Is it me or when you have a day off like we did on Monday that the week seems to go so slow...I don't know. I mentioned that Jesse had a part but it was canceled due to the convention we had on Saturday. I don't know when he is going to have another part. I'll check the schedule.
When on stage I'm often asked if I'm scared because it doesn't sound like I'm nervous when I'm giving a talk. I've only given I think 5 or 6 talks but even from the start I was asked after my very first talk " was I nervous "
I responded by saying that I was more nervous on how the material would come out. I wasn't nervous because of giving the talk or being on stage, just how I would present the material. Before I stepped onto stage, I would say several prayers.
When your up there all you see is little eyes looking at you. Its kinda funny really. I hope tomorrow I get a bible study. I only had one bible study in my entire time being a witness.
Anyway, not much going on today. Have a great weekend!!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Who are you?
Do you know who you are? Yes you know your name, you know your likes and dislikes but who are you? What kind of person are you? Reason I bring this up is because often times I wonder if people know who I am.
Take for example yesterday. My sister calls me and tells me and asks me for help. I would help my sister with anything but what she asks me is something that she knows that I wouldn't do. She wanted me to lie to someone saying that I lived at my mom's address and that her daughter was living with me.
After my sister explained the reasons why I told her that I would help her in any way that I could but I cannot lie for her or anyone. She didn't seem upset but after I got off the phone I wondered why she would even ask that question in the first place. My sister knows who I am or does she?
At the start of mankind’s history our history, everything was based on truth. There was no twisting of facts, no manipulation or misrepresentation of the truth. Jehovah, the Creator, is “the God of truth.” His word is truth; he cannot lie, and he condemns lying and liars.
It's clear how Jehovah feels about lying but those in the world do it daily. Some do it to get out of trouble. I recall a co-worker lying in my face about something he said he didn't do although I knew that he did. At the end of our little talk he confessed and I asked him why he felt he needed to lie in the first place? He said he didn't want to get in trouble. He got in trouble because he lied.
Jehovah wants us to be honest not only with our fellow brothers and sisters but will all in the world. Recall back in the Garden of Eden. What did Satan tell Eve? He told her that she would not die which was a lie. The bible thus calls Satan the father of the lie.
The fact that “the whole world” lies in the power of Satan tells us why many people lie. But we might ask, ‘Why did Satan, “the father of the lie,” do so?’ Satan knew that Jehovah is the rightful Sovereign of all that He has created, including the first human pair. Yet, Satan desired for himself this lofty and unique position, something to which he was not entitled. Out of greed and selfish ambition, he schemed to usurp Jehovah’s place. To achieve this, Satan resorted to lies and deceit.
Why in the world would we want to be like Satan? Why did my sister who knows I'm a witness ask me to lie? Could it be that it was a test even if it was a small test? Could it be that she forgot that I am a witness?
We all make mistakes, nobody is perfect. Even Peter lied when he was asked if he knew Jesus. He lied three times. Peter caved in to fear of man and lied. But he immediately “wept bitterly” and repented, and his sin was forgiven. Moreover, he learned from his mistake.
Some days later, he spoke in public about Jesus and resolutely refused to stop when threatened by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. Surely Peter’s temporary setback and quick recovery should be an encouragement to all of us, who can easily be overwhelmed in a moment of weakness and stumble in word or deed.
So tag you are it. Who are you? Are you allowing Jesus to be your Example? Or are you allowing Satan to be your Example? Till tomorrow. Have a great day.
Take for example yesterday. My sister calls me and tells me and asks me for help. I would help my sister with anything but what she asks me is something that she knows that I wouldn't do. She wanted me to lie to someone saying that I lived at my mom's address and that her daughter was living with me.
After my sister explained the reasons why I told her that I would help her in any way that I could but I cannot lie for her or anyone. She didn't seem upset but after I got off the phone I wondered why she would even ask that question in the first place. My sister knows who I am or does she?
At the start of mankind’s history our history, everything was based on truth. There was no twisting of facts, no manipulation or misrepresentation of the truth. Jehovah, the Creator, is “the God of truth.” His word is truth; he cannot lie, and he condemns lying and liars.
It's clear how Jehovah feels about lying but those in the world do it daily. Some do it to get out of trouble. I recall a co-worker lying in my face about something he said he didn't do although I knew that he did. At the end of our little talk he confessed and I asked him why he felt he needed to lie in the first place? He said he didn't want to get in trouble. He got in trouble because he lied.
Jehovah wants us to be honest not only with our fellow brothers and sisters but will all in the world. Recall back in the Garden of Eden. What did Satan tell Eve? He told her that she would not die which was a lie. The bible thus calls Satan the father of the lie.
The fact that “the whole world” lies in the power of Satan tells us why many people lie. But we might ask, ‘Why did Satan, “the father of the lie,” do so?’ Satan knew that Jehovah is the rightful Sovereign of all that He has created, including the first human pair. Yet, Satan desired for himself this lofty and unique position, something to which he was not entitled. Out of greed and selfish ambition, he schemed to usurp Jehovah’s place. To achieve this, Satan resorted to lies and deceit.
Why in the world would we want to be like Satan? Why did my sister who knows I'm a witness ask me to lie? Could it be that it was a test even if it was a small test? Could it be that she forgot that I am a witness?
We all make mistakes, nobody is perfect. Even Peter lied when he was asked if he knew Jesus. He lied three times. Peter caved in to fear of man and lied. But he immediately “wept bitterly” and repented, and his sin was forgiven. Moreover, he learned from his mistake.
Some days later, he spoke in public about Jesus and resolutely refused to stop when threatened by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. Surely Peter’s temporary setback and quick recovery should be an encouragement to all of us, who can easily be overwhelmed in a moment of weakness and stumble in word or deed.
So tag you are it. Who are you? Are you allowing Jesus to be your Example? Or are you allowing Satan to be your Example? Till tomorrow. Have a great day.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday
I hope that the Diary of an unborn child touched your hearts as it did mine. I can't imagine being in that position. Do I think Abortion is wrong? Of course I do. The fact that Jehovah allowed us to have this gift is a blessing that shouldn't be taken advantage of.
Our children is a gift. I look at my children each day hoping that something doesn't happen to me on the way home. I read the Diary of an Unborn Child to a co-worker yesterday who is in favor of Abortion. She mentioned that if her daughter became pregnant that she would force her daughter to give up the baby.
She said this when her daughter was 17. Now her daughter is 18 and she now says that her daughter is an adult so its her choice but as mentioned she said this to her daughter when her daughter was 17. When I read her the Diary, she felt bad and rightfully so.
The Bible does not directly mention medically induced abortions. Although the term “abortion” is found in some Bible translations, it is used with reference to a miscarriage that might result from natural causes. Nevertheless, the Scriptures do not leave a person in any doubt as to God’s viewpoint regarding the life of an unborn child.
Properly viewed, the fruitage of the womb is a blessing from Jehovah God. (Psalm 127:3) The Bible shows that the Creator himself is lovingly aware of the developing human embryo or fetus. (Psalm 139:13-16) Has God’s viewpoint toward human life changed after all these years? After the Mosaic Law covenant was terminated, Jehovah caused this forceful reminder to be written to the Christian congregation: “You know that no manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him.” 1 John 3:15.
Is the Fetus a Human Entity? Those who argue for abortion contend that the fetus is not a human entity because it cannot live by itself. If that is the case, what is to be said of adults whose survival depends on the use of an artificial kidney machine or the aid of a battery-powered heart pacemaker? Certainly those people cannot be said to be less than human entities just because they cannot exist independently of these aids.
The medical profession generally agrees that life begins at the moment of conception. The World Book Encyclopedia, 1978, Volume 16, page 228b, has a photograph of an egg and sperm taken through a microscope. The caption over the photo says: “A Human Life Begins when the sperm gets through the outer covering of an egg and fertilizes it.” Yes, at conception! Therefore, can it be said that the aborted fetus is not a life that has been snuffed out? How do you answer?
Let those who favor abortion think about this fact: If their parents, especially their mothers, had held such a passionate desire for legal abortion, they themselves might well have ended up in a garbage can! Do they regret that their mothers were more concerned with the “right to life”?
After reading the Diary about 7 times so far maybe 8, I wondered what my child would have looked like? I wondered who the baby would look like. Yes we have a baby coming but at times it feels like something is missing. For those reading who are considering Abortion, please look at the Diary from yesterday's post. I thank you. Have a great day.
Our children is a gift. I look at my children each day hoping that something doesn't happen to me on the way home. I read the Diary of an Unborn Child to a co-worker yesterday who is in favor of Abortion. She mentioned that if her daughter became pregnant that she would force her daughter to give up the baby.
She said this when her daughter was 17. Now her daughter is 18 and she now says that her daughter is an adult so its her choice but as mentioned she said this to her daughter when her daughter was 17. When I read her the Diary, she felt bad and rightfully so.
The Bible does not directly mention medically induced abortions. Although the term “abortion” is found in some Bible translations, it is used with reference to a miscarriage that might result from natural causes. Nevertheless, the Scriptures do not leave a person in any doubt as to God’s viewpoint regarding the life of an unborn child.
Properly viewed, the fruitage of the womb is a blessing from Jehovah God. (Psalm 127:3) The Bible shows that the Creator himself is lovingly aware of the developing human embryo or fetus. (Psalm 139:13-16) Has God’s viewpoint toward human life changed after all these years? After the Mosaic Law covenant was terminated, Jehovah caused this forceful reminder to be written to the Christian congregation: “You know that no manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him.” 1 John 3:15.
Is the Fetus a Human Entity? Those who argue for abortion contend that the fetus is not a human entity because it cannot live by itself. If that is the case, what is to be said of adults whose survival depends on the use of an artificial kidney machine or the aid of a battery-powered heart pacemaker? Certainly those people cannot be said to be less than human entities just because they cannot exist independently of these aids.
The medical profession generally agrees that life begins at the moment of conception. The World Book Encyclopedia, 1978, Volume 16, page 228b, has a photograph of an egg and sperm taken through a microscope. The caption over the photo says: “A Human Life Begins when the sperm gets through the outer covering of an egg and fertilizes it.” Yes, at conception! Therefore, can it be said that the aborted fetus is not a life that has been snuffed out? How do you answer?
Let those who favor abortion think about this fact: If their parents, especially their mothers, had held such a passionate desire for legal abortion, they themselves might well have ended up in a garbage can! Do they regret that their mothers were more concerned with the “right to life”?
After reading the Diary about 7 times so far maybe 8, I wondered what my child would have looked like? I wondered who the baby would look like. Yes we have a baby coming but at times it feels like something is missing. For those reading who are considering Abortion, please look at the Diary from yesterday's post. I thank you. Have a great day.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday
What a weekend. I ran into brothers and sisters whom I haven't seen in such a long time. It was so great to see them and catch up with them. We even had one baptized from our congregation!!
It's interesting because I recall that very person saying maybe 2 months before she got baptized that she didn't want to get baptized. She felt it was to much responsibility. She made the right choice.
I ran into a very sweet brother whom I haven't seen in such a long time who is dying of cancer. I felt very sad but happy that he was there. He looked very thin and didn't look healthy but he was there. We receive spiritual food constantly but some talks just hit the spot.
The last talk was given by Brother Valorz. His talk made me cry. It was so touching so heartfelt that even he started to cry a bit. He talked about the Ministry and its struggles. He mentioned that if you don't even have an hour yet this month that really are you taking your responsibility serious enough? He mentioned Jesus and the things that he did on Earth. Yes Jesus did heal and did feed the people his goal was to preach and to complete the assignment that was given to him.
Brother Valorz mentioned our Ministry in connection with Jesus. Of course we are not Jesus, there is no way we can compare ourselves to Jesus but we can follow his steps closely. Then he went off topic and talked a little bit about children who are witnesses and stand up to what they believe in. For example on the the teenagers who was baptized was there with this teacher from school.
He was nervous at first but after hearing a talk given in his congregation about being Bold he started to preach to his teacher. His teacher found it interesting and this young teenager started a bible study with his teacher. It was great that the both of them were there and that the teacher saw this young man get baptized.
Then he talked again how teenagers are examples. He mentioned this girl who was a witness and that every morning she packs in her backpack awake magazines. Well it so happened that she was in a Library doing her studies when she heard another girl crying. This other girl got pregnant and didn't know what to do. The girl that got Pregnant had her friends around her telling her to get an abortion.
The young sister didn't know the girl who got pregnant but took an awake and handed it to her and told her to read this awake before she makes a decision and off to class the young sister went. She didn't see the Pregnant girl again. It was the Awake of May 22, 1980, on page 16 which is titled " Diary of an Unborn Child " It reads:::::
OCTOBER 5:
Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet, but it is I already. And I am to be a girl. I shall have blond hair and blue eyes. Just about everything is settled though, even the fact that I shall love flowers.
OCTOBER 19:
Some say that I am not a real person yet, that only my mother exists. But I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is yet truly bread. My mother is. And I am.
OCTOBER 23:
My mouth is just beginning to open now. Just think, in a year or so I shall be laughing and later talking. I know what my first word will be: MAMA.
OCTOBER 25:
My heart began to beat today all by itself. From now on it shall gently beat for the rest of my life without ever stopping to rest! And after many years it will tire. It will stop, and then I shall die.
NOVEMBER 2:
I am growing a bit every day. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But I have to wait a long time yet before those little legs will raise me to my mother’s arms, before these little arms will be able to gather flowers and embrace my father.
NOVEMBER 12:
Tiny fingers are beginning to form on my hands. Funny how small they are! I’ll be able to stroke my mother’s hair with them.
NOVEMBER 20:
It wasn’t until today that the doctor told mom that I am living here under her heart. Oh, how happy she must be! Are you happy, mom?
NOVEMBER 25:
My mom and dad are probably thinking about a name for me. But they don’t even know that I am a little girl. I want to be called Kathy. I am getting so big already.
DECEMBER 10:
My hair is growing. It is smooth and bright and shiny. I wonder what kind of hair mom has?
DECEMBER 13:
I am just about able to see. It is dark around me. When mom brings me into the world it will be full of sunshine and flowers. But what I want more than anything is to see my mom. How do you look, mom?
DECEMBER 24:
I wonder if mom hears the whispering of my heart? Some children come into the world a little sick. But my heart is strong and healthy. It beats so evenly: tup-tup, tup-tup. You’ll have a healthy little daughter, mom!
DECEMBER 28:
Today my mother killed me.
.....................................................................................
About a year later the young sister was called into the office. There was a gift for her from the Girl who got pregnant. It was six balloons and a card thanking the young sister. The six balloons represents the age of the little girl the she had. I think that's the part where I started crying.
I recall talking to my wife about it. My wife didn't go because she was sick at home. My wife remembered a time where she was sitting next to other woman at the hospital who were like 4 months Pregnant and were ready to have an Abortion. One of the girls said to my wife that she was getting rid of the baby because the baby didn't belong to her boyfriend.
My wife was there because we had a miscarriage. Our baby had died. This girl who was talking to my wife was ready to kill her baby. Diary of an Unborn Child really hit home because I could have had another boy or another girl if we didn't have a miscarriage. There are many woman in the world who would love to have children but cannot. Life is very precious. I wish people would view it that way. Anyway, till tomorrow. Thx again for your wonderful comments.
It's interesting because I recall that very person saying maybe 2 months before she got baptized that she didn't want to get baptized. She felt it was to much responsibility. She made the right choice.
I ran into a very sweet brother whom I haven't seen in such a long time who is dying of cancer. I felt very sad but happy that he was there. He looked very thin and didn't look healthy but he was there. We receive spiritual food constantly but some talks just hit the spot.
The last talk was given by Brother Valorz. His talk made me cry. It was so touching so heartfelt that even he started to cry a bit. He talked about the Ministry and its struggles. He mentioned that if you don't even have an hour yet this month that really are you taking your responsibility serious enough? He mentioned Jesus and the things that he did on Earth. Yes Jesus did heal and did feed the people his goal was to preach and to complete the assignment that was given to him.
