Here is a collection of notable people who passed away in 2023.  Most of them were quite famous.  Click anywhere on the image to see a larger view.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Mike Gendron.  For over 34 years, Pastor Gendron was a strong defender of his Catholic faith.  After reading the Bible for the first time in 1982, he realized that his previous Catholic teaching contradicted the Bible in many ways.  He understood that the Bible is the inspired, infallible and inerrant Word of God, and it became his supreme authority in all matters of faith.

Why are evangelical leaders rushing to Rome to unite with the Vatican to sign unity accords with the Roman Catholic religion?  They feel that they all share a common faith and the same Gospel, which is not the case.

Alleged appearances or apparitions of Mother Mary have been occurring all over the world for many years.  Countless numbers of people have been fascinated and intrigued by these sightings.  One of the messages given is that Mary is coming for all of her children.  Another message is that people can be saved apart from her Son, Jesus, as long as they do good works.  A common bond of deception in all false religions is salvation through works and righteousness.  The fact is that faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior is the only pathway to God and eternal salvation.

Jan and Mike feel that Catholicism is the Mystery Babylon woman who rides the scarlet beast in Revelation 17.  Knowing about the beliefs of Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, it is puzzling why he is so celebrated in Rome and around the world.  This pope has stated that all people are children of God, that there is no hell and that even atheists will make it to heaven.  These beliefs are not factual.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13,14)

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

I’ve liked the music of The Beatles since I first began hearing it in the early 1960s.  The band received many accolades, including seven Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, an Academy Award (for Best Original Song Score for the 1970 documentary film Let It Be) and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards.  They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

John Lennon was murdered in December 1980.  George Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001.  Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have continued performing, sometimes together, since then.  This year, on November 2, 2023, Now and Then, was released and was dubbed “the last Beatles song.”

Below, the first photo on the left, taken in 1967, shows the Beatles (clockwise from the left) Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr.  The second two photos, on the right, show the Beatles in 1962 and in 1969.  You can click on them to view larger images.

On Dec. 19, the Supreme Court of Colorado ruled that Donald Trump could not appear on the 2024 presidential primary ballot for their state.  Today, Maine’s Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, unilaterally stated that Trump cannot appear on her state’s presidential primary ballot.

A 34-page decision written by Bellows, a Democrat, says that Trump is not qualified to hold office.  Her primary reason for this is because of his alleged actions prior to the to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

At least two members of the U.S. Congress from Maine have spoken out against the ruling by Bellows.  Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat, came out in opposition to her decision, saying “we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.”  Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, said, “The Secretary of State’s decision would deny thousands of Mainers the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice, and it should be overturned.”

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Trump is eligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot for president.  They left open the possibility, however, that he might be able to be removed from the ballot during the general election.

A large number of Christians believe in a Pre-tribulation Rapture event.  Although I do believe in a main Rapture event, I believe that it will be a Pre-wrath Rapture.  Here is an email response I made to someone who felt that some Bible verses may point to a “Pre-trib” Rapture:

• What is your view of the Rapture, and what do you think about Bible passages that seem to point to a Pre-tribulation Rapture?

This morning I went to get some 50%-off Christmas candy.  As usual, I was in the mood for some dark chocolate candy.  Sometimes it’s all been sold out, but this time I was able to find a few bags of it.  I also got a large bag containing a variety of chocolate candy.

In total, I bought 64.00 oz. (4.00 lb.) of 50%-off Christmas clearance candy.  That will last me awhile.

The newest, fastest growing and dominant COVID-19 subvariant in the U.S. right now is JN.1.  It is a subvariant of BA.2.86 Omicron and, so far, has been recorded in 40 other countries.  At this time, the majority of people with recent COVID-19 cases have been tested and diagnosed with the JN.1 subvariant.

JN.1 features an extra mutation on its spike protein.  It has the capability of spreading rapidly and evading immunity.  According to the CDC, it may be better at evading immune systems, or it simply may be more transmissible.  In either case, this highlights the need for continued monitoring.

JN.1 accounts for nearly 57% of COVID-19 cases in the northeastern U.S., including in New Jersey and New York.  In western states, including Arizona, California and Nevada, it accounts for about 41% of cases.  In mid-Atlantic states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, it accounts for about 39% of cases.

Symptoms of COVID-19 infection, as a result of JN.1, remain similar to that from other variants, according to the CDC.  They may include the following:

• fever or chills • cough • sore throat • congestion or runny nose • headache • muscle aches

• difficulty breathing • fatigue • new loss of taste or smell • “brain fog” (feeling less wakeful and aware) • gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach,    mild diarrhea, vomiting)

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Dr. Ron Rhodes.  They considered the glories of Heaven, where we will have transformed bodies and the former things will not be remembered.

Jan and Ron talked about how people’s physical bodies will not be in heaven.  For those who die and believe in Jesus, their deceased mortal bodies will be resurrected in the same type of body that Jesus had when He was raised from the dead.  He was raised in a physical body with flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

However, His resurrected body also was considered to be an imperishable and powerful spiritual body; and each of us will have a body like this, forevermore, after we are resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).  Jesus will transform our bodies so that they will be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:20,21), and that is the body in which we will enter heaven.

They also talked about what our roles will be in Heaven and considered if infants and children will be there.  They questioned whether or not we will mourn those that we have known but who are not there.  They also talked about people who say they are making trips to Heaven in their mortal bodies; however, that is extremely unlikely to impossible.

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Listen, I tell you a mystery:  We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  “Where, O death, is your victory? [Isaiah 25:8]  Where, O death, is your sting?” [Hosea 13:14]  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:50-57)

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17,18)

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20,21)

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

When I was a kid, my family watched every episode of the Bewitched sitcom for over 8 seasons.  Elizabeth Montgomery was our favorite actress on television.  My dad and I never found any evidence that she was related to us, but we always hoped that she was.

Today, the December Solstice takes place.  That occurs at 7:27 p.m. PST = 10:27 p.m. EST (= 3:27 UTC on Dec. 22).

It marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

For us in the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the end of decreasing daylight hours.  So for the next 6 months, the daylight will be getting longer each day, which I like.  Yeah!! 

Today, the Supreme Court of Colorado ruled that Donald Trump cannot appear on the 2024 presidential primary ballot for that state.  The ruling of the 7-member court was 4 to 3.

The court’s decision was in response to a lawsuit in which a group of voters in Colorado said that Trump was disqualified from being on the ballot due to a clause in the Fourteenth Amendment, which was enacted after the Civil War.  Their claim is that the clause prevents those from being in public office who swore to defend the Constitution but then engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S.

A Trump spokesman called the ruling “completely flawed” and said that Trump’s campaign would be making an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Colorado court’s ruling.  Others, including those running against Trump in the Republican primary, have agreed that the court’s ruling is invalid.  The Colorado Supreme Court has given Trump until January 4, 2024, to appeal its ruling.

A Monmouth University poll was released today  It indicated that 61% of voters disapprove of President Joe Biden’s job performance.  Only 34% indicated that they approved of his job performance.  For months, Biden has been losing support from key voting groups that supported him in the 2020 election.

These voting groups include young people and people of color.  They will be vitally important to his winning the upcoming election to a second term as president.  The next presidential election is less than a year away (November 5, 2024).

Main points for those in the Democratic party appear to be Biden’s age, the level of inflation and immigration.  In a Wall Street Journal poll released recently, 73% of registered voters said that Biden, age 81, is too old to seek a second term as president.  In the same poll, only 47% felt the same way about Trump, age 77.

In these troubled and difficult times, we need to pray and look for the goodness of God.  In the long run, those who know and love Him will be rewarded for their faith, which is one of the many gifts of the Holy Spirit.

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell played the message by Pastor Barry Stagner given at an Understanding the Times event in Minneapolis.  The message looks at the many reasons why the hour is so late.  The discussion and Q & A sessions are shared in brief.

         

         
30-second slideshow

Today’s program, lasting 53 minutes, can be heard here:

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed a very large defense budget bill of $886 billion for 2024.  It includes billions of dollars to enhance US deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific region.  It also extends a military aid program to Ukraine, which allows the gradual release of $300 million to Kyiv.

Today, the U.S. House approved the Senate’s defense budget, which also includes a 5.2% pay hike for military personnel.  The budget document is over 3,000 pages in length.  It is making its way to President Biden’s desk for his signature.

The Federal Reserve’s final meeting for 2023 took place yesterday and today.  They voted not to change the benchmark short-term interest rate.  The same thing happened at their Sep. 20 and Nov. 1 meetings.  For now, the interest rate will remain at its current level.

The interest rate will continue to be in the 5.25% to 5.50% range, the highest level in 22 years since 2001.  The Fed indicated that, most likely, they will cut interest rates by a total of 75 basis points, or 0.75%, beginning sometime in 2024.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington, D.C., today.  He has been meeting with President Biden and members of the U.S. Congress.  Zelensky has requested support for a $61 billion (£48.5 billion) package of military aid for Ukraine against Russia.

However, Biden is pushing Zelensky to hold and build territory that it has gained back from Russia over the past year.  He recommends that Ukraine do this rather than to repel further Russian advances into Ukraine this coming winter.

Congressional Republicans have been pushing for federal funding to go toward increasing border security on the southern U.S. border with Mexico.  After meeting with Zelensky today, House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated his stance that the House would not send any aid to Ukraine without seeing a border security and immigration package in Congress, which is unlikely to happen this year.

It was indicated by Jesus that, as we approach the end of the age, there would be an increase in wars and rumors of wars, a rise of nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:6,7; Luke 21:10,11).  It appears likely that these and other difficulties throughout the world will continue into 2024 and beyond.

This most likely will include a decrease in food and other necessary supplies, as well as difficulties in obtaining them.  There are 2 weeks remaining until Christmas.  This might be a good time to look for sales and deals in purchasing foods, necessary products and other supplies that can last for quite awhile.

There are people all over the world who feel like they are drowning in countless difficulties and adversities.  The Lord has encouraging words for them:

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Brandon Holthaus.  The Time of Jacob’s Trouble will cause the Jews to come to a point of desperation and cry out to the Messiah.  The stage is being set for that today as we trend towards the time of Great Tribulation and the Church Age winds down.

The Bible predicts that the perpetual hatred of Israel and Jews that we see today will turn itself into last-day events.  Islam is a caudification of the perpetual enmity that the descendants of Ishmael and Esau have had toward the descendants of Jacob.  It will take the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus, to return to Jerusalem and straighten out everything.

Satan knows that, eventually, it is prophesied for the Jews to accept Jesus as their Messiah.  If the Jews could be wiped out, then there would be no reason for Yeshua to return back to earth.  Then Satan could call God a liar.

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

Today (Kislev 25 on the Jewish calendar) is the first full day of Hanukkah.  Hanukkah began at sunset yesterday evening and extends until sunset on Dec. 15.  There are Hanukkah Blessings to say for eight nights as menorah candles are lit.  Happy Hanukkah Blessings!

       
15-second slideshow

This first full day of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is the 25th day of the Hebraic month of Kislev.  Most likely, this is when Jesus, the “light of the world” (John 3:19, 8:12), was conceived within a virgin and, when born, would be called Immanuel or “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:30-35).  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 1:18-20).  This is a fundamental example of how someone becomes a person, not merely a clump of cells, at the moment of conception.

Since life begins at conception, then it seems plausible that Jesus was the Light who entered the world (John 3:19) on the Festival of Lights.  Nine months later, Jesus most likely was born at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles = Sukkot.  This is when God came to make His dwelling or to tabernacle with us in human form (John 1:14).  More information and details can be found here: Do you think that Jesus was born on December 25 of the Gregorian calendar, or could He have been born at a time that aligned with the Hebraic calendar of feasts and festivals?

Speaking of the Messiah and Savior Jesus to come, God said this:

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.  I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”  This is what the LORD says—the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” (Isaiah 49:6,7)

Hanukkah begins at sunset this evening and extends until sunset on Dec. 15.  There are Hanukkah Blessings to say for eight nights as menorah candles are lit.  Happy Hanukkah Blessings!

       
15-second slideshow

The first full day of Hanukkah (Dec. 8 this year), the Festival of Lights, is the 25th day of the Hebraic month of Kislev.  Most likely, this is when Jesus, the “light of the world” (John 3:19, 8:12), was conceived within a virgin and, when born, would be called Immanuel or “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:30-35).  He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 1:18-20).  This is a fundamental example of how someone becomes a person, not merely a clump of cells, at the moment of conception.

