Twinky

uh...there was a time when HA was not "Uncle" Howard? Now you come to mention it, I don't think I ever heard him referred to as just "Howard" - only "uncle Howard" or "Howard Allen". I don't remember Don W ever being called "uncle Don" - just "Donnie." I never even thought to question or even notice that before. But then, I've never thought of it for years. As a child, it was simply the polite way to address or to refer to adults of one's parents' generation as "uncle" or "aunt" even though they weren't relatives.

What are we doing here? I'm asking myself the same question...it is 1.30 AM and way past my bedtime. How fascinating GSC is at times... :blink: Chockfull - I noticed that about their line drawings too. Very Watchtower-ish. Heck, they're not plagiarizing the artwork now, are they?

Ha ha, Chockfull, if numbers continue to dwindle, it may be that those departments will lose so many staff that TWI will have to put their services on the net. In a "password protected area", of course, lest their pearls of wisdom should fall among swine, Christians in general, the people really searching for answers, etc. What a truly worldwide tool they are so carefully avoiding using. Isn't this the organization that was at the forefront of so many areas of progress and whose ideas were copied by the world at large? ...The AoS performance, which was "copied" by a famous performer. ...The latest and greatest in equipment (in its time) - probably way out of date now. Use of the Internet is something so simple that young schoolkids can access it and check out all sorts of sites. What a great way to reach out to the young people of today. But TWI doesn't even have a Children's Fellowship page on its website. Let alone access to its teachings, pitched at whatever level.

Well! I actually picked up and fondled Crypto today. She is so very light, such a tiny cat. Feels just like skin and bones. She didn't like it but didn't fight me. Previously, she has fought, struggled, absolutely terrified. Today I fell upon her and had her on my lap before she had time to realize. I managed to weigh her (carried upstairs, weight noted with and without her), and also groomed her a little. I got a growl from her at one time (Tuxy came running to see what was going on), and also some minutes later while she was crouching on my lap, Tuxy sneaked up under the table, reached up and hit Crypto! It's the longest I have held her - several minutes - and I gave her a bowl of biscuits as a reward. She fled, though. She didn't enjoy it at all, but then, to begin with neither did Tuxy, but T enjoys it now. A success, however, compared with other attempts to pick Crypto up. Crypto is nothing like as jumpy as Tuxedo. She is very shy but once she had made up her mind that she liked being stroked, she will approach me and seemingly ask for a stroke or two. She especially loves being stroked with a feather. A hand can still be a little scary sometimes. As for Tuxy - she never volunteers to be fondled and makes a token struggle, and then nestles down happily on my lap, purring and moving her head this way and that so that she will be fondled just where she wants. She does that needling thing, massaging my arm and if my sweater sleeve is thin, leaving my arm looking like I have some nasty rash. She rather enjoys being groomed. Edited cos the typeface changed size inexplicably, to microscopic, half way through the post.

I was looking at the Internet thread today, which seems to have veered off in a different direction from that which might be expected (no news there) and started thinking about the benefits (and detractions) of the Internet. How many church teachings are available over the Internet? If you go to a church, you may well find the sermon or perhaps the whole service on your church's website. Some of the people posting on this very website have their own sites where they post teachings, research, or whatever. We all know that some sites are very helpful, and some are rubbish. But they are available. Not kept secret. But a certain valiant organization, which thought it could "move the word over the whole world," and then thought it was in a position where the "word was prevailing over the whole world" ... dare not post its own sermons/teachings/research for public consumption. (emphasis added)Say what you like about the splinter groups, at least some of them expose their teachings to public criticism or acclaim by posting them on the net for all to hear (or even to view). CFFM does, and STFI/CES posts some teachings on the net. Other splinter groups also post their material. But all TWI does is post a printed article which presumably is a reprint of the main Waymag article for that month. Never mind the cost (expense) of purchasing the tapes/DVDs and packing material. Never mind the time that is spent putting these tapes/DVDs in envelopes and addressing and stamping them (all "moving the word," doncha know?). Still hiding, and not using their people's time wisely. Not exactly redeeming the time. Not exactly making manifest to the saints (Col 1:26) - or even to some of the saints!! Very sad.

Doesn't this thread need to be in Open? Or in Politics and Tacks?

It's ironic that we were all supposed to be responsible for ourselves, our own actions, our believing... ...and suddenly the rank and file is responsible for VPW's believing as well...? huh?? Nothing about his own personal responsibility for abusing his body with cigs and ruining his liver with too much alcohol. Perhaps he was afflicted with a spirit of forgetfulness - he forgot that he had drunk all that alcohol. Or...a spirit of infirmity, that paralyzed his hand so that he couldn't put his hand up to (accept responsibility for) his (cough) indiscretions. Bleeaaaah

Tzaia, you don't have to visit Doctrinal if you don't want to. It's not my hang-out much, either, but sometimes there are interesting things, and sometimes it just helps demolish a bit of Way "theology" by providing a bigger picture. I like that there are differing viewpoints on what might be seen as Doctrinal differences and it can help to (re)develop those critical thinking skills that were so crushed by TWI. We are free to explore here, and though there are some posters whose points of view I find very difficult to see, it's always good to explore other people's ideas.

Okay, I think we're singing from the same songsheet.

