5 years old (1973) ~ Mom starts studying and I first step into a Kingdom Hall. Then mom gets baptised in 1974. (Gee.....I wonder why? Could it be because 1975 was right around the corner?)
15 thru 19 years old ~ Drifted in and out during the teen years. Came back at 19 years of age.
20 years old (1988) ~ Baptised! I was told to receive the "mark" so I wouldn't die at Armegeddon.
35 years old (TODAY "2002") ~ Trying to do the permenant "submerge" and fade away.
good morning all, i don't usually allow myself to get too sentimental, but this was sent to me by my baby sister (not a jw) and upon reflection, i wondered if i got so wrapped up in myself that i often forget about the concerns of others.
alfie .
heavenly father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night .
I needed that! It really brought out what kind of attitude I carry at times, and I really wish I didn't. Thanks for mentioning that quote, alfie!
i work in the lending industry, im an account rep for a wholesale mortgage bank.
royal bank of canada in newyork.
edited by - hamptonite21 on 12 november 2002 22:40:6.
Foreign Language Teacher. (I teach English in Japan)
i was at the meeting on sunday and one brother mentioned how jws are heeding the scripture at matthew 24:14, you know, about the kingdom being preached, and he said how in every corner of the world jws are now found and it's a fulfillment of the scripture.
then the thought struck me that if that were true, then when people think of jws they should think "god's kingdom".
not in my experience, as when going from door to door or what colleagues at work have said.
Direct quote from my former supervisor at work while I was a "zealous" JW once he found out that I was practicing the religon. I suppose that this was his impression of Jehovah's Witnesses.
"God wants you to enjoy life. Jehovah's Witnesses can't do anything unless they are told that it's okay, right?"
I couldn't say anything. He was right. Everything that I wanted to do, no matter what, had to approved by the elder body.
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother Not Exerting Vigorously)
.
what is your favorite music video?
after shes my cherry pie, i like foo fighters learn to fly
My favorite music video?
REM ~ "Imitation of Life"
a recent thread got me quite interested in this, as i was amazed to hear that some people have seen "demonic" looking picture in dub publications; i do remember being shown by a dub in the revelatiopn book a picture of jehovah (or jesus, i cant remember ) smashing something with a big rod, adn there is a hideous lloking claw, reaching up trying to grap the stick (or sceptre i cant remember what it was) sorry if this post is really incoherant, i just had two double vodkas with vanilla coke!!.
anyway, i was quite astonished ot read that others have seen other images.
what im after in this thread is a list of where people have seen these images and in what publications; i remember showing this certain picture to my family and them saying "are you really trying to tell me that jehovah would allow the demons to do this in his publications.
Hi there in_between_days,
Check out this link:
http://watchtower.observer.org/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=SUBLIMINALIMAGES
I'm sure that you and the others will find it to be quite a "revelation". Maybe the WT Society will just suggest that it is only "symbolic"???
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother Not Exerting Vigorously)
Still attending, but not as regular as I had been since the middle of October. (Still waiting from the elders about their acknowledgment of my desire to step down as a Ministerial Servant). Like "blondie", I have a certain profile to shade away. Haven't been to the Book Study for the last 3 weeks. Haven't been out in service for just as long. Missed the Theocratic School/Service Meeting last night. (Sick, ur..um..ya' know! )
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother No Longer Exerting Vigorously)
i've just joined up to silentlambs.
basically i still consider myself a jw, although i'm no longer active.
i do frequent the odd sunday meeting tho, as i still consider 95% of it to be the truth.
WELCOME "TORN"!
Each of us will take our own path or direction in life. There are some who will walk along the same path as others. Then there are those who will meet or encounter others only when their paths cross. For some, they prefer to always change the route they are going on.
Musky, in his/her reply wrote: "It takes courage to make a stand on your beliefs. Please, continue to be an independant thinker. Its the only way to live , I feel. We are all entitled to our own beliefs."
Each of us will have to answer only to God (Jehovah). No one else! Your quest for truth and peace is something that will embolden you to continue. Certainly, the Creator knows! Since you obviously have principles that you live by, keep them. I find that the "companionship" here on this board/forum is very insightful. All of us are teachers! We teach each other!
Please let us know how things develop!
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother Exerting Vigorously)
ah, yes, another fluffy topic!.
ok, here is how is works.
type where you were born, raised and where you live now.
I don't want to give out to many specifics because of the "possible" WT Society lurkers who may fink on me.
Born = East Coast, USA
Raised = Southern California, USA
Current Residence = Somewhere far away.....and planning the "submerge"!
i still remember my first talk pretty vividly.
i was 8 or 9 at the time, and as a kid that was "born in the truth", it was only natural that i should join the school at that time.
i remember getting my talk slip a good three months before i was to deliver it, and my talk was prepared a full month before the date (this was the only time i had such advanced preparation.
My first talk......I was in the first grade at about 6 years old! (Back in the mid-70's). Like you, crownboy, I had at least 3 months in advanced preparation for a #2 Talk/Bible Reading. But, what could a 6 year old boy say about the "preparation to build the temple & the alien residents"? (1Chronicles 22:2-19). My talk was made by my JW mother along with her JW neighbor (Sister Joan Johnson).
Nervous? OF COURSE. I didn't even know that I had applied to the Theocratic Ministry School. My mother did all the maneuvers. I was like a sacrifice to Jehovah in my mother's behalf. And you want to talk about advanced preparation! I memorized the entire part! I really didn't even need to bring a Bible because I had memorized the reading portion too. I don't mean to boast, but according to everyone, it was total perfection! (For a 6 year old boy). But I now realize that the bulk of the praise was being given to my mother. She wanted to "show-off" that her son can do just like the older kids.
I was given every bit of advice (PRESSURE) during the three month count-down. Raise your voice here, gesture there, pause here, look at the audience in a zig-zag fashion...etc. The calendar was marked in BOLD LETTERS. New suit and tie. My goodness, I didn't know that it was like this whenever anyone has a part during the meeting. This had changed my whole perspective in giving talks. I continued to be so "maticulous" in my preparation for any of my assignments for the next 30 years. That is what contributed to my burn-out and burn-down. I was doing all of this for man! NOT GOD!
Alligator Wisdom (aka Brother Exerting Vigorously)
