TERRY
If you and the rest of us were so convinced that the WTBTS had the '' truth ", why are you so sure now it isn't? Which conviction was stronger ? The part that thought you had the '' truth'' or the thought that it was '' false and a lie? ''
RULES & REGULATIONS
JoinedPosts by RULES & REGULATIONS
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7
Didn't you just hate sharing a KH??
by quellycatface ini like to get stuff done in the morning and do my own thing later.. i really hated the afternoon meeting.
you had no time to do sod all.
not even eat a decent lunch with a glass of wine!!.
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RULES & REGULATIONS
We shared our KH with 3 other congregations. Each congregation would switch times every January 1st. The Sunday meetings would start at 9:30 a.m. , 12:00 p.m. , 3:00 p.m. , and the last at 5:30 p.m.
The 9:30 a.m. meeting was the easiest to attend as you would be home by 11:30 a.m. You would have all day to do anything you pleased.
The 12:00 p.m. meeting let you sleep in and still have some time in late afternoons and evenings.
The 3:00 p.m. meeting wouldn't let you do much in the afternoon and if you were lucky you might be home by 6:00 p.m. Then it would be too late to go anywhere.
The 5:30 p.m. meeting was the worst. You had the mornings and afternoons to yourself. But you needed to eat dinner, shower and get dressed by 4:30 p.m. and leave at 5:00 p.m. Then the meeting started at 5:30 p.m. and would end at 7:30 p.m. By the time you made it home, it would be 8:30 p.m. Then you would just stay at home since it was too late to go anywhere.
The 5:30 p.m. meeting was the end for me. The WTBTS doesn't care about what your needs and plans are for your family time or your day off from work.
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District Assemblies, Were they a Financial Burden to you? They Cost $1200 to $2000 in some lands!
by RottenRiley inwhy does the watchtower place a harsh burden on it's low-paid and low-skilled army of witnesses?
the district conventions don't really add much value, you have witnesses making minimum wage with both husband and wife working while the elite witnesses can afford to burn a ton of cash making the poor witnesses feel worse about themselves.
i remember, some of the really poor witnesses would bring their own "cooker" to the motel to make "top ramen" and mac&cheese" while the company men had the elites take them out for "surf and turf" and other great feasts, the poor witnesses get the shaft was they are told how lucky they are to financially struggle to afford to pay for their hotels.. .
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RULES & REGULATIONS
My parents and the rest of the my family were too cheap to stay in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1970's. It was held at the baseball stadium of the Brewers, Milwaukee County Stadium. The 4 day convention was held ( in hot and blazing heat ) in the middle July (sitting in the stands with no shade and wearing a suit and tie )
Since my family and the local brothers and sisters didn't want to pay for hotel and food, they convinced enough brothers and sisters to hire a bus company to shuttle us from Northern Illinois to Milwaukee each and every day. We each paid around $120.00 per person for the 4 days of transportation.
We would drive to our local Kingdom Hall at 7:00 a.m. and load up the shuttle bus and drive to Milwaukee ( which was a 1 1/2 hour drive ). We would arrive at 8:30 a.m. The convention would start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4: 30 p.m. We would load up the bus at 5:30 p.m. and drive back to Illinois arriving at 7:30 p.m. We would then drive home and eat dinner around 8:00 p.m and sleep. We would repeat the same from THURSDAY- SUNDAY.
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80
Possible Dub pickup line
by soutx in.
hey babe, how about you and me doing a -.
generation overlap
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RULES & REGULATIONS
Dear Sister Weaker Vessel,
It behooves us that you submit to my loving provisions. We can meet at my place so we can have an upbuilding experience. We can submit to each other so we don't take our eyes off the prize. I know that we are in the bloom of our youth with fleshly desires but with prayer, we can draw close to Jehovah. If you can meet me this Saturday night, we can study the book, '' REVELATION, IT'S GRAND CLIMAX IS AT HAND'' and hope this would be a happifying experience.
LOVE
BROTHER ( I STILL LIVE WITH MY PARENTS ) JONES
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3
Saturday's cemetery chapel service
by RULES & REGULATIONS inmy aunt passed away last week.
she was a widow and left an only son who never married.
my cousin took care of my aunt with help from friends, family and neighbors for close to two years.. the funeral was last saturday with a catholic church service in the morning and a cemetery chapel service before burial.
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RULES & REGULATIONS
My aunt passed away last week. She was a widow and left an only son who never married. My cousin took care of my aunt with help from friends, family and neighbors for close to two years.
The funeral was last Saturday with a Catholic Church service in the morning and a cemetery chapel service before burial. My bother ( who is an Elder ) and his wife both walked in the cemetery chapel with my wife and I. We all stood close to the casket while the priest gave a 10 minute talk.
My cousin ( who's mourning his mom and is not feeling well ) turned around and called my ( Elder) brother and I to stand next to him. I walk to the front and hold my cousin's arm. My brother refused to stand in the front with my cousin. He just stood near the rear of the chapel with his wife.
I know we were all told that as Jehovah's Witnesses you should not to attend any church services. That's Fine! But this was a new one.
Why can't you just respect the service by listening even if you don't agree? What harm would it been to stand in the front? That was so disrespectful!
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39
A demon possessed hoime, allegations of infedelity, slander and other cool stuff
by confusedandalone inok so i am sure some of you saw th eletter my mom wrote.
i simply responded with:.
mom,.
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RULES & REGULATIONS
confusedandalone
Reading this letter saddens me! Everything is your fault. She doesn't want to enter your home but is willing to see your kids at your sister's home. She would suffer if see didn't see her grand kids but sees no problem if you suffer by having no relationship with them.
You're an adult and your parents do not control you any longer. When you lived at their house they controlled things. They don't control you, your wife or your kids. Don't call, visit, write or let them see your kids. Let them see how it feels! Let them return to you!
They seem self-centered! I highlighted in yellow how they blame you for everything and how you need to change for them.
Our grandchildren are dear to us and have a special place in our hearts. They are not responsible for what you have done or the choices you made. What I said about those Jehovah has given to Dad & It doesn't mean we don't want to spend time with our grand-children. It means exactly what we said...., That Jehovah gives us spiritual family members to love. If we show love to each other, that love can grow. For many of us who serve Jehovah, the only real family we have is our spiritual family. We value our spiritual family. Dad & I have not severed the natural affection we have for you or your children. As I've stated many times over, we love you and the kids and our hearts are grieved that you have chosen to leave us. Make no mistake & don't misunderstand, you have left Jehovah & us. We never left you. Also, I think I stated plainly, Dad & I don't want to come into your home to see the kids as long as you are in your present state. If you'd be kind enough to bring the children here or allow them to visit us at <My Sisters Name Removed> that's fine.
Our publications don't vilify worldly people, ConfusedandAlone.(Is she serious) You know that. Their persecution of our brothers is shown for what it is. Even Jesus showed his "brothers & sisters" were those who did his Father's will. I know I have the truth that Jehovah has given us in his word. I have not wasted any of my life dedicated to Jehovah. I'm so sorry that you look at any part of the world and call it normal. There is no such thing as a normal life in this system. We are striving to achieve the "real life". Soon this system will be gone. We know that. We pray for Jehovah's kingdom. When it's manifested here on earth as it is in heaven, all that you are calling normal is going to be done away with.
Dad &I have wonderful memories of you, from birth to adult hood and We're going to hold onto them with the hope that we'll be united again & can add to them. Dad & I again say...humble yourself. Remember the prodigal. Jesus' teaching is the only way for us to live, ConfusedandAlone.
Remember, we do love you and hope you'll return to us. -
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...What do you Do,when People Ask You for Spare Change?...
by OUTLAW in.. .........................some people are truly in need..some are not... a man passing by on his 10 speed bike,asked me for $2.00 for a cup of coffee... .................................................."uhhh,no"... ............another asked me for spare change outside a super market... ......................................i said i didn`t have any... ...................so he say`s "how about a credit card?!"......lol!!...
