Posts by jillbedford

13

The 3rd return visit.............

by vitty in

jw
friends

this got me thinking when i read another post "not knocking".

we could count the 3rd and subsequent return visits, a bible study, if you read a scripture.

these were called door stop studies.

jillbedford

I was a regular pioneer and and the PO's daughter, so I had very high standards to live up to.

I did not count it as a study unless the person agreed to it and it was as least 15 minutes. It usually went on for an hour.

I spent all morning in the door to door work then the early part on the afternoon on return visits, finishing the day with one or two hour long Bible studies. I had an impression field service report. I worked hard at it. I worked hard at it for 5 full years, never missing my 1000 hours in service per year.

As an adult now, I find this has helped me with goals in sales and with organization.

I just wish all of that time had been spent in college instead of wasting my time spreading mistruth and false hopes.

I guess we all live and learn, right?

33

Oooo, now I'm a Satan worshipper - Care to respond to Dad's latest attack?

by Ingenuous in

i'm not going to answer this email from my dad.

he didn't listen the umpteen times i responded to his questions before - i'm not putting myself through that again.

i too thought about these things.

jillbedford

I am in your corner. We all are.

Here are a few answers to the questions:

Do they vote or take political stances? Yes, because every vote counts. Doing nothing yeilds nothing.
How do they view Jesus’ command on marriage and divorce? Thank God we live is a country where divorce is legal. Otherwise there would be more murders. Is that better?
Do they include religious holidays in their personal worship? Yes, because the Bible, if you read a real one, not the NWT, does not condemn this.
What are their feelings on homosexuality and fornication? Am I clueless, or did God go to the prostitutes and the tax collectors?
What do they do about Jesus’ statement at Mt 24:14? The preaching is done is a non-intrusive constructive way. Not the time wasting fashion JW's pratice this.
Do they agree on what “THIS” good news is? Jesus obviously had something specific in mind. Yes, he did. It is an unselfish free gift, of everlasting life that none of us deserve, but we get anyway.
How do individuals feel about abortion? or lying? Abortion is equal to lying? The answer is, I would hope I would never find myself in a postion, where abortion is something I am looking in to. But I am glad it is legal and an option. I personally would not choose it, but it is my choice to not choose.

Do you open your studies with prayer? If so do you take turns praying to whatever is an individual’s idea of who God is? Yes, we pray, to the real Almighty God, not the judgemental God JW's think God is.

If you don’t pray and ask for guidance then how is Jehovah supposed to know that you are looking for truth and pure worship? Because God is Almighty and all knowing. He listens to all sincere prayers. You judgemental pharisee!!

I wish you the best on your continued battle. You will always have a sympathetic ear on this forum.

44

Not DA'd, Not DF'd - but pretty much Disowned...

by Ingenuous in

i just came from what will probably be the last conversation i'll ever have with my father.

earlier in the day, i'd talked to my mom and she asked what i was up to - translated "what are you doing with yourself since you aren't going to meetings or out in service?

" i told her i'd been discussing the bible with an informal group of people and reading older wts literature.

jillbedford

I can relate. My father met my husband for the first time, after being married for three years. I had been out for ten plus years, hoped things had changed, went back for about 10 meetings and one assembly. This was the conditions my father needed to see to grant me a visit.

Conditional love, wouldn't you say?

All choices in life come with a price.

27

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 8-21-05 WT Study (Faithful)

by blondie in

what is "the faith"?.

the faith?.

5, 6. what standard do we have for testing whether we are in the faith, and .

jillbedford

I read it all. What a sacrifice you make to continue to attend meetings. But I really apreciate your time and effort. It helps me realize I have made the right choices.

