just curious...how many of you went to the elders and reported to them things that you heard through gossip?
.
and how many of you knew things that could get people disfellowshipped, but decided not to tell the elders?.
Never tattle-taled when I heard things. But I did tattle-tale on 2 things I saw just because I thought I had to. I even threatened my brother with going to the elders about something if he didn't do it.
How stupid I was! I'm glad I woke up. Never again!
for gods service.
or to allow our zeal for gods service to diminish.. (heb.
gods service?
11 To illustrate the importance of being
zealous in God’s service, note an event that
took place in the life of King Jehoash of Israel.
Concerned over the apparent fate of Israel
at the hands of Syria, Jehoash came weeping
to Elisha. The prophet instructed him to
shoot an arrow out the window toward Syria,
indicating victory by Jehovah’s hand
against that nation. This certainly should
have invigorated the king. Elisha next told
Jehoash to take his arrows and strike the
earth with them. Jehoash struck the earth
three times. Elisha was incensed at this, for
striking the earth five or six times would
have indicated “striking down Syria to the
finishing point.” Now Jehoash would enjoy
only three partial victories. Because he acted
with a lack of zeal, Jehoash experienced limited
success. (2 Kings 13:14-19) What lesson can we learn
from that account? Jehovah will abundantly bless us only if
we do his work wholeheartedly and with zeal.
COMMENTS
OT—Jehoash
So how would he have known that 3 was not as good as 5 or 6 or perhaps 7 or 9?
You hit the nail on the head with this comment! I was thinking along the lines of, how can they have the audacity to assume this man lost his zeal or wasn't zealous enough? Were they there? Since they speculated, let me take a try at it.
How do we know this man wasn't confused or afraid to request simply, "How many there, baldy? You are going to have to be a little clearer than that! "
Oh no! Their speculation is always correct. Yet we are regularly counseled on inserting our own opinion when explaining a scripture.
Dammit! I just became guilty of it! I have opinions! AAAAAGGGHHH!
on a warm summer day when i was about 12 years old (early 1980s), i was home alone for a brief time (family had gone to the grocery store).
i had always been terrified of the demons and was constantly worried about a possible demon attack.
being born in, growing up a dub, the devil and his demons were always either on my mind or not too far from conscious thought.
laverite - I had always been terrified of the demons and was constantly worried about a possible demon attack.
I felt the very same way. I feel I did nothing that deserved me having this terror all the time. But when it is ingrained you, it makes you constantly look over your shoulder. Believe it or not, the only way I got over the fear was when I read the "Spirits of the Dead" brochure by the WBTS. (I'm not promoting here. Just being honest. But feel free to throw-up if you get the feeling. )
Oh yes, and seeing as your hands may have been involved in something "sinful", in what way exactly did your neighbors have to clean you up? (Not an elder but asking an elder probing question nonetheless. Your honesty and openness don't guarantee your repentance. LOL )
as a jw still in, i have been thinking about this.
(and i ask the question in the spirit of "millions now living will/may never die!
") lol.
As a JW still in, I have been thinking about this. (And I ask the question in the spirit of "Millions Now Living Will/May Never Die!") LOL
As a JW who is part of the "great crowd" I will, as has been taught, never see God face-to-face, never meet Him.
So I "take in knowledge" about him, defend all these things that I just can't understand or explain why he would do them, and then still not physically see or get to know him?
When is the last time you spoke to someone REGULARLY on the phone, internet, etc. and not wondered what this person looks like or desired to meet them in person?
I do believe there has to be some sort of creator. It's kind of odd that things would've happened by chance, but that is another topic.
But this whole thing of putting faith in someone I have never seen, met, will see, or meet is really starting to falter in my mind.
Talk amongst yourselves. - Quote from Mike Myers of SNL
CoC
i'm sure topics like this have already come up but they tend to get hilarious with the absolute absurdity that goes on in the kh.
i was once counseled for not shaving after two days.
i was also counseled by a sister for eating lucky charms cereal.
Just thought of something else -
Told an elder I took a picture with a Michael Jackson wax figure. His response? "UUUgghh!! Why? He was disfellowshipped!!"
Told another elder I rode the Tower of Terror at Disney. His response? "Why?! That's demonic!"
i'm sure topics like this have already come up but they tend to get hilarious with the absolute absurdity that goes on in the kh.
i was once counseled for not shaving after two days.
i was also counseled by a sister for eating lucky charms cereal.
"Hugging" my wife during a prayer (Bull ((((COUGH, COUGH))))) Sorry had something in my throat. Must have been a curse word)
Writing or making changes on the information board. (I feel that damn cough coming on again!!)
it happened to me this weekend.
i'm curently "active" and had some long time friends from a different congregation over for dinner.. we went through the formality of praying before the meal.
normally or rather lately i've been passing it off to someone else.
I was away recently and was asked to pray before a small group. I couldn't really say no since there were only 2 other brothers and they had had their turn already with the other meals. Boy did it feel weird. And I really felt inside, "This really doesn't mean anything. If they only knew."
Oh well. Life goes on and so do I - undercover. Until the day.
CoC
i'm wondering if this phrase is perhaps being pushed recently in letters to the elders or circuit overseers.
i have heard it a time or two here in the last few days on the forum - specifically from a bethelite.. also, the last conversation i had with my presiding overseer about 5 weeks ago, he used this exaxt phrase: "i believe armageddon is only weeks away".. i know its been right around the corner for 130 years, but it seems this exact phrase seems to be floating around a lot lately.. what are your thoughts?
jw's usually don't think for themselves - they just repeat what those above them say.
I heard they pin pointed the day of the week. Yes it is actually going to occur on a Wednesday, plus or minus up to 3 days.
LOL
who were your past circuit overseers?
i'm sure a lot of us actually know mutual people, as the co's relocate all over the country.. here's a few from the southeast us: (let me know if you recognize any names and post yours too please...).
ellwood johnson (new york/philadelphia area for several years also).
EndofMysteries Wow you have Hanz and Frager too, wonder if we ever crossed paths ;0
Were you in the tristate area in the Northeast?
who were your past circuit overseers?
i'm sure a lot of us actually know mutual people, as the co's relocate all over the country.. here's a few from the southeast us: (let me know if you recognize any names and post yours too please...).
ellwood johnson (new york/philadelphia area for several years also).
East Coast - Don't remember a lot of 1st names and some were/are DO's
Conti, Anthony Decinti, Filisbino, Frank Hanz, Frager, Bartell, Everett Rodrigues, Bargeron, Frank Furtado, Cook, Christos Ismalitis, Thompson/Thomas (Don't remember)
I'll edit this if anyone else comes to mind
