Stories Verbal Snapshots

[ariel (ariel)]

Joel Freeman ?

loved those stories by the way...

[bruder5 (bruder5)]

Wonderful new thread old friend...

One night two bible college students who must be named (Steve Freeman & David Huff) had an idea. There was lot's of demon stuff cruising around in those days (the demon armies would arrive later) Now, Huff and Freeman had all the quailities of Olympus gods...mischief gone amuck. They grabbed a fishing pole and cast it out of the second floor window in South Berwick over the print shop. The print shop gang was made up of some very good christians who REALLY BELIEVED...Huff and Freeman land the lure in a tree and begin to shake it...mightly...and thus begins the narrative...They took on voices of "demons" and carried on a 30 minute conversation with THE EARNEST CHRISTIANS. H + F beg for help. They name themselves as dispossed demons...alone and sad...and the EARNEST CHRISTIANS begin to talk back. They rebuked, they commanded, they pleaded to no avail. The demons asked for residency in the print shop. No! the growing crowd of EARNEST CHRISTIANS yelled. Come out of that tree in the name of Jesus!!! Huff growled with his best demon voice (low) Freeman screamed falsetto...THE VERY EARNEST AND INTENT CHRISTIANS yelled louder. The rumor spread...demons where on campus. Get in on the action. THESE ARE BY GOD THE LAST DAYS!!! Did I mention that Bill Starr was standing behind H + F bellowing laughter? A crowd gathered behind H + F as the crowd grew outside. This could not hold together much longer. Finally H + F look out the window together (with faces that glowed and shined) and said, "Just Kidding".

[jim_faucett (jim_faucett)]

The Steve, Dave and "Little Billy" show!

There was the time that Huff got "Little Billy" some especially 'designed' male panty hose...

About bloody time Freeman. My memory of the 'Arlene' story obviously more foggy than yours.

(Message edited by Jim Faucett on April 22, 2005)

[verbal_snapshots (verbal_snapshots)]

ariel -- Yup...

[louise_connolly (louise_connolly)]

Joel, Marty, Jim, Alanna, Steve and the many others who helped Carl begin his own ministry after Carl was confronted by the deacons of the Woolwich Wicassett church for having an affair with one of the deacons wives, could you please share how you justified following Carl and helping him begin 'The Bible Speaks'? Do you feel you were brainwashed or did you see a good opportunity? Many of you folks were the foundation of which Carl's kingdom was built upon. Your stories would greatly help those still in GGWO as the modis operandi never changes just the players.

(Message edited by louise connolly on April 24, 2005)

[buggin (buggin)]

Joel Freeman,

I read your book 'God is not Fair'.
I read it shortly after you left "the body"
I enjoyed it inspite of your being "off".
Glad to see you have prospered in spite of the 'curse' of leaving TBS.

[ralphwells (ralphwells)]

Joel and Marty - you guys had me http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/rofl.gif over those.

[ralphwells (ralphwells)]

Joel and Marty - you guys had me http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/rofl.gif over those.

BTW everyone, Joel has co-authored a milestome book that is now a movie, highly recommend it.

[verbal_snapshots (verbal_snapshots)]

Joel Free man
Email: joel at freemaninstitute dot com -- Feel free to send me an email...

Would love to hear from old friends. Wiscasset, Friendship, Bath, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, Puerto Rico, South Berwick, Scarborough, Baltimore, Columbia, Lenox....you know who you are. I never did live in Lenox. Moved directly from South Berwick to Baltimore City in 1977 after establishing the church in Friendship, ME (now Rockland?).

The Little Red School House in Friendship, ME will always hold a special place in my heart. No outhouse. Had to do a lot of planning before coming to church. If someone took off running into the woods, no one asked any questions. Pot belly stove. Wicked hot in the winter months. Preaching barefoot in the summer months. Good guitar picking. Down home hospitality. No psychological warefare. What you saw is what you got. Early morning prayer. Chicken dinners? No way! Lobster dinners! Fresh from that morning's catch. Nothing like it!

Only visited Lenox a couple of times a year, so I wasn't too plugged in to the events at the Lenox campus. There was a moment when something snapped in me. I knew that I was some day going to leave GGWO.

