penguin

Patriot, I can attest that as of a few months ago nothing had changed. I still have contacts that are "in" and they are as exasperated and bored as ever. It is a shame to see people allow their lives to be drained of the love, joy, peace and abundance that God wants them to have as they try to hang on to the lifeless body of twi. I say lifeless because twi has isolated and cut themselves off from the rest of the Body of Christ. TWI is now the stick that they used to say we were!

When I went to a church to see "what else was out there" and saw more love for God, for each other, more practical Biblical teaching than I had heard in a long time, and more enthusiasm for life------I knew it was time to go somehow. We had begun to see that things were dead and lifeless in twi, but for me, going to that church sealed it. It was just a matter of time after that.

If I remember correctly, when I listened to my audio tape of the anniversary this past year, there was a mention made during one of the LOOOONNNNGGG BOOOORRRRIIINNNGGG teachings that twi has taught believers how to go to college without going in debt and how to buy cars without going in debt and that they have started to share with the believers how to buy homes without going into debt. :blink: :blink: :blink: My reaction was.......yeah right! If you count kids getting scholarships as the way to get thru college. And I have never heard any official teaching or comments on cars or homes except save up the $$. It's near impossible to save up enough $$$ for a new car or a house when you already have to pay so much for rent and car repairs!

TWI could easily be defined as still in the "dark ages" as to what is really available now for church-going Christians. An ex-twier who doesn't frequent GS has taken some doctrinal classes that cover go from the beginning of Christianity all the way to current times. She has told me that what twi taught in 50-70's is what Christianity as a whole started to learn more of. The difference is that the churches kept building on that and adding more knowledge/practical things to it and twi stayed put. I have noticed a lot of churches do all types of things-including prayer ministry and counselling to help people heal up on the inside. I had no idea so many things were available!

Well, it has been their normal operation to not mention Jesus that much--even during weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. They focus on Passover and other stuff then. I think someone said the main theme for this year was based off of John 8:31-32. Maybe several innies will finally chose to be set free FOR REAL this ministry year. I know of quite a few myself

"check up from the neck up" A phrase that sends shivers up my spine!

I LOVE IT---"Power for Anal Living!"

Catcup--As far as loyboy's joke about Way II----all the way corpse eventually had that on that nametags instead of whatever corpse they were in rez I think they were green marble-looking plastic "Way Corps II" on the bottom.

Hey in the 90's the folding chairs got replaced with those nifty plastic/resin chairs that could stack one on top of each other into a tower. Normal people use them outside on their patio. I remember cleaning plenty of these things for special events.

The scene from Holy Grail---the Black Knight saying "None shall pass" Then King Arthur engages him in battle--and proceeds to chop off first one arm, then the next, then a leg, then the next --all while the Black Knight says things like "It's only a flesh wound" "Tis but a scratch!" At the end as King Arthur "gallops" away the Black Knight is calling out "alright then we'll call it a draw then."

Well I was trying to be nice-silly me- by not saying, "What does twi worship?" Venerate is defined in Webster's Collegiate dictionary as "to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference." Veneration is defined as "Respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication of a person" Leadership taught us the awe-inspiring WORD of GOD...so they became objects of worship along with the Bible. Hence, the Father in the Word concept and obey leadership even if they are wrong concept. (Though I guess your defiintion fits too oldies since many people really did and still do worship our deceased teacher vpw)

Lizzy, I like the work analogy. That WAS my viewpoint also. My boss at work can tell me what to do or I can get fired but his authority ends with work issues. I have been reading different books and more sections of the Bible and have realized that twi's leaders set themselves up and took authority that Jesus Christ never gave them. A great book that doesnt get mentioned as much is Twisted Scriptures. It has been very enlightening. I have found it very odd not to have a leader to tell me what to study or do in my walk with God--and it is EASIER to allow someone else to tell me what I should do. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and am allowing myself to REALLY decide what is best for me right now. The freedom is amazing! I have started attending a church, and this pastor asked his congregation for their blessing on his new teaching topic for the year. He has also NOT advised me on several issues and left it up to me to figure out. When I have a question about what the Bible says, he answers it..but without telling me what to do. It is all about Jesus Christ and not about men. (In fact, NO ONE, including elders and the pastors, in this church is allowed to give advice unless a person first asks for it!) I am being forced to really stand on my own two feet for the first time since getting born again. (And I thought I was spiritually mature) I have discovered that I was really in 'Way wonderworld" which closely resembles Disney World and acting like a spoiled brat by demanding and telling God what He should do. How embarassing! Anyway, if you are happy then ok---Just really watch out and make sure you don't allow yourself to get enslaved. Things are great outside of twi!

