Leaderboard

"Are you angry at Jehovah?" After being asked this on my last post...I have been mulling this thought over and over again in my mind. Honestly, how on earth am I supposed to address this question...no, please...hear me out...how am I REALLY supposed to address this question? (And I'm not mad that it was brought to my attention...please keep reading...you'll see!) What does it really mean to be angry at Jehovah? Realistically, it sounds as stupid, (and as pointless), as being angry at the sun shining...at the wind for blowing...at myself...for existing. But am I? Am I REALLY angry at Jehovah? Truthfully...yes...yes I am. I didn’t want to type those words. I didn’t want to see it in writing. But pretending I WASN’T angry...wasn’t making me any more faithful. It was just making me more tired...more worn out...and the hurt and the pain just continued to bleed through. I didn’t know what to do with that. How do you talk to Jehovah...about being angry at Jehovah? How do you engage in that conversation with him without feeling like you’re crossing some invisible line? Honestly... I didn't even know if I WAS truly mad at Jehovah...I just knew I was worn down, and every new delay of dealing with these feelings...felt like another layer of weight on my chest. Then the strangest thing happened, (and at the strangest place, ironically enough, AT THE MIDWEEK MEETING), a brother reached out...someone who’s currently wading neck deep through his own terrible life circumstances. Now, please understand...this brother didn’t know about this question being addressed with me. He didn’t know what I had admitted to myself. He didn’t know the place I was in. But, after the meeting, he approached me, gave me a quick hug...and handed me a slip of paper with a verse written on it. Now, please believe me when I say that this was not one of the usual "comfort" verses. Not something polished and familiar that we all love to hear when we're facing times of distress. No, this was all together different. I didn't have a chance to look at it until I got home that evening, but after I read it...I simply had to call him and find out WHY he had recommended that particular verse. It was something gritty...something raw...something so unexpected and off-putting that honestly, it almost felt WRONG. What's the verse? You guys know me by now, I'm not going to leave you hanging: Job 7:19: “Will you never turn your gaze away from me, or leave me alone until I swallow my saliva?” In all my years as a Witness, I have NEVER seen that verse used to encourage ANYONE. I had to do some digging, because on the surface, it sounds obvious: I mean...it SOUNDS like Job is pushing Jehovah away, like he’s had enough of being under God’s gaze. But the more I sat with it, the more I tried to really put myself in his "bare feet"...the more I started to FEEL like Job wasn’t trying to get away from Jehovah at all. He wasn’t saying, “Stop looking at me.” He was saying, “If you’re looking at me this closely…then WHY am I still like this?” Job wasn’t asking Jehovah to look away. He was asking WHY BEING "SEEN"...DIDN'T MAKE ANYTHING BETTER. That’s not distance. That’s someone who still believes Jehovah is close enough to do something, and is hurting because he hasn’t done anything YET. This new line of thought made me think about my own anger in a way I wasn’t expecting. I kept trying to figure out what it meant that I was angry at Jehovah. I kept wondering if that meant I was slipping, or drifting, or losing something I didn’t want to lose. But the more I think about Job’s words, the more something quiet has started forming in the back of my mind...something I didn’t see coming...and the more I think I'm starting to understand what that brother was trying to tell me. If my pain still turns me back in his direction, then I haven’t lost him. If my frustration still causes me to reach towards him, then I don't hate him. If I’m still speaking to him...even in anger...then I’m still searching for him. No, Job wasn’t trying to get away from Jehovah. He was simply trying to UNDERSTAND why being held in God’s sight...didn’t STOP the hurt. Friends, that’s not rebellion. That’s someone who hasn’t let go of the only person who he feels can save him It’s strange how that realization settled in. I spent quite a bit of time over the past few days thinking my anger means I'm drifting away...when the truth is that anger like this only moves TOWARD someone you still believe is there...someone you still expect something from...someone you still think can change the situation. And that’s when it finally clicked for me...the reason this brother gave me that particular verse. He looked at me and saw the same hurt and anger in my eyes as he felt himself...and after speaking to him...he straight out admitted that he didn't come up with that verse on his own, his wife had given it to him just before she started slipping away into dementia. He struggled to get the words out over the phone...but he reminded me that his wife was a nurse and therefore she KNEW what was coming for herself...and she wanted him to prepare for the anger that HE was going to feel towards Jehovah. He said that she spent more time with him in those last couple of months then they had in years...he said it felt like they were dating all over again. I honestly don't know which one of us was crying the harder at this point...he was struggling to get the words out, I had never seen him like this. He seems like a very stoic brother...but he opened up to me on the phone in a way I didn't expect. He said he could tell when she started phasing out, there would be times when she would be lucid and he said he started to treasure every single one of those moments. We finally reached a point where neither one of us could really talk...we just sat on the phone and had a few seconds of mutual silence. Finally he said that one of the last real conversations he had with his wife involved them discussing Job again...and he said she absolutely floored him by saying..."When you start to REALLY feel the pain...please don't mistake Jehovah's silence for distance...you're just in the part of the story where Jehovah hasn't spoken yet." And that's where I'm going to end this post...I'm going to go to sleep tonight with that thought on my mind...I'm just in that part of the story where Jehovah hasn't spoken...yet.

“Brother Herd… said that we shouldn’t worry about what would happen during the Great Tribulation, because Jehovah will be in control. On the other hand, we can worry about what Satan might do before that. I don’t remember the exact wording…” I remember that phrase perfectly—not word for word, of course. I also remember that his eyes were twinkling, with his long, curled lashes, and a slight smirk that brought the room to silence for a few seconds, which was exactly the effect he was going for. Very dear Brother Herd...

