Crackpot COG Prophet Delivers The Most Awful "Behind the Work" Film Ever Created In The History Of The Church

Touting the most documented history of the church ever written in human history with a new book in a "high-quality" video production.

 

The Great Bwana has developed a nervous tick that whenever he lies, he rubs his nose, in between the bouncing in this chair and the flailing of his arms and hands.

Anyone who was in the Worldwide Church of God during the glory days, or even in some of the larger splinter groups will remember how slick and professional the Behind the Work films were. While the sheep looked at these as proof of a mighty work, they were actually mass propaganda of an already dysfunctional church covering up its sins.

Even today, in 2021, LCG, RCG, and PCG have slick production made annually to keep their members enthused and ready to open their wallets.

And, this brings us to the most amazing Church of God to exist in human history, a work so amazing that God has supposedly doubly blessed its prophet with the greatest mind the church has ever seen. There is no more glorious work on the face of the earth today and thanks to that, no one would have ever know the correct time to flee to Petra or some other god-forsaken place in the Jordanian desert for 3 1/2 years of mind-numbing torture by having to listen to him preach.

Thanks to his awesomeness, he has produced a video about his amazing work which is actually a back-slapping narcissistic snow job of lies and half-truths all about himself.

If you dare, you can watch this shitshow here:

PCG: Men Are To Attend Feast While Families Stay Home If They Do Not Have Enough 2nd Tithe

 

Due to many issues during these covid years with job loss and reductions in hours, some Philadelphia Church of God families do not have enough 2nd tithe to attend the Feast. PCG expects these families to send the men while everyone else stays home. While the Flurry clan flies around in their private jet and the elite of PCG travel anywhere they want with Feast allowances, those families struggling are told to stay home while sending their men to the Feast. If they are already having financial difficulties why in hell would they take off work to attend a fake festival that is not required of them? Can the COG get any more disgusting?

Another valid reason for not attending the Feast is financial hardship. God has instituted second tithe as the way to provide the financial means to attend the Feast (Deuteronomy 14:22-23). But due to our weakened national economies, some members have found themselves with little or no work for a long period of time. If you have been out of work, and have not been able to save sufficient second tithe, then there is the possibility that you may not be able to attend the Feast this year. You may request second tithe assistance, but realize that funds are limited and not everyone who requests assistance will receive it.

Festival assistance has been a joke in the COG for decades. They either did not help at all or would give such ridiculous small amounts that people would be lucky to cover a couple meals or groceries for the week.  On top of that, they were expected to tithe on it or add it to the offerings.

Some men undergoing financial hardship have asked if they should attend the Feast without their families. There is a biblical principle to follow with regard to this issue. “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty” (Deuteronomy 16:16). If you do not have sufficient second tithe for you and your family to attend the Feast, but there are enough funds for you as the head of household, then you should plan to be at the Feast. It is not easy leaving our families behind to attend the Feast. We must look at this issue God’s way. All males are to appear before God at the Feast. If for some reason you are not planning to be at the Feast, please counsel with a minister.

LCG: With the Pandemic Causing Issues Around the World, Members Are Encouraged To Pray Like Never Before

Living Church of God Feast of Tabernacles...Nay, a booth in sight.

 

With some Feast sites closed due to covid restrictions, Gerald Weston wants members to pray like they never have before because apparently some of them do not have the sense to stay home if they are sick or feeling bad. After decades of being forced by ministers to come to church no matter what (because God supposedly demands it) members still feel they need to attend services no matter what. But, no matter what, have an inspiring, uplifting, and instructive Feast!

Greetings from Charlotte,

Let all of us be thankful if we are able to attend the Feast in person this year. The United Kingdom, Europe, and Africa are expected to have 24 Festival sites, as members are not able to freely cross some borders due to COVID-19. Vaccine mandates are forcing some members to remain in locations where we do not have a minister. On the positive side, South Africa may be loosening restrictions, which will allow larger gatherings. Mr. Herbert Armstrong used to say, “Pray as though it all depends on God, and do your part as though it all depends on you.” Brethren, during this trying time, we can and we must go to our Creator and faithfully pray for Him to do that which we cannot do for ourselves. We must then do what we can do. Perhaps the most important individual act we can do, besides heartfelt prayer, is to take personal responsibility by not attending services and activities if we have any kind of symptoms of illness. Whether it is a cold, a flu, or COVID—any symptoms that could mean sickness of any contagious kind—the Golden Rule dictates that we ought not expose others to it (Matthew 7:12). Masks and social distancing will not undo a careless lack of concern for others. We hope you had an inspiring Feast of Trumpets, and pray that the remaining Festivals of 2021 are inspiring, uplifting, and instructive.—Gerald Weston

Does The Feast Of Tabernacles Describe The Millennium As The COG Teaches?

The Feast of Tabernacles Does NOT Picture the Millennium!

In Pagan Holidays – or God’s Holy Days – Which? Herbert Armstrong wrote about the symbolism of the Feast of Tabernacles: “This festival is the picture of the Millennium!” Unfortunately, when Armstrong decided that Christians were obligated to observe the festivals outlined in the Pentateuch for the Israelites, he was not careful to follow scriptural hints regarding the deeper spiritual implications/meanings of the days. Since his death, a great many folks have challenged his understandings about the symbolism involved in some of the other holy days. Even so, Armstrong’s teachings about the meaning of the FOT still enjoy widespread acceptance within the Armstrong Churches of God culture.

The problem with Mr. Armstrong’s understanding of this feast was his slavish devotion to the notion that they pictured a progression of events within God’s plans for humankind. Hence, although he recognized the significance of the spring and fall harvests relative to these festivals, he failed to integrate that understanding with other scriptures related to both the symbolic meanings of certain rituals and the events themselves. “How can that be?” his devoted followers will demand.

