reaching out for anyone searching for answers

Touching base again - reaching out for anyone searching for answers, for help, for healing. I was in NTCC (New Testament Christian Church) for 13 years. Leaving doesn't make you an evil person, a sinner, someone that will die and go to hell. You can leave, have life, love life, have a great life, and a great relationship with God and others, including yourself!!!  and you don't need mucks to control you.


I AM AMAZED at how much I have heard since leaving. I saw Mr Kekel himself. Did I say hello to him. NO it wasn't worth my time and no love lost that he didn't say hello to me either. However on the hilarious side, a few days later an active NTCC member saw my son. He told this cult member that we saw puppet master Kekel the other day. He already knew. He said they heard all about it. YES, I'm glad I can be the topic of your firey spews because you have nothing better to speak about.


I'm FINALLY getting my divorce from my Nazi puppet ex who is also still a cult member. He was proud to tell me he read my post's and that he wouldn't have known they were there except another Nazi puppet cult member told him. Y'all are cracking me up!!! When I was "In" it was a SIN (SHAME ON YOU SINNERS!!!) to read these blogs! Oh well guess they'll be hypocrite sinners.


Ok, sorry for my rampage. I got lost. . . . . anyway, there is hope, help, joy, happiness, meaning and so much more. If you're reading and pondering, email me, call me, text me! I can be reached at mommakat01@yahoo.com or 253-389-5517. I plan to keep this # and email hopefully until death do I part - reach me any day, any time, any year.


Love, peace, best wishes, and blessings.


Kat

Update/Reaching Out

Hi All,

It's been a long time since I've posted. First I want to let anyone know who's hear searching for answers about NTCC (new testament christian church) know that I'm always here to help and answer questions. Always feel free to email me at mommakat01@yahoo.com

Today life is well. I have been healing, changing, improving, and much happier. God is the center of my joy and not any church or their laws. Jesus came to love, to save, and to deliver not bind us up. Christ did away with the legalism of the Old Testament.

My prayer is anyone struggling with leaving NTCC prays, desperately asking God to open their eyes to see the truth!

Please feel free to email me any time!


I'll check in from time to time and if anything happens along the way with ntcc, I'll bring you the update.

God Bless and Many Hugs!!!

Kat

Two more free!

I'm not giving names - it's their story to tell and their choice to share, but TWO more are FREE!!!  I have been friends with "Mary" and she has left the grasps of this brainwashing establishment. Well, "Joseph" has now left too. PRAISE GOD is all I can say!

You are not alone! Leaving WILL NOT send  you to hell!  Jesus came to fulfill the law. God is a God of LOVE not fear! You don't have to stay there because of fear. They convince you leaving means you'll die and go to hell. THIS IS A MIND CONTROL GAME USING FEAR. Don't let them manipulate you and rob you of your life.  You can leave and you can have a loving relationship with God and with others.

Praying for all those who are there still. No matter what state you live in, I'm here to help! You can always contact me at mommakat01@yahoo.com or 253-389-5517.

Blessings!

MommaKat

Deciphering the truth in the voices

I want you to think back and find something . . . . I want you to think on any point in your life when you really, trully just had to lift your hands in praise. Find a moment when you were in or near tears because your heart was over whelmed with a presence of God. Recall a time when you KNOW you felt God speaking to you, moving thru you. Find that moment where you were over come with His love and joy and you had NO DOUBT it was God. . . . . . It doesn't matter if you were in a church, in your kitchen, in your shower, in your car. Don't think about a church hype moment. I want you to think about a moment YOU had.  I want to ask you to find one of those moments, close your eyes and trully think about that moment. Recall it. Embrace it.  Don't move on until you found that moment.

Now, remember that moment? Remember when you KNEW it was God? Remember when you had no doubt God was blessing you, that God was speaking to you. It was a moment when there was no doubt in your mind that you heard God. You can't falsify that. You can't discount that YOU knew it was God.  Remember that voice - that was God speaking to you and telling you He was there with you.  Think about that voice as we move on. Think about the possibility where you may have even questioned, may have even hoped you were right that it was God. But then that proverbial angel on the shoulder helped you to know it was real.

