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I have thought a lot about Jehovah's invitation, “do not be afraid,” often repeated to his people in ancient times. Jesus also used this expression and its derivatives on numerous occasions. This is not just a simple slogan that is easy to offer in conversation when someone expresses suffering and asks for a comforting, encouraging response. It is not a denial of the reality that the person is going through. It is simply a highlighting of Genesis 3:15. Fear has become instinctive and primal since that day. We must all face it with faith. Jehovah and Jesus always strive to shift the center of gravity of our fears and breakdowns (betraying, denying, not holding on until the end, being so tired of everything...). The idea is therefore to reorient courage, not to anesthetize it in order to wake it up later. Courage and faith go hand in hand. They must not sleep, they have to walk. We are at war, the fighting on the front lines is exhausting, and sometimes we just want the hostilities to stop. We would like to lay our heads on a pillow, close our eyes, and drift off into a sweet dream. So it really takes courage to fight against sleep and stay awake until the end. Thank you David for this topic.

I can only imagine how your brother's strong faith has moved you, and yours is in evidence, too. Yes, such situations early in our lives, where our very existence may be in question, can lead to different reactions. For me, it meant holding onto Jehovah's hand from earliest times, as a place of refuge and strength. Your dear brother understood this too, and clearly is still an inspiration for you and others to this day. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Some good thoughts. That's part of the reason we have to protect our neutrality. The things we 'breath it', as-it-were, can have an impact on us before we realize it. In the times we live with the prevailing aromas of political turmoil, social issues and 'influencers' it can have an effect on us before we are aware of it.

I learned that there are 11 different species of bats in my area (Houston) 😲 Mexican Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis): The most common species, known for large colonies under bridges and in buildings. Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis): Frequent user of bat houses. Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis): Roosts in tree foliage. Seminole Bat (Lasiurus seminolus): Prefers roosting in Spanish moss. Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus): Common in residential attics and eaves. Northern Yellow Bat (Lasiurus intermedius): Roosts in dead palm fronds. Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus): A larger, frosted-looking bat. Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus): smallest bat 3"-3.5" with reddish to light brown fur. Cavity roosters (tree crevices, hollows) Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans): solitary, slow Flyers, fur that's nearly black with silver tips Southeastern Myotis (Myotis austroriparius): often found in wet, forested areas (near bayous and swamps), also known to roost in culverts, bridges, and buildings. Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii): Known for their large ears and are typically found in forested areas, roosting in hollow trees, abandoned buildings, and under bridges.

Job 26:7 He stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing; Nothing is what’s holding up the entire earth! Not hardly stupid! 🤓🤓

This past tense conjugation sticks to the heart. Yet beautiful, and very invigorating. Thank you, David.

@Pikachu @Mike047 @Denton The scriptures have always been there. What changes is when we take the time to read them carefully and apply them in our life. When we meditate on Jehovah’s Word, that’s when we begin ‘putting meaning into it’ and allowing it to reach our heart — just as was done when the Law was read and explained to the people. (Nehemiah 8:8) Just to clarify, this was simply a meditation on one of the five principles Brother Flegel highlighted in the first part of the annual meeting. It wasn’t meant to introduce something new, but to reflect on how applying what Jehovah has already given us can deepen its meaning for us personally.

Thank you so much! I needed this today. Reading your spiritual considerations is something I always look forward to doing since they are encouraging and uplifting. I'm grateful you've shared your hard work with us.

thank you so much for this.

No Selfies required. - - - Thanks

With great power comes great responsibility. - Uncle Ben

One of the current problems, with human imperfection is that there are a number of images, patterns of thought, and other past experiences that each one of us must try to erase from conscious thought, to somehow prevent reawakening. The human mind has a lot more training to go through/

You must have a great number of different environments in your area to attract so many varieties of Bats.

😂😂. NOW I see it!! Your other post was hidden by time… Had to go back in time to read that 1st - Glad we’re on the same page!

Do it! I'll meet you all there. Where were you diving? I did a wreck dive in 110 feet of water years ago.

One of my favorite places,,, the Georgia Aquarium.

Thank you so much for sharing this, I really needed to hear it. This is exactly the kind of encouragement me and my wife currently needs. Thank you once more 🙏

This is so beautiful, so moving, that my eyes and heart are brimming, dear one. Your pictures are reaching me too. I can so relate to what you are saying and am facing some prolonged health challenges too that just a few years back I'd hoped wouldn't be the case. I feel for you. That inflammation causes daily pain and discomfort for you too and that can be so not easy to keep staying steady. Good on you for holding onto Jehovah's hand and having this wise and sensible perspective. Yes, as you've expressed so well, Jehovah is a kind God and realistic and is not concerned with what the world fusses about... as if the external is all there is to a person. Sure, we present the best we can under the circumstances out of respect and love for Jah and our bros. and sis. But it is the inner person that he loves so much. That quiet plodding on staying faithful in our core in our deepest, most private place inside.... Jehovah sees and will take note and have an answer for the one taunting him. Your endurance in your trialsome days of being able to do less than you would like to does not go unnoticed. As the study we did this weekend shared... we are precious in his eyes. How blessed we are that though we suffer physically, and can feel quite alone or down at times humanly-speaking, we do have ones who care in the congregation, but they may not know our situation or are busy trying to stay afloat themselves. But just today at the meeting, I went to speak again to a sister new to the congregation and she is so lovely. She would not have known that I was feeling a bit at a loose end with fatigue and life's pressures of late, but somehow the sister's kind eyes and soft words reminded me of how wonderful it is that there are some in the truth who remember to give of their goodness. Usually I'm the one giving out endlessly, but this day it went the other way, so that was nice. Even those who have been faithful for a long time as you too evidently have been, need that gift from time to time. will be mentioning you in my prayers tonight. Take care, dear heart... Our heavenly Father knows what we need. xx

What a great explanation of something that we take for granted without understanding. Thanks.

In New England a few decades ago, toilets were in the basement of the school building. So, students asked to go to the basement even if that room moved upstairs.

But on the more serious side ... these articles sure build one's appreciation for Jehovah's works! Thank you for them David. I very much enjoy reading them.

Did the WT conductor say that?

You subverted my expectations. I thought for sure you were going to post this...

That is cool. Thanks so much for sharing. Do they all eat the insects or are some of them Fruit eaters.

We have mainly two varieties of bats that frequent the area here, Pipistrelle, and Brown long-eared. I believe there are some others around, too. I have put up bat boxes but, to date, none have taken up lodging.

I would love to see the Georgia Aquarium. I have been to several smaller aquariums in California and loved watching the aquatic creatures. I use to scuba dive and look forward to doing that again. I constantly remind my wife that in the new system we need to live close to the ocean so I can have an underwater observatory.

I was able to go down 95 feet off the coast of Florida. It was an experience I will not easily forget.

I would love to go there. I love whale sharks and this is pretty close to me, so now I gotta convince some of my friends that we need a girl trip to Atlanta.

OhMYYYY, these thoughts have left me Breathless! Isn’t it incredible how letters become words become thoughts become understandings become feelings?! Jehovah’s matchless genius miniaturizes us yet allows us glimpses into His Magnificence.

Well presented, David, as usual, and so helpful to our brothers and sisters going through trials.

Appreciate your clear, logical, and scriptural reasoning- also, the sensibleness - and heart. Thanks so very much, dear brother.

Excellent synopsis. Very well expressed. I especially appreciate these lines: "Judgment remained real, but mercy governed how far it went." "Accountability exists, but opportunity remains open." Yes, Jehovah has all of his personality and character in perfect balance and is helping us to reflect him daily as best we can. We are so blessed. Thanks for your thoughtful post.

That is truly amazing, David. What a discerning and kind Creator we have and how loving that our ears will discern sounds in nature described in just the right way, so it is not overwhelming but simply beautiful.

So well put together. Thanks.

Thank you for your kind words. They truly touched my heart. Looking back, I can see that Jehovah has always taken care of me—especially when life was low. He has also been there in every joy. I do not regret the losses I’ve had. They served their purpose at the right time, even if I did not understand it then. Micah 6:8 says: “He has told you, O man, what is good. And what is Jehovah asking back from you? Only to exercise justice, to cherish loyalty, and to walk modestly with your God.” For me, walking modestly means accepting what is, trusting Jehovah, and not fighting what cannot be changed. Jehovah knows our hearts. He understands our limits. And He never forgets those who keep holding on to Him.

David, I feel as if I have just strolled thru Eden itself! The poetry you chose along with those incredible pictures....oh My! So looking forward to living in the Beauty of Jehovah's Perfect world.

ASL or the language of the deaf?

Job’s false comforters prove your expression accurate. Where I live, there’s an old saying about dining out: If you can’t afford to leave a tip, don’t go out to eat. It reminds me—if we’re going to visit someone with the intent to comfort them, we shouldn’t go empty-handed. We don’t need eloquent speeches; we need simple, heartfelt words like, “I’m here for you,” “I’ve been praying for you,” or when the moment allows, “Would it be all right if I said a prayer?” And when we can honestly say, “Jehovah has helped me—I know he can help you,” that’s not just sympathy. That’s sharing the very comfort we were comforted with.

I'm sorry, but that top image looks like coiled up earth worms! Ewwww!

Had no idea about thongs in Australia. 😅 Canadian here, but I have never heard of biffy. Must be a regional term or something from the past…but my fellow Canadians can clarify.🙃 I am losing my English here in Germany, but for washrooms, it is quite normal to address them as toilet, instead of any descriptive words about it. So it’s quite normal to say to “go to the toilet“, or “where is the toilet“? It sounds a bit too direct if you grew up referring to it as washroom, restroom or bathroom. It‘s like saying “I am going to the can“, which is a funny phrase in itself.

Don't forget that the English spell things differently than American do. It's Favourite instead of favorite, it's colour instead of color. The English need to remember, it's not all about U.