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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.

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.

It's beautiful, David, form and content. Once again, I learned 🤍 but did I understand correctly? So, in the streets of San Francisco, the voice of the ocean offered a new sonic backdrop to the city during the pandemic? And for their part, the sparrows, no longer needing to create a new sound to be heard in the hustle and bustle of urban traffic, offered a unique, free concert to their own avian family and, incidentally, to the city's residents? This idea that ambient noise steals the sound of life is magnificent, because it reveals the reality of everything in us that is distorted by the environment, habitat, and so many other factors. Does this mean that all animals living near large urban centers have modified their sound, their song and their way of communicating with each other? When the time for restoration arrives, we mustn't miss the opportunity : who will we become, what 'me' will we encounter, what voice will come out of a repaired body? And what a discovery when everyone we know experiences the same metamorphosis. Exponential love will emerge victorious. I really LOVE the narrative voice. Simply, without the written text as support, those of us who are not English speakers run the risk of missing out on these glimpses of wonder, and it would be such a shame not to have access to them.

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.

I understood from the research that under normal conditions, you can’t hear the ocean crashing on the rocks from the Golden Gate Bridge because the city and traffic noise usually drown it out. During the shutdown, even the foghorns echoed clearly. The sparrows didn’t create a new song; rather, they sang much softer because they no longer needed to compete with the traffic noise. Scientists were able to record vocal qualities they had never captured before. As for other animals, my research didn’t cover that, but I’ll be discussing another species that benefited — penguins — in an upcoming blog.

That’s a really thoughtful set of questions. On the first one — I do believe each of us has a unique relationship with Jehovah, one that naturally includes our personal perception of him but goes deeper than that. You’ve not leaned on him the way I have, and I’ve not leaned on him the way you have. Our experiences overlap in faith and in principle, but they’re lived out differently. Moses’ bond with Jehovah wasn’t like Abraham’s, and Abraham’s wasn’t like David’s. Each was deeply personal, shaped by Jehovah’s perfect knowledge of who they were. So are these relationships forever “parallel”? In one sense, yes — each relationship remains uniquely personal. But in another sense, they converge. Here is where simultaneity helps us: two observers can see the same event differently, but that doesn’t mean truth itself is relative. It means perception depends on where you stand. In the same way, Jehovah is the one constant Source. Every rainbow points back to the same sun. Every faithful Christian’s relationship points back to the same God. The differences in how we experience him reflect our frames of reference, our history, our emotions, our needs. But those differences are not permanent divisions. Over time Jehovah draws all of his people closer, until our unique lines of sight harmonize under one Shepherd (John 10:16). That leads into your second question about the anointed and the other sheep. The anointed are chosen for a unique assignment, and one mark of that calling is the direct witness of the spirit — “the spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom. 8:16). That isn’t simply information — it’s a felt assurance, a gift of the spirit that leaves no doubt in their hearts. The “other sheep” don’t receive that same inner witness, but they are no less loved. Jesus promised they too would be gathered in, cared for, and united with the anointed as “one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). For us, the assurance of Jehovah’s love often grows in another way: by faith. Through study, prayer, and applying what we learn, we perceive Jehovah’s love as it takes root in our life. It might not be the same direct witness the anointed feel, but it is no less real. Psalm 103:13 reminds us that Jehovah shows mercy to each one individually, as a father does to his children. And that ties into why I have confidence in these answers. I still remember the very first time I was assigned an Instruction Talk as a young brother. I had worked hard in preparation, but as I stood in the back of the Kingdom Hall waiting for my turn, I offered a very direct prayer to Jehovah. I told him: “This congregation belongs to you. I’ve done my part by preparing. If I go up there and say something wrong, then you make sure they hear it right. If I stand up there and say the Trinity is true, it’s up to you to make sure they get the right message.” Immediately, all nervousness left me. There was no confusion, no hesitation. Just clarity. I walked up, gave the talk, and walked away with a quiet satisfaction — the kind that comes when you know Jehovah has supported you. From that moment on, I’ve carried the confidence that if I put in my effort, Jehovah will back me up in my ministry, whether in a talk or in another form of service. Later, I was asked to give the Instruction Talk at a circuit assembly back when they still ran for two days. Brother Hurd was our District Overseer at the time. I remember asking him afterward: “You give the same talks week after week. Do you still get nervous?” His answer surprised me: “Every single time.” But for me, ever since that very first prayer, I have never been nervous for a talk. My prayer has remained the same: “I’ve done my part. You take it from here.” Even when I’ve gone up to the platform not feeling well, the confidence has held. I trusted Jehovah to carry me through, and he always has. For me, the miracle was that first time — when all the nerves vanished in an instant. After that, I no longer saw it as a miracle every time, because for Jehovah it isn’t a miracle at all. It’s simply his possibility. What feels impossible for me is nothing for him. And that’s why I trust him. So yes — each relationship is unique, shaped by the ways we have leaned on Jehovah. But all of us can place faith in him. That faith may rest on different experiences, different frames of reference, but the trust is the same — in Jehovah’s unfailing love (Rom. 8:38-39).

Truly fascinating, as usual, thank you +++, but I have a question, David @dljbsp. Given what you write about simultaneity and personal perception, can we think that when Jesus and the Bible speak to us about Jehovah, each of us has a personal perception of him, a bit like when two people look at a rainbow at the same time? Will these perceptions forever remain parallel, or can we hope they will become perpendicular, even if only in one respect? I thought about this with this sentence from today's text: 'Anointed Christians know that they are "loved by God."' Is this unique to the anointed, is it a knowledge that the other sheep don't have, at least not in the same way? The text says that the Holy Spirit makes them feel God's love, through their anointing. This means that the other sheep don't have access to this feeling, doesn't it? Jude 1 and 1 John 3:1 seem to show that it is a reserved love, ' that we might be called children of God!+ And that is what we are.' What do they feel that we fail to feel? I don't even know if the question is right. I'm just wondering, but perhaps over the years on this Forum the question has already been asked, addressed, and widely documented.

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.

It almost looks like an angry ocean.

This past Sunday I had a thought about music myself.... I was standing outside during the lunch break at our Circuit Assembly. It was a little chilly indoors and I wanted to get a little warmth from the sun. So, I found a little spot outside and just soaked in some rays for a few minutes. How did I know when the session was about to begin? Music. It's amazing how Jehovah, through his organization has trained us to come in and take our seats when we hear the melodies begin. As I watched the line of brothers and sisters file into the auditorium, I thought to myself, "What music will we hear and gather together in the New World. Will we hear instruments or a chorus, or both? 🙂

Truly Fascinating!

Beautiful. I so agree…

That’s a thoughtful question, and it shows you really engaged with the idea. But it may help to clear up one point: the Planck time isn’t a wall we’ll ever “reach” or a different kind of existence Jehovah offers. It’s simply the limit of our science. Physicists can trace the universe’s history with confidence back to about 10⁻⁴³ seconds after the beginning, but before that their equations break down. It doesn’t mean nothing existed “behind the wall,” only that human knowledge can’t describe it. Jehovah, however, is not restrained by Planck time, or by any human measure of time. He created time itself. Psalm 90:2 reminds us he is “from everlasting to everlasting.” Eternal life, then, isn’t about entering some indivisible flicker of time — it’s Jehovah’s gift to keep living real days, years, and ages without end, always under his care. So Planck time isn’t where Jehovah “dwells” or what we will “strike” in the future. It’s just the point where human physics stops working. Jehovah himself is timeless, and eternal life means being invited to live unendingly within the flow of time he designed, with no wall to stop us.

Do we know why the firefly hovers like a helicopter before landing on a leaf? I was thinking that Jehovah really did create beings or phenomena to fuel our dreams and imagination, to make us write stories, too. If I understand correctly, behind the Planck wall, our time (past, present, future) doesn't exist? It would become a kind of indivisible unit in which only Jehovah evolves. Is this the time that Jehovah will offer us as a gift, in the future? With eternal life in sight, are we going to strike with the Planck wall?

Really been appreciating these blogs, they are so encouraging and reminds me to keep clinging to Jehovah. Nowadays its hard finding motivation lately as this sense emptiness creeps in my mind. Big or small, known or unknown Jehovah sees our pain. He's there for us, I just need faith.

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 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.

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.

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?

I agree. Formed with the same wind.

You are right, David, to point out that the most effective words of comfort are inevitably those found in the Scriptures. They are Jehovah's words, so there is no doubt about their usefulness. However, there have been times when, due to a lack of tact, these words have been used at the wrong time, or in a way that closes the heart to further conversation. Nothing seems worse to me than saying one word too many when the heart is on the brink of despair, even if that word is divine. Comfort is an exercise that requires emotional and verbal dexterity. I have sometimes preferred heavy silences to the dull sound of a quoted verse. As is often the case, it's all in the way you say it.

Wasn't it a strange question : 'do you love me?'

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NWT):

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.