Chalam

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Posts by Chalam

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  40

  So… according to the Jun 15 WT, Jesus ransom sacrifice only applies to the “anointed class” a.k.a the GB.

  by onemore in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  ive noticed for a while now (especially at the assemblies) the frequent use of the term: jehovahs friends whenever they referr to the second class christian, ahem....great crowd, aka the non-anointed christian with earthly hope.

  even in some wt studies they often throw in phrases like seeking friendship with jehovah, our friend jehovah, etc.

  so, the subtle message is clear, the great crowd are not children of god, they are friends of god.

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  Chalam

  So, the subtle message is clear, the Great Crowd are not children of God, they are “friends” of God.

  A few verses shoot down the WT falsehood like an Uzzi :)

  John 1:9-13 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

  9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

  10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

  Galatians 3:22-29 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

  22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

  23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ [ a ] that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

  Sons of God

  26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  Footnotes:

  1. Galatians 3:24 Or charge until Christ came

  Romans 8:12-17 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)

  12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. [ a ] And by him we cry, “Abba, [ b ] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

  Footnotes:

  1. Romans 8:15 Or adoption
  2. Romans 8:15 Aramaic for Father

  Blessings in Christ, Stephen
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  12

  "Leaving Amish Paradise" TONIGHT 16th.Mch. BBC2 21.00hrs GMT

  by wobble in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the above programme, a follow up to one that was made about a schism in the amish religion, follows two families as they try to make a go of living in the real world .. the shunning practised by the amish is featured, it should be interesting..

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  Chalam

  Hello all!

  Just watched this on BBC iPlayer and thought I post here but wobble was on the case already :)

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00zmdg8/Leaving_Amish_Paradise/

  The striking parallels with JWism are clear.

  Hope you are well.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen xx
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  38

  Changing seasons, time to say goodbye...

  by Chalam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello jwners,.

  well a lot of things have been happening in my personal life.. my wife and i have been through several trials, our youngest who was born with a rare condition will be four this month and last year my wife got the "all clear" from cancer :).

  financially, there have been changes too, some regular work from the last five years finished back in june of last year and the lord has been long encouraging me to use some talents he gave me once again.

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  Chalam

  thenoblelodge, I looked that dream up.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/194974/5/Had-any-Dreams-Lately-you-Want-to-Share-What-Meanings-do-you-Get

  For sure, that was awesome! I just read it and it I felt goosebumps all over again :)

  May you have many more such wonderful revelations.

  Take note of what you receive, even if you don't understand it right away. Don't forget to pray into them! For sure, they are a gift from the Lord.

  Every blessing in Christ,

  Stephen
• 
  38

  Changing seasons, time to say goodbye...

  by Chalam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello jwners,.

  well a lot of things have been happening in my personal life.. my wife and i have been through several trials, our youngest who was born with a rare condition will be four this month and last year my wife got the "all clear" from cancer :).

  financially, there have been changes too, some regular work from the last five years finished back in june of last year and the lord has been long encouraging me to use some talents he gave me once again.

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  Chalam

  Once again, thanks to all the kind and encouraging messages!

  Great to see many old friends (and some new ones too) at my leaving party :)

  "Cheers!"

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 
  38

  Changing seasons, time to say goodbye...

  by Chalam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello jwners,.

  well a lot of things have been happening in my personal life.. my wife and i have been through several trials, our youngest who was born with a rare condition will be four this month and last year my wife got the "all clear" from cancer :).

  financially, there have been changes too, some regular work from the last five years finished back in june of last year and the lord has been long encouraging me to use some talents he gave me once again.

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  Chalam

  Many thanks again for all the kind messages. Love and kindness to you all.

  Outlaw, let's see how strong my resolve is! This place is certainly magnetic. I feel a verse or two coming on (from The Message just because it is Sylvia's favourite),

  Matthew 5:36-37 (The Message)

  Empty Promises

  33-37 "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 
  38

  Changing seasons, time to say goodbye...

  by Chalam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello jwners,.

  well a lot of things have been happening in my personal life.. my wife and i have been through several trials, our youngest who was born with a rare condition will be four this month and last year my wife got the "all clear" from cancer :).

  financially, there have been changes too, some regular work from the last five years finished back in june of last year and the lord has been long encouraging me to use some talents he gave me once again.

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  Chalam

  Many thanks for all the messages and the love :)

  For sure, my emotions are being stirred up!

  If anyone needs my email address then feel free to PM me.

  I will send a few PMs too.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 
  38

  Changing seasons, time to say goodbye...

  by Chalam in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello jwners,.

  well a lot of things have been happening in my personal life.. my wife and i have been through several trials, our youngest who was born with a rare condition will be four this month and last year my wife got the "all clear" from cancer :).

  financially, there have been changes too, some regular work from the last five years finished back in june of last year and the lord has been long encouraging me to use some talents he gave me once again.

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  Chalam

  Hello JWNers,

  Well a lot of things have been happening in my personal life.

