Twinky

What I know is more than what TWI taught. I knew stuff before, I learned some stuff there, and I have learned a lot since. What I am doing with what I know is: living a life of thankfulness showing compassion to those in need being non-judgmental being peaceful and kind enjoying "just being" with God enjoying being with God's other people from a diverse range of Christian beliefs trying to live a life that is a witness, without having to ram Bible verses down the throats of those who don't yet know God I read less, but ponder more on what I do know. I enjoy the delicious "fruit of the spirit" listed in Galatians 5.

How about doing something really controversial and making it easier to immigrate legally? (This works in some many other countries. Europe. Australasia. And the host country benefits AND the immigrant's family back home.) Vet people before they come in, then you can keep out real criminals and leave the ordinary Joe (or maybe Jose) to get on, work a little, and then go back home. If Jose is really entrepreneurial, he will benefit the city or state with his/her business, instead of wasting his/her energies on hiding/evasion, and doing menial jobs. Oh, and you will also benefit (perhaps) by putting bigoted law-enforcers out of business.

Hey Leafy, that's progress for you. With scaredy-pants Crypto, what I've found works is hand-feeding bits of ham (she really likes ham) and holding that pinched firmly in two fingers, and slowly bringing the other hand around (so's not to startle) and stroking/scratching the back of her neck while she tugs at the meat. She will endure the handling because she likes the meat. I make her tug at it for a short while then release it so that she can eat; then do the same again. It's not a "main meal" - just a treat - and maybe 6 times or however long it takes before she has had enough of fondling. Another tip that was given me by a trainer of difficult dogs is to stroke the back with a feather. Both of them really like this and do not see it as a threat. If they go through a scared/aversive period, I resume touching with the feather and they soon come round. Strange, but this was one of the most effective things.

Things I miss... ...Snuggling against Twinkle's soft fur, when she had come in from the fields. She used to smell sweetly of hay. ...Snuggling against Twinkletoes's fur, when he'd come in from the garden. He smelled of fresh green outdoors. I managed to pick up Tuxedo the other day. Her fur smells sort of dusty. Maybe she'd been exploring under the kitchen work units again (such an exciting place, doncha know?). But some progress with these two. Tuxy (Tucks-In) has taken to coming by my chair when I am at the computer, and she mews piteously. There's food in the dish and the litter tray is clean (her usual complaints). What does she want? To be fondled!! I may not pick her up, but I may scratch her neck, ears, back, and stroke all along her. She can be quite demanding that I do this! When I picked her up, she made her usual protest, then snuggled into my arms, purring loudly, and in fact giving for the first time that rather high-pitched purr that cats make when they are really really happy or pleased with themselves. Crypto has also decided that being fondled is not so bad. Lately she has come to me, very cautiously, and she bends her head down in a very specific way which invites me to scratch the back of her neck and at the same time I am also allowed 3 or 4 strokes along her body. This may happen three or four times a day. A long way from picking her up, though. In fact, it's quite significant progress with both of them.

Thank you, Waysider and Rocky.

It's not just musical talent that was controlled. If anyone had any ability or talent in any direction, instead of being thankful that God has endowed us all a little differently, any talents had to be totally subjugated to TWI / PFAL thinking. Or the talented person was belittled and their ability sneered at. I have a recollection (vague, and third or nth hand hearsay) that VPW thought the music ministry was very important for TWI. That would be the groups, not the stuff on stage. One of my coordinators wrote a sweet song (and its music) that was very popular in the fellowship and we all loved it when she sang the song. She had been singing it for years. Then one year, around the early 90s, she went to RoA and sang on the Family Stage or some such - anyway, the song came to the attention of Way Prods. Next thing, this song had some of its lyrics changed, an extra verse was added, and it became a Way Prods song commonly sung by someone else AND they, TWI, claimed copyright. She said, gamely, that the additions had made it a better song, but she also seemed rather sad about it. She never got any credit for composing it. Somewhat off topic, Hillsong the group and the Church have attracted adverse criticism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillsong See stuff from about half way down the page, and followed up in some of the articles at the bottom of the page. Regardless of any controversy, they're still great songs, very popular in the church I now go to, very popular elsewhere, and often significant chunks of psalms set to modern music. As long as you don't mind the trinitarian bent to some of the songs...

I just looked at this thread for the first time. My goodness me, aren't some of you hard line? Instead of saying, these people deserve to be in prison, why don't you ask WHY they are in prison? What are their circumstances that get them there? What is being done to address their circumstances? If someone is illiterate - do they get reading and writing lessons? If they have been violent is it because they have been abused and have anger management problems - do they get counselling and anger management courses to help them find better ways to cope? If someone has stolen, is it because they really can't make ends meet? Some family tragedy has afflicted them? Violence breeds violence. Brutality breeds brutality. It's hard enough for someone with a prison sentence to get out and find a decent job, or any legal job, afterwards. So what does that do? Push him back into the prison system. Which costs every taxpayer money. Instead if some money were made available to teach skills - there would be a lot more people who could contribute to society. As legal, decent working people. Some prisons I'm aware of have programs that teach prisoners skills for life. Some sort of trade. They get to sit external qualifications. The recidivism rate is very low because these people are integrated back into society. In other countries, there are "restorative justice" programs. These aim to restore offenders back to society by confronting them with the effects of their crimes. Many say it is so painful being confronted by their victims that they would rather go to prison. But the ones who do go through restorative justice programs often realize the error of their ways and do not offend again. If the Sheriff gives some prisoners dog-training skills and a feeling of respect for what they have done, that will go a long way to those prisoners' rehabilitation. If, however, he treats them like caged animals in a zoo, to be kicked whenever he feels like it, he's actually kicking out the welcome mat for their next visit. Which one of you hasn't done something wrong? You just didn't get caught for it. Did you ever "borrow" a pen, or a paperclip, from where you work? Did you ever drive a little carelessly? Did you ever hit out at anything in frustration? Pretty much all of us here have an abused background, to a greater or lesser degree, through our time in TWI. We did things that now we find almost unbelievable. We hurt friends, and relatives; we abused people in the name of God; we may have behaved despicably; we were rude and intolerant; some may have engaged in sexual exploitation (the low end of which is known at the Cafe as "date and switch"). If we had had a decent background to begin with, we may have managed to pull back to that. If we didn't, we have to find out more appropriate ways of dealing with life. It took or takes time, effort, and help to re-train our thinking. Some of those people in prison have lived all their lives like that. They didn't have decent backgrounds or role models to begin with. Violence was their role model. You have had grace and mercy extended in your life. If you have no criminal record, be thankful. Extend some grace and mercy to others. You have done things wrong too, some just in the eyes of God, and some in the eyes of the society in which you live. It's just a question of degree. BTW I don't necessarily advocate not removing people from society; it's what you do with them when you remove them that this post concerns.

How many pinball machines does a man need? :blink:

As potato says, anger, too. It's okay to feel anger. Just keep it under control. Anger is probably healthy, after the learned helplessness of TWI.

I know what they teach, but is it true? I neither know nor care. Better to concentrate on lining my heart up with what God wants as best I understand it. He looks on my heart and sees what's in there. It's either acceptable or it's not, and speaking in tongues won't make it any more so or less. If one doesn't SIT will God love that person less? No. If one doesn't SIT does it mean that person doesn't love God? No. If one SITs a lot, will God love that person more? No. If one does SIT does it mean that person does love God? No.

Jeff, I'm sorry you feel so raw. The TWI exit is nearly always a raw and painful place, especially in situations like your own. It is very difficult for you and it is a confusing time where you undergo many conflicting emotions. You are angry, you are hurt, you feel abused, you feel empty, alone, ripped apart, lots of things. Your emotions are justified and appropriate. Keep them under control. Your personal life has been most spitefully abused and your wife's behavior is bizarre. Please try to feel compassion for - for your wife, at least - which will mean you do not give place to a root of bitterness that will poison your life, thereby allowing more damage to accrue to you at the hands of TWI. Deny them that. :blink: Your wife wholly believes she is right but her belief is wrong. It is terribly difficult, but pray for her. For her to receive understanding, and for her protection from worse things. When all is said and done, she is your son's mother and she needs protection for his sake. TWI/splinter followers at this level of behavior suffer from something like a mental illness. It may be of little comfort to you, but these violations have happened to many of us here (as you have read) and it takes time to recover, to grow above, to ... stand back a little. But you will get through it. I found reading Job and the requirement for him to bless his persecutors scary, horrifying, it was the last thing I wanted to do - but it started the healing process for me. I also bear in mind that Jesus Christ suffered the ultimate violation of human dignity, but still managed to pray for those who were humiliating and murdering him. Feel free to PM me if you wish.

