http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:59:23 -0400 MyBB http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3934 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:44:04 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3934
She said:

I have to leave the house for a short time, now while mummy is gone I don’t want you to leave the house or open the door to anyone under any circumstances, do you understand me young lady?”

“Yes mama” she replied.

The mother left. Ten minutes later a fire caught in the house. Smoke began to fill the rooms. The child stayed where she was anxious to obey her mother. The fire brigade turned up and started to bang on the door. She didn’t open the door. The little girl died.

Now this is a little hypothetical to illustrate the relationship many Christians have regarding rules. Is there anything we can learn from this? Is there anything we should learn from this? Did the child fail to appreciate something of importance? If so what was it?]]>
She said:

I have to leave the house for a short time, now while mummy is gone I don’t want you to leave the house or open the door to anyone under any circumstances, do you understand me young lady?”

“Yes mama” she replied.

The mother left. Ten minutes later a fire caught in the house. Smoke began to fill the rooms. The child stayed where she was anxious to obey her mother. The fire brigade turned up and started to bang on the door. She didn’t open the door. The little girl died.

Now this is a little hypothetical to illustrate the relationship many Christians have regarding rules. Is there anything we can learn from this? Is there anything we should learn from this? Did the child fail to appreciate something of importance? If so what was it?]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3933 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:01:41 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3933 Just gonna 'repeat' and keep them altogether.

Advice From A Butterfly:

* Let your true colors show.
* Get out of your cocoon.
* Take yourself lightly.
* Look for the sweetness in life.
* Take time to smell the flowers.
* Catch a breeze.
--------------------------------------------------------

Advice From A River:

* Go with the flow.
* Slow down and meander.
* Go around obstacles
* Stay current.
* The beauty is in the journey.

--------------------------------------------------------

Advice from a Mountain:

* Reach new heights.
* There's beauty as far as the eye can see.
* Be uplifting.
* Get to the point.
* Enjoy the view.

I'll post more soon.

Have a Pleasant Day. :giverose:
Much Christian Love :grouphug:]]> Just gonna 'repeat' and keep them altogether.

Advice From A Butterfly:

* Let your true colors show.
* Get out of your cocoon.
* Take yourself lightly.
* Look for the sweetness in life.
* Take time to smell the flowers.
* Catch a breeze.
--------------------------------------------------------

Advice From A River:

* Go with the flow.
* Slow down and meander.
* Go around obstacles
* Stay current.
* The beauty is in the journey.

--------------------------------------------------------

Advice from a Mountain:

* Reach new heights.
* There's beauty as far as the eye can see.
* Be uplifting.
* Get to the point.
* Enjoy the view.

I'll post more soon.

Have a Pleasant Day. :giverose:
Much Christian Love :grouphug:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3932 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:18:11 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3932
http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com...chool.html

INSTRUCTIONS: During 2009 the following will be the arrangements for conducting the Theocratic Ministry School

SOURCE MATERIAL: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (1990 Edition) [si], “Learn from the Great Teacher” [lrJ] and Reasoning From the Scriptures (1989 Edition) [rs].The school should begin ON TIME with a few words of welcome, and then proceed as outlined below. After each part, the school overseer will introduce the next part.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 10 minutes. For the first four minutes, a qualified elder (or ministerial servant) will present highlights from the reading of the Bible for that week. However when dealing with the first chapters of a book of the Bible, information from the book “All Scripture” will be presented. For example, the first five chapters of Genesis are read FREE during the week of January 5th. So for this week the speaker will select a few key points from the opening paragraphs of the chapter of "All Scripture" which analyzes the book of Genesis. The speaker should make application of the information in such a way that is beneficial to the congregation. Whether taken from the weekly reading or the "All Scripture" book, the main purpose is to help the audience understand why it is valuable and helpful in that field. The speaker should not exceed the four minutes allotted to his opening part, since he should allow for the six minutes remaining for the audience to make brief comments (of up to thirty seconds) on aspects of the weekly biblical reading that they have found interesting. The school overseer will then dismiss the students who are assigned to other classrooms.

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 4 minutes or less. Reading delivered by a brother. The student will not make introductory comments or nor a conclusion. The overseer of the school is interested above all in helping students to understand what they read and to do so fluently, with modulation and naturalness, as well as with appropriate pauses and emphasis.

ASSIGNMENT NO. 2: 5 minutes. Should be assigned to a sister. The overseer of the school may assign a setting or the student may choose one from the list that appears on page 82 of the book “Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education.” The sister should concentrate on the assigned topic and present information in a realistic and practical manner, adapting it to some aspect of the ministry and the local territory. If no references are provided, the student will need to gather material by doing research in our publications. The school overseer will be particularly interested in the way the sister presents the information and help the other person to reason on the Scriptures and to understand the key points of the presentation. The school overseer will assign one assistant.

ASSIGNMENT NO. 3: 5 minutes. Should be assigned to a brother or a sister. Students prepare the assignment based on the title indicated. If no references are provided, the student will need to gather material by doing research in our publications. When assigned to a brother, this part may be given as a talk with the Kingdom Hall audience in mind. When a sister is given this part, it should always be presented as outlined for Assignment No.

2. Please note that themes with an asterisk next to them should always be assigned to brothers - whenever possible to elders or ministerial servants - to develop as talks.

COUNSEL: 1 to 2 minutes. The school overseer will not announce in advance the speech quality that a student is working on.

So there's no longer a speech qualities nor an instruction talk, not even a #4 talk, but the Bible Highlights remain with four minutes of commentary by a brother then six minutes of audience comments, plus the #1 talk is now a reading only, sisters do the #2 as if it were an old #3, and the #3 is now for both brothers and sisters.

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]>
http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com...chool.html

INSTRUCTIONS: During 2009 the following will be the arrangements for conducting the Theocratic Ministry School

SOURCE MATERIAL: New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures [bi12], “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” (1990 Edition) [si], “Learn from the Great Teacher” [lrJ] and Reasoning From the Scriptures (1989 Edition) [rs].The school should begin ON TIME with a few words of welcome, and then proceed as outlined below. After each part, the school overseer will introduce the next part.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM BIBLE READING: 10 minutes. For the first four minutes, a qualified elder (or ministerial servant) will present highlights from the reading of the Bible for that week. However when dealing with the first chapters of a book of the Bible, information from the book “All Scripture” will be presented. For example, the first five chapters of Genesis are read FREE during the week of January 5th. So for this week the speaker will select a few key points from the opening paragraphs of the chapter of "All Scripture" which analyzes the book of Genesis. The speaker should make application of the information in such a way that is beneficial to the congregation. Whether taken from the weekly reading or the "All Scripture" book, the main purpose is to help the audience understand why it is valuable and helpful in that field. The speaker should not exceed the four minutes allotted to his opening part, since he should allow for the six minutes remaining for the audience to make brief comments (of up to thirty seconds) on aspects of the weekly biblical reading that they have found interesting. The school overseer will then dismiss the students who are assigned to other classrooms.

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: 4 minutes or less. Reading delivered by a brother. The student will not make introductory comments or nor a conclusion. The overseer of the school is interested above all in helping students to understand what they read and to do so fluently, with modulation and naturalness, as well as with appropriate pauses and emphasis.

ASSIGNMENT NO. 2: 5 minutes. Should be assigned to a sister. The overseer of the school may assign a setting or the student may choose one from the list that appears on page 82 of the book “Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education.” The sister should concentrate on the assigned topic and present information in a realistic and practical manner, adapting it to some aspect of the ministry and the local territory. If no references are provided, the student will need to gather material by doing research in our publications. The school overseer will be particularly interested in the way the sister presents the information and help the other person to reason on the Scriptures and to understand the key points of the presentation. The school overseer will assign one assistant.