Now, I want you to think about a time when you struggled because someone left your church, or someone said a bad word, or someone questioned something a pastor said, or someone disagreed with something.  Whatever it was, I want you to think about a time you felt bad because something happened and it wasn't "Ok" with the church. It was against what they preached. I want you to think about what your mind recalled (something like well they left the church so now I can't talk to them any more because they left God). Whatever the situation was, I want you to think about it and what you thought and how you felt.

NOW I want you to go deeper into that thought. Do you remember the struggle of thinking but why? Remember that voice that questioned if that was really the way it should be? Now do you remember the other voice coming up telling you not to question because you were told not to?

Let’s bring this all together......So the voice you heard in that high praise was God! No doubt. No question, right? The voice you heard in your heart say why is it I’m accepting this in that moment of doubt when you had to deal with something you didn't understand . . . . that too was God trying to tell you it's ok. You don't have to do this. You see, the fulfilling of the law was in Christ. God doesn't want any of us to live legally. He wants us to serve him because we love Him. He wants us to love others, no matter what church they go to or where they live. He doesn't want our life to be hard, grievous, and legalistic.  He wants us to freely worship, to freely serve.  The voice you heard telling you NO don't give in to questioning. Don't give in to thinking its ok to talk to so and so after leaving or whatever your scenario was, that voice - that is your enemy. That is not of God.

If you're still in this "church" and you find yourself battling why, I encourage you to pray. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. Don't discount the gut feeling in your heart! 

 Let me share with you just ONE very important piece of scripture:

Romans 13:10 (KJV) - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:10 NIV - Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

If we have love – if we have God’s love, it works no ill to our neighbor. There is NO stipulation if thy neighbour is in your church!  It doesn’t say if this neighbour is doing exactly what the church leader commandeth. It says it works NO ILL to his neighbour PERIOD.  It also says, very important here – THEREFORE love is the fulfilling of the law. This means YOU ARE FREE. It doesn’t mean do whatever you want, but you are NOT bound to live a legal bound life of laws. If you are a Christian; if you have the love of God in your heart, YOU are more than capable of making good decisions and doing the right thing. You don’t have to be oppressed to only fellowship with this person or can’t go here, can’t go there, can’t do this. The bible isn’t a bible of can’t do’s. If you have the love of God in your life, you’ll WANT to do what is right. And if you mess up, guess what God will still be there and will love you the same and He’ll help you back up!

Please prayerfully consider God’s word. You don’t have to be miserable, unhappy, broke, abandoned, without your family & friends, homeless and everything else that you’re going thru. Having a nice home and a savings isn’t for the select few or the lucky few; it’s for everyone and God wants to bless you.

Blessings and prayers that you find your voice and hear the voice of God!

 

Lost & Dying Sheep

Lately I have been visiting a church with my friend (we'll call her "Mary").  Mary is someone who vowed 2013 would be the last time she ever stepped foot in the cult, AKA ntcc.  Her husband still goes (though it appears there is hope not much longer). "Mary" wanted to find a new church she could be happy at and feel at home at.  I told her I'd be happy to go with her and so I have.  She went to a few and she wasn't sure, but finally, she found one that she thinks she will like.  I told her I'd go with her for a little while (as I already have a church home) until she felt comfortable enough to go on her own, after establishing a repor and some friendships. 

As "Mary" and I spend time talking, I'm reminded of several people I once knew. She's shared with me how miserable they are. So many are nearly homeless, are jobless, have to go to food banks for food and just plain depressed.  It is so heart breaking to know there are so many. Person after person she reminds me of names of people I know and tells me of there despair. Where is ntcc? Why don't they care?!  I have another friend I'll be emailing back this week who has shared with me their story and I'm not at all shocked! These stories aren't mine to tell but they are heart breaking! My point is this:  #1 SO many are still sitting there with this cult lost, hurt, destroyed, frustrated, broken, poor, homeless, unloved, un-nurtured, beat down, and the list goes on and on and on with these conditions.  And #2 this isn't what Christ came to the flesh for. This isn't what God intended for his people to endure!

