Help! I Cant Write!

Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every little golden nugget you try to create. What can you do to lick it? Below are some fun suggestions to crack the nut! (write about each prompt for twenty minutes)

1) Take yourself to the local coffee shop and eavesdrop. Write in present tense the overheard conversation.

2) Take a walk in nature. Breathe deeply. While outside, write about: weeds blowing in the breeze, bees buzzing, flowers blooming, leaves rustling, or rain, sleet or ladybugs! Just write in nature.

3) Open the dictionary to any page, pick five random words and incorporate them into a story.

4) Make it fun -- go out for Chinese food-write in response to the fortune cookie

5) Tune into a country western radio station. Using the lyris from a song as prompt, begin writing.

6) Go to the spice rack. Grap a couple of spice containers and put them on the counter. With closed eyes, smell one spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, curry powder) write about the first thing that pops into your mind.

7) Check your local newspaper and write in response to an ad in the personals.

8) Grab the family album. Find a picture and write for twenty minutes. It can be fiction, creative non-fiction or non fiction.

9) Make a list poem-beaches, sand, ocean, periwinkles, starfish, etc., then pick one noun and write for twenty minutes.

10) Maybe it's time for a pity party. Get together with a few other writers and cry over dangling participles!

Cindy Fisher-Luck, MA, CPCC is a coach who specializes in helping writers do just that--write. She works with her clients to find their inspiration, make their writing a priority and reach their personal and writing goals. Usually this involves getting one's life in balance and deciding what's most important and making the changes needed to live the life you want. In addition Cindy coaches women and men in finding meaning and work/life balance. She can be reached at 925-648-3115 or at visioncoachcindy@aol.com

Six Good Reasons to Take a Family Vacation

When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted of driving for a week from place to place in a hot stifling car. My parents had the knack of picking the hottest week of the summer to do so. In spite of that, we still had fun, managed to find interesting sites to explore and those are the memories that I still have.

I discovered the joy of travel to far reaching destinations on my own by the time I turned 18. Jumping on a plane and heading off to Brazil, Europe or cruising the Caribbean, has turned into a life long passion my whole family now enjoys with me.

Family vacations have evolved over the years. There have never been more choices, more variety and more options available for family vacations as there is today. Especially since 9/11, the focus on family and community and played a strong role in our society. The travel industry has noticed and has geared up for families. From all-inclusive vacation packages and cruises, which are equipped with kids clubs and special activities; to resorts that supply a nanny for your stay, it's never been a better time for families to travel.

Still not sure? Here are just a few of the benefits of taking a family vacation:

1. The family that plays together, stays together.....

It is a time to get away from it all. Away from work, the phone calls, the kid's activities, the daily to do list. This is a great opportunity to spend time as a family and get to know each other. Go for a hike, build a sandcastle, explore a museum. There is more time to talk and spend time together without the daily distractions.

2. Teach your children well....

Travel is an excellent learning tool for kids. They can have the opportunity to learn about things first hand they may have learned in school, read about or saw on TV. Any destination can offer this learning experience whether it is a few hours drive away from you home or in Europe. Family vacations will teach children about different cultures, food, history, geography, climate, environment and so much more. The best part is that it's way more fun for them then learning it through homework!

3. New experiences they will never forget.....

Family vacations provide a whole new venue for experiences that your kids never would have had otherwise. We took a family cruise last winter, and it was my 9-year-old son's first cruise. We told him all about the ship and showed him pictures but I don't think he could quite grasp what it was really going to be like. We landed in Fort Lauderdale and as we were driving to the port, we could see our ship in the distance. He was excited but still very nonchalant. Once we got to the port and pulled up alongside the ship, he looked up and up and up at the enormous ship, his mouth dropped open and he gasped in amazement. That reaction was worth the price of the whole trip and is something I know our family will always remember.

4. Life is an adventure, especially on vacation....

Even if you are not particularly brave there are still many ways to experience the adventures that lie in every corner of our planet. It may be as simple as going to the zoo at your destination and seeing the animals that are local to that habitat or taking a jungle tour though the Amazon. There is so much to see and do, pick the adventures that appeal to your family and do them together.

5. You kids won't be kids forever....

Doesn't seem like yesterday that the teenager that just borrowed your car, was in diapers and day-care? Most parents agree that time seems to fly by quickly and those babies are grown before you know it. There will come a time that your children will have lives of their own and sad as it may seem, spending time with Mom and Dad will not be anywhere near the top of their list. Take the time for a family vacation while they still want your company.

6. Time to kick back and relax......

Now this part is important. One of the main reasons to take a vacation is to get some rest and recharge. It is important for everyone so don't over do it. Try and schedule an active day followed by a more relaxing day. It's hard to do in some destinations where there is so much to see and do like Disney World, but trust me. The kids will be less tired and cranky and it will give you a reason to come back to the destination again!