You know some of you are being unnecessarily cruel here. It's quite clear that some of the smaller "offshoots" are run by what appear to be still Waybrained (probably) Corps. But on the other hand, a number of them may well be run by Corps who left of their own volition, or were kicked out, and they have taken the time to reassess what was taught and to evaluate the whole shebang. It doesn't mean they are regurgitating PFAL. And it doesn't mean they are demanding "tithes" from people attending their fellowships. Just because they don't fit into some "established" church doesn't automatically mean that they are mini-TWIs. There's rubbish that's taught and abuse that occurs in mainstream churches, too. Most people entered the Corps because they really did love God and love to help people. Many still do. And because they choose to have people over to fellowship at their homes doesn't mean they are promoting TWI rubbish. (Not everything in PFAL is rubbish; if it had been, none of us would have been sucked in!) Maybe they have learned a lot about compassion, what not to do and about real practical application of the Bible. Maybe they have learned what it is to be isolated from other Christians and in fact they work to promote exploration of other Christian beliefs. ...Perhaps it depends on how high up the "Way tree" they climbed. I'm sure we all knew some decent folks and would gladly spend time with them and would consider they had something they could teach and share. We all also knew some bad folks who it would be wise to run a mile from.

Interesting site, Mark. Also interesting to note that in the Preface, he doesn't mention TWI. Only in the Lexicon. Is Paul Y0unan some exWayfer? Note, he makes it freely available.

Won't be able to watch along with you, Tonto, but ... there is nothing new under the sun ... funny how the OT is for our learning yet none of these horrible abusers of God's people ever seem to learn from 1 Sam 2:22, 3:11-4:18. And just one or two similar places...

Don't think these splinter groups are confined to the US, either. It's world wide. (with apologies)

Innies, your abundant sharing at work.

My mum is not at all techno-savvy. However, I did introduce her to the internet and she started to get interested. Not good, but she could cope. She got a supplier, Tiscali. Then after some months, the internet service went down. She has complained and complained and complained...she has had no service now for over six months. She has to ring on their premium number and they will get back to her - but never do. They still keep billing her, however. In disgust she has transferred to TalkTalk (but both Tiscali and TT are in the same Carphone Warehouse stable). She STILL hasn't got service. She has been in touch with the Ombudsman and he threatened Tiscali and they did give her a bit of a refund and did provide the MAC quite promptly once he got in touch with them. I had problems with Tiscali myself and had to ring their premium number and go through the usual name, address, DoB, phone no, and shedloads of other information that I don't want to give - only to be given short-term help. I had to ring three times before the problem got fixed. They have these premium lines and long-winded conversations, so that they can make money off punters. Then they phone you back a few days later, wanting you to complete a customer satisfaction survey. Huh. Always ask for the next highest level / supervisor. Demand a name and write down details. I have never bothered with Tiscali's email address for me. Have had my Hotmail address for a very long time. Why should I change that for some giveaway that I never wanted in the first place? They only want me to have a Tiscali address because they are too lazy to send me a physical phone bill. Right. Let's listen to our customers...then completely ignore them.

120 cats?! Anyone can have a cat theater at home? I want to hire this man to come and tame my girlies!!! Two years on and I still can't pick one of them up (but she likes me touching her now). Ever heard the expression, "like herding cats" for an impossible task?

I just felt minded to resurrect this old thread again. I don't always read these but I do get the email version of the booklets, which offers other things and goes into a bit more commentary. Today's reading is from Exodus 19:1-6,16-25. The commentary gies this as one of its points to ponder: God's grace The grace of God rescues Israel from Egypt and brings them into relationship with him (v 4), just as it does for Christians (see Ephesians 2:8,9). But the privilege of grace carries the responsibility of obedience to God expressed in his covenant (v 5). Man! Sometimes you just need to hear or see that, and note the difference between the TWI version of "grace" and what living in grace really is. (Or maybe I've just read lately too many threads about the abusiveness of TWI and that's why it hits home?)

Cool post, Jeff. Though the language you use is probably the sort of language that would have been heard coming from that man's mouth. In keeping with your original post, I'm not sure if the splinter group leaders find it necessary to use such vile language in teaching their people.

Interesting, many versions put the "ever learning" bit along with the "silly women" bit - it's the women who are ever learning. But hey it's all about how you punctuate the sentence, huh? Nonetheless the context is the "terrible times in the last days" (NIV) Paul, the author of 2 Timothy, continues: This is the example Paul and his fellow apostles/companions set - wasn't he a saddle-maker? Note, it does not say he/they labored in the gospel. They worked. Physically. At their trades. To earn their money to pay for their necessities. At a later stage, Paul welcomes gifts of money and other things, but does not demand them. But there's the example - to make ourselves a model for you to follow. Now, if any of these TWI splinter groups has the following that Paul had, and has undergone the hardships that Paul did, then they can talk about how much they have a "right" to be supported by the believers...which "right" even Paul doesn't claim, but just accepts the gifts that are sent to him. (wish I could get the editing/typeface right and it doesn't go all too small to read sometimes!)

(((((Leafy))))) sneaking out like that... You made the right decision. What a bizarre way to feel you needed to act on that decision.

Field Corps were expected to expect an assignment on staff every few years. To keep them fresh on the Word. We're not talking a one-year assignment, either. Not enough to listen to Corps Night over hookups, on tape, or however, nor to be involved with twigs, branches, limbs on a constant basis. Most "church" leaders will go away on retreat/to synod/to conference/to some other type of clergy meeting, for maybe a week max, Monday to Friday. But only for a week. They don't need to go back to their training institution for prolonged re-training.

"Grow a pair!" Said innocently: "Oh, our yard is too small for that. We already have two apple trees and some fruit bushes. No room for a pear tree."

And how long before TWI decides to sue them for stealing the name?

Didn't make it across the pond. Not quite Brit humor.

Who are these people? Anybody of note?? (shrug)