Relationship: Your son shouldn’t get married without hearing this advice

As mothers, we will always remember our children as though they were still little enough to snuggle up on our laps. Even if they are old enough to have kids themselves, it's hard to let go of those memories.

Now, as I see my own son all grown up right before my eyes, I realize I'll never be quite as prepared as I'd like to be for him to take the next step in life … It doesn't seem like he is old enough! But the thought of him succeeding makes me smile. Though he will always be my little boy, I want him to have a happy life and a happy marriage.

Here are some things every son needs to hear from his mother before getting married:

• Love and value your wife

  As a husband, you have an important role in your marriage — but so does your wife. Never underestimate the value of your wife. She will be the queen of the home you create together. Love her, always respect her, provide support, and be forever grateful to her. She will carry your children. She will be your children's mother. Treat her with the highest level of love and respect. Your role is important too; managing, providing for and protecting your family will help you and your wife have a happy marriage.

• Have eyes only for your wife

  When you decide to marry, know that you are making a serious commitment. Marriage means staying together as friends and lovers through the ups and downs of life. Your wife will be your best friend as much as she will be your wife. Marry someone who can be both. Of course, you both will have other friends in your lives, but your spouse will be the one you always turn to. Never talk to your wife in a way that makes her doubt your love. Never give her a reason to think you are being unfaithful. Love her and her only.

• Support her goals

  While we should all have individual goals, it is important to share goals with your partner. It is also important that you support your wife's goals. As you start your marriage, both of you will have similar goals. From getting married to starting a family or moving into a bigger house, there will be many goals you share. Decide to share goals, but also decide to support your wife in her own achievements.

• Enjoy your (alone) time together

  When you first marry, you will have time for each other, but that may change as work schedules collide and children come along. While time should be spent together as a family, it is crucial you spend time alone with your wife. Don't let go of the deep discussions you have earlier in your marriage. Continue to date your wife even after you are married. Be romantic, and ask her all those silly personal questions you did when you first met. A woman in love is a confident woman! Give her that love and confidence by spending time with her.

• Make your own decisions as a couple

  Do not let anyone intervene in your decisions. Obviously, opinions from friends and family should be considered, but at the end of the day, you and your wife should have the final say. Don't feel pressured by others and don't let others choose where life takes you. Though friends and family might try to intervene, it is your family who will live with the consequences of your decisions. Make sure you and your wife are on the same page.

• Establish patterns in your home

  While you shouldn't always need to ask your wife's permission to do things, setting limits and rules from the beginning of your marriage will set a standard for both of you to live by. Remember, you are partners in this adventure called life. You are in it together. Decide to live your life a certain way. Talk about the things you expect from your life together. Set up a way of life early on in your marriage. Know how expenses will be paid, how children will be raised, and how time will be spent. When you both agree, there will less friction and frustration in your home.

• Have God in your life

  Keep in mind that your home should be a little slice of heaven. God should be present. Your home should be a place where harmony, love and charity thrive. Kneel together in prayer to tell God how grateful you are. Ask for help making decisions. Ask for guidance.

• Be yourself

  You are so unique, and you need to share your individual personality. Don't hide yourself from the world. Make yourself known for admirable qualities like honor, strong work ethic, trust in God, and solid morals. Your wife will love you for it, and you will have confidence and pride in the things you do each day. read here
  As mothers, we must prepare our children to grow and form their own families. Don't let this chance go to waste. Though it's hard to see your boy grow up, it is a perfect opportunity to teach him how to be happy in his marriage. Plus, we all know that when our kids are happy, we are happy. Take the time to give this advice to your son so he can start his own life with your support and wisdom.

FOCUS ON JESUS

Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face. Psalm 5:8

Have you ever tried to walk a perfectly straight line along a muddy path? It's not as easy as you might think. When walking on a muddy path, most people tend to walk slowly with their heads focusing intensely at their feet.

When someone attempts this task with their eyes cast downward, their footsteps become unsteady and crooked. When you walk with your eyes constantly looking down at your feet, you have no idea where you're going.

There's no perspective because you cannot see how you fit into the larger landscape. There's no genuine focus, since every step treads over the last step's focal point.

