No matter what stage you are at in your life, the title says it all- sometimes you just have to “play the game” if you want to keep your sanity. Queen made a great song about that didn’t they? So anyway our circuit assembly had been coming up and I was dreading it, feeling down about the organizational problems, injustices, etc. And believe it or not but I am a very positive person by nature. So my family and I attended, and honestly, the old saying served me well. I visited with the friends. I took notes, which were sometimes more like a journal about my thoughts and feelings, and other times it was on what was actually being discussed.  I  read many of the cited scriptures by the speaker, stopping to look up the cross-references and just pondering many of them too. And at the end of the assembly…

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I actually, honestly felt…

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(drum roll please…)

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*Encouraged*

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It’s true folks! It really happened that way and it hadn’t for a while let me tell you.  Now I’m just one out of the thousands of active Witnesses out there that are waking up to “the struggle”. Thousands more already did long before me over the years, especially since Russell’s death in 1916.  So maybe there’s something to be said for trying to keep a positive attitude and just stay on the narrow road as best as a person can. Admittedly it can be easier said than done, and impossible for some of us, which is okay. Everybody has to work out what their conscience and constitution can and cannot handle. I’ve written before about what percentage of the meeting is actually worthwhile on an individual basis for someone. 90%? 50%? 10? It depends on a lot of factors of course, but ultimately we are in charge of our own destiny and of how tasty the lemonade we make with the lemons life hands us is. So if you are attending meetings and interacting with Witnesses regularly, the question being asked is, “Are you playing the game?” And how well are you playing it? Whether you are there due to inertia, your spouse, your child, your conscience, etc. the fact remains that you are there. Being present or “in the moment” is something that can calm, energize, and bring a much-needed focus to your life. This has been called “Flow” and a Wikipedia article makes this comment:

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“Flow is completely focused motivation. It is a single-minded immersion and represents perhaps the ultimate in harnessing the emotions in the service of performing and learning. In flow the emotions are not just contained and channeled, but positive, energized, and aligned with the task at hand. To be caught in the ennui of depression or the agitation of anxiety is to be barred from flow. The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy, even rapture, while performing a task. Colloquial terms for this or similar mental states include: to be on the ball, in the moment, present, in the zone, in the groove, or keeping your head in the game.

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So how goes the Flow? Are we keeping our head in the game? The assembly was about staying away from worldly influences. Studying more, praying more, keeping morally clean, and other good things were emphasized. Spending more time together as families was brought out in a couple demos which were quite humorous and pointed. Was there some GB drum beating? Yes, but surprisingly little this time around. The D.O. brought out some outstanding points about being kind to one another and not hurting one another with our tongues. Being humble, guarding our hearts, and remaining separate from the wicked world was driven home. Personal study and writing or reading articles on the Internet can never fully replace gathering together and hearing God’s Word expounded. We all know the importance of this. And it sure beats staying at home and being left to our own devices. We shouldn’t isolate ourselves! It’s dangerous and can lead to selfishness and becoming “wise in our own eyes”. (Prov 3:7)  Some meet in private homes with other like-minded Christian folk, and that’s good. Others among us don’t have that option so we do what we can. Proverbs 18:1 says:

“One isolating himself will seek [his own] selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth.”

Now please know that this article is not meant to imply that our behavior at the KH or anywhere else for that matter is or should be all a sham veneer. It can’t be, that would drive someone nuts IMO or at least be very bad for their mental and spiritual health. It’s like a recent post over on Freeminds regarding How To Survive in the Door-to-Door Work. The writer is being a bit sarcastic about the preaching “burden” and how he avoids it when out in service. But can we play the game there too? Personally I just carry my Bible and a few tracts and look for folks, Christian or otherwise that want to talk about God’s Word. That’s all. And at the end of the month I turn somewhere between 10-12 hours and a few random placements in and leave it at that.  I don’t keep track of it all. This satisfies the congregation secretary and doesn’t bother my conscience in the least. The  whole concept of turning in time is an artificial construct and not scripturally spelled out in the least anyway, so why stress over it?

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It reminds me of something I haven’t thought about for eons. My high-school art teacher bellowed at my buddy and I when we were hunkering down in the back of the classroom talking and goofing off. A filmstrip he put on about Johann Sebastian Bach or someone like that was playing and it was like Tuesday at 2:00 p.m or something… “Play the Game!” he roared. We didn’t get it at the time of course, and laughed at how weird we thought he was.

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But it’s crystal clear to me now.

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27 Comments on Playing The Game

  1. andrew says:

    I like your attitude JJ. Like you said we need that face to face human interaction with our brothers. True it is harder because you must guard what you say, but it is encouraging to be with other christians that are doing their best.

