Posts by Flowerpetal

11

Here's a belief.........and a question

by Flowerpetal in

ok......lately at the baptismal talks there is mention of those getting baptized, that from that day on, they have become ordained ministers.

jehovah gives them that ordination.

so, in order for us to be ordained ministers from god, aren't we supposed to receive the holy spirit so that when we go out preaching and teaching to others, the spirit will help us and guide us to those interested individuals?.

Flowerpetal

Thanks RR. But here is my problem. One can take what Jesus said very broadly. One can see the Kingdom of God without ruling in it because that person can be a subject of that kingdom. That is seeing the kingdom of God.

If you leave the apostle Paul out of this for a while, you will see Jesus' teachings are most complete and didn't have to be added to.

That is why I believe the apostle Paul was commenting on specific aspects of being born-again as far as being an adopted son of God and ruling in the kingdom. He was the one who talked about adoption. All Jesus said was that one must be born of water and spirit. He never expounded on that.

Do you agree that the Bible is for all mankind? If yes, then if someone reads the Bible, especially the Greek Scriptures (the NT) and you come across the scripture at 1 John 5:1 which I am paraphrasing:
"Everyone that believes Jesus is the Christ has been born from God." What are they supposed to think?

I believe Jesus is the Christ but I haven't received the spirit of adoption as a son to rule in heaven. Couldn't I just be born as a child of God to live on earth? Or should I stop believing Jesus is the Christ because I haven't received that adoption?

See the dilemma? As an ordinary person reading the Bible, say on my own, I would take it to mean I have been born from God because I believe Jesus is the Christ.

This is something I have been pondering for a long time.

80

Why...

by Simon in

...is no one posting here?.

ok, i'll be the first !

Flowerpetal

Um...Patio, I was making observations of people's ATTITUDES. I watched the news everyday and heard the pundits on both sides screaming and trying to out talk each other during this last political campaign. That's what I was commenting on.

---
In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.
Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare)

11

Here's a belief.........and a question

by Flowerpetal in

ok......lately at the baptismal talks there is mention of those getting baptized, that from that day on, they have become ordained ministers.

jehovah gives them that ordination.

so, in order for us to be ordained ministers from god, aren't we supposed to receive the holy spirit so that when we go out preaching and teaching to others, the spirit will help us and guide us to those interested individuals?.

Flowerpetal

So baptism is a very serious thing. If a person understands what it means, then it would probably be somewhat emotional and intellectual...but not overboard.

Does being born-again always mean one has been begotten to be one of God's sons who will rule over the earth?

And crossroads, I believe a true witness, if he/she is claiming to be Christian, must first cultivate the fruits of the spirit, or else anything else they do or don't do is for nothing.

80

Why...

by Simon in

...is no one posting here?.

ok, i'll be the first !

Flowerpetal

Hi Tina, just read your reply to me. I accept your apology. I grew up in a "divided" household as my dad was not a JW. So lots of times I got to hear his impressions of JWs, and the religion. Well, I decided I would be a witness even with the male head of my family feeding me a lot of negativity about them. I believe it has made me balanced. But that is my belief.

I am also an only child and always, always, resented when people would infer that I was "spoiled" because it was their belief that an only child was a "spoiled child." I have always been myself, because I am an only child. I have had plenty of time to myself since I was my own company lots of times. I never defined myself as somebody's daughter or somebody's wife, as in "Mrs. (husband's first name)." My mother let me play with worldly kids in the neighborhood, all the while I was growing up. My hubby and I allowed our kids to do the same because it was more convenient than having them hop in a car and be driven to some witnesses house for "proper" association.

The thinking that you want to challenge me with just isn't me at the moment, Tina. I have too many other questions concerning Biblical doctrines that concern me right now to worry about whether or not I am really free as a woman in the org. That is just not my issue.

I have more problems with being an adult child of depression-era parents, hating to throw anything away and saving glass jars for no reason. LOL

---
In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke.
Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare)

69

Atheists/Agnostics/Prayer

by patio34 in

jw
friends

on the subject of prayer: this is addressed to the more atheistic or agnostic ones amongst us.. now, all those years i prayed really hard when times were tough, and then things worked out.

i now believe it was my own hard work that gave the solutions.

prayer was helpful in that i felt i had help.

