The Big Bad Wolf

[cman]

Thinking without the bible/scriptures about God.

Still true and amazing that condemnation is the motivator.

Generally speaking I suppose.

edit-

btw no offense to you WordWolf

if you took any

which I doubt

but just in case

i wasn't thinking of your name or you

Edited November 22, 2009 by cman

[JeffSjo]

Judgement and mercy....the weightier matters......

But after TWI there is one thing for sure,

don't let judgement and mercy for any group be handled by a bunch of sick, twisted, sexual predators.

Edited November 25, 2009 by JeffSjo

[cman]

Nor can judgment and mercy be dealt out of a bible,

or one's interpretation of any of it.

The bible teaches. We are to be taught by God.

I don't believe it's the final word on anything.

But a beginning of sorts, approached in many ways.

[JeffSjo]

It's too bad people are such good liars, it's too easy to believe somebody who claims to be taught by God. I happen to be, for instance, that the Apostle Paul really was taught by God as the scriptures say, and I happen to believe that the signs from God in the book of Acts in the Lord's name really happened.

But ever since joining TWI in the early eighties up through my time in River Road Fellowship my life seems like a sometimes exceedingly slow education in how much people who claim to be "of God" can be liars. And even through very recently the skill and tools of the lying that went into my personal experience of "River Road Fellowship's" methods of leadership has me wondering just how skillful the leaders or puppetmasters really are, and how gullible and trained the followers are to recognize certain catch phrases and mannerisms as signals for authority regarding whover is doing the leading.

I'm telling the truth, I think some of my old aquaintances would even believe a twenty year old kid that led as TWI leadership did, as long as he was charming and said authoritative things in a certain manner. But all such who learn from the TWI leadership rulebook or any close copy I believe are only destined to lead others into a ditch.

I'm telling you, it can be sickening to consider just how nasty and dishonest the manipulators who successfully hold onto the hearts of many really are.

And is discouraging to realize how gullible others still are.

And it can be maddening to think too long about what is really, really going on with people who obviously are not telling you but a small part of the whole story.

How much easier to simply get the fark away from absolutely everybody associated with these people in any way, form, shape, or manner and start from scratch with a few trusted family and/or other folks. I think such a one would be very fortunate indeed.

(edited for clarity and spelling, a little added too.)

Edited December 4, 2009 by JeffSjo

[cman]

yes i hear ya and been there as well

people teaching people by their own knowledge

i do believe and think it's a very different way then once thought

we do learn from others, but is it what we look for from God

there is a manner of speaking that is by the spirit

not from our knowledge or understanding

but it comes at it's will, no matter what we may think or even think of it

same with hearing the spirit which does come out of the mouth of others

..........at first..........it seems that way......

but then there is something that happens inside

a voice takes shape from a few words heard

and that voice speaks more clearly

a certain knowing that it's not of men takes form

listening is key to hearing

i know i've past by the words of God

not recognizing it or seeing it as well as felt

or not letting myself allow it to be pondered

not by force but by no fear of what i might hear

[Bramble]

Somewhere along the TWI way we (I know, not everyone, but the ones so greatly affected) lost our--or did not have-- the skill to go to our god ourselves. Instead we filtered our beliefs through authorities who spoke with confidence an surety. And they chided us, treated us like naughty children or good children. Instead of growing into maturity, I think in many ways we stayed stuck in a late adolesence and tried to deal with very complex issues with out the skills or maturity such things needed.

The big bad wolf did decieve, was strong and evil, yet Little Red Ridinghood ultimately defeated him. With some help.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Bramble

[cman]

ha! nice Bramble, very true

that little hearing ear and seeing eye have always been in/with us always

recognizing it is challenging....unexpected....and takes some patience

receiving means we are doing exactly that

but not that we didn't already have it

as well as giving.....

to open from the inside out

and what's with us and in us

we start seeing more of what has always been there anyway