YIdon'tgotochurch

Years ago, while my son was in a High School history class, I remarked that the Civil War was probably not about slavery. I was referring to an Advanced Class session where LCM explained that the British or French financed both sides in an attempt to undermind and collapse the country. I recall there was more information given at the class. Now, my son is in college and is in an American History class inviting discussion about such probabilities. Has anyone ever actually found documentation on this claim? I don't believe LCM was totally wrong about that point regarding the Civil War history. Though he may have had access to computers and a research staff to back up his allegations, I must consider the source, at this point. If anyone was actually on the research staff or has ever taken the time to dig up the information, I would appreciate some references.

Twilight Zone................. I refuse to read any more of 2027's drug induced messages. That's all I have to say about that! ! ! ! !

This Texan and his wife go into the dr's office. The Texan says," Doc, my wife and I have decided I should have a vasectomy. The doctor said "ok." and looked at the man's chart where he discovered the couple had NINE children. The doc says,"Our records indicate you have NINE children. I've got to ask why you want a vasectomy now? The Texan replies, " Well doc, it's like this. You see, my wife and I were reading the paper last weekend and there was an article in there that said one out of ten children in Amerka was Hispanic. And my wife and me, we don't speak Spanish! ! ! !" I loved the Chip Monk joke.

I'm 50 years old. That's all I have to say about that.

SURVEY SAID! ! ! Charlie Brown!!! I'm glad I didn't qualify for Elmer Fudd. I thought I had a sense of humor. I never get a break. I think if they asked about a 50's or 60's TV character. I'd be Red Skelton's , Clem Kadillahopper!!! He could make me laugh till I had to run to the bathroom and then when he brought the hook into the end of the skit, I'd sit there and sob like some girl watching a sad movie. He was all heart!

HHMMMMMMMMMMM? Didn't Pilate ask Jesus Christ that same question? "What is truth?" One of the most outstanding examples of Churchianity is the perpectual ability to speak in vague terms. "Truth is relevant to the person perceiving it" is what I'm told most often by scholors. If that is "true" then there is no such thing as "truth". IMHO lanquage is as precise as math. When have ever looked at a faucet and questioned which handle was "hot" and 'cold'? Or school zone signs. Did you ever look around for an airplane to land in a school zone? Of course, there are exceptions to language not being exact, but I've rarely seen it in the Bible. When I have, it's always because of the figures of speech, which explained the exception. Once again, I'm in the doctrinal area. My forbidden zone. I must always walk so softly in such a forum. To make it simple for myself, I stick to the absolutes. The adversary is absolutely a liar. The antithesis of a lie is the truth. God is true and as such warrants our homage and even our obedience. Granted my obedience is less than perfect. But God still warrants it. I remember a peice of a little saying VPW said on so many occassions. "Truth on the lips of the towns greatest sinner is still: TRUTH! ! ! " One of the frustrations as a HFC I experienced was that people didn't want to "hear" the truth. It messes up churchianity to be confronted with the truth. Our country is at a very important crossroad. If it's ever a time for "America Awakes", it's now. The politicians are confused, and without answers. The average person on the street is aware something is awry, but can't put their finger on it. If anyone is left in the country with an ounce of perception of the truth, it's those of us who still have a Bible and can read it. (there was more to this post... but I'll stop here and let the mud start flyin' for those of you who wish to start slinging mud)

The memories of the 10th Corps are the best memories I have in about 25 years of involvement in TWI. I had forgotten all about naming our twigs. I remember thinking it was absolutely stupid until some of the names started getting revealed during announcements after the meals. The 10th Corps is where I learned to take the sprouts from some salad we got served. Put it in my hand and pretend to sneeze. The girls would go nuts! ! ! I can hear them all saying, "EEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" And then turn green! ! ! The 10th Corps could get pretty looped and reprobate. But, most of the ones I associated with could turn on a dime and teach or reprove and be right on the Bible. In the 10th Corps, you knew where you stood with Richard & Linda. If things needed to be dealt with, there was no holding back. You don't like getting up for the 4:30am run? "Too baaad." I can hear Richard now. During our first year the theme of the ministry year was "The Renewed Mind". It was a great foundation for our group.

Belle said, Sounds to me like, "I'm sorry that you're offended, but I'm not sorry for how I feel and what I said."

