jwhess

I am not surprised by the differences of opionion. But what amazes me is the fact that so many commented. In the less than 5 months we have had the beard adjustment, there have been 56 pages of comment. In the 5 WEEKS of dress change we are up to 43 pages of comment already. So the beards have been out for 4 times longer but have only generated a dozen more pages. And it used to be the most controversial topic we had. Maybe it is because the sisters are impacted more and have something to say, I don't know. But like the beards, clothing style changes will fade away with time. I have quit noticing which brothers wear a beard in less than six months. I imagine that I will quit noticing which of our publishers wear ties or skirts by fall. Then, maybe this thread will fade away...💗

I see some "Local Needs" parts coming up soon...💗

If I get a chance tomorrow I will try to ask. But the opinion I got was that he would not be giving us a list of all of the duties with a set of "rules" with which attire each the matching publisher should wear. ------- OK. It is Sunday, and I asked the CO this question. He said he had no direct branch information about it. I asked his personal opinion. He thought about it and said the he considered the Field Service Meeting to be a 'Congrgation Teaching Program' and would probably encourage the ones conducting to wear at least a tie. He said the jacket would depend on the local area and the weather. I thanked him for the opinin, I thanked him for the visit and I told him I would share the conversation...💗

If I get a chance tomorrow I will try to ask. But the opinion I got was that he would not be giving us a list of all of the duties with a set of "rules" with which attire each the matching publisher should wear. If I had to categorize the CO, I would say he was a minimalist. He seems to view the idea that beards, no tie, no jacket and sisters with pants is the standard (normal). The update was to give specific instructions as to exceptions. If it wasn't mentioned by name in the update, he is not adding any rules. He was quite specific in our meeting with the elders as to getting used to change. Learn to give up our previous ideas or preferences. Learn to 'love people'. He spent considerable time on the changes toward serious wrong-doers. Look at them as Jehovah and Jesus do. The same way he attached this love toward those in the congregation. Don't make life hard for our brothers. Cut them some slack, so to speak.

We have the Circuit Overseer this week. We asked him to review the update with us. He said there was no newer information than what came in the update. However, he is one of the responsible brothers for a Regional Convention and they had questions. So they called the US Branch and talked to the Convention/Assembly department. They asked if any of the Convention Attendants had to wear jackets or ties. The answer was a simple NO. Then they asked if those working on the platform/stage, like microphone adjusters needed to have jackets or ties. The answer was a qualified NO. An exception might be made by the Circuit Overseer or Convention Overseer on a personal basis. They are in charge of the convention platform. He said that locally, we all should know that the update said that you needed to wear the jacket & tie if you had a part on the program. He asked us if we knew what having a part was. It hasn't changed in many years. Those with micellaneous duties on stage weren't participants in the program. They were just fulfilling duties to make the program functional. They would not be required to wear jacket or ties. If sisters handled microphones, they could wear slacks or trousers. Brothers who are attendants don't need jackets or ties. He strongly cautioned us to avoid starting a process where we make "rules". Follow the direction not our preferences or past views. He himself (our CO) wore a suit and tie the whole week even in service. He said it was his preference and he liked it. He has a beard and his wife wore pants part of the time.

No I haven't. It would be the May/June issue if they were dated.

Well, it started at the beginning with the angels announcing Jesus' birth...💗

The new public Watchtower is in the middle of a year and the new public Awake is at the end of the year. Here is our magazine offers for this year 2024. MAGAZINES FEATURED FOR 2024 January and February Watchtower #2 – 2021 “Better World Is Near” March and April Awake #1 – 2019 “Feel Safe and Secure” May and June Watchtower #1 – 2020 “The Search For Truth” July and August Watchtower #1 – 2024 (Topic) Morality September – October Awake #3 – 2018 Help For Those Who Grieve November – December Awake #1 – 2024 (Topic) Respect

I am getting used to the change in dress. It took me about 3 months to get used to the beards so I can imaginge that I will feel mostly comfortable with the new style before the start of the next service year. Forward be our watchword. It is the 'old' song title. "...steps and voices joined; Seek the things before us, not a look behind....

Our chairman for the midweek meeting last night had grown a beard but he shaved it off a couple of weeks ago. His 20 year-old son grew a beard at the same time. It looks nice. the son had a student part on the program last night and his dad was his counselor. One part of counsel was "facial expressions". His father said he did well but we all had a little trouble identifying the expressions under the hair...😀

I have a original printed copy and a PDF also.

The book "Commentary on James" has been removed from our publications. It is not available in any library (on disk or online or in app). It is associated with past problems and is no longer available unless you personally have an old copy.

In 1920 our organization prepared a small training manual (booklet) for parents to use with their small children. It was called the "Golden Age ABC". On the left page were 2 letters with a half-page story for each. Then on the right hand side were 2 pictures that illustrated the letters. The pictures were copies of some of the slides from the PhotoDrama of Creation. I have included the inside front page which asks parents to train their children.

I realize you are not a Windows user. I use a Windows short-cut to engage the color filter in "reverse color" mode. I set the color filter in settings and then just key in <ctl>+<Win key>+C and the colors go to dark mode in WOL. But I am unaware of any Android setting to make it happen. Sorry.

By the time we are hiding in basements or attics the money will be thrown in the streets. We will all be equals in value regardless of previous economics. But Jesus emphasized how hard it is for those with money and possessions to let go. Rich Young Ruler, Camel thru the needles eye, Remember the wife of Lot and so on...💗 One of my most favorite scriptures is Luke 12:15...“...because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses."

It was announced that the song would be released on April 15th. EDIT: sorry I just saw that Sr. Sophia already said that,

The temperature dropped almost 10 degrees when the sun was blocked. We have a regular share of tornado warnings in a year and the sky got that "greenish" shade in our yard when the sun was obscured. We had a breeze and it got cool when the sky darkened.

Number 2 was about the middle of March so the next one should be about the first of May. They are separated by about 6 weeks.

This is from my granddaughter's phone. Our totality lasted about 30 seconds.

We were fortunate enough to be in the path of totality. Three of our families and two guests got together for lunch and watched the event from first indication through totality. We got to see the "diamond ring" feature and it is now halfway back to regular light. Very amazing feture of Jehovah's creation...💗

Satan oppses all of God's servants all of the time. Some opposition comes at random intervals, some comes because of the location we live in, some comes because of our age (different for old and young), some comes because of our age in the Truth (different for new ones and experienced), and some comes for other reasons. But generally, Satan focuses on those who serve Jehovah fully. He can cause more damage or disarry spiritually if he attacks a leader or example to the flock as compared with someon who is barely hanging on. Jehovah knows us personally. Whether you Pioneer or simply serve him "whole-souled" in whatever capacity that you can, he knows the circumstance. If we have the ability and circumstances to serve him as a Pioneer but refuse because we are afraid...well, he knows that also. We could be afraid of the work, we could be afraid of the possibility of failure, we could be afraid of some form of persecution or trouble, God knows our fears. Don't let the fear win. The favor of God is worth much more than the fear of Satan. Remember the apostles, they all said, 'We will stick with you'. A few hours later and they had all abandoned him. Peter even verbally denied knowing him. How many times was he beaten, tortured or had a court sentence him to death? NONE...he simply allowed his mind to dwell on possible, imagined bad outcomes. It was enough, fear won (that time). Peter and the others reganed their composure and were steadfast for the rest of their lives. They served with earnest in Jehovah's work under Christ's direction. We should try to do the same...💗

It updated this morming at about 7 am.

I will wait a day or two and then I will reload the program. Thanks

The little kid who was the narrator was animated both in body movement and face and tongue. The Bible pages moved or flipped. The guard at the image had movement both in person and with his spear. It may not have been a fully free-flowing animation in every detail but it had animation in many parts.

So far no update available