Brother Valorz mentioned our Ministry in connection with Jesus. Of course we are not Jesus, there is no way we can compare ourselves to Jesus but we can follow his steps closely. Then he went off topic and talked a little bit about children who are witnesses and stand up to what they believe in. For example on the the teenagers who was baptized was there with this teacher from school.
He was nervous at first but after hearing a talk given in his congregation about being Bold he started to preach to his teacher. His teacher found it interesting and this young teenager started a bible study with his teacher. It was great that the both of them were there and that the teacher saw this young man get baptized.
Then he talked again how teenagers are examples. He mentioned this girl who was a witness and that every morning she packs in her backpack awake magazines. Well it so happened that she was in a Library doing her studies when she heard another girl crying. This other girl got pregnant and didn't know what to do. The girl that got Pregnant had her friends around her telling her to get an abortion.
The young sister didn't know the girl who got pregnant but took an awake and handed it to her and told her to read this awake before she makes a decision and off to class the young sister went. She didn't see the Pregnant girl again. It was the Awake of May 22, 1980, on page 16 which is titled " Diary of an Unborn Child " It reads:::::
OCTOBER 5:
Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet, but it is I already. And I am to be a girl. I shall have blond hair and blue eyes. Just about everything is settled though, even the fact that I shall love flowers.
OCTOBER 19:
Some say that I am not a real person yet, that only my mother exists. But I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is yet truly bread. My mother is. And I am.
OCTOBER 23:
My mouth is just beginning to open now. Just think, in a year or so I shall be laughing and later talking. I know what my first word will be: MAMA.
OCTOBER 25:
My heart began to beat today all by itself. From now on it shall gently beat for the rest of my life without ever stopping to rest! And after many years it will tire. It will stop, and then I shall die.
NOVEMBER 2:
I am growing a bit every day. My arms and legs are beginning to take shape. But I have to wait a long time yet before those little legs will raise me to my mother’s arms, before these little arms will be able to gather flowers and embrace my father.
NOVEMBER 12:
Tiny fingers are beginning to form on my hands. Funny how small they are! I’ll be able to stroke my mother’s hair with them.
NOVEMBER 20:
It wasn’t until today that the doctor told mom that I am living here under her heart. Oh, how happy she must be! Are you happy, mom?
NOVEMBER 25:
My mom and dad are probably thinking about a name for me. But they don’t even know that I am a little girl. I want to be called Kathy. I am getting so big already.
DECEMBER 10:
My hair is growing. It is smooth and bright and shiny. I wonder what kind of hair mom has?
DECEMBER 13:
I am just about able to see. It is dark around me. When mom brings me into the world it will be full of sunshine and flowers. But what I want more than anything is to see my mom. How do you look, mom?
DECEMBER 24:
I wonder if mom hears the whispering of my heart? Some children come into the world a little sick. But my heart is strong and healthy. It beats so evenly: tup-tup, tup-tup. You’ll have a healthy little daughter, mom!
DECEMBER 28:
Today my mother killed me.
.....................................................................................
About a year later the young sister was called into the office. There was a gift for her from the Girl who got pregnant. It was six balloons and a card thanking the young sister. The six balloons represents the age of the little girl the she had. I think that's the part where I started crying.
I recall talking to my wife about it. My wife didn't go because she was sick at home. My wife remembered a time where she was sitting next to other woman at the hospital who were like 4 months Pregnant and were ready to have an Abortion. One of the girls said to my wife that she was getting rid of the baby because the baby didn't belong to her boyfriend.
My wife was there because we had a miscarriage. Our baby had died. This girl who was talking to my wife was ready to kill her baby. Diary of an Unborn Child really hit home because I could have had another boy or another girl if we didn't have a miscarriage. There are many woman in the world who would love to have children but cannot. Life is very precious. I wish people would view it that way. Anyway, till tomorrow. Thx again for your wonderful comments.
Friday, May 22, 2009
It's Friday
At times it feels like the week goes by so slow and other times it feels as if it goes to fast. What I was thinking about yesterday was 9/11. If you read what I posted in the past then you know exactly how I feel about 9/11. That feeling has not changed. Matter of fact the smoking gun is the nano-thermite that was found at the site.
The reason I'm talking about it again is the feeling I got that day. We don't know what's going to kick start the Great Tribulation. We do know that it's near. How close? Well that's hard to say because no man knows when the end will come. Only Jehovah knows but he didn't leave us in the dark he gave signs. When 9/11 happened I couldn't help but wonder if this what starts the Great Tribulation?
The world did indeed change since that happened. Increased violence, wars, crimes, murder, rape, etc....The on going threat of weapons. The possible pandemics that they say will take place. How close are we to the end of this system? It's only natural to be scared but we must pay attention to ourselves and what we do in life. We must stay spiritually awake. Luke chapter 21 verse 34 through 36 says to pay attention to ourselves.
We cannot allow ourselves to be influenced by the thinking of this world. Worldly thinking is seductive and can induce a person to overindulge in fleshly pleasures or to become so weighed down with life’s problems that we no longer put Kingdom interests first. Such a course weakens a person spiritually and could leave him or her indifferent about his responsibilities toward God and others.
We could become inactive or jeopardize our place in the congregation by committing serious sin, perhaps even displaying an unrepentant attitude. Each individual in the great crowd must pay attention to himself. We must keep separate from this ungodly world and its practices. So ask yourself " Will I be ready when the Great Tribulation takes place? "
If we are not then we still have time now to correct any issues we may have. The spiritually appointed Elders are there to help us. They can give the needed counsel to help us get back on the road to life now that we have time. Recall those in Noah's day who did not take what Noah was saying serious enough to make a change. We all know what the result was and it's going to be the same for us if we don't make a change.
Have a great weekend.
The reason I'm talking about it again is the feeling I got that day. We don't know what's going to kick start the Great Tribulation. We do know that it's near. How close? Well that's hard to say because no man knows when the end will come. Only Jehovah knows but he didn't leave us in the dark he gave signs. When 9/11 happened I couldn't help but wonder if this what starts the Great Tribulation?
The world did indeed change since that happened. Increased violence, wars, crimes, murder, rape, etc....The on going threat of weapons. The possible pandemics that they say will take place. How close are we to the end of this system? It's only natural to be scared but we must pay attention to ourselves and what we do in life. We must stay spiritually awake. Luke chapter 21 verse 34 through 36 says to pay attention to ourselves.
We cannot allow ourselves to be influenced by the thinking of this world. Worldly thinking is seductive and can induce a person to overindulge in fleshly pleasures or to become so weighed down with life’s problems that we no longer put Kingdom interests first. Such a course weakens a person spiritually and could leave him or her indifferent about his responsibilities toward God and others.
We could become inactive or jeopardize our place in the congregation by committing serious sin, perhaps even displaying an unrepentant attitude. Each individual in the great crowd must pay attention to himself. We must keep separate from this ungodly world and its practices. So ask yourself " Will I be ready when the Great Tribulation takes place? "
If we are not then we still have time now to correct any issues we may have. The spiritually appointed Elders are there to help us. They can give the needed counsel to help us get back on the road to life now that we have time. Recall those in Noah's day who did not take what Noah was saying serious enough to make a change. We all know what the result was and it's going to be the same for us if we don't make a change.
Have a great weekend.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sorry for the delay
I'm out sick at the moment trying to get better. I was wondering when it was going to be my turn. My wife got sick, children got sick, mother in law is still sick, but I avoided it till yesterday. I felt great but I guess its my turn. I remember talking about a time where no one will ever say they are sick again. I believe I posted it on here before. When I'm sick I can be the biggest baby and harder to take care of than my kids. When getting sick though I often look in the mirror and notice myself aging. When you are young you tend to think that nothing will ever happen to you although I'm sure you had loved one pass away. My Aunt pass away and the things that I thought of was how happy I'm going to feel when I see her again or seeing her young again.
It's hard to imagine I'm sure that the dead will one day walk the Earth again. It's hard to imagine that the blind will see or the deaf will hear. It's hard to imagine that no one will ever be sick again. These things and many more are hard to imagine in this system of things but it's not Fantasy for Jehovah has promised these things to us. He has promised that the dead will rise again. He has promised that those who are sick will heal. There is nobody on this planet that can accomplish this for us. Nobody. Nobody. Nobody. Only Jehovah can do this for us. How can we be so sure? Well because Jehovah has never lied to us before. Everything that he has ever said, he has done. People let you down. Jehovah will never fail you. People will lie to you. Jehovah no matter how much power he has cannot lie. Will not lie. We can read that scripture at Titus chapter 1 verse 2.
Imagine having Jehovah's Power and yet he cares for us. He looks out for us. He is teaching us. He is showing us the path that leads to everlasting life. All he asks in return is that we listen to him. That we obey him. That we love one another as brothers and sisters. That's all he is asking. The things we do in life does hurt him. It does. Proverbs chapter 27 verse 11 reads " Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me. "
When we make wise choices in our personal and spiritual life we can make Jehovah's figurative heart rejoice. Imagine that. We who are so small compared to Jehovah, yet we can make him happy. Notice the other part of that verse. Who is taunting Jehovah? Of course its Satan the Devil who is happy when people disobey Jehovah. Satan is happy when he see's those in the world hurting each other. Satan is happy when he see's innocent people being murdered. Satan is happy when he see's a brother or sister falling away or even those just learning getting pressured into giving up. I will again tell you the words that Peter once said to Jesus which is found at John chapter 6 verse 68 where Peter clearly said to Jesus " Lord whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of Everlasting Life? "
There really is no where we can go but there is something we can do. I suggest that if you are new to this blog read for yourself and make up your own mind. Don't allow anyone to come between you and Jehovah. When they do, it's as if Satan again taunting Jehovah. Check out the official site which is Http://www.watchtower.org. Read the scriptures and ask yourself if it makes sense. Please don't allow tradition to block your thoughts because there is more to the bible that has been taught to you. There is a big difference between having knowledge of the bible and having accurate knowledge of the bible. There is a big difference between reading scripture and applying scripture. Show me your faith by your works. Prove that you love God by living by his standards which is found in his word the bible. Find out what those standards are.
Till tomorrow.
P.S - Ten things about me that you might or might not know.
1. I love Jehovah very much
2. I love Jesus very much
3. I love my wife very much
4. I love my children very much
5. I love to write and you can tell by my over 200 posts
6. I love people and like helping them anyway I can
7. My favorite color is black matches with everything
8. My favorite food is Dennisons Chilly beans
9. My favorite place is disneyland
10. I love old break dancing music. Some of it sounds very weird compared to today's music. They called it Freestyle music.
Anyway thx for listening again...
It's hard to imagine I'm sure that the dead will one day walk the Earth again. It's hard to imagine that the blind will see or the deaf will hear. It's hard to imagine that no one will ever be sick again. These things and many more are hard to imagine in this system of things but it's not Fantasy for Jehovah has promised these things to us. He has promised that the dead will rise again. He has promised that those who are sick will heal. There is nobody on this planet that can accomplish this for us. Nobody. Nobody. Nobody. Only Jehovah can do this for us. How can we be so sure? Well because Jehovah has never lied to us before. Everything that he has ever said, he has done. People let you down. Jehovah will never fail you. People will lie to you. Jehovah no matter how much power he has cannot lie. Will not lie. We can read that scripture at Titus chapter 1 verse 2.
Imagine having Jehovah's Power and yet he cares for us. He looks out for us. He is teaching us. He is showing us the path that leads to everlasting life. All he asks in return is that we listen to him. That we obey him. That we love one another as brothers and sisters. That's all he is asking. The things we do in life does hurt him. It does. Proverbs chapter 27 verse 11 reads " Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me. "
When we make wise choices in our personal and spiritual life we can make Jehovah's figurative heart rejoice. Imagine that. We who are so small compared to Jehovah, yet we can make him happy. Notice the other part of that verse. Who is taunting Jehovah? Of course its Satan the Devil who is happy when people disobey Jehovah. Satan is happy when he see's those in the world hurting each other. Satan is happy when he see's innocent people being murdered. Satan is happy when he see's a brother or sister falling away or even those just learning getting pressured into giving up. I will again tell you the words that Peter once said to Jesus which is found at John chapter 6 verse 68 where Peter clearly said to Jesus " Lord whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of Everlasting Life? "
There really is no where we can go but there is something we can do. I suggest that if you are new to this blog read for yourself and make up your own mind. Don't allow anyone to come between you and Jehovah. When they do, it's as if Satan again taunting Jehovah. Check out the official site which is Http://www.watchtower.org. Read the scriptures and ask yourself if it makes sense. Please don't allow tradition to block your thoughts because there is more to the bible that has been taught to you. There is a big difference between having knowledge of the bible and having accurate knowledge of the bible. There is a big difference between reading scripture and applying scripture. Show me your faith by your works. Prove that you love God by living by his standards which is found in his word the bible. Find out what those standards are.
Till tomorrow.
P.S - Ten things about me that you might or might not know.
1. I love Jehovah very much
2. I love Jesus very much
3. I love my wife very much
4. I love my children very much
5. I love to write and you can tell by my over 200 posts
6. I love people and like helping them anyway I can
7. My favorite color is black matches with everything
8. My favorite food is Dennisons Chilly beans
9. My favorite place is disneyland
10. I love old break dancing music. Some of it sounds very weird compared to today's music. They called it Freestyle music.
Anyway thx for listening again...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
My Wife
For those new to reading my personal name is Gilbert or as they call me in the hall Brother Rivera. I mentioned yesterday that I was going to talk a bit about my wife and the kind of person she is. If I had to list everything she has done for me, there wouldn't be enough time in this system of things to cover all that my wife has done for me.
I met her when she was 12 years old. I was 15 at the time and if I must say looking back at old photo's of myself well, I was a dork then and still a dork today. When I first saw her I thought to myself " Could there be anything more beautiful in this world than what's in front of me "
I don't know if she felt the same but it was instant attraction. We met through another friend who happened to be riding bikes with her that day. I remember the day that I gave her a kiss and it happened to be her first kiss. We were across the street from our hangout, it was dark outside but I leaned over and gave her a kiss. I don't know if she remembers that.
Since that day we were a couple. I don't want to make it seem as if we never had any issues because we did and I will talk about that. We were young, we were foolish, was this a true love? As we aged we were on and off again because we made many foolish mistakes. I got into drugs and alcohol and became very protective of her. As we aged and the issues with being a young couple started to show themselves in terms of windows being broken, swear words going back and forth, it all seemed as if it wasn't going to work out.
Our relationship started off great but it became very abusive. The drugs were getting to me the Alcohol was getting to me but I wasn't addicted to it. Never really had an addictive personality. I remember the day we were in my 73 Impala and she looked into my eyes and asked me to stop taking drugs and gave me a choice. She said its her or the drugs and that if I didn't quit she would leave me.
It wasn't very hard of a choice so I gave up drugs or so I thought I would. Our Relationship continued to have its ups and downs and I will skip many of the things that really don't need to be mentioned but it all changed when there was a knock at the door. Her name was Becky and she was to become my spiritual mother.
She studied with my wife first, I wasn't very interested at the time but as mentioned in a few posts ago what got me interested was the discussion about the dead. My father had died and because of the kind of person my father was I felt that he would be in Hell and not Heaven. When I learned the true condition of the dead and the fact that I would see him again, I was to excited.
See when my father died I tried to pull him out the coffin. That's how much I loved that man. So I started to learn the truth. Our study was in the Knowledge Book. It was great but I still had to work on my personal life and our relationship wasn't getting any better. It did have its moments but it was still a mess.
Becky gave us the Family Happiness Book. It was amazing. It really helped our relationship. We both learned so many things from that book. It not only helped our relationship with each other but it helped our relationship with Jehovah. We knew that we were living in sin and thus had to get married.
