Blondie's Comments You Will Not Hear at the 02-28-10 WT Study (CULTIVATE LOVE)

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 02-28-10 WT Study (December 15, 2009, pages  24-28)(CULTIVATE LOVE)

Review comments will be in red or headed by COMMENTS
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Quotes from other sources will headed by QUOTES
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g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book

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CULTIVATE LOVE THAT NEVER FAILS
'Love endures all things. Love never fails.'--1COR. 13:7,8.

OPENING COMMENTS

This article highlights the year's text for 2010.  But do current events prove that jws cultivate love for any but other jws?

Once again another disaster, the 8.8 earthquake in Chile, gives jws the opportunity to pray ONLY for other jws.

A comment from a jw DB:

Now we can start wondering about and praying for our spiritual family in Chili.

Where is that love that never fails?  Can jws only love other jws?  Did Jesus only love other Jews?  Did he feel there was any difference between Jews and Gentiles who both loved those loving them?  Yes, what extraordinary things are jws doing?

(Matthew 5:43-47) 43 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?

START OF ARTICLE

Q 1. (a) How is love often presented? (b) On whom and on what do many focus their love?

MUCH has been publicized on the subject of love. This quality has been extolled and romanticized in song. Love is a basic human need. But books and movies have often featured it in made-up love stories, and a glut of such material floods the marketplace. Yet, genuine love of God and neighbour is woefully lacking. We see happening what the Bible foretold about these last days. Men are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, and pleasures rather than lovers of God."--2 Tim. 3:1-5.

COMMENTS
Are only books and movies apart from the WTS full of made-up stories?  My husband had to give an experience at an assembly and by the time the CO tweaked it, it had no resemblance to true events.  Many other jws I have talked with had the same experience.  Do you know the fine difference between an experience and an enactment?  An experience is told by the person it happened to, an enactment is told by a person who had no part in it, and may not even know the person who did.  How many jws think they are the same?  I went to one convention where two jws were presented as married and parents of a third young man.  None were related in any way...why did they do this...because they could not find a jw family (in good standing) that fit the parameters from the WTS.

Who is my neighbor?  Is it enough to SAY you love someone?  Can you love God if you do not love humans?

Bold and underling is mine for emphasis

QUOTES

*** w06 12/1 p. 26 par. 7 What It Means to Love Our Neighbor ***
On another occasion, a Jew well-versed in the Law asked Jesus: “Who really is my neighbor?” Jesus responded by relating a parable that described a Samaritan who came across a man, a Jew, who had been assaulted by robbers and stripped of his possessions. Even though Jews in general despised Samaritans, the Samaritan dressed the man’s wounds and brought him to the safety of an inn, where he could recover. The lesson? Our love of neighbor should extend to people other than those of our own race, nationality, or religion.—Luke 10:25, 29, 30, 33-37.

(James 2:14-16) . . .? 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it?

(1 John 4:20) . . .If anyone makes the statement: “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.

Q 2. What warning does the Bible give about misguided love?

2.  Humans have the ability to show love, yet God's Word warns us against misguided love. And the Bible describes what happens when such love takes root in one's heart. (1 Tim. 6:9, 10) Do you recall what the apostle Paul wrote about Demas? Though he was associated with Paul, Demas turned to loving what the world offered. (2 Tim. 4: 10) The apostle John warned Christians against this very danger. (Read 1 John 2:15, 16.) Loving the world and its transitory things and ways is not compatible with loving God and what originates with him.

COMMENTS
What is MISGUIDED love?  What things in the world did Demas love?  What are transitory things?

Do you know jws that have expensive houses, cars, take expensive vacations, wear expensive clothes and jewelry that are well-liked and respected in the congregation?  Where does a person cross the line between having such things and loving such things....who judges, the elders, the CO, the rank and file?

Note how the WTS evens says that the bible does not say what Demas' sin was.  "The exact nature...is not disclosed.  The apostle does not say....apostate or opposer....Perhaps....love for material things and wordly pleasures."

QUOTES
*** Insight Volume-1 p. 612 Demas ***
When Paul wrote to Timothy during his second imprisonment, Demas had forsaken the apostle and departed to Thessalonica, perhaps his hometown.—2Ti 4:10.

The exact nature of Demas’ forsaking Paul ‘because of his love for the present system of things’ is not disclosed. The apostle does not say Demas became an apostate or opposer. Perhaps Demas’ love for material things and worldly pleasures became stronger than that for spiritual things. 

Q 3. We face what challenge, giving rise to what questions?