I know this all sounds so good, it makes you want to book that trip you've been putting off doesn't it? Well, I will add in a dose of reality here and include a few negatives. There are some natural stresses to travelling. Planes get delayed, kids get cranky, families can have too much of a good thing and get on each other's nerves. The list can go on, but don't let that discourage you, the advantages are too numerous to ignore.

So whether you choose to pack the kids in the car or fly to more exotic destinations, the benefits are the same. As far as memories go, we tend to remember the good things; the time spent together as a family, the new things that were discovered, the new friends we made, the places we saw. This is what your children will remember and, the fact that you were there with them to enjoy it.

Jolana Klobouk is a former travel agent who has traveled extensively for work and vacations with her family. For more travel information, visit her travel websites: http://www.best-family-beach-vacations.com and http://www.FlyFromCanada.com

Wealth Catchers: Discover Wealth and Prosperity with the Angels of Abundance

Did you ever know somebody who easily accumulates wealth? If it rained money and you each put pots out to catch it, would yours be likely to hold the half inch or so that was predicted to fall and theirs overflow? How could it happen that way? The money energy falls equally on each of you just as rain would and your opportunity to stand in the flow of money is equal as well.

I wondered the same thing and, oddly enough, the Angels brought the answer to me as I flipped through a catalogue of earth friendly products. The answer is rain barrels; they used rain barrels to catch the flow of money. They didn't simply set their small pot out in the yard to catch the rain money, they figured out a way to direct the flow of the downpour so that it fell into their huge barrel.

All the water on your roof flows to the gutters. If you arranged all of the gutters so they flow to only one or two downspouts and put a barrel under each downspout, you'd catch all the rainwater that falls onto your house.

Furthermore, what if you managed to put a tent over your entire property and caught the flow that would certainly stream down in torrents from the huge span of canvas?

Rich in the energy of money is what you'd be, that's what. If that water were cash falling from the sky you'd have so much you'd have to obtain more barrels for the next time it rains. You'd probably study all the data on weather patterns to discover where it rained the most and you'd pick up, lock stock and barrel and move there.

If everybody caught on to the secret and everybody had barrels to catch the flow, would you wind up with less? Nope. The rain falls where it falls. Thunderheads don't accumulate over your neighbor's house and not yours, they're just too big.

The Angels tell us that money is just one way among many ways that the energy of God manifests. The love of Father/Mother God is everywhere and equally, freely available to all. So, how do we arrange our lives to be the barrels that catch the flow of God's energy manifesting as money? We do it by applying the body, mind and spirit aspects of our triune beings to our financial affairs.

With the part of you that is Spirit-Recognize and acknowledge the spiritual wealth you already stand in the flow of. Take a notebook and list the many and varied ways Father/Mother God has manifested in your life. Count such things that are easily taken for granted such as the air you breathe, the sounds you hear the love you receive from family, friends and pets. Count the answers you get when you pray. Count things such as that peacefully safe state of mind you slip into when you think about how very much God loves you. List the talents and gifts that God has given to you.

With the part of you that is Mind-Recognize and study the various financial opportunities as they are presented to you. Which opportunity to collect money would suit your personality? Would it be working for someone else and if so, full time or part time? Would you prefer to work for yourself, buying a franchise or starting your own business? Will you be involved in marketing a product or offering a service? Ask yourself what you're doing now to stand in the flow of money. Ask yourself what else you could do to make money. Brainstorm. Record the numerous ways you are already catching the flow and manifesting financial abundance. Do you have money in your piggy bank, in investments, in the equity of your house? List it all. Do you have a good mind, a healthy body, an education or anything you could conceivably use to make money with? List it.

With the part of you that is Body-Decide where you will place your figurative rain barrels. Look at the lists you made when you considered the spiritual and mind levels of catching wealth. Now, make a third list by discerning how you can use the gifts and talents that you have in your spirit by manifesting them through your mind and body to create a product, service or business with which to harvest money. Your gifts and talents make you individual and unique. They are your rain barrels; your wealth catchers. How can you use them in the work you already do in innovative ways to create a new business? God manifests his/her energy through your use of your gifts and talents. They figuratively, like the huge tents we spoke of earlier, cover the entire property you own. How can you create opportunities to catch wealth? What action steps that are in harmony with the use of your innate gifts and talents can you take to be of service to the world and thus, place yourself smack dab into the flow of making money?

The answers are unique to each one of us and that which suits you might not suit somebody else. Your gifts and talents are different from the next person's. Turn inward to your own spirit to find out what it is you want to use to catch the rain of abundant money and let it pour!

Affirmation: I am a wealth catcher. I easily and enjoyably use my unique gifts and talents to place myself in the flow of money energy.

