ChasUFarley

Interesting responses - not exactly what I thought would happen, although I expected a few of the usual wise guys to post - and they did! Sounds like people don't have a "solid" definition for "minister" - as in, how TWI might have taught it. I remember hearing teachings about the gift ministries, but as far as what a ministry is.... well... it wasn't until AFTER I left that I realized a ministry can be in something you just do really well. Maybe it's in taking care of people or healing, like Radar, or perhaps it's through music - who knows. I think my ministry has always been in perceiving someone's need and helping them get it met. Now, don't go off the deep end or into a ditch with your mind on that one. I've never been a real "leader" - yes, I aspired to go Way Corps, but was never more than a twig area coordinator - mostly I was an assistant coordinator. I was a good assistant, too - people trusted me, spoke openly with me, came to me with their problems - or their wins - whichever... I believe God works in me to be resourceful, observant, and energetic. Just before I left TWI, I took a job as an executive assistant. I had always worked in retail prior to that job, so I had zero training. But my boss (he was a general manager with GE), thought I wrote the book on how to assist. He'd tell me what he needed and I just made it happen. Even when I messed up, I was still able to pull out of it and fix it. I'm still an assistant today, but in healthcare management - I love my job, (but not the politics - healthcare is scary when it comes to politics!) So, I've started my own business for office assistance - it's doing pretty well - and I'm happy doing it.

================================================================== Rick -- Welcome to the Cafe! Without derailing this thread - my hubby (TWI 81-88), who has a minor in the Classics (degree in Mathematics), and who is also Greek (first generation American - yes, he speaks it very well) - says that the Greek used by Bible scholars and what you're learning in college (Classical or Modern Greek) will all be different in how it is spoken. You may have figured this out already - here's a great link hubby recommends to help: http://faculty.bbc.edu/RDecker/nt_gram.htm By the way, I don't doubt that you are in with a good group of people - I truly believe there are still some good people around - otherwise, no one would bother going... If it works for you, then that's great (and I sincerely mean it...) Again, welcome! -Krista

Welcome Amazing Grace -- Good of you to stop by and share that with us - also good of you to "look" before you leap - I'm referring to your checking to see what happened in TWI. Sorry state of affairs, I'm afraid (pun intended). After reading your post, I have to wonder how many other people have opted not to turn that rock over after they did a little internet research of their own.... hmmmmm..... LCM did say the internet was evil!

There was a lot of teachings about not letting emotions rule you. Of course some of this was taken to extreme, rather it was meant to go that way or not - I think some people in certain areas were zealots for anything that was spewed out at HQ and made it their mission to master whatever it was or die trying. But I do remember being told I should be more "stotic" - I laugh to think about it now... As a woman from New England - Maine, to be exact - and who is Welch/English/Irish - there was a more stotic person to be found. You could tell me I had the woes of Job and I wouldn't have messed up my mascara. (Back then, anyhow... I'm an ol' softie now since having kids.) Here's the Way Math on this one: Outward show of emotion = weakness Outward show of sympathy = weakness Weakness = reproof, consequences including M&A'ed So, there you have it...

