[countmeworthy]

I also want to add my .10 to the thread by saying: I do not think most of us have a problem with forgiving WL. He personally did nothing to me.

His organization however induced much heartache, confusion, fear, false adulation and some false teaching thrown in for the purpose of controlling the flock.

We are specifically told in John 10:10 the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.

What started off as a safe and blessed haven for many of us turned into a prison of sorts. We opened the door to the thief. He came in and stole our joy, our hearts, our minds. The thief was not Lee. We all know the thief is Satan. He is the master of religious organizations. He twists the Word of God and we see this time and time again in the Scriptures.

I am forever grateful for being delivered from tobacco, pot and cussing in my early 20s when I became born again through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Living Word working through my fellow brethren in Christ who were in the LC.

I was set free and fell in love with Christ "and the church" because of our communion with God and with one another. I truly learned to speak and pray the Word of God during my time there. I did 'see' the church with my spiritual eyes. I knew there were a lot of fakey people there too which is why I did not like reeling people into the 'church'. For me personally, it was there I became rooted and grounded in the Word.

Sadly had I remained there, I would have suffocated and turned into a robot.

I was never aware of Daystar or other stuff behind the scenes until I read it here in the forum. For all the hoopla made we were so different from "Christianity" because our vision was "Christ and the church", the LC was not so different was it? Why was the LC set up like a secular business corporation with a board of directors, a President, paid staff etc....?

When we studied church history in the scriptures and through historical documents, there were no board of directors. Lee never mentioned having a board of directors. I know some factions of Christianity will say the apostles were the 'board of directors' to justify their organization.

We were told we were not part of Christianity!

Yet we had buildings the church leaders under Lee purchased for the purpose of gathering the congregation together just like the denominations do.

As long as we were focused on the Word of God, it was not important to me that we met in buildings. I liked the genuine popcorn testimonies too. I learned a lot because I was seeking the Way, the Truth and the LIFE in Christ Jesus as were most of us here.

Bearbear, this forum does a very good job of exposing the dirty laundry in hopes that those stuck in the clenches of the LRC will take off their rose colored glasses.

But often times, people here forget imho, to point people to Christ Jesus. He is the Answer. He always has been, always will be!

Blessings and thanks for sharing your heartfelt thoughts.

Carol Garza