The best way to deal with anger Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit‚ for anger resides in the lap of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9 The author Jim Taylor tells a story about his longtime friend‚ Ralph. One morning‚ Ralph woke up at 5:00 a.m. to a terrible thumping noise up on his roof. Still in his pajamas and groggy from just waking up‚ he walked out into the backyard to investigate. As he gazed up high‚ he found a woodpecker on the TV antenna pounding its little brains out on the metal pole. Ralph was so angry that he picked up a rock and threw it at the little woodpecker. The rock sailed over the house and he heard a crash as it went through his car windshield on the other side of the house. Even angrier‚ he reared his leg back to give a good kick to a rock on the ground‚ only to remember too late that he was still barefoot! Anger is a very interesting animal. There are times that anger‚ when it's controlled‚ can be good. Then there are those fits of uncontrolled anger that often have consequences that were never intended. That's the kind of anger that should be avoided. When you're angry‚ learn to have self-control. Don't allow impulsive behavior to rule your life. Instead‚ make good‚ sensible‚ Spirit-led choices on how to express your feelings. When you do‚ you'll avoid negative consequences and live with much more joy! Prayer Challenge Pray that God would help express your anger at the right time and in the right way. Questions for Thought What are some examples of how you've expressed anger wrongly in the past? How would it have looked for you to express your anger properly in those situations? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post The Best Way to Deal with Anger – Senior Living – April 2 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer to See God's Light in the DarknessBy Maggie Meadows Cooper "You‚ Lord‚ keep my lamp burning; My God turns my darkness into light." – Psalm 18:28 NIV I sit here at my computer today‚ wanting to type‚ but not really knowing what to say. So many things and people are on my heart‚ with so little that I know to do to help. The world as a whole‚ as well as our little worlds around us‚ can look so very dark at times. And so‚ I do the only thing I can: I go to God's Word for reassurance of who He is. I remind myself of all that He's done‚ and I find hope in all that He is able to do. If you are in that place today‚ read over this list‚ mark these verses in your Bible‚ and know‚ without a doubt‚ that these things are true and can be trusted: The Lord is here in our midst (Zeph. 3:17). In the middle of dark‚ messy‚ incredibly painful things. I know that He illuminates the darkness when nothing and no one else can (2 Sam. 22:29). I know that He will never change‚ and He is the same yesterday‚ today‚ and forever (Heb. 13:8). I know that the same Jesus who walked this earth thousands of years ago is here with us now (Matt. 28:20). In our hearts‚ in our homes‚ in our day-to-day moments when we invite Him in (Rev. 3:20). I know that with each year that passes the hard things don't seem to get any less...maybe even more (Ecc. 7:14). And I know that the Lord has sustained me and those I love through them all (Psalm 54:4). I know that when I am weak‚ He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10). That when I am weary‚ He gives me rest (Matt.11:28). That when all else fails‚ He doesn't (Josh. 21:45). I know that when I am afraid‚ I can trust in Him (Psalm 56:3). I know that He has been faithful in the past and He will be in the future (Heb. 10:23). I know that He holds all things together…He holds me together (Col. 1:17). I know that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). I know that He bends down to listen when I pray‚ so I will never stop (Psalm 116:2). I know that He hurts when I hurt (Isa. 63:9). I know that He wants all of us to come to Him (1 Tim. 2:4). I know that He created me with a purpose that every situation in my life is a part of (Eph. 2:10). I know that He fights for me if I will only be still (Ex. 14:14). I know that He is the Rock I can build my life on (Psalm 18:2). I know that if I grow my roots down into Him my faith will not be shaken when hard things come (Jer. 17:7-8). I know that the work I do for Him is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). I know that He’s real (Rom. 1:19). I know that His Word is Truth (2 Tim. 3:16-17). I know that He can make impossible situations possible (Mark 10:27)‚ unbearable situations bearable‚ and the unthinkable thinkable. I know that He will be with us wherever we go‚ that we don't have to be afraid (Josh 1:9). Ever. I know that He is the light of the world and darkness cannot overcome Him (John 1:5). And you can know these things too. In the verse at the top‚ David said "my God" and "my darkness" because they were his personally. We all have dark places at times. Hard things can leave us feeling lost and unseen. But you are not lost‚ and you are not unseen by Jesus. He is the light you are looking for. He is the One‚ the only One who can make things right in your