a You Tube link to John's song "God" for those unfamiliar"
Posts by TMS
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31I have changed sides
by AK - Jeff inalmost imperceptible over time in some areas.. almost everything i ever believed, i have proven to be false.
almost every bit of my deep seated faith is uprooted by reason.. i am not bitter.
but i am quite reflective these days of how much i have changed.
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31
I have changed sides
by AK - Jeff inalmost imperceptible over time in some areas.. almost everything i ever believed, i have proven to be false.
almost every bit of my deep seated faith is uprooted by reason.. i am not bitter.
but i am quite reflective these days of how much i have changed.
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TMS
Jeff,
As I read your post the phrase "the dream is over" came to mind. The song "God" by John Lennon plays in my head from time to time.
GOD
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I'll say it again
God is a concept
By which we measure
Our pain
I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in Mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in Yoga
I don't believe in kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me
Yoko and me
And that's reality
The dream is over
What can I say?
The dream is over
Yesterday
I was the Dreamweaver
But now I'm reborn
I was the Walrus
But now I'm John
And so dear friends
You'll just have to carry on
The dream is over -
17
New Understanding Begets More Direction From The "Slave"
by TMS injehovah's name people have delighted in recent refinements in understanding coming through god's slave class at the direction of holy spirit.
these adjustments in thinking have at times required humility and reasonableness to be exhibited by longtime servants of jehovah.
consider, for example, the recent information showing that we could not put an exact timetable on the calling of those to serve along with christ jesus in the heavenly kingdom.
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TMS
"I had never thought of the underage aspect before!
Does all of Christendom serve grape juice like the Southern Baptist?"
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Yknot,
Obviously, someone at Watchtower is accomplished at spin. The Generation Not Passing Away Until ALL These Things Are Accomplished doctrine has been a huge motivator for JWs. The embarrassment of years since 1914 HAD to be addressed in some way. The '95 explanation of the "generation" was confusing and not very well thought out. The '95 explanation eliminated the time element, losing punch as an urgency stimulator.
This new understanding of the generation puts us squarely in the middle of the last days. Perhaps in 100 years the "king of the north" will hail from Mars.
tms
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17
New Understanding Begets More Direction From The "Slave"
by TMS injehovah's name people have delighted in recent refinements in understanding coming through god's slave class at the direction of holy spirit.
these adjustments in thinking have at times required humility and reasonableness to be exhibited by longtime servants of jehovah.
consider, for example, the recent information showing that we could not put an exact timetable on the calling of those to serve along with christ jesus in the heavenly kingdom.
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TMS
inbetween, Mythbuster, purplesofa, agonus: thanks. . .unfortunately, Watchtower-speak just roles off my forked tongue. Just pluggin' along, purps.
tms
ps: When I read the new generational change this evening, my mind started to wander as it always does. I kept thinking about a certain home-schooled 12 year old regular pioneer, who dressed, talked like an adult, commented in fake-deep, conducted the mid-week meetings for field service, etc. I could actually see him reading the Greek Scriptures as his own personal "letter", thinking about being with the Lord, etc. The congregation already hero-worshipped him and being of the heavenly calling would not be that big of a jump in stature.
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New Understanding Begets More Direction From The "Slave"
by TMS injehovah's name people have delighted in recent refinements in understanding coming through god's slave class at the direction of holy spirit.
these adjustments in thinking have at times required humility and reasonableness to be exhibited by longtime servants of jehovah.
consider, for example, the recent information showing that we could not put an exact timetable on the calling of those to serve along with christ jesus in the heavenly kingdom.
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TMS
Jehovah's name people have delighted in recent refinements in understanding coming through God's slave class at the direction of holy spirit. These adjustments in thinking have at times required humility and reasonableness to be exhibited by longtime servants of Jehovah. Consider, for example, the recent information showing that we could not put an exact timetable on the calling of those to serve along with Christ Jesus in the heavenly kingdom. Many of our brothers had understood that calling to have ceased in 1935, but "who has come to know the mind of Jehovah that we may instruct him?" (1 Cor. 2:16).
In recent years, the small remnant of anointed ones still on earth serving along with seasoned members of the great crowd have humbly respected the calling of hundreds of newly associated ones as prospective heavenly heirs. After all, it is "the spirit itself that bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children" (Rom. 8:16).
More recently, our understanding of the generation described by Jesus at Matthew 24:34 has been brought closer in harmony with scriptures and the "mind of Jehovah". While some brothers have mistakenly in the past linked that generation with the ACTUAL generation that saw those momentous events that began occurring in the year 1914, we now recognize the true meaning of Jesus usage of the word generation to mean a tag-team composite generation including those who first witnessed those events and ANY others born before the last of that generation passes off the earthly scene.
As stated, these adjustments have tested the humility and obedience of Jehovah's people. Will some choose to find spiritual food elsewhere because God's ways do not agree with their ways? Will some chafe because certain opportunities are now open to those they once viewed as "babes in the truth"? Recent developments in some congregations world wide have tested some in these respects. It has come to our attention that some as young as 18 years are now professing to be of the heavenly calling. Can anyone declare these young ones' calling to be null and void?
Some elders have written us with regard to serving such underage ones alcoholic beverage at the annual Lord's Evening Meal. This, of course, is up to the local elders to handle this appropriately. If these underage partakers have baptised Christian parents in attendance, perhaps the emblems could be first passed to the parent and then to the young anointed one. That way the alcoholic consumption by a minor at the Kingdom Hall would be under the direction of the parents. In any event, please remember, it is the local elders and individual witnesses who assume total liability for any legal problems resulting from violating man-made laws. "Render to Caesar, Caesar's things, but to God, God's things."
