Text For Wednesday, 06 June 2007

[barry]

If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake day after day and follow me continually.—Luke 9:23.

By and large, parents want only what is best for their offspring. (Ps. 127:3-5) In today’s world, though, it is a challenge for parents to provide what is best for their children. Many parents have gone through hard times. Naturally, it is their heartfelt desire that their children not go through the same things. But we must remember that, as followers of Jesus Christ, Christians have chosen to dedicate their life to Jehovah. Yes, a Christian’s life does involve self-sacrifice. Yet, it is not a life of deprivation and misery. On the contrary, it is a happy and satisfying life—a good life—because it involves giving, and as Jesus said, “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35. w 10/1/05 1-3a

[Jeshurun]

I'm amazed at how many different scriptures they can twist into their agenda. Isn't it possible to dedicate one's life to Jehovah and get an education at the same time? And how many JW parents have gone through "hard times" because of the Watchtower's misdirection? They seem to think that a college education is a luxury in this world. It isn't, it's a necessity, unless you're planning on a life of hard times.

When Jesus says "pick up your torture stake" it is a reminder to me that we must be prepared to suffer any consequences necessary in order to be "no part of the world" and to do Jehovah's will. A wise college student can attend classes and still manage to serve Jehovah quite well, doing incidental witnessing at school, speaking with acquaintances they have gained credibility with.

[stayawake]

I agree with you Lou.
What in the world would stop any one in colledge from sharing the good things that will come from Christ Rule ?

There are all sorts of avenues open to talk to just about any one ,just current events alone leave that door open.
Colledge is a territory all of its own. are they on any maps in the KH territories.?
Some of these youths have never heard about THe good things held out for the future, some have no hope other then getting a education in order to survive. I think there would be great success there.

Now on the dark side, The goal that was to be inculcated in the WT youths was pioneering ,
then Bethel after grad from High School/ THis is where most of our boys went and stayed.If they qualified.

We're any of them consulted as to selling thier homes in Brooklyn and sending them Home .? I don't think so/

Oh! I am sure they WT kept the cream of the crop. but what of the ones , who forfieted a education, and now must go home.??
Single ,no families no dependents of their own, no jobs great targets for the draft if that comes into the picture.

Where is the love, where is the concern ??

[Jeshurun]

Stayawake, if it weren't for Caesar's law the gurus at Bethel would have the Witnesses pulling their kids out of school after the 3rd grade and start pioneering. Sure they can learn all the rest at theocratic ministry school. I'm not saying kids are getting a great education these days but where is the balance?

Seeing comments like this on a daily text scripture that has such powerful meaning and minimizing it into their little box really makes me ill!

Agape
Lou

[billy]

Thanks Barry :y:

I agree with you both Jeshurun and Stayawake :188:

I have always thought Jesus was our role model

He wasnt baptized unitl he was 30
He learned a trade as a carpenter
He showed a keen interest in spiritual matters even at 12 years old

so i cant agree with pushing young people into and early baptisim
learning a trade - which could be anything from a carpenter to a doctor - whats the difference
a spiritual person can be doing anything - i love that scripture that says (i can't find it at the moment) whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else...do all things for God's glory

i usually have a conflict with the text scripture about suffering to follow the Christ because Jesus said in another place if you follow him it will be light and burdensom - the two seem to contradict - so as your brought out Jeshurun - the suffering comes when we run up against the world - so with out that pressure it is light and burdensom

[barry]

We have also already several times told fabout the age that Jesus was baptized when young people get baptized.
Seems like they don't understand this.