I would love to say that once we got the truth we changed our lives but sadly it didn't happen for a number of years. We were so thankful that Becky never gave up on us. There is more to the story and I will fill in the blanks later on but let me describe my wife.
She is a very loving mother. The scriptures define a capable wife. Proverbs chapter 31 verse 19 talks about a capable wife and asks who can find her? The things that my wife does for me is amazing. Let me give you an idea of what she does.
Monday through Friday - She wakes up early in the morning about the same time I get up for work. She prepares lunch for Jesse and I. Jesse by the way is my 16yr old son who happens to be baptized as well. Anyway, she wakes and makes us lunch. She then gets Gabriel up who is my 6yr old son and gets him dressed and feeds him before I take him to school in the morning.
While we are off to do our thing, she feeds our youngest Daughter Nevaeh. She then cleans the house a bit and gets our other daughter Daisy dressed for her school. She then takes Daisy to school. Gets home and then takes care of her mom. She picks up Gabriel from school and I get Daisy and Jesse from school.
Once the kids return from school she makes a snack for them till dinner. This is a rinse and repeat Monday through Friday. All this she does while maintaining her spiritual goals. When we are sick she goes out of her way to take care of us. I don't know what I would do without her.
Tomorrow I will post a talk that I'm working on. I hope you like it. Anyway, here is some funny jokes I ran across.
The following is Jeff Foxworthy's: "You Might Be A Jehovah's Witness IF....."
If "pioneer" is not a stereo.
If "new light" is not something in the housewares department.
If "tract" has nothing to do with land or farming.
If you know where Nisan 14 of the Jewish Calendar lands on the Gregorian calendar from year to year, and yet you commonly forget your own birthday.
If for you, "Memorial Day" isn't in May.
If you spent days at a baseball stadium, never saw a ball and didn't even have a beer.
If you think "formal clothing" and "Civic Center" belong in the same sentence.
If you wash windows or cars for a living and still own five suits.
If you think nothing of letting your friends stop by to use the bathroom.
If you know the cleanliness of every coffee shop for four towns around.
If you think 2-door vehicles aren't really cars.
If you go to Home Depot and go down the aisle where doors are displayed, and you feel compelled to knock on them.
If you can't buy a pair of shoes without thinking about how comfortable they will need to be while walking residential streets in 98 degree heat.
If you have the tendency to refer to books by color instead of by title.
If you have a shelf just for 192 page books.
If you can't pick up a book, or anything else to read without picking up a pencil or highlighter too.
If you think it is complimentary to refer to someone as "a study".
If you have "get-togethers", rather than "parties".
If after one of such "get-togethers" at your home, your house is not a mess and you have more food than when you started.
If you realize things are getting worse and you're thrilled.
I met her when she was 12 years old. I was 15 at the time and if I must say looking back at old photo's of myself well, I was a dork then and still a dork today. When I first saw her I thought to myself " Could there be anything more beautiful in this world than what's in front of me "
I don't know if she felt the same but it was instant attraction. We met through another friend who happened to be riding bikes with her that day. I remember the day that I gave her a kiss and it happened to be her first kiss. We were across the street from our hangout, it was dark outside but I leaned over and gave her a kiss. I don't know if she remembers that.
Since that day we were a couple. I don't want to make it seem as if we never had any issues because we did and I will talk about that. We were young, we were foolish, was this a true love? As we aged we were on and off again because we made many foolish mistakes. I got into drugs and alcohol and became very protective of her. As we aged and the issues with being a young couple started to show themselves in terms of windows being broken, swear words going back and forth, it all seemed as if it wasn't going to work out.
Our relationship started off great but it became very abusive. The drugs were getting to me the Alcohol was getting to me but I wasn't addicted to it. Never really had an addictive personality. I remember the day we were in my 73 Impala and she looked into my eyes and asked me to stop taking drugs and gave me a choice. She said its her or the drugs and that if I didn't quit she would leave me.
It wasn't very hard of a choice so I gave up drugs or so I thought I would. Our Relationship continued to have its ups and downs and I will skip many of the things that really don't need to be mentioned but it all changed when there was a knock at the door. Her name was Becky and she was to become my spiritual mother.
She studied with my wife first, I wasn't very interested at the time but as mentioned in a few posts ago what got me interested was the discussion about the dead. My father had died and because of the kind of person my father was I felt that he would be in Hell and not Heaven. When I learned the true condition of the dead and the fact that I would see him again, I was to excited.
See when my father died I tried to pull him out the coffin. That's how much I loved that man. So I started to learn the truth. Our study was in the Knowledge Book. It was great but I still had to work on my personal life and our relationship wasn't getting any better. It did have its moments but it was still a mess.
Becky gave us the Family Happiness Book. It was amazing. It really helped our relationship. We both learned so many things from that book. It not only helped our relationship with each other but it helped our relationship with Jehovah. We knew that we were living in sin and thus had to get married.
I would love to say that once we got the truth we changed our lives but sadly it didn't happen for a number of years. We were so thankful that Becky never gave up on us. There is more to the story and I will fill in the blanks later on but let me describe my wife.
She is a very loving mother. The scriptures define a capable wife. Proverbs chapter 31 verse 19 talks about a capable wife and asks who can find her? The things that my wife does for me is amazing. Let me give you an idea of what she does.
Monday through Friday - She wakes up early in the morning about the same time I get up for work. She prepares lunch for Jesse and I. Jesse by the way is my 16yr old son who happens to be baptized as well. Anyway, she wakes and makes us lunch. She then gets Gabriel up who is my 6yr old son and gets him dressed and feeds him before I take him to school in the morning.
While we are off to do our thing, she feeds our youngest Daughter Nevaeh. She then cleans the house a bit and gets our other daughter Daisy dressed for her school. She then takes Daisy to school. Gets home and then takes care of her mom. She picks up Gabriel from school and I get Daisy and Jesse from school.
Once the kids return from school she makes a snack for them till dinner. This is a rinse and repeat Monday through Friday. All this she does while maintaining her spiritual goals. When we are sick she goes out of her way to take care of us. I don't know what I would do without her.
Tomorrow I will post a talk that I'm working on. I hope you like it. Anyway, here is some funny jokes I ran across.
The following is Jeff Foxworthy's: "You Might Be A Jehovah's Witness IF....."
If "pioneer" is not a stereo.
If "new light" is not something in the housewares department.
If "tract" has nothing to do with land or farming.
If you know where Nisan 14 of the Jewish Calendar lands on the Gregorian calendar from year to year, and yet you commonly forget your own birthday.
If for you, "Memorial Day" isn't in May.
If you spent days at a baseball stadium, never saw a ball and didn't even have a beer.
If you think "formal clothing" and "Civic Center" belong in the same sentence.
If you wash windows or cars for a living and still own five suits.
If you think nothing of letting your friends stop by to use the bathroom.
If you know the cleanliness of every coffee shop for four towns around.
If you think 2-door vehicles aren't really cars.
If you go to Home Depot and go down the aisle where doors are displayed, and you feel compelled to knock on them.
If you can't buy a pair of shoes without thinking about how comfortable they will need to be while walking residential streets in 98 degree heat.
If you have the tendency to refer to books by color instead of by title.
If you have a shelf just for 192 page books.
If you can't pick up a book, or anything else to read without picking up a pencil or highlighter too.
If you think it is complimentary to refer to someone as "a study".
If you have "get-togethers", rather than "parties".
If after one of such "get-togethers" at your home, your house is not a mess and you have more food than when you started.
If you realize things are getting worse and you're thrilled.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday
Well, on Tuesday there will be no meeting since there is an Assembly on Saturday which means that the Video I was going to post this week will have to wait till next week. I look forward to the spiritual food that we will receive this weekend and getting a chance to see those whom I haven't seen in sometime.
Also - last week I'm not sure if I mentioned it but a co-worker quit. He left because he wanted to devote his life to helping the homeless. I tried to preach to him several times but he was to busy at times to listen. His last day, we spoke for maybe 3 hours. He explained what he believed in and was happy that I was listening to him.
I found what he said very interesting because I never heard it before and explained that he read it from books. Then he mentioned how much respect he had for the bible. I asked him if he ever read the bible? He said some of it and asked what what I believed in.
I started with the beginning and I mean the very beginning which was creation in itself. I knew that he believed in evolution just from the books I saw around his office so I felt I should start with creation. It didn't turn into a debate which I thought it might but he listened to what I had to say. He did feel there was always a higher power and wasn't sure about all of the Theory's of man.
After explaining that the world wasn't created in 7 days as most teach, he listened with an open ear while I explained Adam and Eve and why we die. Then he asked about Jesus and I explained why Jesus needed to come in the first place. Then I explained the Garden of Eden. He said he felt it was all just stories. So then I gave him and Illustration.
I said " Let's say you came to me one day and said to me " Man I wish I knew what next's weeks Lotto's numbers were?" Then I would say to you that I can predict the future and I will give the numbers to you. You didn't believe me but felt what do you have to to lose so you play the numbers I gave you. You end up winning and run to me to let me know. After the money runs out you come to me again and I give again and again you win. You ask for the numbers for the entire Month and I give them, and you win. After the month is over, you come and I say " Do you now believe that I can tell the future and you say " Yes "
The bible is filled with prophecy that has taken place and some that haven't taken place yet. One of them of course King Cyrus. Another is the very first prophecy which talked about Jesus. So if the bible is filled with prophecy that can predict the future and has been accurate wouldn't it be a book that you can have confidence in? So After explaining a few things he understood and was amazed at what he was hearing. The fact that he stayed 3 hours to listen made me feel as if he would email me as promised. Well, I hope he does.
Tomorrow I will talk a bit about my wife.
PS. I would love to learn.
Also - last week I'm not sure if I mentioned it but a co-worker quit. He left because he wanted to devote his life to helping the homeless. I tried to preach to him several times but he was to busy at times to listen. His last day, we spoke for maybe 3 hours. He explained what he believed in and was happy that I was listening to him.
I found what he said very interesting because I never heard it before and explained that he read it from books. Then he mentioned how much respect he had for the bible. I asked him if he ever read the bible? He said some of it and asked what what I believed in.
I started with the beginning and I mean the very beginning which was creation in itself. I knew that he believed in evolution just from the books I saw around his office so I felt I should start with creation. It didn't turn into a debate which I thought it might but he listened to what I had to say. He did feel there was always a higher power and wasn't sure about all of the Theory's of man.
After explaining that the world wasn't created in 7 days as most teach, he listened with an open ear while I explained Adam and Eve and why we die. Then he asked about Jesus and I explained why Jesus needed to come in the first place. Then I explained the Garden of Eden. He said he felt it was all just stories. So then I gave him and Illustration.
I said " Let's say you came to me one day and said to me " Man I wish I knew what next's weeks Lotto's numbers were?" Then I would say to you that I can predict the future and I will give the numbers to you. You didn't believe me but felt what do you have to to lose so you play the numbers I gave you. You end up winning and run to me to let me know. After the money runs out you come to me again and I give again and again you win. You ask for the numbers for the entire Month and I give them, and you win. After the month is over, you come and I say " Do you now believe that I can tell the future and you say " Yes "
The bible is filled with prophecy that has taken place and some that haven't taken place yet. One of them of course King Cyrus. Another is the very first prophecy which talked about Jesus. So if the bible is filled with prophecy that can predict the future and has been accurate wouldn't it be a book that you can have confidence in? So After explaining a few things he understood and was amazed at what he was hearing. The fact that he stayed 3 hours to listen made me feel as if he would email me as promised. Well, I hope he does.
Tomorrow I will talk a bit about my wife.
PS. I would love to learn.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday
Hello All and thank you for the wonderful comments. The information on Loyalty was taken from the August 1st 1997 Watchtower paragraph 12 which discusses Loyalty. I'm going to post something I read that was very encouraging. I talked about it a few posts ago but I didn't post the experience and after I read it, I honestly cried and later on that night read the experience to my family. As a witness we will have family who are against what we believe in. We expect it. We expect the dirty looks, the foul language, maybe even being killed. When it comes from our family it hurts the most because the only thing we are trying to do is serve God.
I recall a sister saying that her family said they would rather see her sell herself on the street than to become a witness. This coming from a family who said they love God. This experience is one of many that our brothers and sisters had to go through to become and even remain witnesses. I'm very proud of who I am. I will never hide the fact that I am one of Jehovah's witnesses and this experience from this sister should make every Witness reading proud of who they are. This is the experience of our loving sister Karen Malone.....Read below.............
My Long, Hard Fight to Find True Faith:
I always feared I would go to hell, I knew I wasn’t good enough to go to heaven. I felt I’d be fortunate to make it to purgatory, so I prayed fervently and lighted candles to escape landing in hell.
AS MY car’s tires slipped and slid on the icy roads of a mountain pass in Oregon, U.S.A., I wondered what I had got myself into. This was my first experience driving in snow, and here I was in the middle of a blizzard on unfamiliar roads, with plunging ravines off to each side, barely able to see past the hood. I knew it was all over, so I prayed to God to spare my passenger and me and that I would repay him by returning to church.
Well, we did make it, and I lived up to my vow of returning to church. I found a local church in Seattle by looking in the yellow pages and went the next Sunday. It gave me the same empty feeling that I had experienced before. The church stressed the same thing as my former church, money. The basket was passed three times! I can remember telling God that I was going to have to find another way to worship him.
As a child, I was raised a strict Catholic in a military home. I attended a Catholic school. I can remember being in catechism class and asking the nun: “Why don’t we ever use the Bible?” I was told that I was weak in faith, and more than once my parents were informed of my weakness.
I was raised with an ever-present fear of God. I had an unclear concept of him. He was a God who deserved to be worshiped but tormented you if you didn’t worship him correctly. By the time I was 17, I told my parents that I would not go to church anymore. I felt closer to God anywhere other than in church. I used to walk on the beach, and if something was bothering me, I would talk to God about it. I apologized to him for talking to him without the use of a priest, informing him that I just had to tell him what was on my mind. I also became disillusioned because of everything I saw happening in the world. It was the hippie era, and my friends were involved with anything-goes sex and drugs. I saw the sad consequences of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, drug overdose—I wanted no part of that!
The Search Begins:
Becky, a close friend, and I decided to leave college in search of something better. There had to be something better! We decided to visit her mother in Washington State. I told my parents that I needed to get away, to try to clear my mind of the problems that were bothering me. That’s when we drove into the snowstorm in Oregon. After leaving the church in disgust that Sunday in Seattle, I went home and spoke to Becky’s mother, Edna, about my feelings. She told me that she knew someone who could answer my questions. She called Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Kingdom Hall.
I remember waiting for them to come.
It took three days. But when they came, I thought they were the most Christian looking people I had ever seen in my life. It was Clarence and Edith Meunier. Clarence was a graduate of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and was obviously well-versed in the Scriptures. I was immediately impressed when they explained that God had a name—Jehovah. I felt as though a light had switched on in my head. The first study lasted three hours, and they came back two days later for another one.
I was so excited. I soon telephoned my parents and told them I had found the truth. I told them that God had a name, Jehovah, and that Jehovah’s Witnesses were teaching the truth of the Bible. I knew that they had never heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses and would be just as excited to learn what I had learned.
However, they had heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses and were quite upset. They came to take me back to California.
When I got home, I knew that I needed to get in touch with the congregation right away. I located the Kingdom Hall and went to the next meeting and sat down. A sister looked over at me and smiled, so I asked her if she would study with me. She almost fell off her chair and quickly accepted. I was so glad to get back with the congregation because I had started feeling cut off. I needed association.—Hebrews 10:24, 25.
Persecution From Family Begins:
My parents were still very opposed to my new religion and sent me to a psychiatrist. When my parents asked for a report, he told them I was rebelling. I told them I wasn’t rebelling. It was the first time in my life that I had found something that gave me answers, that gave me a reason for living.
