Ted’s Remarks About Stuff
July thru September, 2022


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Sep. 30, 2022
Stock Market

Russia annexes 4 Ukrainian regiousRussian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia has annexed four Ukranian territories.  The referendum has been condemned as illegal and a violation of international law by the U.S. and other nations.

In his speech today, Putin said that the four Ukranian territories now are part of the Russian Federation.  The regions are Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzia.  After his speech, Putin signed the annexations into law.

Ukraine and Western nations consider the annexation an illegal land-grab.  Putin made it clear that, despite Western opposition, the annexation is non-negotiable and permanent.

Putin declares there are 4 new
regions of Russia at ceremony to
formally annex parts of Ukraine
    Putin proclaims he’s annexing four
regions of Ukraine in ceremony;
U.S. says Russia’s actions illegal

Sep. 29, 2022
Stock Market

Today is National Coffee Day in the USA and Canada.  I made an entry about a year ago, on Sep. 29, 2021, after I got a discounted cup of coffee at McDonald’s.

This morning I drank some coffee before I left home to go get a couple of things at the grocery store.  After doing that, I decided to drop by Starbucks to see if they had any coffee discounts.  The closest Starbucks near me was in an Albertsons Market, so I stopped there.  The employee said that they were not giving discounts today, but possibly a Starbucks unassociated with any other store might.

I thought of three other nearby places that might have discount coffee.  First I went to McDonalds, then to Burger King and then to Lota’ Burger.  None of the employees at those food stores even knew that it was National Coffee Day, and no coffee discounts were available.

I decided to go to a nearby Subway to get a breakfast combo special, which is a great deal.  It includes a 6-inch ham, egg and cheese sandwich and a cup of coffee for $3.80, including tax.  This special is not nearly that inexpensive at the majority of Subway places.  I always have all available vegetables added to my sandwich, which sometimes makes it a little difficult for the employee to fold the sandwich closed.

After the guy made the sandwich and put it in a sack, he also put an empty cup next to it.  I looked around and did not see the Keurig coffee machine that’s usually there, so I asked him where it was.  He said that it had stopped working and the manager needed to replace it, but I could fill my cup with any other beverage that they had.  I went ahead and filled it with their green tea, which I really like.  So even though I didn’t get a coffee special today, I did get one of my favorite sandwich/drink specials, which was fine with me. 

       

       
25-second slideshow

Sep. 28, 2022
Stock Market

Hurricane Ian September 28 Hurricane Ian September 28
Hurricane Ian September 27 Hurricane Ian September 27
Hurricane Ian is about to make landfall on the west coast of Florida.  It is the first Atlantic hurricane to hit the mainland United States during the 2022 hurricane season.  It is the ninth named storm of the season.

Yesterday, Ian crossed over western Cuba as a major Category 3 hurricane.  Havana, the capital, received strong winds and a great deal of rain but was spared the worst of the storm’s destruction, although power was knocked out on most of the island.  Ian then entered the Gulf of Mexico and soon reached Category 4 strength.

This morning, it had maximum sustained winds of 155 mph.  It is expected to make landfall today as a strong Category 4 storm in either Charlotte County or Lee County, Florida, with the highest risk of wind and flood damage extending from Fort Myers to the Tampa Bay / St. Petersburg region.  It will continue moving slowly northeast through the state and bring stormy weather to southeastern U.S. states.

Days ago, Governor Ron Desantis declared a state of emergency for all of Florida, citing “foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major disaster,” as well as “catastrophic flooding and life-threatening storm surge” in some areas.  Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are under mandatory evacuation orders, and power outages are expected statewide.

Hurricane Ian strengthens
to Category 4 storm as it
barrels toward Florida
    Hurricane Ian on brink of
Category 5 status as it nears
Florida landfall within hours

Sep. 27, 2022
Stock Market

Dimorphos moonlet and Didymos asteroidOn November 24 of last year, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission began.  It had been scheduled for November 23 but was delayed by one day.  A description of the mission can be seen on Nov. 5, 2021.

For about 10 months, the DART spacecraft has been traveling several millions of miles on its way to Didymos, a binary asteroid system that orbits the sun every 770 days.  The goal was to crash the DART spacecraft into Dimorphos, the moonlet of the Didymos binary asteroid system.  That happened last night.

Didymos has been classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid to the earth.  Observations over the next few weeks should determine if the collision changes the path of the Didymos asteroid system.  If so, then the hope is that if an asteroid appears to be headed for a collision with our planet in the future, its path might be changed with a similar mission.  Hopefully, Earth could be protected by sending the rogue asteroid off-course in another direction.

NASA just crashed a
spacecraft into an asteroid
to see what would happen
    NASA’s DART spacecraft successfully
crashes into asteroid in first
planetary defense test

Sep. 26, 2022
Stock Market

       
15-second slideshow

Today is the Feast of Trumpets, which actually began yesterday evening at sunset.  It also is the Jewish New Year or Rosh haShanah, which means “head of the year.”  Furthermore, it is a new moon (see September 2022 Moon Phases), which takes place on the first day of every Hebrew month.  This is the month of Tishrei or Tishri, the first month on the Jewish secular calendar and the seventh month on the Jewish religious calendar.

Say to the Israelites: “On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.  Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the LORD by fire.” (Leviticus 23:24,25)

shofar or ram's hornGod ordained that trumpet blasts should be heard on the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 29:1).  This referred to blasts from a shofar or ram’s horn, which still is done today.  In Jewish tradition, the final shofar blown on the Feast of Trumpets is known as “the last shofar.”

The first ten days of the first month of Tishrei, on the Hebrew calendar, are the “high holy days.”  They often are called the “days of awe” (Yamim Nora’im) or the Ten Days of Repentance.  It is a time to examine one’s ways, to repent from one’s sins and to return fully to God.

This period ends on Tishrei 10, the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, which is the highest holy day during the Jewish year.  I believe that the Rapture of believers will occur on a future Feast of Trumpets.  I also believe that Jesus will return to earth on a future Yom Kippur, to rule and reign for 1,000 years (the Millennium).


Sep. 25, 2022

This weekend, there have been unusual reports and rumors of events in China.  These follow President Xi Jinping’s return from his recent trip to Samarkand, where he held talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.  As of yet, it is unknown if the following things are factual or not:

  • Since returning from Samarkand, Xi has not made a public appearance because he is under house arrest in Bejing.
  • A military coup against Xi has taken place.
  • Li Qiaoming, the top general for China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has replaced Xi.
  • A long line of military vehicles was seen to be traveling into Bejing.
  • Numerous flights, as well as bus and rail travel, into and out of Bejing have been canceled, which some reports say was because of a planned military exercise.

It has been assumed that at the Chinese Communist Party’s 20th National Congress next month, Xi Jinping would be given a third term as China’s leader.  If so, this would be an unprecedented occurrence.  Xi has served two 5-year terms, and traditionally that is the longest that any leader has served.  Some feel that the present peculiar events are due to efforts to prevent Xi from being reappointed to a third term.

Li Qiaoming: General
at Center of China Coup
Rumors on Social Media
    Is Xi Jinping Missing?
Rumours of military
coup in China explained


Sep. 24, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with ministry representative Ken Mikle, security director for Olive Tree Ministries and a retired law officer.  They talked about what the Bible means when it states that last days will be “as in the days of Noah.”

Many Americans don’t believe that we will return to a normal life again as it was before the COVID virus.  Many also wonder if there will be a revival in America, if we currently are under God’s judgment, and if we are going to have a revolution of people rising up and saying that they’ve had enough.

They dicussed several issues in the world and in the church.  Is there a tipping point where God gives people over to a depraved mind?  If so, when will that happen?  Are we there yet?  Is there a point of no return?

Long ago, as the number of people increased on the earth, God saw how wicked and evil mankind was.  God told Noah that He would wipe people away with a flood (Genesis 6:1-17).  Jesus said that a similar time is coming, as in the days of Noah, following the day the Son of Man is revealed (Matthew 24:36-39; Luke 17:26-30).

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 54 minutes, can be heard here:

As in the Days of Noah — Audio | Video
Sep. 23, 2022
Stock Market

There was a significant Wall Street market sell-off today.  The Dow Industrials Average declined to its lowest close so far in 2022.  Now it is only 0.4% away from entering a dreaded bear market.

The Federal Reserve Board’s most recent 0.75% point interest rate hike on Sep. 21 has been a major factor this week in stock market losses.  Their hope is that inflation will decrease even if the chance of going deeper into a recession increases.

A number of other global central banks also announced rate increases this week.  Another factor appears to be a steep decline of the British pound.  Widespread fears of a global recession are increasing.

‘Scary’: Dow flirts with
bear market amid fears
of deeper recession
    Stocks crater, Dow hits 2022
low, and oil plunges as Fed
and growth fears roil markets

Sep. 22, 2022
Stock Market

Today, the Autumnal Equinox happens in the USA at 6:04 p.m. PDT or 9:04 p.m. EDT.  This is the first day of Fall, when the hours of daylight and darkness will be virtually the same.

       
13-second slideshow


Sep. 21, 2022
Stock Market

As expected today, the Federal Reserve Board hiked interest rates by another three-quarters of a percentage point (0.75% point).  On July 27 and on June 15, they did the same thing.

Both of these hikes follow a half of a percentage point (0.50% point) increase on May 4 and a quarter of a percentage point (0.25% point) increase on March 16.  The rate hikes are an attempt to calm down surging inflation, and additional rate hikes are expected through the end of the year, probably in November and December.

This rate hike will correspond with a rise in the prime rate and immediately send financing costs higher for many forms of consumer borrowing.  Everything from mortgages and credit card interest rates to student and car loans will be impacted by another major rate hike.  Interest rates in several categories are the highest they’ve been in many years: 2012 for auto loans, 2008 for mortgage rates and 1996 for credit card rates.

During this time of increasing inflation, the Federal Reserve’s attempt is to restore price stability for families and businesses.  However, there are fears that it may have a negative impact on economic growth and even trigger a recession.

Federal Reserve raises
key interest rate 0.75%
in ongoing inflation fight
    The Fed commits even more to inducing a
‘growth recession’ as it raises interest rates at
an extra-fast pace for the third time in a row

Sep. 20, 2022
Stock Market

U.N. General AssemblyA week ago, on Sep. 13, the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York City.  The current President of the General Assembly, elected early this summer on June 7, is Csaba Korösi of Hungary.

Today, a week after the official opening, the general debate of the new session has begun.  At the general debate, Member States are given the opportunity to raise attention to topics or issues that they feel are important.  It will be held without interruption for nine working days.

The first speaker, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, talked about issues that are threatening worldwide peace and blamed “geopolitical tensions” on the lack of action.  He said, “We need action across the board.  Let’s have no illusions.  We are in rough seas.  A winter of global discontent is on the horizon.  A cost-of-living crisis is raging.  Trust is crumbling.  Inequalities are exploding.  Our planet is burning.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres warns world leaders:
‘We cannot go on like this’
    ‘Our world is in peril,’
UN secretary general
warns general assembly

Sep. 19, 2022
Stock Market

Great Britain honored Queen Elizabeth II and her life today.  She passed away at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Sep. 8 at age 96.

The funeral service took place at Westminster Abbey in London.  That is the same place where she was crowned queen over 70 years ago.  It also where she married Prince Philip 75 years ago.

Thousands of people lined the streets along the 25-mile (40-kilometer) procession route from central London to Windsor.  They were able to see Queen Elizabeth’s coffin inside of a hearse as it traveled to her graveside service in St. George’s Chapel, within the grounds of Windsor Castle where her final resting place will be.

       

       

       

       

       
63-second slideshow

Sep. 18, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Scott Schara and Vera Sharav.  Evil and strong delusion abound in the world.

Scott’s handicapped daughter was murdered by a Wisconsin hospital in 2021.  It was an example of medical malpractice.  Jan and Scott discussed how this a part of the global agenda and why many call the Covid ordeal a “plandemic.”

Vera has parallels to the Holocaust, which she and her mother survived in a concentration camp in Ukraine.  She says that the free world is following the path of Nazi Germany.  She has been outspoken about COVID-19 and how it has changed the lives of millions of people.  She also is a proponent for medical ethics.  Learn more at OurAmazingGrace.net and AHRP.org.

Near the end of the program, Vera pointed out how important it is to listen to what the global elitists are saying.  She stated something that Klaus Schwab—founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and architect of the Great Reset—said to members in Davos, Switzerland, on May 23, 2022.  He said this: “Let’s be clear.  The future is not just happening.  The future is built by us, by a powerful community as you here in this room.  We have the means to improve the state of the world.

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 57 minutes, can be heard here:

The Agenda — Audio | Video
Sep. 17, 2022

       
13-second slideshow

Today in the U.S. is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.  It is observed each year on Sep. 17 because that it date in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States in Philadelphia.  It also is a day that we recognize those who have gone through the process of becoming legal citizens of the U.S.

In 2004, this day was established as a holiday.  An act mandated that all publicly funded educational institutions, and all federal agencies, provide educational programming on the history of the American Constitution on this day.

What Is Our Constitution?
Sep. 16, 2022
Stock Market

On July 21 and Aug. 31, it was noted that millions of illegal immigrants have come over the southern U.S. border since Joe Biden became president.  Yet, the Biden administration continues to claim that the southern border is “secure.”

The huge onslaught of illegal migrants into southern states has created an abundance of hardships in those states.  In an effort to diminish these difficulties to some extent, the governors of Texas and Arizona have been sending busloads of migrants to the sanctuary cities of Washington D.C., New York Ciry and Chicago.  The mayors of these cities have expressed great dissatisfaction with this.

Earlier this week, Florida’s Governor DeSantis sent flights of mostly Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.  Just over 50 migrants were on the flights.  Also, two busloads of migrants were sent from Texas to the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C., where Vice Presiden Harris lives.

DeSantis slams ‘virtue
signaling’ Dems going ‘berserk’
over Martha’s Vineyard migrants
    Texas sends two busloads
of migrants outside
home of Kamala Harris

Sep. 15, 2022
Stock Market

Trains on tracksA national railroad strike had been looming over the U.S. supply chain.  If it had happened and lasted for a week or more, it could have increased inflation problems that appear to be headed toward a recession.

Major freight railroad operators had been indicating that they were preparing for a strike.  Railroad worker unions had been having talks, but many voted to reject a tentative deal negotiated by their leadership.  The deadline to agree to terms is 12:01 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Late last night and into early this morning, a new labor agreement was reached between railroads and thousands of rail workers.  The White House announced the trntative agreement, which followed marathon negotiations yesterday that intended to prevent rail workers from walking off the job tomorrow.

Had a railroad strike taken place, the shipment of retail products, critical goods, raw materials and food most likely would have slowed down considerably.  The trucking industry would not have been able to keep up with the increased demand.  Potentially, it would have cost the economy $2 billion per day.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicated that a strike could have resulted in an “economic disaster.”

Also, about half of commuter rail systems operate, at least in part, on tracks or passageways owned by freight railroads.  Presumably, a shutdown could have disrupted hundreds of thousands of rail trips made daily by commuters across the country.

Rail unions have reached
a tentative deal to avert
economy-rattling strike
    Biden calls tentative labor
deal a 'big win for America'
as railroad strike is averted

Sep. 14, 2022
Stock Market

Queen Elizabeth II processionQueen Elizabeth passed away peacefully in Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Sep. 8.  It was two days after she appointed Liz Truss as the 15th British prime minister at the same location.

The Queen’s coffin has arrived at Westminster Hall in London.  It traveled in a solemn procession today from Buckingham Palace.  Among those following the coffin were King Charles III, his siblings Andrew, Edward and Anne, as well as Princes William and Harry.

Mourners have packed London’s streets to see the Queen’s coffin.  The Queen will lie in state at Westminster Hall for the next few days.  Her funeral will take place on Sep. 19.  Numerous royals and world leaders will be attending the funeral.

Queen Elizabeth II
moved to Westminster
Hall to lie in state
    Who Is Attending Queen Elizabeth's
Funeral? Every World Leader
and Royal Reported So Far

Sep. 13, 2022
Stock Market

Vladimir PutinIt has been almost seven months since Vladimir Putin sent the Russian military to begin invading Ukraine.  Over time, however, Ukraine’s defenses have taken back significant areas occupied by the Russian troops.  In some places, Russian troops have been pushed back to the international border between Ukraine and Russia.

Yesterday, there were significant reports of chaos and video footage of the Russian retreat.  Substantial amounts of Russian armor, munitions and tanks were left behind.  There is little evidence that Russia has the reserves to strike back quickly.

This has resulted in criticism of Putin within Russia.  Amid Russia’s mounting losses in Ukraine, numerous Russian officials are publicly opposing Putin.  Thirty-five municipal deputies signed a petition demanding that he resign from office because of the harm inflicted onto Russia due to the invasion.

Within the petition was this (translated) message: “We, the municipal deputies of Russia, believe that the actions of President Vladimir Putin harm the future of Russia and its citizens.”  Furthermore, “We demand the resignation of Vlatimir Putin from the post of President of the Russian Federation!

Russian municipal
deputies call for
Putin’s resignation
    Vladimir Putin is starting to face
a backlash over Russia’s war in
Ukraine after the Kharkiv defeat

Sep. 12, 2022
Stock Market

California and the Titanic

Why California has
blackouts: A look
at the power grid
    Rolling blackouts called
off amid 'extraordinary
heat event' in California

Sep. 11, 2022

       
13-second slideshow

Today is the twenty-first anniversary of the horrific and ghastly September 11 attacks by radical Islam on the USA.  Let us keep in our minds and hearts the great sacrifice that thousands of people made with their lives on that day.

Many in the past have claimed that America is not at war with Islam and have insisted that “a religion did not attack us.”  The problem is that true, Qur’an-believing Muslims are at war with the USA, with Israel, and frankly with everyone in the world who does not embrace Allah as “God” and Muhammad as “his Prophet.”

The 9/11 attackThus, the idea that we are “not at war with Islam” is merely a “politically correct” notion accepted by those who are asleep and who have chosen not to perceive the obvious because they do not want to acknowledge it.  Just as most Christians have not read the Bible from cover to cover, most Muslims have not read through the Qur’an.

Muslims and non-Muslims, alike, have been told that the Qur’an complements and sychronizes with the Bible.  Yet, those who have read both books all the way through, which I strongly recommend doing, have seen that this is an erroneous assumption; the two books are incompatible in countless ways.  Some ways are demonstrated in this section: Gabriel’s messages.

Here is an email response I wrote about some of Islam’s beliefs, mostly pertaining to Christians and their beliefs, included in the Qur’an:

Although “moderate” Muslims will point to passages in the Qur’an that promote “peace,” such harmony and unity is to be among “believers” who have embraced the god, prophet and tenets of Islam.  All others (that is, the Mushrikûn), who have rejected these things, are to be captured, besieged, ambushed and killed.  It has happened before, and I feel quite certain that it will happen again—only on a much larger, more mind-boggling scale.  God—and I don’t mean Allah—help us.


Sep. 10, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with author and journalist William Koenig.  A tsunami of liberalism, Socialism and Marxism is wanting to drown all conservatives and Christians.  All righteous people soon could be criminalized.

We need to be prepared for the battle and for the slippery slope to tyranny.  Koenig stressed that the concern about totalitarianism is very significant.  The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been very focused on their plans for a totalitarian and tyrannical takeover of the countries of the world.

A digital currency, for the U.S. and for the world, appears to be on the horizon.  Most likely, it would be a central bank digital currency (CBDC) that would be issued by a central bank.  Eventually, it would seem that people will not be able to buy or sell without this standard means of payment for things.

Markell and Koenig also discussed Israel, with whom God has made an everlasting covenant.  Jesus was born, lived, died and was resurrected in Israel.  Christianity originated in Israel; however, in God’s eyes, it has not replaced Israel.

Iran is a major threat to Israel and has said, for a long time, that Israel should be destroyed.  If Iran’s nuclear weapon production is allowed to continue via an ongoing “nuclear deal,” Israel and other nations, including the U.S., are in danger of eventually being attacked by Iran.

         

         

         

45-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 56 minutes, can be heard here:

The Slippery Slope to Tyranny — Audio | Video

The WEC was founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab.  A close ally is King Charles III, who became king of the United Kingdom two days ago on Sep. 8 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.  In June 2020, Klaus Schwab and Prince Charles, among others, spoke about the importance of launching a “great reset” in the world.  This can be heard here:

Klaus Schwab and Prince Charles on why we
need a Great Reset – listen to the podcast

The brief statements by Prince Charles (now King Charles III) are here:

Great Reset | HRH the Prince of Wales | We have no alternative
Sep. 9, 2022
Stock Market

Recently on Truth Network radio, I listened to an interesting program by Pastor David Jeremiah.  He spoke about the Importance of Worship (length = 28:30).

Worship is a response of obedience to God.  It is a command that God has given to us.  It is not an option; it is a responsibility and a duty that all of us have.

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2)

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. (Psalm 95:6)

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying “Truly You are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:33)


Sep. 8, 2022
Stock Market

Queen Elizabeth II, deceased, with her son, now King Charles III Rainbow over Buckingham Palace
Earlier today, the family members of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain were told that she was extremely ill and could be close to death.  They traveled to the queen’s Balmoral Castle in Scotland to be with her.  A few hours later, the queen passed away peacefully, at age 96, with her family members near her.

A beautiful rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace just before her death.  A large crowd of people, waiting for news about the queen, were waiting and watching.

In 1952, following the death of her father King George VI, Elizabeth II became queen regnant of seven British Commonwealth countries.  She reigned for over 70 year on the British throne.  She was the longest living and reigning British monarch, as well as the second longest serving monarch of any sovereign country.

Just two days ago, on Sep. 6, the queen appointed Liz Truss as the 15th British prime minister.  This also took place at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.  It was the first time during Elizabeth II’s reign that she did not receive and appoint a new prime minister at Buckingham Palace in London.

Immediately after her passing today, Queen Elizabeth II was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III.  At age 73, he has become the King of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms.

Queen Elizabeth II,
longest-reigning British
monarch, dead at 96
    What to know
about Charles,
Britain’s new king

Sep. 7, 2022
Stock Market

Sacramento, CA, record high temp for Sep. 6A friend and I were in Sacramento, CA, a few weeks ago.  The temperature that afternoon was in the high 90s but did not get over 100° that day.

Yesterday afternoon, however, the temperature in California’s capital city reached an all-time record-high temperature of 116°.  Many parts of the state were in the midst of a powerful heat wave, which is continuing today.

There also was an immense strain on the electrical grid in the state, the highest since July 24, 2006.  Residents were urged by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to reduce electricity usage to avoid rolling blackouts.  Fortunately, blackouts occurred for only about an hour in two Bay Area cities, but more could take place before the end of the week.

The CAISO has declared another power-grid emergency for today.  Residents and businesses are being urged to reduce power consumption from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

California avoids rolling blackouts
despite record power demand, but
the brutal heat wave continues
    California Again Imposes
Power Emergency as
Heat Grips State

Sep. 6, 2022
Stock Market

Liz Truss: new UK prime minister Queen Elizabeth and Liz Truss
Yesterday, the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom voted to elect Liz Truss, age 47, as Britain’s next prime minister.  This follows the resignation of Boris Johnson on July 7.

The vote took place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.  In the contest, Truss beat former Treasury Chief Rishi Sunak.  Truss received 81,326 votes, while Sunak received 60,399 votes.  She is the UK’s fourth Conservative prime minister in six years.

Queen Elizabeth II formally appointed Truss as Britain’s 15th prime minister today.  The ceremony took place in Scotland at the queen’s Balmoral Castle.

Truss has numerous challenges ahead of her.  Among other things, after she was elected, Truss told party members, “I will deliver a bold plan to cut taxes and grow our economy.  I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people’s energy bills, but also dealing with the long term issues we have on energy supply.

Liz Truss set to
become new UK
Conservative prime minister
    Queen Elizabeth Appoints
New Prime Minister Liz Truss
in Scotland – a Royal First

Sep. 5, 2022

       
15-second slideshow

Today is Labor Day in the United States.  It always is the first Monday in September, and it is the last national holiday during the summer season.  In Canada, Labour Day also is celebrated on the first Monday in September.

The New York legislature was the first state legislature to introduce a Labor Day bill.  However, Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day an official public holiday in 1887.

By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty U.S. states observed Labor Day.  More information about this day can be found at the United States Department of Labor website here:

History of Labor Day
Sep. 4, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Cary Gordon.  He is one of the producers of the film, “Enemies Within the Church.”

The film says that certain organizations and individuals are hijacking the gospel.  What kind of damage are Andy Stanley, Russell Moore, Jim Wallis, the NAE, and the Southern Baptist Convention doing today?  If unchecked, “wokeness” and Leftism will destroy all it touches in the world and church.

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 57 minutes, can be heard here:

Enemies Within the Church — Audio | Video
Sep. 3, 2022

Artemis I rocket Observers leaving after launch is scrubbed
NASA had planned to launch Artemis I, a mega moon rocket, five days ago on Aug. 29.  However, before the scheduled launch time, sensors indicated that one of the rocket’s four core stage RS-25 engines was not cooling down to a safe temperature.

Therefore, the launch was scrubbed; the next proposed launch date was today, Sep. 3.  It was anticipated that over 400,000 visitors would be gathering near NASA’s space center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, to view the rocket taking off from launch pad 39-B.

However, early this morning, a leak of the liquid hydrogen propellant was discovered while loading it into the rocket.  Efforts to fix the problem were unsuccessful, so the launch was called off for the second time.

NASA officials had considered making a third attempt to launch the rocket on or before Sep. 6, which is the day after Labor Day.  Yet, at a press conference later today, NASA officials said that if the rocket is rolled back to the vehicle assembly building for more testing and repairs, Artemis I may not launch before mid-October, at the earliest.

If and when the Artemis I rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, with no astronauts aboard, it will fly the Orion capsule all the way around the moon and then back to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.  If that is successful, then an Artemis II flight, with astronauts aboard, will be scheduled to orbit the moon sometime in 2024.  If that happens, an Artemis III flight will be scheduled for 2025 or 2026 to land astronauts on the moon for the first time since 1972.

NASA won't try another launch of its
Artemis I mega-rocket this week. The next
moon mission attempt may be in October.
    NASA postpones Artemis I
launch after two
scrubbed attempts

Sep. 2, 2022
Stock Market

Friend
Sep. 1, 2022
Stock Market

Southern California is experiencing a brutal heat wave this week.  It is expected to continue at least through Labor Day, Sep. 5, with record highs probably being set in various locations on some of the days.

The California Independent System Operator (ISO) issued a statewide Flex Alert, yesterday and today, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. due to the high energy demand.  Otherwise, the state’s electrical grid could be overwhelmed, leading to power failures and rolling blackouts.  Also, Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency.

The ISO is warning people to cut way back on electricity usage, including not charging electric vehicles.  The statement reads, “The top three conservation actions are to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances and charging electric vehicles, and turn off unnecessary lights.

Almost two years ago, on Sep. 23, 2020, Governor Newsom signed an executive order banning the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and other passenger vehicles in California by 2035.  Also, as of 2035, gas-powered card purchased in other states will not be able to be registered by people living in California.

For the next several days, electric vehicle owners in CA, who typically drive their vehicles everyday, will be very inconvenienced if they cannot plug them in to be recharged.  Potentially, it could cause those who have thought about purchasing electric vehicles to reconsider doing this.

Californians asked to not
charge electric cars — days
after gas ban announcement
    California’s heat wave threatens
electric vehicles after state
unveils plan to ban gas car sales

Aug. 31, 2022
Stock Market

Illegals entering U.S. 2020 & 2022Compared to 2020, the numbers of migrants illegally entering the U.S., from various countries, have escalated tremendously in 2022.  During the ten months from October 2021 through July 2022, the Border Patrol apprehended more than 1.8 million illegal border crossers at the southern border.  This is much more than any entire year in history.

Just in July, an average of nearly 6,000 illegal migrants were arrested each day at the border.  Many of those entering the U.S. do not want to get caught.  However, a huge number of them walk over and turn themselves in, assuming that the Department of Homeland Security will allow them to stay.

Recently, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked how someone who walks into Texas or Arizona unvaccincated is allowed to stay.  Her response was, “That’s not how it works. ... It’s not like someone just walks over.”  However, countless videos show that this is happening on a regular basis.

White House claimed people aren’t
illegally ‘walking’ across border;
footage shows the opposite
    The White House has no
clue what is happening
on the southern border

Aug. 30, 2022
Stock Market

I am not a very big eater.  Most days I don’t begin eating anything until 9:00 a.m. or after.  Usually, I begin with various vegetables mixed with hummus, which takes me about 2 hours to eat.  I eat slowly because I’m also doing other things at the same time.

Then, after 11:00 a.m., I’ll begin eating various fruits (including an orange peel) and a tostada spread with crunchy peanut butter.  That usually takes about 3 hours.

For dinner, usually after 6:00 p.m., I’ll eat a small plate of a variety of food.  That can take me a couple of hours.  Sometimes I'll just skip dinner.

   
8-second slideshow

Aug. 29, 2022
Stock Market

 
5-second slideshow

Aug. 28, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Michele Bachmann and Mark Henry.  It is a replay of a live event at Live Church in Brooklyn Park, MN, two weeks ago.  They cover many current event topics with a biblical lens that are affecting everyone today.

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 120 minutes, can be heard here:

When These Things Begin to Happen—Look Up! — Audio | Video
Aug. 27, 2022

       
15-second slideshow

This is the first full day of the season of Teshuvah, which began yesterday at sunset.  It is a 40-day season each year, with the first 30 days (the “days of repentance”) extending to Rosh haShanah = Feast of Trumpets and the final 10 days (the “days of awe”) ending on Yom Kippur = Day of Atonement.

40-Day Season of Teshuvah

The season of Teshuvah always begins on a new moon.  This is an example of how God uses lights in the sky (particularly the sun and the moon) as “signs to mark seasons and days and years” (Genesis 1:14).

Most likely, it was during this 40-day period that Jesus was fasting in the desert, after which He was being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11).  Yet, He resisted all of Satan’s temptations, which was an example to all who believe in Him and follow Him: Yeshua Messiah.

During this time, we mortal people are to examine our lives, repent of our sins and transgressions, turn back to God in revival and with refreshing and be restored back to an active relationship with God and with other people, with whom relationships may have been damaged.  A common chapter in the Bible to read during this time is Psalm 51:1-19.

We all have times of personal rebellion against God.  This is a time to ask Him to show us favor, according to His faithful love and vast compassion, to wipe out our manifold rebellions.  In Hebrew (translated into English), the following is read each day (from right to left):

Plea to God during the season of Teshuvah
Aug. 26, 2022
Stock Market

Earlier this week, it was the birthday of the friend I’m hanging out with in Marin County.  Another mutual friend took us to probably the most ornate and ostentatious restaurant I’ve ever seen.  I had offered to pay half the tab, but he wanted to pay for everything.

We went to the Rooftop Restaurant at RH Marin, located in Corte Madera, not too far north of San Francisco.  It is located on the third floor of a 60,000-square-foot design gallery with Restoration Hardware (RH) and luxury home furnishings.

The restaurant was packed with people.  I ordered the least expensive entrée on the dinner menu: a hamburger for $22.  It was okay but not abundant or spectacular like everything else in the big room.  I was not at all impressed with the small portion of food nor with anything I saw around me.

Neither of my friends were impressed with what they ordered either: lobster roll ($34) and roasted half chicken ($38).  We all agreed that none of us ever will eat at that overly lavish and expensive restaurant again.

       

       

       
38-second slideshow

Aug. 25, 2022
Stock Market

Today, a decree was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the number of soldiers in Russia’s military would be increased by 137,000.  If this is done, the total number of servicemen would be raised to 1.15 million.  Putin’s order comes six months after the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It is uncertain whether the military increase will involve compulsory enlisting of soldiers, motivating soldiers to join voluntarily, or a combination of both of those processes.  The order will take effect on January 1, 2023.

Putin to increase size
of Russia’s military
amid war in Ukraine
    Putin Orders Russian
Military to Beef up
Forces by 137,000

Aug. 24, 2022
Stock Market

Today, President Biden announced that up to $10,000 of student debt will be forgiven for most borrowers with federal student loans.  For Pell Grant recipients, up to $20,000 of debt will be eligible to be forgiven.  However, this will exclude individual borrowers earning more than $125,000 and couples earning more than $250,000 per year.

Federal loan cancellation is expected to include about 40 million Americans.  Student borrowers with loans from private lenders will be ineligible for debt cancellation.

Biden also said that the expiration date for an ongoing pause of student loan repayment will be at the end of this year, on December 31.  After that, student borrowers will need to resume paying back any remaining federal loan debt that they have.

The debt cancellations will cost about $300 billion for U.S. taxpayers.  Many believe that they will cause college tuition costs to increase significantly and also will motivate students to borrow even more money, with the assumption that future loans will be forgiven.

Student-loan forgiveness FAQ:
Everything you need to know about
Biden’s $10,000 debt cancellation
    Biden’s student loan handout
to cause spike in college
tuitions, experts say

Aug. 23, 2022
Stock Market

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began six months ago and has been continuing ever since.  There is no sign that the war is slowing down.

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the military chief of Ukraine, has indicated that almost 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed so far by Russian forces.  The United Nations reports that 5,587 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 7,890 wounded so far.

The Pentagon believes that between 70,000 and 80,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in action.  On a daily basis, Russian forces are being weakened by Ukrainians.

Russians have shelled Ukraine’s main nuclear power plant for over a month.  It is located across the Dnieper River from Nikopol.  There are widespread fears that continued shelling and fighting in the area could lead to a nuclear catastrophe.

Ukraine says 9,000 of its soldiers
have been killed since Russia lauched
its full-scale invasion six months ago
    Ukrainian armed forces chief
says 9,000 soldiers killed
in war with Russia: Report

Aug. 22, 2022
Stock Market

Whenever I come here to Marin County in the late summer to mid autumn, my friend’s garden has a lot of tomatoes and other vegetables.  Every few days, he gathers a bunch of tomatoes and makes a batch of tomato sauce.

When it’s put into an uncovered sauce pan to heat, it takes about an hour for most of the liquid to evaporate.  What remains is a very good strong-tasting tomato sauce, including various spices, that can be put on top of many things to give them added taste.

       

       
25-second slideshow

Aug. 21, 2022

There is no doubt that Jesus has fulfilled all of the prophecies of His first coming.  Hopefully, His second coming will be much sooner than later, after which He will rule over the whole world in perfect righteousness, justice, fairness, peace and love during the Millennium.

Jesus
Aug. 20, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor J.D. Farag of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe, Hawaii.  Pastor J.D. made the case that we have reached the finish line and time is running out.  He talked about indicators he is watching that lead him to this conclusion.

He began by saying, “We’re at the end.  This is the end.  And here’s the good news: Jesus Christ provides a way out of this world.  There’s no hope for this world.  Our only hope, our blessed hope, is in the Person of Jesus Christ and salvation found in the Person of Jesus Christ. ... The world today is now at the proverbial finish line, prophetically.”  He indicated that we are about to cross the “Pre-tribulation Rapture finish line.”

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 61 minutes, can be heard here:

We Have Reached the Finish Line — Audio | Video

Those who believe in a Pre-tribulation Rapture are convinced that believers in Jesus will be snatched away prior to the beginning of the final 7 years of this age.  I am convinced that, instead, there will be Pre-wrath Rapture as explained in my 2-part Rapture commentary.  More Rapture information can be found here: Rapture Questions & Responses.

Also, many believe that a third man-made temple will be built in Jerusalem, at some point during the first half of the final 7 years, in which sacrifices and offerings will be made.  However, I think it is very unlikely that another temple will exist on the Temple Mount, nor anywhere else in Jerusalem, before Jesus returns.

However, the millennial Temple will be built under the direction of Jesus after He returns.  It will be on God’s Holy Mountain in Jerusalem, burnt offerings and sacrifices will take place within the Temple, and it will be a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7).  A great deal more information about all of this can be found in these places:

  1. Third Temple
  2. millennial Temple and Holy Mountain
  3. What have you got to say about temple sacrifices during the Millennium?

Aug. 19, 2022
Stock Market

We went wine tasting yesterday at Pezzi King winery.  Barry has a “Royals Club” membership, so he gets big discounts on any wine that he purchases there.  Also, any of his friends can go with him at any time for free wine tasting.  There was hardly anyone else there tasting wine, maybe because it was a weekday.

The wine selection was excellent.  I rarely drink alcohol, and I’m not a wine connoisseur like he is, but all the wine samples tasted good to me.  I did not buy anything; however, he purchased 2 dozen bottles.

                               

       

       
38-second slideshow

Aug. 18, 2022
Stock Market

Aurora borealis G3 geomagnetic storm
For several days, the sun has been erupting in dark plasma explosions and launching big bursts of charged plasma toward the earth.  This has increased the chances of being able to view the aurora borealis (northern lights) and aurora australis (southern lights) in the sky tonight and in the early hours tomorrow morning.  They should appear as waves of green, red and/or purple light.

Typically, the auroras are not seen in the northern parts of the mainland U.S.  However, they may be seen as far south as northern Oregon, Iowa and Pennsylvania while it is dark within the next 24 hours.  Rural areas, away from city lights, should have the best views.

Geometric solar storms range from G1 to G5:

  • G1 (Minor) Geometric Storm
  • G2 (Moderate) Geometric Storm
  • G3 (Strong) Geometric Storm
  • G4 (Severe) Geometric Storm
  • G5 (Extreme) Geometric Storm

It is probable that tonight’s storm level will be a G3 due, to several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) combining as they have been traveling toward our planet.  Tomorrow, conditions are anticipated to remain favorable for a G2 level, possibly a G3 level.  It is possible that these geometric storms could disrupt communications, the power grid, navigation, and radio and satellite operations on and near the earth.

Usually, a solar cycle lasts about 11 years.  In the current cycle, a solar maximum is expected to be reached around 2025.

'Dazzling displays': Aurora
borealis might be visible
across northern US tonight
    Geomagnetic storm: When
the northern lights will
be visitle in the US

Aug. 17, 2022
Stock Market

Last week on Aug. 11, we went to a farmers market in San Rafael.  It was moderately large with several aisles to walk through.  My friend was looking for a lady who makes his favorite homemade cornchips, but she wasn’t there.

Yesterday afternoon, we went to another farmers market that is open only for a few hours on Tuesdays.  It is a very small one in Novato in Marin County.  He was hoping that the cornchip lady might be there; unfortunately, she was not.

We just walked around for less than 15 minutes and left.  As usual, I took a few quick snapshots.

       

       
25-second slideshow

Aug. 16, 2022
Stock Market

Lake Mead Lake Powell
The American West is facing its longest megadrought in 1,200 years.  The Colorado River Basin—which supplies water for drinking, irrigation and electric power to 40 million people—is drying up.  It has been named the most endangered river in the U.S.

With a length of 1,450 miles, it is the sixth-longest river in the U.S.  It is a vital water supply to people in seven states: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.

The Colorado River’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at about 25% of capacity.  If they fall much lower, they will be unable to generate hydroelectric power for millions in the West because the water will not be able to flow downstream.

Ongoing negotiations on water usage, among the seven states, ended yesterday.  The states have been called on to reduce their water usage by 15% to 30% in the coming year.  However, no effective agreements have been reached.  Today is the deadline when the federal Bureau of Reclamation has indicated that it may step in and mandate reductions.

DRIED UP: Lakes Mead and Powell
are at the epicenter of the biggest
Western drought in history
    Nevada official: Colorado
River water-sharing talks have
accomplished ‘exactly nothing’
Reclamation announces 2022
operating conditions for
Lake Powell and Lake Mead

Aug. 15, 2022
Stock Market


Aug. 14, 2022
Stock Market

A foundational tenet of the Catholic Church is that of the Immaculate Conception.  I think that most non-Catholics believe that this refers to the virgin birth of Jesus.  However, it does not.

The Immaculate Conception is the doctrine that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free of original sin from her moment of conception.  Therefore, since Mary was sinless and perfect, that enabled Jesus to be the same.  I disagree, as explained in my email response here:


Aug. 13, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Dr. David Reagan, founder of Lamb & Lion Ministries.  They considered how the signs of the times are screaming at us, yet Christians are yawning and not yearning.  Many Christians do not even understand the accuracy of all the principles that the Bible teaches.

Has our nation reached the point of no return in its rebellion against God and His Word?  Can America be great again or are we destined for destruction?  Do people know what they believe or what their churches believe?  Presently, there is not one global leader, but one is coming.

They discussed end-time views such as premillennialism, postmillennialism, amillennialism and preterism.  They also talked briefly about the pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation and pre-wrath rapture views.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 57 minutes, can be heard here:

On the Threshold of the Tribulation — Audio | Video

Markell and Reagan are dispensational premillennialists.  I agree with their views about the timing of the Millennium.  More of my views about it can be read in two email responses here:

  1. Why do you believe that there will be a literal millennial period, of 1,000 years, after Jesus returns?
  2. Why has God planned a Millennium of Jesus' reign, rather than have Jesus make a new heaven and earth immediately when He returns?

Aug. 12, 2022
Stock Market

Thanks be to God

It is important to give thanks to God for the great abundance of things that He has provided for us.  He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our many sins that we could not pay for on our own.  He suffered, shed His blood and died for our many sins which enabled us to experience freedom from our slavery to sin.  Jesus then rose from the dead so that we also could rise from death and have eternal life with Him.

We also need to thank God for His eternal gifts and promises, as well as for His many blessings, both visible and invisible.  When He blesses us, we should thank Him for the countless things in which we, as believers in Jesus, place our hope.  He alone is glorious and wonderful, and He alone is worthy of praise and thanks.

Thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. (Romans 6:17)

Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!  For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136:26)

Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20)

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Aug. 11, 2022
Stock Market

My friend and I went to a farmers market in San Rafael in Marin County today.  He wanted to go there to get some homemade corn chips that he likes.  However, even though it was before noon, the lady who makes them already had sold out of them.  Maybe we’ll try again next week.

Today we didn’t buy anything.  Most fruits and vegetables are more expensive at a farmers market than they are at grocery stores.  We walked up and down all the aisles, mainly for the exercise.  There also were a few free samples.

       

       

       

       
50-second slideshow

Aug. 10, 2022
Stock Market

I flew up to No. CA yesterday, and it was a hectic trip.  Numerous flights at my favorite airine, Southwest Airlines, were delayed, including mine.  My departure time changed several times.  I became increasingly concerned that it might get canceled.

Finally, we were able to board the plane, and the flight departed almost 2 hours late.  In one way, the late departure was a good thing.  I like to take photos out of the airplane window, but it was getting darker outside as we went along.

However, at one point I began to see some clouds being illuminated by the setting sun, although the sun itself was too far north for me to see it out the window.  Later, I could see the orange/yellow horizon, which I’ve always liked seeing.

My friend Barry picked me up after dark at the San Francisco (SFO) airport.  As we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge (my favorite bridge) into Marin County, I snapped a few shots out the front window.  My camera usually does not take sharp photos from a moving vehicle, so those photos aren’t very clear.

He had made some great food, which was extremely tasty.  I’ve known him for 42 years this month, and he is one of the best cooks I’ve ever known.

       

       

       
38-second slideshow

Aug. 9, 2022
Stock Market

A friend of mine has a YouTube channel here, which he set up a few months ago:

Harris Dvores

The most recent videos that he has created are under the category of “Let’s Talk About God.”  During the videos, people can interact with him about various topics.  A recent video, concerning our faithfulness and God’s faithfulness, can be seen here:

How Can You Say God Is Faithful When...?

According to Harris, “There is a plan that God has for everything.  It is beyond our comprehension, partly because God has not revealed all of it, and partly because we are finite and we cannot grasp the infinite.  But God has foreknown everything that’s going to transpire in this world.  Before there was time and space, God formed a plan for everything.

In ancient Israel, David probably suffered more than just about anyone else when he was being unjustly persecuted, hunted and threatened with death by King Saul.  Much of that occurred when David was considered to be blameless and before his own sin brought additional suffering upon himself.

Yet, God was faithful in the afflictions that David received, as is the case for all of us.  It is very difficult for many believers to understand how God’s faithfulness can result in suffering for us, but indeed that is the case.

There are countless mysteries in the ways God deals with us that are far beyond our understanding and comprehension.  A time is coming, though, when He will show us why all of these things had to happen; and every bit of it will make complete and total sense to us, forevermore.

       

       

       
45-second slideshow

Aug. 8, 2022
Stock Market

Rocket fire into Israel Missile fire into Gaza
Last year, the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis took place in May and June of 2021.  At that time, there were rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Israeli airstrikes into the Gaza Strip.

After 11 days of violence, a ceasefire went in effect on May 21.  However, the fighting resumed less than a month later on June 16.

This past weekend, there was the most serious flare-up between Israel and Gaza since the Israel-Gaza attacks in the Spring of 2021.  Hundreds of rockets were shot from Gaza into Israel, with missiles being fired into Gaza from Israel.

A ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, finally went into effect late last night.  However, it is unknown if the ceasefire will remain or will be broken at some point.

Israel and
Palestinian militants
declare Gaza truce
    Cease-fire between
Palestinians, Israel
takes effect in Gaza

Aug. 7, 2022

         
15-second slideshow

Today is the observance of Tisha B’Av, the 9th of Av, which is regarded as the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.  It began at sunset yesterday evening and continues until sunset this evening.

Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning to commemorate many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people throughout the millennia of their history.  Primarily, it commemorates the destruction of the first Temple by the Babylonians, in 586 B.C.E., and second Temple by the Romans, in 70 C.E.

Following both of these events, there was a Jewish exile from the region of Judea.  Also, on Tisha B’Av is remembered the expulsion of the Jewish people from England in 1290, from France in 1306 and from Spain in 1492.

This is a full day of fasting and mourning.  A 25-hour fast is common, as well as a reading of the book of Lamentations, which mourns the destruction of Jerusalem.


Aug. 6, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the first half of the program with filmmaker Chris Pinto and author Jill Martin Rische (daughter of Dr. Walter Martin).  They talked about the Georgia Guidestones, sometimes called “America’s Stonehenge,” and their mysterious demise a month ago on July 6, 2022.  They considered how this monument, for decades, could have been just another globalist endeavor.

A message of ten guidelines, principles or “commandments” was engraved on the Georgia Guidestones in eight different languages: English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, and Russian.  These were the guidelines:

  1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
  2. Guide reproduction wisely – improving fitness and diversity.
  3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
  4. Rule passion – faith – tradition – and all things with tempered reason.
  5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
  6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
  7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
  8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
  9. Prize truth – beauty – love – seeking harmony with the infinite.
  10. Be not a cancer on the Earth – Leave room for nature – Leave room for nature.

In the last half of the program, Jan and Jill considered the staggering rise of witchcraft, particularly during the two-year COVID saga.  During a crisis, people often turn to the mystical.  There is an increase in pagan spirituality as more people turn to the occult to help them with their grief after losing loved ones to COVID-19.  Some 1.5 million Americans identify as wicken or pagan.

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)

         

         

         

         
1-minute slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 54 minutes, can be heard here:

The Ten Commandments of the New World Order — Audio | Video
Aug. 5, 2022
Stock Market

Monkeypox virus infectionsThe Monkeypox virus is what causes the Monkeypox disease.  People can catch the virus from animals and from other humans who have the virus.

Once a person is infected with Monkeypox, symptoms typically begin within 5 to 21 days.  Early symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue.  Within a few days after an increased fever takes place, lesions typically appear on the face before appearing elsewhere on the body, such as on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Monkeypox has spread across several countries where the virus previously has been rare or nonexistent, including the United States.  The virus spreads mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has Monkeypox.  It also can be spread by touching something that someone infected with the virus has touched and contaminated.

Yesterday in the U.S., Monkeypox was declared a national public health emergency.  This came 12 days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus outbreak a global emergency.  Presently, the vaccine supply for this virus is limited.

2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak

What you should
know about
monkeypox symptoms
    US declares monkeypox
outbreak a public
health emergency

Aug. 4, 2022
Stock Market

The U.S. Senate voted yesterday afternoon to approve the admission of Sweden and Finland into the NATO alliance.  The vote came a little over two months after Stockholm and Helsinki submitted their applications on May 18.

The Senate vote was 95 yes and 1 no.  Josh Hawley (R-MO) voted no, while Rand Paul (R-KY) abstained by voting present. The next step is for President Biden to sign an instrument of ratification of the treaty.  Once he does, the U.S. will be the 22nd member out of 30 members to accept Sweden and Finland into NATO.  However, all 30 NATO members eventually must vote to accept the two countries for the ratification to be final.

In June, the Turkish government agreed to lift its objections to the two nations’ NATO memberships.  In exchange, Sweden and Finland said they would crack down on groups deemed to be a national security threat, not “impose embargo restrictions in the field of defense industry” and take “concrete steps on the extradition of terrorist criminals.”

However, on July 18, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his threat to “freeze” Sweden’s and Finland’s memberships into NATO.  He felt that they were too lax in their stand against terrorist groups because they hosted Kurdish militants.  Unless Turkey ultimately votes to accept those two nations into NATO, it cannot happen because the acceptance vote must be unanimous.

Senate Votes to Approve
Sweden and Finland
Admission into NATO
    Turkey’s Erdogan renews
threat to block Finland
and Sweden from NATO

Aug. 3, 2022
Stock Market

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been on a trip visiting Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.  Prior to departing Washington, D.C., she had expressed an interest in flying to Taiwan as well, although it was not included on the official list of countries that she would be visiting.

However, last night Pelosi’s plane landed in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.  She was accompanied by Democratic representatives from New York, California, Washington, Illinois and New Jersey.  The last time a very high-ranking government official visited Taiwan was 25 years ago, in 1997, when then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich traveled there.

Taiwan is a large self-governing island 80 miles off the coast of China.  The Communist Chinese government continues to claim Taiwan as part of China’s territory, and it has repeatedly warned Pelosi not to make the visit.  China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has made it clear that he sees unifying Taiwan with China to be a primary goal of his rule.

As the plane carrying Pelosi approached Taiwan, several Chinese state media outlets reported that Chinese Su-35 fighter jets were crossing the straight between China and Taiwan.  After Pelosi’s arrival, China announced military drills in nearby waters.

Pelosi Arrives in Taiwan
Despite Chinese Threat
of ‘Serious Consequences’
    Defiant Pelosi arrives in
Taiwan to declare US stands
against ‘autocrats’ as China fumes

Aug. 2, 2022
Stock Market

Ayman al-Zawahiri, leader of al-QaedaYesterday it was announced that Ayman al-Zawahiri had been killed by a drone strike conducted by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).  It reportedly took place in Kabul, Afghanistan, following a counterterrorism operation.

Two missiles struck al-Zawahiri while he was standing on a balcony on a residential house.  There were no civilian casualties in the attack.

Al-Zawahiri had been an advisor to Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader who masterminded the September 11 attacks in 2001 against the U.S.  Following bin Laden’s death in 2011, al-Zawahiri succeeded him as the leader of al-Qaeda until he was killed by the drone strike this weekend.

President Biden confirmed that the drone strike on al-Zawahiri had taken place.  According to Biden, al-Zawahiri had “carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens.  Now justice has been delivered, and this terrorist leader is no more.

U.S. drone strike kills
Al Qaeda leader Ayman
al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan
    'Justice has been delivered':
Al-Qaida leader al-Zawahiri killed
in U.S. drone strike, Biden says

Aug. 1, 2022
Stock Market

Sin is a breaking of God’s eternal Law.  Thus, sin equates with lawlessness, which is rampant throughout the world today and continues to increase in every nation.

Most of the world does not know the one, true God.  Even for those who do, it is human nature to do things the ways that we want to do them, even when we know they are wrong.  Even the apostle Paul struggled with sin (Romans 7:7-25).

Sin has its penalties, and the ultimate penalty is death.  Therefore, it is advantageous to do the following:

  • recognize the sin in our lives and get serious about eliminating as much of it as we can, and
  • realize that sin is a “thief” and robs us of many things that are beneficial to us.

 

All of us sin, and all of us will die (unless we are removed first by the Rapture), since the ultimate penalty of sin is death.  But Jesus, the only person who was sinless, came to atone for our sins and remove their penalty of eternal death so, in Him, we may have eternal life.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8,9)

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1,2)

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.  But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins.  And in him is no sin. (1 John 3:4,5)

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:10,11)

July 31, 2022

President Biden tested positive on July 21 for BA.5, a subvariant of COVID-19, even though he previously had received two COVID vaccinations and two booster shots.  While in isolation for several days, he was taking the antiviral medication Nirmatrelvir, which is sold under the brand name Paxlovid.

He had only mild symptoms and was able to work at the White House the whole time that he tested positive.  A few days ago, his COVID test was negative, and he had plans to go to Michigan and Delaware this coming week.

Yesterday morning, though, he tested positive again for COVID.  This is an unusual development, since only about 5% to 8% of people treated with Paxlovid develop a rebound case of COVID.  However, the BA.5 subvariant is more immune-evasive than the standard COVID-19 virus.

Biden has said that he is not experiencing any symptoms, and he will not be placed on Paxlovid at this time.  He will be isolating again for at least 5 days, and it has been recommended that he wear a mask in public for 10 days.

Biden tests positive
for COVID-19,
returns to isolation
    Biden tests positive
for COVID again—days
after initial recovery

July 30, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with health expert and emergency room registered nurse, Twila Brase.  The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) says that there are at least eleven viruses waiting to produce the next pandemic.  Other experts say to prepare for more lockdowns this Fall.

Twila said that of the more than one million Americans who have died of COVID, 500,000 to 800,000 of them would have been saved if they had received early treatment with drugs such as Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine and other medications.  They would have had normal lives for the past 2½ years.

People who receive COVID vaccinations have a significantly lower immunity to COVID than unvaxinated people who get COVID and produce anti-COVID antibodies.  Furthermore, many people have been afflicted with serious health problems, including death, after receiving the vaccination.  Technically, it is not a true vaccine, since breakthrough COVID infections occur often in vaccinated people.

COVID-19 Quick Reference Guide

It was mentioned that U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (WI) held a live hearing called “COVID-19: A Second Opinion.”  This took place in the Senate building on February 24.  A group of world renowned doctors and medical experts provided a different perspective on the global COVID pandemic response.  They went into depth about the current state of knowledge of early and hospital treatment, vaccine efficacy and safety, what went right, what went wrong, what should be done now, and what needs to be addressed long term.  The detailed and extremely informative discussion lasted about 4 hours 56 minutes.  It can be watched on Rumble (beginning at the 40-minute 20-second point) or on YouTube:

COVID-19: A Second Opinion: Rumble | YouTube

There now are multiple COVID variants, which are more transmissible but not as virulent as the original COVID-19 virus.  However, the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending the wearing of masks again and is prepping the world for another global lockdown this Fall.  It appears that more pandemic pandemonium is coming.

Monkeypox is another viral infection that is spreading.  According to the CDC, about 95.5% of those with Monkeypox are men, with the median age being 35 years old.  This virus is transmitted by close exposure to someone else with Monkeypox, unlike COVID which floats in the air.  A vaccine for it will be readily available at some point.

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 55 minutes, can be heard here:

Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste — Audio | Video
July 29, 2022
Stock Market

We should be loyal to others, but our main loyalty needs to be to God.  We can do this by thanking Him regularly for our numerous blessings, doing things we know He would want us to do, refraining from doing things we know He dislikes, and revering Him more highly than anyone else in our lives.

Also, loyalty is more than words; true loyalty will result in positive actions.  Being loyal is committing our thoughts and actions to God first.  He values loyalty in His followers and is strong in showing His appreciation for it.


July 28, 2022
Stock Market

Recession questionable Recession ahead
There are various views on the definition of a recession.  Commonly, a recession is defined as “two consecutive quarters of decline in a country’s real gross domestic product (GDP).”  Another definition is “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and lasts more than a few months.”

In the U.S. during the first quarter this year, which ended in March, there was a GDP decline of 1.6%.  During the second quarter, which ended in June, the GDP declined 0.9%.  Some say this means that our economy is in a recession.  Others say that we are not yet in a recession but very well could be within the next few months or before the end of the year.

This year, the U.S. has had the highest rate of inflation in 40 years, generally causing significant pressure on household budgets.  Many consumers are struggling to cover basics such as food, rent and gasoline, which have risen sharply in price since a year ago.  If these negative economic trends continue, it would seem that most will agree that we will be in a recession relatively soon.

The economy may look like
it’s in recession, but we
still don’t know for sure
    Is the U.S. in a
Recession? Meaning,
Definition Explained

July 27, 2022
Stock Market

Today, the Federal Reserve Board hiked interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point (0.75% point).  Six weeks ago, on June 15, they did the same thing.

Both of these hikes follow a half of a percentage point (0.50% point) increase on May 4 and a quarter of a percentage point (0.25% point) increase on March 16.  The rate hikes are an attempt to calm down surging inflation, and more rate hikes are expected through the end of the year.

Some analysts point to signs that the U.S. economy is slowing and may have shrunk in the first half of the year.  As a result, they worry that the Fed could end up tightening credit too much, too fast, and end up causing a downturn that would lead to layoffs and rising unemployment.

The surge in inflation and fear of a recession have diminished consumer confidence and stirred public anxiety about the economy.  President Biden’s public approval ratings have declined, and the likelihood that Democrats will lose control of the House and Senate in the November midterm elections has increased.

Federal Reserve hikes
key interest rate by
another 75 basis points
    Fed hikes key interest rate
0.75 points for second
time as inflation surges

July 26, 2022
Stock Market

Benefits of sunlight
July 25, 2022
Stock Market

The Jewish Agency for Israel is the largest non-profit organization in the world.  It serves as the main link between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began five months ago, there has been a sharp increase in emigration from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova to Israel.  As of June, more than 25,000 people from these countries have arrived in Israel.  For Jews, this move is considered to be Aliyah

Israel’s diaspora affairs minister has stated that “Russian Jews will not be held hostage by the war in Ukraine.”  Now the Russian Ministry of Justice has taken steps to stop the Jewish Agency from operating in Russia.  They have informed the Jewish Agency that its activities in Russia regarding collecting, storing and transfering data about Russian citizens violate Russian law and therefore must cease.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid has decided to send a delegation to Russia next week in order to ensure the continuation of the agency’s work.  A hearing on the topic is scheduled for July 28, which will determine the Jewish Agency’s future in the Russian Federation.

Lapid: Russia’s moves to shut
Jewish Agency offices could be
'grave' for relations with Israel
    Israel gears up to fight, as
Russia puts screws to Jewish
Agency for unclear reasons

July 24, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell played messages by Pastor Jeff Kinley and Dr. Mark Hitchcock.  These were at a recent one-night Understanding the Times conference.

They believe that while the Great Reset is likely the Tribulation, we are watching the shocking set-up for it today.  World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab and associates plan to have this in place in the next couple of years.

However, God our Heavenly Father is the Great Reseter.  The total work of transformation will commence on the day that He sends Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, back to earth to rule and reign over the world for 1,000 years.  He is the only one who can and will do that with absolute righteousness, lawfulness, justice, peace and love.

         

         

         

45-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 58 minutes, can be heard here:

The Reset Rising — Audio | Video
July 23, 2022

Yesterday, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement to resume grain exports, which had been blocked due to months of their military conflicts.  It was planned for wheat, corn, sunflower oil and other related products to be transported to global markets.

Today, less than 24 hours later, Ukraine’s defense ministry claimed that Russia broke the agreement by attacking the Black Sea port of Odesa with cruise missiles.  This is the 150th day of Russia’s initial attack on Ukraine.  Also, today is only 4 days after a Turkey-Russia-Iran summit in Tehran, where Putin thanked Erdogan for progress on talks over Ukraine’s grain (see the July 20 entry).

Oleksiy Goncharenko, Ukrainian Member of Parliament (MP), accused Russia of firing four missiles at the southern port.  Two missiles hit the port facilities, and the other two missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defense.  He called for more military assistance for Ukraine and also said, “Russia understands only force.

Oleg Nikolenko, Ukranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said, “It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises and undermining its commitments before the U.N. and Turkey under the Istanbul greeement.”  He added, “In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for a global food crisis.

Russia hits Ukraine’s
Black Sea port
despite grain deal
    Russia strikes Odessa,
Ukraine one day
after grain deal

July 22, 2022
Stock Market

President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.  His symptoms—rhinorrhea, fatigue and an occasional cough—are minimal.  Biden previously had two COVID vaccinations and two booster shots.  Now he is on a 5-day regimen of the antiviral drug Paxlovid.

Earlier this week, the president was giving a climage change speech in Somerset, Massachusetts.  He made reference to rampant environmental polution in Delaware, his home state.

Then he made a reference to cancer, which sounded like he presently has it.  He said, “You’d have to put on your windshield wipers to get, literally, the oil slick off the windows.  That’s why I, and so damn many other people I grew up with, have cancer.  And why, for the longest time, Delaware had the highest cancer rate in the nation.

Later, it was indicated by White House officials that Biden was referring to his past cases of cancer.  In the past, he has had several localized non-melanoma skin cancers.

Biden had COVID fever
but symptoms getting
better, doctor says
    The backstory on
Biden's experience
with cancer

July 21, 2022
Stock Market

From President Biden’s inauguration day in January 2021 to May 2022, over 1 million migrants crossing illegally over the southern border have been allowed to enter and remain in the United States.  Department of Homeland Security documents, made public after a lawsuit over border policy, puts the number of illegal migrants at 1,049,532.

In addition, during that same period, the number of crossings over the border unlawfully but avoiding contact with Border Patrol was about 700,000.  Also, the number of unaccompanied minors was 190,053.  So the total number crossing illegally over the border was about 2 million migrants.

These illegal border crossings have been a result of the Biden administration’s permissive border policies.  The federal government has been paying for illegal immigrants to be transported, on secret charter flights and busses, into unsuspecting cities and towns across the country, including New York City.  This is being funded by taxpayers.  Also, since Apr. 13, many busloads of illegals have being sent voluntarily, from Texas and Arizona, to Washington, D.C.

An increasing number of immigrants are overwhelming resources such as housing, medical care, food and other benefits that they are receiving in these and other cities.  It is understandable that Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., and Mayor Eric Bowser of New York City are expressing their dissatisfaction with this situation.  It would seem that these and other mayors should be calling on President Biden to do his job and secure the southern border, which unfortunately he has failed to do.

DC feels sting of
Biden border policy
    Mayor Adams’ wake-up
on migrant flights

July 20, 2022
Stock Market

Putin, Erdogan, Raisi in Tehran Putin, Erdogan, Raisi in Tehran
Following President Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia last week, three national leaders met in Tehran, Iran yesterday.  They were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

For many years, Russia and Iran have supported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.  However, Turkey has supported may rebels that have been attempting to overthrow the Syrian government.  That was a major topic of discussion between the three leaders yesterday.

Other topics were the war in Ukraine and other regional issues.  With all three of the nations having common foes and difficulties, they naturally would like to form closer coalitions and alliances with each other.

Erdogan and Putin also discussed certain topics involving Ukraine.  Erdogan has been a mediator between Russia and Ukraine on certain issues.  One of them has been Ukraine’s resuming exportation of wheat and grain to parts of the world with severe food shortages.  According to the Kremlin, Putin said he wanted to thank his Turkish counterpart for progress on talks over Ukraine’s grain.

Erdogan Presses Case
Against Syria’s Kurds At
Iran-Russia-Turkey Summit
    Putin meets with
Erdogan and
Raisi in Tehran


Today is National Moon Day.  It commemorates the day astronauts first walked on the moon 53 years ago, during the Apollo 11 mission, on July 20, 1969.

The American crew that flew to the moon were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who both walked on the moon, and Michael Collins, who orbited the moon in the command module.  All three men were born in 1930.  In the past 53 years, 12 people have walked on the moon.

       
13-second slideshow

July 19, 2022
Stock Market

My dad was born in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas.  If he were still around, today would be his 111th birthday.  Interestingly, the high temperature today in the Forth Worth area is expected to be about 111°.

For the past couple of weeks, north Texas has been having an extreme heat wave, with excessive heat warnings daily.  Today, some areas are expected to have record-breaking high temperatures for this date.

North Texas heat advisories and warnings

Had I known that it probably will get up to 111° in Fort Worth today, I would have been tempted to schedule a flight there to celebrate my dad’s 111th birthday.  I like heat, and I would have liked to walk around the area, perhaps in the neighborhood where he grew up.

Decades ago, my dad enjoyed making oil paintings.  Here are just a few of his nature paintings:

     
12-second slideshow

July 18, 2022
Stock Market

All of my life, two of my favorite things to eat have been peaches and almonds.  They are members of the same genus called Prunus, which also includes nectarines, plums, apricots and cherries.

Actually, almonds are not nuts.  An almond and a peach are in the same category known as Drupe and are closely related genetically.

If the central pit or shell of a peach is broken open, there is an internal seed that resembles an almond.  In this photo that I took recently, four peach seeds are in the top row and four almonds are in the bottom row:

Peach seeds and Almonds

Regular almonds are safe to eat.  However, some trees produce bitter almonds.  The bitter taste comes from hydrocyanic acid.  If eaten, this chemical reacts with water in the body and produces cyanide, which is highly poisonous.  So bitter almonds should be avoided.  California almonds rarely if ever are bitter.

A peach seed, inside of the pit, actually tastes like a very strong or bitter almond.  This is because a peach seed contains hydrocyanic acid as a bitter almond does.  Therefore, it is recommended to avoid eating bitter almonds and peach seeds because cyanide poisoning can result.


July 17, 2022

Fireballs in Gaza CityEarlier this weekend, four rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel.  This happened not long after President Biden headed to Saudi Arabia after completing his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

In response to the firing of the first two rockets, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted a Hamas underground facility.  The IDF says that it is used for the production of rocket materials in the central Gaza Strip.

Following the second pair of rockets fired from Gaza, the IDF struck another Hamas site in Gaza.  The IDF says that this site is used as a weapon production facility.

Also, Israel has said that it will be freezing a planned expansion of work permits for Gazan Palestinians coming to work in Israel.  The announcement of the additional 1,500 permits had been announced last week prior to Biden’s arrival in Israel.

After Gaza rockets, PM says
Israel will respond ‘swiftly,
forcefully’ to any attacks
    Israel strikes Gaza
target in response
to rocket fire

July 16, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the first half of the hour with Pastor Barry Stagner and the second half with Jonathan Brentner.

Jan and Barry believe that a Pre-tribulation Rapture will take place prior to the final 7 years of this age.  They agree that some believers will be present during the “tribulation” period, but they will have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior after the Rapture takes place.

They played portions of videos of those who described why they believe in a Pre-wrath Rapture or in a Post-tribulation Rapture.  Whenever the Rapture occurs, believers should be excited as they see the day of Jesus’ return approaching.  However, it seems that many are “changing their tune” as they watch the tide of our times worsen, and many churches avoid talking about the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).

Jan and Jonathan talked about how the Bible clearly states that there will be a millennial (1,000-year) reign of Jesus following His return to earth.  Yet, an increasing number of churches seem to be rejecting this or simply not addressing it as a reality described in the Bible.  This literal thousand years is mentioned six times in Revelation 20:1-7.

People are tired of seeing evil win.  Fortunately, evil ultimately will be defeated when the Lord Jesus returns to earth and destroys countless enemies of God.  Then He will rule and reign over the whole world for 1,000 years, in perfect righteousness and justice, during the glorious Millennium.

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 55 minutes, can be heard here:

As We See the Day Approaching — Audio | Video

Those with a Pre-tribulation Rapture mindset assume that God’s “wrath” will include all Six Seals (Revelation 6:1-17).  Therefore, they feel that since believers in Jesus are protected from God’s wrath, they will have been snatched up and away before even the First Seal is opened.

However, upon the opening of the Fifth Seal, there are souls of those under the altar (in heaven) who have been slain because of the testimony they had maintained for the Word of God (Revelation 6:9).  Their blood will not have been shed due to God’s wrath being poured out upon them but, rather, by unbelievers in the world who have been motivated by Satan to hate and kill them.  The souls of those whose blood has been shed will plead with God to avenge their blood by judging the inhabitants of the earth (6:10).

Due to their fervent plea to God to avenge their blood, His feelings of vengeance and anger will begin to rise on their behalf.  This will start to become evident after the opening of the Sixth Seal, when there will be visible changes in the sun and moon and star-like objects (perhaps meteors, comets and/or asteroids) falling to earth (Revelation 6:12,13).  This is paralleled by Jesus’ description of the same future event, followed by His (the Son of Man’s) appearance in the clouds of the sky and then the Pre-wrath Rapture of believers (Matthew 24:29-31 and Mark 13:24-27).

At that same time, the unbelievers will see, in the clouds above, the face of Him (Jesus) who sits on the throne; and they will hide in caves and among the rocks, knowing that God’s intense wrath and His day of vengeance are imminent (Revelation 6:16,17).  Soon thereafter, a great multitude of believers, saved from God’s impending wrath by the Rapture, will appear in heaven.

After that, when the Seventh Seal is opened, God’s vengeance and wrath upon the whole world will commence after God gives seven trumpets to seven angels to begin His judgments (Revelation 8:1-5).  His horrendous, dreadful and frightful wrath will be included within the ensuing Day of the Lord period, which will include all of the Trumpet Judgments and the Bowl Judgments.  All of these will be incomprehensibly more destructive, disastrous and cataclysmic than the events taking place during the first Six Seals.

I agree with the Pre-wrath views of Alan Kurschner, as well as his chart showing Daniel’s Seventieth “Week” according to the Pre-Wrath Rapture View.  These were presented by Jan Markell during today’s program.  Several of my responses to questions about the Rapture can be read here: Rapture Questions & Responses.


July 15, 2022
Stock Market

We do not confess our sins to God to attain eternal salvation.  The latter occurs when we believe that Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead unto eternal life.

When we sin, a barrier is created between us and the Lord, which interrupts our fellowship with Him.  This is why we need to confess our sins.  By doing so on an ongoing basis, we obtain God’s regular forgiveness, our offenses are washed away and our fellowship with the Lord is restored.


July 14, 2022
Stock Market

Inflation over the decadeThe latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the U.S. as of June, a measure of price changes over the past year, was 9.1%.  This is the highest annual CPI rate increase in over 40 years, since November 1981.

The latest 9.1% increase is 0.5% greater than the May CPI rate of 8.6%.  It also is 0.3% greater than the estimated June CPI rate of 8.8%. Three of the main factors in the CPI calculation are prices of gasoline, food and housing.

Recent declines in prices of gasoline and other commodities may indicate that the CPI will begin to decline soon, which should decrease the inflation rate.  However, it also is possible that the opposite will occur, with the inflation rate continuing to escalate.

The Federal Reserve Board hiked interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point (0.75% point) on June 15.  There is speculation that, by the end of July, there will be an interest rate hike of the same amount or possibly even higher.

Inflation Roared in June,
Hitting 40-Year High of
9.1%, Well Above Forecasts
    Inflation hits 9.1%
in June, raising risk
of massive rate hike

July 13, 2022
Stock Market

Omicron subvariants B.4 and B.5 Omicron subvariants B.4 and B.5
After the two very unpleasant years of the COVID-19 virus, 2020 and 2021, there was a notable decrease in infections and deaths after entering 2022.  Masks have become non-mandatory in most places, and people have been feeling hopeful that problems caused by the COVID virus might continue declining significantly.

However, in the past few months, two very contagious mutations have been spreading rapidly across many nations, including in the U.S. where they now are the dominant COVID strains.  These are the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.

Together, these variants account for over 70% of new viral infections and hospitalizations.  Also, receiving full vaccinations or having previous COVID infections are providing less protection from these strains than they did for previous Omicron subvariants.

New Omicron Sub-Variants
BA.4, BA.5 Spreading Rapidly
In US, Leading To 70% Spike
In New COVID-19 Cases
    6 Things to know about Omicron
BA.4 and BA.5. The latest COVID
variants are spreading faster with
more breakthrough infections.

July 12, 2022
Stock Market

James Webb Space Telescope SMACS J0723.3-7327 galaxy cluster
The Hubble Telescope was launched into space on April 24, 1990.  It primarily observes visible light and near-ultraviolet waves.  This is one of four telescopes in the Great Observatories program and continues to be fully functional.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched into space on December 25, 2021.  It is the most powerful telescope ever developed.  Its main advantage is that it able to detect orange to mid-infrared wavelengths of light.  It is able to view objects too old, distant or faint for other space telescopes, such as the Hubble Telescope, to detect.

This telescope’s first operational image is of the galaxy cluster SMACS J0723.3-7327.  Thousands of galaxies are visible in the image, which is the highest-resolution image of the early universe ever taken.  This composite image and other images were first revealed to the public yesterday and today (July 11 & 12).

NASA Reveals Webb
Telescope’s First Images
of Unseen Universe
    James Webb: Nasa space
telescope delivers
spectacular pictures

July 11, 2022
Stock Market

Firefighter protects a giant sequoia tree in Yosemite Wildfire in Mariposa Grove, Yosemite
The Washburn Fire in California has been burning for 5 days.  The size of the fire increased 300 acres overnight.  As of today, it has burned at least 2,340 acres or about 3.6 square miles.  So far, there is 0% containment of the fire.

The fire is a threat to Yosemite Park’s Mariposa Grove, where there are more than 500 mature sequoia trees.  These include the 209-foot Grizzly Giant, which is estimated to be about 3,000 years old.  Countless firefighters are working to decrease the size of the fire and to protect the famous trees.

So far in 2022, over 35,000 wildfires in the U.S. have burned nearly 4.7 million acres or about 7,340 square miles.  According to the National Interagency Fire Center, this is well above average for both wildfires and acres burned.

Firefighters race to defend ancient
sequoias from 2,300-acre
Washburn fire in Yosemite
    Wildfire rages in
Yosemite threatening
giant sequoia trees

July 10, 2022
Stock Market

While Jesus went throughout Galilee, He taught in their synagogues and preached the good news of the Kingdom of God, which is yet to come.  He also healed every disease and sickness among the people.  Large crowds followed Him.

Going up on a mountainside, He spoke beatitudes or blessings to those who were listening.  With all of the unsettling things going on today such as mass shootings, inflation, food shortages, border problems and other difficulties, these are as relevant now as they were then:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12)

July 9, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with author Steve Miller.  They talked about 12 signs that foreshadow Christ’s return and how the convergence of such activity is stunning.

The Bible tells us these things beforehand so we will be prepared for the testings of a last generation.  We also will be looking up for His redemption.

Steve Miller has written about 12 megaclues that foreshadow Jesus’s return:

  1. the rise of globalism,
  2. the trends toward a one-world government,
  3. the struggle to build a united European empire,
  4. the spread of all invasive technology and surveillance,
  5. the progression of a one-world economy,
  6. the descent into moral and spiritual corruption,
  7. the proliferation of deception,
  8. the assault on truth,
  9. the increase of Christian persecution,
  10. the explosion of hostilities toward Israel and the Jewish people,
  11. the preparation for a new temple in Jerusalem, and
  12. the forming of a coalition to destroy Israel.

         

         

30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 54 minutes, can be heard here:

Foreshadows of His Coming — Audio | Video

Those who believe in a Pre-tribulation Rapture are convinced that believers in Jesus will be snatched away prior to the beginning of the final 7 years of this age.  I am convinced that, instead, there will be Pre-wrath Rapture as explained in my 2-part Rapture commentary.  More Rapture information can be found here: Rapture Questions & Responses.

Also, many believe that a third man-made temple will be built in Jerusalem, at some point during the first half of the final 7 years, in which sacrifices and offerings will be made.  However, I think it is very unlikely that another temple will exist on the Temple Mount, nor anywhere else in Jerusalem, before Jesus returns.

However, the millennial Temple will be built under the direction of Jesus after He returns.  It will be on God’s Holy Mountain in Jerusalem, burnt offerings and sacrifices will take place within the Temple, and it will be a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7).  A great deal more information about all of this can be found in these places:

  1. Third Temple
  2. millennial Temple and Holy Mountain
  3. What have you got to say about temple sacrifices during the Millennium?

July 8, 2022
Stock Market

God put it all together
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He [Jesus, the Word] was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

For since the creation of the world, His [God’s] invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they [unbelievers] are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:15,16)

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son [Jesus], whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1,2)

July 7, 2022
Stock Market

Boris Johnson resignation speechBoris Johnson announced today that he will be stepping down as leader of the Conservative party and as prime minister of the United Kingdom.  This follows about 60 recent resignations within Johnson’s Conservative party in the government.  He stated that “it is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader and a new prime minister.”

In his resignation speech, Johnson indicated that he would continue to serve as prime minister until a new leader is in place.  He also appointed numerous Cabinet members whom he said would serve until a new leader is in place.

Johnson feels that he will continue in the prime minister role until October.  However, many feel that a new prime minister will take his place by the end of August or early September.

Contenders to succeed Johnson as prime minister

Boris Johnson faces growing
revolt over decision to stay
on as caretaker Prime Minister
    Boris Johnson says he
is ‘immensely proud’
in resignation speech

July 6, 2022
Stock Market

Officials from seven counties in southern Texas—Edwards, Goliad, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Presidio, Terrell and Uvalde—have declared that there is an ongoing border “invasion.”  They are trying to bring attention to the long-standing border crisis due to increasing illegal immigration since Biden became president, refusing to secure the border.

The county officials are urging Governor Abbott and Attorney General Paxton to declare an “invasion” as well.  So far, the offices of Abbott and Paxton have not responded to requests for comment.  However, Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for multiple counties in Texas.

Texas counties declare
'invasion' at southern
border with Mexico
    Texas counties declare
‘invasion’ during border
crisis: ‘We’re being invaded’

July 5, 2022
Stock Market

I have not been to an official fireworks display since July 4, 2018.  That was one of the best ones I’ve ever been to, and I got a lot of good snapshots.  It was easy to plan each photo because the fireworks generally were coming up from the same location.

Last night, a couple of friends and I were hanging out and hearing fireworks going off in the surrounding area.  Eventually, we went outside to look at some of them.  It was kind of late, so not too many went off after that.

Also, they were going off in many different directions, and there were a lot of trees around; so it was difficult to get good photos of them.  Here is just a handful of quick shots.

         
15-second slideshow

July 4, 2022

America’s 246th Birthday

       

       
25-second slideshow

Bill of Rights    Lord’s Prayer

July 3, 2022

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with filmmaker and producer Brent Miller, Jr.  They talked about his film production “Before the Wrath.”

It shows how the ancient Jewish Galilee wedding foreshadows the Rapture of the Church, as well as Jesus’ future marriage to His Bride of believers.  There is both drama and commentary by J.D. Farag, Jack Hibbs, Amir Tsarfati, and others.

         

         

         

45-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 56 minutes, can be heard here:

Before the Wrath: He’s Coming for His Bride! — Audio | Video
July 2, 2022

Today is Halfway Day, the midpoint of the year.  There have been 182 days from Jan. 1 to July 1, and there will be 182 days from July 3 to Dec. 31.  We’ve lived through the first half of 2022, and tomorrow is the beginning of the second half—we’re halfway there.

It’s up to us whether we see this as a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty day.  But the past is gone, so we’re all for making the most of the remainder of the year.


I last organized my vitamins and supplements into individual compartments on May 7.  I’ve been taking a limited amount of vitamins every other day since then.

Recently, I decided to increase the number of vitamins that I take to my regular amount that I have taken for years.  However, I also have decided to split them between two days at a time.  The first day I will take only pills, and the second day I will take only capsules.  This will cause them to last double the amount of time.

I will be taking the following every two days: a daily multiple; vitamins A, B complex, C, D3 and E; calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, fish oil, saw palmetto, glucosamine/chondroitin, glucosamine sulfate, easy iron, turmeric curcumin, probiotic acidophilus, olive leaf extract, hyaluronic acid and biotin.

   
8-second slideshow

This supply will last for 48 weeks (336 days).  Keeping them in the refrigerator enables them to retain their potency.


July 1, 2022
Stock Market

People who are most likely to become severely ill are those with certain medical conditions.  These include cancer, heart disease, digestive disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes and other conditions.  Obesity may increase the risk for these conditions.

   

It is a good idea to know what your Body Mass Index (BMI) is.  It is easy to calculate your BMI.  All you need to know is your height (in feet and inches) and your weight (in pounds).  Adults can use the calculator below.

   BMI is below 18.5: underweight

BMI is 18.5 to 24.9: normal weight

BMI is 25.0 to 29.9: overweight

BMI is 30.0 or above: obese

In case the BMI calculator does not appear above, you can see it here:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/adult-widget/iframe.html

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