sorry all, this is quite long.....and of course, nothing new. but i found it interesting...i've been out 9 years and this all sounds eerily similar, like i'd heard this bs all before.....
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opening song #91, Being Taught by Jehovah
CO is introduced and since i was half asleep still, i missed his name and the title of the talk! but had to do with adorning...
first example, we all took time to get ready for the meeting today, none of us would think of just waking up and heading to meeting without getting ready. we take time to get ready, making sure we look presentable. we adorn ourselves.
He moves on to how appearance relates to God and the he is the great adorner. The CO sites Rev. 4:3 which says "and the one seated is, in apperarance, like a jasper stone and a precious redcolored stone, and round about the throne [there is] a rainbow like an emerald in appearance." and Ecclesiastes 3:11 "Everything He has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out the work that the [true] God has made from the start to the finish"
Then he invites us all to open our bibles and reads Psalms 19:1 "The heavens are declaring the glory of God; And of the work of his hands the expanse is telling." his points:
God has ornamented the earth
--Redwood trees: 50 houses from one tree, truly wonderous creation
--our hands, perfectly designed (here's where i was worried talk would be on creation...had hard time controlling my eye rolling )
--we observe the beauty of creation. Psalms 139:14 "I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware"
Concept of beauty first in the Garden of Eden but sin marred the beauty-imperfection. Genesis 6:11, 12 "And the earth came to be ruined in the sight of the [true] God and the earth became filled with violence. So God saw the earth and look! it was ruined, because all flesh had ruined its way on the earth." So even though imperfect, we all still adorn ourselves and our surroundings.
But only Jehovah can see beyond the physical adornment, 1 Samuel 16:7, "But Jehovah said to Samuel: 'Do not look at his appearance and at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For not the way man sees [is the way God sees], because mere man sees what appears to the eyes, but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is."
*Spiritual Adornment*
-how do we do this?
Titus 2:10 "not committing theft, but exhibiting good fidelity to the full, so that they may adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things"
-God's teachings: live our lives according to teachings in the bible
How can we adorn divine teaching?
*Areas to look for adornment* (here comes the good stuff )
1. Field ministry
--alternative witnessing
--attention directed to "the organization"
--raise questions to the householder
Romans 11:13 "Now I speak to you who are people of the nations. Forasmuch as I am, in reality, an apostle to the nations, I glorify my ministry,"
--give attention to our physical appearance. we should never be casual in our appearance. Bookbags, shoes, clothing should be neat and orderly.
2. Meetings
--beautiful events and the people are what make it beautiful
--we should be dressed appropiately and neat, modest in appearance (whoops! there i sit, in a mini skirt)
--meetings not a social gathering
--kingdom hall appearance important too, keep the hall clean
3. Secular jobs/school
--CO reads from a letter written to bethel from an employer (I think in Africa) gist of the letter, this non-jw employer was singing the praises of his jw employees, he'd had "no serious problems with the witness employees." He knew that that congregation doesn't stand evil doers and felt good that the congregation disfellowships the evil doers. (hmm, me thinks this employer is clueless.)
--youth, stand out and be different. Reject the low morals of classmates.
4. View of non-witnesses
Titus 3:2, "to speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men"
--Superior attitude will not attract others to "the truth".
5. Clean in physical aspect
--homes, automobiles, personal self. strive for modesty, good taste, cleanliness and order.
--clothing, What styles are appropriate for true Christians? 1 Timothy 2:10 ""but in a way that befits women professing to reverence God, namely through good works" The CO stressed even though this was written to women, can apply to men too.
6. Entertainment
--Don't try to match/imitate the world.
Our personal desire to adorn divine teaching makes kingdom message more attractive. [potential victims] see the beauty reflected in us.
1 Peter 2:12, "Maintain your conduct fine amoung the nations, that, in the thing in which they are speaking against you as evildoers, they may as a result of your fine works of which they are eyewitnesses glorify God in the day for [his] inspection."
Here i wrote "WORKS" in big letters and underlined.
Modern examples of adorning divine teachings:
Africa, quotes from officials working at conventions, JWs are good guests, clean, orderly, friendly
Branch offices, visitors impressed with high standard of living found at bethel and are shocked to discover all workers are volunteers.
Final points:
-JW's work hard to add luster to Jehovah's teachings.
-it's our priviledge to make Jehovah's teachings shine.
-appealing way of life practiced by true Christians.
*clap clap clap*
song 76, Jehovah, Our Best Friend
and now a some wonderful highlights from the watchtower study.
"Abraham--An Example of Faith" from the August 15, 2001 WT p. 14.
comment from the CO on question b in paragraph 4: "Don't allow family to come between you and serving Jehovah"
quote from paragraph 7: "Like Abram, we may feel pressure to put material interests ahead of theocratic concerns. (1 John 2:16) We may have opposition from unbelieving family members, inlcuding disfellowshipped relatives, who might try to lure us into unwholesome association. (Matthew 10:34-36; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 15:33) Abram thus set a fine example for us. He put friendship with Jehovah ahead of everything--even family ties." this is were i felt like walking out!
The next paragraph tells us how Abraham's faith effected his immediated family, Sarah, Lot and later Nahor all became servants of Jehovah, "why, even Abram's father, Terah, agreed to leave with his son!" the quesion askes "what might Christians learn from this [Abraham's example]?" one sister's comment was that her hope was to get her unbelieving family in to the truth and i had to chuckle, because my hope is to get my family OUT of "the truth"
The WT writers must have been feeling nice the day they wrote this article. paragraph 10 and 11's B question: "What encouragement can be given to Christians who care for aging parents?" answer: "Many Christians today likewise have the privilege of caring for aging or sick parents, some even having to make an adjustment in order to do so. When that is necessary, such ones can be assured that their loving sacrifices are 'acceptable in God's sight'--1 Timothy 5:4" Well, hallelujah! That's great to know that God finds it acceptable to care for your aged parents! but hey, now..what if they are disfellowshipped?? then what? I was shaking my head here, seems like common sense to me.
