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Rascal, please tell me that you made a mistake on the name here. Please tell me that it wasn't him that did this to you.

Glad you decided to post Drummer Boy. What made you decide to post now? Just curious. So have you put up your lurking shoes?

Welcome to the Spot Belding71! Do try the bisquits and gravy, they are awesome! My story does not reflect any of those posted here. I took my first class to see what mom had gotten herself into. It took a great deal of convincing for me to even consider goin out WOW as I would have to drop out of College to do so. Subsequent decisions to live in a WOW Vet home in Little Rock for two years and to go into the Corps were based on a desire to learn what the leadership were always calling the "meat" of the word. So much of what we were taught from HQ and on down was simply regurgitated PFAL or collaterals. So many made comments like "When you get into the real meat of the Word..." Being the competative, curious little shark that I am I wanted to get to this meat! So I followed the yellow brick road and ended up in Kansas. Ultimately I came home without having completed the Corps and without having heard any real meat. But I did come home with quite the chip on my shoulder and disappointment in my heart. I guess my transition and transference occured a little later in life. One thing is certain...I found out what mom had gotten herself into.

Here's one that deserves a lump of coal. In my opinion of course: Obviously I agree that the names should not be dropped. We would like some notable infamous people of old TWI to be accountable for their actions and words. Therefore we should also take responsibility for our actions and words.

DWBH, thanks for posting these responses. I agree with LeBump and Mr. Strange, but I would add this to his list: To the Graesers-shame on you, for disrupting, misdirecting and confusing your brethren in Christ, and then double shame on you for allowing the courts to settle your dispute. I'm fairly certain that the record in Corinthians does not agree with this practice, just as DWBH has said. I also have lots to comment on but unfortunately I need to get back to work.

Ohhh...I wish I could get this cute little deaf Persian, but I think her majesty Queen Marishka might have a thing or two to say about it. She's got her hands full with my little brat Tucker John. Thanks for the link Nero!

Happy Birthday Ex-10! Have an absolutely wonderful day!!

Roy, What you said was nothing short of amazing! Thank you for sharing your life with us.

And this is one Shark that does not care for that kind of blood. Truly an uneducated, insensitive and condescending response John. The sad thing here or at least one of the sad things here is that IMO John will not even respond to our outrage at his post. Me thinks he does not have the huevos or the courage.

I flat cannot believe that you said that! Very disappointing! :(

Well I for one believe you Lucy. You just happened to catch the eye of a very strange type of person. I'm glad you escaped unharmed...well for the most part. It is sad that twi promoted silence above the truth. I must admit that this practice of puting people in the closet for anything is kind of a new one on me. But you are the second person to tell me about this insanity. So I guess the one that I had heard about previously wasn't an isolated incident. I'm not certain but people that enforce this could be just a little power hungry.

I'm sure that you gave his some very good advice George. Congrats to the both of you and to him as well!

Wow! That is freaky! In answer to your question, No. They did not openly encourage it. But in certain circles homosexuality was accepted behavior. Even in later years when LCM began his witch hunt for homos the practice was still "overlooked" if you were kissing the right behind (no pun intended). I personally know a great many homosexuals, many of which were in the ministry and had "successful careers" in the ministry. In other words they successfully went out WOW, had a wonderful relationship with their WOW sister/brother (not always platonic) and held a ton of classes. A person's sexual orientation does not influence their ability to function, think, learn etc in society. That is myth. It also does not make them a sexual predator. That is a horrible slander. Now as far as I know pedophelia was more prevalent than many want to acknowledge but it was not accepted in any circle that I know. But I wasn't in any of these "circles" to begin with so what I know is limited. All of the pedophiles that I have had the displeasure of meeting are behind bars. The armbands were for easy identification for Bless Patrol. If you were wearing one then you belonged at the Rock. If you were not wearing one and could not produce one then you either paid to get one or you were escorted of the grounds. They may have had another reason but I don't know it. Oh BTW...Welcome to the Spot! Enjoy yourself.

I think I see your point and just as Roy is I am also pleased that you have shared your heart with us. I don't disagree with the biblical analogy of things taking root and growing. This analogy is utilized in the Bible in both a negative and most often in a positive manner. However if I may express what I have learned from posters here at GS. There are some people that are still very much in pain. And for the most part those that are still hurting are desperately trying to identify and thereby nullify the source. That is a far cry from what you say that you have witnessed "but they haven't dealt with their hurt honestly". Often times during the recognition and nullification process hurting people do hurt others and upon occasion further harm themselves. But by and large when an injured person exposes their wound and others help them clean and bind the wound then healing begins. However I have witnessed on this board a blatent disregard and callousness in regards to injured people exposing their wounds. I have seen some people when confronted with an open and infected wound tell the person with the wound to "just get over it". There was no attempt to see things from the injured ones point of view. There was no compassion or Godly love. There was only disbelief and rancor. That my friend is dishonest. That is someone else not dealing with their hurt honestly. Yes we all eventually need to recognize the source of the pain and injury. We all eventually need to properly address both the source of the injury and the injury itself while not prejudging or inflicting more injury. "Returning evil for evil" does apply to those that attempt to ignore or disregard the injury of another. We should endeavor to not treat anyone with disregard especially those that we acknowledge as our brethren.

We work hard for that extra face time. How many sharks do you see trolling up and down the coast scaring swimmers and eating surfers just hoping someone has a camera phone? Do you have any idea how long the lines were for the Jaws audition. Uncle Al got the part simply because he literally chewed up the competition. And it's a good thing too...can you even imagine a hammerhead in the part? Plaheeez!!!

Holy Cow! Take one class and I miss a birthday! I hope it was wonderful for you Rocky!

Now That could be a Vegas floor show! Big Daddy!! Hee heee mwaaa haahaa haha.... sorry just struck me funny!

I thought that the original post was funny...but I'm a shark what do I know? :blink:

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer My absolute favorite followed by a close second It's a Wonderful Life. I have always tried to imagine myself in the place of George. Kind of a warm fuzzy Christmas thought... Then again I just love Scrooge played by anyone...even Donald Duck's uncle Ebenezer McScrooge!

I was possessed once...well that's what they told me anyway. That's why I got sent home. No counselling, no attempts to "cast it out"...heck they didn't even bother telling me until I had been home for several weeks, nearly 2 months. What a bunch of hooooowy! I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it today. Actually I don't think that it is possible for a born again Christian to be possessed. Influenced yes but possessed no. I personally give God just a bit more credit than that. When He put Christ in us He told us that "greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world." He didn't have an addendum stating "unless he that is in the world sends one of his underlings to vex you personally then he can possess you at will and push aside the Christ in you like last weeks trash." Obviously if a born again Christian chooses to return to his/her old man ways then they can be influenced to varying degrees by worldly things and people that can be controlled by debil sprits. They can even appear to be "out of control" heck anyone that has been drunk can effectively simulate a complete lack of control. But actually possessed where the ds takes up residency next to the Christ in you. I think that is highly unlikely. Some may disagree and that's ok with me.

Happy Birthday Paw! Do something grand and fun on your birthday and know that you are well loved by many.

I'ld serve the rest of the turkey to the cats but they're tired of it too.... <_< :P

You're still here aren't you?.... You mean that I missed 'em again? :blink: Ahhh well...

Thank you Paw, for making this place available for all of us "gook" filled folks! :blink: Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, and to everyone one else here at the Spot!

I'm thankful that I'm still kicking I'm thankful for the gracious gifts that God has given me, like my grand niece (she gives me gray hair but she also gives me great joy). My family is wonderful if not just a bit nuts, my roomie is great and bit confused and my friends are comforting, especially since they put up with me. :blink: Happy Thanksgiving one and all!!