In the booklet referenced at the beginning of this post, Armstrong wrote: “To portray His plan, God took the yearly material harvest seasons in ancient Israel as the picture of the spiritual harvest of souls. In the Holy Land there are two annual harvests. The first is the spring grain harvest. Second comes the main harvest. Notice that the Festival of Tabernacles is to be held ‘at the year's end’ (Ex. 34:22). In this verse the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths is specifically called the ‘feast of ingathering.’ The harvest year ended at the beginning of autumn. Just as Pentecost pictures the early harvest — this church age, so the Festival of Ingatherings or Tabernacles pictures the fall harvest — the great harvest of souls in the Millennium!”

The problem with this teaching is that it doesn’t agree with what is revealed about the timing of this great harvest of souls which is elaborated on in the book of Revelation! In the twentieth chapter of that book, we read: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” – Revelation 20:4-5 Notice here that the first resurrection is clearly associated with the millennium. Continuing, we read: “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison…And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” – Revelation 20:7-13 Hence, we can clearly see that this great harvest of souls takes place AFTER the millennium, and AFTER Satan and his minions have been dealt with once and for all!

Moreover, Herbert Armstrong completely ignored the profound symbolism surrounding this festival which is recorded in the oft quoted twenty-third chapter of Leviticus, and which is further elaborated on quite extensively in the New Testament! I know that these arguments will have zero impact on the folks who have willingly swallowed the Armstrong Kool-Aid, but it is my hope that serious students of the Bible who are willing to take a second look might be persuaded by what is clearly revealed in Scripture regarding the symbolism of this festival.

In the book of Leviticus, we read: “Remember that this seven-day festival to the Lord – the Festival of Shelters – begins on the fifteenth day of the month, after you have harvested all the produce of the land…On the first day gather branches from magnificent trees – palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows that grow by the streams…For seven days you must live outside in little shelters. All native-born Israelites must live in shelters. This will remind each new generation of Israelites that I made their ancestors live in shelters when I rescued them from the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’” (Leviticus 23:39-43, New Living Translation –here and throughout the rest of this article, unless otherwise noted)

Scripture indicates that the Israelites were told to live in temporary shelters each year for eight days so that they would not forget that they had lived in tents after leaving Egypt and before reaching the Promised Land. In the book of Hebrews, we read: “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to LEAVE HOME (emphasis mine here and throughout) and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. And even when he reached the land God promised him, HE LIVED THERE BY FAITH – for he was like a foreigner living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10) In short, Abraham and his descendants were looking forward to a better and more permanent home.

A little further, we read: “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. THEY AGREED THAT THEY WERE FOREIGNERS AND NOMADS HERE ON EARTH. Obviously, people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16) Do we begin to see the connection to our own circumstances as Christians?

Like the Israelites of old, God has called us out of Egypt (this sinful society) and has led us out into the wilderness. (John 6:44) We are different and peculiar compared to the people around us. (I Peter 2:9) Like the Israelites, we are heirs of the promises made to Abraham. (Galatians 3:29) Finally, we are also like the Israelites in the sense that we too are looking for a Promised Land (the Kingdom of God). Like the patriarchs of old, we are truly strangers and pilgrims on the earth as it now exists – the one deceived and influenced by Satan the devil.

There is, however, another meaning to this symbolism that is less general and more personal. Although it is unpleasant to contemplate, each one of us has an appointment with death. (Hebrews 9:27) Somewhere in the back of our minds, all of us understand that this life that we are currently enjoying is temporary – it will not last forever (we are subject to time and chance). Paul once told the saints at Corinth, “that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.” (I Corinthians 15:50) He went on to tell them that “our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” (I Corinthians 15:53)

Sometime later, Paul wrote another letter to the Corinthians. He told them that the light of Christ was shining in their hearts, but he described that treasure as residing in fragile clay jars. (II Corinthians 4:7) He talked about how Christians must face many trials and perils because of their association with Jesus Christ, but that this had resulted in them having the hope of eternal life. (II Corinthians 4:8-15) He continued: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small AND WON’T LAST VERY LONG. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (II Corinthians 4:16-18)

In other words, Paul understood that Christians are currently living in temporary shelters (human bodies), and that they are looking forward to the time when they will be living in a permanent home (spiritual bodies). In his second letter to the saints at Corinth, we read: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” (II Corinthians 5:1-4, KJV)

Peter also understood this concept. In addressing the saints toward the close of his ministry, he wanted to remind them about the truths which he had previously conveyed to them. He wrote: “Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.” (II Peter 1:13-14, KJV) Peter understood that this life is not permanent, and that he was going to die. He also knew that his present body could not inherit the Kingdom of God, and that he would have to shed that body and receive a new one in the resurrection.

As strangers and pilgrims in this world, Christians are looking to exchange a temporary home for a more permanent one (one that God has provided for us). Hence, for us, this is an important component of the symbolism of this Old Testament Festival.

And, finally, perhaps the most important component of this symbolism has to do with our relationship with Christ and Almighty God – the fact that Christ tabernacled with us in the past and will do so again someday with the Father! We read in the Gospel According to John that the “Word was made flesh and dwelt <tabernacled> among us.” – John 1:14, KJV Then, at the conclusion of all things, we are told in the book of Revelation: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” - Revelation 21:1-3 I don’t know about you, but I think that this symbolism beats Armstrong’s teachings on the subject by a mile!

By Lonnie Hendrix

Why are COG members still falling for the Tithe of the Tithe "Command"?

 

While the following comment is directed towards LCG members, it is also standard practice in almost all the splinter groups to guilt trip members into sending in this so-called tithe. Besides not being a new covenant command any more than tithing is itself, this con-game is just one more way for the churches to increase their coffers. A lot of this money goes into sending LCG minions and other Feast location scouts in other COG's to search out vacation Feast sites and supposedly paying for convention halls, etc.  Ask Lil'Jimmie Meredith how much fun he had "researching" Feast site locations.

