Turlock, CA
DeReyelle (my cousin) and his girlfriend Mychelle began telling me of an experience with a friend and he was pressuring them to participate in his church. However, they did not believe much of what he was saying to them. Here is as much of the account I can recall:
(The setting: Mychelle is driving their van and DeReyelle is sitting in the far back seat of the van and their twin boys are asleep in the middle seats.)
DeReyelle: He did not make any sense. We are open-minded when it comes to religion but he just did not make any sense. When he tried to explain things to us, I don't even think that he knew what he was talking about.
Barb: There are many types of religions in the world and I guess this one sounds close to scientology... I don't know. Have you guys every spoke to any Jehovah's Witnesses about the bible?
Mychelle: Just this morning, a Jehovah's Witness came by.
Barb: What was your impression?
Mychelle: They have always been nice and respectful and dressed nice. When I lived in a different town, a lady would come by sometimes and talk to me about the bible. I always listened to what she had to say.
Barb: That's awesome. So when you think about all the religions in the world, all the violence, wars and problems who do you think is really the ruler of the world?
DeReyelle: God
Mychelle: If I am looking at it on an individual basis, I would say myself because ....
Barb: I interrupted Mychelle and sai ...no no, who is ruler over the ENTIRE WORLD, not on an individual level but worldwide.
Mychelle: well, I guess... God
Barb: That's right most people say God. When you get home I want you to look up 1John 5:19. (I then remembered that I had my bible with me in English because I was going to attend the Memorial in English and not Spanish.) Wait, I have my bible. I looked up the scripture and I asked them to listen closely for the answer to the question... who is the ruler over the world.
DeReyelle: laughing outloud and shouting, Oh my GOD it's the Devil!!! Oh my GOD!
Mychelle: Wow, can you write that down for me. I want to look it up when we get home.
Barb: Sure. The first part of the scriptures speaks about how we originate with God...which we know that Jehovah is our creator but Satan the Devil rules the whole world. Do you know why? If Satan is the ruler of the world, that means he is here with us. So, where did he live before he came to the earth?
DeReyelle: Heaven
Barb: That's right. Remember, he's an angel and he lived in Heaven before he turned rebellious and was kicked out. Basically, many of the problems we see today is the result of him being the ruler of this world. Besides, the sin of Adam and Eve, we can't forget that.
Remember, God gave us a brain so use it. Like you were able to reason that your friend was not telling you something that sounded reasonable, likewise, you were able reason from the bible that the Devil is behind much of what is going on worldwide. After all, God loves us and wants the best for us. Do you really believe that he intended that we live in a world like ours?
DeReylle & Mychelle: No
Barb: Do you believe what I just read from the Bible is true.
DeReyelle: Yeah, it makes complete sense.
Barb: 2Tem 3:16-17. Now this scripture tells us that every part of the bible is beneficial and it lists many reasons why. We can believe what the bible says. So, I if someone say that only part of the bible is valid, you know the real answer.
I later returned and placed two What the Bible Teach books, two Bibles, and one The Great Teach book. They accepted them and promised to read them. I have their email address and continue to keep in contact with them. Only Jehovah will know how the seeds will grow.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The sick neighbor - CA
One day after school, B.J. cames home struggling to bring in his suitcase-like backpack into the house shouting my name "Barbara, Barbara.... are you here?"
Barb: Coming out Monique's bedroom, I responded: Yeah, babe what's up?
B.J.: Can we pray?
Barb: Sure, B.J. are you o.k.? What's going on?
B.J.: Down the street, there are two big emergency trucks and the lady that lives there has cancer.
Barb: Would you like to say the prayer or do you want me to say it?
B.J.: You say it, please.
Barb: After giving the prayer, I said to B.J. - " I am very proud of you. That was wonderful of you to offer a prayer for your neighbor. Even though she is very sick, we know that Jehovah hears our prayers and he has the power to heal her or help her cope with her illness. Also, we know what the bible says about one day soon, no one will be sick.
Barb: Coming out Monique's bedroom, I responded: Yeah, babe what's up?
B.J.: Can we pray?