Cman posted a link. Nice verses. If you replace "in spirit" with "in heart" it kinda makes the gist of what worship is more clear. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Sorry, which of these words says "spirit")? If we keep God first, our whole life can be one of worship. All our actions. Actions done in love, for God, and showing respect to fellow human beings. It's not just SIT, whether that is done out loud or silently. We love, because He first loved us. Love doesn't need words; sometimes actions say more than words. This discussion reminds me very much of this passage: http://classicbst.crosswalk.com/OnlineStud...amp;showtools=0 Okay, this is about fasting, but the bigger picture is doing something with heart, and not just going through the motions. You and God know whether your speaking in tongues is genuine worship or just a clanging cymbal. Jesus worshipped God. Um, where is the record that he spoke in tongues??

Geer basked in reflected glory. He had none of his own. At least VPW seems to have had an engaging personality; Geer exuded ego, slickness, falseness. He was/is an egotistical and manipulative character who does not know the meaning of "help" or "service". So to retain his own "status" he had to glorify the man who gave him status - VPW. If he hadn't published "POP"? LCM mightn't have had his "fog years" period. Would TWI have imploded sooner, or later?

And Jeff, you seem to be doing a great job with your little son. You can teach him what it really means to love someone, and to keep confidences. He may, however, repeat back everything that goes on with you and him, back to his mum and she will tell Barnard. If you aren't already doing it, keep a record of any ongoing violations. It may help you if things deteriorate even more and you need to seek custody of the boy from your former wife.

Some comments from my sometime partner, Twinky's latest carer: And I know my friend misses him very deeply.

Let's not forget that the young Jesus, at 12 years old, was found in the temple disputing/discussing with the learned folk there. He listened and learned from them. He engaged his critical thinking and pointed out flaws in their arguments. And probably accepted some of what they knew. He learned from his mother Mary, his foster father Joseph, the rabbis, scribes and whoever at the local synagogue, the people around him; and he studied the scriptures by whatever means was available to him, whether written or oral. That he engaged people more learned than him in discussion is an example we also should be following. We probe for flaws, fit what they say together with what we already know. That way, we can learn. Iron sharpens iron, yes? Sword of the spirit, yes? Actually, what sharpens iron? A whetstone. Ironstone. Something harder and more resistant than itself. VPW discouraged dispute, discussion, another point of view. Our critical thinking abilities were squished and our sensitivities deadened. Instead of looking at other Christian thinkers' points of view, they were treated as if they were stumbling blocks. The scriptures were wrongly used and we were discouraged from other considerations, other theologians, other interpretations. The scriptures themselves can be a whetstone to keep us sharp, but only if we use them correctly. And that means understanding them correctly. We became blunt instruments, not sharp "on the Word" or spiritually sharp. We were dull and blunt in our thinking and dull and blunt in dealing with other people. Our "spiritual sharpness" was fashioned into another weapon, a blunt instrument more like a cudgel, and we could hit anyone who didn't agree with us with claiming they were devil spirit possessed. A whetstone is used by stroking a knife gently along the edge of the whetstone, removing molecules of the knife blade little by little until the blade is sharp. By contrast the Rock of the scriptures became something to beat against in a sort of full frontal assault, thereby dulling the edge. There is sooo much to learn, to be reminded of, by discussing with other Christians. And - dare I say it - with non-Christians, too.

This thread's still going?? :blink: Maybe Mike has discovered a new rule for faith and practice ... silent contemplation.

