onesong

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Posts by onesong

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  2

  Fantastic Metaphoric Story You'll Relate To

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  from the book the power of your supermind , vernon howard.

  there was a shipped named life traveling to a place called harbor.

  it contained the usual assortment of ocean voyage passengers.

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  onesong

  from the book The Power of Your Supermind , Vernon Howard

  There was a shipped named Life traveling to a place called Harbor. It contained the usual assortment of ocean voyage passengers. Running into a storm the ship lost it's rudder. The passengers ran around and cried out in confusion. The officers, who were very proud of being officers, calmed the crowd assuring them "Just trust us , everything is alright."

  But there was one True Voyager who wondered and deep down knew that not all was right. When he asked why the rudder was not being repaired he got evasive answers. When he insistently asked whether they knew how to make repairs, they reminded him that their word was not to be questioned.

  So the True Voyager spent his time at the railing, looking for land.

  Meanwhile the officers set up counseling sessions for the passengers. Neatly dressed in their pressed uniforms with bright brass buttons, they smilingly advised, "There is no need to think for yourself, just have faith you are in good hands. We care for you. The Harbor you seek is yours in exchange for obedience to us. When in doubt about anything just come to us."

  From time to time, the True Voyager entreated others to join him in the search for land. Hearing this, the officers became resentful and angry. They warned the people, "That is a strange man with strange ideas. Just remain true to your officers who care for you. We care about you so much we do not want you to be burdened with having to think for yourselves.."

  Dazzled by the officers brass buttons, they all nodded gratefully in unison.

  One day, the True Voyager spotted land. He called to the others to let them know, but they were sitting stiffly, almost hypnotically in a counseling session, their dazed faces reflecting the officers brass buttons.

  Knowing they could not hear him, the True Voyager jumped overboard and swam to solid ground.
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  Oprah's new Book Club selection - A New Earth - anyone here participating?

  by poppers in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  about 10 days ago she announced that eckhart tolle's book a new earth is her latest book club selection.

  tolle will be appearing with her on a live internet feed for 10 consecutive mondays starting march 3. this is a great opportunity for those who are looking for the ineffable "something" else that they find lacking in their usual pursuits...

  this isn't the usual kind of book that she promotes.

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  onesong

  A wonderful book, have read it a couple of times now. If you have time it's great to get the audio version and listen repeatedly. Eckhart's peaceful presence in his delivery will bring you to a quiet, still place that is so valuable to get to in this world.

  Also check out his Findhorn retreat recording as well.

  I loved how in "A New Earth" he very gently shows some of the fallacies of organized, controlling religion.
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  21

  IF JW'S COULD VOTE...

  by writetoknow in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  would they vote as a group for republicans, democrats, or independant?

  and who would the society encourage them to vote for?

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  onesong

  What most people don't know--JW's especially, is that they CAN vote!

  I came across this article just before I left and it caused quite a stir as I pointed it out.(I thank Dismembered for digging it up)

  The Watchtower, June 15th 1999 Issue, Page 30:
  Questions From Readers
  How do Jehovah’s Witnesses view voting?
  ...As for Jehovah’s Witnesses, they do not interfere with the right of others to vote; neither do they in any way campaign against political elections. They respect and cooperate with the authorities who are duly elected in such elections. (Romans 13:1-7) As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to the State. (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16)
  ...those who have a part in voting a person into office may become responsible for what he does. (Compare 1 Timothy 5:22, The New English Bible.) Christians have to consider carefully whether they want to shoulder that responsibility.
  [...]
  In view of the Scriptural principles outlined above, in many lands Jehovah’s Witnesses make a personal decision not to vote in political elections, and their freedom to make that decision is supported by the law of the land. What, though, if the law requires citizens to vote? In such a case, each Witness is responsible to make a conscientious, Bible-based decision about how to handle the situation. If someone decides to go to the polling booth, that is his decision. What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator. The November 15, 1950, issue of The Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446, said: “Where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote . . . [Witnesses] can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot.”
  What if a Christian woman’s unbelieving husband insists that she present herself to vote? Well, she is subject to her husband, just as Christians are subject to the superior authorities. (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Peter 2:13-17) If she obeys her husband and goes to the polling booth, that is her personal decision. No one should criticize her.--Compare Romans 14:4.
  What of a country where voting is not mandated by law but feelings run high against those who do not go to the voting booth--perhaps they are exposed to physical danger? Or what if individuals, while not legally obliged to vote, are severely penalized in some way if they do not go to the polling booth? In these and similar situations, a Christian has to make his own decision. “Each one will carry his own load."--Galatians 6:5.
  There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not. They may say, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses are not consistent.’ People should recognize, though, that in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God.--Romans 14:12.
  Whatever personal decisions Jehovah’s Witnesses make in the face of different situations, they take care to preserve their Christian neutrality and freeness of speech.
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  21

