Twinky

I was there when he was teaching some Class live - Adv Class? DTA? Started out teaching it to the in-rez WC live (in the auditorium) but after a few sessions shifted the Corps to the room at the side (to the left as you enter the aud). Said this was because he was "teaching to the needs of the Corps" rather than teaching to wider more general needs that was appropriate to a class to be widely released (those weren't his words but the general import of what he said). I guess he might be right on that. Anyone presenting a lecture, show, play, whatever, does to some extent feed off the audience response...even though the WC was ordered to be silent. I do remember him getting het up about ...who knows what? being "spiritually angry" about something. Perhaps that was coming through in what he was teaching when the WC was present.

Jeff, I realized Sky was out but my gut response to what he posted was just - GET OUT! to people still in. I see now my post was slightly misleading in that respect. Way life did acknowledge the wisdom of "a multitude of counsellors" - but those counsellors were always people higher in the Way tree than the individual seeking counsel. And so some sort of linear counselling developed. It was never counselling among equals nor seeking counsel/views from those affected by a decision. Hence "leadership" and "counselling" were detached from the lives of those affected (most here can attest to that). That's how it became "lockstep." Never mind that in "one body" all have a part to play. And the "head of the body" has a specific part to play. But then, the head of the body in TWI is not Jesus Christ, is it?

GET OUT !!!!!! (if you're still in) and find a church where your God-given talents and abilities can be put to use and not buried in the ground, returning a profit to no-one.

I put some pre- and post-race photos on my online page. Unfortunately the official photos are all copyrighted and they want megabucks for permission to download. If any of you would like to support me financially, my online donation page is open till June 2010:Twinky's page

My time was 2 hours 22 mins 04 seconds. There are some photos on the web of me (and all competitors!) and I look really...blessed... to be doing this. Kind of a rough style, but hey, I did it! It took 45 mins to get from the start gate to the start pen, so although the race started at 11am, I didn't actually get to the start line until about 11.15. Everyone has a microchip on their shoe, which records times at (personal) start, 10km and finish. I was lapped about a mile or so in by the winning little group - the winner was a Kenyan and boy, did he have style. He was past before anyone near me realised what was happening, just so smooth, made it look nearly effortless. A collective groan went up from those near me at the though of his speed and our slowness. He was closely followed by two other black men (one last year's winner, also Kenyan who came third). A white local (UK) male came next and his style was really ponderous compared with the Kenyans - different sort of body shape - but hey, he too came in in excellent time, about 1:06. It was quite something being in this seething mass of bouncing heads. Looking forward up the road, it was bobbing solid ribbon of multicolored shirts. Looking back was the same. Some were quite fit, others definitely lacked style, and some you might think should never attempt such an undertaking. Big crowds all the way round, a samba band, other musicians, lots of encouragement. Lovely sunny day, dry, but a very cold strong wind blowing. A mile or so from the end I had to put my sweater and gloves back on. And now I'm the delighted possessor of a Race Finisher T shirt and a commemorative medal. Got a round of applause when I walked into the place where I'm a volunteer worker, yesterday. Thanks for your good wishes and prayers . I'm sure they helped . Every year there is a casualty rate but I saw only three emergency vehicles rushing people away (to hospital presumably), which is quite good for saying there were 15,000 entrants. If any of you would like to support me financially, my online donation page is still open and will remain so for the next three months:Twinky's page

Well. I did it. Something between 2h15 and 2h20mins, I think. Results are posted on the organisers' website, but can't get on that. Everyone else wants to know their times. Quite tired. An early night beckons.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Less than 12 hours to go! - There is a group photo for all the people running on behalf of The Genesis Trust (nine of us, if no-one withdraws - and if everyone turns up for the photo), then into the holding areas for 10.30 ready for 11 am start. ...Still no disaster has struck me such that I can honorably withdraw...guess I need to go through with it. The weather forecast is good. Sunny, cool, dry. No rain. I have some encouraging visual imagery to help me round the course. But specially, I keep visualizing myself going through that finish line and the satisfaction of having completed my race. Yay!!!!! Whatever time I achieve, it'll be my PB (personal best) - being as I've never attempted anything this ambitious before.

Thought it might be useful to bump up this old thread, for the benefit of people who have found the Cafe in the past few years.

Thank you very very much Bowtwi! Pleased you got the link to work. It's tomorrow!! Aargh! (Head in hands) Not so sure I am looking forward to the run - but I am MIGHTILY looking forward to getting across the finish line and thinking, "Yes, I did it!" (grins with delight, victory salute) Weather forecast looks good. Should be dry, sunny...probably quite warm.

