seeking to love in muddy water

I have a dear friend...in fact his whole family is as close as my own... in some cases closer. He was a JW 17 years ago, had been such for 35 years, yetthose little nagging crystal clear truths slowly brought him to the realization that he was in the wrong place- how embarrassing! Especially concerning his children. He was so sad that they had in their mind, that if dad was in the wrong place once, couldn't he be so again? Would they ever trust him? Would they ever trust Jehovah? Now seventeen years later they are doing well and this family loves the Lord. I had the privilege of baptising one of them seven years ago.

I remember his comments early on as to Bro Russell... "we just can't be comfortable following a man"

Now, I'm not going to tell you the LHMM position on this... or the Epiphany position on this.... this is my POSITION on this... what I told this dear brother.

"If brother Russell said it and it was right, it was right... and if he said it and it was wrong, it was wrong."

I believe he was THAT SERVANT! I don't believe he was infallible or inspired... (neither did he)

I believe the message he gave in large part was the Truth. I would be more in a position to vary from his thoughts than the average Bible Student, as I believe he was 50% of the Laodicean Messenger. Those who claim he alone was this messenger also must claim that he was the last one... so therefore why wouldn't the message be complete with him? I have little to disagree with as to what he taught. -period

This brother, after 7 long years, finally picked up and read volume one and he has been reading ever since. Is he skeptical? He'd better be. we must prove all things... Do we always agree? NO - Have we ever fought? NO Would I lay down and die for him? I'd try, but he'd probably beat me to it.

Had I pressed him about bro Russell being that servant, would he still be around? probably not. What he believes is none of my business. If he makes it my business, it is only for the purpose of knowing it is precious to him... it is not for me to trample, but questioning it is not trampling it unless I question him with the bottom of my boot instead of from the bottom of my heart and accuse him of many personal faults.

this is pure christian love...... O remember how those Apostles sometimes disagreed... and now they are enthroned together!

love on