Bro Gary Hawkins 22: The Church of Random and Unnecessary Capitalization

[thoughtful]

  

I didn't see Gary and Becky at the 6/4 evening service, or the  6/7 service.

At the 6/11  morning service, there is a wheeled device next to Gary throughout the service, and, when they leave, he is using it. It looks like a knee scooter.

Spoiler

  

 

He had it again at the Sunday evening service. So, Gary must have hurt himself somehow. 

If they were at the 6/14 service, they never got within camera range.

Edited June 15, 2023 by thoughtful
riffle

[AmazonGrace]

Guys, your wickness is showing.

Quote

Ok folks quit asking GOD heal our land. If you are going to keep up the wickness GOD ain't going to Bless sin. Needed to be Said

Bro Gary Hawkins

The new Peanuts book is called, It's the Great Humbling, Charlie Brown

Spoiler

 

[thoughtful]

My wickness never shows - I have no wick, and the people I know with wicks keep them snuffed out and hidden!

Quite an argument has started under that post - the usual angels dancing on the head of a pin bullshit:

Spoiler

Edited June 15, 2023 by thoughtful
riffle

[thoughtful]

I just noticed that Becky posted a wave via Facebook for last night's service. So, Mr. NeverMissChurch and his wife were not there last night, but Becky, at least, was watching.

Spoiler

 

 

[thoughtful]

Gary, as ever, trying to be a help to a worthy Ministry, because it has help thousands of Home.

Spoiler

And what ministry is that? Why, Fallen IN Grace, the luxury resort for men of God who want to hide from accusations for a while, run by the Davids, Hyles and Baker.

Spoiler

Hey, Daves - pastors not abusing women, children and church finances, and not covering up for others who do, so they don't "fall" and don't need the service of FIG, would eliminate the need for all of this. Then the money could go to, oh, I don't know . . . let's say creating jobs for those who need them, or feeding the hungry - crazy stuff like that.

But I guess that's out of the question.

[thoughtful]

Some folks spoke up about Pastor Baker when he ran for office. He's pretty much what he seems, to those of us who know how to spot it, but I found it interesting to read details.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/576182985761781/posts/5342053115841387/

Quote

He is an influencer,who hides behind God when the things he proposes or brings to his flock doesn't work . He is the kindest closeted white supremacist I know. Now of course he will deny having any hate for anyone and will use his years of service to people to back that up. But he taught me pastoring is his job not his heart.he went to a Christian school like the one he wanted to send me too that trains people to be the kindest, most helpful racists in the room..and they think because they are nice their bias will be ignored long enough to capture the hearts of those who actually oppose the ideology at it's core.

https://www.facebook.com/BushaJaja/posts/pfbid0fAkQVHGBxhujomT5fXWDSsHQMmcEnQPyGKTBGCJbh61aRpo9U4ShRF8TucQo4aydl

 

Quote

We were members at David Bakers Lighthouse Baptist Church. I was so excited about being involved and sharing all the excitement with my neighbors, friends, family, coworkers. Lighthouse had a pretty decent ball field way out front about where the new TSC stands. They rarely used it and one of my coworkers mentioned to me that their elementary childs ball team was looking for a place to practice. I was so excited and went to Dave Baker to see if they could use the field. Now, I realize how cultish his answer was. Oh no, we could never allow a childs team to use our ballfield because we couldn't control how the children or parents would be dressed and people might think we endorse the standard of dress they would display. I asked then if they could only use it on days that church was not in session. He said no, sorry; people may still think we approve of their dress.

 

This is about the school at Baker's former church:

https://www.facebook.com/bo.jones.5036/posts/pfbid036EmgF9GK12iU6q9avj56LNwBSYqaYCvUWLrxySU3Xw4yXLbnPZiKAxWpG1jTCmkdl

 

Quote

I was recently sent an old academy handbook that addressed the rules and regulations of the private Christian school that I attended which was ran by the church. It’s interesting to see how crazy these rules are. I’ve highlighted several things in the attached pictures. You’ll notice the level of control they had over us as students. Some of these rules are incredibly ridiculous, such as the possibility of expulsion for going to a movie theater. If they saw you dress “inappropriately” in PUBLIC(such as boys wearing shorts or girls in pants) you would get demerits that could build up to a paddling or even an expulsion. Looking at this as a parent, I would be greatly concerned with my child’s education. How does them wearing certain clothes in public affect their education? How does a movie theater affect their education? Yet the school will expel them for it. Also, the students will spend a lot of time cleaning the church. So I’m going to pay for my child to clean a church while they are also not learning?

Punk-style sandals and butterfly hair clips? Oh, no! In the grip of Satan for sure.

Spoiler

 

[Xan]

I find the fundamentalists' fixation on clothing very interesting.  They really feel that they must look different in order to be seen as Christian.  The less fashionable and the less comfortable they are, the holier they are.  If they could get away with making women wear burkas, they'd be so happy.

I wonder about Gary's knee.  He probably hurt it on the job.  I bet he'd love to file for disability so he could go back to recliner preaching and sleeping in.

[thoughtful]

2 hours ago, Xan said:

I wonder about Gary's knee.  He probably hurt it on the job.  I bet he'd love to file for disability so he could go back to recliner preaching and sleeping in.

I think the person's knee has to be OK to use the thing he's using, because the point is that you put your weight on your knee. I think it's usually for an injury lower down - ankle or foot.

I also wonder how he hurt it. We'd probably hear about it in messages for years to come, if he was still preaching on a regular basis.

I also immediately thought of his being happy to get workers' comp or disability, and getting to stay home and be lazy. I even wondered briefly if he's faking whatever it is. But then I decided that Gary wasn't clever enough for that.

 

[Xan]

10 hours ago, thoughtful said:

I also immediately thought of his being happy to get workers' comp or disability, and getting to stay home and be lazy. I even wondered briefly if he's faking whatever it is. But then I decided that Gary wasn't clever enough for that.

When it comes to fundies getting free money, they all turn out to be much more clever than we thought.

[postscript]

11 hours ago, thoughtful said:

I also immediately thought of his being happy to get workers' comp or disability, and getting to stay home and be lazy. I even wondered briefly if he's faking whatever it is. But then I decided that Gary wasn't clever enough for that.

But Gary doesn't believe in government assistance! 

Hah. Given the chance to get free money out of the evil government or his employer's insurance company, he'd be the first to sign up. Anything to avoid the four-letter word "work." 

[thoughtful]

Someone must have said something about Fallen IN Grace, David Hyles and/or David Baker. It has made Gary even more incoherent than usual - this one is chock-full of Garyesque nonsense:

 

 

[Xan]

Wow.  The KJB doesn't say to put it on social media?  Maybe I haven't given the KJV enough credit for the foresight regarding the internet.  Does the KJV say it's okay to use Twitter?  Asking for a friend...

On a more serious note, it would seem that Gary wants no part of any discussion of Hyles or Baker.  He particularly doesn't want anyone messing up his page talking smack about fellow men of God.  Sorry, Gar.  You need to vet a little better before you go asking people to donate money to skeevy preachers.

[AmazonGrace]

The KJB never told you to post on Facebook at all, Gary. 

Yet you do.

[AmazonGrace]

 

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye noe
I'd been married long time ago
Where did you come from, where did you go?
Where did you come from, Cotton-Eye noe?

 

Spoiler

Ok folks the LORD is about to show just how real HE is. As it was in the days of noe. We are there. Bro Gary Hawkins

 

 What's with all the Snoopy memes lately?

[thoughtful]

That is one weird image.

I guess, in his rule book, it's OK for Gary to show a NEKKID woman to make his point.

When Gary preaches, he actually pronounces "Noe" as "Noeeee" (which is what I imaging the Rodrigues daughters are taught to say when Jill asks "Does this modest blouse and Godly skirt make me look fat?"). He seems to know it's the same person as Noah, from what I can tell, but thinks the pronunciation is different when it's transliterated from the Greek as opposed to the Hebrew.

Quote

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+17%3A26&version=KJV

Quote

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke 17%3A27&version=KJV

[Xan]

Gary just put up another hateful post.  

Spoiler

Someone who can't seem to master English complains about people not speaking English.  The irony is overwhelming.

[thoughtful]

4 hours ago, Xan said:

Gary just put up another hateful post.  

  Reveal hidden contents

Someone who can't seem to master English complains about people not speaking English.  The irony is overwhelming.

He's ranted about this in several of his messages, killing off many irony meters, so his posting a meme about it doesn't surprise me.

He's also complained that he even has to press a button to get English, because it should be the default (I don't know who Gary is calling, but English is the default at most places I call, and an option for Spanish is offered).

He refers to what one has to do when making voice mail choices is "mash" the buttons. That's also his phrase for punching a time clock. And, of course, he's complained that "pornograph" popped up on his phone when he hadn't even mashed any buttons.

ETA - adding to the irony, this comment:

Edited June 20, 2023 by thoughtful

[AmazonGrace]

Press 1 for Gary.

Press 2 for racist idiot.

Press 3 for Why do I have to press, they're one and the same!?!?

[thoughtful]

Tony gets specific in his racism (the "like" is from Gary):

These guys are such urbane and sophisticated wits - it puts me in mind of Noel Coward at his height. /s

[thoughtful]

Gary's latest re-post, with the comment "Ok folks this is a very good read," is very un-Gary. I wonder whether he's actually showing a glimmer of maturity, is afraid of losing Becky, is thinking in terms of people getting "saved" before it's too late, or just doesn't understand it:

Quote

Barely the day started and... it's already six in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday.

... and the month is already over.

... and the year is almost over.

... and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.

... and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.

and we realize it's too late to go back...

So... Let's try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time...

Let's keep looking for activities that we like...

Let's put some color in our grey...

Let's smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.

And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let's try to eliminate the afters...

I'm doing it after...

I'll say after...

I'll think about it after...

We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don't understand is that:

Afterwards, the coffee gets cold...

afterwards, priorities change...

Afterwards, the charm is broken...

afterwards, health passes...

Afterwards, the kids grow up...

Afterwards parents get old...

Afterwards, promises are forgotten...

afterwards, the day becomes the night...

afterwards life ends...

And then it's often too late....

So... Let's leave nothing for later...

Because still waiting see you later, we can lose the best moments,

the best experiences,

best friends,

the best family...

The day is today... The moment is now...

We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.

 

[AmazonGrace]

Quote

The day is today... The moment is now...

We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.

You gotta post that racist meme today

because tomorrow might be too late.

[thoughtful]

Becky has posted, for the first time in many weeks, appreciating Pastor Baker's wife:

 

Spoiler

Quote

Cassandra McMurtry

10 Things about Your Pastor's Wife

1. She is not on staff. She is not an extension of the pastor, she is simply his wife. She is there to be his help, just like you are your husband's help. She is a volunteer, just like every other Christian lady. Truth bomb here- I am not a fan of church cleaning days. (Twice a year deep cleans of the church) I spend most of my day cleaning my own home, so it's hard for me to be super excited about spending a Saturday deep cleaning yet another building. But I do it. I show up, with my rag in one hand and broom in the other. I do it because I want to serve the Lord, not because I am being paid.

2. Often, she doesn't know more about activities or events than any other person in the church. I often find out about events along with everyone else, when announcements take place. Most of the time, if you missed the time the event starts during announcements, I most likely did, too. Pastors don't usually check with their wives before they plan things. They just plan them.

3. It's hard for her to make close friends in the church. She has been hurt, time and time again. She truly cares for every person that comes into the church, but when people get mad at the pastor, they get mad at her too. Sometimes she thinks everything is great, only to have someone who she thought was a friend leave the church out of the blue. It's hard to be authentic and real with someone, to open up, only to have that trust used as darts later- usually over something trivial and petty. If she is being a little distant, give her some grace. Most pastors and their families are just coming out of a battle, or going into a battle, and sometimes there are fresh wounds. Still, she shows up for every single service, and every single activity. She tries to do her best to greet everyone and be available if someone needs her.

4. Her kids aren't perfect. After a few years, others start to realize this, too, and will often use attacks against the kids to attack the pastor. Any flaw, no matter how small, will be used as an attack. She tries her best to shield her kids from feeling as if they live in a glass house, but....they kind of live in a glass house. Often the success of a pastor depends greatly on the success of his marriage and children. Most pastor's kids will tell you that they felt pressure growing up, even if their parents did their best to shield them from it.

5. Her life is very full and very busy, and her main place is in the home. Over the course of our church plant, we have had a couple of single women come through who demanded- yes, demanded- 24 hour access to me. They wanted me to drop everything and sit with them at their house, or to spend hours on the phone counseling them. I finally got to the point where I had to tell them that I simply didn't have time to be their personal therapist or helper. I have eight children, I homeschool, and I teach piano lessons. I also told them that I was at church all day on Sunday and for every service, and I would be available to chat if they needed me. That wasn't good enough. They didn't want to simply show up at church, they wanted my undivided attention every single day, every day of the week. Needless to say, they left the church in a huff, and I was the villain. If your pastor's wife puts boundaries in place, respect that about her. She realizes where her priorities lie, and that's a good thing! She will pour love and attention on you at every single service! I know for me personally, I arrive at church very early and stay very late.

6. She gets tired, just like you. She has bad days, just like you. She sins, just like you. She will most likely unintentionally offend you at times. Try not to keep a running list of ways she has offended you. If she has truly hurt your feelings, please let her know. She can't fix her wrongs if she has no idea what she has done. So many times small offenses happen, and they turn into huge offenses, because they are re-lived, over and over again, in the imagination. When something doesn't get dealt with, but it festers, suddenly you notice every annoying thing about the pastor and his wife. That tiny rock of offense turns into a boulder of offense, and after a year or two, that church is the worst church in the world, with the worst pastor and pastor's wife in the world. Please, talk to her about offenses when they come, and quickly. After a year, she won't remember what she even did. (Most of the time, she has no idea she even did anything!) Believe me, she doesn't want to offend anyone, and works very hard not to offend anyone!

7. She wants everyone to get along. Conflict stresses her out. Oftentimes, God has laid the desire for ministry in her heart since the time she was young. I have always loved church. I have always loved the things of the Lord. I remember when I was five or six, I was at a missions conference, and the Lord stirred my heart. I knew then that it was my desire to marry a pastor or missionary. It's been a fire in my heart since I was a young child. It's this fire that keeps me going in the tough times. It's this fire that won't let me quit, even amid struggles and battles and hard times. It's this fire that keeps me firmly behind my husband, backing him in every decision and plan that he makes for the direction of the church. It's a fire that I hope never goes out, and one I always keep burning. That being said, she only wants to put out fires if there is conflict. Oftentimes, she is putting out fires at home and then coming to church and putting fires out there, too.

8. She isn't her husband's personal secretary, and he doesn't repeat conversations back to her. Don't relay information to her, hoping it gets back to the pastor. Personally, I just won't do it. If there is a problem or concern, people can go directly to him, because I have no part in making the decisions around the church.

9. She often appears strong, but she has insecurities too. Is she being everything she can be? Is she friendly enough? Open enough? Happy enough? Oh no, she forgot to smile at so and so, because she was rethinking the conversation she had with her teen on the way to church. She forgot to greet Mrs. Smith because she had to run and help her toddler use the bathroom. She was talking to Mrs. White for an extra five minutes because of a situation she was going through, but missed greeting Mrs. Taylor because she had to play the piano. The truth is, she is pulled in a million directions on Sundays and Wednesdays, and often arranging and navigating multiple things at once. Sometimes she would love to slip into a service where no one knew her, and just sit in the back and observe! So just remember that she has insecurities and is doing her best to be everything that everyone needs her to be.

10. She loves the Lord. She loves her husband. She loves her kids. She loves you. She prays for you. She thinks of you. She worries when you miss a week, two weeks, three weeks. Your absence speaks more loudly than your presence. However, she loves in that order, and as such, that's where her priorities lie. If her marriage fails, the ministry fails. If her home is a mess, her ministry fails. She wishes she could be exactly what everyone needs her to be, and to fill every missing void and hole in your life, but it's just not humanly possible..so she keeps the main thing the main thing. Lord, husband, kids, friendships. If we all kept that order, we would have mighty churches that would see great success!

At the end of the day, your pastor's wife is just another wife, mom, friend, church member. She fails, and fails often. She sins, although she is trying to sin less and less. She messes up. She needs Jesus more and more with each passing day. She strives to show you grace, please, try to show her some.

 

 

[AmazonGrace]

Spoiler

Most pastors and their families are just coming out of a battle, or going into a battle, and sometimes there are fresh wounds. 

If you're always fighting with everyone around you maybe it's Maybelline, maybe it's you.

[thoughtful]

Gary's latest:

[AmazonGrace]

That's really cute, coming from a dude who's lived the life of a vagrant for years.