Living Church of God: LCG members are to take questions to the ministers and MUST follow the decision given and NEVER try and correct or save the church

The reason COG leaders despise questions

Living Church of God leaders just cannot handle LCG members confronting them with questions or even daring to "correct" the church or "save" it. Nothing irritates Weston and his boys more. How dare church members question them! When members do have questions over doctrine they are to go straight to the ministry and MUST, I repeat MUST, follow whatever decision is handed down. No questions asked!

One of the biggest weapons and lies the church has used over the last 80 some years is that if someone leaves the church they are in the bonds of satan at that point. That's why disfellowshipping and marking are such important tools in the church. Putting fear into people's lives is vitally important and keeps them compliant and under control.

The problem LCG and the COG as a whole has is how can any member ever really trust the leadership to make the right decision considering the enormous mess they have made of the church.  Hundreds and hundreds of splinter groups all led by bellowing fools and self-appointed prophets who think they know more than anyone else. It is a disgusting mess.

Beware of Misguided Ideas: 

The Apostle Paul warned, “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1–5) and that many will not listen to sound doctrine but will prefer to ignore advice and follow their own ideas (2 Timothy 3:1–6; 4:1–4). The Apostle Paul also warned that critics from within and from outside the Church will try to divide the Church to gain a following (Acts 20:29–31). He pointed out that Satan will try various ways to mislead people (2 Corinthians 2:11) by appealing to the human desire to be independent, or be recognized as an authority, or as being important (3 John 9–10). Numerous issues threatened to destroy the early Church: different ideas about foods, hair lengths, the resurrection, circumcision, or following a particular leader (see 1 Corinthians and Galatians). However, Paul’s constant advice was to “guard what was committed to your trust” (1 Timothy 6:20), to “hold fast” to what you have been “taught” (Titus 1:9–11), and “avoid foolish disputes” (Titus 3:9; 1 Timothy 6:3–5). When questions do arise over doctrine, the biblical example is to take the issue to the leaders of the Church for a decision and then follow that decision (Deuteronomy 17:8–11; Acts 15:1–31). Nowhere do the Scriptures encourage individuals to take it on themselves to correct or “save” the Church. That is something that Jesus Christ will take care of in His time as He “builds” His Church (Matthew 16:18).

Have a Profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

LCG: After the COVID infections at the Feast, they now repsond with "neccesary steps"

 

Living Church of God was very lax in their recommendations for members to practice when they traveled to various Feast sites around the country. Masks were seldom worn, it at all, and social distancing was never practiced.  Now that members have become infected, the church has some "suggestions" for its members.

The recommendations that the CDC and local health departments recommend are "weapons of choice" in the eyes of Doug Winnail. While he is certainly correct in having good immune systems by proper diet and exercise and exposure to sunshine he tells members to "take necessary steps" in promoting health and preventing disease. 

In spite of infections, they still will not tell their members to wear masks or even avoid church if they feel sick or are afraid of being infected. With the aging membership of the church, this is vitally important that the money payers remain healthy.

Steps Toward Prevention: 

 

In 2020, the COVID-19 virus emerged to plague the world. The weapons of choice promoted by governments and the media to battle the virus are masks, sanitation, social distancing, and eventually a vaccine. While God promises His people special protection for obedience (Exodus 15:26) and healing (James 5:14–16), our Creator also expects us to do our part. Proverbs 22:3 states that a wise person sees evil and hides himself—he takes steps to avoid problems. God has created us with remarkable immune systems that are capable of fending off disease. Numerous scientific studies have shown that vitamins A, B, C, and D as well as zinc—from food sources or supplements—can strengthen the immune system and provide protection against disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Regular exercise, rest, exposure to sunshine, and learning to manage stress can also strengthen the immune system. The path to health involves making wise personal decisions about what we eat and how we live (see Deuteronomy 30:15–19)—and taking the necessary steps to promote health and prevent disease—so we can actually “prosper in all things and be in health” (3 John 2). We need to understand and apply these important steps.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

LCG Wants Members To Set Goals This Year

It always seems like the Living Church of God members are the ones getting talked down to with these weekly messages. It is always LCG members who need to be doing something in order to impress God. There never seems to be any accountability on what the leadership of the church should be doing

Will we see Gerald Weston and the ministry setting goals on how to be better leaders in the church who minister graciously and love unconditionally? Will they become followers of Jesus or still be pillars of the law? What changes to the ministers and leaders need to make to improve their relationship with God and membership? What will they do to improve their spiritual health? 

