sad to say but within my old congregation.
there was ayoung brother whom wanted to be made up to a ministerial servant,doing everything right, .
out on the ministry /good at number 4 talks helping on all the quickbuilds etc.,helping old ladys.
Strangely, it seems to me that wanting something too badly seems to have the effect of making the thing you want impossible to get. Have you ever noticed that indifference is the most potent aphrodisiac, that being aloof at a party draws people in your direction?
The other problem is being in a position where it requires the approval of others for you to get what you want. Approval seeking behavior is always counterproductive, demeaning, and leads to low self-esteem.
My roomie and I got so much booze for Christmas that I have the equivalent of a lush smorgasbord! She has gone over to her boyfriend's, so I'm alone with this well stocked liquor cabinet and plenty of glassware!
Well, I'm off to make myself happy!
Happy New Year! (raising glass)
an "inactive" friend of mine (hasn't gone to the hall for about 11 years now) was visted by the elders on yep, you guessed it: christmas day.
they asked her the standard questions: do you still view yourself as a jw?
do you believe this is god's organization?
Mary, I agree with ISP that suggesting they might be pedophiles would not be a wise move if there is no supporting evidence. However, if she points out that they disfellowshipped her for no reason while they belong to an organization that has a policy of protecting pedophiles from justice, then she has a valid point.
Those who get the "shepherding" calls should fight back, each in his or her own way. If they wish to ruin people's lives and divide families, then there should be publicity that affects the way they are received in the community.
Happy New Year!
introducing god and satan.
do god and satan work on the same team?
are you shocked at such a suggestion?
When I returned to college a few years back, I took an Old Testament Survey class. I remember learning that in Old Testament times (or, in the days of the ancient Hebrews, according to the teachings of the Jews) there was no concept of an evil God versus a Good God. The God of the Hebrews was all in one. According to my professor, the idea of the two dueling Gods came from Zoroastrianism. At least that's the way I remember it.
Happy New Year!
with 2002 almost consigned to history, how was it for you?
how would you sum up your 2002?
nah, this isn't a poll; we do those on the weekends!!
2002 was, quite possibly, the best year of my life so far. For the first time, I earn an income sufficient to meet expenses and enjoy luxuries. In 2002, I purchased a home of my own, a condo about half a block from my place of employment. Besides that, I went to the Silentlambs march in New York and took my daughter as a birthday present to her, received a small inheritance, saw my daughter receive a bachelor's degree in Chemistry (at last!), and had wonderful friends in both the real world and cyber world when I needed them. I have a achieved a level of self-confidence and contentment which I would never have dreamed possible in my "former life."
I have been out of the org since 1979. The first few years were very hard, and there were times when I wondered if life were worth living. I feel for all of you who are newly free and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Things do get better. There are struggles and loneliness, but as you learn to make your own choices and take the consequences thereof, good or bad, your judgment improves, and the result is a better life than you could have imagined as a JW. Hang in there!
Happy New Year to all!
SandraC
well, sean went and spent four days with his brother in mo.
he wasn't allowed to stay at his dad's house down the road.
step mom won't allow it.. anyway, the first night there dad tells him if he becomes a catholic he will disown sean.
Sorry, Yeru, I am not familiar with the background on Sean's story, but it sounds like he's having a tough time. How old is he? No matter how old he is, he seems to have his head on straighter than some of the adults in his life.
That JW cult does strip people of natural affection. If my child wanted to be a Buddhist, Hindu, Moslem or atheist, she would still be the apple of my eye. Tell Sean that we all love him no matter which religion he chooses, and that we all go through changes and adjustments to our points of view and outlook.
I'm glad you're there for him.
Happy New Year!
SandraC
i used to love that show!
and when the model kit came out i went nuts when i saw it in the store.
when it came time to put it together, mom and dad wouldn't let me put one of the decals on.. guess which one?.
Great looking car! Now you need a model of Daisy Duke to stand beside it.
Happy New Year!
my husband, who's a ministerial servant, was approached by an elder and asked if he'd offer our home to become a 'book study' meeting place.. i'm a bit of a loner, and need lots of peace, quiet, privacy, and solitude; plus to boot you all know i'm living this sort of double life, you know, just doing the very minimum to remain a witness.. this is awful!!!!!!!!!!
i can't deal with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
take care!
I concur with blondie. Otherwise, come down with an illness like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Epstein-Barr virus or clinical depression that keeps you from being fully functional.
In any case, I wish you the best and do not envy you.
SandraC
.
what are you going to eat, or did you eat on new years?
i'm going to have fresh atlantic salmon, and lobster.
Black eyed peas and greens of some kind to bring even more prosperity in the coming year. After that, I think I'll mostly concentrate on my favorite liquids.
a few days ago someone wrote about a new rule that came out in elders school this summer about inactive ones still being accountable to jehovah's (watchtower) rules.
does this mean that they are going to start disassociating ones who have been inactive for years who are not upholding the rules?
i know of a few people who have not attended meeting in several years who either celebrate holidays or in other ways break the rules and everybody knows it.
Abaddon! Where have you been? Many of us have wondered about you. Someone even posted a thread about what must have happened to you. Please check in with us from time to time.
As for the subject at hand, I do feel for those who have family still on the inside. I have 2 family members on the inside, but I rarely have contact with them anyway, so I don't care what happens in my case. Since I live a couple of thousand miles away from where I lived as a JW and no JW's here know me, I don't really expect a call. But, as the French say, on ne sait jamais (one never knows)!
SandraC
