Yuck!
Our house is plagued with tiny flies.
They started appearing about a couple of weeks ago and we couldn't figure out where they were coming from. It was very sickening because we could only guess that Mina had left some piece of food somewhere in the house that was breeding flies.
Blech!
However we never could trace the origin of the little insects. We did notice that they were generally appearing in the bathroom which was strange because there was absolutely no source of food . . . or so we thought.
I kept figuring they would go away but since they looked like they had gone from being house guests to permanent residents I checked the Internet to try to figure out the problem.
I think they are drain flies that breed in plumbing; laying eggs in the film that collects inside of bathroom and kitchen pipes. We also been suffering from slow drains so that lead me to believe that we had some gunky organic something or other in our pipes that they were feeding off of.
Gross!
On Sunday I did what I could to clear the pipes with an auger which is always a digusting task. After that we boiled pots of of water and poured them down all the drains in an effort to kill the eggs and larva. I need to go to the store still and buy some foaming drain cleaner to try to clean out the food source. This may be a "rinse and repeat" type of affair so I may have to try again if the situation does not clear up.
I hope you weren't eating while reading this.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Storms
On Wednesday night I had just grilled a couple of burgers and we had sat down to eat when we heard a storm brewing outside. So we went outside and the sky was crazy and everything was blowing and some tree branches were flying. We had the TV on and it didn't say anything about a tornado so I felt comfortable standing on my porch and watching. Rebekah had went around lighting candles However the wind really started picking up and slammed against the tree across from us and I heard it crack so we went to our basement. We lost power.
After the storm was over we went outside and there were tree branches and limbs down everywhere Since we don't have any trees we just had some that blew into our yard but we had one big one hanging on the wire that goes to the street-light in front of my house. Our neighbor came over and climbed on our roof and cut down that the limb and then we cleaned up our yards. Rebekah and I then drove around the neighborhood picking up branches where we could. But it was incredible there were many, many trees knocked down.
After it got dark we went home and did our best to try to sleep in the sticky heat. It wasn't a very good time to lose power with it being the hottest weather of the year. At about 5:30am our power came back on. At the time little did we know how fortunate we were to have power. As I drove to work Thursday I was listening to the radio news and they were saying that 450,000 people were without power in the St. Louis area. Bad news especially on a day that would have a heat index rating of 115. We had no power at our office so after I did some running around and cleaned up around building I went home.
Friday was the same scenario with power out nearly everywhere. At around 4:00 another storm blew through and hit some of the areas that the last storm had missed this monster did produce a tornado in another part of our county. Rebekah and I had tickets to Les Miserables so we left and tried to find somewhere to eat dinner but couldn't due to everything being closed. So we just headed to the theatre getting there about an hour before hand. The Lounge was open so we went there and ordered some chicken tenders and fries.
After Les Miz we drove to Wal-Mart back home to get a few items to eat over the weekend. Wal-Mart's parking lot was dark. When we went inside many of the shelves were empty. There was no meat, no fruit, no dairy products, no frozen foods. Another couple had been searching for C and D batteries which there seem to be no more in the area. Strange.
After the storm was over we went outside and there were tree branches and limbs down everywhere Since we don't have any trees we just had some that blew into our yard but we had one big one hanging on the wire that goes to the street-light in front of my house. Our neighbor came over and climbed on our roof and cut down that the limb and then we cleaned up our yards. Rebekah and I then drove around the neighborhood picking up branches where we could. But it was incredible there were many, many trees knocked down.
After it got dark we went home and did our best to try to sleep in the sticky heat. It wasn't a very good time to lose power with it being the hottest weather of the year. At about 5:30am our power came back on. At the time little did we know how fortunate we were to have power. As I drove to work Thursday I was listening to the radio news and they were saying that 450,000 people were without power in the St. Louis area. Bad news especially on a day that would have a heat index rating of 115. We had no power at our office so after I did some running around and cleaned up around building I went home.
Friday was the same scenario with power out nearly everywhere. At around 4:00 another storm blew through and hit some of the areas that the last storm had missed this monster did produce a tornado in another part of our county. Rebekah and I had tickets to Les Miserables so we left and tried to find somewhere to eat dinner but couldn't due to everything being closed. So we just headed to the theatre getting there about an hour before hand. The Lounge was open so we went there and ordered some chicken tenders and fries.
After Les Miz we drove to Wal-Mart back home to get a few items to eat over the weekend. Wal-Mart's parking lot was dark. When we went inside many of the shelves were empty. There was no meat, no fruit, no dairy products, no frozen foods. Another couple had been searching for C and D batteries which there seem to be no more in the area. Strange.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
I've Got An Idea
I've been in the spirit for two days now and it just feels good to be firing on all four? six? howabout seven cylinders. I'm just glad to be feeling positive.
Over the weekend I spent some time working on an article for a friend's newsletter. I chose the topic of giving to the poor and was just absolutely floored about how much I have missed the point of many, many scriptures. I wish I could share them right now but all things in time. But needless to say I was absolutely mortified by my personal failures.
And really what rotten people Rebekah and I are. We talk about simplifying our lives by going from 60 television channels to 40. Don't get me wrong . . . it's a start but how very sad.
So really I was looking at ways to help out and really I'm so detached with the world around me that I had no idea where to start.
But I needed to start somewhere - even if it isn't the best thing I chose to sponsor a kid from Compassion International. Now I'm not looking for praise like I did anything extraordinary. It is only $32.00 a month and compared to the amount we spend each month on eating out or television or Internet it really is pathetic and so much less then what Jesus is asking:
“If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” - Matthew 19:21
So I sponsored a girl from Guatemala named Marisol. (Rebekah and I had written a song about a little mexican girl named Marisol so that is why I selected her.) It's nothing big - nothing that will save the world - but it is just a start because I couldn't live with myself one more day without doing something somewhat righteous with my money even if it is a drop in the bucket.
When I speak of "starts" there is something starting in my mind - a little germ of an idea that has just put a perpetual grin on my face. I'm going to be praying about it and see if it can get legs - that is if my Fathers blessing is behind it. It's simple and a little silly, maybe even foolish - crazy - insane - ridiculous - but since my God called the foolish things of the world he will just have to deal with nutters like me and our feeble attempts to promote His Kingdom.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." - 1 Cor 1:27
Oh boy . . . I'm excited.
Your pal,
Anthony
Over the weekend I spent some time working on an article for a friend's newsletter. I chose the topic of giving to the poor and was just absolutely floored about how much I have missed the point of many, many scriptures. I wish I could share them right now but all things in time. But needless to say I was absolutely mortified by my personal failures.
And really what rotten people Rebekah and I are. We talk about simplifying our lives by going from 60 television channels to 40. Don't get me wrong . . . it's a start but how very sad.
So really I was looking at ways to help out and really I'm so detached with the world around me that I had no idea where to start.
But I needed to start somewhere - even if it isn't the best thing I chose to sponsor a kid from Compassion International. Now I'm not looking for praise like I did anything extraordinary. It is only $32.00 a month and compared to the amount we spend each month on eating out or television or Internet it really is pathetic and so much less then what Jesus is asking:
“If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven, and come be my follower.” - Matthew 19:21
So I sponsored a girl from Guatemala named Marisol. (Rebekah and I had written a song about a little mexican girl named Marisol so that is why I selected her.) It's nothing big - nothing that will save the world - but it is just a start because I couldn't live with myself one more day without doing something somewhat righteous with my money even if it is a drop in the bucket.
When I speak of "starts" there is something starting in my mind - a little germ of an idea that has just put a perpetual grin on my face. I'm going to be praying about it and see if it can get legs - that is if my Fathers blessing is behind it. It's simple and a little silly, maybe even foolish - crazy - insane - ridiculous - but since my God called the foolish things of the world he will just have to deal with nutters like me and our feeble attempts to promote His Kingdom.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." - 1 Cor 1:27
Oh boy . . . I'm excited.
Your pal,
Anthony
Monday, July 17, 2006
Praise
I'm feeling OK - mentally. (Physically my stomach is hurting.)
Today seems to be starting out as one of those days where I should just stay on my knees cause I keep wanting to pray.
Thank you Father for every good gift you have given me. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for not giving up on me.
Yesterday Mina and I went to eat and then went to the store for some groceries. It was a nice time. She is getting a lot more pleasant these days. Is it growing up or training?
Rebekah and I have been giving lots of spiritual attention to Mina. I'll read a Bible story to her before I go to bed. Rebekah has been reading out of the Gospel of John with her. Admittedly their study is a little more in depth. Rebekah tells me they looked up some information together on the Pool of Siloam. We have enjoyed saying a nightly prayer together as a family and praying before meals.
Really though we are just trying to plant a seed and water it and so God can make it grow. (1 Cor 3:6)
I hate to keep harping on the past; however it just amazes me how different things have become. We used to hardly ever pray together. Now it is our habit and we even pray in public before meals whereas before we would've been too embarrassed. Also with personal Bible reading - it used to be like pulling teeth to stick to a Bible reading program but now it just such a welcomed part of our lives. Again with studying God's word with Mina we could never seem to get a routine of doing it once a week and now it is more or less nightly.
I know when the Elders disfellowshipped me they assumed that my spirituality would suffer. They actually told me as much. They were so wrong. I guess it is that they cannot imagine any relationship to God without the Watchtower Society. But as I told them in one of my judicial meetings I feel like I'm tapped directly into God through his son Jesus. So whether I'm worshiping here or there I'm still in contact with my heavenly Father. As it is written:
"Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. " - John 4:23
And I don't say this as if I'm looking for justification. It is more of joy, peace, and happiness that I feel like sharing this morning.
Again,
Thank you Holy Father. Thank you for this powerful work you are doing in my life. Thank you for allowing me to come to know you through your son Jesus.
Today seems to be starting out as one of those days where I should just stay on my knees cause I keep wanting to pray.
Thank you Father for every good gift you have given me. Thank you for your mercy. Thank you for not giving up on me.
Yesterday Mina and I went to eat and then went to the store for some groceries. It was a nice time. She is getting a lot more pleasant these days. Is it growing up or training?
Rebekah and I have been giving lots of spiritual attention to Mina. I'll read a Bible story to her before I go to bed. Rebekah has been reading out of the Gospel of John with her. Admittedly their study is a little more in depth. Rebekah tells me they looked up some information together on the Pool of Siloam. We have enjoyed saying a nightly prayer together as a family and praying before meals.
Really though we are just trying to plant a seed and water it and so God can make it grow. (1 Cor 3:6)
I hate to keep harping on the past; however it just amazes me how different things have become. We used to hardly ever pray together. Now it is our habit and we even pray in public before meals whereas before we would've been too embarrassed. Also with personal Bible reading - it used to be like pulling teeth to stick to a Bible reading program but now it just such a welcomed part of our lives. Again with studying God's word with Mina we could never seem to get a routine of doing it once a week and now it is more or less nightly.
I know when the Elders disfellowshipped me they assumed that my spirituality would suffer. They actually told me as much. They were so wrong. I guess it is that they cannot imagine any relationship to God without the Watchtower Society. But as I told them in one of my judicial meetings I feel like I'm tapped directly into God through his son Jesus. So whether I'm worshiping here or there I'm still in contact with my heavenly Father. As it is written:
"Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. " - John 4:23
And I don't say this as if I'm looking for justification. It is more of joy, peace, and happiness that I feel like sharing this morning.
Again,
Thank you Holy Father. Thank you for this powerful work you are doing in my life. Thank you for allowing me to come to know you through your son Jesus.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Back On The Horse
"It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are - just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep." - The Big Kahua
I just read that quote from an article "The Gospel: For Here or to Go?". I haven't seen that movie but I would say that that quote really captures my old door-to-door ministry with Jehovah's Witnesses. It was all about the sales-pitch.
Really when you look at it the Service meeting that I attended was nothing more than a sales meeting. You learned similar tactics that were taught at any multi-level marketing seminar. You are told to smile, take a personal interest, look a person in the eyes, call them by name. But all this was geared toward distributing magazines or studying a book.
As I began becoming more and more disillusioned with the Watchtower Organization I slowly dropped the sales pitch. After finding out that the Awake! magazine had been used in the past to support a political obligation to the United Nations I stopped offering the magazines. When people began to notice I would simply say, "I'm trying to use the Bible more." Through my personal Bible study it began to be harder and harder for me to reconcile some of teachings of the Watchtower Society with what is said in the Scriptures. The result was that I was no longer comfortable offering "home Bible studies". It was also getting to the point that despite that positive aspects of the Organization I couldn't in good conscience bring somebody into it.
Those circumstances caused me to lose the sales-pitch aspect of the ministry. At that point I really had no agenda other than to get out and get to know people. What was interesting was how much my ministry opened up. I wasn't selling a product I was just there to share a thought, a scripture, a prayer. It was neat to begin offering prayers right on the door step of an intial call or maybe just give a hug to a stranger. (Most Witnesses that I knew where timid about praying with a person even after many weeks of Bible study sessions.)
I'll say this that I finally started to find joy in the ministry. I was becoming more productive - not in selling but in sharing and feeling. Not everyone was receptive but I did get to contact some really nice people in the work. And then I got disfellowshipped from the Organization and my field ministry activity came to a grinding halt.
On Sunday I went out in the field ministry work for the first time since being removed from the congregation in April. No time sheet, no tie, no magazines - just me and a Bible. I mainly wanted to touch base with some of my old return visits. The first house I went to was put up for sale and appeared to be vacant. At the second house the lady was asleep.
At the third house I knocked and there was no answer. Next door there was a boy watering plants on his porch. I felt the spirit nudging me to go next door. The boy tells me, "She's over here." So I go next door and the lady I wanted to call on was next door watching these neighbor kids.
It was kind of an awkward introduction because I had to explain why I was missing for the last few months. I tried to explain that I was no longer representing the denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses. She asked me, "Who are you with now?" I paused and said, "well I guess I'm a Christian."
We had a nice little chat by way of catching up. She related a little problem she had with having to deal with a squabble between her daughter and another relative. We went to the book of James and I shared some verses about how dangerous our tongues can be. We also looked at Galatians about manifesting the fruitage of the spirit such as mildness and self-control. I concluded with a prayer.
Since this woman isn't able to get to a church on Sunday she said she was happy that I return. It felt really positive to get out and get some face-to-face time with individuals to be able to try to offer some assistance and a prayer. I'm not really a good teacher but I love shepherding.
I don't really know where I go from here but I'm eager to find out.
--
I've started re-reading the Christian Scriptures again, this time in the King James Version. It is a really difficult version to read but the plus side is that it causes me to have to slow down and really concentrate on what is being said.
I just read that quote from an article "The Gospel: For Here or to Go?". I haven't seen that movie but I would say that that quote really captures my old door-to-door ministry with Jehovah's Witnesses. It was all about the sales-pitch.
Really when you look at it the Service meeting that I attended was nothing more than a sales meeting. You learned similar tactics that were taught at any multi-level marketing seminar. You are told to smile, take a personal interest, look a person in the eyes, call them by name. But all this was geared toward distributing magazines or studying a book.
As I began becoming more and more disillusioned with the Watchtower Organization I slowly dropped the sales pitch. After finding out that the Awake! magazine had been used in the past to support a political obligation to the United Nations I stopped offering the magazines. When people began to notice I would simply say, "I'm trying to use the Bible more." Through my personal Bible study it began to be harder and harder for me to reconcile some of teachings of the Watchtower Society with what is said in the Scriptures. The result was that I was no longer comfortable offering "home Bible studies". It was also getting to the point that despite that positive aspects of the Organization I couldn't in good conscience bring somebody into it.
Those circumstances caused me to lose the sales-pitch aspect of the ministry. At that point I really had no agenda other than to get out and get to know people. What was interesting was how much my ministry opened up. I wasn't selling a product I was just there to share a thought, a scripture, a prayer. It was neat to begin offering prayers right on the door step of an intial call or maybe just give a hug to a stranger. (Most Witnesses that I knew where timid about praying with a person even after many weeks of Bible study sessions.)
I'll say this that I finally started to find joy in the ministry. I was becoming more productive - not in selling but in sharing and feeling. Not everyone was receptive but I did get to contact some really nice people in the work. And then I got disfellowshipped from the Organization and my field ministry activity came to a grinding halt.
On Sunday I went out in the field ministry work for the first time since being removed from the congregation in April. No time sheet, no tie, no magazines - just me and a Bible. I mainly wanted to touch base with some of my old return visits. The first house I went to was put up for sale and appeared to be vacant. At the second house the lady was asleep.
At the third house I knocked and there was no answer. Next door there was a boy watering plants on his porch. I felt the spirit nudging me to go next door. The boy tells me, "She's over here." So I go next door and the lady I wanted to call on was next door watching these neighbor kids.
It was kind of an awkward introduction because I had to explain why I was missing for the last few months. I tried to explain that I was no longer representing the denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses. She asked me, "Who are you with now?" I paused and said, "well I guess I'm a Christian."
We had a nice little chat by way of catching up. She related a little problem she had with having to deal with a squabble between her daughter and another relative. We went to the book of James and I shared some verses about how dangerous our tongues can be. We also looked at Galatians about manifesting the fruitage of the spirit such as mildness and self-control. I concluded with a prayer.
Since this woman isn't able to get to a church on Sunday she said she was happy that I return. It felt really positive to get out and get some face-to-face time with individuals to be able to try to offer some assistance and a prayer. I'm not really a good teacher but I love shepherding.
I don't really know where I go from here but I'm eager to find out.
--
I've started re-reading the Christian Scriptures again, this time in the King James Version. It is a really difficult version to read but the plus side is that it causes me to have to slow down and really concentrate on what is being said.
Friday, July 07, 2006
May 15, 2006 Watchtower
A couple of people have written to me questioning about the Society's new teaching regarding the "cities of refuge" alluded to in my last Blog entry. I wrote:
"I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?"
This was reference to the May 15, 2006 Watchtower study article, "Are You Prepared For Survival?". It was studied by the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in mid-June. The whole article presents what I feel is an idolotrous image of the Organization. While faith in God and Jesus is given token mention in regards to salvation the primary thrust of the article is that in order to be saved you need to be active in the Organization as illustrated from the following quotes:
"Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization."
"Sticking close to and staying active with one of the over 98,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will help us prepare ourselves for survival."
Now when I spoke of an updated understanding of the "cities of refuge" that comes from paragraphs 11, 12 which I will quote in full:
"To survive the end of the present system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 36) However, we do well to remember that only those actually inside Noah's ark survived the Flood. Similarly, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel provided protection for the unintentional manslayer only if he first fled to such to such a city and then remained inside it until the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:11-32) In the tenth plague upon Egypt in Moses' day, the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed, but those of the Israelites were spared. Why? Jehovah had instructed Moses: "They [the Israelites] must take some of the blood [of the Passover lamb] and splash it upon the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway belonging to the houses in which they will eat it. . . . and none of you should go out of the entrance of his house until morning." (Exodus 12:7, 22) Which firstborn among the Israelites whould have dared to ignore such God-given instructions by going outside a house marked with the blood splashed on the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway."
"We therefore have reaason to think carefully about our personal situation. Are we actually inside Jehovah's arangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought such protection. For others, there will be only tears of sorrow and regret."
For starters it is upsetting to see the flippant way that Jesus sacrifice is treated. It is mentioned briefly and then kicked to the way-side to focus on the salvation through being inside the organization.
In the 11/15/95 Watchtower article "Stay In The "City of Refuge" An Live!" it identifies faith in Jesus sacrifice as the antitypical modern-day city of Refuge saying:
"What is the antitypical city of refuge? It is not some geographical location like Hebron, one of the six Levite refuge cities and home of Israel’s high priest. Today’s city of refuge is God’s provision for protecting us from death for violating his commandment about the sanctity of blood. (Genesis 9:6) Whether willful or unintentional, every violator of that command must seek God’s forgiveness and the cancellation of his sin through faith in the blood of the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Anointed Christians with heavenly hopes and the “great crowd” with earthly prospects have availed themselves of the benefits of Jesus’ sin-atoning sacrifice and are in the antitypical city of refuge.—Revelation 7:9, 14; 1 John 1:7; 2:1, 2."
So evidentally the May 15, 2006 Watchtower presents a change view. It is now implied that the modern-day city of refuge is the organizational arrangement of Jehovah's Witness that one needs to stay inside of and thus gain salvation. (It is interesting that the Watchtower does not come right out and present this as a new understanding. Lately they have subtly introduced new ideas without the fanfare that used to come with "new light".)
Sadly too the Society totally presents a warped view of the Passover. The focus of the Passover observance was on the lamb and the blood of the lamb which represented Jesus. However the Society spins the account so the focus is on the staying in the house, a small detail, which once again it implies to be illustrative of staying active within the organization. We must keep in mind that it was the house that was sanctified by the blood of the lamb and not the other way around.
I hope these comments helped to answer your questions. Thanks for reading.
Update - I scoured the 2006 CD-ROM to see if this was indeed a new teaching. References in the 60's, 70's and 90's (95 Quoted Above) have the antitypical City of Refuge being salvation through Jesus. However, the earliest reference in 12/1/1955 Watchtower seems to paint a different picture equating the City of refuge to some extent to the organization saying:
"What is the antitypical city of refuge today? As the typical refuge cities were cities of the temple servants, including the high priest of Jehovah, the antitypical city must be Jehovah’s provision for protecting us from death for violating the divine covenant concerning the sacredness of blood by our coming and remaining under the benefits of the active service of Jehovah’s High Priest Jesus Christ. That provision of protection is to be found with Jehovah’s theocratic organization of his people."
"Likewise those fleeing to the Christian’s city of refuge may not be idlers within the New World society. They must show an appreciation of the divine mercy to them and keep in touch with the remnant of the “royal priesthood” and especially with the High Priest under whose covering they find protection. They must not be burdens, drags, on the New World society, retarding its activity, draining away its spiritual prosperity. They must learn a trade in that organization, and in view of the divine obligations laid upon it the only “trade” suitable within that organization is to learn to preach the Kingdom message and declare the “day of vengeance of our God.” (Matt. 24:14; Isa. 61:1, 2) This makes the time within bounds fly by most happily before Armageddon in praise of Jehovah and it results in salvation both to the refugee and to others."
Thus this seems more of a case of reverting to a previously held viewpoint. This progression in the light of God's word is what the 12/1/81 Watchtower refers to as "tacking". "By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds. "
"I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?"
This was reference to the May 15, 2006 Watchtower study article, "Are You Prepared For Survival?". It was studied by the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in mid-June. The whole article presents what I feel is an idolotrous image of the Organization. While faith in God and Jesus is given token mention in regards to salvation the primary thrust of the article is that in order to be saved you need to be active in the Organization as illustrated from the following quotes:
"Just as Noah and his God-fearing family were preserved in the ark, survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization."
"Sticking close to and staying active with one of the over 98,000 congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses will help us prepare ourselves for survival."
Now when I spoke of an updated understanding of the "cities of refuge" that comes from paragraphs 11, 12 which I will quote in full:
"To survive the end of the present system of things, we must do more than believe that it will be destroyed. We must exercise faith, taking full advantage of God's provisions for survival. Of course, we need to exercise faith in the ransom sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, 36) However, we do well to remember that only those actually inside Noah's ark survived the Flood. Similarly, the cities of refuge in ancient Israel provided protection for the unintentional manslayer only if he first fled to such to such a city and then remained inside it until the death of the high priest. (Numbers 35:11-32) In the tenth plague upon Egypt in Moses' day, the firstborn of the Egyptians were killed, but those of the Israelites were spared. Why? Jehovah had instructed Moses: "They [the Israelites] must take some of the blood [of the Passover lamb] and splash it upon the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway belonging to the houses in which they will eat it. . . . and none of you should go out of the entrance of his house until morning." (Exodus 12:7, 22) Which firstborn among the Israelites whould have dared to ignore such God-given instructions by going outside a house marked with the blood splashed on the two doorposts and the upper part of the doorway."
"We therefore have reaason to think carefully about our personal situation. Are we actually inside Jehovah's arangement of spiritual protection? When the great tribulation strikes, tears of joy and thankfulness will stream down the faces of those who have sought such protection. For others, there will be only tears of sorrow and regret."
For starters it is upsetting to see the flippant way that Jesus sacrifice is treated. It is mentioned briefly and then kicked to the way-side to focus on the salvation through being inside the organization.
In the 11/15/95 Watchtower article "Stay In The "City of Refuge" An Live!" it identifies faith in Jesus sacrifice as the antitypical modern-day city of Refuge saying:
"What is the antitypical city of refuge? It is not some geographical location like Hebron, one of the six Levite refuge cities and home of Israel’s high priest. Today’s city of refuge is God’s provision for protecting us from death for violating his commandment about the sanctity of blood. (Genesis 9:6) Whether willful or unintentional, every violator of that command must seek God’s forgiveness and the cancellation of his sin through faith in the blood of the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Anointed Christians with heavenly hopes and the “great crowd” with earthly prospects have availed themselves of the benefits of Jesus’ sin-atoning sacrifice and are in the antitypical city of refuge.—Revelation 7:9, 14; 1 John 1:7; 2:1, 2."
So evidentally the May 15, 2006 Watchtower presents a change view. It is now implied that the modern-day city of refuge is the organizational arrangement of Jehovah's Witness that one needs to stay inside of and thus gain salvation. (It is interesting that the Watchtower does not come right out and present this as a new understanding. Lately they have subtly introduced new ideas without the fanfare that used to come with "new light".)
Sadly too the Society totally presents a warped view of the Passover. The focus of the Passover observance was on the lamb and the blood of the lamb which represented Jesus. However the Society spins the account so the focus is on the staying in the house, a small detail, which once again it implies to be illustrative of staying active within the organization. We must keep in mind that it was the house that was sanctified by the blood of the lamb and not the other way around.
I hope these comments helped to answer your questions. Thanks for reading.
Update - I scoured the 2006 CD-ROM to see if this was indeed a new teaching. References in the 60's, 70's and 90's (95 Quoted Above) have the antitypical City of Refuge being salvation through Jesus. However, the earliest reference in 12/1/1955 Watchtower seems to paint a different picture equating the City of refuge to some extent to the organization saying:
"What is the antitypical city of refuge today? As the typical refuge cities were cities of the temple servants, including the high priest of Jehovah, the antitypical city must be Jehovah’s provision for protecting us from death for violating the divine covenant concerning the sacredness of blood by our coming and remaining under the benefits of the active service of Jehovah’s High Priest Jesus Christ. That provision of protection is to be found with Jehovah’s theocratic organization of his people."
"Likewise those fleeing to the Christian’s city of refuge may not be idlers within the New World society. They must show an appreciation of the divine mercy to them and keep in touch with the remnant of the “royal priesthood” and especially with the High Priest under whose covering they find protection. They must not be burdens, drags, on the New World society, retarding its activity, draining away its spiritual prosperity. They must learn a trade in that organization, and in view of the divine obligations laid upon it the only “trade” suitable within that organization is to learn to preach the Kingdom message and declare the “day of vengeance of our God.” (Matt. 24:14; Isa. 61:1, 2) This makes the time within bounds fly by most happily before Armageddon in praise of Jehovah and it results in salvation both to the refugee and to others."
Thus this seems more of a case of reverting to a previously held viewpoint. This progression in the light of God's word is what the 12/1/81 Watchtower refers to as "tacking". "By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds. "
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
4th of July
Here I am this morning on my day off from work. I'm drinking orange crush out of a glass bottle and nothing much beats soda out of a glass bottle.
I'm typing this and I don't know if when I'm done I'll just "save as draft" or "publish". These days I tend to just write things for myself and keep them private.
But I was looking at my Blog and it has been empty so I'm needing to write something to those that are reading. Maybe I'll let you know that I'm still alive and kicking and growing.
I have been writing about things that I'm studying or learning or experiencing in my walk with God. (I'm learning some awesome things. I can remember as a JW being so excited about "new light" that came every so often. Now every day that I open the Bible I am hit with revelations big and small. God feeds me in a way that no man ever could.)
This morning I'm looking at God and wondering, "What is this work that you are doing?" Because for those of us who are seeing what is happening in the church system it definately appears like something is up.
It feels strange to talk to individuals who feel that they were called out of apostate church systems. Was I called out or kicked out? Perhaps I was like Lot and dragging my feet in Sodom so God pulled me out.
But as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I look around and see how brothers and sisters are walking way or taking a stand against apostasy and being kicked out of the organization.
I have to ask my Father, "What is this work that you are doing?"
You then suddenly realise that this is just happening with Jehovah's Witnesses but this is happening all over Christendom. People are seperating from a church and choosing to be THE CHURCH by millions. (Talk about an increase!)
It does appear that the problems within the different church systems are becoming more and more manifest and their waters are drying up.
I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?
Father, how long can such gross disrepect and idolotry stand?
I have prayed that judgment be held off to give my brothers and sisters time to wake up and repent. I just don't know if there is enough time. I guess I need to hope and pray. I only hope that the organization's apostasy will continue to worsen just so it will become intolerable for Christians to be a part of it.
I guess more than anything I get the feeling that we are being positioned for the final act in this age old drama.
Shortly the entire system of false Christianity will come crashing down. Thank God that he has shown us the way to the wilderness - the place of protection under the wings of God and here we are fed the bread that came down out of Heaven.
The wilderness the place of protection, the place of refinement, the place of preperation.
Holy Father Keep us safe, make us strong - keep us awake and ready.
My love to all the Saints scattered about in the dispersion.
I'm typing this and I don't know if when I'm done I'll just "save as draft" or "publish". These days I tend to just write things for myself and keep them private.
But I was looking at my Blog and it has been empty so I'm needing to write something to those that are reading. Maybe I'll let you know that I'm still alive and kicking and growing.
I have been writing about things that I'm studying or learning or experiencing in my walk with God. (I'm learning some awesome things. I can remember as a JW being so excited about "new light" that came every so often. Now every day that I open the Bible I am hit with revelations big and small. God feeds me in a way that no man ever could.)
This morning I'm looking at God and wondering, "What is this work that you are doing?" Because for those of us who are seeing what is happening in the church system it definately appears like something is up.
It feels strange to talk to individuals who feel that they were called out of apostate church systems. Was I called out or kicked out? Perhaps I was like Lot and dragging my feet in Sodom so God pulled me out.
But as one of Jehovah's Witnesses I look around and see how brothers and sisters are walking way or taking a stand against apostasy and being kicked out of the organization.
I have to ask my Father, "What is this work that you are doing?"
You then suddenly realise that this is just happening with Jehovah's Witnesses but this is happening all over Christendom. People are seperating from a church and choosing to be THE CHURCH by millions. (Talk about an increase!)
It does appear that the problems within the different church systems are becoming more and more manifest and their waters are drying up.
I honestly wept over a recent Watchtower study article that presented a new teaching that the Cities of Refuge in the Hebrew Scriptures represent the organization and not Jesus' life-saving sacrifice. When they reject or downplay the basis for forgiveness by what basis can they be forgiven?
Father, how long can such gross disrepect and idolotry stand?
I have prayed that judgment be held off to give my brothers and sisters time to wake up and repent. I just don't know if there is enough time. I guess I need to hope and pray. I only hope that the organization's apostasy will continue to worsen just so it will become intolerable for Christians to be a part of it.
I guess more than anything I get the feeling that we are being positioned for the final act in this age old drama.
Shortly the entire system of false Christianity will come crashing down. Thank God that he has shown us the way to the wilderness - the place of protection under the wings of God and here we are fed the bread that came down out of Heaven.
The wilderness the place of protection, the place of refinement, the place of preperation.
Holy Father Keep us safe, make us strong - keep us awake and ready.
My love to all the Saints scattered about in the dispersion.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Updated - Bethel Elder Arrested, Watchtower Farm Raided
"Therefore do not fear them; for there is nothing covered over that will not become uncovered, and secret that will not become known. " - Matthew 10:26
50-year-old Jesus Manuel Cano was arrested in Middletown, NY on Monday. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Cano would have regularly engaged in distributing Watchtower literature however on the day of his arrest Cano was passing out pamphlets that included graphic pictures of himself, such as the one pictured to the right.
According to Police, Cano had given the pictures along with his cell phone number to young boys in Middletown in order to lure them into sexual encounters. After receiving one such phamplet a boy gave it to his parents who immediately called the police. A police officer then contacted Cano posing as a 15-year-old boy and arranged a meeting where he was arrested.
Found in Cano's car at the time of the arrest was two cold cans of beer, condoms, and petroleum jelly. Also discovered were photographs of boys and a shocking videotape that Cano apparently took of men and boys using urinals in the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. On Cano's person was an ID card verifying that he was a member of Bethel, the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York.
Afterwards police conducted an overnight raid of Cano's home at Bethel's, "Watchtower Farm" printery and farm facility in Walkhill, NY. They were directed by Cano's roommate to his living area where they retrieved four computers, hundreds of photographs, memory sticks, and DVD's including one labeled Chicago O'Hare Airport. Police reported that it will take days to look through the thousands of images that have been recovered.
J.R. Brown, Organizational Spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, comfirmed that Cano was a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses serving as an elder at Bethel and also in the Newburg, NY congregation. Cano had been a member of the Bethel family for 16-years until Monday when he was removed from the Bethel family and as an elder.
Police have commented that they now suspect that Cano allegedly took pornographic photos of children while traveling throughout the US and South America in his activities as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Bethel elders, such as Cano, are often used as guest speakers at Watchtower conventions and Witness assembly days throughout the world. The investigation has extended to the Caribbean. Police theorize the pictures may be part of an international child pornography ring.
--
The original news story and news video clip can be found at CBS Chicago's web-site: Man Allegedly Videotaped Boys In Airport Bathrooms - Jehovah's Witness Minister In Custody In New York
50-year-old Jesus Manuel Cano was arrested in Middletown, NY on Monday. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Cano would have regularly engaged in distributing Watchtower literature however on the day of his arrest Cano was passing out pamphlets that included graphic pictures of himself, such as the one pictured to the right. According to Police, Cano had given the pictures along with his cell phone number to young boys in Middletown in order to lure them into sexual encounters. After receiving one such phamplet a boy gave it to his parents who immediately called the police. A police officer then contacted Cano posing as a 15-year-old boy and arranged a meeting where he was arrested.
Found in Cano's car at the time of the arrest was two cold cans of beer, condoms, and petroleum jelly. Also discovered were photographs of boys and a shocking videotape that Cano apparently took of men and boys using urinals in the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. On Cano's person was an ID card verifying that he was a member of Bethel, the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York.
Afterwards police conducted an overnight raid of Cano's home at Bethel's, "Watchtower Farm" printery and farm facility in Walkhill, NY. They were directed by Cano's roommate to his living area where they retrieved four computers, hundreds of photographs, memory sticks, and DVD's including one labeled Chicago O'Hare Airport. Police reported that it will take days to look through the thousands of images that have been recovered.J.R. Brown, Organizational Spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses, comfirmed that Cano was a minister of Jehovah's Witnesses serving as an elder at Bethel and also in the Newburg, NY congregation. Cano had been a member of the Bethel family for 16-years until Monday when he was removed from the Bethel family and as an elder.
Police have commented that they now suspect that Cano allegedly took pornographic photos of children while traveling throughout the US and South America in his activities as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Bethel elders, such as Cano, are often used as guest speakers at Watchtower conventions and Witness assembly days throughout the world. The investigation has extended to the Caribbean. Police theorize the pictures may be part of an international child pornography ring.
--
The original news story and news video clip can be found at CBS Chicago's web-site: Man Allegedly Videotaped Boys In Airport Bathrooms - Jehovah's Witness Minister In Custody In New York
Saturday, June 10, 2006
November 15, 1952 - Questions from Readers
Oh my! I had to do a double-take in reading this Questions from Readers from the November 15, 1952 Watchtower. As bad as it is being disfellowshipped for "apostasy" and shunned by my family members, at least they can't kill me. Hopefully there won't be any "new light" on this.
-November 15, 1952 Watchtower "Questions From Readers". Emphasis is mine.
"We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai and in the land of Palestine."
"Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship."
-November 15, 1952 Watchtower "Questions From Readers". Emphasis is mine.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Oral Law
The Hebrew word "Torah", meaning law, is often used as a reference to the Hebrew Scriptures, in particular the first five books of Moses, also known as "the Law of Moses". However in Jesus' day, as today, Torah also included the so-called, Oral Torah or oral traditions. (After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE these oral traditions eventually were trasmitted to written form into what is today known and the Talmud.)
The Oral Torah or traditions were alleged to be handed down from God to Moses and in turn in Joshua and so on and so forth. For the Jews it is believed that the Scriptures are incomplete by themselves, a cryptic puzzle and thus the Oral Tradition is necessary to understand them. In time the Oral Torah came to be held as more important than the Written Torah. And thus the Scriptures were minimized and the traditions of men were amplified.
Jesus ministry in contrast rejected the oral traditions saying "you have made the word of God invalid because of your traditions." (Matthew 15:6) Therefore in violation of the Oral Torah Jesus:
As a teacher of the law Jesus was recognized as a Rabbi. (John 1:38) The way that Rabbis, or Scribes taught was by expounding on the Oral Traditions handed down. Jesus teaching was different as noted in Matthew 7:28,29
Now when Jesus finished these sayings, the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.
Instead of simpling citing the teachings of past Rabbis, Jesus authoritatively taught "a new teaching". (Mark 1:28) The famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) well illustrates this method of teaching:
"You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You must not murder' ... However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice. (v. 21,22)
"You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (v. 27,28)
"Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (v. 31,32)
"Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ However, I say to you: Do not swear at all, ..." (v. 33,34)
"You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him." (v. 38,39)
"You heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you;" (v. 43,44)
So while Jesus rejected the traditions of the Rabbis he held strictly to the law as recorded in the Scripture. Not only that, he outlined a more righteous way to follow these God given laws, highlighting the spirit behind the law. "For I say to you that if your righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens." - Matthew 2:20
So while the purpose of the Oral Law was to clarify the Written Law Jesus made clear that they were in fact "overstepping" the law with their traditions.
"In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of your tradition? For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition." - Matthew 15:3-6
In our day the children of God are not under law. As it is written, "For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery." As Paul makes clear to the Romans and Galatians - Christ put an end to law and law does not produce righteousness. (Galatians 2:15-21)
However be that as it may religious leaders today do not manifest Christ's spirit but instead the spirit of the scribes and Pharisees. For such ones scripture is not enough. Holy spirit is not enough. In order to protect their flock they feel the need to make numerous laws and regulations and guidelines in order to keep ones from works of flesh.
At Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes a brief list of various works of the flesh saying:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.
Now what is of interest is that Paul does not set out to detail in a legalistic manner any of the above nor to set out an exhaustive list of "works of the flesh". After listing a few he says, "and things like these". Christians didn't need to be versed in all the different ways the flesh manifests itself in order to avoid them. He instead opts for a more beneficial course of action, as he says in verse 16 "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desires at all."
Yet today in a legalistic fashion numerous works have been written to enumerate all the different types of works of the flesh. One recent example is found in the July 1, 2006 issue of the Watchtower magazine's "Questions From Readers" as it sets out to define what is considered "fornication", verses "loose conduct", verses "uncleaness" as well as the punishments that each act warrants.
The legalistic nature of article is welled summed up by its treatment of pornography as follows:
"Some Christians have become involved in the viewing of pornography. This is offensive to God, and the elders may be shocked that a fellow believer has done this. But not all viewing of pornography calls for a hearing before a judicial committee. For example, suppose a brother view so-called soft-core pornography on several occasions. He is ashamed, confesses to an elder, and is determined not to repeat this sin. The elder might well conclude that the brother's conduct did not escalate to the point that he engaged in "uncleanness . . . with greediness"; nor did he display a brazen attitude, indicating loose conduct. Although no judicial action would be warranted, this type of uncleanness would call for strong Scriptural counsel and perhaps follow-up help from the elders.
However, supppose a Christian has secretly viewed abhorrent, sexually degrading pornography for years and has done everying possible to conceal this sin. Such pornography might feature gang rape, bondage, sadistic torture, the brutalizing of women, or even child pornography. When others become aware of his conduct, he is deeply ashamed. He has not been brazen, but the elders may determine that he has 'given himself over' to his filthy habit and has practiced 'uncleaness with greediness,' that is, gross uncleanness. A judicial committee would be formed because gross uncleanness is involved. The wrongdoer would be disfellowshipped if he did not display godly repentance and the determination never to view pornography again. If he invited others to his home to view pornography-in effect, promoting it-he would give evidence of a brazen attitude characterizing loose conduct."
We contrast the above legal construct with Jesus' simple words "But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" or Paul's instruction to "deaden therefore your body members that are on earth with respects to fornication" or James' words "But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5, James 1:14,15)
The problem with laws and rules is that there can never be enough to cover every breed of wrongdoing. As for the above example it may be asked what is considered "soft-core pornography"? For that matter what constitutes pornography at all? Is a sex scene in a movie, pornography? If there is nudity? If there is not?
Wouldn't it be so much better to focus instead on helping Christians to keep walking by the spirit so as to carry out no fleshy desire at all? I cannot emphasize Paul's word enough, "Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law." - Galatians 5:16,18
Jesus rejected the oral law and traditions and gave us something better - something purer - something more righteous. Laws are cheap and easy and in the end do not produce moral people. As we discussed laws do not produce righteousness. Please consider the anarchy that quickly develops in times of disaster where law enforcement suddenly disappears. So to in a Christian congregation we would ask what would happen if suddenly there was no threat of disfellowshipping or so-called "judicial" action? What would happen if there was no elder body or governing body to enumerate what was right or wrong?
If the only thing keeping the congregation clean is such laws and expulsion threats that would be a pretty sad thing. On the other hand for those who are trained to be lead by the spirit the scripture is enough. They don't need self-styled scribes to tell them what is loose conduct, what is uncleaness. They are lead by a Bible trained conscience and the spirit of Christ in them.
"However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with YOU, the body indeed is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness. If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make YOUR mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in YOU." - Romans 8:9-11
On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.
If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit. - Galatians 5:22-26
The Oral Torah or traditions were alleged to be handed down from God to Moses and in turn in Joshua and so on and so forth. For the Jews it is believed that the Scriptures are incomplete by themselves, a cryptic puzzle and thus the Oral Tradition is necessary to understand them. In time the Oral Torah came to be held as more important than the Written Torah. And thus the Scriptures were minimized and the traditions of men were amplified.
Jesus ministry in contrast rejected the oral traditions saying "you have made the word of God invalid because of your traditions." (Matthew 15:6) Therefore in violation of the Oral Torah Jesus:
- told a man to carry a cot on the Sabbath (Mark 2:11)
- healed on the Sabbath using a prepared salve (John 9:6)
- oversaw his disciples plucking grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23)
- taught his disiples to pray in private (Matthew 6:6)
- instructed those fasting to anoint their head and wash their face (Matthew 6:17)
- rejected hand washing rituals (Matthew 15:2)
As a teacher of the law Jesus was recognized as a Rabbi. (John 1:38) The way that Rabbis, or Scribes taught was by expounding on the Oral Traditions handed down. Jesus teaching was different as noted in Matthew 7:28,29
Now when Jesus finished these sayings, the effect was that the crowds were astounded at his way of teaching; for he was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.
Instead of simpling citing the teachings of past Rabbis, Jesus authoritatively taught "a new teaching". (Mark 1:28) The famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) well illustrates this method of teaching:
"You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You must not murder' ... However, I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice. (v. 21,22)
"You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (v. 27,28)
"Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ However, I say to YOU that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (v. 31,32)
"Again you heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not swear without performing, but you must pay your vows to Jehovah.’ However, I say to you: Do not swear at all, ..." (v. 33,34)
"You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him." (v. 38,39)
"You heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you;" (v. 43,44)
So while Jesus rejected the traditions of the Rabbis he held strictly to the law as recorded in the Scripture. Not only that, he outlined a more righteous way to follow these God given laws, highlighting the spirit behind the law. "For I say to you that if your righteousness does not abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens." - Matthew 2:20
So while the purpose of the Oral Law was to clarify the Written Law Jesus made clear that they were in fact "overstepping" the law with their traditions.
"In reply he said to them: “Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of your tradition? For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.’ But YOU say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother: “Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,” he must not honor his father at all.’ And so YOU have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition." - Matthew 15:3-6
In our day the children of God are not under law. As it is written, "For such freedom Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery." As Paul makes clear to the Romans and Galatians - Christ put an end to law and law does not produce righteousness. (Galatians 2:15-21)
However be that as it may religious leaders today do not manifest Christ's spirit but instead the spirit of the scribes and Pharisees. For such ones scripture is not enough. Holy spirit is not enough. In order to protect their flock they feel the need to make numerous laws and regulations and guidelines in order to keep ones from works of flesh.
At Galatians 5:19-21 Paul writes a brief list of various works of the flesh saying:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these.
Now what is of interest is that Paul does not set out to detail in a legalistic manner any of the above nor to set out an exhaustive list of "works of the flesh". After listing a few he says, "and things like these". Christians didn't need to be versed in all the different ways the flesh manifests itself in order to avoid them. He instead opts for a more beneficial course of action, as he says in verse 16 "Keep walking by spirit and you will carry out no fleshly desires at all."
Yet today in a legalistic fashion numerous works have been written to enumerate all the different types of works of the flesh. One recent example is found in the July 1, 2006 issue of the Watchtower magazine's "Questions From Readers" as it sets out to define what is considered "fornication", verses "loose conduct", verses "uncleaness" as well as the punishments that each act warrants.
The legalistic nature of article is welled summed up by its treatment of pornography as follows:
"Some Christians have become involved in the viewing of pornography. This is offensive to God, and the elders may be shocked that a fellow believer has done this. But not all viewing of pornography calls for a hearing before a judicial committee. For example, suppose a brother view so-called soft-core pornography on several occasions. He is ashamed, confesses to an elder, and is determined not to repeat this sin. The elder might well conclude that the brother's conduct did not escalate to the point that he engaged in "uncleanness . . . with greediness"; nor did he display a brazen attitude, indicating loose conduct. Although no judicial action would be warranted, this type of uncleanness would call for strong Scriptural counsel and perhaps follow-up help from the elders.
However, supppose a Christian has secretly viewed abhorrent, sexually degrading pornography for years and has done everying possible to conceal this sin. Such pornography might feature gang rape, bondage, sadistic torture, the brutalizing of women, or even child pornography. When others become aware of his conduct, he is deeply ashamed. He has not been brazen, but the elders may determine that he has 'given himself over' to his filthy habit and has practiced 'uncleaness with greediness,' that is, gross uncleanness. A judicial committee would be formed because gross uncleanness is involved. The wrongdoer would be disfellowshipped if he did not display godly repentance and the determination never to view pornography again. If he invited others to his home to view pornography-in effect, promoting it-he would give evidence of a brazen attitude characterizing loose conduct."
We contrast the above legal construct with Jesus' simple words "But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" or Paul's instruction to "deaden therefore your body members that are on earth with respects to fornication" or James' words "But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." (Matthew 5:28; Colossians 3:5, James 1:14,15)
The problem with laws and rules is that there can never be enough to cover every breed of wrongdoing. As for the above example it may be asked what is considered "soft-core pornography"? For that matter what constitutes pornography at all? Is a sex scene in a movie, pornography? If there is nudity? If there is not?
Wouldn't it be so much better to focus instead on helping Christians to keep walking by the spirit so as to carry out no fleshy desire at all? I cannot emphasize Paul's word enough, "Furthermore, if you are being led by spirit, you are not under law." - Galatians 5:16,18
Jesus rejected the oral law and traditions and gave us something better - something purer - something more righteous. Laws are cheap and easy and in the end do not produce moral people. As we discussed laws do not produce righteousness. Please consider the anarchy that quickly develops in times of disaster where law enforcement suddenly disappears. So to in a Christian congregation we would ask what would happen if suddenly there was no threat of disfellowshipping or so-called "judicial" action? What would happen if there was no elder body or governing body to enumerate what was right or wrong?
If the only thing keeping the congregation clean is such laws and expulsion threats that would be a pretty sad thing. On the other hand for those who are trained to be lead by the spirit the scripture is enough. They don't need self-styled scribes to tell them what is loose conduct, what is uncleaness. They are lead by a Bible trained conscience and the spirit of Christ in them.
"However, YOU are in harmony, not with the flesh, but with the spirit, if God’s spirit truly dwells in YOU. But if anyone does not have Christ’s spirit, this one does not belong to him. But if Christ is in union with YOU, the body indeed is dead on account of sin, but the spirit is life on account of righteousness. If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in YOU, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make YOUR mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in YOU." - Romans 8:9-11
On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.
If we are living by spirit, let us go on walking orderly also by spirit. - Galatians 5:22-26
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
What are the Requirements of True Christianity
I enjoyed reading this essay recently written by a brother and thought I would share the link.
What are the Requirements Of True Christianity
What are the Requirements Of True Christianity
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Spirit and Truth
So now that I've got more people reading this than ever before I feel a certain obligation to try to write deep meaningful posts. Like it would be a let down to write about my high Tetris score or my love of tacos or the new Daytrip record I just downloaded. Even so, most days I can't get my thoughts together coherently so I haven't been updated. But I do feel a certain need to write down what's been happening, more as a record than anything else.
All and all things have been going great for my family. There have been certain unavoidable complications since my disfellowshiping, mostly from extended family, and it hurts to be shunned by friends but I think on up side our spirituality has increased quite a bit. Mina and I have been pretty steady about doing a Bible study every night. As a family we are making it out habit to say a family prayer before bed so that has been really nice and helping us draw close as a family and toward our God.
I'm studying quite a bit, as usual I'm so ADHD when I study. It seems like I'm learning so much and yet each new thing I learn opens up a whole new arena of questions. Usually I am in Revelation and that book is being opened up quite bit to me. And seems like so many of us are arriving at the same conclusions and yet there are some chapters that we really have a variety of opinions on, such as Chapter 12. I've also fallen into a study on the Divine Name, not pronunciation or syntax, but in use and importance historically, in Jesus' ministry, the Greek scriptures (New Testament) and in these days. At night I'm reading Isaiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I've been praying really hard about my personal ministry. My Heavenly Father has told me to be patient but I'm eager to get going on something. Yesterday though I really had to look back and realise that I was having a ministry but since it wasn't as obvious going door to door distributing magazines I didn't recognize it at first. Lots of interesting doors open up when you are not officially a JW. I've noticed that people are more inclined to talk to you about the Bible. For some reasons JW's are perceived as being arrogant so that tends to create walls. (In all honesty though I can admit that when I went door to door I tended to have superior attitude toward those I talked to.) So with the barriers down there have been some good experiences.
I've been helping out this one guy at work with some personal challenges he's been going through. He says that God sent me to help him. When someone says that it really makes it a challenge to say the right thing - because you really don't want to mess up. All I could think to do was give him some scriptures to read because I honestly didn't no what kind of advice to give him. Anyhow he called me last night and told me how much those scriptures really helped him. As he said, "You can't argue with the word. It's all there in black and red." (He's got a red-letter edition of the Bible, btw.) I think he will be joining me in a Bible study this Saturday which will be neat.
So I'm really having nice little successes despite myself. It's really nothing that I'm doing. But as much as my Father cares to use me I'm willing to be used. Sometimes I think about how easy it would be to just go out and receive instructions from a burning bush and know exactly what to do. But really even looking back at Exodus I wonder if it was just that explicit to Moses. It seems like there was a whole lot of wandering around in the wilderness before he was told what to do and then even thereafter it came it bit by bit.
Well I'm here in the wilderness, wandering around. I think about Moses when he fled Egypt. I think about David hiding out from Saul. I think about Elijah running away from Jezebel into the wilderness. Oh man do I think about Elijah. Like when he felt he was the only one and how God said that there were 7,000 others that hadn't bent their knee to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18) Talk about encouragement!
That has been the most encouraging thing lately is realising that I'm not the only the one. I'm not the only one sighing and groaning over the detestable things in my former denomination. (Ezekiel 9:3) In fact this isn't even limited strictly to the Watchtower society. Right now there is a definate exodus out of apostate Christianity. People are being called outside the camp to the true Congregation/Church - the Ecclesia that literally means "called out ones". This is so beyond anything that could ever be confined to a church building or a religious corporation/organization. As the Samaritan woman asked Jesus at the well, "Where should I worship? On this mountain or Jerusalem?" Where did Jesus direct her to worship? It wasn't a "where" it was was a "how" - He said, "the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth". - John 4:1-54
All and all things have been going great for my family. There have been certain unavoidable complications since my disfellowshiping, mostly from extended family, and it hurts to be shunned by friends but I think on up side our spirituality has increased quite a bit. Mina and I have been pretty steady about doing a Bible study every night. As a family we are making it out habit to say a family prayer before bed so that has been really nice and helping us draw close as a family and toward our God.
I'm studying quite a bit, as usual I'm so ADHD when I study. It seems like I'm learning so much and yet each new thing I learn opens up a whole new arena of questions. Usually I am in Revelation and that book is being opened up quite bit to me. And seems like so many of us are arriving at the same conclusions and yet there are some chapters that we really have a variety of opinions on, such as Chapter 12. I've also fallen into a study on the Divine Name, not pronunciation or syntax, but in use and importance historically, in Jesus' ministry, the Greek scriptures (New Testament) and in these days. At night I'm reading Isaiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I've been praying really hard about my personal ministry. My Heavenly Father has told me to be patient but I'm eager to get going on something. Yesterday though I really had to look back and realise that I was having a ministry but since it wasn't as obvious going door to door distributing magazines I didn't recognize it at first. Lots of interesting doors open up when you are not officially a JW. I've noticed that people are more inclined to talk to you about the Bible. For some reasons JW's are perceived as being arrogant so that tends to create walls. (In all honesty though I can admit that when I went door to door I tended to have superior attitude toward those I talked to.) So with the barriers down there have been some good experiences.
I've been helping out this one guy at work with some personal challenges he's been going through. He says that God sent me to help him. When someone says that it really makes it a challenge to say the right thing - because you really don't want to mess up. All I could think to do was give him some scriptures to read because I honestly didn't no what kind of advice to give him. Anyhow he called me last night and told me how much those scriptures really helped him. As he said, "You can't argue with the word. It's all there in black and red." (He's got a red-letter edition of the Bible, btw.) I think he will be joining me in a Bible study this Saturday which will be neat.
So I'm really having nice little successes despite myself. It's really nothing that I'm doing. But as much as my Father cares to use me I'm willing to be used. Sometimes I think about how easy it would be to just go out and receive instructions from a burning bush and know exactly what to do. But really even looking back at Exodus I wonder if it was just that explicit to Moses. It seems like there was a whole lot of wandering around in the wilderness before he was told what to do and then even thereafter it came it bit by bit.
Well I'm here in the wilderness, wandering around. I think about Moses when he fled Egypt. I think about David hiding out from Saul. I think about Elijah running away from Jezebel into the wilderness. Oh man do I think about Elijah. Like when he felt he was the only one and how God said that there were 7,000 others that hadn't bent their knee to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18) Talk about encouragement!
That has been the most encouraging thing lately is realising that I'm not the only the one. I'm not the only one sighing and groaning over the detestable things in my former denomination. (Ezekiel 9:3) In fact this isn't even limited strictly to the Watchtower society. Right now there is a definate exodus out of apostate Christianity. People are being called outside the camp to the true Congregation/Church - the Ecclesia that literally means "called out ones". This is so beyond anything that could ever be confined to a church building or a religious corporation/organization. As the Samaritan woman asked Jesus at the well, "Where should I worship? On this mountain or Jerusalem?" Where did Jesus direct her to worship? It wasn't a "where" it was was a "how" - He said, "the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth". - John 4:1-54
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Is Baptism A Symbol of Dedication?
Let any man who would say that Christian baptism is a symbol of our dedication to God produce one scripture that would substantiate that view. If no scripture can be produced then we have to concede that this view is not Biblical.
That there is no supporting evidence in the Christian Greek scriptures for Christian dedication is evidenced by the "Sing Praises to Jehovah" song book where the two songs concerning Christian dedication (13 & 202) are forced to cite Exodus 39:30 as the song's supporting scripture.
What is Baptism a Symbol of?
Baptism is a symbol of repentance and the means by which we receive forgiveness for our sins.
"Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit." - Acts 2:38
"And now why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized and wash your sins away by your calling upon his name.’" - Acts 22:16
"owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit." - Titus 3:5
"That which corresponds to this is also now saving YOU, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 3:21
If Jesus Was Sinless Why Was He Baptised?
Jesus answers the question himself at Matthew 3:15 "Let it be, this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous"
In order to be sanctified as high priest under the old covenant Aaron had to be cleansed with water and anointed with oil. (Exodus 29:4,7)
Aaron as High Priest was a type for Jesus Christ.
In order to enter into his role as our High Priest Jesus too had to be cleansed with water and anointed with oil. (Hebrews 2:17) Both conditions were fulfilled at the time of his baptism, "After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God's spirit coming upon him." - Matthew 3:16
As firstborn among many brothers Jesus set the example by which we too would be born again as Spiritual sons of God. (Romans 8:29)
In speaking to the Pharisee Nicodemus Jesus described the method by which one would be born again as a son of the Kingdom. "Most truly I say to you, Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. What has been born from the flesh is flesh, and what has been born from the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel because I told you, YOU people must be born again." - John 3:5-7
At the time of his baptism he was born from water and as the Holy Spirit came upon him as a dove he was born from spirit and then the voice called from heaven declaring him, "my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved." (Matthew 3:16,17)
That there is no supporting evidence in the Christian Greek scriptures for Christian dedication is evidenced by the "Sing Praises to Jehovah" song book where the two songs concerning Christian dedication (13 & 202) are forced to cite Exodus 39:30 as the song's supporting scripture.
What is Baptism a Symbol of?
Baptism is a symbol of repentance and the means by which we receive forgiveness for our sins.
"Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins, and YOU will receive the free gift of the holy spirit." - Acts 2:38
"And now why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized and wash your sins away by your calling upon his name.’" - Acts 22:16
"owing to no works in righteousness that we had performed, but according to his mercy he saved us through the bath that brought us to life and through the making of us new by holy spirit." - Titus 3:5
"That which corresponds to this is also now saving YOU, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 3:21
If Jesus Was Sinless Why Was He Baptised?
Jesus answers the question himself at Matthew 3:15 "Let it be, this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous"
In order to be sanctified as high priest under the old covenant Aaron had to be cleansed with water and anointed with oil. (Exodus 29:4,7)
Aaron as High Priest was a type for Jesus Christ.
In order to enter into his role as our High Priest Jesus too had to be cleansed with water and anointed with oil. (Hebrews 2:17) Both conditions were fulfilled at the time of his baptism, "After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God's spirit coming upon him." - Matthew 3:16
As firstborn among many brothers Jesus set the example by which we too would be born again as Spiritual sons of God. (Romans 8:29)
In speaking to the Pharisee Nicodemus Jesus described the method by which one would be born again as a son of the Kingdom. "Most truly I say to you, Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. What has been born from the flesh is flesh, and what has been born from the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel because I told you, YOU people must be born again." - John 3:5-7
At the time of his baptism he was born from water and as the Holy Spirit came upon him as a dove he was born from spirit and then the voice called from heaven declaring him, "my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved." (Matthew 3:16,17)
Into Who or What Are We Baptised?
"Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved" - Acts 4:12
The Scriptures show we are to be baptised in the name of Jesus alone.
"Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins ... " - Acts 2:38
"For it had not yet fallen upon any one of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 8:16
"With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days." - Acts 10:48
"On hearing this, they got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 19:5
Did Jesus command that we be baptised in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit?
Many churches use a variation of the baptismal formula found at Matthew 28:19 which reads, "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,"
This has been called the trinity formula since it contains the three person of the Godhead.
At present time we do not have any complete manuscripts of Matthew prior to the 4th century. All existing manuscripts written thereafter contain this phrase.
However there is evidence that this reading was a later corruption of the original text. Early Church historian Eusebius appears to quote from a different manuscript then any we have presently. Eighteen times in between 300 to 336 he cited Matthew 28:19,20 as:
"Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you."
It is interesting that the traditional trinitarian reading of Matthew 28:19 does not appear in Eusebius' writings until after the council of Nicene wherein the trinity began to formally held as official doctrine.
Evidence strongly indicates that this is a spurious scripture inserted by later Trinitarians in the same vein as 1 John 5:7-8
Are we baptised under men or into a man-made organizations?
"What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says: “I belong to Paul,” “But I to A·pol′los,” “But I to Ce′phas,” “But I to Christ.” The Christ exists divided. Paul was not impaled for YOU, was he? Or were YOU baptized in the name of Paul? " - 1 Corinthians 1:12-13
"Or do YOU not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" - Romans 6:3
"For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27
The Scriptures show we are to be baptised in the name of Jesus alone.
"Peter [said] to them: “Repent, and let each one of YOU be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of YOUR sins ... " - Acts 2:38
"For it had not yet fallen upon any one of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 8:16
"With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days." - Acts 10:48
"On hearing this, they got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 19:5
Did Jesus command that we be baptised in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit?
Many churches use a variation of the baptismal formula found at Matthew 28:19 which reads, "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit,"
This has been called the trinity formula since it contains the three person of the Godhead.
At present time we do not have any complete manuscripts of Matthew prior to the 4th century. All existing manuscripts written thereafter contain this phrase.
However there is evidence that this reading was a later corruption of the original text. Early Church historian Eusebius appears to quote from a different manuscript then any we have presently. Eighteen times in between 300 to 336 he cited Matthew 28:19,20 as:
"Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you."
It is interesting that the traditional trinitarian reading of Matthew 28:19 does not appear in Eusebius' writings until after the council of Nicene wherein the trinity began to formally held as official doctrine.
Evidence strongly indicates that this is a spurious scripture inserted by later Trinitarians in the same vein as 1 John 5:7-8
Are we baptised under men or into a man-made organizations?
"What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says: “I belong to Paul,” “But I to A·pol′los,” “But I to Ce′phas,” “But I to Christ.” The Christ exists divided. Paul was not impaled for YOU, was he? Or were YOU baptized in the name of Paul? " - 1 Corinthians 1:12-13
"Or do YOU not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" - Romans 6:3
"For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27
Is The Baptism of Children Scriptural?
"Do not go beyond the things written," - 1 Corinthians 4:6
As Christians it is our solemn obligation to hold to the Word of God as our ultimate authority and in doing so we rightfully reject the traditions of men when there is a conflict between the two.
As Jehovah's Witnesses we have come to an understanding of the manner of baptism that is scriptural and rejects traditions of some denominations. Thus we have rejected infant baptism and baptise by full bodily immersion instead of a mere sprinkling.
However by our insistance on baptising children we are going beyond both the Scriptures and the early example of the Christian congregation.
What do the Scriptures teach us?
At Acts 2:37-38 we read of 3000 men being baptised, "Men, brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins,"
At Acts 8:12 in regards to the Samaritans, "they proceeded to be baptised, both men and women"
What does the example of Jesus teach us?
At Luke 2:21,23 "Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized . . . Futhermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about thirty years old"
What does the first-century Christian congregation teach us?
From the April 1, 2006 Watchtower page 27,28 "Regarding first-century Christians, historian Augustus Neander states in his book General History of the Christian Religion and Church: "Baptism was administered at first only to adults, as men were accustomed to conceive baptism and faith as strictly connected."
Why then does the Watchtower teach us:
"In the case of youths, some develop a measure of spirituality at a relatively tender age, while others take longer. Before getting baptized, however a youngster should have a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the Scriptures, and a clear comprehension of what dedication involves, as is the case with adults." - Watchtower. April 1, 2006. page 28, par 9.
Did first-century Jewish children meet the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism?
The first converts to Christianity came from the Jews. Could it be said that no jewish children in the first-century met the above criteria established by the Watchtower, namely a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the Scritpures, and clear comprehension of dedication?
We consider point-by-point:
Did Jewish children have a relationship with Jehovah?
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 answers "And you must love Jehovah your God will all your heart and all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."
Did Jewish children have a sound understanding of the Scriptures?
In answer, Alfred Edersheim in his book Sketches of Jewish Social Life says regarding the education of Jewish children in the days of Christ, "home teaching ordinarily began when the child was about three years old. ... Verses of Scripture, benedictions, wise sayings, etc., were impressed on the child, and mnemonic rules devised to facilitate the retention of what was so acquired. ... At five years of age the Hebrew Bible was to be begun."
Could Jewish children comprehend a dedication to God?
"In 1513 B.C.E., the ancient Israelites came into a dedicated relationship with Jehovah. (Exodus 19:3-8) After that, Jews were born into that dedicated nation under the Law covenant. - w03 8/15 p. 30 Do you Remember?
We see then that Jewish children would have fulfilled all of the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism and yet only men and women got baptised in the first century.
If not on Scripture on what basis then do we baptise children?
Are we going beyond the things written?
As Christians it is our solemn obligation to hold to the Word of God as our ultimate authority and in doing so we rightfully reject the traditions of men when there is a conflict between the two.
As Jehovah's Witnesses we have come to an understanding of the manner of baptism that is scriptural and rejects traditions of some denominations. Thus we have rejected infant baptism and baptise by full bodily immersion instead of a mere sprinkling.
However by our insistance on baptising children we are going beyond both the Scriptures and the early example of the Christian congregation.
What do the Scriptures teach us?
At Acts 2:37-38 we read of 3000 men being baptised, "Men, brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins,"
At Acts 8:12 in regards to the Samaritans, "they proceeded to be baptised, both men and women"
What does the example of Jesus teach us?
At Luke 2:21,23 "Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized . . . Futhermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about thirty years old"
What does the first-century Christian congregation teach us?
From the April 1, 2006 Watchtower page 27,28 "Regarding first-century Christians, historian Augustus Neander states in his book General History of the Christian Religion and Church: "Baptism was administered at first only to adults, as men were accustomed to conceive baptism and faith as strictly connected."
Why then does the Watchtower teach us:
"In the case of youths, some develop a measure of spirituality at a relatively tender age, while others take longer. Before getting baptized, however a youngster should have a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the Scriptures, and a clear comprehension of what dedication involves, as is the case with adults." - Watchtower. April 1, 2006. page 28, par 9.
Did first-century Jewish children meet the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism?
The first converts to Christianity came from the Jews. Could it be said that no jewish children in the first-century met the above criteria established by the Watchtower, namely a personal relationship with Jehovah, a sound understanding of the Scritpures, and clear comprehension of dedication?
We consider point-by-point:
Did Jewish children have a relationship with Jehovah?
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 answers "And you must love Jehovah your God will all your heart and all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force. And these words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculate them in your son and speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up."
Did Jewish children have a sound understanding of the Scriptures?
In answer, Alfred Edersheim in his book Sketches of Jewish Social Life says regarding the education of Jewish children in the days of Christ, "home teaching ordinarily began when the child was about three years old. ... Verses of Scripture, benedictions, wise sayings, etc., were impressed on the child, and mnemonic rules devised to facilitate the retention of what was so acquired. ... At five years of age the Hebrew Bible was to be begun."
Could Jewish children comprehend a dedication to God?
"In 1513 B.C.E., the ancient Israelites came into a dedicated relationship with Jehovah. (Exodus 19:3-8) After that, Jews were born into that dedicated nation under the Law covenant. - w03 8/15 p. 30 Do you Remember?
We see then that Jewish children would have fulfilled all of the Watchtower's criteria for child baptism and yet only men and women got baptised in the first century.
If not on Scripture on what basis then do we baptise children?
Are we going beyond the things written?
Friday, April 28, 2006
Jason
I've known Jason practically all of my life since we have been in the Wood River congregation since we were children. Growing up we never really did much together. He was into sports and I was into Star Wars so we never really clicked. He was a very brave kid - when I say "brave" perhaps it would be more appropriate to say "reckless". He was the kind of kid that always seemed to have a broken bone or crutches. Thinking back I can only remember one time that he came over to my house when we were kids. (Of course there may have been other times, my memory is selective at times.) When we lived in Alton we didn't have a nice flat backyard, instead it was a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill was what we used to call "the pit". How can I describe it? Sort of like a sinkhole. So "the pit" was on one side and next to it there was a row of trees for the wooded area behind our house. I remember Jason came over one day and took my bike down the back hill - he had so much speed that he went crashing into the trees - he was lucky he didn't go over the edge into "the pit". Brave? Reckless? A little of both, no doubt.
Many years later there was a time in our life that Jason and his wife Teri really gave Rebekah and I a boost. It was during a time we were kind of down in spirit. One day we had just got done visiting an old friend that wasn't doing too well and we were sad and sort of moping around the house. Jason called us up out of the blue and asked if we wanted to come over to their house for a Watchtower study and also if we wanted to go with them to Sears as Jason had gotten a gift-certificate that he wanted to use to buy some tools. Now as I write this I know that this doesn't sound like a very fun way to spend an evening - but Rebekah and I really enjoyed ourselves and it made a bad day so much nicer. We appreciate that they took an interest in us.
It was around this time that Jason gave me some practical help. I had lost my job at Dial and was coming down on my last month of unemployment when Jason offered me a position at the company he worked for as a Lead Paint Remover technician. When winter rolled around and work was getting slow Jason got me a position working in the office. I'm still there today. It is such a great job and provides for my needs. I consider this job a blessing from Jehovah and I'm thankful to Jason that he helped me get it.
Rebekah and I have also gone on a couple of trips with Jason and Teri. They invited us to go canoeing with them a couple of times which was a really good time. On one trip Jason still proved to be just as brave/reckless as an adult as he was a child. There was this cliff that some people were base jumping off of so we climbed to the top. He didn't hesitate to run and jump off the cliff into the water. I on the other hand was paralysed with fear and questioned what in the world made me climb to the top of this cliff. I wanted to climb down but it was too dangerous - more so than jumping. .... and so I jumped and scared myself to death! Despite that it was a really fun time. Jason and his wife Teri are such enjoyable people to hang around with.Another time I will never forget happened a little over a year ago. Rebekah and I decided that we would send "Thank-You" cards to every member of the congregation. It was to be just a little note to say, "Hey we appreciate you." This was toward the beginning when we were struggling to figure out how to draw closer to the congregation but didn't know how to do it. So we just mailed out those cards and our Heavenly Father blessed us because they opened the way for developing and renewing tender relationships with several in the Hall. I still remember Jason and how appreciative he was about his card. He never strikes me as a very emotional person, sometimes he seems rather hard, but he had tears in his eyes when he told us how he enjoyed receiving his card and how he said it was very "loving". In turn that made Rebekah and I feel very, very good.
I really miss good friends like Jason.
--
"And if you won’t apologize
If you can’t look me in the eye
I forgive you ..."
- Juliana Hatfield, Noblesse Oblige
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Happy
“Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU. - Matthew 5:11,12
Tonight was one of those nights were you realise just how much your Heavenly Father really, really cares for you. Rebekah and I are glowing and happy and just want to praise our God.
Believe me when I say that it took every bit of my strength to go the meeting tonight and then when I had no more strength left I had to pray for enough to get out the door. Because I'm timid by nature and who really wants to go have abuse raked on them? And it is because I am timid that I needed to do this to go and suffer just as Christ suffered - to be slandered and ridiculed - and stand up and take it.
I knew that tonight they were going disown me with a simple sentence, "Anthony Mathenia is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". That would've been bad enough but little did I know exactly how far it would go. The gloves came off and in an expanded local needs part (30 minutes long) they called me a liar. They said that my acts of affection to the members of the congregation were the insincere kisses of betrayal of Judas. They said I was a stranger leading sheep away to kill them. Their encore was calling me "Satan" and a "child of Satan". Suffice to say I've never been so abusively spoken of in my entire life.
So now I know why it was so important for me to go tonight. Because my Heavenly Father wanted to teach me some lessons about how He will take care of me even in the worst of situations. When I arrived at the meeting and I went and sat down I was feeling pretty awkward and down. I said a little prayer and then my Father answered me and confirmed His love for me. He then showered me with Holy spirit - it was so strong that it was instant joy and peace. I couldn't help but to smile and bask in His love. Rebekah got the Spirit too.
And so when the time came we just sat there aglow with the Spirit and let them say all their evil, twisted things against me. It didn't matter - they could rail and rail away cause we had such a beautiful inner calmness and strength. Their verbal attack meant nothing as the Large Shield of Faith kept deflecting their blows.
It is such pure, unadulterated joy tonight ... we came home and offered up praise to the Father for His goodness and underserved kindness. I'm so blessed to suffer as did Christ and yet at the same time I feel so unworthy to follow in his footsteps. I'm nowhere close to being in the same league.
What next? I really don't know ... but I'm looking forward to the future. I'm blessed to follow my Shepherd. Wherever Christ wants to lead me I'm willing - maybe this whole episode of my life was just a warm-up for the Big Leagues.
I do know that there isn't nowhere that I need to go because tonight I have arrived. Where am I? I'm outside the camp with Jesus.
"Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us, then, go forth to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach he bore," - Hebrews 13:12,13
Tonight was one of those nights were you realise just how much your Heavenly Father really, really cares for you. Rebekah and I are glowing and happy and just want to praise our God.
Believe me when I say that it took every bit of my strength to go the meeting tonight and then when I had no more strength left I had to pray for enough to get out the door. Because I'm timid by nature and who really wants to go have abuse raked on them? And it is because I am timid that I needed to do this to go and suffer just as Christ suffered - to be slandered and ridiculed - and stand up and take it.
I knew that tonight they were going disown me with a simple sentence, "Anthony Mathenia is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". That would've been bad enough but little did I know exactly how far it would go. The gloves came off and in an expanded local needs part (30 minutes long) they called me a liar. They said that my acts of affection to the members of the congregation were the insincere kisses of betrayal of Judas. They said I was a stranger leading sheep away to kill them. Their encore was calling me "Satan" and a "child of Satan". Suffice to say I've never been so abusively spoken of in my entire life.
So now I know why it was so important for me to go tonight. Because my Heavenly Father wanted to teach me some lessons about how He will take care of me even in the worst of situations. When I arrived at the meeting and I went and sat down I was feeling pretty awkward and down. I said a little prayer and then my Father answered me and confirmed His love for me. He then showered me with Holy spirit - it was so strong that it was instant joy and peace. I couldn't help but to smile and bask in His love. Rebekah got the Spirit too.
And so when the time came we just sat there aglow with the Spirit and let them say all their evil, twisted things against me. It didn't matter - they could rail and rail away cause we had such a beautiful inner calmness and strength. Their verbal attack meant nothing as the Large Shield of Faith kept deflecting their blows.
It is such pure, unadulterated joy tonight ... we came home and offered up praise to the Father for His goodness and underserved kindness. I'm so blessed to suffer as did Christ and yet at the same time I feel so unworthy to follow in his footsteps. I'm nowhere close to being in the same league.
What next? I really don't know ... but I'm looking forward to the future. I'm blessed to follow my Shepherd. Wherever Christ wants to lead me I'm willing - maybe this whole episode of my life was just a warm-up for the Big Leagues.
I do know that there isn't nowhere that I need to go because tonight I have arrived. Where am I? I'm outside the camp with Jesus.
"Hence Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Let us, then, go forth to him outside the camp, bearing the reproach he bore," - Hebrews 13:12,13
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Resolution - An Open Letter
Dear Wood River Congregation,
It is with great sadness that I write you this letter. You may have noticed over the course of the last two months that I have been missing from some of the meetings and that I have not been able to share in commenting. Many of you have lovingly inquired if anything was the matter. Unfortunately we weren't able to be completely open with you as to what was going on. Now that the matter has been resolved I would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.
The other day as I was going over the memorial Bible reading I thought quite a bit about Jesus’ last night with his friends. He had spent 3 ½ years with them attempting to teach them many important things. On that last night when time was ticking away what was interesting was what he chose to focus on, namely love, selflessness, enduring under tribulation, and prayer. It is with a similar outlook that I’m writing this letter as I’m to be killed in a spiritual sense is just a few days and would be remiss if I didn’t give you some parting words of love and encouragement.
Regrettably, I have been disfellowshipped from the Organization on the grounds of apostasy, and it will soon be formally announced to the congregation that I am "no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". I completely reject this false charge and I appealed the decision of the Body of Elders. Unfortunately, my appeal was to no avail and therefore I am left with no other option at this time but to wait for Jehovah to straighten this out in His own due time.
I still feel in my heart that I am one Jehovah's Witnesses and I'm quite confident that our Heavenly Father still accepts me as such although from the standpoint of the Organization I am not. I have been reading the Psalms lately and they have been really encouraging in this regard. One in particular that warms my heart is Psalm 27:10 that reads, "In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even Jehovah would take me up."
I know that what I am going through, though hard, is agreeable to my Heavenly Father, as the scriptures say, "For if someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is agreeable with God." - 1 Peter 2:19, 20
I wanted to write you this letter to let you, the Congregation of Wood River, know that I have thoroughly enjoyed this last year growing in love and faith with you. I spent the greater portion of my life in this congregation and yet painfully before last year I never took the time to really be a part of it. I cherish each conversation and the mutual affection that we have shared – this "interchange of encourage" has done much to build my faith and I hope it has built yours. (Romans 1:11,12) Despite all my difficulties lately I would not exchange one day of this past year for relief from my situation.
In particular, with quite a few of you, I've grown extremely close and my only worry throughout all this mess is how I may hurt you by being disfellowshipped, and slanderously labeled as an apostate. Please do not see this as a betrayal to you. My love for you was always sincere and I have meant every word that I spoke in your presence, from the stage, in comment, in prayer, and in our conversations. I know for the foreseeable future we will be apart – and that is painful – but I look forward to the day when we can reunited again; if not in this world, in the world to come – the new heavens and earth that we are awaiting according to a promise. (2 Peter 3:13)
I wanted nothing more than to continue in your midst longer - to continue to grow in widening out my tender affection for all of you. (2 Cor 6:13) I had hoped that I could be a support to you right down to the very end. Now that this is not possible, I only hope that in memory I could continue to help you in perhaps some small way.
I know that you have noticed a change in me, from what I was, to what I became to you. Quite a few of you have expressed positive thoughts toward this change. I could only direct all praise to Jehovah. Last year our Father was gracious enough to give me an anointing, though I didn't deserve it all. It is an undeserved kindness on His part to allow me a small measure of His Holy spirit that was able to transform me and turn my life around. My brothers and sisters I can attest to the power and the reality of the Holy spirit. If you are having difficulties in any area please pray for the spirit and believe that it can help you. Our Father will give it to you just as it written, "Therefore if you, although being wicked know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give Holy spirit to those asking him!" – Luke 11:13
Additionally I would encourage you to make it a habit to read your Bible daily. God's Word is such an absolute treasure and if you read it to come to know Him it will open your eyes and your heart. As the Psalm says, “Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.” (Psalm 119:105) And speaking of the Psalms, we are just getting ready to go through them in our weekly Bible reading and it will be such an excellent time to really dig deep. The Psalms are full of such beauty, affection and understanding. What a treat it will be to listen to the friends offer up praise to Jehovah during the answer portion of the Bible Highlights in the weeks to come!
Please use every opportunity possible to speak of Jehovah's goodness to one another. The one thing I regret is how in our gatherings outside the meetings how little is said regarding our God. Additionally, it is painful that once the meeting ends, we are quick to begin talking about the mundane things of life. I've been guilty of this too but I think that if we would try to make an effort to speak of good things, then that small seed might blossom into something truly beautiful in the Wood River Hall. I know you appreciate what Jehovah and Christ Jesus have done for us – please don't hesitate to talk about it and “to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) The world beats us down so much that we could all use a little lift.
Friends please take time to show interest in the older ones at our hall. They are so lonely. Some even think that they might be abandoned during the Great Tribulation just as they feel abandoned by the congregation now. I know you love them and don't feel this way. Please let them know how much you love them and value them. Include them in your activities and meals. I want to see hugs and kisses and cheerful faces. Remember that James characterizes true worship by our willingness to "look after orphans and widows in their tribulation" – James 1:27
Support the body of elders in what is good as they are shouldering a heaven burden. (1 Timothy 5:17) No doubt you have been pained to lose so many good men recently such as Brother Solle, Brother Donahue, and Brother Honnen. This loss continues to be felt in our hall. It would be a shame to suffer even more - so be supportive wherever possible.
And since the elders are so loaded down please look for ways to minimize their weight by helping one another. Continue to grow in love for the congregation. In the spirit of 1 Peter 3:8,9 "Finally, all of you be like-minded, showing fellow feeling, having brotherly affection, tenderly compassionate, humble in mind, not paying back injury for injury or reviling for reviling, but, to the contrary, bestowing a blessing, because you were called to this course, so that you might inherit a blessing."
Around you are your brothers and sisters who would die for you, just as you would die for them. Our Lord Jesus tells us, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35) Really how can we be true Christians if while we won't go to war and kill our brothers, we then kill them daily by our hateful speech and gossip? As Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount continuing wrathful with a brother and speaking abusively of them is as good as murdering them. (Matthew 5:21,22)
We can't let petty differences drive us apart and cause us to fade away. Of what benefit is it if we spend 6,000 hours in the field service to bring one person to a knowledge of the truth when in the meantime twenty brothers and sisters have slipped out the backdoor due to discouragement or lack of attention? Our ministry would be in vain! Please remember that we are to "work what is good toward all, but especially those related to us in the faith." - Galatians 6:10
It should not be a secret to you how close we are to the end. The great tribulation comes closer by the day. The only thing that is going to get us through that challenging time is our reliance on Jehovah God. Severe trials await us in the future and only those knowing their God will be able to act effectively. (Daniel 11:32) Now is the time to grow in faith and love for our Father, Jehovah God. Sure we know about Him but do we really know Him?
When we experience day-to-day trials we need to use these opportunities to perfect our faith and build our endurance. As James says, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its work complete, that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything." (James 1:2-4) Endurance is such a vital quality as far as salvation goes because as Jesus says, "he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." – Matthew 24:13
We are so close we just need to hang on. No matter what happens in the future do not allow it to pull you away from your God. Hang your complete faith and trust in Jehovah and Jesus alone. (John 14:1) "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." (Psalm 146:3)
My love for you continues to burn strong. I will not cease offering up prayers on your behalf. I am here for you if ever you need me, but I completely understand if you will feel compelled to shun for the time being. I will not hold this against you. I'm confident that all wrongs hidden will be uncovered and these betrayals of justice will be straightened out soon. As Jesus says, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." - Luke 18:7,8a; NIV
So therefore let us continue to look forward with hope, not looking back with sorrow. Can you imagine what joys await us in the future? Imagine the entire universe united in perfect love and speaking only words of truth. Heaven and earth joined in praising our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Our King, Christ Jesus. (Psalm 96) No more pain. No more tears. No suffering. No abuse. "The former things have past away." (Revelation 21:3,4) Can you picture that perfect day?
True there is a lot of pain and hardship now; but did we expect anything less, so close to the end, in a world controlled by the wicked one? Hold on friends – we are going to make it through! I love how Paul puts it, "Consequently I reckon that the sufferings of the present season do not amount to anything in comparison with the glory that is going to be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18)
I will now end this in these important words of the Apostle John -- "Little children guard yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:21
Yours through the love of the Christ to the end and beyond,
Anthony Mathenia
It is with great sadness that I write you this letter. You may have noticed over the course of the last two months that I have been missing from some of the meetings and that I have not been able to share in commenting. Many of you have lovingly inquired if anything was the matter. Unfortunately we weren't able to be completely open with you as to what was going on. Now that the matter has been resolved I would like to take this opportunity to address your concerns.
The other day as I was going over the memorial Bible reading I thought quite a bit about Jesus’ last night with his friends. He had spent 3 ½ years with them attempting to teach them many important things. On that last night when time was ticking away what was interesting was what he chose to focus on, namely love, selflessness, enduring under tribulation, and prayer. It is with a similar outlook that I’m writing this letter as I’m to be killed in a spiritual sense is just a few days and would be remiss if I didn’t give you some parting words of love and encouragement.
Regrettably, I have been disfellowshipped from the Organization on the grounds of apostasy, and it will soon be formally announced to the congregation that I am "no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses". I completely reject this false charge and I appealed the decision of the Body of Elders. Unfortunately, my appeal was to no avail and therefore I am left with no other option at this time but to wait for Jehovah to straighten this out in His own due time.
I still feel in my heart that I am one Jehovah's Witnesses and I'm quite confident that our Heavenly Father still accepts me as such although from the standpoint of the Organization I am not. I have been reading the Psalms lately and they have been really encouraging in this regard. One in particular that warms my heart is Psalm 27:10 that reads, "In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even Jehovah would take me up."
I know that what I am going through, though hard, is agreeable to my Heavenly Father, as the scriptures say, "For if someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is agreeable with God." - 1 Peter 2:19, 20
I wanted to write you this letter to let you, the Congregation of Wood River, know that I have thoroughly enjoyed this last year growing in love and faith with you. I spent the greater portion of my life in this congregation and yet painfully before last year I never took the time to really be a part of it. I cherish each conversation and the mutual affection that we have shared – this "interchange of encourage" has done much to build my faith and I hope it has built yours. (Romans 1:11,12) Despite all my difficulties lately I would not exchange one day of this past year for relief from my situation.
In particular, with quite a few of you, I've grown extremely close and my only worry throughout all this mess is how I may hurt you by being disfellowshipped, and slanderously labeled as an apostate. Please do not see this as a betrayal to you. My love for you was always sincere and I have meant every word that I spoke in your presence, from the stage, in comment, in prayer, and in our conversations. I know for the foreseeable future we will be apart – and that is painful – but I look forward to the day when we can reunited again; if not in this world, in the world to come – the new heavens and earth that we are awaiting according to a promise. (2 Peter 3:13)
I wanted nothing more than to continue in your midst longer - to continue to grow in widening out my tender affection for all of you. (2 Cor 6:13) I had hoped that I could be a support to you right down to the very end. Now that this is not possible, I only hope that in memory I could continue to help you in perhaps some small way.
I know that you have noticed a change in me, from what I was, to what I became to you. Quite a few of you have expressed positive thoughts toward this change. I could only direct all praise to Jehovah. Last year our Father was gracious enough to give me an anointing, though I didn't deserve it all. It is an undeserved kindness on His part to allow me a small measure of His Holy spirit that was able to transform me and turn my life around. My brothers and sisters I can attest to the power and the reality of the Holy spirit. If you are having difficulties in any area please pray for the spirit and believe that it can help you. Our Father will give it to you just as it written, "Therefore if you, although being wicked know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give Holy spirit to those asking him!" – Luke 11:13
Additionally I would encourage you to make it a habit to read your Bible daily. God's Word is such an absolute treasure and if you read it to come to know Him it will open your eyes and your heart. As the Psalm says, “Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.” (Psalm 119:105) And speaking of the Psalms, we are just getting ready to go through them in our weekly Bible reading and it will be such an excellent time to really dig deep. The Psalms are full of such beauty, affection and understanding. What a treat it will be to listen to the friends offer up praise to Jehovah during the answer portion of the Bible Highlights in the weeks to come!
Please use every opportunity possible to speak of Jehovah's goodness to one another. The one thing I regret is how in our gatherings outside the meetings how little is said regarding our God. Additionally, it is painful that once the meeting ends, we are quick to begin talking about the mundane things of life. I've been guilty of this too but I think that if we would try to make an effort to speak of good things, then that small seed might blossom into something truly beautiful in the Wood River Hall. I know you appreciate what Jehovah and Christ Jesus have done for us – please don't hesitate to talk about it and “to offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) The world beats us down so much that we could all use a little lift.
Friends please take time to show interest in the older ones at our hall. They are so lonely. Some even think that they might be abandoned during the Great Tribulation just as they feel abandoned by the congregation now. I know you love them and don't feel this way. Please let them know how much you love them and value them. Include them in your activities and meals. I want to see hugs and kisses and cheerful faces. Remember that James characterizes true worship by our willingness to "look after orphans and widows in their tribulation" – James 1:27
Support the body of elders in what is good as they are shouldering a heaven burden. (1 Timothy 5:17) No doubt you have been pained to lose so many good men recently such as Brother Solle, Brother Donahue, and Brother Honnen. This loss continues to be felt in our hall. It would be a shame to suffer even more - so be supportive wherever possible.
And since the elders are so loaded down please look for ways to minimize their weight by helping one another. Continue to grow in love for the congregation. In the spirit of 1 Peter 3:8,9 "Finally, all of you be like-minded, showing fellow feeling, having brotherly affection, tenderly compassionate, humble in mind, not paying back injury for injury or reviling for reviling, but, to the contrary, bestowing a blessing, because you were called to this course, so that you might inherit a blessing."
Around you are your brothers and sisters who would die for you, just as you would die for them. Our Lord Jesus tells us, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35) Really how can we be true Christians if while we won't go to war and kill our brothers, we then kill them daily by our hateful speech and gossip? As Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount continuing wrathful with a brother and speaking abusively of them is as good as murdering them. (Matthew 5:21,22)
We can't let petty differences drive us apart and cause us to fade away. Of what benefit is it if we spend 6,000 hours in the field service to bring one person to a knowledge of the truth when in the meantime twenty brothers and sisters have slipped out the backdoor due to discouragement or lack of attention? Our ministry would be in vain! Please remember that we are to "work what is good toward all, but especially those related to us in the faith." - Galatians 6:10
It should not be a secret to you how close we are to the end. The great tribulation comes closer by the day. The only thing that is going to get us through that challenging time is our reliance on Jehovah God. Severe trials await us in the future and only those knowing their God will be able to act effectively. (Daniel 11:32) Now is the time to grow in faith and love for our Father, Jehovah God. Sure we know about Him but do we really know Him?
When we experience day-to-day trials we need to use these opportunities to perfect our faith and build our endurance. As James says, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its work complete, that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything." (James 1:2-4) Endurance is such a vital quality as far as salvation goes because as Jesus says, "he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." – Matthew 24:13
We are so close we just need to hang on. No matter what happens in the future do not allow it to pull you away from your God. Hang your complete faith and trust in Jehovah and Jesus alone. (John 14:1) "Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs." (Psalm 146:3)
My love for you continues to burn strong. I will not cease offering up prayers on your behalf. I am here for you if ever you need me, but I completely understand if you will feel compelled to shun for the time being. I will not hold this against you. I'm confident that all wrongs hidden will be uncovered and these betrayals of justice will be straightened out soon. As Jesus says, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly." - Luke 18:7,8a; NIV
So therefore let us continue to look forward with hope, not looking back with sorrow. Can you imagine what joys await us in the future? Imagine the entire universe united in perfect love and speaking only words of truth. Heaven and earth joined in praising our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Our King, Christ Jesus. (Psalm 96) No more pain. No more tears. No suffering. No abuse. "The former things have past away." (Revelation 21:3,4) Can you picture that perfect day?
True there is a lot of pain and hardship now; but did we expect anything less, so close to the end, in a world controlled by the wicked one? Hold on friends – we are going to make it through! I love how Paul puts it, "Consequently I reckon that the sufferings of the present season do not amount to anything in comparison with the glory that is going to be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18)
I will now end this in these important words of the Apostle John -- "Little children guard yourselves from idols." - 1 John 5:21
Yours through the love of the Christ to the end and beyond,
Anthony Mathenia
Friday, April 07, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Hiatus
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its work complete, that YOU may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. - James 1:2-4
Well my difficulties persist and this blog will still hang out in limbo until some issues get resolved. But I'm feeling quite good tonight so I just wanted to pop in here and update a wee-bit.
Our Heavenly Father is absolutely wonderful! You never know how much He'll carry you along and sustain you until you absolutely get down and out and have nowhere to go and no way to move. I have trials and I feel nothing but joy right now. Hopefully it is building endurance because as Jesus tells us at Luke 21:19 "By endurance on your part you will save your souls."
I'm keeping busy in study. I fell into the book of Exodus a couple of days back and haven't left. It is absolutely amazing the level of detail that lurks just under the surface of these Bible accounts. The incident with the golden calf is very, very provocative. So many questions to ponder and hopefully get some answers.
I just wanted to post this and let you all know that I'm doing good and have never been happier despite it all! The loss that I'm experiencing right now is absolutely staggering but I feel like Paul who wrote, "On account of [Jesus] I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ" (Phillipians 3:8) And as Jesus tells us at Mark 8:34-36, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually. For whoever wants to save his sould will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me and the good news will save it. Really, of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?"
My love to all the holy ones scattered about outside the camp.
Hang on we are going to win in the end.
Yours in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Anthony
Well my difficulties persist and this blog will still hang out in limbo until some issues get resolved. But I'm feeling quite good tonight so I just wanted to pop in here and update a wee-bit.
Our Heavenly Father is absolutely wonderful! You never know how much He'll carry you along and sustain you until you absolutely get down and out and have nowhere to go and no way to move. I have trials and I feel nothing but joy right now. Hopefully it is building endurance because as Jesus tells us at Luke 21:19 "By endurance on your part you will save your souls."
I'm keeping busy in study. I fell into the book of Exodus a couple of days back and haven't left. It is absolutely amazing the level of detail that lurks just under the surface of these Bible accounts. The incident with the golden calf is very, very provocative. So many questions to ponder and hopefully get some answers.
I just wanted to post this and let you all know that I'm doing good and have never been happier despite it all! The loss that I'm experiencing right now is absolutely staggering but I feel like Paul who wrote, "On account of [Jesus] I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ" (Phillipians 3:8) And as Jesus tells us at Mark 8:34-36, "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually. For whoever wants to save his sould will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me and the good news will save it. Really, of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?"
My love to all the holy ones scattered about outside the camp.
Hang on we are going to win in the end.
Yours in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Anthony
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