One Year Ago, Today

[Tony]

Excerpt from Ray's letter:
"We have acted sinfully:
in manipulating people by guilt to perpetuate a corrupt ministry
in slandering people who have spoken out against this corrupt ministry

The Lord wants to start afresh; but not with this present system.

I am formally stepping out of this system of leadership.

I exhort you to admit these things as well, and to step out, as is fitting.
I admitted the truth to Brent, in front of Suzie, that our motive in speaking with Bryan is not totally pure, but that we really wanted to see the website
shut down.  I realize that this is wrong, because the website has been the source of our deliverance, and what it communicated is true.  Whispering, and
manipulation, behind the back of someone who has shown courage and integrity, who has not lied to us, and who has been quick to repent, is sinful, and
I won't have any further part in it."

   It has been one year now and what has been missing is statements like Ray's above.   I am so glad to see that posted.   In my opinion, the public silence of  those who have truly repented has been a stumbling block for many of the former members.   You men (and many of their wives) are seeing more clearly now.   Please find in this lightt, the perspective of those who are struggling, wounded, proud or deceived.   You were at the Workers meetings, the leadership meetings  and you witnessed control and manipulation.   And you know that you also practiced it.

   I have heard it said that some may fear legal action...I find that hard to believe but I guess there could be some instances.  In which case, if you really feel that there are particular individuals who you believe would pursue this...I'd suggest contacting them and trying to settle it...if they want to pursue you with vengeance in their hands, it looks like a pretty rough life to live for both parties.   Please don't use this for an excuse if in your heart you know it isn't true.

  That leaves the majority of former leaders...Those that have seen the Light as I'm not addressing those who still believe that it was a True Ministry of The Lord by an anointed servant.

   Please comfort others with the Truth.

  Please know that there are visitors to this website who are looking for the Truth.

  Maybe when you write to Steve and Margaret Irons you can dialogue on a place on the Reflections Website to place your letters.
   A dear friend told me that what is needed is not quick healing but DEEP HEALING!

There are some out there who need to hear...please, face and  address your apprehensions and do what you know is right.

--Tony        

[jackhutchinson]

Marcia,

We had Ebenezer fellowships 2 or 3 times, all in the last few years in SLO.  We had always heard of these meetings taking place in Fullerton, though.  We were told that the name Ebenezer meant "hitherto the Lord has led us", which was related to the stated intention of the meetings, which was to be thankful for the previous year and to plan the outreaches for the coming year.

Jack

[Kimberley Tobin]

We would have these fellowships 2-3 times per year.  It was to review what he had done for the past 3-4 months and what we were planning for the upcoming 3-4 months.

[editor]

We would have these fellowships 2-3 times per year.  It was to review what he had done for the past 3-4 months and what we were planning for the upcoming 3-4 months.

Kimberley,

I have to correct you.   These fellowships were not to review what God had done, but to tell everyone what God did.  God never did much of anything, especially in the Valley.  That Assembly never grew!

Ebenezers were all about making the little things into great big things.  Failure, impotence, stagnation...these were the halmarks of the Assembly.  However, we couldn't have an Ebenezer to hold these in memorial, could we?

Brent

[Kimberley Tobin]

Brent:

The "he" was actually a typo.  I meant to type "we" as in my following statement that "we were planning".......I have no illusions that God did anything.......especially in the SF Valley.  I know all too well that we never grew.  This was one of the things that always bothered me........you know.........weren't we supposed to be bearing fruit?

[Joe Sperling]

Kimberley---

I might have asked you before, but out of curiosity,
during what years were you in the Valley Assembly?

--Joe

[Tony]

Brent wrote:
"Ebenezers were all about making the little things into great big things.  Failure, impotence, stagnation...these were the halmarks of the Assembly.  However,
we couldn't have an Ebenezer to hold these in memorial, could we?"

