Twinky

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.

Friend has had lots of these little moley things removed. It started a couple of years ago; frightened me at first, now it's no big deal. Some he has had removed by minor surgery (like you) - others by some sort of cream rubbed in (like GSG mentions). Nobody thought about covering the skin/avoiding sun exposure 30 or 40 years ago - everyone wanted to be tanned (read, burned to a crisp). Now we realize how deep fried the skin really was. It might be "commonplace" but it still makes you think. You've survived this; you may well find other lesions over the next few months or years. Every day is a bonus; what are you going to do to make your "extra time" worthwhile? Even though it's easily treated - make every day a special day. :) Be thankful! :) :)

That's your killer question, Mike? :blink: You know the answer. And it's not PFAL.

Do not expect to be served? Don't tell me that means that high-ups don't get Grounds to tend their gardens; Multi-Services to shift their furniture or redecorate or clean the pool; Food Services to prepare their food; Housekeeping to clean the bathroom, etc? No personal servants selected from the in rez Corps any more, or is the in rez Corps too small for that luxury? Getting out to fellowships sounds unpleasantly controlling. If my local leader had turned up at my fellowship, I would have been delighted. If higher-up leadership had turned up - to begin with, once I'd've felt honored - but later, I'd've wondered what I'd done wrong and how hard I was going to be kicked. And to boot, do they expect a "gift" by way of thanking them for visiting? Or is, I think you said some time ago, that sort of gift is now banned?

From what I've picked up from the few innies who post here - yes, it's changed. From frantic hell-raising yell and outrageous outbursts from LCM, to dead boring lectures from Rosie's henchmen. But what it's like to live there nowadays... to serve on staff... to be in rez... to be closeted away from "real life"... to be away from other Christians, other opinions, other input... (shrug) ?

Seems like a reasonable article to me. The strength of some of the objections to it comes quite possibly from some semblance to the Renewed Mind class or similar. What were we taught? You can't stop a bird roosting in a tree but you can stop it nesting? Something like that? When we continually think negatives (or even "worldly" thoughts), that's what we come to expect. And sometimes we act on that expectation. It becomes normal. It seems easy to think about doing something mean to someone we don't like. Picking a fight with a colleague at work that we don't particularly like. Or fancying someone we shouldn't get close to (perhaps because married). Watching violent movies on TV. Then that sort of behavior becomes "normal". It seems less easy to think about doing something nice to someone - especially someone we don't like. Instead of blessing them, we look for ways to do the opposite. We don't remember our colleague's kindness, just a hasty remark at a busy time. We don't remember how kind our spouse/partner is, and how attractive we thought he/she was; we chase a fantasy. We don't watch movies about generosity in time of need, we look at what causes the need - war, or what have you. It's just as easy to "practice" doing nice things as doing unpleasant things. This is a good way to guard one's thoughts: Philippians 4:8 [Holman Standard version] It's an abuse to stamp on genuine concerns (like various TWI programs or behavior) in the name of "not thinking evil" - and that's not what "guarding one's thoughts" is about. The ones stamping on genuine concerns are in fact the ones thinking evil. Oh, and it's not "head in the sand" either. Guarding one's thoughts doesn't mean ignoring what's going on all around, it means thinking about them realistically, and remembering God's goodness at the same time. He has a solution but it won't necessarily be instant. Guard one's thoughts to take the long view of His goodness and provision.

(Aside) Hey, Jeff, we all had some very silly ideas at one time!! Be thankful for the grace that allows us to have stupid ideas, and then change our minds to something more appropriate. I suppose the promoters of such off-the-wall conjectures at least get people thinking - something - of Jesus. Which is better than disregarding him altogether. Maybe some people will even be provoked into reading the Book?

The book "The Shack" seems to be getting a lot of publicity in Christian circles. Everyone seems to be talking about it. I've recently borrowed a copy and have finished reading it. If one can overcome the strong Trinitarian bias, there are some interesting things to think about. Philosophically, as it were. About why Bad Things Happen, Forgiveness, Rules, Restrictions, God's love for everyone, and concepts of Good and Evil. Just wondered if any of you Cafe patrons have read it, and what you think. Did you enjoy it? Did it show you anything new?

Welcome, Frame57. I don't even like to think what experiences you may have had with BG's ministry if it was better than TWI, but no doubt that'll depend on how long you were in TWI or how quickly you realized the grass there wasn't as green you thought, and it wasn't in fact grass but moss on a stinky bog.

He's gorgeous. She's gorgeous. You're - a dad! Congratulations!!

