AssemblyBoard

You know, the more I think about it, the Assembly wasn't all that bad.  I mean, aside from George, Betty and David, we had it pretty good.

I think we should all go back.

Anyone willing to start up the meetings with me again?  

Bernt

oops, spelled my name wrong.
Do you think it would be a good idea to go back?  I mean, where are we going to find the New Testament Pattern?

Brant

Brent---

I'm so excited!!! I've got all my stuff packed into
my car. Where's the nearest brothers house?? I
can't wait to start doing stewardships again!!!!
Do we still need to wear three piece suits on Sundays?
I promise this time to only talk about teachings that appear in the Assembly---I've thrown all my old Puritan books away.
Oh please, please, let me be one of the fortunate ones that can go back. I promise to be good.

--Joe

Joe

I am afraid you have again mischaracterized the Assembly.
It is unfair to characterize every Assembly as having brothers' houses.  You know you are lying when you say that everyone was forced to live in communal housing.  You know it's not true, so why do you come on a stupid public forum like this and spread your lies and bitterness?  It is also misleadeading to suggest that every Assembly had stewardships.  You are projecting your experience onto everyone else's, which is biased and unfair.  There are plenty of teenagers who didn't do stewardships.


Again, this is way out of line.  Not all groups wore three piece suits.  There was never any dress code in the Assembly.  I know plenty of people who came to meetings in jeans.  Sure, some of the people who were serious in their walks with the Lord wore suits, but they did it out of choice!  Do you hear me?  They did it of their own free will!  No one forced them, or "encouraged" them to wear suits.  If they didn't like it, they could have worn an exterminator's outfit, and no one would have said anything.  Where do you come up with this stuff.  In my Assembly, we wore 2 piece suits, or just a white shirt and tie.  I have a picture, where all the young men are wearing only a white shirt with a tie.  They look like a bunch of Mormon missionaries!  However, again, you have misled people by making them think that all Assemblies made the members wear 3 piece suits.  Why are you doing this?  It makes you look real bad.  Joe, this is baseless accusation on your part.  When I read it, I just laughed! HA HA HA HA HA!  The Assembly having a dress code?  Even if they did have a dress code, what's the big deal?  Tell me, what is wrong with a dress code?  Show me in the Bible where it says anything about dress.   Also, even if one or two people in your Assembly were told to wear suits, the way you tell it, it sounds like the leaders knew about it.  Can you prove they did?  NOT!!


Whoa! :o Are you suggesting that the Assembly discouraged reading certain kinds of books?  You are way out of line, and need to repent.  Maybe they did that in SoCal, or SLO, but they didn't do it in every Assembly.  The way you post makes it sound like the Assembly was against Christian literature, and that is not correct.  You need to make this right.  In my Assembly, we read something from a puritan writer named Baxter.  This was read at a couples' meeting, in public.  So I don't know where you get off saying things like "The Assembly wouldn't let its members read books by Puritan authors."  (direct quote from YOU!)

Joe, YOU are the problem.  You mischaracterize, mislead, and fabricate.  None of the things you said are true.   You are simply attacking God's people, who only served you.  I am glad you left, and no, you can't come back unless you repent.

Brint

I have some swampland in Florida to sell.  You all seem like likely candidates.

Andrea

Joe,

I think Andrea hit the nail on the head.  Why don't you go and live in a swamp in Florida.  That would be good.

I can't take your bitterness and accusations anymore!  I can't believe you had the nerve to spew a bunch of negative things about the Assembly on a public forum.

How dare you mention your car!  That was your choice Joe.  Don't even suggest that the leaders influenced you to give up your car.  If you didn't like their counsel, you could have left.  Now people are going to think that the leaders controlled people, all because of you not knowing your head from a hole in the ground!

Quit attacking! You are an ugly, stupid person, who never says anything true.  Everything you say is motivated by Satan.  Go take your sorry, pathetic life out of here, and quit attacking God's people!

Brnt

I can't believe the rancor on this forum!!

quote from Dave Mauldin:

Dave, you should be ashamed of yourself.  These are dear people,  who have labored in the word in order to feed you.  Their homes were always open to you, and they were always there to pray for you, and you call them chimpanzeez!

