Jul 26

Poll: Kissing Acceptable While Dating, Christian Site Says

Is today’s breaking news about the permissibility of kissing while dating being communicated to the masses via some fundamentalist Sharia-espousing mullah? Is it being handed down by Moses from on high, possibly inscribed on some stone tablets or papyrus? No, it’s from the
Poll: Kissing Acceptable While Dating, Christian Site Says fundamentalist Christian folks at ChristiaNet.com. The results from a poll at ChristiaNet.com have just revealed that kissing is acceptable while dating. ChristiaNet.com claims to be the “world’s largest Christian portal” with a purported twelve million monthly page loads. And the question that was recently burning the web page over at the Christian portal was “Is kissing while dating permissible?” 134 out of 271 respondents answered “Yes”, that kissing is acceptable while dating. 71 voted “No”. 66 were “Unsure”.This is a big question out in the Christian singles world, apparently, with Christianity Today trying to shed some light with its Five Commandments of Dating, excerpted from Jason Illian’s Undressed: The Naked Truth About Love, Sex, and Dating:1. Thou shalt not group date.2. Thou shalt commit to the fight.3. Thou shalt expect nothing.4. Thou shalt be patient.5. Thou shalt always follow the King.And apparently now, at least according to 134 respondents to the ChristiaNet.com poll: Thou shalt kiss!Most of the respondents to the ChristiaNet.com poll on kissing while dating seemed to agree on a few things: Christian dating should be within the rules and guidelines of God’s word about behavior. A couple considering kissing should discuss some guidelines in the early stages of their relationship and draw some lines and boundaries. Self-control was emphasized, with one respondent commenting that “One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control”. All seemed to agree that their bodies don’t belong to them, but to God. And according to these folks, it’s God’s temple.

Jul 25

Top 5 Tips for Successful Christian Singles Dating

Let’s face it – the dating scene can be a pretty scary place. We often times put so much pressure on ourselves that we end up projecting an image different from the person we actually are. This is especially true if you are a Christian trying
 to find love through dating. The important thing to remember is that God does have a plan and a person meant just for you; the adventure lies in finding out what (and who) it may be. How can you transform dating into a productive endeavor? In this article, we’ll give you the top 5 tips for successful Christian singles dating that are sure to make your next date a rewarding experience.Tip #1 – Learn to love yourselfThis is the first rule to enjoying a more fulfilling life, and it is also the first rule for successful Christian dating. If you can’t love yourself, how can you expect anyone else to? You may feel self-conscious about what you perceive to be a physical flaw, but remember that the outward appearance is only a fraction of the wonder that is you! God also granted you a beautiful spirit and an ability to be personable, so use these traits to your advantage. Have confidence in yourself as a person, and you are sure to exude that positive energy. This will definitely be apparent to your date, and it will have a calming effect on them as well. Remember that your date is just as nervous as you are, and displaying positive self-esteem is sure to make your date more comfortable.Tip #2 – Ask questions about your dateThis accomplishes two goals – it shows a definite interest in the things that your date enjoys, and it also helps you determine if the qualities you look for are present. Be sure to always listen to what your date has to say; the effort will be noticed and appreciated. If you are shy or have trouble thinking of topics to discuss, it might be a good idea to ask a general question (centering on topics such as movies, books, hobbies, etc.) to get the conversation started down a path of mutual participation. Tip #3 – Be courteous in all aspects

Jul 25

How to Choose the Best Single Christian Dating Network

Thanks to advances in internet technology, single Christians all over the world are being introduced via dating networks. These sites are convenient and stress-free ways to meet and learn about people just like you. However, there are literally hundreds of single Christian dating networks out there, and not all of them are reputable. How can you make the right decision when it comes to joining a dating network? In this article, we’ll show you how to choose the best single Christian dating network based on the factors most important to you. The first factor to consider when choosing the best single Christian dating network is price. While there are some sites out there that don’t charge any fees, it is recommended to stay away from these networks. They are often dangerous sites (prone to computer viruses) and the chances of the people profiled actually being Christian are slim to none. If you are serious about meeting quality Christian singles, you should expect to fork over some money. But how much are you willing to spend? There are several high-quality networks (eharmony, christiancafe, and singlec, to name a few) that boast an outstanding number of potential dates. However, you will certainly pay for the opportunity to meet these people. These sites cost anywhere from $20 – $50 per month, so if spending money is an issue for you, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you truly want to meet a large variety of people, you really have no option.

