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Giving a thumbs up on someone else's comment counts as an interaction. I did that a lot when I first joined just as marker that I had read certain content. I would recommend reading old threads that interest you and giving a thumbs up as you go.

I had my Convention on the weekend. The Brother who plays The Apostle Andrew was there, and he gave SYMPOSIUM: Applying Lessons From Jesus’ Illustrations the... Wheat and Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30) talk. I was talking to him after and asked which ep they were up to, He said Ep 11. P.S. His parents are in my congregation. His father is my Group overseer.

This video in Portuguese is so beautiful. At the beginning, the son says to his dad, “Dad, reading the Bible is so boring.” His dad then asks, “Are you sure, son?” And at the end, the son says, “Dad, what an amazing book!” His dad replies, “I told you so, son!” VID-20260728-WA0009.mp4

https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/house-destroyed-after-reported-explosion-one-person-taken-to-hospital-in-critical-condition/ Just a few hundred feet from Kingdom Hall. Road still blocked over 8 hours later. Extensive debris field, cars next door damaged, glass from house across the street. I can see emergency vehicles with light flashing at 10:15 pm, one looks like service vehicle with Amber lights. Could be gas company or city crew cleaning up roadway. House was supposed to be empty, pending rezoning for small high rise, but a person was severely injured crawling out of debris thus was either a homeless squatter or set the whole thing off. May never know. Meeting was on zoom tonight. One sister lives in apartment bdg next door and thought her bdg was coming down. We just 1/3 mile away heard it so did the other 60 JWs in our bdg.

This is exactly how I feel. I can't help saying everyday to Jehovah I don't know how long I can keep going feeling that life in this system is unbearable. That is partly why I joined this forum in the hope of finding upbuilding content as I've totally backed away from nearly all worldly media now. Unfortunately I feel discouraged that I can't access most content here as I'm new. How long is it going to take for me to become a full access user ... I'm not one to be constantly posting for the sake of it just to score points

Major earthquake rocks southern Japan, forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate https://share.google/kHJpnbKCj4JokJ6V0 A 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Japan Tuesday, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate and prompting the collapse of several buildings, including a shopping mall. Japanese officials instructed roughly 300,000 people in the country’s southern Kumamoto prefecture to seek shelter at evacuation centers.

getting closer. bread for a days wage anguish of nations not knowing the way out.

Take a breath we're all here for the Long Haul not the short term we're all here for the same thing we love you and hope the best for you

We felt it although we were far away. The friends are ok afaik.

We got an update : no death nor serious injuries, some many houses damages, and some KHs too. 10 years ago there was another big one there so the brothers and sisters are stressed. Remember them in your prayers

They might not know any better spiritually, but they are also frustrated and angry because their political and religious systems aren't helping them at all. Which is why the preaching work is so important.

Life feels so difficult and sad. The world can feel suffocating, and I don’t seem to find joy in anything anymore. Nothing feels fun or enjoyable to me. The only thing that truly brings me joy is being with Jehovah’s people.

It's such a shame that Australia is so far away from me!!!😭 If the rumor is true: Watch out for the end of filming—when the final clapperboard falls—because that’s when the casting office for contestants will officially open! If that’s the case: since he’s not in his twenties, he’s already proven that he knows how to—and can—wait. So five more years or less—once you reach a certain age, I guess it doesn’t really matter anymore. If that’s the case: the character he plays must inspire him. If that’s the case: it’s truly beautiful to dedicate 7 or 8 years to Jehovah and Jesus in this way. In any case: I wholeheartedly wish him abundant blessings for this self-sacrifice. He is absolutely right to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to see this vow through to the end. May Jehovah prepare a beautiful Esther for him—beautiful both inside and out!

Angelic Involvement? Angelic Interference? Angelic Interface? Angelic Information?

I suspect that the '1,000 minutes' is an approximate length, it self based on the 18 x 55 calculation. FWIW so far we have: 71:01 - Episode 1: The True Light of the World 52:46 - Episode 2: “This Is My Son” 39:40 - Episode 3: “I Am He” 54:56 - Episode 4: “This Is Why I Have Come” 30:47 - Episode 5: “Astounded at His Way of Teaching” 50:35 - Episode 6: “Are You the Coming One?” Which gives a total of 299 minutes over 6 episodes - AKA 50 minutes per episode.

If we feel the system is unbearable, how much more to those who are not under Jehovah's protection.

If he is anointed, I'd love to hear what the real Jesus says to him when he gets to heaven 🤣

His handsomeness comes from spirituality and not the physical aspect of it. In my opinion since the GB stays true to every detail of a drama, this brother might also be anointed. To play the role of Jesus is a very significant and serious role. Every aspect of it must be taken seriously and prayerfully portrayed.

GnJ has new video loop on JW.org home page! (See Update #5) How exciting!

My thoughts are that it's because the organization would like to film other series like acts of the apostles or a David series at the same time as the filming/production of the good news according to Jesus drama. I believe eventually we'll have a video Bible within the study Bible.

As far as i know it’s not about points but understanding who are you as person. If your post are encouraging or discouraging, spiritual or fleshly etc. That’s how we get to know each other online. If you have questions how it works read support section or ask moderators in private section of the forum

Yeah but they don't know any better they don't know there's a new system coming so they think their life is just a normal everyday life

This is the topic of the last 3 August broadcastings (based on Gemini NotebookLM )

Claude found some limited documentation regarding the process: NW Scheduler | NW Publisher app - Me View Scroll down to "Process Received Auxiliary Pioneer Applications" Over time, I have seen Claude and ChatGPT gain extensive knowledge of NWS. They many times can give answers even narrowing it down to a specific version of the software. Like everything else I do, I prefer Claude over all the othe AI platforms for most things. Me: New World Scheduler has added the ability for publishers to submit an Auxiliary Pioneer application. Is there any help/support documents from NWS yet that explains how this will be processed by the Congregation Service Committee? How will they approve an application in NWS? Here is Claude's response: What's confirmed in NWS help docs The core principle (unchanged from before, now digitized): The process is: A publisher submits an Auxiliary Pioneer Application through the NW Publisher app (under Me), rather than filling out a paper S-205b form. This request comes into NW Scheduler, where the Service Committee reviews it and decides to approve or deny it — same as the traditional paper-based process (referencing Organized p. 109). If approved, the Secretary is the one who acts on it in NWS — he ticks "AP" on that publisher's Field Service Report for the relevant month(s). This is what makes the Congregation Field Service Report (S-1) correctly reflect them as an Auxiliary Pioneer. If a publisher is set up as a Continuous Auxiliary Pioneer in Person Spiritual Information, NWS will auto-tick AP for future months without a fresh application each time. Where this lives in NWS The application itself is submitted from NW Publisher app → Me → Auxiliary Pioneer Application. Processing/approval isn't a separate "inbox" workflow like Territory or Hospitality Requests. The Service Committee makes its decision outside the software (in their normal meeting/discussion), and then the Secretary manually reflects that decision by ticking AP on the Publisher Record for that month, same as before the app feature existed. I could not find a page laying out a dedicated step-by-step "here's exactly how the Service Committee logs their approval/denial decision inside NWS" — the current docs mainly confirm that it routes through the Service Committee and what the Secretary does once approved, not a granular in-app approval workflow (e.g., no visible "Approve/Deny" button described yet, unlike Territory or Hospitality Requests).

Ooh, I didn't notice that one. I meant "hushing" the storm at the end.

The new trailer has a clip from a future episode.

Our GB update #5 explains a new feature use of the Jesus Videos in the coming service year...Yay...

