"The audience cried, I mean a lot of people cried when they played some of the songs from the new songbook. Some had Bethel singers who sounded pretty good singing them. So many after the program were saying how touched they were.
Then the new release of the book showing how the book of Acts prefigures the Organization today. More positive and happy comments. I mean the friends really seemed happy.
And then today the Drama, everyone around me seemed to be touched, and there was a ton of applause. I started a couple of conversations after with my car group about the stereotyping in the Drama, and that very few young ones in the Organization have a father who has a business and is a Witness, but my comments didn't seem to have much effect.
Yes, there were a lot of old ones there, and some have died since last year. But the children who are our age, in our 30's and 40's, who were raised in the truth, the majority are still in, and from what I could see at this convention, they seem to be in for life.
I wish I could do something about this, but it's hard when the entire assembly is singing praises about the new releases and experiences.
Any suggestions or comments?"
****
"Today I went in field service with my best friends, a married couple. They visited me when I was a CO in another area, and when I was in Bethel. They call me all the time, they have helped me with different matters, they just really try to do what they understand is right. They are so excited about theupcoming assembly, and recently visited Bethel for the Gilead Graduation. They are ready at any hour to talk to me. Today in service they talked so excited about new things in the organization, and the husbands talk points, and the bookstudy, etc etc. They love having fun too, and movies and traveling. We call ourselves "realistic" Witnesses.
They really believe in their hearts this is God's organization. And to top it off, THEY ARE VERY SMART."
****
"For example, we talked about 1914 once, and they simply said, "Well, we leave things in Jehovah's hands. We are positive, not negative about things. We have seen so many people helped by the organization, how could we doubt it?"
****
"Witnesses show "love" and attention, and the promise of a resurrection. I often applied that to the people in the territory, that we should look out for those grieving, or depressed, and teach them the truth."
****
"So what about YOUR parents, those of you raised in the "Truth?"
How did THEY become Witnesses? Was it also that they happened to be home one day? How did the Witnesses find them and convince them?"
Or maybe you are still a zealous JW.
****
"I became a regular pioneer while I was still in High School. I used to set my alarm for 5 am three times a week and walk a few blocks to do streetwork. Hardly anyone on the street, but I felt good about it. I was interviewed on the District Convention about that. A brother Jerry Opris, C.O., from North Carolina interviewed me.
Then I went and served in the Midwest for a couple of years.
Then when I was accepted to MTS and became a missionary, I really tried my best to be zealous. The hourly requirement for a missionary is 140 hours. Missionaries over 60 can put in 130 hours. I think that has changed recently, both lowered by 10. For the first few months I did the 140. I don';t think I missed it even once. After that I wanted to get into the circuit work. My C.O. told me to show the Branch how serious I was. So I started putting in 150 hours a month. Sometimes more.
So finally I was in the Circuit work. The hour requirement for Circuit Overseers was not 90 hours a month. Regular pioneers had to put that time in, but we were told it was OK to put in less if we were shepherding or doing congregation stuff. Now the hours are 70, but I don't know what the hour requirement for C.O.'s is. But even still I put in over a 100 hours each month in service as a C.O. I was in the circuit work for over 7 years.
I would even go in service sometimes on Tuesday mornings. The C.O. starts his visit on Tuesday night, and goes in service on Wednesday, but I wanted to really show I was zealous, so I would go out with the local congregation. And then I would also go in early morning streetwork sometimes. And evening witnessing.
I also wanted to be zealous in studying. I read the Societies publications, I thought that was studying. I read the Bible 5 times total, yes the NWT. I tried to get through the Insight Books, but I didn't make it. I made a "research notebook" where I wrote study projects. I did the Creative Days, the Herods, the Caesars, District Convention Themes, Parallels between Moses and Christ, Governing Body members, Prophecies yet to be fulfilled, Fruitage of the Spirit. I still have that book.
I did have time to relax, but I was sure Armageddon was coming before the year 2000, so I wanted to be as zealous as possible. My conscience would really bother me if I didn't work hard during the week.
What a waste of time. I did think I was serving God, and I did make a lot of friends in my assignment, some I am still in touch with. But I put in thousands of hours of field service, and for what?
So, what about you?
How ZEALOUS were you?
BF"
***** Bonafide, I could literally post HUNDREDS of others just like these! They are all over your the threads that you show up on.
You could write a pro JW BOOK just from your posts here on JWN. They're everywhere.
Sure, you have to throw in a few critical comments here and there as well. Otherwise you'd be get beat up just like Reniaa gets SPANKED AND TROUNCED all the time.
Just so you know, many see what you're doing. And you may get hammered as well soon.
Many people here have suffered tremendous loss at the hands of the Watchtower Society. People have died because of these policies. The closest of family cuts-us-off, all the time . Friends for 20 plus years drop you like yesterday's news.
Many here get judged, labeled and shunned (for life) for simply following their conscience.
You should think about these things before you decide to post one of your walks down JW memory lane.
Vinny
