James Thomas Rook Jr.

Thank you for putting my thoughts into words

I can tell already that the point I was making is going to be mostly lost. But it doesn't matter that much because my point really was unnecessarily negative, and now wasn't the right time to bring it up.
But thanks for catching on to the basic point. I'll use your comments as an excuse to go ahead and explain my reaction to the CNN article. There were about half-a-dozen points that crossed my mind.
This news story was not included to create a topic for a specific set of religious beliefs. It's in a general news section. In my response, therefore, I didn't mention the other verses specifically because I thought they could be viewed negatively, but because they might have just as well been seen as more appropriate, and sometimes even more important to the circumstances. There was obviously nothing wrong with the other verses I pointed out, and a good, appropriate sermon could have been made on those verses, too. Every part of the open Bible could have been used to bring comfort in the storm, or a reminder of Jehovah's might. The verse chosen was perhaps the easiest one to work with.  The story also reminded me of the joke that goes something like: "A man went and said 'I'll open the bible to a random verse and use it to guide my life. He opened it and it said "and Judas went and hung himself" he opened it again and it said "go ye and do likewise." ' " It reminds me that the exact same type of story gains traction when steel beams fall, and create the shape of a cross as they did in famous photos taken from the World Trade Center disaster. It also reminded me of the fact that sometimes there are deadly storms or airplane crashes, and many other man-made or natural disasters where many people die, and often one person, perhaps an infant, or photogenic child, will survive. The news often picks up on these stories and highlights the angle (through comments and interviews) that there must have been something special about that particular survivor, and God must have something in mind for them. Perhaps these stories work very positively for 99% of listeners, but another 1% are made to wonder if there is a certain hypocrisy in focusing on the "value" of the life of the survivor that, in effect, dismisses the "value" of those whose lives were horribly and violently ripped away. For some sincere believers, it even creates a false dichotomy about Satan being allowed to do a lot of bad, while God was able to intervene to do some good. It's a faith-strengthener for some, but a problem for others, because it's built on a false premise: Jesus apparently dealt with the problem that disasters were often surrounded by superstitious beliefs even when the disaster was actually random: (Luke 13:4) . . .Or those 18 on whom the tower in Si·loʹam fell, killing them—do you think that they had greater guilt than all other men who live in Jerusalem?
Superstitious beliefs affected the view of every form of human suffering: (John 9:1-3) . . .As he was passing along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, so that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered: “Neither this man sinned nor his parents, . . .
Superstition is commonly utilized to explain coincidence, and if the subject is positive and upbuilding, we accept it as true and spiritual instead of superstition. The problem is that if the same superstition were used to explain negative coincidences, then the same type of thinking would be seen as "magical" or even "demonic." The existence of a very positive coincidence without superstition is actually difficult for us because we want to make sense of the world and believe that Jehovah is directly involved in all the good things of our material life, and this might require that we blame Satan for all the bad things of our material life. There is a depth of wisdom in Ecclesiastes that surpasses superstition, even though it does not discount the idea that Jehovah is still in full control of the universe:
(Ecclesiastes 9:11, 12) . . .I returned to see under the sun that the swift do not have the race, nor the mighty ones the battle, nor do the wise also have the food, nor do the understanding ones also have the riches, nor do even those having knowledge have the favor; because time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all. 12 For man also does not know his time. Just like fishes that are being taken in an evil net, and like birds that are being taken in a trap, so the sons of men themselves are being ensnared at a calamitous time, when it falls upon them suddenly.
Many religions with holy or sacred writings often have members who treat the writings with a kind of superstitious "bibliolatry" where the sacred books like the Quran or Bible, for example, are treated like a kind of Ouija board. The person closes their eyes and opens the book to some random point, lets their finger drop to a verse, then they open their eyes and try to make sense of the verse, usually out of context. It's the basis for the joke in point #2, above. This doesn't mean that it will lead to anything bad (as in the joke above), but it might also mean that we are depending on a kind of magical rather than rational thought process, which is related to idolatry. (Romans 12:1, 2) . . .present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. 2 And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
P.S.
*** w81 1/1 p. 22 par. 19 “Engaging in the Holy Work of the Good News” ***
“I asked the householder what motivated her to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. She said that often she would open the Bible at random, point her finger at a verse and read it. But she seldom could understand what she read.
“One day she was very depressed over serious family problems. Again she opened her Bible and picked out a verse. She could not understand it, and in her depression and disappointment began to cry. She prayed to God to send her someone to help her understand his Word. Just as she said that, the doorbell rang. Answering it she found a Witness, who began, ‘Would you like to understand the Bible?’ The householder pulled her inside and quickly a regular study was begun.”
 

I don't doubt this at all, what I am doubting is that anyone who read the CNN story would start thinking of studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, or even studying the Bible, period. People are happy to be reading those verses, believe God is their refuge, and that's that. But will it necessarily motivate anyone to do anything? Also, it shows that you can pick and choose a passage to suit yourself, because the other passages are not nearly as encouraging, if anything, they could be viewed negatively under those circumstances. This is not the same as finding a Bible study aid in the rubbish, because the Bible study aid actually motivates people to want to study the Bible.

It was also opened to the chapter that contains:
(Psalm 50:3, 4) . . .Our God will come and cannot remain silent. Before him is a consuming fire, And a great storm rages all around him.  4 He summons the heavens above and the earth, So as to judge his people: These other verses were also on the page:
(Psalm 45:5) 5 Your arrows are sharp, making peoples fall before you. . . (Psalm 48:7) . . .With an east wind you wreck the ships of Tarʹshish. (Psalm 49:10-14) . . .He sees that even wise people die; The stupid and the unreasoning perish together, And they must leave their wealth to others. 11 Their inner wish is that their houses will last forever, Their tents to generation after generation. They have named their estates after themselves. 12 But man, although honored, will not remain; He is no better than the beasts that perish. 13 This is the way of the stupid ones And of those who follow them, who take pleasure in their empty words. (Selah) 14 They are assigned like sheep to the Grave. Death will shepherd them; The upright will rule over them in the morning. Every trace of them will fade away; The Grave rather than a palace will be their home.  
Just sayin'
 

Come on friends, get real . What JWInsider posted

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

It always cracks me up that on a mostly anonymous forum, some feel the need to correct and chastise complete strangers, who could be Jack the ripper posing as mother Theresa for all they know. I wonder if they count their time?

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

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

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

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

I remember reading that on your blog some years ago! It was enjoyable. What is telling though is your comment above that "it's a little dated"
Nah, that wasn't it. But seriously, it was quite a presumptuous statement. The brother in writing must have felt he had had an epiphany.

I don't think Allen liked me saying "I like it when you get carried away" he gave me a negative point, my first one on here I think!! Boo hoo, I think I'm upset an I'm going to cry, and there isn't even a crying emoticon on here! And I think the Librarian is dead, she's not been chastising anyone for changing the subject for a while now, I mean look at the previous 1914 thread, although a reconciliation has been reached, its all gone silly on there. Everything is falling apart. I think I'm going to go out in the garden, sulk, and eat worms....good night everyone

LOL. Every now and then Allen goes on a gift-giving campaign of the same sort with me. I already got three out of three from him, one for each of my posts in this new topic alone. I don't feel badly, however, because I notice that he typically gives them out when he realizes he can't respond truthfully to a point without agreeing, and it's anathema for him to agree. So he has only these two choices. I actually prefer receiving the negative point, rather than be embarrassed for him when he goes off into another dishonest or unscriptural diatribe.
There, with that statement, I just gave him a chance to claim a completely different rationale for his reactions. Maybe he will thank me for this one!

Many necessary things are sad.

This is VERY PROBABLY true as written ... almost to a certainty.
Touch is the most important of all human senses at that age ...
Keep your children LONG on cuddles and hugs and skin to skin contact ...
... and short on pocket money.

Can God make a rock so big that even HE cannot lift it?

It would be presumptuous of me to agree or disagree without KNOWING, based on FACTS ..
(..remember FACTS?).
One guess is as good as another, and knowing what I do about physics, my GUESS would be ... NO.

The first Kingdom Hall I went to I had a tile floor sloped downward like a movie theater to the stage and podium.
I had a large bag of marbles I hid from my mother.
We arrived late and sat on the back row.
I dropped the bag and the marbles spilled out and rolled to the front, each making noise and hitting chair legs and shoes on the way down.
That's when I learned to pray.
.
 

It's like when I make something for the house .... I like to have the side no one will ever see painted ... because I will know.
As long as you and I are alive, and people like us, we will be appreciative of his work ... but even that does not matter ...
HE KNOWS.
People that do not understand this should read the book "The Fountainhead" by Ayn Rand ... and then see the movie. ( In that order...).  I was already a "true believer", so I was stunned by the book, and the movie. I felt better ... much better .. for years afterward!
Not everybody wants to be a vegetable farmer in the New System .... there are those that want to build STARSHIPS!
.
 

I have never known her to return from sipping Margaritas by the pool. Somebody will have to fetch her.

Table of contents
Friday morning
No. 1 Chairman’s Address: We Must Not Give Up —Especially Now!
No. 2 Continue Preaching “Without Letup” (Symposium)—Informally
No. 3 Continue Preaching “Without Letup” (Symposium) —From House to House
No. 4 Continue Preaching “Without Letup” (Symposium)—Publicly
No. 5 Continue Preaching “Without Letup” (Symposium) —Making Disciples
DRAMATIC BIBLE READING: Jehovah Delivers His People
No. 7 Jehovah—The Greatest Example of Endurance
Friday afternoon
No. 8 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —Unjust Treatment
No. 9 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —Advancing Age
No. 10 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —Our Own Imperfections
No. 11 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —Humbling Experiences
No. 12 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —Prolonged Illness
No. 13 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —The Loss of a Loved One
No. 14 Enduring Despite . . . (Symposium) —Persecution
DRAMA: Remember the Wife of Lot—Part 1
No. 16 Cultivate Qualities That Promote Endurance (Symposium)—Faith
No. 17 Cultivate Qualities That Promote Endurance (Symposium) —Virtue
No. 18 Cultivate Qualities That Promote Endurance (Symposium) —Knowledge
No. 19 Cultivate Qualities That Promote Endurance (Symposium) —Self-Control
No. 20 How You Can “By No Means Ever Fail”
Saturday morning
No. 21 How Jehovah “Supplies Endurance and Comfort” to . . . (Symposium)—The Weak and Those Who Are Depressed
No. 22 How Jehovah “Supplies Endurance and Comfort” to . . . (Symposium)—Those in Material Need
No. 23 How Jehovah “Supplies Endurance and Comfort” to . . . (Symposium)—“The Fatherless”
No. 24 How Jehovah “Supplies Endurance and Comfort” to . . . (Symposium)—Older Ones
No. 25 Build a House That Will Endure (Symposium) —Be “Content With the Present Things”
No. 26 Build a House That Will Endure (Symposium) —Safeguard Your Children From “What Is Evil”
No. 27 Build a House That Will Endure (Symposium) —Train Your Children in ‘the Way They Should Go’
No. 28 BAPTISM: “Do Not Give In to Fear”!
Saturday afternoon
No. 29 Imitate “Those Who Have Endured” (Symposium)—Joseph
No. 30 Imitate “Those Who Have Endured” (Symposium)—Job
No. 31 Imitate “Those Who Have Endured” (Symposium) —Jephthah’s Daughter
No. 32 Imitate “Those Who Have Endured” (Symposium)—Jeremiah
DRAMA: Remember the Wife of Lot—Part 2
No. 34 Learn Endurance From Creation (Symposium) —Camels
No. 35 Learn Endurance From Creation (Symposium) —Alpine Trees
No. 36 Learn Endurance From Creation (Symposium) —Butterflies
No. 37 Learn Endurance From Creation (Symposium) —Arctic Terns
No. 38 Learn Endurance From Creation (Symposium) —Lapwings
No. 39 Learn Endurance From Creation (Symposium) —Acacia Trees
No. 40 Young Ones—Your Endurance Makes Jehovah Rejoice!
Sunday morning
No. 41 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Run to Win!
No. 42 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Train Diligently
No. 43 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Let Go of Unnecessary Burdens
No. 44 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Imitate Good Examples
No. 45 We Must “Run with Endurance” (Symposium) —Eat Nutritious Food
No. 46 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Drink Plenty of Water
No. 47 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Obey the Rules of the Contest
No. 48 We Must “Run With Endurance” (Symposium) —Be Confident of Gaining the Prize
No. 49 PUBLIC BIBLE DISCOURSE: Never Give Up Hope!
No. 50 Summary of The Watchtower
Sunday afternoon
DRAMA: Remember the Wife of Lot—Part 3
No. 52 “Keep in Expectation . . . It Will Not Be Late!”
Downloads:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwofxgrfEXucbFRfcUFYQ0J4SXM

Oh it's just vomit dog being bored. And like a naughty bored child he's looking for attention through engaging in outrageous behaviour. This of course will get him the wrong kind of attention because as soon as @The Librarianreturns from sipping Margaritas by the pool, he will find himself out on his rear, I mean ear. For now, he is just collecting more negative points....

"Beware, my brothers. In the last days there will be false apostates among you."

YEAH! A welcome topic! THIS one plays into my strengths. I hate 'em.
I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em, I hate 'em. 
Whenever I go past a hospital, I top off of the tank with a transfusion so as to show JWs what I think of them!