penguin

I don't know the exact year the Decade of Prevailing started, but it was before 97--I remember being on staff before that and having the decade of prevailing thing announced. I was gone from staff by 97. I think there was a previous thread from another year's announcement of the theme where we also talked about how it had been more than a decade. It doesn't really matter much. I am just thankful to not have to have THAT poster up on my wall!

Thanks Belle! It's only 3 days away and I am hoping for no "WAG"s as Raf calls them now. I think we have figured out Key West and are still trying to figure out Nassau. Maybe we will go shopping (including at the Straw Market) and see where we go from there. Still open to suggestions on Nassau Bahamas that's for sure!

On the contrary, a new church building WOULD be in the Word. Remember the "blank check" promises that twi used to even make out as actual checks we could write out to God? God says He will supply all our need and we need a new building. This is appropriate twi belief as of a mere 3 years ago. All I know is that I ended up not having a real relationship with God after my 20 plus years in. I THOUGHT I did. But, boy was I wrong! I was good at asking for what I wanted, but neglected just enjoying being with my Father. And praising Him? That was none existant. All I had was twi songs about how strong and powerful I was when I renewed my mind! I look back and feel that I was acting like a spoiled brat and I am so thankful now that God was patient, loving and compassionate towards me.

Yes it does sound familiar, unfortunately. Thanks for the update skyrider!

Did anyone catch this? We weren't home and I forgot to record it.

Hey all. I mostly lurk and then seem to post thread killers around here---but that's another topic I suppose. Last year you all were very helpful with suggestions on what to do at port. This year we vist the Keys and Nassau. Any suggestions as to what to do? The Atlantis waterpark would be fun, but I don't see a way to go there without getting a reservation at the hotel itself. If anyone has been to either place and know cool things to do, please post them and let me know! Thanks!

Gee..if no relocation needed, then no real excuses not to sign up either--especially since the innies are to serve the lord twi with gladness I promise you I have heard teachings in this decade that stated that a sold out commitment to Christ meant you had to be sold out to twi. This was in leadership meeting as well as a branch meeting.

yeah I kind of freaked out when I saw that video promoted on Godtube

Yeah I know! It's so crazy thinking back--even while I was typing that line I was amused and thought exactly what you wrote--get possessed a little at a time. I was SO petrified for those couple of years--I didn't even realize my spouse wanted out too!

Yep, I was one of those who drank so much kool-aid that when I did go on the internet and found some anti-way stuff, I was scared I would get possessed by spending time there. i would search only for little bits of time. Until I finally saw some things on my own in the real world...

Awesome description T-bone!

{{Twinky}} Yes I remember how it felt after we had jumped off the cliff. I felt like I was crumpled up at the bottom and eventually got around to staggering. But even in my crumpled up state I felt release and freedom from a load I never knew I was carrying!!! I guess now we know it was a load of BS! :blink: :) Congratulations Oak! I know you helped me four years later!

Twinky, I am sooo glad you hang out here. I love "hearing" from you after all these years! Racal, You will get there. I spent years just so ashamed of myself. One day as I was praying (and feeling pretty crummy) I remembered how Jesus dealt with the woman caught in adultury. He said you're forgiven and go and sin no more. It was at that point that I realized that it was time for me to start moving on-I didn't have to stay crying in the dirt so to speak. I tried to imagine what it must have been like for that woman who was spared her life and who got to look in his compassionate eyes. I know my shepherd rejoiced when he got to bring me back into the flock. (I consider it that because I had stopped having Jesus Christ my Lord--instead it was twi leadership) I have enjoyed Is 61--verse 7 mentions no longer having shame or disgrace but instead receiving double portions and rejoicing in our inheritance.

Yes! I feel that at least by the late eighties, we were trained to be Pharisees that looked good on the outside with all our nametags and way credentials. We eventually learned a faith that was dead like James talks about--pretty convenient that we didn't read part of James too often and it was not written to us.

I have a NAS Bible now too--mine is a Thompson Chain Reference. I have just now started having fun while reading the Bible again! I know I had to have been blinded--there were too many scriptures that I KNOW I read while in twi--but those verses never registered in my mind--several are VERY clear verses that go right against TWI doctrine. Or they should have at least raised some q's in my mind--but I just read them without thinking and moved on. Like Jesus' comment on how before Abraham was, he was. And where in the world did vpw pull the "in God's foreknowledge" out of John ch1? Doesn't say anything about foreknowledge there. It just makes me wonder where my brain was at times, you know? I didn't really attempt to read the Bible for a while because it had been used as a weapon against me for so many years in twi I really couldn't handle it at first. And then even after 2 years, certain verses if read/taught would almost make me panic--II tim 2:15 being one of them. Strange huh?

