Archive for Bible

Celebrating the secular Sabbath

{ April 9, 2008 @ 6:02 pm } · { Atheists, Bible, Christianity, Faith, Religion, Sabbath, Secularism }
{ Comments (9) }

It always intrigues me how religion and secularism interact, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. A recent report by the Associated Press points out the secular celebration of the Sabbath.

The Sabbath, a command given by God to the Israelites as part of what’s known today as the Ten Commandments, mandates a day of rest. Interestingly, some people who turn their backs entirely on any type of religion are acknowledging a Sabbath of sorts. They’re finding that God’s rules are actually healthy for their lives as they take a break from the hustle-bustle and technology of the day to day, and focus on relationships or just relaxing. They’re unplugging themselves from the Internet, refraining from watching television, or hanging out at coffee shops to chat and reflect.

As a Christian, I recognize that God’s commands are not merely a set of dos and don’ts. Yes, they were designed by Him and Christians obey them out of love for our Maker, but they are also for our good. In the case of the Sabbath, our physical, emotional, and relational health is at stake. In other cases—such as the commands to not steal,  murder, or commit adultery—our lives and the lives of others are deeply hurt by disobedience.

To me, the effectiveness and truth of the Bible are one very firm piece of evidence for God’s existence.

An honest teenager

{ March 26, 2008 @ 4:43 pm } · { Bible, Christianity, Cult, Faith, Jehovah's Witness, Legalism, Religion }
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With Mary’s story on my mind, I read another, similar tale about a young man. He made a decision to step out of his religion and into another to find some answers when he realized the “truth” of his apparently couldn’t stand up under any sort of attack. This took bravery—but it changed his life.

Feel free to share your thoughts about this teenager’s story.

A journey to faith and freedom: Part 2

{ March 23, 2008 @ 11:20 pm } · { Bible, Christianity, Cult, Faith, Jehovah's Witness, Jesus, Legalism, Religion, salvation }
{ Comments (7) }

Here is the rest of Mary’s interesting story:

What led you to reconsider your beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness?

Long story short: I was “witnessing” to a coworker/friend of mine and she was “witnessing” (the truth about Christianity!) to me.  We often had discussions about the Bible, and basically were having a Bible Study about basic true Christian teachings; neither of us could convince the other our beliefs. So one day we decided to pray together to God, through Jesus, and have Him reveal the truth to us. I honestly thought that her eyes would be open and she would be converted to a JW. But no. It was my eyes and heart that were opened to the truth and I began seeing the contradictions of their teachings right in my own JW Bible and JW materials.

Explain the thing (or things) that made you completely change your mind. 

Well, obviously the above was the first step.  Two other coworkers/friends of mine started inviting me to revival services at their church. I was so hesitant at first because I was scared to step foot into a church! But because I was seeing all the contradictions in the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teachings and the way they twisted things to fit their own doctrine, I finally gave in and went. I saw things that scared the you-know-what out of me! It was a Holy-Spirit filled revival service so there were people slain in the Spirit and speaking in tongues. I remember just standing there that first time, thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” But, I also remember standing there feeling so at peace and so loved. Almost everyone at that service was so loving and nice, and they accepted me just as I was. I didn’t have to “perform,” or dress a certain way for them to love me; they just loved me.  And as John 13:35 says, “all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What did you do when you realized you no longer believed what the Watch Tower does?

One Sunday morning, my oldest daughter and I went to the Kingdom Hall.  She was having a hard time understanding how I could “reject the truth” and start going to church.  But God was working on her heart, too, and began opening her eyes. Right in the middle of the meeting, we both looked at each other and knew we had to leave.  We couldn’t believe the twisting of the truth we were hearing, and our spirits wouldn’t let us stay.  We knew the truth now and could see it.  We walked out and never returned. 

I wrote a letter to the congregation, announcing my “disassociation.”  Because my daughter never was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness, she didn’t have to “disassociate” herself. You aren’t recognized as a true JW until you are baptized as one. 

Did this decision result in any positive or negative changes in your life?

Oh yes!

Positive: I am part of a huge family of true Christian believers who have loved me and accepted me as I am. I have grown so much in the last 11 years in my relationship with Jesus and in my personal life. I have gained so much self-esteem and confidence, through the love of Christ. He has been my Strength, my Provider, my Counselor, my All-in-All, my Everything!  And most of all I know He loves me, not because of what I do or don’t do, but because He created me!

Negative: The only negative change is that the people I thought were my friends don’t speak to me or even look at me when I see them in the grocery store or around town. I feel bad for them. I want their eyes to be open to the truth so bad, but they won’t even give me a chance.

How have your experiences as a born-again Christian differed from the faith experience you had as a Jehovah’s Witness?

It’s amazing the love I feel from God! I have a relationship with Him! It’s so different than being taught as a Jehovah’s Witness. As a Jehovah’s Witness you are expected to spend so many hours going door to door, and [the leaders] keep track of them. You are expected to attend all of the meetings and Bible studies…which are basically for training you to go door to door. They use all of their materials to teach you their doctrine, instead of using the Bible. 

As a Christian, I choose to read my Bible, I choose to witness to others because I love God and Jesus, and it’s in my heart, and it comes out of my mouth because God loves me and you!

My faith grows everyday because I ask the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me, and He does! I don’t need books or magazines to help me know and love God. His love is there for you to grasp and take hold of.  He is waiting with open arms to receive you, just as you are, all your mess, all your imperfections, all of your sin. Jesus died on the cross for you; God sent him because He loves you. Plain and simple, the truth has set me free!  I’m no longer in bondage, no longer deceived by wrong teachings!  I am free to love God and to love others, and to show them the true love of Jesus Christ.

I pray right now in Jesus name, that if you are a Jehovah’s Witness or any other religion, or atheist or agnostic, or whatever, and are reading this, that you will take a moment and pray to God and ask him to reveal the truth about Himself to you! He loves you so much, and He wants you to be set free by His truth! All you have to do is ask.  Don’t let the lies and deceit of Satan control you any longer.

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