YouTube Channel Discusses the Local Church

[Cal]

Three new episodes on Examining the Lord's Recovery. Happy New Year!

E89 - shepherdingwords.com - Review of October 2020 articles, Part 1

Part 1 of review of October 2020 Lord's Recovery articles on shepherdingwords.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYjfMKFd9C0


E90 - shepherdingwords.com - Review of October 2020 articles, Part 2

Part 2 of review of October 2020 Lord's Recovery articles on shepherdingwords.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU8KzNtybAc


E91 - Stewards... or Snobs. You Can't Be Both.

Discussing the "Lord's Recovery's" sectarian policy of separating themselves from all other Christian churches and works, which is in essence spiritual snobbery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVZKtaHZWf0

[Cal]

E92 - The Sect of Oneness

Discussing how the "Lord's Recovery" publicly and in writing admits to being a sect, which they try to justify by being sectarian about "oneness."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuhY6_Iu0Io

[Cal]

E93 - shepherdingwords.com - Yet More Recovery Gaslighting

Examining the April 2021 posts on shepherdingwords.com, where the LR gaslights about history and "the tree of life."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ijiWp8ddw

[Raptor]

E93 - shepherdingwords.com - Yet More Recovery Gaslighting

Examining the April 2021 posts on shepherdingwords.com, where the LR gaslights about history and "the tree of life."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ijiWp8ddw


There is lots of history with his other son, Timothy Lee, also. I wish the people/victims involved would go public with that.

[Cal]

I felt to quickly follow up the last message with more clarification about how the LR distorts and abuses "life and peace."


E94 - How the "Lord's Recovery" Abuses the Truth of Life and Peace

Examining how the LR says having any misgivings or doubts about their movement causes a loss of "life and peace," and how to handle this deception.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkinYRCh6us

[Cal]

E95- God Doesn't Want Everyone to be the Same

Examining how God made a wide variety of people, as reflected in the Myers-Briggs personality types, and how the "Lord's Recovery's" way of trying to make everyone the same is contrary to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWCrNhjIqQ0

[Covert]

I just talked about you my brother (in another thread), good to see you post again. We were discussing witness lee goonery by LR members in another thread. I will check out that video later, for the mean time, have a blessed day.

[Cal]

I just talked about you my brother (in another thread), good to see you post again. We were discussing witness lee goonery by LR members in another thread. I will check out that video later, for the mean time, have a blessed day.

Thanks, bro. I'll check it out.

[TLFisher]

E95- God Doesn't Want Everyone to be the Same

Examining how God made a wide variety of people, as reflected in the Myers-Briggs personality types, and how the "Lord's Recovery's" way of trying to make everyone the same is contrary to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWCrNhjIqQ0

I listened to the video earlier today. Even before getting to the personality types, that is what I was thinking. Certain ones have the gift of gab while others are gifted listeners. Trying to make everyone the same puts undue pressure on a person. Extroverts who like to speak go stircrazy having to sitdown and listen while expecting an introvert to speak, what kind of stress is being inflicted on them? I don't think neither is intended.
Rather to make everyone one talent members so that everyone is the same. This is due to thought of turmoils. If everyone is the same there is not going to be some 5 talented member who has the gift of ministry. Yet that is exactly how it is.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
I Corinthians 12:4-11

[Cal]

E96 - Some Updates and an Open Request for Topics to Discuss

Providing some stats and trends on this YouTube channel, and a request for ideas from listeners for topics to cover and discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbQm0QGkD10

Hey guys, Let me know if you have a topic you would like me to discuss. Thanks!

Feel free to PM me if you want, comment here or comment on YouTube.

[Cal]

E97 - Discussing the Ideas of Accountability and Covering

Looking into the teachings of accountability, covering and needing a shepherd, and seeing how they go wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECJZZYi48Q

[aron]

Let me know if you have a topic you would like me to discuss. Thanks!I may have missed it, because I'm not a big video watcher. But I imagine some are the opposite of me - they don't like to read but would prefer a YouTube video going whilst they fix supper.

So if you haven't done so, and are interested, where does Paul teach intensification? And if he doesn't teach it, how is he (acc to WL) telling Timothy to make sure it's taught in Ephesus? 1 Tim 1:3-9 Stay there in Ephesus. That's what I told you to do when I went into Macedonia. I want you to command certain people not to teach things that aren’t true. Command them not to spend their time on stories that aren’t completely true. They must not waste time on family histories that never end. Things like that cause people to argue instead of doing God’s work [oikonomea theou]. His work is done by faith.

Love is the purpose of my command. Love comes from a pure heart. It comes from a good sense of what is right and wrong. It comes from faith that is honest and true.

Some have wandered away from those teachings. They would rather talk about things that have no meaning. They want to be teachers of the law. And they are very sure about that law. But they don’t know what they are talking about.

