At John 15: 1-17 Jesus/Yashua said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.” [NIV]

As long as we remain in the “true vine”, Jesus/Yahshua said his Father will prune us so we will be more fruitful. What does that mean? Other Bibles translate the word “prune” as clean. So the Father will clean us. But first, we must become part of the vine and remain in that vine. We need to come into a close relationship with Christ and stick with him. Many organized religions today teach that we need to stick close to their organization or system of beliefs. However, if we stick close to Christ by remaining in the vine we can expect the Father to keep us clean so we can bear more fruit. Many religions today try to take the place of the Father by going beyond what is written in scripture. They try to “clean” us according to their standards. By legalistic rules and regulations they trap unexpected ones into joining them and not focusing on the “true vine” Jesus Christ. They take our Christian freedom away buy binding us under their code of conduct and beliefs.

Notice what Christ said here at Matthew 15:8-9, “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” So how do we know if they are human rules? They are not found in the Bible. Remember Jesus command to “Love each other”? That really covers most everything. If it’s not loving, don’t do it…

On another note, we receive hundreds of hits a day from guests on this site. Please don’t be afraid to comment and introduce yourself. You don’t need to register to make a comment. You don’t need to give your e-mail or name to make a comment. We only need your e-mail if you register. It is very encouraging to us and others to hear from newcomers so please make a comment or just say hi. We would love to hear from you!

Your brother in Christ,
Greybeard

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19 Comments on I Am The True Vine, and My Father is The Gardener…

  1. DanielB says:

    Good choice for the rendering, Brother. The NIV reads so nicely without straying from the meaning in these verses. Thank you.

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  2. Simpleman says:

    Just off the track a bit on this one. There is a talk given by an elder who resigns on the media section. Does anyone know if this talk is genuine and what congregation was it given in?

    I’m amazed they did not pull the pug on him, he was able to continue right to the end.

    Really is this a genuine JW talk.

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  3. JJ says:

    Yes Simpleman it is genuine. It is an eloquent, well-given talk, done respectfully.

    He mentions that the last few minutes (which is the only bit that is really different from any other PT)he noticed some strange looks from some in the audience because they began to sense that something unusual was coming.

    It has been corroborated by several threads online and the brother has a website also. It has not been updated in a while, but the zip file has a transcript and the audio in it.

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  4. John S. says:

    Again you choose a subject so close to my heart and allows me to repeat for emphasis the gospel truth,that is:should Christians,and all wanting to be disciples,seek the oneness with Christ and the Father that is being spelled out simply for our instruction?Well,Ya-uh,what else?These ARE the instructions for those wanting to follow Christ.Receive the Holy Spirit,the adoption as sons,and proceed from there.Now,here’s why you and I and others have made the final break with W.T.:they simply don’t have the voice of the master shepherd.When was the last assembly drama you saw where the pouring out of holy spirit at Pentecost was portrayed(or anyone receiving the spirit for that matter?)Or better yet,where are the dramas about Jesus?or the Apostles as they preach about everlasting life in the Kingdom of heaven,to be with their Lord?Instead the peripheral doctrines are highlighted,spiritual pablum,or what-not-to-do’s,and the results of not walking a Christian course.These men are following their agenda,not Christ’s.And no wonder we have so many problems in the Organization,nobody is receiving the rebirth or the spirit’as they’ve been warned,”you better not start ‘behaving like a prophet,as you’re signing your own death warrant!”.That’s what I was told,after telling the Jud..Com. that I disagreed with an earthly gospel for Christians,as Jesus and the Apostles never did teach this nor even allude to it,it’s all Rutherford’s 1935 fabrication.Anyone who will simply read John 10-17,will easily see clearly the whole point of what being a disciple of Christ means.There is an 80 year record of hiding the gospel of receiving the spirit and substituting this ‘earthly hope’message.We’re talking open apostasy here of the worst kind,that of changing the Lord’s message.Now it either takes a bold or ignorant or outright devious person to do such a thing.Let the Father judge it as he sees the real motive.But we were mislead,that is pure fact.Once I woke up to this from reading these scriptures in John,from ‘Kingdom Interlinear’ and other good translations,I started to wake up.Jesus continually taught that we were to receive the spirit and the Father and himself would come INTO us,and dwell IN us(the NWT changes this every time to read,”in union with us”…not the same.Gal 1:8 and Rev.22:18,19 say clearly what the penalty for changing the word of God is:the plagues written in this scroll,and Galatians says,”let him be accursed”.This is the ultimate teaching of blasphemy against Christ,pretending to be speaking truth but altering the Gospel totally.And staying away from teaching or having these important truths even mentioned in the W.T.Do you think this could be put down to be an innocent mistake? Maybe so if publishers(newspaper boys of yesteryear)and even those who write the articles don’t even read the simple Gospel accounts while turning on the brainlight.And DOUBLY so if the writers are not anointed themselves,but cunningly claim to be.Someone up there is in deeep do-do right now.As they continue year after year,…’proclaiming the kingdom’.BAH,HUMBUG!You know what,anyone wanting to be a Christian needs to Run from that religion as fast as he can get away from its clutches,yes fear them and their anti-Christian gospel;stealing the spirit away from the Witness sheep is why the organization has been having so many fleshly animalistic problems thru the years.There can be no real strength without the anointing.That’s why Jesus died,to get that spirit down here and anoint his disciples…is it not?

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  5. Ruth says:

    Brothers it is amazing when the spirit enters our hearts to show us the w/tower has been telling us so many lies!

    We were never taught Revelation 3:20 and the meaning! Being allowed to apply it to us individuals. This scripture is for everyone. yes Jesus died for everyone. Behold l stand at the door and knock and ANY not just 144.000 if ANYONE HEARS MY VOICE I will come in and fellowship with them.
    So how would Jesus do that.
    He actually comes into our hearts. He ministers to us. But that is not all. He wants us to minister to him. Yes Jesus Christ wants to be our personal friend. To abide in him. Being saved has nothing to do with this.
    1st john 4/4-6.
    Quote. You are from God little children and over come them because (greater is he that is in you) than he that is in the world.. “They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God!
    He who knows God listens to us! He who is not from God does not listen to us. by this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

    Colossians 3_11 says Christ is all and in all.
    If you check back in the old testament you will see that even young Samuel actually ministered to God. How did he do that?
    He had a one on one with the father. King David also praised God and continually ministered to the father one on one.

    We only have to look at the psalms. Anna ministered to God for 84 years. Were were never taught to do that! Instead we ask. Me me me. It has been all about what we want. What the false religions want. Blessing for the watchtower. Governing body.
    Do you know who is the loneliest person in the world? It is Jesus. I was thinking when was the last time any of us sat at the feet of Jesus like Mary did and listened to him.
    Had a one on one with Jesus.

    We all need to tell our father how wonderful he really is. He wants that. he asks for that. Psalm 150 will let you see where we all went wrong. We truly have to forget the watchtower way and learn Gods real way of worship. Its not works anymore. It is faith hope and love.
    Then and only then can we have his Blessing.

    Put 1st the King and its righteousness and everything will be added to us. What does that mean? trust in the Kingdom and the King. believe what we read. Not organizations. Listen and act.
    Love with all our hearts souls and minds. Love our brotherhood right here on J/w struggle. and so many God is pulling out of false religions. Where to? To the truth. And who is the truth.
    Why it is Jesus our Lord and saviour. Bless and praise our father we can have these expressions of liberty and freedom.
    To love the simple gospel.
    your sister Ruth.

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  6. John S. says:

