August 27, 2024 Prioritizing Our People and Our ProjectsKAREN EHMAN Lee en español "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 (AMP) I settled on the front porch with my iced tea and my laptop, hoping to make the task at hand more pleasant: renewing my driver's license online. Just then, my phone began to buzz with a text from a friend who wanted to talk. I had a decision to make. Would I stop my task to call this person? Since I knew the conversation might run long, I decided I'd call when my online work was finished. We all have obligations and people in our lives that need our attention - it's a balancing act that won't ever go away. So how do we navigate spending time on both our work and our humans? The letter of Philippians is full of advice for living in harmony with others by humbly emulating Jesus. The writer of the letter, Paul, urges, "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4). It is a simple sentence yet a significant truth. The verse doesn't say to look out only for the interests of others, neglecting our own needs. Nor does it say to watch out only for ourselves and ignore the needs of those around us. Paul used the Greek word skopeó, translated as "look out for," which means "to keep an eye on, to consider, to contemplate or to scrutinize carefully and then act." When it comes to our tasks, activities and daily responsibilities, we do well to keep a watchful eye on them to make sure they get done. However, we can also mindfully observe the relationships in our lives, knowing there are times when others need us and when we need them. Think of wearing bifocal glasses: Sometimes you look far away at what's happening in the distance, but other times you focus on what is right before you. Similarly, we can toggle our focus between our people and our projects. What does this look like? Maybe we put our phone in "do not disturb" mode when we are at work, allowing messages from family only and returning texts and calls to others later. Maybe we teach our kids that when we have an important online meeting, we'll have the door shut, and they are only to knock in case of emergency. On the flip side, when we hear that our widowed neighbor needs help weeding her yard, perhaps we ditch our plans for an afternoon of shopping and help her instead. God empowers us to love our people well without neglecting the duties He has called us to perform. May we love others deeply and perform our work diligently, trusting God to help us creatively find the bandwidth to do both. Lord, please give me the wisdom and energy both to love my people well and to do my work with excellence, giving You all the glory as I do. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS If you'd enjoy a resource that will help you with both your relationships and your responsibilities, grab Karen's new book, coauthored with Ruth Schwenk: The Love Your Life Project: 40 Days to Prioritize Your Passions, Cultivate Productive Habits, and Refuel with Times of Rest. For a biblical, guided journey toward living your priorities and loving your life, check out the book here. When we're in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar season, we're often left wondering, Why am I in this place? What is God trying to teach me? Where is He leading me? Friend, we understand. That's why we created our new First 5 study guide, Where Do I Belong? Finding Our True Home Through the Study of Exile in the Bible, to help you gain a biblical perspective as you navigate questions just like these. And as an added bonus ... When you purchase your study guide, you can go even deeper with six bonus videos and discussion questions. Get your copy, and we'll start studying together on September 9! ENGAGE To celebrate the release of The Love Your Life Project: 40 Days to Prioritize Your Passions, Cultivate Productive Habits, and Refuel with Times of Rest, Karen is giving away a bundle of organizational and Bible-study tools along with some other treats. Head to her Instagram for details. FOR DEEPER STUDY Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act ..." (CSB). What about your relationships and your responsibilities this week do you need to commit to the Lord, trusting that He knows best and will act? Using Philippians 2:4 as a springboard, craft a prayer about looking out for the interests of others while you also tend to the interests of your own life. Ask the Father to grant you discernment for how to respond when the needs of people and projects seem to clash. We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments. © 2024 by Karen Ehman. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Prioritizing Our People and Our Projects – Encouragement for Today – August 27, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

