Posts by Apostate Kate

27

The answered prayer

by Ade in

john 14:12 "most assuredly, i say to you, he who believes in me,the works that i do he will do also;and greater works than these he will do, because i go to my father.13"and whatever you ask in my name, that i will do, that the father may be glorified in the son 14:if you ask anything in my name, i will do it" .

i understand that we ask for our prayers to be answered through jesus name as jesus is the amen.many will give a different answer to this question from the trinitarian/non trinitarian viewpoint.jesus says here that he will answer your prayers if you ask in his name.

does this mean it is ok to request from jesus during the prayer.

Apostate Kate

God communicates with me everyday in many ways.

It is an affair of the heart that becomes manifest in the physical in many ways.

21

Shattered LivesThe Watchtower Trauma and your Healing Process

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

shattered livesthe watchtower trauma and your healing process a few days ago a topic of discussion presented itself .

regarding the subject of suicide and former jehovah's.

witnesses.

Apostate Kate

For me it was a combination of Biblical research and professional counseling. At times anti depressants. Once I untwisted the Bible, came to some deep realizations, and allowed myself to express the anger through writing fictional stories, I made my peace with it.

I also had to learn to forgive.

How to love myself.

What true unconditional love was and how most often you will be the giver of it, and that fact does not have to be the cause of more pain but can bring more peace. Sometimes it hurts but through true forgivness you can overcome that pain.

That it is truly better to give than to receieve, it is theraputic. In fact giving and charity will help you pass through the fires of despair.

35

If there was no reward or punishment would you be involved in any religion?

by restrangled in

jw
friends

i ask this because i have just started a book called, sermon on the mount and i believe the author is "fox".

i have also been reading c.s.

lewis, surprised by joy.

Apostate Kate

For me being a Christian, a real mainstream Christian in a non denominational mainstream church keeps me in the here and now. Gives me focus on the hear and now. Gives me purpose for the hear and now. Not because my pastor tells me what to do or how to think today, but because Jesus is constantly before me. He is here and now with me by His Words (reading the Bible daily), by spending time with others who believe, by our unified worship in music.

He shows me the boundaries I need to obey for today for my own benifit. His Spirit guides me when I am not sure. He will orchestrate circumstance to assure me if I am unsure. I really don't care much about heaven, hell, or the unknown. I don't care much about the future.

Being born with a genetic blood disease that has caused chronic illness, surgeries, and a death sentence that I have outlived by 14 years so far, you would think I should have quite a bit to give me worries. I live one day at a time, by the blood of Jesus His grace has brought me to a very beautiful place of peace and love.

27

The answered prayer

by Ade in

john 14:12 "most assuredly, i say to you, he who believes in me,the works that i do he will do also;and greater works than these he will do, because i go to my father.13"and whatever you ask in my name, that i will do, that the father may be glorified in the son 14:if you ask anything in my name, i will do it" .

i understand that we ask for our prayers to be answered through jesus name as jesus is the amen.many will give a different answer to this question from the trinitarian/non trinitarian viewpoint.jesus says here that he will answer your prayers if you ask in his name.

does this mean it is ok to request from jesus during the prayer.

Apostate Kate

My prayers are answered. He has given me miracles. My prayer time connects me to my Maker and is the sweetest part of my day.

I pray, talk to God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son. There was never a time that we were told we were not allowed to talk to Jesus

It is a personal thing.

35

If there was no reward or punishment would you be involved in any religion?

by restrangled in

jw
friends

i ask this because i have just started a book called, sermon on the mount and i believe the author is "fox".

i have also been reading c.s.

lewis, surprised by joy.

Apostate Kate

I haven't read those books but have read many other of CS Lewis books. He is a great thinker and writer.

Reward or punishment has no bearing on my personal relation with my Creator. I trust Him. Religion has nothing to do with my relationship with my Maker. I don't need to be a member of something to know Jesus.

I enjoy corporate worship and organized charity work. They require getting together with like minded people.

I have no fear. None. No fear of God. No fear of death. No fear of tomorrow. No worries about how I will survive. I trust Him. It is part of my relationship with God. He made promises to me that He has kept, abundantly.

God gave us boundaries. Our sinful natures has to test them. I don't have a problem with understanding sin. One of children's first words is "NO!" We give our children boundaries to keep them safe, to teach them respect of self and others. Why would our Maker not do the same?

Enjoy the journey Restranged

71

Need advice - marriage in crisis

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

i've been a member of this forum for a while now.

i need some advice.

i can't say too much about myself because i'm still an active witness, though not by choice.. my marriage is in trouble and the one thing that causes it is being a member of jehovah's witnesses.. i was born and raised in the truth like so many others here.

Apostate Kate

oops sorry I just finished reading I should have read all before posting. you said she was not interested in reading the Bible with you, that is really sad.

To be in a religion that frowns on independant Bible study is pure evil. Any authentic Christian denomination will encourage independant Bible research and reading.

Of course the old Bethel boobs don't want anyone reading the Bible, they may just find out that the old men are just hairy a**ed old farts. Not the spiritual leaders of God's only organization.

71

Need advice - marriage in crisis

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

i've been a member of this forum for a while now.

i need some advice.

i can't say too much about myself because i'm still an active witness, though not by choice.. my marriage is in trouble and the one thing that causes it is being a member of jehovah's witnesses.. i was born and raised in the truth like so many others here.

Apostate Kate

You have had some wonderful advice and I only read page 1 so far.

Here is something that would have made a big difference in my first failed marraige;

Read and study the Bible together. Surely she would not refuse. Use several translations and a Strongs concordance with a Hebrew Greek dictionary. Do this together chapter by chapter book by book starting with the New Testament.

She will start to see things that will not focus on YOU, but on the Organization's doctrine. You have to get to the root of her faith and change it from faith in a man made organization to authentic faith in the real Son of God. Not the recycled neutered angel turned man turned vaporous spirit creature the WT created for her to "emulate"

I did this on my own but it would have made the world of difference if my ex would have participated. She will learn that you can have 100% assurance of salvation, and it is a free gift, and there is nothing she can do to earn it, deserve it, or work for but to receive it. Many of us thought it was "Jehovah's organization and He will take care of it" too.

You don't have to believe in anything to do this.

39

(For Christians) Why Human Organization Is Unnecessary

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

coming out of jws, one of the most thorough studies i have done is on the topic of human organization.

i have been very careful with this study for two reasons: (1) if human organization is important, then "where else do we go?

" is an important question whether or not that is the question peter asked jesus; and (2) if human organization is not important, it allows us to see christianity, fellowship, and our personal relationship with christ in a whole new way.. i set out to determine whether human organization was necessary (and therefore, important), not to prove that it is unnecessary.

Apostate Kate

We don't have a building and need one because we are growing fast. So we have a group to organize a building fund. I think having the right leader is imperative. Our fearless leader has stated many times he is no respecter of persons and do not take what he says as fact without checking for yourself. He is aproachable, submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit, listens and learns from us.
Kate....I just hope you are not being duped....It sounds TO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Not at all. That is the great thing about being part of a healthy functioning church. WE have a SAY in what goes on. Totally different from the WT. An authentic Christian leader will never tell you, believe what I say. They will point you to believe what Jesus said.

The purpose of the church, the focus should be on charity! We don't have to go door to door because our very lives are testimonies to our faith.

We don't sell religion we follow Jesus. And He said "Matthew 25:39-40 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' "The King will answer them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers you did it to me.'

It takes a little bit of organization to gather people together for some of today's ministries. I am working on filling up my truck for a trip down to the drug rahab ranch. I can't do this on my own! I have to get others organized to help.

Our salvation does not depend on attending meetings. It is a free gift for the taking. But with phones, printed materials, and now the Internet I can organize help to fill that truck! I just have to take a step of faith and get the ball rolling.

39

(For Christians) Why Human Organization Is Unnecessary

by AuldSoul in

jw
friends

coming out of jws, one of the most thorough studies i have done is on the topic of human organization.

i have been very careful with this study for two reasons: (1) if human organization is important, then "where else do we go?

" is an important question whether or not that is the question peter asked jesus; and (2) if human organization is not important, it allows us to see christianity, fellowship, and our personal relationship with christ in a whole new way.. i set out to determine whether human organization was necessary (and therefore, important), not to prove that it is unnecessary.

Apostate Kate

greendawn: Most of the direction was entrusted to the Holy Spirit.
That's how I see it, too.

You get an AMEN here too.

I'm not sure we can completly compare the Christian church today to that of the first Century. So much has changed. Then they had traveling preachers, the apostles, the disciples, thier immediate students like Timothy was to Paul. They had letters to read from them. They esteemed these early church leaders since they had experienced Jesus either in the flesh or in the Spirit as did Paul.

These early believers had to have faith in the testimonies of these leaders.They had the Tanahk, the letters that came and personal testimonies.

We are experiencing being a part of a brand new church. As it grows and changes it is apparent that there needs to be leaders and co leaders and assistants to them. Of course everything is prayed on and everyone is involved in the formation of this new church. As a need arises, someone is moved by the Spirit to fell that need. I am watching this happen.

We don't have a building and need one because we are growing fast. So we have a group to organize a building fund. I think having the right leader is imperative. Our fearless leader has stated many times he is no respecter of persons and do not take what he says as fact without checking for yourself. He is aproachable, submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit, listens and learns from us.

15

The Good Feelings Toward the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

the good feelings toward the watchtower bible & tract society admittedly, when registering for this discussion board .

my feelings toward the watchtower society were mixed.

on the one hand, i was grateful that there were opport-.

Apostate Kate

Wanderer I can't begin to know what it must feel like to have this realization in the way many do today. It must come as a shock. For me it was a very slow process that took several years of deep Biblical research. The study of Greek and some Hebrew. Researching the original texts and thier history.

This happened to me in the 1980's before we had a computer, before there were very many books written about JW's in mainstream places like the Library etc.

Even then it took a miracle to free my mind even after all that research.

{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}

It gets better from this point on. Freedom is not an evil thing. Independant thinking isn't either. You don't have to abandon your belief in God, only your trust in man.