    Dear sister Ruth,I am so happy to hear your thoughts,especially Rev.3:20,the personal invitation to dine with Christ…everybody,anybody.Thankyou,and I see Greybeard talking about it too.This is what really woke me up to the truth,realizing what the gospel is for Christians;this heavenly assignment.We know the general resurrection is to earth,but all Christ’s disciples are clearly going home to the Father’s abode when he returns.Taking a literal view of the 144,000,and narrowing Christianity has damaged the faith of J.W.’s and actually the Bible Student association,if you know of them.I study on Wed. nights with a group of ex-J.W.s and I have learned a lot about that religion,which still very closely follows C.T. Russell’s work,some more than others.But it seems he is the one who started this literal interrpretation of the illustration in Revelation,and Witnesses promote it to this day.One of the main problems with it is it severely limits peoples’ minds to think they have to be near perfect before God would ever choose them,seeing as there are so few(only 7o or so a year over 2000 years since Christ),and that you can make it to eternal life on the Paradise,and still be kind of a slacker,materialistic or lazy if you’re part of the “Great Crowd”,cause Jah is letting anybody in to the New Earth,as there are millions going in thru Armgdn.So guess what,whose fault do you think it is that so many Witnesses and others believing in 2 classes of Christians are not reading their Bibles near enough,not drawing close to Jesus,getting his spirit and the Father’s spirit,and possibly why Jehovah is only anointing extremely broken-hearted ones,and dissastisfied ones,who are turning to Him with a last-ditch effort and just throwing everything they have,their whole heart mind and strength into searching for Him and some good answers to the most obvious of Bible questions?And when we receive what ultimately we didn’t know we were even going to get:the “Water”(true knowledge of the Gospel),and the anointing,(born of the Spirit),the G.B. directs 7 million to intimidate,envy and literally kill our marriages and family life,and then publically crucify us on the altar of their so called truth.What kind of Christianity is this?Make no mistake Brothers,this is what will happen when they find out you have crossed over from death to life(that is,publishing anti-Watchtower views),as it happened to my marriage of 36 years.They will bombard your wife,from elder,to witness divorcees who want them to join the ‘Witness Widowhood’,go out together as “now free and swingin’singles”,go to movies,Carribean cruises,out to eat,and just leave your butt,because you are a “Spiritual Endangerment” to them,an apostate,who is damned to the Lake of Fire,anyway.That’s what my wife told me,and with no tears,just as cold blooded as the ‘Grim Reaper’.She told me she was basically disgusted with my apostate Bible views and learning and research,and pulled out of the family study many years before I resigned,which probably I did cause,as I was always ripping up the trash being pumped out,propaganda and’do this,don’t do that,and ‘March,March,March’,and don’t you dare go to eat at a McDonald’s during an assembly,or you be deserving of the rebel treatment like Korah,and his family,down to the pit for you,”NO SOUP for YOU!”I tried my best to win her back,then after 2 years of seperation and trying to get her back,she confessed she had’nt loved me for over 10 years.(so I guess that excuses her from any old wedding vows).And what pressures they put on her I’ll never know,cause there were elders in there I used to argue doctrine over,that literally hated my guts,and it was overcoming me.All the while patting her on the back and kissing her cheeks with their sympathetic cooing.I finally got tired of the freeze out,and when a moment of weakness came, I broke my marriage bond,and then I suffered with guilty conscience,but not for very long,as Jehovah’s spirit consoled me and comforted me in my extreme loneliness.I went with no association with Jehovah’s worshippers for 4 years.That was tough.Then I decided to get a computer and search for my brothers.That’s how I found the Bible Student’s site,”Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses”.It was great to finally associate with his people again.After studying their beliefs for about 6 months,I realized my fast-forward brain was not assimilating many of their views,which literally date back to 1870’s,as many still hold Russell as one of the angelic messengers of the book of Revelation.I could’nt go there at all,so sorry,but I have to keep searchoing for explanations that satisfy my mind.One sister got so mad at my descriptions of their spiritual food,she blasted me with a broadside,saying I thought I had all the answers and the only way I could ever be happy was if everybody came bowing down to my viewpoint,something which would obviously never happen.And that’s exactly what seems to be the problem with us ex-J.W.’s where is the true spiritual food?We all have a different view on all these teachings,so how are we ever going to unite into a real brotherhood and stop bickering ang arguing about the meaning of these things.Will we ever get straightened out? This is why I’m recommending we try to gather together and seriously start to focus study efforts on some main truths and get everybody’s input,then write up a list of general consensus on the site so newer ones can at least get some straight direction for their beliefs.Or what do you think,Greybeard?

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  7. Ruth says:

    Dear brother John S.
    You say you were on your own 4 years. I’m still on my own with the holy spirit and Jesus leading me the way he wants me to go.
    It is called the wilderness. It is a place where Christ wants to reside in your heart minister to us and we in turn with him on a one to one basis gives you peace and love as you throw all your burdens on him also. Along the way he finds close friends like ourselves to give love and encouragement to us and each other.
    Please feel free to get in touch with me so we can encourage each other as well. supposso@gmail.com after that I will give you my original email.
    My heart goes out to you. Hope I can be of encouragement.
    your sister Ruth.