  My wife and I have been through several trials, our youngest who was born with a rare condition will be four this month and last year my wife got the "all clear" from cancer :)

  Financially, there have been changes too, some regular work from the last five years finished back in June of last year and the Lord has been long encouraging me to use some talents He gave me once again. I have a great prophetic dream towards the end of last year which was a great encouragement so I have been feeling for a while that this year is time for pastures new.

  In the midst of testing we have received much blessing. Although there was no spare money, the Lord got us a grant to convert our loft space into a bedroom for our son who has shared our bedroom, something we weren't even seeking ourselves! When the idea was birthed I knew it was a gift from our Heavenly Father and after some time waiting (and a little contenting for it to 'come to pass') they started building work a couple of weeks back :)

  Anyhow, I had been winding down my postings on here a bit, as some of you might have noticed. Then, last Wednesday I received a prophecy from a lady at our church as we met midweek at someone's house. She told me I had taken responsibility for three or four things (two being intertwined) but they weren't actually my responsibility. I asked her if she knew what they were. She told me to seek the Lord during the week and confer next week. As it was she said she only had an idea about what one or two of the things were.

  The first thing that came to mind was this place. I feel a responsibility to stand up for Christ here, to help those who have found Him and point the way to the others who are looking. However, it is not first and foremost my responsibility, they are His sheep and He will call them and shepherd them as He chooses! Sure, I have some pastoral gifting and calling to disciple and teach but there are other gifts I need to focus on. Interestingly, the prophetess from church is an exJW so my guess is she will have had an insight into my JW "responsibility", I'll find out this Wednesday no doubt :)

  Even small things are happening in the change. Our TV died just before new year and we feel no rush to replace it. Our daughter can certainly watch far too much and the old pattern of my wife watching TV of an evening and me surfing the internet had now changed. As a family we are enjoying no TV and much conversation and fun together. In fact, someone else had a prophetic vision of us as a family before about October or November time doing just that, they saw us running through a field of corn, smiling and laughing. I am more than pleased how quickly that one has come to pass, dead TV and all :)

  So, I will be sad to go in one sense. I have had many good times on here and made some great friends and many more acquaintances. I have learned probably too much about JWs, their culture, their thinking and their kingdom. The Lord has given me a heart for them and those who have suffered at the hands of the WT, the pain and the wounds. However, He has long been saying there are other sheep which are not of this particular flock He wants me to show His love to as well.

  My "JW" involvement has been great for my own faith. It got me searching for questions in scripture and asking the Lord for the answers. I am far more assured of my own salvation than ever before. That hope is Christ. I have come from a place around five or so years ago where I has pretty my zero faith and where I thought Jesus was a bit cheesy to where I think He is the coolest dude who walked the planet. Jesus will polarize opinion, there is really no middle ground. I have learned many things too. I cannot do a thing without Him. I cannot open people's eyes by myself. I can only listen and serve. I have tried to listen more and more to His voice and avoid the circular and pointless debate that I got wrapped up in earlier on in my life on here.

  In many ways, being active on a forum like this is quite time consuming. I guess that I have likely spent in the units of thousands of hours posting on JWN and moreover reading posts. This place is quite compelling and indeed it has probably mastered me too often rather than I mastering my coming here.

  Anyhow, I will be around for a little while, no doubt, saying goodbyes and such. I won't mention people by name now in case I miss anyone but you know who you are :)

  As ever, I hope and pray every blessing in Christ be upon you all.

  Much love,

  Stephen xx
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  55

  Need help with a shepherding call!

  by brotherdan in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  so the elders are coming by for a shepherding call on tuesday.

  i am not ready to "out" myself just yet.

  i don't know how to act when they are there.

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  Chalam

  Mark 13:9-13 (New Century Version)

  9 "You must be careful. People will arrest you and take you to court and beat you in their synagogues. You will be forced to stand before kings and governors, to tell them about me. This will happen to you because you follow me. 10 But before these things happen, the Good News must be told to all people. 11 When you are arrested and judged, don't worry ahead of time about what you should say. Say whatever is given you to say at that time, because it will not really be you speaking; it will be the Holy Spirit.

  12 "Brothers will give their own brothers to be killed, and fathers will give their own children to be killed. Children will fight against their own parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 All people will hate you because you follow me, but those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved.

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 
  25

  Lack of Windows on KH

  by Band on the Run in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  when i active, kh had windows.

  the classier one had glass walls.

  i notice as i go about urban areas that they no longer have windows.

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  Chalam

  They love the darkness. They don't want any light in there if possible.

  John 8:12 (New International Version, ©2010)

  12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

  Blessings in Christ,

  Stephen
• 
  18

  Is the salutation ... "Are you in The Truth?" ... still in use?

  by Lion Cask in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the title is the question.

  when i was actively studying with the witnesses back in the mid 70's i was often asked that question.

  i guess it was a reflection of the crowd i was hanging around with and the fact that i was a friendly at the time, but on reflection i haven't been asked the question for eons.

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  Chalam

  "Do you still like Kool-Aid?"

  Personally I prefer the Living Water :)

  Keep refreshed,

  Stephen