Jump to content
GreaseSpot Cafe

newlife

Members
  • Posts

    317
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    3

Posts posted by newlife

  1. I got to thinking about this when someone (never having been in TWI) asked about my living in a state that I do not live in now. And I told them I lived in more than just that state. I got to thinking and I realized how insane it was for me to move so many times. When I was in TWI I moved and lived in 6 different states in 13 years. I was not Corps. I did go wow for one year, but I think I must of thought it was spiritual to move so many times or something. You know, Word over the World. I lived in KY, IL, Florida, Michigan, Kansas and Colorado. The job resume was very interesting as you might guess!! When I left TWI I said, enough of the moving. Where I live now, I've been here for 25 years...I've been in the same job now for almost 18 yrs. My how stable my life has gotten!!

    I remember thinking I wanted to really visit places before I got in TWI! LOL My prayer was answered!!!

    Just for fun, how many yrs. were you in TWI and how many times did you move???? What states???

  2. Thanks Teachme....reconciliation is a wonderful, wonderful reality in a believer's life. Thanks for your comments about it. Good to be reminded of that...that at one time I wasn't reconciled to God....but Thanks be to God I am today.

  3. Tom.....THANK-YOU so much for your post. You have no idea how much I appreciate what you wrote. You know, in reading your post. I realized I am still very easily influenced by teachings by people. Maybe as much as I was when I first ran into TWI which is an eye-opener to me. If you want to add anything else, I'd especially like to read other comments you may have.

    Thanks Tom....

    Newlife

  4. Hi Everyone...Recently, I listened to some teachings from a group, x-way group actually, that has changed beliefs from believing that once you are saved, you are saved forever. In other words, unconditional salvation is in error, conditional salvation is truth. I am not sure what exactly I believe about their doctrine. I haven't given it a lot of thought. I was surprised by it. But one thing that was said, that really got me to thinking and that was, If you have unconditional salvation, then sin is a non-issue. I could definitely see how that could be true.

    It seemed that at least for me, I never considered sin a whole lot when I was in TWI. Sin was defined as being "out of fellowship"....so you just didn't hear the term sin much, at least I didn't.

    I just would like to know if you have changed your beliefs from when you were in TWI about salvation.

    As always, thanks for your post.

    Newlife

  5. I have considered starting up a meet up group for people recovering from spiritual abuse. I'm still thinking about it... Right now I've got a lot on my plate and can't handle much else. It will probably be at least a year, and I need to find some others who I can depend on to help with it. It is needed in this city.

    Great....in time, it will all come together I believe.

  6. In our area there are a lot of people recovering from abusive churches. I wish there was a way that all of them could have a GSC experience like I did. It was integral to my recovery.

    Why don't you start one? Or refer them to GSC cause spiritual abuse is spiritual abuse no matter what name you tag on to it. We can all relate I think. Just a thought.

  7. From personal experience, my healing has been in stages. As much as I had wished it could be instant, it wasn't. GS helped my healing, it was like feeling like "I wasn't the only one" who had that experience or this experience. For many, many years, TWI had a "Hold" on me even though I wasn't there physically. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, I was still a way believer for many years, even though I was desperately trying to move on. This site helped me to heal.

    I was in TWI for 13 years and I was totally into it and thought I was a lifer. I had no thought of every leaving. I thought God had brought me to it and I was content for a long time believing I was in the center of God's will for my life. Then things started changing, or maybe it was me who was just catching things that didn't seem "right" to me. Even in my uncomfortableness, I didn't leave, I still stayed because I thought I was committed to God.

    Leaving and coming here, My eyes started seeing what I had been unable to see when I was involved and even after I left. I had no idea where I actually was until the healing and the awareness started. This site and the people that posted were a great aid in my healing. I don't think I would be where I am today not having both in my life.

    Today, I am no longer "Held" by TWI. I have moved on. I'm free today. I am very happy with my life and constantly thank God for what He has done in my life, cause I could not do it. I couldn't help myself....but God used GSC to help me see what I had never seen before.

    I have "moved on" as far as beliefs and life are concerned. Now I return to help others. I hope that my posts can give some hope, some light to blind eyes...that I can be an aid in helping others to heal.

    I never know who comes here, who reads the posts, who needs help at an intense painful moment in their lives. I just know I've been where they are and reading these forums were a life line to me in a time of confusion, and great need.

    I hope I can do the same for someone else. That's why I now return.

  8. When I was "In" I didn't think in terms of "Fog", but looking back it's 20/20. I was confused, frustrated....mostly cause I just didn't seem to "Get" what I thought everyone else had easily gotten...Understanding of teaching or how to function successfully in TWI. I had an "Inner drive" to progress up the Ladder, but never got above being a twig leader....(For which I am thankful now). I had a difficult time being what other people wanted me to be, but I sure gave it my best effort...but falling short in their eyes and mine. I'd say it was a time of pressure and pursuit of things I could never obtain.

    After leaving, I remember being so depressed over what I had "Lost" while being in TWI and was confused as to was it really good from the beginning and went bad....or was it bad from the beginning and I didn't see it. What was right doctrine and what was wrong and how was I ever going to figure it all out. And really, mentally, emotionally, I was not in any condition to figure anything out.

