Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Middle Class Erosion: 33 Million Americans Will Not Travel During The Holidays Because They Can’t Afford To Do So - Michael Snyder

Posted: 09 Oct 2018 Michael Snyder

We have repeatedly been told that the U.S. economy is “booming”, but meanwhile the middle class in the United States continues to be hollowed out.  The financial bubbles that the Federal Reserve has created have been a great blessing for those at the very top of the economic pyramid, but most of the country is still deeply struggling.  According to one survey, 78 percent of all full-time workers in the U.S. live paycheck to paycheck, and that doesn’t even include part-time workers or those that are unemployed. 

We have also been told that unemployment is “low”, but the real numbers tell us that there are more working age Americans without a job in 2018 than there was at any point during the last recession.  Most of the people that my wife and I know are struggling, and I continually get emails from readers all over the country that are struggling.  The sad truth is that the middle class is slowly but surely dying, and more people are falling into poverty with each passing day.

And we got more evidence of this fact on Tuesday.  According to one new survey, 33 million Americans will not travel during the holiday season because they simply cannot afford to do so…
Wallet Hub’s Winter Travel Survey has revealed a disturbing trend: 33 million Americans won’t travel this winter because they can’t afford it.
I have been warning about the effect that rising interest rates would have on the economy, and rising rates are being blamed for this travel slowdown.  The following comes from MSN
However, Americans are still feeling the pinch of the pocketbook—part of that has to do with rising interest rates.
“U.S. consumers will be shelling out billions of dollars in extra charges they otherwise could be spending on other things such as travel,” said Mark A. Bonn, director of the resort and vacation rental management program at Florida State University. “This makes it difficult to travel now, let alone after the holiday spending has ended.”
But of course the truth is that most Americans were deeply struggling long before interest rates started to rise.

Those of us in our prime working years can try to work even harder to make ends meet, but when you are elderly and on a fixed income, there is little that can be done.

According to the Sacramento Bee, 9 million elderly Americans across the country “can’t afford to eat”, and in one of their recent articles they featured the plight of 71-year-old Floridian Janet Burke…
Burke is one of the nearly 9 million elderly people at risk of hunger in the United States. In Florida, with the highest percentage of people 60 and older, more than 750,000 elderly need food assistance, according to experts.
The problems confronting the elderly have become one of the hot topics for candidates this election year. Candidates in South Florida have pointed to the needs of the elderly as one of the key concerns voiced by voters.
More than 100 million Americans receive assistance from the government each month, but many citizens do not believe in receiving any help and so they just quietly suffer as they search for a way to make things better.

Today, I would like to share with you a testimony from someone that has been there.  My good friend Daisy Luther knows what it is like to barely survive from month to month, and the way that she described those struggles in one of her most recent articles was extremely poignant
Let’s talk about poverty.
I don’t mean the kind you’re talking about when your friends invite you to go shopping or for a night out and you say, “No, I can’t. I’m poor right now.”
I don’t mean the situation when you’d like to get a nicer car but decide you should just stick to the one you have because you don’t have a few thousand for a down payment.
I don’t mean the scene at the grocery store when you decide to get ground beef instead of steak.
I’m talking about when you have already done the weird mismatched meals from your pantry that are made up of cooked rice, stale crackers, and a can of peaches, and you’ve moved on to wondering what on earth you’re going to feed your kids.
Or when you get an eviction notice for non-payment of rent, a shut-off notice for your utilities, and a repo notice for your car and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about any of those notices because there IS NO MONEY.
If you’ve never been this level of broke, I’m very glad.
have been this broke. I know that it is soul-destroying when no matter how hard you work, how many part-time jobs you squeeze in, and how much you cut, you simply don’t make enough money to survive in the world today.
If the U.S. economy really is “booming”, then why are millions upon millions of American families struggling like this?

Sadly, it is because the truth is that the U.S. economy is not “booming”, and we continue to get more indications that another major economic downturn is imminent.

It doesn’t have to be this way.  Blueprints have been proposed that would mean much better days ahead for America, but most Americans seem quite content with the status quo.
Most Americans seem to want corrupt politicians in Washington, a Federal Reserve system that is bankrupting future generations, an exploding national debt, a deeply oppressive system of taxation and a bloated national government that is becoming more monstrous with each passing day.

In this day and age, “liberty” and “freedom” are seen as antiquated concepts that are standing in the way of “progress”, and more government always seems to be the “solution” that is proposed whenever any crisis arises.

If we truly want to turn America around, we need to return to the values and the principles that once made this nation so great, and right now that simply is not happening…

About the author: Michael Snyder is a nationally syndicated writer, media personality and political activist. He is publisher of The Most Important News and the author of four books including The Beginning Of The End and Living A Life That Really Matters.

The Last Days Warrior Summit is the premier online event of 2018 for Christians, Conservatives and Patriots.  It is a premium-members only international event that will empower and equip you with the knowledge and tools that you need as global events begin to escalate dramatically.  The speaker list includes Michael Snyder, Mike Adams, Dave Daubenmire, Ray Gano, Dr. Daniel Daves, Gary Kah, Justus Knight, Doug Krieger, Lyn Leahz, Laura Maxwell and many more. Full summit access will begin on October 25th, and if you would like to register for this unprecedented event you can do so right here.

The post Middle Class Erosion: 33 Million Americans Will Not Travel During The Holidays Because They Can’t Afford To Do So appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Plant a Tree in Israel for the Holidays! ✡ "It Will Sprout Again" - ISRAEL365

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down,
that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

כִּי יֵשׁ לָעֵץ תִּקְוָה אִם יִכָּרֵת וְעוֹד יַחֲלִיף וְיֹנַקְתּוֹ לֹא תֶחְדָּל

איוב יד:ז

kee yaysh la-AYTZ tik-VAH im yi-ka-RAYT v’-OD ya-kha-LEEF v’-yo-nak-TO
lo tekh-DAL

Today's Israel Inspiration

Job contrasts the passing of man to the death of a tree. Once a man has departed from this world, he can not be brought back to life. A tree, on the other hand, though seemingly lifeless, can be revived. Similarly, Isaiah writes that though a tree appears dead after it sheds its leaves in the fall, the trunk remains from which the tree will flower again in the spring. Isaiah compares the Children of Israel to the tree. Though at times it appears that they will be annihilated and cease to exist, a holy remnant always remains from which they will grow anew and flourish (Isaiah 6:13). After centuries of countless battles over the Land of Israel, the holy soil aches to renew and blossom once again, just as the Jewish people yearn to revive the national spirit.
 

Hanukkah Takes Over the Jimmy Kimmel Show!

Grab your latkes and sit on your tuchus: tonight we'll see some shmoozing, some kibbitzing and if we're lucky, maybe even a little mishegas! You've never seen a Hanukkah party quite like this!
 

The Third Temple is on the Way as Priests Prepare Ritual Shabbat Showbreads

A Shabbat reenactment of a Temple ritual took place in the holy city of Hebron giving participants a taste of the Temple service as it was in Biblical times.

Today's Israel Photo

Even as the cold winter winds blow,
signs of life and renewal are always blossoming, if even in the most unexpected of places.
 
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Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Darlene Morgan from Illinois. Todah rabah!
 

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Ways to Avoid Stress During the Holidays - SHERYL GIESBRECHT CHARISMA MAGAZINE


Here's how you can have a peaceful holiday season.

Here's how you can have a peaceful holiday season. (Charisma archives)

5 Ways to Avoid Stress During the Holidays



"Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright."
Each night we heard my son tattling on his sister, "Mom, Sarah is taking too much time in the bathroom." Silent? Hardly. Calm? Nope.
"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. ..."
For the third time that week, we were late to soccer practice. And my husband, Paul, was the coach. That routine was far from restful.
"O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. ..."
(Sigh.) So much to do, so little time—removed from tranquil.
Are these holiday lyrics descriptions of your family's Christmas season? During the Christmas rush, our homes are far from silent, calm, restful, still, or peaceful. The holiday momentum builds the day after Thanksgiving; the house is noisy, busy, hustling, bustling, and brimming over with activity and stress to the point of near exhaustion. We have so much to do before Christmas day arrives. There are lists to make, baking to prepare, cards to send, shopping to do, gifts to wrap, and events to plan.
Then there are Christmas church services, musicals, plays, concerts, recitals, office parties, family gatherings, and Christmas light tours. Don't forget traditions to revisit and memories to make.
Have you ever been tempted to run away at Christmastime? It would be nice to take a two-week trip, maybe to a deserted island, and be alone with your family—or maybe just alone! There is a solution! We can intentionally cut the Christmas chaos this year. The five steps to doing so spell the word PEACE.
P: Pray Ahead
Guess what? Christmas comes on the same date at the same time every year: December 25. Start praying for your holiday experience when you see the first hint of Christmas decorations in the stores. In July, I browsed Hobby Lobby for items to decorate my patio, I was shocked to see there were things for sale announcing not only the arrival of Halloween and Thanksgiving, but—oh yes—Christmas. Instead of asking, "Can you believe Christmas decorations are already for sale?" tell yourself, "I am so glad I'm reminded to begin to pray for our family's holiday season to glorify the Lord. Let Jesus be celebrated on His birthday."
Pray for God's peace to rule before, during, and after your holiday. Pray for peace to reside in your heart and mind, so it will infect and redirect the chaos around you.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it to the full" (John 10:10, NIV).
E: Express Your Desire
After you've talked to God about your holiday hope for harmony, pick a night for a family meeting and share your thoughts with your loved ones. Ask each person to write down his or her favorite traditions, activities, and foods associated with the holiday. As you are gather the lists, mix them up and pass them out to a person other than the one who made the list. Give each person a few minutes to read aloud the list he or she received. There will be many repeated items on the lists. Have someone make a list of the most popular items in each category. Keep the most favorite traditions and activities on the to-do list, and let the others go. This will make simplifying Christmas much easier, and everyone will have a say.
Explain to your loved ones that as they simplify, it will help increase their peace and enjoyment during the holidays.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as member of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful" (Colossians 3:15, NIV).
A: Accept a Few Invitations
Believe it or not, less is more. Take a minute to think about all of the events tied to the holiday season: Christmas parties, cookie decorating in your child's classroom, potlucks at work, secret Santa for the ladies' group, and Christmas plays and concerts. Unintentionally, we get ourselves and our families twisted and tangled in the Christmas tinsel of too much activity. Only one thing is important: focusing on Jesus.
How do you choose what to attend and how to spend your precious time? Share Advent with your family each morning at breakfast. I use a daily Scripture Advent calendar I found on Pinterest to keep focused on Jesus, the reason for the season. When we choose to start the day focusing on Jesus, it is easier to say no when the invitations arrive.

Use the lists you created in the previous step to discover what your loved ones' priorities really are and decide how you will use your time. What are your family's favorite baked goods? Ours are baking pumpkin bread, making Chex mix, baking sugar cookies, and making tamales. When my kids lived at home, we would plan a day or an evening for the actual baking of baked goods and schedule several days for making tamales. We even involved our small groups at church. If your children's classrooms are hosting Christmas gatherings you are helping organize (but they fall on the same day), involve your husband, grandma, or even a favorite aunt so you don't feel like you have to be in two places at once.
Say "no." That's right. It's OK to say, "No, we have other plans." Even if your "other plans" are to stay home with your family and finish frosting sugar cookies for tomorrow's class party. No guilt, no pressure—just honest self-control and wise time management. Your own children are going to learn a lot from you this year.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22–23, MEV).
C: Create a Budget
Go back to your list of how you and your family plan to celebrate Christmas. Do you have a large immediate family? What about extended family? Figure out how much money you are able to spend on each person and make another list of items so your children can help with the shopping. You don't have to spend a lot of money on special gifts outside your immediate family. Pinterest is a great resource full of ideas for do-it-yourself crafts and creating memory ideas your children can make for relatives and friends. Mark your calendar and plan ahead for a Christmas gift-making craft day.
Have your children given you their Christmas lists? Also have them create a list of items they want to give at Christmas. If we don't teach our children how to share out of abundance, we will actually teach and reinforce selfishness. It helps to explain to them. "When we get new things, we must get rid of some old ones to make room." It's the principle of the most not-believed beatitude in the Bible found in Acts 20:35: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Can the giver be happier than the receiver? Although it goes against all of our human instincts, it is true. This is a very important kingdom principle best taught in life situations.
"John answered, 'Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the sam.'" (Luke 3:11, NIV).
E: Experience Jesus
Invite God's presence to take over your lists, plans, and desires. Ask Jesus to rule how you focus your time.

A wonderful tradition I started with my own children when they were young encouraged them daily during the twenty-four days before Christmas day. We had a couple of Nativity sets, and each morning when the kids were getting ready for school, I would hide the baby Jesus from each set. The challenge was that they could not search for the hidden baby Jesus until they were fully dressed, beds made, breakfast eaten, teeth brushed, backpacks packed, and ready to load into the car to go to school. When they were completely ready to walk out the door, I would say, "OK, let's look for the baby Jesus." As Sarah would search for the small baby Jesus, I would say "hotter" or "colder," depending on where she was situated in relation to where I had hidden it until she discovered the hiding place. Next, Ben would get the chance to do the same thing with the baby Jesus from the other nativity. It was a great Christ-centered way to start each day.
Not only do I hang on to our family memories, but I taught my children how to develop their own special traditions for their family Christmas seasons.
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you" (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV).
As you see, cutting Christmas chaos can be very simple. It takes planning and intention ... and of course, lots of prayer. I will be praying you will experience a "calm and bright" holiday and you can "sleep in heavenly peace." May God bless your Christmas!
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV).
Sheryl Giesbrecht's message is exchanging hurt for hope, one she shares with audiences as a radio personality, author and speaker. A dynamic teacher and motivating leader, Giesbrecht has endured many changes and challenges, moving her to a deep faith, trust and dependence on God. She is host of the nationally syndicated radio show, Turn Up the Music with Sheryl Giesbrecht, and the Executive Director of International Christian Ministries (www.ICMUSA.org). She is the author of Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down.
Learn more about Sheryl Giesbrecht on her website, www.FromAshesToBeauty.com. She also invites readers to follow her on Facebook (AuthorSherylGiesbrecht) and onTwitter (@SGiesbrecht).
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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Battle in the Heavens! - Christmas music on 91.9!



Love it!

Christmas 
vs 
Halloween!

Listen to Christmas music 
Now on: New Life 91.9

(This will give the enemy something to scream about.)
Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Warren Marcus of One New Man speaks on the Feasts of the Lord - (1 of 4)


Warren Marcus - One New Man

Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) celebration was held at Beit Yeshua in Lincolnton, NC on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013. Curtis Loftin, Doug Williams and Paul Miles led the meeting.

Special speaker was Warren Marcus, who spoke on our Jewish roots, the Feasts and how the Catholic Church removed or replaced them in the early centuries. We could learn a lot by learning what the Lord gave us through His feasts.

Dancing by the Machol Israeli Folk Dance Team of Beit Yeshua.

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Yeshua (Jesus) was born during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)



(Yeshua Messiah, Jesus Christ) was born on the 1st day of Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles, and was circumcised the 8th day (This is no coincidence it is an 8-day long "holiday/feast day").

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w3MNZQXlrs

Editor's Note: Makes perfect sense to me, especially after seeing how the early Church (Roman Catholic) in the first three centuries did away with our Jewish roots and replaced them with dates of pagan rituals, or did away with historical facts. 

Following I share with you Ze'ev Nevo's article on this same subject. Ze'ev is a good friend, a Messianic Jew born in Israel, who now lives in the USA. His contact information is after the article.

Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.





Was Jesus Born On Tabernacles?

Jews in Israel and worldwide celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot. Could it be that this joyful feast begins exactly on the day Jesus was born?

Growing up in Jerusalem, I remember how every year on "Sukkot" (Hebrew for the "Feast of Tabernacles") we used to build our Sukkah (booth) in the small balcony we had in our little condo. It was such a joy to have our meals in this little temporary camping ground, especially being surrounded by all the shiny decorations that we made. I was taught that we Jews celebrate Sukkot to remember how God provided all our needs during the 40 years we lives in booths on our exodus from Egypt to the Promised Land. Little did I know that Sukkot points to the Messiah... let along Jesus, whom I considered to be the God of the Christians.

It took another twenty some years for me to realize that this Jesus is really YESHUA, "the King of the Jews," the Messiah of Israel, whom died to atone for the sins of whoever will believe in Him. I was shocked to find out how Jewish Jesus really is! For Heaven's sake, He even died on a very Jewish feast - Passover - just like the Passover lamb in Egypt, shedding His blood to save the people of Israel.

As my search continued, I started to see that Passover isn't the only Biblical feast that foreshadows Jesus. The next obvious one was the "Feast of Shavuot" (Pentecost). It was on this Biblical feast when the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus asked the Father to give us, descended from heaven. So it happens that Shavuot was also the feast on which the law was given to Israel when Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence, does it?

There is no doubt about it - All of the feasts of Israel point prophetically to the Messiah of Israel. These feasts should really be called "appointed times" as this is the correct translation of the Hebrew word "Moadim" (Lev. 23:2). The same verse also clearly indicates that these appointed times are of the Lord. So if the day Jesus died is on one of God's appointed times, wouldn't it make sense that the day Jesus was born is on one of God's appointed times as well?

If that's the case, which one of God's appointed times will be Jesus' birthday? First, we need to refresh our memory to the fact that God commanded all the men of Israel to come up to the temple in Jerusalem just on three of His appointed times:Passover, Pentecost and... The Feast of Tabernacles (Deut. 16:16). It is like Sukkot is in the "inner circle" of God's appointed times.

Furthermore, God told the people of Israel that on this day they should be "Only rejoicing." (Deut. 16:15) The Hebrew word "Ach" that was translated to English in a variety of ways - only, surely, wholly, completely, altogether, truly, great - emphasizes the extreme level of joy that will be experienced on this appointed time. Joy so abundant that simply doesn't leave room for anything else.

Any parent knows firsthand that a birth of a child is probably the greatest joy that one can experience in life. The only greater joy that I can possibly think of is the birth of THE CHILD, the Son of God, the promised Messiah of Israel. Do the scriptures agree with that statement? Let's check.

In Psalms 118 we can find some fascinating evidences that tie between Jesus, Tabernacles and great joy. In verse 14 we find the Hebrew name of Jesus, Yeshua, which means salvation: "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become mysalvation." And on the very next verse we read: "The voice ofrejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly." (Psalms 118:15) Then, on verse 24, the Psalms says: "This isthe day that the Lord has made,we will rejoice and be glad in it." Very interestingly, Psalms 118 happens to be the last Psalm of what is called the "Hallel", a unit of six Psalms (113-118) that have been read by Israel throughout the generations on the three pilgrimage feasts - including Sukkot! So here we have it: Rejoicing, Tabernacles and Jesus.

But does the New Testament supports that? Yes! Remember what the angel told the shepherds on the day Jesus was born? - "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." (Luke 2:10) Now you tell me, can you think of a better day for God to send an angel to proclaim GREAT JOY? Wouldn't it make sense that this will happen on the only day of the year when God told the children of Israel to be nothing but joyfull?

Not sure yet? Here's more. We read in Luke 2:6-7 that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, His mother "laid Him in a manger." Why did she do that? "...because there was no place for them in the inn." Hum... I wonder why there was no place in the inn. Let me remind you again that on these three pilgrimage feasts EVERY Israeli man was commanded to come up to Jerusalem, which is just a few miles from Bethlehem. According to the Jewish Historian Josephus, about 2.5 million Jews from countries all around Israel would come up to Jerusalem on these feasts. Take this from one that lived in Jerusalem most of his life - even today, with all the big hotels in Jerusalem, there would be no way for you to get a hotel room if 2.5 million people would come up to Jerusalem on the same week. Forget about it! You would be lucky to find a place in a manger...

Yet there is more. Eight days later, like all Jewish boys, Jesus was circumcised (Luke 2:21). Amazingly, that day "happens to fall" on the last day of the feast of Sukkot, the same 8th day that concludes God's appointed times (Lev.23:36). Jewish people call this special day "Simchat Torah," meaning "The Joy of the Law."

For me, it is quit hard to be "Only rejoicing" on this day. Why? Almost all of my people - well over 99% of us Jews - still don't know the One who came to "tabernacle with us" (John1:14), the One that came to fulfill the law (Mat. 5:17) so that we could be forgiven.

Steve, today millions of Jewish people in Israel and worldwide are taking down their tabernacles. One more year passed without them knowing the joy of salvation. Please join me this year in doing all we can to bring these "tidings of great joy" to all Israel. With God's grace and with your prayers and support, we can lead Israel to Jesus.

May God bless you with joy as we serve Him together,
Ze'ev Nevo

Israel Media Ministries
newsletter@israelmediaministries.org

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