Since the church itself requires that its members attend these "convocations" then the church itself should be paying for all the halls, sound rentals, video hookups, and satellite feeds, NOT the members. Each of these groups hauls in millions of dollars annually and certainly has the means to pay for these sites instead of coning members into double paying for everything they do at the Feast.

Tithe of the Festival Tithe—Repeat Announcement
For many decades, the Church of God has practiced what is called the “tithe of the Festival tithe.” What this means is that brethren who can afford it are asked to send a tenth of their Festival tithe to the Church in advance of the Feast, to help pay for meeting halls and other Feast expenses, as well as to help brethren around the world with limited resources to attend the Feast (Deuteronomy 14:27; 16:14). If you are able and you have not already done so, please send in your tithe of the Festival tithe for this year. This contribution is greatly appreciated.

PCG Lays Down Lots Of Rules For The Feast, Especially For Women Who Cause Lust In Men's Eyes

Cover the cleavage women so that you do not cause our men to sin. 

It's your fault when you dress improperly and cause lust in men's eyes.

The Flurry cult is getting ready to send out Feast of Tabernacles registration forms to its dwindling membership. The cult has always felt the need to control every aspect of its member's lives and is cracking down even more on its members this year.

Some letters have come into Exit and Support Network detailing the demands of the Flurry cult in its members this year.

Members are expected to pay extra money for all lunches, dinners, and events that PCG puts on which will be recorded on the back of the name tags required of all attending the Feast. This helps the cult keep track of members and stops any outsider or Laodicean COG member from another group from slipping in to see friends or family, or God forbid hear a cult sermon. 

The cult is also following in Worldwide Church of God's footsteps and relegating families with small children to the basement of the Herbie Armstrong Auditorium during services. WCG did this in the Ambassador Auditorium because they did not want kids distracting the holy ministers, or even worse, make a mess in the royal purple carpet in God's House. God would not be happy.

The PCG cult is always looking for ways to portray its self as the perfect church and to do this they cannot have imperfect people on screen if the camera pans the audience. This year, seniors (or anyone) in wheelchairs, those hard of hearing wearing hearing aids that occasionally squeal, or those needing sign language interpretation, must sit in the balcony, out of sight, out of mind.

April 10, 2020
Members with small children are to be seated in the basement of Armstrong Auditorium during Feast services. If you are in a wheelchair, are hard of hearing, or have translation needs, you are to sit in the balcony. (Taken from “Important Instructions” for PCG members attending or not attending the FOT). –[name withheld]  Exit and Support Network

And, as usual, the women in the cult take the brunt of the rules due to the fact that some pervie ministers and male members can't control their roving eyes and lust in their hearts when they see females at church or at the beach who show some cleavage. It's never the men getting lectured on learning to control their lust, but always the women. If they forced the men to do that, half of PCG's ministry would be found guilty!

Females must wear one-piece swimsuits. One-piece swimsuits are the standard for females. The cut should not run too high up the thigh. A safe guideline would be for it to approximately follow the natural crease in the groin. Also, be sure it completely covers the buttocks. Tankinis are unacceptable unless the two pieces are sewn or tacked together so that they don’t come apart and expose the midsection. Swimsuits can be worn with skirts or shorts over them, but this is not required of our ladies. Lastly, as with shirts, no cleavage should be exposed. (Comment: We do not want our young men (or especially any of our ministers) gawking at the ladies and getting wrong ideas [as if they don’t have enough]. Read: What Happened At Robber’s Cave?) Exit and Support Network

Preferred dress for women at church:

 and at the beach:

             Good................Sinful................Borderline

 

LCG Limiting Feast Sites to 300 - 400 Socially Distanced Attendees

When the church was united in purpose, unlike the divided COG today. 

(Remember, this is just ONE of many WCG Feast sites this large)

COMMENT: Looking at the number of States and churches assigned to the respective sites below it is a clear indicator that LCG churches are not large, despite the impression they try to pass off. Their stance on the maximum number of attendees will make it harder for other COG people to Feast hop, as so many like to do, especially if there are several COG groups in the same area.

Get your speed-dial ready LCG members for 12:00 noon EST, May 2, it's going to be a tough fight if you want to transfer!

FEAST OF TABERNACLES Festival Registration—Where Congregations Are Assigned

The Festival Office and Feast Site Coordinators (U.S. and International) met this week in online meetings to discuss this year’s Feast of Tabernacles. Topics included the overall purpose of the Feast and how we are expecting to conduct it this year. This year, in the United States, we are planning for a maximum attendance at most of our Feast sites of around 350–400. We have arranged for venues with room to accommodate this level of occupancy with social distancing. In the United States, we will also be allowing a moderate level of transfer requests (keeping our attendance levels at 350–400 max). However, since transfer requests will not be unlimited, we do encourage as many people as possible to go to their home site. (We’ll have more information about International Feast sites and International transfers at a later date—stay tuned!)

Please note: Festival registration is scheduled to open on Sunday, May 2 at 12:00 noon (Eastern Daylight Time, USA).

April 8, 2021 

For your information, the following is a list of the United States Feast sites and the congregations that are assigned to them:

Boerne, Texas

Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Big Sandy, Dallas, Midland, Temple

Branson, Missouri

Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville Kansas: Chanute

Missouri: Joplin, Springfield

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa

Tennessee: Memphis

Florence, Oregon

Alaska: Anchorage

California: Fresno, Bay Area, Sacramento

Idaho: Boise

Nevada: Reno

Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland

Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Tonasket

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

South Carolina: Anderson, Columbia, Walterboro Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Braselton, Warner Robins

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Iowa: Dubuque

Illinois: Chicago, Peoria

Indiana: Indianapolis, La Porte, Terre Haute

Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis

North Dakota: Bismarck

Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Iowa: Des Moines

Illinois: Springfield

Kansas: Wichita

Missouri: Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, St. Joseph, St. Louis Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha

Midway, Utah

Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson

Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction Montana: Great Falls, Helena

