I Love Bagpipes

(Ex10...I hope you don't mind me fine tuning the rhythm of your poem. It's beautiful.) The distance between us, spans years, spans time and place. But the distance between us, is only a breath, only a trace. The distance between us, is nothing when we embrace, once again. The distance between us, melts into time and space. And the distance between us, brings us together, joining us in His grace. I love you T...

I love the song "Resurrection"...."Because God resurrected Christ His Son..." Hey, I doubt you remember this. I was one of the "dancers" in the 10th and we performed in the chapel one Sunday to that song. Came skipping down the aisles! Seems like we had scarves or something with us. hee BTW: RRII, are you recently out? If so, enjoy the breezes; they are easier to detect away from those corner walls....and enjoy the extra money. :)

(((((Ex10)))) Thank you.. Had to get my tear bottle out again...sweet tears. BTW: I changed a line in my poem, because in my mind pic I'd pick up a piece and look at it and decide whether or not to throw it in the trash. ( Just couldn't think of words for the rhythm composing the orginal.) :) : " 'Where do I start to pick up the pieces?' The answer came, 'One at a time. Some you trash, And some...you keep 'em.' " My times with you? ...I'm keeping 'em. Looking FORWARD to Texas!!!!

Gosh Dancing, you stated that well. I looked up the exWay Rev's number 6 to 10 times before making that first exit phone call. I was more scared than excited. :unsure: I still cared what family and friends might think, but knew I had to do it. I read in a book a few years ago, "Feel the fear and do it anyway." I felt the fear and did it anyway....alone.... without spouse. But PRAISE GOD he tiptoed outside a few months later and we are relishing the sweet breezes, ABSOLUTELY relishing!!!! And that exWay rev? ...I called him almost everyday for two months...sometimes twice or three times a day. He would tell me, "The latter rain will be greater than the first. You wait and see." He was GREAT, never asked anything in return. And he returned my calls EVERY time. We communicate about once a month or so now. The first day after my "official" exit (telling TWI leadership), I put on a Good Seed vinyl album. I cried because I didn't have to feel guilty for listening to old Way music!! That's ludicrous!! We had been given the "directive" to not play any old Way music in fellowships. The "heart" was that it might bring up some "memories" for some folks. (WHAT THE "H" IS WRONG WITH MEMORY!!!! ...fear...Fear....FEAR!!!) It was okay to listen to in private though. (I'd listen to it in private and feel I was a hypocrite. Huh...and I guess I was.....but ain't no more........ at least I'm in process of unlearning the damnable habit. :) ) (Now I understand that certain memories can hurt...dang it. Like all of us, I have my fair share. And sometimes we just aren't able to handle 'em yet. And I understand we learn to move on. I understand that...but I don't think that attitude was the "heart" behind TWI's directive. TWI promotes hiding the past in a closet and pretending that it doesn't exist.....just stuff it in drawer somewhere.....of course, until TWI tells you it is okay now to think about it.) Control...control....control.... And hey...this was less than a year ago. FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY!! The breezes are sweet outside!

((((Bikerbabe))))) Yee ha!!!!!!!!! So GLAD for YOU!!! The less stress, love your surrounded with, etc., WILL make a HUGE difference. Be sure to watch some funny movies and get some chuckles!! Looking forward to hearing about your progress! Flow 7 regarding "normal": Hubby asked last night: "Are you feeling normal?" Me: "No. I seldom feel "normal"....but that is normal.... so I guess, yes, I must feeling normal."

For any of you NC/southern VA folks who want a taste of Mayberry and like contemporary Christian music: Todd Agnew, Michael O'Brien, Joanna Martino...and 3 local bands: Common Creek, Broken, and Refuge Sunday 8/27 in the amphitheatre across from the Andy Griffith Playhouse. It's free (love offering). Opens at 4:30 but bands don't start until 7:00. See http://www.wbfj.org/or call (336) 786-5627 I'm a Todd Agnew fan and my son is a "roadie" with Refuge....a teenage band and they are pumped!!!

For any of you NC folks who want a taste of Mayberry and like contemporary Christian music: Todd Agnew, Michael O'Brien, Joanna Martino...and 3 local bands: Common Creek, Broken, and Refuge Sunday 8/27 in the amphitheatre across from the Andy Griffith Playhouse. It's free (love offering). Opens at 4:30 but bands don't start until 7:00. See http://www.wbfj.org/or call (336) 786-5627 I'm a Todd Agnew fan and my son is a "roadie" with Refuge....a teenage band and they are pumped!!!

Catcup...I don't think I would have noticed that, the urn. Way cool. Thanks. :)

Funny story Oakspear. :) Dittos to all the above. Gosh...without GSC....I don't know if I ever would have found some "long lost" friends. And I've discovered new friends as well. You are (as stated above) caring, sensitive, empathetic, and funny. Thank you beyond words for your labor of love. I think of that poem...."One Man Awake".

Sort of a derail here..but talking $$ in the Corps. My hitching partner and I were 3 to 5 minutes late to the designated rendevous point for the Lead bus. We made a phone call to the Lead house and the response of course was, "Your late. Hitch back to Emporia." And we did...along with about 8 to 10 other folks who were late too. (BTW: We all got stuck in Amarillo...real wierd. Were any of your on that Lead trip? 11th/13th corps...November i think?) Well, it was still required that I go Lead. But since I "missed it" first time around, I had to chalk up $200.00 to go the 2nd time. (I guess everybody had to do that that didn't make it.) :blink: A spiritual partner bailed me out. Now back to your regularly scheduled program....

I inquired of Dancing where he/she got this poem and this was Dancing's response. Click on the website; it's worth the couple minutes. Dancing's post from doctrinal (can't remember the thread..something about love and words started by Sirguessalot..I think): "I found it on the internet somewhere. Changed a couple of words. Made it a book and now a class! Bringing in millions now...... Ha just kidding. I didn't write it. But I did find it on the internet, and changed a couple of words. here's one place that has it- googled the title... http://www.pegsplace.us/grace.html but that's not where i got it. it says author unknown, but they are now huh...." BTW: LOL Dancing....bringing in millions. Can we share in the royalties?

Beautiful dancing. Check out the "Shattered Pieces" thread in About the Way. This poem has inspired some wonderful responses. I'm gonna add your post here to that thread.

This might belong in doctrinal...but I'm putting it here anyway. :) As stated in other posts I've been reading, rereading, and pondering the book Cry of the Soul: How our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God. It has prompted me to question the teaching from TWI that God has no emotion, that when the Word states that God emotes, it is a figure of speech. I posed this question to someone recently out of TWI: Me: We were taught that God having emotions is a figure of speech. Maybe that isn't true to fact. I'm starting to question that. P: God doesn't change so He wouldn't have emotions. Me: If God has always had emotions, then he hasn't changed. He has always been that way. P: God is spirit. Me: Yes, and who are we to define what spirit encompasses. A spirit has not flesh and bones but emotions originate in the soul...not the flesh and bones. P: hmmmm In another conversation with a different person, she posed that our emotional design is perhaps part of being made in God's image. I do remember a teaching once by D**e B****d in rez along this line. It was from Psalms and he stated something to the effect that if God emoted, His emotions would be the most intense of any emotion we have ever felt that it would be beyond our comprehension. (Or something like that. I actually probably have those notes buried in a file somewhere. Oh geez!!) Perhaps therein lies the answer? Is it beyond our comprehension? What say ye? Any thoughts?

Waysider...you are so funny. Wordwolf....you nailed it!!! Without emotion life is lifeless. Emotion moves us to action. Emotion makes life meaningful. Everytime I hear the phrase "control your emotions" I change it in my head to "regulate my emotions." I can feel intensely and then determine whether or not to act on it. I can regulate how I feel by applying certain techniques I learned (outside TWI of course). TWI taught me to suppress my emotions under scripture in the guise of the renewed mind. The result is soul suicide....and for me was physical illness. I also have a physiological condition that effects me to the point that I really have a hard time controlling my thoughts. I have to tell myself at those times..."this will pass...it always passes" and i have to remind myself that "these thoughts/feelings are a distortion." When this condition flares I sometimes have to literally talk myself through simple tasks. CURSE THAT DAMNABLE TWI PRACTICE/DOCTRINE OF NOT LISTENING TO OUR OWN HEARTS!!! BTW: I think I'll start that thread I've been thinking about...does God have emotions?

A humble thank you for your kind words and encouragements. I feel my poem doesn't do justice to the vivid mind pic I had...but it gets the point across. Act2...Thanks for thinking of me. Maybe my screename will come in handy for extra prayers. Krys....officially it will be one year in a few months. It has been one of the hardest things I've done, yet so much richness has transpired...and many deep, real, intimate relationships/reunions. :) A year ago at this time I awoke each morning battling a deep, vast emptiness inside. That no longer happens...the emptiness is gone. PRAISE GOD...completely GONE!!! That doesn't mean life has been a piece of cake (no where near)...but there is depth and meaning...and I am no longer living/supporting something I really don't believe in. This poem posted by Dancing on the doctrinal sums up those shattered pieces: ~A Poem of God's Grace~ I did not know His love before, the way I know it now. I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow. I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie. My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky. I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace, I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place. But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled; The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold. The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride. It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead, And so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head. His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand. He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand." So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain. I could not see the light of day or when I'd smile again. Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow. I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow. I saw God's love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too. For only when all self was gone could Jesus Christ's love shine through. It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why. At times I thought, "I can't go on." I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry. But Jesus never left my side He guided me each day. Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way. And now I see as ne'er before how great His love can be How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me! He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough. He only sent what I could bear, and then He said, "Enough!" He raised His hand and said, "Be still!" He made the storm clouds cease. He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace. I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong, I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong. And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good, For pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could. I still have so much more to learn as Christ works in me; If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!

In a recent reunion with a dear exway friend, he stated that he no longer "hangs people with their words." I thought that a good phrase. IMO (no data to really back it up..other than the initials that follow my name..KGBE (knowledge gained by experience) ).... it's a personality thing; it's a defense mechanism; and it is taken to the extreme in TWI. At the same time it is necessary in order to communicate clearly. Certain self talk phrases/words I've had to change in order to help myself have been very crucial for me. Is that part of semantics? Perhaps that has to do more with the context(s) in which those words were used and the impression they made upon my psyche? I enjoy words...especially etymologies. Words are like culture to me, colorful and fascinating. I'm a peruser of the word section at bookstores. And I used to "love" to do word studies...yep... I really did. :) BTW: Since leaving TWI, I especially enjoy using the word "hope" in contexts outside TWI's definition.

Hey Tbone... Can I join your quantum leap? With the recent string theory (whatever that is) we could swing right back in time!! Like Tarzan on a vine....weeeeeeeeeeee.

Wow Dancing....an apt description of my life currently. Who wrote this poem?

Hurts to think about it. That's all I can say right now. :( But one great thing that happened....I married Mr. Pipes in latter 84. :)

:) :)

Cool!! 8:26 tonight for 3 minutes. I last saw it, uhhhh, 5 years ago? LOL..."mathematical punishment"....hee Likeaneagle/Rumrunner do you know what directions we should look from our NC locations? (without the mathematical punishment..)

Well then wouldn't it be a "MWQ" instead of "BBQ" ... uugh... And even though I be from eastern barbeque country....I still like beef better than sow. Just call me a tory. We could have soy burgers. I'll be there regardless of the chow. :)

I awoke this morning thinking about life the last 9 or so months. In my mind's eye, I saw myself standing in the midst of a shattered vase with pieces of the vase on the floor around me. I wasn't upset, but sobered. It was a clear picture. I thought, Yep, the vase has been shattered and I think I'm ready to pick up some pieces and clean up some of the mess. I know it is a process. Maybe I'm ready to rebuild and resculpt? I guess I have been doing that, but perhaps now I can do it with more focus and more clearly. So I wrote another poem. Thanks for indulging me. Shattered Pieces I found myself startled, astonished, ans stunned. As I awoke to the reality of what lie surrounding me.. Shattered pieces of what I had arrogantly fabricated, Of what I thought authentic and inerrantly stated. It took time and much contemplation before I could see the pieces of this shattered vase, each piece distinctly. "Where do I start to pick up the pieces?" The answer came, "One at a time....then simply release it." Soberly, deliberately, and with focus I began: God please guide my soul and my trembling hand. Thank you for showing me that all is not lost. And that this new vase we sculpt is at a great cost. Allow me the courage to honor each piece of the vase that is shattered. And then together transform a new vase with humbleness patterned. Allow it to be a vessel of beauty, A vessel of praise and honor and glory. 8/17/06

Dittos right backatcha likeaneagle. It was a GREAT blessing to my soul. Berlin takes after her family too....warm and enthusiastic about life. We might have family Labor Day plans in the mountains; don't know yet. But iffin not, mebbe we could work sumthin out. Thanks Strangeone. :)

Heee...I have a little more flesh than last time I saw Ex or Dooj! Ahhh...the pleasures of aging. :) I sure hope it works out, cause I'd love to reunionize/meet ya'll face to face. I wanted to try to get to the Weenie Roast but the timing was off for me. So....I'm a hopin' and a plannin'!!