Posts by TheSheppard

9

Earn $25,000 by pointing out a Scripture

by The Searcher in

to all my genuine brothers & sisters who can't/won't believe many of the things which cast aspersions on our "spirit-directed" governing body's teachings.

a simple, straightforward offer - i will contribute $25,000 to the worldwide work (or if you prefer, to the pedophile victims in our "organisation") if anyone can tell me where in the bible it talks of new scrolls?

just one point to keep in mind before trying to give the society's "view" - read jehovah's warning at revelation 22:18,19!!

TheSheppard

Let's review the scripture at Revelation 20:12 (using Young's Literal Translation):

"and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and scrolls were opened, and another scroll was opened, which is that of the life, and the dead were judged out of the things written in the scrolls -- according to their works;"

I know you are looking for the exact term "New" scrolls, but allow me to reason with some logic.

Many Bible commentaries say that these scrolls contain the records of human deeds. This explanation does not make sense if we take into account Romans 6:23 "for the wages of the sin is death, and the gift of God is life age-during in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So if our sin is paid off with death, then, how is it that those resurrected would be judged according to a book that contains their "works"? It wouldn't make sense to think that someone that is resurrected will get many chances to practice evil things before being judged, because it would make the new system just like this old filthy system of things. If they're allowed only one evil action before being judged, then these new "scrolls" would contain one line of actions by the individual. Why would you need many scrolls to say "this dude tried to kill someone and was judged on the spot and executed."? (just using it as an example).

It is logical then to think that whatever is written in these scrolls would be something along the lines of "laws" to measure the persons' actions against them. That's why the scriptures state that they are "judged out of the things written in the scrolls". Being that we don't have these scrolls right now at this moment, it is logical to say they will be "new".

And with that, I can provide my address via PM for you to send the $25k check to me. Thank you sir.

63

dirty trick at the meeting re facebook

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

my daughter told me about last weeks service meeting part on facebook.... the brother doing the parts asked for a show of hands who had a facebook account.. apparently a number of elders did.. (she did not put up her hand...in fact recently deleted all jws off her friends because she doesnt want them to know anything about her life).

i thought that was a dirty trick to pull.. oz.

.

TheSheppard

"I'll bet my left nut that after the next CO visits, 'theshepherd' no longer has facebook...nor will be here to tell us!"

Well Oz, get ready to loose it in March after our visit.

63

dirty trick at the meeting re facebook

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

my daughter told me about last weeks service meeting part on facebook.... the brother doing the parts asked for a show of hands who had a facebook account.. apparently a number of elders did.. (she did not put up her hand...in fact recently deleted all jws off her friends because she doesnt want them to know anything about her life).

i thought that was a dirty trick to pull.. oz.

.

TheSheppard

Well, I was expecting the "does anyone know you're posting this" and the "you look like a hypocrite for posting here" argument. It was a matter of when. The false prophet argument is just nonsense. I believe the organization has already addressed this so who am I to add to it? It is the year 2012, but Jehovah does not change. You call me delusional and I can call you the same thing. Does that really address anything? I will end it there, since the thread was not about me, but about social networks and what the organization says about it.

62

Do the Governing Body members ever go Door-to-Door?

by 00DAD in

in his book, in search of christian freedom, ray franz wrote that that gb members for the most part never participated in door-to-door work.

they were "too busy with more important things.

" (gee, how come that excuse wouldn't work for the rest of us?

TheSheppard

I will have to write a book :-) Seriously, I will add more details little by little. I don't want to post experiences that I cherish about friends I care about if these will be used for hatred or to mock Witnesses. So, I will decide in the future what or if I will share.

63

dirty trick at the meeting re facebook

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

my daughter told me about last weeks service meeting part on facebook.... the brother doing the parts asked for a show of hands who had a facebook account.. apparently a number of elders did.. (she did not put up her hand...in fact recently deleted all jws off her friends because she doesnt want them to know anything about her life).

i thought that was a dirty trick to pull.. oz.

.

TheSheppard

That's BS. They don't want to know who your having a conversation with. It's not like they're asking everyone to turn in their list of friends, for god's sake. You are so obsessed with crying "controlling cult" that you don't know what you're talking about. Privacy is a real issue and if you don't realize that, then you're a fool. Does the organization tell us not to associate with non jws? Actually, they don't prohibit it, but encourage us to only have necessary dealings. Is that really so wrong? That's exactly what Jehovah told the Israelites, so your problem is bigger than the organization. You're problem is with Jehovah himself.

66

Terrible conduct by congregation Elders in hospital room !

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

my uncle was rushed to the hospital last tuesday with severe stomach pain.

