Psalm 34:4
So I know I've been saying for awhile something is coming and I'm back but truly I am back. I just launched my Youtube channel and going to be doing at least one video a week. Here is the first video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYcNkzea3sTfTedJxhEjOiA/
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It’s been awhile… time has gone by fast but also slow at the same time because of the mental and emotional battle that has been waging on me for too long. But I am emerging from the stalemate that I’ve been in.
It seems that not long after I released the video on Facebook of telling everyone about the ministry God’s laid on my heart, things started to turn. I started doubted, and questioning what I was doing. If it was the right thing… These thoughts along with some things between my husband and I, and my heart towards him as my head and supporter through this ministry, soured myself. Thoughts were bombarding me and I was letting them win. Bitterness, anger, resentment and hurt were over taking and I didn’t have the will to fight it off this time even though I knew there were lies and the enemy was whispering. So eventually it took over. I had no fire, passion, motivation, energy or desire anymore. I felt physically weak and lazy. Depression was arising again. Not all the time but enough. I didn’t tell anyone though, because I didn’t want to claim it. I didn’t want depression to be a thing in my life again. It hadn’t been for the last 3 ½ years since I gave my life to Christ. I know better. I was believing that it’s just life. We have moments when things are hard and overwhelming and we have emotions and are supposed to feel grief, sadness, etc. There’s a time to weep and a time to be happy. But this was different. It was accompanied by dark thoughts of worthlessness and death. This calling on my life was too heavy to bare. I didn’t want to do it. I couldn’t do it. They were the exact opposite of what I was feeling just months prior, with fire-y passion and confidence that I was doing what I should be and what I was called to do. I had such strong faith in God and his power before, that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me, that I was invincible (in a sense) to do whatever it was that God called me to do. Suddenly though, I was lost, confused, and unsure of what I should do… what was I doing? One thing I knew for sure was that I could NOT cut myself off completely from everything and everyone spiritual even though I wanted to. I knew that that would be just what the enemy would want and I’d think worse of myself because I’d be letting everyone down and making a fool of myself by running and hiding. I made sure that I kept my commitment to our church and serving with the kids, serving with the women’s leadership, and attending a weekly bible study group. Most of me didn’t think anything would happen, even though a small part did think that God would hopefully do a work, because he is faithful and he knows me and what is going on in my heart and mind. I needed him to even though I didn’t feel like the things I was going through were big deals. Other people have more problems… bigger problems… more important things to feel despair about… mine are small compared to the world’s problems. But you know what? God is so big, so powerful, so loving, so faithful, so GOOD, that he cares about even the little worries we have. He knows the weight of this world and the weight the enemy can put on us even if it’s a blanket of lies and not reality. He was faithful to do a work in me. He gave me a group of amazing women who are so in touch with the heart and spirit of God, to be there and support me, even if they didn’t know the full extent to which I was quietly suffering in my own thoughts and lies of the enemy. God spoke to them and through them. He spoke through the material we were studying. He gave me breakthrough from my hardened heart towards my husband and close the gap between us. He’s slowly been working in my heart on the other things and speaking through others to let me know he is there, he is listening and he is answering me. He’s shown me that even if I screwed things up, and made the wrong choices, his promises are still true, he is still faithful; he still loves me, is going to bless me and help me to continue on this journey. He’s still going to use me. My ministry has not ended and even though it’s shifting a little bit, it’s still going to be doing its intended purposes. I’m getting my fire back and the joy in him to continue on. One thing he’s constantly been telling me is slow down… wait for him. Let him lead. This is a marathon not a sprint even if I feel like there isn’t much time. There is enough because it’s all in his perfect sovereign plan and timing. Thank you Jesus! Thank you Father for being soooooooooooooooo GOOD! I am not looking ahead to the future. I am just looking at today, because today has its own worries. But I am excited for the growth and journey. Yes, I did go through some depression, but it wasn’t enough to go back on meds. It was a season that has made me stronger, even though I should have reached out more to get support from others, my prayer team and my husband. Things are better today than they have been in a while. Now that summer is over and my son is back to school, I can focus more in depth on ministry again. I pray that God shows you more and more of his love for you, his faithfulness, his presence and heart. I pray he gives you his eyes to see yourself and others the way he does. I pray for any of you who may be struggling with things, especially silently, I pray for chains to be broken, truth and light to come in to expose the lies and darkness, to break you free from anything the enemy may have you bound up in. I pray in the name of Jesus for strongholds to be broken, healing to come in and blessings, joy, peace and love to surround you! Thank you Father! Praise be to you, the sovereign Lord over all the universe, and our King Jesus Christ! There are a lot of people, most of which are Jehovah’s Witnesses, some close to me even, that have made statements regarding the Ex-JW community “attacking” the Watchtower and Organization on the sexual abuse issue, saying that if we are going to address this issue, we should address it everywhere. Meaning that we should address it within every religion, church, institution etc… because it’s rampant everywhere, it’s not just an issue with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Yes, this is very true. It is not just an issue with Jehovah’s Witnesses and it is everywhere. Just because ex-JWs are so focused on the issue within the organization, does not mean that we do not care about it going on in other areas, that we don’t want to address it, or that we don’t hold others to the same standards. There are many reasons that we are so focused on addressing it within the organization. First I will say that ex-JWs are not surprised, or stricken by the fact that sexual abuse in and of itself is happening in the organization. The issue is with the policy and procedures, in which the organization handles such cases, or lack thereof. That thousands of victims have been mistreated, and 99%, if not 100%, of reports have gone un-reported to proper authorities by the Organization. Thus leaving all these victims at the hands of their abusers, broken, and without proper help, for far longer than imaginable. That is first and foremost why Ex-JWs have taken up issue with the Organization. Another reason is that this issue has just become apparent over the last few years, starting with the Candace Conti case