Paw, I've looked at a number of profiles and of course, there's not a lot to look at. It has sometimes presented an awkward event while posting in the threads, to respond to someone I know nothing about. It would be great to be able to glance at it and at least see if they opted to put in what Corps they were in or maybe even what Advanced Class they took, how long they were in, the state they reside in now, etc. Perhaps to protect us this would be unseemly or ridiculous. But after being out so long, I have no problem if TWI knows a 14th Corps grad is living in Texas, posting on GSC. It may even give the cafe more credibility. It would require courage on the part of the members. But then, it could simply be optional anyway. For some, it may not be a wise move to reveal too much information because of relatives or criminal records, (lol).

Groucho, I apologize if I offended you.

Going through the thread has been REALLY WONDERFUL! I remember so many of the stories about the "0" Corps all the way to the 8th (or 9th, if you count the "0" as a digit) If memory serves me right, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Corps were a handful of people. I would venture to say Donnie F. and Dale D. and Bo R. were amoung the major contributors to the 6th Corps becoming so big. I just stand in awe at the growth from a handful of people to hundreds (about 600 if I remember rightly) going into the Corps. Fellowships running amuck. The Word Over the USA! ! ! ! ! I was 19 and in the Army in 1975 when I got in. I remember going to the Rock (left for it 2 days after meeting WOW's)and seeing astounding, amazing things happen. I still look back in awe. I was so on fire, I wanted to go WOW. Of course, I was instructed that I had to have the class in order to go WOW. By the end of the ROA, I was committed. I knew God didn't have a WOW program. I made a personal commitment to do the WOW program for the next year, to GO, STAND, SPEAK. By March, one Twig Leader told her twig, if you have anyone that you want to sign up for the class, introduce them to XXX (ME). He'll sign them up! ! ! ! I immediately began soaking up information about Donnie F and trying my best to duplicate his accomplishments. I failed miserably. Still, the comment by the TL was like music to my ears. Sure enough over the years, I always had people in the class. I ran a video class of about 21 people in Reno. I convinced that if I spoke the Word properly, I could sign up anyone. And there were times I did. Those years were all heart and love was extremely deep for God and for each other. There was a reason to get up in the morning. The air was fresher, the colors were brighter. I recall the ROA in '77 or '78 "He sent His Word and healed them" There were so many people claiming to have gotten healed, you would have thought Jesus Christ was walking on the grounds. Supposively, one girl was an Albino, and blind, heard she received her sight. Later that year, I wondered if the entire Corps had gone to garage sales to buy up all the crutches and walkers, wheel chairs and leg braces and brought them to the ROA so people could claim they got healed. Then, certain of the brethern, introduced the legalism and the rituals. By '81 it was over. Just like the book of Acts. About a 15 year apex and then it was gone. Just the other day, I was singing "We are sons of God with power.............." by Brian Bliss and remembered how that motivated me. I plaid that tape until it broke and bought another one. Remembering that song reminded me of why I loved what I was doing then. Today, I'm nearing 51 years old. I long to teach the Word again. And I do from time to time. I love to watch people's hearts melt as I show them their sonship rights. I know so much more than when I had IOF (ignorance on fire). Wasn't Dr. about this old when he started the WOW program? He was able to reach the 'kids'. Gawd! ! ! as screwed up as things got and as much as people find fault with the man, that point still amazes me! ! ! If only I could do so well (or badly [for those of you of the opposite view]) One man awake Awakens another

MarkOMalley; Thanks for the correction. In all the years in the Corps, 10th for 1 year and the full 14th Copse term, I was never privy to a Greek class. I took the Aramaic class and ate it up. So, I failed to go to the Greek text. Thanks for pointing this out. That is all I have to say about that. (Forest Gump we be proud of me)

Here I am. In the forbidden topic. I have supposively vowed to refrain from topics regarding doctrine. It seems I always offend someone because of my lack of understanding something and then spouting off and in the process, offending someone. So much for refraining. Notawafer hit the nail on the head when he/she posed the question, That was one of the many breakdowns in TWI. The assumption (and we know assumption is the mother of all catastrophes[this is a family show]) was that everyone knew what to 'renew our minds to". The fact is the one telling us to renew our minds was guilty of not telling us the verse they were thinking. As soon as doctrinal issues became vague, there was only one road left. DOWN! ! ! I know many of you here took the renewed mind class. Don't be offended with my remaining post. I'm not trying to insult your intelligence. The question was raised. The term in Romans 12:2 is 'renewing of your mind'. Breaking it down gramatically, to renew simply is to make new again. Since 'renewing' is a pariciple, it would indicate a constant action in the present. It appears there could be two contexts to consider. One, not conforming to this world, and if there is a second, it would have to revert back to chapter 10, possibly verse 17 or 9 In general terms and application, wouldn't it make sense that the first time you hear a particular verse in it's proper context with understanding, that as life confronts us with the errors of the culture, that we would then make new again that verse as it applies to our situation? I know.... someone is going to spin off of "proper context" but to be more clear, I submit the following example; The world is full of lies. So, an event occurs in my life in which I would fit right in by lying. However, because someone showed me Ephesians 4:15 which says: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" So, I then have a decision to make; to speak the truth or to lie. That should be all I have to say about that.