After this, when I went to the Kingdom Hall, my parents were very angry. They told me that I could go to any college I wanted, pursue any field I wanted, and they would pay for it, but I was to have nothing to do with Jehovah’s Witnesses. What made this especially difficult to endure was the love I had for my family. One particularly unpleasant day my mother told me that she would rather see me a prostitute than one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I could be anything, but not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. My parents told me that I had to leave home. Psalm 27:10 came to mind: “In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even Jehovah himself would take me up.” A sister in the congregation had a home that was empty, and she turned it over to me.
I met a sister in the Kingdom Hall who, like me, was brand new. Her name was Chris Kemp, and we became very good friends and started rooming together. We were baptized on July 18, 1969, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
At the congregation meetings, we would watch a full-time pioneer sister, Dana Wolff. She was very spiritual. We found out that she needed a place to live, so we gained a wonderful roommate.
I remember my first part on the meeting. I had a demonstration, and I had gone over it repeatedly. It was a demonstration on presenting a book, and I knew it by heart. However, at the last minute, I wrote it out and put it in my pocket. I got on stage and went blank. I said: “Hello . . . Hello . . . Hello.” I said hello about five times. I couldn’t remember anything. So then I looked at the audience and said: “I don’t usually do this at doors.” I then pulled out my crumpled notebook paper and read word-for-word what I was supposed to say. When I was through, I went to my seat and cried.
The brother who had asked me to give the part asked the audience: “What did we learn from this presentation?” The hall was quiet. I then stood up, faced the audience, and said: “How could they learn anything? I was terrible! Of course they didn’t learn anything!” and I sat back down and resumed my crying. I know my parts are a little better now—they couldn’t be any worse.
Not long after that, Dana started talking about wanting to find someone who would move where the need was greater and pioneer with her. That night Chris and I went in our room and talked about it. We came back the next day and asked Dana: “What about us?” Dana about fell over. We were new; we weren’t baptized long enough to be regular pioneers yet! We were not at all what she had in mind for partners. But she wrote the Watchtower Society anyway, and they assigned all three of us to Middlesborough, Kentucky.
My Family’s Opposition Fails:
We were packing our things to leave when my parents called to tell me I would not be able to take my car out of the state of California. They were cosigners of my car and told me they would call the police if I tried to take the car out of state. We then decided to take the bus. At a going-away party for us, a brother I had met one time came up and said: “I understand that you owe $3,000 on your car.” I said yes. He said he wanted to pay it. I said I couldn’t allow him to do that. He made arrangements for me to meet with the brothers in our congregation. They said: “If he wants to, let him do it. Don’t fight Jehovah’s spirit.” So the car was paid off. My parents were very upset yet amazed that someone would do that. We left for Kentucky the next day.
When we got to Middlesborough, we were given an apartment to live in that was in the back of an old Kingdom Hall. There was no insulation. It got very cold in the winter. It was even cold in the summer, but we were glad to have it because we couldn’t afford rent. We had only one little space heater. In the winter we dressed in layers, even to go to bed. In the morning sometimes there would be a sheet of ice across the entire floor, and our socks would stick to it. In the bathroom we always had a hammer to break the ice on the toilet water because it would freeze over at night.
Chris and I had only been full-time ministers for five months, but we were already conducting a lot of good Bible studies, and it was exciting to be there. We were so happy that we all averaged well over 150 hours a month during those first few months of pioneering. Dana wanted to be a temporary special pioneer for the summer so she decided to go to the Witnesses’ headquarters in New York. We had never been there, so we decided to make the trip with her. While we were there, Dana went to the Service Department, and we went with her. To our surprise they assigned all three of us to be special full-time pioneers.
My Father Breaks His Word, Misapplies Scripture:
The very month I started special pioneering, Satan increased his efforts to wear me down. I received an itemized bill from the bank stating that I had to start paying $32.80 a month for my college education. This came out of the blue, for my parents had always told me that they would pay for my college education if I maintained an A average, which I had done. I wrote my father and asked him not to view me as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this but to view me as his daughter. I reminded him in a loving way of the agreement that we had made regarding my education, that if I maintained the grades he demanded, he would always pay for my education. I asked that he please not put this burden on me because it would be very difficult for me to maintain these payments, since I was only making $50 a month, which is what I lived on. Paying $32.80 a month would leave me with only $17.20 to live on.
My father replied with a scripture in a letter. He wrote: “Since you are always using the Bible, what about this scripture: ‘Him that doesn’t work, neither let him eat.’ You’re not using your education for anything beneficial, so you are to make these payments to the bank.”—2 Thessalonians 3:10.
When I received the short, curt message, it hurt me very much. I got in my car, went somewhere by myself, and cried because I did not know what to do. Then I stopped crying and got angry. I recognized that it wasn’t my parents against me but Satan. I shouted out to Satan to get away from me, that he was not going to win, that he was not going to succeed in making me quit pioneering.
Many Hardships, Many Blessings
I got a part-time job working 20 hours a week—11 hours one day and 9 the next—and I continued special pioneering. I learned quickly how to take advantage of thrift shops. My winter wardrobe was four skirts for a dollar. My winter coat was $1.50. I worked scrubbing floors to be able to buy a pair of $20 boots. All of us had to struggle. To try to save money, I opened a savings account. Sometimes I would deposit 25 cents and then withdraw it for gas. I think the bank tellers hated to see me come in. They eventually closed my account—it always had so little money in it. I would pull into a full-service gas station and get 25 cents worth of gas. After a while I think the attendants let out a heavy sigh whenever I pulled in. There were times we didn’t have any money for gas. Many times we would get in the car, knowing that we were low on fuel but knowing also that we had a Bible study to get to. Sometimes when we would go to the post office, in our mail we would find a dollar from someone—just enough to help us get by. Through all the troubles, we could see Jehovah’s hand in our life. It was so touching.
I can remember collecting discarded bottles just to put stamps on letters. I saved three months for a pair of $8 shoes. Then the most personal thing happened to me. I was literally down to two pairs of underwear. I prayed to Jehovah and told him that I felt this wasn’t something really appropriate to pray for but that I didn’t know what I was going to do. Two weeks later, I received a package with 17 pairs of panties, a slip, a blouse, and other items! All from someone I hadn’t heard from for a year.
One of the main problems in the area was bootlegging. Because of their illegal practices, people in certain territories were very clannish and suspicious of strangers. Nevertheless, I had many studies, and I ended up working in field service approximately 25 hours a week by myself. I never felt closer to Jehovah than I did at that time because I had to rely totally upon him. You learn that it is not the things you have but your relationship with Jehovah that counts. You learn that material things do not make you happy; it’s Jehovah who makes you happy.—Luke 12:15.
I Gain a New Loving Family:
The very month that I finished paying off my bill for my college education was the month that I met my future husband and best friend, Jeff Malone. He was at Bethel, and one year later we were married. When I married Jeff, I not only married him but gained his mom, sister, and uncle, whom I love very much. Our common love for Jehovah unites us more than any other tie. Jeff and I were given an assignment in Union City, Tennessee, as special pioneers. We were only there four months when we applied for Bethel and were accepted.
We left Bethel in 1980, and our daughter, Megan, was born later that year. Our son, J. T., was born in 1983. Jeff and I are both currently serving as regular pioneers with the Forest Hill Congregation in Fort Worth, Texas.
We decided that we would do everything possible to raise our children to love Jehovah. Even though Jeff serves as an elder, he has always put our family’s spiritual interests first. We have followed the Society’s suggestions about regularly attending meetings, reading to the children, participating in field service, discussing the daily text, and going to Kingdom Hall construction projects. Both of us would often spend over an hour putting the children to bed—singing songs to them, reading Bible stories to them, saying prayers with each one separately. Our family goal is for all of us to be in the full-time service together. One thing we have always felt very strongly about through the years—sticking together as a family, doing things as a family, both in work and in play.
Looking back, I can confirm that David had it right when he said: “What shall I repay to Jehovah for all his benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12) There is nothing that Satan has been able to do that Jehovah hasn’t been able to undo. I have a close, loving family with Jeff and Megan and J. T., all united in serving Jehovah; and in addition to that, I have gained a wonderful worldwide family because of being part of Jehovah’s organization. It is something for which I’ll be forever grateful. As told by Karen Malone.
.....................................................................................
Brothers, sisters, and those reading. If that story didn't make your heart melt I don't know what does. Everyone have a great weekend.
I recall a sister saying that her family said they would rather see her sell herself on the street than to become a witness. This coming from a family who said they love God. This experience is one of many that our brothers and sisters had to go through to become and even remain witnesses. I'm very proud of who I am. I will never hide the fact that I am one of Jehovah's witnesses and this experience from this sister should make every Witness reading proud of who they are. This is the experience of our loving sister Karen Malone.....Read below.............
My Long, Hard Fight to Find True Faith:
I always feared I would go to hell, I knew I wasn’t good enough to go to heaven. I felt I’d be fortunate to make it to purgatory, so I prayed fervently and lighted candles to escape landing in hell.
AS MY car’s tires slipped and slid on the icy roads of a mountain pass in Oregon, U.S.A., I wondered what I had got myself into. This was my first experience driving in snow, and here I was in the middle of a blizzard on unfamiliar roads, with plunging ravines off to each side, barely able to see past the hood. I knew it was all over, so I prayed to God to spare my passenger and me and that I would repay him by returning to church.
Well, we did make it, and I lived up to my vow of returning to church. I found a local church in Seattle by looking in the yellow pages and went the next Sunday. It gave me the same empty feeling that I had experienced before. The church stressed the same thing as my former church, money. The basket was passed three times! I can remember telling God that I was going to have to find another way to worship him.
As a child, I was raised a strict Catholic in a military home. I attended a Catholic school. I can remember being in catechism class and asking the nun: “Why don’t we ever use the Bible?” I was told that I was weak in faith, and more than once my parents were informed of my weakness.
I was raised with an ever-present fear of God. I had an unclear concept of him. He was a God who deserved to be worshiped but tormented you if you didn’t worship him correctly. By the time I was 17, I told my parents that I would not go to church anymore. I felt closer to God anywhere other than in church. I used to walk on the beach, and if something was bothering me, I would talk to God about it. I apologized to him for talking to him without the use of a priest, informing him that I just had to tell him what was on my mind. I also became disillusioned because of everything I saw happening in the world. It was the hippie era, and my friends were involved with anything-goes sex and drugs. I saw the sad consequences of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, drug overdose—I wanted no part of that!
The Search Begins:
Becky, a close friend, and I decided to leave college in search of something better. There had to be something better! We decided to visit her mother in Washington State. I told my parents that I needed to get away, to try to clear my mind of the problems that were bothering me. That’s when we drove into the snowstorm in Oregon. After leaving the church in disgust that Sunday in Seattle, I went home and spoke to Becky’s mother, Edna, about my feelings. She told me that she knew someone who could answer my questions. She called Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Kingdom Hall.
I remember waiting for them to come.
It took three days. But when they came, I thought they were the most Christian looking people I had ever seen in my life. It was Clarence and Edith Meunier. Clarence was a graduate of the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead and was obviously well-versed in the Scriptures. I was immediately impressed when they explained that God had a name—Jehovah. I felt as though a light had switched on in my head. The first study lasted three hours, and they came back two days later for another one.
I was so excited. I soon telephoned my parents and told them I had found the truth. I told them that God had a name, Jehovah, and that Jehovah’s Witnesses were teaching the truth of the Bible. I knew that they had never heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses and would be just as excited to learn what I had learned.
However, they had heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses and were quite upset. They came to take me back to California.
When I got home, I knew that I needed to get in touch with the congregation right away. I located the Kingdom Hall and went to the next meeting and sat down. A sister looked over at me and smiled, so I asked her if she would study with me. She almost fell off her chair and quickly accepted. I was so glad to get back with the congregation because I had started feeling cut off. I needed association.—Hebrews 10:24, 25.
Persecution From Family Begins:
My parents were still very opposed to my new religion and sent me to a psychiatrist. When my parents asked for a report, he told them I was rebelling. I told them I wasn’t rebelling. It was the first time in my life that I had found something that gave me answers, that gave me a reason for living.
After this, when I went to the Kingdom Hall, my parents were very angry. They told me that I could go to any college I wanted, pursue any field I wanted, and they would pay for it, but I was to have nothing to do with Jehovah’s Witnesses. What made this especially difficult to endure was the love I had for my family. One particularly unpleasant day my mother told me that she would rather see me a prostitute than one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I could be anything, but not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. My parents told me that I had to leave home. Psalm 27:10 came to mind: “In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even Jehovah himself would take me up.” A sister in the congregation had a home that was empty, and she turned it over to me.
I met a sister in the Kingdom Hall who, like me, was brand new. Her name was Chris Kemp, and we became very good friends and started rooming together. We were baptized on July 18, 1969, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
At the congregation meetings, we would watch a full-time pioneer sister, Dana Wolff. She was very spiritual. We found out that she needed a place to live, so we gained a wonderful roommate.
I remember my first part on the meeting. I had a demonstration, and I had gone over it repeatedly. It was a demonstration on presenting a book, and I knew it by heart. However, at the last minute, I wrote it out and put it in my pocket. I got on stage and went blank. I said: “Hello . . . Hello . . . Hello.” I said hello about five times. I couldn’t remember anything. So then I looked at the audience and said: “I don’t usually do this at doors.” I then pulled out my crumpled notebook paper and read word-for-word what I was supposed to say. When I was through, I went to my seat and cried.
The brother who had asked me to give the part asked the audience: “What did we learn from this presentation?” The hall was quiet. I then stood up, faced the audience, and said: “How could they learn anything? I was terrible! Of course they didn’t learn anything!” and I sat back down and resumed my crying. I know my parts are a little better now—they couldn’t be any worse.
Not long after that, Dana started talking about wanting to find someone who would move where the need was greater and pioneer with her. That night Chris and I went in our room and talked about it. We came back the next day and asked Dana: “What about us?” Dana about fell over. We were new; we weren’t baptized long enough to be regular pioneers yet! We were not at all what she had in mind for partners. But she wrote the Watchtower Society anyway, and they assigned all three of us to Middlesborough, Kentucky.
My Family’s Opposition Fails:
We were packing our things to leave when my parents called to tell me I would not be able to take my car out of the state of California. They were cosigners of my car and told me they would call the police if I tried to take the car out of state. We then decided to take the bus. At a going-away party for us, a brother I had met one time came up and said: “I understand that you owe $3,000 on your car.” I said yes. He said he wanted to pay it. I said I couldn’t allow him to do that. He made arrangements for me to meet with the brothers in our congregation. They said: “If he wants to, let him do it. Don’t fight Jehovah’s spirit.” So the car was paid off. My parents were very upset yet amazed that someone would do that. We left for Kentucky the next day.
When we got to Middlesborough, we were given an apartment to live in that was in the back of an old Kingdom Hall. There was no insulation. It got very cold in the winter. It was even cold in the summer, but we were glad to have it because we couldn’t afford rent. We had only one little space heater. In the winter we dressed in layers, even to go to bed. In the morning sometimes there would be a sheet of ice across the entire floor, and our socks would stick to it. In the bathroom we always had a hammer to break the ice on the toilet water because it would freeze over at night.
Chris and I had only been full-time ministers for five months, but we were already conducting a lot of good Bible studies, and it was exciting to be there. We were so happy that we all averaged well over 150 hours a month during those first few months of pioneering. Dana wanted to be a temporary special pioneer for the summer so she decided to go to the Witnesses’ headquarters in New York. We had never been there, so we decided to make the trip with her. While we were there, Dana went to the Service Department, and we went with her. To our surprise they assigned all three of us to be special full-time pioneers.
My Father Breaks His Word, Misapplies Scripture:
The very month I started special pioneering, Satan increased his efforts to wear me down. I received an itemized bill from the bank stating that I had to start paying $32.80 a month for my college education. This came out of the blue, for my parents had always told me that they would pay for my college education if I maintained an A average, which I had done. I wrote my father and asked him not to view me as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in this but to view me as his daughter. I reminded him in a loving way of the agreement that we had made regarding my education, that if I maintained the grades he demanded, he would always pay for my education. I asked that he please not put this burden on me because it would be very difficult for me to maintain these payments, since I was only making $50 a month, which is what I lived on. Paying $32.80 a month would leave me with only $17.20 to live on.
My father replied with a scripture in a letter. He wrote: “Since you are always using the Bible, what about this scripture: ‘Him that doesn’t work, neither let him eat.’ You’re not using your education for anything beneficial, so you are to make these payments to the bank.”—2 Thessalonians 3:10.
When I received the short, curt message, it hurt me very much. I got in my car, went somewhere by myself, and cried because I did not know what to do. Then I stopped crying and got angry. I recognized that it wasn’t my parents against me but Satan. I shouted out to Satan to get away from me, that he was not going to win, that he was not going to succeed in making me quit pioneering.
Many Hardships, Many Blessings
I got a part-time job working 20 hours a week—11 hours one day and 9 the next—and I continued special pioneering. I learned quickly how to take advantage of thrift shops. My winter wardrobe was four skirts for a dollar. My winter coat was $1.50. I worked scrubbing floors to be able to buy a pair of $20 boots. All of us had to struggle. To try to save money, I opened a savings account. Sometimes I would deposit 25 cents and then withdraw it for gas. I think the bank tellers hated to see me come in. They eventually closed my account—it always had so little money in it. I would pull into a full-service gas station and get 25 cents worth of gas. After a while I think the attendants let out a heavy sigh whenever I pulled in. There were times we didn’t have any money for gas. Many times we would get in the car, knowing that we were low on fuel but knowing also that we had a Bible study to get to. Sometimes when we would go to the post office, in our mail we would find a dollar from someone—just enough to help us get by. Through all the troubles, we could see Jehovah’s hand in our life. It was so touching.
I can remember collecting discarded bottles just to put stamps on letters. I saved three months for a pair of $8 shoes. Then the most personal thing happened to me. I was literally down to two pairs of underwear. I prayed to Jehovah and told him that I felt this wasn’t something really appropriate to pray for but that I didn’t know what I was going to do. Two weeks later, I received a package with 17 pairs of panties, a slip, a blouse, and other items! All from someone I hadn’t heard from for a year.
One of the main problems in the area was bootlegging. Because of their illegal practices, people in certain territories were very clannish and suspicious of strangers. Nevertheless, I had many studies, and I ended up working in field service approximately 25 hours a week by myself. I never felt closer to Jehovah than I did at that time because I had to rely totally upon him. You learn that it is not the things you have but your relationship with Jehovah that counts. You learn that material things do not make you happy; it’s Jehovah who makes you happy.—Luke 12:15.
I Gain a New Loving Family:
The very month that I finished paying off my bill for my college education was the month that I met my future husband and best friend, Jeff Malone. He was at Bethel, and one year later we were married. When I married Jeff, I not only married him but gained his mom, sister, and uncle, whom I love very much. Our common love for Jehovah unites us more than any other tie. Jeff and I were given an assignment in Union City, Tennessee, as special pioneers. We were only there four months when we applied for Bethel and were accepted.
We left Bethel in 1980, and our daughter, Megan, was born later that year. Our son, J. T., was born in 1983. Jeff and I are both currently serving as regular pioneers with the Forest Hill Congregation in Fort Worth, Texas.
We decided that we would do everything possible to raise our children to love Jehovah. Even though Jeff serves as an elder, he has always put our family’s spiritual interests first. We have followed the Society’s suggestions about regularly attending meetings, reading to the children, participating in field service, discussing the daily text, and going to Kingdom Hall construction projects. Both of us would often spend over an hour putting the children to bed—singing songs to them, reading Bible stories to them, saying prayers with each one separately. Our family goal is for all of us to be in the full-time service together. One thing we have always felt very strongly about through the years—sticking together as a family, doing things as a family, both in work and in play.
Looking back, I can confirm that David had it right when he said: “What shall I repay to Jehovah for all his benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12) There is nothing that Satan has been able to do that Jehovah hasn’t been able to undo. I have a close, loving family with Jeff and Megan and J. T., all united in serving Jehovah; and in addition to that, I have gained a wonderful worldwide family because of being part of Jehovah’s organization. It is something for which I’ll be forever grateful. As told by Karen Malone.
.....................................................................................
Brothers, sisters, and those reading. If that story didn't make your heart melt I don't know what does. Everyone have a great weekend.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday
The clock is ticking. As mentioned Jesse my 16 year old son has a talk this coming Tuesday. Its the number 3 talk. We kinda went over it yesterday over the phone while I was at Home Depot. I gave him some of the ideas on how he could start the talk, he gave me his and we changed a few things but its based on LR book of course so the theme needs to stay within the LR book and the chapter given.
I'm glad he asked for my help because as you can tell I love giving talks and posting information. The theme of the talk is " Do you remember to say thank you "
This is what we came up with so far....................................................
A mom wakes up early to prepare breakfast for her teenage son. She does this every single morning before he goes to school. After preparing breakfast she goes to wake him up. He doesn’t say anything to her. He gets up, gets dressed, goes to the table and eats. After he is done he goes to the car to get dropped off. Mom gets in the car and off to school they go.
When they arrive, he gets out closes the door and doesn’t say a word. As mentioned this is every morning. Do you think it’s possible that the mom at times can feel that she isn’t appreciated? A simple thank you mom could have made her feel better.
Sometimes we forget to say thank you when others do kind things for us, don’t we? It’s as if it’s natural to forget. Think of Jesus – think of all the people that he fed, think of the dead that he raised, think of all the people that he healed. If you were one of those that he helped, would you have thanked Jesus for helping you? Of course you would, did all thank Jesus for healing them?
Open your bibles to Luke Chapter 17 verse 15 through 19. Notice what it mentioned there. That’s Luke Chapter 17 starting at verse 15.
And it Reads”
One of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell upon his face at [Jesus’] feet, thanking him; furthermore, he was a Samaritan. In reply Jesus said: “The ten were cleansed, were they not? Where, then, are the other nine? Were none found that turned back to give glory to God but this man of another nation?” And he said to him: “Rise and be on your way; your faith has made you well.
Jesus healed 10 and only one turned back and said thank you. Which of those men are you like? The Samaritan or the 9 that didn’t say a word? All of us at one time have been sick. Maybe not as sick as those ten lepers, but I’m sure you may have had a bad cold or a pain in your stomach, flu maybe fever. Who took take care of you? They may have given you some medicine and done other things for you. Were you glad that they helped you to get better? The Samaritan man thanked Jesus for making him well, and this made Jesus happy. Do you think that your mother, father, our brothers & sisters will be happy if you say thank you when they do things for you? Of course they will.
If we remember to say thank you to people on earth, then we are more likely to remember to say thank you to our Father in heaven. And there so many things for which to thank Jehovah! He gave us life and all the good things that make life pleasant. So we have every reason to give glory to God by saying good things about him each day. Open you bibles to Colossians chapter 3 verse 17. That’s Colossians chapter 3 verse 17.
It reads
“ And whatever it is that YOU do in word or in work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him.
Don’t be like the 9 men who didn’t thank Jesus. Be like the Samaritan and remember to say thank you.
..................................................................................
This is just a rough draft and I don't know the timing yet. Tonight is family study so we will go over this I'm sure. Also Jesse doesn't know it yet but the both of us are going to take Guitar Lessons in June. I'm very excited about that because after I heard the most lovely sound coming from this very talented player, I decided to take lessons.
Also - just a quick update on my Aunt. Amazingly she is still alive but on life support. As mentioned her daughter Susy does not want to remove her from Life support. She is hoping that her mom will make a recovery. The odds are against her since the Doctors said she won't recover but of course they also said she would be dead in 24hrs and yet she is still alive.
I started talking to some of my family members about the truth and I'm praying that they open their hearts. Its hard to lose someone you love to death. It's sad that most think there isn't a future. I pray that before the end of this system comes, people will continue to open their eyes. Scriptures tell us that the road leading to life is narrow so we know most of the world won't be on that road but I pray that people find that road. Till tomorrow. Thanks again for reading.
I'm glad he asked for my help because as you can tell I love giving talks and posting information. The theme of the talk is " Do you remember to say thank you "
This is what we came up with so far....................................................
A mom wakes up early to prepare breakfast for her teenage son. She does this every single morning before he goes to school. After preparing breakfast she goes to wake him up. He doesn’t say anything to her. He gets up, gets dressed, goes to the table and eats. After he is done he goes to the car to get dropped off. Mom gets in the car and off to school they go.
When they arrive, he gets out closes the door and doesn’t say a word. As mentioned this is every morning. Do you think it’s possible that the mom at times can feel that she isn’t appreciated? A simple thank you mom could have made her feel better.
Sometimes we forget to say thank you when others do kind things for us, don’t we? It’s as if it’s natural to forget. Think of Jesus – think of all the people that he fed, think of the dead that he raised, think of all the people that he healed. If you were one of those that he helped, would you have thanked Jesus for helping you? Of course you would, did all thank Jesus for healing them?
Open your bibles to Luke Chapter 17 verse 15 through 19. Notice what it mentioned there. That’s Luke Chapter 17 starting at verse 15.
And it Reads”
One of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. And he fell upon his face at [Jesus’] feet, thanking him; furthermore, he was a Samaritan. In reply Jesus said: “The ten were cleansed, were they not? Where, then, are the other nine? Were none found that turned back to give glory to God but this man of another nation?” And he said to him: “Rise and be on your way; your faith has made you well.
Jesus healed 10 and only one turned back and said thank you. Which of those men are you like? The Samaritan or the 9 that didn’t say a word? All of us at one time have been sick. Maybe not as sick as those ten lepers, but I’m sure you may have had a bad cold or a pain in your stomach, flu maybe fever. Who took take care of you? They may have given you some medicine and done other things for you. Were you glad that they helped you to get better? The Samaritan man thanked Jesus for making him well, and this made Jesus happy. Do you think that your mother, father, our brothers & sisters will be happy if you say thank you when they do things for you? Of course they will.
If we remember to say thank you to people on earth, then we are more likely to remember to say thank you to our Father in heaven. And there so many things for which to thank Jehovah! He gave us life and all the good things that make life pleasant. So we have every reason to give glory to God by saying good things about him each day. Open you bibles to Colossians chapter 3 verse 17. That’s Colossians chapter 3 verse 17.
It reads
“ And whatever it is that YOU do in word or in work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him.
Don’t be like the 9 men who didn’t thank Jesus. Be like the Samaritan and remember to say thank you.
..................................................................................
This is just a rough draft and I don't know the timing yet. Tonight is family study so we will go over this I'm sure. Also Jesse doesn't know it yet but the both of us are going to take Guitar Lessons in June. I'm very excited about that because after I heard the most lovely sound coming from this very talented player, I decided to take lessons.
Also - just a quick update on my Aunt. Amazingly she is still alive but on life support. As mentioned her daughter Susy does not want to remove her from Life support. She is hoping that her mom will make a recovery. The odds are against her since the Doctors said she won't recover but of course they also said she would be dead in 24hrs and yet she is still alive.
I started talking to some of my family members about the truth and I'm praying that they open their hearts. Its hard to lose someone you love to death. It's sad that most think there isn't a future. I pray that before the end of this system comes, people will continue to open their eyes. Scriptures tell us that the road leading to life is narrow so we know most of the world won't be on that road but I pray that people find that road. Till tomorrow. Thanks again for reading.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday
I woke up last night thinking about my brother Jesus. I mentioned a few posts ago that he was on the one brother who didn't approve of me being a witness. I haven't spoken to him for about 5 years. Its not that I didn't try and work with him, it came down to him accepting what I believe in. Would I still talk to my brother? Of course that is my brother but he has to accept the fact that I'm not going to change. This is who I am.
My sister who has listened to me before and does accept the fact that I'm a witness does talk to me. We discussed my brother through email. I was very upset at my brother because when my Grandmother died he didn't even hug my mother nor look in her direction. My mother isn't a witness but my mother and brother don't speak as well. They haven't spoken to each other in about 7 or 8 years. I'll take you back.
My mother used to live in an area that wasn't considered a good area. It was infested with gangs, prostitutes, and drugs. My brother lived in a better area. He asked my mom to move in with him. All of us knew that it was a bad idea but my mom didn't. She was raising my sisters kids and thus she felt moving to a better area would help. So she moved out from where she lived and moved in with my brother. I of course helped. During the week my mother called me crying because she felt trapped. My brother wouldn't allow her to do anything. Let me repeat. My brother wouldn't allow her to do anything as if somehow my brother was appointed King.
By Friday my brother kicked my mother out. She had no place to go. All her stuff had to be placed in storage. She didn't tell me that she had no where to go because she didn't want to put me on the spot although I would have helped if I known.
My mother moved in with my sister but my brother stopped talking to my mother. After a few months my sister got married and moved out and left the place to my mom. The area she lived in was worse than before. After about a year she had to leave in fear for her life. Some of the people that lived in the building were gang members and because my sisters kids kinda being involved there was always trouble.
A somewhat knew what was going on and told my mom to look for a place and that I would help pay her rent. She declined and said she found a place in Oakland. So I thought all was well. She lived for more than a year in an Abandoned building that had no electricity or hot water.
When I found out I cried and told my mom to leave and come to my house but by that time she was getting ready to move in to where she is now. I gave her money to move in but the entire cycle of events wouldn't have taken place if (1) my mother didn't move in and (2) my brother didn't kick her out. When my grandmother died my mom was in so much pain. My brother didn't even hug her. I was very upset with my brother and told him but he stood his ground and didn't put his pride aside.
My brother and I were on shaky ground because I'm a witness. Now that you are brought up to speed, my sister had discussed my brother. I opened up and told my sister how I felt. It ended with my sister understanding that I'm not going to change and that I'm going to keep doing what I can to please Jehovah. If my brother cannot accept it then I guess its going to remain as it is now. I do hope one day he opens his heart and accepts. I'm not asking for him to be a witness, I'm just asking that he open his heart and maybe call my mom just to say " I love you "
Sad thing is my brother doesn't know my 6 year old son, my 3 year old daughter, my 1 year old daughter, and my soon to be born son Joshua. I hope he comes around. Anyway, I'll add more to this story.
Update on my Aunt: My cousin didn't allow them to take out the life support so my Aunt is still alive although they said she is going to die any minute and to top it off family that showed up don't like my mother so there was another shouting match at the hospital. I had told my mother to be the bigger person and walk away because there are other things going on that are more important.
Sigh.......I hope it gets better. Thank you all for listening.
My sister who has listened to me before and does accept the fact that I'm a witness does talk to me. We discussed my brother through email. I was very upset at my brother because when my Grandmother died he didn't even hug my mother nor look in her direction. My mother isn't a witness but my mother and brother don't speak as well. They haven't spoken to each other in about 7 or 8 years. I'll take you back.
My mother used to live in an area that wasn't considered a good area. It was infested with gangs, prostitutes, and drugs. My brother lived in a better area. He asked my mom to move in with him. All of us knew that it was a bad idea but my mom didn't. She was raising my sisters kids and thus she felt moving to a better area would help. So she moved out from where she lived and moved in with my brother. I of course helped. During the week my mother called me crying because she felt trapped. My brother wouldn't allow her to do anything. Let me repeat. My brother wouldn't allow her to do anything as if somehow my brother was appointed King.
By Friday my brother kicked my mother out. She had no place to go. All her stuff had to be placed in storage. She didn't tell me that she had no where to go because she didn't want to put me on the spot although I would have helped if I known.
My mother moved in with my sister but my brother stopped talking to my mother. After a few months my sister got married and moved out and left the place to my mom. The area she lived in was worse than before. After about a year she had to leave in fear for her life. Some of the people that lived in the building were gang members and because my sisters kids kinda being involved there was always trouble.
