Dear "bob,"

You wrote this:
I agree with you wholeheartedly.  If you want to see some of this encouraging talk, go on http://www.restfortheweary.us/bb/index.php.  On that website, I am much more in the "encouraging" mode.  Like someone else said, this BB is for venting, or at least that is it's current function.  Every now and then we stray into a really encouraging topic for a while, but 17-20 years of the Code of Silence needs a couple years of venting to balance out----for non-overcomers.   Overcomers, or course, don't need to vent.

Regarding the RickRoss articles, Rick didn't want to put my name on them.  I put my name and phone on the Macgregorministries articles.  
I don't recommend anyone else to put their phone number, etc.  I don't even have a problem with anonymity.

However, it is Biblical that we have a right to face our accusers.  I didn't like the fact that I couldn't get my name on the Ross articles, so eventually I had to start my own site, and take responsibility for my words and actions.  Thanks for the Wyatt Earp comparison,  BTW.

When you posted snipets of my writings and then said,  "I am questioning your credibility Brent,"  you at least owe me to tell me who you are.  If you only want to comment on the public domain that's fine, in light of anonymity.  However, if you get personal (which is fine) you should be a person.  Nevertheless, you may post anonymously if you wish.

As far as people silently being against the BB,  there may be a dozen, perhaps more.  However, I have hundreds of letters that say just the opposite.  

Chuck Vanasse will be back, and I'm sure Al will stop by from time to time.  Do you really want everyone to be doing this?  Isn't it "healthy" that so many have "moved on?"  I think so.

The overwhelming testimony I have received has been that people are happy to have been delivered and gotten into healthy churches.  Chuck Vanasse himself put together a book for me that contained testimonies of people who had been blessed by the website and BB.   The vast majority of people who registered here over the last year have found green pasture and fresh water and are "getting on" with The Lord.  

I guess the real question is,  Why are we still here?  

For me, it's not because I am bitter.  Mostly I laugh my head off when telling "Assembly" stories.  I'm here, at least for now, because I presume to be a help to others.  Perhaps I am mistaken in this,  but I base this on the mail and phone calls I get.

I do have a few critics,  but as far as I know, I have no followers.  No one has given me a dime in all of this, except that Steve sent me a check for the balance of time on the web-hosting service.  If I have inspired people, then I am happy.  If I have stirred them up to throw off the yoke of bondage, praise God!

I know I have angered some, but as I posted somewhere else, this endeavor has been a hundredfold harvest for Suzie and I.

Before the website we were excommunicated, no inheritance, no Assembly friends except our fellow outcasts.

after the website,  we have 80% of our Assembly friends back.  We went from about 4 Assembly friends to about 40, in the space of 3 months.  That's pretty good if you ask me.  You can't make that many friends with a Dale Carnegie course, now can you?  

Brent

Hey Scotty...one to noogie-fy!  
Verne

Joe,

Personally I am glad that you chose to comment on that particluar post from SWTE. The discussion process helps me (and possibly others) to be clear in our own minds about a post that that could condemn where condemnation was not in order, and encourage "silence" where "speaking out" is what is needed. After all some of us do peek at SWTE from time to time. It has taken a ton of self control and resistance on my part to not comment on some of the other stuff that is posted there. Having debated with teens has help me tremendously, but I still have much more to learn. BTW my teens are great kids, so this is not a criticism about them.

I did not see any problem with your usage of the shepherding concept. The Lord does speak of Himself as the good Shepherd. I must confess that sometimes I only skim some of those posts and miss a lot of what is being communicated there. Opposition is good to a certain degree, as it helps us to search and know the Scriptures, and then to stand strong therein. Those who are afraid to read the website and BBs are not really mature in their beliefs and feel they may be swayed by the "lie" (NOT) that is being promoted.

That's all for now,
Marcia

Lest I laugh at the hilarious jokes of Joe Sperling
Or get crushed by the size of those words Verne keeps hurling
Or the stately calm reasoning of Brian and Brent
Or the cool of Tom Maddux would convince me to vent!  
Verne

Say folks,

If GG was a "grievous wolf", and his enforcers qualify as wolves as well...

Shouldn't the "assemblies" that are still meeting, and are propagating GG's teachings and practices be called "wolf packs"?  

Thomas Maddux

Verne----

Your poetry caused a stirring inside me--it started out small but soon grew into a dynamic yearning for something--I couldn't put my finger on it at first, but as I read further, the need got greater. Thank God I had just been to the store yesterday and had a fresh supply of Pepto-Bismol.

--Joe

I heard a message on the radio today from Irwin Lutzer (sp?) about what he called "one-way-forgiveness" that reminded me of the lively debate we had on the forum not too long ago. Lutzer pretty much agreed with the position that Chuck Vanasse took and I must say a few things he said caused me to re-think my position. Particularly when he presented the idea that a lack of forgivness has the potential to hold one in a prison whose key is held by the offender. In other words, one must be able to unconditionally forgive, even in the absence of any indications of repentance or a specific request for forgivness. I am still of two minds about this. I have one interesting question if any one wants to tackle it.
After you grant uncondtional forgivness, is it stll O.K. to pray for fire and brimstone to fall if they don't repent? ( you know the age-old question of the mercy/justice balance) What about those you consider to be wolves, do you take em out after you forgive 'em or before? This is all very confusing is it not?
What do you guys think?
Verme

Joe I think you are right on the money. Of course I hope people realise that my fire and brimstone reference was partly tongue-in cheek but you got right to the spirit of my inquiry and that is the danger of cultivating a vengeful spirit.  I think we walk a fine path between a jealousy for the holiness and righteousness of God and remembering his injucntion to us to pray for our enemies. This is certainly an area in which we all could learn from the New Testament teaching regarding the standard love enjoins and willingness to learn from our brethren who have suffered, yet found God's grace to truly forgive from the heart. Thanks for the insightful response.
Verne

p.s I will confess that although I have prayed for George's repentance, every instinct I have tells me that arena of petition is closed to me...strange to think of God's word to Samuel as he grieved for the rejected Saul. I trust that I am wrong...I hope that I am wrong...