I've taken an oath of restraint from commenting on doctrinal issues. Yet, here I am. Say the word, "Trinity". And you'll know: Y I don't go to church At least, that's the main reason.

When it comes to the doctrinal issues, seems I spend most of my time taking my foot out of my mouth. I have relatives who are soupy with the "God Loves you and so do I" stuff and have learned to immediately put up a guard. I always understood Romans 10:9 to have great figures of speech woven in it. To confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. The verb in and of itself connotes a continuous action in the present. The mouth is the figure where a part is put for the whole. (or hole in this case) So, I never considered the teaching to be erroroneous. As for "believe", it is a verb. By definition, it indicates state of mind and being in the verb form would indicate action. I do apologize for once again offending someone in here. I can be quite quick to jump to conclusions. One of my most profound disabilities is that when I see a fork in the road; I take it! Now, perhaps you understand: Y I don't go to church

It sounds more like "blackmail" than mere coercion. The very "fear" God wants us to be free from has a way of creeping into the lingo of TWI. I was surfing the other day and noticed the definition of the Way is still in their vocabulary. But like so many other issues, the term "freely avails" has come to mean "obeys the leadership". "freely avails himself to fellowship meetings for spiritual nurture and growth." should be "automatically obeys leadership of his fellowship meetings for spiritual stiffling and mental stagnation."

2027 enough with the "God loves you" stuff. To quote TWI's stance. "The question isn't whether or not God loves you.........but, do you love God! ! ! !" I personally find I Peter 1:23 covers the topic best. If you read the four Gospels as though they were doctrine, you will never get it right imho. The Gospels were the conclusion to the Old Testament Law allowing us to live in Grace. Read Romans and Ephesians for the full context of what that means. According to your "insight", I Thessalonians 4:13ff will not apply to a single Wayfer, current or former. That would be contradicting the whole Bible if even one was saved. And it's a safe bet there were more proportionately saved in TWI than some of the churches I've observed. I don't know the heart of every person that ever darkened the doors of TWI, but I know God does! ! ! ! He will be the ultimate judge. Certainly not you or me. So many of the denominations ignore the administration of Grace and teach the letters in red. It makes me ill to even listen to the stuff they teach. I've even hears some read with emphasis, italicized words. Hence; Why I don't go to church! ! ! It appears you were never in TWI and though you have every right to be here, I would strongly suggest you avoid doctrinal issues. You may find it more friendly when you grab your coffee and donut. From here on out, I will avoid the doctrinal issues in the forum as well. Please, don't blow me your unholy kiss or any kiss at all ! !

I can hear it from the bots now. "You're welcome."

FOR BOTH PICTURES "We can use this for kindling when we visit Missouri fellowships during Thanksgiving. It should really set the chimney on fire!"

Now, I wonder how many firemen signed up for the class? I never did like cats. I don't think they taste like dolphin at all. More like rabbit. I'm glad that they all survived the ordeal, but did the collaterals survive? THAT'S the real question!

HIghway, You posted: The history of Spoonerisms: A Rev. Spooner took the first letter of a group of words and switched them around. This was back in the 1800's in the Carolina's or in Virginia. Anyway he did an entire sermon with this technique and hence this form of lanquage is called "Spoonerisms". Just in case I'm wrong, the name could have been, Rev. Spoon. That's all I've got to say about that.

I have the book, "How to Enjoy Reading the Bible." I promise you it is so incredibly dry and boring that I would have never read it. Yes, almost everything in the book is in PFAL. But I would have never acheived the understanding or belief in or of the Bible by reading that book. Hence, when I am in conversation and people ask me where I learned so much, I tell them I knew a bunch of people that had studied a 19th century theologian who was more high tech for his time than IBM was for the '50's. I then describe the desk Bullinger had and the scripts he would compare and the commentaries he sifted through and checked. I simply give credit to whom it's due. When Christmas comes around, I refer to the authors of JCOPS and Bullinger's Witness of the Stars. I never thought of VPW or LCM as a substitue for God or Jesus Christ. But I was always thankful someone else studied the material before me and found the relevant items required for me to be able to keep God first and avoid getting hoodwinked by the fairy tales of the religious Christians of my day and time.

