there are alot of new members here, and i just wanted to say that although most here don't believe that the wt is "god's organization" there are many such as myself (i have never been a jw) that believe that the bible is inspired scripture*.
loosing faith in a religious organization does not necessarily mean that you must also loose faith in god.
i have a personal relationship withn the god of the bible and can tell you that he is real and wonderful.
But what about those of us who are honestly not certain any more?
I second that... It's not that I do or don't, I just keep searching... I believe that makes me agnostic...
I hate being spiritually ambivalent because it sounds like such a cop-out... but I love being spiritually ambivalent because I feel so much more open to different perspectives.
gambit
i experienced a situation not to long ago and was left wondering.
if you that you rathers would you rather have an insincere apology or none at all?
i find myself left with a kinda sick pissed-off feeling when i get a "i'm sorry but....this is why blah blah blah" what do you think??
I agree with pettygrunder for the most part... However, I think the word "but" is a sticky one... other ways to apologize, that come out naturally for me, when they are sincere, go more along the lines of...
Hey Sis... I was having a really bad day yesterday... blah..blah..blah.. I didn't mean to take it out on you.. I'm sorry. OR
I'm sorry I attacked you yesterday with my words. It was wrong that I took out my personal frustrations on you.
If the apology is received, the dialog usually continues... Thats OK, I'm over it... Is everything alright.. You can talk to me about it if you want...
The door is opened for honest communication.... I'm sorry, but if someone says "I'm sorry, but I was having a bad day" it doesn't come across as sincere at all. --- In other words, do really believe I'm sorry about having this opinion...
gambit
Was this off topic?
so, my s/o found a watchtower stuffed in our door, you know, the usual nobody-is-home-gotta-get-rid-of-these-things type deal.
we didn't even hear the knocking on the door.
(oh the joys of sleeping in on a saturday morning-no field service!).
Stephanus...
That is one of the funniest threads I have ever read. Between you and Beck i was ROFLMAO. I tend to think Beck has some real mystical, supernatural, clarivoyent capability, she is sooo convincing I had to back to the top of the thread and try to figure out what the heck she was reading..
Still ROFLMAO
gambit
i just discovered lady lee's website and it is full of great reading... in particular, i totally enjoyed her poetry section.
i only wish that eveyone one of us was taught spiritualilty the way that i was taught poetry.
i was taught to read it from 2 or 3 perspectives... read it to discover something about the author, read it to discover something about yourself, then read through it and feel the essence that surrounds you.
Im really bleeding tonight...
Brummie... very touching ! Depressing yes, but those are some really healing words. And you didn't appear to depress anyone at all) Opaque ! I've been down that road alot. I am still so far from touching my real feelings about everything that my poetry seems esoteric in comparison to what you wrote. This is as far as I ever got with the theme of your poem...
Emotions are nothing more than opaque thoughts...
That's it... didn't make much sense, but I realized I was way out of touch when that one came out...
j -- your honey obviously has it in him... cool !
Robyn -- are you willing to share any of your poetry?
gambit
especially stinky and six
i am going back to the kh.
i've been here 2 years and posted over a year trying to be supportive of everyone but some things are even too obvious for even me to not see.
Plum,
I've never even corresponded with you, but my eyes lite up to see you back. I am fairly new, but have read quite a few threads... this place is overwhelming with really good, warm, friendly people... You are obviously a part of that collective conscience that so warmly welcomed me, as your name is all over the threads I have been reading...
do you accept hugs from strangers ((((((((plum))))))))... take care of yourself.
gambit
i just discovered lady lee's website and it is full of great reading... in particular, i totally enjoyed her poetry section.
i only wish that eveyone one of us was taught spiritualilty the way that i was taught poetry.
i was taught to read it from 2 or 3 perspectives... read it to discover something about the author, read it to discover something about yourself, then read through it and feel the essence that surrounds you.
jgnat... I love it... You've got what it takes !!! I had to dig deep into the archives to find a reply, cuz I just can't think that fast... This one's for you j... It comes packaged with a couple of special gifts....
To a fair maiden With delight and joy I bring to you this bottle of potion *** Bottle of sage & lavendar bath oil **
Along with its toxin Of splendor and peace I bring to you this bottle of lotion *** Bottle of sandlewood & rose lotion **
Your beauty within Will forever remain And beauty without You would be the same
Your humble servant
...... well, thats what it said.... I just left it in .....
i just discovered lady lee's website and it is full of great reading... in particular, i totally enjoyed her poetry section.
i only wish that eveyone one of us was taught spiritualilty the way that i was taught poetry.
i was taught to read it from 2 or 3 perspectives... read it to discover something about the author, read it to discover something about yourself, then read through it and feel the essence that surrounds you.
Thanks everyone... Does anyone else write?
Ascot -- I'll answer your question, but first post a few lines -- I know you have them . Do you really think posting this was easy? My journal and especially my poetry have always been extremely private. I never felt like anyone would understand what I was writing, let alone get their own feelings from it.
nowisee -- I'm sure I will be analyzing my marriage, and my part of it's demise, for many years to come...
I have a couple more I'm willing to share, but I really don't want to be the only one...
gambit
how do you decide what to have for dinner?
i need to get more ideas.
so what are you having for dinner tonight?.
Salad... with everything in it...
Followed with fresh fruit and whipped cream... Guaranteed to satisfy.
for some unknown reason i decided to torture myself and attended the july assembly.
i found the talk "beware the voice of strangers" particularly interesting.
although it seems, according to my jw mother, that i got the wrong message from the talk.
I'm really sick... I am listening to the mp3...
from 19:45 - 20:15... you gotta hear it... He is talking about reporters telling lies, then goes on to say that even the "appointed" so and so from the org may not even tell the truth publicly because that would very often... just lead to... worst reports about us.
MY GOD !!! These people aren't really hearing what is being said.
It is repeated over and over again "Beware the voice of the {blank} stranger"... they fill in the blank with apostate, immoral, etc...
gambit
from p19 of the june 15, 2003 'tower: .
not sure about what they're saying here - it's not like this "opposition" (presumably the unamused expression on the householder's face) can't be placed at these ladies' own feet - after all, they are the ones who are ganging up, two to one, on a householder's own doorstep at a time obviously inconvenient to her to give her a message she's obviously not receptive to.
are the dubs really getting that sensitive in their old age?
Wow Blondie... gotta give you credit for that one...
Would love to see them try to place that magazine with you .
gambit
