The GOP Debate in Des Moines Iowa

Iowa Debate: Republican Candidates Clash Amidst Newt Gingrich Surge, Mitt Romney Attacks - ABC News

The GOP candidates clashed again in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, December 10, 2011.  The Iowa Caucus is only a month away.  It will be held on January 3, 2012. 

Fox News Poll: More Than Half Of American Voters Now Disapprove Of Obama's Job Performance

Fox News Poll: More Than Half Of American Voters Now Disapprove Of Obama's Job Performance Fox News



According to a Fox News poll yesterday, more than half of the American voters disapprove rather than approve President Obama's job approval rating.  They disapprove of the President Obama's performance--especially over the American economy.  According to the Fox News poll, 44 percent approve of the president's job performance while 51% disapprove.  Part of that disapproval is from Democrats.  19% of Democrats disapprove of the president's performance which matches a previous high in August 2010.  An overwhelming majority of voters (94%) believe the economy is in bad shape.  28% rate conditions as fair while 66% rate the economy as poor. 

Even though the numbers concerning President Obama's job approval may sound hopeful to GOP voters in next year's presidential election, it wouldn't be wise to be that ecstatic about next year's election at this point.  Many voters, including conservative voters, aren't happy with the GOP's choice of candidates for next year's presidential election.  None of them sound very presidential.  The two top GOP frontrunners, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney, aren't reliable candidates for president.  Mitt Romney pushed for Romneycare in Massachusetts, which is a miniature version of Obamacare, while governor.  Newt Gingrich waffles back and forth on issues.  He portrays himself as a conservative, but he's content with big government.  He has supported an individual mandate that all Americans purchase health insurance and he has posed with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a global warming ad.  He was in Congress for 20 years before resigning in 1998. 

I'm also fearful that a third party candidate will emerge who will give voice to conservative values.  I was wondering if that candidate could be Donald Trump.  Donald Trump asks some of the questions that need to asked.  I don't dispute that.  However, he has his foot in the door in case he does decide to run for president.  This past week he was interviewed by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity.  Whether it's Trump or somebody else, I am fearful that someone will run as a third-party candidate and split the conservative vote, thus ensuring a second term for President Obama. 

Christmas Traditions: Dr. Seuss "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Part 1



Part 2

The 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day

Pearl Harbor Day: Ceremony marks 70th anniversary of attack - latimes.com

Pearl Harbor Survivor Stories



Lost Evidence Pearl Harbor (Part 1)



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4



Part 5



Today is the 70th Annivesary of Pearl Harbor Day.  I have posted some YouTube clips about this tragic and memorable day in U.S. history.  I appreciate the dedicate and sacrifice of all those that served in the U.S. military during World War II. 

The Real Newt Gingrich

If you believe Newt Gingrich is a legitimate candidate for president of the United States, listen to what John F. McManus, president of the John Birch Society says about Newt Gingrich.  He reveals that Gingrich isn't the conservative he portrays himself to be.  His voting record during his years in Congress from 1979-99 reveals what he really is.  This video is a must see.

Jesus Was Born Into This World to Die For the Sins of Mankind (Part 1)

(Isaiah 9:6,7) "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

(Isaiah 53:1-6) "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." 

During the Christmas season many people in America and around the world are captivated by all the different things that take place during this holiday season such as Christmas shopping, Christmas caroling, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, Christmas candy, Christmas dinner, and all the trimmings that come with Christmas.  Christmas is the time of year where we can spend time with our families and reflect on the past year.  Christmas is the time of year in Christendom where we remember the birthday of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Nobody knows when Jesus was born.  He probably wasn't born around December 25th.  Legend has it that December 25th was chosen was because that date occurs during the winter solstice.  Christmas has its pagan origins to it.  During ancient Rome, Saturnalia, a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture--was celebrated.  Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time where food and drink were plentiful and the normal social order in Rome was turned upside down for a month.  There were all kinds of pagan celebrations in Rome that occurred during this time of year.  It wasn't until the 4th century A.D. that church officials decided to institute the birth of Christ in this holiday season.  Throughout the centuries since that time in church history, celebrating the birth of Christ was a major component of the Christmas holidays. 

Even though the Bible doesn't mention a specific day when Christ was born, we designate December 25th as the day to remember Christ's birth.  The Bible doesn't give a commandment that we celebrate Christ's birth.  However, without the birth of Christ, there would never have been the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Bible does specifically command us to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ by the partaking of the Lord's Supper (I Corinthians 11:24).  The 17th century Puritans in Massachusetts were opposed to the celebration of Christmas because (1) the Bible didn't command it, and (2) the celebration of Christmas in that particular era was a time of drunkenness, rioting, and gluttony.  However, regardless of whether or not people abuse the celebration of this holiday, Christmas is a time set aside where we remember the Biblical promise fulfilled in the Bible where Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and was lying in a manger.  We need to remember that the purpose of Christ's coming was not for the purpose alone of just being born.  Christ's birth wouldn't have been as significant to mankind if he was just born into this world.  Christ was born into this world because of Calvary on Golgatha's hill.  He was born into this world so that one day he would go to an old rugged cross to die for the sins of mankind.  That's why we can celebrate Christmas.  He came into this world to redeem us from sin.  The Jews were looking for a Saviour to deliver them from the oppression of the Romans.  However, Jesus' purpose wasn't to deliver the Jews from Roman rule.  He came here to die for the sins of mankind and that mankind might be saved.  It's not Christ's birth itself but what his life here on this earth led to which makes his first coming significant--Calvary. We should never lose sight of that. 

In the next post I'll be presenting a historical background behind the reason why Jesus had to come into this world.  It was due to the fall of mankind that Jesus had to come to this world.  We'll explain that in the next post.

Herman Cain Prepares To Discuss Campaign's Future After Damage Assessment

Cain Prepares To Discuss Campaign's Future After Damage Assessment Fox News

 Presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks to supporters in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Former Godfather's Pizza CEO and 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain plans to make an announcement sometime today whether or not he will continue his presidential campaign or will he end it in the midst of all the sexual allegations levied against him in recent weeks by four different women.  This past week there was an Atlanta-based woman named Ginger White who made the allegation that Cain had a 13-year affair with her.  She claimed she had an ongoing affair with came starting in 1999 while he was president of the National Restaurant Association until about eight months ago right before he started running for president.  Cain made the claim in a CNN interview that he knew the woman, but denied they had an affair.

Whether or not all these allegations are true I don't know but Cain is not in a position to contend for prime time.  He didn't handle himself very well in regards to the allegations.  Cain's presidential campaign is finished.  He won't go anywhere.  It's just a matter of time before it's over with one way or another, whichever way it comes.  Click on the above link to read the latest story.

Joy to the World, the Song and the Story

Joy to the World, the Song and the Story




The words to this song was penned down by Isaac Watts, the father of English hymnology.  The hymn was based on Psalm 98 in the Bible.  Watts wrote this song as a hymn speaking of Christ's triumphant return at the end of the age.  Instead, this song is used to celebrate Christ's first coming as a babe born in a stable. 

The music was adapted and arranged to Watt's lyrics by Lowell Mason in 1839 from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from Handel, who was known for the masterpiece production, "The Messiah."  As of the late 20th century, this hymn is the most published Christmas hymn in North America, according to Wikipedia.

Christmas Songs by Nat King Cole

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing



O Little Town of Bethlehem



O Holy Night



The First Noel



Joy to the World



God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen



Chestnuts Roasting in an Open Fire

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem was sung by Ben Speer in the Gaither Homecoming Christmas in South Africa