Power to Change » Tracy

Choosing to Simplify

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:00:41 +0000

What are you willing to give up? In today’s economy, many people are looking for ways to trim the budget. Senior editor Claire talks about different perspectives on cutting back.

Learn to manage your time better with our free online interactive life lesson “Time Management“!

Are you ready to “simplify your life”? If so, what is one thing that you wouldn’t be willing to give up?

Is the Church Relevant?

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:00:41 +0000

How relevant is the church is in your life? How about the Bible? Is going to church just a once a week to-do item on your list, or is there something more to it? Bluefish tv talked to some people on the streets to find out whether they think the church is relevant to their lives and the culture.

What changes do you think churches can make to be more appealing to today’s society without compromising their beliefs? In what ways are the church and the bible relevant in your life?

More on the church:
Why do we go to church?
Church is for sinners, not saints

Connecting Through Technology

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:00:06 +0000

Many of us make use of technology everyday to stay in touch with friends, family and the office. In today’s Street Level video, we asked you: How do you keep digitally connected?

[See post to watch Flash video]

It seems that every other person we pass on the street is either texting, talking on the phone, or checking Facebook.

All this activity seems to suggest that we are more connected to each other than ever, but is the technology actually keeping us from having true connections that come from face to face interaction?

Related: Explore our online chat room for yet another way to communicate with others and discuss topical issues.

Tips for Getting Through Airport Security

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:11:13 +0000

Are you tired of the long lineups to get through airport security? Are you confused by the list of dos and don’ts when it comes to packing for air travel? Airport security is important and necessary, but it can be frustrating to wait in long lines — especially if you’re rushing to catch a flight. Watch this video for tips on how to get through airport security more quickly.

More on travel:

Get some money saving tips when traveling with children from a travel expert.
Great escapes under $10

Grown Up Summer Camp

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:04:10 +0000

Think summer camps are just for children? Put away the Elmer’s glue and safety scissors. Adult summer camps are all about fun, grown up style. From outdoor activities to self improvement, there are many different options for adults to recapture their youth or to explore a new activity.

It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to have fun. For some cost efficient alternatives, sign up for dancing or cooking lessons at the community center, or start a book club with your friends.

Related links:
- Loneliness: Feeling lonely this summer? Read Selvin’s story, “Finding a Place to Belong”
- Online chat: You can also connect with others in our free online chat room.

Dealing with the Unexpected

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:34 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video]
Like many newly married couples, Patrick and Linda looked forward to having children and adding to their family. After two and a half years of trying, the news they longed for finally came – they were having a baby! What should have been a joyful time turned into one of uncertainty and disappointment when their newborn baby was diagnosed with an unexpected condition.

What do you do when your prayers are not answered the way you thought they would be? For Patrick and Linda, a day to day process of acceptance turned into a realization that God’s blessings come in different forms.

Related reading:
- Unanswered Prayer: An online interactive study which explores why our prayers may not be answered.
- Mentoring: Sometimes it helps to just have someone to talk to. Contact an online mentor today to talk privately.

What’s in Your Water?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:00:19 +0000

Do you drink tap water or bottled water? In the past decade or so, bottled water sales have skyrocketed. There are now over 100 different brands of bottled water available for sale in the US alone. Millions of dollars are spent on bottled water. Do you know where the water comes from? Manufacturers are currently not required to indicate the source of their water or any chemicals it may contain on labels. In fact, the water in some brands may have come from the same local source that your tap water comes from. This recent news report from CBS news has the details.

Environmental concerns may also affect your decision to choose tap or bottled water. Millions of plastic bottles end up in the land fill every year, not to mention the energy used to make and transport the bottles. Making an informed decision about your drinking water will impact your health, wallet, and the environment. For more information on the quality of your local water supply, check out the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website or your local government website.

More:
Save money and the environment – save green by going green!
Does loving the Earth require you to love God?

Edible Sunscreens

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:27 +0000

According to the National Cancer Institute, each year about a million people in the United States alone will learn they have skin cancer. The good news is, skin cancer is curable if caught early enough. Still, prevention is still the best medicine, and we are all aware of precautions like wearing sunblock with SPF protection, covering up in the sun or staying out of the sun altogether.

Here’s another idea – protect yourself from sun damage from the inside out.

Looking for more healthy food ideas? Check out this video on Healthy Heart foods. And not all heart issues have to do with food: What about When Parents Break your Heart?

Why the Decline in Church Attendance?

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:44 +0000

[See post to watch Flash video]According to a recent study cited in a Wall Street Journal article, church attendance among young adults is at its lowest level in decades. This study also reveals that secularism, or those claiming no religion, has almost doubled since 1990. However, David Bruce of HollywoodJesus.com cites a study that shows there is a rise in spirituality. So, there seems to be an interesting contradiction.

What do you think is the reason for the decline in church attendance? Waning interest in God? A growing aversion to church itself? Or something else?

Further reading: The Church is for Sinners, not Saints – A devotional about the church

A Few Good Reads

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:51:04 +0000

What are you in the mood for? Whether you’re looking for a little mystery, some inspiration, something thought provoking, or maybe even a good laugh – chances are there is a book waiting to take you there. Don’t know which book to pick? Senior Editor Claire talks with Nicole about a few of their latest favorites.

Still looking for more? Check out the New York Times Best Seller list, or the Modern Library 100 Best list.

You’ve read the classics, have you read the first book that came off the Gutenburg press? Why should you read a 2000 year old book?