I can't remember the exact time frame that the phrase "door-opener apostle" began to be used, but what I can say is that it was a natural progression from previous teachings. If JRS ever told anyone not to use that terminology, I never heard him say that. If the term didn't originate with him, you can bet that he dropped plenty of hints to let people know what he wanted, as he did with most things.

changedagain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was heavily involved in the intercession in the
> mid to late 70's, and I recall the idea of him
> being the "door-opener" and/or the "apostle to the
> Kingdom" being frequently referenced in our
> vocalized prayers at church services...with him
> present and not contradicting anything spoken. I
> also recall messages John brought during that time
> period in which he would claim to be leading the
> way into 'resurrection life,' and if he "broke
> through," it would open the door for others to
> follow. I can't pinpoint exactly when this phase
> started, but knew...especially since the local
> church I attended was fully immersed in this
> intercession...that it was a concept embraced by
> him and his most rabid followers. Of course,
> shortly after he died in June of 1983 there was a
> directive from G & M to pray for his return. I
> lost a good friend (John Mahon) as a result of
> this directive, who left the church (along with
> his family), after writing a letter to Apco,
> stating his objections to this lunacy. The word
> came back via the new pastor that Gary was glad
> that John M. had decided to leave the church.
>
> p.s. We loose the father's family!

Yes, we were directed to pray for the resurrection of John Robert Stevens. That was right after we were told that we, the people, were responsible for his death. All this from the two people fighting for control of the churches, and who, by many firsthand accounts, had already begun an amorous relationship while JRS lay dying.

All this from the two people fighting for control of the churches, and who, by many firsthand accounts, had already begun an amorous relationship while JRS lay dying.

JRS last words: "Could you keep it down in there?"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2020 05:00AM by changedagain.

Reep wrote:
Yes, we were directed to pray for the resurrection of John Robert Stevens. That was right after we were told that we, the people, were responsible for his death.

You Killed Him
Now Bring Him Back
-a Living Word

Changed,

Now we can laugh. Back then, not so much. : )

It's still pretty raw for a lot of us. I didn't have a whole lot of exposure to the guilt-trip message that Marilyn dumped on much of the congregation about being responsible for John's death. Or maybe I tuned it out. Too bad we don't have video footage of how she was conducted herself while her husband was dying. A sadistic hypocrite.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2020 07:09AM by changedagain.

A M A Z I N G p e o p l e

I live in a community of amazing people, not because they are extraordinary (while some certainly are), but because community, as opposed to organization, allows people to be themselves.  Relationships are then fluid and dynamic, with no party lording it over another for some 'righteous cause'.  We come together when our paths cross, enjoy the moment--which is always a pleasure--and carry on our way, only being made 'better' by the encounter.

One of the most (of many) egregious offenses done to us all in TheWalk/TLW was not allowing us to (as the old Army adage went) 'be all we can be'.  Organization replaced that goal with one of its own.  It is not that hard to imagine how incredible it could have been had we experienced an environment that fostered our gifts and the love of contributing those gifts for the good of ALL, and not just a few.

We might have even come close to creating a little slice of the KINGDOM . . .

Well-said, kBOY.

kBOY Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A M A Z I N G p e o p l e
>
> I live in a community of amazing people, not
> because they are extraordinary (while some
> certainly are), but because community, as opposed
> to organization, allows people to be themselves. 
> Relationships are then fluid and dynamic, with no
> party lording it over another for some 'righteous
> cause'.  We come together when our paths cross,
> enjoy the moment--which is always a pleasure--and
> carry on our way, only being made 'better' by the
> encounter.
>
> One of the most (of many) egregious offenses done
> to us all in TheWalk/TLW was not allowing
> us to (as the old Army adage went) 'be all we can
> be'.  Organization replaced that goal with one of
> its own.  It is not that hard to imagine how
> incredible it could have been had we experienced
> an environment that fostered our gifts and the
> love of contributing those gifts for the good of
> ALL, and not just a few.
>
> We might have even come close to creating a little
> slice of the KINGDOM . . .

Hear hear!

W A I T I N G on the L O R D

One of the few things TheWalk/TLW may have emphasized correctly was 'waiting on the Lord', a wildly misunderstood concept among the ranks.  Which 'lord' were we waiting on; the Old Testament geezer who seemed to be pissed off most of the time, or the enigmatic Jesus (Y'shua) who bore little to no resemblance to the 'him/her' at all?

I have heard numerous comments by some since my departure who claim they got nothing more out of the exercise than a good catnap.  JRS' own conflicted relationship with the 'lord' (Holy Jim Canyon death-threat comes to mind) did nothing to clarify exactly what we were to expect, and Jewish history with the Almighty was no help either.

This goes right to the heart of one of the (many) conflicts found within Christianity that most Christians would rather not deal with; who will show up at our door?  If one believed chances were good it might be the wrong 'lord', maybe it was better to opt for the catnap.

The example of Jesus (Y'shua) stealing away in the night recharging his batteries with the CREATOR of LIFE, should have given us a clue that he may have been accessing a different 'power source'.  I for one have definitely unplugged from Christianity's confusion, and replugged into the LOVE that was referenced by Jesus (Y'shua) in the two greatest 'suggestions'; LOVE CREATOR/LOVE CREATION.

One might notice the operative word in both is LOVE.  This obviously is the CORRECT reflection of our CREATOR, and one that I experience on a daily basis as the WHISPER of LOVE, better known as the STILL SMALL VOICE.

Grouchy old men need not apply.