Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
How do you express your gratitude?
There are many ways to express gratitude such as verbal expressions like saying “thank you” directly or offering compliments. Some use thank you cards that have a personal touch.
I prefer responding with acts of kindness such as helping someone with a task or giving a small gift. Treating someone to a meal, coffee.
What are you most worried about for the future?
I’ve worried a lot over the years and it has not added to my life in any way. It has only added stress to my life.
I have learned to trust God in all things. If I begin to worry I pray. I trust God that He will make a way. Worry is a human tendency, but I can counter that with the peace of God. The peace that conquers all understanding.
This doesn’t mean I don’t do everything that is humanly possible to rectify the situation. 
Have you ever walked into a room full of people and felt its heaviness? We are easily influenced by the mood of those around us. It is usually not something we do consciously, we might hear someone using a tone of voice, or shifting their body language, and our brain notices it. I’m sure we’ve all walked into a room and felt weird vibes, something you can’t put you finger on, but it feels uncomfortable, there is something about the energy of the room -it was off,
I’ve been known to just walk out of the room, because of the way it felt. I’ve had those days when I just didn’t want to deal with it, I’ve learned it’s my gut instinct that keeps me safe.
It’s no surprise humans mirror each other. But we are also highly attuned to subtle cues like body language, tone, and intention which means our presence can shift the vibe. If we enter with calm confidence, a warm smile, or purposeful energy others often unconsciously mirror or respond to it.
Alternatively when we have had a “bad day” we tend to give off strange vibes and people pick up on that and pick up our vibes. Its actually a normal defense mechanism.
Noticing a pattern in these situations takes a lot of practice. But when you start paying attention to people’s patterns of behavior, like how they use words when they feel upset, or their body language. It’s like a kind of taking the emotional temperature of the room. But we can positively change the thermostat. Since humans mirror each other, we can intentionally change the energy in the room, instead of letting it change how we act or feel, we can change the thermostat to a more comfortable temperature.
We can use a calm tone and open body language to find out what people are feeling. For example, nodding at the pace the other person is talking helps the other person know you are tracking with them. Leaning into someone who’s speaking, too often when are uncomfortable they unconsciously back away. This sends a message that we are uncomfortable with the situation or giving off gives you want to get out of the situation. Be intentional about your tone of voice. Getting quiet when the other person gets louder can sometimes shift the mood or even add joy to your voice can reset the temperature in the room.
Sometimes it’s not what you say but the tone you say it in. I have a very kind family member, but her tone of voice can be cold and harsh which creates a “chilly” vibe making people feel uneasy, or disengaged. Tone conveys emotions like empathy or authority. People tend to judge trustworthiness and intent based on the tone of your voice. A clear tone can energize the room to make it feel “hot” or excited, while a hesitant or sarcastic tone might dampen enthusiasm leading to a “cooler” impression. Aligning our tone with the desired temperature. Your tone of voice is a key lever for changing the vibe it the room.
Changing your tone of voice as well as body language and framing your words can align the desired mood in a room.
The Bible offers several principles for living a life of blessing and abundance, rooted in faith, obedience, generosity, and trust in God’s provision.
We can have blessings and abundance if we do these things
Trust and seek God first. prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness align us with His promises for provision and blessing. Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Put God at the center of our lives, trusting Him to meet our needs. People fight so hard every day to make ends meet, but God promises He will supply our needs if we follow and trust Him.
Obedience to God’s Word. Following God’s commands brings blessing. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 tells us, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands, blessings will come on you and accompany you.”
Obedience positions us to receive God’s favor and abundance.
Generosity and Tithing. Giving freely and faithfully invites God’s provision. This has to be the hardest command from God. Because it goes against what we think. Our brains tell us “If I give this money away, I will lack.” Many times I have given money, and received a huge blessing. One example I needed surgery on my mouth, my molars came in when I was 51 years old, and they were impacted. I have no dental insurance and the surgeon wanted cash upfront. I didn’t have it, I could not schedule the surgery. The exact amount of money came in the mail from a reimbursement I didn’t know I had come. Now that was a God thing.
