House of God

 Weekly Letter from Mark Armstrong

  2007 Weekly Letters               First Half  2008 Weekly Letters               Second half 2008             2009 weekly Letters

Home

Weekly Updates From Headquarters

August 19, 2011

Weekly Update

 Greetings from Tyler,

             It’s been another mighty bad week for America.  I notice they’re calling Wall Street the “Shock Market” today, following another brutal week.  Trillions in investments and savings have evaporated over these past few disastrous weeks, with averaged losses in the range of ten to fifteen percent.  This is not your average market “correction.”  The underlying causes for the ongoing sell-off have not been remedied.  Government is slated to spend additional trillions of non-existent money over the short term.  As you’ve heard time and again, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury department have no more magic tricks up their sleeves.  Dumping vast sums (who knows where?) into the economy as “stimulus” or “bailout” or whatever euphemism they may come up with, has been tried repeatedly without success. 

             America is strapped with unemployment far worse than official figures indicate.  All the money thrown at “green jobs” projects has been largely wasted, with few resulting jobs at unbelievable cost.  You might want to read the article from CNS news entitled, Obama Visits Corporation Where Stimulus Created ‘Green’ Jobs at $2 Million Per Job.  Or the article in today’s New York Times about the economic disaster unfolding in California’s bid to create “green jobs.”  From the Boston Herald comes the story headlined, Evergreen Solar Files for Bankruptcy, Plans Asset Sale. 

            And these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to quantifying the fantastic sums that have been wasted on one green pipe dream after another.  Has the so-called science behind man-made global warming not been discredited thoroughly enough with proof that the UN’s foremost global warming “scientists” were systematically doctoring the data?  Only a “green’ zealot of religious faith could fail to see that the underlying premise was concocted for reasons other than “saving the planet.”  As if more data was necessary Forbes is carrying this story, New NASA Data Blows Gaping Hole in Global Warming Alarmism.  Boy is Al Gore ticked!

            They’d planned to auction “carbon credits” as a brand new commodity on the Chicago Exchange, and that was the whole point behind the so called “cap and trade” law that would surely have been legislated if not for the mid-term elections of last November.  So take heart, it could easily have been even worse.

            Europe continues to falter under the weight of broken down welfare states, and major changes in the EU and its single currency cannot be far behind.  Germany is universally acknowledged to be the only solid member of the euro-zone.  But the reality that Germany cannot long afford to prop up all the nations that are failing has already dawned, and is receiving partial blame for the atmosphere of fear gripping financial markets around the world. 

            Everybody seems to know perfectly well that the stop-gap “super committee” solution to the debt ceiling crisis will be a bust.  The consensus on the subject is that “automatic cuts” will kick in when the charade runs its course and that “savings” will come in the form of billions in cuts to national defense and tax increases.  The U.S. is currently engaged in three Middle East wars when you include Libya, and a fourth may well be on the way.  The Syrian regime is killing protesters, now reckoned to number in thousands dead, and the U.S. president has said its time for Bashir Assad to go.  The same statement directed at Kaddaffi was the prelude to actions in Libya, so a fourth Middle Eastern war may not be far behind. Syria may well turn into another stronghold for the Muslim Brotherhood, believed to be the primary instigator of the current uprising. 

            All the maddening economic news and the escalating political battles pointing toward next year’s presidential election have dominated the news to the point that you may not be aware of the recent spate of terrorist attacks on Israel.  Retaliation is now in progress, and Israel believes it has already blasted the perpetrators and planners into the next phase.  But there will be no shortage of volunteers for terrorist attacks against Israel out of Gaza.  Newsmax carried the results of a recent poll showing that 73% of Palestinians Want Jews Annihilated.  Wow, only 73 percent?  What a hopeful sign for the two-state solution! 

             Iran has been spewing all kinds of predictions lately about Israel’s pending destruction.  One recent official utterance warned Jews to flee the Middle East or face annihilation.  Another advised PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Prepare for the Cage.  Iran’s supreme ruler ayatollah Kameini openly declares that the destruction of Israel will be the trigger for the imam mahdi to come out of hiding, where he’s been since the eighth century.  Iran’s Shiites believe that Khameini is in secret contact with their Islamic “messiah” even now!  And these flake jobs have ICBM’s and may be only months away from a nuclear test. 

            There’s so much more of interest and importance that one hardly knows where to quit.  But this seems to be about enough grief for this week.  Anybody familiar with the main points of Bible prophecy should be able to see the gut-wrenching progress on every front.  Nothing we’ve covered is open and shut.  It’s all ongoing, and you almost hate to face the news we’ll see as things progress.

 Over the past few days, we’ve come to the sickening realization that our monthly letter dated July 26^th has not been received by a large portion of the mailing list.  Our documents prove that the letter (12,500 copies) went out from the main Tyler Post Office on August 2^nd, and we’ve received return mail from quite a number of states.  But a great many still have not received the letter, and the Postmaster cannot (yet, at least) explain why.  Needless to say, response to the monthly letter is our life’s blood, and obviously, we’ve seen very little this month. 

 For those who haven’t received the letter, I’ve asked Chris to forward it to all our groups this Sabbath.  I apologize for it being somewhat out of date, given the speed of unfolding events.  This is the first time that such a thing has happened, and frankly, we can’t afford to have it happen again.  It’s heartbreaking to look at what was spent on paper, printing, handling and postage, all to little avail.  We’ve heard of massive layoffs in the postal service and wonder if it’s still backed up somewhere and will be delivered eventually.  I guess time will tell.  Meanwhile, please make the email copy available at services this week. 

Thanks so much,

Mark Armstrong

 12 August 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

Have you ever witnessed so many disastrous events in so short a time? Is it mere coincidence, or is there a diabolical common thread that links mob actions and the ruinous “entitlement” syndrome?

The carefully engineered collapse of the uniquely prosperous American economic system is proceeding at full speed. The refusal of the current administration to curtail ruinous “green” spending, “social justice” spending, and their rigid determination to gouge more out of what remains of the productive segment of our society has resulted in an historic downgrade of the U.S. credit rating. We’ve all witnessed the resulting bloodbath in the financial markets, which not only resulted in a loss of some $2 TRILLION of America’s wealth, but decimated every financial market around the globe.

We watched hoodlum anarchy explode in London this week, and then spread to cities across England. It was “showing the “rich,” the business owners, that they can “do what they want.” It supposedly started as a protest over a rare police shooting of a known criminal gangster. Kids steeped in the entitlement dogma took to the streets vandalizing, looting stores, burning cars and buildings in a mindless rampage.

The question asked over and again was, “Could this happen here in the United States.” Could it happen? It has happened, and it will happen again. The far left, including some of the most strident voices in the current administration are calling for it to happen. In the days before Al Gore angrily lost his mind over global-warming deniers, he called for an American “Arab spring,” referring to the mob actions that have scourged the Middle East for nearly a year now.

The mantra of those who have doubled American debt over the past couple of years blames business owners (they call them millionaires and billionaires) for our national inability to continue entitlement spending at increasing levels. You hear the phrase “class warfare” again and again, and wonder if it’s adequate to describe the anger that is being generated. (Have you even heard of the flash mob violence at the Wisconsin State Fair last weekend?) There are those in positions of great power who are continually making statements and speeches that seem designed to generate mob action. It’s only a matter of time.

The heinous bomb and summer camp murders in Norway were perpetrated by a crazed fanatic angry about the Muslim infiltration of Europe. A documentary has already been aired, detailing his evil rampage, killing in cold blood the children of politicians who he saw as promoting “multiculturalism.” The very fact that he sits smugly in detention after having shot up innocent children at summer camp is an outrage. He will plead insanity, and hope for a bed in some rehab institution. In truth, no punishment could be suitable for the pain and anguish he’s caused and tempting as it is, I’ll keep my suggestions to myself for now. Can you believe that many outlets are insinuating that his actions are the result of the conservative movement in America?

But the Muslim situation in Europe is a major issue, as any perusal of EU news illustrates.

The dire economic crisis in Europe has been overshadowed of late by the rolling disaster playing out here in the U.S. But Europe, and the euro is poised for collapse now that Italy has joined the insolvent ranks of Greece, Portugal and Spain. German Prime Minister Merckel, along with other European leaders, have had to cancel their “holidays” to engage in emergency meetings over the spreading crisis.

The combination of class hatreds and economic crises in entitlement-based societies has led to strikes, anarchy and mob violence again and again all over Europe. It is a dependable recipe for disaster. It brings down governments and turns orderly societies into war zones. Add the ongoing jihad against the West, terrorist attacks around the world, a nuclear Iran into the mix and you begin to see what the future holds.

The GTA telecast this week brought 246 requests for When I Die, and the Resurrection, 1 & 2. It’s still awfully hot in Texas, and we’re praying for rain. Chances are good we’re about to get an answer in the next couple of days.

Take care everybody, and have a great Sabbath.

Mark Armstrong

 08/06/2011

Back to Top

07/09/2011

Greetings from Tyler,

If you needed further proof that our freedom and in fact our sovereignty is literally hanging by a thread, check out the circumstances surrounding the Mexican rapist and murderer just executed here in Texas for his vicious crime. The UN, in fact claims that “international law” was violated by the observance of Texas State Law.

The current administration took the convicted murderer’s case to the Supreme Court of the United States in hopes of suspending the fulfillment of the criminal’s legal punishment under Texas law. Four of the nine Supreme Court justices actually voted in favor of staying the execution to give Congress time to consider a law introduced which would require U.S. jurisdictions to subjugate their own laws to the dictates of international treaties and or the whims of the United Nations. Unbelievably, the criminal in question was allowed to continue drawing breath, eating and sleeping in prison for 17 years since his helpless victim suffered her brutal death.

What does it say about the blind anti-American ideological votes cast by four of the justices, and that Texas law held up against “international law” in the U.S. Supreme Court by only one vote? It says we’re in danger of having our sovereignty and our liberties handed over to international bodies that desperately want them abolished. The Associated Press reports, U.S. Execution of Leal Broke International Law. Even Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton officially complained that the execution violated international law. Of course there’s nearly always some kind of candlelight vigil or protest nearly every time some heinous criminal is scheduled to meet his or her maker. But at least in Texas, after endless appeals and sixteen years of waiting, the death penalty can be carried out.

As the deadline on the debt ceiling approaches, the rhetoric is going ballistic. Conservative representatives elected with a mandate to get the spending juggernaut under control are being characterized as immoral, as trying to destroy the government, even criticized as “suicide bombers” if you can believe that. Apparently the earth will cease to rotate if the debt ceiling isn’t raised to accommodate the administration’s spending agenda. From Newsmax, Geithner Warns Lawmakers of Debt Calamity, (Geithner is) “warning of an immediate economic crisis that would reach around the world—if the borrowing limit isn’t raised.” It’s another crisis that cannot be allowed to go to waste, and it remains to be seen whether a deal will be struck, or the deadline will be reached without one and then maybe we’ll find out what all the fuss was about. Isn’t this how the trillions in stimulus and quantitative easing happened? Wasn’t it an “end of the world as we know it”scenario?

Our Founders believed that no debt should be assumed that couldn’t be retired in one generation. Unfortunately, modern politicians have abandoned that formula and set the United States on a course of insolvency with their social engineering, wealth redistribution and their hair-brained green agenda. We’ve all had our grasp of mathematics challenged by staggering government expenditures in recent years. If $14.3 Trillion in current debt, and projections into scores of trillions if current spending plans are followed doesn’t numb your mind, try this one on for size.

From Fox News, comes this report, Even UN Admits that Going Green will cost $76 Trillion. True, that figure is projected out over a 40 year time span. The price tag for their green utopia is a mere $1.9 Trillion annually! According to the article, the UN report projecting these costs also calls for caps on energy usage, a “radically new economic strategy” and “global governance.” If this atrocity were to be adjudicated by the Supreme Court, you know as well as I do, the vote would be five to four!

All the factors regularly mentioned in these weekly updates are still in play. Iran’s rush toward nuclear weapons and Israel’s realization that the Jewish state is on its own now. The Muslim threat in Europe is not diminishing, but is a growing concern. Portugal is locked in a battle to avoid becoming the next euro nation to fall victim to economic collapse.

