Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found (and kept)?
I was helping the guy who was tearing up my kitchen tile to replace it as I was lifting up the tile by the kitchen sink I found an old Indian Wheat Penny.
This is the coolest thing I’ve found and was interesting because the house I’m living in was built in 1916.
What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can?
The one thing I would skip out of my daily routine if a had a choice is not washing dishes by hand. It’s something I absolutely abhor.
I always have a few dishes in my sink, because I seem to never get caught up. Inevitably I will do dishes and a few minutes later my husband will bring me more that he had down stairs at his work station. It is a never ending battle I can’t win.
I have always thought that the book of Proverbs in the Bible is not thought of as not of as an important book. I think Proverbs has a lot of advice on the acquisition of information, and understanding.
It’s the ability to interpret and apply knowledge and wisdom at the highest level, representing the ability to make sound judgments and live righteously, achieved through a combination of understanding and fearing the Lord.
Proverbs emphasise that true wisdom comes from seeking God’s guidance and applying knowledge with discernment.
Solomon is considered the wisest man in the Bible. God gave him knowledge and wisdom and an understanding heart. As a result, Solomon came to speak three thousand Proverbs. Some of this spoken wisdom was recorded in the Bible as Proverbs.
When we study the book of Proverbs we are in fact studying the wisdom of God. These proverbs sum up some eternal truths.
The are just as up-to-date now as when they were first uttered.
Records show that Solomon did not write the book of Proverbs but as spoken proverbs. Whether the scribes of his court wrote and collected his proverbs, it is not known, but they are the expressions of any ruler of hid caliber would be highly regarded and would normally be recorded.
It is generally agreed that the boom of Proverbs is a collection compiled from other collections.
The beneficial purpose of Proverbs is stated in the opening verses,
“To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding, to receive instruction, justice, and equity, to give prudence to the simple knowledge and discretion to the young man (woman), that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning, that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel, to understand a proverb, and parables, the words, and riddles of the wise” -Proverbs 1:1-6
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?
I have met a famous actor, not even knowing I had met one. Oddly enough he is a member of my church. He just recently was baptized.
Oran Stainbrook has played in movies like “Love in Tahiti,” and “Rotten Tomatoes.”
Often in life we can break down our decisions to fall within two distinct categories, logical and emotional. When we utilize logic, we engage in critical thinking, exercise patience, objectively weigh the evidence, Ana’s tamp down our feelings that might get in the way of sound discussion making. When we are emotional, we ignore logic and instead and just react rather than respond to what we are feeling. Emotional thinking is based on feelings and experiences.
Both logic and emotions have their place in human experience, but when improving mental toughness through key is to stay in balance and not make logical and emotional decisions disproportionate to what makes sense.
For instance, using logic all the time may steal from those exciting, spontaneous moments in life, while working regularly from an emotional mindset can lead to regrettable, well-thought-out decisions that actually create additional problems or compound the ones we already have.
Logic and emotion are on opposite sides of the continuum, meaning that we cannot experience both at the same time, and we may tip in one direction over the other at any given point in the day. I might start my day with an emotional decision by purchasing the latest “fancy” coffee drink when I go out to coffee with my friends, even though I do not welcome the extra calories. Later in the day I might use my logical brain to work through a mini-vacation that includes schedules and logical challenges to stay within budget.
There is a time and place for both logic and emotion to be employed, and when we get it right good things usually follow. The problem is when we use the wrong mindset for a situation.
When we allow emotion to rule in our decision-making there is the potential to cause what I call the “roller coaster effect,” which involves extreme and sudden changes in emotions, such as feeling excited, happy, exhilarated one moment, and then sad, disappointed and desperate the next. It can feel like a repeated pattern of panic and heaviness or shutdown. We can learn to build mental toughness and how to use logic and emotion at the appropriate times.
Unlike robots, human beings have the capacity to both think and feel, allowing us to use logic when we need to problem-solve and emotions when feeling the effects of a specific outcome.
What is good about having a pet?
I’ve had animals all my life. My Father used to breed Siamese cats and then sell them. We while we were told not to get attached to them, I always did.
Pets help us cope with anxiety and stress. Their companionship is like no other in the world. They can lift our spirits and make us happier.
Dogs help us stay fit because they have to be taken on daily walks. I’ve heard of dogs that have caught cancer in their owners, waking people up if there was a fire in the home. They can be taught to help disabled people with their daily tasks.
Pets definitely have a second sense that is nothing like ours.
They deserve to be loved and cherished. Sadly there are some people who abuse the abandon them. When they don’t want them anymore. Animals are for life, they are family.
The Bible is often regarded as a source of moral guidance and divine truth, but within its pages lies accounts that delve into the complexities of human nature, including instances of exception.
From cunning trickery to strategic manipulation, the Bible is filled with examples of people resorting to deceit in pursuit of their goals.
These accounts not only serve as cautionary narratives but also offer profound insight into the intricate dynamics of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of dishonesty on both personal and collective levels.
When Jesus speaks of the primary sign of the “end of the age,” He speaks of wars and rumors of war, famine, and disease or pestilence, you’ve probably heard all of these. But, one thing He said and we all tend to shrug off that we shouldn’t is deception.
When the disciples went to Jesus in Matthew 24 and asked about the end of the age, Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”
In recent decades we’ve seen these difficult issues face to face. Whether we want to confront them or not.
According to Bible prophecy, things are only going to get more intense as the days pass, because we are living at the end of the age when Jesus, Paul, and Peter all projected that society as a whole would be deceived on a massive scale.
Jesus’s disciples had specifically asked Him, “What shall be the sign of the coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). In response to that question a list of exact signs that would indicate the very end of the age and His imminent return. Jesus gave many signs, but the first sign, Jesus told them about contained a clear warning of a wide-scale deception that would emerge in the last days and the need for people to prepare and guard against it. Jesus said,” …Take heed that no man deceive you.”
In Matthew 24:4, the word “deceive” is used to depict this period when it will look as if delusion is taking over the world.
It’s important to know the original Greek words “take head” were intended to jar and jolt the disciples to get their attention. So that they would really listen to what Jesus, was telling them and hear His warning as the present age came to the conclusion, that an unprecedented deception would attempt to encompass every part of society.
The original Greek word “deceive” is also used to depict this period when it will look as if delusion is taking over the world. It is the Greek word planao, which means to lead astray or to wander off course. This word receiver could dialect a single individual who has wandered far off course, or it could describe a whole nation or nations that have morally veered from the position once held to be true.
Planao a person or nation who although once established on solid ground, is now morally drifting and teetering on the edge of a crooked, dangerous path.
One who has lost its bearings, and drifted off track. One who has already departed or is in the process of departing. They have begun to cross-grain against all that was once departed from their belief system.
Just look at the world around you today. Can you see the deception at work? Watch the developments in the news. In a culture where moral standards bend so easily with the times, I believe we have reached our tipping point, not only in America but also around the globe.
In Matthew 24, Jesus accurately foretold this worldwide deception on earth in the last days and alerted His disciples that it would be a sign that His return was nigh. As we come closer and closer to the very last days of this age, we need to remember Jesus’s forewarning of a season in time in which deception would grip the entire world. From all the signs around us, it appears that we are already there.
This is why we must keep our minds soaked with the Word of God, which renews us to right thinking in a world that has morally slipped in a wrong direction. It is imperative that we put the Word of God into our hearts, and keep it before our eyes and hear it with our ears. It is equally important to verbalize the truth of God’s Word to ourselves and to other believers so that it strengthens us to the truth in us and between us in a day when the world is slipping away.
Rather than becoming victims of the age and spiritual casualties in the Body of Christ, we should hold our Bibles dearer and closer to our hearts and minds than ever before. We can reinforce ourselves against the days in which we live and the days that are forecast as yet to come.
We need to grab hold of the unalterable truth of God’s Word, dig our heels deep into it, and decide that we will stand firm on the truth that never changes, regardless of how society around us changes in the days to come.
Our battle scars from suffering are nothing to hide. They are marks of honor. We need to see suffering is a tool that gods use to increase and strengthen our faith.
Life’s journeys often leave us physical and emotional marks that tell stories of our resilience and faith.
Lessons From The Battle Scars
Everyone has a battle scar of some kind. Some are visible on the outside, and some are hidden -tucked away in our heart.
Satan would love to hear “You’re scared, you’re broken,”he loves to hear us call ourselves ugly. He does everything he can so we focus on anything but the positive, the hope of God. To keep us from thinking on eternal things and God’s truth. God promises,
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
I’ve had to reframe how I view my scars because scars signify we were in a battle, and there is no shame in that. God looks at our hearts and He is the only mirror I need.
Battle scars reveal a wound that has been healed.
Scars tell a story of a promise, a purpose, and a testimony. Scars are never meant to be hidden but shared to help others in their struggles.
This life journey is one big test, and through of battles God will work through and speak from our liod to penetrate the hardest of hearts. The Word of God comes down like a hammer to break up the ground of hard hearts.
Our scars can speak of God’s goodness and faithfulness in a life that must solely rely on Him. God knows just what is necessary to bring out His choicest wine through our earthly vessels.
Scars show we are stronger than the thing that tried to break us.
God is the potter and we are the clay. We choose to yield and surrender even though we may not understand why we are walking our particular path.
Our lives are to be for His glory and honor alone. Through the rushing, pressing, breaking, and tearing, He brings forth His plan for us.
Scare proves we are overcomers. Just as Jesus’s scars proved He was stronger than the power of death. Our scars are proof that satan’s attempt to steal, kill, and destroy us has failed. They are proof that we are truly over-comers.
