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Last week, during morning worship at Bethel in the USA, the announcement was made. 😢I don't have any more details at the moment.

Burnt out, out of gas, fatigued, exhausted, spent, drained, worn out, enervated, run down, bushed, stressed out to the nines...pick your poison...but every single one of those feelings have attached themselves to me like leeches recently. Pulled in different directions, worried about saying too much...scared I'm not saying enough. Avoiding certain obligations due to stress and my ADHD while digging deep into my personal distractions of chess and personal research. Working more hours due to weather conditions in the winter, not spending enough quality time with my wife. The ability to give good advice to others while simultaneously somehow conveniently forgetting to apply it to myself. Attending more meetings on Zoom then in person, feeling disassociated through absence, experiencing lack of love and empathy due to exhaustion, frustration, anger, hurt, and pain. All of this is what I expressed to an elder yesterday as we sat in two chairs on the back room of his empty Kingdom Hall, our ears perked up occasionally by the sounds of the howling wind and driving snow outside...and this is what he said in return: SIX BILLION TONS!! That's how much just one teaspoonful of a single star weighs...and that's how stupid, (my word, not his), Tim really is. All this time, I've been reaching for stars...trying to stretch out on my tippiest of tippy toes in order to grab just one and SHOW Jehovah that I am a capable man...a good man...a man he could love and respect. I was trying so hard, for so long...but to Jehovah...I must have seemed as pathetic as a tiny ant reaching out to carry the whole muffin back to it's colony...when all it was ASKED to do was carry a crumb. As this very kind elder pointed out to me yesterday...Jehovah never asked me to carry the whole muffin...he never required me to grab a star and carry it around...he only asked me to take his hand...hold on tight...and allow HIS light to penetrate deep into my mind and heart. He didn't ask ME to be the "source"...and he never told me to "reach" for it...like I had to carry around the source myself...he simply asked me to reflect HIS light. Those are MY expectations...those are my OWN personal thoughts and feelings about what I felt I should be doing...not Jehovah's. After a few minutes of listening to more of my excuses and self lies...he quietly, gently...led me to a set of scriptures I know very very well...or at least...I THOUGHT I did. Matthew 11:28,29: "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves." Refresh: In Greek, the word is anapausis...and it means rest from burdens...or refreshment... that's true. But this brother pointed out that the meaning is deeper, especially when you look at how this word is used in the Greek Septuagint at Exodus 23:12: "Six days you are to do your work; but on the seventh day, you are to cease from your labor, in order that your bull and your donkey may rest and the son of your slave girl and the foreign resident may REFRESH themselves" The Israelites didn't JUST receive refreshment by pausing physical labor...here the word means SABBATH rest...restoring equality!! It means relief from pressure, a pause that restores a person's dignity and self-worth. THAT'S the "load" that Jesus offers...and here's why: https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&docid=502300130 Under "I will refresh you"...look at HOW Jesus provides relief: "Jesus promised to give relief, or rest, to those who accepted his kind invitation. He did so by helping them to understand what God truly expected of them. In other words, he was relieving them of all the unfair rules and restrictions that had been piled upon the Israelites by the Pharisees...and this brother pointed out that, while we don't have physical Pharisees doing that today...each one of us has a "Pharisee" INSIDE us...constantly piling on added rules and restrictions to ourselves, criticizing our every move, condemning our every thought...and all in the name of US attempting to be self righteous. "I should be doing more because..." "I'm not good enough because..." "Jehovah expects too much from ME, because I just can't do what everyone else can do!!" 😔 This dear dear brother then gave me a piece of paper and a pen and asked me to write down ten things in which I felt I am not "ENOUGH". After I had finished, we went over them one by one. In each and every instance, I was absolutely shocked to see how my inner "Pharisee" was condemning me...piling on small and subtle "adjustments" to Jehovah's actual requirements. I always knew I would have to face reality one day...I just didn't think that reality would take the form of a Pharisee. Starting now, I am going to strive every day to see myself as Jehovah sees me...not as I THINK he should see me. Starting now, I am going to improve where I can, pray about what I can't and allow Jehovah to work out the details. Starting now, I'm going to listen to Jehovah's voice more than my own and stop piling up unrealistic expectations based on where I think I SHOULD be in Jehovah's organization...not where I actually am. If Jehovah opens the door, I'll walk through it. But I'm going to try my best to stop creating my own doors...I'm going to stop reaching for a star...and be content with reflecting Jehovah's light.

I will attach the photo.

Awww... much love and prayers for brother Lösch

In the talk that Brother Price gave, look at the expressions he used, which led me to conclude that he is not one of the anointed ones: John chapter 5, verse 28 and 29. It reads, do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things, to a resurrection of life. Let's pause there. Can you picture that moment? The day when Susan hears Jesus' voice and wakes up? Let's just use our imagination. You know, she'll look around and then she'll see familiar faces, those who loved her so deeply. And we can imagine you watching this, Brother Lett, from your place with Christ. Watching Susan stand again, smile again, laugh again. Can you imagine the joy? We'll laugh with her, sing with her, maybe even share some dark chocolate and a glass of wine, just the way she enjoyed. And I can only imagine that over time, the memories lost to that terrible disease and the experience she couldn't fully enjoy because her mind couldn't retain them, they'll all be restored. She'll be able to tell us how she felt in those moments, the things she loved, and how deeply she appreciated all who cared for her, especially you, Brother Lett. Revelation 21 describes the anointed as a stunning, symbolic city, New Jerusalem. And during the thousand-year reign, New Jerusalem will bring countless blessings to obedient mankind.

The one "standard" that I recall from the early 1950s was the required ability to call on homes "by yourself". Even our 1950s films show two sisters going door-to-door and the narrator explains that the new one is being trained but soon she will be taking the doors by herself. It was a tough situation for a little kid like me. Since 1953, I had been going with my father to had out invitations and handbills and reading a scripture for him at the door. But I was not counted as a 'publisher' until a young special-pioneer brother took me (a little kid from the 4th grade) out with him, had me practice giving my presentation and then sent me to the door by myself. He stood out on the sidewalk by the road, pointed me down the walkway to the front door of the house and gave me a gentle push to get me going. That was 1957. After that presentation they started counting me as a publisher. April next year will finish 69 years as a publisher...♥️

JWB-Dec-2025-158th Gilead Graduation transcript

Brother Peter Price delivered the funeral talk for Sister Susan Lett, and as far as I remember (if my memory serves me right), he referred to her as being one of the other sheep.

so the mini tracts have arrived and put on the display unit

We had a great time this morning using the new tracts

In my daily Bible reading, I'm finishing Luke and I've been thinking about the movies and how it could be done. I was meditating on the moment Jesus was entering Jerusalem on the donkey. I could imagine a view of Jesus on the donkey with the crowd around, everyone smiling, Jesus looking at all of them, and looking at his apostles with a big smile, looking at the city in front of him. Then, a view from far away, uphill, to see the whole crowd, but the camera is passing behind a "stauros". Then, a view on Jesus still smiling, looking right and left at the crowd, and facing the city, his eyes then turn to the previous camera angle (the stauros uphill offcamera, but the viewer understands what he is looking at), then his smile fades. He is now looking right and left at the crowd with a growing sadness and emotion, shaking a bit his head as the donkey continue to advance, the camera is still on his face but we can see the tears coming up as he says : If you, even you, had discerned on this day ... because you did not discern the time of your being inspected...

Those who go before us into their future assignments; whatever they will be, may they take the remembrance of our loyal love with them.

I think the translator didn't translate my idea correctly and I didn't have time to check, but I meant that Brother Peter was referring to himself as being one of the other sheep.

A STRANGE DAY... FIRST I FIND A HAT WITH SMALL CHANGE IN IT, THEN I GET CHASED BY A MAN WITH A GUITAR.

In many parts of Africa, investments and migration from China have sparked tensions with local residents—but some Chinese migrants are finding a welcoming community in Mandarin-speaking Zambian Witness congregations https://www.sapiens.org/language/chinese-migration-zambia-xenophobia-jehovahs-witnesses-belonging/

I would love a JW widget that showed the day text.

Some are saying beef fat is healthy now; has immunological properties to it. Some also say reducing fat intake causes brain issues. Can't tell you who lies more on health issues. 🫢

Brothers and sister a loving reminder please limit your intake of chocolate maybe you will become fat, and becoming too much fat is dangerous (Ezekiel 34:16) 😁

have found when unpacking they are fiddly to deal with and once you have undone the paper wrapper, they can easly get mixed up with the other mini tracts. As a result to keep them them in order and neat we have bought 3 plastic boxes which keep three of mini tracts

Let's all get through this alive, please, and with plenty of chocolate in our backpacks. Oh, speaking of emergency backpacks — which have nothing to do with the Great Tribulation — a letter was read at the meeting reminding us to always be prepared for natural disasters, to have an emergency backpack ready, or to review the one we already have, and to plan a family escape route. Encouragement to consider the magazine article as a family. When Disaster Strikes—Steps That Can Save Lives https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/awake-no5-2017-october/disaster-steps-that-can-save-lives/

There have been two 7.0+ quakes in the past 48 hours.

Went to the Kingdom Hall today and guess what we’re being handed out… Everyone was so excited! Think the Circuit must’ve got them cause more than 1 local Cong also got theirs this week.

Went to the doctor with a suspicious-looking mole. He said they all look that way and I should have left him in the garden.

I love your imagination. However, I am pleasantly surprised by us all. We have read these accounts many times. (maybe hundreds of times). Yet now that it is portrayed in a new format, we have all re-read the account with fresh eyes. I love all the new options we consider... love it...

Fabulous advice, fabulous brother!

Hey my brother, I really appreciate your trust in reaching out to me. I wanted to be upfront with you though — I won’t be able to search for online jobs on your behalf. You know your skills, work history, and interests far better than I do, and brothers in your own area are in a much better position to help you with opportunities that fit your situation. I also just don’t have the time to take on something like this right now. What I can encourage you to do is keep applying the suggestions I already shared, and make it a matter of prayer. Jehovah can absolutely guide your steps, but you’ll need to take the lead in the actual searching. And honestly, if you’re going to work remotely, being able to search, apply, and follow through on your own is an essential part of that kind of job. 🤔 I’m still cheering you on, my brother, and I know Jehovah will help you as you put in the effort.

Yes, it is true that prior to the release of the "Lamp" book, there was no standard for one to begin engaging in "field service" or to be baptized. I was baptized at a Circuit Assembly in Peoria, Illinois, September 8, 1956. All I had to do was show up at the Circuit Assembly with my bathing suit and a towel (although my mother questioned me fairly extensively before she gave permission). My mother (third generation JW) had an outstanding (at least to me) record of helping new ones. She had more than 20 students progress to the point of dedication and baptism before she died (at age 97) in 2022. One (somewhat unusual - but illustrative) example was that of two fleshly sisters from Germany in the 1950s. One of the Sisters had married a U.S. Service man shortly after the end of WWII. Both Sisters came to the U.S. when the Service man was released from the military. My mother first contacted them in the door-to-door work. Within two weeks of first contact they were attending the meetings. Within the first month they were accompanying my mother in the door-to-door work. Experiences like these are exciting to hear (or in my case to observe). But, there was a downside to not having set requirements for one to engage in the ministry. I remember the first time I had to be part of a judicial committee (1967 or 1968). The individual with whom the committee was meeting said: "I knew fornication was wrong, but I did not know that was fornication." I was extremely "taken aback" by that statement. Shortly after that the "Lamp" book was released with the questions to be answered before one could be baptized. A few years later the Society instituted the procedure where a new unbaptized publisher would sit down with elders to qualify to go in the ministry work (I particularly remember that article because two brothers I had met doing Temporary Bethel Service were in the picture in the Watchtower). Having been active in field service since October, 1949, I have seen many improvements in how Jehovah's Earthly Organization functions. At times I initially wondered about the changes, but I came to see the wisdom of the changes. I had the privilege of accumulating 16 weeks of "Temporary Bethel Service" when I was younger. By my observation, everything the Society does is well planned and thought out. Things are carried out with significant attention to the purpose of the particular project and adhering to the highest standards. Some projects were "in process" for 10 years before implementation. One item consisting of a change in one word took two years. There is no other organization on Earth that operates in over 200 lands, with great diversity in ethnicity, culture, history, etc., and yet all individuals are totally united in pure worship of Jehovah. At times it takes some of us a while to become accustomed to the changes (at age 81, and used to using a "prepared presentation" in the field ministry for over 76 years, I am "struggling" with the new emphasis on conversational approach to talking with individuals about the Kingdom Message). Hopefully soon I will be comfortable with the new emphasis, and thus follow the direction we receive from the Governing Body. Thanks, Jim

All I can say is "Come quickly Jesus"... No righteous person like to be here in this system.

I like that the longest ones so far are Paradise scenes. The whole point of the New Earth series was that Paradise was the central character.

THANKS FOR HELPING ME ,,OFTEN FELT SAME WAY , DUE TO EXTREME DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, GOING THROUGH AT THE MOMENT.😔

My educated guess would be it is the return of the same land that dropped out of the Service Year Report a couple of years ago, namely Norfolk Island?.... FWIW the other changes over the last couple of years include both Lebanon and Russia no longer reporting individually, but instead being included in the 'other lands' where the work is restricted; Swaziland being renamed Eswatini; and Macedonia being renamed North Macedonia.

A lot of wives complain that their husbands do not listen. I have never heard my wife say this. She may have.

Three rings of marriage: Engagement ring Wedding ring and...

