didn't know where to post this, but i thought it might be fun.
it was in ann landers or some such place years ago.. if you had your life to live over, say from age 16 or 18 onward, what 5 things would you do differently?.
my choices might be:.
Hi Patio,
Another great post!
1. Never would have undergone baptism
into JW's.
2. Would have married a little later in life. Still would have wanted children though.
3. Would have accepted a job transfer to Spain that I was offered by the international company that I worked for.
4. Would have used half of my savings to invest in a good mutual fund.
5. Would have used the remaining savings to travel the world and experience a wide variety of cultures/people.
the following link is to the online version of a book titled "jehovah lives in brooklyn," written by my friend richard francis.
rick was raised in the witnesses, left them as an m.s.
over twenty years ago, and has written many books about not only the jws, but also about love, mysticism, philosophy, and many other topics.. http://www.gatorsden.faithweb.com/p2.html.
Francois,
I remember the 'domes.' - In fact, I recall one fine summer day, sitting around with Richard, Maria, and Rick's mom - they had only one 'dome' at the time. We were trying to come up with a 'name' for them, lodges, huts, earth-igloos, - haha, it was a great, peaceful day.
Yes, not too long ago I learned they were in Ohio; I was able to pick-up Rick's program a few times with my CC radio.
It would, indeed, be great for us all to get together. I have only good thoughts about them - In fact, to know them is to love them. They are two of the most loving, caring and sharing and gentle people that I've ever known.
What Rick suffered at the hands of Brooklyn is truly tragic. As for 'spooky' - well, I share some of their conclusions, haha.
Rick long ago wrote a book regarding the 'psychology of JW's' - we moved back to Ohio last year, and I know it's still packed away. I'm going to look for it - he had a chapter on women in the organization that had some right-on, excellent observations that I wanted to share with fellow posters.
Thanks for posting re his book.
Gopher, thank you for correcting the link. :)
the following link is to the online version of a book titled "jehovah lives in brooklyn," written by my friend richard francis.
rick was raised in the witnesses, left them as an m.s.
over twenty years ago, and has written many books about not only the jws, but also about love, mysticism, philosophy, and many other topics.. http://www.gatorsden.faithweb.com/p2.html.
Here are links for the book:
http://www.xlibris.com/JehovahLivesinBrooklyn.html
http://www.gatorsden.faithweb.com/p2.html
Francois, I know Richard and the lovely "M" also. :)
i'm having a crisis in my family and really need some advice and even (((())))!.
background:.
daughter is 28-yrs-old.
Pat,
(((((((TONS OF HUGS SENT YOUR WAY)))))))
Pat, this may not appeal to you:) - but I suggest you get on the phone and start calling mainline churches in your area. I know that in my area, several have great community assistance programs - you don't have to be a member of their congregation/parish to qualify. And, the parishioners who engage in these outreaches seem to truly know what help is available in their community from a variety of sources. The 'help' might come in many forms - financial, low or no-cost daycare, food donations, clothing for the kids, etc.
I think it is worth a try. Try the larger churches first, then work your way down.
Also, have you considered contacting a group that provides support/info re epilepsy - I bet there is a 'national support group' - and they might just have info related to drug use among epileptics...I'm just thinking that this is not isolated to only your daughter.
nothin on this website is positive, its all anti-witness!!
it helps nobody and does no good, and is for breaking down not building up, is there any righteous witnesses out there??
?
Ianao,
I've never 'spoken' to you directly - and I wanted to personally thank you for being here, and staying here!!! You are an asset to this forum.
Robert, to welcome you to this forum - I think you are in the 'right' place at the 'wrong' time - but we will be here - so, come back and visit us later....any questions, there will be answers, any hurts, we can offer a 'balm; in other words, understanding and compassion. OK, simple, eh? So, when you are sitting in the Kingdom Hall, and a question?????? just pops into your head come a talk about it here, we will 'get it', I guarantee! Please, remember this, in all sincerety....Zazu
We will accept you, even if, at the moment you can't do the same.
if you don't want to read the small text, i've made an identical webpage.
to the print appearing below @.
* http://www.intrex.net/tallyman/sharing4.html.
Dear Tom,
I would like to add my thanks to you for you sharing your ordeal with all of us. I, too, send love and hugs...and hope the 'collective' expressions of compassion for what you have been through are, at least, in part, of some comfort to you.
Short and sweet: Desperate times require desperate actions...sometimes there is no other way. And, your jury obviously concurred.
I did want to share something regarding Henley with you. As a young boy, he lost a foot to, what was then called tubercular bone disease (osteomyelitis.)
He was a studious young man, who excelled in his studies. He was, I believe, still in his early twenties, when he was threatened with the loss of a leg. He put himself into the care of Dr. Joseph Lister, who was at the time, newly involved in the study of antiseptic medicine.
Henley was hospitalized for some 20 months, I think, while being treated. It was during this long confinement that he started writing poetry...some of his efforts lead to 'Invictus.' As I recall, he experienced periods of deep depression and despair, and often bitterness. At some point, he came to the conclusion, that what was, simply 'was.' And, he determined that he had to deal with his life as it was.....therefore, he took the philosophical viewpoint: "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." I am not certain, but I believe I read this in an Enclycopedia Britannica entry?? when I was doing some research on Henley some time ago.
In this context, I view Henley's words, not as arrogant, but born of his own human suffering.
iam trying to work out how many of u are proper witnesses?
Devilman,
There aren't ANY web sites that are considered "proper" for Jehovah's Witnesses, EXCEPT the WTBTS official website. Even sites such as Witness On Line and Great Crowd, do not have the Society's approval; nor do individual home pages.
With the 'nic' Devilman, why would you care? :)
my flyers merely said: if as a jehovahs witness, a member of your family has been molested information is available for further information see: www.silentlambs.org or call 1-877-wtabuse.. nothing overtly inflammatory, actually more like a public service announcement.. i guess thats what most of the local organizers and friends thought in my neck of the, woods for the first two days of the district convention!
but once the 'friends' realized that the website i was promoting with my flyers and moving car billboard was not an approved wt site, the powers that be got ... well ... pissed is the word!.
nobody bothered me on friday as i went smiling about my posting flyers on the light and utility poles on the routes to/from the convention site.
Outnfree,
First of all, please give your special son a BIG hug and thank you from all of us! Whew, I bet he was scared, can't blame him, but he sure came through for you - rah, rah.
Thanks for relating your experience(s) - it certainly has been inspiring. :):)
And, exciting, too!!!
If you do this again, and get your permit, perhaps you can put "posted by legal permit" somewhere along the bottom of the flyer - then you could point this out to any of the Borg's goons, if they try to remove them.
***
Frenchy, yes, I remember many in our congregation relating with their own brand of 'glee' as to standing in front of various churches, passing out handbills. Also, the old-timers gleefuly telling of the 'cane wars' at Madison Square Garden, during Rutherford's 'battles' with Father Coughlin, a Catholic priest who was very anti-JW's and old Joe Rutherford.
***
Scorpion,
Your idea of putting a notice on public access tv is teriffic - I'm going to check into it, thanks.
victoria's secret posted yesterday that the convention in houston got flooded out.
i have friends and relatives there that i have been unable to contact.
can someone tell me the situation there?
YouKnow,
Good, I'm glad you were able to contact your parents, phew, I'm sure you are relieved!
When hurricane Hugo hit the Virgin Islands some years back, my daughter was living there. She couldn't be evacuated in time before Hugo hit shore. Although I knew where she was staying, and generally felt she was safe, I didn't actually get to hear from her for exactly 7 worry-filled days and nights. She was finally evacuated on the 10th day via a military transport/cargo plane.
This MaMa was so happy to see her baby!
i was born on the banks of a very beautiful part of the world, the helford river in sw cornwall, uk.
you may have heard of this enchanted, wild garden - trebah, the magical garden of dreams - www.trebah-garden.co.uk.
it just so happens whether by coincidence, synchronicity i know not, but this garden is renowned as one of the top 100 paradise gardens in the world.
Hello Mark,
I loved visiting the Trebah link. Thank you. I briefly looked at the CAN site, and will definitely go back for a thorough read, perhaps this evening, when I have a bit more time.
Your plans for an sculptural acoustical water garden sounds thrilling - I can almost picture it this very moment..aaaaah.
For many years I have desired to take an English Garden Tour, preferably on our own - but If I can't convince poster
"larc" (my husband) - well, I will take one of the little 'ol lady tours, haha. Seriously, biologist, Dr. Barbara Sommerville, of the UK, has a slate of tours. The one I am interested in takes in Hestercombe, Heligan (sp?), Rosemoor, Barrington, as well as your beautiful Trebah, and several other gardens. The tours only accomodate 12 people and participants stay in English guest houses.
Just recently I mentioned to poster "Patio" via e-mail of my interest in taking in the sights of Cornwall, having always been a fan of your Daphne DuMaurier, her books, and hauntingly descriptive writings of Cornwall.
So, again, thanks for the post; perhaps I'll get to meet you at Trebah in the not too distant future.
Glad you joined the forum - and your post made my day. :) I am so happy for you and your involvement and dedication in efforts that will benefit mankind now and in the distant future...good for you and us!
