Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
I visited many places, but one place in particular is somewhere not to many know about and I think there is no longer public it has been fenced off for years.
I spent a lot of time there in younger years and built fond memories. It’s called Swasey’s beach and it’s in southern Utah.
Throughout life we all gain experience in our gifts from God. Anything we hone in on, with enough effort we can good at any thing. It’s all about things that give us joy. It’s about not giving up.
I’m not sure if I can come up with five things I’m good at.
I’m pretty good at my observation skills, mostly because i was made to learn and experience life from observation growing up.
I am pretty good at having empathy for others, simply because I know what it feels like to like to hurt. I don’t like to see anyone suffer.
I’m good at serving people, but I would rather do it at a distance than up front and personal. I don’t like to draw attention to myself.
I am pretty good a cooking and baking food my family enjoys.
Being good at things are a combination of both our gifts from God and a result of developing our passions.
The Bible contrasts the concept of entitlement with humility, teaching that one is not inherently deserving of special treatment, but that all blessings are gifts from God.
I keep myself from being bothered by others who disrespect others. But today I couldn’t ignore it. I asked nicely for my neighbor to stop blocking my driveway, and he began with the insults and hand gestures. I wonder where we went wrong in today’s generation? Law enforcement had to get involved, this was not how I wanted to spend my evening. I wanted to spend a peaceful night out with my husband. He was made to move. But made a point to say he was more important than anyone else.
The biblical perspective on entitlement is rooted in the belief that a selfish or self-centered mindset is contrary to God’s will, and believers are called to consider others more important than themselves. These principles encourage gratitude, service, and humility, with a central example being Jesus’s own sacrifice of His divine rights.
Humility over pride. The Bible consistently warns against pride and a self-centered viewpoint that fosters entitlement.
James 4:6 tells us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Instead of feeling entitled, we are encouraged to be grateful for what we have.
Scripture teaches that all good things are a gift from God, and what we have is not owed to us but is a result of God’s grace.
Romans 6:23 contrasts the “wages of sin” with the “free gift of God.”
The core principle is to prioritize the needs of others, which directly counters an entitlement mindset.
1 Corinthians 10:24 encourages us to stop looking out for our own interests and focus instead on the people living and breathing around us.
Entitlement perspectives damage relationships because they conflict with the command to love one’s neighbor.
Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of giving up perceived rights for the greater good.
Philippians 2:5-8 describes how Jesus “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant…(and) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.
We are called to follow His example by choosing to lay down our rights for the benefits of others and God’s glory. But Proverbs 21:23 also highlights the importance of guarding our words to avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain peace.
The Bible teaches that through faith in Jesus, we are not entitled to anything on earth, or a life free of difficulty.
I’ve been praying for wisdom to know how to handle my difficult neighbors. And asking for grace, patience, and a change in their perspective and requesting protection and guidance for my family.
Sometimes we can feel like there’s a struggle beneath the surface, something unseen that impacts our daily life. The Bible talks about a real enemy at work in our lives, seeking to divide, distract, and devour. But we aren’t left defenseless.
In the book of 1 Peter, we are reminded to “stay alert” and equip ourselves with God’s armor to stand firm against this unseen enemy. Spiritual warfare is real, but so is victory in Christ Jesus.
There are four key way to stay spiritually strong and resist the attacks from the enemy.
Remember who you are and whose you are. The enemy wants us to doubt our identity, but God has already named us, loved us, chosen us, and values us.
Anchor yourself in scripture. To combat lies, we have to know the truth. When the enemy tells you that you’re not enough, respond with God’s truth, declaring, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14).
Practice gratitude. You need to reinforce your identity in Christ, focusing on God’s blessings and presence in your life.
2. Guard your heart with holiness
Make daily choices that honor God. Resist sin and choose to pursue what is good and right.
Avoid what dulls or distracts you spiritually. Temptations may be subtle, but consistently setting boundaries can protect your heart and mind.
Pray for strength. In areas where you feel vulnerable knowing who God is a stronghold.
3. Lean on your community for support
Stay connected to a church or like-minded group. Community helps us stay spiritually alert and gives us people who can pray, and encourage us to stay accountable to God.
Be vulnerable and open about your struggles. With a trusted group of friends, who can stand with you.
Lift each other up. Pray and recognize the power of united faith against the enemy.
4. Stay alert and use God’s armor
Put on the armor of God. Ephesians 6 tells us about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.”
Stay grounded in the Word of God (the Bible). This is the primary weapon against spiritual attacks. Make it a habit to memorize scripture so that you’re ready to counter the lies with truth.
Practice discernment. While discernment can be a gift, it can also be learned. Watch for areas where the enemy might try and lead you astray or sow division.
By grounding ourselves in God’s truth, strengthening our spiritual defenses, and staying connected to a faith community, we can be ready for the challenges the enemy might throw our way. Spiritual warfare isn’t about living in fear, it’s about living victoriously knowing God has already secured the ultimate victory. When we stay alert and stand firm, we can better navigate life’s battles with unshakable confidence.
One thing I would change about myself would be to go back into the past and understand what I do today. I would like to change the mistakes I’ve made over the years.
Right now I wouldn’t change a thing, because God has worked good out of the bad choices I’ve made in my life. The mistakes I made throughout my life wouldn’t change my chance to always have God’s grace and mercy, and forgiveness.
I just try to live each day with an open heart and open ears to hear His voice as not to make many more mistakes that will set me back from my final destination.
All of us have a chromotype.
Mine is a non-standard schedule -11pm to 4am, which is not aligned with being a night or morning person I’m just some sort of permanently exhausted pigeon.
I spend my time awake in quiet peace with God, and my coffee cup. That’s how I like it.
Meat provides complete protein for building and repairing muscle, and repair tissue, and bone with nutrients like Iron, Zinc, and B-vitamins that give us energy, a healthy immune system and nervous system. Along with omega -3 acid, that are very beneficial for heart and brain health.
Culture right now is forcing the “vegan” diet. Which has benefits too. I am not against any diet. It’s a personal choice, I just don’t like when people try and force me to choose one choice.
I believe that a combination of the two are important. God put plants and meat on earth for us to eat. But with everything we need to consume in moderation to live happy, healthy, lives.
A biblical mind detox involves replacing negative thoughts with God’s truth through practices like prayer, confession, and mediating on scripture, which transforms the mind through the Holy Spirit. Key scriptures emphasizes not conforming to the world’s patterns but being renewed and aligning with God’s will.
This process requires intentionally focusing on things that are true, noble, and praiseworthy.
There are a few practices to keep in mind for this mind detox:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” -Psalm 51:10
Technology is what you make it. It is shaped by human intentions, values, and actions, and is not inherently good or bad. It reflects the biases of its creator, and it’s impact -whether it is beneficial or harmful depends on how it’s designed, used, and regulated.
Technology is not neutral because humans created it, it is not a neutral tool, it can embed the biases of its creator.
While I am thankful I can speak to my family on a minutes notice. And have an informational path to learning. It is still created by humans, and more likely than not it can be used against us for evil.
God is moved by faith and faith does not beg. Begging is fearful and does not understand the heart and will of God. The will of God is to heal everyone through the operation of faith. We gain knowledge of God’s will through His promises in the Bible and once they are settled deep in our hearts, faith is created. When we release that faith He moves on our behalf.
His blessing does not come because He loves someone enough or more than someone else. He loves everyone in the world exactly the same. But those who have faith are the ones who will receive. It is His system. He set it up that way, and is generous with His mercy.
Faith does not beg. Seeking God and crying out for Him to work in our lives is different from, begging. One who knows God can ultimately will work, and the other is fearful that He will not work and pleads for Him to change His mind. Seeking God shows perseverance and has a foundation of faith. Begging has a measure of manipulation within it. -“If I just show God that I really need it maybe He will work on my behalf.”
Begging also carries a component of shame. We beg from someone who may be indifferent to our situation and may be able to help.
God is not moved by our needs. He is moved by our faith. He is touched by our needs but He responds to our faith.
The hardest decision I ever had to make was deciding whether to stay in my marriage or divorce. After many years of problems, we had come to a fork in the road. It was either get a divorce after 30 years or give each other another chance. It was something I had to think hard and long on. I was finished fighting for a marriage that neither of us wanted. I was tired of the heartbreak of broken promises, and crying myself to sleep every night.
Every hard decision we have to make requires a strong will. Making difficult choices demands significant inner strength, resolve, and perseverance. The most challenging paths in life, whether personal, ethical, or professional are only navigable when we have the fortitude to make tough choices and stick with them, even in the face of adversity.
In the end we decided to forgive each other and move on. Since that time our marriage has gotten much stronger, and our love deeper than I could ever imagine.
Marriage is built om effort, compromise, and mutual support. It is said that a happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.
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