“It is not Happy people that are Thankful, but Thankful people who are happy”
So where ever there are people there is an opportunity to be kind. I decided to make a list of how I can be thankful and show it to others.
First, ALL THANKS goes to GOD and JESUS for Life and Love.
Thanks for leading me to the Bibles’ 66 books instead of the many endless writings of men. Death will take me before I finish these, but thanks.
I would never try to persuade others to leave their religion. I just want to be free to worship Jehovah, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit without persecution from family or friends because I choose to leave their long-held religion. They are happy and I love that and want to be happy in my worship also.
Here are some of my personal heartfelt thankfulness.
- I am thankful I had my son and granddaughter visiting with me during the holidays.
- I am thankful that I can be a part of life and not afraid of it.
- I will complain less and breathe more.
- I will Let Be, Let Go, Let God.
- I will make the choice to let go of negative thoughts and fill my mind with positively thoughts.
- I will realize humans are a walking breathing wonder created by God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
- I will give thanks for another day of giving, loving life, and hate no one.
- I will consider how fortunate I am and give myself the gift of being joyfully me.
- I will change myself and communicate with love, not apprehension.
- I will pray every day and often for myself and those I love and am not so fond of. My grandchildren will take priority in my life now that my kids are grown.
I love looking at other people’s discussions sometimes.
https://weekly.israelbiblecenter.com/mercy-hebrew-mind/?via=ec0c42b
I found this article rather fascinating on what it says about the Universe and the scriptures it presents.
https://weekly.israelbiblecenter.com/gods-name-quantum-physics/?via=2f564fc
My thoughts and prayers are with you dear sister. The Society is in panic mode . This weeks Watchtower Study is once again attacking so-called apostates and warning the rank and file against finding out the truth about the truth by looking at websites, TV shows, or speaking with anything or anyone critical of their policies. Try not to let them discourage you, our Lord is on your side and will sustain you whatever happens. You are doing a great work in helping people come to a knowledge of the real truth found in Gods Word. We all love you dearly.
Henry talked to the elder today and He will brief everyone on what he said. He called him about the restraining order. Which he said he forgot about. But if he violates it then the stalker is an elder and will violate it, then we have a serious problem because he has a morality mental problem.
TedR, I had a client when I commented to you but I like to add that all trust is lost in the organization and its elders. This man might have been sincere but for me, nothing good will come out of any type of meeting with the elders. I needed to stop him before they made a mistake and thought because I am so happy now and jokes that my guard is down. The judge would not appreciate what she did for me if I allow them to violate the order especially if I am not in the religion now with this congregation for twenty years. If I wanted to go back down there we have to go to court and void the order or end it. Things were volatile on the grounds of the court as they waited outside for me and I had to be escorted by police to my vehicle and I pointed to Henry who had waited for 3 hours in the car for me, the policemen were so glad I had a friend outside.
They ordered the brothers out of the building three times but they just moved to another floor or the steps then waited outside until armed policemen stepped outside on each side of me.
She kept me inside not believing this elder and the others were defying her.
She said they will get you for this even if it is 25 years from now so your order expires at your death.
The CO is coming and I guess he was getting things to deal with together although I didn’t go there.
I am okay now, thanks so much and some good things happened today, things are looking up. Take Care of yourself Ted, we all have a cross to bear but I think something is happening with all these firs and great loss of animal life.
TedR, and everybody if you go to your page and it looks different or your picture is gone let me know. I came home yesterday and things were different all over the site. I will go through each page by the weekend and try to restore your correct photos etc.
I am a victim of stalking and sexual harassment. I can finally say the words out loud. None of you ever knew but maybe Henry or Jeff.
It has hit me and overpowered me since seeing on my porch 1/13/2020 and talking to the Jehovah witness elder that signed the letter to the court stating the watchtower society sent my stalker to the congregation I fled to, give a public talk.
My congregation at that time said I needed to get them a restraining order so they could stop this Miller congregation elder from ever coming on their property again.
For some reason, this is all flooding over me.
I am writing for a grant to help abused and battered women and I can hardly complete the email.
His visit and talking of disfellowshiping to ruin my family’s contact with me has taken over my strength.
I needed to put this in writing to release the stress and tightness in my chest.
Jacqueline,
Once again I am sorry but not surprised to hear that another Jehovah’s Witness elder has overstepped his boundaries with the law and violated the restraining order that you have been granted against the Watchtower Bible and Tract society. This particular individual was fully aware that he was committing a crime when he entered your property and breached the restraining order. I also know that this violation has occurred so many times prior and has placed you and your family in danger. I shudder to think of what could have happened and why the judge involved after reviewing the case initially granted you (a very difficult to obtain without significant justification) a lifetime restraining order. The judge feared that you would face further harassment and possible retaliation from members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith years after the fact (in response to you seeking legal protection) and it would appear that her (the judges) fears were entirely justified.
As a Christian I am deeply ashamed that your safety and right to remain safe in your own home is disregarded to this stunning degree by men who claim to value the rule of law and as a matter of doctrine preach obedience to the superior authority.
Romans 13:1-5 Obey the government, for God is the one who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the policeman does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don’t want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. 4 The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose. 5 Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.
It would probably behoove the organization to as the scriptures suggest at Matthew 5:25 24leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
I was trying to think of any situations in the bible where restraining orders were used in scripture and wouldn’t you know it there is.
Do you recall the case of Shimei in the bible? Shimei was a clansman of Saul who took it upon himself to shoulder Saul’s grudge against David out of some misguided loyalty to Saul’s house and a warped sense of pride and arrogance that even superseded Gods divine decree that placed David as King in place of Saul. During the rebellion of Absalom, King David was forced to flee and was confronted by Shimei who rather than respect Gods arrangement decided to punish David by throwing rocks and hurling offensive insults at David over his loyalty to a man whom God had found disfavor. He even placed curses on David which was against Gods law. David though spared his life, because David respected God enough to let God decide if the man’s actions were right. David once again spared Shimei when the coup attempt went south, and he was forced to beg David for forgiveness of his treachery. David as he was nearing death asked his son to avenge this insult and Solomon actually placed a restraining order against Shimei charging him to remain in Jerusalem and not cross the Kidron Valley. Now you would think that this narrow escape from death would foster some degree of humility in Shimei, but no.
One day two servants of Shimei escaped and Shemei violated his restraining order essentially throwing the mercy shown him back in God and Solomon’s face and let his pride dictate his actions and the price was his life. Solomon had Shimei executed, and all because this man believed himself above the law of God and his King(s). Another important take away from this lesson is that this man had absolutely no appreciation for mercy, his life had been spared yet he was unwilling to let go of his servant’s and show them mercy. God will not show mercy to merciless individuals regardless of sinful human notions of entitlement.
I am relieved that you have evidence of this breach of law and personal trust and I understand that you must follow the law yourself by finally taking action. This is not a little matter as the Elder and others who have engaged in this behavior seem to think, this is very serious and will (quite possibly) have serious legal implications for the society.
I truly wonder what compelling reason this Elder had for attempting such an illegal act and exposing the entire organization to legal risk and public scrutiny this way? Only God knows but we can all rest assured that our God is a God of justice and righteousness. He (God) emphasized to his people a need to respect the rights even of the poor (Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? — Isaiah 10:1-3).
The moral compass of any society is based not on what it professes to be but the way in which the lowest members within the society are treated. We are all in my home praying for you, I know God’s spirit is with you and the good work you are doing. Much of what is happening to you is in connection to what you are doing, and I feel confident that the works of the devil (wherever they may be found) will continue to be undone in God’s due time. He looks upon all of his faithful servants with an answer to “he that taunts him”. Please keep up your tireless work as God is blessing you for the aid you have given the afflicted people who have been skinned and thrown about. God will require an accounting of all of us but only some of us appear to fear God in this respect.
Rene, thank you so much for your support. I don’t really know who sent him or who he was talking to that prompted him to come to my house and don’t know what this disfellowship stuff is about from a religion I walked away from years ago, at least 20 from this congregation. I do not fellowship with them so how do you disfellowship someone that isn’t in your religion.
This is strange but I will let the proper authorities deal with it not me. Morality is not a strong suit of the organization and they will defend the rights of offenders.
I will just keep on helping others and myself with PTSD symptoms from suffering Spiritual Abuse at the hand of authoritative religion.
Our approach on this site is unique because we push out the abusive teachings by going straight into the text and just starting over from scratch. The distressing thoughts of an unjust God and an unhealthy fear of what is coming on the earth can slowly be pushed aside and the body and brain can heal from the abusive teaching and treatment of a religious body. Focusing on Jesus gives HOPE.
Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.” Christians rejoice that Christ is near.
I am going to do what Jesus says and not think about what I was taught, Jehovah and Jesus are our friends no Christian should be scared of their judgments because they will be just, merciful to those who accept their authority and right to rule this earth.
Organizations parading as religion has done so much harm. Listening to the voice of one man or a few as the only and final say as to what the Bible teaches has produced millions of Spiritually abused and emotionally displaced people.
I got a visit from the organization this morning.
I have a restraining order against this congregation and have not set foot on their property since year 2000 when the judge and I agreed I would go to another congregation and the elders that signed the letter from the governing body of the watchtower plus the elder that I came to court against would have freedom to worship at the kingdom hall that is four minutes from my house. The elder that came is directly restrained on the order.
The judge said the reason my restraining order didn’t have an expiration date is that she felt they would punish me eventually for bringing them to court and winning this order now I see she had incredible foresight! She predicted that they would wait before they acted. It has been twenty years and I was asked 4 times at least if I had been disfellowshipped by this man. I have the Ring Doorbell tapes visual and vocal recording.
I felt as if I was being threatened with disfellowshipping so my family would not be able to talk to me. The whole conversation went along those lines.
So the restraining order has been violated now at least six times now since it was issued by the organization and the judge predicted this. Hopefully, they haven’t completely become so arrogant that they will defy a judge’s orders. I will wait and see. I once had to use the restraining order with the Romeoville police dept where the assembly hall is and we agreed for me just to not visit this facility ever again and I haven’t in nearly twenty years.
I did inform him that I would discuss the visit on our conference call Saturday night. The JEHOVAH WITNESS ORGANIZATION OR IT’S GOVERNING BODY DOES NOT HAVE ANY CONNECTION OR AUTHORITY OVER ME.
This is a cease and desist statement to the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including its governing body and all elders affiliated with them and Circuit overseers.
Do not set foot on my property again for any reason or park in my driveway to intimidate me as you have done three times in the past with Circuit overseers and others in the car with the dark tinted windows as you sent this same elder up to my door to intimidate me then. I know you read the site and will see this.
I have no particular religious affiliation. I do not call anyone “brother” in any former religious affiliations, nor do I call myself their brother, just friends.
I was informed if anyone is calling himself a brother they have to shun even family this elder said to me on Friday 1/10/2020. I told him I told my relatives this fact long ago when a fleshly brother elder of mine quoted this scripture.
I have not bothered these people now for 20 years from the congregation territory I live in and 10 years from the congregation I walked out on.
No one within the Witness religion should be even slightly concerned about me and I don’t regard a man from the witnesses as elders just men knocking on my door as they would a person of the public.
I do not care if family and friends belong to any religion or organization that they choose. I do not attempt nor have I ever attempted to pull them away from their religion, this is the United States of America and they have freedom of religion. I even help them. I too have this freedom.
I also still have a restraining order against any emotional or physical harm being done to me. The restraining order does not have an expiration date and is operative in 50 states. It was issued against the individual elder and against the Religion itself and all of its representatives because the religion inserted itself into a civil matter between me and an elder stalking me for as he said to the judge to have sex. His wife was standing right there but this was known as a problem of confession for some time it seemed by the Circuit overseer as well as elders in at least 2 congregations but no one ever thought to inform me or my husband. I know, I have heard that allegedly some are clamoring for me to be disfellowshipped but they ignore the fact that I have not fellowshipped with their particular congregation of Jehovah witness nor set foot on their property for 20 years. Nor with the entire organization in 10 years. I have not disobeyed the restraining order. Can they say the same?
This being said, I will not allow persecution of me by family or friends because of how I have chosen to go to God, straight through Jesus using the Bible, which I consider the VOICE of God to mankind. I accept the Holy Spirit from God in my life. I follow Jesus and don’t accept any organization of men in His place or instead of. Jesus warned and explained what to do, no fight just leave the persecutors alone and live your life.
Jesus said at Matt.10:22-
22“You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
23“But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.
24“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25“It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!
26“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. 27“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31“So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
32“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33“But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
A link to James Penton’s interview is in the Black header section of the site.
Also, it is down below with the other videos.
He gives a true history of the organization and Charles Russell, not the made-up history floating around.
He is an unbiased historian and has nothing to gain from telling the truth. Enjoy
Guys what a great Youtube Page if you like exploring. Enjoy and perk up!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGlulYHz4n9VwxYNzUj7R2Q
Jacqueline,
I noticed you have picture beside comments, is there a way that I can have a personalized picture beside mine also? Just curious though I Do like space invaders
Lee Anthony, it is called a gravatar. I uploaded it (my photo) to gravatar.com and it walks you through the process. Then it gives you choices of where you want it to show. I said wordpress and anywhere I post. Maybe there is a gravatar wordpress. I will go look it up.
The program is generating a generic gravatar for everyone now instead of a blank white space. But let me check to see if this wordpress has a link. Be right back
You know, I was just thinking of the “Lord Prayer”. We ask God’s will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. For earth and heaven to be alike.
Then in Rev. 20 and 21 chapters we actually see the saints ruling with Jesus on Earth (Rev. 5:10) never going into heaven but meeting him in the air and then they come down with him in glorified bodies. He had a body that went thru walls after resurrection and it ate food. So we know how glorified bodies can be if ruling on Earth.
Chapter 21, we see New Jerusalem coming down to Earth. The house where the Bride lives is shown and Jehovah comes to Earth to reside with us and be our God here on Earth.
What do, where does the Bible or God or Jesus say we will live in Heaven? What will ones do in Heaven when after the thousand years and the Great White Throne judgment God and everybody is on the earth!
I could never do or understand that consecration thing spoken of by the Bible Students that gives you a crown in Heaven.
Jesus and the resurrected and changed saints are in crowns on earth.
Can anyone explain where heaven is our final destiny?
PS: I don’t see the Bride as being the entire Church and the bride will be wherever Christ is. So I am not speaking of them.?
I wanted to share something that I thought was strange at the time but couldn’t put my finger on it. Sometimes it helps to look back and define what made you go hmmmm.
One of my employees was a regular pioneer and was learning to speak Chinese and Mandarin. She wanted to go to China, a communist country and I wondered how she would go undercover, looking like me?
To me, it was a jail sentence for sure in a Chinese prison. She would stand out and jeopardize all of the other groups. It didn’t make sense and I voiced my opinion. Well, it never happened. It appears this pioneer serving where the need is great brother in China was gathering a harem. The brother that was serving in China with his family confessed to gross immorality in China and his wife divorced him.
I also couldn’t understand why they slipped into the Notre Dame College campus and dormitories to preach. It was criminal to me to walk in like you were a student with real students then knock on the dorm doors.
Now I realize they were targeting young people because they were vulnerable!
This is a sign of a cult! Minds that are searching and they are away from parents for perhaps the first time.
Quite a few of the young sisters were allegedly practicing homosexuals according to the elders and observers at my work establishment. So I questioned even more what were they doing. This behavior was prevalent in our area at that time and some elders tried to deal with it but go to another congregation and the elders would accept it.
The reason I am mentioning this is that from gossiping to open immoral conduct, pioneers seemed to be at the forefront.
I am looking at a Ted talk right now about a young lady leaving a cult very similar to everything we practiced and child sexual abuse was at the forefront.
The religion was started by one man as Russell started this one. That seems to be a Hallmark of these religions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U4Cq-dgNnw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnovQVRHj5c&t=333s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zo29Kw7zg&t=68s
I found this interesting video on clues in the Bible that tells us where Jesus will appear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ59pph96IE
This one is concerning what might be meant by knowing that day or hour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-XJE9aX3r8
I personally started with history and study from perspective of where our beginings as “christians” is from. I think by understanding our genesis or beginning only then can we understand the many doctrines and viewpoints and wether or not they actually have a basis in scripture. If we know nothing of the Hebrew perspective and nothing about the Old testament then understanding the new is not going to be fully possible. Shortsighted is how I would put it, we miss a lot of important contextual information if we know nothing of the heritage of our Messiah and of Gods people. History. Geography.
