Dennis on: "I'm Calling a Fast."

"I'm Calling a Fast."

Evidently Dave Pack, Apostle for the Restored Church of God, is in a bit of a bind.  Pledges pledged aren't manifesting as pledged.  This is a common occurrence when fundraising is based on pledges because at the time the emotion of the call and the desire to participate are often bigger than the reality of the bank account. Both Jerry Lewis and NPR understand this well.

I would imagine Dave has a double problem in that a couple years ago everyone was bullied to "send it in" and you can only do that once.  Gee, I wish I could have an income anytime I just said "send it in."   I recall a command of sorts that said,  "And I don't just mean a little. I mean ten thousand , twenty thousand , a hundred thousand..."    Whew...  And now evidently he needs more because of more non-accountability decisions where bucks are needed.   Solution:  Fast and pray.

Most who read this site are well aware of the call to fast and pray during real or imagined emergencies in "the work."   In hind site, the real reason, even if leadership did not know it, was to serve as a distraction to questions about what might be going on and suggestions that rather than push the spiritual burden onto the members and the Deity, one might spend less, change the plan or simply repent of the foolishness of whatever was going on now.  Fasting seemed the tool of congregational distraction and leadership frustration with what to do about any number of things that were out of leadership control.

Personally, I never liked fasting and was not even a big fan of the Day of Atonement.  I never noticed any great changes or interventions whether I fasted or not.  I often wondered, especially now in the day of the Hubbell Telescope, just what am I trying to do?   Is there a God wanting to see me squirm in hunger.  Is this Deity impressed with me not eating and more inclined to listen and answer with a big "YES!"?    If so, what kind of Deity does that and why?  Am I coercing him by my act of not eating for a relatively short time?  Could I accomplish as much if I didn't take a bath for a week or held my breath until I passed out in prayer?  

Frankly I never got it  (please don't say, "and that is why you got no answer) and while I'm sure I gave sermons on it, I'm not sure I ever believed it.  I did read what the Bible said about it, why one does it and what to expect, but never saw much difference in myself or the Church for actually doing what it said.   It was much like "Ask whatever you will in my name and I will give it to you."  While pretty straight forward, it always came with lots of disclaimers and conditions like, "well you have to ask within God's will."  "You are asking amiss."  "God did answer and the answer was 'no'."    "Your ways are not God's ways,"  and so forth.  You simply could not win.  By the time you fulfilled and recognized all the disclaimers the scripture should have read "Ask whatever you will and if you have a great attitude, if it is good for you, if you don't ask amiss and if you are within my will do it, I will maybe do it, but probably not."

Anyway, back to fasting.  I believe that calling a fast in this modern day an age is a diversion used too often by the COGs to draw attention and responsibility away from the leadership who finds itself in a jam.  If the income is down we fast which as far as I can tell does not coerce the Deity into sending more but does coerce the flock, through guilt, to sacrifice more because after all, they are fasting.  Since God owns the cattle on a thousand hills could we not just as much "ask what we will" and ask him to sell some and "send it in" to the True Church we could continue to preach the Gospel (and pay our salaries)?  Combine both those concepts and skip the fasting one.

In my actual experience, I don't see where fasting does as advertised.  Just as I don't see how "prove me now herewith and see if I don't open the windows of heaven for you" by tithing.  I guess I'd have to throw in, "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church ....and the sick shall be made well."  Again, can't skip the oil thing and "ask whatever we will"?   This is serious stuff and if you won't answer this one, what do you answer with "yes...I will send it by noon."

All this rather lines up with the concept that "without the shedding of blood, there is NO FORGIVENESS of sin."  Really?  Why not?  Why can't I ask whatever I will, such as "please forgive me," and skip the mess and the middlemen.  Was that concept concocted by Priests who made their living off blood shedding and sacrifices?  I am suspicious.  Let's face it, if some Old Testament character way ahead of his or her time could convince the crowds that they didn't have to buy expensive animals and take hundreds of hours a year to get them killed and drained for their sins, the Temple and Priesthood would be out of business, and I do mean business.

Well, this is not a big topic.  We all know what the Bible says about it but I am looking back at the fruits of it all and perhaps the real motives of those that command others to follow them in a fast for whatever.  It seems something done to control the mind of the faithful, wear them down a bit, guilt them a lot and distract them from their leadership making the hard decisions to back down from glorious and expensive ideas about how they want to do their work.  

Instead of fasting for income and because the building fund pledges or the income or the problems of the church are huge, why not, members, try this.

Minister/Leader

"I want to build a college."

Member

"No, its too expensive and stupid idea. Few will come and who is going to pay for all this and run it when you croak?"

Minister/Leader

"I want to expand our printing and the coverage of my wonderful telecast to all the world."

Member

"That's fine when you have inspired the ones you have already to send in enough to take the next step but please don't ask us for any more money.  We did send it in last time."

Minister/Leader

"We want to pick up and mover our headquarters to another state."

Member

"Screw that!"

I think we get the point.  Money is the grease that lubes the wheel of everyone's "work."  It is not prayer.  It is not fasting to coerce the Deity or show it how humble one is so please "send it in from on high."  It is money and you can't get money out of a turnip as they say, but for some reason Ministers and especially the self appointed Apostles and Prophets, Witnesses and Watchers are more bold about it.