    By the way I put into practice a few months ago your suggestion about not counting time, just turn in an average amount of hours each month. Thanks!

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  2. Amos says:

    Well said JJ. The thing that I find is that unlike yourself, I will need to confess to a crime that I’m not guilty of, if I wish to be reinstated. So I’m happy to get my association in forums like this, phone call’s, etc.

    Amos

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  3. Greybeard says:

    I know where your coming from JJ and i understand you. However, unless you have been disfellowshipped yourself you will never understand what true isolation is. With Jehovah’s Witnesses one does not have to “isolate” himself, they do it for you and they are very good at it. They isolate you from everyone including your family. After being “isolated” by this group in this way it is hard to want to “gather together” with those who practice this. One reason is for fear of being isolated again. You said the assembly spoke of “staying out of the world”. As a JW, before I was disfellowshipped I was afraid of the “world” and “worldly people” but to my surprise, after loosing all JW contact, all there was left was the “world”. What found out was most people are very loving and kind. Contrary to what the JW org would have you believe. I was treated kinder by them than I was the JW’s to be honest. Like I said, unless you have been through this, you will NEVER understand. It is like someone died and that someone is you. I’m not saying don’t go to the JW meetings. That’s fine if that is what turns you on. It happens to turn me off. Even though I don’t go very much to the meetings, I do gather together with people and I do have good friends who are “worldly”. I go to AA meetings at least 3 times a week. Even though they are “worldly” they have good hearts and most if not all believe in God. They say the same thing there, “do not isolate yourself” and “keep coming back”.

    So please JJ do not think that just because someone is not sitting in the Kingdom Hall next to you they are out in the “world” “isolating” themselves. I many situations nothing is farther from the truth.

    Christian love,
    Greybeard

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  4. JJ says:

    Thanks for this good point Greybeard. I didn’t mean to imply that I’m better than someone else, because that’s definitely not the case.

    In trying to make the best of my situation it’s easy to forget that many do not even have that option due to the DFing policies that go beyond what is written in scripture. Anyone can attend meetings though if they wish, and for some it could be an isolation if they don’t take advantage of what they are able to do, health conditions allowing for it.

    The “world” being cast in a negative light is scriptural and Jesus warned his followers about this. You are right though when you say that JWs have been made overly suspicious of everyone that is a non-JW or “a wordling” and I don’t feel that way about people. Most folks are good hearted and are trying their best IMO. Thanks again for the balance brother.

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    • Dennis says:

      What exactly is a “Worldly Person”? Is it all non J.W.’s? Are there active J.W.’s that are Worldly? Are there non J.W.’s who are not? What’s the Bible say in this regard without being massaged to fit a particular world view?

      D

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  5. Amos says:

    Well said Greybeard.

    I have several times (many years ago) said to elders that, if they were required to be treated “exactly as a dfd person by ALL JW’s including close family”, for three months before they could be appointed as an elder, that there would be far fewer, almost no dissing at all.

    Well, you can imagine the response that this caused.

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    • Amos says:

      I will also say that since being DFD, I’ve found that there really are many good people outside the WTS. I have had “worldly friends” who stick much closer & more trustworthy than many JW’s. I think that one reason for this is that they aren’t required to report to anyone when a person accidently slips up, as we all do from time to time. Without a doubt, I feel much happier outside the org, the only thing I miss is the face to face contact.

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  6. JJ says:

    What is a worldly person? Dennis you tell me. Jesus must have had someone in mind. You are a mature Christian brother with your “perceptive powers trained” as the scripture says. That’s the crux of it really….we must decide who Jesus was referring to, each of us individually. Years ago a CO gave a talk about “weak worldly witnesses”, he called them triple Ws, and I never forgot that talk. Jesus said by their fruits you will know them so that’s my guide today.

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    • Dennis says:

      Hi JJ,

      Sure I have my thoughts on the matter. I was just curious what others on the forum thought on the issue. Hope you didn’t view my question as antagonistic! If so, sorry. My intent was just to learn what other would have to say on the matter and the questions I posed. Your reply seemed to convey irritation as to either my tone or my questions. I meant nothing by either. It’s all good.

      D

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      • Dennis says:

        JJ, you said, “we must decide who Jesus was referring to, each of us individually…..Jesus said by their fruits you will know them so that’s my guide today.” To this, I would agree. I will also add that Worldly Persons and of course the opposite can be found in all walks of life and within all organizations today (IMHO). I am sure you would agree with that also.

