Yes. We should all look past our predjudices, etc. Yes Sami's actions are more than commendable. I have an amazing daughter myself. There are times when she does things, makes decisions, etc that make me wanna be like her when I grow up too.
I really feel you on that one Shell.
However. I will never release, condone or in any way excuse TWI for their policy regarding restricting and enforcing access as they have on this matter. In my very educated opinion on this I am 100% certain that restricting access to the people who would come to visit their loved ones burial sites in The Way Woods is 100% about LCM's and TWI's desire for control.
Their policy is is not about protection, security or access, it is about control. It is about power, as in "you MUST do what "I" say." They use The Way Woods to "hit 'em where it (may) hurts." Basically "nobody" gives a hoot about visiting the BRC, the auditorium, the ROA grounds or, God forbid, the OSC building. The places people WILL ABSOLUTELY care about visiting are those burial sites. I'm sure the policy to restrict is, at LEAST, part of LCM's & TWI's way of "stickin' it to people. They are 100% certain that at some point in time they would get the chance to exert at least that much control over those of us who have said to them, "No, you will NOT control me any more - - no not ever again." They know they will get the chance to say, "If you will do what WE say, we'll give you what you want."
I think that is reprehensible that they use The Way Woods in that manner.
I used to visit the campfire area to pray BECAUSE "your"(in the sense of everyone whose loved one is there) loved ones remains are there because of how much I love my own loved ones who are still alive. People used to come there "all the time" because VP said it was the holiest place on the grounds. Believers would drive in from around the area or visit there when they'ed come in from far off and bring their deepest and most sacred prayer requests to God... there.
Sami. Shell, Igotout, others... not only are the remains of your loved ones, family and our friends buried there. They are comingled with the ashes of the written prayer requests of THOUSANDS of people. Along with them are the "Thank you God" notes from God only knows how many others.
The very concept of being FORCED to ask permission to go there is tantamount to being forced to ask permission to open your heart in your most personal, private and vulnerable times of going before God, Himself. That area is not just "some woods where some dirt is." It is made sacred by the virtue of what went on there... things that have nothing to do with the indiscretions of TWI. Doug M. knows that. Were I in his shoes, the concept of asking permission to go there to do something extremely personal would be out of the question to me also. I would also be willing to risk the arrest also....
Personally, I made my own life long commitment to service to God there at that campfire area - ALONE. With God - at night. There's an owl who used to live there in the woods, sometimes he'd bless us with a well timed "whhoooo" VPW prayed for the biggest, most important events of the ministry - - THERE. He and George Jess dedicated The Way Corps program, taugh many of the first few Corps groups (including LCM) there. My blood is there. I've seen VPW break into tears and weep - - there - - at that campfire area when talking about how that is THE spot where the heart of the heart of the heart of the ministry emanated from.
That area is blessed by the remains of faithful believers who lived with a real heart for God. I feel honor for you that your Dad is there Sami. Although I don't think I've ever met him, I have an idea of what kind of man he was when he was alive.
HCW, Samantha is indeed a chip off the old block. She's wonderfully amazing and I'm so proud of her strength and ability to do what she knows is right to get the job done.
This is the alternative:
She shows up at twi ground unannounced just cuz she wants to.
She pulls into the way woods.
By now their barney fife security has put his bullet in his gun and is prepared to use it if need be.
She's at the campfire site visiting her father's burial site.
Security approaches her, maybe with the sheriff, just in case.
An arguement begins, she refuses to leave just cuz they said so. They know that they have the right to even shoot at her. Resisting arrest can be painful.
Handcuff are on, her vehicle is left, she'd booked into the county jail.
She calls me.
I drop everything, get a two day sitter for her 10 year old sister, find bail money and drive to Ohio.
Her sitter is wondering where she is, her boyfriend is angry and worried, her boss is trying to be patient
Judge sets a date to appear.
She takes another day to drive, appear in court, meet whatever consequences s/he imposes on her. Media involved, which looks bad for TWI but bad for Samantha as well, when all she had to do in the first place was work out a meeting.
She may also never be able to return again, or bring her sister or her children to see where their grandpa was buried.
OR
She arranges with TWI, even though it sucks orange donkey dick, to visit politely.
They are expecting her.
She arrives on time, meets with whomever is assigned to escort her.
She spends time at the burial site of her father.
She leaves and goes home.
The end.
I've never said it's fair, right or just. It doesn't matter.
Recommended Posts
HCW
Yes. We should all look past our predjudices, etc. Yes Sami's actions are more than commendable. I have an amazing daughter myself. There are times when she does things, makes decisions, etc that make me wanna be like her when I grow up too.
I really feel you on that one Shell.
However. I will never release, condone or in any way excuse TWI for their policy regarding restricting and enforcing access as they have on this matter. In my very educated opinion on this I am 100% certain that restricting access to the people who would come to visit their loved ones burial sites in The Way Woods is 100% about LCM's and TWI's desire for control.
Their policy is is not about protection, security or access, it is about control. It is about power, as in "you MUST do what "I" say." They use The Way Woods to "hit 'em where it (may) hurts." Basically "nobody" gives a hoot about visiting the BRC, the auditorium, the ROA grounds or, God forbid, the OSC building. The places people WILL ABSOLUTELY care about visiting are those burial sites. I'm sure the policy to restrict is, at LEAST, part of LCM's & TWI's way of "stickin' it to people. They are 100% certain that at some point in time they would get the chance to exert at least that much control over those of us who have said to them, "No, you will NOT control me any more - - no not ever again." They know they will get the chance to say, "If you will do what WE say, we'll give you what you want."
I think that is reprehensible that they use The Way Woods in that manner.
I used to visit the campfire area to pray BECAUSE "your"(in the sense of everyone whose loved one is there) loved ones remains are there because of how much I love my own loved ones who are still alive. People used to come there "all the time" because VP said it was the holiest place on the grounds. Believers would drive in from around the area or visit there when they'ed come in from far off and bring their deepest and most sacred prayer requests to God... there.
Sami. Shell, Igotout, others... not only are the remains of your loved ones, family and our friends buried there. They are comingled with the ashes of the written prayer requests of THOUSANDS of people. Along with them are the "Thank you God" notes from God only knows how many others.
The very concept of being FORCED to ask permission to go there is tantamount to being forced to ask permission to open your heart in your most personal, private and vulnerable times of going before God, Himself. That area is not just "some woods where some dirt is." It is made sacred by the virtue of what went on there... things that have nothing to do with the indiscretions of TWI. Doug M. knows that. Were I in his shoes, the concept of asking permission to go there to do something extremely personal would be out of the question to me also. I would also be willing to risk the arrest also....
Personally, I made my own life long commitment to service to God there at that campfire area - ALONE. With God - at night. There's an owl who used to live there in the woods, sometimes he'd bless us with a well timed "whhoooo" VPW prayed for the biggest, most important events of the ministry - - THERE. He and George Jess dedicated The Way Corps program, taugh many of the first few Corps groups (including LCM) there. My blood is there. I've seen VPW break into tears and weep - - there - - at that campfire area when talking about how that is THE spot where the heart of the heart of the heart of the ministry emanated from.
That area is blessed by the remains of faithful believers who lived with a real heart for God. I feel honor for you that your Dad is there Sami. Although I don't think I've ever met him, I have an idea of what kind of man he was when he was alive.
You are obviously a chip of the ol' block!
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rascal
Beautifull and well spoken HCW.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Shellon
HCW, Samantha is indeed a chip off the old block. She's wonderfully amazing and I'm so proud of her strength and ability to do what she knows is right to get the job done.
This is the alternative:
She shows up at twi ground unannounced just cuz she wants to.
She pulls into the way woods.
By now their barney fife security has put his bullet in his gun and is prepared to use it if need be.
She's at the campfire site visiting her father's burial site.
Security approaches her, maybe with the sheriff, just in case.
An arguement begins, she refuses to leave just cuz they said so. They know that they have the right to even shoot at her. Resisting arrest can be painful.
Handcuff are on, her vehicle is left, she'd booked into the county jail.
She calls me.
I drop everything, get a two day sitter for her 10 year old sister, find bail money and drive to Ohio.
Her sitter is wondering where she is, her boyfriend is angry and worried, her boss is trying to be patient
Judge sets a date to appear.
She takes another day to drive, appear in court, meet whatever consequences s/he imposes on her. Media involved, which looks bad for TWI but bad for Samantha as well, when all she had to do in the first place was work out a meeting.
She may also never be able to return again, or bring her sister or her children to see where their grandpa was buried.
OR
She arranges with TWI, even though it sucks orange donkey dick, to visit politely.
They are expecting her.
She arrives on time, meets with whomever is assigned to escort her.
She spends time at the burial site of her father.
She leaves and goes home.
The end.
I've never said it's fair, right or just. It doesn't matter.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.