14

Away from the "Core" - Subversion at the Convention

by ezekiel3 in

last year i thought i would share my diligent notes and show what it was like at the core of the organization.. not this year.

for a learning experience, i decided to stray from the active ones and see what everyone else was doing during this convention.

perhaps this would be special since the whole theme of the dc was "godly obedience".

jillbedford

I went to the assembly last year (long story) after many years of not attending anything. I was seated, by the attendant in the high nose bleed seats where the other inactive people sit. I listened to all the talks, took notes and came to a final decision in regard to JW's. I did not walk isles ever or walk the parking lot.

82

What's your best feature?

by JH in

jw
friends

i think i have nice eyes

jillbedford

Eyes I am told, this is my real picture.

And legs, I am a marathoner, run at least 35 miles a week.

I get compliments on my brains but not as much. Guess I will continue to work on that one.

25

Hobbies & talents & dislikes.

by hibiscusfire in

jw
friends

sometimes i wonder if the persons we are sreally show off our talents.. you may go somewhere with all these talents, hobbies and dislikes and people just see you for another two legged creature on planet earth.. for instance at work people just see you for what you do, they don't know how talented you may be.. my hobbies:.

watching television & movies, sewing, being around my doggies, relaxing-bathing- walking on the beach - love the sand.

i just learnt how to swim so i don't mind swimming in the pool now.

jillbedford

JT Stumbler:

Microbrewers rock! That's how our home town brew all started, "New Knoxville".

Amen to that old thinking outside of the box!

15

Why are they witnesses

by joelbear in

jw
friends

.

1. their family dynamics require it.. 2. they are old and its too late to jump ship now.. 3. it allows them to think they are special.. 4. they are sheltered by a fake brotherhood community around them.. add more?

jillbedford

1. Because the WTBS tells them they have to be.

2, Because they are lulled into a false sense of security around their of dub friends.

3. Because they have been amnipulated into a marriage with another dub and feel they can't leave.

4. Because they have been impregnated by the dub husband and now have dub children also depending on them.

5. Because they are afraid to think for themselves.

6. Because they fear they will live ouside God's love and protection. (Another source of mindcontrol by WTBS)

7. Because leaving will leave one all alone, for a while, as you can have no non-dub friends or family.

8. Because of mis-application of scripture, "where else are we to go".

9. Because of lack of education.

10. Because of the comfort zone factor.

Any other thoughts? Fascinating thread.

25

Hobbies & talents & dislikes.

by hibiscusfire in

jw
friends

sometimes i wonder if the persons we are sreally show off our talents.. you may go somewhere with all these talents, hobbies and dislikes and people just see you for another two legged creature on planet earth.. for instance at work people just see you for what you do, they don't know how talented you may be.. my hobbies:.

watching television & movies, sewing, being around my doggies, relaxing-bathing- walking on the beach - love the sand.

i just learnt how to swim so i don't mind swimming in the pool now.

jillbedford

This is a very interesting post. It gives one food for thought. How much of our upbringing developes of hobbies, talents and dislikes?

My hobby is running.

What am I running from?

My talent is professional wedding photography.

Perhaps enjoy spending time in other Churches as I was forbidden to do so as a youth.

My dislikes are controlling people.

As I had way too much of that growing up.

How about the rest of us? Any further comments?

51

It's 98 degrees, put on your suit and go to Yankee Stadium

by IronGland in

jw
friends

anyone go to that convention in ny back in the 50's?

remember when they lasted until 8pm?

in the summer?

jillbedford

I have read all of your wonderful posts. I too was at Yankee Stadium in 1969 and in 1973.

I recall fainting dead away in 1973 and being brought to first aid.

This was all I knew and do not remember this experience as anything but a time we saw all our family and had grateful reunions. The 1973 international convention was the last time I saw my dear uncle, "aposate" now, with all my cousins and grandmother at an assembly. They were appalled at my fainting but I was just trying to sit still and be good.

Moving forward to today, I see this as a little bit of whining. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Those of us who were kids had no choices in the matter but doesn't this opportunity allow us to have open minds and hearts to make other choices for our own families and children?

I do not mean to be disrespectful. I sympathize with all of your pain and bad memories, I was there too.