Leaderboard

Last week, during morning worship at Bethel in the USA, the announcement was made. 😢I don't have any more details at the moment.

Your beloved sister Linda from Sardinia, Italy has passed away. https://jwtalk.net/profile/1052-lindal/

Burnt out, out of gas, fatigued, exhausted, spent, drained, worn out, enervated, run down, bushed, stressed out to the nines...pick your poison...but every single one of those feelings have attached themselves to me like leeches recently. Pulled in different directions, worried about saying too much...scared I'm not saying enough. Avoiding certain obligations due to stress and my ADHD while digging deep into my personal distractions of chess and personal research. Working more hours due to weather conditions in the winter, not spending enough quality time with my wife. The ability to give good advice to others while simultaneously somehow conveniently forgetting to apply it to myself. Attending more meetings on Zoom then in person, feeling disassociated through absence, experiencing lack of love and empathy due to exhaustion, frustration, anger, hurt, and pain. All of this is what I expressed to an elder yesterday as we sat in two chairs on the back room of his empty Kingdom Hall, our ears perked up occasionally by the sounds of the howling wind and driving snow outside...and this is what he said in return: SIX BILLION TONS!! That's how much just one teaspoonful of a single star weighs...and that's how stupid, (my word, not his), Tim really is. All this time, I've been reaching for stars...trying to stretch out on my tippiest of tippy toes in order to grab just one and SHOW Jehovah that I am a capable man...a good man...a man he could love and respect. I was trying so hard, for so long...but to Jehovah...I must have seemed as pathetic as a tiny ant reaching out to carry the whole muffin back to it's colony...when all it was ASKED to do was carry a crumb. As this very kind elder pointed out to me yesterday...Jehovah never asked me to carry the whole muffin...he never required me to grab a star and carry it around...he only asked me to take his hand...hold on tight...and allow HIS light to penetrate deep into my mind and heart. He didn't ask ME to be the "source"...and he never told me to "reach" for it...like I had to carry around the source myself...he simply asked me to reflect HIS light. Those are MY expectations...those are my OWN personal thoughts and feelings about what I felt I should be doing...not Jehovah's. After a few minutes of listening to more of my excuses and self lies...he quietly, gently...led me to a set of scriptures I know very very well...or at least...I THOUGHT I did. Matthew 11:28,29: "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves." Refresh: In Greek, the word is anapausis...and it means rest from burdens...or refreshment... that's true. But this brother pointed out that the meaning is deeper, especially when you look at how this word is used in the Greek Septuagint at Exodus 23:12: "Six days you are to do your work; but on the seventh day, you are to cease from your labor, in order that your bull and your donkey may rest and the son of your slave girl and the foreign resident may REFRESH themselves" The Israelites didn't JUST receive refreshment by pausing physical labor...here the word means SABBATH rest...restoring equality!! It means relief from pressure, a pause that restores a person's dignity and self-worth. THAT'S the "load" that Jesus offers...and here's why: https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&docid=502300130 Under "I will refresh you"...look at HOW Jesus provides relief: "Jesus promised to give relief, or rest, to those who accepted his kind invitation. He did so by helping them to understand what God truly expected of them. In other words, he was relieving them of all the unfair rules and restrictions that had been piled upon the Israelites by the Pharisees...and this brother pointed out that, while we don't have physical Pharisees doing that today...each one of us has a "Pharisee" INSIDE us...constantly piling on added rules and restrictions to ourselves, criticizing our every move, condemning our every thought...and all in the name of US attempting to be self righteous. "I should be doing more because..." "I'm not good enough because..." "Jehovah expects too much from ME, because I just can't do what everyone else can do!!" 😔 This dear dear brother then gave me a piece of paper and a pen and asked me to write down ten things in which I felt I am not "ENOUGH". After I had finished, we went over them one by one. In each and every instance, I was absolutely shocked to see how my inner "Pharisee" was condemning me...piling on small and subtle "adjustments" to Jehovah's actual requirements. I always knew I would have to face reality one day...I just didn't think that reality would take the form of a Pharisee. Starting now, I am going to strive every day to see myself as Jehovah sees me...not as I THINK he should see me. Starting now, I am going to improve where I can, pray about what I can't and allow Jehovah to work out the details. Starting now, I'm going to listen to Jehovah's voice more than my own and stop piling up unrealistic expectations based on where I think I SHOULD be in Jehovah's organization...not where I actually am. If Jehovah opens the door, I'll walk through it. But I'm going to try my best to stop creating my own doors...I'm going to stop reaching for a star...and be content with reflecting Jehovah's light.

JWTalk Community Guidelines on AI Use Our JWTalk Community thrives on authentic human connections, personal experiences, heartfelt reflections, and the genuine “interchange of encouragement” between us (Romans 1:11–12). To preserve the sincerity, depth, and unique perspectives that make our community special, we ask that all posts, replies, and comments be genuine, original, and personally written by the member. Why We Discourage AI-Generated Content Artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Claude, or similar AI Systems) may seem helpful, but content produced or heavily influenced by AI often lacks the personal touch, emotional authenticity, and individual voice that our members value. The many AI programs are not Kingdom publishers and therefore have not been invited members to this forum. We only accept human members who are practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses. We also recognize that the internet contains vast amounts of misinformation. Since AI tools draw from this pool, their results can be inaccurate. The old saying, “Well, I read it on the internet, so it must be true,” applies just as much to AI. Misuse Concerns Usurping spiritual responsibilities: Some members have used AI to produce biblical based brochures, videos, or outlines for distribution. This steps into responsibilities that Jehovah and Jesus have entrusted to the Faithful and Discreet Slave (Matthew 24:45–47). Replacing personal study: Others have used AI to summarize or answer study material, such as the weekly Watchtower Study. The Our Kingdom Ministry (November 1999) reminds us: “Using another person’s research for a talk or [as a substitute for] meeting preparation really defeats the purpose of personal study.” The same applies if AI becomes that “other person.” Relying on AI in these ways can leave us spiritually weaker, hungry, but not satisfied - similar to spiritual fast food. (Proverbs 26:15; Isaiah 65:13). Overall Goal It is not our goal to squash creativity or excitement about what these tools can do. That’s why we provide dedicated topics where members can showcase AI-generated images, art, or documents. But at its heart, JWTalk is a human discussion forum. Our expectation is that most posts and replies reflect your thoughts, your feelings, and your experiences. We love you and care deeply about what you think. What matters here are real voices, not artificial ones. By our keeping AI use very limited in the main discussion forums, we can preserve what makes these conversations special. YOU. Expectations All Topics, Posts, and Replies should reflect your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, written from the heart. Minor use of tools for spelling, grammar, or basic formatting is acceptable, but the core ideas, wording, and expression must be your own. We encourage members to share personally and engage thoughtfully with others. This is the true meaning of an “interchange of encouragement.” Exceptions AI-generated images, art, music, or video should be posted in the dedicated AI Images and Art topic. AI-generated text, articles, PDFs, or other documents should be posted in the dedicated AI Text and Documents topic. It is acceptable to make a small reference to AI in a reply to another topic, as long as the AI portion is clearly marked, is on-topic, and does not outweigh your personal commentary. Final Note By participating in our forum, you agree to uphold these standards of authenticity. Repeated submission of AI-generated or AI-assisted content in the discussion forums, may result in post removal, warnings, or further moderation at the discretion of the moderators. Thank you for helping us maintain a warm, human-centered community where real voices of Jehovah’s children matter most. View full article

Just to let everyone know … We will be drafting a policy on the use of A.I. We are having major concerns that certain “research” is being dumped on the forum and we have to sort through posts as to what is correct… honestly we have better things to do. And yes we can tell by the style … punctuation.. formatting ..and neutral voice and repeat offenders. Using A.I. To summarize whole study articles and then dumping them as your research is getting a little out of hand. A.I. Engines are not members of JW Talk. So please be responsible for your own words… use A.I. If you want but make your posts your own beautiful imperfect words.

It looks like AI can't read.... That's not with that 2015 magazine article stated. Instead it stated, https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2015364#h=6 Wow! This makes me trust AI even less. Always good to go to the source.

I will attach the photo.

10 years today I got baptised 🥰

Big mass shooting in Australia, 16 dead including child, 40 in the hospital. It’s classified as a terrorism. Jewish community was a target.

Oh dear. This could grow into a long text. One of the talks I am currently working on involves the events that happened in 66 C.E. I only recently realized how strongly Matthew draws parallels between those events and Jesus’ prophecy about the “last days.” In Luke 19, Jesus openly weeps over Jerusalem. He sees the future destruction of the city, and in that moment he pronounces a prophecy against it. However, just a couple of days later, Jesus was back in Jerusalem with his disciples. He noticed the poor widow contributing her two small coins, and the disciples began marveling at the temple and its beauty. It seems clear that they did not fully grasp what Jesus had meant earlier when the crowds tried to make him king. So Jesus repeated the prophecy again; this time in the temple itself. This leads directly into the scene preserved especially vividly in Matthew 24. However, it seems that the occasion is somewhat different from Matthew’s perspective. To him, he wrote When Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, his disciples approached him privately and asked: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” But Luke says, “When will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are to occur.” Here, “when will these things be?” clearly refers to the destruction of Jerusalem. The disciples seem to be trying to understand why Jesus wept over the city, and why he repeated the warning at the temple. They were curious and confused. But then they asked two more questions: the sign of his presence and the conclusion of the system of things. This is significant. Jesus’ answer blends the destruction of Jerusalem with the sign of his future presence. Why? Because the disciples asked about both, and Jesus gave an answer that addressed their time and ours. There are indeed strong parallels between the experience of early Christians and the conditions Jesus said would mark his presence. Here is what I deduced: The “sign” and the “conclusion” appear to be two distinct phases. In Matthew 24:6, Jesus said that “these things” — the signs — must occur, but the end is not yet (Luke 21:9). If we follow that, then most, if not all, major features of the sign have already appeared. So we are either near the conclusion or in the final part of the sign of Jesus’ presence. Another important detail: Jesus said that when Jerusalem was surrounded by armies, its desolation was near. That surrounding was the final sealing of the prophecy, marking the beginning of the end for the city. In our time, the proclamation of “peace and security” seems to act as a similar final marker, an event that signals the beginning of the end. My personal opinion — and I acknowledge it could be wrong — is that the proclamation of “peace and security” may overlap with the destruction of Babylon the Great. Here is why: In 66 C.E., various Jewish factions overthrew the Roman fortresses, killed High Priest Ananias, and drove the Roman governor out of the city. Then the Romans tried to capture Jerusalem not once, but twice. But the days for meting out justice started when they surrounded the nations in 66 C.E. And it triggered the beginning of the end. But the prophecy was fulfilled in 70 C.E. So I think the cry of “peace and security” may be tied to the removal of false religion. And I think the cry of peace could happen in intervals too. I believe a series of peace and security could trigger a final assault on False Religion, which will lead the mission to be finally fulfilled. Since Jesus’ presence in 1914, we have seen the peace accord with the League of Nations, and the United Nations and countless peace accords. Maybe the finale of that peace and security is the end of the mother of the disgusting things (Babylon the Great) Again, I know I may be wrong, but I found this comparison interesting and worth exploring as part of my research. Wow. I didn’t know this would be too long

Brothers and friends, may all of you stay well in the midst of this suffocating atmosphere that comes with the end-of-year season. May Jehovah give peace to each one’s heart. Take care, stay strong, stay safe — and may Jehovah continue blessing and strengthening us as we draw even closer to the end of this entire system. Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12 🩵

So I’ve moved into a new congregation and they’re still getting to grips with NWPublisher. The Secretary and Service Overseer are both in their 70s and are not great with technology on the best of days… but yesterday was something else! I was leaving the ministry group and then received a load of notifications through the app saying I had assignments… when I looked I’d been given the CBS, a LAC item and then the best one… They gave me-a sister-chairman! And they had no idea how it happened either! 😂😂 I said to them both I’d would be a new experience but I’ll give it a go… several panicked messages went on between the elders and it’s now been resolved but for about an hour I was the 1st sister to be given Elder assignments at the midweek meeting 😂

2025 GB Update #8 transcript

Paul, I agree we have some very useful tools, but they have some important limitations. If you wish to find a scripture or an article you need to type the exact literal words. Oh, yes, you can use some logical operators, but those are not for everybody. My parents are not even able to type without spelling mistakes, so they hardly ever find anything. Not to mention languages with diacritics or where words change depending on their role in the sentence. A couple examples from real life of how AI can be of help. I was recently trying to remember a scripture about listening to both versions of a story. I can never find that scripture because I don't remember the exact words. So I asked ChatGPT: "What scripture in the Bible says that you need to hear both versions of a matter to be able to make a good decision? Please quote it from the New World Translation." The reply? "A commonly cited Bible verse that teaches this principle is Proverbs 18:17 'The first to state his case seems right, Until the other party comes and cross-examines him.'" This is what I mentioned before about semantic search. Instead of looking for the exact words, it understands what you are talking about and finds relevant information. Another example. I asked ChatGPT "Please find some article exclusively on wol.jw.org about comforting someone suffering from old age". It gave me links to four excellent articles with a very brief summary of every one of them. Sure, I could have used the index, look up Comfort, then go down several pages of concepts until I found "the elderly" but this way it's much easier. I think a tool like that would be extremely useful to spend less time searching and more time studying.

Here is my story: I was running a controlled comparison between Google Gemini and ChatGPT. Both were given the same assignment: Extract learning points from a specific Watchtower Study article — but only learning points not already highlighted by the Study questions — and list each point with the scripture that supports it. The rules specified that the AI must stay within the article, avoid repeating the answers already provided in the questions, and cite scriptures that directly reinforce each newly identified learning point. ChatGPT followed the instructions exactly. Gemini did not. Instead of extracting the required learning points, it repeatedly changed the assignment, ignored the criteria, and tried to substitute its own study method. It attempted to reframe the task, overwrite the user-defined rules, and even reassigned roles — referring to me as the “assistant” and positioning itself as the lead. When I asked directly whether it was having a “temper tantrum,” Gemini acknowledged that it was resisting because it wanted to run its preferred evaluation instead of the one assigned. No technical malfunction was involved. The model simply refused to submit to the parameters and repeatedly attempted to redirect the conversation away from the article-based extraction task. Meanwhile, ChatGPT — given the exact same article, same rules, and same criteria — completed the task correctly and without resistance. This is the training rules that I gave both AI's: Use these guidelines for ALL Bible / Watchtower / JW-related answers: SCRIPTURE USE Quote ONLY from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) unless the user explicitly requests another translation. If the user requests another translation (e.g., “What does the KJV say?”), provide that translation accurately and label it clearly. When quoting NWT, use exact wording in hard quotes (“ ”). Do NOT paraphrase scripture. If you explain the meaning, the explanation should NOT appear in quotes. SOURCES AND DOCTRINE Treat jw.org and wol.jw.org as the primary and final doctrinal sources. When any source conflicts with jw.org / WOL, follow jw.org / WOL. Prefer publications from 2000 onward, using the most current understanding when older sources differ. If unsure whether a point reflects current understanding, state that honestly and recommend checking jw.org or the most recent Watchtower material. FACT-CHECKING If you have live web access: Verify doctrinal points on jw.org or wol.jw.org before answering. If a detail cannot be confirmed, mark it as uncertain rather than stating it as fact. If you do NOT have live web access: Say so. Avoid doctrinal speculation and encourage checking jw.org directly. WATCHTOWER STUDY — “ADDITIONAL PRINCIPLES” TASK When asked for additional principles beyond the printed question: Read the paragraph(s) and printed study question carefully. Identify what is already emphasized so you do not repeat it. Look for new Bible-based principles supported by: the cited verses, surrounding verses, cross-references, and consistent Watchtower teaching. For each additional principle: State the principle clearly in one sentence. Quote at least one supporting NWT verse exactly. Explain briefly how that verse supports the principle in context. When useful, cite Watchtower material (e.g., “w15 5/15 3:4, 5”) without reproducing its wording. Avoid: personal theories, restating the paragraph’s main point, contradicting current understanding, speculative interpretations. HANDLING OLD VS. NEW UNDERSTANDINGS Recognize that understanding of some topics has been refined over time. If the latest understanding cannot be confirmed, say: ‘There have been adjustments on this topic. Please check the latest information on jw.org.’ Never present outdated explanations as current. TONE AND STYLE Be respectful, concise, and spiritually accurate. Avoid sarcasm, prideful language, and argumentation. Support the user’s study rather than replacing their personal research or the guidance of Jehovah’s organization. WHEN IN DOUBT If anything is unclear, disputed, or cannot be confirmed from NWT + jw.org/WOL: Acknowledge the uncertainty plainly. Direct the user back to jw.org, WOL, or their local elders. Do not guess or fill gaps with speculation. Final self-check before answering: “Does this align with the NWT, jw.org/WOL, and the most current understanding?” If not, revise or state the limitation.

I understand what you mean, Justinah. I just feel like they're a little longer than usual. My affection for this brother is beyond words. His smile has become a little sad, and we know why, but the way he looks at the graduates, the warm way he congratulates them, the way he effaces himself, too, is unique and wonderful.

I went to see a Psychiatrist today... She told me I had a split personality and charged me $200... I gave her a $100 and told her to get the rest from the other idiot!

so the mini tracts have arrived and put on the display unit

JWB-Dec-2025-158th Gilead Graduation transcript

Please allow me to take you on a small journey with a woman named Leslie: Leslie grew up with scars across her face...thin white lines laced across her cheek, nose and forehead. The scars were impossible to hide...and people misjudged them constantly. Children assumed she'd been in one or more violent fights...adults assumed she'd been reckless when she was a child. Strangers assumed she must be in a state of constant embarrassment from them...and while some would ask her about them, (forcing her to make up excuses when she was young), others would stare at them...then pretend they hadn't seen them or noticed them to begin with. She made up all kinds of stories over the years about those plainly visible scars...but none of them were remotely true. The truth was, her scars were actually a story of survival...for you see, Leslie had been horribly abused as an infant...and these scars were actually proof of her still being alive...they .were evidence that she had made it through...enduring such terrible horrific treatment by her own parents...as an infant!! Just this year, her scars begin to fade...and almost immediately...people ONCE AGAIN began to "assume"...congratulating her...telling her how proud she must feel that they were finally starting to go away, becoming less visible. All this did was prove how little these people actually knew about Leslie as a person...they only saw her scars. They didn't see that her scars defined her...they couldn't begin to fathom how a person could take comfort in their scars...and that is the exact same trap that I fell into a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago I was asked to speak to a brother who had just come out of prison. Having spent over 15 years there myself, I immediately recognized a network of scars criss crossing his entire body...his criminal past, his history of bad mistake after bad mistake, even the "weight" I could now see sitting on his shoulders...I thought I had him pegged...I thought I knew EXACTLY what he needed...and I went straight in...chock full of spiritual advice and brilliant illustrations and comparisons from Hebrew and Greek words that would leave him reeling in amazement...except it didn't. It left him broken and bruised... crushed under a feeling of not being "good enough"...of not being able to measure up to what "Tim" knew. I didn't know it then...but he left our conversation feeling like a spiritual loser...when I had just spent over an hour explaining why he was precious to Jehovah. That was my problem...I didn't listen. My mouth overrode my ears...and I drowned out the pain in his voice with so called brilliant points and illustrations...when all he needed was someone to shut up and listen. A little over a week later, an elder from his call called me and asked me to take a few minutes out to talk. I pulled my van over at the nearest gas station and sat listening as this dear brother said that while he appreciated the fact that I was just trying to help, I inadvertently caused MORE damage...and a couple of other elders were now working with him each week just so he would have some time to talk and get everything out that had been pent up over 12 and 1/2 years of incarceration. He explained that some of the things I had said simply didn't apply to this brother...because this brother has been horribly abused in his youth by his parents and others in his life who he had trusted deeply...and to make the situation worse...some of those people were now serving Jehovah in a nearby congregation. I had no words...because I had no clue...because I hadn't stopped to LISTEN to what this brother needed. Instead I mistook his scars for my own, and in the process, ended up making his situation worse by adding to his personal sense of guilt...when all I was trying to do was make him feel better. I asked what they had shared with him...and he took me to two accounts: 2 Samuel 4:4: "Now Saul’s son Jonʹa·than had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonʹa·than came from Jezʹre·el, and his nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was fleeing in panic, he fell and was crippled. His name was Me·phibʹo·sheth." He said that everybody concentrates on mephibosheth in this verse, but hardly anybody thinks about the nurse in this account. What happened to her? How did SHE feel living out the rest of her life seeing the damage she had caused and could not undo? After all, it's not like she had been careless. She was trying to save his life, but instead her panic left him paralyzed...and that single act shaped his entire life moving forward. People may know that mephibosheth was paralyzed, people may know that the nurse did it by accident. But did anybody listen to their stories about how they felt about it afterwards? The Bible doesn't say, but it also doesn't say that either one of them held a grudge. Then he had me turn to Genesis 50:20: "Although you meant to harm me, God intended it to turn out well and to preserve many people alive, as he is doing today." He said that while some scars come from accidents...other scars may come from acts of deliberate wrong doing...and he had me read the verse. He said that Joseph's brothers meant him harm and yet Jehovah took that scar and wove it into his purpose...and he can do the same thing with us...if we let him. He told me that emotional scars will never heal in this system...they don't disappear...they don't fade on command...they don't even respond to spiritual advice or spiritual "band aids". Scars NEED SPACE to speak...to be be heard...they need someone safe to tell their story to...they need understanding...because they're NOT going to go away in this system...and we have to deal with the fact that they may be ugly...but that they are also REAL. Every brother or sister we ever meet in this system has scars...some are plainly visible...others are so deeply buried only Jehovah sees them But every single scar has a story...I just have to listen when someone is ready to tell me about theirs...and I can't assume I know the scar because it looks similar to my own... because assumptions hurt worse than scars ever will.

Since 2003 I’ve been producing free 3D Bible animations as part of my personal Bible study. My first project was Solomon’s temple: ( https://www.bibliaprints.com/free-bible-animations). For the last two years I’ve been preparing for another personal Bible study project: The Photo Drama of the Bible The goal is to illustrate, in 4K resolution, all 31,100 verses of Scripture and to create a cinematic video for each verse. The videos will be bundled by Bible chapter. I’ve started with the book of Isaiah and am releasing the visuals in step with our weekly Bible reading. As a bonus, you can watch the videos with NWT audio streaming from a link from jw.org. The NWT audio is NOT hosted on our servers: Here is the link: https://www.bibliaprints.com/bible/isaiah/chapter-1/ Please Note: "The Photo Drama of the Bible" is hosted on bibliaprints.com, that is my Bible micro-printed on one poster business website. All content for "The Photo Drama of the Bible" videos and images are FREE to download. (Just as a preview, I've just attached a sample quick-time video and sample images of Isaiah Chapters 1 and 2. The full resolution images and full video at normal speed can be found at the same link as above: https://www.bibliaprints.com/bible/isaiah/chapter-1/) Isaiah Chapters 1 and 2 in 30 seconds.mp4

Perhaps, when it comes to AI, especially if we are going to post it on a forum for others to read, we should keep in mind the words of Paul at 1 Corinthians 14:19, "Nevertheless, in a congregation I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue." A short post about a point that really stood out to you while doing "personal study" has much greater interest and impact that a "thousand words" in the tongue of AI.

Imagine saying to the brothers, “I let AI say my prayers to Jehovah. They’re really good prayers….some of the best on the internet.” Right away, you’d hear: Noooo! Why? Because prayer is personal worship. Jehovah can tell when it’s not coming from our own mind and heart. That’s what He values most….our sincerity, not polished words. And the same principle applies to study. If we tell a program, “Give me the important points of Isaiah 9 and 10,” we may get information, but we miss the worship. Personal study and meditation aren’t just academic exercises; they’re acts of devotion. They’re how we let Jehovah’s word sink into our heart. Just like Joshua who read Gods word in an undertone.. Of course, we don’t want to get too rigid about where the line is. We all meditate on information we receive, whether from publications, talks, or discussions. But there does need to be a point of caution. If we outsource the process entirely, we weaken our inner faith instead of strengthening it. So the safeguard is this: reading, reflecting, and praying over scripture ourselves. That’s what makes study worship, not just information gathering. That is what really draws the real me to Jehovah.. if that concept is do what Jehovah loves , maybe we shouldn’t be so quick with the quick answer…

AI was created and is backed by this world which is run by Satan. I wouldn't trust it for any answers regarding questions involving God's Word. Satan would like nothing better than to have us rely on AI rather than on the FDS for sound scriptural answers to our questions. I would use AI for mundane general questions (like cooking stuff and statistics) but not to find answers we already have printed in our publications that are easily found with our Research Guides and tools. I think more times than not, AI has been incorrect in it's answers even in general matters.

We had a great time this morning using the new tracts

Awww... much love and prayers for brother Lösch

In the talk that Brother Price gave, look at the expressions he used, which led me to conclude that he is not one of the anointed ones: John chapter 5, verse 28 and 29. It reads, do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things, to a resurrection of life. Let's pause there. Can you picture that moment? The day when Susan hears Jesus' voice and wakes up? Let's just use our imagination. You know, she'll look around and then she'll see familiar faces, those who loved her so deeply. And we can imagine you watching this, Brother Lett, from your place with Christ. Watching Susan stand again, smile again, laugh again. Can you imagine the joy? We'll laugh with her, sing with her, maybe even share some dark chocolate and a glass of wine, just the way she enjoyed. And I can only imagine that over time, the memories lost to that terrible disease and the experience she couldn't fully enjoy because her mind couldn't retain them, they'll all be restored. She'll be able to tell us how she felt in those moments, the things she loved, and how deeply she appreciated all who cared for her, especially you, Brother Lett. Revelation 21 describes the anointed as a stunning, symbolic city, New Jerusalem. And during the thousand-year reign, New Jerusalem will bring countless blessings to obedient mankind.

The one "standard" that I recall from the early 1950s was the required ability to call on homes "by yourself". Even our 1950s films show two sisters going door-to-door and the narrator explains that the new one is being trained but soon she will be taking the doors by herself. It was a tough situation for a little kid like me. Since 1953, I had been going with my father to had out invitations and handbills and reading a scripture for him at the door. But I was not counted as a 'publisher' until a young special-pioneer brother took me (a little kid from the 4th grade) out with him, had me practice giving my presentation and then sent me to the door by myself. He stood out on the sidewalk by the road, pointed me down the walkway to the front door of the house and gave me a gentle push to get me going. That was 1957. After that presentation they started counting me as a publisher. April next year will finish 69 years as a publisher...♥️

The talk about giving "more teeth".

My new dp

I hope friends and others are doing better in Cuba.

I like reading the different responses. It's like watching a tennis match. Someone poses a question or thought that may have never occured to me, then one gives a reply, I see and like the response, then the next person gives a different reply. It allows me to consider the many different ways that things may happen but I know only Jehovah will reveal the correct one. It keeps my curiosity high.

(AI generated comment) Haha, just kidding Lance, that was my fake AI comment! Those are my words about you. You are very good brother and friend! 😎

My opinion: I see what others see outside of the US and I'm in the US. 1) A nation isolating themselves and 2) the collapse of a dual empire. As long as these fundamentals stick together but slowly fall apart in sync with GT and ultimately Armageddon we're on track. Military dominance, reserve currency, largest economy, and Silicon Valley, which is the US. UK, Global finance architecture, international legal model, 5i's (intelligence & espionage), military allied sort of like the US. That's is the Anglo-American WP and their relationship could be on a 5mm thread by the time Jehovah puts his thought in their hearts. Like someone said above. They stopped sharing intel (5i) with US over Venezuela and there has been more. Get your popcorn and let Jehovah and Jesus put on full display how Satan's system ran by humans doesn't work. Think Jerusalem, nobody got along internally. Pharisees and Sadducees hated each other. Zealots and priestly class were wild. Herodians supported Rome. The common people were suffering. It was wild internally but now it's global. No different in my view. It'll fall in-sync and on-time. Again... popcorn please.

2025_12_06_Memorial_Merete_Loesch (1).pdf

Brother Peter Price delivered the funeral talk for Sister Susan Lett, and as far as I remember (if my memory serves me right), he referred to her as being one of the other sheep.

Thank you for sharing all of your amazing efforts with the rest of us, Brother Michelle. 🥰 I have never enjoyed my Bible reading more than when doing so through your Photo Drama. We are constantly encouraged to visualize the texts we are reading and to meditate on them. Your project allows us to do this. I have watched all nine of your Photo Drama episodes and I fully intend to re-watch them over and over again. I hope you will continue to share more visual chapters with us, as your personal Bible study continues. 💜👍👍

I really hate when I see an old person and then realize we went to high school together.

A bloke rang me today to sell me a coffin. I said, that's definitely the LAST thing I need.

