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Know when to Hold 'em

Posted by Billy Britt on February 28, 2009 at 4:36am
Recently, I heard a discussion as to the morality of gambling. It has always been of interest to me to examine things from an ethical standpoint and more importantly from a Christian based ethic. The following are some thoughts on the topic.There is certainly an ethical case that can be made as to why gambling is unacceptable, and yet, there is a freedom of personal choice argument that can be made as well.Factors that beg attention and answers are the emotions and logic of the zero-sum game.A zero-sum game is simply defined as a situation or interaction in which one participant’s gains result only from another’s equivalent losses.In game theory and economic theory, zero-sum describes a situation in which a participant’s gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other.A game of Bingo, Blackjack or Chess, is a zero-sum game. When one bets on these games, one’s winnings are the sum total of everyone else’s losses.There is a difference between taking a chance or risk and gambling.What is the difference between investing in stocks and gambling?In an investment such as a stock or company there does not have to be losers for there to be winners.Gambling is an, I win, you lose; or, you win, I lose proposition. In its extreme form, it holds that not only does one person win and the other lose, but in order for one to win, the other must lose.When carried to its logical conclusion, a society built on such practices will develop an emotional mindset that thinks, if you gain, I lose, your misfortune brings me gladness, your success diminishes me, I’m bigger because you are smaller; and lastly as long as you have more success than me, I despise you, even if in secret.I think even a lay theologian can find ample scripture to question such behavior.That being said, the premise of the American system is based on individual responsibility. Fundamentally, we expect people to be able to make choices free from government intrusion and to face the consequences of their decisions. Therefore many states have opted to legalize gambling, without concern of the overall morality of the practice.
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From Her husband. Christine is asleep in Christ.

Posted by Christine (Alleva) Cole on February 26, 2009 at 2:00pm
On Jan. 22 Christine fell asleep and is awaiting the return of Christ. I had the privilage and blessing of being one heart with her for 21 blessing filled years that passed much too quickly for me. Those of you who really knew her heart know we have lost a powerful witness and a loving sister. She was a woman after God's own heart and the degree to which I miss her is ineffable.She spoke often of our days in the Way and what a loss she felt when the people went their ways and contact was lost. However, she never quit on God or His word. She studied faithfully daily using the tools she gained in the Way Corps. Christine would be like an excited child when a section she was working would open up for her. Then it was on to the next treasure to be discovered. She was still at it the very day she went into a coma.I pray that anyone reading this will remember when it was real to you and serving God was all we ever wanted to do with our lives.Most of all I pray that this still remains our primary goal in this life.After all, what else is there?!Your brother in Christ,Greg Cole
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SourceMaterialBlog: Lincoln's First Inaugural

Posted by Dan Haas on February 17, 2009 at 12:08pm
This is the first of perhaps a series of blogs which invite you to share your thoughts after reading "source materials." This being the Lincoln "bicentennial" a lot is being written about separating the man from the myth, yada yada. When you read Lincoln's speech itself, you're hearing directly from the man, because he wrote it himself. He did allow a handful of people to read the draft before he delivered it, one of whom was William Seward, his Sec'y of State, who it is said helped him soften the tone a bit, and "helped produce its famous closing."I have a number of thoughts to submit, which I'll do in the comments section, below. Suffice it to say for the present that this speech outlines ideas and issues that are as critical today as they were in 1861, when they were written in the back room of Lincoln's brother-in-law's store in Springfield, Ill.Dan HaasLincoln's First Inaugural SpeechFellow-citizens of the United States:In compliance with a custom as old as the government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly, and to take, in your presence, the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, to be taken by the President "before he enters on the execution of this office."I do not consider it necessary at present for me to discuss those matters of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement.Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States, that by the accession of a Republican Administration, their property, and their peace, and personal security, are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so." Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this, and many similar declarations, and had never recanted them. And more than this, they placed in the platform, for my acceptance, and as a law to themselves, and to me, the clear and emphatic resolution which I now read:Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend; and we denounce the lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of any State or Territory, no matter what pretext, as among the gravest of crimes."I now reiterate these sentiments; and in doing so, I only press upon the public attention the most conclusive evidence of which the case is susceptible, that the property, peace and security of no section are to be in any wise endangered by the now incoming Administration. I add too, that all the protection which, consistently with the Constitution and the laws, can be given, will be cheerfully given to all the States when lawfully demanded, for whatever cause -- as cheerfully to one section as to another.There is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives from service or labor. The clause I now read is as plainly written in the Constitution as any other of its provisions:"No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due."It is scarcely questioned that this provision was intended by those who made it, for the reclaiming of what we call fugitive slaves; and the intention of