I don't know if this was already posted, but I have gotten it a couple of times now from friends who are still active JWs. Clearly it is ring the bell time, as you can tell by the notes taken. Enjoy. I was doubled over laughing the whole time.
Subject: Annual Meeting Notes
This year's annual meeting was as wonderful as ever – and the theme of urgency of our times was repeatedly emphasized. To that end, you may be as excited as me to hear that our 2007 theme text is
Zeph. 1:14 – The great day of Jehovah is near."
In his talk, Brother Anthony Morris of the GB asked 'when the son of god gives a command, are we going to listen'? He was referring to the instructions at Matt 24:17,18 where he instructed those in Jerusalem to not go into their homes - even if they were simply on their rooftops - to get their "things" before heading for the mountains. Are we going to want to delay so we can be "more balanced" about how we perceive things should be? Might we be inclined to be sidetracked by material things?
As never before we must keep our sense of urgency! Then he stated "The Governing Body is convinced that the Great Day of Jehovah is near!"
There were reports from Togo, Lebanon, Ecuador, US, and France and interviews with Branch Committee members. The program ended with 3 talks from members of the GB….
Bro Samuel Herd's talk was "Finding Contentment with Your Lot in Life".
He said contentment is not a natural characteristic – but must be cultivated. It can be accomplished once our basic needs (food, love, protection) are met. Paul said he learned to be self-sufficent / content. Contentment is to be satisfied inward feeling about our circumstances. Contentment is the top of our spiritual ladder which we must keep striving to achieve. The first wrung of the ladder is "trust in Jehovah".
Brother Lett spoke on "Survivor or Casualty – Which Will you Be?"
People will fight w/ all their might to stay alive physically, but do nothing or very little to stay alive spiritually. He was speaking NOT about worldly people – but about our fellow brothers and sisters! There are many spiritual casualties right now. More than just a desire to be spiritual is needed. He outlined an 8-step program based on 2 Pet 1:5….
1. Faith – opposite of doubt
2. Virtue – moral excellence w/ the right motive. Example: refusing to overindulge in alcohol – not virtue unless it's done for the right motive – which is to please God.
3. Knowledge – must put forth earnest effort to study
4. Self-control – must build it up in small things first – examples: do we have self-control to shut the TV off when a questionable program comes on?
5. Endurance – withstanding stress, keep going. Are we slowing down because we are getting tired waiting for the Great Tribulation? We have need for endurance, even when difficult
6. Godly Devotion – being personally attached to Jehovah. This will keep us from "going through the motions" of serving God and will also prevent us from being stumbled by anything and everything.
7. Brotherly Affection – fondness, affection for our brothers even though we know/see their weaknesses/faults. We must not look at their flaws, but rather view them as Jehovah does, and be ready to die for them.
8. Love – for Jehovah and for our bro&sis. We must make peace with our b&s and bury any problems in an unmarked grave!
Bro Guy Pierce – "Remain in God's Love"
God's love never fails in ANY circumstance. Rom 8:38, 39 – Nothing can separate us from god's love. He genuinely cares for each one of us. Even death can not separate us for the safest place to be is in God's memory. If we are really convinced that this is the truth – then we must live it meaning our entire life style. Mark 12:30. Our enemy is Satan, he fights dirty.
Ezek 9:4 – mark in the foreheads of those who are sighing and groaning over the detestable things being done today. The question for us is – are we being entertained by those very detestable things? If so, how can we receive the mark?
There were 13,397 in attendance
We have a new release of a video "JW's Organized to Share the Good News".
We closed with a song.