You haven't imagined yourself as part of a bigger picture. The only way to make a purposeful line of progress is to forget about your feet. The key is to look straight ahead, set your focus on a fixed target ahead of you - a fence post, street sign, or tree in the distance. Then, with your eyes fixed on that target, just start walking.

When you lock your focus on target ahead, the immediate problems become stepping stones towards your goal.

The same is true in our lives. If we walk through life concentrating only on what lies ahead of us, we will fail to see the bigger picture and allow little distractions to become major obstacles.

But when we look beyond ourselves and fix our thoughts and spiritual eyes on Jesus, we can trust that our paths will be straight and trustworthy on every step of the way. He is our big picture.

The ultimate goal of our lives. The final prize of all our endeavours.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You at all times.

Scriptural Reading: Psalm 5:1-12

Fun Game

Close your eyes and type your name with one finger in comment box and post the result.

PREPARATION

The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. Exodus 12:37-38

How does God prepare someone for big assignments? Consider the mission given to Moses. He was called to deliver an entire nation from slavery.

The assignment was to bring six hundred thousand men, on foot, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. In addition, there were the women and children.

Talk about a big assignment! Imagine the logistics of such an endeavour. God prepared Moses by allowing him to grow up from infancy under the ways of Egypt. He learned their customs, their idols, and was a favoured son of Pharaoh until God revealed his birthright.

He began to realize God had placed him in the court of Pharaoh but realized he was not one of them. He was being called back to his own people. He tried to deliver his people using-the ways of Egypt.

This was not God's way. So, God banished him to the land of Midian for additional training. God guided Moses to Midian because the Midianites were of the seed of Abraham, and retained the worship of the true God among them. God allowed Moses to learn the trade of shepherding sheep for forty years.

Moses learned while living in the arid dry land moving sheep around to places where water and grass could be found.

The desert was a place of preparation for one of the greatest assignments given to one man.

Moses was battle-trained in the same environment he would spend another forty years to bring a stubborn and willful people out of slavery.

What kind of assignment is God preparing you for? Do you find yourself in the desert of preparation? Learn well the lessons you can. God is using your present circumstances to prepare you for your future assignment.

Prayer: Ask the Lord to prepare you for your life assignment.

Scriptural Reading: Exodus 12:31-39

What Kind Of Person Are You Based On Your Finger Shape? Find out !

We will analyze yourself based on your finger shape. Don't laugh, this is actually pretty accurate! Please share it with your friends if you like it!



Which shape is most like your finger?

01: If you have type A finger..

- You are a fair person and you hate lies, hypocrisy, and deception.

- Like to pretend to be strong and cool. Not showing much emotion.

- A little eccentric and arrogant. Couldn't stand seeing a lot of things.

- You have a big heart, and are helpful. You will complete any given task although you don't like it

- You love to laugh a lot, and will laugh at anything even if it's not very funny. All of your thoughts can be seen through your expressions.

- You are cold towards people you're not really close to, but are overly emotional towards your loved ones.

02: If you have type B finger..

- You are not used to taking initiative to approach people

- You are very loyal. Once you fall in love with someone, you will give them your full attention and will always think about them.

- You are actually very sensitive, but you don't quite look like you are, because oftentimes you are protecting someone's feelings by pretending that you don't know anything.

- Once you decide to do something, you'll strive to do it until the end.

- You're afraid of being hurt. You pretend that you're okay when you're alone, but actually, you're not.

- You will remain calm even when you are feeling extremely uneasy about something

- You appear to be a strong and independent person who always speaks rather harshly although you are very soft-hearted and easily hurt inside.

- You like to imagine things. You always dream of someone who will understand and love you, and give you everything you want.

03: If you have type C finger..

- You are easily touched.

 - You easily let go of things that make you angry, and you don't hold grudges.

- You don't like challenges. You don't like to deal with anything unfamiliar to you.

- You respect people's opinions

- You could sometimes be overbearing. Your ego is extremely high when quarreling with someone, but after that, you will apologize first to the person you were quarreling with.

