Wt Study June 3

[jammin4]

This particular phrase was just "passed over" in today's study and I felt it really considered a lot more attention then it was given.

When I had my Bible study way back in the early 70s I remember what difficulty I had accepting the little flock concept. "How do they know they are?" was my question. To which the sister answered "They just do." Not a very acceptable answer, but I had the sense to put it on a "back burner." After years of personal experience benefitting from holy spirit and blessings from Jehovah, I have a better understanding of how they "just know."

Fast forward to the 80s when I was struggling through the legal process involving my now ex's inappropriate behavior with my daughter. It was her word against his and he was not in the truth. Clearly, none of the brothers and sisters would give me any moral support at all during this time nor would the elders even give me encouragement. I felt so abandoned and alone. It was such a difficult time. Yet I understood that where there were no witnesses AND my husband was not a JW, there was really not much anyone could do. The charges against my husband were dropped and today my abused daughter is a very angry 38 year old who has cut off all communication with me. My ex is a crack addict/alcoholic with kidney disease. My younger 3 children say his conscience is making him sick. Perhaps in later years my daughter will speak to me again. I find myself waiting in faith.

Recently I have spoken with two who have left their congregations. They say that they do not like the way the elders handle things and/or that there are too many cliques in the congregation that make them feel unwelcome. I have never experienced much favorable from elders. Rather I hear from them when I've done something wrong. (Although I did receive commendation from a few after my ministry school talk last week.) I don't belong to a JW clique, but I DO know I'm not part of the "in crowd." I've never had a successful Bible study and none of my children are JWs, so I am considered an "unsuccessful parent" I guess. However, my main concern is how Jehovah feels about me. I love him and I'm trying.

I have had some issues of my own in the past and left Jehovah for ten years between '84 and '94. I have found out the hard way there is no place else for me to go. I am waiting in faith.

[stayawake]

Dear Jammin
You say you love Jehovah, and your trying
Then you wonder how Jehovah feels about you
Rest assured Jammin, Hes very please with you.

You had a hard life Jam, and Jah sent His son to bind up the broken hearted
So keep the faith that you have alive and look for the things that are promised to those who are faithful, and very soon we will see the reality of those promises.

I too hope your daughter will forget and forgive.
love you
stayawake

[billy]

Hello Jammin4

i just read your post and it made me cry

i havent had child abuse situations that i know of with my children but then you never know - because of the secrecy and fear around it

i know i had some close calls as a child but some how managed to excape it

i can understand how you feel with the lack of support and cliques in the congregations - i found this very depressing and like the ones you recently spoke too - i cant go back to the meetings for awhile - my present thinking tells me to wait til Jehovah cleans it all up before i could handle being there - i admire your strength to be able to even attend the meetings knowing what you know -

there appears to be alot of sighing and crying going on in the organization - there is definetly and outcry and its getting louder and louder each day

i also left Jehovah for a number of years - and have paid the consequences for it - the positive aspect of that though is - like you - i never want to be in that place again - the world is a big lie - i think of it like that movie "the matrix" - its a worldwide empire of deceit - material wealth, physical beauty, sporting ability, educational superiority, race elitism its so superficial - thats on the surface like a big shiny carrot then theres the underlying perversness of sexual abuse in many forms from child abuse to sexual graification in all the unhealthy practices, the lying and deciet by the worlds leaders, the outrageous wealth being made by the comercial world - the banks, businesses, the music industry, movie industry

i dont want a part of it - yuck, vomit, spew!!!!

what a great feeling to be able to wear a "white robe" - now i pursue keeping that robe clean - keeping my life simple - trying to be a good example to my children so i can win them over without a word -

theres not a whole lot of people on that narrow path -

Jehovah be with you :buja_w_oblokach:

[Kenneth]

Sundays Watchtower "Let the congregation be built up"

I couldn't help thinking that the Watchtower was a direct strike at what's been happening on the internet as regards those who are leaving the congregation to go it alone. Paragraph 16 maintained that a Christian who thinks he can go it alone is much mistaken in that he is turning away from Gods arrangement. This idea is to be found on many of the forums, namely that you don't need the society to worship God. I can't help feeling though that someone in Bethel is monitoring theses sites and then trying to counteract what's being said via the Watchtower.

It is certainly true that Paul spoke much about the congregation and it seems that it's an important part of our worship. If Jehovah has commanded us to gather together to insight to love and fine works then the society is certainly right on that point. However, there are many who can't gather for on reason or another much of which is down to circumstances. Some can't psychologically deal with what's going on in the congregations and others are just too ill to be there, and still there are those who have been so stumbled by the actions of others they can't go anywhere near a KH.

