2018: PERSONAL NOTES ARCHIVES – Jan to Dec
December 5, 2018: Similar Political Pattern of Discord and Tactics in Israel and America?
This is a pretty interesting article. Reporter Chris Mitchell of CBN quotes Middle East “expert” Caroline Glick as pointing out, “‘We see that we have some serious problems with what we call our ‘Deep State’ in Israel, where you have unaccountable clerks and public servants who stay on forever, and they have a very clear political agenda, which is not the agenda of the elected government or of the people who elected them.'” Why I consider this parallel as significant is that it reminds me of the famous quote of disputed origin: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.” Particularly in politics, it seems as if the “good men” band together in simply watching the process, assuming all is correct and in good faith and the best possible outcome will be achieved by following out the process. I don’t see this thinking as reflecting the times in which we live. The various levels of success achieved by tactics being used in America against the current president may very well be goading others in foreign nations to give a similar approach a try. Is the vote of an individual and our ability to self-govern going to be counted as significant, or do the collective “we” simply allow political maneuvering to drown our individual voices and leave only an illusion of “freedom” and self-governance?
December 3, 2018: Italy Applies Its Own Brand of Anti-Political Correctness
This is a quick, interesting article from lifesitenews.com. The quote that caught my attention is attributed to Valeria Alessandrini, described as “a representative of the populist Lega Party”: “Only by respecting (our own traditions)…can we make others understand everyone is free to practice their own faiths but that it is also required they respect the history and culture of the country in which they live.” Italy’s Education Ministry has recently granted approval to allow crucifixes and nativity scenes in the nation’s classrooms — contrary to a 2009 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights which banned crucifixes in the classrooms.
November 19, 2018: Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging Shares Recommendations on Exceptional Aging
I’ll start off by saying I am no fan of yoga, so I have personally scratched off “secret number six” — although flexibility exercise and prayer can certainly be substituted. easyhealthoptions.com shares some interesting information from BLSA research. Recommendation #5, “Being Positive,” made me smile and actually remind myself that optimism is a trait worth fighting for!
Nov. 2, 2018: Article Details Ukrainian Woman’s First Impressions of America
This is an interesting article published by dailysignal.com, in which an American living in Ukraine brings his Ukrainian wife to America for the first time and as they do a sea-to-shining-sea tour, her reactions are noteworthy. One key thought: “The world is always watching us. Always. And there are plenty of dark forces in this world held at bay by the simple fact that America is still a dream worth fighting for.”
October 24, 2018: Titanic II to Sail Original Titanic’s Exact Route?
This is one of those endeavors that really makes me ask….why in the world…??? Does Blue Star Line really have nothing better to do with $500-million? According to newsmax.com, a $500-million replica of the Titanic is currently under construction in Dubai, and after its completion in 2022, will sail to Southampton, England, before commencing on the Titanic’s original cruise route taken in 1912. I understand there will be beaucoup free publicity for this project…but I really think it’s just a bit creepy.
October 11, 2018: Political Correctness Primarily Supported by Affluent, White Progressives
This is a really interesting article that shares statistics on just HOW unpopular “political correctness” really is throughout America. Contrary to popular opinion, this article states that it is NOT poor minorities who are its primary supporters. Worth your time to read! I was quite surprised at its conclusions.
October 8, 2018: Justice Kavanaugh Appoints All-Female Law Clerking Staff
This is historic. I have mixed emotions about this, but I DO remember hearing him say during public testimony that if confirmed to the Supreme Court, he was seriously considering an all-female clerking staff. Why the mixed emotions? I appreciate his earlier statements about women often being given less consideration for such roles, and I am impressed he has followed through with what he strongly inferred he would do. But in a current culture that is marginalizing men (particularly conservative men) in so many ways, it does make me wince just a bit. Nonetheless — his resolve to “address the underrepresentation of women among law clerks” is admirable, and I do give kudos!
October 1, 2018: Pilot Hears God’s Voice, Alters Schedule and Saves Lives
This is a fantastic testimony. Christian pilot Icoze Mafella heard God stirring in his heart and speaking to him on two different issues; according to blog.godreports.com, the pilot felt the Lord impressed him with a need “to be quick” as they stopped at Palu, 48 miles from Central Sulawesi, on Sept. 28. As they sped off the runway three minutes early, a massive earthquake began to shake the island.
September 23, 2018: Woman Looks for Discount, Receives Blessing Instead
This is one of those stories that should be well-publicized and is hardly mentioned. According to faithlit.com, a woman with $50 went to “the only store open” in North Carolina at the time, a particular Walmart. With $50 in hand, she sought out the manager to see if he would offer her a discount to purchase clothes for victims of Hurricane Florence…and the spirit of generosity from this man provides this truly wonderful testimony.
September 19, 2018: News Flash, Sesame Street Production Company Emphasizes Bert and Ernie are NOT Gay…
Sign of the times: how very sad that there continues to be a diminishing of close same-sex friendships without a natural assumption of sexual relationship. The comments from writer Mark Saltzman were sparked by a mother reporting that her San Francisco toddler recently asked her if “Bert and Ernie are lovers.” Apparently Saltzman recently stated in a recent interview with a gay magazine, “When I was writing Bert and Ernie, they were.” As reported in christianheadlines.com, Sesame Workshop reports “They remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.”
September 7, 2018: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison Up for Re-Election: Congregations Call Out, Pray for Australia
Breakingchristiannews.com reported that Voice of Fire Ministries Pastor Adam F. Thompson stated “I really see that the Body of Christ is going to have influence in the political arena of this nation.” It was recently revealed that newly-elected Prime Minister Thompson “is a Pentecostal Christian — the first ever in Australian history.” In addition, other ministries are also calling for prayer on behalf of Australia. An interesting article.
September 6, 2018: Archaeological Evidence Regarding Location of Sodom
I enjoy finding and sharing this information so much I really should start a Biblical Archaeology tab for people to click to! As reported in breakingchristiannews.com, Dr. Steven Collins (Director of School of Archaeology, Veritas International University) recently returned from the Tall el-Hammam excavation site in Jordan with what he sees as continued verification of his original theory of Sodom’s location — to the northeast of the Dead Sea, not in the traditionally-chosen southern region. Article was originally published by assistnews.net late in August; Dr. Collins co-authored a first book on the topic in 2014, titled Discovering the City of Sodom. Check it out!
Month of August: What a Whirlwind!
From the Mountain Artist Art Festival to touring Rocky Mountain Park to attending my oldest daughter’s wedding and helping finish out summer with the grandkids, this month has been busy!! My news-scouring definitely took a dip in activity! With all the “news” about Facebook censoring conservative voices, however, I thought the results of this Media Research Center article were interesting, even intriguing. While the number of conservatives who have already left FB because they believe it is exercising selective censorship is small, at only 7.5%, under the category title, “have left Facebook or are considering leaving it” raises the number to “more than 45%.” That’s a bunch! Simultaneously, A Silicon Valley internet tech-guru named Steven Andrew has been building and gathering funds to set up what he is calling “the Conservative friendly internet.” USA.Life would be the name of the new social network, while 1776Free.com would provide a new search engine. Will this competition to FB actually materialize? I don’t know. The goal for full funding is only at 25% after nearly 8 months of discussion and promotion. However, at a full price tag of $778,000, the $200,216 raised so far is not just chump change. It is a project I intend to support.
July 17, 2018: Barna Group Discovers People Prefer Physical Bible to Digital Copy
This is actually a surprise to me…I personally like the “feel” of a book in my hand when I read…but many have told me that’s an “old-fashioned” preference. I guess I’m not alone…and this short article made me chuckle! As a side note however — I love my cell phone Bible app, and couldn’t write without Bible Gateway!
July 9, 2018: Ancient Entrance Gate to Biblical City of Bethsaida Discovered
I have been missing news of a fresh archaeological find! And this one is awesome! According to christianpost.com, “Archaeologists have reportedly uncovered the ancient entrance gate to the Biblical city of Zer in Israel, also known as Bethsaida, which is mentioned in the New Testament as the city where Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish…”
July 5, 2018: Franklin Graham Creates “Pray for 45” Shirt
This whole situation is pretty funny, but it looks like Rev. Graham’s shirt will take the day in terms of longevity. Wal-mart online offered a selection of “Impeach 45” t-shirts which were almost immediately withdrawn from sale after a firestorm of protest. Wal-mart reps stated the shirts were a “third party vendor” that had access to their online store, and that as a result of this, they would be reviewing their online third-party sales practices. Rev. Graham’s “Pray for 45 (1 Timothy 2:1-2)” shirts will probably take off and be seen in stores and on folks across America.
June 27, 2018: A Situation So Ugly You Don’t Want to Think About It
The definition of “grisly” includes “gruesome, ghastly, horrid, horrifying…” and so on. This article describing abortionist Robert Rho’s double-murder (26-week baby and the baby’s mother) is grisly. He is serving time for only one murder, incidentally, and it was reduced to a lesser charge due to a plea bargain. I include it because in this age of “pro-choice” chants, it’s often easy to overlook abuses and realities in the abortion industry, of which this is one example.
June 15, 2018: She-Became-Him and Married Him-Who-Became Her…And Now They have a Son
OK, I’ll admit it up front, the sheer weirdness-presented-as-normality of this article caught my eye and my only comment is just, WOW. 20-month-old Jaxen Sparks has a father whose birth gender was female, and a mother whose birth gender was male. The two halted their gender-transitioning long enough to conceive a child, and have now continued onto their new genders. This is one of the more unusual articles I have read, lately.
June 3, 2018: Heart Benefits from Drinking Coffee?
This is actually ironic because my doctor wanted me to eliminate coffee from my diet as part of high blood pressure treatment. According to blueheronhealth.com, “A new study shows a shocking 40% reduction in artery plaque build-up…apparently, drinking 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day helps your heart stay healthy while keeping you active and busy all day…” Yes!
May 8, 2018: Ever Hear of “Rescission”? Trump Cancels $15.4 Billion of Previously-Passed Omnibus Spending Bill
Here is a story that should have received headlines, were there not such big news on the unemployment/North Korea/Mueller investigation front. Apparently through a process called “rescission,” previously-passed provisions in omnibus bills such as the $1.3 trillion bill signed by the President in March, can have certain provisions defunded. In addition, monies passed in previous omnibus bills but which remained unspent, become “expired funding.” Some expired funding is reflected in this $15.4 billion. Congress has 45 days to approve the spending cuts.
April 30, 2018: Biblical King David Coming Into His Own
OK, I’m a little naive….but I thought everybody considered Biblical King David an historical figure. Apparently not! This new archaeological find, however, is described as “a milestone in the ongoing debate over the veracity of Biblical King David as a historical figure.” Extremely interesting article published online by BreakingIsraelNews.
April 12, 2018: Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Already Unremembered (or Never Learned) by Many
OK, I am a couple decades away from being considered a Millennial. Maybe even more than a couple. But there are some landmarks in history which cry out to never be forgotten not only because of their scope and implication, but also their impact on entire nations. A “world war” is so designated because it involves the entire globe’s inhabitants. The name “Auschwitz” has become representative of genocide on an unfathomable scale in both numbers and on the Brutality Barometer. It is also representative and instructive of the political and cultural steps that moved forward into the creation of that place, among others. It is troubling, then, to read that 66% of Millennials and 41% of Americans polled had no name recognition of “Auschwitz.” Read the report from the newest Claims Conference. Conservative columnist Ben Shapiro shares his opinion on how this lack of education may be seen in the sometimes-puzzling attitudes of younger voters.
March 30, 2018: Joyland Hosts Last Community Easter Egg Hunt at Current Facility
Yep, it was time for me to jump back in the bunny suit and hug lots of “little visitors” plus their parents, splashing them with Jesus’ love and offering prayers to many. Loved the big smiles when I stuck “He is Risen” stickers on dozens. Really great weather, no snow on the ground. PTL!
