Showing posts with label the economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the economy. Show all posts

Monday, January 9, 2012

Morality and the Economy: No Separating the Two

"During the seemingly endless build-up to the Iowa caucuses, there was one consistent refrain repeated over and over. It’s like the big lie — the more you keep repeating it, the more people are going to believe it, but it remains a lie.

The lie was simply this: that the political parties have to choose between social issues and economic issues. This year, the media and the party machines are telling us ad nauseam that the only issue that matters is the economy."

Click here  to read more.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Economy shows solid job growth for a third straight month

"The American economy created a healthy batch of new jobs in April for the third straight month, allaying fears of a stall in hiring due to higher oil prices and concerns about an economic slowdown."

Read more here.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

New International Study: Does bad news for retailers mean good news for Charities this Holiday Season?

"Despite early projections of a robust holiday season for U.S. retailers, according to a new U.S.- Canada study commissioned by World Vision, an international relief and development organization, more Americans, almost 7 out of 10 (69 percent), say they’ll spend less on holiday presents this year as a result of the current economic climate."

Read more about this report-click here.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Home sales rise from 1st quarter to 2nd

"U.S. home sales grew in the second quarter in 39 states, another sign that the ailing housing market is finally coming to life."

Click here for more on this positive sign.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Now best time to buy home, Houston economist says

"The single-family housing market may prove to be the strongest of all of Houston’s real estate sectors as the area plods through the economic downturn and global recession, said local economist Barton Smith at his annual real estate symposium Tuesday.

Even though the recession is just now beginning to unfold locally, this could be the best time to buy a home, Smith said.

Prices — already down 2 percent — may fall some more, but historically low interest rates won’t last much beyond this year."


Click here for more information on Smith's predictions.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 Good News Stories (margaret)

Equipment for core, functional training

"As you learned in last week's column, functional and core training exercises are an important part of a well-rounded fitness program. Functional training involves performing exercises that leave you better prepared to handle everyday activities and tasks, and involve core muscles that help to support the spinal column. The result is better posture and balance, less stress on muscles and joints and reduced risk of injuries."

Click here to read more about this training.


The Largest Content Safe, Family-Friendly Social Network Debuts...

"One of the worst recessions in years has activated a national return to faith, family values and hope above material consumerism. Today, the world's largest faith and family based social network, tangle.com announced the launch of its new name and Web site which hosts more than 550,000 registered members. tangle.com is designed to appeal to one of the single largest audiences in America, the faith-based community and those seeking family friendly and safe content."

Click here to read more.


Budget crunches hit jail; ministry rethinks approach

"One of the most widely-distributed Bibles published by International Bible Society-Send The Light is designed for a captive audience.

Rich Blanco, IBS-STL's Vice President of Outreach, says the economic crises gripping the U.S. cost them one of their discipleship programs. However, the need for something to replace it was clear. IBS receives over 400 letters a week from inmates around the U.S. "

Click here to learn moreabout this ministry.


Pray for Revival in America

"We are in the midst of the most serious crisis our nation has faced in my lifetime, and I believe unless God intervenes, America will never again be the great country that we have known and loved."

Click here to read more from Franklin Graham


Grandpa is ... browsing your Facebook page

"When your 88-year-old grandfather sends a request to be your 'friend' on Facebook, you have two choices: Either confirm it, then quickly take down all those party pictures you thought were so funny, or plan on never coming home for the holidays."

Click here to read more.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009 Good News Stories

From Tons of Manure, a Growth Industry

"IN almost-spring, as itchy gardeners drag out grow lights and seed-starting flats, it seems a fitting moment to trace the germ of a new and very green gardening idea. It first took root beside a reeking, unspeakable lagoon in the northwest corner of Connecticut and is blossoming sweetly nationwide. Kindly summon a gardener’s tolerance for earthy subject matter as this gritty tale unfolds:"

Click to read more about this.


Avoiding the Top Ten Mistakes Taxpayers Make

"Knowing the pitfalls of many is often the best step to ensure that you do not fall prey to otherwise might be an easy to make common mistake. By staying away from these most often repeated mistakes you will avoid much of the pain which will otherwise will be created. The most frequently committed mistakes are:"

Click here to read more.


Report: Lead levels in kids drop

"In a stunning improvement in children's health, far fewer kids have high lead levels than 20 years ago, new government research reports - a testament to aggressive efforts to get lead out of paint, water and soil.

Click here to read more.


12 Ways to Thrive in This Economy

"The economy is down the tubes and things are looking bleak. The mood in the U.S. hasn't seemed this gloomy since the early 1980s. Three of my friends have been laid off recently, and several more fear for their jobs. Just yesterday my wife learned that her workplace will see layoffs, and she's worried.

Lately, conversations seem to revolve around three themes: controlling career, managing money, and selling stuff. People are getting serious about financial responsibility — but is it too late? I don't think so. Here are some effective ways to deal with each of these concerns."

Click here to read more.


Researchers find new gene responsible for ALS

"A group of scientists funded by the ALS Association have discovered a new gene responsible for cases of familial, or inherited ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's disease. "

Click here to read more about the research.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

10 tips for surviving a layoff

"I was laid off last year. I honestly had it a lot better than some people I know. I got about 9 months advance notice and ended up getting about 5 months of severance. I am well aware that cases like mine are few and far between. That said, there are things you can do to help you survive a layoff, should it happen to you.

If you are fortunate enough to get advance notice, I suggest taking these steps as soon as you find out about the layoff. The sooner you get started, the better positioned you are going to be financially to handle it."

Click here to read the tips.


The best Valentine's Day presents are heartfelt, not necessarily expensive

"If there is one gift-giving holiday that doesn't have to break the bank, it would be Valentine's Day."

Click here to read the suggestions.


Watch for symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite

"In last week's column, I wrote about the importance of layering clothing if you intend to be active outdoors when it is cold.

Keeping the hands and feet warm is just as important, because blood flows away from these areas to the center of the body in order to keep internal organs warm and protected when temperatures are low. Unless torso temperature is normal or slightly higher, blood flow does not return adequately to other areas of the body. However, it is vital to keep your entire body warm at all times."

Click here to read more.


Grandma's moistening kettle may have held off flu

"Grandma may have been right about keeping a teakettle warming on the stove in winter to moisten the air. Studies of seasonal influenza have long found indications that flu spreads better in dry air. Now, new research being published Tuesday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, indicates that the key is the absolute humidity — which measures the amount of water present in the air, regardless of temperature — not the more commonly reported relative humidity."

Click here to read more.


Romance for Dummies

"Suppose I’ve just taken my wife out on a date, and the next morning a friend asks me what I did last night. Guess my likely response:"

Click here to read more.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thursday, February 5, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

How to Get by on $500,000 a Year

When I first saw this title on my home page, I thought 'you got to be kidding.' This article is not for those of us who are trying to make ends meet.

Click here to see how the other side will deal with the economic downturn.


Trashing the Fridge

"FOR the last two years, Rachel Muston, a 32-year-old information-technology worker for the Canadian government in Ottawa, has been taking steps to reduce her carbon footprint — composting, line-drying clothes, installing an efficient furnace in her three-story house downtown.

About a year ago, though, she decided to “go big” in her effort to be more environmentally responsible, she said. After mulling the idea over for several weeks, she and her husband, Scott Young, did something many would find unthinkable: they unplugged their refrigerator. For good."

Click here to read more.


Companion Planting - Pairing Plants to Control the Insect Balance in Your Garden

"Companion planting is an age old tradition. It’s a gardening technique that involves planting two or more plants near each other to derive some type of benefit. That benefit could be more vigorous growth, higher yield, repelling pests or attracting predators of common pests. Scientific research doesn’t always agree with the folklore of companion planting, but who knows? Science changes and at the very least, we know that diversity in the garden cuts back on problems."

Click here to read more about this technique.

Proclaiming Christ's Return

"I have felt for a long time that the church has long neglected prophetic truth and, as a result, has failed to carry out God’s revealed program not only for the church itself but has failed to tell the world of God’s plan for the future."

Click here to read Billy Graham's message.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Tuesday, February 3, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

Higher Education, Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

"Having more education reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease but does not slow memory loss once it starts, says a new study.

Reporting in the Feb. 3 issue of Neurology, scientists say they found that education does not appear to protect against how fast people lose memory once forgetfulness begins."

Click here to read more on this study.


Cut your grocery bill now

"Running into the store to pick up a gallon of milk for tomorrow's breakfast? Don't be surprised if you end up leaving with a lot more than you planned."

Click here to read about seven ways to save at the grocery store.


Pope says fasting in Lent opens hearts to God, hands to the poor

"Fasting from food and detaching oneself from material goods during Lent help believers open their hearts to God and open their hands to the poor, Pope Benedict XVI said."

Click here to read more about the Pope's message.


Bible Marathons encourage faith in Christ

"As Bible marathons become more frequent in Liberia, the Gospel message rises to higher and higher heights.

Bible Reading Marathons have been held through Bible Pathway Ministries since 1990, typically beginning with prayer and concluding with Scripture reading for 80 hours. As a result of these marathons in Liberia, the country is being reached with the Gospel. "

Click here to read more about Bible Reading Marathons.


Witch Hazel - Hamamelis Virginiana

"Most people are familiar with witch hazel because of its use in skin care as an astringent. It is a large shrub that is noteworthy for being one of the last species to flower. Witch hazel also adds winter interest with leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and is moderately drought tolerant."

Click here to learn more about this shrub.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Sunday, February 1, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

Learn the art of shopping

"Our economy has had a tough week. There were reports of unemployment being up in every state and more than 80,000 new job losses, stories on the expected drop of retail sales this year and the widespread peanut butter recall, which has had an effect on consumers and the food industry.

These reports can be overwhelming, and may make you feel like the situation is beyond your control. But, as the saying goes, knowledge is power. And the more information we have, the better equipped we will be to ride out this financial storm."

Click here to read the list of 50 ways to save money.



New tool predicts women's outcome in breast cancer

"Evaluating how various proteins interact in tumors can help predict a woman's chances of surviving breast cancer, allowing doctors to better tailor treatment, Canadian researchers said on Sunday."

Click here to read more about this research.


What To Do in the Garden - February

"February may well be the toughest gardening month. Thank goodness it's short. Gardeners in warm climates don't know what kind of weather to expect from day to day or from day to night. Gardeners in cold climates have put the holidays behind them and just want to see the sun shine again.

But that doesn't stop the true gardener from working on his garden. February is for planning and for seeing the first signs that spring is around the corner. And it is especially for pruning. So take advantage of those rare sunny days and get back in your garden."

Click here to read this article.


2009 Christianity Today Book Awards Announced

"For two decades, the annual Christianity Today Book Awards have recognized outstanding volumes that shed light on people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission. This year, our judging process began with 436 titles submitted by 67 publishers. CT editors selected finalists in each category, and then our expert judges sorted out the cream of the crop from 2008. Here are the 10 winners that best shed light on the people, events, and ideas that shape evangelical life, thought, and mission."

Click here to read this story.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

Steelers Owner Dan Rooney Turns His Business Into a Family

"Draw a straight line between the goalposts at either end of Heinz Field, extend it south, and you’ll find that they line up directly with the fountain at the Point, where this city’s three rivers meet — a happy symmetry probably lost on the Terrible Towel-waving hordes attending Steelers games. The axis was Dan Rooney’s idea, and in addition to its implicit civic gesture, there is another, more private geometry at work: follow the line in the other direction and it runs right into Rooney’s house, as if his life, the life of the Steelers and the life of Pittsburgh were aligned."

Read more of this story here...


Netflix 4Q profit up 45 pct, defying recession (AP)

"Netflix Inc.'s fourth-quarter profit climbed 45 percent to surpass analysts' estimates Monday, propelled by the widening appeal of its relatively inexpensive DVD rental and Internet streaming service during a budget-crimping recession."

Read more of this story here...


Spring Rose Care

"Growing roses is not as difficult as we’ve been lead to believe. Roses will keep growing and blooming even if gardeners neglect them entirely. But they do benefit from some TLC and the efforts you make in caring for your roses in the early spring will mean that many fewer problems to tend to during the growing season."

Read more of this story here...


Fewer Calories, Better Memory?

"Cutting calories may help older adults better remember items on a grocery list or the name of someone they just met, a study shows."

Read more about this study here...


Winter exercise possible if precautions are taken

"When exercising outdoors during cold winter months, it is important to take special precautions.

In the cold, the arteries in the heart constrict and blood pressure rises, increasing the potential for a heart attack. This is especially true for senior citizens and those with cardiovascular disease."

Read more of this story here...


Do You Believe Jesus Wants to Heal You?

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' And immediately the leprosy left him (Luke 5:12-13)."

Read more of this article here...

Monday, January 19, 2009

Monday, January 19, 2009 Good News Posts from Margaret

Kids and their dreams

"Miami Valley (Dayton, Ohio) elementary students reflect on Martin Luther King and his 'Dream'"

Read these letters to Dr. King here...

Knights of Columbus 'Coats for Kids' Program to Aid Needy Children

"The Knights of Columbus will distribute thousands of coats beginning next week to needy children as part of the organization's "Coats for Kids" program.

The Knights of Columbus has purchased 7,800 coats from OshKosh B'gosh and London Fog and will distribute them through local Knights councils in several US cities beginning in Washington, DC on January 19, which has been designated National Day of Service."

Click to read more of this story.


Obama prods nation to service on inauguration eve

"On the eve of his inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama visited wounded troops at a military hospital, helped paint a wall at a shelter for homeless teens and paid tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the civil rights leader's national day. He said there can't be 'idle hands' at a time of national hardship and pledged to make the government do its part."

Read more of this story here...


How Obama can inspire a nation

"An inaugural speech gives an incoming president a rare opportunity to reach out to all the people, to cite our common problems and suggest how he will lead us to conquering them. Often the rhetoric of the address is so dramatic that it produces words that become part of the American language."

Click here to read this commentary from Marshall Loeb.


Mood Foods: Healthy Foods to Brighten Your Day

"Can foods change your mood? According to several studies, it seems that a person’s choice of food is usually dictated by his state of mind. Conversely, food and nutrition are key factors in your brain’s behavior. Judith Wurtman, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), researched how foods alter one’s mood by changing the levels of specific brain chemicals – dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - called neurotransmitters."

Read more of this story here...