SuzA

Satan wants to divide us in thoughts, words, and action, don't let him win. She is having a happy thought about the new world, why discount it? We need to stay viligant, but also joyful. Lets stay united and not have room to divide. With love!

Col. 4:6 "Let your words always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each person."
Heb. 12:2 "as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 
 Some of our spiritual family have endured difficult, faith-testing situations and the hope ahead is what has helped them through difficult times. They kindly and lovingly try to do what they can to help keep that hope alive in others with comfort from the scriptures they themselves have received, so that others can endure as well. That is a scriptural approach that Jehovah held out for his own son. Jehovah was undoubtedly pained and certainly wasn't minimizing the pain and suffering his son felt. Yet he knew Jesus would be strengthened and helped to endure by "the joy that was set before him." We are repeatedly encouraged to do the same. 
"Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.

@b4ucuhear I was working today, what joy I have had to read your letter. Yes, Jehovah is my Stronghold! I grew up in the Truth, my Dad was an Elder, Congregation Servant over 65 years. My Mother worked as a Pioneer while he was in Danbury Prison for not going to the war. She used the phonograph at doors she loved the Truth. Her Father was Anointed and blessed the family greatly. My children, I had four raised in Truth, yet I was not allowed to say much due to abuse issue. I only could show by example. I'm blessed to have my youngest at Bethel, one and Elder, good man, another a MS Servant. My Daughter is a full time Pioneer and her Husband an Elder. I Thank Jehovah everyday I'm alive and can share and help all I can. Do to my injuries right now; handicapped, I hope to lift this from my cellular memory. These are wonderful scriptures I try to live by. At 6 years old I gave my first talk. So I love to teach, I do this about Jehovah as much as I can. I am an artist so enjoy using scriptures to encourage others. (A picture is worth a thousand words?) I also teach health and have given lectures over 40 years. The School is another Blessing from Jehovah. Thank you for keeping me happy and giving me more joy in my work. Jehovah has Blessed you also keep up the good works. I will leave you with some of my favorite scriptures I try to focus on and "the joy of Jehovah" continues with me.
8 "For if we live, we live to Jehovah,
and if we die, we die to Jehovah.
So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah." (Romans 14:8)

 8 ..."or the one who encourages,
 let him give encouragement;"
9 "Let your love be without hypocrisy."
Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good."
10 "In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another, take the lead."
11 "Be industrious, not lazy."
Be aglow with the spirit.
Slave for Jehovah."
12 "Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer."
13 "Share with the holy ones according   to their needs.
Follow the course of hospitality."(I'm Greek!?)
 14 "Keep on blessing those who persecute; bless and do not curse."
15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep."
16 "Have the same attitude toward others as toward yourselves; do not set your mind on lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things.
Do not become wise in your own eyes."
17 "Return evil for evil to no one.
Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men."
 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men."
19 "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.”
 20 "But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.”
 21 "Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good." ( Romans 12:8-21). 
May Jehovah continue also to give you joy and peace my Brother.                Agape, Bible Speaks ???

This is nothing but a big lie. Jehova wants this case to be known all over the world. But SATAN wants us to stop this campain and say nothing!
" Okay, let's see if we can clear this up: We are engaged in a PUBLIC campaign to bring to the PUBLIC's attention the threat against the freedom of the brothers in Russia. The instructions for this letter-writing campaign are on jw.org, the most widely translated website in the world. And the instructions were quite clear: don't send your letters via email; don't name Russian publishers if you happen to know any. That's all that was said regarding the internet.
Some might feel that the cartoons of Russian mail carriers or Boris and Natasha are unnecessarily antagonizing the Russian government. That is certainly a valid opinion, and we don't want disagreements about those conscience matters to divide us, but neither do we want to make rules where none exist.
Why on earth would there be an instruction to keep references to the letter-writing campaign off social media? That would be counter-productive. Who could possibly want the campaign to NOT be talked about? Could it be, SATAN?
Several friends have called Bethel and confirmed, there was NO 'instruction at morning worship' to keep it off social media. That is a lie. Do NOT spread it! In any event, that is not how communication gets to us.
Here's something else to think about: Friends of those in Russia have reported that the Russian brothers and sisters have access to their brothers and sisters ONLY via social media, and they are greatly encouraged to read the reports and see the pictures related to the letter-writing campaign. Now: who could possibly be trying to keep the joy of the campaign from those Russian friends?
Please Share this with everyone. Please SQUASH the rumor about keeping the campaign off social media." - Quote

Here, Putin is routinely reviled by politicians and media. Respectful letters from ones who have every reason to gripe may make more impression than we realize.

The horrible expression "brown nose" is reserved for those who are described as "obsequious". Equally horrible, that word is defined in part as servile, ingratiating, unctuous, sycophantic, fawning. I agree that we do not have to demonstrate that level of behaviour in dealing with political leaders, Russian or otherwise.
But we are advised by the apostles (who had dealings with men alongside whom Russian politicians wilt) to show respect for those who currently excercise power. With the example of Saul, later Paul, we can appreciate the Bible's counsel to avoid judging others.
Not a suitable subject for a letter to the Russian authorities regarding our brothers, BUT...................
It puts me in mind of what occurred in Nazi Germany. I believe officers in prison camps would allow Jehovah's Witness prisoners to wet shave them....because they knew they could trust the brothers not to harm them, such was the brothers respect for Jehovah's requirements at that time.  Well, can you imagine any "Guatanamo Bay" type military officer  allowing an ISIS militant to shave them with a cut-throat razor today without at least a qualm of misgiving????     Who really are the extremists?

When you are writing to the Russians about their proposal to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses, there may be a temptation to speak of legal and constitutional issues, for their recent conduct flies in the face of many of them. There may be temptation to observe that, surely, ISIS provides the template of what extremism is. But I suspect leaders there are aware of these things and, for whatever reason, have chosen to ignore them.
Tell them something they don’t know. Tell them about eight million people, from every nation, who don’t know their Russian brothers personally, but care about them anyway. Let them ponder the significance of what if the whole world was like that. When they look to the outside world of international relations, all they see is bickering, bitching and bellyaching. Let them see another world.
Convey that we are ordinary, decent people, the sort who appreciates government’s role to preserve social order and improve the moral fabric of persons within its borders, and that we everywhere cooperate with governments as they pursue such goals. I like the suggestion at jw.org to relate some practical way in which the truth has helped us personally.
Imagine! An invitation from Bethel to write to high Russian officials about the proposed ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is a fine way for individual Christians, most of whom feel quite helpless, to ‘bring their gift to the altar.’

Better to compare it to more recent letter writing campaigns, imo, and not Hitler. Hitler was doing unspeakable things to our people and many others. Russian officials, however, are probably only yielding to pressure from opposers in the house church.
It's hardly a slam-dunk, but neither should it be thought of as a lost cause.

I am a faithful believer and have "privileges" in the organization. I am also aware of things that most people are not aware of and wouldn't believe even if I told them. (And no, I don't come by this by way of apostate websites and such. I am there at ground zero with eyes on the ground, in first person testimony). These are the types of things that you will never read about in our publications - and for good reason. People would be stumbled - some things are just too outside their field of experience to rationalize within the context of their faith and they wouldn't thank you for knowing about it anyway because they don't want to know. (It would be like asking: "Can you tell me something that's going to kill me?") And yet, none of these things should come as a surprise. The Bible clearly warns us of "wicked men and imposters," men who would advance from bad to worse. Sometimes the things that happen are so "out there" that the only ones you would be able to identify with are faithful men described in God's Word who have experienced similar things that some of us experience in a spiritual sense today. Yes, some men in authority - "stars in Jesus' right hand" are not what they appear to be even though they may appear righteous to men and have a badge of authority. Of course, most people expect imperfection, but there are times when you have to call it what it is: wickedness. (I can't say whether that applies in the case referred to above here since I don't know all the facts and wasn't personally there - even though it looks bad). No, but as referenced above, we "shouldn't be too surprised considering the other kinds of hidden crimes that we already know about." I get elders asking me from all over the place about these things and I respond the best way I can, always honestly, but in a way that will help them maintain their faith in Jehovah and respect for his organization - with the proviso that sometimes that respect is for the authority men may have, but not for who they are. (i.e.. David's respect for Saul, even though Saul, using theocratic resources, was orchestrating a murderous campaign against a faithful servant of Jehovah that went on for years).  
 The short answer is that, our relationship and dedication to Jehovah God should never be dictated by the decisions other humans make, regardless of what "position" they have, or how much we may fell hurt by them. Even when that "position" is viewed by many as being righteous. Power can have a corrupting influence and when men aren't held to account quickly, they can become hardened to do bad. Especially when they have the authority to control matters to hide and protect themselves. To be clear I'm an not pointing or accusing the Governing Body as such - (although there have been some disturbing issues in the past), but rather pointing out the fact that there is no level within the Organization where corruption has not existed at one time or another. (in what year was corruption no longer allowed?  Not yet anyway...) It is also important not to paint with too wide a brush as if the whole organization was bad - based on the choices of a "relatively" few bad apples. When you think about the people you associate with at meetings, the ministry and at conventions, you see that most JW's are good at heart, happy, kind people who want to do what is right and please Jehovah despite their imperfections - just like we are. 

I don't think it's New Light necessarily but rather a change in thinking. In past most brothers were clean shaven. But after a lot of the international conventions recently where brothers from other areas had beards and a lot of one's in areas that didn't saw this the society did a little CLARIFYING of the topic on beards. Many still do not agree with it. But it is a personal decision each one has to make. 

I see exactly what you are saying Allensmith. But beards are ok. Brother Lett even mentioned that for a brother to wear a beard is a personal choice just as it is for a sister to wear makeup. This is newer information. And our sept 2016 watchtower addresses it as well. In the US it is custom for many to wear beards as is in most other countries and many brothers in the US have neatly trimmed beards it's a matter of time before a lot more also have them. It's a personal preference decision right now. And that's it. 

I know a brother in Europe, who is an elder and has a beard. And I know several brothers who are serving as ministerial Servants and have beards.
Ultimately in the USA it will be up to the local elders to decide whether a beard is acceptable in their area or not. When the WT came out last May, our CO said that come end of the year, he expects many brothers (in the US) will be sporting a beard.  I am fine with that, as long as as sisters don't start that trend too

I  am  from  Germany,  North Germany...  born in  Hamburg - but now living  in  Stade,  We  allowed  here  groomed  beards,  also  by  elders. But  maybe  its  little  different  from  cong. to  cong.

Hahaha....  I  knew  it,  I  knew  it  ;-))    My  post  about  that  was  OK...
Thank  you, dear  Librarian !  I  believe,  we  still  get  more & more new light !

I suppose it boils down to how you understand the word custom - most dictionaries say things like custom means -:
. A traditional practice or usual way of doing something followed by a social group or people.
a habitual practice; the usual way of acting in given circumstances. See more.
a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time:
I would say in most western parts of the world - there are exceptions - it is not the tradition, habitual practice and so is not the custom for men to have a beard and so the later part of the quote from the watchtower needs to be carefully consider by any brother reaching out for positions of responsibilities in the congregation.
Beards today have become a fashion item for many young men in the congregation and so the society are trying to take a balanced view on the matter and so should we

This article was so confusing to me. I'm in southern ohio. I hate shaving. I only do for meetings but since this article I now am letting my beard grow. While at the same time keeping it groomed. Anyone on here having issues in their congregation because of the beard issue. I don't see how it would detract at all from our message since it isn't something that makes you stand out from anyone as a rebel since beards are widely accepted now. Any opinions or help?

Wish I could speak Spanish as I cannot really fathom the Google translate (?) version. I am sure we will get the full, lurid details and more soon if there is any truth in the matter.

.
You are simply amazing.
A guest in someone else's personal space .... and you insult them.
.
 

All witness testimony requires some level of interpretation does it not? No less so 'forensic evidence' surely. That's where the professional input comes in.
Prompt reporting to the authorities would (hopefully) enable due attention to be given to safety of actual and potential victim(s) and initiate the appropriate type of investigation to deal with the criminal element of the matter. Let's face it, if you found someone hit by a car in the road, you would call for professional help immediately to deal with both injury and safety, as well as investigating the cause, would you not?
In the case of abuse, the spritual side could then proceed, greatly facilitated if there was a witness issue. However, if an arrest had taken place there may well be challenges to the progressing of a judicial matter from the congregational standpoint.
Not sure I recall this aspect ever being discussed, let alone documented, although there was vague reference to circumstantial evidence in the form of "trauma" serving as a "witness" in both Case Study 29 and 54.
As for the inevitable "slagging" of secular authorities that occurs in discussion threads on this matter, this serves about as much purpose as that done in connection with JW attempts to handle this heinous crime and, quite frankly, for me, obscures the real issue, which is the protection of children and the successful prosecution of those who abuse them.

@AllenSmith enough is enough with you guys here in JW land.... cease and desist.
I've warned you before to stick to the issues and leave the personal attacks elsewhere.
 

@TrueTomHarley let's not impute bad motives on the part of others. 
honey rather than vinegar.....

True TomHarley::
You have your opinions about me ... and I have my opinions about you ... the difference is I believe in Freedom of Speech ... for without freedom of expression, all people make themselves into slaves ... sometimes quickly .. sometimes they just ossify slowly, but they ALWAYS become slaves.  This has been true since Babylon was a world power, and before.
When you object to my MANNER of speaking ... instead of addressing the ISSUES .. you enter the world of cognitive dissonance and self induced fantasy scenarios.
Please feel free to turn your eyes aside and skip over my choice of  non-"True Tom Approved Fonts"
There are many "holy" secular phrases I recognize, and you do not.  One of them is:
" I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAY, BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT !"
The issue is whether or not we have Freedom, and Liberty to exercise it ... not font styles.
YOU want everything that is not expressly approved and conventional, forbidden, 
Again, lease feel free to turn your eyes aside and skip over my choice of  non-"True Tom Approved Fonts". That way you can ignore the REAL ISSUES , and live in a mental cocoon.
 
 

Big Eyes is one of the few movies that portrays Jehovah's Witnesses in a positive light. Shows them a normal people for a change. 

The article that changed everything
In my opinion, it was the Watchtower 10/1/2005, “Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children?” A close friend of me working in Brooklyn Bethel at those days mention that the brother (I think he was from the GB) presiding the Monday Family Worship said regarding the article under study: “well, this is the same point of view as always”, but not everyone nodded. Let’s review why.
Summarizing the advises from 1990-2005, this quote could be a typical example:
·        *** g94 8/22 p. 5 Additional Schooling or not? *** Supplementary Education. The Watchtower of November 1, 1992, noted concerning Jehovah’s Witnesses and the full-time ministry: “The general trend in many lands is that the level of schooling required to earn decent wages is now higher than it was a few years ago. . . . It is difficult to find jobs with decent wages after completing simply the minimum schooling required by law . . .  “What is meant by ‘decent wages’? . . . Their wages might be termed ‘adequate,’ or ‘satisfactory,’ if what they earn allows them to live decently while leaving them sufficient time and strength to accomplish their Christian ministry.”   So The Watchtower said: “No hard-and-fast rules should be made either for or against extra education. In spite of the above reference, in general, advanced education was always presented in a way not recommended, for its dangers, as immorality, materialism, proud and so.
But, when this 2005 article was studied in the congregation, we couldn’t find any possibility do chose going to University and to be an exemplar brother. And this position was forced in several schools of elders and additional instructions regarding choosing speakers for assemblies and other exemplar Christians.
But there was this small sentence in the article:
·        *** w05 10/1 p. 30 par. 13 Parents—What Future Do You Want for Your Children? *** “Of course, immorality, bad behavior, and pressures are by no means limited to the college or university campus” Of course! Every JW is well aware of this reality. A young Christian of 16 years must face also to temptations and pressures in his secular job, if he chooses leave studies and start to work. And, this is the reality in my country, the immorality in Professional Schools (not sure the translation in English, I mean places where you learn some skill), are WORST, and the atmosphere is WORST than in Universities. Why? Because in my country, in general only good students go to University, and most of them concentrate on studying. On the other hand, a lot of unmotivated youth assist to these other schools only to passing the time.
To whom correspond the decision? All those involved, not the elders, not the congregation. When should react the congregation? (Gal 6:1) “Brothers, even if a man takes a false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness” In other words, if we see the brother takes a dangerous path, the loving way is to advise him. For example:
·        The young must leave the home and go to another city, staying with worldly people ·        The debts are so high that will force to the Christian to spend all his time work hard to cancel Love and spiritual motivates us to give advice. Perhaps the lack of judgment could lead to losing the privileges. But not (is my opinion) as a general rule. But let’s consider next situations:
·        What (as in my city) there are several universities, avoiding the necessity to leave home? ·        What if my son eats at home, sleeps at home? ·        What if, for these reasons, I have the opportunity to talk with my son every day, and see the different situations he’s coping in his daily life? ·        What if the workload in his studies are quite similar to those that would have working? ·        What if I can move to the city where the University is located, to oversee my son? ·        What if I can delay the finalization of the career, in the interest that my son would have less workload, and, in this way, more freedom for his spiritual activities? ·        What if I can take over the debts ·        What if…? The 2005 article did not consider these possibilities at all. Simply, if you go to University, you’ll face all these dangers.
What has happened since then?
I have a good friend. He’s a very known elder. His three sons have gone to University (living at home). The outcome:
·        The three are -at this time- in full time ministry. One of them was several years in Bethel. ·        One of them is a very humble and nice elder (because before he went to University he already was so) ·        Two of them are not so humble (because before they went to University they already were this way) I’ve seen a lot of other youth not going to University. The outcome
·        The humble ones, still are. ·        The proud ones, still are. Yes, I’ve heard a lot of times the experience of someone going to University and leaving the truth, or becoming more proud, or more materialist. But I’ve seen the same in many brothers without superior studies. For me, the relevant factor is:
Has contributed the superior studies to this spiritual outcome?
My personal experience.
I learnt the truth in the 1975 generation. Imagine. I start as pioneer the same day when I was baptized, when I was 16. In spite my parents pressure (I’m alone as JW) and my love for Science and Chemistry, I started the regular at 17 accepting any kind o partial time job, and when I was 18 was sent as special pioneer to another region. Later, I got married and about 30 had to leave full time service.
My situation was anything but easy. My only skill with 30 years was to preach. I struggled a lot studying for myself computer sciences after exhausting workdays. As I gained skills I could get better jobs. Over time I founded my own company related with software development. All my employees have University degree but, invariably, I had to teach them a lot of skills.
Do I think I lost my time when I was pioneer? I’m about 60, Do I think I could have attended University and, later, start as pioneer? What if, instead of doing well things, economically, at this moment I had a poor paid job, with no good holidays, no good car, do I still think it was a bad decision, not going to Chemistry University?
I would never exchange those wonderful years serving as pioneer and helping humble people to learn the truth, helping to establish new congregations, depending of God’s hand… No car, no big house, no holidays is better than serving in this special way.
So, what I think about these persons that now realized they wasted part of their life not attending superior studies?
As several of you have mention, if we hold the kingdom first, no sacrifice we could have done is perceived as such. But this does not mean that our position regarding superior studies are, at some degree, an imposition, not a personal decision.
 
 
 
 

I served 20 years in a city congregation that was two thirds black. There were several sisters with unbelieving mates, and some of those mates had issues. One would spend weeks at home where life would be 24/7 bliss. Then he would disappear into the streets for more weeks. Nobody knew if he would return or not. When he did, his wife always took him back.

His wife asked me to give his funeral talk. Though most avoided assignments like this, I relished them for the challenge of offering comfort amidst horrendous circumstances. I mean, when a guy gets knifed to death on a strange doorstep while seeking drugs, how do you put a smilely face on that?

“Jimmy had some hang-ups,” I said, “and it is likely those hang-ups had something to do with his death,” I told mourners at the Metropolitan Funeral Home. “We all know it. We might as well say it. Only then can we begin to offer comfort. Like all of us, Jimmy was a combination of strengths and weaknesses. You never know for sure which will win out and sometimes you say ‘there but for the grace of God go I.’

Look, this system is rough and it destroys people. When that happens, you don’t go moralizing over it. These were Bible type people, most of them not ours, so I read a lot of scriptures. But I also went heavy on his good traits, for he did have some. Few in the audience knew that he had graduated at SUNY Brockport and that he was a skilled pianist. I told of the happy times he would play piano at home.

I didn’t know how to conduct myself at the Metropolitan Funeral home. It was not my culture. I gathered that much was expected from the preacher (me) who conducted the funeral. I told the funeral director that I didn’t want to do it, for it would be phony. I would give my talk, sit down, and they could take over and I would do whatever they said. He told me that after his remarks I should lead everybody out the front door.

After his remarks, I led everyone out the front door. When I was almost there, I turned around to find they were way behind me all moving like snails. Of course they were way behind me all moving like snails – they had a casket to carry. I hadn’t thought of that. I doubled back and led them out at a snail’s pace, and felt a little uncomfortable doing so.

My most emotionally rewarding moment? When a Rochester police officer, approached me with tears in his eyes to thank me for speaking well of his brother. Emotional reward is all that counts. Though I have given many funeral talks, I have never charged a dime, as is the way with Jehovah’s Witnesses. I relate the event not to draw attention to myself. It was emotionally fulfilling giving the talk. It is emotionally fulfilling again telling of it.