A somewhat knew what was going on and told my mom to look for a place and that I would help pay her rent. She declined and said she found a place in Oakland. So I thought all was well. She lived for more than a year in an Abandoned building that had no electricity or hot water.
When I found out I cried and told my mom to leave and come to my house but by that time she was getting ready to move in to where she is now. I gave her money to move in but the entire cycle of events wouldn't have taken place if (1) my mother didn't move in and (2) my brother didn't kick her out. When my grandmother died my mom was in so much pain. My brother didn't even hug her. I was very upset with my brother and told him but he stood his ground and didn't put his pride aside.
My brother and I were on shaky ground because I'm a witness. Now that you are brought up to speed, my sister had discussed my brother. I opened up and told my sister how I felt. It ended with my sister understanding that I'm not going to change and that I'm going to keep doing what I can to please Jehovah. If my brother cannot accept it then I guess its going to remain as it is now. I do hope one day he opens his heart and accepts. I'm not asking for him to be a witness, I'm just asking that he open his heart and maybe call my mom just to say " I love you "
Sad thing is my brother doesn't know my 6 year old son, my 3 year old daughter, my 1 year old daughter, and my soon to be born son Joshua. I hope he comes around. Anyway, I'll add more to this story.
Update on my Aunt: My cousin didn't allow them to take out the life support so my Aunt is still alive although they said she is going to die any minute and to top it off family that showed up don't like my mother so there was another shouting match at the hospital. I had told my mother to be the bigger person and walk away because there are other things going on that are more important.
Sigh.......I hope it gets better. Thank you all for listening.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Update
let me correct my last statement.
There is a shouting match at the Hospital. My cousin doesn't want the life support being taken off. My cousin Susy feels her mom will suffer. She doesn't want her mom to suffer in anyway.
Very emotional day.
There is a shouting match at the Hospital. My cousin doesn't want the life support being taken off. My cousin Susy feels her mom will suffer. She doesn't want her mom to suffer in anyway.
Very emotional day.
Today they pull the plug
My Aunt who was changing my diapers, trying to keep me in check, and often gave me good advise to stay out of trouble may die today. She was a very strong woman. Her Husband Ignacio is the one who brought most of the family from Puerto Rico. From what I was told, he was the only one with all the money.
Ignacio who is my Mom's Uncle was a strong minded man. He wasn't the smartest person but he was smart when it came to money. I remember when I was younger I used to play in his store. The family often said that he was very greedy with his money but I didn't see that. He was very giving and often gave money to us but of course we had to work for it. We cleaned his shop. Back then you could buy so much with just a dollar.
I do have good memories of my family and of course some bad ones. I don't know if I mentioned it here but one bad memory was about my cousin Elliot. When we were kids we often played but when we became teenagers we would fight for no reason and when we became adults we became very close. I miss him. Reason I say this is because he died several years ago.
We both took a different path. I became a witness, he continued being a gang member. The problem with Elliot is that he became an Alcoholic. He drank every single day and although he had children he often stayed more with his bottle than he did with his children. I know he loved his children, he just had a problem with Alcohol. Well as mentioned I miss him because several years ago he died because of Alcohol. His liver gave out. I was there in the Hospital when he died. Blood was coming out from his eyes and his nose when his liver popped.
His mom had told me what happened. She said that two days before Elliot came to her and said his stomach was hurting. Then he went to get some beer because he drank as soon as he woke up. The pain was intense so his mom took him to the hospital. His condition got worse. Two days later he was dead.
I remember hearing the sound. You know that sound when you have no life left. I was very sad to see him go. I spoke with his mom who couldn't take it and left. I haven't heard from her till yesterday when I found out that she is addicted to drugs. I'm guessing she never got over the loss of her son. What mother can? To turn to drugs is the wrong path.
I hope I get to see her to talk some sense into her. Maybe help her change her ways. Because I became a witness my life changed for the better but I watched those around me hurt themselves, abuse themselves, and kill themselves. Our life is the most important thing that we have, why shorten it?
I must try and help them and the best way I can is to preach the good news to them. To show them that real change is coming. To show them that there will be a better place. They have been abused spiritually. They don't know any other way. They have been lied to. They have not been taught the truth and thus they won't know. They need to know. I just hope they accept it.
When it comes to the truth there is no way around it. People will fail in the organization but it wasn't the truth that failed them, it was them who failed the truth. Think about this for a moment because I want to make this clear. If scripture tell us no to commit Adultery and you were a witness and committed Adultery who is to blame? The truth or the person who committed Adultery. Who failed who?
If scripture tells us not to get drunk and you were a witness and got drunk who is to blame? The truth or the person who got drunk? You can never blame Jehovah for your actions folks. People will fail only because they allow themselves to fail. Scripture tells us that Satan will tempt us but Jehovah will always give us a way out but in truth its all up to us. So please folks don't try and blame the organization for your actions. The Truth will never fail you, its you who fail the truth. The truth will expose a lie but a lie can never expose the truth.
Recall Adam who loved Eve so much but then blamed Eve for giving him the fruit. Then Eve in turn blamed Satan. Didn't they know that it was bad in the first place to Eat? Who's really to blame? Nobody wants to take the blame. Always pointing fingers to the other person instead of looking in the mirror. Adam did it, Eve did it, and many do it today. I do hope that my family will at least allow me to share a scripture with them. I hope that something I say sparks interest.
As for my post yesterday. I understand that its hard to be away from those you love. As mentioned in previous posts that there was a time when I was younger that I was in jail and was away from my wife. The thing that helped me get my by was the fact that I knew she would be there and that really she was in my mind and in my heart. I know that doesn't help much but I hope it helps a little. Keep your head up and pray and thank Jehovah my dear the future looks great. Most men say this to their woman " Together 4ever " Because Jehovah has made a way out for us really that statement is so true. Till tomorrow...
P.S. Thank you Paul for the kind words. I look forward to your talk. Please email it to me if you get a chance. I'm sure it will go well.
Ignacio who is my Mom's Uncle was a strong minded man. He wasn't the smartest person but he was smart when it came to money. I remember when I was younger I used to play in his store. The family often said that he was very greedy with his money but I didn't see that. He was very giving and often gave money to us but of course we had to work for it. We cleaned his shop. Back then you could buy so much with just a dollar.
I do have good memories of my family and of course some bad ones. I don't know if I mentioned it here but one bad memory was about my cousin Elliot. When we were kids we often played but when we became teenagers we would fight for no reason and when we became adults we became very close. I miss him. Reason I say this is because he died several years ago.
We both took a different path. I became a witness, he continued being a gang member. The problem with Elliot is that he became an Alcoholic. He drank every single day and although he had children he often stayed more with his bottle than he did with his children. I know he loved his children, he just had a problem with Alcohol. Well as mentioned I miss him because several years ago he died because of Alcohol. His liver gave out. I was there in the Hospital when he died. Blood was coming out from his eyes and his nose when his liver popped.
His mom had told me what happened. She said that two days before Elliot came to her and said his stomach was hurting. Then he went to get some beer because he drank as soon as he woke up. The pain was intense so his mom took him to the hospital. His condition got worse. Two days later he was dead.
I remember hearing the sound. You know that sound when you have no life left. I was very sad to see him go. I spoke with his mom who couldn't take it and left. I haven't heard from her till yesterday when I found out that she is addicted to drugs. I'm guessing she never got over the loss of her son. What mother can? To turn to drugs is the wrong path.
I hope I get to see her to talk some sense into her. Maybe help her change her ways. Because I became a witness my life changed for the better but I watched those around me hurt themselves, abuse themselves, and kill themselves. Our life is the most important thing that we have, why shorten it?
I must try and help them and the best way I can is to preach the good news to them. To show them that real change is coming. To show them that there will be a better place. They have been abused spiritually. They don't know any other way. They have been lied to. They have not been taught the truth and thus they won't know. They need to know. I just hope they accept it.
When it comes to the truth there is no way around it. People will fail in the organization but it wasn't the truth that failed them, it was them who failed the truth. Think about this for a moment because I want to make this clear. If scripture tell us no to commit Adultery and you were a witness and committed Adultery who is to blame? The truth or the person who committed Adultery. Who failed who?
If scripture tells us not to get drunk and you were a witness and got drunk who is to blame? The truth or the person who got drunk? You can never blame Jehovah for your actions folks. People will fail only because they allow themselves to fail. Scripture tells us that Satan will tempt us but Jehovah will always give us a way out but in truth its all up to us. So please folks don't try and blame the organization for your actions. The Truth will never fail you, its you who fail the truth. The truth will expose a lie but a lie can never expose the truth.
Recall Adam who loved Eve so much but then blamed Eve for giving him the fruit. Then Eve in turn blamed Satan. Didn't they know that it was bad in the first place to Eat? Who's really to blame? Nobody wants to take the blame. Always pointing fingers to the other person instead of looking in the mirror. Adam did it, Eve did it, and many do it today. I do hope that my family will at least allow me to share a scripture with them. I hope that something I say sparks interest.
As for my post yesterday. I understand that its hard to be away from those you love. As mentioned in previous posts that there was a time when I was younger that I was in jail and was away from my wife. The thing that helped me get my by was the fact that I knew she would be there and that really she was in my mind and in my heart. I know that doesn't help much but I hope it helps a little. Keep your head up and pray and thank Jehovah my dear the future looks great. Most men say this to their woman " Together 4ever " Because Jehovah has made a way out for us really that statement is so true. Till tomorrow...
P.S. Thank you Paul for the kind words. I look forward to your talk. Please email it to me if you get a chance. I'm sure it will go well.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Swine Flu
I've spoken to a few about the Swine flu and the possibility of it becoming a nightmare. Well, it's hard to say really what it will turn into. They don't know or they aren't saying. I have tracked it almost daily. Yes there have been many in Mexico who have died, only two that I'm aware of in the United States.
What they say is during Flu season, they don't know how bad it will get. I have personally read documents that show at least they are preparing for a pandemic and these documents were dated in 2005.
We should be worried but at the same time live our lives and enjoy every moment because virus aside we really don't know when any of us will die. My Aunt right now is in the hospital on life support. They made the decision to take her off life support.
I saw family members who I haven't seen in sometime. It was great to see them but at the same time I was very sad. Yes I know the condition of the dead. I know she didn't go to Heaven or Hell. Yes I know that she will wake up one day on a New Earth but, it was the pain I saw on others that made me hurt.
For Example, my cousin Johnny who is her son. His life was amazing and he himself could have died many times. When Johnny was younger, he went to Hawaii. He got mixed up with the wrong people. While driving on the freeway in Hawaii, they threw him out the car. His legs got wrapped around the back tire till they were free.
I was on the freeway bleeding to death till he received help. They told him he would never walk again. He suffered much but he learned how to walk again but uses a cane. He used to be a boxer who trained hard but said that boxing and girls didn't go hand in hand because they got in the way. I'm not sure about that. I did learn more about my mother. For example, I didn't know she was in a gang. It was very interesting to get an idea of where your parents came from and how they were.
Based on what I've learned its very shocking that I became a witness. Most I know didn't see that coming and I think most of my family still doesn't know. Even if they did it's not like my views are going to change. In the past people have tried to speak to me about staying a catholic. I needed more in my life. I couldn't believe that you get away with smoking, doing drugs, getting drunk, and of course having a foul mouth is what God wanted us to do.
I have a video of myself and Jesse when he was about 2 or 3. Almost every other word was a bad word. Today was really just random stuff of what's going on. I haven't had much time to work on anything since my Aunt. All I know is that life really is to short. Make sure you spend it wisely and with those you love.
Till tomorrow.
What they say is during Flu season, they don't know how bad it will get. I have personally read documents that show at least they are preparing for a pandemic and these documents were dated in 2005.
We should be worried but at the same time live our lives and enjoy every moment because virus aside we really don't know when any of us will die. My Aunt right now is in the hospital on life support. They made the decision to take her off life support.
I saw family members who I haven't seen in sometime. It was great to see them but at the same time I was very sad. Yes I know the condition of the dead. I know she didn't go to Heaven or Hell. Yes I know that she will wake up one day on a New Earth but, it was the pain I saw on others that made me hurt.
For Example, my cousin Johnny who is her son. His life was amazing and he himself could have died many times. When Johnny was younger, he went to Hawaii. He got mixed up with the wrong people. While driving on the freeway in Hawaii, they threw him out the car. His legs got wrapped around the back tire till they were free.
I was on the freeway bleeding to death till he received help. They told him he would never walk again. He suffered much but he learned how to walk again but uses a cane. He used to be a boxer who trained hard but said that boxing and girls didn't go hand in hand because they got in the way. I'm not sure about that. I did learn more about my mother. For example, I didn't know she was in a gang. It was very interesting to get an idea of where your parents came from and how they were.
Based on what I've learned its very shocking that I became a witness. Most I know didn't see that coming and I think most of my family still doesn't know. Even if they did it's not like my views are going to change. In the past people have tried to speak to me about staying a catholic. I needed more in my life. I couldn't believe that you get away with smoking, doing drugs, getting drunk, and of course having a foul mouth is what God wanted us to do.
I have a video of myself and Jesse when he was about 2 or 3. Almost every other word was a bad word. Today was really just random stuff of what's going on. I haven't had much time to work on anything since my Aunt. All I know is that life really is to short. Make sure you spend it wisely and with those you love.
Till tomorrow.
Friday, May 8, 2009
FRIDAY
Did I mention that Jesse is going to have a talk in two weeks which is called "Do You Remember to Say Thank You?"
I asked him if he needed any help but he wants to do it on his own. I'm going to sit in the back and get video of his talk. I'm hoping to post it on here. That's of course if I remember to get camcorder.
Jesse is still kinda stick but he is getting better. He went to the Doctors yesterday and they asked him all kinda questions. I'm sure to see if he had any contact with Swine Flu but in the end it turned out he just had a bad cold.
We are still up in the air about the middle name but its getting close. I am blessed to have such a caring, giving, and loving wife. Its amazing because its been 20 years that we have been together. Its going to be 21 years this year. If you read the beginning of my blog you will know that she was 12 when we got together. I was 15. We were very young. I will say this. If Jehovah didn't come into my life by means of using his witnesses, I would be dead now or would be in jail.
He has taught me to be a better husband, a better father, a better person. I owe my entire life to him. What is he asking back from me? All he is asking is for us to serve him. I recall speaking to an old friend who left the truth.
He worked right across from me. I often wondered why he left but I didn't get into it with him but figured he would tell me since that's the kind of person he was. So there I was coming to work and I saw him. So I asked him How he was doing. He said he was doing fine and then he asked me if I was still part of the truth. I told yes and I knew he wasn't because of his appearance. So I told him he should come back.
Then he said he couldn't because he didn't get along with a few people. That's how he said it. I told him this. There are times when brothers don't act like brothers but they are brothers. If you have an issue with anyone, squash it and move on because really if it doesn't keep you up at night, it isn't that big of a deal. Then I quoted scripture saying that he would love his brother and make peace with him. Jesus said that you must forgive your brother. He wouldn't have said that if he didn't expect problems to happen.
I told him that he needs to forgive and forget. He needs to make peace with his brother no matter what. Scripture tells us so. I don't understand why people would go so far to leave the truth but I told him that he needs to return. Its us who fail Jehovah. Its us who allow others to stumble us and really if that happens then can we say that we were strong to begin with?
If Satan isn't going to stop his attacks then shouldn't we make sure that our spiritual armor is strong? I don't know if he ever returned to the truth but I know that his wife returned. I do pray that he did as well. Anyway, have a great weekend. Talk to you all on Monday.
I asked him if he needed any help but he wants to do it on his own. I'm going to sit in the back and get video of his talk. I'm hoping to post it on here. That's of course if I remember to get camcorder.
Jesse is still kinda stick but he is getting better. He went to the Doctors yesterday and they asked him all kinda questions. I'm sure to see if he had any contact with Swine Flu but in the end it turned out he just had a bad cold.
We are still up in the air about the middle name but its getting close. I am blessed to have such a caring, giving, and loving wife. Its amazing because its been 20 years that we have been together. Its going to be 21 years this year. If you read the beginning of my blog you will know that she was 12 when we got together. I was 15. We were very young. I will say this. If Jehovah didn't come into my life by means of using his witnesses, I would be dead now or would be in jail.
He has taught me to be a better husband, a better father, a better person. I owe my entire life to him. What is he asking back from me? All he is asking is for us to serve him. I recall speaking to an old friend who left the truth.
He worked right across from me. I often wondered why he left but I didn't get into it with him but figured he would tell me since that's the kind of person he was. So there I was coming to work and I saw him. So I asked him How he was doing. He said he was doing fine and then he asked me if I was still part of the truth. I told yes and I knew he wasn't because of his appearance. So I told him he should come back.
Then he said he couldn't because he didn't get along with a few people. That's how he said it. I told him this. There are times when brothers don't act like brothers but they are brothers. If you have an issue with anyone, squash it and move on because really if it doesn't keep you up at night, it isn't that big of a deal. Then I quoted scripture saying that he would love his brother and make peace with him. Jesus said that you must forgive your brother. He wouldn't have said that if he didn't expect problems to happen.
I told him that he needs to forgive and forget. He needs to make peace with his brother no matter what. Scripture tells us so. I don't understand why people would go so far to leave the truth but I told him that he needs to return. Its us who fail Jehovah. Its us who allow others to stumble us and really if that happens then can we say that we were strong to begin with?
If Satan isn't going to stop his attacks then shouldn't we make sure that our spiritual armor is strong? I don't know if he ever returned to the truth but I know that his wife returned. I do pray that he did as well. Anyway, have a great weekend. Talk to you all on Monday.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Being a Witness
In the book of Matthew 21 verse 14 it states that this Good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited Earth for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come.
This is a command that Jesus gave. This is a work that he said his followers would be doing. For those reading who are not witnesses or will become one please note that when you become associated with the organization you are obligated to preach the good news. This is what Jesus said his followers would be doing. Once you learn the truth and have a basic bible knowledge the goal is to teach others.
This isn't a suggestion. It's a command from Jesus himself. The work at times can be hard. I'm sure it's hard for our brothers and sisters who are advanced in age but you know what - they get out there and do their part. There was a sister who couldn't walk anymore. It was because of her age. She was very sad. The part that she was sad about wasn't because she couldn't walk anymore, it was because she felt that her days in Service was over. We call it the Field Ministry. Anyway, the sister felt it was over. No more knocking on doors. She was very sad and upset but she was determined to continue her service.
You know what this sister did? She could have sat at home but instead this sister purchased a wheelchair and her husband would go to a busy streets within the territory and do street work for at least 3 hours a day and this is after the her husband already did Field Ministry in the morning. Another sister I know who was in a wheelchair died two years ago. Her name was sister Davis. She was such an encouragement. She was in a wheelchair, had an oxygen tank, and still made it to every single meeting. I think about times when I missed meetings back in the day because I was tired. This sister made it to every single meeting and she also made it a point to comment at every single meeting.
Just think about what she had to do just to get to a meeting. Then to remove her oxygen mask just to make a comment. Amazing sister. If these sisters and brothers who are advanced in age and are doing more than those who are younger in terms of Field Service and Meeting Attendance then something is wrong. Remember this is a command that Jesus gave that we preach the good news.
How seriously do you take meeting attendance? No doubt most of us feel that we appreciate the meetings. Are some of us allowing unnecessary secular work, tiredness, homework, a slight physical indisposition, or a little bad weather to interfere with our obligation to attend meetings regularly? Since this is a Scriptural requirement, every one of us should give prayerful consideration to the question, How seriously do I take meeting attendance?
Today we follow the pattern set by the early Christians, who met regularly to pray, share experiences, and study God’s Word. We receive instruction on Bible prophecy and doctrine, as well as on godly conduct and Christian morals, along with timely admonition on improving our lives now by careful application of Scriptural principles. In addition, we are reminded of our hope that one day there will be an end to problems and suffering. It is vital that this hope be kept alive.
I'm reminded of an illustration that an Elder gave one day and it made all the sense in the world to me in terms of our meeting attendance and spiritual food that we receive at the meetings. Here is how I remember the illustration
We are all like flashlights without batteries. Then we learn the truth. It's as if Jehovah installed rechargeable batteries in our flashlights. We are bright, we are full of energy. Like any battery it can die but our batteries are different. It's rechargeable but Jehovah is the only one that can recharge our batteries. The spiritual food we receive is the power we get to recharge our batteries.
So at first our lights are bright but over time we start missing meetings. Our power is slowly going away. You ever had a flashlight that you had to hit on the side in order to receive some light? Well the batteries are slowly dying. When we miss meetings our light is slowly dying like that battery. Then, unless changes are made, the light can go away and then we end up like a dead flashlight or we wake up and realize that its Jehovah that powers us, we continue and improve. Our lights remain bright.
It was an interesting illustration. Till tomorrow.....
This is a command that Jesus gave. This is a work that he said his followers would be doing. For those reading who are not witnesses or will become one please note that when you become associated with the organization you are obligated to preach the good news. This is what Jesus said his followers would be doing. Once you learn the truth and have a basic bible knowledge the goal is to teach others.
This isn't a suggestion. It's a command from Jesus himself. The work at times can be hard. I'm sure it's hard for our brothers and sisters who are advanced in age but you know what - they get out there and do their part. There was a sister who couldn't walk anymore. It was because of her age. She was very sad. The part that she was sad about wasn't because she couldn't walk anymore, it was because she felt that her days in Service was over. We call it the Field Ministry. Anyway, the sister felt it was over. No more knocking on doors. She was very sad and upset but she was determined to continue her service.
You know what this sister did? She could have sat at home but instead this sister purchased a wheelchair and her husband would go to a busy streets within the territory and do street work for at least 3 hours a day and this is after the her husband already did Field Ministry in the morning. Another sister I know who was in a wheelchair died two years ago. Her name was sister Davis. She was such an encouragement. She was in a wheelchair, had an oxygen tank, and still made it to every single meeting. I think about times when I missed meetings back in the day because I was tired. This sister made it to every single meeting and she also made it a point to comment at every single meeting.
Just think about what she had to do just to get to a meeting. Then to remove her oxygen mask just to make a comment. Amazing sister. If these sisters and brothers who are advanced in age and are doing more than those who are younger in terms of Field Service and Meeting Attendance then something is wrong. Remember this is a command that Jesus gave that we preach the good news.
How seriously do you take meeting attendance? No doubt most of us feel that we appreciate the meetings. Are some of us allowing unnecessary secular work, tiredness, homework, a slight physical indisposition, or a little bad weather to interfere with our obligation to attend meetings regularly? Since this is a Scriptural requirement, every one of us should give prayerful consideration to the question, How seriously do I take meeting attendance?
Today we follow the pattern set by the early Christians, who met regularly to pray, share experiences, and study God’s Word. We receive instruction on Bible prophecy and doctrine, as well as on godly conduct and Christian morals, along with timely admonition on improving our lives now by careful application of Scriptural principles. In addition, we are reminded of our hope that one day there will be an end to problems and suffering. It is vital that this hope be kept alive.
I'm reminded of an illustration that an Elder gave one day and it made all the sense in the world to me in terms of our meeting attendance and spiritual food that we receive at the meetings. Here is how I remember the illustration
We are all like flashlights without batteries. Then we learn the truth. It's as if Jehovah installed rechargeable batteries in our flashlights. We are bright, we are full of energy. Like any battery it can die but our batteries are different. It's rechargeable but Jehovah is the only one that can recharge our batteries. The spiritual food we receive is the power we get to recharge our batteries.
So at first our lights are bright but over time we start missing meetings. Our power is slowly going away. You ever had a flashlight that you had to hit on the side in order to receive some light? Well the batteries are slowly dying. When we miss meetings our light is slowly dying like that battery. Then, unless changes are made, the light can go away and then we end up like a dead flashlight or we wake up and realize that its Jehovah that powers us, we continue and improve. Our lights remain bright.
It was an interesting illustration. Till tomorrow.....
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Last Night
I gave my talk and it went great. I prayed almost every 10 minutes and almost every minute when I knew I was next up on Stage. I was praying because I wanted Jehovah's spirit. I wanted to make sure that the words wouldn't fumble, I wanted to make sure how I sounded was encouraging.
Afterward, many came up and were encouraged. On the way home, I thanked Jehovah. My wife and Jesse are sick at the moment so the only one who came with me is Gabriel. While I was giving my talk, I looked over at Gabriel in the crowd and he was making funny faces. I didn't laugh but I did smile at him while I was on stage. It was very cute.
When I got home. One of the Elders called and said that I almost put him to tears. This Elder his name is Brother Bennett, he knew me when I first came in the Truth. He knew what I have gone through and he said to see me up there and give the talk the way I did was well, it almost put him to tears. He also said I was a good Teacher.
I almost cried. I again thanked Jehovah. It was a great night. Its funny to because Brother Bennett also had a talk and he's an excellent speaker. I often use some of his words. For example, when he's about to say an illustration he always says " We can illustrate this way " In my talk I said the same thing.
Also I had two brothers who were former gang members come up to me and said they could relate to what I said about the gang member illustration because that's exactly what they saw. Then when the School overseer got up there, he was very happy and said my talk mixed fire, police, and gang members and he started laughing. Well everyone did. It was great. I had a great night. I don't know if Paul saw my post about loyalty but I hope that at least gave you some direction. If you need help brother let me know. I'm here to help. Even if you wish to email me. My address is Dycerulz@gmail.com. I'm willing to help anyway I can.
Also, in June is our convention. The Theme of the convention is "Keep on the Watch" which will be held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. What was great was that Prince himself who is a Jehovah's Witness was there. Last year and the year before. We were asked last night to Volunteer to clean the Cow Palace which is fine by me because in all Honestly I never Volunteered to clean before. Its time for me to step up my game so to speak. Being baptized this long and not reaching out is a mistake on my part. This time we only have one day to clean the entire Cow Palace because the convention takes place the very next day. Keep in mind that many from around the world attend this convention and we have it in many languages. So it's not all on one weekend.
I watched videos of Witnesses help build Kingdom Halls in other places around the world. My point is this. If you are a baptized witness. Reach out for more. If you are a publisher, reach out for more. Get Baptized, ask yourself what is holding you back? Recall what Peter said to Jesus. Peter said to Jesus and I quote " You have sayings of Everlasting Life, where else are we to go " and isn't that true?
What other hope is there? None. We aren't going to heaven. We aren't going to hell. We just die. Thankfully there is one way out and it's through Jehovah. When Peter said that to Jesus. He knew that there was only one way out. Its no different for us today. There really is only one way out.
Today we have crime, we have hate, we have sickness, and to top it off we have a flu virus going around that has everyone scared. In truth, we do need to scared. We should be concerned. We don't know what's going to happen. The only advise that I can give is this. Eat right. Watch what you eat. Eat plenty of greens. Stay in shape. Go to a health food store and purchase stuff that will build your immune system.
Till tomorrow, I'll post more.
Afterward, many came up and were encouraged. On the way home, I thanked Jehovah. My wife and Jesse are sick at the moment so the only one who came with me is Gabriel. While I was giving my talk, I looked over at Gabriel in the crowd and he was making funny faces. I didn't laugh but I did smile at him while I was on stage. It was very cute.
When I got home. One of the Elders called and said that I almost put him to tears. This Elder his name is Brother Bennett, he knew me when I first came in the Truth. He knew what I have gone through and he said to see me up there and give the talk the way I did was well, it almost put him to tears. He also said I was a good Teacher.
I almost cried. I again thanked Jehovah. It was a great night. Its funny to because Brother Bennett also had a talk and he's an excellent speaker. I often use some of his words. For example, when he's about to say an illustration he always says " We can illustrate this way " In my talk I said the same thing.
Also I had two brothers who were former gang members come up to me and said they could relate to what I said about the gang member illustration because that's exactly what they saw. Then when the School overseer got up there, he was very happy and said my talk mixed fire, police, and gang members and he started laughing. Well everyone did. It was great. I had a great night. I don't know if Paul saw my post about loyalty but I hope that at least gave you some direction. If you need help brother let me know. I'm here to help. Even if you wish to email me. My address is Dycerulz@gmail.com. I'm willing to help anyway I can.
Also, in June is our convention. The Theme of the convention is "Keep on the Watch" which will be held at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. What was great was that Prince himself who is a Jehovah's Witness was there. Last year and the year before. We were asked last night to Volunteer to clean the Cow Palace which is fine by me because in all Honestly I never Volunteered to clean before. Its time for me to step up my game so to speak. Being baptized this long and not reaching out is a mistake on my part. This time we only have one day to clean the entire Cow Palace because the convention takes place the very next day. Keep in mind that many from around the world attend this convention and we have it in many languages. So it's not all on one weekend.
I watched videos of Witnesses help build Kingdom Halls in other places around the world. My point is this. If you are a baptized witness. Reach out for more. If you are a publisher, reach out for more. Get Baptized, ask yourself what is holding you back? Recall what Peter said to Jesus. Peter said to Jesus and I quote " You have sayings of Everlasting Life, where else are we to go " and isn't that true?
What other hope is there? None. We aren't going to heaven. We aren't going to hell. We just die. Thankfully there is one way out and it's through Jehovah. When Peter said that to Jesus. He knew that there was only one way out. Its no different for us today. There really is only one way out.
Today we have crime, we have hate, we have sickness, and to top it off we have a flu virus going around that has everyone scared. In truth, we do need to scared. We should be concerned. We don't know what's going to happen. The only advise that I can give is this. Eat right. Watch what you eat. Eat plenty of greens. Stay in shape. Go to a health food store and purchase stuff that will build your immune system.
Till tomorrow, I'll post more.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Final Talk
Well tonight is my talk. Below is the final version.
.......................................................................................
I'm doing to describe a person and see if you can identify who I'm thinking of. I will give three clues. Badge, Blue uniform, and black and white car. Can you identify who I'm thinking of? If you thinking police officer then you are correct. Let me give you another. Huge Red truck, loud siren, fire. Can you identify who I'm thinking of? If you are thinking firefighter, then you are correct.
If we had to Identify a true Christian today, what are some clues that we could give?
Let’s turn to the Bible. Please open your bibles to John 13:35. That's John chapter 13 verse 35.
It reads: By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.
True Christians would have this love mentioned at John 13:35. They would treat one another as brothers and sisters. They would treat one another with respect. They would treat one another with compassion. They would have the best interest for their fellow believers.
True Christians of God would show love, not only in words, but also in their actions. For Example: When we go on vacation we can go to another hall, in another city, in another state, even in another country and be welcomed with open arms by our brothers and sisters. Those in the World who claim to be Christian, claim to have love but at the same time they steal from one another. They hurt one another. They kill one another. Can they really call themselves Christians?
We can illustrate this way, Two gang members attend church. One from one gang and another from a rival gang but after leaving church 2 hours later, one see’s the other. They shoot at each other. One of them dies. Does this show by their actions that they have the kind of love mentioned at John 13:35?
Another mark for identifying a true Christians is respect for God’s Word. Think of Jesus. When Jesus was on Earth he set the pattern in this by showing the highest respect for the inspired Scriptures. He continually referred to his hearers to God’s Word, encouraging them to read it and to apply it. He showed his deep respect for the Bible by living in accord with its teachings every day.
Today, when you hear statements by those who claim to be Christians who refer to parts of the Bible as “myths, would you say that they are encouraging respect for God’s Word? Since all scripture is inspired of God, for teaching, reproving, for setting things straight, wouldn’t a true Christian follow all scripture and not parts of it?
God’s Word shows that there are persons who may have the Bible and even study it but whose works prove that they disown the God they claim to know.
