Posts by avidbiblereader

48

What's The Worst Personality Trait Or Negative Quality A Person Can Have???

by minimus in

jw
friends

i can put up with a lot of things.

but i avoid people who are "users".

you know the type....always taking, never giving, always looking to take advantage of someone......and i don't like liars all that much either.

avidbiblereader

Minimus, I agree that there are two kinds of people on earth Givers and Takers, I also believe Givers should be together and Takers should be together

Honesty, now that is funny and if you can't laugh at that, then as Larry the Cable Guy says you need to get out of here

My thing along with hypocrisy is judging others, if there is a scriptural thought that permeates the Bible is not to judge others, it is unloving, arrogant, unkind, haughty, usurping God and Christ, thinking you can do it better. It has been and always was a negative feature of the witnesses in talks, assemblies and the literture promoting one religious group over EVERYONE else.

40

One True Religion?

by blondie in

interesting topic from beliefnet.

12/14/2006 11:54 pm .

taking the position that jesus christ is, in fact, the son of god who paid the price for our sins, i dont believe our affiliation with any christian religion "gives a person an 'an edge'" in their approval by god and christ.

avidbiblereader

qcmbr,

I apologise for any misunderstandings in my post. I don't have a problem with following Christ or even when the first century congr was established but now when it has become evident that men have turned aside from the healthful teachings and accumilated teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled (perhaps tickled to death). I would only hope that I would never have turned away from Chirst teaching. I realize he said his load was light, not weighless, there are laws to abide by. He also said he came for those who acknowledged their need for a physician not those who thought they were healthy. Christ teachings 2000 years ago were refreshing and I find in the Bible his teaching is still refreshing today. I can see the difference between God's laws and man made teachings, I am a work in progress and need to grow in more maturity. I have spent 27 years studying the Bible, sad to say 19 years of that was Witness teaching but could see for a long time things were not right in Denmark. But I can discern as Paul said about those who can distinguish between right and wrong. Christ's teaching was simple, direct, never waivering, nerver changing and always glorified His Father, it led poeple to God not men,it led honest hearted people to search out more. I also acknowledge that in the past God-Given representation has been a part of His direction. Today, it is one of the things I have a real problem with, however the scriptures point to Christ not any man no matter how you slice the scriptures. As Romans says 10:8-11 says

8 In fact, it says,

“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.” [ d ]

And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

I will err on the side of trusting in him, not men who have let me and countless millions if not billions down. I should have known better, the scriptures warned me not to put so much trust, really any trust in man. Again I apologize for any misunderstandings, I should rephrase my comment to say' I believe I was weak and led around by the nose as a blind person when I was apart of a man made org, that put more emphasis on org and men, then they did Christ. Thanks for the reply and I hope that I have not offended you, it is one of my many faults, WHO CAN CONTROL THE TONGUE?

ABR

47

divorce question

by depressed in

my soon to be ex-husband's father is the presiding overseer of the congregation and his entire family is very spiritual - including my husband's sister and her husband who serve in gilead.. to make a long story short, my husband and i used to serve in bethel but eventually left.

we moved around the nyc area where we both took on full time jobs, pursued our four year degrees, and led pretty successful lives.

i left the organization, because i was tired of gossip, etc and half of my family was disfellowshipped.

avidbiblereader

WOW, in reading your post it sounded like my case all over again. Except I was attending meetings up until my ex left me and my 16 year old daughter. Her father was likewise the PO, whole family witnesses, I disagree with your statement here that they were all very "spiritual", I prefer to use the term very organizational, a spiritural person doesn't do what they do. To answer your question why would they treat you in such a way? Take a look at the Bible example, I may be wrong but I believe the only persons who ever stood up against family in the Bible and chose to follow the course of right in the face of family, was Korah's sons. Even King David chose Absolom over what is right. 2nd Samuel 19:1-7 says

1 Later it was reported to Jo´ab: “Look! The king is weeping, and he carries on mourning over Ab´sa·lom.” 2 So the salvation on that day came to be an occasion of mourning on the part of all the people, because the people heard say on that day: “The king has felt hurt over his son.” 3 And the people began to steal away on that day to come into the city, just as the people would steal away when they felt disgraced because they fled in the battle. 4 And the king himself covered up his face, and the king continued crying out with a loud voice: “My son Ab´sa·lom! Ab´sa·lom my son, my son!”

