Leaderboard

This is so crazy! I mail earrings and they really question me about what’s in there.. who in the world is mailing bombs 🤯 people have lost it! This happening today did lead me to witness some to my coworker so that’s good!

The greatest obstacle to discovery, science, or even understanding the Bible is not ignorance but —it is the illusion of knowledge

A friend of mine just heard that they were accepted to Ecuador.

There are some parts in the state I reside that have water covering the door steps of some houses. People have since moved out. Where I live is on the high land so we here are fortunate not to experience this. I hope the water resides soon. The last time this happened was about 2 or 3 years ago.

I understand that those people are hungry, or fleeing violence or desperate. But sooner or later they will arrive at the border and come across a wire fence and armed soldiers. What are they going to do then? And if there are any brothers in that caravan, what are they going to do? If they joined voluntarily they are putting themselves in a very complicated situation. I am not in America and am not very aware of how things are developing there. I don't know what their intentions and their plans are. Here where I live hundreds of people in a similar situation try to get from Africa into Spain every day. They come in big groups, climb three 6-meter high fences with barbed wires and attack the frontier police with stones or Molotov cocktails. In every assault several of them are maimed (some policemen are hurt too), some are killed, but a number of them makes it beyond the police line and are lost in the city. I sincerely hope there are no Witnesses among them. On the other hand, since someone mentioned our refugee brothers, hundreds of them are coming from Russia or from Venezuela with a legal visa as tourists, then once they are here they claim refugee status. They don't come illegally, don't jump any fences and don't throw any stones at the police.

Here are Russell's parents. Joseph L and Ann Eliza Russell about 1850. CT Russell was born in 1852. I have included a picture of him in 1856 at age of 4 years.

I am ever so grateful for the training that we routinely receive. Thankful beyond words, actually. Maybe I'm weird, and that's fine, I'll own it, but I am way more afraid of this system as it is than what it's going to take to end it. I am so ready for this horrible system and everyone's suffering to be over with that I have to routinely pray for the patience that I don't find naturally.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/nyregion/clinton-obama-explosive-device.html

Is he even a turtle anymore? His avatar has evolved to human...

moldy

John Batterson Stetson not George Stetson as pic above, founded the John B. Stetson Company as a manufacturer of headwear, known simply as Stetson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stetson

so ...looks like they are dealing with these conventions already; Atlanta, Georgia May 17th Miami Spanish May 24th Mexico June 7th Berlin, Germany June 14th Ecuador June 14th

Why do brothers make assumptions on something they don't know. It is from official source. No conversations. Got it some 3 or 4 years ago. Also have yearbooks and a few other publications, like Good Land brochure. Oh well, try to do something nice, and this is what you get.

I think that all of us - whatever our diet - will be in for a complete change in the New World. I have long thought that humans ploughing up acres of fields and altering the biodiversity, usually for the worst, with such agricultural practices, is so against nature and how it grows and replenishes itself. Jehovah wanted the garden of Eden spread earthwide. He didn't have acres of mono-cultured fields of grains that had to be sprayed and weeded endlessly to keep going. Despite what we have been brought up with, we don't need agriculture of all types like we have now, so vegans/vegetarians may also find their diet being different because they won't eat so much of the grain-based food we do now in the quantities that people have been fooled into believing is necessary for survival. I am diabetic and when I put it in remission it by eating a lower carbohydrate diet - a bit like the vegetarian/vegan regarding the false protein needs - I was at first, verbally chastised by my doctor and diabetic clinic nurses who said that carbohydrate was an important part of the diet - a large part of the "food pyramid" of the basics for a healthy diet. But how did such a diet/food pyramid get decided if not by the grain/agri-business with their paid researchers? There's enough carbohydrate in fruit, vegetables, nuts and some seeds/whole- grain for me to healthily digest now I haven't a good pancreas to tackle so much as I did before - 400 000 in the Diabetes UK are thriving on this diet now, so Doctors are taking a different view at last! The diet of the so-called Blue Zones of today's earth - where the population has a large ratio of people who live healthily for over 100 years - make interesting study. Many of them eat a large variety of what they themselves grow seasonally fresh; on their own soil; in their own environment. Red meat is a rarer meal addition for once a fortnight or month or when other food is scarce in winter or just not eaten at all. Seafood and poultry are eaten a little more, but not in quantity. It's mainly a plant-based diet. Blue-zone people eat mornings and evenings and not much in between other than drinking, as that time is for working or resting - None of them graze or snack like Western people do while watching TV/films/sports - That is a modern habit they never developed. Their digestion was studied and science learned that if people let food have time to completely digest - without snacking or eating junk - then their guts can go through a neutralising rinse/rest rebuild and reset cycle ready to properly digest the next good food meal.Their food was good building material for their bodies - not junk and quite a variety. Blue zone people wake and sleep to the seasons as well and sleep more in winter to conserve energy while there isn't much work to do outdoors. They do not keep themselves awake with too much artificial light late into the night. Studying them getting a good night's sleep meant scientist now realise that our brains can also go through a few reboot cycles, ending with a rinse of neutralizing chemicals each night. The brain seems to shrink or squeeze away bad stuff and then resoak itself with fresh chemicals ready for another day's activity. What they also learned is that what nutrients we get out of our food, no matter what our diets, is dependent on how we care for the inner garden of the friendly bacteria and balance of other fungi and viruses in our large intestines. We once had ability to make so much more of our own nutrients, such as vitamin C ( like other mammals) and have lost it because some time in the past our diet and lifestyle/antibiotic overuse wiped out our inner populations and we couldn't replace what we lost as we did not know that we had lost it as the 'microbiome' is a recent science. The New World will be a Revelation of eating and living to the environment, so different to today that we cannot judge each other for what and how we eat now - None of us are in the right clean environment with the complete variety of good foods and the right divine instructions like Adam & Eve were getting at the breezy part of the day in Eden. We just have to do what we feel is best for us with our various imperfections and environment we have now. That's why Jehovah hasn't been giving us rules on it (except that blood is his alone) . He knew that such rules would be too much of a hardship to adhere to on this now polluted planet under much oppressive rulership.Some poor souls we know struggle to get anything to eat some days and don't have the luxury of judging each other for what diets they follow!

JWTalk got some US Embassy fame today as the consular officer asked me what sort of message board is that 😅

Do you remember that recording when they were having a convention and some fanatics came in and began causing trouble throwing objects and shouting "Heil Hitler!"? Rutherford raised his powerful voice and claimed something like "the Nazis and Catholics are trying to stop our convention but by God's grace they cannot." Then the attendants used their "sturdy canes" to invite the troublemakers out. I love that recording! (I think it's found in the second Faith in Action DVD, the audio is original).

Mentioning the SKE reminded me of something I heard about many, many years ago - long before SKE or any of those recent schools - like in the early 1970's I will warn, it is about eating meat, not vegetables, but it does drive the point home that Michael mentioned not "expecting your dietary preferences to be accomodated". A Brother who had volunteered to go serve where there was a need ended up in a foreign country. He was excited about his assignment - and, he was looking forward to the food. The country he was going to was known for their beef - it was supposed to be very good and extremely affordable to the local people. He thought about enjoying nice hamburgers, steaks and the like. This particular Brother came from a place in the South (US) where chickens were common and less expensive than any other meat so they ate a lot of chicken. Well, when he went to other Halls to give talks, every time he was invited to a meal - they served him chicken He politely ate the chicken and never complained. One day, a Brother he had come to know asked him why he did not seem excited about the prospect of being hosted when he was assigned another talk out - he reluctantly told the Brother that, even though he really enjoyed the visits with the publishers, he was not looking forward to another chicken dinner. The Brother was a bit taken back - and asked him why, since it was considered a luxury to have a chicken dinner in that area. He explained about eating chicken his entire life growing up and sometimes getting pork - but, how rare it was to get beef ... The Brother understood and spread the word - the next time this young Brother went to give a talk they grilled steaks - lots of them. In fact, it became common to feed him beef when he was invited to lunch after giving a talk. Some said they wanted to treat him like someone special and that is why they served chicken - they thought he would be disappointed if they fed him "everyday food", like beef. When he was asked why he never spoke up about it - he said because they had all gone to so much work to make him feel welcome and special, he didn't want to insult them - so, he ate what Jehovah provided. Now, back to the vegetables this thread is supposed to be about