This conversation reminds me of a talk from brother Herd when he stated that we should not worry about what would happen during the GT, because Jehovah will be in control. Rather, we may worry about what Satan may do before that. I don't remember the exact phrase, but it was during an AM. Another talk is this one: https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODPgmEvtAnnMtg/pub-jwb-097_8_VIDEO. Among the "gems" inside are: "Some things Jehovah will not permit us to see, even though we read over it many, many times. We can’t see it until Jehovah puts the light on it." "We do not live in ancient Israel and we do not live in the second century C.E. We live in a wonderful time of—what?— restoration when Jehovah has guaranteed us that ‘no weapon formed against us will succeed.’" And the conclusion: "As for the other sheep, what will you need to do during that climactic time? Simply this: hide. That’s right. At Isaiah 26:20, he wrote: “Enter your inner rooms, “and shut your doors behind you. “Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by.” It will be hide-and-seek. You will hide, and they will seek to find you, but they will not. Do you have anything to worry about? You have nothing to worry about —nothing at all— because Jehovah will never abandon you. There is no justifiable reason to worry about the future. Just be there, brothers and sisters, to enjoy it. Remember, Jehovah loves you and he will never abandon you. Please believe it. You will not be disappointed."

Regarding the Great Tribulation, in my opinion, it doesn’t make sense to think that we will gather inside the Kingdom Hall, as if the Kingdom Halls were, for example, some kind of “ark of Noah.” In my opinion, just as happened during the pandemic, we may very well be able to stay in our homes or, if we are forced to leave our homes, we may have to stay in some kind of shelter. The important thing is that we will need to have access to the information and guidance from the brothers who, during that time, will have the responsibility of caring for us. And even if that isn’t possible, it will be important to keep our faith and do what we already know to do: remain loyal, keep our faith strong, not panic, and remember that Jehovah, Jesus, and the angels are in control.

I have not found any publication that specifically states that Jehovah’s Witnesses will continue meeting in Kingdom Halls during the Great Tribulation. For example, the 2019 Watchtower says that we may meet “in private homes or even in secret,” and its illustration depicts a small group of Witnesses meeting in a forest during the Great Tribulation. Other publications have also portrayed brothers and sisters meeting or taking shelter in less conspicuous places in connection with the Great Tribulation: a congregation meeting secretly in a basement in 2014, brothers and sisters taking shelter in an attic in 2019, and brothers and sisters meeting with others in a basement in 2023. Of course, I understand that illustrations are not necessarily prophetic details, and I am not trying to draw a conclusion beyond what the publications actually say. I simply find the repeated references to private or concealed places interesting. Stay Faithful Through the “Great Tribulation” https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/w19/2019/748 “Now You Are God’s People” https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/ws14/2014/752 Build Strong Friendships Before the End Comes https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/w19/2019/787 Are You Ready for the Great Tribulation? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/w23/2023/501 There is also a recent real-life example. On July 31, 2026, a Russian court ordered the confiscation of 123 properties owned by Jehovah’s Witnesses, including four Kingdom Halls. JW.org itself states that since the 2017 ban, the Russian government has continued to seize Kingdom Halls and other properties previously used by Jehovah’s Witnesses for religious meetings. https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/russia/Russian-Authorities-Seize-123-Properties-Owned-by-Jehovahs-Witnesses/ With this in mind, I wonder: is there a reason to believe that congregations will continue meeting in Kingdom Halls during the Great Tribulation? Or might we instead have to meet in private homes, basements, attics, forests, or other less conspicuous places? If anyone knows of a more recent publication that specifically addresses this point, I would genuinely appreciate the reference. I’m asking simply because I would like to understand the subject more clearly.

Global Initiative for National Governance, Intervention in Vigilance, Institutional Treaty Integration and Security. GINGIVITIS

Exactly. And before that happens, the world leaders will unexpectedly give their power and authority to the UN. That is probably the first headline we will see.

I'm not sure why we would need an official announcement from the GB about the GT starting because it was my understanding that when the United Nations puts an end to all religion, that is the start. When that happens, it will make worldwide news, I don't think there will be any doubts. But it's always nice to have confirmation from the one true source of truth. When religion takes a hit, so will it's buildings and wealth, so I can imagine all religious property will be systematically confiscated and handed over to it's respective government, That is probably the reason that our publications always picture us meeting in other places besides our kingdom halls during that period of time. I would rather not think of that time as "scary", more like challenging. People outside our organization will be scared because they never imagined this happening - people are out of their minds now over the slightest thing, when something this big happens it will really amp up the craziness and chaos. But the Bible assures us that we will be "dwelling in security" because Jehovah will be taking care of us and keeping us united and still able to worship him. It will be that last moment of the GT when Gog of Magog attacks that might seem a bit frightening, but there is the reason we need to make our faith unbreakable now, so that we can "hold our heads up, knowing our deliverance is near".

I knew a guy that started a social club for chickens. He would take a few chickens to a ranch or farm and let them visit the chickens there for the day, then take some of those chickens to another ranch or farm. Sometimes he would have several groups of chickens at his place. I thought it was a pretty odd thing to do but he said he needed to do it to make hens meet...

GUMS?

My Shih tsu was called Teeth!!😅

NATIONS IN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE: GOVERNMENTS SUDDENLY HAND OVER POWER TO GLOBAL AUTHORITY Political leaders announce sweeping transfer of power and authority to the United Nations. SHOCKWAVE THROUGH WORLD POLITICS: NATIONS SPEAK WITH “ONE THOUGHT” In a stunning development, governments unite behind a single political arrangement, giving unprecedented authority to the United Nations. “HOW DID THIS HAPPEN SO SUDDENLY?”: WORLD LEADERS CARRY OUT UNEXPECTED DECISION Observers struggle to explain the rapid political transformation as nations surrender their authority to the global political arrangement.

A very devout man asks his rabbi: - “Rabbi, is it permissible to smoke while studying the Torah?” - “Certainly not! It’s a complete lack of respect for the sacred texts.” The man thought for a moment, then asked: - “ Rabbi, is it permissible to study the Torah while smoking?” The rabbi smiled: - “Oh, yes! It’s always a good time to study!”

Sometimes we dwell on the negative side of Jehovah's Day and think about how bad it will be for us during the GT, but its more encouraging to focus on Jehovah and discuss the positive aspects of what he will do in the future. That's why I prefer to talk about the Day of Jehovah instead of the GT.

Peru: Strong earthquake shakes southern Andes https://www.dw.com/en/peru-strong-earthquake-shakes-southern-andes/a-78450656

Known as Operation TEETH

Teeth.... That should be an acronym for something, like "Time Everyone Eats The Harlot"

An excerpt of the 2024 Update #6 was posted because it is used in the MWM next month.

I've learned that whenever we face challenges, Satan will try to attack us. Your wife's situation distracted you from your purpose. She didn't mean to, but she helped keep you off balance. Pink Popcorn (Chris) always used to say to me, 'Sharon, wherever there is confusion, chaos and disruption (I may have the last one wrong), it smacks of Satan's interference.' I don't believe she was wrong. If I had a dollar for every time a fight broke out at home while I was trying to get to a meeting or log into one, I'd have some significant savings. I've been thin too, brother. Teeth basically hanging on to the end of a rope. While I'm going through menopause. I sometimes think Jehovah doesn't want to know what I'm thinking because eep... it ain't good! The other night, after a long workday, I was finally able to enjoy a spiritual meeting when my husband called. Our car has been acting up, but he was just upset about losing his wallet. He was swearing and having a full-on meltdown. I laugh about it now, and I hope you can too. I want you to specifically look for the ways Satan's trying his machinations on for size. He's gotten so desperate he's always got to start something. Now I know Satan has been removed from the heavens but I can imagine Jehovah chuckling. A hand running through his majestic beard, a hint of laughter beneath his tone as he watches Satan try to discourage us. "You must think him easy pickings. I wouldn't be so sure about that." Jehovah thinks back to all the times Tim has shown up, even when Satan's been riding his back like a rented mule. I know we don't use the phrasing 'Good Luck' much, but there's a 'Good Luck' out there that's said with a straight face and a 'Yeah, right, that ain't ever gonna happen.' I'd imagine Jehovah looking down at Satan and going. 'Yeah. Good Luck with that.' Then having a good laugh with all the other spirit creatures. "Oh yeah, and get that man some extra holy spirit. He needs a top-up." "But... he wasn't paying attention." "Sure he was. Why do you think he showed up at my house?"

I don't think that one was so old... But this one at Genoa in Italy is certainly OLD:

Permit me to digress. If you were angry at Jehovah, Jehovah understands it's normal. Like one shouldn't be ashamed to say, "oh am hungry." Being angry is a normal reaction when: 1. You don't understand why a situation persists that is not to your liking (see Habakuk) 2. Or you understand but you don't know why it's allowed to continue (first century Christians must have expressed that sentiment hence 2 Peter 3:15,16). 3. It's more painful when events seem to be out of your control (that's why Elijah ran away even after killing 70 prophets of Baal). And you have Jehovah, you know he's the Sovereign of the universe, the all powerful, most powerful that no one can ask him, "what have you been doing!?" That's ironic and contradictory. So Jehovah understands why we're angry if and when we say we're angry. Sincerely I have been in the past until I realized I am not the only one. Righteous servants of God in the past shared my sentiment. But what helped me get a balanced view of the situation. Just one word: Trust. Do I trust Jehovah is acting for my good even though I might not understand how? Do I trust Jehovah always does the right thing? Do I trust that Jehovah that Jehovah's love covers me, an imperfect ant, that does wrong once in a while who has no right to even be angry at such Holy of Holies? When I decided the definite answer was YES to all 3, tears came to my eyes. I realized it was my little perception of events or anxiety due to world conditions and mine. I learned to trust more. To believe the vision will not delay. It's panting towards its accomplishment. I just need to handover control to Jehovah and que sera sera. So it doesn't bother me anymore. Whether the mountains tumble into the sea, or the Sun misses a rotation for a second (forgotten who said that), I just seat at the back seat, knowing my driver is the best driver in the world. So I do my best and leave the rest into his arms. Just to share. Because we all love you. 🫶

Good Night!! We love you too!!

I totally understand your comment, and I see the logic behind the Hospital Liaison Committee's guidance in today's climate. However, before the Hospital Liaison Committee (HLC) arrangement, doctors would frequently get a court order enabling them to countermand the wishes of the parent and transfuse the child. At the present time, after the HLCs were formed, and have had many years to work with medical professionals, the attitude of the medical profession is totally different from what it was 50 years ago. That is why I said that I believe the HLC arrangement was one of the better things Jehovah's Organization has done to assist all of Jehovah's dear ones keep true to his righteous requirements. In areas where the HLC has had opportunity to work with medical professionals, things are totally different now. I studied with one individual who "made the truth his own" and progressed to be an Elder. His oldest son was born with spina bifida (a neural tube defect where the spinal column fails to close compltely during the early prgnancy) in 1968, which leads to significant complications and can make the child paralized in the lower body. This condition was not apparent befor the child was born. The brother and his wife (and related family members) all of a sudden had to become well read on treatments that could be used and still comply with Jehovah's righteous requirements. He ended up on the local HLC (as well as having many additional privilegs including temporary Bethel Service, Department Head responsibilities at Circuit Assemblies and District Conventions). His experience with his first child gave him the ability to talk with medical professionals. He and his fleshly brother were both very dear to me. I studied with both him and his younger brother. The younger brother became a Ministerial servand. The one who became a Ministerial Servant died of a massive stroke about ten years ago. The one we became an Elder died of leukemia about four years ago. His son is wheelchair bound and is now 58 and is serving as an Elder. He had another son (about two years younger than the first) who spent five yeaars at Bethel, and is now serving as an Elder. In today's environment I can understand why the HLC would not recommend running from the hospital with a child. In the environment today (particularly in the U.S.) there are usually much better ways to handle the situation. That is bacause of all of the great effort put forth by the brothers who have been working so hard for the rest of us while serving on the HLC. When I made the comment, I was NOT trying to encourage someone to take a particular course of action today. I was just relating what historically happened in this particular situation 50+ years ago. The couple even had to "do battle in court" in the city where they went. There was an attorney from Canada who had experience with these matters who came from Canada to help the U.S. attorney (both of these attorneys were brothers) during the court hearing in the city where they went. The problem was that the local doctor had gone to the court to obtain the court order without notifying the parents, so they had no opportunity to present their side of the case before the local judge make his ruling. When the couple were able to get legal representation in the city to which they went, the judge there allowed the couple to avail themselves of alternative medical treatment. There was a brother in that city who was a doctor, and he was able to treat the child using appropiate treatment, as well as providing excellent testimony before the judge at the hearing. In today's environment (especially in the U.S.) it is not likely that a judge would issue such an order if the parents had been able to present their case to the court. If I gave the impression I was suggesting someone "run from the hospital with their child" I apologize sincerely and totally. I was just attemptng to relate an experience of which I had personal knowledge to illustrate one of the tremendously good things Jehovah's Organization has done for Jehovah's dear ones to help all to endure, by loyal, and keep their faith. Thanks, Jim