Can't you people do anything but attack?  Are you so bitter that you have nothing good to say?  Quit your attacks and lies.  All you do is spout venom from your filthy mouths, and then make up stories!

I'm quoting you so you can't wiggle out of this one Dave.  You need to retract the statement you made, calling the Fullerton Saints chimpanzeez (sp?)

Brnot

Wow!

This 'healing process' is taking a looong time.
Except for Stephen (I have deleted my post) it's time for all of you to call Dr. Laura.   I have a pretty good idea what she would say.

It's come to that, brothers and sisters, when all else fails ... call Dr. Laura.

M

Bernt (relative of Erniet?)

Oh yes, let's.  
     For "when the Son of Man shall come, will he find faith in the earth?"  When the master returns, will we be found faithful?  Say, will he find you and me still watching?  Will we be about the master's business?  "Many shall be offended (fall away)...and because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."  
We need to "watch therefore, and pray always, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. "

    And perhaps the brothers' homes weren't all that bad, at least for a little while perhaps they had a purpose.  We can all use some discipline, right?  How else would we be good disciples?  God provided a course for David when he was in Saul's household for a while, and Joseph in prision, Moses in the backside of the desert, etc.  "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke of his youth."
"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. "  

     Oh, and I miss being with other believers who also love the old hymns as I do.  All this trash music in many churches is so loud, and you can hardly tell the difference between it and worldly music.  In this day and age, does anyone take the time to meditate--to be still and quiet before the Lord without all this carnal influence?  It's like we want to have our cake and eat it too.  We want entertainment and we want to say we are worshiping.  What was that someone said that there could be no worship without sacrifce. God is Holy, Holy, Holy after all.  "Come as you are to worship"?  
I thought it was "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus", "by a new and living way" to the "throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help in time of need."

     As what about the Bible?  I know people who have been Christians for years and yet they don't know Matthew from Mark.   I thought Jesus said, "If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed."  How can we say that we love God if we don't love his Word?

    And what about outreach?  Wasn't Jesus' last and standing command to "go out into all the earth and preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations?"  So many Christians I meet could care less about the lost.  It just doesn't make sense.  Perhaps it is because they are wordly and compromised.  They don't want to preach the gospel and tell people that they need to repent from their wicked ways because they are enjoying wickedness themselves.  How strongly, on that day of Pentecost, did Peter warn -"Save yourselves from this wicked generation!"

     And what about prayer?  The old saying goes, "The family that prays together stays together."  What church have you found outside the assembly where EVERYONE in the assembly prays and prays often and fervently?

     And who are we to think that we shall not go through any sufferings but have it easy here in this nice safe and comfy America.  In the Hall of Faith in Heb 11, we see that the curriculum vitae for our faithful brethren in times past was that they endured tremendous suffering.  Indeed, and so did our Savior and Lord!  Do we then think that we can live a life of ease?  To such a one the scriptures give the example "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee."

   What is your life about, are you living for Jesus?  Or is your life about making money?  
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy."
"For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. "
"But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? "
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. "

     Or is your life about your house, your wife, your relatives or even your very life?
"Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?  Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways."
"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. "
"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. "
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. "
"Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. "
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. "

     And of course we know that the reason for why we do all of these things isn't out of fear but out of love and gratitude.  Thank God I'm saved!  He RESCUED me from this present evil age. I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM!  We should flee from wickedness and abandon ourselves to Christ and to doing good and righteousness!  Of course anything that I do is not for my glory, but for his!  Not by my strength but by his grace!
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Soo....let's do it!  Are you running with me?  Are you in the arena, are you giving your all?  Are we pressing on the upward way?  Are we fighting the good fight?  As John Bunyan wrote "If anyone wants heaven, he must run for it!"

Arthur  ;)   :'(

Ahh, Arthur!

A masterful display of using the scriptures to malign worldly Christians, and drive us on by guilt and obligation.

Arthur, I think you have totally grasped the nature of my thread!

