Leaderboard

JWTalk Community Guidelines on AI Use Our JWTalk Community thrives on authentic human connections, personal experiences, heartfelt reflections, and the genuine “interchange of encouragement” between us (Romans 1:11–12). To preserve the sincerity, depth, and unique perspectives that make our community special, we ask that all posts, replies, and comments be genuine, original, and personally written by the member. Why We Discourage AI-Generated Content Artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Claude, or similar AI Systems) may seem helpful, but content produced or heavily influenced by AI often lacks the personal touch, emotional authenticity, and individual voice that our members value. The many AI programs are not Kingdom publishers and therefore have not been invited members to this forum. We only accept human members who are practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses. We also recognize that the internet contains vast amounts of misinformation. Since AI tools draw from this pool, their results can be inaccurate. The old saying, “Well, I read it on the internet, so it must be true,” applies just as much to AI. Misuse Concerns Usurping spiritual responsibilities: Some members have used AI to produce biblical based brochures, videos, or outlines for distribution. This steps into responsibilities that Jehovah and Jesus have entrusted to the Faithful and Discreet Slave (Matthew 24:45–47). Replacing personal study: Others have used AI to summarize or answer study material, such as the weekly Watchtower Study. The Our Kingdom Ministry (November 1999) reminds us: “Using another person’s research for a talk or [as a substitute for] meeting preparation really defeats the purpose of personal study.” The same applies if AI becomes that “other person.” Relying on AI in these ways can leave us spiritually weaker, hungry, but not satisfied - similar to spiritual fast food. (Proverbs 26:15; Isaiah 65:13). Overall Goal It is not our goal to squash creativity or excitement about what these tools can do. That’s why we provide dedicated topics where members can showcase AI-generated images, art, or documents. But at its heart, JWTalk is a human discussion forum. Our expectation is that most posts and replies reflect your thoughts, your feelings, and your experiences. We love you and care deeply about what you think. What matters here are real voices, not artificial ones. By our keeping AI use very limited in the main discussion forums, we can preserve what makes these conversations special. YOU. Expectations All Topics, Posts, and Replies should reflect your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, written from the heart. Minor use of tools for spelling, grammar, or basic formatting is acceptable, but the core ideas, wording, and expression must be your own. We encourage members to share personally and engage thoughtfully with others. This is the true meaning of an “interchange of encouragement.” Exceptions AI-generated images, art, music, or video should be posted in the dedicated AI Images and Art topic. AI-generated text, articles, PDFs, or other documents should be posted in the dedicated AI Text and Documents topic. It is acceptable to make a small reference to AI in a reply to another topic, as long as the AI portion is clearly marked, is on-topic, and does not outweigh your personal commentary. Final Note By participating in our forum, you agree to uphold these standards of authenticity. Repeated submission of AI-generated or AI-assisted content in the discussion forums, may result in post removal, warnings, or further moderation at the discretion of the moderators. Thank you for helping us maintain a warm, human-centered community where real voices of Jehovah’s children matter most. View full article

JWB Jan 2026 AM 2025 Part 1 transcript

In 2003 we had an international convention here in Madrid, and we hosted two delegates from Venezuela in our home. At the time, Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor, had only been in power for a few months and many Venezuelans were excited because it seemed someone was finally paying attention to the poor. We were stunned when these sisters told us that quite a few brothers had been swept up in the general enthusiasm and were getting involved in politics. Back then, it felt almost impossible to imagine a Christian taking sides politically. More than twenty years later we now see that trend everywhere. A few years ago, when a region in Spain attempted to declare independence, the branch had to send a very firm letter to all congregations because many were making comments that were far from neutral. Even here in the forums, we see some who passionately defend or criticize Trump or other political leaders. They think they’re being neutral, but in reality they’re being influenced by the news sources they follow. This week’s Treasures talk is a good reminder of how vital it is to remain strictly neutral. Otherwise, when the real test arrives we could be caught off guard. All world leaders are simply puppets in Satan’s hands, so it makes little difference when one puppet is replaced by another.

