New Book by Monte Wolverton: Living 120: A Story of Good, Faith, Fraud and the Pursuit of Longevity

Chasing 120 on Amazon

Monte Wolverton has a new book out that is very loosely based on Armstrongism.

It is fiction but based on his experiences growing up in the old WCG. I think you'll recognize many of the main "characters" including the "villain" a former ad-man turned preacher & purveyor of health-foods, named Tyler Belknap. It's a page-turner!  - Laura Urista, Facebook

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Amazon book review:

A highly successful but unscrupulous health mogul promises his followers 120 years of robust life if they stick to his “Bible-based” regimen and buy his products. Through his vast Wellness 120 empire, based in the Portland, Oregon area, the charming and charismatic Dr. Tyler Belknap has amassed a cult-like following of people who are working to achieve 12 decades of life. In nationwide infomercials and books, the fast-talking Texas adman-turned-preacher targets Christian consumers with Biblical-sounding promises of health and longevity. Many of his followers seem to enjoy improved health. But others suffer serious side effects from foods and supplements laced with exotic substances and GMOs developed in Belknap’s secret underground research facility in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Belknap and his cronies will stop at nothing to keep their edge in the market, bribing politicians and officials, coercing suppliers, sweeping dissatisfied customers under the carpet and crushing whistleblowers. In the midst of this culture of false promises and religious-sounding fakery, Belknap’s creative director Dave Whitman and his wife Marcia have enjoyed a comfortable life. Suddenly they find themselves at the center of a huge crisis when their teenage son suffers severe brain damage from one of Belknap’s psychoactive substance-laced foods. They must come to grips with the fact that the captivating and persuasive leader they have admired for decades is a crook—and that justice does not always happen in this world. Yet in spite of all that, they learn that life goes on and thrives—even though houses of cards in which we sometimes misplace our faith may fall around us.

Other commentary:

Monte Wolverton's first novel is a heady brew of faith and finances as people's spiritual hungers are exploited by an unscrupulous man bent on making money under the guise of making disciples. Chasing 120 will take you on a ride through the perils of greed, misplaced faith, and awakening to the truth no matter how painful. – Wayne Jacobsen, author and President of Lifestream Media

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The novel is not just fun ... it's important. Even aside from the GMO conspiracies, I believe Wolverton's tale speaks to the deep disillusionment of so many people who've been burned by religious hucksters and corporate pop-gurus--people who've built empires on whatever vulnerabilities we carry in our woundedness. It's not enough to upset ourselves with the injustice of spiritual abuse. We need to ask what conditions set us up for it in the first place. What is the desperate need the charlatans promise to fulfill? Rather than just stealing false hope, might there be a good word that delivers true hope? Monte takes us there in Chasing 120, without platitudes or cliches. It's an excellent read that leads to some healthy thinking.  - Christianiy Without Religion/PTM

LCG Disgusted With the Water Bucket Challenge...and NOT for the Reason You Might Think

Why is it that the Churches of God feel that they have to weigh in on every single thing that goes on in society?  As dumb as the water bucket challenge is, what business is it of ANY COG to stick their nose into it and throw out warnings?  Why do they have to give their opinions about things like this when their own churches are filled with vile unchristian goings on?

LCG has always felt that their opinion matters in all things. Wait till you see the main reason as to why the LCG does not care for the water bucket challenge.  Its quit laughable and silly!

From the LCG weekly update 8/30/2014

Ice Bucket Challenge:  In America and other parts of the world where the Internet reaches, millions of people have taken the Ice Bucket Challenge—allowing someone to dump a bucket of ice water on their heads to raise money for a charity—and then posting a picture of themselves on Facebook to record this chilling event. While contributing to a charity is a personal decision, events like this can easily become an exhibitionist activity and another way to get your picture on Facebook in front of millions of viewers. While this is a seemingly innocent activity, there are medical concerns with such a temperature shock if a person has a pre-existing heart condition. As Christians, we are advised in the Scriptures to “come out” of this world and its faddish ways (2 Corinthians 6:17). Making a contribution to preaching the Gospel to a dying world might be a better way to improve the condition of mankind.

Douglas Winnail Reminds You That You OWE The Church Your Tithe of The Tithe ASAP!!!!

LCG's Douglas Winnail is out to get more money out of LCG members with Herbert Armstrong's silly money grubbing tithe of the tithe.  We are getting close to Feast time in the COG's and it is vitally important that you send in a tithe of your second tithe to help fund the ministry to be able to attend their dream Feast sites.  What better way to keep the Feast than to have an all expenses paid cruise.  Its a shame that a chruch that takes in millions and millions of dollars a year cannot spring for funding a Feast buildings around the world.  You would think that LCG and other COG's would pay for rental facilities  as a Thank-you for brethren sending in their tithes all year long which keep the ministry  and leaders in their luxurious homes surrounded by fine art, gold and silver. But no, its important to continue to take and take from already financially stretched thin members.  Besides, it keeps them in submission by making them feel guilty when they did not send anything in.

Tithe of the Second Tithe
For those who are able to contribute a tithe of their second tithe to help defray the expenses involved in conducting the annual Holy Days, including the Feast of Tabernacles, it would be greatly appreciated if this contribution could be sent at this time (if it has not already been sent). The tithe of the second tithe is used to help brethren with limited funds attend the Feast of Tabernacles, as well as to pay for hall rentals and other administrative costs associated with the annual Holy Days.  LCG Weekly Update