The post GTA Monthly Offer – September 2024 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The issue reflects growing global awareness about the assumed usage of pronouns causing offence or upset to those who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

“Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female,” a spokesperson for the Church said. “Yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship.”

But he added that there were “absolutely no plans to abolish or substantially revise” authorised services and that no changes could be made without “extensive legislation”.

Continue reading HERE

Source: https://www.euronews.com/2023/02/08/britain-religion-gender-neutral

__________________________________________________________________

[Disclaimer]

The post Church of England explores gender neutral God first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The limits are being tested, and some of us have reached ours long since.  How much will the public stand for?  It seems most big concerns that advertise on television, including some very unlikely ones, are pushing former societal boundaries.  Lately we’ve seen our faces rubbed in every controversial subject, as if it’s “settled science.”  Are we going to continue using their services, buying their products, keeping these companies on top despite the fact that they make fun of everything we stand for?  “Oh that’s just politics.”  Not any more it’s not.

A strategy is in motion, and most (unless the media are lying) are buying, hook line and sinker.  Crisis is the method being used to bring about world government.  People are being frightened into mindless obedience, and feeling superior for their trouble.  The video from Melbourne during the pandemic was something to see.  Who could have imagined the lockdown being enforced brutally in a free country?  If the clashes were shot in black and white, you’d think it came from the heart of Europe in the 1930’s.  But it’s current, and a permanent blight.

Japan’s economic crisis is starting to show itself.  The one asset they own is U. S. Treasury securities.  Who’s going to bail them out?  Problem is, the Fed has been buying our own Treasury Securities.  So…

Is the land full of bloody crimes?  For some reason it’s not nice to hold criminals in jail.  What are you? Heartless?  Better that they’re on the street, committing more crimes.  That’s what is happening in Los Angeles and New York among other big cities.  But never mind the big cities, the philosophy driving much of the crime is being preached nationwide around the clock.  The networks are on it.

It’s interesting watching the testimony of the head of Homeland Security.  They should have multiple angles on the border on a big screen during the session.  We’re having to watch it.  Don’t worry, everything is under control.  They’ve figured out a way to process the flood heading our way, due to increased efficiency.  But the national scuttlebutt is that he doesn’t like the situation.  Wait ‘till the Easter Bunny finds out!

Poor Mr. Biden.  They’re treating him like an Alzheimer’s patient in public.  We’re exposed to brief snippets of confusion, then they assure us everything is fine.  It’s getting worse.  He’s going to outlaw incandescent light bulbs, again?  Better stock up.  With any luck, it will be overturned again.  Saving the planet much?  His entourage is all up in arms about the purchase of twitter by Elon Musk.  One minute you’re the darling of the left, saving the planet, taking humans to Mars, and the next is that he plans to allow freedom of speech on twitter!  The long knives are out, and apparently legislation will have to be passed, or a minister of dis-information appointed.  Otherwise, who knows what kind of hate speech will offend the weirdos.

Will it ever be our turn to be offended?  The blue (or is it green) haired nose-rings make the most outrageous accusations against anyone who would dare to quote God’s Word.  The New York Times published a shameful op-ed accusing God of being racist, violent, and anti-gay.  You won’t find it quoted here.  We don’t reprint blasphemy, and this dude better keep his eye on the sky, not that it will help.  But it seems that people who follow God just have to take it on the chin while “society” is busy being righteous.   Modern views are skewed beyond recognition.  How far we’ve come!

It’s being argued that Elon Musk has no idea what he’s in for.  Does he understand the vehemence that will be aimed at him?  There is a meltdown underway.  The analysts simply can’t imagine an environment where they can’t ban and de-platform anyone not singing from the approved hymnal.  It’s an outrage.  We can only hope.  It’s going to be difficult for Elon to decide what to allow, because you know the limits will be tested by saboteurs right off the bat.  Then the media with hair on fire will declare that freedom just can’t be allowed.  It’s too dangerous to the feelings of those who are staunchly bought in to things that just aren’t true.  Like gender is a state of mind.  Or the “planet” needs people to save us from global warming.  They’ve decided to force the issue.