in California that was the largest settlement ever won in favor of a victim of sexual abuse. Next came the Australia Royal Commission hearings which uncovered more shocking revelations. Since then, more and more victims have chosen to speak up, because now they feel empowered, that they have a voice, that people are listening or will listen, they have support from a large community of ex-JWs now that social media is so popular, and some probably finally realized just how much power the Governing Body does not have over them. With the justice system on their side, and successful court cases, they also feel safer coming forward. This issue is just becoming uncovered and it’s a first within this religion, that it’s being exposed. The Governing Body, as well as all elders involved, and abusers, need to be held accountable. Most other religions such as the Catholic church, and Mormons, have already had their issues come to light. Which brings me to my next point: ex-JWs are addressing the issue within the organization, because it’s what they are directly affected by as a victim, family member or friend of a victim, or it’s what we know and have experience with, because we were once part of the organization. There are other people, members of the Catholic church, or Mormons who have taken up cause for that particular religion, and the sexual abuse issues there, because they are or were members or victims. It’s what they know and have had experience with. People usually take up a cause of their interest, experience, or expertise. It does not mean that they do not care about the same thing happening anywhere else, or other important life issues. For example, people who protest with signs saying “Black Lives Matter”, doesn’t mean that they are racist and don’t care about other races or the issues they face. Most people who say “Make America Great Again”, don’t just care about America. There are people who solely focus on animal rights, but does that mean they don’t care about human rights and they’re on a witch hunt? No. Yes, there are radical extremists of all causes and issues. There are even some within the ex-JW community that I do not agree with, nor do I care to associate myself with. I don’t believe loud in your face, angry, hateful, violent or degrading tactics are right or necessary. Those ones who react that way are reacting out of their own emotional hurt, and need healing. I do believe they care and want justice for victims and to protect children within the organization, but they’re letting their emotions run them. Unfortunately, it’s what happens when people put their identity in humans, or in this case, also an organization that puts itself in the place of God as God’s channel and spokesman. The organization is abusing its power. Men are abusing their power, twisting scripture, and doing wrong once again in the name of God, and it’s causing people to become jaded against anything God. Most of these ex-JWs are atheists or agnostic and don’t have a firm foundation on the truth which is Jesus Christ. We can’t all be lumped into that category though. There are many like me, that are Christian, who deeply love and care about truth, justice and safety for past, present and future victims. I want to hopefully prevent future victims, and ensure they get the proper help they need, which is professional help. Elders are not professional counselors, investigators, police etc. They have no right to form judicial committees like a court, to judge people’s sins or crimes. That is what the Pharisees/Sadducees and leaders of religion law did before Jesus set things straight. The New Testament calls for matters to be brought before the whole congregation, ( that calls for a whole post of it’s own). But members of the congregations in which reports happen, are not even made aware of pedophiles to safeguard their children. Some have said that it should be up to the parents to report such incidents, which is partly true. Yes, parents should report things like this. It should not be solely up to the parents to report though. However, some other things need to be taken into consideration. When a parent is the abuser, of course they aren’t going to report on themselves. When a spouse is the abuser of their child, the other spouse is strongly encouraged to not report on the other. Especially wives. Women within the organization are seen as much less then men, and have no authority (this also deserves a post of its own). If the abuser is in any leadership role within the organization, it is even more pressed that the abuser not be reported. Children are almost always not believed if there is not a confession, and if there is not another witness or victim. And even if there is confession or another witness, the child is still put back in the environment with their abuser if its someone they live with. They are not safeguarded. They are told to forgive and obey their parents. Every one of these scenarios, is all so as to, “not bring reproach on Jehovah’s name.” Lastly, but probably not least, the Watchtower Organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, are not obeying the law of the land in turning over documents to the court with records of pedophiles or sexual abuse reports. They are protecting pedophiles and endangering lives. Thus in turn are not obeying God. God tells us in his word to obey the authorities of the land, because he puts them in place for a reason and for our protection. Romans 13:1-5 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” I will also make another post in regards to the judicial committees that Jehovah’s Witnesses hold when one confesses sin, or is going against the organization. If this is your first time here and reading this post first, please see my other posts on this issue so you can have a clearer understanding. Thank you as always for reading and I have much more to share with everyone soon hopefully. I took the month of February off for a break to prepare for the coming season. Now I’m digging in and heading into a new season. I am going to be giving much more attention to this ministry and going more public now that some things have taken place. It's going to take a lot of strength and courage. It's not going to be easy. Please be praying for me if you feel it on your heart. God bless! Shunning
Shunning is a very real thing with Jehovah’s Witnesses and it’s a very harmful practice. Not familiar with this term? The definition of Shun is: “persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone or something) through antipathy or caution.” From Wikipedia: “Shunning can be the act of social rejection, or emotional distance. In a religious context, shunning is a formal decision by a denomination or a congregation to cease interaction with an individual or a group, and follows a particular set of rules.” In regards to Jehovah’s Witnesses, they are required to shun anyone who has been a baptized member of the religion and then is either “disfellowshipped” or leaves the religion. The organization/religion has even begun to push towards shunning of ones who were never baptized, but were involved at any time and no longer are, anyone who opposes the religion, as well as inactive members of the religion. Disfellowshipping is for members who have committed sins, then either confessed or were caught, and are either unrepentant or the sin was considered to be habitual, or severe enough. Well at least that’s what they would like you to believe. It’s partly the truth, however, they also have disfellowshipped ones who question the authority of the Governing Body or the organization’s doctrines, ones