the law-giver is the law. All members of Congress swear their support to the whole Constitution -- to this provision as much as to any other. To the proposition, then, that slaves whose cases come within the terms of this clause, "shall be delivered," their oaths are unanimous. Now, if they would make the effort in good temper, could they not, with nearly equal unanimity, frame and pass a law, by means of which to keep good that unanimous oath?There is some difference of opinion whether this clause should be enforced by national or by state authority; but surely that difference is not a very material one. If the slave is to be surrendered, it can be of but little consequence to him, or to others, by which authority it is done. And should any one, in any case, be content that his oath shall go unkept, on a merely unsubstantial controversy as to how it shall be kept?Again, in any law upon this subject, ought not all the safeguards of liberty known in civilized and humane jurisprudence to be introduced, so that a free man be not, in any case, surrendered as a slave? And might it not be well, at the same time to provide by law for the enforcement of that clause in the Constitution which guarantees that "the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States"?I take the official oath to-day, with no mental reservations, and with no purpose to construe the Constitution or laws, by any hypercritical rules. And while I do not choose now to specify particular acts of Congress as proper to be enforced, I do suggest that it will be much safer for all, both in official and private stations, to conform to, and abide by, all those acts which stand unrepealed, than to violate any of them, trusting to find impunity in having them held to be unconstitutional.It is seventy-two years since the first inauguration of a President under our national Constitution. During that period fifteen different and greatly distinguished citizens, have, in succession, administered the executive branch of the government. They have conducted it through many perils; and, generally, with great success. Yet, with all this scope for [of] precedent, I now enter upon the same task for the brief constitutional term of four years, under great and peculiar difficulty. A disruption of the Federal Union, heretofore only menaced, is now formidably attempted.I hold, that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, the Union of these States is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments. It is safe to assert that no government proper, ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termination. Continue to execute all the express provisions of our national Constitution, and the Union will endure forever -- it being impossible to destroy it, except by some action not provided for in the instrument itself.Again, if the United States be not a government proper, but an association of States in the nature of contract merely, can it, as a contract, be peaceably unmade, by less than all the parties who made it? One party to a contract may violate it -- break it, so to speak; but does it not require all to lawfully rescind it?Descending from these general principles, we find the proposition that, in legal contemplation, the Union is perpetual, confirmed by the history of the Union itself. The Union is much older than the Constitution. It was formed in fact, by the Articles of Association in 1774. It was matured and continued by the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It was further matured and the faith of all the then thirteen States expressly plighted and engaged that it should be perpetual, by the Articles of Confederation in 1778. And finally, in 1787, one of the declared objects for ordaining and establishing the Constitution, was "to form a more perfect Union." But if [the] destruction of the Union, by one, or by a part only, of the States, be lawfully possible, the Union is less perfect than before the Constitution, having lost the vital element of perpetuity.It follows from these views that no State, upon its own mere motion, can lawfully get out of the Union, -- that resolves and ordinances to that effect are legally void, and that acts of violence, within any State or States, against the authority of the United States, are insurrectionary or revolutionary, according to circumstances.I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws, the Union is unbroken; and to the extent of my ability I shall take care, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all the States. Doing this I deem to be only a simple duty on my part; and I shall perform it, so far as practicable, unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite means, or in some authoritative manner, direct the contrary. I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as the declared purpose of the Union that will constitutionally defend and maintain itself.In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence; and there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion -- no using of force against or among the people anywhere. Where hostility to the United States in any interior locality, shall be so great and so universal, as to prevent competent resident citizens from holding the Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious strangers among the people for that object. While the strict legal right may exist in the government to enforce the exercise of these offices, the attempt to do so would be so irritating, and so nearly impracticable with all, that I deem it better to forego, for the time, the uses of such offices.The mails, unless repelled, will continue to be furnished in all parts of the Union. So far as possible, the people everywhere shall have that sense of perfect security which is most favorable to calm thought and reflection. The course here indicated will be followed, unless current events and experience shall show a modification or change to be proper; and in every case and exigency my best discretion will be exercised according to circumstances actually existing, and with a view and a hope of a peaceful solution of the national troubles, and the restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections.That there are persons in one section or another who seek to destroy the Union at all events, and are glad of any pretext to do it, I will neither affirm nor deny; but if there be such, I need address no word to them. To those, however, who really love the Union may I not speak?Before entering upon so grave a matter as the destruction of our national fabric, with all its benefits, its