# 9-24-2023 - Good News Weekend: Reducing Depression, Ice Cream Heroes, & UN Ocean Treaty

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 23 Sep 2023, 14 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/181c5ba8-09ae-4195-af77-b4d700058863/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your Daily Christian news and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • A news study shows that some lifestyle changes can help stave off depressive episodes. • Some legal heroes fight for the right to repair ice cream machines • We revisit our favorite good news story of the week Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Dear Lord, what an incredible promise this is. And our
[0:09] Speaker 1: moments of doubt, fatigue, or fear remind us that our
[0:12] Speaker 1: strength does not come from ourselves, but from you, our
[0:16] Speaker 1: ever-present help and sustainer. Whether facing challenges at work, in
[0:20] Speaker 1: our relationships, or our personal struggles, may we lean into you,
[0:24] Speaker 1: knowing that with your strength we can overcome, we can endure,
[0:28] Speaker 1: and we will triumph in your victory alone. We declare
[0:32] Speaker 1: trust in you today, not trust in our own abilities
[0:35] Speaker 1: or successes, but in your unending grace. When we become
[0:39] Speaker 1: arrogant or boast in our own strength, remind us that
[0:42] Speaker 1: your spirit is what truly breaks down barriers. Thank you, Lord,
[0:46] Speaker 1: for this assurance and for the constant presence of your Son,
[0:49] Speaker 1: our source of strength, hope, and victory. It's in his name, Jesus,
[0:54] Speaker 1: that we pray. Amen. Welcome to Prey News, where hope
[0:59] Speaker 1: is our only bias. Today's good news at a glance.
[1:02] Speaker 1: A new study shows that some lifestyle changes can help
[1:05] Speaker 1: stave off depressive episodes. Some legal heroes fight for the
[1:08] Speaker 1: right to repair ice cream machines. And we revisit our
[1:12] Speaker 1: favorite good news story of the week. It's Good News Weekend.
[1:15] Speaker 1: That means we are taking time to highlight some heartwarming
[1:18] Speaker 1: and lighthearted stories. It's not that we want to bury
[1:20] Speaker 1: our heads in the sand and ignore all the negative
[1:23] Speaker 1: things in life. We can't ignore the real world. However,
[1:26] Speaker 1: it's good for our hearts and our minds to occasionally
[1:28] Speaker 1: focus just on the positive. We're glad you're here. We
[1:32] Speaker 1: pray this news leaves you informed and transformed. If you've
[1:35] Speaker 1: enjoyed this take on the news, consider giving us a
[1:37] Speaker 1: follow and subscribe. That way you never have to miss
[1:40] Speaker 1: an episode. Before we get into today's first story, let's
[1:44] Speaker 1: hear a word from these sponsors. Depression affects millions worldwide
[1:48] Speaker 1: and has long been considered a complex mental health issue,
[1:51] Speaker 1: requiring a multi-pronged approach to manage. A recent study suggests
[1:55] Speaker 1: that adopting specific daily habits could cut the risk of
[1:58] Speaker 1: depression by nearly half. Here, we will explore seven habits
[2:02] Speaker 1: and discuss the significance of mental health in our relationships
[2:05] Speaker 1: and spiritual lives. The first habit that this study explores
[2:08] Speaker 1: is the power of rest. The study emphasizes the importance
[2:11] Speaker 1: of a good night's sleep, which alone can reduce the
[2:14] Speaker 1: risk of depression by 22%. Sleep is not merely a
[2:17] Speaker 1: passive process, but actively restores our physical and mental well-being.
