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I have noticed that in recent times Christian love and civility are being strained. Look at some of the threads and posts in various subjects. Someone will make a comment and the observers take sides. Not just commenting but taking the person to task over the post. If I say “Great Crowd” in a post, someone will have to point out that these people only exist after Armageddon. That riposte will generate a counter attack with a Watchtower quote saying it’s used as a generic term, and so on. Supposedly on this forum, we are all the “good-guys” and the opposers are the ones “out-there” in the world. In the western movie scenario, we have ‘circled the wagons’ to protect us against the Indian attack (apologies to my first nation, aboriginal, etc friends). Inside the wagon circle, we are supposed to be supportive, caring, defending and so on. Instead, these hardy pioneers are squabbling about spelling, counting, typos, limited research, forms, levity, personal attacks and so on. Satan does not have to assault us to get us to fall, we trip over our own feet. I like accuracy as much as the next researcher but is it life-threatening? We make all kinds of allowances for children. *** w94 5/15 p. 12 par. 11 Parents, Your Children Need Specialized Attention *** One couple listened while their three-year-old asked God to bless “Wally.” He prayed for “Wally” on succeeding nights, and the parents were greatly encouraged when they realized that he meant the brothers in Malawi, then suffering persecution. If that poor kid had posted here he might have received a smile if he was under 12 years of age, but a much different response if he was 20. What happened to the kind, loving appreciation for a good effort? Suggestions (even counsel) can be applied if necessary but can we avoid being critical? Human nature is with us always, but how we apply the new personality is a choice. I hope all of our forum participants can upgrade their research and comments but I want to apply tolerance to those who have not reached my exalted level of competence…❤️

John, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This has needed to be mentioned in our family for a long time. We get enough criticism from Satan's world. Our circle needs to encourage each other, remembering that some of us do not have the opportunity for a decent education. Some of us do not have the capacity to learn as well as some others. Jehovah sees our efforts and our potential . Should not we have the mind of Christ and overlook our dear brothers' and sisters' imperfections? If we are nitpicking now, it will certainly divide us during the GT. Abraham Lincoln took notice of Mark 3:24 in connection with the American Civil War; " If a kingdom becomes divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." W e have a tremendous bank of information about Jehovah's people suffering intense persecution. One of the most important tools for them, after Jehovah's holy spirit, was the brotherhood. We need to practice now, how to appreciate our dear friends. We may have to die for someone with whom we do not get along. What a tragedy that could be, to lose our life, our approval from Jehovah, because we did not like a fellow believer.

That's why I rarely post here anymore. And it often feels like there is kind of a gang mentality, especially if someone has a opinion that's different from the majority. They'll all jump you and try to show how ridiculous your opinion is. I don't need that. In person they probably wouldn't have the guts.

Thank you for being brave, I am new to social media and struggle with praise and constructive advice especially when I can’t see the person, as such I run like a scared bunny when I got “construction advice” for my first few posts. As such I just read mostly now. Too scared to post. So thank you, it needed to be said. [emoji3059][emoji847] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for the reminder, I find it extremely discouraging when someone publicly points out someones faults or even their perceived faults.

I've just been informed by Social Security that I am no longer considered disabled according to their rules and will lose all support in a couple of months. I've never worked in my life, never able to maintain a strict schedule or cope long term with the chronic pain, irritable bowel and insomnia. It always inevitably leads back into chronic depression and mania. I can do a little, but then I have to follow up with resting for a day. They don't have a majority of my physical issues on file from doctor's reports which is a problem, as I was considered disabled for mental issues... but they were caused by the physical issues in the first place, just haven't been able to find a doctor who understands or properly tests for them yet. Of course, one should expect to read such a letter on one's anniversary of baptism, amirite? (Luke 22:31) “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have all of you to sift you as wheat. I just wanted to say that I love this forum and am thankful for the time I've been able to spend with everyone I've met here. ❤️Before I inevitably regress into insanity and say and do things which I will surely regret.

Had privilege of hearing Special Talk today in the disaster area. Marianna - Panama City - Mexico Beach - Chipley Br Raines from US branch and Bros Fien and Kibbler from DRCommitte and 2 local Circuit Overseers. walked away with the idea that th GB really loves our brothers.....is highly interested in their welfare....and have assigned many, many resources (people, finances and equipment) to care for their needs also that they really have their fingers in the efforts here in the panhandle and also in north and south California They mentioned initial humanitarian relief Initial stabilization for approx 800 possibly even over 1000 since locals helped extensively (completed most - have 271 left thru December 2018 and rebuild of approx 500 over the next many months afterward sorry not allowed to post pics of the work going on or the houses of friends but some seen driving around tons of trees down - still cutting trees down for a few weeks

Thank you John, great reminder. Any of us can fall into this trap - we are human, and sinful after all. Paul also wished to do the right thing, but admitted he failed. We all want to do the right thing by our brothers, and sometimes we just don't think things out before we speak (or write). So, it's good we hear the 'straight' truth, from time to time. We all need the readjustment. And Nina, I hope you get to see the lovely nature of this forum. Overall it is a great place, with positive and upbuilding comments. We can have a laugh and deep spiritual discussions with friends from all over the world. But, we can do with a bit of a polish sometimes too.