Let the leadership of the LCG set the example and set goals as an example for the brethren. Be the example, for once.

Goals for the Coming Year: Solomon advised in the book of Proverbs, “Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26–27). As we return from the Feast, inspired by the sermons and fellowship, it is a good time to think about setting goals for the coming year. What changes would you like to make, or do you need to make, to improve your relationship with God or your family or other individuals? What can you do to improve your physical or spiritual health? What can you do to serve God and others more effectively? How can you prepare now for the Kingdom of God? The Apostle Paul urged Christians to “walk circumspectly [carefully, diligently]” and make the most of the time at your disposal (Ephesians 5:15–16). The Apostle Peter exhorted his audience to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). What books can you read, what classes can you take, what topics can you study in the Bible, and what experiences can you arrange that will help you and your family grow and prepare for the Kingdom of God? Set some worthwhile goals for the coming year so that you can grow to be a truly profitable servant of God.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

LCG Doesn't Appreciate Naughty Members Making Lists Of Problems In The Church

 

Yes, brethren, we know we have problems, but we are better than all the other COG's out there! So PLEASE stop holding us accountable for our sins and transgressions! It's ungodly! After all, David, Peter and Paul had problems, and look at how they turned out! God needs imperfect people to do his work! 

Yes, brethren we know we screwed up with Sheldon Monson, so PLEASE bear with us during this DIFFICULT time. We are so tired of whiney people that go running to blogs and social media and expose our hypocrisy. God is going to hold them and you whiners accountable!  So PLEASE stop looking for loose bricks in our crumbling walls of the church. We know it is in bad shape. 

Loose Bricks or Big Picture? How do you view the Church of God and the Work of God? Many who come into contact with the Living Church of God are excited to learn the Truth of God for the first time. Others are grateful to reconnect with the Truth they once learned from the Scriptures, after a time away. Yet, from time to time, some, who are actually part of the very Church that is doing this Work, begin to look for loose bricks. They begin to compile lists of what they think are problems in the Church—editorial mistakes, misspoken words in a sermon, offenses caused by a minister or a member, doctrinal disagreements, or decisions they disagree with—and they drift off in different directions. However, we need to remember that David, Samuel, Peter, and Paul each had their problems, and they also had their detractors, yet God used these imperfect human beings to carry on His Work. The human leaders of God’s Work today are no different, and detractors have not disappeared. During challenging times, we need to maintain our focus on the God-given mission of His Church: preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to the world (Mark 16:15), warning the world of end-time events (Matthew 24; Ezekiel 3 and 33), and preparing a people to reign with Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God (Luke 1:17; Revelation 5:10). That message is going forth with increasing power from the Living Church of God publications, television programs, and Internet operations. This is the big picture that we need to keep in mind, instead of getting caught up looking for loose bricks.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

LCG: Do you refuse to listen to correction because of your hardened heart?

Can LCG members EVER do ANYTHING right? 

Good teachers and good preachers never have anything to worry about especially when they are preaching grace, justice, and mercy, and are followers of Jesus.  Instead, we witness daily the men in various COG's who focus upon Moses, rules, and "proper" church government. Jesus could care less about those things and pointedly made it part of his ministry to do the opposite of what all that the vain-glorious leaders said was the law and commands of their god.

Once more Jesus gets short-changed and left out of the picture. He is just an inconvenient guy in the way of the kingdom of God which trumps everything.

Are You Teachable? The Scriptures reveal that one of the most important qualities of character that God is looking for in Christians and future leaders in the Kingdom of God is teachability—the desire and willingness to listen and learn. Abraham was teachable and responsive to God’s instructions (Genesis 12:1–4). Moses was a very capable leader, yet a most humble and teachable individual (Numbers 12:3). David’s attitude comes through in Psalm 119:33, where he writes, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes.” Solomon recognized his human inadequacies when he asked God for wisdom and an “understanding heart” so he could learn to rule wisely (1 Kings 3:9). When Jesus said the meek and the poor in spirit will be blessed, He was emphasizing their teachability and their willingness to be corrected and to learn and grow (Matthew 5:3–5). This is in stark contrast to an attitude that refuses to listen to advice or correction and is only focused on one’s own ideas (Proverbs 13:1; 18:1–2). The Scriptures also reveal that when we harden our hearts to God’s instructions, we will reap serious consequences (Proverbs 28:14). We have been called to reign with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God, and being teachable is one of the keys to attaining that incredible reward.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

LCG: Trust Us For Wise Council - NEVER Trust Your Own Judgement! It Is A DANGEROUS Human Tendency!

