For years, economists have worried about inflation.  But now, the fear of deflation is haunting governments and business leaders alike.  Could we experience a devastating deflationary period followed by an almost unimaginable death-blow of rapid "Zimbabwe-like" inflation?  How can you prepare?

On January 20, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama assumed the leadership of a mighty but beleaguered nation.  Regardless of whether we are individually thrilled, indifferent, or dismayed about the new American president and his Democratic majority, perhaps we should ask ourselves an honest question: are we sincerely praying for President Obama?   A brief check of the world news and a brief analysis of President Obama's inaugural speech show us that there is a lot we should pray about.

My family walked in the shadow of death this last year.  Not a pleasant subject, to be sure, but one that was thrust upon us nonetheless.  I lost my mother in April, 2008. She was elderly and infirm, and for the last two years of her life suffered from the scourge of Alzheimer's disease.  So, while it was sad to close that chapter, it was not unexpected, nor was it tragic. It was quite naturally her time to die, as it states in book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.

How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?  Are you determinedly following through on your personal commitment to improve your appearance or your behavior?  Or, are you feeling guilty because you are behind schedule?  Maybe you haven't even started them yet.  One of my favorite TV shows is CBS News Sunday Morning.  Last Sunday's show had a brief segment about human guilt – why we feel guilty.  This report explained that one of the things making people feel guilty most frequently at this time of year is failure to live up to New Year's resolutions.  First, let's discover what guilt is. 

While the syndicated "Dear Abby" advice column in many newspapers across the U.S. has been celebrated for decades for its wit and "common sense," in the column I read the other day it was clear that "Abby" had struck out. The individual writing to "Abby" was a 16-year-old, struggling with seemingly overwhelming homosexual feelings.  Struggling to deal with those feelings and failing to change them, the teen asks "Abby" for advice on how to "come out" and make his or her homosexuality public, expressing concern about how family and friends will react. "Abby's" advice?  Abysmal.  Let's take a look.