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My depression after my husband's death 2 years ago finally cracked! For the last 2 months I have had new life breathed into me! I can speak of his death and not break down. I feel an excitement for life I have not felt in years! I know it is from seeking Jehovah's help and focusing on the things to come. For some reason the Nazi stories and our hx of underground was always the most thrilling to me. Now I hope to get that chance to hold up the way our family did!

Ivar, we have clear instructions from the Slave, based on sound scriptural reasoning, that Christians should not celebrate birthdays. If in the future they revisit that subject and realize the evidence is not that strong and that a rule about birthdays or any other subject is not necessary, then each Christian will decide what he prefers to do. But until then, we are not going to argue with the Slave and will not allow discussions that argue against the Slave. There are many places on the internet where questioning the Slave is welcome but this is not one of them. So friends, please, let's all drop the subject.

I am very happy with this update. I am an elder, currently serving as a regular pioneer and assisting the LDC, whilst also studying an online Master's Degree. I have always struggled with the organization's take on higher education (even though I understand that perhaps individual elders may have exaggerated the GB's points in some congregations). In my country, studying at university (even part time and online) was almost an automatic disqualification from being appointed as an MS/Elder. But if a brother watches netflix for 4 hours a day (twice as much time than I spend on my Masters), there's no issue. My brother in law criticized me publicly a few months ago for studying (even though I pioneer while he preaches 2 hours a week and dedicates 20 hours a week to marathon training). And most people sided with him. University education has become synonymous with sin in many countries and I am so glad the brothers have clarified this point.

Being "on guard" doesn't mean looking at every news article and jumping every time we hear someone says "peace and security". It means making sure you are watching YOU and that YOU are not drifting, getting materialistic or sleepy spiritually. It's just like what Jesus told his disciples... "Keep on the watch and pray continually, so that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak.” Matt 26:41 Note: he wasn't telling them, "Keep on the watch so you can see when the enemy approaches." He was saying "keep on the watch so you don't enter into temptation." He was asking them to keep on the watch of THEMSELVES not necessarily outwardly - as in looking for an enemy or an event. Take a look at the context of every time we're told to "keep on guard" or "not sleep" or "stay on the watch" and you'll note the reference to looking inward not necessarily outward at some news event. Edit: here's another example alt Luke 21: 34 “But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you 35 as a snare." What are we to "pay attention" to? The news? The world? Things going on around us? Or ourselves? One more ... What happened to Peter while he was walking on water and he started focusing outwardly on the storm instead of his walking towards Jesus?

But why start counting 120 years from 1914? What scriptural reason is there? For that matter, what scriptural reason is there to connect 120 years in Genesis to Armageddon? There isn't. No reason whatsoever. If anyone has learned anything from 1975, 1925, even wrong expectations regarding 1914 it's that it is not a healthy, spiritual mature idea to speculate in such a fashion. Would it be nice if Armageddon happens in 2034? Sure. But it would be even nicer if Armageddon was tomorrow.

Personally, I do keep abreast of the news, because how else could I talk to people on the doors about what's happening in the world? I find it very useful to be up to date, because then I can tell people " the news tells you what is happening, the Bible tells you why".

Last Friday morning I was driving down a back country highway...I was only going about 30 mph...I didn't want to rush. I was listening and taking in the sights and sounds of a warm Wisconsin early morning. Barn swallows were swooping in and out of a rustic, red sided barn off to my left...the hammering hollow sound of a woodpecker attacking a large Elm tree somewhere off to my right. My windows were down...my heart was wide open...and then two bay spotted fawns darted out in front of my work van...skipping across the road and down into the dense undergrowth in the ditch to my immediate left. Coming to a full stop...I waited for a full minute...sure of what I was about to see next...and sure enough...a minute or so later...out came the momma doe...cautiously poking her head out between a couple of thick dogwood bushes before throwing me a look of, thank you for waiting, and prancing across the road to join her babies. I was about to start off again when suddenly...out of nowhere...the giant red ball of early morning sunlight burst into view in my side mirror...and I put my van in park...my eyes fixed on the stunning sight. Pausing, I thanked Jehovah for allowing me to see this, to be in this exact spot...at this exact time...even if no one else was there to appreciate it...I was...and I am so grateful to Jehovah that he allowed to see it...to experience it. And that experience brings me to the following quote: "It is possible that God says every morning, "Do It Again!", to the sun." G. K. Chesterton. In a way...that's true...and that thought led me back down memory lane so something a visiting speaker from Bethel said in a talk to those of us who were in prison one Friday evening...and that's what I am sharing with each of you this Sunday morning. Lamentations 3:23 "They are new each morning; your faithfulness is abundant" After having us read this verse, the brother told us that when Jehovah assures us his "mercies" are new each morning...he doesn't mean "reheated leftovers". No, he means freshly minted, custom fitted compassion...(his words taken straight from my old notes of his talk that day)…mercies that have literally NEVER EXISTED…before that day! To back that up, he told us that the Hebrew word used there for "new" carried the idea of "freshness"...not just "repetition". In other words...Jehovah's loyal love doesn't just endure...it invents! Today's trials will meet up with Jehovah's specifically crafted mercy...for that day. So please...just breathe in and out...and don't feel like you are required by Jehovah to drag yesterday's strength into today. You aren't...period! Have you ever had that certain chewing gum that...with each time you bite down...little crunches of minty fresh flavor burst inside your mouth? Don't they surprise yet delight you...after all...it enhances the flavor, doesn't it? Well allow Jehovah to be like that to you this morning...allow those little bursts of his loyal love to surprise and enhance your day! Just know that each and every sunrise is like hearing Jehovah's voice whisper across the surface of the earth, "Do it again!"...and it's not out of "routine"...it literally stems from his relentless, creative loyal love that is new each and every single day! For a final parting thought...as you step into each morning...know that each of you is stepping into brand new mercies for that day...and no matter what else happens...it will always be enough...because it's coming from the source of all comfort!

Brother David Splane taught this wonderful truth in the talk “What Does Jesus See In You?” last weekend: “Now, if you’re having a struggle in the truth right now and if you believe that Jehovah God could never love you, that Jesus could never love you, please take a look at Ezekiel 33:14-16 “And when I say to the wicked one: “You will surely die,” and he turns away from his sin and does what is just and righteous, and the wicked one returns what was taken in pledge and pays back what was taken by robbery, and he walks in the statutes of life by not doing what is wrong, he will surely keep living. He will not die. None of the sins he committed will be held against him. For doing what is just and righteous, he will surely keep living.” “Jehovah says if someone wicked — now, you’re not wicked, are you? Maybe we’ve strayed from the truth or we’re a little bit on shaky ground — Jehovah says if someone who is wicked leaves his wicked ways and starts doing what is right, all of his wicked acts are going to be forgotten. It’s all forgiven. So it depends on what we’re going to do from now on. From this very day, if you change your course and start doing what is right, you can be convinced that Jehovah is going to forgive you and he is going to love you and his Christ will too.” Wow. What a wonderful Father and Christ we have! (Rom. 7:25)

We all have made a LOT of sacrifices for our God, it would be shame for us to look back on a good sacrifice to Him and say, "I wish I gave him the lame sheep instead of the good one. The good one would have tasted better!" I think of the sacrifices some gave to their false gods, including throwing their live baby in a fire to Molech or their teen to the god of war. They are often happy for their sacrifices - even if their child is killed or maimed in the process. Some even put a huge picture of their child in military attire to show how proud they are of what was sacrificed (PTSD be dammed). NOW, remember our sacrifices are to the TRUE GOD! We all should be happy with what we willfully gave. EDIT - my wife and I did not "burn the baby up to Molech", but we did give Jehovah ALL of our babies - as we chose not to have children. We wanted to go to Bethel instead and we did - four years at Patterson. By the time we came home and were ready for children - it was really too late. That sacrifice of those children was our best and He accepted it and blessed us. I am certain He is blessing all of you for your sacrifices!

For those of us who are wondering "oh, I wish I had the opportunity to attend university, etc...", I thought about one question we can make ourselves: If I, indeed, attended higher education in the past, am I sure that I would still be here in the organization? Doing what I am doing now? Would I became spiritually stronger or weaker?" I'm not judging those who made the decision in the past, but we should not focus on "oh, I wish I had that" or things like that. Focus on the present, not in the past. Myself, I do not have one single regret about not attending higher education, and started working part-time and pioneering. Just think about that.

"And while an elder or a mature friend may discuss with us the pros and cons about obtaining additional education, no Christian —including the elders— should judge a fellow Christian’s personal decision on this matter."

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-november-2025/questions-from-readers/

I think it's funny that Trump and Putin are having a summit meeting in Alaska. A 'Summit' also refers to the highest point in an area and the highest point or summit in Alaska in Denali. That creates an interesting word play, Trump and Putin are in the state of Denali, or some may say, the "state of denial"...