world. Don't sit alone in those hard places. Call out to Jesus‚ your personal Savior‚ to bring you out of the darkness and into the light with Him. I know He will meet you there. Let's pray: Dear Jesus‚Life can feel so very dark at times‚ not just for the world around me but for me personally. Help me to turn my eyes to you‚ to remember the truth of who you are‚ and to put my hope in you and your Word. Thank you for lighting up my darkness and meeting me where I am.In your mighty name‚ Jesus‚ amen. Photo credit: Unsplash.com/Paolo Nicolello Maggie Meadows Cooper is a wife‚ mom‚ educator‚ author‚ and blogger with a longing for women to grow a heart for Jesus and others. She is the author of the children's book "Bumper" and blogs at The Little Moments about what the Lord is teaching her through her children and everyday life. She contributes to Blogs by Christian Women‚ Devotional Diva‚ She Disciples‚ and Connecting Ministries. An educator with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University (War Eagle!)‚ she has twenty years of experience working with young children. She loves all things chocolate‚ real Coca-Cola‚ and lives with her husband‚ three children‚ and two rambunctious dogs in Opelika‚ Alabama. 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 to See God’s Light in the Darkness – Your Daily Prayer – April 2 appeared first on GodUpdates.

April 2‚ 2024 God Has Not Forgotten the People You LoveJUNE CHAPMAN‚ COMPEL Training Member Lee en español "But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation." Psalm 13:5 (ESV) Please save her‚ Father. I beg You to open her eyes to Your love for her. Please shine Your light in dark places‚ and incline her heart to follow Jesus as Lord. On my knees‚ through tears‚ I begged God for my friend's salvation. I'd brought her name to Him for years - and not just hers. My list of names was very long‚ indeed. I'm still praying for many friends and family members to come to faith. I'm praying they recognize their separation from God and accept His free‚ gracious gift of salvation. I desperately desire for God to call these lost sheep to Himself. But waiting for that day feels so hard. As I was praying for my friend that night‚ grief and worry threatened to consume me. Eventually‚ I had to face some hard questions. I trusted that God heard my cries‚ but ... had He forgotten my loved ones? Had He forgotten the names I'd placed before Him? In Psalm 13‚ the psalmist‚ David‚ wondered if God had forgotten his concerns too. He was wrestling with sorrow in his waiting and desperately called out to God just as I do. "How long‚ O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1‚ ESV). David begged for change and the Lord's intervention‚ but the time had not yet come. Rather than giving in to defeat‚ allowing disappointments or disillusionment to crush him‚ David did something unexpected. He said‚ "But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD‚ because he has dealt bountifully with me" (Psalm 13:5-6‚ ESV). In the face of his fear‚ David resolved to trust God's steadfast love. He rejoiced in salvation‚ recognizing it as a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). He knew the Lord cared for him‚ and so he sang even in his waiting. Our Father cares about all people as His image bearers. He formed us in the womb and has numbered the hairs on our heads (Psalm 139:13-16; Luke 12:7). If we care so greatly for our loved ones‚ how much more can we trust our Father to care deeply and compassionately for each of them as His creations? We can rest in the truth of 2 Peter 3:9 today: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise‚ as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you‚ not wanting anyone to perish‚ but everyone to come to repentance" (NIV). In the Lord's timing‚ He established David as king of Israel. Fourteen generations later‚ through David’s family line‚ Jesus was born. Through David's patient waiting‚ the Lord was working out all things for good. God loves your friends and family immeasurably. He hasn't forgotten them. He's patiently‚ powerfully and mercifully pursuing lost hearts so that many might come to know Him. In the meantime‚ we can trust and rejoice in His steadfast love. Dear God‚ thank You for loving my loved ones and remembering each of their names. Please remind me of Your tenderhearted patience‚ and fill me with peace as I watch Your Kingdom grow. In Jesus' Name‚ Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS If you're praying for a loved one to follow Jesus but the wait feels painful‚ frustrating or confusing‚ June Chapman's book‚ Peace in the Waiting: When You Love People Who Don't Love God‚ offers a hope-filled path to finding comfort in God's sovereignty and timing. ENGAGE For more encouragement‚ connect with today's devotion writer‚ June Chapman‚ on Instagram. You can also find free related resources on her website! FOR DEEPER STUDY Psalm 33:20-22‚ "Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him‚ because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love‚ O LORD‚ be upon us‚ even as we hope in you" (ESV). God is at work behind the scenes. What's one way you might redirect your worry back to worship‚ focusing less on the situation you see in front of you and more on rejoicing in God's goodness‚ grace and free gift of salvation? Share your thoughts in the comments! © 2024 by June Chapman. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews‚ NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post God Has Not Forgotten the People You Love – Encouragement for Today – April 2‚ 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Floridians will vote in November to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and up. The Florida Supreme Court approved a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. The Florida Supreme Court will allow the state's voter to decide on whether to protect abortion rights and legalize recreational marijuana in November. https://t.co/rwWSFipQVG — The Associated Press (@AP) April 1‚ 2024 “A ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana under Florida law obtained the required number of signatures to trigger mandatory judicial review of the initiative’s validity. Our role is narrow—we assess only whether the amendment conforms to the constitutionally mandated single-subject requirement‚ whether the ballot summary meets the statutory standard for clarity‚ and whether the amendment is facially invalid under the federal constitution‚” Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie R. Grosshans wrote. “In light of those limited considerations‚ we approve the proposed amendment for placement on the ballot‚” Grosshans added. BREAKING: Adult Use Cannabis Will be On the 2024 Ballot in Florida! https://t.co/lJeZArjm4t pic.twitter.com/Dih6Ln40qL — Chris Nelson (@ReOpenChris) April 1‚ 2024 From the Associated Press: The justices voted 5-2 to allow on the ballot a measure that would allow companies which already grow and sell medical marijuana to sell it to adults over 21 for any reason. The ballot measure also would make possession of marijuana for personal use legal. Moody argued that the proposal is deceptive‚ in part‚ because federal law still doesn’t allow recreational or medical use of marijuana. She argued that the court previously erred when it approved the language for the medical marijuana ballot initiative voters passed in 2016. In the majority opinion‚ Grosshans rejected Moody’s argument‚ saying the measure will not confuse voters as it “clearly states that the amendment legalizes adult personal possession and use of marijuana as a matter of Florida law.” Grosshans rejected an argument by others that the measure violates the prohibition against multi-subject ballot measures because it both decriminalizes marijuana and allows for its sale. Grosshans wrote that those two are logically linked. “Legalization of marijuana presumes the product will be available for the consumer. Likewise‚ the sale of personal-use marijuana cannot be reasonably undertaken while possession is criminalized. Selling and possessing marijuana appear‚ for better or worse‚ directly connected‚” Grosshans wrote. “The Florida Supreme Court has ruled to allow Smart &; Safe’s ballot amendment for recreational marijuana in Florida. This November‚ Floridians will be not only be voting for President‚ they will also decide if they want people to be able to buy cannabis without a medical card‚” Martha Bueno commented. Breaking news: The Florida Supreme Court has ruled to allow Smart &; Safe’s ballot amendment for recreational marijuana in Florida. This November‚ Floridians will be not only be voting for President‚ they will also decide if they want people to be able to buy cannabis without a… — Martha Bueno (@BuenoForMiami) April 1‚ 2024 Forbes noted: “This is one of the most important cannabis legalization campaigns in recent years‚” Matthew Schweich‚ executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project‚ said in a statement from the cannabis policy reform advocacy group. “We have the opportunity to end the injustice of cannabis prohibition for over 22 million Americans.” To become law‚ the ballot measure must receive at least 60% of the vote in the November election. Of the 24 states in the union with an initiative process‚ Florida is the only one to set a 60% threshold for passage. “The challenge in Florida is reaching the 60% mark‚” added Schweich‚ who has served as campaign director for six successful cannabis reform ballot initiative campaigns since 2016. “We need a well-funded campaign but just as importantly we need a strong grassroots operation that can mobilize support and turn out pro-legalization voters.” In June 2023‚ state elections officials revealed that the adult-use cannabis legalization proposal from Smart &; Safe Florida had received enough signatures to qualify for the 2024 general election ballot. Before it could appear on the ballot‚ the initiative faced a review by the Florida Supreme Court‚ which is tasked with verifying that the measure is limited to a single issue and is not likely to confuse voters. In 2021‚ the Florida Supreme Court invalidated marijuana legalization bids on two separate occasions.

1877 - 1st Easter egg roll held on White House lawn 1917 - Jeannette Rankin (Rep-R-Montana) begins her term as 1st woman member of US House of Reps 1932 - "Tarzan the Ape Man" released starring Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller in the first of his 12 Tarzan films 1944 - Dmitri Shostakovich's 8th Symphony premieres in NY 1960 - Cuba buys oil from USSR 1993 - 1st test flight of Fokker 70 (Amsterdam) 1996 - Vancouver Grizzlies beat Minnesota Timberwolves‚ 105-103 at General Motors Place Arena to end their NBA single-season record 23-game consecutive loss streak 2017 - 36th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: South Carolina defeats Mississippi State‚ 67-55; Gamecocks power forward A'ja Wilson‚ 23 points 2019 - NASA states it wants to send astronauts to Mars by 2033‚ and land on the Moon again in 2024 2020 - Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro downplays the COVID-19 pandemic saying "its not all its being made out to be" More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1905 - Cairo-Capetown railway opens 1987 - IBM introduces PS/2 and OS/2 1995 - Longest strike in American major league sports history (232 days) ends as MLB owners accept players’ offer to return to work without a contract; MLB is first major pro sports league to lose an entire postseason due to labor struggles 1996 - Vancouver Grizzlies beat Minnesota Timberwolves‚ 105-103 at General Motors Place Arena to end their NBA single-season record 23-game consecutive loss streak 2010 - Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant signs a three-year contract extension with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers worth $87 million 2013 - Uruguay passes legislation to legalize same-sex marriage More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1740 - Armand-Gaston Camus‚ French revolutionary and Chairman of the Council of 500‚ born in Paris (d. 1804) 1900 - Roberto Arlt‚ Argentine writer (The Seven Madmen)‚ born in Buenos Aires‚ Argentina (d. 1942) 1910 - Arnie Herber‚ American Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (NFL C'ship 1930‚ 31‚ 36‚ 39; First-team All-Pro 1932‚ 35‚ 36; Green Bay Packers‚ NY Giants)‚ born in Green Bay‚ Wisconsin (d. 1969) 1963 - Dermot Reeve‚ English cricket all-rounder (3 Tests‚ 29 ODIs)‚ born in Kowloon‚ Hong Kong 1982 - Jeremy Bloom‚ American alpine skier (FIS Freestyle World Ski C'ships gold dual moguls 2003) and football wide receiver (Philadelphia Eagles‚ Pittsburgh Steelers)‚ born in Loveland‚ Colorado 1982 - Leyla Milani‚ Iranian-Canadian actress and model‚ born in Toronto‚ Ontario More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1787 - Francisco Javier Clavijero‚ Mexican Jesuit teacher and writer‚ dies at 55 1956 - Chester Clute‚ American actor ("Arsenic and Old Lace"; "Too Many Girls"; "Niagara Falls")‚ dies of a heart attack at 65 1980 - Pascual de Rogatis‚ Argentine composer (Huemac; Estampas Argentinas)‚ dies at 99 1993 - Eugenie Leontovitch‚ Russian actress (Homicidal‚ The Rains of Ranchipur)‚ dies at 93 1995 - Harvey Penick‚ American golfer‚ coach‚ author (World Golf Hall of Fame)‚ dies of degenerative arthritis at 90 2002 - Henry Slesar‚ American writer and playwright (The Edge of Night)‚ dies at 74 More Famous Deaths »

A duo back in the 60s‚ Medicine Head is now effectively just John Fiddler‚ whose new album Heartworks is filled with love