Malachi 3:10 tells us, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…Test Me on this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
God’s commands are linked to promises of prosperity, protection, and favor. I’m not saying you will get “rich” if you obey God, but many blessings will come your way. God’s love is tied to joy and spiritual fulfillment.
Blessings aren’t always material or immediate, but they do bring peace, and purpose, eternal life.
What makes a teacher great?
To be a great teacher he/she has to have empathy and compassion. They have to be able to connect with students and teach honesty, forgiveness and patience.
A great teacher prepares students for life outside of the classroom. Not useless things about the 76 genders or critical race garbage that are being shoved down their throats.
They should teach students to love their country, not hate it.
Have you ever had surgery? What for?
I’ve had a few surgeries in my life. Cancer surgery, 2 cyst removal surgeries. My latest was knee replacement surgery. Knee surgery replaces the femoral, tibial, and patellar surfaces with metal and plastic components.
Dealing with the insurance was a nightmare. I am allergic to metal. It took a while to get them to pay for a replacement that contained no metal parts.
I had to find a surgeon that was experienced in handling metal allergies and dealt with a high volume of joint replacements.
I ended up having a pure titanium knee replacement, which cost nearly $200,000.
It was a rough surgery that set me back 2 years in healing. My advice is to pick the surgeon’s brain before you have this surgery. There is so much they don’t tell you. Like It’s a year of physical therapy to retrain your knee after surgery.
I definitely will not be having the other knee done. I won’t be having the other one done that’s for sure.
Sadly, my surgeon passed away at 53 years old due to a blood clot after back surgery.
Life can be a wild ride. It’s like a roller coaster with unexpected l twists and turns. Sometimes we have to embrace the chaos and enjoy the ride.
I thought I would write about something a little different today. Have you heard of the Nephilim? It was the reason God sent the flood in Genesis to destroy every living thing on earth.
The Bible references demons as spiritual beings opposed to God, often linked to Satan, who deceive, oppress, or possess people. In the Old Testament demons are less explicit but implied in reference to “evil spirits” or false gods.
Deuteronomy 32:7 and Psalm 106:37 suggest pagan sacrifices were offered to demons. In Samuel 16:14 describes an “evil spirit” tormenting Saul possibly a demon or divine judgment.
In the New Testament demons are more prominent, depicted as “fallen angels” or spirits under satan’s authority. They are intelligent malicious beings who recognize Jesus’s authority. Mark 1:24 and James 2:19 tell us they can possess humans, and cause physical or mental harm.
They exploit human weaknesses, encouraging moral and spiritual failure. Their actions highlight human vulnerability and the need for divine protection. Demons serve as a constant to God’s sovereignty. Their existence sets the stage for spiritual warfare, where God’s children resist through faith and God’s armor in Ephesians 6:10-18. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.”
The Bible doesn’t suggest God created demons for evil rather they chose rebellion. Isaiah 14:12-14 if applied to Satan tells us their purpose is self-assumed, not divinely ordained.
Matthew 8:28-34 tells us about Jesus’s encounters with two demon-possessed men in the region of Gadarenes. The demons recognized Jesus and begged to be sent into a herd of pigs. Jesus permits it, and the demons enter the pigs which then rush into the sea and drown.
The Bible doesn’t provide a formula where demons can enter us, but instead, possession seems to depend on demonic initiative and spiritual vulnerabilities. But consider that when people sin it can weaken spiritual defenses, and allow demons to enter into us. Oppression and external influence are often implied for full possession. Persistent sin and occult involvement can lead to demons coming into our lives, but this is the belief of theologians.
In Matthew 12:43-45 Jesus describes an evil Spirit leaving a person, then returning with worse spirits if the person’s life remains empty (unfilled by God’s Spirit.
The Bible implies that sin can make a person vulnerable to demonic influence or oppression by creating spiritual openings that allow demons to come in.
Whether it’s facing a difficult season, an uncomfortable situation, or a frustrating relationship in our fallen world these types of problems are all too common. And we often react to them in two predictable ways:
We worry, or we try to control.
