Larry,
I realize a couple of days have passed. I want to let you know you and the babies are in my prayers; you haven't been forgotton.
-Ohio
my fiancee died on feb24 she was suffering from years of abuse by her alchoholic jw parents.
she first tried to commit scuicide when she was 12 then 2 more times at 16. when she was 15 she snuck out to go to a party when she was raped she was too afraid to tell her parents.
the very next day her jw brother in law molested her.
Larry,
I realize a couple of days have passed. I want to let you know you and the babies are in my prayers; you haven't been forgotton.
-Ohio
in another thread islandwoman said:my point is, should we now believe that all the "good" ones are out and there is no possibility that others may still exist?
to me it does not make sense to believe that.
personally, i know that there are still fine brothers there but that is my personal experience not worth much on a discussion board so reason must be applied, imo.. .
We who have escaped from (or thrown out of) the Organization have been blessed.
Now we must pray for those remaining. I have a firm faith that God loves each and every one of them. He is sad for them because they are not truly happy and free.
Forgive them for they know not what they do.
i have been thinking of doing something i have wanted to for along time, just to see, that is go to a church.
i guess i am a little afraid , or nervous , more than anything, but i feel i ready to venture out there and see what it is about,,,,,,,,,,,lol, i might not stay , i just want to try it.. i just want to give it a chance and right now i have no reason why i shouldnt if i go in with my eyes open.
i dont know what religion to start with,,,,,,,,, i figure this may be a journey on finding what feels right to me, or it could end up i stay home and do my own worship , who knows.. i know there are many christains on this board and i would be interested in hearing why you choose the faith you did, if it is methodist, catholic, baptist, or other mainstream ones.. i am also interested in other forms of religion some have choosen, and why?
Here is the mission statement of my little church. We do a good job living by this.
We will be a church that gives itself over to prayer first in all things.
We will be a church that teaches the Bible as the Word of God in all church settings.
We will be a church that lvoes and carries each other's burdons through our prayers and actions.
We will be a church that encourages a deep personal relationship with God.
We will be a church that ministers to all people (regardless of age, race or status) as God leads us.
WE will be a church that cares for the needy in our community
We will be a church that financially supports our world-wide ministry through the Evangelical Covenant Church and the Great Lakes Conference.
We will be a church that supports and works cooperatively with local Christian ministries.
We will be a church that grows to no more tha 350-400 in average attendance before planting a new church.
I believe there are many churches out there similar to mine. I don't attend every week nor do I get involved in lots of activities but I Do Know this is my church family. We all need a family go to to for comfort and support. As an ex JW, I know how difficult it is to take the step of walking into what the JWs term "False Religion" The WTBS doesn't want us to discover there are really good people on the outside of the organization; that fear of considering visiting churches was cleverly indoctrinated into us.
It is most important to not give up prayer on a personal basis; nothing fancy. Just be yourself.
Desiring to find a church family is only a natural progression in your spiritual journey.
-Ohio
i have been thinking of doing something i have wanted to for along time, just to see, that is go to a church.
i guess i am a little afraid , or nervous , more than anything, but i feel i ready to venture out there and see what it is about,,,,,,,,,,,lol, i might not stay , i just want to try it.. i just want to give it a chance and right now i have no reason why i shouldnt if i go in with my eyes open.
i dont know what religion to start with,,,,,,,,, i figure this may be a journey on finding what feels right to me, or it could end up i stay home and do my own worship , who knows.. i know there are many christains on this board and i would be interested in hearing why you choose the faith you did, if it is methodist, catholic, baptist, or other mainstream ones.. i am also interested in other forms of religion some have choosen, and why?
Why not try reading the Bible? Get Jesus' point of view. The WTBS has done a thorough job taking Jesus out of the picture. He's not just a go-between between us and God.
I'd like to recommend a good book Joshua by Joseph Girzone. It's Christian fiction but it will help you to get into the mind of Christ. He had a lot to say about organized religion.
I was disfellowshipped 17 years ago just for wanting to follow scripture and for defending others against the abuse of elders. That's the only way they could shut me up.
Needless to say, like many others, I was depressed for a number of years, even on the verge of suicide. (five years)
Going to a church was one of the most difficult steps but it was a good step. I started visiting non-demoninational churches but most of them were so big; that scared me. There's even one here in Columbus that reaches out to help young ex-witnesses. Problem is, I've seen controlling traits in that group. That scares me even more.
