Willie Rogers

Tom, the announcement AT the convention itself, asks those with integrity to NOT spoil the convention for those who have not attended yet. The loving thing would be to be obedient. That's not what we do, as humans. They also asks us to attend the convention to which you are assigned. But it is so disheartening to hear the excuses we hear from the "Friends" who disobey that request because they "can't wait" until their convention. It is sad to know that some of our Brothers and Sisters are so selfish that NOTHING else matters to them. And for those of us who are faithful to our Promise, and don't try to blur the line of demarcation, and take the risk of making the convention uncomfortable for those who are assigned. It's heartbreaking to know that we can't obey, even the simplest commands, and that the Inspired Words on 1 John 5:3, 4, "For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, 4 because everyone who has been born from God conquers the world. And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith", are really to no avail to them. It is really heartbreaking.
 

Another thought, brother, for the "Friends" who simply can't make the convention: The BOE decides if they would be eligible to get the streaming link, and they can view the entire convention. Then, they can access, with a clear conscience, all of the releases, subsequent to that convention series. You see, Jehovah is so loving, that he look after the "lowly ones", and sees to their needs. But those who don't want to go to their assigned venue, and it is that group that my concerns were for. Sorry you couldn't understand that.
I looked at a post above, and someone has posted the manuscripts for the talks at the convention. Do you, also, agree with that?
 

It doesn't matter. "But reject empty speeches that violate what is holy, for they will lead to more and more ungodliness"..., I will take the Apostle's advice. Thank you for your interesting dialogue.
 

Mr. tromboneck, again, sir, what is your standing in your congregation? There is another gentleman on this site, Jay Witness, that I would ask that question of. You can consider it rhetorical, or you can just ignore it altogether, but I think something is amiss here, if your conscience doesn't do anything to you anbout the unethical proliferation of our confidential material. If you have no issue with having the Elder's book online, or the entire library of talks for this year's convention, WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE BRANCH, then you really do need to examine WHO you are as a Christian.

Well, 09/22/1962. That's my baptism date. So, 55 years ago, I symbolized my dedication. I am a full time servant, and am proud to try my best to promote obedience among my "Friends". Brother, I am not haughty. I am experienced in the worse way. I made the "little" mistakes of choosing what to obey, and what was "inconsequential". That led me to a place where I "longed to be filled with the carob pods that the swine were eating". That's a place I want ALL of my "Friends" to NEVER see. I would never assert any "Bragging Rights" brother. I know better. 
 
I asked you about your standing because I went to your other posts, and you are asking for BOE letters, from anonymous individuals on the internet. If your standing is what you assert, you should be able to go to an Elder in your congregation, ask for the letter you want, and get it. Why didn't you do that?
 
I don't judge anyone, Brother. Doing so only reserves a harsher judgement for myself. My pain at the mistakes of my "Friends" is a sign of the love that I have for them. I see what could be something that they might need to address in their personalities. Because of "the rafter" in my eye, I don't try to remove the straw from theirs. But I also don't consider disobedience, in any form, to be inconsequential. Your assertion: "You imply that those who may, for one reason or the other, must attend a convention that their congregation is not assigned to are breaking their integrity to Jehovah and are not loving or obedient Christians", is mistaken too. They may have "disobeyed", but I wouldn't brand them as "disobedient". Your perusing the internet in search of documents that are sensitive, and not open to being passed around anonymously is of far greater concern. And your service, your years of service, notwithstanding, hold you to a much higher standard. The judgement of this is not mine to make. It's yours. 
"I suggest that you make every effort to work on your relationship with Jehovah by first loving his children here on earth." I truly appreciate that admonition brother, and I hope that you would look at things from a different lens, and you, too, make every effort to work on those little things, those inconsequential things. Please don't stumble because of what I say. Please, in your prayers, make those with issues like mine, a matter of concern. We would appreciate it.
 

And yes, we all look forward to serving Jehovah in the absence of evil and wickedness. But remember, Ezekiel was told to start his marking work at the "sanctuary".
 
Brother, what is your standing in your congregation? There are troubling overtones to your apathetic reasoning about disobedience.

"in inconsequential matters"! Brother, That is almost blasphemy! How can you feel that following direction is "inconsequential"? Actions have "consequences"..., ALL actions do. You say that like we can say of Eve, "well, it was just a piece of fruit". That same "inconsequential" attitude caused King Saul his relationship with Jehovah. It was also the leading factor in Ananias' thievery. 
 
Brother, there is NOTHING inconsequential about disobedience.

It doesn't matter. "But reject empty speeches that violate what is holy, for they will lead to more and more ungodliness"..., I will take the Apostle's advice. Thank you for your interesting dialogue.
 

Mr. tromboneck, again, sir, what is your standing in your congregation? There is another gentleman on this site, Jay Witness, that I would ask that question of. You can consider it rhetorical, or you can just ignore it altogether, but I think something is amiss here, if your conscience doesn't do anything to you anbout the unethical proliferation of our confidential material. If you have no issue with having the Elder's book online, or the entire library of talks for this year's convention, WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE BRANCH, then you really do need to examine WHO you are as a Christian.

Brother, that disclaimer is there. I have the material downloaded, as I have attended the convention, but it still asks the same question: "Have you attended the Convention". Yeah, it's still there. And what I asked was, if you agreed with the talks being posted online. There are far too many people, far too liberal, with the material that should not be viewed by just anyone. Not that there are secrets, but there are things that should be confidential. The Elders book for instance. That's online for download. Do you think the Branch is OK with that? "All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous". (1 Corinthians 10:23) There are lines, that due to integrity, we should not cross.

Well, 09/22/1962. That's my baptism date. So, 55 years ago, I symbolized my dedication. I am a full time servant, and am proud to try my best to promote obedience among my "Friends". Brother, I am not haughty. I am experienced in the worse way. I made the "little" mistakes of choosing what to obey, and what was "inconsequential". That led me to a place where I "longed to be filled with the carob pods that the swine were eating". That's a place I want ALL of my "Friends" to NEVER see. I would never assert any "Bragging Rights" brother. I know better. 
 
I asked you about your standing because I went to your other posts, and you are asking for BOE letters, from anonymous individuals on the internet. If your standing is what you assert, you should be able to go to an Elder in your congregation, ask for the letter you want, and get it. Why didn't you do that?
 
I don't judge anyone, Brother. Doing so only reserves a harsher judgement for myself. My pain at the mistakes of my "Friends" is a sign of the love that I have for them. I see what could be something that they might need to address in their personalities. Because of "the rafter" in my eye, I don't try to remove the straw from theirs. But I also don't consider disobedience, in any form, to be inconsequential. Your assertion: "You imply that those who may, for one reason or the other, must attend a convention that their congregation is not assigned to are breaking their integrity to Jehovah and are not loving or obedient Christians", is mistaken too. They may have "disobeyed", but I wouldn't brand them as "disobedient". Your perusing the internet in search of documents that are sensitive, and not open to being passed around anonymously is of far greater concern. And your service, your years of service, notwithstanding, hold you to a much higher standard. The judgement of this is not mine to make. It's yours. 
"I suggest that you make every effort to work on your relationship with Jehovah by first loving his children here on earth." I truly appreciate that admonition brother, and I hope that you would look at things from a different lens, and you, too, make every effort to work on those little things, those inconsequential things. Please don't stumble because of what I say. Please, in your prayers, make those with issues like mine, a matter of concern. We would appreciate it.
 

And yes, we all look forward to serving Jehovah in the absence of evil and wickedness. But remember, Ezekiel was told to start his marking work at the "sanctuary".
 
Brother, what is your standing in your congregation? There are troubling overtones to your apathetic reasoning about disobedience.

"in inconsequential matters"! Brother, That is almost blasphemy! How can you feel that following direction is "inconsequential"? Actions have "consequences"..., ALL actions do. You say that like we can say of Eve, "well, it was just a piece of fruit". That same "inconsequential" attitude caused King Saul his relationship with Jehovah. It was also the leading factor in Ananias' thievery. 
 
Brother, there is NOTHING inconsequential about disobedience.

Yeah, me too.....

And yes, we all look forward to serving Jehovah in the absence of evil and wickedness. But remember, Ezekiel was told to start his marking work at the "sanctuary".
 
Brother, what is your standing in your congregation? There are troubling overtones to your apathetic reasoning about disobedience.

You know, the conscience is an amazing thing. The second greatest gift the Jehovah gave humans is free will. You have the freedom to obey, or to NOT obey. You people say, if the official site didn't put them up, there would be no way to access them. And you're right. Except that, there is a disclaimer that requires free will, honesty. You're asked if you have attended a convention, and you're given two choice: Yes; No. Your answer gives a pretty good indication of what kind of person you are. If you say no, you cannot access the releases. If you say yes, but you are lying, you can access the releases. But for what? You've already shown your character. You are a liar. Is that what anybody really wants to be? Really?
You know, there is another example of the character examination where honesty, and integrity; loyalty, and faithfulness, was on display. At the beginning of human history, Satan challenged Jehovah's right to make decisions for the things that HE created. He was called a liar by one of those creations. Then he was abandoned by two more. Yes, Adam and Eve, and Satan, all once served Jehovah. But when He asked them to be obedient under the simplest tests of faith, they all failed. They all selfishly used their free will to satisfy their own selfish longing. When the Branch designed the disclaimer, they knew that some would be dishonest, but their integrity would not allow them to deny all of us the opportunity to demonstrate that we are of the highest character and integrity. The "high road", versus the "low road". Those of you who defend the lying, and cheating, and in effect, the stealing of things to which, you are not entitled, demonstrate who you are. Have a great life!