Hello again, Jacqueline
You are in a tough spot but it doesn't have to be tough. If I were you, I'd think about questions you have for elders and ask your husband if he can call the elders and make it a question and answer session instead of studying a book. And after your questions are all answered, which may take more than one night, and I mean REALLY answered and not dodged or answered by wait on Jehovah, you can ask to study chapters of The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived book, seeing how its a major claim of Jehovahs Witnesses that they follow CLOSELY in Jesus footsteps ( Ill tell you later what chapters I would want to study with the elders ). I'd inform your husband that you want to tape the session so you can listen to it again to understand more or listen to the answers to your questions again after they leave to understand better and completely. I would tell my husband if I were you that when I make the SERIOUS decision to be baptized, I want to be a baptized disciple of Jesus as stated in the bible, and not a baptized publisher of any incorporated printing company or in association with any organization of men. Also I'd tell them that when I do get baptized, I want to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the Bible says and not in the name of the Father, the Son, and in association with an organization. Ask the elders what they say to a person right before they dunk them under water. Or ask your husband, because he probably doesnt know that the baptisms were changed years ago. Demand that you want to know and have the right to know what they say seeing how you consider baptism a very important decision to make with God.
Studying with the elders is to your advantage right now. I know it will be very hard, but if you can choose what to study, you can perhaps help open your husbands eyes a little bit. Slowly, but surely. You and your husband love each other, I can see that by what youve shared with us thus far. Please dont allow the elders to destroy the love you both have for each other. If your husband ends up becoming very active again, that could very well happen. Ill end here for now with a parable Jesus used in Luke 18:10-14
10
Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, O God, I thank you I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give the tenth of all things I acquire. 13 But the tax collector standing at a distance was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward, but kept beating his breast, saying, O God, be gracious to me a sinner. 14 I tell
YOU
, This man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted.
By attending meetings as long as you have, who represents the Jehovahs Witness attitude?
The Pharisee. or the tax collector?
You dont have to answer here. Its just something for you to think about personally and answer the question to yourself, in your heart.
You have a whole week to talk to your husband about the way you feel, before the elders return to YOU AND YOUR HUSBANDS HOME. Please dont let men come between the love and honesty you and your husband share with each other as husband and wife and best friends. And try not to let your frustration and pain from the elders or JWs get between the two of you either.
Try to remain calm. Like I said, I know that is a hell of a lot easier said than done! Stay strong my friend. ((((((((((((((Jacqueline and husband)))))))))
peace to you,
gwen
P.S. I agree with johnny cip when he said:
they will TWIST and use the name of Jehovah to GLORIFY THE WT