Copyright 2005, Catherine M. Kasper

See Catherine Kasper's dynamic new book, Angelic Abundance Treasure Maps: Discover the Wealth Within You, at her web site http://www.angelicabundance.com for powerful revelations on wealth and prosperity.
Receive 6 valuable, complimentary BONUSES when you have a delightful, hour long, expert Angel Reading with Catherine and the Angels of Abundance. The schedule for Angel readings fills quickly, so hurry. Click Here Now to schedule an Angel reading.

Why Write a Sales Letter for Each Product?

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know their products. But after the initial one-year honeymoon, sales slow down. To counter this make sure your ebook, product, or service you offer will keep on selling from the first day, the first year, even for life. Write a short sales letter for each product or ebook.

Whether you have a Web site or not, you can write a first class, must-buy-now sales letter. Write one for each teleclass, eBook, product, or service. I even write one for my bookcoaching services.

If you are like me and have a Web site, it is content driven. Why? Because that's why people come to any site-to get free information. You must also give them a reason to buy. Most home pages say too much about the author or the book instead of intriguing their potential buyers with a benefit-driven headline, which in turns leads them to the benefits of their books--the sales letter.

My first Web site had many fine books and kits in personal growth and book writing and marketing. Sales never went over $200 a month. To correct that, I created a new site and paid special attention to its sales language (without hype) for each teleclass, eBook, and book coaching opportunities to suit each income and need. Sales were $75 the first month, and in four months they reached $2265. The next year they went around $3000 a month.

What Every Sales Letter Needs to Pull Orders and Profits

You can write each sales letter in less than four hours the first time. As you practice, you can write them in two hours.

1. Start the Letter with a Benefit-Driven Headline.

Include these headlines throughout your sales letter. "Want a quick and easy way to quadruple your Online Income in Four Months?

If you answered, "yes" to yourself, the headline succeeds, because you will keep reading. If you said "No, I don't believe this, " but I'm curious where this is going," the headline still succeeds. You win when your headline seduces your potential customer to read on in your sales letter to discover your product[']s benefits and features, some fine testimonials, and finally to click "buy now" which takes them to the order page.

2. List the Top Five Benefits of your Product or Service in bullet form.

To define your top benefits start with a list of problems your client or customer wants solutions for. Each specific problem you answer can be labeled a benefit. If you are not rock sure of who your audience is, your sales copy dribbles away and doesn't meet its target. Keep redefining your audience and know as much about them as you can.

Remember that one benefit is the top undeniable benefit-usually more money easier, more clients faster, more profits from Web sales, better relationships, and health.

If you have more than five benefits collected in a list, sprinkle the rest throughout your copy. How will your book make someone's life easier, richer in time or money, help their personal growth, provide additional income, entertain them? How will your product or service make them a better business person, more attractive, feel better, avoid catastrophe, sickness, or surgery?

3. Address your Potential Buyer's Resistances.

Remember to tell a background story of where they are NOW so they will emotionally connect with your solutions (the product or service). Let's say they want to write an eBook or print book to make themselves the "expert," make life-long passive income, or share their unique message.

Many people don't write a book because they doubt it will sell well enough for all the effort, it may not be significant enough, it will take too long, cost too much money, and they really aren't writers. One, by one, your sales letter addresses their concerns and shows these potential buyers how they can become an excellent author and make their books more saleable, while building their profits.

4. Sprinkle Testimonials Throughout your Sales Letter.

Potential buyers who visit your site or another one that sells your products are more pulled to buy when they think other people have already. If other people are happy with your product or service, they will be too.

Include testimonials from experts in your field, celebrities, man/woman on the street, and other people who have profited from your advice. Learn how to approach influential contacts through email friendly notes and requests. Ask them to look at and give their opinion on your table of contents, one chapter, and your back cover or sales letter information

Make it easy to buy. Add a few sample phrases and benefits they can use to save these busy people time. They want to help, but consider it's difficult to create testimonials, or it will take them away from their priorities.

Give as you receive. Give that person something of value. Study their Web site or read their ezine, and send them a short helpful tip or joke.

5. Offer your potential clients three or four chances to buy.

They may have already decided to buy before coming to your sales letter, so offer a "Click Here," "Buy Now" near the top of the letter. Offer more buying opportunities along the way after a list of benefits, what's in this book (features), and testimonials.

6. End your Sales Letter with your 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

When you offer an ironclad guarantee, people see your book as so valuable that you put yourself on the line for it. They will be more likely to buy and be satisfied with their purchase.

"This product comes with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Read the book cover to cover, and if the strategies don't work for you within 60 days, we'll cheerfully refund your money, and you can keep the product too!"