Where is any suggestion there, or in any of Paul's writings, of intensification? Yet in the WL oeuvre that's a full third of the theme: "Incarnation, inclusion, intensification" we used to sing. How did Paul ask Timothy to teach intensification, if it's not in evidence in Paul's writing? And if Paul didn't push it as 'oikonomea theou' then why should anyone else do the same? It looks made up, is what.

Not sure if that's grist for a video but 'God's economy' as taught by WL & Crew has got an absolutely astonishing grip on folks' minds, especially considering there's nothing there, biblically. You can show them the most scripturally-based teaching but they shrug and say, "Not God's economy". Yet much of what WL taught as "God's economy" was unrelated to Paul in any way.

Second request: How much did WN depend on Jessie Penn-Lewis for the contents of his Spiritual Man, his supposedly too-perfect book (acc to his quote in LSM website on his writings)? How much did he read her critically vs insert her words paragraph-upon-paragraph onto clean white pages under his own name? He "copied freely" from J P-L, he said when pressed - and yet how freely? Second, and related, how much of J P-L can be sourced back to the Bible versus from an overactive imagination? And on this is what the Little Flock and Lords Recovery were built? J P-L was raised in a FreeMason house acc to her biographers, and admiring ones at that. She was apparently active there through her youth. How much of her Free-Masonry and/or Quakerism permeated her world-view, and how much of her view went straight shot through Nee to us? Perhaps an astonishing amount.

The "inner-life" WN was ideationally sourced to mainly 3: Fenelon, Penn-Lewis and Guyon per the LSM bio. Yet who among his followers has critically examined them? I certainly can't fault F, P-L and G as humans or even as Christians but how much of their ideas did I passively absorb in Nee's books? And how much of their own ideas were sourced not from the Bible but from other inspirations? In the case of J P-L it's perhaps not inconsiderable.

Yet has anyone looked at this?

[Cal]

E98 - Questions from Listeners, Bible Versions

A general response to questions, and some comments about Bible versions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=johVdUI25OY

[Cal]

E99 - The "Lord's Recovery" Discusses Suicide

Commenting on a "Lord's Recovery" shepherdingwords.com article that discusses suicide, and how it comes up short.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50XtLRGQaQ

[Indiana]

E99 - The "Lord's Recovery" Discusses Suicide

Commenting on a "Lord's Recovery" shepherdingwords.com article that discusses suicide, and how it comes up short.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50XtLRGQaQ

I think you are right on the mark in your probe into the mindset of those responsible for the handling of the fateful case of Greg and Jo Casteel since June 9, 2019.

[awareness]

E99 - The "Lord's Recovery" Discusses Suicide

Commenting on a "Lord's Recovery" shepherdingwords.com article that discusses suicide, and how it comes up short.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50XtLRGQaQ
The recovery can speak against suicide until the cows come home, but won't own up to driving gays that grow up in the LC to suicide.

[Curious]

Great episode Cal,
I believe you have issued a timely warning to the 'shepherds' of the LRM. Judgement is coming. The anger you found yourself expressing reflects the mounting anger of God, as well as so many people, internationally. They need to hear this warning you gave. WE are not done. Many of us are working together to diminish the influence of this group. The opposition will only increase, just like Moses and Pharaoh.... each plea to let God's people go gets met with greater and more costly consequences for Egypt. Each plea is really another expression of God's grace, not an indication of the limits of His power! (misunderstood by pharaoh).

I think you laid down the gauntlet with this episode. 'Stop playing games with words to let yourselves off the hook as to your own culpability, you wolves! You've gone too far. Be afraid, Judgement will come, you've expended your chances'.
I think this is God's warning to them. They are committing their own suicide by not listening. Sadly.
.

[HERn]

The recovery can speak against suicide until the cows come home, but won't own up to driving gays that grow up in the LC to suicide.

This is sad. Are you saying some of our gay brothers and sisters in the LC have killed themselves?

[awareness]

This is sad. Are you saying some of our gay brothers and sisters in the LC have killed themselves?
I'm in touch with gay ex church kids, and they relate the trauma they went thru while in the LC, with strong tendency to suicide, due to LC rejection, and LC family rejection. Because of that they loose the friendships they made while growing up in the LC, leaving them destitute.

It's sad to grow up gay in the LC. It's not a choice. And rejection drives them to suicide.

Is the local church bemoaning that? Of course not. There's 6 verses out of 35,000 against it, and the LC is holding to those 6 verses.

So their concern about suicide rings hollow to me. To me they've gone Bible crazy.

[SerenityLives]

I'm in touch with gay ex church kids, and they relate the trauma they went thru while in the LC, with strong tendency to suicide, due to LC rejection, and LC family rejection. Because of that they loose the friendships they made while growing up in the LC, leaving them destitute.

It's sad to grow up gay in the LC. It's not a choice. And rejection drives them to suicide.

Is the local church bemoaning that? Of course not. There's 6 verses out of 35,000 against it, and the LC is holding to those 6 verses.

So their concern about suicide rings hollow to me. To me they've gone Bible crazy.

As a lesbian sister and church kid, I can honestly say that yes, the LC drove me to attempt suicide in 2012-2013. I’m glad I did not go through with it. The LC didnt care. Now I’m happily married to the love of my life and despite what LC has ingrained in me that I would be doomed for the rest of my life, the opposite has happened. God has blessed me in every way possible. I can say the same for some church kids I have talked to. Tbh, my favorite story in the bible is that of Joseph. He was rejected by his bretheren and yet, God led him to a place he never knew he would be at. I really relate to his story and life.

[SerenityLives]

I think you are right on the mark in your probe into the mindset of those responsible for the handling of the fateful case of Greg and Jo Casteel since June 9, 2019.

On LC’s point of view, they would blame the suicide on the Devil for Greg, but this is what makes me angry. That it was punishment from God that they “left”. It shows how nefarious the LC can be when if comes to these issues. When I was going through suicide, I was actually ‘punished” for it. The elders took me out of the sis house, reprimanded my parents (still dont have an inkling why they are still in it, but I get it, their idea to this day is church first, family second), and the “serving ones” told everyone I was poison.How did I know? one of the brothers in the brother shouse told me they had a fellowhsip meeting about me, specifically about me! Jo and greg did not deserve that. It honestly breaks my heart that the good people are mistreated all the time in LC. No, LC is to blame for this. I just hope God can provide justice in the end.

[SerenityLives]

This is sad. Are you saying some of our gay brothers and sisters in the LC have killed themselves?

I have honestly have a memory of one sister in my high school years who wouldnt eat and had an eating disorder for a while due to this. She is bisexual and her parents were staunch LC. . Something needs to change- more empathy is needed. Despite beliefs, everyone is a human being. Thats why God created us right? It doesnt matter what your views are on homosexuality and all the alternative sexualities, but everyone deserves love and respect from other fellow human beings. Thats what Jesus taught. I’m going to follow that. The question is, should we as Christians do it as well? after all, everyone “sins” and even if homosexuality is a so called sin, Jesus hung out with the sinners. He loved them. He did not judge them. LC should do the same.

[awareness]

Thanks for speaking out Serenity.

[Cal]

Thank you for all your comments. Anytime anyone drives another to suicidal thoughts they are acting in concert with the Devil. No matter the person or situation.

[Cal]

E100 - Looking Back, Looking Forward and Heading Up Highway 101

The view from my 100th episode.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp2CUW9z88A

[Cal]

E101 - Discussing "Recovery" Lawsuits and Litigiousness

Looking at "the Lord's Recovery's" defense of their lawsuits and denial of being litigious.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNrXPdszr-I

[Cal]

E102 - A Short Personal History of "Recovery" Early Days and Decline

My experience of the early days of the LR and how and why it declined.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lsyM1zCDmg

[Cal]

E103 - CULTISM: The Devil's Masterpiece

Examining how cultism is used in many ways, will be used to destroy the world, and how our experience with it has equipped us to recognize it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCShRaDVejs

[Bible-believer]

I came across this channel the other day. A brother, who was a member of LR, talks about Witness Lee.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLali52_5f13wADat289j1LkAvz05f-LuU

[Ohio]

I came across this channel the other day. A brother, who was a member of LR, talks about Witness Lee.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLali52_5f13wADat289j1LkAvz05f-LuU
Yes, indeed, Cal's YouTube channel covering numerous LC topics has been quite helpful to all former members.

I have always said that only former members truly understand the spiritual dynamics that we face, and Cal has great wisdom and insight to express these LC errors in plain words.

[Cal]

Yes, indeed, Cal's YouTube channel covering numerous LC topics has been quite helpful to all former members.

I have always said that only former members truly understand the spiritual dynamics that we face, and Cal has great wisdom and insight to express these LC errors in plain words.

Thanks brother Ohio!

[Cal]

E104 - Desperation Looms in "The Lord's Recovery"

Discussing the latest desperate attempt by "Lord's Recovery" leaders to control the thinking and behavior of their members.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NFiJTzYfEE

[Cal]

E105 - The Return of the Controllers

Discussing how ultimately "the Lord's Recovery" is a mechanism of control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R7A5_cAmUQ

[Sons to Glory!]

E105 - The Return of the Controllers

Discussing how ultimately "the Lord's Recovery" is a mechanism of control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R7A5_cAmUQI didn't listen, but yes, I see control as a big thing in the LC. It is actually quite the irony, because this is a group that is supposed to be all about the freedom of the spirit, isn't it? But they have built up all these systems, resulting in a culture that they, at best, think will help guide the saints into the fullness of the Spirit . . . or at the worst, will just control them so they think the LC is the only place where the Lord's blessing is so they will stay put.

Like many of us, once someone gets out, the Lord is able to help us see more clearly how pernicious and exclusive the spirit of the LC really is. It is really a function of man's flesh, to want to control everything, and we see this all over in whatever man endeavors to do, but it ought not be that way in His ekklesia!