Thank you, sister Virginia. Every individual is unique, and some have abilities that others don't. Others have limitations that we don't. But since we don't know each other personally it can be a challenge to remember that we might not be aware of another's limitations. I have been getting a couple of PMs recently from one brother in the forums here, who apparently was born in sickness and does not have a good memory as a result. He considers himself "very unintelligent." He faces challenges that we might not be aware of. Although I reassured him, it must drag down on his self-worth if he sees the kind of posts some have been putting in the topics. Some just don't realize what kind of background our brothers and sisters here come from! Thank you, @jwhess for reminding us of this.

Hi y'all! I went to the meeting tonight, pain and all, including hopping around with one foot in one shoe and one foot practically out the other shoe because of the swelling. And Jehovah blessed my effort! 😀 We met our new Circuit Overseer, and his talk was extremely encouraging which I'll share a few golden nuggets with you guys at another time. So I go up to him after the meeting like everyone else, and after our introduction, he drew me to him by saying "come here", and said "what's your name again"? I told him and then he said "and how you doing young lady"? I was completely floored!!! Jehovah knew that I needed that, and he gave it to me! OMG! I then I introduced myself to his wife, shared with her by saying "your man knows how to talk." To which she laughed and then said "yes, he can be quite a charmer." I tell ya, all of a sudden my physical and emotional pain seemed to have reduced, if not disappeared. Does Jehovah help us to endure or does he? And he'll use whoever and whatever to do so. And get this: I wasnt really planning to go out in service tomorrow morning what with everything I'm feeling emotionally and physically, but yep, Jehovah heard me and it was like he said "oh yeah? We'll see about that."

I was talking to a Sister tonight at the meeting, I know she has family there. She said all, or practically all of the Friends are housed, with family or Spiritual family. She also said that a couple of Sisters told her that now, after all the volunteered clothes are distributed, that they have more clothes now than they did before the fire!... She said don't worry about any of them for now, as usual our Spiritual family has come through....

I am probably one of those to whom John is referring. I know I have a tendency to be rather blunt and haven't yet learned to refer to a spade as an earth manoeuvering implement but I don't deliberately mean to criticise or offend. So I hereby publicly apologise to any and all who I have unintentionally offended, upset or criticised in anyway by my inability to season my written word with salt. I love you all and I will try harder in future.

http://tass.com/world/1031155 Russia’s FSB carries out massive operation against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Crimea MOSCOW, November 16. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has carried out dozens of searches against members of the religious organization Jehovah's Witnesses, which is outlawed in Russia, in Crimea’s city of Dzankoy, the TV channel Rossiya-24 reported on Friday. The sect’s leader, Sergei Filatov, was detained overnight into November 16. Extremist literature and booklets describing ways to recruit people were found in his flat. A criminal case was launched against him under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Extremism"), the TV channel reported. Jehovah’s Witnesses members in Dzhankoy are also suspected of collusion with Ukrainian intelligence services. According to the report, this sect was managed from Kharkov. More:http://tass.com/world/1031155

I want to thank you all dear brothers and sisters who replied to my status! I feel much better now (till I get next bad news:) Living here is very interesting and exiting! Hope to meet you all in person soon and tell you more. Thank you very much!!!

Nahum 1:2 Jehovah takes vengeance and is ready to express his wrath. Jehovah takes vengeance against his foes, And he stores up wrath for his enemies. Not a good idea, Russia. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.

https://nypost.com/2018/11/20/1-in-3-americans-get-holiday-burnout-before-christmas/ I saw this earlier this morning, and I saw some eye-opening admissions: Wow. And I've had people tell me at work and throughout my life that I'm "missing out" and "being deprived of fun". I'm being "deprived" of stress, depression, and financial anguish trying to do what corporate America tells me to do.

Sorry for laughing. I know the issue at hand is not funny, but this This is the most absurd and stupid thing they've come up with... until now, of course. Anybody who actually has been in contact with us and knows us in Russia will clearly see the lies.

Jehovah has been poked in the eye. Again. He’s letting them become hardened. Like Pharoah. And, you know what happened to Pharoah. I’ve heard of prayer lists. It’s getting so I neede one.

My friend who was a need greater, had to flee from Nepal about a year ago, her life was threatened previously if she did not stop preaching they would kill her and an angry mob was gathering outside her bible study who warned her to get out .. she was able to flee to a Circuit Overseers house who was able to get her out of Nepal back to NZ - she now lives down south. It was traumatising to her but she is doing well spirituallly. So proud of her courageous stand.

Update: 56 deaths 130 missing 138,000 acres 35% contained 52,000 evacuees 8650 homes destroyed.

I am scared. Terrible things happened in the nearby city. Things are getting worse and worse.

Johns reminder applies to all of us, we all get a little 'keyboard bravery' at times. It's human nature and the nature of the forum for us to offer our opinions, sometimes that appears confrontational or contentious when it isn't intended to be. We all need to be more loving in what we write and what we read.

very touching, thank you my brother

This photo sort a' sums up the futility of trying to 'fight' these types of wildfire: Wind-driven, steep terrain, no access, too much smoke for the air tankers to fly VFR (visual flight rules)... Another 70% and the Camp Fire will be contained. I can't imagine one of those 747's descending to just a 150 feet above the fire to drop their loads.

I like to bring reproduction into the discussion as well, only on a slightly different tack.. I ask them, if I go ahead and say ok, man evolved, no matter how impossible that would be, how do you account for women? How did another, almost completely different entity evolve, at the same time and rate of development, and be completely compatible in the reproductive functions? Whatever the odds are against man evolving, they just doubled when you add woman...