NickleandDimed - Thanks for the link on the differences between the teachings of mainstream Christianity and TLWF. I’ve come to believe that the real safety lies in following the teaching of Jesus himself, versus following a man claiming to have new revelation. Jesus said, “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on eart
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I just finished viewing all the episodes of Leah Remini’s documentary on Scientology, as others have recommended, and there are many parallels to TLWF. For example, if you leave, Scientology calls you a “Blow” where TLWF calls you a “Blowout”. There is also a very calculated effort to discredit the character and limit personal contact with anyone who leaves. Those that remain within the group
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I’ve often wondered if we elevate another to indirectly elevate ourselves. If they turn out to be a nobody, does that make us a nobody as well? For me, when John or G&M stopped being a position I idolized, it was much easier to see the doctrinal errors. Jesus said to call no man Master – that we are all brothers. That’s not meant to be a put down to those who have set themselves up as l
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As far as my time in TLWF being the will of God, I tend to think now that God can use even our mistakes for our good in the end. Often our greatest hurts become our ministry to others. By ministry, I mean service to, not position over others. Like the story of Joseph where his brothers sold him into slavery, but God used it to "preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

"When we are willing to enter into the pain and suffering of a friend, we follow the example of Christ." Thank you for the reminder lily rose!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

slandjt - I think all of us came out of TLWF with a heightened sense of a BS detector, but is it possible it may be a little skewed? Anyone that has been wounded is acutely aware of the types of things that have caused them suffering and will make every effort to avoid them in the future. Not all men want to oppress women. That’s certainly not in my “Jesus world” as you call it. I don’t think
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filthy apron - I don't remember your ex-communication. I must have been in time out and not allowed in the back room at the time. It's good to see you and your hubby and son are doing well! I hope saying it will not make it untrue to the skeptics who believe life only gets worse after TLWF :) I do remember the quality of the food going down when you disappeared. But then, there
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filthy apron – You’ve given too many clues – now I know who you are. I was questioning whether you really knew me or not when you used the word “brilliant”. I am a teacher after all – we talk and write lots. Sorry for the excess. A lot of water has gone under the bridge in the past 18 years. I certainly am in a much healthier place than I was when I left TLWF and you knew me - which I’m sure
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

sandjt – I do feel compassion for your particular situation, even though I don’t know the details. My ex-wife left the state to find healing with her family. My son was still living at home with me, and my daughters were already living on their own at the time of my divorce. It was still a tragedy for them. It had nothing and yet everything to do with them. I don’t know that any of us have f
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Invisible – I wonder if David, who lived under the Law, was able to find a place of repentance in Psalm 51 after his sin with Bathsheba. He had committed murder and adultery. Legally he was continuing to commit adultery because he married Bathsheba. Out of his marriage to Bathsheba came Solomon, and later Jesus. Matthew 1:1 says,”A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

NickleandDimed. Jesus did give one exception, which both my current wife of 17 years and I could argue from a legal standpoint regarding previous marriages. On the other hand, there is no way I could possibly claim that I have not lusted in my heart after another woman, which is what Jesus called adultery. That being said, I do believe God gives a fresh start to those that repent. I think God
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This Mother’s Day, I found myself especially thankful for my mom who now lives with my sister in Palmer Lake, CO – the same small town my wife and I live in. My sister is out of town for a few weeks and my mom and I have been spending a lot more time together. Her and my father left TLWF in 1979 after five members of the Des Moines church corporation set out of ministry all the other leaders of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

changedagain - I too did not get my personal finances in order until after leaving TLWF and in my 40's. Since I was involved in leadership, I had to submit a regular report of my personal finances - something the rank and file did not have to do. Lets just say my credit score went up 250 points a couple of years after leaving. It's funny how you can live under so much control and sti
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lily rose - Yep, it's true that Ted was the founder of New Life Church. I did jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. :) Between him and the shooting, many around the world are familiar with it. He's back in town with a congregation of over 1000. He was president of the NEA and had weekly calls with the US President. It was not uncommon to have news reporters from all the major
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Wonderful words lily rose! It's easy to tell when you have personally been the bruised reed - you have far more appreciation for His goodness. It is really true that He leaves the 99 and searches for you in a way no human would do. What a contrast to those who discard you when you no longer serve their purposes. I was also thinking about how after the Lord rebukes the false shepherds i
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Although I’ve hinted in posts that I’ve been involved in a local church, I’ve deliberately avoided mentioning it because I don’t believe a certain church – including mine - is the answer. It’s a difficult habit to break to begin looking to God instead of a belief system, especially with a background in TLWF. You first have to be free – however that may look. God is big enough to handle any of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Several have mentioned the difficulty they have experienced in trying to find another church family after leaving TLWF. Many of us have carried with us the haunting words of John that once we tasted of John’s version of the Kingdom, nothing else would ever satisfy us. We would be ruined for anything else. I realize that I may be in a small minority, but that is simply not true. I’ve found a w
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

