batcave

Ok, I'll bite. I was very involved with CES for a few years (late 90's - early 2000's) until I realized most of the leadership wanted to make a new, improved version of TWI without the sexual abuse issues. Unfortunately, the separatist attitude of most of the leadership (Schoenheit included) still pervaded and they were undone by greed and pride. I couldn't stay on with those attitudes. Got one t-shirt, don't need another. As I person, I respect JS very much. However, he has cast his loyalty with people who do not deserve it and he won't leave the mental comfort of the old TWI "research" thinking to srike out on his own. He is in my prayers, though.

Excellent post, Billy, and something that sounds totally in character with John. I worked with him for a couple of years in Charlotte and he is a man who is absolutely passionate about studying the Bible. It truly is his heart's desire. Although not primarily known as a "pastoral" figure, he enjoys hanging out and fellowshipping with people. He has an almost childlike trust and belief in people, which I believe serves him well in some situations and not so well in others. He has given his word and loyalty to the other board members of CES/STFI and I believe that has hindered him from being able to more fully explore his scholarly pursuits. I agree with David, if he can cut loose from CES, he could certainly impact more people with his teaching. Apart from that, I believe he is a very trustworthy guy. I hope his current post will not drag him down with politics and backstabbing.

Don't know but I was a WOW in Pocatello, ID 84-85. He was limb coordinator.

Hey, I'm doing my part! Our license in KY was 35.00.

Oprah's starting a cult? Oprah is a cult.

I'm looking for a recipe for my wedding punch that would include pine-orange-banana juice. I've played around with some combinations but if anybody has a recipe for it I would greatly appreciate it!

Shellon, I was a senior in high school the winter of 78 also. We got snow but we also got a lot of ice in Kentucky. That was the tough part. We had to go to my grandmother's and stay for a few days because we didn't have electricity at our house. Got about 4-5 inches here in Ky yesterday but it's in the 40's today so it's melting pretty fast.

Really cool! The Bonaparte's Retreat worked very well.

That'll be a nice wedding present from the government!

Thanks, Rascal! Theoretically, I suppose I could sing, but I don't think I'd make it through. Fortunately, I have two very talented brothers who will handle the music end for me. I'm thinking of having my sister-in-law sing "Battle Hymn of Love" by Kathy Mattea and Tim O'Brien. I'd post it but I'm not very good at those things.

Ron, Hey, that's a thought. Where I'd like to get married is actually right next to a river so there's some great camping area for you to bring your tent and set up for the nuptuals. You could keep that woodsy feeling without having to get into a city.

Thanks! I'll tell you, it's one thing to find love when you're young and pretty, it's another thing to find it when you've already gotten old and fat!

Yep, my sweetie of three years proposed to me on our third dating anniversary Saturday night. We had talked about for some time and I knew he had the ring, since it came by Fed X. I'm still getting used to the idea that I'm someone's fiance now. For those of you who were at the Weenie Roast 2 years ago at Mammoth Cave, it's the same guy I was with then, who wore the monk's robe. He is the most decent, kind, loving guy I've ever known, and the first person I ever said the words "I was in a cult" to. It truly is something to have someone in your life who loves you for who you are. It's funny looking back at the topics I've started here over the last 2-3 years. Most of them have been about relationships or being single. I can definitely see a learning curve and changes in my thinking and I have to thank so many of you who have offered help and insight in my journey. No doubt I'll be posting about wedding questions and what kind of cool things to have for a wedding, since neither of us are involved with a church right now. I always thought the covenant of salt was a wonderful thing to do at a wedding and if anyone has the details on how it's done and what is said, I would greatly appreciate it. More details later. I'm letting my sweetie get used to the idea of getting married before I bombard him with ideas and questions. I am, after all a woman and have pretty much planned out my wedding for years.

The Little Drummer Boy is one of my favorites that didn't get shown for years. I saw it for a few years when it first came out in 1968 but it didn't come back around until just a few years ago. Watched it tonight and still got a little teary at the end.

