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Did my first Public Talk/Symposium on Sunday (Stand Still and See the Salvation of Jehovah). It went better than I could hope for.

From new governing body member https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwb_201804_13_VIDEO

Well fortunately no human has the last word on matters. I have been down this path unfortunately too many times with friends and congregation members... here are few things I have learned. 1) majority of people have no clue as to all the issues involved... 2) Most people who try to commit suicide don’t want to die ... they just want the pain or issue to stop. 3) There is a lot of self blame for not seeing the signs that lead up to a suicide or attempted one. 4) Don’ be afraid to talk about difficult issues as a loving firm friend. 5)Be proactive in getting professional help. 6) Pray with and for your friend. 7) It is not about shame, it is about getting help to cope. 8) Disruptive sleep problems.. Just some observations....

There is a huge responsibilty on those of us who teach God's word, to teach accurately what the scriptures say ... not what our own interpretation is and some step past what is written and put in their own opinions. I don't think anyone in their 'right' mind is going to kill themselves as a short cut to the new system and the scriptures don't say, 'the wages that sin pays is death ... except for some of those who take their own life'. Imagine having a bible study and saying something like to someone who has lost a dear loved one by suicide. I wonder how long their hope would last or how loving they would consider Jehovah to be.

Monday, April 30 Rescue us and forgive our sins for the sake of your name.—Ps. 79:9. Even when we are persecuted, we do our best to live according to God’s righteous principles and laws. By performing righteous deeds, we let our light shine and thus bring glory to Jehovah’s name. (Matt. 5:14-16) As holy people, we prove by the way we live our lives that Jehovah’s laws are good and that Satan’s accusations are false. When we make mistakes, as we all do, we genuinely repent and turn away from practices that dishonor Jehovah. On the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, Jehovah forgives the sins of those who exercise faith. He accepts as his worshippers those who dedicate themselves to him. Jehovah declares anointed Christians righteous as his sons and those of the “other sheep” righteous as his friends. (John 10:16; Rom. 5:1, 2;Jas. 2:21-25) So even now, the ransom enables us to have a righteous standing with our Father and to share in the sanctification of his name. w17.02 2:5, 6

To me, that seems like semantics at best, though I tend to disagree actually. Some of Samson's last words were To me the account reads more like Samson felt extremely humiliated and ashamed and betrayed, and that he had brought shame on Jehovah's name by the consequences that resulted from his putting trust in Delilah despite her clearly deceptive personality. I don't know why an ordinary suicide would be handled any different than any other, ordinary sinner that died ahead of Armageddon, like a soldier, pirate or robber or prostitute, but to the best of my knowledge, all those that died paid the wages of their sin, whatever that may have been, and whatever their "mental state" would have been. So no, I don't think suicide is any different than any other wrongdoing, and I don't think it's wise to put suicide on any pedestal when it comes to how Jehovah judges it, especially since the Bible makes no indication about this. There is only one sin beyond forgiveness, the sin against the Holy Spirit.

From new scientist April 28 2018 TREES aren't as sedate as they seem. Many move their branches up and down at night. The findings hint that the plants are pumping water upwards, and have a slow "pulse". "We've discovered that most trees have regular periodic changes in shape, synchronised across the whole plant and shorter than a day-night cycle, which imply periodic changes in water pressure," says András Zlinszky of Aarhus University in Denmark. In a 2017 study, Zlinszky and his colleagues used lasers to scan 22 tree species in windless, lightless conditions to see if the trees' canopies changed shape at night. In seven species, branches moved up and down by about a centimetre every 3 to 4 hours (Frontiers in Plant Science, doi.org/cnp8). Now Zlinszky and his colleague Anders Barfod at Aarhus have a possible explanation: trees have a "heartbeat", and pump water up from their roots in pulses that last hours. Previously it was thought that trees just wait for the evaporation of water from leaves to "pull" the water up. "No fluctuations with periods shorter than 24 hours are assumed or explained by current models," says Zlinszky. Moving the water up in stages may save energy, says Zlinszky. "If water is pumped between sections, only the hydrostatic pressure of an individual section would need to be overcome by transport, not the full pressure resulting from the height of the tree." It isn't clear how a tree might pump water upwards. Zlinszky and Barfod suggest that the trunk might gently squeeze the water, pushing it up through the xylem: a column of dead cells through which most water moves up the trunk (Plant Signaling and Behavior, doi.org/cnp9). They say this is supported by studies showing that tree trunks can shrink at night by 0.05 millimetres. "We suggest a so-far-unknown pumping mechanism," says Barfod. This article appeared in print under the headline "Trees have a hidden regular 'heartbeat'" Andy Coghlan

Good that we are introduced to him. I will be sure to listen to this!

For those of my generation who do not and cannot comprehend why Facebook exists: I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom. I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and of me taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving round town, having lunch, and doing what anybody and everybody does everyday.I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook. I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator, and a psychiatrist.

I tried that once, but my thumb got deleted as soon as I turned it down,

Moving. It has been a long time planning. 5 yrs ago when my son was on the mend from cancer we had debt up and over our heads. So it has taken us 4 and a bit yrs to work hard and pay it off. We will be debt free in about 2 months. Then our plan is to save for the next 6... pioneer Jan 1 and buy a caravan and live on the road up at St George cong. We went to visit them last Jan and 1 older brother does EVERYTHING. Its a HUGE territtory. They only do the town as there is only 4 of them and 2 are not well physically. So if anyone in Australia wants to serve where a little cong needs desperate help please consider there!. If my husband and i concsntrate just on rurals we will take 18 months to cover the territory once. We have bible studies already waiting for us to come. As noone is there to do them. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Oh...I got an 'Angry' for that.

Scientists: Warming water 'cooking' Great Barrier Reef Australia has pledged more than 500 million Australian dollars ($379 miillion) to help preserve the Great Barrier Reef, in an attempt to help better protect the world heritage site from the effects of climate change. Marine heat waves caused by global warming killed off and damaged corals in 2016. Most of the impact was along 500 miles of the northern Great Barrier Reef, its most pristine region. 'Shocking' levels of bleaching Aerial surveys conducted in April last year showed more than two-thirds of the coral in the Barrier Reef had experienced "shocking" amounts of bleaching. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/30/asia/australia-great-barrier-reef-protection-intl/index.html

Welcome back Woody..

Being the bad person that I am, I would toy with them and reply with a request for a Bible Study. When they come sit down with your bi8 and Bible Teach book and your Watchtower library bookshelf behind you.

Some months ago I was supporting a congregation with 18 publishers from about 6 miles away my home. Meetings had an assistance of 15-23 people. At this moment with 2 couples of pioneers moving to there, there are 3 elders and 7 regular pioneers. This is their shy but cozzie Kingdom Hall in StreetView: https://goo.gl/maps/pWDbeaMN67T2

Oooops .... I forgot the 2018

Of course, suicide is clearly a violation of the sanctity of life. I think if that weren't clear to most Christians, there would be far more suicides among us since this system is unbearable to anybody with even the remotest sense of justice. Still, we shouldn't judge the few brothers and sisters who make such a terrible choice. Beyond that, when you mentioned it as a "short cut", that thought is easily refuted by the concept of the useless slave who buried his talent Jehovah knows that for some of us, it is impossible to achieve as much as some others may be able to achieve. And he knows that for some of us, even to achieve a bare minimum of progress can be hard within this system. Jehovah knows that some of us keep failing at meeting his expectations, and he even understands that. But he does expect us to try our very best. Still, having said that, I maintain what I wrote above, in the end, there is no simple cookie-cutter approach to suicide.

Fair points I just recall a long time ago when an Elder went through the Bible Teach book with me before I was baptised, he said that a Witness should not consider taking his own life because he may forfit ressurection, especially if he tries to do it as a "short cut" to the new system. And then we went through other means of taking one's own life willingly (meaning no mental disturbances being the cause). I think I recall something similar in a talk or from other people in my congregation too a good while back.

How easy to be objective to suicide when you have never been near it, to be able to view it as something remote and distant. To not understand the pain that these ones get to that they feel nothing can ever take that pain away, that the whole world is a dark and painful place and there is nothing left to live for. You have obviously never been so depressed that going to sleep and never waking up seems like the only way to get away from your pain. Many of Jehovah's servants, not just those in the past like Job, but those in these last days, can desire that release even if they never take it. Taking away the hope of those who have dealt with the pain, guilt and suffering of suicide in their lives, by saying that "these ones may not receive a resurrection", is neither kind or upbuilding but just adds to their pain. Even the slave has not said this, so what gives you the right to make such a statement. Do you not think that maybe these ones are already worried about such an outcome, that maybe they fear they won't ever see their loved one(s) again because of the way they ended their life, but that maybe relying heavily on the love and understanding of their heavenly father is what helps them deal with their pain and gets them through the difficult times. Then you come along and shatter that hope by saying such things and then these ones have to start rebuilding it all over again.

It would be very special if we could see a broadcast hosted by our newest GB member, Br. Cook.

Here we are ..... half of April already in the books .... is it too soon to start wondering/speculating/talking about the May Broadcast

Although he doesn’t come across as an emotional person, his comments affected my emotions.

Now starting with the 2016 Music Videos. Nice!

jw-russia.org: https://jw-russia.org/news/18043012-306.html The music from the video alone is powerful and authoritative; please take a listen! (Indeed, the Branch is not taking lightly the tactics of the RF!)

you are so welcome anytime! its always nice to talk to relieve stress. It isn't just the child that needs relief....I will check back often - one of the things I found is while my son was in the hospital I realized that keeping info to ourselves wasn't helping JESSE. We discreetly mentioned how sick he was, friends wanted to help. I just suggested cards and letters of encouragement, to remind him of how many really cared about him. Its been a year and a half and he still keeps those letters and rereads them. He is so close to everyone and they refer to him saying, "where's my boy"!

Thank you! Yes to the depression, yes to the suicidal tendencies. Yes to medicine for it. He is on it. Still has panic attacks. I read carefully. I will read it again and again. You all have helped in more ways than you know! Thank you!

Ok, so I don't have the exact same situation. But similar difficulties have forced me to do better as a parent. If you have the time, I enjoy actually describing how I had to change my approach to my teen so to find out the real problem. They don't after all like sharing everything. My son has ADHD, PTSD along with high anxiety and suicidal tendencies as well as made several attempts. One night I had taken all the "attitude" I could handle. Half the time it was the usual disgruntled looks about doing anything he was asked and half the time it was arguing constantly over every little thing. Often he felt "entitled" too... Basically he didn't want to be bothered by me. And I knew deep down he was not that bad of a kid....he loved Jehovah and always listened when I had a beautiful story to relate to him about how Jehovah loves him so much he created all the beauty he sees around him in nature. So I showed him you tube examples of children of various ages throwing temper tantrums. He watched in awe and said "I never acted like THAT did I?!!!" I then told him he was a good little kid, but as he gets older his attitude is changing. Was there something wrong, how did he feel about meetings, serving Jehovah, and were we what he expects parents to be like? I wanted honest answers and I assured him there would be no retaliation about his true feelings, no punishments. We had a long discussion which at times got a little heated, I remained calm and had to keep reassuring him, but he yelled (all those pent up feelings boiled inside) "YOU just DON'T understand mom! I can't explain it! NO one understands!!" Well, from there we found out he was clinically depressed and suicidal, even to the point of hearing voices about how stupid he was and he just needed to do away with himself....his father and I never knew this was all going on in his head to that degree. We decided professional help was needed as this was beyond our ability and understanding. Plus if there are other people that our son could talk to, even the elders, that would bring a little relief because then he could release all those feelings safely. The Psychologist found out about the abuse he took in preschool through first grade. (I took him out of school thinking they were not handling his ADHD correctly and I could do better one on one with him homeschooling). He had been bullied and beaten up he said on a daily basis. I remember once he was bitten all over his back by two boys then another time had to come get him because he was afraid (he told me) that the blinking fire alarm would go off while in the restroom. I knew he was afraid of loud noises but he actually got beaten up in the restroom by those same boys and didn't want to use it....So now he has been out of school from 1st grade through 8th. After getting medication for the intense depression (and the over 20 suicidal attempts we found out about) as well as being hospitalized several time plus a mental facility for a month, we finally got things evened out and he gradually came out of depression. He still had low self esteem but we are working on building that up. He feels great now but I guess the main thing is, we really have to practically kidnap or detain our kids until we find out what is really bothering them. My son actually saw shadows hanging over him with a knife wanting to kill him. He could not handle one more "thing" we put on him at home in the way of chores or doing better in things as he was mentally, emotionally and physically tired from the shakes from PTSD. I finally understood why he had to get out from the crowded Kingdom Hall auditorium and sit out in the entrance hall. He shook so bad he would sweat. (still gets panic attacks for no reason - which we accommodate him for) and my husband - who has various responsibilities as a ministerial servant - has had a hard time coming to grips with all of this too. He came from the "Old school" of discipline as did I where you never talk back and you do as you're told without a "but why" or you'd be sent across the room! So it has taken some adjustments for us to understand. I overcompensated, made excused and gave in because I wanted to protect him. But that