Ted’s Remarks About Stuff
July thru September, 2012


View Archived Pages  |  See Reasons for Ted’s Remarks
Email Ted about Ted’s Remarks  |  Visit Ted’s Homepage

Sep. 27, 2012

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of IsraelPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a compelling speech today, on behalf of Israel, before the United Nations General Assembly in New York.  The speech lasted about 32 minutes.

Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the UN

Here is some of the transcript of some of the key quotations in his speech:

Key quotes from Netanyahu speech at UN

Mr. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel wants peace.  However, speaking of the future of Israel and the world, he warned, “Nothing could imperil our common future more than the arming of Iran with nuclear weapons.” 

He gave numerous examples about how “red lines” can and should be drawn to prevent war.  After indicating that Iran could complete all the uranium enrichment necessary to make a nuclear bomb by next summer, he stressed, “At this late hour, there is only one way to peacefully prevent Iran from getting atomic bombs, and that’s by placing a clear red line on Iran’s nuclear weapons program.”  I agree.


Sep. 26, 2012

At sunset yesterday, Yom Kippur began.  It also is known as the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32, 25:9; Numbers 29:7-11), and it will end this evening at sunset.

I ate a big meal for dinner last evening, since I am fasting for 25 hours.  I think that most who observe Yom Kippur will fast for 24 hours; but I have a friend who adds an extra hour on the end, so for a couple of years I have done the same.

Today, I am taking advantage of my fast by praying and reading the Word.  It is a good way to take my mind off of being hungry.

I believe that Yeshua/Jesus will return to earth, to begin to rule and reign, on a future Yom Kippur, at the end of the 70th Week.  In the past, I have written two email responses having to do with Yom Kippur:


Sep. 25, 2012

Probably most Americans do not believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim.  They have accepted, at face value, his claim to be a Christian.  There are many, though, who are fully convinced that he really is a Muslim.  Interestingly, even Obama’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, has indicated how he is skeptical that Obama has made a full conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Today at the website of Walid Shoebat, a former Palestinian member of the Islamic Brotherhood terrorist turned Christian, an article agrees with Madonna’s assertion yesterday that Obama is a Muslim:

Even Liberals Recognize Obama as a "Black Muslim"

I have heard Walid Shoebat speak several times about this issue, as well as about the perils of Islam in general, both on TV and in person.  He is fluent in Arabic, and his arguments are very convincing.

Another person whom I have heard speak numerous times about Islam is Avi Lipkin, who retains dual citizenship in the USA and Israel, while his wife Rachel has dual citizenship in Egypt and Israel.  She is fluent in Arabic and monitors Arab broadcasts, reporting important information to Israel intelligence.

Below, you can link to a short video that includes information about how, for years prior to the 2008 election, Rachel Lipkin picked up Saudi Arabian broadcasts saying how they soon would have a Muslim in the White House.  Furthermore, in 2010, Rachel reportedly picked up a broadcast on Nile TV in Eqypt in which the foreign minister of Egypt said that in a one-on-one meeting with President Obama, he swore that he is a Muslim.

Is Barack Obama Really A Saudi / Muslim
"Plant" in the White House?

That video also references an interview of Avi Lipkin by Gary Stearman in which Avi explains why he is convinced that Barack Obama not only is a Muslim (regardless of Mr. Obama’s claims that he is a Christian) but also that he is a “plant” by Saudi Arabia in the White House.  You do not need to watch the entire 29-minute interview if you do not have the time; the portion about Obama is from 9:41 to 13:53 on the video time line, and you can formulate your own conclusions about this issue:

Gary Stearman Interviews Avi Likpin

Video Time Line

Yesterday, I made an entry (which I have removed) about Madonna’s concert in Washington, DC.  During a break, she made a speech about how good it was that slavery in the USA was abolished (with which I agree) and also about how wonderful it is that Barack Obama is the president.  As is typical of Madonna, much of what she said included vulgar language.

As noted in the article at the Walid Shoebat website, she also exclaimed, “We have a Black Muslim in the White House, OK?”  I indicated in my entry that although I do not agree with much that Madonna says, I actually do agree with that particular statement.  I have received numerous emails from people stating to me how they also believe this to be true.

In yesterday’s (deleted) entry, I also had included a video showing part of Madonna’s speech.  However, her expletives had not been “bleeped out” of the video, and I became concerned that some kids might read my entry, link to the video directly from this page, and hear her foul language.  I did not want that to happen, so I removed the entry.  You can do a search for that video, if you wish.


Sep. 18, 2012

I would like to highlight Brigitte Gabriel, who had a 2-hour interview on God’s God’s Learning Channel (GLC) tonight.  Brigitte was raised as a Christian in Lebanon, where she and her family were greatly oppressed and persecuted by Islam.  She still has shrapnel in her bones from Muslim attacks.

I have listened to Brigitte several times over the past few years, including as a guest on Fox News Channel.  She is a controversial figure who relays messages that most “politically correct” Americans prefer not to hear about, such as the threat of radical Islam in this country and worldwide.

One of the topics she discussed on the program tonight is the present chaos and mayhem in North Africa and the Middle East.  This includes the savage attacks on American Embassies, as well as the brutal murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others a week ago on Sep. 11, 2012, exactly eleven years after the horrendous Sep. 11, 2001 attacks.