I have been asked where to start with sincere Bible study?
I can only say what has worked for me and show the path I took which might not be the best way but I did the best I could.
To my friend and one that I love more than any other relative on the earth (except my children). I suggest Revelation and the book of Genesis are the first two books to go thru verse by verse.
Here are two sessions I used, first the Torah or Jewish Christian version here:Genesis study
or just press on this,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONGmSM1d49o&list=PLWbQw7v3QMOSKLrCymxfcSQkWctIeLUQm
I did Genesis then I went to Revelation as the two books explain each other.
Revelation Torah class or just click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8UECe_YptE
This is the Hebrew view giving you the flavor of the original language. I am not saying one has to agree with everything said here but it will get you started. Now I went straight to Rev. 20 and 21 discussions first. It helped me.
Now let’s go to “learn the Bible in 24 hours”: You can do the same thing or just go through the entire Bible. I found studying Revelation and Genesis was the best way for me here also. or just click here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=learn+the+bible+in+24+hours+chuck+missler
Now I have also studied the four gospels for 2 years before going into the study this way. I didn’t know how to proceed when I first left the witnesses because I took a detour to learn about how this all started, into the Bible Student movement.
This detour proved to me by God’s permission that the teachings of Russell that still permeates into the Witness religion is the root cause of the disturbing teachings.
My aim is not to take anyone away from the Witness religion but to share that there is a way to learn about the Bible while the Witness organization goes through its strictly corporate dealings right now. Not teaching the Bible at all. It has been alledged by some that the selling off of the kingdom halls is because people are leaving in droves and that the infiltration by the government is working to lessen the effect such an extreme religion has on the minds of people. Causing them to commit suicide or allow children to die because of positions on health matters. Viewing transplants as cannibalism and blood transfusion that isn’t mentioned in the Bible just as the rapture isn’t mentioned to be a salvation issue.
I am just sharing the path and thinking I have taken to get to know about the marvelous thing that Jesus did for us. We were never told about Jesus as a Witness it was assuming the Jewish People’s identity that made the Witnesses focus only on Jehovah. Witnesses think they are the Jews now; that God lied to Abraham, or changed His mind as imperfect humans do. This is called Antisemitism. Yahweh can’t lie he does not change. We Christians are Witnesses of JESUS CHRIST not Jehovah.
I hope I have given you what I humbly think will help you to refocus your mind on the Bible and rest from all the confusion in the witness organization.
To Marcus, what you are talking about today on Youtube is what I have been saying all along that one wonders who to blame for this indoctrination of people that no matter if they continuously predict the end of the world and the prediction does not come true, their empire still stands.
Could it be you have to do as I did go all the way back to the source, the start of the religion? Russell.
In the middle of the inception, however, we can identify one major influencer. The door to door ministry is a targeted form of recruitment.
The persons are isolated off in their homes when they let witnesses in, they are told right off the bat that your family and friends won’t like you talking to us. They become an enemy, like an abusing spouse will first alienate that person’s family and close friends.
We were told to look for certain signs such as a toy indicating children that surely the householder wouldn’t want to die in our version of armageddon that we are going
to teach them.
Is there a man in the house? Has there been a death recently? Lots of little things that will make them vulnerable and easy prey to witnesses that are “SELLING PARADISE”.
Just follow the organization and we will promise you and only witnesses “LIFE”.
The governing body also bought into this. Raymond Franz told them they needed to start from scratch and read the Bible anew because the doctrines of Charles Taze RUSSELL were messed up! He was selling exclusiveness in a time when evangelizing was at its height after the house jailing of the pope.
He had some new and radical and people bought into it and generations passed it on.
One crucial thing he did was allegorize the book of Revelation and make as Russell and the present-day witnesses did be all about his small group.
They added their interpretation to Revelation and created a climate of fear, death at armageddon and each generation passed it on as one failed end of the world date came and went.
They were able to do this because they brought in through the targeted door witnessing the kind of people that will let you in their house and separate you from your family.
People with some mental, emotional and economic problems that they sold them “Paradise” so they stay, just in case they are right.
These people are so dependant on this organization that it is their only hope as many never prepared for old age or sickness or death even.
