Sunnyfla

Hello, Born and raised in Escondido Calif. moved away 1987. Haven't been back since. Love it there!!!

Thank you Paw for the info. I will check it out ;)

Thank you so much Ralph and Paw!!!! This may not belong on this thread, but it definitly relates to it... for me I was SOOOOO in the dark at that time in 86. I took PFAL in 83 in Southern Cali, and all the belivers were awesome and LOVED the ministry. So, I too followed suit. About 10 of us took a very long journey across the states via plane and bus to the ROA 86. And boy was it a mess when we finally got there!! Not only it was raining so bad when we arrived, several of us didn't get our luggage for 2 days. The sadness was over whelming everywhere we went. I couldn't understand why my twig Coord, and branch Coords, were so upset. They wouldn't discuss it with us and left us high and dry during that week. I thought the Rock was supposed to be FUN and wonderful. Well, to say the least. I was 21 and very confused about what was happening. Things were explained to us later when we got back home, but their explanations were still unclear to many of us, so we just went on continueing to love the ministry in a numb sort of state. I later went WOW in 88,89, then went into the Corps 90,91 (21 st) Those years were weird, but not as weird as when I got to HQ in 91 for my 3rd year. I had been targeted by Craig at Family Camps, and he wanted me at HQ's. So, during Corps week, I was really sick, and my work Coord. befriended me ( which she NEVER does that ) took care of me and then the coworsing started during ROA. She kept me away from everyone who cared for me , including my boyfriend who was desperately trying to get together with me, and never did. She wanted me to meet with her and Craig and she told me things about him that totally repulsed me. I was soooo scared and had no where to turn. He approached me several times, he would put his arm around me while looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was looking and did some small talk, and did so in a creepy way. One of the times he asked me where I was staying, and that he would come by sometime and give me a ride on his motorcycle. THAT FREAKED me out!!! I knew he was up to no good and if I didn't tell someone, things were going to get UGLY FAST!! So, when I did tell one of my friends, who had just graduated from the 19th Corps. All H*ll broke out and I was packing my bags the very next day... oh I forgot.. Craig melted my face, accused me of being a lesbian before I left <_< Then he told the Corps that was why I left He was such a slithering snake. Sorry about that guys... I haven't thought about it for a long time, and after listening to Ralph today, and thought wow, I was in the midst of all that and had no clue how severe it was and that it would directly affect me the way it did. Thank God I got out when I did... And so sorry for those who didn't Hugs

After leaving twi, I felt naked and very lonely. I was not ready to leave, I was booted out of the Corps, then later M & A. So, that's when the lonelyness came in. I stumbled onto Waydale and that's when the healing began :D and like someone else said in an earlier post, I didn't realize how screwed up doctrinally the twi was, but I new the morals of the leadership were very questionable. And questioning their morals is how I got the boot I enjoy coming here and talking to you all because you can relate to me on why I think the way I do when it comes to faith issues etc... No one else out there that hasn't experienced what we have can really understand our thinking and I really like to see how each of us has changed in some wonderful way because of that and are finally becoming normal again....actually, I haven't figured out what normal is yet :blink: I would like to give a special THANKS to Paw for this sight

That was great Bliss, That took care a lot of my issues.

Thank you year2027, I agree with what you said, and of course what the word says about the Holy Spirit teaching us. God has taught and shown me many things since I left the ministry 15 years ago. Although, there are many topics here recently that are popping up in my studies. That's why I come here to see where everyone is at in what they believe now. I am not a biblical scholar as twi taught us to believe, but I do know that God will teach and show us what we need to know just at the right time in our lives. He knows our hearts and He prepares us for understanding. It has taken Him 15 years so far to get me to this point and He has A LOT of work to do in me still..LOL.. A life time of learning is still yet to come :) You have a wonderful heart Roy. Thank you for all you do here at GSC. With Love and a holy kiss blowing back at you