Since life begins at conception, then it seems plausible that Jesus was the Light who entered the world (John 3:19) on the Festival of Lights.  Nine months later, Jesus most likely was born at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles = Sukkot.  This is when God came to make His dwelling or to tabernacle with us in human form (John 1:14).  More information and details can be found here: Do you think that Jesus was born on December 25 of the Gregorian calendar, or could He have been born at a time that aligned with the Hebraic calendar of feasts and festivals?

Speaking of the Messiah and Savior Jesus to come, God said this:

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.  I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”  This is what the LORD says—the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” (Isaiah 49:6,7)

The fourth Republican (GOP) presidential candidate debate will happen tonight in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  It will take place at the University of Alabama.

NewsNation will host this debate, which will begin at 8:00 p.m. EST and is expected to run about two hours.  The debate moderators will be Megyn Kelly, Eliana Johnson and Elizabeth Vargas.

Donald Trump, who continues to be the front-runner in the race, will not attend tonight’s debate, nor did he attend the previous three GOP debates.  During this debate, Trump will be attending a fundraiser for a super PAC supporting his candidacy.  These four candidates will participate in tonight’s debate:

• Ron DeSantis
• Nikki Haley
• Chris Christie
• Vivek Ramaswamy

In ancient Israel, the prophet Isaiah lived during the 8th century B.C.  He was the greatest prophet of all.  For instance, he correctly predicted both the destruction of Israel by Assyria and the destruction of Judah by Babylon (Isaiah 7:17-25, 39:5-7).

Isaiah also made numerous prophecies about the coming Messiah, who would be a suffering servant (at His first coming) and a ruling king (at His second coming).  One of the greatest chapters in the entire Bible is Isaiah 53.

Traditional Judaism most often identifies the entity in Isaiah 53 as the nation of Israel, which has suffered greatly throughout history.  Christians see this entity as describing aspects of the suffering Yeshua/Jesus, whose affliction brought healing, hope, and deliverance to the world.  Here is one passage:

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.   He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:3-7)

Hugh Ross, of Reasons to Believe, has written six of the top reasons showing the astronomical “coincidences” of humanity’s existence in this exact location of the universe:

It is important to have a firm belief in God and a strong love for Him.  By doing so, it is more likely that He will shield us from harm and, ultimately, will cause good things to happen in our lives.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell reviewed 2023 top stories pointing to ways that Bible prophecy has had potential elements of fulfillment.  Many of her points were tied to the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Dr. Mark Hitchcock also added some points, including how the world today is experiencing an avalanche of antisemitism.  Amir Tsarfati described how Israeli soldiers are getting closer to God and are joining together to pray with each other.

Then Jan spent the remainder of the hour with Steve Miller.  He noted that many Christians turn away from Bible prophecy because they think it’s too hard to understand, or maybe they’ve been exposed to the debates and the controversies that surround it.  However, there are other important topics in the Bible that also are difficult to understand, that require careful study and that also have controversies surrounding them.  We should not avoid them, but we should become students of the Word, including prophecy.

The Bible calls prophecy a light shining in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19).  Why do so many want to turn off the light?  Many prominent stories remind us that Jesus’ return is one day nearer.

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

 
5-second slideshow

Yesterday morning, on the seventh day of the Israeli cease-fire on Gaza, two Palestinian militants opened fire at a bus stop in West Jerusalem.  They killed three Israelis and injured many others.  Hamas took responsibility for the attack.

This morning, Israel accused Hamas of not releasing all of the women hostages today and violating the cease-fire by launching rockets at citizens in Israel just after 7:00 a.m.  The Israeli military has since resumed combat in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, ending Israel’s seven-day cease-fire on Gaza.

Yesterday was the sixth day of Israel’s cease-fire on Gaza, which began on Nov. 24.  Initially, it was intended to be a four-day cease-fire, ending on Nov. 27.

However, Israel agreed to extend the cease-fire and humanitarian aid to Gaza for two more days.  That period of time ended yesterday.  It was unknown whether or not the truce would continue today and more hostages would be released.

In fact, Israel’s cease-fire was extended through today, with 8 Israeli hostages being released by Hamas.  The agreement was for 10 hostages to be released for each day a cease-fire occurred; but 12 hostages were released yesterday, bringing the average per day for each of the seven days to 10.  Later today, 30 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel.

Unfortunately, at 7:40 a.m. this morning, a deadly terrorist attack took place in West Jerusalem.  Two militant Palestinian brothers in their 30s opened fire at a bus stop, killing three Israelis and injuring at least sixteen others.  The attackers were killed by two off-duty Israeli soldiers and a civilian who fired back at them.  Hamas took responsibility for the attack and celebrated the shooting as an act of heroism.

       
13-second slideshow

Today is Giving Tuesday.  It began in 2012 and always takes place five days after the Thanksgiving holiday each year.  Therefore, the date range is November 27 to December 3.

This day can be described as a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations, helping to positively transform their communities and the world.  Although it began 11 years ago in New York City, it is a day of giving in several countries around the world.

Qatar is the main mediator between Israel and Gaza in the temporary truce between their military forces and in the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.  The first day of the truce was Nov. 24.  Initially, it was intended to be a four-day cease-fire, and today is the fourth day.

Yesterday, 17 hostages were released from Gaza, and 39 prisoners were released from Israel.  Today, 11 hostages were released from Gaza, and 33 prisoners were released from Israel.  Trucks with supplies of food, fuel, drinking water and medicine have continued to roll into Gaza.

Today, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson announced that an agreement has been reached to extend the cease-fire and humanitarian aid to Gaza for an additional two days.  It is unknown whether or not a pause in the war will be extended for a longer period of time after that.  Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that once the truce ends, Israel “will return with full force to achieve our goals: the elimination of Hamas, ensuring that Gaza does not return to what it was, and of course the release of our hostages.”

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Mark Henry and Mondo Gonzales.  The Jews and Jerusalem are ground zero for understanding our times and God’s plan for the end of the Church Age.

Yet many hold to theologies that do not allow them to comprehend this.  The three sort through some false theologies that twist scripture.

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

Our sun’s Solar cycle was described in the June 30 entry.  On the average, a solar cycle lasts 11 years.

Our present Solar cycle 25 began in 2019.  Initially, it was expected that this cycle’s maximum activity would take place in 2025.  Yet, observations last year and this year have indicated that maximum solar activity during this cycle could occur before the end of this year, 2023, or in 2024.

Two days ago, on Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.), a giant cluster of active sunspots was observed on the sun.  The size of the cluster is about 15 times wider than Earth.  Several M-class (moderate) and C-class (common) solar flares have been sent out from the cluster.  X-class (extreme) solar flares, which have occurred 11 times so far in 2023, appear likely.

There is a concern that a solar storm might be headed our way as soon as today or within the next few weeks.  If that happens, radio blackout, vibrant aurora displays and and other consequential events can be expected.  It now is anticipated that the explosive peak, known as the solar maximum, most likely will occur next year.

Today was the first day of Israel’s cease-fire on Gaza.  Hamas released 24 Israeli hostages, and Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.  This is the beginning of a four-day cease-fire.

During this temporary cease-fire, Gaza militants have pledged to release 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.  Also, during this truce, increased supplies of food, water, medicine and fuel began to come into Gaza from Egypt.

Once the truce ends in a few days, Israel has vowed to resume its offensive against Hamas in Gaza.  According to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the primary goal will be to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, end its 16-year rule in Gaza and return all of the hostages.

This is Thanksgiving Day in the USA.  Our first president, George Washington, issued a General Thanksgiving Proclamation.  Its focus is on the Almighty God, to whom we all should be thankful for both good and happy times, as well as bad and sad times.

         
15-second slideshow

In a prayer to the Lord, King David said the following:

Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:12-24)

In his instructions to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul wrote the following:

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.  Live in peace with each other.  And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.  Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything.  Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil.  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)

On this special day, the prominent phrase that Paul wrote is, “give thanks in all circumstances.”  For many who are going through difficult and trying circumstances, this is not easy to do.  Spiritual maturity enables us to understand that we should give thanks even for the thorny and challenging things in life.

It is hard for us to understand why we should be thankful for the terrible things that happen to us, and to others close to us, along this journey of life.  We must realize, though, that we cannot understand the infinite Mind of God, nor can we comprehend His plans and purposes for our lives.  It is in obedience and in faith that we thank God for all things.

Today, let us remember that God is in charge and in control of all situations.  He allows us to go through hard times to strengthen us and to cause us to depend on Him—rather than on ourselves or other people—even more.  It is one of the greatest lessons we can learn before Jesus returns to rule and reign, when He will wipe away every tear from our eyes.  We can be very thankful for that! 

This is the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas.  A person must be at least age 35 to be President of the U.S.  John Kennedy was the youngest person, at age 43, to be elected to the presidency in 1960.  He also was the youngest president, at age 46, to leave office, unfortunately by assassination.

There are interesting similarities between Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.  For instance, they were elected 100 years apart: in 1860 and in 1960, respectively.  Both were assassinated, in the presence of their wives, by being shot in the back of the head while serving as president.

Each vice president of Lincoln and Kennedy had the same last name: Johnson.  They were born 100 years apart: Andrew Johnson in 1808 and Lyndon Johnson in 1908.  The first and last names of both vice presidents contain 13 letters.  Also, both presidents’ last names, Lincoln and Kennedy, contain 7 letters.

There are other notable similarities between Lincoln and Kennedy, between A. Johnson and L. Johnson, and even between the two men who assassinated them—John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald.  For example, both assassins were assassinated before going to trial, and both mens’ full names contain 15 letters.

It appears that Israel and Hamas are close to making a deal.  Israel’s war cabinet and then the full government are convening today to negotiate the deal.

Tentatively, there will be a temporary cease-fire by Israel on the Hamas Palestinian group.  Presumably, Hamas will release 50 Israeli hostages, who were taken during the Oct. 7 attack.  In turn, Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners (three prisoners for each Israeli hostage).

The exchange will involve only women and children on both sides.  Prisoners accused of murder will not be released.  Over time, there are expected to be more phases of pauses in fighting along with hostage and prisoner exchanges.

       
13-second slideshow

Today is World Children’s Day.  In past decades, it has been observed on various dates in different countries.  This day and date commemorates the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1959.

Today also is the 81st birthday of President Joe Biden.  He was born on November 20, 1942, and is the oldest person to be a U.S. president.  Hopefully, all of the candles on his birthday cake won’t burn down the White House.

There was a ceremony outside of the White House this morning.  Biden performed the annual Thanksgiving pardon of two turkeys, Liberty and Bell, from Minnesota.

I last organized my vitamins and supplements into individual compartments on Aug. 17.  Now I’ll be cutting back on my regular vitamin intake for awhile.  I will be taking the following every two days rather than every day: a daily multiple; vitamins A, B complex, C, D3 and E; fish oil, magnesium, saw palmetto, turmeric curcumin, glucosamine sulfate, iron and olive leaf extract.

   
8-second slideshow

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Michele Bachmann.  Many are saying that October 7 was a day that changed our world and life as we knew it.  It appears that the whole world has reverted to Germany in the 1930s.

Strong delusion is the new norm.  Where is this going?  Will today’s churches take a positive or a negative stand with Israel?

Many times in the past, God has admonished and punished Israel for falling away from Him.  This includes the refusal of Israel, as a whole, to acknowledge Jesus/Yeshua as their Messiah and Lord.  Near the end of the age, which we rapidly appear to be approaching, it will happen again, including the desolation of Israel (Luke 21:20-24).

However, ultimately, Israelites will acknowledge Jesus/Yeshua as their Messiah and Lord, and God will renew His everlasting covenant with Israel.  God will take away their sins, and all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26,27).  Forevermore thereafter, Israel will be God’s chosen nation and people.

“The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.  It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.  “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD.  “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.  No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD.  “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD Almighty is his name: “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the LORD, “will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.”  This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:33-37)

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the two-step funding bill that the House had passed the day before.  The bill, a continuing resolution, passed the Senate with a vote of 87-11.

President Biden is expected to sign the bill before the deadline of 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning to avoid a government shutdown.  Once the bill is signed by the president, funding for some federal spending bills will be extended until January 19 and others until February 2 next year.

The bill contains no spending cuts.  It also does not include spending for Israel and Ukraine, humanitarian assistance or border security.

Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a two-step funding bill.  If passed by the Senate, it will temporarily fund four federal government spending bills until January 19 and eight other spending bills until February 2 next year.

The stopgap funding bill was passed by a large majority of votes of 336–95.  Those voting for the bill included 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans.  Those voting against the bill included 2 Democrats and 93 Republicans.