memories, and its hopes, would it not be wise to ascertain precisely why we do it? Will you hazard so desperate a step, while there is any possibility that any portion of the ills you fly from have no real existence? Will you, while the certain ills you fly to, are greater than all the real ones you fly from? Will you risk the commission of so fearful a mistake?All profess to be content in the Union, if all constitutional rights can be maintained. Is it true, then, that any right, plainly written in the Constitution, has been denied? I think not. Happily the human mind is so constituted, that no party can reach to the audacity of doing this. Think, if you can, of a single instance in which a plainly written provision of the Constitution has ever been denied. If by the mere force of numbers, a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution -- certainly would, if such right were a vital one. But such is not our case. All the vital rights of minorities, and of individuals, are so plainly assured to them, by affirmations and negations, guaranties and prohibitions, in the Constitution, that controversies never arise concerning them. But no organic law can ever be framed with a provision specifically applicable to every question which may occur in practical administration. No foresight can anticipate, nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions. Shall fugitives from labor be surrendered by national or by State authority? The Constitution does not expressly say. May Congress prohibit slavery in the territories? The Constitution does not expressly say. Must Congress protect slavery in the territories? The Constitution does not expressly say. From questions of this class spring all our constitutional controversies, and we divide upon them into majorities and minorities. If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the government must cease. There is no other alternative; for continuing the government, is acquiescence on one side or the other. If a minority, in such case, will secede rather than acquiesce, they make a precedent which, in turn, will divide and ruin them; for a minority of their own will secede from them whenever a majority refuses to be controlled by such minority. For instance, why may not any portion of a new confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede from it? All who cherish disunion sentiments, are now being educated to the exact temper of doing this.Is there such perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a new Union, as to produce harmony only, and prevent renewed secession?Plainly, the central idea of secession, is the essence of anarchy. A majority, held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it, does, of necessity, fly to anarchy or to despotism. Unanimity is impossible; the rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement, is wholly inadmissible; so that, rejecting the majority principle, anarchy or despotism in some form is all that is left.I do not forget the position assumed by some, that constitutional questions are to be decided by the Supreme Court; nor do I deny that such decisions must be binding in any case, upon the parties to a suit; as to the object of that suit, while they are also entitled to very high respect and consideration in all parallel cases by all other departments of the government. And while it is obviously possible that such decision may be erroneous in any given case, still the evil effect following it, being limited to that particular case, with the chance that it may be over-ruled, and never become a precedent for other cases, can better be borne than could the evils of a different practice. At the same time, the candid citizen must confess that if the policy of the government upon vital questions, affecting the whole people, is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court, the instant they are made, in ordinary litigation between parties, in personal actions, the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their government into the hands of that eminent tribunal. Nor is there in this view any assault upon the court or the judges. It is a duty from which they may not shrink, to decide cases properly brought before them; and it is no fault of theirs if others seek to turn their decisions to political purposes.One section of our country believes slavery is right, and ought to be extended, while the other believes it is wrong, and ought not to be extended. This is the only substantial dispute. The fugitive slave clause of the Constitution, and the law for the suppression of the foreign slave trade, are each as well enforced, perhaps, as any law can ever be in a community where the moral sense of the people imperfectly supports the law itself. The great body of the people abide by the dry legal obligation in both cases, and a few break over in each. This, I think, cannot be perfectly cured, and it would be worse in both cases after the separation of the sections, than before. The foreign slave trade, now imperfectly suppressed, would be ultimately revived without restriction, in one section; while fugitive slaves, now only partially surrendered, would not be surrendered at all, by the other.Physically speaking, we cannot separate. We can not remove our respective sections from each other, nor build an impassable wall between them. A husband and wife may be divorced, and go out of the presence, and beyond the reach of each other; but the different parts of our country cannot do this. They cannot but remain face to face; and intercourse, either amicable or hostile, must continue between them. Is it possible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory, after separation than before? Can aliens make treaties easier than friends can make laws? Can treaties be more faithfully enforced between aliens than laws can among friends? Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always; and when, after much loss on both sides, and no gain on either, you cease fighting, the identical old questions, as to terms of intercourse, are again upon you.This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it. I cannot be ignorant of the fact that many worthy and patriotic citizens are desirous of having the national Constitution amended. While I make no recommendation of amendments, I fully recognize the rightful authority of the people over the whole subject to be exercised in either of the modes prescribed in the instrument itself; and I should, under existing circumstances, favor rather than oppose a fair opportunity being afforded the people to act upon it.I will venture to add that to me the Convention mode seems preferable, in that it allows amendments to originate with the people themselves, instead of only permitting them to take or reject propositions, originated by others, not especially chosen for the purpose, and which might not be precisely such as they would wish to either accept or refuse. I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution, which amendment, however, I have not seen, has passed Congress, to the effect that the federal government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments, so far as to say that holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority from the people, and they have referred none upon him to fix terms for the separation of the States. The people themselves can do this if also they choose; but the executive, as such, has nothing to do with it. His duty is to administer the present government, as it came to his hands, and to transmit it, unimpaired by him, to his successor.Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope, in the world? In our present differences, is either party without faith of being in the right? If the Almighty Ruler of nations, with his eternal truth and justice, be on your side of the North, or on yours of the South, that truth, and that justice, will surely prevail, by the judgment of this great tribunal of the American people.By the frame of the government under which we live, this same people have wisely given their public servants but little power for mischief; and have, with equal wisdom, provided for the return of that little to their own hands at very short intervals.While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in the short space of four years.My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and well, upon this whole subject. Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. If there be an object to hurry any of you, in hot haste, to a step which you would never take deliberately, that object will be frustrated by taking time; but no good object can be frustrated by it. Such of you as are now dissatisfied still have the old Constitution unimpaired, and, on the sensitive point, the laws of your own framing under it; while the new administration will have no immediate power, if it would, to change either. If it were admitted that you who are dissatisfied, hold the right side in the dispute, there still is no single good reason for precipitate action. Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty.In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to "preserve, protect, and defend it."I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battle-field, and patriot grave, to every living heart and hearth-stone, all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.
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Maximizing Brain Function

Posted by Cheryle Geiger on February 14, 2009 at 1:00pm
Are you questioning your brain function? Is that because you are 50 something, and you are noticing a change?Young people may be experiencing some of the same issues. The importance of nutrition for the best brain, and body function is crucial to healthy aging. School age children may be sent off to school with a bowl of sugared cereal and a kiss goodbye. Baby boomers, we are not out of this picture, you may have the same bad eating habits, this is alarming, and I will tell you why.The brain is an amazing organ, our brain cells continue to die and are not replaced. Our memory on the other hand last our lifetime. We have billions of brain cells called neurons, did you know that our brains can hold more information in it than all the books in our libraries?Our brains produce hundreds of chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect our lives in so many ways; our attitudes, they can act as a pain killer, an attitude adjuster, and they can suppress our appetites naturally. How this works is that these neurotransmitters are made of up nutrients that allow information to pass to different circuits in an organized manner. Our bodies are intricate, they function their best when we give them the proper nutrients to work with. Neurotransmitters are made up of nutrients, that is why I concentrate so much of my energy on educating about the importance of nutrition. If we don’t get proper nutrients into our bodies on a daily basis trouble will arise.What happens when we go day in and day out without the proper nutrients that our bodies need to function at their peek?To reiterate, neurotransmitters are chemicals that the brain manufactures. Disorders that people are stricken with are caused by nutritional deficiencies. To name of few; fatigue, weight gain, moodiness, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, depression, memory loss, loss of appetite, headaches, hair loss, impaired wound healing, arthritis, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease, acne, and growth impairment.We’ve all heard about antioxidants and their importance. I cannot stress this enough, we need XL amounts of antioxidants on a daily basis. Just walking down the street you are bombarded perhaps by a gardener using round up on weeds, this gets in the air, how about all the exhaust coming from our cars, must I go on? These “free radicals” form in the bloodstream as toxins and contribute to impaired brain function. This garbage can damage and kill neurons.Antioxidants kill free radicals and protect our bodies from oxidation. Like that apple that is cut in half and it sits on the counter, and gets browner by the minute, it is deteriorating. That is what happens to our cells if we do not get them the proper protection that they need.A diet that is full of nutritional value will improve both brain and body function. A diet rich in nutrients should include whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, millet, fresh fatty fish (not farmed fish), lean meat, turkey and chicken, brown rice, green tea, dark green leafy vegetables, and all the other veggies that are dark with color, plus fresh fruit, and if possible make these choices organic.Contributing to a diet rich in fresh whole foods are supplements, I prefer liquid supplements, the go to work the minute they touch your tongue.Adding to this abundant diet of fresh whole foods, is exercise. I encourage walking, running, hiking, biking and strength training. There are so many activities that we can do to promote healthy aging, these are just a few of my favorites.Last but not least keep yourself in a healthy environment that promotes stimulation, so you avoid boredom, and depression.