If anyone was wondering, the purpose of this thread was threefold:

1.) To take attention off of another thread
2.) To "head off at the pass" a theme that I perceived (note the word perceived) cropping up, that being that the Assembly was really good, and only certain aspects of GG was "bad."
3.) To illustrate, using absurdity, how we have degenerated into Democrats and Republicans in the way we argue with and oppose one another, and don't actually read and understand what people are trying to say.  

I also had a good bit of fun with this, which I needed.  

Shall we make an attempt at edifying conversation today?

Thanks for the last paragraph Arthur.

Brent

DARN!  I threw away my head coverings a couple years ago!  Guess I'll have to go back to the fabric store and by a 1/2 yard of gaudy material...I think I'll try purple this time! 8)

Well shoot guys, I would love to join you, but due to the fact that unbeknownst to me, I apparently had a "falling out with the assembly leadership" and had  "chosen sports and my friends over God"  I, according to assembly rule 136-14.185C cannot be a member of the new assembly due to the fact that my apparent wickedness was committed during a time where George was still revered.  Therefore I am grandfathered into past assembly practices and unfortunately will not be able to attend until these matters are cleared up.

With that being said, Im not quite sure if I was ever excommunicated, but if I was, and can manage to get unexcommunicated, can I:

A) please, please, please become a doorkeeper???  I know that my wardrobe of Polo Shirts and Dockers pants would not be acceptable clothing, but I promise to run out and buy some raunchy old suits that were made in 1986 so that I fit in with the other doorkeepers.

B) Secondly, can Tim Geftakys PLEASE be the leader of the new assembly.  I just really feel that we need a humble, honest, faithful, and physically fit leader to point us in the right direction.  I think Tim is actually a really good guy who has just been misunderstood.  I propose that we let him handle all assembly finances.

C)  I know its short notice, but could someone please reserve a lecture hall in Champagne, Illinois so we can have a seminar this Memorial Day Weekend.  I don't speak for everyone, but I got to believe that most people have no interest playing golf, watching the NBA playoffs, boating, being with their families, having some down time, etc., and would much, much rather be in a seminar listening to three hour long messages that make little or no sense.  As a matter of fact, I think we ought to add an 8th meeting on Monday, and have Sunday night be an all night of prayer.  This way, Sunday/Monday could just be one long 36 hour consecutive meeting.  

This is sooooooo exciting!!!

Purple--lol, why not get something from Victoria Secret in satin pink?  ;D

Brent---

You are absolutely right. I've prayed about my rebellious spirit. I'm ready for my "consequences" now. I know I've just barely gotten back into the Assembly since you invited, and I already have "consequences". Brent--should I start with the windows, or do you want me to sweep out the garage? I'm really sorry for saying that the Assembly wouldn't let me read Puritan books. OK Ok, you're right, maybe George is a Puritan and reading his literature should be sufficient for me.

It was unfair to say that everyone wears three-piece suits in the Assembly. But, Oh, that reminds me, the cleaners called and said your suit is ready for pick-up. But I really apologize for making an accusation like that. I'm just a horrible person, a rebel, and no good. "Submit to them who have the rule over you" should be my daily anthem. But instead, I rebel. I'm so sorry Brent, I repent in dust and ashes. Have mercy uopn me.

--Joe :'(

lol, raunchy old suits.  I know exactly what ur talkin' about.  Well, u know we're not the rich of the world, so there u have it.


Haha!  Too funny.  Physically fit--lol!  Well, "physical training is of a little value..." ;D

Ah Bernt!

Yes, your badinage was quite revivifying.  Democrats and Republicans indeed!  lol  :D

Regarding my message. I was "throwing down the gauntlet", so to speak.

If you noticed by the  ;) and :'(, I wrote what I did with some jest and yet some sorrow.  

On the one hand, we know that much of what I quoted was used against us by evil men such as George.  On the other hand, there is some truth to it--obviously to the scripture itself.   Thus this is a challenge to any and all (particularly you Brent) to disprove these statements or rather show the real truth of them instead of how they were used against us to adhere us to George and the assembly.
In doing so, I believe that answers to questions that still haunt many may be obtained.  I found your thread to be the perfect segway.  