7. Make your Sales Letter Credible.

To boost sales, authors need to add free bonus reports related to their book. Make sure your free bonus reports do not cost more than the price of your product. Would you believe this offer "order this for $49 now and receive 4 special bonus reports worth $395?"

8. Share the downside of your book to create empathy.

For example, "this ebook won't write the book for you, or even get it published, but it will show you the steps and resources to write compelling copy, finish fully and sell well."

9. Include your expert credentials

"I spent 6 months researching this book and 3 months writing it. My background includes 23 years coaching, presenting 70 writing seminars a year, and 43 published clients since 1999."

Without a sales letter to guide your potential buyers on your Web site, you leave them bored, uninspired, without enough information to make that decision to buy. Your Web site and ezine must entertain, inform, and give enough benefits to convince your readers to order your book.

For all email promotion campaigns, without a short or long sales letter for each product, your unique, useful and inspiring information will not get read, people won't know you as the expert, and you won't make the sales you want.

Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at mailto:Judy@bookcoaching.com

Dont Pay for Radio Interviews

It used to be that all you had to do was pitch a great idea with a clever hook, and you'd be booked as a guest on a half-hour radio show.

These days, however, hang onto your wallet. A new breed of radio host is insisting that guests fork over a few hundred dollars--sometimes more--for the "privilege" of being on their show. Some guests, desperate for exposure for a new book or project, willingly pay the money. Then they're disappointed when they get little feedback from listeners, or the show leads to no product sales.

There's nothing wrong with the concept of paying money for air time. But there's a name for it. It's called advertising. Joe Sabah, author of the book How to Get on Radio Talk Shows All Across America says that if you want a legitimate interview, no money should change hands.

"With more than 740 radio shows all over the country willing to book guests for free, there's absolutely no reason why anybody should have to pay," Sabah said.

A different twist on the same theme involves a radio station approaching someone and offering them their own weekly show on a particular topic, then telling them they must charge guests to appear. That means that if a host comes across someone who they think would be a great guest, they can't book them if the guest can't afford to pay.

Why, suddenly, are some radio interviews no longer free?

The radio industry has been going through sweeping changes in the last several years, with many stations being bought or sold for hefty amounts, and that means they're trying to entice people like you into paying the freight.

Joann McCall has an interesting perspective on the problem. As president of McCall Public Relations in Portand, Oregon, she specializes in generating publicity for authors. She also has been a radio host, interviewer and newscaster for 18 years and hosts a radio show with her partner, Debb Janes, called "Janes McCall & Co.," on KKSN radio in Portland.

McCall says the practice of charging guests has become acceptable-even though it isn't right.

"Having someone approach you to pay for an interview is like buying a radio infomercial," she said.

McCall advises that guests don't pay. Instead, when you hear a sales pitch, simply reply, "Pay for an interview? I don't need to. Thanks anyway."

"Don't be bullied by these people," she said.

Joan Stewart, a.k.a. The Publicity Hound, shows you how to use the media to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation, sell more products and services, promote a favorite cause or issue, and position yourself as an employer of choice. She publishes "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine on how to generate thousands of dollars in free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.PublicityHound.com and receive by email the free checklist "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."

What Might Surprise You About Childhood Obesity

The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is the term nutritionists use to describe the intended balance between calories consumed and calories burned. If the level of physical activity is not great enough to burn the amount of calories taken in, weight increases. If this imbalance continues, overweight and possibly obesity result.

Given our fondness for fast food (an ever-growing fondness, due to ever-busier lives) and our tendency to "supersize," it's easy to imagine that caloric intake is the crux of the obesity problem. And certainly it is part of the problem, especially considering the quality of the calories consumed. (Recent evidence indicates that children get a full quarter of their vegetable servings in the form of potato chips and French fries!) But the greater problem lies with the second half of the equation: energy out.

Studies both here and abroad have indicated this is true. The Framingham Children's Study, for example, found that preschool children with low levels of physical activity gained significantly more subcutaneous (beneath the skin) fat than did more active children. In another study it was determined that inactive preschoolers were 3.8 times more likely than active preschoolers to have increased triceps skinfold thickness (the best measure of obesity in children) in follow-up assessments. It's also been found that children who watch more than five hours of television a day are almost five times more likely to be overweight than children who watch two hours or less ? with excessive TV viewing considered to contribute to 60 percent of the risk of obesity in children.

More specifically, in the United Kingdom, while the proportion of overweight or obese children remained the same between 1974 and 1984, there was a marked increase in the following decade. The research, reported in the British Medical Journal, determined the change was due not to increased energy (calorie) intake but rather to a decrease in energy output.

Studies in the United States have made the same determination. An increase in childhood obesity of 20 percent over the last decade (at least one in five American children is currently overweight) has occurred despite a decrease in overall fat consumption and little change in caloric intake.