New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe

Utah: Layton

Wyoming: Casper, Cheyenne, Saratoga


Mount Snow, Vermont

Connecticut: Danbury

Massachusetts: Auburn

Maine: Waterville

New Hampshire: Tilton

New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway

New York: Albany, Corning, New York City, Plainview, Rochester Pennsylvania: Tannersville

Rhode Island: Pawtucket

Natchez, Mississippi

Alabama: Athens, Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery

Florida: Pensacola

Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport Mississippi: Jackson, Laurel, Natchez, Ocean Springs

Texas: Lufkin

New Bern, North Carolina

North Carolina: Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Statesville

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Georgia: Blairsville

North Carolina: Asheville, Sylva

Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Nashville Virginia: Bristol

Puerto Rico

San Juan

San Diego, California

California: Banning, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara Nevada: Las Vegas

South Padre Island, Texas

Texas: Baytown, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, The Valley

St. Augustine, Florida

Georgia: Columbus, Thomasville

Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Melbourne, Naples, Ocala, Tampa

Sandusky, Ohio

Indiana: Fort Wayne

Kentucky: Berea, Louisville

Michigan: Flint, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Traverse City Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Lima Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh

West Virginia: Morgantown


Williamsburg, Virginia

Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury Pennsylvania: Harrisburg

Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond, Winchester West Virginia: Bluefield, Charleston

Reading the Book of the Law At The Feast. Does God Require It Or Is It A Silly Demand Of Certain Self Appointed COG Leaders?

 

Over the last decade or so, various self-righteously zealous COG splinter cults have made a requirement of their few followers that they read and hear the entire book of the law during the Feast. Now that James Malm's demands have ended up in the grave it is time for the self-appointed and illegitimately ordained Bob Thiel to demand that his followers read the entire Book of Deuteronomy during his sad Feast. Instead of looking forward to the reign of Christ in the world to come and a time of joy, Thiel and certain splinter cults of the church look backwards at the law that was never meant to be a standard for Christians. The laws were a set of rules specific to the Jewish people to set them apart from those around them. It was for them only, not for any other tribe or group of people anywhere on the face of the earth.

The Feast of Tabernacles for 2020 is almost upon us. Services are to begin the evening of October 2nd and continue until the Last Great Day which is October 10th. It is a time we can meet as brethren each Fall as well as learn and exhort one another.

Notice also the following:

10 …”At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.” (Deuteronomy 31:10-13). 

Notice that this reading of the book of the law was to happen every seven years. Although this has been overlooked by most COG groups, in the CCOG we did this in 2013, and thus are intending to do it seven years later, which is this year, in 2020. ...

Different Sites, Different Recommendations

While ALL CCOG sites need to cover the Book of the Law in 2020, there are different ways this is expected to be done.

Sites with live sermon speaker (USA, Serbia, Africa, and India) are to have sermons that will, by the end of the Feast of Tabernacles, have covered the entire Book of Deuteronomy.

Those sites that do not have sufficient internet connections (such as the Philippines and parts of Africa) should watch the sermon DVDs that were sent a couple of weeks ago. In some cases, those sermons should be translated live into local languages. If the DVDs do not arrive (and they had not arrived in Ethiopia when I last heard), please at least have someone read the entire Book of Deuteronomy in the local language during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Various zealots in COG leadership have turned a once joyous time of the year into a time of drudgery. Is it any wonder why they cannot keep members?

Is How You Dress At The Feast A Salvation Issue?

 

The Feast of Tabernacles is underway for the faithful of the Churches of God. This has turned out to be a difficult year for most COG groups as Satan has actively thwarted some of their plans for certain Feast sites. Numerous sites had to be shut down this year due to COVID. Plus, no chruch members were able to transfer to any foreign country this year. In spite of all of this, many COG members were still looking forward to their annual fall vacation to resorts and interesting locations.

A select few COG groups set certain standards for their members on how to dress at the Feast. Apparently, LCG members still are too stupid or outright rebellious in what they choose to wear to services or at the resorts that they must be reminded AGAIN on what is appropriate to wear. Living Church of God has sent out their commands once again this year for their women to not dress slutty at church by wearing their belly exposing tops. As usual, women get bet up the most, men not so much.

Basic Principles of Dress for Sabbath and Feast Services and Activities
As we prepare to be “lights to the world” at the Feast, it’s good to review some basic principles about our outward decorum and dress. Jesus stated in a parable that some invited to the wedding supper will be turned away because they are not dressed appropriately (Matthew 22:8–14). We have taught for decades that when we come to Church services, we are coming before the God of the universe, and we should dress in the best we have, to show proper respect to God. In most Western cultures, coats, collared shirts, ties, and nice slacks are considered appropriate attire for men on special occasions. Jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, or other sportswear are simply not in good taste at special occasions or at Church services. This may vary in tropical climates, yet, in all climates there is a distinction between what is appropriate and what is not. 1 Timothy 2:9–10explains that ladies should dress “in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.” This does not condone the trendy and immodest apparel that is commonplace for many women in our society today: short, tight, form-fitting dresses, necklines displaying cleavage, bare shoulders, backless dresses, belly-baring tops, etc. We come to services to worship God, not to display our bodies. If women dress in a manner that attracts attention to their bodies, they become a distraction to others from the real reasons for being at services. Our challenge as Christian men and women is to come out of this world (2 Corinthians 6:17) and recapture true values (Matthew 17:11) so we can be lights to a world that has lost its way (Matthew 5:14–15). This is especially true as we gather to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles—picturing Christ’s glorious reign on earth!

Why does the Living Church of God still treat their members as infants or as being too stupid to know what to wear to services? When Jesus returns he will not give a rats ass about what people are wearing to church. That subject is of no significance to the grand scheme of things and should not be an issue today in the COG.

UCG: An online petition has been started to ask UCG to "withdraw" its mask requirement at Feast sites where local ordinances don't require them

 

It's another day in COGland and the craziness continues. Can there be a more dysfunctional Church of God to ever exist in Sabbatarian history?

United Church of God recently announced that masks were required at all Feast sites this year.

Now there is a group in UCG ticked off about masks. Someone has started a petition to ask UCG to reconsider. Seriously, as if ANY UCG leader or ANY COG leader would EVER consider a  petition! Church members are too stupid to be asking questions or making demands. The boys in Cincinnatti will ignore this as they ignore every other issue UCG members present to the leaders.

Check the site out here before UCG leaders have a hissy-fit and demand the person delete it:

Muffled Joyful Noise

UCG: Look at us! We "socially distanced" but are still preaching the same old crap. Woo Hoo!

 

Screenshot of recent filming

The boys in Cincinnati want you to know that they are socially distancing during the live filming of their podcasts...though inquiring minds want to know - where are the masks?

They seem pleased at the topics of their recent episodes, though it looks like the same tired worn out crap that has been preached about for decades. It is almost 2021 and one would think they could come up with new material.

Yesterday we recorded three more Beyond Today television programs with a studio audience consisting of our Ambassador Bible College class. The programs were "Human Identity and the Family of God" by Darris McNeely, "Why Do Good People Suffer?" by Steve Myers and "Beware the Mark of the Beast" by Gary Petty.

Their "faith" is also being challenged by the COVID restrictions that limit the Feast of Tabernacles' locations, attendance, and procedures this year. All first-world problems for an elitist COG group. Especially, while they have members in Africa who may walk half or full-day journey's to be at a Feast location (like they have bragged about happening in the past). Yet, the boys whine about U.S. restrictions.

Never fear though, UCG's CORRECT version of prophecy has all of this under control. Bob Thiel, be damned, we have it right!

We live in an era of fear, anxiety and uncertainty. But we in the Church of God are blessed with understanding—especially prophetic understanding—that brings peace and calmness. We can withstand and overcome trials in part because we confidently know that whatever season of life we are in, we will come out of it, We will win.

You can read Kubik's entire missive here: Update from the President: September 3. 2020

Should Ballroom Dancing To Be Banned At Feast Sites?

Has your local COG become a social club?  Do you play cards,  drink, dance and dare to have a little fun? Setting aside the fact that alcoholism is rampant in the COG's, is it really wrong to dance and play cards?  According to the person below it seems  to be.  He sounds more like a Southern Baptist than a COGer.

Apostle Malm (in bold) admits that the COG is over run by alcoholism, especially in the ordained ranks.  He then goes on to be ready to ban ballroom dancing at the Feast!  No more of this "touchy feely" type of dance.  You should be doing a Jewish style of dance where you jump and leap around the room.  That is what the new owners of Ambassador Auditorium do, they jump, leap, pogo, and do other ecstatic dancing.

Malm is thinking about setting up a Feast site this coming year.  Can you imagine how depressing it will be to attend this downer of a Feast site?  He has so many rules and regulations on what people should be doing and not doing on Saturdays, holy days and new moons that people will not be able to breathe without committing a major sin.

What I am telling you is certain (true). The majority of the churches have been converted into social clubs, fellowship and fun, and have pushed aside the spiritual focus. This even has happened with the observance of the Holy Days of God. I had the opportunity to attend here in Guatemala at the Feast of Tabernacles with the United Church of God and nothing new was ever said to us, always the same sermons, the same topics that in the millenium “we will govern over the rest” , as if to instill into our minds that Nicolaitan attitude of dominance over the rest. And, speaking about fun, what do you think about alcoholic beverages? HWA used to teach that one could drink, dance, go to the movies and play cards “in moderation”. Without exception I have seen some excesses mainly at the Feast of Tabernacles.

 I am familiar with Ottawa, Victoria and Pentiction Feast sites in Canada. The locals welcome our money and they welcome us leaving. There are always problems with alcohol, fighting [mostly marital and young people shouting at each other], rowdiness and drunk driving. In Pentiction the COG is known as the Church of Booze and the Feast as the Feast of Booze. My grandfather was editor of the Pentiction Herald until he retired and I was well familiar with things there; haven’t been there in the last ten years. The COGs are famous for alcoholism in many of their top elders. Of course this means that biblically they are not qualified as elders. 1 Cor 6:10. Being addicted to anything is to be a slave. The rampant abuse of alcohol by many in the ministry is a very sad matter; even HWA was an alcoholic. The Feasts are a chance to really let our light shine and they have in very many cases given us a black eye. Biblical dancing was never this touchy feely embracing dancing; it was always dancing as an expression of joy closer to the Jewish dancing or a kind of leaping for joy and rejoicing before God. We should be doing that at the Feasts and not the ballroom dancing style. Search for Jewish Religious Dance, Dancing for Joy, Davidic Dance etc.; I am not a fan of Modern Rabbinic Judaism, but this goes back well before the time of Christ to David and earlier. This is too energetic for Sabbath but excellent for the middle Feast days.

"FOR SHAME: This is a DISGRACE and a blot on your garments."

The Apostle is ticked, and I mean REALLY ticked right now about the sinful nature of COG members around the world who start their travel home ON The Last Great Day. 

He is ticked that ministers have early services so people can get out and on the road that afternoon. 

He is ticked that people pay their hotel bills on that day.

He is ticked they cleaned their hotel room and packed their bags.

He is ticked they stop and buy food before sundown.

Oh, did I say he was ticked?

He is really, really, really ticked!

But I guess it is NOT a problem for him to post to his blog on the LCG or Friday nights or Saturdays?

To the Groups making up the Church of God

The Eighth Day of the Feast:  Is a High Holy Day,  Lev 23:36.   It is a Holy Convocation. You shall do no servile work (work of any kind)  therein.

For generations now, The Church of God has made it a practice to hold services early, on the Eighth Day;  to facilitate the travel plans of their members.  People claiming to be converted Godly people:  have paid bills, packed belongings, cleaned their temporary dwellings and traveled on this High Holy Day.  And their ministers have encouraged this in word and deed.