        Christian Love,
        D

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  7. Tyndale says:

    I too am of the concious class, worldly is what worldly is, therw are worldly jws catholics pentecostals and others from all the “tribes of Israel” (figuratively) from the jws own standard if the “slave” hasnt been appointed over all the belongings, than all the vineyard workers,bridesmaids,slaves are still assigned the task to feed the sheep, we know this refers to us all but if you apply it as they do organizationally you can see that even though some of Gods scattered household may hold wrong doctrines or be “in” babylon, they are not all worldly, ray stedman cs lewis half the staff of dallas seminary and others are not worldly, worldly refers to being of or belongong to this ainios or age, or epoch, being conformed to this fallen worlds image, i know plenty of worldly witnesses and plenty of christian evangelicals, though i may not believe in their pagan adopted platonic doctrines, the Christ transcends them in their hearts and they are his despite, not because of
    Those teachings, just the same among my jw tribesmen.

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    • JJ says:

      Very good thoughts on this Bro Tyndale. There is a ton more that could be researched and commented on regarding this point about “the world”.

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      • Amos says:

        Bro. Tyndale, I also agree with what you’ve said here. I have listened to several evangelists such as Chuck Missler, Ravi Zacharias, Chuck Swindoll, & several others & they all exude a very real love for God, His written word, & their fellow man. One thing that we do need to be careful of however, is to realize that they are only men, & we need to divide what they say, by the bible itself.

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  8. Jolly Roger says:

    P on the game JJ. After all, it is just a game. But, as a matter of warning for everybody: the situation that is going on outside of this site, i.e. the real world, it is getting worse as we speak. Please remember this: it is going to continue to get worse, until magically, miraculously, it is going to somehow seem like the worst is past and blue skies are here again. The world’s “leaders” are going to begin clamoring that “Peace and Security are with us once again”. That is the time that you need to duck. And it is very soon. Have a nice day.

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  9. JJ says:

    you are a nice guy JR u make me s m i l e

    me an the real world have met and had a few transactions over the years

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  10. Jolly Roger says:

    JJ, your post is so mediumly coherent and at such a late hour, I feel that you are as Fridayevening as I am. I made my posts for no other reason than wanting the same as you, i.e. to help others know what time it is. The JWs sometimes have a tendency to concentrate too much on themselves and forget to look outside and actually see what time it is. When the stuff hits the fan, the consequences can only be set by Jehovah. It is so easy to believe that Jehovah will congratulate us if we shoot each other in the head, as long as we are “sure” that that other human being is a “heathen”, but Jehovah certainly must shed a tear over every ounce of pain extruded from any portion of humanity. When Satan is finally dissolved into nothingness, will all the fear and pain and sorrow and hurt and disease and suffering that has ever been reverse itself and be sucked out of the Universe to be manifested into the screaming entity of the source of all? I hope so.

    It is so easy to get caught in an eddy of bitterness, believing that nothing will ever change, that what has happened has been to taunt us and hurt us; that the height of happiness we feel at our highest moment is only to exist as a gauge for how low we will be driven when all we love is tuned into pain. When that happens, and the Bible assures us that it will happen, the evil one and his system of things does it’s utmost to train us to blame the most innocent, i.e. Jehovah and those who faithfully carry out His will.

    I truly hope that your “transactions” are not of the insurmountable type. I know that you know this, but I want to say it anyway: please remember that the only unforgivable sin is the one that you refuse to ask forgiveness for. Or, as in my case, too stupid, stubborn, or proud to realize that a sin has been committed!

    Thank you for your post(s), and for this site. I know how much work it takes keeping something like this running, and I’m pretty sure that it does not go unnoticed by Jehovah.

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  11. JJ says:

    Thank you brother I appreciate it. We all do what we can do.

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  12. rus virgil says:

    Playing The Game ? — Yes !
    ————————–
    JJ , you are a member of God’s people
    and please, look to this people from its origins- at the latter days (starting in Russell’ time, 1872): God made him free from Egipt and took care of him / but he didn’t obeyed Him (please read Hosea 11:1-12)
    Our “forefathers” have sinned , and God had promised they will become “slaves”
    Deut 28:
    47 Because thou servedst not Jehovah thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things;
    48 therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies that Jehovah shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
    49 Jehovah will bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; ……………..
    —————
    Jeremiah 5
    18 But even in those days, saith Jehovah, I will not make a full end with you.

