Flowerpetal

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Posts by Flowerpetal

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  32

  Hello...I'm new here

  by Agent Smith in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  just wanted to say hello

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  Flowerpetal

  I LOVE the matrix movies....welcome Agent Smith!
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  14

  Love Is The Watchtower's Greatest Weakness

  by metatron in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i recently attended a witness get-together and found that despite my fake hours and lack of nearly all meeting attendance,.

  i had no trouble 'blending in' - even with committed elders.

  i'm not a social genius by any reckoning - but a smile, a few jokes,.

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  Flowerpetal

  That was a really great post!!!

  Since I am an only child, and my parents are dead, and my cousins live in other states, I don't have that pressure of trying to convince my relatives that I have the "truth." I did visit some of my cousins and an aunt early in December, BUT witnessing was the last thing on my mind. What I want to do is have a connection with family.

  My mom was a witness since 1941, and she loved reading the Bible. I would say she was like some of the people mentioned here by former witnesses, who know older ones at the hall who are kind. My mom only has one living sister, in Maryland and a brother in California. I want to visit both real soon. Family is important, no matter what their beliefs are--and for an only child, I think it's imperative to connect with whatever family you have left because you never know how life will change or what circumstances will come about that you need your family around you or you with them.
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  7

  What Galvanizes the Preaching in Most Witnesses? What Did it For You?

  by Myxomatosis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  'couldn't be done without the holy spirit' is the phrase that i have seen spouted by loyal dubbies.

  no doubt appearing subtly or explicitly in one or more of the watch tower publications.

  i'm wondering, if you could think back to when you were preaching, especially if you were pioneering, what were your personal motivating factors, what did you tell yourself, and was there a source of that suggestion?

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  Flowerpetal

  Growing up as a kid in the '50's, the message I got was we don't know when Armageddon was coming...so whenever I saw the sky look strange, and there was a bad storm, I thought this might be Armageddon. Needless to say, it scared me, because I wondered if I was worthy to be saved--because I knew God knew my thoughts, and they weren't always nice.

  When I was a teenager in the '60's not every year but some years, I "vacation pioneered" during summer vacation from school just for a month though. My partner for one year became a great friend because we worked together so much. I was even in her wedding in 1969.

  I preached because I thought that was the thing to do, to help people get to know about the Bible's promises which I still believe in, paradise earth included, because I believe humans were created to live forever, on this earth or at least a very long time; except I don't accept the societies chronology of counting time. So I suppose I did it out of love--I wanted people to know life wasn't going to be so stressful or always full of problems. I also want to say, I enjoy being a human being and I enjoy all the pleasures of being a human.

  I believe a whole lot more has to happen and I really don't believe the end is going to happen the way the society teaches. I can't say what Armageddon is going to be which means I don't agree with the teaching of it by the society.

  I agree that good works also means helping those less fortunate than yourself--without conditions. The WT did not focus on Jesus death, burial and resurrection as much, but now I have been seeing more of an emphasis on Jesus, hopefully because of some members of the writing department. I was told once by someone that there is dissention among members of the writing dept. Some want to concentrate more on Jesus and the kingdom, while others want to emphasize the organization.

  I would not use "works" in connection with JWs but PERFORMANCE, I believe that is a better word. The emphasis of "do more, do more, do more" is associated with PERFORMANCE more than works.

  Hope I answered some of your questions!

  Even though I don't agree with all the teachings of the WTS as I used to, I still feel I am a spiritual person and still have faith in God and his Son.
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  3

  I'm betting the answer is yes, Have you noticed a connection to abuse of ..

  by NoBorg in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  of alchahol and to being a zealos jw elder/pioneer, whatever?

  almost all of the 'actives' i know are heavy drinkers or heavily medicated ( not that there's anything wrong with that!!

  ( <name that sitcom ) )

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  Flowerpetal

  NoBorg:

  ( not that there's anything wrong with that!! ( <name that sitcom ) )

  Seinfield!!!
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  9

  Firpo Carr Denies Michael Jackson Slept With Children

  by Kenneson in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  firpo carr claims that michael jackson never slept with children.

  they may have slept in his bed, but he slept on the floor.. see "jackson adviser: 'great emotional toll on family' " at.

  http://www.cnn.com/ .

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  Flowerpetal

  Hi William,

  As I said, I am not a fan of Michael Jackson, and I don't have a friend who is rich like he is. If I had a male friend who was Michael's age, I believe I would know him quite well. I don't know if I would let my child sleep in his bed--maybe if he had a bunch of kids there, I would. I admit his behavior is odd but that doesn't make him a child molester.

  Michael, according to his family, is always having family members at his home--and the staff is there as well. So he is not totally alone. Perhaps a good thing to do if a parent is thinking of letting their child stay with Michael is to ask the staff what kind of person he really is. They would know all of his habits and idiocyncrasies, etc.

  I am not saying Michael should be treated differently--just that he deserves a fair trial and all the allegations against him would have to be proved in court. Facts have to be brought out--not feelings.
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  65

  I Am Mine

  by Euphemism in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when the pearl jam single i am mine came out a little over a year ago, i was still a witness.

  it's easy to see why the lyrics appealed to me at a time when i was subconsciously trying to free myself from the mind control.. i know that i was born and i know that i?ll die.. the in between is mine.. i am mine.. .... we?re different behind the eyes, there?s no need to hide .

  .... the sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow's denied.. i only know my mind.. i am mine.. freedom has been a gradual process.

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  Flowerpetal

  Hi Dan!

