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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 16:40:18 GMT -5
63 years ago tomorrow, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. Now, if an atheist could make such a life long conviction decision as a mere child, why couldn't a Theist? I had made my mind up to do so in the Saturday night meeting at the Hayden Lake convention, but lost courage.
So knowing the next day was Sunday, my plans were merely delayed 24 hours. However, the next day about noon, I was told we were leaving for the 380 mile trip back to our home in south Seattle immediately after the afternoon meeting conducted by Rasmus Pripp and Lester Van Den Berg. So gathering courage, when that meeting was "tested" I stood up that hot afternoon. Remember it vividly, sitting with grandparents in the middle of the shed a half dozen rows back from the front.
It was not to become a member of 2&2ism, of which I knew nothing. In the following years I was weaned from my belief in God, which was indeed replaced by belief in 2&2ism through deception which lasted for the next decades as it gradually weakened until eventually, well, surely by now most reading here know the rest of that story. The God of my youth has not failed me ever, though I failed Him many times.
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Jun 4, 2016 19:50:58 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 19:50:58 GMT -5
I've professed 3 times 1979, 1989 and 1999 the last one has seem to have taken and I've learned a lot more about God and Jesus than I ever knew before...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 22:17:55 GMT -5
Then, 26 years ago, someone asked me two questions. I would like to ask them of all reading here.
The first one is: "Has everything you have been told by the workers about the truth, been the truth?"
Next, following up to the honest answer in your inmost being to that question: "where do lies originate?"
No, I am not soliciting replies, the answers to these two questions are between each one and their conscience. In my case, I was condemned by that which I had spoken regarding the truth, that I came to know as untrue.
Lee, I do not fear death, not because I am a good person, quite the contrary. It is because the price was paid for that which I have committed which my Lord hates. He has planned it so for all who repent such things. It took an unbelievable experience to teach me He HAS forgiven me.
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Jun 5, 2016 5:10:23 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2016 5:10:23 GMT -5
I've professed 3 times 1979, 1989 and 1999 the last one has seem to have taken and I've learned a lot more about God and Jesus than I ever knew before... Oh yes, undeniably I have learnt a lot more about God and Jesus, but I have also learnt a lot more about the fellowship, so of it not palatable at all. Dennis metioned Lester Van Den Berg, I recall a visiting worker with that name at a convention in The Caribbean when I was a child growing up, I believe that he was a Dutchman,I wonder if he was the same worker.
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Jun 5, 2016 7:29:56 GMT -5
Post by xna on Jun 5, 2016 7:29:56 GMT -5
63 years ago tomorrow, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. failed me ever, though I failed Him many times. With so much of your life invested on this course, what if you discovered you had made a mistake? Would you be wiling to alter your course, or just keep on going? With your nautical background you may imagine some captain's in times gone by who were faced with that same decision at sea. For sure it would be a hard decision after such a long journey. I'm not saying you, but I do suspect this keeps many people going in the same path in their latter years even if they are not sure they took the right course years ago. The alternative would be to say I've wasted so many years on the wrong course.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2016 11:44:33 GMT -5
There has to be a reason, nautically speaking, to change ones course. To what ends would you wish me to achieve by changing my course spiritually? What benefit would it bring me, either now or in the next awareness?
There will always be someone who offers the advice to "curse God and die." Are you one of those?
It is said that the book of Job is the oldest in the Bible, yet I find it as true today as it was for me 63 years ago. Glory to my God and Savior, who I find worthy of all paise and honor.
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Post by xna on Jun 5, 2016 12:59:45 GMT -5
There has to be a reason, nautically speaking, to change ones course. To what ends would you wish me to achieve by changing my course spiritually? What benefit would it bring me, either now or in the next awareness?
There will always be someone who offers the advice to "curse God and die." Are you one of those?
It is said that the book of Job is the oldest in the Bible, yet I find it as true today as it was for me 63 years ago. Glory to my God and Savior, who I find worthy of all paise and honor. It's good you have a course, and you are following your course. The world is full of drifters on the ocean of life, and even more that never left the shore.
Just saying that changing course when they know they should, I suspect is at the heart of many end of life regrets.
Again, it's nothing about your course. I know you live a purposed & intentioned life.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2016 13:28:41 GMT -5
Yes, I certainly do, having a goal in mind. A goal is not just something to shoot for, it is an objective (I want) which is reasonable (I believe) and obtainable (I expect). That someone else does not find it so, does not make it so, except for themselves.
