by Mish Shedlock, Mish Talk: When I first saw this headline I thought it was a spoof. It’s political retribution, not a spoof. This came the day after Gabbard criticized the Biden Administration according to the video above. Please note Lawmakers incensed after former congresswoman placed on terror watch list Representatives Gene Ward, Diamond Garcia, Davis […]

by Martin Armstrong, Armstrong Economics: The Paris Olympics was a preview of what to expect under Agenda 2030 and other lofty climate change goals. Paris aimed to host the most sustainable Olympics in history with a 50% target reduction in carbon emissions compared to previous Olympics like Rio 2016 or London 2012. The world’s most […]

August 14, 2024 Consider It Pure Joy?MEGAN FATE MARSHMAN Lee en español "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds ..." James 1:2 (NIV) My wonderful late husband was born on Father's Day. So every year, right around Father's Day, it's Randy's birthday. This confluence of celebrations isn't going to get easier for me and my boys, but it is the way it is. This past year, on the Saturday between Randy's birthday (Friday) and Father's Day (Sunday), I was reading through the first chapter of James: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4, NIV). What? Pure joy?! I was right in the middle of a trial, and I wouldn't have immediately thought to consider it pure joy. But as I thought about it more, I realized James is not saying, "Look at the trial and feel happy." No! He knows that the visceral emotion partnered with trials is sorrow, not joy. But he says, "Consider it pure joy" (James 1:2, emphasis added). He's referencing the intensity, not the exclusivity, of the joy. He is not saying, "Have only joy." He's saying, "Have the fullness of joy." Intensity, not exclusivity. This is important. James asks us to consider trials from a new perspective. We must first acknowledge what's hard and experience sorrow - yes, of course. This has to be the case; otherwise, we would be something less than human. The psalms in Scripture teach us this lesson beautifully and poignantly. They are filled with examples of people realistically facing their suffering with deep faith and worship, through lament and anger. Worship doesn't somehow obliterate suffering. Instead, suffering becomes a vehicle for transformative worship, or even better, it becomes the sacrifice the psalmist brings in worship. We have to be aware of our visceral emotions during trials. But secondly, we also must consider the trials from another perspective: the fullness of joy - heaven. Heaven offers hope to those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Each time I consider Randy and heaven and Jesus, my perspective shifts. When I think about heaven ...I worry less about what people think of me.I dwell on the hope of a day when tears won't be necessary and death will be no more.I seek to love others rather than only seeking love for myself. When I think about heaven, I think more of what God values: kindness over comparison, celebration over envy, reconciliation over being right, eternal treasure over material toys, listening over needing to be heard, and love over self-consciousness. When I think about heaven, I start to understand what James says about "not lacking anything" (James 1:4, NIV). It's all going to be there. Heavenly Father, help us turn to You with our pain. Remind us of who You are as perseverance finishes its work in us. We long to know You and be like You in it all. Come, Lord Jesus. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Grab Megan's newest book, Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing, and the Relaxed Bible study guide with streaming video. ENGAGE You can also find out more about Megan Fate Marshman by visiting meganfate.com or by following her on Instagram at @meganfate. Enter to WIN your very own copy of Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman. To celebrate this book, Megan's publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, August 19, 2024.} FOR DEEPER STUDY Romans 5:3-4, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" (NLT). Consider a season of trials in your past. Ask God how He has used it to grow you more into His likeness. If nothing comes to mind quickly, don't look away - look at Him. Even if you don't have an answer, you have Him. © 2024 by Megan Fate Marshman. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Consider It Pure Joy? –  Encouragement for Today – August 14, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Contentment When You’re Feeling DownBy Keri Eichberger "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." – Hebrews 13:5 I have a confession to make. I let stuff get to me. And I'm not talking about the hard stuff of life we're sometimes handed that would be sure to get anyone worked up and down. I'm talking about material things. The opportunities and possessions of life that money can buy. And that the bible warns us not to get wrapped up in. And here's what makes this confession a bit easier to share. I'm not alone. Every single human soul falls prey to worldly ways time and again.  About two months ago, I'd had it. For over six years, we'd crammed seven people into a house built for exactly five, and the bustling morning in our since-shared master bathroom when the twins (the unexpected additions) had spit-sprayed toothpaste into the mirror, I mean sink, for the tenth-too-many time, I cracked. We called the contractor that day with a bold "yes" to the bid to finish more basement space to give us back ours. This is when "stuff" started to get to me. First, it was isolated to the basement renovation. Choosing this or that tile, paint, light fixture, fan, mirror, all the things. And without notice I started to feel down and discontent with the whole rest of the house. The house was brand new, top to bottom, only ten years ago. I saw small dents here, wall scratches there, wearing carpet in this room, faded hardwood in another. And dated wall art, lamps, and accent tables. And I'm not kidding, I really began to feel down and kind of depressed about it all. It’s embarrassing to admit. Of course, then I felt down about being down about stuff. But then, oh so convicted. I know better than this. As if any of this stuff and fluff really even matters. The truth: I am so blessed. And really, aren't we all? It's true. We are. Regardless of what you have. Even if it's an extravagant amount to the majority of the world’s standard, soon enough, you'll feel discontent or disappointed with what you can't seem to attain or keep up with. Because all things weather, wear down, and fade. Seriously, even the greatest palaces will gather cobwebs and age, and it is impossible to keep fresh and up-to-date. All things on earth slowly die and deteriorate. You need to understand, and I need to understand something. The enemy wants you to adopt this mindset of more. He wants you focused on material things and what money might let you borrow and buy. He wants you so focused to the point of disappointment and absolute distraction that you forget where the actual good life is found. That you forget what lasts: true joy, love, and peace found only in the Lord. That you forget the abundant, fulfilling presence of our almighty God. Satan got me. Well almost. Fortunately, I've laid stake in whose I am. I know who the abundant God is. And here's what else I know. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13). Through God, who gives us strength, we can learn to be content. When the enemy tries to lure us in with all that looks nicer than what we see and tempts us with deceptive empty promises that material things will satisfy, we can call out the lies. We can praise the God of all blessings for everything we have right now, for each good and perfect gift he has placed before us and with us and lavishes with his permeating presence all around us.  Let's pray: Lord God, You have given us so much. You give abundantly more than the world could ever dream to offer. You not only supply earthly gifts, but you also offer so incredibly much more. That which is lasting, everlasting, and fully fills. Your perfect, unconditional compassion and love, your peace beyond understanding, an inexpressible joy available regardless of circumstance, and a presence that will never leave or forsake us. Lord, please remind us that the things of the world are only temporary and are sure to fade and fail us, and if we get distracted by its tempting fruit, it will only deter us from what is richer, lasting, and eternal. We love you more than anything the world has to offer. Help us to live like that. In Your abundant Name, Amen.   Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Charday Penn Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! 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 Contentment When You’re Feeling Down – Your Daily Prayer – August 14 appeared first on GodUpdates.

August 14, 2024 Consider It Pure Joy?MEGAN FATE MARSHMAN Lee en español "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds ..." James 1:2 (NIV) My wonderful late husband was born on Father's Day. So every year, right around Father's Day, it's Randy's birthday. This confluence of celebrations isn't going to get easier for me and my boys, but it is the way it is. This past year, on the Saturday between Randy's birthday (Friday) and Father's Day (Sunday), I was reading through the first chapter of James: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4, NIV). What? Pure joy?! I was right in the middle of a trial, and I wouldn't have immediately thought to consider it pure joy. But as I thought about it more, I realized James is not saying, "Look at the trial and feel happy." No! He knows that the visceral emotion partnered with trials is sorrow, not joy. But he says, "Consider it pure joy" (James 1:2, emphasis added). He's referencing the intensity, not the exclusivity, of the joy. He is not saying, "Have only joy." He's saying, "Have the fullness of joy." Intensity, not exclusivity. This is important. James asks us to consider trials from a new perspective. We must first acknowledge what's hard and experience sorrow - yes, of course. This has to be the case; otherwise, we would be something less than human. The psalms in Scripture teach us this lesson beautifully and poignantly. They are filled with examples of people realistically facing their suffering with deep faith and worship, through lament and anger. Worship doesn't somehow obliterate suffering. Instead, suffering becomes a vehicle for transformative worship, or even better, it becomes the sacrifice the psalmist brings in worship. We have to be aware of our visceral emotions during trials. But secondly, we also must consider the trials from another perspective: the fullness of joy - heaven. Heaven offers hope to those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. Each time I consider Randy and heaven and Jesus, my perspective shifts. When I think about heaven ...I worry less about what people think of me.I dwell on the hope of a day when tears won't be necessary and death will be no more.I seek to love others rather than only seeking love for myself. When I think about heaven, I think more of what God values: kindness over comparison, celebration over envy, reconciliation over being right, eternal treasure over material toys, listening over needing to be heard, and love over self-consciousness. When I think about heaven, I start to understand what James says about "not lacking anything" (James 1:4, NIV). It's all going to be there. Heavenly Father, help us turn to You with our pain. Remind us of who You are as perseverance finishes its work in us. We long to know You and be like You in it all. Come, Lord Jesus. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Grab Megan's newest book, Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing, and the Relaxed Bible study guide with streaming video. ENGAGE You can also find out more about Megan Fate Marshman by visiting meganfate.com or by following her on Instagram at @meganfate. Enter to WIN your very own copy of Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman. To celebrate this book, Megan's publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, August 19, 2024.} FOR DEEPER STUDY Romans 5:3-4, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" (NLT). Consider a season of trials in your past. Ask God how He has used it to grow you more into His likeness. If nothing comes to mind quickly, don't look away - look at Him. Even if you don't have an answer, you have Him. © 2024 by Megan Fate Marshman. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Consider It Pure Joy? –  Encouragement for Today – August 14, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Historical Events 1183 - Taira no Munemori and Taira clan take young Emperor Antoku and 3 sacred treasures and flee to western Japan to escape Minamoto clan (Traditional Japanese date: 25th Day of the 7th Month of the 2nd Year of Juei). 1813 - British warship Pelican attacks and captures US war brigantine Argus 1825 - Dutch King William I expels foreign students 1976 - 10,000 Northern Ireland women demonstrate for peace in Belfast 1980 - Democratic Convention in NYC nominates Jimmy Carter for president and Walter Mondale for vice president 2015 - Most extensive face transplant surgery ever performed on Patrick Hardison by Dr. Eduardo Rodriguez at New York University Langone Medical Center More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1626 - Daniel Elsevier, Dutch book publisher, born in Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherland (d. 1680) 1836 - Walter Besant, English writer and philanthropist (Rebel Queen), born in Portsmouth, Hampshire (d. 1901) 1868 - Leone Sinigaglia, Italian composer, born in Turin, Italy (d. 1944) 1928 - Lina Wertmüller [Arcangela Braueich], Italian screenwriter, film director, and 1st woman nominated for an Academy Award for Directing (Seven Beauties), born in Rome, Italy 1968 - Adrian Lester, English actor, born in Birmingham, United Kingdom 1971 - Pramodaya Wickremasinhghe, Sri Lankan cricketer (Sri Lankan fast-medium bowler), born in Matara, Sri Lanka More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1390 - John FitzAlan, 2nd Baron Arundel, English soldier, dies at 26 1913 - Josephine Cochrane, American inventor (automatic dishwasher), dies of a stroke at 74 1954 - Hugo Eckener, German inventor and commander of the famous Graf Zeppelin during its record-setting flights, dies at 86 1974 - Raymond Budd, South African trade unionist 1994 - Alice Childress, American playwright, actress and writer, dies at 77 1995 - Joseph Fattorini, businessman, dies at 82 More Famous Deaths »

Neurodivergence is a term for people whose brains process things differently than those considered neurotypical. It has nothing to do with intelligence, and neurodivergent people often have incredible gifts. Lucy Illingworth, 13, is blind, autistic, and one of the most talented piano players we’ve ever heard. The young girl cannot communicate with words, but she tells incredible stories as her fingers touch the keys of the piano. The moment she begins, people quite literally stop what they are doing to listen to her play. Lucy’s mom, Candice Flynn, knew her daughter had something special from a very young age and helped her cultivate what came naturally to her. When she was 12, Lucy competed in the British music competition show The Piano and won the top prize. She captured the hearts of her country and the respect of millions. Lucy’s Mom Says Her Daughter Is A Gift Candice told Channel 4 that Lucy picked up a toy keyboard at a very young age and played Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star perfectly. She said it was a magical moment. Even though her daughter’s life is different, she wants the same things all moms do. “As Lucy’s Mum, all I really want for her is to be happy, safe, secure, and to continue just being Lucy. I’ve always maintained that if one day Lucy decided music wasn’t for her anymore, I’d respect that decision!  Honestly, though, I can’t see that ever happening, as music and Lucy are soulmates connected in every way possible,” she told Channel 4. Candice believes that her daughter is special in many ways. Her musical talent comes from deep inside her soul. When Lucky plays the piano, she becomes something else entirely. She told Channel 4, “Honestly, I just believe Lucy is music – she has musical notes flowing through her blood.” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Blind Autistic Girl Shocks Crowd When She Flawlessly And Emotionally Plays Piano: “How She Communicates With The World” appeared first on InspireMore.