David--- I enjoyed your "Ten things you learned in Fellowship". When I was there (circa 1974-1980) it was o.k. to masturbate as long as you didn't think of anything pornographic. So I used to think of baseball. To this day when I hear "slide!! slide!!" I get very excited. (just kidding). take care, Joe
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I haven't posted for a few days because I have been in deep mourning and a repentant state. I watched the Andy Griffith show and it happened again. There's something about Aunt Bee that just makes me lose my self-control. And now I'm facing that month of supreme pagan idolatry with that wicked tree and it's attending decorations of filth. That old bearded over-eating man in re
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

David---- You know what? I've never been Pre-trib or Post-trib because I always figured the Lord would come back when George says it's OK. --Joe
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

When I was in the Assembly they had what was called the "Cycle of Devotion"--I was just wondering if they still used that term or is it called something else now? It was based on Psalm 51 and supposedly had secret powers if you did it correctly--or at least that is what we were led to believe. I got tired of it though because it seemed so repititious--like reading prayers out of a pray
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No matter how hard I try I just can't be an overcomer member. I want to be an overcomer member, but I guess I'm just not godly enough yet. Maybe one day I can be an overcomer member when I'm deemed worthy enough. But I'll really have to be faithful or I might wind up in outer member darkness where those unfortunates are who once visited this board faithfully, but who forsoo
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Mark---- You had mentioned being in contact with Rand Bates. Could you forward his address to me? jsperling@fralock.com---I always liked Rand a lot. I still have two of his drawings--he was a very good artist.It's funny how people read spirituality differently. I remember telling a leadin
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I guess I was too quick to say I was joining the "lurkers"--- what I meant is maybe I should shut up for a while---and let others share more of their experiences. I didn't take anything anyone said negatively at all. That quote by St. Francis of Assisi though really says it all---A Christian's actions speak far more than the words you might say. As I shared, even in a small
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Mark--- Sorry---didn't mean to put Campbell as a last name. Give Al my best. I really shouldn't use names because we were all in the same boat, and all have learned through time. Terry---your words from St. Francis of Assisi say it all. I will now join the crowd of "lurkers" and just observe from now on. Take care all, Joe
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David--- I'm sorry if you're referring to my posts as resembling the "Jerry Lewis telethon". Most of what I post is different as I'm relating things that happened to "me" more than writing an expository research on the Assembly. I know a lot of it sounds "silly"--but that's because it was "silly" to say the least. Why would one want
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Mark--- It's interesting you mention Bob Campbell open air preaching in front of a family gathering. I remember one night a group of about 8 of us or so went to The "Bear Pit"(a local barbecue place) and once we were inside, Al, in an act of "boldness" insisted we sing a hymn at our table. I will not lie when I admit that I was extremely embarrassed by this, feeling it
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

David--- Actually, My father was a P-38 pilot in the Phillipines during world war 2. I think it was Terry who said his father was a marine. --Joe
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

One last post and then I'll keep quiet for a while. After I left the Assembly it took a while before I attended any churches at all. But when I moved to Orange County I began to attend Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. Because of all I had heard in the Assembly I expected the people to be very shallow Christians, because Calvary chapel had 5000 members at that time. How untrue this was!! It had
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I apologize for so many postings but it's amazing what floods back to you when you look back at your years in the Assembly. The absurdity of things that happened makes me wonder how I could possibly have stayed there as long as I did. I remember how in Al's house he instituted a "morning time" that all must attend. He did this because some brothers were missing there morning t
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Mark--- That's really funny!! I remember Marc Arambula and his secret television--he loved Star Trek. Imagine having to sneak around so you can watch Captain Kirk!! I remember in the Valley in the time period I was there the illnesses that befell many. Do you remember that Mark? Even Dan Ryan after visiting this mysterious doctor was told he had a "heart murmur". Al had one,
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

David--- That's hilarious!! I can just see you both scurrying to hide the glass of wine and bottle!! I saw much hypocrisy like that while in the Assembly too. One brother used to talk about the scourges of Rock music, yet one day as I walked past the room he lived in with open door, I heard the refrains of "Dazed and Confused". He had headphones on but had the volume turned up
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David---I was interested when you were asking if the Valley Assembly was still small. I attended the Valley Assembly a long time ago(1975-1980). It wasn't called an "Assembly" yet-- we would drive to Fullerton for worship, but did have our own Bible studies, etc. during the week. But I remember leaving for about a year, and then returning one night to a Bible study. I was amazed
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Terry--- It's funny you mention your father and his distrust. I remember when I had to sell my car my father had left a note inside of it which read: "Dear God, once you get approval from the Assembly leaders, please let my son have his car back." It was sarcastic to say the least, but hilarious. My father had warned me about the Assembly, especially after this occurrence wit
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

