Carol Ann Torres

Bitterness is a result of clinging to negative experiences. 

31 "Put away from yourselves every kind of malicious bitterness, anger, wrath, screaming, and abusive speech, as well as everything injurious."
(Ephesians 4:31)

Anyone want their own personal literature caddy? ;-)
I have no idea where this was taken. Any ideas?

The Bible says: "Do not learn the way of the nations. . .For the customs of the peoples are a delusion. It is just a tree of the forest that is cut down. . .They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails so that it will not fall over." (Jeremiah 10:2-4) The Encyclopædia Britannica states regarding the Christmas tree: “Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity.” It was done in various rites and customs, including “the custom . . . of placing a Yuletree at an entrance or inside the house during the midwinter holidays.” Too, the early Romans marked the winter solstice with a feast called the Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. The Romans knew that the solstice meant that soon farms and orchards would be green and fruitful. To mark the occasion, they decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs. Also, the Vikings in Scandinavia thought that evergreens were the special plant of their sun god, Balder. Today, the Christmas tree is recognized all over the world, and the demand for countless millions of natural and artificial Christmas trees seems endless. Meanwhile, Scandinavian rock carvings provide silent testimony, literally set in stone, that the Christmas tree is not of Christian origin. This is evident in Bohuslän Province on the west coast of Sweden and in a nearby province in Norway. In those areas, more than 75,000 individual rock carvings have been found at some 5,000 different sites. Archaeologists say that many of these rock carvings were made between about 1,800 and 500 B.C.E. The book Rock Carvings in the Borderlands, published in cooperation with the Swedish National Heritage Board, says: “The images of trees in rock carvings illustrate that as early as the Bronze Age the southern Scandinavian region was part of a larger religious and cultural context that covered the whole of Europe and large parts of Asia. Religion and cosmology were adapted to people whose livelihoods were farming and animal husbandry. They largely worshipped the same gods, although the names of the gods varied.”

Any have any video clips to add?




 

RUSSIA...
This is our brother Alexei Koptev and his wife, at the gates of the court that judges him by EXTREMISM when declaring JEHOVAH'S WITNESS.
He faces 6 years in prison.
The INDEPENDENT newspaper of Great Britain exposes the injustice being done with Jehovah's Witnesses in Putin's Russia. Currently a Jehovah's Witness has the same legal value in Russia as an ISIS jihadist. The brother's wife says, "Let's continue to preach, it's our FAITH."
PRIVATE NOTE: We are going to promote a collection of signatures to request that the persecution against ours in Russia cease.

By not accepting personal responsibility for our circumstances  we greatly reduce our power to change them....
7 "For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind."
(1 Tim.1:7)

We can avoid reality, but we cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality....
6  "So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses."
(1 Thess.5:6)

4 "The king then said to me: “What is it that you are seeking?” At once I prayed to the God of the heavens."
(Nehemiah 2:4)
Nehemiah, governor of the Jews in the fifth century B.C.E., did his best to please God. He spearheaded the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls despite enemy opposition. 
He enforced God’s Law, cared for the oppressed, and sought to build up the faith of his fellow Israelites. 
Did God notice the good that this faithful man had done? Did Nehemiah have Jehovah’s approval? We can discern the answers in the closing words of the book that bears his name.
Nehemiah prays: “Do remember me, O my God, for good.”
Is Nehemiah afraid that his good deeds have gone unnoticed by God or that God will forget about him? No. Nehemiah is no doubt aware of what earlier Bible writers have said about Jehovah’s keen interest in his faithful worshippers and their good deeds. (Exodus 32:32, 33; Psalm 56:8) 
What, then, is he asking God to do? One reference work notes that the Hebrew term translated “remember” implies “the affection of the mind and the action which accompanies recollection.” With full faith in the power of prayer, Nehemiah is asking God to remember him with affection and to bless him.—Nehemiah 2:4.
Will Jehovah answer Nehemiah’s prayer for remembrance? In one respect, he already has. The very fact that Jehovah saw fit to have a permanent record made of Nehemiah’s prayer, making it part of the inspired Scriptures, assures us that he remembers Nehemiah with affection. But the “Hearer of prayer” will do more to answer Nehemiah’s heartfelt request.—Psalm 65:2.
 

9 "But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders."
(2 Thess.2:9)
Who were the Magi that visited the young child Jesus?
Astrologers (Gr., maʹgoi; “Magi,” AS ftn, CC, We; “Magians,” ED) brought gifts to the young child Jesus. (Mt 2:1-16) 
Commenting on who these maʹgoi were, The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (Vol. II, p. 139) says: “According to Herodotus the magi were a tribe of the Medes [I, 101], who professed to interpret dreams, and had the official charge of sacred rites . . . they were, in short, the learned and priestly class, and having, as was supposed, the skill of deriving from books and the observation of the stars a supernatural insight into coming events . . . Later investigations tend rather to make Babylon than Media and Persia the centre of full-blown magianism. ‘
Originally, the Median priests were not called magi . . . From the Chaldeans, however, they received the name of magi for their priestly caste, and it is thus we are to explain what Herodotus says of the magi being a Median tribe’ . . . (J. C. Müller in Herzog’s Encl.).”—Edited by P. Fairbairn, London, 1874.
Rightly, then, Justin Martyr, Origen, and Tertullian, when reading Matthew 2:1, thought of maʹgoi as astrologers. Wrote Tertullian (“On Idolatry,” IX): “We know the mutual alliance of magic and astrology. The interpreters of the stars, then, were the first . . . to present Him [Jesus] ‘gifts.’” (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, 1957, Vol. III, p. 65) The name Magi became current “as a generic term for astrologers in the East.”—The New Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia, 1952, Vol. 22, p. 8076.
So the circumstantial evidence is strong that the maʹgoi who visited the infant Jesus were astrologers. Thus The New Testament translated by C. B. Williams reads “star-gazers,” with a footnote in explanation: “This is, students of stars in relation to events on earth.” Fittingly, then, modern English translations read “astrologers” at Matthew 2:1.—AT, NE, NW, Ph.
How many of these astrologers “from eastern parts” brought “gold and frankincense and myrrh” to the child Jesus is not disclosed; there is no factual basis for the traditional notion that there were three. (Mt 2:1, 11) 
As astrologers, they were servants of false gods and were, wittingly or unwittingly, led by what appeared to them as a moving “star.” They alerted Herod to the fact that the “king of the Jews” had been born, and Herod, in turn, sought to have Jesus killed. The plot, however, failed. Jehovah intervened and proved superior to the demon gods of the astrologers, so instead of returning to Herod, the astrologers headed home another way after being given “divine warning in a dream.”—Mt 2:2, 12.
http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000448#h=9:0-10:218

It is very good for the young ones to get involved. shows that they are part of the congrgation

*Tingtingtingting* Aaaand predictably they discuss the 'sun-god' Tammuz-Nimrod connection and have bought into other Hislopian pseudo-history, ladies and gentlemen. The video should be re-titled, "Shocking but mostly hooey."

A more scholarly discussion:
KURT M. SIMMONS - THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS AND THE DATE OF CHRIST’S BIRTH
 

What Does the Bible Say About Christmas? ???????
The Bible’s answer
The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that we should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin.” Instead, an examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve of.—Exodus 32:5-7.  History of Christmas customs
Celebrating Jesus’ birthday: “The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”—The World Book Encyclopedia.
•December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice.
•Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.” The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that “all work and business were suspended” during Saturnalia.
•Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits.
•Mistletoe, holly: “The Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun’s return.”—The Encyclopedia Americana.
•Christmas tree: “Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity.” One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of “placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.”—Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/bible-about-christmas/

What percentage of children in Bolivia can purchase an iPad?
I remember years ago adapting to the country I would visit by NOT making a "showy display of one's means of life"
How is this an appropriate way to teach the world's poorest children to read, write and learn about the Bible?
 
Jesus could have easily created a 3D holographic display of the heavenly realms for all to see in Jerusalem... But did he?
Just because we CAN make great cartoons that entertain children... is that our true purpose?
Did Jesus say "for this I came into the world to show cartoons to children"?
 
We should spend more time teaching the Bible AND caring for their physical needs rather than be known as the new "Hi Tech" rich people that wander the earth showing first world PIXAR cartoons about the Bible to children.
Just me venting tonight.....
Can you tell I am in a cantankerous mood tonight.... UGH!!!

Separating magazines in a Kingdom Hall in Washington State USA

Un anciano en nuestro salon en Washington, EE.UU., que está a cargo del departamento de literatura; Animando a los jóvenes a ayudar. Cada reunión que todos hacen su parte para ayudar a nuestro mayor separar las revistas.

To show appreciation for literature people Almuria village in northern Uganda gave us three chickens, ceramics, and watermelons!

20 "But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.”
 21 "Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good."
(Romans 12:20,21)
16 "Maintain a good conscience, so that in whatever way you are spoken against, those who speak against you may be put to shame because of your good conduct as followers of Christ."
(1 Peter 3:16)

WE'VE  INAUGURATED  BRANCH  IN  *HONG KONG*
HERE  WE  SEE  GB. BROTHER  *GERRIT LÖSCH*  SPEAKING...
 

Obedience makes our spirituality progressively stronger.....
 “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them."
(Matthew 5:3)
 

How to Cope with a 
Thorn in the Flesh....
ARE you contending with some ongoing trial? 
If so, you are not alone. In these “critical times hard to deal with,” faithful Christians are coping with bitter opposition, family problems, sickness, financial anxieties, emotional distresses, the loss of loved ones in death, and other challenges.
Some may even cry out to God, “Why are you letting this happen to me?” 
If such a negative attitude were to take root in a person’s heart, it could erode his joy and confidence.
Jehovah God fights in our behalf. He has made sure that his servants are not ignorant regarding Satan’s tactics. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
Paul, having been sorely tried, was inspired to write: “There was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to keep slapping me, that I might not be overly exalted.” (2 Corinthians 12:7) 
What was this thorn in Paul’s flesh? Well, a thorn lodged deep under the skin would certainly be painful. So the metaphor suggests something that caused Paul pain—whether physical, emotional, or both. 
It may be that Paul suffered from an eye affliction or some other physical infirmity. 
Or the thorn may have involved those individuals who challenged Paul’s credentials as an apostle and called into question his preaching and teaching work. (2 Corinthians 10:10-12; 11:5, 6, 13) 
Whatever it was, that thorn remained in place and could not be removed.
Today, Satan is just as pleased when we are similarly troubled by a thorn in the flesh.
God has given us many examples inhis holy Word, the Bible, showing that his faithful servants have successfully coped with thorns in their flesh.
•Paul 
•Mephibosheth
•Nehemiah
•Rebekah
•Hannah
•King David 
•Micaiah
•Job
The preceding examples by no means represent an exhaustive list. The Bible contains many more. 
All these faithful servants had to contend with their own figurative thorns. And what a wide variety of problems they faced! 
Yet, they had something incommon. None of them gave up in their service to Jehovah. 
Read this at this link and know you are not alone with your own personal thorn in the flesh! 
Despite all their distressing tests, they overcame Satan in the strength that Jehovah provided them. 
http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2002123?q=thorns+in+the+flesh&p=par#h=29

Get on the right course! Listen, Obey and Be Blessed!  Only one direction to go in...
"A fool" according to Proverbs:
• A fool hates knowledge (1:22)
• Takes no pleasure in   understanding (18:2)
• Enjoys wicked schemes (10:23)
• Proclaims folly (12:23)
• Despises parents discipline (15:5)
• Speaks perversity (19:1)
• Is quick-tempered (12:16)
• Gets himself in trouble with his proud speech (14:3)
• Mocks sin (14:9).
• Is deceitful (14:8)
• Despises his mother (15:20).
New World Translation
Ecclesiastes 12:10
10 "The congregator sought to find delightful words and to record accurate words of truth."

The Bible....   ( short  video  link )
As the Storm Approaches, Maintain Your Focus on Jesus !  Future  Kingdom  Blessings
https://tv.jw.org/#en/video/VODBible/pub-jwbcov_201505_11_VIDEO
 

15 "What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot possibly be counted." (Ecc.1:15).  
What, though, determines whether a person is wise or foolish? Proverbs 14:2 states: “The one walking in his uprightness is fearing Jehovah, but the one crooked in his ways is despising Him.”                    
The upright one fears the true God, and “the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)                                  
 A truly wise person knows that it is his obligation to “fear the true God and keep his commandments.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)                        
On the other hand, the foolish one follows a course that is not in harmony with God’s standards of uprightness. His ways are crooked. Such a person despises God, saying in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.”—Psalm 14:1.                          
The wise king warns of where knowledge is not to be found. “Go away from in front of the stupid man,” he says, “for you will certainly not take note of the lips of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:7)                                      
A stupid person lacks true knowledge. Lips that utter knowledge do not belong to him. The advice is to get away from such a man, and it is wise to stay away from him. Anyone “having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”—Proverbs 13:20.
When our words and deeds are guided by wisdom, we have the “riches and glory” that exist with wisdom. (Proverbs 8:18)            They include a peaceful relationship with God and our fellowman, a sense of well-being, and a measure of stability.             Yes, “the tent of the upright ones” can flourish even now. JW.ORG

How cool

Very soon, peace will prevail between humans and animals.
 6 "The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb,
And with the young goat the leopard will lie down,
And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together;
And a little boy will lead them.
 7  The cow and the bear will feed together,
And their young will lie down together.
The lion will eat straw like the bull.
 8 The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra,And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.
9 They will not cause any harm
Or any ruin in all my holy mountain,
Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah
As the waters cover the sea."
(Isa. 11:6-9)