Guest Letter: "An Open Letter to All COG Churches, Leaders and Ministers"

An Open Letter to All COG Churches, Leaders and Ministers

Twenty –two years have past since 1990 when the first of the splits occurred with with WCG by PCG leaving.   Subsequent splits occurred year after year.   I beg to ask the question, where has this gotten any of us?   In recent letters from a prominent minister who has joined RCG, he stated that when UCG was formed, “The idea was to keep our eyes open --- to watch for fruits of a work that might emerge in or from one of the “Church of God” organizations. It would reflect the Government of God at work, and have fruits similar to the WCG when it was on track and being so obviously blessed by God. THIS would be the signal for all the groups to reunite as one”!    Well then, why even form United under the guise of a voting democratic state if all you wanted to do was look for another organization that was exactly the same as WCG was under Mr. Armstrong?  Why not start United, right off the bat as that organization that was exactly the same as WCG?  If the majority of ministers would have stood up in 1993, you could have ousted Joe Jr. a long time ago and got control of things.   Now you have the “big fish in a little pond” syndrome.    Why didn’t all the ministers go with Flurry when he split, he holds HWA in high esteem.   Or, with Meredith.  They tried to keep things close to HWA too.    There were several opportunities to join forces before further fracturing the church.

But no, split after split occurred dragging brethren and their spiritual lives through the mud of each “leader” thinking that they would restore the “true church” just as Mr. Armstrong had the church on the track.   Who’s to say Mr. Armstrong had everything correct in his day.  There are many examples of failed prophecies, abuse of brethren and sheer avarice on his part.  Does that show a church that Jesus Christ founded?   Did the Lord not criticize a church that was rich and increased with goods?  Did he not criticize people who hoard up earthly treasures unto themselves?   Many members are tired of all this silliness perpetrated by the leadership.   Many are opting to stay home.   Many of them discuss amongst themselves how sick and tired they are that the ministry cannot work together, and think that a churches fruits are how many buildings and riches it has.

As you may remember, HWA taught that the age would end in 1975.   An observation that a few of us have made is why was he building a college and auditorium prior to 1975, if we were just going to flee and leave it?   The Pasadena Campus was built on the blood, sweat and tears of the brethren sacrificing their financial future.   For what?   The present owners are beginning demolition of part of the campus.   If this was God’s campus, wouldn’t He have done something about it?  Hence I cite the Temple in Jerusalem, a place where God’s presence dwelt.  Did He spare that?  He saw that it became a monument to a religious organization and men, not to God.   If we are now in the “last years of the last days” then why is RCG building a new building, new college?   Why can’t he buy a commercial property and refurb it?   Why another monument to nothing paid for again by the sweat and tears of the brethren.   PCG and Gerald Flurry have just built a $5million debacle (in debt and ready to go bankrupt) all in the name of preserving God’s government.   Is God going to dwell in any of these places or are they going to become defunct wrecks of human ambition?  

Who among any of the leaders and ministers can say that they are fulfilling the roll of an apostle when Jesus Christ Himself said that “whoever of you would be great must be a servant”?   That those who exalt themselves will be abased?    That the greatest will be the least in the Kingdom.   What constitutes the office of Apostle?  One who is sent forth.   Not one who sits in their edifices of glorification to themselves and their organizations.   Or, by merchandising the brethren to pay for trips abroad and not preaching the name of Jesus Christ does not equate with being sent forth.   The apostle John sat in a cave on an island in the middle of nowhere.   The glory he received was the Revelation of the coming of the Lord and also a vision of heaven.   John’s writings are in every Bible that has circled the world.   Are the writings of any of these groups as popular as the Bible?   The example of all the apostles were not that of setting themselves up on pillars, but of poverty, rejection and sometimes dying as martyrs for their faith.    So what constitutes  David Pack claiming to be an  apostle?     Is he healing people by the hundreds?   Is he performing miracles?    The way he departed from Global was less then honorable.   The membership is not blind, they are aware of what happened when Global split.  The same with Gerald Flurry.   He is not “that Prophet”.    Even Jews know that that title is reserved for the Messiah himself.

I’m not saying that any leader, organization, or person has to be perfect.  But seriously there is one small word that has been forgotten over the years.  Its HUMILITY.   Hey, I’m not claiming to be perfect.  I’m a poor, broke person who is a sinner just like everyone else.     I’m not putting my 2 cents in here because I think I’m better than anyone else.   The reason for this letter is too many people have been hurt for too long in the name of “the Church of God”.    Taking God’s name in vain isn’t just cursing.  Its usurping God’s name and God’s word to fulfill your own ambitions, no matter how many scriptures you use to support your position.   If you hurt people by lying, cheating, stealing, in God’s name you are breaking the commandment of loving your neighbor.   Taking titles that you don’t deserve is receiving your reward now.  

In conclusion, I just ask any minister or member who reads this to ask themselves what are the fruits God is looking for?   Buildings, magazines, booklets, or are they, love, peace, mercy, kindness, justice?

Reread the New Testament and for once, listen to what it really says.

Sincerely,

A Lowly Nobody

Ex-UCG Minister Vidal Has More Tales From The Darkside

"Just look at those demon possessed youth from the other tribes that are having FUN!  
Shame on them!"

The craziness in Restored Church of God continues on tonight with another entry by Vidal Wachuku.  Poor whiny Vidal is in a Royal African snit about UCG's Youth Camps. If you thought Vidal and Schurter's letters were weird before, this one is even worse!  Does Davie realize how incredibly STUPID this is making his cult look?  Do these men realize how incredibly STUPID they look?  If I was one of those "supposed ministers ready to tell my story" I would be thinking long and hard about doing it.  Especially after these two imbeciles have prepared the way!  Vidal's Tales From The Darkside 2 contains his latest letter.

Like any good African tribe member, loyalty is to one's tribe above all others. Vidal does not seem to like the fact that UCG's Youth Camps brought youth in from a large number of tribes.  All those different languages, customs, and tribal uniqueness all barging together at one place. Is there any wonder there might be a little competition?

“The UCG youth camp was filled with a competitive spirit, and rules were ignored. The competition was not just between sports teams. There was also unhealthy, parochial competitions between the various tribes represented from different parts of the country. Those from the UCG Regional Office in Lagos were always in the majority and their language was Yoruba, the Owerri branch spoke the Igbo language, the Benin branch spoke Edo, and the youths from NWCG Abuja mostly spoke the Gbagyi language. Campers had been told during orientation to cease from speaking their native languages in favor of English, in order to prevent barriers between people and undue strain. But with the lackadaisical attitude of the campers and even some members of staff, that rule was ignored and everyone did whatever pleased them.

Oh boo hoo!  When I went to WCG's summer camp at Orr Minnesota in 1971 there were kids there from all over the country.  Those from the Southern States tended to congregate together, those from Western States had more in common with each other than they had with the kids New England States.  On I could go with the many differences. You get that many kids together and they will do what they want even if they are told otherwise by some snot nose Senior from Ambassador College.  Kids are kids, regardless of where they are from.

Then God's most perfect Christian, Vidal writes:

“The major strain was caused by the leaders themselves, who were from the Yoruba speaking group. The Yorubas in Nigeria are generally known to love their native language so much that they simply could not go a day without speaking their mother tongue—in defiance of camp instructions.

A little tribal hatred there Vidal?  TRANSLATION: Those poor trash from the other side of the tracks (border) think they are better than us and I don't like it!

Because the Southerners (the Yoruba, Edo and Igbos) kept speaking their language, there was no shortage of gossips, which in turn polluted the camp and robbed the setting of a true Christian atmosphere. Members of the two major Southern tribes, the Igbos and the Yorubas—traditional arch-rivals in Nigeria—were like cat and mouse, resulting in several unruly clashes between them in the camp.

Vidal, I should introduce you to Harold Reiman, a true Church of God racist. You obviously have a lot in common with him.

Vidal then goes on to imply how the dirty, filthy kids from UCG were fornicating all over the place while the sweet and innocent kiddies from his tribe were the pillars of righteousness.

What next sets Vidal into raging fits of anger is some UCG students who made a spoof of the UCG Home Office. Those disgusting kids are making fun of UCG leaders and themselves!  Oh the tragedy!  Ambassador students at all three colleges have done this since the day the colleges were founded.  Why is Vidal on such a stupid harangue?  At least these kids have sense to make fun of themselves.

Watch for yourself this shocking and disgusting piece of filth these apostates have made!






Vidal then showcases two other videos.  One of a UCG Summer Camp and one of Hitlers RCG's Youth Camp.  Three guess on which Summer Camp is the Holy and Righteous one and which one is the demonic evil one.  If you are having difficulty, it is the film with the archival footage of HWA since the RCG Youth Camps seem to be such BORING places and it is important to get HWA's face into ever story.  Plus, comparing an interior shot of a UCG class room with an outside shot is also disingenuous and rather petty (and I am not talking about Gary here). You can see Vidal's other videos here:   Youth Camp in Nigeria

Again, I have to ask.  Why does the Restored Church of God not see how incredibly STUPID they are looking right now?  These two men (Schurter and Machuku) have published their incredibly WEIRD stories and have come across as two of the biggest fools to leave UCG.  I can imagine UCG is quit releived these two guys are gone.  My hat is in UCG's court on this one!



ht to MM for this lead

Join the "World's Foremost Authority on Bible Prophecy" and the "Highly Regarded Biblical Scholar" On A Cyber Book Tour

Here is your chance to put the "the world's foremost authority on prophecy" and the COG's "most highly regarded biblical scholar" on the hot seat.  It seems that Prophet Thiel is on a cyber book tour on various internet sites.  Contact the sites and have them ask him some hard questions, or let them know how absurd his prophecies are.

Notice Prophet Thiel's book cover where he says he "discovered" all the truth behind these prophecies.  Kind of reminds me of HWA who claimed to have "discovered" the "truth" after it was lost by some weak god for 1,900 years.

Here is the schedule of sites he has posted for his "tour."

2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect by Bob Thiel – NURTURE Book Tour Schedule:

• January 23rd – Jaidis S. @ Juniper Grove
• January 24th – Theresa D. @ Just One More Paragraph
• January 24th – Sidne K. @ Reading Rendezvous Reviews
• January 25th – Laurie J. @ Laurie’s Thoughts & Reviews
• January 26th – Meredith Al. @ From Meredith Allard
• January 26th – Miranda Wh. @ Ricochet Reviews
• January 27th – Mindy Br. @ A Single Country Gal and Her Cat!
• January 27th – Bobbie @ Nurture Virtual Book Tourz™ Blog

More information on the tour can be found at http://nurtureyourbooks.com/vbtblog/2011/12/upcoming-book-tour-%E2%80%93-2012-and-the-rise-of-the-secret-sect-by-bob-thiel/

Reading the bio on the Prophet sounds like something that self aggrandizing Davie Pack would do.

Bob Thiel, Ph.D., is a highly regarded researcher, biblical scholar, and one of the world's foremost authorities on end time prophecies. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of LaVerne, a Master's degree from the University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. from the Union Institute and University. Throughout his academic and professional career, he has studied philosophy, religion, science, and prophecy, while making multiple research trips to ancient sites in Central America, Asia Minor, Rome, and Greece. Dr. Thiel has been a guest on countless radio programs nationwide, and is Examiner.com's Los Angeles religious history and prophecy correspondent. His articles on prophecy, religion and science have appeared in several dozen magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and scientific journals. His videocasts are seen weekly on YouTube and to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to his site, COGwriter.

"Highly regarded?"  By whom?  Church of God members?  Living Church of God? Masters and Ph.D?  In religion?  Prophet Thiel sounds like he was educated in Packatolla University for Narcissism.

Christian ministries around the world have never heard of the guy.  Even Living Church of God members don't like him and see his silly writings as irrelevant fluff.

Dennis On: "And Finally...Forgive Yourself"

And Finally...Forgive Yourself

Forgiveness is such a difficult topic to deal with and has so many complicated dynamics. Either it is almost an impossibility for people to grasp, or maybe it is so simple, we simply don't get it. It's probably both.

Most of the time we focus on either being forgiven by others, which has it's own dynamics, or trying to figure out how to forgive those that hurt or offended us. Everyone has both kinds forgiveness going on and so it can get complicated at times. We often are motivated by the idea of "well, I guess I have to forgive them because they said they forgave me...how dare them, damn it." Even the Bible encourages Christians to forgive simply because they were forgiven by God,through Jesus. It even says that God forgave us, not for our sake, but for Jesus sake, which seems a bit like missing the intended mark. I want to be forgiven for my sake for Jesus sake!

Frankly, most don't really forgive but rather let it go to a point of trying not to think about it and yet it simmers on the stove, always available to continue in some form of drama or painful memories to throw back and forth like lawn darts trying to hit the ring right in the middle and claim points over.

I have people in my life who I hope in time would forgive me and I have issues with some for which I need to keep growing toward a more complete and genuine forgiveness. I am at a stage where I am able to look back and see that sometimes what seems such an insult is really an opportunity to grow past something where things can work out better than it ever could have without the push. It is not always this way, of course, but can be if we look for the good in the "bad," which often lurks there grinning at us.

