 NewsUSA) – Billy Graham, an iconic spiritual advisor who has preached to more people around the world than any other religious leader in history, sees warning signs in current events.
“Depression today not only describes the hard economic state of affairs sweeping our world but the human state of mind,” writes Graham. “I see this unfolding phenomenon as one of the many storm clouds hovering over a lost and dying world.” To help people weather today’s economic and cultural climate, Graham has completely revised his book “Storm Warning” which was originally written and published in 1992, in response to the fall of Communism and the Gulf War. “Trouble brewing in the Middle East especially heightened interest in what the Bible had to say about the end days,” Graham writes. “People began to wonder if there might really be something to the ancient prophecies spoken by God’s prophets, and confirmed by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This new edition of “Storm Warning” offers Graham’s perspective on the post-9/11 world. “We felt that in light of recent developments since 9/11 it might be helpful to reprint the book, bringing it up to date since the turn of the century,” writes Graham’s son, Franklin, in the book’s foreword. The book looks at current events and how they relate to Biblical prophecy, especially a small part of the book of Revelations. “Scripture speaks of earthquakes, wars, and rumors of wars, and warns us with urgency to prepare for the storms to come,” writes Graham. God may bring storms, Graham posits, but He also offers shelter. “Just as a laser pen helps focus attention on vital aspects of a business presentation, in this book, I hope to use God’s Word -; His laser beam — to shed light on His revealed plan to save the human race from the explosive clouds rumbling through our world.” For more information, visit www.thomasnelson.com. |
“Storm Warning” Poised To Find New Audience
Shape Yourself Into a Master Salesperson
 NewsUSA) – Even if you’ve never so much as sold candy door-to-door for a school fundraiser, you have sales experience. You sell an idea when you persuade someone to your point of view or an image when you meet someone for the first time. So, even if you don’t plan on becoming a professional salesperson, you adapt some of the traits of a master salesperson.
“I’ve met a tremendous amount of talented, successful people. They’ve taught me a great deal, and I’ve appreciated every one of them,” said the late Paul J. Meyer, author of “Pink Slip Proof: How to Control All Future Paychecks.” “When you look closely, it’s no secret how they arrived at their present income and position.” In his book, Meyer listed five basic qualities shared by every master salesperson: 1. All master salespeople are persuasive and convincing. The ability to persuade isn’t limited to leaders — any time you help someone see something your way, you have made a sale. Top salespeople use every technique at their disposal, including stories, dreams, color and humor. 2. All master salespeople focus on service. Meyer cited the “golden rule” of service — serve others as you would like to be served. A salesperson who goes out of their way to focus on service will likely win their customers’ loyalty. 3. All master salespeople are honest. If you’re a known liar, no one’s going to trust you enough to buy what you’re selling. “Top salespeople are honest, keep their word, work hard, are responsible, incredibly dependable and act with complete integrity in all they do,” said Meyer. 4. All master salespeople are self-motivating. Master salespeople motivate themselves to accomplish goals, no matter how they feel or what other people say. “Self-motivation requires the development of inner strength, conscious will power, overwhelming desire, and the determination to reach any goal you personally want to achieve,” said Meyer. 5. All master salespeople care about other people. The best salespeople genuinely want to leave their clients better off than they found them — they’re not selling to make money, but to give their clients a needed product or service. For more tips from Paul J. Meyer, purchase the book “Pink Slip Proof: How to Control All Future Paychecks.” |
Tips for Using Your iPhone for Business
 NewsUSA) – The Apple iPhone, one of the hottest smartphones on the market, has become an important tool for keeping mobile workers productive while providing freedom and flexibility away from the office.
Many mobile workers are leaving their laptops behind and conducting business right from the palm of their hand. Here are some tips that can help you get the job done with an iPhone: * Sync regularly. Think about every time you add a contact or an appointment to your iPhone. What if you lost that information? Syncing to your computer regularly can ensure that your information, including e-mails, is backed up and safeguarded should something happen. And while it only takes a few seconds to sync, replacing data could take hours. * Stay productive. Need to view and edit a presentation or locate a document on another computer? Business applications such as LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone (www.LogMeIn.com/iPhone) enable iPhone users to access and work on their remote computers as if they were sitting right in front of them. * Check the Apple Web site. There is an entire section on the Apple Web site dedicated to iPhone business use at www.apple.com/iphone/business/. It includes apps like currency converters, expense trackers, file management and organizational tools that can help you work efficiently while away from your desk. * Extend your battery power. If you are gearing up for a long trip or meeting, preserve your battery life by shutting off your Wi-Fi, lowering your screen brightness and turning off your keyboard sounds. Switch your iPhone setting to auto-lock when you aren’t working. * Stay secure. Basic security measures like enabling your four-digit iPhone password can help protect sensitive data while minimizing the risk of high bills if it becomes lost or stolen. Always make sure to lock your device when it isn’t in your hand. For more tips on using your iPhone for business, check out “iPhone for Work” by freelance technology journalist and network consultant Ryan Faas, or “The iPhone Book: How to Do the Most Important, Useful & Fun Stuff with Your iPhone” by technology authors Scott Kelby and Terry White. |
See the World, Change the World
 NewsUSA) – The global financial crisis has caused Americans to re-evaluate their lifestyles, including the ways in which they travel. More Americans are eschewing the canned double-decker bus tour in favor of interactive experiences that allow them to focus on family, self-improvement, helping the environment and social responsibility.