who have tried to warn others in the congregation about a severe matter such as a pedophile, members who did not refuse a blood transfusion or for their child, and for a time even ones who accepted organ transplants during the time period when they banned that. There are several other pretty pathetic reasons why they have wrongly disfellowshipped people that I am not aware of. When one is disfellowshipped, they lose any congregation privileges, cannot attend any social functions of the congregations or it’s members, cannot talk to anyone, others cannot talk to that person whether at the kingdom hall or outside, and must sit in the back of the kingdom halls during the services. Even family members, even if they live with you or you with them, are to shun you. In some cases, family members who live in the same household are only allowed to converse with you in regards to important matters but never anything social or spiritual. For a disfellowshipped member to regain their privileges, they must repent, no longer be living in sin, and work their way back which includes attending all meetings and preparing for them. This usually lasts anywhere from 6 months – 2 years on average until a person can be “reinstated” (gain their privileges back). Minors are not excluded from this practice, with some teens even being kicked out of their home to live with others or become homeless. I’m sure you’re thinking that this is not biblical, darn right ridiculous and terrible, right? Well you’re right. This is just one of the many reasons they are not guided by Jehovah or God. This destroys people and families. For one, God is a merciful and gracious loving Father who wants mercy and not sacrifice. Second, salvation is not works based and once you repent, God forgives and forgets. We are not to live in shame and condemnation. The well-known story of the “prodigal son” is the best example of how God reacts when we repent. He doesn’t make us work our way back to his love. He runs to us, throws his arms around us, is overjoyed to have us back and loves us so much, that he throws a celebration in our honor. Why? Because it’s who he is. He is the greatest, most loving God and Father there ever could be, and we are worthy. We are his children. We had enough “punishment” while we were suffering for in wrong doing, the consequences for our actions, living in our own guilt, shame and condemnation, before we humbled ourselves to face him again and admit we were wrong and that we need him. So who is any man to act any different? Especially men who were created in the image of God and are to be holy as he is holy, love as he loves and follow Christ? We would not be doing any of that if we chose to be like the Governing Body or elders in the congregations with their judgment, condemnation and works. Anyways, I wanted to write about all of this, because I now have 3 family members who shun me, because I chose to speak truth and stand for Jesus. It is definitely disappointing, but I hurt more for them, not myself. I am not angry with them. I am sad that they are so blinded and have to harden their hearts and destroy family. I pray and pray for them and all other Jehovah’s Witnesses and their family members who are affected. If you’d like to know more about shunning and disfellowshipping, such as the scriptures that Jehovah’s Witnesses use to support these practices, click here. This month I am beginning the ramping up my stand for Jesus, justice and truth. I will be speaking out more publicly throughout the year and completely uncovering myself to my family. I have been slowly doing so, but God’s been putting it on my heart more and more that I need to do this. No more hiding, no more fear of man. I need to fear God more and do what he’s called me to do. I will no longer be passive and let people stay captive. I will no longer see people hurt and children and victims of abuse go unheard. I will be a voice for the voiceless. There has been a great exposure of sexual abuse throughout society whether it’s Politicians, Hollywood, Gymnastics, Media faces, other churches, etc.. It’s time this is heard by the world. Many of us ex-JW Apostates are trying to get big media to expose this issue to the world so that hopefully the Governing Body/Watchtower will change their policies. It’s also a time for action to be taken for all victims of sexual abuse throughout the whole world. I told someone recently that it doesn’t matter if I believed Jehovah’s Witnesses were true followers of Christ. Nor would it make a difference if this was happening in another church or religion, I would still be speaking up about this. I don’t have a personal vendetta against Jehovah’s Witnesses because I speak out about any false teachers or unbiblical teachings. It’s truth and justice that I stand for. It’s human rights, dignity and respect that I stand for. So please join me in this prayer for ALL sexual abuse victims throughout all the world and the abusers, the supporters of abuse and policies that let this happen… Father God, and Lord Jesus Christ, I pray for your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, for your name to be glorified ! I pray for all the victims of sexual abuse, that you would bring redemption, healing and freedom for them. That you would give justice to the innocent, and raise up voices and action to help bring this justice about. Instill in the hearts of every believer, to be an advocate for justice. To not just stand by the way side and be passive and leave it to the “leaders.” It is every brother and sister’s responsibility to support one another in sharing each other’s burdens, protect, upbuild and encourage. I pray for policies that enable these things to happen, and for things to be hidden and covered up, that they would be destroyed completely. I pray for our American society to be influenced to change from a sexualized one, to one of modesty, self-respect and dignity. Not because we need to be conformed but because it’s about protection and love. I pray for brokenness to be healed, identities to be redeemed and that we would not be a culture of fear and hatred but one of peace, love and respect. I pray for voices to be raised and heard. I pray for women in the church to be raised up as powerful leaders as well. Thank you Father for being so good and merciful! All praise and honor belong to you Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ! In your holy name I pray, Amen! Thank you for supporting me by following my blog. This month I am taking the time to focus on this ministry, family, and digging deep into God’s word. I am preparing and planning for the next season of this ministry. I will be working on activism and I am hoping to launch my plans for classes/workshops for local Christians to come and learn about differences in the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, giving life and identity to the church, educating and equipping them, and whatever else it brings. I am starting with Jehovah’s Witness beliefs because it’s what I am most familiar with right now but I am also going to add in other false teachings eventually but mostly I think as long as we believers know what we believe, why we believe, who we are as God’s Children in Christ, and how to share truth with others, we can withstand any false teaching out there. So that is first and foremost my goal. I hope to launch in Spring or Fall. Please watch for more posts this month! I will be sharing about my activism and other exciting things. Always done in truth and love. If you'd like to be involved, please email me! :D So…. Its been awhile since I’ve posted… obviously..