- You always keep your feelings and problems only for yourself.

- You don't like to pretend, and you know well what you like and dislike. You also like people to trust and depend on you. source

- You have a soft heart, and can easily be hurt, so whenever someone apologize to you, you will always forgive them because you can't stand being in fight with somebody for too long.

Don't ignore Gods Creation, Origin of Blond Afros in Melanesia

Pay a visit to Melanesia's Solomon Islands, 1800 kilometers northeast of Australia, and you'll notice a striking contrast: about 10% of the dark-skinned islanders sport bright blond afros. Hypotheses about the origins of this golden hair have included bleaching by sun and saltwater, a diet rich in fish, and the genetic legacy of Europeans or Americans. But a new study fingers a random mutation instead, suggesting that blond hair evolved independently at least twice in human history. And other novel genes, including ones with serious health consequences, may await discovery in understudied populations.

Human hair color is a trait usually governed by many genes, but study author Sean Myles, a geneticist at Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, Canada, suspected things might be simpler in the Solomon Islands because he saw almost no variation in shades of blond hair. "It looked pretty obvious to me that it was a real binary trait. You either had blond hair or you didn't," says Myles.

To search for an underlying genetic blueprint, Myles and his colleagues collected saliva and hair samples from 1209 Solomon Islanders. Population genetic studies usually compare thousands of individuals, but the researchers predicted they could detect differences in a much smaller sample because of the stark contrast between the islanders' blond and dark locks. They compared the entire genetic makeup of 43 blond and 42 dark-haired islanders. The two groups, they found, had different versions of a crucial gene, one that coded for a protein involved in pigmentation. Switching one "letter" of genetic code-replacing a "C" with a "T"-meant the difference between dark hair and blond hair. A similar mutation creates blond mice by reducing the melanin content in their fur.

Blond Solomon Islanders carry two copies of this mutant gene, which is present in 26% of the islands' population, the team will report in tomorrow's issue of Science. The gene is recessive, which means that blonds inherit it from both parents. The researchers did not find the mutation in DNA samples of 941 individuals from 52 other populations around the world, including European countries. "It's a great example of convergent evolution, where the same outcome is brought about by completely different means," says Myles.

The mutation, which has no obvious advantages, likely arose by chance in one individual and drifted to a high frequency in the Solomon Islands because the original population was small, says Jonathan Friedlaender, an anthropologist emeritus at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was not involved in the study. "This whole area seems to have been populated by very small groups of people making it across these stepping-stone islands, so you do have very dramatic effects in fluctuations of gene frequency."

The results, says Myles, help deconstruct a Eurocentric view of the world in thinking about where blond hair comes from. He hopes the paper will draw attention to the bigger issue of other novel genes that scientists may be missing by concentrating on the genomes of Europeans. "If you can find a gene for blond hair that exists in Melanesia and nowhere else," Myles says, "then there's no reason why those sorts of genes don't exist all over world in underrepresented populations, and affect not only hair pigmentation, but also disease-related traits.""I think it's a very solid study," says Rasmus Nielsen, a population geneticist at the University of California, Berkeley. He says the paper makes a strong case for studying diverse populations. "We're spending millions and millions of dollars to learn a little bit more about the genetic basis of some of the traits that have already been studied in Europeans," he says. "This study illustrates that there is a lot to be gained in human genetics by looking into small, isolated populations."  source.

Prayer for new week.....

You are riding on high places and I see the glory of God shining in your life. It is well with your soul in Jesus Name. God will expose all deceivers around you, Almighty God will change the viewing channel of your life from an ordinary movie to an extra-ordinary realities of promotions, breakthrough and amazing excellence in Jesus Name.

You will enjoy open heavens in the remaining part of this months in Jesus.

Happy new week folks from us ASB'S World.
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BE HOLY

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

'There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy. I don't think anyone should get up in the morning and say, "My goal today is to be a depressed person."

It is fine if you want to be happy, but if you are living to be happy, you never will be happy.

In fact, you will find the people who chase after happiness are the least happy people around. Here is what it comes down to: if you want to be happy, then seek to be holy, and happiness will come as a by-product.