When you mention the Prayer meetings and your requests being ignored it also brings to mind other things that were easily ignored when I'd bring them up. I laugh now when I remember the anger expressed towards me for asking a simple question. Here it is: On several occasions George would say that Phd stood for "phenomenally dumb" and that Bible Colleges were not in the will of
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David--- You are very correct about certain people being bullied more than others. But I had something happen later which I know came from the Lord for sure. I mentioned how I was forced to sell my car in order to remain in the house. So, for three years I went without a car. After I left the Assembly I was transferred by my employer to Orange County. After a space of three years I was
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

To Mark and others--- I liked what you said about the bumper sticker "Jesus is my best friend" I remember when I was first saved I viewed Jesus as the Good Shepherd and a very close and personal friend. I realize there is nothing wrong with exalting God to the highest of the highest, but I remember how in the Assembly God seemed foo far away, an exalted King so high and lifted
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When I remember the Assembly I liken them to a very short story that happened in the book of Luke. The Assembly was so concerned with filling up time with "meetings" and "stewardships" and "all nights of prayer" and "service" in general. At least when I was a member there a feeling of guilt would fall upon you if you missed one of these meetings. You had f
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Mark--- That's true concerning "Assembly Holiness". I remember always feeling something was wrong when George attempted to alter certain verses in the Bible. I don't have a Bible in front of me at the moment, but I remember a verse in Romans chapter 8 which states "and those he called he also justified, and those he justified he also sanctified, and those he sancti
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

In reply to Mark's post---That is absolutely correct---that's a great point Mark. I never really considered it the way you put it--it being a sin against the "Assembly" even though they call it a sin against God. I will give an example of this as it happened to me. One weekend I had taken my car over to my Dad's friends house to store it there because I couldn't
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Terry---- It's very interesting what you wrote about the Leadership issue in the Assembly. You know, if you really read the book of Acts you notice that the leaders were "elected" by the church--true--it says "THEY looked amongst themselves for those who were filled with the Spirit." But it doesn't say that one man chose all of the elders. It says that the Ch
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Mark--- Wow!! When I read your reply it brought back a bunch of memories. I remember Tom Vessi--a very quiet, kind person. He stayed at Al Hartman's house for a couple of weeks while I lived there. I remember Al saying "the brother just couldn't get the victory over alcohol". When I asked what he thought had happened in eternity he said that Tom had "lost his inh
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I remember that brother committing suicide, but I can't remember his name. I also remember being amazed that no one would attend his funeral. But many times the "Cult" mentality is like that. In order to keep the "letter of the law" they forget the Spirit of the Word. It's like the Jehovah's Witnesses who will let a child die rather than accept a blood transf
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Mark---- Your reply to beenthere was right on the money in my opinion. I agree with you totally that the Assembly indeed has two groups of people, the self-confident, and the defeated. I remember how when I was first saved Acts chapter 2 was alive in my heart. When you read that chapter and see how those new christians were acting it brings great joy. I always knew that true growth in a
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Mark--- Just so you know---the mc3073@aol.com address does not work---I've tried it several times via direct mail and the E-mail always comes back as undeliverable. I believe Brent may say the same thing. I also want to ditto what you said about there being many edifying and good things about the Assembly too. I have a tend
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I wanted to add a bit more to what I shared earlier. I remember in 1 Corinthians when Paul is chastising the church there for it's spiritual pride and division. He says kind of a strange thing. He says "There be divisions among you..One says I am of Cephas, another Iam of apollos, and another I am of Christ..." That is actually very interesting. There are many that say they follow
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Mark--- Tried your E-mail address but it failed.It's been quite some time since I left the Assembly but the scars seem ot take a long time to heal. I'll never forget my last conversation with an Assembly Member--it was George himself. I finally worked up the nerve and called his house--the conversation( I swear upon the Lord Jesus Christ this is the absolute truth) went like this:
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups