stanw
New Member
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Post by stanw on Jul 19, 2014 15:13:55 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 15:19:10 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk welcome to the forum the professing friends are just not as vocal as the ex 2x2 are and the atheists. i happen to be one of the more vocal PROFESSING folks here welcome to the circus! DO NOT be afraid to chime in or ask a question...
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Post by faune on Jul 19, 2014 15:31:41 GMT -5
Stanw ~ Welcome to TMB! I'm sure if you stay around a while you will find some folks who share your sentiment, just like Wally said. There are a number of professing people on this Board, but perhaps the exe's do tend to be more vocal about things due to our experiences. I hope you don't mind hearing from us, too? I feel you will learn a number of interesting things if you stick around enough on TMB? Here's hoping you reserve judgment and give us a chance? Take care & welcome aboard!
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Post by What Hat on Jul 19, 2014 15:56:05 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk On the other hand, you'll get a chance to speculate here about various topics that you might not be able to in meeting or with your meeting friends. Is there a Hell? Does salvation/ reward vary according to works? Is there a Purgatory? Can or should we pray to God about the weather? Or, topics like, why are there so many workers serving jail terms for child sexual abuse? What is being done about the issue? What are other church communities doing? You might also come to understand that many ex's have left for perfectly good reasons, other than unwillingness. Like, their parents beat them. Or, they had a falling out with a head worker. Or, a worker had an affair with someone in their family and nothing was done about it. Or worse, someone they know was sexually abused, or a worker who had a reputation for sexual abuse was moved into their meeting. Some have had bad experiences and learned not to be 'bitter' about it. These are exceptions, of course, but I don't want you to think that if someone leaves it is always entirely their fault. You might ask yourself, also, why God would let that happen, if the f&w are the only folks in possession of a 'perfect' way. Some of those who have had bitter experiences are angry about it, and some have gotten over it. Some, like myself, never had all that rough a time in leaving. I'm here because I like conversing about religious topics with atheists, Catholics, universalists, and friends, like yourself. So, welcome aboard. As far as those who are bitter or angry, you're entitled to dislike what they write and ignore it also. It's a crazy, mixed up forum, a microcosm of what you'll find in the world, so it'll never be all good, but then again, it's never all bad either.
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Post by snow on Jul 19, 2014 16:18:35 GMT -5
Welcome to TMB. I hope you stick around and voice your opinions too. We are a very mixed group with many different religious beliefs and non religious beliefs. I have been on here for about 4 years and I can truthfully say I really love talking with everyone. We don't all agree but for me there is a connection with many who post here. I am agnostic leaning very heavily towards atheist, but I was once in the truth and professed. I think that it works for some people and for others it just doesn't. I think that's good though. We all need a place that brings us joy, we feel comfortable in and we find fellowship. So, like faune has stated, I hope you give us a chance. There are some very good people on here with many different beliefs.
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Post by jondough on Jul 19, 2014 17:09:17 GMT -5
Hi Stan,
I've been visiting (and posting) here for about a year and a half. I too go to meetings, and love the fellowship, and those in it. I was born and raised in it, but have come to the conclusion (before coming here) that we cannot, and are not the only "saved" ones. Spending time here will help you see a much broader view of all things, from many different perspectives other than the little box from which we were raised.
I have really enjoyed reading other's views. It can only be healthy, and helpful in coming to conclusions for our own beliefs. We were raised never to do this, but I believe its a lack in faith to think that we would not be shown what is right. Asking us to believe only what we are told, and were raised to believe (the same thing many other religions do that think they are the only saved ones) and never listen to other points of view to me is an insecurity that would never be advised for any other thing in life.
Welcome, and hopefully you'll stay awhile.
p.s. Most exes here are really not that bitter. I thought the same as you when I first discovered TMB. Also, the ones that may be considered "bitter" have been hurt very badly.
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Post by Annan on Jul 19, 2014 17:20:31 GMT -5
It seems that so many here like to call us ex's and/or Atheists bitter and disgruntled, etc. Perhaps it is that we have seen the light and want others to see it too. I run free and full of joy these days and hope that others will find their way too. Geez Louise!
