it's a powerful weapon isn't it?
death.
it was used on all of us at one stage when we were inside of that cult.
They use fear to try to keep you in. Yes, I was fearful when I first left and thought for sure "the end was coming". As time has passed, that fear has subsided and is pretty much a distant memory (it rears its ugly head in other forms now and then). My husband (who was born a Catholic and was never a dub) says that my parents are afraid of death and that is why they hold on to this religion so strongly. I hear from my mother on a weekly basis that the end is very near. Yeah, uh huh.
Purza
he was 51. we had not been close in the past few years.. he suffered from a rare ailment called sarcoid.
it can afflict several organs of the body, but in his case, it affected his brain.
it caused swelling, and subsequent issues from that.
Very sorry for your loss Jeff.
Purza
the low-flow, high-efficiency ones use about 1.6 gpm (gallons per minute).. .
to find out what your show is using, get a 1 gallon container from your kitchen and time how long it takes to fill it up with your shower.
then devide 60 by that number of seconds.
I have a low flow shower head and it is about 2 gallons per minute. We have had VERY LITTLE rain here in Northern California and I am 95% sure we will be on mandatory rationing by early spring. My husband is going to convert our shower and washing machine so that we can use the grey water in our yard. And while my shower heats up in the morning, I have 2.5 gallon container that I catch the cold water with and either 1) use it to flush the toliet or 2) carry it outside to water our flowers.
Purza
the plane was struck by flying geese.
the plane is floating in the water.
the crew acted quickly and used flotation devises to keep plane afloat.
"There were some church ladies "oh lawd"ing this morning and "thank you Jesus"ing. Of course, the next logical question is:"
Why did god let the geese fly into the engines to begin with?
If he could have changed the geese flight pattern, he would have saved the geese and the people would have went safely on their way.
Purza (who wants to be a passenger on Sully's plane next time)
i know many people, witnesses and nonjws that truly believe that if they prayed to god, he would hear their entreaty and perform some miracle and grant their wishes.. did you believe in the power of prayer?.
Yes I truly believed he was listening. I even had a prayer answered once - but perhaps that was coincidence.
Now - I definitely KNOW he is not there answering my prayers. And I think that not for any other reason other than the fact that I do not believe god is actively involved in our lives.
Purza
how do you read?
q 7. what can we encourage those who have strayed from the flock to do?.
106:13) it may be helpful to remind an inactive one that "the faithful and discreet slave" is dispensing excellent spiritual food.
Thank you Mary. That was very interesting and informative - especially now since I might be welcomed back into the family home.
Purza
i got an email from an old friend from my jw days.. our families were close for several years before they moved to another state.
afterwards we kept in touch by phone and visited each others homes a few times.
before we left dubdom in 2003, we had seen them just once in several years.
I agree with PP to not put anything in writing as it could be used against you. Tread lightly.
Purza
i was wandering around facebook and spotted someone from my last congregation before i 'faded'.
i knew that she had had some problems and was at a time df'd.
i didn't know if she would respond to a message from me (as some other former "friends" wouldn't) or not.
I am inactive and I do have some relationships with weaker dubs. I never bring up anything controversial and I just enjoy the little time I do spend with them. They do not need to know how I really feel about their religion, and they don't preach to me. It works on both ends. Could you perhaps try to be friendly with her, without being negative about what she believes? If she just wants to talk, let her (to the extent you can handle it) and don't throw anything back at her. Perhaps in time she will see you are a "true" friend. Just a thought.
Purza
today was the first of the two parter series on browbeating the inactive to get back to the meetings.. my other half who has been inactive for a short while received an email from a "friend" who's still in, acknowledging it's been a while since they last made contact and could they stop by to see how we're doing?.
the moment of truth - friends who ignore you and make no effort to contact you when you leave suddenly get a guilt trip over an article in the watchtower.. anyone else here had their door bell rung, received a phone call or email from a "concerned" friend due to this study article, or is it still early days?.
Now I understand the email from a family member to a group of "undisclosed recipients" trying to "encourage" us. We were encouraged to read the 23rd chapter of Matthew. Whatever.
Purza
i've barely gotten over christmas, new year and 3 birthdays in a row.
and bam!
there is bloody valentine stuff already on the shelves.
I love Valentine's Day stuff. I already got a spatula and a dishtowel with hearts on it. Yes, I am a consumer.
At least I don't buy the silk boxer shorts they have at 7-11.
Purza