I want to share part of John 10 - I'm going to post both KJV and The Message. I love comparing other versions because they break it down. I still go by KJV BUT if I'm stuck or need a little further meaning, other versions can help so please see The Message below the KJV below:

John 10:1-18 KJV:

 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

² But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
³ To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
⁴ And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
⁵ And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
⁶ This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
⁷ Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 10:1-18 "The Message":

10 ^1-5 “Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”

^6-10 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
^11-13 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.
^14-18 “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

NTCC knows this. They get you used to their voice so you will follow them. They condition you to hear their voice. They come dressed as a shepherd but are really a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Jesus said that He came that they might have life and that more abundantly. What an amazing and loving God!  But can ntcc say that? NO they can't! The only ones that have life and that more abundantly are those in the high ranks in the borg. The sad part is though there abundant life is only here on earth.  Davis, Kekel, and such are living high off the hog, padded wallets, etc. I'm begging if you are still in this cult and something has hit a nerve with you today PLEASE know there is TRUE Christian life outside of this place! The life is being sucked out of you. It isn't by some chance you are here reading this! The anger you feel from me writing this, from me calling that place a cult is from the conditioning THEY have put in your heart, NOT an anger from God! I can't tell you how much better my CHRISTIAN walk is since I left! I have a REAL relationship with God. I'm not confused and struggling and beat down any more! I am focused on a real relationship with Christ and what He wants for me. He wants to love you! He wants to see you prosper. He wants to see you happy! You deserve it!  Jesus said 'come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest'.  Come, trust God, restore your heart, restore your mental health, and restore your salvation with a true spark of a loving savior who wants to Give to YOU and not YOU give all to a cult.

You can always email me at mommakat01@yahoo.com - I will always keep everything confidential or you can text me anonymously at 253-389-5517 or call. I'm here to listen. I'm here to help.

Healing. . . . mentally, spiritually AND physically . . . .

For those of you that knew me, you knew I am no small person. You have likely seen me "Grow" literally thru the ntcc years. I wouldn't say I was a huge eater often but I was a wrong eater - eating the wrong things because it was cheap and I didn't have money (something you never hear in ntcc right??!! Yeah wrong!). I ate at all the wrong times because we didn't have time to be normal. I already have the DNA of fat folk and I'm Italian - hello! 

Now that I am gone and free, I am spiritually, and mentally better and God has given me strength to become physically better as well. To date, I'm currently down 85 lbs (in the past 4 1/2 months) and my son is down over 65 for over 150# comine weight loss!

Here's my progress (so far):

I DO! . . . . . promise to break any rule I want!!

Well, well, well, congratulations is in order for the Kekel's - seeing how they recently renewed their wedding vows. Oh but wait, no need to stop just there. How many of you got married in an ntcc cult chapel and were told nothing fancy? How many of you ladies had to wear something simple, no fancy decorations, well no decorations period? How many of you had no big reception, or no reception either? How many men just wore their "Sunday suit & tie" to tie that not?

I believe you all raised your hands.  Then please someone tell me WHY the kekel's had a HUGE whoopty doodles to renew their vows? Yes, the big fancy, extravagant dress; the fancy dresses for the flower girls. OH and did I mention the trains on the dresses? How about the decorations?  How about the decorations in the fellowship hall? The crystals and glitz and glamour of it all. Nice wedding cake too! WOW

So these folks never cease to amaze me! And those that were there watching all this, what did you think? I bet you wanted to question how they can but you cant and didn't have the ability to do so because deep inside you there is fear and the brainwashed idea of you can't speak up. WELL follow your gut. If you thought it, you were probably right!  I don't write this blog in hate. I write it in love to say it's just not right!  I wouldn't give into my curiosity because of the brainwashing but thank GOD that I finally listened to Him. You  have 2 voices in you. The one that is God telling you this isn't right has been beaten down by the brainwashing voice you hear saying it's not of god to question. Well God says it is. Need scripture to prove it? Message me and we can go there.

Another thing that is bothering me that just happened yesterday; I was gone all day. Knock, knock, knock - guess who? It was them cult folks out there Soul winning". My son said yeah my mom used to go there and they went on and on and on. They told my son, 'do you remember Sister Eaton's son, Christian?' and my son said yes. They went on to say, 'well his mom stopped coming too but he still comes without her. he doesn't have to and you can too.' Ok I MUST share, since they are using this young man for an example YET it wasn't too many years ago as a young teen, he was investigated for molesting children of an ex ntcc member. The church dismissed it b/c she left and she "Had a truckers mouth". WHAT!!!! What does a truckers mouth have to do with a serious allegation such as this?  Yes, it ended up not going very far with the police and I will tell you why . . . . . THEY - ntcc gave credibility for this boy b/c he and his mom attended church. ***Now I am not going to say he did or didn't do it BUT children don't usually know how to say sexual things happened to them just from imagination. It came from somewhere and her children said he did. I do know for an absolute fact that he used to babysit for the mother of the small children. She never allowed it after that. This all comes directly as I recall it b/c I was friends with both mothers at the time.

It's a sad place I'm telling you to twist the rules to work for the kekels and to protect the alleged of such things and they ALWAYS do it. Yes, no church, no place is perfect and each has there share of people as such but why folks do you follow this kind of  'church'/cult? If you have that deep intuitional instinct of run, you should! If you have that instinct of ask, you can but they're just going to treat you like the devil if you do - so I'd plan on leaving after asking, or better yet, just leave and find that God really isn't a slave master. He's a love master and he wants to love and bless you!

Sports Talk . . . . .

I have an employee who always wanted to do a sports blog. He's been like a son to me and I try to mentor him as sort of a spiritual mom. I encouraged him to start a blog and he did. I'm going to post a link on my blog. Feel free to check it out and he gives permission to anyone else who wants to share the link. He would LOVE any comments and interaction (even if you don't agree with his comments - PS - Matt, if you check this out, He's a Seahawks fan and a Chargers fan too yucky! - he went way wrong there with the Chargers!!! lol)

<3 MommaKat - GOOOOOOOOO NINERS!!!


***NEW LINK:
http://rikroksportstalk.blogspot.com/

NTCC Games; sneak n peak

Ok, I know this is silly, BUT I was curious what would be said and though I expected to hear something along these lines, I still didn't expect to hear this:

So there is someone I knew who is still in the cult, that is still in denial that it's a cult, that unfriended me from FB. And really, I am ok with it. I was however, curious why this person would try to friend my boys after unfriending me. I thought does this person want to save my boys from the vortex black whole of apostate they think I am? Seriously?  I couldn't resist asking a question to this person to see if that was what they thought.

Keep in mind - what I asked seems silly, BUT I know this person well enough to know a simple question wouldn't get answered by her. I knew I'd have to ask a off the collar, thought provoking question to get an answer. So, I sent a message to this person and said, ' What are the top 3 things you dislike about me the most'? (I expected something about me leaving).  I knew that IF they responded, they'd give a circled song and dance. I wasn't looking for something to post. I wasn't looking to mend the past. I was just curious what the mind set was. My boys can care less about this person anyway. They don't play the ntcc hunger games! 

The response came, indicating they are trying to follow God and not those things that would keep them from their goal. Yeah, ok, whatever, because I'm such an apostate now that I don't attend that cult. But then she said: "I have no bitterness or hatred toward no man, I cleared that out of my heart. Neither have I wrote a blog to speak no evil towards no man."

OMG folks, I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that. Seriously. SO I have ONE question. Why mention anything with a blog? PLEASE don't tell me you or any other member of that cult would be a hypocrite - they aren't sneaking a peek are they? Are you? You better go put more money in the offering basket and pray your sins are forgiven for doing such a terrible act!  Don't worry, I won't tell on you though . . . . . b/c you "Weren't reading this anyway".

Ok, I'm sarcastic but COME ON. I am sick and tired of the way this cult teaches them to be hypocrites. I LOVE what I saw D n A say - with REAL Christians, what you see is what you get. AMEN and AMEN. 

And why did she have to clear their heart of bitterness? I cleared my heart of bitterness since I left that cult. Guess what - I no longer have bitterness. If you have bitterness it's called what you see is what you get!

Ok I have a set of scriptures - I was only going to reference vs. 36-40 below BUT a lot of this reminds me of them cult folk:

Matthew 22: 21-29 & 36-40


They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
²² When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
²³ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
²⁴ Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
²⁵ Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
²⁶ Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
²⁷ And last of all the woman died also.
²⁸ Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
²⁹ Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
^{……… 36} Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.
³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 Just like the cult they marvel at words they should receive but don't want to hear/believe.  Then just like the Sadducees, they marry, remarry, and remarry. I think they just can't wait for the next death or divorce to get the recycled bride. Seriously SMH!  THANK GOD there is no marriage in heaven. If any of the cult makes it to heaven, can you imgaine the fights, no she's my wife - well I married her first??!!

The best part here is vs. 36-40. The only commandments herein we must live by, Post JESUS is to love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor. If you love God, you'll want to love your neighbor and love them to Him. You won't want to force them or hate them if they don't follow your cult or if they leave your cult. I don't really care if they hate me. I don't want anyone thinking they need to save my boys from me b/c I don't attend or follow the cult ways anymore either! Yes, I have a new hair do, jewelery, and even makeup. AND I'm not going to hell either. I love God and have more peace in my life now than I ever did! My youngest son, who I thought would be the hardest for me to connect with is being inspired by the changes in my life. THANK YOU JESUS! I couldn't have said that before while I attended this cult.

Don't judge us folks b/c we don't attend your cult any more and I won't judge you for still being there, or for sneaking a peek at our blogs. God loves you. All He wants is your fellowship and love. He doesn't want you to live a ritualistic, legalistic life. You don't have to go the martyrs way. Go God's way!

Publically forbidden; privately approved!

One day (time frame irrelevant) I met with a dear friend of mine, also an Xer. She has children who happen to still attend NTCC after she left. One of her children was engaged to be married. The fiancé to this party had been previously married. The ex-spouse abandoned and left the relationship and children. This single parent has been raising the children. My friends’ child would happily marry and become a part of their life and begin a new family.

As plans were being made, clothing purchased for the big event, etc. Mr. Sneak & Don’t tell Kinson told this young couple, ‘well I don’t know if you two would be living in sin because this one was married before; so we can’t marry you two in the chapel, BUT I’ll marry you in my office.’ WHAT – WHAT?? Really??? IF, IF they were indeed doing something against God, IF they were indeed going to be married in sin, HOW, PLEASE tell me HOW would marrying them in the secretive walls of your office will make it right? Please – I’d love to know how.  Would you have acted like you didn’t do it and let the people judge as they will? Because you and your people DO judge.

That’s one of the biggest problems YOU ALL JUDGE. I have one tip, one word of advice. It is in verse 5 below:

Matthew 7:1-5:

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
³ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
⁴ Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
⁵ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

HYPOCRITE get the hypocrisy out of your own life FIRST then you will see God is a God of grace, love, and mercy. WHO are you to judge? NTCC’er – WHY do you judge? If you’re still in and judging others – you’re no more saved than your borg leaders. You all talk about those of us who left and got true salvation, but why don’t you ask your leaders why doing something like this is okay? I’d love to know why myself. You won’t get an answer.

I don’t judge them for being married. It’s not my job to do. In fact, I pray that God will bless them and that they grow in His grace, love, and mercy. I pray they will find true peace and happiness and never again return to NTCC. I’m happy for them they married AND they didn’t get married at NTCC. Fortunately the families both said NO we want to see you get married not stand in some office. Another church welcomed them in to use their facility. They didn’t judge them. They welcomed them, the way a church should do.

How to leave a cult

Found this on Wiki-how - don't know how actually just came up when I was looking up something totally unrelated. I thought it was appropriate and wanted to share it here. Anyone looking to leave please do! You won't get it until you do but you will get it I promise!! How about I put a little "CHECK" by some of those that sound reminiscent of my time at ntcc. . . . you add yours as you read too woncha? 


