waysider

You mean you had to factor in "parallactic error"? :)

I was never in a Way Home. I did experience the communal lifestyle, though, as a participant of Fellow Laborers of Ohio. (a two year, in-res., leadership training program) It wasn't a particularly rewarding experience. One thing that made it especially bad was that we often ignored good old common sense and tried to "believe" for things to work out for the best. They seldom did. At least, not because of any magic "believing power" we exercised. We were young and naive. There were some good times sprinkled in. But, for the most part, it was a waste of precious time. Lots of good people were damaged in the process.

"Advanced Class" HeeHee! Like an "advanced" stage of some terminal ailment.

That reminded me of something. I remember going to the ROA after the AC. I think it was 1973. At the end, there was a big "healing service". VeePee announced that all AC grads where to come to the front and minister healing to those who were seeking deliverance. I didn't go up front. I was kinda P.O.'d. 'cause I figured that if God wanted me to minister healing, He would tell me Himself. Later, though, I felt like I had blown it by maybe not hearing God tell me to go up front. There was a guy there from my hometown who had come there seeking deliverance. He actually died there at ROA the following year or so. I condemned myself for that for a long, long, long, long time, thinking maybe I had blown it. I don't think I really put that into perspective until I came to GSC and realized that VPW and his entourage were nothing more than a circus show. There was nothing wrong with me for choosing to not participate in the healing service.

Would they really be open to trying to understand?

SWINE FLU

In my life, I loved you more.

Here's a kid who has figured out how to discourage people from borrowing his harmonicas. JOSH KING

Could it be WIEGELA? It's not evergreen but it only blooms once.

I took "The Class" in '72 (or was it '71?--never can seem to remember). Anyhow, at that time, the focus was on how, if you left "the ministry", the devil would make your life a living hell because you knew "The Mystery". The excitement over eternal rewards (crowns) came somewhat later. I'm thinking it was in the late '70s or early '80s. The "manifestations" (as taught by TWI) were nothing but a sham and stage show. As for "The Hope", I don't think The Way had the vaguest idea what was being referenced in the scriptures where "The Hope" is mentioned. You have to eventually get to a point where you realize that by leaving The Way, you are simply leaving a cult. There is nothing mystical or spiritual about it.

Sometimes a simple Ptui! will get the job done. :)

It's just a business designed to exploit the naive and trusting. That's really all it's ever been. There is nothing "special" or "mystical" about The Way. The market for their "product" has been on a steady decline for some time now. They are in a damage control and spin mode. They are circling the drain.

Is it Trumpet Vine? I have scads of them growing all over my yard. They're so attractive, I have to remind myself they are weeds.

I don't know if this helps, but in "the old days", I think some of us thought of our service in The Way as being something like the Peace Corps.

BEER!! I've had great success in the past using beer as a slug controller. All you do is bury a small container, such as a cottage cheese container, up to the rim. Fill it with beer and you're good to go. The slugs will climb in for a swig and drown. It does take a bit of maintenance, as rain will dilute the beer and render it ineffective. Another good method of slug control is the introduction of a Box Tortoise. They will eat every slug in sight. Of course, they will eat a tomato or two as their pay. Also, you have to be quite clever about keeping them contained to the area, as they are very talented at digging their way out and can even climb some fences.

I think it gave him a chance to be viewed as some kind of hero, too. Here we were, dabbling in the forbidden, sticking our hands in the fire, so to speak, and yet his mere presence and "believing" saved us from being burnt. <_< Yep, he was soooo spiritual, he could get away with tempting the debuhl.

Ah, yes, the secret initiation into "the inner sanctum". I remember it well. I guess it must have been the summer of 1973, or so, during the Advanced Class. Most of the details listed here coincide with my memories of the incident. We had to vow a "pledge of secrecy" to never tell a soul about it. Sure, I knew it was all a sham, but it surely seemed ironic that this fairly elaborate ritual was being conducted merely hours after we had just been taught that even casual associations with mystic observances could lead to "spiritual weakness". In retrospect, it simply demonstrates to me that Wierwille didn't honestly believe a word of what he had taught us that day. I suppose some might even say he was mocking our gullibility. (Not for the validity of the ceremony, but for believing there was accuracy in what he had taught.) In a way, I think you might also see it as a type of obviation and introduction into "the lock box". An obviation in that any exposition of a REAL "inner sanctum" would be doubted and an "introduction to the lock box" by virtue of introducing the "pledge of secrecy". I know it burned like beejeebers. That part, at least, was real.

Hiya, Roy There's a lot to think about in that post. I'm thankful you are able to express yourself more easily now. I'm glad you are "on the mend". As always, thank you for that special perspective that you bring to GSC. Holy hugs, Bro.!!

RATTLESNAKE SHAKE

Hey there okeydokey. Welcome to the G-Spot. How's about a latte? Not sure I understood your post.

I used to plant spearmint, peppermint and lemon grass at strategic locations in my lawn so that every time I mowed, I could savor the aroma. It makes an otherwise tedious chore somewhat enjoyable. I'm not sure how I got away from that, but I think I may have to consider doing it again.

You got it!

My love don't give me presents.

Congrats, Squirrel Dude. I know .

I can't remember the first time I rode a bicycle. Maybe it never happened. :blink: