It looks like the USA may be going over the “fiscal cliff” at midnight EST tonight. Even if the Congress votes over the next few days to maintain the income tax rates for most Americans, everybody’s payroll taxes will go up due to the funding of government programs, such as Obamacare. |
||||||||||||||
Merry Xmas! Oops, did I just remove “Christ” from “Christmas”? Yep, I sort of did. It is not because I am a pagan or an atheist, though. In fact, I am a strong believer in Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and God. This can be seen on the “Basics” page in this section: My Beliefs and Faith. 45-second slideshow I had bought a 20-pound turkey, although I was not the one who roasted it. I made the jalapeño cornbread and cornbread dressing; the whipped potatoes; and the steamed squash, broccoli, and green beans. |
||||||||||||||
Tomorrow is Christmas Day, and I hope that people who celebrate it have a nice day. For me, though, it is just another day that has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. The first 5¼ minutes of the following video provide a synopsis of why Jesus most likely was born during Sukkot = the Feast of Tabernacles, in the Fall of the year: On December 25th (Christmas Day) Think about how you would feel if your birthday came and went without your closest family members saying even one word about it. Then, let’s say, one day three months later, they suddenly threw you a big party with cake and ice cream and gifts. They also said, “OK, from now on, we’re going to celebrate your birthday today because WE want to!” You'd scratch your head and be thinking, “Wait, this doesn’t make any sense!” So year after year, century after century, the majority of Christians demonstrate to the Father that they will celebrate the birthday of His Son three months late because they want to. Yet, after Jesus returns and sits on His throne in Jerusalem, representatives from the nations of the world will go there annually on the Feast of Tabernacles to worship Him and, I believe, to celebrate His TRUE birthday throughout the Millennium: The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. ... Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:9,16) Personally, I feel it is likely that Jesus was born on the first day of Sukkot, and on the eighth day of the feast He was circumcised (Luke 2:21). In any case, one day the world will get it right. Until then, I don’t really see God smiling down on the world’s traditional celebration of Christmas, especially since it is not much more than a commercialized “fuzzy wuzzy feel-good” time of the year when thoughts of Jesus are secondary and when millions of people slide into a pit of irresponsible and debilitating debt. |
||||||||||||||
I like this weather forecast for today: allegedly the last day on the Mayan calendar and supposedly the “end of the world”: I think my favorite part is that there is no weather for Saturday, since the world will be gone. |
||||||||||||||
Many Christians have wondered why Israel, throughout the centuries, has not formally acknowledged that Yeshua/Jesus was and is their prophesied Messiah. After all, being a Jew, He was one of their own. |
||||||||||||||
I’ve been asked what I think about the “end of the world” predictions, allegedly to coincide with the end of the Mayan calendar on Dec. 21, 2012 (four days from now). All I can say is that I am absolutely confident that it is not going to happen. Just as there was no biblical support for the occurrence of the Rapture on Dec. 12, there is zero biblical support for the imminent end of the world. |
||||||||||||||
Tonight is the last night, and tomorrow the last day, of Hanukkah. I’ve been reading 1 Maccabees; in chapter 4 is found the account of the dedication of the new altar, which led to the annual observance of Hanukkah: Then they took unhewn stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one. They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple, and consecrated the courts. They made new holy vessels, and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple. Then they burned incense on the altar and lighted the lamps on the lampstand, and these gave light in the temple. They placed the bread on the table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work they had undertaken. Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-eighth year, they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering which they had built. At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness; they offered a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and furnished them with doors. There was very great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev. (1 Maccabees 4:47-59) |
||||||||||||||
Today is “12-12-12.” This date occurs only once per century, so it will not happen again for another 100 years. I captured the Official U.S. Time Clock image at 12:12:12 this afternoon. I adamantly dispute and challenge the notion that the Rapture is going to take place in just a few days. It is not going to happen, so do not be expecting it.
The next assumption is that Jesus will return to earth on Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, Sep. 23, 2015. Then, looking at the seven-year (70th Week) prophecy in Daniel 9:27, they subtract 2,520 days (7 Hebraic years of 360 days each) and move back to Oct. 29, 2008. Conveniently, Barack Obama delivered a speech to millions of people on this date, strengthening his platform or his “covenant” with America, almost a week before he was elected president. Some of this speech can be seen here: All of these things are explained in the following video: There are problems with this whole scenario, though, including the following:
There is one last-ditch attempt to salvage this dying theory. Jesus said that, for the sake of the elect, the days of the Great Tribulation would be “shortened” (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20). In essence, the implication is that over half a year has been “chopped” off of the beginning of the Great Tribulation. |
||||||||||||||
This evening is the first night of Hanukkah. It will last for seven nights/days. Hanukkah also is known as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. More can be read in my Dec. 1, 2010 entry. Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:22-30)Was Jesus God? There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus was and is the physical manifestation of God. See my Dec. 1, 2012 entry for more. |
||||||||||||||
There are some who think that those who are a part of the Rapture event will be only people who have died and been resurrected. That is, no believers who are alive at the time will be caught away. I do not agree with this, as explained in this email response: |
||||||||||||||
There is an ongoing debate in Christian circles pertaining to what constitutes “God’s wrath” in the Book of Revelation. At one end are those who believe His wrath includes all of the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls or vials. In general, people who believe this tend to embrace the notion of a Pre-tribulation Rapture. I am convinced that God’s wrath and vengeance upon the world will be imminent soon after the opening of the Sixth Seal, when people will be running and hiding in caves and under rocks because they will be terrified at what is about to happen (Revelation 6:11-17). Then the Pre-wrath Rapture will occur. |
||||||||||||||
The idea of the Trinity of God is difficult for many to understand and accept. In fact, many would not even consider Christianity to be a monotheistic religion, since some Christians will describe God as being “three Persons in One.”
|
||||||||||||||
Here is a video about an NYPD officer, Lawrence DiPrimo, who bought shoes and socks for a homeless man on the street and then put them on his feet: This deed reminds me of what James, the brother of Jesus, said: Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17) |
||||||||||||||
In a historic session today, the United Nations General Assembly voted to recognize Palestine as a non-member state with observer status within the UN. This was sixty-five years, to the day, after the UN voted for the partition of Mandatory Palestine on Nov. 29, 1947.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said to the packed UN General Assembly, “We did not come here seeking to delegitimize a state established years ago, and that is Israel. Rather, we came to affirm the legitimacy of the state that must now achieve its independence, and that is Palestine.” |
||||||||||||||
In the Bible, the apostle Peter equated the “day of the Lord” with the destruction of the heavens and the earth with fire. Many believe that this will take place just before Jesus returns again or else on the day He returns. I disagree. My beliefs about this are in this email response: |
||||||||||||||
Today is “Black Friday” and, traditionally, has become the beginning of the Christmas shopping season It is considered by many to be the biggest shopping day of the year. It indicates the point at which many retailers begin to turn a profit or are “in the black.” |
||||||||||||||
The Gaza-based terror group, Hamas, has rained down hundreds of rockets onto southern Israel since Nov. 10. In response, Israeli air strikes have taken out several Hamas leaders and launch sites. About 75,000 Israeli ground troups now are camped out near the Gaza border, awaiting a potential ground operation into Gaza. Not only the Palestinians but the entire world will continue to hate Israel for existing and for defending itself. Unfortunately, a time of hardship, persecution, and destruction like never before is coming to Israel, in fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Fortunately, though, the nation will be saved out of it when their Messiah, Yeshua, returns. |
||||||||||||||
After spending some time with friends in Orange County, I have returned to San Diego. It was really nice outside this afternoon, and there also was an interesting cloud layer in the sky, so I went to Balboa Park. I never get tired of walking around there. 1-minute slideshow After that, I still wanted to spend some time outside. I hadn’t been to Seaport Village in awhile, so I went and walked around there, too. 30-second slideshow |
||||||||||||||
A couple of friends (two sisters I’ve known for decades) and I spent the day together and had a fun time. I eat a “typical” breakfast maybe twice a year (eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast). However, my meal was bought for me, which was too hard for me to resist because it was free. 30-second slideshow |
||||||||||||||
Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served and are serving to protect the USA. May God bless and protect all of you. This is only one day, and it's not nearly enough, to honor veterans--men and women who sacrificed in a multitude of ways to serve this nation. |
||||||||||||||
I received an email from someone describing what he thought about Barack Obama’s re-election: |
||||||||||||||
When I flew back into San Diego last night, I was craving spicy hot Thai food, but my favorite place was not open. So I went today and ate the same thing that I had back on Oct. 11. It was so hot that the hair on the back of my head was soaked when I left, plus my nose was running big time. But I was on Cloud 9 for the rest of the day. |
||||||||||||||
The results of the general election in the USA, which took place yesterday, are known today. Millions of Americans have voted to keep Barack Obama as president for four more years. In doing so they have chosen, unwittingly but inexcusably, to plunge this nation into a big black hole.
For those who have not seen the following extremely disturbing 2½-hour video, it might be worth their time to watch it to see what probably is in store for America and the world: I feel that now there are many more takers and sponges in America than ever before, soaking up everything they can get for free from a dwindling number of taxpayers. There simply are too many who feel entitled to all of the government handouts, funded by taxpayer money, that they receive. They have elected “Santa Claus” again, and they feel that he will continue providing them with what they want...or else! As in Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and other nations, this inevitably will lead to widespread instability, chaos, violence, and bedlam. |
||||||||||||||
Today is a big national election in the USA. Many House and Senate seats are up for grabs. Most importantly, Americans will vote for four more years with Barack Obama or for a new start with Mitt Romney. |
||||||||||||||
I have been in Alabama for almost three weeks and have taken numerous photos, some of which are shown in my Oct. 28 entry. When I first got here, the foliage was not as brightly colored as I expected it to be. Maybe it was because it had not cooled down enough yet. 15-second slideshow |
||||||||||||||
There has been speculation, for centuries, as to what the “mark of the beast” described in Revelation 13:16-18 might be. Evidently, it will be placed on people’s right hands or foreheads. |
||||||||||||||
My cousin is a “chocoholic” like I am, although neither of us eats very much of it (too fattening). I decided to make brownies, and she suggested that I try something that I had not done before: make a two-layered “brownie-cake.” 10-second slideshow When I got here a couple of weeks ago, she gave me a Chick-fil-A cup to use for my coffee. She thought I might use it a couple of days and toss it, but I’m still using it, although I do wash it out whenever it’s empty. I like the three cows on the back with their signs that say, “Eat Mor Chikin!” 8-second slideshow I had a brownie with my coffee. Yum...better than Halloween candy. |
||||||||||||||
Hurricane Sandy, which had been churning in the Atlantic Ocean for over a week, slammed into New Jersey this evening. It was a strong Category 1 storm with 90 mph winds when it made landfall. Commonly referred to as “Frankenstorm,” it is about 900 miles wide. It may be the biggest storm ever to hit the northeast USA. 15-second slideshow Hurricane Sandy may cause upwards of $50 billion in economic damage and losses. There will be countless people who will lose everything and whose lives will be changed permanently. Many lives will be lost. Pray for them. You also might want to contribute to an organization that is providing aid to disaster victims, such as Samaritan’s Purse or The Salvation Army. |
||||||||||||||
I flew out of San Diego eleven days ago and have been in Alabama ever since. I like to come here in the fall to see the foliage changing colors, which are more vivid than they are in So. CA. 1¼-minute slideshow The two cats I saw were very friendly. They live directly across the street from one another. The lady who owns the tan cat said that the other cat meows very loudly whenever it sees her, until she walks across the street and pets it, and then it purrs. Her cat watches this happen and will go to the curb, but it will not cross the street; so the cats have not had any personal interaction. Maybe they’d join forces to attack that squirrel if it came down the street. |
||||||||||||||
I was asked to read someone’s blog entry about the “woman” of Revelation 17. There have been countless ideas put forth, throughout the centuries, as to the identity of this harlot “woman,” who has several titles and characteristics. The yoke of tomorrow will also be comprised of both political and economic components. The political component will be implemented through the ‘Beast Kingdom’ that is coming upon the earth (Dan 7, Rev 13 & 17). Meanwhile, the economic component will be administered by the Whore/Harlot of Babylon. (Revelation 17-18) You might think about the harlot woman and the beast to come in a different light if you read this blog entry, which is somewhat lengthy. If you are pressed for time, you might want to skip the forewards at the beginning, by this wife and husband team, and read them later. I feel that the world of today is stuck in “quicksand.” As the end of this age approaches and people exert their own strength and might in an attempt to “stay afloat,” they will just get sucked deeper into the muck. |
||||||||||||||
The third presidential debate, between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, took place tonight in Boca Raton, FL. The moderator was Bob Schieffer, whom I think did a good job of letting the candidates say all they wanted to say, even with time constraints. I receive emails everyday from people I don’t know who have visited my website. Rarely do I post them here, but I am going to post one that I got today. Interestingly, this person is an atheist but found my Bible study section. I hope he will find something there that brings him to a saving knowledge and acceptance of Jesus/God. |
||||||||||||||
People are always sending me stuff, although I’ve already seen most of it. I hadn’t seen the following video, however. Here is what she said: We are going to be gifted with a health care plan that we are forced to purchase, and fined if we don’t, signed by a president who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, by a government which has already bankrupted Social Security and Medicare, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that’s broke. So what the “blank” could possibly go wrong? Some of my thoughts about the so-called “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” are in the initial portion of my Mar. 21, 2010 entry. |
||||||||||||||
I returned to San Diego today because I’m flying out tomorrow. Also, a friend had the afternoon off, and she wanted to get together. We walked around Balboa Park, where I had not been in awhile. 30-second slideshow At the arboretum (for which there is no entry fee), there were surprisingly few flowers blooming. I’m not sure why; maybe it’s because it was such a hot summer. |
||||||||||||||
A couple of good friends and I went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs for my birthday. The weather was perfect, and we had a super good time. They brought food for all of us to have a healthful lunch, and there was even a big birthday cupcake. 1-minute slideshow The three of us have had some good times together before, including hanging out in Palm Springs on Nov. 14, 2009. |
||||||||||||||
A friend, her dog Rocky, and I walked around Mile Square Park (four total miles) this afternoon. It includes two golf courses. From 1979 to 1991, I worked a few blocks from there and sometimes brought my lunch and ate it on a green hill on one side of the park. 30-second slideshow At one point, after taking a picture, my friend started walking toward me. A short distance away, she picked up a golf ball and then walked over and handed it to me. She said that the ball flew over the fence, barely missed me, and landed a few feet away. I was completely oblivious to that until she told me. |
||||||||||||||
Earlier today, it was raining in San Diego. I like rain, but I wasn’t in the mood for it today. So I decided to drive up to Orange County to hang out with some friends and to watch the debate, but first I went to Taste of Thai restaurant. 15-second slideshow In Irvine, I walked along the greenbelt where I used to live. I used to walk there almost everyday. There are two swimming pools, one at each end. 30-second slideshow I also took a long walk with a friend in one of Irvine’s many nice parks. She is very conservative, as I am, and we talked about several political issues. We saw some pretty cool clouds along the way, too. 15-second slideshow The only vice presidential debate prior to the November 6 election was held tonight in Danville, Kentucky. I think the moderator, Martha Raddatz, did a pretty good job asking questions and interacting with the candidates. |
||||||||||||||
I hadn’t made a lasagna in a long time, so I bought the stuff and made one. Usually I make two, but I didn’t feel like going to that much effort; so I just made half the recipe. Usually I include mushrooms; but the price was more than I wanted to pay, so I left them out.
Since I used only half of the spaghetti sauce, I didn’t want to waste the rest. I do not like to waste anything, especially food. So I whipped up some spaghetti and added some meat to the remaining sauce. Along with a slice of whole wheat toast, that’s what I had for dinner. I will look forward with great anticipation to eating some lasagna tomorrow, though. |
||||||||||||||
For most Christians, today is a day of rest. However, it is not their Sabbath day, as it is for me. I understand that Sunday is the traditional “Sabbath” day for Catholics and Protestants. I even attend church on Sunday myself, but my Sabbath is from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. And, no, I am not a Seventh Day Adventist. Further information, about changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, can be found on this page: |
||||||||||||||
The first presidential debate, between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, took place tonight in Denver, CO. The moderator was Jim Lehrer, whom I think did a good job of letting the candidates say all they wanted to say, even with time constraints. The entire debate took almost 1½ hour. All of it can be viewed here: |
||||||||||||||
Here is an interesting article that includes allegations about Barack Obama prior to becoming president, which appears to supplement the article that I linked to in my Sep. 12 entry: |
||||||||||||||
Today is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (= Sukkot), the seventh Hebraic feast of the year. It began yesterday evening at sunset. According to Leviticus 23:42,43, all native-born Israelites were (and are) to construct and to live in booths or “sukkot” (which is the plural of “sukkah”) for a week. 8-second slideshow Jesus was born in a sukkah in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1) during Sukkot, not in a stable in December. The word “tabernacle,” used as a verb, means “to take up temporary residence, especially to inhabit a physical body” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). So Jesus tabernacled with mankind for a few decades after He came the first time. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. ... Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:9,16)I doubt, though, that Jesus’ birthday cake during Sukkot will ever be a non-kosher Paula Deen red velvet pound cake. |