  hi there! it's been a while since I've written a meaningful post

  by veradico in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the lady on the phone told me that if i could get to chicago in time for a 1 pm flight i could still make it to nh that day.

  if one has strong faith in ones faith, he should not fear other belief systems.

  may have killed the cat; more likely .

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  onesong

  Holy Crap V !!!!

  That took me longer to read than the time you actually spent back here.

  Gettin' ready to play some poker with the boys--they've been kicking my butt.
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  12

  Jehovah's Witnesses and the UN..again. I'm in a quandry.

  by isnrblog in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the un thing was my first post and thank you all for the answers and the welcome.

  this seems to be a great site.

  are there many witnesses that participate?

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  onesong

  Someone brought up the point here that they could've gotten tremendous savings on airfare for missionaries by taking U.N. sponsered flights.

  Don't know if it's true at all but may be possible.
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  40

  SCAN OF THE LATEST QUESTIONS FROM READERS!

  by deaconbluez in

  1. jw
  2. friends

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  onesong

  Deacon --that is hilarious, I can't thank you enough!! I needed a good laugh to end my day.
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  23

  Anyone from North of Boston?

  by cognac in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i'm here!

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  onesong

  1 hour north---live free or die
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  216

  I'm a Pioneer Married To a Wonderful Brother Reaching Out to be an MS...

  by cognac in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  and petrified... i just recently became a pioneer and always had nagging questions in the back of my mind.

  so, i decided that when i have get a study i would research all the questions as i go along so as to prove everything in the truth... i got 4 studies in about 2 months.

  all was fine, until i reached i think chapter 6 in the bible teach book about the resurrection.

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  onesong

  Welcome Cognac from a nearby neighbor to your north!

  It was being an elder that lead me to start questioning things. I was extremely uncomfortable on the couple of judicial committees I served on.

  I knew deep within that there was something fundamentally wrong with judging people---especially when we had to form a judicial committee for a young sister that tried to commit suicide. It wasn't about love and compassion, it was about trying to discern rules and enforce them.

  I got tearful reading your posts because it brought back so much of what I experienced a few years ago, my whole world turned upside down.

  As difficult as it was though I'm sooo thankful my eyes were opened.

  As you work thru this my advice would be to trust yourself, truth is in your heart.

  Peace and Love,

  Onesong
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  22

  A first for me today--I voted!

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm not into politics and don't put much stock in the government having anything to do with my happiness, but i decided it would be a new experience and why not.. i have to admit it felt good.

  seeing democracy in action was great and as small as my 1 little vote is, it feels empowering to have a say..

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  onesong

  Thanks for posting that article Dismembered--methinks that there are very few Witnesses that aware it is indeed a conscience matter!

  Cognac, when the doors open it's amazing how many things you can do that are truly meaningful and beautiful. Just a couple of small things off the top of my head that I enjoy: Yoga, toasting, (it adds much to a social gathering to raise your glass in a hearty "cheers!") , blessing people when they sneeze...
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  22

  A first for me today--I voted!

  by onesong in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm not into politics and don't put much stock in the government having anything to do with my happiness, but i decided it would be a new experience and why not.. i have to admit it felt good.

  seeing democracy in action was great and as small as my 1 little vote is, it feels empowering to have a say..

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  onesong

  Hey S4, I'm over in Milford just outside of Nashua, not to far from you.

  Anyone know what is the Society's official stance right now regarding voting?

  I remember as I was leaving during the 2004 campaign someone dug up a recent Question's From Readers that actually left it open to your conscience. I remember sharing this with my family and other close friends and they were shocked--it had quietly slipped by them.