Thanks Chas. Someone at the Cafe kindly let me know the link doesn't work, not sure why because it has worked for donors in the UK and in another country. Maybe something to do with how this board is set up. If anyone is willing to sponsor me, perhaps they could type into their browser this address - but omit the spaces, of course: http://www/ justgiving.com/Twinky and a little picture of my braver cat Tuxedo will be there to greet you. The link in post #1 works but the later one doesn't seem to. Try below: http://www.justgiving.com/Twinky Had just a little run today, as I have been strictly told to rest and not overdo running, so only a shortish 3 miler today, and I walked up the hill and the last bit home, so really it was only about a 2 mile run. I am not to run after this, just continue to do stretches. But it was too pretty and bright an afternoon to stay in. Lovely just looking at the trees and the swelling leaf buds; at the catkins on some of the bushes; at the snowdrops in full bloom; at the daffodils just swording up out of the ground. Birdsong was deafening. The wind was quite strong and cold but the sun was bright. Must remember to take some sunglasses on Sunday!

Aaaaarghhhh.... it's this weekend! This Sunday!!! Am I ready? Not really, but as ready as I'm going to be. I may not complete with much style, but I will complete it! Whatever time I achieve will be a personal best. Things can only improve ... .... does that mean I'm thinking of doing another one? Lord, preserve me from such madness.

I never had the "privilege" of hearing her teach. Guess I never will, since they don't dare put their teachings out on the net so that anyone can listen (how's that for "moving the word," huh?). Say what you like about CFFM, at least their teachings are available to anybody, free of charge. It's all their on their website. Gosh, how embarrassing would it have been if some of the SNS from LCM had been in the public domain - available to all on the TWI website (shudder). Sounds like RFR's are the other end of the pendulum from histrionics to utter boredom.

Workman, if Charlene posts an essay here, isn't it more courteous to discuss it here, rather than in some other location? Better yet, privately with her?

"Diffused light" means not in full sun on a window sill, nor in semi darkness at the back of the room. Sometimes you have to experiment with a plant to find its preferred location. I have a houseplant which I thought to treat to a sunnier location and it kinda threw up its leaves in horror and refused to grow. Back in a more obliquely lit location, it's doing nicely again. Confused light would be where you put it near a "disco ball." (LOL)

I never heard any words to the "Chicken Song" before, but those kids are funny. It's a tune that really gets me moving ---- out of the room, and as far away as possible.

Oh my lord! That was inflicted on little kids??! Was it as much fun as the "Birdie Song" ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeswZaReE0I (Now you can't get that out of your head, either, can you, LOL)

You will chart your own course, brainfixed. When I first left (got kicked out), life was terribly difficult. I didn't trust any kind of non-Way person (especially Christians); and there were no Way people at all, anywhere near. So there was no-one to talk to. I finally (after some years) managed to hook up with some ex-Wayfers (which was terrifying but the only place I found anything like safe). It was reading a particular book, and a very long chat with one of these ex-Wayfers, that really "healed" me. I cannot remember anything discussed. It was just as if a load of guilt, shame, abject misery ... just dissolved. But now, I don't like to be around those people. Not that I don't like them, or don't believe they sincerely, honestly, genuinely, want to help. It's just that I've moved on a long way and what they believe and teach sounds like the same-old, same-old. It's not, but I value input from elsewhere now. And I recognise how much my own understanding and relationship with God has changed. Grown. The book (and it's highly recommended here at the Cafe) is "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by David Johnson & Jeff Van Vonderen. Subtitle: "Recognizing and escaping spiritual manipulation and false spiritual authority within the church." It's very readable. Eye-opening. You might find the book helpful. As you were raised all your life by Wayfers, it may help you differently from how it helps someone who came to - any abusive church or relationship - later, when they already had some idea of life. You can get the book from Amazon, if you can't find it in a bookshop near you. Meantime, spending time here might help you see how many of us here have moved on and gone in different directions. If being here helps you explore some of your head-stuff, stick around. If it hurts you, stay away for a while. If anyone abuses you, report them to the Moderators.

