Dennis on "Apostle David tells us all..."

Apostle David tells us all...

"One of the Bible’s most profound passages has become one few any longer read: “Seek you the Lord while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:6-9)."

I am tempted to ask Dave, "And you know this," when it comes to him telling everyone what parts of scripture they rarely read anymore, but I spare you.  Aside from this being said 2500+ years ago and the Deity has been playing hide and seek for most of those 2000+ years, this is pure apologetic on Isaiah's part.  This is what you say when you don't wish to be questioned as a human being speaking for God.  When people say, "What?"  or "That sounds nuts..." , this is what you throw at them.  Other such gems are "the wisdom of man is foolishness with God" or "There is a way that SEEEEEEEEMS right to a man," but it ends in you taking a dirt nap.

I suppose the ultimate put down when you thought you understood or the prophet, priest or kings words fall flat are, "Well you didn't listen.  I didn't say THAT!   It's spiritually discerned and a type!"   Uh huh....

Apostle Dave is a type  and fulfillment for sure.  A type of deviant personality with a theological twist and a filled full of himself approach to leadership. Or so it seems when you read his own words and warnings.

At any rate, since we are playing the scriptures that "few any longer read," game, let's play back.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

OR

Matthew says this but left it in the original form of just "the poor."  Jesus was drawn to those who lacked material goods, were pushed around by the religious elite and suffered under the Roman foot.  Apostle Dave is not real big from what I can tell on hanging with those who have little to offer or contribute to him.

"Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth."

^{Meek?  As in humble?   Ah ha.  Not in RCG world.}

Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.

^{Well except for threatening, on God's behalf, imminent death to ministers who defy the living Apostle David.  Seems somewhere I read that Dave says all that oppose him either get really sick (humans do get sick) or die. (Which they also do at times)  Seems a disconnect here between Dave and Je...Christ.}

Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.

^{Not saying for sure, but I personally have problems with seeing the pure of heart thing in the Apostle Pack.  I see angry of heart, arrogant of heart and I have the only valid heart on earth, but  pure...not so much.}

Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.

^{Apostle Dave?  Peacemaking?  Um...no.}

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

(Tempted to post pictures of REAL persecution today but will not.)

^{Going to throw in the "Because of ME, who seems to be Jes..Christ here and not the Apostle David.  You simply must read the whole verse.  It does not say} 

 “Blessed are you when people insult you, get irritated with you you and correctly say all kinds of pretty accurate observations  about you based on your own words and writings and  BECAUSE OF YOUR DUMBASS STATEMENTS AND EGO CENTRIC EXAGGERATIONS ABOUT YOURSELF. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

This is not why the prophets of old were persecuted, however and in my humble view, some of them probably deserved what they got to for their unfulfilled prophecies and very strange behaviors which would be considered mental illness today. But that's another story.

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Now granted, it could be me and I might be missing something with regards to the Apostle David's view of good deeds, but I think this is an oft forgotten scripture on his part. RCG won't help actual humans in need, outside of those who already funded their own help if needed and approved, so this seems a weak spot in RCG and an often missed concept.  Damn the Red Cross and send it to me for preaching the ever just ahead World Tomorrow and that should do it , and all that...

Sounds like be warmed and be filled, but what do I know...

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

^{Now I'm just sayin', but I feel there is a lack here of this often avoided and unread scripture in RCG and who the Apostle Dave loves and doesn't love.  I would hardly call the screeds of the past few weeks towards those also sincere in their church affiliations and ministry as loving and respectful.  And puuuuulease do not give me that BS about "tough love."   I can't help you unless I demean and threaten you doesn't work in my world.} 

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

^{Now again, I'm not sure what is given to whom and why but my impression is that this scripture would be no problem in RCG because nothing is going to be given so there is nothing to crow about.}

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.......²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

^{Oi...not sure what to say here.  That Cup of Elijah for $25,000 threw me and I've been assured that everything in the home of the Apostle David is of awesome quality etc.  Let's just leave this one to the imagination.} 

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Oh mama...I am at a loss to explain this one in relation to the Apostle David's last 18 screeds in Christ.  Let it suffice to say I think that this is the most unread scripture in RCG

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Hmmm...I thought the summation of the Prophets, or at least the Minor ones for Apostle David  was:

Sell your house while I build mine and my staffs.

Cut our children out of your will NOW and send it in before you die because litigation takes too long.

All splinter tithes and offerings belong here in Wadsworth.

You stupid ass rebellious ministers who don't repent, by my standards, and come unto me will disappear soon.

You are the spawn of Satan who deceived you with the change in makeup.

Maybe it's just me, but the Apostle Dave seems to dish out more stones and snakes than fish and bread.  Probably due to scriptures no longer read or at least not read for a very long time.

I think we get the point.  For every scripture that one things others don't get or won't believe, there are a dozen that can come back to haunt the accuser of such things.  Hey...if the Apostle David has taken on the role of "accuser of the minister and brethren," just who is behind this?  Oh well..never mind. Just had a flash of an old scripture go through my mind.
 
I have thought about I Corinthians 13 a lot in terms of could the Apostle Paul really have written it.  It is so unlike him in his real life and beliefs that ultimately turned out to be false.  I will give Paul the benefit of the doubt and that over time, with experience, he mellowed and calmed down realizing his big ideas were not always or even rarely ultimate truths.  I Corinthians reflect a changed man before he died.  Can we hope the same for the kooks and nuts of the COG experience who seem to skip vast portions of the New Testament for wallowing in the Old?  I don't know.  

For some reason, reinventing wheels with wooden spokes and iron rims seems to far too many COG "leaders" to be the one true wheel where it is clearly not.  It is outdated and in today's world, even dangerous.  I live a few miles from Michelin Tire Company.  I bet they are not building tires to 1971 standards for 1971 cars.  The rabid COGs however, are and there are nothing but blow outs ahead.

So...let's be careful there leaderboys about telling others what scriptures they rarely if ever read anymore.  You're gonna get a nail in your tread doing that and end up in the ditch. 

contact Dennis at: denniscdiehl@AOL.com

E W King: HWA An Apostle, Not a Prophet. Cannot Be Held Accountable For Failed Predictions

In the never ending list of excuses that COG members come up with in order to legitimize HWA, King adds his point of view.

What we must remember is the fact that God did not call Mr. H.W.Armstrong to be a “prophet”, God called Mr. H.W.Armstrong to be an APOSTLE. It is true that Mr. H.W.Armstrong longed for the appearing of his savior, Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul during the New Testament era felt that he might see the return of Christ Jesus in his day. Apostle Paul wrote in terms of disciples “longing for His appearing”. This is something that all true Christians do. So we must understand that what Mr. H.W.Armstrong spoke about regarding these types of issues should more appropriately be called “predictions” and NOT prophecies. Speculation is not a sin.

As many of you know I too believe in the soon coming of our Lord and Savior but I do not believe in date setting nor did Mr. H.W.Armstrong. I also make “predictions” based on Biblical prophecies and current world events. I also know that God has given me the gift a “spiritual discernment”. Many of my predictions have come true. I am not a prophet nor do I claim to be.

In the typical style of all Church of God failed prophets, when the event does not happen it has to be "spiritualized."  So when HWA's 1971, 72, 75, prophecies did not happen as predicted, they had to be made into spiritual events.  Instead of widespread famine in the U.S., there was a famine of the word.  Only in Armstrongism can its god be such a weak impotent thing that it continually looses its message and truth.

The tribulation that HWA constantly railed on and on about never happened in 1972/75 but was spiritualized into a mini-tribulation of the "work."

Yes, even apostles can make mistakes. When we look at some of the great men and women of the Bible we find that they made mistakes. It has been stated; “Great men tend to have great sins”. Look at Solomon and King David…wow! So we should not be surprised that the latter day apostle made some mistakes. God always allows this so that we do not fall into the “worship of men”.

There's that "testy" god again playing his cosmic joke upon the COG. No matter what you do you will never be right.   It really doesn't matter what the apostle or prophet said or did, it was all a test to see how you would react.  Your leader can lie though his teeth, but it's your fault that you caught him lying.  God was testing you to see how you submit to authority.  Since the liar is over you, you must remain under his authority event though you know he is wrong.  That "testy" god will take care of him in the end.

Ambassador College Fine Arts Hall Demolished

 

Click to enlarge all pictures to large size

 You can see the insides have been stripped of all wall coverings, lights, etc.  I was lucky enough to snag some of the Czechoslovakian crystals off the chandeliers in the Recital Hall before they trashed them.

BREAKING NEWS! Dave Pack Dreams of Redecorating His Offices

Dave Pack has begun dreaming about redecorating his offices in Wadsworth with the huge influx of tithe money from the tens of thousands of COG members who will be shortly joining his cult.  He knows this money already belongs to him, so he can spend it as he wishes.

Dennis On "How Long Will Ye Halt Between 2000 Opinions?

If Dave be Joshua the High Priest coming to his Temple, serve him

If Jesus be the High Priest coming to his Temple, serve him

If Gerald be That Prophet, Serve him

If That Prophet be batshit crazy, don't.

If Culpepper is against adoption, sell the kids

If Culpepper is batshit crazy, tell him to mind his own business or else

If you have only 3-5 Years left, sell everything and be a witness

If you think ten rounds of 3-5 is too much, go see a movie

If it is the real gun lap, run like hell

If you are tired of false starts and finishes, ask why?

If you believe Dave Pack is the source of all things God and True, follow him

If you think Dave is batshit crazy, ask for a refund

If you believe you can both build a brand spanking new college of the best quality and believe "my lord doesn't delay his coming,"  go for it.

If building a brand spanking new college of the best quality, with your money, doesn't seem to fit with "the work will be over in 2016," guard your purse.

If, as a minister, elder or deacon in another COG and wanting to join RCG, go for it man.

If, as a minister, elder or deacon you have any self respect, can think for yourself and value your own views, run.

If you really, really, really believe that the BIBLE speaks specifically of David C Pack in the Book of Haggai, sign up 

If you think that's the most ridiculous , self centered, self absorbed and stupid form of "theology" you have ever heard,  stay put

If you think Church leadership should pass to the leader's children, serve PCG or RCG

If you think that lesson has been learned, appoint an empowered board of directors

If you want to go to a genuine Old Testament Feast of Tabernacles, follow James Malm

If you have ever heard of Jesus, probably not.

If you can't say the word "Jesus" without visions of fluffy swoozy and nicey, follow Living Church of God

If permitting little children to come unto your Jesus sounds kind, try UCG

If study papers and rational inquiry into the beliefs and teachings of one human being are not necessary to you, follow Dave Pack

If you think in the multitude of counsel there might be safety, go to another movie.

If you think Jesus had a $25,000 (rumored to be)  dollar nick nack of Elijah the Prophet on his desk because he just wanted it, follow Dave Pack

This one sold for $3600--Shop at Walmart man!

If you think that Dave can say, "Well Mary anointed Jesus feet with very expensive oil and only Judas got ouchy about it,"  follow Dave

If you think building homes for faculty and ministers, with or without paneling as we read in Haggai is ok for the Goose but not the Gander,  follow Dave

If you think never actually revealing where the money goes and how much there has been donated, follow Dave

If you think you'd enjoy being under Dave's total control knowing he won't live any longer than any other human being and you will get stuck with the bills and no Christ, knock yourself out, follow Dave Pack.

If following HWA's 75 minute truth of sermon length but of course, not for Dave Pack, is the gold standard, well follow Dave.

If you believe Victor Kubik of UCG has set about the best and only example of actually feeding, clothing  and making life better for actual human beings in the present time and not wishing them well and to be warmed and filled, go to UCG

If you think shunning contributions to the American Red Cross or any kind of actual help to real human beings in need in the now is bullshit and the money can be better spent on expensive trinkets in Dave Pack's office,  follow Dave. 

Now, if you want to see the Wrath of Khan in every storm, follow Bob Thiel

If you don't mind a not so earth shattering work in this end time, ditto

If you are ok with , "I am that prophet,"  "And yes brethren, I am an Apostle," or "I got an accidental double portion and turned it into my being a genuine Prophet," you ain't right but that which you do, do quickly.

If you don't mind saying, "Yikes, I gave 4,000, 6,000, 10,000 , 25,000 (for a trinket) to my church when tax time comes around, keep up the good work.

If you find yourself a little short and in need of some help but want to find out monies set aside for one purpose are often spent on other purposes and you are not worthy,  follow....probably anyone who collects 3-T

If you feel in your heart, you are an "appropriate male," and can lead church services, contact Bob Thiel

If you believe you are a worthy young man and want to go to summer camp, contact Dave Pack.

If you want a sane, balanced and actually fun camp experience without indoctrination, propaganda and narrow thinking, go to Camp Grenada.

If you want more discipline and stories of torture, mayhem and what worthy youth do behind the scenes at camp,  Go to Gitmo-Ohio-on-76

If 15 years from now you want your worthy children to tell you what they really heard and saw and went through, see above. 

Well, point made I suppose.  Life is decisions but in the COGs there are way too many others making your  common life decisions.  You really have to recapture your common sense and learn to tell your just a bit too intrusive and opinionated pastor and church where your boundaries are and mean it.    Not that men like Gerald Flurry, Dave Pack and far too many others understand anything about boundaries but you simply have to set them.  You will notice these types of men have very strict boundaries when it comes to  your ideas affecting them.  But they have little or no boundaries when it comes to their ideas affecting you.  They expect their ideas and awesomeness to affect you to their advantage.  

Do they see it?  Are they sincere?  Sometimes I think no and yes and sometimes it just looks like mental illness to me hidden well in a church setting which would not survive two minutes at any real business.  What we have seen and continue to see is men who really do have personal, un addressed issues in their own lives running the religion show.  Be they merely ego centric or totally narcissistic, a bit odd and weird or totally pathological,  in fact,  has to be left up to others who study such things.  But you don't have to be the victim of it.  That story has already been told over the past 70 years of Church of God antics and intentions and many are only reinventing the wheel of religion gone nuts in yet another generation if we don't learn from it. 

I can't un ring my own bell, but I did not and will not keep ringing it and I hope you can dig down inside and find the courage to say the same. 

It's ok to put yourself, your family and your perspectives first in your life.  You can't help but be anything else but yourself,  well...unless you are in most of the COG splinters and slivers.  Then it is a sin to be repented of.

contact Dennis at: denniscdiehl@AOL.com