Posts by whyizit

51

Sorry, I need to vent for a moment...

by Abandoned in

jw
friends

normally, i don't mind where i'm at in my life.

i'm forty, no kids, low-paying job, live in a trailer court, etc (and trust me there's more to the etc, then i've already mentioned), but today i had a hard time.. one of my best friends from high school was a big dope head (no offense to the dope heads out there).

he showed up nearly every day to our first period art class smelling of weed and was generally so whacked out of his mind that he got horrible grades.. he finally graduated - barely - and made it to college.

whyizit

Your friend from high school grew up and got a job doing what he had a passion and talent for. He probably didn't give a rat's behind about his future pay scale back then. He just liked working in mechanics. It payed off for him. If being a dope head was all that great, I doubt if he would have went very far.

You can do the same NOW. What do you enjoy? What would you love to do, even if you didn't get paid for it? Check out related job options in that field.

What kind of educational options are available to you? My Dad was injured in the military, which gives me the opportunity for a college education, paying only for my books. I had no idea! My brother had a military disability, hearing loss from working on aircraft. That qualifies his kids, which is how I found out about MY benefit through my Dad.

It kind of ticked me off too, because I had big plans as a poor kid, but because we didn't have any money, I goofed off and got a factory job out of high school. Ended up creating a business working with animals, but my dream was to be a vet. Here I am 40-something years old, and NOW I find out I could have done it!

Just because we aren't as young as we used to be, doesn't mean we have to settle for less in life. I'm going to go to college now. My dreams have changed. I don't want to be a vet anymore. But I'm going to use the time I have left to go in a new direction. I may not make a lot of money, but then, it's not about making money. It IS about making a difference.

I just had surgery and I am slowly bouncing back. Had a cancer scare, but it turned out to be a false alarm! I'm grateful for the good news, but on the road to a slow a painful recovery. Plus the realization has set in that I have to move in a new direction, as far as my occupation goes. It's scary, yet exciting. Lots of choices to make. But at least I am going to be around and healthy enough to get it done!

Praise God for that, because two weeks ago, I was trying to get my affairs in order, just in case....!

Don't give up, Buddy! We're not ancient, just a little seasoned! And a whole lot smarter than when we began. I'm out here cheering you on and wishing you the very best. Go for it!

95

SECRET SANTA - Gift Ideas thread

by Angharad in

jw
friends

i know a lot have already posted in the other thread, but i have had a request to start an offical thread for ideas.

if you have already posted in the other thread don't worry i will put links to both in the pms to people.. http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/123195/1.ashx.

so anyone that hasn't already posted some ideas, please do so in here !.

whyizit

Interesting salt and pepper shakers. Books on animal training (horses, dogs, birds). Maps of other areas, besides Indiana. YOUR favorite recipes for easy to make casserole-type dishes and desserts. Flavored coffees.

Would also like about 20 copies of the "can blood save lives" brochure, to teach a class at my church and show questions they could ask their JW friends/relatives.

Advice on what you think would reach my JW friends.

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!!!!!!

37

Who has a better temperment? Rottweiller or Shih Tzu?

by kittyeatzjdubs in

jw
friends

alright class.

break out your pencils.

time for a test .

whyizit

A lot of it depends on the owner. Having worked with pets all of my life, I can tell you that looks can be deceiving. Many people will shy away from a perfectly wonderful Rotty, just because of the way it looks. Which is a plus in having one. They are considered a protective type of dog. Yet, many an innocent by-stander has been attacked by a seemingly harmless "fluff ball", such as a Shih Tzu.

The most under-estimated biter that I have come across is the Chihuahua.

One thing I have noticed, is if someone tends to have a miserable little beast of a dog, even when they come into ownership of a different dog, it will tend to behave the same exact way as the previous one.

If they have a well-mannered dog, chances are likely the next one will be similar.

It's not necessarily the dog, or the breed of dog that I find fault with, but the owner. However, I do believe that genetics do play a part. They should not be trusted too liberally, regardless of the situation. As animals with instincts beyond outside control, all have the possibility of doing something drastic under the right circumstances.

(Point being: Never let ANY dog babysit for your 2 yr. old!) Duh!

8

What Do You Wish More People Knew About JWs?

by whyizit in

jw
friends

imagine that you are speaking to the general public, who really doesn't know a lot about the wts:.

) in your experience, as a member of the wts, what did outsiders correctly assume about jws?

what was the most common misconception?.

whyizit

Imagine that you are speaking to the general public, who really doesn't know a lot about the WTS:

1.) In your experience, as a member of the WTS, what did outsiders correctly assume about JWs? What was the most common misconception?

2.) What question do you wish more people knew to ask, when a JW comes to their door?

3.) Estimate the number of people that you spoke to while you were an active JW. How many from that number asked you a thought provoking question that led you to do some research? (What was the question?)

Thanks for any and all input!

34

I'm meeting with the elders this Saturday

by Honesty in

jw
friends

that's right, guys and girls, i'm going to meet with at least two elders this saturday.. before you get ya britches in a big 'ol wad i can explain everything.. it's like this... well, a good friend asked me yesterday if i would be willing to meet with some jw's who have been having a 'bible study' with him for 5 or 6 weeks.

it appears that these jw's are elders and they have informed him that he is not a christian.

he asked them if they would be willing to discuss their beliefs with anyone and everyone so that he could be sure what they are telling him about not being a christian is true.

whyizit

What an incredible opportunity!

You will be able to show them that you have not fallen away from God or the Bible. That you are kind and considerate. You will be able to show them, just by your life in general, that you are a moral and descent person. Leaving the WTS did not cause you to become a miserable and lousy person.

Most of all, you will be able to show them what a Christian really is!

I would take it slow and be a friend. Don't let them draw you into arguments. Merely point out and discuss things as the Holy Spirit leads you. You may be able to arrange a few more meetings, if you keep it friendly and comfortable. Don't come across as an apostate or opposer. Give them no reason to find fault with you or your behavior. You have a lot to offer. You are going to make a difference, I am sure! My prayers are with you!

Plant those seeds, Honesty!!! Plant those seeds!

22

Who is your Best Friend?And why?

by megsmomma in

jw
friends

i ask this because i have a hard time making and keeping friends since i have left.

my husband is my best friend now....but he is my only friend.

i do have some wemon friends, but i don't like to get too close.

whyizit

I have several "best friends".

They are all unique and special for different reasons. One is my confidant. I can tell her anything and I can trust her.

Another is not someone that I trust with private issues, because she ultimately cannot keep a secret, but she is my shoulder to cry on. She is very helpful when I am down. She encourages me and she understands my pain.

Yet another is my "fun friend". She doesn't do so well with the secrets or the shoulder to cry on, but she makes me laugh like no one else! She could give Robin Williams a run for his money.

And another one yet, is my spiritual "mom". She knows how and when to pray with and for me. She is very in tune to what is going on with me on a deep "inner man" level.

I can't really say that only one of them is my best friend, but that they are more my family. They are sisters and brothers that I have chosen for myself. We serve each other in different capacities and we try to over-look minor irritations. No one is perfect and we all rub each other the wrong way occasionally. But friends are people who, when you make a fool of yourself, don't feel that you did a permanent job.

As we grow older, we don't get to spend as much time together as we would like. But we still love and care for each other and make time for lunch or coffee. Some of us came together from interest in similar hobbies. Some from meeting at church. Some from being neighbors. From working together. Or from school.

If you take a class or join a club, you are bound to find people who are potential friends. You will be drawn together with certain ones. Some will turn out to be duds, others will be life-long family. Enjoy the journey!

28

Holiday Viewpoints and Former Jehovah's Witnesses

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

holiday viewpoints and former jehovah's witnesses being in the organization the viewpoint was that holidays were.

of pagan origin.

whether it was halloween, christmas, easter.

whyizit

Let's try that again!

I was trying to refer to Col. 2:16 and Romans 14:5-6. I don't know how I managed to have a glitch like that! Sorry for the mis-posts!

Point being, that as long as your heart is in the right place, you can celebrate anything at any time.

Personally, I love the holidays. I have wonderful memories of family and friends who are no longer here. Looking forward to making more memories with those who are still with us. I also enjoy Christmas cards and notes to and from people that I don't get to see very often.

It gives an opportunity to spread the love of Christ as well. It is more acceptable to openly express your faith. Even with those who don't believe.

28

Holiday Viewpoints and Former Jehovah's Witnesses

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

holiday viewpoints and former jehovah's witnesses being in the organization the viewpoint was that holidays were.

of pagan origin.

whether it was halloween, christmas, easter.

whyizit

From my perspective, I love holidays. Many families come together at these times. I am thankful to God for them. We are given precious time together with family members and friends that we often don't see at any other time. We share the year with notes in Christmas cards, that perhaps we may not have written otherwise. We are able to show brotherly love toward people who might think it were strange, if not for the open participation that this holiday season invites. I thank God for the many wonderful memories that I have, because of my invitation to be a part of such a joyous celebration!

Rom.14:5-6 and Col.3:16 sum it up for me.

Many people who thumb their noses at holidays, don't hesitate to celebrate weddings and anniversaries. Weddings are shrouded in many pagan practices. But that is not what we focus on. We don't even know the reasons behind the veil, the cake, the wedding party. We assume they are signs of good things. Our heart is in the right condition. That is what counts.

Anything can be made evil, anything can be made good. It is the individual person's heart condition that makes it one or the other.

28

Holiday Viewpoints and Former Jehovah's Witnesses

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

holiday viewpoints and former jehovah's witnesses being in the organization the viewpoint was that holidays were.

of pagan origin.

whether it was halloween, christmas, easter.

whyizit

col.3:16-17

28

Holiday Viewpoints and Former Jehovah's Witnesses

by The wanderer in

jw
friends

holiday viewpoints and former jehovah's witnesses being in the organization the viewpoint was that holidays were.

of pagan origin.

whether it was halloween, christmas, easter.

whyizit

col.3:16-17