LCG Members Perturbed At Feast Pre-registration Fee For Hawaii

Several Living Church of God members have complained about the latest information from LCG HQ in regards to pre-registering for the Feast in Hawaii.  LCG is charging a $25.00 non-refundable fee for the privilege of pre-registering for the Kaui site.  LCG members are also required to eat at least one catered meal on site.

This will make Lil'Jimmy's feast experience more memorable this year.  Hawaii is his favourite site since he gets to go there expense free and have all of his activities paid for.  Life is tough.

Are Living Church of God Members Already Disgruntled With Gerald Weston's Policies?

We have been hearing from various LCG members who read this blog that things are not as rosy in the Living Church of God as Gerald Weston and LCG HQ wants its members to believe.  Many LCG member post here on how corrupt and unchristian acting HQ is to its own employees and members of the church. Tithes are routinely mismanaged at HQ and the chosen elite of the church benefit mightily from those tithes all the while as they abuse members and place more and more burdensome legalistic rules upon them.

Are LCG members getting ready to start defecting to other COG's?  That process may already be starting!

This past weekend, 30 LCG members visited COGWA in Phoenix, Arizona.  Apparently, they were unhappy with their minister and LCG and are now looking for a new church to call home.  Time will tell as to how James Capo treats the LCG members.

Adam and Eve Were Not Able To See Their Bodies Till Their Lights Went Out

More fun from Robert Petry.  One thing for sure, the Armstrongite mind is a terrible thing to observe!  Here is a Church of God mind interpreting scripture.

As Adam and Eve romped in the Garden of Eden and got a little frisky, they were unable to see each other's bodies and therefore did not know they were naked.  Their bodies were so dazzling bright they could not see each other as they had sex.  Talk about "blinded by the light!"  It wasn't till Eve plucked that voluptuous, firm, ripe, apple, and they both took a bite, letting the sweet juice run down their faces, did they gain the ability to see each other's bodies.  What a shock!  All because of that apple!

SO, HOW DID THEY KNOW THEY WERE NAKED?

This is a simple question also. But, it is the simple that confuses and befuddles the human mind with it’s attitude of “being so superior” and “self-knowing.” Here’s that simple answer, first without explanation.

Before they sinned they could not see their bodies. So, if they could not see their bodies they could not have known they were naked.

How could that be, you ask? Well, they could not see their bodies, that’s why. Why is that so hard to understand? Because you are using a normal, carnal human mind in rebellion to the Creator in order to try and understand the simple teaching of the Bible. Even Paul speaks of the simplicity of the Evangel.

OK, here’s why they couldn’t see their bodies, and what happened so they could see them clearly. At that moment, they knew they were naked.

Let me ask you this question. If you believe what the Bible says, and IF you “know” what it says, can a human being LOOK at the Father in all His power and glory? If you don’t know the answer, then no wonder you don’t know what happened to Adam and Eve. You are truly ignorant of the Scriptures.

Let’s look at the obvious, after understanding. For, before understanding the answer lies hidden right before our eyes. Once you “understand” this, it will jump out of the Scriptures at you clearly. You know, like those moments when we say to ourselves, why of course, I knew that, I just never put it together before.

How then did Adam and Eve realize they were naked?

Adam was formed first.

“YHWH Elohim formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Later, Eve was taken from the side of Adam. The normal translation says from a “rib” but the implication is more from his side than just a rib. Be that as it may, they were formed as adults, with certain knowledge and ability already built in. Language and basic knowledge so they could communicate. Now, here’s a key part that tells us what happened. That is, IF we use a stable mind and not the double-mind of unconverted mankind. Here’s the statement:

“… Man is the IMAGE of Elohim, and the mirror of His glory.”

Also,

“… let US make man in Our own IMAGE.”

Well, what was that image like? Well, speaking of YHWH, we have a beautiful description.

“Thou art CLOTHED with honor and majesty. Who COVEREST Thyself with LIGHT AS WITH A GARMENT.”

Adam and Ever were also of that image. Although not of the same quality, their original bodies were COVERED with LIGHT, that is, with a GLORY like the glory of the Father!”

So, what happened to make Adam and Eve see their nakedness? Very SIMPLE. The MOMENT they SINNED, they LOST their glory, or LIGHT covering.  i.e. Their “clothing.” They now were fully exposed. No longer did they “glow” as does the Father and His Son in light. That light also kept them warm, but no longer.

The end result was the Father had to make physical clothing for them, to replace their clothing of LIGHT. Now, they saw their shame, for the clothing reminded them they had lost the LIGHT. Now, they would die, fulfilling the punishment spoken over them: The day you eat thereof “dying you will die.”

So, the moment they sinned, they lost their LIGHT and GLORY, and began the dying process till they finally died.

