oldiesman

1984.

Yes, that was one of those "good ole days" experiences for me. Took one whole month off from work and was very excited to be one of the participants. The believers at each stop were great, and so was all the food! VPW and Mrs. Wierwille didn't ride the Twig Hopper much at all...he had that glass eye at that time too... and along with VPW motorcoach there also was a full motorcoach for the participants to sleep in each night if they wanted to, to save money on hotel rooms. I still have the daily journal written by Elena Whiteside who also rode with me on a few of those motorcycle legs.

What a great video! Thanks RighteousRider. Perhaps the greatest mistake man can make is to think otherwise.

The topic has been talked about here at GS for a long time, i.e. is it VPW or his dogma that was offensive, or both. I've always separated the two and still feel the same way, i.e. the dogma is either true or false on its own irrespective of the sins of VPW. Remember, he didn't originate lots of it. But I think one of the biggest crimes of TWI that must be said is the ramming through of only their biblical views without discussing/considering/examining other views to see which was really biblically accurate. Not much of an open mind to other viewpoints. What a shame for all of us because there's so much more to be considered and I feel like I was ripped off all those years in that one sense.

I found that TWI set a standard for what they thought was truth, or politically historical and crucial facts, and then let the member decide what political party they wanted to entertain. The one book that got me started on the anti-globalist NWO agenda was "None Dare Call It Conspiracy" which condemned both parties (republican and democrat) as being infiltrated by globalists bent on world government and to watch both parties carefully. Sometimes they did support democrats remember Hayes Gahagan? Larry McDonald? Also, remember in 1976 "Wake Up America" was trying to expose the "Newstates Constitution" as a plan to supplant our own constitution. That was under President Carter and I remember TWI actively lobbying him to make him aware of what was happening. In that sense TWI was political-party generic; didn't care which party was there they wanted both parties awake and informed.

Thx for sharing Charlene. Even with all the fond memories of mine.

How about the Shroud of Turin? Here's a piece that says it should be thought of differently than a hoax: New evidence supporting Shroud too strong to ignore (catholicweekly.com.au)

Dear Friend, I'm 67 years old and in a matter of 5 minutes, just heard 2 interpretations from friends of mine that I never heard before! (1) Not accepting forgiveness is the unforgivable sin; (2) Believing that Jesus was possessed; as the Pharisees had claimed he was possessed by the prince of devils. ALL COMMENTS WELCOME.

Thank you OldSkool for the powerful testimony of Jesus' presence (as opposed to absence) in your life.

Once had a friend (who came from India with a heavy Indian accent) confirming this belief that Jesus learned all of his amazing skills from India before age 30. He was very serious, but I have never studied it. Please feel free to post any evidence to the contrary: Jesus Lived in India: His Unknown Life Before and After the Crucifixion: Holger Kersten: 9780143028291: Amazon.com: Books

Raf, your response was fine for me, thx for asking.

A friend recently sent me this and thought I would place it here in support of the apostles' commitment to Jesus. Have no idea if one or more of these statements are true but if so, could be powerful anecdotal evidence. Please feel free to post any historical inaccuracies of the statements made here: HOW THE APOSTLES DIED. 1. Matthew. Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia; killed by a sword wound. 2. Mark. Died in Alexandria Egypt, after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was dead. 3. Luke. Was hanged in Greece as a result of his preaching to the lost. 4. John. Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote the Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully. 5. Peter. He was crucified upside down on an x shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die the same way that Jesus had died. 6. James. Leader of the church in Jerusalem, was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Jesus. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat him to death with a fuller's club. This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation. 7. James the Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian. 8. Bartholomew. Also known as Nathaniel, was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for Jesus in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip. 9. Andrew. He was crucified on an x shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers, they tied his body to the cross with cords. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words, "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Jesus hanging on it". He continued to preach to his tormentors for two days until he expired. 10. Thomas. Stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the subcontinent. 11. Jude. He was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Jesus. 12. Matthias. The apostle chosen to replace Judas. He was stoned and then beheaded. 13. Paul. He was tortured and then beheaded by Emperor Nero in Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

I wish we could discuss politics here, respectfully. I'd even pay a monthly fee! LOL

I am wondering if we can make believe scripture doesn't exist. It has no authority therefore ANY references to it are mere claims, not proof. (in this thread only) LOL

ok fair enough. I will admit that there are learn-ed folks who believe Jesus never existed in the flesh. Guess I'll be a spectator of this thread and see what's up although it's a bit uncomfortable.

Road to Damascus? Imagine having a life-changing experience from the Lord himself?

I could be wrong but I've got the impression that first comes the personal judgment, then Jesus sends you to purgatory to pay for the venial sins. One of the first questions or doubts I had about it was: when Jesus sends you to purgatory for a time, how the hell can the saints pray you out of Jesus's personal sentence for you? LOL. That was when someone told me about the magic of the "community of saints". I'm still batting this around in my head.

All I can say to this is, if the Lord wants to wash my mouth and heart out with His kind of soap for however long he pleases, I will gladly submit myself to all that He desires of me and accept all that He permits to happen to me.

Thought there may be some interest reading about the group "People of Praise" mentioned inside this piece that I never heard of before: New role for Amy Coney Barrett’s father inside Christian sect sparks controversy (aol.com)

Oh one more thing. I was taught in RCIA school that almost everyone goes to purgatory and in fact, it's very rare for someone to go directly to heaven.

I've been praying St. Gertrude's prayer almost every day for a while: Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen. It is said that this prayer releases souls from purgatory. I asked a devout catholic friend how is it that "we" can release souls from purgatory after Jesus's judgment, and he said simply it has to do with the "community of saints." Still working that out in my head. But still praying too.

A couple off the top of my head. First, gifts or manifestations of the Holy Spirit. We know the stuff is not original but came from B.G. Leonard's ministry, and a wonderful blessing to know, believe and practice. Even some Roman Catholics zealously practice it today. Then there's the birth of Christ and that date in history. I don't know from who VPW learned about the date, anyone know? But I've seen VPW's teaching on this topic in various places through the years and here's another one from recently. A little surprised that Craig didn't teach it during Christmas since it's the type of teaching he'd share during the season....

Or was it VPW, DEW and HA?? Memory fart...

If memory serves it was the trustees who picked him-- VPW, HEW AND EO? As to why -- they viewed him as the best to carry it on.

Thx Charlene and Happy New Year! Was wondering if you can answer a question from your research. What do former fundamentalists believe religiously after they are rescued from their cult? Is there a recurring theme or pattern? I am now studying Catholicism but I don't suppose it's a typical alternative. Thx.