If and when I get my chance to deliver lesson 39 of the First Principles to the Pope, and he has had time to read it, I'll do my best to reassure him that the The Living Word Fellowship deeply accepts him and has faith for what he is doing in the earth. I know this will be meaningful to him. Also, on a much lesser note, I am going to continue to pray for Miller, even though he now channels
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteFCSLC Much devastation took place; SLC membership dropped by two thirds. Any independent spiritual life was hunted down and labeled as rebellion because it was on the other side of “The Line that was Drawn”. Shepherd’s personality versus the sheep’s personality was the battlefield. I stayed too long and got crushed------simply outnumbered. My world was crushed. My personality was inju
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotelarry bobo I have come to the conclusion that there was really only one that actually wanted Martha dead - Marilyn. She wanted no competition. The rest of us were just not that fond of Martha's music - an operatic style we had no appreciation for. Good point. As much as I've disliked someone's musical taste, it has never led me (so far) to violently pray for their death.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

And yet somehow Gary Hargrave was recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for demonstrating 'dedication, leadership and excellence in spiritual development and education.' Yeah right. You'll know them by their fruits.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotejhorningI remember, after JRS died, Gary said on a taped word that it was essentially over for John back in 1974 (I think that was the year he said), but they needed to keep the people busy so they came up with the unending intersession for him. John, Do you remember why Gary said it was over for John in '74? And did he really say that intercession was created to keep the people &
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Quotepaleface If you click on the "talk" tab, you can read the edit notes. Back and forth it goes. Doesn't surprise me, Paleface. On a grammatical level I know the experience (Is/Are/Are/Is) ;)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotechangedagainQuotepalefaceEurope? maybe. I used to think it was going to be Brazil for them. They need to be out of the US, so the law can't reach them. But maybe Brazil is no good either because the little people in the churches down there could legally press them. So I'm thinking they might buy up a small island in Fiji like some other cult leaders have done. (Like Franklin Jo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotepalefaceEurope? maybe. I used to think it was going to be Brazil for them. They need to be out of the US, so the law can't reach them. But maybe Brazil is no good either because the little people in the churches down there could legally press them. So I'm thinking they might buy up a small island in Fiji like some other cult leaders have done. (Like Franklin Jones, for example)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotepaleface Some folks who have seen it, estimate that G&M's new house in Hawaii is worth about 10 million. And that's just one property. All of this will probably go to Rick. So the Living Word of tomorrow will probably be a small group that no longer holds religious services, but only does stuff like 4th of July shows, Magical Christmas Trucks and Halloween Haunted Hou
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotechangedagainDenying Miller his pension--given his many years of devoted service--seems especially petty and vindictive to me. Petty given the paltry amount he was owed.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Denying Miller his pension--given his many years of devoted service--seems especially petty and vindictive to me. But I suppose God's justice can simply appear punitive until you have a thorough nature change, which I obviously haven't.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I wish I could claim I was surprised Miller became a channel of Satan, losing both his ministry and pension...but I'm not. Strangely, I still think he is a good guy. Perhaps this errant attitude is the result of an evil, sympathetic streak that resides in me--never fully eradicated by a living word. Oh well.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteInvisibleSome years after I left the church, I spoke on the phone, with one of the apostolic ministries some time in the 1990's. He cried when he told me that the ministry had separated his wife from him.- I wish I would have been able to talk with him about so many of the answers that I would find later - as to the why's. He was a lawyer by profession and he loved the scriptu
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Smart, ruthless, devoid of conscience... this discussion is about Walter White, right?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotepaleface "If you even *think* about talking to Mr. XYZ, you should take your own hands, put them on your neck and choke yourself until you pass out and that idea goes away" This one is definitely a word from God...not sure about the others you listed.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChanged4me At the time in 1997 when I was told I was not welcome, I was devistated because I felt that 25 years of my life just ended abruptly. Here were human beings whom I had counseled, shepherded, took their children into my home when mom and dad were struggling with their relationship, the list goes on. These people I had loved and prayed for refused to speak to me or answer a phone
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quoterrmoderatorthisweek: There is no need to put everything in caps. Please dial it down a bit. All caps is acceptable when prophesying. But in a public discussion forum, not appropriate.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteFCSLC This forum which somehow I found a couple of weeks ago has been very helpful. I have been coming home after work each day to get the therapy that is posted on it. Good Job!! When I get the nerve, perhaps I can say something constructive too. Thankyou. Welcome FCSLC. Hope to hear more from you. Glad to hear you and your family got out intact.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotejhorningQuoteChanged4me This is what has happened to tlwf. I was at the 1984 meeting in Sepulveda when she was choosing the men who would stand with her. They have become what we always tried to avoid: becoming like "Babylon". I heard the tapes where she directed marriages to break up. It was a big mess. John, Was she specific in her direction? Or was it done in a more subtle
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotepalefaceThere have been many good men of God who have been ousted from Marilyn's inner circle. In every case, they were regarded as "bad people" or "ministers of Satan" by the leaders and thus by the fellowship members. (Another common trait of a cult). John Miller has been the latest recipient of this treatment. It's so weak. It's difficult for me to
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChanged4me Twenty-five years is a long time to be a part of a religous/social organization. So many things happened to change me as an individual human being and spiritual person. In September 1997 everything shut down and I never spoke about my life in TLWF, 25 years of my life, until now. I recently discovered this website and thread and began to read, and read some more. Something has com
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The new Pope eschews the perks and trappings of his office. Perhaps he can impart this attitude to them.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotesierradawn I don't know who you and your wife are, but yes, it is a solace to know that they will one day have to account for their actions against God. My wife brought your Mom into this fellowship. Of course, she had no idea how toxic and spiritually hollow the church would become, and was very distraught to hear what your Mom was subjected to toward the end of her life...prior to
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotelarry boboThank you Sierra for sharing your story. TLWF has obviously had a deep impact on your life and your overcoming is an encouragement to others. I knew your parents but was not close to them. Thanks also for your openness and honesty to share very personal areas of your life without the veil of a ficticous user name - I know many others will know your family and your story will hav
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Chaos, Back in the day, being immersed in that environment, I'm sure I said a lot of nutty things, too. But I made a helluva effort not to treat people disrespectfully, or lord it over them...which I had the opportunity to do. It's one thing to become attached to bizarre theology, it's another to use it as a license to treat others inhumanely. From what I remember, Mike was kind
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChaos1952Of those ten warnings of a dangerous group leader the current LWF leadership qualifies perfectly. Now, I am looking for the truth about the original leader. I THINK the Walk went about a hundred percent worse when John Stevens died. However, I am not in the dark about John Stevens either. Now I can't judge him, because I can not accept my own behavior in the Walk. I was no
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotesierradawnQuotepaleface Pale Face, I love what you wrote, it's so true. I distinctly remember a service where they were talking about how bad individuality was, that we all needed to be one and be led by others. WOW. We had to look at others as we were singing, to sing to "the Christ in others". I'll never forget the first ministry I received from John. It was a 
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChaos1952I am curious about something. I was familiar with all the Living Word churches in the Southeast United States when I was in it, but I had limited exposure to the churches of the other areas of the country. Other than a visit to Shiloh now and then, and a call to Com-central or whatever that was it. We just listened to the tapes and nothing was mentioned about any "designated
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My wife knew your parents well. She too originated from Yakima, during the time period you mentioned. Thank you for posting this, Sierra Dawn. It's saturated with a great deal of insight, and though painful to absorb, should greatly help those still struggling with the decision of whether to remain or leave. If it's any solace, Marilyn and Gary will one day have to give an accountin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Even though Cambridge Who's Who identified Gary as Professional of the Year in the area of 'ministry leadership and spiritual education,' I'm still convinced the people writing here--along with the person referring to himself as 'Amos' at www.letterfromamos.org--have a much truer picture of what's been going on. Personal experience trumps public relations.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families