Maranatha Murray Baton Rouge College Station

[gah51]

I was in Maranatha from approximately 1973 to 1983. I was on the staff in Murray, Ky from 1976 to 1979 and I also piloted the Maranatha airplane during that time period. After getting married in 1979 my wife and I moved to Baton Rouge to pastor the Maranatha church there with the Dillons. In 1981 we started the MCM church in College Station, Texas. We moved to Houston in early 1983 and we left Maranatha in August 1983 after admitting to ourselves that we just did not agree with the MCM doctrine and practices.

I hope with that background, people who know me will recognize me, because I want to apologize to all of the people I hurt during my days as a Maranatha pastor/elder. Even though the intent of my heart was to please God and bring others to know God’s love, I can’t blame someone else for the results of my actions. I alone am responsible for people who were hurt by me and the “system” I helped oversee. And even though I meant no harm, that doesn’t make your pain any less real.
(Continued)

[gah51]

For those of you who carry scars from the “dating revelation”, I sincerely apologize. We, as pastors/elders had no right to give ourselves the authority to bless or block your relationship with another individual. I wish I could undo the damage that many of you suffered through this process.

For those of you who were not called to the “full-time ministry”, and I made you feel like you were not as important in God’s eyes as the “full-timers”, I am sorry. Looking back, I realize some of the most humble, caring, selfless, Godly people in Maranatha were the ones who were NOT in the “full-time” ministry.

I also apologize for the sheer legalism that you had to endure. Things like “Mandatory fun” times (heaven forbid you had a test to study for), mandatory trips to MLTS during the Christmas break, mandatory offerings, mandatory attendance at all meetings, mandatory witnessing on campus, and the list goes on and on.
(Continued)

[gah51]

Before I joined Maranatha I was already a Christian (never mind Bob Weiner’s insistence that I renounce my “Baptist spirit” and get baptized again.) I loved God with all my heart and I did things because of my LOVE for God. In Maranatha I learned to do things because they were REQUIRED by God. Unfortunately, I began to impart those same strict requirements upon many of you. Again, I am sorry if I turned your love for God into a checklist of requirements that must be met to earn God’s love.

Finally, I fear that I was like Mr. Magoo who blindly drove down the road unaware that he was leaving a trail of destruction behind him. I’m sure there are people I hurt that I am not even aware of. If you are one of those people, and you want to unload, you may respond here or contact me at glennh51@yahoo.com. You have a right to be angry and I want you to feel free to express that anger. My hope is that it will bring some level of healing. Again, I am deeply sorry for the pain that I and this system caused to so many people.

[lablady2]

hello, gah51. I was in the Paducah fellowship from 1977-80, then Boulder 1981-82. I think I may remember you but that's really not so important.
You certainly never wronged me in any way.

I admire your honesty and your willingness to post here. I'm sure that takes some guts. I also think you'll find a lot of wonderful people on this forum who understand how human and imperfect we all are.

Welcome to Factnet! Get ready to rumble.

[flo1151]

gah,
thank you for your post. Your honesty and integrity shine through as I believed in you and your wife all along. I know that as a fellow soldier we killed many with friendly fire in those days. Your repentance and humility I appreciate and say I was a chiefest of sinners in those areas. I know your personality and spirit was never to be one of the bad guys. I am honored to have known you.

flo

[miltietoast]

Best coming out party I have ever witnessed
May the healing startle and amaze you beyond your wildest expectations!

[gah51]

Lablady2 - I'm actually from Paducah. Went to Tilghman. I actually attended a few meetings at the Maranatha house across from PTHS my senior year, but didn't really get involved until my 2nd year at Murray. Thanks for the welcome.

[lablady2]

Yes, I think I remember you. I went to St. Mary ('72) but had lots of friends at Tilghman. Delta Phi Kappa ring a bell? I am so laughing out loud.

I live near Kentucky lake but have the privilege of driving to Paducah 4-5 times a week. Lots of new buildings, same small town mentality. Not a bad thing. It's home.

Welcome. I look forward to teasing you mercilessly.

[flo1151]

lab,
went to heath ('69) dated a girl from st mary's ('72). Married a girl tilghman ('69).

small world huh

flo

[gah51]

D Phi K, oh my goodness--Now there's something I hadn't thought about in a long time. And there were a couple of high school sororities as well. I have great memories of my high shool days.

[flo1151]

gah,
John r and I did most of the construction on the Maranatha House in Murray. Again a small world.

flo

[lablady2]

flo: Paducah is a small world. My kids went to Heath. Warford/Tilford country.

Sambiki Saru, Phi Alpha Delta, Nu Phi Mu. Delta girl here. Those were the days, my friends.

[gah51]

Flo,
The Bonners lived upstairs in that house and I had a room on the first level. No heat in the bathroom. I woke up one winter morning to find a layor of ice in the comode. Also I remember we had one large gas floor-furnace. You always knew when there were new people at the meeting because you could smell burning rubber from them standing on the heater grill.

[flo1151]

gah,
John and I tore out an old chimney flue on Bob W's orders. When we knocked out the support it fell and broke several joists. That floor always had a nice spring to it afterward. Those were the days my friend. We cannot say that we were in it for the money could we?

I do think our intentions were good for the most part. Then it got kinda sick afterwards.

[flo1151]

lab

My kids went to Heath for a time '94-99 I think.
Yes the Warfords and Tilfords they are a force out there. I was able to lead Keith Tilford to the Lord back in 73. He now pastors a church there. When did your kids attend there?

[lablady2]

Let's see. They went from 1984 (elementary) until we moved to the lake, maybe 1993. My youngest graduated from MCHS.

We are looking for 4-5 acres in the West Paducah/Heath area now, so if you know someone who wants to sell......

[matt_hatter]

I do think our intentions were good for the most part.

I agree, flo, there are times that I am haunted by a few particular incidents at my own hand that I just wonder what happened to those young people. I hope at least, in the angst of those memories the Lord will comfort us all. And its funny, those particular young folks will pop in my mind at times, (like when I was reading GAH's posts) and I will pray for their comfort as well.

[mdillon]

alright, alright, alright enough with the freakin' Paducah lovefest already

well good to see you comin' out gah. after you get used to it here you can feel a little more comfortable in being outspoken since you seem to be holding back a bit.

your blowing in here like landing that Piper Cub in a driveway.

the BR days were some of my finest memories friend

dillyeaux

[matt_hatter]

dilly, you cant remember yesterday.

[john_r_jones]

The dancing chimney of Murray. I'm surprised the house didn't cave in on us. That house is now a parking lot. Seems the fate of Maranatha houses.

John

[flo1151]

lab,

I got this condo down by the river in Ragland on 5 acres in swamp landhttp://www.shadoehaze.com/photo-galleries/misc7/Redneck%20Highrise.jpg http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/lol.gif

[matt_hatter]

Looks like one of Miltie's log houses. And Dilly's workshop is underneath.

[mdillon]

mattie-dilly, you cant remember yesterday.

what yesterday?

and who are you?

[flo1151]

you are dillyeaux and I am the guy to whom you were suppose to mail that big check. I have other prime properties for sale. Check out my website at www.swamppropertiescheapyousucker.com (http://www.swamppropertiescheapyousucker.com)

[flo1151]

good night all must go to bed. Yall have a great day tomorrow.

[mdillon]

peaceout flo

[miltietoast]

paved paradise and put up a parking lot

[maranatha1984]

Hi Gah
Gah wrote:Before I joined Maranatha I was already a Christian (never mind Bob Weiner’s insistence that I renounce my “Baptist spirit”

Tikie: LOL same here...renounced the Baptist Spirit what ever in the world that was! Glad to see you posting GAH!

Blessing

Tikie

[lablady2]

Flo: that's amazing! That's the house we lived in after we left Boulder in 1984 and returned to West Paducah. No heat, no insulation, no money!

It looks like a real fixer-upper, and I'm pretty good at sheetrock, but I think we're gonna have to pass on that one.

Seriously, though....still looking for 5, maybe even 10 acres in that area. My husband bought a tractor yesterday. What is it with men and tractors? He's in hog heaven, but now he's gonna need more land.....

[miltietoast]

boy toys
is there any other purpose in life other than riding your tractor?exercising krems like dominion over your borders
lab I need some sheetrock finishing work,can those delicate nursing hands minister to the walls?

[miltietoast]

boy toys
is there any other purpose in life other than riding your tractor?exercising krems like dominion over your borders
lab I need some sheetrock finishing work,can those delicate nursing hands minister to the walls?

[ulyankee]

BW is still at that, tikie... within the last year someone sent me audio of him exhorting (Church-ese for "yelling at") a group of youth screaming, "What are you, a bunch of BAPTISTS?!?!?!?!?!?"

blessings,
ulyankee, TNG (The Next Generation)

[ontheroad]

gah51,

I sincerely appreciate the kindness and humility in your post. You are a wonderful example which I which many other MCM/MSI/EN leaders would follow. May God bless and heal you as well.

I attended the College Station Maranatha church from 1991 until it was dissolved in 2004. It had been renamed Hosanna Christian Fellowship shortly before I joined. Under the twisted leadership of the pastor, it became more and more dysfunctional and ungodly until it self-destructed, literally. I don't know if you have followed any of the older threads, so I am placing a link to my "story" in case you would be interested in readint it:
http://www.factnet.org/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=3&post=51284#POST51284

[lablady2]

miltie: The zen of tractor driving? New territory, but I think I'm going to be exposed. I evern hear that I will learn to work on the motor. Husband = hopeless romantic.

Please...I got three rooms (ceilings) of sheetrock to do starting in October. The very thought just makes me wanna poke myself in the eye with something sharp. My house will be covered in white dust for months....

[lablady2]

Sorry, gah, some of us tend to turn everything into a bunny trail. Being serious is hard work for me; I avoid it at all costs.

Didn't mean to hijack your meaningful thread.

(Message edited by lablady2 on September 14, 2006)

[matt_hatter]

The zen of tractor driving?

Gonna plant our food plots for hunting season this weekend. Massey Furgeson and big discs. Can't wait. Yes Miltie, Boy Toys.

GAH, what Lab said, about the hi-jackin'...guess you figger'd by now there ain't no hope fer us.
Matt

[mdillon]

is this awesome or what, turning gah's thread into tractor posting.

been tractoring since I was ten- cub international and now a Ford 1700 bought new in '79 now w/ 1400 hrs.

can't wait to play with miltie's new kubota. hey mattie, let's all have a tractor drive and go remodel BW's house.

dillyeaux

[coppertree]

<font face="arial,helvetica"></font> Hi All
Thank you gh51, for your honest post. I was injured in MCM, as a new Christian, and then I injured other new Christians in another place as now as staff member. It is like that in abuse circles. We all are guilty of some things, no one hands are clean. One had to violate their own conscience to stay beyond a certain point. Then a stupefying glaze came on one, as one stayed and effected others, or begged them to stay. It was hard to get free from the party line so to speak. It would be His grace that came through. Welcome !!!}

[lablady2]

New tractor? This is a 35 year old Case. Hubby throws out words like "project" and "workable" and
"restore." The man is just cheap.

[john_r_jones]

My mom has told me when I was a kid 6-8 yrs old I was out the door in the summertime by 5:30-6am to go hang out with the construction crews working around our area. I learned how to mix mud for the bottom of the manholes they were making for sanitary sewers. I learned how to run machinery and at fourteen was operating a backhoe some. I'd learned carpentery, brick masonry and other such things doing this stuff as a kid. My wife now lets me rent a backhoe on occasion because I need to use it around the house here for landscaping. God bless my indulgent wife who lives in an ongoing episode of This Old House.

John

[gah51]

What's with all the tractor talk? When I left for the office this morning I had a lush lawn of Kentucky Bluegrass. I came home tonight to find the front yard has been plowed and sowed with hops, and the back with barley. There are broken green glass bottles piled up behing the garage. Hmmm.

[gah51]

Ontheroad
I read your posts about College Station a few months ago and I was appalled. Even though I obviously had been gone for a long time when you were there, I still want to offer my apology to you because it was the remnant of the church I started that caused you much pain. I do hope you are ontheroad to healing.

[mdillon]

gah-I came home tonight to find the front yard has been plowed and sowed with hops, and the back with barley. There are broken green glass bottles piled up behing the garage. Hmmm.

never have i read more beautiful words that describes our love of trashing threads.

that it happened so quickly here, gah, should make your heart feel warm and tingly and your socks soaked in Rolling Rock.

dillyeaux

[matt_hatter]

The shootin' house will arive tomorrow via UPS. Cammo on 30 ft stilts. The neighbors won't even know its there. The barley in the back yard will attract a few big 10 point bucks and I will lend you SteveO to make sure that they don't eat our future brew. Can you shoot a .270 Remington in your neighborhood or do you have some covenants that prohibit that? You could tell the neighbors that it was thunder. Dilly, high five dude. We have snapped another thread.

Matt "Blaze Orange" Hatter

[mdillon]

mattie you freakin' genius

I was getting excited about our new microbrewery at GAHs and now you want to doubleup and open a hunting reserve.

BRILLIANT!!

we can market this all over Alabama

high five and a pound me right here

dillyeaux

[matt_hatter]

we can market this all over Alabama


Dilly...come one, am I really that brilliant? The Alabama market is covered up. Where do you think I got the idea? There is nothing new under the sun. KY just ain't near as sop-fista-cated as AL.

And I ain't pounding you nowheres rat now bubba. Don't want no kind of esplozion.

[miltietoast]

Dillabrew cold brewed in Cessna wing fuel tanks
Do you have my paypal acct?
CSI KY reports green glass matches missing Rolling Rock cases from Milties arsenal.
APB on Mark Dillon alias Dillyeaux missing from shop class since Sept 6. Consider loaded and full of cast,unnatural fear of frapping,pops occaisional oxy codone to help stay constipated

[miltietoast]

I used to visit construction sites next door when I live i n the Philipines. The workers taught this eager 2nd grader how to smoke and drink straight shots of whiskey.

Lablady is Bruce Harpell the sheetrock wizard from Memphis? There was a Bruce from Memphis that came and worked at Auburn house. The sheetrock wizard had such a subtle wrist,how do you think he does it? I don't know, what makes him soo good?aint got no distractions......

[mdillon]

miltie and mattie- the love i'm feelin' from you two is just overwhelming, kinda like i'm walkin' barefoot on that broken glass behind gah's.

yes miltie that was Bruce Harpel. He also came to Baton Rouge with Nick Pappis to work on the house there, which ironically brings this post back on topic. Bruce was damn good rock man.

I think the Baton Rouge house must still be standing. Right after the SanAntonio MLTS Funeral in 89 the fam and I drove back to TN via Baton Rouge. Drove by the house to check on it, the ministry having been abandoned years before. The house was still there but abandoned as well. When I went inside I could not believe how utterly destroyed the place was and was completely overwhelmed being flooded with the memories of all the blood sweat and tears and fellowship. Having come from the last real MLTS the message was indelibly burned into me.

Friendships, however, have withstood the fire.

dillyeaux

[miltietoast]

my experiences with Bruce in Auburn were way past the positive side. I had no money,working 12 + hours a day on the house.One spell was 20 days straight. Bruce taught me about construction business and sheetrock, esp the love and care of the mud. I thought he was a little anal on the mud but details always bother me. More importantly he consistently sent me next door to Krystals to get cokes, the absolute highlight of my day.Cokes from heaven!

[lablady2]

My former husband and I worked on the Auburn house, I think in the summer of '78. Would that be right? Then we mosied on down to Gainesville to help there.

Complete waste of a trip. We were old (23 &amp; 25), married with kids, basically not your "prime" target for the hip MCM. I'm not sure anyone even spoke to us the entire time. If they did, I honestly don't remember it.

We ended up sleeping in a Corolla on those humid, summer nights of our vacation, listening to Any Grant sing "Are You Living in an Old Man's Rubble" on cassette.

Still have an attachment to Auburn. My now husband's father was an Auburn Grad, electrical engineering, I think maybe class of '49. It's a beautiful campus.

Those were the days...

[miltietoast]

did you say something lab I was not paying attention,
I was the skinny white boy with natural afro,drove the the pumpkin dodge aspen wagon, I think I hung and put doorknobs on every door in that house except entry doors

[lablady2]

miltie: I remember those door knobs. They were excellent.

What's the house up to now?

[lablady2]

Tractor update: I have been instructed to buy Case tractor paint today while in the big city of Paducah. I have a sneakin' suspicion that I will be sanding and painting something this weekend. Somebody's gonna owe me a manicure.

[mdillon]

lab-What's the house up to now?

hey labby i think i remember mattie saying it is now a parking lot.

dillyeaux

[matt_hatter]

Miltie: "CSI KY reports green glass matches missing Rolling Rock"

I think KY got Barny Fife's fingerprint kit at a yard sale....were we wearing gloves? Can't remember.

dilly: "miltie and mattie- the love i'm feelin' from you two is just overwhelming, kinda like i'm walkin' barefoot on that broken glass behind gah's."

The Three Muskrats trash another former MCM'ers thread...and house.

GAH, Your posts were strong, dude. Personal responsibility. Regardless of the circumstances. Awesome!

Matt

[ontheroad]

Hi gah,

Your compassion and humility are very evident and very appreciated. Thank you so much. I have never heard one word like this from my former pastor and likely never will, so it means alot to hear it from someone. I am on the road to healing, though it be a long one, and I hope you are as well.

[ontheroad]

Hi gah,

Your compassion and humility are very evident and very appreciated. Thank you so much. I have never heard one word like this from my former pastor and likely never will, so it means alot to hear it from someone. I am on the road to healing, though it be a long one, and I hope you are as well.

[lablady2]

Another hijacking. Attention Flo, GAH, John R and any others in the (virtual) Paducah vicinity:

This is Friday. You know what that means.

I will plan to redezvous with you guys at 7:00 p.m. at the 19th Hole. I will be in my dad's black and silver Mercury S55 with the 428 engine and the peace sign on the back window. You can't miss it; it's as long as a football field. There will be at least 10 other girls in the car, and we will be yelling and squealing out the windows or hiding in the back seat, according to who we see. If you wear a dickey, I will be forced to hide.

Catfish will not be there; he hasn't been feeling well.

The plan is to jump into one car and make two trips around Dairy Queen, two trips through Noble Park and then we'll drag the gut (a trip to the foot of Broadway to check out the river). In times past, we have made a pass through Cardinal Lanes, however, it's looking more and more like a hang-out for non-sharps.

If we have time, I'd like to take about 30 rolls of toliet paper and roll A. Crafton's house. I owe him big time.

Be on time. My curfew is 11:30 p.m.

All I am saying is give peace a chance.

[miltietoast]

lab tractor supply sells tractor paint
I am looking for wax

[gah51]

Lablady, I was afraid I was too late when I read your invite, but then I realized you are on Central time, so wait for me. You are testing my Paducah memory and I am failing miserably. Where is the 19th Hole? As I recall all the teens with cars would cruise the loop from the DQ to the 19th Hole repeatedly on Friday and Saturday night. I also spent some time watching submarine races down by the river.

I played Pony league baseball at the ballfield at Noble Park. There was a mentally challenged guy who everyone called "Catfish" who hung around there. He would walk back and forth in front of the stands and kids would toss pennies to him (some of the meaner ones would THROW pennies at him). He would put the money in the pocket of his dirty, worn-out pants, look up without really making eye contact, and then he would smile real big. Of course, he was missing most of his teeth. Catfish was buried in my memory until you used the words Catfish and Noble Park in the same post.

[john_r_jones]

The 19th hole was just past Noble Park it was a driving range with a drive-in restaurant in front. There's a Kroger grocery store there(at least the last time I was there) and where the parking lot is is where the 19th hole was. We wasted a lot of time there when I was a kid. The guys would spend un Godly amounts of time and money on their cars and show thwm off there. One genius was so anal he waxed the underside of his car and built a tricked out 427 engine with lots of chrome on it. He was so anal that he even painted the inside of the oil pan, when the paint began to flake off his nice shiney new engine blew-up. We went to the 19th hole when we had the munchies, I'm not sure why we had such cravings, probably had something to do with recreational herbal pharmaceuticals. Chicago Transit Authority is now playing in the eight track in my head, " I'm a man, I'm a man, I'm a man..."

John

[lablady2]

Ah, I'm so pleased to know that you guys remember!

As I recall, Catfish died a few years back and there was a pretty decent write-up in the paper. He's was something of a local legend.

If I had a dollar for every hour I wasted at the 19th Hole or if I had a dollar for every hour I was wasted at the 19th Hole.....

[flo1151]

ontheroad

I was the college station regional director for several years. I went up there tried to help on occasion and along with gah was pretty appalled at what you stated. There were always some very good people there in college station. But one thing was always the case. It was small.

Some things come to no value in a larger church but it seems that everything is always an issue when everyone knows your business. Your pastor after gah was a young man who was one of my disciples in Austin then the next guy was a fellow from Arizona. I knew them well and thought they would have told me if things got out of hand. I did not have anything to do with the church after Maranatha dissolved. But I realize that the hurt that would have been from your experience. One of my favorite people was there and sang in your music group during that time.(bsmith). I have only heard from the church from your posts, and if what you say is true it had to be horrible.

I am sorry for any part I played in the wierdness of the church there. I know the guys that came after gah had no experience in leading a church. From working with young pastors in the field I have come to believe if they do not feel successful in a short period of time they will either quit or they will begin to beat the sheep. It sounds like the latter happened at least in the latter stages of the church. I am sorry that this experience has left these scars. I pray that God will continue to heal you and other members of the A&amp;M church from the meaness of a hireling. I am so sorry.

[john_r_jones]

I remember Catfish.

John

[flo1151]

lab,

I used to drive around the 19th hole in my chevelle with the cragar s/s mags looking all studly. I am sure you would have been impressed. I went out with a Renaud girl from St. Mary's back then. She was a pretty and sweet catholic girl as I remember. I of course was trying to corrupt her with my unsaved protestant ways. Unlike gah I was not a christian when I met up with bob and rose. Between drinking drugging and womanizing I was quite a directionless person. I have always heard that cults pray on people of this type. It also gave me more of an alliance to bob and rose than the average person. Because I could always look back and say Bob led me to the Lord.

The other person I met when I first was saved was another guy from california named Bill Bell. He was the guy who I really wanted to emulate. He was to Bob Weiner as Lonnie frisbee was to Chuck Smith. He had the love of Jesus all over him. Bob was Bob evern from the beginning. It was a sad day when Bill left Paducah. I don't know all the reasons why but I know he saw things in Bob's style of leadership that he didn't agree with even back in 72. I heard them arguing days before he left and it was never mentioned again. Bob lost a good balance to him at that time. That was when we met at 2500 Washington St. The last I heard Bill was with the children of god cult. I hoped it was not true.

[flo1151]

I just thought that some might be interested to know the names of some of the earliest converts who continued on in maranatha for some time. There was in no particular order. Randy and Dana Rothwell, Mike and Saunie Rothwell, Jim and susie lewis, bobby and jan bonner, debbie caulk, rusty and mildred russell, craig and susan rothwell, linda duvall, linda walker, kathy vickers and alan tomlin. These people were saved or started coming to maranatha within the first year in Paducah. JohnR, I even have a picture of the old Maranatha house in a copy of the shepherds jounal. I looked at it tonight and was appalled to see my name there listed as shepherd. The shepherding movement I believe had a terrible effect on our ministry and is still having on EN to this day. I will scan this picture and if it comes out will try to send it in the next couple of days.

flo

[lablady2]

I remember the Renauds: Susie and Sally. I think Sally is a yoga instructor here.

I also remember the name Bill Bell. I hung out at Grace Episcopal/MCM house across from Tilghman in the very early days. However, my husband prefered Carroll McCarroll's show (arghh...we won't go there). We finally left McCarroll's and joined MCM in '77.

The Children of God...wow, maybe even worse than MCM.

[john_r_jones]

Thanks flo.

John

[lablady2]

A few others I remember from the early years: Sherry Knight and Carl and Marie Knight were there pretty much from the beginning, as I recall. Doris Stroud, also.

[flo1151]

wow lab doris stroud I haven't heard that name in years. I was merely listing the names of those from the first year or so who went on in leadership in Maranatha. The last I heard from Susie R she was in St.Louis I believe. Some of the other names fromthe early early days were Allan Mills, Steven Johnson, kevin brooks,(those were some of my best friends).

[flo1151]

lab,
also tony ladt

[lablady2]

Doris and I were very good friends before MCM ever came to town and we're still good friends. She and I get together for lunch about once a month.

[flo1151]

Tell Doris I said Hi. Does she still sing and play the guitar?

[lablady2]

Nope, not much. It's a shame, too, because she has a beautiful voice. I'll tell her you said hi.

[lablady2]

Wow, Tony and I used to hang out some. Wonder what happened to him? I remember Tony more as a "Grace Episcopal" person than MCM. The days at Grace with Ron Kling and the 23rd Psalm were pretty neat.....then along comes Bob and spoils it all.

[lablady2]

Just for the record: The whole Jesus movement and the birth of Maranatha started in Paducah with an anti-drug group from Nashville called the 23rd Psalm. They came into Tilghman High school and preached. Revival broke out, and Grace Espiscopal church opened its doors to the group for meetings for several weeks. Bob W. simply came in like a scavenger and reaped the fruits of Ron and Diane Kling, pastors of the 23rd Psalm House, who eventually had to return to TN. It was unfortunate.

[flo1151]

yeah who was the lead guy of 23rd psalm? The singer.

[miltietoast]

John Sellers? I stayed at his house in paducah
Bob did same thing in Cookeville,took over flegling unorganized youth group,hmmm sounds like EN today

[flo1151]

was it bobby springfield. that names rings a bell.

[lablady2]

Bobby Springfield was the singer. I think he still does studio work around Nashville.

John Sellers is around here somewhere. He was in Houston for several years but came back here to roost.

[miltietoast]

roofing in Houston, My brother in law mark Massa worked with him i n Houston
We gravitate to home don't we? I have said here before when Bob would say," Who would want to grow up in small town,get married ,have children,buy a house, and work in same town you went to school your whole life?" I would say in my heart "Me,Me"

[miltietoast]

almost stood up in meeting at Papa Docs when he challenged us with that statement

[nicknak]

gah, welcome! I do remember you...I was in G'ville for a season..Give J a hug for me! All is water under the bridge! Repentence is such a healing process, and being able to do so among your brothers and sisters who know you brings a healing that cannot be described!
I thank God for finding FactNet. Those that continue to throw stones at us calling us a cult of bitter people are so wrong. We are accomplishing one of the best things ever! Healing and forgiveness! Jesus is smiling at all of us!

[matt_hatter]

I am enjoying y'all's reminising. Something healing about it. So cool. "Peaceful Easy Feeling" running through my head.

Think I saw the movie, though, Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss...."Kentucky Graffiti"?

[gah51]

Nicknak - Yes the healing and forgiveness is good. Oh, I gave J the hug, but now's she's trying to figure out who the hug was from. If you're up to it, email me at glennh51@yahoo.com. (if you want to remain anonymous that's okay.)

Flo -- Thanks for the videos! Wow, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Barry McGuire, Keith Green. Brought back some great memories. My only VCR is in the garage with the treadmill, so this might be a good weight-loss plan.

[flo1151]

gah,

Where you been? We have been missing you.

[sameo]

Yeh, gah, where arrrre you? 'red rover, red rover...' git' yer' axsxs over....(oops) Hey, I have not seen you either in far too long. What's up with that? I don't wanna hear it's work, work, work....because I bet you are really working cross word puzzles. Yeh, that's what i think. hahahah

Hey, flo...while I'm here....on Lab's blog -I laughed so much reading your girlie 'cast'....about the Bath and Body shop soap smellin' so fine.(what was it, eucalyptus, and ?) haha that cracked me up. I could just see your big ol' mischevious grin. hehe hee-larious!!!

yoohoo gah!!

[miltietoast]

sameo- you and gah coming to mlts oct 21? Rae ann and I will be a little distracted but sounds like a party goin on.

[miltietoast]

sameo- you and gah coming to mlts oct 21? Rae ann and I will be a little distracted but sounds like a party goin on.

[miltietoast]

sameo
I understand from dilly that gah lives in Ky also. Jonesy could make the Ky route and pick up all the kentuckians. You too lablady,paducah murray, lexington,etc
Promises to greatest mlts ever

[lablady2]

Boy, do I wish I could make it! Too much going on right now, but congrats on the wedding. I want pics and the gory details of mlts.

[sameo]

hahaha Miltie...god love ya! ;-) if I do not make it this time, I will certainly be seeing you all in the near future. Ok? this you can take to the bank.(if only it were money)haha

thank you so much, Miltie for the cordial invite.
I will drink a Mint Julep in your honor.

your fishin' buddy!

SameO

[wisedove]

miltie,
there you are, hiding over here on this thread. did you see my posts to you two weeks ago about being morten anderson for real? hehe saw ya in that superdome....

[miltietoast]

forget the bank sameo ,you have my paypal acct.
wise I saw your post, have a day job,weird experience. i will try to post some pics of new log home going up.
Sameo you can pay for your log home through my paypal acct
New country music titles
1.I want to forget you the way youare
2.If your phone is not ringing it's me
3.I keep missing you-------but my aim is getting better

[wisedove]

http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/rofl.gif

[flo1151]

I like the titles to your songs Miltie. There was an old Peter,Paul and Mary song "I'll never forget whatshername". Yall have fun at the MLTS we have some friends coming in from Florida and need a place to stay.So we will have to be there in spirit.

[tonyladt]

Hi - It was really interesting reading the information here - I think that a lot of people were both helped and hurt by Maranatha. The important thing to remember is that it is God's love that sets us free. Living a life of example is most important. Many of you will be surprised - I now live in South Florida and am very happy.

I spend 13 years in New Orleans, another 9 in Lafayette (Louisiana) and am now in South Florida near Fort Lauderdale. I live here with my same sex domestic partner of 13 years. I still believe very firmly in God, but not so much in the Church. God has been very good to me.

When I left Paducah after HS, I went to New England and spend three years with a fun ministry in Worcester, MA. The group was wonderful and very supportive. I learned a lot about God, Christ and the Scripture. A very interesting and funny thing happened -- I had a motorcycle accident that almost killed me. I came back to Paducah and Bob would not let me come back to any services unless I repented, he said by leaving and going North I had broken some law of God and by not asking to leave the flock.

It was then I lost a great deal of faith in any established religion, fortunately, I was able to keep my faith and grow in my Love of God. I finished Collage at the University of Louisville. Working my way through as a Paramedic, a Vol. Fireman and a rookie Police officer (that did not last long). I came back to Paducah, but was there only three years. That was when I headed to New Orleans I do not think I will ever understand what it is about people that read the word of God and don't understand the transition for Christians from the old Testimate way of living by the Law and the New Testimate of faith in Christ. If more Christians practiced what He preached and lived the life he wants for us, we would not have near the misunderstandings we do with others including our brothers in faith with our God the Israelites and the Muslims - its really interesting that we all worship the same God and can't even come close to getting a long. But that is enough and I am doing fine. Thanks for asking about me and that it took so long to respond.

If you want to drop me an E-mail it is tony@ladt.cc

[osakadan]

Tony, I am glad you have found happiness with your partner.

Respectfully I have to disagree about people being helped by Maranatha. It was more a case of being helped DESPITE maranatha.

[flo1151]

Tony,

Wow, what a blast from the past. I believe your name did come up here a few months ago about something. Did not know all the details of your story. I had only known that you had moved from Paducah and had heard that you were gay.
I always thought you were a good guy and did not know all of the specifics of you leaving. Got up here in the middle of the night and read your name. I will drop you a line but welcome in the mean time. Maranatha 1972 survivor.

flo

[maranatha1984]

OKsakadan:Respectfully I have to disagree about people being helped by Maranatha. It was more a case of being helped DESPITE maranatha

Tikie: Welcome Tony. Danny I agree that God helped us and moved inspite of the nuttiness we were involved in. I had to laugh when you said Tony you had broken some unwritten law by moving North. That law was acting without the input and "prayers" and counsel of your elders. You made a free choice. LOL Shame on you!

Welcome again and Merry Christmas

Tikie