I have some direct experience with members of Jehovah's witnesses and although they often refer to passages of scripture and have many verses memorised their study is chiefly guided by Watchtower books and the Watchtower magazine. One ought not to have a high regard for their study. One ought to be impressed with how much they are willing to do to gain approval within the 'society' of Jehovah's witnesses.
If I may ask a moment of your time; you will see below some passages of scripture that I sent to one of Jehovah's witnesses elders a few weeks ago.
I would like to also provide some information relating to part of our discussion on Saturday. Specifically, the passages from holy scripture that related to the matter of the human soul/spirit. The passages were as follows:
Wisdom 2:21-3:3 NAB 21 These were their thoughts [the thoughts of the wicked], but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, 22 And they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls' reward. 23 For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him. 24 But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are in his possession experience it. 3:1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. 2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 NAB 7 And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Luke 16:19-31 NAB 19 There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. 20 And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 22 When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' 25 Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. 26 Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' 27 He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.' 29 But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' 30 He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 31 Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'
Matthew 22:32 NAB 32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.
The parable from Luke 16 is couched in the terms and language familiar to the Jews of Judah in the first century when Jesus was among his people. His words used concepts about the state after physical death of Abraham and the righteous as well as the wicked that Jews of that time accepted. Of course, it is no surprise that they understood the concept of Abrahams bosom and the place of suffering that the rich man went to since in the centuries before Jesus birth the Jews, under the inspiration of Gods Spirit, authored books like Wisdom (quoted above) which spell out some of these ideas.
What was a little bit surprising for me was that the elder was not familiar with these passages even though he had read most of them he had never connected them in his mind. So I think that guided bible reading, such as is the norm among Jehovah's witnesses, may not lead to much understanding of the message of the gospel and the content of scripture.
Makes sense.
It seems that it's somewhat common for many denominations to have
some pet verses that they emphasize, promoting their main doctrines.
I'm thinking of Baptists, RCC's, Pentecostals...
You could start with "edible landscaping" - fruit bushes look attractive.
Currants (if legal in your state) are heavy bearers, extremely nutritious, and don't require special soil or fertilizer. (We grow them in huge pots - if they put up with that, they'll put up with anything
)
Raspberries make a nice border planting, and will grow in large containers -- unlike blackberries, raspberries spread politely by "walking starts" which are shallow rooted. Each spring, one can share these starts with friends and neighbors (we've mailed them all over the country - this year we hope to 'raspberry bomb' our local park).
I'd love to have raspberries readily available.
Thought they were somewhat unsightly bushes,
guess I should look into that! Wonder what cool
thing I could plant down by the beach. Hmmmmm
Underplanting these with companions and help-plants (like marigold for soil health, marjoram as a currant companion, garlic for raspberries) gives additional crop for the same space.
Lovely fruit
I hadn't; thanks for the excellent tip !
You're welcome. I was so happy when I found that one!
And thanks for your tips too.
For sure like Indian food
And cardamom is splendid (I sometimes even grind coriander or cardamom with the coffee
)
I think my family could live on cumin
YUM, on the coffee! I do put cardamom in my chai, but now
I got some garam masala, AKA "
magic spice".
And I do put cumin in everything I can.
It transforms any rice dish. Although so does
sesame oil. Although I think that some of
these things we're discussing are either loved
or hated.
I've been growing cardamom in pots (it keeps expanding), but I think it might be false cardamom, as the leaves are quite fragrant (and can be used in cooking).
Guess I need to search out some real cardamom -- if you have a shady place in the yard, and the proper climate, true cardamom is an elegant looking plant - maybe you could grow your own !
oh how exciting! Thanks for sharing all this.
I wonder how much can be ingested before
reaching toxic levels.
LOL
I'm considering grapes too.
EDIT:
Forgot to mention figs and pomegranites (quite pretty, imo) as wonderful "landscape fruit".
If you're interested, PM me and I'll send the name and contact information for a local (back-yard) grower who raises and sells fig varieties for just about every US climate ! He also sells pomegranite plants - including Russian varieties that do well here in zone 6.
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I am going to "evernote" these right now!
Thanks so much. LOVE pomegranite!
Did you see the cool way to get the fruit out.
May have seen it posted in GT but not sure.
Here it is just in case:
How to Eat, Seed, De-Seed, open pomegranate (no bowl of water) Best #1 way - YouTube
I think the guy with the wooden spoon was bein' a little bit legalistic with that pomegranite.
