xjwsforChrist

Well, that's not ENTIRELY true, luv (peace to you!). See, the closest library to ME is in the NEXT town. And since I'm not a resident OF that town... a library card costs ME $60/year (please scroll to the bottom of the following):

http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/library ... sfines.asp

The closest FREE library to me (one in MY town) is not only farther away, but only open 3 days a week... AND is in a neighborhood where I might well have to dodge bullets while running from my car to the front door.

Now, I realize you might not have KNOWN these truths, but they ARE truths, luv.



True. Are you suggesting that there was WTBTS literature... or even WTBTS-related material... IN such school libraries, though? Because I would probably have to challenge you on that one. Please also keep in mind: JWs are not just in "America." Dear Hubby and I visited the Public Library in Mexico City once... and most of the shelves were empty. The "American" books, what few there were, were kept under lock and key... AND you really could even read those, let alone check one out. So...



Ummm-hmmm...



You obviously don't live in a inner city city. Like Oakland, CA - LOLOLOLOL! Girl friend, not only are most of the libraries closed... or on (very) limited operating schedules (again, 3 days out of the week!)... you try asking for some "Inter-Library Loan" at one of them! Librarian liable to cuss your hiney out and tell you to get YOUR hiney out of her (or his) library! No, seriously... they'll tell you they don't have it at their "branch" but the such and so "branch" has it and will hold it for you there... IF they have it (LOTS of unreturned books in OUR libraries)... but YOU have to go pick it up.

Don't know where YOU live, luv... but it certainly ain't in inner city type library-ville...



Yes. They are. They do not all WORK the way you seem to THINK they do... in all cities, though...



Well, I wouldn't say NEVER (although I have a San Francisco, Oakland, AND San Leandro library cards... as well as access to the law libraries at ALL of the Greater SF Bay Area law schools). But I probably didn't spend a LOT of time in them... as an adult. Too busy up in three different university and again, quite a few law libraries. Blew through that WTBTS Library on CD-Rom, too! Within a year of its release. See, I not only type fast... but I read pretty fast, too! AND... retain close to 80% of what I read! It's a bit of a blessing... and a curse. I can remember entire pages. Have been able to since I was about 6 or so...

Ennywho...



Well, I'm glad YOU know this! Not sure why you think I need to, though... since (1) most of what's in the library can also be found on the Internet... and the Internet tends to be WAY more up to date these days...



Yes, okay. Tell that to the kids in South Central. You know... where the library usually isn't OPEN... due to, oh, I dunno, the sundry drive by (you really should get out a little more... AND stop believing all those "feel good we done saved the inner city ghetto kids from a life in the streets" movies...)



Ummmm... did you live in California in the 60's? I did. And I KNOW some (my) people didn't have that opportunity. I KNOW... because my PARENTS were some of those people. They didn't "get to" go... until the 70's. You know... AFTER MLK was assassinated. THEN... all KINDS of my folks were "invited" to go to school. And buy houses... own businesses. "They" even allowed "us" to have BANKS (you know, versus likka sto's and hair salons/bahba shops? They even let MY hiney go to a white school way out in the RICH part of time (which is why I'm so "artikyoolit")...



It was. So was the public school I went to out in Point Loma, some 25 mils from my home. "They" still didn't want "us" out there, though, so some of "us" rejected that particular "opportunity." I didn't. But I paid for not rejecting it, as a child. Big time.



The one I'm about to take two (2) classes at starting next week is only $46/unit. Still not sure of your point, though.



Yep. Did that. JC... University... AND Law School. Still missing your point...



I did, too. After leaving the WTBTS... and a jerk of a husband... and helping one teen and one young adult child who also left the WTBTS go. AND I worked FULL time while going to law school FULL time. Thinking about going for an LLM, now. But, again... your POINT, chile? Oh, I didn't get help from MY parents, either - one died three weeks after I had my first child, on my 18th birthday, and the other 10 years later. But what's YOUR point, chile'???



Glad you approve... but it's not "Jesus," luv. Let's be clear on that, shall we?



Nor would I. I don't judge anyone. That I might call a thief a thief... if I SAW him steal... isn't JUDGING him. I am just being truthful. Now, if I were to say he should DIE because he stole... or not receive LIFE because of it... i.e., CONDEMN him... then, I am judging him. I have learned that the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies, shows mercy to WHOMEVER He wishes to show it. So, I never even DEEM doing so as within my power... or purview.



