My Little Corner of the Universe

Ok, so I changed the template again. The other one didn't really do it for me, I guess. So I'll see how long this one lasts....

[I was looking through my stuff and found this that I had made when I was a wee lad of 15 años old. It was dated June 21, 1997.]

"'Jehovah' (Heb., יהוה, YHWH), God’s personal name, first occurs in Ge 2:4. The divine name is a verb, the causative form, the imperfect state, of the Hebrew verb הוה (ha·wah´, ‘to become’). Therefore, the divine name means ‘He Causes to Become.’ This reveals Jehovah as the One who, with progressive action, causes himself to become the Fulfiller of promises, the One who always brings his purposes to realization." – New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Rbi8) p. 1561 Appendix 1A, The Divine Name in the Hebrew Scriptures

Jehovah’s name teaches us much about who He is and how we can trust and confide completely in His Word, the Bible. How sad it is that so many versions of the Bible has omitted that great name.

Have a great weekend (1Corinthians 10.31) and don't forget to turn the clock back one hour before going mimis on Saturday night.

"And Jehovah proceeded to say to A´bram: 'Go your way out of your country and from your relatives and from the house of your father to the country that I shall show you'". - Genesis 12.1

Like A´bram, (Abraham, Gen.17.5) these girls have made themselves available so that they could serve where the need is great. For a few months, they will go to the Dominican Republic and preach the Good News, where, awaiting them, are the loving brothers and sisters, and many, many blessings from Jehovah.

Of course, this is just one of many ways to serve Jehovah. There are some that cannot move to another country a few months at a time. Or, it may be that one's circumstances don't allow them to serve as pioneers or go to Bethel or attend the MTS school. Whatever the case may be, what counts is that each one serve our Creator whole-heartedly and even change our circumstances, if possible (Galatians 6.4, Matthew 22.36-40).

So, no matter what we have done for Kingdom interests, we must always remember Jesus' words at Luke 17.10: "So YOU, also, when YOU have done all the things assigned to YOU, say, 'We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.'"

This past weekend there was a QuickBuild of a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in San Anto. Sadly, I didn't get to help out as much as I wanted , but I did get to go check it out Saturday night .

One of the brothers told me an experience that happened there: There is this club in the block across the KH. The owner of the club came over to talk to someone in charge. He offered to donate close to 40 sheets of plywood to us (pretty expensive stuff). The brothers graciously accepted it. It turns out that plywood was needed to finish the C.O.'s apartment and the donated material was a bit more than enough to finish what was needed and then some. The beatiful windows were also donated, and the limestone for the outside of the building was given at a very low price, saving the brothers A LOT of green. And, wonderfully, this is just one of many similar experiences.


The last one I had been to was just awesome, as this one was for the brothers that volunteered for it. The wonderful thing about this is that the building goes up and is completed in just 3 days, and it's all done impressively well, and all by volunteers. Something that is done only in Jehovah's organization. And every brother and sister around the world that participates in these Quick Builds can all agree that 'happiness' is what describes these experiences. It's the 'spiritual paradise' that Jehovah promises those who live by his principles.

Gives us a hint of what is to come in the new system of things (2 Peter 3.13).

[Oh, and thanks M.Haley for "lending" me the pics .]

Exodus 9.15,16 - "For by now I could have thrust my hand out that I might strike you and your people with pestilence and that you might be effaced from the earth. But, in fact, for this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth."

Check out these references:
*** w05 5/15 p. 21 par. 8 Coming to Know Jehovah’s Ways ***
"Because of what would be done with hardhearted Pharaoh, Jehovah purposed to demonstrate his power in a way that would serve notice on all who defy him."

*** it-2 p. 1181 Wickedness ***
"The Ten Plagues visited upon Egypt, climaxed by the destruction of Pharaoh and his military forces in the Red Sea, were an impressive demonstration of Jehovah’s power. (Ex 7:14–12:30; Ps 78:43-51; 136:15) For years afterward the nations round about were still talking about it, and God’s name was thus being declared throughout the earth. (Jos 2:10, 11; 1Sa 4:8) Had Jehovah killed Pharaoh immediately, this grand display of God’s power to His glory and for the deliverance of His people would not have been possible."

*** wt chap. 7 p. 62 par. 6 What We Learn From God’s Permission of Wickedness ***
"What Jehovah said to the ruler of Egypt in the days of Moses further indicates why God has allowed the wicked to continue. When Pharaoh forbade the departure of the sons of Israel from Egypt, Jehovah did not immediately strike him down. Ten Plagues were brought on the land, demonstrating Jehovah’s power in amazing ways. When warning of the seventh plague, Jehovah told Pharaoh that He could easily have wiped Pharaoh and his people off the face of the earth. “But, in fact,” Jehovah said, “for this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth.”—Exodus 9:15, 16."

[THANKS E.GONZALEZ AND E.CRUZ.]

What was the reason for Jehovah permitting Pharaoh’s heart to continue obstinate or hard after every plague that was thrown at him?

Well, today we begin our new campaign, with the Kingdom News No.37. Of course, the message we are going to give is not new. But it is very exciting to see what happens. It’s exciting to see how people will react to it. It’s either gonna be good or bad or in between. It might even kinda scare us a bit. But we want to remember the daily text for Wednesday, October 4, 2006, based on the w05 1/7 issue. The last comment it gives is this: "With Jehovah’s help, may we continue to meet all challenges as we carry out the God-given commission to preach the good news of the Kingdom to people of all nations." It would be good to read again that comment from the 'slave' and the article it was taken from. And we want to follow exactly the instructions we received in the km 09/06 to have Jehovah’s blessing and spirit.

It’s all very exciting, isn’t it? It’s more proof that Jehovah’s Day is very near.

And Jehovah's organization is really taking this message seriously, because of the times in which we live. That is why this campaign is being done worldwide, in diverse languages, even sign language! Go to http://www.watchtower.org/asl/article_01.htm to take a look at it, or visit the main page.

Check out Ruben's "vita ut ego specto is".

Well, I thought it was time for a change in looks. I hope it's aesthetically pleasing. So, in honor of my 'upgrade', I give you this song.

[Take a look at the poll on the bottom right side of the page.]

In addition to the previous experience, this illustration was given at the last district convention during the last talk by brother Geoffrey Jackson, member of the Governing Body, talking about keeping in expectation of Jehovah's day. It's an experience/illustration from Africa that was told to him by the brother that experienced it.

It goes like this: Where this African brother lives, they love monkeys... for 2 reasons, for pets :) and for food :( . This brother had one for a pet, since the monkey was born. He treated it as if it were his child. (Brother Jackson doesn't mention a name for the little guy, so we'll call him George.) He even dressed him up in little trousers and shirts. Well, one day, he went into town, keeping George in a cage, all dressed up. What the brother wasn't aware of was that George knew how to get out of the cage and he knew how to take his clothes off. So when the bro was unaware, little George did just that. He got out, took of his clothes, and went to the woods nearby to play with the other monkeys.

Well, as mentioned before, monkeys were also hunted for food. So during that time, a hunter was on the prowl. And he, unfortunately, killed our little friend. :( After not finding George, he then saw the hunter and he had under his arm poor little George. "That's my monkey!" the brother exclaimed to him. "You killed my monkey! How could you?!" The brother was pretty devastated. The hunter, obviously felt bad in a way. "I'm sorry", he told him, "I didn't know he was yours because there was no way to know it was someone's pet." "If we want to be monkey-ing around with the other monkeys in this world", continued brother Jackson, "we too will be unrecognized when Jehovah's day arrives."

This is an experience I heard during a talk entitled ‘Do it Jehovah’s Way’ given by a circuit overseer back in the 80's. The brother asks the audience how others, such as our co-workers or classmates view us. As someone that blends into the world, or someone different, guided by Bible principles.

This is a very sad letter he read from a non-witness to a witness girl and the impact her conduct had on this person. Here goes:

"Dear Barbra,

You probably don’t remember me. If you do, your first impulse is to tear this up, but please read it through first.

We were classmates in high school English together. I’m the tall pretty girl that sat in front of you. The one who made fun of you in front of the class. The one who always made fun of you because you were just a plain old Jehovah’s Witness. I’m the one who used to be popular. The one all the boys used to go out with. The one elected homecoming queen, head majorette – captain of the cheerleaders.

I’m writing this letter to apologize, Barbra, because I did you a great wrong. I’m the one who started the ugly rumor that you’re a lesbian because you wouldn’t accept dates from boys. Yes. I know you said something about being a Christian, keeping yourself free from bad associations, and you were saving yourself for marriage so you can give to some deserving Christian young man a rare and precious gift on your wedding night, a pure, unmolested virgin as a wife. It was hard for me to understand that, because I had been on the pill since I was 13 and I had 2 abortions by the time I was 18. That’s why I couldn’t understand you, because I thought all normal girls were doing the same things I was. Many were. I’m sure of that. That’s why I thought you were so odd. I must admit I hated you so, not because you refused to smoke pot with us in parked cars between classes and after school. Not because you wouldn’t falsify notes from your parents to go to pot parties with us. But I hated you because you had something I could never have: peace of mind and self-respect. No boy could point at you from across the room and brag about how he had sex with you the night before. No teacher could bring up your name in the teacher’s lounge as they sip coffee as an example of what young people are coming to be. Yes, I hated you, because you displayed a faith in God that I lost a long time ago.

You remember Joe Warner, don’t you? The captain of the basketball team, who took the team all the way to the triple conferences. We got married the same year we graduated, 3 years ago. I was too close along to have an abortion. His father and my mother were very close friends. Too close, if you know what I mean. They decided it wouldn’t hurt if Joe and I got married, so the child would have a name. Joe didn’t like the idea of marriage at first. But his father promised him a new car if he went through with it. So we got married.

I kept telling Joe the baby must be his, but to be honest, I couldn’t be sure myself. He was born 2 months premature. The delivery was difficult, but I’ll be all right. The doctors say I won’t be able to have any more children. He was such a beautiful baby, precious little thing. Joe wrecked his car 6 months after our marriage. 6 months later, he wrecked our marriage too. The divorce became final last week. By the way, Mark, that’s my baby, he died last Friday. He got in the cabinet and drank some bleach.

You were the only one I could think to write to. I don’t have friends anymore. My father’s an alcoholic now that my mother has run off with Joe’s father. I don’t have anybody else to turn to. It’s funny, that you were the only one I could think of to write to. The one I made fun of. The one I lied on and hated the most. When you went out of your way to teach me God’s Word, I made fun of you.

Don’t change. For God’s sake, don’t change.

P.S. Will God forgive a person if he takes his own life?"

"How do others view us?" the brother asked again. As Jehovah’s Witness, or not?

[To read the question, go here.]

This is what the "faithful and discreet slave"(Mat24.45) answers: The increment from 6 to 7 indicates that the list is not complete, due to that human beings keep multiplying their wrongdoings. - w00 15/9 p.27

It's also interesting what the same article points out: The seven fundamental categories the proverb mentions, practically covers all types of wrongdoings. 'Lofty eyes' and 'a heart fabricating hurtful schemes' are sins that are committed by thought. A 'false tongue' and 'a false witness that launches forth lies' refers to types of transgressions that are committed by words. 'Hands that are shedding innocent blood' and 'feet that are in a hurry to run to badness' have to do with wrongful or wicked acts. And Jehovah especially hates that one takes pleasure in provoking contentions between persons that would otherwise dwell in peace. And that is why we should cultivate a loathing for everything that Jehovah hates.

[Thanks E.Cruz for your answer! :)]

Proverbs 6.16-19 says: "There are six things that Jehovah does hate; yes, seven are things detestable to his soul: lofty eyes, a false tongue, and hands that are shedding innocent blood, a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness, a false witness that launches forth lies, and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers."

Question: For what reason does v.16 say "There are six things that Jehovah does hate", then it goes on to say "yes, seven are things detestable to his soul"? Is it a typ-o?

Strange as it is, there are two Starbucks sitting across the street from each other in Houston, TX, but I doubt that this is the only place with two Starbucks across from each other. Here's a picture of this "phenomenon":



Listen to Lewis Black (comedian) going off on this by clicking here. (4 mins in length)