This is a continuation of a previous thread:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.aspx?id=41925&site=3
October was a busy month, and found me conducting various speaking engagements. I've probably mentioned before that the churches, local to my area, have had a long-standing battle with JW's. They have not only found it enthrawling to find how a JW could "come to Christ" so quickly, but also how they might help other JW's free their minds.
That has been one thing that has truly amazed me, that so many can see how enslaved JW minds are, and how false many of their doctrines are, but seem frustrated in their inablity to penetrate the hardened exterior.
Through out the month I had special pleasure in talking to a number of youth groups, and was allowed access to one school, where I know there are JW children. I have to say that it was quite a challenge - engaging young minds with an awareness of how damaging something is, whilst helping them to see how awful mockery of another's beliefs is. I certainly hope I deliver something balanced to them.
This was the month that saw me visiting a few old-people's residential homes, too. I think it so sad, to see the elderly, having lived a long and fruitful live, to end their days couped up. They thrive on visitors, and it was a real joy to meet with them.
One even taught me a song, based on Psalm 24, which was a novelty.
Finally, towards the end of the month, I found myself conducting an evening service in one of the local churches (APC). It composed of a number of prayers, a few singings of Psalms, and a 30 minute lecture. It was great to be preaching again, but I can't help notice that it is so VERY different from the JW's.
One typical example of that is that I was just asked to take the service.
...that was it...
No theme, outline, order of service, Chairman, anything.
Well, it really was a blast from the past, when I used to hear Public Talks given from individuals own research. Much more natural, heartfelt, and enthusiastic.
The other thing was the trust.
These people knew that I had blown off the JW's in a "sermon", and yet they invited me there on full trust, listening to the "word of God" being expounded.
At no time was I even asked what passage of scripture I might be using, or how I might be applying it.
It wasn't without incident, however, as the guy who was leading the singing lost the plot.
He sat down in the middle of the first verse, of the first Psalm, much to everyones horror.
Then he sat down in the middle of the second singing, too.
I think the poor guy was having a bad night.
This was also a month of activity speaking to Mormons. I had met a couple of visiting missionaries in the street (well, I could hardly pass them by, now, could I?), and invited them back to my home. THis lead to a series of Thursday evening discussions, whilst my wife was away at the meetings.
I hadn't realised, before, that they believe that the Father came to earth and had a body of flesh, too (Doctrine and covenants - addition to the Book of Mormon).
This was just one of the interesting things that I found out about what they believe.
Finally, on the subject of October, it was also a month in which I started to face some difficult times at work. A "Head of Department", in another department, decided to make things difficult for me. Arter plenty of prayerful thought, I decided to take the battle to the enemy (so to speak), and the result (since) has been miraculous. It is still a steady battle but its surprising, sometimes, where you find support.
Next thread will be November, from which I was lucky to emerge with my life...