Adam and Eve did not fall. That is a totally pagan doctrine and teaching. No, they SINNED, just as Scripture says. That SIN of rebellion brought on the process of dying, in the same day.

Before they sinned they could not see their nakedness, or understand how it could be misused, for they were “blinded by the light” which covered them. But, partaking of the tree of the “knowledge of good and evil,” they now knew the evil ways things could be used. Before that, they could not understand the evil part. After their sin, they could no longer see their light, only their bodies. And, so it is with all the rest of mankind until this very day.

YHWH’s plan for all of us is this: To help us REGAIN the LIGHT. A method to reverse aging and death, pain and suffering.

So, my friends, LIGHTEN UP!!

Mystery Behind Exodus Has Been Solved By COG Member

It has been a hard issue for historians to deal with the biblical story of the Exodus and the fact that not one single archaeological bit of evidence has ever been found to support it.  A million plus people travelling 40 years in the desert and never discarding a single thing that was broken or worn out, no food byproducts have ever been found, no human latrine fields, no remnant of idols, no ashes from the burning fires in the tabernacle area, nothing.

Fret no longer!  A COG member has solved the riddle!  Sit back and be amazed!

This is from someone we have not heard from in a long time, Robert Petry.

Here is his revelation on the matter:

Because this was a DIVINE migration, it should be no surprise to real scholars, that there would be no artifacts of note, nor a need for them. Just reading the Bible story itself clearly explains these things. But, “scholars” are only physical minded, they cannot conceive that the DIVINE POWER behind the Exodus is real. They just pretend to believe that, if at all. Now, what does the Bible show about this?

Well, it’s very clear…

1. Their clothing, shoes, and trappings never wore out. Ergo, nothing to throw away.
2. Their shelters never wore out. Ergo, nothing to throw away.
3. Utensils and other things never wore out. Ergo, nothing to discard.
4. All food supplies were DIVINELY given. For instance, Manna — here today, gone tomorrow. Quail, masses fly in, and disappear. Ergo, what’s left to find.
5. Certain mass events where one might expect artifacts to remain, left none. Why? The ground opened and swallowed them up. Nothing left behind to find. 

There you have it!
SaveSave

The Greatest Men and Women I Ever Met in WCG.

Non-compliance to stupid ideas or perspectives that my dad thought might hurt more than help was a family trait of ours even in the Presbyterian Church.  If my dad was not about to do something he felt was stupid or harmful, ill advised or just plain wrong he would say "I'll take that under advisement", which meant "NO".

It was a phrase he used often when the doc would want to put him on some new meds.  "I'll take that under advisement" and his doc of decades knew exactly what that meant.  Dad and mom died at just under 100.

Once he was warned by the Doc he had an extra heartbeat and the doc was concerned.  "At 90 Doc, don't worry about it. You never know when you're going to need and extra one."  "Ok Fred...."

In the 70's I took two Voyager Canoe loads of SEP kids on a long week paddle and camp ordeal.  I was not in charge but we put up on an island for the Sabbath.  It was HOT!!!!  No Swimming on God's Sabbath was the expected behavior.  Did I say it was HOT!!!???   So there we sat, in the woods or on the beach rejoicing in God's Sabbath.  When I had had enough, I said "Let's all take a swim."
We all did.  Even those that felt they could not based on the expectations of others.  We saved the Sabbath with that swim.  Nothing more came of it.   Except no one died of heat stroke miles from help and I was not one to trust in divine healing back then for such things.

Once Dave Pack was chiding the men in Spokesmen's Club for not memorizing their scripture cards.  Dad, who was an Elder in WCG raised his hand and gave Dave a bit of an overview on how much the men worked during the week and perhaps they didn't have the time he did.  "I'll speak to you in the hall Mr. Diehl during the break." said Dave.  "No you won't" said dad.  lol  And it never came up again.

Dave even told my brother in law, who was very good at not being pushed around by anyone, when the new minister ordained him a deacon after Dave left,  "Ron, if I had thought you were Deacon material  (He was common sense Elder material) , I would have ordained you."  To which Ron replied,  "Well Dave...(Ron knew Dave wanted to be called Mr. Pack), if I didn't think you had shit for brains I give a damn what you thought."    Sweet!!!!!

I inherited a good a few good genes from Dad.  I won't belabor the point of my personal choices but simply put, my kids got their immunizations in the 70's and yes, the church and friends knew.  I did not expect them to do what I would not.  I made it clear when they came for excused from immunizations form that this was their choice and did they really believe it as an adult or were they going along to get along?

I took members to professional counseling sessions, to mental health facilities and to the ER and hospital whenever needed.  I tried in vain to do so with some who were suffering needlessly in Jesus name and they ended up resenting me but you can't win in this case of doing what you personally believe as opposed to group think and the decrees of higher ups.

