Annie Abbott

Why should you not miss a convention?
???????
Joy is a recurring experience among conventioners. A report on a large convention in 1946 noted: “It was a thrilling sight to observe the many thousands of witnesses comfortably accommodated, and even more joyous to listen as a large orchestra joined with the voices of the multitudes to make the stands ring with gladsome Kingdom songs of praise to Jehovah.” The report added: “The Volunteer Service Department registered workers from among the delegates to man all [the] departments, purely out of the joy of serving their fellow witnesses.” Have you too felt such excitement at district conventions or international conventions?—Ps. 110:3; Isa. 42:10-12.
???????
Certain things have changed in the way conventions are organized. For example, some of God’s people remember when conventions might last eight days! There were morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Field service was a regular part of the program. A few parts began at nine in the morning, and there were often sessions until nine at night. Volunteers worked long and hard to prepare breakfast, lunch, and supper for attendees. Now the schedule provides for shorter convention days, and food preparation done by families and individuals ahead of time allows them to give more attention to the spiritual feeding program.
???????
Convention features that have long been part of the program are widely anticipated. Spiritual “food at the proper time,” giving us a better understanding of Bible prophecies and teachings, has come not only from discourses but also through new publications released at conventions. (Matt. 24:45) 
???????
Such releases are often tools that help sincere individuals appreciate Scriptural truths. Stimulating Bible-based dramas encourage both young and old to examine their motives and guard against the pressures exerted by the world’s ungodly thinking. The baptism talk likewise offers all of us an opportunity to review our priorities in life and to experience the joy of seeing others symbolize their dedication to Jehovah.
???????
Yes, long a part of pure worship, conventions equip Jehovah’s joyful people to serve him appropriately in challenging times. Such gatherings provide spiritual stimulus, offer opportunities to meet new friends, help us to appreciate our worldwide association of brothers, and are a key means by which Jehovah blesses and cares for his people. 
???????
Surely, each one of us will want to organize his affairs so as to attend and benefit from every session of each convention.—Prov. 10:22.

Is anyone else following the YouTube channel by a woman called Antoinette Mitchell?
 
 In very broad outline: 
she comes from a JW family
became active again 3 years ago
got disfellowshipped 8 months ago
came out as gay on YouTube at the same time
talked about heartbreak of family and friends not talking to her
determined to go back by attending all the meetings
a few days ago got reinstated
I feel sorry for what she's gone through and also glad she got reinstated.

The  best  weapons.....
When God created the world, he rejoiced over all his works. Each being had its destiny, and all his creatures lived happily in their peculiar character. Only the lamb lay sad before the throne of God and could not share the joy of the other creatures. God saw the suffering of the Lamb and asked, "What is the matter with you that you are so sad and oppressed?" "Oh, my God," answered the lamb, sighing, "how can  I be merry and happy when I am weak and helpless.
Why am I so different among your creatures? Why did not you give me weapons for defense like all other animals? Top horns and sharp claws, powerful trunks and poisonous teeth, fast legs and wide wings have other animals. They all can save themselves by climbing and running, flying and diving, biting and stabbing, catching and robbing. But I am helpless in the great world and exposed to the will of my enemies. "
God listened to the complaints of the lamb, and gave him the right to say, "I'll leave you with the choice: do you want claws, nails, sharp teeth, an antler or a trunk, wings, or fins?" "Oh, no, my God, hurt such dangerous weapons, I want to ask you for better weapons, with which I can really overcome evil and the enemy!" -
"Your request is righteous, and I will give it to thee, and I will give thee the best weapons, which thou canst overcome and conquer."
And  God  gave  the  Lamb  his  BEST  gifts,  namely  meekness,  devotion  and  patience...  ❤

Jehovah  Called  Him  “My  Friend”.....     Abraham !   

Tuesday, July 4. 2017
A true friend shows love at all times.—Prov. 17:17.
A friendship can be a precious treasure. However, friendship is not like an inanimate thing that we might purchase and then store somewhere to gather dust. Friendship is more like a living thing that needs care and sustenance if it is to thrive and flourish. Abraham cherished and maintained his friendship with Jehovah. How did he do so? Abraham never came to feel that his past record of godly fear and obedience was enough. As he and his large household traveled into Canaan, he continued to let Jehovah guide him in making decisions, from the small to the great. A year before Isaac was born, when Abraham was 99 years old, Jehovah required that all males of Abraham’s household be circumcised. Did Abraham question that command or look for some way out of complying with it? No, he trusted in God and obeyed “on that very day.”—Gen. 17:10-14, 23. w16.02 1:9, 10
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2017/7/4

So sad

PLEASE RETURN TO JEHOVAH 
?????????
"CAN WE SPOT THE LOST SHEEP" (Isa. 40:11)
1) She only comes on Sunday, and usually
she's late,
Is she baptized, or inactive?
That's the question for debate!
Few brothers try to know her, some criticize
and stare.
BUT WHO WILL TRY TO DIG DOWN DEEP, AND SEE
WHO'S REALLY THERE?
A funeral program is in her purse, it's
ragged 'round the ears
It's yellow, torn and wrinkled ... it's been
soaked with many tears.
She's looked at it quite often - knows the
resurrection hope
But she mourns her precious daughter;
sometimes she just can't cope.
Many people wonder, but no one made a call
She's just one of the lost sheep sitting in
your Kingdom Hall.
2) Her mate's an unbeliever, and he just
wants to fight her
She knows what she's in for, when she goes
home at night;
Keeps to herself at meetings, tells no one
out of fear,
She's scared and isolated, like a wounded
baby deer.
She trusts her God Jehovah, she knows he'll
help her cope,
Eternal life in paradise: that is her precious
hope.
HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO KNOW HER? She
really needs a call
Yes, she, too, is Jehovah's sheep right in
your Kingdom Hall.
3) She comes to all the meetings, shares in
preaching with the friends,
But once she goes back home each day, the
heartache soon begins;
She grew up in the truth, you see; been
faithful all her life,
But what she always dreamed of was to be a
Christian wife.
Now she's past the bloom of youth, her
dreams have not come true,
She's tempted and frustrated; what can this
sister do?
You likely think she's firm and strong, that
she doesn't need a call;
But is she a lost sheep sitting there right in
your Kingdom Hall?
4) He used to be an elder; his talks were
strong and warm,
He worked hard on the spirit's fruits, he'd
never do you harm;
He hasn't served for years now, since his
children left the fold,
He now feels old and useless, but his love
has not grown cold.
Through disuse he's lost much talent, for
speaking from the heart,
And sitting there unnoticed, he just feels
worlds apart.
He comments and he preaches, and smiles
his "Kingdom smile";
Who'd ever guess his loyal heart is breaking
all the while?
You'd never stop to wonder, if he would
ever fall
But like the rest, he's lost his way right in
your Kingdom Hall.
When working hard from door to door, and
bringing more sheep in
Please don't forget the sheep already in the
pen;
Yes, these are all true stories, of people at
the Hall
So please take time, look closely, and see
who needs a call;
We do remember sick ones, single parents,
and the old,
But can we endeavor to include still others
in the fold?
Remember that Jehovah doesn't want one
sheep to fall
But there may be more than one lost sheep
There in YOUR Kingdom Hall.
?????????
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/return-to-jehovah/lost-one-i-search-for/

DUE TO THE BAN IN RUSSIA ,MORE THAN 4,500 JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AND FRIENDS TRAVELLED TO HELSINKI,FINLAND TO ATTEND THE 3-DAY REGIONAL CONVENTION
This convention was organised just for our Russian brothers and sisters and some of them had travelled 10,000 kilometres to get there.The Finnish brothers opened their homes to the Russian brothers whomthey didn't know personally, providing over  4,500 delegates with accomodation, food and transport to the Convention for all three days.Despite the fact that most Finns don't speak a word of Russian, love helped to overcome the linguistic barriers (John 13:35).Brother Mark Sanderson, of the Governing Body, was amongst those present, having come specifically to strengthen our persecuted brothers in russia.Can you hear the love and joy from their singing to Jehovah?Psalms 118:6: "Jehovah is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"The baptized delegates are also included in the video...
(Hope links work! Sorry all I have) Enjoy! Jehovah takes care of His People! 
?????

??? (James 5:13-16)  Carrying Others’ Burdens. Paul wrote to the Galatians: “Go on carrying the burdens [or, “troublesome things”; literally, “heavy things”] of one another, and thus fulfill the law of the Christ.” (Ga 6:2, ftn) 
???
Here for “burdens” the apostle used baʹre, the plural form of baʹros, a Greek word always used to denote something burdensome or heavy. Certainly the sin and hence the burden of a man taking some “false step” (referred to in the preceding verse) would not be light but heavy. However, in verse 5 the apostle states: “For each one will carry his own load,” that is, his load of responsibility. For “load” Paul here used the Greek word phor·tiʹon, signifying something that is to be borne or carried, without any reference to the weight of the thing. 
???
So he drew a distinction between “burdens” and “load” in these verses. This would indicate that if a Christian got into spiritual difficulty that was very hard for him to bear, fellow believers would aid him, thus helping to bear another’s burden. Such persons would be displaying love and would thus fulfill the law of Christ. (Joh 13:34, 35) 
???
This harmonizes with what Paul had just said, as recorded in Galatians 6:1, about endeavoring to restore a man spiritually, something that may be possible through love, kindness, and prayer. (Compare Jas 5:13-16.) 
???
Yet, as the apostle proceeded to show, bearing the burdens of one another does not mean carrying another person’s load of spiritual responsibility to God. In the same context, Paul makes clear that a person is deceiving his own mind if he thinks that he is something when he is nothing, and the apostle urged the Christian to “prove what his own work is,” for “then he will have cause for exultation in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.” (Ga 6:3, 4; compare 2Co 10:12.) 
???
It was then that the apostle observed that “each one will carry his own load” of responsibility before the Supreme Judge, Jehovah God. He knows that the burdens many of us carry—be they emotional or physical—are often not of our own making, and he lovingly takes this into account. 
??????
In the approaching new earth under the Messianic Kingdom, all faithful humans can expect to be released from the burdens of Satan’s system. What a relief that will be! Then we will see even more evidence of how largehearted Jehovah is. Until that time, let all be assured that “God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.”—1 John 3:20. 
http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000841?q=burdens&p=par#h=10

Sing to JEHOVAH,S PRAISE

DO  YOU  YOU  REMEMBER  THAT ??   I  HAD  THE  BROWN  SONG - BOOK 
SOME  YEARS  LATER,  I  GOT  ON  A  CONVENTION  THE  4. BOOK,  *SING  TO  JEHOVAH*  -
♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫.♪ ♫ ♪ ♫

A Message From Behind the Iron Curtain

Via

The Duck & the Devil....
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.
Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved.
In a panic, he hid its dead body in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?"  So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."  Sally just smiled and said,"  Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help."  She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"   So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.!
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's...  he finally couldn't stand it any longer.
He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know.  You see,  I was standing at the window and  I saw the whole thing,  but because I love you, I forgave you.  I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
- Original author unknown
The Lesson:
Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.), ..whatever it is....You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing..... He has seen your whole life; He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.
He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets..... It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.
God  is  at  the  window.....
Bible verses:
“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways” (Psalm 139:1-3).
"And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."  (Hebrews 8:12)
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:34-36)
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."  (1 John 1:9)
(  I  will  look  for  the  video  to  that  story...)
 

London's Jehovah's Witnesses are helping people involved in the catastrophic 24-storey Grenfell Tower fire, with 79 dead  ;-(
4 Jehovah's Witnesses were saved from within the building and their apartments completely burned.
Witnesses who live near the tower are helping their affected siblings with the help of clothing, food, and money. There is also a campaign of emotional support to the neighbors of the area.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2017/6/27
Tuesday, June 27
The former things have passed away.—Rev. 21:4.
Our loving God always does what is in the best interests of his faithful servants. The Bible tells us: “He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” What a marvelous future awaits all of us who truly appreciate Jehovah’s love and obey him as our Ruler! Jehovah’s Word tells us: “Take note of the blameless one, and keep the upright one in sight, for the future of that man will be peaceful. But all the transgressors will be destroyed.” (Ps. 37:37, 38) “The blameless one” comes to know Jehovah and his Son and obediently does God’s will. (John 17:3) Such a person takes seriously the words of 1 John 2:17: “The world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” As the world’s end draws near, it is urgent that we “hope in Jehovah and follow his way.”—Ps. 37:34. w15 11/15 3:11, 12

Officials in the Russian city of Oryol thanked a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses for their community service. The group included Dennis Christensen, who was recently arrested for attending a peaceful religious gathering.
Source

Maintain Your Faith Keep your Faith strong, when things seem bleak - when you find it difficult to even speak.
??‍♀️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♀️
Our times are hard to deal with... The pressures are so great
True love is sorely lacking
This world is filled with hate! 
The world's so full of violence
with so much suff'ring too... These wicked actions make no sense
to folks like me and you. 
Such violent acts increase worldwide
They shockingly appall... Things seem go from bad to worse
Affecting one and all. 
Events are just a 'sign' to us
as Jesus once foretold
Increasing of world violence
As love of many grows cold. 
We need to keep our faith so strong -
when everything seems bleak.
And situations overwhelm
Sometimes we cannot speak. 
We're at the time when we will see
Jehovah intervene... He'll totally remove this violence
Yes, he'll wipe the slate clean! 
Lift up your heads and do rejoice
deliverance draws near.
Give praise to Jah with one strong voice
The new world's almost here! — ???Contributed 
??‍♀️??‍♂️??‍♂️??‍♀️
 

Listen....  what  the  speaker  was  telling  and  the  Father  of  the  JW - family  was  talking  by  the  microphone  to  all !!   I  never  saw  before     video  -  2:50 min.

REGIONAL *2017*   ASSEMBLY  IN  KIEV,  UKRAINE,  WITH  2 PLATFORMS !!
HAVE ASSISTED MANY BROTHERS OF RUSSIA WHO HAVE HEARD THE PROGRAM IN RUSSIAN.
THATS  THE  FIRST  GOOD  MESSAGE  ABOUT  OUR  BROTHER'S  IN  RUSSIA ❤
LET'S  BE  SPANNED  OF  THE  NEXT  MESSAGES  and  pray  for  ALL !

THE  END  IS  VERY  NEAR !   TURN  TO  JEHOVAH  GOD  ❤

HE  IS  WAITING  OF  ALL  HUMANS !!

HE  WILL  CARING  FOR  ALL  HUMANS  ❤

A  new  photo  of  our  funny  GB. Brother  Stephen  LETT     visiting  a  congregation....
Smiling  and  genuflecting  beside  a  little  sweet  Brother.  Seems  so,  all  our  kids  love  his  special  kindness❤
So  sorry,  the  most  of  us  never  can  talk  with  our  GB. Brother's....  they  are  very  especially  -
Our  Librarian  was  in  his  youth  often  in  Service  with  GB. Brother  Daniel  Sydlik....
he  told  us  before  longer  time...  Thats  really  a  special  gift  in  my  eyes,  wonderful ❤
GB. Brother  GERRIT  LÖSCH  was  coming  *2001*  from  USA  to  Hamburg,  GERMANY  -  when  our  new,  very  big  Kingdom  Hall  was  completed !   He  was  living  in  Austria  and  speaking  German  for  all
Here  is  a  photo  of  our  Brother  Gerrit  Lösch....   On  a  Reg. Convention  in  Germany  -  I  see  at  the  language !

ITS  VERY  NICE  -  WHEN  WE  HAVE  SUCH  OF  REMINDERS......

Enjoyed this true story ,what strong faith this young Sister had that the best is yet to come  So true

Jehovah's  Witnesses....   WAKING  UP  IN  THE  *NEW  WORLD*
The  time,  step by step  after  Armageddon....  very  hopefully ❤  with  Kingdom  songs ;-))

Enjoyed this true story ,what strong faith this young Sister had that the best is yet to come  So true

Jehovah Witnesses  - Just  remember  to  keep  your  fork.....

I  REMEMBERED  THIS  NICE  STORY  WHEN  I  SAW  THE  VIDEO  TODAY
I  hope,  you  like  that  true  story  too...   ENJOY ❤  my  Brothers  and  Sisters -  Thanks !