Posts by esw1966

24

Do you look forwards, backwards or sideways?

by mtsgrad in

jw
friends

morning faders, da's df's and current witnesses,.

the whole of my life in the troof was spent looking forward to the end of this wicked system.

over 30 years of waiting for jehovah to sort out the ills of mankind.

esw1966

I look forward!

I feel that everything I went through was for a reason and I learned things through my experiences that others could not have and thus I can be of help to others because of the things I have experienced in my life.

I love all that I have learned and experienced in life! I've been given a bad hand, but a good spirit. I have come through all the crap in my life with a good heart.

On the other side, my life would have been much different had I not been a jw, but maybe things wouldn't have worked out as well as they have now. Still looking for that ship to come in.....not expecting it.

12

We invite to Russian forum for JW!

by nvar in

jw
friends

dear friends!.

we invite you to russian forum for jehovahs witness.

http://allistinawt.ucoz.ru/forum/.

esw1966

Boy, that was interesting! I'm not sure how to navigate the site nor do I fully understand it's intentions. Is it a Russian version of this site?!!!

It is neat to see their culture and hear their reasoning. But it can be confusing. The site that Blondie mentioned was very helpful, yet some of the words were untranslated or confusing. Here is one result:

However, we keep abreast of the organization Of iyegovy "let the god of peace... it will supply you with all good for the performance of its will" (TO JEWS 13:20, 21, NM). In 1999 the number of world population reached six billion people. According to "world almanac", 1 165 000 000 inhabitants Moslems - earth, 1 030 000 000 - catholics, 762 000 000 - Hindus, 354 000 000 - Buddhists, 316 000 000 - protestants even 214 000 000 - orthodox. 2 is it possible to say that millions of people, which belong to today's numerous and separate religions, do enter in accordance with God will? No, "because god not there is god of disorder, but peace" (1 To korinfyanam 14:33). But that it is possible to speak about the international brotherhood of servants Iyegovy? (1 Peters 2:17). Having attentively gotten accustomed to it, you are convinced, that "the god of peace... supplies... [ brotherhood ] with all good for the performance of his will" (to Jews 13:20, 21, NM). 3 about that, is favorable god to the witnesses Of iyegovy, it cannot be judged by their number. By statistics of god not to astonish. It selected Israel not because that was "more numerous than all peoples". On the contrary, Israel was "small itself" (Vtorozakoniye 7:7). However, it did not preserve faithfulness to god, and therefore from the five-forewoman of 33 years n. 3. Iyegova began to regard with favor to the borne then Christian meeting, which consisted of the followers of Christ's Iisusa. They were greased by the holy spirit Of iyegovy and with the zeal were taken to proclaim truth about the god and Christ (Deyaniya 2:41, 42). It is added (13.07.2007, 14:55)

I liked it when they were greased by the holy spirit. If anyone can give me a better understanding of this site, how to use it, and how to best be of help I would appreciate it. At the moment, it seems tough. Ethan p.s. - is 'Iyegova' Jehovah? Not wanting to be blasphemous, but that sounds funny.

45

Tammy Faye Messner Died.

by El Kabong in

jw
friends

just announced on cnn.

saw her on larry king live last week and she looked awful.

esw1966

Wow...

I just got done watching the youtube/larry king interview.

It sure is easy to make fun of Tammy. But seeing that interview, really showed who she was as a person. She had a lot of heart. She was a strong woman. She loved her God.

All faults aside, her heart was in the right place. My mother passed away from cancer and it is a painful death. I'm impressed with her strength and convictions.

May she find all she was looking for!

37

A Bible Question, please comment

by restrangled in

there will have to be assumptions involved here.....that god exists, the bible is the word of god and creation is as stated in genesis, etc.

etc.. in the old testament, god seemed pretty straight forward, let certain people know (and not by osmosis) his intent.

backed certain kings, and showed power through physical occurrences over and over again.. along comes his son, who died for the entire race as a ransom for adam's sin.

esw1966

My thought is that Jesus didn't speak straight forward, but spoke in illustrations. Such illustrations were able to weed out people along with their intentions and motivations. It allowed some to find God and all he represented and it allowed others to set up power structures and class levels and for people to give up on their search for God and allow others to do it for them.