When I was seeing a psychologist after leaving TLWF, he said something that may be of interest to those of you who have had nightmares about things like earthquakes and tidal waves since leaving TLWF. He said the subconscious mind does not deal so much in words, but in images. The ocean is a picture of the state of your life. A sunny beach means life is good. Storms and waves indicate turmoil
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What TLWF calls moving in the realm of spirit is nothing more than placing yourself in a suggestive state to facilitate mind control and opening the door for demonic oppression. There are no demonic forces being controlled as advertised, only blind followers. When the bubble of the imaginary spirit world pops, you are left with nothing. Even relationships that are decades old evaporate if you
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I went to a psychologist because I was having such subconscious chaos. I should clarify again that none of this was happening while I was awake and it was certainly out of character for me. I seriously questioned my sanity. My wife just learned to yell at me from across the room if she wanted to wake me – it just was a joke between the two of us. My reaction was very similar to someone who ha
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

LampShmamp - It was not something I would do while awake. I've always been an easygoing person. It would happen while I was in the middle of one of my "Braveheart" nightmares that my subconscious mind was trying to sort out. I was completely unaware of what I was doing. I have no doubt - and neither did my shrink - that it was directly related to TLWF. Part of my therapy was t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose – We tend to think forgiveness is about the other person, when in fact we are the ones who are set free. It opens the door for God to be active in the other person’s life as well – and He is far more merciful than we would be. The prayers of a right spirit are very powerful. He can help them in ways we don’t even have the ability to understand. He is a good God who causes the rain t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I sure appreciate the new posters, as well as those who have recently posted after taking a break for a while. Everyone sharing their story is certainly helpful to others. I spent a couple of years with a shrink trying to sort through things and perhaps the most important thing I learned from that period was that I was not nuts. Even though I was clinically depressed, it was comforting to know
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

slandjt – Thanks for being willing to post and for sharing your perspective from being close to John. Many who are reading this have no idea of the early days of TLWF. Obviously you’ve been able break the spell, yet still have genuine concern for family and friends that are trapped. I can only speak for myself, and not for the other posters, but I certainly would not legitimize Gary’s words.
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lily rose - I received an email from a family member that I assumed was monitoring this website in order to even have my contact info. His understanding was that they belonged to John. I believe I still have the email somewhere, but I would prefer to keep his personal info confidential, unless he is comfortable going public. Most posters on this website are not. Perhaps if he is reading this
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I had never heard of William Branham until after I left TLWF. Todd Bentley was not the only one who had an interest in Branham. It is very interesting to me that G&M were also drawn to Bentley. Although John denied having any interest in the Latter Rain Movement, boxes of Latter Rain reel to reel tapes were taken out of Martha’s house after she passed away. You tell me if any of this soun
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The reason I am encouraged by Gary reaching out to those outside TLWF is that it is a baby step in ending the isolation TLWF has experienced from other Christians. I know we all tend to look at church structures instead of the individuals within those structures. The Catholic Church system may leave much to be desired, but there are still good people within that system. I think the Rio Archbis
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SouthGate - I would not personally call a priest or Gary “Father”. Jesus said to call no man “Father”. Our Father is in heaven. The same would be true for praying to Mary or Marilyn. The fact that others do this is between them and God. He is the only one that really knows their hearts and the only one that they will have to give an account to. The term Christian means Christ-like. I happe
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I’m encouraged by Gary’s efforts to reach out to the Catholic Church. Hopefully, it will also begin to extend to other Christian groups that could really be a blessing to TLWF. I think if you were to look objectively at John’s lesson on Babylon in the First Principles, he did not view Catholics, or anyone else that disagreed with him, in the same light as Gary is now advocating. It would app
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SouthGate – My point in bringing up Dr. Grant’s input was not to determine if worshipping Marilyn was idolatry or not – it clearly is to most Christians, except those who were actually doing it – and I was one of them. I thought his input might be helpful to those who are trying to understand John’s roots prior to the Walk. John had a hard time playing nice with the other boys. He had grandios
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families