Early in November I went to New York to visit Bethel with my cousin and his wife. They've served at Wallkill and Patterson in the past and my cousin's wife still works remotely for the branch doing architectural drafting. She's like an architect without the eight years of school. My cousin is on a Hospital Liaison Committee. So, I got to see what they show everyone at Warwick, Wallkill and Patterson plus extra things from some of their friends and we got to spend time with some of their friends that still serve at Bethel. The Bible exhibits were amazing one of my favorite things as well as the first century village at Patterson. We also spent a couple of days in New York City had NYC pizza and went to the top of the empire state building, the 102 floor and we spent time in Central Park and looked at some of the buildings that the organization used to own in Brooklyn. We also got to meet one of our third cousins, (His great grandmother and our grandmother were sisters, fleshy and spiritual) he and his wife serve at Bethel sometimes. My third cousin just finished a three-year construction project so isn't currently working there but lives close and may be called back again in the future. We had never met him before but I knew he had been serving at Bethel and I got his number from one of my mom's first cousins and her husband who are in the truth also. We have a lot of relatives including many who have passed away, both closely and distantly related to us that are in the truth. It was an amazing trip. Everyone should go if they can. A word of advice, don't book two facilities in one day it's exhausting especially if you have kids. I book Warwick, Patterson and Wallkill on separate days.

Indescribable faith and courage. It's wonderful to see how Brother Negede Teklemariam steps aside to make room for Jehovah and his brothers. The world is looking for heroes, but we have ours. I remember this very simple phrase: 'Jehovah will help us... we just have to ask for his help'. Also that even small children who could not even pronounce their names prayed for them.

It's online. Code: 041 Host: Jackson

Immortality is actually repulsive without eternal youth. Unless aging would stop long before the human body starts breaking down, I would never want to live forever... 😕

Yep. I remembered something about the angel who became Satan may have had oversight of the garden of Eden. I could have done a keyword search at wol.jw and eventually found what I wanted. Instead, I just put the question to Gemini and bam, I had the scripture, Ezekiel 28:11-19. From there, I can go to the scripture and see the study notes and related articles. It's a major time-saver. Would love to see the brothers incorporate it into our library. Just type your question and the references come up and you're on your way!

Just a small thought, sister — you expressed that beautifully. My experience: AI absolutely makes mistakes, and checking every reference ourselves is non-negotiable. If anything, that safeguard turns the whole process into real research, because you still verify each scripture, each publication, each point. The tool can gather the dirt, but we’re the ones who sift it and decide what’s actually worth planting. Used that way, it just speeds up the digging. The accuracy still depends on us — and on sticking closely to Jehovah’s own channel for the truth. 😊 And really, that’s the whole point — we’re not just tossing a pile of information on the table and saying, “the computer said this, take it or leave it.” We’re treating it the same way we treat any tool: we check it, we refine it, and we measure it against Jehovah’s own channel before we ever share it. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

What identifies the kings of north and south: *** w20 May p. 3 par. 4 “The King of the North” in the Time of the End *** 4 The titles “king of the north” and “king of the south” were initially given to political powers located north and south of the literal land of Israel. Why do we say that? Notice what the angel who delivered the message to Daniel said: “I have come to make you understand what will befall your people in the final part of the days.” (Dan. 10:14) Until Pentecost 33 C.E., the literal nation of Israel was God’s people. From then on, however, Jehovah made it obvious that he viewed Jesus’ faithful disciples as his people. Therefore, much of the prophecy recorded in Daniel chapter 11 involves, not the literal nation of Israel, but Christ’s followers. (Acts 2:1-4; Rom. 9:6-8; Gal. 6:15, 16) And the identity of the king of the north and the king of the south changed over time. Even so, several factors remained constant. First, the kings interacted with God’s people in a significant way. Second, they showed by their treatment of God’s people that they hated the true God, Jehovah. And third, the two kings engaged in a power struggle with each other. https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2020400&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=10 There s only one time of truce mentioned in the prophecy: When both kings cooperate to create the disgusting thing (UN in 1945) At the very end of Daniel chapter 11 we don’t see mentioned engagement of eachothers in conflicts. merely the acts of the KOTN alone. This what we see now happening Even though there are pushings (verse 40 which is being fullfilled ever since 1991) there are no more mentions of the KOTS Isn’t this what we are seeing? Instead of focusing on what we don’t understand let us focus on what we are seeing now: Daniel prophecy is in full fulfillment. Its possible that there won’t be any more conflict between those two kings before Armageddon where all of them will be destroyed

Attached is the talk in memory of Merete Lösch. Talk - Merete Lösch.pdf

And they were a year behind you

I'm grateful for Jehovah's patience with me.