I believe the message becomes clear when you search for it and are directed towards it. Basically, it is love and forgiveness and a relationship with God. But as much as I read the Bible as a jw, that point never reached my heart. I had no clue what grace was. I never would have figured it out on my own. I had to reach the bottom before I was able to search for him and discover it. As a jw, I was lost!

People love idolatry. They are created to worship. If they can't put their heart around God, they will quickly allow themselves to follow an idea or a man. It is so easy to become a follower and not a searcher. Isn't it much easier to believe that you are in an org with all the answers rather than having to discover all the mysterys of life and a relationship with God on your own. God works on individuals and not organiztions. His spirit changes us all on in the inside and allows us to achieve his purpose. A life with God puts you into community and a church, but church isn't the essence of a relationship with God, it is a small part of it.

Religion has messed up the gospel in that it has an inherent need for works which is opposed to the gospel message. Worship that is dominated by grace allows it's members to do good for the joy of doing good and accomplishing God's purpose. It makes one selfless and loving.

I love a sermon by Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle that explains how religion is the second enemy of the gospel after idolatry. I think it is the best sermon I have heard in my life. It can be found at Mars Hill Church, Creative Church Conference May 29,2007, on iTunes. I love it! It is a video which can be seen on your computer or iPod.

In conclusion, I think the message is hidden and that it is hidden so that it must be searched for. I think that expresses to God our sincere interest in searching for HIM or for others or our own desire. I do believe that a sincere individual will be led to it. I do believe once you discover it, it becomes very evident that you have discovered the truth. That is my experience in life up to this point; 41 years and going!

Hope that is somewhat helpful....

74

Demon Experiences

by gumby in

i believe that in the past i've started threads about ghosts and such but i haven't started one about me asking others if they have had a personal experience with a demon.. a couple of days ago i was talking to my dub son-in-law about how i wish i could believe in the unseen....such as ghosts, the paranormal, or anything out of the ordinary.. he said to me......"well what about demon stories"?

he related some stories that were given at an assembly from some who were greatly bothered by demons, mostly from africa.. so, what are we to make of those with such stories?

are they lying?

esw1966

Our family heard footsteps on our ceiling and footsteps that would walk up our stairs. I had a figure appear before me and then disappear. I bought a bat out of hell cd and that night at 2 in the morning while sitting on the toilet in the dark the hall light switched on.

19

www.myjwspace.com

by Sam87 in

jw
friends

its been ages since ive been back on here, ive just been so busy with life, lol.

have any of you heard of this site?

apparently its like a myspace for jws only.

esw1966

Well, that was fun and easy. I'm IN! I'm loving jehovah! Say hi and add me to your page!!!

30

Sorry you were born?

by PopeOfEruke in

with all the unhappiness and crap caused in our lives by getting caught up in the watchtower cult, is anyone here sorry they were born?

.

sometimes i am.... pope.

esw1966

No. I love life! Life is an adventure and I love adventures and experiences! I've been through a lot, but I love it!

12

Do you believe in prayer?......Why not believe in youself?

by passive suicide in

hey all.

i got sidetracked in a comment i left earlier today....and it occurred to me to ask this question.

i used to believe in prayer.

esw1966

I appreciate your sincerity. I don't take your questions as demeaning. I think life should be investigated and questioned. I do not believe she had ANY incling about my thoughts. We were both shocked as to what had occurred. There was no influencing on my part that I am conscienctiously aware of. She was DEFINATELY aware of my need for spirituality. She started my church investigation. But through all the churches we had gone to she had never donated and I told her I did not believe in donating. I stated I was against donating. She hadn't taken to church and so there was no reason for her to donate. Her donation had nothing to do with me. I know that. It was an impulse to her, she describes it as a lightning impulse. She saw it as a very odd reaction for her. We do have the ability to take care of ourselves. Prayer has a part in transforming who you are on the inside. I believe God has answered my prayers. I believe he directed my leaving Green Bay, moving to Manhattan and living in my van there for two months. I ate better there than I did at home while being homeless! I believe God put me in a job where I was able to refine my search and learn jw was bad. I believe he brought a new employee into my work the week after I arrived who was from Wisconsin as well. I believe I had made a wrong turn in a place where I never drove before only to turn around in the church parking lot where I would one day become born again. I had never seen that church before and I was impressed by as I turned around. Around the time of my conversion and my heavy questions it seemed that there were many strange coincidences. There have been too many strange coincedences in my life to see them as anything but God directed. I will tell you one other STRANGE thing that happened to me that I am slightly embarrassed to say. I heard a distinct voice in my head tell me a two word 'command'. I was alone, doing ordinary things, and when I heard it I stopped and was shocked! It wasn't me! Not my tone, not my wording, not my idea. It was clear, audible, calm, reassuring. I take it to be of God. So, you can do what you want to with that. I continue to try to figure that one out. I try to figure out what it's intended purpose was. I long to hear it again! So, I believe in prayer. I believe in God. I believe that everything that happens in life happens for a reason. So, I pray to be used in the things God is trying to accomplish around me. I want to know him more. I want him to reveal things to myself that I do not see. I feel that prayer is very peaceful, reassuring, and powerful when used the way it was intended to be used. (I havn't found prayer successful in my stock picks...) Love the discussion. But I do believe prayer is powerful and important. Maybe it makes you humble before your God. It shows your reliance upon him and not yourself. I think your life is better when you have reliance upon God.

12

Do you believe in prayer?......Why not believe in youself?

by passive suicide in

hey all.

i got sidetracked in a comment i left earlier today....and it occurred to me to ask this question.

i used to believe in prayer.

esw1966

I may have agreed with you up until the last 2 years.

I feel that my prayers were directly answered. So much so that I am currently afraid to pray for myself because I'm not totally sure what I want. I prayed very hard through my coming out of jw and into my community church. I said that I was beginning to believe this new gospel of grace and that if I followed it I would be leaving God according to my old jw thinking. I prayed for one thing to happen if I should stop my progress at the community church and another thing to happen if I was to continue. (I prayed that my fiancee would donate at church if I should keep going to church. She hadn't done that in 6 years! That week when the plate came, she suddenly jerked to her purse. She suddenly felt compelled to give! I was in shock!!) I have had many other things happen like that. As I said I am now afraid to pray for myself. I once prayed that God would search me through and show me where I needed improvement. The next day at work I was blasted. In addition, my boss started to talk to me about how I could improve at work and how I could clean up my divorce issues and move on to a better life. My other boss got on me so much I thought I would be losing my job soon. So that night I prayed for comfort. I had been crushed and I needed God to show me that he loved me. Next day at work a sudden turn around. Both my bosses were going out of there way to be nice to me and make me feel wanted and appreciated. They even called me on the way home to relate a funny story that made them think of me. That NEVER happens! I felt that it was God reassuring me. My bosses have been extremely nice ever since. Wonder when that will end???

I do believe God answers prayers that affect your relationship with him. I have never felt closer to God in prayer in my whole 41 years of living and 30 of them at the hall.

Prayer is a relationship with God, not a slot machine to get what you want. I like it! Prayer was never good for me until I actually made an honest search for him!

2

Greatest sins

by Qcmbr in

we had a discussion at church today re what are the most serious sins and we discussed an interesting angle: .

we often think of sin as committing some improper act but what happen if we step back and look at what the examples of scripture gives regarding sin: .

the commandments first given to mankind / reward for the fall are multiply and replenish - become wise.

esw1966

We had a talk on the word 'holy' today at church.

Many view holy as clean and pure which it is, but holy can also mean 'set apart'.

God is so much higher and greater than we are and more magnificent and amazingly awesome!

When we stand before a God like that, we become aware of all our iniquities very quickly. (He was discussing Isaiah in his vision in heaven where he said he was unclean of lips and said woe is me and felt dead before such a majestic God)

He then mentioned Isaiah 64:3 where Isaiah said that all our very best, all our righteous works are as filthy rags before God. Our best doesn't compare with God. That shows our deficiency before our Creator.

I think that is a good way to understand sin. Sin is our limitation before a limitless God.

That makes us praise and worship him in light of the fact that despite our own iniquities he loved us while we were still sinners and died for our sins and counts our faith in Christ as righteousness and brought us into a loving relationship with him!!!