Don't Ask....Don't Tell. Good Policy?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by notofworks

His/her "Word" is good enough for me. Now if he/she asks for a thousand dollars to start a Mona Vie business with, that's another story.

But thanks for your advice. Here all this time I've been making ALL my major life decisions based on discussions I've had here on AFF. I'm so glad you told me that!

Sarcasm, of course, but, not what I said. Just that it's healthy to be suspicious in on-line relationship and interactions period.

Whether someone is asking for money, sex, time or is otherwise seeking to "effect" your thinking or theology it is good to keep things in perspective. What one reads here should never be placed on equal value with parents, elders or spiritual mentors you know and love.

Motive and intent are easily disguised from behind a keyboard. It has happened more than once, right here on AFF.

[Azzan]

Who is Dr Vaugn? I guess I am supposed to recognize the name and understand the reference but I do not.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Azzan

Who is Dr Vaugn? I guess I am supposed to recognize the name and understand the reference but I do not.

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Say! You might just be him! He is likely due out on parole.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges.

Say! You might just be him! He is likely due out on parole.

He also starred in "The Man from Uncle".

[Azzan]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all.

I came and went.

He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Say! You might just be him!

I just might be!


He is likely due out on parole.

Azzan

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Say! You might just be him! He is likely due out on parole.

I kinda liked Dr. Vaughn.
I didn't agree with some of the stuff he posted about Branhamism.

Just today I had lunch with someone before we made a trip over to a hospital in Northern Kentucky to pray for someone in the Psyche Ward there. The person I had lunch with had a book with him about William Branham and wanted to ask me something about it. It was volume 5 of a 6 volume series on William Branham. He had read the first 4 volumes and is currently reading volume 5 and was really impressed with the man. I told him I believed William Branham was a genuine prophet of God and was genuinely gifted of God but had some strange beliefs that I couldn't agree with.

[Azzan]

Originally Posted by Sam

...
Just today I had lunch with someone before we made a trip over to a hospital in Northern Kentucky to pray for someone in the Psyche Ward there.
...

Psych ward. Ugh. Brings back some really bad memories of being locked up in them.

Hey Sam, since this thread is seriously derailed for the moment, I have a question for you. You mention visiting someone in the ward. I am going to assume that perhaps you have done this more than once in your ministry (I realize that visiting a psych ward and ministering in one does not make you an expert by any means). Just curious if you think people end up there more often because of imbalances in their brain chemistry and/or emotional distress or because of spirits and demonic posession?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Azzan

Psych ward. Ugh. Brings back some really bad memories of being locked up in them.

Hey Sam, since this thread is seriously derailed for the moment, I have a question for you. You mention visiting someone in the ward. I am going to assume that perhaps you have done this more than once in your ministry (I realize that visiting a psych ward and ministering in one does not make you an expert by any means). Just curious if you think people end up there more often because of imbalances in their brain chemistry and/or emotional distress or because of spirits and demonic posession?

both.
This young man committed himself because of having suicidal thoughts.
He is addicted to pain killers, not because of relief from pain but because of the high he gets from them. He also has an alcohol problem. He has made a commitment to Jesus years ago. He has struggled with alcohol and drugs for over 10 years.

I don't really like the term "demon possession." The word in the Greek NT is "demonized" but because of the customs and understanding in England when the Bible was translated into English we have the term "demon possessed" in our Bible. I believe satan and his angels/demons can influence/demonize anyone, even Christians. I believe Jesus within us is greater than any power of satan and his angels outside of us and is greater than our old nature which we are born with and will carry until we are glorified/raptured/resurrected.

I believe groups like AA and NA are very effective in helping people with alcohol and drug problems. I believe that God is at work in those groups even though people don't even know His name but they do admit their own weakness and helplessness and their need for "A Higher Power." I believe God is so loving and anxious to help us that He will do it even if we never know Him as anything other than "The Higher Power."

I also believe medication and therapy are God given helps in treating any diseases --mental, emotional, physical, etc.

When we pray for people we rebuke satan in Jesus name. We also pray for them to stand against satan in the power of the name of Jesus, in the power of the blood of Jesus, and with the help of Jesus Christ living within them.

We tell people we pray for that they have an advantage over others in AA or NA because they know that the Higher Power is Jesus and He lives in them.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Sorry, I guess I assumed you knew being a lurker before posting and all. He was a scam artist that posed as a highly educated minister of the gospel. He feigned a serious illness etc. and was soon thereafter busted on criminal charges. I for one was totally snookered.

Yeah, but did he ever give his word?

I've never heard about this.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Yeah, but did he ever give his word?

I've never heard about this.

A lot of people had a *sixth sense* about Dr. Vaughn and suspected him of being a charlatan from the beginning, however most tried to give him a shot. It just illustrated the perception of some when he turned out to be exactly what was suspected.

I agree that we should be careful about making judgments about people, however I think you routinely underestimate the ability of some long-time members here to uncover the truth, layer by layer. It's fascinating, actually, to sit back and watch it happen without interfering. Jumping in to save the day isn't always the best ploy.