Washington Irving wrote, “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief…and unspeakable love.
I love this scripture on crying………I find myself weeping many times a day…….MANY TIMES! It is good for the soul……..weeping also means joy! Amen!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
From WalletHub:
Today’s unemployment numbers show that roughly 26.5 million Americans have lost their jobs since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, completely wiping out the 22.7 million new jobs created since the Great Recession and adding another somber milestone to the economic toll this novel virus has taken on the U.S. Not all areas of the country have suffered equally, however, as you can see from WalletHub’s updated rankings for the States with the Biggest Increases in Unemployment Due to Coronavirus, released today, along with accompanying videos.
To identify which states’ workforces have been hurt most by COVID-19, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on increases in unemployment claims. We used this data to rank the most impacted states in both the latest week for which we have data (April 13) and overall since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis (March 16). Below, you can see highlights from the report, along with a WalletHub Q&A.
| Most Affected States Last Week | Least Affected States Last Week |
| 1. Florida | 42. New Jersey |
| 2. Louisiana | 43. Illinois |
| 3. West Virginia | 44. Montana |
| 4. Kentucky | 45. Idaho |
| 5. Mississippi | 46. Wisconsin |
| 6. Georgia | 47. Vermont |
| 7. North Carolina | 48. Massachusetts |
| 8. New Hampshire | 49. Wyoming |
| 9. Virginia | 50. Oregon |
| 10. Colorado | 51. Rhode Island |
To see the states most impacted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-biggest-increase-in-unemployment-due-to-coronavirus/72730/
WalletHub Q&A
How will the unemployment rate change once the COVID-19 pandemic ends?
“Until we have a vaccine for COVID-19, we will not see employment levels similar to the beginning of the year. Once businesses start to open, we will see the unemployment rate stabilize and then slowly start decreasing. The economic stress put on businesses by the coronavirus crisis may prevent them from having the resources to do much hiring at the start,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “Some industries’ hiring will bounce back sooner than others; for example, restaurants that are reopening will need to hire serving staff again after laying off or furloughing them during the switch to takeout-only meals.”
How do red states and blue states compare when it comes to increases in unemployment?
“With an average rank of 22 among the most affected states, red states suffered a higher increase in unemployment during the coronavirus outbreak than blue states, which rank 32 on average,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “The lower the number, the higher the increase in initial unemployment claims that state received during the coronavirus pandemic.”
The state with the current largest number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is New York. How has New York’s unemployment rate been affected?
“New York has seen a 357% increase in initial unemployment claims from the beginning of 2020 to the week of April 13,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. “This is better than the average increase of 1,544%.”
What can states do in order to minimize the rise in their unemployment rates?
“States should aggressively focus on helping the companies in the most need. The federal response will include sending checks to most citizens, even those whose income has not been affected by the coronavirus. States can use a more targeted approach to divert resources to the companies affected the most, thus having maximum impact for the money spent,” said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst.
Virus pushes US unemployment toward highest since Depression
More From the FGGAM NEWS CENTER:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Most states continue to explore when and how to restart their economies. The National Governors Association released a 10-point plan to guide state officials, while suggesting a lack of tests, medical supplies, and properly trained staff were chokepoints in wide-scale reopening.
The US has reported 842,000 cases, with 46,785 deaths, as of this morning. About 8 in 10 who get /COVID-19 will have only a mild illness. The overall recovery rate is between 97 and 99.75%.
26 million have sought US jobless aid since virus hit
With New Mexico’s COVID-19 rates showing signs of flattening and testing capacity increasing, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said that state officials can begin gradually easing up on business restrictions. NM Governor Extends ‘Stay at Home’
The talked about Hospital bed shortage is no longer. Report Here
Antibody test Coming to New Mexico. Antibody Testing
John 16:33
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Overall, 41.79% responded that they drink while on the clock and working from home.
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North Carolina had the highest percentage answering with Yes, with 47.7%. Following closely behind were Oregon (47.58%), Connecticut (47.41%), Colorado (46.93%), and Washington (46.3%).
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Arkansas had the lowest percentage answering with Yes, with 28.85%. Following closely behind were New Jersey (32.94%), Virginia (35.47%), Michigan (37.83%), and Missouri (37.96%).
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Advertising and marketing agency employees had the highest percentage of employees answering with Yes, with 49.14%.
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More locally, 38.98% of New Mexico employees responded with Yes.(The data for each state can be found HERE)
COVID-19: New Poll Reveals Almost Two Thirds of Churches See Drop in Giving
More than six out of 10 churches see offerings decline to varying degrees in lockdown; National Association
of Evangelicals to share ‘Bless Your Pastor’ campaign to assist pastors and church staff
A new “State of the Plate” poll involving more than 1,000 churches across all 50 states shows that more than six out of 10 churches have seen a decline in offerings since the coronavirus outbreak began.
The news comes as the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) — a national organization serving 40 denominations and representing 45,000 churches — prepares to launch its annual Bless Your Pastor campaign, encouraging congregations to “show and share God’s love” for pastors and church staff.
Conducted April 8–20, 2020, the State of the Plate constituency-based survey of leaders from over 1,000 churches revealed 65 percent have seen giving decrease since mid-March as churches stopped holding in-person services.
“For pastors and church staff, there will be difficult days ahead as more church families are laid off or experience reduced incomes,” said Brian Kluth, who originally launched the State of the Plate research following the 2008 financial crisis. Kluth is also the national spokesperson for Bless Your Pastor.
The State of the Plate poll, organized by Kluth with the participation of organizations such as Christianity Today’s Church Law & Tax and NAE Financial Health, revealed:
- 34 percent of churches reported giving had fallen by 10-20+ percent
- 22 percent reported a decline of 30-50+ percent
- 9 percent said they’d seen a drop of 75 percent or more in their church offerings
- 27 percent churches reported that offerings were steady, and 8 percent reported giving had increased
Giving decreases in churches will likely lead to tighter church staffing budgets. The NAE’s Bless Your Pastor movement (BlessYourPastor.org) equips congregations to show appreciation for their pastors and church staff in creative ways.
Churches are encouraged to share “50 Creative Ways to Bless Your Pastor” — a list of practical ways to show pastors and church staff that they’re appreciated. Churches participating in the campaign will be able to request a grant-funded $250 Amazon gift card for their senior pastor.
Kluth said, “Having been a pastor myself, with three children and a wife who needed major medical treatments, I understand the financial struggle so many pastors and their families face and the tremendous difference it makes when a congregation shows their pastor they are there for them all the way.”
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About National Association of Evangelicals:
Founded in 1942, the mission of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is to honor God by connecting and representing evangelical Christians. The NAE includes more than 45,000 churches from 40 denominations and serves a constituency of millions.
From Yesterday:
How can God be happy with us here in New Mexico that will continue to kill His babies? I am just completely stunned that abortions continue in New Mexico while many, many businesses are closed during this pandemic! I can’t get a haircut, but abortions still take place.What a horrific message that sends. Governor Lujan Grisham in the love of Jesus, you have the power to end the killing of babies, you have the power to close those clinics at this time! I ask you in the love of Jesus, please. I first met you years ago when you visited the ARC of New Mexico “White Hat” Award Ceremony, which was given to Heather Wilson. You cared enough to come visit with all of us at the ARC of NM. (I was on the Board of Directors at that time) You saw how the clients of the ARC had overcome many disabilities in their life. They were given life by God and their Mother. Please give all the babies the opportunity we all have, the gift of life. I would welcome to visit with you on this and other matters. Please contact me at pastordewey@fggam.org Please help God’s babies.
Governor, you have been very aggressive in fighting the pandemic, saying every life counts, Thank you for that, but why do you not put that same aggressiveness into ending abortion in our state?
President Ronald Reagan — ‘I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.’
It has been my contention for several years that the American society has lost its moral compass. The Church has failed to preach the Ten Commandments, many do not post them in the Church anymore. Many Preachers no longer preach them! So very tragic. Billy Graham wrote: God sets forth in the Bible His spiritual laws for all people. The Ten Commandments are just as valid today as they were when God gave them. They reflect the moral character of God, and they also provide the foundation of right living with others. Christians complain about the morals of our society, but are we doing with God’s Ten Commandments?
I preach it, have them posted in my office….I try to live by them. What are we teaching our young people? Feel good stuff? Tickle the ears? Read the entire book, there are ramifications of sinful behavior.
Tribune Content Agency
Should we fight for keeping the Ten Commandments as monuments?Apr 23, 2020 |
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| From the writings of the Rev. Billy GrahamQ: We have become a secular society yet there are those who continue to fight for keeping the Ten Commandments as monuments. It seems such a contradiction, doesn’t it? – T.C.A: Breaking the Ten Commandments is nothing new; however, there was a day when American society respected God’s law by posting it as a reminder to people that God is watching. Not only do men and women continue to break His commandments, but society glamorizes the breaking of His law! From remembering the Sabbath as holy to honoring parents, it appears there has been a concerted effort to deliberately breach each commandment. Not only that, but there seems to be a deliberate attempt to make it attractive.
It would be good to hang the Ten Commandments in every schoolroom in the country so that young people can know the difference between right and wrong. They don’t know the difference and we’re seeing the evidence of that throughout society every day. The Apostle James made it plain in Scripture that we are all guilty. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). God sets forth in the Bible His spiritual laws for all people. The Ten Commandments are just as valid today as they were when God gave them. They reflect the moral character of God, and they also provide the foundation of right living with others. “The work of the law [is] written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness” (Romans 2:15). We have only one authority and one compass, and that is the Word of God. ======== (This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.) (c)2020 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. |
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