Increasingly, this means “voluntourism,” or giving back to the communities visited. Voluntourism trips can mean anything from religious missions to helping plant flowers, working with children, or taking human rights tours or conservation safaris. The travel industry acknowledges that voluntourism has become a major new trend — companies offering voluntourism packages are making money despite the economic downturn. Churches are hoping to generate more interest in missions. Missionaries can be anyone from young adults to retirees. What do they share? A desire to improve the world. “Their ministry is not without hardship and sacrifice,” says Jerry Rankin, president, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Church. “Many of them have left prominent positions of ministry and successful careers in America and embraced a different lifestyle, isolated from family and friends. They persevere and labor faithfully, compelled by a vision of seeing a lost world transformed.” To help Americans understand what missionary work involves, the International Mission Board (IMB) recently released a book, “Voices of the Faithful: Book Two, Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World.” The book shares the compelling stories of over 300 IMB missionaries. “A willingness to go is all they have in common,” exclaims compiling editor, Kim P. Davis, speaking of her friends who are working around the world and with whom she collaborated to create this book — a collection of incredible stories of faithfulness in the face of uncertainty. For more information about “Voices of the Faithful: Book Two, Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World,” visit www.thomasnelson.com. |
Fashionable Advice for a Career Wardrobe on a Budget
 NewsUSA) – In the workforce, as the job market becomes more competitive, appearances can either make or break you. Yet, many Americans don’t have the money to keep up with their bills, much less update their wardrobe with fashion-forward staples. But looking professional doesn’t have to require a bank loan. It just takes a little clothing-care know-how.
According to a recent national survey sponsored by Woolite, 70 percent of American women surveyed admitted to throwing away clothing at least once a year due to misinformed laundry decisions that resulted in pilling, fading, stretching or bleeding of clothes. In fact, nearly $2 billion worth of clothing was ruined last year due to laundry-related mistakes. Stacy London, co-host of TLC’s fashion show “What Not to Wear,” offers these tips for the working fashionista looking to maintain her look on a budget: - First and foremost, take care of the clothes you have. Avoid ruining the clothes you already own by following each garment’s cleaning instructions. Using a non-harsh detergent, like Woolite, on all of your favorite fashions can help to protect your style investments and extend an outfit’s life. - Shop your closet. A-line skirts and simple cardigans never go out of style, so if you already own a few, stop pushing them to the back of the closet. Combine that A-line skirt with a colorful blouse and a curve-complementing blazer, and you’ll be more than ready for your next presentation. - Invest in versatile pieces. When you do shop for professional clothing, look for pieces that can be worn in and out of the office. The blazer is an easy flattering transition piece that can be translated from day to night. Find a “little black dress” in three season fabrics to get the most wear all year round. Having recently partnered with Woolite to create the “Find the Look, Keep the Look” program, London is dedicated to educating clothes-minded individuals on looking their best every day. Ten boutique owners from across the country have also joined this partnership to offer their insight on regional style trends. Together, they created the “Look Book,” a compilation of basic wardrobe must-haves. The entire book is available online for free at www.findthelookkeepthelook.com. |
Bringing Family Together With Video Games
 NewsUSA) – As time has drifted on, the characteristics of a family have slowly changed. From the era when mother, father and children all sat at the dinner table together, played board games and crossword puzzles and watched their favorite television show as a single unit to the present, when families have so many different activities that it rarely permits them to spend any time together as a single group, the definition of “quality time” has been altered.
