Posts by blondie

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Double Dare Triple Dare!!!

by Utopian Reformist in

jw
friends

would anyone like to have some fun?

this may take some work and boring preparation, but the results are priceless.. go the kh, and pick up as many subscription forms as possible.

open your hometown white and yellow pages, (if you have 1000's of forms) and begin subscribing everyone!.

blondie

Which one of you is going to the KH to submit them to the MS who handles the subscriptions?

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Who was the Strangest on the Doors?

by individual in

jw
friends

yes, who was the strangest person you ever met in the field service, or what was the strangest experience?

i once met a man who claimed that he had invented everything, including the hovermower, the hovercraft and the xylophone.

he said he created the hovermower out of dustbin lids attached to an old lawnmower.

blondie

I was all prepared to say Jim Morrison.

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it's been a long, long time ago, but i remember as a youngster attending the meetings and there was a huge bulletin board next to the platform and every month they would post the field service statistics on it, i.e.

hours, return visits (back calls), mags, books, etc.. i was wondering if this was common practice in all kingdom halls back in the 50's and 60's and if so, when did the practice end?

given nathan knorr's interest in marketing the jw teachings and putting a guilt trip on those who didn't perform up to snuff this recollection makes sense.

blondie

Not much earlier, TMS, because it was still going strong when I was in high school in the late 60's. Elder arrangement was announced in 1971 at the convention...So it was around the late 60's to early 70's.

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Help With Reference?

by Francois in

jw
friends

i'm sure you remember the statement in the wt that goes something like - the organization of jws is the only channel of communication that god is using...words to that effect.. would any of you who have the exact quote and its citation please email it to me when you can?

i would very much appreciate your help.. francois

blondie

Sorry, can't e-mail

*** w95 7/1 19 "The Israel of God" and the "Great Crowd" ***
Today, the remnant of anointed Christians as a body are “the faithful and discreet slave,” the channel for the distribution of spiritual food. (Matthew 24:45-47)

*** w91 9/1 18-19 Jehovah and Christ-Foremost Communicators ***
What of modern times? As foretold at Matthew 24:3, 45-47, the Master, Jesus Christ, has appointed “the faithful and discreet slave,” made up of anointed Christians, to care for all his belongings on earth during this day of his presence. That faithful and discreet slave is represented today by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which has as its publicity agent the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Most appropriately, that faithful and discreet slave has also been called God’s channel of communication. It, in turn, encourages us to be good communicators. In fact, the very first issue of Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence counseled its readers: “If you have a neighbor or friend whom you think would be interested in or benefitted by [this magazine’s] instructions, you might call it to their attention; thus preaching the Word and doing good unto all men as you have opportunity.”

*** w87 3/1 14 'Upon the Watchtower I Am Standing' ***
The “faithful and discreet slave” class, the “watchman,” today uses the Watchtower magazine under the direction of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses as its main channel for dispensing spiritual “food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45)

*** w87 7/15 19 Prayers Require Works ***
Because Jehovah God does not give his holy spirit apart from his Word, and we cannot hope to receive holy spirit if we ignore the earthly channel Jehovah is using today, “the faithful and discreet slave,” represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Without help from this “slave,” we would neither be able to understand the full import of what we read nor know how to apply what we learn.—Matthew 24:45-47.

*** w81 12/15 25 Zealous for "the Work of the Lord" ***
16 It was first in 1895 that some friends of Zion’s Watch Tower suggested that this magazine is identified with “that slave”—“that servant.” (Matt. 24:46, Authorized Version) Enemies aroused violent opposition to this viewpoint of such friends, so that The Watch Tower of October 1, 1909, had this to say:
“Our friends insist that this Scripture indicates that in the end of this Gospel age the Lord would use not many channels for the dissemination of the Truth, but one channel . . . They hold that all of them received their knowledge of Present Truth directly from the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society’s publications, or indirectly through those who have received their enlightenment through this channel. They are glad correspondingly to co-operate as ‘fellow-servants’ with the Society’s work, believing that thereby they are following the leadings of the Divine Providence, as well as the instructions of the Divine Word.”

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Does Anyone Else Remember

by drahcir yarrum in

jw
friends

it's been a long, long time ago, but i remember as a youngster attending the meetings and there was a huge bulletin board next to the platform and every month they would post the field service statistics on it, i.e.

hours, return visits (back calls), mags, books, etc.. i was wondering if this was common practice in all kingdom halls back in the 50's and 60's and if so, when did the practice end?

given nathan knorr's interest in marketing the jw teachings and putting a guilt trip on those who didn't perform up to snuff this recollection makes sense.

blondie

Around 1973 the 10-hour quota for publishers was ended...thus no need for the quota board.

*** km 2/73 1-6 Branch Letter ***
Some have said: ‘But we have no quotas now.’ Though the hour requirements for the various branches of pioneer service have not changed, it is true that congregation publishers have no set goal of, say, ten hours per month. Yet the question might be asked: Is this a valid reason for decreasing the amount of time spent in doing the will of Jehovah God in the field service? Really, in past years we were not going in the field service simply to meet a goal of hours, were we? We were interested in preaching the good news of God’s kingdom, to magnify Jehovah’s name and to give others the opportunity to hear. And we still are. Now that we do not all have a set goal of hours we are not to conclude that our field ministry is any less important. Our message is urgent. This is something to think about, don’t you agree? Jehovah’s requirement that our service be whole-souled has not changed.

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Witness stabs a 16 yr old teen

by ARoarer in

jw
friends

has anyone heard about the news article in the august 8 record, about the young teen murdered by another ex-bethelit over a dispute over a girl?

it happend last week in ringwood, new jersey, and the jw's involved from the west milford congregation, as mentioned in the paper.

blondie

Are you saying an elder lied?:)

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Change in WTS doctrine under way!

by biblexaminer in

a "significant re-adjustment" in watchtower dicta is in the works.

is it important?

if you do want to know, then take the time to read the following information, for doctrine is the motivation behind everything that is "watchtower", and recent happenings within watchtower-world shed light on the future course of the great ship watchtower.. [hr].

blondie

Thanks, BX...this is what I thought too but you said it so well...they always say that prophecies aren't meant to be understood until they are over.

I enjoyed your piece on the 120 disciples and the timeline before and after that event.

I'm saving this one too.

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Watchtower July 15,2001 page 21-23

by hippikon in

are you truly tolerant?

have you ever felt incensed because of someones improper conduct?

are you quick to act when corrupting influences are making inroads among your close asso-ciates?.

blondie

Are You Truly Tolerant?

HAVE you ever felt incensed because of someone’s improper conduct? Are you quick to act when corrupting influences are making inroads among your close associates? Would this be like...child molesters?"

Prompt and firm action {like with child molesters?} is sometimes re-quired to stop the spread of serious sin. For example, when brazen wrongdoing threat-ened to defile the Israelites in the 15th cen-tury B.C.E., Aaron’s grandson Phinehas took decisive action to clear away what was bad (Didn't he jab a spear through the private parts of the Israelite man and Moabite woman? That would put the fear of God into any child molester knowing a spear was going you know where.). Jehovah God approved of what he did, say-ing: “Phinehas. . . has turned back mywrath from upon the sons of Israel by his tolerating no rivalry at all toward me in the midst of them.”—Numbers 25:1-11.

Phinehas took appropriate action (Phinehas didn't round up a second witness before he put that spear you know where) to halt the spread of contamination. But what about unchecked indignation at the mere human failings of others? If we were to act rashly or without just cause (have to have two witnesses you know)or be-come not so much a champion of righteous-ness as a figure of intolerance—someone who makes no allowances for the imperfec-tions of others. What can help us to avoid this pitfall?

‘Jehovah Is Forgiving All Your Error’

Jehovah is “a God who is jealous (zealous); a God not tolerating rivalry.” (Exodus 20:5, footnote) Being the Creator, he has the right to demand (See comment above our exclusive devotion. (Revela-tion 4:11) Yet, Jehovah is tolerant of human weaknesses. Concerning him, the psalmist David therefore sang: “Jehovah is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness. He will not for all time keep finding fault. . . He has not done to us even according to our sins; nor according to our errors has he brought upon us what we de-serve.” Yes, if we are repentant, God ‘is for-giving all our error.’—Psalm 103:3, 8-10.

Because he understands the sinful na-ture of humans ( which elders do not)], Jehovah does not “keep finding fault” with repentant wrongdoers. (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12) In fact, it is his purpose to eliminate sin and imperfection. Until that is fully accomplished, rather than bringing upon us “what we deserve,” (including what the elders deserve) God graciously extends forgiveness on the basis of Jesus Christ’s ransom sacrifice. None of us would be judged worthy of survival if Jeho-vah did not show mercy when appropri-ate. (Psalm 130:3) How grateful we can be that our heavenly Father, who rightfully de-mands(there is that word again) exclusive devotion, is a merciful God!

Balance Is Needed

Since the Sovereign Lord of the universe displays tolerance in dealing with imperfect humans, should we not do the same? Toler-ance has been defined as “the disposition to be patient with the opinions or practices of others.” Do we personally have such a dis-position—an inclination to exercise patience and forbearance when others say or do things that are not grossly sinful but perhaps are inappropriate in word or deed?{Have to make those 'adjustments'

(Now here is the kicker...)

Of course, we need to avoid being over-ly tolerant. For instance, terrible damage is done when religious authorities tolerate abusive priests who persistently molest boys and girls. “Treating the children as occasions of sin,” commented one reporter in Ireland, “the church authorities merely moved on the offending priest [to another location].”No the WTS lets them stay in the same congregation....after all they are repentant.