March 29, 2018: “The Last Sabbath of the Old Creation” by breakpoint.org
This article starts with a question regarding the amount of time Jesus actually spent in the tomb, but the author’s point actually focuses on “a call to rest, not just from something like work, politics, or the news cycle, but in someone.” Worth thinking about!
February 26, 2018: Archaeologists Believe They Have Discovered Seal of Isaiah
I am amazed at the frequency with which significant archaeological artifacts are being discovered! Theblaze.com reports, “According to the Biblical Archaeological Society, scientists discovered a clay seal stamp they believe belonged to the prophet Isaiah.” The clay stamp, which was used to verify the sender’s identity on written documents, is about half an inch wide and oval-shaped, and bears Isaiah’s name, “Yesha’yah”, and was discovered within ten feet of a similar seal belonging to King Hezekiah.
February 26, 2018: Dutch Sheets’ Prophecy of the Upcoming “Greatest Influx of Souls in History”
Included in this prophecy is information regarding an “Appeal to Heaven” flag flown at the time of the Revolutionary War — a piece of history I have never read or heard. According to well-known Dutch Sheets, “There’s another level of intercession, prophetic declaration, kingly intercession, making decrees for Him that is going to now launch us into what we’ve been asking for, for 25, 30 years — a Third Great Awakening in America…”
February 23, 2018: ISIS Destruction of Tomb of Jonah Reveals 600-Year Old Palace
I love this stuff! As archaeologists explore the 2014-damaged ruins of the Tomb of Jonah, inscriptions found carved beneath the Tomb identify “the palace of Esarhaddon,” an Assyrian king who boasted of having “renewed the statues of the great gods,” as well as rebuilding the ancioent cities of Babylon and Esagil. The 2,700-year old inscriptions also reveal insights regarding the Esarhaddon’s family history and supports Biblical history.
February 16, 2018: Three Spiritual Insights from New Movie, Samson
OK, I admit it — whenever a new “Bible movie” comes out, my “they’re-gonna-get-it-wrong” hat immediately drops onto my head. I have NOT seen the new “Samson” movie, but I was favorably impressed with this article listing three spiritual lessons observed by the authors of the article: 1. God created you for a higher purpose; 2. You’ll need God’s strength to fulfill your calling; 3. You will face opposition while fulfilling God’s call. Whether you plan to see the movie or not, this is a worthwhile article. Kudos to journalists Mark Mittelberg and Cassie Littell of breakingchristiannews.com.
February 7, 2018: Mike Pence a ‘Bad Fit’ to Represent U.S. at Winter Olympics?
Two openly gay U.S. athletes are refusing to meet with Vice President Mike Pence when he spends one-on-one time with American athletes at the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Both of them stated their reasons were based on perceptions that President Trump’s policies were trying to “set us back,” according to freeskier Gus Kenworthy as he was interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres. This is really an insignificant, pretty much trivial news bit. Yet what interested me was his statement that Pence “doesn’t stand for anything I really believe in.” Such as…being rewarded for hard work? Non-observance of sexual orientation as a factor in being allowed to compete in a world-representative competition? Freedom of speech, to criticize and rebuff a representative of the very country who honors and sends you as “its best”? What a wasted opportunity–holding the world’s stage for such a brief time, and yet choosing whiney self-indulgence instead of promoting a positive viewpoint that could have benefited the entire LGBTQ community.
February 1, 2018: Groundhog Day Has Christian Origins?
Groundhogs instead of hedgehogs? Candlemas Day? Even though it is past Groundhog Day, I found this little article quite interesting and actually full of trivia I did not know!
January 27, 2018: Kris Vallotton on Spiritual Warfare
A couple weeks ago I read Kris Vallotton’s Jan. 10 blog on spiritual warfare and in his introduction to linking you to the piece, he set this scenario and asked this question: …”In any war, there are always two agendas operating. Are you wondering if it was God or the devil who led you into the battle? The answer is yes–God and the devil both have a plan for us in the ‘dark night of the soul’ though they intend entirely different outcomes. The question is, with whose plan will we side?” This is a great read–check it out!
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