According to the authors of a research article appearing in the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, there is one consistent observation that stands out among the studies of energy expenditure in young children. That unfortunate observation is that children under the age of seven seem to expend about 20 to 30 percent less energy in physical activity than the level recommended by the World Health Organization.

Sedentary children? Obese children? Unfit children? They're all a fact of life in today's society. The sad irony is that in today's society we're more "active" than ever ? in terms of "busyness," that is. Perhaps we should get busy becoming more active in the physical sense. Energy out is the key to maintaining an appropriate weight during childhood. As such, exercise (mostly in the form of active play) should be a natural part of the child's daily life ? a habit as common as brushing teeth.

Said Dr. Samuel Abbate, at a childhood obesity conference sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Health: "The consequences of denying the body exercise are just as severe as depriving it of food, water, or oxygen; it just takes longer to see the consequences."

Rae Pica is a children's physical activity specialist and the author of Your Active Child: How to Boost Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Development through Age-Appropriate Activity (McGraw-Hill, 2003). Rae speaks to parent and education groups throughout North America. You can visit her and read more articles at http://www.movingandlearning.com.

SUPERLASIK- Enhance Your Vision; Safer Than LASIK

Things are moving forward and new and advanced procedures are being developed for those who originally could not receive the standard Lasik procedure. Dr. Khanna has introduced a brand new procedure called "Super Lasik" a new, safer and more stable procedure that has now been created for those who have thin or abnormal corneas. What is great about this new procedure is the effects are more precise and long term. This procedure is a culmination of the merger of benefits of both PRK and LASIK. To accomplish this cutting edge surgery, Dr Khanna uses a new FDA approved instrument called a Epikeratome. This instrument raises an approximately 50 micron flap (thinner than even an Intralase). Laser surface ablation using the latest generation of LASERS is than done. Like in LASIK the flap is riposted back. A bandage lens is than placed over the eye. This is a safer method of visual correction. There is no distortion of the architecture of the cornea. So if the cornea has a young's modulus which is low, or is thin or asymmetric this method is safer. Young's modulus= stress/strain

Anyone over the age of eighteen can benefit from corrective vision surgery. The investment pays for itself. What's really exciting is that Superlasik can even be done on patients who have thin corneas and were not candidates for LASIK. Its also safer since minimal trauma is done to the cornea. Patients leave with a new completeness and clarity with life because really, how we see things affects our total outlook on life. We have been impressed by the quick recovery following this new procedure. It has even been better than we anticipated. Most of our patients are able to drive the next day and some even return to work. People leave feeling rejuvenated and young, and in reality who wouldn't want that? What has been exciting is that this technology is even safer than Intralase or the all laser LASIK. The flap is more consistent and thinner than what the Intralase can fashion.

Can a Rose have no thorns? Superlasik may not be a panacea for all. If a patient has keratoconus or Pellucid marginal degeneration or other corneal disease than this procedure is not for them. Immunological disease and catracts may also preclude people. For more info visit www.Khannainstitute.com

Dr. Khanna, a certified Master of Surgery, specializes in only the most advanced Lasik procedures such as laser wavefront, advanced surface, multi focal lenses, refractive lens exchange and refractive cataract.

He is a current member of the UCLA faculty, where he shares his surgical skills and expertise in the safest and most effective forms of refractive surgery with a new generation of ophthalmic surgeons. He is also an active member of the top ophthalmology organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive.

With his extensive experience comes his need to make sure his patients benefit in every way possible from their procedures. Before surgery one will have pre-op consultations in which he will measure the cornea and dilate the eyes so that he can determine what procedure is right for that particular individual. With this dedication and patience comes the patient's reward; a new and refreshing persp

Should You Get A Pay Check Advance?

At some point in your working life, you may find yourself in a situation that requires fast cash. A pay check advance could be the answer to your problem. There are many ways to go about acquiring a pay check advance.

The first is in person at a pay check advance station near your home or city. The second is to get a pay check advance online at a pay check advance website. There are literally hundreds of the latter to choose from, all offering similar enticements and pay check advance information. Read the FAQ (frequently asked questions) carefully and thoroughly prior to choosing the best pay check advance transaction.

If you're pressed for time or time is of the essence, you will be tempted to simply go with the first pay check advance or second pay check advance offer that first catches your eye. But if you take the time to quickly and efficiently assess the merits, pros and cons of pay check advances you will find that the effort pays off.

First you will need to carefully figure out what you can and can't afford regarding interest rates. After all, a pay check advance is just another term for a loan. Loans come with a price. When you borrow a pay check advance from a company (as opposed to a private loan between friends or relatives) you will always end up giving them more money back than you initially borrowed.

