waysider

I just saw a pig fly past my window.

I used to sing with The Beatles. (Had one of those little radios on a rope that you hang in the shower.)

"The key to recovering from alcoholism is to raise a glass to toast sobriety." -prolly the same guy on YouTube

As I've said many times, the biggest problem wasn't so much about whether we believed "4 crucified" or "the cry of triumph" or whatever other controversial doctrinal issue you might choose. It was about the crazy, out-of-balance lifestyle we were required to live. I initially thought the leadership programs were supposed to advance us academically so we could better fulfill our leadership roles. There was very little, if any, chance for academic growth but plenty of sleep depravation, paltry meals and tedium. This is the part that gets lost on people who weren't in the training programs. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they didn't have to endure it. What's even worse is the people who were subjected to this abuse and are still, 50 years later, not able to see what a large scale scam it was. I posted a short clip in the open forum that deals with cult life on the other side of the world. The parallels are frighteningly sad.

I stumbled on this short video on youtube. (It's about 15 minutes long.) It details the experience of someone who got swept up in a South Korean cult, called Shincheonji. It sound so much like someone talking about The Way it's uncanny.... And we thought we were so special.

Don't be shy said the spider to the fly.

Well, we called it "witnessing", but what we were really doing was not too different than what the vinyl siding guy does when he knocks on your door to tell you about the sale of a lifetime that you can't afford to miss. The only difference is the siding guy actually gets a commission.

Socks might be able to point you in the right direction. Maybe you could send him a PM.

"But, Mom, all the other kids are doing it."

I'm usually not so blunt, Mike, but on this one you are just plain wrong. We were taught that the gospels were more suited for the "natural man" and the epistles were more suited for people with a "spiritual understanding". No one wanted to publicly declare they weren't spiritually mature enough to handle the epistles.

We were advised to avoid studying the gospels, as they were represented as being for spiritual weaklings.

This

Mike, this is a Physics 101 level problem. (Real image vs. Virtual image.) You spent all this time pondering a Physics 101 problem? Well, to each his own. Carry on.

"Mentors of PFAL" This gave me a chuckle.

This might also be a good time to point out that, in view of today's current global situation, the expression "second wave" doesn't exactly conjure up any positive thoughts.

No need to apologize. Just put on some Phish, crank up the volume and dance around the room. I hear it's quite a spiritual experience.

More importantly, what's it doing for you? (just a brief summary, please.)

Hiya, Mike. How's things goin' with that Law of Believing? Any specific anecdotes you can share of putting it into practice? You can summarize if you think that would be more appropriate.

Uhm...you know the gospels were written AFTER the epistles, right?

I was never involved with either of these. I do remember, however, singing "Little Bunny Foo Foo" and "She Sailed Away on a Sunny, Sunny Day" in FellowLaborers of Ohio. (As an adult!) Well, I know that didn't offer much help but it did bring a twisted sort of regretful smile to my face.

Thanks. It's a long one but certainly worth a listen.

I like to think I wouldn't have gotten involved, either. Truth is, though, it was 50 years ago. I'm not the same person now that I was then. Don't beat yourself up over decisions you made so long ago.

North Korean version

You know wht else they didn't have back then? Light pollution.