Ive probably put this in the wrong place but 6 bombs were sent to news and government officials

Published: | weather.com Oct 24 2018 9:00 PM https://weather.com/storms/typhoon/news/2018-10-24-super-typhoon-yutu-mariana-islands-guam-western-pacific Super Typhoon Yutu is striking parts of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific Ocean and has become the strongest typhoon of record to pass near the U.S. territories of Saipan and Tinian. The eye of Yutu has now pushed west of the islands of Saipan and Tinian in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, located about 120 miles north-northeast of Guam. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/24/hawaiian-island-erased-by-powerful-hurricane East Island has vanished after coming into contact with Hurricane Walaka, an intense storm that hit Hawaii earlier this month A piece of the United States has been dramatically wiped off the map after an island in Hawaii was washed away by a powerful hurricane. East Island, a remote spit of gravel and sand that sat atop a coral reef, has vanished after having this misfortune to come into contact with Hurricane Walaka, an intense storm that surged past Hawaii earlier this month. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I recently started eating vegan for health reason and it helped me SO SO MUCH!!!! All my health ailments practically disappeared and I lost weight! We went through some financial changes so I went back to regular food but I have decided to try and make the switch permanent! I have never felt better in my life than eating vegan and I was never bloated or sick or had stomach aches! I lost weight, my skin looked amazing... I can’t wait for Jehovah to bless us with perfection! It was def a glimpse of that for me. I have had some serious auto immune issues so it was so amazing to see that GO AWAY...

Around 50,000 troops from 31 countries – Nato’s 29 member states plus Sweden and Finland – will take part Russia has not been officially identified as the intended adversary,… Some 50,000 troops will kick off Nato’s biggest military exercises since the cold war on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighbouring Russia. Trident Juncture 18, which runs until November 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilise quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of Nato’s Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to “show Nato is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone.” http://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2169785/norway-prepares-biggest-nato-exercises-cold-war-after-russia Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

All of these record breaking storms coming almost non stop. The end must be near. Prayers for people on these islands.

I don't know what I'm doing but I did pull the book up and it has a copyright date of 2018 so it's been updated it looks interesting

I'm sure the brothers are taking the opportunity to talk with the people in the caravan, if possible, and there are always brothers on both sides of the border crossings. Probably where the people came from they were getting a regular witness, too, if it's anything like Mexico. Jehovah's making his name known. I saw three different carts today while I was driving around.

We had a letter today from Gatwick Airport. They want to use their short emergency runway full-time “for departures only”. I think I should tell them that they will pretty soon run out of planes.

*Subsides

And this system is so beyond corruption. Take Venuala (spelling) for instance, yes even though its people are suffering beyond imagination, the government there won't allow care packages to enter the country. Demonic activity in broad daylight!

So it only impacts turtles, I'm relieved

Just to add my 2p / 2c worth ..... I think what you are seeing is an icon. When enlarged it appears to be a refresh or update page type symbol, ( circular arrows.) I also think its always the same symbol each time, just sometimes it's partly hidden under the years text 'text' - so sometimes its only half or a Corner of it that you can see. I wonder of the text screen is in 2 'layers. A bottom or backround layer which is a black background with the jw logo, and then the actual text is another 'layer' on top of that. - and this symbol is showing between the layers. I also don't think its anything in JW library or someone else would have seen it as well. I wondering if it would help to bring up windows task manager and slowly start killing some running processes and any other open programs to see if it would disappear off the screen as you do that. We have done something similar. We took a screenshot of the text screen, and I didn't alter anything except to put a red spot in one corner, then set that as the desktop wallpaper across all the screens. So now if the computer loses focus off JW library, the screens don't appear to change at all to the audience except for a small red spot appearing in the corner. Hope my ramblings are of use. Kevin

