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Iframe sync A young couple’s private moment took a funny turn when they realised they were embarrassed. The 19-year-old girl’s boyfriend took her home from a date and, as they kissed goodbye at the front door, he got up the nerve to ask her to take things further. He smiled and asked, “Want to, you know, get it on?” The girl was scared that her parents would catch them, though. Even though he tried to reassure her, she stayed firm and refused his pleas. As the talk went on, the girl insisted, “No, no, and no!” while the boy begged. Just as the conversation seemed to be going nowhere, the hallway light flicked on, and the girl’s sleepy, messy sister walked in. The man and woman were shocked when she said, “Dad says you should do it, or mum can do it.” If that doesn’t work, dad says he can come down and do it himself. The girl’s face turned bright red, and her boyfriend’s eyes got really big. “But tell him to take his hand off the intercom!” was the funny part. As they talked, the couple realised that the girl’s dad had been listening in over the intercom. The “it” he was talking about was obviously not what the young couple had in mind. It was clear that the couple was feeling awkward when they laughed out loud, and relief swept over them. The evening went in a strange direction, but it was still a remarkable one.

Iframe sync In the journey of love and being with someone special, it’s not just about sweet moments but also about the way they treat who you really are. Imagine it like a puzzle where respect is the key piece. We’ll talk about steering away from relationships where this respect is missing. From personal boundaries to dreams and feelings, these things are super important for a good, caring connection. So, let’s look closely at why it’s so important not to fall for someone who doesn’t value these eight important parts of you. 1. Your Boundaries It’s vital to be with someone who respects your boundaries. A person who truly cares about you will understand and honor the limits you set. Whether it’s personal space, alone time, or certain topics you’re not comfortable discussing, a respectful partner listens and values your need for boundaries. 2. Your Time Time is a precious gift, and someone who cares about you won’t take it for granted. If he doesn’t respect your time or consistently keeps you waiting without a valid reason, it’s a sign that he may not appreciate the value of your moments together. A considerate partner respects your schedule and makes an effort to be punctual.     3. Your Opinions A healthy relationship thrives on mutual respect for each other’s thoughts and opinions. If he dismisses or belittles your ideas, it can lead to a lack of emotional connection. A man who truly cares will encourage open communication and listen to your perspectives, fostering an environment where both voices are heard and respected.

Iframe sync Lizzo, the Grammy-winning artist, is candidly addressing the nuances of her crossover success and the predominantly white fanbase that often comes with it. In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair for its November cover story, the 34-year-old music sensation, born Melissa Viviane Jefferson, shared insights into her artistic journey and the purpose behind her music. Lizzo boldly stated that despite reaching high levels of popularity, she doesn’t create music with a specific racial audience in mind. Instead, her music is an authentic expression of her Black experience—a form of personal healing from life’s challenges. Lizzo passionately expressed, “We need self-love and self-love anthems more than anybody.” Her music aims to resonate with Black women who, like her, have faced underappreciation, bullying, and societal pressures. She finds it perplexing when critics question her commitment to creating music from a Black perspective, considering it an inherent aspect of her identity as a Black artist. Touching on her recent controversy involving Founding Father James Madison’s 200-year-old crystal flute, Lizzo believes there is still significant progress needed for Black women in America. She candidly shared her feelings of hopelessness, stating that throughout history, Black women have not been treated fairly or with respect. Lizzo sees hope emerging when those with privilege take accountability, emphasizing the need for progress, particularly for individuals like herself, a fat Black woman. Lizzo’s commitment to social issues is evident through her activism. She donated $500,000 to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in June. Notably, her tour promoter, Live Nation, matched this donation with an additional $500,000. Lizzo attributes the significant role of race in the ruling, pointing to what she sees as a pervasive issue of white male supremacy in the country, with complicity from various quarters, including white women. In conclusion, Lizzo’s journey transcends music, delving into the complexities of race, identity, and activism. Her unapologetic stance and commitment to her roots reinforce her message of self-love, making her a powerful voice in today’s diverse and evolving cultural landscape