I remember the exact moment at the 1979 Convention when CHS was reaming me out publicly at a rap session for not coming to Lenox more often and for the Baltimore ministry not tithing to Lenox. I hear it now, "There are some pastors (pause, with head cocked back to the side...eyes squinted and lips pursed, left hand on hips, in a penetrating anointing) who leave and then begin to cultivate an independent spirit. Independent of the body..." In his own classic way, CHS never mentioned my name, but everyone knew who and what he was talking about.

I am confident that some reading this posting have been on the receiving end of his public use of verbal abuse. In my experience, he was rarely man enough to say what he was truly feeling one-on-one. He always seemed to need to be behind a microphone when confronting someone or something functioning outside of the TBS/GGWO culture.

When this kind of thing happened to me (a few times before and after the 1979 Convention), I would smile right back at him. I'd let him know that I knew he was talking about me, but that it did not affect me, affect me, affect me...

By 1980 I had mentally and emotionally left GGWO. At the time, I just didn't have the emotional maturity to leave. I had witnessed enough destructive cycles (organizationally and individually) to last a lifetime. It took 4-5 more years for the reality of my exit to emerge. I have never regretted the decision for one solitary moment. As a human, I have other regrets, but none associated with the exit from GGWO. Every time I hear of more drama coming from GGWO or TBS, that decision is positively reinforced.

What has always intrigued me is that new members of GGWO weren't privy to the destructive cycles yet. They would have to experience one or two cycles for themselves before they would or could come out from under the ether. CHS would function like many insecure ancient monarchs -- destroy or exile anyone who might become a challenge to the throne. These pre-emptive strikes were withering to anyone who exhibited any unique leadership potential.

CHS was an expert at placing people in exile while they were working for him. The "dog-with-fleas" syndrome. He set it up so that no one on campus would want to be close to the person or people in exile. It was a real "morale booster" for the one(s) exiled. I noticed this pattern early on and made a mental note to never work directly for CHS. I always wanted to be away from the headquarters where I wasn't directly under his thumb. I could never understand why people would go out on a team and then would return to Lenox after a few years to get pumped back up. I had a different perspective. I figured that I had been trained to leave and to be innovative...never to return for more than a brief visit. I was glad to be "on the field". Wasn't that the purpose of the training?

In the early 80s CHS knew that I had one foot in GGWO and the other foot on a banana peel. He tried to get me to come back to Lenox, probably to get me back under his influence. He even offered me a cushy position back at Lenox. I told him I'd think and pray about it. I fibbed. I actually didn't wrestle with the decision one second. I let a week go by and then I phoned him, telling him that I was called by God to stay in the Baltimore region. At that point he probably knew that I was all but gone from GGWO. I was marginalized by him from that time on. I instinctively knew that this would be the result even before I declined his offer.

I find it absolutely fascinating that CHS never groomed a leader or leadership team for his eventual retirement or death. Perhaps he has been too busy protecting the permanence of his own position/legacy to worry about the viability of the next generation? If this is true, it was an unconscionable abuse of the God-given privilege of leadership.

Could this be the foundational reason for what appears to be the power-grabbing factions of late? I am of Paul. I am of Thomas. I am of Steve. I am of CHS' old audio/video tapes. A predictable set of events, consciously or (in some cases) unconsciously set up by CHS.

"Corporate Lifecycles: How and Why Corporations Grow and Die and What To Do About It", by Ichak Adizes is a great read to help explore what happens with organization as they grow. There are principles that occur...some as predictable as the Law of Gravity. Excellent insights for any organization, including non-profit, hoping to build for the future.

What's paradoxical is that while I am painfully aware of the dysfunctional, disjointed leadership style of CHS, I am also grateful for the many wonderful opportunities I experienced because of him. I have many fond memories of driving him around in his automobile for about two years. Being allowed to go on radio and TV when I was still wet behind the ears. I reflect on those early days and tremble at the mere thought of my immaturity. Traveling to many places I would have never had a reason to visit otherwise. Ready to give a 3-5 minute devotional without notes (at his whim) has been invaluable preparation for my work as a professional speaker/corporate trainer. I wax nostalgic. I guess it's like going to KFC -- eat the meat and throw away the bones.