In some ways, these are opposite reactions. Worry is mostly passive and control is mostly active yet, it’s quite possible to do both at the same time. Often we are in situations that have no solution and no end with someone who gets under our skin or completely takes us out of our comfort zone. We may not see a way out, but we can give God the space to work by creating opportunities for God’s influence and guidance in our lives. We can let Him be actively involved in our lives.
This involves trusting Him being open to His direction and actively seeking His presence through prayer, reading His Word, and fellowshipping with Him. God’s work may be subtle, and often unseen, but He operates in ways beyond our immediate understanding.
He always leaves me in awe when I see things He has done in the past when I thought He wasn’t making a way for me through a struggle when indeed His had. We can’t always see the full picture or predict the outcome. We should give God some space in our lives by allowing Him to work His way.
Giving God space to work is about creating a life that is open and receptive to His presence and influence allowing Him to move in ways that will bring purpose to our lives.
What are your daily habits?
My habits have changed over a year ago. Yes, I still wake up extra early, usually about 2 or 3 AM. They say between 3 and 6 AM are the “witching hours.” I don’t know about that, but it’s when I connect with God the easiest.
My day usually starts with answering the daily prompts and posting here. And then praying to God Almighty, reading His Word. Then asking God to spend me someone to bless every day.
It’s about staying mindful of choosing integrity, working with honesty in everything I do and avoiding harmful behaviors. Basically avoiding harmful behavior.
Whether I’m praying, cleansing house or doing my daily “to do it list.” I try and please God everyday. Living to cultivate a life of purpose, discipline, and staying connected to God , so I hear Him when He speaks or gives guidance.
Are there things you try to practice daily to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
We are stewards of the earth. As stewards it is our job to manage the earth to ensure the land remains fruitful and sustainable.
Leviticus 25:2-5 tells us that the land is supposed to rest every seventh year. Today we don’t let our land rest. We do not do that, we are more about money and greed that keeps us from doing God’s will.
Humans are caretakers, not owners of the earth, we are tasked with preserving it. Sustainable practices like testing the land prevents resource depletion and we are failing.
At this point I don’t see anyone changing. We might think we are “doing good” with our little eat this not that or drive this not that attitudes. But I believe it going going back what God said had set up in the Bible.
The person who has God for their treasure has all things in one.
When God satisfies a soul, that soul does not stop seeking the source of satisfaction. Once an empty, longing soul tastes true pleasure, it can never go back to the empty cisterns and stay there. In a way, we are both restless and satisfied. They hunger and thirst no more, as Jesus promised in John 6:35, “Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
In the Bible, those satisfied with God spend a lifetime seeking satisfaction in God. Those filled with God search for the fullness of God and those who have found God or should I say God found them never stop searching for Him. An unrelenting pursuit of God is what defines believers. That is why they keep reading the Bible over and over again -to find more God.
It’s a longing is not to re-experience the joy we had when we first found Him, but it experience new joy through greater knowledge of Him. It’s like ascending a mountain for its beauty.
As a society we have lost God in the wonders of this world. We have almost forgotten who he is. It’s not enough that we found God, we must keep finding Him.
Augustine a theologian said, “Christ is not valued at all unless he is valued above all.” If Jesus is not our greatest pursuit in life, then we do not value Him. If our souls are not hungry for Him, then we have not tasted the bread of life.
Make God your greatest treasure, and you will be empowered to let go of anything to gain a relationship with Jesus.
What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?
At the time being I am my favorite meal is Mississippi chuck roast. It’s made in the slow cooker.
It’s a simple beef roast.
3-4 pound beef roast
2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix or a packet
1 packet of au jus mix
Sliced butter on top 1/4 cup
4-5 pepperoncini peppers
In the slow cooker
Cooked on low for 8 hours to get the roast extra tender.
I put this on mashed potatoes and then a side of vegetables and a warm biscuit or roll.
It takes delicious and is great for a Sunday meal.
From Pity to Praise