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Jun 7, 2016 13:04:41 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 13:04:41 GMT -5
I've professed 3 times 1979, 1989 and 1999 the last one has seem to have taken and I've learned a lot more about God and Jesus than I ever knew before... Oh yes, undeniably I have learnt a lot more about God and Jesus, but I have also learnt a lot more about the fellowship, so of it not palatable at all. Dennis metioned Lester Van Den Berg, I recall a visiting worker with that name at a convention in The Caribbean when I was a child growing up, I believe that he was a Dutchman,I wonder if he was the same worker. Just to update the above. I came across a photo of the workers at the 1952 convention at Enterprise Church, Barbados and Lester Van Den Berge was indeed there, I was aged ten at that time. The name sounded familiar to me.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2016 15:29:16 GMT -5
Thank you, my friend. Possibly there were two Lester Van Den Berg(e?)s. The one to whom I refer left that work some years later and married as I recall. Then, in 1969, I had the last word of him through a 2&2 celebrity musician who became acquainted with that fellowship through his wife and himself, Stephen Pierson, who later became a worker in it.
Years later I was Rasmus's companion. What a HUGE disappointment that turned out to be. He, at age 76 would have done well to take a course in anger management. His excuse? Fifty years previous he had been a cavalry officer. I asked him how many years he had claimed to be an apostle of The Lord. He was totally speechless.
Sir, you and I are about the same age, guess i am a bit younger. Please accept my best wishes for the pending maintenance work on your eyes. We are indeed wearing out, are we not?
DJ
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Jun 11, 2016 21:53:12 GMT -5
Post by Alan Vandermyden on Jun 11, 2016 21:53:12 GMT -5
Thank you, my friend. Possibly there were two Lester Van Den Berg(e?)s. The one to whom I refer left that work some years later and married as I recall. Then, in 1969, I had the last word of him through a 2&2 celebrity musician who became acquainted with that fellowship through his wife and himself, Stephen Pierson, who later became a worker in it.
Years later I was Rasmus's companion. What a HUGE disappointment that turned out to be. He, at age 76 would have done well to take a course in anger management. His excuse? Fifty years previous he had been a cavalry officer. I asked him how many years he had claimed to be an apostle of The Lord. He was totally speechless.
Sir, you and I are about the same age, guess i am a bit younger. Please accept my best wishes for the pending maintenance work on your eyes. We are indeed wearing out, are we not?DJ Lester and Helen VandenBerg's son, John, is a worker on the California staff. He is 56 (his birthday is only a few days after mine). We were companions here on Guam, Saipan and the Marshall Islands in 1996-97. Stephen Pierson is still on the California staff too, I believe. He did spend some years in French-speaking West Africa. Steve is an accomplished cellist. We were companions in 1994-95 in Chico, California. Steve's parents professed some years after he did.
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Jun 11, 2016 21:56:37 GMT -5
Post by BobWilliston on Jun 11, 2016 21:56:37 GMT -5
Oh yes, undeniably I have learnt a lot more about God and Jesus, but I have also learnt a lot more about the fellowship, so of it not palatable at all. Dennis metioned Lester Van Den Berg, I recall a visiting worker with that name at a convention in The Caribbean when I was a child growing up, I believe that he was a Dutchman,I wonder if he was the same worker. Just to update the above. I came across a photo of the workers at the 1952 convention at Enterprise Church, Barbados and Lester Van Den Berge was indeed there, I was aged ten at that time. The name sounded familiar to me. There were actually two workers named Lester Van den Berg.
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Jun 18, 2016 3:10:20 GMT -5
Post by Alan Vandermyden on Jun 18, 2016 3:10:20 GMT -5
Just to update the above. I came across a photo of the workers at the 1952 convention at Enterprise Church, Barbados and Lester Van Den Berge was indeed there, I was aged ten at that time. The name sounded familiar to me. There were actually two workers named Lester Van den Berg. I believe the Lester VandenBerg I referred to above (John's father) spent a few years of his time in the work in the Dutch colony of Surinam (on the northeast coast of South America), making it likely enough that he visited Barbados and other Caribbean conventions.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2016 3:32:15 GMT -5
There were actually two workers named Lester Van den Berg. I believe the Lester VandenBerg I referred to above (John's father) spent a few years of his time in the work in the Dutch colony of Surinam (on the northeast coast of South America), making it likely enough that he visited Barbados and other Caribbean conventions. That is most likely so, Alan, it makes sense.
