Posts by agapa37

29

How soon is soon?

by TooBad TooSad in

jw
friends

this week at the study of the revelation book there was a paragraph that said that god's kingdom would soon usher in a. paradise earth.

i realized that this book was printed 19 years ago.

my wife excitedly that i am taking her to europe soon would she be happy if i waited 3 years?

The sense of urgency is a tool used to keep members knocking on doors and hyped emotionally so that they will not take the time to look at what they have been told, and question the very teachings that they consider to be true. People can be emotionally controlled for years with this technique, and if they leave the religion, it is weakness and lack of faith on their part, not the religion or its teachings

I have to disagree with that statement. The Bible over and over again encourages us to have a sense of urgency. A sense of urgency keeps one from becoming lazy and complacent which can, and has led some to give up.

20

families should not have anything to do with inactive family members -

by orbison11 in

jw
friends

greets all been a while.

was reading all posts and saw that 'crumpet' had mentioned in one that all families whould not have anything to do with inactive family members, that this will be coming in the next circuit assembly.

how forceful is this 'new/old' command?.

agapa37

Thankyou Watchtower for protecting us from disorderly ones. BUT WHO WILL PROTECT US FROM YOU AND YOUR SELF RIGHTEOUS UNCHRISTIAN MANIPULATING INTERFERING FAMILY-SPLITTING CULT? That is true in some instances, however, from seeing and witnessing personal experiences, alot of familys break up to do a spouse CHEATING on the other, something that is not encouraged.

56

How did I conclude it was not the 'truth'?

by jgnat in

a new board member asked me this.

i asked if it would be all right to publish my reply.

the question, in full, is, .

agapa37

How can we be truly happy?

Irrelevant. Show me one public talk where Jesus addressed this question. Happiness shows up when we are not looking for it, very much like riches. (Proverbs 23:5)

First explain to me the connection concerning this and the scripture you used because I do not get it (Happiness shows up when we are not looking for it, very much like riches. (Proverbs 23:5)

(Happiness shows up when we are not looking for it) Yes, Jgnat that is true, however that is not the only time happiness shows up! Jesus did address happiness and how it is attained, the rest of the Bible does as well. The things we do or do not do, determines our happiness. For example, Jesus himself said:

Show me one public talk where Jesus addressed this question. Matthew 5:3-11: " When he saw the crowds he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down his disciples came to him; and he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying:

Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.

Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.

Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.

Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.

Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.

Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.

Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’

Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.

Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU .

Happiness is a pursuit and does not need to come unexpectedly.

Sincerly,

agape37

81

If you had to, what religion would you choose to be?

by Crumpet in

you can answer this as seriously (lt) or as inanely (buttlight) as you like!

i was reflecting having read someone's thread about blowing off non jw family that actually it would have been so much better if i had a larger family, preferably not completely jw saturated and this random train of thought led me to thinking that if i could choose i would be catholic, because then i would have a huge family, go to really nice gothic churches with lots of candles and tortured saints and be able to go to confession (instead of lt's mobile).

also the colours of the whore of babylon always were a lot more enticing to me than the mild blues and undistracting beiges of the khs.. i think we all have religions which would suit our personalities so much better.

agapa37

Well since you asked.....

I'd be interested in a religion that valued the unseen mysteries and marvels all around us and who viewed life as a continuing cycle of birth and rebirth and love and lovers endlessly finding each other.
Loving dead ancestors would be of help to the living.

Its church would be a cathedral of redwood trees above and ferns below near a waterfall with blue birds flying close to the water.

So I would be a nature worshiper I guess. The full moons, the warm sun, the wind,the sparkling water and tides all would be very important to me. We would be intimately involved with each other. And one day I would join them

can someone say MISERY (like the movie)? I am happy where I am at right now.

27

I have been saved !!!

by slimboyfat in

i have been saved - this very hour !!

!

agapa37

Jesus words have a big impact on me concerning my saved condition. He said: " He that has enduredto the end will be saved."

Also Pauls words: "As you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvatiion with fear and trembling." Paul was urging them not to be overly confident of their salvation because it was not yet assured!

