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Please pray for us brothers, it's a difficut siituation here in Pereira. so much devestation.... Jehovah has been kind and we are endevoring to press on, but the amount of detruction is beyond anything I have ever ecperienced.

43 now +33 = 76 Some of family died in cancer in their late 30s. Im having problem with my stomach and im having a tumor in different parts of my body .. I dunno if they're benign or cancerous .. Life is shorter these days..

Speak for yourself lol

True, we don't know the date but sometimes it's fun to guess as long as no one takes it too seriously. My latest guess is the GT will start in 2029, 2000 years after Jesus baptism and Armageddon will start in 2033, 2000 years after Jesus death. But my guesses are just for fun, it gives us something to look forward to and you can tease me if I'm wrong 😁

What is art? There are the paintings done by the "great masters". They lived in a time when some of them even had to make their own paint. Nost are probably familiar with paintings like this I enjoy watching Bob Ross paint. We did "wet-on-wet" painting and could complete an entire 18"x24" painting in less than 30 minutes. He used specially formulated oil paints on a prepared canvas using a variety of paintbrushes with the paint being on a special made plastic pallet. Then, there are those who use spray cans to paint. Have you seen some of their art? Of course, since all of the above art was done using modern tool of the day, an argument could be made that they are not really art. That the only true art would be something done without the use of any tools. Something like this This is a "finger painting". No tools, just fingers. However, most would agree that Leonardo da Vinci was, indeed an artist and that his work is art. The same could be said of Bob Ross. And, if we are being honest, even though someone uses a spray can of paint, the results can be considered art. Music is the same way. A pan flute or hollow log can be used to make music. Neither has any moving parts and they are made from natural material. A piano, on the other hand, has been estimated to have between 8,000 - 10,000 parts that can be classified as moving. Doies that make a piano not a real musical instrument? What about an electric guitar or an organ? They both use electronics to make their sounds. The tools used to make music vary considerably. AI is just another moder tool just like the saxophone or trombone were modern tools when they first were invented. One thing all these tools have in common, and this includes the tools for art and music, is that left to their own, they just sit there and cannot produce art or music. They need input from a human to produce art or music. AI is the same way. Without input from a human, AI does not compose any music at all. It just sits there the same as a piano that no one is playing. When a person sits at the piano and begins using the 88 keys, they create music. What they create comes from their thought processes and skill. The same is true for AI produced music. When using AI, the song is only as good as the prompt the person feeds the AI and the sound is determined by properly worded commands. Without the input from a person, neither the piano nor the AI can produce music. So, if we are going to determine that "art is an expression of the God-given gift of your imagination and skills" we must allow that that gift includes all the tools we have designed to make visual or audible art, be that paint brushes, spray cans, drums, pianos or AI. Man made the tools and man has to operate the tools to get results.

Our Hall was upgraded with AC last year. Meanwhile, Twickenham Convention starts tomorrow and we have received advice re. the hot weather: “We care deeply about those most at risk in hot weather and many have expressed appreciation for the option to enjoy the live convention programme using JW Stream. Congregation elders have the details to access this provision. We’re sure you will carefully weigh Bible principles when deciding what is best for you personally.” Along with sensible advice for those that do decide to attend.

That's what I'm thinking. We have all of the signs that we are in the last days so whether Jehovah has a predetermined date or not really doesn't affect us, it will happen right in time, whatever determines that time is.

Lots of structural damage.🙈😢

Sorry to hear. These are truly difficult times hard to deal with.

Some things I used AI for recently: Parking_Operations_Field_Kit_V5 (1) For this RC, I was assigned as a keyman for parking in two lots. As you can appreciate, I get a master assignment list from oversight. I am only interested in my role and assignment with the brothers that are assigned to me. I do not communicate final assignments to my crew via texts, WhatsApp, or phone calls. Everyone receives this, so there are no questions about what they are supposed to do, where, or when. Everyone has a copy of this; some have a paper copy. After I compile my thoughts, notes, and ideas, I start talking to an AI. I do a complete brain dump, and then give clear instructions of what I want it to design and how I want it laid out. I attach the parking lot maps provided by oversight; then tap. I got back 80% of what I wanted. After some tweaks, well, you see the finished work. Oh, before I shared this with you, I had AI redact the brothers' names. parking_safety_guidence I created the image of the correct way to direct a vehicle into a parking space using AI. USPS_Mailing_List_Benmore_Drive When I get a LWT (letter writing territory), I search for the current resident for each address. I make a record of names and addresses. I use AI to format the information into a USPS (United States Postal Service) mailing sheet. It helps my frail brain.🤣 Parking_Operations_Field_Kit_V5 (1).pdf USPS_Mailing_List_Benmore_Drive.docx

using ai for art is never appropriate art is an expression of the God-given gift of your imagination and skills

