As suspected might happen, Russia has begun airstrikes in Syria. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has indicated that this is happening in an effort to eliminate the Islamic State (IS or ISIL) in Syria.
It seems that regardless of what the Russians say, they are in Syria to protect and strengthen the regime of President Assad, Putin’s closest ally in the Middle East. Since Assad, Putin, and ISIS are opposed to Israel, presumably none of this will bode well for the Jewish State. Abbas seeks full status It also should be noted that the United Nations passed a very ambitious, far-reaching “global goals” item over the weekend. It can be read here: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Approved by members of the U.N. were 17 sustainable development goals to be attained by 2030. It will cost trillions of dollars. Many feel that this is just another step toward a global New World Order. Introduce a New World Order? In other news, the Dow was up 235.57 points today. Nevertheless, September closes out with one of the lowest Dow Jones Industrial Averages so far for the year of 2015: 16,284.70.
That 10.7% decrease, about three weeks before the end of the Shemitah year on Sep. 13, was considerably more than the 7% drops at the end of each of the previous two Shemitah years. Those Hebraic years ended on Sep. 17, 2001 and on Sep. 29, 2008. Moreover, today’s Dow close (16,284.70) is 7.2% below the Aug. 17 close (17,545.18) and 11.1% below the all-time high close on May 19 (18,312.39). |
|||||||
It looks like Russian forces are poised to launch airstrikes in Syria. Those airstrikes could begin at any time. to launch airstrikes in Syria Seemingly, the instability in the Middle East is about to escalate. This potentially increases the danger for Israel. |
|||||||
This is the first full day of the week-long Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot. It also is a special Sabbath when no regular work is to be done (Leviticus 23:33-35). 15-second slideshow All native-born Israelites are to construct and to dwell in booths or “sukkot” (which is the plural of booth or “sukkah”) for a week. This is a reminder to them of the temporary tabernacles in which their Israelite ancestors lived for 40 years after leaving ancient Egypt (Leviticus 23:42,43). The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the Only Begotten, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) The words in that verse translated as “made his dwelling” among us are more accurately translated as “tabernacled” among us. So Jesus tabernacled with mankind for a few decades while He was here the first time. At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. (Jeremiah 3:17) |
|||||||
The Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot begins at sunset this evening; and tomorrow, Sep. 28, will be the first full day of Sukkot. The fourth lunar eclipse or “blood red moon” in two years will be seen by much of the world tonight. See “Blood Moons” on Hebraic Feast and Holy Days. This full moon also is a “supermoon”; that is, in its orbit around the earth, it is at its perigee or closest point to the earth. A total eclipse of the moon at this location is a very rare event, occurring only once every 18 years. Moreover, it is the “harvest moon,” the first full moon after the fall equinox, which was four days ago. |
|||||||
Recently, there has been a controversy surrounding questions asked to Donald Trump and Ben Carson pertaining to the possibility that Barack Obama could be a Muslim. The majority of the media has come out defending Obama’s Christian faith, since he has maintained throughout his term as president that he is a Christian. |
|||||||
Pope Francis has been visiting the United States since Tue., Sep. 22. It is his first visit to the USA.
Yesterday, Pope Francis was the first pope to address the United States Congress. Here is the full text of his message: Today, Pope Francis addressed the largest assembly ever at the United Nations. Here is the full text of his message: In other news, John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, announced his resignation today. He said that, at the end of October, he will step down as Speaker and leave Congress. 'I decided today is the day' |
|||||||
Not only is today the first day of Autumn, it also is the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur. It is the highest Sabbath during the Hebraic year. 15-second slideshow God ordained this day in ancient Israel for the high priest to enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle, and later the temple. He was to make atonement for his sins and for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:1-34).
