Thursday, December 15, 2011

Dennis On: "I Still Have Hope"





I'll let this be one of the shortest "articles" I have written.  I love this video. 
I love the message and I still wish it were so. 
 
For all the skepticism on origins and content, one would be a fool to not want this to be true.  
 
The world is really screwed up. 
Leaders are finally being challenged politically as religious leaders are 
by those like us who have had enough. 
 
Maybe it is people that make things happen after all. 
 
When in WCG, I stayed way too long because the hope of the message was still bigger than the stupidity of the administration.  
 
Then the stupidity won and it was time to move on. 
 
So to prove I can get to the point....I love this video. 
 
It still bring tears to my eyes.  
 
I still have hope.  
 
I just can't prove it and don't trust anyone to tell me how it all is anymore.
 
Season's greetings to you all however you perceive it.  
 
I love you all for the journey you have been on and have so freely shared.
 
Den

7 comments:

Byker Bob said...

That's what it's all about, Dennis. It is meant to be personal, between ourselves and our God, not filtered through some sort of perverted chain of authority.

It's like that old Kingston Trio hymn, "The Reverend Mr. Black". You've got to walk that lonesome valley. In the end, it's just each of us as individuals, God, and the good fruits we share with one another.

Merry Christmas, Dennis!

BB

Sharon said...

Dennis wrote:

"When in WCG, I stayed way too long because the hope of the message was still bigger than the stupidity of the administration.

Then the stupidity won and it was time to move on."

I think this sums up perfectly on what all of us who have left Armstrongism feel.

I stayed in WCG because it had a "purpose", a goal it was working towards.

In spite of all the "stupids" that were in control and their asinine utterings, I stayed in.

Then as you said, the "stupids" started to reign and I left.

Steve said...

I've got news for you, Sharon, the "stupids" reigned long before you came along...unless you started in 1939.

Reality said...

Thank you, Dennis.

This is fantastic! What a terrific surprise it really was.

There is another one that I love too. The only time it was more emotional for me was when I heard my little niece, Tamma Joyce, sing it as a solo along with a glorious choir during the Feast of Tabernacles in Hawaii 1982.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwLjXcnKvy8
I like to max out the speakers on this one too.

DennisCDiehl said...

Reality....thanks too! I have a soft spot for the classic hymns and especially Handel's Messiah. There is not one WCG hymn that I hold in such good memories but when I hear them, it sure brings back memories. The hymns that are a part of me are the ones I recall as a child and sang growing up Presbyterian before WCG.

WCG hymns all felt like military charges. I to this day despise Onward Christian Soldiers. Especially the part "We are not divided, all one body we. One in hope and doctrine, one in charity." When I'd lead that towards the end, I was chuckling and thinking, "yeah right...."

Reality said...

Hi,

I just tried using the linkwhich I thought I added, but it didn't work.

I think it is necessary to first get to youtube.com/ and then look up:
David Hobson sings The Holy City 2008 Carols in the Domain

Since David Hobson performs The Holy City almost every year, there are several versions on youtube, but the 2008 version is best. Each year Australia has a program in a public park where stars appear to sing carols together. Looks like delightful fun.

If you can reach this video, it will be worth the effort I think.

Reality said...

Yes Dennis. I agree about the WCG hymns. They were more like military marches or dirges. They don't have the staying power (most of them) that the traditional ones do - unless one grew up and didn't experience the more melodious types.

Still some WCG hymns are moving and bring back great joy.

It was odd, but Special Music and Feast music was generally allowed to be of the more traditional type and seemed to fit the occassions better.