1569 - Pope Pius names Cosimo I de Medici as grand duke of Tuscany 1828 - Uruguay gains independence during Brazil-Argentina peace talks 1902 - US National Championship Men's Tennis, Newport, RI: Defending champion William Larned beats Englishman R.F. Doherty 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 8-6 1932 - 200,000 English textile workers strike 1955 - Sandy Koufax fans 14 Reds, both teams combine for record 23 strikeouts 1965 - The Beatles spend an evening with Elvis Presley, at his Los Angeles, California home 1979 - Warrenpoint ambush: 18 British Army soldiers killed when Provisional IRA explode two roadside bombs as a British convoy passes Narrow Water Castle 2004 - German kayaker Birgit Fischer wins gold in K-4 500m and silver in K-2 500m in Athens; first woman in any sport to win gold medals at 6 different Olympics, gold 24 years apart, and 1st person to win 2 or more medals in 5 different Games 2013 - "Gravity", directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuarón and starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney premieres at the Venice Film Festival 2015 - Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos names top Supreme Court judge, Vassiliki Thanou caretaker Prime Minister - Greece's 1st female Prime Minister More Historical Events »

Historical Events 1942 - Cuba declares war on Germany, Japan and Italy 1972 - Operation Lion's Den: US Navy bombards Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam from the sea, firing over 700 rounds in 33 minutes 1979 - Warrenpoint ambush: 18 British Army soldiers killed when Provisional IRA explode two roadside bombs as a British convoy passes Narrow Water Castle 1988 - Dodger Tommy Lasorda wins 1,000th game as manager tops Philadelphia, 4-2 2004 - Timothy Mack vaults an Olympic record 5.95m to win the pole vault gold medal from fellow American Toby Stevenson (5.90m) at the Athens Olympics 2015 - Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos names top Supreme Court judge, Vassiliki Thanou caretaker Prime Minister - Greece's 1st female Prime Minister More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1665 - John Hervey, 1st Earl of Bristol, English politician, born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (d. 1751) 1871 - Theodore Dreiser, American novelist (Sister Carie, American Tragedy), born in Terre Haute, Indiana (d. 1945) 1911 - Kathleen "Kay" Walsh, British actress (The Horse's Mouth, Oliver Twist), born in Chelsea, London, England (d. 2005) 1941 - Cesária Évora, Cape Verdean Grammy Award-winning morna singer (Voz d'Amor), known as "the Barefoot Diva", born in Mindelo, Cape Verde (d. 2011) 1959 - Juan Fernando Cobo, Colombian artist, born in Cali, Colombia (d. 2024) 1972 - The Great Khali [Dalip Singh], Indian-born American professional wrestler (WWE), born in Dhiraina, Himachal Pradesh, India More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1521 - Josquin Des Prez, French composer, dies between 66 and 71 [birthdate uncertain] 1963 - W. E. B. Du Bois, American civil rights activist, writer (Souls of Black Folk) and co-founder of the NAACP, dies in Accra, Ghana, at 95 1980 - Douglas Kenney, American humorist (co-founded the magazine National Lampoon), dies at 33 1987 - Scott La Rock [Sterling], American hip-hop DJ (Boogie Down Productions), shot to death at 25 1991 - Vince Taylor [Brian Holden], British rock and roll singer (Brand New Cadillac), dies of lung cancer at 52 2023 - Pat Corrales, American baseball catcher (Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, SD Padres) and manager (Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians), dies at 82 More Famous Deaths »

Producer and engineer Eddie Kramer looks back on his association with the great Jimi Hendrix

