nsrn

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Posts by nsrn

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  2

  Anyone remember Stephen Taylor Brown from Corpus Christi TX?

  by gaiagirl in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  when i was quite young, there was a brother in my congregation with a very beautiful wife.

  his name was stephen taylor brown, and he owned a business applying stripes and vinyl tops on cars.

  he had a number of other brothers working for him, including an older fleshly brother of my best friend.

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  nsrn

  Sorry, I can't help you there, but I'm getting a good chuckle over the phrase "Fleshly Brother." I haven't heard that one in a long time!
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  18

  In memory of Jeff...

  by nsrn in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i was just remembering a childhood friend.

  jeff was 2 years older than me, and our mothers were good friends, lifelong witness sisters.

  jeff's dad was 'worldly,' and i can remember being envious that jeff didn't have to go out in service and was allowed to miss many meetings.

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  nsrn

  
  I had months of anguish and sleeplessness after Jeff died, miserably guilty for somehow not recognizing how depressed he was intervening. I know now that my 15 year old naive witness self couldn't have saved him. A couple of wise high school teachers were instrumental in my grief/healing.

  That episode started my now lifelong struggle with sleep (or lack of)

  Jeff and I used to pick cherries for his mom from their cherry tree every summer. Work like that is always much more fun with a friend! After he died, I did it alone for his mom once. Cried the whole time, and never did it again after that.
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  61

  Should you believe in the Trinity?

  by 1ofhissheep in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  hey, i am new to this site and looking into the jw faith and watchtower.

  i have currently been studying what was written in the "should you believe in the trinity?

  " publication found at watchtower.org .

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  nsrn

  IMHO, I have given up trying to understand the Trinity doctrine. I have read and reread and reread various references and explanations, and my current thought is, "I don't have to understand."

  The Borg has a definite company policy about EVERY doctrine (until new light comes along). But I think it's okay to just NOT UNDERSTAND. In my new relationship with God, I can admit that I don't have the right questions or answers, and that's okay. I've got the basics, and I'll trust God to handle his executive department without my help.

  I think it's great to study and think, but that's where I am at present. It's kind of fun to ride in the passenger seat and look out the window!
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  25

  We need help

  by _Atlas in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i dont post too often but im always lurking from my workplace.

  but now i feel the need to ask for any advise from you guys.

  a while back, when i decided i had enough of the wt internal politics and the wait on jah attitude, i faded away from the hall and basically disappeared into the night.

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  nsrn

  I agree--just be there as a friend and a listening ear. I can imagine how infuriating it is to hear the resurrection prattle. But it's not the time to debate the theology of afterlife...Please try to focus on supporting her feelings of grief--the anger, denial, etc. Witnesses are not good at allowing people to grieve. They think the resurrection 'hope' should suffice. You've given her the gift of realistic thought.
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  39

  Sad doggie news.....

  by Alana in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know i don't post much, but this board has been a source of confort to me in my journey out of the borg.

  that is why i want to share with my online friends that my beagle, remington, is very ill and i would appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.

  he is only 8-yrs-old and is my baby.

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  nsrn

  Alana, I'm so sorry. Hugs.... I don't have the words to make any difference, but I sure wish I did.
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  18

  In memory of Jeff...

  by nsrn in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i was just remembering a childhood friend.

  jeff was 2 years older than me, and our mothers were good friends, lifelong witness sisters.

  jeff's dad was 'worldly,' and i can remember being envious that jeff didn't have to go out in service and was allowed to miss many meetings.

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  nsrn

  As an adult, I have almost taken comfort in the knowledge that Jeff was spared dying a slow, painful death from AIDS. We lost almost a whole generation of artistic, sensitive, and creative men--and sometimes I saw Jeff's eyes in those haunting pictures of the first AIDS victims...

  (absolutely NO intention of offending anyone or stereotyping...just what's on my mind tonight...)
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  18

  In memory of Jeff...

  by nsrn in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i was just remembering a childhood friend.

  jeff was 2 years older than me, and our mothers were good friends, lifelong witness sisters.

  jeff's dad was 'worldly,' and i can remember being envious that jeff didn't have to go out in service and was allowed to miss many meetings.

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  nsrn

  Jeff's dad died that spring. I spent a lot of time with him--he was so sad, and sick, and he reminded me so much of Jeff! I went with him to a gun dealer and we sold that old gun (they needed the money, and wanted rid of the gun). That was surreal...
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  18

  In memory of Jeff...

  by nsrn in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  i was just remembering a childhood friend.

  jeff was 2 years older than me, and our mothers were good friends, lifelong witness sisters.

  jeff's dad was 'worldly,' and i can remember being envious that jeff didn't have to go out in service and was allowed to miss many meetings.

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  nsrn

  
  I was just remembering a childhood friend. Jeff was 2 years older than me, and our mothers were good friends, lifelong witness sisters. Jeff's dad was 'worldly,' and I can remember being envious that Jeff didn't have to go out in service and was allowed to miss many meetings. When he did come, he always had a notebook and was allowed to draw during meetings (I was required to appear to be paying attention, being an elder's kid and a good example.) But Jeff was a wonderful artist. I remember sitting by him at meeting, eagerly awaiting the next sketch out of the corner of my eye.

  He was quiet and thoughtful. At elementary school, we were the only 2 witness kids for years, and we spent every Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines party together in the hallway or library. It was the one thing that made that bearable--looking forward to to playing that miniature chess game of his.

  As a teen, Jeff had it tough at home and at school. His dad had terminal lung cancer. His dear granny died. They had big financial trouble. And he became more obviously different. Introspective, uneasy, sensitive, and depressed. I still looked for him eagerly in the hallway at school, and gloated at having a protective 'big brother' that saved me a seat at lunch at the senior's table! He came rarely to meetings, but I'll never forget one 'get together' squaredance where we were partners.

  Remember this was 1977. Depression was not as publicly discussed, and antidepressants were not nearly as common as now. And Jeff, bless his heart, was gay. There was no chance he would get his dream of art school in New York. There was just no chance for this gentle soul to have a life in our little redneck town.

  So that January he cleaned out his locker, and turned in his homework early. He cleaned his room and emptied his pockets. And he took his grandpa's old pistol out to the grape arbor behind the garage, settled down in the snow, and shot himself in the head.

  I won't bore you all with the details of my intense grief at age 15. I'm tearing up thinking about it. I'll always remember how Dad and I went out to that grape arbor and scraped up all that bright red snow by flashlight, so Jeff's mom wouldn't have to see it again.

  My dad gave his funeral talk, to the immediate family only. He says it was one of the hardest things he ever did. (see my old posts--my dad was one of the good guys). None of Jeff's few friends, including me, were allowed at the funeral. My mom said it was better that his folks didn't have to deal with a bunch of emotional teenagers.

  I finally found his grave, at a little country cemetery, and cried over his headstone. "May Jehovah remember my only son".

  I'm sorry this is so long. But I'm still missing him.
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  25

  WILL THE ELDERS D'F ME FOR MOVING OUT? Today is the DAY!

  by stillAwitness in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am in the process of packing all of my stuff into my little 4 door mitsubishi (which i have to bring back of course since my mom won't let me keep the car) with just $255 to my name.

  here's my previous story: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/9/116282/1.ashx.

  its both an exciting and scary time for me but i did have one important question to ask:.

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  nsrn

  It's time...change is uncomfortable, but overdue. You'll be okay. Sometimes it is impossible to fade neatly--sometimes you have to make a choice and take a stand. Are you in or out?

  I'm out!
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  22

  Crisis of Conscience

  by mavie in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  before i am criticized for this, please understand the difficulty of having this book in the house while still a jw.

  i was hoping to find this book or portions of it online.

  please pm me if you have any details.

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  nsrn

  If you ebay, start a search for 'Raymond Franz' and you'll find both books available.