[2:22] Speaker 1: The role of rest is even supported biblically. as God
[2:24] Speaker 1: rested on the seventh day, setting an example for humanity
[2:27] Speaker 1: to find time to relax, release tension, and rest in
[2:30] Speaker 1: the goodness of God. The second habit is exercise as
[2:33] Speaker 1: a mood booster. Physical activity has shown to have significant
[2:37] Speaker 1: and lasting effects on improving moods. The Stanford Lifestyle Medicine
[2:41] Speaker 1: Program states that exercise has a more durable effect than antidepressants,
[2:45] Speaker 1: promoting long-term mental well-being. This finding resonates with the biblical
[2:49] Speaker 1: encouragement to treat our bodies as temples, as seen in
[2:52] Speaker 1: 1 Corinthians 6, 19. The third habit is nutrition. Eating
[2:56] Speaker 1: a balanced diet, particularly a Mediterranean or mind diet, reduces
[3:01] Speaker 1: the risk of depressive episodes. Such diets are rich in fruits, vegetables,
[3:05] Speaker 1: and lean proteins. Gluttony is an often overlooked sin, but
[3:09] Speaker 1: the Bible is clear that indulgent eating habits are bad
[3:12] Speaker 1: for our mind, body, and soul. The fourth and fifth
[3:16] Speaker 1: points are to limit alcohol and avoid smoking. Moderation in
[3:21] Speaker 1: alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking can substantially minimize depression. Both
[3:27] Speaker 1: substances can depress the central nervous system and contribute to
[3:30] Speaker 1: long-term mental health problems. This concept is in line with
[3:33] Speaker 1: the biblical caution against drunkenness or any form of self-destructing habit,
[3:37] Speaker 1: as seen in Ephesians 5.18. The sixth habit is limiting
[3:42] Speaker 1: our screen time. Less is more. The increasing hours we
[3:46] Speaker 1: spend in front of a screen can lead to both
[3:48] Speaker 1: physical and mental deterioration. The sedentary behavior is very bad,
[3:52] Speaker 1: according to the study. This resonates with the biblical perspective
[3:56] Speaker 1: that urges us to walk by faith and to be
[3:58] Speaker 1: movers and shakers in this world, and not sedentary in
[4:01] Speaker 1: our lives, physically or spiritually. The last one is social
[4:06] Speaker 1: connection and hobbies. Maintaining strong social connections and indulging in
[4:10] Speaker 1: hobbies can improve mental health and reduce depression risks. This
[4:14] Speaker 1: aligns with the Christian concept of fellowship and the importance
[4:16] Speaker 1: of community for mutual encouragement and growth, as seen in
[4:20] Speaker 1: Hebrews 10, 24-25. Lifestyle changes can be incredibly difficult, especially
[4:25] Speaker 1: when you do find yourself caught in a rut of depression.
[4:29] Speaker 1: So managing depression symptoms, it's crucial to have a supportive
[4:33] Speaker 1: environment around you to make these changes sustainable. In the
[4:36] Speaker 1: Christian community, the support often comes from the form of fellowship,
[4:39] Speaker 1: prayer from others, and spiritual mentorship. As believers, we believe
[4:43] Speaker 1: that both body and soul are interconnected. The study not
[4:47] Speaker 1: only supports a balanced, healthy lifestyle, but also resonates with
[4:50] Speaker 1: biblical principles of self-care, community, and moderation. While God's grace
[4:55] Speaker 1: is the ultimate source of our joy and peace, adopting
[4:57] Speaker 1: these seven daily habits can be a way to steward
[5:00] Speaker 1: the bodies and lives God has entrusted to us responsibly.
[5:04] Speaker 1: In conclusion, the study provides us with valuable insights into
[5:08] Speaker 1: managing our mental health, which has profound implications for our
[5:12] Speaker 1: relationships and our spiritual lives. Embracing a balanced lifestyle filled
[5:16] Speaker 1: with rest, exercise, good nutrition, and community participation is can
[5:20] Speaker 1: be a practical way to serve God and his creation better.
[5:23] Speaker 1: But we would also like to know, while lifestyle changes
[5:26] Speaker 1: can be beneficial, it's essential to consult healthcare professionals for
[5:29] Speaker 1: diagnosis and treatment options for depression or any other medical condition.
[5:34] Speaker 1: With all this being said, let's lift this story up
[5:36] Speaker 1: in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the wisdom
[5:40] Speaker 1: imparted through research and for guiding us towards healthier choices.
[5:43] Speaker 1: We pray for those battling depression, that they may find
[5:46] Speaker 1: support and strength to implement these lifestyle changes alongside professional
[5:50] Speaker 1: medical care. Help us to be good stewards of our
[5:52] Speaker 1: bodies and minds as they are gifts from you, and
[5:54] Speaker 1: guide us in creating supportive communities where mental well-being is
[5:58] Speaker 1: valued and nurtured. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. This
[6:02] Speaker 1: story is for ice cream lovers out there who, at
[6:04] Speaker 1: some point in their lives, have darkened the doors of
[6:07] Speaker 1: McDonald's and offered a groan when hearing, the ice cream
[6:10] Speaker 1: machine is broken. It's deflating, isn't it? That small treat
[6:14] Speaker 1: to brighten your day, denied. Here's some context for those
[6:18] Speaker 1: who have no idea what we're talking about here. McDonald's
[6:21] Speaker 1: ice cream machines are notorious for breaking, and have been
[6:24] Speaker 1: for a couple of decades now. The reason they can't
[6:27] Speaker 1: swap their janky machines for something more high-tech and reliable
[6:30] Speaker 1: is because they have an exclusive contract with the Taylor Company,
[6:33] Speaker 1: which also owns the rights to repair the ice cream machines,
[6:36] Speaker 1: leaving McDonald's and its customers at their mercy. But here's
[6:40] Speaker 1: a new ripple in the world of fast food frostiness,
[6:43] Speaker 1: and this one just might be the cherry on top
[6:45] Speaker 1: for all you ice cream lovers out there. The online
[6:47] Speaker 1: repair community iFixit and the DC-based nonprofit Public Knowledge are
[6:52] Speaker 1: advocating for the Freedom to Repair Act, a motion that
[6:55] Speaker 1: challenges the status quo on those capricious McFlurry contraptions at McDonald's. Why?