A pay check advance should really be utilized only after you have thoroughly exhausted all other options. Once or twice in a lifetime would be a good amount. If you find yourself seeking out a pay check advance frequently, it's time to budget your money better. Perhaps a financial planner, relative or friend could assist you with it. It happens to the best of us. No one is immune to occasionally needed a pay check advance.

Tim Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Military-Loans-Online.com an online website that offers money saving rates on auto, home, bad credit, pay day loans and other free loan information that you can view in the privacy of your own home.

Guard Your Heart

It was 1:30 A.M. on Friday, December 6, 1991. Patrolman Tommy Garrison of the Byhalia (Mississippi) City Police had pulled over a gray Monte Carlo for no tag on Highway 309. Garrison walked to the car where three men were waiting.

The driver said he didn't have his license with him but knew the number. Then Garrison saw three VCRs stacked in the back seat.

"Where did you get those VCRs?" he asked. That's when all three men got out. The first attacked Garrison with a knife. While the police officer was wrestling with him, a second man pulled a handgun and shot twice.

The first bullet struck the officer in the stomach and knocked him off balance. When the second hit his chest, Garrison was flung to the ground.

The three men jumped back into the Monte Carlo and spun out, heading north toward the Tennessee line. Before they were out of sight, however, Garrison stood up and ran back to his car to put out an all-points bulletin. He was shaken up and bruised, but unwounded.

That morning Garrison had put on one of the department's bullet-proof vests. The seven-year-old vest was two-and-a-half pounds of discomfort and reeked with sweat. Garrison had not been wearing it regularly because it was such as nuisance. But that Friday had been cool, and Garrison had worn the vest all day. And at the critical moment, it had saved his life by guarding his heart.

God warns, " Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellsprings of life" (Prov. 4:23). In other words, maintain your purity, your integrity, your commitment to the Lord.

Whenever you keep something precious safe, you can cherish and enjoy it, and its value appreciates. The longer we guard our heart-the more time and attention we invest in its care-the easier it is to keep up the watch. The more carefully we guard it, the more secure it will keep us.

Officer Garrison told me that ever since that bullet-proof vest saved his life he has worn one every hour he's been on duty. The rest of the officers on the force were motivated to start wearing them too, but it wasn't long before most of them left their vests at the station once more. When the critical moment comes, they won't be ready.

Guard your heart. Keep it for Jesus alone. If Jesus were to appear before you right now, and you were to ask, "What do want of me?" I believe that He would say, "I want your heart. Just give me your heart."

If He so greatly desires to have your heart, it must be a precious treasure indeed. Guard it carefully.

Copyright ?2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.org for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore "The Shallows," plumb "The Depths," or use the well-organized "Study Links" for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve's free "DeeperStudy Newsletter."

Curves Hit the Beach: Women?s Guide to Plus Size Swimwear Online

Summer is with us. The sun is shining, the beaches are glistening and everyone is ready to it the golden sands; ready to relax and enjoy the hottest season of the year.

However, you find yourself stuck indoors with nothing to wear! No stylish swimsuit at hand to stroll down the beach in, thinking "it's impossible, at my size, to find sexy, stylish and fun beach wear!" Well think again ladies!

Nowadays us large and lovely ladies have a vast selection of plus size swim wear available to spice up our wardrobe and make us look sizzling this summer. All that is needed is a PC, an Internet connection and a comfy chair. Sit back and shop away, choosing from the best selection of plus size swim wear online whilst sipping on that ice-cold cocktail. It's that easy!

Girl, the Internet makes shopping fun, easy and so simple. No matter what size you are, you will definitely find something to flatter your figure. There is a handful of good quality plus size stores online which offer swim wear up to size 40! Here is a list of my favourite plus size swim wear stores, the ones which I usually recommend to friend, family and colleagues:

? Zaftique: mature, stylish and sophisticated styles in sizes 0Z to 6Z (12/14 to 36/38).

? Torrid: young and trendy designs in sizes 0 to 4 (12/14 to 26/28).

? Junonia: for women who are ready for action! Styles in sizes 0X to 6X (14/16 to 38/40).

? Big On Batik: accessories ahoy! Catering for sizes 1X to 8X.

? Alight: what else can you need? A multitude of designers available here, in sizes 14W to 28W.

More info can be found at http://www.pasazz.net/plus-size-swim-wear.html.

So this season, all big beautiful ladies have no excuse to stay in at home. Go strut your stuff on the beach! Show off those curves in your brand new swim wear!

About the author:

Maya Matthews is the resident writer at http://www.pasazz.net, the plus size clothing directory. A plus size women herself, Maya strives to provide plus size ladies with fashion and lifestyle tips and ideas. Please visit the plus size clothing directory to read more articles and find the top online plus size stores.

Why Americans Find Predatory Lending Offensive

"Menis - the author translates as "indignant rage" - It is the kind of rage arising from social betrayal that impairs a person's dignity through violation of "what's right." (p21), Achilles In Viet Nam - Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character, Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph D.

"The vulnerable relationship between child and parent is a metaphor for the relationship between a soldier and his army. It is also more than a metaphor when we consider the formation and maintenance of good character. The parents betrayal themis - (the ability to feel good about oneself , self esteem, self image) - through incest, abuse, or neglect puts the child in mortal danger. Despite intellectual limitations, the small child usually grasps the danger, although the child's mental representation of the danger differs from adults. The child's inner sense of safety in the world emerges from the trustworthiness, reliability, and simple competence of the family.

"Similarly, the child's acquisition of self-control, self esteem, and consideration of others depends upon the family. Absent inherited mental disorders, good parenting will produce good character and all the other adult resources of dignity and maturity, including ideals, respect for others, self respect, ambitions, self-care, pro-social rather than anti-social activity, reliable capacity to distinguish reality from fantasy, and so forth.

"Lurking behind these supposedly settled truths is the platonic assertion that good character is a firm wall between a good person and evil acts, regardless of the betrayals of "what's right" and other blows, such as bereavement that may simply happen to an adult. Often there is the invisible unstated assumption that those that hold power in society exhibit loyalty and care in fulfillment of themis. (p 32)

"If military practice tells soldiers that their emotions of love and grief - which are inseparable from their humanity - do not matter, then the civilian society that has sent them to fight on their behalf should not be shocked by their "inhumanity" when they return to civilian life. (p 67)

"Viet Nam narratives reveal that the events that drive soldiers berserk are betrayal, insult, or humiliation by a leader; death of a friend-in-arms; being wounded; being overrun, surrounded, or trapped; seeing dead comrades who have been mutilated by the enemy; and unexpected deliverance from certain death." (p 80)

Even in families without children the parents are leaders. Parents make financial decisions that impact the future of their children, their stature in the community, self worth, and dignity. There is nothing dignified about the effects of predatory financing. Yet there is an initial assumption that those who impact the credit scores of Americans are exhibiting loyalty and care in fulfillment of their chosen occupation. Americans believe our laws and regulations such as Regulation "Z" protect their rights. There is a strong belief that the system will work.

The economic downturn of 2000 through 2002 is firmly grounded in consumer spending and consumer debt. The real estate boom infused more disposable income into the economy. Exportation of manufacturing and services sector jobs to foreign countries, plus the huge trade deficit add to our woes. In early 2003 the federal budget deficit and the threat of war add to troubled economic times. Bankruptcies achieved record high levels. However, as with history and military battles, we must learn from the past to see the future and prevent future mistakes.

William F. Aldinger started his career with CitiGroup, learning quickly that sub-prime financing in the CitiFinancial subsidiary was a lucrative business. After leaving Citi, Aldinger went to Wells Fargo, and then to Household International as CEO. All three companies are now classified as predatory financing companies, and all three have been forced to settle with the states, government, and consumers. Household restated earnings for the entire time that Aldinger was with the company. HSBC has a four year agreement with Aldinger to continue as Chairman and CEO of Household under HSBC, and then he will become chairman and CEO of HSBC North America, Inc and director of HSBC Holdings. The past tells us the future. HSBC contends that there will be no changes to their business model. Therefore it is safe to predict that HSBC will become the largest global predatory lender ever witnessed by a civilized orderly society.

Those that managed to delude themselves into thinking they are financiers providing a service to society, while masquerading as predators, argue that they are servicing a sector of society that would otherwise not receive adequate attention. Countering that argument, the Community Reinvestment Act perhaps should be revisited and strengthened. Perhaps federal and state governments should remove predatory abilities from the private sector while providing structure and funding. Americans should not be abused by a system that is failing.

Historically, if we use the actions of predators to show us what areas need reform we can reverse the economic downturn we see today. Just like gangs, organized crime, and similar activities, the government should look for the cause of the problem while instituting prevention and removal of the opportunity for predators.

Credit cards are responsible for a huge portion of American debt. Easy credit and the need for credit is expected in today's society. Again predators have an opportunity. Household International provides financing for, and ongoing compensation to merchants under their existing contracts. Again, there is an initial assumption that those who impact the credit scores of Americans are exhibiting loyalty and care in fulfillment of their duties, that they will follow Fair Credit Reporting and Fair Credit Billing, etc. With over twenty million transactions a day, and over sixty participating merchants, Household International impacts the lives and family values of many taxpaying Americans every day.

Consumer watchdog organization Household Watch receives consumer complaints daily. Based on their web site log statistics Household Watch only receives complaints from 5% of those who visit. Many others get the information they need from their web site data. Over 400 people per day use the Household Watch web site to find links which enable them to pay their bill online.

The Federal Trade Commission, therefore, recognizes Household Watch and sister site BestBuyCard as a source of consumer help. Where predators see an opportunity the government should step in to stop them. When the government does not step in, consumer organizations step in to fill the gap. We sincerely hope, therefore, that the consumer organizations will be heard a loudly as the predators and the government when decisions are made. They speak for the public, with emphasis on the public that experiences violations of regulation "Z" and other areas where they expected special trust and confidence.

About The Author

Timothy Blake has a Bachelor's Degree in Business with a specialty in Management of Technology. He is an investigator for Consumer Advocacy organization Household Watch at www.householdwatch.com

Constantine

Loosely based on the graphic novel Hellraiser, Constantine follows the life of John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) a man with limited time on this earth due to his constant chain smoking, and a determination to work his way back into heaven by killing demons that have crossed our earthly plain, since he will be denied access because of a suicide attempt he made as a child. Since Constantine is based on Catholic doctrine, suicide is a mortal sin and therefore guarantees you a one way trip to hell, one Constantine is desperately seeking to avoid.

The movie, for the most part, works. No one has ever argued that Keanu is a great actor but Constantine is a vehicle that is suited to his particular talents: brooding and looking confused. High on action and low on dialogue, it's a great role for a guy who has made his career playing such characters.

Also the story itself is engaging. Who doesn't like a little heaven and hell, angels and demons battling it out for the souls of humanity. Add to that an everyman kind of guy who isn't so devout, is fighting for the good side but has ulterior motives. You like John Constantine because he is flawed. He is the regular Joe who finds himself in some extraordinary situations and ultimately does some great things, albeit for selfish reasons.

Constantine has one of the best opening sequences you can ask for in a movie and the special effects are realistic and believable, if occasionally slightly over the top. The supporting cast more then makes up for Reeves lackluster acting as they all give pretty good performances: from Djimon Hansu as Midnight an otherworldly figure who owns a club where the demons can come and rest to Gavin Rossdale as Beezlebub, Satan's right hand man and John Constantine's arch Nemesis and Shia LeBouf as Jake Constantine's young and bothersome apprentice, Chas. They were all fun to watch.

The problems with the movie come after you've left the theatre. You begin to realize that much of what you saw just didn't make any sense, that you have more questions then answers and that the holes in the plot are so gaping that you wonder how did you mange to miss them to begin with? The answer is simple: lots of action, loud music and killer graphics when done properly, can mask an underdeveloped plot most days of the week.

Bottom line, if you're a Keanu Reeves fan or you enjoy the Christian based action genre then this movie is for you. If not, stay home I'm sure they'll be something good on cable.

Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer and owner of PrologueReviews.com. To read more articles by Tamika and to recieve FREE tips on becoming a successful writer visit http://www.prologuereviews.com

Scrolling LED signs

Scrolling LED signs is type of LED signs that displays Scrolling text and can be used as outdoor and/or indoor outlet. Wide variety of businesses uses this equipment to spread news and other information quickly and efficiently. These are widely used in the areas like clinic, airport, industry, sporting events, banks and many others.

Scrolling LED signs can be connected to corridor of any business firm , hospital's main appointment system, airport's waiting division to display updated and current information, circular, notice or commentary automatically without disturbing the in progress activity and staff. This minimizes the work as well saves time marking the whole administration more productive and efficient.

These scrolling LED uses the advance technology called LED, which stands for light emitting diode and can generate massage in any color you want. Mostly red, green and yellow color the common choices; you can have multi color versions with combination of all. However, blue and white are the most difficult to produce by LED, Jayex technology gives choice from those colors too. You can customize you scrolled LED sign by having color of character according to your choice.

Scrolling LED signs are available in different sizes and character height with number of character per line. There is wide range of choice given by manufacturing department of Jayex Technology, buyers can choose from their according the are when it will be used.

The important point to notice here is that Scrolling LED signs are easy to use as they are programmed such that any one can operate these sings with least expertise and easily. Moreover this gives bright effect of the scrolling text, so that information can be view from great distance very clearly.

Generally these signs are used as indoor outlet very often, where mounting signs in wall is possible in some of the areas, they can include obtain accessories that comes with signs. If you are using these sings are outdoor outlet, you also need protective fixation to long the life of sign board. Of course maintenance department of Jayex technology offers services for maintenance, and upkeep the product in the case of any damage occur.

For scrolling LED signs, operator can program for scrolling speed, direction, content etc.

About The Author

Paula Jones

Jayex Technology Limited, based in London specialise in advanced information display systems. Established in 1978 we have pioneered the development of the LED display market and now have over 18,000 customers worldwide. We offer, probably the largest range of models from small single line signs to big screen Megavision screens that can display live video and action replay in stadia.

jayex.co.uk