Welcome dig692! - Look forward to reading more of your posts!!
LUKEWARM
JoinedPosts by LUKEWARM
-
26
Hi, I'd like to introduce myself
by dig692 inafter several months of searching these forums i finally decided to join.
i have to say i feel both nervous and excited at the same time.
but everything i have looked into so far has helped me come to many realizations about the organization so i'm overall very glad to have joined.
-
-
-
74
COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE WT STUDY 09-07-08 (HOUSE TO HOUSE MINISTR
by Mary in" (this would harmonize with matt 10:9 that tells them not to take any money with them).
" the interpretation of the acts of the apostles, 1961, pp.120-21.
it became evident, however, that further personal training in the house-to-house ministry was needed.
-
-
LUKEWARM
Brilliant analysis Mary and thanks for posting this!!!
It reminded me of what Ray Franz wrote in his book, In search of Christian Freedom, on page 460:
"In actuality, the lack of any formal program and the apparent spontaneity and individual motivation of the first-century Christians are what are most remarkable in the accounts we do find in the Bible. We find only the barest of suggestions of what their meetings were like and no indication of any methodology or systematization in their proclaiming of the good news.
I recall that during the years I served in circuit and district overseer activity, I used to puzzle over this when preparing the "service talks" that were a regular feature of the weekly program when visiting congregations. I wanted to prepare talks that were scriptural, but it seemed so difficult to find scriptures that even faintly reflected the kind of "organised service" urged by the headquarters in its publications. I found it hard to understand how the apostles Peter, Paul and John and the disciples James and Jude, could write entire letters to congregations and never say anything stressing the need for the readers of those letters to get out and go from door to door, nothing about organised witnessing arrangements at scheduled times, about putting in more hours in the "field service" or similar approaches or topics, all things regularly stressed in the Watch Tower Society's publications. The letters of the apostles and disciples seemed deficient according to the viewpoint that had been developed in me.
It eventually became clear, after some decades, that the real problem lay with the viewpoint inculcated in me, a viewpoint that actually perverted the first century record, manipulating it to make it say something it did not actually say. From the broad principle that all Christians should share the good news, deductions are made to support and cover virtually every aspect of the organizations systematised approach to worship and preaching. But those deductions are unjustified, as indicated by the absence of corroborative evidence in the scriptures themselves. The systematised, highly programmed approach to Christianity that has developed bears greater resemblance to that of a large sales organization that to the first-century Christian congregation and its simple, uncomplicated worship and service to God." -
28
Latest CO Service talk: How much do you appreciate Jehovahs provision of the Faithful Slave
by LUKEWARM inapparently the latest circuit overseer service talks are entitled:.
(1) "how much do you appreciate jehovah's provision of the faithful slave".
(2) "directed by god's spirit in our ministry".
-
-
LUKEWARM
Apparently the latest circuit overseer service talks are entitled:
(1) "How much do you appreciate Jehovah's provision of the Faithful Slave"
(2) "Directed by God's Spirit in Our Ministry"Unfortunately, due to family reasons I will be attending these 'faith strenghtening' talks... :(
Anyone heard of these or can shed some light on their contents?
Lukewarm -
31
EMBRACE THE HYPROCRISY
by BonaFide ini respect those that have made up their mind, and left jw's and started a new life.
i have thought long and hard about this, and read hundreds of your posts.. for now, i am going to stay in, and try to little by little help my family and friends get out.
this could be a complete wimp-out, spineless move on my part, or it could be that i have the guts and the tenacity to really help people to get free while i am still in.
-
-
LUKEWARM
I blew my chance to get my family out. I went off like a loose cannon when I found out the truth. Now they turn their brain off as soon as I open my mouth.
If anyone wants to get their family and friends out of this cult, they should seriously consider the option of being the last one out.
There is nothing hypocritical about that. It is one of the few effective weapons in the war for their freedom.Well said Black Sheep!
While I'm around, I think of all the people I am hurting by not sharing what I have learned here...
I'm not willing to share the blood guilt of the WBTS by continuing to keep silent - my responsibility as a Christian is to "make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine" (1 Thes 5:21).This is my responsibility to God so I think, while I am around, getting people to see the truth is a worthy goal.
-
31
DF'D WITNESS GETS THE BETTER OF DUB
by Mary inoh man, this is hilarious.......a friend of mine who left the borg a few years ago and is now df'd, was making a delivery (he's a truck driver) to a company where they're all witnesses.
he knew they were dubs, but they had no idea he used to be one.
as he was finishing his delivery, one of them says to him "did you know that jesus did not celebrate his birthday on december 25th?
