Thanks for posting that, Larry Bobo!! I couldn't agree more and am heartbroken by the damage this terrible organization has done to so many people's understanding of truth. Of all the egregious wrongs and harm TLWF has caused (and that is a LOT in both magnitude and variety), the spiritual deception and loss is, in my opinion, the worst. But, I can also personally attest to the fact tha
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey! It's been awhile. I keep trying to put the Living Word behind me, but it keeps popping back up. :-) Today a relative of mine made an offhand remark at her job that she had been part of a cult. That other person replied, "Oh, the one in Kalona? I just saw a video documentary about that on Youtube." Apparently someone who lived across the street from the church in Palmer Lak
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Any chance the link to watch or join the services was in that email and you would feel inclined to share it? I promise I have no nefarious purposes, but I am curious about what is being said these days in services. So many churches are offering free broadcasts and streaming versions of their services. It would surprise me if Shiloh was doing the same, but I would be interested in hearing what is
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Look! A brand new "master plan" for the Shiloh property. ?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The minutes from the 1/20 Kalona City Council meeting show that the sale and developmentof the Shiloh property, pending annexation, will likely move forward.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

No bidet in G and M's apt. Why would there need to be? Their poop didn't smell, right? Or maybe they were perfected enough that they didn't poop at all. Something to ponder... If I was a betting person, my money would be on them NOT loading their own dishwasher. Too busy receiving the only revelation on earth and bringing forth the kingdom and such, after all. What I found i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Onion Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > JesusJesusJesus - I almost fell off my chair when > I read what you wrote about G&M's dishwasher! > hahahahaha Good one! Happy to provide a laugh. :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Also, as of 12:39 local time, G and M's apt is the second highest priced item in the whole auction, behind only the baby grand piano. It's also got a gold star indicating that it's very popular with over 70 bids. I can see why, though. Despite the fact that there is no furniture to speak of for sale in that lot, its kitchen is by FAR the best of any of the kitchens in the build
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Well, the balcony was rather dilapidated. Not in great shape anymore. I wonder if it got much use. I was really blown away by the fact that one door led to a bedroom, another led to a bathroom, another led to a different bedroom, and another (which looked just like the other doors) opened up into some over-the-sanctuary attic-type space with a walkway down the center that led to a set of stairs a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep - I was assuming the same. The balcony in the apartment made me envision him standing out there waving to people below. (There might have been some comments made by my companions at this point about peasants...) I'm assuming he must have done so, though, right?
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The building at Shiloh was open today for people who wanted to come and see the lots that are up for auction. It was surreal. To see the kibble of the Fellowship and all of the SOPs of the past laid out on display was surreal. Practically all of the rooms were open and people of all sorts (former members, contractors looking for a deal on construction items, curious community members, etc.)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I knew there was a physical auction last Saturday, but I didn't realize that all of the kitchen stuff is being sold at an online auction right now and there is a whole lot more coming. Rumor has it that everything (fixtures to chairs and everything in between) is being sold and then they're going to bulldoze the building... and soon.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Nov. 23 there will be an auction at Shiloh to auction off shop tools, farm equipment, lawn equipment, a bit of furniture, and the mounted exotic trophies and hides. [5starauction.com]
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Ugh. I hadn't heard or thought of the telephone number for years. Seeing it caused my heart to beat a bit faster. I really am surprised sometimes by the little things that raise a reaction in me still. :)
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Road to Damascus - how did you hear about this sale? Can anyone go? I'd be interested. I'm always up for a good auction or garage sale in this area!
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Forgive the irreverence, but I couldn't help but think tonight that what we REALLY need to do is get the Richmond Shooters (the pyrotechnics crew who put on the 4th of July show each year) together for one last hurrah and let THEM handle the demolition of Shiloh. Just a thought... :)
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Just so much to make me shake my head. :) Thanks for the info, Onion. There are still a whole lot of questions, but that does give a lot of clarity. I guess we'll wait and see.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Well, looks like the land at Shiloh is going to get some use. I have such mixed feelings about the latest developments. Mostly, though, I have questions. What happens (has happened?) to the pulpit? Chairs? Kitchen equipment? Filing cabinets? Song books? Tapes and books? Furniture from the dorm rooms and apartments? I mean, there are a million things in the building that aren't ju
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

You got an email?? I'm so jealous! :) Ok, not really. Still... The letter did zero in on a big problem, and one which grieves me terribly. I DO feel awkward in this community. I DO get uncomfortable when I run into people who used to be like family to me. That was true when we left Shiloh several years ago, and is even more so now (in part because I have no sense of who's still "
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep - your insights about the leaders' feelings and teachings about death and illness are spot on. We certainly experienced this and it was one of the big eye openers for us that finally caused us to leave. So, so broken!!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I am just sickened over and over again as I hear more and more stories of the sexual, emotional, physical, and spiritual abuse perpetrated and then covered up for decades. And, you're right - offenders tend to abuse and abuse and abuse and get away with it, and only a small percentage of those who are abused ever speak up. Worse still, only a small percentage of those who are abused ever can
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NancyB Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Pretty Boy, when are we going to do lunch? Want to > do mex after the snow melts? I remember being a little envious about the reunions and meetups in Cali that I read about on the FB page. Shall we have our own for Iowa folks? Let's pick a date and location (once we've survived this winter and roads ar
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Pretty Boy - might have to take you up on that sometime. Not only do I love antiques (my grandpa was an antique dealer and I spent many happy childhood summers at auctions and sanding and refinishing things with him), but I do love good Mexican food. We lived in Guatemala for four years, and got there by driving through the good ol' U.S. of M. Changed Again - Smart move. Polar vortex eve
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Prettyboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- here in iowa, and jesusjesusjesus > will agree, we've the tundra of an iowa landscape. > what could be better; I figured the Polar Vortex was nothing compared to an especially long service or intense personal ministry from a DR. :)
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Onion - not sure where you are in your faith or if the Bible brings you any comfort at all, but I feel very strongly that the work you are doing is a true example and act of repentance - turning away from wrong and to right. I can't imagine how painful your process must be, but I feel confident that the Biblical promises that come with repentance (fruitfulness, refreshing , life , no regret
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Also, as far as I can tell, our windchills here last night *only* got down to -49 (actual temp -22). Kept waiting for that -50, but it never came. Right now we're enjoying a balmy -20 with -44 windchill, but it's supposed to get up to -15 actual temp, so all is well. :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

what generation/age group was in > each generation? I guess I always thought about it in a more simplistic way (so it was probably wrong). :) If you were an adult who came in around when JRS started things (1950's, maybe into early 1960's), more or less, then you were first generation. If you were a child of a first generation person, or the same age range (born in the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Greetings from the polar vortex! I woke up this frigid morning (with more and worse on the way tomorrow) and my first though (honestly) was, "It's colder than Marilyn's reception of an unbidden congregant trying to strike up a casual chat." Hope the levity brings a little warmth to your day.
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Kboy and NancyB - thanks for reading and commenting. I just think it will be easy (as is apparent by the responses that people still in the Fellowship are having) to dismiss and/or "deal with" the sexual abuse, and not realize that it was a symptom, and not the disease itself. Hopefully people's eyes can be opened.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Onion Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > JJJ - I am halfway through your book and I want to > say: THANK YOU. > > I want to find a way to distribute it more widely, > especially to many family members I have who are > either out of the walk church for many years, > leaving that fellowship now, or some who have > decided they want to
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families