Thirdson

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Posts by Thirdson

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  23

  YOU ARE A BUNCH OF ADMIRABLE WINNERS!

  by Thirdson in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  those of us who spent a good portion of our lives as slaves to the printing corporation in brooklyn do well to reflect on our achievements.

  we have managed to break the cult shackles and get past the guilt barrier.

  we are building happy, successful lives.

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  Thirdson

  If no one is going to say so…then I will!

  Those of us who spent a good portion of our lives as slaves to the printing corporation in Brooklyn do well to reflect on our achievements. We have managed to break the cult shackles and get past the guilt barrier. We are building happy, successful lives. We are enjoying the human things in life, good times, celebrations, holidays, and our families. We don’t worry about measuring success by field service time, magazine placements or Bible studies. We don’t measure success by just the material things on life. We measure success in our freedom. Our freedom from imposed guilt, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, freedom to love and be loved for who we are and freedom of belief and worship.

  If we have escaped with limited emotional and mental scarring we have done well and can be counted successful.

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

  Edited by - Thirdson on 2 March 2001 0:57:50
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  11

  Is Winter Over Yet?????

  by Thirdson in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  despite the ranting in some of the posts on this board i thought today was a good day.

  today, march 1 (for me still right now) can be regarded as the first day of spring unless youre a stickler for changing the season on the equinox.

  today was the first morning in umpteen days that i woke to outside temperatures above 0 degrees.

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  Thirdson

  Despite the ranting in some of the posts on this board I thought today was a good day.

  Today, March 1 (for me still right now) can be regarded as the first day of spring unless you’re a stickler for changing the season on the equinox. Today was the first morning in umpteen days that I woke to outside temperatures above 0 degrees. For non-Americans using Celsius that is above –18 C. When I went outside the sun was shining and the call of Redwing blackbirds could be heard. Despite the fact that nominally there are 24 inches of snow on the ground and the snow bank along my drive is 4 feet high it felt different this morning. Maybe it was the bright sun. Maybe it was that my nostrils didn’t stick together when I inhaled, or maybe it was the sound of the birds…but today felt different, it felt good to be alive, it felt like the dark days of winter were coming to an end.

  I know I have spent most of my life wishing away my days. I couldn’t wait to leave school, I couldn’t wait for this system to end. I can’t wish for winter to be gone any sooner. But on days like today I felt happy just to be alive and reflect on all the good things that I have in this life, my life, maybe the only life I will have. I enjoy my life, I have many blessings, I try, despite my constant looking forward, to enjoy each moment that I can and thank God for everything I have.

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
• 
  25

  Holidays

  by eyes_opened in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i know this has probably been covered a bunch...but here i go anyway lol.

  how many of you guys who have been out of the org.

  for a while, now celebrate the holidays?

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  Thirdson

  All, and LovesDubs too (welcome aboard),

  We get to celebrate my son's 13th Birthday next week. We will in addition to presents and special dinner out be having a special day trip out with two friends of his and his choice of place to visit.
  (Last year we did a swim and pizza party, the year before we had a housefull of 11 year olds and 3 hours of party game mayhem...never again )

  I am very fortunate to be married to a never-been-a-dub and have been "taught" how to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, Birthdays etc. I never realized how much fun a family Christmas is, it came as a very pleasant surprise after the demoninzing of holidays through a JW upbringing.

  THirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
• 
  16

  For My Dad.

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  today, the 28 february, is 17 years since my dad died.

  every year, on this day, i speak to my jw mum on the telephone, just to say hello mum, i know this isn`t your favourite day.. every year that passes, she tells me that, every morning on this date, when she wakes, she tells herself that today is just another day, there is nothing special about it.. well, today i told her that today was special.

  the sun and earth were in the same place, the season was the same.

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  Thirdson

  Englishman,

  I think what you do each year is very kind and makes a sad time better. There are so many warped ideas that Jw's have about remembrance, and the celebration of life that you help a great deal.

  I have yet to face the loss of my parents but even now they say odd things. My mom recently told my sister that she was not to inform her out-of-country relatives (me, and two nephews) of the death of either her or dad. Fortunately, firstsister refused to agree with the request and said all the relatives have the right to be told and the chance to attend funerals. Morbid as it sounds, I have contingency plans, money etc for emergency trans-Atlantic trips.

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
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  20

  Question #3 "What will you say?"

  by ozziepost in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  all irregular and inactive publishers will be pleased with the heartwarming news that april will see a special campaign by the elders to encourage you.

  yes, don't faint, it must be true because the april kingdom ministry says so.

  in fact, so strong is the forecasted encouragement, that it states on paragraph 25 of the insert article:.

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  Thirdson

  All,

  There are 3 groups that will be targetted; children, Bible students, and the inactive.

  I feel sorry for the inactive chidren who are studying the Bible. They are the prime target.

  Thirdson

  P.S. This post gets me Senior membership, and with that I'm off to bed.

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

  Edited by - Thirdson on 28 February 2001 1:20:33
• 
  16

  GB question,

  by somebody in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone here know what year the wbts spirit appointed a gb/f&ds?.

  thanks in advance,.

  edited by - somebody on 26 february 2001 13:24:19

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  Thirdson

  RR,

  You are correct in your writings but permit me to add some more. The Watchtower 1/15, 2001 (sorry to quote it again but it is the only one I have obtained in several months since my last trip to unload the local Laundrette of the W & A) makes some interesting, if not strange comments on this subject.

