Lance

I am very sorry I was responding to .. the brother imcnultyn .. I guess we should have had two threads your thread got hijacked ..

A life changing tool I would like to share with you. Separating identity from injury. Here’s the basic concept: What happens if you drop a diamond in the mud? Does the mud change the diamond? No. The diamond is still a diamond. The diamond represents your identity. The mud represents your injury. The mud is real and does need to be addressed…but it is not who you are. We often confuse the two and begin to identify with the injury instead of recognizing it as something that happened to us. Jehovah never identifies us by our injury…and difficult as it may be, neither should we. Consider these examples: David was overlooked by his own family, yet Jehovah said: “I have found a man after my own heart.” Moses felt inadequate, but Jehovah said: “I will be with you.” Jeremiah felt too young, but Jehovah said: “Do not be afraid.” Jehovah saw who they were, not what their brain was telling them or what they had been wounded by. We all have wounds and if consciously or unconsciously we may say….hi my name is …. Here are my wounds what do you think of me so far .. That is not our calling card … The wounds are not you .. so we should not present them as ourselves.. In retrospect Jesus never identified with his wounds … it was something that happened to him … he was not just that guy hanging on a stake …even though the world still tries to identify him as such… he is sitting at Jehovah’s right hand.. full of power, ready to exercise his true potential

Since you’re already focusing on growth, have you ever tried journaling? Even brief notes about thoughts, prayers, or progress can really help you see how far you’re coming over time. For example King David ….many of the psalms show how openly he poured out his thoughts and feelings to Jehovah….his fears, disappointments, hopes, and gratitude. In a way, they’re like a personal journal. It doesn’t mean everything was easy for him, but it did help him process things and keep perspective. Journaling also changes the way our brain sees the perspective of our situation.. it is solid written memory.. regular memory gets slightly changed and rescripted .. sometimes to our detriment..often it fails in tracking progress.

Fire in roof of Kingdom Hall .. maybe someone in Portland can fill us in .. https://hoodline.com/2026/01/late-night-fire-scorches-kingdom-hall-roof-in-north-portland/

Yes that is fine..

Interesting the issue of Greenland and Europe/Nato… how the UN will be involved with all this… interesting times.

One of the most beautiful things about this forum is that no matter where in the world we come from, we share a language deeper than grammar, culture, or technology. Whether some dear brother or sister writes in perfect English, uses Google Translate, or leans on an AI tool to tidy up their sentences, the same unmistakable “pure language” shines through, the sincere desire to draw closer to Jehovah and to encourage one another. Each month, hundreds of new brothers and sisters join us. Nearly all of them fit naturally into the spirit of this place. Only a very small number like one a month, ever need to be told that this forum isn’t a good fit for them. Just as in the early Christian congregation there have been some “who were not of our sort” .Most potential problems never make it past the front door, because the purpose of this community is clear and simple. We are not a dating site. We are not a business platform. We do not engage in financial dealings. We never ask for money…and if someone chooses to donate, that is entirely their personal decision. We respect and apply to the best of our ability the direction of the Faithful and Discreet Slave. This is a space to share your perspective on your relationship with Jehovah, your experiences in the congregation, and the spiritual journey we are all walking. It is a place for encouragement, reflection, and genuine connection…nothing more complicated than that, and nothing less meaningful. Many other sites have come and gone over the years, but because of you, this formula and direction still seems to be working for what it is intended. We thank everyone for keeping this site safe.

Would that make it RICE.😎 Religion, Immigration and customs enforcement

Well all things in this old world will become clear after it is all over… I am sure the angels in heaven were surprised when Adam and Eve took a detour and their fellow angel was the causative factor.. What just happened..😳.. now what are we going to do.. that one is still playing out.

Imagine saying to the brothers, “I let AI say my prayers to Jehovah. They’re really good prayers….some of the best on the internet.” Right away, you’d hear: Noooo! Why? Because prayer is personal worship. Jehovah can tell when it’s not coming from our own mind and heart. That’s what He values most….our sincerity, not polished words. And the same principle applies to study. If we tell a program, “Give me the important points of Isaiah 9 and 10,” we may get information, but we miss the worship. Personal study and meditation aren’t just academic exercises; they’re acts of devotion. They’re how we let Jehovah’s word sink into our heart. Just like Joshua who read Gods word in an undertone.. Of course, we don’t want to get too rigid about where the line is. We all meditate on information we receive, whether from publications, talks, or discussions. But there does need to be a point of caution. If we outsource the process entirely, we weaken our inner faith instead of strengthening it. So the safeguard is this: reading, reflecting, and praying over scripture ourselves. That’s what makes study worship, not just information gathering. That is what really draws the real me to Jehovah.. if that concept is do what Jehovah loves , maybe we shouldn’t be so quick with the quick answer…