|
|||||||
The Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur begins at sunset this evening. This is one of the special holy days decreed by God for Israel to observe each year. Since I am a Christian and feel that I am grafted into Israel, then I also choose to observe these days. |
|||||||
I last organized my vitamins and supplements into individual compartments on May 2. Each day, I take the following: a daily multiple; vitamins A, B complex, C, and E; magnesium, selenium, zinc, fish oil, saw palmetto, glucosamine and chondroitin. The supply that I keep on-hand lasts for 20 weeks (140 days). My present supply will take me until Feb. 6, 2016. Keeping them in the refrigerator prevents them from losing their potency. |
|||||||
Islamic Sharia law has no place in the United States. It is completely contrary to rights afforded to Americans by our Constitution. See Some Tenets of Sharia Law. |
|||||||
During the first few days of the Jewish new year, Muslim youths have harrassed Jews visiting the Temple Mount. In turn, Israeli police have responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Finally, today, things have quieted down somewhat. Mount following 3 days of violence The United Nations’ Middle East peace envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said that “such serious provocations have the potential to ignite violence well beyond the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.” I agree. |
|||||||
Today is the Feast of Trumpets, which actually began yesterday evening at sunset. It also is the Jewish New Year or Rosh haShanah, which means “head of the year.” Furthermore, it is a new moon, which takes place on the first day of every Hebrew month. This is the month of Tishrei or Tishri. The first ten days of the first month of Tishrei, on the Hebrew calendar, are the “high holy days.” They often are referred to as the “days of awe” (Yamim Nora’im) or the Ten Days of Repentance. It is a time to examine one’s ways, repent from one’s sins, and return fully to God. |
|||||||
Today is Erev (the eve of or day before) the Feast of Trumpets, which is tomorrow. This also is Elul 29, the final day of the Shmita or Shemitah (Sabbatical) year on the Hebraic calendar. |
|||||||
Today is the fourteenth anniversary of the horrific and ghastly attacks by radical Islam on the USA. Let us keep in our minds and hearts the great sacrifice that thousands of people made with their lives on that day. There most likely will be future terrorist attacks, globally, and I expect them to be widespread and overwhelming. When that happens, law-abiding Muslims who are threatened by radical Muslims to join them or else be beheaded may think twice about whether their allegiance is to their own country or to Allah. |
|||||||
Over the past couple of weeks, I decided to visit several L.A. Fitness gyms. I made it to eight of them in San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. Some of them (like my usuals), I hit more than once. 20-second slideshow I always ride the elliptical machine for at least 30 minutes. Then, if I have time, I usually work on machines that have weights. |
|||||||
It’s several degrees hotter here today (111.2°) than it was on Sep. 6. Fortunately, I still have some extra spicy Thai food in the refrigerator to eat outside in the sun. 5-second slideshow I was going to walk around the park in the hot sun, but I had other things to do this afternoon. Instead, I took at walk just before sunset. It still was in the 90s, so that was nice. 25-second slideshow |
|||||||
September, October, and November can have the hottest temperatures of the year here in inland Orange County. The hotter, the better, as far as I’m concerned. 5-second slideshow One difference between then and now is that I wished I’d had some extremely hot/spicy (“ped mak mak”) Thai leftovers to munch on, and today I have some. Yippy! So I went outside in the sun to eat it. Suprisingly, I didn’t catch fire. |
|||||||
Today is a good friend’s birthday, so I took her to lunch. We went to one of our favorite seafood buffets: Teppanyaki Grill Supreme Buffet on Katella in Anaheim. It was quite a feast. 20-second slideshow I do not plan to eat another bite of food until tomorrow—or maybe not until next week! Well...tonight I might have to have a tiny piece of the rich chocolate cake that I got for her. |
|||||||
If the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), how could a sinless Jesus have experienced death? Yet, He did. I don’t think anyone fully comprehends how Jesus, who was sinless, actually could have taken upon Himself our sins and died for us. I have responded to this here: |
|||||||
Over the past couple of days, the New York Stock Exchange exhibited a moderate gain in value, following four days of substantial declines. Today the market was down only a small amount: 11.76 points, closing at 16,643.01. Investors Fleeing to Cash |
|||||||
I felt like Thai food today. Well, I didn’t actually feel like it; I felt like eating it. So I went to my favorite Thai place, Taste of Thai. 20-second slideshow |
|||||||
Today’s Dow Jones industrial average loss, 588.40 points or 3.58%, beat the single-day record loss of 530.94 points on Aug. 21. The closing value was 15,871.35. Moreover, the initial drop of 1,089.42 points, within the first few minutes this morning, was the biggest single intra-day drop ever.
Furthermore, the price of gold and silver dropped 0.53% and 3.52%, respectively. Aluminum, copper, and crude oil hit their lowest levels since 2009. All of this decline, in numerous sectors, seems to be related to a marked decline in China’s economy and stock market. Evidently, a global panic has set in, and this very well may continue. We’ll see. |
|||||||
September 2015 could be a critical month for the world and, in particular, Israel. Although I do not agree with all of the implications of the following article, it is interesting nonetheless: Period of Cataclysmic Events for Israel |
|||||||
The Dow Jones industrial average suffered its worst loss, 530.94 points, in over five years after the market plunged into a correction today. It was a 3.1% drop. This followed a decline of 358.04 points yesterday, a 2.1% drop.
In California, when a large earthquake occurs, we always wonder if it might be a precursor to an even larger temblor. This always is a possibility. Likewise, today’s significant “quake” in the stock market makes many wonder if an even larger and more serious shaking is about to take place soon. |
|||||||
A secret side agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been revealed. Under this deal, Iran will be allowed to do its own “inspections” at the Parchin nuclear site. Somehow, the Associated Press has obtained a transcript of the original draft agreement between the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran. Two anonymous officials confirmed to the AP that this draft does not differ from the confidential agreement between the IAEA and Iran. The text of that draft, available at the ABC News site, is here: Separate Arrangement II. |
|||||||
It was reported today that a hack of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), back in May, was almost three times as large as originally stated. Hundreds of thousands of taxpayer accounts have been accessed, and there very well may be even more that have not been acknowledged as having been accessed yet. In the coming days, the IRS will send letters to taxpayers whose information may have been breached. I don’t suppose that this will prevent these taxpayers from owing income taxes next year, even if everything in their savings accounts gets ripped off. |
|||||||
I went to a small birthday party today that some friends hosted. It was a lot of fun, and the food was outstanding. I also enjoyed the pets, who loved the food I was giving them. 50-second slideshow |
|||||||
Seventy years ago today, the announcement was made in the United States, in the rest of the Americas and in the Eastern Pacific Islands that Japan had surrendered to the Allied forces, thus ending World War II. It became known as Victory over Japan (V-J) Day or Victory in the Pacific (V-P) Day in the USA, although in most of the rest of the world the date is Aug. 15. Trauma and Triumph of WWII In other news, one month from today is the Rosh haShanah, Yom Teruah, or Feast of Trumpets. There are many Christians who are anticipating a so-called “Pre-Tribulation” Rapture of the Church on that day. For numerous reasons, I adamantly refute that notion, even though I do believe that the main, Pre-Wrath Rapture event will occur on a future Feast of Trumpets. |
|||||||
I have heard, for months, that strong El Niño conditions during the Spring and Summer this year are likely to continue to be strong during the upcoming Fall and Winter. Some are calling it the “Godzilla El Niño” due to its potentially “monstrous” effect on some land areas. early winter, NOAA forecasters say |
|||||||
The annual Perseid meteor shower can be viewed this year from July 13 to Aug. 26. It can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere, and the meteors will appear to be originating from the direction of the Perseus constellation in the northern sky.
|
|||||||
Persia, which is modern-day Iran, is mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 as being part of an end-time attack on Israel (38:1-9). This is very concerning, especially when considering the nuclear agreement made with Iran by six world powers, including the United States, on July 14. against Iran nuclear deal Most American don’t know a whole lot about Iran and its leaders, past and present. On American Family Radio (AFR) this morning, Pastor Tom Wallace and Shahram Hadian of Fortress of Faith provided some very interesting information about the Islamic Republic of Iran. The notes and audio recording of this program are here: |
|||||||
The first two debates of the Republican presidential candidates took place this evening. Members of each debate are listed in my Aug. 4 entry. Both debates can be seen and heard here: First Tier of 10 Candidates
|
|||||||
I commented on Donald Trump in my Aug. 3 entry. Since he will be the leading Republican candidate in tomorrow’s debates, I want to include a few interesting facts about him below. I assume that a very conservative “version” of Trump will appear on the stage in the debate tomorrow night, 9:00 p.m., on Fox News Channel. However, it will not prevent me from wondering what the values of the real Trump are. |
|||||||
There are 17 candidates (so far) vying for the Republican nomination for president. The first set of debates will take place on Aug. 6 in Cleveland, OH, on Fox News Channel.
