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STARTING OVER with my Elderette - What Does the Bible REALLY Teach?
by Faithful Witness 59 Replies latest watchtower bible
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Faithful Witness
Ok, I am thoroughly confused now. Why did they create a promotional video, and also administer extra reminders to the JW's, that they really need to book their hotels and come to this extraordinary event? My mom said that 45,000 people are expected. She said they WERE handing out invitations to the public. Are we talking about the same thing?
Outlaw: Today, we met with friends, talked about the bible and ate hot dogs.... never thought of all those options!
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TheOldHippie
I cannot help it, but I wonder a bit if this has been an actual conversation or study ............. How is it possible word-for word to remember an entire conversation like that? I said - she said - I said - she said, lots of topics. Strange .................
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TheOldHippie
"Jesus didn't read YHWH when he read from the ancient scrolls,"
Wow! Now THAT was an interesting and bold statement! How do you know? Were you there (....when they crucified my Lord, as the song text goes)?
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sparrowdown
One thing you need to remember is that this is not about you it's about her ("your elderette").
When JWs study with someone it's all about the JW, they really don't give a crap about the person other than what's in it for them.
Be it, easy "time" or a jealousy-inducing, competition-inciting experience for the bro's, in which your elderette will tell all and sundry all of your personal details (real and embellished), along with her judgmental summary of your situation. Oh, and how she is being so patient and longsuffering in trying to teach you.
I am sorry if that sounds cynical, but you are not dealing with a "normal " person.
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blondie
Why wonder about FW account, faulting no one could possibly remember these conversations accurately. I always wondered about the experiences at the meetings and the assemblies/conventions. I know now from having mine and family members "experiences" massaged to fit the desired outcome on. How can we trust the memories of those people? Strange..........
Old Hippie: I cannot help it, but I wonder a bit if this has been an actual conversation or study ............. How is it possible word-for word to remember an entire conversation like that? I said - she said - I said - she said, lots of topics. Strange .................
Post 2257 of 2258
Joined 1/31/2001I cannot help it, but I wonder a bit if this has been an actual conversation or study ............. How is it possible word-for word to remember an entire conversation like that? I said - she said - I said - she said, lots of topics. Strange .................
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tiki
you are having so much fun with this - i am amazed at how you can stomach it at all. but the best part is the german shepherd prayer barks!!!
enjoy - but seriously please realize these meetings with your elderette are an uttter, complete waste of time...
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Faithful Witness
sparrowdown: Great points. She definitely has her motives, although I have not really thought about whether she is sharing these experiences with others or not. It makes sense, of course... even moreso, when I look back at the most recent teacher that came to study with me during the daytime (a different elder's wife, but not a pioneer. She had clear mental and personality issues, and we spent a lot of time visiting and a little time studying. She loved to talk!) Miss K came without her partner, Miss W, this time. I'm not sure if Miss W will come again, or ??
Old Hippie: You are right, I am not relaying the conversations word for word. I am recalling to the best of my ability, and sometimes the things she said or I said are not in the order they occurred. Sorry it's so confusing and disorganized!! I'm just sharing my experience, and taking note of responses I get from people who have been on the other side. I'm not perfect, and I definitely make a lot of mistakes, both in what I say to her, and then when I try to accurately recall the conversation. While we are talking, I am not thinking about remembering it, in order to write it down. I am usually trying to follow her train of thought, and avoid the temptation and little hooks she throws out, in attempts to change the subject.
If you've ever talked to a JW woman, you know that the conversation tends to drift all over the place. I think I am the same way... not sure if it is just because I am a woman, and can't keep myself focused, or if I just get distracted and sidetracked easily. There are so many small and big differences between what JW's say, and the rest of the world... When I talk to Miss K, who is an acquaintance, it is evident to both of us, that the other is holding things back. She will say things like, "I can tell you have doubts," or "There seem to be flags coming up in your mind," or "I'm sure you have read a lot of apostate information," or "I don't know exactly what you are thinking about." She tries to get me to change the subject, or bring up something new. She does this a LOT... like pumping me for objections, so she can pounce on me and try to get me to be specific or defend a position that I don't really hold.
When we are talking, I feel like she is always just waiting for me to slip up, and give her something to grab onto and start questioning me about. Neither of us stays on topic very well, and both of us are trying to outwit the other.
I have a difficult time being concise with my words. I'm sorry if my freeform recollections are confusing or seem dishonest in any way. I have no motive to spend all this time on JWN, making up stories.
Regarding the exact words of Jesus, and whether he did or did not use the personal name of the Father... I can't claim to know the exact words of Christ. You're right I wasn't there when Christ was crucified. (I'm not familiar with that song.). But for some reason, Miss K DOES know... since she reads and studies words written through God's channel? I was just pointing out that her claim is not in the Bible, but she wants me to believe it is true (because she "Just KNOWS it's the Truth").
We were talking about why Jesus came to the earth. Miss K claimed that Jesus came to make his name known, and told us to use it. She made the assertion, that "OBVIOUSLY Jesus used it," but when I asked her to show me where it said that in the Bible, she could not. Her statement really took me by surprise, since I'd never heard anyone say it that way, nor read it in the scriptures. If it was such an important direction, why did none of the 4 apostles record it? Why is there no example of Jesus actually calling his Father by name? And if we really were supposed to learn God's name from Jesus, why didn't He tell us how to pronounce it?
But I will rely on what is actually written in the Bible, to tell me what happened and what Jesus said, and use my own discernment. I am trying not to go beyond what the scriptures say.
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Faithful Witness
tiki: Our dog is a real prize... She definitely adds an interesting twist for anyone who visits us.
About 2 months ago, we accidentally realized that our dog has a trigger word for barking... "Here!"
She feels it is her job to patrol the grounds, and bark at every visitor and every bicycle or pedestrian that passes our property. When people arrive in the driveway, we usually call out, "They're here!" and the dog will start barking frantically.
If she is outside, she will circle your vehicle and jump up, to try to see you inside the car. It is pretty intimidating to most visitors, and has the disadvantage of sometimes delaying parcels, if we don't know we are expecting a delivery.
My son was asking where something was, and I said, "It's over here!" The dog started barking.
I usually put the dog outside during Miss K's visit, but then she sits outside, worrying about who is inside... and barking. This time, I let her roam with us inside for a few minutes, and she kept trying to get Miss K to pet her or acknowledge her. Miss K was frozen, but trying to remain calm. She keeps saying, "They can sense fear..." haha. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but I think the dog just wants her to pet her and tell her she's ok. Miss K just needs to realize that the dog will be something to deal with, every time she comes. They will get used to each other.
Now, what if we add another trigger word, that only JW's use? (Jehovah) That would add interest to the conversations!
The "HERE" trigger for barking, has now become a little joke around the house, and we get surprised ourselves at times, by her sudden outburst. haha. Her bark is very sharp and loud.
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tiki
FW - when i was going in service, i was pretty wary of dogs. i had a friend who was attacked and the dog actually broke her upper arm. plus, we had cats, and you never know how a dog will react to the scent. your girl sounds like she just wants to be petted and acknowledged. maybe you should plan a doggie-love session and help your friend overcome her fear!