Watered Garden

I think we've gone over the TWI treatment of children many times on other threads. However, thank God kids do wake up and smell the coffee eventually. That same self righteous slimeball told us to "get rid of him, he's a mad dog, don't let him back in your house!" Jeez, such compassion. Book Chapter and Verse, you creep! Show me where Jesus set up His church along those lines! I now have an opportunity to be with my son, his wife and our wonderful grandson. We go to a real church with loving people who do not cast out the needy and I'm praying for them to go with us. My favorite song right now is Kathy Troccoli's "Go Light Your World!" I sure don't believe in killing, but I could easily envision busting the chops of a few chosen people of that lousy and untoward TWI! NotinKS, I heard that too. I was in in 1973 and it was my first year I heard about that. I think the guy had been a Marine or something? People who speak in public forums to adoring fans had better watch their mouths, methinks. WG

I remember once the mini-MOG in our last branch telling us how "if this were the Old Testament I would be responsible for gathering the men of God of this city together to stone your son to death." Would he if he could have? He11 yes, he was an imitator of the MOGFODAT down to every breath he took. Would I had he commanded it? I used to think yeah probably you were pretty messed up, but now I think "No!" What annoyed me greatly at the time was that it wasn't about that pi$$y-a$$ed branch leader and his "sponsies", it was about an angry and rebellious 13-year-old boy. He should have wondered why the kid was so pi$$ed off? Could it be the fact that the most allegedly godly people around were treating him like crap? That the HFC's wife bitched him out for taking big bites of a tiny sliver of cheesecake and asking for more? Could it be that he was being crammed into a tiny mold that didn't fit him, and his own mother was too paralyzed by fear of death by separation from the Household of Faith, Piety, and Perfection that she couldn't stop them from their meanness? I think they killed his heart for God. But maybe it can be resurrected. WG

I have read this with rapidly sickening stomach. My experiences were so mild compared with some of you. ExC, once again I apologize. Mandii, I hope those creeps rot in hell for doing that to you. Rascal, I don't know what to say. WG

Daryl, I am offering you my sympathy for the loss of your sister. I can't really say anything other than that I'm so sorry this happened. Cancer sucks! And the lies TWI spread about how it's caused by a devil spirit possessing the unfortunate patient also suck! God bless you and comfort you. WG

This is probably the first time anyone has EVER politicized a panty raid. In 1974 we were not concerned about being politically correct. I don't want to start anything. I'm not a famous published author, I know little about politics, I am dumb enough to believe God is in control in the long run, and I really don't care what anyone thinks. But Jumpin' Jehoshaphat, making a big fat deal over a panty raid. You guys must be so much younger than I am. Good grief, lighten up, get a life, and leave poor ole' Oakspear be! WG

When I was a newbie to TWI, I thought it was by revelation and the ordainee had to have one of the gift ministries. Then I started seeing people ordained who showed no interest in loving, helping and above all serving God's people. I saw people who would never get ordained who cared a lot more about God and His people than those who were ordained. Thankful to be a non-ordained peon, me ownself. WG

Way humor? Isn't that an oxymoron? WG

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM! WG

Yeah, that sounds like some kind of plaigerism. It would embarrass me no end if someone published any of my posts. So, thanks but no thanks. WG

And I remember some very specific instances of personality suppression. Being told someone didn't want to talk about their life's work so they could devote their entire being to becoming Way Corps. Were you the subject of that or was it someone else? Seems to me I just blindly accepted anything anyone told me. Being told not to say "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat" because there is no biblical evidence Jehoshaphat ever jumped! Gee, what fun times! Wonder why I don't miss 'em? WG

Friday afternoon spouse & I were driving on a country road, hills and curves and more hills and curves. I was driving and the sun was directly in my eyes, I mean, I slowed down to about 20 mph and couldn't see a damn thing as I came up to a hilltop. "Can't see a thing." I murmured and without thinking pulled the car hard to the right and speeded up a bit, noticing as I did a glint of yellow paint on my right. Immediately as I got back to my side of the road a huge dump truck roared past in the opposite direction, about 50 mph. I hadn't seen it for the sunlight. We would've been killed in that Civic. God? Reflexes? Instinct? We're alive. Didn't see it coming at all, got out of the way just in time. Spouse said very quietly. "Woh." After a minute I said, "Now thatwas God." And to Dot... So glad you've been freed from the curse of the Loy! WG

"what drives his intellect is beyond me..." Intellect? What intellect? This guy is an idiot wrapped in a moron encased in an anal orifice. He was always thinking with the wrong head anyway, if he did any thinking at all. WG

Dot, Wow! Yikes! Whoopie! God is still in business today as He was then, and I just praise Him again and again! Folks, God is the real deal! Not TWI, not any organization or man or anything else! It is GOD Almighty Who hears us and takes care of us. I wish I could share my heart bigger with all you nay-sayers. We're not talking about a man, a movement, a cult or an organization. God is so much bigger than anything we can ask or think or hope or dream! Love y'all, WG

Never thought to ask for the films. He wanted to know more about healing. He was reluctant to believe, however, because he had had a patient who said God would heal her of whatever she had and she died. And there is no real answer for that question that I know of. Charleston is a real social town, who you're descending from who you're related to (or married to) where you worship, etc. I think he was concerned about losing his community prestige if he went out on THAT limb. WG

Okay, here's a personal one. It did not happen today or yesterday, but in 1982. However, it happened to ME, and I am the witness of my own miracle. In 1982 we moved to Charleston SC and I went to work at a hospital. (Same one where the lady coded, but at a later date). I had to have a chest x-ray which to my terror was abnormal. It showed enlarged nodes in my chest. The diagnosis was either Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer, or another potentially lethal disease called Sarcoidosis. After several tests, the doctors decided to wait six months and take another x-ray. If the nodes were stable, it was sarcoid, which can work its way into many systems of the body, destroying the lungs, nervous system, brain etc. If they were enlarging and multiplying, it was Hodgkin's. Either way my goose was cooked. Before the second x-ray, I went to ROA 1982. I went from registration to the House of His Healing Presence. I sat down and I asked God to heal me. I told Him I would sit there until I had an answer, if it took a year. I stayed there in intense prayer for about 30 minutes, and when I left I KNEW I WAS HEALED. In November the next x-ray was stable. The nodes had not disappeared. There were no more and the ones that were enlarged were no bigger. I told the doctor it didn't matter, because God has never let me down, and I knew I was healed, no matter what the x-rays showed. Next x-ray was clear and normal and has been ever since. Was it a natural healing process? Were the first two x-rays flawed? Was it a miracle of healing from God? Take your choice. All I know was, I had a disease and God healed it. How He took care of it was His business. My business is saying I was sick and God healed me.

Wrestle, We prayed for a gentleman in our small group at church who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Not like TWI, we gathered around, anointed him with oil, (James) and took turns praying. Sensation returned to his feet and legs within a couple hours. Best I know he's still fine. God cannot be limited to one group or another. He still loves you and wants your hip to be fine. I am praying that you find your answer. WG

Oops! [This message was edited by Watered Garden on December 19, 2003 at 10:55.]

Actually, from 1974 to the late 70's I did see miracles from God. One example and then I've got to finish the dishes: I was working in a hospital in Charleston SC in the early 1980s. Coming back from lunch out of the building, I heard a "code blue" called for the cafeteria back hall. Coming around the corner, I saw a woman lying on the floor, surrounded by cafeteria workers, and other fools. I walked up, set my diet coke on a cart, and studied the woman. The head of dietetics tried to shoo me away and I ignored her. Now I didn't check for a pulse but this woman sure as hell wasn't breathing or moving or exhibiting any other sign of life. So I silently spoke in tongues and thanked God for reviving her from whatever was going on. And she opened her eyes and looked right at me. I smiled and whispered God bless you and the code team finally wandered up to carry her off to the ER. Here's a better one. This gives me chills yet today. In 1981 in Jacksonville, Florida, I was working in yet another hospital. I went into the chapel to pray, unhappy about something, and a man came in who was nearly 7 feet tall, in a sheriff's deputy uniform. He was shaking and crying. He had been told that his wife, who had had major surgery, was failing and had hours to live. I also learned that his last name was the same as ours. "Sir, I said, "I'd like to pray for your wife." I really didn't "witness" to him, but I took his big old hand and I prayed for his wife, and baby, it was GOOD! God told me everything that was wrong with her. At that very moment, her electrolytes began to normalize. When I left that chapel, I knew that woman would be all right. She was. He came to find me the next day, to be sure I was real and not his dead grandmother sent to witness to him and not an angel. I was just a little dumb believer and God allowed me to have that experience of His healing that woman through my prayer. I am still so grateful I was allowed to do that. WG

Hurricane Hugo was in 1989. I lived in Chas SC so also love and remember H. Hugo, Onion!

Galen, Explain a "General Discharge." On my e-mail because I don't want to go into details, please. Thanks, WG

Thanks! I'll have a go at it! WG

Please e-mail me. It's on my profile. I have a Navy question and I don't know how to do a private topic. Thanks WG

One would be tempted to vacuum his house with a lawnmower, just to be sure one got it right. When Eisenhower was President, there was very thick plush carpet in certain parts of the White House, and Mrs. Eisenhower required every servant to carry a little whisk broom and back out of the room, whisking busily to erase little footprints they made on their way out! WG WG

Cool Waters, you can e-mail me if you want to about the diabetes thing. It's on my profile. Hope you're doing fine now. WG

I'll go see it for sure. I think Mel Gibson has developed as a man and an actor a lot over the years. His faith has undoubtedly played a part in that. With all of the ultra-liberaland ultra-vocal Hollywood elite, I think Gibson has a lot of guts to carry out his mission. WG