TODAY IS MONDAY - MARCH 9, 2009

THE SPIRIT FM MORNING SHOW
WITH
JIM AND KAREN
6 a.m. - 9 a.m.
MONDAY - FRIDAY
jim@spiritfm.org

karen@spiritfm.org


LIFE CHANGING WORD

LOVE DARE # 21

Love is satisfied in God.
The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire. Isaiah 58:11
Day 20 was a vitaly important day in the Love Dare and in your life. You came face to face with the glaring need of every human heart. That Jesus is the only One who can supply what you have been missing. If you’ve received him by faith and have turned over your life to him to manage and lead, then his Holy Spirit is renewing your heart. His wisdoma nd grace and power can now be released into everything you do. Including, not the least, your marriage.

We need God every single day of our lives. He alone can satisfy, even when all else fails you. Your husband may be late coming home. Again. But God will always be right on time. Your wife may let you down. Again. But God can always be trusted to deliver on his promises.

TODAY’S LOVE DARE: Be intentional today about making a time to pray and read your Bible. Try reading a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there are thirty-one---afull month’s supply), or reading a chapter in the Gospels (Matthew – Mark-Luke and John). As you do, immerse yourself in the love and promises God has for you. This will add to your growth as you walk with him.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS: How do you think spending time daily with God will change your situation and perspective? How can you make him a bigger part of your day?


TODAY IS…..

Ford introduced the V-8 engine on this day in 1932.Apparently, it was the first engine to run on vegetable juice.

The first man to orbit Earth, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, was born on this day in 1934. Gagarin's flight into space lasted 108 minutes and everything went well except for one major problem -- he landed back in Russia. In Russia, a man who goes around in circles is called a "cosmonaut." In the U.S. he's called a "congressman."

Napoleon married Josephine on this day in 1796. What a great French wedding that must have been. Instead of rice, they probably threw croissants.

Today is Barbie Day, marking this date in 1959 when the doll went on sale in the U.S. More than 900-million Barbies have been sold, and still sell at the rate of about 120 dolls a minute.

Today is National Napping Day, a day for employees to lie down and be counted in support of napping in the workplace. Be careful.

Today is Panic Day, sponsored by the Wellness Permission League of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a group that encourages you to run around today in a panic and tell everyone you can’t take it anymore.

Today is False Teeth Day. On March 9th, 1822, Charles Graham, a New York dentist, received a patent for false teeth.

1969: CBS-TV cancelled "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," indicating that though the show’s irreverent comedy had high ratings, it was more trouble than it was worth. The replacement was called "Hee Haw."
In The News…..

NASA Search MissionNASA launched the Kepler spacecraft, mounted with the biggest telescope ever. Its mission is to find Earth-like planets in the Milky Way... and then ask them for $500 trillion to bail us out.

Malia and Sasha Obama came home from school yesterday and found a nice surprise — a new swing set on the White House lawn. That’s fun.

Bill Gates has forbidden his children from owning an iPhone or iPod. Luckily, they’re still allowed to play with their piles and piles of money.

Scare at the White House Friday . Police were called to the White House. Apparently President Obama was in a meeting with some potential Cabinet nominees when someone noticed a suspicious-looking document on the table that no one had ever seen before. Turns out it was just a tax form. The president’s latest nominee for U.S. trade representative, Ron Kirk, who owes the government $10,000 in back taxes, has agreed to pay his taxes. When was there a choice? You try that on April 15.


Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced he plans to go after tax evaders . . . this after failing to pay his own taxes. This is part of operation “Do As I Say, Not As I Do.”

Bernie Madoff — here’s a guy who made a living swindling his friends. He and his wife, Ruth, say they are entitled to keep $69 million. They say the money is not fraud money — they got it by saving money with Geico.

Cramdown Bill PassesThe House has passed a bill that will allow bankruptcy judges to permanently lower mortgage payments for distressed homeowners. But the price will still be high as every mortgage holder who gets help will be forced to pay the courts back by doing jury duty.


Big Spending Bill
Congress is pushing through a new $410 billion omnibus spending bill that includes millions of dollars for driftwood cleanup on the Potomac. American taxpayers would be more supportive of a bill that cleans up the deadwood on the Potomac known as Congress.

Treasury Staff Problems
Several candidates for top jobs at the U.S. Treasury have withdrawn their names from consideration. If they wanted to take jobs in the financial industry with no chance of succeeding, they'd work for Citigroup.


The Road To LoveBachelors in a remote Indian village are building a new road which they hope will bring them brides. I suppose you could call it the Road To Love. Barwaan Kala, is located high in the Kaimur hills and is known locally as the "village of unmarried people". Some 121 villagers aged between 16 and 80 remain bachelors because of the remoteness of the village. Armed with shovels, chisels, hammers, spades and other tools, villagers decided to take measures into their own hands and build a road so they could get wives there to marry them. In the past month-and-a-half, they have already laid more than half of the four mile stretch of road on the hilly terrain.


Who Is The Best Dressed Guy in the World?Those are pretty big shoes to fill, but this month’s edition of Esquire magazine claims PRINCE CHARLES of England is the guy! Did I mention this was the British edition of Esquire? Presdient Obama came in fourth. Prince Charles was likely helped by the contrast when CAMILLA PARKER BOWLES stands beside him


THE WEEKEND TIME CHANGE DOES AFFECT YOUR BODY CLOCKBen Franklin couldn’t abide wastefulness. So, as an American envoy in Paris, he thought nothing of firing off a crotchety letter to a French newspaper complaining of Parisians who daily squandered daylight.

Les Parisiens, he complained, stayed up late into the night and awoke at noon, wasting 96 million pounds of wax and tallow each year.

Franklin’s solution wasn’t to spring clocks forward and back, as is the modern custom with daylight saving time, which began at 2 a.m. Sunday.

Instead, he proposed a mandatory awakening at 4 a.m. from mid-spring to mid-fall, an idea that laid the groundwork for our twice-a year time change.

“Every morning, as soon as the sun rises, let all the bells in every church be set ringing,” he proposed in 1784. “And if that is not sufficient, let cannon be fired in every street to wake the sluggards effectually.”

So, if you wake up groggy Sunday, just remember that it could be worse. Cannon fire could have roused you.

The United States adopted daylight saving time during World War I and II to save energy — electric lights, not candles — and permanently in 1966. Today, there are competing studies on whether energy actually has been saved.

Scientists, however, are beginning to understand that jumping forward even a single hour plays havoc with our circadian rhythms, the biological clocks within our brains and cells.

Instead of precisely following Earth’s 24-hour days, most people’s biological clocks run a bit fast or slow, said Stuart Dryer, chairman of biology and biochemistry at the University of Houston.

Larks and owls If there were no external stimuli, people with faster clocks — called “larks” by researchers — would tend to rise earlier each subsequent day.

But most people — as many as two-thirds of the population, Dryer said — are “owls,” whose clocks run more slowly. By the end of a work week with a daily alarm, owls tend to feel worn out.

“If you have difficulty adjusting to daylight saving time, you’re probably an owl,” he said.

Theoretically, daylight saving time could cause adverse effects on the biological clocks within such organs as the heart, which are more active in humans during the day. Studies have found that sleep-shift workers have statistically higher incidences of cancer and other medical problems.

Might such a relationship be found for countries with daylight saving time?

“I wouldn’t go that far, but I’m not a fan of daylight saving time,” said Dr. Richard Castriotta, division director of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston.

With daylight saving time, Castriotta said, parents must get children in bed when it’s daylight. In general, children tend to have slower biological clocks than adults. Elementary-school children need 10 or 11 hours of sleep, and adolescents nine or more.

Kids often end up missing needed sleep as a result.


WOMAN BURPS FOR TWO STRAIGHT YEARSJean Driscoll, 72, was a healthy, active retiree, busy volunteering as a school governor and at her local hospital in Essex, England.

Two years ago, however, chest pains behind her sternum slowly developed into intense belches that never went away and brought Driscoll's life to a standstill.

"You think to yourself, 'I'm probably imagining it,' which we do when we get aches and pains sometimes," Driscoll said. "But [belching] is something, which has affected my whole life. I don't go out because it's embarrassing."

Driscoll, a former nurse and social worker, has given up her volunteering and much of her social life for a more private life at home.

Driscoll's son Steven, 36, with whom she lives, said friends and family help Driscoll shop, run errands or go to doctor's appointments. But practical support is all they can provide.

"It's not really affecting us in a bad way," her son said. "We're all just concerned for her and are wondering why it's taking doctors so long to do anything for her. We can't help her physically."


Stethescope YouTube Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYI_aOyCn9Y
This is a clever video created by Southern Hills Church of Christ in Texas. It has been watched by nearly 3 million people on YouTube so far!


Happy Meal Toys Sell for MillionsLONDON — A British boy made a big deal out of Happy Meals.

Luke Underwood, 11, had his 5,000-piece collection of posters, Happy Meal boxes, toys, and promotional displays auctioned Wednesday night, selling for $11,500, which includes a 15 percent buyer's premium.

Luke, who is from South Clifton, Nottinghamshire, 140 miles north of London, said Thursday it was tough to put the collection under the hammer.

"It was sad to see it go," he said on a telephone interview on his way home from school. "We just needed the room. It was on the landing. It was everywhere."

Unique Auctions' owner Terry Woodcock said he had no idea the memorabilia would sell.
"I didn't think people would be interested in McDonald's toys. I've never been so wrong about an auction in 20 years," he said.

Woodcock said that people from around the world — including the U.S., Germany and Australia — bought pieces of the collection. One man paid $420 for a 101 Dalmatians toy to finish his own collection.

Luke's father, Philip, had bought most of the collection for his son four years ago for $350, and they've been adding to it.

Luke said he wants to continue to buy and sell collector's items. Batman and James Bond toys are on his shopping list.

"They are going to be the biggest sellers in the future," he said.


Maryville Illinois Pastor Killed – Please Pray for the Congregation and His FamilyThe pastor of a Maryville, Illinois, church was shot to death during a service Sunday in front of horrified parishioners who then tackled the gunman, state police said.

Fred Winters, the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Maryville, was shot and killed during the 8 a.m. service, and the attacker and two parishioners suffered knife wounds in the attack, said Illinois state police spokesman Ralph Timmins.
The gunman walked in during the service and walked up to the pulpit, opening fire when he was met by Winters, Timmins said. A police dispatcher in Maryville, about 10 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri, told CNN the pastor was shot three times.

Timmins said the gunman's .45-caliber pistol jammed after he shot Winters. The shooter then pulled out a knife and turned it on himself before being tackled by some of the roughly 150 worshippers attending the church.

Two of those who went after the attacker suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the suspect's injuries are "very serious," Timmins said.

Witness Claudia Bohley told CNN affiliate KSDK she was in the church's foyer waiting for the service to begin when she heard "pop, pop, pop. ... We just couldn't imagine what had happened."

She said she ran into the sanctuary and saw what looked like paper scattered on the pulpit. She said she was later told that the bullet hit Winters' Bible.
"It was like confetti. It went everywhere," she said. "People were down on their knees and on the floor, screaming and praying."

She described Winters -- who is pictured on the church's Web site along with his wife and two children -- as "such a pleasant pastor."

St. Louis University Hospital spokeswoman Laura Keller told CNN three males, including the suspect, were brought to the hospital. One was dead on arrival, she said, but the hospital was not releasing names and ages. She said the second was in an operating room and the third was the suspect, whose condition was not immediately available.

Phone calls to the church office from CNN rang unanswered Sunday. A posting on the church's Web site said a prayer vigil would be held at 6 p.m. at Metro Community Church in Edwardsville, Illinois, about six miles north of Maryville.

First Baptist Church is fairly large, with about 1,000 members, KSDK reported. The church holds four Sunday services.

Timmins said many of the people attending the service remained for hours afterward, as police were conducting interviews.

Senior Pastor Dr. Fred Winters has served as the Senior Pastor of FBCM since 1987. He graduated with his BA. from Southwest Baptist University in 1985. He received his Master's degree in Systematic Theology and Church History from Wheaton Graduate School in 1986 and a Master' s of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1991. Pastor Fred also went on to earn a Doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pastor Fred and Cindy Lee (Jackson) were married September 12, 1987 and they have two children: Alysia Grace and Cassidy Hope. Our pastor is the former president of the Illinois Baptist State Association and an adjunct professor for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.


BARBIE TURNS 50!NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barbie, the iconic doll that has claimed countless hours of girls' lives in a make-believe world that mirrored real life glamour, high-fashion and fabulous careers, is turning 50.

But is her star fading?

Some people say Mattel's doll that has had such "careers" as astronaut, Army medic, scuba diver, pediatrician and presidential candidate, has run her course.

"It's very clear that the taste of little girls who play with dolls has changed," said Jerry Oppenheimer, author of a book on Mattel called 'Toy Monster.'

"They have come into the 21st century, where they play on their own laptops, and have their own cell phones. Dolls will be a part of their lives ... and Barbie will be part of that, but it will be a small window."

Introduced at a toy fair in New York City on March 9, 1959 as a teenage fashion model, Barbie, whose full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts, cost $3.

With her shapely figure, carefully styled pony tail and curly bangs, strapless black and white geometric bathing suit and spiked heels, Barbie was at once an instant rage and outrageous.

At a time when "Leave It to Beaver" was depicting the so-called "All-American Family" and June Cleaver never showed any cleavage, Barbie created her share of controversy.

Created by Ruth Handler 14 years after she and her husband Elliot started the toy company Mattel Creations, sales of Barbie reached 300,000 the first year.

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

Whither Barbie goes, the world's No. 1 toymaker is waging an extensive campaign to promote Barbie, perhaps its most notable toy, and celebrate her birthday.

Mattel has opened a six-story flagship store in Shanghai called House of Barbie, featuring a restaurant, spa and runway where girls can pretend to be fashion models. [ID:nL6651818] Film stars Jet Li and Cathy Chung attended the Shanghai opening.

Supermodel Heidi Klum and other celebrities are expected on Monday at Mattel's Malibu Dream House party in a 3,500-square foot house at Malibu, California, near Los Angeles. The interior of the house was designed by Jonathan Adler.

One of Barbie's major attractions over the past five decades has been her clothes, created by some of the world's most famous designers, including Gucci, Calvin Klein, Galliano and Versace. Throughout her life, Barbie's hair and fashions have reflected real life haute couture, and fashion trends and crazes.

Fans mobbed a fashion show at New York's Fashion Week in February, where models took to the runway in 50 new designer outfits to celebrate Barbie's life of fashion.
On March 14, specialty toy store chain Toys "R" Us is due to hold a Barbie party at its flagship store in Manhattan.

A ROLE MODEL - STILL?

"Growing up, my sister had the nurse outfit for Barbie and my sister became a nurse," said Nancy Parsons, 50, who has been collecting Barbie dolls for 25 years.

"It was what she was, what she could be. It gave even little girls the idea that 'I could do that.'"

Parsons, who prefers the vintage Barbie and has amassed a collection of about 500 dolls, is president of the Western Pennsylvania Doll Club, which is hosting the 2009 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Washington D.C. in June.

The event, Parsons said, draws collectors who show and sell Barbie dolls, clothes and other items made for the doll.

Other collectors said they are ardent Barbie fans. But is she still a hit with youngsters?

Sales of Barbie dolls declined 6 percent in the United States and 28 percent overseas in the last quarter.

It is far from certain if Mattel's efforts to spark greater interest in Barbie by lighting birthday candles around the world will pay off.

But one thing was evident in the looks on faces of dejected fans, ranging in age from tots with parents to college students and business people who were turned away at the crowded fashion show -- Barbie still has a devoted audience.

"I really don't see Barbie disappearing at all," said Stephanie Gentile, 25, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a Barbie collector for nine years.

"She's still so popular with collectors and young girls alike. She's still got another 50 years in her."


PRESIDENT OBAMA TO LIFT STEM CELL FUNDING BAN TODAYOne of the most outspoken abortion opponents in Congress labeled President Obama the "abortion president" on Friday in response to news that Obama intended to sign an executive order Monday lifting restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., accused Obama of launching two attacks on pro-life measures. In addition to lifting President Bush's stem cell restrictions, Obama intends to lift regulations from the Bush administration that allow health care providers and institutions to refuse to participate in abortions on grounds of conscience.

Smith labeled Obama's stem cell policy an expansion of "human embryo experimentation."

"Why does the president persist in the dehumanizing of nascent human life when better alternatives exist? Human embryo-destroying stem cell research is not only unethical, unworkable and unreliable- it is now, demonstrably unnecessary," Smith said.

The long-promised move on stem cell research will allow a rush of research aimed at one day better treating, if not curing, ailments from diabetes to paralysis -- research that crosses partisan lines, backed by such notables as Nancy Reagan and the late Christopher Reeve. But it stirs intense controversy over whether government crosses a moral line with such research.

Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can morph into any cell of the body. Scientists hope to harness them so they can create replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases -- such as new insulin-producing cells for diabetics, cells that could help those with Parkinson's disease or maybe even Alzheimer's, or new nerve connections to restore movement after spinal injury.

But the research is controversial because days-old embryos must be destroyed to obtain the cells. They typically are culled from fertility-clinic leftovers otherwise destined to be thrown away.

Under President Bush, taxpayer money for that research was limited to a small number of stem cell lines that were created before Aug. 9, 2001, lines that in many cases had some drawbacks that limited their potential usability.