Barb: Sure, B.J. are you o.k.? What's going on?
B.J.: Down the street, there are two big emergency trucks and the lady that lives there has cancer.
Barb: Would you like to say the prayer or do you want me to say it?
B.J.: You say it, please.
Barb: After giving the prayer, I said to B.J. - " I am very proud of you. That was wonderful of you to offer a prayer for your neighbor. Even though she is very sick, we know that Jehovah hears our prayers and he has the power to heal her or help her cope with her illness. Also, we know what the bible says about one day soon, no one will be sick.
Do you know how to pray? - CA
Towards the beginning, I taught them the importance of prayer.
Barb: Do you know how to pray?
Marcus: Yes, Monique taught us a prayer when we were younger.
BJ: God is good, God is great thank you Lord for this food and this day.
Barb: Well, praying to God is like talking to someone. When you speak to someone do you say the same thing over and over?
Marcus & BJ.: No
Barb: That's right, it would be irritating, wouldn't it. So, that's why when we pray to Jehovah we pray about what's in our heart. We then offer our prayers in Jesus' name because he died for all of us, so that we could have hope for a better future. What is the name of Jehovah's son?
Marcus: Jesus
Barb: That's right. We offer our prayers to Jehovah but in the name of Jesus and when we are ready to end our prayer we say AMEN. That means that you understand and agree with what was said in the prayer and if you don't then you don't say AMEN.
When we studied I would offer a prayer to Jehovah and even when we were about to eat, the boys would ask me to say the prayer. One day at lunchtime, I realized that B.J. did not ask me to say the prayer after I had handed his lunch to him. When I looked back, he had his hands folded in front of him and his head bent down. He was saying the prayer on his own!!!! My heart rejoiced.
On another occasion, Marcus, B.J. and myself were about to play a card game called Phase 10.
Barb: Let me finish cleaning the kitchen B.J. and I will be in there to play with you guys.
B.J.: Ok.
A few minutes later I heard B.J saying.....
Jehovah God, thank you for this day and thank you Jehovah for not letting me have homework today and Jehovah, thank you for this game Phase 10. I like this game Jehovah, so please help me to win at Phase 10 Jehovah because I never won before and I would like to win this time. O.k. Thank you Jehovah. AMEN. MARCUS, AMEN, say AMEN Marcus. 'Amen' said Marcus. BARBARA, AMEN..say AMEN. 'Amen' I said.
I silently laughed to myself and told B.J. now that was a beautiful prayer, but what do you think that Jehovah would appreciate the most, that we pray to help us enjoy the game or to win?
B.J.: I know, ... to help us enjoy the game.
Barb: that's right. I think that Jehovah likes those types of prayers the best.
B.J.: O.K.
Barb: Do you know how to pray?
Marcus: Yes, Monique taught us a prayer when we were younger.
BJ: God is good, God is great thank you Lord for this food and this day.
Barb: Well, praying to God is like talking to someone. When you speak to someone do you say the same thing over and over?
Marcus & BJ.: No
Barb: That's right, it would be irritating, wouldn't it. So, that's why when we pray to Jehovah we pray about what's in our heart. We then offer our prayers in Jesus' name because he died for all of us, so that we could have hope for a better future. What is the name of Jehovah's son?
Marcus: Jesus
Barb: That's right. We offer our prayers to Jehovah but in the name of Jesus and when we are ready to end our prayer we say AMEN. That means that you understand and agree with what was said in the prayer and if you don't then you don't say AMEN.
When we studied I would offer a prayer to Jehovah and even when we were about to eat, the boys would ask me to say the prayer. One day at lunchtime, I realized that B.J. did not ask me to say the prayer after I had handed his lunch to him. When I looked back, he had his hands folded in front of him and his head bent down. He was saying the prayer on his own!!!! My heart rejoiced.
On another occasion, Marcus, B.J. and myself were about to play a card game called Phase 10.
Barb: Let me finish cleaning the kitchen B.J. and I will be in there to play with you guys.
B.J.: Ok.
A few minutes later I heard B.J saying.....
Jehovah God, thank you for this day and thank you Jehovah for not letting me have homework today and Jehovah, thank you for this game Phase 10. I like this game Jehovah, so please help me to win at Phase 10 Jehovah because I never won before and I would like to win this time. O.k. Thank you Jehovah. AMEN. MARCUS, AMEN, say AMEN Marcus. 'Amen' said Marcus. BARBARA, AMEN..say AMEN. 'Amen' I said.
I silently laughed to myself and told B.J. now that was a beautiful prayer, but what do you think that Jehovah would appreciate the most, that we pray to help us enjoy the game or to win?
B.J.: I know, ... to help us enjoy the game.
Barb: that's right. I think that Jehovah likes those types of prayers the best.
B.J.: O.K.
Do you know God's name? - CA
Background info.
As many of the friends know, I am the only witness in my family... that I know of. With that being said, over the years it has been very difficult to preach to members of my family. Thanks to Jehovah and much prayer, I have these awesome experiences to share. I hope you will enjoy them.
Elk Grove, CA
Due to the high cost of living in CA, my sister Monique and our cousin Bryant (a single father of three) decided to buy a home together. It has been a great way for them to share living expenses. Two of Bryant's children are school age (Marcus -13, B.J. -11 and Faith is 3 years old) and I wanted to be at there home to open the door, give them a snack and help them with their homework. On this particular day, I was studying my Watchtower and B.J. was doing his homework. He asked me what homework did I have to do and I proceeded to explain to him about the Watchtower and how this study is conducted at the Kingdom Hall. I took the opportunity to talk to B.J. about Jehovah and here is how the conversation went (as I recall to the best of ability.)
Barb: B.J. do you know what God's name is?
B.J.: It's God
Barb: So if I called you boy or brother or kid, would that be your name?
B.J.: No, my name is Bryant (Jr.)
Barb: Like your name is Bryant and my name is Barbara, don't you think it is reasonable that God has a name too.? Do you want to know what it is?
B.J.: Yes.
Barb: Please read what it says here, this is the book of Psalms and 83 is the chapter and 18 is the verse.
(B.J. reads the verse and I asked him what does the Bible say God's name is?)
B.J.: God's name is Je-ho-vah.
Barb: That's correct. So if someone tells you that the name of God is God what can you say?
B.J.: No, God's name is Jehovah
Barb: How do you know that God's name is Jehovah.
B.J.: Because the Bible says it is.
Barb: Where does it say it?
B.J.: Uh, I don't remember.
Barb: The Bible is made up of 66 books and letters and one of them is called Psalms, see the name at the top of the bible. The large number is the chapter of the book and the small number is the verse. So one of the many scriptures we can find God's name is found at Psalms chapter 83 verse 18. So, where exactly does it say God's name in the Bible?
B.J.: At Psalms 83:18.
Barb: Excellent.
Later on that day just before 4pm, Marcus arrives from home and B.J. quickly gets up from the dining table and meets him at the door asking Marcus with excitement in his voice. "Marcus, do you know what God's name is?"
Marcus: Uh, God.
B.J.: No, it's Jehovah! Barbara, can you look up God's name in the Bible so that Marcus can read it?
Barb: Sure. (I turned to the verse and handed the book to B.J.)
B.J.: Read it right here Marcus, verse 18.
Marcus: oh, it's Jehovah. That's cool.
B.J.: Yeah. God's name is Jehovah not God.
Barb: Hey guys, I have some books that will answer many of the questions you may have. (I search through a box that I had shipped to Monique's house and pulled out two books: Learn From The Greatest Teacher and My Book by Bible Stories.)
Barb: Take a seat guys right here on the sofa. One of you on each side of me please and lets see what information we can find. (First we read from the Great Teacher book and we learned about Jehovah creating the earth, animals, and humans. They had many questions of which many were answered in the proceeding study. I told them that if their dad agreed, then we could read these books together. So, when Bryant, Sr. came home, I explained to him what happened and he agreed that it was ok to give them study.
The very next morning, I am sound asleep in my sister's bed when I heard.... Knock, Knock, Knock on her door. I wake up somewhat startled and answer 'yes'.