For the next week or so, you can listen (free) to the entire 2-hour program.  That video is here (it begins with some static, which clears up in less than a minute):

Brigitte Gabriel on GLC (2-hour telecast): September 18, 2012

If you go there in a few days but the video no longer is archived, you can order the 2-hour DVD for $14.95 here:

Brigitte Gabriel GLC DVD (2-hour show): September 18, 2012

You can read a speech that she gave at Duke University here:

Brigitte Gabriel's Duke University Speech

Brigitte Gabriel is calling Americans to action.  Her informative website is here: ACT! for America.


Sep. 16, 2012

Rosh HaShanah 5773At sunset this evening was the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh HaShanah.  It is the Jewish/Hebraic new year, and it also is a new moon.

Furthermore, it is a special Sabbath.  Its description (Leviticus 23:24,25) includes things to be done (rest from work and have a sacred assembly) on the regular weekly Sabbath (23:3):

There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly.  You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the LORD. (Leviticus 23:3)

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

I took a big fruit tray to some of my Jewish neighbors.  One of them invited me to attend a Rosh HaShanah service with her, so I did.  It was about an hour in length, and I enjoyed it.  Someone brought a small shofar, and some of the people sounded it, although I did not.

     
13-second slideshow

Yeshua/Jesus will fulfill all of the Hebraic Fall Festivals/Holy Days at His second coming.  I believe that the main Rapture event will take place on a future Feast of Trumpets.  Some are looking for that to happen this year.  I am convinced that it will not, although I definitely wish it would.


Sep. 13, 2012

I have this thing about the word “should”; I often get annoyed when I hear it.  Virtually everyday I hear people saying, “He should do this” or “She should do that” or “They should do whatever.”  Yeah, uh huh.

Frankly, I feel that the word “should” is an idealistic fantasy, wishful thinking word that doesn’t often translate into reality.  It is easy to wish for others to do what we think they should do, but we usually do not grasp the tremendous difficulties involved in these actions actually being able to be carried out.

Like for instance, we might have a brother-in-law who should stop drinking and doing drugs, but curbing most addictions is much easier said than done.  Greece should get their economic act together and back away from the cliff of economic failure so that it will stop endangering the rest of Europe, but doing so most likely is not going to happen.  Barack Obama should decrease unemployment and make the USA more energy independent, but that probably is not going to happen either, especially if he remains president.

In case you use the word should a lot, you could be living on the margin of Realville and edging into Fantasyland.  And if you think of something that you feel should be done by someone else, maybe you should stop whining about it and go try doing it yourself.


Sep. 12, 2012

Here is an interesting article that includes allegations about Barack Obama prior to becoming president:

Obama hid "gay life" to become president

Sep. 11, 2012

The events eleven years ago (and on the same day of the week) of September 11, 2001, were a stern warning to America from God.  However, over the years, the enormity of that day has been discounted, and not many continue to heed God’s admonition.

One who understands not only the gravity of 9/11 but who also has written about the prophetic nature of that day is Jonathan Cahn in his book The Harbinger, which includes details of the nine harbingers that God has used to warn both Israel and the United States.  More about this can be read here, plus a one-hour video by Rabbi Cahn can be viewed:

God's Judgment on America prophesied in 9/11:
Scripture linked to 9/11 in the most amazing uncanny ways


The Harbinger — Rabbi Cahn, Full Version

A lengthier version of the same theme is here:

Sycamore, Full Version

The basis of Rabbi Cahn’s message is this significant passage in the book of Isaiah:

The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.  All the people will know it—Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—who say with pride and arrogance of heart, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig [sycamore] trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars. ... But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty.” (Isaiah 9:8-10,13)

All of this reminds me of ancient Judah.  Josiah, one of the last kings of Judah, began to reign at the young age of 8 years old.  During the majority of the 31 years that he reigned, he kept God foremost in all that he did.  Nevertheless, the destruction of Judah, at the hands of the Babylonians (2 Kings 25:8-11), already had been determined by God; and even a near-perfect king could not change God’s mind.

This is what the LORD says:  I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read.  Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched. (2 Kings 22:16,17)

Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.  Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger. (2 Kings 23:25,26)

You can read the account of King Josiah in 2 Kings 22:1 through 23:30 and in 2 Chronicles 34:1 through 35:27.  Basically, the stiff-necked, foolish people and most of their leaders had forsaken God and had worshiped other gods.  They were not going to repent and alter their allegiance and behavior, though they were implored repeatedly by God to do so (2 Chronicles 36:14-16).

The most righteous king who ever ruled over Judah humbled himself and reformed the official policies of the nation to conform to the Book of the Law of the Lord, given through Moses; yet God would not recind His inexorable judgment on the nation.  This was because the king could not change the minds and hearts of the people.  Collectively, they might have been able to change God’s mind by humbling themselves before Him, seeking His face, and turning from their evil ways (2 Chronicles 7:14); but they would not.

I feel that not only the USA but all the nations on earth are in the same boat.  Most of humanity has rejected the one true King and Creator of the universe: YHWH ().  The people of the world have gone their own stubborn ways, and there will be an exceedingly high price to pay for this.  A “flushed toilet” cannot be “unflushed.”  Thus, I regret to say, I do not think that any nation of the world, including America, will be exempt from either of the following dreadful judgments to come: the Great Tribulation and the Day of Vengeance.


Sep. 8, 2012

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani with two sonsOn Aug. 23, Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was granted asylum in the United States.  Yet, he remained incarcerated in Iran.

Today, after serving nearly three years in prison, Nadarkhani was aquitted of apostasy and released.  It is unknown right now whether or not he and/or his wife and sons will be coming to the USA.

Iranian Christian Convert Granted
Asylum in the United States

This man is a living example to Christians.  He was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his faith in Jesus Christ.  During one hearing, he was told to recant his faith, but he responded, “You ask me to recant.  Recant means to return.  What do you wish me to return to?  The blasphemy that I was in before Christ?”  The judges responded, “To the religion of your ancestors, Islam.”  Youcef replied, “I cannot.

This man was willing to be permanently separated from his wife and kids for his faith.  He even was willing to be executed.  I wonder how many Christians in the world are in Youcef Nadarkhani’s boat.  I feel very certain that, before too long, a time is coming when this faith will be tested for millions of believers worldwide.


Sep. 5, 2012

My friend’s dog Lulu never had been to the beach until yesterday.  The maids were cleaning his house, so we took Lulu to Stinson Beach.  It was quite a long, winding drive, and she seemed to be confused that the car ride took so long.  Eventually, we got there, and she seemed to enjoy the sand.

There were signs indicating that pets were not allowed on the beach.  However, that did not stop my friend, who feels that some rules do not apply to him.  I’m in that same boat sometimes. 

         

         
30-second slideshow

Some of the shots were taken from a moving car and are not too clear.


In other news, at the Democratic National Convention yesterday, the word “God” and the acknowledgement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel were stricken from their platform.  Today, after strong external opposition, both of these were reinstated.

There was little opposition to acknowledging Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which of course it is and always will be, at least in the eyes of God.  Amazingly, though, the choice to allow references to God created chaos and uncertainty on the convention floor.

Three times Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the convention chairman, called for a voice vote on adding a mention of God to the platform.  A two-thirds vote was required to reverse the original ruling, but clearly there were about as many “no” votes as “yes” votes.  Seemingly embarrassed, Mr. Villaraigosa went ahead and approved the change, which was followed by numerous “boos” from the delegates.

DNC railroads its own delegates
in the name of God & Jerusalem

The change allowed the insertion of a phrase into the 2012 official Democrat Party platform.  The phrase indicated the party’s determination to give “everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential.”  The latter concept is a “no-brainer” and never should been disallowed in the first place.  I feel that doing so was a blatant concession to the many atheists within the party.

Allowing the mention of God to be part of the platform of a major political party in the USA should be automatic.  The fact that there was a great deal of open opposition and even hostility to this by so many of the Democratic delegates is appalling and despicable.


Sep. 3, 2012

My friend in Israel told me that the Lord impressed upon him to read Psalm 119, which is an “acrostic psalm” and the longest chapter in the Bible (176 verses).  I’ve decided to do the same thing.

The Hebrew aleph bet (alphabet) contains 22 letters.  In the first section or stanza of Psalm 119, all eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter aleph.  In the next section, all the verses begin with bet.  So all the verses in each of the 22 sections begin with consecutive letters of the aleph bet, from aleph to tav.

In case you would like to read one section of Psalm 119 each day, it would take you 22 days to read through it.  Or you could read two sections each day for 11 days, which is what I am doing.  I like Psalm 119 because it stresses God’s laws and commands, which we should love.


Sep. 2, 2012

The last time I went wine tasting was when I was here a few months ago, on Apr. 12.  (I don’t think I’ve had a drop of wine since then; alcohol is something I can take or leave.)  We went again today but to different wineries.

Our first stop was at Mazzocco Winery.  All of the wines we tasted were red.  One friend has a premium membership at some wineries, so we were taken into a private room to do some of the tasting.  They bought eight cases of wine.  Although I enjoyed the wine tasting, I bought nothing; luxuries like fine wine are not in my budget.

         

         

         
45-second slideshow

Next we visited Wilson Winery.  My friends bought a couple more cases there.  I found the wine to be equally good at both wineries, though I purchased none at either.

I did, however, grab a small cluster of grapes that were right next to the car in the parking lot, with no fence in between.  (I wasn’t the only one; others were doing the same.)  They were very tasty, and I even like the crunchy seeds inside.  I will include them with the other fruit on my oats tomorrow.


Sep. 1, 2012

My friend that I’m visiting in No. CA had a Labor Day weekend barbecue today and invited several friends.  Ahi tuna and tarragon chicken breasts were cooked on the barbecue.  All of the food was outstanding, including my Ghirardelli double chocolate brownies with chocolate frosting.  Yeah, I love chocolate.

         
         
         
45-second slideshow

Aug. 31, 2012

The Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, is over.  I was highly impressed with the speeches made by the following people:


In other news, there is a rare “blue moon” tonight.  It is the second full moon in the same month.  It’s not really blue in color, but if it were it might look like the second one below. 

 
5-second slideshow

Aug. 30, 2012

I came up to No. CA yesterday to hang out for a couple of weeks.  My friend’s garden has had a bumper crop of vegetables this summer, right now mostly tomatoes.  I must have eaten about 50 small fresh tomoatoes in the past 24 hours, and it barely made a dent in the overall amount.

After he cut open a spaghetti squash, I collected the seeds and roasted them.  They aren’t quite as tasty as pumpkin seeds or acorn squash seeds, but I like them anyway, especially the crunch.  The squash was outstanding after he baked it, too.

         

         

         

         
1-minute slideshow

This morning, I had fresh basil and tomatoes as a pre-breakfast snack.  Then I made my usual oats and fruit (see Aug. 24).  My friend liquified a boatload of tomatoes in his food processor and then let them simmer in four pots on the stove.  After several hours, they were reduced to a significantly smaller volume.

He also chopped up several jalapeño and serrano peppers and dried them in his dehydrator.  All of that went into his freezer for the fall and winter.  I think anyone who does that in this economy is very wise.


Aug. 28, 2012

It seems that many Christians question the idea that Jesus was Jewish, which He was.  Others question the idea that Jesus was God, which He was.  Here is an interesting question I received which, in a sense, combines both of these elements:


Aug. 24, 2012

Most days for over two decades, I have eaten the same thing.  It is very rare that I skip this meal for even one or two days.  I don’t think I’ve ever skipped three days, even when I am away from home for weeks at a time.

My meal is oats and fruit, along with a toasted corn tortilla with natural peanut butter and a cup of coffee.  I buy 365 Crunchy Peanut Butter from Whole Foods, which is one of the few items I’ve found there for a reasonable price.  The last four jars each cost me $3.89 for 36 ounces, which is only 10.8¢ per ounce.

The brand name is 365, which is appropriate because I eat it virtually 365 days a year.  It consists of pure peanut butter and salt.  It contains no unhealthful additives such as sugar, molasses, or diglicerides.  It must be stirred well for a few minutes upon opening the first time, due to natural oil separation, but I don’t mind.

Usually, the earliest I begin eating is about 11:00 a.m., and the latest is about 1:00 p.m.  I do not eat it all at once; it takes me several hours to eat it.  I take a few bites intermittently while doing other things.  If I skip this meal for even a day, I have a major craving for it the following day.  For dinner, I usually eat my homemade soup (see Aug. 14).

My meal contains the following:

raw oatsbananapearstrawberries
raisinstwo applesred/black grapesalmonds
flax seedsorangeblueberriesnatural peanut butter
powdered milkpeachcherriescorn tortilla

         

         
33-second slideshow

On Fridays, I make a double portion.  This is because my Sabbath is sunset Friday through sunset Saturday.  I consider it “work” to make my meal; and according to Exodus 20:10, Leviticus 23:3, and Deuteronomy 5:14, one is not supposed to do regular work that is done the other days of the week.

On Saturday, I’m always glad that I made that day’s meal the day before.  All I have to do is relax, eat, read God’s Word, and commune with Him.


Aug. 23, 2012

The ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice) has been successful in gaining asylum in the United States for an Iranian pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani.  After converting from Islam to Christianity, Nadarkhani was incarcerated in 2009 and sentenced to death by an Iranian court in 2010.

Iranian Christian Convert Granted
Asylum in the United States

Pastor Nadarkhani still remains incarcerated in Iran.  The hope is that he will be released soon, following constant pressure by the West upon Iranian officials to do so.


Aug. 22, 2012

Today is a good friend’s birthday.  We worked together over 30 years ago.  Last year, I was at his place celebrating his birthday.  A week from today, I will be flying up to No. CA to hang out with him for a couple of weeks.

He emailed me photos of some of the vegetables and fruit that he has just harvested.  As usual, he has a “bumper crop” on his hands.  He calls it a “storm” of food.  It reminds me of some of the photos I took when I was there last year on Aug. 20 and Aug. 28.

Looking at the ones he sent makes my mouth water.  I could eat a whole tomato (or maybe two) in a couple of minutes.  Next week, I probably will.

         
15-second slideshow

Here is his description of the photos:

  • Eggplant and serranos.
  • More eggplant, spaghetti and patty pan squash.
  • Huge beefsteak tomatoes with shot glass for perspective.
  • Tomato storm 1 (this box is greater than 2 feet by 18 inches).
  • Tomato storm 2 with fork for perspective.
  • Plum storm (mostly full shopping bag, and there were at least 10 of these, each weighing about 30 lbs).

Aug. 19, 2012

A good friend is in Israel for the summer.  This is his second time there; he also was there for a few months in 2009.  Today, he sent me a few photos that he took recently, while giving a couple of people a tour.

     

     

     

     
1-minute slideshow

Here are his descriptions of the photos:

  • 3 photos of Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.
  • 1 pic of the Jordan River, near where Jesus was baptized (a very humble place).
  • 2 photos of the Jericho ruins.
  • 2 photos of the modern city of Jericho.
  • 3 photos of the Sea of Galilee.
  • 2 photos of Zedekiah’s cave and Solomon’s quarry beneath the Old City (East Jerusalem).  There is a system of caves and tunnels that were stone quarries and the way that Jeremiah brought the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple Mount to a sealed cave, directly under the crucifixion site.
  • 3 photos of the garden tomb and hill of Golgotha.


In other news, today is Elul 1 on the Hebrew calendar.  The season of Teshuvah begins today and ends on Tishri 10, which is Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).

Elul is a month of repentance, restoring broken relationships with others, and returning to God.  We should be reflecting on the things we do that we know displease God, humbly asking for His forgiveness, and determining to avoid doing those things anymore by turning away from them.  His Holy Spirit can give us the strength to obey and please Him.

My friend who sent me the photos from Israel (above) said that tonight he went to the Western Wall, just west of the Temple Mount.  He said there probably were about a thousand Israeli soldiers there.  He was told that during this time of year, the soldiers go there each night around midnight for the purpose of repentance, since this is the season of Teshuvah.  With all the soldiers there, he felt that it was about the safest place to be in the entire world.

On each day of Elul, shofars (trumpets) are blown, reminding everyone that the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HsShanah, the first day of the civil new year) is approaching.  That day also is known as Yom Teruah or “Day of the Awakening Blast.”  Prophetically, on this day at some point in the future, believers in the Messiah will be awakened from the dead and resurrected to life.

The final trumpet blown on that great day is the “last trumpet” described in this passage:

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory” [Isaiah 25:8] (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

On a Feast of Trumpets yet to come, I believe that the Pre-wrath Rapture will take place (I highly doubt that it will be this year).  It will be followed for a year by the “day of vengeance” (Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4).  On Yom Kippur at the end of that year, Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah/Christ will return to earth to rule and reign.  These are events for believers to look forward to with great anticipation.


Aug. 18 2012

I like John Stossel’s specials exposing corruption, fraud, and sleaze, usually in the government.  A repeat of an excellent special was run today on Fox News Channel; the length of this video is 42 minutes:

Politicians’ Top 10 Promises Gone Wrong

Here are the top ten, in reverse order:

  1. Cash for clunkers would save the auto industry. Instead, it increased the costs of used cars (the ones that poor people buy), decreased charitable donations and just moved auto sales from other months into July and August.
  2. Increasing the minimum wage would guarantee everyone better pay, but it ended up killing jobs.
  3. Title IX would end discrimination against women in sports, but instead it has taken sports away from both men and women.
  4. Big projects like stadiums, arenas and conference centers will create jobs. Instead, they steal money from the local grocery store.
  5. Politicians manipulate the tax code to save small farmers and the environment but instead create an explosion of alpacas and give rich people like Stossel free golf carts.
  6. Credit card reform would save us from horrible bank fees, but "reform" led to higher credit card interest rates and less credit for the poor, which drove them to worse forms of credit.
  7. The health care bill would give us cheaper and more comprehensive health care, but instead it's causing insurance companies to stop offering health insurance altogether.
  8. Ethanol would relieve our dependence on foreign oil and save the environment, but instead it's increased the cost of food, done more damage to the environment and to taxpayers.
  9. Politicians said more home ownership was good for America, but their subsidies created a bubble that made life worse.
  10. Politicians say that they will be fiscally responsible, but they keep creating more programs and spending America into bankruptcy.

Aug. 15, 2012

Evidently, there have been classified information leaks out of the White House.  The leaks appear to be for political gain.  If so, this is a very serious matter that could endanger the lives of members of our military.  This 22-minute video about it has just come out:

Dishonorable Disclosures

Aug. 14, 2012

I made a big batch of chicken and vegetable soup today.  Yesterday, I had chopped up all of my vegetables.  Then, I roasted some extra hot green chiles from New Mexico.  While they were roasting in the oven, I was thinking, “This must be what heaven smells like.”

Then I sautéed the onions, which taste better in the soup than if they are tossed in raw.  I also roasted the seeds that were inside the acorn squash.  It wasn’t a large one, so there weren’t that many seeds inside; but they sure were good and crunchy.  I like them as much as I do roasted pumpkin seeds.

My soup contains the following:

lentilsacorn squashgreen chilesspinach
split peascabbagechickensalt/pepper
potatoeszucchinigarlicItalian seasoning
carrotsonionsbroccolimulti-colored pasta

         
18-second slideshow

The firmer vegetables (such as potatoes and carrots) cooked the longest, while the softer vegetables (such as broccoli and spinach) cooked for less time.  The soup is very spicy hot, due to the green chiles.  The hotter the better, as far as I’m concerned.  It was one of the tastiest batches of soup I’ve made, which is good because it will be lasting me for awhile.


Aug. 12, 2012

Olympic RingsThe closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics was entertaining.  Now that the Olympics are over, I have sort of an empty feeling; but I’ll be over it in a day or two.  I have been an Olympics fan every four years for decades.

I enjoy watching all the Olympic sports, since the athletes participating in them typically are the best in the world.  American athletes received more medals than those of any other nation (see Final Medal Count).

I think about how each athlete trained, sacrificed, and agonized for four years just to be there, and it often comes down to one race or dive or routine as to whether or not the person wins a medal.  Many of their personal stories are exhilarating, and others are heart-wrenching.

The most meaningful sacrifice is giving up something we love for someone that we love more.  That someone could be ourself, our country, or God.  I saw Olympic athletes that I felt fit into all of those categories.

Some of the athletes seemed very pompous, as if they felt entitled to win gold, while others were amazingly humble and were just thrilled to be part of the games in any capacity.  I always love it when athletes give God the glory for getting them to where they are, such as Gabrille Douglas on Aug. 2.

Probably the main thing that went through my mind when watching all of the athletes perform is how God created and carefully crafted each and every one of them.  Furthermore, I believe that He ultimately is responsible for all of their wins and losses.

It never ceases to amaze me the astounding feats that the best of the best do to come out on top.  I’ve often told God, “ONLY YOU could have created such a magnificent combination of brains, emotions, and body to do THAT!”

I have respect and regard for all of the Olympic athletes, especially those who have medaled.  Overall, though, all of their medals are just meaningless vanity (as King Solomon wrote about in the book of Ecclesiastes) for those who don’t know Yah and aren’t serving Him.


Aug. 10, 2012

Mitt Romney and Paul RyanIt was announced tonight that Mitt Romney has chosen Paul Ryan, 42-year-old Congressman from Wisconsin, as his vice presidential running mate for the Republican ticket.  Ryan presently is the chairman of the Budget Committee in the House of Representatives.

On February 25, 2010, there was a White House Health Care Summit.  Here is a video (6+ minutes in length) showing logical and rational points presented by Paul Ryan to Barack Obama and Joe Biden:

Paul Ryan: Hiding Spending Doesn't Reduce Spending

In my opinion, Ryan is about the best choice that Romney could have made.  He is extremely bright and sensible, especially pertaining to economic matters.  He also is socially and fiscally conservative and, I feel, is an honest and ethical man.  Romney is not conservative enough for me, so I am glad that he picked what I feel is a steadfast conservative to balance the ticket.

I also like that Ryan frequently has expressed a strong faith in God.  He openly states that our rights come from God, not from the government.  You don’t hear that from politicians too much anymore.  I feel that his Christian convictions are genuine and not phony, as they are for many politicians who claim to be Christians.


Aug. 9, 2012

Alexandra Raisman, U.S. medal-winning gymnastGood for Olympic gymnast Alexandra “Aly” Raisman.  Not only is the 18-year-old a member of the U.S. women’s team who won the all-around team event on July 31, she also won a bronze medal in the balance beam final on Aug. 7 and another gold medal for her outstanding performance in the floor exercise final on Aug. 8.

These are great accomplishments, but I also am proud of her for something else.  She paid tribute to the 11 Israeli Olympic athletes who were taken hostage and then executed by Palestinians at the Munich Olympics.  The Munich massacre took place almost 40 years ago in September 1972.

Olympic Jewish Gymanst Aly Raisman Cites
40th Anniversary of Slain Israelis After Winning Gold

Officially, nothing has been said at the 2012 Summer Olympics about this tragic event.  The International Olympic Committee and its president, Jacques Rogge, have refused to recognize this dreadful event publicly.  Interestingly, Rogge was an Olympic athlete at the 1972 games; he was on the sailing team representing Belgium.

Aly Raisman did not understand why even a few seconds of silence, to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, could not be part of the opening ceremonies or of any other Olympic event.  I agree.  I commend Aly for taking it upon herself to invoke the memory of the slain 1972 Olympic athletes from Israel after winning her second gold medal.


Aug. 8, 2012

The Google page has been putting up some little Olympic games to play.  I allowed myself to waste a few minutes playing basketball, which is here:

https://www.google.com/doodles/basketball-2012

Once you start it, press the space button on your keyboard to get the girl to shoot baskets.  I scored 21 points in 24 seconds, which is a head-scratcher because it looked like each basket was 2 points.  I don’t know where that extra point came from.  Oh well!

     

     
20-second slideshow

In other news, according to the USGS, there were a few small to moderate earthquakes in the Los Angeles area from late last night through today.  They all were in Orange County, specifically Yorba Linda, which is a few miles from where I attended school at the Southern California College of Optometry.

Two of the quakes were magnitude 4.5.  The tremors caused some swaying of buildings in downtown Los Angeles, about 30 miles away.  I was not in the area at the time and did not feel anything, but several of my friends got jolted.

   
8-second slideshow

I hope that these were not precursors to a big shaker. 


Aug. 7, 2012

There are numerous serious students of the Bible, in particular of eschatology or end-time passages.  Many of these look for recent or current events that, they feel, fulfill prophecy.

For instance, they might see the extreme instability and volatility in the Middle East as indicative that the events of Psalm 83 are imminent.  They also might see the returning of Jews and other Israelites back to Israel, since 1948, as fulfilling Jeremiah 16:14-16.

On the contrary, I am inclined to believe that many things that eschatologists are expecting to occur soon will not take place until the very end of of the age, just before and at the time of Jesus' return to earth to rule and reign.  My reasons can be found in these two email reponses:


Aug. 4, 2012

Michael Phelps: Most Olympic Medals of All TimeThe greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, swam his final Olympic race tonight.  Best of all, he and his relay team (Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, and Nathan Adrian) won the gold medal.  That makes 18 gold and 22 total Olympic medals.  What a way to retire!

With One Last Gold, Phelps Caps
Career That Inspired a Generation

The United States now leads the total medal count for the 2012 Olympics with 54 medals.  China has 53, United Kingdom has 29, Russia has 28, and Japan has 24.


Aug. 2, 2012

Gabrielle Douglas: All Around Women's Gymnastics Gold MedalistToday, 16-year-old U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas, the “Flying Squirrel,” captured the gold medal in the all-around women’s individual Olympic competition.  She was the third straight U.S. athlete to win gymnastics’ biggest prize and the first African-American to do so.

This is Gabrielle’s second gold medal in the London Olympics.  She is one of the five who won the all-around team event on July 31.  In an interview, Gabrielle said, “It’s a win-win situation:  The glory goes up to Him, and the blessings come down on me.”  I like that.

Gabrielle Douglas Wins All-Around Gold Medal

         
         
         
         
1-minute slideshow

Also today, Michael Phelps took the gold in the men’s 200 individual medley.  His teammate, Ryan Lochte, took the silver.  An individual medley competition consists of four different strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

This brings Phelps’ overall medal count to 20, which beats his own Olympic record of 19 two days ago.  The United States now leads the total medal count for the 2012 Olympics with 37 medals.  China has 34, Japan has 19, and Germany and Russia are tied at 17.


Aug. 1, 2012

I found a great Happy Birthday e-card to send to a friend in Florida, whose birthday is today.  I think it is pretty funny and very clever.  I’ve always thought that having a birthday on the first day or the last day of a month is really cool.

       

       
25-second slideshow

You can watch the 36-second video here:

Happy Birthday, Cumpleaños Feliz, Baby!

Those babies sure look real to me, although I know they’re not.  I think whoever put that video together did an outstanding job.  In case you’d like to send that card to someone, it can be found at the 123 Greetings website (although it is not viewable with all browsers).  I like their website because they have so many free e-cards of all types to send.


July 31, 2012

Michael Phelps: Most Olympic Medals of All TimeLarisa Latynina, Soviet OlympianIn 2008, at the Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps made an outstanding showing on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17.  He won more gold medals at a single Olympic games than anyone else ever had.  He also had accumulated more gold medals then any other Olympian.

Today, with medals 18 (silver) and 19 (gold), Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history.  Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, had held the record for 48 years.

At age 77, Latynina attended the Olympic swim meets in London today and watched Phelps tie and then break her record.  She joked that it was time for a man to be able to do what a woman had done long ago. 

It's No. 19 and counting for Michael Phelps

U.S. Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team: Gold MedalistsAlso, today, the American women’s gymnastics team won the gold medal for the all-around team event.  Their margin of victory over the silver-medalist Russian team was 5.066 points, which is huge by Olympic standards.

The USA women’s team in 2012 consists of these five members: Jordyn Wieber, Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney.  Team USA team had not won gold since the famed “magnificant seven” did it in Atlanta in 1996.

U.S. women's gymnastics win Olympic
gold in London in all-around competition

Congratulations to all U.S. Olympians who have medaled so far.  Keep those medals coming!


July 29, 2012

My brother has a good blog here: Rev. Dr. Dan Montgomery.  Archived links to other entries can be found on the right side of the page below his book, Faith Beyond Church Walls.

I thought today’s entry was very insightful:

All of Christianity in Two Simple Sentences

July 28, 2012

William DillonImagine being accused, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment for a murder that you did not commit.  This happened to William Dillon in 1981.  After 27 years in prison, DNA evidence demonstrated conclusively that he was not connected to the murder.

William Dillon: Falsely Imprisoned

This morning, Dillon was on the “Fox and Friends” show on Fox News Channel.  After an interesting interview, he sang the Star Spangled Banner (which will play after a short commercial):

Star Spangled Banner by William Dillon

“I don’t think anyone can imagine coming out of prison after 27 years and seeing freedom,” Dillon said.  “It’s like having a death sentence of cancer and God just healing you right in that moment.  It’s got to be the same thing.  In reality, I was dead, and He brought me right back to life.”  Indeed!


July 27, 2012

In London, the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics is today.  The women’s swimming team is one team from the USA that is expected to do very well.  Here is a video that has gone “viral” with the girls (and a few guys tossed in) lip-synching s song:

“Call Me Maybe”: 2012 USA
Olympic Swimming Team

Good luck to all the athletes from the USA.  Pray for God’s protection over the olympic games.


July 26, 2012

This week, I’ve been taking photos of the Vacation Bible School at a local church.  They always put on a great God-centered program.  Many of the kids who show up don’t even attend the church otherwise, but they learn some great Bible lessons to incorporate into their lives.

         
         
         
         
1-minute slideshow

The two main themes this week were very simple: “Trust God” and “Everything is Possible with God.”  One thing it taught the kids was that even if they’re sad, angry, or unsure of themselves, it’s always best to keep God in mind and to trust Him to see them through any situation.  This is good advice for adults as well.


July 20, 2012

In Aurora, Colorado early this morning, a horrific mass shooting took place at the Century 16 movie complex.  It was at the premiere of the Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises.

The suspect, James Holmes (24), killed 12 and wounded 58.  He was apprehended at his car by the police in back of the theater, putting up no resistance.  He seems to have booby-trapped his apartment with explosives, and police have been unable to enter yet.

70 shot, 12 killed at Aurora movie
theater during Batman premiere

Many of those injured physically and psychologically during this horrendous and ghastly event will not recover or be the same again.  They and their family members and friends will need solace and counseling, and the Holy Spirit of God is the best one to do this.  Pray that He will.

I cannot help but think and feel that as evil, wickedness, depravity, immorality, and godlessness continue to take this nation into a nose-dive, incidents like this will become more commonplace.  Unfortunately, I anticipate much worse to come.


July 17, 2012

I can’t count the times I’ve heard people say how they’ve “heard God’s voice,” either in their spirits or audibly, telling them to do certain things.  I arrive at a decision as to whether or not they have “heard from God” by looking to see if the fruit of their labor glorifies God and matches up with His Word and commandments.

I have seen Bree Keyton several times on God’s Learning Channel (GLC).  She claims that, years ago, she heard God’s audible voice tell her to go to Africa to minister to the Pygmies there.  The fact that Bree has invested a great deal of time, effort, and finances in helping Pygmies and teaching them about the one true God leads me to accept the premise that, indeed, she did hear from God.

On tonight’s 2-hour show, she spent the first hour showing pictures and videos and talking about her interactions with the Pygmies.  These people are hated, harassed, and assaulted by other African tribes.  As a committed missionary, she has showed them God’s love and salvation.

