Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
What have you been working on?
Every October I clean out my book shelves, and choose what books I want to part with.
I fill a box with books that I can donate to my church. And the others go to thrift stores around my area.
This keeps space I need for new books free I know I will acquire through the year.
I have the same rights as you do. I have a right to eat a piece of chocolate cake if I want to. I have a right to state my opinion and be heard. I have a right to protect myself against harm. Not to mention we are blessed with the right to practice religion and carry our Bibles around and gather for prayer and uphold the name of Jesus (at least for now).
But what happens when a society turns inward for too long -focusing on their wants, needs and desires more than anyone else? What happens when self-focus becomes the prescribed way of life?
A sense of entitlement begins to fester and brood and bleed into culture and does not fear God. I have my rights and I can do what I want. And I will stand up for those rights, no matter who I may victimize in the process. That is scary. Always thinking about ourselves and no one else leaves deep scars, and it leads to senseless shootings and separated family and snide remarks, along with sin so bold that it’s terrifying even to the point of being ungodly.
These attitudes are not just because we have a different opinion, but because we feel entitled.
It doesn’t stop there though. Entitlement is festering into the family with disrespectful children who think they have a right to act however they want because parents have never reprimanded their children, they we never told no, or had consequences for their bad behaviors. Teachers have no control in the classroom because of entitlement. The marriage bed has lost its sanctity because of entitlement. Babies are being aborted because of entitlement.
Bottom mention road rage violence, senseless lawsuits, senseless arguments, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, division, and envy. James (or Jacob 3:16 says, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
The truth is we need a reality check. We are not entitled to anything. There is only One who is entitled and He is the Lord God. He created the world and holds it together. He formed us, breathing life where there was none. Therefore, God alone is entitled to all glory and honor from all of creation and from all people, with every breath we take.
“There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. All the nations You gave made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous things, You alone are God” -Psalm 89:8-10
He alone is God, yet when we walk around with a sense of entitlement blanketing our thoughts, emotions, and reactions, we put ourselves in the place of God. We buy into the same lie that the serpent spoke to Eve. We’re entitled to break the rules when we want to decide for ourselves what’s best for us.
Chaos is the result of believing this lie, just as it was on the day of Adam and Eve’s initial sin. When we demand that God do this or that for us and He doesn’t, it becomes chaos for us. When we walk into a family gathering and push our rights over this ot that, it’s not only chaos for our relationships but chaos in our hearts.
I believe the only way to find peace in the chaos is humility. When there is humility, there is peace. If the world feels out of control, it’s because the world is busy demanding its own way. And if our world feels out of control, perhaps it’s because we have been busy demanding our own way.
James (Jacob) 3:17 tells us, “For the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
At the core of it all God wants us to release everything and submit to Him. Having a relationship with Him involved surrendering our will and desires to Him. To trust in His plan, which leads to peace and a greater sense of purpose. His plan is better than our own and is a pathway to finding peace, and wisdom.
Giving up our so-called rights is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of godliness. It’s the way of Jesus, who endured the cross for us. Getting what we want when we want doesn’t give us joy. Lying down our rights for the sake of God’s will and God’s way is what produces joy in our hearts.
We don’t need to demand that it’s our way or the highway, because we have a God who is just and faithful and sovereign and sees which works are done for His glory and which are not.
James 4:6, 10 tells us that, “God oppresses the proud, but gives grace to the humble… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Living with an attitude of entitlement will get us nowhere. It is not God’s way. It squelches the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and sends us down all kinds of prideful paths. But laying down our rights as Jesus did, the glory of God, and the name of God will give us hope, and fill us to overflowing.
Fighting this epidemic of entitlement begins with us. Whether that means not being mad when someone takes the parking spot you wanted or lying down our precious alone time or asking God to help us forgive that one family member who hurt us, and realizing we can because we have a sovereign God who went first.
Yes, we have our rights, but so did Jesus, who chose to give up everything for us. We can choose to walk humbly with God in every decision we make.
“Never underestimate the valuable and important difference you can make in every life you touch for the impact you make today has a powerful rippling effect on every tomorrow.”
I truly believe the thoughts we carried on our mind have a huge impact on the lives we lead. If our thoughts were focused on the negative, we shouldn’t truly be surprised our lives turn out poorly. That is not to say that optimists lead only to happy and fulfilled lives. But, optimists might take the negative that happens and spin it to be positive.
What are your first thoughts when you wake up each morning? Are you grateful and thank God for your many blessings? Or do you immediately focus on bills, responsibilities, marriage troubles or things that stretch for patience. Our waking thoughts seem to set the tone for our upcoming day. What we focus on when we open our eyes. Such as gratefulness will put our brain in gear to remain grateful for the rest of the day.
Years ago I heard someone say we either wake up as a Eeyore or a Tigger every morning what one we choose determines our day. We cannot change the world in one day, but making small differences can’t have a positive impact everyday.
