15-second slideshow Today is the first full day of the week of Pesach or Passover, which began at sunset last evening. There also was a full supermoon early this morning. This day is a commemoration of the exodus of Israel out of Egypt, as described in Exodus 12:1-51. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) His death, of the righteous for the unrighteous, is the only thing that can bring us to God the Father. According to the apostle Peter, Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:18) There are clear links between the life, death, resurrection and future return of Yeshua/Jesus and the feasts and holy days of Israel. (See more in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 of my online book.) More connections also can be found in my Good Thursday commentary. The church I attend had a very nice Passover seder last night. Messianic Passover services typically are on Friday during Passover week, since most Christians commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion on “Good Friday.” However, I believe that the crucifixion was on Good Thursday). Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7) The cups of red wine or grape juice at the seder signify the blood Jesus shed for us. The matzo or matzah (unleavened bread) is not made with yeast, which is a representation of sin in the Bible. As believers, we are to get rid of the old sin (“yeast”) in our lives and be new “batches of bread” without yeast. Our Messiah/Christ, who was sinless, was sacrificed as the ultimate Passover Lamb for us. The matzo also has stripes and is pierced with holes. Messianic Christians see this bread as representative of the body of Jesus, who was flogged (causing stripes) and nailed to a cross (creating holes in his wrists and feet). He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) 75-second slideshow Indeed, Yeshua/Jesus our Passover Lamb was slain, and He lay in the tomb during the first few days and nights of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Fortunately for us, He did not remain there; He rose from the dead on the Feast of Firstfruits = Resurrection Day (Easter Sunday). He is in heaven now waiting to return to earth, at which time He will sit on his throne in Jerusalem. There, He will rule and reign as King over all the earth. I hardly can wait. |
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This is “Palestinian Land Day” in Gaza. It is an annual event protesting Israel’s “confiscation” of their land. Thousands of Palestinians have gathered at five different locations along the border fence between Israel and Gaza. Organizers had said that the 6½-week “march of return” would be peaceful. Instead, however, they already have turned violent, with Palestinian protestors throwing rocks and flaming tires at Israeli soldiers. In turn, Israeli troops have opened fire on the instigators, resulting in numerous deaths and hundreds of injuries. I expect these numbers to go up. Israelis clash on Gaza border |
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I last posted an email message from Valerie Moody on Mar. 27. Today, her email message is “Dark and Light of Passover.” Passover begins tomorrow evening at sunset. |
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For some time, I haven’t had much time to respond to emails about topics at my website. Here are three that I answered some time ago and finally have gotten around to translate them into a web page format:
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I receive occasional emails from Valerie Moody. I typically unsubscribe from most email lists, but I remain on Valerie’s because I like her information and thoughts. Also, I do not have the time to read through emails that are lengthy and rambling, which hers are not. |
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Last week was the worst week in the U.S. stock market in two years. This followed news that the U.S. would impose tariffs on China and restrict the transfer of technology to Chinese firms. The extreme volatility in the stock market for the past couple of months seems to be related to a great deal of emotional variability within American society. This appears to be increasing. |
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This is “Palm Sunday,” the day that Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. This was prophesied to take place centuries before it happened: Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9) As Yeshua/Jesus, the Messiah/Christ, passed by, the people who had witnessed the countless miracles He had done shouted, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9) A few days later on Passover, Jesus our Passover Lamb was sacrificed. He was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29). See more details in parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb. |
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At Olive Tree Ministries today, Jan Markell, Tom Hughes and Mark Henry talked about the increasing division within the United States of America. It is looking more and more like the result of this division will be what Jesus described in Matthew 12:25 and Mark 3:24: “Any kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.”
