Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-19-2013 WT Study (KNOW GOD)

It is no accident that GB member refers to a checklist being part of jw life. See the checklist at the end here…do you think first century Christians had a checklist given to them?

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/251890/1/British-zone-visit-from-David-Splane-a-report-from-the-special-meeting-in-Glasgow

I guess the article was influenced by the popular book on checklists written by Atul Gawande a couple of years ago, although they didn't give credit for the idea to that author. It's funny how the Watchtower will provide footnotes for technicalities or the definitions of words, but not for the main ideas that inform particular articles. I guess they would not like to unwittingly direct Witnesses to TED talks on various interesting topics. No good to encourage Witnessses to expose themselves to fresh ideas from other sources

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3078.Atul_Gawande

START OF ARTICLE

Opening picture: Male pilot, yes better any man than a woman pilot

1. Why does a pilot follow a checklist before takeoff?

PILOTS who fly one of the most successful aircraft

ever built have a preflight inspection checklist consisting

of more than 30 items. If they do not carefully

follow the checklist each time before takeoff, the

pilots increase the possibility of a tragic accident.

Do you know what type of pilot is especially urged

to complete the checklist every time? It is the very

experienced pilot! The seasoned pilot could easily

become complacent and fail to carry out the preflight

inspection in every detail.

COMMENTS

Preflight…what then is the flight?

How many points are on the WTS checklist for their members…who makes the list?

Who checks us, humans or God?

Complacent because of all the failed dates of the WTS?

1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1975…..

http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1800s.php

2. What checklist is recommended for Christians?

2 Like a safety-minded pilot, you can use a type of

checklist to make sure that your faith will not falter

when you need it most. Whether you are newly baptized

or you have been serving God for many years,

regularly checking the depth of your faith and devotion

to Jehovah God is essential. Failure to check

on this regularly and diligently can lead to spiritual

ruin. The Bible warns us: “Let him that thinks he is

standing beware that he does not fall.”—1 Cor.10:12.

COMMENTS

So the checklist is at 1 Cor. 10:12?

Are they saying that the elders and other jws aren’t constantly judging the depth of others in the congregation, the depth of their faith and devotion? The WTS says but does not do.

(Ephesians 2:8, 9) 8 By this undeserved kindness, indeed, YOU have been saved through faith; and this not owing to YOU, it is God’s gift. 9 No, it is not owing to works, in order that no man should have ground for boasting.

(2 Corinthians 10:12) 12 For we do not dare to class ourselves among some or compare ourselves with some who recommend themselves. Certainly they in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves have no understanding.

*** w74 5/1 p. 270 par. 17 Preventing a Generation Gap in Your Home ***

From this we see that the ones we should look to and measure ourselves with should be Jehovah God and the Lord Jesus Christ. The faithful example of fellow Christians can encourage us, but comparisons with other Christians are not to be used to make us think we are inferior to or better than others. (2 Cor. 10:12; Gal. 6:4) We look to the perfect examples to imitate.

3. The Christians in Galatia needed to do what?

3 Christians in Galatia needed to check on the

depth of their faith and to appreciate their spiritual

freedom. By means of his sacrifice, Jesus had

opened the way for those exercising faith in him

to come to know God in a most extraordinary way

—they could become sons of God! (Gal. 4:9) To remain

in that most blessed relationship, the Galatians

would have to reject the teachings of Judaizers,

who were insisting that they observe the Mosaic

Law. Why, uncircumcised Gentiles in the congregations

had never even been under the Law! Jews and

Gentiles alike needed to make spiritual progress.

This involved recognizing that they

could not establish their righteousness

through the Mosaic Law arrangement.

COMMENTS

Sons of God = only anointed; other sheep have to with 1,000 plus years, after the “final test” by Satan, to be invited into the family as sons of God.

*** w10 1/15 p. 5 Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah? ***

Jesus’ “other sheep” will not become sons of God until the end of the thousand years.