Iframe sync People often get tattoos that are meaningful to them, using their bodies as a canvas to tell their stories. However, a semicolon tattoo holds its own meaning, one that is powerful and can change lives. Semicolon Tattoo Trend Image Credit: The Semicolon Tattoo Project Among numerous trends are several confusing or questionable tattoo choices. However, the semicolon tattoo is becoming increasingly popular and holds a powerful meaning. It became popular in 2013 and has since taken off. The semicolon tattoo irepresents mental health struggles, suicide prevention and awareness, and solidarity for those who struggle. The Tattoo that Inspired a Project Project Semicolon (tattoo) began on social media in 2013. The creators describe the semicolon tattoo as a “movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire.” The semicolon tattoo has a powerful message and was carefully selected as the symbol of suicide awareness and prevention. “A semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life.” Explained the creators. The movement began as an encouragement for people to draw a semicolon on their bodies. Then they were urged to take a picture and share it on social media. However, it became more popular than anyone imagined. Now, it’s become a popular tattoo choice among those who’ve struggled with mental health. Additionally, it’s popular among those who have loved someone who’s struggled with their mental health. The movement prompted another trend, The Semicolon Tattoo Project, founded by Jenn Brown and Jeremy Jaramillo. They saw an opportunity to help and seized it, helping to eliminate the stigma around mental health disorders. Mental Illness is Worth Talking About Mental illness is common and can be caused by numerous things, including a bad day, suffering from the loss of a loved one, a huge life change, or any number of variables that impact daily life. For example, in 2012 more than 43 million Americans reported they suffered from some mental illness or disorder. A fact that makes it even more alarming that people don’t feel comfortable talking about their condition or reaching out for help. The Semicolon Tattoo Makes a Big Impact “[The semicolon tattoo] is a conversation starter,” explains Jenn. “People ask what it is, and we get to tell them the purpose.” “I think if you see someone’s tattoo that you’re interested in, that’s fair game to start a conversation with someone you don’t know,” adds Jeremy. “It provides a great opportunity to talk. Tattoos are interesting — marks we put on our bodies that are important to us.” In 2014, the pair held an event to commemorate the Semicolon Tattoo Project. Those in support could go to one of many tattoo shops to get a semicolon tattoo at a flat rate. “That money was a fundraiser for our crisis center,” said Jenn. More than 400 people got semicolon tattoos on the first day and the local event took off globally.

Iframe sync Friends and family of NFL wide receiver and Super Bowl winner Jacoby Jones are saddened by his sudden death. Jones left an indelible mark on football. Jones, who was 40 years old, died peacefully at his home in New Orleans on July 14, 2024. He was talented, charming, and kind. Jones’s superior skills on and off the field were praised by coworkers, fans, and family in a flood of tributes. Jones was remembered by his former teammate J.J. Watt as a “fun-loving” partner who always had a smile on his face. Torrey Smith called him a “brother” whose jokes and field plays would “live on forever!” The Baltimore Ravens, where Jones played for a lot of years, sent their deepest regrets and praised his unique ability to connect with everyone he met. “His happiness, charm, and love gave him a one-of-a-kind presence that brightened even the gloomiest days,” they said. Jones was a “light” and a “cherished son” to his mother, according to Coach John Harbaugh, who remembered him with fondness. Linebacker Ray Lewis, who is in the Ravens’ Hall of Fame, said the same thing. He called Jones a “brother” whose memories and hard work would never be forgotten. Other well-known people, like Pat McAfee and Robert Griffin III, praised Jones’s amazing skills, kindness, and ability. Supporters and fans of the player shared their sadness, memories, and love for them on social media. Following his time in sports, Jones worked as a coach at Lane College, Morgan State, and Alabama State. He also showed off his dancing skills on “Dancing with the Stars,” where he came in third place. Jones was inducted into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame just a few days before he died. This shows how long-lasting his impact is. During this hard time, his family, including his mother Emily and son Jacoby, asks for thoughts, privacy, and support. Even though football fans are still sad about Jacoby Jones’s death, his great career, friendly nature, and lasting effect on those he met will always be remembered.

The Mental Health Benefits Of Gratitude  Iframe sync Gratitude improves mental health by instantly imparting a better outlook on life and increasing happiness. But the benefits don’t stop at increased happiness. Being more grateful is linked to a better self-image, less anxiety, and even less depression because taking a few minutes to intentionally practice gratitude increases dopamine and serotonin levels. The Physical Health Benefits Of Gratitude  This is where it gets interesting. Being grateful makes you feel better emotionally, and the “feel-good” hormones it releases affect your physical well-being, too. Gratitude reduces stress, which leads to better sleep, lower blood pressure, and increased energy. As a result, you move more, creating better overall physical health. For instance, maybe your gratitude practice inspires you to go for a walk, during which you get more oxygen into your body and bloodstream and load up on Vitamin D from basking in the sunshine. Being able to sleep soundly reduces appetite because it balances your hormones, and less stress helps you make smarter food choices and engage in less comfort eating. The cumulative effect is a healthier and stronger version of yourself. Gratitude promotes heart health because lower stress levels and healthier blood pressure put less strain on the heart. Besides, the added exercise and sleep strengthen your heart, giving it time to recover and heal overnight. And since heart disease is a leading cause of death, there’s never been a better time to practice gratitude and calm your nervous system. Setting aside two or three minutes daily to be grateful can unlock the mental and physical benefits of gratitude. Find a place to be alone, put your hands over your heart, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Think of people and blessings you’re thankful for. Remember the simple things we often take for granted, like nature, laughter, hope, opportunities, things we’ve survived, and people we’ve had the honor to serve. Just be grateful. Open your heart and let your Creator know how much you appreciate His abundant blessings. Doing so will set the tone for your day and your life, too. Unlock your best life with the empowering benefits of gratitude.