FOR SHAME:  This is a DISGRACE and a blot on your garments.  The Eternal will not hold you guiltless for defiling His Holy Time.  Repent quickly and turn from this wickedness;  lest ye be corrected.

Church people even purchase goods and services on Sabbath and Holy Days, especially in restaurants.  

I think someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!

Getting Happy-Clappy At The Feast - Or Not?

It's Feast time again and tens of thousands of COG members are gathered together around the world to hear amazing sermons and exquisite music. 

Oh sorry, wrong decade.

Let's start over.

It's Feast time again and 10's of people are gathered at various Festival sites to hear recycled sermons and some half way well done music.

Imagine getting to listen to well trained choirs and voices of superb singers singing songs of praise to God. Well, we all know those days are over.  No mass choirs with orchestra like we had in the Pocono's one year.  No huge choir with a majestic organ like we had in Jekyll Island.

I am sure there are still good singers in the COG who honestly do try their best.  Plus, who cannot help but clap for the kids when they get up and sing!

The WCG and its various harlot daughters over the years have jumped from clapping to no clapping and then back again, over and over.

A report came in to me today that in one area where members were forbidden to to clap for music or sermons.  The reason was:

"There is no clapping at the Feast so no one has pre-eminence above another to lift them up to give them special attention".

That's pretty strange considering how HWA thrived on the clapping.  I remember while at the huge Feast sites in Jekyll Island, Lake of the Ozarks, Pocono's, St Petersburg, etc., clapping like lusty seals the minute HWA or GTA's name was announced.  Men and women wept at the sight of these men mounting the stage.  

 

Being a deacon in Pasadena I remember for years being told that we were to initiate clapping the minute HWA, GTA, or Tkach Sr. came out on stage.  We were to immediately jump to our feet and start clapping.  It was standard practice anywhere HWA went.  His handlers sometimes would prep the sites they were visiting with instructions to make sure people clapped.

Congregations and Feast sites even clapped for his sermons, besides his entrances and exits.

 

Here is a sermon in the 1980's HWA gave where the members sat there clapping when he made one of his bombastic comments:

  This subject is causing a lot of trouble.

 

“Today I would like to speak on what may be the very next attack” on the Church by Satan (ie. preventing interracial marriages from taking place in the Church).

 

‘Satan is going to use interracial marriage as the next attack upon God’s Church’.

 

“If we want to be with God, get on his side. Or get on Satan’s side and go into the lake of fire” with regard to this question.

 

I will not compromise one millionth of an inch on social trends of interracial marriage.

 

Some say we must have racial balance in this world – we will not go the way of Satan!

 

‘But I say that for me and my family, we shall serve the eternal God’ (in relation to interracial marriages). [audience claps loudly in support]The Sin of Interracial Marriage

      

But then as HWA started to age he sat at home more and more and watched services on his TV.  When he started seeing the sheep clapping after sermons by Meredith, Hoeh or Waterhouse, he started to get perturbed.  Clapping was soon banned because these men were starting to get big heads and expected it.  Meredith was could be one grumpy dude when no one clapped after his sermons.

You can go to each of the 600 some splinter groups sites and find 600 some different ways on dealing with clapping. Most do it.

Even the Seventh Day Adventists don't have that much of an issue with it.

    There is no clear evidence that this gesture was part of worship in the Old and New Testaments. In fact, I didn't find the phrase in the entire New Testament. Therefore, there does not seem to be any biblical parallel to what takes place in our churches today.
      You may ask, "Why do we do it?" I'm not sure. I suspect that we incorporated clapping into our services from our cultural environment. Clapping is usually associated with the entertainment industry, but has become very popular in televised evangelical religious services. Perhaps we copied it from them.
      Leaving aside the issue of cultural influence, I suppose that what really matters is that each person be fully aware of the reasons he or she claps in church. Motivation becomes extremely important in this context. Is it an expression of joy in the Lord and His saving power? Is it only a physical expression or a substitute for what used to be the audible amen? Or is it a recognition of the good performance of the singer or the preacher? Adventist Biblical Research

So why does your Feast site allow it and others don't?  Why does your minister tell you not to do it when HWA and others thrived on it and expected it?  

Is he really afraid that when you clap after his sermon that you are actually GLAD he is walking off the stage?

It's Still "Us vs. Them" At COG Feast Sites

It is that time of year again when families in the COG travel all over the world for family reunions at different Festival sites.  New friends are made and old acquaintances rekindled.  That is of course unless you are part of these two COG splinter groups who carry on with their same old exclusivity on determining who is in and who is out.

The first is from Dennis in a comment on another thread concerning Living Church of God's treatment of people:

Just sharing a current FOT family experience: Sister, whose husband now deceased, was full time WCG minister, and nephew were going to spend half a feast this year with LCG in Cobbleskill NY. My nephew, formerly of UCG was sent a message that he could not attend until he talked to the Minister in charge of the site Mr.______ _______. Sooooo he and my widowed COG sister decided to screw it and go see family. Nice going LCG!!! Go ye therefore.....

Ans this one is from a report by person who visited Glendora on their way up to another COG site here in CA.  WCG?GCI has allowed for a regular Feast site to be held in Monrovia this year. 

We stopped by to visit with some old friends before heading up to Monterrey for the COGWA Feast.  We also wanted to see what WCG was up to these days.  The WCG site had around 40-50 in attendance.  I was shocked at how small the attendance was.  As far as I know the WCG no longer even does the cruises because I could not find anything online about their sites this year.  The Monrovia site is headed up by Carlton Smith.  Most of the people in attendance believe the Feast still should be kept on the regular days.

Smith was railing against adulterers, gays, abortionists, fornicators and other types of people that obviously irritate him. The godless people are destroying this world.  Smith also said that the Holy Spirit was present only for those people in the room.  I guess all other COG members not there are without hope. 