ASSIGNMENT NO. 3: 5 minutes. Should be assigned to a brother or a sister. Students prepare the assignment based on the title indicated. If no references are provided, the student will need to gather material by doing research in our publications. When assigned to a brother, this part may be given as a talk with the Kingdom Hall audience in mind. When a sister is given this part, it should always be presented as outlined for Assignment No.

2. Please note that themes with an asterisk next to them should always be assigned to brothers - whenever possible to elders or ministerial servants - to develop as talks.

COUNSEL: 1 to 2 minutes. The school overseer will not announce in advance the speech quality that a student is working on.

So there's no longer a speech qualities nor an instruction talk, not even a #4 talk, but the Bible Highlights remain with four minutes of commentary by a brother then six minutes of audience comments, plus the #1 talk is now a reading only, sisters do the #2 as if it were an old #3, and the #3 is now for both brothers and sisters.

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3931 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:04:46 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3931
1) Muslimism - Historically, every place this religion has gained a foothold the results have been disastrous.

2) Illegal immigration. This amounts to a foreign invasion with no checks on the disease and crime that it brings with it, with politicians on both sides seeing them and their relatives as potential voters .

3) Homosexuality- It's militancy that you must accept its anti-Biblical perversions- that make Christians the enemy, and force their lifestyle philosophy on children.

4) The resurgent Russians who object to having the American military in their back yard. They see it in terms of chess- with an eventual attack imminent. Americans see it as monopoly. Very dangerous.

5) The oil crisis.- No explanation needed

6) Global Warming - ditto

7) United States bankruptcy - see above

8) Complete lack of moral authority and courage by leaders

9) Fascism - big business and state combo and secret societies

10) Loss of freedom because of 9/11]]>
1) Muslimism - Historically, every place this religion has gained a foothold the results have been disastrous.

2) Illegal immigration. This amounts to a foreign invasion with no checks on the disease and crime that it brings with it, with politicians on both sides seeing them and their relatives as potential voters .

3) Homosexuality- It's militancy that you must accept its anti-Biblical perversions- that make Christians the enemy, and force their lifestyle philosophy on children.

4) The resurgent Russians who object to having the American military in their back yard. They see it in terms of chess- with an eventual attack imminent. Americans see it as monopoly. Very dangerous.

5) The oil crisis.- No explanation needed

6) Global Warming - ditto

7) United States bankruptcy - see above

8) Complete lack of moral authority and courage by leaders

9) Fascism - big business and state combo and secret societies

10) Loss of freedom because of 9/11]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3930 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:12:23 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3930
Thanks, Jake]]>
Thanks, Jake]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3929 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:41:10 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3929
There was a head builder who needed to clear a building site and get lots of building materials transported on site so that as soon as the site was clear work could commence.

He needed strong workers. So he went to his local building company’s to get some hard labourers. Unfortunately the Olympics were being held in that country in a few years time, so a shortage of labourers was a problem all over the country. Perplexed by the situation he decided to go for a walk to clear his head. It so happened, that he passed the main Olympic building site with thousand upon thousands of labourers. It was then he had an idea. He decided to ask the labourers directly if they would work for him. The first man replied and asked the man what he was offering as a wage. To this the man said “I will give you the standard days wage plus a bonus” The worker responded by saying that it was a tempting offer with the added bonus and asked what the bonus was. At this the man said “the bonus is a bonus but it will reflect the attitude you have towards the work.” Not impressed by this answer the labourer said that he was already working for the Olympics and that it was a good job.

The head builder was saddened by this and asked more workers with the same response. The head builder said to himself. “These men are already involved with an important work for the country and I do not want to impede their work but I need workers also. Perhaps if I go to the job centre I can find people who can lift and carry. Many of them have been out of work for years or do not want to work for various reasons but the bonus may tempt them. I don’t need them to have any qualifications. Many of them have undoubtedly been rejected by many companies and employers in the past but that doesn’t matter to me. All I need are people to work for a few days.”

So first thing in the morning the next day, the man went to the job centre to meet those there who were already looking for work that day. He made his offer and they accepted. Work started immediately. At lunch time one of the workers came to the head builder and said “ sir we need help as we cannot get all the work done in the time allotted”. The head builder said that he would get more workers the next day.

So again the man went to the job centre early in the morning but found no one at the job centre. So he waited. At around ten in the morning a few rather dirty looking men came in to the job centre also a couple of youths with ear phones plugged into ipods. After them came a few girls with dresses that could just as well have functioned as belts. They had prams with screaming children in them.

The head builder reasoned that the rather dirty men could easily lift and carry and the youths could also even with ear phones in plugged in. He then realised that the men needed refreshments so they could continue to work affectively in the hot sun. So he gave jobs to the girls also so that these could make tea for the men.

As the head builder arrived on site with the girls with prams and youths with earphones in, and the dirty looking men, the other workers objected. They said to him “these men are not serious about work. Look at that youth listening to music. That man looks like he hasn’t had a bath in a month and woman on a building site. The workers for the Olympics don’t have woman on their building site, it’s unheard off.” The head builder replied “These men can lift and carry the same as you and these women I have brought in to make tea for you so that the work can continue efficiently”. At this the work continued and faster than the day before.

Again the men said that more workers were needed. So again the head builder went to the job centre early the next day and waited. He waited some more and no one arrived until 4pm. A group of lesbians with pink hair came in from the local hockey club and then some elderly men with Zimmer frames and walking sticks. A lady who was blind also arrived with her young children. Again another man with a wasting disease came in, and even a homeless tramp, looking for money for food. On top of this there was the ugliest looking smelly man you have ever seen in the group with a limp and a bent back.

The head builder realised that he needed workers. If the project wasn’t completed no one would be paid or get the promised bonus. So he gathered the rather odd looking group and took them all along to the building site.

Well on seeing this, the first group of employees went nuts. They said to the head builder “what on earth are you doing this time. The dirty men and ipod boys and common girls were bad enough but this? We have put up with these you have already brought in but we cannot work with these people.”

The head builder replied:

“The work needs to be done. If I had not brought these people in on the project none of you would be paid or receive the bonus. The project on completion within the time limit will pay the money out so you can be paid. If not none of you will be paid. Look at the benefits to having these people with us. The ugly smelly man with the bent back is tailor made for cleaning the blocked toilets and keeping them clean. The blind woman with children can take the phone calls in the site office and relay the messages regarding the arrival of building materials to you workers on site by sending out her children. The old men with walkers and sticks can direct the work due their age and experience and help the youths and woman with prams work better together. The man with the wasting disease can type the letters of correspondence with the master builder of our company and the pink hair lesbians who like hockey can act as beacons and direct pedestrians away from the danger zone of activity knocking them out the way if necessary.”

At this startling news the men went back to work and completed the project with the help of all.

So the day arrived when the wages were due.

The master builder arrived on site and the head builder joined him in the procession in front of all the workers for the payout. A full week’s wages of seven days was paid to all. The first workers started to complain saying that they had worked longer and harder than all the others brought in after. They grew so angry that they started to beat up the dirty men and throw stones at the lesbians and call names at the blind woman and her children. “Enough” said the master builder.

“Take your wages and go” he said, `What about the bonus you promised` they shouted!

Replying with a stern voice the master builder said:

“You were promised a fair wage of which you have received. The bonus depended on your work ethic and attitude. You were not worthy to receive the bonus being outcasts yourselves, rejected as you had been from my main project, the Olympic building project. You treated your fellow outcasts with the opposite of my attitude which was mercy. Although you benefited from sheer grace you perceived your own benefit to be from your own worthiness. The blind woman thanked me for her job on the telephone not even knowing if she would receive the bonus. You though, are more blind than she is. Be gone from my site and use your wages for whatever you see fit. The bonus I shall award to your fellow outcasts of which even you rejected. They shall be given homes on the newly built Olympic town. Their wages will enable them to furnish their houses, and living there they well never go without work again. They shall be part of the new community as they have proved that they can accept all without aggression or judgment. You however although judged did not except the judgment so you were unable to accept the grace, and although rejected you rejected the rejected”

At this the workers went away grieving clutching their 30 coins worth of wages. The others lived in the new community at peace with all, accepted according their faith.]]>
There was a head builder who needed to clear a building site and get lots of building materials transported on site so that as soon as the site was clear work could commence.

