Monday Morning Roundup - Are The Markets Starting To Recover?

Well the DOW futures this morning said that the DOW would jump by 380 points or so. When the markets opened, the DOW shot up over 400 points right out of the gate. Right now the markets are up about 450 points. Nice to see some positive action in the markets.

In other news over the weekend, investors seem to be cautiously optimistic on news of pledged government aid:

Wall Street is snapping back from last week’s devastating losses on growing hopes the stock market will finally find some footing. Investors are cautiously optimistic after the Bush administration and European governments pledged coordinated actions to help the crippled financial system. The Treasury has said it plans to buy U.S. bank stocks.

Here’s to hoping for a big rebound in the market.

I also noticed this morning that Biblemoneymatters.com just passed 150,000 page views on the site since our launch. Thanks to everyone for visiting the site, and making it more successful than I could have ever imagined!

Here’s a bit of good reading as you get ready for the day!

October 13, 2008 · Filed Under Commentary, Links, Post Roundup, christianity

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Words of Hope In Turbulent Times: Don’t Be Afraid

The following is an excerpt from a newly published book that I just received in the mail titled, “Words of Hope for All Times“. The book is written by a close family friend, and one of my spiritual mentors, Dr. William E. Berg. Pastor Berg wrote this book at the young age of 97.

The passage in his book is about hope, and not being afraid, and I thought it was especially pertinent to the situation our country is currently in. I hope he doesn’t mind me reprinting it here.

Don’t Be Afraid!

A pastor asked his congregation one Sunday morning to read the 17th chapter of St. Mark in preparation for the following Sunday’s sermon. Before giving this sermon he asked how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The pastor said, “I have the right audience for my sermon today. It deals with liars. There is no 17th chapter in St. Mark’s Gospel.”

This message is not for liars, but for those devastated by fear. For those with fears and apprehensions, the question is not, “Are you afraid?” but rather, “What are you afraid of?” There is the fear of failure, of losing independence, of old age and dependence. There is the fear of the future and the unknown. There is the fear of losing home or job. There is the fear of failing health, the fear of cancer and the fear of death. There is the fear of being alone, of being unwanted and unneeded.

What shall we do with fears that devastate both body and spirit? We can lose them in ultimate fear - the fear without which we cannot be saved. It is the fear of God. If fear of God is missing, all of your other fears will take over and devastate your life. Fear of God is, as Dr. Raymond Hedberg has said, “A sober realization of who He is. It is to behold with reverence and awe His greatness and power and love.”

I heard a story of two children left alone to care for their five-year-old brother. During a storm the older children cried in fear. The five-year-old brother said, “Stop crying. Don’t you suppose God knows His business?”

The little bird sits serenely on the branch lashed by the wind which threatens to cast it down. The bird keeps singing. It has an alternative to destruction. The bird has wings!

Let us not tremble and lament over what the world is coming to. Let us rather rejoice in the first coming of Jesus to this world to redeem it, and in His second coming to rule in glory, with justice and righteousness and peace. And while we wait may we lose our fears in self-giving love and service for Christ and for others.

His eye is on the sparrow and I know he cares for me. (Read Matthew 10:29-31.) Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid”. He knows His business. He has everything under control.

Affirmation

Fear can be a healthy emotion, but also a block to abundant living. The “fear nots” of the bible reassure me.

More Words of Hope

“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

October 13, 2008 · Filed Under bible, bible verse, christianity

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The 10 Day Give Starts Today!

Bob over at christianpf.com came up with the idea of putting together a project called “The 10 Day Give”. Basically, you sign up and agree to give back to a different person every day for 10 days. And it starts today!

It’s a great way to take the focus off of yourself and your problems, and to make things a little bit better for someone else. Here’s a quick video explaining the idea behind the program.

Here’s Bob’s explanation of the 10-Day-Give:

The 10 Day Give is a challenge that is designed to help us get our minds off of ourselves and start thinking about how we can help others.

The thing is, I think most people really want to make other people’s lives better, but with everything going on all around us all hours of the day, we just don’t get a chance. This is an opportunity to choose, on purpose, to give of ourselves. There really are hundreds of opportunities that we overlook each day. My goal is to just grab hold of one of them each day.

For some people that means giving money, for others time is far more precious than money, and for others it may mean their expertise in an area. But, no matter who you are, we all have something to give.

It could be taking someone out to lunch, it could be babysitting for an overworked mom, it can as simple as giving your precious time by taking your mom to the park to talk. There are no rules, no judges, and no right or wrong ways of completing the challenge.

But, I encourage you to sign up for the challenge and decide to give whatever you can - it’s only for 10 days. And who knows, maybe it will become a habit.

Starting on October 10th, 2008 we are going to give something to a different person, each day until October 19th, 2008. It doesn’t matter what the gift is, how much it costs, who it is given to, or how it is given. The point is to just to give - on purpose. We hope you decide to join us.

So will you join with us and make things better for those around you? Start today, and give back for the next 10 days!

What are some ideas you have for giving back? Share them in the comments and I’ll update this post with ideas for sharing!

Need a place to start? Check out http://www.networkforgood.org

For my giving today I decided to make a donation to a local food shelf. What did you give today? Let us know!

October 10, 2008 · Filed Under Giving, christianity

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Cartoon Funny of the Week

October 8, 2008 · Filed Under cartoon, christianity

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During Hard Times: The Only Solid Reality Is The Word Of God

This morning, the week after the bailout package passed, the DOW dropped below 10,000 for the first time in quite a while. Sounds like the worst is yet to come, and the promise of the bailout package wasn’t enough to stabilize global markets, at least not right away.

I’m not Catholic, but I had to agree with Pope Benedict XVI’s words this morning:

Pope Benedict XVI says the global financial crisis show the futility of money and ambition.

Benedict says that “now with the collapse of big banks we see that money disappears, is nothing and all these things that appear real are in fact of secondary importance.” He urges those who build their lives “only on things that are visible, such as success, career, money” to keep that in mind.

The pontiff was speaking Monday as he opened the works of a meeting of 253 bishops at the Vatican.

Benedict says “the only solid reality is the word of God.”