Posts by Sayswho

32

Is Field Service really a Commandment?

by Quarterback in

jw
friends

heard something strange last week.

a speaker in the congregation said that you must preach.

he stated that this is a commandment.

Sayswho

It is stated here w88 8/15 20 as a requirement: Using Matt 24:14 and 28:19,20...

Exerting Ourselves in the Field w88 8/15 20

17 For many, though, the greatest challenge is fulfilling the Christian commission to preach the good news. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) Some have but a minimal share in the field service, perhaps arguing that the pressures of earning a living and raising a family make it difficult for them to do more. Granted, the pressures of “the last days” are formidable. (2 Timothy 3:1) Jesus, however, warned against becoming ‘weighed down with anxieties of life.’ As conditions worsen, Christians should ‘raise themselves erect and lift their heads up.’ (Luke 21:28, 34) One of the best ways to “stand firm” against Satan’s attacks is to have our “feet shod with the equipment of the good news”—regularly sharing in preaching!—Ephesians 6:14, 15.

Now The Guilt trip...

19 If we are not moved to preach, then our love for Jehovah and our trust in him is little more than mental awareness. “Know the God of your father and serve him with a complete heart,” David exhorted Solomon, “for all hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning.” (1 Chronicles 28:9) Jehovah is not fooled by lukewarm efforts. Even a regular share in field service does not satisfy him if we offer only a mere token of what we could do if we were ‘exerting ourselves vigorously.’ (Luke 13:24) Each Christian must thus make an honest appraisal of his share in the field service and ask himself: ‘Am I really doing all I can?’ Perhaps adjustments in our priorities need to be made.

Sw

20

Reasons for becoming a JW?

by Dubby in

jw
friends

i'm curious about the reasons for becoming a jw.

if you were raised a jw, were you pressured into baptism?

if you weren't raised a jw, what were the deciding factors?

Sayswho

Good for you Time will help in undoing all (most) of the harm done. *Out of mind but never forgotten*

Sw

85

What is the stupidest comment you ever heard at a meeting?

by 3rdgen in

a very reliable friend told me this: the bro was commenting on what was "unacceptable" conduct in the bedroom between married persons.

needless to say, he had everyone's attention.

he went on to say "we must avoid perversions such as oral and annual sex.

Sayswho

My wife made me go... (we had close friends there) At that meeting this same elder "put us in our place"...the rest is history.

Sw

85

What is the stupidest comment you ever heard at a meeting?

by 3rdgen in

a very reliable friend told me this: the bro was commenting on what was "unacceptable" conduct in the bedroom between married persons.

needless to say, he had everyone's attention.

he went on to say "we must avoid perversions such as oral and annual sex.

Sayswho

During a WT study this last year a local elder said in one of his answers: “If I send time with someone (s) and they don’t spiritually up build me or I am able to learn something spiritual from them….then I feel it was a complete waste of my time and I will never get it back!!! (He was putting his hand over his chest (heart) and moving it back and forth while he was saying this.) Also he said he will never have any further social contact with these spiritual weak ones again. He kept on and on about how terrible it would be for him to have spent time with them…and not having learned anything spiritual.

I thought elders were the ones required by Jesus to seek out the weak ones and straighten them. (This is one of several)

One more meeting for us and no more.

Sw

1495

An Old Argument.... does it hold water?

by AK - Jeff in

estimates range from 4 million to 15 million children die from starvation each year on this planet.

that's between 500 and 1700 children a day, depending on what numbers you accept.

still, no matter which numbers you use, doesn't this make you arrive at one of the following conclusions?.

Sayswho

If we're created in God's image and we are outraged at the goings on at Penn State, shouldn't we be even more outraged at God for his standing by and doing nothing?

It's my understanding that this is what HE is doing now...What HE set in motion since the Garden Issue is his way of resolving human suffering and eventually putting things back to the way they were in the beginning.

Sw

167

Repent because God's Kingdom has drawn close!

by Kosonen in

here on this forum there are so many sinners, many here are doing things that will bring god's wrath upon themselves.

consider yourself if you in some aspect fit the description in romans 1:28-32:.

and just as they did not approve of holding god in accurate knowledge, god gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting, filled as they were with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, being whisperers, backbiters, haters of god, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, merciless.