I had the once-in-a-lifetime pet - you know, that special someone with four legs that God lets in your life that you swear you'd marry if they were human or be the first named in your will if you died. This pet was a cat and his name was Emmitt. Emmitt was my wedding present from my first husband (1992). He asked what I wanted and I didn't hesitate a moment - I said I wanted a cat. We found him via a newspaper ad. He was only about 6 months old when we got him - he was a scrawny brown tabby with small ears, short legs, and short tail - but a BIG body - he was built like a dwarfed cow. My mother used to say that Emmitt looked like he was made of spare parts. He was a different cat - never mean or moody;loved to play; would come when you called him; would greet you at the door when you came home; and just "almost human" in every way. Anyone who every spent any time with him knew he was a just the coolest cat in the world. When friends called or saw me at meetings, etc., they always asked how he was doing - like he was my son or something. Fast forward to 2001... I had just upgraded to hubby 2.0, and we had just had our first son. Emmitt suddenly was acting very odd - taking food off the counters and eating it (bread!); drinking and urinating a lot; acting manic - just really strange stuff. Just prior to this, he had been given a steriod shot for asthma. Several vet visits and some research on the internet - we finally suspected that Emmitt was diabetic. The vet confirmed this and prescribed insulin for Emmitt. He got two shots a day - 6AM and 6PM. Hubby took wonderful care of Emmitt and even found a special food - high protein - that helped a lot. (Purina makes a great high protein food - check their website for more info -you can't get it in the regular stores.) Since I was a new mommy, I wasn't able to do much for Emmitt - my schedule was nutty because Kristopher was preemie, so hubby really stepped up to the plate. He loved that cat! (I used to tease him that he married me so he could have Emmitt live with him!) Almost one year later Emmitt's diabetes had almost gone into remission. However, the asthma suddenly got a lot worse. It was that summer when Canada had all the forest fires and the air quality here in New England was horrible - I also was diagnosed with asthma around that same time. Emmitt had an asthma attack that resulted in us having to rush him to the vets because he couldn't stop coughing and seemed to be in a lot of pain. The vet discovered he had twisted a lobe of his lung (yes, ouch!). We had the option of taking him to Boston for a risky surgical procedure to try correct the problem - over 2 hours away from the vets where he was - or putting him to sleep. We were told the prognosis for the surgery was very poor. Since Emmitt was in so much pain we opted to have him put to sleep. If I said we miss Emmitt, it would be an understatement. He was special - probably the best friend I'll ever be allowed to have - and loosing him was just horrible - it was like loosing a family member. We both miss him a lot and talk about the great memories we have of him. Emmitt's "handicaps" didn't make him special - he was special before getting the asthma or the diabetes. We just went along with whatever treatments he needed because he was family - like we would have for our sons or mothers, or whomever. That's life! Currently, we have two cats - Calvin and Ginger, ages four and seven. They're sweet, funny, very playful and are great with the boys. Calvin, who is probably the tallest cat I've ever seen, is Kristopher's cat - loves him - that kid can do no wrong with that cat. Ginger is a good cat, but she's hubby's cat - I think perhaps a woman abused her at some point because she's not too keen on me - although she was stuck to me like glue when I was pregnant with Andreas. I don't think she's given me the time of day since he was born, tho! LOL! They're good cats - but just not the same sort of relationship as we had with Emmitt. We're blessed all the same. ------------ On a side note - the steriod I mentioned for Emmitt's diabetes had the little known complication of causing the pancreas to shut down. In other words, if we had opted for another form of treatment we probably would have prevented his becoming diabetic as a sideeffect of the shot. Our vet wasn't even aware of this, and he was no "dumb bunny" - if I can find the name of the steriod to tell you so you can avoid it, if you're ever in this situation with your pet, I'll be sure to post it.

Sunesis - we have the whole Beckology, and the Gov. Mule CD's you mentioned - I think we have a bootleg Betts CD a friend gave to us... (same person who really turned me on to Trucks). Yes, all very good stuff! ============ Bluez - We got a friend who does a great version of 'Whippin Post' - never cared for the song much until I heard it unplugged - great in an acoustic setting - love it! I bet the jam was awesome - I also bet there's a bootleg of that floating around! ============ Socks - Your Assignment: A full review of tonight's outing. All the details. Okay?! (puleeee-zzzzeeee?!) :)

Y'll - Thanks for the comments. I will say that Paw is a good interviewer and the questions were well thought-out. The whole expereince sort of renewed my interest in GSC and for why I'm here or why I continue to post here. Sorta lit a fire under my southern most region... Hope I didn't rant too much or get too long winded... It was sorta therapeutic, in an odd way... ========================================================= CMK - Yes, if you had listened a little more - maybe been a little more "open minded" you would have heard me out -- I'm not going to explain the "mind control" comment here because you can listen for it for yourself - if you choose to. Had you listened more you would hear me take ownership for ALL my decisions - I always have. I do not play "the victim" card, if you've read my posts. Of course you are welcomed to disagree with me, but do not judge me on my p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l experiences, as you weren't there, were you? Cheers.

Sunesis - thanks for the history - I bet you really shred with the best. You named EVH, and Randy Rhodes - how about Steve Stevens? Great guitarist! Sad that VPW was so stuck in the 194_'s - couldn't see talent over sex - how lame! ============== Mr. Lingo - you wrote about KWS's guitar - I hate it when people destroy a perfectly good instrument. Likewise, I hate it when Fender, or whomever, makes Relics (when they dent, ding, and purposefully make instruments look worn) - those are for POSERS! The real thing - like SRV's guitar or Willie's guitar, is a different thing. Personally, I think Willie kept that ol' rattle trap of a guitar around because the IRS couldn't claim it had any value! LOL! (Not true today!)

