We are drawing close to the fall Holy Days time and Satan is getting angry. LCG is starting to feel his wrath by Gerald Weston being sidelined by painful sciatica and a herniated disc and busy rumor mills are already starting to spread rumors wondering who his successor will be.
Weston has seen several doctors about this and the prognosis is that it will heal in time. Gone are the days when the church taught that all illnesses in the church were a direct result of personal sin in one's life. And, that God refused to heal many due to their lack of faith. It's interesting that when Herb started getting sick this teaching swiftly went into the digestor in Big Sandy
Also, it seems pride and haughtiness have set in in the membership of the LCG. Remember, church members can never do anything right so they now need to humble themselves on August 3 to see what's wrong with them in order to appease that incessantly angry COG god.
Oh, and apparently some LCG members are only "playing" church. Stupid members! Don't you realize that all the problems of the church and the failure of Christ returning to spank everyone's behind is all YOUR fault?
Dear Brethren,
Rather than allowing rumor or speculation to occur, I want to let you know about my physical condition at this time. Seven years ago, I had a bout of sciatica—a very painful condition. It lasted about three weeks and went away. It came back last September before the Feast of Tabernacles, but it improved enough for me to fly to Texas for the Feast, even though I had to stand at times due to pain while sitting.
By November I was much better, and it was very manageable. However, a few weeks before the Texas Teen Camp this summer, the symptoms started coming back. Though painful, this did not prevent me from traveling to Texas to direct the camp, but I had to fly back to Charlotte on Friday to be here for Mr. Ames’ funeral.
Dear brethren, even though I regrettably had to miss speaking at the funeral, I am extremely thankful to have returned to Charlotte. I was very, very blessed to be able to come back because by Sabbath it was worse, and by Sunday morning, I went to the emergency room for some relief from excruciating pain. This situation would be far more complicated for a variety of reasons if I were stuck in Texas.
I have seen several doctors and the diagnosis is that it is a herniated disc causing pressure against the sciatic nerve that runs down from the buttocks, along the leg, all the way down to the foot. I am surprised how many of you have also experienced this and understand exactly what I’m talking about. While similar to past episodes, this time is far more intense.
I am letting you know of this as I am a little sidelined for the moment. This is something that is temporary. It is excruciatingly painful and very unpleasant, but my doctor told me that 80 to 90 percent of people recover without surgery.
Even though I don’t like focusing on my problems, I know that if I don’t say something then rumors and speculation can get started and people start worrying needlessly. It is kind of funny, but when I get a cold, a few members become anxious and wonder who is going to succeed me. Suffice it to say that there are some very fine men here at Headquarters who are thoroughly converted, strategic thinkers. The only concern I have about succession is which one is Christ’s choice. So far, He has not made that obvious, but it is encouraging to know we have men who can step in when and if needed.
This is written to let you know that I may not be as visible for a few weeks. I sincerely do not like focusing on my own problems because there are brethren who are going through trials that are far, far greater than mine. Some have been going through long trials—very painful situations. And some are in end-of-life situations. So, while I appreciate your prayers, I feel unworthy of them and hope you will remember our dear brothers and sisters who may be going through much greater trials. They are precious in the sight of God the Father and Jesus Christ and must be in our eyes, too.
Now may I address another subject—the upcoming fast on August 3. Sometimes people ask the question: Why are we fasting? What is the cause, purpose, or focus of the fast? Sometimes we miss the major focus of fasting, which is to draw close to God. As we read in Matthew 9:14-15, the disciples of John asked why the disciples of Jesus did not fast. Christ pointed out that since God was with them in the flesh there was no reason for them to fast, as the purpose of fasting is to draw close to God. It is very important that we recognize that we do not approach a fast from the perspective of ganging up on God to force our will upon Him.
There are cases, for example with Esther, where there was a specific issue, a crisis for which to fast and cry out to God. But, as Mr. Herbert Armstrong taught, the focus should be on humbling ourselves. That is what fasting is: humbling ourselves, finding out what is wrong with us, finding out what we need to change. And while there are times where there is a specific focus, most of the time our fasts are about getting closer to God.
Consider what is happening all around us. The world is in turmoil and looking for a savior. We already have three major upsets in elections. Here in the United States Mr. Biden has dropped out of the Presidential race. We had the assassination attempt on Mr. Trump. We have Mr. Macron in France who took a significant hit in the polls. I don’t understand the French system, but certainly Marine Le Pen won the greatest number of votes. Macron it appears, is still in charge, but the dynamics have changed. And, there was a major overthrow in the British government, with power returning to the Labour Party. Several other significant elections are upcoming this year. We also have members suffering serious trials. Our world is burning up in many respects and who knows where we are going to be by the end of the year.
So, brethren, we need to recognize the need to draw close to God. This is a time when we must be serious. As Dr. Meredith used to admonish us, “Don’t play church!” I understand that most of you are not. Most of you are very serious and dedicated. But these are serious times, and we must grow closer to God. We need to examine ourselves, praying for God to show us how we can change as individuals and as a Church to get the message out to the world. Our focus should be on humbling ourselves, drawing close to God, being moved in light of all the things that we see in our world today. And be sure to reference Dr. Winnail’s comments on the fast.
Sincerely, in Christ’s service,
Gerald E. Weston
14 comments:
Will be praying for Mr. Weston's health. But is LCG so short on leaders that HE had to "direct" the youth camp in Texas?
Isn't Mr. Weston going to run to Bob & 'fess up & then acknowledge Bob the way Bob expected Mr. Ames to do too?
