xjwsforChrist

International Convention Seattle - Day 1

Friday morning attendance: 31,027 (anticipated 36,000-44,000... HUGE 2+ hour backup on freeway caused many, many people to be late. Afternoon attendance: 31,968.

Mostly Bethel speakers. Only one or two local C.O. or D.O. GB member Stephen Lett was the guest speaker. Super expressive. Creepy, really.

As for the JW.org logo, didn't see it except on a couple of brothers wearing the buttons. Lett was not wearing it. But, it stared us in the face all day long, like this:


I didn't take a lot of notes.
Revelation 12: The woman who gave birth represents God's universal spirit organization. The male child, the son, represents the Kingdom.

Isaiah 5:20 was read, but, of course, I read in context. Take a look at verse 19.

Did you know: The Photodrama of Creation was actually and early fulfillment of Isaiah 60:16? How so? By "milking" the technology of the nations to proclaim the good news.

New understanding of 2 Cor 12:2-4: The number "three" is often used in the Bible to indicate an elevated state. So, the "third heaven" is the "new heavens" in an elevated state. "Paradise" means the physical, spiritual AND heavenly paradise. And the "new world" refers to the combination of "new heavens" and "new earth". (Of course, silly people, the term "new world" is not even found in the Bible, but go ahead and try to tell a JW that.)

There was a nearly verse-by-verse consideration of Matthew 23, exposing Babylon the Great. (Of course, everything they said, WTBTS is guilty of.)

Matt 13:31,32: The tiny mustard seed represents the fledgling congregation of JWs that have grown into a vast tree-like organization

Matt 13:33: The leaven is our preaching that grows in peoples' hearts

Program ended at 5pm. Didn't get to our car until 7pm. Parking desk gave us wrong information as to where to get on the shuttle to take us to our car over a mile away. Very, very frustrating. Worst situation ever in all the years I've gone to conventions. Finally got home a little after 8pm. Get to start it all again tomorrow.

I meant to take a look at Isaiah 19, looked at 20 instead... and this verse was very fitting to something I was thinking about today also. That is another thread.

But the verse:

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil..."

Such as calling it good to toss those who are seeking Truth (and so, Christ) out of their 'synagogue'?
Such as denying their own flesh and blood, and calling that good? (shunning children, parents, brothers/sisters, etc)
Such the df'ing 'doctrine', and merciless reinstatement process?
Such as putting the JC's in the place of Christ's own teaching on what should be done when a brother sins against another?
Such as telling people that they should deny Christ at the memorial each and every year, by denying His body and blood, and then teaching that this is a good thing.

"...who put darkness for light and light for darkness..."


Such as replacing Christ (the light) with an organization and governing body (not the life, not the truth, and so darkness)?

The wts claims to be the truth (Christ is the Truth), to be God's channel and mouthpiece on earth (Christ is the Word of God); they say to others "come to me" (the wts) in order to be able to be resurrected (and so come to life... but the truth is that we must come to CHRIST for life and for truth. HE says "Come to ME"); they claim to be the faithful and discreet slave (Christ is the Faithful and discreet slave).


They exchange freedom and a light yoke in Christ... and instead place people back under the law, under men, under religion... once more in chains and captivity.

"If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go..." Revelation 13:10

And the last bit of verse 20 in Isaiah:

"...who exchange bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

Such as giving people bitter waters to drink, waters that are tainted with lies and false teachings and false understandings... rather than drinking from the pure waters that Christ gives, untainted with anything that man has added from man's own lack of understanding? Not to mention that Christ offers the water of life (holy spirit) for free to anyone who comes to HIM, to take it.


But let him who wishes hear as the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" Let him who hears SAY, "Come!" And let him who thirsts "Come! Take the free gift of the water of life!"



Peace to you,
your sister, and servant, and fellow slave of Christ,
tammy

But you don't have to go.


Not trying to tell you what to do or anything like that, Leaving, truly. Just reminding you of this truth, because that is what I heard when I read those words in your post. You don't have to go.


"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened down and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."


Peace and love to you my brother,
your sister, and servant, and fellow slave of Christ,
tammy

There were other things said that I didn't take notes on. There was a part on "Sacred Secrets Progressively Revealed". And do you know what they considered 'sacred secrets'? No, not the things the Bible actually says. But these:
1. Isa 43:10 - We are to be Jehovah's Witnesses
2. The 144,000 and great crowd
3. Gradually giving up God-displeasing holidays
4. In the 1950s, instituting the model laid out in the first-century congregation of removing ones from the congregation that don't follow God's rules (they didn't say "disfellowshipping", but that's what they were talking about)

One thing I can say: they sure are slick... They make it all look and sound sooo good. No wonder people are so misled. Its very sad they cannot see the organization for what it really is.


For now I do. Not for myself. For my immediate family who is still very much in. For me, though, this may all change soon. I can't divulge details yet, but an exit plan is forming. I cannot fade from this religion, so my exit will be abrupt when it happens. I just don't quite know how to sit my wife down and explain things. It's the biggest struggle I'm having at the moment... how to break the news.

Leaving Quietly, I don't envy you having to go to that Convention but thank you so much for sharing with us what they are saying. The Sacred Secrets explanations would be interesting to hear, but it sounds like a bunch of malarkey the way you explained it.
I hope you can leave soon with the least pain possible. I know its very very Difficult to do.

Ugh, the convention sounds dreadful, LQ. In the words of Jim Carrey, just 'find a happy place'.

LQ,



And why "can't" they? What/ whom is keeping the truth FROM them, that they themselves are now enlightened on?

Also, I see nothing in this description that shares with your readers what all the jw children were 'sitting through', enduring? Some type of spiritual assaults going on, yet no one one actually doing anything abou it. Accept, giving us a report of such assaults to these innocent children, by their "knowledegable" jw parents.

Well, I for one, do get very uncomfortable at these reports of assaults to these childrens souls and spirit(ual) Selves. It is so very difficult not to speak up. However, today, reading this, I really had no more qualms in doing so.

So please, can you share a bit about what you observed as these children sat through such 'torture' to their souls?

And tammy is trying to HELP you brother....you make these choices to go there and witness these spiritual abuses to so many children, such as the one at my door last week, (and then come back with the reports..thx goodness you spared us any photos of evidence, at this time). Why you continue to wait for some magical date to depart, while still attending these torture sessions where many children are SEEN , BEING SPIRITUALLY ASSAULTED BY YOUR CHURCH, is perplexing to some.
But why you feel any need or conpunction to run here and share it, as if, is quite frankly, very infuriating.

These assemblies are for ONE PURPOSE AND SOLID REASON ONLY LQ, and you Know what It is. Foster hate and destroy families. Not only your family. But all those jw childrens families. My family. So many families. So much un-needed torture of souls and spirits. How much longer now did you say?

Please bear in mind sir, it is NOT personal here. It is what I say to all active online , baptized jw adults that sit in on these sessions where childrens very lives and souls are at stake. It is what I Fokus on, ONLY. Just wanted you to keep that in mind.

~~s-Kally~~ [ lettuce try to HELP keep em honest, klass]

_________________
"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

Looking at the picture above w/ all those EMPTY seats....I imagine in my mind it is all the jw children, that got up and flipped LETT off, as they walked out.

hey, a sKally can dream...BIG!

_________________
"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

Too much to comment on, here (but thank you for sharing and peace to you, dear, dear LQ!) - just my response post would take up half the board. Much of it made me nauseated, as usual. Like this:



Total face palm moment.

You'd think people who CLAIM to "know"... and CLAIM to have holy spirit... would KNOW... that Paul revoked THAT "model" after all the problems it caused IN that congregation and with the APOSTLES. You'd think. Y'think?

I dunno. Some days I wonder whether I will just to have to stop thinking about those folks altogether. I mean, I WANT to show them love and help them come to see WHO it is they must go away to, WHO is the Truth... WHO is the Word of God... but the STENCH... of the TRASH HEAP where they "worship" is just too much for me, sometimes. May our dear Lord help me to continue. Because, some days... I just don't want to SMELL it, let alone taste it.

Peace, and thank you, again, dear LQ, for helping us see that any "change" they claim to have made... is for the worse. As usual.

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Shelby, just imagine the end result of actually commenting on it all....you would need ten showers woman! It would put a Stain upon You. Then what!?

You were wise, this time...Kon fusha says.

_________________
"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

Not sure I could hold my breath long enough to even GET that dirty, dear Skals (mornin' and peace, girl!)... which I would have to do. Not gonna find out today, though. S'a gorgeous day here so gonna take the pups out for a bit. Hit some trails or sumthin'. Then, got band practice this afternoon... so won't "see" you chikkens until mayhaps tomorrow sumtime.

But GREAT seeing you all NOW! LOLOL!

Peace!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar, who wants to stay fresh from her recent shower just a tad longer, if possible, so gonna mosey on off THIS thread, for now...

LOL!! Oh, that's funny, especially as I'm eating an Awake! cookie.

Can i have a 'bite'?

_________________
"I am proud to say that I will not lift one finger ( except my middle finger) for the WTBTS."

One thing I can say: they sure are slick... They make it all look and sound sooo good. No wonder people are so misled. Its very sad they cannot see the organization for what it really is.

Yes dear LQ they do make it look and sound so good. Even look and sound like some truth. Yes it is sad so sad they cannot " see" what it reallllyyy is....but as Jeremiah pointed out, " they want to believe the lie, and they love it"!

Sad thing is the children at such a young age can already see through the stench of it and for what it really is. They just aren't given a choice ( like so many of us that grew up in it ) and until they are accountable to be able to get far enough away from them, as dear Skally points out, they are subject to a lot of abuse. Which can create a lot of time angry adults. Some of course survive and find a measure of happiness. But others are so damaged it is hard for them to move past the WTBS without losing faith altogether. And then not turning to the one that truly heals those wounds, and leads with a yoke that is loving and kind.

The true Truth, which is CHRIST!

So for me personally , I cannot stomach what this rotten organization is doing anymore to anyone, whether young or old!!!
But what I can do is pray for them to SEE. And for their hearts to soften to be ABLE to see and hear the voice of our Lord Jaheshua MischaJah.

Peace and love to you all, your sister and fellow servant of CHRIST, Kim.

Thanks, Zoe. It will be very painful, though, I'm certain.


To be honest, there were very few kids around where I was sitting, so I can't share anything about this here. I can say that a LOT of people were milling in the halls... WAY MORE than usual, including parents with little kids.

There have been a few parts where raising kids in "the truth" was discussed, including one comment from LETT about reading to them as infants "the Bible and our publications". They did release a new brochure called "Teach Your Children"... kinda like a mini-Bible Stories book. Nothing much to comment on there... too simplistic and dumbed down stuff.