How to leave a cult:

1.                        Recognize if you're in an abusive religious group. In some places these are called "cults"; in others, "sects" or "fundamentalist" groups. Cults generally involve aggressive misinformation or misinterpretation ("brainwashing"), self-aggrandizement and even worship of a leader, isolation from and disrespect of outsiders, and undermining members' self-esteem. Check

Think through the reasons that cause you to want to leave the cult. Are any of these reasons based on abuse,Check oppression,Check lack of freedom of thought/speech/mobility, etc.?Check If so, consider seeking help from authorities who can intervene where laws are being broken.

Plan your departure. If you're in a cult that lives in a compoundCheck, you might be planning an escape rather than a mere departure. Where this is the case (and if you're even allowed to be reading this article), you'll need to plan very carefully and take any possible opportunity that arises to leave. Either have your bag packed and carefully stowed away, or simply be prepared to forget any possessions and get ready to go at a moment's notice. Even if you can leave at your own leisure, leaving will be no picnic in the park.

Leave. If you're getting away in a hurry from a live-in cult, use opportunities such as when people visit, when you are taken somewhere else outside the compound, when others in your compound decide to make a break for it at the same time (if you know that you can trust them). If you're leaving at your own pace, arrange for collection of you and your possessions by taxi, or a friend or family member not involved in the cult. If you don't need to physically leave the cult but you do need to break ties with it, then not returning to services will be the first indication that you have gone.(JUST LEAVE!!!)

Try to have a place to stay in mind in advance. If you've left a live-in cult arrangement, you'll need a safe place to stay. Consider family, friends, refuges (shelters), or even a mainstream church charity. If you're in danger, the authorities should be able to help. Check - Hey I had to go to a shelter b/c I was left with nothing - it's ok, God will bless and get you out!

Be prepared for recriminations and attempts to get you back.Check Cultists tend to despise those who break ranks and threaten to expose what is really happening inside the cult. You will be viewed as a traitor and as someone who might be worth vilifying and telling lies about. Be prepared for this possibility. Alternately, they might seek to get you back by telling you that you're confused, Checkthat the evil from the outside has infected you, and that you need to return to be cleansed and restored.Check The important thing is to stand firm in believing that your choice to move on is right and that they might try anything. If you're afraid that they might try to physically take you back, seek protection. Finally, be prepared for excommunication and no further word.Check That can actually hurt a lot more than it might seem initially because suddenly you are forever cut off from those people you once knew really well. This is the time to get the support of other people who now surround you.

Remain strong in your convictions and beliefs. Your faith will be tested. You might want to read spiritual texts, read a variety of books with different interpretations of those spiritual texts, and visit other religious groups. It can also help to read about the experiences of other people who have broken away from cults to draw strength from how they coped with it.

Seek support from other people. Many people are sympathetic even if they don't understand the challenges facing those who exit a cult. Sometimes you might also need the help of an expert who specializes in reframing the lives of those who have experienced a cult lifestyle. If you've been under a lot of cult indoctrination expect some emotional withdraw. At the least sleep as much as you need, eat nutritiously and talk with people who are not involved with the cult. This will let you get accustomed to life as a non-cult member.

Continue journeying. Eventually you will be able to talk with others about your experiences and this might even translate to being able to help others in a similar bind. There are support networks online for people who have left cults; you might want to tap into those resources to share stories and spread support. In terms of your own spiritual journey, remain open-minded. The choice of some people to turn beliefs into cultish behaviors and narrow-minded self absorption is the exception rather than the rule. Most people of faith nurture their faith through reaching out to everyone in the community and lead lives that combine the secular and faith in tandem. This is worth striving for to ensure that you are whole and connected.

Tips

•   If you still live near members of the cult, they might be spiteful or spread gossip about you.Check, Check, and Check! Warn friends, neighbors, etc., of what has happened. Remain polite when you see them around the streets and your persistence in being strong and polite will place you on the higher ground. You never know who might be contemplating the same move as you, so showing that it works can be a sign of support for them.
• Do not give anyone in the cult the idea you are leaving. They will do their best to convince you and may not just stop at words to make you stay. Just leave quietly.Check
• Some cults may send people to hunt you down and take you back to the group. You may be in danger. Get help from someone outside, and when you escape hide until it is safe.