*** w85 12/1 p. 18 pars. 19-20 Declared Righteous as a Friend of God ***

Immediately after the Millennium, Christ will hand over to his Father a perfect human race. (1 Corinthians 15:28) “Satan will be let loose” for a decisive test of mankind . (Revelation 20:7, 8) The names of any who fail under test will not be “found written in the book of life.” They will symbolically be “hurled into the lake of fire,” which “means the second death.”—Revelation 20:15; 21:8.

20 Those who prove loyal to Jehovah will have their names indelibly written in the “book of life,” as being perfect in integrity and worthy of the right to everlasting life on earth. Jehovah himself will then declare them righteous in the complete sense. (Romans 8:33) They will have been justified to life eternal. God will adopt them as his earthly sons, and they will enter into the promised “glorious freedom of the children of God.”

INITIAL STEPS TO KNOW GOD

4, 5. What counsel did Paul give to the Galatians,

and how is this pertinent for us?

4 The apostle Paul’s counsel to the

Galatians was recorded for a purpose:

to prevent true Christians in any period

from turning their backs on the

riches of Bible truth and returning to

the things behind. Jehovah inspired the

apostle to encourage not only those in

the congregations in Galatia but all His

worshippers to remain steadfast.

COMMENTS

What do jws find more important; did they hide bibles or WT publications? Were bibles or WT publications sneaked into the concentration camps or prisons with jws in them?

5 All of us do well to recall how we

were freed from spiritual slavery and

became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. To

do this, consider these two questions:

Do you recall the steps you took to qualify

as a baptismal candidate? Do you remember

how you came to know and to

be known by God and thus enjoy the

feeling of real spiritual freedom?

COMMENTS

Became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or Christians?

Acts 1:8 – Jesus said his followers would be witnesses of him; nowhere in the NT is there any mention of his followers being Jehovah’s Witnesses, but rather the opposite.

What steps were required of first century Christians?

6. What checklist will we consider?

6 Basically, we all followed nine steps.

Those steps, like a spiritual checklist,

are set out in the box “Steps That Lead

to Baptism and Continued Growth.”

Regularly reminding ourselves of these

nine steps will strengthen us to resist

turning back to the things of the world.

Just as the experienced yet cautious pilot

continues to fly safely by first reviewing

a preflight checklist, so you will be

helped to persist in faithful service by

reviewing a spiritual checklist.

COMMENTS

Nine steps – so where in the bible is there a LIST of nine steps?

Regularly reminding ourselves – or being reminded by the WTS?

THOSE KNOWN BY GOD

CONTINUE GROWING SPIRITUALLY

7. We need to follow what pattern, and why?

7 A pilot’s checklist reminds him that

there is a routine for him to follow

carefully before every flight. We too can

regularly check, or examine, ourselves

and the routine we have been following

since our baptism. Paul wrote to

Timothy: “Keep holding the pattern of

healthful words that you heard from me

with the faith and love that are in connection

with Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 1:

13) Those “healthful words” are found

in God’s Word. (1 Tim. 6:3) Just as an

artist’s sketch provides us with a general

picture, ‘the pattern of truth’ provides

a broad outline for us to perceive

and follow what Jehovah requires of us.

So let us look now at steps that led to

our baptism to see how closely we are

conforming to the pattern of truth.

COMMENTS

Do you see how often the same words, almost identical sentences are used?

Is this the “pattern of healthful words”? Found in WT publications or the bible?

General picture – hazy outline with new light?

*** w01 7/1 p. 9 par. 8 Rejoice in the Knowledge of Jehovah ***

Nevertheless, those early Christians did not fully understand every aspect of Jehovah’s purposes. The apostle Paul wrote to fellow believers: “At present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) Such a mirror would reflect an outline but not all the details. A fuller comprehension of God’s Word was yet to come.

What does 1 Cor. 13:12 really say?

(1 Corinthians 13:8-13) 8 Love never fails. But whether there are [gifts of] prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; 10 but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a babe, I used to speak as a babe, to think as a babe, to reason as a babe; but now that I have become a man, I have done away with the [traits] of a babe. 12 For at present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face to face. At present I know partially, but then I shall know accurately even as I am accurately known. 13 Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

What was the “complete” to arrive? WT publications, organization? Or the complete bible?

