socks

Until you've sat a week on another man's couch, don't judge it. There are some True Facts I would offer to be considered - 1.) how, when and where people got mixed up in TWI's activities has not always been a truly altruistic and inspired event and therefore it's probably better that those people aren't still doing anything "in the name of God" - I can only hope. 2.) some people came to TWI, liked it, then decided to try something else and left. Those people never get counted in any ex-Wayfer "What Are You Doing" Census taking. 3.) some of the things TWI offered were never meant or designed to BE a Lifetime of Visible Service That Can Be Applauded By Those Who Keep Track of Such Things. Like the "WOW" program. The WOW program wasn't really built to be something of incredible impact on a community - yeah, yeah - "Word Over Your Yard" or whatever program was being touted, but primarily it was for the "individual" and their own growth. You sign up, go WOW, have the year, then go "back" from whence you came or TO somewhere else and get right back on the Life Track. 4.) life has "seasons", cycles, change that reflects - well, that's the question isn't it? What does it reflect, at any given time. Lord knows there's no lack of Licensed Spiritual Analysts collating and interpreting the data for everyone. But that's a problem with having Religious Bean Counters - you can never be sure you have all the beans accounted for, for everyone. 5.) most of my friends that are ex-Wayfers are doing pretty cool things, certainly all of them aren't "pastoring" any churches, but doing quite a bit of "pastoring" of individuals, and have all ki-inds of interesting endeavors going on. 6.) Uptown1 is comparing these people they know - but who may not be getting a fair shake - they may actually be fine upstanding people. Perhaps we can get an Observation Committee to do some checking. Once we have a better idea of what uptown1 is doing, and what the ex-Wayfer community they know is doing, we can compare it to known data of other ex-Wayfer peop's in that age/gender/marital-status demographic and cross-reference it to similar groups in each decade of existence of the Way, staring in 1940. (I know I know - I'm being extreme. Yeah....)

I thought the devil was in the details...? Hi starbird. Welcome - on one of your threads you mentioned you aren't a present or former member of the Way. How did you come to GS, if you don't mind me asking? Just curious. A few thoughts I have - When I think of Satan I think of "Lucifer", Latin, "light bearer" and at one time referring to the plant Venus, as the "morning star". Where Christ is/will be the "bright morning star" and the "Prince of Peace", Lucifer/Satan is considered the "Prince of Darkness" and an angel fallen/cast out and down from his original spot in heaven. "Satan" in Hebrew means accuser or opposer, and "Devil" means slanderer or accuser. One way God is described in the bible is that He is light, one that has no "variableness" or shadow that comes from turning or changing position. God is constant, consistent, seemingly by nature which is reflected in what He does. And it would seem that God has both free "will" and makes choices, decisions and takes action based on His nature. That is reflected in what He does, creates, etc. to varying degrees, it seems. Angels, like Lucifer, sound like they have free will and the ability to choose and act on their choices. Mankind does too. Where God's will directly produces results, it seems as though - man's will produces choices, actions, based on the the choices that are available to us. There's a range of "power", cause and effect that's much more limited to man and it seems Lucifer, an angel. In a way I might picture it as - God wills and creates a "heaven and earth". Man wills and decides to build a set of shelves. We know what it might take to build the shelves or can find out, it's a tad more difficult to understand what and how God's will and choices are accomplished, but the way the bible describes things there is a higher purpose and process at work, one that is pretty much out of our grasp. Angels like Lucifer seem to have purposes and processes too, and they're difficult to undestand as well. If Satan is a "spirit" being, we don't really know how all of that works, although the bible describes it in places and we get pieces of what he does, is doing, will do, etc. It's difficult to get a personality profile on Lucifer from the bible I think, but the way he's described makes him sound like he exercises his will and chooses to run at cross purposes to God. Sort of like a fly in the ointment. A very big fly. He challenges authority, offers alternatives to God's known purposes, accuses mankind of they're wrong choices and failings, and generally is Mr. Dark Cloud without much of anything constructive or supportive to offer to any effort to pursue a straight and true course of action with God. Knowing that we can choose "right" or "wrong" Satan offers the "wrong" choice, the "other way" to man. Yet man is able to exercise his own will and construct his world and life the way he/she determines too. So within the scope of our lives here we can build the kind of world we want. We can produce good, or bad. The bad exists independent of Lucifer/Satan/the Devil. He's actively promoting an "ungodly" choice. If we choose against God we have a ready accomplice in Satan. Yet, he is one who offers no support really - by his own choice he doesn't appear to want to do anymore than create havoc. I can see that Lucifer had been, can be and is a very strong influence on mankind, but not an overwhelming one. Man has the ability to exercise his own conscience, his ability to know instinctively and through accumulated experience what can be right or wrong choice in much of life. Man, with Christ, has the upper hand. If mankind pursues selfish greed-based goals for instance, he cuts out that possiblity of seeing a greater good and wants only what's good for himself. Pride, greed, selfishness, fear, that's the "dark side" as Yoda would say. A person would reject a God who suggests that we live to love Him, and one another. Instead of helping others to have a good life, we might steal from them, take what they already have. "Thou shalt not steal". Ha! Not if I want what you have. In many ways I feel that mankind therefore has the ability to make a good world and a good life for themselves and others, by choice. We're tempted to do otherwise all the time, and that temptation is promoted by Lucifer who prefers to do otherwise himself. His negative influence and presence can't be totally contained - for now - but it can be controlled.