Just think how your money bought Ron Weinland and Laura big houses, fancy cars, gold, diamonds and world tours to speak to a few folk and call it all "Church."  You really have to not have a conscience to do that and we know what that's a definition of.

So, yet another fast is called by yet another Guru who needs, not more faith, hope or love, but money.  I don't know or not if Dave Pack can pull off the College thing.  I do know he is not big enough to need it.  I can't imagine who would waste their time and money on attending if they did their homework on a good theological background check.  What kind of God Haunted and brain dead kids would go?  I think we are past the time where parents get to pick the college for the kids but maybe not.  

In the Church of God, calling a fast, IMHO, is a diversion from facing realities and addressing them.  They are usually called to address them long after they should have first been addressed for then one would not be fasting.  Fasts are called because the leadership of either a few or just the one is nervous about money and paying the bills they/he ring up without oversight or accountability.

This my experience as a member and a minister having soaked for decades in these fasts and pleas appearing to follow Biblical injunctions for such times as these, but in fact, consciously or unconsciously using it to divert from Church issues that should have been better handled in first place and way back when some genius thought them up.

Thoughts?

DennisCDiehl@aol.com

Easily Fooled

Here is a new book that I am sure will have a lot of insights into how we as members of the Church of God were manipulated by the Armstrongs and the ministry.

Many still in the clutches of Armstrongism claim they have never been deceived or fooled. Yet they allow their marriages to be broken up, refuse to see children , grandchildren or parents because they are no longer COG members, and that they send in every last dollar when the head honcho starts begging. They never realize that when they start having thoughts of leaving the church that the foolish teachings of "losing ones salvation" or that "bad things will soon happen" to those who apostatize are the manipulative tapes that the church has programed into them.

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2000

In EASILY FOOLED, Bob Fellows reveals through magic and "mind reading" methods that we can all be manipulated no matter how intelligent we are. He also shows how we can resist manipulation and take charge of our lives. Explore the "power of the mind," cultism, and healthy choices. Learn about deception and how it works. EASILY FOOLED has been featured on numerous national television shows and has been quoted in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

Dave Pack Declares Church Wide Fast To Embarrass Members Who Have Not Met Their Building Pledge

Silenced is reporting that Dave Pack had to declare a fast this past weekend for the entire church.  It seems Davey is is having cash flow problems.  Many of those that pledged to fund his monument to himself have not anted up with any money and Davey is not happy!

I have heard similar stories from another reader here about people that have contacted him.  There are issues going on in Packland that Davey is not able to control.  People are talking outside the group to others.  Davey's stranglehold on his members is starting to break.

According to sources within RCG, David C. Pack had called a fast for this past Sabbath weekend. She, the member who provided us with this information, said some of those who pledged money for Pack’s personal shrine in Wadsworth haven’t ponied up the cash as promised. Much in the way of browbeating and guilt trips was expected.

And information keeps on coming in. Pack will not leave 2013 unscathed. This is our promise. And based on things we’ve been told, we expect RCG to experience a financial crisis before its campus is complete. And similar to how PCG couldn’t come up with the $7 million pledged by its members for its auditorium, we expect Pack to come up short as well because he’s all bluster and very little substance.  Pack pray and fast we need cash

Prophet/Overseer Bob Thiel: A TCU Grad? His Intellectual Dishonesty.

click to enlarge to see prophet Thiel's Diploma

The self appointed, unordained, and non-credentialed Overseer of the Continuing Church of God is very subtle in his advertising about himself.  He regularly posts to an online "newspaper" The Examiner where he gives the impression he is a scholar.  A highly educated scholar!

The self appointed prophet is advertising that he has extensive theological education and a Th.D.from TCU.  Most Americans when they see TCU think immediately of Texas Christian University.  Why shouldn't they!  That is what prophet Thiel is hoping for.  Theology and TCU go together and that makes it look impressive on his advertising.  Most people do not realize he got his "theological" education through the discredited baloney of Armstrongism.

Bob Thiel

• Church History & End Prophecy Examiner

Dr. Bob Thiel has studied theology and prophecy for decades, and possesses a Ph.D. (UIU) and a Th.D. (TCU). He has also traveled extensively, and has visited sites of religious interest in Rome, Greece, Central Europe, Asia Minor, Cappadocia, Constantinople (Istanbul), Africa, Asia, North America, and Latin America.

Traveling to biblical sites around the world does not make one a scholar either.  A world traveler, but certainly not a biblical scholar.

Welcome to Nerdvana: Demons, Sumo Wrestlers, Flying Paint, and Nerds, all on God's Holy Pasadena Campus

How appropriate that the Pasadena campus is now being used by another Armstrong! Curtis Armstrong, who played Booger in "Revenge fo the Nerds" is the host of the new TV series King of the Nerds that was filmed on the Pasadena campus.  Sword fighting demons, flying paint, drunken nerds in Ambassador Hall, sumo wrestlers, and more.  It can't get any better than this!  Gooooooooooo Booger! You rock!

Watch the official TBS trailer here for even more great footage.(I could not embed it for some reason)  Herbert is rolling in his grave right now!

I look forward to about 10 years down the line when Nerds 2 is filmed in Edmond, Oklahoma and Nerds 3 will be filmed in Wadsworth.  Oh happy day!

It is my understanding that the prequel to the Nerds is currently being filmed in Arroyo Grande, Ca.