Seek to be holy. Seek to be like Christ, because God said, "You shall be holy; for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44).

But also seek to live wholly for Christ. Seek to be like Christ and live for Christ. And as you live a wholly holy life, you will find that you are a happy person as a result.

If you will lose your life for Christ's sake, He says that you will find it. But if you live for your own selfish ambitions, if you feel that you are the centre of the universe and everything has to revolve around you and everything has to be about you, then you will be miserable.

And the people around you will be miserable too. On the other hand, if you put God first and put others first, then happiness will come as a by-product. That is what Jesus says to each of us: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25). If you want to find yourself, then lose yourself. Put God first.

Prayer: Pray for the grace to walk in holiness and live wholly for the Lord.

Scriptural Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Health: WHO KNEW CUCUMBERS COULD DO ALL THIS!

Spice up your 8 glasses per day of water with a slice or two of cucumber. It's wonderfully refreshing, but there are amazing benefits to cucumber as well. Cucumbers are cooler than you think.

1. Fat busting: Do you ever wonder why women put cucumbers on their eyes to relieve puffiness? The photo-chemical in cucumbers makes the collagen in your skin tighten, thus the lack of puffiness. Did you know that you can rub a cucumber on a problematic spot of cellulite anywhere on your body to lessen the visibility of it? Did you also know that it has the same effect on wrinkles? Wow, it makes purchasing those fifty dollar creams seem a little silly, doesn’t it? You can also rub a little bit under your kiddo’s eyes after a long bout of crying to avoid that puffy ‘I cried for an hour straight’ look.

2. Defogger: Do you get annoyed when you get out of the shower and you have to fight the fog on the mirror? Who has time for that when the kids will be awake at any moment? Try rubbing a slice of cucumber on the mirror before you hop in and not only will you get a fog-free mirror, but you’ll have a nice smell that will boost your mood.

3. Headaches: If you suffer from headaches from chasing your babies all day (or pets or your husband), or had a little too much wine with dinner and want to avoid a hangover, eat half of a cucumber before bed. Cucumbers are high in B vitamins, sugar, and electrolytes, and they replenish the nutrients missing in your body to help you avoid a hang over or to beat that headache that’s been threatening to take over.

4. WD-40 replacement: Did you know you can get rid of a squeak by rubbing a cucumber on the hinge? Wow, now you don’t have to tear your garage apart looking for that little can with the red straw, and the baby won’t wake up when you slowly open the nursery door to check on him.

5. Crayon on the walls: Take an unpeeled cucumber and rub the crayon off of the walls in the event that your kiddo left you some art. You can also use this technique to erase a pen mistake.

6. Halitosis killer: Take a slice of cucumber and put it on the roof of your mouth. Hold it there with your tongue for 30 seconds. The photo-chemical that you love for cellulite and puff reduction will also kill the bacteria that is causing your bad breath.

7. Tarnish remover: If you’re finding tarnish on your stainless steel kitchen faucets and appliances? Rub it off with a cucumber slice. Not only will it remove years of tarnish, it will leave it streak free and your hands will thank you, and your kids won’t be put at risk from a dangerous chemical.

8. Energy booster: If you’re feeling tired in the afternoon, don’t give Starbucks your five bucks. Instead, grab a cucumber. There are just enough carbohydrates and B vitamins to give you a longer-lasting and healthier boost of energy than soda, coffee, or those health hazard energy drinks.

9. Munchy madness: Did you know that European trappers ate cucumbers for energy and to keep from starving to death? If those big burly manly men can eat a cucumber to keep from starving, you can eat one as a healthy choice when the munchies hit. Slice some up and take them in a small plastic container to the movies if your theater doesn’t offer healthy alternatives to munching on butter soaked popcorn.

10. Frugal facial: Slice up a cucumber and boil it in a pot of water. The chemicals inside of the cucumber will mix with the steam. Remove the pot from heat and lean over it, letting the steam hit you. Your skin will be more radiant and healthy, and you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

11. Shoe polish: Cut a slice off of your cucumber and rub it on your shoe. It will not only shine it up, but it will repel water.

12. Pest control: Put three or four slices of cucumber in a small pie tin and place them in your garden. The chemicals in the cucumber have a reaction that pests hate. You won’t smell it, but it will drive them from your garden all year long. Replace them periodically.

13. Sunburn: Sometimes sun block doesn’t always protect your little ones from sunburn. If you have burnt little kiddos you don’t have any aloe, rub some cucumber on them. Many doctors even use cucumber to treat patients with irritated skin and sunburns.

14. Blood pressure: Cucumber has been long used to treat high blood pressure. If you have it, add cucumbers to your daily diet. There is also ongoing research into the use of cucumbers for lowering cholesterol.

15. Constipation remedy: The seeds of a cucumber are a diuretic. If you’re constipated, try eating a cucumber. If you suffer from chronic constipation, add cucumber to your daily diet

FOLLOW GOD'S LEADING

Then Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." Exodus 3:3

In order to fulfil your divine destiny, you must be sensitive to God's leading at all times and follow the path that the Lord has set before you.

You should live your life with a clear sense of knowing where you're going, which direction you will take to get there and what you want to accomplish.

Don't spend your time and energy on things that may be interesting, but are not helping you fulfil your destiny.

Remember, God's plans are blessed and as you walk in His plan for your life, you will experience His abundant blessing on everything you set your hand to.

When He interrupts your agenda, don't be upset; just turn aside and follow His plans. One of the surest ways to keep your priorities right is to become a joyful worshipper.

As you make God your number one priority, you allow Him to magnify Himself in your life. Take time to worship God for who He is and thank Him for all the blessings He has given you.

It doesn't matter if you're at home, at work, at the bus stop or caught up in a traffic jam; turn every activity of yours into a spiritual activity.

Welcome the Lord's presence into your life at all times. Allow Him to strengthen your faith as you spend time in His Word. Your Bible is the best tool for discovering your God-given purpose.

The Bible will tell you who you are, what you have and what you can do. There's nothing like the excitement of discovering the treasures God has for you in His Word.

Like Moses, learn to turn aside from your own plans to follow the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, give me the ability to see Your hand and Your leading even in the ordinary events of my life.

Scriptural Reading: Exodus 3:1-6

The 9 things you should never say in a fight with your child

Disagreements between you and your children are a fact of parenthood. When aging children begin asserting their independence, things can quickly turn for the worse when your "not-so-little ones" become blatantly disobedient and disrespectful.

When it comes to fighting with your kids, fight fair by avoiding these nine phrases at all costs:

1. Profanities

Profanities are a total no-no. Don't fire back when your child hurls these at you. In the end, you are the adult and everything you do is teaching your child how to behave when he reaches adulthood. If you throw out profanities during a fight with your child, he'll do the same to your grandkids.

2. "You're/You're a (insert any insulting label here)"

Part of fighting fair is constructively expressing your real feelings and concerns and then working toward resolving them. Labels and insults do neither and only cause hurt feelings or increased anger. These words stick to your child like glue and may greatly affect his relationships and self-esteem for years to come.

3. "I never wanted you," or "I wish I never had you!"

It's easy to rebut the classic kiddy tantrum, "I wish I'd never been born," with one of these doozies. But don't drop that bomb. Questioning the validity of your child's right to exist is never a thought you want to implant in his mind — and it may come back to haunt you if he tries to make it a reality.

4. "You were a mistake," or "You ruined my life!"

Blaming your child for being here doesn't make sense and doesn't make you look mature enough to be a parent. Being born was not his decision — it was yours. And even in the heat of the moment, making such an ugly claim says more about you than it says about him.

5. "Why can't you be more like __?"

Comparing your wayward child to a more upstanding citizen is easy when he hits those tumultuous teen years. But your child is just trying to find himself. He is who he is, and asking him to be someone else is the same as telling him, "You're not good enough the way you are."

6. "I hate you," or "I don't love you!"

Let's hope neither of these statements is true. Pointless and tactless, they just create a greater divide between you and your beloved child. Even if they are true, they still don't need to be said — and it might be time for counseling!

7. "Shut up, I don't care!"

