Keeping the main thing the main thing You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-as the Lord has assigned to each his task. – 1 Corinthians 3:3-5 Flight 401 was bound for Miami from New York City with a load of holiday passengers on the night of December 29, 1972. As the huge aircraft approached the Miami Airport for its landing, a light that indicates proper deployment of the landing gear failed to come on. The plane flew in a large, looping circle over the swamps of the Everglades while the cockpit crew checked out the light failure. The flight engineer fiddled with the bulb. He tried to remove it, but it wouldn't budge. Another member of the crew tried to help out… and then another. By and by, if you can believe it, all eyes were on the little light bulb that refused to be dislodged from its socket. No one noticed that the plane was losing altitude. Finally, it dropped right into a swamp, killing 101 people. While an experienced crew of high-priced and seasoned pilots messed around with a tiny light bulb, an entire airplane and many of its passengers were lost. The crew momentarily forgot the most basic of all rules of the air-don't forget to fly the airplane! The same thing can happen to Christians today. In the midst of so much arguing and debating about worship styles, preaching personalities, and minor theological points, they often forget the most basic rule-reach others for Christ. So as you live your life, focus on what really matters and show the world the love of Jesus! Prayer Challenge Pray that God would show you where to compromise, where to stay firm, and most of all, how you can advance His Kingdom and make disciples. Visit the Senior Living Ministries website Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing – Senior Living – July 12 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for When You Haven’t Prayed in a WhileBy Alicia Searl "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." – Psalm 145:18 How is your prayer life? I ask this question because I remember being on fire for God at the beginning of my faith journey. There was a desire to be in constant communication with Him; it was so special and sweet. Then, over time, my "fire" from within sort of dwindled, and while I still communicated with God, it wasn't as consistent. Since then, I must admit I have gone through seasons where I am in regular communication with God and times in which I am wandering through a prayer desert that is barren and dry. Yet, I can't help but think of a time God intervened when my prayer life was "iffy" and the sequence of events that followed. When my husband and I first got married, let's just say our faith journey was at a standstill. While I was raised in the church, we only attended here and there, so that became my perspective on faith and prayer as well. I guess you could say I didn't fully understand the purpose of prayer, and I only lifted up my heart to God every now and then. My husband, on the other hand, was raised to pray for everything, thanks to his precious grandmother, who etched that into his heart at a young age. Yet even he was in a rut in his faith and prayer life.  We were living aimlessly at that point, but God made it quite apparent that He was pursuing our hearts and wanted more for us. It began when my husband came home from work, took my hand, and told me he wanted to talk about something. His co-worker had invited us to this new marriage class meant just for newlyweds. He went on and on about how the class was made up of couples our age, and we could make friends and maybe grow our faith. He seemed excited and really wanted to go. Well, truth be told, so did I! Because you see, I had received the same message from a friend at work about the very same newlywed class! God made a bold move that day, and we saw the writing on the wall, so we decided to go. That Sunday, we nervously walked into a bustling group of about twenty couples mingling and somehow managed to find our co-workers who had invited us . We even made a few new friends, who we are still friends with to this very day! Do you want to know the very first question the Bible study leader asked this group of newly married couples? How is your prayer life? Whoa. Let's just say it had been a while since I prayed, so upon hearing those words, I sank and felt as if that simple (yet powerful) question was directly aimed at me.  Maybe you can relate? Maybe it's been a minute since you opened up your heart in prayer. I know how hard and intimidating it can be to put your hands together when it's been a while. I know the pressure to say the perfect words, come into His presence with the right heart and frame of mind, and the feelings of unworthiness when stumbling into prayer after a long absence. Those feelings are valid and understandable. But God doesn't want your "perfect performance of a prayer.” He just wants your heart. The purpose of our prayers is to communicate with our Creator, who sees and knows all and loves us anyway. So, as Psalm 145:18 says, "Just call upon Him." Not sure where to start? Begin with some of the simple and honest prayers below as a guide and go from there. Are you ready? Let's pray: God, it's me. It's been a while. Please forgive my absence, I miss You. Will you help me come