Well, without getting sent to the doctrinal thread.... I think God made salvation simple enough that as long as we make Jesus Christ Lord over our life, it doesn't matter if we think he is God or Son of God. I have ran into several Christians that feel this way. (Not saying that they thought I was right to believe he is Son of God only, but that is another story.) But I DO believe that Jesus Christ as Lord is a heck of a lot more than just saying the words. If he is really your Lord, you will want to follow his commands and walk with the love and compassion he had. Our life should be different than before we believed. I think a lot of people will be surprised at the bema. I am just hoping to hear "well done my good and faithful servant" B)

Excie, I admire you for telling your story---I don't think I would have stopped my werewolf worship without it! BTW I am now blissfully taking advantage of the ignore feature regarding 2 posters on this thread. :D Now I can stop doing this=== Back to my newly happy self

My question would be when did Solomon "get revelation" to write the books still included in the cannon of the Bible? I would think (this is opinion only) that it would have been at the beginning of his reign before he got distracted and spiritually off. If his books were written before his errors, then ok. Then the BIG difference between Solomon and vpw is that most of what vpw taught and researched he did while exploiting young women sexually and cheating on his wife. That would disqualify him from being a leader in the church--he wasn't even qualified to be a deacon let alone a bishop!!! (You all talk about all the alcohol he was constantly drinking--anyone ever see him drunk?) No wonder he talked about sin is sin--there are no big verses little. (Remember the big "X" and little "x"? And yes Oldies I agree with you that these sins are some of the reasons twi is in the state it is today.

For holiday giggles: My vote would be a tie between themselves and the Bible as taught by twi

Amen rascal and belle! rascal said It was much easier staying in denial, but I eventually had to stop pretending. I still agree with most of what twi taught, but there were enough doctrinal/practical issues I have believed and taught that were not accurate. It was a very humbling day when I realized I had been deceived/mislead and that I had deceived and mislead others. The fact I helped ensnare others into twi even though I had good intentions was a very painful one and hard to come to terms with. And yes I did/do feel foolish about it too :blink:

I figure I need to show up again on this thread. I wanted to clarify that I do not blame God for what happened to me. In my original post I said "what I thought was God's representatives" not God. I know it was my own free will/stupid choices. Even though I can logically tell myself why it wasn't God's fault, that God is always good and faithful etc. I still hesitate to really let go and trust Him--I need to be in control, plan it out, figure out how to get deliverance etc. What has really helped me is that He has reminded me of at least one time where there was a definite opportunity to rethink what I had gotten involved in. Unfortunately, as a new grad of the foundational class, I had already became too egotistical and prideful and resisted Him during the whole 3 day event I was participating in. I mostly was questioning my own discernment and ability to hear Him for the many years I was in. Maybe I should just say the made me do it? :D

Oldies, I say yes--I expect for God to show us what His Truth is. John 16:7-15 was twisted by lcm to prove what the epistles teach us---but neglected to show us how God can and will teach us what we need to know when we need to. Our Comforter is to lead us into all truth, not a man and not a class! John 16:7-15 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove F31 the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

My reaction to mastering PFAL. I am going to try to just read the Bible for once. Thanks Now you can go back to your topic.

Ok I will behave this time... ummm I learned how to clean and do setup for meetings. I also got over my fear of speaking in public. How's that? :blink: :unsure:

Yes but all of the good things mentioned so far can be found in any decent church these days!! Imagine learning what we did without the manipulation, fear, and screaming!

How many of you here are still struggling with trusting God again? I was thinking about all of us who made commitments (WOW,Way Corpse, Staff, Way Disciple, and the other programs) to who we thought were God's representatives only to be told we didn't measure up and that we needed to leave/be dropped etc. It is sad that a beautiful desire to serve God and help others was trashed by twi when we were told we were not good enough. VP might have said he would take people with heart over people with ability, but in the latter days this was no longer the case. In fact, it was normally the opposite. Anyone else have these issues? What have you done about it?

Well seeing my syllabus wasn't stuck in the attic--and it was near the Christmas tree that I had to get anyway, I went and looked it up. Segment 19 covers the new birth. Segment 20 covers speaking in tongues. In segment 20, pg 112 of FNC WAP syllabus says, "To make Jesus lord in your life starts with obeying the Word. And the Word says that speaking in tongues is how we build up ourselves, which is how we keep ourselves in the love of God and keep ourselves from falling." Make Jesus as lord = obey Word = speak in tongues. I find it odd that segment 19 doesnt really address what making Jesus lord would actually take. It says in print that all it takes to make him lord is to agree with the Word on what it says Jesus is. Back on topic: During the live classes which ran for 5 years? (I think) the local corpse used the syllabus but often elaborated on its different points. Many things were said that cannot be officially documented. Especially with corpse that were around longer and more confident in their ability and knowledge (ex Moneyhands.)

IMHO One of the major things missing in twi is BALANCE!!!! Moderation in all things pertains to ALL aspects of life. One category of life shouldn't suffer/be allowed to lack for any length of time. TWI encouraged us to be "Sold-out" to "moving the Word" = ignoring your own needs in order to be douloses for God. An innie friend just recently told me that they were told that jobs, children's school activities and other pursuits should Not interfere with attending fellowships and ministry functions. Same o Same o