Posts by Spike Tassel

i was only 5 and my older and wiser brother was 8. what i can remember was the muted sense of excitement we both felt in 1977. shortly after elvis died my dad announced we were moving off the island back to the scottish mainland.

i didnt connect the death of elvis with our big move, and rightly so.

Spike Tassel

for those that want a link to Besty's Part III, it's here:— http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/experiences/180380/1/Besty-Unplugged-My-Life-Story-Part-III

64

Why are people so offended by this?

by desib77 in

jw
friends

i've been doing a lot of thinking and have been leaning toward a new conclusion about god.

i'm thinking that i believe in his existance but think that he does not play an active role in our lives.

he does not cause evil but also does not bless...... what do you think?.

Spike Tassel

Yes, why accept what is far from perfect. It seems to me to be far better to wonder, especially like on JWN where someone can be affected by our wonderings, and maybe, just maybe, set something in motion that starts to fix what w'eve been wondering about.

148

"Remember, nobody can REALLY love you unless they know and love Jehovah first."

by AllTimeJeff in

"unless they know and love jehovah first.

they love "jehovah".

they discuss how to make sure that though they are in charge, everyone doesn't see them, they see the great and powerful jehovah.... oh.

Spike Tassel

If you love Jehovah with all that you are, and your neighbour as yourself, then you have nothing to worry about, and we won't have to worry about you either.

148

"Remember, nobody can REALLY love you unless they know and love Jehovah first."

by AllTimeJeff in

"unless they know and love jehovah first.

they love "jehovah".

they discuss how to make sure that though they are in charge, everyone doesn't see them, they see the great and powerful jehovah.... oh.

Spike Tassel

The conditions of righteousness and love preclude any unrighteousness and animosity on our part, as we allow Jehovah to retribute vengeance, if it is warranted at all.

117

Imperfection is irrelevant. Who has the right to rule?

by bluecanary in

we started this discussion on another thread, but i didn't want to derail the topic at hand.

here's where we stand so far:.

reniaa:.

Spike Tassel

Thank you, BlueCanary for this excellent set of questions regarding what I said. I'll do my best.

Whoever is even-handed and righteous in their understanding and application of love and its prophetic statements, and holy in their motives is Jehovah's representative, whether as an individual, as a family, as a congregation, or as a brotherhood. The Bible sets the criteria in these matters.

bluecanary: Does this include individuals, families or congregations who fit those qualifications outside of the WTS? Does it matter that the GB recognizes no one but themselves as God's representatives?

Spike Tassel: If indeed those qualifications WERE met by those OUTSIDE the WTS, then CERTAINLY Jehovah and Jesus Christ are WELL aware of this, and they will acknowledge this in THEIR own times and ways, both privately and publicly, irrespective of whomever the GB do or do NOT recognize as Jehovah's representatives.

"Doctrines" is also translated "teachings", which should all be in accord with the spirit of the Holy Scriptures, and fitting a wholistic view of the circumstances to which the teachings are applied.

bluecanary: Do I understand you correctly, that you are saying the true religion should not get any teachings wrong, but all its teachings should be in accord with the Scriptures? I'm not sure what you mean by "wholistic view of the circumstances." Does that mean that teachings can take on different meanings depending on the circumstances to which they are applied? Can you give me an example of what you mean here?

Spike Tassel: True religion is a very individual matter, since religion (i.e. judgment, judicial decision —2 Kings 17:26, NWT Ref.Bible footnote) differs, at least to some extent, depending on the individual or set of them, and their particular circumstances. Each person or group differs one from another in customs and practices, in admirable qualities and in on-going sin. The rulings must vary accordingly so that each may be brought into proper alignment with Jehovah and Jesus Christ, and thus function most beneficially for themselves and for the body as a whole.

Of course, fundamental to all of this is Christ's directive to love Jehovah whole-souled, and our neighbour (including our enemy) as ourself.

bluecanary: I think this is such an important point; I'm glad you brought it out. Question: When you can take another Scriptural directive and interpret it in different ways, shouldn't you use the interpretation that is most in harmony with those two commands?

For example, you cite the Scripture at Acts 15:28, to abstain from blood. This can be interpreted in several ways including (a) a temporary suggestion to avoid an act that could stumble certain people at that time, (b) a permanent command regarding a dietary restriction and (c) a permanent command to avoid blood even if it is a non-dietary, life-saving treatment. Which of these interpretations is in harmony with the two most important commands to love God, the Creator and lover of life, and love our fellow man who holds his life dear?

Spike Tassel: "Life-saving" can be focused solely on the temporary, sinful life in the hospital under medical care; or it can include not violating divine commands that affect our everlasting potential. Seeing that Jehovah is eternal and desires that all attain to repentance and everlasting life, I believe that it is most respectful (and harmonious with Scriptural directives in total) to avoid any purposeful mix of any 2 humans' blood for any purpose. Each one's consequences are in that one's blood. Why should I have the consequences of another's mistakes added to my own? I believe I have an abundance of mistakes to account and atone for already, without adding unknown diseases (the negative circumstances of the other) to the mix.

if two sets of judicial decisions teach the same correct points, then we choose by our obedient understanding and applications, as our spirit of holiness approaches Jehovah's, in the manner of James 4:8

bluecanary: Does this mean that God will direct you to the correct religion? Does that mean that anyone who chooses the other religion(s) did not, for some reason, have God's blessing in choosing between two religions that taught the same doctrines? If someone is sincere enough to try to choose a religion based on correct understanding of the Bible, why would God not direct them to the correct group? Unless it doesn't matter to him which group they join.

Spike Tassel: Because religion is a set of judgments (a.k.a. judicial decisions), we come into this world already under religion, the judgments and practices of parents or other care givers. Of course, harmony with Jehovah is the ideal. Thus, the command that we obey Jehovah is higher than any obedience to a human, including parents, children, or other human governance. We ought to always look beyond the words and actions of those around us, so as to have insight as to the principles from Jehovah that we ought to be governed by, and then act accordingly, moment by moment. We are directed to better choices on a somewhat haphazard basis, and we are often not aware until we exercise hindsight when we have been blessed or otherwise. Our outlook and decisions help shape the results we get. When we feel spiritually empty or demoralised, we need to trust that Jehovah is as good as His word, He DOES help the tired one to fly like an eagle, having hope and encouragement to go on, once again. Our showing love to all, friend or otherwise, is our responsibility, whether or NOT others show it to us.

38

isaacaustin's claim regarding "the Creator's promise"

by Spike Tassel in

isaacaustin: spike, you said jehovah defines false prophets...the reasoning book is man's writing.. i am well aware of the reasoning books weak attempt to deny their being a false prophets....such as 'never did they say these are the words of jehovah".

guess what?

they did say that, in calling their 1914 generation prophecy 'the creator's promise".

Spike Tassel

For those with faith, when one bubble bursts, we just blow a new one and see how pretty that new one is. We might even take a picture of it, if we can. Faith is for children, and those who become like them. Jesus loves the children, and doesn't want any to be hindered in coming to him. Jesus exemplifies Jehovah, and teaches about Him, as we can handle it. "The Creator's promise", however the description is recorded, is all about hope as well as keeping on learning about Jehovah and Jesus, and, thus, living forever. The changes and re-framing take humility to accept. Jehovah and Jesus love to teach us how to be more humble, even patiently.