Sayswho

You cannot judge imperfect people by perfect standards.
That's why we are not being judged now...OH except by u?

WITH YOUR WORDS YOU HAVE CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!PLEASE DON'T KILL ME...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STOP.
**JESUS PLEASE DON'T HOLD THIS AGAINTS HIM...

Sw

43

Is There A Nice Way To Say, 'It's Dying?'?

by metatron in

jw
friends

i got into one of those extended conversations with relatives i haven't spoken to in ages.

it was full of things unsaid and careful avoidance of saying too much about the organization.

lots of nice social hypocrisy, so nobody gets upset in the fairy-tale world of watchtower-ism.. is there any discreet, tactful, inoffensive way to tell them, "the organization is dying"?

Sayswho

Thanks CompoundC...

My 77-year-old Mon has been a JW since the day I was born and sees some problems in the org but still believes they are Gods chosen. There are some cracks developing but I am not sure what advantage knowing or realizing there are major problems with the teachings at her age will be.

For myself I would want to know what’s real-- what’s true and adjust my life according (at any age). Not sure how this will develop with my Mom…her whole life has been based on JW’s (false) teachings.

Sw

283

Are you sure leaving is a wise decision ?- Lurkers think twice- Part 2

by mankkeli in

in the previous thread of this series, i called lurkers attention to the need of being discreet when contemplating an exit from the jw religion.

i mentioned that the thread was borne as a result of the general observations i made reading old posts here and discussing with many ex-jws and their lives have gradually turned out.

that thread alone was visited more than 2,980 times and graced with 204 contributions.

Sayswho

My first thoughts i usuall keep to myself...then after some thought and re reading or thinking i respond....BUT this time is have to say you are a buttHead...yes i am saying this to you!!! This is what u are 100%

It sounds like you would rather everyone be under someone's elses control...maybe like yours?...instead of being in control of themselves...FREEDOM----live free or die!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be back to give you some more of what i think of you and your BS...If i choose to do so----so there!!

WHAT ARE U AFRAID OF----Quit trying to scare others in their quest for truth and freedom...I took the red pill!

SW

43

Is There A Nice Way To Say, 'It's Dying?'?

by metatron in

jw
friends

i got into one of those extended conversations with relatives i haven't spoken to in ages.

it was full of things unsaid and careful avoidance of saying too much about the organization.

lots of nice social hypocrisy, so nobody gets upset in the fairy-tale world of watchtower-ism.. is there any discreet, tactful, inoffensive way to tell them, "the organization is dying"?

Sayswho

I came across someone this week that I did not know, a nurse...and as she was administering aid to me (nothing serious) she said, “wouldn’t it be nice not to have these problems...and oh how she was looking forwarded to a time when all these things would be a thing of the past…and that her husband is dying…” I said ‘you must be one of JWs and that I was sorry to hear about her husband’ to that she said “why yes how did you know?”

I let her know that I also was a witness and thought by what she was saying she must be a JW too. She went on about the wonderful hopes that we have and what the future holds for us…

At first I was not going to tell her that I was a JW and going to ask her some thought provoking questions about what she was saying…since I felt she had to be a JW, but when she said her husband was dying and how she was looking forward to God resolving these problems I could not bring myself to plant any doubt…I felt it would be cruel (for me) under the circumstances.

And really what right did I have since I did not know her? The hope she has is what keeps her going...helps her get up, go to work, take care of her dying husband, and others in need.

I also feel there is a time and place for everything…we just need to be discerning and use our knowledge at at time when it will help in the best-positive way.
Is missed placed hope better then none? People lived and died to this day without knowing the real answers to life’s questions? Are we any closer to the answers today then 1000 years ago?

There are some good suggestion on this form…we need to apply then at the right time…

IMHO

Sw

6

Correction Captives os a C

by Cameron_Don in

jw
friends

Sayswho

Don... I hope you recover from your health issues. I found your book very helpful and informative. Thank you.

This is taken from that chapter p 133: Something everyone should be required to do before...

It leads to an invitation to their “free Bible study” program. Although
millions of people have accepted their offer, they did so
without ever learning about the organization’s true history.

Sw