Lamentations 3:22-24 22

12-31-19, In this New Year 2020 - as will all past years - the Lord told His children to look ahead to the new day with a fresh hope. His mercies are new and fresh every morning; His grace is sufficient for each new day. We can see that God gives us new strength and courage as needed. Therefore, we need look forward to living one day at a time as old things have passed away. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

In the New Year we must diligently press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus [Philippians 3:14], not looking back to my unchecked list of goals. The Lord GOD wants us to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD - this is the year. 
​Isaiah 61:1-2 (Matthew 2:19-23; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 2:39-40; Luke 4:16-30)

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19)

"...one thing I do forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." (Philippians 3:13)

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12-28-18: Waterford Ireland - Worldwide millions of people will gaze upon the famed New Year's Eve crystal ball as it makes its countdown drop to mark the new year in Times Square New York USA. 

Irish citizens watching the New Year's ball drop can take particular pride knowing that - that crystal ball was designed and made by Waterford Crystal in Ireland. The time-honored Irish company began in 1783 in the Irish Viking town of Waterford and became world famous for their exquisitely crafted crystal pieces. 

In 2018 for the New Year 2019, Waterford engineers installed the new crystal triangles in New York's Times Square.
More here: www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/waterford-crystal-ball-new-years-eve 

​***

Times Square New Year's Eve ball 
History: In 1907, the 700-pound ball was made of iron, wood and covered with 100 light bulbs. Throughout the years, it upgraded to another iron ball in 1920, an aluminum ball in 1955, a computerized aluminum and rhinestone ball in 1995, a crystal ball in 1999, a LED Ball to celebrate the centennial in 2007 — and finally, was replaced with the current ball. The concept of dropping a ball to mark time in New York USA dates back to the mid-1800s in England. One of the earliest time-balls was the one  atop the Flamsteed House of the Greenwich Observatory along the River Thames.

Starting in 1833, it was lowered every day at exactly 1 p.m. to signal the time to sailors and Londoners who could not afford clocks and watches. 

The drop was added to pre-existing festivities in the area and has heralded in every year since, with the exception of 1942 and 1943, according to timessquarenyc.org. 

For Times Square 2019 the New Year's Eve Ball, introducing the "Gift of Harmony". The new design utilizes small rosette cuts flowing into each other in harmony.

• The Times Square ball is 12-feet in diameter and weights almost six tons. It is covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles that vary in size, which are attached to the aluminum frame of the ball.
• Lighting up in various colors, the triangles contain LEDS that illuminate in red, blue, green and white. They are capable of displaying more than 16 million vibrant colors that create a stunning kaleidoscope atop Times Square.
• Each year, the triangles take on a different meaning. For 2017, the Waterford triangles introduce the “Gift of Kindness” with a design of rosettes — symbolizing unity — with fronds reaching out in an expression of kindness. There will be other designs throughout the ball, including the “Gift of Wonder” and “Gift of Fortitude.” Other triangles will represent the “Gift of Imagination” with a series of intricate mirrored wedge cuts to inspire our imaginations.
• The first New Year’s Eve ball descended One Times Square in 1907 [more here]

Secrets Of People Who Keep Their New Year's Resolutions
12-26-16, Forbes.com -- How can you become one of those elite few, who actually achieve what they set out to do? Advise from behavior change psychologist Paul Marciano; top three secrets for success:

• #1 Make goals specific
• #2 Measure & keep track of progress
• #3 Be patient

Social support is critical; it's important to share your goal with someone - it dramatically increases your odds of success. One of the most effective things you can do is to get an “accountability partner” - by sharing your intended achievement helps because its fairly easy to admit failure to yourself; but not admit it to a friend.

Ephesians 2:8

12-5-19, John D. Morris PhD -- The third verse of the hymn “And Can It Be That I Should Gain?” [video here] sets the stage for the implementation of His majestic plan.

He left His father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
T’is mercy all! Immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!