MAT 8:22  But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

--Tony

[BeckyW]

Marcia asked, What does Ebenezer mean? We just looked this up the other day.  
The term Ebenezer came from I Sam. 7:12 and had to do with promoting the idea that The Lord Brought Us This Far, and Helped Us.  They filled up our calendars with busyness.
We had them at least 3 times a year in Omaha and Annandale.
As far as applying it to this thread and bb, it is encouraging to think over what's happened and to really be able to say, He has helped us.

BW

[Kimberley Tobin]

Kimberley---

I might have asked you before, but out of curiosity,
during what years were you in the Valley Assembly?

--Joe

I was in the assembly from October 1987 through October 2002.  My husband Greg was in from December 1983 through October 2002.  I think you were gone by that time.  Mark Miller was around during Greg's initial time in the assembly (I knew him, just not as OUR Leading brother.)  Tim McCarthy was in full swing as THE Leading brother when I came in 1987.  Steve Ferrell (forgive my spelling if it is wrong) and Denise had just left with the taint of that whole situation just before I came in.  Believe me........I heard all the gossip.  Wait........I thought we were walking in greater light there........ohhhhhhh.....I forgot...........that was only for us peons..............the LB's and their wives could dish the dirt to make you feel "in the know" and "better than those other people without heavenly vision."

Hope that answers your question.  I could fill you in on those who stayed around and you knew if you would like.  E-mail or whatever.....I'm a great talker!

[M2]

Marcia asked, What does Ebenezer mean? We just looked this up the other day.  
The term Ebenezer came from I Sam. 7:12 and had to do with promoting the idea that The Lord Brought Us This Far, and Helped Us.  They filled up our calendars with busyness.
We had them at least 3 times a year in Omaha and Annandale.
As far as applying it to this thread and bb, it is encouraging to think over what's happened and to really be able to say, He has helped us.

BW

Becky,

Yes, I did mean it the way you stated. In that sense it is good to look back and see how the Lord has brought us thus far and how He has helped us.

Lord bless,
Marcia

[al Hartman]

     One year ago today I registered on this BB.  It has been one of the most amazing, instructive, awful and wonderful years of my life.

     Thank you, Lord.

al Hartman

[delila]

Interesting question: what was I doing?  I was out and in a small city where those who were just getting out could easily have found me, told me.  Nobody did.  I have since called some who are, as Marcia put it "currently infecting' other Christian gatherings.  But most - I think it's safe to say for the Very Most Part - people who left the assembly - either bc theirs closed or even bc they wanted to - are not talking.  Why not?  Because they are still under GG's influence.  Because they have no desire to sort through and see what was a lie and what is truth about the dynasty.  Because they still consider us as infected by the world.  They see God's love as coming from what God did (their perception) in the assembly.  To them, the assembly is still the conduit of the 'work of God'.  Regardless of the time that's passed, I believe this is the truth.  I've been reading through old letters I'm surprised have survived.  I have one from Tim and dialogue from Bernie Cossette - a phone call I had with him after I 'rediscovered God' more than a year after leaving the assembly.  From both of these, and from other letters, I see that their 'walks' with 'the Lord' were totally dependent on what they received from higher up.  In fact, the last former leading brother I spoke to told me "But the Lord really spoke to me through Tim's ministry" implying that of course, Tim should continue.  So then, I thought afterward, did the Lord not speak to you through George's ministry?  Is there just that much more evidence against G that even their warped consciences can't accept that he was really God's servant?  That's why this rebuilding bothers me so much.  Tim is a fraud, part of the GG dynasty just like his father and Dave.  It's been more than a year now since the 'great fall' of that dynasty and still, brains are shut off.  The erasure of self must have been quite complete.
delila

[themissus]

 It's been more than a year now since the 'great fall' of that dynasty and still, brains are shut off.  The erasure of self must have been quite complete.
delila

Delila,

Your last sentence struck me as being so true!  

