Saturday, February 28, 2009

MONDAY - MARCH 2, 2009

The Spirit FM Morning Show
with
JIM & KAREN

TODAY IS MONDAY - MARCH 2, 2009

MARCH FOR OUR TROOPS

FOR OUR LISTENERS

During the month of March our Spirit FM listening family is invited to help make a difference in the lives of our United States Troops serving their country in various locations around the world.

Please write a card or letter of thanks and encouragement to a US soldier. Your card can be homemade or store-bought, it doesn’t matter, just send it with love and appreciation. You can send in one card or hundred cards, get your family involved, your co-workers, your Bible study or church group, even your school, and once you have your cards and letters ready send them to Spirit FM P.O. Box 800 Camdenton, Missouri 65020. We’ll see that all of these cards and letters of appreciation and encouragement will be sent to our troops “with love” from the Spirit FM listeners!
If you want to do something a little bit extra, include a long distance phone card for the soldier as well!

Spirit FM is also working with our record companies and will be sending lots of Christian music CDs along with your cards and letters!!

So get busy and start writing and then send those best wishes for our troops to Spirit FM P.O. Box 800 Camdenton, Mo. 65020. More information is also available on our website at spiritfm.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOR OUR SOLDIERS

It’s time for March For Our Troops and that means if you are serving in the US Military Spirit FM wants to especially bless and recognize you throughout the next few weeks!

Be listening throughout the month of March for a series of interviews with Dr. David Stoop of New Life Ministries. Dr Stoop is a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of California. He also has his Masters in Theology and is the founder and director of The Center for Family Therapy in Newport Beach, California, where he has his counseling practice. Dr. Stoop has written over 25 books, including his latest book, Ten Minutes Together with God: A Devotional for Couples.

Dr. Stoop will be sharing with us information for military families including how to maintain a loving and faithful marriage while serving your country. Recognizing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. How to forgive and move on, as well as, a variety of other topics of interest to soldiers and their families.

These interviews will also be posted on our webpage for listening to later or downloading to your MP3 player! Plus, New Life Ministries has been kind enough to send us three gifts to give away this month, including Every Soldier’s Battle Kit which includes Every Man's Battle, Every Man's Battle Workbook, Every Man's Bible, Every Day for Every Man Devotional, and Being God's Man facing Tough Times Bible Study. So if you are a member of our military, thank you, and stay tuned, this month is all about you and helping you discover the love the Lord Jesus has for you, as well as the love your Spirit FM listening family feels for you as well!


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 16

Love Intercedes

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2

You cannot change your spouse. As much as you may want to, you cannot play God and reach into their hearts and mold them into what you want them to be. But that’s what most couples spend a large part of their time trying to do, change their mate.
There is no guarantee that anything in the Love Dare Book will change your spouse.

But that’s not what the book is about. It’s about YOU daring to love. Have you ever wondered why God give you overwhleming insight into your spouse’s hidden faults? Do you really think it is so you can become a better nagger? No, it is for effective kneeling. No one knows better how to pray for your mate than you! One of the most loving things you can do for your spouse is pray for them.

TODAY’S DARE: Begin praying today for your spouse’s hearth. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse’s life and in your marriage.

ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION: Have you experienced the power of prayer in the past? Was it easy for you, or did it feel foreign to you to pray for your spouse?


TODAY IS…..

Today is Dr. Seuss Day. Theodor Seuss Geisel was born on March 2,1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, would say. "Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted."

The National Education Agency sponsors Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss's birthday. Every child should read a book today!

Today is Peace Corps Day. President John Kennedy founded the Peace Corps on March 2, 1961.

This is National Aardvark Week, honoring the aardvark, an ugly animal that eats ants. The aardvark also eats uncles -- but only the uncles of ants.

March is National Welding Month, so be sure to take the time to stop and hug a welder. Just make sure his torch is pointed the other direction. Talk about hot flashes!

1933: The film "King Kong," starring Fay Wray, premiered in New York City.

1965: The popular film "The Sound of Music" premiered in New York City.

1977: A young comedian named Jay Leno first appeared as a guest on "The Tonight Show."


In The News…..

Citi-Government Deal

The U.S. government is taking a 40% stake in Citigroup. But between the government's office hours and banker's hours, Citi will be open only for about 15 minutes a day.With the government now in control of Citigroup, customers can expect 10 ATM's at each branch... but only two of them will be working at any given time.


Iraq Pullout

President Obama says he will pull all combat troops out of Iraq by August 1, 2010. That 18 month waiting period should ease the transition for the returning soldiers, because by then most of America will look about as bad as downtown Fallujah.



Romney Robbed

More than a dozen pieces of jewelry were stolen from former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Utah home. The thieves insist they were just trying to collect advance taxes on someone earning more than $250,000 per year.


GM's Ad Budget Slash

GM says it will cut its advertising and endorsement budget by $800 million this year. Experts found that GM could use that money more effectively by paying 800 Americans $1 million each to buy a car from GM.


George W. Bush is doing pretty well for a retiree. He will hit the lecture circuit next month for a reported 150,000 per speech. Actually it’s $150,000 per speech and an extra 25 grand if you want to throw shoes at him.


Scientists in Belarus say they have come up with a way to jump-start their credit-crunched economy - breeding edible frogs. Officials say that exporting the local delicacy could turn the former Soviet state into an agriculture super-power. The government is looking into it. This was MY idea…I knew it and I kept saying it and no body would listen to me. I “TOAD” you so! I Toad ya’! We could’ve been rich!!


A man in the UK suspected a worm virus when his computer crashed - but was shocked to learn the problem was a real worm. Mark Taylor of Somerset called out a repairmen who found a five inch earthworm inside his laptop. It had crawled into his computer through an air vent and wrapped itself around the internal fan, leading to a total breakdown. Mr Taylor suspects the culprits were his two cats who are in the habit of pouncing on earthworms outside and bringing them into the house.


The Muzak company filed for bankruptcy. For me, this is bad news. When the world economy collapses -- when the environment turns to poison -- when disease and famine plague the Earth - I was kind of hoping those things would happen with soothing background music.


"Wheel of Fortune" will be airing its 5,000th episode today.USA Today says the show has had over 15,000 contestants, and nearly 5 million fans belong to the Wheel Watchers Club, an online viewer loyalty program.


Entertainer Ed McMahon has been hospitalized for more than three weeks with pneumonia and other medical problems, his spokesman said Friday. Doctors say McMahon is in serious condition, said the spokesman, Howard Bragman.
"Ed's a big, strong, hearty guy and his family and I are hopeful and optimistic about his prognosis," he said.
McMahon is 85. He will turn 86 on March 6.
Bragman and McMahon's family are "praying and hoping for the best and are appreciative of everyone's thoughts and prayers," Bragman said.
He declined to say where McMahon is hospitalized.
McMahon gained fame as Johnny Carson's sidekick on "The Tonight Show."



Dr. James Dobson Steps Down

Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson has resigned as chairman of Focus on the Family but will continue to play a prominent role at the organization he founded more than three decades ago, The Associated Press has learned.

Dobson notified the board of his decision Wednesday, and the 950 employees of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based ministry were informed Friday morning at a monthly worship service, said Jim Daly, the group's president and chief executive officer.
Dobson, 72, will continue to host Focus on the Family's flagship radio program, write a monthly newsletter and speak out on moral issues, Daly said.

Dobson's resignation as board chairman "lessens his administrative burden" and is the latest step in a succession plan, the group said. Dobson began relinquishing control six years ago by stepping down as president and CEO.

"One of the common errors of founder-presidents is to hold to the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority," Dobson said in a statement. "... Though letting go is difficult after three decades of intensive labor, it is the wise thing to do."

While Focus on the Family emphasizes that it devotes most of its resources to offering parenting and marriage advice, it is best known for promoting conservative moral stands in politics.

Daly said there is no timetable for Dobson to leave the radio program, and the group will "look for the next voice for the next generation" while Dobson remains on the air.

That will likely mean not one person behind the microphone but several speaking on their respective areas of expertise, Daly said. The organization, anticipating a post-Dobson era, for several years has tried out different voices on the broadcast and in giving media interviews on hot-button social issues.

Dobson's wife, Shirley, also resigned from the Focus board. The new board chairman is retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Patrick P. Caruana, a longtime board member and a former executive with defense contractor Northrup Grumman.



The Eye Of God

The bright blue pupil and the white of the eye are fringed by flesh-coloured eyelids - but this eye is so big that it light takes two and a half years to cross from one side to the other.

The object is actually a shell of gas and dust that has been blown off by a faint central star. Our own solar system will meet a similar fate five billion years in the future.

It lies around 700 light-years away in the constellation of Aquarius, and can be dimly seen in small backyard telescopes by amateur astronomers who call it the Helix nebula. It covers an area of sky around a quarter the size of the full moon.

The photo was taken with a giant telescope at the European Southern Observatory, high on a mountaintop at La Silla in Chile. It is so detailed that a close-up reveals distant galaxies within the central eyeball.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EYE OF GOD:
http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2009/02/picture_post_the_eye_of_god.html



You”ve Heard of Kosher Salt…Now There’s Christian Salt

You've heard of kosher salt? Now there's a Christian variety.

Retired barber Joe Godlewski says that when television chefs recommended kosher salt in recipes, he wondered, "What the heck's the matter with Christian salt?"

By next week, his trademarked Blessed Christians Salt will be available from seasonings manufacturer Ingredients Corporation of America. It's sea salt that's been blessed by an Episcopal priest.

The company's president hopes to market the salt through Christian bookstores.
Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, kosher administrator for the Chicago Rabbinical Council, says all salt is inherently kosher because it occurs naturally and requires little or no processing.

He says coarse-grained kosher salt is named for the way in which it was traditionally used -- to draw blood from freshly butchered meat, because Jewish law prohibits consuming blood.



Obama Administration Set To Rescind Abortion Ruling

President Barack Obama plans to repeal a Bush administration rule that has become a flash point in the debate over a doctor's right not to participate in abortions. The regulation, instituted in the last days of the Bush administration, strengthened job protections for doctors and nurses who refuse to provide a medical service because of moral qualms.

A Health and Human Services official said Friday the administration will publish notice of its intentions early next week, opening a 30-day comment period for advocates on both sides, medical groups and the public.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the notice has not been completed.

The Bush administration rule was quickly challenged in federal court by several states and medical organizations. As a candidate, President Barack Obama criticized the regulation and campaign aides promised that if elected, he would review it.

The news that he was doing so drew praise from abortion-rights supporters and condemnation from groups opposed to abortion.

MARCH 10th. Pro-Life Action Day at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. 10:00 am – 2:00 pm 3rd. Floor Rotunda. Then at noon Jill Stanek will be speaking at Selinger Center at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Jill has taken a stand for Life in the Naitonal Spotlight. She is the nurse in Chicago that spoke out against live birth abortions that were occurring and then the babies being thrown out with the dirty linens. WEAR RED FOR LIFE THAT DAY IF YOU ATTEND!



Wondering If Your Teen Will Be Able to Find A Summer Job? They’re Out There and Here’s Where to Look:

Summer may be months away, but for teens hoping to find jobs, the time to start looking is now.

Seasonal employers are seeing a larger influx of applicants this year, especially from laid-off workers who are overqualified but willing to take entry-level positions.

That said, there are jobs out there, say career experts. Here are some suggestions on where to look:

Summer may be months away, but for teens hoping to find jobs, the time to start looking is now.

Seasonal employers are seeing a larger influx of applicants this year, especially from laid-off workers who are overqualified but willing to take entry-level positions.
That said, there are jobs out there, say career experts. Here are some suggestions on where to look:

AMUSEMENT PARKS
U.S. theme parks will hire close to 500,000 employees for the summer, according to David Mandt, spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. That's about the same number as last year, but there has been a dramatic increase in the number of applications, particularly from older workers.
Mandt advises students to be flexible and consider opportunities in less visible departments, such as merchandise, the call center and landscaping and security. He said job seekers need to be friendly and outgoing.
Find opportunities at the parks' Web sites.

BABY SITTERS
The demand for part-time baby sitters will probably increase this summer because parents are cutting back on full-time caregivers and summer camps, says Genevieve Thiers, CEO of Sittercity.com, which connects parents and caregivers.
Thiers said baby sitters should have experience working with children, good references and a clean record.
"If you drive that's good too. If you do other things like light housework, dog sitting, cooking, that will definitely get you a little more attention," she said.
She recommends that teens find ways to safely display their baby-sitting information, either via online communities, free posting sites, or baby-sitting chat boards, and include information about their skills and experience.


GOLF CADDIES
Golf is holding strong even with the bad economy, says Dennis Cone, founder and CEO of the Professional Caddies Association.
"The baby boomers are now starting to play and they said, 'We want to walk,'" he said. "So I see a bigger future for the caddie comeback ... as long as the resorts can attract folks with great deals."
Danny Cline, general manager and chief operating officer for Gaillardia Country Club in Oklahoma City, Okla., said his club is looking for caddies and people to work in the golf shop, maintain the grounds and organize tournaments and events.
Check out http://www.PCAhq.com to find out more.


CAMPS
There is more competition for camp counseling positions this summer, say camp directors.
YMCA of Greater New York started recruiting in November, says Wheaton Griffin, executive director of New York YMCA Camp, which runs a day camp and three sleepaway camps. He's planning to hire 200 counselors for the summer and has seen more applications early on.
Griffin said he is looking for young adults who have leadership skills and experience working with children, whether through coaching or Big Brothers Big Sisters. Students must be able to pass a background check and provide three non-relative references.
Tony Oyenarte, director of the residential Camp Crystal Lake in Starke, Fla., recommends students become certified in life guarding, CPR and First Aid. He said a special skill like sailing or water skiing is also a plus.
Find opportunities at http://www.campjobs.com or http://www.acacamps.org


FAST FOOD
Americans may be eating out less, but business is flourishing at McDonald's. The fast food chain said its same-store sales in January rose 7.1 percent worldwide and 5.4 percent in the U.S.

Tough economic times means people are more value-conscious, says Paul Facella, author of "Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald's." Families who were eating at a place like T.G.I. Friday's may take it down a notch to a fast food restaurant, he said.

Facella said fast food positions are generally entry level, which make them ideal for teens. There is also turnover, so opportunities are available, he said.
Russ Bendel, president and CEO of The Habit Burger Grill in California said locations near the beach will increase staff 10 percent for the summer.
"We're looking for people that have an upbeat kind of personality," he said. "They're somewhat outgoing and assertive. They understand what hospitality is. They like to function in a team environment."


HEALTH CARE
You don't need medical training as a doctor or nurse to work in health care, says Shawn Boyer, CEO of SnagAJob.com.

Places such as Walgreens hire pharmacy technicians to assist licensed pharmacists, with many providing on-the-job training, he said.
He said some home health care companies are looking for people to run errands, do light housekeeping and provide companionship to sick people.
Students can also work as valet parking attendants at health care facilities or in hospital gift shops, he said.


ICE CREAM SHOPS
Ice cream shop owners don't think the cheap treat to beat the heat will take a hit.
"I think people treat themselves a little more because they may not be doing some of the bigger things they normally do," said Bob Turner, owner of Dairy Corner in Urbana, Ohio, who is anticipating a busier summer than last.

Vince Giordano, owner of Sno Top in Manlius, N.Y., is hiring close to the same number of seasonal employees this year. His shop opens on weekends in mid-March and daily in April.

Giordano says he is looking for teens who are pleasant, enthusiastic and involved in school activities, whether athletics or the National Honor Society. He said involved students generally make better employees than ones who are non-active.


LIFEGUARDS
There is always a need for lifeguards, says Michelle Jantz of the American Red Cross, adding that she hasn't heard of any aquatic centers not opening because of funding.

Many cities are pushing to have their staff hired, trained and ready to go for the big Memorial Day weekend, she said.

Jantz recommends teens (ages 15 and older) contact their local Red Cross to find out about lifeguard training programs in their area. (Lifeguards must pass a swim test before training). The 28-hour course includes CPR/AED and First Aid, water rescue and surveillance skills.

Lifeguards need to be professionals (it's not all fun in the sun, she said) with good communication and customer service skills, she said.

Find your local Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org. For beach lifeguards, check the bulletin board on http://www.usla.org.



MOVIE THEATERS
So far, 2009 is off to a strong start. Overall revenues for movie ticket sales nationally stand at a $1.5 billion for the year and are running 22.4 percent ahead of 2008 figures, according to box-office tracker Media By Numbers.
Steve Mason, box office analyst and theater owner, predicts summer sequels and franchises, such as "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," "Terminator Salvation" and "Star Trek" will bolster sales.

"We will absolutely be hiring," said Mason, president of Flagship Theatre Corp in California. "There is always high turnover in service industry jobs, so we are always looking for the right people, but this summer movie theaters will be jammed and that means a lot of opportunities for high school- and college-aged kids."



Cooking With Clara- She’s in her 90s and she knows how to cook tasty and cheap! A New web hit!

• The world is full of cooking experts, but there's only one Clara Cannucciari. The 93-year-old chef has become a Web sensation thanks to her Web series, "Depression Cooking With Clara."

Ms. Cannucciari was recently profiled on "Good Morning America," and searches on the suddenly famous foodie rose like soufflé on steroids. Folks want to know more about her, as well as where they can see the chef strut her stuff. Lookups on "clara cannucciari videos" are through the roof, and related queries on "clara cannucciari biography" are also on the rise.

According to the interview with "GMA," Ms. Cannucciari learned her style of cooking from her mother during the Great Depression. Her mother was an expert at making tasty and healthy meals for not much money, and that's the kind of knowledge Ms. Cannucciari imparts to her audience. These days, such tips especially come in handy. For those looking to stretch their budget she recommends pasta, and lots of it.
The cooking sensation is currently working on a DVD that compiles all her videos with some help from her grandson. In the meantime, you can check out her delightful recipe for pasta and peas. As Clara puts it, "It's a very simple dish, but it's very tasty and good for you." Bon appétit!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92321?fp=1



Celebrity Chef Sends Woman New Cookware

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) -- Chef Emeril Lagasse says he felt so bad when he heard a woman lost one of his trademark pans while warding off home intruders that he's replacing the item. Lagasse is sending 70-year-old Ellen Basinski a whole new set of his signature cookware.

She used her favorite pan to fight the intruders at her home west of Cleveland on Tuesday. Police then took it from her to be used as evidence.
Basinski was on the phone with her husband when the teens pushed their way into her home.

Her husband, Lorain County Judge David Basinski, overheard the scuffle, called 911 and raced home. Meanwhile, his wife says she grabbed the 5-quart saucepan and hit one teen, who was going through her purse.

The four were arrested. The judge said his wife was upset that her pan was seized by police.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

THE MORNING SHOW
on
SPIRIT FM
with
JIM & KAREN

TODAY IS THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 26, 2009


LIFE CHANGING WORD
LOVE DARE # 14

Love Takes Delight

Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life. Ecclesiastes 9:9

One of the more important things you should learn on yourLove Dare journey is that you should not just follow your heart. You should lead it. You don’t let your feelings and emotions do the driving. You put them in the back seat and tell them where they are going!

In your marriage relationship you won’t always fell like loving. It is unrealistic for your heart to constantly thrill at the thought of spending every moment with your spouse. Nobody can maintain a burning desire for togetherness just on feelings alone. But it’s also difficult to love someone only out of obligation.

TODAY’S DARE: Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he or she would love to do or a project they’d really like to work on. Just be together.

ASK YOURSELF THIS QUERSTION AFTERWARDS: What new thing did you learn (or relearn) about your spouse?

TODAY IS…..

Today is National Chili Day.

Today is For Pete's Sake Day, a day to wonder who is Pete and why we do or don't do things for his sake

Levi Strauss, the inventor of blue jeans, was born on this date in 1829. I am so glad they came up with loose fitting jeans. I tried to put on a pair of those Levi skinny jeans one time and nearly put out my husband's eye when one of those silver rivets popped off!

On this date in 1936 Adolph Hitler opened the first Volkswagon factory. Imagine that. Hitler was responsible for giving us "The Love Bug."

On this day in 1919 Congress turned a huge hole in the ground into Grand Canyon National Park. Then, as congressmen always do before, during, and after accomplishing anything, they patted themselves on the wallet with a pay raise.


John Kellogg was born on this day in 1852. Kellogg invented corn flakes. Jim loves corn flakes. Which may explain why he's so corny and so flaky.


In The News……

Sit down for this one. A new study says that kids actually need to run around and have enough recess time at school to learn properly!

The New York Times reports that researchers recently took a new look at the benefits of making sure that kids have enough time to let off some steam at least once during the school day.But millions of kids are apparently not getting that break. In a study of eight-and-nine-year-olds by the journal Pediatrics, 30-percent were found to have little or no daily recess. Another report found that 40-percent of schools had cut back at least one daily recess period.


Fish pedicures are all the rage across Asia. You stick your feet in the water and little fish eat the dead skin off your feet. But several US states are banning the practice.

According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the Florida Board of Cosmetology will not allow the carp pedicures in salons across the Sunshine State. The fish pedicures violate two rules: Animals and pets are not allowed inside salons unless they are there to assist in the hearing or visually impaired, or the physically disabled. There's no way to clean or disinfect the foot pools between fish pedicuresSeveral other states have also banned the practice, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Texas and Washington


A prison inmate blames NASCAR for his naughty behavior, and is suing them for $23-million dollars. The City Paper of Nashville reports JONATHAN LEE RICHES became a NASCAR addict, and claims that watching races influenced him to drive 135-miles-per-hour. That's just for starters.

His "addiction" also made him open up illegal credit card accounts so he could buy tickets to NASCAR events. Seeing all the action in person only fueled the fire. Jon said, Plus, JEFF GORDON's DuPont-sponsored car "poisoned" Jon with chemicals. He told the court he's praying they'll grant his motions "for relief," so that he doesn't die behind bars.



Beauty and the Brain…Women Use More Than Men

"Beauty is in the brain of the beholder. Go to any museum and there will be men and women admiring paintings and sculpture. But it turns out they are thinking about the sight differently. Men process beauty on the right side of their brains, while women use their whole brain to do the job, researchers report in Tuesday's electronic edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science."



It Was Just A Joke: Cowell Has No Deep-Freeze Plans
"A spokeswoman for Simon Cowell says reports that the 'American Idol' judge wants to be frozen after death are greatly exaggerated.

Cowell was making a tongue-in-cheek remark at a dinner in London two weeks ago with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other guests, spokeswoman Lisa Dallos said Tuesday."

I think I might like to have the two of us frozen after we die. "Think of it! They freeze us up, bring us back when our corny old-time one liners and comedy material come back in style!!! It's ingenious!"



You Won’t Believe This! Woman Has 6,005 Piercings!

When first accredited by a Guinness World Record official in 2000, Davidson had 462 piercings, with 192 in her face alone.

Now, nine years later, she has 6,005 including more than 1,500 that are "internal".
However, despite her eye-watering record, Miss Davidson, born in Brazil, claims she doesn't like being pierced, and suffers for her art.

She said: "I don't enjoy getting pierced, but to break the record you have to get to a high level.

"I wanted to break the record.

"My family don't even like tattoos or piercings.

"But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."

Miss Davidson, a nurse who now lives in Edinburgh, was speaking in Darlington, Durham, as she opened a piercing studio.

She officially cut the ribbon at Arcadia.

Shop owner Les Fry said: "Elaine is a friend and she very kindly agreed to open the shop.

"We have got an excellent piercing artist who can perform the most up-to-date techniques."

Click here to see the picture:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4786930/Worlds-most-pierced-woman-adds-to-her-collection.html


Faith Revealed on IDOL Stage

The two men chosen so far to be among American Idol's top 12 finalists are both Christians who are active in their churches' music ministries.

Oilfield roughneck Michael Sarver leads praise and worship at Harvest Church in Jasper, Texas.

Danny Gokey is a worship leader at Faith Builders International Ministries in Wisconsin.

Sarver says he and Gokey "pray together" and "talk about God and the things of God."
Gokey, who got his start singing with his family in church, says he'd rather become a mainstream recording artist than perform strictly Christian music.



NOKIA Is Asking 1,000 Employee to Voluntarily Quit

Nokia, which announced this month it was planning cut jobs, said Tuesday it will seek up to 1,000 voluntary resignations to further reduce costs amid the global economic downturn.

The world's largest mobile phone maker said it will open a global voluntary resignation package on March 1, and plans to increase short-term unpaid leaves and sabbaticals.

It also appealed to employees to accept holiday time as payments, instead of cash, for overtime work in 2009.

Nokia described as "encouraging" the response from employees and unions in proposing ideas to help reduce personnel-related costs.

Nokia said it will accept applications for the resignation package until May 31, or when 1,000 employees have applied.

Two weeks ago, Nokia said it will close a research center, ax up to 320 jobs and temporarily lay off 2,500 workers in Finland. It also announced some 90 layoffs in global support and new businesses departments.

The announcements came after the company last month warned of cost-cutting measures after its fourth-quarter net profit crashed 69%. It also lost market share — falling to 37% from 38% in the previous quarter.



School Lunch Ladies Going After Deadbeats

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A cold cheese sandwich, fruit and a milk carton might not seem like much of a meal - but that's what's on the menu for students in New Mexico's largest school district without their lunch money.

Faced with mounting unpaid lunch charges in the economic downturn, Albuquerque Public Schools last month instituted a "cheese sandwich policy," serving the alternative meals to children whose parents are supposed to be able to pay for some or all of their regular meals but fail to pick up the tab.

Such policies have become a necessity for schools seeking to keep budgets in the black while ensuring children don't go hungry. School districts including those in Chula Vista, Calif.; Hillsborough County, Fla.; and Lynnwood, Wash.; have also taken to serving cheese sandwiches to children with delinquent lunch accounts.

Critics argue the cold meals are a form of punishment for children whose parents can't afford to pay. Parents who qualify for free meals are not affected.



Stay Married and Help Save The Planet!

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Staying married is better for the planet because divorce leads the newly single to live more wasteful lifestyles, an Australian lawmaker said Tuesday.

Senator Steve Fielding told a Senate hearing in the Australian capital Canberra that divorce only made climate change worse.

When couples separated, they needed more rooms, more electricity and more water. This increased their carbon footprint, Australian Associated Press (AAP) quoted Fielding as telling the hearing on environmental issues.

"We understand that there is a social problem (with divorce), but now we're seeing there is also environmental impact as well on the footprint," AAP quoted him as saying.

Such a "resource-inefficient lifestyle" meant it would be better for the planet if couples stayed married, he said.

During the hearing, the senator read out quotes from a U.S. report that advocated his stance.

Fielding, who leads the independent Family First party, grew up in a family of 16 children and has been married for 22 years, his website says



Are You Escared of Kitty Kats?

What are you afraid of?

Research by Hitwise, a web analysis company, showed that after fear of flying, the most searched for "fear of" term in the UK was fear of cats, by some margin.
Robin Goad, UK research director, ran the numbers for "fear of" search terms by UK internet users over a three-month period ending on February 14. He found they searched for more than 8,500 distinct "fear of" terms.

Here is the top ten:
1. fear of flying (2.27% of all ‘fear of’ searches)
2. fear of cats (1.72%)
3. irrational fear of cats (1.34%)
4. fear of clowns (1.10%)
5. fear of long words (1.01%)
6. fear of heights (0.86%)
7. fear of the dark (0.62%)
8. fear of death (0.61%)
9. fear of spiders (0.43%)
10. fear of crime (0.36%)

So cats get second and third places in the list and adding them together makes cats the most feared thing in Britain. Blimey!

However Goad adds:

"There are over 500 variations on the term ‘fear of flying’, and once these are added together they beat the 90 or so variations on the cat theme. I must admit to being surprised by the popularity of cat fear, so had to check it wasn’t the name of a film or something. But, no, lots of people really do seem to have an irrational fear of cats!"

In producing the list Goad was trying to illustrate one of the themes in a new book Click by Bill Tancer, who is the general manager of global research at Hitwise.
Tancer says that you can use search data to reveal what people are actually doing rather than just what they say they are doing to friends or researchers. The example cited in the book is people's fears.

According to surveys in the US the most feared objects are bugs, mice, snakes or bats. The fear of flying did not even come in the top ten but it was by far the most searched for "fear of" in the US as it is in the UK.

There is a difference between having a fear and wanting to find out more about a fear - so I am not sure that Tancer's thesis works completely in this case but still, who are all these people who are so frightened of cats that they are desperately looking for more details?

Point of information: the official word for fear of cats is ailurphobia from the Greek ailouros" (cat) and "phobos" (fear). People who suffer from ailurophobia may fear physical contact, such as bites and scratches, and may also fear the perceived supernatural nature of cats as well as those depicted in the literary works as Edgar Allan Poe's The Black Cat.

So what scares you?



FIRST FAMILY’S DOG ARRIVES IN APRIL

WASHINGTON – This isn't just another wag-the-tail story: The Obamas are getting a dog in April.

First lady Michelle Obama tells People magazine that the target date for the arrival of the family pet is after her daughters' spring break trip in April, though 7-year-old Sasha is convinced the dog is coming April 1.

"So Sasha says 'April 1st.' I said, 'April.' She says, 'April 1st.' It's like, April!" said Mrs. Obama, who said she favors Portuguese Water Dogs.

The Obama girls — Sasha and 10-year-old Malia — attend the private Sidwell school, which has spring break March 20-29 and a day off for students on April 13.

The first couple and their daughters have been going back and forth on possible names. Among the two Mrs. Obama mentioned — and nixed — were Frank and Moose.

"I'm like, no. Come on. Let's work with the names a little bit," she told People.
Barack Obama and his wife had promised their daughters that they would get a dog if he were elected president, and the selection of the first pet has been eagerly awaited not only by the children but by the nation's dog lovers.

In the interview, the first lady discussed the family's daily routine in the White House, her efforts to keep things normal for her children and a recent girls' night in.

She said on Feb. 19, when the president traveled to Canada, she invited secretaries and policymakers to the White House for popcorn and a screening of the movie, "He's Just Not That Into You."

She said she and her husband rise at 5:30 a.m., exercise in the White House gym and typically have breakfast together. The White House chefs cook "mean waffles and grits," she said.

"We have dinner as a family together every night, and Barack, when he's not traveling, tucks the girls in," she said. "We haven't had that time together for (years), so that explains a lot why we all feel so good in this space."

The interview with Mrs. Obama appears in Friday's editions of People. The first lady appears on the magazine's cover.
SPIRIT FM

The Morning Show
with
JIM & KAREN

TODAY"S LOVE DARE # 13

LOVE FIGHTS FAIR

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. Mark 3:25


Like it or not, conflict in marriage is simply inevitable. Every couple will go through it, but unfortunately, not every couple will survive it.

Now, don't think the living out today's dare will drive all conflict from your marriage. Instaed, this is about dealing with conflict in such a way that you come out healthier on the aither side. Both of you. Together.

LOVE DARE # 13
Talk with your spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to "fight" by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.

Monday, February 23, 2009

The Morning Show
On
Spirit FM
With
JIM & KAREN

TODAY IS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2009

LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 12

Love Lets the Other Win

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

Stubbornness usually comes as a standard feature in both the husband and the wife. Defending our rights and opinions is a foundational part of our nature and make-up. It’s detrimental, though, inside a marriage relationship, and it steals away time and productivity. It can also cause great frustration. For example: it is good to defend things that are worth standing up for and protecting, however, too often we debate over things like what color to paint a room, how to rearrange the furniture, or where to eat dinner out.

TODAY’S DARE: Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.

Ask yourself later…what did giving in cost me?


TODAY IS…..

Today is Basking Day, a day to get outdoors and bask.

Today is Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday,, Bursting Day, Fasching, Mardi Gras, or Carnival, depending on where you are. No matter where you are it's the day before Ash Wednesday.


IN THE NEWS…..

Oscar Winner – I still don’t understand the Big Winner of the evening
"Slumdog Millionaire" won the Academy Award for best picture Sunday night and a total of 8 Oscars. The voters thought the film was about a laid off hedge fund manager. I will say it was a special time for Hollywood — celebrities take a break from worshipping President Barack Obama to worship themselves.

Of course the good news was…WALL-E won an academy award. It’s an amazing story about a robotic creature dealing with over-polluted air. It’s actually based on the life of Al Gore. Did you know that?

I think one of the biggest films of this coming year is actually going to be somewhat reality based and it's titled "The Curious Case of Benjamin Bernanke"
You know if President Obama is serious about ending torture in this country then he ought to start with canceling the Academy Awards. That is 4 and half hours of pure torment if you ask me!


U.S. Airways Drinks
U.S. Airways says it's going to reintroduce free drinks in coach. But to get those free drinks you're going to have to drink them straight from the Hudson River.


European Incentives
European carmakers are giving away lavish incentives to buy their vehicles. German automakers are giving out rebates, Italian manufacturers are slashing car loan rates, and the French car companies are giving every new buyer someone to help them push the car once it inevitably breaks down after two months.


Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking time off as the governor of California to shoot a new movie. The movie’s about a terrible disaster — it’s called, “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the Governor of California.”


A pet pig saved its own bacon by jumping in the bath tub after it burned its owner's house down in Sweden. The Vietnamese pot bellied pig had knocked over a table lamp setting fire to curtains and was trapped in the house in Lulea. But as firefighters searched the property they discovered the terrified, singed pig cowering in the bath tub. No report this morning if the home owner still wants the pig as a pet.



Free Meal at TGIFridays
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The tough economy has just about everyone looking for a good deal, especially at restaurants.

T.G.I. Friday’s may have it with its "buy one entree, get on free" deal.

The company said the offer is its own economic stimulus package.

But you will need to hurry, the coupon expires March 1.

The free meal applies to one of equal or lesser value.

Weblink to print off coupon!
http://tgifridays.com/promos/bogo_coupon.aspx?fromhome



A Story of Modern Day Christian Persecution?
A lawsuit has been filed against Orange County by a veteran group home counselor who was suspended six weeks for exposing four teenagers to Christian music. The counselor is represented by affiliate and staff attorneys of Pacific Justice Institute.

The lawsuit states that, in the summer of 2006, the counselor took four teenage girls from the Orangewood Children's Home on an approved field trip to a 5K run and then to the beach. At the beach, the group encountered a "Surf Jam" taking place at the Huntington Beach pier. The group also overheard Christian music for about ten minutes while they were eating.

Following the beach outing, the counselor, an eighteen-year employee, was summoned to a disciplinary meeting focusing on the Christian music. Several months later, the same incident was brought up again and the counselor was slapped with a six-week suspension for "exposing children to unapproved religious activities."

After many months of exhausting state administrative remedies, the counselor filed suit late last week in Orange County Superior Court to recover the financial losses she suffered from the suspension and to vindicate her constitutional rights. The counselor is represented by John and Laurie Messerly Stewart, attorneys in Orange, California, and the Pacific Justice Institute.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, "What happened to this counselor was insane and unjust. Allowing teenagers to overhear a few minutes
of Christian music while at the beach should not result in a six-week suspension."


They Are Not Calling it The State of the Union Speech
President Obama Speaks Tonight!
The first speech by a new president to a joint session of Congress is one of Washington’s magnificent ceremonial events.

Filling the House chamber will be almost all of the members of the House and Senate, joined by black-gowned Supreme Court justices, members of the diplomatic corps, and perhaps a few “ordinary heroes” chosen for the occasion.

The president’s inaugural address is for the people, and for the world audience.
Focus on the economy, but...

Obama press spokesman Robert Gibbs said last week that the president’s speech will focus mostly on efforts to revive the economy.

He will speak at a time of unprecedented federal spending — the highest level since World War II as a percent of Gross Domestic Product. Such massive outlays raise questions about the magnitude of the federal debt, future inflation, and especially about U.S. indebtedness to China, whose frugal savers are in effect helping pay for the stimulus by buying U.S. Treasury securities.

The president’s budget proposal will follow the day after his speech.

The president’s speech to a joint session, whether it's called a State of the Union address or not, has the feel of a high school football rally attended by the student bodies of both the home team and the visiting team. Members of each team take turns, leaping to their feet to applaud statements they like, or groan in dismay at passages they don’t.



Don’t Spend It All In One Place!
OLYMPIA, Wash. The state of Washington sent out $1 checks to the 250,000 food stamp recipients in the state.

The director of the Community Services Division for the Department of Social and Health Services, Leo Ribas, says the checks mailed Feb. 17 trigger an additional $43 million in federal food benefits. They also connect recipients to an energy assistance program.

Ribas says the $1 check is a one-time move to leverage the federal money. He says next year the state will be able to trigger the federal assistance through a routine deposit in food stamp accounts.



Tomorrow Is Ash Wednesday and the Beginning of Lent
An opportunity for "spiritual self improvement", Lent focuses on an increased emphasis on prayer, fasting. Repentance, restoration and rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter!

A food that symbolizes prayer and fasting is the pretzel (from the Latin word, bracellæ, "arms".) It is a traditional Lenten bread of very ancient origin. Early Christians made the bread from flour, salt and water only, shaping it to represent the folded arms in prayer, just as they are made to this day. The German tribes who invaded Rome called the bracellæ "brezel'" or "prezel". Pretzels are traditionally eaten throughout Lent, and in some places are especially associated with Saint Joseph's Day [March 19] which usually falls within Lent. A recipe for soft pretzels follows:

Pretzels

The pretzel represents the shape of the penitent's crossed arms, and was a traditional Lenten food in central European towns.This recipe is for a chewy soft pretzel, like those hot pretzel vendors sell.

Combine in a mixing bowl:
1 cup warm water
1 package (1 1/2 T) active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
Add and beat at least 3 minutes:
1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
2 Tbsp soft butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
Stir in 1 1/4 cups


A DAILY LENTEN DEVOTION FOR WOMEN

A Woman's Stations of the Cross

During this season of Lent, I invite you to spend some time meditating on Jesus' road to Calvary, and on the ways we can better carry our own crosses in life.

1. Jesus is Condemned to Death
Jesus stood before Pilate an innocent man yet he was condemned to death.
Dear Lord, help me to not be so quick to judge others. Help me try to understand them and why they act as they do. Help me to see other people as you see them.

2. Jesus Carries his Cross
Jesus, already tired and broken, picked up the heavy cross to begin the journey to Calvary.
Dear Lord, help me, even when I am exhausted and worn out, to fulfill my daily duties. Please help me to accept the crosses that come my way and to bear them with a willing spirit.

3. Jesus Falls the First Time
Jesus falls down under the weight of the cross, yet somehow he finds the strength to get up and try again. Many times I feel overwhelmed and ready to collapse under the weight.
Dear Lord, help me to keep going even when I feel I can't take another step.

4. Jesus meets his Mother
Even in his darkest hour, Jesus' Mother Mary was there.
Dear Lord, please help me to be with others in their pain. Help me to offer comfort and consolation and to be a source of strength for others as they travel through life.

5. Jesus is helped by Simon
Simon wasn't looking to help. He was just one of the crowd, but he was pressed into service.
There are many times I don't want to help, either. It's easy to turn away and think someone else will do the work. Dear Lord, help me to help wherever I am needed. Don't let me turn my back on anyone in need.

6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Veronica reached out to Jesus, offering an act of kindness at a time when he needed it most.
Who do I know who is hurting. Dear Lord, help me to be the person who comes in to offer kindness when the whole world has gone out.

7. Jesus Falls the Second Time
Again Jesus falls and again he gets up.
Sometimes life can be so discouraging. It feels like the whole world is against me. I want to give up, to fall down and surrender the fight. Dear Lord, please help me to have the courage to continue. Help me to face another day.

8. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Even in the midst of his pain, Jesus stops to comfort the women who were weeping by the side of the road.
It is so easy when I am in pain for me to just think about me. Dear Lord, even when I am hurting, help me to remember that others are hurting also. Help me to not be self-centered and to continue to reach out to those who need me.

9. Jesus Falls the Third Time
The end of the journey is near and Jesus falls again. He struggles to get up and continue one last time.
Dear Lord, help me to continue when the way is hard and I have lost all hope. Please guide my faltering steps.

10. Jesus is Stripped of his Garments
In the end, Jesus had nothing, not even his clothes.
Dear Lord, please help me to share my material goods with others, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Also let me help those who are emotionally naked and who have been left exposed to the world. Help me to never revel in another person's shame but to instead reach out a helping hand or offer a word on her behalf.

11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
With each nail, the pain grew greater, each blow a vivid reminder of our sins.
Dear Lord, thank you for your love for me. Thank you for dying to forgive my sins. Help me to do your will.

12. Jesus Dies on the Cross
Jesus suffered immeasurable torment on the cross, both physical and emotional. He cried out to his father in heaven, "My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?" Yet he also found the strength to forgive his persecutors.
Dear Lord, at times when I feel abandoned, help me to remember that you understand and are always at my side.

13. Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross
Jesus was taken down from the cross and his lifeless body was laid in his nother's arms. The pain Mary must have felt as she held her son. She was the mother of a convicted criminal. Truly a "sword had pierced her heart."
Dear Lord, help me to remember the mothers who have lost children to violence and criminal activity. Help me to pray for them as they suffer so much pain.

14. Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
And then there was darkness. The tomb was a place of transition for Jesus - a stopping place between death and new life.
Dear Lord, please help me as I go through my own times in the tomb, times when I feel lost and scared, fearful of change. Help me to see your light, guiding me safely to new life.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

SPIRIT FM MORNING SHOW
WITH
JIM & KAREN
MONDAY - FEBRUARY 23, 2009


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE# 11

Love Cherishes.
Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. Ephesians 5:28

The problem within our culture is that when our marriages experience difficulty, we are urged to dump our spouse for a “newer model”. But those who have this view do not understand the significant bond between a hsuband and a wife. The truth is you are a part of one another. You would never cut off your hand if it was injured but would pay whatever you could afford for the best medical treatment possible. That’s because your hand is priceless to you. It is a part of who you are. And so is your mate.

TODAY’S LOVE DARE: What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or a foot massage? Is there hosuework you could help with? Choose a gesture that says “I cherish you” and do it with a smile!

When you look at your spouse, you’re looking at a part of you. So treat them well. Speak highly of them. Nourish and cherish the love of your life.

TODAY IS…..

Carnival begins today, the two days before Ash Wednesday. Carnival includes Fasching, the Feast of Fools. Today is Shrove Monday, also called Rose Monday, the Monday before Lent.

Today is National Personal Chef Day.

Today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day.

Today is National Banana Bread Day.

Read Me Week begins today, a time to wear readable clothing, to school where children can read you.

On this date in 1985 Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight threw a metal folding chair across the court during a game. He was so ashamed, to punish himself he's still wearing the same sweater.

2005: Official efforts to identify victims from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York ended, leaving more than 1,000 bodies unidentified.

IN THE NEWS…..

The Oscars
Poor, poor Hollywood. The glitziest bash on the planet happened last night and the LA Times says Hollywood struggled to find the right balance between glamour and sensitivity to the current state of the economy. Some things are obvious. Parties were scaled back, and no one wore diamond-encrusted shoes.

It used to be chic to say, 'I'm wearing $16 million worth of jewels,'" said one publicist. "That's distasteful right now. But some say there was a risk of going too far into recession mode and they warned that if movie stars tried too hard to appear sympathetic to the economic woes of millions of Americans, no one would want to watch. The fashion director of InStyle magazine asks, "Would you really want to tune in and see a bunch of women walking down the red carpet in black pantsuits? It's a recession," he said, "not an apocalypse."

You know why I didn’t watch…..I just thought it was a bloated, self-indulgent popularity contest. Had nothing to do with the economy and who wore what!


Friday night was the last night for CONAN O’BRIEN as his "Late Night" show signs off after 2,725 episodes.

As you probably know, Conan is segueing over into JAY LENO’s "Tonight Show" chair when Jay leaves for prime-time.

It was the 16th season of "Late Night with Conan O’Brien." That's five more than "MASH," five more than "Cheers," and 10 more than anybody wanted.


Cookies Crumble
Girl Scout cookie sales are plummeting across the country. The girls are having a hard time competing with their laid off parents who are now selling everything else.

Woods A Dad Again
Tiger Woods and his wife Elin have given birth to a baby boy, Charlie. Charlies already has a $20 million Nike diaper endorsement contract.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi met with the Pope last week, and after the meeting, she asked for the Pope's blessing. Another embarrassing moment . . . when he asked her to close her eyes, she said, "I can't . . ." Botox and all . . . and then there is the blinking.

California finally passed a budget. The impasse was finally overcome when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger threatened to make a sequel to "Kindergarten Cop

Life is crazy in California.

California is the only place where...

Your coworker has 8 body piercings
You make over $1 00,000 and still can't afford a house.
Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.
Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cell pones or pagers.
Both you AND your dog have therapists.
...and last but not least...
The Terminator is your governor.


The economy is suffering….Here's how bad it is: Now when you go to the airport and you have to put all your change in that pan to pass through the metal detectors? They’re not giving it back.


Foremer President Bush Goes to Hardware Store Looking for a Job
"Former President George W. Bush has visited a Dallas hardware store that earlier this month made him a lighthearted offer to work as a greeter. The manager at Elliott's Hardware, says Bush walked into the store Saturday and quipped: 'I'm looking for a job.' The store had published an open letter to Bush, inviting him to apply for a store greeter position. The tongue-in-cheek appeal appeared in The Dallas Morning News. Bush spent about an hour shopping and talking to customers during the surprise visit. He bought a few flashlights, batteries and a can of WD-40. He also bought night lights."

Sounds to me like somebody had a "honey-do" list from home.


Good News For Jim……
A Croatian man says he's in perfect health - after drinking nothing but Coca-Cola for more than 40 years. 71 year old Pero Ajtman of Karanac, started his Coke only diet in 1968 after promising his mother he wouldn't drink alcohol anymore. He said: "Coca-Coca was the only thing that tasted as good as wine so I started drinking that." He has a glass in the morning, before and after lunch, with his dinner and then before he goes to bed. He never drinks anything else. And he credits his good health to that.


A Japanese toy company is offering to make tailor-made robot Mini-Mes for its customers. Robotics firm Little Island claim they can create a tiny likeness of anyone - even replicating the sound of their voice. Customers place their $2,160 order and simply submit a photo of the person they'd like their new toy to resemble. Six months later, and their very own Mini-Me will turn up on their doorstep. The dolls can be taught to sound like the customer via a built-in microphone, a computer and voice recognition software.



President Obama Warned the Nationa’s Mayors NOT to waste Stimulus Money
"Invoking his own name-and-shame policy, President Barack Obama warned the nation's mayors on Friday that he will 'call them out' if they waste the money from his massive economic stimulus plan.
'The American people are watching,' Obama told a gathering of mayors at the White House. 'They need this plan to work. They expect to see the money that they've earned - they've worked so hard to earn - spent in its intended purposes without waste, without inefficiency, without fraud.'"

Those mayors are always under a lot of pressure. Just recently in a Missouri town, a seedy-looking man was sitting in the first row at a town meeting, heckling the mayor as he delivered a lengthy speech.

Finally the mayor pointed to the heckler and said, "Will that gentleman who differs with me please stand up and tell the audience what he has ever done for the good of the city?"

"Well, Mr. Mayor," the man said in a firm voice. "I voted against you in the last election."



100 Funniest Words in English
The Lexiteria has announced the publication of The 100 Funniest Words in English by Dr. Robert Beard, AKA Dr. Goodword on the alphaDictionary.com website. This book examines what Dr. Beard considers the funniest of the 2500 words he has described and e-mailed daily to 200,000 people over the past 8 years.
After a short essay on what makes words funny, Dr. Beard examines the pronunciation, meaning, usage, and history of each funny word, giving several creative examples of its use. Dr. Beard's selection of the funniest words includes the likes of "absquatulate," "bowyangs," "collywobbles," "gongoozle," "hemidemisemiquaver," and "snollygoster."
Here are the words, described as only 'Dr. Goodword' can describe them, that you will find in the book.

Abibliophobia - The fear of running out of reading material.
Absquatulate - To leave or abscond with something.
Allegator - Some who alleges.
Anencephalous - Lacking a brain.
Argle-bargle - A loud row or quarrel.
Batrachomyomachy - Making a mountain out of a molehill.
Billingsgate - Loud, raucous profanity.
Bloviate - To speak pompously or brag.
Blunderbuss - A gun with a flared muzzle or disorganized activity.
Borborygm - A rumbling of the stomach.
Boustrophedon - A back and forth pattern.
Bowyang - A strap that holds the pants legs in place.
Brouhaha - An uproar.
Bumbershoot - An umbrella.
Callipygian - Having an attractive rear end or nice buns.
Canoodle - To hug and kiss.
Cantankerous - Testy, grumpy.
Catercornered - Diagonal(ly).
Cockalorum - A small, haughty man.
Cockamamie - Absurd, outlandish.
Codswallop - Nonsense, balderdash.
Collop - A slice of meat or fold of flab.
Collywobbles - Butterflies in the stomach.
Comeuppance - Just reward, just deserts.
Crapulence - Discomfort from eating or drinking too much.
Crudivore - An eater of raw food.
Discombobulate - To confuse.
Donnybrook - An melee, a riot.
Doozy - Something really great.
Dudgeon - A bad mood, a huff.
Ecdysiast - An exotic dancer, a stripper.
Eructation - A burp, belch.
Fard - Face-paint, makeup.
Fartlek - An athletic training regime.
Fatuous - Unconsciously foolish.
Filibuster - Refusal to give up the floor in a debate to prevent a vote.
Firkin - A quarter barrel or small cask.
Flibbertigibbet - Nonsense, balderdash.
Flummox - To exasperate.
Folderol - Nonsense.
Formication - The sense of ants crawling on your skin.
Fuddy-duddy - An old-fashioned, mild-mannered person.
Furbelow - A fringe or ruffle.
Furphy - A portable water-container.
Gaberlunzie - A wandering beggar.
Gardyloo! - A warning shouted before throwing water from above.
Gastromancy - Telling fortune from the rumblings of the stomach.
Gazump - To buy something already promised to someone else.
Gobbledygook - Nonsense, balderdash.
Gobemouche - A highly gullible person.
Godwottery - Nonsense, balderdash.
Gongoozle - To stare at, kibitz.
Gonzo - Far-out journalism.
Goombah - An older friend who protects you.
Hemidemisemiquaver - A musical timing of 1/64.
Hobbledehoy - An awkward or ill-mannered young boy.
Hocus-pocus - Deceitful sleight of hand.
Hoosegow - A jail or prison.
Hootenanny - A country or folk music get-together.
Jackanapes - A rapscallion, hooligan.
Kerfuffle - Nonsense, balderdash.
Klutz - An awkward, stupid person.
La-di-da - An interjection indicating that something is pretentious.
Lagopodous - Like a rabbit's foot.
Lickety-split - As fast as possible.
Lickspittle - A servile person, a toady.
Logorrhea - Loquaciousness, talkativeness.
Lollygag - To move slowly, fall behind.
Malarkey - Nonsense, balderdash.
Maverick - A loner, someone outside the box.
Mollycoddle - To treat too leniently.
Mugwump - An independent politician who does not follow any party.
Mumpsimus - An outdated and unreasonable position on an issue.
Namby-pamby - Weak, with no backbone.
Nincompoop - A foolish person.
Oocephalus - An egghead.
Ornery - Mean, nasty, grumpy.
Pandiculation - A full body stretch.
Panjandrum - Someone who thinks himself high and mighty.
Pettifogger - A person who tries to befuddle others with his speech.
Pratfall - A fall on one's rear.
Quean - A disreputable woman.
Rambunctious - Aggressive, hard to control.
Ranivorous - Frog-eating
Rigmarole - Nonsense, unnecessary complexity.
Shenanigan - A prank, mischief.
Sialoquent - Spitting while speaking.
Skedaddle - To hurry somewhere.
Skullduggery - No good, underhanded dealing.
Slangwhanger - A loud abusive speaker or obnoxious writer.
Smellfungus - A perpetual pessimist.
Snickersnee - A long knife.
Snollygoster - A person who can't be trusted.
Snool - A servile person.
Tatterdemalion - A child in rags.
Troglodyte - Someone or something that lives in a cave.
Turdiform - Having the form of a lark.
Unremacadamized - Having not been repaved with macadam.
Vomitory - An exit or outlet.
Wabbit - Exhausted, tired, worn out.
Widdershins - In a contrary or counterclockwise direction.
Yahoo - A rube, a country bumpkin.
@ - The "at" sign.



Sad But True…President Obama Tops Jesus as American’s Hero
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama succeeded Jesus Christ on a Harris Poll that asked American adults whom would they call heroes, poll data indicated Friday.

In the first such survey, in 2001, Jesus was first, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was second and former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell was third. Obama wasn't mentioned.

Now, after the president, Jesus and King, the new top 10 includes former U.S.

Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Abraham Lincoln; U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; former President John F. Kennedy; hero airline pilot Chesley Sullenberger; and humanitarian Mother Teresa. God was 11th, the poll said.

The most mentioned reason for making the list (89 percent) was "Doing what's right regardless of personal consequences."

Poll officials said the survey was conducted among 2,634 U.S. adults who answered spontaneously in contacts Jan. 12-19.



OMG…JIM MAY BE RIGHT! ROBOTS MAY RULE THE WORLD!!!!
Autonomous military robots that will fight future wars must be programmed to live by a strict warrior code, or the world risks untold atrocities at their steely hands.
The stark warning — which includes discussion of a "Terminator"-style scenario in which robots turn on their human masters — is part of a hefty report funded by and prepared for the U.S. Navy's high-tech and secretive Office of Naval Research.
The report, the first serious work of its kind on military robot ethics, envisages a fast-approaching era where robots are smart enough to make battlefield decisions that are at present the preserve of humans.

Eventually, it notes, robots could come to display significant cognitive advantages over Homo sapiens soldiers.

"There is a common misconception that robots will do only what we have programmed them to do," Patrick Lin, the chief compiler of the report, said. "Unfortunately, such a belief is sorely outdated, harking back to a time when ... programs could be written and understood by a single person."

The reality, Dr. Lin said, was that modern programs included millions of lines of code and were written by teams of programmers, none of whom knew the entire program.
Accordingly, no individual could accurately predict how the various portions of large programs would interact without extensive testing in the field — an option that may either be unavailable or deliberately sidestepped by the designers of fighting robots.



Old Navy Recalls Stuffed Toys; Button Eyes Can Detach and Pose a Choking Hazard to Young Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: Stuffed Animal and Creature Toys
Units: About 35,500 in the United States and 5,400 in Canada
Retailer: Old Navy LLC, of San Francisco, Calif.
Hazard: The stuffed toys have two button eyes that could detach from the toy, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The stuffed animal and creature toys are made out of cotton and have plastic button eyes. They come in a variety of styles, such as a rabbit, penguin and reindeer. The recalled toys and style numbers are listed below:
Type of Stuffed Toy Style Number
Brown Plaid Creature (Stubby Stuberson) 612756
Pink Striped Dove 600571
Grey Dog 600572
Hot Pink Creature (Lucy Toothy) 612800
White Dog (Dr. Poopsie) 612738
Brown Penguin 612672
Light Pink Rabbit 612671
Brown Reindeer 612728
Dark Pink Rabbit (Honey O’Bunny) 612806
The style number is located on a white label sewn into the side seam of the toy.
Sold at: Old Navy stores and on the Web at www.oldnavy.com from July 2008 through February 2009 for between $6 and $10.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled stuffed toy away from young children and return it to any Old Navy store for a full refund. If purchased online, contact Old Navy for instructions on returning the toy for a full refund. Consumers who return the toy before July 1, 2009 will also receive a $5 coupon toward a future Old Navy purchase.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Old Navy toll-free at (866) 580-9930 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.oldnavy.com, or e-mail the firm at custserv@oldnavy.com
Note: Health Canada’s press release can be seen at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=666



DOVE AWARDS ANNOUNCED:

http://www.doveawards.com/doveawards/pressrelease.php

Thursday, February 19, 2009

THE MORNING SHOW
WITH
JIM & KAREN
On
SPIRIT FM

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 20, 2009


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 10

LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

The only way love can last a lifetime is if it’s unconditional.
The truth is this: love is not determined by the one being loved but rather by the one choosing to love.

The Bible refers to this kind of love by using the Greek word agape.

TODAY’S DARE: Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse. Something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy or make his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF: Has your love in the past been based on your spouse’s attributes and behavior, or on your commitment? How can you continue to show love when it’s not returned in a way you hoped for?


TODAY IS…..

Today is Call An Old Friend Day, a day to phone someone you haven’t talked to in a very long time.

Today is Toothpick Day. The toothpick was patented on this date in 1872.

Today is Northern Hemisphere Hoodie-Hoo Day. At noon everyone yells "Hoodie-Hoo" to chase away winter and make way for spring

George Washington established the federal Post Office on this date in 1792. Two days later, the Post Office performed its first official act -- they closed for George's birthday.


IN THE NEWS…..

Dropping a Dime

Giant bank UBS has agreed to turn over the names of some of its richest customers to U.S. tax fraud investigators. UBS now stands for "U Been Snitched."

Disney Layoffs

Disney plans to cut staff at all its theme parks. This is troubling news for Dumbo and Goofy, who just got jobs at DisneyWorld after getting laid off from Wall Street.

Leaner Times

The nation's top college sports programs are desperately looking for ways to cut costs. In a radical move, K.U. is planning on eliminating tutors and actually forcing the football players to go to class.

California is in the hole for $42 billion, so a budget has been proposed.

I’m no financial expert, but when you have no money, and no prospects of making money, and you owe $42 billion, you’re way beyond putting yourself on a budget. I think you’re looking at faking your own death.

People in California say the problem with the budget is that they don’t understand what’s in it. Well of course they don’t. Look who’s explaining it to them — Arnold Schwarzenegger!


President Obama signed the stimulus bill in Denver, Colo. this week He picked Denver because our debt is now a mile high. It’s symbolic.


Get over it!

Market research firm ICOM finds some 22% of Americans say they are uncomfortable using coupons in grocery stores! Another 57% say that they're self-conscious about redeeming coupons, but suck it up to save some money. The report finds 43% of the 3,000-plus respondents increased their use of coupons in the last six months, and 67% plan to rely on coupons even more in the future. By age group, 57% of those 35 and under have stepped up their coupon use, as have 40% of those between 35 and 54, 36% of those between 55 and 64, and 25% of those 65 and older. "In a down economy, even the most stubborn consumers are receptive to money-saving offers," Marketing Daily quotes ICOM. "This is a perfect time for brands to engage desirable consumer segments with offers that appeal to their frugal mindset."


The word from the annual NY Toy Fair is still: electronic.

Even the lowly Rubik’s cubes are going high-tech. Children of the ‘80s spent hours twisting the things until the colors aligned correctly around it, but now there’s a digital version being shown that has touch sensors, so the squares can be moved by just touching them. The original cube: about $10. The new version costs $150
As for dolls, Mattel is pinning its hopes on a tweenage Dora the Explorer doll that plugs into the computer for customized adventures, and Jailbreak Toys (really) is offering "The Obama Action Figure." Fisher-Price is optimistic about the dubiously-named "Elmo Tickle Hands" — $29.99 human-sized red plush mitts that vibrate and giggle Elmo’s giggle.


Just Can't Watch This!

The Hollywood Reporter says M.C. HAMMER — now just "Hammer" — is doing a new reality series called (wait for it...) "Hammertime." The "too Legit to Quit" rapper, his wife and five children will be doing 11 episodes of a series on the A&E cable network which the producer says will come off kind of like "The Cosby Show." Yay…Jim can break out those Hammer Pants again!!!


"Star Trek" geeks are rejoicing!

The Hollywood Reporter says Paramount will be releasing the Blu-ray editions of season one of the original series this Spring, as well as for several of the original films. Diamond Select Toys will also offer an exclusive Sulu action figure with purchase of the set. Oh, boy!

Paramount is releasing a trilogy set of the films, including the classic "The Wrath of Khan," "The Search for Spock" and "The Voyage Home" in May.


Angel Food Ministry Under Investigation by the FBI

The Georgia-based food charity that is being investigated by federal authorities reported that demand for its services is up from previous months.

Angel Food Ministries said on Tuesday that the distribution of its low-cost food boxes this month was the sixth largest in the organization's history, up 63 percent from the same month last year. Compared to last month, the distribution total was up 20 percent.

The charity, which donates $1 back to church hosts for every box sold, was able to give $530,000 back into local communities and churches this month.
Pastor Joe Wingo, CEO and founder of AFM, said the milestone distribution made the ministry proud but sad at the same time.

"Proud to have the faith of so many people, proud to be able to help so many people get proper nutrition and proteins into their diets, but saddened that the need is so vast and growing."

The report comes one week after officials from the FBI and IRS searched the AFM headquarters in Monroe, declining to offer a reason for the investigation.
In response, the charity said in a statement that it believes the investigation is "of an individual or individuals connected to the organization, and not regarding the ministry itself, its service to the public or its host sites in any way."
AFM has maintained that the investigation would not affect deliveries of Angel Food grocery boxes to host churches.

Angel Food Ministries has not commented on which "individual" linked to the group are the subject of the probe. But tax documents filed by Angel Food Ministries to the IRS suggest the people of interest may include Pastor Wingo and his family members.

In 2005, Wingo was paid a salary of $69,598. The next year, his compensation dramatically soared to $588,529. Similar spikes in salary amounts were reported for his wife and two sons during the same period.

Watchdogs of Christian charities have pointed out that his salary for 2006 is unusually higher than the salaries of CEOs from non-profits that run on similar annual budgets.

Established by Wingo and his wife, Linda, in 1994, AFM helps feed over 300,000 families each year through discounted groceries that are distributed at local churches in 39 states. The standard food box costs $30 each but contains twice the value in food.


A-Rod Hopes God Will Use His Mistakes For Good

TAMPA, Fla. - Baseball's highest-paid player says he hopes God can use him to discourage aspiring athletes from using performance-enhancing drugs.
At a news conference in Florida, New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez said he believes the exposure of his past drug use has "happened for a much bigger reason than baseball."

Rodriguez said he hopes kids won't "make the same mistake" that he made, adding that he believes that God has now given him a forum where his "voice can be heard" on the issue.

Rodriguez has admitted to using banned drugs from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. Asked whether his home runs during those years should count, Rodriguez said that's not for him to decide.


Nearly 5 Million Now Getting Unemployment benefits – An All Time High

The number of laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits has jumped to an all-time high near 5 million while new jobless claims remain well above 600,000. Both figures were worse than expected and new projections from the Federal Reserve show unemployment rising for the rest of this year.


JOB SEEKERS: 8 Technology Etiquette Tips

BOSTON - If there's any small solace when starting a job search in this recession, it's the proliferation of digital technology to help you re-enter the working world.
Web sites like Indeed.com and LinkedIn.com have multiplied the number of job openings you can track and the professional contacts you can make. E-mail and smart phones make it easier to pitch yourself and set up appointments.

But think twice before picking up that BlackBerry and thumb-typing a message to the hiring manager whose e-mail address you so slyly uncovered online. In the end, landing the right job hinges on old-world skills.

"The electronic piece usually just gets your foot in the door," said Dave Willmer, executive director of Robert Half Technology, a tech industry recruiting division of Menlo Park, Calif.-based staffing consultant Robert Half International.

"But you still have to present yourself well face-to-face in an interview, and you have to have good references," he said. "I think some job candidates lose sight of that because of all the technology options and capabilities that get your name out there."

Willmer and Kate Wendleton, president of The Five O'Clock Club, a New York-based career counseling company, advise that job seekers — especially the young and tech-savvy — frequently misuse electronic gadgets and the Web and run roughshod over professional etiquette.

Some of their advice:

1. AVOID E-MAIL BLASTS: Resist the temptation to respond to each online job listing in your field, and focus on those that fit the best. Only about 6 percent of jobs are filled by candidates recruited through advertisements, said Wendleton, whose firm also conducts career research. If you can use personal contacts to learn about an opening that's not widely publicized, your chances of landing the job increase because you've got fewer rivals.

Instead of blast e-mailing, use the Web to research potential employers and put yourself in position to recite key facts about that company should you land an interview.

"Too many people are sitting there all day hitting that send button on their computer, answering ads, answering ads," Wendleton said.

2. EMBRACE SNAIL MAIL: In your first contact with a prospective employer, you're unlikely to stand out if you join the legions of job seekers sending 'hire me' pitches via e-mail with resumes attached. E-mails also are too easy for a hiring manager to delete. With snail mail, you control the appearance of your carefully crafted cover letter and resume. With e-mail, the user's machine can control settings for fonts and spacing. And managers can be wary of opening attached resumes for fear of unleashing a computer virus.

3. GET PERSONAL: If you resort to e-mail pitches, make them personal. If you're introducing yourself to a hiring manager you've identified via a professional colleague, type that colleague's name in the e-mail's subject line and succinctly explain the link (e.g. "John Doe referred me") so the manager is less likely to hit delete.

4. AVOID FOLLOW-UP FOIBLES: If you land an interview, pay close attention if the hiring manager specifies how to make any follow-up contacts. E-mail can be a good option because of its speed; if you send a follow-up note via snail mail, it may arrive too late in the hiring process to make a difference. If the hiring manager is OK with e-mail, send a message that addresses any unanswered questions from the interview and state that you're also mailing a hardcopy. In the snail mail message, reference that you also sent the e-mail.

Whatever you do, don't follow up on an interview with an e-mail sent via a handheld gadget — there's too great a chance you'll thumb-type a typo-ridden message. Only use handhelds to send brief, timely e-mails confirming an appointment or advising you're running late for a meeting. Don't type without regard to grammar and capitalization, and resist including smiley faces or other emoticons in electronic messages. "There is no circumstance where that is appropriate," Wendleton said. 5. OBSERVE BOUNDARIES: Even if you managed to track down a hiring manager's cell phone number, don't call it unless given permission. "Cell phones are considered private," Wendleton said.

6. STICK WITH LAND LINES: For any phone contact with a prospective employer, try to use a land line. With cell phones, there's too great a risk that you'll get a spotty connection, lose it altogether, or end up with excessive background noise if you're in a public place. If you lack a land line, call from a quiet place like a hotel lobby. Have a pen and pad ready so you can jot down information.

7. NETWORK THE SMART WAY: If you identify a hiring manager or other professional you'd like to connect with on an online networking site, don't merely send an electronic invitation without explaining why you want to get in touch. An out-of-the-blue request will likely be ignored. "Write something like, "I was intrigued by your LinkedIn posting. I see you have 10 years of international experience. I too have 10 years of international experience,'" Wendleton said.

8. MANAGE YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT: Hiring managers can be expected to go beyond your resume and references, and perform a background check online. So be judicious about what you post on social networking sites such as Facebook, and limit access to friends and family if it's something you wouldn't want an employer to see. Likewise, think before posting political opinions or personal information in blogs or other online forums. Consider posting under a pseudonym rather than your name. "As a job candidate, I would encourage people to be conservative," said Willmer. "Assume that anybody has access to anything."


Verizon Considering Offering a $5.00 Landline

In a sign that the recession is forcing phone companies to take bold measures to hold onto landline customers, Verizon Communications Inc. is considering a $5 monthly voice plan that would let customers receive calls but dial only 911 and Verizon customer service.

Verizon believes the plan could help slow the rate of landline customers cutting the cord, so to speak.

The company lost 3.7 million access lines, or 9.3 percent of its base, in 2008. Phone companies are concerned that consumers who are already tempted to switch to cable phone service or drop their landlines altogether and rely only on their cell phones will be pushed over the edge as the recession crimps household budgets.
The telecom provider could begin offering the new $5 plan by summer, along with a second, $10 monthly plan that would allow some limited local calling.
Only customers with high-speed Web access from Verizon would qualify for the new plans, according to a person close to the company.

Verizon confirmed it is considering the plan but says it hasn't decided whether to move forward with it.


Schools Not As Nitpicky About Lice-Allowing Kids To Stay in School

For generations, children with signs of head lice were summarily sent home by the school nurse to their everlasting shame. Now schools have become less nitpicky.
With the backing of some major health organizations, a majority of schools across the country are allowing youngsters to stay in class if they have nits — that is, lice eggs — but no crawling lice in their hair.

It's a change recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses, and it has been welcomed by many educators and parents, who worried that students were missing too much school, moms and dads were missing work, and children were being made to feel ashamed.

The switch came after a 2002 pediatrics academy study said students with nits shouldn't be kept out of class. The real problem, according to the medical experts, is the lice, not their eggs.

"Nits don't spread. They don't jump from one person to another," said Amy Garcia, executive director of the National Association of School Nurses. "So to withhold a child from school due to nits really interrupts the educational process."

Once nits hatch, they generally take 7 to 10 days to become full-grown adults that can lay eggs and begin the cycle all over again.

About 60 percent of schools now allow children with nits to stay in class, Garcia said.

The pediatrics academy also says that kids who are found to have crawling head lice should be allowed to stay in school for the rest of the day but discouraged from close head contact with others. But not many school districts have gone that far.

Getting rid of head lice often requires a strong anti-lice shampoo to kill the crawling bugs, and a fine-tooth comb to pick the nits out of the hair. But the safety and effectiveness of some shampoos are questionable, and removing all the nits can take days.

The dangers of lice are small, Frankowski said. Lice have not been found to carry disease, though excessive scratching can lead to infections


Free Camps For Military Kids – Operation Purple!

War affects everyone—not just the service member, but the spouse and children as well. As an organization dedicated to serving military families, the National Military Family Association (NMFA) recognized the need for more resources to support military children. In 2004, the Operation Purple® Summer Camp Program was created as a way to help military children struggling with having a parent deployed.

During the 2004 pilot season of Operation Purple, NMFA implemented 12 different Operation Purple camps across the country. Due to the success of this camp program, NMFA expanded the program and has hosted more than 10,000 military children who have or will experience deployment.

In 2008, there were 100 weeks of camp held in 62 locations in 37 states and territories.

These free, week-long, overnight camps are open to all military children. The program aims to help military kids experience carefree fun while also learning coping skills to deal with war-related stress and fostering relationships with others who know what they are going through.


Complaints Over Crucifixes – At Catholic College!

BOSTON - Boston College officials have placed crucifixes in every classroom and Christian artwork around the Catholic university's campus, stirring some faculty complaints.

The Jesuit school made the additions during winter break.

While Boston College students have been mostly supportive, a handful of faculty protested.

One professor accused the school of being "insensitive" to people of other faiths. Another said the religious symbols run "contrary to the letter and spirit of open intellectual discourse."

But the Rev. John Paris, a Jesuit priest who teaches bioethics, said the criticism amounts to "the narrow and bizarre musings of a few disgruntled folks."
Pope Benedict, during his U.S. visit last year, told Catholic educators they must "ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice."


Free Stuff You Actually Want!!

http://food.yahoo.com/blog/foxyfestivities/14632/free-stuff-you-actually-want/print

Who doesn't love getting something for nothing? Plain and simple, free stuff rules! Here, some Foxy favorite freebies -- little things that make life so much sweeter.

 Tune It On - iTunes/Starbucks Pick Of The Week Every time we prance in for our grande cinnamon cappuccinos, we score a little jive with our java. Pick up one of the iTunes cards sitting on the counter and download a free song by punching in the code. Good for our ears - and wallets!

 Scream For Ice Cream - Baskin-Robbins Birthday Club The only thing we love more than ice cream is free ice cream. Sign up for the Birthday Club (online or at a store), and they'll send you a coupon right before your big day. It's good for a free scoop. You can try playing the B-day "card" at restaurants, too. If it's your friend's birthday, ask if the restaurant does complimentary birthday desserts. It's always sweet to surprise someone with a cake, candle, and song at the table!

 Freezer Fun - Fancy Freezer Labels Opening up your freezer to find a stash that's been there since the Ice Age is scary. This is why we love Martha Stewart's free printable freezer labels. They're pretty and practical. Just jot down the contents and date on the labels, stick them on your food packages, and you'll never have a glob of funky lookin' stuff in your freezer again.

 Posh Postcards - Personalized Postcards Martha to the rescue, again. The diva of do-it-yourself provides two printable postcard templates. You simply supply a 4x6 photo for the front of the card and then voila, you've got a free, fashionable way to keep in touch with friends and family.

 Luscious Locks - Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner Treat your tresses to free treats courtesy of Procter & Gamble. They'll send you free samples -- all you have to do is sign up.

 Creams 'n' Things - Kiehl's This fancy pantsy bath products purveyor gives three free samples with any online purchase from their website. Fine, it's not totally free since it comes with a purchase, but it makes us feel like we scored a major deal. And we love that we get to customize our freebies to suit our tastes.

 Fantastic Facials - Department Store Facials High-end cosmetics brands at your local department store often offer free facials or treatments. Naturally they're promoting their products, but there's absolutely no obligation to buy anything. If it's true and makes you more comfortable, tell the facialist that you want to go home and see what it does for your skin before you buy. Check online at sites like Clarins or go to your local counter to ask a salesperson to keep you posted on other free offers.
LOVE DARE # 9

LOVE MAKES GOOD IMPRESSIONS

Greet one another with a kiss of love. 1 Peter 5:14

You can tell a lot about the state of a couple’s relationship from the way they greet one another.

The Bible has more to say about greetings than you might expect. The apostle Pauls took time to encourage his readers to greet one another warmly when they met.

Greeting your spouse doesn’t have to be bold and dramatic every time. But adding warmth and enthusiasm gives you the chance to touch your mate’s heart in subtle, unspoken ways.

TODAY’S DARE: Think of a specific way you’d like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them from now on!

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF: When and where did you choose to do your special greeting? How will you change your greeting from this point on?

Monday, February 16, 2009

SPIRIT FM MORNING SHOW
WITH
JIM & KAREN

FEBRUARY 17, 2009


LIFE CHANGING WORD
LOVE DARE # 7

Love Believes The Best

Love believes all things, hopes all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

For today’s dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some poiint during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.

Which list was easier to make? What did this reveal about your thoughts? What attribute did you thank your spouse for having?

TODAY IS…..

Today is My Way Day, a day to determine our own identities all by ourselves

Today is National PTA Founders Day

Today is Practice Your Free Throws Day. You never know, it could win the game some day.

Today is National Snow Ice Cream Day (A little milk, sugar, vanilla, and a lot of snow).

Happy 46th birthday to basketball's Michael Jordan. He was so good. On lay-ups and slam-dunks he had greater hang-time than anything -- except possibly my laundry.

Kenneth Leader won the World Shouting Championship at Scarborough, England, on this day in 1973. When one person does the shouting, it's called a "singles" competition. When two people do the shouting, it's called "marriage."

IN THE NEWS…..

The Missouri Tigers are now ranked # 11 by the AP and #10 in the USA / ESPN Poll both above KU!!!!

Another Collision
A British nuclear submarine collided with a French submarine in the Atlantic Ocean earlier this month. This follows the collision of an American communications satellite with a Russian satellite last week. Luckily, there are no reports of anyone accidentally getting their chocolate in someone else's peanut butter. When will this madness end!!!

Panetta Confirmed
The Senate confirmed Leon Panetta as CIA director last night. Panetta is the oldest person ever to lead the spy agency, thus guaranteeing that he'll be able to keep our most sensitive secrets by simply forgetting them.

New Survivor Series
I had a great idea for a new Survivor series….it stars American Banks!!! And only one survives.

There’s a new book -- "101 Ways To Make Money During The Recession". Way #1: Write a book titled -- "101 Ways To Make Money During The Recession".

President Barack Obama launches an economic whirlwind this week, signing the newly passed $787 billion economic stimulus package in Colorado, before moving to Arizona to tackle the home mortgage foreclosure crisis

I hope the President is getting sound economic advice. Here in Missouri we remember what President Harry S. Truman said:

"Give me a one-armed economist!"

Why did he say that?

President Truman was the first president to appoint a council of economic advisers. Unlike some later presidents, he actually liked to listen to his policy advisers. However, he preferred a clear recommendation, not a long discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of a particular course of action.

He quickly grew tired of economist who gave a good recommendation, and then began, "On the other hand..."

And that is why President Truman said: "Give me a one-armed economist!"

SMITHSONIAN DISPLAYS OBAMA CUPCAKE ART
A double portrait of Presidents Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln faces the prospect of being eaten away -- not by the ravages of time, but by visitors to the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington.

Created by artist Zilly Rosen, the portrait titled "A New Birth of Freedom," is made of more than 5,600 yellow cupcakes with different colored icing. The 9-foot by 15-foot portrait is on display at the museum.

The public is invited to "de-install" the portrait by eating the cupcakes.
The museum said this is Rosen's second cupcake portrait of Obama. Rosen, who runs the Buffalo, N.Y. bakery Zillycakes, constructed a 1,200-cupcake portrait of Obama in November and set it up in his campaign headquarters in Buffalo.

LANCE ARMSTRONG’S BIKE STOLEN
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento police are looking for leads in a high-profile caper: The case of Lance Armstrong's missing $10,000-plus time-trial bike.

Early Sunday morning, officials from Armstrong's Team Astana and Armstrong himself reported on their twitter.com feeds that the one-of-a-kind, black-and-gold bike he used Saturday in the Tour of California's Sacramento prologue and three other teammates' bikes were stolen from a team truck.

"Bad way to start the morning ... Bikes stolen from the truck last night," reads the Team Astana feed.

As the police began their investigation, the race rolled on with a 108-mile first stage from Davis to Santa Rosa.

Armstrong, 37, a seven-time Tour de France winner who is on the comeback trail after announcing his retirement in 2005, is the major attraction in the race.

The bikes were stolen from an unmarked truck parked in an alley behind a Sacramento hotel between 10 p.m. Saturday and 6:45 a.m. Sunday, when the theft was discovered, said officer Konrad Von Schoech, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department.

Armstrong posted a picture of the bike on his Twitter feed and wrote: "There is only one like it in the world therefore hard to pawn it off."

LOOKING FOR A QUICK AND EASY DINNER WHEN YOU GET HOME?
Check out this website and fire up the crock pot baby!

http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/crockpot/index-5b.html

Beef, Pork, Chicken and Seafood! Main Dishes and Desserts….it’s all right here!!