hiway29

Just the other day, I unearthed a funky little wooden treasure chest, to put on a shelf for decoration. Opening it up , I found it was filled with old way badges-including advanced class '79, and that real stupid wow button from '76-77, that I don't even know how to describe-but remembered I never wore it unless I had to. I thought about dumping them, but realized it had no emotional effect on me, and will make an interesting conversation piece should any visitor open the chest. It felt weird seeing them, but felt good not to care.

At times I look back in horror, that I got out of college, and spent 10 years basically ignoring my own life in order to hustle for the way, and be at their beck and call 24/7. I wasn't even in the corps, yet felt obligated. When I finally left, I took stock, and realized I had no career, no family, no bank account, and a life sapping disease to boot. That was about 25 years ago. Since then I've married, dealt with, still dealing but doing ok with the disease, and managed to carve out a so called career in animation, mostly at Disney. None of it was easy, but in an odd cosmic twist sort of way, the decisions I made over the years in the way, landed me at the doorstep for me to change my life for the better. I have no idea what would have happened if I hadn't been in a cult, but somehow I've wound up exactly where I had dreamed of, in spite of losing years.

as far as I'm concerned, the whole revelation thing was an excuse to throw their considerable weight around without being challenged, or getting a punch in the nose.

I hate to admit , that after sitting through that thing well over 40 times, and 'instructing', two of them, that I never heard 'it sits there like a duck'-nor was I told as class instructor to cover it up. I did cover for the "Jesus Christ is coming back as Lord God Almighty', but in retrospect, that seems like one of the few genuine Christian moments in the whole blamed show.

The rant on Joe C#@lter, was one of the low points of the 'class'. Not only was it uncomfortable to sit through, but it was all to familiar behavior from 'leaders' to 'subordinates' . At least it made clear where these junior G men learned it from. I recall talk afterwards that sounded almost like they enjoyed it. Like it was a wonderful example of the need to be the best for His highest and all that, and what an example doc was to not compromise the standard and so on and so forth. I'm sure there are psychological reasons why we subjected ourselves to people yelling at us, and ripping a new one, for the various 'crimes' like not setting a chair right, etc. After all this time, I still wonder at the zoo that outfit was.

didn't work-about the most oppressive, depressing venues I've ever experienced.

I remember Rocky was considered worthy, because vp saw it on a plane,and said he liked it. The great 'spiritual truth' according to him, was that Rocky went as far as his believing took him. Rocky said he just wanted to go the distance, which he did, but lost the fight. Hey, if Rocky had only had pfal, he would have known to believe bigger, and not made that mistake.

After taking advanced class '79, I received a letter from hq, which said "as an advanced class grad, you owe the ministry your life", then informed me that 'the ministry owes you nothing". I was used to having commitment constantly shoved down my throat, but I was taken aback by the letter. It never occurred to me that the way should 'owe' me anything, and it seemed an intense, and threatening way of congratulating me for taking their class.

Johnnie T made US cry the day he out of the blue walked into our house on the wow field while were committing the sin of watching a cartoon on TV in the afternoon. After the requisite reaming out, we all scampered off to pretend to go witnessing.

iI'm sorry, johnj, but I checked it out, and this is the same Calvary Chapel you're defending. I don't know what they're like elsewhere, but I wouldn't give you 2 cents for this particular group. Before the hospital disaster happened, I attended a few services, in the name of family harmony. I found it very similar to TWI in tone, and leadership arrogance. Of course doctrinally they were nothing like the way.

I wouldn't be so sure, john j. This is the same Calvary that is popping up everywhere. Everything I've read and know about this group is exactly like the Calvary you're referring to. I realize there are a lot of Calvary's this and that, but I'm almost certain that this is the same group you're referring to. But I am going to check it out-first by establihing if it's 'Chapel'. I do want to be fair.

without going into detail-when a family member who was giving everything to Calvary church, and considered them her 'family' was suddenly in the hospital with meningitis, the only response from the church was a call demanding to know who she may have infected. No prayer, no visits, no concern, and a lot of pompous condescension-I thought I was back in TWI

just need to say that my experience with Calvary church (I'm assuming it's the same john j is speaking about ), was the most negative, unloving, , soul sapping time, ever, short of TWI. I don't care to write an essay right now, but it was almost as destructive as most of my way time.

I got this one on the first line, but since I'm so bad at posting new ones lately, I don't think I should say.

I dont check in here daily anymore, but I got "Mirror, Mirror', in 3 words. I know I'm supposed to add a new one. I'll try to find the time this morning. Don't set phasers on kill if I don't though.

Baseball predictions are pretty funny. So far nobody has known nothing-Yogi is right again.

I drove down that road almost 10 years ago, and had the identical experience as Highway. It hasn't changed at all. It's interesting that in all the pictures posted, there's not a person in sight. Looks like a well groomed cemetery. .

"Quit reading newspapers ! If there's anything important to know, I'll tell you what to think!" I swear that's almost word for word-Martindale in the just opened wow auditorium, at the peak of his power trip.

Stand on your own meant fully indoctrinated into way beliefs, culture, mindset,and every thought filtered through the 'likemindedness'. As long as one has 'rebellious' ideas, doesn't buy into any aspect of the program, or chooses to put family, job, or God forbid-personal interest, over a way meeting , class,or 'commitment', that person is not 'standing on his own', and needs someone watching over him to drip drip drip way thought into him like a percolator (or a water torture?).

The Rock was worth the aggravation because it was an annual opportunity to reconnect with friends you wouldn't see otherwise. My first 3-'75-77, I didn't even plan ahead to camp.I just glommed onto someone elses tent space, and didn't give it a thought. As the 80's rolled by, and everything way became more controlled , rigid, and imo evil, the rock fossilized with the times. I lived in St Marys in '84 -85' (which is crazy enough), and had a nice air conditioned apartment to escape to-which became a mini rock, as everyone I knew used my place to cool off, or sleep over. Just some rambling memories.

when I was in the way, it seemed like I was forever seeking forgiveness from others for something I didn't even know I had done.

Just noting that the link to Taylor Overbey that Kit posted above, takes you to a different Taylor Overbey on fb. I know-how can there be TWO Taylor Overbeys ! The one you know is on fb though , and has his own website. I worked with Taylor for years, on Glad magazine, and other stuff. He's a fine fellow, who certainly has not lost any of his drive or convictions. I couldn't do it again, as I don't share his goals ( or his extreme political views)-but he 's the real deal as an honest, committed Christian. I value our friendship, and the time we worked together. The only difference is back then, I had to keep my mouth shut when I disagreed with his views, and now I don't have to.

Psycho is correct

ok-let me see... "after all, a boys best friend IS his mother"

thats so much of a giveaway, I refuse to count my getting it as a win. Mash of course.