The plan involved the death of God the Son. The Creator dying for the creation. The righteous Judge taking on Himself the penalty of the condemned. The rejected Holy One becoming sin on behalf of sinners. All sinners are powerless to alter the situation of our hell bound destination without our repentance and the intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ. All simply receive the offered gift and grace through faith [Ephesians 2:8-10].

First, God had to take on Himself the nature of the condemned, live a guiltless life so that He could die as a substitutionary sacrifice. To do so, God the Son had to leave His Father’s throne. (Philippians 2:6-8). 

Adam had rebelled against his Creator’s authority, and all of mankind suffered. “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12), yet Christ’s work on the cross changed all that. “For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (v. 15).

Amazing love from the Lord God Jesus Christ!
John 5:18, 8:54, 10:24-25, 33; Romans 5:8
Source

Luke 17:22-31

​12-29-19, Today John Haller does a review of  2019 with a focus on the upcoming year 2020. He again reports on world events and Bible prophecy while remaining steadfast in Fellowship Bible's mission to preach the Good News of the Gospel of salvation only possible through the Messiah savior, Jesus Christ [John 14:6].

As we move forward into 2020, we do so with hope and encouragement. While it can be quite daunting to wake up each day and see the headlines from all over the world making it seem as if it is spinning out of control, may we remind ourselves that the same Architect that set the universe into motion [the Lord God almighty] is the very same One who holds it together.

May God bless each and every one of you in your walks with Him in 2020, whether it occurs across rocky terrain or smooth sandy beaches. Go in peace and walk with Him in faith, knowing that for the believer, we are never abandoned or alone when we know Christ as our Savior. That alone should inspire us to boldly proclaim the gift that He freely offers to those who humble themselves and accept Him into their lives. All who love the Lord said:

'PRAISE THE LORD AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!'

One hour ten minute video here

Genesis 7:6-8
Now Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came upon the earth. And Noah entered the ark, along with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives, to escape the waters of the flood. The clean and unclean animals, the birds, and everything that crawls along the ground…

Genesis 19:1 
The two angels entered Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed with his face to the ground,

Jeremiah 50:40
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighboring towns, declares the LORD, No one will reside there; no man will dwell there.

Eric Holder Unloads on AG William Barr
LAUGHABLE!
12-12-19, Salon.com -- Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder said that current Attorney General Bill Barr’s “deeply inappropriate” actions and rhetoric demonstrate that he is “unfit to lead the Justice Department.” Holder warned that Barr’s actions as attorney general set a dangerous precedent.  Holder said: “Virtually since the moment he took office, though, Barr’s words and actions have been fundamentally inconsistent with his duty to the Constitution. Which is why I now fear that his conduct — running political interference for an increasingly lawless president — will wreak lasting damage. The American people deserve an attorney general who serves their interests, leads the Justice Department with integrity and can be entrusted to pursue the facts and the law, even — and especially — when they are politically inconvenient and inconsistent with the personal interests of the president who appointed him. William Barr has proved he is incapable of serving as such an attorney general. He is unfit to lead the Justice Department.”
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​Obama and Holder Lied – Brian Terry US Border Guard Died
GUN RUNNING IN FAST  'N FURIOUS TO MEXICO
Jun 13, 2017 · Brian Terry’s mother, Josephine testified to the extent pf the coverup, lies and obstruction by the Obama administration and Eric Holder before the House Oversight Committee .

t2 Kings 2:9

12-17-19, Rev Wendell -- In 2 Kings 2:1 we read about what happened after the death of Ahaziah, Elijah knew that he was near the end of his life, so he walked with Elisha. Elijah told Elisha not to go with him as the Lord sent him to Bethel, but Elisha said that he would not leave him. (2 Kings 2:1-2) Then the Lord sent Elijah to Jericho also to the Jordan and each time Elisha said that he would not leave him. (2 Kings 2:4-6) At the Jordan River, Elijah took his cloak and struck the water; the Lord God parted the waters and they crossed over on dry land. (2 Kings 2:8)  Later Elijah asked Elisha what he could do for him before the Lord took him away?

Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit of God that Elijah had, and Elijah if you see me when I am taken away, then your request will be granted. (2 Kings 2:10) 

As they were walking, they were separated, and a chariot of fire with horses of fire took Elijah away alive in a whirlwind up to heaven and Elisha saw the whole thing. (2 Kings 2:11-12)

Therefore, Elisha was a greater prophet than Elijah was because
he had a double portion of the Spirit of God upon him. 

If we want to do more for the Lord, we need to ask Him for help.  The Holy Spirit of the Lord God is within all born again believers, (John 3:3, 7; Ezekiel 36:27) we have to learn to yield control of our lives to Him.  God will renew His Spirit within us (Psalm 51:10) so that we can have strength and be encouraged to do more for the Lord's kingdom.

California public schools can’t suspend students for disobedience 
​12-26-19, SACRAMENTO (KRON) — New laws taking effect in 2020 will impact schools across California. Starting next school year, it will be illegal for public schools in the state to suspend students in first through fifth grade for willfully defying teachers or administrators. Then, from 2021 through 2025, it will be temporarily extended to kids in grades six through eight. Supporters say suspensions for willful defiance are disproportionately used against students of color.

Worldwide Comparisons Show U.S. Academic Achievement lags 
2-15-17, In a 2015 Pew Research Center report, only 29% of Americans rated their country’s K-12 education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (known as STEM) as above average or the best in the world. Scientists were even more critical;  a survey of members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science found that just 16% called U.S. K-12 STEM education the best or above average; 46%, in contrast, said K-12 STEM in the U.S. was below average.
​Global Reading Scores Are Rising, But Not for U.S
While U.S. 4th graders performed at an average score of 549, above the average of the 58 education systems participating in PIRLS in 2016, that score was 7 scale points lower than the last test in 2011—basically the same as they did in 2006.
​On the world stage, U.S. students fall behind
In the latest Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) measuring math literacy in 2015, U.S. students ranked 40th in the world. 

Why using a computer can cause depression
12-27-19, DailyMail -- Depression can be caused by using a computer that keeps 'going down.' Now one of the biggest ever investigations into the hazards of computers in the workplace has concluded that they can also damage mental health. In a three-year survey of 25,000 workers, many complained of feeling depressed, anxious and reluctant to get up for work in the mornings... [Note: My personal problem with my computer use is the mechanical/software/hardware defects. For no apparent reason after spending four days setting it up ... it just locks up or crashes; loosing work. You call tech support ... as it's still under warranty ... spend two hours on the phone ending up returning the machine for a new one. Yep, got the new one and after a week ... problems again. Grrr. - yep happened to me this month. -- Annette]

What we also observe and measure, is that the more complex a system is, the more external intelligence is required to create it. Applying the scientific method to prove the existence of God, reveals two facts:

1. Since we observe that no complex functioning system ever originates without the ongoing guidance of external intelligence, there must be an external intelligence who caused the creation of the countless complex functioning systems in nature.
2. Since the level of complexity of the functioning systems in nature exceed the capabilities of humans to create them, the external intelligence required for the creation of nature is of a much higher level.

​These two realities are profound and undeniable scientific proof of God. The truth will always remain: science proves without a shadow of a doubt that God exists. The only questions are:

1. Are we willing to use science honestly?
2. Are we willing to truly look at the outcome of scientific reasoning?
3. Or do we use science in a dishonest way? Too often mankind is guilty of abuse of science. Many claim they ‘only believe in science’, while in fact they close their eyes for true science… and believe in theories that are in essence contrary to science, 

Honest science will not close its eyes to reality, but will INVESTIGATE IT and ACQUIRE NEW KNOWLEDGE, which leads to the CORRECTING of previous faulty teaching. There is indeed a supernatural force who acts when Christians pray for the sick, with complete healing of the physical condition as a result. Healing miracles are a real phenomenon and it happens all over the world.

