Posts by Frenchy

21

What Are The 3 Worst Things in Your Life

by teenyuck in

jw
friends

since we are listing the best 3 things in life, i thought it would be interesting to list 3 things that you did and regret or things that are/were the worst in your life.

1. lack of friends growing up a jw; there just were not any.

no one liked jw's.

Frenchy

Things I regret, in no particular order:

Taking so long to grow up (Never quite got there)

Not getting to know my father and being unable to talk him out of taking his life.

Being without a father before I was sixteen

Not spending more time with my little brother and being unable to talk him out of taking his life.

Not telling my grandparents that I loved them

Never kissing Laura J.

Kissing Trudy J.

Never telling Claudia L. how much I liked her

Being too young and naive to know what those two girls in Texas had in mind that night so long ago.

The time I wasted taking Business English

The years I wasted waiting for something to happen instead of living

6

This Thing Called Me

by Frenchy in

this thing called me.

there are times when my soul is like the placid pond .

and there are times when it boils like the raging sea.

Frenchy

This Thing Called Me

There are times when my soul is like the placid pond
And there are times when it boils like the raging sea
I know not where these emotions come from
Only that they inhabit this thing called me

There are times when the joy in me abounds
And there are times I thrash about in despair
At times on my face a smile is to be found
But more times than not, sorrow is there

Of worries and woes there seems no end,
Of regrets and sorrow there is an endless supply
The days when I cannot find a friend
And the nights when I lie quietly and cry

What power and force they exert on me
To toss my soul about so effortlessly
And dash my hopes and plans and schemes
Till so precious little is left of this thing called me

There are times I see a calm in this raging sea
And hope swells at the thought of a brief reprieve
From those relentless waves of adversity
So I may take stock of this thing called me

But like a mirage in a sun parched and barren land
It’s a false hope born of frustrated dreams
For each time I rise it is by my own hand
No one reaches out for this thing called me

How long can one fight that which knows no fatigue
What does it matter in the end how far I go
How does one measure progress against eternity
Does it really matter when I finally let go

There are times when it really does seem
That the clouds will leave and the sun will shine
When grief gives way to the joy deep within me
Oh how brief are the moments when happiness is mine

And so I fight knowing I cannot win
To stay afloat on this perilous sea
And dwell on the knowledge of the impending end
Of this thing called me

--The French Knight

28

33 Questions

by Yadirf in

jw
friends

the moody bible instititute wrote the watchtower society asking for a debate on the radio.

brooklyn sent them a list of 33 questions and stated that if they could not answer them, there was no use in debating.

23. was one penalty passed against his soul and another against his body?.

Thank you, Englishman, puffsrule, and outnfree. I suppose we could make up a list that would run into the hundreds of questions about doctrines and practices of the Society. For someone with God on their side, they sure are afraid of a fight!

Faithful: You bring up a good point. Over and again we see posters like this do a hit and run. They don’t have the courage or conviction to stand their ground. They are good at attacking but have no defense.

65

Amazing's Triumph - Mixed Feelings

by Perry in

jw
friends

amazing wrote:.

"i was able to get my wife and children out, and this led to my son-in-law and a close friend leaving at the same time.

so, i am among the more fortunate in that my immediate family, and non-jw friends and relatives were all there with me as i exited.

Frenchy

Thank you Perry for your well thought out post. I wish to thank also, Ozzie and of course, Amazing.

I would like to say that it's very difficult to be in our position whether you were an elder or not.

28

33 Questions

by Yadirf in

jw
friends

the moody bible instititute wrote the watchtower society asking for a debate on the radio.

brooklyn sent them a list of 33 questions and stated that if they could not answer them, there was no use in debating.

23. was one penalty passed against his soul and another against his body?.

Frenchy

Just a very few questions I would like answered by the WTBS. These are among some of the issues that caused me to question that God is actively communicating with the GB. If I am wrong, I wish to be corrected.