He needed strong workers. So he went to his local building company’s to get some hard labourers. Unfortunately the Olympics were being held in that country in a few years time, so a shortage of labourers was a problem all over the country. Perplexed by the situation he decided to go for a walk to clear his head. It so happened, that he passed the main Olympic building site with thousand upon thousands of labourers. It was then he had an idea. He decided to ask the labourers directly if they would work for him. The first man replied and asked the man what he was offering as a wage. To this the man said “I will give you the standard days wage plus a bonus” The worker responded by saying that it was a tempting offer with the added bonus and asked what the bonus was. At this the man said “the bonus is a bonus but it will reflect the attitude you have towards the work.” Not impressed by this answer the labourer said that he was already working for the Olympics and that it was a good job.

The head builder was saddened by this and asked more workers with the same response. The head builder said to himself. “These men are already involved with an important work for the country and I do not want to impede their work but I need workers also. Perhaps if I go to the job centre I can find people who can lift and carry. Many of them have been out of work for years or do not want to work for various reasons but the bonus may tempt them. I don’t need them to have any qualifications. Many of them have undoubtedly been rejected by many companies and employers in the past but that doesn’t matter to me. All I need are people to work for a few days.”

So first thing in the morning the next day, the man went to the job centre to meet those there who were already looking for work that day. He made his offer and they accepted. Work started immediately. At lunch time one of the workers came to the head builder and said “ sir we need help as we cannot get all the work done in the time allotted”. The head builder said that he would get more workers the next day.

So again the man went to the job centre early in the morning but found no one at the job centre. So he waited. At around ten in the morning a few rather dirty looking men came in to the job centre also a couple of youths with ear phones plugged into ipods. After them came a few girls with dresses that could just as well have functioned as belts. They had prams with screaming children in them.

The head builder reasoned that the rather dirty men could easily lift and carry and the youths could also even with ear phones in plugged in. He then realised that the men needed refreshments so they could continue to work affectively in the hot sun. So he gave jobs to the girls also so that these could make tea for the men.

As the head builder arrived on site with the girls with prams and youths with earphones in, and the dirty looking men, the other workers objected. They said to him “these men are not serious about work. Look at that youth listening to music. That man looks like he hasn’t had a bath in a month and woman on a building site. The workers for the Olympics don’t have woman on their building site, it’s unheard off.” The head builder replied “These men can lift and carry the same as you and these women I have brought in to make tea for you so that the work can continue efficiently”. At this the work continued and faster than the day before.

Again the men said that more workers were needed. So again the head builder went to the job centre early the next day and waited. He waited some more and no one arrived until 4pm. A group of lesbians with pink hair came in from the local hockey club and then some elderly men with Zimmer frames and walking sticks. A lady who was blind also arrived with her young children. Again another man with a wasting disease came in, and even a homeless tramp, looking for money for food. On top of this there was the ugliest looking smelly man you have ever seen in the group with a limp and a bent back.

The head builder realised that he needed workers. If the project wasn’t completed no one would be paid or get the promised bonus. So he gathered the rather odd looking group and took them all along to the building site.

Well on seeing this, the first group of employees went nuts. They said to the head builder “what on earth are you doing this time. The dirty men and ipod boys and common girls were bad enough but this? We have put up with these you have already brought in but we cannot work with these people.”

The head builder replied:

“The work needs to be done. If I had not brought these people in on the project none of you would be paid or receive the bonus. The project on completion within the time limit will pay the money out so you can be paid. If not none of you will be paid. Look at the benefits to having these people with us. The ugly smelly man with the bent back is tailor made for cleaning the blocked toilets and keeping them clean. The blind woman with children can take the phone calls in the site office and relay the messages regarding the arrival of building materials to you workers on site by sending out her children. The old men with walkers and sticks can direct the work due their age and experience and help the youths and woman with prams work better together. The man with the wasting disease can type the letters of correspondence with the master builder of our company and the pink hair lesbians who like hockey can act as beacons and direct pedestrians away from the danger zone of activity knocking them out the way if necessary.”

At this startling news the men went back to work and completed the project with the help of all.

So the day arrived when the wages were due.

The master builder arrived on site and the head builder joined him in the procession in front of all the workers for the payout. A full week’s wages of seven days was paid to all. The first workers started to complain saying that they had worked longer and harder than all the others brought in after. They grew so angry that they started to beat up the dirty men and throw stones at the lesbians and call names at the blind woman and her children. “Enough” said the master builder.

“Take your wages and go” he said, `What about the bonus you promised` they shouted!

Replying with a stern voice the master builder said:

“You were promised a fair wage of which you have received. The bonus depended on your work ethic and attitude. You were not worthy to receive the bonus being outcasts yourselves, rejected as you had been from my main project, the Olympic building project. You treated your fellow outcasts with the opposite of my attitude which was mercy. Although you benefited from sheer grace you perceived your own benefit to be from your own worthiness. The blind woman thanked me for her job on the telephone not even knowing if she would receive the bonus. You though, are more blind than she is. Be gone from my site and use your wages for whatever you see fit. The bonus I shall award to your fellow outcasts of which even you rejected. They shall be given homes on the newly built Olympic town. Their wages will enable them to furnish their houses, and living there they well never go without work again. They shall be part of the new community as they have proved that they can accept all without aggression or judgment. You however although judged did not except the judgment so you were unable to accept the grace, and although rejected you rejected the rejected”

At this the workers went away grieving clutching their 30 coins worth of wages. The others lived in the new community at peace with all, accepted according their faith.]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3928 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:38:42 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3928
Hope you like the study & fellowship here. :read: :grouphug:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]>
Hope you like the study & fellowship here. :read: :grouphug:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3927 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:37:12 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3927
Hope you like the fellowship & study here. :grouphug: :coffeeread:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]>
Hope you like the fellowship & study here. :grouphug: :coffeeread:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3926 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:35:45 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3926
Hope you enjoy the fellowship & study here. :friends: :read:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]>
Hope you enjoy the fellowship & study here. :friends: :read:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3925 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:33:51 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3925
Hope you like the fellowship & study here. :grouphug: :coffeeread:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]>
Hope you like the fellowship & study here. :grouphug: :coffeeread:

Agape Johnny :heartbeat:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3924 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:00:27 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3924
http://world.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=139458

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]>
http://world.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=139458

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3923 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:59:53 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3923
http://web.archive.org/web/2000061317230...arage.html

Side One - Forced To Perform

Here I was, an over zealous witness with a strong burning desire to speak the bible and the Watchtower's unique interpretations to the public. I thought of Jeremiah who had a burning desire to preach, who stated "And in my heart it proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I got tired of holding in, and I was unable to endure it." (Jer 20:9)

The elder in charge didn't like field service, that is the preaching door to door. So he would slow things down for others with driving directions, organization and garage sales, preventing them from working.

If you're "pioneering" with the Watchtower Society's obligation of meeting the requirement of 83 hours a month (1000 hours a year) in the preaching work, how can you possibly count the 3 or more hours per day to meet this monthly requirement ? ( I have known many who exaggerate their hourly numbers, to keep up and look good spiritually in the eyes of the Watchtower)

Anyway, some of us brothers had to speak up, resulting in this elder being counseled by his fellow elders. The point is, this poor elder was being forced to perform works by the Watchtower organization and all the witness followers, including myself. This elder had some great gifts, but unfortunately, they were being overlooked in a legalistic system of sacrifices that over rode mercy.

