A blog by Tom Sheepandgoats (aka Tom Harley)
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Psalm 115: The Apple Clonking Newton in the Head
Within Psalm 115:16 lies a common-sense innocuous verse that has all the impact of the apple landing on Newton’s head. “As for the heavens, they belong to Jehovah, But the earth he has given to the sons of men.” It is the perfect verse you weave into any reply to those who insist we all go to heaven when we die. Such as this person,…
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Jehovah’s Witnesses and Politics. Do More? Or Less?
Just after the most polarizing election in memory, sometimes I will ask the householder how he weathered it. It’s a good opportunity to add, if conversation lends itself, that we go by the ‘ambassador’ verse of 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: “Become reconciled to God.”…
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Psalm 107: God Saves Them from their Plight.
The first thing you notice about Psalm 107 is the refrain: “They kept crying out to Jehovah in their distress; He rescued them from their plight.” It is at verses 6, 13, 19, and 28. The second thing one notices is yet another refrain, partly explained by the first: “Let people give thanks to Jehovah for his loyal love And for his wonderful works in…
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Congregation Discipline Under Assault, with Norway the Flashpoint
The internal discipline now practiced by Jehovah’s Witnesses was practiced in most Protestant denominations until less than 100 years ago, based upon numerous scriptures throughout the New Testament. When it became unpopular, they gave it up. As a result, points out Christian author Ronald Sider, the morals and lifestyle of today’s evangelical church members are often indistinguishable from that of the general populace. That’s not…
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Just Two Scriptures: Source Material for that 5-Minute Talk for Husbands.
Just two scriptures listed for the 5 minute student talk last night regarding husbands. Not like the old days, when there might be a few paragraphs for source material. Just two scriptures. Colossians 3:19 was the first: “You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them.” This appears to be a guy thing. There is no reciprocal counsel for…
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The Reproach of Child Sexual Abuse Falls on the Abuser
In Jehovah’s Witness congregations, victims, parents, or anyone else, have always been free to report allegations of child sexual abuse to the police. The troubling reality is that many chose not to do it. They alerted congregation elders and went no further. Why? Because they thought that by so doing, they might be bringing reproach on God’s name and the Christian congregation. That situation has…
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Breakdown at the Assembly Hall Front Door
Great. Just great. My car breaks down exactly at the door of the Assembly Hall as I am dropping someone off! The downside? It’s embarrassing! The upside? (which almost became a downside; it was so frequent) For the next 2 hours, until the tow truck arrived, (trust me on this—it needed a tow) brothers kept coming out to see if I needed help. They are…
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The Circuit Overseer Visit: October 2024
From one circuit overseer visit to the next, a period of about six months, new normals begin to develop in the congregation. Subtle ones, not bad, nothing for which anyone would have to say ‘Stop doing that!’ Things just reflecting the different personalities in the congregation. ‘Slight imbalances’ maybe is the phrase to use. Personal innovations, some which work pretty well, others not so much.…
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Psalm 93: Symbolic Rivers
Rivers in the Bible are sometimes symbolic. Maybe, also the ones of Psalm 93. The rivers have surged, O Jehovah, The rivers have surged and roared; The rivers keep surging and pounding. (93:3) They have surged. Repeat and add: they have surged and roared. Repeat as continuious action, and escalate to pounding: The rivers keep surging and pounding. Jehovah is above them all, triumphant, as…
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Psalm 90: How Long Will [What] Last?
The reason I believe better sanitation and not vaccines (as has been claimed) resulted in the greater expanded life expectancy during the 20th century is found at Psalm 90:10: “The span of our life is 70 years, Or 80 if one is especially strong.” So there it is, written maybe four thousand years ago. Yet, in the year 1900, the average life expectancy in the…