I live where there is a major university ... currently the 5th largest by enrollment in the US ... however, I chose not to attend when I graduated from high school. When I didn't enroll in any college, I got letters from Harvard, Yale, Princeton and several other highly Prestigeous schools inviting me to enroll. I even had a fairly guaranteed offer to attend Annapolis where all expenses would be paid. And, yes, I had the grades and aptitude to attend those schools However, I chose to regular pioneer. I worked for a while at a pizza place with college students who were all chasing degrees. They often got sidetracked with social issues and were chalking up substantial debt even though they had scholarships. Only a handful of them got jobs in their field of study. That was more than 50 years ago. In the meantime, some of those have since died so they are not benefitting from their degree. Some of them have retired and are facing physical and mental issues due to the stress and lifestyle that went with their lives. For me - yes, I have had to work hard doing physical jobs to make a living. That said, let me list some things: I have raised 4 daughters all still serving Jehovah as is my granddaughter I have had opportunities for Jehovah no degree would have helped with I pioneered I played in the orchestra at CA and DC until it was discontinued I worked sound at congregation, circuit and district level I have helped build more KH's than I can remember I helped build two Circuit Assembly Halls I was on the ground floor helping to develop the Watchtower.org website before it was ever released I helped develop the video procedures we now use at assemblies and conventions I helped build WHQ in Warwick Served in the congregation Since I worked various jobs and KH projects I can also do electrical work that passes inspection do plumbing work that passes inspection build a house from the ground up install flooring and wallpaper install and repair irrigation work on well pumps repair my own vehicle including rebuilding the motor I have a Bethel forklift license I can operate several types of heavy equipment I'm sure there are many other things I have done and can do that are not on these lists. Did I maybe struggle at times to make ends meet? Sure. But, living in a college town, I can tell you equivocally, I have not struggled any more than the majority of those who have passed through this area getting a degree since most never get a job in their field of study and cannot do all the things I can do. I am now in my 70's and can still do what needs doing. A vast majority of those I graduated high school with who were not serving Jehovah and pursued education have either died or have severe medical issues ... and they never did develop a relationship with Jehovah - and I graduated in a class of 1,000 people. Do I consider my sacrifice in vain or look sadly at it? Do I even consider my not going to college a "sacrifice"? NO!

Thank you, Jehovah and GB, for understanding us (education topic). Regional Convention 2026 Theme:

That's exactly the point. We need to be on guard because the end will come suddenly. You put on the seat belt and practice safety like sitting down before you start driving. Why? Because a traffic accident can happen suddenly. You don't watch for the potential accident to develop before you put on the seat belt. You prepare now. Keeping on the watch has never meant staying abreast of the latest news developments and wondering how they might lead to the fulfillment of prophecy. Keeping on the watch has always meant staying spiritually awake, drawing close to Jehovah and the congregation, and fully accomplish our ministry.

"Breathe Tim...just breathe." Over and over and over again I repeated this to myself last week. Why? Because I suddenly found myself facing a rather serious issue, (at least I THOUGHT it was at the time), and I didn't know what I was going to do. I was genuinely scared, the situation just came out of left field and left me staggering mentally, trying to adjust to what seemed like a whole new set of circumstances...on the fly! How do I deal with this? What do I do now? Questions flowed like sparks off a piece of flint, each one striking up new questions...illuminating new fears. As I received the text message that brought this issue to my doorstep, I was already on the phone with a brother...a brother I speak to nearly every single day. He's a driver like me, so we just chat throughout our day...checking to see if we will intersect paths at any point. 😅 As we were both parked, (different cities, both of us at a gas station), he heard the ding of the text message as it appeared on my phone. He heard me pause as I read it, then asked what was wrong as I let out an audible gasp. After explaining, I quickly let him go and dealt with the situation, finding out after a few minutes that it wasn't as bad as I feared. In the meantime, this brother shot me a quick text with just a single scripture...and that verse is what prompted me to sit down and write this morning. My friends, those few minutes were scary! How strange that something as simple as your perception of a situation can bring forth very real fear! I mean it...my heart was pounding...it was like I wasn't even in my work van in those moments, I was somewhere else; just lost in this sudden fear about something that turned out to be not anywhere near as bad I thought it would be. Have you ever been there? What was the verse, you're probably asking? Isaiah 41:10: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.’ Familiar enough? Yes, but once I was home, I really meditated on why this brother picked that verse, a verse I know very well. Why? Was Jehovah trying to tell me something? Maybe I don't know it as well as I thought. So I sat down and picked the verse apart, Hebrew word by Hebrew word...and realized exactly what Jehovah was trying to tell me, (I hope). The Hebrew word for “be afraid” here is יָרֵא (yareʼ). Most times we have that verse explained to us...it's known as “fear,” but in Hebrew it carries a much deeper, much richer picture: It's the sudden tightening in the chest when danger looms, the instinct to shrink back. It’s not just mental worry, it’s the body’s reflex to retreat! But how on earth am I supposed to stop that?? By it's very definition, it's NATURAL HUMAN BEHAVIOR!! Then I looked at the Hebrew grammar for that word, and suddenly it hit me: It's in the IMPERFECT form! Why does that matter? What does that even mean?? Here's what it DOESN'T mean: Jehovah isn't saying, "Don't feel this!", like it was some sort of divine command. Here's what it DOES mean: "Please, stop letting this keep happening to you." What's the difference? It's active...Jehovah is stepping straight into that moment where your heart starts pounding; he's reaching out, putting his hand on your shoulder while the fear is beginning to clench your heart. It's as if he's already whispering in your ear, "Shhh! It's okay, just breathe. I'm here now, it's okay...I've got you, just release it and let me handle it from here." So please, please hear Jehovah's love for each of you in the following statement: "This morning, if your chest feels tight from the week’s weight, remember, he's not asking you to be fearless in "theory". He can and will quite literally interrupt the fear mid-beat. He's here, now unclench your fists, stand tall, and keep moving. You’ve already made it this far with Him at your side...just let him lead you a little further...it's just a little further now!" I know Jehovah helped me then...I just wish I would have stopped myself in the middle of that fear driven "panic attack" and read that scripture...I mean actually turned in my Bible and re-read the verse, allowing my eyes to trace the words and put them into my heart...because it was only AFTER I physically reread and meditated on it that I was able to finally answer my own question...How Do I Stop?

JWB-Aug-2025 transcript

“Voluminous facial expressions … could be a disadvantage. By the way, thank you for putting up with me all these years.” — Bro. Stephen Lett Such a humble man.

I went to college to become a vet i had my job assured for 27 years after that I lost my work and found no more in my area as a vet now I’m breeding pets and do most of house work if I went back in time I wouldn’t go to college it didn’t make me happier and gave me no garantees i had a major breakdown at 4th year it took a few years to get over it meanwhile I gave very little to Jehovah and my studies were for free ( I wan two scholarships to live) and I lived a few km away brother Splane is very assertive when mentions the big issue when the costs are high and the college is very far away from home. I wouldn’t ever go if I had to pay or live away from home

“Do not go beyond the things that are written” 1 Cor 4:6- Jehovah has always asked us to follow what he says in His word, not to make extra rules or guidance. Sadly from some comments it’s seems some have made their own standards or rules and it can leave us confused or even hurt. A good friend and Elder always says to me when I feel annoyed or upset about injustice “Jehovah allows it for a reason” we have to trust in this and think he sees the bigger purpose, He knows all the whys. He sees our obedience even when we feel unsure & values us remaining loyal to him. My favourite Theocratic song is number 38 He Will Make You Strong, the line “He won’t forget the faith and love you’ve shown; He will not fail to care for all His own.” Really touches me every time I sing or hear it. It’s our faith, love and obedience that Jehovah looks for- not if we’re right about beards being allowed or toasting, or whatever other clarifications we get over the next months and years- being right won’t necessarily get us to everlasting life, but all those qualities will. So for those struggling with these updates, I feel you and I also struggle with change. But try to get Jehovahs view, not focus on the errors if imperfect men. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!

I get that you are frustrated and I can assure you you are not the only one who was given the impression that all higher education was wrong, but let's not go to the other extreme and start envying the world. Whenever something came up in school that I couldn't do because of my religion I researched it so I could explain it myself - that is how I know I did the right thing and why I have nothing to regret about my stance. When I learned that beards were forbidden in my area I looked into and discovered that it was because it associated us with the hippie era, not because it was a law in the Bible. Because I understood the principle behind the prohibition, I would not have been stumbled by seeing Brothers in other countries sporting beards. I can apply that same logic to the topic of long hair and know that it would be inappropriate for a brother to have long hair in my culture because it would be viewed as worldy and have the same problem of association as beards used to. Even if it became acceptable someday for men to have long hair (I can dream), I can easily reason that it is wrong here and now. Is that true for your area? As far as birthdays, you can know it's not a local prohibition because it is clearly stated on our website as wrong for Christians, with no gray area. I get that this is probably "wild talk" and not a serious attempt to celebrate birthdays, but the principle still applies. You can apply this pattern of research to any topic that comes up. Is it mentioned in the literature? Is it specifically banned or just cautioned against? The Update on toasting mentioned 3 principles: -How does Jehovah feel about it? -How does my congregation feel about it? -How does my community feel about it? Now if either of us had done in-depth research about higher education when we were teenagers (which was harder before the website, so no judgement), we probably would have seen many of the articles others have posted on this forum showing that the GB has never banned higher education, just cautioned about the dangers. You could have presented your research to the elders and made a personal decision whether they agreed with you or not. If they didn't agree you could have written to the Branch and they would have informed the entire elder body that they were wrong. I know I have given a lot of blind trust to elders before and those days are long behind me - we stand before Jehovah alone. I research everything I can think of, and these situations prove to me how important it is to know why I take every stance that I do. The good news for having this feeling of being let down is that you are the solution. Research everything. Don't rely on anyone else to give you rules without reasons. Let this fuel your self-accountability, and please don't let it burn you out. 💜

Is it just me, or does it seem like the forum topics are very in tune with the updates we are getting? Organization reading some things here? 😆

To be honest, I don't really understand why this discussion about birthdays is even taking place! Maybe I missed something. At this moment in time, the FAQ page about birthdays on jw.org is still the same as it always was. So why is everybody wondering about it?

In Mexico during the 1980s, the “elders” told us that it was a sin to go to university... now I raise my glass to the young people who, with their own conscience, will pursue further studies.

Yes, over 400 pages of discussion of "is this it?" Or "might this be it?" And the answer has always been the same "NO" and how do we know it's "no" so far? Because Babylon the Great is still standing. Globally, she has not been attacked. This tells us what? We will know "this is it!" ONLY when we see BtG attacked globally. So, keep on guard OF YOURSELF, stay awake and pay attention TO YOURSELF that you don't get distracted by this one world. And of course help your family. Jehovah has got the rest. But hey, talking about the news is always fun, right? PS have you noticed that public talks have changed? In the past, we spent the first 15 minutes discussing the news and how bad everything is (and even depressing some people) and then we spent the next half hour saying how the kingdom will fix it. Now, we spend LESS than 5 minutes on "the news" and the remaining time on how the Kingdom is the solution. Hmm, there's a lesson there I think.

So I LOVED this update! There were so many good points and I think it is a bigger change and more impactful on the lives of so many of Jehovah’s people more than we realized. I personally chose to go to Bethel instead of pursuing even a little bit of additional schooling in a Trade. Although I certainly don’t regret the choice to go to Bethel, I have always regretted not pursuing some additional education. And I’m VERY GLAD about this update because I’ve been encouraging my kids to try and get some additional education. Two points in particular stood out to me. 1) At the 5:19 mark, Splane said: “No Christian - including the elders - should judge a fellow Christian’s personal decision on this matter”. 2) At the 16:37 Splane says: “Deciding whether or not to pursue additional education is a personal matter”. This is huge! And an awesome clarification! I get that culture is different. But putting culture aside, Jehovah’s organization did strongly discourage higher education in the past. And pursuing higher education has affected the privileges of service for some. A few years ago, a brother who was a SKE graduate and a sub-co sent to California, USA called me and asked for my thoughts on a recommendation for a young 25 year old brother as an elder. The young brother was attending university and pursuing a career as an engineer. The sub-co told the local elders that the young brother doesn’t qualify to serve as an elder at such a young age because he is not setting an example worthy of imitation because he is pursuing higher education. He quoted the w05 10/1 p. 27 par. 6 which states: “The educational system varies from country to country. In the United States, for example, public schools offer 12 years of basic education. Thereafter, students may choose to attend university or college for four or more years, leading to a bachelor’s degree or to postgraduate studies for careers in medicine, law, engineering, and so forth. Such university education is what is meant when the term ‘higher education’ is used in this article.” The article discouraged higher education and the sub-co didn’t recommend the young brother because he wasn’t a good example in following the organizations direction. The local elders pushed back and the matter escalated. However, the circuit overseer and branch office sided with the sub-co and the young brothers recommendation was not pushed through. Also, here is the current direction to elders in the shepherd book under things that may call an appointed brothers qualifications into question: “SITUATIONS THAT MAY REQUIRE A REVIEW OF AN APPOINTED BROTHER’S QUALIFICATIONS [NOTE: Text removed. Please do not post confidential information.] It was never an automatic deletion if a brother or a member of his household pursued higher education. But it very much was strongly discouraged and pursuing higher education could have lead to a brother’s deletion from an appointed position in the organization. Though I’ve never known someone to be deleted because they allowed their children to pursue a 2 year technical degree, I do personally know some who were deleted because they allowed their children to pursue a 4 year college degree of at least Bachelor level. So it is true that privileged of service have been withheld from brothers, and some brothers have been deleted, because they or members of their household pursued higher education. And this was at the direction of the organization at the time. So I do wonder if us elders are going to get a letter with additional instructions about this matter. Such as how to help those who lost privileges of service in the past because of pursuing higher education. So I think this clarification (and Splane did use that word in the update) is definitely and great thing and has been very much needed and am so glad Jehovah lead the brothers taking the lead to do this. Truly evidence Jehovah’s direction.

Personally, I feel it doesn't change much in this regard. We will still consider the brother's spiritual objectives and lifestyle. But now, I don't think we will have "old school" elders openly criticizing this choice anymore.

Yes, but it was similar to those who were able to grow beards and not be counselled for it before the update was announced. Now, it’s a blanket: “Don’t judge your brother, and that applies to elders too.”

Seems like we no longer use the expression "higher education" but rather "additional education". Interesting. 🤔

The comments on above news post are a mixture of outrage and twisted feelings. @MyLuMoo 🍁:Trump said he needed the Russia/Ukraine conflict to end in order for him to get into heaven. Putin clearly just told him to go to he// 🤣

No problem, I'll explain myself better. You said "Keeping on the watch has never meant staying abreast of the latest news developments and wondering how they might lead to the fulfillment of prophesy". Br. Winder said "World events might put a spotlight on a particular prophesy that then gets closer attention". It seems pretty clear that the helpers, and by extension the rest of us, are paying attention to the news and events as they may align with prophesy yet to be fulfilled. As Winder said, world events relating to a particular prophesy receive closer attention. Notice what the brother on the cover of Keep on the Watch! brochure is doing? Reading the newspaper! Chapter 20 says "Jesus Christ gave advance warning of the end of the Jewish system of things. He did not give a date. But he described events that would lead up to that destruction". Unlike the world, We keep abreast of the news with spiritual discernment and knowing how the story ends. That's the difference.

Come quickly.

I am so broken. There...that's it...I said it😔 Some days I wake up and literally just want to shut my eyes and fall back to sleep...waking up ONLY on the other side. I don't want to be here anymore...it's just too hard...it's just too much. I am so tired…I'm so worn out...my body is beginning to hurt in ways that I know are only going to get worse...can't Jehovah see that I've had enough already?? Why is he allowing me to go through all of this? What did I ever do to him?? Why can't I just stop "feeling"? Why make me go through this...day after day...hour after hour...minute by minute? What purpose does it serve making me cry...every single day? I get it...Satan sucks...sin SUCKS…but please...I'm begging you...just...leave...me...alone!! And yet...here I sit...day after day....struggling to carry on...even if it's literally just for one more day...one more hour...please Jehovah, just let me make it one more minute!! The tears flow...the prayers ascend...and yet here I sit...STILL going through the same things...why? I received my answer...and once again...as always seems to be the case with myself...it came from the lips of a loving shepherd...a brother who reached through the phone...gripped my shoulder tightly...and led me straight under the protective shelter of the nearest crag...all in the form of a single scripture...and the explanation that followed...wow...all I can literally say right now is wow…because I felt Jehovah's presence in this man's words...suddenly I felt the winds lessen...I felt Jehovah wipe away my tears...telling me that everything was going to be okay. My heart hurts so much right now...even though I was comforted beyond measure...my heart hurts…because this single scripture, (and the explanation that followed)…a verse I have read so many times before...suddenly took on a whole different light for me personally...and suddenly I got a single glimpse of what the rest of you are going through...all of you who have so many more years and so much more experience in Jehovah's service than I do. Please hear me...and please make no mistake...even though I am not with each of you as you are reading these words...I am still very much with you! The verse? 2 Corinthians 4:7 "However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us." Please don't make fun of my ignorance...but for some reason...I have always attributed this verse to our precious elders...and while it may still apply to them...the research material for this verse actually paints a very different picture...and that is what this dear brother shared with me! This dear elder asked me what I noticed in this verse that could apply to myself. After my initial moment of blank thought...I finally said something about nhow I guess Jehovah could consider us as being precious? He said yes...but why?? I didn't know...my heart was still hurting...and then he proceeded to explain: Jehovah has never pretended...(nor does he ask us to pretend)…that we are somehow "invulnerable". He, more than anyone else who has ever existed...fully understands that we are fragile, imperfect, chipped...dented...need I go on?? But...and this is a massive "but", my dear brothers and sisters...BUT what's INSIDE US…what's inside us is something so precious, something so integral to human survival...that he simply cannot allow it to go to waste. What is it? It's treasure...it's the truth! Think of the contrast of this...something so absolutely perfect...is contained within people that are so imperfect...so broken...that it begins to beg the question...how long can they contain it before...as ALL earthenware vessels do...they completely break down and become utterly useless? This dear brother asked me if I truly saw how amazing this really was: Jehovah put something so precious in beings that were so vulnerable...what does that say about what he sees in me...in US?? He ended by saying that Jehovah could have chosen angels to give this life saving message to all humankind...and then he asked me the following question: If you had to guess, what kind of vessel would the angels be...compared to humans? Silver? Gold? Diamond?? No matter what kind of vessel they might be...Jehovah prefers clay vessels!! But...WHY??? Why would Jehovah prefer clay vessels...mere imperfect stupid humans who so often want to give in...to simply give up...over perfect spirit beings who could do the job SOOOO much better than you or I? This is what the brother said: "Because Tim...when simple clay holds up under pressure and STILL delivers the one message that can save lives...absolutely NO ONE can ever say that it's beyond Jehovah's power to use ANYONE...no matter how broken they may THINK they are!" My friends...please never allow anyone to tell you that you are worthless...because the creator of the universe sees fit to use you and I...simple plain earthenware vessels...to spread the most important message in human history! Yes…we're broken...yes...we're worn out...but Jehovah's help...we will hold together...even if it is...just for one more day!

In regards to my last post, "It's What's INSIDE That Counts"...I received a very encouraging thought from a friend of a friend, who is currently serving in the United States Branch office. He isn't on this site...but I sent it to a brother I know...and that brother forwarded it to him. Late last night I received a text message with the following thoughts in it from the brother at the branch...and, as always, I am passing it on...not because of where it came from...but because it's message made me cry...and because if it can help even one other person that visits this site and takes encouragement from any of its posts...I want to help in that regard. This dear brother shared one verse...and one line of thought. The verse? Psalms 34:18 "Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit." The thought? A theme from a part of a talk he heard from someone at the branch office, (I don't if it was recent or older): The Whisper From Under The Boulder He said to put myself in the place of a traveler who fell victim to a massive rockfall as he was climbing the side of a mountain...this person is alone, lungs burning, barely able to utter a sound...let alone cry out for help! Rescue teams are out combing the mountainside for him...calling his name...looking for any and every sign that he might still be alive...even though their hope is fading fast. Because of the danger of the rock slide...they aren't climbing down among the rocks...but they are still out there...searching...crying out for him to just tell them where he is! But suddenly...amidst the burning pain from this huge boulder that is pinning you straight down to the harsh ground beneath...suddenly a rope drops down, inches from your dirt stained face...and a man comes sliding down the rope right beside you! Would you like to know the difference between this man and the hundreds of other "rescuers" out there searching for you? This man wasn't listening for your voice...he was only listening for the slightest sounds of pain that you just naturally "emit" when you are in THAT kind of pain! And that, my dear brothers and sisters...describes OUR God! He doesn't wait for "polished" prayers...he doesn't even wait for apparent "signs" of weakness...he gravitates towards sorrow and sadness just like that first responder who listens for a person's natural sounds of pain rather than any kind of audible..."Help! Help!" So please understand...please hear what Jehovah is trying to tell each of us: When you feel too defeated to speak...when you feel to fractured to even stand...that is LITERALLY when you are MOST visible to Jehovah! And contrary to what you think...it's not because you "called" out the loudest...it's because YOUR God, Jehovah, is already tuned to the frequency of your individual pain…and he stands ready and waiting to drop down and protect YOU...when you need it most! I just wanted to share these beautiful thoughts...it helped me immensely already because it helped me stop feeling like I need to know WHEN I actually "need" to call out to Jehovah...I felt like I don't want to bother him with such petty concerns and worries. Little did I know I was already lying under that rock...and little did I realize that Jehovah was already there...reaching out...just waiting for me to take his hand!

Don't we already have a clear position on birthdays? Why keep going round in circles?

Well ChatGTP is not one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and therefore doesn't qualify for membership on this forum. It shouldn't have a voice here. Artificial intelligence is just a glorified search engine. Use Google or Bing just a year or so before all this "A.I." hype and you would have found the same answers across multiple websites, because the answer it's giving you is simply how the "world alienated from God" feels about the subject. The Bible encourages us to use our "power of reason" that is trained by the "wisdom from above", and not on that of other men, or even worse, A.I. So what happens at a birthday? In the past the celebration was meant to appease a spirit. Sure, nobody thinks that anymore. But even still, people gather around and lift the birthday person up on a pedestal so that he/she is "King for a day". They sing praises to him. They bring him sacrifices and gifts. If he's an adult, there can be heavy drinking and drugs, and illicit things going on under the covers after becoming intoxicated. Can you count the number if Bible principles that have been breached, broken, and ignored? ChatGTP can't even begin to understand that Christians are supposed to be humble and "not think of themselves more than it is necessary to think". A birthday celebration flies in the face of all that.

I love that our earthly home will Always be unique for this reason. here are a few other unique facts about our home from our 1986 book last chap par 10... "Worldwide Security Under the Prince of Peace"

I still get a little anxious on Tuesday nights. I miss the 'Book Study'.

Been a while since I’ve been on here, but I think the slave’s announcement was one of the biggest changes in understanding made in a very long time. It’s also notable that they mentioned that it’s pointless to look for a gradual change. All this will come suddenly. It’s not so much the pace of world events that really convince me the end is close, it’s how much more light Jehovah is revealing; at a faster pace, and more serious and urgent than before. He is saying: “This is how it’s going down; make sure you are ready, and staying alert; it’s almost here!”

Am I the only one who learned from the update that the risks of higher education are still great and that everyone should be committed to serving Jehovah? It was even positively emphasized that one could begin pioneering right after school without any training... Why is it that I get the feeling that some people interpret the update as a recommendation to study?

Dear brothers and sisters, I want to share with you a thought that I heard in a speech by a circuit elder about our fears and worries. There are many things in our lives that we have gone through as servants of Jehovah. But Satan can play on our negative feelings and reminders. He can remind us of the past, which can torment us and slow us down from moving forward, to the New World. So, here is the thought: "If Satan reminds you of your past and it slows you down in some way, remind him of his future!"

Same, we've had beards for years in France Are the frenchs a corrupting influence?

It has never been an impediment in the first place, as the experience of many can testify. What's really new in this update is that brothers who choose to pursue additional education are given practical suggestions to stay spiritually healthy rather than being left to navigate the dangers by themselves.

It is exciting to see the clarifications on things that are just about to happen. Shows that Jehovah is not leaving us out of the "loop" when it comes to knowing how and why he is doing things a certain way. We have received clarification on the timeline of events from the declaration of Peace and Security to the "judgement message" to be preached after the GT starts and now exactly what that "one thought" is that Jehovah's puts into the hearts of men. Those things in themselves are very encouraging as we get nearer and nearer to the end.

I believe the update will announce the theme for next year's convention and special/international conventions for 2026. I would be eternally happy if they did that.

I see world events as a puzzle that is still missing the last piece. I follow the news superficially, without absorbing everything, so I don’t go crazy. But it’s undeniable that many events fulfill Bible prophecies. I know friends who don’t like to watch the news and say that what we need to know will appear on the JW website. I respect that with affection and also follow it that way. However, I like to follow news from around the world and from our local area. I think it’s important to have an idea of what is happening around us, because it can even save lives and help in ministry. The key is balance. For many years, we read to the residents. The purpose of The Watchtower is to glorify Jehovah God through His Son Jesus Christ and to keep us attentive to world events as Bible prophecies are fulfilled. I enjoy The Watchtower and following the news. It makes me feel strengthened, vigilant, attentive, an d awake! 😃☕

I think of the 10 virgins waiting for the bridegroom. He arrived suddenly and only 5 were prepared for his arrival. Keeping on the watch means being prepared, ready.

Back in the late 1990s when I was at Wallkill Farms. There was an International Convention ,and the Farm hosted many extra tours with many who could not speak English. Well, at the time I was working in Landscaping. I was in the front lawn and people would walk by and ask, "Where are the cows ? (But they would not say those words) They would gesture and make sounds Mooos, Donde esta las Vacas- Mooos- Moooooo? ( Where are the cows ) I would reply . Ohhh the Moooos ! Yes yes Moos are up road, and point the direction. A little while later another tour group would come by... "Ou' sont les veches ?" I would look confused. They would reply Mooo, Les Veches , Moo? Ohhhh the cows! Mooos! YES yes ..okay Mooos are up road. And I would point. Back to my hedge trimming I would go. A little while later another tour group came by. They asked me , Hello brother. Where are the cows ? I said, Ohhhh the Mooos ! Mooos are up road . And made a gesture with my fingers to walk in that direction. Mooos over there - Moos They looked at me like maybe I was retarted. It was then I realized, they had asked me in perfect English- And I had replied in Animals Sounds.