Posts by truthsearcher

70

Talk by brother Herd (long)

by moomanchu in

the stars fall from heaven?

~sigh~ and youll fall across the finish line into the new world!

we dont want that brothers.

truthsearcher

Is it only me or do I hear echoes of Rutherford in this talk?

Did he "pound the pulpit" and give an "altar call" ?

Scary stuff!

37

Letter from my mom. What do you think of my response?

by reneeisorym in

jw
friends

i invited my mom two months ago to my wedding.

she never responded and then today i get this.

what do you think of my reply?

Your situation with your mom reminds me of when my own mother got married. She was DF'd for marrying my Dad who was outside of their cult. It was terribly hard on my grandmother--they were very close. Gran was in denial the whole time: "She won't do this to me, she won't do this" She cried the whole day of the wedding (was absent) and for Mom, this day of joy, was also marred. She always, to this day, looks back on her wedding as a time of sadness because of the shunning. The problem, as you know, is that they are in bondage to a cult, and can not see to break free.

I can imagine that your mom is feeling the same way--that this is something that is being done to her. When you pray, ask for your heart to be filled with compassion and forgiveness towards your parents. You know that if they were free, they would be with you in a heartbeat! This is an opportunity for you to affirm your unconditional love, just like Christ loved us when we were still in darkness, alienated from Him. Treat your parents the way you would want to be treated.

I thought what others had to say about the letter were good. Here are some more thoughts:

She said:"last week was very hard on me it was one year ago Wednesday that I lost you. I hope that you understand. As a mother this is something that I will never get over."

Maybe you could acknowledge this in your reply. Was it hard for you too Renee, if so, you could say something about their shunning being difficult for you too, or just that you are sorry that they feel they have to behave this way towards you when you know that you are both so full of love for one another. That you hold no bitterness towards them for the actions they feel they must take, although it is one you feel is biblically unloving.

She also said: "this is a day that you need to enjoy and not worry about me being there." If you feel this is a genuine sentiment, you could express appreciation for her thoughtfulness.

You said: "I'll have a new family and they will love me for who I am. If you don't want to be part of my life I can understand but know that I will never stop praying for you as long as you are alive."

You might want to reword the new family part because it could be hurtful to her, make her think that you are quickly and easily replacing them in your heart. She may think you are referring to your inlaws, and that would sting. I don't think that is what you intended. Perhaps you could say something like "I wish you two could be proud of me more than anything in this world but even if you never are, (groom) loves me for who I am. When we have children, they will also love me for who I am. If you don't want to be part of my life I can understand but know that I will never stop loving you, missing you and praying for you as long as you are alive."

These are just some ideas, maybe they will spark something more in your mind that you would like to say. Another idea (if you feel up to it) is perhaps you could write her a real letter closer to the wedding, expressing appreciation for things that were meaningful to you as you were growing up. There was a book called "The Tribute" that talked about honouring our parents while they were still alive with a letter like this. I have a copy and can give you more ideas to include if you PM me about it. She might like to read it on your wedding day.

TS

64

How many have/will/plan to attend a WNFJ convention in Penn?

by AK - Jeff in

i know a few here have and do so - i have listened to tons of the audio testimonials and have even had one poster here offer me a place to stay should i decide to go in october.

i just might go this time.. wnfj= witnesses now for jesus [ mostly former jw's and mormons] .

jeff .

truthsearcher

The link for that clip is at

http://www.jwinfoline.com/Page/audio_tapes_of_month.htm

look for the one entitled "God Never Left Me"

64

How many have/will/plan to attend a WNFJ convention in Penn?

by AK - Jeff in

i know a few here have and do so - i have listened to tons of the audio testimonials and have even had one poster here offer me a place to stay should i decide to go in october.

i just might go this time.. wnfj= witnesses now for jesus [ mostly former jw's and mormons] .

jeff .

truthsearcher

Is this thread still around? LOL!

Kate, what I meant was that we eat junk food, you can eat your organic nuts and not feel left out!

I listened today to Natalie's testimony that she gave at last year's convention. The part about her Dad being in the hospital and the way she was treated by the elders, etc. was very painful to hear. I can imagine if I was there in person listening, I would be sobbing my heart out too. It is interesting that her brother is in the legal department at Patterson.

If you are feeling brave, you can hear it at MMOutreach audio clips.