.. ....................what do you do,when people ask you for spare change?...
..... .. ..........................................whats the most outrageous thing... ......................................you`ve been asked forby a stranger?...
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RULES & REGULATIONS
OUTLAW
I was driving my truck down a ramp and stopped at a red light. I see a young bum with a sign that read, '' I won't lie. I need money for a drink.''
I've been burned so many times with people asking for money that now I just walk on by or drive away.
Once while driving downtown a man with his hood open stops me and tells me that he ran out of gas. He had his wife and two small children with him waiting on the side of the road. I give him $5 to walk to the gas station with his gas can. He asks me if I can give him $10. That at least give him a few gallons of gas. I tell him that's all I have on me.
I get in my car and drive away. I drove over the bridge and stop to see what he was up to. I observed him still standing by the road with his car hood still open and stopping other drivers. I knew that he was scamming me with his whole family behind him.
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45
When selling was preaching ...
by Hecce ini am going way, way back.
history reveals that in the beginning the wt was just a publishing house, selling books and magazines; over the years it evolved into what it is today..
the placement of the original publications was mostly done thru sales people masquerading as preachers.
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RULES & REGULATIONS
Jehovah's Witnesses and Jimmy Swaggart
From The Watchtower - May 15, 1960, page 295: "The Scriptures justify the 'war strategy' of hiding true facts from the enemy."
Few Jehovah's Witnesses know the truth about The Watchtower Society and Jimmy Swaggart's day in court.
Why did the Watchtower Society change its literature distribution program in 1990, eliminating set prices for literature items? JWs believe the Governing Body instituted a "simplified" arrangement. Few know the change really took place because Jimmy Swaggart lost his case in court. In a February 21, 1990 letter to congregations, the Society explained the new policy this way:
By adopting a method of literature distribution based completely on donation, Jehovah's people are able to greatly simplify our Bible education work and separate ourselves from those who commercialize religion.
However, this is what really happened:
Early 1980 State of California informs Jimmy Swaggart Ministries that tax is due for religious books and tapes sold in the state since 1974. Swaggart eventually pays the tax--$183,000.00--but sues for a refund. The case begins moving toward the U.S. Supreme Court.
February, 1989 U.S. Supreme Court rules it is illegal for Texas (and 14 other states) to exempt religious books from sales tax. Some states had been taxing religious books all along.
Summer, 1989 WT Society gives away "free" books released at U.S. conventions. Witnesses are instructed to place donations in contribution boxes to cover the cost.
June 22, 1989 Watchtower Society, files amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief with U.S. Supreme Court in Jimmy Swaggart case. Others filing similar briefs include National Council of Churches and Society for Krishna Consciousness.
January 17, 1990 U.S. Supreme Court rules against Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, declaring that the sales tax must be paid.
February 9, 1990 WT Society writes letter to congregations announcing that literature will no longer be sold at Kingdom Hall and no price will be set in door-to-door distribution.
February 25, 1990 February 9th letter from Society is read at Sunday meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses across the United States.
March 1, 1990 New policy of distributing literature without naming a price goes into effect.
The March 15, 1990, WATCHTOWER magazine and March 22nd AWAKE!--printed earlier--still say "25 cents (U.S.) a copy" and "$5.00 (U.S.) per year." The April 1, 1990, Watchtower no longer carries a price.
March 11, 1990 Announcement is made at Kingdom Halls in the U.S. that food will be available at no cost, on a freewill donation basis, at JW conventions.
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45
When selling was preaching ...
by Hecce ini am going way, way back.
history reveals that in the beginning the wt was just a publishing house, selling books and magazines; over the years it evolved into what it is today..
the placement of the original publications was mostly done thru sales people masquerading as preachers.
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RULES & REGULATIONS
HECCE SAID: in Spanish they were called “repartidores''
or adquisidor, vendedor de puerta en puerta
English Translation: Colporteur ....a peddler of religious books
After 130 years, it still is a publishing house of books, magazines, and tracts. The only difference today is that nobody gets paid. When was the last time anyone was sent out and just preached about the Bible? Why is the ''Watchtower Magazine '' still being read? Why were the old 185-195 page books always offered? .......Maybe because they had too many collecting dust in a warehouse?
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Separation of the sheep and goats
by RULES & REGULATIONS inseparating of the sheep and the goats you can live forever in paradise on earth, 1982, p 183, states: since christ returned and sat down on his heavenly throne, all humankind has been on judgment... during the presentjudgment people are being separated as goats to christs left hand or as sheep to his right.. the wt of jan. 1, 1988, p 16, confirmed this: yes, all mankind is being scrutinized to see who are sheep and who are goats.... the messages are broadcast by human mouthpieces under angelic direction.
a person is identified as a sheep or as a goat by the way he responds to the angelic messages.
during this 20 th century, only jehovahs witnesses have cooperated with the angels in this vital work.. .
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RULES & REGULATIONS
WHEN DOES JESUS JUDGE THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS? JULY 2013 WATCHTOWER STUDY
10. In the past, what was our understanding of the timing of the judgment of the sheep and the goats?
10 Consider now the timing of another part of Jesus’ prophecy—the parable of the judgment of the sheep and the goats. (Matt. 25:31-46) Previously, we thought that the judging of people as sheep or goats would take place during the entire period of the last days from 1914 onward. We concluded that those who rejected the Kingdom message and who died before the start of the great tribulation would die as goats—without the hope of a resurrection.
11. Why could the judgment of people as sheep or goats not have started in 1914?
11 In the mid-1990’s, The Watchtower reexamined Matthew 25:31, which states: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne.” It was noted that Jesus became King of God’s Kingdom in 1914, but he did not “sit down on his glorious throne” as Judge of “all the nations.” (Matt. 25:32; compare Daniel 7:13.) However, the parable of the sheep and the goats describes Jesus primarily as Judge. (Read Matthew 25:31-34,41, 46.) Since Jesus was not yet active as Judge of all nations in 1914, his judgment of people as sheep or goats could not have started in that year. * When, then, will Jesus’ judgment begin?
12. (a) When will Jesus for the first time act as Judge of all nations? (b) What events are described at Matthew 24:30, 31 and Matthew 25:31-33, 46?
12 Jesus’ prophecy about the last days reveals that he will for the very first time act as Judge of all nations after the destruction of false religion. As mentioned in paragraph 8, some of the events that will occur during that time are recorded at Matthew 24:30, 31. When you examine those verses, you will note that Jesus there foretells events that are similar to the ones he mentions in the parable of the sheep and the goats. For example, the Son of man comes with glory and with angels; all tribes and nations are gathered; those judged as sheep “lift [their] heads up” because “everlasting life” awaits them. * Those judged as goats “beat themselves in lamentation,” realizing that “everlasting cutting-off” awaits them.—Matt. 25:31-33, 46.
13. (a) When will Jesus judge the people as sheep or goats? (b) How does this understanding affect our view of our ministry?
13 So, then, what can we conclude? Jesus will judge people of all nations as sheep or goats when he comes during the great tribulation. Then, at Armageddon, the climax of the great tribulation, the goatlike ones will be ‘cut off’ forever. How does that understanding affect our view of our ministry? It helps us to see how important our preaching work is. Until the great tribulation begins, people still have time to change their thinking and start walking on the cramped road “leading off into life.” (Matt. 7:13, 14) To be sure, people may now display a sheeplike or a goatlike disposition. Nevertheless, we should remember that the final judgment of who are sheep and who are goats is during the great tribulation. Therefore, we have good reason for continuing to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to listen to and respond to the Kingdom message.