I’m sure you’re familiar with how busy the holidays get and it’s no different here. On top of that, things spiritually have been crazy the last few months with a lot of stuff coming at me that I’ve had to sort through and figure out what to do with it. Things like false teachings and teachers creeping into not only the church I attend, but the church worldwide. It’s been happening for some time, and really all of church history, but people in my circles have become more aware of the modern push of these things more recently and it’s been quite the upsetting. This is not the only thing that has come up though. I briefly mentioned in one of my last posts that I’ve been having to address something in our church with a few people and the leadership. Things are still in the works on that because they’ve taken a pause during the holidays. Now that things are getting back on schedule, I am looking to move forward on these things. God has been teaching me a lot through all of this and I’ve had some major spiritual and character growth. I’ve been stretched to confront things that are hard and messy which is not my natural tendency, but I do not live in the natural any longer. I am not called to a spirit of fear, but a spirit of Love and courage. If I didn’t address these messy hard things then I’d be lazy and ignoring, which is not loving to just let things go and let people continue on in their ways when it’s something that is unfruitful. It’s more of helping them come to the right understanding of God’s will for them, and their true identity. It’s an area of life that I have been delivered from and when I never expected God to use that part of my story, he seems to be doing so. It’s not something that I want to share about until this whole situation is over. This has really made me step up into the qualities and character of a true leader. Since I have been in a leadership position in our women’s ministry, it is only fitting. This is not where I would have pictured myself serving the Lord, if you had asked me in the beginning of this walk with Christ. Because all my life I have been the one to let others take the lead and never wanted to be the one in front of the group or leading and teaching people. I always wanted to be the quiet one doing the work in the background, like a stagehand, and let others take the spotlight. I still sometimes would rather be that person. I am still not at a place where I voluntarily want to be the one with the microphone leading anything. I shake and tremble with anxiety any time I have to confront things and I did that when I had to confront this situation. But I know God is with me and it’s not about how my body may be reacting, it’s about the love that’s coming from my heart for the person. Last month, I was drawn to a daily devotional through the bible app on my phone. This is the “Youversion” bible app. I was drawn to one called “The Deborah Anointing” because it was about discovering and growing in the calling God has for you. I already know what my calling is, but I don’t know the process or what it all entails yet. I want to discover more of what it’s all about and grow in the qualities and character I will need for this journey and assignment. This devotion was just what I need. God ordained for me to discover because it’s a very short version of a book that was written called “The Deborah Anointing” by Michelle McClain-Walters which you can find on Amazon here. Every day of this devotional was exactly what I needed to hear. It was so powerful, I bought the book and study guide which you can also find on Amazon. I have so far read the Intro and first 2 Chapters. I’ve really learned a lot already and this was meant to be. I praise God for how he has led me to this. I am excited for this years growth in what God has for me. One thing the book points out is that there are seasons and a process to the calling God has for you. The seasons I have already discovered before I even read this book because for the last 3.5 years, each season has brought the changes that this book talks about. Winter is a time for dieing to self, resting, listening to God’s voice and planning for the season ahead. Spring is a time to start working the soil and planting, meaning putting into action what I’ve learned through the Winter. Summer is a time of growth and refining from heat/pressure, and further acting on things, and learning to balance home life with spiritual life. Which is important since kids are out of school. Me being a mother, I will need to balance my time of being a mother and wife, with my spiritual responsibilities. I do that anyways already but it will be a bit different since I won’t have the time while my son is in school most of the day Monday-Friday to devote to my time with God. Fall, I’m sure you can guess what this brings… a time of harvest! Reaping what has been sown and seeing the fruit of your labor. I have been learning a lot about Deborah of the bible, from the book of Judges. So much more than I would have thought could be learned about or from her. It’s really quite amazing! I am also learning a lot about myself and God. One important thing for me to remember that the book pointed out, is that this all is a process and takes time. I’m not going to be in the fullest of my calling right away. Which is good because some of the things scare me, because I am still young and don’t feel adequate enough to do. God is good and just like precious diamonds, he molds us with time, in to the fullness of who he’s called and created us to be. So that’s just a little bit of what’s been going on with me this season. I am going to be creating a vision board soon with some other Christian ladies and at first I honestly had no interest in doing one because I already know pretty much what the vision is for me this year. Then, after talking with a dear friend who felt the same but went to one and did it and actually changed her mind, I have also changed my mind about it. Yes, I already have my vision but this will give me a visual of it to keep it in the forefront every day because I will be putting it by my bed where I will see it every morning when I wake up, and every night when I go to bed. It will help me keep my focus on my purpose and those who I am praying for. It will help me to keep my eyes on Jesus. And hopefully starting my day out right away, I won’t get distracted and forget. Like I tend to do when I’ve made a list of the people and things I want to pray for but since it’s not always open in a place where I will see it, I forget. I would encourage you to do the same. Heavenly Father, I just pray for anyone reading this that you would help them to see their value and purpose. Help them discover the calling you have for their life and even if that’s just being a friend, son, daughter, father, mother, husband, or wife right now, help them realize that and be settled in that. First we are children of God, second we are a husband or wife if we’re married, a son or daughter if we’ve not yet left our parents home, a brother or sister, and then we are parents, and friends. But all of that is encompassed in being a child of God. We have great ministry in ministering to those closest to us, our family, and friends by just being who we were created to be in whatever function that is. Taking care of the home or helping our family take care of the home, or in helping a friend. If you have a more widespread calling than that, give supernatural wisdom, courage, hope, faith and love to them to walk it out. Help us to become love and spread that love like wildfire because the world needs it. In love is truth and we need to speak truth to those around us, no matter how hard or messy it is. Help inspire us to spread truth and spread the gospel to others. Thank you Father for all your wonderful presence in our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen! It’s Winter season and I am resting and planning for the next season ahead to start taking further action locally to hopefully hold some workshops at our home to help bring awareness, and equip the local body of Christ. Stay tuned! Jehovah's Witnesses Child Sexual Abuse Cover up
One of the major issues that has come out tremendously over the last few years in regards to Jehovah's Witnesses, is the issues of Child Sexual Abuse cover up. I was quite shocked when I heard about this and started digging into the matter. It is appalling that anyone would cover up any crime, but to cover up child abuse is another thing. Especially when using the bible to support it. This cover up stems from their policies and procedures which they state are biblical and cannot be changed. The main part of this that protects pedophiles is referred to as the "Two-Witness Rule." What is the Two-Witness Rule? First of all, I will say that this isn’t exactly labeled “The Two-Witness Rule” in the JW Elder’s handbook, but it’s what it’s referred to, to make things easier. The “Two-Witness rule” used by Jehovah’s Witness leadership (Governing Body, Overseers, and Elders) per their “Shepherd the Flock of God” Secret Elder’s Handbook, is simply this (this is a paraphrase and not exact wording because to list all the policies and procedures would be a lot): There must be Two-Witnesses, or a confession from the accused to any accusation committed by someone in the organization, in order for “judicial action” to be taken (Judicial Action means a Jehovah Witness internal judiciary committee made up of 3 elders). If there are not two witnesses to the incident, and there is no confession from the accused, they may arrange a meeting between the accuser and the accused. Further more, it is then left “in Jehovah’s hands”. There is no reporting to the authorities mentioned anywhere in the Elder’s handbook by anyone in the organization. They only report immediately to the Watchtower Branch office. Thus matters are only ever handled internally, if at all. Even if there is a confession or two witnesses, it is never reported to proper authorities, by anyone in the organization other than parents, IF they are not encouraged to refrain from reporting for fear of bringing “reproach on Jehovah’s name” or on grounds of “not suing another brother”. But there is a problem when the accused/perpetrator is a parent. Then of course, the parent is probably not going to report on themselves or their spouse. Especially a wife reporting on a husband, since men are treated MUCH different than women within the organization. Women are usually always pressured to obey and submit to their husbands, and the authority of the congregation elders, and would be, or have been influenced in not reporting on their husbands. The Governing Body (7 men/leaders of the organization at their headquarters in New York) of Jehovah’s Witnesses state this Two-Witness rule is biblical and stems from the following scriptures: Deut. 19:15 and Matthew 18:15-17 Please watch the following video made by a wonderful Christian, former JW, woman that shows just how unbiblical this “Two-Witness Rule” is and how these verses are incorrectly applied and taken out of context by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. https://youtu.be/R06Fy1crSZI One of the first and biggest lawsuits involving a Jehovah's Witness child being abused by another Witness was the Candace Conti case that you can read about here: http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/the-girl-who-took-on-the-watchtower-candace-conti-speaks-out http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/18/us/28-million-awarded-in-jehovahs-witnesses-abuse-case.html The next big discovery of this issue was within the last 2 years in Australia. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse investigated institutions and religions in the country to see how they handle and respond to allegations of child sexual abuse. The Jehovah's Witnesses were found to very poorly address this issue. That's actually an understatement because the reality is, they were found to have protected over 1,000 pedophiles in Australia alone, since the 1950s. They never reported any of these cases to the authorities even in the cases where the abuser confessed. You can watch the hearings on Youtube, just search for: "Jehovahs Witnesses Australia Royal Commission." Please also see the Royal Commission website here. I also suggest reading further into this at JWSurvey.org here The next highlight is in California where the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society/Jehovah's Witnesses are being fined $4,000/day by the courts for refusing to turn over Child Abuse report documents they have. Now if this truly was God's organization, why aren't they cooperating with the courts? Why aren't they turning over this information in order to protect their members, namely children and the other victims of sexual abuse? You want to know why?? They don't want to "bring reproach on Jehovah's name" which means they want to cover their own butts for failing to protect people! Especially when they claim to abhor child abuse and advocate for justice. Read more about this issue here: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Face-LegalFinancial-Penalties-in-Court-Case-456790543.html http://jwsurvey.org/child-abuse-2/news-bulletin-california-appellate-court-slams-watchtower-jehovahs-witnesses-fined-ordered-produce-child-abuse-docs I understand that this is an issue not only in the JW religion. It is also in many other religious institutions. However, I am a former JW and my main focus is to help those of that cult wake up. I am not trying to attack or bash on people, or only a specific group. I am simply raising awareness of facts that are hidden from their own members. The organization should be open and honest with it's members, especially if they have nothing to hide and especially since donations from it's members go to cover court fees and payout. Just as any business, or other organization, they should be honest with where all their money is going. But they do not. They share about all the other things the money goes to, and other court cases that are in favor of their beliefs, but when it comes to anything negative, they hide. Hiding things is the same as lying. One could say that they don't want to worry the people, well then they should be able to explain the situation and also reassure the people at the same time, that they have nothing to worry about but the fact is that they do need to worry because this isn't a biblical standard. This is about saving face. So why have my own blog when there are so many other ex-JWs out there who already have one and already have all the information?
Well, I honestly didn’t ever think I’d start one. I figured there was enough information and testimonies out there already. But this was one thing I felt the Spirit leading me to do when I prayed about what this ministry is going to look like. Each testimony and person’s style is unique and different. My testimony and style just might reach certain ones that others don’t. I’m still in the very early stages of this and it seems to be slow moving most of the time then all of a sudden it’s busy and growing. Like lately, things have been slow moving as I’ve been dealing with other spiritual issues within my church. An issue has come up that I need to take a step of faith in and stand up for the truth of God and his word. In love of course. It may come at a cost and isn’t going to be easy, because it’s something that others may not see eye to eye with, and they may judge and not like me. However, I am not here to please men. I am here to please God. My life is not my own and I owe it all to Him. This is an issue that those walking with God need to come to his understanding on, especially those who are leaders in the church and have influence on new believers. It’s an issue that much of the church throughout the world has bended and swayed to the world on. I am not going to address the issue here because it’s not yet dealt with, as I have not yet met with our Pastor about it, but I am on Wednesday. I may or may not share it after the fact because it doesn’t have anything to do with JWs, or Ex-JW issues and that is my main focus. In other news, I have had the opportunity and courage to finally share things with my JW mom. I and others had been praying lots beforehand that she would be open and willing to discuss things, that it would be peaceable, that I’d have wisdom to speak to her, that I’d be able to speak the truth in love and not debate or argue. Well all those things happened. Prayers were answered. Even if my mom didn’t completely agree, or anything change in her faith as a JW (that I know of), I still was able to plant seeds and get her thinking about some issues. She didn’t cut me off, hang up, get angry or argue. The most important thing to me was that she recognized where I’m coming from, where my heart is. That I truly and deeply care for her and love her. I’m not trying to attack. I’m not trying to fight nor am I angry or hurt. It ended well and I thought I had a little break through. However the next day she had messaged me about the 607 BCE/Fall of Jerusalem miscalculation issue that we had discussed in our conversation, and sent me some JW org website articles about it and said she didn’t want to discuss anything further with me. I honestly immediately got discouraged. I thought that we weren’t going to be able to discuss anything further in the future either and that she’d cut me off. Well, one of the main issues I addressed with her was the Australian Royal Commission Child Abuse investigation hearings and others cases around the world (You can find links to these at the bottom of this post). She looked into it all after wards. She then messaged me and said she’d be up in my area visiting some others and she wanted to get together. I was so worried and filled with fear and anxiety, that she was going to come just for a quick discussion to tell me that she was hurt and didn’t want to talk to me about JW issues and she wasn’t going to be able to continue our relationship. I figured if not