8, 9. (a) Why should we go on growing in

knowledge and faith? (b) Illustrate the value of

spiritual growth and why it is a continuing process.

8 First on our checklist is the need to

take in knowledge. Then, we can develop

faith. But we should continue to grow in

both respects. (2 Thess. 1:3) Growth involves

a progressive series of changes.

“To grow” means to increase, to enlarge.

Thus, after baptism, we need to continue

to develop our spirituality so that our

growth does not become stunted.

COMPLETE

Our checklist – not God’s or Jesus’ checklist

Knowledge increases faith = what about incorrect “knowledge” provided by the WTS?

9 We can compare our spiritual

growth to the physical growth of a tree.

A tree may grow to an amazing size, especially

when its root system is deep

or extensive. For example, some of

the majestic cedars of Lebanon can

reach the height of a 12-story building

and have strong, penetrating roots and

a trunk circumference of up to 40 feet

(12 m). (Song of Sol. 5:15) After the initial

growth spurt of such a tree stops,

the tree still grows but not as noticeably.

Year after year, the trunk widens

and the roots go deeper and spread farther,

producing a more stable tree. The

same can be said of a Christian’s spiritual

growth. During our initial period

of Bible study, we may quickly grow

spiritually and then get baptized. Those

in the congregation happily notice our

progress. We may even qualify as a pioneer

or receive other privileges. In the

following years, our continued spiritual

growth may not be as noticeable. Nevertheless,

we still need to grow in faith

and knowledge “to a full-grown man,

to the measure of stature that belongs

to the fullness of the Christ.” (Eph. 4:

13) Thus, we progress, as it were, from a

tiny sprout to a mature Christian, a sturdy

and well-developed tree.

COMMENTS

We compare ourselves = or will others?

Christian’s = only jws

Pioneer…other privileges = what would those be, available to women?

What would growth not be as noticeable? Noticeable to whom, humans or God?

10. Why is growth necessary even for mature

Christians?

10 But our growth should not stop

there. Our knowledge needs to broaden

and our faith needs to deepen. Thus

we become ever more anchored in the

soil of God’s Word. (Prov. 12:3) In the

Christian congregation, there are many

brothers and sisters who have done

that. For instance, one brother who has

been an elder for more than three decades

noted that he is still growing spiritually.

He says: “My appreciation for the

Bible has grown immensely. I constantly

find new opportunities to apply Bible

principles and laws in various ways. My

appreciation for the ministry continues

to grow too.”

COMMENTS

God’s Word or WT publications?

How does the average jw stay current with all the “adjustments” and “clarifications” from the WTS….food at the proper time?

Do trees naturally grow faster initially and slower as time goes on?

New opportunities because the WTS has made a clarification such as being able to divorce a marriage mate that practices bestiality?

GROW IN FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD

11. How can we come to know Jehovah better

over time?

11 Our growth also involves drawing

closer to Jehovah as our Friend and Father.

He wants us to feel accepted. He

wants us to know that we are loved and

safe just as a child feels loved and safe

when he is in the embrace of a caring

parent or as we do when in the company

of a true and loyal friend. As you can

appreciate, this intimacy with Jehovah

does not develop overnight. Time must

pass for us to come to know and love

him. So in coming to know the Person

of Jehovah better, be determined to set

aside time to read his Word daily. And

read each issue of The Watchtower and

Awake! as well as other Bible-based publications.

COMMENTS

Where is the drawing close to Jesus?

How many jws didn’t and don’t feel accepted by the self-named jws?

How easy is it to come to know the God of the bible or the God of the WT?

With 2 WTs, 1 Awake, 1 KM, a large part of a WT book to be read each month and only a few scriptures, who is known the bible God or the WT God?

12. What is necessary for us to be known by Jehovah?

12 God’s friends grow spiritually

through their sincere prayers and

good association. (Read Malachi 3:16.)

