waysider

Hello, It's Me--------Todd Rundgren

The 'needs and wants" thing never made sense to me. You could probably go round and round about what it actually means or about what it was that was actually taught. In my opinion, what is crucial is how the general populace of The Way perceived the concept. In the almost 20 years that I was involved, it was perceived by the people I was in association with, that it meant that your needs and wants had to be in parallel agreement with each other. The idea of them being in agreement with The Word was a foregone conclusion because it was "out of fellowship" to want things that were "off the Word" . Likewise, it was assumed you did not really need anything that was not encompassed in the promises of God. When you stop to think about it, it's really the only way you can legitimize the "red drape" incident. She didn't actually "need" red drapes BUT she did need drapes.(all your needs according to his riches-----) She wanted red ones. (all the desires of your heart---) This was supposed to somehow prove that if your needs and wants were parallel with each other( remember that the "according to The Word" thing is understood.) that your request would surely come to pass as long as you were able to "believe" for it. It's really no different than the "visualization" technique that can be found in any number of "positive thinking" schools of thought. The only thing that sets it apart is the idea that you are supposed to make sure it is covered in "the promises of God" and that it does not contradict the moral principles set forth in the Bible. It still does not make sense. IMO

edited to move to "Cleanliness" thread.

I think if one is going to define and understand Christian leadership , one must first define and understand leadership (Christian or otherwise)

Bolshevik I see your point about the designer not being from the "good old days". It makes sense. Is it possible, though, that someone who was around during the "good old days" made the connection when they saw the photos and jumped on an opportunity to use them in this manner? I don't know. I could be wrong. It just seems too spooky to be a total coincidence.

Perhaps we are using the word "unusual" to mean doctrines that, not only contradict mainstream Christianity, but also contradict what is actually written. Such things as "4 crucified". "6 denials", "faith vs believing", and so on fit both criteria.

Spring of 1972 is when I got witnessed to. I remember thinking,"What the heck is a "twig"? We had quite a few Kansas people in our area. Jim Mull!nz ran the class I was in. (There is a whole story I could tell about that.) The year before that, there were (what would become known as) WOWs in the area. Things were definitely "unconventional" to say the least. So, I guess what I'm saying is that the doctrines were already unusual when I got in the Word in '72.

"I sure am blessed you made it to twig again 'cause we sure love ya." (Hey! this believing crap really works! I've been "believing" all day you would show up.)

HA! Tonight's the night!!! (For Sputnik, that is.) 50 years ago tonight. I think I'll go outside tonight and look up at the sky just for "shirts and girdles". Probably won't see many neighbors this time, though. Kinda makes me wonder what is happening in the world today that people will be discussing 50 years from now like we've been discussing Sputnik. Do you think you realize it when you are "living in a moment"? In other words, if you were present that momentous day when Dr. King gave his "I have a dream" speech, did you feel you were part of history in the making, or does that realization only appear in retrospect? Just a thought.

"Horn-Of-Plenty"

"Banjo players tan"?????

"That's Riiiiigghhtt!!" Euphemistic translation: "'cause I said so!!-----so there! Or how about "Spiritually angry"? Means the same thing as'p!zzed off" except it's, uhmmm, "spiritual", dontcha know?

Would it seem too imposing of me to ask for some sort of reference for this statement?

As requested:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-MVOAeQ_1w

I don't remember much about physics. (not sure why, it was only 40 years ago ) It seems to me, though, that the thread size is not relevant as it is the bolt head that presses the cylinder head tightly against the block. Seems to me that, no matter where on the under-surface of the bolt head you measured the pressure, the pressure would be the same, regardless of the diameter of the bolt head. Hey, now! go easy on me! When I studied this stuff, the wheel was still a modern marvel! How about some of our younger "science guys" like P-Mosh and Bolshevik?