  I was hoping you lived near me (in the east) and was hoping I knew you and Piph so we could get together and talk. I hope one day to be like you!!
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  16

  HOPE

  by moses in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello everybody i am a new member and was asking if the members think that the promise of god's kingdom and the ressurection mentioned in the bible are just sales pitches used by the witnesses or if this is really mankinds only hope we have.

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  Flowerpetal

  Here is something that was posted on an e-mail group I belong to. Notice the emphasis is on FAITH, not a religion: If a father leaves the house, then he will leave detailed instructions for his children to follow. But if he is still around, then there is no need for written instructions. He will personally direct his household. Similarly, Although Christ died but he did not leave his followers because a) He was resurrected. b) He sent the Holy Spirit. c) He is still with his true followers today. The written word found in the scriptures is very important but not intended to create a religion. It serves as an introduction, a testimony and a reminder. We have to remember that the written word was not available in such abundance and available to the masses prior to the invention of the printing press few hundred years ago. It is rather astonishing to see that Christianity spread at the speed it did in the first century without the aid of the printing press, mass media, or fast transport. This is a further testimony that Christ, from his divine office, was actively directing the work. He is still doing that today. That is why a person will not find the true "detailed" Christian faith based solely on searching the scriptures, writings and interpretations of early or modern Christians. It is like children trying to find "detailed" instructions of their father, the ones that he actually never left. It is interesting to note that the only Christian document that was written and distributed by order from Christ is the book of Revelation. When examining this book, especially the first part, we find Christ addressing certain issues pertaining to each of seven congregations. While we can learn a lot from these admonitions, but nowhere can we find detailed instructions as what constitutes the true Christian faith. That is because the written word serves to strengthen a living relationship and not establish a religion. Christianity is not mere knowledge "about" God and His Son as many organizations seem to emphasize, elevating thereby the written word and their interpretation of it above the relationship that the word meant to serve. Christianity is knowledge "of", it is a relationship. There is a big difference. True Christianity is found in the person of Jesus Christ. One must approach and know Christ personally. He is alive. He is our head and our Lord. He is near and approachable. However, in order to do that, one must have faith. This is the faith that leads to salvation, the one that the apostles were talking about versus works. The faith in approaching Christ, in receiving the Holy Spirit and living in harmony with the new spirit of Christ. This is the faith that produces fine fruitage and works. This is the faith that leads to everlasting life. ------------- My comment is Jesus' words (note the second sentence):

  18:8 I say to you that he will quickly do right in their cause. But when the Son of man comes, will there be any faith on earth?

  The Bible in Basic English
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  46

  Details on Files Kept in the Cong.

  by Blueblades in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  what exactly is put into the file on those who are disfellowedshipped?is the information very detailed,so that others can read such details,or is it just that they have been disfellowedshipped.. for example:suppose someone have been df.for a sexual matter,brother or sister.are the details descriptive of what was committed or is just that they were df.i know that on the outside of the envelope the name is posted and that's it.but if someone were to open the folder and look inside can they get the detailed information on that person?.

  when do the elders destroy such folders?can a person who no longer wishes to come back get their records and destroy them themselves?.

  blueblades

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  Flowerpetal

  Hilary:

  probably because they feel that Jehovah has so much to do that he is likely to forget who he has to kill at Armageddon and who gets to live. He needs the Secretary to keep note for him....

  ROFLOL!!! That idea is one of the things that woke me up in this organization. Jehovah does not care about record keeping, whether it be time slips, study reports, how many in attendance at meetings, assemblies, conventions, etc., and all the other various and sundry sheets of report paper I am discovering from reading this board, that the society prints up.
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  9

  Firpo Carr Denies Michael Jackson Slept With Children

  by Kenneson in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  firpo carr claims that michael jackson never slept with children.

  they may have slept in his bed, but he slept on the floor.. see "jackson adviser: 'great emotional toll on family' " at.

  http://www.cnn.com/ .

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  Flowerpetal

  William,

  I saw the Ed Bradley interview and also the other interview Michael had with that Bashier (sp?) reporter. I remember both times Michael said he slept on the floor while the kid was in his bed. Of course, that needs to be proven in court too.
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  28

  WHY did you get baptised?

  by fairy in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was just thinking back to when i got baptised.

  and i dont really remember the real reason why.. thinking about it seems to bring up the idea that i only got baptised because of the way everyone treats you when they find out you are getting dunked - and not specifically to serve jehovah.. baptism day comes and you sit there and listen to the talk.

  then you go out and get your swimming duds on and line up at the "whatever it is they decide to dunk you in".

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  Flowerpetal

  Fairy

  They should use the example of jesus......he didnt get baptised till he was in his 30's?

  That's exactly it....yet getting married at a young age is discouraged. Isn't baptism a more serious decision than marriage? I was 11 1/2 yrs. old when I was baptised in 1959. At that time there were no 200+ questions to answer in front of elders. I sort of understood what I was doing, but also I believe I did it to make my mom and my best friend at the time, happy. She was baptized at the age of 7--how awful, right? Yet to this day, she is still a regular pioneer, having been one since 1965 after high school graduation. I regret getting baptized so early...yet now, continuing to make my fade from the WTS, if I ever joined a church (which I doubt I would) it would seem I wouldn't have to get baptized again, since MY baptism in 1959 was under a different set of 2 questions, and the "spirit directed organization" was not in those 2 questions. If a church insisted on me getting baptized, it would only prove the point, at least to me, that people get baptized into a "church" or "organization" rather than to God.