Jehovah’s “ears are toward their supplication.”

(1 Pet. 3:12) Like a loving parent,

Jehovah is attentive to our prayerful

cries for help. Hence, we need to “persevere

in prayer.” (Rom. 12:12) We cannot

remain a full-grown Christian unless we

have the help of God. The pressures of

this system are too great to resist and

overcome by ourselves. If we cease to

persist in prayer, we cut ourselves off

from the constant fund of strength

that God is willing and able to supply.

Are you satisfied with the quality of

your prayers, or do you see the need to

make further progress in that area?—Jer.

16:19.

COMMENTS

Jesus’ friends?

Who are good association? Only jws or only some true jws in the congregation?

Where is God’s help available? The bible? Would you rather talk to the doctor or the nurse when being for an illness?

Picture Man holding WT publication with bible on table, which seems most important?

A tree continues to grow. Christians should too

13. Why is association with fellow Christians

vital for spiritual growth?

13 Jehovah is pleased with all those

“seeking refuge in him”; hence, even after

our coming to know God, we want to

continue regularly associating with the

congregation of others who know him.

(Nah. 1:7) In a world filled with discouragement,

we are wise to surround ourselves with our

encouraging brothers and sisters. What are the benefits?

You will find in the congregation individuals

who will incite you “to love and

fine works.” (Heb. 10:24, 25) The mutual

love Paul wrote about to the Hebrews

calls for a brotherhood, a community

of like-minded worshippers, a congregation.

Displaying this kind of love involves

interacting with other Christians.

Regularly mark meeting attendance and

participation on your checklist.

COMMENTS

Seeking refuge with God = only means associating with approved jws

So did you find the group of jws encouraging to you; the same ones judging your faith?

Brotherhood = or bastard children

How many meetings were the first century Christians required to attend?

14. How are repentance and turning around an

ongoing process?

14 Our initially becoming a Christian

depended on repentance and on turning

around, or turning away from our sins.

Repentance, however, is an ongoing

process. As imperfect humans, we still

have sin lurking within us like a coiled

snake ready to strike. (Rom. 3:9, 10; 6:

12-14) Let us remain sharp-eyed, not ignoring

our faults. Happily, Jehovah

is patient with us while we earnestly

struggle to resist our weaknesses and

make needed changes. (Phil. 2:12; 2 Pet.

3:9) A great help is to take control of our

use of time and resources, turning away

from selfish pursuits. One sister writes:

“I was raised in the truth, yet I grew up

with a different view of Jehovah than

most. He was to be very much feared,

and I felt that I surely would never be

able to please him.” In time, the sister

found herself “spiritually floundering”

because of several personal setbacks. “It

was not because I didn’t love Jehovah,”

she continues, “but because I didn’t truly

know him. However, after many intense

prayers, I began a turnaround.”

She added: “I found that Jehovah led me

along like a child, helping me over one

obstacle at a time, ever so gently, showing

me what I needed to do.”

COMMENTS

Repentance is judged by elders….thought it was God or at least Jesus, eh?

Don’t worry about ignoring your “faults,” others will lovingly point them out to you while declaring their own are due to imperfection and they are not required to change.

Who taught her about God? Her parents, the spiritual ones in the congregation? No wonder she feared God.

15. What do Jesus and his Father observe?

15 “Keep on speaking to the people”

about the good news. God’s angel spoke

these words to Peter and the other apostles

after they experienced a miraculous

release from prison. (Acts 5:19-21) Yes,

our weekly participation in the field

ministry is another item on our checklist.

Jesus and his Father take note of

both our faith and our ministry. (Rev.

2:19) As the elder quoted in an earlier

paragraph points out: “The field ministry

is what we are about.”

COMMENTS

Yes, tell them that all the “wicked” will soon be destroyed and that they are all the non-jws on earth, men, women, children to die forever, no hope of resurrection; that children will die for the sins of the parents.