Apostle Malm: Passover 2013: No Foreskins Allowed!

If you are getting ready to take the Passover with apostle Malm's little cult then you had better be prepared to have  it cut off!  He can't have any filthy, pagan, foreskin wearing, unrepentant sinners in his midst.

The apostle is starting to teach his acolytes to prepare for his bastardized Passover this year.  The apostle claims to have started to prepare for this years Passover immediately after the Feast of Tabernacles.  Talk about being self-righteous!

 I began this process of Passover preparation right at the past Feast of Tabernacles, when I began to study the Psalms of David, a man after God’s own heart. Revealing how we also can be men after God’s own heart. psalm 119 in particular sums up how to become like God!

Apostle Malm claims that humans are capable of following all of God's laws so that they can become like Jesus Christ.

Proper preparation for Passover is a thorough self examination and repentance from all compromise and disobedience to the commandments of God.  It involves a re-commitment to our marriage vow of espousal to Christ which we made at our baptism.

Our commitment was to follow Christ wherever he goes and to obey him in all things; to keep all of his commandments with uncompromising zeal; and to follow his teachings to the fullest in our counduct and in our very minds, thinking on them and working to understand and apply them day and night.

Repent and be baptised in a commitment to remain free of sin for an eternal future, and to love and obey our espoused Husband and his Father.

Know this:  No uncircumcised person shall partake of the Passover!

As no physical person could partake of the Passover without circumcision; NO person in the SPIRITUAL sense can partake of the SPIRITUAL Passover without being circumcised of heart.

I guess all of you lazy sinners out there had better get ready to study Leviticus and Deuteronomy 24 hours a day, seven days a week so that you can be prepared to take the Passover this year.

Oh,  by the way, all of you apostates in the various Churches of God are keeping it on the wrong day!  Only the truly enlightened ones in the Church of Malm will be doing it on the right day.

This spring the church organization will be observing Passover on the wrong date, a few days early. In a few more weeks I will be posting a Passover service model to help those brethren who are forced to take Passover at home.

You need not fear being alone with God; he will be very pleased that you are doing your best to please him by keeping your appointment with HIM; while so many others are missing their meeting with God by not being there on the day God has appointed.

Please brethren!  Leave the dark side and come over to the light!  The light of the law!  Where joy and freedom abound and tears are no more.

Dennis on "Occam's razor"

Occam's Razor

"If you have two theories that both explain the observed facts, then you should use the simplest until more evidence comes along"

"The simplest explanation for some phenomenon is more likely to be accurate than more complicated explanations."

"If you have two equally likely solutions to a problem, choose the simplest."

"The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct."

. . .or in the only form that takes its own advice. . .
"Keep things simple!"

The other day the owner of where I work came in distressed over losing the corporate check book.  He asked if I had seen him come in with it.  No, I had not.  I asked if he had it when he was home and got in the car.  He said he thought he had but must be mistaken because he looked in the car too.  I said to go back to the car where he'd probably find it.  He did .......and he did.    Occam's Razor!   That is where it had to be and simplest place to look. 

I misplaced a key to a locker at work last week and started the usual, "someone stole the key..blah blah."  I caught myself and went back to Occam.  I had the key in my hand.  I just got back from the restroom.  I washed my hands and threw the paper towel into the newly emptied trash can.  "It's in the trash can,"  I realized.   It was.  I had thrown it out with the paper towel.  Thank you Occam.

In the COG we have been and continue to be supplied with any number of  interesting people who simply can't stand not rising to some lofty position in the spirit and power of Elijah, John the Baptist or Herbert Armstrong.  We have the antics of those that since they have no other person willing or able to ordain them because they are their own Church leader, have to proof text and twist  history long past or just past their way through the Bible and come up with...."and yes brethren...I am an Apostle."  They don't call it "His-story" for nothing. 

Others, pulling the same stunts in the privacy of their self important minds come up with other titles for themselves.  One is "That Prophet," and two others are the Two Witnesses who better hurry and make good on it because there are ten more waiting in the wings to be the Two.  But they just tell everyone this is who they are or the office they hold AND that it was given by GOD of all things, and evidently thousands believe them!!!

Of late, we have been somewhat taken back by Bob Thiel's self ordination and misapplication of having hands being laid on him, being given a "double portion" whatever that meant to him and coming into home plate a Prophet.  Really?  It's that easy?   I have watched his prophetic ministry videos several times and, not to be unkind but...really?   I have read his rationale for getting to be the Lone Ranger Prophet for the age here and again can only come up with...really?   Such complicated stuff and the kind of self promotion that the faithful or brain dead, whichever one it really is according to Occam...(guess?), simply get to accept without question it seems.  Actually COG members never seem to question much.  That button has been disconnected evidently long ago.

Would it not be hilarious if a COG member after just being told "I am an Apostle" said "Oh no you aren't!!"

I only know of one time when this happened.  It was after THE tape sermon where Joe Tkach announced "the Changes."   Mostly, Sabbath was out if need be etc.  In one local congregation a rather average , good old boy type was called on to lead the final song.  He said...and I wish I had been there,  "Well if that ain't the biggest load of shit you ever heard!  Let's all take our hymnals, stand and sing to the REAL God!"    LOL, I fell out hearing that from a relative who was there and think the boy should get a medal. 

