I wish I could answer that question with a Yes but it's something we may have to discuss with the Elders but in truth I don't know if it's such a good idea to let him Travel so far without proper supervision.
Yes he will be 18 in a few short months and could make that choice himself but at the same time I have to protect him and remind him of the possibility of committing a sin and one that would be against all that he is and who he hopes to become in the future.
I don't have a problem with you visiting but it is something that I do have to discuss with my wife. Reason being that putting him in a situation where sin could happen would be like setting him up to fail in terms of his relationship with God.
I hope that makes sense. As mentioned I do honestly believe that you are the best thing that could have ever happened to him and I know 100 percent that he would be an even better man because he would have someone to support him in a way that we cannot.
A wife to a husband can be summed up in a known expression which most men say which is " My Better Half "
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Which way should I go?
Life was easy back then. Today you have so many choices to make. Should I do this, should I do that. Follow your heart and even following that requires thought. We live in an age where it does require two in order to maintain a household.
Back in the day, The Husband worked while the wife stayed home and took care of the children. That's still somewhat possible today but it's much harder. We do things in life today to try and make life better.
Young ones normally get into debt and struggle their way out. My advise is to avoid as much debt as possible. I know someone who has been in debt for over 20 years and when they are close to getting out of it. They do things to get themselves right back into it.
Remember a credit card isn't free Money. Learn to manage. So which way should you go. I can only show you the options but can't make the choice for you.
Option A.
1. Continue School
2. Get a degree
3. Study to become a witness
4. Get baptized.
5. Get a job.
.............................
Option B.
1. Leave School
2. Study to become a witness
3. Get baptized
4. try and get a job if Jesse struggles to find one.
............................
Looking at these two options. Option A seems to be the best choice. It's not a matter of being away from Jesse because he will always be there. It's a matter of making sure that if we pass away in this system that Jesse and You can take care of each other. 18 is young and you still have your entire life ahead of you.
It's best to make sure you are secure in someway instead of struggling but do not neglect your studies if you truly wish to become a witness. Remember the scripture found at Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 which says to Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.
That's not to say that you cannot get an education. Please get an education. Take advantage of what's being offered. You can still put the kingdom first and take advantage of education. It's balance that you need to have in life and as long as you remember not to forget Jehovah, all these things mentioned in Matthew will be added because Jehovah knows what you need.
Back in the day, The Husband worked while the wife stayed home and took care of the children. That's still somewhat possible today but it's much harder. We do things in life today to try and make life better.
Young ones normally get into debt and struggle their way out. My advise is to avoid as much debt as possible. I know someone who has been in debt for over 20 years and when they are close to getting out of it. They do things to get themselves right back into it.
Remember a credit card isn't free Money. Learn to manage. So which way should you go. I can only show you the options but can't make the choice for you.
Option A.
1. Continue School
2. Get a degree
3. Study to become a witness
4. Get baptized.
5. Get a job.
.............................
Option B.
1. Leave School
2. Study to become a witness
3. Get baptized
4. try and get a job if Jesse struggles to find one.
............................
Looking at these two options. Option A seems to be the best choice. It's not a matter of being away from Jesse because he will always be there. It's a matter of making sure that if we pass away in this system that Jesse and You can take care of each other. 18 is young and you still have your entire life ahead of you.
It's best to make sure you are secure in someway instead of struggling but do not neglect your studies if you truly wish to become a witness. Remember the scripture found at Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 which says to Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.
That's not to say that you cannot get an education. Please get an education. Take advantage of what's being offered. You can still put the kingdom first and take advantage of education. It's balance that you need to have in life and as long as you remember not to forget Jehovah, all these things mentioned in Matthew will be added because Jehovah knows what you need.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Which seed?
When I mentioned seed and which are you. It wasn't directed toward anyone in general. You can't look at any others without looking at yourself first. When I post information on various topics. I include myself. I question myself. I check myself to make sure I am living up to the promise I made to Jehovah.
I mentioned this the other day. My youngest one would rather play instead of going to the meetings. I know it's because of his age. I try and reason with him. Telling him that out of 24 hours in a day, it should be simple to give an few hours to Jehovah for the meeting.
It simple to say but for a kid it's hard to understand. Then, when it's time to pick up the watchtower and read I find myself distracted. At times it feels like its difficult to read. I'm more of the " I'd rather watch the movie " kind of guy.
Then I realize that the advise that I was trying to give my kids about giving time to Jehovah applies to myself. It's still a struggle and has always been. I find writing more enjoyable than reading.
Trust me when I say this that I'm no where near perfect. I'm far from it. I'll let you in on a secret and this is how the mind works. At times of frustration, bad words tend to cloud my mind. I don't say them but it's there. I then say in a low voice, get out of my head. Then I pray and ask for forgiveness.
I don't say bad words in the house but at work, every other word others say is bad so I'm hearing it all the time thus I'm guessing that's why it clouds my mind. So I'm always checking myself. So trust me, when I write something here I'm talking about myself as well.
Can't give advise if you can't take it. And I do have my issues because other things in life takes your time. So even myself when I feel that I'm doing right, at times I feel like I'm doing wrong because I know I can do more.
Her name was jurina. She's a great kid but between you and I, I would rather have you as my daughter in law (even though I already feel that you are). I know that you would love my son and would never do anything to hurt him. You are the best thing to happen to him.
I mentioned this the other day. My youngest one would rather play instead of going to the meetings. I know it's because of his age. I try and reason with him. Telling him that out of 24 hours in a day, it should be simple to give an few hours to Jehovah for the meeting.
It simple to say but for a kid it's hard to understand. Then, when it's time to pick up the watchtower and read I find myself distracted. At times it feels like its difficult to read. I'm more of the " I'd rather watch the movie " kind of guy.
Then I realize that the advise that I was trying to give my kids about giving time to Jehovah applies to myself. It's still a struggle and has always been. I find writing more enjoyable than reading.
Trust me when I say this that I'm no where near perfect. I'm far from it. I'll let you in on a secret and this is how the mind works. At times of frustration, bad words tend to cloud my mind. I don't say them but it's there. I then say in a low voice, get out of my head. Then I pray and ask for forgiveness.
I don't say bad words in the house but at work, every other word others say is bad so I'm hearing it all the time thus I'm guessing that's why it clouds my mind. So I'm always checking myself. So trust me, when I write something here I'm talking about myself as well.
Can't give advise if you can't take it. And I do have my issues because other things in life takes your time. So even myself when I feel that I'm doing right, at times I feel like I'm doing wrong because I know I can do more.
Her name was jurina. She's a great kid but between you and I, I would rather have you as my daughter in law (even though I already feel that you are). I know that you would love my son and would never do anything to hurt him. You are the best thing to happen to him.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
What Jesus Said
Jesus gave this illustration found in the book of Matthew chapter 13.
On that day Jesus, having left the house, was sitting by the sea; and great crowds gathered to him, so that he went aboard a boat and sat down, and all the crowd was standing on the beach. Then he told them many things by illustrations, saying:
“Look! A sower went out to sow; and as he was sowing, some [seeds] fell alongside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell upon the rocky places where they did not have much soil, and at once they sprang up because of not having depth of soil. But when the sun rose they were scorched, and because of not having root they withered.
Others, too, fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. Still others fell upon the fine soil and they began to yield fruit, this one a hundredfold, that one sixty, the other thirty. Let him that has ears listen.”
So the disciples came up and said to him: “Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” In reply he said: “To YOU it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted. For whoever has, more will be given him and he will be made to abound; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
This is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations, because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it; and toward them the prophecy of Isaiah is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, YOU will hear but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, YOU will look but by no means see.
For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes; that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back, and I heal them.
“However, happy are YOUR eyes because they behold, and YOUR ears because they hear. For I truly say to YOU, Many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things YOU are beholding and did not see them, and to hear the things YOU are hearing and did not hear them
“YOU, then, listen to the illustration of the man that sowed. Where anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not get the sense of it, the wicked one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart; this is the one sown alongside the road. As for the one sown upon the rocky places, this is the one hearing the word and at once accepting it with joy.
Yet he has no root in himself but continues for a time, and after tribulation or persecution has arisen on account of the word he is at once stumbled. As for the one sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. As for the one sown upon the fine soil, this is the one hearing the word and getting the sense of it, who really does bear fruit and produces, this one a hundredfold, that one sixty, the other thirty.”
..............................................................................
Kinda like the Garden and flowers. By looking you can get the sense of it. Jesus said prophecy of Isaiah is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, YOU will hear meaning the Good News but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, YOU will look but by no means see. Meaning it's in your face but you can't see it clearly. Then notice the illustration of the seeds. Which seed are you?