“They Only See What They Want to See” — Why We Must Never Lose Hope Dear brothers and sisters, Have you ever tried to explain something to someone that you were deeply convinced of, only to feel that your words simply bounced right off? Perhaps you prepared carefully. You prayed. You selected meaningful Bible verses. You did your very best to be kind, understanding, and respectful. And yet... The other person seemed to listen—but in reality, they weren't really listening at all. Their viewpoint already seemed fixed. Their mind had long been made up. At moments like that, we may find ourselves thinking: “They only see what they want to see.” And that can be deeply discouraging. Not because we want to prove that we're right. But because we know what is truly at stake. Everyone Looks Through Their Own Lens Imagine someone wearing a pair of glasses with very dark lenses. To that person, the whole world appears gloomy. You could tell them a hundred times that the sun is shining outside. You could show them beautiful pictures. You could describe the bright blue sky. But as long as they refuse to take off those glasses, nothing will change for them. In many ways, that's what happens spiritually. Many people have adopted a way of thinking that leaves no room for God. Everything must be scientifically proven. Everything must have an immediate explanation. Everything must fit within their own understanding of the world. As a result, there's often no place left for God. The Bible explains this in 2 Corinthians 4:4, where it says that the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers. That helps us understand a great deal. Not everyone deliberately rejects Jehovah. Many simply can no longer recognize him. It's Hard When Our Words Seem Forgotten Perhaps you've experienced this yourself. You've patiently explained something several times. You've shared Bible verses. You've answered sincere questions. You've willingly given your time. And only a short while later, it seems as though everything has been forgotten. Sometimes we may wonder: “Did I accomplish anything at all?” The prophet Jeremiah must have felt something similar. For decades he warned his people. Again... and again... and again. With patience. With love. With tears. Yet most of them simply refused to listen. Not because Jeremiah spoke poorly. But because they did not want to listen. That must have hurt deeply. And sometimes we feel exactly the same today. Armageddon Is Not a Threat—It Is a Loving Warning We do not speak about Armageddon because we want to frighten people. We speak about it because Jehovah wants every person to be saved. He doesn't want anyone to be caught by surprise. That is why today a worldwide warning is being given. Every person has the opportunity to hear. And yet many still say, "That will never happen." "I don't believe that." "People have been saying that for centuries." But just imagine for a moment: What will it be like when Jehovah's day suddenly begins? How many people will wish they had listened more seriously? Perhaps some will think: “If only we had paid attention...” That thought is heartbreaking. Not because we want to be proven right. But because we know that by then, it will be too late. Sometimes All That's Missing Is a Different Perspective Often, it doesn't take more evidence. It doesn't take more arguments. Sometimes all that's needed is a different perspective. When someone reads the Bible with an open and honest heart, many things suddenly begin to make sense. Why is there suffering? Why hasn't God acted yet? Why is Jehovah allowing more time? Why are Jehovah's servants preaching throughout the entire world? Suddenly, a much bigger picture begins to appear. It's like putting together a puzzle. One single piece doesn't reveal very much. But once all the pieces come together, the beautiful picture becomes clear. The Bible is very much like that. One verse rarely answers every question. But the Bible as a whole reveals Jehovah's wonderful purpose. Something Else Is Truly Sad Sometimes we even hear people who call themselves Christians say, "Everyone should simply follow their own path." "Everyone has their own truth." Those statements make us stop and think. Because Jesus never said, "Everyone will somehow find the right way." He said, “I am the way.” Truth doesn't exist in many different versions. Jehovah has lovingly given us the truth in his Word. That is why it is worth searching for. The Devil Doesn't Usually Work Through Force—But Through Distraction Satan often doesn't have to convince people that God doesn't exist. It is enough if he keeps them constantly distracted. Work. Cell phones. Television. Careers. Entertainment. Problems. Worries. A schedule that is always full. Eventually, people have no time left to think about life's most important questions. And that is exactly what Satan wants. Not hatred toward God. But indifference. Because indifference can be just as dangerous. Yet We Must Never Lose Hope Now we come to the most encouraging thought of all. We never truly know what is happening inside another person's heart. Perhaps our conversation seems to have no effect today. Maybe not tomorrow either. Perhaps not for another five years. Or maybe not until life suddenly shakes that person's world. Then perhaps they will remember one Bible verse. One sentence. One kind conversation. And that one memory may lead them back to Jehovah. How many brothers and sisters have later said, **“Back then I wasn't listening. But I never forgot.”** Jehovah has the ability to bring those memories back to life. That is why every effort is worthwhile. There Are Still Many Good People Sometimes we may wonder, “Are there really any people left with good hearts?” The answer is a definite yes. Jesus spoke about those who have the right heart condition. They do exist. Perhaps we'll meet one tomorrow. Perhaps at the very next house. Perhaps in the supermarket. Perhaps at work. Perhaps it will be the very person we least expected. Jehovah already knows who those people are. And very often, he guides us right to them. Conclusion So let us never become bitter. Never give up. Never allow our hearts to grow hard. Never think, “It's pointless.” Because Jehovah sees what we cannot see. He sees every heart. Our responsibility is not to change people. Our responsibility is to show love. To explain. To be patient. To keep sowing the seed. Jehovah is the one who makes it grow. And perhaps one day someone will say, “I'm so grateful you didn't give up on me back then.” That alone would make every effort worthwhile. So let us continue preaching with compassion, patience, and hope. Not because everyone will listen. But because everyone deserves the opportunity to come to know Jehovah. And as long as Jehovah continues to show patience, we want to reflect that same patience ourselves. Because somewhere out there, there are still sincere people with good hearts. And perhaps one of them is already waiting today for the message that only we can bring.

I wondered - are we? or not? I found this: Awake! 1997 "Should Christians Be Pacifists?" Were ‘the ancient Christian doctrine and the whole spirit of the Gospel’ really pacifist, however? Could early Christians truly be described as pacifists, as defined previously? No! Why not? For one thing, they recognized God’s right to wage war. (Exodus 14:13, 14; 15:1-4; Joshua 10:14; Isaiah 30:30-32) Besides that, they never disputed God’s right to authorize ancient Israel to fight for him when that nation served as his sole instrument on earth.—Psalm 144:1; Acts 7:45; Hebrews 11:32-34. True Christians love peace. They stay completely neutral in the world’s military, political, and ethnic conflicts. But, strictly speaking, they are not pacifists. Why? Because they welcome God’s war that will finally enforce his will on earth—a war that will settle the great issue of universal sovereignty and rid the earth of all enemies of peace once and for all.—Jeremiah 25:31-33; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:9, 10. And: the Video "Jehovah's Witnesses-Faith in Action, Part2: Let the Light Shine "We're not pacifists. Jehovah is not a pacifist; neither is his Son, Jesus Christ." >> jump to 11.46 Kind of glad this subject came up. Pretty sure I've read all this but now my memory is refreshed. So, yeah, thanks!

In the light of our new mid-week study aid, having modern examples of such courage, builds our own faith and determination.

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Japan; One Dead, Dozens Missing 6:14 AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Japan (JST). KUMAMOTO, Japan — A powerful earthquake struck Japan’s southern island of Kyushu on Tuesday, killing at least one person, injuring more than 80 and leaving at least 19 missing as rescuers searched a collapsed shopping mall and paper mill. The Japan Meteorological Agency measured the shallow quake at magnitude 7.1—while the U.S. Geological Survey put it at 6.8—and recorded the strongest level on Japan’s seismic-intensity scale. About 300,000 people were directed to evacuation centers, nearly 40,000 homes lost power, and a tsunami advisory was issued and later lifted. Japan Meteorological Agency, El País The earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 4:27 p.m. local time at a depth of about six miles. One person died after a house collapsed in Yatsushiro. At Aeon Mall Kumamoto, an apparent explosion—possibly caused by a gas leak—brought down part of the second floor; four injured people were rescued, while 10 remained unaccounted for. Nine more people were reported missing at a Nippon Paper Industries plant after a large chimney partially collapsed, and two workers there were recovered in cardiac arrest. Associated Press The quake damaged homes, roads, bridges and sections of Kumamoto Castle, while fires were reported across the region. Rail service, including the Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train, was disrupted, and a freight train derailed in Yatsushiro. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dispatched 300 service members and said rescue operations would receive the government’s highest priority. Prime Minister’s Office of Japan A strong magnitude-6.1 aftershock and numerous smaller tremors followed the main quake, and authorities warned that powerful shaking could continue for about a week. Officials reported no abnormalities at the Sendai or Genkai nuclear power stations, and radiation levels remained unchanged. The full extent of the casualties and destruction was still being assessed late Tuesday as search crews worked through the night.

So Joshua... Yehoshua ? Lol that would be funny

I think brother Walls wear the same suit at the zone meeting. Blue is cool.