Is just transferring such a man an example of proper tolerance? Hardly! Suppose a med-ical body allowed an irresponsible surgeon to continue operating, transferring him from one hospital to another, even though he was killing or maiming his patients. A mistaken sense of professional loyalty might produce such “tolerance.” But what about the victims whose lives were lost or ad-versely affected because of negligent or even criminal practices?Do they think JWs are this stupid? Rhetorical, no answers please

There is also a danger of showing too lit-tle tolerance. When Jesus was on the earth, some Jews known as Zealots wrongly sought to use the example of Phinehas in an at-tempt to justify their own activities. One ex-treme action of certain Zealots was “to min-gle with crowds in Jerusalem during festivals and similar occasions and stab the objects of their displeasure unawares with daggers.” Sounds like the KH

As Christians, we would never go as far as the Zealots did in physically attacking those who displease us. But does a certain degree of intolerance lead us to attack in other ways those we disapprove of—perhaps by speak-ing abusively of them? If we are truly toler-ant, we will not resort to the use of such hurtful speech.
The first-century Pharisees were another intolerant group. They were constantly con-demning others and made no allowance for human imperfection. The proud Pharisees looked down on the common folk, malign-ing them as “accursed people.” (John 7:49) For good reason, Jesus denounced such self-righteous men, saying: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but you have disregarded the weight-ier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was binding to do, yet not to disregard the other things.”—Matthew 23:23.

In making this statement, Jesus was not downplaying the importance of keeping the Mosaic Law. He was simply showing that the “weightier,” or more important, aspects of the Law required applying it with reason-ableness and mercy HowJesus and his disci-ples stood out from the intolerant Pharisees and Zealots! Can you think of any 'cumin' things you saw at the KH?

NeitherJehovah God nor Jesus Christ con-dones badness. Soon, ‘vengeance will be brought upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news.~ (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) In his zeal for righ-teousness, however, Jesus never fails to re-flect his heavenly Father’s patient, merciful, and loving concern for all who want to do what is right. (Isaiah 42:1-3; Matthew 11:28-30; 12:18-21) What a fine example Jesus set for us!

Patiently Put Up With One Another

Though we may have great zeal for what is right, let us apply the apostle Paul’s counsel:

“Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also.” (Colossians 3:13; Matthew 6:14, 15) Toler-ance requires putting up with one another’s shortcomings and mistakes in this imperfect world. We need to be reasonable about what we expect of othersReasonable as defined by the elders.—Philippians 4:5.

Being tolerant does not in any way imply approval of wrongdoing or being blind to errors. Some aspect of a fellow believ-er’s thinking or conduct may be somewhat out of harmony with Jehovah’s standards. Though the deviation may not yet be so se-rious as to lead to rejection by God, it may give a warning signal indicating that some adjustment I knew adjustment would be brought upis required. (Genesis 4:6, 7) How loving it is when those having spiritual qual-ifications try to readjust the erring one in a spirit of mildness! (Galatians 6:1) To succeed in this endeavor, though, it is necessary to act out of concern rather than with a critical spirit.

“With a Mild Temper and Deep Respect”

What about exercising patience toward people whose religious views differ from ours?That one is a 'goat' A “General Lesson” that was posted in all the National Schools established in Ire-land in 1831 reads: “Jesus Christ did not in-tend his religion to be forced on men by vio-lent means. . . . Quarrelling with our neighbours and abusing them is not the way to convince them that we are in the right and they in the wrong. It is more likely to convince them that we have not a Christian spirit.”

Jesus taught and acted in a way that drew people to God’s Word, and so should we. (Mark 6:34; Luke 4:22, 32; 1 Peter 2:21) As a perfect man with special God-given insight, he could read hearts (No perfect men or women on earth today...no one can read hearts, even the elders, do I hear the word presumptuous.). When necessary, there-fore, Jesus was able to pronounce scathing denunciations on Jehovah’s enemies (Don't do this elders). (Matthew 23:13-33) It was not intolerant for him to do this.

Unlike Jesus, we lack the ability to read hearts. Hence, we should follow the apostle Peter’s counsel: “Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a de-fense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep re-spect.” (1 Peter 3:15) As Jehovah’s servants, we should defend what we believe because it is solidly based on God’s Word(not your opinion, elders). But we need to do this in a way that shows respect for oth-ers and for their sincerely held beliefs. Paul wrote: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one.”—Colossians 4:6.

In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Je-sus said: “All things. . . that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matthew 7:12) So, then, let us pa-tiently put up with one another and show re-spect for those to whom we preach the good news(and certainly our brothers and sisters at the hall!). By balancing our zeal for righteous-ness with Bible-based tolerance, we will please Jehovah and we will truly be tolerant.

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