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Language is a tool for connection, and this is most visible in the subtle, idiosyncratic languages that couples establish over time. These “secret languages” may appear ridiculous and, let’s face it, downright cringe to outsiders, but within a partnership, they are vital symbols of intimacy and trust. According to one study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, these distinct styles of communication are not only prevalent but also essential for relationship satisfaction. They embody a “culture of two,” in which lovers build their own world using terms that only they fully comprehend. Whether it’s the playful addition of “iggle” and “ibble” to phrases or a pet name derived from years of inside jokes, these private languages are more than just fun—they’re part of the foundation of a strong, cohesive relationship. Baby talk: the unlikely glue for lasting love Let’s talk baby talk—that high-pitched, sing-songy way of speaking that is typically designated for gushing over a newborn. Surprisingly, this speaking pattern, referred to as “motherese” or “parentese,” is not limited to babies. According to research published in the Journal of Personal Relationships, 75 percent of couples admit to utilizing baby talk with each other. Far from being a comical quirk, this type of speech actually serves an important function in developing closeness in love relationships. Dean Falk, an anthropology professor, explains this phenomenon in an interview with The Cut: “It’s pretty much instinctive to talk to loved ones the way our first loves (our mothers) spoke to us.” Falk adds that baby speak engages the right half of our brains, which is in charge of processing emotions, making it an efficient way to express affection. So, when you find yourself having that somewhat embarrassing baby discussion with your partner, remember that it is actually a sign of a strong emotional connection. Private languages: a secret code for strong couples Beyond baby talk, couples frequently establish their own internal languages—codes and nicknames that may perplex anyone outside the relationship but make perfect sense to those inside it. These distinct styles of communicating might range from mispronounced words that cling to internal jokes that grow into full-fledged vocabularies. Suzanna Weiss, writing for The Cut, shares how she and her boyfriend started adding hilarious syllables to their words, transforming “hug” into “higgle hug” and “dog” into “diggle dog.” They then realized that many other couples use their own version of this humorous lingo. But what is the aim of these secret languages? According to research, they do more than just add a bit of silliness to mundane interactions; they also serve to strengthen the relationship itself. A study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that the more a couple used these unique kinds of communication, the greater their happiness levels were. This is because these languages foster a sense of exclusivity and shared identity, promoting the notion that the couple is a distinct entity within the greater world. The importance of unique communication in relationship satisfaction These secret languages, whether in the form of baby talk or quirky words, are more than just cute; they indicate a strong, growing connection. According to a study published in the Journal of Human Communication Research, idiomatic communication, such as nicknames and private jokes, not only distinguishes a partnership but also celebrates each partner’s originality. When you and your partner speak a language that no one else knows, it reminds you that your relationship is unique and worth cherishing. So, the next time you find yourself using a word or phrase that only you and your partner understand, celebrate it. These secret languages are more than simply entertaining eccentricities; they are the vocal representation of your profound bond. They remind you that, in a world where so much is standardized and impersonal, your relationship is far from average. It’s a two-person culture based on love, trust, and plenty of inside jokes.The post How secret languages and intimate communication bring couples closer first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A monument honoring the life and work of civil rights icon John Lewis was unveiled in Decatur, Georgia, marking a major step in confronting America’s racial past. For more than a century, a Confederate obelisk stood in the square where the new memorial now sits. This change represents a significant shift in the narrative around public memorials in the South. The 16-foot-tall artwork, designed by artist Basil Watson, was erected before its official unveiling on Saturday, August 18th. “It’s exciting to see it going up, and exciting for the significance of what it represents and what it’s replacing,” Watson said during the installation, emphasizing the new statue’s symbolic weight. Symbolism and significance Nearly four years have passed since Decatur officials dismantled the Confederate monument, an obelisk 30 feet tall that the Daughters of the Confederacy constructed in 1908. Now, the John Lewis statue stands proudly in its place. The obelisk was removed in June 2020, after a nationwide wave of racial justice protests in response to the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. The removal of the Confederate monument, long regarded as a symbol of tyranny, made way for a commemoration that honors a heritage of courage and justice. Watson’s sculpture represents John Lewis holding his hands over his heart, a gesture of love that he was known for. This image encapsulates the heart of Lewis’ approach to action, which was based on nonviolence and compassion, even in the face of severe opposition. Honoring the legacy of the civil rights movement John Lewis, who died in July 2020 at the age of 80 from pancreatic cancer, was a towering figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. As a teenage activist, Lewis organized sit-ins against segregation in the Jim Crow South and was infamously beaten during the 1965 march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, which became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Lewis was elected to Congress in 1987 and remained a staunch civil rights hero until his death. The choice to memorialize him in Decatur, replacing an emblem of division with one of unity and love, symbolizes a greater social movement toward recognizing and commemorating the efforts of individuals who battled for equal rights.The post Statue of late civil rights leader John Lewis replaces confederate monument in Georgia first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

If you are in a constant state of discontentment over what your spouse is or isn’t doing, try treating them as if they’ve already arrived.