-
-
LUKEWARM
This is Gold!
-
1
How Can You Survive the End of the World....is there a scan available of this new tract?
by insearchoftruth in -
-
-
18
Someone who doesn't appreciate the WBTS latest tract campaign
by Mickey mouse ini quite like the letter of complaint.
.
-
-
LUKEWARM
Please, NOT another tract campaign!
More evidence that Brooklyn is so out of touch here.
JW's cannot even place the latest WT or Awake with people, so how many are going to take time off to listen to this talk??
I'm sure the JW's in my hall will not be thrilled with this, although the WTS seems to has fallen in love with these campaigns...
-
91
BREAKING NEWS: WATCHTOWER IS STILL A MEMBER OF UN- SOURCE SAYS.
by Scott77 ini have read today this quote from one member on facebook going by the name of ruth eeker.. .
based on her quote, she states that "as well in regards to the un, the society has various name versions registered still in the un.
so they are still not completely out of the supposed beast!".
-
-
LUKEWARM
The only thing that would break me with JEHOVAH's WITNESSES (you can keep calling them by their magazine if you like but I do not recognise that loading of the question) IS If they bowed down to public pressure and followed the trinitarian False God and started putting cross idols in the Kingdom Halls.
Wow - You are very tolerant Reinaa!!
-
9
Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 15 June 2009
by LUKEWARM in***lv chap.
6 pp.
62-65 how to choose wholesome entertainment***.
-
-
LUKEWARM
***lv chap. 6 pp. 62-65 How to Choose Wholesome Entertainment***
Chapter6 - How to Choose Wholesome Entertainment
"Do all things for God's glory."-1 CORINTHIANS 10:31.
Q1,2. What choice do we need to make regarding entertainment?IMAGINE that you are about to eat a tasty piece of fruit but then notice that a part of it is rotten. What will you do? Well, you could eat the entire fruit, even the bad part; you could throw away the entire fruit, including the bad part; or you could cut the bad part out of the fruit and enjoy the good part. What choice will you make?
2 In a way, entertainment is like that fruit. At times, you want to enjoy some recreation, but you realize that much of the entertainment available today is morally bad, even rotten. So, what will you do? Some might tolerate what is bad and swallow whatever entertainment this world has to offer. Others might avoid all entertainment to make sure that they will not be exposed to anything harmful. Still others might carefully avoid entertainment that is harmful but occasionally enjoy that which is relatively wholesome. What choice should you make in order to keep yourself in God's love?
"What choice should you make" would have been better rephrased to "What choice will you make" as the Christian should be encouraged to make his own decisions based on his conscience and Christian principles rather than being told what to do
Q3. What will we now consider?3 Most of us would select the third option. We appreciate the need for some recreation but want to limit our entertainment to what is morally sound. Therefore, we need to consider how we can determine what is wholesome and what is not. First, though, let us discuss what effect our choice of entertainment can have on the worship we render to Jehovah.
"DO ALL THINGS FOR GOD'S GLORY"
Q4. How should our dedication affect our choice of entertainment?4 Some time ago, an elderly Witness who was baptized in 1946 observed: "I have made it a point to be present at every baptism talk and to listen carefully, as if it were my own baptism." Why? He explained, "Keeping my dedication fresh has been an important step in remaining faithful." You will doubtless agree with that sentiment. Reminding yourself that you promised Jehovah you would use your entire life to serve him motivates you to endure. (Ecclesiastes 5:4; Hebrews 10:7) In fact, meditating on your dedication will affect your view not only of the Christian ministry but also of all other areas of life-including entertainment. The apostle Paul underlined that truth when he wrote to Christians in his day: "Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God's glory."-1 Corinthians 10:31.
"I have made it a point to be present at every baptism talk and to listen carefully, as if it were my own baptism." - Wonder what he thinks of the change of the baptism questions, namely:
Pre 1985:
(1) Have you recognized yourself as a sinner and needing salvation from Jehovah God? And have you acknowledged that this salvation proceeds from him and through his ransomer, Christ Jesus?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to Jehovah God, to do his will henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God's Word as his holy spirit makes it plain?
After 1985:
(1) On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
(2) Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?
"Keeping my dedication fresh has been an important step in remaining faithful." - Dedication and faithfulness to God or to the "commands of men" imposed by the leadership of the WTS?
"meditating on your dedication will affect your view...of the Christian ministry" - Another plug for the ministry in an article discussing entertainment!
How many witnesses know about this information about house-to-house?