Divorcing the Cult . . . . and thespians

I'm inspired to write this because I'm finally, literally, divorcing the cult! I began the process for my divorce. I'll be going in to the court soon to actually file. My ex (well soon to be) though we've been separated for what about 7 years now; he actually "Said" he'd pay for half of the fee. I'll believe it when it happens. I am absolutely shocked he didn't run to the court house the second I said I wanted to separate. But the truth in that (as I've said in the past) was after I said that, and in front of MCK the sleez bag who never was man enough or Godly enough to try to help anyone in their family or marriage, who also must've (Accidentally - I'm sure! NOT) forgot to tell RWD I wanted to talk to him. I was ready to speak my mind but of course, I was beat back down instead. 

In ntcc they encourage if the spouse leaves, the one remaining is FREE to remarry - WELL it is so far from the truth, especially here! HE chose to leave b/c I wouldn't put up with his hypocritical crap any longer. I wonder how many of them "Licensed Preachers" are just like him? He never read, prayed, said anything Godly, UNLESS he was AT church or in front of others, then it was AMEN Brother, Lord Willing, Praying For you, or I read.....the other day - COME ON folks what a lying crock of nonsense! You ain't praying for no one. And Lord willing? LORD WILLING you'd get a brain and get out of thespianism already and become a REAL Christian. And when do they read? The "Licensed Minister" that was my "Husband" (JOKE there) but any way - he never read. Who else? I'd ask, beg him to read with me or pray with me. There was more time for the "Un-TV" on the "Sinnernet" then there was for God. But shhhh don't tell anyone we're watching TV shows or movies on the sinnernet - woulnd't want to be lamb basted or get in trouble. (AKA - shunned) Key words and actions that are important to think about when determining - NTCC IS REALLY A CULT.

So little Danny boy told me - oh yeah, you want a divorce, I'm leaving. Well  I never told him that (until yesterday - 8/13/13). Now I've tried communicating since before yesterday to no response - when I said ok, I'm ready to do this, I need an address to serve you for divorce, boy he chimed right in! Hmmm what a big hypocrite. 
BUT this is where I'm going. . . . he is part of this cult and is a terrible yet good actor like the rest. Goodness, I look back now and see all the theatrics of that cult. . . . I too once was a thespian and I didn't even know it. I didn't start off one. I had a true and genuine desire to worship and serve the Lord when I came to this cult. They seek the genuine and tender hearted. They know how to turn them around and manipulate and that is what they did. They take you to services, or thespian classes if you will. They act, they repetitively act at that. The more the repetitions, the more brainwashing you receive. I stumbled on a couple of articles on how to determine a cult and how to exit a cult. I'm going to post both. We've had things like this before either on mine or any of the other blogs but I think it's good to keep it freshly posted for anyone who comes to it and needs it.

When I was in the cult of ntcc, it was very hard for me to believe any of their nonsense wasn't true until finally one day I just left THEN God could show me. Outsiders can see it. They try to tell you and point it out - we discount it. There are so many trues that shouldn't be discounted in these. 

How to determine a cult:

1.                     1

Learn the organization's foundations. Cults tend to have very simple and similar foundations and common factors having all or some of the following:

o          A charismatic founder, leader or leadership.

o          Have a structured central bureaucracy.

o       Simplified goal or aim structure, such as to save something or introduce something to everyone.

o        A society history, most new initiates are invariably required to learn and respect the founding figures.

o       There is a degree of intellectual limitation, so outside ideas or interaction with non members are not encouraged

o         There is also a system of repercussions, such as shunning, "time out" or isolating or demotion.

o        There is a system of development, so a person may be groomed or encouraged to go towards certain roles, or assist in various ways.

o        There is a tithe, membership dues or other system of getting money from members, rather than earning it externally.

Think about how common this is. You might notice that most political parties, social clubs, sporting & health clubs, credit and banking systems, most religions and nationalities actually have these features and these are not what would be classified as dangerous.

o     Most political parties have founding members, political history, ideology and identity and discourages interaction with "non members" or those with a different ways of looking at things. In effect there is an entrenched discouragement to change ideas, while having a trained loyalty system. There is also a degree of reverence for political leaders in the past, only if they were of that particular party, but members who cross the floor are deemed traitors.