Sorry cman, you misunderstood what I said before. It wasn't the "theif in the night" that was the problem. I know He will come as a theif in the night. It was the gathering part that you said He gets us "individually" that confused me. Please reread what I wrote Again, I thought it says that we were gathered "together". Not trying to mince words really, but it's easy to get misunderstood via webworld. And I truly appreciate you jioning in this and helping to make sence of all this year2027, I'm going to read your post then reply later, I'm heading out to work in a few minutes. I will return :B)

year2027 I am very simple minded. I think like a child most of the time, not to degrate myself in anyway of course, but when I find myself over thinking something, I then look at it in more simpler terms. What cman said of the fact that Jesus comes as a theif for "each individual" in his opinion, is clearly not written in the bible, and to me IMO doesn't make sence. I thought we were gathered together, not individually. Now, here's my thought, When we die, we are dead, dead, until the day of the Return of Christ, but I do believe that our spirit goes back to where it came from..God. But I do not believe those who are dead are "floating around in heaven, as of yet!!" I think of it this way.. when we die there's no rememberance of being dead, and our next waking moment will be the Gathering anyway, so what diference does all this make right? We will all end up with Christ in the end right? I still belive that God is of NO confusion and if I'm totally confused about this subject, then lets try to simplify it to where I won't be so confused P.S. Do I still have WayBrain about this??? If I do RESCUE me!!!lol :o XOXO

Well..... there you have it folks. It took some strange character, although, I thought he was funny, to explain my initial question of Are the Dead Alive Now? So the answer is NO, Not until Jesus comes back to get us..And, I don't think He came back yet, but I am waiting. Thank you year2027 and all those who participated in this quest XOXO

That was the next thing I was going to mention. We had just covered the Tranformation in Mark last week and I too thought to myself what the heck was Moses and Elijah doing there with Jesus. The whole Tranformation thing was a huge discusion and the topic of what the "Kingdom of God" was and how it was completely misunderstood and controversal. I had NO idea about it myself because I can't remember ever being taught about the Tranformation with Jesus, Moses and Elijah. I appreciate all the responses and your individual views, and I'm looking forward to reading more on this topic. You all had great points to make and in the end, like many of you said, we will be together with Christ forever... Amen By the way, I'm not going to split hairs over this with the group leaders, but I do enjoy talking with you all because I feel like I'm at home with you

Hi Everyone, In my bible study in Mark the subject among the Bible Study leaders came up as to where you are after you die. Well....., I know what I've been taught from twi, and for the first time in YEARS it became a little intense. Our Study leader said that all those who are dead are in heaven with Christ, then she quoted Luke 23:43. I shared with the group what I was taught about that verse and all mouths dropped :o She then said oh no, Jesus will come to get our bodies, but the spirit is with God. Now, I know what VP says about this, which is actually all I know at this point. What is your take on the subject now that you've been out and healed from all the BS. Was twi right or were they wrong??? Blessings

Our church is called Community Christian Church, hence serving the community. Several times during the year volunteers from the church goes out and serves the community in way of ..Clean up, giving food, visiting the elderly, dog therapy, and many other different things to about 50 or so places and organizations where a need may be. It is so organized too. They usually video tape the day of service and share it with the congregation the next week. I find that those that are involved are getting so much joy and have a lot of fun as well. All ages, as well as whole families get involved together in serving others. I've yet to experience this. I want to do this with my family, but my husband isn't ready for that. In time I know God will open his heart.

A gift card from OutDoor World Bass Pro Shops :)

No, that has not been brought up..as yet. We're at the last two parts of this study book and will began a new book in Jan. We're only up to Mark chapter 7 right now. We have a ways to go.

Thanks for all the great insites on this subject. And thank you markomalley for those interesting facts. I had to sit back and think about what you said. Where did you get that info? irisheyes--- I've been in this particular group for 3 years. Every year is different with people coming and going. So this year there's a whole new group of ladies with us. Many of the new ones have never been in a bible study. It's hard for them to commit to every week too. This past week there was only 4 of us in my group. This topic was not brought up either. There were no questions about Jesus siblings in this study. Although it was covered in the reading material. I thought for sure this one women was going to point it out to everyone, but she just said nothing It's was good hearing from you all. XOXO Sunnyfla

Ok.. here's another one to think about. Well, actually for me there's no doubt in my mind that he had brothers and sisters. Now, I know that there are Catholic believers here on GS. Please don't take offense to what I say when I talk about the ladies in my bible study. This is actually a Protestant study and they believe that Mary and Joseph consumated their marrage and had other children. My group consists of 7 women. 4 are Catholic. One of them have already spoken up earlier to the group and announced that Jesus never had siblings when we were covering Jesus teaching in the synogue and his mother and brothers were outside trying to get him to come out and go home with them. Tomorrow, we are discussing from Mark 5:21-6:1-6 Mark 6:3,4 says Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his Relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." This is another issue I had not faced before. I forgot that other denominations believe that Mary stayed as a virgin. And they actually pray to her. These women are here to learn more about the bible and they chose do it through a Protestant bible teaching course. Do they not realize that not everyone believes that Mary is a virgin?? Our group leader e-mailed us (Small Group Leaders) to warn us of this subject and how to handle it. Just tell them that Protestants believe that Jesus had brothers and sisters and leave it at that. She said she was going to give us a hand out on a commentary of the subject if we needed further assistance. This is Far from twi ways and getting down and dirty with those who disagree with your doctrine of belief. In fact it is very passive and pacifying. That bugs me at times, but I've developed a more would you say..civil way of dealing with people over the years. But again, I'm not here to defend God and His Word and I'm certainly not going to change anyones way of believing. Anyway, if your interested, I'll let you know how it turns out, XOXO Sunnyfla

Thankfully, nothing came up at the meeting. It was as if they all didn't notice it at all So, I didn't bring it up. The only thing that one of the ladies had a question on was where did the legion of evil spirits go when they went into the pigs and off the cliff. That was in the study along with the mustard seed parable. I told her , I don't know, the main point was that Jesus cast out the spirits from the man and he became normal again and was to be a witness to the religious leaders. And wasn't it interesting that the people wanted Jesus to leave thier town after that had happened? Why? Well, according to this teaching. The swine were the Jews source of income. They evidently sold them to the Romans. So, if course they would be a little angry to see all 2,000 of them running off the cliff and drown. I never heard that teaching from twi either. Just thought I would run that across you guys. XOXO Sunnyfla

Not to change the subject.... I was just in Lifeway Christian Book Store, which is pretty big here in So. Fla. and they told me that they Do Not sell any of Joyce Meyer material anymore. I asked why, and the manager said they weren't allowed to talk about it, but I could look it up on thier website to find out. ;)

Thanks everyone, Your replys have helped me put this subject in a better perspective. Like Belle was saying about the "straining of gnats and how it wasn't much different from twi" I felt that in me for the first time since leaving twi. I guess because twi always had(or they thought) the answer and was right and taught us that God is not a God of confusion, which He isn't, but you know why they used that so much on us. Well, I was confused, and not happy about how they were handleing it and basically chalked it off as (this commentary is wrong and didn't want to discuss the issue.) I'm certainly not going to argue about it either, like the old days. Belle: Thank you for looking up stuff and giving me places to check out. I like the Bible Plant encyclopedia. Your view on this was highly noted. Year 2007: Your so kind and thank you for views waysider: Your right... it is a Parable after all. This is how Jesus taught in many ways to those who didn't understand spiritual matters. Even His deciples weren't that clear on what He was saying, so He explains it to them.. And we still don't get it!! :huh: Goey: You had a good point about the ones who are wrapped up into traditions. Now, I myself don't know much about these traditions, like this one, and that's why I'm here hoping you all could explain a little of this stuff to me. I knew twi never touched on this, but I've been wrong before. I'm surprised they didn't try to put this one into their way of belief socks: Yes, I agree. I love my study group. Many are of the Catholic background and next week we are getting into Jesus siblings.. That will be interesting. They all have such wonderful hearts and really want to learn more about the bible. For some, this is their first bible study and had to go and get thier first bible ever. I pray a lot for them and that God will teach them what He wants them to learn each week... and He does. They share everything during the discussion, sometimes we don't finish the study and that's ok at times. And I actually like Steadman's take on the mustard seed and the Kingdom of God. It made sence to me.. what can I say? Bliss: Thanks for adding your comments. I had actually told a few of them to look up material on the mustard seed and bring it in tomarrow. It'll be a good discussion. We are all doing great... e-mail me irisheyes: Thanks for the web site. I'll definitly look that up. I liked everything you said about Dr. Flemimg. A Very insiteful lecture. Thanks for shareing it . If I get stuck again, I hope you won't mind if I call on you all. XOXO Sunnyfla

