by William Upton, The National Pulse: The United States Supreme Court is set to decide Fisher v. United States, a case in which January 6 Capitol riot defendant Joseph W. Fisher is challenging a federal felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding. Justices heard oral arguments in the case in mid-April, and are likely to rule by the end of […]

A Prayer to Let Go of OffenseBy Lynette Kittle "A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense" – Proverbs 19:11 Doesn't it seem like individuals are easily offended these days? Even more so, it seems like some are looking for reasons to be offended. Social media has made it easier than ever to give and take offense, along with providing an international platform to express it. Crying offense seems to empower people to feel justified in speaking their minds and putting others in their place. Sadly, gaining attention these days also seems to be a catalyst and motivator to be offended. Still those easily offended are most often saying much more about themselves than those who have offended them. Saying "No" to OffenseAlthough the world seems to revolve around offense, we don't have to get caught up in it or social media's hurtful tactics. As Christians, we don't have to become entrapped in its web but rather rise above it and resist taking offense. Where it's even harder for us to avoid is when it comes from other believers in Jesus Christ. Especially since Romans 12:10 urges, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." We have higher expectations for Christians and often don't expect offense from them or see it coming. Too, we think that overall in life, they'll be more understanding and kinder in how they deal with us, so when they don't meet our expectations, we're blindsided. Still, Matthew 12:36, explains, "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken." So what do we do when the opportunity to take offense comes from those whom we least expect it from and those who have the ability to cause the deepest wounds?  Discovering How to Let GoAmidst these hurtful experiences, God offers us the opportunity to let go of offenses by submitting to His will and forgiving others, allowing Him to fine-tune and refine our hearts during the process. This often starts with our shining a spotlight within ourselves, revealing areas in our hearts that need exposing, and examining our own attitudes and behaviors. Like 2 Corinthians 13:5, urges, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?" When we do, we often discover our own hidden weaknesses, ones we maybe didn't even realize existed within us, which has a tendency to soften our hearts towards the weaknesses of others. Recognizing we are in need of forgiveness on a regular basis helps us be more willing to forgive others. Colossians 3:13 urges us to "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." In choosing to overlook offenses, we can rely on God for wisdom, asking for His leading in our reactions and responses. Rather than focusing on another's weakness, we can choose to forgive, keeping God's forgiveness for us at the forefront of our thoughts. In our godly handling of it, we begin to experience it less and less, as we learn to resist its call to embrace it. And the more we choose to overlook offenses, the more the love of God will be reflected through us. The Apostle Paul describes how he welcomes things that, for most of us, would cause offense. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Let's Pray:  Dear Father,Help me to overlook offenses, as Your word urges. Rather than being defensive and taking on anger and resentment towards others, lead me to be a peacemaker and to bring reconciliation to those around me. Soften my heart to be so tender towards You, so that instead of being offended by the words, actions, and attitudes of others, I can easily forgive and look for ways to glorify You. Let me be willing to examine myself and to rely on Your strength in my weaknesses.In Jesus' name, amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Dmytro Buianskyi Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today's Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV. 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 Let Go of Offense – Your Daily Prayer – June 4 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Showing external evidence of your internal change For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation."Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky... – Philippians 2:13-15 The renowned Quaker philosopher Rufus Jones was once speaking to a crowd about the importance of having a radiant countenance. When Jones finished his lecture, a very plain-looking woman walked up to him and asked him what he would do if he had a plain face like hers. Jones replied, "Madam, while I have troubles of my own of that kind, I've discovered that if you light up from within, any old face you have is good enough!" Rufus Jones' wise words are deeply rooted in biblical truth. In passages like today's, we see that the attitude that is inside us is what is ultimately projected to the world around us. And when we allow God to work in us and cultivate the right attitude, we will shine in the world like stars in the night sky. It's easy to fall into the belief that to be an effective ambassador for Christ, you have to talk a certain way and look a certain way. But the character of Christ isn't just seen in how clever or attractive you are. Let God's Spirit transform your attitudes and actions from the inside. Then, let that change overflow to the world around you and show the external world evidence of your internal change! Prayer Challenge Ask God to transform you from the inside out so that you can be a light in a dark world. Questions for Thought Why do you think many people fail when they try in their own strength to project the image of a "good Christian"? If the attitude of Christ were to completely take over your life, how might you look different to the world around you? Visit the Senior Living Ministries website Visit the Senior Living Ministries website The post Showing External Evidence of Your Internal Change –  Senior Living – June 4 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer to Let Go of OffenseBy Lynette Kittle "A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense" – Proverbs 19:11 Doesn't it seem like individuals are easily offended these days? Even more so, it seems like some are looking for reasons to be offended. Social media has made it easier than ever to give and take offense, along with providing an international platform to express it. Crying offense seems to empower people to feel justified in speaking their minds and putting others in their place. Sadly, gaining attention these days also seems to be a catalyst and motivator to be offended. Still those easily offended are most often saying much more about themselves than those who have offended them. Saying "No" to OffenseAlthough the world seems to revolve around offense, we don't have to get caught up in it or social media's hurtful tactics. As Christians, we don't have to become entrapped in its web but rather rise above it and resist taking offense. Where it's even harder for us to avoid is when it comes from other believers in Jesus Christ. Especially since Romans 12:10 urges, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." We have higher expectations for Christians and often don't expect offense from them or see it coming. Too, we think that overall in life, they'll be more understanding and kinder in how they deal with us, so when they don't meet our expectations, we're blindsided. Still, Matthew 12:36, explains, "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken." So what do we do when the opportunity to take offense comes from those whom we least expect it from and those who have the ability to cause the deepest wounds?  Discovering How to Let GoAmidst these hurtful experiences, God offers us the opportunity to let go of offenses by submitting to His will and forgiving others, allowing Him to fine-tune and refine our hearts during the process. This often starts with our shining a spotlight within ourselves, revealing areas in our hearts that need exposing, and examining our own attitudes and behaviors. Like 2 Corinthians 13:5, urges, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?" When we do, we often discover our own hidden weaknesses, ones we maybe didn't even realize existed within us, which has a tendency to soften our hearts towards the weaknesses of others. Recognizing we are in need of forgiveness on a regular basis helps us be more willing to forgive others. Colossians 3:13 urges us to "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." In choosing to overlook offenses, we can rely on God for wisdom, asking for His leading in our reactions and responses. Rather than focusing on another's weakness, we can choose to forgive, keeping God's forgiveness for us at the forefront of our thoughts. In our godly handling of it, we begin to experience it less and less, as we learn to resist its call to embrace it. And the more we choose to overlook offenses, the more the love of God will be reflected through us. The Apostle Paul describes how he welcomes things that, for most of us, would cause offense. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Let's Pray:  Dear Father,Help me to overlook offenses, as Your word urges. Rather than being defensive and taking on anger and resentment towards others, lead me to be a peacemaker and to bring reconciliation to those around me. Soften my heart to be so tender towards You, so that instead of being offended by the words, actions, and attitudes of others, I can easily forgive and look for ways to glorify You. Let me be willing to examine myself and to rely on Your strength in my weaknesses.In Jesus' name, amen. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Dmytro Buianskyi Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today's Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV. 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 Let Go of Offense – Your Daily Prayer – June 4 appeared first on GodUpdates.

Historical Events 1873 - 1st contract workers of British-Indies Co arrive in Suriname 1917 - Most Excellent Order of British Empire inaugurated by King George V to recognise the efforts of his people in WWI 1934 - Dr Frederick Banting, co-discoverer of insulin, is knighted 1943 - St Louis Card Mort Cooper pitches his 2nd consecutive 1 hitter 1982 - "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," released in USA 1990 - Greyhound Bus files bankruptcy More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1915 - Modibo Keïta, 1st President of Mali (1960-68), born in Bamako Coura, Upper Senegal and Niger (d. 1977) 1930 - Bill Treacher, British actor (EastEnders, 1985-96 - "Arthur Fowler"), born in London, England (d. 2022) 1932 - John Drew Barrymore, American actor (Pantomine Quiz), born in Beverly Hills, California (d. 2004) 1954 - Raphael Ravenscroft, British session saxophone player (Gerry Rafferty - "Baker Street"; Maxine Nightingale; Roger Waters), born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England (d. 2014) 1973 - Antonio Anderson, defensive tackle (Dallas Cowboys) 1976 - Alexei Navalny, Russian political activist and opposition leader of the Progress Party, born in Butyn, Soviet Union (d. 2024) More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1918 - Charles W. Fairbanks, 26th Vice President of the United States (Republican: 1905-09) and Senator, dies of nephritis at 66 1926 - Fred Spofforth, Australian cricket fast bowler ("The Demon" - 18 Tests, 94 wickets @ 18.41), dies of chronic colitis at 72 1951 - Serge Koussevitzky, Russian-American conductor (Boston Symphony, 1924-49), dies at 76 1954 - Harold Hoffman, American politician (Governor of New Jersey 1935-38), dies at 58 1960 - Lucien Littlefield, American actor (Blondie), dies at 64 1985 - John Ringling North, American circus director (Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus from 1937-43), dies at 81 More Famous Deaths »

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Jewish student defends his tearing down of pro-Hamas terrorist posters on campus and slams pro-Hamas student who condemns what he’s doing.

