with so many "responsibilities" given to the witnesses by the "faithful and discreet slave", there is little time for them to do anything these days except sleep - and that is when they're not out preaching at unearthly hours in the morning.. .
the enormous pressure to perform, and to be under the watch of the elders to make sure you perform, is a draining experience.. .
a book i have on sociology says this regarding jehovah's witnesses, when discussing sects, that "they require intensive commitments and demonstrations of belief by members.
If any of you are familiar with Uncle Larry Lujack from Chicago radio in the 70's...he always said, "its possible to think you're good at something and actually not be any good, but its impossible to be good at what you do and not know it."
If the WTBS controls/discourages personal development, why the Theocratic Ministry School? A program that has made public speakers out of timid individuals.
Ranch
Also, a meat-flavored Bugle would be good.
Out of town. But back now.
with so many "responsibilities" given to the witnesses by the "faithful and discreet slave", there is little time for them to do anything these days except sleep - and that is when they're not out preaching at unearthly hours in the morning.. .
the enormous pressure to perform, and to be under the watch of the elders to make sure you perform, is a draining experience.. .
a book i have on sociology says this regarding jehovah's witnesses, when discussing sects, that "they require intensive commitments and demonstrations of belief by members.
I don't know guys...its kinda hard to apply a one-size-fits-all "Sect Identification Kit" to any one group, considering the peculiarities within that group. As far as the ministry intensive atmosphere of Jehovah's Witnesses, all I will say is this: look at Jesus...look at the Apostles...look at the 120 who recieved God's Spirit at Pentecost. A Christian eats it, drinks it, and sleeps it. Don't fool yourselves. Forget what the WTBS says...what does Jesus say? "Narrow and cramped is the road to salvation, and few are on it."
Now, about what I really wanted to comment on: personal growth stunted?
Again, every place is different. But let me tell you about me. I started working in broadcasting at the early age of 14. Got my first afternoon drive show at 15, and now I'm very established in the radio broadcasting industry. I've been on the air ever since I started. I anchor sports on TV part-time. I have my own voice-over business and do voiceovers/commercials for places all over the country. Whats the attitude been from elders and others in the organization? Well, I was appointed a ministerial servant when I was 19. Now I'm a pioneer. I constantly get attention and praise on my speaking ability and voice. Everybody thinks its cool that I do what I do for a job. Everybody is full of questions about it. Everybody tells me that I was born for the radio business. No big deal. Here's what underscores the whole topic that is INTERPRETED as "stunting personal growth": BALANCE. It is the duty of the faithful slave to admonish us to put the Kingdom first. If we work 8 hours a day, sleep 8 hours a day, then whats a wiser course? Spend the other 8 hours a day at a second job just so we can afford something we don't really need OR spend that time as Jesus would, or the Apostles, or the other early Christians? Say what you want about the WTBS but don't forget whose world this is. We can work ourselves to death, with what to show for it. I want to make a name with God, not leave behind an impressive 401K account because I worked myself to the grave.
i heard some sad news today.
an old friend of my mum's has apparentely committed suicide.
i remember the woman well, a devout jw with an amazing sense of humour and a lovely personality.
Won't get resurrected???
The Bible says that "there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous." -Acts 24:15
I wholly agree.
discuss
whether you're a doubter or another agitator, just look at what the bible says: .
1- jesus started one true christian religion.
after the christian arrangement had been established for some time, the apostle paul under inspiration further showed at ephesians 4:4, 5 that there must be just one body, or group, of true worshipers of god.
Friend, the Lord's work is SERIOUS BUSINESS. Jesus wasted no time exposing the crooked religious leaders of his day, or warning against the disease of apostasy that would creep into the Christian congregation. He ate with sinners that knew no better. But once properly evangelized, Christians were told to, "keep this same mental attitude" and to keep putting on the "new personality".
Yes, Paul said to "keep testing". He didn't say "keep questioning the spirit-annointed leadership". He also said, "bring every thought into captivity and make it obedient to the Christ". Why? Because our thinking has to be constantly cleansed and tested...to make sure that our thinking is in line with God's.
last night was the first meeting of the circuit overseers visit.
i didnt go, but i know (because of a call from an elder about two weeks ago) that they are going to visit me this week.
ahh!!
Thats fine. You can call me worse if you like. But as I've said before, somebody has to expose you idiots for what you are. You're a lot more comfortable if you can lable me a "joke" or a "fanatic". Just work your 40 hours, go home, and sink into your recliners so you can armchair quarterback until its time to wake up and do it all over again. If doing the Lord's work was easy, EVERYBODY would be doing it.
whether you're a doubter or another agitator, just look at what the bible says: .
1- jesus started one true christian religion.
after the christian arrangement had been established for some time, the apostle paul under inspiration further showed at ephesians 4:4, 5 that there must be just one body, or group, of true worshipers of god.
Information overload! Too many questions to field all at once. First, put aside whatever might have happened in your home congregation that made you bitter toward the whole organization. On the matter of disfellowshipping, it is certainly the scriptural obligation of the congregation to remove ones who are willful and unrepenant sinners. Paul spoke extensively about this in his letter to the Thessalonians. Does this contradict Jesus' vibe of charity and forgiveness and the parable of the Prodigal Son? No, because Jesus is the one that accepted Paul to accomplish the ministry that he did, which includes his letters. Plus, according to Hebrews 10, for the person that continues to sin upon having knowledge of that sin, "there is no sacrafice for sin left for that person". So, principally, one could say that Jesus makes the disfellowshipping arrangment MORE THAN NECESSARY.