We had a sermon by the former Auditorium manager talking about pure religion and how a local industry made up of ex-gang members exemplifies that.   Kind of weird considering how Smith thinks no one outside the COG has God working through them.

What I found disturbing was the same old exclusive attitude that has always permeated Armstrongism was still present in the "new and improved" WCG.   It was "us vs them." Those that were in the know and those who were not.  Those called of God and those who are not. Those in and those out.  I would have thought WCG had progressed a little farther than this tired worn out mentality!  That exclusivity that Herbert Armstrong taught still has not been eradicated.  Both LCG and WCG have practiced this past week. 

Why doesn't Smith to the right thing and take all 50 members out for a work day and serve in a homeless shelter during the Feast.  That might actually be something considered Christian for once!

  I am sure there are other horror stories from the groups.  Lets see how many are reported.

New Commands For TRUE Believers: Temporary Dwellings, Waving Palms, Pouring Water

It is Feast time and the COG's are scattering all over the globe for this annual observance.  But there are a few reprobates who are staying home if they live in the local Feast areas.  The Apostle Malm says that if you do, you are NOT acceptable to God.

He then goes on to how you should be waving palms and branches during the feast and also pouring out water as you dance around the room.

 If you are staying in your houses for the Feast you are NOT observing the Feast and your attempts to do things your own way, instead of as God has commanded are NOT acceptable to God.

I know that because of poverty or illness or great age not all of us can travel, yet we must make every effort to obey God and keep the Feast as God has commanded.   I also know that it is quite acceptable to build a Sukkot,  booth or pitch a tent in your back yard or even in your basement if you live in an area of extreme weather.  I am also aware of the needs of the ill and the aged.  Notwithstanding; every possible effort should be made to dwell in a temporary shelter for the full seven days.

You also need to be shaking tree branches or waving palms during the Feast:

Here we have a direct command to take branches and to rejoice with them for seven days.  How many times have you done that in the years that you have kept the Feast?  Does your organization obey this command of Almighty God?  if not they are losing out on a valuable lesson and much understanding of the meaning of this Feast.

What does this command mean?  Boughs or branches of goodly [healthy, beautiful or strong] trees are to be cut on the very first day, the High Holy day of this Feast and we are to rejoice with them for seven days.  The palm and willow are specifically mentioned, however we are NOT told that these branches are limited to the palm and willow. We are NOT told to build our booths out of these branches, although Nehemiah thought that such was the intent of Moses, before Christ came to reveal the real intent of the command, Neh 8.

We are to rejoice with them.  Why are we to take branches of trees and rejoice [wave or shake] them?  Because of what they represent!

In the ancient celebration, on each day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the people in the Temple courtyard would hold the clusters of branches, waving them before the LORD and make a circular procession around the altar. The first six days they would circle the altar once. On the seventh days, they would circle the altar seven times, to increase the joy.

During the procession they would pray a prayer that came to be known as Hoshanos. It is a prayer for God’s blessing, ending each phrase of the prayer with the word hoshana (“Please save”, “save us” or “save now!”). For this reason, the last day came to be known as Hoshana Rabba, meaning the Day of the Great ‘O Save’.

Each day (except for the first day) of the festival, a group of priests would set out to gather large willows that they would wave back and forth as they proceeded toward the temple, thus making a “swooshing” sound, the sound of the wind or the Ruach, Holy Spirit.

While this was going on, another group of priests would proceed to the Pool of Siloam from which the High Priest would gather a flask full of “living water”.

On the first Holy day and the regular Sabbath water was obtained the previous day and then poured out on the high Day and regular Sabbath. Both groups would then return to the Temple, and while the group with the willows would circle the altar waving their willows, the High Priest with his flask of water and his assistant with a flask of wine would both empty their pitchers on the southwest corner of the altar, thus picturing the coming of the Holy Spirit as living water.

GCI Allows Members To Hold Regular Feast of Tabernacles

Grace Communion International is allowing those  members in their midst who still hold on to all things HWA taught to keep a traditional Feast of Tabernacles in Monrovia this year.  It is set up to run on the "official" dates of the Feast that other COGlets are keeping.

GCI also set up a Feast of Trumpets observance here in Southern CA for those members who want to keep it too.  The silly thing is that the minister that spoke at is is a New Covenant minister who does not believe in keeping Trumpets.  Why in the world the die-hard Armstrongites in GCI's midst would sit in a service on their Feast of Trumpets, which they believe is to be observed, and then to be preached at by a non-believer is beyond me.  There is something wrong with that picture!

These people are still of the belief that God personally placed them in the WCG under HWA and that they are to remain true to the church where they were placed.  They think they are preserving the faith once delivered and many have the hope that things will switch back to the old ways and they will then be used as instruments to teach the lax laodicean heretics on how things really should be kept.

Thiel: God Caused Gas Prices To Drop So LCG Could Go To The Feast

I never cease to be amazed at the magical "god" that works behind the scenes for COG members. In their eyes everything that happens around them is either controlled by their "god" or by satan.

We are now close to the Feast of Tabernacles, the yearly COG extravaganza for worldwide vacations and festivals of gluttony and excess.  God's Apostle always said that as future Kings and Priests we are to have the best that the world has to offer.  We deserve to travel to exotic locations! 

So in order for that to happen God has personally had a hand in lowering the gas prices so that LCGers can have more money to spend at the Feast or to turn in for excess second tither.  I can only imagine that if gas prices had went up it would have been satan''s attempt at preventing the True Church of God from attending the Feast.

Thiel's magical "god" has done the following for him and the Living Church of God.

For the last several years, oil prices have dropped right around the time of the fall Holy Days (fall in the northern hemisphere, that is). This year appears to be the same. Gasoline (petrol) prices have been dropping for the last several weeks now. Monday, oil reached its lowest price since September 2010. It ended trading in New York at $78 per barrel. Experts believe it will stay low to year’s end (Associated Press, October 3, 2011).