Let's go back to the Garden. Flowers itself need what to grow. A seed right. When God's word is planted in our hearts, its like that seed that has been planted in the ground. Then what happens? I starts to grow. In a way it's like God's word once planted in our hearts, helps us grow spiritually. So that flower is now growing. It's beautiful right. What happens if the flower isn't taken care of? It dies right.
Jehovah takes care of us spiritually. When we go into the world it's as if the water that gives that flower life starts to fade. Jehovah will provide all the water that we need to be protected spiritually but it's up to us.
Going back to the Illustration that Jesus gave...Ask yourself honestly. Which seed are you?
On that day Jesus, having left the house, was sitting by the sea; and great crowds gathered to him, so that he went aboard a boat and sat down, and all the crowd was standing on the beach. Then he told them many things by illustrations, saying:
“Look! A sower went out to sow; and as he was sowing, some [seeds] fell alongside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell upon the rocky places where they did not have much soil, and at once they sprang up because of not having depth of soil. But when the sun rose they were scorched, and because of not having root they withered.
Others, too, fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. Still others fell upon the fine soil and they began to yield fruit, this one a hundredfold, that one sixty, the other thirty. Let him that has ears listen.”
So the disciples came up and said to him: “Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” In reply he said: “To YOU it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted. For whoever has, more will be given him and he will be made to abound; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
This is why I speak to them by the use of illustrations, because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it; and toward them the prophecy of Isaiah is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, YOU will hear but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, YOU will look but by no means see.
For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes; that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back, and I heal them.
“However, happy are YOUR eyes because they behold, and YOUR ears because they hear. For I truly say to YOU, Many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things YOU are beholding and did not see them, and to hear the things YOU are hearing and did not hear them
“YOU, then, listen to the illustration of the man that sowed. Where anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not get the sense of it, the wicked one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart; this is the one sown alongside the road. As for the one sown upon the rocky places, this is the one hearing the word and at once accepting it with joy.
Yet he has no root in himself but continues for a time, and after tribulation or persecution has arisen on account of the word he is at once stumbled. As for the one sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. As for the one sown upon the fine soil, this is the one hearing the word and getting the sense of it, who really does bear fruit and produces, this one a hundredfold, that one sixty, the other thirty.”
..............................................................................
Kinda like the Garden and flowers. By looking you can get the sense of it. Jesus said prophecy of Isaiah is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, YOU will hear meaning the Good News but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, YOU will look but by no means see. Meaning it's in your face but you can't see it clearly. Then notice the illustration of the seeds. Which seed are you?
Let's go back to the Garden. Flowers itself need what to grow. A seed right. When God's word is planted in our hearts, its like that seed that has been planted in the ground. Then what happens? I starts to grow. In a way it's like God's word once planted in our hearts, helps us grow spiritually. So that flower is now growing. It's beautiful right. What happens if the flower isn't taken care of? It dies right.
Jehovah takes care of us spiritually. When we go into the world it's as if the water that gives that flower life starts to fade. Jehovah will provide all the water that we need to be protected spiritually but it's up to us.
Going back to the Illustration that Jesus gave...Ask yourself honestly. Which seed are you?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
V-Day
Otherwise known as Valentine’s Day. Before I go into some detail as to why we won't celebrate that day, I must first say that I 100 percent agree that there is no reason to pick one day to show the person that you love them. It doesn't matter if it's a birthday, Anniversary, or Valentine's Day.
If you love someone, you show them each day because in truth, each day could be our last day. We can walk outside and get hit by a car. Each day if possible, try and tell those you love, that you love them. Don't waste time...
But some do show it on specific days. As for Valentine's day. Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable says: “Valentine, St. A priest of Rome who was imprisoned for succouring persecuted Christians. He became a convert and, he was clubbed to death.
His day is 14 February. The ancient custom of choosing Valentines has only accidental relation to the saint, being essentially a relic of the old Roman Lupercalia or from association with the mating season of birds.
It was marked by the giving of presents and nowadays by the sending of a card on which cupids, transfixed hearts, etc., are depicted. And what does Cupid have to do with Valentine Day? The same source says: Cupid (Latin cupido, desire, love). The Roman god of love, identified with the Greek Eros.