can't happen forever. With his ADHD mixed with high anxiety, he isn't good with changes. So letting him get away with one thing usually leads to his expecting other privileges he needs to learn to earn...I agree so very much and appreciate the advise from Saffron in the previous post...consistency is so important and makes them feel secure. My son is now 16 and went back to a charter high school with less than 200 kids (which is great for his anxiety - along with the counselors trained in psychology and ready to help him through his day). His attitude is great with the help of medication (whatever it takes to relieve the child's stress for a bit) and the help of elders, us and Doctors he has a choice of confiding in - he is back to his almost normal ADHD self. On difficult days, I reason with him "would you talk to or treat another brother or sister this way if they asked you to do something?" Usually his answer is no. Then I explain how it hurts my feelings. That Jehovah is the one that said he needs to show respect which is what we try to show him also - we try not to yell at him. And we tell him, it is OK not to feel good or happy, we just don't take it out on the ones we love. Perhaps even find a simple way to explain that it is a bad day. For example, I tell Jesse that "we do things we don't like to do even on bad days. Sometimes we take a breather and say, just to deflate our stress, we'll wait a little bit to do a chore. But we don't use it as an excuse for getting out of the chore, so what time can we expect this to be done?" This eliminates nagging too which really drains him...I usually just have to give a reminder of the time. Lots of compliments also get him through, and thanking him for his help. He recently got a part time job which turned into a nightmare as they took advantage and kept him late on school nights and on Saturday. So even though he was off for the meeting days he was too tired for family worship and studying and even the meetings. He decided on his own he needed to get a job during summer or one that had fewer hours during school "for the sake of being more spiritual for Jehovah"...as he put it. He grew up a bit and found out how hard his dad works as well as learned to do his chores better, to be more helpful in how he does a chore...he really tries to please us now....and Jehovah. He has survived a drive by shooting while walking to the bus as well as a customer on his job following him out to the bus stop after closing and grabbing him by the shirt collar and threatening him with a knife saying "If I ever hear you talking about Jehovah again I will kill you and your family" (yes we live in a bad area)! Jesse gave a great witness as to why he couldn't do that (Mt 24:14) The man said, "What end? it never ends, it just keeps getting worse!!!" Jesse then asked if he could show him another scripture (Rev. 21:3,4). And explained how all this will be done away with and there won't be anymore sadness or death. The man cried, gave him a hug and said, "thank you, now I know I will see my father who recently died!" I am so proud of my son, and I have always said he needs to be a little more humble but maybe some of that stubbornness will keep him alive! I don't know if any of this info is of help and I am so sorry it is so long (we really don't have enough time to talk about such things at the hall) But please don't forget the brothers and sisters at the hall have gone through some situations that have put them through the feelings you are going through. Seek them out - especially ones with children who are teens...most with teens have rebellious moments in common- maybe find a time to grab a coffee with another mom and talk it over....at least it gives relief of emotions and maybe a point or two they have found helpful....just don't be too critical if they don't understand exactly what you are going through. It helps just having someone to talk to when you need a break too! Wish you all the best, always here to talk too. Have a great day!

All I could think of when I saw this on the news yesterday was: Too little, too late. Jehovah is going to have it organised long before your scientists have spent their however many allocated millions to work out the how to.

Okay everyone, end of month - April is gone and time for a new Avatar ... so let's tally votes - hopefully next month there will be more entries. First entry was Gregexplore ... with his very imaginative Donut eating Homer ... Votes: +7 Second entry is our very lovely Humblebumblebee with her very bumblebee related beehive cake ... Votes: +3 (Thank you for participating please come back next month, if this gets off the ground that will make you one of our thread foundation members!) Third entry is our very creative Qapla - Brother John with his daughter's delicious looking fudge, shame we didn't get to taste it... Votes: +4 John! Thank your daughter for us for allowing her hands to participate I look forward to more creative entries from you! Fourth entry is Our sister Roseanne with her dancing danish ... very eye catching ... Votes: +400! Unfortunately though the maximum allowed is 5 so I can award you +5 (I would have loved to have given you the 400, but rules are rules lol). Fifth is Tor ... oh no sorry he didn't enter ... maybe in May lol. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIRST WINNER EVER ...... GREGEXPLORE and his great big disgustingly decadent donut ... !! Please announce your choice of Avatar for the Month of May. PS: If you know someone who wants to join in the fun for May please feel free to invite them.