3 We are no part of this world, though we are still living in it. Thus, we have the challenge of avoiding the world's distorted view of love. It is vital that we not let ourselves be trapped by misguided or perverted love. For whom, therefore, should we cultivate and demonstrate principled love? What provisions enable us to cultivate love that endures all things and never fails? How does this course benefit us now and affect our future? We need answers from God's standpoint so that we can be guided accordingly.

COMMENTS
WE--only jws
so jws don't have material things?
WORLD'S DISTORTED view of love
MISGUIDED or PERVERTED love

So disfellowshipping/disassociation policies are not perverted?
Are the child abuse policies not perverted requiring 2 eyewitnesses before they will act?

What is "principled love" per the WTS?  How do many jws pervert it?  Why does the WTS sidestep the term 'agape'?

QUOTES
*** Close to Jehovah book chap. 23 p. 235 par. 12 “He First Loved Us” ***
Agape refers to love that is guided by principle. So it is more than just an emotional response to another person. It is broader in scope, more thoughtful and deliberate in its basis.

*** w88 10/1 p. 11 par. 6 Appreciation for Our Brothers ***
On the pretext that the Scriptures allow for our having warmer feelings for some brothers than for others, are we inclined to rationalize our feelings? (John 19:26; 20:2) Do we think we can express a cold, reasoned “love” to some because we have to, while we reserve warm brotherly affection for those to whom we are attracted? If so, we have missed the point of Peter’s exhortation. We have not sufficiently purified our souls by our obedience to the truth, for Peter says: “Now that by obedience to the truth you have purified your souls until you feel sincere affection towards your brother Christians, love one another whole-heartedly with all your strength.”—1 Peter 1:22, The New English Bible.

page 25--picture...no men talking to women except contrived old man talking to a little girl...skirt on woman is almost to her ankle.

CULTIVATE LOVE FOR JEHOVAH

Q 4. How does love for God grow?

4.  To cultivate can imply to prepare and foster the growth of something. Think of a farmer who works hard to prepare the soil and plant the seeds. He expects the seeds to grow. (Heb. 6:7) Similarly, our love for God should grow. What is required for this to occur? We must work the good soil of our heart, where the seed of Kingdom truth was sown. We can do this through diligent study of God's Word so as to increase our knowledge of him. (Col. 1:10) Regularly attending and participating in congregation meetings will also help us increase in knowledge. Are we individually putting forth constant effort to gain a deeper knowledge?--Prov. 2: 1-7.

COMMENTS
How can jws say they diligently study God's Word where every opportunity requires a WT publication?  How many jws actually look up the scriptures and read them (in context even).  Similarly attending jw meetings are just a rehash of the words in their publications.  How many jws participate; it tends to be the same 7 to 8 people every week?  DILIGENT--REGULARLY--CONSTANT............

Q 5 (a) How can we learn about Jehovah's cardinal attributes? (b) What can you say about God's justice, wisdom, and power?
 
5.  Through his Word, Jehovah reveals his personality. By studying the Scriptures and progressively taking in knowledge of Jehovah, we can grow in appreciation for his attributes--his justice, power, wisdom and, above all, superlative love. Jehovah manifests justice in all his ways and in his perfect law. (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 19:7) We can reflect on all of Jehovah's creative works and be in awe of his superior wisdom. (Ps. 104:24) The universe also gives proof that Jehovah is the Source of dynamic energy and inexhaustible power.--Isa.40:26.

COMMENTS
Through his word or through the WT publications?  Studying only the scriptures the WTS puts in its publications.  What knowledge of Jesus?  Be in awe of his or the WTS superior wisdom?  Is there any wisdom apart from the WTS?
 

Q 6. How has God's love been expressed toward us, and how has it affected you?

6.  What can be said about God's dominant quality, his love? It is expansive and affects us all. He expressed that love in providing the ransom for mankind's redemption. (Read Romans 5:8.) This provision is available to the whole world of mankind, but only those who respond to God's love and exercise faith in his Son will benefit from it. (John 3:16,36) God's offering Jesus as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins ought to stir love within us in return.

COMMENTS
DOMINANT...EXPANSIVE?
Whole world of mankind or only jws....respond to God's love = becomes a jw

Q 7, 8. (a) What is required in order for us to show love for God? (b) Despite what do God's people observe his commandments?

7.  How can we demonstrate our love of God in response to all that he has done for us? The inspired answer is significant:  "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3) Yes, love of Jehovah God motivates us to observe his commandments. That is one reason we bear witness about his name and Kingdom, which benefits others. Doing that out of our heart's abundance is an evidence that we observe God's commandments with a pure motive.--Matt. 12:34.