though, if she just was coming to truly visit, that I wouldn’t bring anything up myself, that she would have to. Thankfully, my fears were all for nothing. She came and spent the afternoon and over night with us last Monday. It was a pleasant visit with her and then the next morning while we were having coffee and eating breakfast, she brought up the Child Abuse and Two-Witness rule issues that I had presented to her. She herself being a victim of child sexual abuse, could relate to these situations. She was very calm about it, and after discussing it more, she came to the conclusion that yes this two-witness rule should be changed and she hopes it will but that it’s not going to change her involvement with the religion, or her faith. She said because there must be some reason that the Governing Body stands by the rule and that they may change it like other things that have changed in the past because of better understanding on things. We did get on to the subject of Jesus not being Michael the Arch Angel at the end of our conversation and I read to her Hebrews 1. Hebrews 1, if you do not know, is very instrumental in proving Jesus is not Michael the Archangel and that he is the second person in the Godhead or trinity. She pondered what I was trying to say and I really felt like it had her stumped a tiny bit but then she brings up Proverbs 8:22-30 where yes, it does very much seem like it’s Jesus and proves that he can’t be God, and that he was created. However, this is speaking of Wisdom and it’s a personification of Wisdom and wisdom here and in Chapter 9 is a female personification. Our conversation then ended because she was trying to find something from the JW website and couldn’t. Said she’d have to find it when she got home. I haven’t heard anything from her yet and I didn’t want to push things so I am waiting but soon, I will try to continue the conversation. God was speaking a lot to me before my discussions with my mom, because I was so worried and fearful that I would mess things up. That’d I’d get too worked up in trying to prove my points and convince her. I feared that I’d throw too much at her too and she’d just cut me off and I’d do more damage than any good. Thankfully, God, he is such a good good Father and speaks to us. I was reading a daily devotion through my Bible App on my phone called “Resting In His Power”. The description of the devotion reads: “There is a sacred anxiety when believers feel called to minister, especially when distracted by an awareness of their inadequacies. But God is more concerned with the condition of the heart n willingness to respond than a person’s abilities or inabilities.” This was exactly where I was and what I was dealing with. I felt like when Moses was called to speak and deliver the Israelites from Egypt. How he responded that he was not good at speaking. I am not good at speaking. I am not eloquent with words and I often have trouble finding the right words or the way to express ideas. I stumble a lot and my mind goes blank. Especially when I am nervous. God has been using Moses A LOT to speak to me this year. It’s how he very first confirmed for me that I am being called and sent to this ministry. There have been other times that he’s used Moses to speak to me and then he did this. The devotional spoke of Moses on day 3, and through all the days (it’s only a 3 day devotional), it spoke to me a lot about trusting him to be my strength in my weakness, that it’s the power of the Holy Spirit in me that can accomplish anything, I have to trust that. He won’t lead me into failure. “His Spirit is going to make up the difference, whether you bring 1 percent to the table or 88 percent. He brings 100 percent…every time.” Just like when I very first gave my life to him, I was so scared, I was hesitant, I felt as if I was about to take a step off a cliff and fall, hoping that he was going to catch me… save me… and he did! This was the same thing for me. Taking that step, that leap into the unknown… Time after time after time… God just wants us to trust and believe! That what faith is all about. Trusting in what we cannot see… the unknown. Believing he will be there to carry us and do for us what we can’t do. “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!” (Phil. 4:13 ) The last part of Day 3 says, “You may feel burdened for a ministry that you’re not prepared for. You don’t feel comfortable in that role. Your ability or last of it is pronounced and very obvious to all around.” Which is very true because put me up in front of a group or even in confronting 1 individual when it’s a tough situation like with my mom, my lack of ability is very obvious in the fact that I shake, my voice trembles, I get flushed and don’t know what to do. But “God only expects for you to be obedient, regardless of your comfort level. He’s got this.” And He did. He DOES. I now have confidence to go further, keep moving forward and having faith that he is working and he is my power. You can too. Just give even 1 percent and he will do the rest! Much love to you and God Bless! Australia Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Case 54: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/10908a67-70c5-4103-94cc-dac096fdb585/case-study-54,-march-2017,-sydney Case29: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/636f01a5-50db-4b59-a35e-a24ae07fb0ad/case-study-29,-july-2015,-Sydney Jehovah's Witnesses are being fined $4k per day for withholding documents from the courts, of pedophiles within the organization: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Jehovahs-Witnesses-Face-LegalFinancial-Penalties-in-Court-Case-456790543.html A couple weeks ago, I had the honor of sharing my testimony through a live internet radio interview with a wonderful woman and newer friend of mine. It went pretty well, even though I was fairly nervous most of the time. The show was live, but can be streamed any time after as well. I will post a link to it at the end of this post for anyone who’s interested in listening.
