Posts by gold

16

So how do you explain

by plmkrzy in

i asked this q in another thread but thought the question might fit in better over here in bible research .

thinking out loud again.

it doesn't seem to matter what bible you read, unless you're looking for discrepancies in translation it's not easy to just abandon the big picture.

You were right on when you said that religions cause conflict. I guess we are all at different levels after leaving the watchtower. I know that I spent 16 years away from God because of them. Believing that God wanted nothing to do with me anymore. I could not even pray.

About 4 years ago I started to read the bible. Just the bible. We are so use to thinking we have to have the RIGHT religion to tells us what to believe. We think we are not smart enough or else we are too lazy to find out for ourselvs.

In reading the bible I could not believe that things it said that were soooooo different than what I had been taught my whole life. Things like heaven. Mostly, I found out that the only thing that can save you is your faith in Jesus. I marveled at scriptures that said works could not save us. All those pioneer hours to save my own hide didn't mean squat. The bible says it is a gift. Like a present. You don't have to do anything for a gift.

Religions are manmade!! That is just what satan wants us to believe,..... that we need a religion to save us. It takes the focus off of Jesus as our saviour. Sure, all religions have some things right. I remember something said once that sticks with me.

"SATAN USES JUST ENOUGH TRUTH TO MAKE FALSE LOOK RIGHT."

The answers are there plmkrzy, in the bible. Just read it. Start with the book of John. Read it like a good book. I remember doing that and often I would read and hear those broken watchtower records playing in my head. But I would take those watchtower glasses off and read it again until I read it with a fresh and open mind. It was just awesome.

I don't know how to tell you that there is something to reading the bible, other than I have been where so many of you are and know what you are feeling and doubting andd questioning. If you do that the answers come. Forget the religion thing!! just read. I want so much for you to understand and feel good again.]

Religion does nothing more than make someone 'self-righteous".......only Jesus can make you righteous.

I am now a born again christian. Please don't think of me as some Jesus freak. I know the connotation born again has to witnesses and probably most of you ex witnesses. Guess you have to read the bible to know what I am trying to say. I have been there and back again and no one could have ever told me that my head would be unscrewed up again.

If you ever have a question feel free to e-mail me..... [email protected]

God bless............AND READ!! lol gold morning

23

Warped....

by TheSurvivor in

i was born in the 50's and raised in the so called truth.

i began to see the light the same year i got my concealed weapons permit.

imagine that, a witness packing heat.

gold_morning

Hi Survivor,

I'm gold morning. I come hear and read a few times a week. Once in a while I post. I belong to a couple of support groups for ex JW's.

I know your feelings. I was raised a JW since I was a little girl. I was a typical JW teenager. You know, the one that pioneers on summer vacations. I married young like most did (maybe they still do) and continued to pioneer. My marriage was a struggle. In the early 80's after a couple of years of "falling away" I was disfellowshiped.

I spent 16 years away from God because I believed what they told me. That God wanted nothing to do with me anymore and that he would not hear my prayers. I felt even too guilty to think about God. I do know that dispite losing everything and everyone I still thought it was the truth.

About 4 years ago I just could not stand not having God in my life. I began reading the bible again and counld not believe how different the things I was reading was from what I had been raised my whole life. It was a big struggle!!! More guilt to add to the already hudge lump I had. I don't know why, but I could not give it up. It became a quest.

Persistance paid off. I now have God in my life again. I have learned that it is NOT A RELIGION THAT SAVES ANYONE. It is just knowing and loving Jesus. I learned that there is indeed a heaven. There is so many scriptures that say so. Where was my head when I was a witnesses. Talk about being blind.

Anyway, the gist of all this babbling on is this...... don't give up. I do believe it is the holy spirit working in you. I think God has a special place in his heart for ex JW's. After all, many of them had a real desire to get to know God before this false cult got ahold of them.

Do me a favor and just read the book of John like a good book. Read it without the watchtower glasses on. Though it may seem dumb to try and pray.... get it a shot.

Don't give up in your quest for answers. If you need to know some of the stuff I found out from the bible or have a question... feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

God bless you all. gold morning

37

Double Dog Dare: My Bio

by onacruse in

(xenawarrior and minimus, take note that i am a man of my word!

chronology: i am 50. was born and raised a jw, reg pub @ 6, baptized @ 10, reg pio (b4 hs graduation) and giving public talks @ 17, went to bethel @ 18, left bethel @ 20, married (1st time) @ 21, df'd @ 29, divorced @ 30, reinstated @ 30, remarried @ 32, df'd again @ 48, divorced again @ 49. one heck of a roller-coaster, eh?.

disfellowshipping: both my df'ings were for apostasy.

gold_morning

Hi Craig,

Sorry I did not welcome you sooner. I stop in occasionally and don't post too often. When I read stories like yours it never ceases to amaze me the hurt the organization has caused. I am so sorry. It twisted me up for many many years.

