waysider

"Each twig is self-supporting,self-propagating and self governing." Anyone remember the example used in "the class" to demonstrate context? "There is no God". Yup, that's what it says, right there in the Bible. Oh, but wait, the context reads: "The fool hath said in his heart--------There is no God". Context is a big deal, not just in the Bible, but in everything we read and write. Now look at that twig statement in context. Each Twig is self-supporting, self-propagating and self-governing in cooperation with its respective Branch as each Branch is to its respective Limb, as each Limb is to its respective Trunk, as each Trunk is to the Root of the Way. The Way Tree-------1974 (Bold highlight added for emphasis.) "In context", it means exactly the opposite of what it means when it is stated "out of context". Even in a botanical sense, the statement falls flat. A twig on a real tree can't support itself, propagate itself or govern itself. It was all an illusion. Smoke and mirrors, my friends. We never REALLY had any say in where the train was headed. We were just along for the ride.

Yep

Well, shake it up, baby!

Your ABS dollars at work

I had no idea it was your birthday. I hope it's a great one.

Man, if that don't just hit the nail smack dab on the proverbial head!! They were kind enough to inform us that if we were ever less than completely honest and open to "leadership" inquiries, we would somehow suffer spiritual consequences because it was out of fellowship to disobey a leader. Same thing as disobeying God, really. Heck, they could have gotten the order they fired at you by direct revelation from God Almighty! Doesn't get much heavier than that, now does it? Good gravy! Might even wind up like old Ananais and Saphira. They lied to God and woke up dead the next morning. No siree, even a nickel out of that horn could cost you plenty. And they will know. They'll see it in your failure to manifest positives. Yep, they'll just know.

Is that Pleasant Valley Sunday?---------(Monkees)

You are grossly mistaken. It was made very clear that we were in no way, shape or form to use ABS or money from "love offerings" for postage, money orders, class expenses or anything else at the local level. That was the official Way International policy as stated by limb leadership on numerous occasions as the question was raised at statewide branch/twig area leader meetings. The point here is not the cost of a stamp, etc. The point is that the money traveled down a path of no return. Like a roach motel for personal funds. The money goes in but it never comes back out. Makes no difference whatsoever if we are talking about a nickel or a thousand dollars.

I think practically the whole thing was in error. (That's my doctrine and, having done all, I'm going to STAND! by it.)

:o

Nobody ever did it quite like Skeeter Davis. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnbqWaG6_w0

-----------plus the cost of the money order, at a time when the average pay was something like $1.50/hour. But the actual amount is irrelevant. The money collected was supposed to be used to do God's work. Why is it that this part of the process didn't fit that definition?

----and a filet gumbo!

Forever Young

Gophers

You got it George.

If You Don't Know Me By Now

Some alcoholics find AA to be what they need for recovery. Others find small group therapy better suits their needs. And yet others find individual, one-on-one therapy seems to fit the bill. One shoe doesn't fit all.

Why do birds suddenly appear-----------?

Surfin' USA

Hiya, ClayJay Pull up a chair and have a cup of Joe.

Converting the cash to a money order seemed to make sense. What DIDN'T make sense was having to use personal funds to pay for the cost of the money order and postage. Most of us hardly had enough money to buy lunch. We were expressly forbidden to use any of the ABS for such things. After all, look what happened to Ananais and Saphira!! Wouldn't want to end up dead like them, now would we?

The following is only my opinion: I believe a real turning point for many TWI followers was session #7 of the PFAL class. It was in this session that Wierwille taught that Eve was deceived by Satan because she stopped to "consider" what he was saying. The essence of the lesson was that we, too, would be tricked by Satan if we ever allowed ourselves to examine was was being presented in a critical and logical manner. Instead, we were admonished to never consider conflicting viewpoints but, rather, to "STAND!" and never be swayed in our thinking. This partly explains their stubborn insistence to always be "right". In addition, we were encouraged to study accounts of people who had exhibited extreme dedication, such as Brother Andrew (God's Smuggler) and Cory ten Boom (The Hiding Place) and strive to achieve that sort of high level commitment. And, of course, it was widely promoted that if one were to ever leave the "protective hedge" that the "household" provided, dire consequences were sure to follow the individual and their loved ones. Some people who were willing to take that risk with their own lives were much more reluctant to jeopardize the safety of their spouses and children. I know it's probably still hard to understand but I hope that gives you a bit of insight.

Maybe "Rita" should click on this link.

From The Rise and Expansion of the Christian Church------1981 "Dear Believer: Greetings and God bless you in the name of our living *lord and savior, Jesus Christ" *(lower case usage is verbatim.) "It is my priviledge to welcome you to this class on the Book of Acts, 'The Rise and Expansion of the Christian Church.' Our believing is that the truths presented within this teaching aspect of our Way Ministry will cause your believing and commitment to rise beyond your greatest goals to the end that the expansion of the ekklesia will be abundantly multiplied in your Twig and Area. And we trust you will apply what is covered in this class so God's Word can rise and expand in our day, even beyond that in the growth life of the first century believers." Etc, Etc.--- (Emphasis added) ___________________________ Holy crud! This class is nothing but a cleverly disguised admonition to sell, sell, sell. "We're going to cause your commitment level to rise so you will apply these lessons and expand the number of sales you close." Jeepers! I'm kinda glad I slept through it. ;)