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Our International Brotherhood (A Spiritual Family) (Poem)

Isn't it amazing what Jehovah has accomplished
Only by Jehovah's Spirit could only such a thing come to be
To have No Barriers in our Love for one another
What a Witness for the World to see

Isn't it mind boggling with all our different Languages?
In agreement we all speak
Where race, background and station of life doesn't matter
And when a disaster occurs, your brothers are there 1st
And ready for the task to meet

Isn't it Fantastic to have so many brothers and sisters?
That you can depend on
Whether it be spiritual support, a helping hand, encouragement
And many more, too numerous to relate
To the world its unbelievable that no matter where we are
Internationally with our brother we are at home
Aren't we happy with our international brotherhood? We have put our stake

Oh how pleasant the unity we have among us
Because of Jehovah God we serve
Let this mighty throng help us
Not from Jehovah, never to swerve
Psalms 133:1

By Sister ELLEN TOMPKINS

Jehovah's Name (Poem)

Long ago when I was young
And learning from my parents tongue
I came to know of many things
To know the joy that learning brings

I learned the origin of man
I learned just how it all began
I knew of mighty men of fame
But I didn't know God had a name

As time passed by, my knowledge grew
There seemed no end to things
I knew The alphabet now came alive
I knew my numbers well past five

I learned of people and their acts
I learned great scientific facts
I knew of Christ who healed the lame
But didn't know God had a name

One day a stranger spoke to me
And told me where to find the key
To knowledge of eternal life
Devoid of illness, pain and strife

I listened to this humble man
As he unfolded Gods great plan
He told me of the Kingdoms birth
How men would beautify the earth

He told of things I'd never read
I somewhat hesitantly said,
"Tell me please, does he have a name
This God of unsurpassing fame?"

He said "Would you please take the book
I hold here in my hands and look
Until you find Psalm 83
And then read verse 18 to me?"

Thus as I read "That men may know"
I felt the tears begin to flow
For here before me I could see
The answer to this mystery

"Jehovah" was his name I read
Yes, that is what the scripture said
I thanked the man who came to share
And brought the answer to my prayer

But now I pray I ne'er forget
That others haven't heard it yet
So may I publicly proclaim
The knowledge of that mighty name

-Author Unknown

Jehovah's Embroidery

When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. I told her that it looked like a mess from where I was. As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand, I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat.

She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "My son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side."

I would wonder why she was using some dark threads along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee."

This I did only to be surprised and thrilled to see a beautiful flower or a sunset. I could not believe it, because from underneath it looked so messy. Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a pre-drawn plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."

Many times through the years we may have asked our heavenly Father what was happening to our lives, and how to make sense of it. As we progress in understanding of his Fatherly and compassionate nature, we in time come to understand that what seems unclear to us from the underside, is beautifully taking form on the other. The dark threads may seem jumbled and a mess, and we are inclined to develop a negative attitude in our life, despite our Fathers comforting assurances. Yet with a confident faith in the final state of Jehovah's will and purpose accomplished, we will be permitted to see the "top" side of the embroidery, when "all things are made new" (Rev. 21:5)

Get in Shape!

A brother was conducting a Bible study with a student who failed to put into practice what he was learning. One day, after the study, our brother mentioned to the student that he had bought a book on health and fitness with the promise: "Become as fit as a marine in sixteen weeks." "You know," he lamented, "I've had the book more than 16 weeks, I've read it more than three times already, and I'm STILL not as fit as a marine. In fact I'm just as unfit as I ever was." "Have you been doing the exercises from the book?" the Bible student asked. "No," the brother admitted. "Then how do you expect to get anywhere with the book if you just read it, but don't do what it says ..." The brother could tell by the way the tone of the student's voice changed during the middle of his question that he had got the point!

Endurance (You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again)

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity-boiling water-but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? How do you handle Adversity?

Don't tell JEHOVAH how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your JEHOVAH is!

Gossip

When tempted to repeat some tidbit of information that could raise a negative eyebrow, remember to

THINK:
T--Is it true?
H--Is it helpful?
I--Is it inspiring?
N--Is it necessary?
K--Is it kind?

Bible, Effect of Reading
A young brother was discouraged in his attempts to read and remember the Bible. He said, "It's no use. No matter how much I read, I always forget what I have just read."

A wise elder replied, "Take heart. When you pour water over a sieve, no matter how much you pour, you don't collect much. But at least you end up with a clean sieve."

Bible, Study of
There was once a teenage boy who was deeply interested in scientific subjects, especially astronomy. So his father bought him a very expensive telescope. Since the young fellow had studied the principles of optics, he found the instrument to be most intriguing. He took it apart, examined the lenses, and made detailed calculations on the distance of its point of focus. The youth became so absorbed in gaining a technical knowledge of the telescope itself that he never got around to looking at the stars. He knew a lot about that fine instrument, but he missed seeing the wonders of the heavens.

As Christians, to know all the facts and figures contained in the Bible is not the end for which Jehovah has given us this Book. The purpose is that we might see the Truth through it and have a close personal relationship with Him.

Bible, Study of
There was once a small fishing village, where, for many years, a flock of sea gulls fed on the scraps the fishermen left. All was fine and good for the sea gulls until eventually the fishing became poor and the villagers moved down the coast to a location where fish were plentiful. The sea gulls did not follow the fishermen, and - because they had lived off the scraps of the fishermen and had never learned to feed themselves - the entire flock of birds died.
If we only feed on what others teach us, we are like these foolish sea gulls. (Acts 17:11)

Apostasy, Development of
There was once a man who, resisting the cost of oats he fed his mule, decided to gradually substitute sawdust in its diet. Everything went fine for a while - but by the time the mule was satisfied with sawdust, he died.

The same is true of the Truth. The changeover from truth to error is sometimes a slow process, and some brothers don't always know the difference. But, before you know it, they are spiritually.

Bible, Those who don't apply it
There was once a wealthy businessman who was fascinated by the microscope. Looking through its lens to study crystals and the petals of flowers, he was amazed at their beauty and detail. He decided one day to examine some food he was planning to eat for dinner. Much to his dismay, he discovered that tiny living creatures were crawling in it. Since he was especially fond of this particular food, he wondered what to do. Finally he concluded that there was only one way out of his dilemma - he would destroy the instrument that caused him to discover the distasteful fact. So he smashed the microscope to pieces!
"How foolish!" one might exclaim. But many people do the same thing with Jehovah's Word, the Bible. They hate it and would like to get rid of it because it reveals their evil nature.

Perseverance
Two frogs fell into a can of cream,
Or so I've heard it told.
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold.
"Oh what's the use?" croaked number one.
"'Tis fate, no help's around.
Good-bye, my friend!
Good-bye, sad world!"
And weeping still, he drowned.

But number two, of sterner stuff,
Dog-paddled in surprise.
The while he wiped his creamy face,
And dried his creamy eyes.
"I'll swim awhile at least," he said,
Or so I've heard it said;
"It really wouldn't help the world,
If one more frog were dead."
An hour or two he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter,
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,
Then hopped out, via butter!

Preaching, Need for

Once there was a seven-year-old boy who went to Disneyland with his parents, but with all the excitement of going on all the rides, he was separated from them. He was having such a wonderful time that it was quite a while before he realized the predicament he was in. At first he thought he could find his way back to his parents. But, after a time, it finally hit him. He had no idea where he was going or how to get there. He was lost, really lost.

The same is true of people who have not found the Truth. They may not know it yet, because they may still be having a wonderful time, but they are lost all the same. Sooner or later it's going to hit them that they don't know where they are going or how to get there.

Two things were necessary for the boy to be reunited with his family. First he had to recognize his condition. Second, someone had to show him where he could find his family. The same is true with our preaching. Jehovah's "draws" those whose heart condition is right. And as Jehovah's Witnesses, we are commissioned to show them the Truth.

Parents
Some children walk the high road
While others tread the low,
A parent's life determines
Which way a child will go.

Child-rearing
Pouring concrete is hard work. A solid base must be prepared before anything else is done. Then, when the concrete is poured, it must be shaped before it sets, because once set up, change is only possible if preceded by removal of what has already been laid down. If done correctly, a well-poured footing will last far beyond the original owner's lifetime. If done incorrectly, the evidence will appear soon enough as a crumbling surface, structural cracks, and a shift in walls and floors.
Raising children is like pouring concrete. Before a baby arrives, a couple should prepare a solid base in their marriage and share a readiness for parenting. After the child arrives, the first few years can be likened to the time before the concrete sets up. By our presence (more than presents), by careful and thoughtful attention to the thousands of details and tens of thousands of repetitions required, by unfailing prayer and careful instruction in Jehovah's ways, we parents attempt to set a mold that will last a lifetime and more - into eternity.

Sin, Effects of
In St. Louis there is a railroad switchyard. One particular switch begins with just the thinnest piece of steel to direct the train away from one main track to another. If you were to follow those two tracks, however, you would find that one ends in San Francisco, the other in New York.
Sin is like that. Just a small deviation from Jehovah's standards can place us far away from our intended destination.

Habits
Have you ever noticed a vine growing and spiraling around a chain-link fence? The fresh growth, the young green vine, is easy to remove with a simple twist our your wrist. But the old, brown, woody part of the vine is very difficult to remove. It takes a lot of time and effort to break it off, and sometimes in won't come off unless we are willing to also remove part of the fence itself.
Bad habits are like a vine on a chain-link fence. The sooner we get after them, the easier they are to remove. But he old ones, the ones we've let remain in our life for years, are hard to get rid of. And sometimes they can't be removed unless we also remove other parts of our life.

Faith without Works
Faith and works are like the two chemicals: sodium and chlorine. Each of these chemicals is poisonous and could kill a person if ingested. But if we combine them properly, we have sodium chloride; better know as salt - the common ingredient we use that gives flavor to our food and indeed life and health to our bodies. So too, as with the ingredients of salt, faith and works are inseparable. (James 2:26)

World, Influence of
In a school experiment, some boys put a frog in a container of water and began to heat the water very slowly. The water finally reached the boiling point and yet the frog never even attempted to jump out. Why? Because the changes in the environment were so slight and slow to occur that the frog didn't even notice them until it was too late.
As Christians, we can end up like the frog. There are changes in the world around us that are so gradual, that perhaps we don't even notice them. Like the frog we could be spiritually dying without even noticing it!

Money, Deceitfulness
One day a certain old rich man, of a miserable disposition visited a counselor, who took the rich man by the hand and led him to a window. "Look out there," he said. The rich man looked into the street. "What do you see?" asked the counselor.
"I see men, women, and children," answered the rich man.
And the counselor took him by the hand and this time led him to a mirror. "Now what do you see?"
"Now I see myself," the rich man replied.
Then the counselor said, "Behold, in the window there is glass, and in the mirror there is glass. But the glass of the mirror is covered with a little silver, and no sooner is the silver added than you cease to see others, but you see only yourself."

Forgiveness, Results of
We all have seen and used those little electronic calculators. What happens if you get your information confused or make an error? You press the "clear" button and automatically all of the information is eliminated from the calculator. Then you begin again, without trying to sort out the previous mistake. In fact, there is no record of your mistake! It is lost forever!
That's what happens to our sins when Jehovah forgives us. The consequences may remain, but the guilt - the legal condemnation for the offense - is gone.

Law, Purpose of
A plumb line can only prove that a crooked wall is crooked. No matter how you use it, a plumb line can't make a crooked wall straight. The law was God's plumb line, designed to show people that they are crooked, or sinful. It was never intended to make us straight or righteous - and, indeed, it never could.

Disbelief
For centuries people believed that Aristotle was right when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely he would not be wrong. Anyone, of course, could have taken two objects; one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height to see whether or not the heavier object landed first. But no one did until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle's death. Legend has it that in 1589 Galileo summoned learned professors to the base of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Then he went to the top and pushed off a ten-pound and a one-pound weight. Both landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their eyesight. They continued to say Aristotle was right.

This illustrates what is going on in the world today. You could show the terrible ravaging effects of AIDS and people will have promiscuous sex anyway. You can show someone a diseased liver and cancerous lungs and people are going to abuse alcohol and smoke regardless of the facts. If only someone would just climb to the top of the tower and push off a ten-pound argument and a one-pound argument and just see which reaches the ground first. That would finally prove who is right and who is wrong. But then we are reminded that when Galileo did that no one believed him. Even with the authority of obvious visible proof, i.e. the two weights reached the ground at the same time, the professors did not believe. Most people are going to believe what they have always believed regardless of the facts.

Hope
Years ago an S-4 submarine was rammed by a ship off the coast of Massachusetts. It sank immediately. The entire crew was trapped in a prison house of death. Every effort was made to rescue the crew, but all ultimately failed. Near the end of the ordeal, a deep-sea diver, who was doing everything in his power to find a way for the crew's release, thought he heard a tapping on the steel wall of the sunken sub. He placed his helmet up against the side of the vessel and he realized it was the Morse Code. He attached himself to the side and he spelled out in his mind the message being tapped from within. It was repeating the same question. The question, from within was: "Is there any hope?"

The world is like a sinking submarine. Is there any hope? For Christians it is a resounding YES! Our hope is in Jehovah and his Messianic Kingdom. Like the deep-sea diver, we must never give up on spreading that message of hope before it is too late.

Atheism
Jehovah has clearly revealed his existence to men. Suppose a student were to write on a physics exam that he did not believe in atoms because he could not see them. Would not the professor be justified in failing him? The existence of atoms is clearly undeniable on the basis of their recognized effects. Everyone familiar with Hiroshima knows that atoms exist; they are known from their effect. Likewise, men are responsible to acknowledge God and his eternal power by the effects that are clearly revealed in Creation. (Romans 1:20)

Foundation, Importance of
If you have ever lived in or visited a large city, you probably have had the chance to watch a skyscraper under construction. For the first six months or so of the project, all the workmen do is make a great hole in the ground. To build a tall building by starting below the surface level seems absurd, even crazy. Buy as you would suspect, there is a good reason for the large hole. To build a mammoth building, it is first necessary to dig down until a strong foundation can be built, one that is capable of supporting the skyscraper.
A doghouse needs no foundation, and an ordinary house can be built on little more than a concrete slab. But a skyscraper, that's different. It requires a deep and solid foundation.
So it is in our Christian life. Our upward potential is totally dependant on the foundation underneath it.

Example, Teaching by
There was once a TV repairman who didn't like to think about his job, when he came home. As a result, he never bothered to properly install the TV antenna on the top of his house or fix it when one arm broke in a windstorm. One day a new family moved in next door, and the owner went up on his roof to install an antenna. Knowing that his neighbor was a TV repairman, he put his up exactly the same way and turned his antenna to face in the same direction as his neighbor's. Then, after studying his neighbor's antenna for a while, he reached up and broke one arm off his new antenna!
As disciples, we teach by example, whether we intend to or not!

A Vision For Coca-Cola
At the end of World War II, Robert Woodruff, president of the Coca-Cola Company from 1923 to 1955, had a mission. "In my generation," he declared, "it is my desire that everyone in the world have a taste of Coca-Cola." With a vision and dedication rarely matched in corporate American culture, Woodruff and his colleagues spanned the globe with their soft drink.
Why is it all right for people to feel that passionate about a soft drink but not about taking the good news to the world? Are there no people who seek meaning and purpose for their lives? Are there no families in crisis that need Jehovah's love and understanding? Are there no young people at risk because their lives lack a solid spiritual and moral foundation? The apostle Paul felt a passion. He was on a mission, which was to win as many people as possible to the Truth.

Pressure, Coping with
Countless icebergs float in the frigid waters around Greenland. Some are tiny; others tower skyward. At times the small ones move in one direction while their gigantic counterparts go in another. Why is this? The small ones are pushed around by the winds blowing on the surface of the water, but the huge ice masses are carried along by deep ocean currents.

Attitude: Whatever It Takes
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who say "whatever" and those who say "whatever it takes."
"Whatever" is the response of the shrug. It's a "who cares?" attitude, one of indifference and apathy. "Whatever it takes" is the response of the committed. It's a "can do" attitude that refuses to give up or give in.
Think about those two responses when it comes to our responsibilities as Christians. Jesus said to love your neighbor. Whatever. Jesus said to go and make disciples of all people. Whatever. Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner who is found than 99 that stayed within the fold. Whatever.
Now, let's change that response to "Whatever it takes." Jesus said to love your neighbor. Whatever it takes. Jesus said to go and make disciples of all people. Whatever it takes. Jesus said there is more rejoicing over one sinner who is found than 99 that stayed within the fold. Whatever it takes.
Are we willing to do whatever it takes?

Conscience
The conscience is like a sharp square peg in our hearts. If we are confronted by a questionable situation, that square begins to turn, and it's corners cut into our hearts, warming us with an inward sensation against doing whatever confronts us. If the conscience is ignored time after time, the corners of the square are gradually worn down, and it virtually becomes a circle. When that circle turns within our hearts, there is no inner sensation of warning, and we are left without a conscience.

Bible, Effect of Reading
Some people seem to expect the Bible to hit them like a jolt of adrenaline each time they read or study it. Although the "jolt" may hit us periodically, the benefits of the Jehovah's Word act more like vitamins. People who regularly take vitamins do so because of their long-term benefits, not because every time they swallow one of the pills, they feel new strength surging though their bodies. They have developed a habit of consistently taking vitamins because they have been told that, in the long haul, vitamin supplements are going to have a beneficial effect of their physical heath, resistance to disease, and general well being.
The same is true of reading the Bible. At times it will have a sudden and intense impact on us. However, the real value lies in the cumulative effects that long-term exposure to God's Word will bring to our lives.

Atheism's Oversimplification
If the whole universe has no meaning, we should have never found out that it has no meaning: Just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we would never know it was dark, or even think about dark. Nobody would ever ask: "Why is it dark?" 'Dark' would have no meaning.

Disfellowshipping, Reason for
If someone has cancer, an operation is usually reformed to cut out the malignancy. The reason is simple: if left alone, it will metastasize; that is, it will spread. No one wants a cancer to spread, so it is cut out or otherwise removed from the body so that the patient can be healthy again. And, of course, when the doctors tell the patient, "We got it all," everyone is encouraged and rejoices.
The same is true in the congregation. The reason to disfellowship an unrepentant sinner it to protect the rest of the body from being infected with that disease. Sin, like cancer, needs to be cut out so it will not spread.

Procrastination
While cleaning out his desk, a man found a shoe-repair ticket that was ten years old. Figuring that he had nothing to lose, he went to the shop and gave the ticket to the repairman, who began to search the back room for the unclaimed shoes. After several minutes, he reappeared and gave the ticket back to the man.
"What's wrong?" asked the man. "Couldn't you find my shoes?"
"Oh, I found them," replied the repairman, "and they'll be ready next Friday."
Procrastination is not the result of lack of time to complete a task. It is an attitude and must be dealt with as such.

Persistence
Consider the example of a baby trying to stand up and take its first wobbly steps. Rare is the infant who can learn to stand and walk about freely in a single day. As babes, all of us probably tried and failed many times before we finally achieved a measure of success in walking. What would have happened if upon falling for the first time, we had decided to stop trying? We might still be crawling around on out hands and knees! Persistence is essential for reaching worthwhile goals and gaining corresponding increases in skills and self-respect. As the saying goes, "Winners never quit, and quitters never win." Thus, we need stick-to-itiveness. w95 8/1 27

Prayer
Puritan minister Thomas Brooks (1608-80): "God looks not at the oratory of your prayers, how elegant they may be; nor at the geometry of your prayers, how long they may be; nor at the arithmetic of your prayers, how many they may be; not at logic of your prayers, how methodical they may be; but the sincerity of them he looks at."
w90 5/15 11-15

Strength from Jehovah
How does a man feel after enduring five years in Nazi concentration camps? Disheartened? Bitter? Vengeful? Strange as it may seem, one such man wrote: "My life was enriched more than I could ever have hoped for." Why did he feel that way? He explained: "I found refuge under the wings of the Most High, and I experienced the fulfillment of the words of the prophet Isaiah, when he said: 'Those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will walk and not tire out.'" (Isaiah 40:31). This was Max Leibster, whose body was beaten down by the most horrendous treatment imaginable had a spirit that figuratively soared upward, a spirit that Nazi brutality could not conquer. w96 6/15 8
Simone Arnolde Liebster has written an autobiography about their experiences. Click here to learn more.

Attend all five meetings. GET A GRIP
A sailor on a large tanker is asked to go out and check something on deck during a severe storm. He holds on carefully, but is swept overboard by a huge wave. Just when he's about to go over the railing, he grabs hold of a rope with one hand. Now when he's hanging there, do you think he'll say to himself; well, wonder if I can hold on with only four fingers? Or maybe only three? No, he'll be trying to get a hold on the rope also with his other hand. Likewise, we have five meetings a week. Do we feel that perhaps we could do without one of them? Perhaps CBS? We've studied that book before, and it's not very difficult - I might as well stay home and read it instead. No, we attend all meetings and hold on tight to Jehovah's organization just like the sailor held on to that rope!

Get the facts first WICKS and FUSES
At times we realize our brother has something against us. We can rush to him and try to solve the problem before we get the facts, or be like the fellow who took the night job at the dynamite factory. He said, "Sometimes it is better to curse the darkness than light the wrong candle." It is better to get the facts first. This will illuminate matters, so that we can tell the difference between wicks and fuses!!

Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is like a pin. It is pointed in one direction, and yet it is headed in another!

Friend, Definition of
A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following:
"One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable."
"One who understands our silence."
"A volume of sympathy bound in cloth."
"A watch that beats true for all time and never runs down."
The winning definition read: "A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out."

Determination
Johnny Fulton was run over by a car at the age of three. He suffered crushed hips, broken ribs, a fractured skull, and compound fractures in his legs. It did not look as if he would live. But he would not give up. In fact, he later ran the half-mile in less than two minutes.
Walt Davis was totally paralyzed by polio when he was nine years old, but he did not give up. He became the Olympic high jump champion in 1952. Shelly Mann was paralyzed by polio when she was five years old, but she would not give up. She eventually claimed eight different swimming records for the U.S. and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

Lou Gehrig was such a clumsy ball player that the boys in his neighborhood would not let him play on their team. But he was committed. He did not give up. Eventually, his name was entered into baseball's Hall of Fame.
Woodrow Wilson could not read until he was ten years old. But he was a committed person. He became the twenty-eighth President of the United States.

Paralyzed By The Pleasure of the Icy Caress
The man huddled on the cabin floor was slowly freezing to death. It was high in the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, and outside a blizzard raged. John Elliott had logged miles that day through the deep snows of the mountain passes. As he checked for avalanches and as dusk and exhaustion overcame him he had decided to "hole-up." He made it wearily to his cabin but somewhat dazed with fatigue, he did not light a fire or remove his wet clothing. As the blizzard blasted through the cracks in the old cabin walls, the sleeping forest ranger sank into oblivion, paralyzed by the pleasure of the storm's icy caress. Suddenly, however, his dog sprang into action, and with unrelenting whines, finally managed to rouse his near-comatose friend. The dog was John's constant companion, a St. Bernard, one of a long line of dogs famous for their heroics in times of crisis. "If that dog hadn't been with me, I'd be dead today," John Elliott says. "When you're freezing to death you actually feel warm all over, and don't wake up because it feels too good."
This moving story illustrates the spiritual condition of many people. They are cold spiritually, and sadly oblivious to their true condition. Thank Jehovah for all the ways in which He arouses such sleepers. He sends elders or other brothers to nudge them awake. Sometimes the methods used to awaken them are drastic, but always for their good. Let us not imagine that because He shakes us, He therefore hates us. He awakens us from lethargy because He loves us, and wants to save us.

Fear Entraps Us
The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall.
Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that fear allows to entrap us.

Peter
Among the apostles, the one absolutely stunning success was Judas, and the one thoroughly groveling failure was Peter. Judas was a success in the ways that most impress us: he was successful both financially and politically. He cleverly arranged to control the money of the apostolic band; he skillfully manipulated the political forces of the day to accomplish his goal. And Peter was a failure in ways that we most dread: he was impotent in a crisis and socially inept. At the arrest of Jesus he collapsed, a hapless, blustering coward; in the most critical situations of his life with Jesus he said the most embarrassingly inappropriate things. He was not the companion we would want with us in time of danger, and he was not the kind of person we would feel comfortable with at a social occasion.
Time, of course, has reversed our judgments on the two men. Judas is now a byword for betrayal, and Peter is one of the most honored names in the world. Judas is a villain; Peter is a hero. Yet the world continues to chase after the successes of Judas: financial wealth and political power, and to defend itself against the failures of Peter, impotence and ineptness.

Think Positive
For all the negative things we have said to ourselves, Jehovah has a positive answer for us:
You say: "It's impossible" ~ Jehovah says: All things are possible. (Luke
18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" ~ Jehovah says: I will give you rest. (Matthew
11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" ~ Jehovah says: I love you. (John 3:16 &
John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on" ~ Jehovah says: I will help you. (2Cor. 12:9 &
Psalms 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" ~ Jehovah says: I will direct your steps. (Prov. 3:5, 6)
You say: "I can't do it" ~ Jehovah says: You can do all things. (Phil.
4:13)
You say: "I am not able" ~ Jehovah says: I am able. (2 Cor. 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" ~ Jehovah says: It will be worth it. (Romans
8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" ~ Jehovah says: I FORGIVE YOU (1 John 1:9,
Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage" ~ Jehovah says: I will supply all your needs
(Phil. 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" ~ Jehovah says: I have not given you a spirit of fear.
(2 Tim 1:7, Isa. 41:10)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" ~ Jehovah says: Cast all your cares on ME. (1Pet. 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith" ~ Jehovah says: I've given you a measure of faith. (Rom 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough" ~ Jehovah says: I give you wisdom. (1 Cor.
1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" ~ Jehovah says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5)
You say: "I don't have what it takes to be a good witness" ~ Jehovah says: I accept what a person HAS not what a person does NOT have (2 Cor. 8:12)

Good Reminders for us all….
Be Fishers of Men.... You catch 'em, He'll Clean 'em.
A lot of bowing your head will help keep your thoughts humble.
Don't put a question mark where Jehovah puts a period.
Exercise daily. Walk with Jehovah!
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
Give Jehovah what's right, not what's left!
Give Satan an inch and he'll become a ruler.
Jehovah doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Jehovah loves everyone, but prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts"!
Jehovah promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible!
He who angers you, controls you!
He who is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
He who kneels before Jehovah can stand before any man!
Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back, usually with friends.
Most people want to serve Jehovah, but only in an advisory capacity.
Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.
Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
"Pray" is a four-letter word that you can (should) say anywhere.
Prayer - Don't give Jehovah instructions - just report for duty!
The Will of Jehovah will never take you to where Jehovah will not protect you.
To be almost following Jehovah is to be almost within Satan's reach.
Watch your step carefully! Jehovah does.
We don't change the "Word of Jehovah", the word of Jehovah changes us.
When feeling down we should remember by knowing Jehovah we're too blessed to be depressed.
Wisdom has two parts:
1) Having a lot to say.
2) Not saying it.
Worry is the darkroom in which "negatives" are developed
When doors around you close, listen carefully and you'll hear the sound of all those that are opening...

How To Pray
"The proper way for a man to pray," Said Deacon Lemuel Keys. "The only proper attitude Is down upon your knees."

"No, I should say, the way to pray," Said Reverend Dr Wise, "Is standing straight with outstretched arms And rapturous up-turned eyes."

"It seems to me his hands should be Devoutly clasped in front, With both thumbs pointing toward the ground," Said Reverend Dr. Blunt.

"Last year I fell in Hopkin's well, Head first," said Cyrus Brown. "With both my heels a stickin' up, And my head a pointin' down."

"And I made a prayer right then and there, Best prayer I ever said, The prayin'est I ever prayed, Was standin' on my head."

Careful Preparation
NASA scientists once built a gun specifically to launch dead chickens at maximum velocity at the windshields of airliners, military jets, and the space shuttle, to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.
Eager to test it on the windshields of their new high-speed trains, British engineers fired the gun and were shocked as the chicken hurtled out of the barrel, shattered the shatterproof windshield, blasted through the control console, broke the engineer's backrest and embedded itself in rear cabin wall.
The horrified engineers sent NASA the disastrous results of the experiment along with the designs of the windshield, and begged the US scientists for help. NASA responded with a one-line memo: "First thaw the chicken."
Whatever you do, plan well, make the necessary preparations, diligently do your research, carefully follow the maker's instructions. To do otherwise can lead to an expensive and embarrassing mess, where you're likely to really 'fowl' things up!

Greed, Materialism
Here are ten rules that might govern a small child's view of the world:
1. If I like it, it's mine. 2. If it's in my hands, it's mine. 3. If I can take it from you, it's mine. 4. If I had it a week ago, it's mine. 5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way. 6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine. 7. If it looks like mine, it's mine. 8. If I think it's mine, it's mine. 9. If it's near me, it's mine. 10. If it's broccoli, it's yours.
These are appropriate rules for a toddler, but some people manage to carry them through to adulthood! Of course, we all need money and possessions to function well in our society. But an over-emphasis on material things is dangerous.

An Excellent piece of Attitude to Life

First plant five rows of peas:
Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness and Prayer.

Next sow three rows of Squash:
Squash gossip, Squash criticism, Squash interference.

Next plant five rows of Lettuce:
Let us be faithful, Let us be unselfish, Let us be loyal, Let us love one another, and Let us be thankful for everything we have.

No garden is complete without turnips.
Turn up at meetings, Turn up with new ideas, Turn up with real determination, and always Turn up with a smile.

Learning the Bible is like learning a new language

It is hard work. More is involved than just learning new words. Proficient use of a language also requires mastering its grammar. You must perceive how words relate to one another and how they combine to form complete thoughts.

So too, more is involved than simply learning isolated Scripture texts. We must also learn the Bible's grammar, as it were. We need to grasp how scriptures relate to one another and how they serve as principles that can be applied in daily life. Our moral sense, or conscience, must be trained and focused, so that we can perceive not only sharply defined, black and white issues but also those of gray shades.
w95 6/15 18 20

But Will You Survive the Sinking of this System?
The sinking of the Titanic was unthinkable. As the captain and commander of the Titanic, E. J. Smith, said: "I cannot conceive of any vital disaster happening to this vessel. Modern shipbuilding has gone beyond that." But it happened. Even as the great ship began to sink, people on board refused to believe they were really in danger. As reported in the April 19, 1912, New York Times, one survivor made this statement:
"The members of the crew urged everybody to get aboard [the lifeboats] and no one was in a hurry to do so. It was believed that there was no danger, and the general feeling was that those who had put off were making fools of themselves and would have the trouble of rowing back to the boat again after a few hours.
"The people were apathetic at first all through the ship. The confidence that the ship was unsinkable was so great that most felt sure of its safety until the last minute. One of the stewards told us afterward that he had knocked at the door of a woman repeatedly, but she refused to move. Finally he tried to drag her out, but she fought him off, till he finally gave it up, and she went to the bottom of the sea, it is thought, in her stateroom."
The Titanic lifeboats had space for 1,178 persons-not enough for everyone, but far more than enough for the 700 survivors. Many died needlessly because those early lifeboats went out half empty, thanks to misplaced confidence in the "unsinkable" ship.
Did you notice that a steward knocked at the door of a woman passenger, repeatedly warning her that the "unthinkable" was happening, only to be ignored? 'How foolish!' you might say.
Yet people repeatedly knock at your door, too, giving you an urgent warning. Those people are Jehovah's Witnesses, faithful "stewards" of Almighty God. Their warning is, not that this entire worldwide system of things is in danger of "sinking" in a flood of war, crime and brutal violence. Rather, that God will soon send it 'to the bottom' so that it can be replaced with a righteous new order ruled by his heavenly kingdom.
What is your response to that warning? Like that woman passenger of the Titanic, do you say, 'Ridiculous! Unthinkable!' and close your door? Such an attitude can cost you your life.
g81 10/22 9-10 (See article for more fascinating comparisons)

Bad Associations
Why did Jesus associate with sinners? The position of the Christian servant of God might well be compared to that of a doctor who ministers to a superstitious, disease-ridden people in the jungle. Such a doctor will not hesitate to help these people, but he will never for a moment consider sharing the thoughts of his patients' superstitious minds or having fellowship with them in their disease-breeding habits and unsanitary conditions. He does not want to share their disease; he wants to share his knowledge of healing and sanitary living habits with them. He wants to make them well, not to get sick himself; to instruct them in improving their conditions, not to corrupt his own clean living habits. So the Christian witness of Jehovah today will preach to men of all kinds to help them attain spiritual health, but never will he lower his standards and begin sharing the thoughts of this world. (Luke 5:30-32; Rev. 22:1, 2.)
w60 114

Move Around at the Kingdom Hall
Apparently most of us sit in the same section of the Hall week after week.
This little jingle will get you motivated to move around and meet new friends. It's sung to the tune of our Song #123, "Move Ahead."

Move around, move around at the Kingdom Hall.
Find a row, say "Hello" to someone you met last fall.
Take a seat, plant your feet, have yourself a ball,
And get to know your family.
How many times have you walked through the door,
And staked a claim on the seat you had before?
Change your seat, you may meet Brother / Sister New.
Keep changing your locality.

Move around, move around; help the spirit flow.
Change your aisle, give a smile to someone you do not know.
You won't die, if you're shy, it will help you grow,
And add to your maturity.
Meet all the others, and not just a few,
'Cause all the brothers would like meeting you.
It's our loss if the moss grows all over us,
So move around more frequently.

Move around, move around; don't be finicky.
Change your spot, please don't rot, 'cause of immobility.
Move up close, get a dose of Theocracy;
We know you'll like it if you try.
You'd give your life for a friend, I am sure,
And share your wealth to help brothers endure.
So let's start being loving to one and all,
By changing seats in the Kingdom Hall.

Satan - the Roaring Lion

A lion hunts in various ways. Sometimes it will ambush its prey at water holes or along well-used paths. But sometimes a lion simply takes advantage of a situation - for example, coming upon a sleeping zebra foal." Our "adversary, the Devil," explains the apostle Peter, "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone." (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing that his remaining time is short, Satan is exerting ever-greater pressure on humans to keep them from serving Jehovah. However, this "roaring lion" is especially interested in preying upon Jehovah's servants. His hunting methods are similar to those of his counterpart in the animal kingdom. At times Satan tries an ambush - persecution or opposition aimed at breaking our integrity so that we stop serving Jehovah. But, like the lion, at other times the Devil simply takes advantage of a situation. He waits until we get discouraged or grow weary, and then he tries to capitalize on our low emotional state in order to get us to give up. We must not become east prey!
w95 12/1 9

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Creator, Proof of
The DNA was programmed.
"Who wrote the program?"
Some call it the "Generator of Diversity"
"And Who's that?"
"He's better know by his initials: G.O.D."

Would Jesus wear a Rolex on his television show?
There was a country song in the eighties that went like this:
Woke up this morning, turned on my TV set
There in living color was something I can't forget
This man was preachin' at me, yeah, layin' on the charm
Askin' me for 20 with 10,000 on his arm
He wore designer clothing and a big smile on his face
Selling me salvation while they sang `Amazing Grace'
Askin' me for money when he had all the signs of wealth
I almost wrote a check out, but then I asked myself
Would Jesus wear a Rolex on his television show?
Would Jesus be political if he came back to Earth?
Have his second home in Palm Springs and try to hide his worth?
Take money from those poor folks when he comes back again?
And admit he's talked to all those preachers
Who say they've been talkin' to him?
Sung by Chet Atkins and Margaret Archer, Copyright 1987, Leona Jay Music
Inc., BMI

Our Need For Love and Communication

The emperor Frederick, who ruled the Roman Empire in the 13th century, thought it would be a useful experiment to discover what our original language was--Hebrew, Greek, Latin or whatever. So he decided to isolate a few infants from the sound of any human voice. He reasoned that, if so isolated from anything prejudicial, when they spoke, it would be in the universal, natural tongue of the human species.

Wet nurses were obtained to care for these infants. But they were sworn to absolute silence and could not engage in any socializing with these infants in any way. From the moment they were born, these infants never heard the sound or hum or song of a human. Within a year they were all dead.

from Earl A. Loomis, Jr. M.D., The Self In Pilgrimage, New York: Harper, 1960, p.
54.

Last Days
"Down to the 'time of the end' at Armageddon there will be competitive coexistence between the 'two kings.' In some way, the king of the south must act, whether preventively or protectively. In the confused fighting between the two kings as crazed enemies of Jehovah God and his kingdom, the kings will have opportunity and occasion to try out and use their frightful, deadly weapons of all kinds against the other."
from "Your Will be Done", p 297 (published in 1958)

Gossip
John 13:35 "By this all will know if you have love..." Gossip and negative talk can become very destructive. It might be likened to a person who talked about a person, but then he felt regret, so he went to the person to apologize. He said, "How can you ever forgive me?" He was told to go and collect a bag full of feathers, which he did, and took it to the brother. "Now what do you want me to do?" He was told that on a windy day he should shake the feathers in the wind, which again he did. And again he went back and asked what he could do! The brother said, "Now go and collect them and put them all back in the bag." What has been said can be forgiven but can they ever be forgotten? Can things ever come back to before the gossip was spread?

YOU WERE MY FRIEND

My friend, I'm faced with judgment now,
and I feel that you're to blame, somehow
You knew of Jehovah and you knew of his truth
But you never showed me any proof

To work we walked, together each day
Yet never did you point me in the right way
You knew that my knowledge of Jehovah was quite slim
And I know you could have led me safely to him

I called you my friend and trusted in you
You told me of things that I never knew
You taught me to fish, to swim, and to skate
But news of God's Kingdom you didn't relate

We talked about cars, sports and things that were insignificant
But never a word concerning God or the things that were significant
You shared with me your food and your drink
But nothing spiritual to make me really think

You saw me work to earn my pay
You heard me joke, laugh and play
We would watch TV, 'til late at night
But not even once did you show me the light

Armageddon draws near, yes the nations are falling
Yet never once did you give me a warning
I stand all alone, with death at my gate
For this system is over and for me its too late

I cry out to God, "BUT I NEVER KNEW YOU!"
Yet, all these things, I could of had learned them from you

I loved you... Yes...I loved you... I did! ... For I called you "my friend"
For you were always the one on whom I would depend
And with my last words, as I go to my final end
I can really say that you were "NEVER" MY TRUE FRIEND!

How to find true "JOY"

True JOY is found in the same order that it is spelled.
J stands for "Jehovah", whom we put interest first in our lives.
O stands for "Others", with whom we should show interest second in our lives.
Y stands for "Yourself", with whom we should show interest last in our lives.
Doing things in this order in our lives, we will find True "JOY" and happiness now and in the future.

Light vs. Darkness (John 3:19)

Have you ever sat in a lighted room at night, reading or talking, and suddenly the lights go out? What's the first thing you say? Usually everyone says, "Who turned out the light?"

In this age of electricity, light is something we take for granted. Few of us ever experience total darkness. In the city, we have streetlights, which come on automatically as soon as it begins to get dark. In the country, most farms have a mercury vapor light that stays on all night for security reasons. Consequently, most of us never get a good look at the stars as we used to when all the lights went out at night.

Some of the soldiers who came back from the first Persian Gulf War told about the absolute darkness they experienced in the desert. One soldier said, "The darkness on nights with no moon or star light was so total you could have been standing right next to someone and not known it."

Takeovers and Buyouts

We are used to hearing about takeovers and buyouts. We hear about them both ways. We hear about the good ones and the bad ones. Sometimes a failing corporation may be taken over by another that is not that much better, and both of them go under. They share their weaknesses and both are lost. On the other hand, a good strong company may take over one with great weakness, bad debts and the like. In that case the weaker company benefits from the power and strength of the other.
So it is with us as humans. The world that is already condemned can find no help in the world that is already condemned. However, by means of Jesus' sacrifice, our God Jehovah has taken us over, bad debts and all, and we are the beneficiaries of all of God's righteousness.

The Trouble With You Is You

Lucy once said to Charlie Brown, "Discouraged again, eh, Charlie Brown?" "You know what your whole trouble is? The whole trouble with you is that you're you!"

Charlie asks, "Well, what in the world can I do about that?"

Lucy answers, "I don't pretend to be able to give advice...I merely point out the trouble!" Yes, the problem is us; and Jehovah has the solution by means of the ransom. However, another conversation between Lucy and Charlie Brown indicates another part of the problem/solution.

Lucy speaks, "You know what the whole trouble with you is, Charlie Brown?" Charlie answers, "No, and I don't want to know! Leave me alone!" He walks away. Lucy shouts after him, "The whole trouble with you is you won't listen to what the whole trouble with you is!"

The solution begins with listening. If "you" are the problem, "you" can't be the solution. The solution has to come from outside yourself. Unfortunately, so few people want to listen.

What Did We Do To Deserve This? (John 3:16)

In an old Dennis the Menace cartoon, Dennis and his little friend Joey are leaving Mrs. Wilson's house, their hands full of cookies. Joey says, "I wonder what we did to deserve this." Dennis answers, "Look, Joey. Mrs. Wilson gives us cookies not because we're nice, but because she's nice."

The Agony of Change

For years, the opening of "The Wide World of Sports" television program illustrated "the agony of defeat" with a painful ending to an attempted ski jump. The skier appeared in good form as he headed down the jump, but then, for no apparent reason, he tumbled head over heels off the side of the jump, bouncing off the supporting structure.

What viewers didn't know was that he chose to fall rather than finish the jump. Why? As he explained later, the jump surface had become too fast, and midway down the ramp, he realized if he completed the jump, he would land on the level ground, beyond the safe sloping landing area, which could have been fatal. As it was, the skier suffered no more than a headache from the tumble. When someone learns the Truth, he often needs to make drastic changes in his course of life. At times, it can be a painful undertaking, but change is better than a fatal landing at the end.

When A Grain Of Wheat Falls

Maybe you saw "Mr. Holland's Opus," starring Richard Dreyfus. It is a movie about the difficulties a man experiences as he struggles with adapting to the life he had instead of the one he wanted. Holland dreamed of being a composer but a baby came along and expenses too. So he found a job teaching music but in his spare time, he would compose music.

Throughout the story his teaching responsibilities forced him to make choice between the students and his dream symphony. And while it looked like the students kept winning over the symphony, still his life was a composer's life, as the independent composer slowly dies to the teacher who composes.

The fruit he bore became clear in the finale, after many long years of touching young lives with his gifts. His "opus" was not the music marked on a sheet of paper, but a brilliant symphony composed of the individual lives that he encouraged and nurtured through his teaching.

Is this not we want to do as Christians? Our greatest accomplishments are with the seeds we plant in others' hearts.

Discipline
The story is told of how a man tried to stop his son Matthew from stealing comic books. He tried various uses of the law over several years and continued to fail. Finally, he resorted to something he rarely used: a spanking. He did it deliberately, almost ritualistically, and he was so upset when he finished that he left the room and wept. After pulling himself back together, he went in to Matthew and hugged him. A number of years later, Matthew and his mother were doing some general reminiscing, and Matthew happened to bring up the time when he kept stealing comic books. "And you know why I finally stopped?" he asked. "Sure," she said, "Because Dad finally spanked you." "No!" replied Matthew, "No, because Dad cried."

Too Easy?

Years ago, when the Betty Crocker Company first began selling its cake mixes, they offered a product that only needed water. All you had to do was add water to the mix, which came in the box, and you would get a perfect, delicious cake every time.

It bombed. No one bought it and the company couldn't understand why, so they commissioned a study, which brought back a surprising answer: It seemed that people weren't buying the cake mix because it was too easy. They didn't want to be totally excluded from the work of preparing a cake; they wanted to feel that they were contributing something to it. So, Betty Crocker changed the formula and required the customer to add an egg in addition to water. Immediately, the new cake mix was a huge success.

Today, Christendom makes the same mistake when it comes to "packaging" or presenting the Christian religion. They try to make "Christian" living as easy as possible because they're afraid people won't "buy it" if it seems too hard. Obviously they've missed the point.

Parenting

A small child waits, thumb in mouth, doll in hand, with some impatience, the arrival home of a parent. She wishes to relate some small sandbox experience. She is excited to share the thrill she has known that day. The time comes the parent arrives. Beaten down by the stresses of the workplace the parent so often says to the child, 'Not now, honey. I'm busy, go watch television.' The most often spoken words in many American households, 'I'm busy, go watch television.' If not now, when? 'Later.' But later rarely comes.

Years go by and the child grows. We give her toys and clothes. We give her designer clothes and a stereo but we do not give her what she wants most, our time. She's fourteen, her eyes are glassy; she's into something. 'Honey, what's happening? Talk to me, talk to me.' Too late. Too late. Love has passed us by.

When we say to a child, 'Not now, later.' When we say, 'Go watch TV'; when we say, 'Don't ask so many questions'; when we fail to give our young people the one thing they require of us, our time; when we fail to love a child; we are not uncaring. We are simply too busy to love a child.

Don't Envy the World

If you were a young boy and you saw another young boy eating an ice cream cone, would you be jealous and wish he would share with you? But would your attitude change if you found out he had terminal leukemia and had only a few days to live? You would let him enjoy his ice cream as he has so little time left, right?

Now what of the people in the world around us? Do we see them enjoying the latest car, a nice house, material things, making trips, etc. And are we jealous of them, and do we want to do the same now too? Now let's think of the boy and the ice cream who had cancer. People in the world that do not have Jehovah are like him, they have very little time to live, and so we can let them live it to their fullest. But if we have Jehovah, let us concentrate on his service, knowing we will have eternity to enjoy all these things we envy today and many more blessings.

About the Donkey (well, "Ass" actually, but "donkey" sounds better)

People often speak of donkeys in belittling terms. You may have heard the expression, "I'm just someone who has to do all the donkey work." Or "So-and-so is as stubborn as a mule" (a mule is part donkey).

These sayings overlook the contributions of a truly valuable animal. Donkeys have served the human race for thousands of years. They were once prized as symbols of humility, gentleness, and peace.

In Bible times, donkeys that had never been ridden were regarded as especially suitable for religious purposes. So it was most fitting that Jesus sent for a colt to perform the royal task of carrying Him into Jerusalem. How enviable was that donkey's mission! How like our mission as Jesus' followers! Jehovah needs many such "donkeys" in today's world, humble people who will carry the message to the world. The donkey had to be untied before Jesus could use it. We too must be released from worldly attachments if we are to serve Jesus and Jehovah. Are we willing to be His donkey?

Pharisees

Part of the sin on the Pharisees was paying attention to outward demonstrations of piety for appearance's sake rather than giving attention to inwards obedience. This can be well illustrated by two eggs. One egg is a normal raw egg that, when placed under the palm of the hand and pressed evenly cannot be broken because of the structure of the egg itself. The second egg is exactly the same on the outside, but its insides have been removed. When it is placed under the same palm pressure, it breaks easily because it is internally weak. So, too, one who gives himself to the sin of the Pharisees - more worried about appearances - is empty of substance and will eventually crack under pressure. (Mat 23:5-7)

All the Brothers are needed
A CONFERENCE OF THE CARPENTER'S TOOLS

Sometimes we complain about other brothers or make a fuss over the service of others because they do things differently form the way they would do them or the way they think others should do them. But let me tell you a little story and let's see if we can learn a lesson from it.

One day the carpenter's tools had a conference. Brother Hammer was in the chair. Upon bringing the meeting to order, he said that he understood there were some complaints among his fellow tools, and thought it would be a good idea to discuss it openly and frankly together. "So let's hear your complaints, brother tools," questioned brother Hammer. "Yes, brother Saw, what is your complaint?"

Brother Saw stood up and said: "It's that little brother Pencil. He gets on everybody's nerves. He is so small he can seldom be found when he's needed. And when he is found for service, he is so blunt at times, that it makes a very bad impression. He certainly needs to be sharpened up a bit around here if he expects to be of any use," fumed brother Saw.

Little brother Pencil slowly rose to his feet and spoke. "Alright, perhaps I am a little blunt at times. It's only when I spend too long in service that I'm like that. But at least I'm not like big brother Drill and his family of small bits. They are always going around in circles, and really to me brother Drill is just a bit boring."

Brother Drill and his family (just small bits) stood up and replied, "Yes, I know we have a reputation for going around in circles, but at least we are not like brother Plane. You have to push him to do anything and then all his work is on the surface. There is no depth to his work like there is to ours!" Then all the tools looked at one another and agreed that brother Drill had a good point there about brother Plane. All eyes now turned to brother Plane to see what he would say.

Quickly brother Plane spoke up and said: "Brother, I guess I'm not the only one around here that has to be pushed to do anything or that has no depth to his service. Brother Sandpaper is worse than I am." Brother Sandpaper was somewhat new in their midst. "Besides, look how rough he is," said brother Plane. "I can't stand being beside him, he just rubs me the wrong way! How he could ever accomplish any good in his service being so rough, I'll never know!"

That remark made brother Sandpaper really mad. "Brother Plane is just jealous," he shouted. He knows I have better success in service than he does, that's all. And while everybody's complaining," shouted brother Sandpaper, I'd like to complain about brother Rule. He makes me boil by his always measuring others by his standards, as though brother Rule was the only one who is right around here."

Tempers were really getting hot. All the tools seemed to have legitimate complaints against each another. Brother Level was so exacting.

But just then, in the midst of the heated discussion, and as some were getting ready to walk out and leave the others, thinking they were not needed; who should walk in but their master, the carpenter from Nazareth! He had come to perform his work for the day. His father had asked him to build a house that they both could dwell in and he was to finish it that very day. He put on his work cloths and started to finish the work his father gave him to do. He used the hammer, the pencil, the saw, the drill, the plane, the sandpaper, the rule, the level, the punch, and all the other tools.

But now, someone else appeared on the scene. It was the carpenter's father. How thrilled he was and pleased to see what his son had accomplished. "How did you do it, my son?" asked the father. "I put to good use some tools that I bought," replied the son, "and how I love every one of them. I paid a high price for them father, but they are well worth it."

"See brother Hammer over there? He's so useful for both the work of tearing down and building up. He's very effective in service because he really hits the nail on the head. He's a very solid worker I must say!"

"Than there is brother Saw," said the carpenter. "He's really pretty sharp and puts teeth into his work, you know; constantly going back and forth in one area at a time for a very effective service."

"I'm sure glad to have brother Pencil too. Although he's not very big and I have to sharpen him up from time to time like some of my other tools, he is very useful in the correcting and marking work."

"And father, here's another one I just couldn't be without," remarked the son. "Big brother Drill and these small bits of his family. They are all so good at reaching down deep into the heart and are always leaving the way open for a follow up."

"And look at brother Plane here. He is so handy to have around in service. He's a very smooth worker and doesn't bite off more than he can handle at one time. He sure is good at overcoming obstacles as well."

"And how do you find this tool, my son?" asked the father. "You mean brother Level?" questioned the son. "He is another one that is so useful to me; he has a good eye for balance and is very level-headed. I can use him often because he does a good job for me."

"I am so thankful," said the carpenter, "for even the very small tools I bought. They too are so beneficial and essential in my work. Take little brother Punch for example; although he is quite small, with the assistance of brother Hammer he does an excellent job at driving his point home."

"And there is tiny brother Rule. Although small in size, he is always extending himself to meet various circumstances, and in service, is so accurate in his statements."

"Even my new tools, like brother Sandpaper; I don't know how I could get along without them. Although he has a certain roughness about him, he does well in producing good results through his service."

"So you see, father," said the carpenter, "That it's because of having ALL THIS VARIETY of good tools that I'm thankful. With their help I'll finish your house in the proper time. Let me show you around the rest of the building, Father."

Well upon their leaving, all the carpenter's tools started rejoicing because of hearing the carpenter's commendation and seeing how pleased his father was of what they had accomplished together. Brother Hammer now again arose in their midst and said, "Brothers, I perceive for a certainty that all of us are needed. For although all of us may have our faults or don't do things just as others think we should, whether old or new, large or small, all of us are laborers together in pleasing our MASTER.

Prayer

A young Bethelite, visiting home was interviewed from his seat on the Service Meeting, having some experiences to relate. After a few opening comments he said that he had heard a really good illustration related about prayer that he would like to share with us. He paused and looked down. Continued to pause. Looked up at the brother on the stage. Looked distraught. Looked at the audience, almost with tears in his eyes. Looked down, again. Cleared his throat. Looked at the ceiling. This went on for an excruciatingly long time, really getting to the audience.... He then broke into a big smile and said: "What went through your mind? Did you ask: "What's wrong? What's happening? What's going on?" Or did you say: "Please, just say something! Anything!" Well, did you ever think that when we don't talk to Jehovah for a while, he's wondering what's wrong? That he wants us to say something, anything!"

Television

On the table, side by side,
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide

One is well worn, but cherished with pride,
(Not the Bible, but the TV Guide)

One is used daily to help folks decide,
No, not the Bible, its the TV Guide,

As pages are turned, what shall we see?
Oh, what does it matter? Turn ON TV

Then confusion reigns, they can't all agree
On what they shall watch on the old TV

So they open the book, in which they confide,
(No, not the Bible, its the TV Guide)

The Word of God is seldom read,
Maybe a verse ere they fall into bed.

Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
(Not from reading the Bible, but from watching TV)

So, then back to the table, side by side
Is the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.

No time for prayer, no time for the Word
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.

Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible, NOT on TV!!

Peer Pressure
"Crowd pressures have unconsciously conditioned our minds and feet to move to the rhythmic drumbeat of the status quo. Many voices and forces urge us to choose the path of least resistance, and bid us never to fight for an unpopular cause and never to be found in a minority of two or three."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Just A Bit Late

The song was just wonderful, and the prayer was just fine.
I'm so happy our family is all here on time.
So now let's all listen to what the Speaker will relate.
His subject? "Punctuality, and Not Being Late."
A small crowd this Meeting, not many here,
But wait just a minute, what's that noise in the rear?
Oh, just a few brothers, 10, 15, 25.
It took some fast driving, but they made it alive.
Brother attendant, is that seat taken, I don't mean to be blunt.
Yes it is dear sister, you'll have to sit in the front.
Sit in the front? It's embarrassing, it looks so bad,
As I cross over people, I sure hope they're not mad.
May I get through dear brother and pardon me please.
That's quite alright sister. Oh, my poor knees.
Another one? OUCH! That's alright brother, I know how it goes,
They'll be fine when they stop hurting, they were only my toes.
That's over I'm back listening now. Oh what did you say?
'Excuse me, Excuse me', Oh, that's quite okay.
When brother are late they know they're excused,
At least they come anyway to hear some good news.
Better late than never as someone once said.
But better never late is much better instead.
Though late, sometimes often, they're imperfect like me.
They don't plan to be late, they don't like to be.
Their love for Jehovah and their brother is true,
I know they'll improve 'cuz they really want to.
And so until then let's patiently wait,
For our fine Christian brothers who sometimes are late.

The Bridge

There once was a turntable bridge that spanned a large river. During most of the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down the parallel with the banks, to let the ships pass freely on both sides of the bridge. But at certain times each day, a train would come along, and the bridge would be turned sideways across the river, allowing the train to cross.

A switchman lived in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place as the train crossed. One evening as the switchman was waiting for the last train to come, he looked off into the distance through the dimming twilight, and caught sight of the train lights. He stepped to the controls and waited until the train was within the prescribed distance but to his horror, he found that the locking device didn't work! If the bridge was not locked securely into position, it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came into it, causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river. This was a passenger train with many people aboard.

He left the bridge turned across the river and hurried across the bridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever which he could use to operate the lock manually. He could hear the rumble of the train now, and took hold of the lever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking the bridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked. Many lives depended on his strength.

Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, came a sound that made his blood run cold! "Daddy, where are you?" His 4-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him! His first impulse was to cry out to the child, "RUN, RUN!" but the train was to close; the tiny legs would never make it across the bridge in time. The man almost left the lever to run snatch up his son and carry him to safety, but he realized he could not get back to the lever in time. Either the people on the train or his little son must die.

He took just a moment to make his decision. The train sped swiftly and safely on its way, and no one was even aware of the tiny, broken body thrown mercilessly into the river below, by the onrushing train. Nor were there any passengers who were aware of the pitiful figure of a sobbing man still clinging to the lever long after the train had passed. They didn't see him walking home slower than he had ever walked before to tell his wife how he had sacrificed their son.

Now if you can begin to comprehend the emotions that went through that man's heart, you can begin to understand the feelings of our Heavenly Father when he sacrificed His son to bridge the gap between us and eternal life. Can there be any wonder that He caused the skies to darken and the earth to quake when His son died? And how does He feel when we speed through life without a thought for what He has done for us by His son, Jesus Christ? When was the last time you thanked Him for the sacrifice of His son?

Humility
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Sunday on the back of that colt, and everyone was waving palm branched and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it ever entered the head of that colt that any of that was for him? The colt was ever-so-content to let Jesus have all the glory, while no one even noticed him.

Jehovah's Jewel
by George R. Kalista

We all feel the heavy pressure as this system nears its end,
And old Satan turns the heat up as he tries his best to bend
all of God Jehovah's people
so that they may deviate
from the course he's set before us;
turn from love and turn to hate.

But despite the heat he uses
and the pressure often cruel,
we must cleave to God Jehovah,
and in time we'll be his jewel.
For with time and heat and pressure,
things we often daily see,
and perhaps we value little turn
to gems of quality.

We often stare with fascination
at the Opal's lovely fire.
Amethyst's purplish-violet hue
is something to admire.
And the diamonds glinting facets
catch the mind of passer by.
Such beauty we enjoy from youth
until the day we die.

Yes, within our God's arrangement
with just pressure, heat and time,
things so often little treasured
turn into a sight sublime.
A pile of sand can turn
into the Opal's glowing fire,
and common ordinary clay,
the Amethyst we admire.

Carbon, such as found in coal,
whose mess we oft' despise,
turns to diamond's brilliant fire;
a pleasure to our eyes.
And man, made from the dust of earth,
if he plays not the fool,
with time and heat and pressure,
can become Jehovah's jewel.

Here is another calculation that will help you appreciate that you will never lack for anything to do:

1 Billion seconds is approximately equal to 32 years. Therefore, if you could travel instantaneously to every star in the galaxy one by one, one star per second, then you would visit 1 billion stars in 32 years.

Now, there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy, so that mean to visit every star in our galaxy (one per second) would take 3 thousand, 200 years. (3,200yrs)

But here are an estimated 100 billion galaxies of 100 billion stars each, so to visit every star in the universe would take 3,200 years per galaxy X 100 billion galaxies, so that the time taken to visit each star in the universe at one per second would take you; 320 TRILLION YEARS | 320,000,000,000,000 years!!!

That is just in case you had nothing else to do. And if you paused even for one additional second at each star, then the time would double: 640 trillion (640,000,000,000,000) years.

(The above was done using round figures, you and calculate it more precisely if you want. It is more like 317,100,000,000,000 years, but what is 3 trillion or so years between friends?)

Here is one more: There are about 6 billion people on Earth today. Let's work with just that figure. If you consider that you could get to know 10 people per year really well, say working with them 8 hrs a day, socializing with them 3, 4 hrs a day, going on vacation with them, etc., then it would take you 600,000,000 years to get to really know 6,000,000,000 people. And even if you got to know 60 people per year, you still must take 100 million years to get to know that many people.

So what will you do with your spare time?

Predicament of the World

There was a very long line of people waiting their turn on the ride at an amusement park, this ride was the newest and best. A little boy was waiting in line patiently but excitedly anticipating the joy he was going to have. The line was very long and it took an hour before he eventually reached the top of the ride ready to prepare to enter. All the way you could see the excitement building in this little boy as he watched the other people whizzing down the great big waterslide and screaming with joy.

Just as he was about to enter the water to hop onto the slide the attendant said to him "Sorry son you are to small to go on this slide, the slide for little guys like you is over there." The little boy did not reach the height requirement for the Giant slide. He was devastated and try as everybody did, he was inconsolable. Sadly he sat on the stairway and cried and cried.

People we meet in our ministry, just like that little boy have expectations that are not based on the facts regarding heavenly life, immortality, etc. When we help them to come to an accurate knowledge of truth we must try to be tactful and understanding in our explanation of the reality of the truth . Help them to see that Jehovah has set things in place that will benefit all mankind to their hearts content.

Identifying False Religion

Regarding how detectives train themselves to recognize counterfeit money: The detectives don't surround themselves with samples of it, studying the confiscated handiwork of criminals. No, instead they meticulously study "the real thing", becoming so familiar with it, that any attempted "copy" stands out as an obvious fraud. And isn't that the way it should be with us and false religion? We don't need to become experts on all the varieties of false religion that the great counterfeiter, Satan the Devil, has produced. Rather, we need to meticulously study "the real thing", the truth! If we do, all these other bogus "copies" will stand out as the obvious frauds that they really are.

Bad Habits

On the Western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, a giant Sequoia lies rotting. It was a growing sapling when Christ walked the shores of Galilee. When Columbus discovered America, it was reaching maturity and it looked down from lofty heights during the American Civil War. It seemed destined to live many more centuries.

Then, a few years ago, a tiny beetle started to burrow into its bark and lay eggs that would produce other beetles. It seemed like an unequal battle at first, but the few beetles multiplied into hundreds, then into thousands, and finally into millions. First they attacked the bark, then they worked deeper into the trunk, and finally, they were eating the very heart and strength of that magnificent forest giant.

Then one day, after withstanding the elements for centuries, the rain came, the winds blew, the lightning flashed, and the giant tree fell. Not because of the elements, but because of the weakening effects of those tiny beetles.

Bad habits do the same thing to people. They slowly take a toll, until the day comes when the man or woman fall like that giant tree.

Are You A Buzzard Or A Hummingbird?
Moral: Your positive or negative expectations will likely bear the fruit you anticipate

It is said that two kinds of birds fly over the California deserts: the hummingbird and the vulture. All the vulture can see is rotting meat, because that is all he looks for. He thrives on that diet. But the hummingbird ignores the carcasses and the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, he looks for the tiny blossoms of the cactus flowers. He buzzes around until he find the colorful blooms almost hidden from view by the rocks. Each bird finds what it is looking for.

What are you looking for? Better still, what are you finding? What you are finding tells what you are really looking for. Your expectations of life will determine your outcome.

Balance the Pressures

As a deep-sea diver submerges deeper and deeper under the water, he feels increased pressure.

How does the diver compensate for the additional pressure that is coming from the outside of his suit? Does he open the facemask to let some water in to relieve the pressure? No, he must increase the air pressure on the inside to compensate.

This illustration shows that when put under great pressure, our first tendency might be to miss a meeting or skip one day in service in order to relieve that pressure. But just the opposite is required. If we feel ourselves being pressured by this system of things, we need to take time for extra study, prayer and service in order to balance the pressure we are feeling!

Abortion

A professor at the UCLA Medical School asked his students this question - "Here is the family history: The father has Syphilis. The mother has TB. They already have had four children. The first is blind. The second died. The third is deaf. The fourth has TB. The mother is pregnant. The parents are willing to have an abortion if you decide they should. What do you think?" Most of the students decided on an abortion. "Congratulations," said the professor, "you have just murdered Beethoven!"

Cabbage

A brother had a beautiful large drawing of the inside of a cabbage - how it is viewed when you cut it in half. When you view it, you see the core and the leaves growing outward from it. The tough leaves are on the outside; the tender ones, on the inside. Once in a while you will see a leaf that looks rusty. This is because it no longer gets nourishment from the core. The core represents Jehovah's organization. The leaves are the publishers. The outer, tough leaves are the mature ones who had been in the truth many years. The leaves on the inside are the newer ones who are protected by the outer 'leaves'. The rusty leaves are those who stopped feeding from the "food" coming from the core - they stop associating, studying, etc. and so turned RUSTY.

Whose Hands Are You In?

A very small boy was in an old fashioned grocery store with his mother. His mother was poor and could not afford any of the candy that was stored in large jars on the counter. Feeling pity, the grocery store owner told the boy he could reach his hands in and get as much of the candy as he could hold in his two little hands. The boy declined. Again the storeowner told him he could have all the candy he could carry. The little boy still declined. The owner thought perhaps the boy did not want any candy...so he asked. Yes, I do want candy, the little boy said. So the storeowner reached both his adult sized hands into a container and pulled out lots of candy and put it in a bag for the boy. One the way home, his mother asked him why he would not put his own hands in. The boy said, "I knew the man wanted to give me some candy, but my hands are small. His hands are much bigger than mine and now I have candy for all my friends and me."

Are we like that little boy? Do we recognize that human kingdoms, man's governments have very tiny hands and their promises are more often than not a sham? (Luke 4:5-8; Revelation 11:15, 18; Daniel 2:44) Those outside do as the Scriptures say "keep promising freedom while they are existing as the slaves of corruption". 2 Peter 2:19. The freedom that comes from men's kingdoms is brief, illusory, pretentious, even non-existent. The real freedom belongs to rulership by God's kingdom. John 8:32, 36; James 2:12; 1 Peter 2:16. This world and its rulerships are passing away along with all other components of it and their desires, only those who do the will of the Father will remain. 1 John 2:15-17; 5:19. His hands are much bigger than any hands on earth, even if ALL those hands united together to make their own world peace, their own paradise.

Are you "having your reward in full" now? Or do you want the bigger handful that is to come? Matthew 6:1, 2, 5, 16; 10:41, 42; 2 John 8.

You see it all depends on whose hands you are in.

What is the spiritual point of the illustration?

The barrel of candy pictures the opportunities we all have today to acquire material goods, pursue careers, and in short treat ourselves to the the present world's view of sweeter things.

What is truly the course of wisdom and discernment today? To see what our small hands can gather in now, or put our faith in the grand fulfillment of Psalms 145:16 when in the New System we will be moved to say to Jehovah: "You are opening your [boundless] hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing" ?

Caring Villagers

Once upon a time, there was a village where the townspeople wanted to take care of those who were less fortunate than they. Each agreed to contribute a sack of grain for those in the neighbourhood who were elderly, ill or poor.

A large vat was put in the village square where the sacks were to be emptied. The day appointed for the opening of the vat arrived. The villagers assembled, a trumpet blew, the cover was lifted with great ceremony, and . . . the vat was empty.

Each villager, thinking, "My little bit of grain will not be missed," had failed to respond.

Like the villagers we have a commitment to Jehovah, as evidenced by our baptism, to assist others by preaching and teaching them. Are we doing our share? How about work in the congregation? Are we leaving this work up to others, or do we have an active share, always looking to progress.

Discouragement

It was announced that the Devil was going out of business, and would offer all his tools for sale to whomever would pay his price. On the night of the sale, they were all attractively displayed. Even so, they were a sorry looking lot. Malice, hatred, envy, jealousy, sensuality
and deceit and all the other implements of evil were spread out, each with its own price. Apart from the rest, lay a harmless looking wedge-shaped tool, much worn and priced higher than any of the others.

Someone asked the Devil, "What is that?"
"That is discouragement." he replied.
"Why do you have it priced so high?" the prospective buyer inquired.
"Because," answered the Devil, "It is more useful to me than any of the others. When I cannot get inside a man's mind with any of the other tools I possess, I can pry open and get inside his conscience with this. Once I get inside his mind with discouragement, I can use him in whatever way suits me best. The reason this tool is so worn is that I can use it with nearly everybody, as few people know it belongs to me."
It hardly needs to be added, that since the Devil's price for discouragement was so high, it never was sold.
AND, he still owns it and still uses it today!!!

Zealous Ministry

There is a lost child, and a frantic mother calls the police. A hunt is organized and about 500 or 600 people turn up to search for this missing youngster. After a few hours the child is found by one or two of the search party. Does this mean that the other members of the search party wasted their time and effort because they were not the ones to find the child? No, everyone of them were needed to make the search effective and no one gave up the search feeling they were wasting their time.

Application: Even if we are not the ones to find honest hearted ones, we should never feel we are wasting our time, and give up on the search. Every one is needed to make the search effective.

Your Strength or....

A little boy is working in the rock garden with his Dad. His father tells him that if he needs any help moving the rocks, he is right across the garden. Just call him. The little boy does fine for a while, but then the rocks get too big. But he wants to show his Dad how big he is, so he struggles and sweats and strains and pants and puffs and doesn't get very far. His Dad looks up and sees him continually struggling. "Son," his father says "You are not using all your strength." The little boy looks shocked but tries all the harder; with every ounce of strength he has he tries to get that rock in to his wagon. Puff, pant, strain, struggle, sweat, tears and hardly any progress. "Son, you are not using all your strength!" The boy says, "Yes I am Daddy. I am using everything I have." The Dad answers, "No son, you are not using me!"

We should not depend upon ourselves when we have problems but call on Jehovah to help us with our burdens.

How to Find the Truth

Imagine you wanted to hide a precious necklace, so that nobody could find it. How would you do it?

Well, a very clever idea would be to surround the real necklace in similar looking fake ones. Maybe make these look very precious and shiny. Then, the real necklace would be lost in a sea of necklaces. And the only way to find the true one is to carefully examine each one until you find the real one.

In a way, it is the same with Christianity. The real Christianity has been hidden from view by counterfeit "Christian" churches. But if you examine each one, then you will eventually find the true one.

Which Are You?

Some Christians are like wheel barrows---Not good unless pushed.

Some are like canoes---They need to be paddled.

Some are like kites---If you don't keep a string on them, they'll fly away.

Some are like kittens---They are only content when petted.

Some are like footballs---You never know which way they will bounce next.

Some are like balloons---Full of air and ready to blow up.

Some are like trailers---They have to be pulled.

Some are like neon lights---Always going on and off.

Others are letting the holy spirit lead them---and we would like to add,

Some are like a good watch---Open face, pure gold, quietly busy and full of good works.

Neglecting The Source of Our Strength

Years ago at the Tournament of Roses parade the Standard Oil Company, now known as Chevron, had a beautiful float. In the middle of the parade the oil company's float came to a grinding halt and the rest of the parade with it. What had happened? It had run out of gas. The directors of the Chevron float had done everything well but they neglected to avail themselves of their companies vast resources of oil. The parade waited while someone ran to get a gallon of gas.

Sometimes see this happens among us, we breakdown right in the middle of the parade. We must never neglect the source of our strength and power or we will become ineffective.

Fishing for a Mate

There are two places to go fishing in a certain town, either a secluded pond or the river. To get to the secluded pond requires carrying your heavy tackle box on a strenuous hike through thick forests. Upon arriving at the pond, you might have to wait a while to even get a bite. The river, however, has more convenient parking right next to the water. Every time you cast your line into the water its bound to have a fish on it. So which is the better fishing site?

You might be surprised that it's the pond. Why? Because a local waste treatment plant dumps sewage into the water just above the river's fishing site. Sure, there are a lot of fish, but that's only because they feed off the algae that feed off the sewage. In fact, signs have been posted to warn residents that fish caught in the river cannot be eaten because they are too polluted. The secluded pond has been protected from such pollution and offers much larger, healthier fish due to its seclusion.

The river is like this system of things. Satan's sewage, demonic reasonings that appeal to the flesh, has polluted the minds of unbelievers for years. (2 Cor. 4:4) Although it may be more convenient to look to the world to provide a soul mate, certainly the health risks it poses to our spirituality would cause us to think twice. Jehovah has even "posted a sign" warning us of the danger through His word, the Bible. (2 Cor. 6:14) What if we already have a non-Christian "on the line"? Then it's time to practice catch and release.

Let's make it our goal to wait for someone in Jehovah's organization. We must be patient if we hope to catch that trophy fish, a spiritual brother or sister. In the meantime, we can improve the bait we are using by working to improve our Christian qualities. Continue to pray to Jehovah, not only for a spouse, but also for the patience and self-control to continue to endure. (1 John 5:15) Surely the prize will be worth the wait!

The Monk & the Peasant (Control Gossip)

A peasant once unthinkingly
Spread tales about a friend.
But later found the rumors false
And hoped to make amend.

He sought the counsel of a monk,
A man esteemed and wise,
Who heard the peasant's story through
And felt he must advise.

The kind monk said: "If you would have
A mind again at peace.
I have a plan whereby you may
From trouble find release.

Go fill a bag with chicken down,
And to each dooryard go
And lay one fluffy feather where
The streams of gossip flow."

The peasant did as he was told
And to the monk returned,
Elated that his penance was
A thing so quickly earned.

"Not yet", the old monk sternly said,
"Take up your bag once more
And gather up the feathers that
You placed at every door."

The peasant, eager to atone,
Went hastening to obey,
No feathers met his sight, the wind
Had blown them all away.

Cheerful Giver

A man went to his farmer friend and asked him: "If you had ten cows would you give me 5?"
The farmer replied" Certainly! If I had 10 cows I would give you five!"
The man then asked:" If you had 6 pigs would you give me 3?"
The farmer replied" Without a doubt if I had 6 pigs I would give you 3!"
The man then asked: "If you had 2 chickens would you give me one?"
The farmer then replied: "Now that's unfair! Because you know I have 2 chickens!"

You Are Still Priceless

The speaker started off his talk by holding up a $20 bill. He asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."

He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.

"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20." Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless.

Doing Our Utmost

For unlimited joy and happiness, remember, the more we serve the more joy we have.

The Japanese Carp, if placed in a small bowl, will grow to 2" or 3" in length. In a pond, they attain 6" to 10" In a large lake, they grow to over 3'! The size of the fish depends on the size of the body of water they are in. Water represents the many facets of our theocratic service. The fish represents joy, which grows in direct relationship to the amount of water it is in. So place your self in the largest body of service possible, and watch joy grow as Jehovah blesses you!

Contributions vs. Commitments (The Chicken and the Pig)

A chicken and pig were walking towards town and they came across a restaurant that was advertising a ham and eggs special. The chicken said to the pig, "You know, I think we should go in there and make a contribution!" The pig answered back, "For you its a contribution - for me it's a commitment

Don't judge a book by it's cover:
The outer appearance of a cup, a dish or even a building reveals only so much. Jesus' disciples were awestruck by the beauty of the temple, which Jesus called a "cave of robbers" because of what was going on inside (Mark 11:17; 13:1). What was true of the temple is true of millions of professed Christians. They perform "powerful works" but are "workers of lawlessness" (Mat 7:22, 23). In stark contrast, the widow "dropped in her whole living" (Mark 12:41?44). Jehovah sees the motives behind the façade. Different people have different circumstances, and Jehovah makes an estimate of the heart, not of statistics (i.e. how many hours, placements).
w95 6/15 16

Our motivation to serve God:

The true value of an automobile is not determined solely by its appearance. A coat of paint may enhance its exterior, and a sleek design may attract a potential buyer; but of far grater importance are the things that are not readily seen - the engine that propels the vehicle, along with all the other devices that control it. Similarly, Jehovah 'sees what the heart is' (1 Sam 16:7). He 'knew the deeds' of Ephesus. Yes they were serving God, but with the wrong motive. "You have left the love you had at first" (Rev 2:1? 4). Thus, when our Christian routine falls into a rut, we need to peer inside at the engine, as it were. As even the best of automobiles need periodic maintenance; all Christians need to make regular self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5) to test what our motive is for serving God.
w95 6/15 13

Help ourselves before we can help others:

How many of you have flown on an airplane? You know when the flight attendant comes out and goes thought the little spiel about, "Here's how to handle an emergency," and they always mention that the mask drops down and that, if you have a small child with you, they say to first put the mask on yourself and then on the child; for obvious reasons. If we were to pass out in the process of trying to help the child, both would lose. So first, we put ourselves in a position to be strong enough to help the individual, and then we help the child. In the same way, we can't love others if we don't respect ourselves. We need to love ourselves.

The Golden Gift

Some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give some one a present, there's supposed to be something inside of it?"

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl and he begged her forgiveness.

The man kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession any could hold!

Our Christian Airplane:

Imagine a small plane flying into difficult weather conditions. The pilot can no longer make out landmarks. Thick clouds envelop him. He cannot see beyond his windscreen, yet he feels sure that he can complete his journey safely. What is the reason for his confidence? He has accurate instruments that enable him to fly through clouds and land in darkness. Along his route, especially near the airport, beacons guide him electronically, and he has radio contact with air? Traffic controllers on the ground.

But before a pilot can fly blind, depending totally on his instruments and ground control, he needs adequate training and many hours of flying time. Similarly, a Christian needs to exercise his faith continually so as to maintain his confidence in Jehovah's guidance, especially when difficult circumstances arise. Of course, a pilot learns through experience as well as through study that his instruments are trustworthy. Likewise, our confidence in Jehovah grows when we in our own lives see evidence of his loving care.

As a result of radioed instructions or an instrument check, pilots sometimes realize that they need to correct their course. We may likewise have to change direction according to Jehovah's instruction.

A small plane can easily be blown off course if needed corrections are not made. Likewise, outside influences constantly buffet Christians today.

An experienced pilot once said, "a pilot sometimes may find it difficult to believe his instrument - simply because his instincts disagree. Experienced military pilots have been known to fly upside down because the lights on the ground looked just like stars - even though their instruments told them otherwise." Similarly, our selfish instincts can mislead us in a spiritual sense. Jesus said that riches have "deceptive power," and Paul warned that 'the love of money has led many away form the faith.' Like deceptive twinkling lights, glitzy material goals can point us in the wrong direction.

A pilot feels deep satisfaction when after a long, difficult journey, he descends and finally breaks through the thick clouds. There spread out before him lies the earth - green and welcoming. The airport runway is below, waiting to receive him. A thrilling experience awaits us too. This gloomy, wicked world will give way to a new earth of righteousness. A divine welcome awaits us. w96 5/1 21-24

Scriptures in Rhyme

The command to go from door to door
is in verse 14 of Matthew 24.

We will live on earth, and not in heaven
says verses 10 & 11 of Psalm 37.

The name of God can clearly be seen
by turning to Psalm 83:18.

Sickness and death will be no more;
It's promised at Revelation 21:3 and 4.

Jehovah's word is always true
Because of what is said at Titus 1:2.

"Take in knowledge of my Father and me"
Jesus said at John 17, verse 3.

At death your soul will be no more,
so says Ezekiel 18:4.

144,000 will rule with God's son
This statement is at Revelation 14:1.

Children must obey parents to live eternally
So counsels Ephesians 6:1 to 3.

The animals will be at peace with mankind
as shown in Isaiah 11:6 to 9.

The reason why we don't go to war
is found in verse 3 of Micah 4.

To salute the flag is idolatry;
This lesson is from Daniel, chapter 3.

Remember "bad associations" aren't good, you see
According to 1 Corinthians 15:33.

We must attend meetings to stay alive
so says Hebrews 10, verse 25.

Take your troubles to Jehovah - He'll comfort you
That's what He promises at Psalm 55:22.

Here's a cute little illustration about the importance of attending the meetings and reading the Bible:

1. Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.

2. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.

3. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians.

4. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.

5. Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals. Above all else, avoid hospitals.

You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at The Kingdom Hall. Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even less.

For Safety's Sake - Attend the meetings and read your Bible. It could save your life.

Blurred Vision

A businessman was highly critical of his competitor's storefront windows. "Why, they are the dirtiest windows in town," he claimed. Fellow business people grew tired of the man's continual criticism and nitpicking comments about their windows. One day over coffee, the businessman carried the subject just too far. Before leaving, a fellow storeowner suggested the man get his own windows washed. He followed the advice, and the next day at coffee, he exclaimed, "I can't believe it. As soon as I washed my windows, my competitor must have cleaned his too. You should see them shine."

Application: Many times it's easier to see the problems and imperfections of others, than our own. Christ called it the "rafter in your own eye" (Luke 6:42). Maybe first we all need to "wash our own windows".

Dashboard Warning Lights

Most of us have seen a red light come on our automobile's dashboard - maybe for oil pressure, engine temperature, brake system, low fuel, etc. We can avoid much trouble by giving the needed attention to these warning light signals as soon as possible!

There is a Spiritual Dash Board Warning Lights System that each of us needs to check on regularly:

What are these Warning Indicators?:
1. Increasing Problems In Family - Due To Lack Of Applying Bible Principles.
2. Lack of Zeal and Joy in the Ministry.
3. Lack of Self-Control.
4. Loss of Enthusiasm for the Truth.
5. Neglecting of Associating at Meetings.
6. Overly Critical of Elders and Organization.
7. Harboring Serious and Continued Doubts.

Have you checked your dashboard lately?

Numbers Puzzle: See if you can decipher these Bible numbers (answers at the bottom of the email). The first one is done for you:

1. 3 F. C. of J. = 3 False Comforters of Job [Job called them "troublesome comforters"] (Job 16:2)

2. 49 Y. between J.

3. 4 G. W. for L.

4. 3 A. witnessed J. T.

5. 3 S. G., M., M., and L.

6. 1 Q. of W. for a D., 3 Q. of B. for a D.

7. 3 S. of J., C. 10

8. 1000 Y. R. of C.

9. 3 D. and 3 N. in the B. of the H. F.

10. 3 H. C. of D.

11. 5 T. 40 S. less 1 for P.

12. 3 T. B. with R., 3 T. E. S.

13. 7 S. and 3 D. of J.

14. 3 T. P. D. J.

15. 3000 B. at P.

16. 2 or 3 W. E. a M.

17. 6 C. of R., 3 on E. S. of J. and 3 on W. S. of J.

18. 4 L. C. with F. like a L., B., M., and E.

19. 2 S. C. of V. L. V.

20. 48 C. given to the L.

21. 4 H. of the A.

22. 12 C. of F. from the T. of L.

23. 1 G. the F. and 1 L., J. C.

24. 39 B. in the H. S.

25. 3 S. of N., S., H., and J.

3 F. C. of J.
3 False Comforters of Job [Job called them "troublesome comforters"] (Job 16:2)

49 Y. between J.
49 Years between Jubilees (Lev. 25:10; w87 1/1 18)

4 G. W. for L.
4 Greek Words for Love (aga'pe, phil'ia, storge', e'ros)

3 A. witnessed J. T.
3 Apostles witnessed Jesus' Transfiguration (Matt. 17:17)

3 S. G., M., M., and L.
3 Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke

1 Q. of W. for a D., 3 Q. of B. for a D.
1 Quart of Wheat for a Denarius, 3 Quarts of Barley for a Denarius (Rev. 6:6)

3 S. of J., C. 10
3 Sheepfolds of John, Chapter 10

1000 Y. R. of C
1000 Year Reign of Christ

3 D. and 3 N. in the B. of the H. F.
3 Days and 3 Nights in the Belly of the Huge Fish (Matt. 12:40)

3 H. C. of D.
3 Hebrew Companions of Daniel (Dan. 1:3; 3:17)

5 T. 40 S. less 1 for P.
5 Times 40 Strokes less 1 for Paul (2 Cor. 11:24)

3 T. B. with R., 3 T. E. S.
3 Times Beaten with Rods, 3 Times Escaped Shipwreck (2 Cor. 11:25)

7 S. and 3 D. of J.
7 Sons and 3 Daughters of Job (Job 42:13)

3 T. P. D. J.
3 Times Peter Denied Jesus

3000 B. at P.
3000 Baptized at Pentecost

2 or 3 W. E. a M.
2 or 3 Witnesses Establish a Matter (2 Cor. 13:13)

6 C. of R., 3 on E. S. of J. and 3 on W. S. of J.
6 Cities of Refuge., 3 on East Side of Jordan and 3 on West Side of Jordan (Num. 35:13, 14)

4 L. C. with F. like a L., B., M., and E.
4 Living Creatures with Faces like a Lion, Bull, Man, and Eagle (Rev. 4:6, 7)

2 S. C. of V. L. V.
2 Small Coins of Very Little Value (Luke 21:2)

48 C. given to the L.
48 Cities given to the Levites (Joshua 21:41)

4 H. of the A.
4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Rev. 6:1-8)

12 C. of F. from the T. of L.
12 Crops of Fruit from the Trees of Life (Rev. 22:2)

1 G. the F. and 1 L., J. C.
1 God the Father and 1 Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 8:6)

39 B. in the H. S.
39 Books in the Hebrew Scriptures

3 S. of N., S., H., and J.
3 Sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Gen. 10:1)

Drop a Pebble in the Water

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy a-circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

James W. Foley

Conscience
The early Native Americans believed that the conscience was a triangular shaped object placed close to a persons heart. When a person did something that he knew was wrong, this triangle shaped object (the conscience) would rotate and prick the heart, causing pain. Each time, it would rotate again, pricking the heart, causing pain. However, they believed, that if a person kept on doing something over and over that he knew was wrong, the sharp points of his conscience would get blunt, and therefore STOP pricking his heart and causing pain when it rotated.

The Bible illustrated this another way at 1 Timothy 4:2 "by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron." Paul's reference to a conscience that is marked as with a branding iron indicates that it would be like seared flesh that is covered over with scar tissue and void of nerve endings and, therefore, without sense of feeling. (1Ti 4:2)

Old Faithful
Old Faithful is not the largest geyser in Yellowstone Park, nor is it the most impressive. An eruption lasts 1 ½ to 5 minutes, whereas other geysers such as Giant last up to an hour. Then why is Old Faithful so famous? Because of its consistent performance. Whereas other more impressive geysers only go off every few years Old Faithful is still as spectacular and predictable as it was a century ago. Rather like that faithful geyser, Christians should be steadfast and unmovable in fulfilling their dedication.

Faith And Works
An old Scotsman was operating a small rowboat for transporting passengers across one of the little lakes in Scotland. One day a passenger noticed that he had carved on one oar the word "Faith" and on the other oar the word "Works." Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man said, "I will show you." He dropped one oar and plied the other called "Works," and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and began to ply the one called "Faith," and the little boat went around in circles again--this time the other way around.
After this demonstration, the old man picked up both "Faith" and "Works" and plying both oars together sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, "You see, that is the way it is in life as well as in the boat."

How many of the sixteen Bible books hidden in the paragraph below can YOU find?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu; kept people looking so hard for facts ... and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a pioneer to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph.

(answers below - but give yourself a fair go before you peek!)
Acts Amos Esther Hebrews James Job Judges Kings Lamentations Luke Mark Numbers Peter Revelation Ruth Titus

I once made a re MARK about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lu LU KE pt people loo KING S o hard for f ACTS ... and for others it was a REVELATION. Some were in a JAM, ES pecially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the t RUTH finally struck home to NUMBERS of our readers. To others it was a real JOB. We want it to be A MOS t fascinating few moments for you. Y ES THER e will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require JUDGES to help them. I will quickly admi T IT US ually takes a pioneer to find one of them, and there will be loud LAMENTATIONS when it is found. A little lady says s HE BREWS a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can com PETE R elax now, for there really are sixteen names of books of the Bible in this paragraph.

TO LIVE THROUGH THE END
Written by Ann R. McCartney

Our prayer is to live to see
Jehovah bring a new world in
With blessing for eternity
No more death and no more sin.

Now our hearts may often cry
We might feel discouraged too
Many problems make us sigh
As we wonder what to do.

If we turn to God and pray
A sure HOPE he will us give
And help us stay upon the WAY
So that we may forever live!

Endurance

If we have ever seen a snake on the wild life stories, then we may remember seeing what happens when two snakes come in contact with each other. They will hiss and keep their mouth open as wide as they can. They move from side to side as they wait for an opportunity to strike. As soon as one tires out and closes his mouth, the other snake strikes and it is all over for the other snake. Well, Satan is pictured as the great snake in the Bible and he is ready to strike at any time. But as long as we keep our mouths wide open in the preaching work and stay closely associated with God's people he cannot strike. So as long as we have the time left favorable for preaching, let us not tire out, and lose our hope in the snares of Satan's old system!

The Name

Long ago when I was young
And learning from my parents tongue,
I came to know of many things,
To know the joy that learning brings.

I learned the origin of man;
I learned just how it all began.
I knew of mighty men of fame,
But didn't know God had a NAME.

As time passed on, my knowledge grew.
There seemed no end to things I knew.
The alphabet now came along;
I knew my numbers well pass five.

I learned of people and their acts.
I learned great scientific facts.
I knew of Christ, who healed the lame,
But didn't know God had a NAME.

One day a stranger spoke with me,
And told me where to find the key
To knowledge of eternal life
Devoid of illness, pain, and strife.

I listened to this humble man
As he unfolded God's great plan.
He told me of the Kingdom birth,
How men would beautify the earth.

He told of things I'd never read.
I somewhat hesitatingly said...
"Tell me, please...does HE have a NAME?
This God of unsurpassing fame"?

He said "Would you please take the book
I hold here in my hand and look
Until you find Psalm 83
And then read verse 18 with me."

Thus as I read "that men might know"
I felt the tears begin to flow.
For there before me I could see,
The answer to this "mystery".

JEHOVAH was his NAME, I read.
Yes, that is what the scripture said.
I thanked the man who came to share
And brought the answer to my prayer.

But now I pray that I'll NOT forget
That others have not heard it yet,
So may I publicly proclaim
The message I learned, without shame

author unknown.

Putting up with One Another in Love

Some people don't like to eat raspberries because they don't like the seeds, but if you really LOVE raspberries, you won't really notice them.

Memorizing the Bible Canon

EACH Bible lover and, in particular, each Christian minister will save much time by memorizing the order in which the Bible books appear. Noting the natural divisions of the canon as well as the contents and time of writing of the various books will doubtless help in memorizing this list.

Of the sixty-six books, thirty-nine comprise the Hebrew Scriptures and twenty-seven the Christian Greek Scriptures.

In the Hebrew Scripture canon the five books of Moses come first: GENESIS begins with creation and takes in the history of mankind from Adam to the death of Joseph. Then come EXODUS, LEVITICUS, NUMBERS and DEUTERONOMY, which give Israel's history from their bondage in Egypt to the death of Moses. These five books are also known as the Pentateuch, meaning "five books." In some translations, such as Luther's, these are simply known as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Moses. Next, just as Joshua succeeded Moses, so the book of JOSHUA succeeds the books of Moses. And even as Joshua was followed by other judges who ruled Israel, so his book is followed by the book of JUDGES, which tells of their rule. RUTH relates certain events of the time of the judges and so logically follows.

Then come three sets of two books: 1 and 2 SAMUEL, which complete the period of the judges and introduce the period of the kings; 1 and 2 KINGS, which complete the history of the kings; and 1 and 2 CHRONICLES, which give a parallel history of the kings beginning with David's rule, as well as a resume of Bible genealogy from Adam to the time of its writing. Next come EZRA, NEHEMIAH and ESTHER, which deal with events that occurred in Jerusalem and Medo-Persia within a century after the Jews' return from Babylon in 537 B.C. This completes the seventeen so-called "historical" books.

After these come five books containing wise sayings and superb poetry: JOB, PSALMS (about one-half of which are credited to David), PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES and THE SONG OF SOLOMON. The last three were written by Solomon with the exception of the last two chapters of Proverbs.

The remaining seventeen books of the Hebrew Scriptures are primarily prophetic. ISAIAH, whose writer prophesied in the eighth century B.C.; JEREMIAH, whose writer began prophesying in the next century, forty years before Jerusalem's downfall in 607 B.C.; LAMENTATIONS, in which Jeremiah mourns Jerusalem's desolation; EZEKIEL, whose writer prophesied in Babylon during Jerusalem's desolation, and DANIEL, whose writer served as Jehovah's prophet, before, during and even after the seventy-year desolation.

The rest of the prophetic books are called the "minor" prophets by reason of their length, although these twelve prophecies are neither minor in import nor in time, several coming ahead of the "major" prophets. These twelve do not follow a strict time pattern. They begin with HOSEA (pronounced Ho·see´a), JOEL (actually the first of the seventeen to be written), AMOS and OBADIAH; JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM and HA·BAK´KUK (accent on the second syllable); ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH and MALACHI. Thus we have three sets of four books; Jonah begins the second set of four, and Zephaniah, not to be confused with Zechariah, which follows Haggai, the third set.

Now to the Christian Greek Scriptures. First we have five books mostly historical, the four Gospels, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and JOHN, and ACTS OF APOSTLES. Next come twenty-one letters, fourteen by Paul, which as a memory aid may be divided as follows: three of his longest letters: ROMANS. 1 and 2 CORINTHIANS; then four quite similar in size, style and content: GALATIANS, EPHESIANS, PHILIPPIANS and COLOSSIANS. Then follow five beginning with the letter "T": 1 and 2 THESSALONIANS, 1 and 2 TIMOTHY and TITUS. PHILEMON and HEBREWS complete Paul's letters. So we have in Paul's letters, nine to congregations, four to individuals, and one to a group of Christians, those of Hebrew birth. This leaves seven more letters: JAMES, 1 and 2 PETER, 1, 2 and 3 JOHN and JUDE. And in conclusion is the prophecy in symbols, REVELATION, last book of the Bible but not the last one written, it being written A.D. 96, whereas the rest of John's writings appear to have been written A.D. 98.

With a little effort this list of books can be memorized. Doing so will not only prove very useful in one's Bible studies but also help to recommend one as a Christian minister.
w62 p. 767

Marriage is Like a Box

Most people get married believing a myth that marriage is a beautiful box full of all the things they have longed for: companionship, intimacy, friendship, etc. The truth is that marriage at the start is an empty box. You must put something in before you can take anything out. There is no love in marriage. Love is in people. And people put love in marriage. There is no romance in marriage. You have to infuse it into your marriage. A couple must learn the art and form the habit of giving, loving, serving, praising keeping the box full. If you take out more than you put in, the box will be empty.

A Story about Somebody, Everybody, Anybody, and Nobody

I would like to introduce you to four brothers in the congregation, Brother Somebody, Brother Everybody, Brother Anybody and Brother Nobody. All four brothers are very different from the rest of the congregation...it's too bad...but that's the way it is...really...it is a shame that it is that way.

Here are some of the problems these brothers have: Everybody failed to take advantage of the weekend time he had to go in service. He was always staying home from service on Sunday because he had some company or sometimes just because he had something else to do.

Now as for Anybody...he wanted to go in service but he didn't because he was afraid that Somebody would not be there to work with him. So do you know who went out? Nobody.

As it turns out Nobody was the only active one of the group. It was Nobody that always supported the meetings for service, it was Nobody that always showed up to clean the hall. It was Nobody that always made return visits on the literature he placed. And why? Because Nobody kept a house to house record.

One time at a meeting, the theocratic school overseer needed a brother to give one of the talks on the school program. Everybody thought certainly Anybody could do it, so he didn't offer. Anybody thought Somebody would do it. Do you know who offered to accept the assignment? That's right...Nobody.

There was an interested person that came to the meeting one Sunday. Everybody thought Somebody should approach the new one and offer to study with him. Anybody could have done it. But, again ... guess who did it?

Nobody.

Bicycle

When something, like a bike is moving slowly it doesn't take much to stop it, not much force on the brakes. But as it speeds up and gains momentum it takes more and more effort to stop it you really have to squeeze the brakes hard. Eventually it can become almost impossible to stop suddenly and not lose control if you're going to avoid disaster. So it goes wit life. You get into a situation and perhaps start to leave the truth. It starts slow - missing meetings here and there, then altogether. Then you get involved with the world. The sequence of events goes slow as first but then can just speed up. But by then its too late - you've lost control and it is going to take EVERYTHING you have to try to slow it down and stop the Inevitable from happening and avoiding a disaster. The more involved and attached you become, the harder and harder it is to break away. The Bible says to stay separate from the world and quit TOUCHING the unclean thing for a reason - you never know the potential and which direction it'll go.

You're Doing The Right Things

Sometimes it is easier to look elsewhere for our security and approval. Like the day when Charlie Brown stopped at the psychiatric help stand to talk with Lucy. He confesses, "My trouble is I never know if I'm doing the right thing. I need to have someone around who can tell me when I'm doing the right thing." Lucy says, "Okay. You're doing the right thing. That'll be five cents, please!" Charlie Brown walks away with a smile on his face.

In a few minutes, he returns with a frown. "Back already?" asks Lucy. "What happened?" Charlie Brown says, "I was wrong. It didn't help. You need more in life than just having someone around to tell you when you're doing the right thing." Lucy says, "Now you've really learned something! That'll be another five cents please."

A Harnessed Power

Power can be used in at least two ways: it can be unleashed, or it can be harnessed. The energy in ten gallons of gasoline, for instance, can be released explosively by dropping a lighted match into the can. Or it can be channeled through the engine of a Honda in a controlled burn and used to transport a person 350 miles. Explosions are spectacular, but controlled burns have lasting effect, staying power. Jehovah's spirit works both ways. At Pentecost, it was like an explosion: "tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3). Thousands were affected by one burst of God's Holy Spirit. But it doesn't always need to be so spectacular. The holy spirit also works through the congregation for the "long haul." Through worship, fellowship, study and service, Christians are provided with staying power.

Living Unaware of His Vast Fortune

West Texas during the Depression: Mr. Ira Yates was like many other ranchers and farmers. He had a lot of land, and a lot of debt. Mr. Yates wasn't able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage, so he was in danger of losing his ranch. With little money for clothes or food, his family (like many others) had to live on a government subsidy.

Day after day, as he grazed his sheep over those rolling West Texas hills, he was no doubt greatly troubled about how he would pay his bills. Then a seismographic crew from an oil company came into the area and told him there might be oil on his land. They asked permission to drill a wildcat well, and he signed a lease contract.

At 1,115 feet they struck a huge oil reserve. The first well came in at 80,000 barrels a day. Many subsequent wells were more than twice as large. In fact, 30 years after the discovery, a government test of one of the wells showed it still had the potential flow of 125,000 barrels of oil a day.

And Mr. Yates owned it all. The day he purchased the land he had received the oil and mineral rights. Yet, he'd been living on relief. A multimillionaire living in poverty. The problem? He didn't know the oil was there even though he owned it.

Similarly, we must never lose sight of our spiritual heritage and all the blessings Jehovah has in store. As well, we must tell others that they too can be rich spiritually in this troubled world.

The Cape of Good Hope

Do you know that the southernmost point of Africa has for centuries experienced tremendous storms? For many years no one even knew what lay beyond that cape, for no ship attempting to round that point had ever returned to tell the tale. Among the ancients it was known as the "Cape of Storms," and for good reason. But then a Portuguese explorer in the sixteenth century, Vasco De Gama, successfully sailed around that very point and found beyond the wild raging storms, a great calm sea, and beyond that, the shores of India. The name of that cape was changed from the Cape of Storms to the Cape of Good Hope.

Before Jesus paid the ransom, death had been the cape of storms on which all hopes of everlasting life had been wrecked. Eventually, Jesus paid the price and turned our Cape of Storms into a Cape of Good Hope.

A Paradigm Shift in Watch Making

If people would have been asked in 1968 which nation would dominate the world in watch making during the 1990s and into the twenty-first century the answer would have been uniform: Switzerland. Why?: Because Switzerland had dominated the world of watch making for the previous sixty years.

The Swiss made the best watches in the world and were committed to constant refinement of their expertise. It was the Swiss who came forward with the minute hand and the second hand. They led the world in discovering better ways to manufacture the gears, bearings, and mainsprings of watches. They even led the way in waterproofing techniques and self-winding models. By 1968, the Swiss made 65 percent of all watches sold in the world and laid claim to as much as 90 percent of the profits.

By 1980, however, they had lain off thousands of watchmakers and controlled less than 10 percent of the world market. Their profit domination dropped to less than 20 percent. Between 1979 and 1981, fifty thousand of the sixty-two thousand Swiss watchmakers lost their jobs. Why? The Swiss had refused to consider a new development - Quartz movement, which, ironically, was invented by a Swiss. Because it had no mainspring or knob, it was rejected. It was too much of a paradigm shift for them to embrace. Seiko, on the other hand, accepted it and, along with a few other companies, became the leader in the watch industry.

The lesson of the Swiss watchmakers is profound. Many people in Christendom have the Bible and the Truths that it contains. But pagan philosophies have been ingrained for so many thousands of years, that it is too much for them to accept. In order to accept the Truth, they have to think outside of the box, opening the mind to previously unfathomable possibilities.

Do You Have the Sense of a Goose?

FACT 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

FACT 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It then quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as a goose we will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We will be willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

FACT 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

FACT 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
LESSON: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of other) is the quality of honking we seek.

FACT 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, tow geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Doves

Doves are a prevalent symbol of Christians in the Bible. At Matthew 10:16, Jesus told his followers to be cautious (wise) as serpents, yet gentle (harmless) as doves. What is so special about doves? Why were they used rather than some other bird?

A number of years ago, my family had a lot of bird pens and raised chickens, pigeons, roosters, doves and assorted other creatures.

Most birds, even those not meat eating, are predators even against their own kind. That is, they will kill the eggs and destroy the nests of other birds in order to make themselves and their offspring superior. Many humans and nations are like this also destroying others to keep themselves from being destroyed or even to keep themselves from merely losing some monetary objectives.

But doves are not like that. Rather than destroy the nests of other doves, all in the pen will take turns sitting on the nests... even the single males. Pigeons and chickens will not do this.

Doves mate for life in male/female pairs and others will not interfere in these relationships trying to steal a dove's mate. Other birds are likely mated all to one dominant male (like chickens). (A few bird species such as eagles, parakeets, pigeons will mate for life, but are still aggressive, fighting type birds).

Doves care for each other; cuddle together for warmth; help care for eggs/nests/infants; and will only reject a member once the illness or injury is unrecoverable. Then they will isolate the member from the rest. Most bird species will peck an injured one to death at the first sign of illness or injury. They will also peck to death the babies of other birds including their own kinds.

Doves, therefore, naturally mimic much of the conduct expected of Christians as shown in the following Bible verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 11:34; Romans 15:1; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Hebrews 10;23-25; Romans 1:12; Hebrews 13:4; 2 Timothy 2:24; 2 Corinthians 10:3

Even though we live in the world, a world full of Satan's birds who would pick us and our seeds to death, we do not wage war as the world does as Paul stated above.

Let us act like doves and not other birds. Matthew 13:3, 4, 18, 19. Do not allow the birds to pluck away that which you have received in learning Bible truth. Your fellow doves are always around to help if you are willing to make use of them.

How to Stay Young and Happy Forever

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends - like Jehovah's Witnesses with a hope for the future.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the Bible, Jehovah, and his purpose for the future. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Fill it with Jehovah's loving kindnesses.
4. Enjoy the simple things. Keep the eye simple!
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love: Jehovah your life-giver, and the family and friends He gave you. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, look forward to the earthly paradise in perfect health forever!
9. Don't take guilt trips. Get rid of them through prayer and faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Endurance

Endurance is like dancing with a gorilla: you don't stop when YOU get tired; you stop when the GORILLA gets tired.

Hit The Ground Running

The Chairman and CEO of Home Depot is reported to have said the following:

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up: It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning, the lion wakes up: It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle: When the sun comes up, you'd better be running.

When your feet hit the floor running in the morning what motivates you? Fear or a sense of mission?

Excuses, Excuses

Excuses, excuses
I've got one or two
And if I think hard enough
Maybe a few

It's cold out, I'm tired
My hair is a sight
The dishes are still in the sink
From last night

My book bag is messy
My shoes just won't shine
I think it might flurry
The car's out of time

Excuses, excuses
There must be some more
Hundreds, no thousands
I can't leave my door

The people are busy
And interest they lack
If I climb those driveways
I might hurt my back

Nobody answers
There's no one in sight
There could be a dog
And it's ME he might bite

The gas gauge reads empty
And I'm low on cash
The wipers don't work
If it rains I might crash

I might get a phone call
From someone in need
Or maybe I'd better go
Outside and weed

Then after the dishes
To fill in the gap
I'll get nice and cozy
And take a long nap

And Oh, I'm so hungry
I do feel quite weak
If I go out now, why
I just couldn't speak

So I'd better stay home
But then again wait
Why, look at the clock
It must be too late


The car groups are full now
They're gone one and all
And since I am dressed
I could go to the mall

Excuses, excuses
Yes, I know them all
Examine them closely
You'll find they're quite small

And now that I've gotten them
Out of the way
I'm leaving for service
I'll have a great day

Jehovah will bless me
Of this I am sure
Excuses behind me
Instead I'll endure

For what excuse is there
That I'd ever give
Worth trading for truth
To help people to live.

Save Our Starfish

A friend of ours was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As our friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.

Our friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said, "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing"

"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washing up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."

"I understand," my friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference ?"

The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"

It is Up to Us How Much We Progress

A man is given one bar of iron to do with as he chooses. Now he has a choice to (1) keep the bar of iron; its value is $5.00; (2) take that bar of iron and have it made into horseshoes; its value now is $10.00; (3) have it made into needles; its value is now $3,000.00; (4) make it into delicate balance springs; its value now is
$250,000.00

It is all what you make of it, how we use what we have. Being in the truth is much like that. It is what we do what we have. How we progress or what privileges we may have or the depth of our understanding--we could either be that bar of iron or balance springs. It is up to us.

Aids to "ADMIT ONE" into the new system

PASS:

P-rayer
A-ssociation
S-tudy
S-ervice

The Balls And The Rice

Imagine you have a large jar, five ping pong balls, and a quantity of rice. First, you pour the rice into the jar and then try squeezing the balls in. You may manage to get maybe one or two in, but then you're stuck

Now empty the rice out, and this time put the balls in first. If you now pour the rice in, it all settles in nicely!

The meaning? The balls represent our five meetings per week (Book Study, School, Service Meeting, Public Talk and WT study) and the rice is our everyday activities. If we put our own activities first, then try to squeeze the meetings into our time, they won't all fit. But if we arrange our activities around the meetings it will all fit nicely.

Just for Laughs…
What Would Jesus Do?

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin (age 4) and Greg (age 3). The boys begin to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, "Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait." Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "You be Jesus."

More Bible Puzzles (Thanks Carolyne Butler)

1. 7 t. J. h.
A few things good people should endeavor to avoid.

2. 40 y. w. in the w.
An intentionally extended camping trip.

3. 40 d. in the w., being t. by S.
This merited him a visit from the angels.

4. 700 w. and 300 c. of S.
Most men couldn't handle this situation.

5. 150 d. the w. o. the e.
A legendary event.

6. 6 c. d.
These were longer than 144 hours.

7. 10 C. (or 10 W.).
They can be broken.

8. 7 s. o. by the L.
He could do this because he had been slaughtered.

9. 3 k. of the k. of the h.
One chosen person used all of them.

10. 7 b. of the a. of G.
You wouldn't want a "meal" like this sitting on your table.

11. 30 p. of s. b. the "F. of B."
An unpleasant land transaction.

12. 7 y. of g. p. and 7 y. of f.
Something to do with having and having not.

13. 7 s. and 7 g. l.
A heavenly vision of an earthly situation.

14. 10 h. and 7 h.
A beastly sight.

15. 5 l. and 2 f. f. 5000 m.
Most cooks would love to know this recipe.

16. 12 s. in E's. a. on M. C.
A man and a mountain.

17. 3.5 y. of J'. e. m.
The gospel of John holds the clues.

18. 3.5 y. of d. when E. p. for it.
This man had feelings like us.

19. 14 e. by the a. P.
Sometimes he used a secretary.

20. 4 H. l. in the T.
Its name comes from a language different than it is.

21. 450 p. of B. and 400 p. of the s. p.
A wicked queen boarded them.

22. 4 r. out of 1 r. in E.
One of them went to where there was good gold.

23. 27 b. in the C. G. S.
The complement for the 39.

24. 9 h. in the S. on the M.
Suffering people may want to receive these blessings.

25. 5 b. in the P.
Think "Moses."

26. 0 g. k. in the 10-t. k. of I.
Not a good track record for any nation.

27. 9 q. that m. up the f. of the s.
What every Christian wants to bear.

28. 12 j. in I.
They were saviors.

29. 2 s. of J. b. in E. before the y. of the f: M. and E.
They brought Egyptian blood into their families.

30. 12 g. of 12 p. in N. J.
Like nothing ever seen on earth.

31. 1000 p. of m. p. to A. by A., K. of G.
The principle that adultery is wrong was illustrated here.

32. 7 l. and a f. l. f. f. 4000 m., besides w. and y. c.
A historic example of stretching the food budget.

33. 12 s. in the b. of j. with 4 r. of 3 s. in each r.
An unusual garment not to be worn by just anyone.

34. 50 c. the h. of the s. H. had m. to h. M.
An impressive instrument of execution.

35. 12 s. of J.
He didn't get any of them until he was past 80 years old.

36. 1 s., 1 m., and 11 s. b. d. to J.
They called him "that dreamer."

37. 70 y. of c. in B.
People wept by the rivers there.

38. 20 y. J. w. for L.
One of their names means "white."

39. 390 d. on E's. l. s. and 40 d. on E's. r. s.
Someone might accuse him of lying down on the job.

40. 2 h. like a l., but s. as a d.
Makes one think of government propaganda.

41. 1 s. gets s., but 99 h. n. s.
A shepherd must make a decision when this occurs.

42. 10 p. on the l. of E.
Three of these did not discriminate about the recipients; seven did.

43. 70 b. of A. k. on 1 s.
Involves a mass murder in order to gain a kingship.

44. 1 l. was c. at the t. of B.
This situation was definitely confusing.

45. 6 i. in E's. b.
A healthy biblical recipe.

46. 15 w. of the f.
What Christians shouldn't practice.

47. 300 c. out, "J's. s. and G's.!"
They deliberately destroyed pottery when they did this.

48. 300 f. c. by S. b. the f. of the P.
One man's foxy move.

49. 12 t. in the r-c. for J.' a. to j. the 12 t. of I.
Jesus promised this to a few.

50. 10 r. to be a g. in J's. t.
An invitation to be treasured.

51. 1 d. for 1 d's. w.
Not even worth a dollar today.

52. 25 m. with t. b. to the t. of J., b. d. to the e., to the s.
Some people groaned because of this.

53. 1 s. g. as a r. in e. for m.
A beneficial exchange for us.

54. 2 w. of the g. e. were g. the w.
A postpartum trip.

55. 127 j. d. of K. A.
Lots of land for him to look after.

56. 12,000 f., the l. and b. and h. of N. J.
Something this size won't fit on the earth.

57. 40 y. of d. for E., p. by E.
Their historians didn't record that this happened to them.

58. 52 d. to r. the w. of J.
Talk about a "quick-build" project!

59. 1 o.-b. S. of G.
No one else in the universe can claim this.

60. 69 w. (7 w., also 62 w.) u. M. the L.
Hundreds of years later some people were in expectation of this.

61. 24 t. with 24 e.
Heavenly "furniture."

62. 153 f. c. in the s. of T.
A really big haul.

63. 4 a. s. upon the 4 c. of the e., h. t. the 4 w. of the e.
This planetary object isn't literally shaped like this.

64. 120 m. in the u. c. in J. at P.
A small beginning that soon grew large.

65. 2 w. p. 1260 d. d. in s.
Not the kind of clothing one would elect to wear every day.

66. 4 (h.) b. of J.: J. and J. and S. and J.
He wasn't the only child that some say he was.

67. 4 d. that L. was d.
His sister almost said "phew!"

68. 1 s. d's. j. from the M. of O. to J.
'You may travel this far and no further on a certain day.'

69. 13 t. the I. m. a. the w. of J.
These people literally went around in circles.

70. 3 w. b., the s. and the w. and the b.
Someone added spurious words to this scripture to support a false belief.

71. 12 g. of the r. w. of J. in N's. d.
Partially movable devices that enable people to pass through highly protective barriers.

72. 3 t. r., f. h., l., but l. is the g.
Some people let this cool off.

73. 1 p. of the t. n. J. and 1 p. of the t. n. B.
Named parts of a famous building.

74. 1 G., and 1 m. b. G. and m., a m., C. J.
Those two are the tops.

75. 6 s. to S's. t. with 12 l. on the 6 s.
Found only in a certain palace.

76. 2 are b. t. 1, and a t. c. c. q. be t. in 2.
Rope makers already know this.

ANSWERS
1. 7 T. J. H.
7 Things Jehovah Hates

2. 40 Y. W. in the W.
40 Years Wandering in the Wilderness

3. 40 D. in the W., being T. by S.
40 Days in the Wilderness, being Tempted by Satan (Mark 1:13)

4. 700 W. and 300 C. of S.
700 Wives and 300 Concubines of Solomon (1 Kings 11:3)

5. 150 D. the W. O. the E.
150 Days the Waters Overwhelmed the Earth (Gen. 7:24)

6. 6 C. D.
6 Creative Days

7. 10 C. or 10 W.
10 Commandments or 10 Words

8. 7 S. O. by the L.
7 Seals Opened by the Lamb (Rev. 5:1:, 8, 9)

9. 3 K. of the K.
3 Keys of the Kingdom (Matt. 16:19)

10. 7 B. of the A. of G.
7 Bowls of the Anger of God (Rev. 16:1)

11. 30 P. of S. B. the F. of B.
30 Pieces of Silver Bought the Field of Blood (Matt. 27:8, 9)

12. 7 Y. of G. P. and 7 Y. of F.
7 Years of Great Plenty and 7 Years of Famine (Gen. 41:29, 30)

13. 7 S. and 7 G. L.
7 Stars and 7 Golden Lampstands (Rev. 1:20)

14. 10 H. and 7 H.
10 Horns and 7 Heads (Rev. 13:1)

15. 5 L. and 2 F. F. 5000 M.
5 Loaves and 2 Fishes Fed 5000 Men (Matt. 14:17-21)

16. 12 S. in E. A. on M. C.
12 Stones in Elijah's Altar on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:31)

17. 3.5 Y. of J. E. M.
3.5 Years of Jesus' Earthly Ministry

18. 3.5 Y. of D. when E. P. for it
3.5 Years of Drought when Elijah Prayed for it

19. 14 E. by the A. P.
14 Epistles by the Apostle Paul

20. 4 H. L. in the T.
4 Hebrew Letters in the Tetragrammaton

21. 450 P. of B. and 400 P. of the S. P.
450 Prophets of Baal and 400 Prophets of the Sacred Pole (1 Kings 18:19)

22. 4 R. out of 1 R. in E.
4 Rivers out of 1 River in Eden (Gen. 2:10-14)

23. 27 B. in the C. G. S.
27 Books in the Christian Greek Scriptures

24. 9 H. in the S. on the M.
9 Happinesses in the Sermon on the Mount

25. 5 B. in the P.
5 Books in the Pentateuch

26. 0 G. K. in the 10 T. K. of I.
0 Good Kings in the 10-Tribe Kingdom of Israel

27. 9 F. of the S.
9 Fruits of the Spirit

28. 12 J. in I.
12 Judges in Israel

29. 2 S. of J. B. in E. before the Y. of the F., M. and E.
2 Sons of Joseph Born in Egypt before the Year of the Famine, Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen. 41:50-52)

30. 12 G. of 12 P. in N. J.
12 Gates of 12 Pearls in New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2, 21)

31. 1000 P. of M. P. to A. by A., K. of G.
1000 Pieces of Money Paid to Abraham by Abimelech, King of Gerar (Gen. 20:2, 16)

32. 7 L. and a F. L. F. F. 4000 M. besides W. and Y. C.
7 Loaves and a Few Little Fishes Fed 4000 Men besides Women and Young Children (Matt. 15:34-38)

33. 12 S. in the B. of J. with 4 R. of 3 S. in each R.
12 Stones in the Breastpiece of Judgment with 4 Rows of 3 Stones in each Row (Ex. 28:15-21)

34. 50 C. the H. of the S. H. M. to H. M.
50 Cubits the Height of the Stake Haman Made to Hang Mordecai (Es. 5:14)

35. 12 S. of J.
12 Sons of Jacob

36. 1 S., 1 M., and 11 S. B. D. to J.
1 Sun, 1 Moon, and 11 Stars Bowed Down to Joseph (Gen. 37:9)

37. 70 Y. of C. in B.
70 Years of Captivity in Babylon

38. 20 Y. J. W. for L.
20 Years Jacob Worked for Laban (Gen. 37:9)

39. 390 D. on E. L. S. and 40 D. on E. R. S.
390 Days on Ezekiel's Left Side and 40 Days on Ezekiel's Right Side (Eze. 4:4-6)

40. 2 H. like a L., but S. as a D.
2 Horns like a Lamb, but Speaking as a Dragon (Rev. 13:11)

41. 1 S. got S. but 99 H. N. S.
1 Sheep got Strayed but 99 Have Not Strayed (Matt. 18:12, 13)

42. 10 P. on the L. of E.
10 Plagues on the Land of Egypt

43. 70 B. of A. K. on 1 S.
70 Brothers of Abimelech Killed on 1 Stone (Judges 9:5)

44. 1 L. was C. at the T. of B.
1 Language was Confused at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9)

45. 6 I. in E. B.
6 Ingredients in Ezekiel's Bread (Eze. 4:9)

46. 15 W. of the F.
15 Works of the Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21)

47. 300 C. out, J. S. and G.
300 Cried out, Jehovah's Sword and Gideon's (Judges 7:20)

48. 300 F. C. by S. B. the F. of the P.
300 Foxes Caught by Samson Burned the Fields of the Philistines (Judges 15:4, 5)

49. 12 T. in the R. for J. A. to J. the 12 T. of I.
12 Thrones in the Re-creation for Jesus' Apostles to Judge the 12 Tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28)

50. 10 R. to be a G. in J. T.
10 Requirements to be a Guest in Jehovah's Tent (Ps. 15)

51. 1 D. for 1 D. W.
1 Denarius for 1 Day's Work (Matt. 20:2)

52. 25 M. with T. B. to the T. of J., B. D. to the E., to the S.
25 Men with Their Backs to the Temple of Jehovah, Bowing Down to the East, to the Sun (Eze. 8:16)

53. 1 S. G. as a R. in E. for M.
1 Soul Given as a Ransom in Exchange for Many (Matt. 20:28)

54. 2 W. of the G. E. were G. the W.
2 Wings of the Great Eagle were Given the Woman (Rev. 12:14)

55. 127 J. D. of K. A.
127 Jurisdictional Districts of King Ahasuerus (Es. 1:1, 2)

56. 12,000 F. the L. and B. and H. of N. J.
12,000 Furlongs the Length and Breadth and Height of New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:16)

57. 40 Y. of D. for E., P. by E.
40 Years of Desolation for Egypt, Prophesied by Ezekiel (Eze. 29:9-12)

58. 52 D. to R. the W. of J.
52 Days to Rebuild the Walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 6:15)

59. 1 O. B. S.
1 Only Begotten Son

60. 69 W. U. M. the L.
69 Weeks Until Messiah the Leader (Dan. 9:25)

61. 24 T. with 24 E.
24 Thrones with 24 Elders (Rev. 4:4)

62. 153 F. C. in the S. of T.
153 Fish Caught in the Sea of Tiberias [or Sea of Galilee] (John 21:1, 11)

63. 4 C. of the E.
4 Corners of the Earth (Rev. 4:4)

64. 120 M. in the U. C. in J. at P.
120 Met in the Upper Chamber in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 1:13, 15)

65. 2 W. P. 1260 D. D. in S.
2 Witnesses Prophesied 1260 Days Dressed in Sackcloth (Rev. 11:3)

66. 4 H. B. of J.
4 Half Brothers of Jesus (Matt. 13:55)

67. 4 D. L. was D.
4 Days that Lazarus was Dead (John 11:39)

68. 1 S. D. J. from the M. of O. to J.
1 Sabbath Day's Journey from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem (Acts 1:12)

69. 13 T. the I. M. A. the W. of J.
13 Times the Israelites Marched Around the Walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:3-5)

70. 3 W. B., the S., the W., and the B.
3 Witness Bearers, the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood (1 John 5:7)

71. 12 G. of the R. W. of J. in N. D.
12 Gates of the Rebuilt Walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's Day (Neh. 13:19 Ftn)

72. 3 T. R., F. H., L, but L. is the G.
3 Things Remain, Faith, Hope, Love, but Love is the Greatest (1 Cor 13:13)

73. 1 P. of the T. N. J. and 1 P. of the T. N. B.
1 Pillar of the Temple Named Jachin and 1 Pillar of the Temple Named Boaz. (1 Kings 7:21)

74. 1 G., and 1 M. B. G. and M., a M., C. J.
1 God, and 1 Mediator Between God and Men, a Man, Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5)

75. 6 S. to S. T. with 12 L. on the 6 S.
6 Steps to Solomon's Throne with 12 Lions on the 6 Steps (1 Chron. 9:18, 19)

76. 2 are B. T. 1, and a T. C. C. Q. be T. in 2
2 are Better Than 1, and a Threefold Cord Cannot Quickly be Torn in 2 (Ecc. 4:9, 12)

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever.

The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish would not arrive fresh.

[Don Del Castillo] The Japanese did not like the taste. To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive.

Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste. The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish. So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan?

If you were a consultant for the fish industry, what would you recommend?

As soon as you reach your goals, such as finding a wonderful mate, starting a successful company, paying off your debts or whatever, you might lose your passion. You don't need to work so hard so you relax. You experience the same problem as lottery winners who waste their money, wealthy heirs who never grow up and bored homemakers who get addicted to prescription drugs.

Like the Japanese fish problem, the best solution is simple. It was observed by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950's. "Man thrives, oddly enough, only in the presence of a challenging environment". The more intelligent, persistent and competent you are, the more you enjoy a good problem. If your challenges are the correct size, and if you are steadily conquering those challenges, you are happy. You think of your challenges and get energized. You are excited to try new solutions. You have fun. You are alive! To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged.

Therefore, instead of avoiding challenges, jump into them. Beat 'em up. Enjoy the game. If your challenges are too large or too numerous, do not give up. Instead, reorganize. Find more determination, more knowledge and more help.

If you have met your goals, set some bigger goals.
Once you meet your personal or family needs, move onto goals for your group, the society, even mankind. Don't create success and lie in it. You have resources, skills and abilities to make a difference." So, put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!

Have You Read the Book?

Have you ever enjoyed a really good book? Perhaps it "grabbed hold of you" so that you were unable to put it down until you finished it. The book had a great plot, and kept you on the edge of your seat as the hero narrowly escaped many dangers.

Now suppose that, about a year after you finish reading this great book, you see an ad that shows that book has been made into a movie with a rating acceptable to Christians. So you go to see this movie, and as you watch it, you find that, unlike most book-to-movie translations, this movie is faithful to the book down to the finest detail!

In fact, the scary parts are just as scary as they were in the book. But while other movie-goers who have not read the book are grasping the armrests on their chairs, you aren't as afraid, because you've read the book, and you know exactly how the hero makes it out of this situation. In fact, as the movie progresses, others start to look at their watches to find out how much time is left in the movie... but you don't have to, because you've read the book, and you know where in relation to the ending you currently are, and thus how much time is left.

Well, the end of this system of things is just like a movie... and some of the parts are very scary. But while we may be "on the edge of our chairs" at times by what we see on the screen, we are not scared as the rest are; because we have read the book, and this movie is faithful to the book down to the finest detail.

We know where we are in the end of this system of things by what we see around us because we've read the book. We know what is going to happen next, because we've read the book. We are not in fear as the rest are, because we've read the book

Don't Look Back--You're Not Going That Way (Thank you Gary S. Goldman & Dennis Dunne)

As you travel through life
there are always those times
when decisions just have to be made
when the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce
and the rain seems to soak your parade!

There are some situations where all you can do
is to simply let go and move on
gather courage together and choose a direction
that carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward
the process of change can be tough
but think about all the excitement ahead
if you can be stalwart enough!

There could be adventures you never imagined
just waiting around the next bend
and wishes and dreams just about to come true
in ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find friendships that spring from new interests
as you challenge your status quo
and learn there are so many options in life,
and so many ways you can grow!

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
and see things that you've never seen
or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
and wonderful spots in between!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection
and caring--a somebody special who's there
to help you stay centered and listen with interest
to stories and feeling you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing
your friends are supportive of all that you do
and believe that whatever decisions you make,
they'll be the right choices for you!

So keep putting one foot in front of the other
and taking your life day by day.
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road.
Don't look back--you're not going that way!

"Get in the Wheel Barrow!"

The crowds at the circus watched with amazement and awe as the high-wire artist worked high over their heads. He crossed that stretch of wire with an ease that belied the fact that one mis-step could be his last. He worked the pole for balance, then used just an umbrella. The eyes of the crowd were locked on to him.

Then he grabbed a rope, and dropped down to ground level. He walked up to a wheel barrow on the edge of the ring. He faced the audience and asked, "Do you believe that I can cross that wire with this?"

"YES!", shouted the crowd.

"Do you have faith that I can safely push this on the wire?"

"YES!" The crowd called out again.

The high wire artist, spotting a man that had shouted louder than the rest, addressed him, "Sir, do you have faith that I can do this?"

"Yes! You're the greatest"

"Then get in the wheel barrow"

Many people say that they believe in God and the Christ. Many will even acknowledge that Jehovah's Witnesses have the truth. But they don't want to "get in the wheel barrow", to put their lives on the line because of their faith.

Monkey Trap

A person depending on worldly comforts can be likened to a greedy monkey:

A greedy monkey is trapped quite easily; all you need is a secured narrow neck jar or vase and some peanuts or fruit inside it. In its greediness, the monkey will grab as big a fistful as it can, quickly finding that it now can't remove its fist and the contents. Whatever the impending danger, that greedy little animal just refuses remove its hand without the contents!

What this system offers us is mere peanuts compared to Jehovah's promises. Let go of it!

Keep the Coals Hot.

A member of a certain Kingdom Hall, who previously had been attending meetings regularly, stopped going. After a couple of weeks, an elder decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The elder found the man at home alone sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the elder's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited.

The elder made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the silence he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the elder took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth... all alone.

Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished there was a momentary glow and then its' fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail."

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the elder was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the congregated burning coals around it. As the elder reached the door to leave, his host said: "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery message. I shall be back at the Kingdom Hall next Sunday." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Positive Attitude

Once there was a boy who always looked on the bright side and always expected the best. He expected to like brussels sprouts before he ever tasted them, for instance, and to like his teacher on the first day of school. Because he had such a 'sunny outlook' on things, he was rarely disappointed.

But the boy's father thought he wasn't realistic, so he decided to test him. One day he brought home many presents. All but one small one was for the boy's brother. The brother opened his gifts with glee, a train set, a toy robot, a cowboy outfit, even his own TV!

Through all this, the boy smiled expectantly, confident the contents of his small box would equal the splendor of his brother's gifts. When it was his turn he ripped the box open to find only a pile of hay and some very smelly animal droppings.

To his father's astonishment, the boy clapped his hands with joy and ran immediately to the backyard. "Yippee!" he cried. "There must be a pony here somewhere!"

Do you have a positive attitude?

Train to the New System

Try to imagine that all of us in Jehovah's organization, who are sticking to it and doing what we are supposed to be doing, and giving our best to Jehovah, whatever that may be. It's like we are all riding along on a train together into the new system.

As we ride along, the journey becomes very tiring for some and so every so often some of them nod off to sleep. When this happens the others on the train, pick them up and carry them back to the sleeper cars and leave them there to rest until we reach our destination.

So it is with the ones we have lost in death: they are right there in Jehovah's memory, so when we reach the station, all we will do is walk back to the sleeper cars and tell them "Here we are, you can get up now!"

Soul Sandwich

What happens to the soul when we die?

Let's illustrate this with a sandwich. You have two things: two slices of bread and one slice of cheese. If you join the two things, the bread on the outside and the cheese in the middle, it becomes a sandwich.

Now, what if you do the inverse: separate the bread to one side and the cheese to other side? What happens to the sandwich? Where does it go? It disappears! This is so because the sandwich only existed while the bread and the cheese were together. Now, being separated, the sandwich is no more.

When God created the man, what happened? He took: the dust from the ground and the breath of life. He joined the two things, the dust and the breath of life, and "man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7)

Now, at death, the inverse happens: the dust goes back to the ground and the breath (or spirit) goes back to God. (Psalms 146:4) What happens to the soul? Where does it go? It disappears! This is so because the soul only existed while the dust and the breath were together. Now, being separated, the soul is no more.

Necessity of Personal Study

A fireplace may feel very comfortable when lit, but if we don't supply it with more wood, the fire will go out. Likewise, personal study, if not done on a regular basis, may cause our spiritual 'fire' to go out. We start to forget.

It can be compared to Anorexia: Anorexia is caused by not eating on a regular bases. We may feel that we are fat, and start skipping meals. Anorexia does not happen overnight but gradually and when it happens it may be too late. We may want to eat, but the body does no longer accept food and will not keep it down. Again, it is the same with regular study habits: if not done on a regular basis, we will eventually thrust off any form of spiritual food.

Stay Close to Jehovah's Organization

An older gentleman and a great horseman one day took his grandson for a ride in his horse and buggy. As they were riding along they talked about the beauty of Jehovah's Creation. Then a bee landed on the back of the horse. The older man said that he was able to take his whip and with a gentle snap he could whip that bee right off the back of the horse without ever touching the horse.

"Watch" he said, and then with the precision of a marksman he took his whip and snap the bee was gone without ever touching the horse or the horse ever knowing what had happened. Next he saw a bee on a petal of a flower. "Watch", he said and with a single snap of the whip he took the bee off of the blower, without ever touching the flower.

As they were riding along the boy noticed a beehive. "Look grandpa, there's a beehive, why don't you just whip them out of the tree?" "Oh, no, we can't do that," said grandpa. "You see, they are united and as a united group they are strong and courageous. We had better no try and touch them."

And so it is with Jehovah's People. If we wander away from the protection of the unity and love of Jehovah's organization we become weak and vulnerable, but in a group, we are strong and it is very hard for Satan to attack.

Pearls

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

$2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her piggy bank and counted out 55 cents. After dinner, she unset the table and helped do the washing up, and next day she went to the neighbour and asked Mrs. McJames if she could dig up dandelions for 50 cents.

At last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, to the shops, to kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took themoff was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.Mother said if they get wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?""Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls.""Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess --- the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favourite." "That's okay, honey. Daddyloves you. Good night."And he kissed her on the forehead.About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll.My brand new one. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her bed.""That's okay. Sleep well, little one. Daddy loves you." And, as always he gave her forehead a gentle kiss.A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything, but lifted her little hand up to her daddy and when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "here,Daddy. It's for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached outwith one hand to take the costume necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the fake stuff so he could give her a genuine treasure.

And so it is, with our Heavenly Father Jehovah.

He is waiting for us to give up the cheapthings in our lives so that he can give us a beautiful treasure.Isn't Jehovah God good? Are you holding onto things that Jehovah God wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary friends, relationships, habits and activities that you have become soattached to that it seems impossible to let go?

Sometimes, it is so hard to see what is in the other hand, but do believe this one thing: Jehovah will never ask you to give up something without giving you something better in its place

Make Your Light Shine

Some of you may know those small generators that you can buy for a bicycle. This small generator moves over against the tire of the wheel and this in turn gives us light or illuminates the way before us.

It is interesting that, in order to make the light work, we have to move, and the faster we go, the brighter the light becomes.

So if we want to shine as illuminators, we must be on the move in Jehovah's work!

Horse "Not-Looking-So-Good"

Did you hear of the man that had a horse for sale? This man did not speak too much English, so when the buyer came he told the buyer that the horse was "not-looking-so-good".

The buyer insisted that this was a beautiful animal and that the price was right. So he bought the horse.

Two days later he was back complaining: "Why did you not tell me the horse was blind!" The man replied: "I did tell you the horse was not-looking-so-good!"

Doesn't this remind you of the times that we should be "paying more than the usual attention"? This can be applied to the service as well as paying attention at the meetings.

Long Live The King

A mighty king who ruled over a large country wanted to make a great name for himself. We will give this fictitious king a name. The name will be King Charles.

One day King Charles sent forth a decree throughout his land that in 30 days, on June the 30th all the land's subjects were to gather in front of the palace. The king would light fireworks to celebrate his great reign and when the first one exploded, at that exact moment everyone is to shout at the top of their voice "Long live King Charles the great king!" With 6 million voices shouting the cry will be heard throughout much of the kingdom.

One man really looked forward to it. He loved fireworks and thought the shout would be something he would tell his children and grand children about. He decided he would just listen so he could hear how loud it was because if he shouted he could not. Then he could describe it much better!

The day came and the king lit the first fireworks rocket and when it exploded the man listened for everyone else. And so did all 5,999,999 other subjects and the silence was so great you could hear a pin drop.

Is it not like that in the case of encouraging others? If everyone waits for someone else no one will say anything to cheer the person up!

Is it not the same in out ministry? A brother came back from an assembly and said "I can't wait for the expected increase but I will believe it when it happens." We have the make that increase. And you are not insignificant. Maybe you make a small contribution to the ministry work but 6,000,000 make it a mighty witness.

Recently, publishers in Australia all contributed $7.50 and 50 new circuit cars were bought. The C.O. came in a brand new car, and when it breaks down he just gets it fixed under warrantee. Insured and all! And it costs us $7.50 per year, is that not the bargain of the century. If you had to pay the C.O. to do what he does what would he really be worth? And Jehovah gives it for free!

We can have confidence in Bible Prophecy:
If you were going to invest in the stock market and asked an expert to advise you … You don't follow his advice, but he is in fact correct. If he is right 99 times, will you doubt him on the 100th time?

Jehovah will only destroy the wicked:
You are the owner of an apartment block with tenants. Some are bad and some are good. If the bad ones start to destroy the block, what will you do? Burn down the whole block? Would it not be better to get rid of the bad tenants only?

I don't have time to read the Bible, Magazines, etc:
If you go grocery shopping on Friday, do you sit down and eat the whole works in one sitting? Spread it out a little at a time through the week.

I have confidence in my priest/pastor/minister:
You may also have confidence in your bank manager, but don't you check your bank account from time to time anyway?

God was unjust to forbid eating of the tree; he tempted them:
If someone gave you a hundred dollars but asked for just one dollar back, would that be unjust? They had many trees to eat from.
OR:
If there were a full table of beautiful food with a decorative centerpiece of some poisonous plants, would there be any temptation to eat of what you knew was not intended for eating, especially if you were told that it was poisonous?

If my religion is not right then it is not my fault but that of my minister:
If your lawyer does a poor job, who goes to jail?

I don't want to read your publications, as they are not of my religion:
If you read a book on China, does that mean you have to become Chinese?

You don't need to read the Bible to know God:
If you had a son who left home for 20 years and never wrote, would you truly know him when he returned?

Just live a Good life, don't harm your neighbor, that is enough:
If you hired a painter to paint your house, and he helped the neighbor, helped an old lady across the street, did things around your house that you didn't ask to have done, but he never painted your house, would you pay him?

All religions are the same:
It's like a forest seen from a distance. All the trees look alike until you get close and examine them.

The difference between having and being a soul:
There is a great difference between having a dog and being a dog.

How can you love Jehovah and yet fear him?:
A deep-sea diver loves the sea but takes precautions to follow "the rules". He loves the sea yet still "fears" or respects it.

Trinity:
It is a greater sacrifice to sacrifice your son than to sacrifice yourself.

Death ends marriage:
If you were to tell a five-year-old that one day he will leave his mother and go live with another woman, he would be horrified and say he would never do that. But he often changes his mind by the time he is twenty-five years old. Our point of view changes as we grow.

Jesus presence unseen:
Like a wife who comes home and sees her husband's lunch box, clothes, etc. She knows he is home even if she has yet to see him.

Will God restore paradise?:
If you got out all the ingredients to make a cake and then got interrupted, perhaps by a knock at the door; when you got back from tending to the interruption, would you then throw everything in the garbage and start over? What would you do? Of course, you would continue from where you left off. Jehovah's purpose was interrupted for awhile, but it is reasonable that he will carry on with his original intention.

It is not logical to live forever:
If a man had ten books but built a bookcase large enough to hold a thousand books, what would you think? Would you not think he planned to fill it? Our brain has the ability far in excess of what we use it for in a normal lifetime.

You should be our helping the poor instead of going from door to door:
If you pass a lake and see someone drowning, would you throw him a sandwich or a lifebuoy? Save his life first and then tend to his hunger.

Difference between reincarnation and resurrection:
Would you like you son/daughter/husband/wife/father/mother to come back as him/herself, or as someone else?

Everyone has his or her own idea about the Bible. It is impossible to know who is right:
If you have trouble with your car, for example, it wobbles in the front end, you go to several mechanics, and get different stories from each one. One says it is the carburetor, one says it is the tires, another says it is the muffler. You are not the expert - so how can you know? It would not take a lot of research to get at least an idea of who is telling the truth. Similarly it does not take a lot of research in the Bible to at least find out who is telling the truth.
OR:
You do not have to be a pianist to tell when someone plays a false note.

You do not give honor to Jesus by always talking about Jehovah:
If you were sick and your neighbor sent her son over to your house with a nice pot of soup you would be grateful to the child, but whom would you thank the most?
OR:
A man is drowning. Someone sees him and throws him a rope, saving him. Does one see in the headlines the next day: "Rope Saves Man's Life!"? Not the rope, but the man who threw it deserves the thanks. Jesus is the rope, but Jehovah is the one who threw it.

It may have been a false religious practice then, but no one thinks of it that way now:
A father that fought against the Nazi regime in World War II knows that the swastika was a symbol of that totalitarian government that caused so much harm when it was in power. However, his son knows nothing of this. Would the father now be pleased if the son were now to decorate his room with flags bearing the swastika? Maybe it truly means nothing to the son, but what about the father who does know of its origin.

Are You 'Stumbled'?

Imagine this: The C.O. is visiting your congregation and he gives the talk. Afterwards you're walking out to your car and you're not watching where you're walking and you accidently trip up the C.O.. He falls down into the yard and sits there and you apologize with all your heart and beg his forgiveness, offering him to give him a hand to get up. Instead of taking your hand he gets angry and says: "No, leave me alone! You have stumbled me!"

You continue to express your grief that you hurt the poor brother and still he refuses your help so you shrug and leave him sitting on the grass complaining about the way he was treated, although what happened to him was a total accident.

That night it rains and it poors and there is thunder and lightning and you are sitting in your nice warm house with the love of your friends and family, when suddenly you remember what happened that morning to the C.O. and you wonder: "He wouldn't still be sitting there in those terrible conditions would he? Naah, that wouldn't make sense."

So you go to bed and the next morning you get up, prepare for service and drive to the hall and guess what. Sitting in the yard, soaking wet and muddy, is the C.O.

"Brother C.O.", you cry out, "Please don't stay out there in the rain and mud, but come in and join the congregation and get cleaned up and enjoy the association and spiritual food in the Kingdom Hall!"

But still he shakes his head and says: "No, leave me alone! I have been stumbled and I want to stay out here!"

The point to this illustration is that many use this expression "I was stumbled" or "they were stumbled" like its a special label that will give them "carte blanche" not to have to do the necessary things required to gain Jehovah's approval.

Proof of Love

In an engine-room it is impossible to look into the great boiler and see how much water it contains.

But running up beside it is a tiny glass tube, which serves as a gauge. As the water stands in the little tube, so it stands in the great boiler. When the tube is half full, the boiler is half full; when the tube is empty the boiler is empty.

How do you know you love God?

Look at the gauge: Your love for your brother is the measure of your love for God.

Value of Love

A king asked his three daughters how much they loved him.

One replied she loved him better than all the silver in the world.

The second daughter replied: "More than all the gold in the world".

The youngest one said she loved him better than salt.

The king was not pleased with her answer, as he thought salt was not very palatable. But the cook, overhearing the remark, put no salt in anything for breakfast next morning, and the meal was so insipid that the king could not enjoy it.

He then saw the force of his youngest daughter's remark. She loved him so well that nothing was good without him.

Do we love Jehovah in the same way? If we feel nothing is good without his guidance, then we're just like this king's youngest daugher.

A Useless Bible

Once upon a time, there were some savages, to whom was given a sundial.

So desirous were they to honor it and keep it safe that the housed it in, and built a roof over it.

How do you treat the Bible?

It is not too sacred for daily use. Learn to use it. Let God in on your life!

Futility (from the world's standpoint)

A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle;...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; ...those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It (the release) comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence,...a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.

Mark Twain shortly before his death.

Joy In This World

Men have pursued joy in every avenue imaginable. Some have successfully found it while others have not. Perhaps it would be easier to describe where joy cannot be found:

Not in Unbelief -- Voltaire was an infidel of the most pronounced type. He wrote: "I wish I had never been born." Not in Pleasure -- Lord Byron lived a life of pleasure if anyone did. He wrote: "The worm, the canker, and grief are mine alone."

Not in Money -- Jay Gould, the American millionaire, had plenty of that. When dying, he said: "I suppose I am the most miserable man on earth." Not in Position and Fame -- Lord Beaconsfield enjoyed more than his share of both. He wrote: "Youth is a mistake; manhood a struggle; old age a regret. "Not in Military Glory -- Alexander the Great conquered the known world in his day. Having done so, he wept in his tent, before he said, "There are no more worlds to conquer."

Where then is real joy found? -- the answer is simple, in our "happy God" alone.