Top Stories
US Satisfaction Up
All things considered, 2012 was a better year than 2011 for America. The latest satisfaction survey from Gallup puts the number at
26-percent. That’s nine points higher
than in 2011, although it’s still quite a bit lower than the running average of
the survey which is 38-percent.
Americans’ Opinion of God’s Design for Men and Women is
Changing
In light of Pastor Louie Giglio’s dropping out of President
Obama’s second inauguration because of his stance on homosexuality, there’s new
research that shows only two out of every five of us agree with him—and the
Bible—that homosexual behavior is sin.
That survey also asked people if they attended church regularly, and of
those folks 61-percent agreed.
Missing Boy Now a Man: Found, 20 Years Later
A young man who was abducted almost twenty years ago has
been found alive and well. Richard
Landers was taken from his home in Indiana
in 1994 by his grandparents, who were reportedly upset over custody
arrangements. They changed his name and
have been living ever since in Minnesota. Landers is now 24, recently married, and
expecting his first child soon. By all
accounts, police say it does not appear that he suffered any abuse at all in
those almost 20 years. It’s still
unclear whether the grandparents will face charges.
Colorado
Movie Shooter Will Face Trial
A judge in Colorado has
decided there is enough evidence to try James Holmes in connection with the
theater shootings in Aurora
this past summer. Holmes will now face
166 separate charges, including murder and attempted murder. Remember twelve people were killed and dozens
more injured at the opening of the new Batman movie last July. Holmes’ next court appearance is in March.
Mubarek Retrial Ordered in Egypt
An appeals court in Egypt has overturned former
President Hosni Mubarek’s life sentence and ordered a retrial in connection
with the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the revolution there back in
2011. That decision will probably only
add to the turmoil in Egypt. Several Mubarek supporters have already begun
to gather outside of the military hospital where he is being kept. It’s still unclear just what his condition
is, though there are reports that he has drifted in and out of a coma. No date has been set for his retrial.
Fighting in Mali
Continues
Fighting continued in Mali over the weekend, as at least
eleven civilians were killed by Islamic extremists that are holding the
northern part of that country. Other
African countries are now starting to join French soldiers in that fight, and Great Britain
has offered the use of its transport planes to help bring more soldiers in.
Church Around the World
Cuban Churches Facing Growing Opposition
Church leaders in Cuba are facing the threat of more
persecution. According to Christian
Solidarity Worldwide, the government there has ordered a church in Camaguey to demolish an
outdoor patio where church meetings were held.
And the parents of one church member had their electricity cut off to
try to pressure their son to leave the church, which is part of the fast
growing Apostolic Movement in Cuba.
Family & Relationships
Self-Image Starts from Our Creator
There’s nothing wrong with trying to get into better shape,
but we do have to be careful who we’re judging ourselves against. Men and women both can take a hit to their
self-image when what they see in the mirror doesn’t look like the image on the
magazine cover. Nicole Weider lived that
first hand as a model, but now is telling young girls that real beauty is on
the inside. she says, "I know it’s a cliché. I know
people say it comes from the inside, but it truly does. Once your love for God
shines through, your kindness and passion for life, it really makes you
beautiful. It makes people admire you, whether you are beautiful on the outside
or not. Everyone is beautiful. Girls are created in God’s image.” Nicole
also says all of those pictures on the magazine cover are airbrushed. She’s started an online book club for girls
too. Click here
for the link her to her website.
Work
Boring Work May Be a Good Thing?
You’d hate to admit it in front of your boss, but sometimes
your work is a little boring.
Psychologists in the UK
say that’s a good thing. New research
says boring, monotonous tasks help you become a better problem-solver, because
they give your brains down time to think more creatively. They say that may also explain why Americans
are becoming so much less creative, because our brains are constantly
stimulated with all this technology.
Finances & Economy
A New Year Budget Tip: Contentment
We’re just about halfway through the first month of 2013,
and chances are you’re learning how to live on your new budget. Then you see that cute little top in the
window and you’ve just got to have it.
Money Saving Mom Crystal Paine says that’s where she had to learn to say
no. She encourages all of us to be content with what we have, saying that in
this country, most of us would be just fine with what we have, rather than
breaking our budget for a new item of clothing, and that making those small,
daily choices will make a big difference in your bottom line. More tips on how
to do that at www.MoneySavingMom.com.
Health
Flu Threat Subsides a Bit
Flu activity remains high, but some areas are finally
starting to see a little relief. The
Centers for Disease Control say 33-percent of the almost 13,000 specimens
tested last week were positive for flu.
Twenty-four states are listed as high activity for flu, five less than
the week before. Kids are among the most
vulnerable, and doctors are sending out reminders about the best ways to keep
your kids healthy. Topping that list is
to get them the flu vaccine, if you haven’t already. Also teach them the proper cough etiquette,
and try to keep things they might share with other kids wiped down.
Inflammation And Your Health
You’d like to get rid of those extra holiday pounds, but
you’re knees are just throbbing. That’s inflammation in your joints. Dr. Aimee
Shuney says going to bed a little earlier might help. “If
you know that you don’t exercise enough, you know your diet isn’t great and you
know you have stress, that’s inflammation too. All of those things increase
inflammatory markers in the body as well.” She also says eating more
veggies and using spices like garlic and ginger can help.
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