BJ: Can we read some more from the book when I get home from school?
Barb: Yeah babe, that's fine.
(For several mornings, I heard the same knock and I gave B.J. the same wonderful response.)
Later on when Marcus and BJ were home from school and their chores and homework were completed, we all sat down on the sofa and read from the books. We read more stories out of the Book of Bible Stories. That was their favorite.
As many of the friends know, I am the only witness in my family... that I know of. With that being said, over the years it has been very difficult to preach to members of my family. Thanks to Jehovah and much prayer, I have these awesome experiences to share. I hope you will enjoy them.
Elk Grove, CA
Due to the high cost of living in CA, my sister Monique and our cousin Bryant (a single father of three) decided to buy a home together. It has been a great way for them to share living expenses. Two of Bryant's children are school age (Marcus -13, B.J. -11 and Faith is 3 years old) and I wanted to be at there home to open the door, give them a snack and help them with their homework. On this particular day, I was studying my Watchtower and B.J. was doing his homework. He asked me what homework did I have to do and I proceeded to explain to him about the Watchtower and how this study is conducted at the Kingdom Hall. I took the opportunity to talk to B.J. about Jehovah and here is how the conversation went (as I recall to the best of ability.)
Barb: B.J. do you know what God's name is?
B.J.: It's God
Barb: So if I called you boy or brother or kid, would that be your name?
B.J.: No, my name is Bryant (Jr.)
Barb: Like your name is Bryant and my name is Barbara, don't you think it is reasonable that God has a name too.? Do you want to know what it is?
B.J.: Yes.
Barb: Please read what it says here, this is the book of Psalms and 83 is the chapter and 18 is the verse.
(B.J. reads the verse and I asked him what does the Bible say God's name is?)
B.J.: God's name is Je-ho-vah.
Barb: That's correct. So if someone tells you that the name of God is God what can you say?
B.J.: No, God's name is Jehovah
Barb: How do you know that God's name is Jehovah.
B.J.: Because the Bible says it is.
Barb: Where does it say it?
B.J.: Uh, I don't remember.
Barb: The Bible is made up of 66 books and letters and one of them is called Psalms, see the name at the top of the bible. The large number is the chapter of the book and the small number is the verse. So one of the many scriptures we can find God's name is found at Psalms chapter 83 verse 18. So, where exactly does it say God's name in the Bible?
B.J.: At Psalms 83:18.
Barb: Excellent.
Later on that day just before 4pm, Marcus arrives from home and B.J. quickly gets up from the dining table and meets him at the door asking Marcus with excitement in his voice. "Marcus, do you know what God's name is?"
Marcus: Uh, God.
B.J.: No, it's Jehovah! Barbara, can you look up God's name in the Bible so that Marcus can read it?
Barb: Sure. (I turned to the verse and handed the book to B.J.)
B.J.: Read it right here Marcus, verse 18.
Marcus: oh, it's Jehovah. That's cool.
B.J.: Yeah. God's name is Jehovah not God.
Barb: Hey guys, I have some books that will answer many of the questions you may have. (I search through a box that I had shipped to Monique's house and pulled out two books: Learn From The Greatest Teacher and My Book by Bible Stories.)
Barb: Take a seat guys right here on the sofa. One of you on each side of me please and lets see what information we can find. (First we read from the Great Teacher book and we learned about Jehovah creating the earth, animals, and humans. They had many questions of which many were answered in the proceeding study. I told them that if their dad agreed, then we could read these books together. So, when Bryant, Sr. came home, I explained to him what happened and he agreed that it was ok to give them study.
The very next morning, I am sound asleep in my sister's bed when I heard.... Knock, Knock, Knock on her door. I wake up somewhat startled and answer 'yes'.
BJ: Can we read some more from the book when I get home from school?
Barb: Yeah babe, that's fine.
(For several mornings, I heard the same knock and I gave B.J. the same wonderful response.)
Later on when Marcus and BJ were home from school and their chores and homework were completed, we all sat down on the sofa and read from the books. We read more stories out of the Book of Bible Stories. That was their favorite.
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