bliss

I stood motionless, speechless and humbled, as the tears poured out from years of missing my Lord and Savior.

That was the beginning of the many ends of my relationship with TWI.

That is so freaking manipulative for parents to do that to the kids. If my folks were that way I would chose to sacrifice the relationship with them and leave the way international. Heck, already had it wrecked by the way international telling my earthly family comes second to their spiritual family. But as you so aptly stated, "Now that's messed up!"

Been there, living that!

In-law #1, not in, but will not let go of ONE BIT OF DOCTRINE.

In-law #2 is full fledged innie......was going to move to be with said grandkids, till our departure.

Now, it's really just a matter of comfortability. The older folks just see no need to rock the boat and change what they are used to!

What happened to doing things because they are RIGHT>>>>???? For the glory of God and truth? All selfish reasons really. Our relationship is strained.....no more ''full sharing'' or even deep discussions about God and life. It's all 'weather and kids related"....that's it.

The biggest thing I've learned since leaving TWI~ is that life IS NOT ABOUT ME!!!!!! but that is another thread...

I am sure some of the kids want to leave, but, like some said, "parents; friends;" = stay and suffer!

HI EXCIE ♥♥

and another thing.......

is there anyplace or anybody on the face of the planet, when hosting an event, has hostess-serving sit downs??????

What is wrong with buffet style ?

Oh, I know, not enough manners control......

Saw some creepy pictures today of the latest and greatest Adv. Class - FOR TEENS~!!!!

That seems to be all the people they could get to attend this joke of a bible fest anyway.

to quote: "this is the deepest biblical research study I have ever heard yet!!!"

um, hello? you are like 12.....

Tons of games, ball playing, cards, and even dancing the (shhhhhh) Electric Slide.

Yes, folks, the quest for biblical knowledge at it's finest all tailored around hormones and sports.

I thought youngins were smarter nowadays, you know, with the INTERNET AND ALL..?????

How can they go, when you know darn well that they know more about what others say about TWI, then we ever thought possible or probable back in the day?

OH, wait , I get it.

They go for the partying......if you like partying with no real freedom, but the sneaking is fun...

and reading anything here is ALL LIES!!!!!!!!

Yes, every story of betrayal and plagerism,lies and sex abuse, atheistic beliefs and spiritual idolatry is all damnable LIES!!!!!!

I know, we've got nothing better to do than to make up stories about a ministry that we DEVOTED OUR ENTIRE YOUTH TO......FOR NOTHING!!

But you go on, have fun learning all about the devil spirits and how awesome YOU are....

It's not too late to leave it all behind. Have a real life. go. really. get out. live. find God outside the cult walls. seriously.

you won't change it.

I know you think

you can, many have tried.

Sorry, You won't.

*what was just as creepy as watching them all dance, was the dining at the rectangle tables and the hostess smiling and the little white bucket under the chair and everyones plates with the polite amount of servings, and all hands on lap* ((((shudder))))

I now thankfully realize that ''prayer'' is a love relationship. Father/child appropriate.

If my 2 year old keeps begging or asking for something, I have a few things to consider.

*What is best for him? Does it go along with MY plans, life, purpose?

*What is his attitude in asking? Is he being a spoiled brat, impatient, demanding, unthankful?

*Is it going to add to his life or detract?

So, as much as I want to give him "Yes" answers to his ''prayers'' (asking).....

Sometimes, my answer to him is a resounding ...........................................NO!

edited to fix weird stuff....

Ditto what everyone said.

You don't/won't/can't do it overnight, or by ''renewing your mind''....

One day at a time.

Start with what you do believe. Which is hopefully, GOD.

Ask Him what to do.

Get rid of old bible /notes. Buy a new one.

If fellowship with others around God is what you need, then pray and go to a bunch of churches.

Don't let the foundational lies of '' JC is Not God" or "Are the Dead Alive Now"...distract you from worship and learning new beliefs.

You can tackle those over time and by allowing God to heal your heart.

Read here, read everywhere ,ponder, be still......

and WELCOME!!!

I am a big fan of John Juedes and many of his works. I don't always agree with every point he has but think he hits the nail on the head more so than not.

I haven't seen too many links mentioned between what the way international teaches and the occult. Having been involved with both I see it plain as day. I am sure the innies would yuk it up when reading this but I say the joke is on them.