Okay... I have a confession... I've been trying to avoid asking this question... But... this is starting to bug me... Okay, Sunesis... I take it you were in Way Productons? May I ask what band/when? (Pleeeeezzzzzeeee excuse my ignorance... )

Before I tell this story, I first need to explain the baby's nickname. His real name is Andreas, but we started calling him "Dre" for short. "Dre" soon became "Dre-oofice" and than Kristopher shortened it to "Oofie". Yes, we call him "Oofie". (He'll hate us for it later when he figures it out, I'm sure.) ============= Okay the story.... About two weeks ago, hubby came home from work and was telling a story about an incident - he was very animated during the telling of this tale, and somewhere the word, "biiach" was used. (If you aren't familiar with it, it's like a slang word for b!+ch - pronounced "BEE-ach".) We sat down to supper and the baby was being a stinker about eating - he was just being a real pain. The more hubby tried to get him to eat, the fussier and more stubborn he became. Hubby said something like, "What a pain!" Then, suddenly, from the other end of the table, we heard Kristopher say, "Biiiii-ach, Oofie!" Hubby and I about died laughing - it was the funniest thing! Of course I told hubby to look out for what he says in front of Kristopher - I'm sure the Christian pre-school he goes to will appreciate this someday...

I always knew I was in the presence of greatness - those are some stories y'all have! ====================== Okay, maybe you've heard of this guy - but my favorite guitarist is Derek Trucks. This guy has a band - they have guest singers sometimes, but he plays slide guitar sooooo well that they don't need a singer. Trucks is sort of a protege - he started playing at like 9 years old, and is the newphew of Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers' drummer). He sat in with the Allman Brothers when he was like 12 or 13. He's only like 26 or 27 now - and something else to listen to. My favorite album is Soul Serenade - but Joyful Noise is also a great album. If you like Winters, etc. - you'll probably dig Trucks, especially his earlier stuff...

I know there's several ordained (formerly ordained, etc.) people on this board. I also know there's lots of former Way Corps. Since the ordained/WC were with TWI to minister, I'm wondering if you still may think of yourself as still being a minister or if you still get to minister to others? I'm not going to limit this thread to just responses by WC or clergy - if you were just Joe Believer with a long suit in healing or whatever your ministry was - please answer... Do you still minister? In what capasity? And is it better or worse (or not at all) than before you left TWI?

Sunesis - So... when can we come over to play? Sounds like you have a fun collection! We visit Harmony Central very frequently and hubby writes reviews. If you want to read some very funny reviews, go to the reviews about the Estaban Guitars (you know, the guy who sells them on HSN) - you will laugh your fanny off! I love looking at guitars - and just musical instruments in general. It's interesting to see all the different styles and how the play, etc. I play guitar a little, but prefer bass. Bass works for me because I love rock and roll and like to finger pick - so bass was rather easy for me to pick up. It's also neat to hear about how people choose the instrument(s) they play. ================= Socks - Scary about those Kay g'tars, ain't it? I can't imagine all the ones which sold at garage sales for $20 just a few years ago. I think eBay has some really inflated prices for guitars and gear. We've had a few very good wins - like we got the Epiphone Wildkat for just $185, and my bass was $150 - a steal! But overall, we've seen some stuff go for more than you'd get it brand new on Musician's Friend! CRAZEE! ================= Bluesman - thanks for the postings about the resonator and bouzouki. There's actually two kinds of bouzouki - Greek and Irish - weird, huh? I don't know how that happened - my guess would be that Irish sailors/tradesmen probably brought the instrument back with them to Ireland and it was adapted from there. I do know that the tunings are different. Hubby is Greek - first generation American - so we go to all the Greek festivals, etc., and always enjoy the music. I'd love for him to get one of those. I figure since he plays 12 string, and is one of those disgusting people who can pick up just about any instrument and play it, that it shouldn't be too hard. He's got the best handle on music theory of anyone I've ever known - he just knows his stuff. I'm more of a trained musician than he is - took lessons almost all my childhood and almost had a full scholarship for flute (if I hadn't gone WOW!)... So, I envy people who can play like that. I'm totally in it for the fun. ================== DAMN, I wished y'all lived closer!!!

