Cushi

Thanks. Yeah, I don't consider 39 old, but it's old enough to start noticing energy-level changes for someone who has spent most of their life not eating the most energy-dense foods.

It's been 8 years, and I'm still on my plant-based journey. I've made some changes to my diet. While I like to have fun and be adventurous with food, I couldn't justify eating sweets anymore after going to the dentist and finding out I had cavities, so I cut it out last September. The only sugar I eat now is in peanut butter or condiments like ketchup and salad dressing. I also cut out all snack chips and junk food. The only chips I eat now are tortilla chips with guacamole, salsa, and pico de gallo. Since I've made these changes, my energy levels have shot through the roof. My job requires a lot of walking and lifting, and before, I would find myself getting tired and moving more slowly than I used to. I just assumed it was because of my age (I'm 39). But now my energy levels are higher than they were in my early 20s and even as a teen. I also shed a few pounds. I feel good. I notice an improvment in my emotional health. I'm happier, my skin is clearer and I no longer feel guilt after eating unhealthy food. I try to eat mostly whole foods, but I do eat some processed things, since I live in the real world 🤪 Anyway, this is what has worked for me and I'm happy to share 😊

I feel the same way. As a 39 year old brother who was raised in the truth, I don’t know what it’s like to expect to die. I’ve always imagined I would either be granted entry into the New World if I prove myself faithful, or I would die at Armageddon for proving unfaithful. Of course, I could die from an accident or health-related issues; after all, I’ve had several near-death experiences and former health-related problems that could have easily ended my life. But for the most part, I see the great tribulation and Armageddon happening during my lifetime, possibly before I turn 50. I call this time period “The historical sweetspot.” But that's not to say that my generation and those after are better than those who fell asleep in death or will fall asleep. Those who are resurrected will get to cherish a privilege that will no doubt draw them very close to Jehovah: Having been personally recreated by him. It will be special for those resurrected by him through Jesus Christ to know that they had every detail about them committed to memory and were created like Adam was 😊

As we come closer to the end of this system of things, satan is using things like major protests (which I don't believe happen naturally) to divide and distract from the kingdom message. I used to think there wouldn't be a third world war before this system ended, but there's no telling what major event satan will pull to distract shortly before the end of this system of things. Of course, we know there will be a proclamation of “peace and security,” but I suspect there will be major events before then as well.

The world is a mess. Except for a couple of local news articles, I haven't watched the news in about a week, because I couldn't take the negativity anymore. Tonight I was at a relative's house watching the world news with them, and saw what was going on in Iran. I had heard things here and there and had seen things pop up in my news feed, but I didn't look into it. They were showing disturbing scenes from Iran. I googled why they were protesting in the first place, and was sad to find out that it was over inflation and a lack of food. I couldn't help but think of the truthfulness in a Bob Marley song that says: “Cost of living gets so high Rich and poor they start to cry… A hungry mob is an angry mob A hungry man is a angry man.” But more important than the words of a reggae song, Jesus said that wars and “disturbances” or uprisings will increase the closer we get to his coming during the great tribulation. Right now would be a good time to review the annual meeting talk, Be Alert, Be Decisive. It's a good reminder that these things will continue to take place up until Jehovah’s day, just like they did leading up to 70 CE. As distressing as the world situation is, it's encouraging to know we are extremely close to the realization of the millennial reign 😁 https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/VODPgmEvtAnnMtg/pub-jwb-100_2_VIDEO

The weather has been very pleasant here in North Texas, United States. Here it is Christmas day, and it was 72° this morning, then got up to 79°.

If there will be another world war and the United States gets involved, it makes you wonder if that's what Daniel 11:42 is talking about, the U.S. suffering a humiliating defeat 🤔 Time will tell… 42  And he will keep thrusting out his hand against the lands; and as regards the land of Egypt, she will not escape.

I’ve been thinking about this recently. I would love to participate in another one. Perhaps a new campaign would include our adjusted understanding of the “one thought” Jehovah plants in the minds of the nations' rulers. Since Jehovah used the prophets of old to warn people on multiple occasions, it’s a possibility.

Howlin’ Wolf - Moanin’ at Midnight

Black Pumas - Black moon rising

Thanks I really needed that ❤️

I guess Ukraine was a bad example. I just noticed over the years I’ve been in the truth that some of the friends don’t seem to have much sympathy when some ethnic groups are victims of atrocities, police brutality, injustice as opposed to when others are. I remember when Katrina happened some of the friends were criticizing some of the people of New Orleans who were affected by the storm because they didn’t leave, as if that was an option. I’ve heard so many similar comments and have seen other ethnic groups get more sympathy for similar sufferings, including online and it always bothered me. I’m sorry I caused a stir. My intent of this thread was to highlight the suffering taking place in Nigeria and comment on their remarkable faith despite not being a part of our brotherhood, since this is the section for secular news.

Wow… Your tone is very insensitive and inconsiderate. You’re also jumping to conclusions. I'm not “overly influenced by news coming out of the US president.” I've known about what's going on in Nigeria for about a year now. Most of the reports I've been hearing is from a trusted brother in my congregation who still has family in Nigeria and he forwards me information they send them about what's going on there. He is a brother who's served at Bethel, did translation work, and has been an elder for many years. I trust he would give me accurate information. Donald Trump has nothing to do with my feelings on this matter. I only decided to make the thread when he mentioned it because I felt it was a good time to discuss it after putting it off so long. I barely even watch the news or read news reports. I probably spend 30 minutes doing so every 2 weeks. To be frank, I notice there's less sympathy for African atrocities than ones taking place in places like Ukraine or other European countries. I expect that from the world, but it's very discouraging to see the same callousness from some of the friends, which is part of the reason I was reluctant to post about this because I expected such comments or lack thereof. But I do appreciate that the majority of the friends who I’ve spoken to about this, including in this thread, have expressed sympathy for all the suffering taking place there.

Even if they aren't singling out Christians, that doesn't change the fact that tens of thousands of innocent people are being slaughtered, and our brothers and sisters are in danger.

In Matthew 24:29, Jesus states that it will occur immediately after the tribulation, so after the destruction of false religion, or during the respite. 29  “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened,fand the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.g We still do not know if this will be literal or not. It could very well be, since Luke’s account of Jesus’ words says people will be fainting from what they observe. I imagine, if it is literal, Jehovah’s intent won’t be to scare people, but to give stubborn ones a last-minute reason for repentance. What else would prove God’s existence and the need to repent than unexplained darkness and stars ‘falling’? In verse 30, Jesus says: Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief,hand they will see the Son of mani coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.*j If it will be literal, it may be that the whole world is engulfed in darkness. “The sun will be dark when it rises” like Isaiah 13:10 says, only to be broken up by the radiant light of the “sign of the son of man.” That would be spectacular to see!