Ancient Israel exemplified what happens when a nation rejects God, and the people indulge in their own sinful practices: 2 Kings 17:7-23. It can happen to them again. Arguably, all the nations of the world, including the USA, are on the same path. The apostle Paul gave a cogent summary of how people will be in the last days: But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. (2 Timothy 3:1-8) Division within a nation (or a city or a family) is a natural result of sin. In the ancient books of the Bible, it can be seen that God distanced Himself from Israel when they, as a nation, sinned against Him. Whenever they persisted in doing this long enough, His dreadful judgment and punishment would fall upon them. My sign of Jonah section continues to come to mind. I do feel that Jan Markell, Tom Hughes and Mark Henry made many valid points today. However, I do not agree with their perspective about a Pre-tribulation Rapture taking place just prior to the final 7 years of this age. I do, however, leave open the possibility for a “firstfruits” Mid-tribulation Rapture, taking place on a Feast of Firstfruits. |
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After the U.S. House passed a whopping $1.3 trillion spending bill yesterday, it also was passed in the Senate late last night. This morning, President Trump indicated that he probably would veto the 2,232-page bill. Had he done so, the U.S. government would have been shut down at midnight. bill, blasts Congress Not long after Trump’s public address, the stock market began another sell-off. It was similar to yesterday’s decline, although not as much. |
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The greatest point drop in history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Trump announces China tariffs Another factor causing some of the market decline may be upcoming probes into Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission and several states. This is due to a collection of over 50 million Facebook users’ private information, without permission, by Cambridge Analytica. I’ll never understand why people include so much of their personal information on Facebook and on other social media sites. |
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The Austin bomber has been identified as Mark Anthony Conditt, 23. Early this morning, while in his car and being surrounded by officers of the law, he blew himself up with a bomb and died. Austin bombing suspect, Mark Anthony Conditt |
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Spring began today at 9:15 a.m. PDT = 12:15 p.m. EDT. It is the Spring Equinox, when the daylight hours equal the nighttime hours. |
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In today’s election, Vladimir Putin was re-elected as the president of Russia. He won the presidential elections in 2000, 2006, 2012 and now in 2018. So he has been re-elected to another six-year term. in Russian presidential vote |
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Although I am not Catholic, I do have some Irish ancestry. I also have friends who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. So to all that do, I hope you have a fun and happy day. In case you have some tasty food, please send me some attached to an email. 13-second slideshow |
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The national debt has surpassed a whopping $21 trillion. A little over six months ago, on Sep. 8, 2017, it went over the $20 trillion mark. There is no possible way that this national debt ever will get paid off, even if it were to freeze at its present amount. Furthermore, anyone who thinks that this rocketing debt is “no big deal” is living in an idealistic, candy cane fantasy. |
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Stephen Hawking, perhaps the best-known theoretical physicist and cosmologist of all time, has died at age 76. With one of the most brilliant minds in human history, I always felt it was unfortunate that he rejected the existence of God—the one who gave Hawking the amazing mind that he had. physicist, dead at 76 |
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President Trump announced early this morning that he has fired Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. He will nominate Mike Pompeo, the director of the CIA, to replace Tillerson. Pompeo as next secretary of state |
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In Austin Texas, where I have some friends, three package explosions have taken place this month. Two of them were today, and the other one was on Mar. 2. women hurt after three blasts in 2 weeks Potentially, something like this could become a “copycat” crime that spreads to other places. I certainly hope not, but the warning not to open suspicious packages should be heeded by people nationwide. Basically, if you did not order something, but a package appears outside your front door, do not open it. |
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In most of the United States (except Hawaii and most of Arizona), and in some other parts of the world, time has “sprung forward” an hour today. These regions observe Daylight Saving Time, where the sun will rise an hour later in the mornings but set an hour later in the evenings. |
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Daylight Saving Time begins tomorrow in most of the United States. At 2:00 a.m., the time will become 3:00 a.m. |
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South Korea’s National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, spoke yesterday in Washington, DC. He reported on a meeting earlier this week between South Korean officials and the president of North Korea, Kim Jong Un. Between Trump And North Korea Leader If this proposed meeting takes place, I am very skeptical that North Korea actually will cut back its nuclear reserves. Kim Jong Un might say that they will do it just to get some of the sanctions against N.K. lifted. |