A current example of the Razor might be whatever the heck is going on in the mind of Manti Teo and the tale of his poor not dead not girlfriend.  This evidently mythological tale that he has spun is so complicated I won't repeat it but when it is all said and done, what will Occam's Razor say?  Probably he made it all, may have some mental problems and can't explain what he was thinking when he did that.  That of course will come until all the convoluted tales fall apart.

In the same way,  I am sure Lance Armstrong had amazing explanations for his amazing performance but from the git go, Occam would have simply said,  "He's doping."  Pretty simple actually.  It also would have been the correct answer long ago.

So, let's get back to the Apostles, Watchers, Evangelists, Prophets and Witnesses of the Church of God.  I won't tell you what I think is the simplest answer for me.  You decide which is for you.

While a pretty pared down version of Occam's Razor says, "the simplest explanation is usually the most correct," let's go with that as it is the simplest.

1.   Dave Pack is truly the only God Ordained Apostle in this age and RCG is the one true Church on earth.

1a. Dave Pack made up a prooftexting sermon spread over four hours to solve some problems of possible Evangelists defecting to him and as a Pastor "rank" guy had to have more Bible umpf.  Dave is probably not who he thinks he is and RCG is just one more example of a minister not wanting and never able to work for or under anyone else.

2.   Ron Weinland is truly, along with his wife, one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation no matter what's going on.

2a. Ron had deluded himself and God probably has not chosen him for a such a time as this and can't wait around for him to get out of prison.

3.   Gerald Flurry is truly that Prophet spoken of in Malachi and heads up the one true remnant of the Church of God which is the Philadelphian in nature and calling.

3a. Gerald Flurry is kidding himself, is NOT the prophet spoken of in the Bible and has no clue what brotherly love is if you go by the horror stories.

4.   E.W. King is the reincarnation of the one true WCG and Herbert Armstrong still lives.

4b. E.W. King is bonkers.

5.   Dr. Robert Thiel has been set apart as a prophet because when anointed for a minor malady noticed the unsuspecting and sincere minister mentioned a "double portion."  This was then taken as the sign he was called to be a Prophet and his rejection by the Living Church of God proves he is correct and what he noticed about LCG getting off track is true.

5a.  Dr. Robert Thiel is delusional, a little weird and just another misguided person who is a little God haunted and overly Bible soaked. He's not a prophet and if he doesn't do better in his presentations probably won't even make one.

I think we get the point.  I'll spare you using Occam's Razor to question fantastic stories in the Bible that just don't ring true much as Lance Armstrong's or Manti Teo's don't. 

We could ask, which is easier to believe...Children who growl, gnash, writhe and throw themselves often in the fire are possessed by a wicked spirit in high places...or....they had an epileptic episode which no one could explain medically?

We could ask which is easier to believe..  The Old Testament accurately predicts the very things that happened in the New Testament.  Or...The writers of the New Testament used the Old Testament to write the stories which is why they seem so accurate. 

We could ask, and some do, was Jesus  Lord, Liar, Lunatic or Legend?   I spare you.

We could ask, "Which is more logical?  The New Testament Gospels, Epistles and Letters that talk as if soon really meant soon and the day being at hand really meant their day was at hand...and goofed.  Or...The NT scriptures that talk about Jesus coming as soon are dual and those days were only a type for our day which really is the final soon 2000 years later."?

We could use Occam's Razor to ask if the Book of Revelation, upon which the COG's base their entire existence was written to show "things which must shortly come to pass," for the "them" of their time , OR...is really for us today because  Jesus didn't really mean those listening to him then should be taken for  the generation that shall not pass until the Son of Man appears.

We can even go for the details with Occam's Razor and ask if we really think Roman guards fell asleep at the tomb so disciples can steal the body and so that's the excuse why Jesus body is gone.  Or we can think, "The Roman's would execute any soldiers that fell asleep on guard to prevent this with such a famous rebel and would not really do or say something so stupid.

Anyway,  

6.  I and the very small number of actual members of my Schism, Splinter or Sliver COG are the only true Christians following the only true ministers with the only true explanation and interpretation of scripture on earth today.

6a. I may be kidding myself and missing out on many wonderful opportunities to explore things my current Apostle, Prophet or Witness would not approve of. 

7.   All these men will live to see Jesus Second Coming and be proven right

7a. All these men will die in time and the beat will go on. 

"The simplest explanation for some phenomenon is more likely to be accurate than more complicated explanations."

DennisCDiehl@aol.com

Knockers Church of God Holding Fast To Deceptive Propaganda

Those fun loving folk over at Christ Knock (Knockers Church of God) want to subliminally seduce you into thinking that the waters of life came to you through Herbert Armstrong.  Why else would they have a picture of the water fountain in front of Ambassador Auditorium?  

According to COG mythology the "truth" was restored on earth through Herbert Armstrong after 1,800 years because God was too impotent to keep it safe.  Your salvation now rests on the acceptance or rejection of Herbert Armstrong's person and message.

Return to the truth once delivered and soak up the waters of life.

E.W.King: The WCG Was Resurrected on October 7, 2011 and HWA is Still In Charge!

One of the biggest myths of Armstrongism is the one that Herbert W was resurrected from the dead in Tucson Arizona in 1977.  The widespread preaching of this, the church's greatest lie, still is being spread today as gospel truth. Gerald Waterhouse helped perpetuate that lie, among many others.

