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Our beloved member Old/Jerry has passed away. 89 years of age. A dear friend of many on the Forum. https://jwtalk.net/profile/4460-old/

We announced this morning that our beloved sister Susan Lett has fallen asleep in death. She had 58 years of full-time service, serving with her husband, Steve Lett, whom she had known since she was a teenager. They served together in various forms of full-time service for 54 years: as regular pioneers, special pioneers, circuit work, and Bethel service. No matter how steadfast you are in the truth, we all need comfort to cope with the pain caused by our final enemy, Death. Brother Lett has been encouraging our worldwide family for decades. We know he will continue to work hard for us during our mourning. Now it is our turn to encourage him through prayers to our Father, "the God of all comfort."

This is hard. I’ve known him since I was a teen-ager. His family was my family. I so hoped he’d be able to see this system come down. However, this is so temporary. I remember a CO not that long ago who said words to this effect. If you pass away now, the sentence does not end with a period, but comma. See you in a bit, my dear friend. Oh, his wife’s name is Gertrude, or Gertie. I’m sure she would appreciate our prayers in her behalf. See you in a bit, Jerry.

Another anointed couple was John and Mildred Barr. I had the privilege of meeting them while working at Bethel in Brazil.

we had 4.8 earthquake in my city. It was scary. i was in a basement. Foundation of my apartment was good but no match to an earthquake. Survival mode kicked in. It hit just a few seconds but still scary.

"Faithful to the finish." No better record can any of us have....dead or living. Prayers for us all.

I've been listening to the news, just like you. I've been trying to keep my mind calm and my heart steady, just like you. My heart is telling me that something has to give, that the world cannot continue to go on like this much longer; again...just like you. I won't go into specifics, those are being well covered my brothers and sisters on other threads in this forum. Instead of focusing on what ifs and if onlys...I am going to ask myself one simple question...and hopefully, by the end of this post...I will answer it in a way that is satisfactory not only to me...but also to my disgusting treacherous heart. Please join me as I take a deep dive into my own thinking...into the depths of a subject that scares me to utter out loud: Am I Ready? Friends, my heart can be as loud and accusatory as it wants...but it is simply NOT the final judge. At 3 a.m., when my body starts to awaken, to prepare for the day ahead, my heart starts beating me mercilessly...it starts presenting a case against me the same way a prosecutor does against a defendant. It pulls out evidence I thought was buried: that sin from ten years ago, those harsh words I said last week, my prayers that sometimes feel like pretense rather than my heartfelt dialogue. My heart whispers, then starts screaming at me: Unworthy. Fake. Too broken for God to love or even WANT. I've been there too many times. And when I read "God is greater than our hearts" (1 John 3:20) from our watchtower study this week, I nod politely, my brain registers the words...but the accusation still burns inside me. Then I stop...regather my thoughts...tell Jehovah I love him... I'm sorry for being such a poor example of one of his servants...and then I re-group. After some prayerful study and meditation on that verse...here's what I was missing: in Greek, "greater" (meizōn) carries judicial authority. What does that MEAN though? It means Jehovah is stronger than my self-condemnation...it means that his verdict outranks whatever terrible things I may believe about myself. My heart might be a relentless prosecutor, building cases against me, presenting evidence, demanding judgment. But Jehovah? He's the Supreme Court. And he's already ruled on my case, provided I simply do my best to remain faithful! Here's another overlooked detail that changed everything for me after I meditated on this scripture: the verse says God "knows all things." Man, that used to terrify me. I thought it meant he had a magnifying glass on every failure, every secret shame of mine. But I'm finally figuring out how to flip how I view those words: because he knows everything, his mercy is precise, not generic. A surgeon who can see exactly where I'm wounded doesn't make random cuts...he heals specifically. Jehovah's complete knowledge means his care fits my exact wound, my specific fear, my particular shame. He knows why I struggle with what I struggle with. He knows what happened to me. He knows what I've never told anyone. And still, he drew me. How profound is that? He drew me when I was covered from head to toe in the disgusting mud of this system...he drew me when nearly every other word out of my mouth was some sort of filth or curse word...he drew me when my heart was filled with hate and rage and anger...but he ALSO saw that it was filled with sadness and fear and loneliness and loss and a pathetic person who was hiding in a corner of his brain...shivering and cold...lost and alone. My mediations on this article have dragged me through the past, anchored me in the present and helped me to calm my fears for tomorrow. Want to know the most hidden truth I discovered after really holding my feet to the fire? When Jehovah drew me (John 6:44), he wasn't responding to my achievements. He wasn't waiting for me to clean up first. He saw what Acts 13:48 calls a "rightly disposed heart"...not a perfect heart, not a pure heart, just one that leaned, however faintly, toward him. I thought of a parent scanning a massive crowd of strangers at a train station. Everyone else sees chaos, a blur of faces, noise, confusion. But that parent? They spot their child instantly...not because the child is the tallest or cleanest or best-behaved, but by something indefinable that says mine. That recognition cuts through everything else...they KNOW their child. That's how Jehovah found me. In a world of billions, through all my mistakes and masks and mess, he saw that faint lean of my heart...maybe just a whispered prayer, maybe just a longing for something better, maybe just tears I couldn't explain...and he said, "That one. That one right there...that one is MINE!" My heart still says I'm disqualified. It rehearses my failures on repeat. It magnifies that gap between who I am and who I think I should be. But here's what my heart doesn't know: Jehovah isn't measuring the gap. He's watching the lean. He's not cataloging my falls; he's counting every time I get back up. So when my heart screams "guilty," I'm learning to remember: I'm not a defendant awaiting verdict. The verdict is already in. As long as I do my best...I'm family. Jehovah didn't just forgive me...he treasures me. He doesn't judge my worst moment; he watches my trajectory. And that faint lean of my heart that started me towards toward him? That tiny, barely-there inclination? That's all he needed to move heaven and earth to draw me home. Satan...you are a LIAR:I am not too broken. I am not too stained. I am not too far gone. I am seen, known, drawn, and treasured by the God who is greater than my heart. So am I ready? Maybe the better question is: Does Jehovah think I'm ready? And if he's still drawing me, still working with me, still calling me "Mine"...then I'll keep leaning toward him, one day at a time. Tonight, I'm going to name one small way I leaned toward Jehovah today. A prayer, a kind act, a moment of resistance to wrong. And I'll keep that list. Why? Because it's evidence of what he saw in me all along. *Thank you for allowing me to share, and for following me on this little journey into my thinking and down into my heart. Hopefully this will help someone...touch someone...because I know I can't be the only one feeling this way.

