Here are a few notes I took at the Friday session of the 2001 "Teachers of God's Word" District convention. I thought I would share these upbuilding theocratic point with my new friends, along with my thoughts as I was listening to the program.
1st instruction of the day: sing loudly and listen to the prayer! (you daydreaming slackers -- you know who you are)
We may have been tired when we got here, but the next 3 days will be like a vitamin shot---energizing us for activity when we get home. (Yah, a vitamin shot of vitamins F and G---fear and guilt.)
How do you feel knowing that many, including ones close to you are soon to meet their end? (more vitamins F & G)
Experience: A sister with a child was a low time publisher due to her busy life and activities. Among those spoken about were working full-time as a disaster insurance adjuster (necessitating 2-3 week out of town trips to disaster sites), volunteering at the Special Olympics, and doing work for the Breast Cancer Awareness group. Also she was very involved with raising her child, taking him rollerblading, snowboarding, and to the beach. Then she heard the admonition at a district conv. "Are you living for "today" or for the future. Then she decided to cut way back on her activities, becoming an auxillary pio. and then a regular pioneer. (Isn't that wonderful, she's helping so many more people now![8v] )
Experience: a young sister had the goal of pioneering, but was such a good student that she recieved offers of a scholarship. But this would mean she would have to give up her goal of pioneering. She decided instead to give up material goals for spiritual ones. After a while pioneering, she found herself without sufficient money to continue. She prayed for her exact needs. Shortly, a job offer came which allowed her to work on her non-service days and provided EXACTLY to the dollar what she needed to continue pioneering. ( I guess that not going to college thing is still the preferred way.)
What we read, watch, participate in, and talk about should not be a part of the world's entertainment. (What's left?--Listen to kingdom melodies and read the WT!)
Talk about being clean people.---First part of talk concerned being physically clean, bodies, homes, etc. Maintain spiritual cleaness both morally and doctrinally. Beware of apostates! (Oh no, have I been compromised!)
As God's representatives, a truly awesome responsibility rests on our shoulders. ( And what about the responsibility on the shoulders of those who send us out under their authority and guidance?)
A real danger: What if we were watching a movie at home which contained scenes of intense violence oriented action, or other questionable images (no particular rating was mentioned), and a sensitive Bible study stopped by unexpectedly. It could offend him, cause him to have difficulty leaving his worldly habits, or stumble him! (Couldn't we just turn off the VCR before he comes in?)
Experience: A brother had to take a job working nights, but he insisted that he must be allowed time off for meetings. His employer said OK, but....... he would not be paid for those hours he was absent from his shift. Can you imagine friends, each week it was as if that brother had to write a check for a certain amount to be able to attend the meetings! (Duh! Even my JW son said who would expect to be paid if he was not at work.)
Talk: Oppose the Devil
Satan was compared to a serial killer a la Ted Bundy. He uses the same tricks, hides behind a mask of normalcy, conceals his true motives, and has a certain victim profile which he prefers. Do you know the profile? Do you fit it? Satan takes more delight in making JWs his victims that anyone else! What is he looking for? Attitudes and heart conditions make us his targets. Are we easily provoked, critical of elders and their actions, resentful of counsel? Do we have a complaining self-oriented spirit? These things make us prime targets. These attitudes are a form of greed---putting our feelings and desires before those of others. (More vitamins F&G. Maybe it would pay to be one of those worldly people after all.)
Talk:Jehovah Beautifies His People with Light
Given by (drum roll, please) Ted Jaracz of the Governing Body
A round of pre-talk clapping was given ( no one else got any)
He said, "True christians are not content with just attending a rew religious services. They also give of their time and resources to promote true worship." (a few--a FEW!)
Released new Isaiah pt 2 book
Observation: With only a small number of exceptions, the experiences were given by brothers merely relating the story, rather than the individual involved. Is this some kind of new experience standardization?
Well, if these are enjoyed by any, I will put up a few more after I attend the rest of the conv.
LMR