Very very cool topic! I know when I left twi I had a hard time at first. I too read different Christian books--eventually I was able to read the Bible but it has taken me 3 years to be able to read KJV again--I have been reading anything except KJV because my mind would automatically go to teachings I had heard. I know when I first left it was sooo strange to not have someone else tell me what to do. I was almost frantically looking for someone to boss my around. I realized pretty quickly that I did not really have Jesus as my Lord in my walk. Sure I said it--but I had let leadership be lord instead. The other thing that blew me away was praise and worship. Gradually my veil has been lifted--but it has been 3 years of seeking God, repenting, re-learning etc. with a lot of patient, encouraging, and understanding people to support me.

Well, I don't know if its the case with him, but when there are very few people in a state, a Limb coordinator could be a state contact for a couple more states besides the one he was the official limb co of.

Welcome kenwas! I am not skilled enough to post a pretty picture of coffee and a danish like some people here are. I am glad you joined us here at the cafe. I was involved from the time I was 15. I left almost 3 years ago after realizing a few things. (A long story.) I really did NOT want to have to give a syrupy sweet 20 year speech at the next anniversary. By then I had started to see a few things and would have had to lie to say that I was blessed to be in twi. Have fun looking around and meeting all of us. I love the variety of opinions and personalities here.

Awesome letter lucy. My only regret about leaving was that I couldn't figure out how to tell people goodbye because I was so afraid that I wouldn't follow through on our decision. I knew we had to leave, that people wouldn't understand why and that I was really going to miss these people because I loved them.

I don't recall reading anywhere in the Bible that we will need to respond with what did you do with what you knew. I think the only dialogue recording in the Gospels (which are for our learning) is regarding how we treated/took care of others. Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. It doesn't say what we taught others in this context. You can try to explain this isn't written to us--but I can't see how this can't apply regarding our bema appearance. There was too much emphasis as bema as a rewards stand--it was also the judgement seat in a courtroom. I figure I need to face Jesus Christ some day and I want to have REALLY done something with the life he gave me by his death and resurrection. I believe I am doing MORE good now than before and I am not in an offshoot--I am serving wherever I can in a local church.

That's an awesome video! The youth group performed it last November for all of us adults. It was even more powerful in person! I watched it recently on Godtube about two weeks ago and was still blown away. I love the part where Jesus keeps calling and calling and calling. I can pinpoint certain times while I was involved with twi when I KNOW he was trying to get my attention. But he patiently waited for me for 20 years.

QUOTE(DocHoliday @ Jun 29 2008, 05:07 PM) One thing some people just don't seem to understand is that for a spiritual person, there is someone far more damaging about having the "Word of God" twisted and used to abuse you, than the usual negative things that happen in our daily life. I agree! Nothing more hurtful and hard to untangle than when people use the Word of God which is supposed to bring healing and is supposed to be words of LIFE to instead hurt you and squelch or kill off parts of your soul. After about 3 years I am finally starting get whole in some categories and I can read the Bible with excitement instead of with condemnation.

JavaJane, You must have had the privilege of being the twig secretary. I remember in the 2000's having to get someone to do it for our fellowship--we had forms in a binder and everything! (Upon suggestion from Branch and/or Limb leadership.)

Well, let's see.... Being raised Roman Catholic I was sprinkled as a baby, confirmed at 12 and I spoke in tongues while in twi at 16. After leaving twi one of the first things I felt led to do was get baptized at my new church--for me it was a symbol of a new beginning, leaving the old twi stuff behind and a rededication of myself to my Lord after following men instead of Jesus Christ. It was very healing and refreshing for me. I didn't do it because I thought my salvation hinged upon it but I did feel like it was an important step of obedience for me. I did spend time studying the Holy Spirit after leaving twi--and found out I was missing some important pieces. That's a whole other topic. Sacraments: The Way only officially had baby dedications-no baptism except getting born again. Marriage was a ceremony that was supposed to be a lifetime commitment but leadership often pressured people who were married to "nonbelievers" or ex-ways to get divorces. TWI marriages are a lot shorter than Catholic ones, that's for sure! Only confession is what you asked God for forgiveness for. Communion was a time of remembrance and was for physical healing too but only normally done once a year. No last rites--death is an enemy and should be fought against.

Can I attempt to get the thread back on topic? The few people I have told are people that I have begun to get close to at church. Normally it is related to our discussion for it to come up. Most people I have told have reacted with compassion and understanding because most of them have had some experiences in different churches where things were getting too controlling, too legalistic and they can relate to those aspects. Others are surprised and want to learn what it was like to heal from my experiences and what I have learned so far. No one has been condescending or patronizing. Sometimes I just say something vague without saying the cult part. I was in a small meeting with my pastor and about 6 other people. The pastor and 2 others knew about twi. Four others didn't. I related my WOW experience as my missionary time in Lexington with a previous group.