Abe Lincoln was eternally challenged by the media over his faith - he rarely if ever attended church and declared none his own.
'Mr. Lincoln, why don't you have a church?'
'When there is a church that has only two things written over the door -
Love God, Love your neighbor as yourself, -
then, then, I will have a Church.' Paraphrase.
... AND NOW, THIS MORNING.............
From my now 5 year friend, Brother, JW Joe (Jehovah's Witness), of North America, and now, serving the destitute, the suffering, abroad, with his wife:
As I've written before, next to Bev and Ger, he is my oldest, and one of my only, very few, Friends. He and I have had many, many, many deep, and for me, immensely stimulating, dialogs.
Our words, our stated 'beliefs,' have near zero, NEAR ZERO, in common, if one carefully examines the thousands of words we've exchanged. Within the last month, he, with pained, troubled Heart, compassionately warned me that I was "Blaspheming."
Yet, he Tenaciously has maintained our dialog, and I, Blessed each time by his Friendship, and Love of the Truth, and Loving for me, have each time, Humbly, Amazedly, Joyfully, Worriedly (I don't ever, EVER, mean to offend)... replied.
We NEVER try to convince each other. We share our views, passionately, clearly, courageously, Honestly, Truthfully.... And we try, hard, to Hear each other.
Several days ago, prompted in part by the recent tribulation in the Middle East, and around the world, my Brother Joe sent me these two links from JW, what they would focus on the the next 2 Sundays around the world. I read everything he sends, everything he shares, because I find our relationship Sacred (see below).
Here is our most recent dialog, in which, I find only the 2nd Pure, Christ-ian Profession of Faith that I recall ever reading or hearing from another person, besides Jesus. [That it has anything to do with me personally, in its reference, is of ZERO consequence.]...
Joe - Mon, Sept 9: "Good morning
I thought that it was ironic that we had a discussion regarding prophecies lately as this past Sunday and this coming Sunday, every congregation around the world of JW has had/will be having a discussion of this as part of our usual weekly program.
Here are the links to the articles that we will be reviewing. They are not written as a philosophical debate, but rather a humble look at what the Bible actually says will be happening in the near future. If you wish to read them, I trust that at the very least you will find them interesting.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/jesus-prophecy-last-days/
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20130715/jesus-parable-wheat-and-weeds/
I guess that people can debate this (or anything else they wish to) but time will tell whether it is true or not. But as I have said many many times over, so far, no one has ever given me a better theory/explanation to even consider."
... ALSO, he had sent me some links on how JW is moving from Brooklyn to Upstate NY in a hugely environmntally respectful way:
"Loving, as you know,
When you respect the creator, you respect creation.
You might find these interesting.
http://www.jw.org/en/news/by-region/americas/mexico/jehovahs-witnesses-protect-environment/
http://www.jw.org/en/news/by-region/americas/united-states/world-headquarters-relocating/
http://www.jw.org/en/news/by-region/americas/united-states/jehovahs-witnesses-warwick-ny-construction/"
.... to which I replied:
"Brought tears of Joy to my eyes."
... to which JOE replied:
"Just imagine if every "corporation/religion/organization etc" that purchased 253 acres, developed only 45 acres of it and left the rest natural. And then took the extra precaution of protecting the natural areas, used geothermal, grass roofing etc.. Just imagine.
Humans have the abilities, but unfortunately, we do not seem to have the desire.
Some day soon, my friend.........
Hang in there!! XO"
..... TO WHICH I REPLIED (((REMEMBER THE FIRST JW LINKS ABOVE, ABOUT THE END COMING, WHEAT BEING BURNED, GNASHING OF TEETH, 'GOATS' IN TROUBLE)))... all of which I RESPECT, coming from Joe, because operating under these Beliefs, he is a RARE man of Truth, Loving... SERVING FROM THE SOUL IN SOLIDARITY... Christ-likeness....
MY REPLY to Joe....
!!!!! "What are ya talkin about, 'someday soon.'
I'M A 'GOAT!'
I'M WEEDS. MY TEETH GUNNA BE
GNASHING!'
I read the links! I'm toast!!!
(((((HUGS))))
....!!!!!! TO WHICH JOE SENT ONLY THE 2ND, TRUE, CHRIST-LIKE, CHRIST-IAN... PURE, CLEAR... PROFESSION OF FAITH I RECALL HEARING FROM ANY MAN CEPT JESUS (THO I SEE IT WEEKLY FROM MY 4:18 SIS AND BROTHERS, AND A FEW OTHERS)... !!!!!....
[[[ I'M FILLED WITH TEARS OF JOY, WONDER, AWE... AS I TYPE THIS, NOW... ]]]
from JW JOE, 09.12.13
"""" are you kidding me?? Despite what your "religious" thoughts are, you are probably one of the most "christian" persons I have ever met.
Don't you think that you fall into the following category??
Math 5
When he (JC) saw the crowds he went up into the mountain; and after he sat down his disciples came to him; 2 and he opened his mouth and began teaching them, saying:
3 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
4 “Happy are those who mourn, since they will be comforted.
5 “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.
6 “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.
7 “Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy.
8 “Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.
9 “Happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’
10 “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.
11 “Happy are YOU when people reproach YOU and persecute YOU and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against YOU for my sake. 12 Rejoice and leap for joy, since YOUR reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to YOU.
13 “YOU are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, how will its saltness be restored? It is no longer usable for anything but to be thrown outside to be trampled on by men.
14 “YOU are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. 16 Likewise let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR fine works and give glory to YOUR Father who is in the heavens.
No where does that say you HAVE to belong to a certain religion. It would help but, Jehovah certainly knows your thoughts, intentions and motives. I do not know about you but I will leave that goat/sheep thing to him. I have no doubts that you and I will "some day soon" be enjoying the very conditions that you and I are working so hard for. Hang in there!!!
XO
"""""