I'm in a "Joy of Living" Bible study. www.joyofliving.org. We are studying the Book Of Mark. Commentary by Ray C. Stedman. Now, my question of topic here is The Puzzling Parable of the Mustard Seed, as Stedman puts it. I didn't know there were controversies over this in the Christian world until recently. Now Stedman's opinion of all this is that quote. The Startling thing about this parable is that the mustard seed Jesus describes does not behave like true mustard seed in nature. NO other mustard seed has ever grown as did the mustard seed in this parable. True mustard plants are shrubs that rarely grow taller than 5 or 6 feet. In fact, the small stature of the mustard plant and the pungent flavor of it's seed suggest to my mind what the church ought to be--lowly and unimpressive, but powerful, even pungent, influence on society. Mustard plants are spindly, fragile shrubs with dense yellow flowers. They do not grow branches capable of supporting a nest of birds, as jesus proclaims in His parable. Why does Jesus say that this mustard seed, which is supposed to to be lowly and unimpressive, will provoke false growth. It will stimulate a false system that will be characterized by an abition to be dominant, impressive, and powerful. It will seek worldwide influence, and as a result, satanic forces will take up residence by the birds that nests in the branches of the mustard plant. How do we know that the birds represent evil? Remember that the parable of the sower is the key to all the other parables of our Lord. Jesus taught that every element in a parable has a symbolic meaning, and the birds in the parable of the sower represented satanic forces that snatch the Word Of God away from human hearts. When we come to the parable of the mustard seed , we find the symbol of the birds once more. So, using the power of the Rosetta Stone, we see what the birds nesting in the mustard plant represent: evil forces, satanic forces, that invade and nest within the kingdom." Now, I'm one of the group leaders and as we met this past week on this study, this came up. And one of the ladies who happens to be my pastors wife said that this is a false hood and that this guy doesn't know what he's talking about. And that the mustard seed grows into a "Tree" Just as jesus says and that it actually grows to 15-20 feet tall with big branches that DO hold birds nests. And of course the main leader in our group agreed with her and said this is only a commentary and it's just his oppinion. My question to them was "If this gets scrutinized in my group and I tell them that, then like myself, why would we trust anything this guy says?" She said, we need to look at what Jesus says, not the commentary" I didn't say anything more because I really never knew that was an issue until now. They also didn't believe the birds represented satanic forces in this particular parable. So, to me he makes sense and that Jesus did know what he was talking about and that these women can not see the spiritual significance of this and what Jesus was really trying to teach here... or am I completely off my rocker on this one??? For those of you who are interested in reading his view in all on this.. it's too much for me to type. Google his name Ray Steadman and you'll find in the links on the Mustard Seed and his take on it, then please get back and let me know what you think hopefully by tomorrow. Thank for your time, Sunnyfla

JM's teachings was first introduced to me by a former WC sis about 8 years ago. I became a sponcer and gave every month beings I had no home church at the time to tithe to. I bought tons of her tapes/albumns and it helped me get over a lot of baggage was still carrying from twi. Yes, she's a bit hard core, like what were were all used to, and so was I at the time. So.. I guess you can say here "Where the Shoe fits, wear it" Well, her shoes don't fit in my life anymore. It began a few years ago when we were getting letters of wanting MORE $$ so that it could go to India. I noticed a big change in her when they started going abroad. Her letters were less and less personal and more of asking for money. Needless to say, I've moved on and am listening to various teachers now like Charles Stanley, and Beth Moore which she is so much easier to listen to than than JM IMO. Someone needs to start something on Joel Olsteen. I haven't quite figured this cat out yet. On the fence with him. Tootles

Please forgive me for mispelling names here. I don't remember half the people at HQ due to the fact that I was only there a a few months. When I was (dismissed/booted) from the Corps for ratting on Craig and his big secret on his womanizing tactics on me. He Totally and Royally melted my face in his office with Janet M and Jacky H sitting right there watching. Basically he was busted and was soooo pee ode at me. Needless to say, he got me out of there as quickly as possible!! I'm 5'5 115lbs. and this big as@ho*le was literally hovering over me and screaming in my face. I can't even remember what he was saying. All I know was I was so scared and thinking I have NO $$ and where in the heck do I go from here. Boy, did he do me a favor ;) Life is so good now for me and I'm thankfull I didn't have to live out the 90's with that jerk. I'm so sorry for you that did and all of you who had the experience of his spit on your face :mellow: EWW.. I hate looking back Peace, Sunnyfla

Royal Canine Pet Food: Thank God I took my sweety off that a year ago. Now they are saying that this may be a purposeful act. Sunnyfla http://www.thegreatproduct.com/rfamortegui