Posts by lookingnow25

30

~ Does anyone use WinAmp media player? ~

by FlyingHighNow in

jw
friends

?

if you do, i have a tech question for you.

.

lookingnow25

Make sure the files are associated with Winamp.

Preferences > General Preferences > File Types.
Select MP3, or all, or whatever. Also check "Restore file associations at Winamp start-up"

2

Compare to Sept KM / Other famous WT Quotes

by lookingnow25 in

wt 73 pgs.

547-548 "a bible in every catholic home".

what about interpretation?.

lookingnow25

WT 73 pgs. 547-548 "A Bible in Every Catholic Home"

WHAT ABOUT INTERPRETATION?
But some individuals ask: ‘Is not the Bible open to many interpretations? If I were to read it on my own, wouldn’t I risk the possibility of falling into error?’ The Bible itself shows how to avoid that pitfall. At Genesis 40:8 we read: “Are not interpretations God’s business?” (Jerusalem Bible) How could one apply that principle today?
Of course, it does not mean that God will come down from heaven to speak audibly with one who is reading the Bible. But one can arrive at the interpretation God gives by letting one part of his inspired Word explain another. To a considerable extent, the Word of God is self-interpreting.
This emphasizes the importance of regular reading of the Bible. It will equip the reader to make the necessary comparisons of verses to clear up difficult passages. So the matter of interpretation should encourage rather than discourage Bible reading.
If you are Catholic, has your priest encouraged you to read the Bible and to compare what you find there with the teachings of the Catholic Church? Most priests have not done so. Why not? Please examine the facts in the following chart and draw your own conclusion.

From here on I reserve my right to read only the bible, and to come to my own interpretations and conclusions as guided by God.

AW 70 4/22 pg. 8 "Changes That Disturb People" - I suggest you read the whole article.

Changes That Disturb People
THE churches are in rapid decline. Even in the United States, where religion still enjoys perhaps the greatest popularity, nearly three out of four persons polled said that it is losing influence. Why is there this decline in religion?
One of the reasons is that people are disturbed by what is happening in their churches. Yes, millions of persons have been shocked to learn that things they were taught as being vital for salvation are now considered by their church to be wrong. Have you, too, felt discouragement, or even despair, because of what is happening in your church? A businessman in Medellín, Colombia, expressed the effect the changes have had on many.
“Tell me,” he asked, “how can I have confidence in anything? How can I believe in the Bible, in God, or have faith? Just ten years ago we Catholics had the absolute truth, we put all our faith in this. Now the pope and our priests are telling us this is not the way to believe any more, but we are to believe ‘new things.’ How do I know the ‘new things’ will be the truth in five years?”
What are some of these changes that disturb people?

From here on I reserve my right to question and be disturbed by changes to teachings, doctrine, and understandings that are or have been tought by the WTBTS.

Just from some reading I was doing.

Later,

Looking

28

Situation Developing in Family

by lookingnow25 in

my 25 year old sister just called me with some big news...her husband...30...is of the annointed as of last december.

omg!

i'm having trouble processing this.

As far as my mom goes, she has never been one to leave anything alone. It's just her personality and all of us kids have kind of gotten used to it, and know how to work it. She is very emotional, very involved in her children's lives, and has always had her input.

As far as my sister goes, I'm sure that scripture has been shared with her. HOWEVER, surely all of us here can understand the cognitive dissonance aspect of her situation. Jehovah will satisfy every desire, sure, ok, fine...It still sucks for her. I'm trying to find anything that I can honestly say to her that will comfort her without comprimising what I believe. I won't support his belief/conviction that he is of the "elite". There is no such thing as the "elite" (144,000).

I'm feeling lost, I'm sorry that I can't convey what I'm feeling very well...

28

Situation Developing in Family

by lookingnow25 in

my 25 year old sister just called me with some big news...her husband...30...is of the annointed as of last december.

omg!

i'm having trouble processing this.

lookingnow25

I do see the humor in it, I really do. But please don't make too much light of the situation. My sister is borderline falling apart, I could hear it in her voice. I'm not sure that the next time I talk to my parents I'll be able to control my tongue, this could cause serious problems.

Yes, it's funny that he has jumped on the annointed bandwagon, especially when my sister says "he can't explain or understand it, but he knows that it's right".

But the serious side effects of this are as follows :
1) My parents and him have a rocky relationship. When they were dating he called a meeting with my family to explain that according to the scriptures my sister was now "his", and that we should all keep that in mind and basically stay out of their business.

2) My sister is slowing coming to the realization that she won't "live forever" with her husband, the man she loves.

3) ...more to come, gotta go

looking

28

Situation Developing in Family

by lookingnow25 in

my 25 year old sister just called me with some big news...her husband...30...is of the annointed as of last december.

omg!

i'm having trouble processing this.

lookingnow25

My 25 year old sister just called me with some big news...her husband...30...is of the annointed as of last December.

OMG!

I'm having trouble processing this. With my recent return to fadedom and all, this is messing with my mind. My BIL is of the...annointed...what...the...F@*#?!!

I like the guy, he's alright, never liked him a lot, have known him a long time. I went to pioneer school with his brother, played basketball with my BIL for years...

My family is already screwed up! What is this going to do to my mom and little sister?!?!

I'll be back later, I need a drink.

looking

18

Making it through the public talk Vol. 1

by lookingnow25 in

i dread meetings, like all of you that still attend i'm sure, but i have found a way to enjoy the sunday meeting again anyway.

it's become my "personal study" time if you will.

refernce 3 : wt 60 pg.

lookingnow25

Better?

