By Mike Huckabee
December 22, 2021
|
|
THE MORNING EDITION By Mike Huckabee
Good morning! I still have some news I want to talk about before we get to our Christmas stories, so please indulge me. Our newsletter today includes:
- Joe Biden Fixes A Problem He Helped Cause
- Kamala Harris learns something
- Christmas stories
- Prayer Tree
- And Much More
DAILY BIBLE VERSE
This verse was recommended by Wende P.
9 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
Job 5:9 NIV
Please send [email protected] a Bible Verse recommendation if you have one for the newsletter.
THE LATEST NEWS
1. Come on, man, being President is HARD!:
President Biden is expected to announce that he’ll send military medical personnel to understaffed hospitals to deal with the COVID surge. Are these the same hospitals that are understaffed because he forced them to fire staffers who refused to take the vaccine? And do we even have military personnel to spare, considering they're also understaffed because Biden's discharging anyone who refuses to take the vaccine? Does anyone else see a pattern here?
https://news.yahoo.com/biden-outline-covid-steps-along-090026335.html
Come on, man, being President is HARD!
2. NASCAR Driver Brandon Brown Speaks:
The man whose name inadvertently gave rise to a national Biden backlash movement, NASCAR driver Brandon Brown, has finally spoken out on what it’s like to be at the center of such a controversial trend with an op-ed in Newsweek. Spoiler alert: as someone who has to buy a lot of gasoline at $4 a gallon, he can relate.
3. Quote of the Day:
Kamala Harris to CBS News: “It is no one’s fault that this virus hit our shores or hit the world.”
https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial/status/1473079007222673411
Well, I think it might be SOMEONE’S fault that it hit the world. But it’s nice that she finally admitted that a President can’t possibly keep a virus out of America. Get back to me when you realize that every death from that virus isn’t personally the fault of the President, which I expect will be coming any time now.
4. Policies have consequences:
Sure, let’s reverse all of Trump’s mean border security policies. What could possibly go wrong?
Back in 2011, inspired by my book “A Simple Christmas,” I asked listeners of my radio show “The Huckabee Report” to share their own favorite family Christmas memories. Some are heartwarming, and some are hilarious, but all of them are inspiring and wonderful. These are some of their stories:
5. This Christmas Story Will Touch Your Digestive System:
One thing everyone loves about the holidays is all the great foods we indulge in only once a year. Every family has its special dishes that simply must be on the table, from oyster dressing to yams with tiny marshmallows. But sometimes, they don’t make for a great combination, on the plate or in your stomach.
Kevin from Maryland wrote me that he grew up in a Norwegian family that always served the notorious fish dish, lutefisk, which he jokingly called, “the piece of Cod that passes all understanding." (The recipe involves soaking a piece of cod fish in lye for three days. Seriously.)
Kevin recalled:
“My mother, a fine teetotaling Christian who prided herself on never having alcohol in the house, was appalled the day my uncle brought a six-pack of beer as his contribution to the Christmas meal. To my mother’s horror, my father graciously accepted the libation. And so, in sullen silence, the family dinner was served...the traditional lutefisk and Godless beer.
I remember the smirk on my uncle's face as he began to eat the fish dish and wash it down with beer. My father, at the other end of the table shared in the merriment, while my poor grim-faced mother tried to remain polite...though sitting next to her, I was certain that she was asking God to strike her kin with righteous retribution.”
Now, at this point, Kevin went into some clinical details about the chemical reactions of the digestive system that I won’t relay here. Suffice to say that about half an hour into the meal, his dad and uncle suddenly excused themselves and bolted from the table. They both spent a miserable night of gastric distress, much to his mom’s quiet satisfaction.
Kevin said that was the Christmas he learned that mixing fish cured in lye with beer creates a volcanic reaction in the stomach similar to mixing vinegar and baking soda. He said it was also the year he learned that God answers prayers (his mother’s, at least.) And He's not above using science in working His will.
I want to thank Kevin for that unique story. While most of my listeners’ stories touched the heart or the funny bone, his was the only one that touched the digestive system.
6. AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Images of America's cities, landscapes and people.
7. Christmas is about what we give, not what we get:
This story reminds us that no matter how bad off we think we are, there are others in greater need. And nothing reflects the spirit of Christmas more than someone who gives to others even when they have very little themselves. Dorothy from North Carolina wrote:
“It's been a few years ago now that through an unusual set of circumstances I met a dear Christian lady named Hilda N-----. Hilda had endured many hardships in life…Now, in her later years… she lived in abject poverty with…crippling arthritis. It was Christmas and I had a gift for Hilda. Mark and I were dating at the time and I asked him to go with me to Hilda's humble home… But it wasn't my gift that I've remembered all these years...it was HER gift, given liberally out of her poverty, that I will never forget.
She and I had exchanged gifts, her gift to me a small ceramic bell with a cross at the top from the dollar store. And then came the moment I cherish yet today. She looked at Mark apologetically and reached down into the cushion of the chair…fumbling until she finally retrieved a small, zippered change purse. Her gnarled, misshapen fingers (terribly twisted from the arthritis) moving slowly and with painful effort, she managed to open the purse… Finally, she turned to Mark and, pulling out a folded, crumpled $1.00 bill, she held it out to him.
Her soft, quiet voice and loving manner gave eloquence to the gesture. ‘I didn't know YOU were coming so I didn't have a gift for you. Here’, she handed him the dollar bill, ‘Merry Christmas.’
Tears sprang to my eyes as I knew what a sacrifice was represented in the giving of the dollar bill. Her heart of love and her desire to share the little she had gave her gift more meaning than a purse full of gold.”
Thank you, Dorothy, and Hilda, for reminding us that Christmas isn’t about what we get, it’s about what we give.
8. 2021 HUCKABEE NEWSLETTER HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
I’ve never been a fan of political boycotts of entertainment products, which can hurt workers who have nothing to do with the woke views that studio executives or stars spew. But I understand why many conservatives might not want to give their entertainment dollars to people who call them racists and want to put them in reeducation camps.
Still, we all need some entertainment to take our minds off of politics for a while, and to give to like-minded folks on our gift lists.
That’s why, last year, we created a list of entertainment gift options created by people who deserve your support (the original 2020 gift guide is here, and there are many albums, movies, comedy DVDs, downloads and more in it that are still great options for this Christmas).
Books and music from the "Huckabee" Family
To start, let me give a nod to my projects and those of my family and my newsletter family, who have some side projects that would make terrific Christmas gifts.
My latest book is “The Three Cs That Made America Great: Christianity, Capitalism and the Constitution.” Get it while all three are still legal: https://www.amazon.com/Three-That-Made-America-Great/dp/1647733049.
You also can’t go wrong with my perennial and non-political Christmas bestseller, “A Simple Christmas”:
https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Christmas-Stories-Celebrate-Holiday/dp/1595230629.
…And my book for children, “Can’t Wait ‘Till Christmas,” with terrific illustrations by Jed Henry: https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Wait-Till-Christmas-Huckabee/dp/0399255397.
For one of the few books that gives you a real insider look behind the scenes of the Trump Administration, pick up my daughter Sarah’s bestseller, “Speaking for Myself: Faith, Freedom and the Fight of Our Lives Inside the Trump White House.”
https://www.amazon.com/Speaking-Myself-Faith-Freedom-Inside/dp/1250271339
Following Sarah in that job was my friend Kayleigh McEneny, who started out working on my Fox News show. She’s also written a terrific new book called “For Such A Time As This: My Faith Journey Through the White House and Beyond.”
https://www.amazon.com/Such-Time-This-Journey-through/dp/1637582358
-----------
My longtime writer/researchers, Laura Ainsworth and Pat Reeder (husband and wife, despite the different professional names), also have some great projects that make perfect gifts.
Laura is a retro jazz singer whose late father Billy Ainsworth played with Tommy Dorsey, Freddy Martin and other top big bands. She has three terrific CDs so far (her debut, “Keep It To Yourself;” the film noir-inspired “Necessary Evil;” and the multi-award-winning “New Vintage”) plus an audiophile vinyl best-of LP, “Top Shelf,” all cut with some of the top jazz musicians in Texas. That best-of LP was recently turned into an expanded, remastered deluxe CD in Japan, which is available as an import in the US only through Laura’s website.
If you like gorgeous vocals and sophisticated midcentury-style lounge jazz in the Julie London/Peggy Lee mode, you’ll love Laura. One critic called her “a brilliant interpreter of song” and “one of the most talented and entertaining vocalists – of any genre or era – on the music scene today!” https://geoffwilburmusic.com/2021/11/04/laura-ainsworth-top-shelf/
Her website is www.lauraainsworth.com and her albums and merchandise, including the great new imported Japanese CD, are available here: https://shop.bandwear.com/collections/laura-ainsworth-shop.
For a taste, here’s Laura singing a classic Mills Brothers tune from “New Vintage” with Tre Corley and the Music City Connection: https://youtu.be/AGorRNgp4t4.
Before they joined me, Pat and Laura wrote their own topical radio service, The Comedy Wire. They used over 600 hilarious-but-true news stories from it to illustrate nine dumb mistakes everyone makes for their fall-down-funny self-help spoof, “Nine Hallmarks of Highly Incompetent Losers” (I wrote the foreword.) If you like “In Case You Missed It,” you’ll love this book.
https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Hallmarks-Highly-Incompetent-Losers/dp/0615939678
Laura also co-wrote with her friend, singer/songwriter Bill Sanner, a memoir of his years on a US Navy submarine in the ‘70s. “The Sub-Par Adventures of Snakebite and Stonefinger” is a funny and moving glimpse into the rarely-revealed lives of Navy submariners. They’re out of touch with their loved ones for months at a time, on the far side of the world and under the ocean, sometimes pulling pranks to keep themselves sane. The book was embraced by submariners who invited Laura and Bill to entertain at their national convention. It’s a perfect gift for submariners, or any Navy vets or military family members.
https://www.amazon.com/Sub-Par-Adventures-Snakebite-Stonefinger/dp/1517655420
------------
Finally, Tre Corley and the Music City Connection bring incredible music to the show every week as they back all our famous guest stars (I think they’re the best band on any show in television.) But they also occasionally honor us with a full number of their own. Recently, they performed their new Christmas single, “A Silent Night,” with the great Christian vocal group, 3 Oaks Worship: https://youtu.be/u4wKJCIpOXE.
You can download that song and Tre and the MCC’s other single “In The Meantime,” featuring vocalist Tyler Summers, here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-the-meanwhile-feat-tyler-summers-single/1596518996.
--------------
And 3 Oaks Worship’s MP3 album, “A Psalm Twenty-Four Experience,” is available for download at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Psalm-Twenty-Four-Experience-Oaks-Worship/dp/B09JB5YKSX.
MOVIES THAT YOU SAW ON “HUCKABEE” IN 2021
“The Chosen” - This must-see streaming series may be the best screen adaptation of the life of Christ ever. Series creator Dallas Jenkins and star Jonathan Roumie visited the show to preview season two: https://youtu.be/pvKp7gIWHgM. Both seasons are now available on DVD at Amazon.com, and you can learn more about the series and the next season at https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
“Church People” – Christian comedian/actor/writer Thor Ramsey gave us a sneak peek at his inspiring comedy/drama movie debut: https://youtu.be/HEx4diocGSc. It’s now available for streaming at https://churchpeoplefilm.com.
“The Man From Nowhere” - Nick Searcy, the bravely outspoken conservative actor, dropped by to promote his new movie, “The Man from Nowhere:” https://youtu.be/UmHovB4UUus. Now available on DVD and Blu Ray: https://manfromnowheremovie.com.
(Incidentally, we haven’t discussed this movie on the show, but Nick Search also created a documentary called “Capitol Punishment” that argues that the FBI is using terror tactics against participants in the January 6th protests to frighten Americans into silence. This will really make him popular in Hollywood! Buy it for streaming here: https://movies.westernjournal.com/programs/cp-b2dcd9/
“Mayberry Man” - Our pal Rik Roberts brought his fantastic Barney Fife impression to this heartwarming comedy inspired by “The Andy Griffith Show.” Floyd The Barber (Allan Newsome) also stopped by to chew the fat: https://youtu.be/u43z622wKac. It’s available at https://www.mayberrymanmovie.com.
“Stallone, Frank That Is” – This documentary finally gives Sly’s underappreciated but very talented brother, and my 2021 musical guest, his due. You can see the trailer and buy it from your favorite streaming sites at https://www.stallonemovie.com.
“Stand On It” - “Dukes of Hazzard” and country music star John Schneider told us about “Stand On It,” his new movie inspired by “Smokey and the Bandit”: https://youtu.be/WBpadzHOSAY. You can get it on DVD, along with his other movies and his autobiography, at https://live.johnschneiderstudios.com/products/stand-on-it-by-john-schneider.
TOMORROW WE WILL LOOK AT MUSIC AND COMEDY
9. Prayer Tree:
We are stronger together. Submit your prayer request for HEALTH & HEALING or IN MEMORIAM by visiting my website here.
Our hope is that our newsletter readers and social media followers will consider these prayer requests each day.
HEALTH AND HEALING
"Please pray for my father Bruce who is in chronic pain and we don’t know why. Also please pray for my brother Corey who will be having neck surgery in the next few months."
"My father and my friend the first is 87 and the other is 88; both are in poor health my father isn’t eat or walking any longer and my friend isn’t saved an has recently had a major heart attack and difficulty he is an injured war veteran Korean and Vietnam. Thank you and God Bless"
"My mom Alice."
"Please pray for Elizabeth a loyal, dedicated, humble, servant of the Lord and our church. She was diagnosed with liver cancer last week. She has also suffered from seizures for most of her life, if not all."
"Gregg severe drug addiction, that he will receive help and healing."
"Our 8 year old grandson Liam was diagnosed with leukemia. Request prayers for his recovery. He started chemo today and will have treatments every day for four weeks."
IN MEMORIAM
"Please pray for my daughter-in-law Crystal and her 2 sisters and family. Their mother Carol passed away Thursday. Their hearts are broken as are ours. Carol was 62. ??????"
TO READ MORE PRAYER REQUESTS, GO TO MY WEBSITE HERE.
10. Hymnal:
Come, They Told Me
Today's Christmas song is recommended by many readers.
LISTEN: https://youtu.be/5l1CS0Jhk90
Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A newborn King to see
Pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come
---
Little baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
---
Shall I play for You
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum
---
Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
---
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
If you have a favorite Christmas carol/hymn you want to see in our newsletter, please email [email protected].
11. I Just Wanted To Say:
Thank you for reading today's newsletter.
HELPFUL LINKS
For past editions of my morning newsletter, please visit my website here.
For more of my news coverage, visit my website here.
To change your email address for your newsletter subscription, visit my website here.
Permalink: https://www.mikehuckabee.com/2021/12/morning-edition-december-22
Leave a Comment
Note: Fields marked with an * are required.