I wander have you told your husband how you feel like you do on here. Maybe you do. The thing is it is your relationship with Jehoavh God.
My husband is well aware of how I feel about this whole thing. He is also well aware that I post here. He isn't critical of me and he knows that he doesn't own me. My respect for my husband is not in question here, which leaves him no room to give me a hard time about a choice that is mine.
The bible has a lot of princapl allowing you to make your decisions. Nobody else shouldn't tell you are judge you.
Yes the Bible has many wonderful principles to guide the lives of godly people - no doubt! But that's just it - when the line is crossed between Biblical principle and Organization principle - I have a problem with that.
Jehovah was clear that we need not fear man - " Trembling at men is what lays a snare, but he that is trusting in Jehovah will be protected." (Proverbs 29:25) - why is it then that the organization of JWs instills fear of them (men!!) in so many??
Jehovah was very clear that no man has the power or right to judge another - " But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. . ." (Romans 14:10) - yet JW's are judged for their every action by the elders, other members of the congregation - everyone is under constant scrutiny to "preserve the moral cleanness of the congregation".
Where exactly does free will come in to this arrangement? They may as well say, "You have free will, but let it be known that you will be punished by the Org if you choose to exercise that free will!" Is that some serious emotional blackmail, or what??? Jehovah wants us to follow him of our own free will, but JWs take that option away using manipulation and blackmail! How exactly is that harmonious with God's will? How exactly does that prove Satan wrong when the point is to prove to Satan that God's people serve him of their own FREE WILL?? " Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me. . ." (Proverbs 27:11)
I have no problems following the things that Jehovah expects of his people - I do, however, have a problem following the laws of men, imperfect men - not the apostles who had dinner with Jesus and KNEW exactly what he and Jehovah expected - but imperfect men who are no more qualified to interpret the Word of God than the next person.
Everything else the blood issue, how you want to hanlde the discaplining of your own kids you will come to an understanding. This life in this sytem of things may seem what there is but question is also , this life or is it forever. Knowing and being aware of your relationship with Jehovah God is what matters and he knows what is in your heart.
I will come to an understanding? And what if my understanding never jives with what the JWs expect of me? Then they turn me away and deem me unworthy of a relationship with Jehovah God?
You're right, my relationship with Jehovah is what truly matters, and since he knows 110% what is in my heart and how desperately I want to serve him the way he would have me serve him - I know that I'm going to be just fine.
I can go on and on about all the things that were brought out but it dosen't matter really, dose it, if you are striveing for that relationship and to love God with your whole heart and mind you will take the nessecary steps for your spiritual health so that you can gian favor in Jehovah Gods eyes; and you know the rest.
And exactly what are those "necessary steps" required to "gain Jehovah's favor"? And who is more qualified to say so than Jehovah himself??
((The cookie cutter statements/responses REALLY make me nuts - anyone else??)
AS for your children they have just as much of a right as you do, and they one day will be accountable for themselves. How will you contrbute to their up bringing and their spiritual health as well.
How will I "contribute"? By being their mother - I think that's pretty self explanatory. I am their mother, Jehovah himself gave them to me, they are my responsibility - thusly, I will raise them as I see fit. Granted my husband and I ultimately raise our children together, but rest assured that my husband and I are in total agreement on how to raise our children - and his reinstatement doesn't change a thing.
I pray for you the best and i give you a sisterly Hello. It may that they are stumbleing you but will you allow that to get in the way. Modesty and humility, we all need to work on it. lol
That who is stumbling me?
The only ones "stumbling me" are the JWs themselves! I switched to studying with someone in my husband's hall, and I am being stumbled all over the place (if that's what you want to call it - I prefer to call it having my head f*cked with)!! My study conductor "stumbles" me with her "submissive wife" routine, with her anger and resentment bubbling over about her DF family member, with her unrealistic view of the imperfect world we live in ("we don't watch TV because it was distracting us" and "we only listen to music that is positive and upbuilding"), with her implications that I should just accept things as they are without truly understanding it, etc. I like my study conductor a whole lot as a person - but as a JW, she has basically scared me away from the whole thing without even realizing it! Oops!
I have no problem with modesty or humility. I would humble myself to Jehovah God anyday without question. It's not Jehovah I question ...
Apologies to any and all for my tone today - I have just had it UP TO HERE with this whole thing! ::sigh::