I'm not a frequent Factnet visitor, but when I do visit, I am thankful for a forum like this. I realize that this forum is in many ways like the Wild West. When I don't agree with someone's manner of expression, I am reminded that we all grieve in different languages.

I'm just grateful to be alive, motivated by values that hopefully will count for something a million years from now...

Any more Verbal Snapshots out there?

(Message edited by verbal_snapshots on May 25, 2005)

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>Joel Freeman,I remember you.I know about you.You and that great sense of humor.
You and that wonderful personality of yours.
You and that Love of Christ that shines from your face.Yup,I know about you.
I have nothing but wonderful memories about you.

I contacted you a while ago,maybe about a year or so.You my friend are an impressive individual and I am a better man for having met you.

I still have your book "God is not fair".
I must say,you have done well and will hear those words spoken to you in heaven.
You have always been a good friend and a Godly man.

Baruch Habbah Hashem Adonia,
Dave</font>}

[c_la_verite (c_la_verite)]

great post joel freeman. i remember you visiting briefly at the chateau sihol while trekking through europe in 86, i think.

[newface (newface)]

Joel are you in Maine?

[aurora (aurora)]

Really good insights, Joel.

I remember you only as one who was "off" after leaving TBS (I entered in 1982) and that you were my own pastor's wife's brother.

Maybe sometime, for the sake of those who have or are leaving GG with family still "in", you could tell us how that has been for you- having a sibling still in the group after all these years.

[rjfernalld (rjfernalld)]

The old snack bar on the 40 Kemble campus circa'81-82. Convention. Rap under the open air tent...strong smell of coffee, you, Joel with the mic answering questions. I asked ...you answered. You answered exactly, almost word for word what CHS had been preaching about delegated authority.

You were more pleasant to hear. You looked me squarely in the eye, you were animated, expressive and the crowd that had gathered gave you tremendous respect and an ovation that rivaled Carl's....even Tom and Lisa Schaller who were as obnoxious then as they are now were impressed that night. I was impressed.

20++ years later, and at the risk of ****ing people off on this forum as I did when I asked tough questions to Jack Leonard...

If you were not totally sold out to Carl at that point, ok...but what you said was all Carl. When you finally left did you have remorse for the lies you had preached? Your words that day cemented my decision to go to SSB because I believed you.

I know Carl will never repent, believe he has ever uttered a false word, damaged anyone's spiritual capacity, even for a time....but those of you leaders who left, found out the truth and moved on...did you think about the people you taught all those lies to? I am not accusing, I am asking...we will never hear remorse, regret, repentence from Carl...but what about from those who helped him spread such lies?

I contacted many people from the branch ministry where I came from in the years after I left. They were hometown people that we evangelized and spread Carl's lies to...I found as many as I could recall and I apologised for what I had done ie getting them involved in this awful cult. I could by no means remember or reach them all, but I felt I had to try to reach those I could. It went a long long way to clearing out my soul of all the garbage, pain, anger and so on.

There has never been a forum for such statements or soul searching for those that were leaders. But here is FactNet and the opportunity to express to those who were hurt the regret and effect this has on leaders in regard to those they led.

Jack was bold and spoke candidly about the guilt and what he felt. I took heat for asking him why he didn't warn us...he answerd me with the clarity and honesty of a true Godly man...and he rebuked those who were mad at me for asking.

So...I am asking you Joel Freeman...with no anger, no animosity, no judgement in my heart....please speak about the remorse and responsibility of pastors who discover they have preached the lies they were taught, perhaps even after they realized they might be lies? It will help many. We know Carl will never cry mea culpa...that avenue is closed. But will you?

You answered my questions so well at that convention rap all those years ago...will you answer me again?

Roberta Fernalld

[rjfernalld (rjfernalld)]

bump

[roseanna (roseanna)]

I have a different memory of you, Joel, one that might make you chuckle. I really have to laugh when I think of it:
I came into GG in Baltimore - never was in Lenox. I had been listening to Chuck Smith on the radio for a couple of years (before I learned from Carl Stevens that I should never listen to anyone else but him) and really loved his teaching...I was thrilled to hear that he would be speaking at a church in Baltimore! I was fairly new in the ministry, and when I told a friend I was going, she tried to talk me out of it, telling me that listening to preaching outside of the ministry would only cause confusion. Well, I was determined to go anyway. In order to protect me from whatever evil would befall me, my friend came with me. When we walked into the church, I thought she was going to pass out when she saw you. I looked at her face and I'm telling you, it was like she saw the devil himself!