I enjoyed knowing him on the forum and look forward to meeting him in person in the New System when we are both without the difficulties of old age and imperfection Prayers for his wife would be welcomed, I'm sure.

One day, everything will be over, we will have true peace generated_video.mp4

Doing some personal study on GT I’ve been reflecting deeply on these thoughts. There’s much here to meditate on. Even some who believe in a day of judgment think that it is far off. To keep receiving holy spirit, we must also “not treat prophecies with contempt.” (1 Thess. 5:20) “Prophecies” here refer to messages produced by God’s spirit, including those concerning Jehovah’s day and the urgency of our times. We do not push that day off in our mind, thinking that Armageddon will not happen in our lifetime. Instead, we speed it up—keep it close in mind—by maintaining right conduct and keeping busy with “deeds of godly devotion” every day.—2 Pet. 3:11, 12. W23 June. So perhaps it’s not really proper (or spiritually safe) to speculate whether the Great Tribulation might come in 5, 10, or 20 years. Doing so might make it seem far away, when in truth, our relationship with Jehovah and our sense of readiness must remain immediate. The focus, then, isn’t when the end will come, but who we are becoming as we await it.

And here with the Lett couple, also in Bethel.

I’m happy that, while the world is intensely talking about peace and the end of war, our JW website has been challenging the nations on the front page for a few days, showing that true peace and security will come through God’s Kingdom

I watched this. Interesting. As I have seen this government totter, in this country, I have heard some theorize China would soon be the next world power. I’m thinking, “ Not so fast, folks “. We know who will be the last standing power before Jehovah and Christ take action. And, it’s not China. Okay, now I’m wondering if this country falls on its face, and, because it is a world power, (of sorts) Will there be chaos that causes the powers that be, to throw up their hands, and the UN takes over, with its shiny new teeth? Just wondering. What I do know is Jehovah’s organization is not only preparing us for the end of this system, but to be able to be escorted into the new system. I know the timing will be perfect, but it can’t be soon enough. As the news drones on about all this, “peace”, I’m thinking, “Come on, folks, say it. Say it, say, “security”! Then it will be what mankind has needed for eons! And miracle of miracles. We will get to see it! (I hope. Life had gotten a little more fragile to me in the last few days)

Sad to hear. May he rest, until he is called. I yearn for that time... 💐

Prayers for his family and friends, he was a very wise man and I will miss his posts here.