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Post by BobWilliston on Jul 19, 2014 17:48:34 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk I appreciate what you have written. And, as a matter of fact, I agree with you totally. That's what I said for over 40 years, and even today I believe it was my true reality. But I disassociated myself from the workers more than a decade ago and I cannot imagine ever returning. My first serious problem with meetings was that I needed to take pills before the meeting so I could deal with the sick feeling of having to find fellowship with someone who kept reporting me to the police. I could still have dealt with that if I had not discovered that the workers (all the way to the top of the hierarchy) could lie to and about each other without batting an eye, and they could lie to and about the friends without batting an eye. I confronted them with the fact that workers 2000 miles away, who didn't know me and whom I had never heard of, were warning my friends not to come and visit me because I was having a "unconvention" for people who had been put out of meeting. It happened that I was going to meeting and all the people invited were going to meeting and it was nothing more than a picnic in the park. The only consolation I got from the workers was that in a few years the friends would forget what the workers had said about me. The only apology I ever got from any of them was from the sister worker who informed me at meeting one Sunday morning that my wife and I had a perverted private relationship. This is just one paragraph of a whole volume of what I was confronted with. It just came to the point where I found no reason to trust a 120 year old ministry who behaved in such a fashion and advocated tolerating it "for the sake of righteousness". That said -- I see absolutely nothing wrong with the style of fellowship that the friends have. That was never my problem. I guess you could say I am as disappointed as you are.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 20:09:09 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk i posted on the threat "What is Charity" and i feel this is how we need to be to all man regardless of how they are or seem to be, we Just have to think of Jesus and of what He had to go through to bring us the Love of Heaven, I'm sure I'm one of many who doesn't want to tread on that Love one thing about love pure love it has no enemies
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Post by BobWilliston on Jul 19, 2014 20:19:31 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk i posted on the threat "What is Charity" and i feel this is how we need to be to all man regardless of how they are or seem to be, we Just have to think of Jesus and of what He had to go through to bring us the Love of Heaven, I'm sure I'm one of many who doesn't want to tread on that Love one thing about love pure love it has no enemies Interesting. But "truth" does have enemies???
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 21:35:13 GMT -5
i posted on the threat "What is Charity" and i feel this is how we need to be to all man regardless of how they are or seem to be, we Just have to think of Jesus and of what He had to go through to bring us the Love of Heaven, I'm sure I'm one of many who doesn't want to tread on that Love one thing about love pure love it has no enemies Interesting. But "truth" does have enemies??? truth maybe
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Post by BobWilliston on Jul 19, 2014 22:13:19 GMT -5
Interesting. But "truth" does have enemies??? truth maybe Why not both of them?
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Post by findingtruth on Jul 19, 2014 22:38:28 GMT -5
I love Truth and I love going to meeting. Welcome stanw! Perhaps you can help me understand what you see as "Truth". Thanks and we hope you'll stick around and add your input.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 22:44:00 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk i posted on the threat "What is Charity" and i feel this is how we need to be to all man regardless of how they are or seem to be, we Just have to think of Jesus and of what He had to go through to bring us the Love of Heaven, I'm sure I'm one of many who doesn't want to tread on that Love one thing about love pure love it has no enemies isn't satan an enemy of pure love?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2014 23:14:17 GMT -5
i posted on the threat "What is Charity" and i feel this is how we need to be to all man regardless of how they are or seem to be, we Just have to think of Jesus and of what He had to go through to bring us the Love of Heaven, I'm sure I'm one of many who doesn't want to tread on that Love one thing about love pure love it has no enemies isn't satan an enemy of pure love? only if you acknowledge him, he has no power against it
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Post by curlywurlysammagee on Jul 19, 2014 23:27:21 GMT -5
I would be disappointed in this forum if there was no mention of many of the ills of the 2x2's. Here you will find mention made of sexual assaults, physical assaults, financial impropriety by workers. dodgy deals between workers and friends, and so on. This is a space where these evil sins may be brought to light. Having left the 2x2's years ago and having little contact with the people I would not know whether these things are discussed or not. Perhaps Stanw you could enlighten myself and others on this.
