TMS

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Topics Started by TMS

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  7

  Tale of a Black Congregation Part III

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the contrast between the two genetic brothers who were elders was not unnoticed by the congregation.

  one old sister told me: "i would trust ob with my life, but i wouldn't trust roy with my lawnmower.

  " yet, roy was easily more likable, more approachable, although defensive.

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  18

  Tale of a Black Congregation Part I

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  exposure to two distinct cultures has impacted my life.

  first, as a young blonde lad from the pacific northwest, i was catapulted into the hispanic culture of the rio grande valley in 1961. on the border, by the sea was the chamber of commerce slogan, but the change in venue was more dramatic than simply moving from a land of mountains and douglas fir to beaches, bougainvilla, grapefruit and beaches.

  it was the warmth and closeness of the mexican families, the new sounds and flavors and , yes, the salon del reino that intrigued and humbled this know-it-all young pioneer.

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  6

  Selecting Judicial Committees

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  several threads on this board have contained comments about elders with axes to grind "volunteering" to serve on judicial committees.. the society's intructions have always indicated that only the best qualified brothers should be used.

  skill, years of service and familiarity with the type of problem at hand would be factors in the selection.. close friendship or indications of animosity might disqualify one if other qualified ones were available.. the elder body was entrusted to name the best trio of brothers for the particular situation.. .

  in actual practice, it usually worked this way.

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  8

  Stillborn

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  december 1966 my wife had a stillborn son.

  had he lived, he would now be 34 years old.

  our circuit overseer at the time expressed his sympathy, but added the consoling words: "look on it as a blessing.".

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  10

  Who Are the Wicked?

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  lyrics that float through my head at idle moments accompanied by my off-key singing:.

  "they know such won't get life eternal.

  but will like green grass fade and die".

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  17

  Marrying "Only in the Lord"

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the wt definition of "only in the lord" meaning only dedicated witnesses of jehovah in good standing greatly narrows the field of eligible mates.

  this has brought about some unusual unions because of the circumstances, involving people who would ordinarily not meet, let alone marry, if it were not for a shared belief system.. what unusual couplings have you seen in your jw days?

  how large was your personal field of possibilities and did it include some unusual options?

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  29

  Will You Make Room for Pioneering?

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  regardless of scriptural implications, creating special categories of service such as colporteur, pioneer, special pioneer, etc.

  was a brilliant move.. the prestige, status and few little perks associated with those committing to being full-time workers is miniscule compensation for their sacrifice of time, lifestyle, income and educational opportunities.. yes, the hour requirements have dropped on several occasions.

  how many on the board know that the regular pioneer requirement was once 150 hours a month, then 1200 hours a year, than 1000, now 90-vacation/assembly time?.

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  5

  Creative Circumvention of DF Rules

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  when an organization makes myriad rules regulating every aspect of living, fertile minds devise side-steps, technically non-violations.

  as with the complicated u.s. tax code, "loopholes" are found.. two cases in point most can identify with:.

  1. no need to sit, if already standing, for a national .

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  20

  "Not of Our Sort" Part I

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am an old man.. this is a topic i have been comtemplating for some time as i continue in this transitional time of my life, reminiscing about my 50+ years with what some of you call the "borg", but i simply refer to as jehovah's witnesses.. good people i have known who loved god, but did not fit into the organizational scheme of things is the topic.

  there will be at least three parts a la amazing.

  this topic will sink out of sight like a rock, but it is therapeutic to write it and the contemplation brings a smile to my face.. my first subject is b.w.. b.w.

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  7

  "Sky Pilot"

  by TMS in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sky pilot.....sky pilot .

  youll never, never, never reach the sky .

  sky pilot.....sky pilot .

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