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Don't Know Much About History?

Posted by Billy Britt on February 10, 2009 at 12:07pm
It has been said that debt is only a substitute for the chains and whip of the slave master. So why is it that our new president and the Democrat Congress want to borrow massive amounts of money from China to give a $500.00 check to people who do not pay taxes so they can go to a big box store and buy produces made in China?For all our new presidents intellect there seems to be a lack of history in his most recent decisions.Should Mr. Obama’s educational stimulus package include a provision promoting Chinese as America’s second language so our children will be able to speak with their landlords?It is astounding that the American taxpayer has been betrayed by its government into slavish debt to Red China, a state that is neither a friend nor ally but a savvy adversary.It has been known for millennia that, “A small debt produces a debtor; a large one, an enemy,” Publilius Syrus, (Roman author, 1st century B.C.)One has to wonder what they are smoking in the Rose Garden, everyone (except Washington economist) know you cannot borrow your way out of debt.Thomas Jefferson said, “…to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.”What is most troubling however is there seems to be a willful ignorance as to the moral implications of borrowing and lending. Our nation’s hunger for instant gratification is the root cause of this financial crisis and a thorough cleansing of our national soul is surely needed.Credit, after all, is based on the trustworthiness of a borrower. If the lender fears he will not be repaid then the lender has reason to not lend. Moreover, if the lender expects to be repaid with his own tax dollars the lender has every incentive to not lend because this is little more than government redistribution of wealth.January saw U.S. employers eliminate 598,000 jobs, the most since the end of 1974. Yet the majority of the so-call stimulus package does little to address job creation.However, the proper solution to job creation is an infusion of capital into the markets. A wonderful side-effect of failing businesses is that many times it opens an opportunity for smaller start-up to take their place thus infusing the economy with jobs created by entrepreneurs and innovators who find new solutions to new problems and bring them to market.To encourage capital investment the Obama administration should lower the risk of investment by cutting capital-gains taxes or even eliminate them for the next four years. This one act would bring stimulus, hope and change into the economy.Is this not what Obama promised? Yet, all we hear out of Washington is the congressional equivalent of Chicken Little, “The sky is falling!”The trillion-dollar stimulus in its current form seems to be predicated on big government, give-a-ways and a lack of moral judgment.“Debt is the fatal disease of republics, the first thing and the mightiest to undermine governments and corrupt the people” or so said, Wendell Phillips.
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JUNIOR CORPS STORIES (What Really Happend) !!!

