Michael is in Australia for Murray Allatt’s funeral, and is staying with a church member in Sydney. He’s had tremendous hospitality and kindness from all the folks there. I’m having flashbacks of my trips to Australia… We will welcome Michael back with open arms.

We’re at war; two wars. Iran isn’t backing down on the Strait of Hormuz. They’ve got enough weird holy men, and they’ve already started naming them.

The Pope had surgery and has been photographed since. He doesn’t look too chipper. This little guy doesn’t look like the one at the end time, but who knows? He apparently had some of his lung removed, but cancer has a way of coming back.

You know I don’t like Zelensky, but he just keeps on. There’s some news about him postponing elections again. It’s eastern Europe after all. I don’t think Trump likes him.

Gas prices are off the chart, and diesel is even higher. (I’m sure you’ve noticed.) With the Strait of Hormuz this dangerous, it could go on. But not if Trump has anything to say about it.

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – October 16, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Murray Allatt has gone.  He often called me on Friday afternoon.  I’ll miss those calls. My son Michael is going to Australia for the funeral service and a special Sabbath meeting. I’m sure the Australians are going to love him.

We had a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles in Florida. I shredded a tire on the way down, and spent the night in the front seat of the pickup. Couldn’t tell you if I slept or not. I’ll tell you all about it, someday. Florida was wonderful this year, but now a hurricane is bearing down. I’m glad we’re gone. Michael and his family went to Tahoe this year, and enjoyed it.

We have a new WATCH magazine on its way. It’s 36 pages, and beautiful, and you should have yours soon.

  The more Trump takes it to them the more they hate him. He’s a threat, the way they see it, and no amount of… well they’re hardly trying. If you read the internet, and most of you do, the gap between what the media tells you and what’s really going on is vast. And they take advantage of that. The way things are now, Trump is at war with the media. They’ve got to stay on offense, otherwise they come under scrutiny. They wouldn’t want THAT!

Iraq is not giving up. Neither is Ukraine. I think it will be bad for both of them. But we have the United States, and let me tell you there’s no place like it.

Mark Armstrong

PS from Michael Armstrong:

Greetings friends,

We hope everyone has had safe travels home from the Feast of Tabernacles! There were good reports all around, with particularly robust crowds in both Branson and Myrtle Beach. If you were not able to attend, it is never too soon to start planning for next year! Many thanks to all of those who pitch in and make each site a success.

There were many happy moments, but I am sad to have to report a couple of deaths. Ms. Angela Pollard, from the Atlanta area, was in Panama City Beach for the Feast this year. Unfortunately she was not feeling well and stayed home from services the first day. When a friend checked on her later in the day she was found unresponsive. She will certainly be missed by all. We have not received any details on a memorial yet but please keep her family in your prayers.

Also sad news from the site in Nelson Bay, Australia. Many of you will be familiar with Mr. Murray Allatt, who has handled all of the church’s affairs and been our primary contact on the continent for over 20 years. He began feeling unwell during the Feast. After being examined by a local facility he was transferred to a major hospital for emergency surgery. Most sites heard prayer requests on his behalf.

We were overjoyed when he came through the procedures well, and those with him reported he was recovering and sounded strong. Tragically, despite the positive outlook, he passed suddenly from a heart attack about 24 hours after the Feast had ended. The news came as quite a shock, my dad was particularly devastated as they were quite close, speaking every week through these many years.

Please remember his wife Dita and all of the brethren there in your prayers, they are all reeling from the loss. We will gladly forward any condolences to her through the office here. His funeral will be Friday, October 16^th at 2:30pm. It will be held at Woronora Memorial Park, Linden St, Sutherland, in New South Wales, Australia.

I will be flying over for the funeral, in addition to having a special Sabbath meeting with the local Sydney group the following day. It is a sad occasion, but it will be good to be there to honor Murray and his years of service in the work of God, and I look forward to meeting with our brothers and sisters down under. Even though the Feast reminds us that what we have now is temporary and not to be compared with the Eternal promises, we mourn the loss of our fellows and look forward to the Great day when we will meet again.