1) Why is the everlasting fate of the former occupants of Sodom and Gomorra so difficult a subject for such scholars as yourself?
2) How did you arrive at the first answer?
3) The second?
4) The third?
5) The fourth?
6) Was there a fifth also?
7) Please explain how the ‘light keeps getting brighter’ concept is in operation here.
8) Also, please explain how 180 degree turns are to be reconciled with the ‘tacking’ maneuvers suggested elsewhere.
9) Did you not state on numerous occasions and over a long period of time that those people alive in 1914 constituted the generation that would not pass off the scene until Armageddon?
10) Were you correct in so stating?
11) How did you arrive at your first conclusion?
12) How did you arrive at your second conclusion?
13) Will there be a third?
14) Are you certain you are correct now?
15) Are you more certain of this assertion than you were of the fate of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorra?
16) Just how certain were you of the S&G thing as compared to the ‘generation of 1914’?
17) What is the difference between a lie and a mistake?
18) Are both sins?
19) Have you brothers sinned in this respect?
20) Has your sin caused any hardship for those under your care?
21) Have you asked their forgiveness in connection with this?
22) Have you asked God’s forgiveness in connection with this?
23) Have you ever promoted any other teaching, doctrine, or given specific counsel on certain facets of your members’ lives that could very well affect their very lives?
24) Did you ever change your position an any of these?
25) How did you arrive at your first conclusion?
26) How did you arrive at your second conclusion?
27) Is there room for the presumption of the possibility of further ‘tacking’ or of increasing light on this subject?
28) Is anyone other than yourselves allowed to even think about that possibility?
29) If so, would they be allowed to discuss this with fellow members?
30) What would happen if they did?
31) Did you not state that “The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our twentieth century.” In the Jan 1, 1989 issue of the Watchtower?
32) Inasmuch as you have not ceased this ‘activity’, was that a false statement?
33) Was it a mistake or a lie?
34) Was there any effort to conceal the wrong such as quietly changing the wording before including the document in the bound volumes?
35) Was there any retraction after that erroneous statement?
36) Don’t you think there should have been?
37) Does not the fact that you changed that statement that very year before inserting that issue of the magazine in the bound volume suggest that you were fully aware that this was either: a) a mistake; or b) a lie?
38) Then why didn’t you say so?
39) Was that statement in the Jan 1 Watchtower true or false?
40) Which one was true, the one in the magazine or the one in the bound volume?
41) To which error did you admit?
42) How did you arrive at your first conclusion?
43) The second?
44) Will there be a third?
45) Has this specific falsehood appeared anywhere else in your literature? What about this statement: “Shortly, within our twentieth century, the “battle in the day of Jehovah” will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom” kj 216
46) Was this another slip or a deliberate attempt to mislead?
47) Was there ever an attempt by you to correct this false statement?
48) Why not?
49) Did you or did you not presume to tell your following that it would not be right to accept an organ transplant?
50) Did you or did not later admit that this was a matter for personal conscience?
51) How did you arrive at your first conclusion?
52) The second?
53) Do you concede that your first statement may have resulted in someone losing their life?
54) Who would be responsible if such a thing actually happened?
55) Would you openly admit responsibility?
56) Would you see fit to compensate the family materially and in any other way within your power for such a gross error on your part?
57) Have you resolved not to do such a thing anymore and therefore demonstrating repentance in order not to stand in adverse judgment before God?
58) How many mistakes should an organization be allowed before the members would be allowed to seriously consider the judgment of those that are leading it?
59) How many falsehoods are required before the ‘truth’ is no longer the ‘truth’?
60) Are individuals also allowed to make mistakes?
61) How about other religions? Are they allowed mistakes and falsehoods also?
62) Why not?
63) How did you arrive at the conclusion that you alone are allowed to make mistakes and still have God’s favor?
64) Will there be a revision of that viewpoint?
65) Are the members allowed to discuss your shortcomings?
66) How did you arrive at that conclusion?

