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"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."
Galatians 5:1
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For the week, the DJIA fell 927.12 points, or 2.7%, to close at 33,374.37. The S&P lost 26.48 points, or 0.7%, ending at 3,972.35. The Nasdaq added 61.27 points, or 0.6%, closing at 11,140.43.
U.S. stock indexes closed lower on Thursday after data pointing to a tight labor market renewed concerns the Federal Reserve will continue its aggressive path of rate hikes that could lead the economy into a recession.
Weekly jobless claims in the US fell more than Wall Street's expectations, reinforcing analysts' views that the labor market remains tight despite higher interest rates.
U.S. retail sales fell more than expected in December, pulled down by declines in purchases of motor vehicles and a range of other goods, putting consumer spending and the overall economy on a weaker growth path heading into 2023.
The proportion of homes that sold in December above list price fell to the lowest since June 2020, while a recent drop in mortgage rates could help renew interest from buyers, Zillow (ZG.NaE) said.
Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services, retail sales fell 0.7% last month. Data for November was unrevised to show these so-called core retail sales sliding 0.2% as previously reported.
Excluding food, energy and trade services components, producer prices gained 0.1% in December. The core PPI advanced 0.3% in November.
Confidence among U.S. single-family homebuilders improved for the first time in more than a year in January.
Production at U.S. factories fell more than expected in December and output in the prior month was weaker than previously thought, indicating that manufacturing was rapidly losing momentum.
Manufacturing activity in the Mid-Atlantic region improved more than projected in January, but remained in negative territory, according to data released Thursday.
The U.S. government hit its $31.4 trillion borrowing limit on Thursday, amid a standoff between the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and President Joe Biden's Democrats on lifting the ceiling.
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Friday Recap: Wall Street lifted by Alphabet & Netflix
U.S. stocks rallied to close higher on Friday, as the S&P 500 and Dow snapped a three-session losing streak and the Nasdaq rose more than 2%.
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose on Friday after Netflix kicked off the earnings season for growth stocks on an upbeat note, while Google parent Alphabet gained on news of job cuts.
Shares of U.S. grocers, packaged food companies and supermarkets were lagging in the first three weeks of 2023, in a sharp contrast to last year.
The White House is refusing to negotiate with hardline Republicans on raising the debt ceiling because it believes enough of them will eventually back off their demands.
Gold closed the week with a gain, rising to the highest since April and sticking above the US$1,900 level for a fifth-straight session despite a higher dollar and rising bond yields.
When the market closed on Friday, Gold was down slightly at 1,927.36. Silver was up at $23.93 per ounce. Platinum jumped to $1,046.00, while palladium was down at $1,736, with both metals enroute to a second consecutive weekly fall.
Even with Friday's gains, both the Dow and the S&P headed to a weekly decline.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 330.93 points, or 1.00%, to close at 33,375.49; the S&P 500 added 73.76 points, or 1.89%, ending at 3,972.61; the Nasdaq Composite rose 288.17 points, or 2.66%, closing at 11,140.43.
For the week, the DJIA fell 927.12 points, or 2.7%, to close at 33,374.37. The S&P lost 26.48 points, or 0.7%, ending at 3,972.35. The Nasdaq added 61.27 points, or 0.6%, closing at 11,140.43.
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Please Consider A Donation | |
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Will you consider making a secure, tax-deductible donation to support
the ministry of Financial Issues?
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Donations may be made by clicking on the secure link above, or by mailing a check or money order to: Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries, or "FISM," PO Box 270, Exton, PA 19341.
(All donations are tax deductible and non-refundable.)
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We are excited to announce that we are returning to the Billy Graham Training at the Cove this spring for our bi-annual FISM retreat. As always, this will be a time of fellowship, learning, and worship. In addition to the sessions this year, the Cove has offered the use of the Chatlos Memorial Chapel for a special worship service and memorial for Dan.
Our keynote speaker is Family Research Council’s President, Tony Perkins - host of the nationally syndicated radio show “Washington Watch.” We’ll also be hearing from the new host of Financial Issues, Shana Burt, and acclaimed musician, Marty Goetz, will be leading us in worship once again!
We hope you can join us in Asheville, NC to worship God for his faithfulness and focus on our calling to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14).
As always, the retreat is first come, first served. Although we would love to spend this time with all of you, there is limited space and rooms at the Cove.
To register click on the banner above or go to: https://financialissues.org/fi-retreat-2023/ OR go to FinancialIssues.org and look for the retreat button.
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Good Guys! Doing Good
FISM TV Presents a New Christian Reality Show
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Good Guys! Doing Good
Good Guys! Doing Good is a Christian reality show hosted by Tim Bisagno. In each episode, Tim sets out on a journey across the USA to find men of God serving the Lord in adventurous, exciting, and unique ways. Follow Tim as he travels, participates, laughs, cries, honors, and showcases good guys doing God's work!
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Meet John Mercury Morgan
No stranger to danger, John Morgan has been a professional stunt performer for over 40 years, but he considers his calling to share the Gospel his most exciting and important work. Join Tim as he travels up to Rochester, NY to witness John’s thrilling stunt work and how he is using his talents to shine light on the Good News of Christ.
To Learn more about Leap of Faith Ministry and Daredevil John Mercury Morgan, go to: https://fism.tv/ggdg-episode-5/
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Watch Financial Issues Live
with Shana Burt hosting our daily radio program
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We are now posting insightful video clips of the program, including many of Shana's responses to partners on our FISM App, as well as on our FISM TV website.
On the FISM app, if you scroll across the top to FINANCIAL ISSUES, then scroll down, you will find an option for these HELPFUL VIDEOS.
While you are there, please take the time to enjoy our FISM News to glean a conservative and biblical worldview on current events.
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ANNOUNCING "Tips For The News" | |
Tips for the News - FISM News is excited to announce that it now has a tip-line where you can submit ideas of stories that you think others should know about. The news team is always looking for news-worthy content that may fly under the radar or doesn't follow the agenda of mainstream outlets. Since the news so often focuses on the problems of the world, the team is also hoping that the tip-line can lead to suggestions that will help inform others of positive stories of faith and faithfulness in the church and Christian organizations. If you have any news-worthy content that you want to suggest to the news team, you can submit it at https://fism.tv/tips/ | | | |
Weekly Social Media Highlights | |
Help us reach a broader audience by engaging with our social media posts. Every time you like, comment or share our content, you help us spread the word about biblical stewardship and multiply the impact of our Ministry. Tap the icon below to share now! | |
Secret Service Does About-Face on Names of Visitors to Biden Home | | |
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While House Republicans have already announced a probe into the documents, it is unclear how quickly a hearing might happen.
Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
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As it turns out, the Secret Service does have at least some information about the people who visited President Joe Biden’s Delaware home when it contained classified documents.
Earlier this week, both the White House and Secret Service indicated that no visitor logs existed for the president’s Delaware residence, a revelation that left many prominent figures on the right fuming.
Thursday, as reported by both Fox and the New York Post, the Secret Service revealed it does have the ability to share names of people who visited the Delaware property during the time when Biden was using the garage…(READ MORE)
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Republicans Blast DOJ for Double Standard In Biden Document Investigation | |
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…have White House attorneys in charge of searching for classified documents rather than a theoretically neutral third party.
Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
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Republicans have continued to stress their belief that the Biden Department of Justice is being overly kind in its dealings with the president, a belief that is intensifying thanks to reports floating around conservative media.
Wednesday, the RNC Research Twitter account released a photo allegedly showing Hunter Biden, the president’s son, driving a Corvette.
“Photos unearthed by the @FreeBeacon show Hunter Biden driving his dad’s Corvette in 2017,” the post, which accompanies a longer thread, reads. “That means Hunter — who has extensive business ties to communist China — likely had access to the garage…(READ MORE)
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List of States Moving Toward Pay-Per-Mile Fees Grows Amid EV Push | | |
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Critics argue that these programs not only represent an added tax but also provide the government with another means of monitoring the movements of private citizens.
Chris Lange, FISM News
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A growing number of states are moving toward mileage-based road usage fees, which translates to a tax that drivers would pay for each mile traveled.
The pay-per-mile fees would help make up for projected state and federal revenue losses from declining gas sales in the push toward electric vehicles. California, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Virginia have already implemented pilot programs, though at least 31 other states are either considering or in the process of implementing mileage-based taxes, according to Conservative News Daily.
The Epoch Times reported that the Federal government currently collects 18.4 cents for every gallon of gas sold in the U.S. and 24.4 cents for each…(READ MORE)
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Wisconsin School Districts Connect Kids to Website Described as ‘Pedophile’s Paradise’ | |
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While the site is promoted by schools as a place where children can get counseling, it is more likely a place where young, confused children are in danger of being preyed upon by adults.
Matt Bush, FISM News
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At least seven school districts in Wisconsin encourage their students to check out a social media site called “TrevorSpace,” a site that, according to the Wisconsin Daily Star “allows children and adults (strangers) to communicate directly while encouraging discussions of human sexuality, sexual attraction, and sexual fetishes.”
A link for the LGBTQ website is included on several LGBTQ resource pages for districts across the state. The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) website reads that the school district is committed to “creating inclusive and welcoming learning communities to ensure that all students are able to graduate college, career, and community ready. We take seriously our responsibility to provide safe and nondiscriminatory environments…(READ MORE)
SEE ALSO: Facebook, Instagram Give Green Light for Trans Users to Post Topless Pics
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DeSantis Proposes Making Protections from COVID Mandates Permanent | | |
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Medical professionals have routinely been chastised and banned from public platforms if their opinions...
Curt Flewelling, FISM News
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a legislative proposal that will make existing protections from COVID mandates permanent.
In addition to enshrining these rights into law indefinitely, the governor wants legislators to add free speech protections for medical practitioners.
While announcing the new initiatives DeSantis stated, “No discrimination on this vax status, no requirements of masking,” before adding, “You just have to say, ‘enough is…(READ MORE)
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Trump Remains Top GOP Contender, Amid Rising Desantis Support – Poll | |
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This latest survey comes as a number of recent polls show DeSantis — who has yet to announce a presidential bid — gaining momentum…
Samuel Case, FISM News
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As the country inches ever closer to the primary season for the 2024 Presidential election, a new Morning Consult poll suggests former President Donald Trump remains the strongest candidate in the Republican primaries, despite surging support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The poll, updated Jan. 18, shows Trump leading DeSantis in a hypothetical primary matchup 48% to 31%, with former Vice President Mike Pence coming in a distant third with 8%…(READ MORE)
SEE ALSO: Trump says he will ‘handle things’ if DeSantis runs against him in 2024
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California Sheriff Calls Out Biden’s ‘Open Border’ Policies after ‘Cartel-Style’ Murders | | |
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As crime rages at the southern border, spurred on by cartels, criminal activity is beginning to spill over into the United States.
Vicky Arias, FISM News
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Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux condemned President Biden’s “open border” policies on Wednesday after the murder of a family in a home in Goshen, California in which six people were killed, including a sixteen-year-old mother and her 10-month-old infant son.
In an interview with Fox News’ Sandra Smith, Boudreaux said he believes a Mexican cartel was involved because of the execution-style fashion in which the murders were carried…(READ MORE)
SEE ALSO: NYC Mayor Adams visits southern border, says Biden administration needs ‘to do its job’
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Coast Guard Warns Russian Ship Near Hawaii Likely Gathering US Intel | |
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The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command announced in May that it was monitoring a Russian vessel near Hawaii.
Savannah Hulsey Pointer, FISM News
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The U.S. Coast Guard released a bulletin Wednesday warning that a Russian ship located near the Hawaiian Islands could be gathering information. The military branch said the ship, which has been near Hawaii for weeks, is believed to be an “intelligence gathering ship.”
“As part of our daily operations, we track all vessels in the Pacific area through surface and air assets and joint agency capabilities,” Cmdr. Dave Milne, the Coast Guard’s chief of external affairs, said in a statement.
While foreign military vessels are permitted to transit freely through the United States’ economic exclusive zone (EEZ) in accordance with customary international law…(READ MORE)
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SCOTUS Inquiry Fails to Identify Source of Dobbs Leak | | |
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… a search of phones, computers, and browser histories led nowhere, according to the report.
Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
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After a lengthy investigation, the Supreme Court appears no closer to discovering who was behind the leak of a draft decision of what became the high court’s ruling on the now-defunct Roe v. Wade decision.
Last week, as reported by FISM, it appeared the Marshall of the Court, had narrowed the field of suspects to a few potential perpetrators; however, per the final report, no one ever emerged as a definitive suspect.
“[The investigation] team has to date been unable to identify a person responsible by a preponderance…(READ MORE)
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Activity Breaks During Work Day May Improve Overall Health | |
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The researchers measured blood pressure and blood sugar during each phase of the study, finding that five minutes of walking for every 30 minutes of sitting yielded the best results.
Lauren Dempsey, FISM News
MS in Biomedicine and Law, RN
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Sitting for too long is associated with an increased risk for health issues, however, recent research shows breaking up prolonged sitting with brief periods of physical activities can improve overall health and mitigate some of the harms of a sedentary lifestyle.
