Thanks to Scott Burke for pointing out this Doka ("poem/song of the way") by Morihei Ueshiba that appeared in "Aikibudo o Kiku", from Shin Budo Magazine, October 1941.
Aikibudo o Kiku - 1941
”惟神光と熱の合気道, 世をば清めん八紘の玉”
Kannagara hikari to netsu no Aikidō, Yo wo ba kiyomen, Hakkō no tama
Aikido,
The Light and Heat of Kannagara,
Jewel of the Eight Directions,
Purifies the World.
Briefly, "Kannagara" refers to the "Way of the Gods", a metaphorical reference Morihei Ueshiba often used to refer to the interaction of Yin and Yang.
The interaction of Yin and Yang creates heat and light - a reference to the creation of internal power - martial power.
The "jewel" is a term that Morihei Ueshiba often used to refer to the Dantian - so, the interaction of Yin and Yang here creates internal power, martial, physical power through the Dantian.
What about the last section about the eight directions? Well, here we see, once again, Morihei Ueshiba's fondness for multiple layers of meaning.
In one layer we see that he is saying that the interaction of Yin and Yang creates internal power, martial power, physical power, through the Dantian, expressed in all directions through the body.
But that's not all! Yin/Yang and Heaven-Earth-Man cosmologies in China and Japan were commonly seen as kind of "universal field theories" that explained physical theories of martial body usage, mental theories of psychological balance, health oriented theories, and socio-politically oriented theories.
Here Morihei Ueshiba uses the Kanji for "Eight Cords", in reference to "Hakko Ichiu", the Japanese political slogan meaning the divine right of the Empire of Japan to "unify the eight corners of the world.", a slogan that formed the basis of the empire's ideology. It was popularized in a speech by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, Morihei Ueshiba's patron and student, on January 8, 1940. Konoe was also on the board of directors of Morihei Ueshiba's Kobukai organization, the predecessor for the modern Aikikai.
In other words, there was another layer of meaning, in which Aikido was meant to be a process through which one worked to purify the world in order to unite it in a ultra-nationalist right wing Empire under the aegis of Japan and the Japanese imperial family.
Ellis Amdur referred to this concept in "Hidden in Plain Sight":
"Ueshiba saw himself as a kind of avatar, instrumental in ushering in a golden age of redemption, the unification of Heaven, Earth, and Man. To a considerable degree, he was unconcerned about whether others became avatars like himself. He regarded aikidō practitioners as living out their fate as appointed by their ‘chief guardian deity,’ doing the work of the ‘spiritual proletariat,’ accumulating merit and energy through aikidō practice, just as the followers of the Byakkokai did by prayer, while Goi, another avatar, did the hard work."
Morihei Ueshiba restated this basic idea in 1960:
合気道は宇宙万世一系の大いなる道なり。
"Aikido is the Great Way of the Universal Bansei Ikkei."

• Morihei Ueshiba in the "Takemusu Aiki" lectures, 1958~1961

"Bansei Ikkei" is the "unbroken Japanese Imperial line", and here Morihei Ueshiba again refers to one of his primary goals for Aikido, expressed both before and after the war, as a way towards establishing a "paradise on Earth" - in other words (as he would say elsewhere in the same post-war lectures), a right-wing ultra-nationalist religious utopia under the aegis of the Japanese empire.
One last thing - notice the interesting use of the word "Aikido"? The Aikikai states that the name "Aikido" was adopted in 1942. Minoru Hirai, who often claims credit for the implementation of the name through his work with Dai Nippon Butokukai, also stated that this occurred in 1942. But here we see that the phrase was actually in use somewhat earlier, concurrent with "Aiki Budo" (as in the title of the article).
This persisted after the war, as recounted by Hiroshi Tada:
"GuillaumeErard.com: When you started, was it already called "Aikido"?
Tada Hiroshi: When I was admitted it was not called that yet, it was called “Aiki-Budo”. There was no official name. "
Morihei Ueshiba himself stated in a post-war interview that the name "Aikido" was adopted some time after the war, at the suggestion of an official from the Ministry of Education, which throws another issue on the pile.
What does the naming mean? Likely, much less than many people think. It's common to read significant meaning into name changes, but the name of Morihei Ueshiba's art changed many times over the years, primarily, it seems, due to the influence of parties...other than Morihei Ueshiba, who was, as far as I can tell, massively disinterested in what the art was actually called.