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Post by BobWilliston on Jun 18, 2016 19:08:55 GMT -5
There were actually two workers named Lester Van den Berg. I believe the Lester VandenBerg I referred to above (John's father) spent a few years of his time in the work in the Dutch colony of Surinam (on the northeast coast of South America), making it likely enough that he visited Barbados and other Caribbean conventions. Yes, I think you're right
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2016 19:25:59 GMT -5
Hello again...
Said "'g'bye" to Katie a bit ago. She is gone for her first week of work up at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard Hospital (130 miles north on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula, across Puget Sound from Seattle) "catching babies" as she describes her profession. She has left a full larder, and I will be alone during the weeks to come, except when she is able to get off on week-ends.
Eventually after settling in, she will have two eight hour days, and a planned 24 hour in hospital shift, at which time she expects us to get much more time together. She wants to work for a couple more years, so I want it to work out well for her.
Anyon wishing to call for a short visit now and then can use (360) 200-2829, and if able I will welcome your call and call you back if I cannot pick right up. Best of life to each one!
DJ
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Jul 26, 2016 11:06:21 GMT -5
Post by rational on Jul 26, 2016 11:06:21 GMT -5
63 years ago tomorrow, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. Now, if an atheist could make such a life long conviction decision as a mere child, why couldn't a Theist? I think the difference is that a child has to be taught what to believe about some paranormal being while the absence of belief in a paranormal being is the starting state.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 19:54:54 GMT -5
Just making some final arrangements today. Does anyone here care enough to even know about my passing? If so, I will direct this forum be notified upon my departure. If not, well.... Wanting and wishing the best in this awareness for everyone.
DJ
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Feb 28, 2017 20:25:24 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2017 20:25:24 GMT -5
Just making some final arrangements today. Does anyone here care enough to even know about my passing? If so, I will direct this forum be notified upon my departure. If not, well.... Wanting and wishing the best in this awareness for everyone.
DJ
sure dennis we would want to know of your passing...
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Post by howitis on Feb 28, 2017 20:45:51 GMT -5
Definitely @dennisj, you will be missed. I hope you are not suffering too much and that will continue to be the case. How fitting that you would post under the thread titled 'Smile', sure shows your conviction. Rest easy, you are loved.
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Post by Alan Vandermyden on Feb 28, 2017 23:30:12 GMT -5
I definitely am interested, care, and want to hear, Dennis! I have appreciated knowing you through posts on here (and occasional messaging) these past few years.
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Post by Gene on Mar 1, 2017 6:05:04 GMT -5
Travel in peace, Dennis, and please do send word.
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Mar 2, 2017 19:37:33 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 19:37:33 GMT -5
Just making some final arrangements today. Does anyone here care enough to even know about my passing? If so, I will direct this forum be notified upon my departure. If not, well.... Wanting and wishing the best in this awareness for everyone.
DJ
Be encouraged by the words of Hymn #412 My good man: WHEN LIFE IS ENDED, Hymns Old and New.
1. when life is ended and I must travel through death's dark chambers, I need not fear: If I have Jesus to guard and guide me, I walk securely with one so dear. 2. Though dark the valley that lies before me, a light far brighter than noon day sun shines o'er my path-way, and hope eternal I see in Jesus; earth's day is done. 3. I look to Jesus; Jesus bright star to guide me, twas Jesus vanquished death and the grave; twas Jesus only bore my transgression, for Jesus only my soul could save. 4. Oh, Glorious dawning, blest resurrection! When I with Jesus come forth again, I shall adore Him, my wondrous savior: He freed my soul from sin's curse and stain.
When it is well with your soul you should have no fear brother.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2017 13:34:02 GMT -5
New topic for "smile."
Outside at my hummingbird feeder this AM. Six of the tiny little birds. Had several feed over all winter, one froze to death clamped on to the feeder perch. Now this new bunch, orange red, must be a new flock, but how do they learn of the feeder so fast? Must see to it that a second feeder gets put out quickly. One of the few joys of life left!
Now have green, orange-red and blue hummers. Lots of color, tiny birds!
So, at the window have been many birds from hummingbirds, gold finches, to large woodpeckers knocking on the 40 yr old tree which I planted so long ago. Eagles, doves, robins, crows, etc. This acreage seems to be a bird "retreat." Stop by and see them?
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