Kill Me Now

Kill Me Now
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Managing Editor

If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now -- if I have found favor in your eyes -- and do not let me face my own ruin."
Numbers 11:15 

...while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die."I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
1 Kings 19:4 

Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.
Jonah 4:3 

Movie Review - Red Sparrow

Best for Quality of Life

This State Was Just Ranked Best for Quality of Life

It may surprise you

JAMIE DUCHARME

North Dakotans are living the good life, according to a new report from U.S. News & World Report.

11 Fall ill at Military Base

11 Fall Ill at Military Base After Suspicious Envelope Is Opened

Symptoms included burning sensations and a nose bleed.

By Kyle Mizokami

 GETTY IMAGES

A suspicious envelope sent to a military base in Virginia sent three people to the hospital and caused eight more to fall ill. The envelope contained an “unknown substance” and a ranting letter addressed to a commanding officer at the base. Who sent the letter and why it was sent is a mystery.

AI Generating Videos

AI Algorithms Are Generating Videos Out of Thin Air

All it takes is a few words for a prompt.

By David Grossman
GETTY IMAGESPETER DENCH

Artificial intelligence is getting better and better at creating generative images, and now scientists are working at generative video. The idea is that simply by typing out a phrase, artificial intelligence could create a video of that scene. Scientists at Duke and Princeton have created a working model.

Standing Desks

Standing desks may lead to back pain, brain drain 

BY JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Standing desks, compared to conventional office seating, have been lauded for easing back pain, boosting alertness and helping people to lose weight.

But new research suggests that using standing desks may actually not be as good for you as previously believed. A small but provocative study suggests that standing at a desk for a prolonged period of time can lead to “significant” discomfort and mental sluggishness.

Papa John's Drops NFL Sponsorship

Papa John's Drops NFL Sponsorship

Last year, CEO blamed anthem protests for poor sales

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Papa John’s founder and CEO John Schnatter attends a meeting in Louisville, Ky. 
(AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

(NEWSER) – The NFL is now lacking an "official pizza." Papa John's has announced that it is cutting ties with the league, ending a sponsorship deal that began in 2010, CNN reports. Steve Ritchie, the pizza chain's new CEO, says the company will now focus on deals with star players and 22 individual teams instead of a broader sponsorship deal. "While the NFL remains an important channel for us we have determined that there are better ways to reach and activate this audience," he told investors Tuesday, per CNBC. He said the NFL and Papa John's are parting ways by mutual agreement.

Amid slumping sales, stock in Papa John's is down by more than a third since last summer. It sank another 3.9% after Ritchie's announcement. In November, founder "Papa" John Schnatter claimed that NFL anthem protests were the reason for falling pizza sales and urged NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to force all players to stand for the anthem. "Leadership starts at the top, and this is an example of poor leadership," he said. The company later apologized for his remarks and Schnatter resigned as CEO the following month.

Finance News

Macy's ended last year on a high note and takes that momentum into 2018

• Macy's aims to return to same-store sales growth this year.
• CEO Jeff Gennette says same-store sales were up 3 percent in January.
• The department store chain is betting its off-price Backstage banner will also help boost comps.

Lauren Thomas | Courtney Reagan

Getty Images
Jeff Gennette, CEO of Macy's.

Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette is determined the retailer will return to same-store sales growth this year, coming off a strong end to 2017.

NOAA's Newest Weather Satellite

NOAA's Newest Weather Satellite Is Headed to Space This Week

NOAA's GOES-S satellite will cover the Western U.S. and Pacific Ocean and provide high-resolution data to meteorologists.

By Avery Thompson

 LOCKHEED MARTIN

Weather is complicated and ever-changing, and in order to predict what it will look like our scientists are going to need the best tools. Especially in recent years, when climate change has triggered all kinds of strange and severe weather events, which makes those climate prediction harder and the tools more essential.

Nor'easter a 'Life & Death' Situation

Nor'easter a 'life and death' situation with high winds for almost all of East Coast

Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

Whether you call it a "snow hurricane" or "bombogenesis," this storm packs a punch worthy of its namesake. USA TODAY


(Photo: James Quigg, AP)

March will roar in like a lion in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Friday and Saturday as a potent storm delivers a ferocious mix of howling winds, drenching rain, heavy snow and powerful waves.

Entertainment News

Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines announce new HGTV series

NICK ROMANO

Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new Fixer Upper-based series coming to HGTV. Called Fixer Upper: Behind the Design, the half-hour-long companion project will give fans a peek behind the stars’ design process as they execute overhauls.

Restoring Relationships

Restoring Relationships: First Talk to God

Restoring Relationships: First Talk to God
By Rick Warren

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? . . . You desire but you do not have . . . You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:1-2 NIV).

The first biblical step toward restoring a relationship is to talk to God before talking to the person.

Honoring Your Parents

Honoring Your Parents

By Touching Lives 

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

There was once a mother who had become quite old. She was infirmed and couldn’t get around very well. She had to move in with her son’s family. Things weren’t working out too well, because the mother was forgetful and she didn’t always put things away. She wasn’t all that neat and had a tendency to drop things. The son and especially his wife were kind of neat-freaks. One night at dinner while they were passing her plate full of food, she dropped it and broke it. Not only did food go all over the floor, but the daughter-in-law was outraged, because this was a plate from the finest China set she owned. After dinner, the wife told her husband to walk down to the store and buy a tin plate (one that wouldn’t break). When he asked what it was for, she told him it was going to be used by his mother from now on so she wouldn’t break any more of her fine China. When the husband got back, his wife discovered he had bought two tin plates. She said, “Why did you buy two?” He said, “The other plate is for you – when you get old.”

There is one thing all of us have in common. We all have, or have had, parents. Jesus was no exception, and He died fulfilling the Fifth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother. You are never too old to honor your parents; and your parents are never too old to be honored. If Jesus could honor His Mother while He was dying on the cross, how much more should we honor our parents while we are living? The older our parents get, the more determined we should be to love them and look after them. We should care for them more compassionately as they age because parents are never a burden – they are a blessing.

Are your parents still living? How is your relationship with them? Do you make room in your schedule for them? When you were young they likely served you and met every need you had. Are you returning the favor? If I were to ask your parents, “Do you feel honored by your son or daughter?” How would they respond? Make sure they always know how much you love and respect them. God will honor you if you will honor your parents.

Potholes

Potholes
Anna Kuta, Crosswalk.Com Contributor

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5b

I was driving home late the other night, rolling down the winding, two-lane country road I’ve been down so many thousands of times I could probably drive it in my sleep. I had the radio turned up and one hand on the wheel, and then — CLUNK! Before I knew what was happening, my front right tire thudded through a gigantic pothole that came out of nowhere. The whole car jolted and I just knew a noise like that had to have done some damage.

Fri Inspiration

Morning devotional from Dr. James Merritt:

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

More frequently than ever in our culture we hear the term “broken home.” Fifty years ago, nearly 80% of children lived under one roof with both parents in their first marriage. In the latest study by the Pew Research Center in 2014, that number has dropped to 46%. The declining share of the “traditional” family has led to family structures that often evolve through the life of a child. One study found that over a three-year period, 31% of children under age 6 had experienced a major change in family structure, in the form of parental divorce, separation, marriage, cohabitation or death.