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Mon’Kelron slowly opened her eyes. The light in the room was painful, it caused her eyes to blur. Looking around the room she saw that it was painted an off white and was quite large. She was in a bed that was shockingly sophisticated, it had buttons and panels in… Human tongue. She reached a hand up to grasp the side of the high bed rails when she heard a voice.
“I wouldn’t get up yet if I were you. The repair tissue around your wounds is still very fragile, and will split if you exert yourself too much too quickly.” Alex stated from a chair near the bed. He placed a book on the small end table beside it as he stood to his rather impressive height.
Her mind raced, she knew every part of the castle except for the off limits areas of the Ministry of Secrets, could they have brought her here after she was… “I was shot twice, from the look in the Empress’s eyes it was fatal. Where am I now?”
Alex walked over and examined the panels on the hospital bed before answering, “You are on board the Missive of Dissent. After you were injured we placed you in a stasis pod and brought you and the new crew of the Isengard to orbit where the Missive rippled in to rendezvous with us before bringing the crew to shipyard two. That was three weeks ago.”
She looked over to Captain Alex and thought about getting up against his recommendation, before discovering to her horror that she was nude under her sheets, even her hair was out of it’s normal braids and flowed like shining copper down her shoulders. “Three weeks? I’ve been unconscious for three weeks? How is the Empress? Was anyone else hurt?”
Alex put his hands up in an apparently universal ‘calm down’ gesture, “She’s fine, no one else was hurt, well, no one else in the palace. I’m afraid there was a bit of an attempted political coup that started immediately after the assassination attempt. A few Ladies of Parliament have been arrested and may be put to death. Quite a bit of rioting in several of your larger cities, but order has now been restored.”
Shrinking down into her covers she asked, “Will I make a full recovery?”
Alex walked over to the side of the bed and nodded, “You still need a day or two of rest, the bed will monitor you. There is a bot that can aid you in getting to the rest room, press the red button to call for it.” He then walked over to the end table and picked up a slate of metal and glass and handed it to her. “This is an entertainment tablet, it has quite a bit of Human shows available, perhaps this will help you pass the time.”
Gingerly taking the tablet it came on with the touch of her fingers, luckily the text was in Alandran common. “Thank you, will you be visiting me often?”
Alex smiled down, “Yes, I wanted to be here when you woke up, however, the sedatives must take longer to get out of your system than in Humans. Monty will be your primary caregiver over the next few days, and Kelly will be helping her.”
Confused, Mon’Kelron asked, “I know of Monty, but I don’t think I’ve met or heard of this Kelly before.”
Alex turned and walked over to the end table to retrieve his book, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll recognize her when she comes in.” And with that he left, closing the door behind him.
Mon’Kelron shook her head, Humans were very strange indeed. After Alex left she turned her attention to the tablet he gave her. It was a fascinating piece of technology, she could watch visual presentations, much like the radio shows on Alanadra, but it was if she were observing the actions herself.
She was so engrossed with the tablet that she almost didn’t hear the knock at the door. “Come in.” She stated, noticing her voice was becoming hoarse, she was probably dehydrated.
In came a small blonde Human woman with a white dress and a strange hat on her head, behind her was an average height blonde Alandran woman who appeared to be middle aged pushing a strange cart with food and beverage. “Well hello Monty, Alex said you would come and visit me, but I’m afraid I do not recognize you Kelly, I apologize.”
Monty and Kelly looked to each other, then Kelly pushed the strange cart across the bed, making it a quite adequate table, then head portion of the bed began to rise, making it easier to see the contents of the make-shift table. “Oh, we have met several times over the years, young guardswoman.”
Mon’Kelron froze, she knew that voice, but the woman it issued from was far younger than the old Spy-Mistress. “Kel’Taraan?” She asked quietly.
Kelly beamed down to her, “Excellent, we were worried blood loss and internal injuries would have caused some cognitive issues, it is good to see it did not.”
She knew she sat there wide eyed and baffled, she couldn’t help it, this was Kel’Taraan, but how she must have looked a century ago. “How?” She asked.
Kel’Taraan, ( or was it Kelly now?) took the cover off the food to show an amazingly large zehwel steak with tubers and vegetables, and beside it a large mug of ale. “The Humans had prepared a surgical ward for me once they discovered my plight. You getting shot required that they keep you in stasis until they were finished with my recovery. As to how? I have asked Monty, but she told me our people wouldn’t understand how it was done yet, but in time all would be explained.”
Mon’Kelron knew that wasn’t the whole truth, with the Spy-Mistress it never was. There was still that glimmer in her eye, the one that always said she knew something you didn’t. “Will I receive clothing any time soon?”
Monty nodded, “Of course, we will have you a new uniform brought in later tonight, the medical bot will be able to aid you in dressing. Be careful, I know Alex warned you about your newly grown tissue, it will be very fragile for the next few days, try not to tear anything back open.”
She nodded and took her fork and knife and began sawing off a bit of the steak. After the first bite she was sure it was the best thing she had ever tasted. Savoring the flavor of each sampling on her plate while Monty checked on the bed and Kelly checked on the medical bot she spoke up, “My compliments who whomever cooked this fine meal, the Empress herself would be hard pressed to receive a meal this flavorful.”
Monty shot Kelly an instant message over her HUD, “How much should I tell her?”
Kelly messaged back instantly, “Tell her Kara or Alex cooked it, modifying it with Human seasonings. She would never understand that Alex took a sample of the meal with his android body in the Palace while eating with the Empress and saved the template for the food replicators here. Part of that is even true, the human seasonings part.”
Monty answered Mon’Kelron without looking up from the bed display, “Kara provided this meal, the taste difference was from some human seasonings. We thought you may approve, after all, the crew of the Rivendell seem to love our garlic and paprika.”
Mon’Kelron speared another piece of steak and took a bite, nodding her head, “The matron of your group is quite the cook, I would have expected it to be the male to provide the meal.”
Monty sent Kelly another instant message, “Oops, did I screw up?”
Kelly spoke up from the other side of the room, “Captain Alex is quite busy, remember, Humans are not like us. Kara is not so much a matron as a partner to Alex and he is in overall command of the Humans here, and they look to him for leadership.”
Mon’Kelron nodded her head, “Yes, I have to remind myself of that. You Humans are a curiosity. I suppose it has to do with your abundance of males.”
Monty shrugged, “We find your people quite strange as well, we are from two different cultures after all. So long as we can find common ground, that’s all that matters.”
__________________________________
Kara swiped at the holo-tank checking up on production across the hundreds of auto-factories across the system. Shipyard three was nearly complete, The IAV Valmar was nearing its pass / fail envelope. Within the next few hours they would know if she needed more time in shipyard two or if they could start shepherding crew up to the shipyard.
Then she sighed, the last of the probes self destructed nearly three weeks ago, we have no eyes in the Lynx system, and there was every indication that the fleet had already started their journey to the Alandran system. “Alex, I think we should get the crew to shipyard two and get as much training in as possible. If that fleet has left Lynx they will be here in a little over five months.”
Alex turned from his strategy corner, “Agreed, send a message to the Empress, let her know we will need the next batch of crew for Valmar and we’ll be dropping off Mon’Kelron and Kel’Taraan.”
Kara looked over to Alex, “Are you sure Kelly is ready to head back to Alandra?”
Alex shrugged, “Not really, but she’s interested in getting her android there, and who am I to say no? Having her back on the planet means she can do the things that people like her have always done, sway public and political stances.”
Kara nodded, “I guess we do need her down there, time is running out and having the Alandrans bow to the Howrons and Trinar, or whatever they call themselves would mean all our efforts to free them would be for nothing.”
Alex called for an all hands on deck across their internal chat group. Kara watched as Riven and Izzy faded in near the buffet table, Monty let us know it would be a few minutes while they settled Mon’Kelron down and got back to their capsules. Then Monty and Kelly faded in and waited for Alex.
“We have sent a message to the Empress requesting the next crew for the Valmar, we will be rippling the the Missive to Alandra to fetch them in our shuttles, while we are out we will drop off Mon’Kelron and Kelly to the planet. Also, Kara would like to introduce our newest member of the team, Valarie.” He said and opened the floor to Kara.
Kara had been filling Valarie in on what was going on while Alex gave the presentation, she opened her VR environment into the group collective and ushered her in. Like all the AI’s Kara had brought on board she shared similar features, though height and proportions changed per the AI’s liking. Valarie looked similar to Kara in facial features, but was taller and had her red hair in a long ponytail down her back.
“Everyone, this is Valarie, she has completed her training and is ready to get a little real world exercises in before meeting her crew. Riven and Izzy, I know you’re busy with your vessels, but give her a tour and let her shadow both of you, she has even less time to get her crew in fighting shape than either of you, she needs help.” Kara stated.
Riven and Izzy both nodded, almost a stark contrast as Riven’s hair was near pitch black and Izzy’s was golden blonde. They waved Valarie over to them as Kara continued, “Monty, help get Kelly ready for a trip down to the planet, we’ll be leaving in a day or so, so gather whatever materials you need to take down by shuttle.”
Monty and Kelly nodded to one another, obviously sending messages on things she would need in the future on the planet. Then Alex spoke up, “We’ve had no intelligence reports in the Lynx system for three weeks, which means that in all likelihood they have already started making way for here. Twenty four pine cones and up to six triangles will be heading our way. If they keep to normal fleet discipline they will stay together, meaning their speed will be limited to the slowest vessel, which will be 10c. We have five months, that’s it, to prepare for them.”
Kara picked up as Alex trailed off, “Ok, you all have your assignments, help each other out, we have each other to lean on. Dismissed.”
And with that all of them faded out except Kara and Alex. Kara looked across the table to Alex, arms down holding herself up, “Have you put any more thought into my recommendation?”
Alex rubbed the back of his neck, “I have, but I just don’t know Kara, I keep thinking of the downsides.”
Kara came around the table and hugged Alex, her small form barely able to get her arms around his neck. “I know cloning yourself is a big deal, but it won’t be you, it will be a different consciousness all together.”
He looked down to the love of his life, which was a considerable statement, as a biological human it would have sounded ridiculous, but now it just was. Over twenty nine years together, and this last one as a couple. “I know that, but my clone would have all my knowledge, right up to the moment I make a backup of myself. They will wake up and not be me, and they would have lost you. I don’t know that I could put myself or them through that.”
Kara looked up to him and stood on her tippy toes to kiss his cheek as he bent down, “You are a rational man, and from what I understand one of the most stable and self reliant of anyone in the rebellion. We need more help, and we need a few ships with replicant crews. Riven and Izzy are doing their best, but biologicals simply operate too slowly. Plus, without having to worry about life-support and crew quarters we can build those ships much faster.”
Alex sighed, he knew she was going to win this argument, “Fine, build another replicant matrix and I’ll make a backup when you do. Just don’t complain to me when you have another me pining for you.”
Kara pecked him on the nose and broke the embrace as she went back to her holo-tank to keep track of the millions of things going on in the system. He looked over to her and sighed as he went back to his strategy corner, the world just wasn’t ready for more of him yet.
__________________________________
Alex looked across the shuttle craft cockpit to Mon’Kelron, who looked a little scared. “Are you alright Captain?” He asked, noticing the sheen of sweat on her brow and her slightly wide eyed look as they exited the Missive’s shuttle hangar.
Looking over to Alex she seemed to bring herself back together, “It’s so big, not just the planet, but everything. I’m not too thrilled about this floating around either.”
