On the Road

Comment by Warp Speed on 2017-09-16 11:15:11

I have done that trip many times. I hope you enjoy your time. Kind of reminds me of Neil Peart, drummer of Rush. After many depressing things occurred in his personal life, he went on a similar head-clearing road trip.

Rock on Meleti!

• Reply by vinman on 2017-09-16 17:56:18

  A Rush fan. I like it. Ghost Rider. Wonderful song and book. Clockwork Angels is our story of learning the truth of the Watchtower. "The Wreckers" was the song that played in my head for first two years out. I pass my old kh and that song is all I think of.

  • Reply by Warp Speed on 2017-09-16 18:04:23

    Hi Vinman,
    
    "And the meek shall inherit the Earth"........

    • Reply by Warp Speed on 2017-09-17 17:03:55

      "We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx"....
      
      Extra credit if you can make an application of that line Brain....,

      • Reply by Warp Speed on 2017-09-18 07:41:16

        You hit that one out of the park Brain.

• Reply by Robert-6512 on 2017-09-17 00:18:17

  I always liked Limelight, especially the chorus, which had great meaning for me:
  
  Living in the limelight
  The universal dream
  For those who wish to seem
  Those who wish to be
  Must put aside the alienation
  Get on with the fascination
  The real relation
  The underlying theme

  • Reply by Christian on 2017-09-17 03:54:37

    I Agree, the words are thought provoking and describe our predicament very well. The music too is quite compelling, that sort of 'On The Road' beat that moves it along. So our very dear brother in Christ, Meleti, we earnestly wish you God's care and blessing. When I think of the 'On The Road' activity across America I just can help thinking of a Scottish comedian called Billy Conolly and of him riding his black Harley Davidson Trike bike. And now I'm having glimpsing thoughts, Meleti, of you riding one of these across the Plains, wearing a cutomised weathered old Stetson. I hope our Father gives you excelling peace of mind and the will to continue on in your course, you have become so dear to all of here in this Oasis, where we are at last gaining refreshment for our souls. We await your return with great eagerness of mind.

    • Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2017-09-17 09:17:48

      My brother-in-law let me ride his Harley once. Just threw me the keys and said "Take her out". That was a long time ago when I was young and foolhardy. I'm not young anymore. :)
      
      I confess I was terrified of breaking the bike, but couldn't refuse an offer like that--or was it a challenge? In any case, male pride took hold and I rode it all the way around the block. Yes sirree, a WHOLE BLOCK. My biggest fear was having it tip over when I stopped. I was pretty skinny back then.
      
      Anyway, Harley? Been there, done that. A whole block's worth. Oh yes, living fast and loose.

  • Reply by Warp Speed on 2017-09-17 08:11:35

    I knew you were a rocker Robert!
    We really are brothers. Nice post. Sorry Meleti, didn't intend for your Road Trip notification to morph into this, but we must remember 1 Timothy 1:11? (NWT)

    • Reply by Robert-6512 on 2017-09-17 10:12:20

      The part I especially liked about that song is where it says "alienation". Far too many people are alienated in this world, both from loneliness and from being unable to relate to others. On the BP, feelings, opinions and sentiments can run high, leading to arguments and hurt feelings. That is the sort of alienation the song calls on us to 'put aside'.
      
      What we ought to pursue is 'fascination' with the truth and what is really important and valuable. That should be the 'underlying theme' of our lives, to seek greater understanding of our world, other people, ourselves, our place in the universe, etc. etc. We are cautioned in Ecclesiastes that when we get old, a time would come when we no longer find delight in our days. The song is telling us, in effect, to not let go of that delight.
      
      Meleti, I took a similar trip a few years ago after my wife died. I went from Ontario to Alberta in Canada. As you travel, take in the mountains, the lakes, the rivers, the "big sky" of desert country. Observe the different animals, when you can. (Once a big moose blocked my car. That was a sight.) Get out of your car and talk to people in small town diners. Stretch your legs on a small town's Main Street. These are things that go by in a blink as you travel - much like our own life goes by in a blink, before we realize it and before we are ready for it.
      
      Take all this in. Breathe it. Feel it. Take delight in it.
      
      Robert

    • Reply by Robert-6512 on 2017-09-21 12:05:55

      If I am not mistaken, even though Rush is a rock band, I don't recall any Rush songs having vulgar lyrics. I can't think of any of their songs that could really be called objectionable. Some of their songs are based on science fiction themes, which I find interesting.

      • Reply by Warp Speed on 2017-09-21 20:32:46

        Hi Robert,
        
        That is true- no "objectionable" lyrics to my knowledge. I love sci-fi also. ( Warp Speed ) Beam me up Scotty!

Comment by Phelps on 2017-09-16 11:24:54

Que nuestro señor Jesucristo y nuestro padre te bendigan en tu viaje querido hermano;cuando vengas a Colombia de seguro estrecharé tu mano

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2017-09-16 15:34:21

  Talvez el año que viene, Dios mediante

Comment by rusticshore on 2017-09-16 12:31:06

Have an enjoyable trip my brother. Been on a similar trip to Utah, Arizona and NM with my dear wife....so much fun. And may you find clarity of mind, and may the pleasantness of our dear God Jehovah and our Master Jesus continue with you.

Your scriptural and spiritual insights have brought great warmth and understanding to my troubled heart since quietly leaving the organ last Nov 2016.... after 45 yrs of association and 36 of them baptized.

Stor'ge,

Johnny Nowlin
Olympia, Wa

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2017-09-16 15:35:20

  Hoping to make it to Washington State in 2018. Perhaps we can meet then.

• Reply by vinman on 2017-09-16 17:47:14

  Hi Johnny. I live right by the Great Wolf lodge in Grand Mound. Left org in March 2015. 44 years. Almost half of that as MS/Elder. Circuit talks, sign language. I was deeply involved. JW was my existence. I would be willing to meet you somewhere if you would like.

Comment by Robert-6512 on 2017-09-16 16:06:37

FYI, weather in desert-like states can be unpredictable in the spring and fall. When you are out there, be sure to keep close tabs on the weather and stay safe. If you have a smart phone, you can get the Weather Channel on it to keep you updated. And, in isolated areas, always treat a 1/2 empty gas tank as if it's empty, and start looking for a gas station so you don't get stranded.

Also, be on the watch for wildfires out west; there have been a lot of them this year. Don't get trapped in a fire zone, because in some areas there may not be very many alternative routes, and you could be forced to turn around and drive hundreds of miles out of your way to bypass a fire.

• Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2017-09-16 17:12:31

  Good advice. Thanks Robert.

  • Reply by Robert-6512 on 2017-09-17 19:11:50

    P.S. Be sure to keep your cell phone plugged in all the time to keep it charged. If you run into car trouble, you don't want a dead phone battery then, since you might not be able to use you car to charge the phone if the car wont start.

Comment by Dajo on 2017-09-16 19:05:50

Good morning Meleti,
just wanted to say take care, enjoy yourself .. also sometimes it is rewarding not to have a set plan.
May God and Christ continue with you.

Comment by Dawn Ann on 2017-09-16 22:51:11

Have a safe and enjoyable trip Meleti!!! So deserving after such a great loss. Hoping your trip will bring the clarity you desire and that Jehovah and Jesus will continue to give you a clear vision to continue this wonderful work.

Comment by huang on 2017-09-17 10:00:08

Hi Meleti, change in routine; rest and solitude good for the mind and soul (Mr 6:31)
Have a good trip and safe return with your stories of the road.

Comment by Justin Michesloff on 2017-09-17 14:24:46

The Rush comments are so funny to me. For years while I was an elder I interjected music lyrics into my talks. Often times they are poetic ways to speak naked truths, other times to see who might get it. Several years ago, a brother quoted a line from Freewill "If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice". When I looked at him and gave him a thumbs up he just about dropped his teeth.

Meleti, enjoy your road trip. May it be both refreshing and cleansing.

Comment by eve04 on 2017-09-17 18:03:07

Meleti
I hope this road trip proves to be what you need it to be. Have a great time, take care and be safe!

Philia~

Comment by wild olive on 2017-09-19 23:30:15

Going into the desert like all the great men of faith, Moses , Elijah and Elisha , Jesus ,John the baptist. Did it myself when I was younger , all the best Meleti .