Listening is much harder and much more important than speaking. What caused the argument in the first place is likely a breakdown in communication, so reinforcing the point that you are unwilling to listen to your child will only further the insult and injury.

8. "I'm leaving," or "I'm not coming back!"

Your child needs you, no matter how much he claims he doesn't. Don't ever give your child a reason to feel abandoned. If you need to step outside to get some air, do it. But don't take your keys, and give yourself a time frame in which to return. Then, come back!

9. "Get out!"

Your child needs a safe haven to call home and a comfortable place to rest his head. Ripping this away from him is not only against the law, it causes catastrophic damage to your relationship. And your child may not be so willing to return when you've calmed down and want him to come back.

Keeping your wits in the midst of a meltdown with your kid takes grace, patience and immense amounts of self-discipline and self-control. But as the parent, this is the responsibility you took on when you started your family. Be the adult, and make sure every argument works toward a resolution — and remember to keep those unkind words to yourself. Source.

Health: See Where You’re Getting Fat The Most & Solutions

The scientists have acknowledged 6 different obesity types that are based on factors which are causing them, and solution to every single one of them. So, here is the list of the 6 obesity types and how to solve them.

1: Food Obesity
The food obesity type is gotten from an excessive food and water intake. It’s manifesting with upper body fat and protruding stomach. The simple solution of this is to reduce the food amount and the sugar intake. Also, you should try to exercise for about 30 minutes each day.


2: “Nervous Stomach” Obesity
The central culprits for this sort of obesity are stress and anxiety. Even the excessive intake of sweets and depression could give you this sort of obesity.The solution to this obesity type is controlling the physical activities to reduce the stress and to manage the anxiety.

3: Gluten Obesity
This sort of obesity is very common amongst the women, mostly during the adolescence period and menopause, or whenever they are experiencing some hormonal imbalance. The best way to manage this is avoiding sitting on a same spot for long time, exercising regularly with weight, and avoiding smoking and intake of alcohol.

4: Atherogenic Metabolic Obesity
This type is characterizing with very big stomach, which is looking like big balloon. It could seem that your body fat is accumulated in your stomach. This could also cause troubles with breathing for the people who are consuming alcohol.

5: Venous Obesity
This is referring to the obesity that is occurring as result of a venous circulation and is usually inherited. The venous obesity is very common during the pregnancy and among people who are having swollen legs. The best solution to this unpleasant situation is exercising, for instance, running or climbing stairs. Read here

6: Obesity as result of inactivity
This is a sort of obesity that is affecting some body parts that were very active. It’s common amongst people that used to do more rigorous exercises, but aren’t slacking. If you are having this obesity type, going long periods without having food will aid your body to burn fat by speeding up the metabolism.

Prayer for new week

You will never go below the level that you are; rather you will go higher and higher everyday.

That debt that has caused fear for you will be paid in a miraculous way. You will have extra to meet your needs in Jesus mighty name.Whatever is troubling your mind will suddenly vanish and you will have joy unspeakable. 

Before this week comes to an end, you will encounter favour that will completely and permanently change the story of your life for better in Jesus name.

Happy new week folks have a bless week from us ASB's World.

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FORGIVE

Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." - Acts 8:22-23

This is a scene that all of us might have seen before. It happens in novels, movies and dramatic productions.

A miserable, depressed, emotionally broken person hunched over a set of suspicious looking chemicals. His eyes are menacing.

His jaws are set. His fingers are methodically adding just a pinch of this and a dash of that to the evil-looking green fluid in the test tube before him.

His thoughts are filled with a mixture of dated images carrying memories of hatred for a grievance long past. He is thinking of the one who hurt him, and he is concocting some deadly poison for the offender.

After finishing with the preparation of his medicine of death, he breathes a sigh of relief as he straightens up, marvelling at the liquid vengeance he has created and mutters, "This will show him."

He turns and mixes the poisonous substance in the drink of the target of his bitterness.

Then tragedy strikes. He forgets the cup he poured the poison into and ends up mistakenly drinking his own poison.

Bitterness is a poison that we prepare for someone else, but then drink ourselves. It is a concentrated dose of emotional poison, often one that we carefully nurture and grow over the course of years.