Let me be honest--I still wonder about these things myself to one degree or another.  As I was writing some(not all) of them, I felt and remembered the inspiration behind them.  And...it wasn't bondage--at least that's not what it meant to me--but conviction and a mission that I could believe in and know of a certainty that it is true and good and noble.  But now, since the name Geftakys is associated with it and we suppose that they derived from him, we have no firm conviction and are left with confusion and an empty shell of vague understanding, and we always have to second-guess ourselves for fear that our thinking might be Assembly-influenced.  
Do you understand?  I doubt I'm the only one who is having this problem.

Let me put it another way.  The reason why I did what I did in the assembly was because of my belief and conviction that the preeminence of Christ and the immediacy of the Word of God superceded all else!  In other words, the scripture makes some heavy statements totally contrary to the way we normally think, particularly in regards to our devotion to our redeemer and master--Jesus Christ.  It seemed reasonable to abandon my normal--call it carnal, self-serving-- reasoning to obey God, if I was going to claim that I believed in Him and be his follower.  

     Of course, to have that conviction skewed to the point where I was following George was an atrocity.  I cannot say that I set out to consciously, willfully give allegiance to George over giving alleigiance to Christ.  It may have crept in on me through time, though, I wouldn't argue, given the deceptive nature of the ministry, but in my heart of hearts it was always for Jesus not George, that I panted for.
     In other words, the reason why I preached Christ on campus was because the Bible said so.  The reason why I went to a prayer meeting was because the Bible said so.  The reason why I worshipped God was because the Bible said so (and because I loved Jesus :)  The reason why I studied, mediated upon and shared what I learned from reading the Bible is because the Bible said so.  The reason why I submitted to the leadership is because the Bible said so.  The reason why I left all to follow Jesus is because the Bible said so.  etc.

Ah, but then there is the milieu control, coersive persuasion, deceptions, and other cult-like characteristics.  

But let me ask you, can you tell me that I did what I did because of George?  Is George greater than God?  Is George's word greater than God's?

Definitely we should abandon George, but God and his Word?


...some thoughts  ;)
Arthur

Quote from Arthur:

Hey Arthur!

In no way should we abandon God and His Word.  I know you know the answer, and I know that you are not wrestling with this choice yourself, but sadly, many are.  Even more tragically, people have taken this test and decided to reject God.

The confusion comes from an improper understanding of God's Word.  

Should we look at it like a law to obey?  Do this, don't do that, etc.

Or should we look at it from  the perspective of Grace?  Christ has fulfilled the law, and our righteousness is apart from the law.

The latter perspective frees us from judging music, amount of outreach, bible knowledge, etc.  Furthermore, when we realize that nothing can condemn, and nothing can seperate (Romans 8) the joy and freedom that comes from this makes me want to study, share and worship all the more.

Unfortunately, we were methodicall taught to approach the Bible from a law/performance based attitude, which was on steroids!

Do I want to go back?  Nope.  

But hopefully, we can stop misquoting, reacting and getting combative about every issue!

Brent

YOU FORGOT THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS IN YOUR MENU .
GO DUCKS   ;D       STEVE HARRIS

Yes, I believe that's it, Brent.  One more item that could have been added to my list and indeed should be added is--"above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness."  This is the one thing that everything in my list of assembly teachings lacked, yet it is the most necessary.  In considering the problems in the assembly teachings and attitudes, the glaring summation is--condemnation of others and pride in oneself.  What more opposite than what we really long for -- Jesus, who was meek and lowly in heart.  

"Other Christians aren't like this."  "Many believers don't do that as they should."  "If you want to be truly faithful, you really should be doing this."  etc.  
If you read between the lines do you see the love of Jesus?  Rather you see the arrogance of George.  So sad that we ever would go along with it.  Would we all agree now?  

Thank you for the reminder, Brent.

Arthur


Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Verne, thank you, thank you.  That is an excellent way of putting it and helps order some thoughts of mine.  It makes me want to cry, though.  So sad isn't it?  

Because you see what it does---

A man wants to do good.  Wants to have a purpose in life.  Wants his life to mean something and be valuable.

The Bible indeed does have the answer to all of our questions and is the light by which we may live that purposeful life that God has planned for us.  A man's aspirations guided properly by the Word of God could result in a beautiful thing.
But here comes George, using both the Bible and our aspirations for his own despicable means.  He twists the path, clouds the light, and through his machinations creates phantasms in our mind causing confusion, doubt and despair.

