How do you feel when the Letter from the GB was read last Sunday (4/27/08)?
Hulagway says:
Are you thrilled of how the events unfold in our very eyes?
Originally posted at 5:26PM, 28 April 2008 PDT ( permalink )
sankel (a group admin) edited this topic 5 days ago.
BlueEyedCat/Laura says:
I was literally on the edge of my seat listening to every word (well as best I could because my 3 year old was trying her best to distract me). I got the chills and almost felt tears in my eyes. It is so exciting to be part of Jehovah's organization during this time of the very very end. Makes the New System seem like it is very close now. Such a thrill to be a part of this!
Truthfully though, I never expected the brothers to be cutting back on our meetings. LOL. I would have thought that we would be needing more meetings at this time. How appropriate the Watchtower study was. We need be yielding to the brothers' direction.
Posted 7 days ago. ( permalink )
Moody Mal says:
I couldn't stay in my seat! I had to get up and walk out of the back room I was sitting in and be in the main auditorium to make sure I was actually hearing the brother right.
I had tears in my eyes and my mom broke down and cried! We are all excited to be in Jehovah's organization in this time of the end!!!
Posted 7 days ago. ( permalink )
_Jarod_ says:
What an amazing letter!! As Laura mentioned, it is so nice to be living in this time of the very VERY end. I love also how attention was mentioned on family study and personal study. We never know if we will be in a situation during the tribulation that we will have all our wonderful brothers and sisters around us. We must keep strong our relationship with Jehovah! Making the truth our very own may be the glue when all the paint chips away.
Posted 7 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Laura, Moody Mal and Jarod, I read your words here with great anticpation. Thanks for your heartfelt comments here.
Yes, It seems to tell us the end is very near.
Posted 7 days ago. ( permalink )
*tinker-pan* says:
I got chills when I heard the brother read this letter. Its amazing how close we are, and along with the others I am very excited! We are one step closer to living in a world how Jehovah originaly intended it to be. Jarod, I also liked the part mentioned about family and personal study. We need to be prepared for anything that may come our way!
Posted 7 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Thanks Chelsey for your comments here, yes one step closer.
Posted 6 days ago. ( permalink )
sankel says:
My mind goes to our dear brothers who:
1) commute or works full time downtown where the traffic is so unbearable,who are struggling to make it to the meeting regularly, and pray for years for relief.
2) serve in foreign language group or congregation that involves a lot of traveling, driving miles and miles--most of the time picking up and dropping off Bible students and interested ones-- to attend meetings regularly
3) serve in big congregations that can't be split because there is not enough time slots at the Kingdom Hall to meet, nor resources to build a new Kingdom Hall.
WHAT A RELIEF!! The new arrangement surely accommodate their dire needs. The spot for Book Study at the Kingdom Hall can be used for another midweek meeting for a new congregation.
May Jehovah bless this arrangement with the increased of meeting attendance, the regularity of attendance, and thus the strengthened family and individual spirituality.
Originally posted 6 days ago. ( permalink )
sankel (a group admin) edited this topic 4 days ago.
Hulagway says:
Brother Santoso, thanks for this insight also, yest thats true. And this is really a loving change.
Posted 6 days ago. ( permalink )
kalurah says:
I agree with Laura. I have been baptized for 12 yrs. and was raised in the truth from infancy. The meetings are a pivotal part of our worship.
As a young mom with three children 6 and under, I have found my meeting attendance lacking but since the letter was read, I have found myself discovering just what I was taking for granted!! Being able to meet with our bros and sis's three times a week will soon be taken away. I find it SO hard to make time to meet with them outside of the meetings due to my hectic schedule, so I am very, very sad to see the three separate meetings a week go away!
I actually felt a little guilty for feeling so selfish at the news but I know this is for our own benefit.
I am just thankful that this has really sparked my gratefulness for the meetings we have WHILE we have them!
I will NEVER take them for granted again! I told my husband that now, if we were to miss a Service meeting, look at how much we would be missing out on! Book Study, Service meet., etc.
I know in my heart that this will be very motivating for me and my family, as well as the entire organization.
(Kalurah H.~Walla Walla, WA Cong.)
Posted 6 days ago. ( permalink )
smilesccr says:
Like many here, I was also on the edge of my seat paying "more than the usual attention" to each word being read (Hebrews 2:1). And, like others, my jaw dropped to the ground in shock.
However, upon reflecting later when the surprise wore off a little, I remembered the miles and miles of highway and roads that we drove trying to find the deaf in four counties in Michigan - some areas it took us almost two hours just to arrive in the territory. Thoughts also went to the wonderful brothers and sisters who volunteer their time, gasoline, and make other sacrifices to help on the Regional Building Committees around the world. After witnessing their deep love for Jehovah and the friends firsthand through our Kingdom Hall remodel, surely they will appreciate this adjustment as well.
Most of all, it really helped me to appreciate how close to the end we truly are. When it does come and the pressure from the world is centered on us, it will be even more so difficult for us to meet together. Just like a runner who trains many months prior to the race, it's SO important that we appreciate the value of and attend our meetings now - whether it's three days or two or one - as well as how crucial it is to keep up with our personal and family Bible study. We can't start to train as the race begins or as end of the system begins. We will run the race the exact same way as we have been training ourselves for months prior to the race. So I ask myself, what is my training style? Do I stick close to Jehovah's organization and follow its direction and "train hard" or do I slack off when I don't feel like pushing myself and slow down my training? This really helped me to appreciate the need to evaluate my training style and make changes where I need. How loving Jehovah is to give us that opportunity!
Posted 6 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Thanks Kalurah and Christine for your comments here.
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
heyyal says:
My Friends we are approashing the end. Be glad to be serving to true God. Now" is the time for us to be ready. We must put forth every effort to draw close and closer to Jehovah. and to each other because we do not know who we will have to live with and or survive with nor where. Now is the time to widen out with all the friends and not just the ones is our own little click....Praise Jah you people.
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
sankel says:
For pioneers, consolidating Book Study with midweek meeting could mean more opportunate time to spend in street witnessing and a couple of return visits.
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
BlueEyedCat/Laura says:
As Jarod mentioned, the brothers advised that we use the extra time for family/personal study. We want to make sure that we are taking the proper advantage of the opportune time that was bought out for us by the faithful slave class. Making our family bond strong and building up our family's spirituality and relationship with Jehovah. I can see how it could be tempting for us to use this time for relaxation or recreation, shopping, a new hobby or extra hours at work but that would be missing the point of this gift.
I wonder what other changes we will see in the near future? How exciting to be part of this beautiful worldwide organization!
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
Mainephotonut says:
We were at our Special Assembly Day in Houlton, Maine when our visiting speaker, Brother Shultz from Bethel, finished the last talk of the day, and everyone was getting their song books ready when he announced that we would be ending the assembly in an 'unusual' fashion as he had a special letter to read to us. A hush fell across the crowd of 1200 brothers and sisters; even the little children seemed to notice something was “up” as many of them fell silent as well.
While brother Shultz read the letter, I could feel my face turn flush with what can only be described as excitement, except I’m not certain that’s the best way to describe it. It was a surreal feeling…the feeling that something big was coming. I had a clear view of some friends of ours sitting 2 rows in front of us, and the sister turned to her husband and her dropped just about hit the floor when the impact of the changes were made clear.
Then everyone applauded!
In this time of the end, the Faithful Slave is ever-so-watchful, and thus this new arrangement will no doubt carry many blessings with it. Jehovah knows best, and he is always looking out for his people. We are so privileged to be a part of such a loving organization!
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
veggy82 says:
Ours was read at our special assembly day on Saturday. We were told not to tell anyone because their letter was to be read the next day. The whole auditorium was very quiet as the letter was read followed by a long applause. I was quite surprised by this and excited by it to. Just a little while longer and this system will be no more and Jehovah's glorious kingdom will be here. No more will anyone say, "I am sick".
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Thanks Sis Robinson, Bro. Santoso, Sis Laura, Bro. Kevin and Sis Valerie. I read all your inputs with it in my heart full of appreciation.
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
Mel Romero says:
Amazing announcement!
For me it will give me a full day out in Service on Saturdays as this is our bookstudy day.
Continue to serve Jehovah without let up Bros. and Sisters. Down to the end.
Posted 5 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Thanks Mel, regards to our new brother. Hows your start Mel?
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )
One who Wonders Why. says:
How loving it is for the brothers to be thinking of our financial status.
how many in other religions can say that the Church is more concerned about Their welfare than the churches bankroll.
Thank you Brothers!!
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Thanks Travis, yes you have thought another angle. And we are so different with other religion.
Regards to you, and long time no hear from you? How are you my brother?
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )
siufong_tan says:
To be very honest... I was almost crying, happy and frightened... (Mixed feelings - all in 1)
Crying - touched with Loving & Care from Jehovah, concerning our situation in these last days.
Happy because it means the time of Jehovah Kindom is very very very near,
Frightened because I'm worry about some of my family member whose not in the truth yet
It is very exciting, because for some Brothers & Sisters who have to drive quite far & facing bad traffic (like me - 30 KM for 1 way Drive) to attending the meeting & with the increase of the fuel price, it is really a relief...
And also love the comment that we have to increase our personal / family study, because it can help us not only from Satan's disturbance, but also built stronger communication & stronger relationship in the family...
Like bro Santoso said, we also can increase our service ^_^
Regards,
Sisca
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )
Tom & Jerry 4 says:
Hey dear brothers and sisters!I read ALL the comments and feelings u all had-really interesting-and i also liked what sis.Kalura said-yes we should be more thankful for the meetings and like all the other bro.mentioned use our time now in a good way!
I will tell u what our mom said:She felt as she was sitting in the mids of the brothers middle in the 1 Century-and as if the brothers were reading the words from acts where there is said that for the holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you...."yes, it was a very undiscribable feeling-so it is really something that we can see how close the END is and to be alive present at such nice CONCLUSSIONS and STEPS that the governing B. takes ist just amazing-its great to be part of such perfect organized Organization of Jehovah!
I thought like smilesccr, heyyal and Mel Romeo-so that the time can be used to go in the ministry and STUDY to be PREPARED for the great comming of the NEW SYSTEM!
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )
sankel says:
@tom and jerry: . . . Thanks for Scripture quotation. It is uplifting to see that the new adjustment is Bible-based and had previous documented precedence.
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )
Hulagway says:
Thanks for your reaction manifested here Sis Sisca from Indonesia. Thanks also Tom and Jerry for your nice comments here.
Let us be strengthened by that letter to be more vigilant and use our time wisely.
The end and the start is near, its just a stones throw away. Hold on.
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
One who Wonders Why. says:
doing well, theres alot going on. I havnt taken alot of photos lately.
but I expect to soon this summer.
I did however give a young brother a tutorial on how to use Windows Movie Maker.
The results are posted here
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8iko_0w_9E
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
sharedobsession says:
I was suprized also. I didn't expect it. I was working that morning (my meeting is at 1:00) and so I called up my old congregation from across the country to listen in on their meeting just so I would have something to listen to while I was working. So I knew before my congregation here. It was hard not to tell anyone before the meeting started.
My whole life I've been told by people that the bookstudy would be like a haven so to speak during the great tribulation if we ever came under ban. That those would be the people we needed to be close to when it came down to the end. So at first I was a little scared to let go of that concept, but it gives all the more reason to "widen out" as we are always encouraged to do. My congregation here is only 60 publishers so that's not as hard as it was in CT where there were 120 publishers.
I love how the governing body takes such good care of us as individuals. It is such a contrast to religions of the world.
Posted 3 days ago. ( permalink )
Azle 07=) says:
The letter was read to us by our District Overseer during the Circuit Assembly. It is, indeed, very encouraging. I remember a recent conversation with a Circuit Overseer during one of our hikings. I asked him what would be next after our magazine issues was reduced. He said that our ministry was compared to a hiking. We reduced our load and carry only the important things when are near our destination. Jah is also reducing our load so we can arrive to our destination and we wont tire out along the road.
He is right, here comes the letter from our Governing Body.
And as our DO concludes. "May all of us give the best for Jehovah and prioritize the things of the kingdom especially as the speaker is ready to walk off from the stage."
Kyllä se on näköjään edelleenkin se ja sama mitä (bullshittiä) vt-seura tornistaan suoltaa, se on merkki lopun läheisyydestä, jehovan siunauksesta, veljesseuran rakkaudellisuudesta ja ties mistä ylivertaisesta. Jos kokouksia olisi tullut entisten tilalle lisää, nämä jehovantodistajien ylistyspuheenvuorot olisivat tuskin olleet yhtään erilaisia.
Eihän niitä kukaan kerennyt lukea ja jakamattomia lehtiä sitäpaitsi kasaantui Betelin nurkkiin.