Posts by Jim

19

Tech49...Experiences

by Tech49 in

jw
friends

so given the amount of focus on things that we can be angry or upset about, or how we have been wronged or abused.... i thought it was time for a bit of a change.. how about sharing some fun experiences?!!

ok, i will start.

i promised, in my opening post the other day, that i would share some that have happened over the years.

Jim_TX

I was a teenager at the time I did this one. I was a quiet person, and reserved - and introverted, so it was unlike me to do this.

I was getting in to electronics, reading everything that I could get my hands on - especially if it was free. This was in the mid-70's when there was no internet, so things worked differently back then.

I had a facination with LEDs (which were relatively new commercially), and was also fascinated with flashing the LEDs using minimal current. I had lots of time, and spent a few weeks developing a small flashing tie-clip. I started by using an older tie-clip, and drilling a small hole in it. I then placed an LED through the hole, and bent the leads over on the backside.

The leads then went to a pair of wires that I had from a donor earphone. The older kind that had a 2.5mm plug on the end. I scavenged a mating receptacle from an old transistor radio. The LM555 IC I used was wired up in a mode to charge a capacitor and then flash the LED about once per second. The electronics were housed in a small 1-inch square by 1/4-inch thick little plastic box that a phonograph needle had come in.

The 9-volt battery was in a separate box that a radio tube came in. It had its' own wiring that went to the small 1-inch plastic box.

Anyway, all of this sounds like a lot, but I was proud of my 'micro' circuitry skills. To implement this LED Tie-clip flasher, I had to first clip the tie-clip onto my tie, then run the wiring down the inside of my shirt to the plastic housing. From there, I had a pair of wires that went to the battery box that had an ON/OFF switch on it. The battery box was in my pants pocket where I could turn the flasher on and off unnoticed.

since I was so introverted, I almost didn't go through with wearing this, but figured that if I didn't want to turn it on, at least I had worn it to a meeting.

It was a Thursday night meeting that I chose to wear the tie-clip flasher to. I didn't turn it on during the meeting, or if I did, the only person to see it would have been the person on the stage. Since I was in the back, I don't think they would have seen it from up there, that far away.

After the meeting, I would turn it on, and it would start winking and blinking. I would not say anything, but people would do a lot of double takes. When they would look, I would discretely turn it off, and it would just look like a small translucent stone attached to my tie-clip.

I had a few people ask me about it, and I would confess and tell them, "Yes, it's a flashing LED." Now days those things are common, but back in 1975 or so, they hadn't even invented the LED watch, yet. But, they would nod, and say something like, "I thought so." not really sure what an LED was.

There was one fella - Bob Cr*** - who was a company man. Very strict. He was talking to another fella, and I was able to get in front of Bob, and turn on the LED flasher. *wink* *wink* *wink* away it went. Well, Bob saw it, but for some reason he refused to process it and acknowledge it. I tried several times. He never would admit that he saw anything.

I thought that was funny as heck.

I know that sounds mild or tame, but back then... for me... I was really rebellious doing something like that. Yessiree!

I still have that tie-clip... somewhere in storage.

Regards,

Jim TX

25

Your Baptism

by Aunt Fancy in

jw
friends

we have been going through our literature and throwing away a lot of it which feels great.

my hubby came cross the program from my baptism in 1986. the divine peace dc held in the astrodome in houston, tx.

he always wrote the attendance and the amount baptized so on that day there were 30,894 in attendance nd 531 baptized!

Jim_TX

I don't remember much of anything about my baptism. I used to have it written down on something... but that has long gone - probably to the dumpster.

I know it was in Ingram, TX at a private home in February - or one of those colder months. The assy was in Kerrville. I don't remember much else about it.

JWOP I have never heard of a KH with a baptismal pool.

Well, they used to make all KH's (or most of the older ones) with those behind the stage. The local Harlandale KH had one. Most people didn't know about it, they didn't publicize it too much.

I remember an Assy locally - I think that it must've been a District one, that was held downtown at the San Antonio Convention Center Arena (before they demolished it). It was probably around 1977-ish. I believe that I was driving my 'new' 1972 Chrysler New Yorker. That thing could drink the gas! (But it looked soooo cool!)

Anyway, I got on the list somehow to drive some of the baptizees to the baptism 'pool' that was at the Harlandale kh. I got 2 or 3 to ride with me, and it was like a funeral procession going the few miles from downtown to just south of downtown to the kh.

I _do_ remember that baptism... there was a young gal that I was sweet on that was getting baptized there. She didn't ride in my car, but I knew her through my sister who was teaching sign language - and she was a 'pupil'. (I don't remember her name anymore... it has gone like so many other things)

So - she was in line to get dipped, and I noticed that she forgot to take the pretty white bow out of her hair. I motioned to her, pointing to her bow, and she remembered - and took it off - so it wouldn't get wet.

She never knew I liked her - I think she had eyes for some other feller.

The ride back to the assy site was just me in my car. Everyone else had family, or friends take them back.

Regards,

Jim TX

120

Why do the GB need a new Bethel compound if the end is so close? Here is the "official" answer

by sir82 in

jw
friends

as most of us know, the society is spending 10's of millions of dollars on a giant, state of the art, secluded bunker country club headquarters in very remote, isolated warwick ny.. the question that "some" have is, why?

if armageddon is coming "very soon", why go to all that time & effort & expense?

why have thousands of jws dedicating their time to this massive effort instead of the "lifesaving ministry"?.

Jim_TX

In an effort to squelch the rumblings that some may have, I forsee a 'watchtower' study article coming out in the near future, based upon Lot fleeing out of the corrupt city.