*** w52 6/1 p. 343 par. 10 Fixing Destinies in This Judgment Period ***

These facts should make those of Jehovah’s witnesses who are parents soberly reflect on the theocratic training they now give their children. Parents are commanded to instruct their children in God’s ways, and if in these last days parents fail to heed the divine instructions they may bring destruction not only upon themselves but upon their small children at Armageddon.

*** w99 10/1 p. 7 par. 12 “For Everything There Is an Appointed Time” ***

Pass through the city after him and strike. Let not your eye feel sorry, and do not feel any compassion. Old man, young man and virgin and little child and women you should kill off—to a ruination. But to any man upon whom there is the mark do not go near, and from my sanctuary you should start.” (Ezekiel 9:5, 6)

*** wt chap. 13 p. 124 par. 10 A Great Crowd Before Jehovah’s Throne ***

Those of the great crowd are pictured as being marked for survival. (Ezekiel 9:4-6) “The mark” is the evidence that they are dedicated to Jehovah, baptized as disciples of Jesus, and involved in cultivating a Christlike personality.

Once weekly? Scripture please.

But Jesus and God do not need a time slip to “take note” of what we do.

Jesus said his followers were all about showing love to each other.

(John 13:34, 35) 34 I am giving YOU a new commandment, that YOU love one another; just as I have loved YOU, that YOU also love one another. 35 By this all will know that YOU are my disciples, if YOU have love among yourselves.”

I have seen Bethelites step over the homeless on the street on their way to the “people who will listen.” The real amharets of the earth, the lepers of our day.

16. Why is it good to reflect on our dedication

to Jehovah?

16 Reflect on your dedication. The most

precious possession we have is our personal

relationship with Jehovah. He

knows those who belong to him. (Read

Isaiah 44:5.) Prayerfully examine the

quality and the depth of your relationship

with him. Related to that, remember

the important date of your baptism.

This too will help remind you that your

baptism symbolizes the most significant

decision you have ever made.

COMMENTS

Where is their personal relationship with Jesus?

Doesn’t Jesus know who belongs to him (OT scripture Isaiah 44:5)

(John 10:14) 14 I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me,

(John 10:25-28) 25 Jesus answered them: “I told YOU, and yet YOU do not believe. The works that I am doing in the name of my Father, these bear witness about me. 26 But YOU do not believe, because YOU are none of my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 And I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Are jws allowed to celebrate the date of their baptism?

Baptized into a spirited-directed organization?

*** w06 4/1 p. 22 ‘Go and Make Disciples, Baptizing Them’ ***

The Two Baptismal Questions

On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s spirit-directed organization?

Is that what Matthew 28:19 says?

(Matthew 28:19) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,

STAY CLOSE TO JEHOVAH

BY ENDURANCE

17. Why is endurance needed for us to stay

close to Jehovah?

17 In writing to the Galatians, Paul

stressed the need for endurance. (Gal.

6:9) That is vital for a Christian today

too. You will face trials, but Jehovah will

help you. Keep praying for holy spirit.

You will feel relief as he replaces grief

with joy, anguish with peace. (Matt. 7:

7-11) Think about this: If Jehovah cares

for the birds, how much more so does

he care for you who love him and have

given yourself to him? (Matt. 10:29-31)

No matter what pressures confront you,

never go back, never give up. What

wonderful riches are ours because we

are known by Jehovah!

COMMENTS

Stay close to Jesus?

*** w04 9/1 p. 14 par. 2 Beware of “the Voice of Strangers” ***

Just as a sheep’s discerning ear enables it to stay close to its shepherd, so our spiritual discernment enables us to walk closely in the footsteps of our Fine Shepherd, Jesus Christ.—John 13:15; 1 John 2:6; 5:20.

Pray for holy spirit but only through association with a spirit-directed organization?

Known by Jesus?

(John 10:14) 14 I am the fine shepherd, and I know my sheep and my sheep know me,

18. Having “come to know God,” what do you

want to do now?

18 Therefore, if you have recently

come to know God and got baptized,

what now? Continue to get to know Jehovah

better, growing to spiritual maturity.