Side Two - Forcing Others To Perform

Young over zealous pioneers push the rest of us spiritually weak brothers with a fast pace, out done, careless push. It's not all their fault . . . . . it's guess who . . . . . that's right "the mother organization", the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

The Society keeps pushing "Pioneering", "Pioneering," . . . . . "Can You Pioneer?" . . . "What Can You Do To Pioneer?" . . . . and so on. I just say to myself, what the *%* is Pioneering? I mean really, where in the scriptures is it? It's not in there folks. The Nazarites of the Israelites does not set precedence of any type. The law of Christ does not pertain to external works, but rather an internal circumcision of the heart, exhibiting love, mercy and justice to all others.

The point here is, the Watchtower Society pushes and forces others to perform works, causing them to obtain an immature, unbalanced zeal, becoming judgemental of others. This spiritual poison existed within myself. As I became more and more aware of it, I also awoke to the misguided zeal in many Circuit and District Overseers and from articles directly written from the Watchtower Society's Governing Body of Jehovah Witnesses themselves.

The Counting of Time

Can you imagine Jesus Christ filling out a slip of paper at the end of each month to count the amount of hours he preached to others? Or his disciples sign up to "Pioneer" and then handing in their slips of paper to meet hourly requirements for Jesus, so he can inspect them? On the contrary, Jesus stressed walking in an invisible faith, not by sight. He stressed "love of neighbor" with "mercy and not sacrifice." Performance of works were based on love, justice and mercy, not regimented, detailed, organizationally outlined sacrifices. The apostles scriptural knowledge was important, but the knowledge needed for life was of Jesus, the person, not doctrines. Having this knowledge of him was the same as having the knowledge of love, for "God is love" and "he that loves is born from God." (1 John 5:1; 4:8; Math 22) The Pharisees had scriptural knowledge and correctly performed works of sacrifice, yet without love, mercy and justice, they were intellectually blinded into legalism, rejecting the true meaning of the messiah, the same as the Watchtower Society blindly counts hours, literature placements, meeting attendance and thousands of detailed man made scriptural interpretations, rejecting the true meaning of love and mercy.

The entire actions of counting time, "Auxiliary Pioneering" and "Pioneering" are no where in the scriptures and completely out of line of the teachings of Christ Jesus. Our service to God is based on a free gift. No matter how many hours we perform works of sacrifice by going out in field service, we are unacceptable to God, as sinners. It is only with the blood of Christ, that makes us acceptable to God, whether we go out preaching one hour or one thousand. The point is, we should NEVER feel guilty because of our lack of works of sacrifice. Rather it is works of mercy that God wants and not sacrifice. It is faith in him that he wants, not hours spent going door to door. Faith is having the assurance and confidence in God's ability to care and help us, freely relying on him and making the first course of action, while yet under a degree of uncertainty. Our faith is then rewarded by God and is what pleases him, much more then field service hours could ever do. Anyone who reads the scriptures apart from man made interpretations can see that there are absolutely no "Pioneers" and Auxiliary Pioneers" meeting some hourly requirements. "Pioneering" is nothing short of "washing the hands to the elbows", that is, adding to the scriptures what is not there and therefore making "the word of God null and void."

Our faith tells us, that even if there were only a human army of 2 persons preaching to the entire world, we could trust in God, having the full confidence that he will care for, provide for us and accomplish his purpose. For it is God's spirit that does the work, not the flesh of man, as Jesus stated "the stones would cry out" if God wanted them to. When King David took a count of his men, to see how strong of an army he had, he was punished, for it revealed David's trust in flesh and not in God's Spirit. It is the same with the annual count of hours, bible studies, magazine placements & etc. that the Watchtower Society and

Jehovah's Witnesses so meticulously observe. By counting and listing all of the printing facilities, full-time servants, bible studies and placement of literature, the Watchtower is putting their trust and faith in the flesh, not of God's spirit. They are as the ancient nation of Israel who put their trust in their gold and silver and not God. Certainly the God, who does "not despise small beginnings", does not need a large religious "visible organization" to do his work. For it is "not by a military force, nor by men, but by God's spirit" that will accomplish his purpose. Again, if God really wanted to, "he could make the stones cry out", for "we are walking by faith and not by sight."

Our works or deeds are important, but they are not limited to "sacrifices" or a preaching work, for sacred service to God is "mercy" and the "doing good things and the sharing with others." Performing the sacrifice of preaching is only a part of sacred service to God and is not the primary identifying mark of true followers of Christ, where time should be counted as of high importance, and congregation positions should be based on the amount of hours a brother preaches per month. I personally know of ministerial servants who were told by the elders to increase their 10 hours a month of field service to 15 hours a month, in order to be appointed as elders. Truly, this misses the entire point of Christianity. There are also brothers who are constantly being deleted for lack of hours or browbeaten with a "heavy load on their shoulders" to increase their service hours.

Sacred service to God is to be internal, "written on the heart", not an external record of activity acting as a barometer of measuring one's spiritual activity. Whether it be meeting attendance, amount of verbal participation, or the preaching activity to other people, these are merely external actions that do not show the true internal intimacy a person either has or does not with God. The only barometer that really can be seen are acts of mercy and love. Field service preaching is sacrifice, not mercy. The account of the Good Samaritan, who did not have accurate knowledge, confirms this.

The result of putting priority on external activities, working hard to please God, is the mechanical following a regimen of service almost with a stopwatch and checklist in hand to be sure one has "put in their time." When this is done, one can feel good. When the service is not performed, guilt sets in. Somehow the point is missed that service to God is not supposed to be an end in itself but a means to an end. God does not want external sacrifices and service as a work to please him, rather he wants our internal devotion, intimacy and faith in him. He wants persons hearts and not just their time put in. If our external activities help us to get to our internalization of love and faith for God, then they are helpful. But if they do not, they can be very harmful.

To give an example, many today put emphasis on various formulas of external service for a maximum marriage and have raised great expectations that often lead to frustration. Not that these formulas are all invalid, for many are practical, beneficial and helpful, but the real issue is internal intimacy, faithfulness and love. It is an internal service to each other that keeps the marriage together. If this love is lost, then the marriage does not last.

Flesh vs Spirit

Flesh - Field Service

"Pioneering"

Meeting Attendance

Platform Talks

Amount of Members, Real Estate, Hours

Spirit- An Invisible Internal Love of God With Visible Acts of Love And Mercy To All Persons

(Acts of Love And Mercy Are To Show Kindness, Not A Prescribed Programed Preaching Work)

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]>
http://web.archive.org/web/2000061317230...arage.html

Side One - Forced To Perform

Here I was, an over zealous witness with a strong burning desire to speak the bible and the Watchtower's unique interpretations to the public. I thought of Jeremiah who had a burning desire to preach, who stated "And in my heart it proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I got tired of holding in, and I was unable to endure it." (Jer 20:9)

The elder in charge didn't like field service, that is the preaching door to door. So he would slow things down for others with driving directions, organization and garage sales, preventing them from working.

If you're "pioneering" with the Watchtower Society's obligation of meeting the requirement of 83 hours a month (1000 hours a year) in the preaching work, how can you possibly count the 3 or more hours per day to meet this monthly requirement ? ( I have known many who exaggerate their hourly numbers, to keep up and look good spiritually in the eyes of the Watchtower)

Anyway, some of us brothers had to speak up, resulting in this elder being counseled by his fellow elders. The point is, this poor elder was being forced to perform works by the Watchtower organization and all the witness followers, including myself. This elder had some great gifts, but unfortunately, they were being overlooked in a legalistic system of sacrifices that over rode mercy.

Side Two - Forcing Others To Perform

Young over zealous pioneers push the rest of us spiritually weak brothers with a fast pace, out done, careless push. It's not all their fault . . . . . it's guess who . . . . . that's right "the mother organization", the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

The Society keeps pushing "Pioneering", "Pioneering," . . . . . "Can You Pioneer?" . . . "What Can You Do To Pioneer?" . . . . and so on. I just say to myself, what the *%* is Pioneering? I mean really, where in the scriptures is it? It's not in there folks. The Nazarites of the Israelites does not set precedence of any type. The law of Christ does not pertain to external works, but rather an internal circumcision of the heart, exhibiting love, mercy and justice to all others.

