 | hello | Nov 18, '10 4:13 PM
for everyone |
hello to all my friends, sorry it has been so long, that you have heard from me, it is three and a half months now, since the wedding day, and a lot has been happening, we went to the melbourne district convention, and next year palnning on going to hobart, tassmania, there i will beable to show Karen what tasmania looks like, had a great year with the quiick builds, and now lookimg foreward to taken karen to phllip island to show her the wild life. will contact again soon, love from derek and karen. | karen | Jul 22, '10 9:26 AM
for everyone |
today Karen arrived from florida america | hello | Jul 14, '10 8:49 PM
for everyone |
hello hello to my friends the wedding day has been bought foreward we are now getting married on the 30th of july at 1.30pm next week Karen will be here. | hello | May 22, '10 3:43 AM
for everyone |
hi to all my friends. the wedding will be at 1 pm on the 14th of august, we will be having a cake and punch reception, and a private dinner togethere after, close to the honeymoon suite, it would have been nice, if you all could be there. | hello | Apr 20, '10 9:06 PM
for everyone |
hello to every one, i am leaveing this site very soon just to let you know i am getting married in august, to a sister Karen who is in america | sorry | Mar 12, '10 11:25 PM
for everyone |
sorry im not on much to be able to reply i have a lot to do, and a lot on my mind. at the meeting last night, it was announced that i have been appointed as a ministerial servant
In a very rural area in the USA where telephone party-lines are still in use, a "nosey neighbor" habitually would listen in on the conversation of one of Jehovah's Witnesses who had recently moved nearby. One day the witness picked up the phone to make a call, heard her name spoken and just couldn't resist listening in:
"... Well, no, Mabel, I can't really find any fault with her as a neighbor. In fact, she came over to meet me soon after they moved in and brought some cookies! But they have some pretty strange ideas! What? Well, like they mean to take over the government! What? No, she didn't EXACTLY tell ME that -- but I overheard her on the phone one day and she kept talking about what it would be like under the NEW SYSTEM! Yes! -- even has a name for it -- calls it a Theo -- Theok -- THEOCRACY, whatever THAT means!
How? BY MOB ACTION, Mabel! Yes! She said they have a GREAT CROWD! And listen: They're going to make their move real soon, because she said someone named Jehovah is SPEEDING IT UP! (Do you think he might be their "guru" or something?)
And, Mabel -- they have an international spy ring going! No! -- I'm not joking! It's a system that they are just putting into operation -- developed it at their HEADQUARTERS, she said, and its called MEPS! And get this --- it's in 200 languages!
Well, here's how it works Mabel: First they CHECK OUT A TERRITORY --- Yes! They send in their very best workers! And they've even got code names --- PIONEERS! And she said they SPEARHEAD THE WORK. Aren't they clever?
Well, these PIONEERS go and get their instructions every month. What? Well, I know because I heard her ask her friend if she had got her February KM yet! (I think it stands for Keep Mum.)
And Mabel, they KIDNAP people who don't listen to them! They do so. I've heard her speak about THE RANSOM bold as you please, I don't know how many times!
Oh! I'm telling you Mabel, these people are SMART! Why, they can read foreign languages! Yes, they can! She is always saying she read something in the HEBREW or GREEK scriptures! Fancy that!
And you know, they must make slaves out of the people who don't get ransomed? They must -- she refers to the SLAVE CLASS a lot! And this is something, some are FAITHFUL SLAVES and then there are the EVIL SLAVES -- I figure they're probably the ones who won't work.
Why? Well, because she was telling her friend about someone she said was INACTIVE for about a year! (It's a wonder they let them live, isn't it?)
What's that Mabel? Oh, no, they get their money from the secular work -- they wouldn't stir up attention by making money off their books and stuff. Yes, they're in all kinds of jobs. A few of them must run fabric shops, because she mentions a REMNANT quite a bit. And some raise sheep. Yes, some have only a LITTLE FLOCK and some raise OTHER SHEEP, but she didn't mention what breed they were.
Then some of them are farmers, and get this Mabel: She said that THEIR HARVEST IS GREAT! Now, you know how hard most of the farmers in this area have been hit by the drought this year! Well, the Devil looks after his own, I always say! Now, where was I?
Oh yes! Some of them are even PUBLISHERS! You can imagine what sort of stuff they print! And I think her husband is a medical man. What? No, I'm not kidding. She said he had made several calls on some who were IRREGULAR and had very good results!
If Jehovah is your Co-pilot - swap seats! | ******************************* | | Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. | ******************************* It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one. | ******************************* People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and to sit in the back of the Kingdom Hall. ******************************* Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever. ******************************* Quit griping about your Kingdom Hall; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong. ******************************* If the Kingdom Hall wants a better speaker, it only needs to pray for the one it has. ******************************* Jehovah Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? ******************************** Some minds are like concrete: thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. ****************************** Peace starts with a smile. ****************************** We were called to be Witnesses, not lawyers or judges. ******************************* Be fishers of men: You catch them, Jehovah will clean them. ****************************** Don't put a question mark where Jehovah God put a period. ***************************** Forbidden fruits create many jams. ***************************** Jehovah doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. ***************************** He who angers you, controls you! ***************************** Prayer: Don't give Jehovah instructions -- just report for duty! ********************************* The task ahead of us is never as great as the Holy Spirit behind us. ********************************** The Will of Jehovah never takes you to where the power of Jehovah will not protect you. *********************************** We don't change the message in the bible; the message in the bible changes us. *********************************** You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him. *********************************** | Here is the real update of disaster relief inside for our brothers in Haiti under supervision of our missionaries, John and Marie...."Think how we can contribute spiritually and materially"
| Wed, 2010-01-20 18:55 — jgoode
We wish to thank each and everyone of you that has sent us words of comfort and encouragement, knowing that you are keeping our brothers and sisters here in Haiti in your prayers. We are still unable to answer personally your e-mails due to the immense work load involved with the relief effort. We offer you again a brief update on the situation here.
Eight days after the original earthquake, at 6:03 AM this morning the strongest aftershock measuring magnitude 5.9 struck Haiti. It was felt by all in the Port-au-Prince area, which made many run out of their homes and rooms into the open areas for safety.
At the Branch, the survival kits are continuing to be prepared. Today, there were 9,972 daily food rations that were either delivered to or picked up by congregations needing help. This brings the total to 62,424 rations delivered to date.
The medical volunteers from Europe (Aide Afrique) arrived today. Another brother and myself traveled to the border to meet them, and guide their convoy of four vehicles to the Branch. Upon arrival, they met with our relief committee, then the medical volunteers from the Dominican Republic who made the transfer of files and patients, after which our brothers and sisters from the Dominican Republic started their trek back home. Tomorrow, 14 nurses are expected to arrive from Guadeloupe as support to the Aide Afrique team. A mobile operating block will also be arriving via the Dominican Republic tomorrow. Our brothers who are surgeons and anesthesiologists are standing by.
On Tuesday, two of our trucks made trips to deliver aid in the areas outside of Port-au-Prince near the epicenter: Merger, Gressier, Léogane, Grand Goave, Petit Goave, Jacmel and Cayes-Jacmel. On the way back they were able to pickup two injured in Léoagne and bring them back to our medical relief center working around the clock here. The drivers report that the brothers and sisters receiving such aid have expressed much gratitude for the help and relief that Jehovah's organization is providing.
The efforts made by Jehovah's people to get aid to fellow worshipers and their neighbors has touched many non-Witnesses. In the regional relief center of Gressier, one man said "It seems there really is a true religion." Another man remarked as he observed the food and survival supplies being unloaded at a local Kingdom Hall, "Now that's what you call a religion! People helping each other."
Despite the difficult conditions, reports from the regional relief centers indicate that the brothers are keeping a positive attitude. In most centers the daily text from Examining the Scriptures Daily is considered together. Local elders arrange for meetings and tirelessly work to encourage the congregation members gathered there. Many of our brothers have commented that they now know what Jesus meant when he said there would be earthquakes in one place after another during the last days. Others have said: "Now we know we really are part of an international brotherhood. "
Back in 2004 and again in 2008, the city of Gonaives was victim to multiple hurricanes and tropical storms which left much devastation and death. On both occasions the brothers and sisters there received rapid relief from the Branch and nearby congregations. They now felt moved to give back. Unannounced, the brothers from Gonaives arrived at the Branch on Monday with a gift shipment of flour, rice, gasoline, vegetables and cooking oil. This arrival lifted the spirits of many working at the Branch, especially since the kitchen had just run out of flour that day!
We feel empowered by the strength of Jehovah's spirit guiding us in the aftermath of this disaster. Please continue to keep your brothers and sisters here in Haiti in your prayers.
Your friends, John & Marie
|
| Report from Haiti – Zone Visit - 17 January 2010 | | | | | Written by Administrator | | Monday, 18 January 2010 07:52 |
The day after the earthquake, the Haiti branch made enquires to check that all missionaries, special pioneers, circuit overseers were alive, and what state they were in. Bethel and the Assembly Hall didn’t suffer any real damage. The Governing Body started to co-ordinate the relief efforts, in order to provide practical and spiritual help. On Thursday a little after midday, the trucks with aid arrived marked Humanitarian Aid of Jehovah’s Witnesses on the side, containing 6 tonnes of food and medicine. This relief effort has been the largest ever organised on the island of Hispaniola. The Assembly Hall became the refuge centre for hundreds of injured brothers and sisters. The vast majority were attended to by brothers and sisters who are doctors and nurses from the Dominican Republic who had offered their services. They have attended to hundreds of broken bones and other injuries. They have carried out operations and amputated limbs. The cases requiring most urgent medical attention have been taken over the border into the Dominican Republic to Jimani, where they have been met by a group of Witness doctors, and treated at the hospital there. Many have then been transferred to hospitals in other parts of the country, by ambulance or in the brother’s cars. Groups of brothers with Creole interpreters have been receiving the brothers who are brought to the Dominican Republic, providing them with food and medicine, demonstrating true Christian love. A brother who went to Haiti to help on the relief effort was interviewed for the New York Times newspaper, as he prepared to cross the border into Haiti. The journalist asked him how he was going to get into the country, and which organisation he was working with to do relief work. He explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses were already providing aid to the brothers, and giving them food, and that more supplies were on their way. The journalist was very surprised and impressed. 104 brothers are now confirmed dead. 10,000 witnesses live in the areas affected by the earthquake. The Bethel family and construction teams have been working to rescue those who are trapped under rubble. Brooklyn Bethel has offered to send a French-speaking doctor. As far as we know the Kingdom Halls survived the earthquake, and brothers are currently taking refuge in them. In one Kingdom Hall, between 300 and 500 witnesses who lost their homes are now living in the hall. The branch in Dominican Republic is working hard to provide aid. 25 tonnes of food and medicine have already been sent from the DR. This is only the beginning of the aid effort. The relief work will continue with the help of the brothers throughout the DR. At present, it would not be suitable for the branch to send groups of volunteers into Haiti; this work is being done by a specialised team. It was asked that donations of food and clothing not be given to Bethel, as it proves more effective and economically viable for the Branch to buy these in bulk. We were asked to keep donating to the Worldwide Work, as this fund will be used to pay for the relief work in Haiti. | A trucker came into a truck stop cafe and placed his order. He said, "I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and pair of running boards."
The brand new blonde waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook, "This guy out there just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards. What does he think this place is, an auto parts store?"
"No," the cook said. "Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up, and running boards are 2 slices of crisp bacon."
"Oh, OK!" said the blonde. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer.
The trucker asked, "What are the beans for, Blondie?"
I LOVE THIS ONE............
She replied, "I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards, you might as well gas up!"
FOR ONCE THE BLONDE GETS EVEN!
How to achieve good vision while driving during a heavy downpour.
We are not sure why it is so effective; just
try this method when it rains heavily.
This method was told by a Police
friend who had experienced and confirmed it.
It is useful...even driving at night.
Most of the motorists would turn on HIGH or FASTEST SPEED
of the wipers during heavy downpour, yet the visibility in
front of the windshield is still bad......
In the event you face such a situation,
just try your SUN GLASSES (any model will do), and miracle!
All of a sudden, your visibility in front of your
windshield is perfectly clear, as if there is no rain.
Make sure you always
have a pair of SUN GLASSES
in your car, as you are not only helping yourself to drive
safely with good vision, but also might save your friend's life by
giving him this idea..
Try it yourself and share it with your friends!???
Amazing, you still see
the drops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain
falling.?
You can see where the rain bounces off the road.? It
works to eliminate the "blindness" from passing
semi's spraying you too.?
Or the "kickup" if you are following a semi or
car in the rain.?
They ought to teach that little tip in driver's
training.. It really does work.
~
This warning is a good one!
I wonder how many people know about this
~
A 36 year old female had an accident several weeks ago and
totaled her car.
A resident of Kilgore , Texas she was traveling between
Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not
excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydro-plane and literally flew through the air.
When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he
told her something that every driver should know - NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH
YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She thought she was being cautious by
setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain..
But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on when
your car begins to hydro-plane and your tires lose contact with the pavement,
your car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed making you take off
like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.
The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver's seat
sun-visor - NEVER USETHE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY, along
with the airbag warning. We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control
and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise
control only when the pavement is dry.
The only person the accident victim found, who knew this
(besides the patrolman), was a man who had a similar accident, totaled
his car and sustained severe injuries.
NOTE: Some vehicles (like the Toyota Sienna
Limited XLE) will not allow you to set the cruise control
when the windshield wipers are on. If you send this to 15 people and only one
of them doesn't know about this, then it was all worth it.
You might have saved a life.
>
>
----
>
> The teacher said she had to write a poem based on an
> historical event, and put it to a Christmas tune. She asked if she
> could modify the assignment by just writing a poem on the origin of
> Christmas
> and if true Christians should celebrate it. She is very talented.
Enjoy!
>
>
> Christmas Poem By: Monét Phillips
>
> Christmas time for many is the best time of the year.
> A time to bond with family for gift giving and cheer.
> But if you did some research of how it originated,
> you'd ask yourself, "Is it proper for true Christians to celebrate it?"
> You can ask any Christian, anyone on the Earth
> What December 25th is and they'll say, "Christ Jesus' birth"....
> Was Jesus really born in December?
> According to the Bible, he wasn't.
> Does Christmas come from true Christians?
> No, it surely doesn't.
> The Jewish month of Chislev or our November/December,
> was not pleasant in Bethlehem . It had cold and rainy weather.
> The Bible writer Ezra confirmed that when cold Chislev came,
> people were "shivering on account of the showers of rain". (Ezra 10:9,
13)
>
> Jeremiah also wrote that when this month arrived,
> people said it was so cold you couldn't "stand outside"! (Jeremiah
36:22)
> So if he was born in December and conditions were so poor,
> why would shepherds on this night be "living out of doors"? (Luke
2:8-12)
> Well where does Christmas come from? I surely have to tell 'ya.
> It's from an ancient festival whose name was Saturnalia.
> During this pagan party, people exchanged gifts.
> Its date was very familiar. December 25th.
> This date was someone's birthday: Tammuz was his name.
> It was a festival that would give all of us great shame.
> They used the tall green Christmas tree and wreaths were all around
> to represent phallus as researchers have found.
> The mistletoe had powers they put it into use
> it was to promote fertility, the first step to reproduce!
> The ornaments you've come to know they made their use of these
> Except for round glass globes they used human heads on trees!
> If this were Christ's true birthday
> and he was really for it
> wouldn't he tell us to do it?
> Wouldn't he support it?
> So think about this info
> and read the Bible through
> then take a moment and ask yourself:
> "What would Jesus do?"
Patterson Educational Center – Bethel Bro. Sherman Butts
* The times we're living in are "critical - hard to deal with." Anxiety, depression, anguish, exhaustion, tired out and tired of fighting ... All of us have or will feel this way, at some point.
* But the theme for this Talk is found at Gal. 6:9 - "So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do NOT tire out."
So it's telling us, don't get so tired that you stop doing what's fine, that you discontinue spiritual things - service, meetings, eating at Jehovah's table. If we keep doing what is fine, we will benefit.
* 1 Pet. 5:8 - "Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking to devour someone." Keep your senses, be watchful = don't tire out.
Seeks to devour someone, carries the thought that Satan wants to pulverize us, so he can drink us down. He's a terrorist, a monster.
Knowing that his time is running out, he's increasing the pressure.
Sometimes its blatant, frontal persecution. Other times it's more subtle. Satan knows that we go thru emotional ups & downs, so he waits ... and waits ... and waits, until we're at our lowest point & then he pounces on us, hoping to destroy us spiritually.
* Walking the spiritual life is the very best way of life, but it's not the easiest. There are holes on the path to life. We will stumble, we will fall, we will err. But it's about how we respond.
* The Devil hopes we'll fall into a hole so deep, that we'll hit such an emotional low that we'll get complacent & then he comes down to pounce on us, pulverize us.
* We feel compressed, repressed, depressed, stepped over, stepped on, etc. How do we not tire out? James 1:2 - Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials.
Various in Greek = piokilos = many tints, many tinted, or many colors.
So Satan has an assortment or array of colors to make us worn out. Ask yourself, what is he using against you? Is it the black of death? The gray of depression? The green of envy? The red of rage?
* 1 Pet. 4:10 - In proportion as each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of God's undeserved kindness expressed in various ways.
* Jehovah God has an undeserved kindness to match every trial from Satan
* There's no problem, circumstance, situation, or pressure that can come up, that Jehovah can't match! Consider examples.
1) Resentment - Psalm 6:6-9 - grown weary with my sighing, all night long make my couch swim; with my tears make my divan overflow. Get away from me, practicers of what is hurtful. Jehovah will hear my weeping and request for favor ...
* David was saying that someone who knew him, someone close to him had hurt him deeply; he cried himself to sleep. Have you ever been crushed that way?
* Vs. 9 tells us he didn't tire out. He was confident Jehovah would hear his request for favor and accept his prayer.
* The Bible says at times we will speak thoughtlessly as with the stabs of a sword, which means it's not just superficial but the cut & hurt go deep.
* And what happens after we've cried about it and all our tears dry up? Then resentment starts to set in, we get upset. We may see them at the meeting and ignore them.. We want them to hurt like we hurt. For some, it even causes them to stop going to the meetings. What should we do?
* Col 3:13 - Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah fr eely forgave you, so do you also..
* Granting forgiveness in no way condones the wrong. It just means that you are relinquishing the burden of resentment. You're saying you will no longer carry the resentment that came from their hurtful action.
* If you have an 8oz cup full of water, how long can you hold it? 5min? 1hr? A whole day? If you tried to hold it indefinitely, you would eventually suffer long-term internal damage. Because it's not about how heavy the cup is, it's about how long you hold it.
* Same is true with forgiveness. It's not about the wrong that was done to you, it's about how long you'll hold it. Sometimes you can see the pain in people's faces when they're holding resentment ... All they have to do is put it down and let it go. If we want to be theocratic, spiritually productive people, we have to put it down, and just let it go.
2) Persecution - from the=2 governments, from our families, from the economy, etc.
* Example of two young brothers who were beaten and pressured to pray (in school). The young boy refused and told the headmaster, that he could not be a Witness at home, but then be someone else at school. Another brother was tortured and vomited blood for 90days, but he kept his integrity and prayed that the other brothers being held would not surrender, but stay loyal.
* One sister battled cancer for 17 years but never quit going to meetings. Another young brother faces pressure from young ladies everyday to commit immorality - but he remains clean. Another couple used to be loved by their family and friends when they were in the world, but once they learned the truth - they were shunned.
* What persecutions have we endured for the sake of the kingdom? What helps us in all these situations?
* Philippians 2: 5, 8 - "Keep this mental attitude that was also in Christ Jesus. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake."
Jesus had humility and he was obedient. It takes humility to endure mistreatment; realizing that you can't control or undo what's happening to you. It's like a sailboat in stormy waters - you can't control the winds, but you can adjust your sail.
Heartfelt prayer is also important.
* Rom. 8:31,37 - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who will be against us? To the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious
through him that loved us.
Sometimes after a hard rain, you'll see flowers that are completely bent over. Normally, when it's about to rain, you'll see humans and animals leave and take cover. But flowers can't uproot themselves and run for cover! They have to stay there and take it. The flowers may be bent, but they're not broken. Eventually, they stand up again.
Likewise, when persecution comes, we can' t always get away from it, we can't run and take cover. After it passes, we may feel exhausted, and bent. But as long as we're strongly rooted, Jehovah will help us to stand up again.
3) Feelings of unworthiness - possibly because of some sin we've committed in the past, or something someone said that makes you feel worthless; or maybe as a result of your own thoughts.
* They called on one sister in their hall, and they visited with her and the kids. She had an infectious laugh, it made others laugh. But after she sent the kids to the room to play, she told the brothers she just wanted to die... She didn't feel like she was worth the life she had. Sometimes the thought of jumping off the 10th floor brought a smile to her face.
* What do you say to someone like that??
* Ps. 34:18 - Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. To add texture to this verse, also read Ps. 147:3 - He is healing the brokenhearted ones, and is binding up their painful spots.
As a kid, I always thought I was bigger than I really was (You chuckled, cuz I'm kinda small. Do not let the suit fool ya!) Anyway, I used to think I was bigger than I actually was until one day I was looking thru some photos and made a joke about the little, skinny kid in the picture - only to find out that it was me! Lesson? Sometimes, what you see is not what the picture really says.
The 'picture' says that Jehovah, the Most High Sovereign of the Universe is concerned about you. He cares. He wants to patch you up; heal you; bind up your painful spots.
1 John 4:1 - Don't believe every inspired expression, but test it to see whether they originate with God. So the other application could be, when we feel worthless because of what others say or because of our own thoughts - we have to test out those expressions to see if they originate with God - is that what the picture really says.
* When testing the wheel on a grinding machine, you tap the wheel and it's supposed to make a loud ringing sound. If it doesn't and it's dull, then you know it's no good and you need to replace, or it could be dangerous. It's called the ring test.
So when we face negative feelings and thoughts - do the ring test. Remember that Jehovah loves us..
* Older ones say they can't give what they used to, so they don't have value. But the picture says that Jehovah values their gray hair and appreciates everyone who offers whole-souled service..
* Youth are pulled in every direction - parents, friends, teachers, etc. Their heart tells them to do spiritual things, but their emotions may say otherwise. Some don't feel that they have a real place in the congregation. So Young ones feel negative at times too. How can we help them?
Ps.. 127:3 - Look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; the fruitage of the belly is a rich reward. An inheritance is something of value, left behind to enhance the life of someone else. That's how Jehovah feels about them. A rich reward!!!
The goal for youth should be, to be an Answer for Jehovah, to Satan's taunts - not the ex cuse Satan uses in his rebellion. If you can make decisions that will bring tears to your mothers eyes, and break her heart - if you can live with that, then that's between you and Jehovah. But the goal should be to vessels for an honorable use.
* We feel exhausted, tired, overwhelmed, overheated ... but we can't give up - we've come to far. We're so close to the finish line!
* Heb. 12:1 - "Put off every weight and run with endurance." It's a race. So, we're gonna get tired, feel overheated, feel the pains of running. Just expect it.
In one marathon run in NY, a runner who was in the lead stumbled due to exhaustion and lost the lead. He ended up crawling across the finish line.. One who interviewed him expressed lament that he'd lost the lead, and the runner said, don't feel sorry for me! I wasn't running the race just to win, my goal was to finish - and I did finish!
Likewise for us - it's a race, not a beauty contest! We're not worried about how good we look as we're running - our goal is just to finish the race.
When you prep for a race, there are things that you expect and prepare for - cramps, sweat, to be bumped by other runners, etc. But what if you saw someone running a marathon, and then he suddenly stopped, only 2miles in. You ask him why he stopped running and he says, "there was something starting to happen on my forehead ... I felt sweat running down, so I stopped. I signed up to run, but I didn't sign up for sweating!" Or he says, "I got bumped by another runner .... I said I would run, but I didn't plan to get bumped." You'd say: that's ABSURD!
So it is with us. We expect to sweat, feel the pain, get bumped, etc. WE DON'T STOP RUNNING. We don't tire out, we keep doing what is fine..
* Ps. 40:28-31 - Jehovah, a God to time indefinite, does not tire out or grow weary. He's giving to the tired one power ... boys will both tire out and grow weary, without fail stumble, but those hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They'll mount up like eagles; walk and not tire out.
That's what Jehovah gives us - that His "piokilos." When we get tired of flapping our wings, Jehovah says he'll make us soar like eagles!
* So what's our resolve? Gal 6:9 - keep doing what is fine, for we shall reap if we don't tire out
* Remember Paganini ... famous violinist who was playing a concert where 3 of his strings broke, and he was down to only one. To the crowds' amazement, he continued to play on only one string!
* So it is with us - we do not stop playing until Jehovah says the song is over!
We don't harbor resentment - we forgive.
We maintain the mind of Christ - humility and obedience.
When storms come, we're like flowers - bent but not broken.
Youths - become the Answer for Jehovah, not the excuse.
When we feel worthless, we listen to what the picture really says.
We prep for the pains of the race, and we DO NOT TIRE OUT!
We don't expect it to be easy, we know we will sweat, cramp up, feel weak, but we do NOT Give UP - we rely on Jehovah & we soar like an eagle, & we make it to the finish line! YES! BE there!!!! Let's all make it to the Finish Line......... This may be passed on
A table announcement made at Bethel today (from Coordinator's Committee of Governing Body)
"Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Russia confirmed the ruling of the Rostov court that the Taganrog Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses should be “liquidated” for being guilty of extremist activity. It also ruled that 34 separate items of literature produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses are “extremist.”
The actual impact of the decision is not yet clear. However, an order could be given to the effect that Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia may no longer distribute the literature found to be “extremist,” including My Book of Bible Stories and What Does the Bible Really Teach?. Our publishers could face fines and imprisonment for violating this order. Seven more court cases are pending in Russia where our brothers are facing similar charges to those in Taganrog.
Whatever actions our opposers take against Kingdom interests, Jehovah’s people, as counseled in Philippians 1:27 will continue to “behave in a manner worthy of the good news about the Christ.” As verse 28 continues we are “in no respect being frightened by [our] opponents,” since, as this verse concludes, “this very thing is a proof of destruction for them, but of salvation for you; and this [indication] is from God.”
We are reviewing this decision to determine what further redress is available within Russia. If justice cannot be found, the intervention of the European Court of Human Rights will be sought. Already much attention is being given to this negative decision by representatives of various governments and by the media who were present at the hearing. Accordingly, one way or another, a definite “witness” is being given to all onlookers.—Matthew 10:18.
As we continue to seek Jehovah’s guidance, may we have full confidence in the words of Isaiah 54:17: “ ‘Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn. This is the hereditary possession of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.”" .
At its regular meeting on Nov. 19, the Warwick Town Board announced the plans by the religious group.
The visual impact of the religious denomination’s plans to refurbish the former International Nickel Company property off Long Meadow Road stand as the primary concern residents want addressed in any environmental impact statement.
The plans for the new headquarters that are before the town’s Planning Board call for almost 90 percent of the 257 acre site to remain in its natural condition. The site consists of approximately 195 acres of forest, 37 acres of wetlands and Blue Lake , and almost 14 acres of roads, buildings and landscaping.
The plans include specifications to meet the Green Building Initiative’s three “Green Globes” standard, a building rating system used in the U.S. and Canada .
The proposed Watchtower redevelopment site has been vacant since the mid 1990’s. Two other tax-exempt entities - Kings College and later Touro College - each abandoned plans to redevelop the site.
Supervisor Michael Sweeton said attorneys for Jehovah’s Witnesses invited him to tour its other New York campuses in Patterson and Shawangunk to demonstrate “what they do, what their campuses look like and how they fit into the community.”
The project has received a positive declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review, meaning the town is required to “identify and mitigate the significant environmental impacts” before approving the plans. Sweeton said the proposed campus seems like a good fit for the site and he is “pleased so little land would be disturbed.”
The site sits in the Tuxedo School District , which had concerns about children on the campus; however, Sweeton said according to the religious order it only permits members without children to work and live on campus. Members with children would have to leave the site and settle in the community where their children would attend school.
If the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society proposal goes through, it will have a minimal carbon footprint, says Sweeton, and “use all kinds of recycled materials with a vast amount of open space to remain.”
He also said members visiting the campus will stay in bed and breakfasts and hotels, eat in restaurants and shop, bringing tourism dollars with them. Jehovah’s Witnesses World Headquarters
The religious order’s new world headquarters proposed for Long Meadow Road in Warwick at the former International Nickel Company property would include:
• A three-to-four-story office building and place of worship (195,000 square feet)
• Four five-story residential buildings (400,000 square feet)
• One three-to-four-story service building including kitchen, laundry and support functions (137,000 square feet)
• A two-story maintenance shop (100,000 square feet)
• Additional smaller buildings including a vehicle repair shop, heating/cooling and generator house and a recreation services building.
• The parking lot would hold 100 cars while the below-ground parking garage has 750 parking spaces.
Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another petrol station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $2000. Tux rental-$100. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $5.95 for a three-pack. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original colour. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
No wonder men are happier.
Cinnamon and Honey
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey.. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.
Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.
Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu..
LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH:
People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
You might want to share this information with a friend, kinfolks and loved ones. Everyone needs healthy help information ~ what they do with it is up to them ~ share with your email buddies!!!!! I'd like to hold you in my arms and dry your tearful eyes...
The hurt and sorrow that you feel, you simply can't disguise.
Life in this old system brings much misery and woe.
We're all beset by many trials. Which way are we to go?
Just raise your eyes toward heaven, and say a little prayer.
The God of Comfort hears us, of our trials, he is aware.
His Word is like a lamp that shines, through darkness, lights the way.
It guides our feet and leads us all unto a brighter day.
So we must pay attention, for what He says is true.
His Word gives us real comfort, and gives us a proper view.
He always lends a helping hand to help us all endure
Our trials and tribulations - giving us a hope that's sure.
So dry your eyes, my dear one... and ne'er give up the fight...
The brightness of God's Word of Truth illuminates the night...
It gives us hope to carry on in these, the final days.
And shows us that our God, Jehovah, deserves all our praise.
Yes, hold your head up high, dear one - raise your eyes and rejoice...
and sing His praises all day long with clear and strengthened voice.
Do join the mighty chorus that world-wide preach the Word...
to every soul with listening ears - yes, preach what we have heard.
For then you will be happy - true happiness you'll find...
In bringing lasting hope to ones who spiritually are blind...
Just always let your light shine .. To those willing to hear...
And faithful be to God above as his Great Day draws near.
For soon this wicked world will be a bad dream -- in the past....
and you and I will once again enjoy life that will last.
Then earth will be a paradise, with health and peace for all...
Our dead, departed loved ones will hear the Master's call.
And one and all will rise again to be with us again...
to share in love and laughter - we all want to be there when
All of these blessed promises of Our Great God come true.
So listen to His Words always, and He'll stay close to you! | |
