Faithful Witness

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Posts by Faithful Witness

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  16

  Two Roads... and the one I took made all the difference

  by adjusted knowledge in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  introduction to the faith.

  ive been a lurker for many years now, and recently created an account to post comments.

  someone suggested i should introduce myself and tell my story.

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  Faithful Witness

  Thanks for sharing your story! I commend you for using your God-given mind, and thinking for yourself. :)
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  54

  Hello, I am new

  by LillyC in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i am not a jehovah's witness but i am very interested, i have many questions and hope they can be answered here.. i do believe in god, privately.

  i do say my prayers daily and do believe god helps me in countless ways.

  but i don't go to any church.. i have always been impressed at how smart, polite and nice jehovah's witnesses are and i always make time to speak to them when they call at my door.

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  Faithful Witness

  Panther said: 'The best place to learn about JW is on JW.org

  That is true, IF you only want to know what the JW's want to say about themselves.

  If, however, you are considering bringing your children to a meeting, you might want to check their references first. If you're looking to make an educated and fully-rounded decision, you should look at all sides of the story.

  Jesus said you would recognize true Christians by their fruits... a quick read of www.jwfacts.org will show you what the world sees from this organization. I considered becoming a JW myself, but when we discovered that we were only allowed to investigate other religions (their so-called "false religions), we had to stop lying to our "friends" and move on to find a more honest group of people.

  I will agree, they can be very convincing, when they come to your door in their sheep's clothing!
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  19

  Overseer's wife accompanied my Elderette, to answer my question, "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?"

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as usual, i was unprepared for a "drop-in" visit by a jw.

  they seem to have a knack for coming when you're in the middle of something, or your house is a complete disaster... for me, both things are almost always true.

  it's better if you call me and warn me before you come over.

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  Faithful Witness

  Bible Student: I learned that I should not have meaningful conversations with people, or make any decisions when my blood sugar is out of whack. This is a new issue for me, and after this episode of utter confusion, I am even more clear that I need to learn how to handle it. I was sweating and shaking, but didn't want to be rude.

  I am relieved that my elderette seems to be willing to stick with a plan, and to call first for our next meeting. I don't think I scared her off, and that is a first. :) She has an agenda, and approval of my former BS teacher. I wonder how long it will be before she wants to bring her husband and talk to mine.

  leaving_quietly: Wow, great catch. Why didn't I see that before?

  "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed ...?" PAST TENSE. He did not say "whom his master WILL APPOINT". Nor did he indicate when this appointment would occur. Logic would indicate that the master would appoint the slave BEFORE he leaves, not just before his arrival, or even during his "presence".

  She referenced Daniel 12:4 as a corresponding verse: “As for you, Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. + Many will rove about, * and the true knowledge will become abundant.” +

  Lost generation: " You seem to have more JW encounters than I could ever tolerate! They must be viewing you as that fish that got away!" I have noticed that I DO have lots of JW encounters.

  Island Man: Thanks for the references. I will definitely come back to those topics. I think she is going to get stuck on proving the appointment of the faithful and discreet slave for awhile first.

  OUTLAW:

  A C/O`s Wife?!..LOL!!..

  Ask her if JW`s ever give her and her husband,cash and/or gifts..

  Regardless of how they recieve it..

  JW`s are footing the bill for that C/O and his wife to live..

  If I hadn't been in such a fog, I might have had a better response to her absurd statement about WTS being non-profit. She also went on a mini-rant about pedofiles and how they are disfellowshipped and dealt with appropriately. She claimed that parents have "Practice sessions" with their kids, to help them avoid being abused, and know what to do if a situation arises. I knew I was not in a state of mind for that battle, but it was so obvious (put the responsibility on the kids now). Ugh... it was depressing to see this woman, a professed "ex-atheist" tell me how she had been "the least likely to EVER join a religious organization..." going on a rant about how her "research" had convinced her that this was the one true religion.

  -------

  My elderette has an illustration that she appears to be using on me. I'm not sure if she came up with this herself, or if it's from the script. She started by telling me about a jigsaw puzzle that she had put together at home. "The pieces around the edge are easy to put together." Then, there are the piece in the middle... and sometimes you come across a piece that you just can't find. And then there is that piece that you *thought* was in the right place, but you realize it isn't quite right when you look at it closer. You can tell it just is not fitting.

  Has anyone used this before? I happen to love analogies, so I can use this when I am asking her questions.

  They made it clear that their visit was meant to address the question of the slave. They used Matthew 24:45 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave..." and then cross-referenced to Daniel 12:4 " “As for you, Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant."

  In my mental fog, I could not see the correlation between these two verses. Now that my mind is clear, I still can't see how this verse from Daniel applies to the slave being appointed 1900 years after Christ was born. I was reading from the KJV as a comparison, and all I could see was that it said "many will go to and fro..." and I thought it was odd that they would choose that verse.

