Re: The Living Word Fellowship, The Walk, John Robert Stevens
Posted by:
changedagain
()
Date: July 26, 2022 11:30PM
A thread from November 8-10, 2019:
Posted by: 40yearsin2016
Date: November 08, 2019 03:04PM
Hey Onion,
Glad you're here, and glad you're giving a little energy to speaking the truth to deception.
It took me decades to speak the word "cult" out loud. I was walked out of LWF in 1984-5 (cannot remember exactly, those years were so traumatic). I didn't speak the word "cult" out loud until 2016, believe it or not that was when I finally felt like I was leaving my cage.
So many have different life experiences having left the cult. One friend told me she spent a decade in therapy and still suffers PTSD at the mention of the name of the church, all these decades later. Another told me recently that there were "no regrets" for time in LWF - even though a sibling is still stuck there and they no longer speak.
Me, I have regrets, but I don't regret speaking out. I don't regret speaking the word "cult" out loud for all to hear.
Posted by: Reepicheep
Date: November 09, 2019 07:56AM
Thanks for chiming in, 40 Years. Always enjoy your insight. I have many regrets also. It took me a long time to come to the realization that TLWF is a cult. Like you, I don't regret speaking up and calling it what it is and always has been. I still hope that there will be some type of resolution for those who have been harmed the most. But even if all we do is leave warning signs for those who become free enough to read this forum, that's something.
Posted by: changedagain
Date: November 09, 2019 12:46PM
40 Years wrote:
It took me decades to speak the word "cult" out loud. I was walked out of LWF in 1984-5 (cannot remember exactly, those years were so traumatic).
Those were tumultuous years--even by Walk/TLWF 'standards.'
I do recall a few influential people in my life during that time period who could have accurately gone by the pseudonym 40ozInTheMorning. I think open containers were a sign you were on the path toward Sonship. That, and having fire in your eyes during the prayer sessions. Following John's death, there was an intercession focus on demanding that God bring him back. I was a participant in that nonsense.
Posted by: changedagain
Date: November 09, 2019 03:05PM
Reepicheep Wrote:
But even if all we do is leave warning signs for those who
become free enough to read this forum, that's something.
Even after 12 years of covering seemingly every gamut of this little cult, the discussion here still generates interest, perhaps (in part) because there is new info disclosed by a poster who previously not come forward. As fear recedes, participants are inclined to share suppressed cult memories, and the composite picture of what we've been through becomes more clear.
Posted by: Road to Damascus
Date: November 09, 2019 03:14PM
Interesting how I feel that the buildings at Shiloh are being emptied, auction to be held on the 23rd and the building to be totally shut down forever. An end of an era. Amazing what feelings and reactions this is causing in me. On one hand a rejoicing and on the other a sadness at thoughts of what occurred there.
Posted by: typer
Date: November 09, 2019 05:44PM
Changedagain: Yes.
I'm sorry I didn't break free much earlier. You and the other old time posters have provided courage for us new posters to help us find our voice, plus what Shalom has done for all of us. I am thankful for you. Leadership cloaked in so much darkness, we are now shining together to burn away the darkness.
Posted by: Imapurple
Date: November 09, 2019 07:43PM
It’s interesting looking back at a place like Shiloh where so much time was spent or even the Blix house or Johns house and remember all the things that went on. I completely understand the mixed feelings. So much of our lives were spent in these places. I have a deep sadness over so many things. Mostly from being let down from all the Hope’s and dreams. People who have passed or gone away. It’s like going back to a childhood home after all your friends are gone and remembering the times you had. So much crap happened in those places but it’s mixed with some good things too. I’m glad everything is coming down. It’s a new day and time for healing from all the hurt and pain.
Posted by: Liamthomasusa
Date: November 10, 2019 03:06PM
Imapurple
After reading your last post my emotions welled up within me....remembering that time when serving TLW or prioritizing Shiloh as the number one focus of my life... lots of sweat equity.... always thinking I wasn’t good enough so I needed to work harder... give up more.... in my mind I justified what I gave in exchange for what I missed out in life because God’s word was always worth more than myself.
When I was told I was no longer welcome as a congregant in 1997, I suffered a great loss... yet as I began to find my way in life and began to recognize my own value, it became much easier to forget the hurt I had left behind. Factnet and RickRoss forums helped me realize I had been able to move away before the crazy nonsense intensified.... I am sure had I not been showed the door... I would have walked away on my own.
Please excuse my wandering...remembering the good memories of being a part of Shiloh to realize it is standing empty... a hollow ghost of it’s former glory....
I still am standing strong for those that have told their stories and for those yet to break free to tell theirs.... for it is the stories that shall diminish this cult from gaining any credibility.