Why? ... Does God permit suffering?

Today's news leaves us bound-up, held hostage emotionally; stressed- out; depressed. So we sometimes compensate by going to the other extreme and write off all serious material. We feel that our day-to-day living stresses us enough. ... And it does.

However, some things are just necessary to read. Warnings on labels; how-to's on appliances and such. That being the case, here is a short article on why we are experiencing so many problems. I'm sure it will at least give you something to think about that won't stress you out :- )

A Bible answer to why God permits suffering.

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/good-news-from-god/why-god-allows-evil-and-suffering/

Words and Wonders To A Happier Life: An Ancient Love Poem Worth Considering

Words and Wonders To A Happier Life: An Ancient Love Poem Worth Considering: “Like a lily among thorns Is my beloved among the daughters.” “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my dear one...

An Ancient Love Poem Worth Considering

“Like a lily among thorns
Is my beloved among the daughters.”
“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
So is my dear one among the sons.
I passionately desire to sit in his shade,
And his fruit is sweet to my taste."

'Who is she who shines like the dawn,
As beautiful as the full moon,
As pure as the sunlight,
As breathtaking as armies around their banners?’”
Song of Solomon 2:2, 3; 6:10

Who today is our poet in the manner of King Solomon? Recall that "The entire book is a poem so full of meaning and beauty that it is called “the most beautiful (most excellent) song.”—Song of Solomon 1:1, footnote.

Composed by King Solomon of ancient Israel, likely about 1020 B.C.E., during the early part of his 40-year reign, this song is a love story of a shepherd boy and a country girl, a Shulammite. Among others mentioned in the poem are the girl’s mother and brothers, “daughters of Jerusalem [court ladies],” and “daughters of Zion [women of Jerusalem].” (Song of Solomon 1:5; 3:11) It is challenging for a Bible reader to identify all the speakers in the Song of Solomon, but it is possible by considering what they say or what is said to them."

Is it not worth a read for some modern day inspiration? ... Eight inspiring chapters. ... Who knows how our hearts and poetry may be affected!

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006843

Music video: This Is The Best Life Ever

Youth is a time of opportunity. This short video shows how some young people have chosen to spent their time.

Enjoy!

http://tv.jw.org/#video/VODTeenagers/pub-jwbon_E_201410_1_VIDEO

Can Death Be Conquered?

Death is a subject that intrigues many. There are so many theories, but who actually knows about the condition of the dead and whether it can be conquered. Why not see what the author of the Bible has to say on the subject under the following article. It gives us some valid questions to consider.

CAN DEATH BE CONQUERED?

"Why do we rebel against death? The Bible explains the reason. Regarding our Creator, Jehovah God,* it says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their [mankind’s] heart.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) We would like to enjoy earth’s beauty forever, not for a mere 80 years or so. (Psalm 90:10) That is our heart’s desire.

Why did God put “eternity” in our hearts? Merely to frustrate us? That is unthinkable. On the contrary, God promises us that there will come a victory over death. The Bible repeatedly speaks about the elimination of death and God’s promise of everlasting life.—See the accompanying box,“Victory Over Death.” ... (See Link Below)

Jesus Christ himself clearly stated: “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) So the battle against death is not a hopeless one. Jesus confirms, however, that only God can win that battle for us."

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014003#h=8:0-9:308

Words to ponder: To A Son

Words to Ponder: (Especially if you are a single mom needing help talking with a son.)

"Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
And call understanding “my relative,”
To guard you against the wayward woman,
Against the immoral woman and her smooth words.
From the window of my house,
Through my lattice, I looked down,
And as I observed the naive ones,
I discerned among the youths a young man lacking good sense.
He passed along the street near her corner,
And he marched in the direction of her house
In the twilight, in the evening,
At the approach of night and darkness.
Then I saw a woman meet him,
Dressed like a prostitute, with a cunning heart.
She is loud and defiant.
She never stays at home.
One moment she is outside, next she is in the public squares,
She lurks near every corner.
She grabs hold of him and gives him a kiss;
With a bold face, she says to him:
“I had to offer communion sacrifices.
Today I paid my vows.
That is why I came out to meet you,
To look for you, and I found you!
I have spread fine covers upon my bed,
Colorful linen from Egypt.
I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning;
Let us enjoy passionate love together,
For my husband is not at home;
He has gone on a distant journey.
He took a bag of money with him,
And he will not return until the day of the full moon.”
She misleads him with great persuasiveness.
She seduces him with smooth speech.
Suddenly he goes after her, like a bull to the slaughter,
Like a fool to be punished in the stocks,
Until an arrow pierces his liver;
Like a bird rushing into a trap, he does not know that it will cost him his life.
And now, my sons, listen to me;
Pay attention to the words I speak.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways.
Do not stray onto her paths,
For she has caused many to fall down slain,
And those she has killed are numerous.
Her house leads to the Grave;
It goes down to the inner chambers of death." Proverbs 7:4-27.

Couples ... How To Manage Money

Sometimes managing money together opens up an arsenal of bitter words between couples. Is their any practical advice to help ease the tension? ... You may find the link very helpful.

http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/happy-family/how-to-manage-money/

A Special Bond Between Father and Son

   A Special Bond Between Father and Son

                                 by Seah Greenhorn
                                    (with copyright)

Alone, forever,
though
Never

Could

He
be

Called

Lonely,
for he is
"The Almighty"
Majestically

Complete.

His attributes:
Wisdom; Justice; Power and
Love

Constant,

Eternally balanced
they
harmoniously

Circle.

Without
restraint.

Concerning

Him:
"God is Light"
and "God is a ....

Consuming

Fire;" yet,
Love, ... which He also
IS Always, ... True,

Caused

This "King of Eternity"
to produce in a

Calculated

Instant of time
another

Creature,

Spirit, Like
Himself; He

Created.

A Son--
"The Firstborn of
All

Creation."

A "Master worker"
Aside his father,
through whom
All Else

Came

into existence.
Thus, why he is called
the "Only Begotten"
by God.

Consider.

Fathom this bond
of this unique
Father and Son
in your mind ...

Clearly.

As humans we
only imagine
we

Can,

surely.
But billions of years

Cultivated,

in the
past,

Countless

expressions/examples
of
'Agape love'
between
them,
into the future,
will
never

Cease.

Though, for one
tragic moment
he did
Not
exist--God's
Special One.
For in another

Constructed

Event
in time, the

Creator,

Again
Motivated
by Great
Paternal Love
Divine
for obedient
mankind
And
Justice,

Cared

to Sacrifice
this
Beloved
Son,
Who
Willingly

Came

to earth as a
perfect angelically
protected

child.

Commanded

men by his wisdom,
humility;
suffered,
then died;
but before
which he

Cried:

"My God, my God,
why have you
forsaken
me?" ...
Then a
temple

Curtain

was torn in two;
darkness had fallen;
the earth quaked;
rocks split;
tombs opened and emptied;
so

"Certainly

This was
God's Son."
They knew.
However,
God's love was not through.
After three days,
He raised Him,
from
Hell--
Mankind's
common grave.
The ransom
was won;
God

Crowned

Him
King. As

Centuries

flew,
he actively
waited
patiently
for the throne,
while none-to-

Calmly,

wars waged,
as famine and

Calamity

grew;
abounds
Until
This Day.
When not only
those under tyranny
unitedly
resound,
but
for which all those

craving,

from
sin, sickness saving;
For relief do pray:
"Let your kingdom

Come!

Let your
Kingdom

Come!"--

Wickedness from
this earth to

Clear!

Through
Only
Father and Son
Of whom
We hold
So Dear.

Based on Pro. 8:30; John 3:16; 17:1-26; Matt. 6:9, 19; 27:46, 54; Acts 2:31-35; Col. 1:15; 3: 4; 1 John 1:5; Heb. 12:29.
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20150301/jesus-death-and-resurrection/
://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2006521?q=kingdom&p=par