COMMENTS
How is this demonstrated..observe God's commands only as interpreted by the WTS.
Bear witness to his name and Kingdom--where does Jesus use God's name, not even in the Lord's Prayer?
In the suggested presentations of the WTS, do they use God's name or kingdom very often, even at all?  Notice the opportunities to say "Jehovah" are avoided.

CARROT--pure motive?--everlasting life

QUOTES

*** km 2/07 p. 8 What to Say About the Magazines ***

The Watchtower Mar. 1
“Many people feel that all religions lead to God. Do you think it matters which religion a person chooses? [Allow for response.] Notice this recommendation. [Read 1 John 4:1.] This magazine discusses how we can test teachings to see if they come from God. It also explains how different religions got started.”

*** km 4/07 p. 8 What to Say About the Magazines ***

The Watchtower May 1
“The death of a child causes deep and lasting pain for parents. Where do you think they can turn for comfort? [Allow for response. Then read Romans 15:5.] This magazine discusses some of the ways in which God supplies comfort to those who mourn.”

Awake! May
“Some people enjoy prosperity, while millions of others live in poverty. Do you think that we will ever see a time when such inequalities will be gone? [Allow for response.] Notice how God views those who are poor. [Read Psalm 22:24.] This magazine explains the Bible’s hope for the poor.”

*** km 5/07 p. 4 What to Say About the Magazines ***

The Watchtower May 15
“How would you answer this question? [Read question on cover. Then allow for response.] The Bible gives us a reason for hope. [Read Matthew 6:9, 10.] This magazine explains how God’s Kingdom will cause God’s will to be done on earth.”

Awake! May
“Do you think that our actions and final destiny have been predetermined by God? [Allow for response.] According to this Bible verse, God allows people to choose how they will live their lives. [Read Deuteronomy 30:19.] This article shows what the Bible says on the subject.” Feature the article that begins on page 12.

*** km 7/07 p. 4 What to Say About the Magazines ***

Awake! July
“Many people live their life the best way they can and feel that it is important to be a good person. Is that your approach to life? [Allow for response.] Notice the danger if our definition of what is good is different from God’s. [Read Proverbs 14:12.] This article discusses what it means to be a good person in God’s eyes.” Feature the article that begins on page 20.

*** km 8/07 p. 8 What to Say About the Magazines ***

Awake! Sept.
“Do you think that natural disasters are acts of God? [Allow for response. Then read Deuteronomy 32:4.] This magazine examines why God has allowed natural disasters to occur. It also outlines how to protect your family.”

8.  Our brothers around the globe persevere in observing God's commandments despite facing apathy and outright rejection of the Kingdom message. They do not let up in their efforts to accomplish their ministry fully. (2 Tim. 4:5) Likewise, we are moved to share knowledge of God with others as well as to observe all his other commands.

COMMENTS
preaching = God's commandments
rejection of kingdom or WT message?
DO NOT LET UP--is this article indication that jws are letting up?
all his other commands--as defined by the WTS

WHY WE LOVE OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Q 9. What did Christ endure, and what motivated him?

9 In addition to loving God, there are many reasons why we cultivate love for his Son. Though we never saw Jesus, as we learn more about him, our love for him deepens. (1 Pet. 1:8) What are some of the things that Jesus endured? While he was doing his Father's will, Jesus was hated without cause, persecuted, falsely accused, and reviled. He also suffered other indignities. (Read John 15:25.) Jesus' love for his heavenly Father motivated him to endure those trials. And motivated by love, his sacrificial death provided a ransom for many.--Matt. 20:28.

COMMENTS
Finally, Jesus is in the picture but how can jws learn more when Jesus figures to infrequently in the WT publications even appearing even less in the new WT songbook?

Jesus did his father's will without going through a religious administration?
jws are hated without cause, persecuted, falsely accused, and reviled and that is just by their own members.
Are many jws motivated by love for God or the CARROT everlasting life?
The ransom is for many not all as in 1 Timothy?--who decides who is not one of the many?

(1 Timothy 2:5-6) 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—[this is] what is to be witnessed to at its own particular times.

Q 10, 11. In view of what Christ did for us, what is our aim?

10.  Jesus' course stimulates a response in us. As we think about what Christ has done for us, our love for him deepens. Being his followers, we should aim to cultivate and keep showing Christlike love so that we will endure in observing his commandment to witness about the Kingdom and make disciples.--Matt. 28:19, 20.