[7:01] Speaker 1: Because they believe ice cream should be a right, not
[7:03] Speaker 1: a privilege. You don't have to be a McGenius to
[7:06] Speaker 1: know that McDonald's ice cream machines are as reliable as
[7:09] Speaker 1: your junior high boyfriend. There's even a website devoted to
[7:13] Speaker 1: tracking down the malfunctioning McFlurry makers across the U.S., and
[7:16] Speaker 1: it was about 21% yesterday that were out of order,
[7:19] Speaker 1: if you're wondering. But this isn't just a matter of
[7:22] Speaker 1: an occasional lactose letdown. McDonald's franchisees face significant financial and
[7:27] Speaker 1: operational hurdles thanks to these pesky particulars of the moody machines.
[7:32] Speaker 1: The culprit is the long-standing exclusive contract with the Taylor Company.
[7:37] Speaker 1: Every breakdown, popping up more frequently than a gopher in
[7:39] Speaker 1: a garden, requires a Taylor technician to show up, like
[7:43] Speaker 1: a knight in shining armor, but with a $ 350 charge
[7:47] Speaker 1: for every 15 minutes of service. And if a franchisee
[7:51] Speaker 1: dares to use a non-tailored technician, say goodbye to the warranty,
[7:55] Speaker 1: just like you'd wave farewell to the melting sundae on
[7:57] Speaker 1: a hot day. According to current copyright law, no one
[8:01] Speaker 1: else is allowed to repair these freezy wonders. But iFixit
[8:05] Speaker 1: and Public Knowledge argue that this monopoly on repairs contravenes
[8:09] Speaker 1: the consumer's right to fix their own belongings. They're not
[8:12] Speaker 1: only seeking an exemption to current copyright laws, but also
[8:16] Speaker 1: pushing for a revival of the 2022 Freedom to Repair Act.
[8:20] Speaker 1: This bill aims to protect all repair exemptions and the
[8:23] Speaker 1: distribution of independently made repair devices. Right to repair isn't
[8:27] Speaker 1: just a McDonald's issue. It's gaining ground in other tech
[8:30] Speaker 1: spaces too. Even Apple, the epitome of exclusive repair policies,
[8:34] Speaker 1: has loosened its grip recently, allowing customers to order self-service
[8:38] Speaker 1: repair kits. So what does this mean for ice cream
[8:40] Speaker 1: lovers and the spirit of creamy capitalism? It's actually good news.
[8:44] Speaker 1: If the Freedom to Repair Act passes, McDonald's might be
[8:48] Speaker 1: the start of a ripple effect and the first in
[8:50] Speaker 1: a series of chocolate-flavored dominoes, leading to a future where
[8:53] Speaker 1: our ice cream machines and tech gadgets are more easily fixable. Honestly,
[8:58] Speaker 1: this story isn't just about ice cream machines. It's about
[9:00] Speaker 1: challenging monopolies and empowering both consumers and business owners. So
[9:05] Speaker 1: next time you hear, sorry, the ice cream machine is broken,
[9:08] Speaker 1: Remember that there are some crusaders out there, spoons at
[9:11] Speaker 1: the ready, working to make sure that your soft-serve dreams
[9:14] Speaker 1: don't melt away. It might seem silly, but we're going
[9:18] Speaker 1: to lift this story up in prayer. Dear Lord, thank
[9:20] Speaker 1: you for the simple joys in life like ice cream
[9:23] Speaker 1: and the innovations that allow us to enjoy such treats.
[9:25] Speaker 1: We pray for the wisdom and fairness in business practices
[9:28] Speaker 1: and for the success of initiatives that empower consumers and
[9:31] Speaker 1: small business owners to have greater control over their equipment
[9:34] Speaker 1: and their lives. May we all work towards a world
[9:37] Speaker 1: where justice, access, and a little bit of sweetness are
[9:40] Speaker 1: available to all. We love you, Lord. Thanks for listening
[9:43] Speaker 1: to us even in these possibly absurd prayers. In Jesus' name, amen.
[9:49] Speaker 1: Our last story of today is a good news story
[9:51] Speaker 1: from earlier last week. Ah, the ocean. The vast, beautiful
[9:56] Speaker 1: expanse of water that covers about 70% of the earth's
[9:58] Speaker 1: surface and produces at least half of the world's oxygen.
