by Blueblades 8 Replies latest jw friends
No pressure by me will be heavy upon you.The C.O.Quoting from JOB 33:7 to the congregation! Was this said to your congregation?Then the talks he gives puts pressure on us all.Do more! Don't get tired! etc.Elders calling,no pressure,get out in service!Get to the meetings! What do you mean your sick! No pressure from us! So what if your out of work ,now you can pioneer!
How were you pressured by those who say "We don't put no pressure on you"! Its all voluntary! Blueblades
The BIG one for me wasn't even going out on service. There was pressure there of course. I have never lived in a home that was favorable to religion of any kind. So it wasn't easy making it out and I always got lectures about it. Still I enjoyed the preaching work believe it or not. I'm just weird that way.
The BIG pressure was when I was Pregnant with my last child. I was on doctor ordered bed rest and only left the house for doctor visits. Real bummer there!
The "Friends" used to come visit me while they were out on service(getting that extra time)and would encourage me to go to meetings and service. Finally after explaining 100 times my situation to every bro and sis that stopped by I told this one sister that I had miscarried before and I was having health problems, the doctor ordered bed rest and I REALY could not go. Get this now..she says,You can pray for Jehovahs Dynamic Energy and then you can make it to meetings when you have Jahs spirit. She said a few more things but, when she left I just cried and cried because she made me feel like if I couldnt get healthy enough for meetings I did not have Jahs spirit.!
You know meetings were so important to these people that not a single one of these bros and sisters were giving or offering my children a ride to meetings. See if I had Jahs spirit then he would give me His dynamic energy and I could get the kids there myself!
This was one of the most discouraging times in my life. When I think back on my whole time as one of Jehovahs Witnesses it was a miracle my children and I lasted so long.
Im sure most here feel the same.
That is such a crime that those who claim to speak for God can be so unloving.
My 21/2 cents worth.
Agape,
Utopian_Raindrops
Edited by - Utopian_Raindrops on 28 December 2002 23:12:56
Being born & raised in the cult, I felt the pressure when it came to baptism. I gave quite a few talks at an early age, so I guess it was natural for people in the hall to expect me 'take the dive' as early as possible.
Well, it didn't happen. I kept up with the talks and service, but I kept baptism at arms length. Somehow, I knew it was a bad move for me, and once done - could NOT be undone. I studied with a few heavy-handed elders, and they did their best to corner me at the pool. That was enough for me. At the ripe age of 17, I decided I would never be baptized, and quit the studies, meeting, and field service.
NEEDLESS PRESSURE!!
Ephesians 2:8
"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith, and this NOT FROM YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God--NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast."
So, we are not saved by works guys.... sorry for all those wasted hours in the field service. We are saved by Jesus not how much we do. Not by how many meetings we attend.
Titus 3:5
"He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but becasue of His mercy."
see again.. it is not what we do. So then, who and what saves us?
1John 5:11 says that He who HAS the son HAS LIFE.........and John 5:11 says the same thing.
Acts 4:12 says that salvation is found in NO ONE ELSE!! So it is not found in the Watchtower. It is found in Jesus. There is no religion that can save you. How can they when Jesus already did it? The bible makes it clear He is the only mediator between us and God. Isn't the Watchtower doing just that? Playing Jesus' role.
Is this the Watchtower???????????? "for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:29,30)
We have carried a very heavy burden. One of guilt for never doing enough. This sounds more like the Watchtower to me...."They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." (Matt 23:4)
Don't let MEN tell you what to do.............your only obligation is to Jesus who came to save and give peace and present a wonderul GIFT to you..... You don;'t have to do anything to receive a gift. It is a present. All that is required is to believe in HIm with you heart. I mean a real friendship with him.
much agape love gold morning
hmmm so many times so little space: I guess the WORST was when I miscarried our third child no calls,no visits nothing but when I went to the next meeting (still in shock and very ill) no one offered any support but did ask WHEN I WOULD BE IN SERVICE NEXT LOL That was the ultimate for me
{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}} Sheila!!
I am so sorry for what you went through in "The Truth"! I know alot of sister's with storys just like ours and believe it or not if it is possible....worse things happen to them at the hands of "God's People".
We have it better now because there is nothing "The Friends" can do to us anymore. We're out!
For your sheila...
Agape,
Utopian_Raindrops
Seems to me that beating up on JWs is easily accomplished via Scripture:
Are you defending God by means of lies and dishonest arguments? You should be impartial witnesses, but will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue Gods case for him? Be careful that he doesnt find out what you are doing! Or do you think you can fool him as easily as you fool people? No, you will be in serious trouble with him if even in your hearts you slant your testimony in his favor. Doesnt his majesty strike terror into your heart? Does not your fear of him seize you? Your statements have about as much value as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. (Job 13:7-12; New Living Translation)
AlanF
ALAN!!!!
You have no idea!! I was wondering if such a scripture exsisted!!
Thank-you so much for posting it!!
I have been telling my children that Jehovah needs no one to defend Him! He is The Almighty!
We need only lead lives in The Christ!
I will share this scripture with my children and everyone I meet.
ty Brother.....for you.....
Agape,
Utopian_Raindrops
**yeah I know I'm a corn ball....but oh, well....we are who we are**
When I was on my out of the BOrg, one of the scriptures that continually used to go around in my mind was where Jesus said "My yoke is light, and my load is not burdensome". I used to think about those words, and compare it to the responsibilities and obligations that the WTS would put upon us. The WTS was not operating in harmony with Jesus' words. Therefore, how could they be a Christian religion? How could they have God's spirit if they were not following Christ?
BTW AlanF, what's the reference for that quote?
