Overall, California has the highest average gasoline prices of all U.S. states.  Here are photos that I took recently of a few gasoline prices in Orange County, California:

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Barry Stagner.  They talked about how we are transitioning toward a new world order.

The silence of the shepherds discourages the flock from looking up at a time when we need hope and encouragement.  It is the greatest tragedy of the church today.  They also considered some coming “distractions.”

Jan: “Always look back and thank Him.  Look ahead and trust Him.  Look around and serve Him.  Look up and expect Him because He’s coming again, sooner rather than later.”

         

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

I eat a bowl of chopped-up fruit everyday, which I usually refrigerate the night before and eat the next morning.  In my fruit bowl today were slices of apple, banana, tangerine, peach, pear, red grapes, cherries, lemon and lime.  I also had a crispy tostada spread with crunchy peanut butter, some whole wheat toast and tangerine peel.  I had a few leftover sushi slices, so I spread spicy wasabi sauce on them and ate them with ginger.

The first debate of the 2024 presidential election season, between President Joe Biden (age 81) and former President Donald Trump (age 78), happened tonight.  It took place at the CNN Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and began at 9:00 p.m. EDT.  The CNN moderators asking all of the questions were Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

The actual debate, including commercials, lasted about 1 hour and 38 minutes.  The following CNN video of the debate is entitled “CNN Presidential Debate: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump”:

There is a quick and easy way to check one’s internet speed in Mbps (Megabits per second).  Going to https://fast.com will show the internet speed, in a few seconds, in the middle of the screen.  Then, clicking on the “Show more info” button will provide additional information at the bottom.

Although I like dogs and cats, I don’t have any.  Everyone I know who has pets spends a lot of money on them, and I’d rather not have to do that.  Sometimes I stay with pets (mainly dogs) at the homes of some friends.

For a few days, I have taken care of a friend’s 3 dogs and 2 cats.  I don’t mind because I get compensated very well for doing it.  Also, all of the animals get along extremely well with each other, which is great.  These two plaques are standing on a shelf in the livingroom:

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Jill Martin Rische and attorney Davis Younts.  We have an end-time invasion from the dark side.

The New Age and all things paranormal have co-opted everything in a final push at the close of the Church Age.  This is the only religion many young people buy into.

Submit yourselves, therefore, to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

I went with a friend to El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach a couple of days ago.  Her annual parking pass was about to expire, so she wanted to renew it.  The pass is good for parking anywhere at El Dorado Regional Park for a year.

We took a short walk, and I took a few photos.  We didn’t have time to take a long walk around the main park, but we hope to do so soon.

Yesterday, an American envoy, Amos Hochstein, met with Israel officials in Jerusalem to discuss the growing violence and tension between the Israeli military and Hezbollah in Lebanon.  Also, a dissolution of the Israeli war cabinet took place.  Today, Hochstein went to Beirut, Lebanon, for further talks about a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.

Also today, a warning of the possibility of “all-out war” was given by Israel to the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon.  The warning went out from Israel because Hezbollah published a 9-minute video showing Israeli and civilian locations in several Israeli cities, as well as a military complex near Haifa in Israel.  Most likely, the video was taken from a drone flown by Hezbollah.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated, “We are getting very close to the moment of deciding to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon.”  He added, “In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed, and Lebanon severely beaten.”

California, on the Pacific coast of the U.S., is the third largest state in the nation (after Alaska and Texas).  It was established as the 31st state in the union in 1850.  With about 38,940,231 people living in the state (in a 2023 estimate), it ranks first in the population of all 50 states.

California has the largest economy of any U.S. state.  It’s largest city Los Angeles, with a population of over 3.9 million people, is the second-most populous city in the U.S., behind only New York City.

My dad is in heaven, and I look forward with great anticipation to seeing him again one day.  My heavenly Father gave me the best earthly father and role model that I ever could have had.

For all of you other dads:  HAPPY FATHER’S DAY, and God bless you for doing all the great and wonderful things that you do for your families. 

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell featured an online message by Dr. David Reagan.  What is fact and what is fiction when it comes to the Middle East conflict?  Dave Reagan and Jan break that down as well as other current event issues.

         

         

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

       
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Happy Flag Day, fellow Americans!  This commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777, 247 years ago.

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:

• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
  Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No.2795, July 2, 1948)
• Flag House Square (Mary Pickersgill's "Star Spangled" House)
  Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954)
• United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima)
  Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No.3418, June 12, 1961)
• On the Green of the Town of Lexington
  Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965)
• The White House
  Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No.4000, September 4. 1970)
• Washington Monument
  Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No.4064, July 6,1971, effective July 4, 1971)
• United States Customs Ports of Entry
  which are continually open (Presidential Proclamation No.4131, May 5, 1972)
• Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park
  Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975)

A good friend and I drove down to San Diego yesterday and spent the day.  Although it is my favorite city in the world, I hadn’t been there in awhile.  Mainly, that is because the freeways, there and back from Orange and Los Angeles Counties, are extremely busy with a huge amount of traffic.  Each year, the traffic continues to increase.

