My Story – Part 2

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A New Hope (Outside of the JW Organization)

I waited to write this portion of my story, until I had something solid to write.

Grieving takes time, it is a process.  I could not personally skip a step.  It has been one (1) year five (5) months. I also feel Jesus had to humble me and make me rely on him and Jehovah before he could use me for whatever purpose he has in mind. I am still a work in progress. I am learning obedience now.

These are the steps I had to go through. It may not be the same for everyone.

First:  Awareness with hurt.   Second:  Anger and confusion. Third: I looked for a way out with the least possible resistance. Last:  I accepted the fact that I had been deceived and needed to move forward.

While we are listening to a talk or reading from the Bible, first comes thoughts. We think about what we are hearing, and we analyze it. Then that stirs feelings within us. The feelings could be strong or they could be fairly passive. And then finally those feelings impel us to action, or inaction. I took this path of action.

This is my story of a new life and finding the Truth. Earlier I told of finding the Bible Students from my past as a young girl. I was very familiar with everything they were doing. They did not stand still however, they are very progressive. We can bring laptop computers to the conventions and they provide the power. You can lookup multiple translations and the program is online if you have to leave for any reason. You don’t miss a thing. We have real food, with vegetables and all. It is catered. Works just fine and your families are properly nourished for the day. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Children are in their classes according to age.  I love that!!! The little ones are playing with toys. They have their own teachers. Loving it!!!. I wish my grandchildren could be in that environ while at the meetings and conventions. There are no severe spankings of little children to make them sit perfectly for hours on end. These observations may only be my own personal pet peeves. I am not trying to be judge, just reporting what I see and have experienced. I have learned that just because a religion is different on EVERY LITTLE THING, that does not make it God’s channel. To see those smiling young people warms the heart. I focus on these seemingly little things because LOVE is the identifying quality (1Cor. 13:1-13). I don’t care if you are speaking the Gospel truth, I can’t hear it if you are mean, demanding, authoritative and breaking up my family.

Monthly beginning March 13, 2011 we can have Bible discussions in the evening on Sundays, from   6-8pm CST. This is a Bible Student forum, we can ask questions, listen and join in on the pre-show, sort of a meet and greet for fellow listeners. Most witnesses will recognize this as the original International Bible Students.

Bible Student Conventions are held at different places and I have been able to meet up with Friends I met at the General Convention and other conventions. See listings under conventions to the right.

There are two Bible Student groups in my area to meet with and we meet with the large, Chicago Group every fourth Sunday. There are no time slips to turn in. You just talk-talk-talk for the Lord, he is looking on and helping. No banging on empty houses, you connect with people, that want to know, as the disciples of Christ did. It’s very rewarding.

YOU DO NOT LEAVE JEHOVAH, when you leave the watchtower. There is so much to do. I have left out some of the activities, just wanted to show that there is somewhere to go.

Many have asked where is the group in their area?  The administrator of this site will connect you with a person.  I find the Bible Students are all over. I have sisters that I Skype with and share so much. The association is good for all of us.  I find that many of them have others with them in their homes during the hook-ups, so there is association. Now there is an effort to create a data base for different little classes so we can get together at conventions. There is a lot going on. It is a blessing from Jehovah.

It is a blessing that ex-Jehovah witnesses and Bible Students get along so well. There is no one telling you to hate and label our brothers.

The Bible Students have proved you do not have to have an organization with a governing body and a lot of manmade rules. Truth does not change when it gets brighter.  I have been amazed at the talks given by the different Brothers. They are not afraid to read the whole scripture. An effort is made not to take scriptures out of context just to prove a point. Someone can ask for an explanation without fear of reprisal. There are other writings in the bookroom. I am reading the series of books by “John Class”. His version of what he thinks the resurrection of the different generations will be like. It is fiction based on the Bible.

The Elders both of the Bible Students and the ones on the various hook-ups are Shepherds, not task masters. You are your own master of obedience to the father. You can make decisions that affect your family, health, special days, even whether you partake or not. The governing body in my opinion does not really have the correct understanding on Memorial according to the Bible and what Jesus actually says to do, and who should do it.

There is a another relatively new site that consists of Jehovah Witness elders and others, I call it a sister site. www.jwstruggle.com Those Brothers are still attending and trying to help others that have jumped in the water, some without a life boat. There is so much available now. Houses are empty  when you call on them now, everyone works so the internet and social networks have really been the way to reach more people. I found this link on that site and it is one many might want to read. The writer touches the heart. http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/204249/1/An-Open-letter-to-the-Governing-Body-of-Jehovahs-Witnesses-Elders-Ex-Elders. http://www.jwstruggle.com/2011/06/new-video-just-finished-has-god-always-had-a-visible-organization-on-earth/

Many years ago I would have been on my own, but since the big knowledge boom I can connect with others of like faith. No wonder they say don’t go on the internet. You just might find a way to Jesus.

This is just my story, my journey. It may not work for everyone in the same way. But at least it is a start. Thank you for reading this. Come join with us and see for yourself.

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