18

Making it through the public talk Vol. 1

by lookingnow25 in

i dread meetings, like all of you that still attend i'm sure, but i have found a way to enjoy the sunday meeting again anyway.

it's become my "personal study" time if you will.

refernce 3 : wt 60 pg.

lookingnow25

I dread meetings, like all of you that still attend I'm sure, but I have found a way to enjoy the Sunday meeting again anyway. It's become my "personal study" time if you will. I follow along with the speakers scriptures and ignore all of the fluff in between. This has led me to some interesting verses by reading the context around them, and to some WT references that I wouldn't have read otherwise. Here's my tidbit from this Sunday's talk.

It was something about choosing Jehovah's side...

Scripture : Mt. 15:9 - NWT : "It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines."

Reference 1 : WT 82 7/15 pg. 17 "9 The Jewish Pharisees zealously advocated rules. Not content with the Mosaic law, they developed numerous rules or “commands of men” that invalidated God’s commands. Besides developing these rules that went beyond what God asked, their legalistic outlook encouraged the view that righteousness could result from knowing and keeping these human regulations.—Matthew 15:1-20; 23:1-5; Luke 18:9-12.

Counter reference 1a : AW 99 pg. 2/8 pg. 16 "Many popular styles of the ’90’s find their seeds in such fringe cultures of yesteryear as the hippie movement in Western society of the ’60’s. Beards, unkempt long hair, and bedraggled clothing announced a rejection of traditional values. But the dress of rebellion also kindled a new conformity, a new peer pressure." (NO BEARDS. Ask any Bethelite if this is a true "rule". They will say yes.)

Counter reference 1b : AW 96 11/22 pg. pg. 22 "For a Christian youth, the issue is not what is acceptable among one’s peers but what is “acceptable to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10) Besides, what kind of youths are drawn to alternative rock? Youths who seem to be happy, balanced, and interested in spiritual things? Or does it seem to find its audience primarily among youths who are disgruntled, unhappy, or even angry? True, some youths with cheery, upbeat personalities may still be drawn to alternative rock. But consider this: Christians, young and old, have a bright future awaiting them. (2 Peter 3:13) The apostle Paul reminds us of the certainty of the fulfillment of God’s promises, saying: “It is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18) What point is there, then, in exposing yourself to the bleak, negative view of the future that some alternative rock songs express? Could becoming absorbed in music that expresses fear, despair, and hopelessness undermine your faith? Furthermore, what effect might a steady diet of such music have on your emotional outlook?" (NO ALTERNATIVE ROCK. Seriously? Are you sure that's in the bible?)

Reference 2 : WT 51 pg. 326 "7...The Bible does not need the addition of uninspired traditions prattled by men to make it complete: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”—2 Tim. 3:16, 17, NW"

Counter reference 2a : WT 81 2/15 p.19 "Rather, the record that the “faithful and discreet slave” organization has made for the past more than 100 years forces us to the conclusion that Peter expressed when Jesus asked if his apostles also wanted to leave him, namely, “Whom shall we go away to?” (John 6:66-69) No question about it. We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the “faithful and discreet slave” organization." (WTBTS is likening themselves to Jesus here. They are putting the value of their teachings on par with Jesus')

Counter reference 2b : WT 81 8/15 p.28 "They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago, and some have even returned to celebrating Christendom’s festivals again, such as the Roman Saturnalia of December 25! Jesus and his apostles warned against such lawless ones." (PUT THAT BIBLE DOWN AND PICK UP A WATCHTOWER!)

Refernce 3 : WT 60 pg. 530 "4...: “It is in vain that they keep paying respect to me.” (Matt. 15:8, 9) 5 Even when a person is convinced that the religious doctrines he formerly believed were not Scriptural and his way of life was not truly Christian, when it comes to his abandoning such a religion, especially if it is the religion of his parents, it can be very difficult. Of course, if the other members of his family love God’s Word they will be glad to know from him what it teaches, but if not, they may be bitter in their opposition. Unable to refute the Bible truth, they may demand that the newly interested one stop associating with Jehovah’s people. To keep him from further study, they may even destroy his Bible study literature. By his patience, by his tactfully speaking about the Bible when appropriate, and by his right conduct he will lovingly try to help his relatives to see the truth; but in some cases persons who have expressed their sincere desire to serve Jehovah God have been disowned by their relatives. "

Counter reference 3a : Speaks for itself.

I hope a few of you enjoyed those quotes. Maybe it will give you some more ammo to hate the WT with, or maybe to discuss with your families, or maybe just a laugh.

Later,
Looking

1

A low-grade lightbulb moment

by inkling in

"apostasy" is drawing a distinction between the words of the bible and the.

words of the watchtower.. by even implying that there is a difference between bible teachings and ideas.

and watchtower teachings and ideas (no matter how obvious these might .

lookingnow25

This has without a doubt been my personal experience. I was before a JC a few years back (not for apostasy by the way) and in the process of talking everything out I told the elders that I believed God was an assh**e. (Not exactly how I feel now, btw.)

They hardly batted an eye. No one accused me of apostasy, no one called me names or anything. I don't imagine I could have said the same about the GB, WTS, or even an elder and have gotten away with it the same.

This was definately a light bulb moment for me. That group of elders had NO loyalty to God at all.

looking

21

Please, please, please help me!

by copperbunny in

i'm searching for long lost family, and i am hoping someone on this blog might know them.

i am looking for fowler's from either the kansas or missouri areas of the us.

i am willing to give first names if someone thinks they might be able to help me out.

lookingnow25

I could also possibly help in the central, mo area.

14

Col 2:16-19 in CO's talk

by lookingnow25 in

it's time for my once every 3 years visit.

started out lookingnow22, then lookingnow25, now it could be lookingnow28.

still struggling in the org.

lookingnow25

T, As far as the CO's application, I wasn't paying real close attention but he was focusing on the last part of verse 19 about being harmoniously joined together. It was the last hoo-rah! talk on Sunday so... Looking