Purrpurr- I've had the same exact emotions as you about some of the Kingdom Melodies. I was raised in and involved for 40 + years as a 3rd gen JW serving in many capacities. For reasons similar to yours, I've been away from the org for several years. Some of my favorite old Kingdom songs still move me to tears (and I'm a guy thats not supposed to be emotional like that). I don't think that that's a bad thing... so many of us were in for the right reasons and those songs remind us of that. Jehovah and Jesus still love and respect us for our decisions to leave despite what many of our 'friends' in the org tell us.
Lightgrowsbrighter
JoinedPosts by Lightgrowsbrighter
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63
why did they have to butcher the kingdom melodies?
by purrpurr inits not like there was anything wrong with them was there?
i used to love the old ones.
these new ones feel like the equivalent of a deflated balloon.. does anyone have the answer?.
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OKM 10/14: Preach the word; be at it urgently
by darkspilver inthat's their new monthly theme!.
that's all folks!.
dark spliver.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
The NWT translates the Greek word 'epistethi' as 'urgent' in this verse. Literally translated this simply means to 'be ready'. Basic bible research and a comparison with other translations show the broader meaning of this verse. Other translations render 'urgent' as 'be diligent', 'be prepared', 'be instant', and 'persist'. It's convenient to translate it as 'urgent' in order to keep the rank and file always on the edge of their seat and feeling guilty for not doing enough. It never fails to amaze me how bible translators can ignore the broad meaning of a verse, and focus only on a narrow meaning to suit their agenda. In this case, I think it's the WT's attempt to breathe life into the 1914 deal and whip the faithful into a frenzy for the '100th anniversary of Jesus invisible heavenly rule'.
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The GB gives awakened JW's 2 choices.
by BU2B inthis is classic damned if you do, damned if you dont.. the choice is.
1. be a hypocrite.
i just came to the realization that those of us still in and who know ttatt have only 2choices.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
*their
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The GB gives awakened JW's 2 choices.
by BU2B inthis is classic damned if you do, damned if you dont.. the choice is.
1. be a hypocrite.
i just came to the realization that those of us still in and who know ttatt have only 2choices.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
BU2B, I believe you are correct. I agree with some of the other comments about the slooow fade, my wife and I have done this over the past couple of years. We are lifers with many family members in and baptized for over 30 years. With that said, although we are not DF'd, we have been cut off by many of our old 'friends' and I'm sure would be listed in the 'apostate' column by many active JW's. Very painful process. I still have real friends both in and out of the org that struggle with this. I keep hoping that the WT GB will soften there firm stand on this issue which acutually makes THEM apostate (see Romans 14:1-4), but unfortunately, the current trend seems to be going the other way. My advice is to not let these men destroy your faith despite the difficult choice you make.
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They are Definitely Attacking "Higher Education"
by XBEHERE ina friend of mine recently had his co visit and in the elders meeting the co out-right asked the question: how are the friends doing in your cong.
as regards pursuing higher education?
the co continued...you know in view of all the counsel from the slave regarding the dangers.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
Interesting that the new April 2014 Awake magazine has another article on a brother who is University educated. It speaks of him being a 'pharmaceutical research(er) at the University of Ghent in Belgium'. Good thought writing commitee, BUT, where does the hypocrisy end??? I just had a family member who is in college have his 'privileges' removed because he didn't respect the WT's stand on higher education. Will the WT leaders ever let go of their arrogant opinions and realize they are just 'God's fellow workers'? 1 Cor. 3:9 Sheesh....
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New awake up on jw.org about suicide
by hoser inthey have printed a series of articles about suicide.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
They are walking a thin line commenting on the subject of suicide. The counsel to 'talk to someone' including 'people who care... including family members and friends' is pretty tough if a person is disfellowshipped. Perhaps the WT writers should consider their own collective guilt in destroying people mentally with the abuse of disfellowshipping. Some who have been DF'd become suicidal and get a very cold response- at best- from those within the borg.
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They are Definitely Attacking "Higher Education"
by XBEHERE ina friend of mine recently had his co visit and in the elders meeting the co out-right asked the question: how are the friends doing in your cong.
as regards pursuing higher education?
the co continued...you know in view of all the counsel from the slave regarding the dangers.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
This controversy about attending college is another sad consequence of the overseers charged with 'shepherding the flock' overstepping their boundaries and ignoring the Apostle Paul's pointed counsel in 1 Cor. 4:6 and Romans 14. Some of the warnings about college education have a measure of truth- i.e. temptations of the frat life, huge debt etc. It's OK for the WT commentary to point these dangers out, but if they want to be viewed as balanced (which they frequently claim) they should also comment on the positive side of a college education. Then, as Jesus would do, let people make their own decisions. This would then end the not-so-subtle judgements that are so frequent among JW's involving personal decisions.