When we react to someone's wrongdoing by withdrawing and giving our minds over to daydreams of retribution and evil plans, we are slowly poisoning our own hearts and minds.

Ask God to reveal any signs of poison in your system. Then, give yourself a dose of the antidote - forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to forgive all those who have hurt me.

Scriptural Reading: Acts 8:13-25

SEE YOURSELF AS GOD SEES YOU

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." Numbers 13:30

Three groups of people were made to submit themselves to scientific experiments to test the effect of mental suggestion on their strength. They were to grip a strength-measuring instrument with all their strength under three different sets of conditions.

The first group was tested under normal conditions. The average grip was 45 kilograms.

The second group was told that they were very weak and did not have the muscle mass to lift heavy weights. Their average grip this time was only 13 kilograms!

In the third group they were told that they had athletic muscle mass and were naturally endowed with strength to handle heavy weights. The average grip jumped to 64 kilograms.

The results of the tests proved that human performance is critically impacted by the human mindset. Although all the people in the three groups had similar strengths, the thoughts that were planted into their minds about themselves influenced their performance.

The verdict is clear: the way people act is based on the way they perceive themselves. None of us wants to miss the blessings God has planned for us.

However, because of our own negative attitude and wrong choices, we often live lives that are way below our potential.

Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years because they allowed negativity and a sense of powerlessness to govern their attitudes and choice. Like the people in the strength-test experiment, Israel responded to their challenges based on their self-image.

When they thought of themselves as grasshoppers, they fell. When they thought like slaves from Egypt, they failed; when they thought as liberated people of the Most High God, they won.

Prayer: Help me O Lord, to think of myself the way You think of me.

Scriptural Reading: Numbers 13:1-33

Health: How to Get Rid of Dark Elbows and Knees

The skin around the elbows and knees is usually thicker and has more folds than its surrounding skin. Also, because there are no oil glands in these areas, this skin tends to be drier. So, when proper care and hygiene is not maintained, the skin on knees and elbows becomes much darker than other parts of your body.   

Some other factors that contribute to dark elbows and knees are frequent rubbing, overexposure to the sun, genetic factors, dry skin, hormonal imbalance, obesity, dead skin buildup and increased melanin pigment.This is a common issue that can make one self-conscious about wearing short-sleeve dresses and tops as well as skirts and shorts.

Several natural remedies and simple skin care techniques can help solve this problem.

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a good remedy to lighten dark knees and elbows. It has vitamin E that can help lighten the skin tone and prevent dryness by keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. It can even repair dark and damaged skin.

• After each shower or bath, apply coconut oil on your knees and elbows and massage gently for 1 to 2 minutes. Reapply several times a day to prevent dryness.
• Alternatively, prepare a mixture with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and ½ teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub this solution on your dark elbows and knees and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe it off with paper towels. Do this once daily.
• You can also add enough coconut oil to 1 tablespoon of walnut powder to make a thick paste. Use it to exfoliate dark skin patches around your knees and elbows 2 or 3 times a week.

2. Lemon

Lemon has natural bleaching as well as exfoliating properties. Also, it has a high amount of vitamin C that helps remove dead cells and lighten skin tone. It can also promote regeneration of healthy skin cells.

• Apply lemon juice on your elbows and knees and massage gently for a few minutes. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. Wash it off with warm water and apply a moisturizing lotion.
• You can also extract the juice of 1 lemon and mix it with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply it on the affected areas and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash the mixture off with water.

Follow either of these remedies once daily for a couple of weeks. After applying lemon juice, avoid sun exposure for the next 3 hours.

3. Yogurt

Yogurt contains lactic acid that helps lighten skin color. It also cleanses and moisturizes the skin.

• Mix 1 teaspoon each of plain yogurt and white vinegar to get a smooth paste. Apply it on the affected areas and let it dry. Rinse it off with warm water, pat dry and apply a moisturizer. Do this daily for a few weeks.
• Alternatively, mix 2 tablespoons of gram flour and 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a thick paste. Apply it on your darkened elbows or knees and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, rub with wet fingers to remove the paste and rinse with water. Do this 2 or 3 times a week.

