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Overcoming Life’s Losses

Dr. John Hawkins
6 Oct 2013
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The one constant of life is change, something most people do not like. When it comes to the material world, this change usually involves some form of loss. Why is this so? The answer is a theological one, because of the fall – the curse of sin. The curse of sin is death, decay and all that leads up to this final loss. Everything in the material world is in a constant process of running down. This is the second law of thermodynamics loosely paraphrased. This is even true of our own bodies. In order to live a happy and […]

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50 Shades of Shame

Chrissie Ferguson
4 Oct 2013
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Many Americans are willing to rack up an expensive grocery bill each week in order to purchase the freshest and purest foods. We look at ingredients in make-up, shampoo and sunscreen to make sure we are applying only the purest of products to our skin. And we are making efforts to keep the air we breathe cleaner by trading in our gas guzzlers for more eco-friendly cars. We are working harder to keep toxins out of our bodies. But are we working hard enough to keep our minds pure as well? Many would agree that this is not an easy […]

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Is College Worth It?

Cresonia Hsieh
3 Oct 2013
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According to Bloomberg Businessweek, 40 percent of collegiate students never graduate. If they graduate, 13.5 will not be able to find work. If they manage to graduate and find work, 44 percent will work jobs that do not require college degrees. Nevertheless, even if they graduate, escape unemployment, and find meaningful jobs, then they will most likely be paying off debt (the average student accrues $35,000 in college-related debt, according to CNN Money). After factoring the rising cost of college tuition and the dismal future of the economy, many are understandably left wondering what the value of a college diploma […]

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Paleo… WHAT?

Edwin Morales
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Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig… all diets claim to be the best. The list grows every year, and yet so do the waistlines of an overwhelming number of Americans. While these diet plans serve their respective purposes and are often successful in helping people lose weight, most of them include a shocking amount of toxic chemicals and artificial ingredients. It’s no surprise that the conventional American diet is not working. Statistics show that over a third of Americans 20 years of age and older are classified as obese. The same studies show that when we combine the classifications […]

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Hope Begins with You

Edwin Copeland
2 Oct 2013
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hope

Do you ever find yourself wanting to help the homeless, but wrestling with the best way to do so? You ask yourself if the handful of change or crumpled bills you extend from your car window will be helpful or harmful. You fight feelings of fear and uncertainty when contemplating a conversation with the unkempt man on the street corner. And, with so many homeless in our community, you ask yourself if your efforts will even make a dent in helping to solve the problem. If you’ve ever found yourself asking similar questions, the good news is that hope begins […]

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How to Go from Couch to Finishline

Terry Morrow
13 Sep 2013
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According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, 5.3 million people die each year as a result of illnesses tied to lack of physical activity including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer. Now is the perfect opportunity to get moving in order to proactively prevent these illnesses, as well as possibly prevent premature death. Follow these simple steps to a get started on a journey to a whole new you! Identify what motivates you You were created to glorify God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of […]

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The Five Best “No Gym Required” Exercises

Edwin Morales
11 Sep 2013
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“I just don’t have time” or “I can’t afford it.” These are the most common excuses in the physical fitness world. In today’s economically tough times, yes, anything can be expensive; and, yes, most of us lead very busy lives. However, taking control of your health and fitness does not have to be overwhelmingly time consuming or cost any money whatsoever. If you are ready, motivated, and prepared for change, here are five great exercises that can be done starting today, right now, with no driving, gym membership or equipment required. Remember to always warm up before exercising, and concentrate […]

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Get Your Date Night On

Patricia Hartman
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A recent study sponsored by The National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia reported that married couples who had one-on-one couple time at least once a week were over three times more likely to report being very happy in their marriages, highly satisfied with sex, and highly satisfied with communication. Is that how your friends rate their marriages? How about you? With local divorce rates exceeding 60 percent, having a regular date night might be just what your relationship needs. Relational by design God has created us as relational beings. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good […]

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Getting Too Close

Lori Harding
9 Sep 2013
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As I sat by the pool during a recent sunny Saturday afternoon getaway, I noticed a young boy and his father playing the proverbial launch-me-into-the-deep-end game that resulted in the little guy exclaiming, “Do it again!” and, “Higher next time!” as he squealed with devilish delight. The father gladly complied, obviously enjoying his son’s pleasure. After a series of throws, the boy swam away from his dad. Immediately, the dad reached out, grabbed him and threw him up in the air with a smile, certain his son would love it. Well, not only did the son clearly dislike that spontaneous […]

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Social Security Insecurity

Jeff Masters
8 Sep 2013
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After paying into the Social Security system for their entire career, many Americans on the edge of retirement suddenly realize they don’t understand how the system works. They have heard conflicting strategies of when to start taking their benefits. Some say it is best to start collecting a reduced benefit at age 62, others recommend that it is best to delay collection as long as possible because the delayed benefit will be much larger. Other arguments exist about when couples and surviving spouses should claim benefits, and whether or not to take benefits while you are still working. Social Security […]

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