Month: January 2007

Americans spend more time with their computer than spouse

From Lifehacker:

A recent “Cyber Stress” study shows that 65% of Americans spend more time on their computers than with their spouses. The study also found:

The average consumer has experienced computer troubles eight times – about every four months – over the last three years.
The average American is wasting 12 hours per month – the equivalent of half a weekend – due to problems with their home computer.

And my personal favorite:

A majority of Americans (52%) describe their most recent experience with a computer problem as one of anger, sadness or alienation.

Oh, and don’t let this poll make you late to dinner with your wife/hubby. — Gina Trapani

Walking the walk

Churchmarketingsucks.com has released the results of their latest poll.

According to the site’s readers, walking the walk is the #1 means of church promotion.

That even tops a give away a church recently did with Chipotle.

The poll does underscore our constant refrain that Christians who do what they’re supposed to do are the best marketing ever.

How do we encourage folks at encounter our your church to do that?

Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? – James 2:14-17

Catholic church in UK fights gay adoption

The head of the Catholic church in England threatens to close Catholic adoption agencies rather than comply with anti-discrimination laws which force children to be placed with gay couples. The Anglican Union also objects to the laws.
According to NPR Tony Blair is caught in the middle between his Christian faith and his government’s urging for anti-discrimination laws.
Listen to the full story from NPR’s Morning Edition

Bill filed to study potential impact of global warming on Texas

(Austin, TX)–Representative Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, filed legislation today to establish a global warming task force which will assess the economic and public health impacts of global warming on Texas. The bill was filed on the day when President Bush is expected to address global warming in his State of the Union address.

“For too long, there has been a bogus debate on global warming fueled by junk science,” said Rep. Burnam.

“Now, that ‘debate’ is over. Just last week ExxonMobil admitted that global warming is a real threat and that greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide contribute to the problem. It’s time the state of Texas begins to make preparations to deal with the potential fallout from this very real crisis.”

2006 was the hottest year on record in the United States. The scientific community agrees that global warming poses significant risks and dangers yet the United States continues to be the number one emitter of carbon dioxide and Texas is the number one emitting state.

“We have 600 miles of coastline in Texas. If temperatures rise enough that sea levels rise a foot or more, there could be a serious economic and health impact on the state,” said Burnam. “The state is like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand. We need a plan to deal with this challenge.

“At the same time, the reality of global warming provides excellent opportunities for businesses that innovate and create solutions to these problems. My bill directs the global warming task force to investigate and prepare for the worst while seeking opportunities for businesses that do the right thing.

“I do hope, as it has been reported, that the President addresses global warming tonight. And I hope that the state of Texas will take the necessary steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for a carbon-constrained economy.”