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  In another corner of my world of JW's, I wonder if the news of my renewed BS interest will soften my sister's resolve to shun me.
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  19

  Overseer's wife accompanied my Elderette, to answer my question, "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?"

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as usual, i was unprepared for a "drop-in" visit by a jw.

  they seem to have a knack for coming when you're in the middle of something, or your house is a complete disaster... for me, both things are almost always true.

  it's better if you call me and warn me before you come over.

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  Faithful Witness

  Is jw.org inspired?
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  19

  Overseer's wife accompanied my Elderette, to answer my question, "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?"

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  as usual, i was unprepared for a "drop-in" visit by a jw.

  they seem to have a knack for coming when you're in the middle of something, or your house is a complete disaster... for me, both things are almost always true.

  it's better if you call me and warn me before you come over.

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  Faithful Witness

  As usual, I was unprepared for a "drop-in" visit by a JW. They seem to have a knack for coming when you're in the middle of something, or your house is a complete disaster... for me, both things are almost always true. It's better if you call me and warn me before you come over. Today, my blood sugar was also crashing, so I had a hard time concentrating and speaking clearly. (I'm sure I looked like a fool).

  The CO's wife (new to me) was a convert. I didn't ascertain how long she has been a JW, but she was pretty excited about the fact that she had found the one true religion. She explained that God has ALWAYS had an organization on earth. She made a couple of claims that I noticed, but was not feeling equipped to challenge. She also had stated that she only had 5 minutes to chat, but she kept on talking... hahaha (how atypical for a JW!)

  There were only 2 points I challenged her on.

  1. She claimed that nobody was making any profit off this... (!!!) She went on to say how nobody gets a salary, nobody: from the elders, overseers, right on up to the governing body. "Nobody gets paid!"

  • I noted (to myself) that this statement was coming from a woman who has a very nice salon hairstyle, the latest style of fashion boots, and most likely has her housing, vehicle, meal and living expenses paid by the society (or do the CO's have to pay their own living expenses... ??). From the things I have heard and observed, wherever they go, everything is provided for them, while they brag about how they don't make any money...
  • I interjected and said, "But there IS a Watchtower Corporation. They DO have billions of dollars."
  • To which, she nodded and said, "And WHAT do they DO with that money? (bats eyelashes)" ...
  • and here is where my reason went out the window and I lost it (I am blaming the blood sugar). I said, "They are paying court costs. They are shelling out milliions of dollars to lawyers, to cover their tracks. They cover up crimes by calling them sins. Millions... Candace Conti??"
  • I admit it, I lost my cool... oops. (But really, "nobody is making money....???")
  • Her response: "Oh, there are WEBSITES that will try to defame the name of our ORGANIZATION (her word)..."
  • I said, "Like NBC News?"
  • She came back with, "If you want to know the truth about someone, what do you do? If I want to know more about you and how you run your house or take care of your kids, do I ask you personally, or do I go run around and see what your neighbors say about you?"
  • and I said, "True, but if I want to know more about a business or organization that I am considering, I do ask for the perspective of outsiders. I would ask their previous customers about their experiences, and I would look at the history of that organization." (There is a big difference between her example and reality. I am not asking anyone to donate their time and money to serving me and my purpose. I am also not claiming to be God's mouthpiece in the time of the end, or asking anyone else to follow my instructions as if they come from God.)
  • They went way over their time limit, but I don't regret saying something to the visiting overserette.

  2. On their way out, I repeated one other statement she had made to me...

  • "God has always had an organization on earth? There was never a time without one. Who represented that organization in the 1700's or 1800's?"
  • She then said there had been many imperfect reps before, and that Jesus had told the disciples that he would appoint the slave during the LAST DAYS... (at this explanation, I heard my elderette let out a quiet, "Oh!" like she was so glad there was actually an answer to that question).

  So elderette has my phone number now, so hopefully she will call in advance next time, so I can clear a path and put on the tea kettle first. She has agreed that she will come back, but only wants to talk about what is IN THE BIBLE. She claimed that she had already spoken to our previous BS teacher, and that he was happy to hear that she was coming by. Apparently, he has stopped here to find our house empty on several occasions... interesting to hear!

  I'm pretty sure she is scared of my bringing out apostate information. I wonder if old Watchtowers will also be apostate information? I think next time she comes, we may have to clarify what information is accurate to consider. She said she only wanted to review words that are "inspired."
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  3

  Public Watchtower March 2014: "Finding Strength in My Weakness"

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i received this magazine from an acquaintance last week.

  this particular article caught my interest.

  although it is clearly supposed to make me feel happy for this handicapped woman, who has shown such strength and stamina in serving jehovah, it really just makes me angry and sad.. the article appears on pages 7-9 of the public watchtower.

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  Faithful Witness

  The next article in the same magazine, "Interfaith - Is It God's Way? Is Truth Relative?"

  Jehovah’s Witnesses cordially invite you to visit a Kingdom Hall near you to see for yourself the remarkable peace and unity that exist among them. — Psalm 133:1 .

  I know, "peace and unity" are not the same as love and care... but this lovely woman is clearly on her own in this world.

  And as evidence that there is only one TRUE religion, the box at the end of the article states:

  Jehovah is described as “the God of truth,” and he said of himself: “I do not change.” ( Psalm 31:5;Malachi 3:6 )

  I've never been a JW, but I continue to be amazed at how easily they can change their beliefs, almost without even realizing they are changing. From the conversation I had with the elderette who gave me this magazine, they have become convinced that "adjustments" are not actually changes.

  From dictionary.com:

  ad·just

  [uh-juhst] verb (used with object)

  1. to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate: to adjust expensesto income.
  2. to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position: to adjust an instrument.
  3. to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result: to adjust our differences.
  4. Insurance. to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
  5. to systematize.
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  3

  Public Watchtower March 2014: "Finding Strength in My Weakness"

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  i received this magazine from an acquaintance last week.

  this particular article caught my interest.

  although it is clearly supposed to make me feel happy for this handicapped woman, who has shown such strength and stamina in serving jehovah, it really just makes me angry and sad.. the article appears on pages 7-9 of the public watchtower.

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  Faithful Witness

  I received this magazine from an acquaintance last week. This particular article caught my interest. Although it is clearly supposed to make me feel happy for this handicapped woman, who has shown such strength and stamina in serving Jehovah, it really just makes me angry and sad.

  The article appears on pages 7-9 of the public Watchtower. "Finding Strength in My Weakness," the story of Maite Morlans.

  She was hospitalized in a sanitarium when she was 10, baptized when she was 14, with only Bible publications and her JW upbringing to comfort her through many years of pain and crippling illness. She was in a wheelchair for most of her life, and shares stories of a bad car accident, and the time when out in field service, the sister who accompanied her, let go of her long enough to send her rolling out of control down a hill and into a parked car.

  She is so proud to do her telephone witnessing, even though she looks so weak at 65 pounds... It is sad to see that the WTS is proud to exploit her in this way. Not only are they shamelessly sucking every last bit of energy out of this poor woman, they are using her as a proud display of the way they treat their followers. There is no mention in her entire article, about love or care that she gets from other JWs or from the society... only the hope she has for a better life later. She closes her story with the following lines:

  There are many things in life I cannot do. I call them my pending wishes. Often I close my eyes and open my private “window” into the new world that God promises. (2 Peter 3:13)

  I imagine myself healthy, walking about and enjoying life to the full. I take to heart King David’s words: “Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and strong of heart.” (Psalm 27:14)

  Although my body has become more and more fragile, Jehovah has made me strong.

  So let this be a lesson to anyone who feels like they are tiring out from all the work for the Kingdom... if Maite can do 60 hours a month as a pioneer, why can't YOU!?

  And to anyone in the public, who might actually read this magazine... JW's are happy to put you to work, no matter what condition you are in. There is a place for you in Jehovah's organization!
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  29

  Joining a Church and advice from co-workers!!!!!!!!!!

  by Jon Preston in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so im obviously out mentally....i havent da-ed but i cant care less!

  but.....my co workers are encouraging me to find and join a church.

  this person is particularly "wisdomonian" meaning she seems to solve and assist many an ailing indicidual in my field.

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  Faithful Witness

  Church of Christ is not the same as the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

  It is its own denomination. From what I can tell, they do not add extra books like the Mormons do (Book of Mormon).
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  34

  DC Follies: Will SOMEBODY please come to Atlanta? Anybody? Pretty please? Don't make us beg!

  by sir82 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  "a friend of a friend" applied to go to an international convention this year.. they have not heard anything about whether they were accepted or not.. but recently, they received this e-mail:.

  brother xxxxx:.

  according to our records, you applied and were approved by your body of elders to be a delegate to international conventions outside of the united states, but were not selected.

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  Faithful Witness

  I'm curious to know... Will this man apply for this privilege?
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  57

  Regional Convention Program Posted

  by kneehighmiah in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  http://download.jw.org/files/media_books/b8/co-pgm14_e.pdf.

  i think i will want to kill myself during the friday afternoon symposium.

  it should be called "how to not enjoy life or have fun.".

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  Faithful Witness

  Friday 4:00 - "Sacred Secrets of the Kingdom," Progessively revealed. (Matthew 13:10-11)

  Adjustments will be made.