FREEDOM CELEBRATION!!!

[editor]

We didn't learn of the web site until the next weekend.  Marcia, did your leaders tell you about it?
I spent time today reading Brent's Navigating the Deeper Life, which if I saw it before, I only skimmed.  Someone recently printed it out and gave it to me.  The following is a quote from it.

"We felt like fools.  Instantly we saw what many outsiders has seen all along.  We were part of an elitist, arrogant church built around a very proud and controlling man's ideas.."

That's what we began to see a year ago Jan. 19th.  Except when I said it then I used the word 'idiot'.  As in, I feel like an idiot.

Cheers, everyone.  And if you haven't read the above, I do recommend it.  Especially if you have loved ones still 'in'.

BW

If I may say a word or two about my book....

I have an offer to actually publish it, but I haven't done anything about it yet.  I am toying with the idea of another chapter or two.

Also, the book has a happy ending!  Please, please don't forget the end.  It's not all about the Assembly, but about how My family was restored.  From the title page:

One families journey out of "church centered" Christianity and into a love relationship with Jesus Christ.

Suzie and I had already "moved on," by the time I wrote the book.  

Interesting side note,  I wrote all but the last chapter in one day.  No planning, just woke up and started typing.

Happy Freedom Day!

Brent

[M2]

We didn't learn of the web site until the next weekend.  Marcia, did your leaders tell you about it?
I spent time today reading Brent's Navigating the Deeper Life, which if I saw it before, I only skimmed.  Someone recently printed it out and gave it to me.  The following is a quote from it.

"We felt like fools.  Instantly we saw what many outsiders has seen all along.  We were part of an elitist, arrogant church built around a very proud and controlling man's ideas.."

That's what we began to see a year ago Jan. 19th.  Except when I said it then I used the word 'idiot'.  As in, I feel like an idiot.

Cheers, everyone.  And if you haven't read the above, I do recommend it.  Especially if you have loved ones still 'in'.

BW

Becky,

No! the leaders definitely did NOT tell us about it. Our prayer meeting was a discussion meeting that evening. The sisters did not even wear the headcoverings so that we could ask questions. [Funny how those doilies control the vocal chords. ] It was a voice that spoke out in our midst and mentioned the website (the voice of a non-LB). That non-LB is still "in" because he claims that he was never there because of GG anyway and he saw right through GG. Anyway, at that point the LBs did not deny "the" website's existence. So guess who checked out the website the very next day. A couple of people used to ask me for the latest news on a daily basis. I even sent the odd post/article to the LBs on occasion. The website was not discussed with the rest because it was/is a tool of the enemy.

Lord bless,
Marcia

[editor]

The website was not discussed with the rest because it was/is a tool of the enemy.

Lord bless,
Marcia

I guess it all depends on whose side you are on.  In a certain sense, the website is a tool of the enemy.....if your enemy is the truth!

Brent

[M2]

The website was not discussed with the rest because it was/is a tool of the enemy.

Lord bless,
Marcia

I guess it all depends on whose side you are on.  In a certain sense, the website is a tool of the enemy.....if your enemy is the truth!

Brent

Some said that the enemy got a foothold and disagreed with me when I attempted to tell them that there was no harm in checking out the website if they were strong in the Lord. Of course, everyone who read the website ended up leaving, so therefore it was not recommended to read the website.

Your comment "if your enemy is the truth" reminds me of John 3:19-21
"And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.
"For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
"But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."

Marcia

[BeckyW]

Thanks, Marcia, didn't see your answer until today.  Free press/ free people.  

Becky

[struggling along]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

PAAARRRTY

WE'RE FREE

[Kimberley Tobin]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

PAAARRRTY

WE'RE FREE

Hey Struggling:

We still didn't get an answer as to where in California this "Party" was taking place, Southern or Northern California?

[rylan]

Hey Kimberley,
I don't think Struggling needs to identify himself/herself if he/she is following the rules. Some of us are still unsure about everything that has taken place. We're not at the same level yet as you. Have a little patience please.
Ry

[al Hartman]

Hey Kimberley,
I don't think Struggling needs to identify himself/herself if he/she is following the rules. Some of us are still unsure about everything that has taken place. We're not at the same level yet as you. Have a little patience please.
Ry

Hi Rylan & Struggling Along,

     I don't think Kimberley is trying to figure out who anybody is.  It was an innocent question.  We understand the feelings you describe, and most of us are far removed from wanting to pressure anybody...
     Welcome aboard.  Enjoy yourself.  We're glad you're here.

al Hartman

[Kimberley Tobin]

You were right, Al.  Rylan, I really don't care "who" anyone is here (sometimes my interest is perked, but that is all.)  I never asked for the persons identity.  I simply wanted to know if the party was happening in the SC area or the NC area.  Why I was questioning was because I live in the Southern California area and wanted to know if the party was being held here (within a reasonable distance.)  I was assuming from his/her post that it was a party of those who had left the assembly and wanted to know if others who held similar viewpoints were allowed to come.