So they stay, Marcus, they stay.
One solution we are trying to employ is to go directly to the BIBLE, go directly to Jehovah God through JESUS.
Bypass the organization, all of the books written by these men and magazines.
Empty themselves, go bare and raw on uour knees to GOD.
Retaliation isn’t the key, finding a way to fix the organization isn’t the key.
Forgetting them and all they ever taught you,m throw that baby out with the bathwater!
Run some clean new water, and trust Him, trust Jesus also!
IT IS WORTH A TRY! I feel your pain from spending your life there in Bethel.
It was while visiting Bethel many times and their annual meetings that I saw the profound unrighteousness of this organization.
I saw drinking on a scale where an alcoholic told me, they drank him under the table and that had never been done before, he could outdrink everyone but a Bethelite.
I had to go to the source to see why black people were treated so bad, so I went directly to the writings of Russell and found it was an inception policy to treat blacks as slaves.
The source will explain how this has happened and why people continue in an alleged 30 billion dollar religion, yet they live in abject poverty some of them. How the pope would blush if he saw their lofty living in Warwick, yet they are selling off kingdom halls and not giving the money back to the congregations where it originated.
This was just too much to write under your youtube post.
Friends and Brothers I just put a NEW Custom Link near the end of the black section under the site picture that says:
“Out of Print Books-Everything!”
This site literally has every out of print book. Put “Watchtower in” and they bring up everything ever printed.
Also any book you can think of. Enjoy!
Thought for today: “Toxic Positivity”
Isn’t optimism supposed to, you know, help people look on the bright side? Turns out, not necessarily. Responding to negative emotions with glass-half-full thinking is known as toxic positivity (or dismissive positivity).
I was told persons stopped attending a book study class being held. They said when they talked about how they were treated and was being shunned, they were told to get over that. We are your spiritual family now! You are a great person and will be of the Bride of Christ.
The person felt awful! When someone immediately responds to less-than-pleasant comments with platitudes like “You should get over it!” it can make you feel like your emotions aren’t valid, or that by not moving on immediately, there’s something wrong with you.
This in itself is another form of Spiritual Abuse. And it is normal to fall back into allowing this type of behavior to be perpetuated on you once again. Don’t!
Do as these persons did and stop meeting in such book studies, get away from a toxic situation. Love yourself, it’s okay.
Another situation where your mate isn’t fitting into the form your new religion has made and there is an effort to separate you from your family.
Another is you attend a convention for a day, your relatives are coming to visit you the next day, it’s a holiday.
You are told, we are your spiritual family, tell your family you will be with them after your convention is over the second day.
Sounds conflicting? Yes, because it is. It is still Spiritual abuse! We often look for a religion that is pretty close to what we know already, sometimes that can be a big mistake or not.
Using religion to separate you from your family. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize you are allowing abuse again. Not realizing worship is your relationship with God and Jesus not a religion or group of religious people.
What a fine Christian example you are by being with family as a good influence. Satan tried to separate the first family and it seems Adam was right there and failed to speak up and say no!
One other thing: It’s possible to apply toxic positivity to yourself—in fact, there’s a good chance you’ve been guilty of it at some point or another. If you’ve ever internally chastised yourself for how you’re feeling (what you might call wallowing or overreacting), you might not be listening to what those underlying emotions are telling you. Maybe you really do need to mourn that break up or have a difficult conversation with your family or your religion. That’s not to say you need to banish positive thinking entirely, though; it’s more about recognizing the value of a full emotional spectrum.
Don’t let anyone Bully you with expressions like you need to get over that! It is okay to love and protect yourself.
Have a Blessed day!
Thought for today:
We want to still be standing when the battle is over in our lives.
Like an old battleship, we want with God’s grace to sail again!
Testimony meeting last night was what we needed; we had witness borne that we had
God’s Holy Spirit with us, as an understanding of so many scriptures, became clear.
Lee Anthony, I am going to look at 2 Esdras chap 7 vs.26-45 and vs.74-100.
today and comment hadn’t forgotten. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Esdras)
Jacqueline,
Ive been checking out some stuff in my Apocrypha bible. If you get a chance check out 2 Esdras chap 7 vs.26-45 and vs.74-100.