Rejoice, that's a great idea. I looked at the site and they have some very pretty rings. I would never have thought of that route, but it does open up a lot of possibilities. Thanks!

Thanks for the input. I'll try to pm onion eater soon. I'm allergic to gold but I thought I might be able to wear white gold. I've been gem mining in NC and have some lovely rubies and sapphires I'd like to get cut an put in a ring sometime.

So my boyfriend and I have been looking at rings (yes, he will go without a gun to his back ) and we've found some lovely options. Recently he found a website called bidz.com that sells lots of jewelry for seemingly ridiculously low prices. Anybody have any experience with that website or buying jewelry online? What should we be aware of? Forget the old two months salary thing. I don't want to wait that long and I don't want us to be in debt just for a ring. I'd really love to have a sterling silver ring, but I think I could wear white gold, and I like an oval cut diamond.

It's so hot in KY that I didn't go out shopping on my only day off this week. Not overly funny, but true.

I think it's like any other modern day dating venture. Have fun, broaden your horizons a little, and see what's really out there in the world. Be open to meeting new people and maybe let down a fence or two. When we get wrapped up in our own little world, our parameters shrink. I think online dating, speed dating, singles seminars and gatherings are great places to step out of our comfort zone and see who might be interested in us. I saw Tom Arnold speed dating on the Tonight Show last week. It was pretty entertaining. Al, if you're someone who's looking, the best advice I can offer is don't give up. Don't think it's not worth it or if you haven't found someone by a certain time or age, you never will. When people give up the mental effort, they give up the physical effort but keep believing you're worth it. And if you're not looking, those of you who are take heart.

Yes, I do work for a regional cell company, so it is retail but also bill payments and tech support. I also agree that the people who pick out the uniforms are men with no hips. If they gave people a choice of say, a polo or a button up shirt, whichever was most flattering, that would help. It's not enough of an aggravation to quit, but it does irritate me, especially with all the "sameness" you see in most other retail outlets. I also hate wearing my shirt anywhere else because the logo is on the shirt and I do get questions about cell phones while I'm at lunch.

Ok, I've got a couple of days off and thought I'd rant a little about something that irritates me to no end. My company recently went to the polo shirt with logo and khaki pant uniform that so many other companies are going to. First of all, it's not a look that flatters every body. If you're a full-figured curvy girl like me, the shirt tucked in with a belt is not a look I would choose on my own. I haven't even owned a belt in 15 years. I worked part time at a leading plus size retail company and acquired a very nice professional looking wardrobe that I am no longer allowed to wear to work. When I went to lunch the other day, I saw no less than five people in line with "the uniform". It kind of reminded me of the old Wendy's commercial where they had the Russian fashion show--- a large woman in a drab gray dress carrying a beach ball ("svimvear!"); same gray dress with a flashlight ("evening vear!"). You know, there used to be another way to figure out who was employed at a retail store. THEY WERE WORKING! This is something Lewis Black should be talking about.

Katy, I was involved with TWI and CES for a few years. Unfortunately, one of the trademarks of a cult seem to be the opinion that they are right and everyone else is wrong. I don't think CES started that way, though. The founders of CES wanted to throw out what they learned in TWI and start over from scratch in their beliefs. Along the way (no pun intended), they came across other groups teaching various doctrines and adopted some of their practices, sometimes to the detriment of others. Momentus and personal prophecy comes to mind, as well as others. You are correct in realizing that you probably won't get your friend to change their mind. The important thing I would stress to you is, to not let them change your mind about your beliefs. It may be hard to resist the idea they put to you that you are incorrect, but I would rather risk being incorrect than brainwashed. I've come to the conclusion that God is a whole lot bigger than any box man puts Him in. Welcome!

I thought this was gonna be about bra vs. no bra.

Coolchef, Very funny!! Can't wait to tell my boyfriend that. I saw a lady come in to my work with a tank top on. You could see the top of her tattoos on each breast. They were probably supposed to be lightning bolts but where they were placed they just looked like ugly stretch marks. Should have thought that one thru a little better.

Take half a bowl of potato salad and tell them you had a ccokout the day before.