-Michael

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – October 9, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Michael, my son, wrote the letter. It was only the 15th and my writer’s block hadn’t cleared up. It’s a great letter, and you’ll see. He’s going to be at the Feast in Tahoe this year, one of my favorite places. It seems like we just got back, but God has a way of reminding us every year. We can’t have too good a time.

The news is so screwed up, we don’t know what to believe. I’m sure you’ve seen it. I’m going to save my commentary for the Feast, and it won’t be pretty. Well, God is still in charge. The media is out for blood, and Trump keeps one step ahead. They’ve decided that he’s a tyrant. A tyrant that believes in America.

If you’ve ever traveled, you know what I mean. The whole world is a mess. They’ve let all the backstabbers into Europe, and I hope you’ve been already, because the situation we see now is not good. I know people who got mugged in France in the old days. It’s worse now.

We’re lucky to be in the U. S. A. and, where are you going to go? It’s no better anywhere in the world, and I’m busy enjoying Texas, or a small portion of it.

Everything is the way we left it. Nobody knows anything. Zelensky is still in charge of Ukraine, wearing his little fake clothes. The Strait of Hormuz is… who knows? You get conflicting reports nearly every day until you can’t say anything categorically. The world is a mess, but we’ve got a good President, possibly the best ever. History takes time to be written. The press thinks they’re writing it. They’ll probably skew history.

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – September 18, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The Feast of Trumpets is almost upon us. It is good to reflect on God’s guidance and ultimate victory. The world is so far away from the righteous decency that He has laid out for us it’s hard to know where to start. In spite of that, we can still be thankful for His truth, His word and the tremendous blessings we still enjoy.

This is all the more poignant as we reflect on the events of 9/11/2001. Most of us can remember where we were that day. My grandfather was actually airborne when the attack took place, en route to a reunion. His plane was grounded. Instead of continuing on his trip he returned home to be able to address the situation on TV and in print. As far away as that day seems at times the effects are still with us. In many ways it was a pivotal moment.

It is not insignificant that we still find ourselves embroiled in the turmoils of the Middle East. However most people may feel about our conflict with Iran, there is no doubt that they would inflict that and more on us again if given the chance.

Things got hot around Hormuz again this week. The announcement that the former passageway was clear of mine prompted Iran to try and launch more from shore, which is not exactly the ideal method. It has escalated from there, with attacks and reprisals rippling across the region.

The idea that oil and goods were flowing again essentially spells doom for Iran. Control of the Strait is leverage they need to retain relevance and their grip on power. Analysts debate how much oil is currently flowing. Ships transiting with their transponders on are few and far between, but this does not tell the whole tale. Most switch off and proceed with escort, and pipelines bypassing the strait have contributed a great deal.

This is why we see the Houthis on full offense over the last days, seizing an important island, with the encouragement and backing of Iran. Added pressure in the Red Sea keeps the trouble alive, and has indeed contributed to a spike in oil prices this week. Iraqi militias also struck a major Saudi pipeline. The Saudis have asked the US to intervene, but the feeling is we would prefer to have them step up and do their own dirty work. Time will tell.

There is plenty to be on alert about but we can thank God for the opportunity to pause on this double Sabbath Day and look forward to the time when all of these problems will be behind us.

-Michael

The post Weekly Update by Michael Armstrong – September 11, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Trump’s at it again. Every time somebody from the peanut gallery pipes up, Trump puts them in their place. They’re even targeting Barron, and he’s keeping a low profile these days. The whole media hates him, for some unknown reason. They particularly hate his hair.

The wars rage on. Zelensky fired deep into Russia and did some damage. He better be careful he doesn’t make Putin mad. He may already have. This is a dangerous war to not be involved in. Good as we have it, and a veritable champion we have as President, you wonder if things might turn south. I’m not worried too much. We have a lot to be happy about. Mainly that we’re not anywhere else in the world.

Pete Hegseth, president? The internet says he’s weighing a run. He better get Trump’s endorsement. In fact any Republican better have it, and hope Trump doesn’t change his mind. We’ll probably see a host of Trump aids running for president, and he won’t dare tip his hat. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think Trump will have a hand. Maybe he’ll be an advisor. Then again maybe nobody will want his advice. I think he’ll throw his weight behind some who does.

In the Reno airport they’ve got poster sized images from Burning Man, and if that doesn’t ruin your appetite, there are plenty of places you can get a bite to eat. But on the way to your gate, they’ve got images, bigger than life, all over the walls. It’s a lot cleaner than the real thing. But this year they’ve got fires around Lake Tahoe. I hope it doesn’t interfere with our Feast. But it’s only a month away! The partyers will all be gone by then.

Mamdani is an idiot. He thinks if we’d just install communist ideals we’d be a whole lot better off. He’s engineering a disaster, and he doesn’t even know it. Wouldn’t it be great if we just didn’t have to pay for anything? There wouldn’t be anything available! Hasn’t he traveled?

We’re going to hear some bad news along the way. The media is doing everything it can to try to turn us against Trump. We’re not going to be swayed by a bad hair-do in the wind. 

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – August 28, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Now the news is trying to make something of Trump’s relationship with his aide, Natalie Harp.  If you were married to Melania, I don’t think Natalie Harp would spark an interest.  I hope there’s nothing to it. If he allowed the media to break up his marriage and there wasn’t anything to it, it would be a sad day indeed. They’re printing Natalie’s letters, but who knows what goes through the head of a beautiful woman.  She certainly takes her job seriously.  

We’re at war, and we hardly know it.  We have to consult the news to find out what’s going on, and even then we’re not sure. The Strait of Hormuz is in the news again. Donald Trump claims we are policing the narrow gap, and the media is making the most of our vulnerabilities.

To be clear, I thought the war with Iran would be over by now, but those wily suckers refuse to give up. It’s like the Old Testament. Sooner or later they’ll be forced to reveal the obvious. But for now they’ve got unexpended drones. This is why we didn’t pull the trigger before. One thing about people from that region, they won’t admit defeat. Trump’s advisors should have told him that. They talk big. Too big.

 With all their “Save the Planet” jargon, they’re about to destroy California, if the job hasn’t been already done. I don’t know what the situation is now, so I’m avoiding California. I’d love to go back, but things are never as you left them.  

We’re playing mind games over Taiwan. Would the Chinese dare attack?  If they did, it would have an impact. We couldn’t afford gadgets anymore. But Trump is trying to repatriate these industries so we won’t worry.  But if China attacked Taiwan it might escalate.  That’s what we have to worry about.  Most of the world’s concerns are much more immediate.

Post apocalyptic movies are making a comeback.  There’s one candidate from Colorado claiming, forget the claims, we don’t want to know.  Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – August 21, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The Strait of Hormuz is a long ways away.  Some reports say we have control and the others, who knows? We’re involved in two wars, or slightly involved. We know why. The Gulf is essential for a good bit of the oil out of the Middle East.  Zelensky, well that’s another story altogether.  I don’t know about his problem-solving abilities, but he has that look on his face. 

Trump has his number, if they’re speaking. The idea that a little guy like that could play such a major role! I don’t like our potential involvement in it.  But nobody asked me. I don’t like Zelensky’s reputation. 

The media is busy calling out Trump for every perceived infraction.  They can all go jump in the lake as far as I’m concerned. But he is into everything, and maybe that’s what the President was meant to do.  The courts are busy trying to slow him down, but he just keeps coming. Trump is apparently poised to declare the Strait of Hormuz a U. S. territory or something, and patrol it.

There’s lots of gossip news.  Caroline Levitt has resigned and now they’re talking about her joining a network.  Should be entertaining.  But she’s done a great job, good luck replacing her.  All the news now is about people in the media.  Will she go to Fox News?  Who cares?  

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – August 14, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The Strait of Hormuz has always been strategic, but now more than ever. All that oil has to pass, though, and we’ve been talking about the passageway forever. Dad did programs where that was front and center. How’s the war going? There are many reports, and I’m sure every news organization wants an eyewitness. How would you like that job?

People are crazy in the Middle East. I don’t know why, but they are and always have been. Sometimes you hear the most fantastic tales, knowing it never happened, but playing along. I had a good time, but those days are over. 

Who knows what’s going on? You would have to volunteer for some pretty rough duty to know for sure. The Arabs talk big. Don’t believe them. Negotiations are breaking out so that you can hardly keep up. Call us when it’s over. 

People are worrying about WWIII again, buying property in South America and so forth. Me? I don’t want to leave home ever again. Much less go to some bunker in Argentina. The Drudge Report keeps showing pictures of Putin with that angry look on his face. What? He wants to rule the world? Good luck with that. If he survives the comrades, maybe.

What with Elon’s chances of colonizing the moon, we need to get off Earth? That will be the day! I like it here.

Back in the day, my Grandad was just sure that humans wouldn’t be allowed in space. That was the ‘60’s. The music was great but the predictions, not so much. I wish my Grandad could see everything happening now. It would be interesting to get his take. The very idea that we’re still here in 2026! 

But right now we’ve got more trouble than bad predictions. 

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – August 7, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Who knows what’s going on in Iran? I learned a long time ago that the Arabs lie. It’s part of their culture. I’m not going to tell you what else they do, but it’s not good. It’s hard to keep up with the news out of the Strait of Hormuz. News is that Iran is about to learn a lesson. You don’t lie to the Donald.

The pictures out of Spain are hard to look at. I know the Middle East is not the place to be, especially the way things are going. I don’t know if we realize how blessed we are. You don’t want to be somewhere else in the world, I don’t care what the pictures look like. Spain has become ground zero for the invasion. This time they’re coming from Morocco. It’s unbelievable.

Europe is undergoing a heatwave. But it sure is nice in Texas.

Michael and Melody have gone to Lexington, Tennessee to give the folks a blast of what we’ve been getting in Tyler. The feed will be coming from there tomorrow, and we here in Tyler are getting the day off. I hope it goes well, but you know with Michael, it will.

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – July 31, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The Iranians haven’t learned their lesson. They’ve got pictures showing the First Family in coffins. Dead. I know this last round of images is going to outrage Mr. Trump, so how long can Iran last in its present form? I always thought Iranians were the smartest of the Islamists. Apparently not. Trump doesn’t suffer fools lightly. Iran thinks they can interfere with world trade by closing the Strait of Hormuz. I think they’ve got another thing coming. 

North Korea is upgrading their missiles that can reach the United States. Kim Jong Un better not be as stupid as he looks. He’s liable to fool around and find out.

The media is doing everything within their power to turn us against Trump. They’ve hauled out every argument in the book, but they’re not winning. That’s his specialty.

There have been earthquakes in diverse places. I lived through several in California, and they’re no joke. One time it splashed water out of our pool, ruined Dad’s upstairs trophy room and got us all up early. Dad said two bucks were locked in combat. My bed was on casters and started rolling around. I saw waves going through the concrete. I remember February 9, 1971 like it was yesterday. My buddies and I were going to go to the beach, but Dad intervened and said the garden needed work. But things are not built in South America like they are in California. No provision for earthquakes. The twin earthquakes in Venezuela last month have left nearly 5,000 dead and 21,000 displaced.

Ukraine still isn’t solved. Zelensky is strutting around like he’s important. The jury is still out. They boast of missiles hitting near Moscow. They better be careful. 

The news says that Walmart is locking up beef in California. I’ve been here a long time, and I don’t ever remember locking up beef. Where are they going to put it?

The media’s been diagraming Trump’s speech before he even made it. It turns out that it wasn’t nearly as explosive as advertised. But that’s the media. They hate Trump.

Mark 

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – July 17, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.