I was a breastfeeding, cloth diaper, stay home mom when I began parenting in 1993. Like any new mom, I had to learn about babies, my own body, and how to navigate my way through the social group of other parents. As I entered this new territory, I prepared myself as best I could by reading books, watching videos, and joining parenting and play groups including La Leche League International the support group for breastfeeding moms.

https://youtu.be/JUbGHeZCxe4

The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

As the saying goes, “still waters run deep.” There is a depth to each of us. In the stillness of rest, we may feel a void in the darkness not quite able to articulate what it is we’re desiring to form, yet the Spirit of God hovers above us ready to draw up His creation from its water.

In our own earthly arrivals, we’re drawn from the water surrounding us in our mother’s womb into an adjustment to this world. And when we realize this world is not our home, we seek another and are welcomed back to the relationship with our Creator through faith in Christ, followed by baptism into water and immersion in His Spirit (John 3:5-7). Like babies in the womb surrounded by water, we become surrounded by the Spirit of God which once moved only above the surface of our lives but now nurtures and houses us until we're squeezed through another passage.

And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple … His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” - John 2:15-17

Zeal for God’s house has led many a well-meaning Christian to avoid and even expel persons from fellowship in the interest of keeping their congregation clean.

Under the impression that expulsion benefits the person they view as a wrongdoer, Jehovah’s Witnesses practice disfellowshipping and shun those who don’t align with their current teachings.

"We do well to remember that disfellowshipping is Jehovah’s arrangement and that it benefits the congregation and may benefit the wrongdoer. If an unrepentant wrongdoer were permitted to remain in the congregation, he could be a corrupting influence. (Galatians 5:9) In addition, he may not recognize the seriousness of his sin, and he may have little incentive to adjust his thinking and actions so that he can regain Jehovah’s favor." – Watchtower Feb 2022 p.6

After such a “loving arrangement” extended to them, it’s understandable why so many disfellowshipped former Jehovah’s Witnesses are hesitant to commit to any church. And yet, many do find a church to call home. And many also get fed up and leave. 

Please dear Christian, don’t let them faint. If you’ve ever prayed for one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you’ve probably experienced how God’s concern becomes your concern. He raises up His servants for such a task. Please don’t ever assume the small fish and loaves you present them are of no value. They are food for the moment so ask God to bless the offering and multiply it. Know that God’s compassion will not let that one starve.

Last month I shared those words encouraging readers to pray for Jehovah’s Witnesses in a piece titled “Jesus Feels Compassion Toward Those Who Leave” 

And in the midst of that same month, God did indeed raise up some servants to offer their fish and loaves. Won’t you please pray for the increase with us?

"I lost a lot in the past being a JW, and continue to lose in the future by not being a JW! It makes me wish I was raised with no religion at all. That way I could begin from scratch. But I married "in the truth" and raised my family in it. They remain in the Watchtower, so by leaving, I lose EVERYTHING." -- Carol*

I'm so thankful for every Christian who endeavors to share the gospel with one of Jehovah's Witnesses. But I can't emphasize enough that it's much more than correct teaching that a Witness on the way out needs. Just as those in the first century were put at great risk in following a Messiah that their own religious leaders sought to kill, today, Jehovah's Witnesses who begin to follow Jesus are also in danger of losing it all. So they need support, friendship, and community.

If you're on social media, you've probably heard your share of "God Bless America" sung by various artists over the July 4th weekend. Maybe you've seen this one featuring Pia Toscano at The American Rodeo in Arlington, TX performed on March 6, 2022. What does this have to do with Jehovah's Witnesses? Plenty to me.

At first glance, you might assume this is a patriotic post. One of those "we can vote and stand up for our country now that we're exJWs" types of posts and I wouldn't mind at all if that's what you get out of it. But that's actually not my point.

One of the distinctive differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians is visible in their illustrations of Christ. Traditionally the Church has shown pictures of Jesus on a cross, but Watchtower publications show Jesus hanging on a single, upright pole which they call the torture stake.

To back up their claim that Jesus did not die on a cross, they’ve altered verses which mention “cross” and changed them to “torture stake” in their own version of the Bible called the New World Translation.

For example, notice how the New American Standard Bible compares with the New World Translation at 1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void. -1 Corinthians 1:17 NASB

For Christ sent me, not to baptize, but to declare the good news; and not with wisdom of speech, so that the torture stake of the Christ should not be made useless. -1 Corinthians 1:17-18 NWT

Jehovah’s Witnesses official website offers an explanation for the switch with this study note:

the torture stake of the Christ: Here the term “torture stake” (Greek, stau·rosʹ) is used to represent Jesus’ death on the stake. Jesus died in this way so that mankind would no longer be enslaved to sin but could have a good relationship with God.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to speak with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses behind a literature cart. She invited me to their annual Memorial explaining it as a day set aside to commemorate Jesus’ death. I agreed with her on it’s importance and expressed my own appreciation for what Jesus’ death means to me. Then I asked her, “so at this service you have in which you celebrate His death, do you also celebrate His resurrection or do you have a separate service for that?”

And she actually said,
“OH, WE DON’T CELEBRATE HIS RESURRECTION.”

Nearly as long as humans have existed, they have worshiped many gods and goddesses. Yet, the Bible refers to one God who “is greater than all the other gods.” (2 Chronicles 2:5) Who is that? And what makes him greater than all the other gods that people worship? In this lesson, learn how this God introduces himself to you.

What is God’s name, and how can we be sure that he wants us to know it?

In the Bible, God introduces himself to us. He says: “I am Jehovah. That is my name.” (Read Isaiah 42:5, 8),“Jehovah” is the translation of a Hebrew name that evidently means “He Causes to Become.”
Jehovah wants us to know his name. (Exodus 3:15) How can we be sure of that? In the Bible he included his name over 7,000 times! The name Jehovah belongs to “the true God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”—Deuteronomy 4:39. (From LESSON 4 from Enjoy Life Forever! An Interactive Bible Course on JW.org)

This introductory study published by the Watchtower goes on to inform the student that “God has many titles, but one name” and that “Jehovah wants us to know and use his name.”

The lesson is complete with a goal for the student to achieve: When talking about God, use his name, Jehovah.

Have you ever started a new job uncertain of your duties? Standing around doing nothing, not because you’re lazy or unwilling to work, but because you’re just not sure what it is you’re supposed to be doing? It’s an awful feeling. If you’re lucky, the company gave you an employee handbook to study and a qualified trainer to answer your questions as you ease into the new position. If not, you end up learning by trial and error.

When Jesus “hired on” his first twelve, He remained present with them for three years and trained them in as apostles. He referred often to their “employee handbook” -- the scrolls with which they were familiar, and made it relevant and applicable for them. The apostle John said he had seen with his eyes and touched with his hands the word of life (1 John 1:1). Imagine being able to touch with your own hands the body of Christ. Wouldn’t it have been nice to physically walk hand in hand with the King Himself for three years when you first became a Christian?

Interestingly enough, those first trainees in the kingdom of God who could touch the body of Christ, pretty much stood around doing nothing during those first few training years. In fact, the King didn’t even expect much from them until He physically left the planet.

Instead, He promised a Helper would come and finish their training and then the real work would begin.

They were told to wait, not work.