Turn with me to Titus chapter 1 verse 16. Notice what is mentioned there.
Titus 1 verse 16 reads: They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort.
The form of worship that they practice is not pleasing to God, because they do not allow his Word to exercise genuine power in their lives. To Identify a True Christian one has to live his or her life doing what is pleasing to God.
Another Identifying Feature is a command that Jesus gave at Matthew chapter 24:14 which states that this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.
This is important because this is what Jesus said his followers would be doing. Preaching the Good news of God's Kingdom. Let me give you three clues again and see if you can Identify who I’m thinking of?
1. Have love among yourselves
2. Have deep respect for the Bible by living in accord with its teachings every day
3. Preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom
Can you identify who I'm thinking of?
.....................................................................................
Last night as mentioned I spoke to an Elder to make sure I had the counsel point correct since I never received the slip that I had a talk. This talk was given to me a week in advance verbally. It wasn't a problem but at first I wasn't sure how I was going to present the material.
Then it came to me and I woke up and started writing notes. I'm the kind of person who has to receive ideas. If they don't come to me, I get stuck but because I'm motivated off so many things, I have yet to draw a blank and if I do it normally last a day. I get stuck on picking a middle name for my future son than I am with talks.
This was asked sometime ago but I'm not sure if I ever answered. I have been a witness for more than 10-years. I've been baptized for more than 10 years. I want to say its been 15 maybe 16 years. Sadly I don't keep track of dates since dates don't really matter. I've been told that the day you are baptized is a day that you should remember. Sadly I don't but the point is, I'm baptized so really that is the only thing that should matter.
At times I did slip away from the truth because of the struggles I had with smoking but I always came back. I finally said to myself that I cannot be a witness and do these things. Its going to be one or the other. I remained a witness. It can be a struggle at times when you are younger. My problem was that I didn't depend on Jehovah. I didn't pray enough, I didn't study enough. I had one foot in the world while trying to have the other foot in the hall. I couldn't live life like that.
Keep in mind that this was along time ago. I stopped praying when I left the truth but when I came back. I finally got down to my knee's and cried for more than an hour. It felt like the entire night. It was really more than an hour. I begged for forgiveness. I never looked back. It felt great talking to Jehovah again. After sometime and getting out in service I thought to myself, Did I need to go through all of this? It was my own fault.
Kinda like a Parent who tells a child not to do drugs and then the child does drugs only to find out that its bad for him or her? The Parent already told you. Jehovah is our parent. He is our Guide. He tells us through his world the bible what we should avoid. There is no reason to find out if drugs are bad. He already said they are. We can trust what he says. I hope those that are younger and reading this don't fall into life's traps because really, we step into it ourselves. We can avoid most of the worlds issues just by Listening to Jehovah. Anyway see tomorrow.
.......................................................................................
I'm doing to describe a person and see if you can identify who I'm thinking of. I will give three clues. Badge, Blue uniform, and black and white car. Can you identify who I'm thinking of? If you thinking police officer then you are correct. Let me give you another. Huge Red truck, loud siren, fire. Can you identify who I'm thinking of? If you are thinking firefighter, then you are correct.
If we had to Identify a true Christian today, what are some clues that we could give?
Let’s turn to the Bible. Please open your bibles to John 13:35. That's John chapter 13 verse 35.
It reads: By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.
True Christians would have this love mentioned at John 13:35. They would treat one another as brothers and sisters. They would treat one another with respect. They would treat one another with compassion. They would have the best interest for their fellow believers.
True Christians of God would show love, not only in words, but also in their actions. For Example: When we go on vacation we can go to another hall, in another city, in another state, even in another country and be welcomed with open arms by our brothers and sisters. Those in the World who claim to be Christian, claim to have love but at the same time they steal from one another. They hurt one another. They kill one another. Can they really call themselves Christians?
We can illustrate this way, Two gang members attend church. One from one gang and another from a rival gang but after leaving church 2 hours later, one see’s the other. They shoot at each other. One of them dies. Does this show by their actions that they have the kind of love mentioned at John 13:35?
Another mark for identifying a true Christians is respect for God’s Word. Think of Jesus. When Jesus was on Earth he set the pattern in this by showing the highest respect for the inspired Scriptures. He continually referred to his hearers to God’s Word, encouraging them to read it and to apply it. He showed his deep respect for the Bible by living in accord with its teachings every day.
Today, when you hear statements by those who claim to be Christians who refer to parts of the Bible as “myths, would you say that they are encouraging respect for God’s Word? Since all scripture is inspired of God, for teaching, reproving, for setting things straight, wouldn’t a true Christian follow all scripture and not parts of it?
God’s Word shows that there are persons who may have the Bible and even study it but whose works prove that they disown the God they claim to know.
Turn with me to Titus chapter 1 verse 16. Notice what is mentioned there.
Titus 1 verse 16 reads: They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort.
The form of worship that they practice is not pleasing to God, because they do not allow his Word to exercise genuine power in their lives. To Identify a True Christian one has to live his or her life doing what is pleasing to God.
Another Identifying Feature is a command that Jesus gave at Matthew chapter 24:14 which states that this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.
This is important because this is what Jesus said his followers would be doing. Preaching the Good news of God's Kingdom. Let me give you three clues again and see if you can Identify who I’m thinking of?
1. Have love among yourselves
2. Have deep respect for the Bible by living in accord with its teachings every day
3. Preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom
Can you identify who I'm thinking of?
.....................................................................................
Last night as mentioned I spoke to an Elder to make sure I had the counsel point correct since I never received the slip that I had a talk. This talk was given to me a week in advance verbally. It wasn't a problem but at first I wasn't sure how I was going to present the material.
Then it came to me and I woke up and started writing notes. I'm the kind of person who has to receive ideas. If they don't come to me, I get stuck but because I'm motivated off so many things, I have yet to draw a blank and if I do it normally last a day. I get stuck on picking a middle name for my future son than I am with talks.
This was asked sometime ago but I'm not sure if I ever answered. I have been a witness for more than 10-years. I've been baptized for more than 10 years. I want to say its been 15 maybe 16 years. Sadly I don't keep track of dates since dates don't really matter. I've been told that the day you are baptized is a day that you should remember. Sadly I don't but the point is, I'm baptized so really that is the only thing that should matter.
At times I did slip away from the truth because of the struggles I had with smoking but I always came back. I finally said to myself that I cannot be a witness and do these things. Its going to be one or the other. I remained a witness. It can be a struggle at times when you are younger. My problem was that I didn't depend on Jehovah. I didn't pray enough, I didn't study enough. I had one foot in the world while trying to have the other foot in the hall. I couldn't live life like that.
Keep in mind that this was along time ago. I stopped praying when I left the truth but when I came back. I finally got down to my knee's and cried for more than an hour. It felt like the entire night. It was really more than an hour. I begged for forgiveness. I never looked back. It felt great talking to Jehovah again. After sometime and getting out in service I thought to myself, Did I need to go through all of this? It was my own fault.
Kinda like a Parent who tells a child not to do drugs and then the child does drugs only to find out that its bad for him or her? The Parent already told you. Jehovah is our parent. He is our Guide. He tells us through his world the bible what we should avoid. There is no reason to find out if drugs are bad. He already said they are. We can trust what he says. I hope those that are younger and reading this don't fall into life's traps because really, we step into it ourselves. We can avoid most of the worlds issues just by Listening to Jehovah. Anyway see tomorrow.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Misplaced Loyalty and Its Dangers
In today’s uncertain world, loyalty is like a lifeline that attaches a struggling swimmer to a rescue vessel. If the “swimmer” has no loyalties, he will find himself tossed about as by waves and wind. But if his loyalty is misplaced, it is as if his lifeline were attached to a sinking ship.
Disloyalty also comes in subtler forms. It may even masquerade as loyalty! For example, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day probably thought of themselves as eminently loyal. But they failed to see the difference between being loyal and being an unbending adherent to man-made rules, for they were rigid and harshly judgmental.
In this they were actually disloyal—to the people they should have been serving, to the spirit of the Law they claimed to teach, and to Jehovah himself. Today when a dear friend or even a family member chooses a course that violates Bible principles, we may feel that we are torn between loyalties. Naturally, we feel loyal to family members. But never should we put our allegiance to them ahead of our loyalty to Jehovah!
We would neither help wrongdoers to conceal a serious sin nor side with them against elders who are trying to ‘readjust them in a spirit of mildness.’ Doing so would be disloyalty to Jehovah, his organization, and a loved one. After all, to stand between a sinner and the discipline he needs is, in effect, to block an expression of Jehovah’s love from reaching him.
If you have your bible handy, open to Galatians 6:1 and notice what is mentioned there.
Galatians 6:1 reads: Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, YOU who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted.
So, if you side with those who sin its you who will become a sharer in his or her sin. You can be in danger. Think of Adam and Eve, were they loyal to Jehovah? No and look at the cost of their disloyalty. Think of Satan himself. At one time he himself was loyal to Jehovah. That changed and look at the result - Sickness, Crime, and of course Death. Loyalty to Jehovah, based on accurate knowledge, is a lifeline that gives us stability and leads to our salvation. Our Loyalty to Jehovah should be the most important thing in our lives. Misplaced Loyalty can cost us our lives. If you still have your bibles handy, please open to 2 Timothy 3:16,17 and notice what will keep us loyal if we apply the scripture, that's 2nd Timothy 3:16,17
It Reads: All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
If we continue applying scripture, applying what Jehovah is teaching us, we will avoid the dangers of misplaced Loyalty.
.................................................................................
I want to thank you Paul for your comment. I hope that this post gives some direction. I'm still working on my talk, making some last minute changes but nothing major. I'm going to speak to an Elder today to see if he feels I needed to add anything or if it's ok. I'm a bit nervous but I normally get that way before a talk. I had a sleepless night thinking of the Illustration and hoping that those listening can see how I used it. When I mentioned gang member, it was based on something I saw on TV where bloods and crips would attend a christian church but at the end of the service they would go back and kill each other. When Jesus said they would have love and not just love but intense love for one another he meant it. The gang members I speak of had intense hatred but at the same time would sit in the same church and pray and who knows maybe even hold hands.
No different than someone who goes into the Military. They claim they love God but at the same time killing people because they received orders. Well, didn't Jehovah give an order when he stated Thou shall not murder? Who's higher Jehovah or man?
Here I go again giving another talk. LOL. Anyway, thank you again Paul for the comment.
Also before I go. Yes I very much enjoyed the playlist thing. I was shocked to find much of the music that I enjoyed. Its like having a radio right at your finger tips playing all the classics. I'm very old school meaning I love oldies music. It can be sad, can be happy, can hurt, can help. Anyway, till tomorrow.
Disloyalty also comes in subtler forms. It may even masquerade as loyalty! For example, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day probably thought of themselves as eminently loyal. But they failed to see the difference between being loyal and being an unbending adherent to man-made rules, for they were rigid and harshly judgmental.
In this they were actually disloyal—to the people they should have been serving, to the spirit of the Law they claimed to teach, and to Jehovah himself. Today when a dear friend or even a family member chooses a course that violates Bible principles, we may feel that we are torn between loyalties. Naturally, we feel loyal to family members. But never should we put our allegiance to them ahead of our loyalty to Jehovah!
We would neither help wrongdoers to conceal a serious sin nor side with them against elders who are trying to ‘readjust them in a spirit of mildness.’ Doing so would be disloyalty to Jehovah, his organization, and a loved one. After all, to stand between a sinner and the discipline he needs is, in effect, to block an expression of Jehovah’s love from reaching him.
If you have your bible handy, open to Galatians 6:1 and notice what is mentioned there.
Galatians 6:1 reads: Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, YOU who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted.
So, if you side with those who sin its you who will become a sharer in his or her sin. You can be in danger. Think of Adam and Eve, were they loyal to Jehovah? No and look at the cost of their disloyalty. Think of Satan himself. At one time he himself was loyal to Jehovah. That changed and look at the result - Sickness, Crime, and of course Death. Loyalty to Jehovah, based on accurate knowledge, is a lifeline that gives us stability and leads to our salvation. Our Loyalty to Jehovah should be the most important thing in our lives. Misplaced Loyalty can cost us our lives. If you still have your bibles handy, please open to 2 Timothy 3:16,17 and notice what will keep us loyal if we apply the scripture, that's 2nd Timothy 3:16,17
It Reads: All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
If we continue applying scripture, applying what Jehovah is teaching us, we will avoid the dangers of misplaced Loyalty.
.................................................................................
I want to thank you Paul for your comment. I hope that this post gives some direction. I'm still working on my talk, making some last minute changes but nothing major. I'm going to speak to an Elder today to see if he feels I needed to add anything or if it's ok. I'm a bit nervous but I normally get that way before a talk. I had a sleepless night thinking of the Illustration and hoping that those listening can see how I used it. When I mentioned gang member, it was based on something I saw on TV where bloods and crips would attend a christian church but at the end of the service they would go back and kill each other. When Jesus said they would have love and not just love but intense love for one another he meant it. The gang members I speak of had intense hatred but at the same time would sit in the same church and pray and who knows maybe even hold hands.
No different than someone who goes into the Military. They claim they love God but at the same time killing people because they received orders. Well, didn't Jehovah give an order when he stated Thou shall not murder? Who's higher Jehovah or man?
Here I go again giving another talk. LOL. Anyway, thank you again Paul for the comment.
Also before I go. Yes I very much enjoyed the playlist thing. I was shocked to find much of the music that I enjoyed. Its like having a radio right at your finger tips playing all the classics. I'm very old school meaning I love oldies music. It can be sad, can be happy, can hurt, can help. Anyway, till tomorrow.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Amazing
Well it happened again. I cried. I cried because of the courage this one showed by going through all the pain, all the sorrow to do what is right in Jehovah's eyes. I didn't suffer like Karen but I did have my share of problems. Recall I mentioned my Brother who has not spoken to me because of what I believe in.
All this because I want to serve God? Recall when I started serving. Every single one of my so-called friends talked behind my back. I wonder if her Parents are still against her, against her Husband, against her Children. Is it really all worth it? Think of all the time that went by that her parents lost. All because they could not accept what Karen Believed in.
She found the Truth, she found what was true for her. Her parents should have been happy for her. Even though her parents did not share in her beliefs, they should have been at least happy because she was happy.
That's what I told my Brother. I told him that I wasn't going to change and although I did have a rough start by doing things that I shouldn't have done in terms of getting drunk, chatting with guys on team-speak and stuff. I since learned from that time and devoted myself. I did speak to the elders about my conduct and they gave me spiritual guidance. Keep in mind that this was along time ago. LOL
I am somewhat crying now because I also felt the same way as Karen. I felt I was not good enough to enter Heaven. I also felt because of the things I've done in life that I was for sure going to Hell.
I am so thankful that I learned the kind of God Jehovah is. Till next week. Have a great day and weekend. Stay Safe...
All this because I want to serve God? Recall when I started serving. Every single one of my so-called friends talked behind my back. I wonder if her Parents are still against her, against her Husband, against her Children. Is it really all worth it? Think of all the time that went by that her parents lost. All because they could not accept what Karen Believed in.
She found the Truth, she found what was true for her. Her parents should have been happy for her. Even though her parents did not share in her beliefs, they should have been at least happy because she was happy.
That's what I told my Brother. I told him that I wasn't going to change and although I did have a rough start by doing things that I shouldn't have done in terms of getting drunk, chatting with guys on team-speak and stuff. I since learned from that time and devoted myself. I did speak to the elders about my conduct and they gave me spiritual guidance. Keep in mind that this was along time ago. LOL
I am somewhat crying now because I also felt the same way as Karen. I felt I was not good enough to enter Heaven. I also felt because of the things I've done in life that I was for sure going to Hell.
I am so thankful that I learned the kind of God Jehovah is. Till next week. Have a great day and weekend. Stay Safe...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)