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A friend from church forwarded me an email report from Jewish Voice Ministries International. It describes how the enemies of Israel seem to be preparing to attack her. I made a page out of the whole email here: If everything in the report is true, then it is possible that an attack on Israel could occur sooner rather than later—perhaps even as soon as Passover week, which begins on March 31 and runs through the first week of April. If so, then we probably can expect the prophetic words by Jesus in Luke 21:20-24 to take place: 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 [tribulation] 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. I don’t like to think about this happening, but it is going to happen at some point. However, considering all the things—including countless disasters—that have taken place since the season of Teshuvah that began at sunset on Aug. 21, 2017, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the fulfillment of Jesus’ dreaded prophecy is very near. I hope not. |
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Today, President Trump and wife Melania welcomed Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and wife Sara to the White House. It is the first time that Netanyahu has visited the White House while Trump has been president. for US embassy opening after years of frosty relations with Obama |
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I attended a fun Purim feast last night. It actually happened a night or two late, due to scheduling difficulties, but that was okay. 30-second slideshow |
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Following Billy Graham’s passing on Feb. 21 and his honorary memorial ceremony was held in the National Capitol Rotunda on Feb. 28, his funeral and grave side services took place today. These services were in Charlotte, NC. children carry on crusade Here is a video of the funeral service, just over 2 hours in length: Here is a video of the graveside service, just over 1 hour in length: Billy Graham quoted from the Bible in all of his crusades. This may be his most quoted verse, stated by Jesus, which is absolutely true: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) One thing in particular that Franklin Graham said struck me as interesting. He said, “Daddy, I won’t see you on this earth again.” Then, gazing at the casket before him, he added, “But I will see you again...and maybe soon.” Perhaps he senses that a gathering of believers may take place soon. In other news, for a couple of hours this morning, I was unable to log onto AOL to check my email. So I did a search online and discovered that AOL was experiencing an outage problem in several areas around the U.S. No explanation has been given by AOL for what caused the outage. |
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Today is Purim, which began last evening at sunset. Many communities observe it tomorrow as well.  It is a time celebrated by Jews everywhere in commemoration of being saved from extermination. This is a very interesting account of how God blessed a Jewish girl to the point of becoming Queen over the entire Medo-Persian Empire. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants. (Esther 9:28) 13-second slideshow |
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The great Billy Graham passed away, at age 99, a week ago on Feb. 21. I have no doubt that he received a big welcome in heaven (where everybody knows Jesus).
A video of today’s special event, including Graham’s coffin being brought into the Capitol Building, can be viewed below. It lasts just over an hour. |
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The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, have come to an end. I didn’t watch as many events as I did during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014. I don’t really care all that much about winter sports, and I didn’t have the time to watch a whole lot of the events. The 2020 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, while the 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in Bejing, China. |
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At Olive Tree Ministries today, Jan Markell, Eric Barger and Jill Martin Rische talked about the entry of the “New Age” into the church. For instance, some churches are using “destiny cards,” which are a Christianized version of tarot cards and fortune telling. These “destiny cards” are said to “empower people’s destinies.” In other news, there was released today a Democratic rebuttal to the GOP memo of Feb. 2. The GOP memo purported to show improper use of surveillance by the FBI and Justice Department during the 2016 presidential campaign. is released; Trump deems it a 'bust' |
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President Trump addressed the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) today. Besides talking about his hair, he talked about what he perceived to be his great achievements during his time in office so far. Indeed, many of them have been noteworthy. |
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The annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is taking place Feb. 21-24 in National Harbor, MD. Today, one main speaker was Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president and CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Then, after being introduced by his wife, Karen, Vice President Mike Pence addressed the CPAC. Among other things, he issued an impassioned condemnation of North Korea and talked about accomplishments achieved by Donald Trump and conservatives in the past year. He spoke for about 29 minutes. |
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Billy Graham, perhaps the greatest evangelist of all time, passed away early this morning at his home in Montreat, NC. His 99th birthday was Nov. 7, 2017.
Day of Discovery has a series of two videos, each under 30 minutes, that tell the story of Billy Graham. The videos are hosted by Wintley Phipps, who sang at many Billy Graham functions for 25 years. He also sings a few tunes on the videos. Billy Graham has stated, “I don’t believe that any man can solve the problems of life without Jesus Christ.” I agree. I also feel that any nation’s distancing itself from Jesus, or outright rejecting Him as Lord, eventually will lead to a destructive division in that nation, resulting ultimately in that nation’s downfall. |
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Today, the third Monday of February, is Presidents’ Day in the U.S. It is a federal holiday. Many have heard the tale that George Washington, as a young boy, chopped down a cherry tree and then told his father, “I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my little hatchet.” Most likely, this is a myth written about by Mason Locke Weems, one of Washington’s biographers. In other news, conflicts on the border between Israel and Gaza continued this weekend, including today. There has been a call for calm, but I feel that violence in the region is only going to escalate. and Gaza militants want calm |
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This is the third day of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. In his address today at the conference, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again scolded Iran, which he described as the largest threat to Middle East security. |
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At Olive Tree Ministries today, Jan Markell and Eric Barger talked with David Fiorazo about the war on truth. David is an author, public speaker, content contributor and co-host of the daily radio talk show Stand Up for the Truth. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. (Isaiah 5:20,21) Paul Harvey’s “If I Were the Devil” speech, which was heard first in 1965, was played. I have heard it several times and agree with all of it. It’s amazing how the things Harvey said—about how Satan cleverly deceives and influences people—have transpired over the decades, all the way into the present. Jan Markell closes with a commentary on the things she thought she would never live to see. The audio program, lasting 57 minutes, can be heard here: |
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After months of investigations, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has announced the indictment of 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian companies. He said that there is no allegation that any American was knowingly involved in the conspiracy, nor is there any allegation that the efforts of the Russian defendants affected the outcome of the U.S. election in 2016. for interfering in US elections The entire 37-page indictment can be read here: |
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This is the day after the third deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Shooter Nikolas Cruz, 19, killed 17 and seriously injured 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. He used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle to do the shooting. A true hero in the horrendous shooting event was identified as assistant football coach and security guard Aaron Feis. He was shot shielding students from bullets coming from the rifle of Cruz. Big ol’ teddy bear. Hardcore—he coached hard. Real good line. He did a great job with the [offensive] line. He took pride with working with those guys. Loyalty—I trusted him. He had my back. He worked hard. Just a good man. Loved his family. Loved his brother—just an excellent family man. for shielding students from gunman There is a long list of shootings at elementary, middle and high schools that have resulted in fatalities in the last 20 years. The list does NOT include suicides, gang-related incidents, or deaths resulting from interpersonal conflicts. happening again and again and again Today, there are renewed cries for gun control, more help for the mentally ill, increased security at schools, and other measures that might prevent school shootings in the future. All of these things are idealistic fantasies. I went to WalMart and got 176.58 oz. (11.04 lb.) of 50%-off Valentine’s Day clearance candy today. I know I purchased more than I should have. Some of this candy is for some church friends who work today and were unable to get to WalMart early this morning. |
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Have a happy Valentine’s Day and give away lots of love. That’s the best way to get some 13-second slideshow Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Less than an hour’s drive east from the industrial port city of Hamburg, Germany, is the small town of Trittau. An aerial photograph of farm fields here reveals this spot plowed in the shape of a heart: |
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An Iranian surveillance drone entered Israeli airspace yesterday. It was launched from a Syrian base in the Homs desert, and it set off alarms across the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley. and strikes Syria, F-16 crashes These attacks show that friction is continuing to increase in the Middle East, particularly in Syria near Israel. This sudden escalation could be a harbinger of what lies ahead as the Syrian fighting winds down, and an emboldened Iran establishes a military presence in Syria that Israel vows it will never accept. |
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The U.S. Senate and House passed a sweeping bipartisan budget accord overnight. This ended an hours-long government shutdown and cleared the way for huge spending increases for both the Pentagon and domestic programs. before sunrise to end government shutdown In other news, the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, have begun. The opening ceremony was televised on NBC tonight. It was outstanding and very entertaining. The 3-minute video here contains some of the ceremony’s highlights: 2018 Olympics Opening Ceremony I generally prefer the Summer Olympics over the Winter Olympics. Since I am very busy with many things, I probably will be watching only a few of the events. I also doubt that I will have the time to make regular entries about Olympic events. |
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The greatest point drop in history of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Wall Street jitters persist |
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SpaceX has launched the world’s most powerful operational rocket. The Falcon Heavy rocket was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 3:45 pm ET yesterday. The launch was viewed by millions of people, including thousands of onlookers at the space center. launches successfully 15-second slideshow |
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After yesterday’s record point drop, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rebounded significantly today with a gain of 567.02 points. However, the Dow went on an extremely volatile rollercoaster ride throughout the day.
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After a substantial drop of –665.75 points in the stock market’s Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) on Feb. 2, people have been wondering all weekend what the market would do today. There was hope that it would begin to go back up again. Furthermore, the intraday low was actually 23,923.88, which means the greatest intraday point drop in history was –1,597.08 points or 6.26%. The S&P 500 index dropped |
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Super Bowl LII (52) took place today in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The final score was 41 to 33. My favorite play happened a few minutes before the second quarter ended. The Eagles’ quarterback, Nick Boles, did a very tricky play where he ended up being the receiver to catch the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
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This has been one of the busiest news days in awhile. It is Groundhog Day. Punxsutawney Phil came out and saw his shadow, which is supposed to indicate that there will be six more weeks of winter.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) had the highest single-session point loss today
A much anticipated memo, the House Intelligence Committee Report On FISA-Abuses, was released by the White House today. Besides the substantial drop in the stock market, this memo was the focus of much of the news all day.
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I began making entries in the Ted’s Remarks section of my website on Feb. 1, 2006. It sure has been a LONG 12 years. |
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There was a total eclipse of the moon early this morning. It was a supermoon, so the reddish or “blood” eclipse had a very awesome appearance in places where it could be seen. |
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President Trump gave his first State of the Union Address tonight to a joint session of Congress. It was fully televised and lasted about 1 hour 21 minutes. It can be watched below, beginning at the 4:00 point after Trump is introduced by House Speaker Paul Ryan. During his speech, Trump noted that the stock market has gone up significantly since he became president. Indeed, this has been true. Yesterday, the DJIA was down 177.23 points or 0.67%. Today, there was a more significant decline of 362.59 points or 1.37%. Compared to the record high a few days ago, this was an overall decline in the Dow of 539.82 points or 2.03%. |
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A single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza plane had to make an emergency landing in Orange County between 7:45 and 8:00 p.m. last night. Miraculously, it landed safely in Costa Mesa in the right lane of the 55 Freeway, also known as California State Route 55. on Southern California freeway 13-second slideshow I have driven to and from Newport Beach, Newport Harbor and Balboa Island, near the southern end of the 55 Freeway, countless times. I’m just glad that I wasn’t coming back from Newport Beach last night. |
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At Olive Tree Ministries today, Jan Markell and Eric Barger completed a two-part series with Pastor Billy Crone on the rise of artificial intelligence or AI. The first part was aired a week ago. Both audio programs, lasting 57 minutes each, can be heard here: Generally speaking, I do feel that the views of Jan Markell and Billy Crone about the artificial intelligence topic, and how it fits into prophetic passages in the book of Revelation, are plausible and possible. However, I do not agree with their perspective about a Pre-tribulation Rapture taking place just prior to the final 7 years of this age. |
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 26,400, above 26,500 and above 26,600 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.85% to 26,616.71, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 1.18% to 2,872.87, also a record high. In other news, President Trump has been attending the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Yesterday he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and Prime Minister May of the United Kingdom. in address to World Economic Forum at Davos In the following video, President Trump begins speaking at the 11:15 point and continues for about 16 minutes. Then he is interviewed for 11 minutes by Klaus Schwab, a German engineer who is the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. It looks like the stock market reacted very positively to President Trump’s address today. The Dow soared up 223.92 points to a record high of 26,616.71. |
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 26,300 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.54% to 26,392.79, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.06% to 2,839.25, also a record high. |
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Over the decades, I have watched some excellent documentaries produced by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service). In 2014, they first televised a six-part documentary series, hosted by Steven Johnson, called How We Got to Now. |
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Vice President Mike Pence addressed the Israeli Knessett in Jerusalem today. He is the first U.S. vice president to do so. Jerusalem in 2019, Iran will never get bomb In other news, in another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 26,200 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.55% to 26,214.60, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.81% to 2,832.97, also a record high. It can be seen that the Dow opened down this morning. This probably was a reaction to the shutdown of the federal government on Jan. 20. government shutdown after 3 days |
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Both the AFC Championship game and the NFC Championship game were played today. The New England Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 24 to 20. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 38 to 7. The winners will meet in Super Bowl LII (52) on Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. My friends who are Patriots or Eagles fans may not be too happy that I don’t really care who wins. Good luck to both teams. |
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Today is the first anniversary of the Inauguration of Donald Trump as President, and Michael Pence as Vice President, of the United States on Jan. 20, 2017. It also is the first day of United States federal government shutdown of 2018, which began at midnight. fingers as government shutdown rolls on At Olive Tree Ministries today, Jan Markell and Eric Barger began a two-part series with Pastor Billy Crone on artificial intelligence (AI). A week from today will be the second part of the series. If AI is going to rule the world, how does this fit into the end-times? The audio program, lasting 57 minutes, can be heard here: |
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The U.S. is in the midst of the worst and most extensive influenza epidemics in years. Many are saying that it is the worst in over a decade. It is widespread throughout most states, excluding Hawaii.
When I have any of the above symptoms for longer than a day, I start taking Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) capsules. For over 25 years, I have found it to be a virtually miraculous naturopathic substance. |
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After weeks of President Trump saying that he was going to release his Fake News Awards for 2017, he finally has done that. 2017 Fake News Awards |
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 25,900, above 26,000 and above 26,100 for the first time. The Dow was up 1.25% to 26,115.65, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.94% to 2,802.56, also a record high and its first close above 2,800. The Dow close was even higher than the record intraday high of 26,086.12 yesterday. |
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) quickly soared above 26,000 for awhile today. It reached 26,086.12, a record intraday high. However, it eventually closed at 25,792.86, which was down 10.33 points or 0.04% from the previous high on Jan. 12. I would liken the stock market, for over a year, as being like a rocket shooting up, up, up into space at a high rate of speed. While many see no end to this upward swing, I’m not really in that boat myself. I am wondering when the rocket is going to level off and return back down to the surface of the earth...or below that. |
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There have been movements by portions of California, for some time, to break away and form a new state. Here is the website of the newest movement to do this, showing an unofficial Declaration of Independence of the state of New California:
Here are a few interesting pages: California is an awesome and beautiful state. It also contains my favorite city in the entire world, San Diego, the 8th largest city in the U.S. However, over the decades, there have been an increasing number of things about California that I have come to dislike, particularly the dominant political status of increasing liberalism and progressivism (which I see as “regressivism” away from the standards of God). |
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In Hawaii this morning, at 8:07 a.m., the Emergency Management Agency sent out an alert to mobile phones and to televisions. It said that a ballistic missile was headed for the state and warned people to seek immediate shelter. More than a million people saw or heard the warning.
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 25,600, above 25,700 and above 25,800 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.89% to 25,803.19, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.67% to 2,786.24, also a record high. It looks like it won’t be long before the Dow surpasses 26,000. |
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 25,400 and above 25,500 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.81% to 25,574.73, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.70% to 2,767.56, also a record high. |
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Yesterday, colossal amounts of rain fell in So. California. This is the rainy season, so normally that would be a good thing, especially after several months of exceptional drought last year. However, since the devastating fires left hillsides bare, the enormous amounts of water caused enormous mudslides in many areas. Powerlines came down and boulders covered roads Houses were cut in half, trees were uprooted and cars were tossed around like toys. Unfortunately, 80-90% of residents ignored evacuation orders. So far, there are at least 15 deaths, with that number expected to rise.
Even Oprah Winfrey’s property, in upscale Montecito, was damaged by the massive mudslides and flooding. At the Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 7, she received the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award. A couple of days later, she was showing everyone the big mess at her 42-acre Santa Barbara estate. Today is the twenty-seventh anniversary of my last day of work, in 1991. I had worked as an optometrist at FHP in Fountan Valley, CA, for 11¼ years. Then I left the eye-care profession to pursue other interests, although I have included a large section about the human eye at my website. |
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 25,300 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.41% to 25,385.80, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.13% to 2,751.29, also a record high. |
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Israeli jets and ground-to-ground missiles struck Syria very early on Tuesday morning, Israel time. In a statement carried by Syrian state television, it was reported that Israeli jets fired missiles at the al-Qutayfa area, near Damascus, from inside Lebanese airspace at 2:40 a.m. (0040 GMT). Then Syrian air defenses hit one of the planes. With Jets, 'Ground-to-ground Missiles Intercepted' |
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The 75th Golden Globe Awards took place tonight at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. Many of the nominees will be nominated again for Oscars at the 90th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre on Mar. 4 in Hollywood, CA.
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 25,100 and above 25,200 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.88% to 25,295.87, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.70% to 2,743.15, also a record high. |
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In another record high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed above 25,000 for the first time. The Dow was up 0.61% to 25,075.13, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index was up 0.40% to 2,723.99, also a record high. |
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A strong, bone-chilling blizzard is on its way up the east coast today. It is expected to move from Florida to New England, bringing high winds, lots of ice and snow, and freezing temperatures along the way. Could Bring the Coldest Temperatures in 100 Years |
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As of Jan. 1, California has become a sanctuary state. This means that the state will limit its cooperation with the federal government effort to enforce immigration law. Essentially, California is breaking federal law by doing this. becomes 'sanctuary state' Also, as of Jan. 1, California has legalized the sale of recreational marijuana for people of age 21 or older. It is the sixth state—besides Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, plus Washington, DC—to legalize the sale and recreational use of the drug. All of these states continue to break federal law, which outlaws marijuana. officially legal in California |
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Happy New Year. Below are links to my annual calendar and list of 2018 holidays and observances that many like to download and tape to a wall nearby. That is what I do, with the calendar on one side and the holidays/observances on the other side of one piece of paper. Both are in .doc and .pdf format.
Or else you could print out these two pages (.pdf files), with no name on the calendar page. If you would like a calendar with your name on it in a .pdf file, email me and I will try to send you one when I can find some free time.
If you’ve never read the Bible straight through, from cover to cover, you might want to do it in 2018. Go to the following page, print out the pages in either .doc, .pdf, or .html format, and check off the passages as you read them: The Bible is God’s Law and Instruction Manual for life. Don’t worry if you are unable to understand everything you read; eventually, God will give us answers to everything we wonder about. One of the main things you will come to understand is God’s everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—see God’s Covenant: with Israel or the Church? In other news, tonight there is a supermoon, which will be the largest and brightest full moon of 2018. That is, it will be the closest that a full moon is to the earth during the entire year.
What’s even more amazing is that there will be an eclipse of the full, super, blue moon on Jan. 31. The U.S. East Coast will catch a glimpse of the beginning of the eclipse, as the moon starts to pass through the Earth’s shadow early in the morning. |