Atheistic medical doctors simply deny these realities, which is of course not a scientific approach.
Science is after all not closing your eyes to phenomena, but investigating them, in order to acquire new knowledge, which you can then integrate into your current knowledge. So when a scientist is willing to look at several healing miracles, and observes that these healings are the result of a supernatural force, this is also a scientific proof of God. Healing miracles can be observed all over the world. They can be measured, to see if indeed a healing has taken place, without natural means. And this can be repeated over and over again. The outcome of this scientific research is that healing miracles are real, which proves that when christians pray to God for a healing and it happens, we can conclude that science proves the existence of God. That is honest application of science.
​
Famous scientists who believed there is scientific proof of God
Many of the most brilliant pioneers of modern science believed in God. Here you find a small selection of the thousands of scientists throughout history, who were convinced there is more evidence pointing toward the existence of God, than there is to support atheism.

Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) for example is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time. He discovered gravity and the laws of motion that form the foundation much of modern physics. Newton was deeply convinced that nature provides overwhelming scientific proof of God. His book ‘Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy‘ laid the foundations for classical mechanics. Appended to this book, Newton wrote an essay called ‘The General Scholium’, in which he stated: ‘This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent being. And if the fixed Stars are the centers of other like systems, these, being formed by the like wise counsel, must all be subject to the dominion of One. […] This Being Governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all.’ Reference: The General Scholium online, trans. Andrew Motte, 1729

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) is considered the most influencial scientist of the twentieth century. Einstein caused revolutions in the scientific understanding of time, gravity and the conversion of matter into energy. In 1921 he won the Nobel Prize for physics. He was so intelligent, that the word ‘Einstein’ has become synonymous with ‘genius’. Einstein was convinced there is scientific proof of God. He said ‘God reveals . Reference: ‘The life and Times of Einstein’, Ronald W Clarck, page 18-19, The World Publishing Company, New York, 1971. In fact, true science will always lead us to acknowledge the reality of God, who has created this world.

More here: https://www.godisreal.today/scientific-proof-of-god/

USA: Record-Smashing Weather - Historic September 2019
9-25-19, WeatherChannel --Historic September 2019 Snowstorm Brings Up to 48 inches of Snow, Blizzard Conditions to Northern Rockies. Over a dozen locations in northern Montana saw the highest snowfall this early on record. In Great Falls, Montana the latest storm not only shattered September records, but it was also one of their heaviest snowstorms of all time. The National Weather Service in Great Falls reported that in an average winter season, it takes until the week before Christmas for Great Falls to tally 19.3 inches of seasonal snowfall.

History of the Snowman: Fascinating Snowman Facts [more here]
Rider's Digest: The snowman is like a frozen Forrest Gump—look to many of history’s cultural benchmarks, and there you’ll find a forebear of Frosty. It was a snowman who appeared on some of the first postcards, starred in some of the initial silent movies, and was the subject of a couple of the earliest photos, dating all the way back to the 1800s. Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages, built with great skill and thought. At a time of limited means of expression, snow was like free art supplies dropped from the sky. It was a popular activity for couples to stroll through town to view the temporary works of chilly art. Snowmen also played a part in one of the bloodiest events in early American history, the Schenectady Massacre of 1690.  At the time, Fort Schenectady, in what is now upstate New York, was a remote Dutch settlement under constant threat of attack. But the soldiers guarding the gates, which were frozen open, left a pair of snowmen at their post to protect the town when they left to get out of a blizzard. Unknown to them, a contingent of 210 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans were approaching. Having traveled over three weeks in knee-deep, slushy snow, they were unfazed by the snowmen and invaded the fort, killing 60 villagers.
***
Almighty ​God gives us snow: Job 37:5-6

Isaiah 52:3-6

5-2-18, * -- The God of all comfort who comforts us in our tribulation IS faithful! I thank God that He counts me worthy to suffer with the Lord's faithful born again believers in Christ. We endure persecution and tribulation; Jesus warned us ... His ways are definitely not our ways. [Jeremiah 23:14; Isaiah 11:11; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6]

The Lord is keeping His remnant [Lamentations 3:22] - us - the reproach of people who are scoffing at us for believing in the Promise of the Lord Jesus' Second Coming. Hallelujah! [Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:11-15]

We serve an amazing God - Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Matthew 28:2-4, Mark 1:27; Luke 5:26; John 14:6]

Reported Draft of US Peace deal of Israel: "New Palestine"
12-17-19, Presstv.com -- A Lebanese TV network has published what it reported to be a draft of US President Donald Trump’s controversial deal on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which envisages the establishment of a “New Palestine,” with occupied Jerusalem al-Quds remaining under mostly Israeli control and Saudi Arabia replacing Jordan as custodian of Al-Aqsa Mosques. Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud says the Muslims/Arabs aka "Palestinians" in Israel should accept peace deal or 'shut up!' Reportedly, if:

1. Israel rejects the deal, the US will end economic support for the regime.
2. The Islamic terror group ruling Gaza "Hamas" and the PLO oppose the agreement, Washington will end all financial support it provides to Palestinians and prevent funding provided by other nations.
3. The PLO accepts the plan and Hamas or the Islamic Jihad dismiss it, then the two groups would bear the responsibility of their decision.
4. Any military confrontation between Israel and Hamas, the US will still support Israel.

It is widely believed that the US plan is biased towards Israel and has already been unanimously rejected by all Palestinian factions. Although, in June 2019 the US unveiled the very generous economic portion of its initiative during a conference in Bahrain; it was boycotted by the Palestinians who in 2017 stopped recognizing the US as a mediator. More here

May 19, 2011,  JoelcRosenberg in Epicenter -  President Obama [2011] made an enormous mistake by calling for the Land of Israel to be divided and Jerusalem to be divided along pre-1967 borders. This is in direct defiance of the Bible and it won’t work -- it will bring judgment to the U.S., according to Joel 3:2.

• • Obama’s vision for Mideast peace: Israel, Palestine based on 1967 borders with land swaps
  • Netanyahu says ‘No’ to 1967 borders

(Jerusalem, Israel) — Three major themes emerged from the messsages delivered at the 2011 Epicenter Conference:

1. “The Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near” — “Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound and alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the Day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near.” (Joel 2:1) 
2. “Return to Me,” says the Lord — “‘Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments.’ Now return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:12-13).
3. Do not divide the Land of Israel — In my message about the final chapter of the Book of Joel, I explained the warning to the nations that the Lord gives. I focused in particular on Joel 3:2 (which is 4:2 in the Hebrew Bible) in which the Lord says, “I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat. Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; and they have divided up My land.” The Bible is very clear: the Lord is going to judge all the nations for dividing up the Land of Israel. Let the United Nations and the United States and the European Union and the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government itself be warned. More here

The Democrat Party is Unrecognizable
​10-15-19, RenewAmerica.com --  The leftists in the Democrat Party want a Godless society in the United States, just like their leftist counterparts have done in Europe. Anyone who remembers the political scene of the mid-20th Century may have trouble reconciling that Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John Fitzgerald Kennedy belong to the same political party as Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. The Democrat Party is not the party of anyone's parents who - as conservative Roman Catholic Democrats - cheered when FDR spoke of World War II as the war to preserve "Christian Civilization," or when at JFK's inauguration he spoke "that the rights of man coming not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God." JFK's Inaugural Address. given almost 60 years ago, was inspirational. He addressed what it is to be an American with the main themes of freedom, peace, God's role in our lives and service to others or personal accountability.  More here