The next seven will debate earlier than the others, at 5:00 p.m. EDT:
20-second slideshow |
|||||||
As of yet, I am not supporting or endorsing any candidate for President of the USA. Presently, Donald Trump leads the Republican field of 17 candidates with an average poll rating of over 20%. There are things that Trump has said with which I agree, as well as things he’s said that greatly disturb me. Reagan Have in Common |
|||||||
Some have alleged that I do not like Muslims. On the contrary, I love Muslims. I simply believe that they have been deceived by the faith or religion or Islam. Answering Muslims Conference: Audios — Part I | Part II |
|||||||
There is a rare “blue moon” this morning, at 3:43 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. 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 The next blue moons are about 2½ years away, when there will be two of them. They will occur on January 31 and March 31, 2018. |
|||||||
A landmark nuclear agreement with Iran was reached on July 14. The next step is for the U.S. Congress to approve or reject the deal. for the Iran nuclear deal? In case the Congress produces a “resolution of disapproval” for the deal, a veto is expected by President Obama. An override of that veto would require a 2/3 majority in the House and Senate. |
|||||||
There are some who feel that certain occurrences of “days,” in the Bible, actually are referring to “years.” This would include the 1,260 days of Revelation 11:3 and 12:6, the 1,290 days of Daniel 12:11, and the 1,335 days of Daniel 12:12. I disagree with this premise, as explained in this email response: |
|||||||
Here is an interesting passage in the Book of Revelation that has caused many to scratch their heads: Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:5-7) I think the solution lies in the fact that, at that time, the Seventh Trumpet is about to sound (Revelation 10:7). I have written a couple of email responses about this:
|
|||||||
Cry For Zion is a movement of Jews and Christians who support the Jewish people’s rights to sovereignty over Mt. Zion—the Temple Mount. They are planning to appeal to the ruling bodies of Israel and Jerusalem to exercise their full, legal sovereignty, guaranteeing Jewish rights on the Temple Mount—their most holy place. Mount on Chol Hamoed Pesach Some may have inquiries about the Cry For Zion movement and the Temple Mount. Here are a few interesting questions; click on them to see the answers:
Cry For Zion is requesting signatures on a Petition for Jewish Sovereignty on Mt Zion. Once the petition has enough signatures, copies will be sent to the Prime Minister of Israel, to Israel’s Supreme Court and to the Mayor of Jerusalem. Those who are interested can sign the petition. For further information, here are some Cry For Zion links:
|
|||||||
The planet Pluto was discovered in 1930. In Aug. 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet. ice mountains and water Below are photos of the New Horizons spacecraft, the surface of Pluto showing tall ice mountains, a full view of Pluto, a full view of Pluto’s largest moon Charon, and both Pluto and Charon together: 13-second slideshow Probes have now been sent to every planet in our solar system. I wonder if the fact that God finally has allowed our technology to reach the furthest planet in our solar system is an indication that we almost have reached the end of the age. |
|||||||
A landmark nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was reached today between the Islamic Republic of Iran and six world powers. As a result, Iran will get relief from sanctions, will receive $150 billion in currently frozen assets, and will be allowed to continue its atomic program, allegedly for peaceful purposes. chapter" or "historic mistake"? The main problem with this deal is that no one can be certain whether or not Iran will be cheating on the deal. Furthermore, it is feared that all the money Iran will receive in the deal will be a big help in funding terrorism around the world. Deal Threatens Israel's Security The accord is expected to face opposition from both Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress. However, any “resolution of disapproval” presumably would be vetoed by Obama, and a 2/3 majority in the House and Senate would be required to override that veto. |
|||||||
Over the weekend, there were talks between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and other European leaders. Finally, an agreement was reached on another bailout plan for Greece.
Someone wrote the following in a blog, giving supposed “definitions in a Greek dictionary”:
|
|||||||
Some threatening flyers have been circulating around East Jerusalem. They have black ISIS flags on them, and they say that Christians and other nonbelievers who are there after Ramadan is over will be killed. Ramadan ends in a week, on July 17. all Christians in Jerusalem unless they leave the area Law enforcement in East Jerusalem is very strong and competent. However, if I were in East Jerusalem right now, that threat would concern me. We’ll see if there is any notable violence against Christians there after Ramadan is over. Hopefully, that will not happen. |
|||||||
Trading was halted for over 3½ hours today at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Stocks were able to be traded through other venues, such as the NASDAQ, though. Moreover, the dow dropped a significant amount: 261.49 points.
Furthermore, both United Airlines (UA) and the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also experienced “technical glitches” this morning. At UA, almost 60 flights were grounded, with just over 800 flights delayed. At the WSJ, their website went down. |
|||||||
In a critical referendum held in Greece today, the people overwhelmingly have rejected, by over 60%, creditors’ demands for more austerity measures. Leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras encouraged the “no” vote, insisting it would give him a stronger hand to reach a better deal with creditors.
Essentially, Greece has become a welfare state, and the state has run out of money. I suspect that this could be the “first domino” in a chain of many countries, in the same boat, who will go bankrupt and undergo financial collapse. Portugal, Spain and Italy may be links in that chain. Even the USA eventually may be included in this, especially if there happens to be a stock market collapse within a couple of months. |
|||||||
9-second slideshow
|
|||||||
A couple of friends of mine drove to the Grand Canyon and also to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona last week. They took a long helicopter ride around the Grand Canyon. I’d like to do that sometime. 30-second slideshow |