In the coming days or weeks, we'll soon see Bob's ego publicly hounding Mr. Weston & his sciatica the same way he hassled Mr. Ames in critical condition at I.C.U. In the meantime, leggo my eggo 🧇
"..praying for God to show us how we can change as individuals."
This is in keeping with contemporary Christianity treating their members as ten year olds. It's always discernable in Kenneth Copeland's and Joyce Meyer's programs, plus an ongoing complaint on Jehovah's Witnesses dissident sites. God instructs to "be a man, be strong, brave and courageous," but these groups do the opposite in order to tighten their grip over their members.
Btw, it's an individual responsibility to discern how to change, and shouldn't be thrown back on God's lap. Such requests to God need to be made with reluctance.
" Don't play church" but they tell their members don't vote, but LCG "plays politics."
Oh we have to worry about France's election, Englands party, our political parties.
Oh I get it, I get it, Ruben, Ephraim, Manaa
They play Armstrongism!
"And, there was a major overthrow in the British government, with power returning to the Labour Party."
This was not an overthrow. This was a peaceful democratic election where Labour received more of the vote.
Due to British quirks - Labour's overwhelming victory came from 34% of the votes.
The Tories only got 24%.
Not much representation for the remaining parties with 42%of the vote.
Don't play church. Great advice, if they weren't such hypocrites maybe they would heed their own admonishions. I have never encountered such a clique-ish, cold hearted, self-serving group of religious playwrights than the ministers in LCG.
Ministers telling their members to "don't play church" is projection by the ministry.
12:54, they wouldn't be so cliquish, cold-hearted and self-serving if they taught their members to be ready to do good works (which is taken for granted), to pray in church (which is too reformist), to sing more (which is too religious and superfluous), to study together (which is too radical and dangerous), so the ministers do what they advise the members not to do -- "play church".
Church isn't about sitting down and listening to a speech, then going home.
It isn't about delivering announcements that kill the drama of an inspiring sermon, but ministers are guilty of that when they slow-poke their way through announcements. (The church and the world are falling apart and they are slow-poking their way through announcements)
Don't play church, ministers, because YOU are responsible not only for the congregation but also to Christ.
He didn't die to purchase your life for nothing.
Gerald is deeply conservative politically even though he pretends he is apolitical. His language is telling.
I have been around the COG for nearly 45 years. Their has always been warnings about playing church. I have done it myself. And unfortunately experienced it with others in the past and it's even worse now.
If leaders are going to play (act) fake roles of Apostles, prophets, Elijah's, etc., what do expect the membership to be like in most of those organizations?
For the last several years we have had little contact with the membership. It's been a blessing in so many ways. Being part of the Body of Christ goes way beyond attending church and supporting a "work".
8:30 I know, it's okay, he can be whatever he wants to be politically . But don tell us or your congregants that your'e apolitical. It's hypocritical.
Gerald Weston wrote: "...Now may I address another subject—the upcoming fast on August 3. Sometimes people ask the question: Why are we fasting? What is the cause, purpose, or focus of the fast? Sometimes we miss the major focus of fasting, which is to draw close to God. As we read in Matthew 9:14-15, the disciples of John asked why the disciples of Jesus did not fast. Christ pointed out that since God was with them in the flesh there was no reason for them to fast, as the purpose of fasting is to draw close to God..."
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Today is 4 August 2024, so did the 3 August fast accomplish anything? How many fasts must one do before one can draw close enough to God? Why would God want anybody to draw closer to Him? Is it so God may hear better the requests of the fasting peeps?
God knows what an acceptable fast is all about (Isaiah 58:6-10), and it's not about drawing close to God. Isaiah 58:4 says: "...ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high."
Again, so why draw closer if God isn't interested in hearing the voice of some faster?
The purpose of a fast is something else other than drawing closer to God, and/or even humbling oneself, as if one could really even "magically" do that!
Weston wrote: "...Christ pointed out that since God was with them in the flesh..."
Where in the Bible does it say that? Where did Jesus say that? Certainly not in Matthew 9:14-15, which stated the following:
:14 "Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast."
"God was with them in the flesh?" How? Where did it say that? What does Weston mean?
Certainly not God in the flesh of the disciples. So, Weston must mean God in the flesh of Jesus Christ, and if so, then Weston preaches the "spirit of antichrist," b/c he made Jesus to be more than a human being. Reminds me of when some former WCG hirelings used to preach Jesus as 50% God and 50% man. Sometimes they used the 100% figure.
What is the spirit of antichrist? John explains it in 1 John 4.
1 John 4:3 "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."
Jesus Christ did come in the flesh: that which is born of flesh is flesh. In fact, Jesus Christ was the very first human being, 100% flesh, to fulfil the law.
Weston suggests his peeps with this concluding comment: "...And be sure to reference Dr. Winnail’s comments on the fast."
Why read Winnail's anything? Which comments? Maybe it doesn't matter, because Doug repeats his messages over and over again with minor changes, and Doug probably hasn't learned anything more/new than what he learned from HWA as a former hireling of the WCG, but for those who don't mind his "repeats," go reference him.
So, why fast? What good did the living group fast do? Did the 3 August 2024 fast of the living group accomplish anything? What about all of the previous fasts done by these people: anything change?
Time will tell...
John
Oh but God was in the flesh - 1 Timothy 3:16.
Anon, Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 11:40:00 AM PDT wrote: "Oh but God was in the flesh - 1 Timothy 3:16."
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Anon,
Read that scripture again, because that verse did not say what you wrote:
1 Timothy 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
That is what the verse said, but you are trying to tell me that the verse lied and said something else, like the following:
1 Timothy 3:16 "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
Why change what the apostle Paul wrote?
Anon, why did you leave out the word "manifest" from Paul's words?
Perhaps time will tell...
John
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