Thank goodness we're not involved in any of that political drama. Its gonna happen, whichever way they choose to do it. Personally I choose to not be overly concerned. Jehovah’s GOT THIS! But that said please don't misunderstand, I love any info that could pertain to the end of this system. One day it'll happen and I hope I'm here to see it.

JWB Oct 2025 Transcript

I don't remember a public article being this...specific. This feels like they want the information out there about future events – because they're going to happen soon. At least I hope so!

I didn't even know him that well, but I deeply appreciate it his comments here on this site, and I know he was loved even more by the brothers and sisters who knew him personally. We are so blessed to have a God whose memory is alive with all of his friends. Now that I think about it, if we could snuggle down and travel through just the outer fringe of Jehovah's memory every night before we went to sleep, I don't think any of us would worry about going to sleep in this system at all... because the next time our eyes would open...we would be back among everyone who Jehovah loves.

The Study Notes for Chapters 8-13 are finally available!!!

Don't surrender to imperfect thinking... the end will come in an abrupt and unexpected manner. This can happen tomorrow.

It really does highlight the fragility of human rulership. No matter which party holds power, we keep seeing the same cycle of stalemate, blame, and disruption of daily life for ordinary people. But what a contrast with the Kingdom Jehovah has promised! Daniel 2:44 reminds us that “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.” Unlike human governments, it will not be left to imperfect men to fight over, fund, or shut down. Its rule is permanent and just. Isaiah 9:6-7 shows that rulership rests on the shoulders of the “Prince of Peace,” Christ Jesus, and it increases forever with justice and righteousness. That’s not a temporary budget solution — it’s eternal stability. And Revelation 21:3-4 assures us that under that Kingdom, the problems that plague mankind — even death itself — will be removed. No furloughs, no disruption, no fear of what happens if leaders can’t agree. In a world where shutdowns are the best men can manage, how refreshing it is to know Jehovah’s government never fails, never falters, and never passes away.

As others have mentioned, due to many reasons, it is not practical in the US for a KH to always be "by itself" or even to choose its neighbors. Let's say this KH is sold and a new one is built on a road street has no other buildings on it, just vacant lots. Then, After the new KH is built, other churches buy the neighboring properties and build churches. Do we sell and build elsewhere again? Do we do this every time a church builds next to a KH? It would not be a wise use of dedicated funds to relocate every KH in the world that gets a church built next to it. Let's trust in Jehovah that His sheep will find the KH even if it is surrounded by other churches. Now, back to discussing the tragedy that occurred right next door to the KH. Perhaps this event will provide opportunities for discussing the only way this world will ever have peace and an end to violence.

With the UN's current credibility, for many, we are prophesying something seemingly impossible. This is what underscores our prediction. When it happens, everyone will be astonished to recognize that our interpretation of the Bible was accurate and true. As proof of the immensity of God's mercy and His desire that no one be destroyed, we learn that during the great tribulation, those who recognize that we were this true prophet will still have time to join us in the pure worship of Jehovah (new understanding). Both Zephaniah 2:2, 3 and Zechariah 8:20-23 imply that Jehovah wants to give one final opportunity before bringing his judgments at the war of Armageddon. He has always done this in previous judgments, and this will be no different. On the contrary, I believe he will do everything in his power, perhaps even miracles, to prove who his people on Earth are and convince sincere believers to follow the symbolic Jewish man. After all, this isn't about the destruction of a few thousand people, nor a destruction that can be resurrected. Therefore, I believe that Jehovah will provide ample opportunity for survival for a great, innumerable multitude of people, perhaps far greater than we can imagine. The signs in the sky—clear demonstrations of the identity of the one who is coming (the Son of Man) to judge the world—and a proclamation of complete judgment like never before by means as yet unimaginable—will likely occur so that sincere people will decide to support Christ's brothers at that crucial stage. Only those who, despite all the evidence, react in the manner described in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, will be DESERVEDLY destroyed forever.

