7.7 and 8.8

Skilled Vacancies in OZ and the Dow

 

Skilled vacancies in Australia - down 7.7 per cent in January 2009:  one of the projects that I manage is a monthly Vacancy Report that includes data on skilled vacancies, based on a count of newspaper advertisements across Australia.  The latest data, released on Wednesday 28 January 2009, ‘hit the bullseye’ with a 7.7 per cent fall - more than a coincidence!  In more than 25 years (300+ monthly changes there is no other 7.7 per cent figure).   The economic slide in Australia is causing angst, and very few are aware that an invisible hand is guiding the economies of the world (see a short version of my 14 October 2008 letter below).  Without going into too much detail, such a large monthly change in our vacancy series is unusual - the two largest monthly falls in the past 25 years were in November/December 2008!  The downward acceleration is quite startling - skilled vacancies have lost more than a third of their value in just six months!  Interesting too that I had one of those 2-3-4 experiences - it has been very hot in Australia (43 degrees or above for three days consecutive days in Melbourne, and hot in Canberra too).   A few days ago I struggled up during the night and the microwave clock was signalling 2.34!

 

Dow falls by 8.8 per cent in January:  once again the Dow has shown interesting trends, falling by 1.8 per cent on Friday 30 January to 8000.86!  And the fall for the month of January of 8.8 per cent is the largest January fall on record.  Even the S&P has lots of 8s - finished at 825.88 and also a worst January on record).  His invisible hand is becoming more visible in the ‘affairs of men’.  One other matter of interest - Ben Graham who used to play for the Australian Rules team I support (quite strongly!) - Geelong - will be the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl final (for the Cardinals).   Maranatha      

 

The Invisible Hand (14 October 2008) - truncated

The Invisible Hand was made famous by the economist Adam Smith, including in his book The Wealth of Nations.  The principle referred to is the natural force that guides free market capitalism through competition for scarce resources.  There is an invisible hand that is powerfully at work in the world, and Isaiah 41: 4, 5 says it well:  Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord--the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God]

Where is God’s Hand leading - to the true wealth of nations - the untold, immeasurable riches that are in Christ Jesus!  His (detailed) plans and purposes for the nations are written in His Word - and the veil is beginning to be torn away so that the Unveiling of His end-time purposes is revealed.   His invisible Hand is becoming more visible!  His (777) signature is being written on daily stock market trends - the Dow fall of 777.68 (rounded to 777.7) on the eve of Rosh Hashanah took my breath away!