A new study, which was published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, found that blood pressure and blood sugar levels were lower in individuals who walked for five minutes every half hour when compared to those who sat continuously. The researchers also found that walking for one minute every hour helped with blood pressure, but not…(READ HERE)
SEE ALSO: Study shows moderate exercise is more enjoyable and highly beneficial
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FBI Announces $25k Reward for Info on Violent Pregnancy Center Attacks | | |
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CatholicVote, a non-profit pro-life organization, has so far identified at least 78 attacks on pregnancy care centers and offices since May 2022
Chris Lange, FISM News
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Thursday that it is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrators of multiple violent attacks on pregnancy help and pro-life centers after dragging its feet for more than eight months.
In November, FISM News reported that the FBI had offered the same reward specifically for information about those who firebombed and vandalized the CompassCare clinic in upstate New York on June 7. Earlier this month, CompassCare announced it had hired private investigators because the FBI investigation was getting nowhere.
The latest announcement comes amid growing public outrage over the Bureau’s failure to aggressively investigate…(READ MORE)
SEE ALSO: March for Life marks 50th anniversary amidst hostile attacks on pro-life organizations
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On Taxing and Spending, Biden Responds to GOP with Veto Promises | |
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It cannot go unnoticed that the president’s volatile uptick in rhetoric coincides with Republicans digging in on the debt ceiling.
Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
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In a move, equal parts practical and rhetorical, President Joe Biden has begun the arduous task of trying to force Republicans to bend on the matter of raising the debt ceiling.
Biden, who started the new year by calling for more bipartisanship, has apparently dropped the carrot and will now just use a stick to, he hopes, verbally badger conservatives into raising the debt…(READ MORE)
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Pentagon ‘Not Pursuing’ Back Pay for Troops Fired over COVID Vaccine | | |
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It’s estimated more than 8,400 troops were forced out of the military for refusing the vaccine.
Samuel Case, FISM News
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The Pentagon says it is not considering back pay for discharged military members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine, now that the mandate has been lifted.
“Right now, we are not pursuing, as a matter of policy, back pay for those who refused the vaccine,” Pentagon Press Secretary, Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in a press briefing.
One reporter asked Ryder to speak to another spokesman’s comments, who said “Regarding the back-pay, the department is still exploring this and will provide its views on legislation [of] this nature at the appropriate time and…(READ MORE)
SEE ALSO: Majority of active duty military have ‘witnessed politicization’ within the ranks – poll
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Watch Financial Issues Live & Much More on our New FISM App | | |
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UPDATE: In the "Listen Live" section of the App, You can now listen live and navigate to other areas of the app and throughout your phone.)
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Download Our New FISM App
Our new app was designed to offer more content and provide functionality and accessibility. Hopefully as we add aspects to it and continue to improve it, it will achieve this for all of you.
We realize there may be some wrinkles to iron out. So, when you open the app and select the FISMTV box at the top, you will see a tab below for APP HELP. There you will find FAQs and Tips & Tricks for using the app. (Learn more below.)
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Please CLICK HERE or on the banner above to support us on this journey as we continue to grow. Every gift -- no matter the size -- is needed and appreciated.
We pray that God continues to bless you as you help us to be a blessing to others.
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Now Watch Financial Issues LIVE every weekday morning! | |
Listen live and call in ON AIR to 610-363-1110 with your questions for Shana every Monday-Friday between 8AM and 9AM CT. You can also now "chat" with Shana during the program using the WATCH LIVE link under the SHOW tab on our website.
Download the free FISM app from your Apple or Android store.
Listen to Live Streaming HERE.
Watch Live Streaming HERE.
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Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries, PO Box 270, Exton, PA 19341
www.financialissues.org / www.fism.tv
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The FISM (Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries) is the home of the program Financial Issues which focuses on financial headlines, investing, politics and encourages people to be thoughtful stewards of the money God has entrusted to them. Financial Issues is a live call-in radio and TV program heard and watched internationally. | |
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Confidentiality:This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is confidential in nature. Any distribution, copying or disclosure of this material by any individual or entity other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries immediately and delete this message.
Disclaimer: The information and data provided in this communication is meant for informational purposes only. It is the option of an individual and should not be regarded as an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation of any security, or as an offer to provide financial planning or investment advice. You should consult with your Financial Planner, Adviser and your Tax Account to make sure of the suitability for you of any investment you make. Understand that ALL investments contain risk of loss of principal and that should always be considered before investing. The user bears the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information obtained from Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries, Daniel J. Celia, or Shana Burt of Exodus Financial Services and GA Repple. Although the information provided is obtained or compiled from sources believed to be reliable, Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries, Daniel J. Celia and Shana Burt of Exodus Financial Services and GA Repple do not guarantee the reliability, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any information or data made available to the recipient of this message for any particular purpose.
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