Ben, it's a very enjoyable movie. No time wasted. Bought a blu-ray copy to keep it.

In the interest of continuity, can a moderator please edit the title of this thread to reflect the year?

A friend of mine showed me a film called The Artist. It's a silent film made in 2011, and I have to say that I really liked it.

Mornin’ - Al Jarreau We’re in this love together - Al Jarreau

Although Saul was a sinner, we do not know if he forfeited his resurrection, as is the case with most others who committed suicide in the Bible (Zimri, Abimelech, Ahitophel etc.) as opposed to Judas, of whom we know that he will not receive a resurrection. Another person you forgot to mention was Samson, who was even a "suicide-bomber" of sorts. (Judges 16:30). Jehovah even helped him end his life the way he did. Job's wife kept telling Job to "curse God and die" and yet there is no indication Job was not blessed with children from the very same wife. If Job had committed suicide, his example would simply not be in the Bible today, because it would be of no merit. And yet, this does not mean Jehovah would not have had any understanding and forgiveness for his decision to end his life and resurrected Job along with his children in the future. I personally HATE this subject because people always try to simplify what may possibly be the most complex issue in regard to human emotions and human suffering. There is no black and white here. The Church came up with stupid rules like "well the last thing you did is commit a sin, so you had no time to ask for forgiveness, so God can't forgive you, so all suicides end up in hell!" and we don't resort to that kind of man-made logic. I live with depression and anxiety and my wife suffers from chronic pains from her rheumatoid arthritis, and literally nobody understands what we're going through except for Jehovah. I have had a half a dozen worldly friends who commited suicide for several reasons in the past decade or so, some completely impossible for us to understand or impossible to foresee. What I noticed in a lot of cases is that despite the suffering their decision caused, all of their (worldly) friends and family members were able to understand the step and forgive the person who commited suicide, so I see no reason why Jehovah is not able to do the same. Having said that, as for us who know Jehovah and the sanctity of life, we do well to endure and use our resolve and endurance to bring praise to Jehovah and to make his power "perfect in weakness." according to 2 Corinthians 12

I remember watching the 1993 version with my Mom in the movie theater, and we were both shocked at the witchcraft scene that was casually slipped into the movie despite not being in the book and this actually being a children's film Oh well, I guess in future we need to expect surprise porno scenes in remakes of our childhood favorites as well *sigh*

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty would easily be one of my favourites.

Have you misspelled.. Incas eat berries ? LOL

It's super cute. Another movie I recently watched and really enjoyed is "Hidden Figures" Though historically not very accurate, it's a very heartwarming story that was portrayed very well, I actually had tears in my eyes in some scenes.

I just listened to Brother Lett narrate the entire book of Mark. His voice is every bit as expressive as his face and hands. We are sooooooooooooo blessed...and well fed.

You must have given a good talk..

Last curcit assembly in accra Very good

If an alternate browser doesn't work, I would go with the $30 Roku Express to use the official JW Broadcasting app, and leave behind the embedded smart TV apps altogether. Smart TVs, especially older ones, rarely receive software updates due to hardware compatibility reasons. When the rest of the internet moves past the capabilities of the old browser, you're stuck with outdated software, and the only answer you'll get from the TV manufacturer is to buy an expensive replacement for an otherwise perfectly functional television.

Hah, yeah, I saw that meme out there, thought about posting it here, you beat me to it...lol

Sounds good to me

My husband and I are going to outback Australia. We are joining a congregation of 4. We will make 6. ST GEORGE QUEENSLAND. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Carlton Gardens in Melbourne (credit to another photographer)

You are most welcome. That is the order in which events happened. Wouldn't matter if you read Critical Times before or after Flee/Stay, because they all occur at the same time, before, during and after the Great Tribulation and Armageddon. These books are enjoyable no matter what order you read them in.