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Hey @aspen , can we focus more on coming to Christ rather than poking at the resident seeker?

And as you pause on that frame, what is in your heart?

Zoom back to that moment you felt like crying. Maybe go back and read Matthew 14. Pause on that frame of emotion: *what* is it that you're feeling? Even if you don't have the right word for it, just babble.

Never said it was easy. I know it's not. It's SO human nature to want to "earn" things or fear or otherwise try to take everything into our own hands. In weird way we think that kicking and screaming and struggling is the easier path than just being held. Just feeling Christ's love.

When I was 5, my family went to the beech. It was my first time seeing the ocean, and I was fascinated. Not knowing any better, I wandered to deep and got caught in a riptide-- pulled under, unable to breath, absolutely terrified. It was my earthly dad that grabbed me by the arm and pulled me...

Shunning is persecution. Remember: Christ says "come to me and be not afraid" (my paraphrase). Don't let fears of man's actions stop you from coming towards God. Instead, keep your eyes focused only on Him.

You fear that they will persecute you?

I don't know you, but I can guess. I may be totally wrong in this guess, so please forgive me if I am, but I'll take a shot at it. You've spent you're entire life being told "stay in the boat". Being told over and over again nightmares about cold water, drowning, your lungs feeling up with...

That's a big question :) In super-short answer, I'm an Christian of the LDS variety. If you want a longer answer on any particular subject, I'd be happy to answer that.

I *am* in a family where I am persecuted for what I believe. Because those other family members are motivated by fear. A the destructive actions that has majorly harmed relationships. Something I have to continually forgive certain family members for. It's not healthy and it's not following...

FEAR. FEAR. FEAR. FEAR.

I thought it was a bad egg at first to. Hence why I tried a different Hall, many times over. Why I read Awake magazines one after another, and searches through JW.org. It was one bad experience one after another. If your particular Hall is somehow different and indeed motivated by love- I...

Multiple times at multiple locations, the same analogy was used: that world is sinking and the WT alone was the boat to safety. They elaborated quite extensively about how the world was wicked, how everyone else (even non-JW-Christians) were wicked doomed for this horrible fate and then...

(Warning: mega honesty upcoming). Yes, I found the large-group teachings/mentality there to be very based in fear. I have also seen major fear based motivations in other Christian claiming groups as well (exhibit A: ChristianForums), so it's not a JW monopoly. Speaking individually, I have...

God loving you doesn't depend on you understanding everything (or anything, for that matter). As to helping the confusion: I honestly suspect information overload here. You're trying to take in too much and just start running marathons. Don't expect so much of yourself unrealistically. Take...

Both. In multiple locations.

?? What the??? NO. Sean, God loves you so much He literally sent His Son, the Perfect lamb of God, to suffer and die for you. That you can be redeemed from all your filth and sins, and live with God forever.

I'll totally second this. Having a relationship is not about *having* to do this or that. Or about passing some theology quiz. Having a relationship is about love.

In short: historical reasons. You'll also find a lot of folks who like KJV and primarily use it, but by no means turn away other translations blindly.