Soon, the bill will be voted on by the Senate and is expected to pass.  Assuming that it does, the bill must be signed into law by President Biden by 12:01 a.m. Saturday morning to avoid a government shutdown.

A report from the U.S. Labor Department has indicated that the annual rate inflation rate fell to 3.2% in October.  This followed many months of steady increases in inflation, causing fears of an approaching recession.

After more than 18 months of interest rate hikes, there is an expectation that the Federal Reserve may halt the hikes for awhile, although there possibly might be another hike before the end of 2023.  Today, this hope resulted in a significant stock market rally of major stock indices.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Dr. Mark Hitchcock, Olivier Melnick, and Trevor Rubenstein of Chosen People Ministries.  Hitchcock feels the world has been given a two-minute warning as the final clock ticks down.  (Melnick and Rubenstein were Jan’s guests on Sep. 24, about two weeks before the Hamas attack on Israel.  Some of today’s topics were discussed in more detail during that program.)

War is expanding in the Middle East.  The key to the clock is the Jewish people.  There has been an increasing hatred of and antagonism toward Israel and Jews since the 2023 Israel–Hamas war began on Oct. 7.  Israel is the burdensome stone to the world and church.

Rather than have hatred toward Israel and hope for the destruction of Jerusalem, people should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem.  Absolute and everlasting peace will not happen there until the Prince of Peace, the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) returns to earth.  Therefore, in effect, praying for the ultimate peace of Jerusalem is praying for the soon return of Jesus back to earth.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.  May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” (Psalm 122:6,7)

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.  As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:1,2)

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

Today is the 105th anniversary of Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day.  World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.  Veterans Day is an official public holiday in the U.S.

         
15-second slideshow

This is the 85th anniversary Kristallnacht or “Crystal Night.”  It was a tragic wave of violent attacks against Jewish people and their properties throughout Germany and Austria on November 9 & 10, 1938.

Jewish people, businesses, homes, houses of worship, schools and cemeteries were attacked, vandalized and desecrated during the pogroms.  A pogrom is an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group.  The Kristallnacht pogroms were carried out mostly by Nazi paramilitary forces.

During Kristallnacht, over 90 Jews were killed and many more were injured.  More than 7,000 Jewish businesses and at least 1,400 synagogues were destroyed.  Additionally, about 30,000 Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

People pronounce words in diverse ways.  Sometimes this is due simply to not observing the proper spelling of words, and sometimes it results from different accents or cultural variations.

I feel that on TV and radio in the U.S., people should enunciate the clearest American English possible.  This is important to ensure the most widespread understanding by listeners.

Here is a list of words, properly spelled, along with common ways that they are incorrectly spoken:

Also, here is a list 10 additional words and phrases that people commonly say incorrectly:

The third Republican (GOP) presidential candidate debate happened tonight in Miami, Florida.  It took place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.

NBC News hosted this debate, which began at 8:00 p.m. EST and ran a little under two hours.  The debate moderators were NBC’s Lester Holt and Kristen Welker, along with radio host Hugh Hewitt.

Donald Trump, who continues to be the front-runner in the race, did not attend tonight’s debate, nor did he attend the previous two GOP debates.  During the debate, Trump conducted a campaign rally in Hialeah, about 30 minutes from Miami.  These five candidates participated in tonight’s debate:

• Ron DeSantis
• Nikki Haley
• Tim Scott
• Vivek Ramaswamy
• Chris Christie

Today is Election Day in the United States.  Although it is not a presidential election, there are elections for governors, senators, house members, mayors, bonds amendments and many other positions and issues.  It always is important for us to cast our votes on Election Day.

This past weekend, there was a huge protest in Washington, D.C.  For many hours on Saturday, tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, with Palestinian flags and signs, demonstrated in the city.  They were rallying against the Biden administration’s support of Israel in the war against Hamas and the $14.3 billion military aid package for Israel passed by the U.S. House last week.

These protests took place exactly 4 weeks after the beginning of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war on Oct. 7.  Israeli authorities have indicated that no ceasefire in Gaza will be possible until all Israeli hostages, taken by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, are freed.

Frequent loud chants of “Allahu akbar” (Allah is greatest), “Free, free Palestine!” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” were heard.  Chants against President Biden included, “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide” and “no ceasefire, no votes.”

The White House fence was vandalized.  Antisemitic graffiti was sprayed on several buildings along the protesters’ path through the city.  Multiple statues in downtown Washington were defaced.  Several incidents of property damage and vandalism were reported to police.

The Internationial Peoples’ Assembly, which helped organize the protest, stated that “the march is set to be the largest in favor of Palestine in US history.”  There also were protests in other major U.S. cities, which included New York City, Philadelphia and Sacramento.  Furthermore, pro-Palestinian protesters marched in other major cities across the world, including London, Paris, Berlin, Santiago and Caracas.

Daylight Saving Time ended today, and Standard Time began.  In states that observe this change, all clocks should be set back one hour.  Standard Time will continue for just over four months until Sunday, March 10, when Daylight Saving Time will begin again in most states and clocks will be set ahead one hour.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Billy Crone.  They talked about the conflict going on in the Middle East, which started on Oct. 7, and how so many churches have been silent about this.  They also discussed a new post-human species 2.0 that is supposed to transcend the human race.  This now is being pursued by the globalists.

Current events often do tie to the Bible.  Some of them going on now, especially in the Middle East, remind us how late the hour is.  When America is weak, bullies around the world get very strong and aggressive.

We’re having dramatic lessons on good vs. evil.  A prominent message that can be seen is the reliability of God’s Word, especially His prophetic Word.  What the Bible predicts always comes true.  Evil will wax worse and worse, and perilous times are going to intensify.

The key to comprehending our times is to understand what God says about the present and the future.  One downside to this is that too many Christian leaders and churches will not talk about it.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

The Texas Rangers are the World Series champions after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks last night in game 5.  The game, played in Arizona, lasted 9 innings.  Had the Diamondbacks won the 5th game, the 6th game would have been played in Texas.

The Diamondbacks last won the World Series in 2001.  This is the first World Series win by the Rangers.  Congratulations Rangers!

The 5th game’s final score was Rangers 5, Diamondbacks 0.  Here are the scores for the final game Wednesday night and the runs, hits and errors for all of the innings:

In the series, the Rangers won 4 games and the Diamondbacks won 1 game.  Below are some stats and scores for the 5 games.  Click on the links to see the scoreboards for all of the games.