And if you have been baptized for

many years, what now? You too must

continue to deepen and broaden your

knowledge of Jehovah. May we never

become complacent in our relationship

with him. Instead, we should all review

our spiritual checklist from time to time

to ensure that we are continuing to grow

in our relationship with our loving Father,

Friend, and God—Jehovah.—Read

2 Corinthians 13:5, 6.

COMMENTS

Getting to know who? What did Jesus say?

(John 17:3) 3 This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.

And did he give his disciples a “checklist”?

(Mark 12:28-31) . . .“Which commandment is first of all?” 29 Jesus answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, 30 and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

(Romans 13:8-10) 8 Do not YOU people be owing anybody a single thing, except to love one another; for he that loves his fellowman has fulfilled [the] law. 9 For the [law code], “You must not commit adultery, You must not murder, You must not steal, You must not covet,” and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this word, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore love is the law’s fulfillment.

STEPS THAT LEAD

TO BAPTISM AND

CONTINUED GROWTH (CHECKLIST—MY ADDITION)

1 We start with “taking in knowledge”

of Jehovah and his Son, Jesus Christ.

—John 17:3

2 Our faith increases as our knowledge

grows.—John 3:16

3 We regularly call on Jehovah in prayer.

—Acts 2:21

4 We appreciate the need to associate

regularly with others of like faith.

—Heb. 10:24, 25

5 We repent of our sins.

—Acts 17:30

6 We turn around, rejecting bad

practices.—Acts 3:19

7 Our faith moves us to speak publicly

to others.—2 Cor. 4:13

8 We dedicate ourselves to Jehovah in

order to follow Jesus properly.

—1 Pet. 4:2

9 We symbolize our dedication by water

baptism. —1 Pet. 3:21

CLOSING COMMENTS

Next week, JEHOVAH—OUR PLACE OF DWELLING.

Where’s Jesus?

(Galatians 5:14, 15) 14 For the entire Law stands fulfilled in one saying, namely: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, though, YOU keep on biting and devouring one another, look out that YOU do not get annihilated by one another.

Love, Blondie

TOTH

Thank you!

lostinnj83

My thoughts were that if baptism was so serious, then why allow MINORS to get baptized, there's no way a minor could have comprehended all that was involved or even be able to understand all of the points on that "checklist".

WTWizard

Growing? Or perhaps cutting oneself off from genuine spirituality? The jokehovian witlesses do nothing that is actually going to help them grow spiritually. When they pious-sneer, they simply cut themselves off from enjoyment and live austere lives (or off the government). That never helps them develop spiritually, and it damages the soul.

Sin like a coiled snake? You mean, like the Kundalini Serpent? That serpent has a purpose, and lies dormant in each of us because of Judaism, Christi-SCAM-ity, and Islam (all three are guilty). That Serpent's job is to provide energy so the soul can actually develop, and you cannot do that reading the LIE-ble, doing field circus, and/or attending churches or boasting sessions all the time. Most of the "sin(??)" is actually attitudes that are normal human attitudes, and are very common among animals. You may have observed hatred among animals, particularly if one has been abused or is threatened with natural enemies. You threaten an animal, it will attack--and someone that is gentle toward that same animal will be treated much better. And animals are supposed to be perfect, lacking Adamic sin. Why, then, is it acceptable for animals to be promiscuous (including homosexual or bisexual at times), to hate oppression, and do what comes naturally--but if we do it, it is sin?

The "endurance" is nothing more than a seal. You are sealed in a religion and cannot get out. Many children, taught that joke-hova is going to destroy the world during their first 7 years, find leaving very difficult to impossible. Just wait a few more months, a few more years, and deliverance is at hand. This bumbles, and you grow old and die without experiencing anything outside the cancer. Many are reincarnated as jokehovian witlesses in another life, or some other deep xian religion. Always enduring until you die, and never doing a damn thing about it.

Ding

"Jehovah... wants us to feel accepted. He wants us to know that we are loved and safe just as a child feels loved and safe when he is in the embrace of a caring parent or as we do when in the company of a true and loyal friend."