Dreadnought = body style/size of some acoustic guitars - has the large sound hole, and a big boxy-type body, with a flat back. They're bold, and used for folk and country music, mostly, although anything goes... (I remember when I first heard REM use a mando in "Loosing My Religion" - very interesting!) Here's an example of a Martin dread: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gui...stic?sku=514766 ===================== Does anyone here play a resonator guitar? Love those things! That is one guitar I wish hubby would learn... that and (oh, please... don't laugh)... the bazouki! This thread is giving me a bad case of g.a.s. - (gear aquisition syndrome!)

Sweet Strat! WOW! Hubby is fond of that one also - I've caught him eyeballing it... (then I hide the plastic!)

Tom - Takamini was widely known for copying Martins in the late 70's. The other Japanese company known for making copies of guitars is IBANEZ - and some Ibanez guitars are actually better than the version they copied at that time! Ibanez did a copy of a Les Paul called a "59-er" that are actually better than the Les Pauls that were in production during that time. The name Ibanez is synonomous with "Law Suit" - they've been sued by Fender, Les Paul, etc. - my '79 Ibanez bass is a Fender P-Bass knock off (but plays better than a P-Bass, IMHO...)

Socks -- Strings = D'addario XL are about the best, although hubby just re-strung something (the Wildkat, methinks) and was banging on about the Fender strings. The D'addario strings have a cool feature - save the little envelope they come in and you can get t-shirts, bar stools, and other neat-o items. We've got enough for a barstool and three t-shirts! (I'm not kidding! Hubby's been saving up for years!) About kids and guitars -- When we first got my bass we didn't have a case for it or a gig bag. We placed it on a guitar stand in a corner, wedged between two amps so the baby couldn't knock it on himself. Well, the little twerp would wedge himself in the corner and pluck away at the bass - happy as a clam. It was so funny - he looked like he was playing an upright bass! (He's super strong and very rough on guitars - but since that bass is such a battle axe we weren't concerned about him hurting it.) If he's right handed, he'll be the kid who gets his dad's guitars (the oldest is a lefty - and will probably be a drummer... just his personality)

Gibson Flats = Flat strings - play smoother, stay in tune longer - preferred by Jazz guitarists, mostly. Usually covered with a coating for speed and playability - a little easier on the fingers. There is a science to strings and the manufacturing of them - pick up any guitar magazine and you'll be hit with dozens of ads about them. They even come in bright colors - purple, pink, blue - oh boy! Strings pick up the sweat and oils off your hands - they rust, get tarnished, stretched, and should be replaced if you play frequently. (I buy them in a case of 20 for hubby each Christmas - perfect stocking stuffer!) Have you ever seen this on an eBay listing? - Someone lists a vintage guitar, like we were watching an auction for a 1958 Strat with original hardshell case and matching amp - all orig. - EVEN THE STRINGS! I couldn't believe the seller thought that would add to the value - perhaps it would for a museum, but... ====================== Socks -- Those Kay guitars, as fugly as they are, are back in vogue... Why? Because of Jack White (White Stripes) but even he says it's a pain in the butt to play - loves the cheesy sound, hates the action of it. But the things sell for $600+ on eBay all the time! (Unless they're really beat...) Also - I left out a guitar of hubby's that you'd probably like if you're into semi-hollows - he has an Epiphone Wildkat, 2004, with double f-holes, in surf green - looks like something Brian Setzer (sp?) would play - even has a Bigsby trem. That's a fun little axe - one of his favorites. (And hopefully his last for a while...)

Oldies -- These links may interest you - Recording Kings seen on eBay w/in the past 90 days... (Completed Auctions) http://cgi.ebay.com/Recording-King-Rodeo-S...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Recording-King-Arch-To...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Recording-King-Regal-H...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1940s-Recordin...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Recording-King-Acousti...1QQcmdZViewItem

Okay, I thought it was Spanish (nylon string) guitars that had the real thick neck - not all classicals have really thick necks. Plus, there's student sizes which may be scaled better for smaller people. ============================================== We have seven guitars and three amps - hubby plays in a cover band and I play bass guitar - a vintage, 1979 Ibanez Roadster with passive controls (it was active - made passive) (see photo) (ain't it a beaut?!). That bass weighs almost 19lbs - it's a workout everytime I pick that sucker up - but it's so easy to play - like butta! Hubby has a Fender 12-string (my wedding gift to him), a 2001 Fender USA Tele (natural blonde), 1998 Fender USA Strat (blue natural), an Ibanez RG-550 (white) with new D'Marzio pups, a Martin 6-string, and an Alverez classical. The amps are a Fender Custom Shop Ultrasonic (seafoam green), a little Peavey Classic 30, and a Peavey Ultra 410 (that thing is indestructible!) All the amps are tube amps. ============================================= BTW - if you want a good web site with USER reviews - not the glossy stuff from guitar mags - go here: http://www.harmony-central.com/User_Reviews/

Well... Whadda expect they'd listen to? Creed?