My little church is Faith Covenant Evangelical. We are a praying church. We can discuss anything using the Bible. Needless to say, I get some funny looks at times but I don't feel rejected nor am I chastised. It is good to have a church family but it is not necessary to be acceptable to God.
The main point to remember is Religion is not Important; People are. Religion has caused much damage, even to turn individuals completely away from God. If you can't visit a church, Pray. When you're ready, you will be able to take the next step.
Again, I hope you will look into the book Joshua. It's not a textbook; it's a novel. It certainly changed my life recently.
-Ohio
do you try to stay in good shape?
to be healthy and stay healthy one must do a minimum of physical activites, even if it's only a small walk once in a while.
no matter who you are, you must do a minimum of physical activities to stay healthy.. i walk alot, and go on bike once in a while.
I'm a 49 year old snowboarder when I get the opportunity!
Hmmm.....Maybe 15 years ago.
Makes me sick to think of all the wasted time when I could have simply read the Bible for the real "Truth".
any book that you like.. i am particularly interested in reading some good non-fiction.. crisis of conscience tops my recommendations, i think it is one of the best books i've ever read.
but you don't have to recommend apostate books.. currently i am enjoying dale carnegie's how to win friends and influence people.
i am enjoying it and trying to take the advice to heart - namely, don't be so negative!.
Even though this is Christian Fiction, I must Recommend Joshua by Joseph Girzone. If you want to know what Jesus really thought, this is a must. Joshua is a fellow living in Modern times but he is actually Jesus.
It will "Blow Your Mind" so to speak.
Don't miss this one!
i come to you with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes.
tuesday 27th may 2003 at 12.30 am, i misscarried my first baby.
i was 9 weeks pregnant.
I'm sorry for your loss. It seems God makes us stronger when we go through trials like this. It's so wonderful seeing a visible sign of your Mother's love; it never went away at all. How tortured your mother must have been to not see her little girl. Your shared hurt gave her an opening to show you just how much she cares. I'm a mother too and I can tell you with a certaintly, we love our children with our whole hearts. WE CAN'T HELP IT!
It strengthens my resolve to pray even more for those who are still "Dazed and Confused" under the control of the conrol of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Printing Company.
my fiancee died on feb24 she was suffering from years of abuse by her alchoholic jw parents.
she first tried to commit scuicide when she was 12 then 2 more times at 16. when she was 15 she snuck out to go to a party when she was raped she was too afraid to tell her parents.
the very next day her jw brother in law molested her.
Please keep in mind too, it is extremely difficult to take a child away from a Natural Parent, even a parent who has made mistakes of judgement.<P>Don't let the Witnesses intimidate you. They feel so big in their world because they exclude all but themselves. In reality, they are only a "speck" in the real world. <P>Contrary to what the JWs teach in their Kingdom Halls, people in positions of authority and psychology know the damage they are meting on their followers.<P>God is Just, God is loving. If you have faith in that, you will have your babies with you, as they should be.<P>Larry, You are so blessed to have a place to go for support. It hasn't always been that way. Try not to be bitter about Megan's parents; pray for them for they know not what they have done and continue to do.
-Ohio
my fiancee died on feb24 she was suffering from years of abuse by her alchoholic jw parents.
she first tried to commit scuicide when she was 12 then 2 more times at 16. when she was 15 she snuck out to go to a party when she was raped she was too afraid to tell her parents.
the very next day her jw brother in law molested her.
Larry,
Your story has been haunting me all weekend.
I beg you to get counseling. It won't make the hurt go away but perhaps it will help you get some direction. You need to get stronger for the babies now.
I've never understood how some JW parents could turn against their children as they do. It goes against natural love between parent and child.
It is difficult raising teenagers but I cannot fathom how JW parents and others for that matter cover over the molestation of a child. How alone Megan must have felt all those years.
Please don't blame yourself. Megan was full of pain; she wanted it to go away. She probably felt as if she didn't deserve to be loved. After all, her own parents rejected her. (I'm almost in tears as I write this) Larry, You were such a gift to her; do you really realize that? There may have been nothing you could have done to stop Megan's self destruction but at least she learned what love really is. That was a priceless gift.
I've also thought a great deal about Megan's Parents and why they would take the babies. I believe it is guilt and denial. If they deny the "real" truth about the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Printing Company, they can absolve themselves of guilt. Sad to say, this guilt will be with them until the day they cease to breathe air on this earth. May God Forgive them for abandoning their daughter as they have done.
I have a great faith, you will be with your children. I hope you are able to pray. It makes a difference.
Much love.
-Ohio