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/165144/1/COMMENTS-YOU-WILL-NOT-HEAR-AT-THE-WT-STUDY-09-07-08-HOUSE-TO-HOUSE-MINISTRQ5. How does Leviticus 22:18-20 help us to see the implicit warning behind Romans 12:1?5 Everything you do in life is related to your worship of Jehovah. In his letter to the Romans, Paul used a forceful expression to impress this truth upon fellow believers. He urged them: "Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason." (Romans 12:1) Your body includes your mind, your heart, and your physical strength. All of these, you use in serving God. (Mark 12:30) Paul speaks of such whole-souled service as a sacrifice. That expression contains an implicit warning. Under the Mosaic Law, a sacrifice that was blemished was rejected by God. (Leviticus 22:18-20) Similarly, if a Christian's spiritual sacrifice is tainted in some way, it will be rejected by God. How, though, could that happen?
Who was Paul talking to according to WTS? If it's the anointed then how do these words apply to the great crowd?
"...if a Christian's spiritual sacrifice is tainted in some way, it will be rejected by God" - So they speak for God again! Where is the forgiveness of sins on the basis of Christ's ransom sacrifice? Only God decides this based on a person's heart not some corporate lawyer of the WTS.
Q6,7. How could a Christian taint his body, and what could be the consequences?6 Paul admonished the Christians in Rome: "Do not...go on presenting your members ["parts of your body," New International Version] to sin." Paul also told them to "put the practices of the body to death." (Romans 6:12-14; 8:13) Earlier in his letter, he had given some examples of such "practices of the body." Regarding sinful mankind, we read: "Their mouth is full of cursing." "Their feet are speedy to shed blood." "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:13-18) A Christian would blemish his body if he used his "members," or body parts, for such sinful practices. For instance, if a Christian today deliberately views such depraved material as pornography or watches sadistic violence, he is "presenting [his eyes] to sin" and is thus tainting his whole body. Any worship that he renders amounts to a sacrifice that is no longer holy and is unacceptable to God. (Deuteronomy 15:21; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2 Peter 3:11) What a high price to pay for pursuing unwholesome entertainment!
[his eyes] - Why do they always add to the Bible?
7 Clearly, a Christian's choice of entertainment has weighty consequences. Surely, then, we want to choose entertainment that will enhance, not taint, our sacrifice to God. Let us now discuss how we can determine what is wholesome and what is not.
"ABHOR WHAT IS WICKED"
Q8,9. (a)Entertainment can be broadly divided into what two categories? (b)What forms of entertainment do we reject, and why?8 In broad terms, entertainment can be divided into two categories. One includes entertainment that Christians definitely avoid; the other is made up of entertainment that Christians may or may not find acceptable. Let us start by considering the first category-entertainment that Christians avoid.
9 As noted in Chapter 1, some forms of entertainment highlight activities expressly condemned in the Bible. Think, for example, of Web sites as well as movies, TV programs, and music that have sadistic or demonistic content or that contain pornography or promote vile, immoral practices. Since such degraded forms of entertainment portray in a positive light activities that violate Bible principles or break Bible laws, they should be shunned by true Christians. (Acts 15:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Revelation 21:8) By rejecting such unwholesome entertainment, you prove to Jehovah that you truly "abhor what is wicked" and consistently "turn away from what is bad." That way, you have "faith without hypocrisy."-Romans 12:9; Psalm 34:14; 1 Timothy 1:5.
Where is the mention of Jesus and the principles he taught?
Is this the WTS example of "faith without hypocrisy"?
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/176262/1/BREAKING-NEWS-WATCHTOWER-IS-STILL-A-MEMBER-OF-UN-SOURCE-SAYS -
91
BREAKING NEWS: WATCHTOWER IS STILL A MEMBER OF UN- SOURCE SAYS.
by Scott77 ini have read today this quote from one member on facebook going by the name of ruth eeker.. .
based on her quote, she states that "as well in regards to the un, the society has various name versions registered still in the un.
so they are still not completely out of the supposed beast!".
-
-
LUKEWARM
Reniaa,
Like I said, LOYAL AND FAITHFULL JW'S in my cong after examining the evidence about the WTS UN involvement are disappointed, some even discussed (I have spoken to 6 couples about this and sent them links). When I sent some of them links to this OSCE involvement they could not believe it as they know how embarrassing it was for the WTS to withdraw its association with the UN some years ago.
The double standards and the apparent hypocricy was what upset them the most as the publications constantly harp on not being part of the world - not unnecessarily involving ourselves in worldly affairs but to look to Jah to solve our problems in his due time which is at hand, and then this info.
My only wish is that more of this comes to light for the average witness. Judging from the responses I have encountered from the ones I have spoken to, I can assure you they will not be prepared to be as dismissive about the seriousness of this matter to the extent you have