changedagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Really. I think Gary believes he a manifestation
> of 'The Father' and that people need to work
> harder to please him...a never-ending process.
> I suggest the following title for his next word:
> 'He Can't be Pleased--Give it a Rest!'

Do you think Gary has graduated from allegedly being Christ in the flesh to thinking that he is God, the Father, in the flesh? Now there's a frightening thought! I got so tired of that B.S. Nothing you could do was pleasing enough. And then, out of the clear blue, there would be a complete 180°. It was never because G&M had made a mistake, or because God had given them a correction. It was always because the people misunderstood or misapplied the perfect words that G&M spoke.

Here's what the REAL Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt. 28:30 NIV

I vote for that Jesus!

Reepicheep Wrote:

> Here's what the REAL Jesus said, “Come to me, all
> you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
> you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
> for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
> find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and
> my burden is light.” Matt. 28:30 NIV
>
> I vote for that Jesus!

I suspect the people are so accustomed to being beaten down by his "living word," the idea that there is a God that is not driven to lay heavy burdens upon them must seem like heresy (Matt. 23:4)
BTW, as Gary transitions into spending more and more time in Brazil, with its obvious benefits, I'm wondering what exactly is "the cup" that he is supposedly reluctant to drink. If it doesn't involve some guilt-trip placed on church members in the states, I would be surprised.

changedagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------
> I suspect the people are so accustomed to being
> beaten down by his "living word," the idea that
> there is a God that is not driven to lay heavy
> burdens upon them must seem like heresy (Matt.
> 23:4)
> BTW, as Gary transitions into spending more and
> more time in Brazil, with its obvious benefits,
> I'm wondering what exactly is "the cup" that he is
> supposedly reluctant to drink. If it doesn't
> involve some guilt-trip placed on church members
> in the states, I would be surprised.

Some guesses for “the cup”:
He doesn't know how to anounce:

•That he has to close more churches
•That he has to kick Rick out of the Fellowship
•That he is planning to move to Brazil
•That he is moving to Rome
•That he is getting married
•That he is starting a harem
•That God told him that the people should start tithing 80% of their income
•That they are all converting to Catholicism, or Judaism, or both
•That Satan is back after all
•That they must dress like Hare Krishnas and evangelize in airports
•All of the above

Just a few thoughts. Anybody else?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/2018 11:06AM by Reepicheep.

Ha--all possible, Reepicheep.
If he decides to sell a major church...I mean, if God leads him to do so, with ample confirmation from both the authorities overseeing such church and its congregants (right)... it's probably best he find refuge from the potential backlash in Brazil, where he can be surrounded by devotees who believe he speaks for God, and to question him is blasphemy.
Should be interesting.

Reepacheep wrote:
>•That he has to kick Rick out of the Fellowship

I always wondered about the dynamics of that relationship--specifically, who has more clout--Gary or Rick? Perhaps it depends on the terrain.

changedagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I always wondered about the dynamics of that
> relationship--specifically, who has more
> clout--Gary or Rick? Perhaps it depends on the
> terrain.

That is a good question, changedagain. Especially now with Marilyn gone. If Rick was anybody else's kid, I think he would have been out a long time ago. He's good at keeping young people involved with nonsensical extravaganzas like the Christmas Truck. He also keeps them busy with building projects in the Valley. If the object is to keep people stressed out and dog tired so they don't notice that they're in a cult, then I guess he is of value to Gary. And I doubt that anybody knows what the true structure of the organization is anymore. I think it's basically a family business. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Reepicheep Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> changedagain Wrote:
> And I doubt that anybody knows
> what the true structure of the organization is
> anymore. I think it's basically a family business.
> It's all smoke and mirrors.

I recall the drive of G & M to monitor every aspect of the local church via the requirement laid out in the 'Fred and Ethyl books'. It seemed like endless hours were spent in our local church by a number of dedicated servants, striving to be completely thorough. Meanwhile, very little of how the top leadership functioned was open to scrutiny. It was certainly a glaring double standard that unfortunately few people ever admitted was a big deal...since trusting and obeying leadership was so integral to remaining in the fellowship. BTW, when I made an ill-advised joke about the obvious special treatment that Rick received, and it got back to G & M, I paid for it. A public demotion followed by a couple years of 'voluntary' labor on various church facilities and ministry homes. I wish I could say I felt the love in the disciplinary decision, but I didn't. Likely because I possessed an insecurity fostered by Satan. Yes, that's the reason.

changedagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I recall the drive of G & M to monitor every
> aspect of the local church via the requirement
> laid out in the 'Fred and Ethyl books'. It seemed
> like endless hours were spent in our local church
> by a number of dedicated servants, striving to be
> completely thorough. Meanwhile, very little of
> how the top leadership functioned was open to
> scrutiny. It was certainly a glaring double
> standard that unfortunately few people ever
> admitted was a big deal...since trusting and
> obeying leadership was so integral to remaining in
> the fellowship.

The Annual Shepherd's Report, "lovingly" known as Fred and Ethel. Another big time waster. The members of the churches had to count paperclips and toilet paper while G&M et. al. made off with the big bucks.

Changedagain Wrote:
----------------------
> BTW, when I made an ill-advised
> joke about the obvious special treatment that Rick
> received, and it got back to G & M, I paid for it.
> A public demotion followed by a couple years of
> 'voluntary' labor on various church facilities and
> ministry homes. I wish I could say I felt the
> love in the disciplinary decision, but I didn't.
> Likely because I possessed an insecurity fostered
> by Satan. Yes, that's the reason.

Oh, so YOU were the Satan of the Kingdom. Lol! I think all of us were extremely insecure. Who wouldn't be, in that atmosphere? I don't know if you were around when G&M asked for a written 360° evaluation. I had never heard this term before or since, but here is the Wikipedia definition: "Most often, information solicited in a 360-degree feedback process will include feedback from an employee's subordinates, peers (colleagues), and supervisor(s), as well as a self-evaluation by the employee him or herself."

Anyway, I said nice things (of course). But one question asked about something you disagreed with. I wrote about the Christmas Truck and how it didn't make sense. But then I deleted it all and left that question blank. Whew, dodged that bullet! I could have been scrubbing toilets for years. (Oh, wait, I was already doing that.)

Reepicheep Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't know if you were around when G&M asked for a written 360°
> evaluation.
> Anyway, I said nice things (of course). But one
> question asked about something you disagreed with.
> I wrote about the Christmas Truck and how it
> didn't make sense. But then I deleted it all and
> left that question blank. Whew, dodged that
> bullet! I could have been scrubbing toilets for
> years. (Oh, wait, I was already doing that.)

Good thing I never heard about the 360° evaluation. Taking it on good faith (i.e. Naivete), I would have written something that violated the atmosphere of those who prepared the questionnaire, thinking the honesty would be rewarded...resulting in more tedious labor and reeducation. I suppose I could have suffered more during my tenure in TLWF, and the fact that I dodged this bullet (using the Inspector Clouseau method of total unawareness) makes me feel a little bit better!
It took a very long time to realize that G & M really did not care for your input, your "witness". They simply wanted to know whether you would remain loyal, and if they should be concerned about you blabbing about something they wanted to keep under wraps.