We all have scars from the battles we have fought in life. But God looks at us through the righteousness of a perfect Savior.
God never wastes pain, and our battle scars will serve as a testimony of our goodness and faithfulness to us.
Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).
The most expensive item I’ve ever purchased is probably my computer.
I am totally blessed to have my computer. It allows me to write more efficiently and helps me teach others what I have learned through my journey through life.
It helps me learn through others. And increase my knowledge of anything I am interested in. Growing up I remember we had encyclopedia Britannica set to learn from and do research for school. We have come a long way.
In Matthew 24:11, tells us that one day we will be able to teach the “good news,” because it will be taught throughout the world. I’m pretty sure we are able to do this now.
God’s forgiveness is liberating. Forgiving others and ourselves can free us from the burden of negative emotions and grudges. It leads to improved mental health, healthier relationships, and peace of mind.
Forgiveness can be a powerful act of self-liberation which can open the door to healing and personal transformation.
Forgiveness can help us move forward without allowing anger, hurt, or unproductive rumination to waste our mental and emotional energy.
Forgiveness gives us liberation from the effects of shame.
In the process of forgiveness, we will find liberation. In this process to transform our hearts, heal our wounds, and break the chain of bitterness that takes root in our lives.
Forgiveness is not really about the other person it is about you. But, it’s one of the most difficult things to do. Choosing to forgive does not diminish the pain you have experienced or justify the wrongdoing. Instead, it releases you from the bitterness and resentment that comes with it.
When you forgive, you allow God’s healing and restoration to take place in your heart,
What podcasts are you listening to?
I don’t listen to very many podcasts because they can be addicting. But I listen to a few namely:
I enjoy Midwest Safety and Donut Operator, which are videos of police chases. That makes you realize the most criminals are stupid, and I don’t use that word to downgrade anyone. It’s all about having common sense. If you don’t appreciate law enforcement this are not the podcasts for you. Warning there is some vulgar language that is involved.
I also enjoy Rabbi Jonathan Chan. He does a fantastic job of teaching Bible prophecy and exactly where America and Israel stand today according to the Bible.
I was praying for someone last week, she was struggling with back pain. She has been to Dr and after Dr and has found no relief.
As I was praying I said stop letting the enemy take over your thoughts. When I was finished, she said to me, “I have invited satan to dinner, haven’t I?”
As I was thinking about this I wondered how many people do invite Satan to dinner. We all have a table in our minds, and the enemy (Satan) is always trying to take a seat.
Satan is constantly trying to fill our minds with destructive and harmful thoughts, like fear, worry, insecurity, anxiety, and temptation. If we give him a chance he will begin to poison our thoughts and emotions.
But, if we refuse to give him a seat at our table, we can keep our minds focused on the truth of God’s Word. The truth is we don’t have to settle for negative thoughts to take a seat in our minds. Every time we have a negative thought we can push it out with a positive one.
The are some practical ways to overcome the enemy’s lies.
First, we have to identify the enemy’s lies. What are the negative thoughts that keep running through your mind? What are the voices that tell you that you’re not good enough, that you’re going to fail, or you don’t deserve to be healthy? Once you identify the lies, you can start to challenge them.
The enemy is constantly trying to steal our peace and joy. He wants us to feel bad about ourselves, to doubt our worth, more be afraid of the future. But God wants us to have peace and joy. He wants us to have abundant life.
Once you have identified the enemy’s lies, you need to challenge them. Don’t accept them as true. Is there any evidence to support the thought? If the answer is no, then reject the lie and replace it with the truth.
Satan is a master of deception. He knows how to disguise his lies to make them sound appealing. But we don’t have to be fooled by his tricks. We can learn to recognize the enemy’s lies and reject them.
Satan’s lies are powerful, and he will use every way possible to get us to believe him, even using our friends and loved ones to shoot fiery darts at us. But they are no match for the truth of God’s Word. When you find yourself believing a lie replace it with a promise that God gives us.
For example, if I’m feeling insecure, I could replace the lie, “I’m not good enough” with the truth ‘I am made in the image of God and loved by Him unconditionally.” (Genesis 1:27).
We have the power to choose what we think about. We can choose to focus on the truth of God’s Word. When we focus on this we can overcome the enemy’s lies and have victory in our lives.
The battle for our minds is a spiritual one. We need to pray and ask God for help. With Him we can overcome satan, and learn to identify satan’s lies, and place them with the truth, this will give to strength to resist the enemy’s tactics.
Psalm 23 promises that we are not alone in this battle. In fact, we are with the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who has already won the victory over Satan. And He has given us everything we need to overcome him.
We can choose to give the enemy a seat at our table, or we can choose to resist him, and focus on the truth of God’s Word. When we choose to resist satan, we can experience the blessings that come with following Jesus.
“The Mind Is Everything; What You Think, You Become.”
From Pity to Praise