Near John Wayne airport in Orange County this morning, a Cessna 310 airplane crashed onto the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway. Fortunately, it looks like nobody was killed. The 405 may be the busiest freeway in the country, and this often is one of the most congested sections of that freeway. I have driven on that portion of the 405 freeway, past the MacArthur Blvd. exit, tens of thousands of times. I last flew out of John Wayne airport on May 24. I’m sure glad I didn’t need to go anywhere near that airport today. |
|||||||||||||||||
Two important bills passed the U.S. House today. One is named after Kate Steinle, who was shot and killed two years ago in San Francisco by an illegal immigrant, despite five previous deportations. If passed by the Senate, Kate’s Law would increase the penalties for deported aliens who are caught trying to return to the United States. as part of crackdown on illegals |
|||||||||||||||||
Living in California, I have felt numerous earthquakes. However, only once have I felt two big earthquakes on the same day. That was on June 28, 1992, exactly twenty-five years ago today. |
|||||||||||||||||
President Trump’s two travel bans earlier this year were suspended by federal judges. Then Circuit Courts of Appeals denied requests to resume the ban. So Trump appealed to the Supreme Court. momentum in Trump travel ban case |
|||||||||||||||||
U.S. Senate Republicans have released a draft of their version of a “repeal and replace” health care plan. This is 7 weeks after the House of Representatives voted on their “American Health Care Act” on May 4, when it was sent to the Senate. Currently, for a variety of reasons, we are not ready to vote for this bill, but we are open to negotiation and obtaining more information before it is brought to the floor. There are provisions in this draft that represent an improvement to our current health care system but it does not appear this draft, as written, will accomplish the most important promise that we made to Americans: to repeal ObamaCare and lower their health care costs. There are 50 votes required to pass the bill and send it back to the House. In a 50-50 tie, Vice President Pence would serve as the tie-breaking vote. |
|||||||||||||||||
Since then, Professor Johnny Eric Williams at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, has posted very inflammatory, anti-white messages on social media. One entry pointed to an essay with a reprehensible title, featuring a picture of Steve Scalise. Today, the college was shut down for the day. This was because of the large number of threats against the college due to the inappropriate and racist comments by Professor Williams.
|
|||||||||||||||||
The summer solstice begins tonight at 9:24 p.m. PDT and tomorrow at 12:34 a.m. EDT. So in most of the world, summer begins tomorrow, June 21, which will have the longest daylight hours of the year. All-Time Record-High Temperatures May Threaten Las Vegas and Phoenix
Republican Karen Handel (52%), former Secretary of State in Georgia, defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff (48%). This was the most expensive House race in U.S. history, with $31 million going into Ossoff’s campaign and $23 million into Handel’s campaign.
The loss was a disappointing setback for Democrats, who had hoped to capitalize on President Trump’s declining approval ratings to win the long-standing Republican seat in Georgia. Out of five special House elections this year, Republicans have won four of them:
|
|||||||||||||||||
In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed not only above 21,400 but even above 21,500 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.68% to 21,528.99, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.83% to 2,453.46. |
|||||||||||||||||
A good friend, who happens to be Catholic, is going through a very difficult time. She always loved Mother Teresa and the wonderful things she did for others. She also loves the stars at night. So I found these 3 banners online and emailed them to her: 25-second slideshow |
|||||||||||||||||
Happy Flag Day, fellow Americans! Proudly display a flag on your house or on your desk at work today. Here are places where the U.S. flag can be flown 24 hours a day, every day of the year:
This Flag Day has been tainted by a shooting this morning at a baseball field in Alexandria, VA, near Washington, D.C. James T. Hodgkinson, 66—a fringe, lunatic kook from Belleville, IL—opened fire at Republican members of Congress. It was their final practice before a scheduled charity game tomorrow night between Republicans and Democrats at Nationals Park. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (LA) was wounded, along with two police officers, a congressional aide and a lobbyist. Two bullets penetrated windows in a nearby YMCA. Fortunately, Hodgkinson was shot dead before he could injure or kill anyone else. Entries on Hodgkinson’s social media reveal that he was a vehement hater of Donald Trump and Republicans. Pertaining to a 2015 cartoon that was critical of Steve Scalise, Hodgkinson commented, “Here’s a Republican that should Lose His Job, but they Gave Him a Raise.”
|
|||||||||||||||||
In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 21,300 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.44% to 21,328.47, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.45% to 2,440.35. |
|||||||||||||||||
It rained quite a bit here in Marin County late this afternoon. Fortunately, my friend and I were able to walk his dog before that happened. 30-second slideshow Comparatively speaking, this was a quickly prepared meal. On the contrary, when I was last here, the huge amount of tasty pasta sauce that he prepared on Oct. 14, 2016, took a few hours. I’ve never tasted anything my friend has made that I didn’t like. |
|||||||||||||||||
Protests against Islamic Sharia law were held in cities across the U.S. today. The rallies were organized by the ACT for America organization. In a number of places, protestors were outnumbered by counter-protestors. |
|||||||||||||||||
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hit another record high today. It did go over 21,300 briefly (for the first time) but then dropped below that level before closing. The Dow was up 0.42% to 21,271.97, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was down 0.08% to 2,431.77, a bit below its high of 2,439.07. |
|||||||||||||||||
Former FBI Director James Comey responded to questions today by the Senate Intelligence Committee. His opening statment can be read here: The hearing took about 2 hours 40 minutes. They were Comey’s first public comments following his firing by President Trump on May 9. team lied, but stops short of obstruction charge Both Republicans and Democrats will voice many talking points in statements made by Comey today. For instance, the right will point out how Comey said that Attorney General Loretta Lynch pressured him to not refer to the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails as an email “investigation” but, rather, as an email “matter.” The left will focus on how Comey said that Trump tried to influence the FBI’s investigation into Michael Flynn and that he (Comey) was fired because he refused to drop that investigation. |
|||||||||||||||||
Terrorist attacks by radical Islamists, such as the ones recently in London and Paris, are tragic and reprehensible. Furthermore, Islamic State (ISIS) attacks against other Muslims continue in Iraq and Syria. However, now those attacks seem to have escalated a step. for pair of assaults in Tehran It may be puzzling to some why there is such friction between Shia Islam and Sunni Islam. Basically, Shi’ites believe that Islamic leaders should be blood relatives of their Prophet, Muhammad; while Sunnis believe that Allah chooses Islamic leaders who do not have to be related to Muhammad. A bit more information can be found in my branches and sects subsection. |
|||||||||||||||||
One of President Trump’s main issues during his campaign was insisting that a wall would be built along the entire southern U.S. border with Mexico. Although I wish it would happen, I continue to have my doubts that it will.
There is virtually unanimous opposition by Democrats to a border wall. They also do not like the term “illegal aliens,” preferring instead to call them “undocumented immigrants.” Generally, they even are against blocking immigrants from entering the country by any means, even if they are coming in illegally. This is merely one example of liberal lawlessness. |
|||||||||||||||||
Today is the Christian celebration of Pentecost, exactly seven weeks following Resurrection Day (Easter). At the first Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), Jesus’ disciples were filled, supernaturally, with the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) and spoke in other “tongues.” Other God-fearing Jews, who had gathered there from many other nations, heard these men declaring the wonders of God in their own languages (2:5,6,11). On the day of Pentecost, Jews “from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5) had returned to Jerusalem (following the commandment of Deuteronomy 16:16), indicating that they already had been widely dispersed among the nations by that time. Today the dispersion is even greater. |
|||||||||||||||||
In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) topped 21,200 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.29% to 21,206.29, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.37% to 2,439.07. |
|||||||||||||||||
In a speech outside of the White House today, President Trump announced that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. He said that the accord is unfair, at the highest level, to the United States. Only Country Making Economic Sacrifice In other news, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 135.53 points today. It hit another record high, going over the previous high of 21,115.55 on Mar. 1. The Dow was up 0.65% to 21,144.18, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.76% to 2,430.06. |
|||||||||||||||||