https://www.counterfire.org/article/un-at-80-toothless-ignored-and-irrelevant/ This article is from 2025 but this is how the UN is regarded at the moment. What a shock when it becomes the most powerful organisation in the world!

Tim, I've always enjoyed your posts here. You have a very deep knowledge of scripture and I'm thankful that you're willing to share it online. I hope you're able to attend more meetings even if only for the "free hugs" from your brothers and sisters.

Public-Radio Interview — “A Stunning Shift in World Power” HOST: Good evening. I'm Daniel Brooks. Tonight, we're following what may be the most extraordinary development in international politics in generations. Governments around the world have announced an unprecedented decision: They are transferring significant power and authority to the United Nations. The announcement came with startling speed. Leaders who, only hours ago, appeared divided on fundamental questions of national sovereignty are now speaking with remarkable unity. To help us understand what we're witnessing, we're joined by Dr. Elena Marovic, former senior diplomat and widely respected scholar of international affairs. Dr. Marovic, thank you for being with us. DR. MAROVIC: Thank you. It's good to be here. HOST: Let me begin with the obvious question. What happened? DR. MAROVIC: That's precisely the question governments, intelligence agencies, and ordinary citizens are asking tonight. The speed is extraordinary. We have seen international agreements before, but this is fundamentally different. Governments appear to be acting almost simultaneously, surrendering a degree of authority that they have historically guarded very carefully. HOST: So you're saying this isn't simply another international treaty? DR. MAROVIC: No. A treaty normally involves months or years of negotiation. There are disagreements, amendments, parliamentary debates, objections from opposition parties. This doesn't look like that. What we're seeing is remarkably sudden. Governments that have disagreed on virtually everything are now saying, in effect, "We will act together." HOST: And the United Nations is suddenly at the center of this? DR. MAROVIC: Yes. The United Nations has existed for decades, but its role has traditionally depended on the willingness of individual nations to cooperate. Tonight, we're seeing something fundamentally different: Nations appear willing to place an extraordinary measure of their political authority behind the organization. HOST: Some leaders are calling this the beginning of a new era of global cooperation. Do you think that's an exaggeration? DR. MAROVIC: From a conventional political perspective, perhaps. But I would be careful about making predictions tonight. We're witnessing something so unusual that our normal political models may not adequately explain it. HOST: What would you say to people watching this who are frightened? DR. MAROVIC: I would say that uncertainty is understandable. When political structures change this quickly, people naturally wonder what happens next. The important thing is to distinguish between what we know and what we don't know. HOST: And what don't we know? DR. MAROVIC: We don't know the full consequences of this decision. We don't know how individual governments will implement it. And we certainly don't know where this leads politically. HOST: There's another remarkable development tonight. Several governments that have historically maintained close relationships with major religious institutions are now announcing measures against religious organizations. DR. MAROVIC: Yes. That may ultimately prove to be one of the most consequential aspects of what we're seeing. HOST: Why? DR. MAROVIC: Because governments have traditionally viewed religion as an important social and political force. If governments suddenly begin withdrawing their support from religious institutions on a global scale, that would represent a profound transformation. HOST: So you're suggesting that tonight's announcement may be only the beginning? DR. MAROVIC: I think everyone should recognize that possibility. We have entered unfamiliar territory. HOST: Dr. Elena Marovic, former diplomat and international-affairs scholar, joining us tonight. One final question. After watching governments around the world make a decision of this magnitude with such extraordinary speed, what do you think historians will say about this night? DR. MAROVIC: They may say that this was the night the international system changed before the world fully understood that it was changing. HOST: Dr. Marovic, thank you. DR. MAROVIC: Thank you. HOST: And we'll continue following this developing story.

We recently had a total renovation of the KH. Just prior to that, we had a total update of the territories. A new map was made, and this new map is displayed on a new wall in the newly remodeled KH.

I understand, but I believe it will be headline news. It's common knowledge that many of the member states of the UN disagree with the policies and actions of the organization. They support it because they have to, not because they want to. I think the world will know when that changes.

Wednesday, August 19 The holy spirit has appointed you overseers.—Acts 20:28. Around the world, we need more brothers to serve as “gifts in men.” (Eph. 4:8) If you are a baptized brother, is it “within your power to help”? (Prov. 3:27) Are you willing to qualify as a ministerial servant? Could you reach out to care for the needs of your brothers as an elder? Are you able to adjust your circumstances to apply for the School for Kingdom Evangelizers? That school will equip you to be used even more fully by Jesus. If you feel unqualified, pray to Jehovah. Ask him for the help of his holy spirit to handle successfully any assignment you are given. (Luke 11:13) The brothers whom Jesus has appointed as “gifts in men” are proof that he has been leading us during these last days. (Matt. 28:20) Are you not grateful that we have a King who is loving, generous, and attentive and who provides qualified brothers to care for our needs? w24.10 23 ¶16-17

How time passes! These pics were taken in 2014 during my trip to the US for the Detroit International Convention. This little girl will now be about 13... ...her daddy was driving the bus from the Lovinia Suites to Ford Field. During my travels after the convention, at Gretna in North Carolina I walked into McDonalds and noticed these kids with their mums... ...obviously getting a treat after going out witnessing. They also would have now added over 12 years to their ages.

Tim, you went to the meeting to reconnect with Jehovah—and he greeted you with gifts. The smiles, the waves, the hug, the kind words, the invitation to share a meal, and the warmth you felt were all gifts from him. I know you didn’t miss that—you acknowledged those things and told us about them. But it feels as though you were excusing them because they weren’t the reason you went. Perhaps each one was Jehovah’s way of drawing you closer and closer to him—his way of wrapping his arms around you and saying, “I missed you too.” And that is exactly what you went there to acknowledge: that Jehovah missed you too. He gave you a hug through your brothers and sisters, Tim. Please let yourself accept the hug. Luke 15:20 YB Dave

Also, a quick update on the meeting. I ended up coming in a few minutes after the meeting started. A lot of people smiled and waved and we're really happy to see me, one person even came up during the meeting and gave me a hug from behind as I sat on my chair. I really enjoyed being there in person, but I will be completely honest with you guys, my focus was inwards rather than outwards. I sat there and nearly right away, Satan jumped on my back by means of a message from my wife expressing her disgust and outrage at the legal system and hospital system in the UK...a system that was essentially leaving her to die on her own without much practical help. I know she wasn't thinking about the time difference, I know she wasn't really aware that I was sitting at the hall when she typed that message. But it immediately arrested my attention and all the feelings and emotions came rushing back. I spent the first 10 or 15 minutes of that poor brother's talk in tears, just fighting to wrestle my attention back and try to pay attention. The Watchtower study was a shambles, I faded in and out of awareness as brothers and sisters made really good comments around me. I couldn't really concentrate, I kept having to pull my attention back to the study...it was really hard not to give up and walk out and sit in my car. But I stuck it out, I stayed. One older brother approached me right after the last prayer and shook my hand and said he missed my comments and my presence and it was good to see me back, and...laying everything out on the table...it opened a wound. I know he didn't mean it that way, but it made me immediately aware of what I was NO LONGER doing...and it hurt. But I stayed, and I associated a little. A brother invited me out to eat, throwing in for good measure that he would pay for the meal, but I turned him down. I'm deeply grateful that he even thought of me, but that wasn't really the point of me going to the meeting today. I know Jehovah uses the friends, and believe me, I DID get encouragement from being there and seeing everyone...despite how I sound now. I'm just choosing to be blunt, I'm choosing to say the things that I often leave unsaid. I went because I needed to speak to my best friend today...I needed to be in his house...to be close to where he was. I felt peace sitting there, I felt like a couple of pieces of the puzzle that make up "me" suddenly clicked back into place...it felt warm and comfortable. Again, I'm not claiming that I'm healed, that everything is good now. I'm fully aware that I may regress at some point, but for right now I feel like my battery was recharged somewhat, and I'm happy with that for right now. Thank you to everyone who read, commented or left an emoji. I'm trying very hard to be transparent with all of this, it's not easy when it feels like I'm 30 ft below the surface of an ocean and I'm struggling to kick my way back up to the surface just to take a single breath of fresh air before I get sucked back under. I know Jehovah is there, he's already proven that many times over. It's on me to stay close to him, it's just a little bit harder when I feel like Satan and his demons have climbed onto my back and are refusing to let go.

In october it would be interesting to see a woman on that role for the first time And the nations giving power to UN during her 5 year mandate 😅

This is so true. In the past I had the privilege of working with the Legal Deparment on some tax matters. If I have counted correctly, over the years I accumulated 16 weeks of temporary Bethel Service. I know the Society does not pay taxes. But there are certain 'Hoops' any tax exept organization has to "jump through" to keep their exempt status. So, a Certified Public Accountant may still have reason to interact with the legal department to be sure Jehovah's Oranization is "giving to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar" and to keep Jehovahs Earthly Organization above reproach. Some of the matters covered took 10 years to work through. There were other projects that turned out not to be feasible or useful, and went nowhere. One matter concerned the change of one word in a departmental instruction. That took two years befor it was finalized. Many things can come us that can delay a project, or make a project not feasible. To me that demonstrates the thoroughness of everything Jehovah's Organization does. I saw many examples of research and documentation on the part of Jehovah's Earthly Organization that would be considered "way over the top" by worldly Attorneys, CPAs, Engineers, Architects, etc., and any of the worldly professionals with whom I have worked locally. The "professionaism" and absolute care exercised by Jehovah's Organization is just one more example of the GB doing their VERY BEST to make sure everything is done "just so" - the same way Noah built the ark. Seeing the care and research that has gone on in the few sitiutions where I have had the privilege of working with ones at Bethel, when I watch the episodes of The Good News Accordng to Jesus I marvel about how much research had to go into the production to be absolutely certain that everything was presented as accurately as possible. Thanks, Jim

We had setup various groups in connection to our KH project. It seems that one group got some strange messages from someone claiming to be from the LDC. It turned out that a publishers phone was hacked. The group chat was closed down.

Thursday, August 20 The former things will not be called to mind.—Isa. 65:17. What about all the things that have caused God’s people pain and distress? Eventually, those things “will be forgotten [and] concealed from [God’s] eyes.” (Isa. 65:16) Jehovah will make our troubles go away, and in time the pain of such memories will vanish completely. Even now, it is soothing to our nerves to be at our Christian meetings, where we can relax and put behind us the stresses of this wicked world. We contribute to the calmness of our spiritual environment when we manifest the love, joy, peace, kindness, and mildness that are included in the fruitage of God’s spirit. (Gal. 5:22, 23) What a blessing it is for us to be associated with God’s organization! Those who remain in the spiritual paradise will see the complete fulfillment of God’s promise of “new heavens and a new earth.” w24.04 22 ¶9-10

When I went to my grandpa’s funeral the other day, I honestly didn’t expect anything to break through the spiritual fog I’ve been living in. If I'm being blunt...I’ve been spiritually thin for weeks...maybe even months now...and I’ve been carrying around this quiet shame about it. I’ve been attending meetings on Zoom, half-present, half somewhere else entirely. My study habits have fallen apart. My prayers feel like they start strong in my chest...but die before they have the ability to reach my mouth. And honestly, (except for a few people), I’ve been afraid to admit any of this out loud because it feels like one more failure stacked on top of everything else that’s already crushing me. But at the end of the funeral, my Uncle gave the prayer and said something in it that stopped me cold. It clung to me...refusing to let go...and I now fully believe that wasn't JUST my Uncle speaking...that was Jehovah...talking through him...directly to me. He said Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts. Not just his presence...not just his service...but his thoughts. I don’t know why that hit me the way it did, but it felt like someone reached inside my chest and pulled a cord I didn’t even realize was still connected. Because if Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts, then Jehovah has been missing mine too...and that realization crushed me. For the first time in a while...I went home...fired up my computer, made myself a steaming hot cup of Maxwell House...and started doing some personal research. Not research for a Midweek meeting...or a Watchtower study...but just for ME. You know...Psalm 139:1-4 is one of those scriptures we hear so often that it becomes background noise. “Jehovah knows our thoughts before we speak them.” I usually take that to mean he’s interested in us...that he's aware of everything. But sitting there in my computer room...sipping from that steaming mug...I suddenly heard it differently. If Jehovah knows my thoughts before I speak them, then he also knows when those thoughts toward him have gone “quiet”. I mean, that only makes sense, right? He knows when the conversation has stopped. He knows when the prayers have dried up. He knows when the spiritual part of me that used to reach for him with wide open arms has suddenly gone silent. And if he knows what it's like when we're engaged...when we're pouring our heart out to him...if he can FEEL that...then it follows that he also feels the absence of it. But he's not angry at me...he's not judging me...he's actually longing for me to start speaking again. The more I thought about this...the more another verse began to tug at my brain...pulling me deeper into my research...pushing me further from Satan and his thinking...tugging me towards Jehovah...towards his outstretched arms. Malachi 3:16 suddenly sprang to mind...the verse about Jehovah listening so closely to the conversations of those who fear him that he writes them down in a book of remembrance. I’ve always thought of that verse as something encouraging, something that shows how much Jehovah values loyalty. But now I’m seeing the other side of it. If Jehovah "writes down" our spiritual conversations...if he records them, if he appreciates them THAT much...then what does it mean when the pages go blank...when the entries stop...when a gap appears, like when you're recording your voice and suddenly stop talking for a few seconds. Again, it means Jehovah notices. It means he feels the silence...it's like he starts straining to hear us...to detect WHY we've quit talking. It means he misses the sound of MY voice. And that’s where I’ve been...I've been living in that silence...in that “pause” of the voice recording. My wife is overseas, dealing with medical issues that keep getting mishandled. She’s in a homeless shelter. She’s not getting the help she needs. Every day I wake up with this knot in my chest that doesn’t go away, and every night I go to bed with the same knot, only tighter...thicker...heavier. My thoughts have been consumed by fear, frustration, helplessness, and guilt...that's just the plain and simple truth. And somewhere in the middle of all this chaos, my spiritual voice dimmed. Not because I stopped loving Jehovah. Not because I don’t care. But because I’ve been mentally and emotionally exhausted in a way I don’t know how to explain to anyone...not even to Jehovah. (Try THAT thought on for size) So when my Uncle said Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts, it felt like Jehovah was quietly telling me, “Tim, I miss yours too.” Not in the way to make me feel ashamed. Not in a “get it together, Tim!” kind of way either. But in a way that reminded me that my relationship with him isn’t built on perfect attendance or flawless study habits. It’s built on connection...on conversation...on thoughts that turn toward him even when life is tearing and ripping you apart...even then. That’s why I’m going to the Kingdom Hall this morning. It’s been over a month since I’ve walked through those doors. I don’t have answers for the questions people will ask. I don’t have a neat explanation for the mess my life is in. I don’t have some powerful spiritual comeback story. But I do have one desire today...just one honest, fragile goal that I desperately want to accomplish this morning. I want to turn the volume up just a little. Not all the way...I'm not ready for that yet...I'm not even sure I'm ready for this. But I'm going to try...because if there's one thing I know for certain: there is temporary pain in serving Jehovah...but there is everlasting death in choosing the other side. And if any of you reading this are struggling in your own way...if your prayers have gone quiet, if your study has gone cold, if your meeting attendance has slipped...if your thoughts toward Jehovah have been drowned out by fear or grief or exhaustion...please believe me: Jehovah misses your thoughts too! Not your performance...not your “perfection”...no, he misses your thoughts...the ones you used to give him...the ones you still want to give him even if you don’t know how. Honestly...just speaking plainly among friends...I may regress. I may crawl back into my hole and ask the ground to cover me over. I may get hurt today...someone may offend me...may unknowingly rip open wounds that are still bleeding and raw...but I'm going anyways. Why? Because Jehovah misses my thoughts...and because the silence between me and my best friend is something that I can no longer endure. Even if everyone else in that Kingdom Hall were to suddenly descend upon me and start asking hurtful questions or saying mean things, (obviously I'm exaggerating), I'm not there to listen to them anyway. I'm there because my best friend is there...because HE misses my thoughts...and truthfully...because I can no longer endure the silence between me...and Jehovah.

