Galen

When I was a teen, I was a member of my local Southern Baptist church. Their tithe went to paying the salary of our minister, a custodian, a secretary, etc. The rest went to the Southern Baptist Convention. Then about the time I was a senior in high school it came out that most of our money had gone to South America where it had been supporting revolutionaries there. An investigation about the killings of missionaries showed that it was our tithe money that had paid for their weapons. I know all about the ways in which tithe money can be used to churches. Today I am a member of a men's fraternity, who has been openly hunted by various governments at the bequest of the Roman Catholic Church. In fact as a US servicemember I served in a nation where my fraternity is 'illegal' and members who are discovered are subject to imprisonment. All thanks to the tithes of Catholics. As far as I know, EVERY church that takes tithe is likely doing evil with it. This is the nature of organized churches. They are businesses. They operate on a bottom line, they must show a profit so they can support their salaried personnel. This is not about blinding anyone's eyes. I found wonderful truths about God while I was first attending a twig. I have also had run-ins with corpses. The first Corpse Grad I ever met was an arsehole, I caught him lying to believers, he admitted it to me and I made it known to the believers he was lying to. He [steve Strezpec] proclaimed to everyone that I was born of Satan's seed and threw me out of the fellowship. In fact most corpses I have ever met were arseholes; but that does not over-ride the fact that I have also met a great many wonderful believers. We have seen healings and miracles. Through out all of the horrible abuses that leaders have done, there has also been some very special people who I am glad that I knew. Among all of this there have also been a few leaders who have been good men. Of course anywhere you look, when people strive to be leaders they are usually power hungry arseholes. That is life. I served for over 20 years in the Navy, I know all about arseholes. Simply because a few exist is not reason to trash the entire US Navy. Nor is it reason to trash all of the good that is done in twigs. The 'life' of the Way is in the twigs. The twig we are in now is great. Got a question about anything? Lets open concordances, lexicons, Bibles and study it. Our Limb Coordinator now is a great guy. I have known him for 30+ years. He is not power hungry, nor does he have any evil intent. Rather he is pretty knowledgeable of the Bible and very loving.

What I said was not in the context of ministry BOD or presidents. I was only talking about Twig coordinators and Corpse personnel. I do understand that there have been issues with past and present presidents; though I have never known any of them, nor have I ever had any dealings with them. Since the people that you wish to discuss would be strangers to me, I feel it would be inappropriate for me to talk about them.

People on this forum have all had different experiences. There was a long period where leaders were poorly chosen, lacked training, and may not have been the best choice. But then again at the same time there have also been fellowships that have been the greatest. In the fellowship I attend now, your 'challenges' would be welcomed. There is a desire to keep things 'in order'. Which simply means to be respectful during the fellowship, but once we break for coffee or a meal; then it is fair game to ask questions, or 'challenge' anyone. We rotate among us each week for who is going to present something. Really if you challenged me, I would like it. I like doing 'word studies', so any opportunity to open the Bible and look at a context, or usages of a term is largely what we do. It is kind of boring if nobody ever does that. :) I think that among my fellowship your honest questions would be welcome and encouraged.

It is good to 'see' you as well ;)

I do not see any reason you should not attend one. I attend a fellowship.

Did not feel anything here [in Maine]. :)

I think the 'point' of each book in the Bible is to show some facet of the Messiah. The book of Job included. 'Contradiction' can be taken in more than one way. Does the Bible teach separate and opposing doctrines? No I do not think so. Such would be a contradiction. Does the Bible use 'figures of speech'? which may be in the form of literary contradictions? yes, of course. I think that anyone, who honestly cries to God for a closer walk with God, will in due time, be shown a closer walk. A walk un-like anyone else' walk with God. Each and everyone of us can be given revelation from God that would be unlike any given to anyone else since the time of Jesus' original disciples.

Aye aye :)

In the military we tend to use a title. Which incorporates our rank and field. I served from 1976 until my retirement in 2001, so I had gotten kind of used to using it. ET1(SS) That was what I was using on the previous Ex-Way forum, and I use it on some of the forums I habitat. Otherwise I go by Galen.

She is a good writer

Yes well put. :)

Once upon a time, I courted and married a young lady who was an animal trainer at the Mystic Marine-life Aquarium. She was working with the seals. :)

I have no idea who the lords are nor what the wasting is.

Sweet :)

Clearly they thought it was funny

While TWI may not be WWW savvy, some of the followers are. It took me by surprise a few months ago when my Region Coordinator said to me that he had seen some of my posters on GSC. Nothing else, just that he had seen some of them. Nothing else has ever been said about it.

Woo Hoo ! :)

We 'went back'. A little cautious at first, careful of past issues. It has been a couple years now. So far I have been amazed at our reception. How pleasant it has been. No pressure to do anything. And encouragement to simply read the Bible.

I just saw Robi's profile on FB yesterday. A very lovely lady :)

There have been so many folks :)

I will certainly miss you folks.

May God bless us everyone :)

Happy New Year everyone ! Happy Happy Joy Joy :)

sounds good to me :)

As some of you know, we have been attending a twig again for the past couple years. Interestingly our Twig Coordinator was telling us last week that during the week he had been listening to Dr. VPW's last teaching.