RebelliousSpirit

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Posts by RebelliousSpirit

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  25

  went to a meeting tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  by vitty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to my first meeting in 9 months (dont ask ive got my reasons cant say on an public board).

  they reviewed a wt july 1st page 12----19. it was saying that you should have concern for people who are spiritually weak you should remember all the good things they had done in the past.

  even if they wernt going to meetings anymore.

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  RebelliousSpirit

  More ...

  What else did Jesus do? First, he made an announcement: ?All authority has been given me.? Second, he gave an assignment: ?Go therefore and make disciples.? Third, he made a promise: ?I am with you all the days.? But did you note what Jesus did not do? He did not rebuke the disciples for their failures and doubts. (Matthew 28:17) Was his approach effective? Yes. Before long, the apostles were once again ?teaching and declaring the good news.? (Acts 5:42) By following Jesus? example of how to view and how to treat weaker ones, we may see similar heartwarming results in our local congregation.*?Acts 20:35.
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  25

  went to a meeting tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  by vitty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to my first meeting in 9 months (dont ask ive got my reasons cant say on an public board).

  they reviewed a wt july 1st page 12----19. it was saying that you should have concern for people who are spiritually weak you should remember all the good things they had done in the past.

  even if they wernt going to meetings anymore.

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  RebelliousSpirit

  It reads, in part:
  

  At the end of Jesus? ministry on earth, when his death was imminent, the apostles ?abandoned him and fled.? As Jesus had foretold, they ?scattered each one to his own house.? (Mark 14:50; John 16:32) How did Jesus deal with his spiritually weakened companions? Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus told some of his followers: ?Have no fear! Go, report to my brothers, that they may go off into Galilee; and there they will see me." (Matt 28:10) Although the apostles had shown serious weaknesses, Jesus still called them "my brothers." (Matt 12:49) He had not given up on them. In this way, Jesus was merciful and forgiving, just as Jehovah is merciful and forgiving. (2 Kings 13:23)

  How will we react when a weaker Christian arrives at the Kingdom Hall? Well, what did Jesus do when he saw his apostles, whose faith had temporarily weakened, at the appointed place of meeting? ?Jesus approached and spoke to them.? (Matthew 28:18) He did not stare at them from a distance but went up to them. Imagine how relieved the apostles must have felt when Jesus took that initiative! May we too take the initiative and warmly welcome spiritually weak ones who make the effort to return to the Christian congregation.

  ...

  ... Note Jesus? conclusion in both cases: ?Thus there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents? and ?thus, I tell you, joy arises among the angels of God over one sinner that repents.? The concern of the shepherd and the woman reflects, therefore, in its own small way, the feelings of Jehovah and his heavenly creatures. Just as what was lost remained precious in the eyes of the shepherd and of the woman, so those who have drifted away and lost contact with God?s people remain precious in Jehovah?s eyes. (Jeremiah 31:3) Such individuals may be spiritually weak, yet they are not necessarily rebellious. Despite their weakened state, to some extent they may still be keeping Jehovah?s requirements. (Psalm 119:176; Acts 15:29) Hence, as in times past, Jehovah is slow to ?cast them away from before his face.??2 Kings 13:23.
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  25

  went to a meeting tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  by vitty in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i went to my first meeting in 9 months (dont ask ive got my reasons cant say on an public board).

  they reviewed a wt july 1st page 12----19. it was saying that you should have concern for people who are spiritually weak you should remember all the good things they had done in the past.

  even if they wernt going to meetings anymore.

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  2. 
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  RebelliousSpirit

  They reviewed a WT july 1st page 12----19

  Could you give us the year of the WT issue?

  It's the July 1, 2004 WT article "Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you".