Linda Z, as always you make a good point. Somewhere between Excanasta and yours's posts I rest, probably much the same as others. I really don't see any of the Big Ticket Line Items of Life/Form 220 being served by the CES events of late (World Peace, Global Warming, Health Care Availability, a really decent Pinot Noir for under 15 bucks a bottle). Still, it's a relief in some ways that progress has been made - that those involved and concerned have made choices to distribute information and blow the cap on what reads like a long standing and developing list of concerns and issues. Instead of getting better, it got worse for those involved, so, here it is.

Ductape, "See you on the other side." Now that I'm clear on the whole "good-bad" thing, I feel more comfortable these days crossing the streams of a Nuclear Accelerator, which, when properly strapped to the back is somewhat heavier but still more comfortable than a 2 year old and less wiggly. But not nearly as cute! I'll take a couple 2 year olds in action any day. When it comes to cockaroachces though, you get these big ones and ya gotta pack heavy. Cornered, they'll get ugly. Bite your head off.

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies. Rivers and seas boiling. Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes... The dead rising from the grave. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria.

Yeah, A la. Can't you see it? Just kidding! Ha ha ha!!! Put down the pipe!! The concert date is 1970, Berkley Community Theater, California. (been there many times, GREAT concert location) He was born in 1948, so that makes him 22 years old at that time. My daughter's 23, son is 25. He was younger than either of them is now. The other thing I noticed is that little picture. My son Jesse grew his hair out for about a year, had a beard off and one. He looks a lot like J.T. did in that time frame, tall, thin, the cheekbones, eyes. I've been told he's a good looking lad. I guess I just sort of flashed for a second how young Taylor was then, writing those songs so thoughtfully at that point and at that age.

