Posts by inbyathread

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. "What's the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle Adversity? ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?

Don't tell GOD how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your GOD is!

71

Intro

by mavie in

jw
friends

hello from mavie.

currently happily married for a number of years to a great jw wife, i currently serve as an ms in our local kh.

my wife and i have been told we are pillars in the congregation.

inbyathread

Mavie. First of all welcome to the forum. You will find many good people here willing and able to provide the direction for you to find the answers. I am sorry for your wife's illness but am glad that you are caring for her needs. I hope your job is Non-JW affiliated. This will make any future transitions easier. The more you care for your wife the more the elders will harrass you. Shortly they will hint that she is harming your spirtuality by your continuing to care for her needs and failing to care for the needs of the congregation. Keep us up to date as you can. Good luck.

8

positive Memorial experience

by bennyk in

our local group of x-jw's met on wednesday, 12. april to observe (i.e.

celebrate) the lord's evening meal.. unlike 2005, this year we met in two groups.

no individual attended both groups.

inbyathread

Just got off the phone with BennyK. As he is out of town he won't be able to respond to any of your enquiries until Monday or Tuesday evening.

I understand from speaking with some who had attended. This celebration was heartfelt by all in attendance more than any who would have heard the usual monotone talk at the KH.

12

My small but hopefully mighty note to the newspaper

by merfi in

it's not terribly impressive, but given the small size of this town and the small number of pubs at the kh, this might be relatively huge.. i just emailed this to the newspaper editor today:i gave blood tuesday, april 4th for the first time.

somewhere, someone's life might be saved by my donation.

i work at **** hospital*** and have seen blood used to bring color to someone's granny's cheeks, to help a new mom recover from a difficult childbirth and to give a young man with cancer a higher count so that he can receive chemotherapy and continue his fight.

inbyathread

Congratulations. I gave blood when I was younger and I also stopped for a time due to religious pressures from so-called leaders. I recently gave again and the Nurse and I had a wonderful conversation about religion, JW's and their high control methods.

62

Dansk (Ian) --- Not doing as well as could be hoped

by Alleymom in

jw
friends

hi, friends ---.

just a note to let you know ian has had a setback.

there is a problem with his kidneys and he had to have a catheter inserted.

inbyathread

Sorry to hear this. Thanks for letting us know of the situation.

Increasing prayers.

15

Wisconsin Memorial Blood Drive

by inbyathread in

ok people.

bad news.

the marshfield donor center is closed on wednesdays.

inbyathread

Thanks to Mr and Mrs. Schnee_belly and thanks to this facility. They were great.

alt

324

RICHIE RED ALERT

by RichieRich in

jw
friends

i was on the phone speaking with verne thoren, presiding overseer of the willow springs, nc congregation of jehovah's witnesses.

he tells me he knows of my possesssion of the flock book.

he knows of my involvement on this site.

inbyathread

Two elders wanting to meet with you and your Mom is just the investigative committee.

Smiles stated the above. But according to RR this meeting will be with the PO and two other elders. No investigation. Straight to the DF.

Can they ask the police to charge you with theft? Yes they can. But remind them that You WILL produce the evidence to the court. Once it is admitted as evidence, it will be subject to public review as all evidence in court cases are open to public scrutiny. (Legal advice IMHO)

Let's see what they are so scared the the public will see.

324

RICHIE RED ALERT

by RichieRich in

jw
friends

i was on the phone speaking with verne thoren, presiding overseer of the willow springs, nc congregation of jehovah's witnesses.

he tells me he knows of my possesssion of the flock book.

he knows of my involvement on this site.

inbyathread

DENY, DENY, DENY. Demand to know who your accusers are. Why were they on such a ~~wonderful~~ sinister website.

Good Luck

They are going to take you down this time Richie... for apostasy AND theft.

Try to speak with the chief of police or the DA for your area. The society wants the governments to stay out of their hair when WE complain. (1st amendment rights and separation of church and state stuff). Try to get them to tell the elders that "This appears to be a church issue. The 1st amendment doesn't allow us to get involved. You need to handle it within the Church." edit to add non legal advice

15

Wisconsin Memorial Blood Drive

by inbyathread in

ok people.

bad news.

the marshfield donor center is closed on wednesdays.

inbyathread

Everything is planned for this afternoon. Come back this evening for pictures.