The Inconvenient Truth About the Democrat Party [Prager video]
5-22-17, Carol Swain, PragerUniv -- Did you know that the Democrat Party defended slavery, started the Civil War, founded the KKK & fought against every major civil rights act in U.S. history?  In 1854 the Republican Party was founded as an anti-slavery political party. Former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest [Dem] was the KKK’s first grand wizard; in 1869, he unsuccessfully tried to disband it after he grew critical of the Klan’s excessive violence but failed. In Tennessee under a platform of philosophized white racial superiority, the KKK employed violence as a means of pushing back Reconstruction and its enfranchisement of African Americans. In a few Southern states, Republicans organized militia units to break up the Klan. More here from History.com

Who Was Santa Claus? Aka Saint Nicholas?
12-12-19, In 280 AD Saint Nicholas a Christian leader born in Patara, Lycia [present day Turkey*] who provided for the sick and needy; he is the basis for the popular character of Santa Claus. After his death [343 AD], the legend of his gift-giving grew. Saint Nicholas transformed into the legendary character called Santa Claus, who brings Christmas presents to children around the world. In 2017, a team from the University of Oxford using radiocarbon tested a fragment of a human bone said to be from Saint Nicholas confirming that the bone fragment, owned by an American priest, dated from the saint's era. Archaeologists then hoped to match the bone to others purportedly belonging to Saint Nicholas, including those housed - since the 11th century - in a crypt in Bari, Italy. *More about Patara, Lycia [Turkey] 

The Birth of the Savior, Jesus

"It came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
​
Luke 2:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-20

12-23-19, Clearly dedication of a Temple or a lamp burning for eight days when only enough oil for one ... isn't an equal parallel to the virgin birth of the Savior Jesus Christ celebrated at Christmas; Chanukah [proper spelling] is a relatively minor Jewish holiday celebrated around the same time as Christian’s ‘Christmas.’ Christmas is a really big deal and I think one of the greatest things about America is that everybody stops in the middle of the whole thing to give a nod of recognition to a Jewish religious minority. By the way, I don’t get upset about being wished a “Merry Christmas,” either; it’s nice to be invited to be part of someone else’s celebration and I love spending Christmas with my non-Jewish friends. 

Chanukah is the story of a people rebelling against an oppressive tyranny – Jewish people. History reports the beginning when Alexander the Great conquered Syria, Egypt and Judea. Alexander was smart enough to let people pretty much go on observing their own religions and customs, but a successor of his, the Seleucid Greek King Antiochus IV in 165 B.C. began forbidding Jewish practices and enforced the worship of pagan gods. A Jewish Priest named Mattathias the Hasmonean took the first blow and his son, Judah “The Hammer” Maccabee, led the successful Maccabean revolt against the Seleucids. They cleaned out all the satanic stuff and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem to God. They found that they were out of oil for their menorah lamp, but miraculously it burned for eight days. Chanukah, known also as The Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days and the ritual involves lighting an increasing number of candles each night to commemorate each day of the miracle. The independent state of Israel then lasted until the Romans took over in around 63 B.C [..snip]

The special Jewish foods at the Chanukah celebration are traditionally potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly doughnuts), i.e., foods fried in oil. And after eating, everyone would try their hand spinning a dreidel (a sort of toy top). The dreidel game is around 2,000 years old and was used to foil the authorities who prohibited us from celebrating our history into thinking the Jews were just playing a game; when actually, they were retelling the story of Chanukah. Today, it’s mainly played by kids to see who can make the dreidel spin the longest.
Jewish parents keep their children happy by providing them with gifts for the eight days of Chanukah while Christian children enjoy Christmas. Celebrating Chanukah with his or her family allows a Jewish child to build up a store of lovely memories; never confusing Chanukah with Christmas. It’s a time for families to recount the glories of Jewish history and instill sweet memories in children making them proud to be Jewish. To let them know that we have our own great heroes.
*Excerpted and adapted full report from David A. Kaufman, the Yankee son of Stuart Kaufman,   a commercial real estate lawyer in New York. He also does stand-up comedy and is a proud member of the Friars Club here  More here
 ***

The Miracle - Chanukah - Hanukkah
Hanukkah for the year 2019 is celebrated/observed at sundown Sunday, December 22 ending at sundown on Monday, December 30. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival. ... They had no oil BUT GOD ... there was the miracle of Chanukah was that they lit the menorah with this oil for eight days—that the flame of selfless sacrifice blazed beyond a moment of truth, beyond a day of reckoning.