4. Sugar

To lighten the skin tone of your knees and elbows, you can also use a homemade sugar scrub. Sugar granules help exfoliate dead skin cells and soften the skin.

1. Mix equal amounts of sugar and olive oil to make a thick paste.
2. Apply this paste on your knees and elbows and rub it around using circular motions for 5 minutes.
3. Wash it off with a mild soap and warm water.
4. Do this once daily until the skin tone around your knees and elbows lightens.
5. Repeat this treatment on a weekly basis.

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda acts as a gentle cleanser, hence it is effective for treating dark knees and elbows. It can help remove dead skin cells and reduce hyper-pigmentation that forms around the knees and elbows.

1. Prepare a paste with 1 tablespoon each of milk and baking soda.
2. Apply it on the affected areas and rub it around in circular motions for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Wash it off with lukewarm water and pat dry the area thoroughly.
4. Repeat every other day until you get the desired results.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a natural skin lightener that will also keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. It can help maintain even skin tone and promote the repair of skin cells damaged by sun exposure.

1. Extract the gel by breaking open a fleshy aloe vera leaf.
2. Apply it to the affected areas.
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

Repeat 1 or 2 times daily for a few weeks.

7. Almond

Both almonds and almond oil are good for your skin. Almonds are rich in skin-nourishing properties that can help maintain an even skin tone and keep your skin healthy and glowing.

• Massage the affected areas with warm almond oil for about 5 minutes daily before going to bed. Within a few days, you should notice improvement.
• Alternatively, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of coarsely powdered almonds with a little yogurt to make a thick paste. Apply it on the darkened elbows and knees. Allow it to dry, then with wet fingers rub in circular motions. Wash it off with cold water. Do this once or twice daily for a few weeks.

8. Mint

Mint contains several volatile oils that promote collagen in the body. It helps maintain an even skin tone and makes skin glow with health.

1. Boil ½ cup of water with a handful of mint leaves for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Add the juice of ½ lemon to it, strain and allow the solution to cool.
3. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and rub it on your knees and elbows.
4. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.
5. Follow this treatment 1 or 2 times daily until you are satisfied with the results.

9. Turmeric

Turmeric is also highly recommended for dark elbows and knees. It can help maintain an even tone and adds a nice glow to the skin.

• Mix a little turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon of milk cream. Apply it on your knees and elbows and massage for a few minutes. Allow it to dry, then wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Alternatively, combine equal amounts of turmeric powder and gram flour. Add enough rose water to it to make a paste. Massage this paste onto your elbows and knees. Leave it on until it is dry. Finally, scrub off the dried mask with lukewarm water.

10. Cucumber

Cucumber has natural bleaching properties that help lighten dark elbows and knees. Also, cucumber will help keep the skin moisturized and aid in removing impurities from the outer skin layer.

• Gently rub thick slices of cucumber over your elbows and knees for 10 minutes. Leave it for another 5 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. Follow this treatment daily.
• Alternatively, mix together equal amounts of cucumber juice and lemon juice. Stir in a little turmeric powder. Apply it on the affected areas. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then wash it off with water. Do this daily. source

Additional Tips

• Massage your knees and elbows with shea butter or cocoa butter every night before going to bed.
• Rub a thick potato slice over your knees and elbows for 5 minutes daily before taking a shower or bath.
• You can rub a small slice of ripe papaya onto the skin to enjoy soft and supple skin.
• Do not put pressure on your elbows and knees as it can make the skin dark as well as rough.
• Protect your knees and elbows from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays by wearing sunscreen throughout the year.
• Scrub your skin regularly with a scrubber or pumice stone.
• Avoid exfoliating your knees and elbows if you have an open wound as it may make it worse and increase the chances of infection.
• Apply moisturizer regulalrly on your skin to prevent dryness.
• Wear full-length and long-sleeved clothes when you are out and the temperature is high.
• Follow a healthy diet that includes vitamins and minerals for optimal skin nourishment.
• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday to enjoy soft and healthy skin.