These are the infamous last words of Jim Jones. I grew up over on the coast of California not to far away from Redwood Valley. Jim Jones started his ministry there. In fact the building he used is now an Assemblies of God church. I'm sure they avoid serving cool-aid during their potlucks.
Since today is the thirty year anniversary of the mass suicide I was interested in how Jim Jones Jr. (the adopted son of Jim Jones) is doing. His brother is quoted as saying, "My father was a master of finding what was most important to you [and] finding a way to make you believe he was giving it to you," says Stephan Jones, 48, the biological son of the Rev. Jones. "I know that's how I was worked."
Jim Jones Jr. was away from the compound the day Guyana made news because of the murder/suicides. He was playing in a basketball tournament, representing Jonestown. In one day he lost both of his parents, his wife, his unborn child, and 900 other people he considered family. He has since remarried and has three boys. He coaches basketball. Pictured above is Rob Jones, his son . . . the grandson of Jim Jones.
I must remind myself on a continual basis that the feelings of pride and fulfillment I experience because of my personal accomplishments will pale in comparison to the overwhelming feelings of pride I will experience when those I've mentored, movitated and loved . . . succeed!
This leads to me ask the question . . . if he could do it over, would Jim Jones still want the adulation of the crowd and his "messiah-like" status . . . or would he trade everything to sit at his grandsons basketball game and listen to the crowd cheer for #44?
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2 comments:
I think he could care less about witnessing a basketball game. Jim Jones was no different than any other Sales (I mean Prosperity minded) evangelist that we see everyday on the television preying on the weak uneducated congregations. People find safety in numbers and enjoy it when a leader makes decisions for them. Char, I do enjoy some of the stuff you write, but sometimes I think you are so worried about what people think of you that you come up with what I call obvious writings. You write about things where people are naturally going to agree with you because you state the obvious and maybe a clever vocabulary word. I know it is probably great to see people nodding their heads in agreement with you; who wouldn’t? What I would like to see you write about is your love for the gay people and what God would like to do for them. Write about testimonies; write what it was like to grow up with a Dad who made fun of and Hated the Liberals and Gays yet who had a daughter that was attracted to same sex and another daughter who was promiscuous. Tell how God made you free from that so that others may find the same joy. Char you are a beautiful person and a REAL love for all people, please share your joy.
Jim
Jim, thanks for you comment. Sounds like you have more issues with my Dad than I do. Smile. Give him a call and work it out my friend. Thanks for pushing me to write more about my battle with homosexuality, however, I have a website dedicated to helping people who want to overcome with amazing links to amazing testimonies. This blog is just my ramblings. Continue to tune if you'd like.
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