One interesting comment from an older brother when discussing how Abram would have needed to take pains to protect his family from the Canaanite's corrupting influence (paragraph 15). Brother P said today's corrupting influences are "the internet, movies and music" This was the only reference to the internet. I just love the sweeping condemnation, but I forget, most jws think in black/white.
I'll leave you with a quote from paragraph 18, "Christians today must likewise remain 'no part of the world' (John 17:16) While we are kind and courteious to our neighbors and work associates, we are careful not to get entagnled in behavior that reflects the spirit of the world alienated from God.--Ephesians 2:2, 3."
a truly uplifting study article, no?
what i got out of the study: Have faith like Abraham, screw your family, relationship to Jehovah(=the organization) most important. But remember to pretend to be nice to non-believers, since they (and your unbelieving family members, except those pesky disfellowshipped ones) are potential converts! oh yes, and if you find it in your heart to care for your aged or sick parents, jah will not strike you dead for this.
Okay, now the concluding talk by the CO. (hmmmm wonder how many are still reading this? thank you for making it this far!)
What Makes You Strong?
CO lists a long list of ailments we all may suffer from time to time
-depression
-stress
-burnout
-just plain tiredness
Strength is appealing
-world puts value on being strong
--physically, mentally (LOL @ this, "strong personalities" oh damn, i'm screwed....all you outspoken people are screwed!!!) and financially.
We may wonder to ourselves, How can I successfully gain strength? Serving Jehovah and turning away from the world's standards. Nehemiah 8:8-10, "And they continued reading aloud from the book, from the law of the [true] God, it being expounded, and there being a putting of meaning [into it]; and they continued giving understanding in the reading. And Nehemiah, that is, the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest, the copyist, and the Levites who were instructing the people proceeded to say to all the people: 'This very day is holy to Jehovah your God. Do not mourn or weep.' For all the people were weeping as they were hearing the words of the law. and he went on to say to them: 'Go, eat the fatty things and drink the sweet things, and send portions to the one for whom nothing has been prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not feel hurt, for the joy of Jehovah is your stronghold.'"
Our source of strength? The JOY of Jehovah!
Jehovah's people have many REASONS to show joy and that in turn gives his people strength.
-Relationship with God through Christ. Everyone can on a personal basis can have close individual relationship with God.
-Religious freedom. JW's flourishing world over (hmmm flourishing, not quite right Brother CO)
-Biblical understanding
-Kingdom hope. No other people on earth come close with answers to present day sufferings. (reference to WTC, "like the events last week")
-Paradise. Pefect people in paradise, THE answer to all of lifes problems.
-United brotherhood.
Haggai 2:7, "'And I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory.' Jehovah of armies has said."
-Life of purpose. JW's have as much joy as they can handle. They have constant joy: The Truth. (needed barf bag here )
Despite all these reasons for joy, we will still experience problems but if we rely on Jehovah, can still have joy.
Examples from the bible:
Jesus
His human reaction to horrors, Hebrews 5:7, "In the days of his flesh [Christ] offered up supplications and also petitions to the One who was able to save him out of death, with strong outcries and tears, and he was favorably heard for his godly fear." How did Jesus maintain joy during this horrific event? Hebrews 12:2, "as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Early Christians
Hebrews 10:32-33, "However, keep on remembering the former days in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great contest under sufferings, sometimes while you were being exposed as in a theater both to reproaches and tribulations, and sometimes while you became sharers with those who were having such and experience."
So how can we today apply these examples?
Must realize that joy is not external. The world has not figured this out. Do not get a self-absorbed attitude. When problems are faced, we can maintain joy. James 1:2-4, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its work complete, that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything." The problems will eventually end, our endurance with pain will eventually give way to joy, ie, paradise hope.
And now, CO commends the congregation:
-Older ones here, look to them to see how to show joy
-Young ones, need to make spiritual goals to be truly joyful. Nice career, furthering your education, nice clothes; all selfish goals (big eye roll here! How can you put "nice clothes" into same category as an education?!?!) Youths goals should be: pioneering, becoming an MS, bethel...these goals ALWAYS bring joy. Parents need to encourage young ones. You are NEVER too young to consider these goals. You will ALWAYS look back, wishing you would have done more for Jehovah. (PUKE PUKE PUKE....recruitment time!)
-Divine help. Quote from publication, July 1879, paraphrased, "courage my brothers and sisters....count every thorn....keep our eye fixed on the prize" (CO didn't happen to mention what exact publication this came from, just the date...)
-Center our attention on the congregation and the organization.
-No time to give up as we draw closer to reality of paradise earth (not to mention the death of 6 million people!! forgot to mention that Brother CO)
Isaiah 40:26, 28, 29, 31, "'Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one [of them] is missing...Have you not come to know or have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the extemities of the earth is a God to time indefinite. He does not tire out or grow weary. There is no searching out of his understanding. He is giving to the tired one power; and to the one without dynamic energy he makes full might abound...but those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out."
CO's last words to the congregation: "May all of us continue staying busy in the work of Jehovah!!"
*CLAP CLAP CLAP* (gagging and retching on my part)
concluding song 98, Contending for the Faith
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okay, if you've survived this long you deserve a prize! thank you for reading. i am too tired to comment more on this tonight but will say a bit more tomorrow....
love
harmony
Most people think, Great God will come from the skies, Take away everything And make everybody feel high. But if you know what life is worth, You will look for yours on earth: And now you see the light, You stand up for your rights.~~Bob Marley