Thousands of years ago, God gave His people the command to keep His annual festivals, including the Feast of Tabernacles (see Leviticus 23). These days were to be statutes “forever” and blessings were promised to those who keep them, and the rest of God’s laws (Deuteronomy 14:29).

It is both interesting and encouraging to see a trend in dropping gasoline prices (which some would call “chance”) just prior to the “pilgrim” Feast of Tabernacles–a time when God’s people are commanded to travel to locations where He has chosen to place His name (Deuteronomy 14:22-26). In allowing fuel prices to drop, God is blessing the obedience of His people who are willing to travel to worship Him at this very important time of year.

Dennis Says: "Ok, Ok,...I Still Miss It!"

OK, OK...I still miss it.

What is it about the Fall Festival season that still finds a very conscious or at least subconscious place in our former WCG minds?  I always have looked forward to Fall in any place I lived and for half my life at least Fall meant Feast of Tabernacles.  I always like the Feast of Trumpets because plainly it could be, whether should be, linked to the Second Coming of Jesus just any time at the last trump.  Atonement, not so much except it was not uncommon to leave that night or at the latest, the next day for the Feast of Tabernacles somewhere.

I still have relatives who physically linger around the edges of the COG and the Festivals even though they never attend church during the year and really don't believe much in it.  Yet it is not uncommon for them to get that old "Feast Fever" and head off to, not just some local site, but some foreign country of the Islands, to "keep the Feast."   I know some who go to festival sites yet don't go to church at that that site at all!  How nuts is that.  Well, really not nuts if you have to endure the worn out old routine of 3 songs, opening prayer, sermonette, announcements, special music, nuther song, sermon that is over long before the guy gets finished and nuther song with hurry up and pray ending.  

But Fall feels like the Feast to me and I can tell you without looking which full moon is it! 

Even the new and improved WCG which repudiates the crazy thing still finds Fall time to Cruise for Jesus.  You can't tell me that is not a leftover need to get out of Dodge in the Fall.  Old habits die hard.

I think I miss the crowd with the common hope.  It was a great hope you know.  The world is indeed nuts and a clean up is in order.  I loved seeing all the friends, new and old from churches long since transferred from.  Friends in WCG seemed to be true friends indeed to me and I can't say i don't miss them.  If I don't miss someone, it's the guys i went to college with who went on to be pastors and still are either in some splinter or sliver or simply off on their own repeating the same old story over and over still without the training or credentials to know whereof they speak.  Oh well, it's a living.

I have to say, I miss teaching and giving those sermons to thousands. I can only speak for myself, but I had fun. Tried to pick practical topics and always found a way to get around speaking about the assigned topic that was given each towards the latter years from "HQ."  I guess they were afraid of who would really say what so they told them what to say.  My last real sermon, "The Politics of the New Testament" at Myrtle Beach, was my last really great time for me in teaching. I ended up saying a bit too much and shortly after labeled as knowing a lot about Jesus, but not knowing Jesus.  Oh well, screw it. To me, knowing a lot about Jesus and knowing Jesus are one in the same unless one goes into some kind of silly evangelical fourth dimension.   However remind me to clean up my explanation of how Matthew came up with his Virgin Birth 'prophecy.'  And never, never say,  "come on folks, where DO babies come from" to a COG audience or administration  :(

It was still fun and I'm still right.

I did hear one minister, still a minister THREE TIMES in THREE FEASTS give the same sermon!!!  As soon as he said, "I'm going to show you something you have never seen before and will never see again."  He then opened a peanut and ate it.  The third time I got up and took a walk on the beach. Much nicer.

I still have friends from the past however I rarely hear from them.  When I call on occasion, we remember the good old days and realize how old we have gotten.  After all, with Jesus coming shortly, soon and 3-5, 10 at the most, no more than 15 and 20 tops....we weren't supposed to start falling apart.  Some have weathered aging well and others, not so much..ha.    But like the tractor pull at the fair that has the sliding weight that bogs you down eventually and says, "you know I'm going to get you," nothing lasts.

But what is the pull of it all.  I was not as much a fan of the Spring Holydays.  Passover and UB was taught from on high in such a negative manner.  Somber, sober and Stiffling.  Every year someone somewhere had to argue over what day really was the Passover and what really was and was not leavening.  I had to conduct the funeral service we called the Passover and read an hours worth of script that Jesus may or many not have said since only one gospel reports any of it.  Hoping one did not get memberstinkyfeet for the footwashing was always a hoot!

No, I miss the Feast.  The reasons seem deeply set and it's not because I know I should be there and am rebellious.  I know it is not necessary and it's origins are nothing what the COG's think.  I seriously doubt they really point to all the glorious things we thought they did.  If they do, "time is short," has a meaning different from what "time is short" means to me. 

And of course, Second tithe was really play money and only turned back into real money when we left after the first service on the Last Great Day because we wanted to get home and had to get back to work.  Only the really loyal stayed until 4:30 PM and left that evening.

Anyway, it's a lonely time of year for me personally.  I expect it is for others too and even those who rail against their church experience. 

I get a little depressed this time of year. What were all those years about anyway?  Was it all one big waste of time and energy?  Yes and no?  I didn't ever see or even hear about "drunken ministers" or "drunken members."  I don't say it wasn't so.  I just didn't hang with that crowd.  It was a challenge at times keeping track of my teen sons but they still speak fondly of their WCG Festival experiences, one even returning to Jekyll a couple years ago just to feel the feelings.

At any rate.  Nothing wrong with feeling a bit nostalgic.  It is amazing to me however the lengths some who do not attend and do not believe in the festivals will go to, to attend one or at least find a reason to take that great Fall vacation to some amazing place they never would have gone to for any other reason.

Jesus, if you are listening...Soon would really be a good time to return and shut us all up.

Dennis C. Diehl

DenniscDiehl@aol.com