I still think it's designed to try to make us "old timers" feel nostalgic for "the good old days", the ladies in their schoolmarm garb(Dorothy and Rhoda), the men with their neck scarves(VP). And who can blame them? If you can't drum up any new customers, why not revisit previous ones? Car dealers do it on a regular basis. The problem with that strategy is that, anyone old enough to associate this with past memories is here at GreaseSpot, long since moved on or, well, "awaiting the return". Sorry, TWI, It does bring back memories but they are not all warm and fuzzy.

I heard a song not too long ago by a guy named James Harmon. The song was called Piecework Politicians. "We need piecework politicians Working strictly on commission.-------" I like the song a lot so please don't misunderstand me, but maybe I should write a song and call it "Piecework Christians". When you work in a factory, the more pieces of product(fruit) you produce, the more pay you will earn. It can be a good concept, really,( if you don't try to extend it beyond the factory and into spiritual matters.) When my Mom used to teach twigs, she used to say that "God loves you for who you are, right here and now, not for what you could be sometime in the future and in spite of what you've done in the past." I guess you could find a scripture to support that statement if you wanted to. I don't personally feel the need to.

I'm usually pretty much willing to cut some slack on appearance related matters such as " too fat, too skinny, last year's hairstyles" and so on. I try to see past that and focus on the message. What bugs me , though, is that (IMO) having the men wear these neck scarves, that have been out of style for 35+ years is clearly a blatant attempt to evoke a nostalgic response in people from the "Good Old Days". You younger folks are probably shaking your heads and thinking, "What the heck does that mean?" Well, you see, "Dr." Wierwille was quite fond of wearing these neck scarves (Usually with a Western cut shirt) So, seeing people wear them again is kind of like a "flashback" of sorts. I don't so much mind that they look ridiculously dated, what bothers me is having someone try to bait me with memories of something from the past . Then again, anyone who has read my early posts, especially in "my story", knows that an image of Wierwille wearing a neck scarf is not likely to induce any warm fuzzy memories for me, personally. ---------------------------- NY Unknown If you could, in fact, make chicken salad out of chicken $p!t, that would make one heck of a BIG sandwich!

I just got done listening to this. It is quite enlightening. Thank you both. (Paw and John)

"Natural"-----Yes, that seems to be the operative word.

Rumrunner I had never heard of that movie so I googled it. It sounds like my kind of flick. According to what I read, it is based on a book called Rocket Boys. The article goes on to say that the title of the movie was changed to October Sky (which is an anagram for Rocket Boys) in an effort to appeal to a wider audience. I think I'm going to visit the local library and see if I can get a copy of both. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hi, WG I don't know anything about this class or the individual you mentioned. I do think, however, I can somewhat understand how certain aspects of it can evoke an unforeseen response in you. It's an unsettling reaction and flash of emotions that really defy the logic of the circumstances at hand. It's pretty hard to put into words that are easily understood, though you seem to have done a pretty good job of that. I've learned to recognize it, somewhat, and make a conscious effort to control it. One thing that I found curiously interesting is that it did not have the same affect on Mr. Garden as it did on you even though all three of us spent time in the same "training program". Could it be somehow linked to events that took place the year after he graduated and you and I were still in the program? I suspect that , even though he was only a year ahead of us, the overall experience he had was a bit different. Maybe this is due in part to the changing of the "MOG" that you and I experienced but he did not. I really don't know. It's just a thought. I'll say this, though. If he(the pastor) calls you in the middle of the night and tells you to report to some remote location and you find yourself sitting in some darkened room with 50 people in complete silence--------GET HE HECK OUTTA THERE!

Here are some resultant effects of the space program. In other words, "Space Spin Offs" http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html

October 4, 2007 will mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik I by the USSR. Sputnik I was the very first artificial satellite. I still remember our whole neighborhood going outdoors at the same time to marvel at the tiny speck as it made its way across the evening sky. Oh, sure, there will be those who will say I'm just bitter and hanging on to the past. There will be those who say I need to just get over it and move on, but-------------- OOPS! I was saving that part for another post. Anybody else remember it? (Sputnik, that is.)