Alex grinned over to her, “We’re strapped in, we won’t go floating around, besides, there will be plenty of gravity in a few minutes.”
She returned her gaze to the planet, “Yes, and that is making me very nervous, do your shuttles ever crash?”
He shook his head, “Not unless they get attacked by something, not to worry, this will all be over soon enough.” He pressed the comms button to reach over to shuttle one, “Monty, how are you two doing over there?”
With a click the much higher pitched voice of Monty came across the speaker, “All systems go Captain, Kelly is having a ball up here.”
After a moment to figure out that ancient turn of phrasing he pressed the button, “Very well shuttle one, prepare for descent.”
Mon’Kelron’s knuckles were white against the armrests of her flight chair. The planet loomed ever larger, then the forward view screen took on a red color as they struck the upper atmosphere and pushed much slower moving molecules out of their way. The shuttle rumbled and shook a bit as it fought to stay stable. Then it was over, they broke through clouds and saw the Imperial city coming up ahead and below.
The sight was magnificent, the Palace on the highest plateau of land in the near center of the city looked as if it reached to the sky as they slowed to land in the inner courtyard as they always did. Soon there was a gentle bump, and Alex stated in an almost bored voice, “Touch down, lowering the back ramp, you may remove your flight harness now Mon’Kelron.”
Reaching down to the complicated latches she felt her new uniform with ceremonial breastplate, it looked like her old one, which sported two bullet holes now and was probably in a trash receptacle on that huge ship of theirs. Monty had assured her that although it was much lighter than her old one, this one would stop any bullet on this planet.
She did not doubt the construction abilities of the humans, it was now one of her most prized possessions, only out ranked by the entertainment tablet in her pack. Finally unstrapping herself she followed the large human out of the cockpit and down the ramp into the bright morning sun.
Alex waited for her and Monty and Kel’Taraan, ( Whom the Humans called Kelly? ) to join them before walking over to the Empress and her entourage. They all gave the normal salute, fist over heart as the Empress beamed a smile. “It is good to see you Mon’Kelron, I feared you were injured beyond even Human ability to repair.”
Mon’Kelron bowed to the Empress, “The Human’s were quite thorough in my recovery, Monty tells me I may return to duty immediately.”
The Empress nodded, “Excellent, then join me at my side and let us be about our day.”
As Mon’Kelron took her normal position at the right hand side of the Empress, one of her Lieutenants moved back to the rest of the guard. Then the Empress turned to Kel’Taraan and clasped hands with the now middle aged women. She looked her up and down, mouth agape, “When you said the Humans had made you as good as new you were not exaggerating by much were you?”
Kel’Taraan shook her head, smiling herself, “I was not your majesty, they took a century off this old body of mine. But enough about me, I am anxious to get back into the thick of things with Isa’Bella later today, but for now, we have some items for you.”
The Empress looked from the Spy-Mistress to Alex, a little confused. “What manner of items have you brought me?”
Alex looked down to the Empress, “Nothing special, just a few dozen dresses, some new dinner ware, and some tools for your doctor.”
Looking back to the Spy-Mistress and the twinkle in her eye she suspected these items were anything but ordinary, probably laced with Human technology that bordered on magic. “That sounds excellent, we have the crew ready for you to take to the newest vessel, Valmar I think you called it?”
Alex nodded, “Yes, but first we need to unload the shuttles, there are other things in there the palace needs.”
With that Kel’Taraan motioned Isa’Bella, who waved to the members of the ministry of secrets who stood away from the Empress’s envoy. They moved to start unloading the shuttles of their cargo. The Empress watched before asking, “Is it true that we have a huge fleet heading our way in less than five months?”
Alex raised an eyebrow, evidently Kelly had filled the Empress in on the last all hands meeting, “Yes your majesty, we are still preparing and will be until they arrive. Shipyard one is halfway through constructing a new vessel, and shipyard three is starting construction, both ships will be ready by the time they arrive, but crews will not be trained by then.”
The Empress bowed her head, “It is a shame, two more ships would aid us. Time is not on or side.”
Monty decided to speak up, “Oh, we’ll still use those two ships.”
Looking back up the Empress asked, “You will send untrained crews into battle?”
Alex shook his head, but looked grim, “No your Highness, they will be crewed by Humans.”
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People's Ideal Street Symbolizing Comprehensive Development of Prosperous Powerful Nation
Inauguration Ceremony of 10,000 Flats at Second Stage in Hwasong Area Takes Place with Splendor
Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Cut Inauguration Tape and Blesses Owners of New House
Pyongyang, April 17 (KCNA) -- Epoch-making changes have been made one after another in the promotion of the people's well-being under the wise leadership of the great Party Central Committee. The construction of 50,000 flats in Pyongyang is a project for building flourishing socialist living spaces in the capital of our dignified state every year. The whole country has greeted the birth of a new ideal street with joy with the completion of the task of the third year for the housing construction.
In accordance with the decisions of the Eighth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Sixth Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the WPK, another monumental entity symbolizing the era of comprehensive national rejuvenation came into being. An inauguration ceremony of the 10 000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area was held with splendor on April 16.
The new large architectural group in the Hwasong area, which fully embodies the Party's idea on architectural aesthetics and successfully combines the Juche, national, modern and artistic characters, is a fruition of the noble loving care and a model edifice of socialist civilization, which has been created under the energetic guidance of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un who planed to build a world-class ideal city full of people's happiness and leads it to be completed at the highest level. The architectural group is demonstrating the inexhaustible potentiality of the development of our state and its bright future.
The venue of the ceremony nearing the great auspicious event of the country, which will add joy to significant April, was filled with the boundless pride of the builders who are steadily realizing the long-cherished desire of the Party Central Committee for the people with their ardent loyalty and devoted patriotic struggle and with the great emotion of the blessed people including the owners of new wonderful dwelling houses.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attended the ceremony.
When Kim Jong Un arrived at the venue of the ceremony amid the playing of welcome music, enthusiastic cheers rocking heaven and earth broke out.
All the participants paid the highest tribute to Kim Jong Un who is ushering in a comprehensive development of a prosperous socialist country where all the people's wishes are realized by ceaselessly creating great epochal changes and unprecedentedly great events with his rare wisdom and outstanding leadership.
Present at the ceremony were Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and premier of the Cabinet, secretaries of the Central Committee of the WPK, officials of the Cabinet, armed forces organs, ministries and national agencies, builders and working people in Pyongyang.
The national anthem of the DPRK was solemnly played.
Ri Il Hwan, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, made an inaugural address.
Upon authorization of Kim Jong Un, he warmly congratulated the citizens of Pyongyang who are to enjoy a happy life in modern dwelling houses in Rimhung Street to be specially recorded in a page of the history of construction of the capital city, and extended heartfelt thanks and militant greetings in the name of the Party Central Committee to all the builders, officials and working people in the relevant fields who contributed to the completion of the new houses in significant April again.
He said that at the plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee which clarified the orientation of the struggle for 2023, the General Secretary unfolded a grand construction operation to build the second-stage district of the Hwasong area into a peculiar street of modern beauty and, on the day of ground-breaking, he broke ground first. He visited the construction site again before the completion and meticulously led the builders to carry out the finishing process, impeccable even in the distant future, the speaker said.
Indeed, the newly-built Rimhung Street is a fruition of Kim Jong Un's ardent sincerity to make the whole process of creation and construction consistent with the absolute service for the people and provide the people with only the best things in the world, he said, adding that it is the monumental architecture to convey the world of the nobleness and warmth of the people-first idea to posterity.
The construction unit of 50,000 flats in Pyongyang has grown into a militant and elite force taking the lead in the era of a new construction revolution along with structures built in every new street, he said, adding that the blasting of ground-breaking signaled by the respected General Secretary was followed by fireworks of completion thanks to the brave builders of the capital city who waged a courageous onward and three-dimensional campaign, united with the intention of the Party Central Committee.
Stressing that all the builders in the Hwasong area should turn out in attaining the third- and fourth-stage goals set forth by the Party Central Committee, build excellent new streets and thus continue to lead the development of socialist civilization in the van, he ardently called upon them to more dynamically advance toward the bright future of the capital and state to be turned into the most beautiful socialist paradise under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.
Kim Jong Un cut the inauguration tape.
A scene to be eternally recorded in the sacred journey of the WPK in its efforts for the promotion of the wellbeing of the beloved people was displayed at the venue of the ceremony. Stormy cheers of "Hurrah!" were raised, fireworks displayed and balloons rose up into the sky, beautifully decorating the Hwasong area.
An art performance was given to mark the inauguration of 10,000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area.
The area was rocked by the songs sung by the people in praise of the great Workers' Party of Korea which is building a flower garden of all blessings on the basis of the idea of believing in the people as in Heaven while taking good care of them with the sacred red flag.
The participants were excited at the songs representing the era of change, the great era of Kim Jong Un in which an ideal society of the people and thriving nation, where the most beautiful socialist civilization is in full bloom, are built.
The venue of the ceremony was filled with patriotic passion as the national anthem of a powerful Korea led by the great father, a grateful socialist country where every desire of the people is translated into a reality, was solemnly played.
A flying corps flew in the nocturnal sky over Rimhung Street, displaying fascinating fireworks, blessing the people who are enjoying happiness with nothing to envy under the care of the Party.
Fireworks were displayed again decorating the nocturnal view of the new street amid the playing of the song "Don't Advance, Night of Pyongyang" in the beautiful night of the capital, rare splendid street full of noble emotion peculiar to our state and people.
When the performance was over, the venue of the ceremony turned into a sea of enthusiastic cheers again.
Kim Jong Un expressed great expectations and belief that the reliable builders of the capital who built more than 30,000 modern flats in a matter of three years would as ever successfully attain the next-stage goals of the five-year plan for the capital construction advanced at the Eighth Party Congress with pure patriotism and loyalty and revolutionary mettle so as to turn the capital Pyongyang into a world-famous civilized city fit for the might of a powerful Korea in name and reality.
He warmly wished happiness to all the families who received the new flats in Rimhung Street in auspicious April.
The owners of the new street and all other participants, who are deeply moved by the loving care of the motherly Party, extended deep gratitude to Kim Jong Un, who is working heart and soul day and night to provide the people with the highest civilization and the greatest wellbeing in the world.
Kim Jong Un warmly acknowledged the enthusiastic cheers for a long time.
The inauguration of 10,000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area served as a significant occasion in instilling full confidence in a bright future into the all-people general onward march for attaining the goals of struggle set forth by the Eighth Congress of the Party while fully demonstrating the strength of patriotism and unity under the leadership of the great Party Central Committee and in demonstrating once again the invincibility of the cause of building a socialist power of Juche to the whole world.

