Melinda Mills

amazing method :)) Did their women know and support such inventive idea ? Did four of them ironing clothes in this manner to other people in Bethel too, and to their wife's especially? What were the reactions/responds/ from bro/sis?
Did Bethel elders, Committee introduce this as standard for ironing and reject electric machines? Did they buy bricks of all shapes and of various weights, or consider to buy some concrete bricks?   
This stories come to be LEGENDS? And this is how false come to be true :)))
Thanks for this  stories Tom.

@James Thomas Rook Jr. All that because someone allegedly bought wine? Remembrance of our Lord is, literally, around the corner.
At this point you can expect someone to dress up as Jesus buying wine somewhere.
That being said, how else did such ones prep for the Lord's day before if this is something new?

It is WDS in its full blown infection mode.
Much ado about completely NOTHING.
All AGENDA driven thinking is devoid of reason and common sense ... this "Bottlegate" is just this month's classic example.

So what is with the whole tinfoil-hattery regarding someone buying some wine? Especially around this time of year, stuff like this is no surprise.

The Memorial wine is a plain red wine, without any additives, or fortifications.   Fermented red grape juice ONLY.
This has been mentioned at every Memorial I have ever been to,  for the past 58 years.
 

Why not ask Brother Morris, then the issue is resolved.
Everything else is just embarrassing!
April 19th is our MEMORIAL ceremony ❤ ♥ ☼ ♥ ❤ 
Thank you....

As much as I am amazed, entertained, and chagrined by TPT's (Tight Pants Tony's) thinking processes, sometimes I think of it a "Creepygate", I think "Bottlegate" is a tempest in a teapot ... that is to say .. much ado about NOTHING !
Absolutely NOTHING!
WDS (Watchtower Derangement Syndrome) is a phenomenon that cuts BOTH ways ... from the inside, looking out ... and from the outside, looking in ... and in this case, the AGENDA DRIVEN THINKING from the outside looking in has severely clouded the thinking and reasoning abilities of the complainers.
Agenda driven thinking is ALWAYS faulty.
HOWEVER, that being said ... the video above is well worth watching.
 
 

Maybe its the new memorial choice of drink.

Internet sources.
NOT JW explanation:
1) Furthermore, another perspective motivating people to take the vow of poverty is the sheer inequality in the world. Rather than simply acknowledging the existence of poverty, individuals who take the vow gain first-hand experience, an experience that may better equip them to aid the poor in the future.
2) A vow, taken by members of some religious orders to renounce all personal property; everything they possess being used for the common good.
JW explanation:
What is involved in serving under the simple Vow? It means that those in special full-
time service have formally entered into an arrangement in which they agree to expend their full-
time efforts toward the advancement of a religious goal. It also means that they are doing so
without any expectation of being paid, as one would be in a secular setting. Members can enter
into this arrangement because the Order sees to it that each member's basic necessities of life are
cared for. Although the term "poverty" is used in the Vow, this does not mean that the
Governing Body is asking you to relinquish ownership in property that you now possess or that
you may acquire in the future. Rather, this expression means that you agree to forego the
expectation of being paid for your endeavors while serving in the Order and that you also agree
to not seek gainful employment while serving in the Order. As those of you who have devoted
many years to special full-time service can verify, this is the arrangement under which special
full-time servants have been living for many years, even prior to the time when this arrangement
was formally documented through the signing of a previous vow.
Concerning point six of the Vow, sources of income other than work are not affected by
being under this Vow. It does not pertain to income such as interest from bank accounts or
bonds, dividends from stocks, rent received from property owned by the member, and other
Page 4 of 4
income unrelated to present personal efforts. It does not apply to gifts, inheritances, or
other
unsolicited benefits, which a member of the Order may receive from time to time. Any of you
who are receiving income from possessions are not required to turn these monies over to the
Order, although you should be aware that (his income is no doubt subject to taxation.
In summary, reading prayerfully and signing the Vow does not mean that you cannot own
property or that you have determined to donate all your material possesions to the Order. Rather,
it documents that you have agreed to serve Jehovah as a special full-time servant, serving in
cooperation with others in the Order, without expectation of financial gain. and that you have
determined to refrain from any gainful activity while in Jehovah's special full-time service.
We are pleased to present you with this direction from the Governing Body and trust that
this letter answers any questions you may have. However, please feel free to write to the branch
office if you have any remaining inquiries.

Buying alcohol is not abuse of alcohol. 

That's all far-fetched ....
Almost all JW's buy these things,
why not our brother Morris?
It can also be a gift -
"Have we all read the Bible today?"

I just watched the video from the last post. Very creepy. Seems it should be illegal to post a video like this. GB TMZ. Easily misinterpreted, too.

There is something very childish about these remarks, as though one has gone on a "starvation diet" and his enemies later come along and are upset that he has not starved to death.
It is very very unlikely, I think, that dedicated funds account for his spree. If you have worked with Jehovah's Witnesses, you simply know this.
He co-directs an organization directly benefiting 8 million persons, and indirectly benefiting many more. That will include friends in financial high places; those sort of friends are not stingy.
In Knorr's time, he being the one to funnel vendor business here and there, some of those vendors would lavish gifts on him. I've been told (anecdotal evidence - @JW Insider will know things like this) that he had given him (I think by a paper manufacturer) a Cadillac or two, which mostly just sat there in the Bethel garage. At the time, such was standard practice anywhere, and since many members of Congress enriched themselves that way, laws were passed against it. Not sure if they were passed to dissuade anyone other than Congress, though.
I appeal to JWI for facts, even though he corrected me when I wrote that the GB rode in the wheelwells of airplanes so as to get from Point A to Point B as cheaply as possible. 'Nah, they don't,' he said.
Have parallel things happened in this day with technology vendors? Dunno. Maybe. What! is anyone other than Lloyd so stupid as to think he is guzzling himself away after a day's work pondering God? It may even be intended for entertaining those vendors themselves, who, when they come calling, distrust the Kool-Aid.
Now, the GB doesn't do business deals, like Knorr did. They have them isolated whereby they simply think about God, like the apostles in the first century who didn't want to be distracted by "waiting on tables." So that suggesting doesn't fit so closely as in might with Knorr. But still...
Every exchange I have had with Lloyd reveals him to be a pretty nasty piece of work. That does not mean that he will not have plenty of allies, for he gets the job done. But he has an affinity for bullying and taunting gifs. I used him as a window into the world of opposers, but I ultimately dropped him from my feed, because I was too tempted to answer him. Every exchange shows him up as bullying, but it gets wearing even though I like to show him up in that way. There really is something to that circuit assembly part geared to teens (with spillover for adults, probably, as good general council) about that kid who replied to one "apostate" because he just got mad at the truth being maligned & and he was reasoned with that it might not be such a good idea.
Here is my latest (ideally my last) episode with this character:
https://www.tomsheepandgoats.com/2019/03/look-what-i-found-in-my-inbox-from-lloyd.html

As Tom Harley said, they might soon obtain a picture with him on the toilet seat.  Give the man some privacy. Jesus and his disciples had wine with their meal.  Wine was like water in the Mediterranean regions. Paul told Timothy to take some wine instead of water. 

This type of “hit piece” reporting ( it doesn’t matter who the target is) has a way of resolving into nothing.
(Now, if I should see him in there every single day........)

Well he is not shoplifting - just selecting carefully what somebody might drink.

Tell @Witness to send me $10 and I ‘ll see if I can send him one of him sitting on the toilet. 

In late 1990, i guess,  i was in Vienna Bethel, had a little role in summer Convention Drama, so two or three days of recording. In that time they had one part of basement full of various sort of beer. I do not remember prices, it depends on what sort of beer in glass bottle (0,5 liter) you choose. But to us, from Croatia,  that was very surprising. For some boys (brothers) gladly surprise. :))  

"We are not  inspired but we are guided" .... by Spirit  (FireWater as would American Indians said in cowboy movies)
Some Bethel people has rich relatives, renting apartments, houses, has some spared money from aside.... and similar.
Vow of poverty is funny instrument, and why to apply that on people who has nothing? IF they really has nothing?! Why somebody who came to Bethel to work and is single and poor, has poor family, no real estate, no money, only clothes on him/her.... WHY would such person to be obligated to give Vow of Poverty?? What is purpose of such Vow? How looks like this WT "Vow"? What Bethel member promises-declare in that Vow?
Mr Tony's coming to liquor store to buy so many bottles of strong beverage proves that he is mere imperfect human who running Corporations with other humans, similar to him. This showed how his job is hard sometimes and he need meaning to relax sometimes, and to drink glass of whiskey is helpful sometimes. Or to seat alone in bar seat with glass of Cognac is what man need sometimes, too.
But bar is more expensive. So, in fact he spare money (donation or his own) by shopping in big market, in big package, on Sunday when prices are little down.  
:)))

It is half past ten on Saturday night. I just came back from a walk in the clouds of snow! The first flakes landed yesterday and kept the scenery white for a few hours, and then started to melt. We thought this would be as usual our one-day scenario. Yet it started to snow again late last night.
Apart from a few hours break around noon, it did not stop snowing, laying a beautiful white carpet on the whole country. A great opportunity for a walk in the park nearby our house! The lake was almost completely frozen and a few ducks were gathered on the small sheltered area where cold would not bite. Just a handful of people had decided to walk around the lake. The trail was nearly immaculate as the footprints were quickly covered. Each step made the characteristically crispy sound of compacted snow. Night's darkness seemed to be kept at a distance as the white decor reflected every bit of light. The branches of the trees were as if dressed with delicate lace. As the intensity of the snow fall increased, my sight got blurred. The details of the landscape faded as millions of  cottonlike crystals floated their way down to earth. I couldn't help but stop, sit down on a bench and admire the spectacle.
Had it been one degree warmer, it would have rained; one degree cooler, it would only have been cold and humid. The temperature was just right for this phenomenon called snow to occur.
Jehovah is creating the circumstances that are just right for his purpose to be accomplished. Millions of people are now covering the earth with their Bible-based message reflecting divine glory and shining in this spiritually bedarkened world. Every single of these proclaimers is unique and beautiful, just like a snowflake. If they were by themselves, snowflakes would immediately melt, yet because of their united action, they hold firm together. The effect of this united work of doing God's will accomplished by this cloud of witnesses beautifies formerly spiritually dead-looking people and clothes them with a white attire, an approved standing in Jehovah's eyes. How refreshing their sounding out the Good News is! How beautiful the view of these faithful servants of the only true God! Let us make sure never to be blind to the beauty of Jehovah's purpose and the way it unfolds.
Let us have a share in beautifying those in need of the Good News in our territory.

Its not a head full of knowledge and answers, but a heart full of love that moves us to live up to our dedication to Jehovah.
One should engage the brain before releasing the mouth to speak.
Never ! never! put a question mark where Jehovah has put a period.
When experiencing trials remember Jehovah did not remove the Red Sea, he made the way out for the Israelites to cross it.
The test of our faith is our eagerness to proclaim the good news.
Jehovah will supply, but we must apply.
Be not like the rooster who thought the sun rose 'to hear him crow'
We dare not violate the law of love any more than we can defy the law of gravity
It is not our position but our disposition that makes us happy.
A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.
If there were not so many of me , I would know myself better
The emphasis Jesus placed on a Christian's loving his neighbour helps one to avoid the danger that every time a person thinks he will be thinking of himself
Some people insist that they do not tell lies, yet they scheme to present the truth in such a way that no one recognizes it.
Deliverance into God's new order will mean living in perfect health and happiness in a delightful garden-like earth, under one government earth wide
What should not be heard by little ears should not be said by big mouths
Hearing truth and not accepting it does not change truth into error.
The learning and knowledge that we have is at most but little compared with that of which we are ignorant.
In the book "The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah"- How ?, one of the many reasons given for Jehovah's wrath against Christendom is: "Jehovah hates being treated by religious hypocrites like a God who can be fooled."
The scriptures are a storehouse of happiness that enriches the mind and heart. So read it everyday for the sheer pleasure of it.
Sin is not in things but in the wrong use of things.
Jehovah listens to our hearts rather than our lips.
The best human relations can be obtained if we live by the advice we give to others.

A brother giving a talk said that our service to Jehovah is like taking a trip to California, as the trip progresses you will need to stop at the gas station to fill up, our meetings are the gas station, and if we fail to fill up spiritually we will shut down spiritually or worse leave the truth.   He also brought out a point about how we treat our bothers and sisters. He asked if one of our brother had a car and that car broke down, and he had no way of getting around, and we had two cars, but we were only using one would we be willing to let our brother use the other car? Now lets say that we had a Lexus and a Chevrolet, which would we be willing to lend then? The point was that Jehovah sent Jesus his only begotten son to die for us, and we should be imitating Jehovah's love, so in imitation of Jehovah's love we would want to give our brother the best.   He then made the point about spiritual progress: He said when we got baptized we agreed to give our all to Jehovah, so we no longer lived for ourselves but for Jehovah. Now lets say, we were the one in need of that car that was mentioned before, and our loving brother gave it to us to use, but every time you went to use the car it was gone, what would you think to yourself. Your brother failed to tell you that he had a set of keys as well, and he keeps taking the car. It would seem that he didn't really want you to use the car in the first place, it is the same with Jehovah if we are always busy pursuing our own interests whenever Jehovah would like to use us, then in effect we are telling him that we didn't really want to be used by him.   This is where Godly Devotion comes in to play and we will always be at our meetings fueling ourselves spiritually, cultivating spiritual qualities and giving of ourselves for Jehovah's interests not our own.

Ephesians 4:22, 23: "That you should put away the old personality which conforms to your former course of conduct and which is being corrupted according to his deceptive desires; but that you should be made new in the force actuating your mind."

The verb, "put away"-- in the original Greek language is called the aorist tense. It indicates an action that is taken just once or once and for all. So it must be decisively (conclusively settled) stripped off.

To help you get the sense of this lets illustrate:





When one gives you advise on how to renovate your house, an antique, or a piece of old furniture, the worst words you can hear to solve the problem is: "The only thing you can do to make it right is to strip off the paint."

Why are these hated words? Well, have you ever used paint stripper? Do you know anyone who has ever told you that they like to strip ANYTHING? No one likes it. You get it on you. It burns. Splashes on your face or gets under the glove that you are using.. gooey, slippery, sludge. So why do we do it? Why do we subject ourselves to such torture? Because it is a necessity; there is no other alternative. It is the best solution. Why?

If it is not stripped completely you risk the new coating delaminating or peeling.

We have to do the same with our old personality. If we don't get it off completely, it will eventually cause our spirituality to delaminate. It is because, the old personality "is being corrupted" as the 'b' section of Eph. 4:22 indicates. Yes, the old personality is in a continuous course of moral degradation going from bad to worse, leading to defilement and death. So you have to get it off, like clothing that has the smell of a skunk!!!!! Get it off!!! Would you keep your socks on? No, we take everything off the first chance we get.

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
 
The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
 
But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest... perfect peace.
 
Which picture do you think won the prize? The King chose the second picture. Do you know why? "Because," explained the King, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.