Right away the response was to appoint a truth czar.  Surely it won’t pass Constitutional muster, but legal matters take time.  People will be tagged by the new truth ministry.  They’ve appointed some  woman who’s on the record being wrong on important issues.  Should be fun.  But that’s only the first salvo.  The enlightened crowd is going to control what everybody thinks and says or know the reason why.  With any luck, they’ll find out the reason why.

A famous quote from Ronald Reagan was something to the effect that it wasn’t that the opposition didn’t know much, it was just that they knew so much that wasn’t true.  Do they ever!  What if he could see what we’re seeing.  He’d shake his head in disgust.  I’d hate to think what my Dad would say if he saw what we’re up against.  Watching the news is like taking a beating.

Mark

Source: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/fridayupdates.php

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – 29 April 2022 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Like his predecessors, President Biden issued a proclamation on the National Day of Prayer this week, but one word was missing.

Both former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump mentioned “God” in their National Day of Prayer proclamations, but Biden’s proclamation never mentions God, only Americans’ “many religions and belief systems” and the “power of prayer.”

“Throughout our history, Americans of many religions and belief systems have turned to prayer for strength, hope and guidance,” Biden’s proclamation reads. “Prayer has nourished countless souls and powered moral movements – including essential fights against racial injustice, child labor and infringement on the rights of disabled Americans. Prayer is also a daily practice for many, whether it is to ask for help or strength, or to give thanks over blessings bestowed.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s 2017 proclamation mentioned God five times, his 2018 proclamation mentioned God five times, his 2019 proclamation mentioned God seven times and his 2020 proclamation mentioned God 11 times.

While the proclamation itself didn’t include “God,” Biden’s remarks for the occasion did say the vaccine was developed “by the grace of God.”

President Joe Biden speaks about the economy in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP)

Obama’s 2011 proclamation contained two references to God.

“Let us pray for the police officers, firefighters and other first responders who put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect their fellow citizens,” he said. “And let us ask God for the sustenance and guidance for all of us to meet the great challenges we face as a Nation.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith or conscience directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I ask all people of faith to join me in asking God for guidance, mercy and protection for our Nation,” Obama said.

The National Day of Prayer is typically the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer went virtual last year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-national-day-prayer-god-trump-obama-proclamation

The post ‘God’ left out of Biden’s National Day of Prayer proclamation first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The post Franklin Graham reacts to Biden omitting ‘God’ from National Day of Prayer first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Reverend Franklin Graham reacted on “Fox News Primetime” Thursday to President Biden being the first commander-in-chief to omit “God” from his address on the National Day of Prayer.

The holiday, first celebrated by Democrat Harry Truman and later formalized by Republican Ronald Reagan, is celebrated the first Thursday of May.

Biden, who identifies as a devout Roman Catholic, neglected to mention God during his formal Proclamation.

Graham, who now leads the Asheville, N.C.-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that his late father founded, told Fox News host Pete Hegseth he cannot figure out why Biden left the name of the Creator out of his proclamation.

“I’m not sure that [Biden] even knows. It was probably a staff person that wrote it and maybe not even ran it by him — because I don’t think Joe Biden would have approved that one,” Graham said.

“This is a National Day of Prayer. Of course we need to call on God – and not just some generic ‘gods’ or some ‘power’ in the air – but on God himself, the Creator who made and created this Earth and who sent his Son, Jesus Christ from Heaven to this Earth to save mankind from sin by dying on a cross.”

“There is no one else to pray to except to God,” the 68-year-old Evangelist added.

Host Pete Hegseth noted that just prior to his interview, Graham separately opined on Facebook about the president leaving God out of his proclamation:

“Why would President Biden omit God? … I was deeply saddened to read that President Biden is the first president to omit the word “God” in his proclamation. That speaks volumes doesn’t it? It is hard to believe we have come this far,” he wrote.

‘GOD’ LEFT OUT OF BIDEN’S NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PROCLAMATION

On Fox News, Graham added that he is troubled by the decline in church attendance, but attributed much of the issue to governors in several states that have restricted congregational worship opportunities. He said that some churches later moved to online services and Mass – which he added helped many congregations mildly retain their attendance and tithing.

“No question, God answers prayer. He hears prayer. He listens to prayer. But we have got to approach God in the right way. We have to confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness,” Graham offered in the spirit of the national holiday.

Graham later offered a prayer on the much-revered holiday:

“Father, we pray for our country, pray for the president. Father, we pray for all the folks there at Fox News. 

Father, we thank you for them. And we just pray for Pete [Hegseth] and his family. 

Thank you, Father, that You love us, You care for us, and that you sent your son, Jesus Christ from Heaven to this Earth to die for our sins and our place.

And, Father, it’s my prayer that many people put their faith and trust in him in Jesus’ name, we pray; Amen.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Both former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump mentioned “God” in their National Day of Prayer proclamations, but Biden’s proclamation never mentioned God, only Americans’ “many religions and belief systems” and the “power of prayer.”

Trump’s 2017 proclamation mentioned God five times, his 2018 proclamation mentioned God five times, his 2019 proclamation mentioned God seven times and his 2020 proclamation mentioned God 11 times.

While the proclamation itself didn’t include “God,” Biden’s remarks for the occasion did say the vaccine was developed “by the grace of God.”

Fox News’ Evie Fordham contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/media/rev-graham-reacts-to-biden-leaving-god-out-of-prayer-proclamation-there-is-no-one-else-to-pray-to

The post Rev. Graham reacts to Biden leaving ‘God’ out of prayer proclamation: ‘There is no one else to pray to’ first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

The new monthly letter is being printed and will be mailed the first of next week.  Our HQ building is cleaned up and cleaned out of leaven, and we expect there will be a good turnout for the Passover (Lord’s Supper) service to be held this evening at sundown.  I will tell you that several hundred people have gone to the 21^st Century WATCH website in response to a post offering explanation about the origins of Easter.

There is much to be said and understood about what’s happening in the United States and all around the world.  Hopes for prosperity and survival have been dashed in so many ways, it’s hard to keep up and not much fun in any event.  It appears as though those who purportedly “won” the election are going to use every conceivable path to try to outlaw the rights we considered inviolable.

But this is no time to be in a terrible attitude.  We’ve got more important things to contemplate as another (forgettable) year has passed, and it’s time for the Passover and the Spring Holy Day season to commence.  God has a glorious future in store for those who overcome the sins of this world, and this is a good time to reflect on those promises.  We hope you all have a fulfilling Passover, and First Day of Unleavened Bread.  And we’re looking forward to having visitors from near and far for the activities scheduled around the Last Day of Unleavened Bread next weekend.

There will be plenty of time to rail against the insanity playing out against everything we stand for next time.  May God bless all His people who keep His commandments and respect His Word.

Mark

Source: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/fridayupdates.php

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – 26 March 2021 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

For those of us who have avoided the unfolding spectacle, it’s been quite a peaceful week.  We’ve found ways of keeping up without having to go through the emotional upset of watching the insanity play out.  We asked for it, they tell us. They’ll probably never report that the impossible outcome means that some 15 million like gibberish more than the fake One.  But the media hasn’t noticed, or seen fit to inform whatever audience is left to note that embarrassing tidbit.

We said we’re not giving up, and we’re not.  Nobody has any idea what will unfold in the weeks and months ahead.  Let the would-be overlords celebrate.  Chances are they’ll reap the whirlwind, one way or the other.  God hates vain haughtiness, and the media is drowning in it.  Maybe they think it will all be their way from here on out.  It won’t.

For now, they control all the levers of power.  Enemies of Americans are now in control of the government, social media, the big corporations, you name it.  How bad will it get before some return to sanity?  Remember, patience is a virtue.  If you look at what it took to secure this nation, or what it has taken to preserve it, you know that things often look very dark before the dawn.  We’re hoping it doesn’t get too much darker.

But it might.  When it does, don’t lose hope.  Maybe our faith is being tested.  We know where our faith lies and it’s not in human leaders, no matter how entertaining.  It is entirely possible that not enough credit was given where it was due.  As much as we may have enjoyed the brash braggadocio, maybe it didn’t play well upstairs.  We’ll find out someday.

In the meantime let us worship God, the Author of everything good, and let Him work this out as He sees fit.  Let us not descend into the insanity of this world and its vain liars.  But let’s not lose our heads either.  Throw a fit now and again, but be careful about it.  God’s got this.  For further commentary, see this month’s letter.  It’s written, and will be mailed early next week.

Mark

P. S.  We’ve embarked on a television ad campaign for 21^st Century WATCH, having bought a package on One America News.  It started this week, and so far we have approximately 100 new subscribers to the publication.  We won’t send them the monthly letter, unless they go on to order material offered within the pages.  People won’t necessarily know about our belief in the weekly Sabbath or the annual Holy Days from having seen the spot.  But reading any issue of ours should remedy that.  We will include the commercial on this week’s Sabbath DVD, so you can see it there.  Just because it looks like everything is circling the drain doesn’t mean we’re about to give up free speech or the commission God gave to His church.  We might need a lawyer, and if so, so be it.  We’ll continue using whatever means are available to communicate.  And they said print was dead!  That was before we realized the power they’ve taken to themselves, assuming everything is digital.

Source: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/fridayupdates.php

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – 22 January 2021 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

Analysts see Putin’s plan to change the constitution as beginning preparations for succession when his current Kremlin term ends in 2024.

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to parliament a number of constitutional changes, including amendments that mention God and stipulate that marriage is a union of a man and woman.

Putin in January unleashed a political storm by proposing an overhaul of the constitution, the first changes to the basic law since 1993.

Shortly afterward, the lower house unanimously approved the constitutional reform bill in a first reading after less than two hours of debate.
Most Russians identify as Orthodox Christians but Russia is officially a secular state.

Ahead of a second and key reading set for next week, Putin submitted 24 pages worth of new proposals, said State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.

“The president’s amendments are the result of his dialogue with representatives of all factions (and) civil society,” he said in comments released by the State Duma.

The amendments enshrine the mention of Russians’ “faith in God” and also stipulate that marriage is a heterosexual union, said Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy.

Most Russians identify as Orthodox Christians but Russia is officially a secular state.

The new amendments also ban giving away Russian territory and any call promoting such a move would also be outlawed.

A member of a Kremlin-appointed constitutional working group, actor Vladimir Mashkov, has suggested that such an amendment would ensure that Russia keeps Crimea — which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014 — or the Kuril Islands — disputed with Japan for decades — even after.

Tolstoy said he was pleased with the draft legislation.

“I believe that most of the proposals that have been discussed have been taken into account,” he told AFP.

The 67-year-old Putin, who has dominated Russia for 20 years, has sought to cast himself as a defender of traditional values and rally support by promoting anti-Western and conservative ideas.

Putin’s fourth stint in the Kremlin has seen a strong pivot to more conservative policies, with groups promoting fundamentalist Orthodox Christian views gaining more legitimacy and liberal viewpoints attacked as Moscow’s relations with the West have soured.

The second reading of the constitutional reform bill is expected to take place on March 10, said a spokeswoman for Pavel Krasheninnikov, co-chief of the constitutional working group.

The spokeswoman told AFP that the text of the amendments was expected to be published later this week.

A public vote on the constitutional reforms has been set for April 22.

Analysts see Putin’s plan to change the constitution as beginning preparations for succession when his current Kremlin term ends in 2024.

At the weekend more than 22,000 people rallied in central Moscow to call on Putin not to stay in power indefinitely.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/russian-president-vladimir-putin-proposes-to-enshrine-god-heterosexual-marriage-in-constitution/articleshow/74448091.cms

The post Russian President Vladimir Putin proposes to enshrine God, heterosexual marriage in constitution first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.

It took a couple weeks, but we’ve got a BRAND NEW scandal!

How did they ever come up with this one?  The creativity is just astounding.  Are you ready?  RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA!  You’ll never believe it, but it’s all happening.  That’s right.  Russia is already in the process of stealing the next election because Trump is Putin’s little puppet.  How is it possible that Russia is interfering again, after 17 “intelligence” agencies dedicated over three years and incalculable “resources” to ferret out the truth, IMPEACH the President and get him out of the White House?  Such dedicated public servants, risking their lives to rid us of this menace.

Except they didn’t, and they won’t.  Our time and trouble have been wasted on this nonsense, of which they never had anything close to proof.  Apparently lacking a fresh strategy, they’ve doubled down on their unmitigated and embarrassing failure, having failed to notice what fools they made of themselves.  We noticed.

If you thought Adam Schiff’s eyes were bulging before, they’re probably coming completely out their sockets over this NEW revelation.  We’ll probably have hearings with second-hand witnesses, expressing their deep emotional distress over the depths of Trump’s seditious behavior.  He’s undoubtedly mistreated some innocent government employees and caused them tremendous pain, you’ll see.

Or maybe not.  It turns out, once again, that the proof of this nefarious plot is classified.  It’s so diabolical they can’t tell us any details.  But people much, much smarter than any of you, dear readers, are up to speed and we’d be crazy not to take their word for it.  Try a cable-news channel if you dare.  It’s all Russia, all over again.

By now you’d think we could concentrate on the real problems facing our nation and the world.  You know them well.  Drug cartels operating freely in our cities; opioid deaths off the chart; Muslim terrorists infiltrating the population; weird viruses with no treatment or cure coming from filthy dietary practices in far-flung places; a flood of third world, poverty-stricken aliens dreaming of life on the American government dole; China’s building of military bases all over the world.  And that’s just scratching the surface of concerns that deserve attention.

But no.  We’ve got legions of people throughout the media supporting any and all of those who think they’ve still got a chance of deposing the President, preaching like evangelists about the “existential” (oh how they love that word) threat of “climate change.”

For years now we’ve likened it to a religious belief, and now the pope is removing all doubt.  Not only has he made it all but a plank of Catholicism.  That, and of course respect for homosexuality.  The pope is inviting “representatives of all the Earth’s inhabitants” to the Vatican to sign on to the Global Compact on Education.  That ought to shut us up!  The goal is to “educate” all the world’s children to the dangers of the invented “crisis of climate change.”

But he knows, just like all the network evangelists that it’s as phony as Russian collusion.  The media intends to force-feed us more nonsense for the foreseeable future, even though they know we’re not buying it.  They’re own network and think-tank polls, skewed as they are, still show that we’re just not buying into this nonsense.  It’s colder than…whatever we said as kids, just like every year this time. Snow still falls in the usual locations, contrary to the predictions of those who were trying to push this canard on us fifteen or twenty years ago.  They said we’d need video, photos and long explanations to explain what snow was like to the next generation.  Instead, we just take them skiing.

There are freak weather events, and there always have been.  It’s the weather after all, and we see anomalies from time to time.  But we’re getting a little tired of being told we have to be afraid, very afraid if there is no all-powerful government to force compliance with its dictates.  As one of my favorite personalities recently said, “All the free stuff sounds great to kids who’d rather not work for a living, but somebody should tell them it comes wrapped in an iron fist.”

The pope is all about socialism, “global warming,” open borders and apologies to “gay” people who aren’t even happy.  It’s the new religion and it requires a serious if not angry demeanor.  Yeah, thanks anyway.  The world may regard God’s Laws as bondage, we don’t.  Observing those things we’ve been given as reminders of His creation and His intervention at critical times in human history is wonderful, and we enjoy them.

We’re content in the realization that we’re in His Hands so far as the climate is concerned, weather events and all.  We’re thankful for freedom of religion, freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, and we intend to exercise all those freedoms for as long as possible.  And to those that demand that we fervently worry about their fake concerns?  Tell them to have a nice day.  We’re going to.  It’s the Sabbath, the day God rested after He finished this fabulous creation.  It’s what we call the pursuit of happiness.

Mark

PS. Mr. Terry Gooch is doing well and seemed to be in great spirits earlier in the week. Thanks to all who remembered him in prayer. The next monthly letter has gone to the printer and it’s more fun than the Update!  Our next issue of 21^st Century WATCH is also complete and off to be printed.  It’s a beautiful day in this neck of Texas, but colder than “global warming” should permit.  We’ll try to survive!

Source: http://www.intercontinentalcog.org/fridayupdates.php

The post Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – 21 February 2020 first appeared on Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.