Dave Pack and Social Media

God's most superfantabulous Church of God leader to ever exist (after Bob Thiel, of course) is Dave Pack.  As God's most important man, it is vitally important that Dave maintain full control over his dwindling supply of cash cows.

Dave has never had a good relationship with social media over the years when it came to members speaking their mind or participating on Twitter, Facebook, and elsewhere.  All of those avenues of expressing ones self were, in his eyes, holding the door open for Satan to enter their minds which would cause them to write things Dave did not approve of.

Now that many of Dave's ATM machines are isolated at home. some are going online to socialize with their brethren.  Dave has set a limit on how many can talk together without having a minister involved in the chat.

Social Media Groups 4/18/2020

During these difficult times, an extraordinary fruit has been borne—increased contact and communication with each other through social media. This is inspiring to see! As we find ourselves becoming more isolated by events beyond our control, we encourage everyone to continue to find unique ways to fellowship.

It is important to remember the Church’s policy that when 10 or more gather together for activities, just like at Feast sites, it is recommended than an elder should be present. Similarly, when using social media in a group of 10 or more, we ask that you include your local minister so all things can be done decently and in order (I Cor. 14:40).

Please continue to reach out to brethren as we are encouraged to do: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do” (I Thes. 5:11). 

The Plain Truth About Ground Hog Day

Gary asked me to watch Dr. Thiel's presentation on Ground Hog Day.  My first thought was "Oh, here we go again...."   

This won't take long...

Obviously, in his boredom and isolation, Dr Bob has watched the suitable for Christian consumption Ground Hog Day and found incredible Biblical lessons oozing from its plot.  How else would he know the details?   Tired of searching over and over and over and over for similar themes from the Bible...well...here ya go. 

"Lessons from ‘Groundhog Day’

Groundhog Day is a popular American tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2nd, that science shows is essentially based on a myth. In 1993, there was a movie starring Bill Murray as Phil Connors titled ‘Groundhog Day.’ It has become a cultural icon in a sense in the USA. In the movie, Phil ends up in a time loop where everyday is February 2nd. This goes on for at least ten years. At first, Phil pursues various lusts of the flesh. But eventually, he tires of the vanity of it all. Instead of being a selfish taker, he becomes a giver. Once he has learned whatever he is supposed to learn, he finally awakes to a new day and a new life. Are there lessons here for Christians? What are some of them? Can we learn anything from Jonah and his being swallowed by a great fish? What should Christians do each day? What shouldn’t Christians do? What about the mystery of God’s plan and the Kingdom of God? Dr. Thiel goes over these topics and more in this scripture filled video he relates to comments about the movie ‘Groundhog Day.’"

Watch the Video if you too have the same problem Dr. Bob is having with isolation and social distancing at this time.

All I have to say in analysis is to conclude that Dr. Bob is struggling with the following problem common to all during the present distress.

That's all I got

From the weird to the wacko to the strange and the destitute to the socially awkward to the pulpit pounder...you are expected to fund them all

Look for the Helpers, He Said.... 

There are plenty of buffoons out there who like to claim they alone are the mouthpiece of God. All it takes is a simple youtube search to find all of the buffoons who truly like to claim that their knowledge is God's knowledge. Some of them seem rather tame and benign, while others go full out in apostolic clothing with a beard that would make Santa himself jealous. What is it that makes a person go so hogwild with their interpretations? What makes a person so special that they feel they alone have been hand-picked by God to carry out their message?

It really doesn't matter if it's the pastor at the local corner church, or some lone ranger on a youtube channel. They all think they alone are right. They've established their little piece of the religious pie, and are intent on getting anyone they can to take a bite out of it. These range from the scholarly to the absolute ridiculous - harping about on the latest thing that catches their eye that no one's doing, but they feel everyone must do. Yet, in spite of all of this, there is one thing that they all nearly universally agree on - tithing.

From the weird to the wacko to the strange and the destitute to the socially awkward to the pulpit pounder, you will find they all agree that you must fund their life so they can get their message out. Yet, in this day and age of free youtube and live broadcasting - why do they need your money to do it? They already have cable internet, or you wouldn't be seeing the message in the first place. They have a computer or they wouldn't have a way to broadcast the message. What they are really asking for is that you - as a watcher, or even a follower - would recognize the "calling" they recognize and then give them your money as agreement that they are God's mouthpiece for whatever it is they are so zealous about. Once you agree, whether it's a youtube "preacher" or a full on church member, you're in "the system".

Now, this isn't to say that there isn't good out there in the world of corporate Christianity. But the bottom line of corporate Christianity is very simple - it's the word "Corporate". The religious industry is big business. It's tax-free, supposedly charitable non-profit business which rakes in millions to even billions of dollars, often pastors and denominations benefiting the most from the deal with some notable and worthy exceptions. Many not-so-worthy individuals would love to get into that system with intentions that are not so good. And many already have.

From the background and experience of my life growing up in an Armstrongism Cult, many of these individuals have risen from the muck. Not of their own power, but because the muck has drained and their sorry heads pop out looking for whatever and whoever they can devour with their own pithy propaganda, believing they and they alone are God's Mouthpiece for "this end time" generation, joining the thousands and thousands of others who believe the same thing of themselves. Instead of getting out there in the business of love and service, as the hands and the feet of Jesus, they exalt themselves as whatever figure they see themselves at and dupe the fragile in the process. And the cycle repeats itself, over and over again.

"Look for the helpers", Mr. Fred Rogers would often teach. Perhaps his lesson was the best lesson - to avoid the pitfalls and snares of Corporate Americanized Christianity with all of its love of money - and rejoin what true Christianity is - the simple act of helping, of loving, of caring, of giving, of being a kind and good person. Because - to all those who think they are somebody and they really are not - it's not about you - it never has been about you - and it never will be. It's about how you show Jesus to others, and even the world in your life. It's not about buildings, or bank accounts, or trees, or calendars, or this thing, or that thing. It's not about what day you worship, it's about how you worship, in spirit and truth, or lies and deception. It's not about if you go to Church in a suit and tie, but if you're willing to be "a helper" when the need arises. It's about being a light. It's about being the one people look to not because you are yelling at them to look at you, but because you are one of the helpers - a good and bright example of Jesus.

In my background, we were taught not to be "helpers". We were taught to be inclusive. Introverted. Self-withdrawn. "Away from the world". The only ones we helped were ourselves. It is this introverted legacy that infiltrates cultic thinking and even corporate Christianity. There's much more to life than what's shallow. Living is being a helper. And you don't have to glorify yourself to be just that.

By SHT