    Now, having been out almost 26 years...wow...it really has been that long, God has brought me out of the fog. He has restored a lot to me and given me more than I could have ever thought possible. When I left, I didn't think that even God could fix me, but I was wrong. He was the ONLY one who could fix me.

    For those first few years, I focused on what I had lost...eventually, I had to let go of it all and focus on the "now" of my life. It certainly hasn't been easy, but it's been a journey to say the least. A journey I never had planned or even anticipated.

    I am thankful for you all. Hang in there...it does get better and better, or should I say, You get better and better.

    • Upvote 1
  9. Yes, the doors are open to anyone wanting to come, whether they are there for the right or the wrong reason, doesn't matter. We love them till they can love themselves and pray they get the help that we have received for ourselves.

    Personality change....that is really it. Drinking, drugging, is just the covering of a deeper problem. If a personality change doesn't occur, it's very likely the person will return to his/her former ways. And how does that change occur? With God's help and going through the 12 steps. If you look at the steps they are simple but not easy. Who wants to look at their life and discover all the patterns of thinking and behavior that brought them to the point of a bottom in their life? It's difficult, but necessary. The end result of going through the steps is that you develop a relationship w/God, that you practice spiritual principles, such as kindness, forgiveness, service, love, tolerance, willing to admit to wrong and not having to be right all the time, and on and on of Godly Principles. IT is also about now doing God's will instead of your own. People come in self absorbed, angry, blaming the world for their problems (If he/she wouldn't have done this then I wouldn't have done that) And through working the steps, they change and the lives they get are beautiful.

    It takes a lot of humility, honesty, open mindedness, and willingness. I am totally not the person I was before the program and I will be forever grateful.

    Now in I believe the Ephesians class, University of Life, Dr said he started an aa group in Van Wert. (please correct me if I am wrong anyone) But when I heard him say that, I thought to myself, now, he could not have done that unless he himself knew he was an alcoholic. Non-alcoholics do not start 12 step meetings. So, I have to believe that somewhere in his mind, he knew he had a problem. But he if he was an alcoholic, and like other people who do not change, they go on with their same lifestyles, character and behavior which only gets worse and worse as time passes. People who are alcoholics, addicts, are good liars, angry, con people, manipulators, live in fantasy land, and are very self deluded and self absorbed. But they don't have to be that way, there is a way to another life. It's their choice.

    When people need the program but don't get the program, their lives continue to go downhill. Now, many people don't go to a program, they go to church and get help, or other means that help them turn their lives around. The 12 step program don't own the corner on healing in this area....God Does. So whatever works for someone is great.

    I can only tell my story and it involves the 12 step program and I will always be grateful.

  10. Good Morning Everyone....I want to preface my post by saying, I'm not coming to defend 12 step programs but I am coming to give an accurate picture of them.

    Not everyone who comes to a 12 step program is there because they want help. Some come because of being court ordered and come to get their paper signed for the court and when they reached the needed number of Meetings take off and don't come back. Some come because of pressure the family puts on them and usually they have a hard time succeeding. Others come and once there decide this is a cool place to pick of a girl or guy. And I'm sure there are any number of other reasons why people come to the program. In the beginning I thought everyone was there for the same reason I was, to get help. I found out that is not accurate. But, I learned that I, as a human being, could not judge whether this person or that person would make it and change their life. Some I thought wouldn't did. Some I thought would, didn't.

    The ones that succeed are those who come and want the help and they come for themselves, not for the court, not for family, but they are honest about needing and wanting the help. Those people are the ones to really work hard to get the program and they do in fact turn their lives around. I have been there for almost 18 years now and I've seen tons of people come in and get a beautiful life. I've also seen tons of people who come in and out of the program like a revolving door. I've also been to a lot of funerals because of suicide or overdoses. Unfortunately, the alternatives to change are few, jails, institutions or death.

    There is no leadership in a 12 step program. It's based on the 12 steps, and 12 traditions. It runs because people volunteer to do a job, like chair a meeting, or help out with a public explanation at a hospital about their selected program. And having come from TWI where Leadership was a Huge deal, I was amazed that there are no designated leaders here, only people who want to do service and yet it has run and run for years and years. I really learned that the reason it runs is because of God.

    So yes, unfortunately, there are those who do not give the program a good name, but there are many who do.

    Just like there are many christians who give christianity and God a bad name. We all know that from experience.

    The 12 step program of today is not the same 12 step program it was in the beginning. It was started and based on Christianity and the true God. The book of James, the Sermon on the Mt. and 1 Corinthians 13 were the three most used passages in getting people turned around. Through the years this has been added, this has been subtracted, to where it has deviated from the original program...However it still works for people who want to work it. And if they don't want to, it still works just not for them.

    Of course, I am so very thankful for the 12 step program because with God, it gave me the beautiful life that I now have.

    I hope I have not defended, but given an accurate perspective as from one who is involved.