The point here is, the Watchtower Society pushes and forces others to perform works, causing them to obtain an immature, unbalanced zeal, becoming judgemental of others. This spiritual poison existed within myself. As I became more and more aware of it, I also awoke to the misguided zeal in many Circuit and District Overseers and from articles directly written from the Watchtower Society's Governing Body of Jehovah Witnesses themselves.

The Counting of Time

Can you imagine Jesus Christ filling out a slip of paper at the end of each month to count the amount of hours he preached to others? Or his disciples sign up to "Pioneer" and then handing in their slips of paper to meet hourly requirements for Jesus, so he can inspect them? On the contrary, Jesus stressed walking in an invisible faith, not by sight. He stressed "love of neighbor" with "mercy and not sacrifice." Performance of works were based on love, justice and mercy, not regimented, detailed, organizationally outlined sacrifices. The apostles scriptural knowledge was important, but the knowledge needed for life was of Jesus, the person, not doctrines. Having this knowledge of him was the same as having the knowledge of love, for "God is love" and "he that loves is born from God." (1 John 5:1; 4:8; Math 22) The Pharisees had scriptural knowledge and correctly performed works of sacrifice, yet without love, mercy and justice, they were intellectually blinded into legalism, rejecting the true meaning of the messiah, the same as the Watchtower Society blindly counts hours, literature placements, meeting attendance and thousands of detailed man made scriptural interpretations, rejecting the true meaning of love and mercy.

The entire actions of counting time, "Auxiliary Pioneering" and "Pioneering" are no where in the scriptures and completely out of line of the teachings of Christ Jesus. Our service to God is based on a free gift. No matter how many hours we perform works of sacrifice by going out in field service, we are unacceptable to God, as sinners. It is only with the blood of Christ, that makes us acceptable to God, whether we go out preaching one hour or one thousand. The point is, we should NEVER feel guilty because of our lack of works of sacrifice. Rather it is works of mercy that God wants and not sacrifice. It is faith in him that he wants, not hours spent going door to door. Faith is having the assurance and confidence in God's ability to care and help us, freely relying on him and making the first course of action, while yet under a degree of uncertainty. Our faith is then rewarded by God and is what pleases him, much more then field service hours could ever do. Anyone who reads the scriptures apart from man made interpretations can see that there are absolutely no "Pioneers" and Auxiliary Pioneers" meeting some hourly requirements. "Pioneering" is nothing short of "washing the hands to the elbows", that is, adding to the scriptures what is not there and therefore making "the word of God null and void."

Our faith tells us, that even if there were only a human army of 2 persons preaching to the entire world, we could trust in God, having the full confidence that he will care for, provide for us and accomplish his purpose. For it is God's spirit that does the work, not the flesh of man, as Jesus stated "the stones would cry out" if God wanted them to. When King David took a count of his men, to see how strong of an army he had, he was punished, for it revealed David's trust in flesh and not in God's Spirit. It is the same with the annual count of hours, bible studies, magazine placements & etc. that the Watchtower Society and

Jehovah's Witnesses so meticulously observe. By counting and listing all of the printing facilities, full-time servants, bible studies and placement of literature, the Watchtower is putting their trust and faith in the flesh, not of God's spirit. They are as the ancient nation of Israel who put their trust in their gold and silver and not God. Certainly the God, who does "not despise small beginnings", does not need a large religious "visible organization" to do his work. For it is "not by a military force, nor by men, but by God's spirit" that will accomplish his purpose. Again, if God really wanted to, "he could make the stones cry out", for "we are walking by faith and not by sight."

Our works or deeds are important, but they are not limited to "sacrifices" or a preaching work, for sacred service to God is "mercy" and the "doing good things and the sharing with others." Performing the sacrifice of preaching is only a part of sacred service to God and is not the primary identifying mark of true followers of Christ, where time should be counted as of high importance, and congregation positions should be based on the amount of hours a brother preaches per month. I personally know of ministerial servants who were told by the elders to increase their 10 hours a month of field service to 15 hours a month, in order to be appointed as elders. Truly, this misses the entire point of Christianity. There are also brothers who are constantly being deleted for lack of hours or browbeaten with a "heavy load on their shoulders" to increase their service hours.

Sacred service to God is to be internal, "written on the heart", not an external record of activity acting as a barometer of measuring one's spiritual activity. Whether it be meeting attendance, amount of verbal participation, or the preaching activity to other people, these are merely external actions that do not show the true internal intimacy a person either has or does not with God. The only barometer that really can be seen are acts of mercy and love. Field service preaching is sacrifice, not mercy. The account of the Good Samaritan, who did not have accurate knowledge, confirms this.

The result of putting priority on external activities, working hard to please God, is the mechanical following a regimen of service almost with a stopwatch and checklist in hand to be sure one has "put in their time." When this is done, one can feel good. When the service is not performed, guilt sets in. Somehow the point is missed that service to God is not supposed to be an end in itself but a means to an end. God does not want external sacrifices and service as a work to please him, rather he wants our internal devotion, intimacy and faith in him. He wants persons hearts and not just their time put in. If our external activities help us to get to our internalization of love and faith for God, then they are helpful. But if they do not, they can be very harmful.

To give an example, many today put emphasis on various formulas of external service for a maximum marriage and have raised great expectations that often lead to frustration. Not that these formulas are all invalid, for many are practical, beneficial and helpful, but the real issue is internal intimacy, faithfulness and love. It is an internal service to each other that keeps the marriage together. If this love is lost, then the marriage does not last.

Flesh vs Spirit

Flesh - Field Service

"Pioneering"

Meeting Attendance

Platform Talks

Amount of Members, Real Estate, Hours

Spirit- An Invisible Internal Love of God With Visible Acts of Love And Mercy To All Persons

(Acts of Love And Mercy Are To Show Kindness, Not A Prescribed Programed Preaching Work)

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3922 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:26:06 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3922
We have done a fair amount of scriptures from Psalms 34. This is a chapter that gives great praise to Jah along with a seeking for comfort and what a comfort to personally realize the warmth and love of God....:love: :rose:

''I will bless Jehovah at all times.
Constantly his praise will be in my mouth.'' (34:1) :rose:

''In Jehovah my soul will make its :rose:
boast;
The meek ones will hear and will
rejoice.''' (2) :rose:

O magnify Jehovah with me, you :rose:
people,
and let us exalt his name to-
gether.'' (3) :rose:

''I inquired of Jehovah, and he an-
swered me,
And out of all my frights he de-
livered me.'' (4) :rose:

my perhaps favorite :heartbeat: :rose:

''They looked to him and became :rose:
radiant,
and their very faces could not
possibly be ashamed.'' (5) :rose:

''God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. :rose:
He comforts us every time we have trouble,
so when others have trouble, we can comfort them
with the same comfort God gives us, we share in
the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way,
much comfort comes to us through Christ.''
2 corinthians 1:3-5 ....... :rose:

any scripture and or thought on the comfort God gives more than welcome :grouphug: ..share your thoughts and bless others ... :present: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose:]]>
We have done a fair amount of scriptures from Psalms 34. This is a chapter that gives great praise to Jah along with a seeking for comfort and what a comfort to personally realize the warmth and love of God....:love: :rose:

''I will bless Jehovah at all times.
Constantly his praise will be in my mouth.'' (34:1) :rose:

''In Jehovah my soul will make its :rose:
boast;
The meek ones will hear and will
rejoice.''' (2) :rose:

O magnify Jehovah with me, you :rose:
people,
and let us exalt his name to-
gether.'' (3) :rose:

''I inquired of Jehovah, and he an-
swered me,
And out of all my frights he de-
livered me.'' (4) :rose:

my perhaps favorite :heartbeat: :rose:

''They looked to him and became :rose:
radiant,
and their very faces could not
possibly be ashamed.'' (5) :rose:

''God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. :rose:
He comforts us every time we have trouble,
so when others have trouble, we can comfort them
with the same comfort God gives us, we share in
the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way,
much comfort comes to us through Christ.''
2 corinthians 1:3-5 ....... :rose:

any scripture and or thought on the comfort God gives more than welcome :grouphug: ..share your thoughts and bless others ... :present: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose: :rose:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3920 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 18:12:20 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3920
A few scriptures tonight about The Good Shepherd and Greater David--Jesus Christ... :rose:

''I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep,
as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me,
as I know the father. I give my life for the sheep.'' John 10: 11-14...... :rose: :rose:

Sheep need a shepherd. They need to be lead to 'calm water'' :rose:

''In grassy pastures he makes me lie
down; By well-watered resting-places he
conducts me.'' Psalms 23:2 :rose: :rose:

Sheep are helpless and need a shepherd with a ''rod and a walking stick'' :rose:

''Even though I walk in the valley :rose:
of deep shadow,
I fear nothing bad,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff are the
things that comfort me.'' Psalms 23:4 :rose:

Sheep need someone to lead them on the pathways that
are right. :rose: :rose:

''My soul he refreshes.
He leads me in the tracks of righteousness
for his name's sake.'' Psalms 23:3 ..... :rose: :rose:

''God raised from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the Great Shepherd of the sheep, because of
the blood of his death. His blood began the eternal
agreement that God made with his people.'' Hebrews 13: 20-21..... :rose:

a couple more thoughts on Jesus Christ--our Great Shepherd..... :rose:

''No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we
acquainted you with the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it was by having become eyewitnesses of his magnificence. :rose:

For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when
words such as these were borne to him by magnificent glory: ''This is my son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.'' Yes, these words
we heard borne from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain. :rose: :rose:

Consequently we have the prophetic word made more sure; and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises, in your hearts.'' 2 Peter 1: 16-19) .....rather fills one with awe does it not --such beautiful words of love for our Great Shepherd and Lord :love:
:rose::rose:

Have a wonderful summer evening friends--love to each and everyone :rose::rose::rose:]]>
A few scriptures tonight about The Good Shepherd and Greater David--Jesus Christ... :rose:

''I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep,
as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me,
as I know the father. I give my life for the sheep.'' John 10: 11-14...... :rose: :rose:

Sheep need a shepherd. They need to be lead to 'calm water'' :rose:

''In grassy pastures he makes me lie
down; By well-watered resting-places he
conducts me.'' Psalms 23:2 :rose: :rose:

Sheep are helpless and need a shepherd with a ''rod and a walking stick'' :rose:

''Even though I walk in the valley :rose:
of deep shadow,
I fear nothing bad,
For you are with me;
Your rod and your staff are the
things that comfort me.'' Psalms 23:4 :rose:

Sheep need someone to lead them on the pathways that
are right. :rose: :rose:

''My soul he refreshes.
He leads me in the tracks of righteousness
for his name's sake.'' Psalms 23:3 ..... :rose: :rose:

''God raised from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the Great Shepherd of the sheep, because of
the blood of his death. His blood began the eternal
agreement that God made with his people.'' Hebrews 13: 20-21..... :rose:

a couple more thoughts on Jesus Christ--our Great Shepherd..... :rose:

''No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we
acquainted you with the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it was by having become eyewitnesses of his magnificence. :rose:

For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when
words such as these were borne to him by magnificent glory: ''This is my son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.'' Yes, these words
we heard borne from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain. :rose: :rose:

Consequently we have the prophetic word made more sure; and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises, in your hearts.'' 2 Peter 1: 16-19) .....rather fills one with awe does it not --such beautiful words of love for our Great Shepherd and Lord :love:
:rose::rose:

Have a wonderful summer evening friends--love to each and everyone :rose::rose::rose:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3919 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:37:36 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3919
I advertised all over the place using the pennysavers and regular newspapers, along with flyers and radio banners and television commercials. Apparently I did nothing right because it was a complete bust. This weekend I'm sponsoring an art show and sale for my artist at our local art gallery (which is a very popular place in my community), and still nothing. So I've basically squandered the whole 19K with nothing but a slew of unsellable merchandise lying around. Now I'm just trying to at least sell it off at cost, just to get rid of it. I would have been better off just leaving the money in the bank and letting it grow instead of trying to start a business. sigh.

Anyway, I'm just needing to get this off my chest, vent it off and then get on with my life. On the up side, I never quit my Nursing Home job, so at least I still have a steady paycheck coming in each week, so my financial situation isn't as bleak as it could have been.

Anyway, thanks for letting me unload. I'll be okay, it's just a matter of working through the reality check.

Love to you all,
Tami]]>
I advertised all over the place using the pennysavers and regular newspapers, along with flyers and radio banners and television commercials. Apparently I did nothing right because it was a complete bust. This weekend I'm sponsoring an art show and sale for my artist at our local art gallery (which is a very popular place in my community), and still nothing. So I've basically squandered the whole 19K with nothing but a slew of unsellable merchandise lying around. Now I'm just trying to at least sell it off at cost, just to get rid of it. I would have been better off just leaving the money in the bank and letting it grow instead of trying to start a business. sigh.

Anyway, I'm just needing to get this off my chest, vent it off and then get on with my life. On the up side, I never quit my Nursing Home job, so at least I still have a steady paycheck coming in each week, so my financial situation isn't as bleak as it could have been.

Anyway, thanks for letting me unload. I'll be okay, it's just a matter of working through the reality check.

Love to you all,
Tami]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3918 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:22:43 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3918
parts 1 2 3 of an about 24 minute show by Derren Brown and his team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHaFuYZwX2U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwIlueCNu8M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap35u0zB6QM
Watch the vid either completely or not at all.]]>
parts 1 2 3 of an about 24 minute show by Derren Brown and his team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHaFuYZwX2U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwIlueCNu8M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap35u0zB6QM
Watch the vid either completely or not at all.]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3917 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:36:36 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3917
http://web.archive.org/web/2002030818234...heory.html

Imagine bible based articles written without the dogmatic confidence of being the ultimate truth? Rather then making definite and absolute answers to the hundreds of unclear and purely interpretive explanations, room could be left to each individual member to decide on his or her own, training their own "perceptive powers to distinguish" the right and wrong, to become "full grown in their powers of understanding", not relying on any mother organization or "slave class." This would allow the difference in various doctrinal interpretations and the stimulation of spiritual growth, no matter how many years one has spent as a member in the organization. (Heb 5:14; 1 Cor 14:20)

.....This is not to allow room for the interpretation or the tolerance of murder, stealing, lying, or hurting others and other clear cut morality issues. As far as adultery and fornication this is not always as clear cut as those who interpret what the words mean. Even to allow the room for the doctrinal interpretation of the Christ as man's savior, ransom and "mediator between God and men" could be considered a interpretation of doctrine, where the opposite is the denial of the true meaning of the Christ, showing love, mercy and kindness to all others. But to "go beyond the things written" that are clear, as in putting sacrifice and selfishness ahead of kindness, making detailed interpretive definitions, rulings, restrictions and detailed organizational procedures on what is not the obvious, is destructive to each individual's spirituality. Certain types of behavior are not the obvious to men, but will eventually be brought into the light, for man can be fooled but God can see everything and will judge it and sometimes expose it. Many doctrinal interpretations are not clear cut and are open to each individual's trained perceptive powers to interpret and they certainly are not the determining factor of everlasting life from God, despite the judgement of men. (1 Cor 6:9-11; 4:5-6; Heb 4:13)

Issues such as the shunning of former members, flag salutes, holiday observances, blood transfusions, voting, hours spent in the ministry, pioneering and the slave class appointment can not be enforced as either allowable or non allowable, or absolutely right or wrong, but rather each individual Christian would have to determine on his or her own what their bible trained conscience tells them and be "fully convinced in his or her own mind." This would obviously require a complete overhaul of the Watchtower Society and their involvement with members. (Romans 14:5)

Instead love, mercy, kindness to all others, would be emphasised as "the laws fulfillment" and the "perfect bond of union." Unlike doctrinal interpretations, "loving kindness" would be the "pure language" that unifies the organization and the identifying factor. "The love among themselves" and "the love of neighbor" they show to all others, would truly make them the truth, not in the form of "sacrifice" and doctrinal knowledge but in the form of "mercy", love and compassion for others, as the good Samaritan performed in Jesus illustration. This "love" would also "surpass the knowledge" of the many rigid and restrictive rules and interpretations. (Col 3:14; Gal 5:14; Romans 13:8; Luke 10:37; Zeph 3:9; Eph 3:19)

To put forth such a major reform would certainly have its repercussions. The current interpretations of the many doctrines such as the "great crowd" and the "little flock" could certainly remain, as erroneously as they may be, however it could not remain as an absolute truth to be enforced on its members with the alternative of disfellowshipment, but rather there must be a freedom allowed to be exercised by all members to agree or disagree on these doctrines, without the threat of expulsion. This of course would not include the freedom to deny the true meaning of the Christ, to treat all fellowmen with agape love. There may be many persons who would be outraged and leave the organization, forming their own groups, strictly enforcing all of their members to the various interpretations, rulings, procedures and practices or non-practices that the Watchtower Society currently enforces today. (Gal 5:1)

To put mercy ahead of sacrifice would create an atmosphere of true "freedom", "where the spirit of the Lord is" and allow each individual to grow spiritually, not simply mimicking and following what the leaders, "the slave class", interprets and enforces for them. Here, the articles and information could be published with the salvation message of love of neighbor, along with it's unique interpretations, but with the freedom for each individual to decide. When a subject, that is not clear cut, is approached, there can be an article with two, three, or more angles, letting the reader decide which he or she agrees with most. (2 Cor 3:17)

The dogmatism,intolerance and fundamentalist way of thinking of the Watchtower is no different than the fundamentalism of other Christian denominations, that the Watchtower labels part of "Babylon the Great" of Revelation chapters 17 and 18. But Babylon the Great is putting rituals, sacrifices, doctrines, procedures, rulings and elaborate interpretations over the freedom, mercy, love and kindness shown to others. This is what needs to be taught and practiced on a continual basis. (Matt 9:13; Isaiah 1:14-15; Hosea 6:6; 4:1)

Would this make the Watchtower a watered down organization and no different from other denominations? Not if if there was the "pure language" of true "love among themselves" and "love of neighbor" being practiced both within and outside the congregation by it's members. For "the entire law can be summed up namely in one saying, you must love your neighbor as yourself." "For he that loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (John 13:34,35; Gal 5:14; Rom 13:8; Zeph 3:9)

As Jesus stated about the Jewish nation of Israel of his day, "You cannot put new wine in old wineskin, or it will burst." And you cannot put new unshrunk patches on old garments or they will shrink and make the tear even worse." In other words the Jewish system of things of his day, based on sacrifice and legalism, was unable to be reformed. It had to be torn down. And from that a new spiritual nation of Israel, based on mercy and love of our fellowmen, would be born in the heavens. Is this true of the Watchtower Society? Can it be "patched" up and reformed, or is the possibility of that ever happening too great? Remember, true freedom is "outside the camp" and not within. (Matt 9:16)

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]>
http://web.archive.org/web/2002030818234...heory.html

Imagine bible based articles written without the dogmatic confidence of being the ultimate truth? Rather then making definite and absolute answers to the hundreds of unclear and purely interpretive explanations, room could be left to each individual member to decide on his or her own, training their own "perceptive powers to distinguish" the right and wrong, to become "full grown in their powers of understanding", not relying on any mother organization or "slave class." This would allow the difference in various doctrinal interpretations and the stimulation of spiritual growth, no matter how many years one has spent as a member in the organization. (Heb 5:14; 1 Cor 14:20)

.....This is not to allow room for the interpretation or the tolerance of murder, stealing, lying, or hurting others and other clear cut morality issues. As far as adultery and fornication this is not always as clear cut as those who interpret what the words mean. Even to allow the room for the doctrinal interpretation of the Christ as man's savior, ransom and "mediator between God and men" could be considered a interpretation of doctrine, where the opposite is the denial of the true meaning of the Christ, showing love, mercy and kindness to all others. But to "go beyond the things written" that are clear, as in putting sacrifice and selfishness ahead of kindness, making detailed interpretive definitions, rulings, restrictions and detailed organizational procedures on what is not the obvious, is destructive to each individual's spirituality. Certain types of behavior are not the obvious to men, but will eventually be brought into the light, for man can be fooled but God can see everything and will judge it and sometimes expose it. Many doctrinal interpretations are not clear cut and are open to each individual's trained perceptive powers to interpret and they certainly are not the determining factor of everlasting life from God, despite the judgement of men. (1 Cor 6:9-11; 4:5-6; Heb 4:13)

Issues such as the shunning of former members, flag salutes, holiday observances, blood transfusions, voting, hours spent in the ministry, pioneering and the slave class appointment can not be enforced as either allowable or non allowable, or absolutely right or wrong, but rather each individual Christian would have to determine on his or her own what their bible trained conscience tells them and be "fully convinced in his or her own mind." This would obviously require a complete overhaul of the Watchtower Society and their involvement with members. (Romans 14:5)

Instead love, mercy, kindness to all others, would be emphasised as "the laws fulfillment" and the "perfect bond of union." Unlike doctrinal interpretations, "loving kindness" would be the "pure language" that unifies the organization and the identifying factor. "The love among themselves" and "the love of neighbor" they show to all others, would truly make them the truth, not in the form of "sacrifice" and doctrinal knowledge but in the form of "mercy", love and compassion for others, as the good Samaritan performed in Jesus illustration. This "love" would also "surpass the knowledge" of the many rigid and restrictive rules and interpretations. (Col 3:14; Gal 5:14; Romans 13:8; Luke 10:37; Zeph 3:9; Eph 3:19)

To put forth such a major reform would certainly have its repercussions. The current interpretations of the many doctrines such as the "great crowd" and the "little flock" could certainly remain, as erroneously as they may be, however it could not remain as an absolute truth to be enforced on its members with the alternative of disfellowshipment, but rather there must be a freedom allowed to be exercised by all members to agree or disagree on these doctrines, without the threat of expulsion. This of course would not include the freedom to deny the true meaning of the Christ, to treat all fellowmen with agape love. There may be many persons who would be outraged and leave the organization, forming their own groups, strictly enforcing all of their members to the various interpretations, rulings, procedures and practices or non-practices that the Watchtower Society currently enforces today. (Gal 5:1)

To put mercy ahead of sacrifice would create an atmosphere of true "freedom", "where the spirit of the Lord is" and allow each individual to grow spiritually, not simply mimicking and following what the leaders, "the slave class", interprets and enforces for them. Here, the articles and information could be published with the salvation message of love of neighbor, along with it's unique interpretations, but with the freedom for each individual to decide. When a subject, that is not clear cut, is approached, there can be an article with two, three, or more angles, letting the reader decide which he or she agrees with most. (2 Cor 3:17)

The dogmatism,intolerance and fundamentalist way of thinking of the Watchtower is no different than the fundamentalism of other Christian denominations, that the Watchtower labels part of "Babylon the Great" of Revelation chapters 17 and 18. But Babylon the Great is putting rituals, sacrifices, doctrines, procedures, rulings and elaborate interpretations over the freedom, mercy, love and kindness shown to others. This is what needs to be taught and practiced on a continual basis. (Matt 9:13; Isaiah 1:14-15; Hosea 6:6; 4:1)