Interestingly, I have had several family members who are active JW's attend college. Recently, one of them was told by the local elders that they could not consider him as a MS because of his being in college. They will however let him 'run the mics'. I guess it's OK to do 'menial' jobs like running the mics, but not a have a more 'prominent priviledge'. Maybe time for another letter 'clarifying' what the Bible writers forgot to mention...
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Thanks!
by Lightgrowsbrighter inthanks to all of the friends here at jwn who commented and encouraged me on my 1st and 2nd post.
it was pointed out that my 1st post was on page 5 of the recent elders thread and that i should properly introduce myself with a new thread.
the lightgrowsbrighter name is somewhat of play on words.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
Thanks to all of the friends here at JWN who commented and encouraged me on my 1 st and 2nd post. It was pointed out that my 1st post was on page 5 of the recent ‘Elders’ thread and that I should properly introduce myself with a new thread. The ‘Lightgrowsbrighter’ name is somewhat of play on words. Most of you are well aware of the WT incorrectly applying this scripture in Proverbs 4:18 to themselves as some kind of a prophecy and an excuse for the many theological/policy changes that take place and a demand for all JW’s to follow. (Coincidentally, we just saw another letter with WT changes site this scripture yet again.) It is an analogy for all of us as individuals, and the ‘light does grow brighter’ if we individually try to remain righteous and keep learning. I feel blessed to have read some very logical threads by the brothers and sisters on JWN. Many of my thoughts echo many of the comments already made here at JWN. But, sorry to be redundant, here is part of my first post:
"I am a third gen JW. MS for 7 years, elder for 5. The majority of my family on all sides are elders or have been. I was a kid in 1975 (lived where the 'need was great') and clearly remember the frenzy about this system ending. I was a teen in the mid 80's and remember the 70/80 years from 1914 and the whole deal was gonna wrap. I was the WT conductor in 1995/96 when'new light' about the 1914/generation thing was discussed. I knew I shouldn't be on the stage teaching this. I stepped aside in 1997. Has been a gut wrenching experience since then. I believe the basic problem with the WT org is that theological (and even personal) opinions are to be viewed as unquestionable facts if presented in the WT. My basic thought is that to disagree is not disrespect- it's OK as long as love is shown by all. It's OK to agree to disagree. If the brothers at the top would just let go of their demand for strict adherence to all of their pronouncements that are really just their own opinions, people would be banging down the doors to go the KH. Galatians 1:6-9 kind of gets overlooked or misinterpreted. Unfortunately, there is an ever deepening hierarchy and conditional love within the org. You will not be loved if you disagree."
I am not here because I am bitter and angry (at least I'm trying not be that way). I don’t wish to bash active JW’s. In fact, in my opinion, there are good things taught by the WT. But the mind-numbing, repetitive control mechanisms are solidly in place. Sadly, those in control show little evidence of humbling themselves as ‘fellow workers’ (1 Cor. 3:9). My wife of many years, also a 3 rd gen JW and former ‘pioneer’, has also suffered greatly for the last few years. Long time ‘friends’ have basically abandoned her because we don’t agree and follow every opinion of the WT. Opinions that are our scriptural decision to make- not a small group of men sequestered in ‘world headquarters’. Our friends quote scriptures only when they parrot the WT. When other scriptures are presented that show a different point, they normally get angry, and even become verbally abusive. One elder friend of mine came right out and said he doesn't want to think about things, just do whatever the WT org tells us. WOW. Of course, the big ‘A’ is thrown out there with no regard for open scriptural discussion. We are not DF’d, but some friends of 20-30 years refuse to talk to us.
I appreciate the open discussions here at JWN. Some comments have been made by friends here such as ‘Why do we continue to care what JW’s think?’ Well for me, there is almost a psychosis about it. A lifetime of thinking and acting a certain way, with all of our family/friends involved is difficult to deal with. I do find that virtually every JW that is willing to open and discuss their feelings does struggle with some of the same issues the majority of us here at JWN discuss. With the possibility of someone at the upper echelons of the WT org reading these posts, I say, PLEASE let go of the controlling and arrogant attitude. It is NOT scriptural to demand that the ‘sheep’ strictly follow your opinion. My second post was ‘A simple test’. If the WT leadership would prayerfully review those questions, the controlling, hateful attitude to friends who don’t agree with all of their opinions would change.