I have found it doing something unnoticed, not only impact others but us as well. We all like to be acknowledged for the good with you in the world, but I think it’s more important to do acts of kindness that perhaps no one notices.
I was once involved in a fund raiser making snow cones and a gentleman paid for the order behind him, it started a ripple effect that lasted for about an hour. Paying it forward in a small way makes a difference each day.
Every major holiday, I buy my mailman a candy bar and leave a note on it, how I appreciate him. It’s a simple act that brightens his day. This world can be such a dark place, and sometimes we forget that we can be a light in that darkness.
Simple acts of kindness benefit both us, and others by improving our mood, social connections, and boosting over all well-being through the release of good brain chemicals, like serotonin, dopamine, and natural oxytocin. These things can lower stress, and improve, physical health like blood pressure. It boost, happiness, optimism, and confidence, and can help us feel less lonely.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I think most people don’t understand what I’ve been through in life.
In life I may seem like a nice person who would do anything for anyone. But while that’s true, I don’t fully trust anyone. People I do kinda trust, I am always on guard for clues they can’t be trusted.
I have a kind of emotional armor that protects me, but it also can isolate me. I’m sure most people think I’m cold because of my actions and hyper awareness. I have general sense of alertness as if I’m waiting for a shoe to drop.
I also use guarded communication. I speak carefully, avoid personal topics, and can deflect any vulnerability. I’m very untuned to my surroundings and the energy in the room.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
Lazy days give me time to clear my mind. The best way to speak a lazy day is speaking to God. To be with God not Just in words, but in presence, awareness, and every breath.
Lazy days with God includes letting my thoughts, and actions be with Him.
Lazy days make me feel rested because I spend the day with Him.
The Bible tells us of the tribulation, that there will be a seven year period of intense judgment that begin after a f peace is established.
I have been thinking, with everything going on in the Middle East is this another Bible prophecy coming true. The peace deals are giving people a sense of peace. I don’t believe this peace is real.
This is just a short version of things that are in the Bible. I am not sure these are the times we are living. But these are my thoughts.
According to prophecy the seven year tribulation period begins with a treaty that is made with Israel, it’s often attributed to the anti-cry to promised peace and security to the world. I believe God is using Donald Trump to broker the peace that is happening.
There are 3.5 periods of time which comes up to 7 years total. The first 3.5 years is the initial period is marked by a false sense of peace and prosperity. During this time the antichrist will solidify his power.
In this 3.5 year mark the piece is broken, and the antichrist disagrees the temple and demands to be worshiped as God, an event known as the “abomination of desolation.”
In the second 3.5 years of the tribulation, there will be a time of great suffering for all humanity. It is described as a period of great distress, war, famine, disease, and a pouring out of God‘s wrath on that unbelieving world.
At the end of the seven years is Jesus’s second coming. He will defeat the antichrist and establish His Kingdom on earth.
Holiness is not just a state of being but a pursuit we actively engage in. Holiness means being set apart for God, reflecting His nature in our lives. It’s an invitation for us to live in a way that mirrors God’s purity and righteousness.
The Bible teaches us that being holy is essential because it draws us closer to our Creator. When we choose to walk in holiness, we become vessels of His love and peace, shining brightly in a world that often overlooks these attributes .
We can only attain this kind of holiness through a personal relationship with Jesus, allowing His life to flow through us.
Here are a few scriptures :
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life“ -1 Thessalonians 4:7
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and you will be holy, without holiness no one will see the Lord” – Hebrews 12:14
God is described as being infinitely Holy, meaning He is set apart from all sin and corruption. His holiness is evident in His actions and attributes, such as His justice, love, power, and wisdom
We need to strive to be like Him every day.
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
To me being successful isn’t about wealth or worldly possessions, it’s about being content with your life and having your basic needs met -like food, shelter, and peace of mind. It means feeling grounded.
Focusing on what truly matters brings contentment. And having a peace with yourself makes it easier to stay grounded.
It’s a persons inner peace that is rooted in faith that I admire. People having a steady anchor no matter what comes their way. It is when a person has a sense of security and direction that transcends the everyday stresses of life.
What makes a good neighbor?
A neighborhood should be more than just a collection of houses, it should be a community where people live side-by-side, not only space but experiences and responsibilities. It should be a setting where people can create a peaceful and supportive environment.
A good neighbor embodies qualities such as kindness, and respect. Friendly neighbors help create an atmosphere of trust and openness.
They should respect other people‘s privacy and space, it is essential to understand boundaries.
Many people think Satan is a fairy tale, and I don’t blame them. Who could really believe in an angry bright red guy with goat horns and a pitchfork walking around in hell?
This may sound childish. But that version of Satan doesn’t come from the Bible. Instead, scripture show a real spiritual enemy that we need to take seriously. So is Satan real? Yes. Does he own a pitchfork? Probably not.
Let’s be clear, Satan is a title, not a name. It means “the deceiver” and that tells us most of what we need to know about him. He is a liar, that’s who he is. That Bible describes Satan as being like a roaring Lion, a serpent, and a dragon. Not the kind of animals we would want to snuggle up with.
The Spiritual forces of evil at work in the world are often linked to Satan’s influence, whether through temptation, deception, or even the demons he commands. That’s why the Bible calls satan names like adversary or the evil one.
In the Garden of Eden, satan brought confusion by questioning Eve, “Did God really say…? Then, he tempted her with the same thing that caused him to be cast out of God’s presence -pride.
He promised Eve she could be like God, without needing God. Adam and Eve fell into the temptation, and were sent out of Eden, and out of the perfect fellowship with God.
One moment they were walking with God, the next they were filled with shame.
Satan is alive and active in the world today. He may not be the goofy horned creature a made up cartoon, from artists, but he is a real threat today.
If you’ve ever done something that felt fun or exciting in one moment, then felt cheap, ugly, or hurtful later. That’s what happens when we’re convinced by lies. Satan is how the Biblical authors talk about our desire for short-term highs that lead to lasting harm.
Satan is a liar and he still has power on earth today. He looks like the good life, but then he tries to suck the life right out of you. We can think about porn, addictions, affairs, empty sex, and anything that promises to fulfill our needs without God?
We all have felt crippled by guilt and shame over things we’ve done wrong -big or small. That’s one of satan’s traits. He is known as the accuser of the family of God. Satan isn’t stupid -he’s a liar and an accuser. Pride, lies, and shame come in many forms. That’s why the Bible tells us to be watchful and be on guard against him.
But Satan isn’t as powerful as God.
Sometimes it can seem like the fight between God and Satan is a battle between two rivals. But this isn’t a great way to think about God and Satan. Because Satan is a part of God’s creation, he is completely inferior to God’s power.
Satan doesn’t get a detailed origin story in the Bible. Instead, we get snippets of him lurking in the shadows.
God created Satan. Many believe he went by the name Lucifer before becoming a satanic figure, he’s a fallen angel. This fallen angel became a symbol of rebellion and sin, who influenced many late medieval and popular depictions of Satan, including the infamous image of a little red man with horns and a tail. Yet, the reality of Satan’s power is far more complex and deeply rooted in scripture.
But nowhere in the Bible gives us all the information we would like to know.
So, why does God allow this today? Maybe because God wants us to live in a world with free will and the ability to choose to love Him or not.
As for me I choose to trust God and His infinite wisdom more than mine.
This may sound kind of sad, and while sin is heartbreaking, in the end of the story it really turns out good for those who choose to believe.
Satan will always be a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy people. That’s a pretty important thing to know. If you’re feeling robbed of your joy, dead inside, and utterly shattered, you’re right where satan wants you. But there is great hope that Jesus came so we could have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus defeated death. He was the perfect sacrifice for all sin for all time. He gives us the fullest life. God made a way for you and me to be with Him despite all the times we’ve chosen pride and lies over Him.
In the end, it is important to remember that Satan may seek to destroy but ultimately Satan has been defeated by Jesus. While Satan’s lies and temptation may continue to challenge us, the truth of Jesus’s victory in the cross provided the power to resist Satan’s evil influence.
Satan may have authority in this world for a time, but Revelation reminds us, Satan’s reign is temporary. The kingdom of God and the resurrection of Jesus ensure that Satan, and his demons, will be cast into hell and will ultimately be vanquished, and God’s perfect plan for creation will prevail.
So, yes Satan is real. He’s a liar. But he is being defeated every day when we choose what’s right over what’s easy.
The Bible tells us that as believers we have divine protection that shields us from spiritual and physical harm through His power, presence, and intervention.
God can be a refuge, fortress, and can work through angels. This protection is not the absence of trials, but the assurance of His presence, guidance, and strength to overcome adversity by trusting in His faithfulness and love.
The Old Testament this protection is deeply rooted. and promises that God will be a shield and refuge for His people.
Psalm 91 is a powerful declaration of God’s safeguarding presence, with verses like, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” in Psalm 91:1.
In the New Testament Jesus embodies divine protection as the “Good Shepherd” who takes care of His sheep. And the Holy Spirit serves as a guide and counselor for believers.
Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us we also have spiritual “armor” to resist spiritual attacks that protect our well-being.
God provides protection in four ways, but be careful not to put God in a box. All things as possible with Him.
We can access this divine protection by placing our trust in God’s faithfulness and love in the ultimate source of divine protection.
Praying for protection is a way to invite God to work in our lives, and seeking His strength and guidance.
Abiding in God, by staying close to Him, and dwelling in His presence, by making Him our refuge He will provide deep peace and protection.
Obedience, when we walk in God’s obedience to His will and word we have access to His protective care.
“The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more” -Psalm 127:7-8
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