Recently I watched a Netflix documentary about refugees fleeing Africa that cross the Mediterranean sea and end up in a island in Italy. When they not die during the trip they arrive in really bad shape, dehydrated and starving . They are fleeing mostly from war. They are Muslims and Christians. The are placed in refugee camps and even if you send them back, their countries of origin do not want them back. It is really a desperate measure to risk your life and leave everything behind, your home, your friends, etc. It was very touching. The problem is there is no infra structure in the countries on the other side for them. No houses, jobs or schools for children. They are just segregated and isolated. Waiting for something to happen. It is very sad and it is a problem without solution now. And if this system remains for a few more decades, it will grow immensely.

D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine said Tuesday that his office has begun an investigation of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Washington, the latest in a string of state-level law enforcement officials now looking into the Catholic Church’s handling of abuse complaints. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-attorney-general-opens-probe-into-sexual-abuse-by-catholic-clergy-in-washington/2018/10/23/6fb4ea62-d650-11e8-83a2-d1c3da28d6b6_story.html Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

OK, time to move the conversation along, Johan, we've had this discussion numerous times in the past. Joab, let's let it go. Carry on with the topic.

looks like...they going rapidly through the applications

A friend heard they were accepted to Monterrey, Mexico. Ecuador was our 2nd choice - but wouldn't mind being selected for that!

Ok, that's your prerogative, I've said it already, you do well to look into your sources. As for me I trust Jonathan because I'm around here for more than 5 years and he is also. He has a good record, nothing to be suspicious about.

IF it came from anyone else online, yes. If it came directly from the CO then, no. Never tell the brothers not to be suspicious of where the spiritual food comes from. Sources are important!

Oh ya

It’s fair to say then, that Satan is to blame .... as he mismanaged earth terribly. Due to his arrogance he can’t demonstrate even basic economic skills ... Arrogance only produced greed and disadvantages all over the places ...

I wonder this is better news? An Irish singing donkey:https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=YCLPW4i-MoTNjwTZrbfQAg&q=singing+donkey&btnK=Google+Search&oq=singing+donkey&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i131j0i3l2j0l5j0i22i30l2.1583.6558..7065...0.0..0.134.1604.1j13....3..0....1..gws-wiz.EEAYTDGLOCs

Arch of Titus is much admired by the hundreds of thousands of people each year who visit the Roman Forum. Some view the arch as a majestic work of art, others as a tribute to imperial Roman power, and yet others as an epitaph to fallen Jerusalem and its temple. Careful readers of the Bible, however, view the Arch of Titus as having even greater significance. It is a silent witness that confirms the reliability and accuracy of Bible prophecies and establishes that they are inspired by God.—2 Peter 1:19-21.

It's not as black and as this. The influx of illegal aliens to the US might more rightly be considered refugees. They are more closely related in spirit to the European and Middle Eastern refugees escaping Syria and other areas of conflict. It may not be a literal war zone but Central and South America is so rife with violence from criminal gangs and drug cartels that it might as well be. In addition some of the legitimate governments like Venezuela are oppressive to the point of literally starving citizens instead of providing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It's possible there are some Witnesses in the caravan. Sisters who must be in subjection to their unbelieving husbands. Brothers who would rather keep their family together rather than let their unbelieving wives or parents take such a journey. Witnesses that might be more physically minded who cannot endure and would rather seek food and safety in another country than continue to face the deplorable circumstances they currently live in. Most often refugees acts are illegal acts. People who fled Soviet oppression did so illegally. Perhaps some Witnesses currently fleeing Putin's Russia are doing so illegally.

Finally for today!

Our 2018 family portrait

Nice pictures, Shannie! It's nice to see young pictures of brothers you have only known as of age. Regarding Russell, there was no Governing Body when he lived, he was the only one in charge. So both answers are correct: He was a member of the GB, and he was not. In fact, he played the role of the whole GB.

I used to be vegetarian - even vegan for 1.5 years - so can speak for both camps. I still don't eat much meat but a combination of moving house and inconvenience plus a stomach ulcer led me back to incorporate some lighter meat options. When I was vegan I ended up eating way too much sugar and processed substitutes for cheese, milk and meats. I know that was my own fault of course but I often struggled to keep up with all the home cooking and making my less processed vegan substitutes. I am also not a massive fan of lentils and pulses which doesn't help. Then I went vegetarian to open up more unprocessed options. But I found myself bingeing on cheese.. lol. Not a good idea. At the end of last year I had a lot of stomach troubles and tried to incorporate lighter meals with fish or chicken and veg - coupled with the fact that people in the North of England sometimes struggle to think beyond the "meat/potatoes/two veg" concept I didn't want to trouble my hosts. So I started eating meat when being invited out. Especially in the Chinese field it can make life a life a lot easier as modern Chinese people don't really understand why you would not eat meat by choice and I got tired of explaining myself and why chicken powder is not a vegetarian option.. lol When it comes to judging, I can only speak for my area. Nowadays there are so many vegetarians that few people bat an eyelid. Veganism is also becoming more popular and there is always someone at a gathering who is intolerant to dairy or gluten so there are sometimes options (although very restricted) when going to a party. However, when I became vegan, people started asking me questions (I never mentioned it) because when we were going out it was quite obvious. I never knew people were so interested in what other people put into their mouths.. lol. So of course I mentioned the reasons for my choices which also included ethical reasons. As soon as you mention that, the first reaction is:"oh I don't eat much meat myself" and a lot of people nodding. And the next thing you hear is that someone starts sneering about you behind your back, telling everyone what a weirdo you are and that you are pushing your views onto others. So in my experience when hard and fastened omnivores complain about vegans/vegetarians pushing their views onto others it's probably because you asked them or made a silly comment about their food choices in the first place. Before going vegan and after coming off I never had a veggie coming up to me sneering at me eating chicken wings. They usually only start talking about their diets when being asked or commented at (try and observe your own behaviour next time you complain about that.. you'd be surprised 🙂 ) . Also, in my experience whenever you do something that makes people feel outside their comfort zone (mainly because they know they should probably make adjustments themselves) they feel patronised already by your actions without you ever having said a word. So please live and let live. I always cater for vegetarians but don't expect others to do the same. I am not sure what the big fuss is to be fair - you just take the meat out. We have Google after all! One anecdote before I go: When I was vegan I got invited by a youngish couple in my congregation (one of them who actually made very silly comments about my choices) and I am not sure if they did it out of ignorance or to make a point but all they served me was a big bowl of salad leaves with a vinaigrette and a bowl of canned chickpeas. I didn't say anything but I was a little bit surprised. I think you can strike a balance between going completely out of your way and just being very pig headed (excuse the pun). By the way they just sat there and watched me eating it without eating anything themselves. It was beyond weird. But hey, it's the thought that counts 😅

I am finding that even when you are trying to help someone, they are rude to you. We took a sister to convention this weekend and she had an attitude all weekend. We shared our room with her and still got attitude. Amazing!

Illegal immigration is so common from Mexico, there’s a joke here in the States. Why can’t Mexico have an Olympic team??? Because, if they can——-run fast, jump high, and swim fast.....they’re now living in the United States.

Russia’s economy is not doing that well despite overhyped reports Consumer confidence is falling fast ... I think this year alone by 6% Domestic unhappiness is on the rise especially when it comes to the pensions. If petrol goes below $80 per barrel ...well Russia will suffer badly ( and I think that’s why Trump is complaining about high oil prices) In fact arms race would break Russian economy and Trump knows it.