Even though I've been a year "out", I'm still struggling to achieve a remotely normal life balance.  In some social situations I feel like an alien.  Before I was in the Assembly (and I was only in for 2 years or so), I was active, well rounded, with a large circle of diverse friends.  Last February I found myself with family (only due to the Lord's grace) and one or two friends who loved me in SPITE of my behaviour whilst in the Assembly.  

Now, a year later, I can't say I've got that many more friends, actually I have fewer because "friends" from the Assembly have dropped like flies out of my life.

I have a feeling that I'm on a longer road to recovering my life than I first anticipated...but I'm glad to be on it, because it's AWAY from a legalistic, narrow-minded "Christian" system!  

I'm also on my way to financial freedom as well, as the advice from a Geftakys nearly decimated me financially - it was reckless counsel to say the least, and I, the fool, followed it.  But the Lord is one of redemption and saving grace - and He's working faithfully and LOVINGLY in my life!

[editor]

 It's been more than a year now since the 'great fall' of that dynasty and still, brains are shut off.  The erasure of self must have been quite complete.
delila

Delila,

Your last sentence struck me as being so true!  

Even though I've been a year "out", I'm still struggling to achieve a remotely normal life balance.  In some social situations I feel like an alien.  Before I was in the Assembly (and I was only in for 2 years or so), I was active, well rounded, with a large circle of diverse friends.  Last February I found myself with family (only due to the Lord's grace) and one or two friends who loved me in SPITE of my behaviour whilst in the Assembly.  

Now, a year later, I can't say I've got that many more friends, actually I have fewer because "friends" from the Assembly have dropped like flies out of my life.

I have a feeling that I'm on a longer road to recovering my life than I first anticipated...but I'm glad to be on it, because it's AWAY from a legalistic, narrow-minded "Christian" system!  

I'm also on my way to financial freedom as well, as the advice from a Geftakys nearly decimated me financially - it was reckless counsel to say the least, and I, the fool, followed it.  But the Lord is one of redemption and saving grace - and He's working faithfully and LOVINGLY in my life!

Hi The Missus:

I'm glad to hear that things are getting better for you.  

As many of you know,  I have the annoying habit of specializing in unsolicited advice.  

May I ever so gently offer you some unsolicited advice?  A good next step to recovery would be to use your name on your posts.  

You certainly don't have to, and are most welcome to continue as is.  However, there is something quite empowering about saying what you believe and putting your name on it.  You own your words that way,  and I have found it makes all the difference!

Give it some thought, and remember, it is unsolicited advice!  

Brent

[BeckyW]

Delila,
About that erasure of self.  I found a copy of the devotions from the worker's conf. Aug./2002, which says: " You cannot be hurt by men.  You cannot be hurt by devils.  You can only be hurt by self, your own pride and the violence of your desires.  Your self is the greatest devil of all."
-Michael Molinos, The Spiritual Guide

I won't quote the rest, it's all bad.  We looked the author up, finally found him in The Pilgrim Church.  But his name was Miguel De Molinas, a 15th century mystic. I don't remember what I thought of this devotion when I first read it after a meal up there. Probably I thought, is there any more coffee around?
But after almost a year out, it sounds...ridiculous.

themissus,
Contrary to the booktable book title, we in the assemblies were not really Competent to Counsel.  In most cases, we were far, far from it.  I'm sure most intentions were good, but results were not, because we were so limited in our closed circle, thinking we had things to offer but little to learn from the larger Christian community.  Your financial counsel experience is not uncommon, we know of a number of other bad counsel situations in addition to the ones made public in testimonies.  I trust and hope that when (or if) the brains turn back on, apologies will soon follow.

Brent,
We have been criticized for participating in this board.  Part of our recovery process has been to say to the critics, Yes, it's us, the formerly too quiet ones discussing these things.  If you think that's wrong, fine, that's your opinion.  We refuse the idea that it is personal attacks, slander or anything else, to break the assembly code of silence in this way.

One year ago today was Super Bowl Sunday. And our last assembly meeting.

Becky,
one year older and a little wiser