I remember seeing people in tears when it was announced from the auditorium stage that Herbert had been resurrected.  For half the people it was tears of joy, for the rest, it helped usher in years of tyranny from Meredith and other hardliners.

The snot nosed college students who were bucking for ministerial positions printed up huge get well cards thanking HWA for coming back to put the church "back on track."

Today, E. W King is stating that the Worldwide Church of God has also been resurrected just like HWA was.  The resurrection of the Worldwide Church of God happened precisely on October 7, 2011.  Not only was it resurrected like HWA, it still has HWA in control!  Herbert W Armstrong  is still sitting in that seat keeping it warm!

I believe that there is an important message behind the 1977 “resurrection” of the Apostle! It kinda pointed ahead to when he finally did “fall asleep in Christ”. He died in 1986. In Zechariah 4:9 we read: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.” Here is what you need to understand! Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong told the true “Worldwide Church of God” that he [Mr. Armstrong]  fulfilled this Zerubbabel office. His short death experience in 1977 showed that even after a brief experience with death he was to continue the work. This tells me that after his life truly ended in 1986 his writings and his work as an apostle are to continue!

After Mr. Armstrong's death in 1986 many were left not knowing where to go. Those who left during this time were confused. Many joined false offshoot groups in haste. Those who waited patiently truly understood that nobody could destroy God's true Church! They stuck with the title: “The Worldwide Church of God”! Today God is calling those who left back into His one Philadelphian era church that was guided by the ONE AND ONLY, MR. HERBERT W.  ARMSTRONG! He fulfilled the Zerubbabel mission and “his hands shall finish it!” [Zechariah 4:9]

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's death experience in 1977 represents the time of confusion between the time of his actual death in January 16,1986 up until October 7,2011. God wants us all to learn an object lesson from this portion of the apostles life that has to do with where we are at today. Just as when Mr. Armstrong experienced a short time of death then arose to continue the work...so the Worldwide Church of God experienced a short time of “death” before it, on October 7,2011, was resurrected. Mr. Armstrong is still in the seat! The Worldwide Church of God is still here in the ministry of “Church of God ~ Speaking to the Remnant”.

Since Grace Communion International still owns the legal right to the name I wounder how King thinks he can name his little cult the Worldwide Church of God?   Here's how:

Unfortunately this title [The Worldwide Church of God] cannot be used in regards to a legal organization because it is still owned by the apostates. This does not prevent free Christians from using it as a title for what they truly believe.

How many of you bought into the lie that HWA had been resurrected? How many still believe it? 

Apostle Malm Now Paying Homage to the Lord of Ayurveda?

Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Krishna^[1] 

and the Lord of Ayurveda worshiped at an Ayurveda expo

Has apostle Malm has jumped over to the dark side?  Apostle Malm has been such a proponent of the law and hated of paganism over the years that it is funny to now see him promoting Ayuvedic in his writings.

For some reason the apostle feels he needs to tell people how to believe, how to worship, what kind of music to listen too, which new moons to observe and what foods to eat.  Apparently he is an all purpose apostle!

Today the apostle is promoting asparagus.and its healing qualities.  He gives proper instructions on how to cook it so that all TRUE Christians will get its best healthy benefits.

The god of asparagus

Asparagus is full of healthy nutrients.  Everyone except leukemia suffers can enjoy this delectable vegetable and best of all it does no harm.  For those whose experience with asparagus has been limited to the mush sold in cans, or in most restaurants; try preparing this treat from the fresh at home.

Select young thin spears instead of the larger more mature stems; bring some water to a boil while snapping off any woody ends from the spears;  then place the stems in rapidly boiling water.  It is most important not to over cook asparagus!  Watch carefully and within a minute they will begin to change colour into a vibrant bright green.  When this colour change is apparent; remove the asparagus from the water immediately and serve immediately.

The spears will be lightly cooked and full of important nutrients and cancer fighting agents; they will also still have a light satisfying crunch.  Make asparagus a regular part of a healthy diet.

He also goes on to talk about Ayurvedic medicine.  Ayurvedic medicine (similar to the mumbo jumbo of prophet Thiel) is folk medicine from India.

Asparagus benefits the body in many other ways. Ayurvedic healing refers to asparagus as “shatavari” which means “women with a thousand husbands.” Ayurvedic experts have used shatavari for centuries to treat the symptoms of menopause as well as infertility and loss of libido.

Maybe apostle Malm should really look into Ayurvedic medicine some more.  It has some areas of medicinal practice that apostle Malm could benefit from.  Perhaps it could help with his diabetes problems and poor eyesight. Maybe the apostle might want to work with the treatment for mental diseases brought on by demonic influence.  Just sayin......since it seems mental issues are a big problem in the COG lately with all of these prophets, apostles and two witnesses floating around.