Naturally she began to tell me that you were an enemy of the ministry and Pastor. The entire evening was ruined for me; I could not enjoy Chuck Smith and hardly remember anything else. I just remember when it was over we were looking for a way to exit without having to walk past you. We couldn't find one, so we waited in line and practically ran you over to get out the door.

Gosh, I haven't thought of that in years. One of the seemingly zillions of red flags that I ignored. This was 1988, or maybe 89? - not sure - and the church was on Frederick Rd. (Avenue?) if I remember correctly.

Glad to hear you are prospering and I am sorry I almost knocked you over to get out of your church. LOL

[steve_quinlan (steve_quinlan)]

Roberta wrote: “I know Carl will never repent, believe he has ever uttered a false word, damaged anyone's spiritual capacity, even for a time....but those of you leaders who left, found out the truth and moved on...did you think about the people you taught all those lies to? I am not accusing, I am asking...we will never hear remorse, regret, repentence from Carl...but what about from those who helped him spread such lies?”



Roberta et al:

Joel will speak for himself, but as for myself, I am more than willing to cry “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.” I have come to realize since my TBS days, in a progressing understanding that continues to this day, that what I have preached and taught was “wrong.” I say “wrong” in the sense of flawed, incomplete, defective and unenlightened. Let me underscore that it is not just about way back then. Tomorrow I will stand before a congregation and do it again. In some sense the human attempt at speaking the truth is always a matter of the blind leading the blind.

For this reason, I do not believe that we (teachers and learners – and we all should be both) can afford to be too certain of ourselves. It is my opinion that we can and should speak with conviction and openness at once. Another way of saying this is that a certain level of skepticism towards ourselves and our teachers is healthy.

This does not address the question of teaching or otherwise communicating what I do not “believe” to be the case. That is merely lying. In my view, lying is about intentionally deceiving or manipulating another by taking advantage of their trust for my own gain. Have I lied? Have you? Yet, to my knowledge I have not lied (in the above sense) from the pulpit or lectern, but I have often been more or less wrong (which is the same as being more or less right). Still I have always “believed” what I have taught or preached, in the sense that it always reflected my best “light” to date. However, the human heart is often dark and mysterious, especially when it comes to our deepest motivations. With all this said, to the extent that anything I have said has hurt or hindered anyone, whether 30 years ago or 30 minutes ago, I regret it.

I suspect that my experience is not unlike that of many other “former” TBS/GGWO pastors, but I am not trying to let anybody “off the hook.” This is but my personal “confession” and it may not be at all adequate for what others have said or done. What I have written here may not satisfy someone who thinks that I bear greater culpability for the early formation of TBS (upon reflection, I recall that both Tom Powell and John Love “came into the ministry” through my “branch” church in Wilmington, MA), but it’s all I can honestly offer.

SQ

[louise_connolly (louise_connolly)]

SQ -
I appreciate what you just wrote. Thank-you.

I was telling my husband today how if we had met Carl Stevens first instead of these young enthusiastic gifted young male Bible teachers such as David MacAdam and yourself it could have turned out differently. I never doubted either of your sincerity and am quite grateful that both of you have posted in regard to your leadership capacity in GGWO.

I was already reeled in before first seeing Carleluia. He was scary. It still astounds me the power he had over people. GGWO seems silly in hindsight, even though I know there are plenty of folks who are in great pain right now because of GGWO.

[jack_leonard (jack_leonard)]

Steve, thanks for your well-thought answer. I think you speak for all of us who taught in Lenox. Like you, I taught according to what I knew at the time.

I think Roberta is also wondering about our efforts to come back and warn others after we left Lenox. Knowing what we did, why did we not come back with bullhorns and pamphlets and warn the congregation and students?

I think we all know how well that would have worked. Some of us recall the lonely protestors at the front gates. Ludicrous.

Even so, I spouted off to a lot of people, practically everyone who crossed my path. I talked and talked and talked to members of my church in Boston. Many listened patiently and compassionately; some left and went to Baltimore.

Some people came to me inquiring, who listened and learned (Phil Strout is one great example).

