djsqueeze

HGH you say ....Hmmmm... I have been feeling a little poorly lately.
When I munch on a bowl of nails, the sparks don't shoot out as far as they used to .....

After having left Jehovah for almost 20yrs, I gave my first talk with a full beard in Teaneck, NJ.  As an unbaptized publisher I did not shave my beard and went out in service.  (I had come from NH and a few brothers up there wore beards during the winter months. So, I kept the custom, even in the summer months.) 
Just prior to the time for my 2nd talk one of the elders came to me and we had a discussion. I told him about the brothers in NH. He countered with both NJ not being NH and it was the  summer. Then he said that I would not be allowed to give my 2nd talk unless I shaved. (Apparently, at that time only those with a shaving condition known as foliculitus(?) were exempt.)  Desiring to bring praise to my God Jehovah, I shaved and have been doing so for 11yrs running.

After having left Jehovah for almost 20yrs, I gave my first talk with a full beard in Teaneck, NJ.  As an unbaptized publisher I did not shave my beard and went out in service.  (I had come from NH and a few brothers up there wore beards during the winter months. So, I kept the custom, even in the summer months.) 
Just prior to the time for my 2nd talk one of the elders came to me and we had a discussion. I told him about the brothers in NH. He countered with both NJ not being NH and it was the  summer. Then he said that I would not be allowed to give my 2nd talk unless I shaved. (Apparently, at that time only those with a shaving condition known as foliculitus(?) were exempt.)  Desiring to bring praise to my God Jehovah, I shaved and have been doing so for 11yrs running.

If I may,  I would like to add a comment about the mental attitude regarding fame and fortune.  I think it is one of the hardest things to drop from your life - especially if you become a "nothing" after being someone. Did Jesus not say that it is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for such a man? These artists have a hard time to adjust to normal life, especially if they are still doing work in the industry.  The music industry (light music and classical) is one of the most immoral industries and additionally, the public and fans still expect artists to "project' an image. Even if he is a border-line witness - it is his personal business.  It may take him decades to mentally adjust to be just a humble servant of Jesus, equal to everyone out there, especially if he is still followed by everyone - JWs included. Give the man a break - whatever his choices... and stop making a God of the man! Help him to get the mental attitude that Jesus said all of us should have - one of humility.

After having left Jehovah for almost 20yrs, I gave my first talk with a full beard in Teaneck, NJ.  As an unbaptized publisher I did not shave my beard and went out in service.  (I had come from NH and a few brothers up there wore beards during the winter months. So, I kept the custom, even in the summer months.) 
Just prior to the time for my 2nd talk one of the elders came to me and we had a discussion. I told him about the brothers in NH. He countered with both NJ not being NH and it was the  summer. Then he said that I would not be allowed to give my 2nd talk unless I shaved. (Apparently, at that time only those with a shaving condition known as foliculitus(?) were exempt.)  Desiring to bring praise to my God Jehovah, I shaved and have been doing so for 11yrs running.

Nice to see the inside from TX. Been a long time since I've been "home".  I went to school very close to the Assembly Hall, about 3 blocks away, before it was the Assembly site it is today.

1st pic: Bro.'s Carmouche, Sellers, and Robinson 2nd pic: Bro.'s Vasquez, Robinson, and Vasquez 3rd pic: Bro.'s Carmouche, Sellers, Robinson and Sis. Vasquez

1st pic: Bro.'s Carmouche, Sellers, and Robinson 2nd pic: Bro.'s Vasquez, Robinson, and Vasquez 3rd pic: Bro.'s Carmouche, Sellers, Robinson and Sis. Vasquez

1st pic: Bro.'s Carmouche, Sellers, and Robinson 2nd pic: Bro.'s Vasquez, Robinson, and Vasquez 3rd pic: Bro.'s Carmouche, Sellers, Robinson and Sis. Vasquez

@The Librarian. It's interesting that you have the pic of our sisters outside Wal-mart. Here in Katy that is exactly one of the places my congregation does its cart witnessing.

Wal*Mart in Columbus, Georgia

An adaptation based on JW Broadcasting April 2016
Katy South congregation gathering was held on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2016.  Participation was in good order, the Sisters took care of everything and everyone.  A good time was had  by all.  May Jehovah continue to bless his people all over the world with good fellowship while we await the New World.

Ps 133:1 - Look! How good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Uploaded by @djsqueeze to his original album
 

Song 153 - How Does It Make You Feel? The group sings our song 153 - a little off pace, but enjoy. we did
Katy South congregation gathering was held on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2016.  Participation was in good order, the Sisters took care of everything and everyone.  A good time was had  by all.  May Jehovah continue to bless his people all over the world with good fellowship while we await the New World.

Ps 133:1 - Look! How good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
 

I thought that it was very entertaining - there is nothing like brothers and sister enjoying themselves at congregation get-togethers like this.

HollyW...  The light of spiritual truth continues getting brighter. Would it not benefit us to adjust our thinking accordingly? We expect, yes, we rely on the GB to make corrections on anything they have reason to feel needs it. We know this is done, only after much time, effort and prayer, and is always based on a clearer understanding of the scriptures. At times, Jesus revealed, quite gradually, the light of Kingdom truths to his disciples. Those loyal to him waited patiently, knowing an explanation would come in due time. We serve Jehovah because he is Almighty God, Creator of the Universe. Not because of the dates and times of prophecy fulfillment! Those things do, however,  serve as reminders that we need to keep a sense of urgency. It's exciting to know that we get to see the fulfillment of this most incredible prophesy, in our own lifetime! We get to witness the downfall of Satan and his demons!  Jehovah deserves our love and loyalty. enough said about that!   But, if you are having difficulty accepting 1914, then ask yourself how ALL of the signs that Jesus said would indicate the conclusion of this system of things is near, are happening NOW?  For the first and only time in history, all of the signs are occurring, so much so, that even some in the world can tell it's the "time of the end." Remember, even the demons believe, and they shudder! Why is Satan so angry? Because he knows his time is very short! If it wasn't, he wouldn't have the whole world in chaos... 

 
 

Hi Teresa, thanks for the reply.
It would appear then that you share Eoin Joyce's opinion that it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times ended in 1914 or not.  If it's wrong, your religious leaders will discover it and change what you believe about it.
What concerns me about 1914 is that the founder of your religion, Charles T. Russell, laid out seven events that would prove the scriptural accuracy of his predictions about 1914.  None of them occurred, so we know 1914 is not based on the Bible but on the opinions of men.  If it doesn't matter that they are wrong about 1914, does it matter that they[re wrong about other things, such as, say, the identity of the faithful slave?  They've been wrong about it three times already.  I mention this, not to change the subject, but just as a reminder of how closely tied it is to 1914 being the end of the Gentile times.
In my post above I listed several other teachings that would be wrong if the Gentile times did not end in 1914:
 
  Jesus did not become King in 1914, the Messianic kingdom was not born in 1914, the presence of Jesus did not begin in 1914, and no inspection took place between 1914 and 1919, therefore no appointment of a faithful slave took place in 1919.    
This also would affect the good news of the Kingdom that JWs are preaching---it's birth/establishment in heaven in 1914.  See, for instance, this remarkable claim on page 137 of the Proclaimers book:
 

If your opinion is not  that it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times ended in 1914 or not, could you clarify by stating clearly what your opinion is please.   
From what you've already posted, that is clearly what your opinion is.  
Isn't that why you said the Bible would still hold true even if 1914 doesn't, so it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times didn't end in 1914. 
Isn't that why you said you'd be sticking with the faithful ones in Hebrews 11 who  'received a favorable witness because of their faith', since to them, it really doesn't matter if the Gentile time didn't end in 1914.
Isn't that why you pointed out that "Jesus as Head of the Congregation is just as alert today as he was in the 1st Century", so it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times didn't end in 1914.
Isn't that why you said "Discussions and expectations about dates have presumably been going on one way or another ever since Jesus said he would return" so it really doesn't matter if the Gentile time didn't end in 1914.
And Isn't that why said "Jehovah's Witnesses continue to develop, grow, prosper, and seem to be successful in whatever they turn their hands to", so it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times didn't end in 1914.
Clearly that is what Teresa is saying, that she's ready and willing to adjust her thinking to brighter new spiritual light on this when it comes, so it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times didn't end in 1914.  

Your posts ARE expressing your personal opinions, Eoin.
And you're still saying the same thing you've been saying all along, i.e., it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times ended in 1914 or not.
By extension, then, it doesn't really matter to you if Jesus did not become King in 1914, the Messianic kingdom was not born in 1914, the presence of Jesus did not begin in 1914, and no inspection took place between 1914 and 1919, therefore no appointment of a faithful slave took place in 1919.
Someone once said that it was wise to examine not only what you personally believe but also what is taught by any church you may be associated with.  Of course this also may not really matter to you either. 
Perhaps in your next segment  you can explain why ships have lifeboats.

And your opinion that has been coming thru loud and clear in your posts is that it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times ended in 1914 or not.  If you have a different opinion than that, you should state it clearly instead of offering up analogies that end up saying the same thing your posts have been saying, to wit:  that it really doesn't matter if the Gentile times ended in 1914 or not.
It's your analogy, not mine, but it won't sail you away from the question in the OP.  

They may well enable you to surmise an estimation of my opinion,.... but that's all. 
 
 Perhaps... if you could explain your position on the ship?  

What you quote as marked with inverted commas is correct and I stand by those scriptural expressions. I included them as I believe they are relevant to the question raised. Your assessment of my opinion however, is your own. I have not actually expressed a personal opinion on the issue at this point, as I feel others may make a relevant contribution to the discusson.
Let me use an illustration to hopefully clarify where I stand on this matter at the moment.
I feel like a passenger on a ship.
The ship is rescuing people in a warzone, and has to make a number of stops to pick up more survivors before taking all on board to safety. I have been on board for a while, and it has at times been a scary passage, what with adverse weather conditions at times, to say nothing of hidden mine-fields, direct attacks from enemy forces, or the danger of becoming embroiled in cross-fire from the constant skirmishes between rival factions.
However, despite a lack of previous experience of such things, the crew have charts, navigational equipment, and a growing pool of practical wisdom at their disposal. They also have radio contact with their command and are able to get some objective guidance not available otherwise. With all this, the crew has corrected any errors of judgement, adjusted their course, and, despite difficulty, has managed to get the ship and it's passengers safely through many hazardous situations so far. I have come to trust their ability to navigate safely through the uncertain conditions, complete their assignment to pick up survivors, and get the full complement of passengers safely out of the warzone.
Now I am faced with a new dilemna. We have stopped to pick up more survivors, but some who want to stay on shore, using the crews own navigational charts and log, are disputing with the decisions made, crticising the crew that have got us so far, and saying they have it all wrong and that we should not trust them to get us to safety. Some are saying that there is no war and that the crew have some ulterior, harmful motive in picking up passengers.  A group of passengers appear to be supporting them in these assertions, the bottom line of which is that we should all... ABANDON SHIP!
To be continued.....

With respect @HollyW, this is actually your opinion of what I said in earlier postings on this question. I'll leave interested parties to read those earlier postings themselves if they wish,  and draw their own conclusions on what my opinion may or may not be.
 

God made asses but I am sure he doesn't sit on any.  Poor sentence structure and word choice.
 

Hahahaaaaa...  typical  James Thomas Rook Jr.  -  but  my  translater  says,  the  word  'ass'  can  also  mean, donkey !  I  never  heard  -  maybe  using  in  the  US...