Ummmm... is that not what YOU'RE saying... as to Jehovah's Witnesses????? SHOULDN'T you... KNOWING they haven't a CLUE about Christ?? What, pray tell, is the difference?



Me, too!



Or liars. I'm more inclined to believe the first... BECAUSE Christ does not lie. So, if what they say IS a lie... they certainly didn't receive it from HIM. And so to SAY they did... even if they THINK it's true... is a LIE. Because there are not gray areas with God and Christ, dear one. It's either true... or not true. And if not true... a lie. I get that folks don't LIKE that word, lie... but that's really what it is. Not a "fib." A lie. And we know who lies originate with. Yes?



Why, thank you!



And WHO here said you weren't? Certainly not ME! Not ANYONE... HERE... I am SURE!



Maybe. Maybe not. I mean, if it will save your (spiritual) life... seems necessary to me. But, I mean, isn't that what YOU'RE doing... as to, say, JWs.. atheists... etc.?



"Jesus"? Well, dear one, take a look around the world... and at what "Jesus" has done... and YOU tell ME? Now, do I think the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, who is the Son and Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah) is able? Absolutely! Doesn't preclude me from trying to help a bit until he DOES, though, does it? I mean, we ARE "ambassadors SUBSTITUTING" for Christ... yes? Or maybe you don't know about that... yet?

So... there we go! I hope (all of) that helps, truly!

Again, peace to you!

YOUR servant, as I am servant to ALL those of the Household of God, Israel... both in flesh AND in spirit... and all those who go with... and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar

It feels so "Jehovah's Witness" here.
If it wasn't for people hearing voices, I would think
I was at the Kingdom Hall, being told who and who isn't
part of the Body of Christ. Its "genuine" Christianity all
over again, the real thing, the "truth" at last. So eliminating
all the denominations I mentioned, that means the only true
Christians are you ? And possibly those you can instruct on whats what ?
Does Jesus know about this ? Have you written down the true doctrines?
Or do they only exist in your head ? Quakers were the Christians
who stood up to the Baptists who were enslaving black people for 300 years
and the Quakers ran the underground railroad. They were doing what Jesus
commanded which was to help the oppressed and take action to feed the
hungry, clothe the naked and take care of the sick and suffering.
The Angels and Jesus decide who is and who is not acceptable to God
and who is part of the Body of Christ and its the heart of a person
that determines their standing before God, not the church they attend.
You are not able to make those decisions or read hearts.

AGuest - I lived in California in the 1950's and 60's and 70's and 80's
No black people were barred or prevented from going to community colleges
or universities. California had no apartheid or segregation, ever.
Not in public institutions. The housing market had hidden discrimination.
I am white and I had a child by a black man in 1970 in California.

I would appreciate you not talking DOWN to me.

Your sad tale of being a black "victim" does not ring true.
I have three black grandchildren, with an African father.
The father of my eldest is a black man in Oakland California
and it is hardly a slum. Its one of the most progressive vibrant
and well educated communities in America. Poor folks and
ignorance are in every city, no matter what race you are.
I live in a big city. The main cause of ignorance and fear is
ignorant and superstitious parents and extended family, pulling
up from that takes real effort.

I am an EX Jehovah's Witness - just to be CLEAR-
Over twenty years in that God forsaken Cult.
The cult did damage to me and my child.
But the "Christians" here seem to do a good imitation
of the JW mindset. It does not feel loving or open
or welcoming. There is a very set agenda and dogmatic
insistence on adhering to specific doctrines that seem to
exist only in the minds of those that hold them.
May be it is ME who has been sent to enlighten YOU .
did you ever consider that ?

Sigh. Please. If that's your only argument... and it's a false one, a typical JW "it feels like apostates here," when something doesn't "feel" like what they're USED to... then it's a weak one. Of course, I can see where YOU can't see you're doing EXACTLY what you're trying to say you condemn...



Why? No one HERE told anyone anything on that matter.



Well, I won't agree (because I don't think you could handle it), but I certainly won't disagree. What I WILL say is that there is only One Truth... and WE are not it... HIM... nor do we SAY we are. Unlike the WTBTS...



The ONLY ones? I would have to say no...



Christ instructs on what's what, luv. Through holy spirit. As a christian, you know that, though... right?



"Jesus"? I really couldn't say. I'm not sure "he" knows about anything. I mean, since he doesn't exist and all...



Who? Us? Why would we need to do that... when JAH Himself writes them? And not in the Bible...



In the heart, luv, in the heart. I mean, as a "christian" YOU know that... right? Where the (New) Law is written?



Okaaaay. But wait, now: did YOU not just try to push the "Quakers" as better than/superior to the "Baptists"? Something you JUST tried to accuse ME doing (though I did nothing of the sort)? You DO understand what hypocrisy is, luv?



Actually, that's not true, correct, or accurate, luv. The ANGELS (including the good ones) don't decide at ALL. They simply follow CHRIST. CHRIST chooses... as he is led by the FATHER ("the men YOU gave me... they were YOURS and you gave them to ME"). You DO recall him saying that no one comes to HIM... "unless the FATHER draws them"... yes?

Once they are chosen, he, Christ, grants them holy spirit... the breath, blood, and seed... of God. So that they become ONE with him... in SPIRIT... as a man and woman become one... in FLESH. Which is why they are called his "Bride". Together, they make up ONE spirit being, the "Christ" - he, the Head; they, his Body.



It is their FAITH... which can GUIDE their heart, yes, but more often its obedience to his VOICE... DUE to faith... that guides such ones... that puts them in line to be chosen ("Many are CALLED; FEW are CHOSEN"). Once they are joined to him and he CLEANSES them... with HIS blood... THEN they can "stand" before God, luv.

And, no, it can NEVER be the church they "attend." Because God does not dwell in handmade temples. He dwells, through Christ... in the temple that is His PEOPLE. We don't ATTEND a/the church, dear one - we ARE the church. "LIVING STONES"... in the temple of God. 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-21 A temple being built BY Christ.



Not directly, no. But SURELY you recall instances where Christ TOLD those who belonged to him... who ELSE belonged to him. Yes? Philip, as to the Ethiopian? Ananias, as to Saul of Tarsus? The Apostles, as to Matthias... Barnabas... Luke... Timothy? The seven put in charge of the distribution (of food, etc., to the widows and orphans)? Priscilla and Aquila, as to Apollos?

EVEN SO... WE don't make those determinations. WE take folks as their word, that they've received holy spirit. WE don't appoint bishops and popes and elders and deacons and presbyters and what not. Because WE understand that we are ALL servants of one ANOTHER. And so we call NO ONE "leader"... or "father"... or "teacher/rabboni"... because One is our leader and teacher, Christ, and One is our Father - the same one that is His. So, there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, slave nor Greek among US.

We are here because here ALONE we have freedom of speech... to DISCUSS what we hear from Christ, the Spirit... WITHOUT having the very things you wish to ACCUSE us of being done to US. IF we could go among other religions and share these TRUTHS, we WOULD. How long, though, do YOU think that would be allowed... before their leaders feel threatened... afraid of losing their congregants to TRUTH... to CHRIST... rather than have such continue following THEM? There are no requests for contributions/donations, here. No hours to put in. No meetings or mass to attend. No Bible readings that "must" be done. No one preaching from a pulpit/podium. True, my posts can get lengthy, but that is because, well, out of my heart's ABUNDANCE... my "mouth" speaks. But NO ONE has to agree... or even READ what I... or anyone ELSE... posts. We just put it out there, luv. It's up to each one whether the hear... or refrain.

Now, we don't NEED you to come here and agree. If you COME here, though, understanding what OUR purpose is might be helpful. You are FREE... and MORE than welcome... to choose NOT to come here. On the basis that perhaps we are NOT what you're looking for. We can totally receive that.

But you can't come here and think we're going to change to YOUR form of worship, dear one. That isn't going to happen HERE. I am sure there are numerous places where you CAN associate with ones who think and believe like you... and you can rest assured you won't find most of us THERE, so should feel safe. We CERTAINLY don't want you to be afraid... or even nervous HERE.

So... choose. For yourself. We won't try to influence you to stay... if YOU don't WANT to... and we certainly won't judge you for leaving, if you choose to do that.

I hope all of that helps, dear, dear VG, and, as always, peace to you!

YOUR servant, as I am servant to ALL those of the Household of God, Israel, in flesh AND in spirit, with those who go WITH... and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar