Visit to the FotW, with a few pictures...

RamboPreacher · Postby **RamboPreacher** » May 29th, 2008, 1:21 pm

[edit - some pictures now posted]

I am in Chattanooga for a CPPA National Gathering. We got here a day early to go and visit the Fields of the Wood. went there, did that - visited with Pastor Don. Gotta run for now, but wanted to let you know I have pictures coming - because I KNOW you all want to see FotW pics

RamboPreacher · Postby **RamboPreacher** » May 29th, 2008, 4:09 pm

Brother Wayne Hall mowing the 10 Commandments:

The third time I have been to the FotW, and this is the first time I have seen these, anyone have a clue what they are? in the sidewalk close to the info booth with the star on top:

My wife said, "see, things do change". so I had to have a picture:

notice that I am not worshiping a shrine here, I have a lot of respect for my chosen heritage:

Not at the FotW, but a momentous marker that I felt the need to share. Yes, I have another picture of me here, but it is a couple years old now, and besides, I am wearing my paintball referee shirt!

(For the extremely conservative COGOP'ers - please skip this next one and accept my appologies, if this offends you.)

And last but not least (I will be making a slide show of all the images after I get home, these are just samplers) - I will probably hear it from my wife for this, but I am feeling ornery. It was sprinkling most of the way up and back down the place of prayer; so please forgive my wife's appearance, but I couldn't pass up having a picture of us by this particular marker with smiles on our faces, adn the Joy of the Lord in our hearts as we celebrate our salvation and being filled with the Holy Spirit!

Postby **Pastor Gary** » May 29th, 2008, 4:28 pm

RamboPreacher wrote:...this is the first time I have seen these, anyone have a clue what they are? in the sidewalk close to the info booth with the star on top:

Yep...

Those look like "White Honor Stones." There was a big wall on which local churches who met certain financial goals/obligations were honored with a white brick with their name inscribed.

paul · Postby **paul** » May 29th, 2008, 5:18 pm

Pastor Gary wrote:
RamboPreacher wrote:...this is the first time I have seen these, anyone have a clue what they are? in the sidewalk close to the info booth with the star on top:

Yep...

Those look like "White Honor Stones." There was a big wall on which local churches who met certain financial goals/obligations were honored with a white brick with their name inscribed.

Gary wasn't there stones if every member was saved and a different stone if every one was sanctified ?

mavislb · Postby **mavislb** » May 30th, 2008, 2:40 am

Yep, it was a gray stone if every member was saved and a white one if every member was sanctified. Every year before the Assembly they had a big rally at FOTW and pastors that earned an "honor stone" got in a march and carried their stone to a wall behind what was then the information building and placed them at the base of the wall to be put in the wall later to be displayed for everyone to see the coming year.

Boy, am I glad those days are over. We've come a loooonnnnng way since I was a child. (I've been in COGOP over 50 years.) I look back now and shudder at some of the things we did.

By the way, Rambo, thank for posting the pics of "adornment" and "divorce." I have been wondering what they did with those markers. Nice to know they've changed them. Praise God for leaders willing to "walk in the light."

RamboPreacher · Postby **RamboPreacher** » May 30th, 2008, 4:19 am

mavislb wrote:...
By the way, Rambo, thank for posting the pics of "adornment" and "divorce." I have been wondering what they did with those markers. Nice to know they've changed them. Praise God for leaders willing to "walk in the light."

the Evils of D&R marker hasn't been changed unfortunately. This is our "before" picture.

In fact the adornment marker seems to be pretty new as well. last time I was there, it was a temporary -type covering the front with this new text. it is now "engraved" in the concrete.

Part of the challenge is that there is not much finances to work these things out. The back of the big Bible at the top of the 10 commandments mountain is closed. apparently the "back blew off". When I drove around up there to go to the all nations cross, there was a back, but the structure seemed pretty weak. the stucco on the back was all off, though.

The FotW is not a shrine as some make it out to be. It is a "marker" and part of our (my chosen) heritage, though. Mary (my wife) and I had a great time walking up the place of prayer and walking up the 10 commandments.

We love the COGOP and are also happy that there are those making change and walking in the light; and not just at a local church level.

Postby **Shellie** » May 30th, 2008, 4:51 am

paul wrote:

wasn't there stones if every member was saved

SEE!! We HAVE changed. Now you have to be saved to even BE a member.

paul · Postby **paul** » May 30th, 2008, 4:55 am

Shellie wrote:paul wrote:

wasn't there stones if every member was saved

SEE!! We HAVE changed. Now you have to be saved to even BE a member.

In the imortal words of Jefferson, "We're moving on up." :lol:

crispfin · Postby **crispfin** » May 30th, 2008, 5:04 am

Yep, it was a gray stone if every member was saved and a white one if every member was sanctified. Every year before the Assembly they had a big rally at FOTW and pastors that earned an "honor stone" got in a march and carried their stone to a wall behind what was then the information building and placed them at the base of the wall to be put in the wall later to be displayed for everyone to see the coming year.

What, no red stone for everyone with the HG? :wink:

one love · Postby **one love** » May 30th, 2008, 5:07 am

it should have always been looked at as a marker, it always was to me. I know some get fanatic but by all reasoning of it being built was for "a marking program" Great pictures Rambo :wink:

If I can get the one from a long time ago to post here I think you would like it and see the thousands of people. Not sure if I can.

Jude 2