Seek not to have more, but to be more --Archbishop Romero

RIP TWINKLETOES (TWINKY) Greatly loved cat aged 14 years. Happy life, short illness. Arrived as a kitten small enough to sit on the palm of a hand. Grew into a large and lovable rascal. Significant element of Siamese incorporated into this moggy’s makeup, giving him long legs and a lean appearance, and a noticeable voice. He loved to talk to his people! He was named Twinkletoes (Twinky) because of his great adeptness at getting his way into my flat to see if there was anything worth eating. Favorite activity was his mad ten minutes racing round the house at about 10 pm every night. All his life, he would spring into life, attack furniture, plastic bags and shoes; chase imaginary creatures; chase his tail; bounce off the walls; try to run up curtains; and at the end of his ten minutes, would collapse on the floor as if he had never moved all evening. He also attended upon my next door neighbors. They were an elderly couple. The husband died and the widow called the cat John after her late husband. The cat comforted her by his presence. The widow was eventually taken to live in a residential nursing home. On my return overseas, Twinky went to live with my former partner. Twinky didn’t particularly like males and my friend had never owned any pet before. However, they got on wonderfully well and Twinky thrived. He even gave up trying to run up net curtains. He supervised kitchen renovations and recently supervised the painting of the exterior of the house. He was popular with neighbors; ensured with a single stare that their cats knew he was the boss; and was tremendously affectionate to all. He was full of life and energy, extremely inquisitive, and wanted to know everything about everything. He couldn’t be found on Friday afternoon and was located sitting on a neighbor’s lawn unable to move a back leg. Immediate vet treatment brought brief relief, but the next day (yesterday) he was unable to move either of his back legs or his tail and could only drag himself by his front legs. He was not talking in his usual noisy manner, but did not seem to be in pain. He was purring and peaceful. Tests and X-rays showed nothing. The diagnosis was probable stroke and the painful decision was made that life could not continue for him. He is buried in the front garden adjacent to the wall that he had recently supervised the painting of. ******* This cat saved my life. He arrived when I was at absolute rock bottom, having been viciously ejected (M&A’d) from that organization. I desperately needed something to love but couldn’t cope with people at all. This tiny kitten arrived on an occasional basis, would stay a few minutes, then wander off again. He was all I could cope with for many months. He is honored in the name I use here at the Cafe. The other cat I posted about, Twinkle (named after Twinkletoes) was a real sweetie, and when she died last week it was quietly and of natural causes, and was expected. The suddenness of Twinky’s death is brutal. I feel terribly upset. He seemed to have such a lot of life in him, and it has so horribly been cut short.

They are both spayed. They are nearly 2 1/2 years old. They were a little over a year old when I got them, and I've had them since Jan 2008, ie, a bit over a year, so I don't think I'm pushing them too hard, but they are still so nervous of anything new or different. Nothing, nothing at all, has happened that is unpleasant to them, except that they had a highly strung and very aggressive (to humans) mother. Never been illtreated by anyone. THW, that's the plan, stake T out and sit out there reading or generally messing around pruning or planting. They are immensely curious about what's outside, and Tuxy in particular is always peering between my legs as I go in and out. They love to smell me, my bike and my shoes when I come in. I do have to shoo them back into the house - in the warmer weather they are very keen to get out. Tuxy tries to climb up through the top of the window if left open. They may not stray, but if something frightened them (next door's dog barking, or a vehicle making a loud noise (motorcycle) on the road at the back), then they may startle and run off. To begin with I think I may enlist a friend with a view to scaring them back into the house should they stray too far away. Whether that will work...? I think I may also just let Tuxy out alone to start with. What do you think? But they would both enjoy it. If I let T out first and she became familiar with the back of the house and even the street beyond, would she lead and C follow, then C got lost? BTW most Brits like to let their cats out, unless there is good reason not to.

I think there are some living recipients. If "living" is the right word...? Or perhaps they're just honorable mentions, or also-rans? Yeah, another stupid crim. Kinda like hanging out a sign saying, Come and get me.