5 Finally Jo´ab came in to the king at the house and said: “You have today put to shame the face of all your servants, the ones providing escape for your soul today and for the soul of your sons and your daughters and the soul of your wives and the soul of your concubines, 6 by loving those hating you and by hating those loving you; for you have reported today that chiefs and servants are nothing to you, because I well know today that if only Ab´sa·lom were alive and all of us others were today dead, why, in that case it would be right in your eyes. 7 And now rise up, go out and speak straight to the heart of your servants, because, by Jehovah, I do swear that, in case you are not going out, not a man will lodge with you tonight; and this will certainly be worse for you than all the injury that has come upon you from your youth until now.”

As the scriptures says "Don't mock me, you will reap what you have sown".

That is why Christ said we must love him more than our families. My ex's family did the same, she filed for the divorce, changed her name in the first week, refused any contact with me even for financial matters, she was exonerated, my daughter and I were DF'd, eight months later when I moved on with my life with my present wife. They THINK they got away with it but the scriptures will bear different in the end. I now feel sorry for all of them, I pray that Jah forgives them and blesses them. I thanks Jah for getting me out of the situation and seeing the light and I now have a wife who does love me. Don't feel bad, you cannot change what you cannot change, and people is something that you cannot change. Embrace a new relationship with Jah and realize that people, an org of people did this, not God, he hates the divorce. Imagine how he feels, your ex divorced Him also, and he truly didn't do anything wrong. Take courage in the words of Is 41:10,13 10

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

13 For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the L ord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

ABR

40

One True Religion?

by blondie in

interesting topic from beliefnet.

12/14/2006 11:54 pm .

taking the position that jesus christ is, in fact, the son of god who paid the price for our sins, i dont believe our affiliation with any christian religion "gives a person an 'an edge'" in their approval by god and christ.

avidbiblereader

Obviuosly many of us THOUGHT that the witnesses had the one true religion, however instead of drawing millions who would never leave the Org, it has been no different than the religions they condemn. As Christ said in Matt 7 "the standard or measure that you measure out will be used on you" Sad, but the witnesses are no different than any other religion, they have brought reproach on God and more specifically because of their self exalte use of His name, appropriately why Paul said in Romans 2:1-3

1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?. vss 23-24 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

They have good and bad in their ranks just as many religions do, that is why as most stated here I agree with and love the last part that was quoted when it said The test for each christian to develope a personal relationship with God and Christ and allow God's Holy Spirit guide their thinking and actions.

I agree with this statement and some of the scriptures already used as to our own personal responsibility before God and Christ, as Jesus said , "what I say to you, I say to all".

Believing in one true religion is a nice mental massage for a person who is a part of that but it also eliminates any personal responsibility before our Creator. I actually think that instead of making these strong Christians as the Society is always trying to get others to believe in, it has made weak individuals who cannot think for themselves nor want to. It is as King Solomon said they have a nose ring in and are being led around by it. As Jesus said, "let them go, blinds guides is what they are, if a blind man leads a blind man, then both will fall into the pit.

I believe as Peter said, i"in every nation the MAN who fears him is acceptable to him"

The arrogance; That Jehovah, the Grand Creator, the One who doesn't need anything or anybody needs a earthly organization to accomplish anything for Him. Thanks for the article Blondie

abr

39

Convince me to move to your State (U.S. Only)

by liquidsky in

jw
friends

my husband and i are throwing around the idea of moving to a different state.

nothing is set in stone yet, but some changes in his career may allow for us to move wherever we like in the u.s. i love washington state, but i would like to move somewhere a little warmer.

i've lived in washington all my life and i need a little help in learning about the rest of the u.s.. so convince me to move to your state.

avidbiblereader

South Central Pa, no hurricanes, rarely do we hear about tornadoes, no earthquakes, rolling farmland, PA ranks only behind Fl for tax benefits to retired people, homes still resonably priced, close to Balt, Washington, within an hour or so from major metrop areas, plenty of amusement parks. A lot of history here, Gettysburg and the Civil War, plenty of lakes for water sports, mountains within an hour or so, only about 8-10 inches of snow for the last 7 year average, you can golf year round. Not too hot in summer with heat waves or humidity, beautiful country side, with in 3 hours from beach, 8 hours from the Carolinas that for a nice Myrtle Beach vacation.