JW Web Add-on Version 12 This upcoming update introduces new appearance options for Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY™, adds direct navigation between the Audio and Video Libraries, strengthens reading and sharing tools, and makes media features more dependable as website pages and players change. Version 12 is scheduled for release within the next few weeks. New Features and Capabilities WOL Dark Mode. This new feature provides System, Light, and Dark appearance options throughout Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY. System follows the device's appearance, while Light or Dark can remain selected between visits when WOL is permitted to save preferences. Supported outline icons are also easier to see in Dark mode. The website's privacy policy must be accepted before the appearance preference can be saved. Media Library Buttons. Direct shortcuts now connect the two JW.ORG® media libraries. An Audio button appears in the Video Library, and a Video button appears in the Audio Library. Each button opens the corresponding library in the current language. Alt Text View. Image descriptions now appear alongside the image in the full-screen JW.ORG gallery on desktop and mobile, with the text direction matched to the language of the description. The description changes when the gallery moves to another image and disappears when the current slide is a video or has no description, preventing outdated text from remaining visible. Expand Width. The saved wider layout now applies as the page opens and reapplies whenever website content changes, reducing visible resizing and flickering. Issues that caused embedded videos to overlap with nearby content have also been fixed. Bug Fixes and Improvements Reading, Searching, and Sharing Paragraph Link. This feature now remains connected to the paragraph or Bible verse you selected and uses the correct title, publication, language, and text direction from that page. Links are generated more safely, and the WOL option appears only when the selected item is confirmed to be available there. The menu also updates correctly when another paragraph is selected, and an unnumbered first Bible verse now uses the same numeral script displayed elsewhere on the page. Read in the App. An issue that caused this feature to stop working altogether has been fixed. It now uses the latest infrastructure available on the website. It verifies the exact publication and language before offering JW Library® or WOL options, displays only confirmed destinations, keeps titles and language labels correct when the page and publication use different languages, and avoids adding an outdated button after a publication card changes or disappears. Play Media in the App. The JW Library button now reliably connects to the audio or video currently being viewed. Duplicate, misplaced, and outdated buttons are removed correctly, and the current media is verified again when the button is selected. Copy Text. Copy Text now preserves useful formatting, working web links, line breaks, and pronunciation guides more reliably when copying paragraphs or Bible verses. It falls back to plain text when formatted copying is unavailable, and a failed copy attempt no longer affects the next unrelated copy action. Advanced Search. Advanced Search now handles publication mnemonics and dated issues, document IDs with an optional paragraph number, audio and video citations, standard JW.ORG searches, and WOL searches more reliably. Its options remain connected to the current search box as pages change, and special characters are handled safely so that each option opens the intended destination. Online Citation. Online Citation now displays the correct information for the current page, including the document ID or publication mnemonic when required. The website reference and any appended number are copied more reliably, duplicate citation components are removed, menu divider and link styling issues have been fixed, and numbers remain in the correct order on pages read from right to left. Language Count. Language Count now works more reliably for articles, Study Bible content, and audio and video items. They update when the content changes, and an issue that allowed a total from one page or media item to carry over to another has been fixed. Daily Text. Daily Text is now more dependable on the Library page. The date is checked again each time the shortcut is used. This ensures that it still opens the current day's text after the page has remained open overnight. Failed label requests also no longer disrupt the page. Appearance and Page Layout Sticky Action Bar. The action bar now maintains the correct size and position while scrolling, resizing, opening menus, and changing pages, including on layouts with a mobile header. Issues that caused it to disappear, move incorrectly, or appear more than once have been fixed. Custom Table View. Custom Table View has moved to its new location under the View menu in the action bar. The controls and sorting also recover when tables or page content change. Media Video Transcript. Transcripts are now more reliable and work properly for videos with available download options. A recurring issue that prevented the transcript Copy or Download options from appearing or functioning has been fixed. Transcript windows now close and clean up more reliably, and Copy includes a fallback when the standard method fails. PDF downloads are available for supported languages, and long transcripts are handled more smoothly. For languages that do not support PDF downloads, the transcript viewer, TXT download, and Copy options remain available. Second Display. Startup, synchronization, and media switching are now more reliable. Issues involving first video frames, rapid media changes, and switching between audio and video have been fixed. The second window can recover after being reloaded or temporarily losing its media, and old captures are cleaned up correctly. When a video is already paused, a placeholder remains visible until playback is ready instead of showing an incomplete or outdated frame. Customize Subtitles. Subtitle customization now recovers when the player or its menus load late, are replaced, or change during navigation, without creating duplicate controls. The menu remains within the available player and page space on desktop, smaller screens, and full-screen video. Subtitle sizing also adapts to the current video area, and activity associated with old players is cleaned up. An issue that sometimes prevented custom subtitle styles from loading or caused the feature to fail altogether, has also been fixed. Continue Watching. Saved progress and resume prompts now remain tied to the current video when players are reused or pages change, and progress shared across tabs is handled more consistently. An issue that caused the resume prompt to display the length of a different video has been fixed, along with the random flickering of a "0." Image Download. Image downloads are now much more reliable. The button follows the current gallery item, disappears on video slides, returns on image slides, prevents duplicate downloads, and opens the original image in a new tab if a download cannot be created. Custom Media Player UI. The custom player appearance is now limited to JW Stream and can be controlled only from the add-on Control Panel. The button that previously appeared in the media player has been removed. When enabled, the feature automatically applies the custom appearance to the video controls. When disabled, it cleanly restores the normal appearance. Media Player Control Keys. Keyboard controls are now available only on JW Stream. They follow the visible player even when it is replaced. An issue that caused a single key press to produce duplicate responses from the player has been fixed. Add-on Control Panel Control Panel. The add-on Control Panel now displays N/A instead of OFF, when a feature is unavailable. Deprecated Features Subscribe Buttons. This feature is no longer available and has been removed. Usage Instructions For detailed instructions on how to use all the add-on features, please visit jwpubs.org/addon. Reviewing these instructions is highly recommended to understand exactly how each feature works. Download Information Chrome Web Store: Download Here Supported browsers: On desktop, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, Vivaldi, and other compatible Chromium-based browsers; on mobile, Orion Browser and Gear Browser on iPhone and iPad, along with other compatible mobile browsers that support Chrome Web Store extensions. Firefox Browser Add-ons: Download Here Supported browsers: On desktop, Mozilla Firefox, LibreWolf, Waterfox, and other compatible Firefox-based browsers; on mobile, Mozilla Firefox for Android, along with Orion Browser and Gear Browser on iPhone and iPad. Please note that some features may behave differently, offer limited functionality, or not work as intended because of browser and operating system limitations. Notes If official website functionality overlaps with an add-on feature, or if a feature behaves unexpectedly after an update, disable only the affected feature in the Control Panel. Add-on features are temporary and may be phased out as the official websites introduce equivalent functionality. For any issues or feedback concerning the add-on, please send a direct message. I hope this new update will further benefit publishers in their study and research.

I’ve known ones be proud to be apostate and say it as if it’s a badge of honour. In their minds they “escaped the cult”

And is this not the cutest Kingdom Hall ever? It's at Hexham, near the Scottish border and not far from Newcastle in Northern England. About 35 publishers were in the congregation when I visited in 2016.

I'll start a day by day journal on this very day of announcement

More like Global United Mandate for Security.

When the GT starts, I'd love an update where the host would review our recent understanding of the GT prophecies. Then he would ask: so does the recent news is really fitting with our understanding? /Casual voice/ Yes. /Pause/ /Serious voice/ Yes. /Pause/ /Same voice, with even more solemnity/ This is it. I'd be faith/zeal/courage-boosted beyond any recognition

I can only imagine they would claim it's a good thing. They will probably spin it to praise themselves for being bold, selfless, visionary, or whatever strokes their egos. Anyone who opposes them is regressive, anti-peace, etc. I don't think there's a single chance the GB would fail to announce the start of the GT or at least that the UN has power and the GT will soon begin (they might be shut down before they can make the second announcement). Their one job is to keep us spiritually fed; it would be weird to drop the ball on the most important day besides Armageddon.

I am familiar with this health facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Many years ago, my mother (approximately age 80 at the time) needed a total hip replacement. Thankfully, my cousin and her husband were "in the traveling work" at the time, and Jacksonville was in thier territory. She put us in touch with the hospital in Jacksonville. As I recall, the hospital administrator was an Elder in one of the Congregations in Jacksonville. They were VERY cooperative with us regarding the blood issue. One interesting point (that, to me, illustrated their seriousness about the subject) was that they had two different color file folders for ones who have objection to use of blood. One color was for those whose objection was faith based (i.e., JWs, etc.) and a different color for those who had a different basis for their objection (presumably a medical situation, but I did not have the courage to ask why at the time). All of the staff at the hospital were VERY cooperative and respectful of my mother's position on blood. My mother came through the surgery very well, and we (my son and I) were able to bring her home to Pensacola (four hour drive) for recovery. This facility was truly a blessing for us on a matter that could have caused significant difficulty at another hospital. According to the post by MJ1 (on Saturday) there is also a facility in the Bronx that will cooperate with JWs on the blood issue. I remember when the Society started the Hospital Liaison Committee program. That has been a great blessing to Jehovah's people. Before the Hospital Liaison Committee arrangement, I was well acquainted with a local couple in Pensacola who had difficulty over the blood issue on a new-born with the RH negative/positive issue. The couple had to make an emergency trip to another hospital four states away to get treatment for the baby that was in accordance with biblical principles. The doctor obtained a court order to perform a transfusion. The parents were not allowed to acces the child in the local hospital. A local sister had a nurse's uniform. She was able to get into the hospital and retrieve the baby so the parents could take it to the other hospital (four states away) to get proper treatment. The mother of the child had worked with me (back when we had live orchestras at Circuit Assemblies and District Conventions) in the Chorus. The Hospital Liaison Committee has been a significant help and a great blessing to Jehovh's people. I am very glad to see that it is not just in the U.S., but is in many other countries as well. Thanks, Jim

We have some direction here, but it’s 26 years old: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/202000289 is this still relevant? Has anything changed? has there been anything new, perhaps about providing a digital map?

Same! I already have a specific notebook put to the side.

Just like Peter when he follow Jesus in a raging waters. Peter distracted by the storm thats why he drowened. We need a biggest faith in this times.

Everyone thought Daniel would make an excellent ministerial servant. He gave thoughtful comments, handled his responsibilities well, and was always neatly dressed. When something needed organizing, Daniel was usually nearby. Secretly, he hoped the elders noticed. One rainy evening, Daniel arrived early for the congregation meeting. He was assigned to sound and needed to check the microphones, music, and videos before everyone arrived. As he entered, he saw Brother Harris struggling in the lobby. At eighty-three, Brother Harris could no longer bend easily. His wet shoelace had come undone, and several muddy footprints trailed behind him. Daniel glanced toward the sound console. There was much to prepare, and time was passing. Then he looked again at Brother Harris, who was leaning against the wall, visibly embarrassed. “I seem to be coming apart tonight,” the older brother said with a weak smile. Daniel knelt on the wet floor and tied his shoe. While he was there, he noticed that Brother Harris’s trousers were soaked around the ankles. Daniel found a towel, dried the floor, and wiped the mud from the brother’s shoes. Then he slowly helped him to his seat. When Daniel finally reached the sound console, another brother was already helping check the microphones. Together, they finished preparing the music and videos just before the meeting began. No one knew why Daniel had been delayed. After the meeting, Sister Harris approached him near the door. Her eyes were moist. “My husband almost stayed home tonight and watched the meeting on Zoom,” she said. “Since his health declined, he feels that he has become a burden. But when you knelt beside him, you didn’t make him feel like a burden. You made him feel loved.” Daniel could think of nothing to say. Later, after nearly everyone had left, he noticed more muddy water near the entrance. He found a mop and began cleaning it. There was no audience now, no important responsibility to fulfill, and no one whose approval he could win. Brother Harris paused at the door and watched him. “You know, Daniel,” he said quietly, “people may never notice when the microphones work or when every video starts on time. But they will remember the brother who noticed them—and was willing to kneel.” After Brother Harris’s words, Daniel thought about the microphones, the music, and the videos he carefully tested before each meeting. Those things were necessary, and he was willing to do them. But now he understood what should motivate him. His love for Jehovah moved him to love his brothers and sisters—and that love made every task important, whether he was standing at the sound console or kneeling beside someone who needed him.