Posted by Joe Purpura (aka Joe Hanson) on January 31, 2009 at 9:03pm
Being the first one here, I thought I should keep it fairly tame!Well, Here it is...When I look back on those days at Rome City and those ever wild Corps Week and R.O.A. extravaganzas, I can certainly say that we had some great times!(But let's face it, we went through a fair amount of crap too, which ultimately lead to most of us rebelling, ANY WHICH WAY WE COULD!)We all came into the ministry as young, naive and very impressionable children and as we grew up, I believe we all began to see the bull that was creeping in around us…This I believe is what ultimately lead us all to rebel!(that and the fact that through it all, we were just kids being kids!)THERE WERE SO MANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS!Here are a few that come to mind…I remember the time I climbed Rome City’s Bell Tower - how I made it all the way to the top and actually had the gall (or perhaps the stupidity) of actually ringing the bell (twice).Of course I wasn’t aware then of the fact that the Bell Tower was architecturally unstable!(What on earth was I actually thinking? Actually, come to think of it, I was only 13 years old!)I remember how Bob, Greg and Cindy were all ready to ship my ass back to Kansas (where my family was finishing out their interim year).(Summer of Family 4 and Family 6 - 1980)Remember how we (us Junior Corps) nearly drove Greg Bernardini into utter madness!(But I must admit, I really felt bad how we all treated him (even to this day), to which I apologized to both him and Cindy some years later)…I remember how Greg was trying to teach us the Advanced Class (the entire class and how it seemed like he was trying to get it all done in one sitting, keeping us in those Fireplace Room seats for 3 STRAIT HOURS EACH AND EVERY NIGHT!)(Now let’s remember, we were just kids at that time and it was starting to drive us all crazy!)I remember how he gave us all a set of Advanced Class Retemory Cards and told us…“That if we were to loose them, to forget about showing up!”(Of course, Ron, Ben and I just had to toss our retemories in the trash, thus preventing us from being able to attend!)I will never forget the night that the 3 of us waited for all our parents to get in the Chapel for Corps Night (so that we could get out of dodge for a little while)…(This was of course the absolute worst night of the week to do what we were about to do!)We then headed for the lake on the southern edge of the property…And yes, we were spotted by Bless Patrol, who contacted Bob, who actually cut the Corps Night telephone connection, got up on stage and actually instructed our fathers to meet us outside the front entrance of the building. He also sent the Bless Patrol vehicle into town to retrieve us (but we never intended to go that far)…BOY WAS BOB PISSED THAT NIGHT!(and we each got an earful from him!)(Family 5 and 7’s year at Rome City, 1980-81)And let’s not forget those 2 weeks in Ohio every August…I wonder if Doctor knew that by way of those “pizza and beer” nights during the Corps Weeks, that he was introducing alcohol to a whole lot of Way Corps kids that were ready and waiting for the chance to let loose and rebel...Basically driving the Bless Patrol and those “Rent a Cops” INTO A STATE OF PANIC!…Remember “The Party Pavilion” ??? (I know Johnny and his 3 companions do!)How we put the tent up in the middle of the open field (so not to keep other campers awake at night) and how those “Rent a Cop's” van kept driving around us all night?How about “Fantasies International” ???(Founded at R.O.A. 1986)Including..President Steve HuffmanVice President Linus MathisSecretary/Treasurer Joe HansonI still can’t believe how Craig actually had the nerve to contact each of our parents, asking them if we had actually lost our minds (that is after everyone got a copy of Steve's letter)!(He couldn’t seem to get the joke!)And let’s not forget those insane parties (30+ people strong) at the Best Western in Botkins!(And the legend of John Smith and the bathtub soap dish – I still have the photo's!)(Boy, John must have gotten into a world of touble!)Who ever thought you could actually get that many people in a small motel room at one time...(and how we tried to get everyone in the bathroom for a picture – a photo that I also still have.)YES, THOSE WERE SOME TIMES !!!*** THIS AND ALL FUTURE JUNIOR CORPS STORIES WILL BE WORKED INTO MY BOOK..."Vision - Life through the Eye of the Second, First Generation" ***AND NOW, A BIT OF PERSPECTIVE...Although I (and perhaps you) chose to "disconnect" from The Way Ministry, I do still remember all the good we got out of it.I truly do believe that Doctor meant well (especially in the early years – and he did actually help a lot of people), but somewhere in there, things just went wrong.But it’s all water under the bridge at this point!The basic principles taught in PFAL still ring true today as is done back then. Despite all the subsequent crap, I still believe I am much better off today having been part of it all!I know that many are still hurting from everything that happened with the ministry…Well, all I can say that all of my life’s experiences and lessons gives me an inner strength and peace that I doubt I would have attained if I wasn’t raised in the ministry...(Especially if I remained that short, chubby kid growing up in Brooklyn!)(not to mention my WOW year – can you still believe that my WOW brother’s and sister’s, all 5 of us, still pretty much keeps in touch today – this after almost 25 years!)Needless to say…I WOULD NOT TRADE ANY OF MY LIFE’S EXPERIENCES FOR ANYTHING !!!It is my hope and prayer that perhaps someday, all those who feel that the ministry had done them wrong…(And still are having a hard time with it)Can ultimately come to terms with it and that we all can move forward…Together…As the family that we were all truly meant to be!(Call me the eternal pragmatist)This is what I believe Doctor was really after all along!(And I do believe that this Way Corps website is definitely a step in the right direction!)MORE STORIES TO COME !!!
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