42

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 12-17-06 WT Study (Sacred Gatherings)

by blondie in

: the special assembly day, the two-day circuit assembly, and the three- or four-day district convention.

q9) how can we show our respect for sacred gatherings by our dress and behavior?.

- how can children show that they respect the sacred nature of our meetings?.

avidbiblereader

I like how the Bible puts it into perspective, all by the Blondie I enjoy your information and posts. As I was saying the Bible puts conventions or festivals in Bible times in perspective in Det 31:9-12

9 Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests the sons of Le´vi, the carriers of the ark of Jehovah’s covenant, and to all the older men of Israel. 10 And Moses went on to command them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, in the appointed time of the year of the release, in the festival of booths, 11 when all Israel comes to see the face of Jehovah your God in the place that he will choose, you will read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. 12 Congregate the people, the men and the women and the little ones and your alien resident who is within your gates, in order that they may listen and in order that they may learn, as they must fear Jehovah YOUR God and take care to carry out all the words of this law

The Society loves using this scripture for meeting attendance at conventions but they don't use verse 10 which plainly states it was done every 7 years, not yearly. Also Paul said in Col 2:16 in the Amplified Translation

16 Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath.

Paul also said the Law was nailed to the Stake Cross depending on what you believe, who cares which one, he died for us and finally I like how many times Christ went to the meetings in Luke 4:16 16 And he came to Naz´a·reth, where he had been reared; and, according to his custom on the sabbath day, he entered into the synagogue, and he stood up to read.

If once a week was good enough for Christ why all these unneccessary meetings just going over the same information over and over and over and over, oopps almost put you through one. If we are suppose to be Christ like, then why can't witnesses only go to one meeting a week?

There is plenty of information that the Society doesn't want people to read or focus on, hmmmm????

28

child getting baptized

by Cindyrenee in

nine year old grandson studying to be babtized.

any thoughts on this??

i think it is insane.

avidbiblereader

A better question, what is the difference between a nine year old and infant baptism? Nothing but nine years. Neither are scriptural or appropriate. It is just a tactic to keep the ranks growing on paper and later to hold this against him when he grows up and doesn't want to do this. No scriptural basis for it and way to many for not allowing children to baptized. Bible only mentions men and women being baptized, you could use this in your defense. Oh, wait a minute the mags were written later and they supersede the Bible. When I was a witness I too believed in this children baptism as a good witness, I allowed my daughter of 11 to be baptized, well her mother abondoned her when she was 16, totally destroyed her faith in everything she was raised to believe and she left the witness with me, her mother turned her in as well as two life time friends of her mother. I had to put my daughter in therapy twice to deal with the hurt, disallusionment, anger and I don't think she will ever get over it, UNTIL the WT finally writes an article allowing parents to talk with their DF'd kids, that was over 6 years ago. It must come from Bethel though. It will be a descision that all will regret later.

Oh, by the way, the questions that are asked by the elders (good way for them to count time) where is that found in the Bible, the one case of baptism after Pentecost, I believe it was the Ethopian who asked the question not the other way around. Amazing how far they have gotten away from the scriptures and yet as a nose ring in their nose they keep following the tugging.

18

Sex, Animals, and Pregnancy, Never Trust a Monk!

by gumby in

are ya ready for some more godly teachings from jehovah passed on to the faithful slave class.......namely fred franz the monk, regarding sex?

well alrighty then..... ( i only picked out the sentences that applied to my point).

watchtower 1961 december 15 pp.

avidbiblereader

If asked the same question today from a reader, animals wouldn't even come into the picture, just MTV. Can't believe some of the articles written though. Mind boggling I use to spend so much time reading articles like that, what a waste of time.

18

My Husband is a Genius!

by exwitless in

jw
friends

ok, i can't help myself.

i have to brag: little drummer boy just finished his college degree in computer administration with a 4.0 gpa!!!

i've lost track on how many letters go on his title after his name now.

avidbiblereader

Congrats,

21

What is the best thing to bring out in a letter of DA ?

by 5go in

jw
friends

i think i'm about done my mom can stay i don't care fortunetly my dad never joined and sence he is the head i hope he won't just kick me out till i'm ready.

.

my mom is starting to pry again in to why i not doing well as a dub..

avidbiblereader

1-800 SEE YA, WOULDN'T WANT TO BE YA!!!!!! That should about do it.