The WOW Handbook: Out-and-out Commitment

The "Ministry" year was 1980-1981. I was 21 years old.

My interim-year Way Corps assignment was Word Over the World Ambassador Team Coordinator. Our team consisted of two WOW families. We were assigned to a small town in northern Connecticut - Torrington.

This '80-'81 WOW year would be my 2nd time serving as a WOW Ambassador with The Way. I had previously served in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1978-1979.

Our WOW handbook measured 8-1/2 inches by 5-1/2 inches.
The cover is pale green. Inside the cover are 8 pages directing us on our duties and functions as a WOW. Most of my pages are filled with my personal notes written long hand in the margins. The booklet is held together by two staples.



According to my notes on the cover of my hand book, in 1980-81, 1876 WOW Ambassadors were "commissioned" from The Way International's August Rock of Ages Festival. On the third page, the hand book states, "Who is a WOW Ambassador?"
"You as a Way believer make a one-year out-an-out commitment to give yourself as an Ambassador for God on special assignment to hold forth the integrity and accuracy of God's Word. As a WOW Ambassador you are ready and willing to serve in any area you are needed. Share with others what God did for you and what God will do for them also."

At the bottom of this third page, I have a hand written note - a quote from Dr. Wierwille:
'The only way to get you out of your [WOW] family, is to kill you and carry you out!' VPW"




'Doctor' didn't mean that literally of course; it was a figurative statement as to the gravity of our commitment as WOWs. We were sold out, "bond slaves for the Lord Jesus Christ" to stay faithful to our WOW commitment for one year, no matter what.

"...And you had the time
So you signed on the line
You decided to be an Ambassador
God loves you His faithful Ambassador"
(From The Ambassador Song)

Pay my vows.
Faithfulness. Commitment.
Pay my vows.
Faithfulness. Commitment.
Pay my vows.

But I didn't pay my vows.
I didn't stay faithful.
I AWOLed in October, 1980, after less that two months on the field.
I abruptly deserted my post.
I abandoned my WOW team.
I disgraced my Way Corps commitment.
My words were not salted.

In my mind, there wasn't much more of a despicable act.
In my mind, I had committed a Judas betrayal.

Dark days.

The years that followed, I would try to redeem myself only to fail again.

The "Ministry" year was 1980-1981. I was 21 years old.


*~*~
My blog entries about The WOW Handbook

• The WOW Handbook: Out-and-out Commitment
• The WOW Handbook: Romans 10:14 and 15
• The WOW Handbook: "What is expected of WOW Ambassadors?"

*~*~

Two songs: Hartford & John...

I hope to
never quit dreaming
watch wild ponies run
sleep in the open
greet morning sun
cast pebbles on water
embrace heron's flight
betwixt & between
tall buildings of life

~me

*******
"Goin' to Work in Tall Buildings" ~John Hartford

Someday my baby, when I am a man, 

and others have taught me the best that they can 

they'll sell me a suit they’ll cut off my hair 

and send me to work in tall buildings 

So it's goodbye to the sunshine 

goodbye to the dew 

goodbye to the flowers 

and goodbye to you 

I'm off to the subway 

I must not be late 

I’m going to work in tall buildings 

When I’m retired 

My life is my own 

I made all the payments 

it's time to go home 

and wonder what happened 

betwixt and between 

when I went to work in tall buildings 

~Music & Lyrics: John Hartford

*******

Partial length: "Michelle's Song" ~Elton John



Cast a pebble on the water
Watch the ripples gently spreading
Tiny daughter of the Camargue
We were meant to be together
We were made for one another
In a time it takes to grow up
If only we were old enough
Then they might leave us both alone

So take my hand in your hand
Say it's great to be alive
No one's going to find us
No matter how they try
No one's going to find us
It's wonderful so wild beneath the sky

Sleeping in the open
See the shadows softly moving
Take a train towards the southlands
Our time was never better
We shall pass the sights of splendor
On the door of a new life
It had to happen soon I guess
Whether it is wrong or it is right

So take my hand in your hand
Say it's great to be alive
No one's going to find us
No matter how they try
No one's going to find us
It's wonderful so wild beneath the sky

We learned to be so graceful
Watching wild horses running
And from those agile angels
We knew the tide was turning
For we watched as on the skyway
The herons circled slowly
While we mere mortals watched them fly
Our sleepless eyes grew heavy

So take my hand in your hand
Say it's great to be alive
No one's going to find us
No matter how they try
No one's going to find us
It's wonderful so wild beneath the sky


~Lyrics: Bernie Taupin
~Music: Elton John


Full length: "Michelle's Song" ~Elton John

Thoughts from the inner critic and elsewhere

If it's not practical, efficient, and profitable...it is a waste.

You have nothing of value to add to the conversation.

He married you for sex and for your body and because ya'll believed the same thing. Those three attributes have vastly changed; none meet the standard anymore.

It is too late to dream; you've already awoken.

If you make it public, someone will try to fix you, you know.

You have no backbone; you can't handle criticism and often do not even know your opinion on the matter.

There are already too many words.

In war, you will have to choose a side.

What would you be if you disallowed others peeking in?

There are more opinions than there are insects.

The web worker's season has begun.

The weeping cherry tree has already dropped all her leaves and it's not even the end of August. Does she do that every year? Is that why she is a weeping tree because she is the first to cry?

It is okay to rest; that is why you reduced your stress load. Take a break.

Whoever decided that loneliness is unhealthy or bad or something that needs fixing? Isn't it just another unavoidable dimension of life?

What is the point of words if one is always left with questions?

Joni Mitchell and The Circle Game; I am alive this round on the carousel where I have landed with others on this round, and at every round the carousel rearranges.

A trillion happenings have led to this moment; a trillion more await.

Like each tiny cell is a universe, so are these steel machines supported by rubber tires mounted on metal wheels roaming about on asphalt. I wonder what is happening in the one beside me? I wonder what all this will look like another 100 years from now? And birds will still soar with wings.

"The Circle Game" ~ Joni Mitchell