I’m rambling again, but thanks to all of the kind, intelligent, and sincere Christian friends. It's so sad and bizarre that some of us here have to be secretive and cloak and dagger about our discussions. I diappoint myself acting this way. I hope this doesn't sound judgemental- but that's the way I feel. But 1 John 4:17-21 confirms to me as a lifetime JW and student of the Bible that the respectful open discussion’s here at JWN are something Jesus expects from us. Fear and guilt for having open Bible based discussions are straight from the dark side…
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A simple test.
by Lightgrowsbrighter in(for source information, please scroll down to the bottom of this post.).
simple test.
am i a christian or a pharisee?
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Lightgrowsbrighter
(For source information, please scroll down to the bottom of this post.)
SIMPLE TEST.
Am I a Christian or a Pharisee? This simple introspective test can help us to reveal what our inner motivations are in our worship of God and if we really love our fellow man. The Pharisees (meaning ‘to be separate’) were a group of religious leaders who lived in the time of Christ. They legalistically followed and added to the Mosaic Law that Jehovah/Yahweh had given to the nation of Israel. But they lost sight of the basic meaning of the law, which was love of God and their fellow man. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. Their arrogant attitude not only resulted in hurting the common people, but also actually made them guilty of being a party to the murder of God’s son Jesus Christ! These simple questions can help us all consider what kind of group we are part of, and also what kind of a person we really are.
- Does my church/group insist on strict obedience to their interpretation of the Scriptures, and their concepts and traditions? (Matt. 23:4) YES or NO.
- Does my church/group promote and encourage the achievement of positions and have titles for various levels of religious work? (Matt. 23:6,7) YES or NO.
- Does my church/group go to great lengths to convert people to a certain way of thinking and specific religious works, beyond the simple good news of God’s Kingdom preached by Jesus? (Matt. 23: 15) YES or NO.
- Do I pride myself on my religious activities while looking down or perhaps viewing as evil or apostate those who do not meet my church/group’s prescribed level of activity? (Luke 18:11,12) YES or NO.
- Do I refuse to associate or eat with people who I view as sinners? (Not ‘brothers’ who unrepentantly practice sin as Paul later clarified). (Luke 15:1,2) YES or NO.
- Am I irritated or filled with rage about these questions? Will I delete this information and view as evil or apostate those who prayerfully consider and share this, perhaps viewing them as worthy of death? (Mark 3:6) YES or NO.
ANSWER KEY:
If you answered ‘YES’ to all of these questions, you unfortunately have the qualities of a Pharisee and have lost sight of true Christianity. Please prayerfully consider your personal attitude and consider that the Pharisee’s thought that they were doing things the way God wanted. Jesus made it clear that, although the works they performed may be good, their attitude toward others was the opposite of God’s will.
If you answered ‘YES’ to one or more of these questions, you are likely working hard to be a true Christian, but are allowing imperfect human tendencies and perhaps external church/group pressures to taint your good works.
If you answered ‘NO’ to all of the questions, you are likely manifesting the qualities of a true Christian. You will probably have many friends who respect and love you, both within your church/group and outside of it, as people will sense your genuine Christian love.
What do you friends think?
Oh yes- the source information is: 'Insight on the Scriptures', Volume 2, page 625.
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Lightgrowsbrighter
My first post here at JWN. WOW. The brothers and sisters on this site overall have been a huge blessing for me. I believe most here are sincere Christians that see some serious leadership problems in the WT. I see here and know personally those who have been really hurt by org procedure.
I am a third gen JW. MS for 7 years, elder for 5. The majority of my family on all sides are elders or have been. I was a kid in 1975 (lived where the 'need was great') and clearly remember the frenzy about this system ending. I was a teen in the mid 80's and remember the 70/80 years from 1914 and the whole deal was gonna wrap. I was the WT conductor in 1995/96 when'new light' about the 1914/generation thing was discussed. I knew I shouldn't be on the stage teaching this. I stepped aside in 1997. Has been a gut wrenching experience since then. I believe the basic problem with the WT org is that theological (and even personal) opinions are to be viewed as unquestionable facts if presented in the WT. My basic thought is that to disagree is not disrespect- it's OK as long as love is shown by all. It's OK to agree to disagree. If the brothers at the top would just let go of their demand for strict adherence to all of their pronouncements that are really just their own opinions, people would be banging down the doors to go the KH. Galatians 1:6-9 kind of gets overlooked or misinterpreted. Unfortunately, there is an ever deepening hierarchy and conditional love within the org. You will not be loved if you disagree. Sorry to ramble on...again it's my first post... my head is swimming with things say.