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WWW.AGRM.ORGMAYJUNE 2016 57 DAY-TO-DAY HOW TO CAPTURE ATTENTION Great communication is vital and we live in an age where communication has been transformed in mind-spinning ways. At the same time the fundamentals of effective and successful communication remain the same. Whether were email- ing texting posting or blogging if we dont have credibility if we generate inappropriate emotions and if our logic is flawed no one will pay attention to us. Exceptionally Human Successful Communica- tion in a Distracted World Shapiro Communica- tions by Brian Shapiro offers practi- cal skills and tips for any- one who wants to be paid attention to particularly in a world where attention spans are in short supply. IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL No one said pursuing justice would be easy. The road can be so challenging and the destination so distant that you may be discour- aged by a lack of progress compassion or commit- ment in your quest for justice. How do you stay committed to the journey when Gods Kingdom can seem so slow in com- ing Kent Annan understands this struggle of working for justice over the long haul. In Slow Kingdom Com- ing Practices for Doing Justice Loving Mercy and Walking Humbly in the World IVP Books he shares practices that will encourage and help you to keep making a difference in the face of the worlds challenging issues. THE POWER OF PRAYING TOGETHER Nearly all Christians would affirm the centrality of prayer for a healthy Christian life. And yet for many prayer is often a challenge requiring intense personal commitment and self-discipline. However as Megan Hill points out in Praying Together The Priority and Privilege of Prayer Crossway our normal approach to prayer leaves out a crucial component other people. While per- sonal prayer is important God designed the church to be a community of believers that regularly prays together. Exploring the Bibles rich teaching on what it means to gather at Gods throne with one voice Hill lays a foundation for corporate prayer and offers practical guidance for making it a reality. PROFILE OF A THRIFT SHOPPER Thrift stores are more popular than ever. Here are the types of customers driving that trend The average thrift shopper is a lower- to middle-income woman between the ages of 35 and 55. She is primarily seeking clothing for herself and her family as well as household and decorative goods. The recent recession brought many new consumers to secondhand stores. Job losses and wage cuts brought middle-class families to thrift stores instead of big-box locations to look for items they needed. The DIY movement has people flocking to thrift stores in search of clothing to upcycle or turn into costumes craft goods for home projects and furniture they can refinish. The popularity of the industrial and vintage looks in home dcor and the steampunk or retro looks for clothing is also driving demand for items available in resale shops. Source The Cascade Alliance A TERRIBLE TREND Since 20072008 a year that marked the beginning of a housing and job market crash from which the U.S. continues to recover student homeless numbers doubled nationwide to reach 1.4 million in 2014 an all-time high. Source Atlanta Daily World