Brothers and friends, may all of you stay well in the midst of this suffocating atmosphere that comes with the end-of-year season. May Jehovah give peace to each one’s heart. Take care, stay strong, stay safe — and may Jehovah continue blessing and strengthening us as we draw even closer to the end of this entire system. Proverbs 22:3 & 27:12 🩵

Today was one of those frigid Wisconsin winter days where the wind howled against the side of my work van...pushing it side to side as I struggled to keep it between the white lines. Frigid outside...the cab of my van was warm and cozy as I made my way throughout my route. I was in the middle of an old time radio episode of You Bet Your Life, starring Groucho Marx, when out of the blue a brother called and asked if I would like to have lunch with him when I made it up to his neck of the woods. Eagerly I agreed, suddenly filled with visions of a hot bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich dancing around in my brain. Making my way up to his Kingdom Hall, I parked my van, got into his SUV and rode with him over to a local family restaurant where we sat in a booth at the back of the restaurant and sipped on a strong cup of cafe coffee as we waited on our orders of soup and sandwiches. Our conversation was light and casual; an older elder just talking to a brother he met by chance one day when that brother showed up at his Kingdom Hall with 150 lbs of free cheese. We've become very good friends now, and it's a relationship that I treasure very much. It wasn't until after lunch and we had returned to the Kingdom Hall parking lot that he suddenly turned in his seat and hit me with the following question: "How would you respond if someone at the door said that you were heartless because Jehovah's Witnesses are going to rejoice when Jehovah kills billions of people at Armageddon?" (Those may not have been his exact words, but that's the question he was asking) To everyone reading this, you may be very shocked that he would ask me such a thing. But we have had many such conversations over the past couple of years, so instead of trying to figure out any hidden motive that he might have, I simply paused, sat back in his heated leather seat...and really THOUGHT about his question. Did I think it was okay...did I REALLY think it's okay to be happy about people who are going to be destroyed? Or who have been destroyed? As the wind howled around us, pressing against the frosted side windows...I started picturing what that scene might actually look like...and I won't lie...I was actually conflicted. Perhaps he saw that, because suddenly he interrupted my train of thought, reached down between the seats and extracted his tablet. Flipping open the magnetic cover, he pulled up the Pure Worship book, turned to Chapter 18...and scrolled down to paragraph 21...and read it aloud: "Before they are destroyed, our enemies will see the sign of the Son of man, likely a supernatural manifestation of the power of Jehovah and Jesus. The opposers will see things that cause them extreme anxiety. As Jesus foretold, “people will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” (Luke 21:25-27) To their horror, they will realize that they miscalculated when they attacked Jehovah’s people. They will be forced to know the Creator in his role as military commander, Jehovah of armies. (Ps. 46:6-11; Ezek. 38:23) Jehovah will no doubt unleash heavenly armies and natural forces in such a way that he protects his loyal servants but eliminates his enemies.—Read 2 Peter 2:9." He stopped, allowing me to soak in those words. For a moment we didn't talk, we just sat there, listening to the wind...watching snow dance in miniature whirlwinds all across the parking lot. Finally he faced me again and asked what had stood out to me...if anything at all? I said the power of Jehovah and how everyone would know once and for all who he really is. He nodded as I talked...then ran his eyes back over the paragraph until they settled on a single spot...and looking up at me...he reread a single word: Miscalculated!! He explained that word doesn’t just describe a careless mistake. It implies careful thought, planning, and confidence. They ASSESSED the situation. They believed they understood the balance of power. They moved forward anyways...CONVINCED the outcome was going to be in their favor. But they left Jehovah out of the equation. Then he explained how Jesus described this moment at Luke 21:26, saying that people would “become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” He told me how the Greek expression in that verse can convey the idea of being drained, losing breath...not from sudden panic, but from the crushing realization that everything they thought was solid...was actually dead wrong. And then he took me over to Psalm 46:10–11 to show me why: “Let go and know that I am God… Jehovah of armies is with us.” Jehovah doesn’t need to rush to prove that he's the strongest. He allows events to unfold until the thinking of his enemies is fully exposed...until they are so dead set in their ways there is no turning back...then, at the right moment, they are forced to know HIM...not as the abstract ideas they THINK he is, but as Jehovah of armies! And now...for some weird reason...that word MISCALCULATED has been replaying over and over again in my head...encouraging me deeply all day as I drive. Especially right now...more than ever before...the world is busy measuring threats, power, and outcomes. But all the while...Jehovah is never reacting. He is allowing. He is waiting. He is...as he has always been...simply and fully...in total control. Jehovah NEVER miscalculates. But for anyone who thinks they can move against his people without consequence...they already have miscalculated...they just haven't realized it yet. So while I may be conflicted on how I'm going to FEEL when that time comes...I'm going to remain calm, keep my head up and get ready...because Jehovah was never PART of the equation...he IS the equation!

Before last week...I would have scoffed if someone had told me that. I study all the time...it's just hard for me to APPLY the counsel sometimes. (I'm still working on that) But "take it for granted'?? Nah...not me...I love Jehovah...I cherish his word. And yet...here I am...shaking my head at my own lack of understanding...yet again. I was waiting to make a delivery at a store last Wednesday when a brother called me out of the blue. We started talking about our spiritual gems from last weeks midweek meeting when suddenly he asked me if I had ever thought about how privileged Moses had been in his communication with Jehovah. Numbers 12:8 "Face-to-face* I speak to him, openly, not by riddles; and the appearance of Jehovah is what he sees. Why, then, did you not fear to speak against my servant, against Moses?” We discussed the meaning of "face-to-face"...and then he asked me about the part that said..."not by riddles". Why DIDN'T Jehovah use riddles to speak to Moses? He used them with all his other prophets...why not Moses? Having over an hour more to wait until I could be checked in at this store...I sat in my work van and started doing some digging. We looked at the research material together and came up with the answer...and then he hit me with a serious left hook I never saw coming: Jehovah spoke to Moses plainly, directly, (through angels...although the research material gets a bit more interesting on that particular point when you read it thoroughly)…that's true...but he still revealed things step by step...and his understanding was still limited. Moses was directly inspired to write about the BEGINNING of creation...Adam and Eve and the garden of Eden...original sin...the flood,(and the list goes on and on)…and yet...here's what he DIDN'T know: Moses didn't know the Messiah’s identity, how the ransom would work, the full shape or scope of the Kingdom, the resurrection hope the way we do today, exactly how Jehovah would sanctify his name, the global preaching work, the “new heavens and new earth.”, he didn't even know about the end‑time prophecies. Moses saw how everything began...but he also had to watch and record everything that went wrong to begin with...WITHOUT a full picture of how Jehovah would set things straight. Did he understand Genesis 3:15? I don't know...I wouldn't think so. Moses got to know Jehovah's glory, (so much so that his face SHONE and had to be hidden)…he became Jehovah's friend...and yet, via the book that is even now sitting in front of me...I know more about OUR God than Moses ever did. Moses heard Jehovah's voice piece by piece...I get to hear Jehovah's voice in full…just by opening this book and reading it. Moses had to wait to hear Jehovah speak again...all I have to do is turn to the next page. Moses may have written the opening books of the Bible...but we are living through the ending. All around us...right now...Satan's world is on the absolute verge of utter collapse. Worldly voices all across the planet are loud, angry, confused...afraid. But this book sitting open by my computer? This book has the single most powerful voice to ever exist coming up out of it...reverberating love, peace and simple truth to anyone humble enough to read it, ask questions...and search wholeheartedly for the answers. So yeah...I can honestly now say that I have been taking the Bible for granted sometimes...and I'm very grateful to this dear brother for reminding me that I don't NEED to speak to Jehovah "face to face" right now...because he has given me a book that lets me see his heart more clearly than Moses ever saw his "face".

Worked cart at court house yesterday. About 45 mins into our shift a group formed carrying red, white, green flags and the American flag. No one knew the striped flags country of origin because Mexico and Iran same colors, ones stripes are vertical and one horizontal. I googled it. Iran. Then the news cameras started rolling in, more people arrived to the 'peaceful' protest then loud chanting is forgien language started. We were instructed to pack up and leave quietly. A sister said that Monday a Spanish brother was 'picked up, handcuffed if front of his wife and small children by Isis and taken away. The sister said he was prepared with all legal paperwork but it did not matter. They said the brothers/elders knew he was legal and it was a concern but still relied of having the legal documentation kept their hope up. It is evident documentation will not prevent deportation so now the Spanish brothers are all quiet anxious as well as their spiritual family.

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

Moving words from Brother Lett, before his first talk at the Convention. Lett - Nova Zelândia.mp4

That is not our instructions, my brother: https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2013533&srcid=share I’d frame it this way: it isn’t our responsibility to determine how world events fulfill Bible prophecy. That responsibility belongs to the faithful and discreet slave, whom Jesus said is appointed “to give them their food at the proper time” — not ahead of it (Matthew 24:45). Our role is to pay attention to the direction they provide and respond accordingly, not to assign prophetic meaning to unfolding events on our own. When we start interpreting developments as fulfillments before the slave has spoken, we quietly take on a responsibility that isn’t ours. The Scriptures caution us “not to go beyond the things that are written” (1 Corinthians 4:6), and they remind us that “it does not belong to you to know the times or seasons that the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction” (Acts 1:7). Jehovah has already defined our assignment. “Fear the true God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole obligation of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). And when events unfold beyond our understanding, we are told not to decode them, but to “stand firm, and see the salvation of Jehovah” (Exodus 14:13). Staying within that arrangement protects our unity, our neutrality, and our focus on the work Jehovah has already given us to do. “Keeping on the watch” was never meant to turn us into analysts of world events. It is a call to action, not speculation. What we see around us is meant to move us to stay spiritually alert and busy in the assignment Jehovah has already given us — preaching, endurance, and faith — while we watch, not the nations, but Jehovah’s salvation.

That announcement applied to branch committee members, not the governing body.

Maybe it would help to have a program. here is one I made. Annual Meeting Program.docx

That's a very good point. It's interesting that next week's meeting quotes an article from 2016 which contains the following comments. Although written ten years ago, it could have been written this morning: We need to be careful with what we express and what we feel. Sometimes it's so difficult to stay neutral when we see big injustices. However, if we look at things from Jehovah's viewpoint, all political leaders are actually Satan's tools, and the only real solution for any problem is the Kingdom.

So I’ve moved into a new congregation and they’re still getting to grips with NWPublisher. The Secretary and Service Overseer are both in their 70s and are not great with technology on the best of days… but yesterday was something else! I was leaving the ministry group and then received a load of notifications through the app saying I had assignments… when I looked I’d been given the CBS, a LAC item and then the best one… They gave me-a sister-chairman! And they had no idea how it happened either! 😂😂 I said to them both I’d would be a new experience but I’ll give it a go… several panicked messages went on between the elders and it’s now been resolved but for about an hour I was the 1st sister to be given Elder assignments at the midweek meeting 😂

2025 GB Update #8 transcript

We got a good earthquake this morning in Japan, we are fine so far

Neutrality isn’t broken by awareness. Reading the news! It’s broken by approval, preference, or emotional investment in a political outcome. 1 Timothy 2:1–2 teaches us to pray about those in authority as they currently exist, asking that their decisions allow us to live quiet, peaceable lives and continue our worship. It does not instruct us to pray for a different government to take over because it might treat our brothers better. Praying for workable conditions under existing authorities is neutral. Praying for regime change, or expressing hope that another power will rule, is not. Neutrality means we do not ask Jehovah to favor one political outcome over another. We trust Him to care for His people regardless of who is in power.

I enjoyed reading about Cuba. It is one of the 5 remaining communist countries in the world (and the only one in the Western Hemisphere). Still, they have 83,000 publishers and a ratio of 1 to 118 in their restricted country. They have almost 11,000 pioneers and almost 200,000 at the Memorial. Back in the 1950s, when I lived in Key West, FL we used to get TV live from Havana (which is only 90 miles away).

many many brothers have a problems with a military services. Our KH is near (100 meters) of a military center were my brother is kept. We are beeping and he is waves his arms.

You can't even joke around with artificial intelligence 😅

Simpson's comment was quoted on new article on our website. https://www.jw.org/en/library/series/more-topics/you-are-going-to-hear-of-wars/

Zambia my country is a preaching paradise, the people are warm and very receptive to the good news

Jehovah is blessing the Great Crowd. There is no way we can get through this without His help. What we are going through is evil. This nation is already crumbling right before our eyes. Never seen the like of this. Never thought I would live through this. Yet, here we are.

I removed all the "ICE" posts. I am hoping we can leave that controversial topic alone. Feel free to PM a moderator or start a topic in the Confidential area if you need to discuss this further. Confidential Talk - JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community

Dear Glen: it’s being fullfilled ever since 1990 when Russia became independent from URSS that collapsed in 1991. But it’s still going nowadays. The conflict isn’t over and may end only at Armageddon with both kings/blocks being destroyed by Jehovah According to Revelation and Daniel chapters 2 and 7: KOTS (USA-UK block) will always prevail and the dominant power. This is what we are seeing today. USA was weaker. But recently gained power and it’s showing its supremacy before our eyes. There will never be a multipolar world The Bible doesn’t say that When it was becoming … Trump did something about it, fulfilling prophecy There s no doubt where all these things will lead. We know the truth Jehovah made sure we had that information before anyone and we should share to all we can. Thats what He wants us to do Not to take parts ( they all will be finished in Armageddon) but to stay alert Yes: we can be assured that the Great Tribulation WILL happen during our lifetime

I want Brother Lett to present it. Then again, I want to adopt Brother Lett.

Brazil needs about 40,000 more publishers and they will be second country in the world to pass the 1 million publisher mark.

Perhaps, when it comes to AI, especially if we are going to post it on a forum for others to read, we should keep in mind the words of Paul at 1 Corinthians 14:19, "Nevertheless, in a congregation I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue." A short post about a point that really stood out to you while doing "personal study" has much greater interest and impact that a "thousand words" in the tongue of AI.

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…

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.

Its difficult these days. I wonder if the Gov. Body will address this at some point. My husband says that if and when it hits our streets we just keep a low profile as we have been doing all along as Witnesses. We do not confront law enforcement at any time. We do cart witnessing and the police know exactly where we are. We live in a small village in Warwick however, there are protestors around and chanting but, they are given a small part of the village where they can protest and exercise their rights only for 2 hours then, they must vacate. Police are constantly vigilant. We stay clear from crowds. We know before hand where they will be protesting and so we do our carts in another area of the village. But, I must admit we are more alert then ever around here. Quite honestly I've been getting nightmares. I don't watch the news anymore just what is necessary to keep abreast on what is going on and then I turn to other things. Preaching and teaching. Getting ready for meetings, etc. I truly believe that the end will come under this president's watch. He seems to be the modern Nebuchanezzar.

The art is beautiful!

Sofia, I am not from Ukraine, so I only have info from public sources. Some parts of Kyiv and also other cities are without electricity for days now, with temperatures going deep below zero this is of course a big problem. I saw some pictures of apartments where temperatures fell below zero causing also issues with bursted pipes where water was not emptied from installations. I would say a lot will depend on what will happen next. If power plants and transformer stations will continue to be bombed in next days (with temperatures staying so low for at least a week according to forecasts), things for population may become really ugly. Our prayers are needed for sure.

Sorry guys to reopen this old topic But I’m deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of our dearest brothers and sisters after the latest attacks in Kiev low temperatures are deadly no energy no water in millions of homes please give us some info so as we can be more specific in our prayers @Korotkiy @Osprey ?

Here are my thoughts: First, the U.S. attacking Venezuela—and possibly other nations soon—appears to be fulfilling Daniel’s prophecy about the King of the North and the King of the South pushing against each other. ✅ Second, the U.S. withdrawing from the UN is very significant. The Bible indicates that the UN is supported by the wild beast with two horns, which represents the Anglo-American World Power (Revelation 13:11–13). For me, this suggests that we are witnessing major and significant changes. The pieces of the prophetic puzzle are becoming clearer. Seeing the UN in a weakened state now seems to indicate that events will eventually lead to its empowerment. This aligns with the time when Jehovah will begin maneuvering matters according to His purpose. Yes, we are very near. Why do I say this? 1. Jehovah’s Word states that the UN will eventually go off into destruction after it appears in this role (Revelation 17:8, 11). 2. Before the destruction of Babylon the Great, Jehovah will cause the UN to be empowered (Revelation 17:12, 13, 16, 17). Let's see what happens next ⏳

Just a couple comments, without any reference to the neutrality issue: - Jehovah’s Witnesses are not being persecuted in Venezuela. They can still hold their meetings and participate in the ministry. The shortages of food, medicine, and basic goods affect the entire population, and of course our brothers and sisters are included in that hardship. But they are not banned, nor is the government targeting them. - Nothing has really changed in Venezuela, and there’s no indication that anything will change in the near future. The U.S. army captured President Maduro and plans to try him on various charges, but his regime wasn’t overthrown. The vice president, Maduro’s second-in-command, will simply take his place, and the same system will continue with a different figurehead. Same people, same ideology, same corruption. In the end, a dictator may be judged and possibly punished for his crimes, but that’s as far as it goes. It won’t have any real impact on Venezuelans in general or on Jehovah’s Witnesses in the country.

Please allow me to take you on a small journey with a woman named Leslie: Leslie grew up with scars across her face...thin white lines laced across her cheek, nose and forehead. The scars were impossible to hide...and people misjudged them constantly. Children assumed she'd been in one or more violent fights...adults assumed she'd been reckless when she was a child. Strangers assumed she must be in a state of constant embarrassment from them...and while some would ask her about them, (forcing her to make up excuses when she was young), others would stare at them...then pretend they hadn't seen them or noticed them to begin with. She made up all kinds of stories over the years about those plainly visible scars...but none of them were remotely true. The truth was, her scars were actually a story of survival...for you see, Leslie had been horribly abused as an infant...and these scars were actually proof of her still being alive...they .were evidence that she had made it through...enduring such terrible horrific treatment by her own parents...as an infant!! Just this year, her scars begin to fade...and almost immediately...people ONCE AGAIN began to "assume"...congratulating her...telling her how proud she must feel that they were finally starting to go away, becoming less visible. All this did was prove how little these people actually knew about Leslie as a person...they only saw her scars. They didn't see that her scars defined her...they couldn't begin to fathom how a person could take comfort in their scars...and that is the exact same trap that I fell into a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago I was asked to speak to a brother who had just come out of prison. Having spent over 15 years there myself, I immediately recognized a network of scars criss crossing his entire body...his criminal past, his history of bad mistake after bad mistake, even the "weight" I could now see sitting on his shoulders...I thought I had him pegged...I thought I knew EXACTLY what he needed...and I went straight in...chock full of spiritual advice and brilliant illustrations and comparisons from Hebrew and Greek words that would leave him reeling in amazement...except it didn't. It left him broken and bruised... crushed under a feeling of not being "good enough"...of not being able to measure up to what "Tim" knew. I didn't know it then...but he left our conversation feeling like a spiritual loser...when I had just spent over an hour explaining why he was precious to Jehovah. That was my problem...I didn't listen. My mouth overrode my ears...and I drowned out the pain in his voice with so called brilliant points and illustrations...when all he needed was someone to shut up and listen. A little over a week later, an elder from his call called me and asked me to take a few minutes out to talk. I pulled my van over at the nearest gas station and sat listening as this dear brother said that while he appreciated the fact that I was just trying to help, I inadvertently caused MORE damage...and a couple of other elders were now working with him each week just so he would have some time to talk and get everything out that had been pent up over 12 and 1/2 years of incarceration. He explained that some of the things I had said simply didn't apply to this brother...because this brother has been horribly abused in his youth by his parents and others in his life who he had trusted deeply...and to make the situation worse...some of those people were now serving Jehovah in a nearby congregation. I had no words...because I had no clue...because I hadn't stopped to LISTEN to what this brother needed. Instead I mistook his scars for my own, and in the process, ended up making his situation worse by adding to his personal sense of guilt...when all I was trying to do was make him feel better. I asked what they had shared with him...and he took me to two accounts: 2 Samuel 4:4: "Now Saul’s son Jonʹa·than had a son whose feet were crippled. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonʹa·than came from Jezʹre·el, and his nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was fleeing in panic, he fell and was crippled. His name was Me·phibʹo·sheth." He said that everybody concentrates on mephibosheth in this verse, but hardly anybody thinks about the nurse in this account. What happened to her? How did SHE feel living out the rest of her life seeing the damage she had caused and could not undo? After all, it's not like she had been careless. She was trying to save his life, but instead her panic left him paralyzed...and that single act shaped his entire life moving forward. People may know that mephibosheth was paralyzed, people may know that the nurse did it by accident. But did anybody listen to their stories about how they felt about it afterwards? The Bible doesn't say, but it also doesn't say that either one of them held a grudge. Then he had me turn to Genesis 50:20: "Although you meant to harm me, God intended it to turn out well and to preserve many people alive, as he is doing today." He said that while some scars come from accidents...other scars may come from acts of deliberate wrong doing...and he had me read the verse. He said that Joseph's brothers meant him harm and yet Jehovah took that scar and wove it into his purpose...and he can do the same thing with us...if we let him. He told me that emotional scars will never heal in this system...they don't disappear...they don't fade on command...they don't even respond to spiritual advice or spiritual "band aids". Scars NEED SPACE to speak...to be be heard...they need someone safe to tell their story to...they need understanding...because they're NOT going to go away in this system...and we have to deal with the fact that they may be ugly...but that they are also REAL. Every brother or sister we ever meet in this system has scars...some are plainly visible...others are so deeply buried only Jehovah sees them But every single scar has a story...I just have to listen when someone is ready to tell me about theirs...and I can't assume I know the scar because it looks similar to my own... because assumptions hurt worse than scars ever will.

Great witness about the Special Convention in NZ. NZ Special Convention.mp4

What great points! I think of it, not as rejoicing over the deaths of those people, but more as a deep gratitude for the removal of the wicked, and as the song says..."peace at last"!

Thanks for the updates my brother. Please know you and those there (and those who chose to leave) are well loved and prayed for regularly! May Jehovah continue to watch out for His family

Very interesting article here: https://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2025/09/11/islam_is_weakening_in_iran_1134383.html How old are you?

yes not for our brothers and sisters in russia https://jw-russia.org/en/news/2026/01/071621.html

Many JW's were keeping track of world events. Seeing changes in what each of the governments were doing and how an imminent confrontation could be at hand. As they analyzed the political and societal changes, they could see clearly what needed to be done. Conclusions were arrived at and adjustments in their daily lives began to take shape. It was all so clear ... change could not be stopped and only by paying constant attention to the political and military events around them could they actually come to understand how Bible prophesy was being fulfilled. This allowed them to predict exactly what would happen next. Some put more effort into tracking these world changing events than they did to the preaching work - after all, they had to be ready. The year was 1975 - and we all know how that worked out! Many were so wrapped up in analyzing world events that, when things didn't happen as they had predicted they left the Truth. Bear in mind - many have read about this time and, in retrospect, can see the folly in what many read into the "sings" that seemed so obvious. How they over analyzed world events and came to the wrong conclusion. We need to be careful we don't lose our prospective with recent world events and we need to follow the FDS and their direction - now what we think is going to happen next because we analyzed world events. We don't want to have the same downfall as so many did at that time. BTW - I am not speaking from what I have read about that time - I lived during that period and saw firsthand as many brothers and sisters I knew well and worked shoulder-to-shoulder in the ministry with get sidetracked, and allowed their own analysis of world events slow them down to the point they became burdened down and sidetracked with how they viewed world events. Many of them never did return to Jehovah.

It helps to slow things down and keep our footing on what’s actually confirmed. There’s a difference between sharing verified facts and filling in gaps with assumptions about motives or outcomes. Neutrality means we don’t hand out praise or blame, and we don’t try to predict where events are heading. And really, we only have one assignment. Watching, analyzing, or commenting on the actions of nations isn’t part of it. Jehovah never asked His people to track political moves or guess outcomes — He asked them to trust Him. The assignment hasn’t changed: “Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah.” That calls for restraint, patience, and faith, not commentary.

We could expect more features coming this 2026. Especially, hopefully, with the personal study tab.

No, that doesn't track. Someone rejoices that their beloved relative is no longer suffering, but they do not rejoice that the person had to die for the suffering to end. Someone rejoices so-and-so has grown closer to Jehovah but they do not rejoice that the individual had to experience disfellowshipping in order to be properly motivated. To rejoice or be happy at the establishing of a human government is not being neutral. It's taking delight in that government rejoice verb re·joice ri-ˈjȯis rejoiced; rejoicing Synonyms of rejoice transitive verb : to give joy to : gladden intransitive verb : to feel joy or great delight

NOW AVAILABLE! Read Here.

Should I make one? JK. I can't promise anything till I release it. 😂😂😂

One thing that stood out to me was how strong the growth was in smaller countries. In several lands, the actual number of new publishers wasn’t large, but the percentage increase was very high. When a country has only a few hundred publishers and gains even 50 or 100 more, that can mean growth of 10%, 15%, or more. That kind of increase feels like momentum, not just maintenance. Another highlight was countries that grew even though conditions are difficult. I noticed multiple lands with political problems, poverty, or instability still showing clear increases in publishers and Bible studies. Even small numerical growth in those places carries more weight because the obstacles are so real. The percentages there tell a stronger story than raw numbers. A third thing that caught my attention was where Bible studies grew faster than publishers. In some countries, the number of Bible studies increased at a higher rate than the number of publishers. That tells me groundwork is being laid. It may not show immediate publisher growth yet, but it points to future growth already in progress.