Well. Cat training continues. I managed to capture Tuxedo last night and harnessed her and took her outside with me for a little while. It was 9pm-ish so dark, but dry and not too cold. This was not a happy event. Tuxy hid first behind a plant pot, then the dustbin. No attempt to move elsewhere. After a while, I brought her in, keeping her in my arms while I removed the harness, and she soon settled down, purring and needling my arm with pleasure. Today I have just got in from another trip. I had her outside by the patio for a while, then took her up the top end of the garden to my garden shed. Here she got to feel soil under her feet. Not that she cared, she just squished herself down, howling piteously all the while. She wouldn't move. But her pupils were slitty, not wide open in alarm. She hates anything touching her back - hates her play whip lightly touching her, hates a feather being put on her back - the issue is, perhaps, that she hates the harness, rather than not wanting to go outside. Anyway, after letting her just squish on the soil for quite a while, I walked back down the garden to the house. She had to be dragged at first, but then got the idea and ran off towards the house. On finding the door, she stretched up and tried to get in in. That was comforting; she seems to recognize where she is. But I didn't let her in. I was in the garden shed to get my fork, and staked that in the lawn with the lead between the tines. Plan was to just let her settle there and explore at leisure. She had a little sniff at the small fishpond but ignored it. But when I moved away just a little she got really stressed and started to leap all around. This included a leap into the fish pond (hey, it's a walking on water cat!) - she got her feet wet and a touch on her tummy - then she threw herself at the 6ft fence (couldn't quite reach it). Time to go in now, and I let her find her own way to the door, where I took the harness and lead off and dried her legs and feet. She dislikes her legs and feet being touched but didn't object at all. I rewarded her patience with a bowl of her fave cat milk (only rarely given) and she seems happy enough now. I feel reassured that she seems to recognize the back door and patio. She would, however, bolt in any direction if startled. I would like to let her out after Easter, to go free. Meanwhile Crypto was nowhere to be seen, today. Last night when T was howling when harness first put on, Crypto started hissing - at Tuxy, I think, not at me - and she made herself big by arching up and fluffing out. She looked surprisingly big. When I brought T in, Crypto was still stressed, hiding, and hissing at me from behind chairs. Silly creature. Eventually she hid behind the couch. As for today, I haven't seen her. She avoided being near the harness-hitching and vanished in case scary things happened to her. I've just managed to locate her behind the couch again (very dark and sort of enclosed, there). I still can't handle Crypto. She will occasionally permit a stroke or two (no more than two) along her back. Or a brief scratch behind the ears, just for a few seconds. She likes to be near me, as long as she is out of arm's reach. She will eat (ham) from my fingers and I can make her submit to being stroked whilst receiving the ham, but that's about it. If anyone has any suggestions, please please let me know. I so want to let them out, but that will mean I will also have to flea and worm them from time to time. Which means holding them, even if drops are used. They may just run off and never come back; that would be terribly distressing. Within the house, Crypto stays near Tuxy and follows her about. If Tuxy explores somewhere, Crypto will creep after her. So if Tuxy can find her way back home, hopefully Crypto will hang near her and also find her way home. But they may go their separate ways, if released outside. Oh, by the way, they ignore the cat door (wedged in a stool) as toy/training session. Don't know whether I should install it in the back door or not, if they won't even try to use it. Suggestions?

Anyone ever read the Darwin Awards, for the stupid things that people do (usually fatal)? Well, here's one that wasn't fatal...but it certainly wasn't very smart... (Just received, from a local Police Bulletin service that I've signed up for.)

A "service ministry" would entail thinking about other people. Maybe even doing something for other people (gasp). Maybe even coming into contact with the great unwashed, the poor, the needy (big gasp). And maybe finding out what you "teach" has little practical value.

Brushie, TWI as you know teaches there is only one God, our Father; and Jesus is a human being, a man, just like you except that he was divinely conceived. He was not God, he was not around before he was born, he isn't God now. We ex-Wayfers all believed that at one time and some of us still do. Some of us have espoused trinitarian teaching; and some state they don't believe any of it. This shouldnl't be a surprise to you. TWI never had "lessons" - just "teachings." Whate else happened that made you thing that something's not right? Can you verbalize it (or more precisely, write it)? You may meet some very nice people. They probably have a great heart for God. Stay at low levels and you will probably enjoy it. If there is any pressure to "take the class," whatever class they are offering - run.