And here was me, thinking what an interesting thread this is. Instead, I end up getting pie-eyed. Robererasmus, enjoying your posts and your take on Biblical research. I thought your reading-back to original languages and then re-translating thing was a bit weird to start with. Then I remembered a friend of mine, from Nigeria, who referred to the sides of his chest - the ribs under the armpits - as his "wings". That's his native language word, where native English speakers would probably just say "side" or "chest". Can put a different nuance on things. And I wondered about the "wings" of angels and other critters in the Bible and wondered if that meant "wings" as typically depicted for angels and cherubs, or whether it meant something different. Looking in Strongs, I see the word (kanaph) has the meaning of something projecting, or an extremity, usually but not always meaning a wing. Always fun, translating from one language to another - especially if yet another intervenes. bit like Chinese whispers, really.

At 4am I'd be adopting a "no tolerance" stance, too! Know what you mean about the paper. Got home one day to find my two had knocked the kitchen roll off where it stands on the microwave. They had had such fun and there was shredded paper everywhere and a look of great delight on Tuxedo's face. Now they get to play with two toys - I stick the edge of a feather or their other playthings under the couple of sheets of kitchen roll that were more or less intact, and this is just the most fabulous toy these cats can imagine. The paper can be made to move and the edge of the feather or other item can be made to "disappear" into the scrunched-up paper. We still need to see some photos of Rocket at (?)work!!

This whole thing makes a nonsense of God being able to speak with anyone. Hmm, have we forgotten "the witness in the stars"? There for anyone to read? What about the witness of all of creation? We are "sealed with the holy spirit of promise" which is to be "a comforter" and which will "teach" us. But that doesn't limit it to the only way God can teach us...or anyone else. I believe he's always been able to teach those who seek the things after his own heart - no matter what color or creed they follow. The Bible itself talks of those who are gentiles following the things of God. Well, how do they know how to do this unless somehow or other God had been able to teach them? And yet they do rightly "by nature". Do "gentiles" have a different "nature" from "Jews"? I think not; all are human beings. Yet God seems able to teach them even though they are "outside the pale" or outside the place he could give them his "holy spirit". Like ErkJohn I never understood this but as Corps, you daren't ask the question - that's if you still remembered it after you'd been knocked back a few times. Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law,<a name="22"> they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

Is that another of LCM's wilder interpretations? What's clear in the verses is that it's "for food" (says so twice). The verses beforehand talk about going forth and multiplying. Then there is a clear change of context prefaced by "And God said, Behold...." in the verses you quote. God's smart enough to figure out that his newly-formed creatures on the earth need something to eat, so he tells them what. That's if you believe that Gen 1 is an accurate historical record and not a synthesis of ideas, poems, oral histories and myths encapsulating a bigger truth.

Today I noticed some sad looking little shoots - I think they're my daffodils. They don't look very enthusiastic about life, and there aren't many of them either. Maybe they're just a bit slow. Too cold and too wet to spend much time outside. Brrrrr!

Sad but true, Rummie. Like so many things. You agree to one thing and they strung it out evermore. Intrigued by the pic mstar posted. D'ya reckon Jesus would have smoked? I reckon he would have gone around in jeans and a T shirt - and perhaps on a motorbike, if he were around today. Maybe he wouldn't smoke nowadays, since there's a big backlash against smoking. But do you think he would have done if he had been a young man - 30 years ago? 50 years ago? When it was quite fashionable? Can you imagine JC and his closest disciples sitting around on the shore of the sea of Galilee, having been fishing, having a cook-up, and kicking back with a ciggie? D'ya reckon there would be anything (ahem) interesting in the ciggie?

Many drops make a bucketful, Jeff. Yes, I'd agree that many already help out in their own generous ways - practically, monetarily, other ways. As for me, I went a long run as a final long practice yesterday. I ran about 9 miles. The Half a level route all on roads, so that's how I've been running. Surprising, however, how one overlooks the little undulations in a route when driving... I run easily on the flat and downhill but anything more than a slight rise has me doing a brisk walk not so much of a run. It was nice (?) being out running because I had time to look over the stone walls and observe bits of countryside that I had no idea about before. Today my back is sore from the running, despite my new well-sprung running shoes. I will run a couple of miles on Weds and maybe something similar on Tues. After that, my training consists of a meal of fish and chips on the night before the Run. Carbo-loading. An early night would probably be a good idea, too....! http://www.justgiving.com/Twinky

Dunno about pot, but smoking just ordinary cigarettes could get you kicked out (this is post-Fog). No smoking allowed at all in res, whether on grounds or on leave - one girl who had graduated a few weeks earlier and never smoked in her in rez time was seen enjoying her first cig (being no longer in rez) - and for that reason was immediately DFAC'd and a big hoo-ha made of it. "What?" ranted LCM - "You spent all that time in rez and you never learned the self-control not to smoke?" Classic case of moving the goalposts - again.