Would this make the Watchtower a watered down organization and no different from other denominations? Not if if there was the "pure language" of true "love among themselves" and "love of neighbor" being practiced both within and outside the congregation by it's members. For "the entire law can be summed up namely in one saying, you must love your neighbor as yourself." "For he that loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (John 13:34,35; Gal 5:14; Rom 13:8; Zeph 3:9)

As Jesus stated about the Jewish nation of Israel of his day, "You cannot put new wine in old wineskin, or it will burst." And you cannot put new unshrunk patches on old garments or they will shrink and make the tear even worse." In other words the Jewish system of things of his day, based on sacrifice and legalism, was unable to be reformed. It had to be torn down. And from that a new spiritual nation of Israel, based on mercy and love of our fellowmen, would be born in the heavens. Is this true of the Watchtower Society? Can it be "patched" up and reformed, or is the possibility of that ever happening too great? Remember, true freedom is "outside the camp" and not within. (Matt 9:16)

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3916 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:39:06 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3916
What a journey Paul's spiritual life took him on. The book of Acts shows how the Christian congregation was founded and then grew under the power of the Holy Spirit. It shows how God blessed the efforts of those involved. A few highlights :love:

''In verses 1-2 Paul went into Macedonia encouraging them and then moved into Greece for three months. At that point a plot had been made against him by the Jews so he returned to Macedonia. It was in Tro'as that a most amazing event is recorded.....

''On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to have a meal, Paul began discoursing to them, as he was going to depart the next day;and he prolonged his speech until midnight. So there were quite a few lamps in the upper chamber where we were gathered together. seated at the window, a certain young man named Eu'ty-chus fell into a deep sleep whicle Paul kept talking on, and. collapsing in sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. But Paul went downstairs, threw himself upon him and embraced him and said:''Stop raising a clamor, for his soul* is in him.'' He now went upstairs and began the meal* and took food, and after conversing for quite awhile, until daybreak, he at length departed. So they took the boy away alive and were comforted beyond measure.''
(9-12) .....Imagine that--I am very sure this event is something no one who experienced it would ever forget. :rose:

The text for this day comes in now as Paul has traveled into Miletus and has a meeting with the older men there and gave them very strong counsel from verses 17 forward. In this speech he addresses many of the hardships that he has endured and the uncertainty that he has lived with..... :rose:

''But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, look! boiund in the spirit, I am journeying to Jerusalem, although not knowing the things that will happen to me in it, except that from city to city the holy spirit repeatedly bears witness to me as it says that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me.'' (21-23) :rose:

''Nevertheless, I do not make my soul of any account as dear to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministrythat I received of the Lord Jesus, to bear thorough witness to the good news of the mercy and grace of God.'' (24) (what a great faith he had) :rose:

and then Paul finishes his talk with these men with such stirring words.... :rose: :rose:

''And now, look! I know that all of you among whom I went preaching the Kingdom will see my face no more. Hence I call you to witness this very day that I am clean from the blood of all men, for I have not held back from telling you all the counsel of God.'' (25-27) :rose:

The book of Acts is very encouraging in so many ways and this account felt very inspired to me-and inspiring. I thought it truly was amazing to think of the single-mindedness of Paul and how intent he was on fulfilling his mission. There is an amazing amount of zeal and courage there to absorb and draw from---and many many examples of
a complete reliance on God and then examples of his sustaining spirit being with them....truly a beautiful book--and chapter :happyheart: with so much encouragement and strength..... :rose:]]>
What a journey Paul's spiritual life took him on. The book of Acts shows how the Christian congregation was founded and then grew under the power of the Holy Spirit. It shows how God blessed the efforts of those involved. A few highlights :love:

''In verses 1-2 Paul went into Macedonia encouraging them and then moved into Greece for three months. At that point a plot had been made against him by the Jews so he returned to Macedonia. It was in Tro'as that a most amazing event is recorded.....

''On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to have a meal, Paul began discoursing to them, as he was going to depart the next day;and he prolonged his speech until midnight. So there were quite a few lamps in the upper chamber where we were gathered together. seated at the window, a certain young man named Eu'ty-chus fell into a deep sleep whicle Paul kept talking on, and. collapsing in sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. But Paul went downstairs, threw himself upon him and embraced him and said:''Stop raising a clamor, for his soul* is in him.'' He now went upstairs and began the meal* and took food, and after conversing for quite awhile, until daybreak, he at length departed. So they took the boy away alive and were comforted beyond measure.''
(9-12) .....Imagine that--I am very sure this event is something no one who experienced it would ever forget. :rose:

The text for this day comes in now as Paul has traveled into Miletus and has a meeting with the older men there and gave them very strong counsel from verses 17 forward. In this speech he addresses many of the hardships that he has endured and the uncertainty that he has lived with..... :rose:

''But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now, look! boiund in the spirit, I am journeying to Jerusalem, although not knowing the things that will happen to me in it, except that from city to city the holy spirit repeatedly bears witness to me as it says that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me.'' (21-23) :rose:

''Nevertheless, I do not make my soul of any account as dear to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministrythat I received of the Lord Jesus, to bear thorough witness to the good news of the mercy and grace of God.'' (24) (what a great faith he had) :rose:

and then Paul finishes his talk with these men with such stirring words.... :rose: :rose:

''And now, look! I know that all of you among whom I went preaching the Kingdom will see my face no more. Hence I call you to witness this very day that I am clean from the blood of all men, for I have not held back from telling you all the counsel of God.'' (25-27) :rose:

The book of Acts is very encouraging in so many ways and this account felt very inspired to me-and inspiring. I thought it truly was amazing to think of the single-mindedness of Paul and how intent he was on fulfilling his mission. There is an amazing amount of zeal and courage there to absorb and draw from---and many many examples of
a complete reliance on God and then examples of his sustaining spirit being with them....truly a beautiful book--and chapter :happyheart: with so much encouragement and strength..... :rose:]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3915 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:45:47 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3915
I think that media is making this all up to brain wash people so they can sell sex products.

hitomi]]>
I think that media is making this all up to brain wash people so they can sell sex products.

hitomi]]> http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3914 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:34:21 -0400 http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/showthread.php?tid=3914 Of sticky nets and spider looms, and lairs in which they rest,
To steal the prey of daffodils and morning glory bright,
And all the bounty of the mists of meadows’ morning light;

Who are you bird for just a day that chases only breeze—
And winds of wombs of petalled plumes and blossoms of the trees?
Though I can see you flitting through the cedar boughs at dusk,
And stealing bounties of the bog and mists of rising musk;

“I am the butterfly of hearts that fall in love in spring,
And flit through fields of summer dance where all the bluebells ring,
And I delight from dawn till night till withered grows the fruit,
And disappear in autumn time when seeds fall to their root;

“So ask me not to stay too long for I’ll be gone one day,
For I’ll not come without the sun to ride the winter sleigh,
But I am dust and I am wing of just a dream tonight,
And I can never bring you love and all that you delight.”

sw]]> Of sticky nets and spider looms, and lairs in which they rest,
To steal the prey of daffodils and morning glory bright,
And all the bounty of the mists of meadows’ morning light;

Who are you bird for just a day that chases only breeze—
And winds of wombs of petalled plumes and blossoms of the trees?
Though I can see you flitting through the cedar boughs at dusk,
And stealing bounties of the bog and mists of rising musk;

“I am the butterfly of hearts that fall in love in spring,
And flit through fields of summer dance where all the bluebells ring,
And I delight from dawn till night till withered grows the fruit,
And disappear in autumn time when seeds fall to their root;

“So ask me not to stay too long for I’ll be gone one day,
For I’ll not come without the sun to ride the winter sleigh,
But I am dust and I am wing of just a dream tonight,
And I can never bring you love and all that you delight.”

sw]]>