Now we are free from his direct influence--but are we free from the legacy he left within us?  The dark cloud still swirls in violent, mirky storms.  The thought, "I had good aspirations and a noble cause--but was it really?  I did, but I was deceived?  Well if that wasn't the right thing to do, what is?!"  Go the thoughts of one so infected.  

Yet I believe that Jesus can set us on the straight and narrow once again.  He will light our paths.  Patience is required--I guess.

And yes, I believe George will pay.  

Arthur

Sorry I really do think that the people who stay are very vaery week hurting people who choose ignorance over truth.

The "good" experiences in the assembly were for the most part unique to a cult.  The "family" atmosphere, the security of "home" "Dad" etc.... Any healthy American knows that he or she needs to learn independence from their family. No matter how difficult it feels. Yet other experiences, the idealisms of spirituality over materialsm, the moral right over the wrong, these are not unique to a cult.  These I have found outside of the assembly.  I have experienced the joys and freedoms of serving and loving my neighbor in volunteer work and I am leaving for the "Peace Corps" this next year.  :) :) :) :) :) :) Don't let the bad experiences of the assembly cloud your vision for LIFE!!!

Oh Eulaha and Arthur,

I can hear it now "Sister, could you put away your shiny pink headcovering, You are distracting the brethren..."

It's time to go back? But I just learned how to be independent and make my own choices and stand up for myself without the interference of Leading Brothers. I just discovered that I can go buy stuff without having to justify why I did it. And I just found out that I can go scuba diving on Sunday and it's ok.... I don't wanna go back.....

Heide

It wasn't all that bad? ???
  I wish I could figure out the quote thing as I would quote the statement Verne made re. how GG manipulated those under his control.  Verne's statement was the clearest and most succinct definition of GG's sin to date!
  I had the same response as Arthur's to this quote of Verne's and that was a mixture of deep insight into GG's methods and personal grief in response to what it revealed.
  Others have mentioned (and apparently it needs to be said continually) that many were alarmed at GG teaching and practices long before his excommunication.
  If you were to pinpoint the "root" of all Assembly sins and the reason there are those who call it "cult like" it seems that Verne's paragraph hits the nail on the head.  The adultery and support of Dave's abuse were only symptoms of a greater evil.

  Do we all sin?  Yes, without question.
 
   But, do we all sin like GG did?
 
Have we taken the place of mastery over another believer's soul?
Do we say we have the key of knowledge for entrance to God's presence/kingdom/Heaven/etc. and make loyalty to our ministry as the means to entering same?
Do we reject entreaty and then savagely attack those who dare to approach us humbly?
When we are caught in sin do we deny it, refuse to repent, and blame it all on "persecution"?

  All churches will have problems with sin for they are filled with sinners.  Perfection is not the issue, but are we humble in the admission and repentance from that sin?  GG was above entreaty and this led to the sin of the devil, which is pride.
  Do I want to go back?  I would like to go back in time and shout these things at the top of my lungs at the very first seminar GG gave!
                           God Bless,  Mark
 

Just click on the quote button?
If you want only a snipet, just remember that anything between the "{quote}" and "{/quote}" tags will appear as a quote.  (note, I used curly braces {} instead of brackets [], otherwise you wouldn't be able to see the text.)


Yes, that's it.  So clear is it now that there is difference--as different as the disciples from the pharisees.  
In one sense, I'm glad that I learned this distinction (albeit, the hard way. :(  

On a similar note,  
     George wanted us to believe that what was good and normal is for leaders to be authoritarian and look good on the outside by doing stupendous deeds of preaching and missionary journeys.  But what of mercy, humility, and love?  I'm still scratching my head at how it was that I came to accept George's portrayal of a righteous man as accurate, when those basic Christian tenets were lacking.  Could anyone look at George and say, "This man is a humble and loving and gentle like Jesus"?  
     I don't think I did entirely accept it, at least not down in my heart.  It was that pea under the mattresses (sometimes more like a boulder)--no doubt that was the Holy Spirit saying, "Wake up and smell the hypocrisy!".  But the ministry as a whole still seemed to be doing the will of God (i.e. reaching the lost, lives lived in devotion to God, etc.)
     Sure, we could say, "George is a godly man."  But we couldn't honestly say that he's meak and lowly in heart.   Now that just doesn't make any sense.  Then what was our definition of a "godly" man?  Didn't that just cause some red flags to go up?  Oh, but being meak wouldn't be overcoming--oh yeah, that's it. :P


And you would be promptly escorted out the door. No?
I actually thought about doing that when I lived in Fullerton, but I thought, "Who would listen to me?"   Arg, painful memories.