THE SPOONERISMS When I woke up from my first surgery (brain surgery), I was in ICU. The surgery had begun at about 8:am and ended around 6pm. At 11pm I started to wake from my drugged and unconscience state. The headache was like nothing imaginable (morphene is a wonderful drug). The ICU nurse would increase my morphene drip upon request and had to check my vitals every 15 minutes or so. Around 2am there was a shift change. The new nurse came in, got breifed, and the former left. About 3am my headache was starting to throb again. At my request, she came over to tap on my drip and check my vitals. It was at that moment, her hip accidentally brushed my bed...............RIGHT WHERE MY CATHETER WAS ! ! ! ! ! ! I almost sat straight up in bed. Of course, I gave a huge moan at the same time and my headache suddenly was worse than ever. She apologized and from then on, for the rest of the night, every dXmn time she approached my bed to check something, I would tense up. Sure enough, she hit it a second time. I barked at her with some foul lanquage and instructed her to stop hitting my catheter. Around 10am I was wheeled to my private room. On the way, I asked the orderly for the name of that nurse. He gave me her name (we'll call her nurse Enable) and I instructed him to bring me her supervisor.........STAT. The supervisor was in my room in about 10 minutes. I was seething when she entered. After a head injury such as this, it is difficult to grab your mind.......somehow........I did. After introductions, she asked if I had something to say about Nurse Enable. I'm not known for tact, but I was able to find it at that moment. I said, " Nurse Enable is probably a great nurse and a wonderful person with the heart of Mother Teresa. BUT she should NEVER TOUCH the catheter of a man who has never had one. In fact, even if he has had one, it's probably not a good idea. I then recounted the events and I had never seen a more compassionate person empathize with me. She indicated her regret and assured me she would discuss the matter with nurse ENABLE. I explained I had no desire to get her written up or in any trouble.......I just thought someone should say something to this young thing. The supervisor left and I went back to getting myself heal. The next day I was starved for company. Some other nurse came in and asked how I was doing. The conversation went something like this. Nurse: "How are you today" Me: "I think I'm fine." Nurse: "Great! ! " Nurse: "Do you know why you are here?" Now was my chance to get even with all the nurses of the world. Me: "I had srain burgery" Nurse: "Excuse me?" Me: "I said........I had srain burgery 'cause I had a train bumor..........stunderand shat I'm wayin'?" Nurse (stopped dead in her tracks with a look of 'OH SHXT! ! ! ' on her face): "Can you say that again?" Me:"Stunderand shat I'm wayin'? I had srain burgery 'cause I had a train bumor, I guess now I wix up my mords. KOA?" She looked me dead in the eye and asked me if I was doing that on purpose. I got a big smile and said, "Yell heah". Nurse: STOP IT! ! ! ! I was just about to call the doctor! We watch for things like that after brain surgeries. For the next two days attending nurses would bring in friends to observe my Spoonerisms. My hospital stay turned into a vacation of sorts. Seven years later, the tumor had grown back, requiring another surgery. In July of '97 I went in and the surgery was a failure. The attempted to go in through the top/front of my head and couldn't reach the tumor. The closed me up to make another attempt 6 weeks later. Six weeks later, the surgeron went in under my top lip navigating under my sinus cavity.........REAL INCONVEINENT! ! ! ! After both surgeries, I was able to pull the same stunt with new nurses. Each time, I was grateful for the education LCM gave us in Spoonerisms. I still use them today. The wife hates it! ! ! But it never fails to get a laugh. Since Corps Training provided me no useful skill for which to provide a living for me and my family, I do still miss those lunch-time jokes LCM told. I am guilty of still considering that most of what he taught regarding "seed" was very right-on. It seemed to go overboard from time to time, but it was still 10x better than what I hear from the radio preachers. They don't have a clue for the most part and still seem to think that if you are not "right with the Lord" when you die, you'll go to hell. Yank thou mery vuch

The pictures of the BBQ were great! ! ! Like so many others, it made me wish that much more that I would have been there. I was thinking that maybe, after all this time, it was time to post our pictures, so people would know and perhaps recognize the members here. Granted, some may wish to stay anonymous, but in my case, I don't care if TWI or the Gobernment, yes, I said, Gobernment see my picture. It won't change my mind or make me wonder if I should answer a knock at the door. The BBQ party had the gumption to post their pictures. Maybe its time to have a "coming out" party. Last one to post a picture has to bring the beans to the next BBQ.

Dooj, that is quite an outfit...........What are you doing New year's? Bet you'll go to New York you little princess, you! ! !