With you in serving our light-bearing God,
the Christian Congregation, not affiliated with the WTBS of NY, Pennsylvania or any other state, province, region of locality
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10
Is Bethel the WTS equivalent of "wordly" military service?
by sinis init would seem that they both go hand in hand.
you devote your life to bethel, move up in the ranks, are considered more respected with time served, go, and do whatever you are told - even at times putting your life in jeopardy, etc.. .
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TMS
There is no exact equivalent. In the real world, perhaps the Boy Scouts. In the congregations for purposes of finding a mate, perhaps the equivalent of doctor or lawyer. Bethel service credentials seem to wear off over time. Many former Bethelites of years past seem to viewed as very ordinary as time goes by. I'm ignoring government benefits because they are really not status related. Disabililty, age, low income can all bring assistance from the gov't. Perhaps the best U.S. comparison would be the Peace Corp.
tms
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21
What will the elders think?
by TMS ina week ago my wife and i ran into a jw nephew and his wife at the supermarket.
despite knowing that my wife and i are no longer jw's, he was very gracious, giving his aunt and i a warm hug and introducing his wife to us.
he casually mentioned meeting with the elders and their decision to disfellowship.
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TMS
:What will the elders think?
Farkel: "Beware of the oxymoron. "Elders" and "think" never belong in the same sentence unless one is trying to draw a contrast"
Farkel,
Perhaps I should have phrased it " How will the elders react or respond?" The likely scenario finds the alpha male "elder" locating a Watchtower quote that most fits his personal point of view and coercing the other two to enforce it.
think (th
ngk)v.thought (thôt) , think·ing, thinks v.tr. 1. To have or formulate in the mind. 2. a. To reason about or reflect on; ponder: Think how complex language is. Think the matter through. b. To decide by reasoning, reflection, or pondering: thinking what to do. 3. To judge or regard; look upon: I think it only fair. 4. To believe; suppose: always thought he was right. 5. a. To expect; hope: They thought she'd arrive early. b. To intend: They thought they'd take their time. 6. To call to mind; remember: I can't think what her name was. 7. To visualize; imagine: Think what a scene it will be at the reunion. 8. To devise or evolve; invent: thought up a plan to get rich quick. 9. To bring into a given condition by mental preoccupation: He thought himself into a panic over the impending examination. 10. To concentrate one's thoughts on: "Think languor" (Diana Vreeland). v.intr. 1. To exercise the power of reason, as by conceiving ideas, drawing inferences, and using judgment. 2. To weigh or consider an idea: They are thinking about moving. 3. a. To bring a thought to mind by imagination or invention: No one before had thought of bifocal glasses. b. To recall a thought or an image to mind: She thought of her childhood when she saw the movie. 4. To believe; suppose: He thinks of himself as a wit. It's later than you think. 5. To have care or consideration: Think first of the ones you love. 6. To dispose the mind in a given way: Do you think so? adj.Informal Requiring much thought to create or assimilate: a think book. n. The act or an instance of deliberate or extended thinking; a meditation tms
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What will the elders think?
by TMS ina week ago my wife and i ran into a jw nephew and his wife at the supermarket.
despite knowing that my wife and i are no longer jw's, he was very gracious, giving his aunt and i a warm hug and introducing his wife to us.
he casually mentioned meeting with the elders and their decision to disfellowship.
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TMS
I just knew Blondie would step forward with the appropriate quote. That was my recollection that it was considered defacing the body, although, as with everything the Wt tries to rule on, an exception has to be made, like pierced ears in some cultures for females. Thanks, Blondie.
OTWO, I'm no longer in the business of influencing belief systems, although I'm very comfortable answering any questions. What works best anyway if for folks to learn for themselves.
tms
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What will the elders think?
by TMS ina week ago my wife and i ran into a jw nephew and his wife at the supermarket.
despite knowing that my wife and i are no longer jw's, he was very gracious, giving his aunt and i a warm hug and introducing his wife to us.
he casually mentioned meeting with the elders and their decision to disfellowship.
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TMS
My impression is that he got the tatoo to show his commitment to the god of the universe. He's lived an almost seamless double life for a long time, viewed at the Kingdom Hall as an ideal young JW male, but with his other foot out into the current popular culture. He is doing his own thing. Watchtower control is like the proverbial water on a duck's back, but, yes, I doubt that he will be a JW very long.
tms
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21
What will the elders think?
by TMS ina week ago my wife and i ran into a jw nephew and his wife at the supermarket.
despite knowing that my wife and i are no longer jw's, he was very gracious, giving his aunt and i a warm hug and introducing his wife to us.
he casually mentioned meeting with the elders and their decision to disfellowship.
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TMS
A week ago my wife and I ran into a JW nephew and his wife at the supermarket. Despite knowing that my wife and I are no longer JW's, he was very gracious, giving his aunt and I a warm hug and introducing his wife to us. He casually mentioned meeting with the elders and their decision to disfellowship. He was actually, at that point in the interim 7 day period before announcement of his DF-ing. He felt the DF-ing would "help him straighten out his life". He and his wife, both the children of elders, seemed very upbeat.
Today, Christmas Day, we ran into this same nephew. Again, hugs and a warm greeting. He wanted to show us something. On his wrist, he had a tatoo of the tetragrammaton.
tms
ngk)