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.

The earthquake in Venezuela killed an innumerable amount of people. The photographs are hard to look at. So much suffering. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad to be in the USA. It’s hard to imagine the devastation. But the earthquake in Venezuela destroyed buildings and people are distraught, as you can imagine. You can’t believe the photos, but they’re real. They don’t even know how many lost their lives yet. Family members wondering if their loved ones made it, or… We can’t imagine the pain people are living with, not knowing whether their family survived.

Big media is against Trump. They’re trying to say he’s half asleep most of the time. I think he’s doing a good job, but the media is not impressed. They’re trying to say he’s sleeping through meetings. I don’t think so, but he’s definitely got the weight of the world on his shoulders. They’re constantly showing pictures with his eyes half closed. I think he’s got them all outclassed, and they don’t even know it. 

The Strait of Hormuz is open. Or almost open. Iran is still being provocative, violating the ceasefire. This thing could get out of control. Talks are on again, off again, so we don’t know what to think. If a tanker gets blown up in the Strait, look out. That hasn’t happened yet, let’s hope it doesn’t.

The war rages on in Ukraine, with Zelensky sending drones and explosives clear to Moscow. Hundreds of them. Things better not get out of control, maybe they already are. Putin has got that look on his face again, Ukraine better look out. He may be considering the unthinkable.

Now they’re wondering if Putin has his sights set on NATO. Neighboring countries have been on Ukraine’s side and Putin knows it. This is no time for another war! A Drudge Report headline reads “Vlad plots move on NATO?” Better not. We’re still a partner. Unless he wants to start WWIII.

Mark

PS. We were saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. David Kleindienst. He was a longtime Minister and host in Columbia, Missouri. He will be greatly missed and we’ll keep his family and friends in prayer.

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – June 26, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

At this hour, talks go on with Iran. I don’t know whether all these talks will do any good. Arabs are nice people, but you don’t want to get on their bad side.  

The media is growing more bold in their criticism of Donald Trump. I wouldn’t be too quick to jump. So far, I think he’s ahead of the media. He tells them after the fact. He never gives them a chance to ambush him. Those idiots never give up! They just make up a new story you hadn’t thought of. The media, excepting those that attend press conferences, is against him. They never miss a chance to poke fun. So far, at least, he’s having the last laugh.

Trump signed the agreement to agree. Good luck. I doubt it’s final. Gas prices are supposed to come down, otherwise we’d never know we’d been in a war. I don’t know what kind of leverage we have, we’ve already destroyed everything. We’d hoped another faction would come to power, maybe friendly?  But it doesn’t look like that will happen. I guess we’d better get used to the idea of Iran being an enemy.  

Canada is cratering, and you can read all about it. They’ve never had the strength or resolve of the United States. They’ve let every Tom, Dick and Harry come in and at this point I don’t think we’d want it. How Canadians are putting up with the insults coming from the Oval, I don’t know.  The media is largely against Trump, you don’t need me to tell you that. They are criticizing everything he does and thinks. He doesn’t care.  

They’re chasing us around about AI. They say that pollsters are asking AI instead of the people.  That’s a good way to get steered wrong.  

Markets are about 7 moves ahead of the investor, they claim. Oil is coming down, now that we’ve paid penance. Maybe we won’t feel so guilty every time we fill up the car.  

You hardly hear anything about the Ukraine war. First we were on Zelensky’s side, then Trump kicked him out of the White House. I don’t know what to make of it, but I don’t like Zelensky. He had the misfortune of Donald Trump’s presidency, and doesn’t know how to handle it. Ukraine has hit Russia with missiles and the other shoe has yet to drop.

Mark

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – June 19, 2026 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.