This article is a great example of WT doublespeak.

The words portray a spiritual paradise.

Yet we all know that the WT treadmill of works, endurance, and organizational loyalty tests is the OPPOSITE of what this quote describes.

How many JWs feel that they must constantly earn God's approval and that they are always falling short?

How many JWs fear that they are not worthy to survive Armageddon?

How many JWs feel that they have to guard every word they say, even in their own homes in front of family?

How many JWs fear being called into the back room by the elders for reproval or even a JC over some supposed infraction?

And because they feel this way, they aren't experiencing anything close to the secure relationship this quote promises.

So this article that describes safety and security becomes just one more WT teaching that makes JWs feel unworthy and fearful.

leaving_quietly

The lack of Christ in this article was glaring to me, too.

Also, par 15:

Jesus and his Father take note of

both our faith and our ministry. (Rev.

2:19) As the elder quoted in an earlier

paragraph points out: “The field ministry

is what we are about.”

This verse uses the Greek work diakonian (Strong's 1248) for ministry. Some translations render this "service". It carries the idea of service or ministering to others and can, but not exclusively, include preaching. It also includes service to those in need.

http://biblesuite.com/greek/1248.htm

BluesBrother

"5/ All of us do well to recall how we were freed from spiritual slavery and became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. To do this, consider these two questions: Do you recall the steps you took to qualify as a baptismal candidate? Do you remember how you came to know and to be known by God and thus enjoy the feeling of real spiritual freedom?"

So God only knows you if you are a baptized functioning J /Witness.....We know that this is what the teach but it has really got to me lately. How arrogant ! What right does any man have to tell God whom he may know or not know?

Ding

If you want to get to know someone well, you don't use a checklist.

Nor do you have to consult an organizational chart.

Consider how many organizational layers the WTS claims exist between the rank and file JW and God himself:

JW -- MS -- Elders -- CO -- DO -- Bethel/Branch office -- GB -- Jesus -- Jehovah

SAHS

“wants us to feel accepted. He wants us to know that we are loved and safe”

This, according to the Watchtower corporation, is not “love” based on intrinsic worth but, rather, a very conditional love – conditional on an “approved standing” which merits an “approved relationship” with God. And offering the feeling that we are “safe” implies staying in the antitypical Noah’s ark – that is, retaining membership in the organization, of course by following all their man-made rules and accepting all their unique and dynamic dogma – or else! This “safety” they hold out is really fear mongering in that it fabricates a need for such “safety” which allegedly can only be attained by the absolute, black-and-white ‘identity as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God’s “spirit-directed organization” ’ (the old octopus in New York).

Yes, only they can dispense this “love” and “safety.” (Can anybody find Jesus?)

Bobcat

Incidentally, if the picture of the airplane cockpit is intended to coincide with paragraph one, the airplane in question is the Piper Cherokee line of aircraft. They are the fourth most produced airplanes of all time (32778+). This link says that from 1927-2009 Piper produced about 144,000 airplanes (in 160 models) of which 90,000 are still on the registry. I thought that was amazing.

The Cherokee's were originally made in 140, 180, 200, and 235 HP variants. The 200 was a retractable gear version and actually had an automatic gear extension feature which was intended to prevent gear-up landings. Piper ("New Piper") has since dropped the "Cherokee" designation (probably for political correctness) and makes three models under the names "Archer," "Dakota," and "Arrow." My first solo (at 17) was in a Piper Colt, but since logged time in the 140, 180, and 200 (Arrow).

I remember spending my early teens flying with my dad, mostly in TaylorCrafts and the Colt. Then one day one of the guys that flew out of that grass strip brought in one of those all metal Cherokee 140s. Wow! Four seats too! And flaps.

I actually enjoyed this week's WT lesson. Then came paragraph 2 . . .

I had some thoughts about the lesson too, but later. I want to reminisce about simpler times.

Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 05-19-2013 WT Study (KNOW GOD)

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