Iframe sync Have you ever considered comparing our thought life to living on a busy street? Our minds are like a busy street, a place where thoughts of all kinds (negative and positive; false and true) drive by. We cannot stop the flow of traffic, but we can choose which thoughts are allowed to park in our driveway. So, how do we overcome the recurring negative thoughts that bombard our brain? At one point or another, we have to see our thought-life as something sacred, something to guard and protect. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul talks about how part of the goal of discipleship is for the Holy Spirit to transform us by the renewing of our minds (i.e. changing our thought life). Fortunately, there is a surplus of wisdom afforded to us. One of the best strategies to combat negative thoughts comes from Dr. Daniel Amen. Years ago, Dr. Amen saw ants in his kitchen and came up with an acronym related to mental health: “Automatic Negative Thoughts.” Dr. Amen writes: “Every single time you have a thought, your brain releases chemicals. Every time you have a sad, hopeless, mad, cranky, unkind, judgmental, or helpless thought, your brain immediately releases chemicals that make your body feel awful. Your hands get cold and wet, your muscles get tense, your heart beats faster, and your breathing becomes shallower. Additionally, the activity in your frontal and temporal lobes decreases which negatively affects your judgment, learning, memory. The opposite is also true – whenever you have a happy, hopeful, loving, kind, or positive thought, your brain releases a completely different set of chemicals. Your hands get warmer and dryer, your breathing becomes deeper and more regular, your muscles relax, your blood pressure decreases, and your brain works better. So, if you want to eradicate depression, anxiety, and negativity from your life, you need to work on disciplining your mind to get rid of the ANTs and developing an ANTeater to patrol the streets of your mind.” The life work of Dr. Amen is able to provide analysis and explanation as to why our brains work the way they do. However, what seems to be missing is a solution rooted in absolute truth. Dr. Amen promotes “positivity,” but how do we distinguish positivity from reality? In other words, our “positive thinking” has no potency if it is simply words not grounded in the truth. So, we need more than positive thinking to kill our “ANTs.” That is like the “superficial treatments” Jeremiah 6:14 talks about. We need the truths of God’s Word to fatally kill the “ANTs.” We can not speak things into existence by our words (only God can do that!). Instead, we can grab hold of the truth He speaks and apply it as medicine to our troubled mind. Look at how these passages speak to the power of God’s Word. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.                   – Hebrews 4:12 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”              – Jeremiah 23:29 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.               – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 We can see that God’s Word is meant to be the true “ANT” killer. Ephesians 6:17 even refers to God’s Word as the “sword of the Spirit.” This is why we continually emphasize the importance of knowing the Bible. Know how to navigate it. Know what the text says, means, and how it is applicable to such a degree that you internalize it. We are to acquaint ourselves with God’s Word the way a knight does his sword. After all, the Bible is our sword that the Spirit uses to counter the thoughts that are hostile toward us. “Look at how life is. You don’t even know which way is up and which way is down! God has abandoned you.” Have you heard something like that before? Us, too! And that is when we respond with God’s truth to kill the “ANT”: “God will lead me even through unfamiliar territory! He will turn darkness to light. He will never forsake me” (inspired by Isaiah 42:16). The key is to identify the lie or negative thought and counteract it with something true and inspired by the credibility of God’s Word (the Bible). When God’s truth is pitted against the enemy’s lie, guess which one will in? Every single time, God’s Word prevails. It shatters the lie like a hammer breaking a rock (see Jeremiah 23:29 again). Next time unbiblical, untruthful, negative, hopeless, condemning thoughts come driving on the streets of your mind, be vigilant and have your sword ready. Only what is true, noble right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) is worthy to have a parking spot in your mind. One word of caution here. Scripture is only effective if we use it properly. Going back to the analogy of the sword: a knight knows that what he holds is something sharp, he trains to use it the right way, otherwise it becomes a weapon against himself. In a similar way, we don’t want to string together verses of Scripture to make them say what we want them to say. The power of Scripture resides in the truth of its meaning. And so we must understand the meaning of the text in its own context if we want to wield it and apply it for ourselves. That is one of the many reasons we highly recommend Life Groups. Life Groups are a great place to have community, be vulnerable with our insecurities, and struggles. It is also a great … Read more