During the second hour, Bree gave an interesting description about how believers today should model their lives after the biblical prophet Daniel.  She also talked about how Americans need to wake up and understand how much of a threat radical Islam is to the USA.

For the next week or so, you can listen (free) to the entire 2-hour program.  That video is here:

Bree Keyton on GLC (2-hour telecast): July 17, 2012

If you go there in a few days but the video no longer is archived, you can order the 2-hour DVD for $14.95 here:

Bree Keyton GLC DVD (2-hour show): July 17, 2012

July 15, 2012

I think that when most Protestants hear the term “immaculate conception,” they assume that it refers to the conception or the virgin birth of Jesus by the Holy Spirit.  Another belief by some is that the “immaculate conception” refers to a supernatural or virginal conception of Mary within her own mother, Anne.

Neither of the above is the definition of “immaculate conception,” though.  Rather, in Roman Catholicism, this term refers to the idea that the virgin Mary, at the moment of her own conception by a human mother and father, was preserved miraculously, by God, free from the stain of original sin.  Another tenet of the Catholic Church is that Mary also was sinless throughout life.  My responses to these positions are here:


July 11, 2012

The House of Representatives voted today, for the 33rd time, to repeal the health care law called the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as “Obamacare.”  It was the first vote to repeal this law since most of the law was upheld by the Supreme Court on June 28.

House approves ObamaCare repeal in
first vote since Supreme Court ruling

Unfortunately, I feel there is virtually no chance that a vote now will be taken in the Senate.  I do not believe that Harry Reid will allow it to be brought to the floor for a vote.  Even if it were, and even if the Senate voted to repeal it, President Obama would veto the repeal.

I adamantly have been opposed to this health care law ever since Mar. 21, 2010, when the House passed the Senate’s extremely complex, convoluted, and tortuous version of the bill.  If the law is not eventually repealed, I feel certain that, once it is fully implemented, it will be extremely devastating for both the health care system and the economy of the USA.  Regrettably, I feel that the Supreme Court (specifically, John Roberts) may have been the last chance to get rid of Obamacare.


July 5, 2012

Every so often, Avi Lipkin (aka Victor Mordecai) is a guest on God’s Learning Channel (GLC).  Whenever he is, I stop what I’m doing and listen.  I find him to be very articulate and clear in what he is trying to say, with some humor mixed in along the way.

Lipkin, a Jew, believes that Christians and Jews should join forces with each other against common foes.  He is in the process of forming a Judeo-Christian Bible Bloc party in Israel.  Heading this party, he hopes to run for a seat on the Israeli Knesset.

On tonight’s 2-hour show, he gave many compelling reasons why Islam is the greatest threat that there is to America and to Israel.  Furthermore, during the second hour, he provided reasons why he believes Obama will win re-election in November.

For instance, he speculates that the price of gasoline will be manipulated to go down significantly (perhaps even to below $2.50/gallon), that the U.S. stock market may go up to 15,000, and that Obama will do something perceived as being of great help to Israel, perhaps engaging in an anti-Iran campaign—all a great deception to get voters to keep him in the White House.

Lipkin seems convinced that the Arab revolts in nations like Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and others will result, ultimately, in a huge influx of Muslims—perhaps as much as 100 million—fleeing those countries and into the West, including the USA, within the next three years or so.  Since he is absolutely convinced that Barack Hussein Obama is secretly a Muslim, he believes that Obama will welcome them in.  He also believes that, in time, it will be against the law in the USA to speak against Islam or Muslims.

I do not feel that everything Avi Lipkin has predicted necessarily will come to pass.  However, his predictions do seem more plausible and credible to me than most others I have heard.  Furthermore, his wife is from Egypt, and she monitors Arab media for Israel.  She has heard things that most Americans would be appalled to find out.

For the next week or so, you can listen (free) to the entire 2-hour program (taped near the end of June but aired tonight).  He actually was on for two hours last night, July 4, and that was interesting as well.  Those videos are here:

Avi Lipkin on GLC (each telecast 2 hours): July 5, 2012 | July 4, 2012

If you go there in a few days but the videos no longer are archived, you can order the 2-hour DVDs for $14.95 each here:

Avi Lipkin GLC DVDs (each show 2 hours): July 5, 2012 | July 4, 2012

July 4, 2012

Happy Independence Day, fellow Americans!  The United States is 236 years old today.  If you have a barbecue, attach some food to an email and send it to me. 

Today, I walked in a parade.  It was the first time I’d ever done that.  I walked alongside an unpretentious float and gave out bottled water to people along the parade route, which was fun.

Our simple float was pulled by a Pinzgauer.  I enjoyed learning about it from the owner/driver, a U.S. Navy veteran.

       

       

       
38-second slideshow

Along the way, I collected a stash of candy provided by other floats.  I’m not really a big candy eater.  I shared some, and the rest probably will last me until Halloween.


July 1, 2012

Someone emailed me about two different topics.  One pertained to whom the fourth kingdom or beast of Daniel 2:40 and 7:7 might be.  The other had to do with the idea of whether or not the Mahdi of Islamic prophecy will be the same as the Antichrist of the Bible.  My responses can be read here:

View Archived Pages  |  See Reasons for Ted’s Remarks
Email Ted about Ted’s Remarks  |  Visit Ted’s Homepage