I was told to cancel our very successful Sr Prom in Kentucky where hundreds of really good kids showed up and had a wonderful experience because some kids somewhere fornicated and "we weren't having them anymore."  Really?   Um...sorry.  No. Our prom will go on and it did.  It never came up again.

I recall a fine young guy in Club who, under Gerald Weston, before I showed up, had not spoken up during table topics.  Gerald had him stand up and told him to stand on one leg and sing the National Anthem for the violation.  Tim said "No Sir.  That's disrespectful to the Anthem." and sat down.  Yay Tim!  Nothing more came of that.

The best moment I ever heard of had to be when the rather countrified good ol' boy song leader got up after Joe Tkach Sr's "Screw the Sabbath" sermon in Big Sandy.  It was the tape sent out the next week locally.  He got up to lead the last hymn and said.....and said...."Well now...wasn't that the biggest load of shit you ever heard.  Let's all rise, take our hymn books and sing to the real God!"
That's a classic!

Finally, one woman in Greenville, testing me I suspect after my first sermon there, told me her husband that morning had reminded her that he was the King of the home and she was nothing.  I thought she was kidding but she wasn't.  I asked her what she said.  "I told him then that made him the King of Nothing."    Excellent!!!!  I told her "good job."  

That same day, women must have gotten together to test me replacing GW it seemed and asked me what a woman should do about Biblical questions  they had as they were told they had to be quiet in church and if they had questions to ask their husbands. She continued to ask, "What if my husband is idiot and can't answer questions?"   I said, "then ask me or go find a good book."  She smiled and said "I like you Mr. Diehl."

I'd like to offer up some suggestions that the real men and women Lurkers here on Banned can and should use when confronted by Deacons, Elders, Pastors, Apostles or Zerubbabel's who rule over them.

"Thanks for your concern. NO."

"I'll take that under advisement" 

"That makes me uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry you feel that way. No"

"It's really none of your business what I do or think about that."

"That's the most stupid thing I've heard all week."

"And you really believe that?"

"You're on drugs aren't you?"

"Think what you like and leave me out of it."

"Do what you like and leave me out of it."

"And you think that's talking about you in the Bible?"

"Hell  no..."

"You're kidding right?"

"That's fine for you but not so fine for me"

"Believe what you want. Just don't expect me to ."

"It's none of your business."

"Get the tree out of your own eye before you come to me with that."

"You got to be kiddin'?"

"Where do you come up with this stuff?"

"I'll decide what's best for me and my family, not you."

"I'll give what I choose to give."

"I'm busy that weekend."

"I'm too tired to go to Club"

"I'm too tired to go to Bible Study and besides, they are shallow and boring."

"That was the most stupid sermon you ever gave. You can't prove that!"

"I ain't sayin 'amen' to that!!"

"My children aren't your children to raise."

"I'm sorry you feel that way. How can we make that better."

"Oh we can't unless I comply?  Well if I didn't think you had shit for brains I'd care about that."

"Yes sir...I heard you.  No sir is what I said."

"Sorry, not giving anymore for your airport."

"Sorry, not giving anymore for your buildings, ponds, fish and ducks."

"That's fine.  Then me an my family will find another church."

....and so on.

The greatest WCG members, aside from those as well who actually lived their faith in a balanced and humble way, were those who spoke up.  I would say my best friend, who stuck by me all these years until his untimely death last year , Gary Benjamin of Findlay, Ohio exemplified that quality that taught me how to embrace it even back in the 70's.  Gary was a self made man. The first words out of his mouth , as a deacon who came to help this 23 year old kid minister move into our first house right along the railroad tracks in Findlay were...."So...this is where my tithes are going..."  I glared at him and wondered what the hell that was all about.  But that was Gary.  He never changed nor would I want him to.  He gave me hell at times and was my friend. He helped me find the voice of my father.  He spoke his mind and I didn't mind and grew to admire the gutsy "that's just how it is and just how I think" personality he embraced.

He was a rather hard and cold person at times. It had to do with upbringing and baggage I'm sure.  Finally he got bounced out of the deaconship he had for decades by Ron Weinland, who he thought was a jerk and we know he was right. I came for an anniversary visit where all the deacons were brought up front and honored. But not Gary. He sat quietly musing just in front of me and watched them praised and get their awards blah blah....  I took a piece of notebook paper and made him a Certificate of Appreciation to the best and most honest deacon I knew and passed it to him from behind.  He read the torn piece of paper. Turned around with the only tear I ever saw in his eyes and said..."Thank ya..."   Gary always said "Thank ya...."  He taught me  how to speak up even it makes my lips quiver....