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    • John S. says:

      Well,thankyou,sister for your concern.I have to admit,I am long winded on sites like these,and most of them seem to look at my comments as those of a wacko,possibly.It’s just so important to me to get this point across about receiving the spirit,that I never shut up about it.Sorry,ya’ll that I’m harping on this.But like Greybeard and you others on this site,we’re getting sick of analyzing the past being in W.T.,and want to move on.Thanks,Ruth for the point about being in the wilderness.I know a lot of people want me to shut up,leave them alone,and get back to where I came from.I’ll go soon.You’re right about one thing,being alone those years was not totally true because the Spirit was with me.But I can’t get my ministry off the ground without help from other anointed brothers.My computer knowledge is too limited.I tried to set up a blog,but didn’t get too far.Frankly,spending too much time on the web is not good,as I don’t seem to get many to talk to;I come across as crazy,I know.I forgot my Yahoo i.d.,Ruth,so I can’t get thru.What happens if I just put my e-mail address on here?

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  8. Ruth says:

    Hi dear brother.
    That will be fine. I have some some useful links for you to go even further in your new walk. No don’t feel you are a duck out of water here. I can see this is a place to get off your chest what you have learnt so far. Of cause everyone tells how they feel as well anyway.
    I can see many great points from these brothers on this site.
    I love this from

    JJ
    Andrew
    Greybeard
    Cedars

    May
    2
    I Am The True Vine, and My Father is The Gardener…

    At John 15: 1-17 Jesus/Yashua said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
    John everything you go through is good! Your heart ache the whole lot.
    Everything will be beneficial as suffering unfortunately makes us stronger.
    makes us lean on our Lord and not humans. Its our cross or stake we agreed to carry. lets do it with gladness.

    Remember Jesus said take my yoke! He means it. If we throw our burdens on him everyday that means we do not have to carry the load ourselves. What happens then? We get peace because we know his word is truth. Your sister Ruth.

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  9. John S. says:

    Thanks sis.Ruth.I didn’t mean to wheeze or whine about the failure of my marriage to the world.I was trying to help these other brothers see that there is a pattern to how the Watchtower destroys people’s will to follow their urge to chase the truth and the Spirit,by destructive actions and words.They are really criminal in their quest to hold on to memberships,going to the low point of urging wives to forsake their wedding vows.I recently read a quasi-recantation in a Watchtower from last year that was trying to curb the runaway-wives to go back to their husbands,mainly because of how much FINANCIAL hardship they generally would accrue from seperation.This was just so much more sickening worldly wisdom thrown at a holy institution,that of marriage before the Lord.(whether in or out of the Kingdom Hall,these vows are taken before God and human witnesses as solemn vows,not to be shrugged off because the Watchtower views your change of religious belief differing from theirs as mortal sin.This is religious persecution at its worst:destroying families in the name of religion.The ax is at the foot of the tree,brothers,it will be hard not to feel good when we start to see judgements meted out on those deserving of it.I know many are going to be stunned at the fall of Babylon.We have been warned though.Sister Ruth,thanks,and I too have found some sights where a lot of good doctrinal and prophetic information is shared in addition to this great site,thanks…jw struggle.I’ll get you my facebook address,then we can share e-mail.

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  10. John S. says:

    I can be found on facebook;John Stouteburg from Hattiesburg,MS

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  11. John S. says:

    One more time,(mispelled);John Stoutenburg,Hattiesburg,or Petal,MS

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  12. Ruth says:

    dear brother John.
    The fact that you see Jesus is central to your Christian walk now Is Gods way of your growth.

    Go check out this wonderful site.
    http://theschoolofchrist.org/m.....ose-2.html.
    This man also had been taken from the Pentecostal church many are coming to Christ from all religions now and like some of us are in the wilderness being taught personally by the one who abides in us..( anyway this man was a pastor
    Jesus took him into the wilderness out of his church. He like most of us was screaming for truth.
    Listen to what he has to say about the simple gospel. And where true Christians can be found to-day! Its so simple.

    Brothers here on J/w struggle I know understand now myself are really growing by comparing notes and different things they are learning. Trying to get all the doctrines in order will never be done. They realize this. But most realize as well we are not really governed any more by man but only God. We do not need a list of rules from man. Dont even need man to tell us these rules. Leave your destination in Gods hands. Listen to him.
    As you continue with your bible study on your own with the spirit your eyes will be opened as they are right now.
    But more than you ever dreamt they would.
    I now realize this site is paramount to brothers discussing there views. Some are finding real revelations from Gods word. Things they never found in there Kingdom halls. Just like you John. Just be patient with them and patient with yourself.
    Do not leave here. Have your say. They completely understand how you feel. They were all in the same place once. Or still are!
    Knowing Jesus is the way the truth and the life. Apart from that
    we go no where or will be taken anywhere. It truly is a spiritual place now. It is one on one with Jesus. His father and holy spirit. Your sister Ruth.

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  13. John S. says:

    Yes,sister Ruth,I believe you are right about the difficulty of unifying on doctrinal matters among us.Your heartfelt loving concern for those who have come to Christ and have the upward call shows a maturity born of the spirit(love dominating).Thankyou for spreading it around.I was of the opinion that the unity would be reached only thru divine revelation near the end of the system,like the first century when God joined in with the Apostle’s gospel teaching with miraculous signs and portents,healing,etc.But recently I’ve been thinking on Peter’s application of Joel ch.2at Pentecost about ,”your sons and your daughters will certainly prophecy.As for your old men,dreams they will dream.As for your young men,visions they will see.And even on the menservants and on the maidservants on those days I shall pour out my spirit.”Then we have the next verses about portents in the heavens and on earth which Lord Jesus applies for the end before he appears.As to this occuring at this time,I testify that his spirit was poured out upon me to become his “brother” on earth,I say emphatically.Many maybe even some on this site may take issue to this,as they may not have the anointing,so have no concept of where I’m coming from.(John3:8)But that would not be in your case Ruth,nor in Greybeards,tho I would rather not assume to put words in his mouth.And between you and I,sister,I have had 2 personal visions since my anointing,that were gifts to me as a confirmation of my anointing,and which are too private to speak about.I am hoping that Jehovah joins into the world witness in the near future,during the Great Tribulation or whichever the time comes for the “mark of the beast” and persecution of Christians,final sealing of the brothers,etc.,with signs and provided by himself as he did in Egypt with Pharoah,a time that would most certainly be a forecast of this system’s end.(or maybe?)I also firmly believe when he gathers his brothers up at his return,we will be caught away in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.This is going to have a huge impact on people on earth,and if time goes on before Armagedon,that would precipitate millions putting their faith in Jesus,wouldn’t it?Then a possible gathering of this great multitude together,a resurge of faith worldwide among former unbelievers and skeptics would undoubtedly result.(of course I’m well in the range of speculation here)At any rate,I like you having belief in mankind’s ability to love God and Christ,and belief in the power of the living word of God,and that sincere men and women who love it will all be drawn to the Master shepherd’s voice,the true Gospel.I believe that is happening right now on this site and others.I believe you are one contributing,as others are too.The master’s voice in the Word is still well respected on this site,let’s hope we can unify on those scriptures.I love your concern,it’s quite a comfort.It feels so good to receive words of encouragement from our brothers and sisters as we continue floating in this ‘Ark’of faith we are commenting and meeting on.Thankyou Ruth.You are indeed living up to your name.

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  14. Ruth says:

    Dear brother John S.
    Yes my father is with me. I also had 3 miracles two like the burning bush. The whole room had become a holy area right here in my own home! Then the peace of God went right through my body. I thought l had died and gone to heaven. Every pain heartache disappeared for that time he was present. I fell on my knees and apologized for worshiping an organization. That day I became a truly born again in spirit Christian

    YHWH fills my heart with so much love for my brothers and sisters. I feel their pain and heartache but mainly when I am in he company of real born again Christians like you and others my heart over flows with gratitude from the father. We would never hurt or cause pain. directly or indirectly. Our brotherhood is more important now than ever before in our lives.
    We must see it as it really is.

    Thank you for recognizing who I am. I know who I am. Abba father
    is in my heart. Let me tell you the fire has been raging all around me. But it has been purifying my soul. I need the fire to wake up to my flaws feeling very privileged I’m allowed with my simpleness on this site. Feel very happy Jesus is in me.

    Even if we do not get the whole picture right now of Gods visions for our future. All we have to do is keep close to him.
    trust with all our hearts souls and minds. Encourage each as the day draws near. Keep having the one on one time with the Lord every single day.
    Bless you my brother. Sister Ruth.

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  15. John S. says:

    Sister,thankyou for sharing your intimate experience.Like you,when the Lord and Father came to me it was outside on a little path down to my camp(my little retreat in the woods).It was only after I had been rereading the N.T. for the real gospel,as I had known the G.B. had been hiding many things from us,there were just too many taboos;”don’t go on the internet,don’t think for yourself,(independant thinking)be loyal by obeying evey little thing we tell you to do,even if you don’t understand why.”I don’t know how many times I read Romans 8,John 3&4,and the entire Gospel of John is full of anointing information.I John is good,and all Paul’s letters,very informative about the spirit.Yes even the W.T. admitted the New Test. was written for the anointed.Duh,why didn’t I get it earlier?The W.T.boat was good for a time,but many fell down as a result of the dogma.Like in 1973,4 when many 1000’s were disfellowshipped for being addicted to tobacco,there’s a good subject for you guys…JWSTRGL.Anyway back to the walk down the lane.I perceived as I was walking and thinking about these scriptures I had been reading for months,that there was a presence above me.That I was being brought to realize ‘They’ were summoning me to listen/look at them.A silent call,alerting me to attention.But at the same time the reason was given to me but in question form,not a command or a statement of fact. The question was,”Do you want to come up here and be with us?”more or less..but maybe w/out words or speech.It was so real,I turned around and looked at the sky,and I really thought I’d see Jesus there with my eyes,but there was just blue sky,a few white clouds.But in my MIND,I imagined very strongly The Lord Jesus,(funny,he was a white handsome man with a gold crown and a cleanly trimmed short beard,and was wearing a pure white robe,garment,although I remember it was a waist up image.Jehovah,(I’ll say Yahweh,when I speak with you)was merely intense bright light.He was silent.My reply to their question?I said aloud,it seemed but maybe it was in my mind,”Not me,surely,because I have sinned so many times!”And straight away the Lord said,as soon as I said it,such a fast reaction-time not possible with human minds;”It’s not about that!”And right then,a wave of feeling swept over me and through me,piercing,consuming pity,and love and appreciation.They were expressing to me their love for what I had done in my life,the good,and a feeling of complete forgiveness for all my sins,as heinous,deliberate and numerous as they had been.Believe me sisters and brothers,I have tried all my life to be a good man,but have failed so many times.Yet God and Jesus here were saying I was forgiven thru this wave of the spirit,I suppose it was.I was a little while thinking this over,but just a little,as I sensed they were waiting for a reply!As I continued to look up,now just sky again,I repeated their offer,”Do you mean you want me to come up there to be with you?”,..and all I got was a communicative feeling of ‘Yes’ blowing over me like wind.And my answer,as corny as it sounds,was…”You betcha I’ll come!” And I turned away and pulled my fist down..”Yessss!”,and walked excitedly down the lane,to pray and wonder,and start my new life as born of the spirit.By far that moment is the most defining one of my life.It put me on the mission to be an Ambassador substituting for Christ.We truly are his representatives on the earth at this time.If people are to learn,we have a huge job and obligation to all persons,great and small to offer the Gospel and awaken others to this call.Not that we are the only means,cause it happened for me strictly thru my reading of the word,not thru any man,but we must point people to the words of the Lord concerning this hope.We must not selfishly hide this in ourselves.That’s why I want to get others to help me do this in an effective way,thru more than just talking on line,but home Bible studies and in home churches,or meetings,maybe.Where we can associate,pray together,weep laugh,and worship together,praising the Father and Son,and looking for their blessing on our lives.Getting filled with not only Yahweh’s spirit but that of the Son’s;a spirit of total desire to tell about the Father,and be clean and strong to be bold in our witness and brave in our course.A super confidence in a good outcome…like you are displaying in your expressions sister. John 15;4-10,and Rom.8:9-11.I am never alone,no,and when I get lonely,I pray to them and it quickly passes,as I get a non-verbal reply; you’ll be up here,home,soon enough.

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  16. Ruth says:

    Thank you brother John for all your encouragement and kind words.
    Your sister Ruth.

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  17. John S. says:

    Your welcome,and anyone who would like a discussion off this subject forum or privately,can contact me@ john.stoutenburg3@facebook.com.And you can phone text facebook now too.:..32665,type in above address.Please feel free to call.

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  18. John S. says:

    Sister Ruth,my facebook account is …john.stoutenburg3..give a shout please.

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