Most of the time, since there were two people in the car, she and I were able to be in what traditionally has been called a carpool lane.  Now, in most places, it is labeled the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane.  However, with so much traffic, even many of the HOV lanes were very slow.

For about half of our trip, there was a thick cloud layer in the sky with some drizzle in the air.  It was the typical example of June Gloom in southern California.  Eventually, that cleared away and a very nice blue sky, with very few clouds, was all around.

While in San Diego, we first went to Seaport Village, which is a waterfront shopping and dining complex adjacent to San Diego Bay.  Although we went into a couple of stores, we mainly did a lot of walking near the bay.

For lunch, we went to Taste of Thai in the Hillcrest district.  It is our favorite Thai food restaurant.  We both ordered our food very hot and spicy.  As usual, I spooned some extra spices onto my food.

After lunch, we went to Balboa Park and walked around for quite awhile.  There were not nearly as many people walking around as there are on weekends and holidays.  One of the buildings that we missed walking through was the Botanical Building, which was closed down.  For as long as I can remember, there always were some spectacular plants and flowers inside of that building.

I like the Jacaranda trees that bloom every Spring in southern California.  Their blooms, usually beginning in May, have a light purple color.  By the time June rolls around, their color usually has become dark purple.

I’ve been taking occasional random photos of them in Orange and Los Angeles Counties for a few weeks.  Most of the blooms will have fallen off the trees by the end of June.

This morning in Wilmington, Delaware, a federal jury unanimously convicted Hunter Biden on three felony gun charges.  These included the following:

1. lying on a federal background check form about his crack habit in order to buy a Colt revolver,
2. giving a false statement to a federal firearms dealer, and
3. possessing a gun while being an illicit drug user.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of 25 years and fines of up to $750,000.  However, there is no minimum sentence.  It is possible that Judge Maryellen Noreika could choose to impose other penalties like fines or probation.  Sentencing is likely to happen in October.

President Joe Biden has said that he will not pardon his son, Biden.  Yet, that still could happen as long as he remains president.

In the Israeli government yesterday, Benny Gantz resigned from his post as War Cabinet minister.  He also withdrew his centrist National Unity party, which included eight seats, from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s centrist government.  The resignation of Gantz followed an Israeli raid the previous day, at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, that freed four captives but left over 200 dead.

Egypt and Jordan expressed outrage at the Israeli attack.  They called it a violation of international law.  The foreign ministry of Lebanon, as well as much of the Middle East, referred to it as a “massacre” and condemned it.

Last week, Israel’s United Nations Ambassador Gilad Erdan announced that he would be stepping down.  It was announced by Netanyahu’s office that he would appoint Danny Danon to replace Erdan.

Today is the 45th anniversary of my graduation from the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) in Fullerton.  It took place on June 9, 1979.  This year, the graduation took place last month on May 17.

A few years after I graduated from SCCO, I attended further schooling at Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in Philadelphia, PA.  There, I obtained a license to prescribe medications, which gained me the additional title of Optometric Physician.  One of the largest sections of my website is Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Human Eye.

At some point after I graduated back in 1979, SCCO became part of Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU).  This composite university offers degrees not only in optometry but also in physician assistant and pharmacy studies.  The education that can be obtained on the campus is now much more diverse than it was 45 years ago.

My friend JoAnne graduated from SCCO in 1980 as an optometric technician.  This afternoon, she and I took a quick walk around the campus and took some snapshots.  Although it was a typical “June gloom” morning with a very cloudy sky, it was a very nice sunny afternoon.

       

       

       

       
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At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Cary Gordon, one of the producers of the film “Enemies Within the Church” (view trailer).  The film says that certain organizations and individuals are hijacking the gospel.

What kind of damage are Andy Stanley, Russell Moore, Jim Wallis, and the NAE doing today?  What about the Southern Baptist Convention?  If unchecked, “wokeness” and Leftism will destroy all it touches in the world and church.

Jan: “Christ died for His Church; He loves His Church.  We are the Bride of Christ.  As a result, Satan has a war on the Church.  Won’t you battle for truth in your church as we contend for the faith in these very last days?”

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

       
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This is the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.  Often referred to as D-Day, it was the largest seaborne invasion in history.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a 6½-minute speech, including a lengthy prayer, for those involved in the invasion:

Some executive actions were announced by President Biden yesterday, June 4.  They were combined in a presidential proclamation similar to an executive order that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. this morning, June 5.

Biden indicated that the goal is to restrict migrants crossing the southern U.S. border illegally.  He also has directed the Departments of Justice and Homeland security to effectively ban migrants from seeking asylum if they cross the border illegally.

According to the proclamation, the ban would go into effect if illegal crossings surpass 2,500 per day.  It would remain in effect until the Border Patrol has recorded 1,500 or fewer illegal crossings a day for a week.

Since Biden entered office in January 2021, more than 9 million migrants have been recorded entering illegally nationwide.  Also, roughly 1.7 million are known to have sneaked in without being arrested.

Biden’s advisers have said that the current level of illegal immigration is too high.  They also have felt that Biden should be taking steps to deal with the border crisis ahead of the presidential election in November.

In California, especially in coastal areas of southern California, there is a common weather pattern this time of year.  In the mornings, the skies usually are cloudy and overcast.  Also, there can be fog and drizzle.  Typically, it clears up sometime from late-morning to mid-afternoon, when much or most of the sky becomes sunny, although sometimes the cloudy skies can last through the afternoon.

         
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During June, the cloudiness commonly is referred to as June Gloom.  However, in some years, this “gloomy” weather pattern can last from April into August, giving the following nicknames to all of these months:

• Graypril
• May Gray
• June Gloom
• No-Sky July
• Fogust

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Trevor Rubenstein and Jeff Verdoorn.  The “fullness of the Gentiles” is almost upon us.

What does that mean and why does it signal the lateness of the hour?  Is Israel a creation of the Rothschild family as many say?  Or is it the miracle of all time?

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

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

Former President Donald Trump was found guilty today of 34 felony charges by a jury in lower Manhattan.  This followed a trial lasting 20 days, which included 22 witness and 2 days of deliberations.

Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee in this year’s presidential election.  In his reaction to the guilty verdict, Trump promised to “keep fighting” against what he said was a “rigged” trial against him.

Trump has been scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.  His lawyers have vowed to appeal the guilty verdicts, a process that could go on for several months.  The maximum possible sentence, which will be decided by Judge Juan Merchan, would be four years in prison.  However, the judge could simply fine Trump and put him on parole.

       
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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.

Vietnam Memorial Wall

On June 6, 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave an important address at the ceremony commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings or D-Day.  He had flown to Normandy to give his outstanding speech.  It lasted almost 13½ minutes and can be seen and heard below.

These are the twelve tribes of Jacob/Israel:

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastors Mark Hitchcock and Mark Henry.  When the world lacks a leader, there are terrible consequences.  That is why it is anticipating the ultimate diabolical leader to be in charge.  Mark Hitchcock calls this the most dangerous time in history.

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

The world’s diabolical leader will be the first beast, also known as the man of lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3) or the Antichrist.  He will deceive and have control over the entire world for 42 months (3½ years).

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.  He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.  He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them.  And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.  All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (Revelation 13:5-8)

Personally, I definitely do believe in a main Rapture event, which I am convinced will be a Pre-Wrath Rapture.  Reasons why I disagree with the Pre-tribulation view of the Rapture and embrace the Pre-wrath view of the Rapture are explained in the first six email responses that I have written in Rapture Questions & Responses.

Those who believe in a Pre-tribulation Rapture feel that the whole “tribulation” period (final 7 years of this age) will consist of the wrath of God.  Yet, in the book of Revelation the word “wrath” does not appear until Revelation 6:16,17, following the Sixth Seal disturbances.

The impending wrath will be a response by God to a plea from the souls of those who had been killed following the opening of the Fifth Seal.  Their appeal is for God to avenge their blood (Revelation 6:9,10).  This will result in God’s day of vengeance, which will consist of God’s wrath and will be preceded by a Pre-Wrath Rapture.

Many believe that the Bible points to the construction of a third Jewish temple in Jerusalem at the beginning of the final 7 years of this age, often referred to as the “tribulation.”  (The second temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.)  Everything has been collected in Jerusalem to construct the third temple.  This includes the five red heifers, with no blemishes or defects, which were transferred from Texas to Israel in mid-September of 2022.

However, the word translated as “temple” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and in Revelation 11:1,2 is an incorrect translation of that Greek term.  The exact and literal translation is “shrine.”  Indeed, there is a shrine on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  That shrine is the Islamic Dome of the Rock, which stands where the first and second Jewish temples stood in ancient times.  More details can be found in the Third Temple section of this commentary:

I had not been to Modjeska Park in Anaheim for awhile, so I went there today.  The park is named after Helena Modjeska, a Polish actress who moved to the U.S. in 1876.  The large park is within walking distance from my friend JoAnne’s house, and both of them are not far from Disneyland.

The size of the park is about 23½ acres.  There are widespread areas of grass to walk on, which I like, along with occasional chipmunks that I see along the way.  I also like the abundant variety of trees.

Nikki Haley was a former governor of South Carolina and a United Nations ambassador from the U.S.  For several months, she was a Republican candidate in this year’s presidential election.  She suspended her presidential campaign on March 6, the day after suffering considerable losses on Super Tuesday.

Today, over 2½ months later, she indicated that her priority for the next president is someone who will hold enemies to account, secure the border and support “capitalism and freedom.”  She said “Trump has not been perfect on these policies.  I’ve made that clear many, many times.  But Biden has been a catastrophe.  So I will be voting for Trump.”

Adolf Hitler believed that big lies were more powerful than small lies.  Tragically, he tested his theory successfully.  Early in his political career, he claimed that he was content to support the aspirations of others.  When he came to power, he said that his party did not intend to persecute anyone.  Later, he used the media to portray himself as a father figure and moral leader.

Similarly, the devil, Satan, uses lies and deception to gain power in our lives.  Whenever possible, he provokes fear, anger and despair within us because, according to Jesus, he is “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).  Satan cannot tell the truth because, as Jesus said, “there is no truth in him.”

At Olive Tree Ministries this past weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Amir Tsarfati.  The stage is being set for the lawless Antichrist to enter the world scene and befriend Israel, then betray her.  This will be the ultimate bait and switch.

As revealed in Ezekiel 38 & 39, only God will always stand by Israel.  What does it mean that the Times of the Gentiles are coming to an end?

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

Today is the Christian celebration of Pentecost, exactly seven weeks following Easter Sunday on March 31.  I observe Jesus’ Resurrection Day on the Feast of Firstfruits, the first Sunday following His crucifixion on Pesach or Passover.  This year, that observance of Jesus’ Resurrection Day was on April 28 (due to the extra month added to the Hebrew calendar).  Seven weeks after that date is June 16, which I feel is when Pentecost should be observed.

At the first Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), Jesus’ apostles 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).

The first Pentecost corresponded to the Jewish celebration of Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-22).  On this day, a firstfruits of the wheat harvest was offered to God.

This is the Armed Forces Day in the United States.  Each year, it is celebrated on the third Saturday in May.  The first time it was observed was on May 20, 1950, during the term of President Harry Truman.

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

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

• Do you believe that Mother Mary was the product of an Immaculate Conception, and how does her sinlessness relate to Adam and Eve's sinfulness?

This is Peace Officers Memorial Day.  It is a day each year to pay tribute to local, state and federal peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty.  This holiday was enacted after President John F. Kennedy signed a congressional bill in 1962 designating May 15 each year to honor peace officers.

The strongest geomagnetic storm in over 20 years hit the earth’s atmosphere three days ago on May 10.  The Bureau of Meteorology said that a geomagnetic storm of G5-level, the most extreme category, was occurring “across the planet” for the first time since October 2003.

Potentially, a G5 storm can disrupt satellites, above earth’s atmosphere, that we rely on for communications and the GPS that we use on our phones.  Over the weekend, these disruptions did occur in various places in the world.

During the weekend, the aurora borealis was seen in numerous parts of the world.  In the United States, the glow of the northern lights was seen in many places.  The most impressive views occurred across the northern half of the country, where shades of green, red, pink and purple could be seen overhead.  Red hues illuminated the sky as far south as the Gulf Coast states, including Florida and Texas, which is quite rare.

As of today, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center said that another G5 (extreme) storm is unlikely this week.  However, G3 (strong) activity could take place today and G1 (minor) activity tomorrow.

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. 

       
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At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett.  They talked about the continuing wreckage of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), which is nothing less than reckless Christianity.

Many former NAR members say Bethel and Hillsong music snagged them and drew them in.  Their theology is Kingdom Now—Heaven is going to come to earth!  There are destructive wolves among the flock today, but how do we spot them?

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

         

         
30-second slideshow

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

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) met in New York City today.  The members overwhelmingly supported and voted for a Palestinian bid to be qualified to become a member of the U.N.  This resolution does not give them U.N. membership, but it recognizes them as qualified to join the U.N.

The numbers of UNGA members voting on the resolution were 143 in favor and 9 against, while 9 members abstained from voting.  As such, the resolution was adopted by the general assembly.  Thus, the UNGA’s recommendation is that the State of Palestine should be admitted as a member of the U.N.

The next step is for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to consider the resolution.  The UNSC can choose to recommend or not to recommend that the State of Palestine should become a member of the U.N. General Assembly.

As Israel’s attack on Rafah in southern Gaza continues, a pause has been placed on the negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a hostage deal and a ceasefire agreement.  The Israeli negotiators have departed from Cairo and have not indicated a date for their return.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to be against any hostage deal that would stop Israel’s attack on Rafah.  The U.S. is concerned about the civilian casualties in Rafah.  This primarily is what led to halting the shipment of bombs and other offensive weapons from the U.S. to Israel.

However, Netanyahu and the IDF feel certain that the four battalions of Hamas in Rafah must be eliminated before the attack on Rafah can end.  Today, Netanyahu re-stated what he said earlier in the week: “If Israel is forced to stand alone, Israel will stand alone.”  Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, “We simply have no choice as this war is an existential one and anything other than complete victory will put the existence of the Jewish state in danger.”

The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, confirmed today that the U.S. recently decided to pause a munitions shipment to Israel.  He warned that a major Israeli operation in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, could change the U.S. assessment of security assistance to Israel.  The U.S. always has been Israel’s biggest arms supplier.

The shipment was paused due to concerns that the weapons might be used by Israel against Rafah.  There were more than 3,000 bombs, which included 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs.  According to the U.N., more than three-quarters of the Gaza Strip is now under evacuation orders.

Over the weekend, Hamas fired a rocket in southern Gaza near the border with Egypt.  Four Israeli soldiers were killed.  In response, Israel closed the Kerem Shalom Crossing in the area, through which humanitarian aid was being brought from Egypt.  Today, Israel reopened the border crossing, and various types of humanitarian aid are being transferred again into Gaza.

Negotiations by Hamas, Israel, the U.S., Eqypt and Qatar resumed yesterday in Cairo.  The negotiations, including ceasefire talks, are continuing today and hopefully will have positive impacts on the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.

As of today, it has been seven months since the beginning of the deadly and ongoing Israel–Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.  For weeks, Israel has made assertions that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were going to attack Rafah, the southernmost area of the Gaza Strip.

There have been attempts by President Joe Biden to dissuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from invading Rafah.  Also, for the past few days, international mediators have been attempting to work out a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

However, last night the Rafah offensive was begun by Israel, which has indicated that its primary targets are the battalions and leadership of Hamas.  Several strikes were launched on the city of Rafah by the Israeli military.  Early this morning, Israeli tanks seized control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

A rift between the U.S. and Israel appears to be growing.  There have been an increasing number of anti-Israel protests on U.S. college campuses, as well as a decreasing level of support for Israel internationally.  There is a serious concern by many that the Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a larger regional war.

       
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Every May in the U.S. is Jewish American Heritage Month.  It is a month of acknowledgement and remembrance of the achievements and contributions to the United States of American Jews.

President George W. Bush announced in April 2006 that the following month, May 2006, would be Jewish American Heritage Month.  It was the proclamation of a month that would provide annual recognition of over 350 years of Jewish contributions to America and the American culture.

Five days ago, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas released a transcript about Jewish American Heritage Month.  He notes how the values of Jewish men and women have shaped the development of our nation from its earliest days.  He emphasizes, as antisemitism continues to rise across the world, that we stand in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community.

       
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Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  However, this was not Mexico’s Independence Day.

Mexico’s independence from Spain was an armed conflict that lasted from 1808 to 1821.  On September 16, 1810, Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidaldo y Costilla rang the church bell in Dolores, Mexico.  That gave the call to arms that triggered the war of independence.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Pastor Mark Henry.  Theology really does matter.  It can drive current events.  We can see that phenomenon historically and in modern times.  In some cases, the outcome has been tragic.

An example of false theology is that the church is the new Israel.  Parts of the church that believe this are okay with Israel Derangement Syndrome.  Church reformers have intensified the carnage over the years.  Where are churches with the truth?

“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.” (Jeremiah 31:33-36)

         

         
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Today’s program, lasting 59 minutes, can be heard here:

On the second two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve today, there was hope that the Fed might reduce the benchmark interest rate by at least a small amount.  However, the decision was to keep the federal funds rate unchanged for now.

The last time the interest rate was changed was on July 26, 2023, when it was raised by 0.25% point.  The rate has been in the 5.25% to 5.50% range since then, the highest that it had been in more than 20 years.

The central bank may not reduce interest rates until inflation declines to about 2%.  So far this year, inflation has gradually been increasing.  It is questionable that inflation might decrease significantly, if at all, during 2024.

There is a quick and easy way to check one’s internet speed in Mbps (Megabits per second).  Going to https://fast.com will show the internet speed, in a few seconds, in the middle of the screen.  Then, clicking on the “Show more info” button will provide additional information at the bottom.

During the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread, today is the Feast of Firstfruits or Resurrection Day, which always takes place on a Sunday.  In essence, it is the day of Thanksgiving for Israel.  It is the day that Jesus rose from the dead, following His crucifixion on Pesach or Passover.  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)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

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.

During the week of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, the Feast of Firstfruits fell on the date of Aviv 17 on the Hebraic calendar (as described in the prophecy fulfillment section of my Good Thursday commentary).  It was the same date that Noah’s ark landed and rested on Mount Ararat (Genesis 8:4).  On that day, Noah and his family were safe and secure from harm, with no further chance of sinking or drowning.

Someone looking at my Holy Week chart questioned me about this.  Here is my response:

• How can the day Noah's ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, the 17th day of the seventh month (Genesis 8:4), be the same date that Jesus rose from the dead if the latter was the 17th day of the first month?

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell played the message given by Mondo Gonzales at a recent Understanding the Times in Minneapolis.

He talked about the glorious good news of the Rapture of believers.  He wants us to be encouraged with this blessed hope as news and headlines grow darker each day.

         

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

Personally, I definitely do believe in a main Rapture event, which I am convinced will be a Pre-Wrath Rapture.  Reasons why I disagree with the Pre-tribulation view of the Rapture and embrace the Pre-wrath view of the Rapture are explained in the first six email responses that I have written in Rapture Questions & Responses.

Those who believe in a Pre-tribulation Rapture feel that the whole “tribulation” period (final 7 years of this age) will consist of the wrath of God.  Yet, in the book of Revelation the word “wrath” does not appear until Revelation 6:16,17, following the Sixth Seal disturbances.

The impending wrath will be a response by God to a plea from the souls of those who had been killed following the opening of the Fifth Seal.  Their appeal is for God to avenge their blood (Revelation 6:9,10).  This will result in God’s day of vengeance, which will consist of God’s wrath and will be preceded by a Pre-Wrath Rapture.

Also, I believe that, in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8, the one holding back the “secret power of lawlessness” and the “lawless one” (that is, the Antichrist) is the archangel Michael, not Christian believers or the Holy Spirit of God.  My explanation for this is in the restrainer section.

I do leave open the possibility for a Mid-tribulation Rapture to take place at or near the middle of the 70th Week.  In whatever year it might occur, it seemingly would be appropriate for it to take place on the Feast of Firstfruits, the day that Jesus rose from the dead as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

I attended a very nice Passover seder two nights ago, on Apr. 23.  I enjoyed the reading of the haggadah, including the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt very long ago.  I also enjoyed the very tasty food.  I’ve never attended a Passover seder that did not include great food.

On Apr. 21, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $95 foreign aid package.  It included aid to Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies, including Taiwan.  After being passed, it went to the Senate for a vote.

Late yesterday, that vote in the Senate took place.  The bill passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 79 to 18.  Both Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Republican Leader McConnell supported the legislation.

President Biden also wanted the package to be passed.  He will be signing the legislation today.

       
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Today is the first full day of Pesach or Passover, which began at sunset last evening.  There will be a full moon this evening at 4:49 p.m. PDT = 7:49 p.m. EDT.  This day is a commemoration of the exodus of Israel out of Egypt, as described in Exodus 12:1-51.  It is followed by the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Just as lambs were slain on the first and subsequent Passovers, the Lamb of God, Yeshua/Jesus, also died on Passover.  His shed blood atoned for the sins of all who will accept His unique sacrifice on their behalf.  According to John the Baptist and the apostle Paul,

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)

For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7b)

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)

In the U.S. House of Representatives, a foreign aid plan had been discussed for months.  Yesterday, in a rare Saturday session, the House had debates and passed a $95 billion package.  It received votes from both Republicans and Democrats.

Speaker Johnson broke up the package into four separate bills, each of which was voted on separately.  A $60.8 billion bill to help fund Ukraine’s military passed with a vote of 311 to 112 to 1.  A $26.4 billion bill to support Israel passed with a vote of 366 to 58.  A $8.1 billion bill to support Indo-Pacific allies against China passed with a vote of 385 to 34 to 1.

The final bill in the large package allows the sale of frozen assets of Russian oligarchs to finance future aid to Ukraine.  Potentially, the bill also could force Chinese tech company ByteDance to sell TikTok.  For some time, Republicans and Democrats have feared that TikTok could pose a national security threat in the U.S.  This bill passed with a vote of 360 to 58.

President Biden said that the spending bills came “at a moment of grave urgency.”  He has asked the Senate to pass the package of bills quickly so that he can sign it into law.  It probably will be passed in the Senate in the next few days.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Michele Bachmann.  We may be in the most prophetic hour of our lifetime.  Their discussion took place prior to the recent attack on Israel by Iran on April 14.

Prior to Iran’s attack on Israel last weekend, it is likely that the Iranians gave the U.S. a warning that they were going to attack, and the U.S. assured them that it would not allow an Israeli response.  Yet, that response did happen.

According to Joel Rosenberg, “The prospect of a much worse war between Israel and Iran, even an apocalyptic and prophetic war erupting very soon, is very real and growing more and more likely.”  Our U.S. Administration is on “team Iran” and not “team Israel.”  This has terrible consequences for America.  It places both Israel—and America—in the center of the storm today.

         

         

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

As an optometric physician, I practiced eye care for several years.  I always enjoyed improving people’s blurry vision with glasses or contact lenses.

For many of my patients, the visual acuity chart across the room would appear blurry like the one below on the left.  In most cases, after adjusting the lenses they were looking through in my phoropter, I could enable them to see the visual acuity chart clearly like the one on the right.

 

Jesus made a prophecy about a time of great distress that would take place near the end of the age.  It will involve a very destructive attack on the land of Israel, including Jerusalem and Judea (commonly referred to as the “West Bank”):

When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.  For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!  There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.  They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.  Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:20-24).