He is usually represented as a beautiful winged boy, blindfolded, and carrying a bow and arrows. The World Book Encyclopedia gives further information, offering various theories on the origin of Valentine Day practices. “According to one story, the Roman Emperor Claudius II in the A.D. 200’s forbade young men to marry.
The emperor thought single men made better soldiers. A priest named Valentine disobeyed the emperor’s order and secretly married young couples. Many stories say that Valentine was executed on February 14 about A.D. 269.
In A.D. 496, Saint Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day.”
Regardless of the true origin of the practice, it is evident that it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs and in Christendom’s listing of so-called “saints.” Valentine Day is also another excuse for commercial exploitation of an often uninformed public. Note: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
This is just a bit of why we don't celebrate it but as mentioned, love the ones you love daily.
If you love someone, you show them each day because in truth, each day could be our last day. We can walk outside and get hit by a car. Each day if possible, try and tell those you love, that you love them. Don't waste time...
But some do show it on specific days. As for Valentine's day. Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable says: “Valentine, St. A priest of Rome who was imprisoned for succouring persecuted Christians. He became a convert and, he was clubbed to death.
His day is 14 February. The ancient custom of choosing Valentines has only accidental relation to the saint, being essentially a relic of the old Roman Lupercalia or from association with the mating season of birds.
It was marked by the giving of presents and nowadays by the sending of a card on which cupids, transfixed hearts, etc., are depicted. And what does Cupid have to do with Valentine Day? The same source says: Cupid (Latin cupido, desire, love). The Roman god of love, identified with the Greek Eros.
He is usually represented as a beautiful winged boy, blindfolded, and carrying a bow and arrows. The World Book Encyclopedia gives further information, offering various theories on the origin of Valentine Day practices. “According to one story, the Roman Emperor Claudius II in the A.D. 200’s forbade young men to marry.
The emperor thought single men made better soldiers. A priest named Valentine disobeyed the emperor’s order and secretly married young couples. Many stories say that Valentine was executed on February 14 about A.D. 269.
In A.D. 496, Saint Pope Gelasius I named February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day.”
Regardless of the true origin of the practice, it is evident that it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs and in Christendom’s listing of so-called “saints.” Valentine Day is also another excuse for commercial exploitation of an often uninformed public. Note: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
This is just a bit of why we don't celebrate it but as mentioned, love the ones you love daily.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Fight for life
When I think of the thought that I could lose any of my children, it hurts. At the same time I know that I could be reunited with them in the new system. When I think of my wife. It's a different kind of pain. See I wouldn't move on to another. I would try and get another wife. I don't see any reason to. If something would happen to her. I would remain alone.
Alone in a sense that I wouldn't have a wife but not alone because she would always be in my heart till I see her again in the new system. She feels the same way if anything would happen to me. That's love, that's Agape....
Solomon wrote: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their hard work. And a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two.
A marriage can be likened to a cord tying a couple together and, when we let God be in it, it is truly a threefold cord not easily torn in two. To let God be in your marriage means to be concerned with measuring up to his requirements for married couples.
More than that, to let God be in our marriage means for both mates to have a warm personal relationship with Jehovah God, never neglecting prayer together. Share with him your joys, sorrows, disappointments, trials. Be concerned with giving him as a Person pleasure and gladness of heart. At Psalm 147:11 we read: Jehovah is finding pleasure in those fearing him. And God tells us at Proverbs 27:11 that by being wise we can make his heart glad.
I'll write more about marriage in another post but My son who is going to turn 18 thinks about these things. I remind him on how a woman should be treated. Love, Respect, Honor are just a few things that a man can show his wife. I often wonder how his children will be? Maybe I'm thinking to far into the future but it does cross my mind....
Alone in a sense that I wouldn't have a wife but not alone because she would always be in my heart till I see her again in the new system. She feels the same way if anything would happen to me. That's love, that's Agape....
Solomon wrote: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their hard work. And a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two.
A marriage can be likened to a cord tying a couple together and, when we let God be in it, it is truly a threefold cord not easily torn in two. To let God be in your marriage means to be concerned with measuring up to his requirements for married couples.
More than that, to let God be in our marriage means for both mates to have a warm personal relationship with Jehovah God, never neglecting prayer together. Share with him your joys, sorrows, disappointments, trials. Be concerned with giving him as a Person pleasure and gladness of heart. At Psalm 147:11 we read: Jehovah is finding pleasure in those fearing him. And God tells us at Proverbs 27:11 that by being wise we can make his heart glad.