We all heal differently and find avenues to venture forth. I had spent 16 years in a limbo land because of them. I really felt I could not worship or pray. I had no chruch (ooohh bad word ) to attend and just went thru the days and years empty. I lost everyone I ever knew.

For me, it ended 4 years ago when I decided to tackle it head on. I just started reading the bible with religion the furtherest thing from my mind. I dislike religion. For me, it was a real healing venture!! I just could not believe that what I was reading was so different then the JW teachings.

I stayed with God and am so grateful Jesus is my savior. Forget religion!! I just wanted to let you know that if the loving God thing bothers you, there is still hope to love and have him in your life dispite what they said. I know, I have been there. I never ever thought I could have God in my life again. It is possible.

I wish you the very best....... I mean the very best..........to all of you on the board that are hurting.

much christian love gold morning

34

Newbie

by blackrose in

hello, i am new to this board in a way.

i have been reading messages for about a month now and just got the nerve up to register an account so i can give my "two cents" once in a while.

i was raised a jw, but just recently expressed openly that i do not have plans on associating with them any longer.. anyways, not going to type my story out right now, as i do not know if any one wants to hear it.

gold_morning

Welcome!!!!

I know we would all love to hear your story. It feels good to tell it. Somehow it is part of the healing.

Giving a testimony is a powerful witness. You will be fine. You now have the freedom to move forward and search for the right answers. lots of christian love gold morning

38

Where To Start.....

by Lin in

i'm new to posting here, although i've been reading posts on this site for some time now.

i post often on silentlambs, but only now feel the desire to ask for some suggestions.

here's my situation: i was raised a jw, and i'm now 42. i left the org in '95 and was also df'd, no big deal.

gold_morning

Hi lin,

me again.

If you need to talk or have questions.. feel free to write me at

[email protected]

38

Where To Start.....

by Lin in

i'm new to posting here, although i've been reading posts on this site for some time now.

i post often on silentlambs, but only now feel the desire to ask for some suggestions.

here's my situation: i was raised a jw, and i'm now 42. i left the org in '95 and was also df'd, no big deal.

gold_morning

Wow Lin,

I know exactly what you are feeling. I was there a couple of years ago. You want to get it all straight and you want the answers all now.

Lynn, the first thing to do is just read the bible. I always tell people to just start with the book of John. Take the watchtower glasses off and just read it like a good book. Really get to know the character Jesus. As JW's we knew all "about" Jesus but we never really knew him personally. I cannot tell you what an impact it will have on you to just read it for what it is. Read it fresh.

You do not have to have all the answers to find peace and salvation. It is not all about knowledge. You cannot earn it. Infact the bible says so. Ephsians 2:8 says that it is by grace we are saved. A gift and not by works, so that no one can boast. Titus 3:5 says we are saved by his mercy not the rightous things we have done.

Jesus own words in John 5:39 has him saying that men study the scriptures to get eternal life, yet they never really knew him. So our job is to really get to know him and make him our best friend.

Believe me the rest will fall into place. We all have a very difficult time seperating religion from God. We tend to think of them as one in the same. You will not find a true religion that will save you. Only Jesus saves and that comes from knowing him and receiving the gift of life he has given us. You don;t have to do anything to receive a gift other than say thankyou.

Don't replace one religion with another. If you feel you need a neutral ground to go and worship, find a non-denominational church. I was very comfortable with that. An excellent place to start is with any Calvary Chapel. They are accorss the united states and as far as I can see and all the years i have attended, they are right on. There should be one in your area. That way you do not belong to any religion. All who attendd are merely Christians.

There is an excellent group in yahoo.........christian ex jehovah's witnesses

hhtp://groups.yahoo.com/group/christianexjehovahswitnesses

try the group. there is much support there.

agape love gold morning

18

Deprogramming

by Perfection Seeker in

i am new on here- already posted one thing about life after leaving- got great responses.

as you can see by my name "perfection seeker" i was a witness.

i am now leaving, and not a perfection seeker :-) does anyone have information on exit counseling or deprogramming?

gold_morning

Hi,

I posted a reply to another post you sent out. I hope you read it. please e-mail me at

[email protected]. I understand and have been where you are now. There is hope. I am proof of that.

You are loved very much by God. They put lies into your head that just are not true.

Please also consider looking into the yahoo group....christianexjehovahswitnesses. there is much love, support and understanding there.

Hope to hear from you..... much agape love gold_morning

11

How Sad: Obie Gonna Die ... And my Kids Too!

by obiefernandez in

for now... luis is her husband.. obie wan cubano says:.

safari chic says:.

gold_morning

Well, It may very well be true. Jesus is indeed coming again. Amen to that......but who are the bad people that are going to die???????????????? Remember that is defined by the watchtower society. Just men!!!!!!

Anyone that believes and loves Jesus WILL NEVER DIE AND HAS LIFE!! Those are Jesus words. Notice the present tense in those words. Has life!!

Salvation was open up to everyone..... not just JW's. He came for all men and loves all men. He did not replace the Jewish nation with JW's.