The law of believing is sort of scriptural sounding in name only. The stayed mind, and all the concentration techniques, with the constant emphasis on concentration and then coupling that back around to the renewed mind and that being relevant to what you are "believing" for is occultism 101. All you have to do is drop the scriptural trappings.

Hey, I love JJ....he helped me and so many others trying to leave, to put together and make sense of so much doctrinal heresy the Way puts out! Especially the believing article on being ''an atheistic belief" ...

As far as WHY ,TWI and occult are not written about enough is simple.

IT'S NOT BIG ENOUGH.

Seriously. They haven't made that big of an impact in the world, as the JC's or Mormons, so basically they get ignored.

The other is that many of the folks over the years get involved in TWI as very young adults....they didn't have time to study a whole bunch of occult religions.

Like my signature states from Jeremiah.....get busy DOING, then, you'll be KNOWING the LORD, Yushua, Jesus, etc....

This bibliotry wordsmithing is getting to me.

Too many needs in the world to be sittin here debating, posting, defending your positions on excommunication and possible recruitment.

"IF" you really are who you say you are, then you wouldn't be doing what you're doing here.

just imo.

peace.

Excie,

She died of cancer. Fought it for a long while. Her hubby and kids are doing alright. Taking it day by day. She still ran a fellowship.

I don't know them well, but, friends of mine do, so I thought I'd let everyone here know. Sorry.

"The whole universe responds when we are fully persuaded. Thanks"

Yes, dude, the whole universe responds you YOU!

What EGO this promotes.....oh, wait, we are talking TWI folks, I almost forgot with all the love bombs they throw lately.....

Same error, same atheistic beliefs under the guise of a Godly system, same self-centered, self-indulging attitudes.....just waiting for the next insatiable, lusty, selfish behavior to rear its ugly head....

They even love some of the "preachers'' on TV~ the ones that promote health, wealth and prosperity ONLY!!!

Don't forget all the front spot parking spaces we missed because of the adversary!!!!!!

All the students at IHOP (Int. House of Prayer) have to keep journals......

and TURN THEM IN EVERY WEEK!

((((((((((((((((((((((((eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkk)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

*and they are encouraged to be real about ALL their negative thoughts and problems.

(((((((((((((((((((((((shudder)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Let's see....

the drive.

the content.

the drive.

the content.

oh, and the crappy cake.

I'm starting to have (((flashbacks))))....!!!!

One sentence put the nail in the coffin when deciding to leave TWI ...and that was a question from a Christian ''outsider''.

she said:

"Sounds like you worship the bible, instead of the Author of it?"

nuff said.

My attorney Larry Meadows deserves much of the credit, and all total he only got paid $700 for almost a year of work on this case. But he stood Strong against TWI and its lawyers. Larry is not a fancy $5,000 suit lawyer, he is a Men's Warehouse suit lawyer scratching out a living with a one man business. If anyone would like to make a donation to the legal fund and help compensate Larry for all of his work, donations can be sent by paypal.com to:

nazarene-legal-fund@meadowsllp.com

and WHY did he do this?

Oh my, I can write a book about this......

no time to reflect too far today

but:

"I can't wait for the gathering together, cuz there is no marriage, and I can't wait to get with you ...."!

That was the usual for me for some reason....YAK!

All married men of course....

Bonnie J. Rowe, 56, of St. Augustine, Fla., passed away Feb. 23, 2010, at Flagler Hospital. She was born in Centerline, Mich., and had resided in St. Augustine since 1992.

Bonnie was a loving wife, caring mother, and warm friend to all.

She grew up in Warren, Mich., and in 1973 graduated with a bachelor"s degree from Western Michigan University. She enjoyed learning and in 2009 was awarded a master"s degree from the University of Florida. From 1979 to 1992 Bonnie worked at The Way International in New Knoxville, Ohio. Bonnie continued her service in St. Augustine, as a volunteer home fellowship coordinator for The Way International until her final breath. Bonnie was employed by the University of Florida in 2000, teaching nutrition in St. Johns County School System.

Bonnie made friends wherever she walked and always looked to help anyone she could. She was a virtuous Christian lady who will be missed by all, yet remembered by the spark of goodness she left upon the lives of each of us who knew her.

