- http://4heavens.homestead.com/mrandmrsyadirf.html.
- http://4heavens.homestead.com/mrsyadirfandme.html.
- http://4heavens.homestead.com/yadirfsretirementparty.html.
Yadirf...
Thanks for the many pics. At least now we know what you look like (and your wife as well) - May I make a suggestion ( which is a compliment really)...you look better with beard than without.
Don't worry, just an observation. Ohhh by the way, could we come over to celebrate New Years'Eve? I think we would have loads of fun LOL!
Richie :*)
how many of you have had experiences where elders and others in the congregation presented and even pushed their own viewpoints on matters which should be left to each person's own conscience.. we are all aware of the frowns and negative opinions on the way we sometimes dressed; one elder commented on my tie as it was too bright - i once bought a pretty ornament which had a pyramid shape, afterwards a sister said that i should not have this in my house (she did not know precisely why...but sort of felt it was wrong!).
we got a few frowns when we had a wind chime, but at least there we did some research on and told the individual to mind his own business.. how many of you know the "demon inspired" proctor & gamble sign, which prompted many witnesses to abstain from purchasing any p & g products.
how silly!
Ohh yes, another thing: sisters were not allowed to wear slacks under any circumstances. One of the reasons they quoted at the time: in worldly churches it was not customary to do so either.
However, today I believe it may have been changed (I hope); just imagine anyone observing the sisters going from door to door in -20 degree weather and not wearing slacks for protection....would the "unbeliever" ever imitate such behavior? No, they would call them crazy rather than courageous and let alone be ever interested becoming believers themselves!
Richie :*)
thank you for the warm welcome i received when i made my first post last week.
it is a beautiful christmas day here,more like early autumn than the beginning of winter.
so i was a little surprised when i drove by my old kingdom hall a little after 9:00 am and saw that there were no cars parked in the lot----no one had met for field service.
David...
Yes things have changed, at least here in Canada and I guess by extension almost everywhere else in the world. The service arrangements on the weekends, for example, are more in harmony with what the householder wishes: they do not call on them too early whereas on holidays, especially X-mas and New Year, they (finally) realized that people have a life and should be left alone early in the morning (or perhaps the entire day?) The Borg recognizes that calling on somebody's door early in the morning might otherwise work against them, as nobody would ever want to become a witness because of their "unreasonable behavior". And..as you said, it will allow the witnesses to sleep in for a change...LOL
Richie :*)
americans are so emotionally demonstrative.
this ain't no criticism folks, it's just an observation.. take a peek at gently ferals story about the xmas tree, lovely stuff but zilch response from us hard-hearted brits.
oozy stuff from the us!.
Come to think of it...the way that the Dutch people greet each other is to kiss on the cheeks three times for any acquaintances and for close family members (and lovers LOL) three kisses on the cheek and the fourth kiss smack on the lips...
Richie :*)
dear posters,.
since i've been out of the loop for about 5 years i was wondering if anyone could comment on the questions below.
also, if there has been any other changes i would love to hear about it.
Perry....
In answer to your questions:
yes, no, yes. no, yes, no, yes
no, yes, no, yes,no
yes, no, maybe, perhaps, no, yes
definitely so, maybe not, absolutely not, of course!, yes, sorry, no
yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, yes!!!
I hope this clears up everything....
Richie :*)
how many of you have had experiences where elders and others in the congregation presented and even pushed their own viewpoints on matters which should be left to each person's own conscience.. we are all aware of the frowns and negative opinions on the way we sometimes dressed; one elder commented on my tie as it was too bright - i once bought a pretty ornament which had a pyramid shape, afterwards a sister said that i should not have this in my house (she did not know precisely why...but sort of felt it was wrong!).
we got a few frowns when we had a wind chime, but at least there we did some research on and told the individual to mind his own business.. how many of you know the "demon inspired" proctor & gamble sign, which prompted many witnesses to abstain from purchasing any p & g products.
how silly!
How many of you have had experiences where elders and others in the congregation presented and even pushed their own viewpoints on matters which should be left to each person's own conscience.
We are all aware of the frowns and negative opinions on the way we sometimes dressed; one elder commented on my tie as it was too bright - I once bought a pretty ornament which had a pyramid shape, afterwards a sister said that I should not have this in my house (she did not know precisely why...but sort of felt it was wrong!). We got a few frowns when we had a wind chime, but at least there we did some research on and told the individual to mind his own business.
How many of you know the "demon inspired" Proctor & Gamble sign, which prompted many witnesses to abstain from purchasing any P & G products. How silly! A painting in our house shows a tiny church in the background surrounded by a homely tiny village (similar to a Thomas Kinkade drawing) and sure enough, they also had something to say about that. Many years ago I recall how one district overseer literally scolded those elders who wore mustaches by saying "why do you all wear mustaches? you certainly do not set a fine example by your scruffiness" - At the time I was a newly baptized brother and that incident made me think real hard and wonder why he had the nerve to force his opinion on others like that. In fact, even other brothers did not agree with this DO as some of them recognized already at that time that this was purely a personal opinion and should not have been imposed upon any at all.
Another incident happened closer to home; my son-in-law was about to become an elder and before he was to be appointed, the CO critized him for having a SUV (he was driving a company car) and using a cellular mobile phone in the car. The CO reasoned that these things may be a stumbling block for others, whereas my SIL defended himself by saying that he had to carry the phone with him because of the type of business he was involved in. (Incidentally, a week or so later, another car rear-ended his SUV accidentally, so he got himself another car, a "modest" van) I still cannot believe the audacity of elders and even the R&F how they continue to take over your conscience where they should mind their own business!
Richie :*)
i was wondering today.
what if the witnesses did not have a policy of disfellowshipping those that are apostates.
what would the congregations be like?
YoyoMama...
Just one point....I agree there should be some limited shunning for those who are extremely dangerous and encourage wrong behavior. But you tell me, why should you be df'd for disassociating yourself; there is no biblical precedent for that whatsoever and moreover this incorrect form of disfellowshipping makes a person (or observers) dissent from and resist the Borg more readily. You seem to suggest that whenever you are df'd and decide not to come back to the meetings anymore that you have become an apostate automatically. This is a mindset which was created by the WT in order for you to remain in an organization which keeps its members primarily out of fear.
Since I left the Borg, I have actually been able to draw closer to God and feel much freer to check out scriptures and interpretations as to whether these things are really so. So, please do not presumptuously make blanket statements without checking them out first thoroughly!
Remember: "Has presumptuousness come? Then dishonor will come; but wisdom is with the modest ones" (Prov11:2)
Richie :*)
my husband came home from the grocery store yesterday (christmas eve).
and said he saw a witness couple driving around the parking lot handing out mags from their car window.
i mean how lazy is that?
Scully.....
That's exactly the point! When witnesses talk about or to us, it's always in semi-derogatory terms and they hardly show the love that a true christian ought to show. Now compare this to Ray Franz' disposition in all areas: not once did he vilify any JW's nor did he speak in sarcastic terms, but he was always very mild tempered and brought out the wrongness of what they did without insulting them in the least!
Now you tell me who really has the backing of God's spirit and show Christ-like qualities...yes by their fruits you will recognize them!
Richie :*)
americans are so emotionally demonstrative.
this ain't no criticism folks, it's just an observation.. take a peek at gently ferals story about the xmas tree, lovely stuff but zilch response from us hard-hearted brits.
oozy stuff from the us!.
Do not despair Englishman, but where I come from (The Netherlands originally) they are very much the same as in England. The Dutch do not show as much emotion either. Perhaps it has to do with a feeling of nationalism and belonging to a country. When you look at people from Greece, Spain, Italy, South America and the like; they show more immediate affection...is it because of their tight knit family structure?
The feeling of nationalism in the USA is very profound and additionally it is a country made of all races, religion, families who have learned and received a freedom which they only acquired in the United States and as a result become very much attached to that country.
This is how I see it, but then I am only one opinion...
Take care....
Richie :*)
whatever you celebrate,.
little red birdie and i wish you a life full of peace, joy, and love.. merry christmas
Wishing you all a happy holiday season and in the New Year continued health, happiness and many rich blessings from a God who cares about YOU (not the Borg)....
Richie :*)