There will be analogies made between the 'faithful' and Lot's wife who turned to look back.

Coming to a watchtower near you.

22

A judge bans a child being called Messiah

by usualusername in

jw
friends

bbc news - us judge changes baby's name from messiah to martin.

what right does this judge have to change a babies name?

jerk.

Jim_TX

As someone else pointed out, there are other names that are used - and they are not banned.

Locally, I know that I grew up with several kids named Jesus (pronounced hey-suse). Others thought nothing of it, as it is a common name in the Mexican culture.

Just like the name Mary or Joseph.

Of course, I've never met anyone named 'God'.

As an aside, I know that it is quite common for immigrants coming to the US to get 'renamed', so to speak. Chinese in particular. At the point of entry, they are told, 'Your name is now... {newname}."

At least that's what one Chinese fella told me. When I asked him what his Chinese name was, I sort of understood why.

My first question to the above referenced news item is - Where is the seperation of Church and State? I think that the judge overstepped this, and will be told so, in an appeal.

Regards,

Jim TX

37

HELP NEEDED for the book I'm writing!

by Terry in

i'm about 90% finished on a book i started nine years ago.

it will deal with jehovah's witness policy on conscientious objectors during war time.

from the 1800's through the end of the draft in the early 1970's.. i am also giving a personal biographical account of my own introduction to the religion, process of assimilation and ministry experience.. additionally, i'm working in timelines connecting the 2nd adventist teachings with russell, rutherford and mainstream watchtower doctrines.. .

Jim_TX

The conscience thing goes beyond what 'mother' says - if you like the color green, and wear it, but it 'offends' someone else's conscience, then you have to abandon wearing the color green. (Note: the example is made up, to give you the idea.)

One is/was always having to avoid 'stumbling' someone else, just because they are too sensitive, or whatever, and it could be over something as simple as wearing the color green. Utter BS.

24

Isn`t it ludicrous women can be king/queen preists in heaven and rule with jesus in heaven,yet be silent and submissive to males in the congrgations ?

by smiddy in

is this just another example of the bible being inconsistent/contradictory ?

or is it screwed up wt.theology.. what`s your thoughts.

smiddy.

Jim_TX

Personally, I think this is why that most of the supposed 'annointed' that I knew when growing up as a JW were females. I rarely met, or saw, or heard of, a male 'annointed'.

I believe that women in the JW organization may have felt that this was the only way that they would get any 'power' in that religion.

37

HELP NEEDED for the book I'm writing!

by Terry in

i'm about 90% finished on a book i started nine years ago.

it will deal with jehovah's witness policy on conscientious objectors during war time.

from the 1800's through the end of the draft in the early 1970's.. i am also giving a personal biographical account of my own introduction to the religion, process of assimilation and ministry experience.. additionally, i'm working in timelines connecting the 2nd adventist teachings with russell, rutherford and mainstream watchtower doctrines.. .

Jim_TX

Terry,

I think that slimboyfat has spoken very well. But if you insist on adding material, I think that many folks do not realize that many JWs put their lives on 'hold' waiting for that one event that will change their lives forever - Armageddon.

Many JWs do not get married. (Not until the 'New System'.)

Many JWs that are married, do not have children. (Not until the 'New System'.)

Many JWs do not get college educations.

Many JWs go door-knocking and do it full-time, waiting for this event, that will change their - and everyone elses' lives forever.

Many JWs put off getting health taken care of - waiting.

Many JWs put off... well, you get the picture.

Any day now. It's coming. In our lifetime. We won't grow up. We won't grow old. We won't... <cough> <wheeze> <expire>

Well, too late for that one... but their children, for sure won't... <repeat cycle>

45

Do you remember your Baptism Talk?

by bildad in

jw
friends

do you remember anything from your baptism talk or the brother who gave it?.

Jim_TX

No, I don't remember much from back then. I was probably around 19 or 20 years old... it was at a Circuit Assembly... in the early Spring, I believe, because it was cooler temperatures.

The assembly was in Kerrville, TX. The baptism was held in a private home in a heated pool of some sort. The changing arrangements... I don't remember.

I don't remember the talk, nor the day. I know we were told that we should remember it, but I don't. I wrote it down someplace, in a book or something, but since I don't have those anymore... oh, well.

Flash forward about 20 years. I am married to a JW, I am inactive, my daughter gets old enough to get baptized. She, of course wants me to see her get baptized (so does the wife). Well, I ask when it will be. It is at a local site, that I knew well, as I had learned all of the side and back doors to the place when I was still a JW.

They tell me the time that the talk starts, and I add a few minutes to that to allow for the droning of the talk... and decide what time to be there.

It was in downtown San Antonio, so I find a place to park, and walk on over to the Colliseum. Lots of people there, a few are milling around outside. I check a few of the exits, and then go in the front, up the long series of steps. I was a bit nervous. I didn't know what I would do if I spotted someone that I knew.

Thank goodness it was dark inside, as I walked in. The fella was still droning on, and finally the group of baptizees stood up. They did their vows, and then started filing out to go downstairs to the pool.

I slipped out and went down to watch. I got to see not only my daughter, but one of her cousins get baptized. I then quietly left - as quietly as I came in.

Much later, we were visiting my mom's house. My mom was one of those 'holier than thou' type of people - or at least at this visit, she was.

She made the mistake of snapping at me, "You didn't even see your daughter get baptized!" with a smug look on her face.

"Yes I did. I was downstairs and saw her get baptized. I didn't see you there."

She almost choked on her spit.

Regards,

Jim TX - of the I'll never do that again class...

73