Okay, lemme see if I get this straight... Their goal is to move the Word - to win others. The purpose of their web site is to share the Word. With each other. Only. Period. No one else. Don't post unless you're already in the group - a member. So, who are they winning? Each other? So... Isn't that sorta like having a whore house where the ho's only have sex with themselves?

This is a tough thread... LCM taught that true FORGIVENESS can not be given unless there has been swift judgement and sentence - until the crime or trespass has been "paid for" appropriately... (forgive me... there's a word I'm looking for here... I'll probably think of it later...) He taught that until then that any "forgiveness" is just superficial. I believe I heard this either at an Advance Class or a Corps Night - perhaps some of you also heard the same teaching. I believe that what LCM did was criminal. Here was a man who taught others about right vs. wrong, yet he somehow made his actions acceptable in his own mind to justify his repetition of them for decades. He hurt many people and he had help doing it (i.e. R@mon@, RFR, and others named in the A!!en's lawsuit). At the lowest common denominator, he needs to pay for what he has done just to the women and their families he has hurt. He hasn't apologized, come clean, asked for forgiveness - none of it. He didn't even address the issue with the staffers at HQ face-to-face -- they learned about the lawsuit, etc. the same way that everyone else did - via v-i-d-e-o. That alone was just WRONG. LCM was removed as president long after the news of the lawsuit broke. I believe it was never TWI's intention to remove him, but that it was eventually done because he was seen as a liability. In other words, it was on the advise of his lawyers, I think. It certainly would appear to be that way. He is now working a blue-collar job, living without his wife and children. He brought shame to the ministry and his family. His loss is really nothing compared to the overall damage he inflicted on others. He forced his selfish desires upon women who did not want him - women who were married, engaged - just wanted to say "no". They could not. Period. VPW did the same thing - he was really no better or worse - but that's another thread. I don't think LCM, per his own teaching, has repaid his victims or families properly. If he had, then why is he still getting pulled into court? A REAL face-to-face encounter with his former prey and their significant others, families, etc, is the LEAST he could do. They should be allowed to confront him. They've been double cheated - once when the incident(s) happened, and again when he basically went "underground" because he never did anything face-to-face unless he absolutely had to. He's been a liar, a coward, and a cheat. He hasn't taken ownership for his actions enough. LCM doesn't deserve forgiveness. If people forgive him, then that's up to them - call it grace. Call it a generous donation. I've already donated enough to him/TWI... thanks.

Okay, all I needed to know about it was in the first part of the link that Shellon posted.... SCOTSMEN INVENTED IT! "Okay, Chas, what does that have to do with it?" you ask... EVERYTHING! Scotsmen also invented/patented: HAGGIS Haggis Hurling invented coat hangers the comb think bagpipes sound good after 20 mins... OF COURSE --- now CURLING makes perfect sense!

Just extra time spent with your hands in water can make your nails more brittle - I had a tough time with mine when I was cleaning houses for a living - absolutely no nails! Some simple things you can try - Keep your hands moisturized - Alveno puts out a great 24-hour moisturizer that doesn't wash off, which I love. No perfume, no grease. Rub olive or vegatable oil on your nails - just a little, twice a day. (I use a Burt's Bees compound for this that actually has lemon oil in it.) Stay away from nail polish, fake nails, nail polish remover, etc. - I used to do the arcrylic nail thing when I was single and had $500/year to blow on nails (before kids!) - worst thing I coulda done! (But I looked good!) Wear gloves when cleaning, doing dishes - any time you have your hands in water for any length of time. Eat more protein - if you've changed your diet recently, this may be a cause. Protein doesn't have to be meat - cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, soy, etc., if you're a vegetarian. Take vitamin B and/or A. Glucosomine, which is also a supplement, can be taken. Yeah, you can change your diet - Jell-o (and Gelatin - same thing - Jell-o is just marketed better and tastes better - both made of horse and cows hooves) has been recommended, but personally, I'd rather pop a pill. I guess where I work in a hospital, Jell-o is just an instant turn-off, to me, anyhow... If your nails are looking particularly blue or yellow (not due to trauma -i.e. hammer to thumb nail) - get thee to a physician!