COMMENTS ON OUR EX-JEHOVAH'S WITNESS, EX-MORMON AND PRAYER MEETUPS

Like apples of gold in settings of silver, is a word spoken in right circumstance. (Proverbs 25:11)

From the Witnesses for Jesus Christian Prayer Support Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/wfj-prayer/

I really appreciate your prayers!! In fact, they couldn't have been timed better. I was visiting my closest LDS friend who is broken in her attempt at perfection! My heart aches for her as she struggles to deal with the expectations of her faith, and I know she's getting closer to having a truth experience but it always seems like one step forward, two steps back. Human nature certainly resists surrender! God is faithful and His timing is perfect, so I don't stress (most of the time lol).

I think about this group and pray for its participants a whole lot more often than I post! For some reason right after I joined God opened a BIG door for me to speak truth into my friend's life. I LOVE this group! I think the encouragement it offers and open/loving forum is a perfect place for weary people to be strengthened, whether they are still involved in a cult or are witnessing to those still in bondage.

Thank you for continuing to moderate this group and facilitating the prayer events! I pray that you would be strengthened as much as you're providing strength to others, and that you would get to see the beautiful fruit of your labor. I'm proud to call you my sister in Christ!

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This is a wonderful ministry and know that I continue to pray for the Mormon people and for their eyes to be opened in these last days as the world gets darker and darker and the return of Christ gets nearer and nearer!

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It has taken me some time to find true believers in Christ, combined with a passion to help individuals exit false religion and ultimately find Christ for REAL ! This prayer group is a great find with some excellent prayers that are both genuine and full of God's spirit. Keep up the good work and let's build on this to strenthen the cause and give even greater blessing to the Lord. I feel very priveledged to be part of this group, God Bless

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From the Colo Spgs and Worldwide Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses Internet Meetup - http://www.meetup.com/exjw-worldwide/

The outgoing of support here is amazing. Thank you so very much. This is the toughest thing I have had to endure. I know that I will make it through this and come out stronger on the backend.

I am blessed with support here from friends that I have that are outside of the organization, but it is nice to have people here that know exactly what it feels like too.

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I can't tell you what a breath of fresh air this support group site is!

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I agree we have to be very wary, especially when there is so much deception in this world, and actually this is no surprise as this is one of the enemies best talents. So yes we need to be vigilant in this regard, but at the same time try not to isolate ourselves as that also comes with its dangers. I know a brother that I thought after coming out the Org, had everything sorted. He researched the scriptures and I believe also came to Christ, but somehow he has strayed off, and I think it was mainly down to being isolated and not spending enough time with other Christians in like spirit. This is what is so good about this site, we are working together in the spirit, with openess and a heart for the Lord, coupled with the site Christy and I believe Julie are involved in, provide a wealth of information and support.(www.4witness.org) Praise the Lord!!

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Thank you all for your responses. It really is wonderful to know that there are people out there who understand. I feel like I've been in hiding for quite a number of years. I remember a time when I used to be able to talk freely with people about what I believed, or thought I believed. But once I started questioning things, I had to go into hiding, as it were. There was nobody to talk to, except my husband, of course. But we're going through the same thing (loss of certainty, loss of faith, loss of lifelong friends, etc.), so neither of us is equipped to help the other with any solutions just yet.

Some of you have alluded to a concept that never occurred to me before. I've been struggling with the notion that I will somehow need to find another organization in order to be able to have a relationship with God. I know, I know...that's how I was conditioned to think my entire life. You can't serve or praise God without being in his organization. Well, after reading your posts and others on this discussion forum, it occurs to me that perhaps a person's relationship with God can be cultivated outside an organization or church. It's a new concept for me...the body of Christ being the people who have accepted him regardless of their organizational affiliation. I'm still trying to grasp the concept. It gives me hope that I don't have to go try to search out the true organization since my faith in the witness organization is gone. Maybe faith isn't about an organization after all??? What a foreign concept to me.

Several of you mentioned the importance of getting a different version of the Bible. I stopped reading the NWT years ago for a number of reasons. I got a New Living Translation about 8 years ago and have read it more than any other. I hope some day to actually understand what I read in the Bible. Or part of it at least. Right now, every time I read it, there are echos of Watchtower teachings in my mind. Everything is still colored by their thinking and it's a little difficult to grasp new ideas. In fact, it's scary to open up to alternative ways of thinking.

The mind is a funny thing, though. Julie, you mentioned that at first you kept feeling like you should go back to the meetings. I can understand that feeling. But I've come to see that once you open your mind to new ideas or ways of seeing things, it's virtually impossible to go back to the original way of seeing things. What is that quote?? The mind, once expanded, can never return to its original shape. I'm thankful to live in a time when the Internet makes information easily available to us. I've learned so much about the Watchtower's history as well as the truth about many of their teachings that I'd never have had access to if it weren't for Google searches. I think the governing body must hate the Internet.

It does feel really good to be able to SAY what you're THINKING without being afraid of being judged or rejected. I appreciate all of you giving me that gift. I've been missing it for some time now. Having a little freedom to express myself to you all has made me realize just how much I've missed it.

I envy those of you who have been able to come out into the open completely. I am not able to do that just yet.

Anyway, since we have decided not to continue participating in the organization and its activities, we are, of course, dangerous, evil people.

So, we're battling through custody issues at the moment, and it's probably not in the best interest of my family for me to flaunt my "apostate thinking" in the open. Some day I'll figure out how to be open with my thoughts and feelings, but now's not the time. I appreciate all of you understanding my need to hide behind a pseudonym for now.

Thanks for giving me a safe place to just be. I've really needed that. And I also appreciate your suggestions for reading material. I will check out the books you referenced.

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Thank you for your warm welcome. What caused me to come back to you was my excessive amount of drinking which led me to AA meetings. It was here that I had to learn and accept a Higher Power, as I understood him. This is what has put me in search of who my true God is. After listening to the tapes of recovering ex-witnesses, I found it is Jesus who puts his holy spirit into hearts just for believing, not for any works we do.I know I am very young at just learning about these things and will take me time to be de-programmed from my Witness teachings, but I am eager, ready and willing to do this. I so grateful I have such a wonderful place to go for support. Thank you for being there for all who are striving to come out of such a horrible, dark place.

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And from our Colorado Springs and Worldwide Internet Ex-Mormon Meetup http://www.meetup.com/exlds-worldwide/

I cannot be live very often on these forums, but I do spend much time reading. Please don't get discouraged! I enjoy all the posts and learn much from them.

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Thank you very much to all who support our Meetup ministry. It is a life line to those coming out of Mormonism and the Watchtower and to those reaching out to them!

Keep yourself in God's love, Julie