Rejoice

O my gosh, that is EXACTLY what my ex-h used to tell me, especially when I was pregnant! So I always took care of myself---he left anyway with some other excuse and some "babe". Also, Mrs VPW always said in meetings, "If you husband is happy, then you will be happy." Gosh, she must have been choking back tears with that statement knowing that her life was a huge lie; she was abused and really trapped because of her generational expectations. I'm sure the love of her children was what kept her sane.

Hey...I LOVE pasta, but I'm like Sudo...my body responds to it rapidly. I actually went to talk with a bariatric physician [obesity specialist] because I was so frustrated that EVERY diet out there didn't work. Heck...i GAINED weight on Weight Watchers first week quick weight loss. He said something remarkable; just as our fingerprints are unique, our individual body chemistry is unique. That's why one person will do well on a diet and another will not. The trick is for each of us, it is trial and error. I can only take in 60 grams of carbs [starches or fruits] per day to maintain weight. Any more and I gain it. Yet, my son-in-law LIVES on carbs and is struggling to keep his weight UP!!

There is a doctor in NY, Richard Bernstein MD who is a diabetic and diabetic specialist. He has an amazing story, website and forum. I was prediabetic doing all the right things and getting bad results---weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, thryoid troubles. When I switched, all my numbers came back to normal [blood pressure dropped to normal in 7 days!], and I effortlessly dropped the 50 lbs I'd gained on a vegetarian lifestyle. Dr Bernstein's his health/food plan is this...your main source of calories is from low carb veggies, then proteins and fats. For diabetics, fruits are consumed very minimally, like dessert only at holiday times. The only way you can compromise your kidneys is if you eat TOO MUCH protein. Those who understand the chemistry of weight management can actually calculate your body's protein requirements per day, and then the individual takes that total and divides it up between 5-6 small meals all day. 60 grams of protein is a minimum requirement for healthy cell maintenance and repair. I lost weight with 95 grams/protein per day. Dr Bernstein advises against all flour products, which obivously includes all pastas. He's not big on rice either...he distinguishes between fast acting and slow acting carbs. It is the fast acting ones that quickly spike blood sugar and therefore insulin. Insulin is the fat storing hormone. Low insulin stimulation allows you to burn the food you take in as well as fat that is stored for energy. Long ago, a doctor told me that everyone should be following a diabetic food plan---and the medical community would be drastically reduced! This page is for medical professionals: http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/bernstein/ This page is for the rest of us; http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/

Gosh, that website makes me shudder!! Re-listing the 5 principles: 1. Acquire an in-depth spiritual perception and awareness. 2. Receive training in the whole Word so as to be able to teach others. 3. Physical training making your body, the "vehicle" of communication of the Word, as vital as possible. 4. Practice believing to bring material abundance to you and the Ministry. 5. Go forth as leaders and workers in areas of concern, interest, and need. When Jesus taught his followers, he said to go forth and Love God first, and your neighbor as yourself---period. He dismantled the worldy systems that raised up "representatives of God"---which is [once again] just the opposite of what man does in the name of God.

"I will elaborate upon why that is true from a doctrinal standpoint, but when else in the history of the Christian Church has there ever been such a cadre of thousands of young, energetic, enthused, biblically knowledgeable, logistically equipped, organizationally backed, diverse, multi-lingual, mobile, available, and committed-to-“It-is-written” men and women with leadership qualities who were willing to go anywhere and spread the Word?" For Readability...this sentence is completely unintelligble. The whole letter calculates this way which is why it seems like rambling. Flesch Reading Ease --- 0.0 Flesch-Kinkaid Grade Level --- 30.4

JAL has always been a master of jabber. It can be used as smoke and mirrors to confuse rather than clarify. Rhino's explanation of dichotomy and disparate shows how JAL is now he's confusing himself. Most of these guys at the top have only had "indepth" teaching of the word from TWI. I don't think any of them have ever invested a full year of seminary study [except MG, and he's been rightfully deposed] in any other Christian theological work, so how do they really know that their "keys to bibilical research" are even accurate. They don't have any comparison from which to make an honest assumption. All they know is what VPW told them that Bullinger or Styles or Leonard, or the Evangelical movement said.

Nostalgia for the "good old days??" I wonder why these guys are so reluctant to really OPEN THEIR EYES and get honest with themselves?? Do they think they will melt if they admit that it's time to pull the plug on the teaching of VPW??? We were all duped, conned, and robbed of many years, but "that which doesn't break us makes us stronger." A cult formed from a ROTTEN ROOT cannot be anything but rotten. Even if you tweak and repackage it, the foundation is still of sand. This idea that TWI "stands out on the spectrum of Church history as an amazingly significant Christian movement" is just the opinion of one [himself] in his letter. Has anyone ever read a statement like that from someone who was outside of TWI?? I think not, but there are a multitude of statements completely opposite of that opinion. The converse statements are from the wounded, the children of the wounded, as well as counselors, psychiatrists, and pastors who helped the wounded. VPW, LCM, HA, etc., left a legacy of abuse, mental torture, and dispair. And VPW checked out first leaving his wife and children to bear the brunt of his legacy.

It seems there has been a change in their directors. MG and TR are gone. http://stfonline.org/about/board.html

I read the link that Belle provided. It was written in 2004 and I don't see anything in there that has any specific comment from JAL about today's issues with CES/STFI, even though they came to GS for support. TWI pushed the "need to know" and the lox-box concept as a way to say "it's none of your business." Years ago when CES reached out to those who were hurt, promised they would make the wrong things right, they asked for financial and spiritual support, and then brought in teachings and activities that caused much harm such as Momentus for many and Personal Prophecy [even to John and his wife---hello!!] , well---what happened to making wrong things right?? They are operating like TWI did with the "lock box" concept and with secrecy. I believe they brought Momentus and PP on board to have something "unique" to offer believers---something to tickle their hearts, much like VP did with the "Law of Believing" or the "Name it and Claim It" philosophy. If those ideas were true every time ["because if God says it, it will come to pass"], we'd all see much different results in our lives. But the truth is that some bad people may get the good they DON'T deserve, and good people may get the bad they DON'T deserve. CES doesn't see that people are asking for affirmation that CES will admit mistakes, and ensure believers that they were NOT tricked again by an organization who proclaims a true love for God, His family, and His ways. Peoople are asking for specific clarification of TODAY's situation. Is John saying that teachings posted on their site are about exactly what has happened with CES? Teachings are encouragement and examples of how to live. They are no guarantee of restoration and reform. Many saw CES/STFI as pastors and healers who could help them to deal with the emotional and spiritual hurts caused by TWI. That is a big responsibility that they offered and took upon themselves. And yet, when another "falling apart" of doctrine and practice occurs, it is of the utmost unfairness---a slap in the face if you will, for JAL and Jeff to treat God's family just as it was "in the old days." If they can't understand that by their current actions of ignoring silence, then they have clearly revealed themselves without one more word or deed. <_<

Pillai said it was a Musht fish. It's scientific name is the Talapia Galilea. The Catholics have a site talking about the relevance of fish and Christianity. "They may also swallow coins with the pebbles and many coins have been found in the mouths of musht. This may have been what happened when Jesus asked Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish to pay taxes." http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/SFS/an0704.asp Pictures of this fish and some coins retrieved from them; in fact at the bottom of this web page are links to other parable insights. http://dqhall59.com/fish_and_coin.htm

Yep, if they post here in THEIR own words, then everyone can read it for themselves. That eliminates the issue of heresay. Just a simple explanation; even bullet points will work.

On another thread in this CES forum, Paradisein posted this; "The lawsuit has not been withdrawn and is still going on. Not much is happening."

Has this lawsuit been settled or withdrawn???

I read recently that Bally filed for Chapter 11. I'm surprised Craig didn't open a window washing business...he'd make far better money than as an employee at Home depot.

Yes I remember that. I think it was just another fear tactic. How can you ever teach anything if you can't talk about it?? And, remember who was teaching us WHAT to think!

Check Ebay for diamond semi mount rings... Diamond Clarity should never be less than S-1 or S-2. All I clarity rings are cloudy. Currently, Ebay has about 500 semi mounts listed.

Ever thought of buying a semi-mount ring? My daughter did this...so that she got a gorgeous 14K white gold mounting with diamonds; then she put a daimond simulant as the center stone. She saved thousands of dollars and no one can tell...not even jewelers unless they heat test the stone. The mounting makes the ring, not the rock. Plus, diamonds are VERY COMMON...not rare as marketers will tell you. Ever notice how many jewelry stores have diamonds in EVERY CITY in the nation?? I recently purchased a semi-mount ring and had a 2 carat lab created ruby set in it. Lab created stones are perfect...no spots or imperfections at all, and they are VERY eye-catching. I get compliments on my ruby ring all the time. Lab created stones are real...they're just created under pressure in the lab rather than in the ground. this site sells semi-mounts with super quality and great pricing...I bought mine from them. http://www.diamondharmony.com/catalog/Side..._Rings-21-.html

Been there, living a life of quiet desperation. No arguments or fights, but no passion or affection either. We lived a benign brother and sister relationship for years. One day he left me and it felt wrong and right at the same time. Wrong because of all the time we invested in a healthy "surface" relationship; right because I could breathe again. It was confusing. Then I met someone who was also starving for validation, affection, fun, and feeling quite relaxed being able to express emotion. Whever this relationship goes, my life will never be the same. It is necessessary to understand the good about ourselves and to acknowledge what we need to live a healthy life. Just take it slow...there is plenty of time.

It seems that MG believes he has a right to file a lawsuit for defamation of character. If that is valid, then it seems that Elizabeth Lynn has every right to file a lawsuit against him for the same reason. He and his wife were the main characters that caused her divorce from JAL and banishment from CES/SFTI in the minds of their organization!

YES...they are ALL grads of Momentus. Some have even gone on to be counselors with Vision Quest. None have any credentials in psychology to be messing with peoples minds and emotions like those organizations do.

they are pricier than regular braces...$3500 vs $5000 for inivisalign because you're paying for a custom set of 36 trays, traded out every two weeks. Not recommended for young kids because they can easily lose them, step on them, etc. the other option was for clear brackets on teeth and a very thin wire...but I didn't like the hassle of food stuck in them. I made monthly payments which made it affordable over time. cost may vary depending on where you live.

I am a professional and wanted to have my teeth straightened. I had invisalign for 20 months...no one could tell and I absolutely LOVED them. Smile is now gorgeous and teeth are easier to keep clean.

Mr Hameroni said: "Things look rather different after you sit a spell.. maybe thats what he's afraid of..." Wow...ain't that the truth!!! Also, it's been said that we are being "judgemental" in the letter. We are not called to judge, but we are expected to DISCERN. Those of us who have "set a spell" are doing that. God says to study to be quiet----so that we can disern.

Looking at VF's web page, I notice there is nothing that identifies "Who We Are" nor talks about anything related to their background, expertise, education. Odd.

Back in the 70's, the Kumrian [sp?] family came to The Way. He had been a major player with a Multi-level Marketing company called Steed. There was some major scandel with that company and he had lost everything. But, he brought his MLM techniques to VP who thought it was a great idea. Pretty soon, the witnessing model started to resemble MLM---"each one, win one, who wins one" and on and on and on, rather than your life being a witness to others. It became a specifically designed approach, rather than letting the spirit of God move in a person.