I see where the early church got some of these ideas, thisis a lityle bit interesting. Wording is unique for sure.
Okay , you know I will check it out and comment. Got family all weekend thru holiday. Doing Beach.
Enjoy your Monday with friends, it should be nice either way. I will comment on Sabbath after more get a chance to see it.
I personally feel Jehovah gave it for mankind and He feels strongly about it. He said rest! He likes when we just think about him only one day and enjoy family and His creation.
We are to be holy as possible always but dealings with Israel shows how he felt about that special Sabbath covenant and enforced it by punishment.
I grew up when stores never opened on Sunday and no one worked or cut grass. It was nice and family fun day.
Our world doesn’t even allow for Jewish day as we have evening shifts etc. But as a Christian I too am revisiting the Bible in every word I was taught and most of It was wrong from the first books to the myriads following. I have dumped all of them.
hi Jacqueline i left the Jehovah’s witnesses this is last call for them i am getting my life straight now. i will go to heaven with out the governing body ruling my life. bible student i will be. i least i have a voice and i am of use. i will make it as the last member of 144000. the lost of watch tower for the position is to bad for them. but good for me. and others.
Kevin, hello I haven’t heard from you in a long time. I am so glad you found your way. Being a student of the Bible is the best way.
Right now Israel is God’s and Jesus’ timeline on events. So it seems it won’t be long until all goes dark and we actually see Jesus coming on the clouds with great light and the heavenly host.
Since Jesus and the Bible only mention the KINGDOM and never an organization or a governing body, you can be safe in getting away from them.
We meet on Thursday at 7pm CST and use only the Bible plus some of the Greek and Hebrew word dictionaries. You are welcome to join if you’d like.
Take Care.
Lee Anthony, I finally got the chance to view 2Edras 7:26-45, 74-100. I can see if the Churches read this and took it as gospel they would formulate doctrines.
My take is the language is so different from Ezra’s style of speech.
I can now see why the Catholic Church would keep this and some of the other Apocrypha in their Bible. You would certainly want to pay your loved one out of this mess mentioned in these verses!
Indulgences: A release from all or part of the punishment for sin by the Catholic Church, reducing time in purgatory after death. … Because the catholic church was starting to lose business. How did the Catholic Church defend the selling of indulgences? They said that you won’t go to heaven.
This passage doesn’t sound like God, Jehovah. It isn’t consistent with the whole text of the Bible. The Jews were never afraid of death as they knew about and looked forward to getting out of the grave, it was a waiting place for them.
Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible and God is talking to him, yet he never had this view of Sheol.
Job 14:13, English Standard Version “Oh, that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!”
Elijah, Jonah, and Moses all at some point felt death was a relief because this idea of a tormented place of fire came about later. They weren’t concerned about whether they were right with God or not because Sheol was a waiting place for a return.
I know this passage seems to be talking about after all the judgments but it doesn’t fit in.
I personally have faith and trust that He is powerful enough to have the letters written by the Apostles preserved as we see from the dead sea scrolls. I have faith in the Canon but also because the book of Enoch is mentioned and used in Bible times I consider it for literary value and detail. Some of the Apocryphal such as Maccabees has great historical value too.
Thanks for these verses, it helps me to understand now, some of the doctrines of the Universal Church (Catholic) and the protestant offshoots. No wonder they paid the indulgences.
Reminds me of Armageddons use by the witnesses, they scare friends to death. Many scriptures they use are talking about judgments that actually happened to the Jews and not referring to Armageddon at all.
It is so great to be able to read and discuss other matters of faith.
Sr Jacqueline
I knew they had many corporations across the world. I had never seen a local congregation however being incorporated. The board of directors are local brothers. The corporation is in the name of the local Kingdom Hall. I cant say the name because it would pinpoint my location. I just found it very interesting
Yes, in my area about 2 kingdom halls were incorporated and one brother had his name down as incorporated for watchtower. Congregations became autonomous I think in the 1970 or 1980.
This has been the practice to incorporate since early lawsuits.
Russell had corporations, to protect assets during his divorce and the practice has continued.
Barbara made me aware of this by showing me the lists while I was in her home.
She was given Mrs Russell’s private boxes of papers by her cousin that provided lodging for Mr Russell.