Well, re-reading Updown's posts again, on face value, it's faceitious and arrogant to poke someone and say "how's about doing some time for God?" If someone walked up to me on the street and asked me what was I doing with my time for God, my answer would be "staying away from you". The real question is better stated "You're not doing anything for God. Are you?" There's a kind of fantasy that all the people in the Way were destined to do great things, turn the world upside down and create a bold new life because....because, why? Because of a false expectation that "that's what God wants". He wants a tribe of entrepnuerial geeks and window washers to act like they've reinvented genius in His Name. The suggestion that the majority of Wayfers or ex-Wayfers were called to be pastors of churches (because they attended and hopefully stayed awake for some class) is what causes the Way and it's subsequent splinter groups to fall flat on their faces in failure. That is NOT what all Christians are supposed to do and expecting that everyone will fulifill that kind of function is stupid and non-biblical. Nothing in the bible suggests that and it's wrong and presumptuous and destructive to lay that on people's conscience. In fact, it would be better if most people simply lived their lives to the best extent and purpose they determine for themselves, doing good as they can, being good parents, spouses, workers, friends and members of their local communities. As Christians we have one life we want to focus on improving and changing - our own. That's the only one I have any reasonable amount of control over. Once we have a handle on that we're qualified to offer some advice to others. In the meantime, a little humility goes a long way. God resists the proud, who are usually sickeningly insistent in their endeavors. Real churches honor real accomplishment - people that stay married if they get married, conduct their business honestly, have fruitful relationships, raise successful families and make honest contributions to help others. It's no surprise to me that all the strident self-pumped so-called "Ministers" have trouble doing simple things like that when they're more concerned about solving everyone else's problems instead of their own.

Aw gees. This is no way to "c" you!!! To the readers of GS, Priscilla and her husband are two of the most wonderful people, friends, that anyone could hope to ever meet and know. You guys are - were - what it was all about.

You've been peeking, excella!!! Don't let all the goodies out of the bag yet!!

I'm currently working on the final details of a plan to provide the Northern Hemisphere with a renewable energy source by harnessing the power of 500,000,000,000 Amazing Sea Monkeys! who are even now gathering in saline tanks up and down the West Coast. Once this gets off the ground all of our energy needs will be handled. It's taken quite awhile to get this thing going, because believe me, it wasn't easy finding skilled Sea Monkey! herders and don't even get me started on the waste disposition aspect of this thing. But, it won't be long before it comes into fruition. I'm keeping it quiet for now, as I'd like it be a big surprise so please! sssshhhh! don't pass this around, okay? Other than that I keep busy following the carreers of American Idol Top 10 winners, something of a guilty pleasure I admit.

I met lots of great people in the Way, "great" being nice, trustworthy, helpful, compassionate, fun. I count the friendships I had while in the Way one of the most valuable things about it. Friendship was where it all started for me in '68. Friends telling friends. Time and distance separates, but I figure that if someone was my friend once they still are, in heart if not in presence. Some things don't change, not for me anyway.

Very cool! dmiller that's the stuff!! Chas, I'm checking that out - it is a really slick tune. I've gotta dig into it. I found another clip - here - that is pretty ummm, different. The pizza cutter is next to the old can opener, right by the cheese grater Chatty! Now...on to some Taylor! Hmmmmmmmm nmmm! Wow. He's so young there. I can't listen to Carolina in my Mind without getting lumpy though so I'd better go, well, there. :mellow: Thanks, too. :)

Wow. And all this time I thought, well it sure read like things at the "Home Office" were bright and shiny. Sweet and swell. Not perfect, but doggone good and getting better all the time... I'm shocked.

You're the BOMB ChattyK! It's wild in the streets of Greasarado today! richncrispy's, in the midst of that hunk o' CES threads, brought a tiny tear to my eye and I tell no lie, when he/she/them said:

Dot - Gangs suck. Criminal activity, threat to others. Drive-by's. DRIVE BY'S. People that are too dammed lazy to even get out of their car and shoot a rival gang member?!? It's so ugly it's off the chart. It's not funny, at all, and the tragedy is the rest of us stand to fall in the cross fire if we're there. Gang activity is no different than terrorism - it may be the only way to get it under control will be the same way we fight terrorism - diligent and aggressive defense and pursuit. I grew up wanting to change the world. The world won't change, and I still struggle to not let it change me. Yet, I'm not the 60's kid I once was, now I have kids and cross paths with the "real" world as it is. It's not a race issue, it's a criminal issue. I sympathize with anyone who encounters it. Not feeling safe in one's own home is the worst thing that can happen, yet it does happen and more and more "we", any citizen who wants to just live peacably and mind their own business, encounter it. I don't buy into all of us buying guns and preparing to shoot others in the street - but I do understand the point where someone is put in the corner where they fear for their life. So I don't know...the way gangs function...the whole thing makes for an intolerable situtation in many cities today. I support the efforts to assist law enforcement (and I don't have a blanket trust in them having guns either to be honest) - they are the ones in our communities that are there to fight fire with fire. So I see saw between the realities we face. I've taught my children and remind them often to live how I live and we raised them - be smart, stay aware, avoid trouble. But it's hard to do that in some cities. I do pray often and try to remain as vigilant as I can, for myself and on my family's behalf. Mr. Lingo! If I ever go into bear country, I want you as my guide!! Deal?