The good news is this my friends,
God, being one in essence, and three in persons; Father, Son, and Spirit, eternally existing, and unified in will, authority, power, and love, was alone in the void of nothingness.
God created humanity with freedom to choose wether we would follow Him, or not, and wether we would use our lives to glorify Him by living in the perfection of His ways, or not.
Humanity chose rebellion, and initiated a downward spiral away from His will, and separating ourselves from Him to chase after the wickedness.
He chose a people to endure through time, carrying His name and will through the ups and downs of an imperfect and rebellious world; making a covenant with them, declaring that He would bring redemption through them, and that He would faithfully preserve them in His Holy presence, until this would be accomplished, even though they were rebellious.
He chose a virgin woman to conceive the Son, being made flesh, by the Spirit; the Son stepping away from the Throne, to endure the humble life of a man.
Unlike all humanity before or after, He lived a life of perfection, submitting entirely to the will of the Father, and receiving the Spirit through baptism, to empower Him for His ministry.
He called all to follow Him, and to hear and obey His teachings and instructions, and chose some to be His first fruits of His new covenant, founded on the promise of grace, by faith.
He gave His life over to persecution and rejection, and even to death; furthermore being crushed by the Father to absorb the fullness of His just wrath, as a substitutionary and everlasting atonement for all who believe on Him, and even on His name.
The Son, being too righteous for hell, and too pure for death, overcame both, and was resurrected by God; receiving the inheritance promised for perfect righteousness.
He revealed Himself, alive again, to a multitude of witnesses, and used those who He had chosen to become the foundation of His Kingdom; and He breathed His Spirit out on them, so that they could be perfected from within for through faith.
He gave them a new purpose, and a new way of life; one revolving around faith, hope, and love, to spread His Spirit and gospel, and Kingdom to the entire world.
The Son then returned to the Father, to be glorified and exalted on His Throne again; so that the world could be prepared for His return through the lives of His faithful servants, generation after generation.
Those who He chose were given instructions on how to remain in perfect unity and fellowship with Him, and each other; so that His Kingdom could bring order and righteousness to a world of chaos and wickedness.
His Kingdom is spiritual, and pure of all material corruption, as it rest upon the hearts of each of His faithful servants; these being preserved in faith and in His righteousness through the work of the Spirit within them, and are made free of the captivity of sin by His grace.
He gave us all that we need, both in His Spirit, and in His word, and in each other, to accomplish this great task; preparing the world for the ushering in of His eternal Kingdom.
Therefore, as we await His glorious return, we are to abide in Him, and He will abide in us, being sanctified by His Spirit, and covered by the grace given through the shedding of His blood; so that, all who will believe on Him, confessing with their mouth that He is Lord, and believing in their hearts that He both is God in flesh, and that He was raised again from the dead by God, will be saved.
Salvation is not our end goal, but it is the knowledge of our salvation that allows us to work faithfully in His grace to accomplish the mission of the Kingdom.
We are to consider each other family, as we who believe in this will receive the inheritance He was given; not because of any works which we do, even in His name, but because of His grace and love, given freely to those who believe.
Therefore, no one can boast of their own righteousness or works, or even love or faith; as it is by His righteousness that He earned our inheritance, and it is by His work that we received grace, and it is by His will that we are given faith, and it is by His love that we are able to love.
We are His children, but only because He chose to adopt us into His family; and we are saved and recipients of eternal life in His everlasting Kingdom, but only because He gives it freely to all who believe.
Therefore, continue in love, living for Him and each other; and in hope, enduring through the test of time; and in faith, the means at which we are made able to overcome the world.
Do these things faithfully to His word, example, and instruction, and His Spirit will carry us all together into everlasting harmonious fellowship with Him; along with whoever we are able to bring with us through the preaching of this gospel.

It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city, “The Church in Lubbock.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christians at Tech is associated with The Church in Lubbock which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

https://www.quora.com/unanswered/What-is-the-significance-of-Bahaullah-for-followers-of-the-Bahai-faith
It will be interesting to see what Baha'is says in response to this. Meanwhile....
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-meaning-of-Baha-in-the-Bahai-faith?topAns=383833481

Scott Hakala · Ph.D Econ, Baha'i, interest in morals and religion
Baha is the Arabic word for Glory. The i at the end of Baha'i means “of” or follower of. Thus, Baha'i means a follower of Glory. It is short for follower of the Glory of God. Baha'u'llah (ministry 1853 to 1892) is the title given to the Founder and Messenger of God in the Baha’i Faith.
Prophesies of have a hidden meaning test test us but also as hints. The phrase Glory of God appears repeatedly in both the Hebrew and Christian Bible in the context of the Holy Spirit, a Messenger of God who will appear at the “end of time” (end of one Age of human history) and usher in the Day of Judgment/Day of Resurrection promised in multiple religious traditions. The Glory of the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible causes the return of a “remnant” to Israel and the desert to bloom but initially they will not recognize Him as the Cause. Jesus tells us He will return in the “Glory of the Father”. The Psalms speak as well of the Glory of God being the Lord of Hosts.
The Glory of God comes to Israel from the East from a far away place through a Gate. He comes out of Persia and Baghdad to Israel by way of the sea. Baha'u'llah was exiled from Tehran to Baghdad then Istanbul and Edirne and finally exiled to Palestine in 1868 by way of the sea. He way imprisoned in the prison city of Akka on the coast. Some scholars interpreted that prophesy literally to mean the Great Messiah would come to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by way of thr Golden Gate ( which faces East and is currently bricked up). But the Bab (ministry 1844 to 1850) was a Messenger of God who descended from the Prophet Muhammad and proclaimed His purpose was to usher in a New Age and prepare the way for an even greater Messenger, the Glory of God. The Bab declared Himself in 1844 in Shiraz, Iran. Thus, Baha'u’llah came to Israel by way of the Gate of God, the Bab.
Likewise, there are hints in Islamic traditions and Shi'ih prayers of the name Baha and the Greatest Name of God to be revealed by the Mahdi or Return of Jesus.
Some short notes on Biblical references:
Baha'u'llah is referred to as the angel Michael (the "prince" who comes out of Persia at the end of time; Daniel 10:13, 21, and 21:1 and Revelations 12:7), the Glory of God, the Lord of Hosts, and the King of Glory. The Bab is the Lamb in The Revelation of St. John. Abdu'l-Baha is the Branch.
He, the Promised One, will have a New Name: Isaiah 30:27; 62:2*; Revelation 2:17; 3:12*.
References by Name (Glory) to Baha'u'llah
In the Old Testament
Exodus 16:7,10; 24:16,17; Numbers 14:10; 16:19,42; 20:6; I Kings 8:11; Psalms 19:1; 24:7-10*; 29:2,9*; 57:5,11; 72:19*; 79:9*; 96:2,7-8*; 102:15-16*; 104:30-31*; 108:5; 138:4-5*; 148:13*; 149:5; Isaiah 10:16*; 24:15*,23*; 28:5*; 35:2*; 40:5*; 58:8; 60:1*,13*; Ezekial 1:28*; 3:12,23*; 8:2-4*; 9:3*; 10:4*,18*; 39:13,21; 43:1-9*; 44:4*; Habakkuk 2:14.
In the New Testament
Matthew 16:27*; 19:28*; 25:31*; Mark 8:38*; Luke 2:14; John 11:4; Acts 7:2*,55*; Romans 5:2; 6:4; 8:18; 15:7; I Corinth 10:31; II Corinth 1:20; 3:18*; 4:4*,6*,15; Philippians 2:11; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1.3; James 2:1*; I Peter 4:13*; 5:4*; Revelation 15:8*; 21:11,23*.
II. References to the Bab (Gate and Lamb)
Psalms 24:7; Ezekial 43:1,4; Malachi 3:1; 4:5; John 10:2; Revelation 5:13; 7:9; 12:11; 21:22; 22:3,23.

It's always interesting to see our friendly neighborhood Baha'i apologist at work. I hope the UHJ pays him well.

New article dropping on Reuters and so much for all the reforms!
Link in comments--copy pasta below:

Swiss banking plan leaves 'relieved' UBS out of immediate firing line

By John Revill April 11, 20241:10 AM EDTUpdated 10 hours ago

ZURICH, April 11 (Reuters) - UBS (UBSG.S), opens new tab could take years to feel the bite of new regulations after the Swiss government set out plans aimed at keeping the "monster bank" in line that were light on detail and heralded a tortuous political process to enshrine them in law. Shares in the Zurich-based lender took a knock on Wednesday after the finance ministry said its "too big to fail" recommendations envisaged tougher capital requirements for UBS and other systemically important banks following the rescue of its stricken rival Credit Suisse in 2023.
But the government left open the precise impact it expected from the plan, and analysts said there was little likely to cause UBS great alarm in the pledges to strengthen the market watchdog FINMA, monitor excessive pay and improve backstops.
"The measures proposed by the Federal Council are not enough to finally regulate the banking sector effectively," said Cedric Wermuth, co-leader of the centre-left Social Democrats (SP), the second-biggest party in the Swiss parliament.
"The decision not to introduce stricter capital adequacy criteria is completely negligent and makes a mockery of taxpayers who will have to foot the bill," he added.
Switzerland said that capital demands could be adjusted to reflect exposure to international subsidiaries, as well as lenders' governance, complexity and profitability, without setting specific thresholds.
The government said it was "difficult to reach a final judgement on the exact impact" of its mooted higher capital requirements, but argued Swiss banking would benefit.
"The Federal Council is convinced that the report presented today points the way to a significant improvement," Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told a press conference.
Still, a person familiar with UBS's thinking said the bank was "relieved" by the plan set out and hoped to lobby for less stringent terms during the unfolding political process.
UBS declined to comment.
A person familiar with the government's thinking said legislative changes would not be implemented before 2026 and the back and forth of politics in Switzerland meant that whatever finally passed might not have any effect on UBS until later.
The measures were not intended to be a major shake-up, but a series of steps aimed at putting more safeguards in place to reduce risk in the banking sector, the person said. The government said it wants to present two packages for implementation in the first half of 2025: one with changes at ordinance level which can be approved by the cabinet, and then more far-reaching draft legislation for parliament.
COMPROMISE
Swiss authorities orchestrated the takeover of Credit Suisse last year, allowing UBS to buy its competitor for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.3 billion) and creating what critics dubbed a "monster bank" that could capsize the economy if it unravelled. The sum was a fraction of what Credit Suisse had recently been worth and triggered a subsequent 60% rally in UBS stock. The supercharged lender now has a balance sheet of around $1.7 trillion, twice the size of the Swiss economy.
Peter V Kunz, a regulatory expert at the University of Bern, described the proposals as a typically Swiss compromise. "Between the lines I read: 'Let's cross (our) fingers and hope nothing happens with UBS'," he said. Effective measures would need to be international, he said, noting: "Switzerland cannot do everything on its own.
"Analysts say that tougher capital requirements could constrain returns for investors even as details remain vague. "Much more detail is needed to be definitive," said Thomas Hallett, analyst at KBW. The uncertainty carries some risk. A top 10 shareholder told Reuters in January that if UBS wants to remain a Swiss bank, resolving the debate around regulation in its home country is crucial. Watchdog FINMA and the central bank need to be comfortable with its business model, otherwise there could be friction over the risks that a bank of its size poses, the shareholder added.
The Swiss Bankers Association said the plan threatened to usher in "a wave of regulation that would impose a massive burden on banks and the economy as a whole. "Adriel Jost, a fellow at the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy, said the proposals showed "subsidies" for banks remained in place. "This will cost Switzerland dearly in the next crisis, be it through the provision of emergency liquidity, a takeover of bad assets, refinancing or temporary nationalization," he said. "It is a bold bet that slightly increased supervision in advance can change this."
($1 = 0.9122 Swiss francs)

I feel very weird coming on here because my stats arent the best, but I want overlook from people who doing the best. I'm name basic things before going big into what I'm going to college for.
This is only junior year Senior year in august
GPA: 4.1 out of 5.5 or 5.0 in my school district (weighted) 4.0 out of 5.5 or 5.0 (unweighted)
Class rank: 33 out of 420 unweighted Weighted class rank: TBD
5 honors and 5 AP classes The only high school classes thats imporant
Advance diploma in the making PSAT: 1030 SAT: TBD later
Leadership role Head Youth Usher Leader at my church that has less than 15 members
Extracurricular: Youth Usher Youth Ministry -read scriptures and did prayers for church sessions Youth Choir Book writing -published a writing to competition -Blog on social media -a part of a writing club Song writing -I dont know how to represent this in any application Church Band -solo performance for black history month Volunteering -i have volunteered at multiple events, but only stayed with one organization for a while -i have 27 hours within the organization and they are agricultural based
College Degree/s Music and English/Creative Writing
Career: Musical Artist/Producer -I really want to work with smaller artist Writer -i just like writing as a way to release emotions and thinking
In addition: First generation
It's weird posting this, but rate if you feel so. Thanks.

They are rare and you have to ferret them out.

• Don’t settle for just any girlfriend. It’s so much better to find a godly woman and build a life with her than to bedhop. Instead, use your own Christianity to weed out poor candidates.
  
• Godly Christian women often go to church and to Christian functions that are alternatives to the party scene. If you talk to a woman outside of those, ask her if she regularly attends church and where. Worldly women don’t usually attend church.
  
• The pain of rejection is mostly because of a misunderstanding. We assume that it means that we did something wrong, or that something is wrong with ourselves, and we feel terrible. But that’s usually not it. She could be hurt, or afraid, or in love with someone else, etc. Even if I don’t have a relationship today, I still have all that I need from God today, in fact, more than enough.
  
• So be up front about your faith with every woman, not just that you are Christian, but that you actively follow Jesus. You can’t spring this on a worldly woman later and expect her to just convert to Christianity for you, it won’t be genuine. This will weed out women who just want to hook up.
  
• A formal introduction can help you get into a relationship. It’s possible to quickly get on a first name basis with eligible women by volunteering at church with the choir, with refreshments, or by serving as an usher.
  
• An eligible godly Christian woman wants a godly Christian man. There are few godly Christian men, so this increases your value with a godly woman if she knows that you’re godly. Being at church or at a campus ministry speaks for you, especially if you know the names of the people there and greet them by name. Inviting her to Christian alternative functions does, too, so keep up to date on when those functions are happening. Stay away from pushing a doctrine, that can rule you out unnecessarily. Most women end up adopting the doctrine of whoever they are with, but not their godliness.
  
• Your ability to endure the pain of rejection is what makes you win. Getting rejected can really hurt, but it gives you intel. In every good relationship in my life, I got rejected on the first try, but I went back again, and that set me apart from the guys just looking for a good time.
  
• Most women can’t stand rejection, so they won’t tell you they like you until you tell them that you like them. That’s why you have to take the initiative. And most women will not react very enthusiastically when you ask them out. Women who don’t need a man will be confident in their dismissal of you. Woman who need a man will be nervous when you talk to them, and ambivalent when rejecting you. Most of those are just trying to gauge whether your interest is only skin deep, and you should keep talking to them. If you don’t, you look like a goodtimer.
  
• Repeat your prayer request for a godly wife after every rejection to show God that you won’t give up your commitment to godliness. Hebrews says that with faith and patience we inherit the promises of God: if it worked instantly, we wouldn’t need patience.
  
• A godly Christian woman is compassionate. Remember Rebecca from the Old Testament. If you see a churched woman show kindness to someone who can’t repay her, then she’s no fake. Any woman bringing you food wants your attention.
  
• A godly Christian woman will love Jesus. She won’t take his name in vain, and will react if someone else does. Religious holidays like Christmas and Easter will be important to her for that reason.
  
• God can move a person’s heart in either direction. If you’re praying for a godly wife, don’t be surprised if you start getting rejected by many women, because God will need to scatter the wrong ones to make room for the right one.
  

These are things I’ve seen in my own life and I hope they help you.
Thursday, April 4, 2024

It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city, “The Church in Lubbock.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christians at Tech is associated with The Church in Lubbock which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city, “The Church in Denton.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian Students at UNT is associated with The Church in Denton which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

Matthew 24
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.
I want to be extreme clear here. Jesus lays out, in His own words recorded by Matthew what we need to be looking out for regarding the end of the age.
Let's start by asking, what is the end of the age?
Like 18
28 And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
So Jesus specifically refers to the current age and the age to come. He does this is other places in the New Testament, but for brevity I will stick with this example. The world has its been since the fall is the current age, as Paul calls it, "present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). We look forward to the a new age where the world is fundamentally changed. This is what everyone expected Jesus would do, upend the world order and establish the eternal kingdom of God on earth. Jesus instead became the sacrifice to open the door to the next age for all who would receive Him.
So when will this next age begin? Again Jesus continues.
Matthew 24
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
This verse is key. Jesus is specially referring to Daniel prophesy of the weeks of years (Daniel 9:24-27). And Jesus plainly states that when you see the abomination of desolation staring in the temple (the holy place) - RUN!
This is the ONLY sign Jesus gives us that we will know for sure we are in the tribulation. This is the sign. Now currently there is no temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, instead there is a Mosque. And due to political and religious reason Israel is not free to simply build the temple again, although they are planning it when the time comes.
Matthew 24
21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
Jesus is telling us that the 3 1/2 years of tribulation will be cut short. That means that even if we count the days and years by moon cycles or sun cycles we still do not know exactly how long the tribulation will last. We know it will be cut short.
Then Jesus tells us when He will return and usher in the next age.
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Jesus then in my opinion speaks both to the disciples themselves and to this future generation that will endure the tribulation. To the disciples He explains the season of persecution is here for them. And to the generation of the tribulation, they will know the season. Reason can tell us the building of the temple will be a major sign!
34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
Here Jesus is speaking of the generation of the tribulation.
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
This is a message directly to the generation of the tribulation. Jesus is clear in His ministry that if you reject Him in this age, you're doomed in the next age. The tribulation will be so great, the pressure so incredible to deny Jesus, not just deny Him but to worship the beast. People will loose their jobs, their ability to buy and sell, even be inprisoned and eventually be killed. Anyone in that situation will be wondering, when is Jesus coming to stop it? Jesus warns that generation, STAY AWAKE. Don't be swept away by the pleasures of the world. Remember for the average person casually walking through life things will be normal. Like the days of Noah they did not worry about a flood. Instead they will just live life as normal.
Finally in verse 43 the master of the house, this is Satan. He has read the bible too. He will have a plan when Jesus comes, and believe me it will be to complete the final solution Hitler failed at. But Satan also DOES NOT know the day or the hour.
When the tribulation finally comes the mis-information war will be greatest, we can already see signs of how this will take place. Social media and AI will make it easy for people to be fooled, the beast will also do miracles and signs and wonders to compete with the Holy Spirit. People will have to pick a side.
48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus gives that generation a final warning. Don't give up! Don't think Jesus isn't coming and join the enemy. Don't take the mark.

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at the UTRGV campuses.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of the a city where one of your campuses is located, “The Church in Edinburg.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian at RGV is associated with The Church in Edinburg which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city of El Paso, “The Church in El Paso.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian at UTEP is associated with The Church in El Paso, which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

Any and all thoughts welcome and appreciated!
Dear [ ],
Since you’re on the hunt for [XYZ] stories, I’m excited to submit BLOODLINES AND BURIALS, my 90,000-word adult fantasy. It has the mafia-like elements of Jade City by Fonda Lee and blends in the cultural atmosphere of Chibundu Onuzo's Welcome to Lagos. A standalone novel with series potential, it’s The Godfather meets Succession in Nigeria, with a bit of magic.
The most powerful crime family in Wren has been hit hard by the Ministry of Justice, who has finally closed the faucet on their underground gambling rings, their last major source of revenue. Now, their money, and thus their power and influence, is quickly dissipating. Knowing there is no option to lead a normal life, and having to keep up with the family’s lavish existing one, brothers Adam and Jide are desperate to usher the family into a new, more prosperous time, but their individual visions are at odds.
Oldest brother Jide, a strategic wizard and gifted marksman, is adamant about the traditional approach, recapturing their monopoly on counterfeiting currency, seizing old trade routes, and extortion, the steady, predictable streams of revenue the family has relied on for years.
Adam, talented botanist and apothecary, and ever innovative, insists the family needs to branch out, and seize control of the production of Haywire, a new substance rumored to supercharge the already existing abilities of those who consume it. Adam already knows people are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money for it, but he needs the family’s full backing to execute. Haywire’s ingredients, and more importantly, the process by which it is made, are located in an extremely dangerous territory, just outside of Wren.
When frustration boils over that the plan the family backed isn’t bringing in enough money, and with existing funds on its last leg, it all begins to unravel. Betrayal from within, the breaking of long-standing rules, the loss of critical members of the family.
Now their rivals smell blood in the water, and are zeroing in on Haywire. Worse, the Ministry of Justice is putting the finishing touches on their master plan to end them. Adam and Jide must work together to pull the family free of their enemies’ clutches or face the demise of the family line as they know and love it.
[BIO]
Thank you,
[ ]

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this group’s ministry in Houston.
To be clear, I was unable to find them in your list of campus ministries, but I have come across a website with a group that claims to be active at University of Houston, so I will share this notice with you all just in case.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city of Arlington, “The Church in Arlington.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian on Campus at University of Houston is associated with The Church in Houston, which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
A woman named Andrea McArdle has also testified specifically about abuse in the Church in Houston as well
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city, “The Church in San Marcos.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian at Texas State is associated with The Church in San Marcos which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city, “The Church in College Station.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian at TAMU is associated with The Church in College Station which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

EDIT: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding this club at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of the a city where one of your campuses is located, “The Church in Edinburg.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian at RGV is associated with The Church in Edinburg which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.

EDIT: I know this group has a church in Arlington, so I assumed that the Arlington church tuns the club at UTA. From the testimony of one of the commenters, though, it seems that the club at UTA may be run by their church in Fort Worth or it could be perhaps that both churches are involved in maintaining and operating the club.
EDIT 2: It should be noted that members of The Lord’s Recovery often make reference to the Christian Research Institute’s “We Were Wrong” article to defend themselves. I’ve posted a rebuttal to that here.
After seeing the testimony of a student from UT Austin regarding the branch of CSOC that operates there as well as another student who has testified regarding the UT system as well, I believe it would be good to provide this additional notice regarding CSOC at your campus.
I’ve seen these clubs operate under a few different names across the country. Sometimes they’ve called themselves Christians on Campus (CoC). Many of them now go by the name Christian Students on Campus (CSOC). Some of them name themselves after their university, taking the naming scheme of “Christians at [University Name].” Regardless of which name you may encounter, there are some important things to know about them.
First and foremost is their affiliation with a larger church. If they make any claims of being unaffiliated with any church or denomination, it is certainly untrue. This college group, along with its sister groups at various other campuses in the UT system and across the country, is affiliated with a collection of churches that are call themselves The Lord’s Recovery. This collection of churches has also used the name The Local Churches. It is a denomination that was founded by a man named Witness Lee who is referred to as “The Minister of the Age” because they feel he has the one true revelation for the churches given to him directly by God. Because of a particular doctrine they have, they feel the only proper way to name their churches is to use the name of their city. As such, they have names such as “The Church in Austin” or “The Church in Anaheim” or, in the case of your city of Arlington, “The Church in Arlington.” As such, it must be made clear that the club known as Christian on Campus at The University of Texas at Arlington is associated with The Church in Arlington, which itself is affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery (a.k.a. “The Local Churches”), a group of churches which receives all of its official teachings from a publishing company founded by Witness Lee known as Living Stream Ministry. It is a known fact that all of the churches affiliated with The Lord’s Recovery, at least in the United States, are required to abide by the “one publication” mandate and uphold the teachings of Witness Lee put forth by Living Stream Ministry.
The second matter I’d like to address is that the members of these clubs are often discouraged from sharing the clubs’ association with their denomination, The Lord’s Recovery. Many of these CSOC clubs may have officers, but often times the ones who truly lead the clubs are people that are referred to as “full-timers.” These are people who are paid by the churches in The Lord’s Recovery to work full-time for their ministries, often being assigned to the various campus clubs they operate around the country. The officers of these clubs and other members are often encouraged to join what we referred to as “internship trainings” organized by The Local Churches where they are guided on how to reach out to orientees over the summer and bring them into campus clubs. In these trainings, which were often led by the “full-timers” from Austin and elsewhere, we were told to forgo any mention of our denomination’s founder, Witness Lee, or some of the more unique teachings of his that our church espoused such as one we refer to as “calling on the Lord” (you can get more info about this practice in this article here). The reason for this was two-fold. First, our ultimate goal with the clubs was to usher people into our denomination, to “bring them into The Lord’s Recovery,” but we were told that some of these truths were “high truths” that certain people simply could not handle yet. We first had to see if they were “open to the ministry.” Second, because of the history of The Lord’s Recovery in the past in which people began to see it as a cult-like group, they wanted to minimize the chances of others seeing them in that way once more by remaining low-key about their more unique doctrines and practices. As such, were told to focus only on the “common faith,” which included things like “Jesus died for our sins” and “the bible is the inerrant word of God” and “God is a triune God” and “salvation by faith, not works.” In this way, we would not draw suspicion from other Christians for highlighting our church’s unique doctrines and we would not scare away those new to the faith with our unique practices.
The third thing I’d like to focus on is the dubious history of The Lord’s Recovery, which includes:
bringing lawsuits against those who have publicly spoken up about their questionable doctrines and history,
the abuse of power of their founder, Witness Lee, his son, Phillip Lee, and other church leaders in The Lord’s Recovery that has largely been unaddressed
recent testimonies by ex-members who have tried to speak up concerning spiritual, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse in The Lord’s Recovery
the demonization and public shaming of whistleblowers by the leaders of The Lord’s Recovery
I tell you these things not to target the college students themselves. Many of them are genuine in their faith, full of the hope and love that often abides in the hearts of young men and women who seek Christ and Christian fellowship. Yet if anyone wishes to associate with this campus ministry, it would be good for them to be aware of who this group is affiliated with since they often do not feel the need to disclose such things to new and even some veteran members. Those who are looking to join any Christian group on a college campus have a right to make an informed decision regarding who they give their time and efforts to.
Since The Lord’s Recovery has a history of harassing those who speak up and even threatening lawsuits against them, I will admit that I am a bit nervous about sharing this testimony, but I feel that after everything I’ve witnessed and everything I’ve discovered about their history, it needs to be said. May the Lord use this testimony to open up eyes, hearts, and conversations regarding this group which has gone largely unnoticed for quite some time.
For the sake of record, my first notice was for The University of Texas at San Antonio where I worked directly with their campus ministry.