Listen to “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Ideas on dealing with grief and comforting the berieved.
Bible Student elder Brad Bach leads a round table discussion on this topic. Joining him is Bible Student Elders Tom Ruggirello and Peter Karavas (the Beyond the Watchtower website administrator). After the main discussion, audience questions and comments are answered. Here are some of the questions we will discuss:
How are those who mourn comforted?
Can we be comforted now and provide real comfort for others now or must that wait until the Paradise Earthly Kingdom?
Jesus was surrounded by sickness and death, how do you think this affected him?
When death strikes many ask, “Where were you God? Why did you let this happen?” How do you answer?
What commonalities are there between, experiencing “disfellowship”, and losing a loved one in death?
Do disfellowshipped Jehovah’s Witnesses feel like they have died to their family and their family to them?
What kind of comfort can we provide to them?
We want to give comfort, and we want to give truth. In what measure do we give each, what is the right balance?
Brother Peter
Excellent information! After being a JW for almost 50 years I have witnessed first hand the heartache when a loved one is disfellowshipped. As I have said before, my son is disfellowshipped. The good thing is that this has opened my eyes to the true nature of the organization. I have seen friends and young people that I watched grow up commit suicide because they could not deal with the loss of association with family. I have seen parents totally disowned their children because of being disfellowshipped. Rather than encouraging and trying to help the family member they are thrown to the wolves and like the sister pointed out, most only return because they want their family back, not because they love God. It is a shame and blasphemy on Gods love that this happens. I am trapped, for although I have consecrated my life and in my heart have left the organization, my wife is a born and raised JW. She has a history of major depression. For me to openly disassociate could cause her irreparable harm. In addition I have now found out that I have Parkinson’s. This in itself has caused a strain. All I can do is place the matter in our Lords hands and ask for his guidance. I found this presentation to be very encouraging. Thank you for this!
Christian Love and Blessings to you and everyone on this website.
Ted – You really do understand the pain many witnesses have felt, but with compassion and understanding rather than anger. I hope we will all keep you and you family in prayer.
I am hoping that as scientists do more studies on Carbon 60, they can determine to what degree it can help reverse diseases like Parkinson’s or not.
Robert we will collapse your address now. But respond to you. This is the book store here. https://chicagobible.org/bookstore/. I am looking for the exact booklet mentioned here. Be right back.
Okay Robert the link is broken so Br. Peter will fix that. Also Br. Brad is sending you the booklet.
Robert heath – You can request books from the Chicago Bible Stuends website bookstore that Jacqueline referenced. Here is a link for the comforting “Hope” booklet https://chicagobible.org/product/hope/
Peter K. (admin) { Thanks John for sharing the link. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions here. I noticed that the website under "Rutherford" indicated the following:... }
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Brother Peter
Excellent information! After being a JW for almost 50 years I have witnessed first hand the heartache when a loved one is disfellowshipped. As I have said before, my son is disfellowshipped. The good thing is that this has opened my eyes to the true nature of the organization. I have seen friends and young people that I watched grow up commit suicide because they could not deal with the loss of association with family. I have seen parents totally disowned their children because of being disfellowshipped. Rather than encouraging and trying to help the family member they are thrown to the wolves and like the sister pointed out, most only return because they want their family back, not because they love God. It is a shame and blasphemy on Gods love that this happens. I am trapped, for although I have consecrated my life and in my heart have left the organization, my wife is a born and raised JW. She has a history of major depression. For me to openly disassociate could cause her irreparable harm. In addition I have now found out that I have Parkinson’s. This in itself has caused a strain. All I can do is place the matter in our Lords hands and ask for his guidance. I found this presentation to be very encouraging. Thank you for this!
Christian Love and Blessings to you and everyone on this website.
Ted – You really do understand the pain many witnesses have felt, but with compassion and understanding rather than anger. I hope we will all keep you and you family in prayer.
I am hoping that as scientists do more studies on Carbon 60, they can determine to what degree it can help reverse diseases like Parkinson’s or not.
Would like a copy of the book —————.
Robert we will collapse your address now. But respond to you. This is the book store here. https://chicagobible.org/bookstore/. I am looking for the exact booklet mentioned here. Be right back.
Okay Robert the link is broken so Br. Peter will fix that. Also Br. Brad is sending you the booklet.
Robert heath – You can request books from the Chicago Bible Stuends website bookstore that Jacqueline referenced. Here is a link for the comforting “Hope” booklet https://chicagobible.org/product/hope/