12-20-19, Joseph Klein* -- After her Democrat-controlled House of Representatives approved two articles of impeachment against President Trump Wednesday, Dec 18, 2019 Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she’d wait awhile before sending the articles over to the Senate for trial. She said: “We will make our decision as to when we are going to send it when we see what they are doing on the Senate side. So far, we have not seen anything that looks fair to us.” [..snip]
 
Apparently the House Democrats got their idea to delay sending their articles of impeachment over to the Senate from Harvard Law School’s Professor Laurence H. Tribe. [1] who has been a strong advocate for impeaching President Trump. [..] He opined in a Wash-Post op-ed that “the House, whose historical role is to prosecute articles of impeachment in the Senate after exercising its ‘sole’ power to impeach, is under no affirmative constitutional obligation to do so instantly.” [..] Relying on Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution that says each legislative chamber sets its own rules, Professor Tribe also tweeted that “It’s up to the House when and how to prosecute its case in the Senate.” However, Article I, Section 3 provides that “The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.” [..]
 
Speaker Pelosi and her cohorts are trying to exploit these Senate rules by delaying the rules’ trigger for Senate trial action. However, there's no constitutional requirement that the Senate must wait to act until the House formally names its prosecution managers and presents its articles of impeachment to the Senate. The Senate alone has the power to set and to change its own rules.

If the House Democrats persist in dragging their feet after rushing to complete their own rigged impeachment process, the Senate majority needs to consider its options. By majority vote, the Senate could set a firm date by which the House must provide notice of its appointment of managers and deliver its articles of impeachment. If the House refuses to comply with this deadline, the Senate could then immediately vote to dismiss the charges against President Trump on the grounds that the House accusers failed to prosecute their case in a timely fashion.
 
*Excerpted and adapted original full article from FrontPage here
 
[1] Professor Tribe here

​Lawyers Debate: If Articles of Trump's Impeachment Not Delivered to Senate Is it an Impeachment?
12-19-19, Hotair -- Lawyers are looking at various options for proceeding if House doesn't send articles of impeachment to the Senate. Pres Trump doesn't want it to be left hanging; he wants an acquittal - Dems do not want acquittal. Now that Pelosi refuses to send the articles to the Senate; the stalemate question  has an  impeachment even happened? The argument is that a trial in the Senate must be held on whether to remove the President for it to be an impeachment. Also, if Pres Trump has officially been impeached, the U.S. Senate should already have jurisdiction. Backers of the theory argue that the clause of the U.S. Constitution gives the Senate “the sole power to try all impeachments” indicating that the impeachment isn’t formalized until the House delivers the articles to the Senate. Many Dems are nervous that Senate Majority Leader McConnell may decide not to dispose of the matter at all and just leave it dangling over the House’s head throughout 2020 frozen in place. [Pres Trump calls this hoax of an impeachment: 'Impeachment lite!' ha ha] More here

2 Timothy 4:1-5

12-22-19, John Haller is back bringing news about the state of the world. From New Zealand killer volcano,  15 year prison sentences for burning a homosexual "pride" flag: A US judge has handed down a sentence of at least 15 years to a man who stole an LGBT pride flag from a church and burned it outside a strip club.

Outrage in Europe because someone simply said that sex is determined at birth, it is clear that chaos is gathering on multiple fronts, building momentum and getting ready to unleash a hoard of deception unlike the world has ever seen. Update on Middle East ... Israel, Turkey, Syria, Iran and more.
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​One hour twenty minute video here

"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 such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5; see also: Luke 17:26-30; Matt 24:37-39