2 May 2008
Greetings from Tyler,
We’ve had a productive week here at HQ, and hope it’s been a good one for all of
you as well. Rarely have U.S. politics been so entertaining as what we’ve seen
lately. In the process, we’ve had a crash course in “liberation theology,” which
sounds more like a never-ending vindictive rant than anything you might
associate with Christianity. But all the presidential contenders seem to have
swallowed the man-made global warming theory, and second only to the radical
Islamic movement, it looms as a great threat to our economy and national
sovereignty.
The talk of food-shortages has received some play of late. Food costs have risen
dramatically over recent months, and much of that is attributed to the greatly
inflated price of oil. It takes energy to produce and transport foodstuffs, and
those increases are being passed along to consumers. The food shortages are in
third world countries in the habit of reliance on international aid. The U.S.
has long been at the forefront of supplying food to poor and war-ravaged
populations, and the increased costs have meant that the amounts budgeted for
these endeavors simply does not go as far as it did when food and fuel was
cheaper. Is the U.S. in a food crisis? A trip to your local supermarket will
answer that question, if you can afford the gas.
Government subsidies of ethanol have been blamed for the highly inflated cost of
corn. It is gradually becoming evident, via articles and documentaries (even one
on CNN’s regular news channel) that using foodstuffs to produce fuel is a bad
idea. It’s also become widely known that ethanol is thirty percent less
efficient than traditional gasoline, and that it takes more energy to produce
than it supplies.
The global warming theory took a major hit this week with the release of a
scientific report (carried in the UK Telegraph) stating that the warming trend
will likely STOP until after 2015, when it will resume once again. They
apparently failed to factor in ocean currents. I guess that’ll put a stop to
those of us who tend to point to record-breaking cold in response to the abject
fear mongering of those who would have us relinquish our blessed way of life to
“save the planet.” The arrogance of the “scientific community,” or at least
factions of it, never cease to amaze. Don’t forget, this is the same crowd who
has wholeheartedly bought in to the Godless theory of evolution, despite its
obvious failings.
News from the Middle East has not been front and center of late, except for the
Karzai assassination attempt in Kabul, Afghanistan earlier this week. It came
during a military parade held to commemorate the defeat of the Soviet Union in
Afghanistan, and thankfully resulted in very few casualties. The article I read
drew a comparison to the assassination of President Sadat of Egypt, because it
was carried out in precisely the same fashion. Nevertheless, it is a reminder
that al Qaeda is alive, active and determined in Afghanistan and this attempt
looks to have been an inside job, carried out with assistance from some within
Karzai’s own military.
More importantly, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier has just arrived in
the gulf amid speculation (denied by Sec. Gates) that the U.S. is preparing to
take action against Iran. Israel’s transport minister, speaking at Yale
University this week chimed in with the rhetoric of numerous other Israeli
officials saying, “Israel will not stand for a nuclear-armed Iran. This time,
the Jewish people won’t let it happen. I would like to believe the world will
not let it happen. To prevent this, all means are legitimate.” He made this
comment in reference to Holocaust Remembrance Day.
I made reference to last week to the discussion of the “end of days” with an
author on CNN Headline News, The Glenn Beck program. Several of the references
made in the discussion were accurate and in agreement with Bible prophecy,
particularly in regard to a resurrection of the “Holy” Roman Empire and an
end-time false religious figure. Some other references were clearly in error,
but it is interesting that some with access to big media are starting to look at
the scenario that is building and wonder aloud if we are not already well along
into the time the Bible describes as the “end of the age.”
Are we to “get ready” because we may lose our lives in a coming tribulation? Or
aren’t we to “be ready,” because our human lives are fragile and “our time”
could come at virtually any time. We are commissioned to watch and to warn, and
we will continue to do so in a truthful and accurate way to the best of our
ability.
The Garner Ted Armstrong program this week braced the so-called “cornerstone of
Christian faith,” the “Trinity.” It’s not the best received of subjects, to say
the least. But we have received 371 requests, with one hundred seventy four
first time contacts. And now it’s time to take a break from our weekly endeavors
and enjoy another of God’s great blessings, His Sabbath.
We here at HQ hope you all have a good one!
Mark Armstrong