to You more often? I really need You. Amen. Lord, I'm here. I'm willing and ready to begin our line of communication again. I need Your help and wisdom. Please grant me strength to seek You. Amen. Father, thank you for everything. I know I haven't been able to come before You in quite some time. I need You to forgive me; please help me accept your forgiveness. Amen. God, I'm not sure where to start, but I do know that I really want You to be the center of my life. I am in desperate need of Your wisdom and want to chase after what You want. Amen. Here I am, God. I am all Yours. I want to be obedient and seek to understand Your will and Your ways. Help me learn to pause and seek You in every season of my life, in want and in plenty. Amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master's in literacy.  Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. 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 When You Haven’t Prayed in a While – Your Daily Prayer – July 12 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for When You Haven’t Prayed in a WhileBy Alicia Searl "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." – Psalm 145:18 How is your prayer life? I ask this question because I remember being on fire for God at the beginning of my faith journey. There was a desire to be in constant communication with Him; it was so special and sweet. Then, over time, my "fire" from within sort of dwindled, and while I still communicated with God, it wasn't as consistent. Since then, I must admit I have gone through seasons where I am in regular communication with God and times in which I am wandering through a prayer desert that is barren and dry. Yet, I can't help but think of a time God intervened when my prayer life was "iffy" and the sequence of events that followed. When my husband and I first got married, let's just say our faith journey was at a standstill. While I was raised in the church, we only attended here and there, so that became my perspective on faith and prayer as well. I guess you could say I didn't fully understand the purpose of prayer, and I only lifted up my heart to God every now and then. My husband, on the other hand, was raised to pray for everything, thanks to his precious grandmother, who etched that into his heart at a young age. Yet even he was in a rut in his faith and prayer life.  We were living aimlessly at that point, but God made it quite apparent that He was pursuing our hearts and wanted more for us. It began when my husband came home from work, took my hand, and told me he wanted to talk about something. His co-worker had invited us to this new marriage class meant just for newlyweds. He went on and on about how the class was made up of couples our age, and we could make friends and maybe grow our faith. He seemed excited and really wanted to go. Well, truth be told, so did I! Because you see, I had received the same message from a friend at work about the very same newlywed class! God made a bold move that day, and we saw the writing on the wall, so we decided to go. That Sunday, we nervously walked into a bustling group of about twenty couples mingling and somehow managed to find our co-workers who had invited us . We even made a few new friends, who we are still friends with to this very day! Do you want to know the very first question the Bible study leader asked this group of newly married couples? How is your prayer life? Whoa. Let's just say it had been a while since I prayed, so upon hearing those words, I sank and felt as if that simple (yet powerful) question was directly aimed at me.  Maybe you can relate? Maybe it's been a minute since you opened up your heart in prayer. I know how hard and intimidating it can be to put your hands together when it's been a while. I know the pressure to say the perfect words, come into His presence with the right heart and frame of mind, and the feelings of unworthiness when stumbling into prayer after a long absence. Those feelings are valid and understandable. But God doesn't want your "perfect performance of a prayer.” He just wants your heart. The purpose of our prayers is to communicate with our Creator, who sees and knows all and loves us anyway. So, as Psalm 145:18 says, "Just call upon Him." Not sure where to start? Begin with some of the simple and honest prayers below as a guide and go from there. Are you ready? Let's pray: God, it's me. It's been a while. Please forgive my absence, I miss You. Will you help me come to You more often? I really need You. Amen. Lord, I'm here. I'm willing and ready to begin our line of communication again. I need Your help and wisdom. Please grant me strength to seek You. Amen. Father, thank you for everything. I know I haven't been able to come before You in quite some time. I need You to forgive me; please help me accept your forgiveness. Amen. God, I'm not sure where to start, but I do know that I really want You to be the center of my life. I am in desperate need of Your wisdom and want to chase after what You want. Amen. Here I am, God. I am all Yours. I want to be obedient and seek to understand Your will and Your ways. Help me learn to pause and seek You in every season of my life, in want and in plenty. Amen. Photo credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master's in literacy.  Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook. 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 When You Haven’t Prayed in a While – Your Daily Prayer – July 12 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1898 - Jean-Baptiste Marchand hoists French flag in Fashoda, Sudan 1949 - Dutch KLM Constellation crashes near Bombay, 45 die 1949 - 16th All Star Baseball Game: AL wins 11-7 at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn 1960 - USSR's Sputnik 5 launched with 2 dogs 1960 - Orlyonok, the main Young Pioneer camp of the Russian SFSR, is founded. 1968 - Couve de Murville forms government in France 1973 - A fire destroys the entire 6th floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the United States 1994 - 65th All Star Baseball Game: AL wins 7-8 at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh 1996 - Start of 1st "Super 8's" tournament in Kuala Lumpur 2011 - 82nd All Star Baseball Game: NL wins 5-1 at Chase Field, Phoenix More Historical Events »

The media tried to silence these stories, now it adopted them for its own political reasons.  The post Media Starts Treating Biden Like Trump appeared first on Frontpage Mag.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Have you ever tried to relax but then wound up feeling more stressed? You are not alone. This paradoxical phenomenon, commonly referred to as ‘stresslaxing,’ occurs when attempting to unwind creates anxiety. Understanding why this occurs and how to prevent it will assist you in achieving genuine relaxation without adding stress. Expert insights Dr. Michael Schirripa, a psychiatrist, podcast host, and author, defines stresslaxing as the act of forcing oneself to relax. “This term refers to the phenomena or experience of people who are in an anxious or stressed state trying to calm down and feel more relaxed by forcing themselves to take a break or unwind,” he says. How does relaxation sometimes lead to more stress? The brain’s natural resistance The amygdala is responsible for keeping our brains attentive and aware of potential threats. “Our brains are always ‘on’ and are actually designed to be worried,” says Dr. Schirripa. This continual level of attention makes it tough to unwind and rest. Cognitive control issues People who suffer from anxiety frequently struggle with cognitive control, which means they find it difficult to put their problems aside. According to Dr. Deborah Serani, a psychologist and author, people who are prone to worry or overthinking may be more likely to ‘stresslax’. “People who live with anxiety, worry, and ruminations have difficulties with cognitive control,” she reveals. External and internal pressures Blurred boundaries The modern world has blurred the distinction between work and leisure. “Long ago, the workday ended at 5 pm and weekends were for rest and relaxation. These predictable guidelines just don’t exist anymore,” says Dr. Serani. Technology and 24-hour connectivity contribute to this, making it difficult to find genuine downtime. Internal dynamics Many people have an internal drive to remain busy and productive. “People can feel obligated to meet the demands of outside influences, leading to a perception that they are not allowed to actually have any downtime,” according to Dr. Schirripa. Some people are concerned that slowing down would trigger negative thoughts or traumatic experiences. Long-term effects of not relaxing Chronic stress has major health consequences, including high blood pressure, heart problems, exhaustion, and depression. “Depression and anxiety can surge, as can social, relational, and interpersonal difficulties when you don’t stop and smell the roses,” Dr. Serani explains. Over time, the nervous system may become highly aroused, making it difficult to relax even when striving to. Strategies to help you really relax Recognize that relaxation is active Dr. Natalie Christine Dattilo, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that relaxing is a dynamic process. “Relaxation is not as passive an activity as people have been led to believe, and it doesn’t come naturally to some people,” she reports. True relaxation entails engaging in activities that trigger a relaxation reaction, which is the physiological opposite of the fight-or-flight response. How to set relaxation in motion 1. Set boundaries Set clear boundaries between work and home life. Consider turning off devices early every night. “Make self-care a priority and learn how to manage it every day,” says Dr. Serani. 2. Practice the Benson relaxation method This method is sitting comfortably, closing your eyes, and deliberately relaxing all muscles from your feet to your head while breathing deeply for 20 minutes. “This will likely feel a little challenging or forced at first, so maybe start with 5 minutes and gradually work your way up,” recommends Dr. Dattilo. 3. Make a ‘Done’ list Rather than focusing on your to-do list, consider what you’ve accomplished. “Highlighting your done list will aid in celebrating your finished chores and encourage relaxation,” advises Dr. Serani. 4. Practice 5-minute meditation “Studies show that even five minutes of deep breathing, silence, and restfulness can enhance mental and physical functioning,” explains Dr. Serani. For longer sessions, consider using a guided meditation app. 5. Apply the ‘5,4,3,2,1 Technique’ Ground yourself by naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This sensory exercise can help alleviate anxiety and facilitate relaxation. Stress management can be difficult, but knowing why it occurs and implementing good relaxation practices can make a big impact. Setting boundaries, practicing relaxation techniques, and focusing on positive successes will help you reach true relaxation and improve your general well-being.The post How to stop ‘stresslaxing’ and actually relax first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM From building intricate nests to performing life-saving surgeries, Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) are pushing the boundaries of insect behavior. These amazing ants have been seen cleaning and even amputating the limbs of their injured nestmates, demonstrating an extraordinary sort of medical care in the animal kingdom. Florida carpenter ants take wound care to another level An international team of academics recently published a paper in Current Biology that dives into the ants’ unique medical talents. Lead author Erik Frank, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Würzburg, states, “When we’re talking about amputation behavior, this is literally the only case in which a sophisticated and systematic amputation of an individual by another member of its species occurs in the animal kingdom.” Carpenter ants do two types of mechanical wound care: cleaning wounds with their mouthparts and conducting entire leg amputations if needed. Unlike other ants, that use antibacterial substances from specific glands, carpenter ants use solely mechanical means. Precision in treatment The researchers thoroughly investigated how these ants assess and treat various types of injury. They identified two types of wounds: femur lacerations and tibia lacerations. Femur injuries were often treated with an initial cleaning and then amputation of the leg, whereas tibia injuries were treated with only cleaning. This targeted strategy greatly increased survival rates. As Frank explains: “…femur injuries, where they always amputated the leg, had a success rate around 90 percent or 95 percent. And for the tibia, where they did not amputate, it still achieved about the survival rate of 75 percent.” In comparison, untreated femoral and tibial injuries had survival rates of 40 percent and 15 percent respectively. Understanding the medical mechanics The study looked into why ants choose different treatments for varying injuries. Injuries to the femur, which is mostly made up of muscle tissue, are important for blood pumping. Damage to this area reduces blood circulation and increases the risk of infection. Tibia injuries have a less severe impact on blood flow because they involve less muscle tissue. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that amputating tibia injuries soon was critical, as delayed amputations resulted in increased mortality. “It took a minimum of 40 minutes for an ant-assisted amputation. In cases of an injury to the tibia, it was shown that not amputating the leg immediately post-infection meant the ant would die,” Frank notes. Laurent Keller, senior author and evolutionary biologist at the University of Lausanne, says, “Because they are unable to cut the leg sufficiently quickly to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, ants try to limit the probability of lethal infection by spending more time cleaning the tibia wound.” Innate medical expertise The findings show ants’ natural capacity to assess and repair damage. “The fact that the ants are able to diagnose a wound, see if it’s infected or sterile, and treat it accordingly over long periods of time by other individuals — the only medical system that can rival that would be the human one,” Frank said. Keller underscores the natural basis of these behaviors, stating, “It’s really all innate behavior. Ant behaviors change based on the age of an individual, but there is very little evidence of any learning.” Future study The researchers are now looking at whether other species of carpenter ants that lack the antimicrobial gland undertake comparable amputations. This ongoing study could shed light on the evolution of medical practices in ants, as well as raise questions about how these social insects perceive pain. According to Frank. “When you look at the videos where you have the ant presenting the injured leg and letting the other one bite off completely voluntarily, and then present the newly made wound so another one can finish [the] cleaning process — this level of innate cooperation to me is quite striking.” The study, “Wound-dependent leg amputations to combat infections in an ant society,” continues to excite academics and enthusiasts alike, revealing light on the complex and fascinating world of Florida carpenter ants.The post Florida carpenter ants: nature’s teeny tiny surgeons and wound care experts first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Hurting ourselves or trying to end our lives is not what God wants for us.

A new method for monitoring contamination in bioethanol production could boost industry revenue by over $1.6 billion USD and cut CO2 emissions by 2 million...