She was the daughter of the late James and Eileen Godman and sister of the late James Godman.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Sunday at Craig Funeral Home Chapel.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, David; children, Craig, Annah, and Carrie Rowe, all of St. Augustine; sisters, Barbara Bomber and Vicki Godman, both of St. Augustine; brothers, Charles Godman, Las Vegas, Nev., and Ralph Godman, Warren, Mich.

Craig Funeral Home, Crematory, Memorial Park is in charge of arrangements.

But to what end? Who is collecting the ''non'' profits???

Is it ''in case of emergency"? I was always taught from TWI that was "Baaaaaaaadddddd Believing".

They certainly aren't GIVING IT AWAY,

or

setting up CHARITABLE PROGRAMS for local/global community

nor are they

paying staff what they are worth.

What is the reason for the hoarding??????

.....and I'm getting hives just thinking back to those days of filling out the blue forms and making charts. I kid you not!

"They didn't keep track"

.....L....MSAMTFOTF!!!!!!

(Lauging so hard I tipped my sombrero and my taco fell on the floor!)

As a Twig Coodr/Fell Coord for all of the 90's......

I will tell you flat out....

I DREW CHARTS TO TRACK GIVING and INCREASES FOR EVERY PERSON IN MY FELLOWSHIP!!!!!!!!!

(and if not giving more than where you started over a period of time, CONFRONTED)!!!!

We were INSTRUCTED to do so.

The main difference to me, which is kind of ironic too, is that anyone in TWI, would totally RUN from this group!

They would label them ''full of debil spurts, and opening up their mind, and making Jesus God'', so they would have no part of it.

They run more from emotions, where as in TWI, NONE!!

What makes them similar is the 'Modus Operandi" .....exactly what Jeff pointed out in their methods of recruitment, the figurative gun to their head if they leave, and the narcissistic attitude that permeates the followers.

They keep buying up more local property to house the students, they broadcast live on GodTV and folks from all over the world flock there.

((((((shudder)))))

Oh, they all act like I used to~when I was 20 and first got in TWI.....sickly sweet,hugging, helping everyone move...... all the while distancing myself from anyone who wasn't interested or wanted to be involved with it. (like my family!)

I have read many desperate mothers searching for answers to why their child WON'T leave this, and/or why these kids were told to NOT TALK to their parents for a year because they don't believe in or they ask too many questions.

Sad. Seems the vulnerability with this age range runs deep and these wolves know just how to stalk and attack the coup!

Personal and Family Information (your application will not be reviewed without this information.)

1. Please briefly share how you came to give your life away to Jesus, including the highs and lows

of your life. You're encouraged to share both positive and negative things that are still affecting you today to help us understand you. This information will be used as we review your application.Please include one paragraph that accurately describes your present relationship with God. (1-2

pages typed on separate paper and stapled to application.)

2. Please write a summary of your relationship with your parents and siblings. Please be honest and seek to the best of your ability to give the reasons for the present circumstances. The truth no matter how difficult is not going to hinder you for being accepted into the apprenticeship.

(Please also attach to application.)

All applications are required to have these two biographical questions completed.

Yes, folks, this is an application to a thriving, hip, cool, spiritual, praying movement.

~IHOP ~

International House of Prayer- Kansas City ( they pray 24/7)

Seems these ''personal questions'' are really to be used AGAINST the student applicant at some other time......like prophesies directed toward them, weaknesses, they know exactly who is going to their schools and so they know how you think, what "Words from God" to give you, and how to manipulate you...

Sound familiar?

Maybe kind of a silly point, but I remember that "no dreaming" teaching as well. So I condemned myself for years because I dream a lot. Then one day I was sitting in my living room and my dog was sleeping on the floor. At one point her little paws started moving and she started very softly barking. My dog was dreaming about something and I thought, "Hmm...is my dog out of fellowship? Does she have unresolved issues from her childhood that she hasn't worked out? Then I wondered what she could possibly be dreaming about. Perhaps, in her dream, the mailman actually stayed on the porch instead of leaving. Maybe the mutt next door ate her bowl of Alpo.

Obviously God can talk to someone any way He wants. I just don't think we should laud it too high.

ROLFLMAO!!

thanks Sir G for the quotes.

Thanks for all the responses. I know it was taught at some point, just didn' t know how far back , and what was the point.

I am so glad to be out of that sess pool of dung.

I love my ''religious'' life now.....♥