "would you be blessed" to bring your thoughts on Excie's thread "Asking your Opinion" onto this thread?

Paw, maybe you could uplift the latter part of this thread and attach it to the Soap Box thread? It was to stop stuff like this happening, that I started that thread.

Waysider, Johniam certainly will think of something and you can be sure he won't post on a relevant thread. He posted all this stuff about his own "Connect" thread on Excie's thread about an unpleasant post she'd received. Not on "Connect." Excie, you just do what you need to do. You're not dirty or shameful. Your rapist is. Or was. At least he can't rape anyone else now. And you are still alive. And being alive is good! Good that you can warn others about creepy old men and those in positions of authority.

Apologies as you say it's not your email, Johniam, though it does sound like your tone. I accept that you didn't write that. I am not "witch hunting" you. Or anybody else. Life's too short.

My cat was Twinkletoes. Called him "Twinky" for short. Seemed a innocuous not-giving-much-away sort of a name to register on a site where I was afraid who I might "meet." . Besides, Twinky was a great comfort to me. Abandoned by TWI and in a total mess in my head, I knew I needed something to love but was incapable of anything (even feeding myself). A spider would have died of starvation, living in my flat, for all the care it would have got. But looking forward to visits from this kitten was the first stage to my post-TWI recovery. This undemanding little kitten decided to "twinkle his toes" into my flat. Sometimes he visited, sometimes he didn't. I didn't have to care for him, feed him, do anything. But his occasional visits did give me something to look forward to. He turned into a great big galumph of a cat, always curious, always fun-loving, and graduated from running up net curtains to running up ladders and getting stuck on the roof. Sadly he had a bad stroke a few years ago (he was, what, 11 or 12) and had to be put down. Thread in "In Memoriam."

You know, I was gonna say that, Socrates, but you beat me to it. I reckon there'd have to be a significant % set aside for that. But anyway, since they had an opportunity with the Allen and Parker lawsuits - why didn't they just believe God to make these opportunities away? (Or maybe they thought the Allen out of court settlement actually had made it go away?) And why doesn't the faithful remnant still hangin' in there - believe for the opportunity to make Rosie go away?

I don't care that he has a doctorate, or not. I never did care. I was only interested that I had some sort of teaching that helped me read the Bible better. And it did - initially - mainly because it was poached from men who did care about God. I do care that he lied about his "qualifications" - dishonest right from the start. Had I know about that at the beginning (but how could anyone know, back in those pre-internet days?) ... maybe I would've asked a few more questions. Or maybe not. It was still the most interesting Bible teaching that I'd ever heard. Which says more about the slackness of Bible teaching in churches, than about the excellence of PFAL. But the man must have had some genuine qualifications? Surely, to get his role in the church in Van Wert, they'd have to be convinced that he had some genuine study and a genuine ordination? At what point did he acquire the "doctorate"? Before or after he was a pastor in Van Wert?

In our normal life “standing in the gap” might mean helping the weak. Or speaking up for someone. Perhaps helping someone access health services, benefits or other things they need. Perhaps defending someone in court. Perhaps standing up to the local bully – whether you’re just being a good neighbour, or whether you’re a paid person like a police officer. Perhaps helping someone negotiate affordable debt repayments, or to keep their home. Perhaps helping someone get appropriate schooling for a child. Perhaps offering comfort to someone recently bereaved, and helping them get back on their feet. “Standing in the gap” Biblically (though you were not after Biblical refs, Waysider), as well as defending, also has the connotation of rebuilding and restoring, as well as standing for what is right. The stander in the gap has an intercessory role (or maybe intercession’s just what I’m pondering now – started something about intercession in Doctrinal recently) in turning away punishment – probably justifiable – and also a rebuilding and restoring role. Right now I don’t have a job so work as a volunteer doing among other things advice work on debt and benefits matters. I help people work out budgets, work out their finances; teach them the difference between what they think they want, and what they can afford and realistically need; help them get any benefits they may be entitled to; help them make offers to their creditors; fight off claims from creditors, close the door on bailiffs. There is absolutely no doubt that I feel I’m standing in the gap between them and even worse poverty, homelessness, and a generally miserable way of life. I never thought about it in spiritual terms…but there it is. I can’t teach them explicitly about the love of God, but I surely can show it to them.

I Am the Sheep Gate – Fr Joseph Pellegrino So...standing in the gap is for defence and protection of the weak, and of what is valuable (sheep being "money on legs").

It sounds mean and belittling. "You got stabbed in the back. I got a paper cut on my finger. We've both been hurt. Now let's be brave and make like neither happened." Or maybe: "My dad's bigger than your dad." Sad that someone could write that, but you could ask if they meant it differently from how it comes across. If you care that much. Or you could just put them on Ignore and not open any more PMs from them unless they have a header "Apology." Chockfull - what came to my mind also.