Here we are, watching as our nation is hog-tied with green regulations, business and industry hampered continually by agencies and bureaucracies that seem determined to destroy the blessings of our birthright. But we’re still kicking, even though we’re only hanging by a thread.

The GTA telecast this week brought 297 requests, with one hundred five new contacts, for a program on the existence of God. Dr. Ricks has announced the formation of a new fellowship group in his area, and also of some recent baptisms, so it’s not all bad news.

Have a great Sabbath, everybody.

Mark Armstrong

25 March 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

It would sure be nice if something somewhere would turn out all right for a change. But the fire of revolution continues to spread in the Middle East, and it sure looks to be just the kind of chaos Iran has been calling for.

The New York Times published an article today that really brings all of the mainstream sentiment for the Egyptian demonstrations into focus. Sure enough, the Muslim Brotherhood is seen to have cut deals and formed some kind of alliance with the Egyptian military that puts the organization on the ground floor in constructing a new regime that will lead Egypt. Remember Mohammed el Baradei? He was formerly the head of the UN's IAEA, and instrumental in whipping up the fervor that brought Cairo to a standstill and resulted in the fall of the Mubarak government. Some thought that he might be a good choice to take the lead in the post-Mubarak era. But he's been rejected by Egypt's radical Islamic elements, who attacked him with a barrage of stones when he showed up in public recently.

The revolt was cast in terms of freedom and democracy for the downtrodden masses. But it's looking like the power vacuum created by all the demands for Mubarak's hasty departure will end in anything but freedom and democracy. All recent evidence is pointing toward the ascendance of an Islamic theocracy, (as if all informed observers didn't see this coming from the first day) and the New York Times has finally seen fit to confess the obvious outcome.

Remember, Iran celebrated the Egyptian revolt. Now Iran is seen as instrumental in fomenting rebellion in the big oil producing nation of Bahrain, and the Saudis figure that if Bahrain falls, they're next.

Although there is little in the way of video (the media has reportedly been banned), demonstrations ongoing in Syria are beginning to look a lot like Cairo. But just as in Libya, the Syrian government is not shy about mowing down a bunch of demonstrators with gunfire and that's exactly what has happened in recent days. Will the "international community" now declare that Bashir Assad must go? Will a "no fly zone" be implemented to prevent Assad from precipitating a humanitarian disaster?

How many humanitarian disasters are possible in the Middle East? It's a trick question, because the potential is virtually unlimited.

There's no point in criticizing the "no fly zone" action that's been taken in Libya, there are plenty of pundits and politicians already trying to make sense of that. What is interesting is the fire storm it has touched off among liberal Senators, incensed that the letter of the law was not followed regarding their responsibility for advice and consent in matters of assigning the American military to attack another nation.

We are assured that America is not at war with Libya or trying to kill Gaddaffi, but rather cooperating with the "international community" which, with the approval of the UN has determined that action was required to prevent Gaddaffi from slaughtering his critics and opponents who tried to bring down his regime. But American military experts assure us that in fact the U.S. is leading the bombing campaign against Libya, not just tagging along behind the French, British, etc. They also tell us that U.S. Special Forces are on the ground in Libya pinpointing exact coordinates for destruction. Not the least bit confusing, is it?

And what about Jordan? Demonstrations are gathering strength there as well, and there are reports of "youths" being injured! Will the "international community" get busy and demand that King Abdullah get out too? His has been a comparatively benevolent dictatorship, but then Mubarak's was too. Whoever thinks that anarchy leading to a power vacuum will turn out ok in any of those countries is crazy.

Look at Lebanon. Hezbollah runs the show, and the society is a dirty dangerous quagmire that is under Iran's thumb.

And how has democracy worked out for Gaza, since Israel wrenched its citizens out of the territory and turned it over to the Palestinians. They elected Hamas, a terrorist entity advised and funded by Iran to lead their "government", such as it is. Missiles continue to fly out of Gaza into Israel's southern cities. A Jerusalem bus stop was just bombed, killing one woman, critically injuring three or four others and wounding another 39 unsuspecting civilians. Terrorists still sneak out of Gaza into Israel, as happened recently to knife a mother, father and three of their children to death including a three year old toddler and a one month old infant.

Then the residents of Gaza streamed into the streets to celebrate this evil, despicable act, distributing candy to their children and praising the perpetrators. Does this sound like a people that can rule themselves with justice and equity, or for that matter, make peace with Israel? It's the furthest thing from their minds!

Israel is talking tough. The letter which has just been printed quotes Prime Minister Netanyahu saying that Israel must take aggressive actions to deprive the terrorists of their ability to continue murdering Israelis. That ought to put the UN into a tizzy, and surely will. Will the United States now begin to do the bidding of "the international community" at unbelievable expense? Is making life safe for rebels and demonstrators the world over now the number one priority of the U.S. government?

It's a mixed up world. Nothing makes good sense anymore. Except perhaps that the radical Muslim Middle East is expanding rapidly, apparently with all kinds of "international" assistance, including our own. What about American interests! What about the fourteen trillion (and growing exponentially) in debt? The pride of our power is being broken, every which way. And the Muslim countries in the Middle East are all moving further toward the implementation of Islamic theocracies, as the NYT just affirmed in the case of Egypt. Assad in Syria and Gaddaffi in Libya are truly brutal tyrants. Mubarak was not in their league, and certainly Abdullah of Jordan (son of King Hussein) is not. But the fire is out of control now. And our media and our administration have stoked it. How might they deal with the outcome, or will it matter?

I referenced the current letter above. Actually, it's two letters. Things have been transpiring at such a pace that the first letter was simply not adequate, and several murky issues seemed to come clearer as we were in the final stages of proof reading. What began as an addendum turned into another letter, dated the next day. At the rate things are moving, another one may be required ahead of schedule. The GTA telecast this week brought 257 requests with one hundred nine first time contacts. It was the program entitled "Printing Inflation". The other recently completed program I've told you about has been closed captioned now and will air next week.

Have a great Sabbath.

Mark Armstrong

March 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

We’ve contacted the Postal Service (again) about the problem of broken discs, and are implementing some suggestions regarding the paper weight of the envelopes they’re mailed in. Have you ever broken a CD or DVD? You have to bend them double, almost flat in order to get them to crack or shatter. They must be subjected to some pretty rigorous torture in the sorting/bar code procedure of the postal system. We know it is disheartening to open an envelope and find the contents ruined. As we’ve said before, don’t hesitate to call if this happens, and we’ll replace them immediately in stronger packaging. [see DVD FAQ]

If we thought we would always have a pretty good idea as to what is transpiring around the world, we’ve been learning a lesson over the past week or so. Wherever you look, there are claims, counter claims and conflicting reports. That is certainly the case in regard to the aftermath of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. U.S. reporters and nuclear experts have been quick to express misgivings about Japanese updates on the danger represented by the damaged nuclear power stations.

Some of the coverage has been extremely alarming, not only from the standpoint of radiation danger to the Japanese population, but also about the possibility that particulate matter from the damaged plant would cross the Pacific Ocean and present a danger to those on the West Coast of the United States. Although those fears were hyped by news outlets in the days past, they are now downplaying them dramatically.

But the extent of the horror and misery in the hardest hit northeastern part of Japan can’t possibly be overstated. The images show a level of devastation almost beyond imagination. There are personal stories of survivors who are going through terrible anguish over missing family members; of children still waiting for their parents to pick them up from school after all these days. We’ll never hear all the stories of panic and intense anguish, because there are tens of thousands of them and the people there are suffering terribly.

You’veprobably followed some of the news from Libya, where Gaddafi largely crushed the unidentified “rebel forces.” Since the UN has approved calls for military action against the Libyan regime, Gaddafi has claimed to call a cease fire amid reports that U.S. warships are heading his way and British and French aircraft have scheduled a visit. There has been no question over recent decades, Gaddafi is a rotten, brutal dictator who has orchestrated vicious terrorist attacks. Assuming he is deposed or killed, who will replace him? Will the U.S. and NATO allies clear the way for Libya to become another terrorist training center?

The media, and the U.S. administration cheered the move to oust Mubarak from Egypt. But whenever we hear some additional news from Egypt, it is of more riots and continuing violence. As the U.S. and the world should have learned from Iran, toppling a brutal dictator in the Muslim Middle East is no guarantee of better days ahead. Speaking of Iran, there has been very little in the way of cheering for the opposition movement to topple the oppressive theocracy of the mullahs and their midget, Ahmadinejad. Wouldn’t that be even better news than the ouster of Mubarak?

Possibly the most unnerving reports coming out of the Middle East are those of a continuing clamor of demonstrations in Bahrain, and Iran is in support of that now, just as they supported the movement in Egypt. They’re also calling for the Saudi kingdom to be toppled because of its cooperation with the U.S.

Can anybody imagine a situation where Iran, or its surrogates gain control of the oil producing states of the Gulf? When you factor in Europe’s dependence on that oil, and for that matter U.S. dependence too, it begins to cast world politics and the world’s economy in a whole new light. Not to get too far ahead of current events, but it would certainly provide the means for energy blackmail against the West, and the pawn in that chess game would be Israel. With European powers now talking about phasing out nuclear power plants, the energy blackmail scenario begins to look even more realistic.

We’re living in a time of historic natural disasters and dangerous instability in the Middle East. But there are still quite a few prophetic events which have yet to develop. The troubling part is that events in Europe and the Middle East look to be taking shape in ways that contribute to the scenario we’ve been told to watch for all these years.

The GTA telecast this week was on the Easter/Passover controversy and brought 307 requests with one hundred eighteen first time contacts. I’ve heard of additional contacts and local attendance recently from TV viewers, and that’s encouraging news. Mike Garret is scheduled for the main message here in Tyler tomorrow, and we’ll get that on its way as soon as we can. We just got word today that Tom Griffith’s wife Thryza has been diagnosed with chronic leukemia. All our prayers go out to them, as this must be devastating news. Tom was scheduled to be here next Sabbath, but I’ll have to check to see if he’ll still be able to make it.


We hope you’ll all have a good Sabbath day, and we’ll be in touch.

Mark Armstrong

11 March 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

It must have seemed like the end of the world for millions of people in Japan when the monster 8.9 earthquake struck. And for the hundreds known to have been killed, it was. It may be some time before we know the full extent of the loss of life and damage. You have to wonder whether Japan, for years in the depths of recession, will ever be able to completely recover from such a disastrous event. Reports say Tokyo is virtually shut down. Nuclear reactors have been shut down, with worries that one may be in danger of meltdown. Portions of some cities are burning out of control, and everyone over there must be in a state of shock if not panic, as the communications infrastructure has been affected, and many may not be able to contact family and friends to make sure they’re ok.

An event of this magnitude, atop so many other prophetically important developments has us all wondering what’s next. It’s only been a couple of weeks since the disastrous quake struck in New Zealand. And that was on the heels of the violent destructive floods in Brisbane and elsewhere in Queensland, Australia.

The trouble in the Middle East has not died down. There are still reports of riots and all kinds of mayhem coming out of Egypt. The Gulf kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have had to resort to a massive show of force to keep demonstrations from bringing their societies to a standstill.

We keep hearing that Libya’s pro-Kadaffi forces are slaughtering “rebel forces,” whoever they might be. Although you hate to see the clashes and bloodshed, it really is impossible to know who or what might represent the least of the evils in that situation.

We can all give thanks this Sabbath that we live where we do, and we have the unbelievable blessing of a day of rest and tranquility, even as we see so many terrible troubles around the world. But the purveyors of evil have their sights set on us and our way of life as well. Rarely you’ll hear something about a Middle Easterner from a terrorist hotbed getting caught crossing our southern border. But according to Judicial Watch, about a hundred have been apprehended from places like Iran, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and many are believed to have ties to terrorist organizations. If that many were apprehended, we can only wonder how many more got through and are now here planning to carry out acts of terror.

So many things are going on, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. Day before yesterday, ABC News reported that North Korea is nearing completion of an electro-magnetic pulse bomb. And we’re well aware that North Korea and Iran have been sharing their nuclear technology.

Obviously, there’s nothing anyone could have done to prevent the kind of natural disasters we’ve seen of late. But in the recent past, we have had a certain confidence that a focused leadership could bring the vast resources of the United States to bear, and at least manage the kind of situations that now threaten Israel, Europe and America. It is painfully apparent now however, that is not the case. More bad news is on the way, there’s no getting around it.

This week’s program brought 329 requests with one hundred thirty one first time contacts. The color covers for the new booklet were delivered this afternoon, and they look great. The interior has been printed, and the whole thing will go to the bindery first thing next week. And we just completed that hilariously direct GTA program I mentioned last week, and it is on its way to San Diego to be close-captioned. So, it has been a good and productive week here, but a frightening one when you realize all the things that are occurring around the world. We send our thanks to all of you for your friendship and participation.

Have a good and profitable Sabbath.

Mark Armstrong

4 March 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

Everyone knows by now about the killing of two U.S. soldiers on an airport bus in Frankfurt. Although there was no acknowledgement that the killer was a jihadist by the U.S. president, witnesses heard him screaming “Allahu akbar” as he opened fire. Islamist goons have a habit of turning killing into an act of religious worship. Is it not the very epitome of evil? This will undoubtedly raise tensions in Germany, where there is already growing discomfort, in fact fear and disgust, toward the large Muslim population.

For all the predictions of his imminent resignation, death or flight from Libya, Gadaffi remains and there are constant reports of civilian demonstratorscoming under attack from mercenaries or the Libyan military. Truth be told, it’s a little difficult to know just what is going on in Libya. News anchors seem to take the word of various callers who report in, and occasionally air cell phone video of ongoing demonstrations. There is no question that Gadaffi is damaged goods, from a mental standpoint, and an unrepentant psychopath. Now there is near constant debate as to whether the U.S. or NATO forces should intervene in Libya.

We’ve all seen firsthand the results of the trouble in Libya, and other oil producers across the Middle East. Although the supply of oil is still flowing (with Saudi Arabia promising to make up for the interruption in Libya) prices at the pump have soared. Even the rich gulf kingdoms are being targeted by protest movements, and concerned that it could turn very ugly. The trouble brewing across the region is leading speculators to bid up future prices of oil on the commodities market, and that’s exactly what’s going on.

You might think the U.S. would be making moves to tap our own vast resources just in case, not only for the sake of bringing the price down, but as a matter of national security. Sadly, the opposite is true. Our own government has put America’s most promising oil resources off limits, refusing to issue permits in the Gulf of Mexico and tangling potential Alaskan production in knots of red tape.

It seems like every news brake opens with the sounds of chanting mobs somewhere. You have to look closely to see if it’s in the Middle East or maybe Wisconsin. Is it mere coincidence that so many of these events are transpiring at the same time? Or is it true that several of the same groups, and organizers, in some cases people who are in close consultation with the White House, are actually planning and promoting the chaos.

The western world was already in deep economic trouble long before all the disruptions across the Middle East began. A spike in oil prices, along with the accompanying assurance that everything will soon cost more can only exacerbate an already bad situation.

Islam is most assuredly on the march, and making frightening gains across the board. Europe is congealing into what critics are calling a totalitarian empire. Whether by accident or design, the U.S. is in decline from nearly every standpoint. Gold is soaring. The stock market suffered repeated setbacks on the week’s news, and it’s getting harder by the day to view current events as a minor bump in the road. No, these are earthshaking events, ready or not.

We sent out 16,000 items from our Tyler offices during the month of February, and that does not include the monthly letter. We have a new (color cover) booklet in the printing process to go with a television program that is in the works. The Garner Ted Armstrong telecast this week brought 358 requests with one hundred sixty eight first time contacts. We hope that we’ll be able to increase those numbers in the months ahead, but the national economic situation is making that uncertain at present. But now we have a Sabbath to look forward to.

Have a good one.

Mark Armstrong

25 February 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

I’m sure that all those who are watching what’s going around the world and in the United States are at least somewhat alarmed.  Watching fuel prices jump dramatically day after day shows clearly that the anarchy sweeping the Middle East is already having a direct impact on our economy.

The news out of Libya is worse than anything we’ve seen since the wave of demonstration mania took down the governments of Tunisia and Egypt.  But there are some major differences.  President Mubarak never turned military firepower on his own population.  And though he finally walked away and quietly resigned, demonstrations of “workers” have continued on in Egypt.  Gaddaffi of Libya apparently has no intention of going quietly.  If phone reports coming out of Libya are accurate, large segments of the country have already been overwhelmed by the rebellion. 

There are claims that thousands may have already been killed, that rebels have taken control of oil wells, and the extent of mayhem that will play out in Tripoli remains to be seen.  Gaddaffi has a much more checkered history than Mubarak ever had.  He’s been directly involved in heinous terrorist attacks, including bombing the airliner that came down over Lockerbie, Scotland and the bombing of a discothèque full of tourists in Germany.  He seemed to moderate his behavior after he saw what happened to Saddam Hussein, and was actually granted some diplomatic recognition during the Bush years.  He’s also made personal buddies with Louis Farrakan and Jeremiah Wright in face to face visits and by becoming a financial benefactor. 

It appears that the U.S. in this instance will have to rely on UN sanctions rather than any military intervention that would bring the Libyan crisis to a resolution.  But can there be any such thing as a resolution given ideologies that plague that part of the world?

Clearly, the output of oil from the region is in jeopardy.  Although the terrible news out of Libya is drowning out some of the other situations, Bahrain, a major oil producer and home base for the U.S. Fifth fleet, remains at risk. 

With the world’s major suppliers of oil in the middle of a spreading quagmire with no assurance that this never-ending wave of rebellion won’t shut down exports, it would seem logical that, for national security considerations the moratoriums, bans and rats nest of red tape on American reserves might be lifted.  But that does not appear to even merit discussion in the present environment.

Instead, the biggest news coming out of our capital seems to be support for the never-ending demonstrations by public (government employed) unions, and a major shift in favor of all things gay.  It made huge news this week when the administration instructed the justice department to abandon the Defense of Marriage act.  And while everybody’s trying to figure out what all that might entail, it is reported that our military troops will be subjected to “gay sensitivity training.”

No wonder America has lost all respect around the world!  We’ve failed to support Israel, for the first time joining in with UN condemnations.  We dropped President Mubarak like a hot potato in the face of the Cairo demonstrations even though he’s behaved as an ally in the war on terrorism and lived up to peace treaties with Israel.  Now Libya, a major oil exporter is on fire with massive “crimes against humanity” apparently underway, and the U.S. is helpless to do more than put in with UN sanctions.  Maybe Lt. Colonel Oliver North is correct in believing that Gaddaffi will be driven out or killed within a very short time.  We’ll see.

It is more than painfully obvious that America has lost the pride of her power.   Who, after all fears or respects the United States?  It’s looking a lot like 1979 all over again.  That was a terribly depressing and embarrassing period of time, and things looked mighty bleak.  Most probably remember the desperate economic environment that accompanied that era.  The factors that rescued America from that downward spiral are simply not apparent at this time.  It seems that, for the immediate future America will concern itself with benefits for government workers and making sure all the demands of the gay lobby are met.  The way things are going, it’s hard to see things turning around any time soon, if ever.

To be sure these are historic times, but clearly not the kind that can be celebrated.  We know that tough times loom ahead, it’s only the how and when that remain in doubt.  We should all make sensible preparations, physically and spiritually, and remain in close support of one another as these events continue to take shape.

The next monthly letter has been printed, and will be mailed Monday.  If anyone missed the announcement last week, let it be known that we’ve secured a contract with the Majestic facility in Panama City Beach for the Feast this year.  Another telecast is in production on the mainstream teaching of ever-burning hell, and it is a corker!  This week’s telecast was on the escapist ideology of the so-called rapture, and brought 221 requests with eighty eight first time contacts.  As you know, we cut back on our television expenditures at the end of December to try to stay in line with income.  But obviously, current economic realities are affecting our supporters as well as everybody else. 

We hope you’ll all have a great Sabbath, and let’s hope nothing else major goes wrong anywhere in the world over the weekend.  

Mark Armstrong

19th February 2011

Greetings from Tyler, 

It’s starting to look as if something big is underway.  Suddenly angry mobs are in your face at every news break.  If you were concerned as you watched news reporters and U.S. administration officials encouraging and cheering on the wild demonstrations in Egypt, you may now be wondering what’s going on right here in the U.S. since “Cairo has come to Madison,” Wisconsin, that is.  In case you haven’t noticed, the mainstream media and the Hollywood culture has an almost romantic fascination with marches and demonstrations.  Weren’t the 1960’s just great?

What we have gleaned from Egypt is that the tactic of angry protest by a huge mob of demonstrators has apparently succeeded, at least temporarily. The sheer intimidation of such numbers of enraged people, not to mention the shut down of normal economic activities and the implicit threat of mass violence is a powerful weapon.  As we witnessed in Cairo, it provides cover for criminals that will use anarchy as an opportunity to loot and burn.  But that may be the least of it. 

The concept of civil disobedience is cheered by media all over the world.  It is spreading across the Middle East with consequences we can only imagine, and now it has come back home to the United States.  If there was some confusion about community organizing and just what it entailed, everybody is now getting a crash course in just how it works.  Not that it hasn’t been applied against banks and corporations in the past, it has.  And to a large degree it has worked. 

Now that the tactic has been successfully used to bring down regimes in Tunisia and Egypt; now that Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia are spooked, we’ve got essentially the same thing going on in, of all places, Wisconsin.  Why?  After all, these demonstrators are not “the poor”.  They’re state and public employees who reportedly make in excess of $80,000 per year with another $20,000 some odd in insurance and retirement benefits.  And just like Egypt, all the social networks of the internet are being credited with calling them into action.

But Wisconsin is broke, actually worse than broke, courting a $3.6 billion shortfall over the next two years.  The measures Governor Walker has proposed, termed “modest” by uninvolved observers, would only save a measly $300 million of that amount by making public employees bear half the cost of their own health care and retirement programs.  But they’ve been “organized” to protest, and there are reportedly recruitment efforts underway to bring workers, union members and teachers in from other states to swell their numbers. They’re characterizing Governor Walker, on the job for only a few weeks, as Hitler and Mussolini, with at least one “(political) death to dictators” sign waving in the throng.  Isn’t civility just great?  These are teachers and firefighters, and what an example they’re setting for children taught to respect them!

Although there have been more than a few hints that the protests overseas and now here have been promoted by unions and political foundations here in the United States, we wouldn’t have dared suggest that any of this was being fomented by our president’s core support groups.  But at least as it relates to the current anarchy besieging the Wisconsin capital, consider this quote from the Washington Post (not a conservative publication).  “The president’s political machine worked in close coordination Thursday with state and national union officials to get thousands of protesters to gather in Madison and to plan similar demonstrations in other state capitals.”  The article goes on to show that demonstrations are being planned for numerous other states that have spent themselves into unmanageable debt, and will have to resort to some painful cutbacks in order to remain solvent.  “By the end of the day, (Thursday) Democratic Party officials were organizing additional demonstrations in Ohio and Indiana where an effort is underway to trim benefits for public workers.  Some union activists predicted similar protests in Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”   Other reports say to expect trouble in Michigan and Minnesota in the days ahead.

And as we all know, many other states and municipalities have run up fantastic debts and are continuing to spend.  What we’re seeing is only the beginning. 

Remember when we got our first glimpses of the anarchy in Greece?  We knew it was only a matter of time before similar events would come to the United States.  When people get hooked on the premise that the government will provide fantastic salaries and benefits based on unrealistically rosy economic projections, and the money runs out, look out.  It is apparent that when the reality that they’re expectations will not be fulfilled dawns, they become fair game for rabble rousers who will “organize” them into the streets to demand satisfaction.

Some of the things we’ve dreaded most are now starting to play out and it seems there is no quick resolution in sight.  Unfortunately, as the Washington Post reports, we’re likely to see this kind of pandemonium breaking out all across the nation.  We just can’t help the fact that political organizations and unions are involved.  It’s unfortunate from the standpoint that a lot of people have a lot of emotion and life-long loyalties invested.  It is certainly not our intent to cause offense in our efforts to watch and make sense of events.  Regardless of personal sensibilities that may be stepped on, these events may very well illustrate where the United States is heading. 

And let’s face it, there are efforts to turn people against each other.  People who work in the public sector are being placed at odds with those in the private sector.  We will see the results of this play out in Madison in the days ahead.  Let’s hope it doesn’t get ugly.  If it does, what then?  Surely not a suspension of constitutional freedoms like we’ve seen elsewhere?   Is that where this great nation is headed, into a breakdown over who gets what from the government? 

We may well be witnessing only a microcosm of the future.  You may recall that Iran, home to arguably the most dangerous regime in the world, wants to see anarchy break out everywhere.  It can be exploited for their nefarious purposes.  They’ve been all giddy about the upheaval in Egypt, thinking that another radical Islamic regime will be the result.  Will the fallen governments of the Middle East not be exploited by the purveyors of radical Islam? 

Very likely, they’re celebrating the raucous demonstrations that threaten to overtake State capitals across the United States too.  Suddenly we have a distraction that makes Iran’s nuclear program seem a distant priority.  But instead, it remains a clear and present danger.  Events of monumental importance seem to be snowballing right now, and there is disagreement everywhere about what is good and what is evil.  Regardless of the confusion, we know where it is ultimately headed.  And the pace is definitely accelerating.
  
I’m happy to finally be able to report that we’ve signed a contract with the Majestic Condominium and Conference Center in Panama City Beach for this year’s Feast of Tabernacles.  We’ve had verbal assurances for three weeks now, but given past experience, were reluctant to pass those assurances along until we had something concrete in writing.  Obviously, the Majestic is hoping that many of us will book our accommodations with them.  They’ve given us a price schedule for the various accommodations, and we’ll have them posted and distributed a.s.a.p.  They further said that they would match any price negotiated for a Majestic unit through VRBO.  Anyway, it’s a great relief to be able to finally know for sure that we’ll be able to hold our meetings and activities at this beautiful facility in the heart of Panama City Beach!

The GTA program this week brought 386 requests with one hundred thirty six first time contacts.  Another 70’s vintage program is in the works, and this one is about as plain and strait forward as any I’ve ever seen.  It is also extremely funny, if not hilarious.  You’ll see what I mean.  Sorry the update is this long.  There’s so much in play right now it’s overwhelming, and there’s more to come.

Mark Armstrong

P.S.  On a serious note, Mr. James Lamb of Huntsville, Alabama died this week.  Mr. Clyde Crawford conducted the funeral, which was also attended by several from our Huntsville congregation.  Mr. Lamb had been seriously ill with cancer for some time.  As I told Clyde the other day, he was absolutely critical to our organizational survival in the weeks following my Dad’s death, and we’ll never forget the role he played.

 Back to Top

4 February 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

            The revolution bug is proving contagious throughout the Arab Middle East.  Lebanon saw its government fracture and fail last month.  We’ve seen the government of Tunisia fall. Demands for the resignation of Mubarak in Egypt, even from unexpected quarters, are deafening.  King Abdullah of Jordan is under tremendous pressure, afraid that the sickening scenes from the streets of Cairo may get replayed in downtown Amman.  Now there are reports of large crowds pressing into the streets of Damascus to protest the rule of Syrian strongman Bashir al Assad. 

         Where will it all end?  Will it ever end?  What effect might we expect on economies everywhere as the results of this wave of revolutionary fervor throughout the predominantly Muslim nations of the Middle East play out?  The common thread, as we’ve all heard endlessly, is the Muslim Brotherhood.  And that fact is being spun every which direction.  The violent history of that entity is not in dispute.  Mubarak outlawed the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt due to the fact that it carried out the murder of Anwar Sadat, and engaged in plots to assassinate him.

But now we’re getting all kinds of information about how moderate and respectable the Muslim Brotherhood has become.  Why, it includes professional people, doctors and lawyers.

            Unfortunately, they plan to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth, conquer western civilization and rule us all under the tenets of Sharia law.  Who or what will stop this quest that’s gained so much steam over the last couple of weeks?  As it appears right now, nobody.

            Everyone whose opinion counts seems to think it won’t be the end of the world if they’re able to freely run amok, or even if they end up in leadership roles over some of the governments they’re toppling.  The advent of Islamic revolution in Iran has been a catastrophe for the entire world.  Look how Taliban rule in Afghanistan created the terrorist haven that brought about the September 11 attacks. 

            There’s no question that we’re witnessing an historical event of epic proportions.  Despite whatever spin to the contrary, it will put Israel in a position of vulnerability as never before.  What it will mean economically and socially for Europe remains to be seen, but it won’t be good.  The fact is that those who say it’s not the end of the world, may only temporarily be right.  In the fullness of time, it just may be.

Tyler is pretty much shut down today.  Everything is covered with a two or three inch layer of ice and snow.  The DPS is advising everybody to stay off the roads.  Temperatures are due to rise during the day tomorrow, but the roads may still be too treacherous for the commute of quite a few our members.  So we’ve cancelled the local service for tomorrow.   As developments warrant we’ll try to keep up with their effects on the bigger picture, and remain in touch.  Thanks for the encouragement we’ve received in return.

Obviously, what’s going on here in Tyler is child’s play compared with the kind of conditions that many of you endure on a regular basis.  The problem is that these guys in pickups seem to have no idea that they need to slow down when the roads get like this.  They’re actually a much more dangerous hazard than the ice!  A black F-150 caught up and was riding my bumper on the way over here.  When I had the opportunity I pulled over (out of the good lane) to let him by.  But he never came by.  I looked back to see that he’d lost traction trying to accelerate, slid across the oncoming lanes and slammed nose first into the ditch.  I thought about going back, but thought better of it when I saw him pulling out the ditch.  Anyway, if you’re going to be driving on dangerous roads this weekend take it easy and watch out for those who won’t. 

Have a great Sabbath, 

Mark Armstrong

21 January 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

            The monthly letter for February is at the printer, and should be mailed the first of the week.  It references the dangers of the fires of radical revolution that started with the overthrow of Tunisia, and that are now raging in Egypt, and threatening to destabilize Jordan. 

            The Muslim brotherhood is a radical organization that has for years been working toward an eventual overthrow of the Mubarak regime in Egypt.  The movement is outlawed but widespread.  It is aligned with al Qaeda, and in fact is directed by prominent wanted al Qaeda personalities. 

            When broaching this subject in the upcoming letter, words were used to the effect that, “This is not exactly the stuff of nightly news.”  What a difference a few days can make!  Now it’s all over the news, at every radio break and surely will be the major topic in the days to come.  In fact, unless the violent uprisings that have turned every notable Egyptian city to chaos over recent days is quelled, these developments may haunt us for the foreseeable future.

            Right now the price of oil is being driven up over fears that the radicals may succeed in blocking traffic through the Suez Canal.  President Mubarak, eighty two years old and ailing is under siege as government buildings have been attacked and in some cases burned.  Internet and cell phone services have been shut down in Egypt according to current reports, and Mubarak’s family, including his son who was a likely candidate to succeed him, have reportedly fled to the UK. 

            Not to go on and on, but a nightmare scenario is playing out throughout the Arab Middle East.  Islamist radicals have determined that the time is now to try to overwhelm moderate governments with Iranian revolution-style tactics, and they’ve already achieved some success.  The conventional wisdom that radical Islamic ideology is in retreat, that the vast majority of the Muslim world is populated by moderate peace-loving Muslims is going up in flames before the eyes of the world.

            How far will this uprising go?  Will it ultimately see Egypt, perhaps Jordan or (perish the thought) even some of the oil-rich gulf kingdoms succumb to radical revolutionaries?  We’d better hope and pray not.  The price of oil is already on the incline, and with our domestic resources having been effectively placed off limits by the politicians, all bets are off on the ultimate effect these events half a world away may have on our domestic economy.

            The next concerns will be whether large Muslim populations elsewhere, in Europe and in the UK may follow suit and start their own “demonstrations.”  What a time we live in.  These developments couldn’t be any more crucially to the point along the lines of Bible prophecy.  If Egypt should end up going the way of Iran, which is suddenly a legitimate prospect, then the whole Middle East equation will change dramatically.

            Many of you are already aware that Glenda Brazil lost her son Roger last Monday.  They knew the end was near, and Tony and Glenda traveled to Florida to be with him for a couple of days before he died.  It is very sad indeed, and I’m sure they’ll appreciate your prayers.

            The GTA telecast this week was the renovated ’77 program offering the brochure on the true meaning of being Born Again, and the CD or DVD entitled Soul Sleeping.  It brought 310 requests with one hundred eight new contacts.  Given the fact that we’ve had to temporarily cut back on television outlets, those numbers are a good bit higher than I would have predicted. 

Hope you’ll all have a good Sabbath.  

Mark Armstrong

21 January 2011

Greetings from Tyler,

It has been two weeks now since the senseless mass murder in Tucson, but it is still the number one topic for the news/debate circuit across the nation.  Hot on the heels of the president’s call for “civility” at that raucous memorial service, the blame game has ratcheted up with some of the most heated invective ever.  CNN is getting tremendous attention for trying to outlaw otherwise harmless figures of speech as if that might somehow lead to such a massacre. 

One of the few bright spots is the apparent progress of the main target of the assault, Representative Gabrielle Giffords.  Her miraculous survival and progress toward recovery is wonderful, but the crime of the murder and wounding of so many innocents is an example of evil, demonic influence.  And yet many in media and even some in Congress are still attempting to point the finger of blame at political opponents, or use it as an excuse to revoke constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.  To make use of such a crime to promote some political agenda is a heartless ploy.

About two weeks ago we heard an optimistic assessment from official sources in Israel supposing that Iran may still be five years away from nuclear weapons capabilities.  But this week, we learn that a study has determined that Iran’s ability to enrich uranium is more advanced than previously thought, and warning against complacency.  There is no question that the radical Islamist movement, whether Iran’s nuclear program or the cultural battle that is taking shape in Europe remains the greatest threat to the free world.

If you read any of the fine print in regard to the economy and the overwhelming debt that has been incurred by the federal government, the states and even numerous cities, you are aware of the dark warnings of seismic economic events that may yet jolt our financial system.  According to reports emerging this week, bankruptcy may be in the offing for a number of States.  California has declared a fiscal emergency, even as the state continues to indulge in wild deficit spending.  No one seems to know for sure exactly where it’s all headed or how it will play out.  But with such high unemployment, raging inflation in the energy sector and no end in sight to the housing market crisis, it won’t be pretty.

As advertised, the new 21st Century WATCH has been printed and will be mailed the first of the week.  The GTA telecast this week brought 320 requests for material on the Resurrection, with one hundred one first time contacts.  I just received news today of some more new church attendance that has come as a direct result of the program and a tag for the local congregation. 

The recently completed 1977 program on the mistaken mainstream “Born Again” concept and the supposed “immortality of the soul” is scheduled to air this weekend, and has already been received along the regular DVD program.

Having surveyed what is going on with the weather nationally, it may be that some will be unable to venture out to weekly Sabbath services in many areas.  This global warming, er uh, climate change, is really wreaking havoc particularly in the northern and central segments of the nation.  There are reports of temperatures of 40 below zero in Minnesota and minus 20 in Chicago.  Have a good and restful Sabbath regardless, and stay warm if you can. 

Be sure to check out Murray’s Australian Update this week which details the unbelievable flooding that continues to engulf additional locations, the suffering and the daunting economic impact of the unfolding disaster. 

The folks down there need our prayers as well.

01/15/2011

01/08/2011

Greetings from Tyler,
 
 Well folks, this is it. That is the last update you’ll be getting this calendar year. And what a year it’s been! We could do a whole retrospective on all that has happened, and all that we face. Suffice it to say that America has been moved sharply toward socialism, government redistribution and bureaucratic control over nearly every necessity. But the year ahead will be mighty interesting as we see how the current agenda fares in the courts, and nearly every law that has been passed is on its way to court.
 
 The globe girdling trouble with Islamic terrorism is nowhere near behind us, as so many current reports show, and Bible prophecy indicates it will ultimately be one of the major factors in bringing about the end of the age. The problem seems to be on fire all across Europe, but particularly in Germany where terrorist cells and diabolical plots are being uncovered all the time. No surprise there. May all their bombs detonate prematurely, as did the one in Stockholm a week or so ago!
 