Flowerpetal

Intro:

Excuse me for citing scripture, but I think there's some truth to the idea that peace is a fruitage of the spirit, whatever that statement may mean to you. There are "spiritual persons" out there who can hear all the arguments, understand them for what they are and it doesn't disturb them in the least, I think that kind of mind state is worth seeking, whatever your beliefs.

Amen and Amen!

11

Here's a belief.........and a question

by Flowerpetal in

ok......lately at the baptismal talks there is mention of those getting baptized, that from that day on, they have become ordained ministers.

jehovah gives them that ordination.

so, in order for us to be ordained ministers from god, aren't we supposed to receive the holy spirit so that when we go out preaching and teaching to others, the spirit will help us and guide us to those interested individuals?.

Flowerpetal

OK......lately at the baptismal talks there is mention of those getting baptized, that from that day on, they have become ordained ministers. Jehovah gives them that ordination. So, in order for us to be ordained ministers from God, aren't we supposed to receive the holy spirit so that when we go out preaching and teaching to others, the spirit will help us and guide us to those interested individuals?

If the answer is yes, why are we not born-again in the way that Jesus explained to Nicodemus? How could we not have the spirit or have God give it to us and still be baptized to be ordained ministers and not be born-again. Jesus said one must be born of water and spirit. So we get baptized (water). What follows is the reception of holy spirit. Right?

18

In what order were the NT books written?

by GinnyTosken in

jw
friends

"jude," she [sue bridehead] said brightly, when he had finished and come back to her; "will you let me make you a new new testament, like the one i made for myself at christminster?".

how was that made?".

"i altered my old one by cutting up all the epistles and gospels into separate brochures, and rearranging them in chronological order as written, beginning the book with thessalonians, following on with the epistles, and putting the gospels much further on.

Flowerpetal

Hi Ginny. I have a cyber friend who is interested in the gospel of Thomas and sent me a link to it, which I read. Then I got on the web and found some other links with the Gospel of Thomas on them; one written in Greek I believe. Now I will have to search again, to find the addresses.

6

Ezekiel's Chariot Ride

by Flowerpetal in

question: can anyone figure out what year it was that elijah went on his chariot ride?

and also the year he wrote a letter to king jehoram of judah telling him what would happen to him.

i have figured out some dates, but not sure if they are correct.

Flowerpetal

Question: Can anyone figure out what year it was that Elijah went on his chariot ride? And also the year he wrote a letter to King Jehoram of Judah telling him what would happen to him. I have figured out some dates, but not sure if they are correct.

29

in honor of the simpsons

by dark clouds in

jw
friends

this thread was inspired by all the brujaja superstitons of the borg so in honor and defense of the simpsons to which i video tape on a daily basis i start this thread in the name of fun :.

post your favorite simpson qoute along with the character who said it.

.. "i've noticed your house smells like feces, not just monkey feces either"--- homer

Flowerpetal

When Marge goes "mmmmhhh" in her gravely voice. Not sure if my spelling makes the sound she does, but my son says I sound just like her when I do it.

BTW, I love Marge's sisters!

13

Facing JW-philosophy demons

by emyrose in

although i left jw's 7yrs ago.

i am now really starting to suffer emotionally and i .

think psychologically too.

Flowerpetal

Emyrose,
I am still a JW and have been posting on different boards for about 4 years. I have met many people from other beliefs. When I first came to the message boards, I had that judgement mentality as well, but I've changed. And when I did, I learned to relax with people, and found that I enjoyed them oh so much better.

As larc brought out, our human condition is imperfection and there is nothing wrong with making mistakes. And I might add that that is why we can pray to God for forgiveness if we do err, and go on. I also agree that we should accept our strengths and weaknesses. I also believe all humans were born with a talent or talents. All we need to is discover what that is.

I am glad that you are feeling much better.