It seems as if Hawaii is going out of its way to demonstrate the utter contempt with which blue cities hold our constitutional rights. Specifically‚ the Hawaii Supreme Court has decided that the Second Amendment to the Constitution‚ which grants American citizens the right to bear arms‚ must take a...

Not even CNN can deny reality altogether. But at least we know that the floundering network can still tailor that reality to its liberal audience's expectations. On Thursday‚ host Jake Tapper and a panel of legal experts told their undoubtedly crestfallen viewers that U.S. Supreme Court justices seemed uniformly reluctant...

A Prayer When You Are Tempted with JealousyBy Emily Rose Massey "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world‚ [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing‚ with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8‚ ESV).  Has interaction on social media ever created a heaviness in your heart‚ perhaps leading you to compare yourself to others? In my life‚ I seem to get this cloud that forms over me when I scroll through certain social media influencers’ profiles. You know‚ the ones from somewhere in the Midwest with a thriving business‚ beautiful children‚ Magnolia-inspired farmhouse decor covering the pristine photos of their adorable home…and the lighting! Perfect lighting in these pictures…every single one of them! Absolutely stunning natural light in these posts! And I want to imitate it‚ not because I am inspired‚ but because quite frankly‚ I am jealous of these strangers on the internet! The cloud that looms over my head is this heaviness that I need to make my life look like this. I start to think I need what they have‚ and a feeling of “not enough” starts to creep up in my heart. Recently‚ the Lord has been showing me through this restlessness how discontented I have become through social media‚ and that is something I am working through with the Holy Spirit on how I can guard my heart from these types of entanglements that bring distraction and discontentment. My eyes have drifted upon lesser things‚ and it has affected my heart in a great way. Comparison that leads to envy and jealousy has been a trap of the enemy since creation. The motive behind Adam and Eve's disobedience was comparison‚ which led to covetousness‚ which led to pride‚ which led to selfishness‚ which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear). Are you in fear? Then you are not in faith‚ believing God at His Word and fully trusting Him that He has given you exactly what you need. Anything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). When we compare ourselves with another‚ we are saying we would do a better job planning out our lives than our Creator‚ the sovereign Most High‚ acting like Satan who fell and caused Adam and Eve to fall. Whoa‚ that is a dangerous place to be! When we are wrestling with these heart issues and sin‚ we often need a perspective shift‚ and this won't come from social media‚ but the Word of God is what will bring clarity when our minds and hearts become clouded with worldliness that causes us to become jealous of others.  The Apostle Paul reminds his spiritual son Timothy in his first letter to him to keep his mind on eternal and spiritual matters: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world‚ and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing‚ with these we shall be content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8‚ ESV). Our Heavenly Father ensures that birds are fed; surely‚ He will take care of us! If we have food and clothing‚ we truly don't need anything else; All else is comfort and gifts from our Father. Any material blessing beyond food and clothing that the Lord graces us with should cause us to worship and rejoice in thankfulness for His rich mercy and love towards us as His children.  We are all guilty of comparing our lives to someone else's life at one point or another and allowing it to cause some form of jealousy. The only way out is to repent and renew your mind with the Word of God. Instead of fixating on others' lives‚ we must keep our eyes on Jesus and His Word. If you cling to Him and abide in Him‚ you will remain full of His love‚ joy‚ and peace- the only things that will bring true fulfillment and contentment. You won't want anything else than what He has given you; His perfect‚ eternal promises and tender‚ Fatherly care for you will be more than enough. Let's lift our gaze and thank Him for what He has already so richly provided for us in Christ Jesus.  Let's pray: Heavenly Father‚Thank You for providing everything that I need (not want). You have provided food and clothing‚ and in this‚ I need to be content. Contentment with godliness is great gain in Your eyes. I need Your help to find rest in contentment; I need Your help to remain grateful when my eyes wander onto others' lives causing me to become jealous. I trust that Your plan for my life is best‚ which includes all earthly possessions that I am given. I fix my eyes upon You and Your Word today. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that convicts my heart when I become jealous or envious of others. Help me to prioritize my time and create boundaries‚ especially regarding my social media usage. I want to glorify You in my thoughts and actions. In Jesus' name‚ amen.  Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Candy Retriever Emily Massey began writing short stories and poetry as a little girl‚ entered the blogging world in her early 20s‚ and published her first book in 2015. She enjoys being a stay-at-home momma while still being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Believing she has been forgiven much‚ she loves much‚ and desires to point others to Christ and His redemptive and transforming power‚ especially by sharing truth found in God's written Word. If you would like to connect with Emily‚ you can visit www.emilyrosemassey.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 When You Are Tempted with Jealousy – Your Daily Prayer – February 9 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Historical Events 1922 - Brazil becomes a member of the Berne Convention copyright treaty 1935 - US male Figure Skating championship won by Robin Lee 1953 - WNEP TV channel 16 in Scranton Wilkes-Barre‚ PA (ABC) 1st broadcast 1960 - AFL and NFL agree verbally to a no tampering pact 1990 - Namibia's constitution ratified 2006 - 56th Berlin International Film Festival: "Grbavica" wins the Golden Bear More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1909 - Carmen Miranda‚ Portuguese vocalist and actress (Copacabana; Date With Judy)‚ born in Marco de Canavezes‚ Portugal (d. 1955) 1914 - Ralph Herman‚ American Emmy Award-winning composer (From the Scriptures; Circus Time)‚ orchestra leader‚ and music director (ABC-TV‚ 1952-71)‚ born in Milwaukee‚ Wisconsin (d. 1994) 1927 - Joe Maneri‚ American jazz composer‚ saxophone and clarinet player (Boston Microtonal Society)‚ born in Brooklyn‚ NYC (d. 2009) 1954 - Christopher Gardner‚ American entrepreneur 1971 - Johan Mjällby‚ Swedish footballer 1997 - Catie Waters‚ American jazz and RandB singer-songwriter‚ born in Fayetteville‚ Arkansas More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1875 - Cecil De Vere‚ 1st official British chess champion (1866)‚ dies at 28 1964 - Willie Bryant‚ American jazz singer‚ bandleader‚ and disc jockey (Sugar Hill Times)‚ dies of a heart attack at 55 2000 - Beau Jack‚ American boxer (NYSAC world lightweight champion 1942-44)‚ dies of complications from Parkinson's disease at 78 2001 - Herbert A. Simon‚ American political scientist (Nobel Prize in Economics‚ 1978; Turing Award‚ 1975)‚ dies at 84 2001 - Herbert Simon‚ American economist‚ Nobel laureate (b. 1916) 2009 - Vic Lewis‚ British jazz guitarist‚ bandleader‚ composer‚ and artist manager (NEMS)‚ and cricket club owner‚ dies at 89 More Famous Deaths »

Each February‚ the United States recognizes the efforts and sacrifices of African Americans who helped shape the country. If you’re unsure how to teach youngsters about Black history this month or throughout the year‚ experts frequently recommend turning to literature for help. Literature as a gateway to understanding Books may children engage with all types of history‚ but they are especially useful for understanding the nuances of Black history. Meg Medina‚ an award-winning children’s novelist and 2023-2024 National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature‚ underlines the importance of great texts: “I think when we give kids really rich texts and trust them with the information‚ trust them to be curious‚ allow them to follow their curiosity‚ we do them an enormous service.” Here are six Black History Month reading recommendations from authors‚ librarians‚ and bookshop employees‚ suitable for children and teenagers alike. A Library and Bright April: exploring history through fiction The Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden suggests two seminal books: A Library by Nikki Giovanni and Bright April by Marguerite de Angeli. These novels offer young readers windows and mirrors into African American realities and the importance of representation. Hayden emphasizes the significance of exposing youngsters to the richness of their past‚ saying‚ “I think we owe it to the young people in our lives to introduce them to that free resource: the library.” I Am Ruby Bridges: a story of courage and resilience Brittni Robertson Powell‚ program director for bookstore Baldwin &; Co.‚ recommends I Am Ruby Bridges‚ a moving depiction of Ruby’s experience as one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white school in the South. Reflecting on her own son’s reaction to the book‚ Robertson Powell emphasizes the importance of personal narratives in developing empathy and understanding‚ encouraging children to use the book’s teachings in their own lives. Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library: celebrating intellectual legacy Author Meg Medina recommends Carole Boston Weatherford’s Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library‚ a captivating investigation of Arturo Schomburg’s effort to preserve and celebrate Black heritage. Medina underlines the significance of crossing identities and various viewpoints‚ urging readers to explore Schomburg’s legacy as a catalyst for discovery and empowerment. The Black Kids: exploring identity amid turmoil Juno Kling‚ a Denver teen librarian‚ recommends Christina Hammonds Reed’s The Black Kids‚ a powerful representation of racial tensions during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Kling emphasizes the book’s relevance in addressing current concerns and encouraging young people to traverse complex social and political settings. ABC Black History and Me: education via illustration Jameka Lewis‚ a Denver library branch manager‚ suggests ABC Black History and Me by Queenbe Monyei‚ an intriguing alphabet book on Black historical figures. Lewis emphasizes the book’s accessibility and diversity portrayal‚ offering young readers an engaging introduction to prominent Black leaders. Embracing the journey of discovery Through reading‚ young readers embark on a transforming journey of discovery and comprehension. As we commemorate Black history‚ these books are invaluable resources for developing empathy‚ resilience‚ and a greater awareness of varied experiences. Discover the depth of Black history through the perspective of exceptional storytellers and visionaries‚ who inspire future generations to embrace the legacy of resilience and achievement.The post 6 books for young readers to celebrate Black History Month first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

In times of anxiety‚ the modern era has given us a popular but harmful coping mechanism—doomscrolling. A cognitive response similar to ruminating‚ doomscrolling entails repeatedly scrolling through bad content online‚ providing only a short respite without addressing the underlying cause of worry. Let’s look at the influence of doomscrolling and how to break out from the loop. Rumination‚ doomscrolling‚ and the illusion of control Rumination‚ the mental act of repeatedly cycling over worrisome thoughts‚ has a digital counterpart in doomscrolling. While both may temporarily provide a sense of control over worry‚ they fall short of addressing the root causes. They may worsen the situation by exaggerating its breadth and distorting reality. Recognize and redirect The first step in ending the doomscrolling cycle is self-awareness. Recognize the indicators of a downward spiral and disrupt the trend. Instead of giving in to the appeal of endless scrolling‚ turn your attention to alternate activities that actually treat your worry. Concrete steps for combating doomscrolling Calm your mind When anxiety sets in‚ engage in calming activities like mindfulness meditation‚ deep breathing‚ exercise‚ or a simple walk. Shift your focus away from the virtual chaos and toward the soothing routines that settle you in the present. Expressive writing Directing your emotions onto paper results in a physical narrative that externalizes the source of fear. This method not only provides temporary relief but also helps you gain a better understanding of your emotions. Studies show that expressive writing can reduce anxiety by transforming your inner turmoil into an organized story. By externalizing your thoughts‚ you create a concrete detachment from the anxiety‚ which aids comprehension and resolution. If writing or journaling isn’t your thing‚ check out this article for some helpful alternatives. Focus on control Evaluate the origins of your concerns and assess whether they are within your area of influence. Concentrate your efforts on taking actionable steps to handle situations that are within your control.  Rather than giving the impression of control through doomscrolling‚ embrace actionable control. Refocus your efforts on finding practical answers to the problems that are causing you concern. By focusing on what you can change‚ you can not only break free from the cycle but also actively construct a bright future.The post Break your doomscrolling habit: calm your anxiety and reclaim control first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

The motive behind Adam and Eve’s disobedience was comparison‚ which led to covetousness‚ which led to pride‚ which led to selfishness‚ which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear).

The motive behind Adam and Eve’s disobedience was comparison‚ which led to covetousness‚ which led to pride‚ which led to selfishness‚ which led to ungratefulness for what God had already provided (all rooted in fear).