28

33 Questions

by Yadirf in

jw
friends

the moody bible instititute wrote the watchtower society asking for a debate on the radio.

brooklyn sent them a list of 33 questions and stated that if they could not answer them, there was no use in debating.

23. was one penalty passed against his soul and another against his body?.

Frenchy

1) Do you suppose they could answer the questions asked of them on this forum?
2) Why haven't they?
3) When was the last time you heard them debate anyone publicly?
4) Why not?
5) Who would determine, in this and your post, what the correct answers would be?

14

FOUL TRICKERY by the GREAT WHORE.

by Focus in

jw
friends

***g93 3/22 5. a fable from india tells of six blind men from indostan who went to see an elephant.

the first one touched its side and said: 'bless me!

but the elephant is very like a wall!

Frenchy

Yardif:
I have a couple of questions: Is the question in Luke different from the one in Matthew? Your observation: :::Note that Matthew’s account (v. 3) makes plain that the question the disciples asked had reference to Jesus coming again (his future “presence”), whereas in Luke’s parallel account (v. 7) such “presence” is NOT even mentioned. :::

I’m confused about how you view these two accounts because your statement above seems to indicate that Jesus’ future ‘presence’ is not associated with the events mentioned in Luke YET you go on to say: ::: they each had something to add that their counterparts in the same book didn’t.::: which indicates to me you are saying that they are different versions of the same question and reply. Could you please clarify?

IF these are but two different instances of the same question and reply, with each furnishing some detail omitted by the other, then it only makes sense to read the whole of both rather that combining portions of each. Even by taking in the whole of both accounts we are left with many pieces of the puzzle remaining, let alone taking bits and pieces of each and making yet another incomplete picture.

Matthew 24: 1-3 Departing now, Jesus was on his way from the temple, but his disciples approached to show him the buildings of the temple. 2 In response he said to them: “Do YOU not behold all these things? Truly I say to YOU, By no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down.”
3 While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”

Luke 21:5-7 Later, as certain ones were speaking concerning the temple, how it was adorned with fine stones and dedicated things, 6 he said: “As for these things that YOU are beholding, the days will come in which not a stone upon a stone will be left here and not be thrown down.” 7 Then they questioned him, saying: “Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?”

13

Gutless,Cowardly Watchtower

by metatron in

jw
friends

today's wt.

study - they started talking about mercy.

and rules and pharisees.

Frenchy

Back in the days of Jesus, the Samaritans (and tax collectors as well!) were viewed and treated pretty much like df'd and da'd people are today. YET..Jesus chose to use a Samaritan in his parable that so aptly answered the question of: "Who is my neighbor?" It was the Samaritan that performed the act of kindess toward a man who belonged to the 'chosen race' while fellow 'chosen ones' chose to ignore his plight. Jesus chose a tax collector to be one of his beloved apostles.

Helping with a flat tire was mentioned here. True experience: A brother walks into the KH and I tell him hello. He grins and informs me that he's just passed up Brother J- who was on the side of the road changing a tire. I asked him why he didn't stop to see if he needed help and he promptly replied: "I didn't have time, I was almost late for the meeting already."

Another true experience: The announcement was made from the platform that a certain sister was in the hospital and that she would appreciate a visit from 'the friends'. I heard one sister tell another one after the meeting: "Well, I don't have time to go visit..I'm auxillary pioneering this month and I barely have the time to put in the rest of my time."

When is the last time you heard a C.O. give an example in one of his talks about a kindly sister or brother missing a meeting to help someone in need? When is the last time you heard a C.O. mention someone missing Saturday morning field service to go cut some elderly sister's lawn because she could not do it? When, if ever, is it stated from the platform that acts of kindness are preferred over meetings and field service? What happened to: "Go, then, and learn what this means, 'I want mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came to call, not righteous people, but sinners." (Matt 9:13 NWT)???

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