    19 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say,
    >> Wherefore hath Jehovah our God done all these things unto us?
    then shalt thou say unto them,
    >> Like as ye have forsaken me, and served foreign gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.<> After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. [your country] <<
    11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
    12. And ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
    13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
    —————
    the "70 years of Babylon" had begun in spring of 1942
    and they really are … 70 literal years
    so, they end during the spring of 2012

    what I am saying, is that Jehovah will (then) help those "playing the game" now to turn to Him and to worship Father with spirit and truth in "the land God is giving to them" , by following the King, Jesus Christ, and NOT a group of men (strangers) self-proclaimed "fds" !
    And also the "Babylon" will loose its power over the prisoners, and will become "WIDOW" (please read all Isaiah 47 ).

    And these things will happen for the gloryfication of the NAME of the Most High ONE !

    loving you,
    rus virgil

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    • rus virgil says:

      I have to say the above my comment was longer
      I think it was shortened automatically when I posted it , and interestingly, it was shortened by cutting from the middle of it
      the missing part makes it to be non understood
      I hope the admin will delete it and it will be re-posted in two parts (with admin’s will )
      thank you , rus v.

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  13. serein says:

    so you think that its going to be 2012 well i hope your right but i know your wrong as no one knows that day or hour so no one can predict a date for it,or does that only mean day and hour and not year? anyways if your right then the miyan calander is right,i dont folow dates i folow signs and im seeing signs, infact the uprour in egypt at the moment led me to the scripture in isa 19 and wether that is fitting and is for this future predicted i do not know but i thought it was fitting when i was watching tv on friday,

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    • rus virgil says:

      Serein, as I can see you are not accustomed with “spiritual food”
      I am not speaking about the “end of the world” data / I let others do it .
      Shortly put, in 2012 is to be expected that Jehovah will overturn the MOL from its “self-exalted position” , its authority will become visibly shaken, and large number of mases (of those still having faith) will have the opportunity to escape from slavery (under WTO) and to be free to obey Christ and worship Jehovah
      this is a process during some time
      when God’s judgement is over(finished) regarding His own house , the judgement will pass/continue over the world

      the final physical manifestation of Gods right wrath against His own enemies (and His Christ’s enemies) – which means physical destruction- will be at a later time , UNKNOWN to us !
      Did you get the sense, serein ?
      and please study the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32 ) and also Ezekiel 34 and these will help you .

      with love for Father’s worshipers with spirit,
      rus virgil

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  14. rus virgil says:

    I’m sorry that my post No 12 wasn’t corrected , so I have to repost it (in two parts) in order to be correct understood / the truth is something very important and must be correctly spoken

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  15. rus virgil says:

    Playing The Game ? — Yes !

    ————————–
    JJ , you are a member of God’s people
    and please, look to this people from its origins- at the latter days (starting in Russell’ time, 1872): God made him free from Egipt and took care of him / but he didn’t obeyed Him (please read Hosea 11:1-12)
    Our “forefathers” have sinned , and God had promised they will become “slaves”
    Deut 28:
    47 Because thou servedst not Jehovah thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things;
    48 therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies that Jehovah shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
    49 Jehovah will bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; ……………..
    —————
    Jeremiah 5
    18 But even in those days, saith Jehovah, I will not make a full end with you.

    19 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say,
    >> Wherefore hath Jehovah our God done all these things unto us?
    then shalt thou say unto them,
    >> Like as ye have forsaken me, and served foreign gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours.<<

    What did promise Jehovah ? …as you did not served Me in YOUR OWN LAND , … you WILL SERVE STRANGERS in a land that IS NOT YOURS ..

    here Jehovah is speaking to those who love Him, His worshipers:
    Who are these "strangers" ? — they are exactly those who are composing the "man of lawlessness"
    and what is the country ? — "the country" is the "domain of true worship"

    ——-
    to be continued…

      (Quote)

    • rus virgil says:

      continuation ……
      —————————————
      SO, YES , those ones who love Jehovah aren’t today in “their own country” , they are in MOL’s country , practicing a worship as the “strangers” dictate

      But be ye glad ! The time for this oppression is almost finished !
      Jehovah promises…..Jeremiah 29:

      10. For thus saith Jehovah,
      >> After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. [your country] <<
      11. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
      12. And ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
      13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
      —————
      the "70 years of Babylon" had begun in spring of 1942
      and they really are … 70 literal years
      so, they end during the spring of 2012

      what I am saying, is that Jehovah will (then) help those "playing the game" now to turn to Him and to worship Father with spirit and truth in "the land God is giving to them" , by following the King, Jesus Christ, and NOT a group of men (strangers) self-proclaimed "fds" !
      And also the "Babylon" will loose its power over the prisoners, and will become "WIDOW" (please read all Isaiah 47 ).

      And these things will happen for the gloryfication of the NAME of the Most High ONE !

      with love for Father's worshipers "with spirit"
      rus virgil

        (Quote)

  16. serein says:

    im geting what you are saying now.

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