Acts 4:12.........."Salvation is found in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

It did not say there is no other religion under heaven by which to be saved. Religion cannot save you....only Jesus can. They are taking the place of Christ.

Titus 3:5.........."he saved us, not because of rightous things we have done, but because of His mercy."

They may preach all they want and attend all the 5 meetings a week, but religion (any religion) only makes one self-righteous. Jesus is the one that makes us righteous before God. ( Romans 3;22..."This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe") It is difficult to seperate religion from God. Untill we do, we will continue to struggle and live under the bondage of self man made reilgions. Matt 15:8..."They worship me in vain... their teachings are but words taught by men."

Don't worry about what they say.....rather......spend time getting to know the true Jesus. Love and accept Him in your heart. I mean really know HIm personally and you will have nothing to worry about.

much agape love gold morning

27

Is there life AFTER leaving?!!??!

by Perfection Seeker in

my name is melissa.

i am 33 years old.

my parents started studying when i was 5. i am trying to leave the orgainization, but keep getting pulled back in.

gold_morning

Hi Melissa,

Yes, your story sounds very much like mine. Years ago I too was disfellowshiped. Unlike you, did not find God for many years. 16 to be exact. About 4 years ago I became born again and was cured of the watchtower guilt!! It was wonderful.

My mother and family have shunned me and still do. I heard all the things from them that they say to you. My mother actually called me the whore of the devil and would have violent temper tantrums because of me. My father died also and it was a painful experience. I likewise was in the organization from the time I was 5 years old. I knew nothing else and did believe it was the truth. Our family background of Jw beliefs goes way back to my grandmother when Russel was around.

I am so happy that you found Jesus and now worship again. As far as the hurt, the only thing that helps that is empathy for them. The same empathy that Christ taught. He was never angry or bitter towards those that did not understand the REAL TRUTH. He had pity for the crowds and even on his death bed he ask God to forgive them as he really understood that they did not know what they were doing.

Look at them in different light. They are what you were!! Who can better understand how entraped they are but you yourself. Have pity and love for them. Pray for them. In a yahoo group called exjehovahswitness there are many there that have won their family memebers over with love. Check out the group. I think you will like it. There is much support and understanding there.

Love conquers all and is all. God is love. Jesus taught with the perfect form of love. Our only two commands was to love God with our whole heart and to love others in the same manner that Chirst loved us.

Sometimes we confuse hurt with guilt. Have you really gotton over the guilt thing? If not, pray about it and read the bible often......especially the book of John. It is my favorite. The more personal we get with Jesus, the clearer things become. Ask him to give you peace on this and He will grant it to you. And, remember, most of all...continue to love them.....they are so lost.

much agape love gold morning.........e-mail me if you like and need support ([email protected])

29

How do YOU deal with it??

by bad_associashun in

hello all- recently joined, had some probs getting logged in, but here at last.... anyway, the question is: for those that can relate, when your heart feels heavy from the hurt, pain, regret, sorrow, bitterness, anger... and the lost years, stolen time, forsaken friends, broken relationships, wasted energies, abandonment, and lost love weighs on you --> caused by wt org.

stress.... how do you get past it?

what heals you, brings you relief, rescues you from total worthless feelings of inadequacy, comforts your wounds, keeps you from jumping on the train tracks?.

gold_morning

Hi,

Welcome!! Many of us have been where you are now. I was disfellowshiped in the early 80's and lost everything. My family and friends. I know how you feel. I spent 16 years away from God because I really believed that I had been weeded out from the "TRUTH" and was not worthy to read my bible or pray.

About 4 years ago, I started to read my bible and could not believe how really different it was from what was taught me and what I had believed was the truth. I then tried to pray. It was not easy, but I kept at it. For the FIRST TIME I finnaly got to know the real Jesus. I was born again on October 27th 1999 and it has totally changed my life. It was not that I had the answers all at once, but rather I finally was free of the guilt to believe differently than what I had thought my whole life. I also finally had true peace.

Try reading the book of John without the watchtower glasses on. I mean, read it like a good book. Get to know the main character. It will be a real eye opener and you will be surprised how good you will feel. This reading with an open mind becomes addicting, and with the help of the holy spirit that Jesus sent for us, you will slowly become healed. I know that it sounds impossible, but it is true. You can be o.k. again and you are loved by God very much.

Jesus came for those that are lost and hurting. We were indeed like his sheep without a shepard. We were fooled into thinking that the organization was our shepard. They have tried to take the place of Christ. The bible is very clear that our only means of salvation is Jesus.

There is an excellent group in yahoo called exjehovahswitnesses. It is filled with love, understanding and true bible discission. You may enjoy it and find a way to help heal yourself.

Please don't confuse God with the Organization. They are two seperate things. Jesus sacrifice forgave all sins and not at the descrestion of a body of elders.

write me if you like. much agape love gold morning..... ([email protected])

gold_morning

Posts by gold_morning