by ConnieD29 22 Replies latest jw friends
I know this is going to sound strange, but I would recommend to read the book "The Timeless Way of Buiilding" by Alexander. It explains what patterns are and how to observe them, find them, etc.
This book really opened up my thinking.
The examples used are the construction industry but patterns can apply to anything.
Hello Connie,
When I was with the JWs, I felt like their beliefs and doctrines were very cold compared to Christianity. Even though they had an answer to everything which was very convincing.
"Where is the Love?" That is on of the highest number one complaints about the JWs. According to the NT, the hallmark of the Christian should be the fundamental nature of Christ. After all, God is Love.
"Having all the answers" is fundamentally wrong, see towards the end of the chapter.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
That said, all the WT answers are fundamentally wrong too!
If I were honest I would have to say I like the feely part of Christianity and the idea of a relationship with Jesus, but can't understand why that part of it seems so hard for me to attain or to feel real to me. Is it lack of Faith? Where is the line between Faith and just blind stupidity? Wow, that seems alittle harsh...did I say that?
Yes it takes faith, that is part of the story but have you said "hello" to Jesus yet? That is going to take faith.
Also, everything you have learned will steer you away from a relationship with Him so that needs unlearning.
One thing that will help is hanging out with those people who are good friends with Jesus. You will know when you are in the right place because you will feel and see the love of God in them like you never did before.
Blessings,
Stephen
HappyGuy! Very interesting you mentioned The Pattern Language. I have two copies, as well as the others in the series. Good stuff.