 Peace is as illusive as ever in the Middle East, and we are well aware that problem will not be solved until the Second Coming. But if we should hear that it has been solved and there’s nothing more to worry about, then look out. As bad as the world wants peace in the Middle East, Bible prophecy indicates that a declaration of peace will actually signal a breakout of the greatest time of trouble the world has ever seen. It makes you wonder if the status quo, beyond the rockets and the terror attacks, is such a bad thing.
 
 I wouldn’t dare wrap up this update without telling you of another breakthrough here at our offices, this one thanks to the ever-vigilant gals in our bulk mailing division. They’ve been grappling for weeks with new Post Office regulations that will require a new “intelligent bar code” on all our mailings. (You have to wonder about the names they give some of the innovations they foist upon us.) Just when they got the computer, the software and the printer operational with the “intelligent bar code”, it became apparent that the current letter might be delayed amid the holiday rush. So, the intrepid Wilma and Melody suggested they try running the monthly letters (all twelve thousand five hundred of them) through our own equipment (something we’ve never attempted before). They did, and though the experiment wasn’t without incident, it was done successfully in relatively short order at a savings of hundreds of dollars.
 
 Now they’re talking about bringing the rest of the mailing operation into they’re domain, but that will require the purchase of another contraption of dubious abilities. But we’ll check into it the first of the year. My hat is off to them for their bravery and perseverance.
 
 The ’77 GTA program mentioned last week is now complete and on its way to San Diego for captioning. It will come with the next regular mailing of sermon DVD’s. The GTA telecast this week was on Christmas, and brought 342 requests with one hundred fifty eight first time contacts. I fear the response may have been hampered due to the fact that a great many potential viewers were gathered around a tree somewhere. But we’ll try to make sure lots of them see it before the next time.
 
 Whether you look at the world, the mainstream churches or any of the offshoot organizations, you have to realize that we are tremendously blessed. May the upcoming calendar year be a safe and profitable one as we continue this incredible journey.
 
 Have a happy first Sabbath of 2011!
 
  Mark Armstrong
 
 PS. Hope all of you in the central part of the country have been spared the destructive force of the weather that has passed through. We pray that all of God’s people will be protected amid the extreme weather we are experiencing.

The Year 2011 Begins

24 December 2010
 
 Greetings from Tyler,
 
 When was the last time you went to church on December 25? Can’t rightly recall, but it does seem a little unusual. Of course what goes on in our congregation will have very little in common with whatever the other churches are doing.
 
 You are surely aware of the major series of Islamist terror attacks thwarted by a dozen arrests this week in the U.K. Then we heard of embassies bombed this week in Rome. Early reports seemed anxious to point to “anarchists” as the likely culprits, but apparently the authorities aren’t yet sure.
 
 Much to the surprise of most analysts and commentators, the lame duck congress launched into a legislative frenzy during the its final week, passing a law that demands open homosexuality be tolerated, if not celebrated among the ranks of our soldiers. And of course, the President signed it. It was sold to the public over recent weeks as a repeal of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy instituted under President Clinton back in the early nineties. But that’s not what it was after all. It is rather a separate law that says the military must accept open homosexuals among their ranks. But the story doesn’t end there. Apparently the Pentagon must “certify to Congress” that the implementation will not have an adverse affect on troop readiness and effectiveness. That just might be a tall order, and could yet derail the entire prospect. We can only hope and pray.
 
 Another shocker this week was the FCC’s “vote” to assume authority over the internet. Much of the debate on this subject has revolved around the issue of “fairness” as it relates to various viewpoints and the prospect that opposing viewpoints may have to be expressed or made available. Thinking in terms of our own websites I wondered aloud, “What are they going to do, make us give the devil equal time?” Better not.
 
 Many of you have by now viewed the 1974 program we titled Printing Inflation. I acknowledged that it was a difficult project, and didn’t necessarily expect all that much in the way of viewer response. But the program went on the air this week and pulled 485 requests (as of this morning) with two hundred seven first time contacts. I’m told that we received quite of number of positive comments on the current application of the information it contained, even though the viewers were well aware of the fact that it originated back in ’74. Another project is underway for a 1977 program. A description of it is in the monthly letter we’ve just completed, and with any luck will be in your hands by the first of January. [see related news story]
 
 Our long dry spell has come to an end this afternoon, and we can sure use the rain. But we are acutely aware of the extreme conditions that are extant from the West coast, across the Midwest and headed East.
 
 We hope all will be well, everyone will stay safe and have a great Sabbath.
 
 .
 Mark Armstrong

12/18/2010

Greetings from Tyler,

          We do our best to recognize the events that are breaking all around us and all around the world that are important in the context of Bible prophecy and the times in which we live.  Monthly letters and the weekly updates have routinely pointed to the things we are commissioned to watch and warn about; events in the Middle East as they relate to Israel, Iran’s nuclear rush, the worldwide terrorist movement and the threat it represents to Europe, the United States and the nations of the British Commonwealth, not to mention the horrendous economic mistakes that may yet collapse the entire financial house of cards. 

          We are acutely attuned to the prophetic warnings to the “House of Israel” in regard to our personal and national sins and concerned about what might bring about God’s utter disgust with our nation, a revocation of His protection and the de-basement of our great nation that has played an unmistakable role in the fulfillment of God’s promises of rich blessings and a great force for good the world over.

          Right now, over this weekend many in our legislative branches of government are engaging in a push to foist open homosexuality into the ranks of the American military, and enshrine it as the law of the land.  Earlier today, I discussed this issue with Mr. John Mitchell, pastor of the Sacramento congregation.  Coincidentally, he told me that he recently did a fair amount of research and delivered a sermon on this subject. His subject matter goes back to Sodom and Gomorrah, coming up through the ancient empires of Greece and Rome and concluded that the formal sanctioning of these forbidden activities coincides with the downfall of great empires. And there are many other sins of violence and perversion that factor into His wrath being visited upon peoples and nations.

          But this practice of legitimizing an evil, ruinous behavior under the law is permeating numerous aspects of our society right now, and it is something we need to recognize and pray about.  The Illinois legislature has just passed laws that will give “gay unions” the very same social and legal legitimacy as traditional marriage.  It is expected to be signed by the governor in January.

          If you hear much in the way of public statements from representatives elected by and duty-bound to represent our peoples this is a matter of “civil rights”.  I heard one respected senior Senator declare yesterday, “If we can get this done, it will represent one of the greatest legislative accomplishments of our generation,” or words to that effect.

          I guess there’s not a lot that we can do about this right now other than recognize the threat it represents to the morale of those risking their lives to protect our blessed way of life, and the threat it represents in terms of God’s reaction to this defiance of the very laws of nature.  We can certainly fall to our knees and let Him know where we stand, and ask His intervention to foil this arrogant move by those who purport to represent us.  It is a time to sigh and cry for the abominations all around us, and make sure that we set ourselves apart from the bland acceptance of evil in our society.  Certainly, we harbor no hatred of homosexuals.  But we do abhor practices that are condemned in very graphic terms all through the Old and New Testament.  One warning, (and there are many) given to the leadership of Israel is found in Isaiah 1:10, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.”  As my Dad pointed out in his writings, this warning was written centuries after the miraculous fiery destruction of those cities, with the seriousness of the inherent consequences to be understood by all generations to come. 

          The GTA telecast this week brought in 367 requests for material on the mainstream belief in going to heaven, with one hundred forty seven first time contacts.  Sorry about the subject matter this week, but how can we fail to recognize the danger that many in positions of national leadership are visiting upon our nation? 

Hope you’ll all have a peaceful and profitable Sabbath. 

Mark Armstrong

  Back to Top

3 December 2010
 
 Greetings from Tyler,
 
 It has been a week of startling revelations, in addition to the horrible news of the fire in the area of Haifa, Israel carried in some detail in Murray’s update this week.
 
 What a surprise that the UN is spearheading a “climate change” conference in Cancun. Earlier in the week they’d called for World War II style rationing to be implemented in developed countries (namely the United States). At least they had the good sense to hold their conference this time in a warm, tropical latitude having presumably learned a lesson after nearly freezing to death at the last conference in Copenhagen. You might know that they’d open their meeting today with a prayer to the Mayan moon goddess, where attendees learned that she is also “the goddess of reason, creativity and weaving”. The female executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change expressed her hope that the conference would be inspired by the mythical goddess to “weave” together a balanced outcome that will have us rationing basic necessities in the developed world.
 
 The crowd that has bet their careers on the discredited and bogus theory of global warming are marinating in their Cancun consensus, pretending they don’t know that proof of the hoax has been widely exposed. Hopefully, they’ll all have a lovely vacation and that will be the end of the matter for the foreseeable future. One can only hope. I’m wondering if news reached the Cancun conference of the scores of freezing deaths, the evacuations and the travel snarls across Europe right now. Obviously, the consensus will not be shaken.
 
 We had further conformation this week of what had only been hinted at before, that massive sums of U.S. federal bailout funds have gone to Europe. But this week’s bombshell exposed the fact that General Electric (which owns NBC, a shameless cheerleader of bailout mania) among other well-known corporations, received tens of billions of taxpayer dollars. Move along folks, nothing to see here.
 
 Although we’ve all been told that the worst is behind us and we should expect the American economy to rebound, unemployment numbers released this week show that is not the case. Some 15 million people remain unemployed in the United States, and numerous cities and states are in a debt crisis that is forcing the layoffs of police and firefighters, the very ones that are charged with maintaining order and civility in our society.
 
 There is no question that the American model, of a sovereign nation ruled by and for a free people is under attack from every conceivable quarter. It’s all we can do to keep track of the onslaught of spending, regulation and harassment that assails our way of life from week to week. But we intend to continue to do just that. May God grant us His wisdom and guidance as we run the gathering gauntlet.
 
 The Garner Ted Armstrong telecast brought in 686 requests over the Thanksgiving weekend thru Friday of this week, with two hundred fifty six first time contacts. Thank you all for all that you do in your local areas, and for supporting our efforts from here.
 
 We hope you’ll all have a terrific Sabbath.
 
 
 Mark Armstrong

Greetings from Tyler,
 
 We hope you’re all having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. There is no question that God has blessed us beyond anything even our founders could have envisioned. The Thanksgiving proclamation issued by George Washington is a profound call for our people to recognize Almighty God as the author of every good thing, to repent of our transgressions, and to look to Him for our safety, tranquility and happiness. Our first President’s devotion and humility before God are unmistakable, and so very appropriate for us all on this annual holiday designed to turn the eyes of the nation to our Creator for our national good, and as an example to all the rest of the world.
 
 George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation - City of New York, October 3, 1789
 
 "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
 
 Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the twenty-six of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that Great and Glorious Being, who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country, previous to their becoming a nation; for the single manifold mercies, and the favorable interposition's of His providence, in the courage and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of Government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
 
 And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private institutions, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discretely and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us) and to bless them with good governments, peace and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science, among them and us; and generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."
 
 ----------
 
 It is a little disheartening to see the rampages at department stores, the greed and materialistic impulses that emerge as the nation prepares to observe what is thought to be a “Christian” observance late next month. There is no question that prosperity and tranquility in this most blessed of nations is under direct threat as greed, avarice and a host of national transgressions begin to overwhelm the solid foundation of our Constitution.
 
 We are but a small number, and yet we can make a big difference. From those of us in Tyler, we thank you and we thank God for you. Let’s go on to make the rest of this Thanksgiving weekend a memorable and meaningful one as we fulfill the intentions of our fathers and those who went before in humbly committing ourselves and our efforts to our Father in Heaven.
 
 
 Mark Armstrong
 
 Additional reading:
 
 Thanksgiving [United States]
 Thanksgiving [Canada]
 The Christmas Controversy

12 November 2010
 
 Greetings from Tyler,
 
 The future of the economy is on everyone’s mind lately, and the subject of a great deal of concern. There was the rash of reactions to the announcement that the Fed would simply inject over half a trillion dollars into our economy in the span of the next six months, and that’s causing consternation about the prospect of inflation. They keep telling us there’s virtually no inflation, but that’s not the impression we get when we leave the grocery store, or when we pull up to the service station.
 
 Concerns over current U.S. monetary policy do not stop at the water’s edge either, as evidenced by the news coming out of the G-20 Summit in Seoul. The New York Times released an article today headlined; Obama’s Economic View is Rejected on World Stage. It’s apparent that all the nations that are major economic players are critical, if not angry about the impact the Fed’s moves will have on them. The president was diplomatically snubbed across the board at the international summit, but particularly by Germany and South Korea. It was hoped that a free trade agreement with South Korea would be consummated, but no dice.
 
 Representatives of Germany set the tone before the conference even began, calling the Federal Reserve’s announced purchase of hundreds of billions in U.S. securities “clueless”. According to a Reuters article we’ll link here, “Berlin has taken the (critical) rhetoric to a new level.’ Clearly, the world is concerned that inflation will be stoked by all our printing of currency, not only here in the U.S., but all over the world. The specter of an economic crisis that threatens to undermine world markets is at the heart of all the concern, and a rift is developing between the United States and Europe, particularly Germany. Here is one more quote from the Reuters article, German Tempers Fray as U.S. Policy Gulf Widens, in case you don’t read it directly. “‘The Atlantic is getting wider’, said the head of Germany’s Foreign Trade Association, who spoke of a ‘creeping alienation’ between America and Europe, which has been exacerbated by the global financial crisis.
 
 With Germany running the economic show in Europe, as the continent’s only solidly solvent nation, the animosity over America’s dodgy “manipulations” as they call them, may well set the stage for what comes next. This is right down the line of progress toward the prophetic equation we’ve hoped would never develop. America’s role of stability and leadership in the world is dwindling, and that reality has been on full display at the G-20 conference in Seoul.
 
 The vintage (1974) GTA program on money and financial principles I’ve referenced recently is finally complete. We’ve made copies to be scrutinized by some of our staff before sending it out. If all is well, we plan on sending it out to all those on the DVD program next week. We have to send it to San Diego for closed-captioning before it can go to the TV stations.
 
 Without saying too much (it wouldn’t be prudent), can you believe the actions they’re undertaking as part of airport security now? It’s just flabbergasting, and hard to imagine the effect it will have on airlines and all the rest of the travel industry. Most of this stuff is too gruesome for comment, so I hope you’ll have a look at some of the shocking reports that have been generated just over the last week or so. I’m asking Chris to attach the most complete rundown I’ve seen to this week’s update so you can see for yourselves what we’re up against now if we need to fly. One comment I saw said it all, “At some point it begins to look like the terrorists have won.”
 
 The Garner Ted Armstrong program this week was on the false (but nearly universal) belief in the so-called “rapture”. It brought in 455 requests with 216 first time contacts. And now the Sabbath is upon us, and it is welcome.
 
 Have a great one.

Mark Armstrong

TSA checkpoints: Real-life horrors ---'Security is one thing, license to molest people is another'

By Bob Unruh -WorldNetDaily

 Dozens of real-life horror stories have poured into WND in the 24 hours since a special hotline e-mail was set up to allow people to report their close encounters of the TSA kind, including a 70-year-old whose fudge "contraband" was discovered, a Los Angeles passenger who was "groped" four times and a man who was the target of a TSA screaming fit when he chose to opt-out of the "porno scan."  Just a day earlier, WND reported on the growing movement by activists and citizens to push back against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's plans for "enhanced" screening at airport checkpoints.  Sign the petition calling for the suspension of the enhanced security searches.

 The options now are to have a full-body scan that essentially produces a nude image of the passenger or opt out of that procedure and endure a full-hands-on body pat-down that includes private parts. The procedures have been the focus of warnings even by the networks:

 A passenger named Barbara wrote to WND: "Coming directly from a 2-week hospital stay, arriving in a wheelchair, unable to walk or stand, and just less than 2 hours out of the hospital, I was met by the 'security' folks who seemed angered that I couldn't walk through their scan. Instead, in front of everyone, I was groped like a rapist might attack a victim. The probing certainly did not help alleviate the intense pain I had when I arrived at the airport. Shameful and inconsiderate behavior, totally inexcusable! I am an 84-year-old white female, 4'10", 110 lbs. and don't look like a terrorist or a terrorist's companion !!!!!! What happened to common sense???"

 Another passenger, David, told WND he traveled to attend a sister's funeral in Los Angeles and found the security procedures at LAX "like a racist homosexual grope fest."  "This screener made me turn all my pockets inside out, patted me down four times, being particularly attentive to my crotch and butt. I asked him if he just wanted me to strip down naked and he said go ahead. My wife then approached a nearby sheriff, who brought these violations of my privacy, and person, to a halt," said the passenger, who described himself as a "middle class white guy."

"Oh yeah, it took him half an hour to maul me, misplaced my boarding pass, and almost made me miss my flight. Security is one thing, but a license to molest people is another," he said. Your explanation of a lot of issues, in "Constitutional Chaos: What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws,"  Another writer, Roger, took the issue directly to its heart. "If and when we have to travel by air tell them (airlines) we will not go through any new body scan, nor be groped. If they attempt to grope I will cancel the flight and sue them!" Another woman wrote of being held up at an Alabama airport by computer failure en route to the funeral of a family friend. In her words:

Finally, a Delta agent checked again for me and said, "Yes, there is a flight I can put you on, but it leaves in 5 minutes, here is your ticket and boarding pass, RUN." So I did and [he] came with me. He told the situation to the first TSA agent and there weren't many people in that line, so I moved quickly up to the security check. A man, was scanning my OVERNIGHT bag (no big luggage at all) and my purse and motioning me through. A big stern-looking African American woman stopped him and said that she needed to pat me down, wan[d] me, go through my luggage, etc. The other TSA man told her that my flight was about to leave and that he knew that my purse and bag were fine. I was wearing open flip-flops, a cotton skirt and a t-shirt. I am as American looking as apple-pie! Then my nightmare started. She had me spread my legs and she SLOWLY frisked me. Then I said, "Can I go now, my flight is so important to me, I'm attending a funeral?" That made her furious. She informed me that I was NOT co-operating with her and that she was IN CHARGE, and that crying (I was sobbing) would not do me any good at all with her. The other TSA officer begged her to let me catch my flight, … she blew him off.

 The result was that the woman, Lana, missed her flight and the funeral. Margaret, who endured a "pat-down" in Chicago, wrote, "This entire thing is bull----; assault and battery by a goon, or naked pictures. That's now the choice? What has happened to this country?" TSA officials responded to a WND e-mail requesting comment, but for the second straight day, declined to answer any questions about their procedures, the public's reaction to it or how they are dealing with complaints. Another passenger, Mark, told WND that nothing will happen "until the American people are willing to be in the faces of the Washington establishment, 24/7, for days at a time; until they run into protests and protesters everywhere they turn."

 t was "Frances" who was caught with fudge. Her trip was out of Minneapolis. "All seemed to be fine. But the TSA employee asked me to step aside to the table. She needed to see what was in the carry-on. I knew there couldn't be anything suspicious in the bag, so I thought this was just a 'random' thing. (And we all know how many terrorists have been caught by 'random' screenings). But, no, it wasn't random at all. The screener at the belt saw something in the bag he 'didn't like,'" she told WND.

"My trip had been to Wisconsin. While there I had purchased eight pounds of fudge at a fudge shop. It was packaged in eight-one pound boxes. The boxes fit snugly in the bottom of the carry-on. … The TSA employee asked me to empty the contents on to the table and open up each and every one of the boxes. I tried to tell her it was just fudge. But, she was the almighty TSA, not to be denied. They have all that power and, OH, how they love to use it. She then called yet another TSA person over to examine the 'contraband.' By this time I'm sure she realized it was just what I said it was – fudge. But she had to justify herself. I was expecting a SWAT team, with automatic weapons to swoop down on me at any time. (I'm not sure, but I thought I heard the strains of 'Valkyrie' in the background.) Also, by this time, the aroma of fudge could be smelled throughout the terminal. Finally, they all agreed it was just fudge," she said.

One reader suggested that it be mandatory for members of Congress and the administration to go through the screening, while another wondered why, if the scanned images are so innocuous, people aren't allowed to see themselves. "It's such an easy way to alleviate the public's concerns yet the TSA does not offer it. Why don't they just post the full size and resolution images and make me eat my words? Also no one seems to be answering my question regarding the ability for the TSA to store images on a USB flash drive via the required USB ports in 'airport mode.' So many easy ways to shut us up but the TSA refuses to do so," he wrote.

George Donnelly, who with James Babb has launched the "We Won't Fly" website delivering a message directly to airlines, told WND the customer revolt is taking off faster than he could imagine.

"Dozens of e-mails, personal stories, tons of comments all over the web," are how he described his day's response. He said there's a team of consumers working on an ad to be placed in the New York Times, and a series of "educational events," or protests, that are being developed for major airports across the country.

His website says, "We do not consent to strip searches, virtual or otherwise. We do not wish to be guinea pigs for new, and possibly dangerous, technology. We are not criminals. We are your customers. We will not beg the government anymore. We will simply stop flying until the porno-scanners are history.

"We will not be abused simply for the privilege of purchasing your services. We demand the airlines make their maximum lobbying effort in support of our, your customers', rights and liberties. We are eager to fly again, but only when this invasive threat has been contained."

One sarcastic proposal was for an educational book for children, with the title "My first Cavity Search: Helping your child understand why he may pose a threat to National Security."

It features two TSA agents wearing plastic gloves, with one holding a flashlight and a probe.

One computer technology expert who contacted WND said he wondered about the "training" processes used to prepare TSA workers to scream at people for opting out of the full-body scan, as well as the ways of teaching such coercive procedures.

"They would have to deal with the screeners, training them to be desensitized to what they're actually doing," he suggested.

Even on the TSA's own blog, the federal agency was receiving little compassion.

"HappyToHelp" quoted an earlier commenter: "When I take my child to the doctor, I don't leave him alone with the doctor and hope that he isn't a perv. I'm there with him to monitor the situation so nothing can happen. If it's me, I can make a scene on the spot, have legal resource and can sue my doctor. It greatly mitigates the risk."

But, "HappyToHelp" noted on the TSA blog, "We don't have that option with TSA. There's no accountability, and I can't see the person who's viewing me or my kid. They're not in view so I can't see what they're doing. TSA has shown itself not to be trustworthy. So if I monitor my doctors, and I generally trust them, why SHOULDN'T we monitor TSA, who we CAN'T trust."

One organization already is promoting a National Opt-Out Day and is encouraging every passenger on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to opt out of the full-body scanning.

"No naked body scanners, no government-approved groping. We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we're guilty until proven innocent," the site said.

There also are dozens of other campaigns and efforts being organized through which passengers are encouraged to resist the TSA policy.

All-Africa reported that agents in Nigeria were amusing themselves by watching the nude images of female passengers, and in Miami, a screener who himself went through the screening attacked a colleague after he was ribbed by others who saw his body parts on a scanner.

The scanning already has generated opposition in Congress. There, the U.S. House voted 310-118 in support of an amendment from Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, to prohibit whole-body imaging as a primary screening. However, senators let the plan die.

WND previously has reported that such imaging also is taking place on U.S. roads and highways.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=227005

Back to Top

11/06/2010

Greetings from Tyler,
 
 It has been an historic week in terms of a seismic shift in the balance of power across the nation. Whether some of the intrusive policies and massive debt acquisition will eventually be rolled back or not remains to be seen, but that certainly seems to have been the basic theme that propelled the outcome of this week’s mid-term elections.
 
 Maybe you’ve seen some of the bold and blaring headlines grabbing the attention of the whole world this week. The Federal Reserve is euphemistically calling its strategy “quantitative easing”. In essence, the Federal Reserve is buying up the exploding national debt with an announced purchase of $600 billion in U.S. Treasury bonds over just the next six months or so. They’d already purchased some 1.75 trillion dollars in debt last year, and all the analysts seem to agree that the maneuver amounts to little more than printing currency and pumping it into the system. It is causing more than a little angst from China, which already holds substantial U.S. debt, and from Germany which has also expressed grave misgivings about the effect these moves will have on world markets and currencies. Even Hugo Chavez is irritable, but what’s new?
 
 From the Wall Street Journal article published yesterday, “There are immense unknowns and many risks. In essence, the Fed now will print money to buy as much as $900 billion in U.S. government bonds through June… In normal times, a Fed spending spree on government bonds would be highly inflationary, because it would flood the economy with money and raise worry about too much government spending.”
 
 We’re seeing warnings that prices of a whole host of commodities are on their way up, including foodstuffs. Gold made another record high yesterday and oil is at $87.00 per barrel. The printed money has to go somewhere, and speculators are betting that much of it will end up in stocks and commodities. Some are calling the money-printing strategy an “incalculable risk” and one member of the Fed’s own policy committee described the move as “a bargain with the devil.”
 
 Certainly, we are in uncharted waters economically and there are many other threats to our civilization that we’ve been following. We’ve seen a spate of attempts at mailing and shipping bombs over the past week, from the Middle East to the United States, and several from Greece to addresses all over Europe, courtesy of the religion of peace. And, though there’s no telling what prompted it, huge “death to America—the great Satan” demonstrations were reported this week in the streets of Tehran. Oh, I see. They’re celebrating the 31st anniversary of storming the U.S. embassy and taking its hapless employees hostage for a year and a half. Makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? We’re on quite a ride. And though we must not despair or grow despondent, remembering God’s promise never to leave or forsake us, it would be foolhardy not to make wise decisions regarding provisions and protections for our families. I’m pretty sure that’s the least that’s expected of us.
 
 The Garner Ted Armstrong program this week was on that unpopular (to put it mildly) subject of the Trinity. It’s no wonder nobody much wants to talk about the logic behind that lynchpin doctrine of the mainstream churches. Still, it brought 356 requests, two hundred six of which were first time contacts. That’s about 60% new people contacting us as a result of this program. It’s chilly, breezy and gorgeous here in East Texas, and once again we’re ready for a great Sabbath. Mr. Tom Griffith is scheduled to be our main speaker tomorrow, and you should get to see that on the DVD program in due course.
 
 We hope all of you will have a safe and enjoyable Sabbath, and we’ll be in touch.

Mark Armstrong

10/30/2010

 Germany at the Helm of Europe
 
 We’ve seen a lot of twists and turns along the timeline of the integration of Europe. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany we’ve seen the introduction of the euro as Europe’s common currency and the swelling of the European Union to include some 27 member nations.
 
 The global economic crisis, fueled in part by the rest of the world’s exposure to the American housing market debacle, combined with reckless spending and unsustainable socialist policies bankrupted Greece, disrupted France, hobbled Spain and threatened the very survival of the euro.
 
 Based upon the historical record and what we’ve expected in prophetic terms, it seemed unlikely that Germany would be dragged down to the weakened condition that now afflicts much of the rest of Europe. And sure enough, as the excerpts below illustrate Germany has managed to avoid some of the worst economic mistakes committed by its EU partners. Further, as segments quoted from the Economist illustrate, Germany has been unwilling to underwrite bailouts on a scale that would undermine its own economic stability.
 
 This leads to a very interesting dynamic now, where Europe needs Germany’s stability and leadership but also “fears its pre-eminence” as the Economist so aptly put it, for obvious historical reasons.
 
 While political correctness has acquired full blown sacred cow status in the U.S., there is evidence that reality is beginning get some traction in Europe. Few probably missed the shocking statement that Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel made recently, “Multiculturalism has been an absolute failure.” And that statement comes alongside recent survey results showing that one third of Germans believe their country is “overrun by foreigners” and a majority would like to see Muslim religious practice “sharply restricted.”
 
 These sentiments are a far cry from the ideology that created the messy immigrant situation in Europe, and a further cry from anything that would be regarded as acceptable in our current climate here in the U.S. But here’s where it gets dicey. According to a recent survey some thirteen percent of Germans would “welcome a Fuehrer who would govern with ‘a strong hand’. “ While the other nations of Europe need Germany’s leadership and help, it’s no wonder they worry about attitudes that recent surveys reveal are rapidly gaining popularity there. Germany’s consolidated economic and political strength combined with growing public disgust over the behavior of the immigrant population is more than enough to fuel speculation, given Germany’s history.
 
 Below are excerpts from a current issue of The Economist that illustrate points made above, but we would certainly recommend the article in its entirety.
 
 Excerpts from a current article in The Economist under the heading:
 Germany’s role in the world, the headline:
 Will Germany now take Center Stage?
 and the subhead,
 Its economy is booming, but its strength poses new questions
 
 (Taken from late in the article)
 And so Germany’s partners are likely to remain on edge. The EU needs Germany’s leadership more than ever, but fears its pre-eminence. Europe also needs consensus, but will not get it unless the Germans foster it. Matters will be even worse if Germany’s economic self-confidence comes across as political arrogance.
 
 Despite their economic strength, Germans fear the worst. They believe their country “has passed its zenith”, says Mrs. Kocher, the pollster. This pessimism shapes Germany’s dealings with the rest of the world. Unlike most countries, Germany is not driven by any great ambition, but rather by the fear that “things could fall apart if they don’t hold on to stability…”
 
 This year’s euro crisis brought out both the apprehension and the arrogance. With Greece’s near default, the promise that the euro would be as stable as the Deutschmark suddenly looked like the lie Germans had always suspected it to be. As the crisis mounted Mrs. Merkel delayed giving German backing to the inevitable rescue for wobbly euro countries. A €750 billion ($920 billion) package was eventually agreed on after a hectic weekend of negotiation in May. To Germans, this looked like the start of the dreaded “transfer union”, a bottomless commitment to subsidize Greeks’ early retirement, fix an Italian budget tattered by tax evasion and clear up after Spain’s burst property bubble. “Sell your islands, you bankrupt Greeks. And the Acropolis while you’re at it,” demanded Bild, a popular tabloid. Mrs. Merkel played to the gallery by suggesting that persistent euro sinners should be thrown out of the group.
 
 These unEuropean outbursts startled not just Greeks, who brandished swastikas in response, but Europeans generally. They had grown up believing that the Germans saw their own interests as inseparable from those of their fellow Europeans. Now they glimpsed a different, ugly German, smug about his economy and untroubled by his past. Some pundits argue that Germany’s brutality to Greece during the second world war should have tempered its irritation with the Greeks.
 
 The crisis has created a new pecking order, at least temporarily. Germany, with its high-competitiveness, low-debt economy, is on top. The rest are having to adjust, including France, traditionally a joint leader of the European project. This is unsettling. “You get an enormous sense of German self-righteousness, which is very difficult to take, especially when there are solid foundations for it,” says François Heisbourg of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. France, which has lagged behind Germany in making structural reforms, feels its influence waning. “France has to do its homework to be able to restore some level of influence in Europe,” says Jean-Pierre Jouyet, a former French minister for Europe, now head of France’s financial regulatory authority.
 
 During economic crises her first instinct has been to double the guard around the German treasury.
 
 But Franco-German ambitions for Europe have sputtered. German standoffishness toward the EU is now based in law: a 2009 ruling by Germany’s Constitutional Court allowed it to ratify the Lisbon treaty but limited further transfers of power to Brussels.
 
 Everything below the big headline is excerpted from an article in the current issue of The Economist. The last line at the end of the quote seems to indicate that Germany has pretty much reached the end of its commitment to the European Union in its current format, and will go no further in supporting it to its own national detriment. We shall see what Europe’s future holds.
 
 The Garner Ted Armstrong program brought 489 requests this week for The Answer to Unanswered Prayer, with two hundred eight first time contacts. We’ve got paradise weather right now in East Texas and we’re looking forward to a glorious Sabbath.
 
 Hope all is well with all of you in the field, and wish you a terrific Sabbath as well.

Mark Armstrong

22 October 2010

Greetings from Tyler,

You must know that we are now in the closing days of one of the most divisive, hotly contested political seasons in memory. And what a spectacle it’s been. Some of the nastiest allegations, ugly insinuations and brazen lies have been floated by one candidate against another all across the country. It’s enough to make you want to say, “Wake me when it’s all over.” Bruising, cut-throat politics is not the kind of thing we get involved in, and we’re certainly not in a position to try to influence any outcome.

Obviously though, we are interested in the direction our nation is being led, where we are headed economically, and what will become of our God-ordained freedom and prosperity. We’ve certainly been taught a lesson by France this week and last, as the net result of socialist economics has played out vividly with a near shut-down of society. Today’s news indicates that riot police have finally broken through to reopen some fuel depots, some gas stations are beginning to be re-supplied, and maybe order and normalcy can be restored in the days ahead. But the blockades and street riots have already cost France the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue and productivity.

The fabric of Greek society has been torn asunder due to government’s inability to fulfill the inflated expectations that had been created. The subject of massive debt creation and the ultimate consequence to confidence in currency is of tremendous concern now across Europe, the burgeoning industrial powers of the Near and Far East, and of course here in the United States as well.

Confidence in currency when government resorts to the printing of un-backed notes, is the subject of a vintage GTA telecast we’re working on. The historical record of the post World War I Weimar republic is chronicled, with several high-denomination notes from the era on display. Hyper-inflation was the inevitable result, until the mark was literally not worth the paper it was printed on and as we all know that resulted in the rise of Hitler and World War II.

At this stage of the game, it’s hard to know whether a change of direction for the United States will be able to salvage the dollar and the American economy, or is it already too late to avoid the consequences that are now inevitable?

We’ve all seen the depths of rifts that are being created in our society, and not solely on economic matters. Freedom of any speech that contradicts politically-correct dogma is also front and center, particularly when it comes to any sentiment that might irritate Muslim or gay sensibilities. Nobody wearing their politically correct feelings on their shirt sleeves should watch the DVD offered in the upcoming letter, because it was delivered without regard to any of that sort of thing.

And yes, next month’s letter has been completed and delivered to the mailer. We can only hope the response resembles that of last month, because it was huge.

The GTA telecast this week offered literature and a CD on the subject of the 144,000 and brought 385 requests with one hundred eighty first time contacts. All is well here at HQ, and we’re looking forward to another wonderful Sabbath.

We hope all is also well with all of you, and that your Sabbath will be terrific too.

16 October 2010
 
 Greetings from Tyler,
 
 Prayers from around the world were answered in recent days as all the trapped miners were freed from the depths under Chile this week. You could hardly help being moved by the way everyone behaved in this most distressing situation. It’s a rare instance of great news for which we can all be thankful.
 
 Gathering material to use in reproducing one of the 1970’s era GTA telecasts on the dangers of deficit spending and its eventual result brings us to current economic news, and that is not good. The dollar is in a steep decline against many of the world currencies, and against commodities. Now, for the first time in memory there is talk of “currency war.” And it all relates to the very kind of unbridled government spending my Dad was warning about so long ago. Consider a couple of current quotes from Breitbart. “…the world’s top finance officials failed to reach a consensus on measures to head of what some see as a looming “currency war”…[see story] “The euro reached 1.40 dollars while the US unit hit a fresh 15 year low against the yen amid growing speculation that the Federal Reserve will pump more money to bolster the struggling US economy…” [see story]
 
 The gist of several articles is that government spending in the United States is undermining the status of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency, and causing a destabilizing effect on nations around the globe. Another bombshell announcement just today will do nothing to ease concerns. That is the report that the government spent 1.29 trillion dollars more than it took in this year, on top of the 1.4 trillion dollar deficit last year [see story]. Of course, macro economics is a complicated subject. But Americans are taking notice of the situation, and the rest of the world is also wary of a massive economic crisis that is beginning to take shape.
 
 Tensions with China are beginning to escalate, because the Chinese are not devaluing their currency to keep pace with the fall of the dollar [see story]. And get this, from the Financial Times, “Russia’s finance minister Alexei Kudrin, in a meeting with European Union officials, blamed the US—and others—for global currency instability.” [see story]
 
 Economic news domestically has also gone from bad to worse. Unemployment hovers near ten percent, and the best economists say we shouldn’t expect that to change any time soon [see story]. Recent polls show that Americans are not only concerned about their prospects in retirement, but are pessimistic about their children’s economic future [see story].
 
 It seems the foreclosure crisis, now three years on, is still wreaking havoc with stocks, banks and the whole economy, and the problem is still growing [see story]. Truth be told, the policy that federally backed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should provide “affordable housing” to borrowers who couldn’t afford it is at the root of this whole mess, though you rarely hear it articulated. It happened under the Bush administration though his staff was on Capitol Hill repeatedly to express dire concerns. But not loudly enough. Political correctness carried the day, those institutions continued to fund loans that could never be repaid, and the bottom is still falling out. From Time magazine yesterday, Banks Seize 288,000 Homes in Third Quarter, “Lenders seized more U.S. homes this summer than in any three-month stretch since the housing marked began to bust in 2006.” [see story]
 
 Maybe you’ve noticed that demonstrations shut down the Eiffel Tower in Paris this week due to the fact that France’s socialist policies can’t support it’s version of Social Security  [see story]. In Greece, government employees from the Ministry of Culture (how many of them could there be?) barricaded the Acropolis denying tourists entry and clashing with police because they’re not being paid what they bargained for [see story].
 
 A renowned Harvard University professor warned this week, “Europe’s sovereign debt crisis isn’t over and will continue to spread, first to Japan and then to the U.S…and those crises of sovereign debt will be a big story.” Chances are it will be much more than just a big story. Rather it may lead ultimately to the loss of our financial sovereignty and worse. Just like Dad warned. [see story]
 
 The GTA telecast this week was on what happens at death and the subject of the resurrection. It brought 406 requests with one hundred ninety one first time contacts. Our staff has been busy catching up with the backlog of requests that came in during and immediately after the feast. I know that we’d already sent out over three thousand items by Wednesday of this week, and there’s no telling how much more they got mailed out before they went home today. I’m sure thankful for the work and dedication of our staff, and to all of you in their support.
 
 We are all well here in Tyler, and looking forward to a good Sabbath.
 
 Thanks,
 
 
 Mark Armstrong

8 October 2010
 
 Greetings from Tyler,
 
 Having visited five of our U.S. Feast sites this year, I’m pleased to report that the atmosphere was warm and positive at each location. My immediate family spent the Feast in Destin, and was in constant touch throughout the eight days. They thoroughly enjoyed the variety of speakers during the feast and the dance, raffle, beach party and other activities.
 
 We certainly hope that all of you were able to enjoy this year’s Feast, and from all indications, everyone who managed to travel to one of our several locations certainly did. If you missed out this year, as some did due to circumstances beyond their control, we hope that you’ll be able to join with us next year.
 
 From all reports, the messages were timely and excellent and we certainly owe a debt of gratitude to all those who planned, organized and coordinated the meetings and events. It seems that everybody pitched in to make this a wonderful and memorable year. We have quite a few videos from the various sites, and will be sending them along with the weekly sermons on the DVD program as we are able.
 
 As great as the Feast is, it’s always good to be back home again. God has greatly blessed us in so many ways, including making a way forward for us to continue in His work.
 
 Thank you all for your part at the feast, in your local areas and in support of the work going out from Tyler.
 
 Have a good and restful Sabbath. I’m pretty sure we all need one!
 
 
 Mark Armstrong

Greetings from Tyler,
 
 As you are aware, the pope is making a series of visits in the British isles, as the UK Telegraph put it, attempting to bring the “heathen” Brits back into the fold. That whole “heathen” comment takes on additional meaning with, first of all the cardinal’s “gaffe” when he said landing at Heathrow was just like arriving somewhere in the third world, but also when you consider that London has become a hotbed for radical Islamic rabble rousers.
 
 The BBC said the pope was there at the Queen’s invitation, to extend the hand of friendship. A photo of the two shows the pope beaming (as best he can) and Queen Elisabeth trying to look comfortable.
 
 Other major news out of Europe this week has the member nations of the EU coming together under central leadership in Brussels to deal with the economic crisis decades of socialist policies have caused. An article published by Spiegle begins with this quote, “The euro crisis scared European Union members enough that they have finally put aside national interests to push through Europe-wide financial reforms. In doing so they are handing more power over to Brussels.” There is further talk of a “quantum leap” that will “fundamentally change Europe.” The crisis has so spooked the member nations that open discussion of an “economic government” for the continent is not being met with the usual outcry about the loss of national sovereignty for the individual states.
 
 With these developments in mind, and the U.S. cascading toward economic crisis, you might wonder whether our country might also be frightened into relinquishing its sovereignty at some future point to put in with a system that is taking shape in Europe. That may be a stretch at this point, but there are many who see a great economic problem developing for the United States, as vast incalculable expenditures continue to be “passed into law” by the present government. Everything our government is spending now is borrowed, and its creditworthiness over the next very few years is in serious doubt. But that fact seems to have had little effect on the plans of current leadership.
 
 Another big story this week is the one that has the famed Mohammed el Baradei, of the UN’s IAEA (atomic watchdog agency) trying to topple the Mubarak government in Egypt. President Mubarak has had serious trouble for years with the radical Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He’s outlawed their activities and arrested their leaders who’ve campaigned for an overthrow of Egypt’s government. El Baradei is calling on Egyptians to boycott Parliamentary elections due this November, and claimed that if his boycott is successful and is extended to upcoming presidential elections that it could well mean the end of the Mubarak era.
 
 President Mubarak is said to be 82 years old now and in failing health. He honored the peace agreements Anwar Sadat made with Israel, which has not gone over well with the radical Islamist types. And, of course it cost Sadat his life. Mubarak has groomed his son to be his successor, but the return of el Baradei to Egypt is seen as the greatest threat to the status quo.
 
 Egypt is the largest of all Arab nations, and if the Mubarak government should be brought down it will have reverberations throughout the Middle East and for that matter, the whole world.
 
 The Garner Ted Armstrong telecast brought in a total of 485 requests this week, with two hundred forty three first time contacts.
 
 As you’re all aware, this is the eve of the day of Atonement, and then its just a day or two before many will be leaving home to travel to one of the Feast sites. Hope all of you will stay safe, and we’ll look forward to the opportunity for many of us to be together at the various sites.
 
 Have a great one!

Mark Armstrong

10 September 2010
 
 Greetings from Tyler,
 
 Is it not amazing how an unknown preacher in Florida has managed to catapult himself into the international spotlight simply by proposing to burn a book? It has to go down as one of the most successful publicity stunts in recent memory. Ordinarily, someone seeking publicity in such a manner wouldn’t get much further than a page five mention in the local paper or a minor blurb on the local newscast. But as we’ve seen time and again, insulting the sensibilities of the adherents of Islam is likely to touch off all manner of wild eyed insanity. And so it has, again. Riots have broken out in various Muslim countries, and you can bet we’ll see more of it around the world over this weekend.
 
 The Danish cartoonist who drew a caricature intended to depict Mohammed with a bomb in his headgear has lived in fear of his life ever since. German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently defended the man’s right to exercise his freedom of expression and is reaping all kinds of grief, and may be targeted for doing so. We can expect our news to be loaded with all manner of radical reactions and lunatic ravings as tomorrow marks the ninth anniversary of that infamous day when America was attacked in the uniquely Islamic terrorist fashion, where unsuspecting citizens are slaughtered in the name of their god.
 
 It is impossible to chronicle the uncountable instances of Islamic zealots visiting death and maiming on “symbolic targets.” No matter the mindless evil that is perpetrated against the perceived enemies of Islam, civilized societies are expected to react with civility, not blaming the whole of Muslim practitioners for the acts of “extremists.” We’ve seen almost no examples of westerners carrying out indiscriminate vigilante acts against Muslims in retribution for the atrocities. On the contrary, we’re constantly warned not to say or do anything that might give them a pretext to go berserk.
 
 The New York imam warned this week that Americans around the world might be targeted if for any reason they don’t get to build their Ground Zero victory mosque, in the name of religious tolerance and understanding, of course. Such is the environment where a two bit fly by night preacher in Florida can become a household name, with the media waiting expectantly for his next utterance. It’s beyond ridiculous that everybody from the president to the high military command to every news anchor has seen fit to publicize the Florida preacher’s stunt.
 
 As for the claims of “bridge building,” religious understanding and moderation we should be informed that, on top of all the Koran verses calling for the slaughter and beheadings of unbelievers, there is the companion Ishaq which instructs Muslims to “ask for them for help” in order to dampen qualms about their “religion” so that their targets will be off their guard when they decide to attack. When will the world wise up, and take seriously Islam’s most treasured doctrine, death to infidels?
 
 Right now America, Britain, Canada, Australia and Europe are bending over backwards in an effort to accommodate the “rights” Islamic believers are claiming in our societies. But things are beginning to get dicey here in the U.S., at least among a significant portion of our population, and the Islamic problem is well advanced in Europe and the U.K. In the end, Bible prophecy tells us that this is the conflict that will result in the greatest time of trouble the world has ever seen. In so many ways and so many places, the “pushing” is already in an early phase.
 
 The GTA telecast this week brought 389 requests with one hundred seventy seven first time contacts. Hope you all had a good Feast of Trumpets this week, we sure did here in Tyler. We’re inside of two weeks to the commencement of this year’s Feast of Tabernacles, and the excitement is building.
 
 Have a great Sabbath, and we’ll al look forward to getting together real soon.
 
 
 Mark Armstrong
 
 P.S. I’m asking Chris to attach a great article by Michelle Malkin, where she does chronicle numerous instances of “Muslim Outrage,” often on the flimsiest of pretexts. She even risks setting off riots the world over by accurately calling it “The Religion of Perpetual Outrage.” It’s very well crafted, and absolutely true.
 
 
 http://frontpagemag.com/2010/09/10/the-eternal-flame-of-muslim-outrage/ 
 
 The Eternal Flame of Muslim Outrage
 by Michelle Malkin
 
 Shhhhhhh, we’re told. Don’t protest the Ground Zero mosque. Don’t burn a Koran. It’ll imperil the troops. It’ll inflame tensions. The “Muslim world” will “explode” if it does not get its way, warns sharia-peddling imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. Pardon my national security-threatening impudence, but when is the “Muslim world” not ready to “explode”?
 
 At the risk of provoking the ever-volatile Religion of Perpetual Outrage, let us count the little-noticed and forgotten ways.
 
 Just a few months ago in Kashmir, faithful Muslims rioted over what they thought was a mosque depicted on underwear sold by street vendors. The mob shut down businesses and clashed with police over the blasphemous skivvies. But it turned out there was no need for Allah’s avengers to get their holy knickers in a bunch. The alleged mosque was actually a building resembling London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. A Kashmiri law enforcement official later concluded the protests were “premeditated and organized to vitiate the atmosphere.”
 
 Indeed, art and graphics have an uncanny way of vitiating the Muslim world’s atmosphere. In 1994, Muslims threatened German supermodel Claudia Schiffer with death after she wore a Karl Lagerfeld-designed dress printed with a saying from the Koran. In 1997, outraged Muslims forced Nike to recall 800,000 shoes because they claimed the company’s “Air” logo looked like the Arabic script for “Allah.” In 1998, another conflagration spread over Unilever’s ice cream logo — which Muslims claimed looked like “Allah” if read upside-down and backward (can’t recall what they said it resembled if you viewed it with 3D glasses).
 
 Even more explosively, in 2002, an al-Qaida-linked jihadist cell plotted to blow up Bologna, Italy’s Church of San Petronio because it displayed a 15th century fresco depicting Mohammed being tormented in the ninth circle of Hell. For years, Muslims had demanded that the art come down. Counterterrorism officials in Europe caught the would-be bombers on tape scouting out the church and exclaiming, “May Allah bring it all down. It will all come down.”
 
 That same year, Nigerian Muslims stabbed, bludgeoned or burned to death 200 people in protest of the Miss World beauty pageant — which they considered an affront to Allah. Contest organizers fled out of fear of inflaming further destruction. When Nigerian journalist Isioma Daniel joked that Mohammed would have approved of the pageant and that “in all honesty, he would probably have chosen a wife from among them,” her newspaper rushed to print three retractions and apologies in a row.
 
 It didn’t stop Muslim vigilantes from torching the newspaper’s offices. A fatwa was issued on Daniel’s life by a Nigerian official in the sharia-ruled state of Zamfara, who declared that “the blood of Isioma Daniel can be shed. It is abiding on all Muslims wherever they are to consider the killing of the writer as a religious duty.” Daniel fled to Norway.

 Back to Top