Salvation of people hinges on more than the fact Jesus died for us, it has alot to do with obedience. Paul said: "Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for who all who obey him."

The 3 words that are bold faced and underlined in each sentence have alot to do with salvation. Endurance, obedience, and work (effort) It is quit clear from the New Testament that the salvation of a person involves work on our part.

142

This board is not for me.

by Wafe in

jw
friends

when i came to this board, i thought that it was for encouragement amoung people who had been treated badly by the wtbts, i did not understand that people were going to come here and bash god, his son and the bible.

i could understand some embitterment over religion but some of you people are down right insulting.

not to mention the fact that i have tried to contact others on the board and have had my messages ignored.. .

agapa37

In my 12,000 posts on here, I never did bash God, or Jesus or the bible.

As for the Watchtower, I call it the way I see it

Please JH, you mock God and Jesus by posting topics that get people going. Would you have followed Jesus?

Would you JH?

Of course ! I would have let Jesus take the first door.

I have been here and have seen you operate and you have proved to be a people pleaser rather than a God pleaser! You make fun of and joke about Jesus and God so that people will except you here and I think that is lame!

142

This board is not for me.

by Wafe in

jw
friends

when i came to this board, i thought that it was for encouragement amoung people who had been treated badly by the wtbts, i did not understand that people were going to come here and bash god, his son and the bible.

i could understand some embitterment over religion but some of you people are down right insulting.

not to mention the fact that i have tried to contact others on the board and have had my messages ignored.. .

agapa37

wafe

You are not the only one who is treated that way. I too have found that most here are no better than the witness and even worse. Some here bash the JWS for there teachings and do the very same thing here! I think hatred and biterness has taken over many. I think the best source of encouragement for you is to pray and read the bible. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Agape

42

How polite are you?

by JH in

jw
friends

often i'm following someone into a building and entering the same door, and most of the times, the person in front won't even try to keep the door open so that it wont close in my face.

knowing that someone is right behind me, i'll even wait a second or two and hold the door open for that person.

i guess it has to do with being well educated.

agapa37

I love manners and wish to be polite and well mannered at all times. If I know the rules, I obey them.

I was always a good little girl.

some rules you mean right?

98

I just got back from my circuit assembly !

by 5go in

ok i have listed all the intresting and thought provoking things.

hear they are from a to z.

<----------- yep nothing.. .

agapa37

do not respond to the help they are receiving--- You mean they refuse to accept the lies of the wt therefore they are not responding?

Carla, I think you and me are talking about two different types of inactive ones. You seem to be referring to one,s who chose to be because they no longer believe, I am referring to one's who do believe but are inactive.

Hardly, yet they expect to have a relationship ONLY if the person accepts the lies and deceits of a publishing company.

Carla, I have many relationships with people who are not JWS. When it comes to having relationships with ones who once served Jehovah but do not any longer, there are guidelines within the Bible that are followed when it comes to such a relationship.

98

I just got back from my circuit assembly !

by 5go in

ok i have listed all the intresting and thought provoking things.

hear they are from a to z.

<----------- yep nothing.. .

agapa37

Jesus wouldn't shun or teach others to shun inactive members, so the Watchtower is getting their new light from a dark source.

There is an expression, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." I have definitely seen many inactive ones getting mistreated. I believe that many could be helped if they weren't neglected. However, I have also seen the opposite. "Go on carrying the burdens of one another, thus fulfilling the law of Christ." However it adds, "Each one must carry his/her own load."

I have seen many inactive ones despite receiving enocouragement, invites to gatherings, invites to home meals, visits and so-on but still remain spiritually lazy. Those types of individuals do it to themselves because they do not respond to the help they are receiving. Some expect to be walked hand in hand to the meetings, out in service and just plain old serving God. However, as was already stated, "each one must carry his/her own load." People become lazy due to what they do to themselves and despite the help they receive still don't/can't walk on their own.

This is not intented to point fingers at anyone here but just as the facts show that many are neglected, facts also show the opposite! So if we are inactive, we need to ask ourselves, have I RESPONDED to the attempts of encouragement or have I been neglected?