Gaslighting, a type of emotional manipulation that distorts reality and weakens one’s sense of self, gained more infamous attention in the last few years. As people become more aware of the harmful impacts of gaslighting, it becomes increasingly important to provide them with practical tools for recognizing and dealing with it at various levels of severity. Level 1: Emerging gaslighting Gaslighting frequently begins insidiously, with subtle statements that plant seeds of doubt and uncertainty. These early contacts may appear benign, but the cumulative effect can be severe. According to psychologist James Floman, “Gaslighting starts slowly and is nearly imperceptible.” Victims may initially ignore these remarks, but they gradually erode confidence and clarity. Identifying signs: Be aware of occasional critical words and feelings of discomfort or unease during interactions. Statements like “You always…” or “You never…” could indicate the start of gaslighting. Coping strategies: Keep a list of affirming truths about yourself and seek support from trusted friends and family. Address the gaslighter immediately, expressing your dissatisfaction with their actions and establishing clear boundaries. Level 2: Moderate gaslighting As the gaslighting progresses, the gaslighter’s language gets more accusatory and insistent. Victims may become involved in a cycle of defense and self-doubt, dealing with the gaslighter’s attempts to distort reality. They may ruminate on interactions and question their own perceptions out of a desire for validation. Identifying signs: An increase in the number and severity of critical remarks, as well as attempts to produce evidence to back up the gaslighter’s accusations, are tell-tale signs of moderate gaslighting. Victims may feel forced to defend themselves and seek the gaslighter’s acceptance. Coping strategies: Avoid engaging in power struggles or prolonged disputes with the gaslighter. Set clear limits and avoid interactions that feel coercive or accusing. Seek help from trusted friends and try reducing contact with the gaslighter if necessary. Level 3: Severe gaslighting At its most extreme, gaslighting is persistent and all-encompassing, leaving victims feeling imprisoned and powerless. Verbal attacks worsen, undermining the victim’s sense of self and agency. In severe circumstances, the gaslighter’s behavior can cause serious psychological pain and loss of identity. Identifying signs: Persistent attacks on the victim’s personality, coupled with feelings of powerlessness and despair. Victims may feel as if they are no longer identifiable to themselves, as the gaslighter constantly ignores their needs. Coping strategies: Put your well-being and safety first. Set clear limits and restrict your interactions with the gaslighter wherever possible. Cultivate self-compassion through mindfulness techniques, and seek help from a trusted circle of friends and family. Remember that you deserve respect and compassion in your relationships, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if necessary. Empowerment through awareness: recognizing red flags As people traverse the complexity of gaslighting, they must keep an eye out for red flags that indicate deception and emotional abuse. If you agree with any of the following claims, you may be experiencing gaslighting in your relationship. – I frequently feel confused and invalidated in this relationship. – I find it difficult to assert myself when I am accused of something I did not do. – I am hesitant to disclose my relationship with others because I am ashamed or embarrassed. – When I deal with this person, I continue to feel anxious and inadequate. – I no longer identify myself or feel appreciated in this relationship. Embracing self-respect and healing Finally, developing self-esteem and creating good relationships is critical for overcoming the pernicious effects of gaslighting. Remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and compassion in all of your interactions. Don’t be afraid to seek help and assistance as you embark on your journey to empowerment and recovery. You deserve love, understanding, and respect.The post There are 3 levels of gaslighting. Here’s how to deal with each of them first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

In the search for sustainable building materials, hemp appears as a strong candidate, providing numerous environmental benefits. Similar to timber, hemp is a biogenic material, cultivated from plants. What distinguishes hemp is its amazing growth rate, which can reach up to four meters in four months, exceeding typical timber sources. Dr. Maria Martinez, a leading researcher in sustainable construction, emphasizes, “Hemp grows much faster than trees, giving it a greater capacity to absorb CO₂ per hectare of farmed land compared to any forest or commercial crop.” From field to foundation: converting hemp into building materials The versatile nature of hemp extends to its use in construction, where it can be processed into a wide range of building materials. Raw hemp fiber serves as the cornerstone for panels and mats used in thermal and acoustic insulation. According to Dr. Martinez, “By mixing raw fibers with mortar and molding it into blocks, hemp-lime can be used as a substitute for concrete blocks in load-bearing walls.” Additionally, hemp-based materials have a smaller embodied carbon footprint than fossil fuel-derived alternatives, making them a sustainable option for environmentally conscious builders. Dr. Martinez’s research on thermal insulation shows that hemp insulation panels emit substantially less CO₂e than synthetic competitors like polyisocyanurate. Soil savior: hemp’s environmental benefits go beyond construction Beyond its use in construction, hemp growing provides other environmental benefits. Dr. Martinez points out, “Hemp crops contribute to soil health by enhancing microbial activity and preventing erosion through its deep root system.” Also, hemp’s phytoremediation characteristics allow it to detoxify damaged soil by absorbing toxins, which improves its environmental stewardship. Overcoming obstacles: the path to broader adoption of hemp in construction Despite its numerous benefits, hemp faces challenges on its path to mainstream use in construction. Regulatory obstacles, along with the greater initial cost of hemp-based building goods, provide considerable challenges. However, as production increases and legislative restrictions are overcome, hemp has enormous potential to transform sustainable construction techniques.The post How switching out timber for hemp can revamp sustainable low-carbon construction  first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

In choosing to overlook offenses, we can rely on God for wisdom, asking for His leading in our reactions and responses. Rather than focusing on another’s weakness, we can choose to forgive, keeping God’s forgiveness for us at the forefront of our thoughts.