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Post by dmmichgood on Jul 20, 2014 0:29:22 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Welcome to the board, stanw, How long have how long have you been professing?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2014 2:23:33 GMT -5
Stan
The board is probably not the best place to come to if you are merely looking professing friends to chat to over a proverbial cup of herbal tea. The board is a battleground of thoughts and ideas ranging from the profound to the absurd and certainly no place for the faint hearted. If you come here wishing to retain an idyllic view of the professing world with comely maiden workers dancing at the crossroads, you will find yourself disappointed. A professing picnic it is not.
However if you want to search deep into your soul and find for yourself the answers to the questions you have not yet asked there is no better place. Who was william Irvine? Why do you believe what you believe? Was the crucifixion a hoax? Why did that worker you so loved so much suddenly disappear off in handcuffs? Does the 2x2 church really not have a name? Who changed the bible and why? What does EC stand for in your hymn book author list? When did Jesus become God? Is Tommie Gamble ultimately responsible for the fall in 2x2 standards over the past two decades? Why does the 2x2 sect cover up child abuse? Why are TVs not allowed in the homes of professing people but yet workers are allowed access to TV through their iPads? How do you feel about being labelled a Cooneyite? Will labelling the 2x2 sect a dangerous cult lead to civil unrest on the streets of Belfast? Should lesbians be allowed into the work? What really is that red liquid in the communion cup and why does it taste so bad? Does the fact that you mentioned the word 'meeting' sixteen times in your post but the word 'God/Lord" only twice, represent a fair reflection of the focus of your faith? At what point did you become aware that the 2x2 sect is merely 117 years old? If you happen to be gay and eat shellfish on the sabbath should you really be put to death?
I suggest you come along and join the party.
Matt10
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Post by uker260702 on Jul 20, 2014 2:28:15 GMT -5
Welcome Stan. It would be good to have your input on the board. Not sure how much you`ve read, but if you get to know the people on the board, you may come to understand them and their experiences better.
There are wrongdoings in meetings that maybe you weren`t aware of, or are too often covered up, and many people have been hurt by what has happened to them. You may only get one side of the story from the workers about this. If you continue to read here, you may come to see that there is another, often very different picture to what you have been led to believe.
I`m an ex but enjoy the posts and the input of the Friends that do post on here.
Having said all that, I can understand if you feel that this wasn`t the type of board you were looking for, and something else may suit you better. Are you aware of the various facebook groups etc out there, that are predominantly or exclusively for the Friends? Maybe the Friends on the board could let you know about these.
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Post by fixit on Jul 20, 2014 4:34:47 GMT -5
Will labelling the 2x2 sect a dangerous cult lead to civil unrest on the streets of Belfast? Good post Matt 10, but you missed out the word "particularly". Perhaps you had a particular reason for that omission?
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Post by ellie on Jul 20, 2014 6:14:39 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Welcome Stanw. I hope you find the board helpful in some way. I go to meetings but joined the board at a point where I was very bothered by the exclusivity of meetings. I like very much the variety of opinions - there are quite a lot of interesting topics on here - enjoy!!
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Post by Admin on Jul 20, 2014 6:34:27 GMT -5
Welcome Stan, I hope you stay around and add your voice to this eclectic bunch of TMB members. Half of the admin team is professing. Nice to have you here, admin
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jj
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Post by jj on Jul 20, 2014 6:54:49 GMT -5
Welcome! I'm new here myself, though I don't post a lot, I mostly just enjoy reading the wide variety of opinions, beliefs and views in here I think there is 'bitterness' because some of those who have left have had various experiences, some good, some bad, which will stay with them forever and have shaped and changed their lives in very deep ways. Some have had very painful experiences, which, like any other painful experience, can leave someone psychologically and/ or spiritually scarred, and take a long time to heal, if ever. Others have completely different experiences and love the meetings, the fellowship and the sense of unity and the people. And those positive experiences are just as equally important and valid. I don't go to meetings anymore, and I probably do seem quite bitter (I think perhaps in some ways I am?) but to go through such a shift in thinking (I speak from experience) can really shake you up. That being said, I did have good experiences in the church, met many wonderful people, but in the end, I knew deep down what was right, for me, and I left. Wishing you all the best
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Post by Greg on Jul 20, 2014 8:06:23 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ... but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Anyone have alternative suggestions? I think there is a FaceBook site or two which might meet the desire indicated. Also, perhaps someone could indicate for the writer who are the professing here with which he might chat or follow. Just had the thought, "Should there be a 'professing' only sub-board?"
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Post by sharingtheriches on Jul 20, 2014 10:36:10 GMT -5
I joined this site because I thought I would find other professing friends to chat with. ...but so far in reading through some posts I just find alot of bitterness and disgruntled people. Some comments appear to be from young folks whose parents are making them go to meeting. (Why do we have to go to meeting..etc..) . Other posts seem to be from bitter "ex-professing" people. It seems strange to me that when people stop coming to meeting they never can seem to leave it behind, always wanting to take others out with them . Maybe to feel justified in themselves. I love Truth and I love going to meeting. I've been in some wonderful meetings and in other meetings there seemed to be a spiritual famine . In some meetings the singing was great and in others everyone was tone def. but in every meeting the majority of folks really love it and desire with all there hearts to be there. We've had some wonderful workers and we have had some that were not . We've had some workers who struggled to stay in the work and others that love to be in the work, in both cases were easy to see.This way is a spiritual way and if you don't desire to be in it then it will not take long to be cut off. In my mothers meeting there are only those three old ladies. 3. That's it just 3 . But they all love meeting so they keep meeting every Wednesday and Sunday . And sometimes friends from other parts of the state come to help. In my own meeting 2/3 of our friends are tone def and it makes it hard to sing and start the hymns(me). I never regret getting to a meeting though. I've never come away from meeting not feeling better than before it started. Sometimes just before I get ready to leave for meeting I have to go and shut the door and ask The Lord to help me have the right spirit for meeting. God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Well anyway I'm sure there are more godly professing folks on here than ungodly , rolled up and pressed together....sorrow and love flow mingled down Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Welcome Stanw! I know sometimes the threads can be a bit staggering, but generally we can almost assure you that 99 per cent of the time, all that is posted is the unadulterated truth even though perhaps seen through different experiences anddifferent times. I would like for you to go to the thread named "Vietnam" and start at the beginning and read about what the friends in a foreign country have had to go through and how the situation is not solved yet! There you will see real truth, though it may be painful for some.....and may God be kind to all of us in all our experiences and hopefully it will lead us all to the real truth in life. Again, very welcome!
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Post by fixit on Jul 20, 2014 14:42:55 GMT -5
Anyone have alternative suggestions? I think there is a FaceBook site or two which might meet the desire indicated. Also, perhaps someone could indicate for the writer who are the professing here with which he might chat or follow. Just had the thought, "Should there be a 'professing' only sub-board?" I'm professing and TMB has helped me to understand better why people leave the fellowship, and how I can better relate to folks inside who are struggling as well as folks who have left. Much more than that too of course. On TMB we get insight to various shades of Christianity as well as the agnostic/atheist viewpoint. Should there be a 'professing' only sub-board? System-minded professing folks can be more bitter than exes in their attitude towards non-exclusive folks like myself. So I don't have any confidence that 'professing only' would work. Oh...welcome to the fray Stan W.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2014 15:47:48 GMT -5
Welcome Stan. It would be good to have your input on the board. Not sure how much you`ve read, but if you get to know the people on the board, you may come to understand them and their experiences better. There are wrongdoings in meetings that maybe you weren`t aware of, or are too often covered up, and many people have been hurt by what has happened to them. You may only get one side of the story from the workers about this. If you continue to read here, you may come to see that there is another, often very different picture to what you have been led to believe. I`m an ex but enjoy the posts and the input of the Friends that do post on here. Having said all that, I can understand if you feel that this wasn`t the type of board you were looking for, and something else may suit you better. Are you aware of the various facebook groups etc out there, that are predominantly or exclusively for the Friends? Maybe the Friends on the board could let you know about these. I am keen to know about other groups that are predominantly or exclusively for the Friends. Is anyone able to point me in the right direction?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2014 16:21:39 GMT -5
If all you want is to chat with professing folks, then Facebook is a likely forum. Join 323 Youth, Saints and Servants, and the folks there can tell you of the other forums. No discussion, just snippets of gospel meetings notes, pictures of workers, and that sort of stuff. If you want some doctrinal discussion, try Professing Bible Believers (mixed group but predominately friends.)
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