The best thing about Halloween is half-priced candy the next day.  I purchased 48.6 ounces (3.04 pounds) of candy today.  Some of it will be going to friends.  I doubt that the texting witch will be eating any. 

 
5-second slideshow

During the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting yesterday and today, they voted not to change the benchmark short-term interest rate.  The same thing happened at their Sep. 20 meeting.  For now, the interest rate will remain at its current level.

The interest rate will continue to be in the 5.25% to 5.50% range, the highest level in 22 years since 2001.  It is unknown whether or not the Fed will raise the rate next month, which will be their final meeting of 2023.

I wonder how many Christians believe that God’s “chosen people” no longer are the Israelites and the Jews but, exclusively, are the Church of Christian believers.  I do not believe this at all.  By no means will God ever permanently abandon Israel, and His everlasting promises to Israel will take place.  I have written a lengthy commentary to explain all of this and more:

I also wonder how many Christians know the following things about Jesus (Yeshua or Yahshua in Hebrew):

• He was a Jew who lived strictly by the Law of the Torah.
• He came to fulfill the Torah Law, not to abolish it.
• He observed all of the Hebraic/Jewish feasts, festivals, and holy days in both the Spring and the Fall.
• He died on Passover.
• He lay in a tomb during the first part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
• He rose from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits (which has been given the inappropriate name of “Easter”).
• His Holy Spirit came to Jews at Pentecost, which also was at the Feast of Weeks (or Shavuot).
• He will appear in the clouds to take believers to be with Him, at the Rapture, on the Feast of Trumpets (or Rosh HaShanah).
• His second advent back to earth will be on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
• He will require representatives from all the nations of the world to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot), each year, throughout the Millennium.
• His birthday most likely is during the Feast of Tabernacles (late September to mid October), not on the Christianized day of “Christmas” (December 25).

Today in Tel Aviv, Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu gave a news briefing about Israel’s invasion of Gaza.  He was joined by Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Netanyahu said that Israel would not agree to a cessation of hostilities with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and would press ahead with its plans to wipe out the group.  Following his address, Netanyahu and Dermer responded to some questions.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with health expert and emergency room registered nurse Twila Brase.  They discussed the likelihood of Covid round two.

The same cast of characters are eager to throw us back into a panic mode with new restrictions.  Will the globalists finish off the last remnants of freedom this time, in their one-world efforts?  How do we push back?

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6.7)

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

Israel has stepped up its air and ground attacks in the northern Gaza Strip today and tonight.  The next advance planned by Israel will be a ground operations movement further down into Gaza.

All of this is retaliation for the Hamas attack that occurred on Oct. 7.  That was the worst attack on Israeli civilians since Israel became a nation again 75 years ago.

Prior to the attack, Israel cut off internet and phone services to approximately 2.3 million Gaza residents within the Gaza Strip.  There also were two overnight tank raids into the Strip, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said were missions to start to prepare the ground for an offensive.

Israel had paused its ground incursion into Gaza when talks began about a possible Israeli hostage release by Hamas.  However, those talks ended in a stalemate, resulting in Israel’s decision to continue expanding operations into Gaza.

The 2023 Israel–Hamas war is continuing with no end in sight.  The violence was initiated by a deadly attack on Israelis launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, which resulted in a wave of Israeli retaliation.  So far, the number of civilian deaths includes over 1,300 Israelis and almost 7,000 Gazans.

For over a week, Israel has been warning of a massive ground attack on the Gaza Strip.  Gazan citizens have been warned to move their families to the southern Gaza Strip.  They’ve said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will target primarily tunnel shafts, rocket launchers, militant infrastructure, as well as Hamas leaders and terrorists who are responsible for the massive Oct. 7 attack.

Last night and today, Israeli troups and tanks conducted a ground raid in northern Gaza.  Also, about 250 air strikes were carried out there, including in Gaza City.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that Israel’s cabinet is deciding on the timing for a possible ground incursion further into the Gaza Strip.  He said Israel has two goals in the war: to “destroy Hamas and all its infrastructure” and to “do everything that’s possible to bring our hostages back home.”

Today the U.S. House of Representatives elected Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) as the new Speaker of the House.  This occurred following more than three weeks of chaos and disarray in attempting to elect a new speaker after Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed as Speaker of the House on Oct. 3.

Johnson was in his second term as vice chairman of the House Republican Conference.  He needed at least 217 votes in the House to win the speaker’s gavel.  Johnson won with a vote of 220 to 209 over Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

He was nominated last night by members of the GOP conference.  He stated, “Democracy is messy sometimes.  This House Republican majority is united.”

The House is facing a challenge in a little over three weeks.  There is a Nov. 17 deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown.  Furthermore, the White House is asking lawmakers to approve a $100 billion national security supplemental to support Israel and Ukraine amid their respective conflicts.

I used to cook and bake food on a regular basis.  Although I still like everything on my Ted’s Favorite Recipes page, I don’t have the time to spend making those things too much anymore.

Recently, I received a nice email from someone who used my Meat and Vegetable Lasagna recipe to make two lasagnas.  She liked them and so did her grandma.  Now she wants to try some of my other recipes.  I hope she likes them, too.  Below is what she said in her email, along with a picture she took of the two lasagnas she made.  You can click on the email text and the lasagna photo to see larger images.

Many people do not believe in God because they’ve never seen Him.  In their minds, “Seeing is believing.”

However, countless qualities, features and attributes of God can be seen in His Creation around us.  Observing these and reading about Him in His Word, the Bible, have convinced many skeptics that, indeed, the eternal God does exist.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Stephen Briggs, the Director of Operations at Hatikvah Films.  They talked about how there are blessings and curses put upon nations and individuals, based on Genesis 12:3.  Is America setting itself up for blessings or for cursings as it concerns her relationship with Israel?

Israel was caught off-guard on Saturday, Oct. 7.  Thousands of Hamas terrorists broke through Israel’s billion-dollar fence separating Israel and Gaza.  They invaded parts of Israel.  Many hostages were taken, and many were murdered.  On Friday, Oct. 13, Hamas leadership called for a “Day of Rage” against Israelis and Jews around the world.  These and other recent events have ushered in an even more perilous time than there was before Oct. 7.  A new era of Islamic terror has been launched.