 

The Value of Counsel: One of the common pitfalls in life is trusting in our own judgment when we only see part of the picture. When we make decisions or take actions based on how we see a situation, the results can be costly to ourselves and to others. This is why Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5, “lean not on your own understanding,” and in Proverbs 3:7, “Do not be wise in your own eyes,” and again, in Proverbs 28:26, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” Solomon also warned in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” These multiple warnings in Proverbs were recorded to alert us to a dangerous human tendency. To help us avoid making serious mistakes in life, Solomon advised in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety,” and again in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” This is one of the reasons we have a Council of Elders in the Church of God. As individuals, we can obtain wise and valuable advice by prayerfully studying the book of Proverbs and by seeking counsel from parents, the ministry, and from more experienced friends and associates who can be objective and help us see a bigger picture that we perceive on our own.     

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Living Church of God: The Path To Peace

Living Church of God has the way to peace! Who knew?

Considering its previous leader's divisive history in the Church of God and his outright rebellion against Herbert Armstrong, his heavy-handedness in Church Administration and his rebellion in starting two separate COG's after apostatizing from the Worldwide Church of God, Living Chruch of God is in no position to claim they are a pathway to peace. Imagine LCG leaders and some LCG members being rulers in the world to come?  Who would want to be trained by them or live under their rule? Oh, hell no!

The Path to Peace: Many have been shocked by the recent eruption of riots and violence, anger and hatred all over the world—and many wonder what is happening in a world where many yearn for peace. However, the Apostle Paul warned, “in the last days perilous times will come,” as proud, self-centered people mistreat and attack one another (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Jesus also prophesied that wars and rumors of wars and ethnic strife would increase prior to His return (Matthew 24:3–7). Yet Jesus is coming back as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6–7). Those who will rule with Him will show the world the way to peace and explain why human efforts could not bring peace to the world (Isaiah 59:8). The way to peace involves learning to love and live by the laws of God (Psalm 119:165), and the “work of righteousness” (keeping the commandments) is what leads to peace (Isaiah 32:17; Psalm 119:172). Brethren, we have been called to become peacemakers (Matthew 5:9; James 3:17–18). Let’s learn the way to peace, so we can fulfill our incredible calling to bring real peace to a troubled world.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

LCG looking for lost Philadelphian Christians in their midst...They seem to be mIssing

7 churches of Revelation

Needed: Real Philadelphia Christians: The Bible predicts that in the last days, people will be focused on themselves and will treat others with disrespect, disdain, and even brutality (2 Timothy 3:1–5). However, Jesus urged His followers to be lights to the world (Matthew 5:13–16). One aspect of being a light to the world is to carry out Jesus’ instructions. His followers are to preach the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God (Mark 16:15) and warn the world of the troubles ahead (Matthew 24), and to prepare a people to reign with Christ in His Kingdom (Luke 1:17; Revelation 5:10). The Bible uses the term “Philadelphia” to refer to His Church—a name that means “brotherly love.” True Philadelphians will strive to follow Jesus’ admonition to “love one another” (John 15:12–17). They understand that instead of attacking and abusing and sitting in judgment of others, showing compassion and unselfish, outgoing concern for others are the distinguishing marks of real Philadelphia Christians (John 13:34–35). As the world becomes more selfish, crass, disunited, and violent, let’s look for ways to show more brotherly love to others we come into contact with. In this way, we can be real Philadelphia Christians and shine as lights in a darkening world.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

------------

"They understand that instead of attacking and abusing and sitting in judgment of others, showing compassion and unselfish, outgoing concern for others are the distinguishing marks of real Philadelphia Christians" 

Seriously? They dare write this after decades of church bashing and mocking of other Christian and now they claim they don't sit in judgment of other Christians? What about abusing their members?  Meredith had a horrendous track record of spiritual abuse against members, as do many of LCG's top "men." families ripped apart and marriages were torn asunder because of Meredith's heavy-handed dictatorship when he was over Church Administration.

What about "compassion, being unselfish and outgoing concern for others?" Sadly, the track record speaks otherwise.