Some listened and then distanced themselves for a long time. I soon learned that you can’t club people over the head with the truth. You have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. I learned to wait for the right opportunity.

[rjfernalld (rjfernalld)]

Steve and Jack

Bless you both for your honesty and willingness to address this issue. Please know that I have come to understand more fully the situation of a pastor in this cult thanks to honest men like you both.

I am curious however about those who continued to preach the false doctrines when they themselves claim to have known they were wrong, as Joel seems to be saying in his post above.

It seems that the cult dynamic affected the ability of a person to listen to his/her conscience/Holy Spirit...and I am curious about the lack of remorse/guilt I think I see in some who claim to have known better but continued the patterns of lies. (not necessarily Joel)

Just curious and likely overthinking/over analyzing, but interested in this issue.

Again thanks for your honesty...it is so refreshing and admirable.

[bob_brinton (bob_brinton)]

Roberta, Since Joel has said above that he only comes here occasionally, perhaps you might want to let him know your questions raised here are here. He gave an address where he can be reached.

[rjfernalld (rjfernalld)]

Nancy and Joel et al

Your post, Nancy is the best illustration as to why I asked my question to Joel Freeman in a public forum such as this.

I have no animosity, per se, against Joel, Steve, Jack or any of the others who I have questioned. I am trying, however to explore the seemilngly bottomless pit of pain that spreads out like a cancer among some of the more silent ex members. They need to read the answers to the questions they cannot form, the pain they still cannot articulate. It is for them as well as myself that I ask.

Joel and others say I have a reputation as a "ball buster". Perhaps that is so, but I do not regret my insistance upon transparency, honesty and open question and answer. I do realize my methods make some uncomfortable. But uncomfortability often brings out the hidden truths tucked up under a shadow someplace...and there may be some of the silent, less overt ex members who need to hear and see truth. I recieve email to this effect.

Many of us were taught directly by the people we now question to NEVER question. The people you mention in your post, Nancy, that you have not heard from are likely trying very hard to clear out the depths of their own pain, and are still reeling a bit from the after shocks that come after we wrest ourselves out of the whirlwind.

Never before has there been a place to openly express the pain, needs, questions...perhaps that is why after so many years I still have so many questions. I do think that FactNet has opened hearts, minds and done for us all what Isaiah 58 speaks of..."making the crooked way strait, repairing the breach, restoring paths to dwell in".

We are, by asking the uncomfortable questions and risking being labeled a "ball-buster" making strides in regaining the honest free flowing Christian love for each other in the long run. Personally I no longer shrink from asking, repenting, expressing regret, sorrow, joy, elation and need...for unless we do these things, we will not get our needs from God or each other met.

Nancy, might I make a suggestion? Write to these people that have not spoken with you. Write from your heart, ask the uncomfortable question, express your need. God may be able to use you to show them that there are consequences other than their own pain to be considered. It truly may be that they do not know how to reach back, reach out or do anything more that try to repair their own for now.

The beauty of it is, that if you speak to them, you may be opening up a way for them to heal.

One more note...for some of us, Nancy, our perception of these men who have repented here that we knew 20+ years ago was that they just walked away. I had no way of knowing that Jack Leonard spoke out against GGWO when he left to go to Boston. I didn't have a clue until I publically asked him here on this forum.

Thank you Joel for your answer. I am glad you decided to answer publically because there are many out here in ex-beaker land who read FN and never post who have the same questions we here post.

They need and deserve every answer we can give them.

[pressing_on (pressing_on)]