TS

38

JW's - Satanic Cult or just wrong-headed religion?

by AK - Jeff in

the evils of the religion are well documented here and elsewhere - but does that prove to you that they are indeed 'satanic', under the direction of satan?

or are they just screwed up?

jeff .

truthsearcher

Mornin' Jeff:

I think the answer to your question would depend on your worldview. If your worldview is that the world in general is in "darkness" ie Satan's realm since the Fall in Eden, then those who work against God would be considered agents of Satan, even if unwittingly so. So, does the WT's conscious deceptions, twisting of Scripture, demoting of the Saviour and entrappment of people into serving an organization instead of God qualify? According to the Bible, everything that exalts itself against God is directed by Satan--there's only 2 masters in this world. If you aren't serving one then you are serving the other. So, according to my worldview, I would have to vote for satanic cult.

Others, no doubt, will disagree.

64

How many have/will/plan to attend a WNFJ convention in Penn?

by AK - Jeff in

i know a few here have and do so - i have listened to tons of the audio testimonials and have even had one poster here offer me a place to stay should i decide to go in october.

i just might go this time.. wnfj= witnesses now for jesus [ mostly former jw's and mormons] .

jeff .

truthsearcher

Okay, you guys are too funny. I can totally see how it will turn out--like one of those great pj parties I used to go to as a teenager. Well, maybe you didn't get to go to any, but they were lots of fun--Stay up late, talk, eat junk food (sorry Kate, but nuts count). Since I received the tapes from October's conference yesterday, and started listening to tape 1, and started crying, I am in for some quality Kleenex time--only 15 more tapes to go. Just call me REDNOSE from now on.

I would really love to go, but I want to take someone with me, one of the JWs I have been meeting with...

RN (aka TS)

43

When Elder's Fade

by zack in

jw
friends

as a publisher, still buying the wt line that they were god's sole channel and any problems, doubts, etc... i had were all a product of my own lack of.

wisdom and or humility or failure of application, i would be shocked and puzzled at how long-time elders would resign and then fade away.

i would wonder: what could have happened.

truthsearcher

I would just like to encourage all of those elders who have had the courage to follow where their hearts and conscience were leading them. You are not losers--you are "finders"--finding freedom from the chains that bind you!

You have seen and experienced what it is like when men try to legislate spirituality. You feel disallusioned by how you knew the elders were supposed to act and yet seeing what the reality was inside the WT. However, you need to know that there are Christians on the outside who are living the biblical model of Christ's humility and servanthood among their congregations. I have been privileged to be in a number of different groups of Christians (the non-JW variety) where the elders were men of compassion and love. They have been true brothers and mentors. They are not money-loving, ear-tickling hypocrites, as you have been led to believe.

Remember that the WT is a counterfeit. So many of you that have been abused by this counterfeit have given up on "organized religion". However, the Bible clearly points us to a local assembly for mutual fellowship, worship, teaching, and care. Don't let the counterfeit keep you from experiencing the reality. It is out there!

TS

17

Got a Tract in my mailbox!

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

guess who i got a tract from?.

....and it wasn't the jws :).

truthsearcher

Nosferatu: I was going to guess the Mormons or the Dawn Bible Students. Do I win a prize?

What did the tract say? Did you know there were local BS group (that is short for Bible Students) in your area? Do they have their own hall? Are you going to follow it up? Are they predicting the end of the world too?

Just curious,

TS

40

Are JW kids allowed to be kids?

by tall penguin in

jw
friends

i had a memory come up today.

i recall there was a time when kids were allowed to read the subheadings at the watchtower study.

they cut that out because they wanted kids to participate in the same way as the adults, by answering the questions for the paragraphs.

truthsearcher

Ty, your post is written from your heart. I feel sad for all those little ones having their dreams and spark of life snuffed out by this cult, and for those of you as adults who feel that so much time has been wasted...

TS

64

How many have/will/plan to attend a WNFJ convention in Penn?

by AK - Jeff in

i know a few here have and do so - i have listened to tons of the audio testimonials and have even had one poster here offer me a place to stay should i decide to go in october.

i just might go this time.. wnfj= witnesses now for jesus [ mostly former jw's and mormons] .

jeff .

truthsearcher

Monkeyshine,

the beauty of Christianity is that there is lots of room for various flavours. One day we know we will all be set straight, until then we agree on the basics and love each other as fellow travellers down this road of faith despite the differences. Do I hear an Amen?

I would really love to go to a conference. I have thoroughly enjoyed the MMOutreach audioclips. They have made me laugh, cry, shake my head in disgust. Sort of like reading posts on this forum! I imagine it would be like having a live JWD...