From the Wikipedia entry This isn't quite true. It may have been when they were introduced to the general believers but they were designated on an earlier occasion. It took place in the Auditorium during some big Ministry event - maybe it was Corps Week the previous year? (I was present at the event, and very enthusiastic for the new designation for these fine upstanding members of the Way old-timers, but I had been banished by 1995.) Any offers on the date? Othewise, Mark, maybe you can change that in Wiki too?

Thanks, both. Twinkle was a real "bendy toy". You really could position her more or less how you liked on your lap or chest and she'd sort of sigh and relax into the position, purring loudly. She had a lovely low purr but also a very high purr, like the one a very pleased cat has. And that's how she was purring in her last days. So we know she was happy. Crypto looks very like Twinkle, same dense black color with a little white mark on the chest, and slightly fluffy as opposed to very sleek. I have vision for Crypto to end up like Twinkle. It won't be any time soon. :(

Oh, and I learned to ski. Not very well. And sometimes my skis and I do not take exactly the same route... But I can get down a slope without too much disgrace or damage to other people; I have fun; I feel a sense of achievement.

Interesting thread, Jeff. Another thing that you might want to consider: On the cross Jesus gave special responsibility for the care of his mother to one of his disciples. As the oldest son he (and his wife) would be responsible culturally to care for his mother (that's one of the reasons the first born son gets a "double portion" - to take care of his extended family responsibilities). (Aside: interesting also that he gave care of his mother to one of his disciples - not to the second eldest brother, as one might expect.) At marriage a husband is supposed to leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife. Obviously that doesn't mean he abandons his parents (since that would not be honoring them) - rather, it means his focus, his first attention, is not to his parents' wishes but to his wife's wishes. Jesus gives no commandment concerning Mary M at the cross. He does not commit her [and any children] to the care of his disciples. Recall also the record and responsibilities of brothers to marry childless widows - a topic about which Jesus himself is confronted by scribes and Pharisees trying to trick him. Mary M seems to have spent a lot of time in the company of Jesus, but that doesn't mean she wasn't perhaps married to one of his disciples (perhaps one of the 12, perhaps another disciple). In fact, that might make some sense. As a married woman, she would be accompanying her husband in his pursuit of Jesus, and it would not necessarily be very remarkable. A single Jewish woman probably would be remarkable, in those days. We know very little of the disciples' or apostles' wives; only that Peter had a wife who once had a fever. Other than that - we know nothing of their private lives.

Mark, you may not be familiar with the Holman version. It seems pretty good, better than, for instance, NKJV, which seriously promotes a trinitarian viewpoint. No version is perfect. I like switching around and must have 20 versions. I read the Message for its brisk breeziness and besides, it makes me laugh. When did a Bible (KJV, lol) ever do that? Often I've read in Holman and thought, this seems new, is that what it's getting at? and then I read again the familiar in KJV or look at another version, and there it is, clear as day, instead of obscured by archaic language. You can check out your favorite bits on Crosswalk.com and run a parallel between Holman and whatever study version you prefer.

Interesting, Mark, and I look forward to more to come. What are you using to refer to and research "the" holy "the" spirit (or not) - are you checking in an interlinear, or are you using some other source(s)?

Potato - "Face metling over trivialities." Exactly. All in the guise of telling us to be "meek" to God. Actually, that abuses God even more than it abuses us. We simply wouldn't have put up with this garbage elsewhere. If any church minister behaved in this manner now, would we put up with it? If TWI know-it-alls could have distanced themselves from their own egos, they would have seen that the specks of dust in our lives were just that, specks of dust; and not seen so very close up through their own egos so that dust was magnified into planks. Even then, the hurts wouldn't be there still so painfully if there were open and honest exposure, apology and rectification.

Whereas, Mike-of-God-for-our-Day-and-Time (MOGFODAT), your only rule for faith and practice is "PFAL is perfect with no errors whatsoever." I don't see mention of "the Hope" in that succinct definition either; nor of healing; nor of any promises. ANY promises. You've chosen to pick on me. Well, let me tell you that knowing God is light and in him there is no darkness also encompasses his willingness to heal, to deliver, his compassion, his kindness, that he never leaves nor forsakes us, and a whole lot more. Just like for you PFAL isn't just the PFAL book but all the other VPW books. Don't presume to tell me what I believe. You simply don't want to listen, you want to put words in my mouth - and in the mouths of other posters here. I know that since I have stopped being bogged down in the miry clay of PFAL, my life has been a whole lot better. I embrace God and see his tender mercies to me daily. I learned some principles from PFAL; I am learning a lot of other stuff from tender-hearted Christians who have also seen his tender mercies to them daily. Now get off your soap box, pulpit, or whatever you want to call it, before it sinks in the miry clay forever.