I have been pondering alot of things the past few days and as I read I see so much pain in many here, and I for one have not been excluded from the pain.
My whole life was Greater Grace, family, friends, fellowship. When one walks away they leave so much behind; but as they go forward they bring with them the most important gift of all , the Holy Spirit. The one who guides, comforts, restores, teaches, communes, and heals every area of our life that we have lost or feel we have lost.
You see we may have lost part of ourselves as we walked from Greater Grace, but our soul belongs to God and this will always remain His. In whose hand is the soul of every living thing.
We may feel as though we have been cheated but we have not, we have learned and received something far greater, wisdom.
God knows exactly what He is doing, with Him is strength and wisdom, the deceived and the deciever are His. He maketh judges fools and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
God does not wink an eye to all that has happened, but He is a patient God.
I think of Joseph, 23 years of turmoil and in the midst of it he learned to trust God, and was used of God. If he was rescued and brought back to his family right away would he have treated his brothers as he did.
I can't explain why God does what He does, nor can anyman but I can trust Him. I can take God at His word.
I can become bitter or I can allow Him to make my heart tender so that I may view people through His eyes.
I think of His last words "Father forgive them for they not not what they do", and I wonder can I ever feel the same. Will I ever feel the same?
I have one great desire that God would cause me
to love.
I think of Mother Theresa's words, " Love so much that it hurts till it is no longer hurt only love". How did she become so tender? I am left to conclude that she knew her God, she trusted her God and she allowed Him to turn her into love.
We may never hear the words I am sorry, or please forgive me, but this should never stop us from learning how to love. Without love what are we, without the fruits of the spirit our life is unfulfilled. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Can we allow Him to be our great example?
It is so easy to love our friends, but to love our enemies requires the work of the spirit. Will we allow Him to work?
Never let men rob you from the great opportunity to love, to be like Christ. If we allow them to do so we have given them power over our life. We have allowed them to wear us down.
This is a great work that only the Holy Spirit can do, He will continue to draw us, to speak to our hearts, and to change us.
As I say all this I speak to my own heart, For I know there is no greater purpose than to be like Him. To take every trial, circumstance, and situation, and see in it the work of God.
Never miss exactly what it is that He has for us.
What is it that He wanted us to know in all of this.
There is a purpose and this is something I never want to miss. This is something we should never miss.

[kathleen (kathleen)]

verbal_snapshots
I have a story
give me time to find it.

[mrsdrysdale (mrsdrysdale)]

good post press

[rjfernalld (rjfernalld)]

Press

The problem when a lot of people leave, is that they really have a false concept of who God really is. They have listened to so much of the false doctrines from CHA and Co., that when they leave, they are not so sure about God anymore. That is the real evil behind this cult. Some do not recover, some turn their back on the capricious God, the hateful God and the vengeful God they have heard about at GGWO and do not find the loving inclusive true grace giving God.

So many have said..."leave the cult, turn to God"...sounds good, but the concept of God many are turning to is just that ...a "concept".

Spiritual rape is difficult to recover from...thankfully we can and do/....we must always be ready to assist the confused wh haven't got there yet.

[rjfernalld (rjfernalld)]

Press

The problem when a lot of people leave, is that they really have a false concept of who God really is. They have listened to so much of the false doctrines from CHA and Co., that when they leave, they are not so sure about God anymore. That is the real evil behind this cult. Some do not recover, some turn their back on the capricious God, the hateful God and the vengeful God they have heard about at GGWO and do not find the loving inclusive true grace giving God.

So many have said..."leave the cult, turn to God"...sounds good, but the concept of God many are turning to is just that ...a "concept".

Spiritual rape is difficult to recover from...thankfully we can and do/....we must always be ready to assist the confused wh haven't got there yet.

[pressing_on (pressing_on)]

You are absolutely correct, many do have false concepts and I must say this is not only at Greater Grace.
But as I said the Holy Spirit continues to work, that is His job. It is God who worketh in us both to will and to of His good pleasure.
God has something to teach each of us individually, we are not the same, we all stand in different places but are held by the same hand of God.
I know how devistating this has been for many. I myself at times have wanted to leave all, to just disappear, I didn't want to hear another thing or see another thing. But this never solves the issue in my heart that needs healing.
This will never solve the issue in anothers heart.
Am I saying someone is wrong for not wanting to go forward, no. I can see never wanting to go to another church. I can see never wanting to trust another with your life, But as God works one day we will.
It is God we should be entrusting our life to. It is Him we should be leading others to, they will not always have us but they will always have Him. If we were taught this, this trial would not be so overbearing, but we weren't and now we are learning this by the greatest teacher of all, the Holy Spirit.
We were taught to see our life through another man, through a ministry.
God has redeemed us He has bought us back.
Until we can see this and understand this God will work. He is not looking at us in disappointment, His heart breaks for us.
He bottles our every tear, because that is His heart.
His thoughts towards us are never evil.
How do we get to the place where we truly believe that God is for us?
We can read promise after promise and never really claim them as our own. These are the things that God works in us, no man can do that for us. This is why it is so important to be alone with God, to feel His presence. To bask in His love.
I wish I could solve every problem, answer every question, but I can't, we can't.
Do I live in defeat? Do I just give up? I can't, God can't. I thank God that He can't.
If we live in deafeat we will never get to experience the victory.
God is preparing us today for what He has planned for tomorrow. If He revealed this to us before time we would never be able to handle it, so He does so day by day, moment, by moment.
I can't help but to see now He has a greater plan, and I'm not suppose to understand all, if so why the gift of faith.
I wish I could speak peace to your soul, but there is one who does so very graciously. Please, please, please, don't allow the enemy to rob your joy. Life is far to short, and far to precious.