In classical Sanskrit literature, Ayurveda was called "the science of eight components" (Sanskrit aṣṭāṅga अष्टांग), a classification that became canonical for ayurveda. They are:^[7][8]

• Kāya-chikitsā: "cure of diseases affecting the skin" (Dermatology)
• Kaumāra-bhṛtya "treatment of children" (paediatrics)
• Śhalya-chikitsā Surgery, "removal of any substance which has entered the body (as extraction of darts, of splinters, etc.)"
• Śālākya-tantra "cure of diseases of the eye or ear etc. by sharp instruments" (Ophthalmology^{[dubious – discuss]})
• Bhūta-vidyā "treatment of mental diseases supposed to be produced by demoniacal influence" (demonology / exorcism/psychiatry^{[dubious – discuss]})
• Agada-tantra "doctrine of antidotes" (toxicology)
• Rasayana-tantra "doctrine of elixirs"
• Vājīkaraṇa tantra "doctrine of aphrodisiacs"

Self Appointed Prophet Bob Thiel Makes Another Feeble Attempt To Legitimize His Self Appointed Prophet Status

If ever there was a prophet without honor in his own country, Bob Thiel is t!  No one pays any attention to his fake prophetic claims.  He is mocked and ridiculed throughout the Churches of God.  Through it all the prophet stands by his claim that he is been doubly blessed with the Holy Spirit and there for is to be looked upon with favor.

Today he has an article up trying to prove his unique position in the Church of God as a prophet and Overseer.

He tries to use three Church of God men as his litmus test.  It is their writings that he claims legitimizes him as a prophet.

...for today’s post, I would mainly like to include the positions of the late Herbert W. Armstrong, as well as L. Leroy Neff and William Ellis,...

He quotes HWA:

In a radio broadcast, with a title listed as Proof of a True Prophet, the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught the following:

True prophet…Watch and see if it {what he says} comes to pass–and you can know that man has been called {by God to be a prophet. (Armstrong HW. Proof of a True Prophet. World Tomorrow Radio program. HA535B.MP3)

Events confirming what the prophet said by one called of God is part of the proof. And that is consistent with Deuteronomy 18.

I have definitely NOT been called to be a PROPHET…Emphatically I am NOT a prophet, in the sense of one to whom God speaks specially and directly, revealing personally a future event to happen or new truth, or new and special instruction direct from God — separate from, and apart from what is contained in the Bible.  And I never have claimed to be. (Armstrong H. Personal from the Editor, The 19 Year Time Cycles. The Good News of Tomorrow’s World. February, 1972, p. 1)

Self appointed prophet Thiel should take HWA's words to heart.  If HWA did not consider himself a prophet he did not consider others in the Church to  be one either!.  He certainly would NOT be recognizing Bob Thiel right now as a prophet. 

Thiel wants you to realize that he does not have the capability to make things happen as a prophet.  Therefore, you need to know that not all prophets make things happen or perform miracles.  Since Bob cannot do so now, nor will he be able to do so in the future, he wants you to know that does not disqualify him from the roll.

It also needs to be understood that prophets do not have to perform public miracles to be genuine. John the Baptist was a prophet according to Jesus (Matthew 11:7-10), but he is not recorded as performing any public miracles. Actually, the Bible records, “John did no miracle” (John 10:41, KJV). Jesus told the Pharisees that an adulterous generation sought signs, beyond prophetic accuracy (Matthew 12:38-40).
Christians are to walk by faith and not be sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and SEEING miracles is not the final criteria that a Christian is supposed to have. Jesus’ clear requirements for determining a true vs. false prophet was the FRUITS not some sign or miracle (Matthew 7:15-20; 24:24).

Self appointed prophet Thiel next uses Leroy Neff to legitimize his roll as prophet.

But the Scriptures show that God’s servants have sometimes not had these qualities or credentials. They were not graduates of the recognized theological institutions of their day. Moses had trouble speaking in public (Exodus 4: 10). Jeremiah was “too young” (Jeremiah 1 :6). Paul lacked certain speech abilities (I Corinthians 2: 1, II Corinthians 10:10). Even Jesus Himself had no outstanding personal characteristics that set Him apart from others, as the religious leaders had to pay Judas to point Him (Matthew 26:47-49).

Since Thiel has no biblical education from a Church of God institution or a seminary he wants you to know that this should not be a stumbling block for you either.  Just because his PhD is in homeopathic mumbo-jumbo you should not look less of of him for having no theological education.

Jesus said His followers would not be many in number, but would be comparatively few: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). (Neff LL. Imposter–or–True Prophet — Which? Good News, January 1986, pp. 10-11)

A true prophet would not need to be from a major theological institution, have the most magnanimous personality, or have a large or impressive Church, but would be the type willing to meet in members’ homes.  He also does not have to have had a ministerial background. God chooses who His prophets are.

Because self appointed prophet Thiel has no church as of yet he is nothing more than a house church that includes immediate family and a few friends.  That however constitutes as Small church in his eyes and therefore legitimizes him again.

Because prophet Thiel's background is in homeopathic and naturopathic pills and potions he wants you to know that that also is what qualifies him to be a prophet.  He is a prophet with a secular background.

So, a prophet also does not need to come from a ministerial family, but instead can be called if he has a secular work background.

Since self appointed prophet Thiel has made a lot of predictions over the years he wants you to know that just because they have not happened it does not disprove him as a prophet. Thiel quotes Leroy Neff again in order to make himself look knowledgeable:

Then there is the prophet or minister who says something will come to pass and it apparently does not. Such a one would certainly be labeled false by most observers. This is one reason, but not the only reason, why almost all of God’s prophets throughout history have been labeled by many as false!
Consider such men as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. They sometimes prophesied for many years, and yet what they said would happen did not come to pass immediately. Why didn’t these prophecies come to pass?

