from The Blaze: America just might be moving closer to ridding itself of celebrity idolatry. Known as the “digital guillotine,” or “digitine,” a new online trend of blocking celebrities and content creators like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift has begun. Jason Whitlock is surprised, as it’s a trend that was created by the left, not the right. “Leftists […]

The power of sharing your joy with others May 17 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – >Galatians 5:22-23 Several years ago, an outdoor conference was held for a particular Christian denomination that discouraged expressions of joy in worship, like saying "Amen" or "Hallelujah." So instead, attendees were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them when they felt like expressing joy. Throughout the first day, balloons were released one by one as people wanted to express their joy. Yet, by the end of the day when the conference was over, more than a third of the balloons were unreleased. It's interesting how when expressing our joy is suppressed, we're automatically less joyful. Imagine you're having a great day when suddenly, you walk into a room full of people with somber faces. In that moment, your mood is very quickly going to change. God gave us the ability to express joy not just for ourselves, but to show outwardly so we can spread that joy to others. So let the joy that's inside of you be seen on the outside. Don't be afraid to share a smile and a "hello" with someone today who needs it. Share joy with your expressions and acts and you'll impart the fruit of God's Spirit to others! Prayer Challenge Pray and ask God to help you express joy as a fruit of His Spirit inside of you. Questions for Thought Think of a time when you were having a bad day and someone expressed joy to you. How did it make you feel? How can you be more intent on sharing God's joy with others who need it? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post The Power of Sharing Your Joy with Others – Senior Living – May 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Lasting PeaceBy Kristine Brown "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV) If you were to do a quick search on the internet for "how to find peace," you'd likely see a long list of advice: be active, get more sleep, spend time outside, eat well. All of these things are good habits to create, and taking care of ourselves is important. However, relying on our daily habits to bring us peace will only satisfy us in the short term. What we need to get through the trials of this life is a peace that lasts. When I pause to think about the people in my life and what they're going through, I get overwhelmed with worry. Health issues, family struggles, financial crises, and more run from one household to the next like a virus we can't escape. We want to do something to ease our troubled minds and find calm in the midst of it all. Healthy choices can certainly help strengthen us to face the challenges ahead, but only one habit brings supernatural, long-term relief- daily seeking Jesus' peace. Jesus freely gives us this lasting peace. His words were recorded in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." At a time when Jesus' disciples expressed confusion and concern over uncertainty about events to come, Jesus comforted and encouraged them. Only his supernatural peace could sustain his followers through what he was about to endure. Nothing would ease the pain of seeing their Savior suffer except the peace that surpasses understanding. (Philippians 4:7) The disciples continued questioning Jesus about the future, and Jesus continued teaching them. As the time of his betrayal approached, Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Today, Jesus still offers peace that provides lasting relief through unspeakable pain. The world wants us to believe a message that peace can only be obtained when we step away from our cares for a while. It tries to convince us that our circumstances need to change in order for us to have a moment's rest. But that message contradicts the true peace offered through our Savior, Jesus. The truth for all believers says that even in the midst of difficult times, peace is available. It is our gift from Jesus. The peace the word offers is temporary. The peace Jesus provides lasts forever. Let's pray: Dear God,Right now I need your peace. The cares of this world are triggering worry and stress, and I am struggling to "cast my cares on you" like your Word says in 1 Peter 5:7. Forgive me for relying on the ways of the world to give me peace. I know the peace the world gives is only temporary, but the peace of Jesus lasts forever. Lord, you told us not to "let our hearts be troubled." I know the only way to release my troubles and find rest is by accepting your gift of peace. I need more than the short-term peace I feel when things settle down, and I have a moment of calm between storms. I need lasting peace that can only come from my Savior, Jesus Christ. Help me remember the most important habit of all. To seek your peace today and every day. Let your peace flow through my mind and spirit, and let it sustain me through whatever I face. Thank you, God, that in the midst of trouble and pain, I have the most incredible gift available to me. Thank you for lasting peace.In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Image credit: DALL.E 2024 AI technology  For more spiritual growth resources, check out the 5-day email devotional, How to Be Free from Bitterness, by today's devotion writer, Kristine Brown. Learn more about women in the Bible and find encouragement to help you "become more than yourself through God's Word" at Kristine's website, morethanyourself.com. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for Lasting Peace – Your Daily Prayer – May 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Lasting PeaceBy Kristine Brown "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV) If you were to do a quick search on the internet for "how to find peace," you'd likely see a long list of advice: be active, get more sleep, spend time outside, eat well. All of these things are good habits to create, and taking care of ourselves is important. However, relying on our daily habits to bring us peace will only satisfy us in the short term. What we need to get through the trials of this life is a peace that lasts. When I pause to think about the people in my life and what they're going through, I get overwhelmed with worry. Health issues, family struggles, financial crises, and more run from one household to the next like a virus we can't escape. We want to do something to ease our troubled minds and find calm in the midst of it all. Healthy choices can certainly help strengthen us to face the challenges ahead, but only one habit brings supernatural, long-term relief- daily seeking Jesus' peace. Jesus freely gives us this lasting peace. His words were recorded in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." At a time when Jesus' disciples expressed confusion and concern over uncertainty about events to come, Jesus comforted and encouraged them. Only his supernatural peace could sustain his followers through what he was about to endure. Nothing would ease the pain of seeing their Savior suffer except the peace that surpasses understanding. (Philippians 4:7) The disciples continued questioning Jesus about the future, and Jesus continued teaching them. As the time of his betrayal approached, Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Today, Jesus still offers peace that provides lasting relief through unspeakable pain. The world wants us to believe a message that peace can only be obtained when we step away from our cares for a while. It tries to convince us that our circumstances need to change in order for us to have a moment's rest. But that message contradicts the true peace offered through our Savior, Jesus. The truth for all believers says that even in the midst of difficult times, peace is available. It is our gift from Jesus. The peace the word offers is temporary. The peace Jesus provides lasts forever. Let's pray: Dear God,Right now I need your peace. The cares of this world are triggering worry and stress, and I am struggling to "cast my cares on you" like your Word says in 1 Peter 5:7. Forgive me for relying on the ways of the world to give me peace. I know the peace the world gives is only temporary, but the peace of Jesus lasts forever. Lord, you told us not to "let our hearts be troubled." I know the only way to release my troubles and find rest is by accepting your gift of peace. I need more than the short-term peace I feel when things settle down, and I have a moment of calm between storms. I need lasting peace that can only come from my Savior, Jesus Christ. Help me remember the most important habit of all. To seek your peace today and every day. Let your peace flow through my mind and spirit, and let it sustain me through whatever I face. Thank you, God, that in the midst of trouble and pain, I have the most incredible gift available to me. Thank you for lasting peace.In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen. Image credit: DALL.E 2024 AI technology  For more spiritual growth resources, check out the 5-day email devotional, How to Be Free from Bitterness, by today's devotion writer, Kristine Brown. Learn more about women in the Bible and find encouragement to help you "become more than yourself through God's Word" at Kristine's website, morethanyourself.com. Teach Us to Pray is a FREE prayer podcast hosted by iBelieve writer Christina Patterson. Each week, she gives you practical, real-life tips on how to grow your faith and relationship with God through the power of prayer. To listen to her episode on What to Pray in the Morning for a Worry-Free Day, click below! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer for Lasting Peace – Your Daily Prayer – May 17 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Listen to the first song from System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian's solo EP Foundations

The collaboration appears on Little Feat's first album in a dozen years, Sam's Place