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James Thomas Rook Jr.

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  1. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Dooyaateehda Ajigaleidii in ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."   
    In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
    I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
    I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
    My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
    With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
    ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
    Goodby.
     
  2. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Melinda Mills in ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."   
    In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
    I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
    I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
    My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
    With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
    ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
    Goodby.
     
  3. Sad
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from SuzA in ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."   
    In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
    I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
    I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
    My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
    With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
    ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
    Goodby.
     
  4. Thanks
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from JW Insider in ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."   
    In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
    I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
    I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
    My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
    With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
    ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
    Goodby.
     
  5. Thanks
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Shiwiii in ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."   
    In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
    I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
    I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
    My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
    With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
    ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
    Goodby.
     
  6. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Space Merchant in ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."   
    In good times, and bad times, in times easy and times hard, I have relied on the JW-Archive as a sounding board for many things, and appreciate the forbearance when I have ranted and raved about all sorts of things, even from the Librarian, who often deleted my posts, with cause.
    I have come to the conclusion that logic and reason is not the end-all that I had aspired to, and that all things being considered, it would have been better for me to be "Brother Watchtower", than the man I have become.
    I am 73 years old, and I probably do not have time to change .... realistically, but for 14 billion years I did not exist, and I don't remember it bothering me any.
    My Wife Susan, and my sons and daughter will fulfill whatever unfulfilled dreams I had, as the stars I could reach ... were just starfish on the beach.
    With whatever time I have left, it is going to be my life's challenge, so I bid each of you so long, and hope you stay closer to Jehovah than I did. 
    ....and like Forest Gump said "... and that's all I am going to say about that."
    Goodby.
     
  7. Like
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Thinking in Joseph the Dreamer   
    I realize all to well that I should NEVER be granted immortality, as one of the Anointed of God, and my chief value as a human is to set a bad example that should NOT be emulated.
    Perhaps that is why all three of my children turned out so well ....they had my example of what they did not want to turn out like.
    I do like to discuss philosophy, common sense, practical efficiencies, but consider myself a "theologian" ... nah.
    The "dark side of the Force, Luke ..." is unfortunately, very strong within me.
    If I had not been associated with Jehovah's Witnesses my whole adult life, I probably would have been rightfully executed many, many years ago, and Civilization would have been a lot safer.
  8. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to Space Merchant in Joseph the Dreamer   
    @TrueTomHarley A bit related, but regarding children, teach one, reach one, and in turn they do the same. Raising children to do good, the right way, as is, with informing and teaching them of dangers of this world, in turn, they can and will avoid said dangers. Even during this pandemic, the children of whom I was with for a long time even for those who are not by blood and of different races, they learn from example, and what they've learn, they are able to teach others, something of which of what I mention time and time again about solutions regarding children and some going into adulthood. The thing is, some children, especially within my culture, they represent of whom they originate from, i.e. if let's say Smith Baptiste, he represents his family, for whether his actions are good or bad, it not only falls on him, but his family line. Stuff like this is taken seriously, even as said young one progresses into adulthood.
  9. Thanks
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to TrueTomHarley in Joseph the Dreamer   
    Tell those younguns to stop by my home for a visit. The stories they must have to tell.....
    There are plenty of guys who, if they could say of their three children what you have said of yours, would have long-ago buried the hatchet and forgiven any wrongs.
    You are a strange bird.
    If it helps, tell them that, with considerable effort, I have come to see redeemable things in you—it has taken me years—and that one of the best tonics to counter your rants is to think of you as an ol pork chop. Tell them I no longer feel obliged to blast away at you with a double-barreled shot gun, and have found that a single barrel generally suffices.
  10. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to JW Insider in Joseph the Dreamer   
    If there is a question about something, then it is not my place to say that I am necessarily representing what is TRUE. I am representing my particular take on the question. I may think it's true and might think I KNOW it's true. That doesn't make it true. At best, it's something that ought to be considered and questioned. It's our Christian duty to keep questioning to make sure of all things and hold fast to what is fine. It is not our duty to represent our views as absolute truth that others must follow.
    Also there is a difference in not being honest and being dishonest. One may not be honest without realizing it, through sloppy research, biased thinking, misunderstanding, steeped in tradition etc. When something comes across as dishonest, I have stated the case to persons in responsible positions who will understand the problem. I don't treat anything as if there was purposeful dishonesty.
    I think there is some kind of balance we should all reach. There is always a danger of causing unnecessary divisions.
  11. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to JW Insider in Joseph the Dreamer   
    I did notice that you were quoted and referenced, albeit, anonymously in B.W.Schulz and R.M.de Vienne. Perhaps there is a future in collaborations.
  12. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to TrueTomHarley in Joseph the Dreamer   
    $2.00 per word to quote me. Book sales have hit a lull.
  13. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Anna in Joseph the Dreamer   
    I realize all to well that I should NEVER be granted immortality, as one of the Anointed of God, and my chief value as a human is to set a bad example that should NOT be emulated.
    Perhaps that is why all three of my children turned out so well ....they had my example of what they did not want to turn out like.
    I do like to discuss philosophy, common sense, practical efficiencies, but consider myself a "theologian" ... nah.
    The "dark side of the Force, Luke ..." is unfortunately, very strong within me.
    If I had not been associated with Jehovah's Witnesses my whole adult life, I probably would have been rightfully executed many, many years ago, and Civilization would have been a lot safer.
  14. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to JW Insider in Joseph the Dreamer   
    Every now and then someone says something that says, in effect, "Ah! He understands me!" Then my next breath is breathlessly and frantically worried, "Uh-Oh! He understands me!!!"
    It happened once, a couple years ago, on this forum when someone named, let's say, "Joyce" presented a supportive point that favored my own take on 607 BCE. His point was (and is) thoroughty devastating to the 607 theory from a very simple Biblical persepective. I worried instantly that he might start seriously considering more about these forum discussions and actually change his mind on the topic. I worried about what that could mean to his respectability in his congregation if he were vocal about it. And what about a wife and kids? Or perhaps an elderly brother who depends on his generosity to get by? What if discovering that one doctrine is wrong could avalanche into a "faith disaster" where related dominoes fell? What if someone has a rug pulled out from under them with nothing to fall back upon?
    For two years, I consciously avoided repeating that particular argument that "Joyce" had himself presented, even though I always thought it was one of the most important points. I didn't want to be seen as going after a particular individual, manipulating a "chink" in the armor. Yet, I gladly went on to discuss other points.
    It happened more recently, a few weeks ago, when someone named, let's say, "Anna" asked if I thought the GB had it wrong on the "cry of peace and security." Then she went on about how she agreed that the Bible context does not support the explanation we get from the GB. That scared me again, immediately, and I almost said it as a response to her. But it would not have been understood as a serious concern in a context where I was still expressing the same opinion on that topic. It would have seemed disingenuous, or manipulating. Still, I worry about where a discussion with her husband might end up. What about her children? What about her reputation in the congregation?
    Where I have a difference with the view expressed in the WT, I always hope I have made clear that these are not things to just bring up openly in the congregation setting. For those who don't wish to deal with such topics, I am happy to be counted among those who are seen as "crazy" or "haughty" or even "apostate" because that makes it easier to dismiss for those who wish to dismiss. Of course, others will recognize a point, here and there, as something worthy of a discussion, or pushback, or counter-argument. I look forward to that type of response. 
    Also, I know that a few others have been watching this forum. Not persons from Bethel(s) as far as I know. But I get contacted now and then about whether someone can quote or use what I've said here on someone's website, with or without attribution. My answer is always, go ahead! For the same reasons I just gave above, I don't care how or where or why a person would want to repeat anything from here. But I have no concern about controlling how anything is used by others. Perhaps others here get similar requests.
    I should also add that I don't consider anything said here as "enlightenment" to be recognized. I treat this forum more the way I would want people to treat a comments section over at jw.org, if they had one.
  15. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to TrueTomHarley in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    William Arauna was posting an upbuilding observation about the earthly organization. Suddenly a giant lizard with tiny brain appeared out of nowhere to taunt him about things that were not relevant. He shoved back, of course, but the niggling little taunts never ceased. 

  16. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to TrueTomHarley in Joseph the Dreamer   
    When I am captain of the dodge ball team, choosing up players, my first choice will be Joseph. Just look at his stats:
    “From the time [Potiphar] appointed him over his house and in charge of all that was his, Jehovah kept blessing the house of the Egyptian because of Joseph, and Jehovah’s blessing came to be on all that he had in the house and in the field. He eventually left everything that was his in Joseph’s care, and he gave no thought to anything except the food he was eating.” (Genesis 39:5-6)
    “So the chief officer of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners in the prison, and everything that they were doing there, he was the one having it done. The chief officer of the prison was looking after absolutely nothing that was in Joseph’s care, for Jehovah was with Joseph and Jehovah made whatever he did successful.” (Genesis 39:22-23) 
    “Pharaoh further said to Joseph: “I am Pharaoh, but without your authorization, no man may do a single thing in all the land of Egypt.” ...The people began to cry to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians: “Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you.” ...People of all the earth came to Egypt to buy from Joseph, because the famine had a strong grip on all the earth.” (Genesis 41:44, 55-57)
    The bolded words say it all. He was a really good player. Were he on my team, he would soon be doing it all. We wouldn’t have to suffer being smashed with a ball and tagged out—that hurts!—we would voluntarily tag ourselves out and sit on the sidelines drinking Gatorade while he singlehandedly won the game.
    He had dreams, too. Cool dreams. Not the type of dreams that I have, like how I  am sitting in the stands and suddenly remember that I have the next talk, only I have forgotten to wear my pants this day, and—come to think of it—the talk itself had slipped my mind so I haven’t prepared, but I might possibly be able to ad lib my way through—still, it would have been better had I remembered my pants...
    No. Joseph’s dreams were about the rise and fall of peoples. At first, they got him into trouble, but later in life they got him out of trouble and landed him in some hotshot jobs, like being savior of the earth. (41:57)
    He wasn’t full of himself, though. After interpreting Pharoah’s dream about how seven years of plenty will be followed by seven years of want, he says: “So now let Pharaoh look for a man who is discreet and wise and place him over the land of Egypt.” He doesn’t add—after he had just interpreted the dream that no one else could!—“Ahem...and I’m your man.” But it goes that way anyhow because he just interpreted the dream that no one else could. Isn’t there some verse somewhere about how it is better for other people to praise you than it is to jump the gun and do it yourself? 
    “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; Others, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)
    I like too how he always showed interest in others. Here he is in a prison hole greeting his mates with: “Why are your faces gloomy today?” (40:7) Turns out that they were gloomy because they’d each had a dream that they couldn’t figure out, and so Joseph did it for them. It ended up springing him from the hoosegow—so it couldn’t have been too much a waste of time for him to show fellow-feeling. 
    Genesis 41:46 is relevant, too: “Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” [to be granted his new role as administrator]. 30—same as was David when he began to rule and Jesus when he began his ministry.
    Now, as it turns out, I was married on my thirtieth birthday. When elders sneak up the way they do trying to make it hot for me with my birthday cake, I always turn the table on them and send them away frustrated by pointing out that it is an anniversary cake. However, this fact of a significant phase of my life starting at 30 like with other worthies—it indicates that I am a hotshot. I am someone to be listened to and it distresses me that nobody is.
    I throw in this personal revelation on account of a recent comment from Kos, upset that the GB should be “discouraging the ‘other sheep’ to ask the anointed about anything that conserns their anointing or if they could have any ‘new light.’”
     
    To me, this says it all, not only for him, but for others in his spot. The longing to instruct and to be recognized as an instructor is palpable. And when they are NOT so recognized—since all you would have to do to be so recognized is to partake of the emblems, and there is no way to separate the crazies from the real anointed, and so I can’t imagine any real anointed making a fuss over it, since it is mostly a token of a future assignment—whoa! you should hear them carry on!
    Well, me too! I want to be listened to, but nobody is. With all the blogging I have done for 15 years, I ought to be an in-house theologian by now. Not just me, but also @JW Insider. He should be in-house theologian for all his posts—and even (God help us) @James Thomas Rook Jr.. None of us are recognized. We all want to be. The organization isn’t enthralled with bloggers and maybe this post serves to remind why. Sure, I’m loyal now—but what if I park on the lawn and the elders tell me not to and I point out that I live in America so I can do anything I want and I decide to settle the score with them on my own blog—well, what then? If a brother goes bad at Bethel, they simply yank him and throw in another, but what will they do when I go bad? No wonder blogging doesn’t do it for them.
    Now—whereas Kos and his contemporaries complain non-stop that their enlightenment is not recognized, do I? (much?) No. Does JWI? Not at all. Does JTR? Even though he lodges more complaints than most people take breaths, he does not complain about that! So I offer our excellent example to these frustrated anointed who want so badly for the flock to listen to them. You would think they would go out and find their own flock, but no! they want to filch sheep from the present Witness congregation.
     
     
     
     
  17. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Arauna in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    It's a good thing God created a physical Universe as available Real Estate for the sons and daughters of DNA ... or the Universe would have never been created ... and WE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN BORN
    Only DNA has the ability to make "something new" .... and we should be appreciative that it is God's good pleasure to create and nurture, and create an environment ( currently a 30 billion or so diameter light year in diameter Universe), and to infuse in us a burning, insatiable curiosity about all things in this Universe ... and a hunger to explore .... and to "boldly go where no man has gone before".
    Do I want to be a heavenly angel, and never taste ice cold Welsh's grape juice, again... and never sail across an endless sea of stars, forever learning about how this Universe works ... or never pioneer an entirely new planet, somewhere out there in the galaxy, blasting a gap in a mountain pass to get my Conestoga wagon through, with my wife, my animals and a pack of dogs following happily behind. to the lush green valley beyond?
    NO
    As far as I am concerned, it is the static creations of angelic life that are second class citizens.
    But then again, different strokes, for different folks ....,
    ... and it is not in the slightest what we want ... it is all about what Jehovah wants.
     
     
  18. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from JW Insider in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    I see, Space Merchant,  that you feel very strongly about that ....
  19. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to Witness in I have barely seen a more stupid chart in my life   
    From a "human standpoint", which is what I imagine you are referring to, would you say that the GB member, David Splane had a "sound mind" when concocting the latest chart of "this generation"? 
    Does it appear that A. Morris had a "sound mind" when visiting the liquor store? Or, when he spoke of people like charred hot dogs, in reference to the upcoming carnage at Armageddon?
    Did Stephen Lett have a sound mind when he stated that it was all apostate lies that the organization had a child abuse problem?  Or, that there was "more money going out than coming in" which was followed with great plans to build media centers?
    Did S. Herd have a sound mind when comparing the size of a woman's brain to that of a man as so much smaller, and how that limits her abilities?  
    Just some reminders.   
     
     
     
  20. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    I see, Space Merchant,  that you feel very strongly about that ....
  21. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Patiently waiting for Truth in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    It has been my observation that WE ALL have OCD, about things that we feel strongly about ...
    It's similar to the old joke,
    QUESTION:  "What is a cult?"
    ANSWER:  "It's the church down the street from YOUR church."
  22. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. got a reaction from Space Merchant in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    It has been my observation that WE ALL have OCD, about things that we feel strongly about ...
    It's similar to the old joke,
    QUESTION:  "What is a cult?"
    ANSWER:  "It's the church down the street from YOUR church."
  23. Sad
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to Arauna in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    drop the three then you have it correct - lol
  24. Haha
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to TrueTomHarley in Overlooked by the Religion News Service—How Can That Be?   
    I water my upvotes each day to make them grow. I weed out those sucker downvotes and toss them in the burning fiery furnace. 
    As much as some here have criticized ‘counting time,’ they count upvotes as though life itself depended upon them.
  25. Upvote
    James Thomas Rook Jr. reacted to TrueTomHarley in The DOs and DON'Ts of PRAYER   
    I should view it. I know I should, since it is sent specifically my way. But it is that same smug and self-pleased woman that I already told you I choked on. 
    Maybe I can work up the gumption later. Not now.
    The trouble is, you ought to show a modicum of decorum in whatever you do. That way, in the event that you do succeed in making a valid point or two, you find it is not summarily rejected by people who simply resent how obnoxious you are.
    It is the very first law of human nature. It is amazing how many are oblivious to it. 
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