The answer was that it was not yet God’s time for their predictions to come to pass. At the proper time, sometimes years or decades later, the prophecies were fulfilled. And in some cases, what they prophesied has not yet come to pass even in our day, but will be fulfilled in God’s time. There is a time, after ample warning, when God will finally say, “None of My words will be postponed any more” (Ezekiel 12:28).

Thiel uses Paul next with one of his prophetic failures as proof that if his predictions are not accurate that is ok.  If Paul can do it, so can Thiel!

It also should be noted that while the Apostle Paul considered himself to be a prophet, not all of his speculative predictions were accurate. He once claimed:

10 I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives (Acts 27:10).

As they rejected Jesus Christ centuries ago, so will they reject Bob Thiel.  You should not be surprised to see that happen!

In short, they would reject Him as a heretic and the leader of a new sect, just as some labeled his servant Paul “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5) . Undoubtedly some would call His religion a cult, as some label His true religion today. (Ibid, pp. 11-12)

Truly, most people will not listen to a true prophet of God in this age. And, even when God grants power to His two witnesses, most in the world will not only not listen to them, they will be deceived enough to support an army that will fight against the returning Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:13-14; 19:11-19)!

Next Thiel quotes Leroy Neff again. This time it is the "proof" that legitimate prophets of God preach the law.  If you dare to preach grace and let people eat some tasty shrimp then you are a false prophet.  Since Bob Thiel does not let people eat shrimp and preaches the law, and more law an m ore law, he therefore is a legitimate heir to prophet status.

If a prophet or minister does not speak according to God’s Word, according to His law and His testimony, there is no light in him, or, in other words, no truth in him. His message is false. Many claiming to represent God try to “do away” with God’s laws and commandments. They only accept a part of God’s Word and reject the rest…

Then comes Thiel's most pathetic excuse as to why he is a prophet. He has had hands laid upon him and a double portion of the holy spirit dumped into his head.

A true prophet is one called of God, teaches the same gospel that Jesus taught, has had hands laid upon him (cf. 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; Hebrews 6:2), keeps the commandments of God, AND has predictions that come to pass.

He then quotes the 1965 Good News magazine with the following to legitimize himself:

Whenever a man is ordained to an office of greater service in God’s Work hands are laid on him. In the ordination ceremony God’s ministers lay their hands on those being ordained, and ask Almighty God-the Head of this Church-to continue to work in their lives…

The laying on of hands serves the purpose of setting apart anyone or anything in God’s sight, for a SPECIAL USE OR PURPOSE…

Then Thiel lays it on the line as to why he is a true prophet of God.  Take heed folks.  If you mock him now you are mocking the power God that has been doubly poured into his head.

A true prophet is under God’s authority. A true New Testament prophet has had hands laid upon him/her and/or received special anointing. You can not anoint yourself or come up with doctrine that contradicts the Bible (cf. Revelation 22:18-19) like at least three self-declared supposed COG “prophets” (Gerald Flurry, William Dankenbring, and Ronald Weinland) and false predictors (like Harold Camping) have falsely done)–”Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

Thus far, none who have ever contacted me and claimed to have been a prophet of some type have had hands laid upon them to give them the type of anointing that a true prophet of God would likely have had in this church age–if God was selecting them. Hence, if the anointing from a true minister has not happened to you, understand that I do not now accept that you are a prophet or one of the two witnesses.  Laying hands upon yourself is not enough.

In my case, in November/December 2011, I prayed that if I truly had a prophetic role from God that He would have something happen during a planned mid-December 2011 trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to confirm it or deny it if that were His will. As it turned out, on 12/15/2011 hands were laid upon me in Charlotte. The minister who did so prayed that I would be granted a “double-portion” of God’s Holy Spirit. The minister told me that he had not ever done this before but he felt that it was reminiscent of the time that the prophetic and ecclesiastical leadership mantle passed from the Prophet Elijah to Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-13). This minister had been unaware that I had prayed that God would have me anointed or somehow identified for a prophetic role on that mid-December 2011 trip if that were His plan for me and I had never discussed my possible prophetic role with him prior to this anointing. This 12/15/11 anointing appears to be the first biblically-appropriate prophetic anointing in the Church of God in many decades, if not many multiple centuries. And the legitimacy of this anointing has been proven by subsequent events–though many do not seem to understand how God works at times. And yes, I will add that I believe that I do have the appropriate prophetic fruits that Jesus discussed (Matthew 7:15-20) and that those truly interested in the truth can see this if they truly wish to prayfully look into this.

Theil then asks the million dollar question:

Will you believe or will you somehow allow yourself or others to talk you out of it (cf. Matthew 13:22)?

.

Overseer/prophet Thiel: I Am The World's Best Self-Aggrandizer

Prophet and Overseer Bob Thiel has made the claim again that his little group has accomplished more and reached more people than any other COG has in its history (except for the philanderer GTA.)  Rod Meredith and Davey Pack must be shaking in their shoes right now at prophet/Overseer Thiel's awesomeness!

We of the Continuing Church of God have been answering emails, updating web information, creating and uploading YouTube videos, putting together services, and considering various ways to try to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20. Based upon statistics on the internet and radio estimates I have received, it appears we in the Continuing Church of God have reached more people with at least portions of Christ’s gospel of the Kingdom in our first few weeks than other non-GTA COG groups were able to do. I plan to publish the statistics and estimates on the numbers of people reached by the end of this month.

I guess that PhD from Union Institute and University might eventually come in handy when his little splinter cult goes belly up.  At least he can have a little income coming in.   To bad its in nutrition instead of Biblical studies because Thiel's theology is totally bankrupt.

We need to take Overseer/prophet Thiel's boasting as what it is, plain old simple bullshit.  He has done the same thing in most of the reviews online that he has written about himself. Not only is he the leader of the worlds best COG he is also the worlds leading healer with homeopathic remedies.  According to himself, he is the number one healer in all the United States!

He writes about himself:

In addition to performing research, Dr. Thiel conducts private holistic counseling in his office in Arroyo Grande, California (805 489-7188) (which is located in the County of San Luis Obispo). This counseling is oriented towards health improvement, health strengthening, nutrition/natural health education, and the prevention of health problems. This counseling normally involves the use and role of diet, herbs, glandulars, homeopathics, vitamins and other nutrients, and sometimes other approaches to natural health. Dr. Thiel's clinical success rates have been nothing short of phenomenal. A summary of eight published studies (involving 700 plus subjects and multiple ailments) revealed that an astonishing 98.42% of those who followed his natural health recommendations reported at least some improvement within 1-90 days! In February 2000, Back to Herbs declared, "Dr. Thiel has the highest overall clinical success rate of any natural health practitioner in the United States." Bio-Sketch

There you have it again, straight for the the Overseer/prophet's mouth.  Overseer/prophet Thiel is the most successful man to grace the human species.  Right after Dave Pack, of course.

An Offer To Prophet and Chief Overseer Bob Thiel

Prophet Thiel is not happy that we have been picking on him on this blog.  How dare all of us big bad meanies make fun of him!  Why don't we acknowledge that God has selected him as the new end time prophet to lead the true Philadelphians into the Kingdom of God?  Why do we ridicule his videos so?  When we mock prophet Thiel are we mocking God?

As many of you have commented, it is disappointing and amazing to see the amount of misinformation about me and the Continuing Church of God on the internet.  However, those who tend to have the greatest “love of the truth” should be able to see through this, study, and pray.  As Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Member letter Janaury 11, 2013

I offer prophet Bob the opportunity to set things straight here.  Give us the reasons why we should be following you.  Tell us why you are a prophet that is better than Rod Meredith and the rest of COGdom..  I will post your rebuttal to the entries here. Are you up to it?  Set us straight on how things really are!

Why Armstrongism Will Never Grow Again

Scrap the cross and what you have above is a typical Church of God.  

No questions allowed!  

How dare you question!  

There are no gray areas in life.

God has revealed all through through your leader.  

God does not make errors in revealing that truth.  

When you question the Church and it's teachings you are questioning God!


We can't talk too much about effeminate Jesus Christ or anything that he accomplished.
But, we certainly can use his name to make people think we follow him!
We can also use his name to scare people into giving us millions of dollars in tithe money, even though you do not require it.

 The Naked Pastor

Bob Thiel's Latest Superfantabulistic Video! Rod Meredith Is Trembling In Charlotte Right Now!

Here is prophet Bob Thiel's latest superfantabulistic video on The BEAST!  Woo! Scary!  Those pesky Catholics in Europe!  What are we gonna do with them!

The prophet  is delusional if he thinks this video is are going to attract a huge audience and gather in all the lost souls of Armstrongism who have no place to go.  Instead of improving, prophet Thiel's videos just get worse and worse!

Between the flailing hand gestures, stiff posture and wandering eyes down to a lap top and then back up high to the camera it is easily to become distracted.  What's with the sound quality? Is he in a tin can or what?  Work on the sound quality bud! And PLEAAAAAAAAASE don't SHOUT into your microphone!  Also, learn to pronounce the names of the biblical characters before you speak.  That was rather pathetic as you bumbled around trying to think how to pronounce them!  

Whats with the map?  That was sooooooooooooooooooo bad!  Soooooooooooooo bad! 

Holding it in front of your face while you are trying to read the laptop as you look down was really bad!

Rod Meredith and the Living Church of God certainly have NOTHING to fear from you.  You are now the laughing stock of Armstrongism.

How Don Ward Sexualized Blue Jeans in Big Sandy

Don Ward was college chancellor in Big Sandy for several years.  He was also a minister and held other positions.  Many in the COG think he is God's gift to the world. Others can't stand they guy because they suffered under his abusive power trips at Big Sandy and in Pasadena.

Tonight on Facebook there was a post about Dr. Ward.  Like any top echelon leader in Armstrongism, Ward was all about control and manipulation of the students.

I never knew that Ward had banned jeans on the Big Sandy campus.  That concept alone is totally absurd since Big Sandy is in Texas where a lot of the population wears jeans with their boots!  But I digress, this is Armstrongism after all where NOTHING makes sense!

There is a deeper meaning as to why Ward banned jeans.  Like a true COG leader his decision involved sex.  No, I am not talking about a pair of tight buns in some tight jeans.  It is worse than that!

Ward feared that women and men who would wear jeans would hook their thumbs in the pants pockets which then would cause the rest of the hands fingers to be angled forward and point to  the persons genitals.

I kid you not!  This is the reason jeans were banned in Big Sandy!  How incredibly STUPID can Armstrongism get?