Some of the time the society don't fully appreciate the issues that others are facing, and how depressesed being at the KH makes them. There just told to study and pray more and develop their appreciation of the arrangement that Jehovah's has made. For many sitting though the meeting has becoming an endurance. And as for the Revelation book brothers they are quietly griping about it, many can't understand why the society are putting them through it once again. In fact the whole book is illrelevant due to the operation of error. I don't believe that the society can go on much longer with its 1914 teaching as the wall is starting to crack and that's becoming clearly evident in the congregations. If JWs are Spiritual Israel then the scripture in Ezekiel can only apply to them and them alone as the term "My People" is used:

"for the reason, yes, for the reason that they have led my people astray, saying, "There is peace!" when there is no peace, and there is one that is building a partition wall, but in vain there are those plastering it with whitewash."

[eyes&ears]

Jammin,

PSALMS 4:1


When I call answer me, O my righteous God. In the distress you must make broad space for me. SHOW ME FAVOR AND HEAR MY PRAYER.



PSALMS 5:1-3

To my sayings do give ear, O Jehovah; Do understand my sighing.

(2) Do pay attention to the sound of my cry for help, O my King and my God because to you I pray.

(3) O Jehovah, in the morning you will hear my voice; In the morning I shall address myself to you and be on the watch.


KEEP HOLDING ON TIGHT TO JEHVOVAH JAMMIN AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU STAY FOCUSED OKEY DOKEY.

AND YUP I KNOW, IT AIN'T EASY JAMMIN. :Love: I PRAY THE SCRIPTURES AND THE RESPONSES EASE YOUR PAIN A LITTLE.

Sisterly love

E & E

[Eli's Foe]

Sundays Watchtower "Let the congregation be built up"



Some of the time the society don't fully appreciate the issues that others are facing, and how depressesed being at the KH makes them. There just told to study and pray more and develop their appreciation of the arrangement that Jehovah's has made. For many sitting though the meeting has becoming an endurance.[/b]

Kenneth,

you got this so right!
And my heart went out to you Jammin when I read your comments. Whilst I and my family haven't experienced anything like the difficulties you've had, I can sympathise entirely with the clique culture which exists in my own KH and no doubt in so many more. What happens when you raise issues like these with elders? Just a regurgitation of the WTS glib answers as Kenneth says. No answer at all!

Have you noticed how the elders have become concerned with the minutae of Society "political" correctness, and any issue which is of real substance which doesn't fall into the category of gross sin, is often in the too difficult category? Especialy when it involves of the body of elders or a member of their close family?

However, can you blame the under-shepherds when the lead coming out of NY is so poor? I am sure that many who join this DB or read the essays etc written by Robert or lurk here, are desperately seeking justice, understanding and love. Even if they cannot fully comprehend the issues at stake and the role of the WTS and particularly the GB and the 1914 error, they will find like-minded brothers and sisters who are sighing and groaning and who understand what it will be truly like to live, not under the domination of men and a man-made organisation here on earth but under the rule of Christ and his true and faithful co-rulers in Heaven. That is the greatest relief at finding this place - the princes are not unannointed elders!

EF

[Viking]

I guess that Jehovahs spirit is everywhere where christians meet together, even if they are only 2 or three.

And how was it in the past - eg in the concentration camps iof the nazis - when brothers disfellowshipped brothers falsely and let them alone be there. They were not torn away by god.

So, if someone speaks to the elders that he stumbles because of the corporate behavior in case of UN, child molesting and so on - who are the elders that they deny any of gods spirit to this person?

we live by faith and we walk by faith. And someone who condemns certain practice of the WTS what leads to his disfellowhsipping - like example Robert King - he surely has the acceptance of our loving father.

those in responsible positions will be kept responsible for what they did. The latest comment on "Captives of a Concept" speaks there clear and plain truth.

Everybody is responsible with his conscience to god and some cant hide their knowing about the bad things.

They are no worse christians, they know that the bill does come - in the final hour when we must give our proof to god.

And I know someone who spoke to his elders that he cant accept the behavior of the GB. he was dfd without telling him that before announcing, without Judicial committee. They broke their own laws.

so sometimes the inquisition of the Roman catholic church had the same adjectives like the JC today:

§ 1
the GB is always right
§ 2
is the GB wrong finally § 1 is valid.


cordially

Viking

[stayawake]

I feel so sad at times at how the friends have intrusted their whole life to a body of men.
The burden is overwhelming, yet when you take hold of Jesus yoke, it is so refreshing and light.

How dare man, even suggest that when one leaves or are d/f for knowing the truth about a lie, how dare them say one is no longer in Jehovahs favor !!

Helloooo, isn't it Satan thats the father of the Lie.?
No MAN can seperate one from Jehovah, because that person took sides with Jehovah and TRUTH. Jahs word is Truth
John 17:17
Think about it.

You brothers above ,Praise Jah ! for the things seen ,but are still hidden from some.

love stayawake

[Kenneth]

It’s as if your life is in their hands. When the announcement is made that Joe blog’s is no longer one of JWs it’s like a hangman’s execution, as if he’s had his spiritual throat cut. Yet Joe could be one of the kindest and most caring brothers in the congregation, having more love for Jehovah and the brotherhood in his little finger than half the congregation put together. That though counts for nothing, it is dishonourable and those who carry out these acts in the name of unity need to have their heads bowed in shame.