I'd like to talk a bit about the one kind of forgiveness that seems the most difficult of all. That would be forgiving YOURSELF. Forgiving yourself is something that is the final issue to be resolved when offenses have occurred for which forgiving or being forgiven has run it's course. We either can forgive others, and we do it over time and in degrees, or we can't. We are either forgiven, again over time and to various degrees, or we are not. We can control the pace of the one, forgiving others, but not when, if or how others forgive us. That is their issue, not ours, even though we wish it could be given in such a ways as to feel genuine and perhaps open some new doors to reconciliation in any way.

But forgiving yourself feels almost impossible. Why? First of all, there is that funky part of our nature that feels our forgiving our self is contingent on being forgiven FIRST by others for our offenses. Once they do that, then MAYBE, one can think of forgiving themselves. The problem is you might wait until hell freezes over before you are given permission of this kind to forgive yourself. If you forgive yourself without being forgiven by others, there tends to be a voice in your head that says, "How dare you forgive yourself. We have not forgiven you yet. What are you thinking!" It is followed by, "when we get around to forgiving you, we will let you know and then you can play at forgiving yourself, you jerk."

You see , forgiving oneself seems to others a some form of denial or that you don't take what has happened very seriously. To forgive yourself is to send a message that you are rather shallow or oblivious to the pain caused, when in fact, only you know that it is the depth of the pain that makes you want to be able to forgive yourself and move on. NO ONE can be harder on me than me. That is my own experience. I am the monkey on my own back when I cause pain to others. Perhaps others don't know this, believe this or even want to think this as it might take away some of the sting they can inflict if they choose to, but it is true. Most sensitive people, who even care about this topic are way ahead of their accusers in self condemnation and knowing the pain they have caused that they seek forgiveness for. There are flippant types who hurt others and seem oblivious to it. I do not speak of this type of person, nor is that who I am.

Secondly, as mentioned, we feel that if we forgive ourselves, even if there is no forgiveness extended to us, we are not taking the drama seriously enough. I felt and can feel guilty if not careful for even enjoying life as that might prove I don't take things seriously enough on this topic of forgiveness. "No I won't forgive you. You don't seem miserable enough yet." So often, being forgiven includes requirements and proof you are really sorry for the offense and prove it day and night, over and over by being miserable, practically forever...amen.

Sometimes the requirements that one must meet to be forgiven are just impossible to comply with. Sometimes there is a temptation to comply just to feel forgiven, but it won't last as the two really can't be connected. Forgiveness is a clean experience that allows everyone to be who they really are and think as they really think, no apologies. Anything less is mere compliance for a time and then of course, on go the masks until the next time they fall off. Messy forgiveness is the obligatory kind usually enforced by a fear that if we don't, then Jesus or God or some Deity might just not forgive us of our picky little sins, that we really have very few of.

So in order to forgive ones self, one has to not connect the forgiveness with performance as proof. I can only speak for myself, and I am sure this would be a point of contention, but when I cause the need to be forgiven, I was doing the best I could at the time of the perceived problem. We always do our best at any particular moment which is different from doing better as others might wish us to do to come up to standards they feel are more correct, in their view. But doing better is a future thing. Doing our best is what we always do at any moment we do what we do, or we would do better!

Finally, it is hard to forgive ourselves because we tie being able to do that with fixing that which we are needing to be forgiven for. I am a fixer and caretaker by nature. That is how I am wired. ENFP according to Meyers and Briggs. That is Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceptive. People like me become ministers, counselors, negotiators and of all things, massage therapists. So I have not strayed far from how I was wired at birth. We are negotiators because we tend to see both sides of all stories and the points that both sides make for their views. But the downside to this is that we can get stuck in views and not make decisions. If we can't fix it, we can't move on. If we can't fix it, then we don't mean it. If we can't fix it, then we are shallow and gutless. The fact is that some things just don't fix. That is painful but true. All things broken cannot be fixed and if forgiveness of the self is based on first fixing that which is broken, or different, or changed or one sided, then you can't forgive yourself and never will. And so you spin. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. Stuck between rocks and hard places, heaven and earth, the devil and the deep blue sea.

But, fixing is not a criteria for forgiving yourself. It can't be because we can't always fix that which is broken but we must forgive ourselves as a part of real living.

So examine how things came to be.

Know that you probably were doing the best you could under the circumstances at that time and that is not the same as doing better, but these are two different things.

Don't base your need to forgive yourself on whether anyone else on the planet forgives you for what you have done, not done or said you wished you could do.

Realize that, of course, you have taken this all very seriously. This might be proven by, oh say, the tears, the anxiety, the doubt, the head banging against the wall, the depression, which is anger turned inwards. It might be the shame you feel which is a perception that you have not lived up to tribal or religious expectations, as if most do, or the guilt over breaking the taboos of the group. Only you need to know how seriously you take that which happens in life and do not let your forgiving yourself depend on whether others give you permission to do so.

And finally, some things don't fix. Just getting back into some box that doesn't work is not a fix. Patching is not fixing and trying to be what others expect as the only way to fix is patching and masking. Often things don't fix because one is not accepted for what they are, how they think or what they believe. This is why many with marital problems separate for six months, return, separate for three months, return and then separate for one week , return for their socks and can't fix it.

Forgiveness is not something to take for granted, but a healthy life includes the ability to see through this topic in practical ways and forgive YOURSELF as well, and maybe even first of all.

And finally finally, since writing this I have had to face that some things don't fix personally and it is painful to be sure.  But there is one more level of forgiveness that exists and it is for the mature to say the least.  Give up the idea that you need to forgive in the first place or that you require someone to express their sorry to you.  This is the truest freedom of all, but we'll save it for another time. 


Dennis C. Diehl
DenniscDiehl@aol.com

Van Robinson On: "The Indoctrinated Mind Is Set In Cement"

THE INDOCTRINATED MIND IS SET IN CEMENT

I have personally encountered many sources through the Internet that cannot be penetrated in their thinking.  It includes some in splinter groups of the Worldwide Church of God.  Most often when confronted they are
silent, although some are antagonistic.  A good friend of mine in Canada and myself were once on a Mennonite Forum, and my friend was excommunicated from the forum because the moderator did not like his comments about the world of "Churchianity."  I was blasted by one of their "pastors" who informed me that he was a "real pastor" and let me have it with two barrels.  Naturally I took an exit.  Why waste my time?

My sister is a Mormon and although I love her dearly, she is programmed into a cult belief.  I cannot penetrate the cement of her thinking.  I have found over the years that this is true of many no matter what their religious affiliation.  The Worldwide Church of God is only one of many cult religious groups.  Splinter groups of the Worldwide Church of God are off base and the bottom line is CONTROL and MONEY.  It matters not that they tell their people that they are doing the "work of God" or call them "brethren."  That is just part of the deception.  Sure the common people are most likely good people, sincere and friendly, but they are under cult domination.

Indoctrination of the human mind happens the world over and it not only applies to religions, but to many other aspects of human life.  For example those in police work or enforcement are programmed and indoctrinated to believe, act and perform based upon their schooling.  Are they necessarily programmed correctly?  Who decides this?  Who determines the standard of right and wrong?  Was it right for the government to martyr innocent men, women, children and babies in Waco (for those who remember and are aware of this atrocity)?  Naturally the public is fed a steady stream of propaganda and lies to "justify" this mass murder.  So they had some beliefs that were different?  So what?  What right does the government have to destroy?  If they will do it to one group, they will do it to any group or individual they so choose to do so.

The indoctrinated mind is the mind of those in the Worldwide Church of God, the Roman Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, the Jehovah Witnesses, Scientology, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Presbyterians, Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventist, Sacred Name and a myriad of other groups.  It is endless and yet every group thinks they have "truth."  Trying to convince anyone that what they believe is not the truth is next to impossible. Even in the world of government and its agencies, they are all programmed to perform based upon their training or schooling.  Who sets the standard and is it right?

It would almost seem that only when people begin to reason within themselves will they question and if anyone tries to influence them in a different direction, they will automatically resist.  I have been chewed up and spit out by many Bible apologists and others who defend their religious beliefs tenaciously.  No matter what you say, they have a different answer or twist to the issue.  This is a great source of frustration, because the indoctrinated mind will not receive alternative possibilities to the cement that is set in stone in their thinking.  Ever try to convince a Saturday Sabbath keeper that days of the week are inconsequential?  Ever try to convince a tithe payer that they are not blessed or cursed on the basis of tithing?  Ever try to convince a "Christian" that God does not micro-manage their lives, and that He does not cause them to get a better paying job because they keep the Saturday Sabbath?

My own son-in-law thinks he got a better paying job because he started to keep the Saturday Sabbath.  I wonder what he would think about how many Saturday Sabbath keepers have been killed in car accidents and why they were not protected?  Many think they are "blessed materially" because they are tithe payers.  I wonder why many human beings the world over are financially well off and many even wealthy, who are not tithe payers, and who do not even believe in Jesus Christ or God?  It just proves that many have faulty reasoning, but it is next to impossible to convince them otherwise because they are programmed to think as they do.  Their minds are set in cement.


Van Robison