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' tenure ends December 31, 2026. About his 10-year appointment, one person said "The former socialist prime minister of Portugal's tenure has been beset with major wars and crises that have led to accusations of bias against him, especially when it comes to Israel". With just over a year to go for the selection of the next Secretary-General, member states have begun to nominate candidates who best fit their national interests. Sounds like a dis-United Nations, doesn't it? It's reported that there's an appetite to appoint a woman next time. The election of the next SG is described as a "three-ring circus" of an irrelevant and unmanageable organization. It's rather amazing that this election of a new leader at the UN falls smack-dab in the middle of Trump's second term (Trump could have had two consecutive terms as president without this UN election ever coming up on his watch, but NO, that's not what happened), AND following the new understanding of Rev 17:17. I think we are in for a very interesting year!

Saturday, December 6 By wisdom a house is built up.—Prov. 24:3. In our race for life, we must love Jehovah and Jesus more than we love our relatives. (Matt. 10:37) This does not mean, however, that we can neglect our family obligations, as though these were holding us back from pleasing God and Christ. On the contrary, to be acceptable to God and Christ, we need to fulfill our role in the family. (1 Tim. 5:4, 8) When we do, we will be happier. After all, Jehovah designed families to thrive when husband and wife treat each other with love and respect, when parents love and train their children, and when children obey their parents. (Eph. 5:33; 6:1, 4) Whatever your role is in the family, trust in the wisdom found in the Bible instead of relying on mere emotions, culture, or what so-called experts may say. Make good use of our Bible-based publications. These contain practical suggestions on how to apply Bible principles. w23.08 28 ¶6-7

...and you found what point(s) from this article worth discussion? Please, when links are posted, explain, point out or at least mention why the link was posted.

Well this thread got high jacked rather quickly!

I cook and pack my lunch because they use bad oils at resto.. I used cocnonut oil.

With no questions being asked and the encouragement to start 'publishing' right away could lead to embarrassing door-front situations. Nobody told my father he couldn't smoke at the door during a witnessing session (some witnesses still smoked then). The householder was startled when a witness lit up a cigarette during a sermon. My father quit smoking that morning when he found out, back at the car with a brief discussion. Another brother was taking turns with a new publisher (a sister who had studied for a couple of months). The householder said, "I can't understand why you people don't believe the Trinity!" Before the brother could answer, the new publisher said, "Yeah, I've been wondering about that myself."...🙄

If he is an anointed brother with a heavenly hope, and meets the other requirements, then he could be appointed. In the 1970s, there was a maximum of 18 brothers on the Governing Body, so if Brother Peter Price is appointed, there would be 12 brothers. According to the publications, there is no limit on the number of brothers on the Governing Body.

I am amazed by the number of brothers and sisters we have at the assemblies and conventions; there is always a lack of space, and all the events are packed. The mountain of Jehovah's house is very high, and that is incredible. Evidence of the end times, where many will run to the arms of Jehovah.

why?

Ha! We had someone answer the door with a big knife in hand a couple of weeks ago. He was holding it back behind him but as we got further into the conversation he started waving it around. Finally he apologized for it, he was butchering a pig for a party that weekend.

What wonderful talks at the Galaad graduation! I understand why Brother Flodin spoke of spiritual gems. One beautiful phrase that stuck with me was, “A faithful servant is a sight that Jehovah never tires of seeing.” There is a talk, “Will you be a difference maker?”, which talks about the Great Crowd that no one can count. Brother Banks seems to take it literally. Was that the point? If so, I wonder why we can't count this great crowd, since we're always reports? Is it because at that point of the last days, the numerical report loses its relevance, or because events will unfold so quickly that the report will not be completed in time? And also, if Jehovah and Jesus are not involved in the matter, how will the elders be able to manage all these people who are gathering and joining the crowd that we now form?

I know of a couple in NY. The husband knocked on the door and did the intros: "This is my knife (for wife.) Same difference.

That is it! We all going to die! Embalm my body with chocolate and cover my body with Judge Rutherford’s Rainbow books. A few The Finished Mystery books will be OK with the Rainbow books. I hope I’m not asking much?

Thank you for sharing all of your amazing efforts with the rest of us, Brother Michelle. 🥰 I have never enjoyed my Bible reading more than when doing so through your Photo Drama. We are constantly encouraged to visualize the texts we are reading and to meditate on them. Your project allows us to do this. I have watched all nine of your Photo Drama episodes and I fully intend to re-watch them over and over again. I hope you will continue to share more visual chapters with us, as your personal Bible study continues. 💜👍👍

I understand what you mean, Justinah. I just feel like they're a little longer than usual. My affection for this brother is beyond words. His smile has become a little sad, and we know why, but the way he looks at the graduates, the warm way he congratulates them, the way he effaces himself, too, is unique and wonderful.