We've been watching the follwing video in light of current events: 2018 Annual Meeting: A. Morris "This Is It" 2022 Annual Meeting: G. Jackson "Be Alert, Be Decisive" 2024 Annual Meeting: G. Jackson "Don't Be Suprised by Sudden Changes" Also from the w20 April pg 2, par 2 "Bible prophecies are often best understood when they are undergoing fulfillment or after they have been fulfilled."

Oh, I'm so sorry to heat this. I always enjoyed his comments here.. he was a lovely brother 😢

Never heard of her. Good luck next year, Donald.

We experience again a strong earthquake here in the Philippines,. Last week it central Philippines. Now on the southern Philippines.

According to ChatGPT When Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, “Whenever it is that they are saying, ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction will be instantly upon them…”, he was likely echoing a well-known political slogan of the Roman Empire. Here’s the background: “Pax et Securitas” (Peace and Security), or similar phrases like “Pax Romana” (“Roman Peace”) and “Securitas Publica” (“Public Security”), were common imperial ideals. The Roman emperors promoted themselves as bringers of peace and stability after years of civil wars. This message was a key part of imperial propaganda. In inscriptions, coins, and official declarations, Rome often celebrated the gods Pax and Securitas, even depicting them as divine figures who upheld the empire. For example, coins from the reigns of emperors like Augustus, Nero, and Vespasian bear inscriptions such as “PAX AUGUSTA” or “SECURITAS ORBIS” (“Security of the World”). So, when Paul used the phrase “peace and security,” his audience in Thessalonica — a Roman city — would have immediately recognized it as the kind of political assurance the empire often proclaimed. Paul’s message contrasts that imperial boast: while Rome claimed to bring lasting peace and safety, Paul warns that true peace and security do not come from political power but from God’s Kingdom, and that human promises of peace can precede sudden judgment.

The book on Courage would be great to study during the GT let it come let it come

We are not immune to attacks .. There is no safe place, out in the middle of nowhere to church ally. Just think of the shooting Germany or the bombing in Australia many years ago.. my friend had his Kingdom Hall broken into by a person in a pickup truck they drove through the front doors and spun around in the main auditorium all by a disgruntled man.. The Seattle area had numerous Kingdom Halls attacked by an arsonist… We try to make our Kingdom Halls safe with locked doors and attendants.. on my KH we have put large cement benches near the front entrance so no vehicle can drive through. We have considered roll shutters as another protection… We are living in dangerous times. Critical times hard to deal with.

I feel devistated, yet upright, only thanks to Jehovah. My dear friend an i were on our way to a memorial for a brother two congregations down the road. A wonderful young spiritual brother. Cancer. I was at the hall to meet Paula. To go to the memorial, a couple of hours down the highway. I got a text while i was waiting. (I was early, for a change) A very dear pioneer sister, in her 50ʼs, at an hospital north of San Francisco, it was decided to pull the life support system. Iʼm still upset at the circumsrances that put her there. Two weeks ago she was on our Monday meet for service Zoom meeting. With a bottle of cough sryup she was given at the clinic she visited. By Wednesday, they took her out town in an ambulance. Before they could get her stabilized enough to even operate, she crashed 3 times. They got her through two surgeries, was on the ventelator. She was off it, long enough to talk to her mother and sister on the east coast. Ended back on the ventelator. So, we were getting ready to go to a funeral, before we left the parking lot at the hall, we get this text. And it was too much. We visited, cried, visited. A brother in our hall died a few weeks ago. His memorial is coming up. Heʼd been sick for some time. 77 years old. So, another widow for our little congregation. And, Bobby and Jerry… This is almost too much. But Jehovah has been doing his best to be here for us. And, he is. Here for us. Have you any idea how grateful and thankful i am? Our little congregation could use your prayer.