The earth is definitely in peril. The weather patterns are so far off and every single decision greedy men and corporations make just plunge it further into disaster after disaster. These data centers going in all over the world are the last nail in the coffin I think. They will cause untold damage to the water and atmosphere and sink innocent people who depend on these resources further into despair. It's no wonder the Bible tells us that "men will become faint out of fear". The news media is geared to make people afraid of absolutely everything - everything we eat, every kind of medicine we take, every phone call or message we get, every place we go, - every decision we make is a wrong one. The stress of life is getting too great and people are going nuts because they can't handle it. Seems like life is nothing but mass murders, natural disasters, fear of another world war and general craziness. And this all BEFORE the GT happens! Life after the GT starts is something we all must spiritually and mentally prepare for now - I have a feeling what we are experiencing now will feel like a cakewalk compared to after the GT starts.

Thursday, August 13 God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.—1 Cor. 10:13. Seeing Jehovah as a living Person will allow us to view our trials properly. How so? We begin to see our trials as part of a bigger issue between Jehovah and Satan. The Devil claims that when we suffer hardship, we will abandon Jehovah. (Job 1:10, 11; Prov. 27:11) But when we deal with our trials successfully, we show our love for Jehovah and prove the Devil a liar. Are you facing government opposition, economic hardship, negative responses to your preaching, or some other trial? If so, remember that your situation gives you an opportunity to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. Remember, too, that he will never let you be tested beyond your limits. He will give you the strength to endure. w24.06 22 ¶9

This is a favorite scripture of mine,.. It became my favorite as my mother-in-law used to quote it often, as she suffered so many physical ailments that ultimately led to her death. We would visit her daily in the hospital. little. One day I walked in to find her hanging over the edge of her bed. She's said "I just told Jehovah he's got more confidence in my ability to suffer than I do." Jehovah was right. When it was too much, she was out, then gone. I will introduce you to her in the future. You will love her!

Archive.org has several old bibles in foreign languages. I have Biblia Sagrada - Joao Almeida 1903 (27M). Codex Vaticanus in its 3 columns of Greek (17M). Diatessaron (1867) (.5M). Latin Vulgate -Gutenberg 1462 (1.2G ouch)

Antarctica now at 2nd lowest. Massive Ice losses for 3 days straight during refreeze season. Melting season starts around Nov 1st. Ocean are at its hottest ever since record keeping began.

At least 20 dead following 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/10/world/live-news/colombia-earthquake-san-jose-del-palmar

I agree. If price needs to be adjusted, I can understand that. But a software you pay for cannot have a support like that. There are programs I have bought for $25 or $50, one single payment, not a subscription, and when I ask a question I receive a kind answer. I am not required to read the whole working manual and write a composition about it before asking. If many users ask the same questions, that means the interface is not clear enough. Fix the issues and the number of support tickets will greatly decrease.

I have had quite the opposite experience. But at the same time because I also work in tech support I know the value of gathering all the evidence and screenshots. I do that anyway even if they did not ask for it. I have check many of my replies and this is usually what I get.

well, purely statistically speaking, none of us will experience armageddon in our lifetime..

Exciting and interesting, but it is good to remember that "no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation." (2Pet.2:19). All these time references are just a product of human chronological categorization. Our key focus has to be Jehovah's mercy (Is.55:9), and its relationship to why the end of this system has yet to come, 2Pet.3:9.