For this interview, I was approached by the Interviewer, Melissa Bramer of Genesis 50.20 Ministry, to share my testimony. This is just another thing that God has put in my lap to help those that are caught in the bondage of the Watchtower organization, whether they are currently active or not. Melissa is also an ex-Jehovah’s Witness, now Christian who is ministering to the same group of people. You can find our more about her and her ministry here: www.genesis5020ministry.org or under the Resources/Links tab at the top of the page. I have not met Melissa in person yet, only spoke over the phone and online, but she has become a great support, friend and resource in me getting started in to this calling. Another answered prayer! I am really looking forward to this new friendship! I’m praying we will get to meet this next year if everything goes as planned with a possible ex-JW conference coming to California which I will post information on as soon as I find out that it’s actually happening. J If you’d like to give it a listen you can listen here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/healingxoutreach/2017/10/10/live-interview-with-brittany-aloisio-on-hurting-to-healing-wmelissa Have a blessed day! September 23, 2017
I have not been able to get on here like I’ve wanted to this month. This month has been a very busy time due to us moving into a new house and getting our old place ready to rent out. We’ve also been without internet for about a week now at our new home and just got that turned on today. Yay! So I also haven’t been able to do much in the way of ministry this month. I am waiting to meet with our church pastor to see about getting a class started at our church for those interested in learning more about Jehovah’s Witnesses and who want to minister to them. I will update with how that meeting goes but it won’t be until at least the 2nd week of October for an update with that. Also this next month, the first week of October, my grandfather whom I’ve never met, will be here in my area visiting family so we might have a chance to meet. I am a bit nervous about meeting him for some reason. A little background on why we’ve never met: He was a JW when my mom was very young, only to become a well out spoken apostate when my mom was an adult and became a very devout JW. I remember the only time I ever saw him was when we’d go to the summer JW District Conventions and he’d be out there with signs and his megaphone, speaking out against the Watchtower. My mom would point him out and say “that’s your grandfather… my dad.. don’t pay any attention to him.” My mom never spoke well of him, and for very good reason. Him being an apostate to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, is not the only reason she kept us from him. *WARNING – The following may be a trigger for those who have been victims of abuse… Please do not read any further if you believe it may be difficult…* I will first start by saying, there are those of you who will read this and not understand how I can have anything to do with my grandfather. There will also be some of you who do understand. Those of you who understand the depth of God’s ever loving mercy, grace and forgiveness will understand. Those of you who have walked a dark path before coming to know your wonderful creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, then tasted the sweetest of loves, will understand. My mother and her siblings were sexually abused by their father, this man that did not know his savior Jesus Christ and was living a very bitter life as a Jehovah’s Witness. Who may also have been abused by his father, so it’s what he learned. I say may, because even though he didn’t say specifically, he told me enough that makes me believe that he was. Not that, that is an excuse, because it’s not. However, children usually grow up to be just like their parents. It doesn’t always happen, but sadly, more often than not, it does. I used to despise my grandfather because of knowing what he did, and also, being a Jehovah’s Witness most of my life, I also despised him because he was against it so much. I never wanted anything to do with him and I couldn’t believe it when I found out that my brother met him, went golfing with him, and shared a meal with him. I felt like he betrayed our whole family by doing that, but now that I have come to know Jesus, been born again and understand forgiveness, I understand why my brother did what he did, even though my brother is atheist. It was last year when I first started speaking to my grandfather. Even once a believer, it still took me some time to come to the point where I would speak to him, let alone meet him. He’d tried several times to friend request me on Facebook, only for me to decline it every time. Until one day, I talked to my husband about it and prayed about it a lot. I didn’t want to have any anger, hatred or even hard feelings towards him because I had experienced such great forgiveness for all my transgressions, and knew God’s heart of forgiveness, and how he sees people now, and that as a believer, I should forgive as he has forgiven me (Col. 3:13) Many people may believe that certain sins are unforgivable and worse than others, but God doesn’t see things that way. Sin is sin, no matter what it looks like. The bible tells us there is only 1 unforgivable sin and it is certainly not abuse (Mark 3:28-30) We are also not judge, and there will be justice, but we cannot judge the value of someone’s life. God paid the same price for everyone. It’s up to us to believe and receive that. So I wanted to know if my grandfather had come to believe and receive. I told myself I would wait for his next request, if there ever was one, and if so I’d accept it and leave it at that. The request came and so I accepted and proceeded with caution. I wanted to get a feel for what he’s like. A few months later, my son had a family history project for school and since my mom didn’t know any of the info about my grandfather or his side of the family, I decided to ask him myself. I was planning on just asking him for the family history info and leave it at that. However, I decided to tell him a little about myself, how I’d been raised as a JW, which he knew, and that I’d since become a born again Christian, gave a bit of my testimony and that I was married, successful, etc. I felt it was important that he knew that I was no longer a JW and that I also knew what he’d done to my mother. His response was very humble, admitting his transgression without detail and how he’d come to know his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ since then. After a couple more months, I had gotten more involved in trying to reach other JWs and Ex-JWs, through groups on Facebook, and with my grandfather being an activist in that area, I asked him for his experience and any information he had to share. Since now we had this in common. I was treading lightly with everything. Especially because I didn’t want my mom to find out quite yet, that I was speaking to him. I knew if she found out, she’d flip out. To which she did, when she found out sooner than I’d hoped. Before I could tell her myself, which is what I wanted because I believe it would have went over much better than it did. I feel this has now put a strain on our relationship even more than it was before, since becoming a believer. As that had put a strain on our relationship first. When my grandfather first brought up that he’d be out here in my area visiting family in October and hoped he might be able to meet me and my family, I wasn’t sure about it. I felt like it might be going too far. After talking to my husband about it though, and him assuring me that if anything, we can be a light shining in the darkness, I agreed. So fast forward to now, he will be traveling with my Aunt, his other daughter, to come visit us and for some reason I’m nervous. I hope that I am not obviously nervous the day they are here. I am much more comfortable with it that my Aunt will be with him because I know her much more. That relationship between my mom and her has been a strained one through the years as well, but they are on good terms as far as I know now, since my mom went out to visit her for about a week just this last year. My Aunt and I have a few things in common from our pasts also, but even though we don’t need to talk about it, it’s nice to know we can relate on things. I will write about how it all goes and I pray that we have a fruitful meeting. Thank you and God Bless! |
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