Jul 24

Christian Alternatives to MySpace

MySpace is one of the most popular social networking sites. Many parents and Christians have shied away from using MySpace because of the foul language, and the pedophiles that have successfully lured children away from their homes. There are
 some ways you can protect yourself on MySpace, but this article is going to focus on some Christian alternatives.1. YourChristianSpace.com: This site is very easy to sign up for. The overall design of the site I think would appeal mostly to teenagers. What I like about this site is its forum. There you can discuss more than just your usual things. There are many Christian topics you can get involved in such as the end times, and the birth pangs of Matthew 24. They also have a section for prayer. You can request prayer or answer and pray for someone else. This site has everything else you would expect to find on a networking site: Blogs, Forums, Music, Your own page, Classifieds, Quizzes, and Events.2. MyPraize.com: This site has over 69,000 registered users you can network with. When you go to sign up you have to click standard user or band user. Most people don’t know that MySpace was created specifically for musicians. It just grew to be more than that. With MyPraize you not only have to confirm your email address after signing up, but you have to wait for an administrator to approve it. This isn’t good if you are impatient, but I do believe it is better to be safe than sorry. I don’t see anything special about this site that sets it apart from the rest except for the extra security measures.3. Christianblog.com: This site has a little unique twist. It is mostly a blogging site. You blog and participate in other people’s blogs. All blogs are monitored and all foul language, negative talk, etc. will be deleted. The site is dedicated to families and keeping the site clean. You can do more than just blog, however, you can chat, post pictures, make friends, and more. I think this site is a lot of fun and one of my favorites so far.

Jul 21

A Short Diary of My Experience with the Acai Berry


Amazing Wonder Fruit Considered Highest in Antioxidants & Overall Nutrition

OUT OF THE BLUE – A BLUEBERRY?

My friend Bob from the warehouse recently called me out of the blue. I don’t know him too well, but he seems like a nice enough guy. He left a message and said he wanted to talk to me about something. I called him back and he said he wanted to meet me.

I ended up meeting with him and his friend, and they wanted to talk to me about a “new” product, a fruit drink whose main ingredient was formerly unknown to me: the acai berry, also spelled “açai” berry.

 

I rolled my eyes at first. I had been through it all. Years ago it was Amway, then it was this, then that, lately it was Quixtar. With exception to some exceptional products, these all come across as great business ideas, but no readily apparent value proposition. Sorry, sweating it on the network marketing thing just because you know me don’t cut it.

Anyway, Bob and his friend spared me the hard sell. They focused on the product itself and asked me to try it. They were even giving me a two free botlles. I said “sure”.

I’m glad I tried it.

NO! IT’S THE ACAI BERRY!

There is plenty written now on the acai berry’s nutritional value – so I won’t go into that. See Cheryl Carpenter’s great article). I just want to relate my personal experience.

The product I tried were two wine-sized bottles made by the Mona Vie company. The bottles contained a blend of 19 fruits, including the sediment containing the skins and seeds from each. My instructions from Bob were to drink 1 to 2 ounces twice a day (morning and evening) and to see what happened. Here is what I observed…

- DAY 1: Noticeably better sleep.

- DAY 2: Continued better sleep at night and overall on all nights following.

- DAY 3: Mild form of joint pain with arthritic symptoms that had developed in recent years – gone! I was able to squat down on my knees and pop back up quickly without the accompanying groans.

- DAY 5: Noticeable ease in back tension.

- DAY 7: I continuously attempt to stretch and pop the bones in my back. There is one area in my back that had been “cricked” for close to a year. It suddenly gave way today with a loud snap, and I felt an immediate sense of relief. Whenever this area “re-cricks”, I easily snap it back in place.

Jul 19

Bankruptcy and Debt Consolidation

Filing for bankruptcy in the United States is not as easy as it once was for the individual. People file for bankruptcy for many reasons, but the main reason is that a member of the family has become chronically ill, and the family has gone into great debt due to medical expenses, and
 can no longer keep up with the balance due. Although there are six types of bankruptcy, most families file for one of two types: Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 bankruptcy covers individuals or businesses, and the debtor sells off his or her non-exempt property, the proceeds of which go to pay off the creditors and become debt management leads. Some people have no non-exempt property, so due to this circumstance they are not required to sell off anything. In return, the debtor’s debt is canceled, except for certain kinds, such as some taxes and support for a spouse. Chapter 13 bankruptcy helps the individual debtor who still has some type of income. It garnishes the future wages of the individual debtor for three to five years, in return for which the debtor gets to keep all of his or her property. In 2005, consumer lenders convinced Congress and the President to turn into law the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. Debtors must now pass a Means Test to qualify for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, and must take credit counseling, no matter what the cause for the bankruptcy. All things considered, debt leads can be found from anyne who feels it might be a better option for many to look into debt consolidation over bankruptcy. Many people are seeking this type of help, and if you are a mortgage broker, then you have the products that they are looking for to help them avoid bankruptcy and begin to dig out from under their debt. These people are eager to learn about your loan products; all you need to do is find out who they are. One easy way to achieve this goal is to get qualified mortgage consolidation leads.

Jul 18

ViewSonic Optiquest Series Q20WB Black 20″ Widescreen LCD Monitor Review

Having just built a new computer, my old Dell monitor was just not going to cut it anymore. To go with my new technology, I needed a monitor that was equally fresh. Something new, something slim, and relatively big. Most importantly, I needed a
 monitor that would work with the stubborn new operating system that is Windows Vista. In doing some search for the most cost-efficient monitors, I think I found what I and many others were looking for. The ViewSonic Optiquest Series Q20WB Black 20″ 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor is the latest in a long line of quality LCD products from Viewsonic. The Optiquest Q20WB sports a full 20″ viewable LCD flatscreen surface, bordered by a sleek black design. It is 18.9″ wide, 15.7″ high, and only 6.1″ deep, making it perfect to place on those moderately sized computer tables. It comes equipped with a stand that is very stable, but does not do much. You can tilt the screen up and down, but cannot swivel it left or right. Most disappointingly, there is no height adjustment on the stand, leaving books and other objects as the only way to make the monitor higher or lower. While it is missing some basic things such as height adjustment, the ViewSonic monitor dazzled in the technical areas. Sporting a resolution of 1680 x 1050, everything on the screen looks vivid and sharp. The 1000:1 contrast ratio is fantastic for a monitor that only costs $200, and the 5ms response time makes the Optiquest Black 20″ optimal for playing all of your favorite games. In using the monitor for a week, I can confirm that it is very sharp. The colors are vivid and deep, and every game and movie I have played using the monitor so far has looked fantastic. The ViewSonic is wide enough to use mutliple programs side by side at once, as well as big enough to display your favorite media in true wide screen. The brightness on the Q20WB is great, almost too bright at times. You will never miss another detail if you get this monitor.

Jul 17

Study: Broadband Video Has a Huge Audience, Supplemental to Television

The Nielsen Company for The Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) said on Tuesday that it has found that approximately 81 million people, which would be 63% of the 129 million broadband Internet users in the United States, engage in one degree or
Study: Broadband Video Has a Huge Audience, Supplemental to TelevisionDate: July 17, 2007 another of regular video watching online. However, this online viewing had barely any negative impact, if any negative impact at all, on television viewing, as the video viewing tended to be additional viewing of movies, documentaries, newscasts, and other genres of video, not a replacement for watching television. Online video rendering quality and Internet connections’ increasing bandwidth capacities have both expanded rapidly over the last two or three years, making watching videos online more and more of an edifying or entertaining experience. The immense popularity of YouTube and Google Video have brought scores of new videos-amateur and professional, bootleg and authentic, comic and tragic, serious and silly-into people’s homes and offices. There is barely a topic that does not have some kind of video about it that a person can download for free onto a site-embedded video screen or a Windows Media Player and watch, and re-watch. Many times these videos end up being recordings of television shows, DVDs, rock concerts, or online radio shows with video choreography. Such videos call into question copyright violations and intellectual property rights being trespassed on. But the general consensus is that there is little threat of artists or producers starving to death. The videos are often of questionable quality, and many producers see their existence as a chance for free publicity to a wider audience who would otherwise have not been aware of their work.

Jul 12

Acai: The Next “Superfood”


Berry from Brazil Has Amazing Antioxidant Properties

Belem is a city of about 1.3 million population in Para state, Brazil. It is one of Brazil’s busiest ports located about 60 miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. Belem is built on a number of small islands intersected by channels and other rivers. The city was founded in 1616 and was the

 first European colony on the Amazon. Belem grew tremendously during the rubber boom of the nineteenth century. Today the newer parts of the city are modern with modern buildings and skyscrapers while the older areas retain their charm with tree-lined squares and historic churches.

Each morning, hundreds of wooden boats converge on an open-air market called the Ver-O-Peso, which means See the Weight Market. All through the morning you will see hundreds of the locals carrying woven baskets that contain a dark, shiny fruit plucked from the 80-foot tall palm trees that line the river islands. The baskets contain the world’s newest “super food,” the Acai berry. Belem is one of the few places in the world where you can obtain the berry, and in the past couple of years demand for the fruit around the world has skyrocketed. Recently Coca Cola has entered into a distribution agreement with one of the suppliers and Anheuser Busch already adds the juice to its new energy drink 180 Blue.

The acai (pronounced Ah-sigh-ee) is touted as being packed with more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranate. It also contains large amounts of Omega Fatty Acids, protein, and fiber. It is sort of like all of the good components of the Mediterranean Diet rolled into a berry with some 30x more antioxidants than red wine and a fatty acid profile that is similar to olive oil.

A few years back, a liter of acai juice sold for about 52 cents, but the price has risen recently to about $2.60, almost putting it out of reach for the locals. But many claim that they are addicted to the berries, mixing it with a starchy tuber called manioc that has been a staple of their diet for hundreds of years.

Jul 12

Acai: The Next “Superfood”


Berry from Brazil Has Amazing Antioxidant Properties

Belem is a city of about 1.3 million population in Para state, Brazil. It is one of Brazil’s busiest ports located about 60 miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. Belem is built on a number of small islands intersected by channels and other rivers. The city was founded in 1616 and was the

 first European colony on the Amazon. Belem grew tremendously during the rubber boom of the nineteenth century. Today the newer parts of the city are modern with modern buildings and skyscrapers while the older areas retain their charm with tree-lined squares and historic churches.

Each morning, hundreds of wooden boats converge on an open-air market called the Ver-O-Peso, which means See the Weight Market. All through the morning you will see hundreds of the locals carrying woven baskets that contain a dark, shiny fruit plucked from the 80-foot tall palm trees that line the river islands. The baskets contain the world’s newest “super food,” the Acai berry. Belem is one of the few places in the world where you can obtain the berry, and in the past couple of years demand for the fruit around the world has skyrocketed. Recently Coca Cola has entered into a distribution agreement with one of the suppliers and Anheuser Busch already adds the juice to its new energy drink 180 Blue.

The acai (pronounced Ah-sigh-ee) is touted as being packed with more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranate. It also contains large amounts of Omega Fatty Acids, protein, and fiber. It is sort of like all of the good components of the Mediterranean Diet rolled into a berry with some 30x more antioxidants than red wine and a fatty acid profile that is similar to olive oil.

A few years back, a liter of acai juice sold for about 52 cents, but the price has risen recently to about $2.60, almost putting it out of reach for the locals. But many claim that they are addicted to the berries, mixing it with a starchy tuber called manioc that has been a staple of their diet for hundreds of years.

Jul 12

Destructive Gossip: Poison to Family Relationships

Are You a Victim of Gossip Within Your Family?Destructive gossip in families is rooted in childhood hurts and resentments. A child who feels neglected, who is the family “scapegoat”, who has a sibling or siblings who seem to outshine him or her–that child is the one who often carries grudges into adulthood. That child tries
 everything in his or her power to discredit the brother(s) or sister(s) whose “very presence” seemed to steal his or her “just desserts.” Let’s call the gossiper Flo. Flo’s anger is intense and is misdirected. The victim of destructive gossip, Mo, was a child at the same time as Flo. Mo didn’t do anything intentionally to hurt Flo. It is the parents who are responsible for a lopsided social order in families; it is the parents who choose to play favorites. The victim of destructive gossip is often paying for the sins of the parents. The sentence lasts a lifetime.Flo cannot acknowledge anything positive about Mo. Flo thinks that Mo is always favored by relatives, by parents, and by friends. Flo finds fault with everything about Mo, including his or her spouse and children. Flo is motivated to discredit Mo in every possible way. The problem is, Flo never feels any better. Flo cannot get filled up. In Flo’s eyes, Mo just keeps stealing the thunder. In a desperate attempt to achieve the status so longed for, Flo finally pulls out the big guns– destructive gossip. Flo knows exactly where to go and how to get started. Dial the gatekeeper of the rumor mill who is the one family member who specializes in spreading lies. It works. Family members who listen to the destructive gossip do not try to validate the accusations. They accept them hook, line, and sinker. Mo is accused and convicted without any chance of defense. Flo’s destructive gossip is painful enough, but the judgment and shunning by extended family members leaves Mo feeling isolated and betrayed.What is Mo to do?

Jul 3

Debt Consolidation and Reduction Leads

Have you considered debt leads as a way to build your mortgage business? Many people are considering debt consolidation as a way out from under large credit card bills. People are looking for ways to reduce their monthly payments, and if one is a loan originator or mortgage broker, then
 you have loan products that can help them meet their financial goals in this regard. Meeting these interested individuals could not be simpler than getting some debt leads. Quality debt leads can help you close more often, to your economic benefit.For the consumer, there are several advantages to debt consolidation. If one is deeply in credit card debt, all of that debt is unsecured. Typically, interest rates are higher for unsecured rather than secured debts, such as a home or car, because there is a greater risk to the lender that one might default. By paying off unsecured debt, one can save a lot of money in interest payments that do not offer the tax deduction that does come with home ownership. Consolidation also makes the physical act of paying bills easier as well. Instead of writing a dozen checks to creditors, for example, with a consolidation loan one simply has a single payment a month. Another benefit is that one can secure a fixed interest rate when utilizing debt consolidation, which is a big economic advantage over fluctuating high rates, as well as increased minimum monthly payments, on credit cards.