[10:02] Speaker 1: It's a world unto itself, a mysterious realm of underwater
[10:06] Speaker 1: wonders and underwater woes. From the coral reefs to the
[10:10] Speaker 1: wide open seas, our oceans are increasingly under threat. On Wednesday,
[10:14] Speaker 1: the annual United Nations General Assembly is set to become
[10:18] Speaker 1: a signing frenzy. At least 60 countries are expected to
[10:21] Speaker 1: ink an agreement on a new UN treaty designed to
[10:24] Speaker 1: protect the world's oceans. Agreed upon last March and formally
[10:29] Speaker 1: adopted by the United Nations in June, the treaty focuses
[10:32] Speaker 1: on conserving biodiversity and aims for the target of 30
[10:36] Speaker 1: by 30. That's right, protecting 30% of the Earth's land
[10:40] Speaker 1: and sea by 2030. It's an ambitious plan that advocates
[10:44] Speaker 1: argue is crucial for reversing the damage done by overfishing
[10:47] Speaker 1: and other environmental hazards. Mads Christensen, the interim executive director
[10:52] Speaker 1: of Greenpeace International, has described the event as a powerful signal. Yet,
[10:58] Speaker 1: he also points out that it's a purely symbolic moment.
[11:01] Speaker 1: Ratification on a national level is the real hurdle to jump.
[11:05] Speaker 1: Signing is easy, implementing is hard. As Christians, we often
[11:08] Speaker 1: face the same dilemma. Knowing what's right is one thing,
[11:11] Speaker 1: but doing what's right is another thing entirely. The International
[11:15] Speaker 1: Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates a cool $ 500
[11:19] Speaker 1: million will be needed just to kickstart the treaty. An
[11:22] Speaker 1: additional special fund could require another $ 100 million annually. According
[11:27] Speaker 1: to Jessica Battle, an ocean expert with the Worldwide Fund
[11:30] Speaker 1: of Nature, the oceans are not in the business of waiting.
[11:33] Speaker 1: There's a deadline to meet if the 30x30 target is
[11:37] Speaker 1: to be hit. And that deadline is 2025. Given that
[11:41] Speaker 1: threats to the ocean's environment have been escalating, thanks to overfishing,
[11:45] Speaker 1: rising temperatures, and even the potential for ocean bed mining
[11:48] Speaker 1: and geoengineering, it seems like there's no time to waste.
[11:52] Speaker 1: The Bible reminds us that the earth is the loss,
[11:55] Speaker 1: and everything in it. Taking care of this beautiful planet,
[11:58] Speaker 1: which includes its oceans, is not just a global responsibility,
[12:01] Speaker 1: it's a divine mandate. In the book of Genesis, God
[12:04] Speaker 1: gave humanity dominion over the fish of the sea and
[12:07] Speaker 1: every living creature that moves on the earth. That dominion
[12:10] Speaker 1: wasn't a blank check for exploitation, but rather a call
[12:13] Speaker 1: to stewardship. Christians should cheer for endeavors like the UN
[12:17] Speaker 1: Ocean Treaty because it aligns with our core belief in stewardship.
[12:21] Speaker 1: It's not just about saving the whales or the coral reefs,
[12:24] Speaker 1: it's about respecting and preserving God's creation. A balanced approach
[12:28] Speaker 1: is key. Conservation should not come at the expense of
[12:31] Speaker 1: human needs, obviously, but human activities should not decimate the
[12:34] Speaker 1: planet either. So as the ink dries on these treaties,
[12:38] Speaker 1: let's pray that they would lead to substantial action. With
[12:41] Speaker 1: all this being said, let's lift the story up in prayer.
[12:43] Speaker 1: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beauty and majesty
[12:46] Speaker 1: of your creation, particularly the oceans that sustain life here
[12:50] Speaker 1: on earth. We pray for wisdom and urgency for all
[12:52] Speaker 1: nations and individuals involved in the UN Ocean Treaty. Grant
[12:56] Speaker 1: them the conviction to move from symbolic gestures to substantive action,
[13:00] Speaker 1: aligning with the divine mandate to be stewards of the earth.
[13:04] Speaker 1: May we all strive to preserve and protect your creation,
[13:07] Speaker 1: recognizing that faith without works is lifeless. In Jesus' name
[13:10] Speaker 1: we pray. Amen. Thank you for joining us today on
[13:13] Speaker 1: Pray News. It is our aim to be informed and transformed.
[13:16] Speaker 1: We pray today you would proceed with hope, love, and
[13:18] Speaker 1: determination to be a force for good. If you've enjoyed
[13:20] Speaker 1: this take on the news, consider writing us a review
[13:22] Speaker 1: and share your experience. You can sign up for a
[13:25] Speaker 1: newsletter at PrayNews.com. There you will find sources to all
[13:28] Speaker 1: of our recordings. And be sure to download the Pray.com
[13:30] Speaker 1: app to make prayer a priority in your life and
[13:32] Speaker 1: experience the Bible in new and exciting ways. God bless.

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