Avoid becoming paranoid. Because the system used is so mainstream, you probably will be seeing it everywhere but that does not make every society or group dangerous. It just gives them the potential to be one.

Decide if there is an element of exploitation either financial or personal. This ultimately is where groups cross the line into a dangerous organization.

Look for the key danger signals for medium level risks: It may be OK to have some association with them, but stay on guard.

o       Members are encouraged to do certain practices, methods & techniques and only those. There is no exploration, modification or comparison with other similar or different systems.

o        The screening of new potential members is quite large as they filter looking for suitable like minded, or easily moldable people. The society can accept and wear the money costs involved in having a very high grassroots turnover to get a few potentially ultra-loyal members, like-minded or easily manipulated members.

o       There is a noticeable degree of repetition, so key figures such as the founder and their stories often repeated to train people to think the same way.

o      There is a medium degree of personal image inflation to make certain figures appear greater than they really were and that association with them is a great or noble thing.

o       Members are all very similar and have minimal contact with the outside world, or the real world.

o        There is a substantial amount of time, money and thought and encouragement invested in promotion, lobbying and marketing.

o       Tax free status a major aspiration, or have already attained that.

o      Funds or proceeds do not stay in the country or state they were earned in.

Investigate further. Such groups might still not be a danger to society, either in design or effect, but could one day be run by someone who will take it that direction very easily.

Look for high risk signs: These are usually signs that it has crossed the line into a dangerous or potentially dangerous organization.

o       Manipulation of initiates is obvious to outsiders.

o       It is very difficult, if not impossible to leave their society. The aim is to make the new person addicted or so familiar that the person loses the ability to be independent, or the fear of repercussions are too high.

o       That members are required to part with large amount of funds or assets.

o        There is a high degree of mental stagnation, so that there is a focusing on key principles or myths and general day to day knowledge is encouraged to be forgotten.

o        There is a degree of mentally stressful or intensive practices. These maybe long meditation retreats with little sleep or food, high intensive workouts or other things. They may be branded with an element of mystique and privilege.

o       That it is impossible for an ordinary member to have the same skills or status as the founder or leadership. So the founder may be a dubbed an avatar, master, guru, Bodhisattva, genius or other highly attained person, but the initiate will never be on the same level, especially if some "powers" are not possible to develop ordinarily or even exist. Members may or may not ever be aware of this. Leaders and next generation leaders are planned with no involvement or selection from the existing members.

o        That all actions committed by members are justified or will be praised. Martyrdom may be encouraged.

o     There is a very effective propaganda system and intensive (but covert) political lobbying.

o    There is not always a vast leadership structure, but there can be. The more manipulative cult leadership prefers a wide gap between their status and others so may practice a more flat working hierarchy. This can create "succession" issues, but usually its known who the next in charge will be in advance.

o    There is a definite separation from society.

If you see these signs, it is best to do one or all of the following.

o     Learn your rights.

o       If you are not prepared to leave the town, Stay calm and simply don't get involved or take risks. Keep a polite distance so you are not made into an "enemy" of their group which can be potentially dangerous in tight knit communities or remote towns. They won't harm you until you are a threat to them.

o      Keep your thoughts and feelings to only those you trust.

o      Encourage dialogue and exchanges between other groups. This prevents minorities or dissenters being silenced and the "cult" taking over the town. This does have confrontation risks if that was the plan all along however.

o      Move if it becomes intolerable or unsafe. No-one is keeping you there but yourself.

o       Notify your federal law enforcement agency if there is a clear sign of the law being broken. Legally they need a "smoking gun" to act on. 

Warnings

•    The most manipulative ones tend to be the most mundane to look at because they are designed to avoid being the focus of attention.

•     As mentioned before, be safe and avoid taking risks. They won't place much interest in you until you are a risk to them, or you are a good "fish" to catch.

•    Paranoia is really your biggest enemy, dangerous cults do exist but they actually aren't very common or have much to do with the outside world.