Don't forget to put a case of beer in your survival kit, it could save lives! 😁

Featured on our Home Page is the article What Does the Bible Say About Nuclear War? A few snippets from the article say ~ There is the fear that the use of just one small-scale nuclear weapon will ignite a full-scale nuclear war that will devastate our world. Will God permit nuclear war? The Bible does not say. It does say that "fearful sights", or terrifying events , would occur in our day. Even if man were to use nuclear weapons again, God would not allow the situation to escalate to the point of global annihilation. In the news today is an article about the Pentagon drafting a new nuclear strategy designed to give the USA more options for using shorter-range nuclear weapons. The theory is to have credible limited-response options short of an all-out strategic exchange. Our website provides us, and the public, with the comfort of knowing this planet will not be destroyed, even if there is some use of nuclear weapons again!

I've used AI programs for excellent graphics and illustrations for work presentations. I added original AI must to it, too. Not everyone has "skills" - God-given or otherwise. But imagination is needed to instruct the tool to produce what is needed. It will doubtless be used by brothers for their talks. Also - "art" is subjective, isn't it? It is helpful and very fun. But no one is obliged to use it if they don't want to.. 😌

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0gvsx3xZl4

I don't care if AC makes me soft, at least I'm not sweating. 🥵

Yes the scence of this world is getting worsen everytime as it is closer to the GT. But remember what Jesus said "...for these things must take place, but the end is not yet." (Mat 24:6) We need to endure all of this things in the last days until GT. Eduring this means our lives. fruitage of Jehovah's holy spirit helps us to make until the new world.

Of course you are all in our prayers, as well as our family in Venezula. These disasters happen so fast and furious that it is hard to wrap our minds around it all. How Jehovah's organization keeps up with all the disasters is beyond me! The cost and the volunteer manpower needed for disaster relief committee's has to be enormous, yet it is always there and ready for the next disaster. Keep donating, keep praying and keep the faith!

A lady was walking down the sidewalk when she met a little girl with a box of newborn kittens. So she asked the girl all about her kittens, even asking what religion they were. The little girl said they were Catholic; the lady thought that was adorable. The next week, the lady was walking with her friend and boasted about the girl's kittens being Catholic. When they came to the little girl with her kittens, the lady's friend asked what religion they were. This time, the girl said they were Jehovah's Witnesses. The two women gasped: "Why?" and "How?" The little girl replied: "Well, their eyes have opened now".

In Japan, there are AC everywhere, but I remember in my cong in France, getting people to accept AC 20 years ago wasn't easy, it was delayed many times, now they are very happy with it

Until recently, our two-story Kingdom Hall had ceiling fans. After submitting an application to the Bethel office for renovation, we had air conditioners installed on both the first and second floors. Now we can practically freeze ourselves while listening to the program and the prepared talks.

Wednesday, August 12 By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one, yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness.—Eph. 1:7. As a perfect man, Jesus was the equal of the first man, Adam, before he sinned. (1 Cor. 15:45) So by Jesus’ death, he was able to atone for Adam’s sin, that is, to replace what Adam had lost. (Rom. 5:19) Jesus thus became “the last Adam.” There is no need for another perfect person to come and pay for what Adam lost. Jesus died “once for all time.” (Heb. 7:27; 10:12) What, then, is the difference between the atonement arrangement and the ransom? The atonement arrangement is the action God takes to restore a good relationship between him and mankind. The ransom is the price paid to make atonement possible for sinful mankind. This price is represented by Jesus’ precious blood poured out in our behalf.—Heb. 9:14. w25.02 5 ¶12-13

I'm in agreement with many who post here that there's definitely an air of condescension in much of their support communications, along with a feeling that they would much prefer not to be bothered with sincere questions from users. I must say that I have experienced a higher quality of response when I email them directly using the support email address, as opposed to the process through the website. Having said that, on one occasion when I was not satisfied with the tone or the level of help that I experienced, I emailed back in a very professional but direct way as I would with any commercial software outlining exactly what I expect and how I expect to be treated as a paying customer. The response I got was very satisfactory.

I have to live stream mine, been doing it for about 5 years now. Nothing like being there though. I have to say I like live stream. I feel like one of the crowd, I see what they see and I get to know the brothers from my new circuit.

I wish they would charge more. This is global enterprize software that needs better development, support, etc. Their motives are good and the basic foundation of NWS is more stable now than I have ever seen it. We pay $45 for one year and have 16 brothers as shared persons. I am not aware of any other robust global software that is this inexpensive. I commend NWS for trying to keep the costs to a minimum especially in poorer areas. There needs to be a recognition though that they are often not providing first-rate software and support. If an electrician or a plumber comes to my home and he is a brother, I don't expect a discount. He has to make a living. Our entire servant body would happily pay a little more to avoid all of the time spent in troubleshooting and fixing things. Maybe it would be fair to charge the annual congregation fee but add an annual $1-2 dollar user fee for each brother that would be using it. That way smaller congregations would pay less and larger ones would pay more. With some additional revenue they could consider adding another developer, some experienced beta testers so new versions wouldn't get launched with so many bugs, and a dedicated crew for a help desk. The last time I looked they mentioned all the developers were pioneer elders. That is great and very commendable but this is commercial software and needs serious business attention. Part-time workers can be great but only if you have enough of them to do the job right. If they need more money to do that, maybe they could poll the users of the software to come up with the best way to increase the fees. Just some imperfect brainstorming...

I have contacted them several times for issues, suggestions and questions and my experience in general reflects yours. The support system comes across as patronizing and is definitely designed to make you feel that you are bothering them. It's commercial software that you pay for, but they try to present it as if it were freeware. Sometimes they give snarky answers to try and make you feel stupid for wasting their time. Honestly, our congregation uses NWS because we are not aware of any current alternative that does everything it does, but if there were another with friendlier support I think we would switch without hesitation. On the other hand, whenever I have contacted them they replied within one or two days, or directly solved the issue with an update in the same term, which is good.

I had to cook today. If I do a big cook once in a while I can have an easier time when I make food for my man-child Adam. He is a BIG eater. He's 6 foot 4 and 270 pounds of muscle. His lunch box is a big Stanley chest. So today I made 2 baked potatoes for twice baked spuds this week, 8 deviled eggs, egg salad for sandwiches, 4 pounds of roasted bacon, baked spaghetti squash to eat with the spaghetti sauce in the freezer, 1 pound of fried beef kielbasa, Mac and cheese, 11 slices of French toast in the freezer for later. I hope breakfast and lunches this week will be a bit easier.

well stats can fail 😄

NWP 4.1.4 is out and I like the way the last page has been organized. The Aux Pio application page has been simplified too.

Back in early 2024, early development of Dark Mode for WOL began. Two years later, a brand-new live preview of the feature is now available while development continues. Watchtower Online Library Dark Mode is coming soon to the add-on. earlypreview_darkwol-1.mp4

Funny my wife and I were just having this discussion. We left it at ... All we know for sure is what Jehovah had recorded for us at Rev 7:3 saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” When they full number is sealed it will end after that.

Our experience is similar. Initial response is aloof and condescending. I agree with a recent post that said if we could find something that has the features we use we would move to it. At the risk of receiving more comments about the lack of good support and developing functions that are useful I continue to feel that there is a lack of community input. The developers seem to be in their own world. This is purchased software and users should be treated with a modicum of respect. I managed a group of developers for quite some time in my secular career and if my developer's responded as does NWS, there would have been consequences.

Update Sat at 5:20 pm Well the congregation in Summerland has had to evacuate… massive fire overnight. So far the fire has not come into the town they have set up retardant bombers and fire fighters from Mexico.. and Australia are assisting. So the Summerland people have had evacuate South … the only road open. The call for clothing and tool donations for the brothers in Vernon have ended for awhile.. In my area they are requesting temporary accommodation help for evacuees for Vernon and Summerland. The province of BC has declared a state of emergency… so interesting times.

I honestly don't think anyone will figure it out using math. Jehovah has a reason for doing things when he does and I don't think we will figure it out.

I just read yesterday that Isaac Newton predicted that the end would come in the year 2060. Obviously, he'll at least be close, but he arrived at that date using a couple bits of good thinking, and the rest on incorrect thinking (not that I'd expect any more of someone from the 18th century). He had the 1260 days, and he did the day for a year factor, but he didn't double the 1260 days, and he didn't start from the end of the Davidic kingship on earth.

Well there system is clearly designed for people only to contact them after an exhaustive search of FAQ and help database. which is fine but there attitude to questions and emails asking for help or advice is awful. there’s a definite passive aggressive quality to there emails and a presumption that your are either incompetent ignorant or rude . woe-betide anyone that doesn’t follow there contact us protocols your in for a rather snippy reply.