So at Pentecost Acts 2:4 4 and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages, just as the spirit enabled them to speak. So that was the first anti babel moment in history and the only ones able to speak in whatever language that was needed, were Gods servants. It was a targeted reversal for those who wanted to glorify Jehovah and make his name celebrated. Looking forward to enlarging the target. So one day we will go from A.I. to G.I. From artificial to Godly intelligence … no app needed. zeph. 3:9 9 For then I will change the language of the peoples to a pure language, So that all of them may call on the name of Jehovah, To serve him shoulder to shoulder.’ Looking forward to getting my brain reformatted to the new operating system…GIOS 1.0😇

Simpler in the sense of using natural language.. For example if I make a query on online at jw.org “sermon on the mount principal audience” If I go the original index real book index ..or I have the iSilo version I can find it quickly .. maybe older is better If I go to JW.org I have to sort through over a 100 pages to find it.. also spelling has to be accurate. I used copilot and asked it the same question and to use only JW.org I got the answer immediately … The disciples … with references to an article. I also used Chat GPT same referenced answer the disciples.. So can A.I. help in indexing absolutely. The branch has asked for experts in that field .. I don’t know what the application they will using it on but sorting through huge libraries of information is what it is good at.. Personally I find many of our brothers do not do a lot of research.. they know what they know and add to it by weekly meetings …that is pretty well it… whether brothers or sisters will use it in voice or text mode to query a subject time will tell. I am an obsessive research nut on pretty well everything until I understand the subject… so referenced concise answers is what I am looking for… and if I need more I can dig into the references. The organization does move forward when it comes to technology.. sometimes quickly.. other times at a measured pace. In the late 80’s and early 90’ s I used 3.5 in disks with all the publications in .txt format I thought it was great … I didn’t have to type everything out.. Then finally the branch came out with a cd rom.. and then finally the organization dipped their toe into an online presence.. it took a awhile for them to completely embrace it… to the point we are no longer a major printing facility.. 30 years ago that was unimaginable.. so can research tools improve .. absolutely.. Will our desire to do research expand we shall see .. human desire is based mostly on need .. so we can have this chat in 10 years and see what has changed.

Well we will soon be having one A.I. proposing marriage to another A.I. … and in the end we do not get exactly what we bargained for… an off switch. It is interesting how we have another addiction .. smart devices that never leave the hand and smart voices that have never gone through human brains, hearts or lips.. outsourcing our voice to an international AI farm/ corporation One day there will be a movement to reclaim the human voice. There has to be song in there somewhere…

We have no problem with people using A.I. to communicate. It is a good tool to polish awkward sentence structure. I personally find many programs have a default personality and are very repetitive in trying to express real human empathy.. and it’s non confrontational in all aspects. Where it really is an issue is in the information dumps we get on spiritual research. Some of it is completely off and we start to wonder if the brother or sister is dipping into the Kool-aid. The other end is dissecting each and every paragraph in a study and letting A.I. come up with a reinterpretation for every paragraph.. the mind and the eyes glaze over. Is Jehovah looking at our heart appreciation or our super cool new toy that represents our voice…. There has to be a balance in there somewhere.

The use of A.I. seems to very addictive once you get used to using it .. all our communication gets polished .So I am just curious did you use A.I. to draft that ..?

Just to let everyone know … We will be drafting a policy on the use of A.I. We are having major concerns that certain “research” is being dumped on the forum and we have to sort through posts as to what is correct… honestly we have better things to do. And yes we can tell by the style … punctuation.. formatting ..and neutral voice and repeat offenders. Using A.I. To summarize whole study articles and then dumping them as your research is getting a little out of hand. A.I. Engines are not members of JW Talk. So please be responsible for your own words… use A.I. If you want but make your posts your own beautiful imperfect words.

Get the rollers out and paint me beige .. my pet peeves are showing…. better cover them up😎

Personally I find a lot of comments that use AI totally …I just ignore. Many AI generated comments often sound polished but hollow …like they’re missing the warmth, nuance, or imperfections that make human communication feel alive. The language and tone is very neutral. Like talking to a beige wall…. Not that I talk to many beige walls but I think you get my drift.

AI is the latest “bright fire” that inspires awe and dread simultaneously… I don’t want to be too melodramatic, but as time goes on I am sure there is going to be a “tree of the knowledge ……” moments as to what to trust .. AI presents amazing instant dazzling knowledge, which I use in my work..but the deeper question is …Do we trust the voice of truth, or the voice of pride, profit, and manipulation… when it comes to our faith. Don’t think for a moment that Satan will not try to make a great thing evil, especially when it comes to truth and knowledge.. just as our devices can be used for honourable things or at the same time disgraceful things. Just as Eve faced competing voices (Jehovah’s command vs. the serpent’s persuasion), people today often face competing narratives, and in the future much more. AI-generated “truths” vs. divine wisdom and conscience… in time there will probably be a Watchtower study on it. As with any research tool, use it carefully and double check sources…. Walk carefully and carry a big stick.

Imagine the sign above Jesus carpenter’s shop “Joseph and Sons … Bespoke Yokes” “Measured with care, crafted with love…Our yokes are kindly.” Kindly….Not harsh, not crushing, designed with care and compassion. Yokes were always a symbol of partnership,two oxen sharing the load, just as Jesus shares his. He invites us to take his yoke, not that he would share ours, but that he provides one that is kindly and light. The emphasis is on “learning from him” ( the hard part) and finding refreshment. So it seems to me this brother in his conversation with you.. was able to help you find refreshment… but more importantly you accepted the counsel. You didn’t just hear it; you stepped into it. That’s why it brought refreshment. Well done

Oh my .. Linda was a smart wise sister .. we shared an intrest in psychology and finding ways for dear friends to cope with issues in their lives. Well another resurrection party to be planned

Here is the number I am looking at….we are on page 465 since 2022.. Hopefully we will move on from this topic by page 1000.. and we will have a new internet..

Well there those in Christendom that teach 31/2 to 7 years .. taking favourite time periods from Daniel and Revelation. We don’t see it those terms. Looking for some mathematical/spiritual formula. Bottom line is Jehovah hasn’t told us .. It seems to more about substance or purpose then exact time. So what basically is the purpose or the great tribulation. (There are obviously a few more steps) 1)to remove false religion 2)expose the futility of human rulership 3)vindicate Jehovah’s sovereignty 4)and usher in Armageddon 5) leading to a new world of peace and righteousness The descriptors are symbolic of brevity and suddenness, not exact measurements. such as one day… one hour.. swiftly .. quickly..cut short.. unexpected..etc. So on the big list .. check .. check…check ..check .. check.. no need to dally Done .. Graduation party from this old world ..check

I was thinking of our expectations of the Kingdom… it is not an isolated, lonely journey…it’s a shared race with past and present witnesses, all awaiting the same finish line. Heb 11:… Heb 12:1 So, then,……( after a review of faithful ones) .. because we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us,(past tense) let us also throw off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, (present tense) and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us A good reframe: “I am not waiting alone; I am running with Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and countless others.” 2nd reframe : From “When will it come?” to “How can I endure today with joy?” and ”We will run with endurance.. not anxiety” Bottom line we don’t know .. and that is a good thing … Expectation isn’t about knowing when, but about knowing Who.

Well that phrase seems “ I can’t seem to catch a break”…. Seems to be a common sentiment today. I was talking to a close friend who just went through SKE.. They have been assigned to a small town, they have to rent out their condo at below what their mortgage payment is. The only place they can find to rent is a small basement suite with not even a stove. Work will be a challenge in a small town…. The expression conveys exhaustion, frustration, and the sense that circumstances are unfairly stacked against him. So basically he doesn’t feel that he is being blessed. So we discussed what were some of the needs that he has been looking for in awhile…not the external ones were people notice you.. but what you really need. Breaks do come….sometimes not in circumstances, but in the form of inner peace (Philippians 4:7). 7 and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. So when someone says “I can’t seem to catch a break,” they’re expressing the fatigue of constant setbacks. But it can also be an opening for encouragement … reminding them that while external breaks may be rare, internal and spiritual breaks (peace, resilience, hope) are always available. Think of life as climbing a steep hill. Saying “I can’t catch a break” is like noticing there’s no flat spot to rest. But spiritually, prayer and friends can become those resting places…even if the hill itself doesn’t flatten right away. In my friends case moving to a small town will force him to slow down..which he needs. No dragons to slay .. no major issues… maybe even a bit boring. The small town has many mature ones who have served Jehovah through many trials .. he needs some role models. So how should we face the seemingly unfairness.. of life When facing unfairness.. 4 tools 1)Name it honestly: “This feels unfair.” 2)Anchor it spiritually: “But Jehovah sees, and He provides inner peace.” 3)Seek role models: “Others have endured similar trials…I can learn from them.” 4)Reframe the meaning: “This is not punishment, but preparation.” So, the way to face unfairness isn’t to deny it or minimize it, but to reframe it as part of the refining process. That way, even when external breaks don’t come, the internal breaks….peace, resilience, hope…become the true blessings. I think of the Apostle Paul the King of “not catching a break” … how many ship wrecks.. how many beatings .. on and on .. So, Paul’s perspective was not “I can’t catch a break,” but rather: Phil 4:12-13 12 I know how to be low on provisions and how to have an abundance. In everything and in all circumstances I have learned the secret of both how to be full and how to hunger, both how to have an abundance and how to do without. 13 For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.