I'll write more about marriage in another post but My son who is going to turn 18 thinks about these things. I remind him on how a woman should be treated. Love, Respect, Honor are just a few things that a man can show his wife. I often wonder how his children will be? Maybe I'm thinking to far into the future but it does cross my mind....
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Wednesday
Last night went very well. I prayed for Holy spirit to help me get through it. I have plenty on my mind to keep me busy but one of the things I didn't take advantage of is the fact that the Elders are there to help. The brothers and sisters are there to help.
One of our sisters told us that if we needed her to stay with any of the kids while we take care of our issues, they can just go over and stay at her house. That was very sweet of her. We haven't really been to meetings since most of us got sick and then the baby so we really missed our brothers and sisters.
One thing that we are looking forward to is our memorial. Anyway...peace
One of our sisters told us that if we needed her to stay with any of the kids while we take care of our issues, they can just go over and stay at her house. That was very sweet of her. We haven't really been to meetings since most of us got sick and then the baby so we really missed our brothers and sisters.
One thing that we are looking forward to is our memorial. Anyway...peace
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Tuesday
I have a talk tonight based on eternal torment. What does it mean. I show scriptures that prove that God would not and did not create such a place. It's really some of the deeper things in Revelation.
I wish my focus was there but sadly it's not. My thoughts are with Joshua. They want to do surgery on his eyes because he can go blind. There is a chance they say that he could die. It's one in a million but still, there is that chance.
I normally would get excited about a talk but I can't help but feel down because of the pain my young one is going to go through. I hate this system and what Adam and Eve caused. Why didn't they just listen to Jehovah.
I wish my focus was there but sadly it's not. My thoughts are with Joshua. They want to do surgery on his eyes because he can go blind. There is a chance they say that he could die. It's one in a million but still, there is that chance.
I normally would get excited about a talk but I can't help but feel down because of the pain my young one is going to go through. I hate this system and what Adam and Eve caused. Why didn't they just listen to Jehovah.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wed
Well Joshua is home. He's still sick but what is scary is that the Doctor has mentioned that we could have lost him. Very scary indeed. Last night Jesse gave his talk which came out very well. I had to stay home so I didn't get to hear it. My talk is next week.
One of the things that I must mention is that it's very difficult to mix what we believe in with others so its never a good idea to mix faith. We can illustrate this way. A mother tells her son not to play in the dirt. Her son has all white clothes on. The boy goes near the dirt. She tells him again DO NOT GO NEAR THE DIRT. She's telling him. He gets closer and closer till finally he's dirty. It's like that when you mix the truth with false religion. Our faith is pure and when mixed with other religions well, it's like that boy who got dirty.
True Christians keep clear of false worship, rejecting false religious teachings. This means that we avoid exposure to religious programs on radio and television as well as religious literature that promotes lies about God and his Word.
We also wisely refrain from sharing in social functions and recreational activities sponsored by any organization associated with false religion. What does light have in common with the dark? You can also think of it this way. If Jehovah himself was conducting a meeting. Do you think he would allow Satan and his demons to sit in?
Or we can look at it like this. If Satan was holding a meeting do you think Jesus, Jehovah or any of the Angels would sit in and include themselves? They won't. We have to be very careful. I hope that makes sense.
One of the things that I must mention is that it's very difficult to mix what we believe in with others so its never a good idea to mix faith. We can illustrate this way. A mother tells her son not to play in the dirt. Her son has all white clothes on. The boy goes near the dirt. She tells him again DO NOT GO NEAR THE DIRT. She's telling him. He gets closer and closer till finally he's dirty. It's like that when you mix the truth with false religion. Our faith is pure and when mixed with other religions well, it's like that boy who got dirty.
True Christians keep clear of false worship, rejecting false religious teachings. This means that we avoid exposure to religious programs on radio and television as well as religious literature that promotes lies about God and his Word.
We also wisely refrain from sharing in social functions and recreational activities sponsored by any organization associated with false religion. What does light have in common with the dark? You can also think of it this way. If Jehovah himself was conducting a meeting. Do you think he would allow Satan and his demons to sit in?
Or we can look at it like this. If Satan was holding a meeting do you think Jesus, Jehovah or any of the Angels would sit in and include themselves? They won't. We have to be very careful. I hope that makes sense.
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