  The article, "How the Governing Body Differs from a Legal Corporation" is written with the express aim of softening the blow that comes in the Special Announcement on page 31. In it the article explains how the GB was first formed in 1944. At the end of page 28 it makes this statement:
  

  After the historic annual meeting in 1944, however, a vital question remained. Since the Governing Body was then closely identified with the Pennsylvania corporation's seven member board of directors, did this mean that the Governing Body could never be made up of more than seven anointed Christians?

  So when was this vital question answered? 27 years later in 1971.
  

  These questions were answered at the anual meeting held on October 1, 1971.

  It mentions a speaker who pointed out what the governing body was supposed to be. I thought, though it doesn't say in the article, that this was Fred Franz himself.

  The article shows how the GB may have no connection to the legal corporations of the Watchtower society and that the directors of these various corporation are all of the "other sheep" sheep.

  I think the preparation is being made for the time when there will be no anointed in leadership and the GB will be disolved. Otherwise, they have to find a way out of the statement made in the Watchtower12/15 1971 where it says:
  

  Let us keep in mind that the governing body must be made up of dedicated, baptized Christians who are anointed with God's spirit and begotten by Him to be his spiritual children, and who are to be united with the glorified Jesus Christ in the heavenly kingdom. This must be so because, as in the case of the twelve apostles of Christ, the governing body is part of the "faithful and discreet slave" class and presides over it as spiritual shepherds and overseers.

  According to that when the last (genuinely) anointed person dies there can be no GB. Yam buggered then!

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
• 
  65

  The Poor JW Children

  by larc in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the children.

  there are many things that could be changed, and even though i would never go back, i think there are some very basic changes they could make in their child rearing practices, simple changes that would make a big difference in their society.. 1. don't force small children to sit for two hours in a chair.. this was discussed at length on the thread about slapping children at the kingdom hall.. 2. don't bring children to meetings where the subject has to do with adult sexual practices.. 3. don't tell teenagers that they can't ask someone out for a date unless marriage is on their mind.. 4. don't tell them that they are not special, that they have to humble themselves and be like everyone else.. 5. don't tell them they have to get good grades through high school as a reflection of what jehovah has given them and then tell them they can't go to college when they graduate from high school at the top of their class.. 6. don't tell your wordly neighbors that you give your children presents all through the year, but not on their birthday, when they have never seen a special gift wrapped present in their life.. 7. don't expect a shy child to enjoy going from door to door and don't expect an extroverted, lively child to sit still at meetings.. 8. don't tell an inquiring child not to ask questions and don't tell them not to read interesting books.. 9. don't surprised if you don't change your ways that your children will leave you, even though they love you.

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  Thirdson

  DLJ,

  I was just like you. I too thought that it was better to get an education and a decent job and then Aux pioneer when I could. Sort of token thing, once a year, usually the month that the CO was in town so you could attend the Pioneer meeting with him too. It seemed noble at the time, could claim you had the "pioneer" spirit and not feel too guilty when you get the Service Meeting item on pioneering.

  Of course, for me it was also "hedging" my bets. I went to college in the lean years of the late 70's early 80's. 1975 had passed and more than a few weeks and months had elapsed so I thought we might be here for quite a bit longer. Seems like now with the elasticated "Generation" the fabled "Last Days" might just do that --LAST!

  It won't be long DLJ when you will be living in surburbia planning your kids education while at the same time checking your diversified portfolio. Your kid will be saying better to get an education and a decent job in these "last days" than be living on the streets.

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
• 
  5

  Questions for this weeks service meeting

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in the true spirit of sharing all the bountifull truths that exist within gods organisation (note the sarcasm) i am forwarding the following questions i have obtained for use at this weeks service meeting.... building appreciation for the bible -mankind's oldest modern book.

  the following questions highlight points you may have observed when watching this video: .

  (1) what facts distinguish the bible as being unequaled?.

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  Thirdson

  Ozzie,

  Am I right about which Mary Jones is being referred to? If I am then Mary Jones was a contempory of both Charles Russell and Joseph Rutherford. Is she one of the WTS's FDS too?

  THirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
• 
  16

  GB question,

  by somebody in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  does anyone here know what year the wbts spirit appointed a gb/f&ds?.

  thanks in advance,.

  edited by - somebody on 26 february 2001 13:24:19

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  Thirdson

  To follow on from Xandit, Judge Thomas's infamy was being subject to intense investigation as a result of sexual harassment charges by a former staff member of his, Anita Hill. So perhaps he doesn't do quite nothing! I am not a fan of Thomas, I think Thurgood Marshall who Thomas replaced on the Suprene Court a far better character. But I like the quote nonetheless.

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'

  P.S. Edited because I noticed the notify by e-mail box was checked ugghhhhhh!

  Edited by - Thirdson on 27 February 2001 0:1:12
• 
  5

  Questions for this weeks service meeting

  by NikL in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in the true spirit of sharing all the bountifull truths that exist within gods organisation (note the sarcasm) i am forwarding the following questions i have obtained for use at this weeks service meeting.... building appreciation for the bible -mankind's oldest modern book.

  the following questions highlight points you may have observed when watching this video: .

  (1) what facts distinguish the bible as being unequaled?.

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  Thirdson

  In what ways did John Wycliffe, Johannes Gutenberg, William Tyndale, Mary Jones, and Charles Taze Russell contribute to the spreading of God's Word around the world?

  I know what Wycliffe, Gutenberg and Tyndale did to be so honored. But Russell? What did he do except peddle his books which he regarded as better than the Bible? And sorry, I plead ignorance in the case of Mary Jones. Is Mary Jones, the "Mother" Jones of 19th century women's and worker's rights or somebody else? What am I missing here?

  Regards,

  Thirdson

  'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'