[Cal]

E106 - What "the Lord's Recovery" Hates the Most

Discussing how "the Lord's Recovery" is most afraid of people who speak out, aka the prophets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nhbfz80KdU

[Trapped]

Cal, just wanted to say that there are lots messages being sent in one-on-one communication among former members when your videos come out. Things like "Cal just put out a new video!", "We watched Cal's new episode last night; you will find such-and-such part very helpful!" and "He really nailed it so clearly about the control!" etc, etc.

Just wanted to pass that along so you know many people continue to be so helped by your channel, even if the comments and gratitude occur behind the scenes rather than where you actually see them on this forum or on the channel itself.

Grateful for your continued examination of the Lord's Recovery!

Trapped

[Cal]

Cal, just wanted to say that there are lots messages being sent in one-on-one communication among former members when your videos come out. Things like "Cal just put out a new video!", "We watched Cal's new episode last night; you will find such-and-such part very helpful!" and "He really nailed it so clearly about the control!" etc, etc.

Just wanted to pass that along so you know many people continue to be so helped by your channel, even if the comments and gratitude occur behind the scenes rather than where you actually see them on this forum or on the channel itself.

Grateful for your continued examination of the Lord's Recovery!

Trapped


Thank you, T! That means a lot. I appreciate your and everyone else's support and prayers!

[Cal]

E107 - The Fallacy of "the Feeling of the Body"

Examining how "the Lord's Recovery's" teaching of "the feeling of the Body" is actually contrary to what the Bible teaches about the Body of Christ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtt2XbXhYS0

[Cal]

E108 - Don't Rule Out Stupidity

Examining the mind control of "the Lord's Recovery" in the light of Christian theologian and martyr Diedrich Bonhoeffer's theory of stupidity. With video "Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity" by Sprouts Schools

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yib6YxJgN0Q

[Cal]

E109 - Why "The Lord's Recovery" is Doomed

Discussing how "the Lord's Recovery" exists in a purgatory of their own making.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-KUlDr0fI

[Cal]

E110 - The Intrinsic and Ironic Problem in the Lord's Recovery Today

Discussing that the Lord's Recovery's recurring problems are intrinsic to the flawed nature of the movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB3buTbxgB0

[Cal]

E111 - The Intrinsic Problem, the Paradox of Oneness

Discussing how and why insisting on oneness is actually contrary to oneness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC4g_RXBHSk

[Cal]

E112 - Was Witness Lee Mentally Ill?

Discussing several points, including whether Witness Lee was mentally deranged.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPPdutV9xzk

[Cal]

E113 - MOTA!

All my MOTA! cartoons in one place. Thanks again for listening!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GJEgSk9IlI

[Raptor]

u have a private message in your inbox

[Cal]

E114 - Recommending the YouTube channel "The Lord's Recovery Unchained." Also, I show how to be brainwashed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS0oXAKXLs8

[Cal]

This new version of Episode 33 was created using natural-voice AI-generated text-to-speech software. It is much more listenable than the original, and I hope this makes it more accessible to those seeking to learn more about the Lord's Recovery movement.

E115 - A Spoken History of the Lord's Recovery (1960-1997) - Natural-sounding Voice Version

A spoken version of Steve Isitt's "A History of the Lord's Recovery in the US." This history reveals little known surreptitious events in the movement from 1960 to 1997. Witness Lee is the central character in this sordid history of an abusive Christian sect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqxpt_K7DM

[manna-man]

This new version of Episode 33 was created using natural-voice AI-generated text-to-speech software. It is much more listenable than the original, and I hope this makes it more accessible to those seeking to learn more about the Lord's Recovery movement.

E115 - A Spoken History of the Lord's Recovery (1960-1997) - Natural-sounding Voice Version

A spoken version of Steve Isitt's "A History of the Lord's Recovery in the US." This history reveals little known surreptitious events in the movement from 1960 to 1997. Witness Lee is the central character in this sordid history of an abusive Christian sect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqxpt_K7DM


Sounds more life like!

Hi CAL!

[Cal]

Sounds more life like!

Hi CAL!

Hi, brother. Yes, I agree.

[zeek]

E113 - MOTA!

All my MOTA! cartoons in one place. Thanks again for listening!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GJEgSk9IlI

I found your cartoons amusing and insightful.

[zeek]

This new version of Episode 33 was created using natural-voice AI-generated text-to-speech software. It is much more listenable than the original, and I hope this makes it more accessible to those seeking to learn more about the Lord's Recovery movement.

E115 - A Spoken History of the Lord's Recovery (1960-1997) - Natural-sounding Voice Version

A spoken version of Steve Isitt's "A History of the Lord's Recovery in the US." This history reveals little known surreptitious events in the movement from 1960 to 1997. Witness Lee is the central character in this sordid history of an abusive Christian sect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqxpt_K7DM

Thanks for posting this episode. It reminded me of how much the leadership kept lowly members like myself in the dark. I pulled up the transcript for close reading http://localchurch.web.fc2.com/PDF/AHistoryoftheLordsRecoveryinUS.pdf

[awareness]

Thanks for posting this episode. It reminded me of how much the leadership kept lowly members like myself in the dark. I pulled up the transcript for close reading http://localchurch.web.fc2.com/PDF/AHistoryoftheLordsRecoveryinUS.pdf
I too went thru the material. I knew of some, but most not. And much happened after I left.

All of the material confirmed what I knew in my spirit when I walked. I can't believe how much I'm still mushing over all this.. Wouldn't it be best just to walk completely away from the mess. Paul Ma did not do this. I knew him personally. He was a sweet brother, but was covering up much that he knew was going on behind the scenes.

Harold

[Cal]

Here is a link to the text I used. I edited Steve's original some for clarity and also wrote the part about Witness Lee's Pasadena rant.

http://bit.ly/lordsrecoveryhistory

[Cal]

I too went thru the material. I knew of some, but most not. And much happened after I left.

All of the material confirmed what I knew in my spirit when I walked. I can't believe how much I'm still mushing over all this.. Wouldn't it be best just to walk completely away from the mess. Paul Ma did not do this. I knew him personally. He was a sweet brother, but was covering up much that he knew was going on behind the scenes.

Harold

I think we "mush" about it because we want to know what it was really about. If I hadn't done so I wouldn't have learned so much and been able to make those videos. And I wouldn't have met great folks like you, zeek and the rest. :verycool:

[awareness]

I think we "mush" about it because we want to know what it was really about. If I hadn't done so I wouldn't have learned so much and been able to make those videos. And I wouldn't have met great folks like you, zeek and the rest. :verycool:
I actually feel the same way.

[Cal]

E116 - The LR's Errors Regarding Church Administration and Leadership

Comments on "The Lord's Recovery's" December, 2022 entries on shepherdingwords.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsw0om8Op2Y

[Cal]

E117 - They Still Don't Get It

Commenting on "the Lord's Recovery's" mistaken views on ministry, apostleship and their attitude toward 99% of the Body of Christ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N__1xgloIYg

[Cal]

E118 - Every Church Has This Problem

Eventually the choice is: The mission or the organization?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZOSZgNy7aU

[FaithHopeLove]

Wow, I'm just listening to your videos now. It's really just wow. I'm listening from Episode 1 now. I had no idea it was this bad. And I thought it was already really bad. You see, I did not know anyone who left this place because they've finally understood the truth. I felt so trapped and it was as if just me who is "gasping for air". You are already addressing many of the things that are disturbing. I am so sure there are many people out there who are like me. They have no idea about any of this and they do not know of anyone who has stepped out of this place. Yet, I believe the Holy Spirit is nudging them to see the truth. I had many moments like that too but I did not realize it at the time. May God be merciful.

[TLFisher]

E51 - Covering Up, Not Covering

First part of examining "the Lord's Recovery's" misinterpretation and misuse of the biblical story of Noah's curse of Ham and Canaan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N55gxAg0IlU

The ShepherdingWords article would have been more appropriate to suggest the sons of Eli should have received covering. After all how many decades has certain LSM co-workers been running interference by covering Timothy Lee and Phillip Lee?

[Cal]

Wow, I'm just listening to your videos now. It's really just wow. I'm listening from Episode 1 now. I had no idea it was this bad. And I thought it was already really bad. You see, I did not know anyone who left this place because they've finally understood the truth. I felt so trapped and it was as if just me who is "gasping for air". You are already addressing many of the things that are disturbing. I am so sure there are many people out there who are like me. They have no idea about any of this and they do not know of anyone who has stepped out of this place. Yet, I believe the Holy Spirit is nudging them to see the truth. I had many moments like that too but I did not realize it at the time. May God be merciful.

Thank you. Just realize God does not require anyone to stay with any particular organization as a matter of rule. No one has the authority to tell you otherwise. You are free to follow your conscience. If you get that down, the rest is between you and the Lord. If you understand that much, you are 99% there.

[Cal]

The ShepherdingWords article would have been more appropriate to suggest the sons of Eli should have received covering. After all how many decades has certain LSM co-workers been running interference by covering Timothy Lee and Phillip Lee?

Sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander.

[PriestlyScribe]

E118 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZOSZgNy7aU

Hey Cal, in case you didn't know it - YouTube offers a feature that can be handy for subscribers and it's called "End Screens". I believe you should consider going back & adding this feature to all of your videos even though it would entail considerable work. How it functions is during the final seconds of your video's playback a prompt will display on the player screen which is clickable and can immediately take your viewer to that link. The way I have used this can be seen with my mirrored upload of your Episode 1 at the BlendedBrothers YT channel (since torpedoed by LSM). Here is a photo showing how that appeared for viewers as the video was wrapping up (the last 45 seconds):

https://blendedbody.com/ExaminingTLR/BlendedBrothersPromo.png

Hope this tip helps your work get even more exposure. Keep cranking out the truth. So many former LC member's lives depend upon channels like yours. It has sure helped me a lot!

P.S.

[TLFisher]

E63 - Truly a Legacy of Shame - "The Lord's Recovery" Movement of Witness Lee

Quotations from leaders of aberrant groups down through history show that "the Lord's Recovery's" claims of being the unique move of God are nothing new.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdF-zGteMgo

Among all episodes at the youtube channel "Examining the Lord's Recovery",
it is episode #63 I would recommend all others. Though many episodes broach many topics, it is episode #63 I consider all inclusive for any one who has any concerns regarding the Local Church Movement.

[TLFisher]

E55 - Max, John and Other Abuses

Examining the half-truths and lies presented by "the Lord's Recovery" about how it handled Max Rapoport, John Ingalls and other abuses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAR5WQ3cJMs

As I said in the comment section of the video, "Well spoken. Comparison to the Penn State scandal is valid. Regarding Max and John, the co-workers had opportunity to reconcile and let the opportunity slip away."
In one of the last opportunities the brothers had to reconcile, instead of receiving John they had John escorted off the premises.
Additionally I would say the authors at Shepherdingwords.com cannot say anything in completion regarding Max and John without mentioning Phillip.
It is a partial truth for Shepherdingwords.com to say John left. To omit the rest of the story is to make the partial pass as the whole. Much like Ananias and Sapphira did in Acts chapter 5, Shepherdingwords.com has done the same.
Regarding Max, though I was living in Anaheim at the time I have no recollection of him as I did Francis Ball, Al Knoch, and John Ingalls. I was but a 4th grader at the time Max left.
I will say per testimony of a family friend who went with my parents to Francis Ball's memorial service, Max was there. Blended co-workers had opportunity to speak with Max, but instead treated him as if there was some magnetic polarity field preventing them from approaching Max. I can see that happening. I witnessed something similar in Bellevue, WA at my uncle's memorial service in 2014. Steve Isitt was there. None of the metro Seattle (Bellevue/Seattle/Renton) elders who were present could approach Steve either. There was a magnetic field preventing the brothers from approaching Steve. I say that in sarcasm, but it demonstrates the brothers unwillingness to be cordial at best.

[PriestlyScribe]

I witnessed something similar in Bellevue, WA at my uncle's memorial service in 2014. Steve Isitt was there. None of the metro Seattle (Bellevue/Seattle/Renton) elders who were present could approach Steve either. There was a magnetic field preventing the brothers from approaching Steve. I say that in sarcasm, but it demonstrates the brothers unwillingness to be cordial at best.

Terry I like your use of the magnetc force field analogy. Being cordial is not in the WL lexicon because it's a trait of functioning humanity. I see this phenomenon to be like a subroutine tucked away inside an innocuous computer code. Whenever the LC leaders (Lee-Bots) spot someone whom they have been preconditioned to hate by Lee's programming they are compelled to either run the other direction or, if that's not possible due to the circumstances, pretend that this person they learned to hate does not exist.

And if miraculously a tiny spark of human nature has escaped molestation inside one of those Lee-Bots leading them to have second thoughts, another subroutine will spring into action and slaughter it!

The inner subroutine reminds the Lee-Bot: "If I am seen interacting with someone that Lee's system has trained us to hate - there will be personal hell to pay!"

I would like to believe that this second subroutine was at work in Sherman Robertson and Joel Kennon when they threw Steve Isitt out of the meeting hall for writing this Amazon best seller...
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WfTeYdEsL._SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_FMwebp_.jp g (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1508451133?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

What is the opposite of a tractor beam?
Fellowship Barrier!

P.S.

[TLFisher]

I would like to believe that this second subroutine was at work in Sherman Robertson and Joel Kennon when they threw Steve Isitt out of the meeting hall for writing this Amazon best seller...
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41WfTeYdEsL._SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_FMwebp_.jp g (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1508451133?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)

What is the opposite of a tractor beam?
Fellowship Barrier!

P.S.
I'm sure the decision was not autonomous, but from input received from somewhere in Southern California.

[TLFisher]

E27 - Witness Lee's Pasadena Rant

Looking back at Witness Lee's bizarre rant in Pasadena in 1988, where he uplifted himself up in a most inappropriate way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cXvByMqVrQ
Jeremiah 23:33-38
33 “Now when this people or the prophet or a priest asks you saying, ‘What is the oracle of the Lord?’ then you shall say to them, ‘What oracle?’ The Lord declares, ‘I will abandon you.’ 34 Then as for the prophet or the priest or the people who say, ‘The oracle of the Lord,’ I will bring punishment upon that man and his household. 35 Thus will each of you say to his neighbor and to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36 For you will no longer remember the oracle of the Lord, because every man’s own word will become the oracle, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37 Thus you will say to that prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38 For if you say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ surely thus says the Lord, ‘Because you said this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” I have also sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’”’

For nearly 35 years Witness Lee has been getting a free pass for claiming to be the oracle. No rebuke. No admonishment. Just a kind of pretending this conference never happened.

[TLFisher]

E93 - shepherdingwords.com - Yet More Recovery Gaslighting

Examining the April 2021 posts on shepherdingwords.com, where the LR gaslights about history and "the tree of life."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ijiWp8ddw

Yes, it is more Recovery Gaslighting.
Let's talk about Hiding History? To talk about history of the Recovery and to omit Timothy Lee or Phillip Lee is hiding history.
I don't know about you but the co-workers come across as if they were always in position "in the know".
Which ones were in Elden Hall AND Anaheim throughout the 1970's? I don't know, but logically they would have to be at least 80 years old presently in order to have been in a responsible brother capacity in Elden Hall, Anaheim or another Southern California locality.
There is so much effort trying to dismiss Steve Isitt's research on Hiding History. It is research. Steve was the one on his own time interviewing various brothers whether it was by email, by phone, or by face to face contact. Many of whom being interviewed gave their eyewitness accounts. For Shepherdingwords.com to trying to counter eyewitness testimony as being false is bearing false witness.

[Cal]

E119 - The Lord's Recovery's Errors About Apostleship and Church Autonomy

Reviewing shepherdingwords.com June 2023 articles, in which "the Lord's Recovery" makes several major errors concerning apostleship and church autonomy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrELdD26UW0


I see some comments for me. I will review them and respond later. Thanks for watching my videos!

[Cal]

E120 - Responding to a Listener's Questions About Apostles and Churches

Quick follow up on E119. Responding to an LR member's questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-2QZfV8NWU

[Cal]

Thanks, PS. I will look into this. I would like a way to refer viewers to related episodes, I've made so many. :blahblah:


Hey Cal, in case you didn't know it - YouTube offers a feature that can be handy for subscribers and it's called "End Screens". I believe you should consider going back & adding this feature to all of your videos even though it would entail considerable work. How it functions is during the final seconds of your video's playback a prompt will display on the player screen which is clickable and can immediately take your viewer to that link. The way I have used this can be seen with my mirrored upload of your Episode 1 at the BlendedBrothers YT channel (since torpedoed by LSM). Here is a photo showing how that appeared for viewers as the video was wrapping up (the last 45 seconds):

Hope this tip helps your work get even more exposure. Keep cranking out the truth. So many former LC member's lives depend upon channels like yours. It has sure helped me a lot!

P.S.

[Cal]

E121 -- Witnesses to the Resurrection, TLRU, and the Last Refuge of the Argument Loser.

More discussion about the qualifications of apostleship, The Lord's Recovery Unchained's excellent video about oneness, and an example of how people who lose arguments resort to outrage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNyZqVdSer0

[Cal]

E122 - How the Lord's Recovery Organization Actually Stifles the Organic Church

Zeroing in on the essential error of the Lord's Recovery's attempted apostolic actions -- which is that they are acting organizationally, not organically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsl5VPz22YY

[Cal]

E123 - Don't Play Their Game

Why the "Lord's Recovery" is just another Christian organization, albeit one that abuses authority to control people and churches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRjeTbXGInw

[Cal]

E124 - Misusing Principles to Control People

The "Lord's Recovery" leaders tell followers to avoid two big errors, which, they explain, are (1) not listening to them and (2) leaving their group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tgH8g12KMc

[Cal]

E125 - Who Was Witness Lee?

Focusing on "the Lord's Recovery" founder Witness Lee himself. Where did he come from? What were his successes and failures? What is his legacy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I22t8CVYHrU

[Cal]

E126 - Healthy Satire

Video showing my satirical articles about "the Lord's Recovery," with inspiring musical accompaniment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoezHlkSW6k

[UntoHim]

I just check the roster of the LA Galaxy Soccer team, and Minoru Chen is nowhere to be found. Unless you repent of this false prophecy there will be an additional 50 years added to your 1,000 years of Millennial punishment!

Thanks so much for this YouTube bro, I'm still laughing after 20 mins! Great way to wrap up the year for Examining the Lord's Recovery!
-

[Cal]

I just check the roster of the LA Galaxy Soccer team, and Minoru Chen is nowhere to be found. Unless you repent of this false prophecy there will be an additional 50 years added to your 1,000 years of Millennial punishment!

Thanks so much for this YouTube bro, I'm still laughing after 20 mins! Great way to wrap up the year for Examining the Lord's Recovery!
-

Thanks bro! And thanks for all you do! Blessings in 2024!

[Cal]

E127 - Video of a Lord's Recovery-like Group

Highlights from the Amazon Prime series "Shiny Happy People", which documents the IBLP movement, which closely resembles the Lord's Recovery movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw3rlWTPf6A

[Cal]

E128 - Why Can't the Lord's Recovery Figure Out Why it is Called a Cult?

It's not rocket science.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHR9fidHbB4

[TLFisher]

E128 - Why Can't the Lord's Recovery Figure Out Why it is Called a Cult?

It's not rocket science.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHR9fidHbB4

The message is simple. If the Lords Recovery does not want to be called a cult, stop acting like one.

[Cal]

The message is simple. If the Lords Recovery does not want to be called a cult, stop acting like one.

TLFisher is smarter than all the LR leaders put together.

[Cal]

E129 - Put Fear in its Place

If you fear God, you don't have to fear anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QzrIKl8ZFE

[Jay]

As I said in the comment section of the video, "Well spoken. Comparison to the Penn State scandal is valid. Regarding Max and John, the co-workers had opportunity to reconcile and let the opportunity slip away."
In one of the last opportunities the brothers had to reconcile, instead of receiving John they had John escorted off the premises.
Additionally I would say the authors at Shepherdingwords.com cannot say anything in completion regarding Max and John without mentioning Phillip.
It is a partial truth for Shepherdingwords.com to say John left. To omit the rest of the story is to make the partial pass as the whole. Much like Ananias and Sapphira did in Acts chapter 5, Shepherdingwords.com has done the same.
Regarding Max, though I was living in Anaheim at the time I have no recollection of him as I did Francis Ball, Al Knoch, and John Ingalls. I was but a 4th grader at the time Max left.
I will say per testimony of a family friend who went with my parents to Francis Ball's memorial service, Max was there. Blended co-workers had opportunity to speak with Max, but instead treated him as if there was some magnetic polarity field preventing them from approaching Max. I can see that happening. I witnessed something similar in Bellevue, WA at my uncle's memorial service in 2014. Steve Isitt was there. None of the metro Seattle (Bellevue/Seattle/Renton) elders who were present could approach Steve either. There was a magnetic field preventing the brothers from approaching Steve. I say that in sarcasm, but it demonstrates the brothers unwillingness to be cordial at best.

That's so crazy that the brothers in Bellevue did that. I know those brothers personally and speak to one of them to this very day. I've had meetings and dinner in their houses. I've got my stories about the Bellevue brothers for sure. I witnessed a lot of their ills and some of their ills were done to me. But to stay away from Max like that at a memorial of all events is just so political, condescending, and peculiar. But I for sure believe it. It leads you to believe they harbor resentment in their hearts towards him, or they're just so stuck in legality that they can't even extend an olive branch of humanity during a memorial service of all places. I mean how is that Biblical? What happened to loving your enemies and turning the other cheek? Just bizarre

I went to a wedding recently and a leading brother from Seattle was looking at me odd because the sport coat I was wearing looked a bit worldly. He did not look like he was enjoying the Lord. I can't imagine brothers who are full of ambition for position really enjoying the Lord much. And the brothers from Bellevue gave me some frowns like "what are you doing here" not realizing I was a coworker in the gospel with the brother getting married. People think you can't read their expressions but sometimes the expressions tell more truths than their words

[TLFisher]

E129 - Put Fear in its Place

If you fear God, you don't have to fear anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QzrIKl8ZFE

In my time in the Local churches, fear of God was replaced with fear of man.
Anyone bold enough to place their fear of God over "fellowship of the brothers" would find their standing in their locality under scrutiny.
I think it was human nature for no one in the locality not wanting to "stick out like a sore thumb". Everyone and I mean everyone would kowtow to whatever "the feeling of the brothers" was.
I say this because when Witness Lee was alive he used to say each locality was like a police station. Yet there was no one to sound the alarm...myself included.

[Cal]

LR130 - What the Lord's Recovery Was 100% Right About, Then Messed Up

A fresh start for the channel, with a new look and a somewhat new direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxgb12C2bu8

[Cal]

E131 -- Witness Lee's Personality Type Explains a Lot

Deep dive into Witness Lee's ENTJ personality type, giving insight into why he did the things he did, and how that affected his followers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7dEpG26508

[Unregistered]

Watched this episode, and I think that looking at these elements may have played a role. I for one believe that it’s more of the agenda and ideology based actions and activities that are born out of feelings of unfulfilled self driven sanctification paradigms than some personality traits.

It is often been observed throughout history, how some people will not only go through extreme mental/physical/spiritual experiences in order to exalt themselves and supposedly achieve greater enlightenment and infatuated so-called “maturity”, that eventually leads into a total tribalist movements. In those high demand spiritual groups any principles of law, morality, godliness, and simple clear common sense issues as a believer become replaced with loyalty to the tribe, adherence to esoteric philosophy that changes constantly. There is nothing new under the sun, and what the Local Church has created under the Lee regime or the current blended bros collection, is just a an illusion of spiritual achievements, voided of any and all life, God and tangible reality as they like to proclaim!

[Cal]

E133 - The Consummation of the Completion of the Conclusion of My Channel

Summarizing my parting thoughts about "the Lord's Recovery."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaDq2XDb0ow

(Sorry, wrong link fixed.)

Thanks for watching!

[Cal]

E134 - The Sexual Abuse in the Lord's Recovery Will Be the End of Them

The beginning of the end for the LR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lNiZKAjv-U