(he was diagnosed with colon cancer one year ago.

the doctors, family,and my uncle decided against colon surgery.

TheSheppard

Thanks Rules for clarifying further.

I agree with you tenyearsafter that they were out of line. That being said, I find that some posts or stories are told in a way that will provoke a desired sentiment that is why I sometimes look for a logical reason for someone's actions.

66

Terrible conduct by congregation Elders in hospital room !

by RULES & REGULATIONS in

my uncle was rushed to the hospital last tuesday with severe stomach pain.

(he was diagnosed with colon cancer one year ago.

the doctors, family,and my uncle decided against colon surgery.

TheSheppard

I guess on a positive note, they did take time to go visit him in the hospital and pray for him. I'm not sure I would have asked the grandson to leave the room, but non the less, the brothers were there for the brother that was dying. There is nothing written in the publications that would require a disfellowshipped individual from having to leave the room, in fact, they are encouraged to stay for the prayer when they attend meetings. What comes to my mind is what the grandson’s attitude was. Did he show he was bothered by the elders visit? Was he rolling his eyes, so to speak, while they were talking to the grandfather? Did the elders notice something disrespectful and that's why they asked him to leave the room? Again, I'm just throwing this out there. I don't know how to make sense of why they requested him to leave the room, but sometimes there are reasons behind actions.

Of course, if the post was only to incite others to hate elders, well, I guess that was accomplished.

63

dirty trick at the meeting re facebook

by Aussie Oz in

jw
friends

my daughter told me about last weeks service meeting part on facebook.... the brother doing the parts asked for a show of hands who had a facebook account.. apparently a number of elders did.. (she did not put up her hand...in fact recently deleted all jws off her friends because she doesnt want them to know anything about her life).

i thought that was a dirty trick to pull.. oz.

.

TheSheppard

How is that a dirty trick? I had that part also and asked the same question. In fact, I included several other social network sites. This is what I asked, "how many of you regularly use facebook, linkedin, twitter or other social network sites?". More than half the congregation raised their hands, including myself from the platform. Then I proceeded to tell them that due to the popularity of these sites, it was wise for the Faithful and Discreet Slave to publish some warnings and counsel in the Awake magazine. These online tools are becoming a daily necessity in some cases. I explained how online businesses are now using social network sites to promote their websites. Then I used the illustration in the Awake about driving a car and how many are irresponsible drivers, even endangering other drivers. But, I said, it doesn't make it wrong to drive a car if we are wise and careful drivers. I applied this to social networks and told the congregation we were not there to prohibit their use, but only to discuss logical concerns about privacy and associations.

From what I hear in our area, similar explanations were given in other congregations. So, even though you were bothered by the questioned asked from the platform, you did not write what the speaker said the rest of the talk. Could it have been something similar to what I said? Look, I understand some of the concerns posted on this site, but you have to be careful not to desperately attempt to criticize so quickly.

22

Is the Oct 30 WT study a Prelude to a Tithing towards the Soc.

by Quarterback in

it felt weird discussing this topic this week about this term, "share" of the levites.

.

some made comments that alluded to the financial assistance that we are currently doing towards sponsoring the bethels around the world.. i wouldn't be surprised that a new thought comes out soon about that ten percent rule.. .

TheSheppard

designs: While it is true that some of the Bethelites have been reassigned as special pioneers, they are not all older "workers" as you refer to them. Some younger bethelites have also been reassigned to the field as pioneers. The "older workers" are taken care of. Recently, the branch sent out a survey to all congregations asking if there where homes or apartments for these older ones being reassigned. Most of these homes are provided at no cost to them. One example is in our circuit. A brother donated an older home, basically falling apart. The RBC got involved and renovated the whole house and one of the older couples, reassigned as special pioneers, are living there now. So not too bad at all.

As for using the vacated branch buildings as you describe, that might seem like a good idea, but the GB is focused on advancing the preaching work, not running shelters and things of that nature. While that help is certainly helpful, that is not what we do. I can certainly understand you taking exception to these decisions, but I can only point to the Christ's instructions on making desciples. That is the work that Jehovah's Witnesses are mainly focused on.

62

Do the Governing Body members ever go Door-to-Door?

by 00DAD in

in his book, in search of christian freedom, ray franz wrote that that gb members for the most part never participated in door-to-door work.

they were "too busy with more important things.

" (gee, how come that excuse wouldn't work for the rest of us?

TheSheppard

dozy: What you said is true, but Bethel service is already considered "full-time service". I know bethelites that love service and they auxiliaried pioneer several months of the year in addition to their bethel service.