Doug

In San Bernardino, California a Catholic bishop made the following announcement: "All members or the Faithful in the Diocese of Jan Bernardino who, due to genuine fear of immigration enforcement actions, are unable to attend Sunday mass or Masses on holy days of obligation are dispensed from this obligation". So, he was telling his congregation it was okay to not attend church under the circumstances. The "genuine fear of enforcement action" could mean getting caught outside the church or, possibly, the authorities entering the church. This aggressive enforcement action can happen near any church, including our Kingdom Halls.

That's a double entendre If it said "I'm drivin' my truck and drinkin' my beer over you" it just isn't the same .

I find it interesting that our brothers and sisters in India use the "prayer hands" gesture Anjali Mudra. Better known as Namaste, it carries deep cultural and spiritual significance. It is used to show respect to the elderly, teachers, or anyone held in high regard. I like it. I think we should all use that gesture, along with hugs. ❤️

It sounds comical, and yet it's really what Aaron said (but did he keep a straight face ?) Ex 32:24

Would you dismiss the idea that Satan could be behind these things? He disguises himself as an angel of light. He would like nothing better than finding a subversive way to corrupt our worship of God due to adoption of what may at one time have been a custom, tradition or practice of false religion. Br. Lett said that Christians must stay far away from any symbol or custom related to false religion or spiritism. With the caveat that what is of primary concern isn't what the symbol may have represented originally, but what it means now to most people where we live. If a particular shape or design is commonly understood where you live to be a religious symbol, there is good reason to avoid it. Regardless of how far back it goes, or who ascribed meaning to it back then. Frankly, today we have a new design or symbol that we would do well to avoid. The pride rainbow image.

I looked into cuff links , as mentioned in the update. No unique superstitious connections that I can find. But, as a piece of jewelry , the design may have utilized "good luck" symbols like four-leaf clover or horseshoe.

Aaron had an interesting response to Moses ~ " I said to them 'Whoever has any gold must take it off and give it to me'. Then I threw it into the fire and out came this calf". Imagine that !!!

In my 50 years, I have only preached in one area that made us obtain a permit. I want to say it was Camarillo, CA, but not positive. The city could make us obtain a permit, but they couldn't charge a fee for it. So, after the meeting for field service, our first stop was City Hall to get our "one day permit". Before long, the city clerk decided to give our service overseer a large supply of the permits so that we wouldn't be clogging the lobby almost every day as other people would be there for other needs. All we needed to do was write in the date and carry it with us.

But it wasn't the same legal precedence. Stratton was a SCOTUS decision. It has effect in every jurisdiction. The justices were considering a nationwide injunction handed down by a District Court judge. Does that judge have such authority? NO.

What news platforms / outlets do you trust?

w25 September Article 39 "Rightly Disposed" Ones Will Respond Interesting to meditate on Acts 13:48 "All those who were rightly disposed for everlasting life became believers".

Here's another development; Iran is saying they want to organize an Islamic army in the war against Israel. According to a top Iranian official, Iran wants to unite with "Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and several other countries". This is hard to imagine. Turkey is a NATO nation. Saudi Arabia is very friendly with the USA (Trumps first foreign trip, save the funeral of pope Francis, was to Saudi Arabia). Pakistan is a nuclear power. Would one or more of these governments jump in to help Iran in the name of Islam????

We will all be 4 months older?

I did a search here using the name Heraclitus. It was from the 2023 RC. Interestingly, Parale commented that Br. Nicholas Ahladis used the same quote in his 153 Gilead graduation talk, featured in the June 2023 broadcast. Parale even provided a link to the transcript.

I just watched Organizational Arrangements - Theocratic Schools. Hearing Br Cauthon's voice brought back one of my favorite quotes of his. From Greek philosopher Heraclitus ~ No man ever crossed the same river twice. It's not the same river, and he's not the same man. It's a philosophical statement about the nature of change and flux. It would have had application to changing assignments and or privileges.