For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has directed its proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza to make attacks on Israel.  Yet for the first time, on Apr. 14, Iran made a direct attack on Israel that included numerous drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missles, all coming from Iran.  Fortunately, 99% of the deadly weapons were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome and by a few other nations allied with Israel.  This attack was not a fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy, as there was very little damage and only a few injuries.

Although the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel (on Oct. 7, 2023) began with the deaths of about 1,200 people and the removal of about 250 hostages into Gaza, there was not a great deal of damage in Israel.  Certainly, the ongoing Israel–Hamas war has not resulted in the desolation of Israel.  Israel’s government announced today (Apr. 16) that they have decided on a response to Iran’s recent attack.  So far, however, no details about this have been revealed.

Jesus prophesied that in the final attack on Israel, near the end of the age, there would be many in Israel who would fall (be killed) by the sword and who would be taken as prisoners to other nations.  This will result in the desolation (destruction and emptiness) of Israel.  Ultimately, though, the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) will return, annihilate all of Israel’s enemies and bring back all of those who were removed from Israel by its enemies.  From that day forward, everyone in Israel will know their Lord and God (Ezekiel 39:22) and will have an ongoing relationship with Him.  The Messiah will set up the Kingdom of God on the earth and will rule and reign over the whole world from His throne in Jerusalem.  The world will be a utopia, with Israel being God’s primary chosen and favored nation.

There is virtually no doubt that there will be more attacks on Israel by Iran and its allies.  It is possible that the devastating Gog and Magog attack on Israel, described by the prophet Ezekiel, could begin relatively soon on a prophetic time frame.  (A man referred to as Gog will be the leader of the Magog armies from various nations.)  The details of this battle are explained in Ezekiel 38 and Ezekiel 39.  Note that Persia, which is Iran, is included as one of the Magog nations in Ezekiel 38:5.  My response to an email I received about the timing of the Gog/Magog battle is here:

This is tax day in the USA.  Sometimes it is difficult to justify paying taxes to a government that has mismanaged its revenue so colossally.  For example, the U.S. national debt now is approaching $35 trillion.  Yet, the apostle Paul stated,

Give everyone what you owe him:  If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

As noted on Apr. 12, Iran had indicated that it was planning to attack Israel.  Many people thought it was possible that such an attack might happen this weekend.

Indeed, that did happen yesterday and overnight.  According to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Iran launched 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missles into Israel.  Fortunately, about 99% of them were intercepted.  Analysts have said that the attack marked the first time that Iran had directly attacked Israel.  These attacks are expected to continue.

Authorities in Tel Aviv are expected to announce soon what Israel’s response will be to the significant attack by Iran.  The decision will be made by a three-person war cabinet authorized by the Israeli security cabinet.  The war cabinet, formed this weekend, named Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant and opposition politician Benny Gantz as its members.

Netanyahu stated earlier in a speech that Israel is prepared for any direct attack by Iran and will retaliate.  He declared, “Whoever hurts us, we will hurt them.”  President Biden has informed Netanyahu that the U.S. will not participate in a counter-strike against Iran.

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Christian researcher Carl Teichrib.  There are shadows of a one-world religion today in Parliament of the World’s Religions, Paganicon, and Burning Man.

Jan and Carl have attended one or all and report how desperate people are trying to be “as gods” while looking inward.  They worship the creation rather than the Creator.  This is the new global spirituality.

You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

         

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

Earlier this month, an airstrike greatly damaged the Iranian consulate building, adjacent to the Iranian embassy, in Damascus, Syria.  This was the 2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus.  Sixteen people were killed, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) brigadier general.

Iran and several other nations are assuming that the assault was made by Israel.  Israel has neither confirmed nor denied making the attack.  Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated that Israel “must be punished and will be punished” for the attack.  The U.S. White House emphasized today that Iran’s threats are “real and credible.”  However, the timing and the course of action of a possible counterstrike by Iran have not been revealed.

Western officials have indicated that certain intelligence shows that Iran is preparing for an attack on Israel at any time.  Many feel that this could occur as soon as this weekend.  If an attack of retribution by Iran is made on Israel, it very well could escalate the tensions and violence in the region significantly.

Today, there was a considerable stock market sell-off.  Major stock indices were in negative territory for the entire trading day, and they closed with large to very large losses.  This appears to be a response to reports that Israel is bracing for an imminent attack by Iran.

Since the beginning of the year, the Federal Reserve has been hoping to see signs of decreasing inflation before deciding to reduce interest rates.  However, prices have steadily increased in January, February and March.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics today reported that prices rose 3.5% from March 2023 to March 2024.  In addition, prices rose 0.4% from February to March this year.  There also are early signs that the labor market is weakening.  These were just a few indications that interest rates very likely will not be coming down anytime soon.

There had been expectations of an interest rate cut in June.  That most likely will not happen, though.  There still is some hope that rates could be cut in July, September or November.  However, it will not be surprising if interest rates are not decreased for the remainder of 2024.

All months on the Hebraic calendar begin with a new moon.  As the Israelites were about to leave Egypt, God spoke to Moses and Aaron on the first day of the month.  He said that month would be the first month of their year:

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.” (Exodus 12:1,2)

In the middle of the month of Nisan is Pesach or Passover (this year on Apr. 23), which always takes place on a full moon.  That is the day on which Jesus Christ (Yeshua Hamachiach, the Jewish Messiah) was crucified and died.

The following Sunday (this year on Apr. 28) is the Feast of Firstfruits.  It was the day that Jesus rose from the dead:

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. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

A total eclipse of the sun is moving over parts of North America today.  After beginning in the southern Pacific Ocean, it will come onto Mexico’s Pacific coast at about 11:07 a.m. PDT.

After it moves northeast across Mexico, the totality of the eclipse will continue moving northeast through the United States.  These are the states that will see short to lengthy portions of the total solar eclipse: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Then the total eclipse will enter Ontario, Canada, and continue moving northeast through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton and Newfoundland.  It will exit Canada into the Atlantic Ocean at about 5:16 p.m. NDT.

It is not safe to look directly at any portion of the sun during the eclipse without special protective solar viewing glasses.  Otherwise, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation coming around the edge of the moon and entering the eye can cause permanent damage to the retina and to the macula inside of the eye.

It was exactly six months ago, on Oct. 7, 2023, that the violent Hamas attack on Israel took place.  The Israel–Hamas war has been ongoing since then.

Last week, an airstrike destroyed the Iranian consulate building, adjacent to the Iranian embassy, in Damascus, Syria.  This was the 2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus.  Sixteen people were killed, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) brigadier general. 

The United States is anticipating a significant Iranian attack on U.S. or Israeli assets as soon as this week.  Israel has told the U.S. that if Iran were to launch an attack from its territory against Israel in retaliation, it would prompt a robust response from Israel, potentially escalating the current conflict to a higher intensity.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari has stated, “We are in a multi-front war.  We are looking not only at Hamas but all our enemies.  We look at all fronts and all threats in order to be ready for any scenario.”

At Olive Tree Ministries this weekend, Jan Markell spent the hour with Alex Newman and Pastor Billy Crone.  They reported that the New World Order crowd is busy, in part, worshipping the creation rather than the Creator.

Their 2030 agenda is racing towards reality as they prepare for heaven on earth.  The coming Central bank digital currency (CBDC) system will ensure that we cannot buy or sell without using a non-cash currency.  All transactions will be tracked by the government.

Global problems need global solutions.  Many feel that a man-made global government is the solution to everything.

However, the ultimate global system to come will be the Kingdom of God on earth.  The government will be upon the shoulders of Jesus when He will rule and reign during the Millennium.

         

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

A 4.8 earthquake hit New Jersey at 10:23 a.m. this morning.  It was centered near Lebanon, NJ, about 30 miles west of Newark.

On the Earthquake Magnitude Scale, it was rated as a light quake.  Yet, it was felt throughout much of New York state, including all of New York City.  It also was felt all the way up to Maine and down to Virginia.

No major disruptions or damage were reported due to the quake.  Aftershocks have been felt, and more are expected to occur.

Taiwan was struck this morning (7:58 a.m. Taiwan time) by its most powerful earthquake in a quarter century.  That huge quake, almost 25 years ago in September 1999, had a magnitude of 7.7.  It caused over 2,400 deaths, over 11,000 injuries and the destruction of thousands of buildings.

The strength of today’s quake, centered about 15 miles southwest of Hualien, measured 7.2 according to Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency.  The U.S. Geological Survey rated the strength at 7.4.  On the Earthquake Magnitude Scale, either of those magnitudes qualifies as a major quake.  Several aftershocks have been felt, with many more expected to occur over the next few weeks.

So far after today’s strong temblor, nine people have lost their lives, hundreds were injured, highways were damaged, train service was interrupted and several landslides have taken place.  Many people are trapped in tunnels and beneath collapsed buildings.  A tsunami warning went out to Japan and the Philippines, but it later was removed.

The damage in Taiwan could have been much worse.  However, their levels of earthquake planning and readiness continually are improving.  According to seismologist and professor Stephen Gao at Missouri University of Science and Technology, “Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world.  The island has implemented strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety.”

Yesterday, I purchased 82.90 oz. (5.18 lb.) of 50%-off Easter candy.  Most of the candy that I preferred (especially dark chocolate) already had been removed from the shelves.  I probably won’t eat too much of what I got.

Happy April Fool’s Day.  Don’t play too many pranks unless you like to get pranked back. 

       
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