Sunday, May 17, 2009

On Bereans & Poem From Ex-Member

I wanted to post, here at ABD, this poem submitted to Mike at Don’t Drink the Flavor Aid (5.6.09), by Kirrily, who recently left Ron Weinland’s organization. I feel this poem can speak on a personal level to those still with Ron, and perhaps give them the strength to allow themselves to ‘dare to question’. Let me, if you will, repeat myself, yet again:

Act 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

More noble character? You mean it’s noble to question the teacher!?! Well, the Bereans questioned Paul every day! They examined the Scriptures every day, to see if what Paul said was true! They weren’t chastised or cursed for this, they weren’t accused of questioning or doubting God… they were praised. Why? - Because it is our responsibility to make sure we have the truth. - Because we cannot ride someone else’s coattail into the kingdom. Of all the people to question… they questioned Paul! Is there someone whom we see as so high on the totem pole, that we dare not question? Even so, one of noble character… questions.

Following is Kirrily’s poem:

Poem to Ron Weinland


Your words full of wisdom
They made perfect sense
The warmth of your smile
The safety in participation with you


Growth in mind, in spirit
The reality of where we were headed
No fear, just anticipation
Our days were full of tomorrow, not today


Our loved ones feared
But we were not diffused
Tomorrow was what mattered
Most friendships passed away
New ones were forged


Our past was what shaped us
Our present was reforming us
Our future was set
If only we did not give up


To conform, to transform
To allow the change, to see the change
Our lives in the present, only to prepare
Prepare for the Kingdom of God


We were fed, we were clothed
Nakedness in mind and spirit was not experienced
Friendship and warmth in preparedness
We were not alone


We had each other
We were prepared, ever learning
Steadfast, immovable in our belief
We were special, we knew what was to come


Arrogance of mind, of attitude
Pride
We did not see it in ourselves, only others
It was all around us, never in us


Looking down upon others
Calling it something else
Knowing ‘The Call’ wasn’t theirs – yet
Hoping that day would come


Their eyes were shut
Ours were open
Their minds were closed
Ours were enlightened


They could not see
We saw clearly
They were in deception
We were in truth


Attitudes shifted, timelines changed
Things were suddenly unclear
Was this still the truth?
Did we fail to see?


We repented, we were wrong of course
We stood firm
We did not give up
We wanted, had to have, total resolve


Time went by
We adjusted our attitude
Looking forever inward
Knowing we must not doubt
Life went on


One day it hit
One day was all it took
To look into the eyes of others
The feeling of superiority suddenly recognized, obviously unfounded
It was shocking to see what we had become


Questions needed to be asked
Questions were not answered
We were told we could not longer see
That God was no longer with us


Friendships forged through separation from the world
Ended, were broken
No longer part of the truth, we were told
Suddenly, we were alone


We had the truth, we would not let go
It was only our leader
It was only our belief
He was not who he said he was


Looking for a teacher
Looking for food, finding none
The mess that was WCG
So many daughters, so who is really the whore?


The 10 is what we have now
The basic, the unchanging, Gods Law
The truth is what we seek
The truth is still not found


Time passed
Healing was slow
Time to recover
Time to awaken


The pain, the agony
True humbling took place
Brought to nought
The foundation was all that remained


A counterfeit is barely recognized from the true
First you must know what is true
Who is true
By what they say coming to pass, not failing
Twice


Acknowledging we believed a lie
Believed a witness, a prophet
Consumed with his own truth
A truth he believed was given, he was never giving up


A witness, a prophet
Believing his own self
Believing what was ‘given’
Until the end


We wish him no harm, no foul
Only wishing, hoping that no others are hurt
The hurt we carry with us,
The hurt we can hardly bear


What we saw in him as humility, became arrogance
What we saw as steadfast, became delusion
What we saw as the truth, was actually his own truth
What we saw as belonging, was actually being lost


Cursing who he believes as being the blind
To death
The mockers, the deceived
From his point of view, are not they too – potential Children of God under PKG?
Yet – they are cursed to die


True humility
Is admitting when you are wrong
Those of us who left, were humbled, we admitted our error
Those who remain, ignore their pride
Its harder to leave, than to stay
It’s harder to admit you are wrong, than stay in deception


We were taught pride is our ultimate enemy
We thought pride was far from us
Pride in fact, was what we lived, what we were, what we became
Leaving brought us true humility
True knowledge of Pride


Admission of being wrong
Not easy, not safe
Pride is what prevents
Acknowledgment of being wrong.


Pride is Ronald Weinland
We see you
We still love you
Just stop – let the people go


You are not the truth
You do not have the truth
You are wrong
You are false


The pain you have caused was not intentional
The agony you yourself bear is great
Just acknowledge you’re wrong
Don’t let your pride win.


Pride is what you are
Pride is what you became
Pride is you’re here and now
It will not be allowed to be your future


The End is nigh
That, we still believe
But yours must be closer


We forgive you
But this lie can not continue


Kirrily
May 6, 2009

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It is important that you understand; Everything on this blog is based on the current understanding of each author. Never take anyone's word for it, always prove it for yourself, it is your responsibility. You cannot ride someone else's coattail into the Kingdom.

Acts 17:11

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2 comments:

xHWA said...

(II TIM. 3: 1-9) 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Questeruk said...

xHWA said...

“I highly recommend the COG7 for all who come out of Armstrongism. They are a fine and upstanding organization!”

Hi xHWA - Interesting that you say that. I admit I am a little curious that you recommend COG7, but yet have just written the series on ’Common Legalist Arguments’.

Would not COG7 be considered ‘legalist’? E.g. they do not believe in the trinity, they do believe the 10 commandments should be kept, including, of course, the Sabbath. I know they are not into the annual holy days, but I think I am correct in saying they keep to clean foods, and a few other things that I thought you might consider ‘legalist’.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it is very positive that you recommend COG7 – it’s just I was slightly surprised that you do, as you clearly do not recommend ‘Armstrongite’ groups.

Just wondered.