ChattyKathy on the "Gangs" thread... Sorry, it's just a cool quote!!

Glad you brought this up Sudo. I'd noticed when trying to post some photos in Gallery, or add some friends, I kept getting a log in screen come up, and it would loop until I closed and came back in....then I'd end up on a page with "log in" at the top...???? Not sure what's up, but it just happened a minute ago, again.

At your service! :)

Very Nice, Mr. Miller! Good stuff. "Reach", I love that tune. Orleans/John Hall wrote it and the NGR version is great. Thanks!

Oh Groucho, where's the love in that? You're just a big ol' meanie!!!! Picture a lifeboat in the ocean with one guy rowing, one guy sitting doing nothing and the third guy in the back punching holes in the boat. Wait, take that back. One guy's polishing the oar, the other guy's swearing at the water and the guy in the back's punching holes in the boat. No. Wait, One guy's beating the other guy with the oar, the guy in the middle's hiding the last of the food and the guy in the back's waiting for them to knock each other out of the boat so he can finally get some sleep. No. No, wait. I'm working on it.....

Tower of Power Get widdit! Check out Social Lubrication. Rocco Prestia on bass and Willie Fulton playing the funky Telecaster. Drums and Sax sound pretty good too.

The ever present tuning problem, yeah. Where were floor tuners???!!!! After years of messing around with it, I finally got a floor tuner and it's been like the Pedal from Heaven. I'd had one in a combo-unit, but it's nice to have the simple bypass feature, notch out, tune and go right back to it. Given that this was a New Years gig - Bill Graham used to do New Years concerts that were all nighters. I only got to one, at Winterland, probably 70 or 71. The idea was once you were in, you were there to stay. You could leave of course but who'd want to do that? Graham introduced the night we were at with classic Graham, saying "you know I don't agree with some of the stuff you guys do, the drugs and all of that, but tonight, do what you want, we're all amongst friends here". Something to that effect. It was quite a night. Worst set, an absolute toxic melt down was the Jefferson Airplane, only second time I'd seen them and the last. The Dead were very dead. But there was some good music that night, and the Sons played and came out - dressed in .... pajamas. Either night gown things or actual P.J.'s. Hag was wearing a long night cap on his head. A night to remember! Yeah, this is rough alright, but it's great to hear them! Thanks!

Mark S, think "property". They inherited in Sonoma county, didn't they? Where'd I hear that... Defamation of character = malicious intent. That's Christianity with a Capital "C", isn't it? Get out. Get out. Get out. Get out. Get out. Get. Out.

Yogi Phlegm! Now we're talkin'. That was a Side-Sons band of Terry Haggerty's. Forget who else was in it. They got pretty "outside", saw them a couple times, in fact the band I was in played with them at the Lionshare in San Rafael! Haggerty is very into the improvisational side of jamming, and YP was pretty much a hit and run version of that IMO. You have to really like his playing style to like them. :) Now - speaking of Side-Sons - post-Sons there was the Rhythm Dukes. Guess who was in that one? I'm heading over to check out site out now. Thanks! Oh man! this is great!!! "Where's f###### Charlie!" 2:22 of "tuning". There ya go! Gotta check this out.....