It's online now for all Standard Version: https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/StudioMonthlyPrograms/pub-jwb-140_1_VIDEO With Audio Descriptions: https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODStudioAD/pub-jwb-140_101_VIDEO

You only missed by 100. For your age, that's good.

That's it exactly. Until now, the friends had to either complete a paper application and hand it over to one of the members of the Service Committee or in the best of cases find an app to complete the digital form and send it by Whatsapp or email or whatever they use. Now they can complete and send it using an app they already have and it will reach all three members of the Service Committee, which makes it less likely for the application to be misplaced or forgotten. It's simply a different simpler way to send the slip. The rest of the process is the same.

That's a bit too far, you'd need to have them all as anointed then. That's not the case afaik

Yes. Simply untick the option in the app-settings:

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101989524 That's all I could find

Sunday, August 2 Christ is the end of the Law.—Rom. 10:4. We learn a valuable lesson from what the apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrew Christians. Some had not continued to grow spiritually; they had actually “gone back to needing milk, not solid [spiritual] food.” (Heb. 5:12) They had failed to keep up with the truth, which was being progressively revealed through the congregation. (Prov. 4:18) For example, many Jewish believers were still promoting the Mosaic Law even though some 30 years earlier the Law had been done away with on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. (Titus 1:10) Anyone who has read Paul’s inspired letter to the Hebrews can confirm that this book contains solid spiritual food. It was just what those Christians needed to strengthen their faith in the superiority of the Christian arrangement for worship and to give them the courage to keep preaching.—Heb. 10:19-23. w24.04 6 ¶15

Anytime I read anything about Russia these days, I think of the "Give Me Courage" video and this ending:

https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-court-confiscates-123-real-estate-assets-belonging-jehovahs-witnesses-2026-07-31/

I expect the final episodes may be longer to portray and capture a fuller impact of the events...

Almost 144,000 reactions! Less than 100 to go...

1,000 minutes over 18 episodes, so each episode would be approximately 55 minutes long.

From 2024#1 to 2025#2 there was a pattern of +3, since then the only pattern is going up GB_Updates.xlsx

I thought you were joking till I just tried it, now I have to leave it on Hawaiian Pidgin, how can you not 😂

So we can shoot more videos at the same time.

*** w20 August p. 29 par. 10 Respect the Place of Others in Jehovah’s Congregation *** 10 How can we show respect for the feelings and circumstances of our single brothers and sisters? We do well to keep in mind that some single Christians have made it a personal goal to remain unmarried. Other single Christians would like to marry, but they simply have not found the right person. Still others may have lost their mate in death. In any case, should those in the congregation feel the need to ask single Christians why they are not married or to offer to help them find a mate? Of course, some single Christians might ask for such assistance. But if help is not requested, how might such offers make our single brothers and sisters feel? (1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:13) Let us consider some comments from faithful single brothers and sisters. 11 One single circuit overseer who is very effective in his assignment feels that there are many benefits to being single. Yet, he noted that it can be discouraging when well-meaning brothers and sisters ask him: “Why are you not married?” A single brother serving at a branch office observed: “Sometimes brothers and sisters make me feel that single ones are to be pitied. This can make it seem that singleness is a burden rather than a gift.” 12 A single sister who serves at Bethel said: “Some publishers assume that all single people are seeking a mate or that all single people view every social setting as an opportunity to find a mate. Once when I traveled to another part of the country for an assignment, I arrived on a meeting night. The sister who was hosting me told me that there were two brothers in the congregation who were my age. She assured me that she was not trying to set me up. But as soon as we got inside the Kingdom Hall, she pulled me over to meet the two brothers. Needless to say, that was quite an awkward situation for the three of us.” https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2020522&srctype=wol&srcid=sh are&par=19 This is why. Because some matchmakers go overboard in meddling in the lives of others, some matchmakers don't ask beforehand if the single person is interested in finding someone, and some matchmakers have no clue what their single friend is looking for in regards compatibility. Some matchmakers feel that seeking first the Kingdom comes second to finding a mate. They turn the situation into some sort of real life soap opera or Hallmark movie drama.