Pressing_on

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>It was a hot day in the summer of 1978.Must have been in the high eighties to low nineties with a bright sun.
Pastor Brad Conent had stopped in to visit and to call my mother during a blitz in Waltham Mass..
His secretary accompanied him.
While he was on the phone talking to my mother,I was in the kitchen conspiring with his assistant.
I had just prior to this told him about how I would sit at my window with a squirtgun and water people that I knew as they walked by.(I lived at the time,over a main thoroughfare)
I convinced his assistant to walk under the window to my overview of the main street at all costs.I instructed her to ignore Brad if he went in any other direction.
When they left my place to continue witnessing on the streets,his assitant proved most compliant to my instructions.She looked up with a big smile as I set the trap in motion.
Before I forget this major point;Brad had suggested that he could get the youth group to stand under the window at some future time and I could drop a volley of water ballons on them after he stepped back out of range.Yeah right,LOL.
As he passed under the window,with I might add a look of confusion as to where his assistant was headed,I dumped an ice cold glass of water on his shoulder,stopping him dead in his tracks.He looked up and gave me the OK sign with a great big smile on his face.
The funny part about all this is that the water I poured on him was still on him several hours later.Even though it was hot,dry and sunny.
Must have been an annointing of sorts.LOL.
He always had a good sense of humor and I miss him as a friend.
I haven't seen him in years but I wonder if he remembers that day.

Baruch Habbah Hashem Adonia,
Dave</font>}}}}}}}

[pressing_on (pressing_on)]

David
I believe Brad Conent returned to Greater Grace for a short while a few years back. He may live in the Baltimore area, but I don't think he attends anymore.

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>
So many loved ones missed.
So many memories fondly recalled.
When we shall answer the call of the trumpet.
My desire is to see them all.

Baruch Habbah Hashem Adonia,
(blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord)

Dave</font>}
}}}

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>Years ago when I attended GGCF in Framingham,I took a fellow body member (now an elder) Paul Buchea fishing with me.
He was dressed in some nice looking clothes so I gave him my waders to keep his clothes clean and dry.(I love the cold water so I didn't mind getting wet.)
We where off to catch some brook trout.God knows I LOVE brookies.
Well,the brook I choose to fish was quite narrow at the best spots so We kind of played hopschotch along the brook.
At one particular spot there was a rock jutting out of the water maybe two feet from the shore at a point that was about eleven feet deep.
I happened to catch a trout and while I was cleaning it Paul decided to try the spot.No problem.However,he stepped between the jutting rock and over it into the brook.
When my attention was drawn to the loud splash I saw something I don't think I'll ever see again.
Keep in mind that this place on the brook is very dangerous fast flowing and leads within a few yards to a waterfall.
His head was the only part of him not in the water except that he had managed to grab a small tree growing on the edge of the stream.
The Lord must have given him the strength of Samson because he actually pulled himself out of the water(water filled waders and all)with that one hand that he managed to grab the tree with.
We both had quite a laugh while he removed the waders so he could dry out his wallet.
For years I reminded him of this event.(almost to the point of getting him annoyed)I just couldn't let him live it down but he has a good nature and sense of humor.
It was quite amasing that he got out alive though.Then again,God is gracious.

Baruch Habbah Hashem Adonia,
Dave</font>}

[hodeuon (hodeuon)]

bump

I think that all your testimonies are really important to preserve. And important for any readers who are still in to be able to find.

[johncollins]

I don't recall ever seeing this thread before. Good stuff!