COMMENTS
What CHRIST did for us--not God
his followers--Jesus not "Jehovah"
we SHOULD
Do jws witness about the kingdom....in 2007 out of 48 "suggested" magazine presentations in the KM only 2 mentioned the kingdom.

11.  In responding to Christ's love for all mankind, we feel compelled to finish our assignment before the end comes. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:14,15.) The love Christ displayed was central to his accomplishing what God has purposed for mankind. And the model Christ left for us to follow closely enables each of us to have a part in that divine purpose. This requires that we successfully cultivate love of God to the fullest extent possible. (Matt. 22:37) By observing what Jesus taught and keeping his commandments, we show that we love him and are determined to uphold God's sovereignty at any cost, just as Jesus did.--John 1-John3 4; 15:10.

COMMENTS
ALL mankind
WE...only jws
Feel COMPELLED by whom?
End before their end?
Follow Jesus closely not God
REQUIRES....FULLEST--who decides what is the "fullest extent possible"
Do the words sovereignty or theocracy appear in the NWT?  NO

PURSUING THE SURPASSING WAY OF LOVE

Q 12. What did Paul mean by the expression "a surpassing way"?

12.  The apostle Paul was an imitator of Christ.  Because of following Christ's steps closely, Paul had freeness of speech in urging his brothers to become imitators of him. (1 Cor. 11:1) Although he urged Corinthian Christians to keep zealously seeking certain gifts of the spirit that were manifest in the first century, such as healing and speaking in tongues, Paul showed them that there was something better to pursue. At 1 Corinthians 12:31, he explained: "Yet I show you a surpassing way." The context in the verses that follow shows that this was the surpassing way of love. In what sense was it surpassing? Paul proceeded to illustrate what he meant. (Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.) If he had certain outstanding abilities and accomplished great things but did not have love what would he amount to? Nothing! Moved by God's spirit, he drove home this important point. What a powerful impression he made in getting this across to us!

COMMENTS
What is freeness of speech per the WTS in regards to elders' meetings?
Imitators of Paul or imitators of Christ as the scripture says?

Can white jws wear such African native dress in a US congregation?  A sister in one congregation visited an African country on vacation and was gifted such an outfit by an African sister.  This white sister wore it and was counseled by the elders....the next month a non-african black sister wore such an outfit and the elders complimented her on it....what is wrong with this picture? 

Certain gifts of the spirit not present today....prophesying?

Q 13. (a) What is the yeartext for 2010? (b) In what sense does love never fail?

13.  Paul next defines for us what love is and what it is not. (Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.) Now, take the time to examine how you measure up to what love requires. Focus mainly on the last phrase in verse 7 and the first sentence in verse 8: 'Love endures all things. Love never fails,' which will be our yeartext for 2010. Note that in verse 8, Paul said that gifts of the spirit, including prophesying and speaking in tongues--used in the infancy of the Christian congregation--would be done away with. They would end. But love will always be. Jehovah is the very essence of love, and he is eternal. So love will never fail, or end. It will continue to exist forever as a quality of our eternal God. --1 John 4:8.

COMMENTS
Does the WTS consider itself a prophet?

QUOTES
*** w72 4/1 pp. 198-199 ‘They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them’ ***
Thus this group of anointed followers of Jesus Christ, doing a work in Christendom paralleling Ezekiel’s work among the Jews, were manifestly the modern-day Ezekiel, the “prophet” commissioned by Jehovah to declare the good news of God’s Messianic kingdom and to give warning to Christendom. It is significant that, in 1931, after twelve years of faithful service despite the opposition of Christendom’s clergy, these followers of Christ embraced the name “Jehovah’s witnesses” at the same convention at which the book Vindication was released.—Isa. 43:10-12, American Standard Version.

To Ezekiel, in his vision, and, symbolically to the modern-day “prophet,” the spirit-begotten, anointed ones who are the nucleus of Jehovah’s witnesses today, God gave something to eat. Ezekiel says: “And I began to see, and, look! there was a hand thrust out to me, and, look! in it there was the roll of a book. And he gradually spread it out before me, and it was written upon in front and on the back; and there were written in it dirges and moaning and wailing.”—Ezek. 2:8-10.

LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS

Q 14, 15. (a) How can love help us to endure trials? (b) Why did one young brother refuse to compromise?

14.  What enables Christians to endure no matter what trials, difficult situations, and problems they encounter? Basically it is love based on principle. Such love goes beyond just giving up something in a material way. It extends to the point of being willing to maintain our integrity and even to lose our life for the sake of Christ. (Luke 9:24, 25) Reflect on the faithful course of Witnesses who suffered in concentration camps, labour camps, and prisons during and after World War II.

COMMENTS
Christians--only jws
Are only jws "facing trials, difficult situations...lose our life"?

www.forum18.org

Muslims, Protestants, Baptists, Bahai, etc.

So how many jws in the US today have given up their lives due to persecution?  How many people who were not jws suffered for their beliefs?  How many jws truly expect God to provide individual protection so the will survive into the "earthly paradise" never having to die? 

15.  A young German Witness named Wilhelm well illustrates this. Rather than compromise, he remained loyal when facing death by a Nazi firing squad. In a farewell letter to his family, he wrote: "Above all we must love God, as our Leader Jesus Christ commanded. If we stand up for him, he will reward us." Later, in a Watchtower article, a member of his family wrote: "Through the turmoils of time, as a family we have seen to it that our love for God has always come first." Such is the spirit of many brothers presently enduring imprisonment in Armenia, Eritrea, South Korea, and other lands. These brothers are remaining steadfast in their love for Jehovah.

COMMENTS
Notice this man felt that Jesus was his leader not the WTS.
Love of God before family?
Where is there love for Jesus?

Q 16. What did our brothers in Malawi endure?

16.  In many places, trials of a different sort test the faith and endurance of our brothers. For 26 years Jehovah's Witnesses in Malawi endured governmental bans, severe opposition, and many atrocities. Their endurance was rewarded. When persecution broke out, there were about 18,000 Witnesses in that country. Thirty years later their number had more than doubled to 38,393. Similar results have been experienced in other lands.

COMMENTS
So no sisters suffered atrocities?  When they were raped did the elders make sure they had screamed?  Would these women be considered to have consented to fornication?

QUOTES
*** w79 2/1 p. 23 par. 10 Faith in God’s Son—How Should It Affect You? ***
Up until 1962, Jehovah’s Witnesses enjoyed rapid growth in that land. But, then, in 1964, violent persecution broke out. Because Jehovah’s Witnesses would not worship the Malawi segment of the ‘wild beast out of the sea’ (Rev. 13:1, 4) by buying political party membership cards, they were hounded from their homes, many being raped and killed.

*** w64 1/15 p. 63 Questions From Readers ***
Such Scriptural precedents are applicable to Christians, who are under command, “Flee from fornication.” (1 Cor. 6:18) Thus if a Christian woman does not cry out and does not put forth every effort to flee, she would be viewed as consenting to the violation. The Christian woman who wants to keep clean and obey God’s commandments, then, if faced with this situation today, needs to be courageous and to act on the suggestion made by the Scriptures and scream. Actually this counsel is for her welfare; for, if she should submit to the man’s passionate wishes, she would not only be consenting to fornication or adultery, but be plagued by the shame. There would be shame, not only from the repulsiveness of the experience, but of having been coerced into breaking God’s law by having sex connections with one other than a legal marriage mate. Not only that, but she might become an unwed mother, or she may contract a terrible disease from her morally debased attacker.

*** w68 6/1 p. 347 The Christian’s View of Self-Defense ***
If you are a Christian woman, what should you do if, in spite of all precautions, you are set upon by a rapist? If you cannot deter him by reasoning, or by calling upon the name of Jehovah, then what? As a Christian you are under obligation to resist. This resistance includes screaming and creating as much disturbance as possible to try to frighten off the attacker and attract help. If the attack continues and you cannot break free to flee, then you would be justified even to inflict damage on your assailant if necessary. Resistance is imperative, because the rapist is after, not just money, but your virtue. An issue of integrity to Jehovah’s laws is involved here. So by no means would it be proper quietly to submit to rape, as that would be consenting to fornication.—1 Thess. 4:3.

*** g74 3/8 p. 14 Faced with the Threat of Rape ***
Also, that if she did not scream she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation; that then she would be disfellowshiped or excommunicated from it and that this would be worse than being killed as far as she was concerned.

*** w80 10/15 p. 7 Avoiding the Tragedy of Rape ***
She told him that if he touched her she would scream as he had never heard anyone scream before. She explained that if she did not she would ruin her relationship with Jehovah God and the Christian congregation. (Compare Deuteronomy 22:22-29.)

This woman did the Scripturally proper thing, which actually is the best thing to do. A Christian woman is under obligation to resist, for the issue of obedience to God’s law to “flee from fornication” is involved. (1 Cor. 6:18) By no means would it be proper for her willingly to submit to being raped.

*** g84 2/22 p. 24 They Resisted Rapists ***
No, the situation is not the same as when a man simply is asking for money or other material possessions. A woman wisely would give him these. But the rapist is asking a person to break God’s law by committing fornication. Under such circumstances a Christian is obligated to resist.—1 Corinthians 6:18.

COMMENTS
Malawi and Mexico--why these 2 situations regarding getting a card from the government in the same time period handled differently?

http://www.jwfiles.com/malawi.htm

http://www.jehovahs-witnesses.info/sscc27.html

http://governingbodyletters.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-happened-in-malawi.html

Q 17. What do some in divided households face, and why could they endure the mistreatment?

17.  Frontal assaults against God’s people in general are one thing. When opposition comes upon individual Christians from family members, it is quite different. Stress may be caused by members of the household or immediate relatives. Did not Jesus foretell that this would take place? Yes, and many have experienced the truthfulness of his words. (Matt. 10:35, 36) Teenagers have endured opposition from unbelieving parents. Some have even been ordered out of the home but they were taken in by kindly Witnesses. Others have been disowned. What enabled such ones to endure mistreatment? Not just their love for the brotherhood but above all their genuine love for Jehovah and his Son.--1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 4:21.

COMMENTS
God's people--only jws
Christians--only jws
family members--non-jws
In fact people who study with jws are told their family will oppose them because they are doing the "right" thing.
So how many teenagers have you heard of that had both non-jw parents who came to the KH?
unbelieving--not believing the way jws do
"kindly" jws?  jw parents that would kick out their own unbaptized teenage (18 and over) children for associating with a religion other than their parents'

I can remember when I was just a teenager, I went up to a door in the country and was greeted by a red-faced angry man.  He told me of his neighbor who was a jw who had kicked put his 16-year-old daughter and her illegitimate child.  He and his family had taken her in.  He wanted me to show him where in the bible Christ said to do that.  Of course, I could not and did not support what this "jw" family had done.  I checked into it and he was right, they went to the congregation over the territory line...the daughter was not even baptized...and it was illegal for the family to kick her out.  Who were the "kindly" ones in this situation?

brotherhood--only jws, only the WTS

Q 18. How is the love that endures all things a help to married Christians?

18.  There are many other situations in life that call for the love that endures all things. Within the marriage union love enables couples to respect Jesus words: “What God has yoked together let no man put apart.” (Matt. 19:6) When experiencing tribulation in their flesh," married Christians should remind themselves that Jehovah is a key party in their marriage. (1 Cor. 7:28) His Word says that 'love endures all things,' and a husband and wife clothed with this quality are fortified to stick to each other and keep their marriage intact.--Col. 3:14.

COMMENTS
So marriage is always "tribulation in the flesh"?  Is the WTS mandating singleness then?
Is God or the elder body the key party in their marriage determining what sexual acts are approved by God?
Does love mean that a wife must endure beatings?
Is an intact marriage mean it is happy?

Q19. What has occurred among God’s people after natural disasters?

19.  Love helps us to endure all things in times of natural disasters. This was the case when an earthquake hit southern Peru and Hurricane Katrina devastated portions of the Gulf area in the United States. Many of our brothers lost their homes or material possessions in those disasters. Love moved the worldwide congregation to provide relief supplies and volunteers helped to rebuild homes and repair Kingdom Halls. Such acts prove that our brothers love and care for one another at all times and under any circumstances.--John 13:34, 35; 1 Pet. 2:17.

COMMENTS
jws only help other jws in natural disasters except for unbelieving spouses
jws are told not to donated directly to a disaster but the parent WT corporation
I learned from jws who went to Texas and Louisiana that the jws there were "encouraged" to sign over their insurance checks to the WTS.
Does the WTS repair KHs first or homes?

LOVE NEVER FAILS

Q 20, 21. (a) Why is love of excelling value? (b) Why are you determined to pursue the way of love?

20.  Among Jehovah’s people today, we see the wisdom of pursuing the surpassing way of love. Truly, it excels in any and all situations. Note how the apostle Paul emphasized that truth. First, he pointed out that gifts of the spirit would pass away and that the Christian congregation would grow out of its infancy stage and reach maturity. Then he concluded: “Now however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”--1 Cor. 13:13.

COMMENTS
Jehovah's people--only jws
Who were the jws in the first century; why did they take on the name "Christians" rather than jws (a term from Isaiah 43:10,11)?
Were all the gifts of the spirit gone?  What about the prophesying the jw anointed claim to do in the 1972 WT previously quoted?
Christian congregation--only anointed jws

21.  Eventually things that we have faith in will become reality, and therefore the need for faith in them will end. Hope in promises we long to see fulfilled will no longer be entertained after all things have become new. But what about love? That will never fail, or end. It will remain. With everlasting life in view we will surely see and understand ever more facets of God’s love. By doing God's will in pursuing the surpassing way of love that never fails, you may remain forever. --1 John 2:17.

COMMENTS
What promises?  CARROT--everlasting life?
"with everlasting life in view"--but more than that, surviving without ever seeing death
YOU (only jws) main remain forever.

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Why must we guard against misguided love?
Love can help us to endure what?
In what sense does love never fail?

CONCLUDING COMMENTS
So coupled with the theme from the district convention, "Remain in God's Love," love seems to be the theme this year.  Will jws live up to it?

Is it love to hope for the eternal destruction of almost 7 billion non-jws, men, women, and children, SOON, VERY SOON?

Next week, Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah? 

LOVE, BLONDIE

I was going to attend a meeting this morning and then I looked over this article.  Even though it was expected, it's shocking to see how an article ostensibly on love can be so incredibly negative and divisive.

Decided to stay home.

Thanks Blondie. Sure glad I didn't go!

Q 7, 8. (a) What is required in order for us to show love for God? (b) Despite what do God's people observe his commandments?

There's the hook.

11.  In responding to Christ's love for all mankind, we feel compelled to finish our assignment before the end comes. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:14,15.) The love Christ displayed was central to his accomplishing what God has purposed for mankind. And the model Christ left for us to follow closely enables each of us to have a part in that divine purpose. This requires that we successfully cultivate love of God to the fullest extent possible. (Matt. 22:37) By observing what Jesus taught and keeping his commandments, we show that we love him and are determined to uphold God's sovereignty at any cost, just as Jesus did.--John 1-John3 4; 15:10.

Para. 11 is disgusting to me.  Loaded language like "finish our assignment," "model Christ left us," "keeping his commandments" remind me how they don't even have to say what they are getting people to do.  YOU ALL SHOULD FEEL GUILTY THAT YOU ARE NOT OUT IN THE RECRUITING WORK.

After knowing the complete story of Malawi from Ray Franz's book, I cannot believe they trot out the story.  I suppose their thought is that confirmed believers will say that they addressed the situation thoroughly.

Q 17. What do some in divided households face, and why could they endure the mistreatment?

I think para. 17 will be a heavy sub-theme at this year's convention.

Par. 19 COMMENTS
jws only help other jws in natural disasters except for unbelieving spouses
jws are told not to donated directly to a disaster but the parent WT corporation
I learned from jws who went to Texas and Louisiana that the jws there were "encouraged" to sign over their insurance checks to the WTS.
Does the WTS repair KHs first or homes?

Here they go, trotting out examples where they actually make money off the generosity of the members and act like they are they are so much better than others about doing this.  What a scam.

I'm getting ready to go to the KH right now thanks for preparing for me!

Here are some of the things they call "love":

First, they steal all your time.  You are supposed to be out in field circus all the time.  This wears a person down, depriving them of sleep.  Most of the pio-sneers I have seen really didn't feel like being out, but have to in order to make their time.  Typically, they only get 4 or 5 hours of sleep per night, if that.  Keep in mind that children are also supposed to stay up way past their bedtimes on popular test nights.  All this results in losing as much as 20 years, from death and/or disability--only to find out that they have another 120 years to go.

They steal your dreams, too.  College is off limits.  Just about any career where a person can amount to something is also off limits.  People are usually destitute, and all the money they do manage to get is to be donated.  What they are not told is, if funds on hand exceed around $3,000, it triggers a bleed.  The funds are donated to the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund.  And, all those who donated so others can tend to personal needs now find it all for nothing--it also prevents them from being able to take a few months off from endless donations.  Stagnation results--along with destitution.  I have seen elderly people with little money throwing $20 bills into that box, despite having no real fulfillment, as if they were nothing.

And money isn't the only thing they take.  They use rules to make people miserable.  You are not allowed to stand out in any way.  You are not valued--only the work you do is.  They bust up families because people break a petty rule.  Sexual fulfillment is not allowed.  Entertainment is virtually banned--as a "frivolous waste of time".  They also hound people if they listen to music they call "bad", even if it isn't even bad.  To replace it, you get 135 of the most idolatrous pieces of sxxx I have ever heard of to sing and listen to.

Plus, with all the pedophiles getting away with it while their victims are silenced under threat of disfellowshipping for "slander", I can hardly see anything that resembles love.  Unless, that is, they love killing babies (or eating them--just ask KoolAidMan about the time he had something like that on one of his calls last July.

"God's offering Jesus as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins ought to stir love within us in return." 

I sooo love everytime the ransom comes up, all credit for it goes to God... It's pathetic.  It snowed her and I didn't go, soo happy. My parents are kicking me out cause they found out I'm "out".  So I'm doing the move away fade. Yet in the congregations eyes I'll be the horrible person just cause I'm trying to be HAPPY.. Made it in the congregation 30 some years..and have no money for retirement. And not full time job, always was forced to work part time to "seek kingdom interests" AKA WTS interests. I still can't beleive I wasted my life.

When opposition comes upon individual Christians from family members, it is quite different. Stress may be caused by members of the household or immediate relatives. Did not Jesus foretell that this would take place? Yes, and many have experienced the truthfulness of his words. (Matt. 10:35, 36) Teenagers have endured opposition from unbelieving parents. Some have even been ordered out of the home but they were taken in by kindly Witnesses. Others have been disowned.

Oh please.  This is just truly nauseating.  What about the hundreds of thousands of those who find out the truth about "the truth" who likewise have to "endure opposition", who have been "disowned" and who have been kicked out of the house by family members who would rather have the approval of a bunch of corrupt old men whom they've never actually met, than to have anything like "natural affection" for their own family memeber?

On page 348 of ISOCF, a horrific example of who actually does the shunning and the outcome of refusing to do the WT's bidding, is all laid out.

Annette Stuart, a (then) 77 year old grandmother who lived in West Brookfield, Massachusetts had been a faithful Witness for 30 years. Some time in the late 1970s, her then 17 year old granddaughter (who had been baptized as a ‘minor' 3 years earlier) decided that the pressures put upon her as a Witness was too much and stopped going to the meetings. Instead of just letting her walk away, the elders concluded that since she had ‘disfellowshipped herself', they would simply make it official and disfellowship her formally. However, at that time you were still allowed to talk to disfellowshipped persons and, although strained, their family continued on.

However, in 1981 with the Society's reversing (yet again) how you were to treat disfellowshipped family members, this family was torn apart. This young girl was kicked out of the family home by her self-righteous parents with nowhere to go so her grandmother took her in.  As her husband had never been a Witness, the elders could not do anything to him but ordered the grandmother to ‘walk out of the room' whenever her granddaughter entered and she was not to ‘eat a meal' with her. When she protested with many tears that she could not comply with such a heartless request (as it was neither scriptural or Christlike), she was disfellowshipped as well.  This disgusting act completely split the family apart and for what reason?  Because a 17 year old girl felt (with good reason) that the Organization was far too demanding and because a grandmother did what the scriptures said she should do: she "provided for her own" and paid the price.

Amazing number of diverse points they manage to get under the umbrella of "love". I suppose you can say that everything is motivated by a kind of love, for yourself or whatever, but this does stretch the point somewhat.

p 2 & 3 really demonizes "The World" as though it is the big bad bogey man waiting to pounce on you.

 Demas turned to loving what the world offered. (2 Tim. 4: 10) The apostle John warned Christians against this very danger. (Read 1 John 2:15, 16.) Loving the world and its transitory things and ways is not compatible with loving God and what originates with him................................(3) We are no part of this world, though we are still living in it. Thus, we have the challenge of avoiding the world's distorted view of love. It is vital that we not let ourselves be trapped by misguided or perverted love

What is "The World's perverted view of love? I see massive aid going to Haiti, I see charities working all over the world to help strangers and nearly everybody donating to help them . They blinker themselves to that.

The Malawi persecution was really horrible and I have respect for the the individuals there. But  I wanted to alter par 16 to say

 "When persecution broke out there were about 18000 Witnesses in that Country. Thirty years later " They are still awaiting the fulfillment of the promises !

The Year text that is at the front of every K Hall tells them that "Love never fails" . It is a pity that they are failed all the time by the religion that they love...... 

I just wanted to pop in and say how much I love your comments Blondie and look forward to them every week. 

How can an organization regulate love? It's the most beautiful of human emotions and they twist it into something ugly and prohibitive. Sinful in the extreme.

I can hardly believe they brought up Malawi............damage control?

When opposition comes upon individual Christians from family members, it is quite different. Stress may be caused by members of the household or immediate relatives. Did not Jesus foretell that this would take place? Yes, and many have experienced the truthfulness of his words. (Matt. 10:35, 36) Teenagers have endured opposition from unbelieving parents. Some have even been ordered out of the home but they were taken in by kindly Witnesses. Others have been disowned.

One word. Hypocrites.

Thx Blondie,

Mattieu

Awesome Comments Blondie!