Kathy Griffin calls herself a “comedian.” Personally, I never have related to her “humor” at all and have felt that she is extremely UNfunny. In my opinion, she’s always been very desperate for attention. photo holding Trump's decapitated head In a video that was shot of the graphic photo session, she is heard to joke with Shields that they would need to move to Mexico once it was released for fear that they would go to federal prison. That appears to indicate that she was aware of the severely reprehensible nature of what she was doing. Here is a portion of that photo session, along with an apology by Griffin: Griffin received severe criticism from both the political right and left. Even Bill and Hillary Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea, condemned what Griffin had done. She tweeted, “This is vile and wrong. It is never funny to joke about killing a President.” |
|||||||||||||||||
Happy Memorial Day! I have a great deal of respect, admiration and appreciation for all of those who have fought, and often paid the ultimate sacrifice, for our independence and freedom in the U.S. 13-second slideshow |
|||||||||||||||||
I rarely drink alcohol, but my friend Barry is a wine connoisseur. With such an abundant selection of wine at his house, I do enjoy a little red wine some evenings during and after dinner. 25-second slideshow Barry is an avid scuba diver and has gone diving at various places all over the world. With his underwater camera, he has taken countless photos of sea animals and plants. Here is a page I’ve made for him showing 116 of his photos: |
|||||||||||||||||
At Olive Tree Ministries today, Jan Markell and Eric Barger interviewed British journalist, broadcaster and author Melanie Phillips. She used to have strong liberal views but now is very conservative. |
|||||||||||||||||
This morning, I took a flight from John Wayne Airport in Orange County up to San Francisco. Some areas were cloudy and hazy, while other areas were sunny and clear. 50-second slideshow I brought with me my little Bible with tiny print. That is what I read most of the way after unscrambling the words on the Southwest Airlines napkin below. You can try it, too. Go here to see the answers: Unscramble the words. |
|||||||||||||||||
After many years of severe drought in Southern California, there has been plenty of needed rain this Winter and Spring. One nice result of this is the numerous Jacaranda trees with all of their purple blooms. 25-second slideshow |
|||||||||||||||||
President Trump is visiting Israel today. It is his second stop abroad after visiting Saudi Arabia over the weekend. |
|||||||||||||||||
We discovered a new Thai restaurant, simply named “Real Thai Food.” It is at 9522 Chapman Avenue in Garden Grove. The waitress said they had been there since last summer. I’m surprised we only recently noticed it. It is sort of small, but the food is excellent. 25-second slideshow We’ll definitely be going there again, probably soon. They also have free delivery to locations within 3 miles. |
|||||||||||||||||
President Trump flew to Saudi Arabia and was formally greeted by King Salman. There was an elaborate ceremony and a military flyover.
10-second slideshow This is part of a nine-day overseas tour. Trump also will visit Israel, meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican, meet with allies at a NATO summit in Brussels and also meet with the Group of 7 nations in Sicily. |
|||||||||||||||||
Late this afternoon, Robert Mueller was appointed as a special counsel to investigate possible Russian influence in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller was appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, rather than by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, since Sessions previously had recused himself from all matters related to the presidential campaign.
|
|||||||||||||||||
The recent global ransomware attack, which has been going on for four days, appears to be getting worse. It is escalating from being a nuisance to being a serious threat. Some experts are calling it the largest cyber attack in history. the impact and the response Investigations appear to have revealed the possibility that the attack may be being perpetrated by North Korean hackers. Cybersecurity firms have discovered similarities to previous attacks linked to the Lazarus Group, a hacking team tied to North Korea. ransomware attack, say experts |
|||||||||||||||||
For all of you moms out there: HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, and God bless you for doing all the great and wonderful things that you do for your families. 15-second slideshow My mom is in heaven, and I look forward with great anticipation to seeing her again one day. There could not have been a better mom for me than the one I had. |
|||||||||||||||||
A whole lot of Californians are furious about the recent passage of a gas-and-car tax. Senate Bill 1 was passed by a 2/3 super-majority vote in the State Legislature (which is controlled by Democrats) and signed into law on Apr. 28 by Governor Jerry Brown.
The event today took place at an Arco AM/PM station on Harbor Blvd. in Fullerton, CA. I lived in Fullerton four decades ago while attending the Southern California College of Optometry. I decided to drive up to the Arco station this afternoon to check things out. 38-second slideshow For those who are interested in joining the recall campaign against Josh Newman and in the campaign to repeal the car tax, go here: http://www.stopthecartax.org |
|||||||||||||||||
Following the firing of James Comey as Director of the FBI yesterday, he has an open invitation for another job. Julian Assange of WikiLeaks has said that he “would be happy to consider hiring James Comey.” Potential Job Offer … at WikiLeaks |
|||||||||||||||||
From 2004 to 2015, Donald Trump’s most famous line on his program The Apprentice was “You’re fired.” Well today, he gave that same bombshell announcement to FBI director James Comey. |
|||||||||||||||||
On Fortress of Faith this morning, I listened to Tom Wallace answering a few common questions that had been sent to him. Here are five questions, with brief answers, that he addressed today:
The notes and 30-minute audio recording of today’s Fortress of Faith program are here: |
|||||||||||||||||
Today is Cinco de Mayo, and it also is the middle of Spring. I am watching a friend’s three doggies and kitty cat in Anaheim this week. So I took a walk in and around Modjeska Park and snapped a few photos, including of some colorful blossoms. 30-second slideshow I like Mexican food, as long as it is hot and spicy. I ran across some recipes online, but I doubt that I’ll make any of them, although they do look good. to please a hungry crowd For dinner, I may go to one of the many Mexican restaurants around. Or maybe Taco Bell will work. It certainly is cheaper, and I really like their fiery hot Diablo sauce. 13-second slideshow |
|||||||||||||||||
The U.S. House of Representatives has begun the process of repealing the so-called “Affordable Care Act” or Obamacare. As Vice President Pence has put it, “Welcome to the beginning of the end of ObamaCare.”
In other news, today is the National Day of Prayer. There are so many significant problems in the U.S. and in the world today that only God can help us with them. Sincere and earnest prayer is the primary way for us to seek His guidance and action. why prayer is the ultimate protest This morning, President Trump and Vice President Pence participated in a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden at the White House. Furthermore, Trump signed Executive Order 13798, promoting free speech and religious liberty. All of this is included in the following 22-minute video: |
|||||||||||||||||
This morning, President Trump and Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas made public statements at the White House. Here are some of the statements made by Trump, in reference to a peace initiative between Israel and the Palestinians: I want to support you in being the Palestinian leader who signs his name to the final and most important peace agreement that brings safety, stability, prosperity to both peoples and to the region. I’m committed to working with Israel and the Palestinians to reach an agreement, but any agreement cannot be imposed by the United States or by any other nation. The Palestinians and Israelis must work together to reach an agreement that allows both peoples to live, worship, thrive and prosper in peace. And I will do whatever is necessary to facilitate the agreement, to mediate and arbitrate anything they’s like to do. Since Mr. Abbas spoke in Arabic, his statements had to be translated into English. Here is some of what he said: Mr. President, our strategic option, our strategic choice, is to bring about peace based on the vision of the two states: a Palestinian State with its capital of East Jerusalem that lives in peace and stability with the State of Israel based on the borders of 1967. ... Mr. President, it’s about time for Israel to end its occupation of our people and of our land. After fifty years, we are the only remaining people in the world that still live under occupation. We are aspiring and want to achieve our freedom, our dignity and our right to self-determination. Ane we also want for Israel to recognize the Palestinian State, just as the Palestinian people recognize the State of Israel. Mr. Trump indicated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be included in some type of peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Such attempts at peace have been tried before, to no avail. The 14½-minute joint briefing can be watched here: |
|||||||||||||||||
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas will be coming to Washington, DC, to meet with President Donald Trump. Many wonder, though, whether Abbas is qualified to speak on behalf of all Palestinians pertaining to a potential peace agreement with Israel. Abbas Comes to White House |
|||||||||||||||||
I last organized my vitamins and supplements into individual compartments on Dec. 3, 2016. Each day, I have taken the following: a daily multiple; vitamins A, B complex, C and E; magnesium, selenium, zinc, fish oil, saw palmetto and glucosamine/chondroitin. Now I have added vitamin D, iron and turmeric curcumin. I have added 2 weeks of vitamins in the new batch, so this supply will last for 24 weeks (168 days). Keeping them in the refrigerator prevents them from losing their potency. On Fortress of Faith this morning, I listened to Tom Wallace talking about “The Two Islams.” There is a real Islam and a fake Islam. Like any counterfeit, the fake one must be made to look as much as possible like the real one to get people to follow it instead of the real one. |
|||||||||||||||||
A weapons supply hub near Damascus airport was struck by missiles today. The hub was operated by Hezbollah from Lebanon. near Damascus airport |
|||||||||||||||||
Recently, our men’s group at church had 6 weeks of Wednesday evening discussions after watching a video series. Each session would begin with a "Christian Atheist" video (about 34 to 36½ minutes) by Craig Groeschel (and, in the fourth video, Chris Beall) of Life.Church in Oklahoma City.
It looks like the remaining 2 videos are part of a 6-video bundle that can be purchased at Christianbook.com for $17.94 here: Video Downloads Bundle |
|||||||||||||||||
The stock market has been declining since Mar. 1, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) reached its all-time high of 21,115.55 points. However, yesterday and today it shot back up again. Presumably, the increase a reaction to the hope that Congress will vote in tax cuts before the end of the week. I am skeptical, but we’ll see. |
|||||||||||||||||
There are a number of Holocaust Memorial Days commemorations during the year. In Israel, it is being observed from sunset last night to sunset tonight. The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, delivered a speech on Jewish identity. on Holocaust remembrance |
|||||||||||||||||
Today, Earth Day coincided with March for Science day. It was set to take place in more than 500 U.S. cities, anchored in Washington, D.C.
Incidentally, speaking of unicorns...Ira Einhorn was on stage hosting the very first Earth Day event in Philadelphia on April 22, 1970. His nickname for himself was “the Unicorn” because his German-Jewish last name, Einhorn, translates to one horn.
|
|||||||||||||||||
A widespread power outage in San Francisco today left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity. This included the Financial District, Cow Hollow, the Presidio and all of the cable car lines. Shuttles were operating to provide service while the power was out.
I’ll be going up to San Francisco in a couple of months. I’m glad that I wasn’t there today, though. What a big hassle to be in sluggish traffic with the traffic lights out. the top 10 most polluted U.S. cities Fortunately, my favorite city, San Diego, is not on the top-10 list. Besides the fact that this awesome city contains all of my favorite things and the pollution usually is minimal, San Diego’s year-round climate is virtually ideal. |
|||||||||||||||||
Late last night, a terrible accident occurred at one of my favorite places. Two young adults fell down a cliff near the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla, San Diego. Both of them probably were UC San Diego students. after cliff fall in Torrey Pines The views from the tops of the cliffs at Torrey Pines or from the beach below are spectabular. However, a great deal of caution must be taken walking along the paths down and up the cliffs, which I have done countless times over the decades. 15-second slideshow |
|||||||||||||||||
As tensions between North Korea and the United States grows, China has expressed a concern about North Korean nuclear development. Regardless of warnings by the U.S., North Korea has said it will continue missile testing. It also has threatened a pre-emptive nuclear strike if it feels that the U.S. is planning an attack. on Afghanistan. Here's what it does (and doesn't) mean. In celebration of the 105th birthday of Kim Il-Sung—the late grandfather of North Korea’s current leader, Kim Jong-un—a musical spectacular was performed by the military. It was accompanied by a mock-up video of nuclear missiles blowing up the USA, specifically San Francisco. It also included an American flag burning in a cemetery. |
|||||||||||||||||
I am glad that armies have not surrounded or attacked Jerusalem, nor that people have had to evacuate the city. This contingency plan has been in the works since Mar. 22, in the event that war erupts again in Israel. Anticipated Prophetic Events Yet Unfulfilled In other news, three men, ages 34 to 58, were shot dead this morning in Fresno, CA. This follows the killing of a Motel 6 security guard, 25, last Thursday. Facts You Need to Know |
|||||||||||||||||
I got a stash of 50%-off candy at WalMart this morning. Most of it is Reese’s chocolate with peanut butter, my favorite combination. I didn’t get too much, since I still have some left-over Valentine and Christmas candy. There is a total of 57.80 ounces = 3.61 pounds. Some of it will be given away. |
|||||||||||||||||
This is the Feast of Firstfruits or Resurrection Day. It is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Eventually, all who believe in His blood atonement for their sins will do the same. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) The majority of these resurrections, I believe, will take place at the main Rapture event. These glorified saints never will need to fear God’s severe judgment, and they will be exempt from His righteous wrath. |
|||||||||||||||||
This morning, at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, NY, a mother giraffe gave birth to her new little son. He doesn’t have a name yet, but his mom’s name is April and his dad’s name is Oliver. More information can be found here: the Giraffe at Animal Adventure Park |
|||||||||||||||||
Today is “Good Friday,” traditionally accepted as the day that Jesus was crucified and died. I do not believe that myself. Here are my email responses to two people convinced of a Friday crucifixion:
Personally, I am convinced that Jesus' crucifixion and death took place on Good Thursday. The church I attend had a very nice Passover seder tonight. It wasn’t on Passover (like the one I attended on Tue., Apr. 11). But since most Christians commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion on “Good Friday,” that is why the seder was tonight (although I believe that the crucifixion was on Good Thursday). Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7) The cups of red wine or grape juice at the seder signify the blood Jesus shed for us. The matzo or matzah (unleavened bread) is not made with yeast, which is a representation of sin in the Bible. As believers, we are to get rid of the old sin (“yeast”) in our lives and be new “batches of bread” without yeast. Our Messiah/Christ, who was sinless, was sacrificed as the ultimate Passover Lamb for us. The matzo also has stripes and is pierced with holes. Messianic Christians see this bread as representative of the body of Jesus, who was flogged (causing stripes) and nailed to a cross (creating holes in his wrists and feet). He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) 75-second slideshow Indeed, Yeshua/Jesus our Passover Lamb was slain, and He lay in the tomb during the first few days and nights of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Fortunately for us, He did not remain there; He rose from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits = Resurrection Day (Easter Sunday). He is in heaven now waiting to return to earth, at which time He will sit on his throne in Jerusalem. There, He will rule and reign as King over all the earth. I can barely wait. |
|||||||||||||||||
Today is commonly called “Maundy Thursday,” a commemoration of the Last Supper at which Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. “Maundy” is a reference to “foot washing.” The Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (MOAB), commonly known as the “Mother of All Bombs,” was dropped from an MC-130 aircraft. It struck an ISIS-K tunnel complex in the Achin district of Nangahar Province, near the border with Pakistan. ISIS-K is the Afghan branch of ISIS. The MOAB was developed in 2002 and first tested in 2003, but it never had been used in combat until today. This bomb has the force of 11 tons of TNT.
Also today, hundreds of Israeli Jews gathered at the Al-Buraq Wall in East Jerusalem, west of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This also is known as the Western Wall or Wailing Wall, where Jews go to offer prayers and supplications to God. This is part of a Passover week observance.
In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza. However, the Temple Mount remains one of the most contested religious sites in the world. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim sovereignty over it, and it will continue to be a major focal point of the Arab–Israeli conflict. This 5½-minute video shows Israel’s critical security needs for a viable peace: |
|||||||||||||||||
At the mid-week church gathering tonight, we watched a 1½-hour movie called The Encounter. It was filmed in 2010 and released in 2011.
It also shows how one’s pride can cause a person to reject God, even if it means losing out on eternal joy, happiness, peace and fulfillment. The movie, in its entirety, can be seen here: |
|||||||||||||||||
A friend and I attended a fantastic Passover Seder tonight, which was put on by the local Jewish community. It is a commemoration of the Israelites in Egypt being led out of bondage by Moses, including crossing the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 12-14).
|
|||||||||||||||||
Pesach or Passover begins after sunset this evening, and tonight there will be a full moon. This day is a commemoration of the exodus of Israel out of Egypt, as described in Exodus 12:1-51. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) His death, of the righteous for the unrighteous, is the only thing that can bring us to God the Father. According to the apostle Peter, Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18) There are clear links between the life, death, resurrection and future return of Yeshua/Jesus and the feasts and holy days of Israel. (See more in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 of my online book.) More connections also can be found in my Good Thursday commentary. In other news, Judge Neil Gorsuch was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Apr. 7. Today, after signing the necessary papers, Gorsuch took the constitutional oath of office privately, administered by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. He now is the 113th Justice of the Supreme Court.
This diagram of the members of the Supreme Court (including Antonin Scalia, deceased) shows the spread from the least conservative (that is, most liberal) to the most conservative members: |
|||||||||||||||||
This is “Palm Sunday,” the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. This was prophesied to take place centuries before it happened: Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9) As Yeshua/Jesus, the Messiah/Christ, passed by, the people who had witnessed the countless miracles He had done shouted, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) A few days later on Passover, Jesus our Passover Lamb was sacrificed. He was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29). See more details in parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb. |
|||||||||||||||||
On Fortress of Faith this morning, I listened to Tom Wallace talking about “Islamophobia” in the USA. |
|||||||||||||||||
Responding to the missile strikes by the U.S. on Syria last night, Russia has called them a “flagrant violation of international law.” They also have warned that this attack could have “serious consequences.”
In other news, Judge Neil Gorsuch received a 54-45 vote in the U.S. Senate to confirm him as the next justice on the Supreme Court. After being sworn in on Apr. 10, he will fill the seat vacated by Justice Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016. President Trump tweeted, “Congratulations to an exceptionally qualified and respected judge on his confirmation to the Supreme Court!” Senate Majority Leader McConnell said, “He’s going to make the American people proud.”
|
|||||||||||||||||
President Trump has been very upset since Apr. 4, when there was a deadly nerve gas attack on innocent citizens in Syria, presumably by the Bashar al-Assad regime. So today, Trump took retaliative action.
Here is a 30-second video of some of the missiles being launched: This happened as Communist Chinese President Xi Jinping was having dinner with President Trump in Florida. I wonder what Xi thinks about all of this. In this 3-minute video, President Trump makes some statements after the tomahawk missile strikes on Syria: Interestingly, today is the 100th anniversary of the entry of the U.S. into World War I. I’m hoping that today’s events do not mark the beginning of World War III. In other news, in the U.S. Senate today, a vote was taken on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch. He is President Trump’s choice to replace Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last year.
|
|||||||||||||||||
ISIS is continuing its gruesome and brutal killing spree. It is ISIS’s largest mass killing in 2017.
Iraqi troops recaptured Tikrit from ISIS in the spring of 2015. The terror group also has been losing ground and getting squeezed from its last big Iraqi stronghold, Mosul. |
|||||||||||||||||
A horrible nerve gas attack on Syrian citizens took place this morning. It is the worst attack of its kind in Syria since August 2013. to Nerve Gas in Syria Attack Horrendous acts like this in the Middle East, especially against innocent citizens, are very upsetting. I also am very apprehensive and uneasy that this has happened near Israel so close to the week of Passover, which begins in just a few days. In other news, Susan Rice was Barack Obama’s national security advisor. She also was one of his closest aides.
This is the same Susan Rice who was widely criticized for downplaying the September 12, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. A few days after the attack, she appeared on five news shows, wrongly stating that it was a spontaneous response to an offensive anti-Islamic video. |
|||||||||||||||||
Happy April Fool’s Day. Don’t play too many pranks unless you like to get pranked back. 13-second slideshow |