    • Upvote 2
  11. I am in a 12 step program and have been for almost 18 years. I totally believe God brought me to the program, although at first, I was like, ok I must be here to help all these poor people! LOL Not too much ego huh?

    I found I was there for me because I was so screwed up.

    If you take a good long look at those steps you will see how they are principles that are biblical based. And I will tell you these people are some (not all) of the most honest people I have ever met. Working the steps is all about application and not doctrine. And it's not an easy program, but it's simple. It has changed my life for the better.

    For me, I found I had so much doctrine and was so confused about everything, I didn't even know what to think. I couldn't get to a solution to my problems. Going through the steps, changed me. It made me look at me instead of everyone else. It made me get honest about my life. It set me on the right course for my life. And it freed me from resentment, from putting the blame on people, being unforgiving. Eventually, it taught me how to maintain a life that is free from all those things.

    The past can freeze a person and cause them to stay in their prison of regret, depression, anger, and unforgiving state etc. It can cause you to just keep going around the same circle over and over again. I was at the point when I entered the program that I didn't think that even GOD could put me back together again, which I never wanted to admit to anyone. Thankfully, I was wrong. He has done more than put me back together again....he has gone way past my expectations.

    I will tell you that the 12 step program is a great program. I see miracles of lives being changed from the pit to healthy productive lives every day. Personally, I think everyone could benefit from working through the 12 steps. Who doesn't have a past that they aren't dragging around with them? Or Who doesn't have resentment, and anger, hurt and pain about their lives. Everyone does.

    How do I live today? I live those steps. I've learned how to forgive, let go and let God. I've learned how to get an accurate perception of things that go on in my life, I've learned how to be honest about me and how I live.

    God has worked amazingly in my life through this program, just by application of biblical principles. How can that be wrong?

    • Upvote 1
  12. Totally agree with what Linda Z said.....I would do the same thing if I were them and an organization etc. used part of the name of my organization and they were involved with what The Way TV is involved in. I, too, was surprised that they knew what was going on outside in the World.

    And of course we know the slander that has gone on....Honestly, I don't know of anywhere where it doesn't go on.

  13. Speaking in Tongues? I do it and love it. I did it before I ever got involved with TWI under instruction of a minister. Like someone said, there's too much evidence for me personally in my experiences and it lines up with what the bible says, for me to ever doubt it or the other manifestations. If it wasn't for the manifestations I would be dead. I had a 20% chance of living and Someone prayed for me and I was instantly healed....instantly. And the Dr. said, (Who was a Christian), Well, I can't write down in the medical records that you were healed by God, but I absolutely have no doubt that is what happened, cause that is the only way that you would be totally free of this disease. Thank God someone else also believed and utilized the manifestations in their lives and prayed for me that day. It was July 22, 1995.

    I speak of my experience and my beliefs as does everyone. Isn't it great to have the freedom to do that?

  14. Reading this took me back to the very first time I went to Headquarters with my fellowship coordinator. This was back in the 70's. She was trying to convince me that I should apply to be on staff. I remember we stayed in a mobilehome with a couple of other people. And basically, I just remember having a lot of fun. Meeting people, hanging out with others in their mobilehomes, attending some weekend activities which were fun. I left with a great impression of headquarters. But, I was hesitant about applying because I had only had the class for a couple of months. So I didn't.

    But, I never knew what really went on there if you were a staff person. And it wasn't until years later when I discovered what was really going on behind the scenes of the ministry in general, and at headquarters. Then it took another like 7 years before I REALLY knew what was going on.

    It all looked good to me in the beginning....but I was only getting the outside view and not the inside one. What was that thing....the label on the can? I was looking at the label and not what was inside....but when I did I was shocked. And after I left I was still shocked....but also shocked that I was so naive, or something to have been hoodwinked like I was.

  15. I might be the only one....but I actually loved singing those songs in a group. We sang "The Lord knows the Way through the wilderness" a lot on my wow year. For me, it released a lot of tension...and found myself with others always laughing...Maybe I'm just a kid at heart. but I always liked it.

  16. I can identify with you. I know if it hadn't been TWI, it would have just been another group of some sort. I, too, was searching for love and a family. And when I think about it, I did find some love and I did find some family in TWI...but, it wasn't all what I thought it was. I am very thankful I do have connections with some of my closest friends that were in TWI with me. They have always been a blessing to me and my life.

  17. Belated Happy Birthday Excie! May you have many more and may they be happier each year, full of love and goodness!!!

    Marriage...never have been married. When I was in my early 20's wanted to get married and have 12 children.....LOL Got in TWI when I was 25 and was in it for the next 13 years. During that time, the only things I thought about was bible, classes, fellowships.....

    After getting out, I had too much stuff of my own that I had to sort out, get help with, just recover my life. By the time that I was starting to feel good about God, my life, and others....I find that I am at an age that I will probably never get married. I grieved that for awhile, but then accepted where I was at in life, and how God had brought me to that point of being reasonably happy.

    I think Marriage can be a beautiful thing. But I also know that being single can be a beautiful thing too. I'm content and I try to live each day with some peace and joy. I like my life today!

    • Upvote 1
×
×
  • Create New...