  Being that my husband is active and we attend meetings (sporadic lately though, oops) ... I have the source material for that Service Meeting - the talk is "Show concern for those who are weak". I just read through it ... interesting.
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  42

  Forgiveness, How Far Do You Take It?

  by prophecor in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  has it ever happened to you, something so dispicable you would rather go to your grave, not having forgiven someone a wrong they had done you, hopeful that god would sort it out in the end?

  mind you, i know things like child molestation, rape and murder are things for which it is difficult, if not impossible, to be forgiving of.

  that being said, where does one draw the line on forgiveness?

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  RebelliousSpirit

  Then I realized that forgiveness was freeing me from the situation and I was truly able to get on with my life.

  I totally agree, Tres.

  A little TMI about me ...

  At the age of 17 I was raped at knifepoint by someone I thought was my "friend" - while my then 12 year old brother listened in horror through the door banging and banging to get in so he could help me. Soon thereafter, I entered into what turned out to be a tremendously abusive relationship with a man 6 years my senior. When I finally found the courage to leave him after 4 years of hell ... I was a very spiteful, angry, bitter young woman.

  The spite, anger, bitterness, resentment carried over into every single facet of my life for a very long time. I continued on that way until the day I chose to forgive both of these individuals who wronged me. You see, it takes a whole lot of (wasted) energy to be angry and bitter 24/7. It also holds you back, keeps you living in your past day in and day out. Once I made the decision to forgive (though I will never forget, you never forget) ... a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. And just like that, the nightmares stopped. I stopped living in my past and was able to move forward - start a new chapter in my life ... "acknowledge and move on" as it were.

  And of all the benefits of forgiveness I experienced, the most important was this one ... I was no longer a victim, I became a survivor. Through forgiveness, I was able to take away the power their actions continued to have over me and reclaim my life as my own.

  I'm not saying it was easy ... but I do believe it is necessary for the healing process. Some might wonder how you forgive your rapist or your abuser. My answer - you just do. Forgiveness does not excuse or minimize the actions of the one who wronged you ... rather it validates those wrongs, places control over the situation in your hands, and acknowledges your capacity to rise above the situation and move forward.

  JMHO, of course.
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  290

  New brother in here!

  by defd in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey yall just wanted to say hi.

  today is my 1st day here.

  i hope this is a good site for jehovahs people.

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  RebelliousSpirit

  It's OK for a JW to get a blood transfusion in Bulgaria.

  I'd like to know more about that - details, documentation, sources, etc? I've never heard this before and would love to have a "leg to stand on" in bringing it up to the JWs in my life!
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  290

  New brother in here!

  by defd in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey yall just wanted to say hi.

  today is my 1st day here.

  i hope this is a good site for jehovahs people.

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  RebelliousSpirit

  Sunspot, I'm in Oneida county. Care to get together some time?

  Ack! Fairchild! Check your PM too! Looks like the three of us live very close!
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  290

  New brother in here!

  by defd in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hey yall just wanted to say hi.

  today is my 1st day here.

  i hope this is a good site for jehovahs people.

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  RebelliousSpirit

  dfed, what part of NY were you in? I'm upstate near Lake Ontario in Oswego county.

  Sunspot! It looks like we live VERY close to each other - I just sent you a PM!
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  28

  Ozzie's Weekend Poll #126 (It's all about feelings!)

  by ozziepost in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  and a great big g'day!

  to all those who've joined us in the past week or so, especially those from the land downunder.. how's things with you this weekend?

  the weather's gloomy around bethel today (so what's new, you reckon!

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  RebelliousSpirit

  Having never been a JW but being married to one recently reinstated, I would have to say #11. The Org has turned my life upside down at this point - that would be my answer.
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  70

  Mouthy on radio Tuesday at 9.30 p.m

  by mouthy in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i am going to make a fool of myself tomorrow night .i will be featured on www.natradio.com .

  about cults!!!

  !producer & host of cosmic horizons just called me .

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  RebelliousSpirit

  Great job Grace!
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  86

  Name posters who stand out for some reason....

  by JH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'll let somebody else start

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  RebelliousSpirit

  Badger and AlanF are amazingly honesthearted and caring

  jgnat always has a supportive, helpful post just when it's needed