This whole concept really falls on to a matter of conscience... and respecting boundaries. Romans 14:19-22 19  So, then, let us pursue the things making for peace+ and the things that build one another up.+ 20  Stop tearing down the work of God just for the sake of food.+ True, all things are clean, but it is detrimental for* a man to eat when it will cause stumbling.+ 21  It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything over which your brother stumbles.+ 22  The faith that you have, keep it to yourself before God. Happy is the man who does not judge himself by what he approves. A couple of points. 1.The gentle approach to differing views...pursue peace. 2. Boundaries... not every thought or belief has to be shared with everyone. 3. Stumbling blocks. Even if your conscience is clear, flaunting your freedom can harm someone else's faith.

The first time this text impacted my life and feelings was when I heard it mentioned by Sister Magdalena Kusserow. She was in Brazil for a series of lectures connected with the Purple Triangles Exhibitions, while I was serving at Bethel. I had the privilege of being invited to accompany her from Bethel to the airport on her return home. In the van that took us to the airport, we heard many stories about what happened in the concentration camp, the reactions to the persecution, and how the sister felt today. Among many stories, when mentioning her brother Wilhelm, the first to die at the hands of the Nazis, she commented that her mother received the news calmly and said to her other children: "We need not worry. Now our Wilhelm is wrapped in the bag of life with Jehovah." I confess that I was moved by this expression of faith in the resurrection and realized later that her mother was referring to 1 Samuel 25:29. P.S.: I loved your archaeological reference. I'm a biblical archaeology enthusiast.

So much sadness in this system of things because of the old enemy, death. I look forward to seeing Jerry in the paradise to come, and eventually to seeing the end of death.

This news truly broke my heart. He was such a loving and dear brother, as demonstrated by his posts here on the forum. May Jehovah be with his wife, Gertie, and with all the family and friends who knew him. Now he is "wrapped securely in the bag of life with Jehovah." - 1 Sam. 25:29.

I just heard this morning that this case has been dropped. Here's the announcement read last week in congregations in the Czech Republic: Apparently the brothers and sisters in the Czech Republic had been asked to write thousands of letters to the authorities there. Hopefully this same method will work to the same outcome in other countries facing similar problems.

Have a good night, bro... we will meet in Paradise

Some students experienced panic attacks and anxiety. When an earthquake hit suddenly. There's adrenaline rush and flight/fight responses from the body and Im glad I dont have high blood pressure or heart disease. If all houses and buildings are made of wood, there's nothing to worry about. Anyway, these things will be gone in the very near future.

Didn’t brother Sanderson repeated often at the anual meeting “ keep on the watch! Keep on the watch!” ? Lets do it!

I am ready to "sign off" from this ridiculous system anytime.... Just waiting for the signal! (Can’t wait for the events to develop into GT)

My grandparents were married and anointed. They had a 20 year age gap. Last one died in the 90’s.

Hurricane Update — Hurricane Melissa Key Item Details Storm Strength Category 5 with sustained winds around 175 mph Landfall Expected in Jamaica early Tuesday Hazards Massive rainfall, flooding, landslides, storm surge US Mainland Not the primary threat zone currently, but monitoring advised Let us keep those in harm’s way in our prayers, asking Jehovah to watch over and protect them. “For he will give his angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” — Psalm 91:11 (NWT) When natural events remind us of the frailty of human life, it’s an opportunity to think about the sure hope we have in Jehovah and the new world promised at Revelation 21:4.

I contacted Richard some weeks ago. He was fine but very busy with responsibilities. He said he's trying to limit the time he spends online but still visits the forums from time to time. That makes his comments here even more valuable, doesn't it?

Same. It used to drive me nuts that it took 30 minutes for everyone to leave the hall, another 15 to get to the territory and then after an hour, we go on break. However, now I view Saturday ministry as a relaxed way to get to be with the friends and do some doors and rvs together. Not as some mad rush to do as many houses as possible. That change of mental disposition makes me happier and makes Saturday service more enjoyable.

We're in for a busy weekend, especially here on JWTalk! The Annual Meeting Saturday, then the Broadcast on Monday! I'm sure we'll be in for a couple of big treats! (Not too many in our congregations will likely be talking about the AM.) So, what do you think the theme of the Broadcast will be? Who will be the host? What will the new song be about? Where will the postcard be from? Your guess is as good as mine!

Lets hope it will lead to a big peace and security for all, absolutely the best peace ever, nobody ever seen something like that, everyone will be so happy.

"Come Lord Jesus" - Mark Sanderson , 2025 annual meeting talk