In fact, sociologists and authors Suzanne Bianchi, John Robinson and Melissa Milkie suggest in their book, “Changing Rhythms of American Family Life,” that parents are actually spending more time with their children than in 1965. But the time may not be spent as a single unit and is often scheduled around all other activities. “We are robbing our children and we are robbing ourselves of the richest relationships of our lifetime,” warns parenting expert Mary Gordon. “It means we’re not really shoring them up for success. Little children need adult time, and they need together time … without any agenda.” Many factors contribute to lost family time: Parents are working longer hours, family members are involved in more activities and video games consume children’s free time. So, what can parents do to get that old-fashioned family atmosphere back? One of the best ways parents can spend more time as a complete family with their children is by adopting their activities. According to a 2007 Neilson study, 41 percent of all U.S. homes have at least one video game console — an 18.5 percent increase from 2004. Consoles like the Nintendo Wii are a great source of entertainment for children and adults, and they can be a way for parents to find quality time as a complete family. The Wii has many four-player games, like the popular Wii Sports series, where you can play bowling, golf and tennis. Parents who wish to use their Wii for family bonding can keep their quality gaming going strong with the MeWe Quad Charger designed by Hamgo, Inc., an independent Wii video game accessory manufacturer and distributor. The Quad Charger allows Wii owners to charge up to four remotes simultaneously with their rechargeable battery packs, eliminating the constant need to buy and replace AA batteries and providing up to 13 hours of play time per remote. For more information, visit www.hamgo.com. |
Medicine Shifts Toward Laser Technology
 NewsUSA) – If you are old enough, you may remember seeing science fiction comic books that used lasers to zap the enemy. It’s not unusual that ideas so noted and seemingly far-fetched become realities. We are more familiar with the military’s laser-guided missiles and LASIK than we are with low-level lasers in the form of healing light. But healing lasers are at our doorstep.
Our bodies are dependent on the health of our cells. In fact, studies show that only a 2 percent loss of cellular water can decrease our energy levels by as much as 20 percent. The health of our cells is dependent on energy. If they are exposed to excessive energy, they will be fatally damaged, and the body will die. On the other hand, if the cells receive insufficient energy, they will weaken and become sick or diseased. Over the years, scientists and doctors have been fine-tuning low-level lasers to increase the body’s adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for cellular energy, resulting in exactly the right kind and amount of energy. What they have discovered is that lasers help in more ways than just boosting energy. “What we have found is that low-level lasers stimulate the body to release pain-relieving endorphins, help the body heal damaged DNA and scar tissue and even help repolarize cell membranes for better nutrient absorption,” said Dr. Larry Lytle, author of the book “Universal Healer: Book I Osteoarthritis.” and developer of the QLaser. Lytle’s QLaser was recently cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter sale and use in treating osteoarthritis in the hands. The Q1000 is a Class I laser device that has been classified by the FDA as a non-significant risk device as related to eye injuries, yet it helps the body release endorphins reduce inflammation, increase circulation, heal damaged cell membranes and boost cells’ energy levels, resulting in less pain and more healing. Keeping a personal laser, like the QLaser, at home can help patients address their osteoarthritis without turning to costly medical treatments. For more information about the QLaser and to receive a free copy of Dr. Lytle’s book, “Universal Healer: Book I Osteoarthritis,” go to www.QLaserSolutions.com and enter the promotional code 5265 in the dropdown menu. To receive an information packet, call 1-800-597-9231 and use promotional code 5265. Dr. Lytle is available for interviews. To arrange an interview, please e-mail kip@rapidnet.com. |
Dating-Advice Web Site Attracting the Masses
 NewsUSA) – Social networking sites, professional personal ad writers and dating coaches can all help you meet someone special. But people need to know what to do when they finally get that first date. A new Web site, DatingtoRelating.com, is doing just that.
With over 500,000 visitors a month, Dating to Relating is quickly becoming the standard in Internet dating advice. While other Web sites, such as David DeAngleo’s DoubleYourDating.com and Neil Strauss’s StyleLife.com and TheMysteryMethod.com have seen their traffic decline over the past year, Dating to Relating has only seen its traffic increase, according to Alexa.com Web traffic statistics. “They [love gurus] only tell you how to meet and attract women,” writes the anonymous Mr. L Rx on the popular Web site. “They don’t tell you how to relate [to] and keep them.” Of course, Mr. L Rx makes sure to advise men on both how to meet women, and how to create and maintain relationships in his new book, “Dating to Relating -; From A to Z,” which is available in both print and Kindle editions at Amazon.com. For men with first-date jitters here are some tips from Mr. L. Rx and Dating to Relating.com. - Try to be interested instead of interesting. Being interesting leads to a lot of rejection and platonic friendships. Girls will be friends with a guy who is really interesting. But they want to date a guy who is interested in them. - Don’t put too much conversation attention on sex, sexual topics, sexual innuendos and her looks. Girls wouldn’t even be on the first date if they weren’t vaguely OK with the concept. What she really wants to know is: What else do you want? What else do you like about her? What else can you do for her? What else do you have in common with her? How else can you have fun together? - If you want to get a second date you have to create both sexual attraction and non-sexual attraction on that first date. Sexual attraction is created by such things as posture and attitude and other non-verbal motions and communications. Non-sexual attraction is created by listening to what the girl has to say, being truthful about who you are and finding and creating mutual interests that you can pursue together in the future. For additional information about how to meet, date and relate to women, try visiting www.DatingtoRelating.com. |
World Capitalizes on Great Ideas
 NewsUSA) – Dozens of countries are coming together for the first time to host Global Entrepreneurship Week, a global initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.
During Global Entrepreneurship Week, which lasts Nov. 17-23, 2008, millions of young people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and to seek better ways to conduct business. Commonwealth Capital Advisors (CCA), a 10-year-old American investment banking advisory firm with a global reach, is doing its part to support this effort in giving away 1 million abridged-edition e-books entitled, “The Secrets of Wall Street – Raising Capital for Start-Up and Early-Stage Companies.” CCA has become the advocate for the entrepreneur by specializing in assisting start-up and early-stage companies raise seed, development and expansion capital through the issuance of securities. The amounts can range from $100,000 to $20 million for operating companies and up to $100 million for REITs or other Investment Funds. CCA has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the legal, accounting and investment banking work product, just to license it to its users and to enable them to have a shot at their dream. They have taken one of the most complex, arduous and expensive processes and reduced it to a simple, easy and inexpensive system. They have borne 90 percent of the cost and have done 90 percent of the work. It’s simply up to the entrepreneur to close the gap and finish the process of capitalizing one’s company and make their great ideas a reality. You can get started by reading the abridged version of the e-book “The Secrets of Wall Street,” the most comprehensive guide to the world of raising capital. To download your personal copy, visit www.CommonwealthCapital.com and enter promotional code 1492. For additional information about the 2008 Global Entrepreneurship Week, visit unleashingideas.org. |
Primera Navidad
 NewsUSA) – En 1985, Alastair Macdonald notó que el sentido de la Navidad para sus hijos estaba centrado en la figura de Santa Claus y los calcetines que se cuelgan para que deje regalos, y esa no es la verdadera historia de la Navidad. Pero cuando Macdonald salió de compras en busca de lecturas más auténticas sobre la Navidad, se sintió decepcionado al ver que los clásicos de estas fiestas como “La noche antes de Navidad” y “Rudolph” , ignoraban el mensaje de la Navidad.
Durante los siguientes 25 años, Macdonald trabajó para crear un nuevo libro de Navidad para niños, un clásico que diera mucho juego similar a Dr. Seuss, pero que comunicara la verdadera historia de la Navidad. “Era una de esas ideas que se negaban a desaparecer”, dice Mcdonald: “Empecé a escribir la historia una Navidad, cada año añadía algo, y al final de cada Navidad, guardaba el manuscrito.” El mágico libro de Macdonald, titulado “La primera Navidad” cuenta la historia de la Navidad a través de los ojos de un narrador inesperado – el fiel burrito de Joseph, Zeke. Zeke narra los eventos de la historia de la Navidad con una voz divertida y cantarina que atrae mucho a los niños sin comprometer la dignidad y la seriedad del nacimiento de Cristo. La historia ofrece una especie de bálsamo para aquellos padres que quieren re-enfocar la atención de sus hijos sobre los aspectos espirituales de estas fiestas. “El hecho es que, para mí el escribir La primera Navidad ha sido una experiencia tan cargada de momentos de mágicos que podría escribir ríos de tinta al respecto”, afirma Macdonald. “La experiencia ha fortalecido mi creencia en Dios y en su silenciosa intervención en este mundo”. Este estupendo libro de Macdonald cargado de detalles será un importante tesoro para muchas familias que viven la fe. El libro ha sido impreso en cinco tintas, incluyendo la dorada, y contiene 21 ilustraciones del artista egipcio Adel Nassief, un cristiano cóptico que pinta murales en iglesias ortodoxas de todo el mundo. Las ilustraciones de Nassief ofrece la magia de un mundo antiguo, ayudando a los niños a recordad momentos especiales de la historia. Para más información, visita www.FirstChristmas.net. El mejor sitio para comprar el libro es Amazon.com También se puede encontrar en las tiendas de Barnes and Noble, www.randomhouse.com o llamando al 800-793-2665. |
