Top Stories
Louie Giglio Backs Out of Inauguration Benediction Role
You may know Pastor Louie Giglio’s name from his work with
Chris Tomlin and the Passion conferences.
He was also scheduled to deliver the benediction at President Obama’s
second inauguration, but has now backed out after a liberal website published
one of his sermons where he calls homosexuality a sin. Giglio says the prayer he would offer at the
inauguration would be dwarfed by those seeking to make their own agenda the
focus. He was originally asked by the
Inaugural Committee because of his work to fight human trafficking.
Prayer Challenge at West Point
Prayer is under fire at West Point. Americans United for the Separation of Church
and State says having prayer as a part of the events at West
Point requires cadets to endorse religion. But David Hacker with
the Alliance Defending Freedom says the cadets are also NOT required to
participate in the invocations: “The First Amendment allows public officials to
acknowledge our nation’s religious heritage. Since the Revolution, the U.S.
Army has offered soldiers the opportunity to hear invocations. West Point has continued this tradition since its
founding in 1802. Anti-religious groups with misguided ideas about the First
Amendment should not be allowed to destroy a time-honored and perfectly
constitutional American custom.”
Teacher Hailed As Hero to Stop School
Shooting
A sixteen year old student opened fire at a high school in California yesterday,
leaving one student wounded and in critical, but stable condition
overnight. Local sheriff’s deputies are
now saying that it happened because the student felt he had been bullied. A teacher was able to talk the shooter into
surrendering his weapon. He is now in
custody.
High Court Turns Back on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Challenge
The Supreme Court is refusing to hear challenges to cases
involving embryonic stem cell research.
That means a decision by a lower court will stand, which loosened
restrictions on that research. David
Prentice with the Family
Research Center
called it sad on two levels: One, because of the loss of life. And two, because it will probably delay
research involving adult stem cells.
No New Living Baseball Hall of Famers This Year
The Major League Baseball writers tossed a shutout this week
in their Hall of Fame voting. No new
inductees will be allowed into the Hall this year, in spite of the fact that
some big names were eligible like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Both have been tied to steroid allegations. But
the Hall will still grow by one name this summer when the late “Deacon” White
will have his name honored there. He last appeared in a Major League Baseball
game 123 years ago.
A Signature Moment for Treasury Secretary Nominee
Jack Lew has been tapped to replace Timothy Geithner as the
next Treasury Secretary. President Obama
made that announcement yesterday.
Gathering just as much attention as his credentials, though, was Lew’s
funky signature. President Obama said, “I never noticed Jack’s signature
(laughter) until it was highlighted yesterday in the press. I considered
rescinding my offer to appoint him (laughter). Jack assures me that he will
make one letter legible (laughter) in order not to debase our currency,
(laughter) should he be confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury.” I think the
best description of Lew’s signature was that it looks like the curls on top of
a Hostess cupcake. He will still need to
be confirmed by the Senate before taking over.
Pentagon Readies Huge Automatic Cuts
The Pentagon is gearing up for big spending cuts. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta this week said
they’ve agreed to put a freeze on civilian hiring, delay some contracts and
make cuts to maintenance if Congress can’t reach an agreement on a final
budget. If they can’t, automatic cuts of
almost 500 billion dollars will be triggered – with another 110 billion dollars
in cuts coming in March.
Travel Services Becoming Less Necessary
American Express has announced its cutting 5,400 jobs this
year, mostly in its travel services department as more of us book our travel
online. That follows a 47-percent drop
in fourth quarter profits last year.
Church Around the World
Taliban-Targeted Pakistani Teen Released from Hospital
The Pakistani teenager who was shot by the Taliban for
campaigning for women’s education is on the road to recovery now after being
discharged from a hospital in England. Fifteen year old Malala Yousafzai was shot on
a school bus, operated on in Pakistan
and then airlifted to the UK
along with her family. There’s no word
yet on whether the family will return to Pakistan.
Faith
“Freelance Faith” is Not Healthy
Do you consider yourself “religious”? Before you answer, I should tell you what a
group of British psychiatrists have found.
A new study reveals that people who consider themselves “spiritual”
outside of the context of an organized religion are more likely to develop
psychological problems, drug addictions and eating disorders than those described
as “religious.” The head researcher on
this project is a guy named Michael King.
He told CNN recently that he’s received hate mail over it, but stands by
the conclusion of the project. King says
it’s clear that “people who have a spiritual understanding of life in the
absence of a religious framework are vulnerable to mental disorder.” In fact he says the findings are quite
obvious.
Work
Unemployment Numbers Inch Up
The latest unemployment numbers are out, and they’re up
another 4,000 from last week. 371,000
new claims were filed. Long term
benefits were down, but sometimes that happens because people have become
ineligible or quit looking for work altogether.
Finances & Economy
Save Money: Put Away the Debit Card
You’ve bitten the bullet and finally decided to get on a
budget as you put your financial house in order in 2013. But where do you start? Crystal Paine, the Money Saving Mom says one
quick, practical thing you can do is put away the debit card. It’s too easy to
use it so you may end up using it when you really don’t need to. And even if
you’re disciplined with your debit card, she recommends you try cash for three
months – and see how much less you spend.
More tips at her website – www.MoneySavingMom.com.
Health
Snacks Can Affect Your Mood
If you’re making the switch to diet pop to save the
calories, that might not be helping your mood.
A new study from the National Institute of Health says people who drink
at least four cans of pop, regular or diet, are more likely to be
depressed. It can also play havoc with
your blood sugar levels. Fortunately
there are alternatives. Doug Ingoldsby, the Vitamin Professor, says, “Nuts are
great. Nuts are very high in protein. Protein helps to stabilize your blood
sugar. Raw vegetables; carrot sticks and celery. Carrots are very high in
vitamin A.” Ingoldsby also says it’s best when you have smaller snacks more
often.
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