I enjoy meeting up with old friends who have since "left" the assembly (mentality.)  Please understand that when my family and I left a little over one year ago, we left ALL of our friends (of 15 and 20 years!)  It would be nice to reunite with some old friends.  That is my only interest, not to divulge someone's identity who does not wish to be known.

[BenJapheth]

Hey, everyone - Happy Freedom Day!   Wow, one year...The day the walls fell down.  God's Amazing...incredible, amazing.

January 19th, 2003 was a good day.

All the best...Chuck

::c:v::

[struggling along]

Kimberly,
I didn't answer your post for the obvious reasons.  It was not an "assembly fellowship".  In other words, just because you're a Christian, or an ex-assembly person, you should feel like you should be invited.  Haven't you learned?  There are different rules for friendship out in the "real" world.  They are based on common interest, love, compassion, sympathy.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought it was very rude that you and Brent would assume that the invitation was open to you at a private party at a home of an individual unknown to you.
SA

[rylan]

Kimberly,
I didn't answer your post for the obvious reasons.  It was not an "assembly fellowship".  In other words, just because you're a Christian, or an ex-assembly person, you should feel like you should be invited.  Haven't you learned?  There are different rules for friendship out in the "real" world.  They are based on common interest, love, compassion, sympathy.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought it was very rude that you and Brent would assume that the invitation was open to you at a private party at a home of an individual unknown to you.
SA

Hi Struggling,
That was my purpose for responding to Kimberley. I did think it was kind of cheeky of her to invite herself to your party. She claimed to not care about your identity, but yet she wanted to know where your party was to see if it was within driving distance of your home? I think it's best to ignore her.
Rylan

[Scott McCumber]

Kimberly,
I didn't answer your post for the obvious reasons.  It was not an "assembly fellowship".  In other words, just because you're a Christian, or an ex-assembly person, you should feel like you should be invited.  Haven't you learned?  There are different rules for friendship out in the "real" world.  They are based on common interest, love, compassion, sympathy.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought it was very rude that you and Brent would assume that the invitation was open to you at a private party at a home of an individual unknown to you.
SA

Hi Struggling,
That was my purpose for responding to Kimberley. I did think it was kind of cheeky of her to invite herself to your party. She claimed to not care about your identity, but yet she wanted to know where your party was to see if it was within driving distance of your home? I think it's best to ignore her.
Rylan

Are you two for real? You're both a couple of whack jobs. Kimberly did no such thing and neither did Brent.

Brent's line was, "Hoist a cold one for me." He said he wished he could go to a party like that, also. He was obviously being facetious about attending anything.

Kimberly inquired if this was a party of like-minded people and if other like-minded people would be "allowed" to attend. That's hardly being cheeky and inviting herself.

On top of that, Kimberly made a very personal statement about missing the circle of friends she had previously and hoping she could reconnect with some people she was very close to.

I don't think she is the one that needs a lecture on working and playing well with others in the real world, Rylan. Give yourself a few more months before you start spouting off.

Scott McCumber

[editor]

Kimberly,
I didn't answer your post for the obvious reasons.  It was not an "assembly fellowship".  In other words, just because you're a Christian, or an ex-assembly person, you should feel like you should be invited.  Haven't you learned?  There are different rules for friendship out in the "real" world.  They are based on common interest, love, compassion, sympathy.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought it was very rude that you and Brent would assume that the invitation was open to you at a private party at a home of an individual unknown to you.
SA

Hi struggling,

I don't recall assuming I was invited to anything.  When did I do that?  

I am glad that you were able to enjoy a private party with "real-world" friends at the home of an unknown individual.  

I surely didn't mean to be rude!  I do understand the compassion thing you mentioned above, however.  In fact, when I said "I would love to go to a freedom day celebration," it didn't mean I was planning on getting into my car and driving to an unknown location.  PUHLEASE!  I do understand what an invitation is, and how one uses it.

I was just rejoicing with you in your freedom.  If I may be so bold, I did play a role in bringing it about. While that surely doesn't earn me an invitation to an exclusive party of "real-world" friends,  I don't think that you should label me rude for rejoicing with you.

A person has a God-given right to enjoy the fruit of their labor.  
BTW, haven't you learned?  Out here in the real world, your circle of friends will be much smaller when you call someone rude because they typed a few sentences!  People remember that sort of stuff.

Then again, I'm sure your friends are much, much more compassionate and sympathetic than any I'll ever have.

Brent