Arthur---

I'm a bit stupid. When you want to highlight a "quote"
someone has made, do you click on the "quote" button
and then highlight only the area you want to reply to?
Or do you have to use brackets or quote marks? Can
you explain?  I'm a little thick.

Thanks,  Joe

To make brackets appear, just double them: [[[],
but for some reason the BB software seems to malfunction when [[[]]] aren't paired.
It should be ignoring them, since they are doubled.

---

When you click on the quote button, the entire text appears in the edit box between [].  Delete parts that you don't want.  If you want it split into two quote boxes, put [[/quote]] [

There you have it.  

[] --  thought it might be something like that.  In C programming you put a "\" before something to indicate an escape sequence.  
Thanks Steve.

I had to figure it out empirically, since I couldn't find it in the HTML book.  HTML uses angle brackets <> instead, but other than that difference, the BB is supposed to use some sort of subset of HTML.

When you say "highlight a quote" do you mean to make it bold?
I don't know if that is possible.  
Or if by "highlight a quote" you mean to only quote one line and cut out the rest, then yes you hit the quote button and then delete the text that you don't want, leaving the line that you want inbetween the
[].
Or if by "highlight a quote" you mean quote a post in its entirety, then yes, you just need to hit the quote button.  And then type your comments AFTER the ending quote tag.  

In other words, when you are composing a new post, anything that appears between [] tags will appear in the light blue as a quote in your post once you've posted it.

Do some experimenting and you'll see.  (You can use the Preview button to see your post before you post.)

I hope that answers your question.

Arthur,  or actually Joe;  now I'm confused. Arthur's probably wondering why I was telling him this when he already knew how it works.

Since everyone else is offline, and I saw this I thought I'd tell you what I usually do.

Click the 'quote' button
you are now in the 'post message' box
delete the parts of the quote that you do not want to remain quoted, but do not delete the [] stuff.
at the bottom of the quote outside the last [] type in your reply.

M

oops had to modify that

Yah, isn't that what I said?  


But I think you said it in easier to understand terms.

If you want to see how a particular post was done, you can click the "quote" button, and read how it looks in code.  When you're done looking at it, use the browser "back" button to back out of it.

You can also use this method to copy a quote, to be later pasted into a post in a different thread.

  {On a similar note,  
     George wanted us to believe that what was good and normal is for leaders to be authoritarian and look good on the outside by doing stupendous deeds of preaching and missionary journeys.  But what of mercy, humility, and love?  I'm still scratching my head at how it was that I came to accept George's portrayal of a righteous man as accurate, when those basic Christian tenets were lacking.  Could anyone look at George and say, "This man is a humble and loving and gentle like Jesus"?  
     I don't think I did entirely accept it, at least not down in my heart.  It was that pea under the mattresses (sometimes more like a boulder)--no doubt that was the Holy Spirit saying, "Wake up and smell the hypocrisy!".  But the ministry as a whole still seemed to be doing the will of God (i.e. reaching the lost, lives lived in devotion to God, etc.)
     Sure, we could say, "George is a godly man."  But we couldn't honestly say that he's meek and lowly in heart.   Now that just doesn't make any sense.  Then what was our definition of a "godly" man?  Didn't that just cause some red flags to go up?  Oh, but being meek wouldn't be overcoming--oh yeah, that's it. :P}



I'm trying to quote the above from Arthur.  My husband had similar thoughts.  It was always said of Geo., and we said it, too,"he's a godly man".  But no one ever said he is Christ-like, so what did we mean?  What were we thinking?  Apparently we weren't thinking enough at all.  BW

[ ]
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The above is the best i can hope for.  There seems to be nothing i can do to get the effect everyone else gets (neat little boxes full of small print).  i used to get it by simply hitting the quote button, then i could edit the quote as i pleased.  That all came to an end about two months ago (give-or-take a little).  Now, what you see (above) is what i get.  i have never had access to the smilies or any of the two rows of buttons above them.

Poor me!!!

THAT'S why i want to go back!  i didn't need a computer in the assembly.  i just had to show up (a LOT), stuff the collection box (a LOT), & do whatever i was told (a LOT).  Life was so simple then!  i had everything i needed except a close walk with the Lord.

To make brackets appear, just double them: [[[],
but for some reason the BB software seems to malfunction when [[[]]] aren't paired.
It should be ignoring them, since they are doubled.

---

When you click on the quote button, the entire text appears in the edit box between [].  Delete parts that you don't want.  If you want it split into two quote boxes, put [[/quote]] [

Here is a list of smilie codes for Al.

Happy --- :)                              Puzzled ---  ???
Wink --- ;)                                Disbelief ---  ::)
Laugh ---  :D                             Yuk ---  :P
Toothy grin ---  ;D                      Blush ---  :-[[
Mad ---  >:(                              Pout ---  :-X
Sad ---  :(                                 Indecision ---  :-\
Surprise ---  :o                           Kiss ---  :-*
Sun glasses ---  8)                     Tears ---  :'(

How to do other things in the rows of buttons above the smilies can be found in the BB help screen.

     Thanks, Stephen & all, for trying to help.  i must be hopelessly mired in the mid-20th century.  i don't understand most of what i read on the "Help" page.  Half the time, just trying to go there gets me kicked offline for committing an illegal operation.  When i try to use the smiley codes, all i get is what i type-- no cute pictures like everyone else gets.  BTW, i have no idea how my last post turned out like it did???
     But your attempts to enlighten me are appreciated...

Sincerely,
al

The smilie codes need to be separated from other stuff and from each other by spaces.  Otherwise the BB software may think that they are part of the text and ignore them.

Your earlier post didn't work because you doubled the brackets of the quote tags that you added, but failed to double the brackets that were part of the text that was to appear literally.  You need the reverse of what you had.  Single where you had doubled, and doubled where you had single.  This combined with a bug in the BB software in which an unpaired quote tag in doubled brackets is not ignored properly, which causes the BB software to malfunction.

Doubling brackets is something you should only do if you want a single bracket to appear literally in the text of the post.  But beware of doubled brackets around unpaired quote tags.

Brent,

Thanks, but no thanks.  I'll take what I've been given and move on.  God is working in my life in a different direction now and to go back to a way of life, despite the possibility of it being without George, Betty, David, Tim . . . whatever.  Not really my cup of tea.  I do agree that there were good things and good friends that came of it, but not the whole package.  I could go on from there and elaborate, but . . . time is of the essence.

Uh...can we get back to the original subject of this thread??? :-\

Would you really go back to Galatia (the Assembly). Those people who are longing for the leeks and onions of the Assembly should read the link below and commit it to memory. After the present problems subside and if the existing leaders get off unscathed they will soon go back to the same old routine. Beware of the leaven. This is not going to be cured it must be irradicated.

http://www.rickross.com/reference/assembly/assembly31.html

Let's get our time machine warmed up and go back to the beginning.

It is a new day the cage is open and those who want should fly into Jesus's loving arms. Don't look back like Lot's wife just run and enjoy the freedom of real life in Christ.

Is it scary? You bet! But you will experience what it really means to trust the Lord, you will meet Him in a new and living way. It isn't going to be filled with goosebump on goosebump or deep low  like a roller coaster ride you may have come to call normal in the Assembly. You know with one day higher than the heavens the next down in pits under the circumstance but a steady and beautiful way.

Life in the Assembly was not what Christ wants. Experience what it means to let Him be your guide and not emotions or some leader.

Jesus died to set you free. Go free! Find a healthy gathering and leave your old baggage of the Assembly teachings at the door. Come see what Christ meant you to experience.

Jesus loves you. You tell others that but believe it for yourself. Stop whipping yourself. Stop repeating the selfers prayer. Stop appoligizing for living. The leaders don't really care for you. If they did they would listen to you but just try and correct them. They will not even blush. So sad. Many of you are very dear people and are very sincere. Why waste your time, money and talent on these guys they don't respect you they only want to use you. Until you stand up to them they will go on using you.

There are many good Bible believing Churches out there. I know you will have to swallow your pride because you stood against much of what they do and say but it will bring healing and open up a new opportunity to meet a bigger cross section of Christians. Remember you can learn from them. It's time to listen not to tell others what they are doing wrong. You will find that form and function are not as important as freedom to serve the Lord.

I am burdened for you all but I know that many are looking for headcoverings, hymns and open ministry etc. What does 1 Cor 13 say. Without love all the works are useless. I have found real love to replace the performance based love and you can too.

Lord bless you
Hugh  :D

NOSTALGIA TIME

Please promise not to vomit after reading this. Get your sick bag if need be to be prepared.

Nostalgia time. This is fiction but it reminds me of what I saw in Ottawa. We really were proud of how humble we were. We really exalted in our suffering because of the rewards that other believers would miss out on but we would overcome. And all the saints who still had their health said AMEN.

“Saints grab your hymn book and we will sing number 333.”

“Now remember make a joyful noise everybody. Don't worry it doesn't matter how terrible you sound just how much you really mean it. We don't need a piano or any other musical accompaniment. The early Church never used instruments so this is the pattern everyone should use. Now remember that because these other Churches have so many distractions (like organ music pianos and heaven help us even bands) But don’t despair because we went back to the original biblical pattern and we, only we, practice true first century practices. We only do what we see the early believers practiced as outlined in the New Testament.”

“Oh and I have an announcement of a fellowship at brother ________'s house he says the Superbowl is on at his house and all are welcome.”

“Those who have not signed up please leave your email address with us so we can contact you for the car trip to the sugar bush. Anyone who has a cell phone please leave us you number so we can have contact people in case we get separated. We will have a movie in the evening. It is called A Night's Tale.”

“We are not legalistic we are living in today’s world not like the Amish who view even some things like zippers as worldly. We know the Internet never existed when Jesus was around but the Lord can use it for His glory. So computers, cell phones, are acceptable to the Lord. However TVs except for fellowships and GGs seminars are not good in the home. No worker will be allowed to have a TV and definitely not a VCR.”

“Oh yes sisters you must bring your long dresses and head coverings for worship. As we said we only do what is biblical and don't mix today’s worldly habits with our fellowship for the Lord. We want to be consistently on board for the Lord. We are standing in the gap because most Christians have given up and have compromised their vision. What makes us different is important because we don't go the broad way that leads to destruction we are going the narrow way the way of the cross and do things according to God's pattern. Everything needs to be centered around the Testimony and all we do for our own selves or our family is secondary to what the Testimony needs.”

“Praise God saints it is our privilege to not only serve the Lord but to suffer for Him. Any who are behind in their stewardships need to remember it is to be done as unto the Lord. It is for the increase of your eternal reward and although salvation is a gift your inheritance is conditional.”

“Oh yes sorry for the sermanette for Christianettes now it is time to sing that glorious hymn.”

http://crass.on.ru/flash/bbird.html

Now isn't that refreshing. Bring back memories to anyone! “Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.” (Quote from a secular song popular many years ago)

Hugh ;D

Hugh,

     Your post so inspired me to be like the early church that as soon as I had read it I cut the elastic waistbands out of all my underwear & threw out all my shoes except the sandals!

Thanks,
al

P.S.-- I forget, what am I supposed to do if I get gored by my neighbor's power mower?
               ;D                 ;D              ;D              ;D               ;D

Al

No more Monday Night football either. The thought that comes to mind is avoiding the APPEARANCE of evil. Much of what we were told to do was supposedly to protect the testimony from being tarnished. The Spirit is supposed to guide us into all truth and not rules. Jesus challenged the Pharisees many times about the rules. He says the Sabbath was for man and not the other way around. If we are led by the Spirit and as a result serving the Lord then all this external control is unnecessary.

Hugh :)