Back in 2005, Israel gave up Gaza in the name of peace; however, Israel’s giving up land for peace only results in Israel being left in pieces.  Many nations believe that peace can be made with Islam, but that is not the case.  We don’t know where the conflict between Israel and Hamas is leading: to a regional war or even to a global war.  Many fear that the world is on the verge of World War III.

Some of today’s program includes portions of Stephen Briggs’ DVD: “America and the Israel Effect.”  It is a history lesson showing the steps leading to Israel’s becoming a nation again in 1948.

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

Today, in another attempt to win the Republican nomination for Speaker of the House, Jim Jordan (R-OH) lost again.  He received even less votes from Republicans than he did on his first two attempts.

Following that vote, House Republicans had a secret vote to decide whether or not Jordan could continue running to be their nominee.  The vote was 122 against and 86 for Jordan.  Soon thereafter, Jordan officially has dropped out of the race.  However, he will continue to be the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The Republican conference is scheduled to meet again on Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, when they will hold a candidate forum.  Lawmakers have until noon on Oct. 22 to declare their candidacy.  Another vote for the Republican nominee to be House speaker is expected on Oct. 24.

The U.S. House of Representatives has been in a state of disarray since Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed as Speaker of the House on Oct. 3.  Patrick McHenry (R-NC) became Speaker pro tempore, remaining in that position until a Speaker is officially elected.

Since then, Steve Scalise (R-LA) was nominated by Republicans but withdrew from the race.  There were two sessions where Jim Jordan (R-OH) received a majority vote by Republicans, but the number of votes were smaller than expected.

Jordan has not withdrawn from the race.  Today, he supported a plan to put Speaker pro tempore McHenry in charge of the House until January.  Jordan felt that this would enable the House to vote on various types of legislation, such as keeping the government funded in a few weeks.  It also would give him time to increase his support and to receive enough votes to win the speaker seat in a few months.

However, this proposed leadership structure has not happened before.  Many questioned how it would work.  The plan was supported by some Republicans but not by others.  Therefore, Jordan has decided to embark on a third vote, which is expected to take place tomorrow morning.

It was reported today that many are dead after an explosion at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.  Palestinians in the region blamed Israel for the attack.  However, Israeli military leaders blamed the deadly blast on errant weapons fired from within Gaza.

An Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson emphasized that the explosion was not caused by IDF weapons.  He firmly stated that the blast was caused by a failed missile launch by Hamas.  Also, Tal Heinrich, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the “IDF does not target hospitals.”

U.S. President Biden departed for the Middle East today.  He was scheduled to meet in Amman, Jordan, with his counterparts from Israel, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority.  However, those meetings were canceled because of the hospital’s deadly destruction.

A couple of friends are visiting the Philippines and doing one of their favorite things: scuba diving.  I’ve never done that, but I like looking at scuba diving photos.

It looks like one of my friends made a friend, a big whale shark, while in the water.  I’m glad the shark didn’t gobble him up.  Technically, I guess that shark (the friend of my friend) is now my friend.  Maybe I should learn how to scuba dive so I could go to the Philippines and meet him. 

     
20-second slideshow

I have another friend who loves scuba diving.  He has done that many times in the Philippines and several other places in the world.  Many years ago, I made a page with 116 of his diving photos here:

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Amir Tsarfati.  They talked about the biblical and prophetic significance of the current Mideast conflict.  It began on Oct. 7 with a huge attack on Israel by Hamas militants in Gaza (the 2023 Israel–Hamas war).  That was 50 years after the Yom Kippur War in October of 1973.

Why are some churches silent about this?  Could it be their theology?  A much wider conflict is on the horizon.  What should we anticipate?

After Hamas’ brutal and deadly attack on Israel, the lack of control on the United States border with Mexico takes on a more threatening tone.  The record number of illegal immigrant arrivals and detained terrorism suspects are a significant threat to the national security of the U.S.

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

Today, the Solar eclipse of October 14, 2023 will be taking place.  The maximum part of this annular eclipse will be viewable from portions of the United States, Mexico, Central America and South America.  Other portions of these countries, and of the world, will be able to see a partial solar eclipse.

The central portion of the annular eclipse will enter the U.S. from the Pacific coast into Oregon.  About 6 hours later, it will exit the eastern-most part of Brazil on the Atlantic coast.

     
10-second slideshow

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is much further away from the earth than its average distance.  Each year, the closest point that the moon is to the earth is it perigee, and the furthest point is its apogee.

Today is only 4.6 days after the moon’s apogee; therefore, it will appear much smaller than usual.  This will cause the moon not to completely cover the entire surface of the sun, thereby creating an annular eclipse rather than a total eclipse.  When this happens, the outer edge of the sun can be seen as a ring of fire around the moon.

When viewing an annular eclipse, it is extremely important to wear special eclipse glasses.  Otherwise, the radiation from the ring of sun around the moon will enter the eye and can cause serious damage to the retina at the back of the eye.  Regular sunglasses will not prevent this from happening.

Yesterday, Steve Scalise (R-LA) was nominated by Republicans in the House of Representatives to be the GOP candidate for House speaker.  It was assumed that soon, possibly even today, a vote would be taken by the entire House to elect either Scalise or Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to be the new speaker.

Scalise would need 217 votes, on the entire House floor, to be elected speaker.  He could afford to lose only 4 Republican votes, since Democrats most likely will remain unified in their opposition to the Republican candidate.

Tonight, however, about 16 Republicans said that they would not back Scalise.  Therefore, Scalise withdrew from the race.  He said that the Republican agenda “still has to come together and it’s not there.  There are still some people that have their own agendas.  And I was very clear, we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs.”  It is unknown when a full House floor vote will made.

In the United States House of Representatives, 212 Republicans met last night to hear members Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH), who are running for Speaker of the House.  This occurred because Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed as Speaker on Oct. 3.

Today, after an internal GOP conference election with 212 Republicans being present to vote, Scalise was nominated by a vote of 113 to 99.  Scalise was favored by political observers who cited his increased appeal among House moderates and his past leadership positions.

Next, there will be vote by the entire House to elect the new Speaker of the House.  The two candidates will be Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).  A vote of at over half of the House members who take a vote will be required for a win.  It is unknown when this vote will take place.

Since the attack on Israel by Hamas began three days ago on Oct. 7 (the 2023 Israel–Hamas war), Israel has been strengthening its military buildup along the border with Gaza.  Overnight, over 200 targets in Gaza were hit with rocket strikes.  Today, in a defiant response, Hamas fired hundreds more rockets towards the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.  Many of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome.

Over the past three days, at least 150 people were captured in Israel by Hamas militants and taken back into Gaza, where they are being held hostage.  Many have been raped, tortured and killed, which included the decapitation of many babies.  Those being held hostage may include up to 20 U.S. citizens.  Hamas has said that it will execute a hostage for every Hamas civilian house in Gaza that is bombed by Israel without warning.  U.S. President Biden has condemned the brutality of Hamas in its attack on Israel and its cruelty to hostages.

There also have been artillery strikes, by Hezbollah in Lebanon, into northern Israel.  Also, members of Islamic Jihad have been attempting to cross into Israel from Lebanon.  Israel has given official warnings to those in four border towns of the attemped infiltrations.  In addition, there have been reported attacks on at least 13 Israeli settlements within the West Bank.

Two days ago, the U.S. Pentagon ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, the world’s largest warship, into the Eastern Mediterranean as a signal to deter a further escalation of conflicts in the region.  The Iranian-backed Badr Organization has threatened to attack U.S. forces if they intervene in the war on Israel’s behalf.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with author and Pastor Dr. J. B. Hixson.  The technology we love has been turned into a weapon in the globalist effort to be as God.  They discussed the role of the coming False Prophet in this effort.

Merging humans and machines into synthetically created beings, with the use of artificial intelligence (AI), will transcend humanity as we know it.  This is transhumanism.  It will be an (unsuccessful) attempt to achieve equality with God.  It is a direct assault on the Creator Himself, and it will turn the world into a prison planet.

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

Today is Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, a holy day in Israel.  It is the eighth day, a special day of sacred assembly, following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot (Leviticus 23:34-36).

Late last night and into the early morning, Hamas militants fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip.  It was a massive and unexpected attack.  The day was regarded as the deadliest for Jewish civilians since the end of the the Holocaust in the 1940s.  Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel now is at war with Hamas.  Netanyahu vowed to inflict an “unprecedented price” and launched airstrikes into Gaza.

Hours after the incursion began, Israeli troops still were fighting Hamas gunmen in 22 locations near the Gaza Strip, including towns and other communities.  An early account asserted that, in Israel, at least 200 people were killed and at least 1,100 were wounded.  The early account also indicated that at least 198 people in the Gaza Strip were killed and at least 1,610 were wounded.  Many are saying that this 2023 Israel–Hamas war is the most significant military challenge to Israel in the past 50 years, since the Yom Kippur War in October of 1973.

Later, there was an escalation of Israeli airstrikes into Gaza City.  Giant explosions flattened several buildings.  Soon thereafter, Hamas began shooting numerous rockets into central Israel, hitting four cities including Tel Aviv and a nearby suburb.  Throughout the day, according to the Israeli military, more than 3,500 rockets were fired by Hamas into Israel.  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the assault that had begun in Gaza would spread to the West Bank and Jerusalem.

U.S. President Joe Biden condemned “this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza.”  According to a White House statement, Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu and said that Israel “has a right to defend itself and its people.”

Back on Feb. 15, 2019, former President Trump emphasized the importance of dealing with the “national security crisis” at the U.S. southern border.  Congress had approved $1.357 billion for a border barrier.  However, this was less than a quarter of the $5.7 billion that Trump had requested.

After that, though, numerous delays and complications occurred, preventing border wall construction.  Since President Biden has been in office, he has been against the building of a border wall.  Several million illegal migrants, from many different nations, have crossed over the border and are residing in the U.S.

Today, the Biden administration announced that there will be border wall construction in Texas.  Biden stated, “The money was appropriated for the border wall.  I tried to get them to reappropriate, to redirect that money.  They didn’t.  They wouldn’t.  And, in the meantime, there’s nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated.  I can’t stop that.”

Today, October 4, is the first day of World Space Week.  It will continue through October 10 next week.  It is observed in 95 nations of the world.

       
13-second slideshow

Today, Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.  It is the first time in U.S. history that this has happened to the Speaker of the House.  The vote to remove McCarthy was 216 in favor and 210 opposed

McCarthy has stated that he will not run again for the Speaker position.  He continues to represent California’s 20th congressional district in the House.

McCarthy is being succeeded by Patrick McHenry, who now is the Speaker pro tempore.  McHenry represents North Carolina’s 10th congressional district.  He will serve as the House speaker until members of the House vote for the next speaker.  It is unknown when this will take place.

Following the recent passing of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein on Sep. 29, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that he would be naming her replacement soon.  Yesterday, Newsom named Democrat Laphonza Butler as senator-designate from California.

She will be sworn in tomorrow at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.  Butler will be the first black lesbian to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Butler served as president of California Service Employees International Union (SEIU) State Council from 2013 to 2018.  She was the president of EMILY’s List from 2021 to 2023 and a regent of the University of California from 2018 to 2021.  She also served as a senior adviser to Kamala Harris during her 2020 presidential campaign.

Butler will fill Feinstein’s seat until 2025.  In case she runs for that seat in the Nov. 2024 election and wins, then she will begin a 6-year senate term in 2025.

Every Oct. 1, often referred to as “Shocktober 1st” in southern California, I’m always reminded of the 5.9 Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987.  It happened at 7:42 a.m., just as I was finishing breakfast before going to work.

My house in Irvine was about 40 miles from the epicenter, and it rocked for several seconds but did no damage to my property.  The quake was felt throughout southern California and southern Nevada.

I was watching the morning news out of Los Angeles.  A few minutes after the main shock, there was a small aftershock, which I did not feel.

I remember watching two of the news guys, Kent Shocknek and Christopher Nance.  They got freaked out due to the shaking and the swaying lights, caused by the aftershock, and jumped under their desk.  You can watch a short David Letterman video where he talked about it and then showed a video of what happened.

I also felt a 5.3 aftershock three days later.  Then life went on as usual.  Here is a video, under 5 minutes, showing damage from the initial quake on Oct. 1 and from the aftershock on Oct. 4: SoCal Whittier Narrows Earthquakes (1987).

I have felt numerous earthquakes before then and since then.  Here is a page with a great deal of information about earthquakes, what to do to prepare for them, and what to do when they occur: