Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders
LCG: Having Troubling Trials? Well, Boo Freaking Hoo! Be Thankful!
God’s Perspective on Trials: Sometimes when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder what is happening and whether God has forsaken us. However, at such times we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God has also promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28) and that even in trials, God will make a “way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13). James even admonished Christians to be thankful for trials, because they provide opportunities to build patience as we exercise faith in God and His promises—while we do our part to work through the challenges that we face (James 1:3–4). Let’s all strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
15 comments:
Doug ran that same comment with minor changes in January 2012. Nothing to see here other than a lazy executive phoning in his work to collect his big paycheck. In other words, nothing new to see here.
This title sounds like one of Job's three friends. Yet LCG's very point is to be like Job.
Doug also ran almost the identical comment in June 2007. That's one lazy evangelist you've got there, LCG!
Do not complain unless you have a better theory to offer. What is the GCI perspective on trials? On the purpose of life? On the value of character? Finding meaning in suffering? From what I can recall, vacuous nothings.
I don't think anyone here will find fault in the scriptures being quoted. The problem comes in when members whose lives are being destroyed by trials and problems go to the ministry for help. Most COG ministers who are ill equipped to counsel and give good advice. Half don't what to hear your problems and basically tell you that the issues you are having are your own fault. Others cannot make a decision without going to their overlords first. Most people I know in the COG I attend will NOT go to the ministry about any personal issue. Nothing is ever confidential and many ministers will hold it against you at some later date.
He’s been doing that for years now.
Nowhere in scripture did God instruct belivers to discuss, ask or dwell on the opinions of ministry for living their own lives.
Look at how Jesus described the priests in the temple at Jerusalem.
Why should hardworking christians who have careers, and proper jobs humiliate themselves by asking permission of a AC grad who for any excuse skim money off the church ?????
That meme you posted above is exactly spot on! My minister was known for that, yet he was considered one of the most righteous ministers the church had ever seen when it came to prophecy shit.
Romans 8:28 is a bad translation. It should read something like "God will be with us in all our trials." No, not all things do work for good in Christians lives. Personal experience, such as being slandered by a minister should make this clear.
This translation is beloved by many because it conforms to their childish view of reality. That is, sin doesn't truly have negative consequences and their victims shouldn't mind being abused. Ministers who love quoting this scripture are making a moral confession, and need to be double shunned by their members.
I had a trial of two ministers who tried to destroy my character and reputation in this same organization. Horrible leadership, as I am glad I escaped.
"All things work together for good." OK, but not necessarily in this life.
Great meme. It is an accurate reflection of the ministry’s attitude of concern for others. I remember in an LCG congregation a couple of years ago where some song leaders had decided it was somehow holier to start “services” 10-15 minutes before the official start time. There was a young couple that showed up before the official start time but after “services” had started. The moron “minister” (a recent graduate from living “university”) lectured that couple for being late during his sermon. Those folks have a reputation of good character. That dork at the podium lost all respect from me for that. God isn’t a trifling moron and neither are his actual representatives.
It's just terrible how some things got permanently ruined for us by Armstrongism. The word "minister" still has a very negative connotation for me nearly 50 years after having left the WCG! There are other people and things that I used to go into negative mode when hearing about that I now actually like, but the minute I know someone is a minister, my guard goes up!
Doug Winnail wrote: "...Sometimes when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder what is happening and whether God has forsaken us. However, at such times we need to remember several fundamental scriptures...Let’s all strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials..."
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What fundamental scriptures? Doug turned a blind eye to the entire Old Testament (OT) to discuss "fundamental scriptures" from the New Testament. Are there no fundamental scriptures to be found in the OT?
Consider Adam and Eve. Did they not encounter trials and difficulties? Their son Cain killed his own brother Abel, "thanks" to Satan's involvement.
I John 3:8 "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning..."
:12 "Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother..."
Are those fundamental scriptures? Did God forsake Adam and Eve?
There is a lot of evil involved in all of their lives. Evil? What's it?
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things]." Isaiah 45:7
Is Isaiah 45 a fundamental scripture about evil?
Once upon a time, neither Adam nor Eve knew anything about evil; they only knew good. Their human nature was "very good Genesis 1:31)!"
Yes, Adam was told about the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Are any of the following verses fundamental scriptures?
Genesis 2:9 "And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:"
Adam ate of the tree of life: hence, lived a much longer life than any of us have, so far.
Adam and Eve died. Their eyes were opened! Opened to what? Evil.
They were destined to come to know not only good, but to also come to know evil, and eventually learn to hate evil.
Fundamental scriptures? Doug concludes with saying: "Let’s all strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials."
Doug how will you do that striving? I thought we were like clay, the workmanship of God's hands. So, how will you and your followers strive to do what you say...especially if they don't even, like Adam and Eve, have God's Spirit to guide and direct them?
I mean, if you and your followers did have God's Spirit, would you have to browbeat them into doing your will? Where is God's Spirit in that? Are you blaming and judging your followers too harshly? Even with God's Spirit, one is not going to be perfect. Jesus Christ is the only 100% human being that was perfect.
How do we know that? God's law is contrary to you and your followers, all of us, even though you stress God's law so much in their/our lives. Proof?
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;" Col 2:14
More proof? We all will die once; it’s been appointed.
to be continued...
John
Continuing...
Doug we are all going to learn to hate evil via trials and difficulties; it is unavoidable; it's all part of God's Plan of Salvation to save all humanity and subsequently destroy the principalities.
Doug, fundamental scriptures like Romans 7:17, 20 prove sin dwells within you.
Doug, fundamental scripture Romans 7:21 proves evil is present with you.
Yes, Doug that applies to you, and your followers! All of us.
Yes, fundamental scriptures exist in both OT and NT. For example, let's consider some more verses:
How does one come to hate evil if evil never existed? Trials and difficulties must exist!
Doug, do you love the LORD? If yes, you must learn to hate evil. It is okay to hate, but don't hate people:
"Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:..." Psalm 97:10
Doug, do you have the fear of the LORD? If yes, you must learn to hate evil.
"The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil:..." Proverbs 8:13
Love is something you don't have unless God gives you that fruit of His Spirit. The same is true for that fear of the LORD, which is a fruit of God's Spirit.
Will Doug and his followers search out fundamental scriptures in the OT and eventually learn, via trials and difficulties, to hate evil?
Will Doug and his followers suffer enough to be counted worthy of the K/G?
2 Thess 1:5 "[Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:"
Time will tell...
John
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